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1993 ARIZONA BALD EAGLE NESTWATCH PROGRAM SUMMARY REPORT
Gregory L. Beatty, Bald Eagle Management Coordinator James T. Driscoll, Bald Eagle Biologist Nongame Branch, Wildlife Management Division
Technical Report 30 Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Program Chief: Terry B. Johnson Arizona Game and Fish Department 2221 West Greenway Road Phoenix, Arizona 85023-4312 June 1994
Recommended citation: Beatty, G.L. and J.T. Driscoll 1994. 1993 Arizona bald eagle nestwatch program summary report. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Technical Report 30. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona.
Funding for this project was provided by: the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Heritage Fund; Arizona's Nongame Wildlife Checkoff; U.S. Bureau of Reclamation; Salt River Project; U.S. Forest Service; U.S. Bureau of Land Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and Project W-95-M, Jobs 1 and 4, under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman-Robertson Act).
TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................................................ 1 METHODS....................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION.................................................................................................................................................... 4 Program........................................................................................................................................................................................ 4 Management............................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Intervention................................................................................................................................................................................. 7 Alamo/Ive's Wash..................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Bartlett........................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Fort McDowell............................................................................................................................................................................. 8 Orme.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 10 76..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Tower............................................................................................................................................................................................. 10 Breeding Areas......................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Alamo Breeding Area .............................................................................................................................................................. 11 Bartlett Breeding Area.......................................................................................................................................................... 18 Camp Verde Breeding Area................................................................................................................................................ 22 Cliff Breeding Area ................................................................................................................................................................ 24 Fort McDowell Breeding Area ........................................................................................................................................... 28 Ive's Wash Breeding Area ................................................................................................................................................. 32 Ladders Breeding Area........................................................................................................................................................ 36 Lake Pleasant Breeding Area ............................................................................................................................................ 41 Orme Breeding Area............................................................................................................................................................... 47 Pinto Breeding Area .............................................................................................................................................................. 50 Sheep Breeding Area............................................................................................................................................................ 53 76 Breeding Area .................................................................................................................................................................... 56 Tonto Breeding Area ............................................................................................................................................................. 58 Tower Breeding Area ............................................................................................................................................................ 63 PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS......................................................................................................................................... 66 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................................................................... 69 LITERATURE CITED.................................................................................................................................................................... 70
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LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Success of occupied free-flowing river nesting bald eagles in Arizona, 1992-93. ................ 8 Table 2. Success of occupied regulated riverine, lake or lake/riverine nesting bald eagles in Arizona 1992-93. .................................................................................................................................. 9 Table 3. Human activity, Alamo Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona....................................................... 13 Table 4. Observed interactions between Alamo and Ive's Wash bald eagles at Alamo Lake, ABENWP 1991-1993, Arizona............................................................................................................................... 13 Table 5. Observed forage events1 and success by bald eagles at the Alamo Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona........................................................................................................................................ 15 Table 6. Prey types delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Alamo Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. ............................................................................................................................................................ 15 Table 7. Prey species delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Alamo Breeding Area ABENWP 1993, Arizona........................................................................................................................................... 16 Table 8. Human activity, Bartlett Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona................................................... 19 Table 9. Observed forage events1 and success by bald eagles at the Bartlett Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. ........................................................................................................................... 20 Table 10. Prey types delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Bartlett Breeding Area ABENWP 1993, Arizona........................................................................................................................................... 21 Table 11. Prey species delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Bartlett Breeding Area ABENWP 1993, Arizona........................................................................................................................................... 21 Table 12. Human activity, Camp Verde Breeding Area-ABENWP 1993, Arizona. ........................................ 22 Table 13. Human activity, Cliff Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona........................................................ 26 Table 14. Observed forage events1 and success by bald eagles at the Cliff Breeding Area ABENWP 1993, Arizona........................................................................................................................................... 27 Table 15. Human activity, Fort McDowell Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona................................... 29 Table 16. Prey species delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Fort McDowell Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. ........................................................................................................................... 30 Table 17. Human activity, Ive's Wash Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona.......................................... 33 Table 18. Prey types delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Ive's Wash Breeding Area ABENWP 1993, Arizona.......................................................................................................................................... 34 Table 19. Prey species delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Ive's Wash Breeding Area ABENWP 1993, Arizona.......................................................................................................................................... 34 Table 20. Human activity, Ladders Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona............................................... 38 Table 21. Observed forage events1 and success by bald eagles at the Ladders Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. ........................................................................................................................... 39 Table 22. Prey types delivered to n st by bald eagles at the Ladders Breeding Area e ABENWP 1993, Arizona.......................................................................................................................................... 39 Table 23. Human activity, Lake Pleasant Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. ................................. 42 Table 24. Observed forage events1 and success by bald eagles at the Lake Pleasant Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona........................................................................................................ 44 Table 25. Prey types delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Lake Pleasant Breeding Area ABENWP 1993, Arizona.......................................................................................................................................... 44 Table 26. Prey species delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Lake Pleasant Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. ........................................................................................................................... 44
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Table 27. Human activity, Orme Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. .................................................... 48 Table 28. Prey types delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Orme Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. ........................................................................................................................................................... 48 Table 29. Human activity, Pinto Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona...................................................... 51 Table 30. Human activity, Sheep Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona................................................... 54 Table 31. Observed forage events1 and success by bald eagles at the Sheep Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. ........................................................................................................................... 54 Table 32. Human activity, 76 Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. .......................................................... 56 Table 33. Human activity, Tonto Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. ................................................... 60 Table 34. Prey types delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Tonto Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. ............................................................................................................................................................ 61 Table 35. Prey species delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Tonto Breeding Area ABENWP 1993, Arizona........................................................................................................................................... 61 Table 36. Human activity, Tower Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona................................................... 64 Table 37. 1993 Arizona bald eagle productivity. ....................................................................................................... 67 Table 38. 1993 Arizona bald eagle productivity summary................................................................................. 68
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Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 INTRODUCTION
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The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was classified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in 1978 as endangered in 43 states (including Arizona) and threatened in 5 others. It is not endangered or threatened in Alaska and does not occur in Hawaii. In addition to protection under the Endangered Species Act, the bald eagle is protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. A recovery plan (USFWS 1982) guides management of the southwestern population, which includes Arizona's breeding bald eagles. The bald eagle was first documented in Arizona by Coues (1866). A breeding attempt was first recorded at Stoneman Lake, southeast of Flagstaff by Mearns (1890). In the 1930s and 1940s, breeding was observed near Saguaro Lake, Bartlett Dam, and in the Salt River Canyon (Phillips et al. 1964). However, permanent records on bald eagle productivity in Arizona were not kept until 1971, when two eaglets fledged from the Breeding Area (BA) at Blue Point (Saguaro Lake). Most Arizona BAs are subject to human activities that might affect breeding success. Consequently, as the breeding population has become better known, the demand for progressive management has also increased. Strong protective efforts began in 1978, when the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and two Maricopa Audubon Society volunteers monitored a nest. Soon the monitoring effort expanded into the Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program (ABENWP). As more breeding areas were discovered, interagency coordination has become all the more important. To provide oversight, the Southwestern Bald Eagle Management Committee (SWBEMC) was formed in 1984. It is a cooperative effort among federal, state, and private groups committed to bald eagle conservation. In 1986, on behalf of the SWBEMC, the USFWS assumed coordination responsibility for the ABENWP and expanded its scope. The coordination lead was passed to the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) in 1991. The ABENWP has three principal goals: conservation, data collection, and education. Because many Arizona bald eagles nest in areas subject to high levels of human activity, closures surround many nest areas. Nestwatchers interact with people who enter these closures, educate them about bald eagle ecology, distribute pamphlets, and tactfully direct them out of the area. To help agencies make better management decisions, nestwatchers also collect information on eagle ecology, productivity (Tables 33 and 34) and behavior in response to human activity. Even so, the most direct benefit of the ABENWP is observation of problems at nest sites. Every year, nests fail and/or nestlings are found in precarious situations. Constant monitoring by nestwatchers often makes it possible to rescue birds in life threatening situations. This report summarizes the annual nestwatch reports and major discoveries at each bald eagle area monitored in 1993. Among the topics discussed are length of observation, timing of major eagle events, human activity in the breeding area, wildlife interactions, food habits, management activities completed by agencies and management recommendations by
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 nestwatchers and the Nongame Branch. METHODS
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Beginning in late summer and early fall, AGFD advertised through the AOU Ornithological Newsletter, the Raptor Research Foundation's newsletter and annual meeting, and job placement services at colleges and universities nationwide for potential nestwatchers. Public discussions, word-of-mouth from previous nestwatchers, and the distribution of ABENWP brochures also contributed to the pool of applicants. Nestwatchers were hired as private consultants to the state. After selection of personnel, meetings were held the first week in February to orient and educate nestwatchers. On 4 February 1993, we car-pooled to the Bartlett BA to prepare nestwatchers for the field and to explain data forms. We also addressed protocol for bald eagle "emergencies" such as nest failures, eaglets falling out of the nest, and birds getting tangled in monofilament. The following day, a formal orientation meeting hosted by agency contributors discussed Arizona bald eagle history, ecology, and the role nestwatchers play in management of the species. At the end of the meeting, nestwatch partners were selected. After the first ten days in the field, we reconvened to review problems or questions with data forms and the writing of final reports. Additional problems were discussed on an individual basis in the field or at the office. Informal "get-togethers" initiated by nestwatchers also allowed for discussions about the program and other eagle matters. These evening meetings also enhanced teamwork and unity among the nestwatch crew. Selection of BAs monitored by the ABENWP was essentially based upon the level of human activity near nest sites. All territories in 1993 that were active with legal closures were monitored: Bartlett, Cliff, Ladders, 76, and Lake Pleasant. Other sites with high levels of human activity without closures, such as nests on Native American lands, were also monitored: Fort McDowell, and Orme. We also monitored sites that are fairly accessible and/or have a history of problems such as heat stress, nest parasites, and/or the persistent presence of monofilament (Hunt et al. 1992): Alamo, Ive's Wash (below Alamo Dam), Tonto, Sheep, and Camp Verde. Breeding areas of particular interest to agencies were also watched: Pinto. New breeding areas without closures that appeared to have high recreation or human activity nearby were also monitored: Towers. Due to the request by the White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation that all work on endangered species cease, we were unable to monitor nests on the upper Salt River in 1993. Field work began the first week of February and continued until the eaglets fledged in May and June. Sites were watched primarily in teams of two. Personnel maintained a ten-day on, four-day off schedule. Each work period included weekends and Fridays, when heavy recreation use tend to impact eagles the most. Half of each ten-day period was devoted to data collection where nests were monitored from dawn-to-dusk. The other half of each ten-day period was spent collecting supplemental eagle data. All data were recorded by observation, opportunistically,
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
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throughout the study period. Territories with constant recreational pressure and special eagle concerns were monitored every day either throughout the season or during peaks of human activity: Ive's Wash (below Alamo Dam), Bartlett, Lake Pleasant, and Tonto. Due to early nesting habits of some eagles, nestwatchers were placed at some BAs prior to the February start-up: Alamo, Bartlett, and Tonto. The Audubon Society assisted in observing the Ladders and Tower breeding areas on nestwatchers' days-off. The four-day off period occurred every other MondayThursday. Data were recorded from distant observation points in the nest areas. Spotting scopes (15-45x, supplied by ABENWP contributors) and binoculars were used to view eagles. Each observation point was selected to provide optimal viewing with the least impact to breeding bald eagles. All observations were recorded in a notebook on field forms. Forms were developed to document human activity in the breeding area, wildlife interactions, prey deliveries, forage events, and wildlife sightings. Nest behavior was recorded each field day and entered on daily summary forms. Human activity, and the associated eagle behavior, were recorded within a kilometer radius of an eagle or eagle's nest. In addition, all aircraft below the ~600 meter (2000 foot) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommended ceiling within a kilometer of an eagle/nest were also documented. We classified bald eagle behavior in response to human activity into seven categories: none, watched, restless, flushed, left area, unknown, and bird not in area. If eagles performed normal activities without acknowledging a nearby human activity, a "no response" was recorded. If an eagle looked at an activity without displaying any observable reaction, "watched" was marked. If an eagle vocalized, moved noticeably on its perch, or displayed any overt reaction to an activity without leaving its perch, "restless" was recorded. If an eagle left its perch quickly, in response to a human activity, we recorded a "flush." A "left area" response refers to an eagle that became intolerant of an activity and left the immediate area in a less hurried manner than a "flush." We recorded an "unknown" response if we were unable to view an eagle's response, and marked "bird not in area" if an eagle was not present at the nest when an activity occurred. Nestwatchers also recorded bald eagle interactions with other wildlife, and tried to identify frequency, type and species of prey delivered to the nest. In addition, all observed forage events were recorded. Nest maps with river kilometer designations, nest numbers, and a guide to prey species of fish commonly used by Arizona bald eagles were used (Hunt et al. 1992). Nestwatchers provided their own transportation, supplies, binoculars, food, and housing on days off. A total of 21 people participated in the ABENWP in 1993. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Program Data forms were revised in 1993 to reduce the volume of paper and clarify objectives. Daily
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summary forms were consolidated into one page representing 25 days versus what was previously one piece of paper per day. Instruction forms, human activity, prey delivery, forage, interaction and wildlife sighting forms were also revised and improved. Because it often takes time to get used to data forms, we sent copies to nestwatchers prior to the beginning of the program. We also implemented the policy of having nestwatchers turn in copies of their forms after every other ten-day period. It is often difficult to travel to each nestwatch site to examine their understanding of the data forms. This practice helped us monitor each teams work. We also emphasized that each team complete their forms in a timely manner. Turning in their forms periodically helped nestwatchers keep their paperwork current. In 1993 we required a specific format for individual breeding area reports. Tables summarizing data collected describing human activities, wildlife interactions, prey deliveries and forage success were standardized. The "guide to nestwatch report writing" gave all nestwatchers a clear indication of the types of information that were important. Additionally, the guide assisted in contributing to the consistent methods in which data was collected. We also had the opportunity to edit drafts of each report, insuring that we received the information in the desired format. Our continued emphasis on improving preparation and understanding of objectives, methods, and forms has paid off in higher quality information and reports. Refining the orientation process has solved many of the inconsistencies in data collection of previous years (Beatty 1993). Yet, the challenge is to duplicate this effort every year, due to the diversity and number of personnel involved in the ABENWP. And certainly, the $45.00/day wage paid to each nestwatcher often limits the experience our crew has, and the number of returning nestwatchers. Since nestwatchers concentrate their monitoring in the nest area, our results are biased. Observations restricted to the nest area will bias any conclusions such as foraging locations or habitat use over an entire eagle pair's range. But, this information still helps to inform land and wildlife agencies where to focus management activities in the nest area. Since eagles are found perching and roosting most often near the nest during incubation and the early nestling stage, it would be logical to concentrate management most heavily in this location. Certainly though, important eagle foraging areas, perches and roosts away from the immediate nest area should not be ignored. Management ABENWP continues to be a vital, successful component of bald eagle management. However, with an expanding Phoenix population, conflicts with bald eagles can be expected. There will be an increased demand for additional recreation and development along the state's central river drainages/lakes. It can be expected that this demand will also begin to spread into more remote places. The lower riverine and lake areas closest to Phoenix have been our most productive sites in the past (Hunt et al. 1992). Additionally, locations where bald eagles can expand within
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the presently known breeding range appears to be limited. Thus, the probability of territories or important foraging locations occurring near a proposed development is high. Of course, with these developments comes the required section 7 Endangered Species Act consultations between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the associated federal land management agency. These consultations often direct the agency to support the ABENWP. However, regardless of a pair of nestwatchers, the future success of bald eagle nests will depend on how we (agencies/public) value, develop and protect existing and potential bald eagle habitat. The following is a list of currently known or recently completed projects potentially affecting bald eagle territories. 1.Campgrounds are being developed near breeding areas (Tonto and Pinto BAs). 2.Roosevelt Dam and New Waddell Dam have been/are being renovated to increase water storage which will kill nest trees and bring recreation into core nest areas (Lake Pleasant, Tonto, and Pinto BAs). 3.Roads have been/are being paved, improved and built near breeding areas (Tonto, Bartlett, Pinto, and Lake Pleasant BAs). 4.Recreational boating is being considered for the Gila River below Coolidge Dam (Coolidge BA) (B. Brown pers. comm.). 5.Peck's Lake near Tavasci Marsh and the town of Cottonwood is being developed. A golf course and living community is planned (Tower BA). 6.Talkalai Lake is being considered for recreational improvement along with development of a fish hatchery (A potential BA)(Driscoll and Beatty 1994). 7.Agricultural development, open range grazing and unrestricted wood cutting will bring more human activity and degradation to riparian nesting habitat on the lower Verde River (Fort McDowell BA). The most common management tool for restricting human activity near bald eagle nests has been seasonal closures. As breeding areas are discovered in more populated areas, or as development surrounds existing territories, future closures will need to be as restrictive as existing closures, with more effort in erecting signs/barriers. Current closures are located away from casual human activity and surround the nest with a large area. To be effective, development of future closures in high use, easy access areas (Tonto, Pinto, Pleasant BAs) must be an all out endeavor. It will be necessary for the public to rely on our guidance and education to police themselves. For the public to value and respect these areas, it will be our responsibility to inform them of the success of their efforts in the field and in the mass media. Protection and management of breeding areas on the lower riverine and lake areas nearest Phoenix must continue for the success of breeding Arizona bald eagles. After examining all known productivity information up to 1990, Hunt (et al. 1992) determined that eagles breeding on the lower riverine areas, including the Salt and Verde river lakes, were more productive than those on the free-flowing rivers (which are in more remote locations). This trend has continued over the past two seasons.
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Eagles on the free-flowing remote areas of the upper Salt and Verde rivers, Tonto Creek and Burro Creek (13 BAs) have not been productive compared to eagles breeding near lakes and the lower riverine areas. Over the past two seasons (1992-1993), these 13 BAs were occupied by a pair of eagles on 24 occasions. Out of these 24 occupied nests, 18 clutches of eggs were laid. From these 18 clutches, a minimum of 26 individual eggs were laid and 14 young hatched. From these clutches, 9 attempts failed in the egg stage, 5 nestlings died in the nest and only 9 young fledged. Most of these young (n=7) were produced on the upper Verde River and only 2 birds fledged from the upper Salt River and upper Tonto Creek (Table 1). Productivity at nests located from the lakes on the Salt and Verde rivers down to their confluence and at Alamo Lake, Lake Pleasant and San Carlos Reservoir (14 BAs) was much higher in comparison. Out of 28 occupied nests, 26 clutches of eggs were laid. A minimum of 43 eggs were laid and 33 nestlings hatched. Six clutches failed during incubation and 7 nestlings died in the nest, but a total of 26 birds fledged (Table 2). Known bald eagle egg production on the regulated river systems in Central Arizona was almost double (43 to 26) and number of fledglings was nearly triple (27 to 9) compared to breeding areas on free-flowing rivers. Protection and the continued intensive management of these breeding areas associated with high levels of human disturbance must endure for the continued success of this population. Closures, monitoring, contact with the public and rescue efforts (since 1983) annually contributes to help maximize the number of Arizona fledglings. Specifically, intervention when birds are in life threatening situations has resulted in saving approximately 15 percent of all fledglings (Beatty in prep.). Education and contact of the public at breeding areas has also undoubtedly resulted in reducing harassment and failures due to human activity. But, we are unable translate this educational contact into breeding success or number of birds saved. Should these management efforts decrease (resulting in lowered productivity of regulated river nesting eagles) and productivity continue to be low on the free-flowing rivers, it is unlikely that the more remote breeding areas (nests on free-flowing rivers) could produce enough young to sustain this population. Intervention The ABENWP was responsible for identifying significant problems with the nesting effort at Alamo, Bartlett, Fort McDowell, Orme, 76, and Towers breeding areas. Alamo/Ive's Wash Nestwatchers were placed on site 5 January 1993 approximately 5 days after the beginning of incubation in nest #2. We received a call on 8 January 1993 from Ken Moore, Army Corp of Engineer Dam Keeper and the nestwatchers informing us that due to heavy run-off from record rainfall, the lake's water level was steadily rising toward the nest at 1 foot an hour. The Corp projected that the nest would be inundated sometime that evening. After quick coordination calls with State Parks for a boat and the Phoenix Zoo for an incubator, AGFD and USFWS personnel
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left Phoenix in a vehicle for Alamo. We met State Parks personnel and boated out to the nest which was about 6 feet above water. The eagles left the nest and two eggs were rescued and driven to the Phoenix Zoo and placed in an egg incubator. Nest #2 and #3 were inundated the evening of 10 January. Nest #1 was inundated the evening of 16 January. One egg hatched at the zoo late 3 February or early morning 4 February. The second egg was cracked and believed to not be viable. It could not be determined if the crack occurred naturally or while handling. The eaglet hatched at the zoo was raised to 34 days old in an imprint free environment. It was then flown to Alamo Lake in a Channel 10 helicopter and fostered into the Ive's Wash nest on 9 March. The bird fledged the same day as its foster sibling on 10 May. Bartlett Two eaglets hatched at Bartlett in 1993 on approximately 19 February. One eaglet died soon after hatching. The remaining Bartlett eaglet was blown out of the nest or fledged onto a ledge on 29 April at 69 days old. Like previous Bartlett eaglet's (Hunt et al. 1992), this bird apparently landed in a cholla cactus. A cactus spine was observed in the fledgling's left eyelid on 1 May by nestwatchers. The bird was caught on May 2 and the spine was removed. Spines were also removed from its body and leg. Soon afterward, the young bird was observed using the eye normally and was later observed flying in the breeding area on 10 June. Fort McDowell Two eaglets hatched between 9-12 March in cottonwood tree nest #12. Nesting great-horned owls fledged two young from a cottonwood nest less then 200 meters downriver from the eagle nest the end of May. One eaglet fledged successfully on 1 June at approximately 82 days old. After the bird was not observed near the nest for a length of time, monitors called AGFD. AGFD instructed nestwatch personnel to inspect the surrounding area for the bird. While inspecting the nest area, the second eaglet fledged flying strongly to the east. Just prior to nightfall, AGFD arrived in the nest area and observed the perched adult eagles watching inquisitively toward the ground below nest. Although the first fledged eaglet was not observed before dark, it was assumed by the adults behavior that the bird was located near the adults.
Table 1. Success of occupied free-flowing river nesting bald eagles in Arizona, 1992-93. Territory Devil's Post Table Mountain East Verde Ladders*1 Camp Verde* Tower* Sheep* 76*1 Redmond # eggs laid 1992 1993 2 Occ 1+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2 Occ 3 Unkn 2 Occ Occ 1+ 2 Occ Occ # hatched 1992 0 2 2 0 1 1993 2 2 2 1 0 # young died 1992 1993 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 # fledged 1992 1 2 1 1993 2 1 0 1 -
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
Canyon Cibecue* Cedar Basin Lone Pine Totals - 13 sites 1+ 1+ 1+ 1+ 12+ 1+ 1+ 1+ 1+ 14+ 0 1+ 0 0 6+ 1 0 0 0 8 1+ 2 0 3 0 4
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1 5
* Sites monitored by ABENWP personnel, 1 Sites with official closures, 2 Occ = occupied site, 3Unkn = unknown, site not yet rediscovered as occupied
On 2 June, the following morning, monitors were not able to spot either of the fledged eaglets. AGFD returned to the nest area that day and along with the nestwatchers located two large piles of juvenile eagle feathers about 30 meters upriver from the nest. One pile consisted mostly of flight feathers. Many of the large feathers were broken at the base of the quill. The second pile was mainly body/breast feathers. No carcass was found. It is suspected from the presence of the nearby nesting owls and the plucked body feathers that the eaglet was killed by greathorned owls. Great-horned owls were considered the cause of death of older fledglings near migrating age at the Ladders site in 1988 (Hunt et al. 1992). The other Fort McDowell eaglet was found perched a few hundred meters upriver of the nest tree in a large mesquite tree along the river.
