The US Army Corps of Engineers at Sardis Lake plan to host their annual Mid-Winter Bald eagle Survey on January 8th 2011. This is this 29th consecutive year that this event has taken place at Sardis Lake.
“The purpose of the Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Survey is to monitor the status of Bald Eagle wintering populations in the contiguous United States, by estimating national and regional count trends, overall and by age class of each eagle counted,” said Houston Hartley Park Ranger.
“Each year we encourage volunteers to come out to the lake a help in the eagle watch by visually observing eagles around Sardis Lake. Some of the instructors at the University of Mississippi give students CEU points for attending the event. We try to boost our number of volunteers by giving away t-shirts and offering a free breakfast the morning of the event,” said Kyle DonLevy Park Ranger.
“At the 2010 event, forty-eight volunteers came out and counted five Bald Eagles. Four of which were mature adults (5 years of age or older) and one was an immature or juvenile,” said Chris Gurner Interpretive Services Park Ranger.
It was through efforts like the Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Survey, that on June 28, 2007 the Interior Department took the American Bald Eagle off the Endangered Species list. The Bald Eagle is still protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. These acts prohibit the take, transport, sale, barter, trade, import and export, and possession of eagles, making it illegal for anyone to collect eagles and eagle parts, nests, or eggs without a permit. There are now an estimated 80 to 110 thousand Eagles that exist in the wild. That averages out to approximately 4500 breeding pairs in the lower 48 states.
Bird watchers that are unable to attend this years’ event are still encouraged to come out and view these majestic birds. The eagles can be seen early in the mornings around the lake as they hunt for their morning meals. Occasionally the eagles can be seen around mid-day perched high in trees basking in the warm sun. This helps regulate the eagle’s body temperature which should ideally stay around 102°. If you would be interested in any more information, please contact the Sardis Lake Field Office at (662) 563-4531.
“The purpose of the Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Survey is to monitor the status of Bald Eagle wintering populations in the contiguous United States, by estimating national and regional count trends, overall and by age class of each eagle counted,” said Houston Hartley Park Ranger.
“Each year we encourage volunteers to come out to the lake a help in the eagle watch by visually observing eagles around Sardis Lake. Some of the instructors at the University of Mississippi give students CEU points for attending the event. We try to boost our number of volunteers by giving away t-shirts and offering a free breakfast the morning of the event,” said Kyle DonLevy Park Ranger.
“At the 2010 event, forty-eight volunteers came out and counted five Bald Eagles. Four of which were mature adults (5 years of age or older) and one was an immature or juvenile,” said Chris Gurner Interpretive Services Park Ranger.
It was through efforts like the Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Survey, that on June 28, 2007 the Interior Department took the American Bald Eagle off the Endangered Species list. The Bald Eagle is still protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. These acts prohibit the take, transport, sale, barter, trade, import and export, and possession of eagles, making it illegal for anyone to collect eagles and eagle parts, nests, or eggs without a permit. There are now an estimated 80 to 110 thousand Eagles that exist in the wild. That averages out to approximately 4500 breeding pairs in the lower 48 states.
Bird watchers that are unable to attend this years’ event are still encouraged to come out and view these majestic birds. The eagles can be seen early in the mornings around the lake as they hunt for their morning meals. Occasionally the eagles can be seen around mid-day perched high in trees basking in the warm sun. This helps regulate the eagle’s body temperature which should ideally stay around 102°. If you would be interested in any more information, please contact the Sardis Lake Field Office at (662) 563-4531.
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