Every year
scientists and bird-watchers throughout the country participate in the
national Midwinter Bald Eagle Count. This count was started in
1979 by the National Wildlife Federation. Each year, count
participants travel a designated route and count and record the number
of eagles they see. The count is now administered by the
U.S. Geological Survey.
The ESER Program coordinates the Midwinter Raptor Count on and
around the INL. Counters tally not just eagles, but all birds of
prey, as well as ravens and shrikes. Eagles, hawks, falcons and
owls are collectively called birds of prey or raptors. Ravens are
included in the count because they function ecologically as raptors.
Shrikes, predatory songbirds known to impale their prey on thorns and
barbed wire, are included because of concerns about declining
populations.
Birds of prey are an
important part of the environment. Since raptors are at the top
end of the food chain, they act as a biological indicator of
environmental problems. This count is not a complete census of the
entire wintering population on the INL, but it is an index of the
species' abundance and distribution, which can be compared year to year.
Data from the count are
submitted to an Idaho State Coordinator. Information submitted by
all of the states to the USGS is analyzed to monitor trends in the populations of
eagles throughout the United States.
The information gleaned
from this count is important locally as well. Good resource management
requires a knowledge of wildlife populations, including raptors, in the
area being managed.
2006 Raptor
Count
The 2006 INL
Raptor Count was conducted on January 13th. The totals of bird
counted are as follows: Rough-legged hawk (288), Raven
(142), Golden Eagle (16), Bald Eagle (6), Unidentified Eagle (2),
Northern Shrike (1), Prairie Falcon (1), American Kestrel (3),
Red-tailed Hawk (1), Great Horned Owl (2), Ferruginous Hawk (1),
and Magpie (18).
Rough-legged hawk, raven, all eagles and magpies were observed in
numbers greater than the average and substantially higher than
last year.
The ESER Program coordinates the Midwinter Raptor Count on and
around the INL. Counters tally not just eagles, but all birds of
prey, as well as ravens and shrikes. Eagles, hawks, falcons and
owls are collectively called birds of prey or raptors. Ravens are
included in the count because they function ecologically as raptors.
Shrikes, predatory songbirds known to impale their prey on thorns and
barbed wire, are included because of concerns about declining
populations.
Data from the count are
submitted to an Idaho State Coordinator. Information submitted by
all of the states to the USGS is analyzed to monitor trends in the populations of
eagles throughout the United States.