Friday, March 12, 2004

Press Release
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks News

As the bald eagle nesting season begins, the South Dakota Department of Game Fish and Parks (GFP) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) are trying to learn more about bald eagle nesting in South Dakota.

"Biologists will use aerial surveys along the major rivers throughout the state and shelter belts in the East River area to try to locate as many bald eagle nests as possible," said Carol Aron, South Dakota Missouri River Endangered Species Coordinator from USFWS. "We would appreciate public assistance with this project."

Nests are located throughout the state, often on private lands. The public is asked to report any sightings of bald eagle nests. As the bald eagle population continues to rise, some pairs are moving away from the major river systems to nest on smaller waterbodies or in shelter belts near fields. Both departments would appreciate hearing from landowners who know of bald eagle nests on their property.

"If an eagle chooses to nest on your property, you are obviously already managing the land well for wildlife species," Aron noted. "The agencies will not ask you to change current management practices, and you can change land use as you wish, as long as the actual tree the bald eagle nest is in remains undisturbed. The agencies are simply trying to find out how many nests there are in South Dakota and to determine how many adult bald eagle pairs successfully raise young to fledging age. Any help would be greatly appreciated."

For many years, there were no known bald eagle nests in South Dakota. In 1992, a nest was discovered, and 35 nests have been documented in the state since then. Bald eagles build a large stick nest in the tallest tree in the area, generally near water. They build on to the nest every year until it falls in a storm or under its own weight. One nest in Ohio was estimated to weigh two tons when it fell! Eagle pairs often build one or more satellite nests near their primary nest.

In South Dakota, bald eagles begin nesting activities in late February to early March. The eggs hatch after about 35 days, and the young leave the nest 10 to 12 weeks later, although the parents continue to feed them for several more weeks. Juvenile bald eagles are blackish-brown all over, not getting the characteristic white head and tail feathers for four to five years.

Reports can be made to Doug Backlund with GFP at 605-773-4345 or your local GFP Conservation Officer.