Bald Eagles on Lake Lanier

Those of us who have lived near Lake Lanier for very long will not be surprised that a new nest of bald eagles has been documented. 

The magnificent birds have been sighted over our 38,000-acre lake for years, but this is the first confirmed nest, according to preliminary results from aerial surveys in January and March conducted by Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources.

Nests numbered in the single digits in Georgia when survey leader Jim Ozier started searching for them more than two decades ago.  The number of bald eagle nests in Georgia is steadily climbing, underscoring the rebound of our national bird from near-extinction through much of its range 40-years ago.

The latest results are very encouraging: 158 occupied nesting territories, 116 successful nests and 190 young fledged.  The totals are up from last year’s 142 nesting territories, 111 successful nests and 175 eaglets.  Fifty-three counties have active nests, with 17 in Chatham County.

“They’re now in places I never would have thought they’d show up,” said Ozier, a Nongame Conservation Section program manager with the DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division.  Eagle populations in Georgia are concentrated along the coast and around reservoirs and rivers.  The resurgence was assisted by Georgians who support the Georgia Wildlife Conservation Fund through their state income tax returns.

The number of young eagles fell below 2010’s level, when the survey counted 194 eaglets.  Fluctuations are normal, but Ozier said warmer than usual weather might have resulted in eagles nesting and raising their young earlier, with some eaglets leaving nests prior to the survey.

The public can let Ozier know about any eagle nests they see, reporting them online or by phone at 478-994-1438.  These reports often lead to nests not previously monitored.  DNR works with landowners to help protect eagle nests on their property.

Eagle surveys are one aspect of the DNR Nongame Section’s mission to conserve nongame wildlife (native animals not legally hunted or fished for) along with native plants and habitats.  The section receives no state appropriations for this work.  The Wildlife Conservation Fund checkoff — known as Give Wildlife a Chance — provides significant support, accounting for 9% of fund revenues in fiscal year 2011.

Click Here to Report Bald Eagle Nests to GeorgiaWildlife.com