Continued Increase of Bald Eagles in Indiana

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Continued Increase of Bald Eagles in Indiana

• John S. Castrale
• Nongame Biologist
• Indiana Division of Fish Wildlife

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Purpose
Document Increase in nesting pairs
Expanding distribution Ownership patter
ns Site selection Productivity
Threats
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Background

• Last recorded nest in 1897
• Habitat loss
• DDT era post World War II
• DDT banned in 1973
• Restoration from 1985-1989
• 73 eaglets released at Lake Monroe

Historical Bald Eagle Nests
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Monitoring protocol
Spring flights (2) to check nest status
Late May flight to determine success and
productivity
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Increase in Indianas Bald Eagle Population
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Bald EagleNest distribution1989
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Bald EagleNest distribution1991
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Bald EagleNest distribution1992
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Bald EagleNest distribution1993
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Bald EagleNest distribution1994
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Bald EagleNest distribution1995
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Bald EagleNest distribution1996
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Bald EagleNest distribution1997
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Bald EagleNest distribution1998
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Bald EagleNest distribution1999
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Bald EagleNest distribution2000
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Bald EagleNest distribution2001
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Bald EagleNest distribution2002
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Bald EagleNest distribution2003
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BartholomewBrown (3)CarrollCassCrawford
(2)Daviess (3)Dubois (2)Gibson (3)Greene
(3)HarrisonJackson (2)Knox (3)
Indiana counties with eagle nests
Martin (4)Monroe (2)Morgan (4)OrangeOwen
(3)Parke (4)Posey PutnamRipleyTippecanoe (2)
Vermillion (2)Vigo
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Site Ownership of Eagle Nests
Private 67
Public 33
Industry 6
State 24
Individuals 59
Federal 8
University 2
Land trust 2
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Lake/reservoir 37
River/stream 63
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Rivers/streamsWabash (10)White- West Fork
(7)- East Fork (4)Ohio (2)TippecanoeDriftwood
PatokaLittle Raccoon CreekSugar CreekRichland
CreekLittle Walnut CreekLaughery Creek
Lakes/reservoirsMonroe (4)Patoka (4)Cagles
MillHardenPattonBradfordLemonMossGreenwoodG
allimoreRaglesvilleGibsonHoveyLong Pond
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Nest Success and Productivity1991-2003 (n240)
Nest success Target 60 Mean 68 Rang
e 36-85
Productivity (young/territory) Target 1.0
Mean 1.1 Range 0.5-1.5
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Productivity
Private vs. Public
Rivers vs. Lakes
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Threats / limiting factors

• Human disturbance
• Development
• Weather
• Predators
• Habitat
• Prey / water quality
• Chemicals
• Outlook

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Acknowledgments
Cooperation of landowners and land managers is
appreciated
Helicopter piloted by Dennis Rumley and Ron
Whetstone
Funded by the Indiana Nongame and Endangered
Wildlife Program from the State Income Tax
Checkoff Additional funding from the federal Wild
life Conservation and Restoration Fund