Eagle Numbers Grow

Sun., Dec. 20, 1998

Staff

Birdwatching

One of the highest counts of bald eagles in 25 years is mounting at Coeur d’Alene Lake, where the birds are attracted to spawning kokanee near Wolf Lodge Bay.

Bureau of Land Management researchers counted four eagles in the Wolf Lodge area on Nov. 18, 10 on Nov. 24, 23 on Dec. 1, 39 on Dec. 10 and 64 on Tuesday. That’s the third highest count behind the 73 counted in 1976 and 68 in 1978, said Scott Robinson, BLM biologist. Peak numbers typically arrive around Christmas, he said.

Kokanee were introduced to the lake in 1937 and discovered by eagles on their normal southward migration in search of open waters. The speed of the migration depends on available food, such as fish, waterfowl, small mammals and carcasses of winter-killed game, said Phil Cooper, Idaho Fish and Game Department spokesman.

Once the kokanee supply dwindles, the eagles will continue to the Klamath Basin of Oregon and California or into southern Idaho and Utah.

The bald eagle has long been associated with strength and freedom. It first appeared on a coin in 1776 and officially became the national symbol in 1782.

In 1978, the bald eagle was listed as endangered in 43 states and threatened in five states. Tougher penalties for people who would kill eagles, restrictions to protect nesting sites and banning of some pesticides have enabled eagles to recover.

In Idaho, the number of bald eagle nests has grown from 11 in 1979 to 90 in 1996. IFG counted 24 nests in the Panhandle last year.

Mature bald eagles have a seven-foot wing span. Males weigh 8-10 pounds, females 10-14 pounds. Adults have white heads. Young bald eagles have brown heads until they mature at age 4 or 5.

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