Spring Eagle Survey

38 eagles spotted in southern West Virginia during spring survey

PIPESTEM, W.Va. – Sixty-one people gathered and were scattered to 11 survey sites for the 9th annual Spring Eagle Survey, held March 5 in the Pipestem area of southern West Virginia. During the four hours of the survey, they spotted 38 bald and golden eagles soaring the skies.
"The volunteers all have a common interest – birds – and on this particular day, eagles," said Julie McQuade, naturalist at Pipestem State Park. McQuade and other volunteers assist former Pipestem naturalist Jim Phillips with this annual event.
The survey sites included Mouth of Indian Creek; Bertha; Pits; Bluestone State Park; Bluestone Turnpike Trail; Falls Mills, Virginia; Rt. 20 Overlook; Camp Brookside; Brooks; Barger Springs; and Rt. 122. The temperature ranged from 34-53 degrees with a 50-100 percent cloud cover and wind speed of 0-3 mph. There was no precipitation and the water was open.
Thirty-three bald eagles were recorded (11 adults, 8 first years, 9 second years, 1 third year and 4 fourth years). Golden eagles sighted were three adults and one immature. There were four unidentified eagles at nine of the 11 sites. Three nests were reported as having eggs or suspected of have an egg.
Annual eagle surveys are conducted in January and March with the announcements posted to www.pipestemresort.com, "Events." The 2017 surveys will occur Jan. 7 and March 4, 2017

From the Virginia Conservation Police Notebook

Region III, Southwest
CPO Brewer Takes Advantage of an Outreach Opportunity – On February 7, Conservation Police Officer Mark Brewer was checking trout fishermen on Goose Creek in Floyd County and took advantage of an outreach opportunity.  He encountered two juveniles, one of whom had caught a brook trout and thought it might qualify as a trophy fish.  He measured the fish for them and determined that it would indeed qualify, based on its length.  He explained the program to the young men, as well as the specifics for brook trout.  Officer Brewer gave the young man a trophy fish award application and helped him fill it out.  He also certified the length of the fish for the young man and explained to him the next steps he needed to take to receive his award.
Investigation Involving Poisoned Eagles Concluded – On February 11, Senior Conservation Police Officer Troy Phillips and USFWS Agent Mary French concluded a nine month investigation involving poisoned bald eagles in Pulaski County.  Four eagles had been found and testing showed they had ingested the drug pentobarbital, which is a drug used by veterinary doctors to euthanize sick animals.  The eagles had fed off of animal carcasses taken to the local county landfill and not buried properly.  Officer Phillips and Agent French visited vet offices in Pulaski County, interviewed the doctors and found the source of the poisoning.  One vet was using his maintenance man to transport frozen animal remains to the county landfill and declaring to the officials working at the weight station that he had dead animals.  The officials at the dump did not immediately bury the animals per their policy which allowed the eagles to find and feed on the drugged animal remains.  Agent French contacted all parties involved and explained the proper procedure for disposing of the animal carcasses.

Eagle Watch

Bald Eagle (c) 2009 High Virginia Images

Raptor Appreciation – Eighth Annual Eagle Watch Planned for January 12, 2013

PIPESTEM, W.Va. – The annual January eagle survey of the Pipestem area is scheduled for January 12. Jim Phillips, Pipestem State Park naturalist, is coordinating the various survey sites and assignments and inviting anyone interested to be part of this winter four-hour foray.

Phillips schedules novice birders with more experienced volunteers to scan the skies and record eagle sightings over a four-hour period. Various survey sites include South Overlook of Bluestone Dam, Bull Falls, Bluestone State Park, Mouth of the Bluestone River, Rt. 20, Bellepoint Park in Hinton, Bertha campground (Bluestone WMA), Greenbrier River, Sandstone Falls and other areas.
“Depending upon how many folks sign up to help, we have from six to 12 survey points established,” said Phillips. In January 2012, 38 people participated and confirmed sightings of 19 bald eagles and an adult golden eagle. In January 2012, with temperatures in the low 20s, 10 individuals reported sighting six bald eagles and two golden eagles. “Our population is growing in southern West Virginia,” Phillips said.
To be part of the eagle survey, contact Jim Phillips at 304-466-1800 ext. 344 or email pipestemsp@wv.gov with phone contact information and names wanting to volunteer prior to January 7. Include “Eagle Survey” in the subject line. Phillips contacts participants in advance to determine the best location, to create teams and to forward the forms to record sightings. The survey begins at 10 a.m. and continues until 2 p.m. All participants will meet at the Hinton Dairy Queen at 3 p.m. with collected data.
“In recent weeks we have had sightings of adult bald eagles at Bacon Falls on the Greenbrier River and between Forest Hill and Greenville along Indian Creek,” said Phillips. On “The Big Sit” survey in October, Phillips indicates a pair of adult bald eagles was seen at Mt. Valley Lake near Jumping Branch and one adult was there during a November field trip. In spring of 2012, Phillips witnessed two bald eagle fledglings.
Phillips schedules eagle watches as part of his interpretative programs at Pipestem State Park. Activities organized by Pipestem Resort are regularly posted at www.pipestemresort.com/Activities.pdf.
**DNR**

