Bald Eagles Doing Well

Mid-January found a group of 13 agency personnel and volunteers searching the Salmon, Lemhi, and Pahsimeroi River corridors for bald eagles. Observers also noted the presence of golden eagles as well as other birds of prey such as hawks and falcons. Conducted annually since 1979, the Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey "Provides valuable information about the population trends of bald and golden eagles in the region and across the state" according to Fish and Game Nongame Biologist Beth Waterbury. During the initial 1979 survey, only 18 bald eagles were observed throughout the entire survey area. This year, 118 bald eagles were seen over this same survey area. While this number is down somewhat from the 2005 record number of 137 eagles, it is similar to count totals from 2001 - 2004. Of interest was the large increase in bald eagles observed in the Pahsimeroi Valley. Twenty-eight eagles were seen, representing a 78% increase in numbers over last year. With the amount of ice cover on the water being noted as "less than normal" it is possible that the eagles were moving off the main Salmon River and up the Pahsimeroi River to take advantage the open water. The increase could also be related to a marked surge in the number of jackrabbits, a key prey species for eagles. Waterbury noted that all the information collected during this year's count continues "a definite upward trend in bald eagle numbers in the region." This upward trend is also reflected in the increasing numbers of bald eagles that are nesting in the Salmon region. Last summer, 11 bald eagle nesting territories were located in the region with seven of those producing young. One very productive nest has produced four eaglets each summer for the past two years. As recently as five years ago, the number of active bald eagle nests in the region could be counted on one hand. Good habitat along waterways has provided the birds with appropriate nest sites that eagles are utilizing during the nesting season. Whether these locally nesting birds remain in our area during the winter months is anybody's guess. While it is possible that they do overwinter here, bald eagles are known to roam far and wide in the wintertime. Bald eagles may cover hundreds and even thousands of miles in their search for good winter habitat. It is possible that our birds leave the region and are replaced by bald eagles arriving from Canada and even Alaska. Or our nesting birds may simply be joined by birds from other parts of the Northern Rockies. Waterbury hopes that a dead bald eagle found during this year's survey may provide some clues to the origin of some of our wintering bald eagles. This adult eagle had been banded sometime earlier in its life. Banding records are kept by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and include information about the date and location in which a bird was originally banded. Retrieving this bit of information may help answer this puzzle regarding our wintering bald eagles. While not the focus of the survey, golden eagle numbers are also tallied. This year, 33 golden eagles were observed. This number is slightly up from last year's total of 27 golden eagles. Like their cousin, the region's golden eagles are also experiencing an increasing population trend. Observing eagles in our area during the winter is sometimes as easy as taking a drive. Bald eagles prefer the river corridors where they can be found perching in large cottonwood trees along open stretches of water. Golden eagles are birds of the open range and rocky outcrops. Both species take advantage of carrion and can often be seen feeding side-by side. Next time you are traveling in the region, see if you can observe some of these magnificent birds right in our own backyard.