(photo by Gary Jones, taken today at Alki)
After all the incredible photos shared with WSB lately showing eagles around West Seattle, we thought it would be interesting to get a broader look at the local population. Since we (like many other local-news organizations) work on occasion with the University of Washington News Lab, we asked if any of their student reporters might want to take that on – they agreed, and here’s the result (with some WSBers’ eagle photos and video woven throughout)!
(Brace Point-area juvenile eagle, photographed by Rick R)
By BEN BRADLEY
UW News Lab
This spring, people in West Seattle have noticed an increase in bald eagle sightings, particularly around Alki Beach and Lincoln Park.
David Schneider, a resident of West Seattle, has spotted a few himself. “I think there are only two or three pair, but I usually see them on Beach Drive on the north side of the park.”
(photo by Cynthia, published on WSB 4/2/09)
Usually known for their isolation from populated areas, these majestic birds have been spotted high up in trees during the day. “They will fly down from Genesee Hill early in the morning and hang out in this cottonwood right across from Cactus Restaurant,” said Dan, who did not give his last name. Dan works for Seattle Parks and Recreation and maintains Alki on a daily basis. “I see them feeding on herring and flounder, but sometimes they’ll snag a duck or two if they’re hungry.”
This is no surprise. An adult male can reach up to 15 pounds and have a wing span of more than 8 feet, making for a big appetite. This time of year, however, requires them to gather larger amounts of food.
(another photo by Cynthia, also published on WSB 4/2/09)
Jay Shepherd, an eagle biologist for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, says that bald eagles are in the midst of mating season. “They will start nesting as early as February,” he said. “But this process takes many months. While one protects the eggs, the other is retrieving food for both of them.”
Like some other birds, bald eagles remain monogamous throughout their lifetime, and trade off parenting roles as well. Supporting two adults and newly-born chicks leads them to some areas they would otherwise choose to avoid. “They are the scavenger type, so they will take the opportunities when they get them,” said Matt Mega, conservation director of urban habitat for Seattle Audubon.
(video by Gary Jones, originally featured on WSB 3/31/09)
Mega says that with less available habitat, has forced the birds to higher-populated areas, especially during this time of year. Although Shepherd agrees with this, he hypothesizes an additional explanation.
“Obviously they would prefer to enjoy their privacy inside of larger parks and forests,” he said. “But there is some evidence to suggest that recent generations are more habituated and tolerant to human activity.”
The ages of the nest in Lincoln Park and the one across from Salty’s on Alki restaurant are young compared to those farther in the forests.
But it is important not to correlate the number of nests to mating pairs. Shepherd says that bald eagles often build multiple nests in the event of wind storms, which are quite frequent in the area. “We also believe they do this for health reasons,” he said. “Nests become overloaded with parasites. Leaving one for a year or two will sterilize it.”
(photo by Gary Jones, first featured on WSB 3/6/09)
Placed on the Federal Threatened and Endangered Species List in 1978, bald eagles experienced a population increase of about 9 percent each proceeding year. They have gone from only 104 known breeding pairs in 1980 to more than 900 in 2007 in our state. “It is more likely we are at about 1,300 pairs today,” said Shepherd.
This increase led to the removal of bald eagles from the list in 2007. However, there are still protections in place, such as the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Throughout the 1950s and ‘60s, human activity such as deforestation and mass eagle shootings aided in their rapid population decline. But most importantly, a pesticide known as DDT had a devastating effect on the birds.
DDT, or dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, seeped into all aspects of the ecosystem, from the water to plants to small animals. “Bald eagles are predators, the highest in their food chain,” said Shepherd. “In turn they consumed the highest levels of DDT.”
This chemical caused them to lay eggs with very weak shells. On average, a female will lay one to three eggs at a time, and the pesticide hurt their chances of surviving.
Congress outlawed the use of DDT in 1972, which has helped the population recovery.
“All in all, I would say bald eagles are doing well,” said Shepherd. “It comes down to the state legislature continuing their protection though.”
The Department of Fish and Wildlife allocates money where they feel it’s most necessary. “Some biologists would argue we should lift the regulations on bald eagles,” he said. “It takes time, effort and money to continue this. They would like to see us focusing on other species that are under threat.”
But there is no sign of changes any time soon. Shepherd says their status as our country’s national symbol certainly helps their prospects. “People love bald eagles and they’ll support their continued protection.”
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(BEN BRADLEY is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory.)
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