NUMBERS SOARING FOR BALD EAGLES IN ILLINOIS

                                                  CONTACT: 217/785-0970

                                                TDD: 217/782-9175

                                                FAX: 217/524-4641

                                                                 http://dnr.state.il.us

          NUMBERS SOARING FOR BALD EAGLES IN ILLINOIS

     SPRINGFIELD, ILL., March 28, 1997 -- The number of bald eagles wintering in Illinois

is at an all-time high, according to results of the Department of Natural Resources' midwinter

survey.

     

     "Each year an intense effort is undertaken by staff and volunteers to count wintering

eagles in Illinois," said DNR Director Brent Manning. "Results from this year's count show the

number of eagles is up 50 percent from last year."

     Long-term, eagle numbers are increasing at about 17 percent annually. At that rate, the

bald eagle population is doubling every five years.

     Manning said the annual survey is not intended to be an exact count of every eagle in the

state, but it does signify population trends. This year, 2,459 eagles were sighted as compared to

1,733 last year.

     "The numbers allow us to judge how eagle populations are doing. What we're seeing is a

steady increase in numbers counted in Illinois each winter," he said.

     Currently listed as a federally threatened and state endangered species, bald eagles have

made a comeback since the pesticide DDT was banned in 1972 and concerted conservation

efforts were put in place.

     The Illinois count is part of the Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey that was initiated by the

National Wildlife Federation in 1979. Current counts are coordinated by the Biological

Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey. During a targeted two-week time period,

observers in participating states are asked to take two consecutive days to count the number of

eagles they see. Reports from the states are combined to give a picture of bald eagle populations

nationwide.

     Sue Lauzon, executive director of the Endangered Species      Protection Board, said since

weather plays a major role in where eagles congregate, high counts in Illinois still could be offset

by a low count elsewhere.

     "Illinois is one of the premiere areas for wintering bald eagles in the lower 48 states,"

Lauzon said.   "We can't be sure what the overall picture is until we get the counts from the other

states, but we are fairly certain the high count in Illinois is a reflection of a generally increasing

trend nationwide, and that the bald eagle population continues to recover."     

     

     Lauzon noted an ever increasing number of bald eagles are remaining in Illinois to nest

during the spring and summer, also signaling a strong recovery of the bird. Last year there were

20 active nests, 12 of which successfully fledged 20 young birds and new nests already have

been discovered this year.

                               ###

          THE 1997 MIDWINTER BALD EAGLE SURVEY RESULTS

AREA                     ADULTS  IMMATURE     UNAGED   TOTAL

Mississippi River        1,209            531                204                1,944

Illinois River                258         119                  21             398

Other Areas                   77            40                   0                   117

TOTAL                 1,544           690               225                  2,459

     ADULTS    62.8%               MISSISSIPPI     79.0%             

IMMATURES 28.1%               ILLINOIS RIVER  16.2%

          UNAGED     9.1%               ALL OTHER AREAS  4.8%