Banner Photo by Len Medlock
Article below by Chris Martin
January 2012 marks the 32nd consecutive winter that NH Audubon has coordinated the state’s Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey. Part of a national effort, this annual count provides long-term data on both breeding and non-breeding segments of the eagle population, as well as an opportunity to monitor important wintering habitat. In addition to generating data on eagle trends, distribution, and habitat, the count is a tradition for many, and helps raise public awareness of Bald Eagles and their conservation.
New Hampshire started participating in the Midwinter Survey in the Winter of 1980-81. Back then, seeing an eagle in the state was highly unusual, and they were on both the state and federal Endangered Species lists. But after three decades of eagle population recovery, many in the Granite State now expect to see eagles (plural!) on our rivers, lakes, and estuaries, no matter what the season! We focus our midwinter counting efforts primarily in the state’s five major eagle wintering areas: the Androscoggin River, Connecticut River, Great Bay/Coastal area, Lakes Region, and Merrimack River.
As we prepare for the 2012 count, let’s quickly review past results.
Last year on the official Midwinter Survey Day (Saturday, January 8, 2011), we found a total of 54 Bald Eagles. This included 37 adult birds, 15 immatures, and two others whose plumage/age were not determined. The total was down about 10% from the record-setting 61 eagles seen on the 2009 and 2010 counts, but that wasn’t too surprising, as snowfall confronted many volunteer observers on the 2011 count, especially in the southwestern part of the state.
For logistical reasons, we actually count eagles in the Lakes Region on the Thursday before the statewide date. So while Saturday’s falling snow presented some visibility challenges, Thursday’s Lakes Region count took place in beautiful, mild sunlit conditions with no precipitation. And – no surprise here – top regional honors for most eagles seen on the 2011 Midwinter Survey went to the Lakes Region, where 14 individual eagles were counted. But both the Merrimack River and the Great Bay/Coastal areas followed close behind with 13 birds apiece tallied on Survey Day. And a total of 72 volunteers turned out for the counts.
For some long-term perspective, 10 years ago (2001) we tallied 42 eagles, 20 years ago (1991), we counted just 19, and 30 years ago (1981) we found only 8. The number of eagles present in New Hampshire in winter is clearly increasing!
NH Audubon monitors bald eagle abundance and distribution in New Hampshire throughout the year under a contract with the NH Fish & Game Department, and with additional support from TransCanada. Additional eagle studies are funded by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation and by donations to NH Audubon’s Conservation Department. And thanks to all the volunteers who donate their time to participate in these counts!
PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE 2012 MIDWINTER SURVEY! NH Audubon will be conducting the 2012 Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey on Saturday, January 7, 2012 (except on Thursday, January 5, 2012 in the Lakes Region). We hope that you will be able to help us. For more information, or to volunteer, contact Chris Martin at NH Audubon.
Visit http://ocid.nacse.org/nbii/eagles/ to learn much more about the National Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey. And, if you’d like, you can also listen to a brief audio commentary about bald eagles and the state’s midwinter eagle count on NH Public Radio’s Something Wild web page. Just enter http://www.nhpr.org/magestic-winter-eagles, and then click on “Listen” to hear the story.
