Bald Eagle Numbers Soaring in Georgia

ATLANTA, GA — Having bounced back from the brink of extinction, the number of bald eagles in Georgia is now flying high.

A record number of bald eagle nests have been documented in Georgia this year, according to the state Department of Natural Resources. The department announced Thursday that aerial surveys detected 218 occupied nests in the state.

That's more than the previous record of 210 bald eagle nests documented in 2015 and marks the third straight year that more than 200 bald eagle nests have been documented in Georgia.

It's a remarkable comeback for the nation's symbol. In 1970, there were no known bald eagle nests in the state.

The number of bald eagle nests in Georgia has doubled in the past 10 years and, this year, survey leader Bob Sargent said, there were nests found in at least 68 counties.

"The recovery of the bald eagle in Georgia is a truly inspiring success story," Sargent said. "This is a 7-foot-wide soaring example of the effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act."

At least 142 of this year’s nests were successful, fledging a total of 218 young eagles — an average of 1.5 per successful nest. Four nests appear to have fledged as many as three young. In 2016, 149 of the 201 occupied nesting territories were successful, fledging an estimated 240 eaglets.

Sargent said this year's number of baby eagles may actually be higher, because adults in many southwest Georgia nests were still incubating eggs when they were surveyed.

The DNR's Nongame Conservation Section monitors eagle nesting through helicopter surveys in January and again in March and early April. The initial flights are focused on finding all active nests: those with eggs, eaglets, an adult in an incubating posture or evidence that eagles have been prepping the nest for use. The second round of surveys is aimed at determining the reproductive outcome of those nests and checking recently reported new nests.

According to the DNR, factors that have helped the bald eagle's recovery include a U.S. ban on DDT use in 1972, habitat improvements after enactment of the federal Clean Water and Clean Air acts, protection through the Endangered Species Act, increased public awareness, restoration of local populations through release programs and forest regrowth.

But while the recovery of the bald eagle is encouraging, "there continue to be reasons for concern," Sargent said.

Along Savannah River reservoirs, for example, nest numbers are lower than expected. One reason why is avian vacuolar myelinopathy, often referred to as AVM, a neurological disease deadly to coots and the bald eagles that prey on them.

This winter, 10 eagle carcasses were found at Clarks Hill Lake. The cause of death for those eagles that could be necropsied was AVM, Sargent said.

Sargent also noted downsides of an increased eagle population, including more birds being hit by cars (Eagles, mostly young ones, eat roadkill). There have been incidents of eagles being shot and birds suffering lead poisoning after ingesting fishing sinkers or scavenging animal carcasses containing lead shot, bullets or slugs.

The DNR works with landowners to help protect bald eagle nests on private property. Although they were de-listed from the Endangered Species Act in 2007, eagles are protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and state law. In Georgia, the species has a state classification of threatened.

The public is encouraged to report eagle nests at 478-994-1438 or online. They may also email Sargent at bob.sargent@dnr.ga.gov. Such reports led to 12 of the 17 new nests this season.

The resurgence of bald eagles is supported in part by Georgians who buy or renew an eagle or hummingbird wildlife license plate. These tags cost $25 more than a standard license plate and $19 of each purchase and $20 of each annual renewal goes to help conserve bald eagles and hundreds of other Georgia plant and animal species listed as species of conservation concern.

Photo courtesy Georgia Department of Natural Resources