Eagle population increases at Arnold

Two 4-year-old bald eagles were seen on Arnold Air Force Base property recently, increasing the number of reported eagles to four at the base. Shown here are the eagles resting in the tree canopy April 4, 2016. The age of these eagles is determined by the brown plumage remaining behind the eye and in the tail. A 5-year-old, adult eagle will have completely white feathers on the head and tail. (Courtesy photo/John Lamb)

Eagle population increases at Arnold

Two new bald eagles have increased the eagle population at Arnold Air Force Base to four. One of the eagles is shown here in 2013 at approximately 1 year old. Bald eagles of this age will have mostly brown plumage, black bill, brown eyes and yellow feet. As they reach a mature age of 5 years, their bill and eyes will turn yellow and the feathers on their head and tail will turn white. (Courtesy photo/John Lamb)

Eagle population increases at Arnold

Published May 20, 2016
By Raquel March
AEDC/PA

ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. -- In 2009, two bald eagles were reported, for the first time, nesting within the Arnold Air Force Base Wildlife Resource Area, and recently two more eagles were spotted on Arnold property.

The new pair of eagles are not yet mature and are still perfecting their skills at making a nest which can measure anywhere from 5- to 8-feet across.

"This pair of eagles is 4 years old," said John Lamb, a wildlife and plant biologist with URS Federal Services at AEDC. "Their age is based on plumage. They still have some brown feathers behind the eye and in the tail. A 5-year-old, full-grown, adult
eagle will have completely white feathers on the head and tail.

"They built a rather shabby first attempt at a nest, but aren't actually using it."
Bald eagles may be spotted in many prime locations in Tennessee and are more easily seen during the winter months when the leaves fall from the trees and when the birds are wintering from late-October to mid-February. The eagles that nest in northern regions and are wintering in Tennessee return to southern Canada and the Great Lakes area in April. Adults that nest in Tennessee, remain in state the entire year.

According to a 2013 Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency report, approximately 300 to 500 eagles winter in Tennessee and the highest numbers are usually at Reelfoot, Dale Hollow, Kentucky, Chickamauga, Watts Bar and Pickwick Lakes.

Due to the well visited nest location of the two eagles first spotted in 2009 at Arnold, Lamb stated that the birds may have moved their nesting area. These eagles haven't been seen recently.

Lamb said if someone sees a bald eagle on base they should call 454-5378 or the Arnold AFB Natural Resources office at 454-5466. If an eagle is seen off-base, they may contact their county TWRA.

When surveying the eagles, TWRA agents stay out of sight of eagle nests, except for routine farming. Disturbing the nesting area may cause the eagles to abandon their nests.

It is reported in the Arnold Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan that monitoring eagles at Arnold is done annually as part of the U.S. Geological Survey Mid-winter Bald Eagle Survey. The monitoring locations are selected based on the area of shoreline visibility. Typically bald eagles choose a nesting site that has large trees with dead limbs for better aerial access to accommodate their wide wingspan and on high ground close to lakes or rivers.

A male, bald eagle may weigh 6-9 pounds, whereas a female may weigh 20 to 30 percent more. Their wingspan can be 6-8 feet.

For more information about eagles, visit the TWRA Watchable Wildlife website at www.tnwatchablewildlife.org.

-AEDC-