Table 2. Success of occupied regulated riverine, lake or lake/riverine nesting bald eagles in Arizona 1992-93. Territory Ft. McDowell* Bartlett*1 Cliff*1 Horseshoe Orme* Blue Point Horse Mesa Pinto* Pinal Tonto* Coolidge* Lake Pleasant*1 Ive's Wash*2 Alamo*2 Totals - 14 sites # eggs laid 1992 1993 1+ 2+ 1+ 2+ 1+ Occ.3 1+ Occ.3 2+ 2+ 2+ 3 1+ 2+ 1+ 1+ 2 3 1 2+ 1+ 2 1+ 1+ 2+ 1+ 2+ 3+ 19+ 24+ # hatched 1992 1+ 1 0 0 2 2 0 0 1 0 1+ 0 2 2 12+ 1993 2 2 2 3 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 22 21 # young died 1992 1993 1+ 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3+ 4 # fledged 1992 1 1 2 0 1 2 2 9 1993 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 22 1 17
* Sites monitored by ABENWP personnel, 1 Sites with official closures, 2 One bird was fostered into the Ive's Wash nest from eggs rescued from Alamo's first clutch, Alamo successfully renested and raised one eaglet from
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
a second clutch. 3 Occ = Occupied site
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Orme Two eaglets hatched in cliff nest #3 on 15 or 16 March. The birds had grown to 50 days old when a wind storm occurred in the Phoenix area on 5 May. On 6 May, one eaglet was found dead below the nest. Heavy winds more than likely caused this eagle to fall. This was the second bird in two consecutive years to have fallen from a cliff nest on Mount McDowell at Orme and die. In 1990 while climbing up to the newly discovered nest #3, we discovered weathered bones and feathers of a bald eagle nestling. It was concluded from occupancy records and condition of the remains that this bird either fell from the nest in 1989 (status of the site was considered occupied) or prior to our discovery of the site in 1986 (Hunt et al. 1992). 76 Incubation began on 5 or 6 February in nest #3. Activity at the nest remained "normal" until 26 February when the female left the eggs uncovered for 3 hours. On this day she displayed an odd "yawning" behavior. She opened her mouth at regular intervals of 30-35 seconds. She continued to display this odd behavior and left the eggs uncovered on 27 and 28 February for 4.5 hours and 6.3 hours respectively. Rain persisted these final two days of incubation. Nestwatchers were able to contact us through the USFS radio dispatcher. Two eggs were collected for analysis on 28 February. After analysis, it was discovered that the eaglets had developed to about 23 days old in the egg until the nest was abandoned and the embryos died (R. Mesta pers. comm.). Tower In late April, a fishing hook was seen attached to the lower bill of the adult female's beak. Connected to the hook was the six-inch monofilament leader which was dangling away from the eagle's head. Nestwatchers were able to observe that the hook and monofilament did not hinder the eagle's ability to feed itself, forage, or feed the eaglet. The bird was later observed in early June without the hook and monofilament. Breeding Areas Information collected by nestwatchers from each breeding area along with important events and recommendations are summarized from nestwatch reports written at the end of the season (Bank et al. 1993, Beason and Porter 1993, Bilak and Koloszar 1993, Brownwood et al. 1993a, Brownwood et al. 1993b, Friederici and Ruhser 1993, Juliana and Levine 1993a, Juliana and Levine 1993b, Langridge and Christman 1993, Langridge and Siegel 1993, Lundby and Pausch 1993, Thompson 1993, Waddell and McCoy 1993).
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Alamo Breeding Area
June 1994 Page 11
Observation period The Alamo BA was monitored under the normal nestwatch schedule from 5 January to 14 February. Then emphasis changed to Ive's Wash, to collect information on number of nestlings and prey d liveries to determine if Ive's Wash would be suitable for fostering the zoo/Alamo e eaglet. Emphasis continued after fostering to monitor the eaglet's progress. The Alamo nest was observed sporadically from mid-February until mid-May. On 23 May, regular monitoring of Alamo began again, until observations terminated on 14 June. The nest was monitored for 51 days, for 359 hours. Nestwatchers spent 170 hours on 21 dawn-to-dusk days watching the site. Observations on dawn-to-dusk days were shortened due to boating and hiking time. Eagle activity Incubation began in nest #2 on 31 December 1992 or 1 January 1993. Two eggs were rescued from inundation on 8 January and transported to the Phoenix Zoo for incubation. Nest #2 and #3 were inundated the evening of 10 January. Nest #1 was inundated the evening of 16 January. One egg hatched at the zoo late 3 February or early morning 4 February. The second egg was cracked and not viable. It could not be determined if the crack occurred naturally or while handling. The eaglet (34 days old) hatched at the zoo was fostered into the Ive's Wash nest on 9 March and fledged on 10 May. The Alamo eagles began to build cliff nest #4 on 17 January and laid a second clutch of eggs in it on 14 February. Cliff nest #4 is far more removed from human activity than the previous snag nests near the lake and is on land administered by BLM. Nest #4 also is exposed to sun the entire day and appears to be accessible to ground predators. One eaglet hatched between 20-24 March and fledged on 13 June. This was the first recorded successful nest from the six (Redmond 1987, Ft. McDowell 1988, Bartlett 1990, Horseshoe 1991, Pinto 1992, Alamo 1993) double clutches recorded in Arizona (Hunt et al. 1992, Beatty 1993). Both breeding birds were in full adult plumage with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service bands on their right tarsi. Human activity Few human activities were recorded at the Alamo Breeding Area in 1993 (Table 3). During January and February, infrequent visitors came to the lake early in the season due to rain, poor access and undesirable fishing conditions. Although observations were limited during the incubation and young nestling stage, little human activities were recorded near nest #4 because it is located greater than 1 kilometer away from the shoreline. Additionally, fewer activities were recorded because previously used snag perches observable by nestwatchers were completely submerged. Eagles were commonly observed flying out-of-view toward shallow water habitat near the confluence of the Santa Maria and Big Sandy rivers. While boating activities were the most predominant activity observed the past two seasons (Beatty 1993), aircraft (jets, small planes and helicopters) were recorded the most in 1993 (n=17, 50%). Military jets were recorded 11 times flying within 1 kilometer and below the 600 m FAA
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 12
advisory minimum ceiling for bald eagle nests. More than 11 jets were observed flying in low level flight over Alamo Lake (see Ive's Wash section), but they were not recorded because eagles were often perched in an unobservable location and the nest was located >1 kilometer from the shoreline. Eagles were observed watching jet overflights three times. Similarly, since the eagle's nest was greater then a kilometer from the lake and previously used snag perches were submerged, only three boating activities were recorded. Additionally, the increased lake size diffused the amount of boaters that would normally concentrate at the north end of the lake at the more commonly maintained elevation. Most responses to human activities were recorded as unknown (n=23, 68%) due to the distance between observers and the nest. Although nest #4 appears to be vulnerable to heat stress and predation, it is located well away from boat traffic and any future inundations. The fact that eagles were able to successfully raise one eaglet in the heat of Alamo Lake one month later than normal with a small amount of recorded human activity near the nest suggests that this nest may be a good location for the eagles. Wildlife interactions The Alamo eagles were observed interacting with 6 species of birds throughout the season: bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, zone-tailed hawks, American white pelicans, unknown falcon species, and turkey vultures. Due to the inundation of snag perches in Alamo Lake, few interactions (n=22) were observed between the Alamo and Ive's Wash eagles compared to 1991 (n=102) and 1992 (n=173) (Table 4). All observed interactions were while eagles were flying as opposed to previous years where most interactions occurred while perching along the territory boundary (Beatty 1993). The territory boundary previously defined by perches, was defended from the air after all perches went under water.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 13
Table 3. Human activity, Alamo Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Type Boater Chainsaw Gunshot Picnickers Military jet Agency personnel Helicopter Sonic boom Small plane ORV Total N 0 W 3 2 5 R 1 1 F 1 1 3 5 Eagle behavior toward human activity1 L B ? D-D total2 1 2 (16.7%) 1 1 (8.3%) 4 4 (33.3%) 0 8 0 0 3 0 3 0 3 3 (25.0%) 2 (16.7%) 0 0 23 12 (100%) Total 3 (8.8%) 1 (2.9%) 4 (11.8%) 1 (2.9%) 11 (32.4%) 3 (8.8%) 3 (8.8%) 3 (8.8%) 3 (8.8%) 2 (5.9%) 34 (100%)
1
2
N=None, W=Watched, R=Restless, F=Flushed, L=Left Area, B=eagle not in area, ?=Unknown. D-D Total=Information collected on dawn-to-dusk observation days.
Table 4. Observed interactions between Alamo and Ive's Wash bald eagles at Alamo Lake, ABENWP 1991-1993, Arizona. Year 1991 1992 1993 Total Prch-prch 70 (69%) 130 (75%) 200 (70%) Prch w/ ad 14 (14%) 15 (9%) 29 (10%) Interaction type1 A flight So together 9 (9%) 8 (8%) 27 (16%) 1 (<1%) 10 (91%) 46 (16%) 9 (3%) Contact 1 (1%) 1 (9%) 2 (<1%) Total 102 (100%) 173 (100%) 11 (100%) 286 (100%)
1
Interaction types - Prch-Prch = perch-to-perch, nonaggressive; Prch w/ad = perch-to-perch w/aerial display; A flight = aggressive flight; So together = soaring together; Contact = physical contact.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 14
Food Habits Increased water elevations at Alamo Lake changed observed foraging locations from prior years. In previous seasons at lake elevations of 1100-1120 feet above sea level, eagles were observed capturing nearly all their food at the north end of the lake. Most of their captures originated from snag trees surrounded by shallow water. After record rainfall beginning the first week in January, lake elevations climbed to 1165 feet by 22 January and remained near or above that mark until 26 March. At the end of March, lake elevations slowly descended to the 1140-1135 foot elevation. Alamo Lake stayed at this elevation until the eaglet fledged. Soon after the floods and inundation of common snag perches, eagles were observed using perches and locations uncommon for Alamo eagles. Birds were seen perching on floating driftwood and eating drowned mammals (n=2) (possibly Neotoma or Dipodomys) discovered on pieces of flotsam. More commonly, eagles were observed flying upriver toward the confluence of the Big Sandy and Santa Maria rivers where they were most likely capturing food in shallower water. Forage events observed in the late spring occurred on the wing. Beginning in late April, early May, the tops of the remaining snags began to appear, but eagles were not frequently observed using these perches for hunting. Twenty-three forage attempts were observed in 1993 (Table 5), compared to 101 and 107 observed in 1991 and 1992 respectively (Beatty 1993). The male captured 12 items, the female 4, and a resident adult of unknown sex caught 7 items. Fish (n=9) represented 38 percent of the total number of prey types that eagles attempted to capture. Yet, 46 percent (n=11) could not be identified to type. Two American coots were observed being captured by eagles. Fourteen prey deliveries were observed, 9 (64.3%) by the male, 2 (14.3%) by the female, and 3 by an unknown resident adult (Table 6). The male was observed arriving with six of the eight documented fish brought to the nest. Two largemouth bass and one American coot were the only species identified positively in the nest (Table 7). Two unknown catfish species were also delivered to the eaglets.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 15
Table 5. Observed forage events1 and success by bald eagles at the Alamo Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types Sex E2 4 2 3 9 Fish S-U3 3-1 2-0 3-0 8-1 E 1 1 2 Birds S-U 1-0 1-0 2-0 Carrion E S-U 2 2-0 2 2-0 Unknown E S-U 6 6-0 2 2-0 3 3-0 11 11-0 E 13 4 7 24 TOTAL S-U 12-1 4-0 7-0 23-1
Male Female Unknown4 TOTAL
Each number represents a forage event for a food item not the number of strikes to capture the item E = Forage events observed 3 S-U = Successful captures of prey - unsuccessful capture of prey 4 Unknown - Undetermined sex of resident adult that captured a prey item
1 2
Table 6. Prey types delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Alamo Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types Sex Male Female Unknown1 TOTAL Fish 6 1 1 8 (57.1%) Mammals 0 0 1 1 (7.1%) Birds 0 0 1 1 (7.1%) Unknowns 3 1 0 4 (28.7%) TOTAL 9 (64.3%) 2 (14.3%) 3 (21.4%) 14 (100%)
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 16
Table 7. Prey species delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Alamo Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona.
Prey types Sex Largemouth bass Male Female Unknown1 Total 1 1 2 (14.3%) Catfish species 1 1 2 (14.3%) Unknown fish 4 4 (28.6%) American Coot 1 1 (7.1%) Unknown mammal 1 1 (7.1%) Unknown 3 1 4 (28.6%) TOTAL 9 (64.3%) 2( 14.3%) 3 (21.4%) 14 (100%)
1
Unknown - Undetermined sex of resident adult that delivered a prey item
Management activities Nestwatchers were placed on site on 5 January, due to early nesting habits of the eagles. Brochures were given to Alamo State Parks office and Wayside Inn for distribution to the public. The ABENWP display was at the Alamo State Park office during January and February. Eggs were rescued from inundation on 8 January by AGFD, USFWS, ACOE, and Alamo State Parks and put in the Phoenix Zoo incubator. Metal signs produce by SRP were placed at Brown's Crossing to inform boaters and hikers of nesting bald eagles. These signs were later swept away by the rising lake. Management recommendations 1.Continue early nestwatching activities. 2.Continue placing the display and brochures at Alamo to educate park visitors of nesting bald eagles. 3.Coordinate a December meeting with State Parks, BLM, USFWS and AGFD personnel to work on logistics for ABENWP monitors. 4.Continue to place signs at strategic locations to inform boaters and hikers of nesting bald eagles. 5.Manage for regeneration of cottonwoods and willows from the north end of the lake to the confluence of the Santa Maria and Big Sandy rivers. Consider a cottonwood/willow pole planting project and/or a strategy to promote growth of existing young trees. In either situation, competition by salt cedar must be considered (i.e. possible control or eradication of this non-native species). Yet it must also be pointed out that these salt cedar plants guard nest snags from terrestrial disturbances.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 17
Some biologists believe a limited, diminishing number of available nest trees close to the lake warrants construction of artificial nest structures. This may be moot, now. With construction of cliff nest #4, the eagles have a nest in a relatively permanent location, free of many management concerns for human activity. However, construction of this nest does not reduce the need to improve riparian health at the north end and upriver of Alamo Lake. 6.Develop a plan to close an area surrounding any future Alamo nest tree that becomes accessible by boat. Prior to the January floods, all but one (nest #3) nest tree was guarded rather thoroughly from terrestrial visitors by thick "jungles" of salt cedar, but once the lake rises these nests are easily approached by boats. 7.Develop additional funding from the ACOE for monitoring of Alamo Lake to fulfill section 7 obligations for potential inundation of future nests. 8.Work with Luke Air Force Base to redirect low-level military jet flights away from Alamo Lake. 9.Lake elevations were maintained throughout the 1993 breeding season at 15-65 feet above normal operating levels (1100-1120). Although we were unable to observe where the eagles commonly foraged, it was obvious from the three nestlings which Alamo and Ive's Wash produced that both pairs were able to capture enough food. All of this was accomplished without the hunting snags that had been commonly used by both pairs of eagles for hunting, territory defense and loafing. Instead, the higher water levels greatly increased the surface area of the lake, likely creating more opportunities to find food. Additionally, the floods probably produced abundant fish, mammal and herptile carrion during January and February. As the lake recedes to more commonly maintained levels and drowned snags begin to fall, the lack of hunting perches may become limiting to eagle success on Alamo Lake. Both the Ive's Wash and the Alamo eagles use the small northeastern/upper section of the lake for foraging at the regularly maintained lake levels. When the drowned cottonwood snags fall, the upper end of the lake may become too small for two pairs of eagles to partition the resource. Because these perches have proven to be a integral component of the eagle's success at normal operating lake levels, it may be prudent to place artificial perches in or around the lake. Before all snags fall, a possible strategy would be to experiment and place a few poles at a time to determine effectiveness.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Bartlett Breeding Area
June 1994 Page 18
Observation period Nestwatchers arrived on site 4 January. A second team arrived in order to monitor the nest daily on 25 March. Observation was terminated on 9 May. The site was watched for a total of 105 days, 47 of those being dawn-to-dusk days. A total of 807 hours were spent observing the nest on dawn-to-dusk days. Eagle activity Eagles laid eggs between 11-15 January 1993. At least two young hatched on about 19 January. One newly hatched eaglet died between 20 and 23 January. The eaglet fledged on 29 April and apparently landed in a cholla cactus. A cactus spine was observed in the fledgling's left eyelid on 1 May. The bird was caught on May 2 and the spine was removed from its left eyelid. Spines were also removed from its body and leg. Soon afterward, the young bird was observed using the eye normally and was later observed flying in the breeding area on 10 June. The breeding eagles were both in adult plumage and unbanded. Human activity A total of 449 human activities were observed throughout the breeding season (Table 8). Small planes were recorded the most (n=289, 64.4%), followed by helicopters (n=62, 13.8%), gunshots (n=28, 6.2%), and ORV's (n=12, 2.7%). Aircraft (small planes, helicopters, ultralights) represented 78 percent (n=352) of all recorded activities, but only caused an eagle to significantly respond once (restless). This plane traveled north flying at approximately 100 feet above the river when it banked, turned and headed south. All remaining planes recorded maintained at least a 150 m (~500 feet) above ground level. Like many other breeding areas in 1993, terrestrial activity was limited early in the season due to heavy rain and poor road conditions. In January, entrance to Bartlett Lake was blocked due to running washes and ruined roads. Later, as paved roads were repaired, access to the nest area on unmaintained dirt roads was hindered by sand pits in wash crossings and rough conditions. These damaged and difficult road conditions persisted throughout the season and seemed to affect the number of terrestrial visitors to the Bartlett Breeding Area in 1993. In 1992, the breeding area was visited by 440 terrestrial activities from 14 different types of activities (Beatty 1993). In 1993, only 73 activities took place from a similar 13 types. Aircraft activity, although reduced by poor weather, remained high in 1993 (n=289).
Table 8. Human activity, Bartlett Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
Type N Small plane Campers Helicopters Gunshots Anglers Picnickers Canoes Birders Hunters Hikers ORV's Rafters Shooters Cyclists Agency workers Ultralights Researchers Drivers Photographer Total
1
June 1994 Page 19
Eagle behavior toward human activity1
W 110 2 21 7 3 5 1 4 2 1 4 1 4 3 168
R 1 1 1 3
F 1 1 2
L 1 2 3
B 1 1 1 3
? 49 16 3 1 1 1 1 1 73
D-D total2 199 (66.6%) 3 (1.0%) 31 (10.4%) 22 (7.4%) 6 (2.0%) 1 (0.3%) 6 (2.0%) 2 (0.7%) 2 (0.7%) 1 (0.3%) 10 (3.3%) 2 (0.7%) 3 (1.0%) 1 (0.3%) 3 (1.0%) 0 5 (1.7%) 1 (0.3%) 1 (0.3%) 299 (100%)
Total 298 (64.4%) 3 (0.7%) 62 (13.8%) 28 (6.2%) 7 (1.6%) 1 (0.2%) 6 (1.3%) 2 (0.4%) 2 (0.4%) 1 (0.2%) 12 (2.7%) 2 (0.4%) 3 (0.7%) 1 (0.2%) 8 (1.7%) 1 (0.2%) 7 (1.6%) 2 (0.4%) 3 (0.7%) 449 (100%)
138 1 24 16 3 1 1 1 5 1 1 3 2 197
2
N=None, W=Watched, R=Restless, F=Flushed, L=Left Area, B=eagle not in area, ?=Unknown. D-D Total=Information collected on dawn-to-dusk observation days.
Wildlife interactions Bartlett eagles were observed interacting with common ravens, bald eagles, golden eagles, redtailed hawks, turkey vultures, great blue herons, American kestrels, violet green-swallows, canyon wrens, and unknown eagles and birds. One subadult bald eagle (estimated to be 2 years old) observed in the area was wearing a blue VID band.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 20
Food habits All but 2 of the 30 observed forage attempts occurred along the river below the nest cliff. The adult male captured 13 items in 16 attempts and the female captured 7 items in 11 attempts (Table 9). The only observed forage attempt outside the nest area occurred at Needle Rock where the adult male captured a flathead catfish. An eagle was also observed pirating a fish from a great blue heron about 1 kilometer upriver from the gauging station near the nestwatchers camp. Additional foraging most likely took place at Needle Rock and on Bartlett Lake as indicated by the direction eagle's flew from the nest and returned with fish. A total of 45 prey deliveries were recorded throughout the season (Table 10). Compared to the view of nest #2, prey deliveries and species identification were more difficult at nest #1 due to the increased distance of observation. The adult male arrived with 30 items and the female delivered 13 items. Species types identified were sunfish, suckers, unknown bass, and unknown catfish (Table 11).
Table 9. Observed forage events1 and success by bald eagles at the Bartlett Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types Sex Fish E2 Male Female Unknown4 TOTAL
1
Unknown E 2 4 6 S-U 1-1 2-2 0-0 3-3 E 16 11 3 30
TOTAL S-U 13-3 7-4 1-2 21-9
S-U3 12 - 2 5-2 1-2 18-6
14 7 3 24
Each number represents a forage event for a food item not the number of strikes to capture the item E = Forage events observed 3 S-U = Successful captures of prey - unsuccessful capture of prey 4 Unknown - Undetermined sex of resident adult that captured a prey item
2
Management activities Early nestwatchers were put into place prior to incubation and full-time monitoring of nestwatchers began with a second team later in the season in anticipation of increased recreational activity. Nestwatchers noticed a cactus spine in the eaglet's eye soon after fledging. The young bird was captured on the ground and the spine was removed. The bird was later observed using its eye normally.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 21
Table 10. Prey types delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Bartlett Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types Sex Fish Male Female Unknown1 TOTAL 20 11 2 33 (71.7%) Mammals 2 0 0 2 (4.3%) Birds 2 1 0 3 (6.5%) Herps 1 0 0 1 (2.2%) Unknown 5 1 0 6 (13.0%) TOTAL 30 (66.7%) 13 (28.9%) 2 (4.4%) 45 (100%)
Table 11. Prey species delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Bartlett Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types2 Sex Fish SUN Male Female Unknown1 TOTAL 1 1 2 BAS 2 2 4 SKR 2 1 3 CAT 0 2 2 FSH 16 5 1 22 2 2 Mammals MAM Birds BRD 2 1 3 Herptile HRP 1 1 Unknown UNK 5 1 6 30 (66.7%) 13 (28.9%) 2 (4.4%) 45 (100%)) TOTAL
1
2
Unknown - Undetermined sex of resident adult that delivered a prey item Prey types = SUN=sunfish sp., BAS=bass sp., SKR=sucker sp., CAT=catfish sp., FSH=fish sp., MAM=mammal sp., BRD=bird sp., HRP=herptile, UNK=unknown.
Management recommendations 1.Replace the signs identifying the terrestrial boundary at the north end of the closure and the riverside "no stop zone" below the gaging station. An additional sign should be placed along the river's edge below nest #'s 1 and 2 indicating that the closure is still in effect and another sign indicating the closure's end. 2.At the gate blocking off road access to the north end of the closure, post closure orders and construct boxes to place bald eagle brochures. 3.Needle Rock recreation area is a source of off-road vehicles entering the closure from its
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 22
southern boundary. In the past, blockades have been vandalized and swept away by high river flows. Smaller signs with boxes to hold informational brochures may be an inexpensive but effective way of educating and reducing activity that enters the closure if they are placed at advantageous spots.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Camp Verde Breeding Area
June 1994 Page 23
Observation period The Camp Verde Breeding Area was observed from 5 February to 14 February. The site was observed for 30 hours and 51 minutes. Monitoring was limited by heavy rainfall and searches for alternate nests.
Table 12. Human activity, Camp Verde Breeding Area-ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Type N Boater Construction Hikers ORV Dogs Picnickers Gunshots Vehicles Total
1
Eagle behavior toward human activity1 W 0 R 0 F 0 L 0 B 7 3 2 2 2 3 1 2 22 ? 0 D-D total2 7 (38.9%) 1 (5.6%) 2 (11.1%) 2 (11.1%) 1 (5.6%) 3 (16.7%) 1 (5.6%) 1 (5.6%) 18 (100%) Total 7 (31.8%) 3 (13.6%) 2 (9.1%) 2 (9.1%) 2 (9.1%) 3 (13.6%) 1 (4.5%) 2 (9.1%) 22 (100%)
0
2
N=None, W=Watched, R=Restless, F=Flushed, L=Left Area, B=eagle not in area, ?=Unknown. D-D Total=Information collected on dawn-to-dusk observation days.
