The Mountaineers Currents

June 12th Open House regarding seasonal closure of Exit 38 for peregrine falcon nesting
By Kim Brown

Deception Wall and nesting site

The public is invited to an open house June 12, 6 p.m. in North Bend at the Snoqualmie Ranger District, 902 S.E. North Bend Way to learn more about the temporary, seasonal closures of Deception Wall at Exit 38 for peregrine falcon nesting. Representatives from State Parks, the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, and the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife will be on hand to discuss occasional seasonal closures, and gather ideas from the public on formalizing a process for future seasonal closures.

Insecticides containing DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) used from the late 1940’s to the time of DDT's ban in 1972 caused eggshell thinning, which resulted in high mortality for peregrine falcon chicks. In 1970, the US Fish & Wildlife listed the peregrine falcon as endangered, and Washington State Fish & Wildlife Commission listed it in 1980. See more information on the history of the listing here, and read more about peregrin falcons here.

Though peregrine eggshells are much healthier today, and the birds are more plentiful, peregrines are listed as a sensitive species in Washington and are federally-listed as a species of concern, because of their small numbers.

The nesting season for peregrine falcons typically ends in late June.

For more information about the closure or the June 12th meeting, contact Sonny Paz Paz at 425-888-8757 or Andrew Fielding at 509-665-4312.