Bald Eagles Prompt Seasonal Closures in Prescott National Forest
With the bald eagles preparing to nest, Prescott National Forest will see two locations temporarily closed starting Monday. These closures aim to protect the nesting process from potential human interference.
Encounters between humans and nesting eagles can lead to disturbances, potentially affecting the eggs’ viability. To prevent this, areas around Lynx Lake and portions of the Verde River will be off-limits. However, the river remains accessible for rafters, provided they make no stops or delays.
Francisco Anaya, a biologist working with the Prescott National Forest, explains, “The whole idea is to limit potential human disturbance, especially early on when they’re in the, you know, eggling period of nesting.”
Those disregarding the closure rules may face fines. The restriction period might end early if the eagle nesting attempts do not succeed, according to Anaya.