Eagle activity No bald eagles were observed in the nest area. Earlier, on 11 September 1992, three eagles were observed flying in the nest area over West Clear Creek by AGFD personnel. During the summer of 1992, a local resident observed an eagle perched on a snag approximately 1 kilometer downriver from the nest. We observed new nest construction on an Occupancy and Reproduction Assessment (ORA) flight on 2 February 1993. Further searches by nestwatchers, ORA flights, and AGFD personnel (Driscoll et al. in prep) produced no eagle sightings or alternate nests in the immediate nest area or along West Clear Creek. After heavy rains in January caused high water flows in the river, extensive scouring had occurred at the base the nest tree and adjacent trees had fallen. Later on 21-22 February, heavy rainfall and the ensuing river flows toppled the nest tree.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 24
Human activity Although no eagles were observed in the nest area, we continued to record human activity in the area (Table 12). Boaters and associated vehicles at a nearby pull-out represented 9 (40.9%) of the 22 recorded activities. Construction activities (chainsaw, bulldozer and backhoe) repairing an irrigation ditch near Salt Mine Road persisted in the nest area for three days encroaching within 150 meters of the nest. Management recommendations 1.Continue to search along the Verde River and West Clear Creek for nesting bald eagles. 2.If eagles are found breeding, monitor the site with nestwatchers and: a.Use Audubon Society volunteers during nestwatchers' days off. b.Inform local residents of eagles. c.Sign, if possible, the surrounding area to minimize activity near the nest.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Cliff Breeding Area
June 1994 Page 25
Observation period The Cliff Breeding Area was monitored for 11 days from 5 February to 14 February and 21-22 February. A total of 99 hours were spent observing the site, 58 hours of observation were on 5 dawn-to-dusk days. Observations were interrupted on 9 February due to high water releases from Horseshoe Dam and from heavy rain. We intended to monitor the site during the month of January, but due to poor road conditions opted to monitor the Tonto Breeding Area. Eagle activity The Cliff eagles did not lay eggs in 1993. Observations were concentrated at nest #4. Two adult bald eagles were observed perched together in the breeding area on 11 January during a 1993 winter count helicopter flight (Beatty and Driscoll in prep). After nestwatchers arrived on 5 February, only the adult male eagle was observed. Throughout the monitoring period, this adult was observed perching and interacting with at least two different eagles: a 3-year old bird with a blue VID band and an unbanded 4-year old eagle. The adult eagle was a male bird identified by the black VID band on its left tarsus, silver USFWS band on the right tarsus and a radiotelemetry backpack. Human activity Little human activity was recorded during the short time the site was monitored. Ten (71.4%) of the 14 activities that were recorded were aircraft (small planes, helicopters and military jets) (Table 13). Terrestrial activity was minimal due to muddy road conditions and poor weather. Eagles were not in the area to record a response for 9 (64.2%) of the 14 activities observed. The only significant response was from a perched eagle that left the area after a plane flew approximately 100 feet above it. Wildlife interactions The Cliff male was observed interacting with common ravens, red-tailed hawks, and a 3-year old and 4-year old bald eagle. The adult male interacted one time with a three-year old bald eagle and twice with a four-year old bald eagle. The three-year-old bird was observed alone in the breeding area on 5 and 13 February. On 14 February, the adult male pursued the subadult until they both perched in a cottonwood tree 0.3 kilometers downriver from the nest. The adult male then stooped on the subadult, causing it to flush from the tree until they again both perched in the same tree. The subadult eventually left the breeding area on its own. The entire interaction lasted 21 minutes. The subadult returned 37 minutes later and perched within 0.2 kilometers from the male for 1 hour before flying out-of-view. A near-adult eagle flew into nest #4 and began arranging sticks on 12 February. Four minutes later, the adult male stooped twice on the bird and then flew out-ofview. The near-adult stayed in the nest for the next 30-minutes and then flew away downriver. On
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June 1994 Page 26
13 February, the near-adult was again spotted in the nest and proceeded to forage twice in the river below the nest. The adult male flew into the nest area and interacted briefly with the nearadult. The adult male perched in tree and the near-adult flew to the nest. The near-adult left the area 1 hour and 39 minutes after it had arrived.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 27
Table 13. Human activity, Cliff Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Type N Small planes Helicopters Hikers ORV Hunters Boater Military jets Total
1
Eagle behavior toward human activity1 W 1 1 2 R 0 F 0 L 1 1 B 3 2 1 1 1 1 9 ? 0 D-D total2 4 (44.4%) 1 (11.1%) 1 (11.1%) 1 (11.1%) 1 (11.1%) 1 (11.1%) 9 (100%) Total 5 (35.7%) 4 (28.6%) 1 (7.1%) 1 (7.1%) 1 (7.1%) 1 (7.1%) 1 (7.1%) 14 (100%)
1 1 2
2
N=None, W=Watched, R=Restless, F=Flushed, L=Left Area, B=eagle not in area, ?=Unknown. D-D Total=Information collected on dawn-to-dusk observation days.
Food habits The adult male was successful on 8 of 11 forage attempts in a 0.5 kilometer stretch of river below the nest (Table 14). The near-adult eagle observed in the area also successfully foraged two times from the nest pinnacle. Water fluctuations may have affected the eagles foraging success along the stretch of river below the nest. Four successful attempts occurred in a large pool at river kilometer 65.4. After heavy water releases from Horseshoe Dam, the pools disappeared and the male was twice unsuccessful in capturing fish. Water releases ceased and gravel bars began to reappear as the river receded. The adult male was then observed feeding on carrion washed up on the gravel bars.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 28
Table 14. Observed forage events1 and success by bald eagles at the Cliff Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types Sex Fish E2 Male Near-adult TOTAL
1
Carrion E 1 2 S-U 1-0 2-0 E 11 2 13
TOTAL S-U 9-2 2-0 11-2
S-U3 8-2 2-0 8-1
10 2 9
Each number represents a forage event for a food item not the number of strikes to capture the item E = Forage events observed 3 S-U = Successful captures of prey - unsuccessful capture of prey
2
Management activities Plans to place early season monitors on site were changed due to weather and extremely muddy road conditions. Cave Creek Ranger District of the Tonto National Forest received a grant from the Heritage Fund (project # I92049) to enhance the Cliff closure. The Nongame Branch met with the Ranger District and discussed wording and placement of signs. We also discussed adding a place on the sign for bald eagle brochures and closure maps. The timely nature of this proposal became more significant as flood waters tore down the existing fence and sent a large 3x4 foot sign floating downriver. Management recommendations 1.Continue nestwatch activities. 2.Reconstruct fence, gate and sign at north end of closure.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Fort McDowell Breeding Area
June 1994 Page 29
Observation period Monitoring Fort McDowell began on 6 February 1993 and continued until 6 June 1993. A total of 90 days and 932 hours were spent observing the site, 41 days and 537 hours were on dawn-to-dusk days. Five nestwatchers throughout the season were stationed at Fort McDowell. Eagle activity Incubation began in nest #12 between 2-5 February 1993. This nest was rebuilt by Robert Mesta of the USFWS in 1987 after it fell in 1986. This year is the first season the nest has been used since it was rebuilt. Two eaglets hatched between 9-12 March. Both eaglets fledged on 1 June. Two large piles of feathers from one eaglet were discovered on 2 June about 30 meters upriver from the nest. One pile consisted mostly of flight feathers, many of the large feathers were broken at the base of the quill. The second pile was mainly body/breast feathers. No carcass was found. It is suspected from the presence of plucked body feathers that this bird was killed by great-horned owls. A family of owls raised two young 100-200 meters downriver from the eagle's nest. Both adult eagles were unbanded birds in full adult plumage. Human activity A total of 246 human activities were recorded at Fort McDowell in 1993, the most predominant activity being aircraft (small plane, helicopter) (n=135,54.9%) (Table 15). Aircraft elicited a significant response from eagles on 12 (4.9%) different occasions. One-hundred five times (77.8%) the eagles did not respond. Many of the activities recorded were terrestrial oriented because of easy access to the area and the large recreation area (beach) at the river. Soon after the weather improved and a fee was charged to enter the Salt River recreation area south of Highway 87, public users consistently turned to the Fort McDowell area to spend their day. Vehicles would drive to the river and activities such as picnicking, hiking, fishing (at river kilometers 20.5-20.8), birding, swimming, and shooting would occur. Surprisingly, only nine "unofficial" (non-agency related) terrestrial activities caused an eagle to significantly respond. Certainly, the most odd activity was a French crew filming a countrywestern video. Additionally, gunshots, vehicles, photographers, and rafting caused an eagle to flush from its perch. Hikers (n=3), one swimmer, and a rancher all approached within 25 meters of the nest and caused an eagle to circle and vocalize. Nestwatchers were able to contact 35 different groups as they entered the breeding area. These 35 groups represent a significant percentage (43%) of the unofficial activities recorded in the area (n=81) and were most likely the reason why few activities approached the eagles. Nearly all parties contacted were reported to respond in a positive and friendly manner.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 30
Table 15. Human activity, Fort McDowell Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Type N Small plane Campers Helicopters Gunshots Anglers Picnickers Canoes/Kayaks Birders ORV's Boaters Rafters Ranchers Shooters Horse riders Agency worker Researcher Swimmer Photographing Hiker Total
1
Eagle behavior toward human activity1 W 3 1 2 1 1 2 10 R 2 1 1 4 F 5 2 1 1 1 1 1 12 L 2 1 3 X 1 4 1 1 3 10 ? 10 4 1 3 1 1 2 22 D-D total2 70 (44.6%) 1 (0.6%) 12 (7.6%) 1 (0.6%) 9 (5.7%) 18 (11.5%) 10 (6.4%) 1 (0.6%) 12 (7.6%) 1 (0.6%) 4 (2.5%) 1 (0.6%) 1 (0.6%) 2 (1.3%) 3 (1.9%) 1 (0.6%) 1 (0.6%) 2 (1.3%) 6 (3.8%) 157 (100%) Total 107 (43.7%) 1 (0.4%) 28 (11.4%) 4 (1.6%) 13 (5.3%) 22 (9.0%) 12 (4.9%) 1 (0.4%) 19 (7.8%) 2 (0.8%) 6 (2.4%) 1 (0.4%) 1 (0.4%) 3 (1.2%) 8 (3.3%) 1 (0.4%) 3 (1.2%) 3 (1.2%) 8 (3.3%) 243 (100%)
85 1 20 3 11 20 12 1 14 2 4 2 2 2 2 1 182
2
N=None, W=Watched, R=Restless, F=Flushed, L=Left Area, B=eagle not in area, ?=Unknown. D-D Total=Information collected on dawn-to-dusk observation days.
Wildlife interactions Fort McDowell eagles were observed interacting with golden eagles, common ravens, turkey vultures, red-tailed hawks, great blue herons, osprey, bald eagles and an unknown bird.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 31
Significant observations involved a near-adult bald eagle, osprey, and golden eagle. A near-adult bald eagle entered the area on 23 May from upriver of the nest and was pursued and escorted out of the area downriver. An osprey drove an eagle to perch on the ground on 19 April while the osprey was searching for fish in the nest area. While the bald eagles were incubating on 12 February, a golden eagle landed and perched in the nest tree for 10 minutes without a response from the resident eagles. Food habits Eight forage attempts were observed in 1993 at Fort McDowell. All attempts occurred within a 2-kilometer stretch of river in front of the nest with a minimum of human activity in the area (only nestwatchers). No forage attempts were observed while other recreational activities were present in the nest area. Six successful attempts by the male eagle were observed, and by an unknown resident eagle. Forage events observed began with eagles perched on mesquite trees along the east bank and catching fish in runs located at river kilometers 20.5-20.8 and 19.7-19.9. Thirty-two prey deliveries were recorded in 1993 (Table 16). Difficulty in observing the nest due to the tree's dense foliage limited identification of prey items. An unknown resident eagle delivered 20 items (62.5%), the male arrived with 9 items (28.1%) and the female with 3 deliveries (9.4%). A total of 20 items were described as fish (62.5%), the remaining 12 deliveries were of unknown type (37.5%). Eagles were observed delivering prey from both upstream and downstream of the nest.
Table 16. Prey species delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Fort McDowell Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types Sex Unknown fish Male Female Unknown1 TOTAL
1
Unknown 1 11 12 (37.5%)
TOTAL 9 (28.1%) 3 (9.4%) 20 (62.5%) 32 (100%)
9 2 9 20 (62.5%)
Unknown - Undetermined sex of resident adult that delivered a prey item
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 32
Management activities A talk was presented to the children of Fort McDowell at the Tribe's library. A copy of the ABENWP video was given to the library for future use. The branch that supported nest #11 broke prior to the 1993 breeding season. Sticks from this nest were collected from the ground and reconstructed into a nest by AGFD and high school students for display at the Wildlife Building at the State Fair. Section 7 consultation of the Endangered Species Act over the establishment of upland agricultural fields with the USFWS, the BR and the Fort McDowell Indian Community was completed with a management plan to set aside eagle nesting and foraging areas. Management recommendations 1.All nests remaining on the reservation (#12 and #14) are easily accessed by foot. a.Restrict road access into the immediate nest area. b.Restrict fuelwood cutting near existing nests. 1.Thick stands of mesquite protect small growing cottonwoods from cattle. 2.Mesquite stabilizes banks from erosion. 3.Fuelwood cutting during breeding season near nests may cause eagles to abandon eggs. 2.Promote growth of cottonwood trees at Fort McDowell by managing for existing trees and/or planting new trees and poles (protection from beaver predation should be implemented). 3.Sign nest areas with signs produced by SRP to help reduce disturbing activities near nests. 4.Continue to work with Fort McDowell on educating Tribal members on eagle ecology and carrying out management activities outlined by the USFWS for the current agricultural development funded in part by the BR. 5.Continue nestwatch activities.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Ive's Wash Breeding Area
June 1994 Page 33
Observation period Nestwatchers arrived at Alamo Lake on 5 January 1993. The Ive's Wash nest was occasionally watched until 12 February when consistent monitoring began. Everyday monitoring by two teams of nestwatchers began on 12 February and continued until 22 May. After 22 May, the site was spot-checked until nestwatchers left the lake on 14 June. The nest was monitored for 94 days totaling 1030 hours, 367 hours of observation were spent on 32 dawn-to-dusk days. River flows greater than 200 cubic feet per second (cfs) made it necessary to travel over the desert to an observation point instead of an easier rivers edge route. The 1.5 hour hike reduced the amount of observation time on dawn-to-dusk days. Eagle activity Incubation began in nest #3 between 30 December 1992 and 11 January 1993. At least one eaglet hatched between 5-12 February. Nestwatchers initially observed adult eagles feeding in two places when eaglets were not visible, indicating that two young may have hatched. On 21 February, only one eaglet became visible in the nest. On 9 March, the Alamo eaglet was fostered into the nest with the Ive's Wash eaglet. Both eaglets fledged successfully on 10 May and later were observed in the nest area on 2 June. The Ive's Wash snag nest in Woody's Cove was inundated along with the all Alamo snag nests. Both adult eagles were unbanded birds in adult plumage. Human activity Aircraft (military jets, small planes, helicopters, sonic boom) represented 124 (99.2%) of the 125 human activities recorded (Table 17). Military jets (n=107) represented an overwhelming percentage (86.3%) of the total activities recorded. The few amount of jets recorded on dawn-todusk days reflects the military's lack of flying during weekends. The most common response by the eagles to the flying activities was to "watch" (n=62, 49.6%). Eagles were recorded as being "restless" on six occasions when jets passed overhead. Restless behaviors recorded were adults being interrupted while feeding (n=3) and eaglets ducking during overflights (n=2). Soon after we placed the 4.5 week old eaglet from the zoo into the nest a group of jets passed through the canyon. The eaglet which had hatched in the nest sat motionless as jets flew by, but the "fostered" eaglet ducked and flattened itself against the nest. Other than flying through and over the canyon below the dam, six F-16 jets on 6 May were observed releasing flares in a mock dogfight over the breeding area. Although this occurred at an elevation greater than 600 meters (2000 foot FAA advisory), it does reflect the extensive airspace use of the Alamo/Ive's Wash breeding areas.
Table 17. Human activity, Ive's Wash Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
Type N Military jets Small planes Military helicopters Sonic boom Agency workers Total
1
June 1994 Page 34
Eagle behavior toward human activity1
W 51 5 6 62
R 6 2 8
F 1 1
L 0
B 1 1
? 16 1 1 18
D-D total2 12 (63.2%) 3 (15.8%) 4 (21.0%) 0 0 19 (100%)
Total 107 (85.6%) 8 (6.4%) 8 (6.4%) 1 (0.8%) 1 (0.8%) 125 (100%)
34 2 36
2
N=None, W=Watched, R=Restless, F=Flushed, L=Left Area, B=eagle not in area, ?=Unknown. D-D Total=Information collected on dawn-to-dusk observation days.
Wildlife interactions The Ive's Wash eagles were observed interacting with common ravens, red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, peregrine falcons, subadult bald eagles, great blue herons, and a raccoon. Observation of interactions with the Alamo eagles are described in the Alamo Breeding Area section. Nearby nesting common ravens, red-tailed hawks and peregrine falcons were the most active species interacting with the bald eagles. Peregrine falcons were observed interacting with the eagles on 11 April and 6 May. Observations of peregrines continued to occur in late May, but no further interactions were recorded. The timing of the peregrine interactions strongly suggests that falcons are breeding downriver of the eagle nests in the Bill Williams canyon. Food habits Although no captures of prey were observed, eagles were commonly observed flying from the lake and over Alamo Dam with food in their talons. Consistent with previous years, foraging most likely took place at the lake (Hunt et al. 1992, Beatty 1993). But due to the inundation of hunting perches on the north end of the lake, specific locations of the Ive's Wash success was unknown. Releases of water from Alamo Dam ranging from 200-7,000 cfs caused the Bill Williams river to flow fast and turbid. Successful forages for live fish below the dam were not observed and probably did not occur often, yet fish or mammals killed from the high flows were likely picked up by the eagles. A total of 86 prey deliveries were observed by the Ive's Wash eagles: 59 (69%) by the male, 10 (12%) by the female, and 17 (20%) by an unknown resident adult (Table 18). The predominant prey type observed was fish (n=52, 60%). Mammals (n=5, 6%) and birds (n=8, 9%) were also observed in the nest. Species identified in the nest were largemouth bass, unknown catfish species, carp, suckers, kangaroo rat, American coot, and unknown grebe species (Table 19).
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 35
Table 18. Prey types delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Ive's Wash Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types Sex Fish Male Female Unknown1 TOTAL 38 8 6 52 (60.5%) Mammals 3 2 5 (5.8%) Birds 8 8 (9.3%) Unknowns 10 2 9 21 (24.4%) TOTAL 59 (68.6%) 10 (11.6%) 17 (19.8%) 86 (100%)
Table 19. Prey species delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Ive's Wash Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types2 Sex Fish LMB Male Female Unknown1 TOTAL 8 1 1 10 CRP 1 1 SKR 1 1 CAT 5 1 1 7 FSH 23 6 4 33 Mammals KRT 1 1 MAM 2 2 4 ACT 3 3 Birds GRB 1 1 BRD 4 4 ? UNK 10 2 9 21 59 (68.6%) 10 (11.6%) 17 (19.8%) 86 (100%) TOTAL
1
2
Unknown - Undetermined sex of resident adult that delivered a prey item Prey types = LMB = largemouth bass, CRP= carp, SKR=sucker sp., CAT=catfish sp., FSH=fish sp., KRT=kangaroo rat sp., MAM=mammal sp., ACT=American coot, GRB=grebe sp., BRD=bird sp., UNK=unknown.
Management activities Buoys were placed in a semi-circle at a distance of 100 m around the Ive's Wash snag nest #2 in Woody's Cove on 30 December 1992. Buoys had the international symbol for "No Entry" and the words "No Entry" on them. A "No Entry" sign and blockade was placed at the road leading to Woody's Cove. Signs were placed at Alamo Dam and upriver and downriver of nest #1 to restrict discharge of firearms on 30 December 1992.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 36
Signs were placed at boat ramps informing boaters of buoyed wildlife closure areas on the lake. Maps of the closed and restricted firearms area were posted and copied for distribution at Alamo State Parks office and Wayside Inn. Bald eagle brochures were given for distribution to Alamo State Parks office and Wayside Inn. The ABENWP display was presented at Alamo Lake for the months of January and February 1993. Cooperation between the Phoenix Zoo, AGFD, USFWS and helicopter support from Channel 10, allowed us to successfully foster the "zoo" eaglet from the Alamo nest into the Ive's Wash nest. Management recommendations 1.The Ive's Wash snag nest in Woody's Cove was inundated. Periodic visits to the lake from September-December to determine if the nest is still standing or if the eagles are building a new nest on the lake will be necessary. 2.If a new nest is built or if the Woody's Cove nest is still standing, buoy a semi-circled area around the nest tree consistent with buoy placement and scheduling from 1991-1993. 3.Continue to restrict firearm discharges below the dam, place signs at boat ramps, place signs along the Bill Williams River, block off the road to Woody's Cove, and distribute brochures at visited places on the lake. 4.Coordinate a December meeting with State Parks, BLM, USFWS and AGFD personnel to work on logistics for ABENWP monitors. 5.Develop additional funding from the ACOE for monitoring of Alamo Lake to fulfill section 7 obligations for potential inundation of future nests. 6.Work with Luke Air Force Base to redirect low-level military jet flights away from Alamo Lake. 7.Continue nestwatch activities.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Ladders Breeding Area
June 1994 Page 37
Observation period The Ladders Breeding Area was observed from 6 February to 21 March. A total of 209 hours over 34 days occurred throughout the monitoring period; 16 days were dawn-to-dusk days. Eagle activity Incubation began in nest #3 between 30 January and 1 February. Two eaglets hatched between 810 March. Nestwatchers left the site for their days off on Monday, 15 March. When they returned on 19 March both adult eagles were observed, but no eaglets were in the nest. Audubon Society volunteers watched the site on Wednesday, 17 March and did not observe any eaglets but did record an aggressive interaction at the nest between two adults. The observation point across Chasm Creek provides a good view into the nest from above. The Audubon volunteer's observation narrows the time of the eaglets' death between the afternoon of 15 March and the early morning of 17 March. The nest was climbed on 21 March and approximately 40 Mexican chicken bugs were observed. It is likely that because these bugs are very small (an individual bug is about the size of a pinhead) many more existed in the nest. These blood-sucking ectoparasites (from the family Cimicidae), were initially documented in Arizona bald eagle nests by Grubb (1986) and linked to the deaths of 7 nestling Arizona bald eagles from 1987-1989 (Hunt et al. 1992). Nest #3 most recently contained chicken bugs the last two times it was used (1987 and 1989). Two nestlings fledged from both of these attempts. Nest #4, located 1 kilometer upriver of nest #3 has never been observed to contain chicken bugs. Initially, our belief was that chicken bugs were responsible for the death of the Ladders eaglets. Observations of an interaction at the nest made by Audubon Society volunteer Jim Powers on 17 March, caused us to consider additional causes (than solely chicken bugs) for the death of the Ladders eaglets. Powers, after not observing any eaglets for 4 hours, observed two adult eagles interacting in the nest at 1229 pm. The following is an excerpt from Powers field notes: "Second adult...flies down to nest. Both adults get into a fight. Using talons and beaks they confront each other and literally roll off nest in a tussle. Then the second adult flies behind cliff and is not seen." Intruding bald eagles have been observed in Arizona (Hunt et al. 1992, Carroll and Housser in prep.) aggressively interacting with breeding resident bald eagles and their offspring. An incident observed at the Cibecue Breeding Area in 1987 shares many of the components observed at Ladders this year. At Cibecue, the resident female was last observed being chased by an intruder near-adult male. The resident male was then left to defend the nest when the intruder male was observed entering the nest and attacking and killing the five-week old eaglet. The resident male drove the intruder away. Similar to Ladders in 1993, after the eaglet was discovered dead, the nest was climbed and heavy infestations of chicken bugs were observed.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 38
The interaction that Powers observed is clearly atypical for a mated pair of eagles. With previous documentation of aggressive interactions with intruder bald eagles (Hunt et al. 1992) and the quick disappearance of the eaglets it would be safe to speculate that the intruder eagle was responsible for the death of the two Ladders eaglets. Quite possibly though, Mexican chicken bugs contributed by causing the adults to spend more time away from the nest, thus leaving the small young more vulnerable to predators. Human activity A total of 164 activities were observed at the Ladders BA in 1993. The most common activities observed were aircraft and watercraft (Table 20). A total of 77 small planes and 3 helicopters represented 46.4 percent of the total activities recorded. Canoes, rafters and boaters (n=80) represented 48.2 percent of the total activities recorded. The recorded number of 80 boat parties consisted of 271 individual boats over two months time. This surpasses the total of number of individual boats recorded in 1992 (n=250) in four months (Beatty 1993). Most certainly, the high water flows resulted in prime river running conditions bringing out a large number of boaters. Few significant responses were recorded from watercraft and aircraft. Yet, 16 groups of boaters disembarked within the closed area. Two groups exited at the Chasm Creek confluence where the nest is located. One stopped for lunch, the other tried to climb the "ladders" and cliff to the top of the canyon. Both groups did not realize they were within a closure and left after being contacted by nestwatchers. More positively, as nestwatchers walked along the river after approaching hikers within the closure, a group of boaters informed the nestwatchers that they were within an eagle closure. The most unusual activity occurred on 10 March when a funeral group of 28 people walked to the cliff edge approximately 0.1 km from the nest. The group held a short funeral memorial and tossed the deceased's ashes into the canyon. The USGS gauging station located below nest #4 was broken during heavy river flows. Fixing this station was postponed in late January due to the incubating eagles. Later, as rain continued to fall, concern grew over not knowing the amount of water entering Horseshoe Reservoir. The station was fixed during incubation on 22 February. The nestwatchers were made aware and were instructed to monitor the eagles activities. The incubating eagles were attentive to the activity, but did not flush or display any overt restless behavior. Wildlife interactions The eagles were observed interacting with common ravens, red-tailed hawks, American kestrels, bald eagles and river otters. Eagles were observed watching otters and foraging on a soft-shelled turtle left on shore by the otter. Described in detail above in the "Eagle activity" section, Audubon volunteers observed an intruder eagle interact with a resident adult at the nest.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 39
Table 20. Human activity, Ladders Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Type N Small plane Helicopters Canoes Hikers Boaters Rafters Agency workers Researchers Dogs Total
1
Eagle behavior toward human activity1 W 6 1 9 1 2 1 20 R 8 1 2 11 F 1 1 L 1 1 B 3 8 1 12 ? 1 1 2 D-D total2 55 (40.4%) 3 (2.2%) 39 (28.7%) 3 (2.2%) 21 (15.4%) 11 (8.1%) 1 (0.7%) 1 (0.7%) 2 (1.5%) 136 (100%) Total 80 (46.5%) 3 (1.7%) 45 (26.2%) 5 (2.9%) 22 (12.8%) 13 (7.6%) 1 (0.6%) 1 (0.6%) 2 (1.2%) 172 (100%)
63 1 26 4 18 11 2 125
2
N=None, W=Watched, R=Restless, F=Flushed, L=Left Area, B=eagle not in area, ?=Unknown. D-D Total=Information collected on dawn-to-dusk observation days.
