News Release

For Release: 01/29/07
Contact: Heather Tiel (208) 736-2352
 

Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Count Conducted

TWIN FALLS, ID – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Burley, Shoshone and Jarbidge Field Offices participated in a cooperative effort with the Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDFG), the U.S. Forest Service (FS), the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) and many other volunteers to conduct Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Surveys. 

These Surveys take place each January in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center’s Snake River Field Station (SRFS). Participants count eagles along standard, non-overlapping routes to determine eagle distribution during a standardized survey period, and to identify previously unrecognized areas of important winter habitat. Following is the information that was collected for each Field Office area within the Twin Falls District BLM:

Burley Field Office (BFO):  BLM staff counted 14 bald eagles, 10 golden eagles and four unidentified eagles along their 147 mile route through the Raft River/Curlew Valley Important Bird Area – the highest number of bald eagles noted since 1986.   “We use these data to monitor eagle occurrences and habitat utilization within the field office.  It is important to have exact locations and to evaluate how weather, habitat conditions, and seasonal variances may influence eagle migration and numbers,” said Brad Pendley BFO Wildlife Biologist. Three years ago, an additional 70-mile survey route near Oakley was established and two golden eagles and one unidentified eagle were counted along this route in 2007.

Shoshone Field Office (SFO):  There were eight bald eagles identified along a 37-mile route along the Bliss King Hill road toward the Glenns Ferry area. “The golden eagle numbers were lower than historic average for this area, but bald eagle numbers were average,” said Gary Wright, SFO Wildlife Biologist.   

Jarbidge Field Office (JFO):  One bald eagle and three golden eagles were counted on a 47-mile route that runs along the Snake River canyon from Bliss to the Bruneau Dunes State Park area.  “Bald eagle numbers were a little below average from the normal count, however, golden eagle numbers were average for the route,” said Jim Klott, JFO Wildlife Biologist.

The information gathered from these BLM surveys are an important part of a national effort and will be compiled into a database over the next few months.  For additional information, contact Rex Sallabanks, IDFG Non-Game Bird program Coordinator at (208) 287-2754.

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