March 19, 2024 4:27 AM
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Bald Eagle and Peregrine Closures are lifted at Lynx Lake and Granite Mountain

The Prescott National Forest lifted the closure restrictions and opened the John’s Tank Trail on the east side of Lynx Lake on Friday July 9, 2021.  The trail has been closed to public entry since December to provide protection to nesting bald eagles.  The closure was effective as the bald eagle pair successfully raised two young eagles this season. Throughout the nesting season, all four eagles could be seen in the nest to the east from the top of the boat launch at the south shore.

Bald eagles have used Lynx Lake as a nesting site for the last thirteen years.  The Forest Service closed the area east of the lake to minimize disturbance to the eagles.  For seven of the past nine years, eagles have successfully produced young eagles.

Meanwhile, over on Granite Mountain, the peregrines were not as successful. For the first time in seven years of consistent monitoring there will not be another generation of peregrines coming off of Granite Mountain. The closure at Granite Mountain was lifted on Saturday. The closure on Thumb Butte will be lifted on Thursday, July 15th.

The Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Arizona Game and Fish Department would like to thank everyone for their cooperation while the various closures were in effect.  Striking a balance in managing our limited natural resources ensures their presence for generations to come.

To learn more about the management of the southwestern bald eagles in Arizona, visit Southwestern Bald Eagle Management Committee or Arizona Game & Fish.

If you have any questions about the bald eagles and their management on the Bradshaw District, please feel free to contact Noel Fletcher at noel.fletcher@usda.gov.

For information on the Prescott National Forest, check out the Prescott NF website and following us on Facebook and Twitter.

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