The BLM announces avoidance areas to protect raptors in Indian Creek
BLM Utah Monticello Field Office
Media Contact: Lisa Wilkolak (435) 259-2122 lwilkolak@blm.gov February 10, 2021
The BLM announces avoidance areas to protect raptors in Indian Creek
The BLM thanks the climbing community for their cooperation
MONTICELLO, Utah – Each spring raptors return to the Indian Creek area for nesting. Eagles, falcons, and other migratory birds use shallow depressions on ledges, cliffs and rock walls, and often return to the same site year after year to raise their young. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) requests that climbers and hikers avoid nest areas during critical nesting periods, typically in early March through late August. Avoiding climbing and hiking in the vicinity of the nests and keeping a safe viewing distance will help ensure survival of young birds.
Beginning March 1, the BLM asks the public to avoid climbing or hiking in areas with high potential or historically known to have bird nesting activity. The impacted areas are referred to in many climbing guidebooks as: The Wall, Far Side, The Meat Walls, Cliffs of Insanity, Public Service Wall, Disappointment Cliffs, Fin Wall, Broken Tooth, Cat Wall, Slug Wall, and Reservoir Wall. This list serves only as a guide and does not indicate every avoidance area or their many names. Refer to the attached Raptor Protection Map to best identify avoidance areas. The BLM is coordinating raptor protection efforts with the Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA), the administrator of the climbing areas known as Disappointment Cliffs and portions of the Second Meat Wall climbing area.
In March, BLM biologists will begin annual raptor activity surveys to verify which nest sites are active. Typically, by late April or early May, biologists can identify which nest sites raptors have selected. At that time climbing and hiking areas without active nests will be cleared for recreational use. The BLM requests that climbers and hikers completely avoid areas with active nests until the young birds have fledged, usually by late summer. Biologists will monitor nesting activity throughout the season and keep the recreation community informed of potential changes. Avoidance area notices will be posted throughout the Indian Creek Corridor during the recreation season.
While falcons and eagles are not overly common sights in southeastern Utah, keen-eyed observers are sometimes rewarded with their aerial acrobatics. Visitors can watch adult birds hunt or observe young raptors perfecting their flying techniques. These species in Utah continue to recover from low population levels, thanks in part to cooperation from the public, climbing communities and governmental partners. The BLM reminds the public there are private land holdings throughout the Indian Creek Corridor. Please respect private landowners boundaries and signage.
For questions about raptors and migratory bird habitat in the Monticello area, please contact Thomas Plank or Jason Byrd with the BLM Monticello Field Office at 435-587-1500. A map depicting climbing avoidance areas is provided with this release.
Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are provided during normal business hours.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Flickr @BLMUtah
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also
administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The agency’s mission is to sustain the health,
diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Diverse activities
authorized on these lands generated $111 billion in economic output across the country in fiscal year 2019—more than any other
agency in the Department of the Interior. These activities supported more than 498,000 jobs.
