Groups Count State’s Eagles, Other Raptors

Scientists and bird-watchers are on the trail of eagles and other raptors statewide, including birds of prey found at the Idaho Nation Engineering Laboratory.

Bald and golden eagle populations are being tallied in the nationwide Midwinter Eagle Count, held each year since 1979. The survey runs from Jan 1. to Jan. 15.

In 1996, 862 bald eagles and 132 golden eagles were observed in the state. Increases in the bald eagle population nationwide prompted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to shift it from an endangered species ranking to a threatened species.

In 1979, 404 bald eagles were spotted in Idaho.

The Environmental Science and Research Foundation has coordinated the INEL survey since 1983. It is expanded there to include sightings of hawks, falcons, owls, ravens and shrikes.

Ravens are included because they function ecologically as birds of prey. Shrikes are small predatory birds which impale their prey on thorns or barbed wire, and are counted because of concerns about their declining numbers.

“Raptor populations on and near the INEL vary from year to year,” Foundation scientist Tim Reynolds said.

“Last year, we had little snow cover and fewer prey animals on the INEL. Raptor numbers were down, but diversity was up. Counters observed a peregrine falcon and a merlin, neither of which had been seen on previous counts.”