|New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife|
January 18, 2001
According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife, 144 bald eagles and three golden eagles were counted by more than 100 volunteers who participated in the annual statewide Mid-Winter Eagle Survey held January 13 & 14.
"This year's tally is higher than last year's tally of 120 eagles and continues the rising trend in eagle numbers that began in the early 1980s," said Division Director Bob McDowell. "Eagle numbers have not only been increasing in New Jersey, but throughout the Northeast and lower 48 states. Wildlife biologists attribute the higher count to an early winter and frozen lakes and reservoirs in the north forcing eagles further south."
The New Jersey survey is part of a nationwide effort to assess the number of eagles wintering in the lower 48 states. This is just one of many projects funded by contributions to the state's "Conserve Wildlife Income Tax Check-Off." The survey takes place the same time each year and focuses on known eagle wintering areas throughout the Garden State. In North Jersey this includes the upper Delaware River from the Water Gap to Port Jervis, and most of the major reservoirs such as Round Valley, Merrill Creek, Boonton and Wanaque. In the south, surveyors center on the major river systems flowing into the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay.
According to South Jersey Survey Coordinator Vince Elia of the Cape May Bird Observatory, a total of 65 adults and 46 immature bald eagles were tallied by volunteers searching the tributaries flowing into the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay. Allen Ambler, survey coordinator for the upper Delaware River said his volunteers counted 10 adults, 13 juveniles and one eagle of unknown age. Volunteers surveying the reservoirs and impoundments of North Jersey tallied five adults and four immature bald eagles. Also counted in the survey were three adult golden eagles.
"The count, which was higher in some parts of the state, was most likely due to the colder temperatures and ice cover on many bodies of water," said Larry Niles, chief of the Division's Endangered and Nongame Species Program. "The cold weather that has graced the Northeast during the early winter has left many waters iced over. As a result, more eagles have been forced south to open waters. The count in the Delaware Water Gap was higher due to the open water and the count in northern reservoirs was lower due to icing."
Many of the adult eagles counted in southern New Jersey are birds that breed here. Since the nesting season is just a few weeks away, many resident eagles were observed close to known nests. During past surveys, volunteers have witnessed nest building activity and mating behavior that eventually led to the discovery of new nests.
New Jersey residents who have donated to the "Conserve Wildlife Tax Check-Off" on the state income tax form can take pride in knowing they have helped to restore the bald eagle population in the Garden State. Since 1982, funding from the "Tax Check-Off" has helped to pay for the acquisition and release of more than 60 Canadian bald eagles in South Jersey. Last year, there were 21 active eagle nests in the Garden State. Given the amount of available habitat and increased eagle production over the past few years, wildlife biologists expect eagle nesting to continue to increase in the state.
Niles warns, however, that, "Despite our successes with the bald eagle and many other rare species, funding for endangered and threatened species protection and management is in severe jeopardy." Revenues from the Income Tax Check-Off for Wildlife, the program's main funding source, have fallen sharply in recent years. Check-off revenues have gone from a high of about $510,000 in 1989 to just $250,000 last year. "If this trend continues, it will threaten our ability to protect and manage eagles and many other rare species that depend on our continued actions for survival in New Jersey," he added. This year, taxpayers will have a choice between five competing check-offs on the state income tax form.
For those who have never thrilled to the sight of a bald eagle in the wild, New Jersey offers excellent viewing opportunities during the winter months. In northern New Jersey, areas such as Poxono Island, Wallpack Bend and the Route 206 bridge near Milford, PA offer excellent opportunities for viewing eagles on the upper Delaware River.
In south Jersey, the upper Delaware Bay in Salem County and the Cohansey and Mullica rivers are productive areas for viewing eagles. Along the Atlantic Coast, the Great Egg Harbor and Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge also offer good eagle viewing opportunities. Observers are reminded that the winter months are stressful times for eagles and other wildlife species, and disturbance can be detrimental. When observing perched or roosting eagles maintain a minimum distance of 300-400 yards from the birds.
For additional wildlife viewing opportunities, the Division offers the NJ Wildlife Viewing Guide, a full-color, 160-page publication that showcases 87 sites throughout the state where people can observe and learn about New Jersey's incredible array of wildlife and the variety of habitats that support it. Sites are organized by region, each accompanied by directions, an ecological description, viewing opportunities and facility/amenity information. To order, print and mail the order form, or send a check or money order for $14.90 (price includes shipping), payable to the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, P.O. Box 400, Trenton, NJ 08625-0400, Attn: Viewing Guide.