Bald eagle numbers soar across Kentucky
In all, 20 new nesting territories where eagles had not been documented in any previous years were established or located in 2016
The number of nesting pairs of bald eagles in Kentucky has jumped sharply this year over last, according to the latest survey by Kentucky biologists.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources counted 151 occupied nesting territories this year – up 14 percent from last year and up 51 percent from 2012 when the state surpassed the century mark for the first time since bald eagles returned to Kentucky three decades ago.
"In recent years, bald eagle nest numbers seem largely dependent on weather patterns," said Kate Slankard, an avian biologist with the state agency. "This year was probably good because we didn’t have many extreme weather events during the nesting season of spring and early summer."
In all, 20 new nesting territories where eagles had not been documented in any previous years were established or located in 2016, she said. "This was more than any years past," she added. "It was a good year for bald eagles in Kentucky."
State officials have credited the banning of the pesticide DDT, eagle introduction programs, and improved law enforcement for a comeback of the bald eagle. They have also bounced back in Indiana and across the United States.
Biologists have found the eagles widely distributed in Kentucky, with a large number of Western Kentucky. Louisville still has two nesting pairs.
Reach reporter James Bruggers at (502) 582-4645 and at jbruggers@courier-journal.com.