 Background: The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is considered a species of special concern by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Bald eagles are also afforded special federal protection by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act which prohibits harming this species. Large numbers of these and other raptors have been documented wintering in northern Arizona, particularly making use of open fields in and around the Army National Guard's Camp Navajo. The extent to which bald eagles use Camp Navajo is of primary concern because the Army National Guard is considering the installation of additional training and ordinance storage facilities In addition, ongoing forest restoration activities on Camp Navajo may affect Bald Eagle winter roost areas.
Location:
The eagles are common winter residents at Camp Navajo, which is located approximately 10 miles west of Flagstaff, AZ near Bellemont, AZ.
 Approach:
Bald eagles are captured between December and March with the use of rocket nets. Captured bald eagles are fitted with Fish and Wildlife Service and color alpha-numeric leg bands. Satellite transmitters are attached after tissue samples and measurements have been collected. Satellite transmitters allow us to track individuals and identify roosting and foraging areas. Since the start of this study we have captured 23 eagles and fitted 18 with satellite transmitters. The transmitters usually last up to three years. We hope to put satellite transmitters on 4 more eagles during the 2008/2009 winter season, which will put the number of currently working transmitters at 10.
Benefits:
The primary purpose of this study is to document the number of bald eagles using Camp Navajo during the winter months. Information from this study will assist in identifying potential impacts on future construction of facilities on Camp Navajo. We will also identify roost areas that may need special consideration when Camp Navajo implements their proposed forest treatments. In addition, we will identify important wintering areas in northern Arizona, migration corridors, commonly used stopover points during seasonal migrations and summer breeding territories.
The map below shows all bald eagle locations collected using satellite transmitters between January 2005 and February 2007. They were monitored throughout their migration and summer nesting season.
For more information on Bald Eagles visit the Southwestern Bald Eagle Management Committee web site.
For more information contact:
Vince Frary, Wildlife Specialist III
Arizona Game and Fish Department
5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000
E-mail: vfrary@azgfd.gov
Michael Ingraldi, Ph.D.
Arizona Game and Fish Department
5000 W. Carefree Highway Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000
E-mail: mingraldi@frontiernet.net |
