NJ proposal - non-breeding Bald Eagle population no longer "threatened", now "secure-stable"

[mazzgolf]

I think this is big news. I can say I've seen more bald eagles in the last few years than I ever have before.

https://dep.nj.gov/rules/notice-of-rule-proposals/

https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/rules/proposals/proposal-20240603a.pdf

Quote

"Among the most notable proposed amendments to the nongame species list is the change in status for the non-breeding population of Bald Eagle from threatened (T) to secure-stable (S). As Bald Eagle populations have continued to increase throughout their range (...) the number of birds migrating through and wintering in New Jersey has also increased (...). The remarkable recovery of Bald Eagle populations is due primarily to the prohibition of DDT and the chemical’s subsequent decline in the environment. The State’s eagle population also increased due to habitat protection, particularly around nest sites, and the improvement of fish and waterfowl populations. Bald Eagle restoration efforts in New Jersey and surrounding states contributed to population increases in New Jersey and the surrounding region."

As for breeding population, an upgrade is also being proposed:

Quote

The Bald Eagle’s breeding population is proposed to change from endangered (E) on the list of endangered species to special concern (SC) on the nongame species list

 

[bushden]

Go down to the Delaware river any time and sit and watch, the eagles are every where.

 

[BothBarrels]

Yes, I agree ... it's big news. And great news.

Two years ago, I was in urban Paterson and walked over to the river just to look around. Not too far from me, I watched a Bald Eagle snatch some kind of Pike- looking fish out of the water. Like something from a wildlife documentary.

[bucky]

I saw two Saturday while kayaking on the South Branch, there's a few nests in the area that I know of

Edited June 3 by bucky

[mike033089]

Got them all over by me in town. Very cool.  A local farmer by me is/was fighting a small warehouse by me and tried using a nesting pair on the proposed property to deny the build.  Didn’t work so far. 

[Michael Britt]

I think they are close to carrying capacity in NJ. On every large body of water and every large marsh system. They are even nesting in Cottonwoods on urban brownfields! They are fairly common here in Warren Co.

[electricstart]

Sit by Budd lake ,Lake Hopatcong Lake Musconetcong you will see a few. I know where nest is on Hopatcong sit in state park you will see them . Good stuff. 

[LittleM]

Did you peruse the other proposed changes?  Barred Owl to endangered.... my ass.  All about the grant money and the BE well was running dry.

[Michael Britt]

10 hours ago, LittleM said:

Did you peruse the other proposed changes?  Barred Owl to endangered.... my ass.  All about the grant money and the BE well was running dry.

And out west they want an open-season on Barred Owl!

[Bucksnbows]

10 hours ago, LittleM said:

Did you peruse the other proposed changes?  Barred Owl to endangered.... my ass.  All about the grant money and the BE well was running dry.

That’s some serious BS. My guess is Highlands Coalition is pushing for barred owl moving up to endangered when they should be going the other way. That’s because that uber liberal org believes barred owls need old growth forest as their primary habitat when what that owl needs is a large tree cavity to nest. They don’t do much hunting in older forests, they only nest there.  They are everywhere in NJ now.  And that is because our forests are maturing. Their numbers will only continue to expand. 

[jerseyboy32]

5th one I seen

[LanceinNJ]

I saw 4 of them around Spring Lake Park in South Plainfield a few months back. They are everywhere now. Great to see.

[Bucksnbows]

I can't think of a day I don't see at least one when on most NJ rivers.  A big part of their comeback is the comeback of ospreys because bald eagles are far more scavengers than hunters.  They frequently bully ospreys and steal their catches to feed themselves and their young.  

[kohunter]

So is #4 high brass good for Bald Eagle hunting? Just askin

[mazzgolf]

1 hour ago, kohunter said:

So is #4 high brass good for Bald Eagle hunting? Just askin

I'm thinking, how much for a mount?