The number of Eagles returning to the Chilkat Valley this year was 452, the second lowest count since they began in 1988. The count is up from the lowest on record – 279 in 2020.
The maximum count took place on Nov. 1, said Stacie Evans, science director at the Takshanuk Watershed Council.
“Counts occurred weekly from mid-September to mid-December. I will probably do one more, although it is unlikely that there will be more eagles,” said Evans. The number of eagles counted at each stop is totaled for the day and the maximum count for the season is considered the peak of the eagle congregation for the year.
2020 coincided with very low chum returns, a likely cause for lower numbers that year. “It’s important to note that this number does not reflect the eagle population, rather it gives us some sense of how large the congregation was each year,” said Evans, “Eagles could be dispersed differently depending on river conditions and salmon runs, so low numbers during our count does not necessarily mean less eagles overall.”
The 35th annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count will be held Friday, Dec. 16. The sixth grade science class will participate in the oldest and largest citizen scientist project on Earth, said event organizer Dan Egolf.
Recent reports indicate the North American continent has lost 30% of wild bird species since 1970. “The current situation is more dire and local bird experts are noticing a decline just since last year,” said Egolf. Habitat loss, bird-flu and climate change are just some of the contributors to the declining populations.
Interested participants should call (907) 766-2876 to be assigned a counting unit. Stop by the Alaska Backcountry Outfitter store across from the Visitor’s Center to pick up tabulation forms, maps and bird lists.