BLM announces end of seasonal climbing avoidance in Indian Creek

MONTICELLO, Utah — September 1 marks the end of this year’s raptor nesting season and raptor avoidance measures. All climbing areas in Indian Creek will now be available for visitors. 

“We’d like to thank everyone who respected the request to avoid these areas this season,” said Nicollee Gaddis-Wyatt, BLM Canyon Country District Manager. “We know these are popular climbing areas, and we appreciate your consideration of these iconic birds.”  

BLM biologists identified three raptor nests in the avoidance area that had a successful fledgling!  

• At the Cliffs of Insanity, a golden eagle pair successfully raised a fledgling; 

• At the Meat Wall, a peregrine falcon pair had three nestlings, one of which successfully fledged; and  

• At the Public Service Wall, another golden eagle pair successfully raised a fledgling. 

The biologists also identified three nests that did not produce fledglings. 

• Reservoir Wall: one peregrine falcon nest, but no nestlings or fledglings were confirmed  

• The Wall: one prairie falcon nest, but no nestlings or fledglings were confirmed  

• Disappointment Cliffs: one prairie falcon nest which had four nestlings, but they unfortunately did not make it to fledging 

Although the golden eagle nests were both successful this year, the success rates for the prairie falcon and peregrine falcon nests were below average. It can be very difficult to determine why raptor nests fail and may be caused by a multitude of factors.  

Since 2018, the BLM has urged climbers and other outdoor recreationists to avoid important raptor nesting habitat in Indian Creek, from early spring to late summer. Falcons, eagles, and hawks — collectively known as raptors — use the steep cliffs as a safe refuge for raising their young. Breeding pairs often returning to the same site, year after year, building their nests in shallow depressions on high ledges. These cliffs and rock walls are also highly sought after in climbing communities; however, rock climbing and other recreation near nests can disturb the raptors and cause nests to fail. 

Each year, BLM biologists survey the raptor avoidance area to determine where the birds are nesting. BLM biologists began the annual raptor nest surveys in early spring and identified active nesting areas by early May. The BLM subsequently opened areas without active nests for recreational use.