Georgia bald eagles reach some record numbers

SOCIAL CIRCLE — Four decades after bald eagles almost disappeared from Georgia, some of the American symbol’s numbers have reached all-time highs in the Peach State, Department of Natural Resources officials said Thursday.

According to preliminary results of aerial surveys done in January and March, officials with the Georgia DNR’s Nongame Conservation Section counted 210 occupied nesting territories, 166 successful nests and 270 young fledged. The totals were the highest levels recorded for each category, state rangers said, and are consistent with the steady increase in bald eagle nesting seen in previous years.

The iconic raptor was virtually absent from Georgia as recently as 40 years ago.

Survey leader Jim Ozier began monitoring bald eagle nesting almost three decades ago when Georgia bald eagle nests numbered in the single digits. He credits the species’ recovery to coordinated conservation efforts and the public contributions that make those efforts possible.

“Georgia’s nesting bald eagle population continues its impressive expansion, exemplifying conservation success through agency cooperation and public support,” said Ozier, a Nongame Conservation Section program manager with DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division. “And eagles are doing their part by adaptively co-existing with people in many instances.”

Bald eagles are no longer listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, but they are protected by federal and state law.

Georgia also is home to one of the world’s best-known eagle nests – the Berry College nest live-streamed by the northwest Georgia school at www.berry.edu/eaglecam. Berry also shares the stream with DNR at www.georgiawildlife.com/berryeaglecam.

Eagle surveys are part of the DNR Nongame Conservation Section’s mission to conserve nongame wildlife – native animals not legally hunted or fished for – and native plants and natural habitats. The section depends largely on wildlife auto license plate purchases and renewals, which generate revenue for the Georgia Nongame Wildlife Conservation Fund, and other fundraisers for this work.

Georgians can alert Ozier to eagle nests they find by reporting them online (www.georgiawildlife.com/conservation/eaglenest) or by phone (478-994-1438). These reports often lead to previously undocumented nests, DNR officials said, adding the department works with landowners to help protect eagle nests on their property.