Food habits Due to the death of the eaglets at a young age, few forage attempts and prey deliveries were recorded in 1993 (Tables 21 and 22). The male was observed flying to the cliff across from the nest and catching a rock squirrel and flying to the shoreline to capture a shorebird. Management activities Audubon volunteers monitored the nest on the nestwatchers days-off. The USGS worked with the USFWS and AGFD in their efforts to fix the gauging station without disrupting the eagles activities.
Table 21. Observed forage events1 and success by bald eagles at the Ladders Breeding Area ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types Sex Fish Birds Mammals Carrion TOTAL
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
E2 Male Female TOTAL
1
June 1994 Page 40
E 1 1 S-U 1-0 1-0 2 1-1 E 2 S-U 1-1 E 1 1 2 S-U 1-0 1-0 2-0 E 4 1 5 S-U 3-1 1-0 4-1
S-U3 -
-
Each number represents a forage event for a food item not the number of strikes to capture the item E = Forage events observed 3 S-U = Successful captures of prey - unsuccessful capture of prey
2
Table 22. Prey types delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Ladders Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types Sex Fish Male Female TOTAL 3 1 4 (44.4%) Mammals 1 1 (11.1%) Birds 1 1 (11.1%) Unknowns 1 2 3 (33.3%) TOTAL 6 (66.6%) 3 (33.3%) 9 (100%)
Management recommendations 1.Signs were washed away during the high river flows in 1993. Replacing these signs will be necessary before the 1994 breeding season. Due to the number of boat parties that disembarked within the closure it would be prudent to sign the closure's boundary and place `signs at common take-out spots. This would effectively inform boaters that they are still inside a closure and reduce unnecessary disturbance to nesting eagles. Common take-out locations are the Chasm Creek confluence downriver to the southern end of the closure's boundary. 2.The Audubon Society volunteers are an excellent way to monitor the nest during the nestwatcher's days-off. But, if care is not taken in Audubon's monitoring, potentially, more harm than good could occur. Over the past two seasons, Audubon volunteers have traveled too closely to the eagles during incubation and monitored an alternate inactive nest. The Verde Ranger District of the USFS has done an excellent job of coordinating this additional effort from Audubon. However, to prevent misunderstandings and increase effectiveness, it is recommended that Audubon volunteers meet with nestwatchers in the field to go over "do's and don'ts" and eagle emergency protocol.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 3.Continue nestwatch activities.
June 1994 Page 41
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Lake Pleasant Breeding Area
June 1994 Page 42
Observation period Observation began on 5 February 1993. A second team of nestwatchers arrived on 6 March and the site was monitored daily until 18 May. The site was monitored a total of 908 hours over 90 days of observation. Eagle activity Incubation began in nest #2 between 11-18 January 1993. At least one young hatched between 2023 February. Adult eagles were observed feeding in two places soon after eggs hatched, but only one eaglet (first observed on 12 March) was ever seen. The eaglet fledged between 30 May and 5 June. This was the first recorded eaglet that hatched and fledged from the Pleasant BA. The adult male eagle was in its sixth year and banded with a blue visual identification band (VID) engraved with a "W" on the left tarsus and a silver USFWS band on the right. This blue VID band was placed on the bird as a nestling at the Horse Mesa BA (Hunt et. al 1992). The female eagle was an unbanded bird in adult plumage. Human activity A total of 306 human activities were observed throughout the breeding season (Table 23). Small planes were recorded the most (n=128, 41.8%), followed by boaters (n=94, 30.7%), military jets (n=36, 11.8%), and helicopters (n=29, 9.5%). Low-flying aircraft (small planes, helicopters, military jets, and ultralights) was the most predominant group recorded (n=195, 63.7%). Eagles were observed behaving in a restless manner 37 times, representing 14% of the recorded responses (n=264). Twenty of 128 small planes, 5 of 29 helicopters, and 10 of 36 military jets caused eagles to be restless. Although only three ultralights were observed, two caused eagles to be restless. Most (72%) aircraft were recorded on weekends. The proximity of Deer Valley and Falcon Field airports and curiosity to view the "new" lake size were likely contributors to the large amount of aircraft flying over Lake Pleasant. Motorized boats represented the second largest group recorded in the breeding area (n=94, 30.7%). However, only 35 (37.2%) of these boats were unofficial boats, the other 59 (62.8%) boats were park ranger, sheriff, and AGFD patrol boats inspecting the closed area for violations and other official business. Thirteen boats (13.9%) caused eagles to respond significantly: eagles were restless 9 times, left the area 3 times, and were interrupted once during a forage attempt. Vehicles (3 vehicles and 1 ORV) were nearly absent in the data set for 1993. The long 15 mile trip through two creeks, some tricky turns, and abundant closure signs probably kept most people from finding their way to the north end of the lake. But, as people begin to explore the new lake and further paving occurs west of the lake, management of vehicle traffic will have to be more aggressive.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 43
1993 was the first season that nestwatchers monitored the Lake Pleasant BA for an entire season. It was also the first season of the higher lake levels (~70 feet). In previous years, access to the nest area by boat was severely limited. Boating represented a management challenge not previously encountered at Pleasant. The recorded activity in 1993 indicates that the public responded well to the buoyed closure at the entrance to the Agua Fria arm of the lake. Compared to a buoyed closure at Alamo Lake in 1992 where 180 boats entered the area (Beatty 1993), only 35 "unofficial" boats were recorded entering the Pleasant closure. Reasons for the remarkable compliance were consistent nestwatch and enforcement presence, radio communication between nestwatchers and park enforcement, informational hand-outs at the park entrance, press releases and newspaper articles, radio programs and interviews, and television coverage.
Table 23. Human activity, Lake Pleasant Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Type N Small planes Helicopters Gunshots Kayaks ORV Boaters Military jets Agency worker Ultralights Vehicle Jet Ski Rock slides Total
1
Eagle behavior toward human activity1 W 76 21 47 14 2 1 2 3 166 R 20 5 9 10 2 2 48 F 2 2 L 3 3 B X 1 1 ? 20 2 1 13 6 42 D-D total2 100 (46.7%) 18 (8.4%) 1 (0.4%) 1 (0.4%) 1 (0.4%) 62 (29.0%) 21 (9.8%) 3 (1.4%) 2 (0.9%) 2 (0.9%) 2 (0.9%) 2 (0.9%) 214 (100%) Total 128 (41.8%) 29 (9.5%) 1 (0.3%) 1 (0.3%) 1 (0.3%) 94 (30.7%) 36 (11.8%) 4 (1.3%) 3 (1.0%) 3 (1.0%) 4 (1.3%) 2 (0.7%) 306 (100%)
12 1 1 1 21 6 1 1 44
2
N=None, W=Watched, R=Restless, F=Flushed, L=Left Area, B=eagle not in area, X= other, ?=Unknown. D-D Total=Information collected on dawn-to-dusk observation days.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 44
Wildlife interactions The Lake Pleasant eagles were observed interacting with bald eagles, ospreys, peregrine falcons, prairie falcons, American kestrels, red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, common ravens, American crows, great blue herons, black-crowned night herons, hummingbird species, gull sp., flycatcher sp., and burros. Nesting prairie falcons on a nearby cliff west of the eagle's nest were the source of most interactions. Nesting great blue and black-crowned night herons also interacted often with the eagles. Certainly, the most odd interaction occurred when an eagle perched above the nest was flushed after two burros approached within 4 meters of the bird. Peregrine falcons pursued the eagles twice in March. Food habits Eagles were recorded attempting to forage on 14 separate instances in the 1.2 kilometer observable stretch of lake in front of the nest cliff (Table 24). One forage attempt for a white bass was successful. Eagles attempted to capture birds on 8 occasions, but were unsuccessful each time. A total of 99 prey deliveries were observed (Table 25). The male arrived with 64 (65%) items and the female brought in 35 (35%) items. Fish were recorded arriving 35 times to the nest followed by 6 birds, 4 mammals and 54 unknowns. Species identified in the nest were flathead catfish, carp, black crappie, white bass, largemouth bass, and American coot (Table 26). Additional species observed in prey remains collected were feathers from Gambel's quail, woodpecker sp., dove sp., duck sp. and wren sp. Lake elevations ranged from 1593.0 feet on 7 January to 1665.8 feet on 1 June. This level is still shy of the projected high of 1702 feet expected in the winter of 1994. In 1993, eagles were observed near the dam and also flying up the Agua Fria arm. Important forage locations for these eagles are unknown, but it is safe to speculate that prey was acquired both on the lake and the "river" upstream of the nest. It is also assumed that because of the increased lake elevation, eagles will have more locations to find fish. Yet, in future seasons, Lake Pleasant's elevations are projected to fluctuate from 1640 feet to 1685 feet for storage and release back into the Hayden-Rhodes Aqueduct of the Central Arizona Project canal. Whether this change in elevation will have an affect the fisheries or the eagle's ability to acquire food is unknown.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 45
Table 24. Observed forage events1 and success by bald eagles at the Lake Pleasant Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types Sex Fish E2 Male Female TOTAL
1
Birds E 4 4 S-U 0-4 0-4 E 6 8 14
TOTAL S-U 1-5 0-8 1-13
S-U3 1-1 0-8 1-9
2 8 10
Each number represents a forage event for a food item not the number of strikes to capture the item E = Forage events observed 3 S-U = Successful captures of prey - unsuccessful capture of prey
2
Table 25. Prey types delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Lake Pleasant Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types Sex Fish Male Female TOTAL 27 8 35 (35.4%) Mammals 3 1 4 (4.0%) Birds 3 3 6 (6.1%) Unknowns 31 23 54 (54.5%) TOTAL 64 (64.6%) 35 (35.4%) 99 (100%)
Table 26. Prey species delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Lake Pleasant Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types1 Sex Fish FCT CRP BCP WBS LMB FSH Mammals MAM ACT Birds BRD Unknown UNK TOTAL
Male Female
1 -
1 -
1 3
5 -
1 -
18 5
3 1
2 -
1 3
31 23
64 (64.6%) 35 (35.4%)
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
TOTAL 1 1 4 5 1 23 4 2 4 54
June 1994 Page 46
99 (100%)
Prey types = FCT=flathead catfish, CRP= carp, BCP=black crappie, WBS=white bass, LMB = largemouth bass, FSH=fish sp., MAM=mammal sp., ACT=American coot, BRD=bird sp., UNK=unknown.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Management activities 1.Buoys blocking off the Agua Fria arm were set in January and removed in mid-July.
June 1994 Page 47
2.Signs were in place along the road into the eagle area informing the public that the road was closed for breeding bald eagles. 3.Informational fliers presenting Arizona and Lake Pleasant eagle facts and a map of the closure were given to the Park to hand-out to each boater entering the lake. 4.Television news segments, radio interviews and programs, and newspaper articles described the Pleasant bald eagles and the closed area. 5.Cactus salvaging activities by the BR were not conducted in the eagle area for logistical and safety reasons and to reduce disturbance to the eagles. Management recommendations 1.Continue to place buoys blocking off the Agua Fria arm. The high amount of recreation that Lake Pleasant receives due to its proximity to Phoenix threatens the success of this nest. Boaters in 1993 were very responsive to the buoys. As the Lake Pleasant's facilities improve to accommodate more people (boat ramps, roads, campgrounds) and the lake level rises higher boating may grow to be a larger problem should eagles remain using nest #2. a.As water elevations reach Pleasant's maximum of 1702 feet, boaters will be able to access the nest area from the north. A channel is supposed to develop allowing access to the Agua Fria north of the nest cliff. Buoying off this access area in addition to the area that was buoyed in 1993 will be necessary. 2.Continue to aggressively educate the public about the closure and bald eagles at Pleasant. Fliers with Arizona eagle facts and a map of the closure were given to the park to distribute to each boater as they entered the park. The fliers were not consistently handed out by park personnel, yet were still available at the ranger station. Make these fliers available at boat ramps and to every boater entering the lake. This can potentially be the best way to educate the public on Arizona's eagle population. Continue to: a.Distribute pamphlets. b.Distribute information through radio, television and print media. c.Sign boat ramps. 3.Vehicles entering the breeding area were not a problem in 1993. Automobiles may become more of a management difficulty in the future as the west side of the park gets paved and the public begins to explore the north end of the lake. Continue to:
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 48
a.Sign the road closed entering the nest area. b.Enhance the closure with a fence or blockade to emphasize that the road is closed to the public during the breeding season. 4.Continue to monitor the site with nestwatchers and supply them with radios to communicate with park enforcement. 5.Provide a thank you flier and press release to Pleasant recreationists for their contribution toward bald eagle management.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Orme Breeding Area
June 1994 Page 49
Observation period A total of 646 hours over 71 days were spent observing the Orme BA from 19 February to 23 May. The nest was watched for 426 hours over the dawn-to-dusk days. Eagle activity Eagles laid eggs in cliff nest #3 on Mount McDowell between 1-7 February. Two eggs were observed in the nest on 13 March. Both eggs hatched near 15 or 16 March. Nestlings were first observed on 19 March. One eaglet fell from the nest and died about 5 May. The bird was found dead on 6 May. Heavy winds more than likely caused this eagle to fall. This was the second bird in two consecutive years to have fallen from a cliff nest at Orme and die. One eaglet fledged between 31 May and 6 June. A fire burned through the breeding area between Mount McDowell and Arizona Dam Butte in July 1993. Similar to the fire that occurred on Mount McDowell in 1990, no nests were reached by the flames. Both resident eagles were unbanded birds in full adult plumage. Human activity A total of 254 human activities were recorded near the nest at Orme in 1993. Aircraft (small planes, helicopters) represented 92 percent (n=234) of all activities recorded. The remaining 8 percent (n=20) were hikers climbing near or on Mount McDowell (Table 27). Hiking activity decreased as the outdoor temperatures increased toward the end of the nesting cycle. All but one group of hikers were encountered on weekends. The nest area, located approximately 1.5 kilometers from the Salt River, was not affected by casual human activity from river oriented recreation. Yet, the effects of human activity along the river on the eagle's foraging grounds is unknown. Aircraft use is common near the Orme BA. The proximity of Falcon Field, Scottsdale and Deer Valley airports are the main source of private plane owners. McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company, Maricopa County Sheriffs Office, and other Phoenix based helicopter use has been observed flying near the Orme BA. Certainly, the close proximity of Phoenix and the notoriety of Mount McDowell attracts aircraft closer to the mountain than they would normally approach. Evidence for this were the five helicopters that were recorded landing on top of the mountain. Twice, perched eagles flushed and did not return until the helicopters left. On all five occasions, helicopters spent fewer than 15 minutes on top of the mountain. Wildlife interactions Similar to previous seasons (Hunt et al. 1992, Beatty 1993) when eagles nested on Mount McDowell (1990, 1992) eagles commonly pursued and were pursued by nesting prairie falcons and common ravens. Eagles were also observed interacting with turkey vultures and red-tailed hawks.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
Table 27. Human activity, Orme Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Type N Small Plane Helicopter Hikers Total
1 2
June 1994 Page 50
Eagle behavior toward human activity1 W 56 28 1 85 R 4 4 3 11 F 2 1 3 L 1 1 B 1 1 ? 53 22 5 80 D-D total2 129 (74.6%) 26 (15.0%) 18 (10.4%) 173 (100%) Total 171 (66.8%) 65 (25.4%) 20 (7.8%) 256 (100%)
57 9 9 75
N=None, W=Watched, R=Restless, F=Flushed, L=Left Area, B=eagle not in area, ?=Unknown. D-D Total=Information collected on dawn-to-dusk observation days.
Five interactions with intruder bald eagles were observed in 1993. Near-adult bald eagles were observed four times interacting with the resident eagles. On 6 and 7 March a near-adult missing primary feathers from its left wing was escorted from the breeding area by the adult male. On 11 March a near-adult was observed in a talon-lock and barrel roll three times during an interaction with the resident male. On 12 March, another near-adult was pursued and escorted from the area by the resident male. On 23 April, an unknown adult was pursued from the area by both resident adults.
Table 28. Prey types delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Orme Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types Sex Fish Male Female Unknown1 TOTAL
1
Mammals 3 2 1 6 (12.0%)
Unknowns 7 4 11 (22.0%)
TOTAL 24 (48.0%) 24 (48.0%) 2 (4.0%) 50 (100%)
14 18 1 33 (66.0%)
Unknown - Undetermined sex of resident adult that delivered a prey item
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 51
Food habits A total of 50 prey deliveries were recorded entering the Orme nest in 1993. Both the male and the female delivered 24 items apiece. An unknown resident adult arrived with two. Thirty-three (66%) fish were delivered to the nest. Mammals (n=6, 12%) and unknown items (n=11, 22%) were also delivered. Species identified in the nest were channel catfish, carp, black crappie, unknown bass, desert cottontail and a wood rat. Due to the great distance that the nest area is from the river, no forage attempts were observed. Management activities The Salt River Pima Indian Tribe installed a road closure, prohibiting vehicles to travel up the jeep trail between Mount McDowell and Arizona Dam Butte. Management recommendations 1.Continue Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch monitoring. 2.The road closure to Mount McDowell has helped reduce foot traffic in the nest area. Continue implementing this seasonal closure. 3.Nestwatchers have discovered that unauthorized hikers are approaching Mount McDowell from dirt road that originates from a turn-off of a canal road west of Mount McDowell. This road terminates at the base of the mountain on the southwestern side. Often nestwatchers observe people already on the mountain that have ascended from the blind side. Closing this road would help stop these unauthorized hikers. 4.Distribute more information to local airports to help reduce air traffic near Orme nests.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Pinto Breeding Area
June 1994 Page 52
Observation period The Pinto BA was observed between 15 March and 12 April. A total of 17 days were spent at the site totaling 174 hours. Every day of monitoring was from dawn-to-dusk. All monitoring days were weekends and every other Friday. Pinto nest watchers split time between Pinto and Tonto due to the heavy recreational pressure near Tonto. Eagle activity Eagles were first observed incubating in nest #3 between 21 January and 8 February. Hatching of one eaglet occurred prior to 18 March and fledging near 10 June. The Pinto BA was successful for the first time since the site's discovery in 1988. Prior to 1993, the Pinto female was in a polygynous relationship with the Pinal eagles (Hunt et al. 1992, Beatty 1993). The Pinto female would lay eggs after copulating with the Pinal male, but would fail soon after because it could not incubate the eggs alone. The 1993 season was the first year the Pinto female occupied the territory with her own male. The male was in adult plumage and wore a silver USFWS band on the left leg. The Pinto female is in adult plumage and has a black VID band on its left leg and a silver USFWS band on its right. This bird also wears a radiotelemetry backpack from BSAI's study (Hunt et al. 1992). Human activity A total of 18 human activities were observed at the Pinto BA during the 17 days of monitoring. Anglers (n=3), boaters (n=4), and ORV's (n=4) represented the bulk of the activities recorded. Jet ski's (n=2) were also observed in the Salt River near the nest (Table 29). Due to the distance the water was from the nest in 1993, the recorded river traffic (n=9) did not appear to affect the eagles. Yet, when the levels of Roosevelt Lake rise in 1996, watercraft activities will more than likely increase. The increase in boating activity and easy access to the nest will require more intensive management. Terrestrial activity was also minimal over the 17 days of monitoring. Off-road vehicles were recorded 4 times and gunshots were heard twice. A variety of dirt roads exist in and about the nest area's grove of cottonwood trees. But fortunately for the eagles, the immediate nest area is protected by thick jungles of salt cedar and mesquite. It is unknown how terrestrial activity will change once the lake levels rise. Wildlife interactions The eagles were observed chasing a raven from the nest area on one occasion.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
Table 29. Human activity, Pinto Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Type N Anglers ORV Jet ski Boaters Gunshots Agency workers Small plane Total
1
June 1994 Page 53
Eagle behavior toward human activity1 W 2 2 2 1 7 R 0 F 1 1 L B ? D-D total2 3 (17.6%) 4 (23.5%) 2 (11.8%) 4 (23.5%) 2 (11.8%) 1 (5.9%) 1 (5.9%) 17 (100%) Total 3 (17.6%) 4 (23.5%) 2 (11.8%) 4 (23.5%) 2 (11.8%) 1 (5.9%) 1 (5.9%) 17 (100%)
3 2 2 2 9
2
N=None, W=Watched, R=Restless, F=Flushed, L=Left Area, B=eagle not in area, ?=Unknown. D-D Total=Information collected on dawn-to-dusk observation days.
Food habits No forage attempts were observed, yet eagles were frequently seen flying to and from the direction of Roosevelt Lake where they were most likely acquiring food. Six prey deliveries were observed. All were brought to the nest by the adult male eagle. Five items were identified as unknown fish and one was unknown to type. Management activities Archaeological activities were postponed at Meddler Point by the BR until eagles had successfully raised the young. Management recommendations 1.Prior to the rising of Roosevelt Lake in 1996, the Pinto Breeding Area will most likely need few management activities other than: a.Restricting access to roads leading to the nest area. b.Continue nestwatch activities. 2.Once the lake rises more extensive monitoring and management will be needed. a.Buoys or floating berms will need to restrict boat access to the nest area. b.Nestwatchers will need a boat to contact boaters near the nest area. c.Campgrounds have become more developed near areas of the Salt River inflow to Roosevelt. Education and signs near these areas will be necessary in order to inform and educate
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 54
recreationists. d.The increased lake level will eventually kill the live Pinto nest trees. Because eagles in Arizona do nest in snags, should these trees/snags remain standing, eagles will probably continue to use them as nests. However, unlike the Alamo BA that also uses snags, it appears that there is no immediate alternative nest tree for these birds once the trees/snags fall. 1.It may be prudent to plant cottonwood trees in a future conservation area set aside from recreation areas. 2.Although artificial nest structures are discouraged because they do not solve the bigger problem of habitat degradation, the Pinto BA may be one site that there is few alternatives.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Sheep Breeding Area
June 1994 Page 55
Observation period The Sheep Breeding Area was monitored for the first time by the ABENWP since 1988. From 6 February 1993 to 14 March 1993, a total of 26 days and 239 hours were spent monitoring the area. Fifteen days consisting of 167 hours of observation were spent monitoring from dawn-todusk. Eagle activity The Sheep eagles did not lay eggs in 1993, yet we have progressively observed more eagle activity over the past three seasons. In 1991, the site was consistently checked throughout the breeding season, but no eagles were observed. The following year, observations of a near-adult female with a green VID band, USFWS band, and telemetry backpack paired with an unbanded male adult eagle were made in the area. Throughout the 1992 breeding season, the BR (H. Messing pers. comm.) reported observations of perched eagles in the Punkin Center area. Although we observed eagles in the nest area in 1992, a family of great-horned owls successfully raised three young in nest #1. In 1993, what appeared to be the same pair of eagles were observed perched in the nest area prior to the arrival of monitors. Although eagles were regularly seen in the area, the birds were first observed perched together in the nest on 24 February. At this time, both eagles began to renovate nest #1 daily for 1-3 hours until 6 March when nest repair ceased. Afterwards, the birds were not observed working on the nest again and were seen less than 2 hours a day in the nest area until nestwatchers left the site. The female was banded with a green VID band on the left leg, USFWS band on the right, and a telemetry backpack. The symbol engraved on the VID band was a "C" inside a circle indicating that this bird hatched from the 76 Breeding Area in 1988. The male was an unbanded eagle in adult plumage. Human activity Heavy rain and flooding of Tonto Creek and minimal observation time were likely contributors to the small amount of human activity recorded in the Sheep Breeding Area in 1993. A total of 11 activities in 6 different categories were recorded (Table 30). Seven (63.6%) of the activities occurred when a bird was not in the nest area. Wildlife interactions The Sheep eagles were observed interacting with subadult bald eagles, common ravens, redtailed hawks, great blue herons, and a great-horned owl. All four interactions with a subadult bald eagles occurred from 20-24 March.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 56
Food habits Three forage attempts were made from a cottonwood perch 1.4 river kilometers downriver from the nest (Table 31). An unsuccessful attempt was made for a common merganser and unknown fish species.
