Eastern Shore Bald Eagle population continues to rise
The Center for Conservation Biology within the College of William and Mary and
the Virginia Commonwealth University completed the first bald eagle survey of
the Eastern Shore of Virginia for 2011 in March. A record 60 occupied breeding
territories was documented. The population has been growing dramatically in
recent years. In 1990 there were less than 10 known pairs on the Shore and as
recently as 2000 there were only 20 pairs. The population has tripled in the
past 10 years.
Eagles are now seen regularly throughout most of the marshes and major creeks
of the upper Shore. Very few historic records exist of eagles breeding on the
barrier islands. Pairs are now nesting on four primary barriers including
Little Cobb, Paramore, Wallops, and Assateague Islands, as well as, Revel
Island, and Raccoon Island within the lagoon system. Both adult and subadult
eagles are increasingly common sights along the outer beaches feeding on dead
fish, birds, and marine mammals that have washed up along the high-tide line.
Media Contact: Bryan Watts, Executive Director, Center for Conservation
Biology, College of William and Mary & Virginia Commonweatlh University. Phone
757-221-2247
posted for Bryan by
Michael Wilson
Center for Conservation Biology
College of William and Mary & Virginia Commonwealth University
P.O. Box 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
phone: 757-221-1649
fax: 757-221-1650
email: mdwils@xxxxxx
web: www.ccb-wm.org
