Daily Camera Article

Forest Service to close areas in Boulder Canyon for raptor nesting

Officials from the U.S. Forest Service's Boulder Ranger District on Friday will begin enforcing seasonal closures at numerous wilderness areas in Boulder Canyon in order to protect long-established nesting areas for predatory birds.

The areas being closed are Security Risk, Eagle Rock, Blob Rock and Bitty Buttress, according to a news release from the Forest Service. Areas that will remain open include Happy Hour, Bihedral and Riviera, provided visitors respect the closed areas, officials say.

The closed areas provide vital nesting territory for golden eagles, according to the news release. Undisturbed access to the multiple nest sites is especially important for predatory birds early in the nesting season, when they will visit the sites during courtship before selecting one.

Signs will be posted at key access points for all of the closed areas. Volunteers and Forest Service staff will monitor the areas.

Information about the closures will be available online at link
( www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/arp/recreation )

The closures are expected to be lifted by July 31, if not sooner.

And don't forget, Cynical Pinnacle in the S. Platte will be
closed similarly.