Table 30. Human activity, Sheep Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Type N Helicopters ORV Small planes Shooters Hikers Hunters Total
1
Eagle behavior toward human activity1 W 0 R 0 F 1 1 L 1 1 B 1 1 3 2 7 ? D-D total2 1 (16.7%) 1 (16.7%) 1 (16.7%) 1 (16.7%) 2 (33.3%) 0 6 (100%) Total 2 (18.2%) 1 (9.1%) 1 (9.1%) 4 (36.4%) 2 (18.2%) 1 (9.1%) 11 (100%)
1 1 2
2
N=None, W=Watched, R=Restless, F=Flushed, L=Left Area, B=eagle not in area, ?=Unknown. D-D Total=Information collected on dawn-to-dusk observation days. Table 31. Observed forage events1 and success by bald eagles at the Sheep Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types Sex Fish E2 Male Female TOTAL 1 1 1 S-U3 0-1 1-0 1-1 Birds E 1 1 S-U 0-1 1-0 E 2 1 3 TOTAL S-U 0-2 1-0 1-2
Each number represents a forage event for a food item not the number of strikes to capture the item E = Forage events observed 3 S-U = Successful captures of prey - unsuccessful capture of prey
1 2
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 57
Management activities In January we noticed that a large branch had fallen onto nest #1. The tree was climbed, but because the branch was much larger than we had estimated, it could not be moved. Fortunately, most of the nest was not obstructed by this branch. To help protect the Sheep bald eagles and promote riparian growth along Tonto Creek, the BR purchased a 160 acre piece of land downriver of nest #1 that was proposed for a sand and gravel operation. Management recommendations 1.The Sheep Breeding Area, unlike other Arizona bald eagle breeding areas, is severely limited by the number of potential nest sites. Few large trees in typical locations and no nearby cliffs exist to place a nest. Although the Tonto Creek Riparian Unit (TCRU) developed by the BR and the USFS encompasses the Sheep site, the present nest tree is dying and growth of new trees to nesting size will not exist for decades. An artificial nest and a cottonwood pole planting project may help replace loss of existing trees and speed up the cottonwood regeneration process. If an artificial nest is constructed in this area, it may be beneficial to either build a large nest in an existing tree or to build a nest tower and platform inside the protection of an existing large tree. 2.Increased observations of eagle activity at this breeding area indicates that a future nesting attempt is likely. It would be prudent to inspect the area for new nests in December and January. Should either a new nest or increased eagle activity be observed early, it would be best to station early nest monitors at this site and watch the site daily throughout the season. 3.There exists the possibility of a great deal of human activity in this breeding area due to its close proximity to the highway and the Punkin Center/Jake's Corner/Tonto Creek/Roosevelt communities. Although a closure would be in the best interest of the eagles, the topography does not lend itself to focused access points. Thus, enforcement would be difficult. Continued monitoring by the ABENWP may be the best way to protect these eagles from human activity.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 76 Breeding Area
June 1994 Page 58
Observation period Observation of the 76 Breeding Area began on 6 February 1993 and ended on 28 February 1993. The site was monitored for a total of 18 days, totaling 145 hours. Over 10 dawn-to-dusk days the site was watched for 105 hours. Eagle activity Incubation began on 5 or 6 February in nest #3. Activity at the nest remained "normal" until 26 February when the female left the eggs uncovered for 3 hours. On this day she displayed an odd "yawning" behavior. She opened her mouth at regular intervals of 30-35 seconds. She continued to display this odd behavior and left the eggs uncovered on 27 and 28 February for 4.5 hours and 6.3 hours respectively. Rain persisted these final two days of incubation and two eggs were collected for analysis on 28 February. The female was an unbanded bird in adult plumage. The male is in adult plumage and had a silver USFWS band on the left tarsus. We made a mistake in the 1991-1992 ABENWP summary report (Beatty 1993) stating that the male had a band on its right tarsi. The male has been banded on its left tarsi at the 76 Breeding Area since 1988. Human activity Heavy rain, poor road conditions were likely contributors to the few amount of human activities recorded in 1993. A total of 5 activities were recorded (Table 32).
Table 32. Human activity, 76 Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Type N Canoes Horse-riders Hunters Agency workers Total
1
Eagle behavior toward human activity1 W 0 R 0 F 1 1 L 0 B 0 ? 0 D-D total2 1 (25.0%) 1 (25.0%) 1 (25.0%) 1 (25.0%) 4 (100%) Total 1 (20.0%) 2 (40.0%) 1 (20.0%) 1 (20.0%) 5 (100%)
1 2 1 4
2
N=None, W=Watched, R=Restless, F=Flushed, L=Left Area, B=eagle not in area, ?=Unknown. D-D Total=Information collected on dawn-to-dusk observation days.
Wildlife interactions One interaction with a red-tailed hawk was observed.
Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993
June 1994 Page 59
Food habits One successful forage attempt was observed approximately 100 m downriver from the nest tree. Perched on the river bank, the female hopped in
Object Description
| Rating | |
| TITLE | Arizona bald eagle nestwatch program summary report |
| CREATOR | Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program (Ariz.) |
| SUBJECT | Bald eagle--Arizona--Counting; Bald eagle--Arizona--Nests; Endangered species--Arizona; |
| Browse Topic |
Land and resources |
| DESCRIPTION | This title contains one or more publications. |
| Language | English |
| Contributor | Arizona Game and Fish Dept. |
| Publisher | Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program (Ariz.) |
| Material Collection |
State Documents Annual Reports |
| Source Identifier | GF 11.3:B 15/3/ |
| Location | 35202950 |
| REPOSITORY | Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records--Law and Research Library. |
Description
| TITLE | 1993 Arizona bald eagle nestwatch program summary report |
| CREATOR | Beatty, Gregory L.; Driscoll, James T.; |
| DESCRIPTION | 79 pages (PDF version). File size: 249.655 KB. Technical Report 30. June 1994. |
| TYPE | Text |
| RIGHTS MANAGEMENT | Copyright to this resource is held by the creating agency and is provided here for educational purposes only. It may not be downloaded, reproduced or distributed in any format without written permission of the creating agency. Any attempt to circumvent the access controls placed on this file is a violation of United States and international copyright laws, and is subject to criminal prosecution. |
| DATE ORIGINAL | 1994-06 |
| Time Period | 1990s (1990-1999) |
| ORIGINAL FORMAT | Born digital |
| Source Identifier | GF 11.3:B 15/3/1993 |
| DIGITAL IDENTIFIER | 1993.pdf |
| DIGITAL FORMAT | PDF (Portable Document Format) |
| REPOSITORY | Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records--Law and Research Library. |
| Full Text | 1993 ARIZONA BALD EAGLE NESTWATCH PROGRAM SUMMARY REPORT Gregory L. Beatty, Bald Eagle Management Coordinator James T. Driscoll, Bald Eagle Biologist Nongame Branch, Wildlife Management Division Technical Report 30 Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Program Chief: Terry B. Johnson Arizona Game and Fish Department 2221 West Greenway Road Phoenix, Arizona 85023-4312 June 1994 Recommended citation: Beatty, G.L. and J.T. Driscoll 1994. 1993 Arizona bald eagle nestwatch program summary report. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Technical Report 30. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona. Funding for this project was provided by: the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Heritage Fund; Arizona's Nongame Wildlife Checkoff; U.S. Bureau of Reclamation; Salt River Project; U.S. Forest Service; U.S. Bureau of Land Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and Project W-95-M, Jobs 1 and 4, under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman-Robertson Act). TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................................................ 1 METHODS....................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION.................................................................................................................................................... 4 Program........................................................................................................................................................................................ 4 Management............................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Intervention................................................................................................................................................................................. 7 Alamo/Ive's Wash..................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Bartlett........................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Fort McDowell............................................................................................................................................................................. 8 Orme.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 10 76..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Tower............................................................................................................................................................................................. 10 Breeding Areas......................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Alamo Breeding Area .............................................................................................................................................................. 11 Bartlett Breeding Area.......................................................................................................................................................... 18 Camp Verde Breeding Area................................................................................................................................................ 22 Cliff Breeding Area ................................................................................................................................................................ 24 Fort McDowell Breeding Area ........................................................................................................................................... 28 Ive's Wash Breeding Area ................................................................................................................................................. 32 Ladders Breeding Area........................................................................................................................................................ 36 Lake Pleasant Breeding Area ............................................................................................................................................ 41 Orme Breeding Area............................................................................................................................................................... 47 Pinto Breeding Area .............................................................................................................................................................. 50 Sheep Breeding Area............................................................................................................................................................ 53 76 Breeding Area .................................................................................................................................................................... 56 Tonto Breeding Area ............................................................................................................................................................. 58 Tower Breeding Area ............................................................................................................................................................ 63 PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS......................................................................................................................................... 66 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................................................................... 69 LITERATURE CITED.................................................................................................................................................................... 70 1 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Success of occupied free-flowing river nesting bald eagles in Arizona, 1992-93. ................ 8 Table 2. Success of occupied regulated riverine, lake or lake/riverine nesting bald eagles in Arizona 1992-93. .................................................................................................................................. 9 Table 3. Human activity, Alamo Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona....................................................... 13 Table 4. Observed interactions between Alamo and Ive's Wash bald eagles at Alamo Lake, ABENWP 1991-1993, Arizona............................................................................................................................... 13 Table 5. Observed forage events1 and success by bald eagles at the Alamo Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona........................................................................................................................................ 15 Table 6. Prey types delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Alamo Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. ............................................................................................................................................................ 15 Table 7. Prey species delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Alamo Breeding Area ABENWP 1993, Arizona........................................................................................................................................... 16 Table 8. Human activity, Bartlett Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona................................................... 19 Table 9. Observed forage events1 and success by bald eagles at the Bartlett Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. ........................................................................................................................... 20 Table 10. Prey types delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Bartlett Breeding Area ABENWP 1993, Arizona........................................................................................................................................... 21 Table 11. Prey species delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Bartlett Breeding Area ABENWP 1993, Arizona........................................................................................................................................... 21 Table 12. Human activity, Camp Verde Breeding Area-ABENWP 1993, Arizona. ........................................ 22 Table 13. Human activity, Cliff Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona........................................................ 26 Table 14. Observed forage events1 and success by bald eagles at the Cliff Breeding Area ABENWP 1993, Arizona........................................................................................................................................... 27 Table 15. Human activity, Fort McDowell Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona................................... 29 Table 16. Prey species delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Fort McDowell Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. ........................................................................................................................... 30 Table 17. Human activity, Ive's Wash Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona.......................................... 33 Table 18. Prey types delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Ive's Wash Breeding Area ABENWP 1993, Arizona.......................................................................................................................................... 34 Table 19. Prey species delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Ive's Wash Breeding Area ABENWP 1993, Arizona.......................................................................................................................................... 34 Table 20. Human activity, Ladders Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona............................................... 38 Table 21. Observed forage events1 and success by bald eagles at the Ladders Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. ........................................................................................................................... 39 Table 22. Prey types delivered to n st by bald eagles at the Ladders Breeding Area e ABENWP 1993, Arizona.......................................................................................................................................... 39 Table 23. Human activity, Lake Pleasant Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. ................................. 42 Table 24. Observed forage events1 and success by bald eagles at the Lake Pleasant Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona........................................................................................................ 44 Table 25. Prey types delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Lake Pleasant Breeding Area ABENWP 1993, Arizona.......................................................................................................................................... 44 Table 26. Prey species delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Lake Pleasant Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. ........................................................................................................................... 44 2 Table 27. Human activity, Orme Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. .................................................... 48 Table 28. Prey types delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Orme Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. ........................................................................................................................................................... 48 Table 29. Human activity, Pinto Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona...................................................... 51 Table 30. Human activity, Sheep Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona................................................... 54 Table 31. Observed forage events1 and success by bald eagles at the Sheep Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. ........................................................................................................................... 54 Table 32. Human activity, 76 Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. .......................................................... 56 Table 33. Human activity, Tonto Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. ................................................... 60 Table 34. Prey types delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Tonto Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. ............................................................................................................................................................ 61 Table 35. Prey species delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Tonto Breeding Area ABENWP 1993, Arizona........................................................................................................................................... 61 Table 36. Human activity, Tower Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona................................................... 64 Table 37. 1993 Arizona bald eagle productivity. ....................................................................................................... 67 Table 38. 1993 Arizona bald eagle productivity summary................................................................................. 68 3 Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 INTRODUCTION June 1994 Page 1 The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was classified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in 1978 as endangered in 43 states (including Arizona) and threatened in 5 others. It is not endangered or threatened in Alaska and does not occur in Hawaii. In addition to protection under the Endangered Species Act, the bald eagle is protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. A recovery plan (USFWS 1982) guides management of the southwestern population, which includes Arizona's breeding bald eagles. The bald eagle was first documented in Arizona by Coues (1866). A breeding attempt was first recorded at Stoneman Lake, southeast of Flagstaff by Mearns (1890). In the 1930s and 1940s, breeding was observed near Saguaro Lake, Bartlett Dam, and in the Salt River Canyon (Phillips et al. 1964). However, permanent records on bald eagle productivity in Arizona were not kept until 1971, when two eaglets fledged from the Breeding Area (BA) at Blue Point (Saguaro Lake). Most Arizona BAs are subject to human activities that might affect breeding success. Consequently, as the breeding population has become better known, the demand for progressive management has also increased. Strong protective efforts began in 1978, when the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and two Maricopa Audubon Society volunteers monitored a nest. Soon the monitoring effort expanded into the Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program (ABENWP). As more breeding areas were discovered, interagency coordination has become all the more important. To provide oversight, the Southwestern Bald Eagle Management Committee (SWBEMC) was formed in 1984. It is a cooperative effort among federal, state, and private groups committed to bald eagle conservation. In 1986, on behalf of the SWBEMC, the USFWS assumed coordination responsibility for the ABENWP and expanded its scope. The coordination lead was passed to the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) in 1991. The ABENWP has three principal goals: conservation, data collection, and education. Because many Arizona bald eagles nest in areas subject to high levels of human activity, closures surround many nest areas. Nestwatchers interact with people who enter these closures, educate them about bald eagle ecology, distribute pamphlets, and tactfully direct them out of the area. To help agencies make better management decisions, nestwatchers also collect information on eagle ecology, productivity (Tables 33 and 34) and behavior in response to human activity. Even so, the most direct benefit of the ABENWP is observation of problems at nest sites. Every year, nests fail and/or nestlings are found in precarious situations. Constant monitoring by nestwatchers often makes it possible to rescue birds in life threatening situations. This report summarizes the annual nestwatch reports and major discoveries at each bald eagle area monitored in 1993. Among the topics discussed are length of observation, timing of major eagle events, human activity in the breeding area, wildlife interactions, food habits, management activities completed by agencies and management recommendations by Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 nestwatchers and the Nongame Branch. METHODS June 1994 Page 2 Beginning in late summer and early fall, AGFD advertised through the AOU Ornithological Newsletter, the Raptor Research Foundation's newsletter and annual meeting, and job placement services at colleges and universities nationwide for potential nestwatchers. Public discussions, word-of-mouth from previous nestwatchers, and the distribution of ABENWP brochures also contributed to the pool of applicants. Nestwatchers were hired as private consultants to the state. After selection of personnel, meetings were held the first week in February to orient and educate nestwatchers. On 4 February 1993, we car-pooled to the Bartlett BA to prepare nestwatchers for the field and to explain data forms. We also addressed protocol for bald eagle "emergencies" such as nest failures, eaglets falling out of the nest, and birds getting tangled in monofilament. The following day, a formal orientation meeting hosted by agency contributors discussed Arizona bald eagle history, ecology, and the role nestwatchers play in management of the species. At the end of the meeting, nestwatch partners were selected. After the first ten days in the field, we reconvened to review problems or questions with data forms and the writing of final reports. Additional problems were discussed on an individual basis in the field or at the office. Informal "get-togethers" initiated by nestwatchers also allowed for discussions about the program and other eagle matters. These evening meetings also enhanced teamwork and unity among the nestwatch crew. Selection of BAs monitored by the ABENWP was essentially based upon the level of human activity near nest sites. All territories in 1993 that were active with legal closures were monitored: Bartlett, Cliff, Ladders, 76, and Lake Pleasant. Other sites with high levels of human activity without closures, such as nests on Native American lands, were also monitored: Fort McDowell, and Orme. We also monitored sites that are fairly accessible and/or have a history of problems such as heat stress, nest parasites, and/or the persistent presence of monofilament (Hunt et al. 1992): Alamo, Ive's Wash (below Alamo Dam), Tonto, Sheep, and Camp Verde. Breeding areas of particular interest to agencies were also watched: Pinto. New breeding areas without closures that appeared to have high recreation or human activity nearby were also monitored: Towers. Due to the request by the White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation that all work on endangered species cease, we were unable to monitor nests on the upper Salt River in 1993. Field work began the first week of February and continued until the eaglets fledged in May and June. Sites were watched primarily in teams of two. Personnel maintained a ten-day on, four-day off schedule. Each work period included weekends and Fridays, when heavy recreation use tend to impact eagles the most. Half of each ten-day period was devoted to data collection where nests were monitored from dawn-to-dusk. The other half of each ten-day period was spent collecting supplemental eagle data. All data were recorded by observation, opportunistically, Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 3 throughout the study period. Territories with constant recreational pressure and special eagle concerns were monitored every day either throughout the season or during peaks of human activity: Ive's Wash (below Alamo Dam), Bartlett, Lake Pleasant, and Tonto. Due to early nesting habits of some eagles, nestwatchers were placed at some BAs prior to the February start-up: Alamo, Bartlett, and Tonto. The Audubon Society assisted in observing the Ladders and Tower breeding areas on nestwatchers' days-off. The four-day off period occurred every other MondayThursday. Data were recorded from distant observation points in the nest areas. Spotting scopes (15-45x, supplied by ABENWP contributors) and binoculars were used to view eagles. Each observation point was selected to provide optimal viewing with the least impact to breeding bald eagles. All observations were recorded in a notebook on field forms. Forms were developed to document human activity in the breeding area, wildlife interactions, prey deliveries, forage events, and wildlife sightings. Nest behavior was recorded each field day and entered on daily summary forms. Human activity, and the associated eagle behavior, were recorded within a kilometer radius of an eagle or eagle's nest. In addition, all aircraft below the ~600 meter (2000 foot) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommended ceiling within a kilometer of an eagle/nest were also documented. We classified bald eagle behavior in response to human activity into seven categories: none, watched, restless, flushed, left area, unknown, and bird not in area. If eagles performed normal activities without acknowledging a nearby human activity, a "no response" was recorded. If an eagle looked at an activity without displaying any observable reaction, "watched" was marked. If an eagle vocalized, moved noticeably on its perch, or displayed any overt reaction to an activity without leaving its perch, "restless" was recorded. If an eagle left its perch quickly, in response to a human activity, we recorded a "flush." A "left area" response refers to an eagle that became intolerant of an activity and left the immediate area in a less hurried manner than a "flush." We recorded an "unknown" response if we were unable to view an eagle's response, and marked "bird not in area" if an eagle was not present at the nest when an activity occurred. Nestwatchers also recorded bald eagle interactions with other wildlife, and tried to identify frequency, type and species of prey delivered to the nest. In addition, all observed forage events were recorded. Nest maps with river kilometer designations, nest numbers, and a guide to prey species of fish commonly used by Arizona bald eagles were used (Hunt et al. 1992). Nestwatchers provided their own transportation, supplies, binoculars, food, and housing on days off. A total of 21 people participated in the ABENWP in 1993. