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Bald Eagles Rebound: Tahoe's Majestic Winter Visitors Soar
10 Feb
Summary
- Annual bald eagle counts track populations and recovery.
- Pesticide ban and protections aided dramatic bird population rebound.
- Lake Tahoe serves as a vital winter feeding ground for eagles.
An annual midwinter bald eagle count is underway at Lake Tahoe, with volunteers aiding researchers in tracking the majestic birds. This effort is part of a larger initiative to monitor bald eagle populations across northwestern Nevada and the broader Tahoe region. Once decimated by habitat destruction, illegal shootings, and pesticide use, bald eagle numbers plummeted. By the 1960s, fewer than 450 nesting pairs existed in the lower 48 states.
Protective measures and the 1972 ban on DDT have led to a dramatic rebound. Nationwide, bald eagle populations recovered significantly, leading to their removal from the endangered species list in 1996. In 2019, an estimated over 316,000 bald eagles inhabited the lower 48 states. Lake Tahoe, with its never-freezing waters, offers a reliable winter food source, attracting numerous eagles.
In recent years, the Tahoe Basin has seen between 20 and 40 bald eagle sightings annually. This year, 23 were spotted. While nesting pairs in Nevada remain low due to limited suitable habitat, the number of wintering eagles is substantial. Their presence in an area indicates a healthy ecosystem capable of supporting the food chain up to these apex predators.
