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Access to Sierra Espuña restricted to help protect nesting golden eagles
Popular Alhama de Murcia hiking routes will be closed until June 30 to reduce disturbance in sensitive nesting zones
Access to parts of the Sierra Espuña Regional Park is being temporarily restricted in an effort to protect the golden eagle during its breeding season.
The regional Ministry of the Environment has approved new measures to control access and monitor human activity in two sensitive areas of the park, Cuevas Luengas and La Solana del Pedro López. The restrictions will remain in place until June 30.
According to the Ministry, experience from recent years has shown that growing numbers of hikers, trail walkers and other day visitors, can have a negative impact on the breeding success of some eagle pairs.
In Cuevas Luengas, temporary closures have been in force since 2012. The area contains nesting platforms that are located very close to popular paths and trails, making it especially vulnerable to disturbance. The authorities believe that keeping these protective measures in place is still necessary to ensure the birds can breed successfully.
The situation in the Pedro López area has also become more challenging in recent years. Following the restoration of a nearby path, visitor numbers have increased noticeably, bringing more people into close proximity with active nests.
To address the problem, a series of temporary restrictions has now been put into effect.
In Cuevas Luengas, access to the main nesting zone will be completely closed, affecting around five kilometres of trails. The closures will be clearly marked on the ground with signs and, where necessary, fencing at entry points. Information about alternative routes will also be provided to help visitors continue to enjoy the park without affecting wildlife.
One suggested option is the Senda del Agua, or Water Trail, which runs along the shaded side of the Barranco de Espuña ravine and offers a scenic and undisturbed alternative for walkers.
A second closure affects a 2.4 kilometre section of trail crossing the Solana del Pedro López area, from Cuevas de la Plata to beyond the nesting cliffs. This section will also be clearly signposted to prevent accidental access.
Importantly, not all routes are affected. The Carrasca, El Pinillo and Malvariche forest track remains open, as does the PR-MU-63 Pedro López Trail, which forms part of the official Network of Natural Trails of the Region of Murcia.
Alongside the access restrictions, the Ministry is stepping up its monitoring of both golden eagle activity and human presence in the area. Environmental officers will be increasing patrols to ensure the rules are respected and to check that the measures are working as intended.
Image: CARM
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