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Program Data forms were revised in 1993 to reduce the volume of paper and clarify objectives. Daily Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 4 summary forms were consolidated into one page representing 25 days versus what was previously one piece of paper per day. Instruction forms, human activity, prey delivery, forage, interaction and wildlife sighting forms were also revised and improved. Because it often takes time to get used to data forms, we sent copies to nestwatchers prior to the beginning of the program. We also implemented the policy of having nestwatchers turn in copies of their forms after every other ten-day period. It is often difficult to travel to each nestwatch site to examine their understanding of the data forms. This practice helped us monitor each teams work. We also emphasized that each team complete their forms in a timely manner. Turning in their forms periodically helped nestwatchers keep their paperwork current. In 1993 we required a specific format for individual breeding area reports. Tables summarizing data collected describing human activities, wildlife interactions, prey deliveries and forage success were standardized. The "guide to nestwatch report writing" gave all nestwatchers a clear indication of the types of information that were important. Additionally, the guide assisted in contributing to the consistent methods in which data was collected. We also had the opportunity to edit drafts of each report, insuring that we received the information in the desired format. Our continued emphasis on improving preparation and understanding of objectives, methods, and forms has paid off in higher quality information and reports. Refining the orientation process has solved many of the inconsistencies in data collection of previous years (Beatty 1993). Yet, the challenge is to duplicate this effort every year, due to the diversity and number of personnel involved in the ABENWP. And certainly, the $45.00/day wage paid to each nestwatcher often limits the experience our crew has, and the number of returning nestwatchers. Since nestwatchers concentrate their monitoring in the nest area, our results are biased. Observations restricted to the nest area will bias any conclusions such as foraging locations or habitat use over an entire eagle pair's range. But, this information still helps to inform land and wildlife agencies where to focus management activities in the nest area. Since eagles are found perching and roosting most often near the nest during incubation and the early nestling stage, it would be logical to concentrate management most heavily in this location. Certainly though, important eagle foraging areas, perches and roosts away from the immediate nest area should not be ignored. Management ABENWP continues to be a vital, successful component of bald eagle management. However, with an expanding Phoenix population, conflicts with bald eagles can be expected. There will be an increased demand for additional recreation and development along the state's central river drainages/lakes. It can be expected that this demand will also begin to spread into more remote places. The lower riverine and lake areas closest to Phoenix have been our most productive sites in the past (Hunt et al. 1992). Additionally, locations where bald eagles can expand within Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 5 the presently known breeding range appears to be limited. Thus, the probability of territories or important foraging locations occurring near a proposed development is high. Of course, with these developments comes the required section 7 Endangered Species Act consultations between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the associated federal land management agency. These consultations often direct the agency to support the ABENWP. However, regardless of a pair of nestwatchers, the future success of bald eagle nests will depend on how we (agencies/public) value, develop and protect existing and potential bald eagle habitat. The following is a list of currently known or recently completed projects potentially affecting bald eagle territories. 1.Campgrounds are being developed near breeding areas (Tonto and Pinto BAs). 2.Roosevelt Dam and New Waddell Dam have been/are being renovated to increase water storage which will kill nest trees and bring recreation into core nest areas (Lake Pleasant, Tonto, and Pinto BAs). 3.Roads have been/are being paved, improved and built near breeding areas (Tonto, Bartlett, Pinto, and Lake Pleasant BAs). 4.Recreational boating is being considered for the Gila River below Coolidge Dam (Coolidge BA) (B. Brown pers. comm.). 5.Peck's Lake near Tavasci Marsh and the town of Cottonwood is being developed. A golf course and living community is planned (Tower BA). 6.Talkalai Lake is being considered for recreational improvement along with development of a fish hatchery (A potential BA)(Driscoll and Beatty 1994). 7.Agricultural development, open range grazing and unrestricted wood cutting will bring more human activity and degradation to riparian nesting habitat on the lower Verde River (Fort McDowell BA). The most common management tool for restricting human activity near bald eagle nests has been seasonal closures. As breeding areas are discovered in more populated areas, or as development surrounds existing territories, future closures will need to be as restrictive as existing closures, with more effort in erecting signs/barriers. Current closures are located away from casual human activity and surround the nest with a large area. To be effective, development of future closures in high use, easy access areas (Tonto, Pinto, Pleasant BAs) must be an all out endeavor. It will be necessary for the public to rely on our guidance and education to police themselves. For the public to value and respect these areas, it will be our responsibility to inform them of the success of their efforts in the field and in the mass media. Protection and management of breeding areas on the lower riverine and lake areas nearest Phoenix must continue for the success of breeding Arizona bald eagles. After examining all known productivity information up to 1990, Hunt (et al. 1992) determined that eagles breeding on the lower riverine areas, including the Salt and Verde river lakes, were more productive than those on the free-flowing rivers (which are in more remote locations). This trend has continued over the past two seasons. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 6 Eagles on the free-flowing remote areas of the upper Salt and Verde rivers, Tonto Creek and Burro Creek (13 BAs) have not been productive compared to eagles breeding near lakes and the lower riverine areas. Over the past two seasons (1992-1993), these 13 BAs were occupied by a pair of eagles on 24 occasions. Out of these 24 occupied nests, 18 clutches of eggs were laid. From these 18 clutches, a minimum of 26 individual eggs were laid and 14 young hatched. From these clutches, 9 attempts failed in the egg stage, 5 nestlings died in the nest and only 9 young fledged. Most of these young (n=7) were produced on the upper Verde River and only 2 birds fledged from the upper Salt River and upper Tonto Creek (Table 1). Productivity at nests located from the lakes on the Salt and Verde rivers down to their confluence and at Alamo Lake, Lake Pleasant and San Carlos Reservoir (14 BAs) was much higher in comparison. Out of 28 occupied nests, 26 clutches of eggs were laid. A minimum of 43 eggs were laid and 33 nestlings hatched. Six clutches failed during incubation and 7 nestlings died in the nest, but a total of 26 birds fledged (Table 2). Known bald eagle egg production on the regulated river systems in Central Arizona was almost double (43 to 26) and number of fledglings was nearly triple (27 to 9) compared to breeding areas on free-flowing rivers. Protection and the continued intensive management of these breeding areas associated with high levels of human disturbance must endure for the continued success of this population. Closures, monitoring, contact with the public and rescue efforts (since 1983) annually contributes to help maximize the number of Arizona fledglings. Specifically, intervention when birds are in life threatening situations has resulted in saving approximately 15 percent of all fledglings (Beatty in prep.). Education and contact of the public at breeding areas has also undoubtedly resulted in reducing harassment and failures due to human activity. But, we are unable translate this educational contact into breeding success or number of birds saved. Should these management efforts decrease (resulting in lowered productivity of regulated river nesting eagles) and productivity continue to be low on the free-flowing rivers, it is unlikely that the more remote breeding areas (nests on free-flowing rivers) could produce enough young to sustain this population. Intervention The ABENWP was responsible for identifying significant problems with the nesting effort at Alamo, Bartlett, Fort McDowell, Orme, 76, and Towers breeding areas. Alamo/Ive's Wash Nestwatchers were placed on site 5 January 1993 approximately 5 days after the beginning of incubation in nest #2. We received a call on 8 January 1993 from Ken Moore, Army Corp of Engineer Dam Keeper and the nestwatchers informing us that due to heavy run-off from record rainfall, the lake's water level was steadily rising toward the nest at 1 foot an hour. The Corp projected that the nest would be inundated sometime that evening. After quick coordination calls with State Parks for a boat and the Phoenix Zoo for an incubator, AGFD and USFWS personnel Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 7 left Phoenix in a vehicle for Alamo. We met State Parks personnel and boated out to the nest which was about 6 feet above water. The eagles left the nest and two eggs were rescued and driven to the Phoenix Zoo and placed in an egg incubator. Nest #2 and #3 were inundated the evening of 10 January. Nest #1 was inundated the evening of 16 January. One egg hatched at the zoo late 3 February or early morning 4 February. The second egg was cracked and believed to not be viable. It could not be determined if the crack occurred naturally or while handling. The eaglet hatched at the zoo was raised to 34 days old in an imprint free environment. It was then flown to Alamo Lake in a Channel 10 helicopter and fostered into the Ive's Wash nest on 9 March. The bird fledged the same day as its foster sibling on 10 May. Bartlett Two eaglets hatched at Bartlett in 1993 on approximately 19 February. One eaglet died soon after hatching. The remaining Bartlett eaglet was blown out of the nest or fledged onto a ledge on 29 April at 69 days old. Like previous Bartlett eaglet's (Hunt et al. 1992), this bird apparently landed in a cholla cactus. A cactus spine was observed in the fledgling's left eyelid on 1 May by nestwatchers. The bird was caught on May 2 and the spine was removed. Spines were also removed from its body and leg. Soon afterward, the young bird was observed using the eye normally and was later observed flying in the breeding area on 10 June. Fort McDowell Two eaglets hatched between 9-12 March in cottonwood tree nest #12. Nesting great-horned owls fledged two young from a cottonwood nest less then 200 meters downriver from the eagle nest the end of May. One eaglet fledged successfully on 1 June at approximately 82 days old. After the bird was not observed near the nest for a length of time, monitors called AGFD. AGFD instructed nestwatch personnel to inspect the surrounding area for the bird. While inspecting the nest area, the second eaglet fledged flying strongly to the east. Just prior to nightfall, AGFD arrived in the nest area and observed the perched adult eagles watching inquisitively toward the ground below nest. Although the first fledged eaglet was not observed before dark, it was assumed by the adults behavior that the bird was located near the adults. Table 1. Success of occupied free-flowing river nesting bald eagles in Arizona, 1992-93. Territory Devil's Post Table Mountain East Verde Ladders*1 Camp Verde* Tower* Sheep* 76*1 Redmond # eggs laid 1992 1993 2 Occ 1+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2 Occ 3 Unkn 2 Occ Occ 1+ 2 Occ Occ # hatched 1992 0 2 2 0 1 1993 2 2 2 1 0 # young died 1992 1993 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 # fledged 1992 1 2 1 1993 2 1 0 1 - Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Canyon Cibecue* Cedar Basin Lone Pine Totals - 13 sites 1+ 1+ 1+ 1+ 12+ 1+ 1+ 1+ 1+ 14+ 0 1+ 0 0 6+ 1 0 0 0 8 1+ 2 0 3 0 4 June 1994 Page 8 1 5 * Sites monitored by ABENWP personnel, 1 Sites with official closures, 2 Occ = occupied site, 3Unkn = unknown, site not yet rediscovered as occupied On 2 June, the following morning, monitors were not able to spot either of the fledged eaglets. AGFD returned to the nest area that day and along with the nestwatchers located two large piles of juvenile eagle feathers about 30 meters upriver from the nest. One pile consisted mostly of flight feathers. Many of the large feathers were broken at the base of the quill. The second pile was mainly body/breast feathers. No carcass was found. It is suspected from the presence of the nearby nesting owls and the plucked body feathers that the eaglet was killed by greathorned owls. Great-horned owls were considered the cause of death of older fledglings near migrating age at the Ladders site in 1988 (Hunt et al. 1992). The other Fort McDowell eaglet was found perched a few hundred meters upriver of the nest tree in a large mesquite tree along the river. Table 2. Success of occupied regulated riverine, lake or lake/riverine nesting bald eagles in Arizona 1992-93. Territory Ft. McDowell* Bartlett*1 Cliff*1 Horseshoe Orme* Blue Point Horse Mesa Pinto* Pinal Tonto* Coolidge* Lake Pleasant*1 Ive's Wash*2 Alamo*2 Totals - 14 sites # eggs laid 1992 1993 1+ 2+ 1+ 2+ 1+ Occ.3 1+ Occ.3 2+ 2+ 2+ 3 1+ 2+ 1+ 1+ 2 3 1 2+ 1+ 2 1+ 1+ 2+ 1+ 2+ 3+ 19+ 24+ # hatched 1992 1+ 1 0 0 2 2 0 0 1 0 1+ 0 2 2 12+ 1993 2 2 2 3 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 22 21 # young died 1992 1993 1+ 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3+ 4 # fledged 1992 1 1 2 0 1 2 2 9 1993 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 22 1 17 * Sites monitored by ABENWP personnel, 1 Sites with official closures, 2 One bird was fostered into the Ive's Wash nest from eggs rescued from Alamo's first clutch, Alamo successfully renested and raised one eaglet from Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 a second clutch. 3 Occ = Occupied site June 1994 Page 9 Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 10 Orme Two eaglets hatched in cliff nest #3 on 15 or 16 March. The birds had grown to 50 days old when a wind storm occurred in the Phoenix area on 5 May. On 6 May, one eaglet was found dead below the nest. Heavy winds more than likely caused this eagle to fall. This was the second bird in two consecutive years to have fallen from a cliff nest on Mount McDowell at Orme and die. In 1990 while climbing up to the newly discovered nest #3, we discovered weathered bones and feathers of a bald eagle nestling. It was concluded from occupancy records and condition of the remains that this bird either fell from the nest in 1989 (status of the site was considered occupied) or prior to our discovery of the site in 1986 (Hunt et al. 1992). 76 Incubation began on 5 or 6 February in nest #3. Activity at the nest remained "normal" until 26 February when the female left the eggs uncovered for 3 hours. On this day she displayed an odd "yawning" behavior. She opened her mouth at regular intervals of 30-35 seconds. She continued to display this odd behavior and left the eggs uncovered on 27 and 28 February for 4.5 hours and 6.3 hours respectively. Rain persisted these final two days of incubation. Nestwatchers were able to contact us through the USFS radio dispatcher. Two eggs were collected for analysis on 28 February. After analysis, it was discovered that the eaglets had developed to about 23 days old in the egg until the nest was abandoned and the embryos died (R. Mesta pers. comm.). Tower In late April, a fishing hook was seen attached to the lower bill of the adult female's beak. Connected to the hook was the six-inch monofilament leader which was dangling away from the eagle's head. Nestwatchers were able to observe that the hook and monofilament did not hinder the eagle's ability to feed itself, forage, or feed the eaglet. The bird was later observed in early June without the hook and monofilament. Breeding Areas Information collected by nestwatchers from each breeding area along with important events and recommendations are summarized from nestwatch reports written at the end of the season (Bank et al. 1993, Beason and Porter 1993, Bilak and Koloszar 1993, Brownwood et al. 1993a, Brownwood et al. 1993b, Friederici and Ruhser 1993, Juliana and Levine 1993a, Juliana and Levine 1993b, Langridge and Christman 1993, Langridge and Siegel 1993, Lundby and Pausch 1993, Thompson 1993, Waddell and McCoy 1993). Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Alamo Breeding Area June 1994 Page 11 Observation period The Alamo BA was monitored under the normal nestwatch schedule from 5 January to 14 February. Then emphasis changed to Ive's Wash, to collect information on number of nestlings and prey d liveries to determine if Ive's Wash would be suitable for fostering the zoo/Alamo e eaglet. Emphasis continued after fostering to monitor the eaglet's progress. The Alamo nest was observed sporadically from mid-February until mid-May. On 23 May, regular monitoring of Alamo began again, until observations terminated on 14 June. The nest was monitored for 51 days, for 359 hours. Nestwatchers spent 170 hours on 21 dawn-to-dusk days watching the site. Observations on dawn-to-dusk days were shortened due to boating and hiking time. Eagle activity Incubation began in nest #2 on 31 December 1992 or 1 January 1993. Two eggs were rescued from inundation on 8 January and transported to the Phoenix Zoo for incubation. Nest #2 and #3 were inundated the evening of 10 January. Nest #1 was inundated the evening of 16 January. One egg hatched at the zoo late 3 February or early morning 4 February. The second egg was cracked and not viable. It could not be determined if the crack occurred naturally or while handling. The eaglet (34 days old) hatched at the zoo was fostered into the Ive's Wash nest on 9 March and fledged on 10 May. The Alamo eagles began to build cliff nest #4 on 17 January and laid a second clutch of eggs in it on 14 February. Cliff nest #4 is far more removed from human activity than the previous snag nests near the lake and is on land administered by BLM. Nest #4 also is exposed to sun the entire day and appears to be accessible to ground predators. One eaglet hatched between 20-24 March and fledged on 13 June. This was the first recorded successful nest from the six (Redmond 1987, Ft. McDowell 1988, Bartlett 1990, Horseshoe 1991, Pinto 1992, Alamo 1993) double clutches recorded in Arizona (Hunt et al. 1992, Beatty 1993). Both breeding birds were in full adult plumage with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service bands on their right tarsi. Human activity Few human activities were recorded at the Alamo Breeding Area in 1993 (Table 3). During January and February, infrequent visitors came to the lake early in the season due to rain, poor access and undesirable fishing conditions. Although observations were limited during the incubation and young nestling stage, little human activities were recorded near nest #4 because it is located greater than 1 kilometer away from the shoreline. Additionally, fewer activities were recorded because previously used snag perches observable by nestwatchers were completely submerged. Eagles were commonly observed flying out-of-view toward shallow water habitat near the confluence of the Santa Maria and Big Sandy rivers. While boating activities were the most predominant activity observed the past two seasons (Beatty 1993), aircraft (jets, small planes and helicopters) were recorded the most in 1993 (n=17, 50%). Military jets were recorded 11 times flying within 1 kilometer and below the 600 m FAA Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 12 advisory minimum ceiling for bald eagle nests. More than 11 jets were observed flying in low level flight over Alamo Lake (see Ive's Wash section), but they were not recorded because eagles were often perched in an unobservable location and the nest was located >1 kilometer from the shoreline. Eagles were observed watching jet overflights three times. Similarly, since the eagle's nest was greater then a kilometer from the lake and previously used snag perches were submerged, only three boating activities were recorded. Additionally, the increased lake size diffused the amount of boaters that would normally concentrate at the north end of the lake at the more commonly maintained elevation. Most responses to human activities were recorded as unknown (n=23, 68%) due to the distance between observers and the nest. Although nest #4 appears to be vulnerable to heat stress and predation, it is located well away from boat traffic and any future inundations. The fact that eagles were able to successfully raise one eaglet in the heat of Alamo Lake one month later than normal with a small amount of recorded human activity near the nest suggests that this nest may be a good location for the eagles. Wildlife interactions The Alamo eagles were observed interacting with 6 species of birds throughout the season: bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, zone-tailed hawks, American white pelicans, unknown falcon species, and turkey vultures. Due to the inundation of snag perches in Alamo Lake, few interactions (n=22) were observed between the Alamo and Ive's Wash eagles compared to 1991 (n=102) and 1992 (n=173) (Table 4). All observed interactions were while eagles were flying as opposed to previous years where most interactions occurred while perching along the territory boundary (Beatty 1993). The territory boundary previously defined by perches, was defended from the air after all perches went under water. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 13 Table 3. Human activity, Alamo Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Type Boater Chainsaw Gunshot Picnickers Military jet Agency personnel Helicopter Sonic boom Small plane ORV Total N 0 W 3 2 5 R 1 1 F 1 1 3 5 Eagle behavior toward human activity1 L B ? D-D total2 1 2 (16.7%) 1 1 (8.3%) 4 4 (33.3%) 0 8 0 0 3 0 3 0 3 3 (25.0%) 2 (16.7%) 0 0 23 12 (100%) Total 3 (8.8%) 1 (2.9%) 4 (11.8%) 1 (2.9%) 11 (32.4%) 3 (8.8%) 3 (8.8%) 3 (8.8%) 3 (8.8%) 2 (5.9%) 34 (100%) 1 2 N=None, W=Watched, R=Restless, F=Flushed, L=Left Area, B=eagle not in area, ?=Unknown. D-D Total=Information collected on dawn-to-dusk observation days. Table 4. Observed interactions between Alamo and Ive's Wash bald eagles at Alamo Lake, ABENWP 1991-1993, Arizona. Year 1991 1992 1993 Total Prch-prch 70 (69%) 130 (75%) 200 (70%) Prch w/ ad 14 (14%) 15 (9%) 29 (10%) Interaction type1 A flight So together 9 (9%) 8 (8%) 27 (16%) 1 (<1%) 10 (91%) 46 (16%) 9 (3%) Contact 1 (1%) 1 (9%) 2 (<1%) Total 102 (100%) 173 (100%) 11 (100%) 286 (100%) 1 Interaction types - Prch-Prch = perch-to-perch, nonaggressive; Prch w/ad = perch-to-perch w/aerial display; A flight = aggressive flight; So together = soaring together; Contact = physical contact. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 14 Food Habits Increased water elevations at Alamo Lake changed observed foraging locations from prior years. In previous seasons at lake elevations of 1100-1120 feet above sea level, eagles were observed capturing nearly all their food at the north end of the lake. Most of their captures originated from snag trees surrounded by shallow water. After record rainfall beginning the first week in January, lake elevations climbed to 1165 feet by 22 January and remained near or above that mark until 26 March. At the end of March, lake elevations slowly descended to the 1140-1135 foot elevation. Alamo Lake stayed at this elevation until the eaglet fledged. Soon after the floods and inundation of common snag perches, eagles were observed using perches and locations uncommon for Alamo eagles. Birds were seen perching on floating driftwood and eating drowned mammals (n=2) (possibly Neotoma or Dipodomys) discovered on pieces of flotsam. More commonly, eagles were observed flying upriver toward the confluence of the Big Sandy and Santa Maria rivers where they were most likely capturing food in shallower water. Forage events observed in the late spring occurred on the wing. Beginning in late April, early May, the tops of the remaining snags began to appear, but eagles were not frequently observed using these perches for hunting. Twenty-three forage attempts were observed in 1993 (Table 5), compared to 101 and 107 observed in 1991 and 1992 respectively (Beatty 1993). The male captured 12 items, the female 4, and a resident adult of unknown sex caught 7 items. Fish (n=9) represented 38 percent of the total number of prey types that eagles attempted to capture. Yet, 46 percent (n=11) could not be identified to type. Two American coots were observed being captured by eagles. Fourteen prey deliveries were observed, 9 (64.3%) by the male, 2 (14.3%) by the female, and 3 by an unknown resident adult (Table 6). The male was observed arriving with six of the eight documented fish brought to the nest. Two largemouth bass and one American coot were the only species identified positively in the nest (Table 7). Two unknown catfish species were also delivered to the eaglets. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 15 Table 5. Observed forage events1 and success by bald eagles at the Alamo Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types Sex E2 4 2 3 9 Fish S-U3 3-1 2-0 3-0 8-1 E 1 1 2 Birds S-U 1-0 1-0 2-0 Carrion E S-U 2 2-0 2 2-0 Unknown E S-U 6 6-0 2 2-0 3 3-0 11 11-0 E 13 4 7 24 TOTAL S-U 12-1 4-0 7-0 23-1 Male Female Unknown4 TOTAL Each number represents a forage event for a food item not the number of strikes to capture the item E = Forage events observed 3 S-U = Successful captures of prey - unsuccessful capture of prey 4 Unknown - Undetermined sex of resident adult that captured a prey item 1 2 Table 6. Prey types delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Alamo Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types Sex Male Female Unknown1 TOTAL Fish 6 1 1 8 (57.1%) Mammals 0 0 1 1 (7.1%) Birds 0 0 1 1 (7.1%) Unknowns 3 1 0 4 (28.7%) TOTAL 9 (64.3%) 2 (14.3%) 3 (21.4%) 14 (100%) Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 16 Table 7. Prey species delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Alamo Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types Sex Largemouth bass Male Female Unknown1 Total 1 1 2 (14.3%) Catfish species 1 1 2 (14.3%) Unknown fish 4 4 (28.6%) American Coot 1 1 (7.1%) Unknown mammal 1 1 (7.1%) Unknown 3 1 4 (28.6%) TOTAL 9 (64.3%) 2( 14.3%) 3 (21.4%) 14 (100%) 1 Unknown - Undetermined sex of resident adult that delivered a prey item Management activities Nestwatchers were placed on site on 5 January, due to early nesting habits of the eagles. Brochures were given to Alamo State Parks office and Wayside Inn for distribution to the public. The ABENWP display was at the Alamo State Park office during January and February. Eggs were rescued from inundation on 8 January by AGFD, USFWS, ACOE, and Alamo State Parks and put in the Phoenix Zoo incubator. Metal signs produce by SRP were placed at Brown's Crossing to inform boaters and hikers of nesting bald eagles. These signs were later swept away by the rising lake. Management recommendations 1.Continue early nestwatching activities. 2.Continue placing the display and brochures at Alamo to educate park visitors of nesting bald eagles. 3.Coordinate a December meeting with State Parks, BLM, USFWS and AGFD personnel to work on logistics for ABENWP monitors. 4.Continue to place signs at strategic locations to inform boaters and hikers of nesting bald eagles. 5.Manage for regeneration of cottonwoods and willows from the north end of the lake to the confluence of the Santa Maria and Big Sandy rivers. Consider a cottonwood/willow pole planting project and/or a strategy to promote growth of existing young trees. In either situation, competition by salt cedar must be considered (i.e. possible control or eradication of this non-native species). Yet it must also be pointed out that these salt cedar plants guard nest snags from terrestrial disturbances. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 17 Some biologists believe a limited, diminishing number of available nest trees close to the lake warrants construction of artificial nest structures. This may be moot, now. With construction of cliff nest #4, the eagles have a nest in a relatively permanent location, free of many management concerns for human activity. However, construction of this nest does not reduce the need to improve riparian health at the north end and upriver of Alamo Lake. 6.Develop a plan to close an area surrounding any future Alamo nest tree that becomes accessible by boat. Prior to the January floods, all but one (nest #3) nest tree was guarded rather thoroughly from terrestrial visitors by thick "jungles" of salt cedar, but once the lake rises these nests are easily approached by boats. 7.Develop additional funding from the ACOE for monitoring of Alamo Lake to fulfill section 7 obligations for potential inundation of future nests. 8.Work with Luke Air Force Base to redirect low-level military jet flights away from Alamo Lake. 9.Lake elevations were maintained throughout the 1993 breeding season at 15-65 feet above normal operating levels (1100-1120). Although we were unable to observe where the eagles commonly foraged, it was obvious from the three nestlings which Alamo and Ive's Wash produced that both pairs were able to capture enough food. All of this was accomplished without the hunting snags that had been commonly used by both pairs of eagles for hunting, territory defense and loafing. Instead, the higher water levels greatly increased the surface area of the lake, likely creating more opportunities to find food. Additionally, the floods probably produced abundant fish, mammal and herptile carrion during January and February. As the lake recedes to more commonly maintained levels and drowned snags begin to fall, the lack of hunting perches may become limiting to eagle success on Alamo Lake. Both the Ive's Wash and the Alamo eagles use the small northeastern/upper section of the lake for foraging at the regularly maintained lake levels. When the drowned cottonwood snags fall, the upper end of the lake may become too small for two pairs of eagles to partition the resource. Because these perches have proven to be a integral component of the eagle's success at normal operating lake levels, it may be prudent to place artificial perches in or around the lake. Before all snags fall, a possible strategy would be to experiment and place a few poles at a time to determine effectiveness. