BALD EAGLE (HALIAEETUS LEUCOCEPHALUS) NESTING TRENDS, MANAGEMENT AND PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT

David Riensche; East Bay Regional Park District; driensche@ebparks.org; Sonja Gomez, Ashley Grenier, Doug Bell

The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is an Endangered Species Act success story. Illegal shooting, habitat loss, and the pesticide DDT once threatened our national icon with extinction. Fortunately, the Bald Eagle population has recovered due to numerous management efforts, and members of the public can now view these birds in their natural habitats while learning about conservation. Specifically, within East Bay Regional Parks, established bald eagle nests have been protected at Lake Chabot, Lake Del Valle, and Ardenwood Historic Farm. Since 2012, sites have been monitored by staff and trained volunteers, and interpretive programs have offered public education about bald eagles and their conservation. Analysis of the data collected between 2012 and 2022 provides an overview of their nesting trends and impact of human disturbance. The long-term breeding success of the Bald Eagles, occurring within the urban-interfacing East Bay Regional Park District, has averaged 1.27 fledglings per nesting pair.

Poster Session  InPerson Presentation