BAR HARBOR – Trails near peregrine falcon nesting sites in Acadia National Park have been closed to visitors to protect the endangered birds.

The move comes after peregrine falcons were observed defending nesting territories and engaging in breeding behavior at the Precipice, Valley Cove and Beech Cliffs.

The closure at the Precipice includes the popular Precipice and East Face trails along the east face of Champlain Mountain. The trails will reopen when biologists determine that human activities will not disturb the young birds.

Mount Desert Island has been a focus of the peregrine falcon recovery program in New England, with about 80 fledglings reported over the past 17 years.