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Bartlett Breeding Area June 1994 Page 18 Observation period Nestwatchers arrived on site 4 January. A second team arrived in order to monitor the nest daily on 25 March. Observation was terminated on 9 May. The site was watched for a total of 105 days, 47 of those being dawn-to-dusk days. A total of 807 hours were spent observing the nest on dawn-to-dusk days. Eagle activity Eagles laid eggs between 11-15 January 1993. At least two young hatched on about 19 January. One newly hatched eaglet died between 20 and 23 January. The eaglet fledged on 29 April and apparently landed in a cholla cactus. A cactus spine was observed in the fledgling's left eyelid on 1 May. The bird was caught on May 2 and the spine was removed from its left eyelid. Spines were also removed from its body and leg. Soon afterward, the young bird was observed using the eye normally and was later observed flying in the breeding area on 10 June. The breeding eagles were both in adult plumage and unbanded. Human activity A total of 449 human activities were observed throughout the breeding season (Table 8). Small planes were recorded the most (n=289, 64.4%), followed by helicopters (n=62, 13.8%), gunshots (n=28, 6.2%), and ORV's (n=12, 2.7%). Aircraft (small planes, helicopters, ultralights) represented 78 percent (n=352) of all recorded activities, but only caused an eagle to significantly respond once (restless). This plane traveled north flying at approximately 100 feet above the river when it banked, turned and headed south. All remaining planes recorded maintained at least a 150 m (~500 feet) above ground level. Like many other breeding areas in 1993, terrestrial activity was limited early in the season due to heavy rain and poor road conditions. In January, entrance to Bartlett Lake was blocked due to running washes and ruined roads. Later, as paved roads were repaired, access to the nest area on unmaintained dirt roads was hindered by sand pits in wash crossings and rough conditions. These damaged and difficult road conditions persisted throughout the season and seemed to affect the number of terrestrial visitors to the Bartlett Breeding Area in 1993. In 1992, the breeding area was visited by 440 terrestrial activities from 14 different types of activities (Beatty 1993). In 1993, only 73 activities took place from a similar 13 types. Aircraft activity, although reduced by poor weather, remained high in 1993 (n=289). Table 8. Human activity, Bartlett Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Type N Small plane Campers Helicopters Gunshots Anglers Picnickers Canoes Birders Hunters Hikers ORV's Rafters Shooters Cyclists Agency workers Ultralights Researchers Drivers Photographer Total 1 June 1994 Page 19 Eagle behavior toward human activity1 W 110 2 21 7 3 5 1 4 2 1 4 1 4 3 168 R 1 1 1 3 F 1 1 2 L 1 2 3 B 1 1 1 3 ? 49 16 3 1 1 1 1 1 73 D-D total2 199 (66.6%) 3 (1.0%) 31 (10.4%) 22 (7.4%) 6 (2.0%) 1 (0.3%) 6 (2.0%) 2 (0.7%) 2 (0.7%) 1 (0.3%) 10 (3.3%) 2 (0.7%) 3 (1.0%) 1 (0.3%) 3 (1.0%) 0 5 (1.7%) 1 (0.3%) 1 (0.3%) 299 (100%) Total 298 (64.4%) 3 (0.7%) 62 (13.8%) 28 (6.2%) 7 (1.6%) 1 (0.2%) 6 (1.3%) 2 (0.4%) 2 (0.4%) 1 (0.2%) 12 (2.7%) 2 (0.4%) 3 (0.7%) 1 (0.2%) 8 (1.7%) 1 (0.2%) 7 (1.6%) 2 (0.4%) 3 (0.7%) 449 (100%) 138 1 24 16 3 1 1 1 5 1 1 3 2 197 2 N=None, W=Watched, R=Restless, F=Flushed, L=Left Area, B=eagle not in area, ?=Unknown. D-D Total=Information collected on dawn-to-dusk observation days. Wildlife interactions Bartlett eagles were observed interacting with common ravens, bald eagles, golden eagles, redtailed hawks, turkey vultures, great blue herons, American kestrels, violet green-swallows, canyon wrens, and unknown eagles and birds. One subadult bald eagle (estimated to be 2 years old) observed in the area was wearing a blue VID band. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 20 Food habits All but 2 of the 30 observed forage attempts occurred along the river below the nest cliff. The adult male captured 13 items in 16 attempts and the female captured 7 items in 11 attempts (Table 9). The only observed forage attempt outside the nest area occurred at Needle Rock where the adult male captured a flathead catfish. An eagle was also observed pirating a fish from a great blue heron about 1 kilometer upriver from the gauging station near the nestwatchers camp. Additional foraging most likely took place at Needle Rock and on Bartlett Lake as indicated by the direction eagle's flew from the nest and returned with fish. A total of 45 prey deliveries were recorded throughout the season (Table 10). Compared to the view of nest #2, prey deliveries and species identification were more difficult at nest #1 due to the increased distance of observation. The adult male arrived with 30 items and the female delivered 13 items. Species types identified were sunfish, suckers, unknown bass, and unknown catfish (Table 11). Table 9. Observed forage events1 and success by bald eagles at the Bartlett Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types Sex Fish E2 Male Female Unknown4 TOTAL 1 Unknown E 2 4 6 S-U 1-1 2-2 0-0 3-3 E 16 11 3 30 TOTAL S-U 13-3 7-4 1-2 21-9 S-U3 12 - 2 5-2 1-2 18-6 14 7 3 24 Each number represents a forage event for a food item not the number of strikes to capture the item E = Forage events observed 3 S-U = Successful captures of prey - unsuccessful capture of prey 4 Unknown - Undetermined sex of resident adult that captured a prey item 2 Management activities Early nestwatchers were put into place prior to incubation and full-time monitoring of nestwatchers began with a second team later in the season in anticipation of increased recreational activity. Nestwatchers noticed a cactus spine in the eaglet's eye soon after fledging. The young bird was captured on the ground and the spine was removed. The bird was later observed using its eye normally. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 21 Table 10. Prey types delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Bartlett Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types Sex Fish Male Female Unknown1 TOTAL 20 11 2 33 (71.7%) Mammals 2 0 0 2 (4.3%) Birds 2 1 0 3 (6.5%) Herps 1 0 0 1 (2.2%) Unknown 5 1 0 6 (13.0%) TOTAL 30 (66.7%) 13 (28.9%) 2 (4.4%) 45 (100%) Table 11. Prey species delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Bartlett Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types2 Sex Fish SUN Male Female Unknown1 TOTAL 1 1 2 BAS 2 2 4 SKR 2 1 3 CAT 0 2 2 FSH 16 5 1 22 2 2 Mammals MAM Birds BRD 2 1 3 Herptile HRP 1 1 Unknown UNK 5 1 6 30 (66.7%) 13 (28.9%) 2 (4.4%) 45 (100%)) TOTAL 1 2 Unknown - Undetermined sex of resident adult that delivered a prey item Prey types = SUN=sunfish sp., BAS=bass sp., SKR=sucker sp., CAT=catfish sp., FSH=fish sp., MAM=mammal sp., BRD=bird sp., HRP=herptile, UNK=unknown. Management recommendations 1.Replace the signs identifying the terrestrial boundary at the north end of the closure and the riverside "no stop zone" below the gaging station. An additional sign should be placed along the river's edge below nest #'s 1 and 2 indicating that the closure is still in effect and another sign indicating the closure's end. 2.At the gate blocking off road access to the north end of the closure, post closure orders and construct boxes to place bald eagle brochures. 3.Needle Rock recreation area is a source of off-road vehicles entering the closure from its Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 22 southern boundary. In the past, blockades have been vandalized and swept away by high river flows. Smaller signs with boxes to hold informational brochures may be an inexpensive but effective way of educating and reducing activity that enters the closure if they are placed at advantageous spots. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Camp Verde Breeding Area June 1994 Page 23 Observation period The Camp Verde Breeding Area was observed from 5 February to 14 February. The site was observed for 30 hours and 51 minutes. Monitoring was limited by heavy rainfall and searches for alternate nests. Table 12. Human activity, Camp Verde Breeding Area-ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Type N Boater Construction Hikers ORV Dogs Picnickers Gunshots Vehicles Total 1 Eagle behavior toward human activity1 W 0 R 0 F 0 L 0 B 7 3 2 2 2 3 1 2 22 ? 0 D-D total2 7 (38.9%) 1 (5.6%) 2 (11.1%) 2 (11.1%) 1 (5.6%) 3 (16.7%) 1 (5.6%) 1 (5.6%) 18 (100%) Total 7 (31.8%) 3 (13.6%) 2 (9.1%) 2 (9.1%) 2 (9.1%) 3 (13.6%) 1 (4.5%) 2 (9.1%) 22 (100%) 0 2 N=None, W=Watched, R=Restless, F=Flushed, L=Left Area, B=eagle not in area, ?=Unknown. D-D Total=Information collected on dawn-to-dusk observation days. Eagle activity No bald eagles were observed in the nest area. Earlier, on 11 September 1992, three eagles were observed flying in the nest area over West Clear Creek by AGFD personnel. During the summer of 1992, a local resident observed an eagle perched on a snag approximately 1 kilometer downriver from the nest. We observed new nest construction on an Occupancy and Reproduction Assessment (ORA) flight on 2 February 1993. Further searches by nestwatchers, ORA flights, and AGFD personnel (Driscoll et al. in prep) produced no eagle sightings or alternate nests in the immediate nest area or along West Clear Creek. After heavy rains in January caused high water flows in the river, extensive scouring had occurred at the base the nest tree and adjacent trees had fallen. Later on 21-22 February, heavy rainfall and the ensuing river flows toppled the nest tree. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 24 Human activity Although no eagles were observed in the nest area, we continued to record human activity in the area (Table 12). Boaters and associated vehicles at a nearby pull-out represented 9 (40.9%) of the 22 recorded activities. Construction activities (chainsaw, bulldozer and backhoe) repairing an irrigation ditch near Salt Mine Road persisted in the nest area for three days encroaching within 150 meters of the nest. Management recommendations 1.Continue to search along the Verde River and West Clear Creek for nesting bald eagles. 2.If eagles are found breeding, monitor the site with nestwatchers and: a.Use Audubon Society volunteers during nestwatchers' days off. b.Inform local residents of eagles. c.Sign, if possible, the surrounding area to minimize activity near the nest. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Cliff Breeding Area June 1994 Page 25 Observation period The Cliff Breeding Area was monitored for 11 days from 5 February to 14 February and 21-22 February. A total of 99 hours were spent observing the site, 58 hours of observation were on 5 dawn-to-dusk days. Observations were interrupted on 9 February due to high water releases from Horseshoe Dam and from heavy rain. We intended to monitor the site during the month of January, but due to poor road conditions opted to monitor the Tonto Breeding Area. Eagle activity The Cliff eagles did not lay eggs in 1993. Observations were concentrated at nest #4. Two adult bald eagles were observed perched together in the breeding area on 11 January during a 1993 winter count helicopter flight (Beatty and Driscoll in prep). After nestwatchers arrived on 5 February, only the adult male eagle was observed. Throughout the monitoring period, this adult was observed perching and interacting with at least two different eagles: a 3-year old bird with a blue VID band and an unbanded 4-year old eagle. The adult eagle was a male bird identified by the black VID band on its left tarsus, silver USFWS band on the right tarsus and a radiotelemetry backpack. Human activity Little human activity was recorded during the short time the site was monitored. Ten (71.4%) of the 14 activities that were recorded were aircraft (small planes, helicopters and military jets) (Table 13). Terrestrial activity was minimal due to muddy road conditions and poor weather. Eagles were not in the area to record a response for 9 (64.2%) of the 14 activities observed. The only significant response was from a perched eagle that left the area after a plane flew approximately 100 feet above it. Wildlife interactions The Cliff male was observed interacting with common ravens, red-tailed hawks, and a 3-year old and 4-year old bald eagle. The adult male interacted one time with a three-year old bald eagle and twice with a four-year old bald eagle. The three-year-old bird was observed alone in the breeding area on 5 and 13 February. On 14 February, the adult male pursued the subadult until they both perched in a cottonwood tree 0.3 kilometers downriver from the nest. The adult male then stooped on the subadult, causing it to flush from the tree until they again both perched in the same tree. The subadult eventually left the breeding area on its own. The entire interaction lasted 21 minutes. The subadult returned 37 minutes later and perched within 0.2 kilometers from the male for 1 hour before flying out-of-view. A near-adult eagle flew into nest #4 and began arranging sticks on 12 February. Four minutes later, the adult male stooped twice on the bird and then flew out-ofview. The near-adult stayed in the nest for the next 30-minutes and then flew away downriver. On Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 26 13 February, the near-adult was again spotted in the nest and proceeded to forage twice in the river below the nest. The adult male flew into the nest area and interacted briefly with the nearadult. The adult male perched in tree and the near-adult flew to the nest. The near-adult left the area 1 hour and 39 minutes after it had arrived. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 27 Table 13. Human activity, Cliff Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Type N Small planes Helicopters Hikers ORV Hunters Boater Military jets Total 1 Eagle behavior toward human activity1 W 1 1 2 R 0 F 0 L 1 1 B 3 2 1 1 1 1 9 ? 0 D-D total2 4 (44.4%) 1 (11.1%) 1 (11.1%) 1 (11.1%) 1 (11.1%) 1 (11.1%) 9 (100%) Total 5 (35.7%) 4 (28.6%) 1 (7.1%) 1 (7.1%) 1 (7.1%) 1 (7.1%) 1 (7.1%) 14 (100%) 1 1 2 2 N=None, W=Watched, R=Restless, F=Flushed, L=Left Area, B=eagle not in area, ?=Unknown. D-D Total=Information collected on dawn-to-dusk observation days. Food habits The adult male was successful on 8 of 11 forage attempts in a 0.5 kilometer stretch of river below the nest (Table 14). The near-adult eagle observed in the area also successfully foraged two times from the nest pinnacle. Water fluctuations may have affected the eagles foraging success along the stretch of river below the nest. Four successful attempts occurred in a large pool at river kilometer 65.4. After heavy water releases from Horseshoe Dam, the pools disappeared and the male was twice unsuccessful in capturing fish. Water releases ceased and gravel bars began to reappear as the river receded. The adult male was then observed feeding on carrion washed up on the gravel bars. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 28 Table 14. Observed forage events1 and success by bald eagles at the Cliff Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types Sex Fish E2 Male Near-adult TOTAL 1 Carrion E 1 2 S-U 1-0 2-0 E 11 2 13 TOTAL S-U 9-2 2-0 11-2 S-U3 8-2 2-0 8-1 10 2 9 Each number represents a forage event for a food item not the number of strikes to capture the item E = Forage events observed 3 S-U = Successful captures of prey - unsuccessful capture of prey 2 Management activities Plans to place early season monitors on site were changed due to weather and extremely muddy road conditions. Cave Creek Ranger District of the Tonto National Forest received a grant from the Heritage Fund (project # I92049) to enhance the Cliff closure. The Nongame Branch met with the Ranger District and discussed wording and placement of signs. We also discussed adding a place on the sign for bald eagle brochures and closure maps. The timely nature of this proposal became more significant as flood waters tore down the existing fence and sent a large 3x4 foot sign floating downriver. Management recommendations 1.Continue nestwatch activities. 2.Reconstruct fence, gate and sign at north end of closure. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Fort McDowell Breeding Area June 1994 Page 29 Observation period Monitoring Fort McDowell began on 6 February 1993 and continued until 6 June 1993. A total of 90 days and 932 hours were spent observing the site, 41 days and 537 hours were on dawn-to-dusk days. Five nestwatchers throughout the season were stationed at Fort McDowell. Eagle activity Incubation began in nest #12 between 2-5 February 1993. This nest was rebuilt by Robert Mesta of the USFWS in 1987 after it fell in 1986. This year is the first season the nest has been used since it was rebuilt. Two eaglets hatched between 9-12 March. Both eaglets fledged on 1 June. Two large piles of feathers from one eaglet were discovered on 2 June about 30 meters upriver from the nest. One pile consisted mostly of flight feathers, many of the large feathers were broken at the base of the quill. The second pile was mainly body/breast feathers. No carcass was found. It is suspected from the presence of plucked body feathers that this bird was killed by great-horned owls. A family of owls raised two young 100-200 meters downriver from the eagle's nest. Both adult eagles were unbanded birds in full adult plumage. Human activity A total of 246 human activities were recorded at Fort McDowell in 1993, the most predominant activity being aircraft (small plane, helicopter) (n=135,54.9%) (Table 15). Aircraft elicited a significant response from eagles on 12 (4.9%) different occasions. One-hundred five times (77.8%) the eagles did not respond. Many of the activities recorded were terrestrial oriented because of easy access to the area and the large recreation area (beach) at the river. Soon after the weather improved and a fee was charged to enter the Salt River recreation area south of Highway 87, public users consistently turned to the Fort McDowell area to spend their day. Vehicles would drive to the river and activities such as picnicking, hiking, fishing (at river kilometers 20.5-20.8), birding, swimming, and shooting would occur. Surprisingly, only nine "unofficial" (non-agency related) terrestrial activities caused an eagle to significantly respond. Certainly, the most odd activity was a French crew filming a countrywestern video. Additionally, gunshots, vehicles, photographers, and rafting caused an eagle to flush from its perch. Hikers (n=3), one swimmer, and a rancher all approached within 25 meters of the nest and caused an eagle to circle and vocalize. Nestwatchers were able to contact 35 different groups as they entered the breeding area. These 35 groups represent a significant percentage (43%) of the unofficial activities recorded in the area (n=81) and were most likely the reason why few activities approached the eagles. Nearly all parties contacted were reported to respond in a positive and friendly manner. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 30 Table 15. Human activity, Fort McDowell Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Type N Small plane Campers Helicopters Gunshots Anglers Picnickers Canoes/Kayaks Birders ORV's Boaters Rafters Ranchers Shooters Horse riders Agency worker Researcher Swimmer Photographing Hiker Total 1 Eagle behavior toward human activity1 W 3 1 2 1 1 2 10 R 2 1 1 4 F 5 2 1 1 1 1 1 12 L 2 1 3 X 1 4 1 1 3 10 ? 10 4 1 3 1 1 2 22 D-D total2 70 (44.6%) 1 (0.6%) 12 (7.6%) 1 (0.6%) 9 (5.7%) 18 (11.5%) 10 (6.4%) 1 (0.6%) 12 (7.6%) 1 (0.6%) 4 (2.5%) 1 (0.6%) 1 (0.6%) 2 (1.3%) 3 (1.9%) 1 (0.6%) 1 (0.6%) 2 (1.3%) 6 (3.8%) 157 (100%) Total 107 (43.7%) 1 (0.4%) 28 (11.4%) 4 (1.6%) 13 (5.3%) 22 (9.0%) 12 (4.9%) 1 (0.4%) 19 (7.8%) 2 (0.8%) 6 (2.4%) 1 (0.4%) 1 (0.4%) 3 (1.2%) 8 (3.3%) 1 (0.4%) 3 (1.2%) 3 (1.2%) 8 (3.3%) 243 (100%) 85 1 20 3 11 20 12 1 14 2 4 2 2 2 2 1 182 2 N=None, W=Watched, R=Restless, F=Flushed, L=Left Area, B=eagle not in area, ?=Unknown. D-D Total=Information collected on dawn-to-dusk observation days. Wildlife interactions Fort McDowell eagles were observed interacting with golden eagles, common ravens, turkey vultures, red-tailed hawks, great blue herons, osprey, bald eagles and an unknown bird. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 31 Significant observations involved a near-adult bald eagle, osprey, and golden eagle. A near-adult bald eagle entered the area on 23 May from upriver of the nest and was pursued and escorted out of the area downriver. An osprey drove an eagle to perch on the ground on 19 April while the osprey was searching for fish in the nest area. While the bald eagles were incubating on 12 February, a golden eagle landed and perched in the nest tree for 10 minutes without a response from the resident eagles. Food habits Eight forage attempts were observed in 1993 at Fort McDowell. All attempts occurred within a 2-kilometer stretch of river in front of the nest with a minimum of human activity in the area (only nestwatchers). No forage attempts were observed while other recreational activities were present in the nest area. Six successful attempts by the male eagle were observed, and by an unknown resident eagle. Forage events observed began with eagles perched on mesquite trees along the east bank and catching fish in runs located at river kilometers 20.5-20.8 and 19.7-19.9. Thirty-two prey deliveries were recorded in 1993 (Table 16). Difficulty in observing the nest due to the tree's dense foliage limited identification of prey items. An unknown resident eagle delivered 20 items (62.5%), the male arrived with 9 items (28.1%) and the female with 3 deliveries (9.4%). A total of 20 items were described as fish (62.5%), the remaining 12 deliveries were of unknown type (37.5%). Eagles were observed delivering prey from both upstream and downstream of the nest. Table 16. Prey species delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Fort McDowell Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types Sex Unknown fish Male Female Unknown1 TOTAL 1 Unknown 1 11 12 (37.5%) TOTAL 9 (28.1%) 3 (9.4%) 20 (62.5%) 32 (100%) 9 2 9 20 (62.5%) Unknown - Undetermined sex of resident adult that delivered a prey item Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 32 Management activities A talk was presented to the children of Fort McDowell at the Tribe's library. A copy of the ABENWP video was given to the library for future use. The branch that supported nest #11 broke prior to the 1993 breeding season. Sticks from this nest were collected from the ground and reconstructed into a nest by AGFD and high school students for display at the Wildlife Building at the State Fair. Section 7 consultation of the Endangered Species Act over the establishment of upland agricultural fields with the USFWS, the BR and the Fort McDowell Indian Community was completed with a management plan to set aside eagle nesting and foraging areas. Management recommendations 1.All nests remaining on the reservation (#12 and #14) are easily accessed by foot. a.Restrict road access into the immediate nest area. b.Restrict fuelwood cutting near existing nests. 1.Thick stands of mesquite protect small growing cottonwoods from cattle. 2.Mesquite stabilizes banks from erosion. 3.Fuelwood cutting during breeding season near nests may cause eagles to abandon eggs. 2.Promote growth of cottonwood trees at Fort McDowell by managing for existing trees and/or planting new trees and poles (protection from beaver predation should be implemented). 3.Sign nest areas with signs produced by SRP to help reduce disturbing activities near nests. 4.Continue to work with Fort McDowell on educating Tribal members on eagle ecology and carrying out management activities outlined by the USFWS for the current agricultural development funded in part by the BR. 5.Continue nestwatch activities. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Ive's Wash Breeding Area June 1994 Page 33 Observation period Nestwatchers arrived at Alamo Lake on 5 January 1993. The Ive's Wash nest was occasionally watched until 12 February when consistent monitoring began. Everyday monitoring by two teams of nestwatchers began on 12 February and continued until 22 May. After 22 May, the site was spot-checked until nestwatchers left the lake on 14 June. The nest was monitored for 94 days totaling 1030 hours, 367 hours of observation were spent on 32 dawn-to-dusk days. River flows greater than 200 cubic feet per second (cfs) made it necessary to travel over the desert to an observation point instead of an easier rivers edge route. The 1.5 hour hike reduced the amount of observation time on dawn-to-dusk days. Eagle activity Incubation began in nest #3 between 30 December 1992 and 11 January 1993. At least one eaglet hatched between 5-12 February. Nestwatchers initially observed adult eagles feeding in two places when eaglets were not visible, indicating that two young may have hatched. On 21 February, only one eaglet became visible in the nest. On 9 March, the Alamo eaglet was fostered into the nest with the Ive's Wash eaglet. Both eaglets fledged successfully on 10 May and later were observed in the nest area on 2 June. The Ive's Wash snag nest in Woody's Cove was inundated along with the all Alamo snag nests. Both adult eagles were unbanded birds in adult plumage. Human activity Aircraft (military jets, small planes, helicopters, sonic boom) represented 124 (99.2%) of the 125 human activities recorded (Table 17). Military jets (n=107) represented an overwhelming percentage (86.3%) of the total activities recorded. The few amount of jets recorded on dawn-todusk days reflects the military's lack of flying during weekends. The most common response by the eagles to the flying activities was to "watch" (n=62, 49.6%). Eagles were recorded as being "restless" on six occasions when jets passed overhead. Restless behaviors recorded were adults being interrupted while feeding (n=3) and eaglets ducking during overflights (n=2). Soon after we placed the 4.5 week old eaglet from the zoo into the nest a group of jets passed through the canyon. The eaglet which had hatched in the nest sat motionless as jets flew by, but the "fostered" eaglet ducked and flattened itself against the nest. Other than flying through and over the canyon below the dam, six F-16 jets on 6 May were observed releasing flares in a mock dogfight over the breeding area. Although this occurred at an elevation greater than 600 meters (2000 foot FAA advisory), it does reflect the extensive airspace use of the Alamo/Ive's Wash breeding areas. Table 17. Human activity, Ive's Wash Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Type N Military jets Small planes Military helicopters Sonic boom Agency workers Total 1 June 1994 Page 34 Eagle behavior toward human activity1 W 51 5 6 62 R 6 2 8 F 1 1 L 0 B 1 1 ? 16 1 1 18 D-D total2 12 (63.2%) 3 (15.8%) 4 (21.0%) 0 0 19 (100%) Total 107 (85.6%) 8 (6.4%) 8 (6.4%) 1 (0.8%) 1 (0.8%) 125 (100%) 34 2 36 2 N=None, W=Watched, R=Restless, F=Flushed, L=Left Area, B=eagle not in area, ?=Unknown. D-D Total=Information collected on dawn-to-dusk observation days. Wildlife interactions The Ive's Wash eagles were observed interacting with common ravens, red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, peregrine falcons, subadult bald eagles, great blue herons, and a raccoon. Observation of interactions with the Alamo eagles are described in the Alamo Breeding Area section. Nearby nesting common ravens, red-tailed hawks and peregrine falcons were the most active species interacting with the bald eagles. Peregrine falcons were observed interacting with the eagles on 11 April and 6 May. Observations of peregrines continued to occur in late May, but no further interactions were recorded. The timing of the peregrine interactions strongly suggests that falcons are breeding downriver of the eagle nests in the Bill Williams canyon. Food habits Although no captures of prey were observed, eagles were commonly observed flying from the lake and over Alamo Dam with food in their talons. Consistent with previous years, foraging most likely took place at the lake (Hunt et al. 1992, Beatty 1993). But due to the inundation of hunting perches on the north end of the lake, specific locations of the Ive's Wash success was unknown. Releases of water from Alamo Dam ranging from 200-7,000 cfs caused the Bill Williams river to flow fast and turbid. Successful forages for live fish below the dam were not observed and probably did not occur often, yet fish or mammals killed from the high flows were likely picked up by the eagles. A total of 86 prey deliveries were observed by the Ive's Wash eagles: 59 (69%) by the male, 10 (12%) by the female, and 17 (20%) by an unknown resident adult (Table 18). The predominant prey type observed was fish (n=52, 60%). Mammals (n=5, 6%) and birds (n=8, 9%) were also observed in the nest. Species identified in the nest were largemouth bass, unknown catfish species, carp, suckers, kangaroo rat, American coot, and unknown grebe species (Table 19). Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 35 Table 18. Prey types delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Ive's Wash Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types Sex Fish Male Female Unknown1 TOTAL 38 8 6 52 (60.5%) Mammals 3 2 5 (5.8%) Birds 8 8 (9.3%) Unknowns 10 2 9 21 (24.4%) TOTAL 59 (68.6%) 10 (11.6%) 17 (19.8%) 86 (100%) Table 19. Prey species delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Ive's Wash Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types2 Sex Fish LMB Male Female Unknown1 TOTAL 8 1 1 10 CRP 1 1 SKR 1 1 CAT 5 1 1 7 FSH 23 6 4 33 Mammals KRT 1 1 MAM 2 2 4 ACT 3 3 Birds GRB 1 1 BRD 4 4 ? UNK 10 2 9 21 59 (68.6%) 10 (11.6%) 17 (19.8%) 86 (100%) TOTAL 1 2 Unknown - Undetermined sex of resident adult that delivered a prey item Prey types = LMB = largemouth bass, CRP= carp, SKR=sucker sp., CAT=catfish sp., FSH=fish sp., KRT=kangaroo rat sp., MAM=mammal sp., ACT=American coot, GRB=grebe sp., BRD=bird sp., UNK=unknown. Management activities Buoys were placed in a semi-circle at a distance of 100 m around the Ive's Wash snag nest #2 in Woody's Cove on 30 December 1992. Buoys had the international symbol for "No Entry" and the words "No Entry" on them. A "No Entry" sign and blockade was placed at the road leading to Woody's Cove. Signs were placed at Alamo Dam and upriver and downriver of nest #1 to restrict discharge of firearms on 30 December 1992. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 36 Signs were placed at boat ramps informing boaters of buoyed wildlife closure areas on the lake. Maps of the closed and restricted firearms area were posted and copied for distribution at Alamo State Parks office and Wayside Inn. Bald eagle brochures were given for distribution to Alamo State Parks office and Wayside Inn. The ABENWP display was presented at Alamo Lake for the months of January and February 1993. Cooperation between the Phoenix Zoo, AGFD, USFWS and helicopter support from Channel 10, allowed us to successfully foster the "zoo" eaglet from the Alamo nest into the Ive's Wash nest. Management recommendations 1.The Ive's Wash snag nest in Woody's Cove was inundated. Periodic visits to the lake from September-December to determine if the nest is still standing or if the eagles are building a new nest on the lake will be necessary. 