Latest news with #JillianKilborn
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
How to protect nesting loons and their chicks
MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – Vermonters hiking and boating on lakes may be familiar with the haunting call of the loon, an aquatic bird that has been the focus of protection efforts. This summer, Vermont Fish & Wildlife (VT F&W) asks people to be aware of their habitats. 'Loons were removed from Vermont's endangered species list in 2005, but they continue to face threats from human disturbance during the breeding season and mortality from the ingestion of fishing gear,' said VT F&W wildlife biologist Jillian Kilborn. Loons can become stressed when chased, even to the point of abandoning their young, so keeping a distance is important. Eric Hanson with the Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE) says a top danger to loons in the state are fishing lines left behind by anglers, which can entangle the birds. 'Loons will take live bait and lures, killing a few each year,' says Hanson. 'A few loons have even learned that anglers are a source of easy food, and just like bears, it is very important that loons do not learn this problem habit.' Police: Black bears are prowling Colchester neighborhoods Hanson also says that the 'no wake' laws requiring boaters to slow down to 5 miles per hour within 200 feet of shorelines help protect loons, because the strong waves caused by fast-moving boats can destroy loon nests along the shoreline. Anyone interested in monitoring loons for the Loon Conservation Project can contact Hanson at loon@ Volunteers can also help out on LoonWatch Day, held annually on a Saturday in July to provide a loon population count. This year's count will be on July 19 between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Some hiking trails across Vermont to be closed for the season: Here's why
As spring approaches in Vermont, many people are getting ready to hit the trails and start the 2025 hiking season. However, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and Audubon Vermont are recommending people check to see if the area they are planning to hike or climb is open. While there are typically spring trail closures to reduce impacts during mud season, several cliff areas are now closed to protect nesting peregrine falcons. 'Peregrine falcons are very sensitive to human presence during their breeding season, so we ask climbers and hikers to please maintain a respectful distance from their nests,' Nongame Bird Biologist Jillian Kilborn with Fish and Wildlife, said. 'The areas closed include the portions of the cliffs where the birds are nesting and the trails leading to cliff tops or overlooks.' Over the next couple months, biologists and community scientists will be identifying cliffs occupied by peregrines this year. These sites will remain closed until Aug. 1 or until Fish and Wildlife determines the risk to nesting falcons has passed. Additional sites may be added or removed from the list which will be updated and provided on VT Fish and Wildlife's website. Bolton Notch in Bolton – UUW cliff – cliff access and climbing closed. Bone Mountain in Bolton – portions closed to climbing. Deer Leap in Bristol – cliff-top and climbing closed. Eagle Ledge in Vershire – closed to hiking and climbing. Dummerston Quarry in Dummerston – upper quarry closed. Hazen's Notch in Lowell – portions closed to climbing. Fairlee Palisades in Fairlee – cliff-top closed. Marshfield Mt in Marshfield - portions closed to climbing. Mt Horrid in Rochester – Great Cliff overlook closed. Nichols Ledge in Woodbury – cliff-top and climbing closed. Prospect Rock in Johnson – cliff-top overlook and climbing closed. Red Rocks Park in South Burlington – southern cliff access closed. Rattlesnake Point in Salisbury – southern overlook closed. Snake Mountain in Addison – entire western trail closed. The peregrine falcon population plummeted due to the use of chemical compound DDT as an insecticide in the mid twentieth century. Peregrines picked up the chemical from the birds they ate. The result was thinner eggshells and a reduced chance of survival for the young. Please enable Javascript to view this content. All of the peregrines east of the Mississippi River were eliminated by the time DDT was banned in the 1970s. Efforts to reintroduce peregrines have been successful. In Vermont, relatively high peregrine productivity levels have been sustained since 1991. It's due to the sensitivity of these birds to disturbance that people are cautioned to avoid nesting areas during this period. Peregrine Falcons prefer to nest on high ledges near open areas where they hunt, such as rivers, lakes and fields. The nest is a section of gravel, sand or loose soil that has been hollowed out. No additional building materials are brought to the site. Audubon Vermont conservation biologist Margaret Fowle works with volunteers and other conservation professionals to monitor the sites throughout the nesting season. 'Peregrine falcons were removed from Vermont's endangered species list in 2005, and the population continues to thrive thanks to the efforts of our many volunteers and partners,' Fowle said. 'In many cases the lower portions of the trails remain open, and we encourage people to enjoy watching peregrine falcons from a distance that requires using binoculars or a spotting scope.' Report any disturbance of nesting peregrines to your local State Game Warden and report any sightings to Fowle at Sydney P. Hakes is the Burlington city reporter. Contact her at SHakes@ This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont trails closed for the season to protect peregrine falcons
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Why nesting peregrines keep some Vermont cliff tops and overlooks closed
COLCHESTER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – Vermont's Fish and Wildlife Department and Audubon Vermont are reminding the public that some cliff-side areas are closed to help nesting peregrines. Scientists and biologists will work in the coming months to find cliffs and areas that peregrine falcons nest in. Peregrines are sensitive to humans during breeding season. Here is a full list of sites that will likely be closed until August 1: Bolton Notch (Bolton) – UUW cliff – cliff access and climbing closed Bone Mountain (Bolton) – portions closed to climbing Deer Leap (Bristol) – cliff-top and climbing closed Eagle Ledge (Vershire) – closed to hiking and climbing Dummerston Quarry (Dummerston) – upper quarry closed Hazen's Notch (Lowell) – portions closed to climbing Fairlee Palisades (Fairlee) – cliff-top closed Marshfield Mt (Marshfield) — portions closed to climbing Mt Horrid (Rochester) – Great Cliff overlook closed Nichols Ledge (Woodbury) – cliff-top and climbing closed Prospect Rock (Johnson) – cliff-top overlook and climbing closed Red Rocks Park (S. Burlington) – southern cliff access closed Rattlesnake Point (Salisbury) – southern overlook closed Snake Mountain (Addison) – entire western trail closed This list is subject to change as the season continues, and sites may be added or removed. Some sites may remain closed until Fish & Wildlife announce that the risk of nesting has passed. In a release, Nongame Bird Biologist Jillian Kilborn said that 'Peregrine falcons are very sensitive to human presence during their breeding season, so we ask climbers and hikers to please maintain a respectful distance from their nests.' Vermonters can help peregrines by respecting cliff closures, reporting peregrine sightings, and notifying a local State Game Warden about nesting disturbances. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
