Interpretation of Bald Eagle Nest Status:   (Draft May 14, 2013 DGIF Staff)

 

1)     If a nest was surveyed by air or ground survey during the breeding season, and nesting activity or nest maintenance was observed indicating that the nest was active at any time during the current breeding season, the nest is considered "Active" for that nesting season.

 

2)     If a nest was surveyed by air or ground survey during the breeding season, and no evidence of nesting activity or nest maintenance was observed, the nest is classified as "PresumedNotActive" for that nesting season. This designation recognizes the possibility that the nest was active at some time during the nesting season, but evidence of the activity was not observed during the survey.

 

3)     If a nest was searched for by air or ground survey during the breeding season, and the nest could not be located or the tree had been destroyed, the nest is considered "Missing" for that nesting season. Note that, in rare instances, if a new nest had been constructed at or near the site of the "missing" nest, the new nest may have been assigned the previous nest's ID code, rather than a new NestCode being assigned to the new nest.

 

4)     "NotSurveyed" or "Undetermined" or a blank field in the Status field for a given year indicates that the nest was not surveyed that year, or it was surveyed and its seasonal activity status could not be determined.

 

5)     Any nest or former (latent) nest site that was determined to be "Active" at any point during the last three (3) breeding seasons is classified as "Recently Active", even if the nest or tree has since been destroyed. This is to recognize the potential for an alternate nest to be reoccupied, or for a new nest to be constructed at or near a latent nest site, within the three-season window.

 

6)     If a nest was last classified as "Missing", and it was not "Active" during any of the last three (3) breeding seasons, the nest is documented as a "Historic" nest site.

 

7)     If a nest cannot be confidently classified as either "Recently Active" nor as "Historic", its status is determined to be "Unknown."

 

NOTE: As these data become obsolete, and many nests are no longer routinely and systematically surveyed, the great majority of nest sites will be assigned "Unknown" status. Although the Center For Conservation Biology at The College of William and Mary and Virginia Commonwealth University (CCB) continues to conduct aerial surveys of some river systems or geographical areas, the Department no longer receives data from those surveys for inclusion in our data systems. Therefore, we recommend that all parties seeking information regarding eagle nests in Virginia also search the CCB online Eagle Nest Locator at: http://www.ccbbirds.org/what-we-do/research/species-of-concern/virginia-eagles/nest-locator/. Finally, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service retains responsibility under federal law for regulating land use activities adjacent to eagle nests and eagle Concentration Areas, and should be consulted to ensure compliance with applicable federal laws and regulations.