KTZV.com reported on 24 January 2017 that the Bureau of Land Management Prineville District started implementing a series of annual wildlife closures to protect several species of birds of prey during sensitive nesting periods. Included among the closures is Fryrear Canyon located 6 miles southeast of Sisters Oregon which we first visited on new years' day 2012.  Fryrear Canyon is now regularly closed to all users from February 1 to August 31.  

Below are a few landscape images from our recent search for evidence of raptor nests amidst the canyon walls.  While our search yielded only one nest we were able to enjoy but not photograph several bird species including, CLARK'S NUTCRACKER, CANYON WREN, COMMON RAVEN, SONG SPARROW, MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE, OREGON JUNCO, TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE, and PYGMY NUTHATCH. 

We like this 5-mile round-trip bird walk, it's easy in and out over flat terrain and once you reach the entrance to canyon you are soon consumed by the narrow width and relatively low height of the canyon walls that make it obvious why birds choosing to nest in this habitat would be vulnerable to human activity in and around the canyon.  
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In closing, we would like to remind those interested in this hike to carry drinking water.  We were caught off guard by November air temperatures in the mid-seventy degrees Fahrenheit in the canyon with no wind which made us ask ourselves "why didn't we bring water?"  We hope you enjoy and appreciate the canyon as much as we do.