Freedom Hills
MONTGOMERY-Historically (1900s), golden eagles were known to occur throughout the entire state of Alabama. However, our understanding of the current distribution and occurrence of these birds in Alabama is limited. In 2011, WFF began monitoring golden eagles using game cameras, to better understand their wintering distribution throughout the state. Since then, Outdoor Alabama has acquired over 28,000 eagle photos and have captured and tagged 16 eagles within the state.
For the 2019-2020 winter season, their goal was to capture eagles on game cameras in new locations across south Alabama, while maintaining 3 sites across the northern half of the state that eagles have been consistently seen. In January, much to their delight, a golden eagle appeared on camera at Portland Landing SOA, one of the new locations, which is also the most southerly site Outdoor Alabama has captured golden eagles on. While the individual was only there for two days, it provided invaluable information to better understand the eagles wintering distribution in Alabama.
Pinhoti
Natchez
Although they did not capture any eagles at the new sites this season, they did successfully capture, tag, and fit two new golden eagles with transmitters at Oakmulgee WMA and Freedom Hills WMA. Additionally, the U.S. Forest Service was able to capture, tag, and fit one new golden eagle with a transmitter at the Talladega National Forest site. With the addition of these three new tagged birds, there are now eight active transmitters on birds providing Outdoor Alabama (and other agencies) valuable data about golden eagle habits and migration.
Of course,Outdoor Alabama’s golden eagle research would not be possible in Alabama without funding provided through sales of hunting and wildlife heritage licenses, and the Nongame Wildlife Tax Checkoff. Those funds are then matched nearly three to one with federal grant dollars made available through the Pittman-Robertson Act to provide for conservation and management of eagles and many other wildlife species. Additional contributions and thanks also goes to our partnership with The Birmingham Zoo who provided funds to purchase new transmitters for this year’s tagging efforts.
Learn more about our golden eagle research by visiting Outdoor Alabama’s website.
MediaRelease/Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resource
