Bald Eagles and their Change of Status
Peter Nye who is a Biologist and head of the Endangered Species Unit for the NYS DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) talked on NPR yesterday regarding his restoration and conservation efforts of the Bald Eagles here in New York State. You can listen to the story | HERE ON NPR|. This was done after yesterday’s announcement from the Interior Department that they are removing the American Bald Eagle from protection under the Endangered Species Act. Personally, I think it is still a little early for the federal government to remove them from this list but I guess this is a good thing that happened!
I was excited to hear Pete on NPR since I have known him for many years and had spend endless hours (many years ago) watching some local breeding eagles for him. The photo to the left was taken by Pete when he was banding some young nestlings. I probably shouldn’t have posted this photo (since it isn’t one of my shots) but how couldn’t I resist?? To learn more about some of his studies . . . . head over to his Journey North Site where he has placed a few satellite transmitters on a few individual birds.
Mon@rch's Nature Blog 
Thanks for the link. What an interesting site (Journey North Site)- one I’ll be adding to my site. Are the migration maps taken from radar maps? (Btw, your site should receive an award for content interest)
29 June 2007 at 11:25 am
Actually, reading more, I think the birds must have been tagged and are being tracked individually.
29 June 2007 at 11:28 am
I think eagles will be okay without being on the list, but it all depends on whether sufficient habitat is preserved.
29 June 2007 at 2:57 pm
@ Nature Shutterbug, They are tagged with Satellite Transmitters and the transmitters send its gps coordinates to his computer! Mega bucks for this technology!
@ John – I don’t think their population will crash at this point, I just hope it isn’t “too early” to take them off the list.
29 June 2007 at 3:19 pm
Great news, Mon@rch, but like you said, hopefully it isn’t too early. The young nestlings are sooo cute!
29 June 2007 at 5:10 pm
Ah yes. It’s just so nice to have some good news. We owe a great deal to the efforts of all the good people who over the years have made successes like this possible.
29 June 2007 at 9:42 pm
Mon@rch–I agree with your concern about being too soon.
Here in PA they are still listed as protected, so hopefully hunters won’t go after them.
29 June 2007 at 10:36 pm
Let’s face it-everythings endangered.-I love watching eagles here in Connecticut during the winter.
30 June 2007 at 6:37 pm
I heard the same here in NC. I hope they will still be protected for a while…
30 June 2007 at 11:47 pm
Thanks everyone for your consern with these birds!
2 July 2007 at 11:57 am
I’m glad that you did post it – it’s a fantastic shot. I’m more than a little jealous.
2 July 2007 at 12:16 pm
This has been a debate for a couple of years now. It seems that there are more and more species being taken off these lists without the proper research being enacted to actually know what is going on. The Bald Eagle, The Florida Manatee, The Grey Wolves…are these species really recupperating that quickly, or is the Government trying to save a little money by delisting them? Just makes me wonder about the motives, as there is always something in the background provoking these decisions.
I have to honestly say that I have never seen one in the wild, even though they are rumored to be in my area. I did see my first Golden Eagle this past week though..about ten feet away from my truck as I was driving in Tennessee on Vacation…it was just sitting there on the side of the road with it’s latest dinner in beak…beautiful..simply beautiful. Some of you that have these magnificent birds in your area, do not take it for granted…there are many of us that will never experience this at home…enjoy their beauty..
2 July 2007 at 7:22 pm