Nesting eagles are off limits

MILFORD n The National Park Servie announced on June 14 that a small area of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area surrounding a tree where eagles are nesting near the borough of Milford has been temporarily closed in order to minimize the possibility of disrupting the birds and maximize the chances for successful breeding of young eaglets. Park lands surrounding the west bank of Sawkill Creek between the Route 209 Bridge and the Mott Street Bridge are the areas closed. The closure will be in effect for 30 days. The area has been posted with temporary closure signs. The purpose of the closure is to give the two young eagle nestlings the opportunity to gain sufficient strength so that they can successfully fly, or fledge, from the nest. Eagles are wary of humans and their normal nesting routine can be disrupted by human activity near the nest. This disruption can prevent the adults from bringing food to the young, resulting in delayed development, disease, or mortality of the nestlings. Disruption of the nesting routine can also cause the young to attempt to leave the nest prematurely, often leading to their death. The National Park Service also seeks the cooperation of adjacent landowners in the effort to protect the two young eagles in the nest. The nest is located near homes in a residential area and the adult eagles are likely accustomed to a certain level of human activity. However, the eagles selected their nest site in late winter when outdoor human activity was minimal. The increased levels of outdoor activity that accompany the arrival of summer may exceed the tolerance of the adult eagles and they may be avoiding the nest site, leaving the young untended. Abnormally loud activities, or those that involve large numbers of people within view of the nest, can be especially disruptive. The bald eagle continues to be a listed species under the Endangered Species Act. As a federal agency the National Park Service is required by law to protect listed species which occur on their land.