Eagle Nests Declining

There are slightly fewer bald eagle nests in Georgia, according to a study by the state’s Wildlife Resources Division.

For twenty years, the number of Bald Eagle nests in Georgia increased. That rise corresponded with a similar trend nationally. Last year the birds were taken off the Federal Endangered Species List.

The new state survey shows there are ten fewer nests and fourteen fewer eaglets this year.

That may sound like a small number. But given the state has an estimated 250 bald eagles, Department of Interior Biologist Joe Myers says researchers should be observing small increases, not declines.

”I wouldn’t expect a decline yet, maybe a plateau, but not a decrease of about ten percent. I would say you would want to look around nest zone management and see what’s going on.”

Officials say they have no explanation for why there are fewer eagle nests this year.