At last I know where to look for the local peregrine cliff nest!
I have known for years that there was a nest on the cliffs of the Shawangunk Ridge near me. It makes the news every year when they close off the climbing routes around it, but since I don't rock-climb I had no idea where to look.
This is a fuzzy view of the ridge-all cliffs along the top. There's another like it to the left and another set on the other side.
Anyway, one of my co-workers is an avid climber but we work opposite shifts. We had a get together the other day so I finally had a chance to ask him. "Sure! It's right over the carriage road at the hairpin turn!"
Turns out he's a birder too and has a well known naturalist from the DEC on speed dial. Since I DO NOT rock climb he showed me a photo of the area and where the closures happen during breeding season. So now I know where to look. The most open area without trees will need a spotting scope, but I hope I can at least see some whitewash to give me more clues.
Very exciting!
