Bald Eagle Nest Surveys

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Back Ground – NAS PAXS River - The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a large raptor that can be found statewide in Maryland year round. Bald eagles grow to approximately 3 feet in height with a wingspan of over 6 feet, weighing between 8 and 15 pounds. They have a lifespan of 15 to 25 years and are capable of breeding at around 5 years of age. Bald eagles typically nest in tidal locations, close to open water. The bald eagle was taken off of the federal endangered species list in August of 2007 and Maryland’s threatened and endangered species list in April of 2010. Bald eagles are currently a species of concern in the state of Maryland. Bald eagles are still protected in the United States by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Naval Air Station Patuxent River (NAS Pax River), Maryland, is surrounded by the Chesapeake Bay and the Patuxent River. This location is advantageous for bald eagle nesting. Because of the air mission and Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) concerns at Patuxent River, it is important for the installation to know where the eagles are nesting. Currently the Natural Resources personnel at NAS Pax River conduct annual eagle surveys from the ground with binoculars. These survey locations are determined by forest type and eagle activity observations; while the NR personnel cannot see inside a nest from the ground, the counting of eaglets would be more accurate using aerial surveys. the BASH concern and the fact that eagles are still protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA); the NR personnel have requested an aerial nest survey in order to verify accuracy of ongoing ground-level field work. This study will be conducted throughout the Naval Air Station Patuxent River Complex, including OLF Webster Field and Bloodsworth Island, targeting known bald eagle nest sites as well as potential nesting habitats. Background Dahlgren,VA/Indian Head , MD - The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a large raptor that can be found statewide in Maryland year round. Bald eagles grow to approximately 3 feet in height with a wingspan of over 6 feet, weighing between 8 and 15 pounds. They have a lifespan of 15 to 25 years and are capable of breeding at around 5 years of age. Bald eagles typically nest in tidal locations, close to open water. The bald eagle was taken off of the federal endangered species list in August of 2007 and Maryland’s threatened and endangered species list in April of 2010. Bald eagles are currently a species of concern in the state of Maryland. Bald eagles are still protected in the United States by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Naval Support Facility Indian Head (NSFIH), Maryland and Naval Support Facility Dahlgren (NSF Dahlgren), Virginia are both situated along the Potomac River. These locations are advantageous for bald eagle nesting. US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has requested that NSFIH continue its eagle surveys during the transition of the BO while drafting guidance to transfer the NSFIH’s BO from the ESA to BGEPA. However, to facilitate the advanced Take Permits in BGEPA, the USFWS needs more information on Bald Eagle population trends in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The Navy has been able to provide Bald Eagle population data as a result of the previous surveys conducted at NSFIH. Expanding the surveys to include other Navy installations in the area will provide more data to the USFWS; thereby assisting their effort to transfer the BO to BGEPA. USFWS also considers these surveys part of the advanced conservation measures required for a BO and Incidental Take Permit in BGEPA. Continuing with these measures demonstrates the Navy’s commitment to Bald Eagle conservation, and sets a standard for other groups facing similar issues. Natural Resources personnel at NSFIH has elected to expand the surveys to include its sister installation, NSF Dahlgren, to expand the area eagle population data is collected in. This study will be conducted throughout both NSF Indian Head and NSF Dahlgren, targeting areas surrounding known and suspect bald eagle nesting sites.

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