In the coming year, conservationists for the bald eagle are hoping to witness an increase in the number of these endangered birds that may be seen flying over Arizona.
To ensure that more eagle chicks are able to break through their eggshells, however, it is necessary for them to have secure nests in which to be born. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is requesting those who enjoy outdoor activity, pilots, drone operators, and paragliders to do their part in avoiding bald eagle breeding sites out of respect for the birds.
The state of Arizona is home to 104 eagle breeding locations, the majority of which are located on public property and water features. Some of these will be temporarily blocked in order to provide bald eagles with the sense of security they need in order to successfully bring more offspring into the world.
The coordinator of bald eagle management for the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Kenneth Jacobson, stated that conservationists had high hopes for the endangered animals.
“Arizona’s bald eagles are hard at work preparing their nest for what we hope will be a productive breeding season,” Jacobson stated in a Tuesday news release.
He went on to say that his expectations for the breeding season of 2025 come following a prosperous year of 2024.
According to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, 96 juvenile eagles have hatched so far this year. One hundred and seventy-seven of the individuals accomplished a significant goal: they experienced their maiden flights, which are referred to as fledgings.
Restrictions imposed on mating grounds for bald eagles in Arizona based on the seasons
Both people who fly drones and people who ride motorized paragliders are strongly encouraged to stay away from the habitats of bald eagles.
Moreover, the Arizona Game and Fish Department cautioned pilots to keep the advisory at a height of 2,000 feet above ground level when flying over the habitat of the endangered species.
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These limits are essential due to the fact that even brief periods of low-flying aircraft activity in close proximity to a nest of bald eagles can cause significant disruption to the birds.
In point of fact, according to wildlife officials, the reproductive capacity of a nest can be compromised if the eagles are subjected to even a brief but significant amount of disturbance.
There are a number of bodies of water that are subject to seasonal closures. These include the Verde River, Tonto Creek, Salt River, Lake Pleasant, Crescent Lake, Fool Hollow Lake, Greer Lakes, Horseshoe Lake, Luna Lake, Lynx Lake, Show Low Lake, and Woods Canyon Lake.
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You can find information on the website of the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) regarding the particular periods and locations of these seasonal restrictions on bald eagle breeding sites.
“The birds nest, forage and roost at rivers and lakes that are also popular recreation spots,” Jacobson stated. “That’s why we must be vigilant to help protect the birds and ensure their populations statewide continue to flourish. That success wouldn’t be possible without the cooperation of outdoor recreationists who respect the closures during the breeding season.”
