Many raptors are sensitive to disturbance during the breeding season. Such disturbance may result in take. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service recommend spatial and seasonal buffer zones to avoid or minimize disturbance and the risk of take. The spatial buffers vary by alternative, however the seasonal restrictions remain constant among the alternatives, as outlined in the table below. These seasonal restrictions may be modified on a site-specific or project-specific basis based on field observations and local conditions.
Table K.1. Seasonal Restrictions
| Common Name | Period of Seasonal Restriction |
|---|---|
| American Kestrel | April 1 – August 15 |
| Bald Eagle | January 1 – August 15 |
| Boreal Owl | February 1 – July 31 |
| Burrowing Owl | April 1 – September 15 |
| Common Barn Owl | February 1 – September 15 |
| Cooper’s Hawk | March 15 – August 31 |
| Eastern Screech-owl | March 1 – August 15 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | March 15 – July 31 |
| Golden Eagle | January 15 – July 31 |
| Great Gray Owl | March 15 – August 31 |
| Great Horned Owl | December 1 – September 31 |
| Long-eared Owl | February 1 – August 15 |
| Merlin | April 1 – August 15 |
| Northern Goshawk | April 1 – August 15 |
| Northern Harrier | April 1 – August 15 |
| Northern Pygmy-Owl | April 1 – August 1 |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | March 1 – August 31 |
| Osprey | April 1 – August 31 |
| Peregrine Falcon | March 1 – August 15 |
| Prairie Falcon | March 1 – August 15 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | February 1 – August 15 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | March 15 – August 31 |
| Short-eared Owl | March15 – August 1 |
| Swainson’s Hawk | April 1 – August 31 |
| Western Screech-owl | March 1 – August 15 |