Let’s take a moment and celebrate success. There are some stories that we can all cheer for and this is one of them. If you’re traveling north of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, following the flow of the Susquehanna River, you will have a pretty good chance of seeing one of the greatest come-back stories in our country’s history. Along your route you may look up and see the majestic beauty of a bald eagle soaring above you. When you see one for the first time, or the tenth time, it will certainly get your attention. You will have no doubt in your mind why in 1782 the Continental Congress incorporated this wonderful creature into the Great Seal of the United States of America making it the Country’s official symbol. It wasn’t that long ago, though, we almost lost our living symbol forever.
Studies have shown that in 1963 there were only 417 nesting Bald Eagle pairs remaining in the lower 48 states. In 1980 there were only three known nesting pairs in the entire state of Pennsylvania. Unchecked hunting and chemical pesticides seeping into water supplies are to blame. By the time the alarm was sounded it was almost too late.
Fortunate for us scientists, biologists and environmentalists dogged our elected officials with irrefutable facts and numbers that told them, and the whole country, our bald eagle population was dying at an unprecedented speed. The political machine of the day, staring eye to eye with the facts, blinked. They put their support for the big chemical industries on the back burner and a new direction was initiated.
Today, because of initiatives taken by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Pennsylvania Game Commission the bald eagles has returned. Recent surveys have shown the bald eagle population in the lower 48 states has climbed from a low of 417 to an estimated new high of over 9700 nesting pairs. In Pennsylvania recent assessments have found over 200 nesting pairs and an annual growth rate of approximately 15 percent. Because of this growth rate sightings along the Susquehanna River are becoming more frequent.
If you’re planning a day trip to look for eagles head north from Harrisburg on route 11/15 so you can stay close to the river. Bald eagles have been sighted along the way from Marysville to Liverpool. Be careful, though, as this road can be very busy at different times of day. A good idea is to have a spotter along to scan the skies while you concentrate on driving. A mature bald eagles is easily identified by its white head and white tail feathers. Along the way you can find lots of places to pull over and just watch, and a very good area for this is just north of New Buffalo where the mountains were cut away to make a path for the road. There is a known nest in the vicinity that makes this a very likely spot for you to get a glimpse.
Speaking about nests. If you sight one try to stay at least a thousand yards away. If there is an eagle in the nest and it becomes agitated by your presence move even farther away. Even though eagles are no longer on the endangered list, they are still protected by law and you may not disturb them in their nest or roosting area. It is recommended you use binoculars or a telescope to do your observing.
Watching bald eagles in their natural habitat is an experience you will never forget, and it’s one we all can enjoy right here in our Susquehanna Valley. If you would like to take it a step farther and want to be more involved check out the folks at the American Eagle Foundation. This not-for-profit organization initiates or supports numerous projects to assure the survival and growth of all the great raptor species across our country.
