Saturday, January 02, 2010

An Immature Eagle! That's 1 for the Count!

Just before 4 p.m. today a large, dark bird flew slow and low up the channel heading north here at Manchaug Pond. It circled east giving us another look before it headed toward Camp Blanchard. Definitely a juvenile eagle! Did you see it?

I'll be notifying MassWildlife of the sighting as part of the National Midwinter Eagle Survey! If you see an eagle now through January 13 email it in!

Here's the details:

Help us count bald eagles
Marion Larson
Outreach Coordinator, MassWildlife

Every year, MassWildlife participates in a midwinter eagle survey that occurs nationwide. This year, the Midwinter Bald Eagle survey period begins on December 30, 2009 and ends on January 13, 2010. I encourage everyone who is outdoors and sees an eagle during this time period to report his or her sighting! You can send your report to us at mass.wildlife@state.ma.us or to Eagle Survey, MassWildlife, Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA, 01581. Please provide the date, time, location, and town of eagle sightings, plus the number of birds, whether juvenile or adult, and your contact information.

On January 8, 2010, agency biologists and many other cooperators will take part in a statewide effort to survey of the coast and major rivers, lakes, and reservoirs for eagles. We even expect a helicopter, generously provided by National Grid, to help count eagles in the Quabbin Reservoir and along the length of the Connecticut River. I’ll probably be posted at the Enfield Lookout at Quabbin Reservoir in Belchertown to answer questions and watch for eagles. The photo is of me and local naturalist/photographer John Greene at that location in 2005.

Last year, volunteers and state wildlife staff spotted a record number of 80 eagles (with 26 eagles spotted at the Quabbin Reservoir) during a one day survey in January.
You can send your report to us at mass.wildlife@state.ma.us or to Eagle Survey, MassWildlife, Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA, 01581. Please provide the date, time, location, and town of eagle sightings, plus the number of birds, whether juvenile or adult, and your contact information.


You can find Ms. Larson's post and others in the state's new blog "The Great Outdoors" at http://environment.blog.state.ma.us/

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