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This indicator measures the number of active bald eagle nests in the Tahoe Region. The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is the national symbol and an iconic species that is exceptionally important to the public. Bald eagle reproductive success in the Tahoe Region may be affected by human activity such as boat access or other recreational uses in nesting territories, and the loss of nesting habitat including large trees in close proximity to surface water. Regional programs such as protecting large snags and limiting recreation around known nests aim to protect bald eagles in the Tahoe Region. Potential nesting bald eagle habitat and known nests are monitored each year by various wildlife agencies in the Region.
- Status
- Considerably Better Than Target
- Trend
- Little or No Change
- Confidence
- High
- Monitoring shows that the nesting bald eagle population is small but stable in the Tahoe Region.
- The nests at Marlette Lake and Emerald Bay have been the most active and successful nests in the Region.
- In 2019, for the first time, the nest at Sugar Pine Point successfully raised juvenile bald eagle chicks.
- The disturbance zone standard for bald eagle nesting sites has been implemented by TRPA and other partner agencies.
- Potential disturbances such as new trails and forest fuels reduction projects are adjusted to protect nesting bald eagles.
Approximate locations of known bald eagle nesting areas from 1996 to 2019 in the Tahoe Basin.
- The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is the national symbol and an iconic species that is exceptionally important to the public. In the lower 48 states, bald eagles were considered threatened under the Endangered Species Act until they were de-listed in 2007. They are still protected by the federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which prohibits the harming, killing, or possession of bald eagles, or their eggs or nests.
- Bald eagle reproductive success in the Tahoe Basin may be affected by human activity such as boat access or other recreational uses in nesting territories (Laves and Romsos 2000), and the loss of nesting habitat including large trees in close proximity to surface water (Laves and Romsos 2000). TRPA’s Code of Ordinances and enforcement limit disturbance in buffers surrounding nest sites. Fish mortality from spawning, disease, or catch and release fishing can impact the amount of available carrion, which can affect nesting bald eagles (Jackman, Hunt, and Hutchins 2007; Beauchamp et al. 1994). In other areas, weather conditions affect the reproductive success (Gende, Wilson, and Jacobsen 1997), although it is unknown to what degree weather affects nesting success in the Tahoe Basin.
Monitoring Programs
- The current status was determined based on the number of active nests in the Tahoe Basin in the most recent monitoring year. In 2019, there were two active nests, which is 200% of the status. Therefore, the current status is considerably better than target.
- Trend was determined using simple linear regression on the number of active nests. From 1996 to 2019, there is no visible trend. Therefore, the trend is determined to be little to no change.
- High. All potential nesting habitat is surveyed each year using standardized protocols.
- High. Standardized protocols exist and a long data set exists.
- High.
No photos available.
No documents available.