HARRISBURG, PA It's hard to deny the bald eagle's importance in American history. Today, the bald eagle is thriving in Pennsylvania. Its population in Pennsylvania hasn't been stronger in more than a century. As recently as 30 years ago, the Commonwealth's nesting population was three pairs.
Before addressing the bald eagle's latest gains in Pennsylvania, let's reflect on its past. Two hundred years and about two weeks ago, the United States declared war on England and America plunged into the War of 1812. Over the next two and a half years, more than 29,000 Pennsylvanians fought in this war. The spirit and occasionally the image of the nation's relatively new symbol selected only 30 years earlier in 1782 the bald eagle, accompanied them into battle. It was the bald eagle's first war as the nation's symbol.
"The bald eagle's presence in American history and this country's efforts to protect it are legendary," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. "Long recognized as the spirit of American freedom and resolve, this magnificent raptor is a lasting example of the good that can come from environmental reform and modern wildlife conservation. There's no better story to tell and retell every Fourth of July than the dramatic recovery of the bald eagle in Pennsylvania and America.
The preliminary number of bald eagle nests in Pennsylvania is 206 in 51 of the state's 67 counties, a number that is expected to increase as nesting reports are submitted. In 2011, the preliminary report was 203 nests in 50 counties, but the final number ended up being 217. In 2010, the late-June nest count was 192; but that number increased to 199 by the end of the year. In 2009, the June nest count was at least 170; it increased by four by the end of the year.
The breakdown of known active eagle nests in Pennsylvania (with 2011 figures in parentheses) is: Adams, 1 (0); Allegheny, 1(1); Armstrong, 4 (4); Berks, 5 (5); Bradford, 2 (5); Bucks, 4 (5); Butler, 4 (5) ; Cameron, 2 (1); Carbon, 1 (3); Centre, 2 (1); Chester, 5 (5); Clarion, 2 (1); Clearfield, 0 (1); Clinton, 2 (1); Columbia, 1 (1); Crawford, 21 (19); Cumberland, 1 (2); Dauphin, 3 (3); Delaware, 1 (1); Elk, 0 (3); Erie, 9 (8); Fayette, 2 (0); Forest, 1 (1); Franklin, 2 (1); Huntington, 5 (4); Jefferson, 2 (2); Juniata, 3 (4); Lancaster, 19 (18); Lawrence, 2 (2); Luzerne, 3 (4); Lycoming, 3 (6); McKean, 1 (1); Mercer, 11 (7); Mifflin, 2 (3); Monroe, 1 (3); Montgomery, 2 (2); Montour, 2 (1); Northampton, 6 (3); Northumberland, 4 (8); Perry, 2 (2); Philadelphia, 3 (2); Pike, 9 (19); Snyder, 1 (1); Sullivan, 1 (1); Susquehanna, 1(1); Tioga, 5 (6); Venango, 5 (2); Warren, 10 (5); Wayne, 1 (7); Westmoreland, 3 (2); Wyoming, 4 (4); and York, 12 (10). In counties where dramatic change has occurred between 2011 and 2012, a variety of factors, ranging from leaf-out and weather to loss of nest watchers and eagle mortality, can influence these preliminary numbers.
For more information, check out the Game Commission's "Bald Eagle Watching in Pennsylvania," which can be accessed from the agency's homepage (www.pgc.state.pa.us). On this page, you will find "Bald Eagle Nest Etiquette" tips, as well as information on where-to-go to see bald eagles in every region of the state, helpful tips on how to distinguish bald eagles from other flying birds, historical background and nesting behavior observations.
Fact Box
The preliminary number of bald eagle nests in Pennsylvania is 206 in 51 of the state's 67 counties.
People who find bald eagle nests among the largest of all birds are asked to report their findings to the Game Commission. The easiest way to contact the agency is through its public comments email address: pgccomments@pa.gov. Use the words "Eagle Nest Information" in the subject field.