Peregrine chicks slow to fledge

NORTH BEND, Wash. – Wildlife biologists are asking climbers to give peregrine falcon chicks a little more time than initially expected to mature in their nest on a popular rock wall east of North Bend.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist Chris Anderson said the chicks were first sighted in late May and are a bit late developing.

State and federal agencies are keeping the climbing wall closed until the chicks abandon the nest. Biologists suggest the young falcons might be ready to leave the Deception Crag Wall around July 9.