Nesting Bald Eagle Population Sites
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
Total number of nesting bald eagle pairs in the Tahoe Basin that were active from 1996 through 2019.
Evaluation Map
Approximate locations of known bald eagle nesting areas from 1996 to 2019 in the Tahoe Basin.
2019 Evaluation
- Status
- Considerably Better Than Target
- Trend
- Little or No Change
- Confidence
- High
Applicable Standard
W4: Provide a minimum of 1 Bald Eagle (Nesting) population site.
W11: Provide disturbance zones and variable influence zones for Bald Eagle (Nesting).
Key Points
- 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.
Delivering and Measuring Success
Monitoring Programs