BAR HARBOR, Maine (AP) — The National Park Service says it is reopening three cliffs and their associated trails to public entry soon following a closure to protect peregrine falcons.

The park service closed the areas in March to protect the falcons from disturbances while they were nesting. The service says the protection resulted in the fledging of five chicks this year compared to 11 last year.

The areas will reopen to the public on Thursday.

The service says the closure of cliffs and trails during nesting season has helped with the fledging of more than 125 chicks from Acadia cliffs over the last 20 years.


The peregrine falcon is the world’s fastest animal. They became endangered in the middle of the 20th century and have since recovered.