NEWBURYPORT — One year after state wildlife observers sighted a record number of bald eagles, the annual count suffered from unusually low numbers yesterday, due to weather conditions.
"It's a unique eagle sighting," Dr. Tom French, assistant director of the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program said. In the 33 years that the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife has conducted the survey, it was the first time officials were unsuccessful in making a "complete count," he said.
Due to yesterday's weather and poor visibility, the state was unable to use a helicopter to perform the count from the Quabbin Reservoir to the Connecticut River. It relied on in-the-field reports from observers.
Last year, officials recorded 107 birds throughout Massachusetts as part of the nationwide midwinter survey — an all-time record, French said.
"I have 26 so far (this year)," he added.
The Merrimack River has been one of the hot spots for eagle sighting, but this year's numbers were disappointing. Two adult eagles were spotted in Amesbury yesterday by Hatter's Point, said Erik Amati, MassWildlife game biologist for the Northeast District.
But that doesn't mean the eagle population has declined. Rather, it's a reflection of the mild winter temperatures. Eagles, which normally live in northern New England and Canada, haven't been forced to migrate south because rivers and lakes have not entirely frozen.
Eagles have become common on the lower Merrimack because its swift current and tidal changes mean there's usually open water along a five-mile stretch from Deer Island in Amesbury to the sea. Eagles need open water in order to hunt for fish and waterfowl.
The lack of ice on the Merrimack River means eagles have not yet moved to the coast, a more concentrated space, he said. The eagles have more open space and still can easily access food and water, Amati said.
"This year, they're everywhere," he said. "It's an easy year for wildlife species."
Last year, 11 eagles were counted on the Merrimack River during the survey. The survey period runs from Jan. 4 through Jan. 18.
Long-term trends for eagles have been "fantastic" and show that there are "plenty of birds" in the area, French said.
"We have new nests popping up all of the time," he added.
Between 40 and 50 state and federal wildlife officials and volunteers observed birds through binoculars and spotting scopes on the ground yesterday, according to Mass. Wildlife.
The preliminary statewide number is 108 eagles, with 94 adults and 14 juveniles, according to its statement last night.
In 1979, the first year the survey was conducted, there were eight birds counted statewide.
Reports of eagle sightings can be emailed to mass.wildlife@state.ma.us. Reports should include the date, time, location and town of eagle sightings, plus the number of birds, whether juvenile or adult, and the observer's contact information.
Annual Eagle Festival
The public will have a chance to spot bald eagles again next month when Mass Audubon's Joppa Flats Education Center and the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport host the annual Merrimack River Eagle Festival.
What: Merrimack River Eagle Festival
When: Saturday, Feb. 11, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Various Newburyport locations
How much: All events free, except for photos taken with a raptor, which are $10. Some events require advance reservations.
Details: Visit www.massaudubon.org/eaglefestival or call 978-462-9998.
Eagle counts on Merrimack River
YearNumber of eagles
20073
20088
20095
20107
201111
20122
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