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This
project is a research study focused on the ecology of nesting Bald Eagles in Virginia. The objective of this program is to use video-monitoring
systems to obtain close-range data of nest activities with minimal
disturbance. Biologists from the Center for Conservation Biology select
eagle pairs to study, band and measure the chicks, and install small
security cameras directly above the nests. Volunteers are responsible
for monitoring the recording system by regularly changing tapes and
batteries. Following approximately two weeks of taped observations,
the biologists return to the nest to remeasure and reweigh the chicks.
By season's end, a total of 24 nests along the James, Rappahannock,
and York Rivers will have been monitored.
Combining the growth and weight measurements with the observations recorded on tape provides information fundamental to the long-term conservation of bald eagles. Specific issues to be addressed include how diet, chick growth and development, and provisioning patterns vary throughout the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. This data will help researchers determine core breeding areas for eagles, and thus allow for targeted, more efficient management of the species in the future. Conservation Implications As bald eagle population numbers continue to
rise, issues regarding management practices and long-term sustainability
of the species are becoming increasingly important. Preservation
of habitat is fundamental in both regards and remains the only goal
of the 1990 Chesapeake Bay Bald Eagle Recovery Plan that has not
been met. Determining core breeding areas will help researchers
and managers develop targeted conservation strategies around areas
supporting the largest number of successful breeders. This issue
is particularly critical as the species faces both delisting and
unprecedented rates of habitat loss associated with human development.
The Center for Conservation Biology The Center for Conservation Biology is a research and education organization within the Department of Biology at the College of William & Mary. Our particular focus is the development of information resources needed for effective, science-based conservation. We believe that information is the currency that drives all aspects of conservation. Our information is used on a daily basis to determine which parcels of land warrant protection, how government policies should be written and implemented, and how vulnerable species should be managed. To learn about the Center's mission, research projects, publications, and more, please visit www.ccb-wm.org. |
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