Adirondack Bald Eagles
Adirondack bald eagles are a rare sight, and are found exclusively in North America. While they were once an endangered species, they were removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species in 2007. Bald eagles are still on New York State's list of threatened species, though.
Bald eagles disappeared from the Adirondacks in the early 1960's, but began their resurgence in the late 1970's. The New York State Bald Eagle Restoration Project brought nearly 200 nesting bald eagles from Alaska and other hotspots and released them in New York to begin repopulating the Adirondack Park. This process is called "hacking", and it proved to be extremely successful.
In 2010, the DEC reported that there were 173 breeding pairs of bald eagles throughout New York State, and the number of young eaglets each year continues to increase.
Although bald eagles are no longer on the list of endangered species, they still enjoy the protection of three different acts: The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, The Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and The Lacey Act. These acts prevent people from taking, selling, or exchanging bald eagles, their nests, or their eggs. There is currently a penalty of up to $20,000 and/or one year in jail for any person who harasses, disturbs, or injures a bald eagle, as these actions are considered federal offenses.
The Department of Environmental Conservation has identified habitat loss and alteration and human distubance of breeding sites as the primary threats to bald eagles at this time. With that in mind, the DEC developed the following etiquette and viewing tips for those who wish to see bald eagles in the wild.
Eagle Watching Etiquette
- Don't approach eagles any closer than a quarter mile
- Avoid eagle roosting areas
- Don't make loud noises when in the presence of an eagle
- Keep your pets at home when you go eagle watching
- Don't try to make the birds fly under any circumstances
It is anticipated that with the protections that are currently in place, the bald eagle population in the Adirondacks will continue to thrive!
See photos of bald eagles in the Adirondacks below
Popular Areas To Spot Bald Eagles in the Adirondacks
- Little Clear Pond in Waverly, NY
- Route 48 in Oswego, NY
- Ausable Point in Peru, NY
- Route 9 in the Peru Bay Area
- Anthony's Nose in Lake George, NY
- Bog River Flow near Tupper Lake
- The Papacton Reservoir
- Osgood Pond in Brighton, NY
- West Canada Lake Wilderness
- Kitchel Bay in Lake George
- Lincoln Pond near Elizabethtown
- Schroon Lake in the Adirondack Park
- Long Island on Lake George
- Susquehanna River
Bald Eagle Facts
- Bald eagles are sea eagles, and they primarily prey on fish
- In additon to fish, bald eagles eat small mammals, waterfowl, seabirds and carrion
- The number one killer of bald eagles today is leadshot poisoning from feeding off carrion
- Baby eagles are called eaglets
- Bald eagles mate for life
- The bald eagle was adopted as the symbol of the United States due to the bird's strength and independence
- The word "bald" in the name comes from the Old English word meaning "white headed"
- Bald eagles have a life span of 20 to 25 years
- Bald eagles are quite timid and opportunistic
Check out some great shots captured by our Facebook Fans!
Sources:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/74052.html
http://www.adirondackwildlife.org/Bald_Eagle.html
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/eagle/
http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/baeaplan1214draft.pdf
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9378.html
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