Central Oregon – The protection of several birds of prey species during their nesting periods are beginning to take place. Annual closures of several Central Oregon hiking areas will be off limits.
Humans’ disruption of nesting, intentional or not, is a leading cause of nest failure or abandonment, according to a release from the Bureau of Land Management Prineville District. People walking or riding near a nest, or even being within view of an eagle at its nest, can cause a bird to abandon it. At that point eggs can become cold, young aren’t fed and a nest is open to predators.
For areas with closures, all public uses will be prohibited, including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and riding or driving of off-highway vehicles.
Some closures began as early as Jan. 1, while other closures may not start until Feb. 1.
Closures may continue until Aug. 31, or when the BLM has found the young have fledged, or left the nest. BLM wildlife staff will monitor nests frequently to lift closures as soon as possible.
Areas with seasonal closures include:
• Millican Plateau OHV Trail System (Route #95 only): This one-mile section of route is closed Jan. 1 to Aug. 31 to protect nesting bald eagles. There are a number of other routes in the area for out-and-back and loop rides.
• Tumalo Reservoir: This route is closed Jan. 1 to Aug. 31 to protect nesting bald eagles. Users can hike or ride in the northeast corner of this trail area or move east to the Cline Buttes Recreation Area, which is similar.
• Trout Creek Trail (South side of the trail only): Users must stay on the Trout Creek Trail or between the trail and the Lower Deschutes River. The area, which includes the Trout Creek climbing walls, is closed from Jan. 15 to Aug. 31 to protect nesting golden eagles. Instead of Trout Creek, climbers can visit locations such as Rattlesnake, Skinners Butte or the Gorge at Smith Rock.
• North Millican OHV Trail System (Route #25): This route is closed from Feb. 1 to Aug. 31 to protect nesting golden eagles. Users can visit a number of other routes in the area.
• Cline Buttes Recreation Area (parts of the Deep Canyon, Fryrear, Maston and Jaguar Road only): This area is closed from Feb. 1 to Aug. 31 to protect nesting golden eagles. Alternate trails in the area include Tumalo Canal Historic Area, the Buttes and some portions of Deep Canyon, Fryrear, Maston and Jaguar Road.
• Horny Hollow Trail: This trail is closed near Crooked River Ranch from Feb. 1 to Aug. 31 to protect nesting golden eagles. Open trail sites in the area include Otter Bench, Scout Camp, Folley Waters and Steelhead Falls.
• Dry River Canyon Trail: This trail is closed on the southeast side of the Badlands to protect nesting prairie falcons and golden eagles from Feb. 1 to Aug. 31. Alternate trails in the area include Badlands Rock Trail, Flatiron Trail and the Horse Ridge Trail Complex.
Both bald and golden eagles are protected by three federal laws: the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Lacey Act, according to the BLM’s release. The Migratory Birds Treaty Act also covers prairie falcons, the BLM said.
Those who violate the BLM Prineville District closure orders may face up to a $1,000 fine, up to a year imprisonment or both. Those convicted of violating the federal protection acts can face a punishment “much more severe,” according to the BLM’s release.
For more information about the closures, call the BLM Prineville District office at 541-416-6700.
