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Bald Eagles Soar to New Records in 2008; New Nesting Season Begins

April 6, 2009
Bald Eagles Soar to New Records in 2008; New Nesting Season Begins

Bald Eagle Pair at Pennsylvania Nest by Hal Korber

The final tallies are in for Pennsylvania’s 2008 Bald Eagle nesting season.  The national symbol smashed  previous records by occupying 156 nesting territories and producing at least 171 fledglings.  Both are new records.  The previous records were made in 2007 when Pennsylvania had 132 active nesting pairs that produced at least 151 eaglets.  Because new nests are often difficult to find or observe, we know that these totals are underestimates; the outcomes of only 125 of the nests are known and some anecdotal reports of nesting pairs were unconfirmed.  Eagles are coming into more contact with humans as they find “green zones” near towns with good nesting habitat. Despite some bad weather events and conflicts with human activity, eagle nest success was approximately 73 percent last year.  The 2009 eagle nesting season is well underway and many eagles are brooding on eggs. Care should be taken near nests.

Success was widespread with eagles nesting in 46 of the state’s 57 counties. Those with the most nests are Crawford (16), Pike (14), Lancaster (12), and York (11). Eagles expanded into Clarion, Clearfield, Cumberland, and Juniata counties in 2008.

Please register your eagle observations into eBird.  Eagles often nest in high quality riparian forests and wetlands that provide habitat for a wide diversity of birds and other wildlife.  If you find a new eagle nest or see any disturbance near an eagle nest, please report your observation to your PGC Regional Office or the agency’s PGC Comments email account.  Enjoy eagles, but please avoid disturbing them at their nests, roosts or regular feeding areas.  

Bald Eagles serve an important ecological role at the top of the aquatic food chain.   Their presence and continued health prove the success of not only the Endangered Species Act, but the many protections and initiatives on behalf of water quality, as well as riparian forests and wetlands.   Without a healthy watershed, availability of big trees for nest support, and good fish populations, we would have fewer eagles and also fewer  recreational opportunities. 

Sometimes we can hurt eagles with our own enthusiasm and curiosity.  Give eagles plenty of elbow room and some respect and they should do just fine.  Flushing adults from an active nest can lead to nest failure from exposure to the cold or wet weather or to the many nest predators ready to pounce on an undefended nest.   The Bald Eagle program has been so successful that this species has been removed from  protections by the federal Endangered Species Act.   However,  eagle nests still are protected by the national Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s authority.   The Bald Eagles still is listed as Threatened in Pennsylvania.

 

While we encourage you to enjoy these sights, PLEASE KEEP YOUR DISTANCE FROM NESTS. 

IF DISTURBED, EAGLES MAY ABANDON THEIR NEST AND LEAVE THE AREA. 

 

Here are some general etiquette guidelines for avoiding disturbance of eagles:

 

·         Keep at least 1,000 feet from an active nest. 

 

·          Be quiet -- if you must talk, whisper.

 

·         Avoid sudden movements -- or movements directly toward the eagles or the nest --  while on foot or in a vehicle or boat. 

 

·         Don’t make the birds fly – this wastes precious energy and may cause them to leave a valuable meal behind or abandon a nest that they are constructing.

 

·         Pay attention to the eagle’s reaction to your presence – if it acts agitated, vocalizes repeatedly, or starts moving away, you are too close! 

 

·         Respect restricted zones.  They have been posted to protect eagle nesting areas. Don’t tell everyone about a new eagle nest. It will attract people to nesting areas who will not use proper etiquette and other unnecessary attention.If you unexpectedly stumble into an eagle nest or hear an eagle vocalizing overhead, leave immediately and quietly.

 

Thanks in advance for your cooperation!