Southern WV Eagle Count

Contact:

Jim Phillips, 304-466-1800 Ext 344;  James.D.Phillips@wv.gov;  Mindy Waldron,  Bibbee Nature Club, mwaldron@suddenlink.net

Help count eagles during the 5th annual survey in the Pipestem and Bluestone areas, March 10

            PIPESTEM, W.Va. – Volunteer eagle spotters are being recruited for the 5th annual eagle survey to be conducted March 10 in southern West Virginia.

            “Sightings of golden and bald eagles in the Pipestem and Bluestone state park areas are more and more frequent,” according to Pipestem Naturalist Jim Phillips. “Conducting surveys and recording eagle sightings confirms that this raptor remains in our area year-round.” 

            In January 2008, survey participants noted nine bald eagles and one golden eagle. By January 2012, they reported a total of 19 bald eagles and one golden. “Not to be cliché’ – but the eagles have landed in southern West Virginia,” Phillips said.

            The March 10 survey focus is New River and major tributaries. Survey points are still available in the Bluestone WMA (Mouth of Indian Creek, Shanklin's Ferry, Cedar Branch), New River Gorge north of Sandstone Falls, Greenbrier River above Talcott, Bluestone River (Pipestem State Park and upstream), and  Indian Creek. “Since the January 2012 count, we have seen eagles along the Bluestone River, Indian Creek near Greenville and Greenbrier River between Lowell and Pence Springs,” Phillips said.

            Participants are organized into groups of experienced birders mixed with first timers. The eagle watchers also look for breeding evidence such as birds carrying sticks and grasses or taking food somewhere other than the closest tree or bank.

            The four-hour survey runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants do not meet prior to the count. Phillips pre-assigns survey locations.  Worksheets to record data and directions to stations are provided via email. Participants meet at Hinton Dairy Queen after the survey to tally numbers and discuss the day. Pre-registration is required prior to March 7, 2012. Individuals wanting to participate must pre-register by contacting Jim Phillips at 304-466-1800 or by emailing PipestemSP@wv.gov. Emails should include your name, phone number and email address and the subject line should read “March 10 Eagle Count.”

            “We encourage anyone interested in seeing eagles and to help with the count to join the survey,” Phillips said.

**DNR**

Bad Eagle Photo

I was driving through Canaan Valley yesterday and this adult Bald Eagle was trying to catch something at one of the ponds north of the state park entrance; along Rt. 32.  By the time I could pull off and get stopped, this was all that I had a chance to get.  It flew over and perched in a tree about 300 yards away.  This is the first adult Bald Eagle that I have even had any chance of photographing; during the past 4 years.  So; I guess that a bad eagle photo is much better than no eagle photo.

Garden of Eagles Calendar

Garden of Eagles 2011 Calendar Now Available




Dedicated fans of the Eagle Cam at the Norfolk Botanical Garden have found a unique way to show their support for Virginia's wildlife. Countless thousands have been captivated by the bald eagles at the Norfolk Botanical Garden and the unprecedented chance to witness the daily lives of these amazing birds. The Eagle Cam is sponsored by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF), the Norfolk Botanical Garden and WVEC Channel 13 with support from the Center for Conservation Biology (CCB). Last year, volunteers created The Garden of Eagles, a 2010 calendar showcasing remarkable bald eagle photos taken at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. This beautiful calendar won praise from eagle lovers all across the country — and sold out three printings!



The 2011 version of the calendar is just in – and it's "bigger and better"! This 11″ x 17″, 12-month wall calendar includes 18 large color photographs and more than 35 smaller full-color photographs — photos donated by the "Eagle Paparazzi". The calendar also includes special highlight dates from the 2010 nesting season.



Proceeds from the sale of The Garden of Eagles 2011 will benefit the Wildlife Center of Virginia and will be earmarked for construction of a new permanent home for Buddy (more about Buddy here) a young eagle admitted to the WCV in 2008, which may include a web-cam , better opportunities for public visitation and appropriate room for a fully flighted bird. A portion of the proceeds will also benefit the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries non-game fund and the Center for Conservation Biology at the College of William and Mary.



Order the calendar today »http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/2011-calendar/