Bald Eagle Project

As eagle numbers rebounded, so did the demands to monitor nests. Through CWF’s leadership in partnership with the NJDEP Fish and Wildlife Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP), almost every nest in New Jersey is closely monitored by a dedicated volunteer who visits the nest throughout the entire season to help biologists keep track of their attempt at nesting. They observe nesting behavior to determine egg-laying, hatching, and fledging dates.

Today, CWF and ENSP biologists work together to manage and reduce disturbance in eagle habitats, especially around nest sites. Eagles are very sensitive to human disturbance and will abandon their nest sites if people encroach on the area during the nesting season, which begins in January and lasts until July. Education and established viewing areas are important in minimizing disturbance, as are the efforts of project volunteers, who are crucial to their successful nesting attempts each year.

In addition to protecting nest sites, biologists also work to protect suitable habitat in a variety of ways, including working with landowners, land acquisition experts, and through the state’s land use regulations.

We also work very closely with power generation and service providers to reduce strikes and electrocutions of bald eagles. To help reduce these interactions with power lines we encourage the public, through outreach and education initiatives, to report birds who they believe were electrocuted or impacted a wire. We then compile that information and report it to utility companies so that they can make alterations to their equipment to reduce the chances of injury or mortality to bald eagles and other large birds.