08-03-2025
Spring Eagle Survey counts bald eagles and nests across the region
hinton — Over 30 bald eagles, some adult and some juvenile, were counted in early March when volunteers across southern West Virginia joined in 18th Spring Eagle Survey.
Conducted March 1 by the Eagle Brigade of Southern West Virginia, the annual survey found 36 bald eagles and one golden eagle, according to the survey results compiled by Jim Phillips, who organizes the annual count. The Three Rivers Avian Center, Bibbee Nature Club, the Hanging Rock Migration Observatory, Pipestem State Park and guests are all part of the Eagle Brigade.
According to the survey's results, five bald eagles were spotted around Alderson, Barger Springs and Bellepoint by Jim and Judy Phillips. One adult bald eagle around Alderson and another adult was seen around Barger Springs area.
The Athens Lake area was checked, but no eagles were sighted, according to the March 1 survey.
At the Brooks Island Overlook, three bald eagles including an adult and two younger birds were counted.
No eagles were seen around the Greenbrier County Landfill, but at R.D. Bailey Lake near Mullens, spotted two adult bald eagles were spotted.
In the area known as the Mouth of the Bluestone or Pits, a total of six bald eagles of varying ages were counted.
At the Red Sulphur Springs and State Line areas, one adult bald eagle was counted. Two adult bald eagles and one golden eagle were sighted at Hans Creek Valley.
Another two adult eagles were counted in the Greenville area. Two adult bald eagles were sighted in the Rich Creek Valley Road area, but no eagles were counted in the Hillsdale Tollgate Road area.
In the Lake Stephens area, three adult bald eagles were sighted. In the Paint Creek and Boiling Springs areas, two bald eagles — one adult and a younger bird — were counted.
Over in Greenbrier County, nine adult bald eagles were seen in the Meadow River area, two adult bald eagles were seen in the Blue Sulphur Pike area, but no eagles were seen around Fairview Road. Two bald eagles — one adult and a sub-adult — were counted in the Tuckahoe Lake area and two adults were seen at the Howards Creek area.
Jim Phillips said that when the surveys were conducted back in the Seventies and Eighties, participants were lucky if they counted one bald eagle. The situation started changing when the pesticide DDT was banned.
Fish and other prey contaminated with DDT would get the poison into raptors and weaken their egg shells, making it harder for them to reproduce. DDT was banned in 1972.
Raptors like eagles and hawks still face threats such as lead poisoning and discarded fishing line. Hunters and fishing enthusiasts are now urged to use non-lead ammunition and avoid using lead fishing sinkers. Lead ammunition can fragment when it strikes a deer or any other animal, spreading tiny fragments that contaminate the meat. Birds and other animals can get tangled up in discarded fishing line, Phillips said.
Thirty-three people participated in the March 1 eagle survey. They included Wendy and Ron Perrone with the Three Rivers Avian Center, Sam Richmond; Jason, Duane and Kathy Dotson; Steve Barrett; Jack O'Connel; Julie McQuade; Rodney Davis; Jeff Hajenga; Linda Miller; Bill Post; Candice Helms; Aaron, April and Abigail Jenelle; Bev and Jim Triplett; Amy Nelson; Mary Kasarda, Cletus and Terry; Maury Johnson; Bob Carter; Sharyn Ogden; Allen and Mindy Waldron; Brian Hirt; and Randall Yoder; and Pam Withrow.
Contact Greg Jordan at
gjordan@
