Outdoor News Daily

The DEP Wildlife Division is currently seeking additional volunteers to help with the 2008 Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey, especially around some of the lakes and reservoirs in western Connecticut. Those interested in helping should email Wildlife Division biologist Julie Victoria at julie.victoria@po.state.ct.us and provide your name, address, telephone number, and email address.

Since 1979, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Wildlife Division, along with the help of many volunteers, has participated in the annual Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey. This survey is conducted nationwide and is coordinated by the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, and the Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center at the Snake River Field Station in Oregon.

For more information, go to: http://fresc.usgs.gov/. In early January, volunteers from private conservation organizations, the DEP, and the general public help conduct the survey by recording all eagles seen at areas traditionally used by the birds and areas of suitable wintering habitat. The survey is not a complete census of the entire wintering population in Connecticut, but an index of the species’ use of the state, which can be compared year to year.

In 2007, 153 volunteers helped conduct the survey, which is a slight decrease from the 183 volunteers that helped in 2006. Because of this decrease in the number of volunteers, several areas that were checked in the past were not surveyed in 2007. The DEP Wildlife Division extends its appreciation to all of the volunteers who participated in the 2007 survey and reported their careful observations.

During the 2007 survey period of January 12-13, 62 bald eagles — 42 adults and 20 immature eagles — were recorded statewide. “While rain on the survey date caused low visibility, the survey results probably underestimate the true number of eagles that were in Connecticut in January,” said Julie Victoria, a wildlife biologist for the DEP Wildlife Division. During winter, bald eagles migrate south into Connecticut from the northern states to areas of open water where they are able to catch fish, their main food item.

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