Management of western coniferous forest habitat for nesting accipiter hawks

Availability of nesting sites can limit accipiter populations. Because accipiters nest in dense forest stands, any alteration that opens these stands is likely to lessen their desirability as nest sites. Tree growth and the associated changes in the vegetative structure of aging nest sites limit the number of years sites will be suitable. Therefore, prospective replacement sites should be selected within the core areas of home ranges before precommercial and commercial harvesting begins.