2.If a new nest is built or if the Woody's Cove nest is still standing, buoy a semi-circled area around the nest tree consistent with buoy placement and scheduling from 1991-1993. 3.Continue to restrict firearm discharges below the dam, place signs at boat ramps, place signs along the Bill Williams River, block off the road to Woody's Cove, and distribute brochures at visited places on the lake. 4.Coordinate a December meeting with State Parks, BLM, USFWS and AGFD personnel to work on logistics for ABENWP monitors. 5.Develop additional funding from the ACOE for monitoring of Alamo Lake to fulfill section 7 obligations for potential inundation of future nests. 6.Work with Luke Air Force Base to redirect low-level military jet flights away from Alamo Lake. 7.Continue nestwatch activities. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Ladders Breeding Area June 1994 Page 37 Observation period The Ladders Breeding Area was observed from 6 February to 21 March. A total of 209 hours over 34 days occurred throughout the monitoring period; 16 days were dawn-to-dusk days. Eagle activity Incubation began in nest #3 between 30 January and 1 February. Two eaglets hatched between 810 March. Nestwatchers left the site for their days off on Monday, 15 March. When they returned on 19 March both adult eagles were observed, but no eaglets were in the nest. Audubon Society volunteers watched the site on Wednesday, 17 March and did not observe any eaglets but did record an aggressive interaction at the nest between two adults. The observation point across Chasm Creek provides a good view into the nest from above. The Audubon volunteer's observation narrows the time of the eaglets' death between the afternoon of 15 March and the early morning of 17 March. The nest was climbed on 21 March and approximately 40 Mexican chicken bugs were observed. It is likely that because these bugs are very small (an individual bug is about the size of a pinhead) many more existed in the nest. These blood-sucking ectoparasites (from the family Cimicidae), were initially documented in Arizona bald eagle nests by Grubb (1986) and linked to the deaths of 7 nestling Arizona bald eagles from 1987-1989 (Hunt et al. 1992). Nest #3 most recently contained chicken bugs the last two times it was used (1987 and 1989). Two nestlings fledged from both of these attempts. Nest #4, located 1 kilometer upriver of nest #3 has never been observed to contain chicken bugs. Initially, our belief was that chicken bugs were responsible for the death of the Ladders eaglets. Observations of an interaction at the nest made by Audubon Society volunteer Jim Powers on 17 March, caused us to consider additional causes (than solely chicken bugs) for the death of the Ladders eaglets. Powers, after not observing any eaglets for 4 hours, observed two adult eagles interacting in the nest at 1229 pm. The following is an excerpt from Powers field notes: "Second adult...flies down to nest. Both adults get into a fight. Using talons and beaks they confront each other and literally roll off nest in a tussle. Then the second adult flies behind cliff and is not seen." Intruding bald eagles have been observed in Arizona (Hunt et al. 1992, Carroll and Housser in prep.) aggressively interacting with breeding resident bald eagles and their offspring. An incident observed at the Cibecue Breeding Area in 1987 shares many of the components observed at Ladders this year. At Cibecue, the resident female was last observed being chased by an intruder near-adult male. The resident male was then left to defend the nest when the intruder male was observed entering the nest and attacking and killing the five-week old eaglet. The resident male drove the intruder away. Similar to Ladders in 1993, after the eaglet was discovered dead, the nest was climbed and heavy infestations of chicken bugs were observed. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 38 The interaction that Powers observed is clearly atypical for a mated pair of eagles. With previous documentation of aggressive interactions with intruder bald eagles (Hunt et al. 1992) and the quick disappearance of the eaglets it would be safe to speculate that the intruder eagle was responsible for the death of the two Ladders eaglets. Quite possibly though, Mexican chicken bugs contributed by causing the adults to spend more time away from the nest, thus leaving the small young more vulnerable to predators. Human activity A total of 164 activities were observed at the Ladders BA in 1993. The most common activities observed were aircraft and watercraft (Table 20). A total of 77 small planes and 3 helicopters represented 46.4 percent of the total activities recorded. Canoes, rafters and boaters (n=80) represented 48.2 percent of the total activities recorded. The recorded number of 80 boat parties consisted of 271 individual boats over two months time. This surpasses the total of number of individual boats recorded in 1992 (n=250) in four months (Beatty 1993). Most certainly, the high water flows resulted in prime river running conditions bringing out a large number of boaters. Few significant responses were recorded from watercraft and aircraft. Yet, 16 groups of boaters disembarked within the closed area. Two groups exited at the Chasm Creek confluence where the nest is located. One stopped for lunch, the other tried to climb the "ladders" and cliff to the top of the canyon. Both groups did not realize they were within a closure and left after being contacted by nestwatchers. More positively, as nestwatchers walked along the river after approaching hikers within the closure, a group of boaters informed the nestwatchers that they were within an eagle closure. The most unusual activity occurred on 10 March when a funeral group of 28 people walked to the cliff edge approximately 0.1 km from the nest. The group held a short funeral memorial and tossed the deceased's ashes into the canyon. The USGS gauging station located below nest #4 was broken during heavy river flows. Fixing this station was postponed in late January due to the incubating eagles. Later, as rain continued to fall, concern grew over not knowing the amount of water entering Horseshoe Reservoir. The station was fixed during incubation on 22 February. The nestwatchers were made aware and were instructed to monitor the eagles activities. The incubating eagles were attentive to the activity, but did not flush or display any overt restless behavior. Wildlife interactions The eagles were observed interacting with common ravens, red-tailed hawks, American kestrels, bald eagles and river otters. Eagles were observed watching otters and foraging on a soft-shelled turtle left on shore by the otter. Described in detail above in the "Eagle activity" section, Audubon volunteers observed an intruder eagle interact with a resident adult at the nest. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 39 Table 20. Human activity, Ladders Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Type N Small plane Helicopters Canoes Hikers Boaters Rafters Agency workers Researchers Dogs Total 1 Eagle behavior toward human activity1 W 6 1 9 1 2 1 20 R 8 1 2 11 F 1 1 L 1 1 B 3 8 1 12 ? 1 1 2 D-D total2 55 (40.4%) 3 (2.2%) 39 (28.7%) 3 (2.2%) 21 (15.4%) 11 (8.1%) 1 (0.7%) 1 (0.7%) 2 (1.5%) 136 (100%) Total 80 (46.5%) 3 (1.7%) 45 (26.2%) 5 (2.9%) 22 (12.8%) 13 (7.6%) 1 (0.6%) 1 (0.6%) 2 (1.2%) 172 (100%) 63 1 26 4 18 11 2 125 2 N=None, W=Watched, R=Restless, F=Flushed, L=Left Area, B=eagle not in area, ?=Unknown. D-D Total=Information collected on dawn-to-dusk observation days. Food habits Due to the death of the eaglets at a young age, few forage attempts and prey deliveries were recorded in 1993 (Tables 21 and 22). The male was observed flying to the cliff across from the nest and catching a rock squirrel and flying to the shoreline to capture a shorebird. Management activities Audubon volunteers monitored the nest on the nestwatchers days-off. The USGS worked with the USFWS and AGFD in their efforts to fix the gauging station without disrupting the eagles activities. Table 21. Observed forage events1 and success by bald eagles at the Ladders Breeding Area ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types Sex Fish Birds Mammals Carrion TOTAL Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 E2 Male Female TOTAL 1 June 1994 Page 40 E 1 1 S-U 1-0 1-0 2 1-1 E 2 S-U 1-1 E 1 1 2 S-U 1-0 1-0 2-0 E 4 1 5 S-U 3-1 1-0 4-1 S-U3 - - Each number represents a forage event for a food item not the number of strikes to capture the item E = Forage events observed 3 S-U = Successful captures of prey - unsuccessful capture of prey 2 Table 22. Prey types delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Ladders Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types Sex Fish Male Female TOTAL 3 1 4 (44.4%) Mammals 1 1 (11.1%) Birds 1 1 (11.1%) Unknowns 1 2 3 (33.3%) TOTAL 6 (66.6%) 3 (33.3%) 9 (100%) Management recommendations 1.Signs were washed away during the high river flows in 1993. Replacing these signs will be necessary before the 1994 breeding season. Due to the number of boat parties that disembarked within the closure it would be prudent to sign the closure's boundary and place `signs at common take-out spots. This would effectively inform boaters that they are still inside a closure and reduce unnecessary disturbance to nesting eagles. Common take-out locations are the Chasm Creek confluence downriver to the southern end of the closure's boundary. 2.The Audubon Society volunteers are an excellent way to monitor the nest during the nestwatcher's days-off. But, if care is not taken in Audubon's monitoring, potentially, more harm than good could occur. Over the past two seasons, Audubon volunteers have traveled too closely to the eagles during incubation and monitored an alternate inactive nest. The Verde Ranger District of the USFS has done an excellent job of coordinating this additional effort from Audubon. However, to prevent misunderstandings and increase effectiveness, it is recommended that Audubon volunteers meet with nestwatchers in the field to go over "do's and don'ts" and eagle emergency protocol. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 3.Continue nestwatch activities. June 1994 Page 41 Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Lake Pleasant Breeding Area June 1994 Page 42 Observation period Observation began on 5 February 1993. A second team of nestwatchers arrived on 6 March and the site was monitored daily until 18 May. The site was monitored a total of 908 hours over 90 days of observation. Eagle activity Incubation began in nest #2 between 11-18 January 1993. At least one young hatched between 2023 February. Adult eagles were observed feeding in two places soon after eggs hatched, but only one eaglet (first observed on 12 March) was ever seen. The eaglet fledged between 30 May and 5 June. This was the first recorded eaglet that hatched and fledged from the Pleasant BA. The adult male eagle was in its sixth year and banded with a blue visual identification band (VID) engraved with a "W" on the left tarsus and a silver USFWS band on the right. This blue VID band was placed on the bird as a nestling at the Horse Mesa BA (Hunt et. al 1992). The female eagle was an unbanded bird in adult plumage. Human activity A total of 306 human activities were observed throughout the breeding season (Table 23). Small planes were recorded the most (n=128, 41.8%), followed by boaters (n=94, 30.7%), military jets (n=36, 11.8%), and helicopters (n=29, 9.5%). Low-flying aircraft (small planes, helicopters, military jets, and ultralights) was the most predominant group recorded (n=195, 63.7%). Eagles were observed behaving in a restless manner 37 times, representing 14% of the recorded responses (n=264). Twenty of 128 small planes, 5 of 29 helicopters, and 10 of 36 military jets caused eagles to be restless. Although only three ultralights were observed, two caused eagles to be restless. Most (72%) aircraft were recorded on weekends. The proximity of Deer Valley and Falcon Field airports and curiosity to view the "new" lake size were likely contributors to the large amount of aircraft flying over Lake Pleasant. Motorized boats represented the second largest group recorded in the breeding area (n=94, 30.7%). However, only 35 (37.2%) of these boats were unofficial boats, the other 59 (62.8%) boats were park ranger, sheriff, and AGFD patrol boats inspecting the closed area for violations and other official business. Thirteen boats (13.9%) caused eagles to respond significantly: eagles were restless 9 times, left the area 3 times, and were interrupted once during a forage attempt. Vehicles (3 vehicles and 1 ORV) were nearly absent in the data set for 1993. The long 15 mile trip through two creeks, some tricky turns, and abundant closure signs probably kept most people from finding their way to the north end of the lake. But, as people begin to explore the new lake and further paving occurs west of the lake, management of vehicle traffic will have to be more aggressive. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 43 1993 was the first season that nestwatchers monitored the Lake Pleasant BA for an entire season. It was also the first season of the higher lake levels (~70 feet). In previous years, access to the nest area by boat was severely limited. Boating represented a management challenge not previously encountered at Pleasant. The recorded activity in 1993 indicates that the public responded well to the buoyed closure at the entrance to the Agua Fria arm of the lake. Compared to a buoyed closure at Alamo Lake in 1992 where 180 boats entered the area (Beatty 1993), only 35 "unofficial" boats were recorded entering the Pleasant closure. Reasons for the remarkable compliance were consistent nestwatch and enforcement presence, radio communication between nestwatchers and park enforcement, informational hand-outs at the park entrance, press releases and newspaper articles, radio programs and interviews, and television coverage. Table 23. Human activity, Lake Pleasant Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Type N Small planes Helicopters Gunshots Kayaks ORV Boaters Military jets Agency worker Ultralights Vehicle Jet Ski Rock slides Total 1 Eagle behavior toward human activity1 W 76 21 47 14 2 1 2 3 166 R 20 5 9 10 2 2 48 F 2 2 L 3 3 B X 1 1 ? 20 2 1 13 6 42 D-D total2 100 (46.7%) 18 (8.4%) 1 (0.4%) 1 (0.4%) 1 (0.4%) 62 (29.0%) 21 (9.8%) 3 (1.4%) 2 (0.9%) 2 (0.9%) 2 (0.9%) 2 (0.9%) 214 (100%) Total 128 (41.8%) 29 (9.5%) 1 (0.3%) 1 (0.3%) 1 (0.3%) 94 (30.7%) 36 (11.8%) 4 (1.3%) 3 (1.0%) 3 (1.0%) 4 (1.3%) 2 (0.7%) 306 (100%) 12 1 1 1 21 6 1 1 44 2 N=None, W=Watched, R=Restless, F=Flushed, L=Left Area, B=eagle not in area, X= other, ?=Unknown. D-D Total=Information collected on dawn-to-dusk observation days. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 44 Wildlife interactions The Lake Pleasant eagles were observed interacting with bald eagles, ospreys, peregrine falcons, prairie falcons, American kestrels, red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, common ravens, American crows, great blue herons, black-crowned night herons, hummingbird species, gull sp., flycatcher sp., and burros. Nesting prairie falcons on a nearby cliff west of the eagle's nest were the source of most interactions. Nesting great blue and black-crowned night herons also interacted often with the eagles. Certainly, the most odd interaction occurred when an eagle perched above the nest was flushed after two burros approached within 4 meters of the bird. Peregrine falcons pursued the eagles twice in March. Food habits Eagles were recorded attempting to forage on 14 separate instances in the 1.2 kilometer observable stretch of lake in front of the nest cliff (Table 24). One forage attempt for a white bass was successful. Eagles attempted to capture birds on 8 occasions, but were unsuccessful each time. A total of 99 prey deliveries were observed (Table 25). The male arrived with 64 (65%) items and the female brought in 35 (35%) items. Fish were recorded arriving 35 times to the nest followed by 6 birds, 4 mammals and 54 unknowns. Species identified in the nest were flathead catfish, carp, black crappie, white bass, largemouth bass, and American coot (Table 26). Additional species observed in prey remains collected were feathers from Gambel's quail, woodpecker sp., dove sp., duck sp. and wren sp. Lake elevations ranged from 1593.0 feet on 7 January to 1665.8 feet on 1 June. This level is still shy of the projected high of 1702 feet expected in the winter of 1994. In 1993, eagles were observed near the dam and also flying up the Agua Fria arm. Important forage locations for these eagles are unknown, but it is safe to speculate that prey was acquired both on the lake and the "river" upstream of the nest. It is also assumed that because of the increased lake elevation, eagles will have more locations to find fish. Yet, in future seasons, Lake Pleasant's elevations are projected to fluctuate from 1640 feet to 1685 feet for storage and release back into the Hayden-Rhodes Aqueduct of the Central Arizona Project canal. Whether this change in elevation will have an affect the fisheries or the eagle's ability to acquire food is unknown. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 45 Table 24. Observed forage events1 and success by bald eagles at the Lake Pleasant Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types Sex Fish E2 Male Female TOTAL 1 Birds E 4 4 S-U 0-4 0-4 E 6 8 14 TOTAL S-U 1-5 0-8 1-13 S-U3 1-1 0-8 1-9 2 8 10 Each number represents a forage event for a food item not the number of strikes to capture the item E = Forage events observed 3 S-U = Successful captures of prey - unsuccessful capture of prey 2 Table 25. Prey types delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Lake Pleasant Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types Sex Fish Male Female TOTAL 27 8 35 (35.4%) Mammals 3 1 4 (4.0%) Birds 3 3 6 (6.1%) Unknowns 31 23 54 (54.5%) TOTAL 64 (64.6%) 35 (35.4%) 99 (100%) Table 26. Prey species delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Lake Pleasant Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types1 Sex Fish FCT CRP BCP WBS LMB FSH Mammals MAM ACT Birds BRD Unknown UNK TOTAL Male Female 1 - 1 - 1 3 5 - 1 - 18 5 3 1 2 - 1 3 31 23 64 (64.6%) 35 (35.4%) Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 TOTAL 1 1 4 5 1 23 4 2 4 54 June 1994 Page 46 99 (100%) Prey types = FCT=flathead catfish, CRP= carp, BCP=black crappie, WBS=white bass, LMB = largemouth bass, FSH=fish sp., MAM=mammal sp., ACT=American coot, BRD=bird sp., UNK=unknown. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Management activities 1.Buoys blocking off the Agua Fria arm were set in January and removed in mid-July. June 1994 Page 47 2.Signs were in place along the road into the eagle area informing the public that the road was closed for breeding bald eagles. 3.Informational fliers presenting Arizona and Lake Pleasant eagle facts and a map of the closure were given to the Park to hand-out to each boater entering the lake. 4.Television news segments, radio interviews and programs, and newspaper articles described the Pleasant bald eagles and the closed area. 5.Cactus salvaging activities by the BR were not conducted in the eagle area for logistical and safety reasons and to reduce disturbance to the eagles. Management recommendations 1.Continue to place buoys blocking off the Agua Fria arm. The high amount of recreation that Lake Pleasant receives due to its proximity to Phoenix threatens the success of this nest. Boaters in 1993 were very responsive to the buoys. As the Lake Pleasant's facilities improve to accommodate more people (boat ramps, roads, campgrounds) and the lake level rises higher boating may grow to be a larger problem should eagles remain using nest #2. a.As water elevations reach Pleasant's maximum of 1702 feet, boaters will be able to access the nest area from the north. A channel is supposed to develop allowing access to the Agua Fria north of the nest cliff. Buoying off this access area in addition to the area that was buoyed in 1993 will be necessary. 2.Continue to aggressively educate the public about the closure and bald eagles at Pleasant. Fliers with Arizona eagle facts and a map of the closure were given to the park to distribute to each boater as they entered the park. The fliers were not consistently handed out by park personnel, yet were still available at the ranger station. Make these fliers available at boat ramps and to every boater entering the lake. This can potentially be the best way to educate the public on Arizona's eagle population. Continue to: a.Distribute pamphlets. b.Distribute information through radio, television and print media. c.Sign boat ramps. 3.Vehicles entering the breeding area were not a problem in 1993. Automobiles may become more of a management difficulty in the future as the west side of the park gets paved and the public begins to explore the north end of the lake. Continue to: Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 48 a.Sign the road closed entering the nest area. b.Enhance the closure with a fence or blockade to emphasize that the road is closed to the public during the breeding season. 4.Continue to monitor the site with nestwatchers and supply them with radios to communicate with park enforcement. 5.Provide a thank you flier and press release to Pleasant recreationists for their contribution toward bald eagle management. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Orme Breeding Area June 1994 Page 49 Observation period A total of 646 hours over 71 days were spent observing the Orme BA from 19 February to 23 May. The nest was watched for 426 hours over the dawn-to-dusk days. Eagle activity Eagles laid eggs in cliff nest #3 on Mount McDowell between 1-7 February. Two eggs were observed in the nest on 13 March. Both eggs hatched near 15 or 16 March. Nestlings were first observed on 19 March. One eaglet fell from the nest and died about 5 May. The bird was found dead on 6 May. Heavy winds more than likely caused this eagle to fall. This was the second bird in two consecutive years to have fallen from a cliff nest at Orme and die. One eaglet fledged between 31 May and 6 June. A fire burned through the breeding area between Mount McDowell and Arizona Dam Butte in July 1993. Similar to the fire that occurred on Mount McDowell in 1990, no nests were reached by the flames. Both resident eagles were unbanded birds in full adult plumage. Human activity A total of 254 human activities were recorded near the nest at Orme in 1993. Aircraft (small planes, helicopters) represented 92 percent (n=234) of all activities recorded. The remaining 8 percent (n=20) were hikers climbing near or on Mount McDowell (Table 27). Hiking activity decreased as the outdoor temperatures increased toward the end of the nesting cycle. All but one group of hikers were encountered on weekends. The nest area, located approximately 1.5 kilometers from the Salt River, was not affected by casual human activity from river oriented recreation. Yet, the effects of human activity along the river on the eagle's foraging grounds is unknown. Aircraft use is common near the Orme BA. The proximity of Falcon Field, Scottsdale and Deer Valley airports are the main source of private plane owners. McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company, Maricopa County Sheriffs Office, and other Phoenix based helicopter use has been observed flying near the Orme BA. Certainly, the close proximity of Phoenix and the notoriety of Mount McDowell attracts aircraft closer to the mountain than they would normally approach. Evidence for this were the five helicopters that were recorded landing on top of the mountain. Twice, perched eagles flushed and did not return until the helicopters left. On all five occasions, helicopters spent fewer than 15 minutes on top of the mountain. Wildlife interactions Similar to previous seasons (Hunt et al. 1992, Beatty 1993) when eagles nested on Mount McDowell (1990, 1992) eagles commonly pursued and were pursued by nesting prairie falcons and common ravens. Eagles were also observed interacting with turkey vultures and red-tailed hawks. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Table 27. Human activity, Orme Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Type N Small Plane Helicopter Hikers Total 1 2 June 1994 Page 50 Eagle behavior toward human activity1 W 56 28 1 85 R 4 4 3 11 F 2 1 3 L 1 1 B 1 1 ? 53 22 5 80 D-D total2 129 (74.6%) 26 (15.0%) 18 (10.4%) 173 (100%) Total 171 (66.8%) 65 (25.4%) 20 (7.8%) 256 (100%) 57 9 9 75 N=None, W=Watched, R=Restless, F=Flushed, L=Left Area, B=eagle not in area, ?=Unknown. D-D Total=Information collected on dawn-to-dusk observation days. Five interactions with intruder bald eagles were observed in 1993. Near-adult bald eagles were observed four times interacting with the resident eagles. On 6 and 7 March a near-adult missing primary feathers from its left wing was escorted from the breeding area by the adult male. On 11 March a near-adult was observed in a talon-lock and barrel roll three times during an interaction with the resident male. On 12 March, another near-adult was pursued and escorted from the area by the resident male. On 23 April, an unknown adult was pursued from the area by both resident adults. Table 28. Prey types delivered to nest by bald eagles at the Orme Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types Sex Fish Male Female Unknown1 TOTAL 1 Mammals 3 2 1 6 (12.0%) Unknowns 7 4 11 (22.0%) TOTAL 24 (48.0%) 24 (48.0%) 2 (4.0%) 50 (100%) 14 18 1 33 (66.0%) Unknown - Undetermined sex of resident adult that delivered a prey item Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 51 Food habits A total of 50 prey deliveries were recorded entering the Orme nest in 1993. Both the male and the female delivered 24 items apiece. An unknown resident adult arrived with two. Thirty-three (66%) fish were delivered to the nest. Mammals (n=6, 12%) and unknown items (n=11, 22%) were also delivered. Species identified in the nest were channel catfish, carp, black crappie, unknown bass, desert cottontail and a wood rat. Due to the great distance that the nest area is from the river, no forage attempts were observed. Management activities The Salt River Pima Indian Tribe installed a road closure, prohibiting vehicles to travel up the jeep trail between Mount McDowell and Arizona Dam Butte. Management recommendations 1.Continue Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch monitoring. 2.The road closure to Mount McDowell has helped reduce foot traffic in the nest area. Continue implementing this seasonal closure. 3.Nestwatchers have discovered that unauthorized hikers are approaching Mount McDowell from dirt road that originates from a turn-off of a canal road west of Mount McDowell. This road terminates at the base of the mountain on the southwestern side. Often nestwatchers observe people already on the mountain that have ascended from the blind side. Closing this road would help stop these unauthorized hikers. 4.Distribute more information to local airports to help reduce air traffic near Orme nests. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Pinto Breeding Area June 1994 Page 52 Observation period The Pinto BA was observed between 15 March and 12 April. A total of 17 days were spent at the site totaling 174 hours. Every day of monitoring was from dawn-to-dusk. All monitoring days were weekends and every other Friday. Pinto nest watchers split time between Pinto and Tonto due to the heavy recreational pressure near Tonto. Eagle activity Eagles were first observed incubating in nest #3 between 21 January and 8 February. Hatching of one eaglet occurred prior to 18 March and fledging near 10 June. The Pinto BA was successful for the first time since the site's discovery in 1988. Prior to 1993, the Pinto female was in a polygynous relationship with the Pinal eagles (Hunt et al. 1992, Beatty 1993). The Pinto female would lay eggs after copulating with the Pinal male, but would fail soon after because it could not incubate the eggs alone. The 1993 season was the first year the Pinto female occupied the territory with her own male. The male was in adult plumage and wore a silver USFWS band on the left leg. The Pinto female is in adult plumage and has a black VID band on its left leg and a silver USFWS band on its right. This bird also wears a radiotelemetry backpack from BSAI's study (Hunt et al. 1992). Human activity A total of 18 human activities were observed at the Pinto BA during the 17 days of monitoring. Anglers (n=3), boaters (n=4), and ORV's (n=4) represented the bulk of the activities recorded. Jet ski's (n=2) were also observed in the Salt River near the nest (Table 29). Due to the distance the water was from the nest in 1993, the recorded river traffic (n=9) did not appear to affect the eagles. Yet, when the levels of Roosevelt Lake rise in 1996, watercraft activities will more than likely increase. The increase in boating activity and easy access to the nest will require more intensive management. Terrestrial activity was also minimal over the 17 days of monitoring. Off-road vehicles were recorded 4 times and gunshots were heard twice. A variety of dirt roads exist in and about the nest area's grove of cottonwood trees. But fortunately for the eagles, the immediate nest area is protected by thick jungles of salt cedar and mesquite. It is unknown how terrestrial activity will change once the lake levels rise. Wildlife interactions The eagles were observed chasing a raven from the nest area on one occasion. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Table 29. Human activity, Pinto Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Type N Anglers ORV Jet ski Boaters Gunshots Agency workers Small plane Total 1 June 1994 Page 53 Eagle behavior toward human activity1 W 2 2 2 1 7 R 0 F 1 1 L B ? D-D total2 3 (17.6%) 4 (23.5%) 2 (11.8%) 4 (23.5%) 2 (11.8%) 1 (5.9%) 1 (5.9%) 17 (100%) Total 3 (17.6%) 4 (23.5%) 2 (11.8%) 4 (23.5%) 2 (11.8%) 1 (5.9%) 1 (5.9%) 17 (100%) 3 2 2 2 9 2 N=None, W=Watched, R=Restless, F=Flushed, L=Left Area, B=eagle not in area, ?=Unknown. D-D Total=Information collected on dawn-to-dusk observation days. Food habits No forage attempts were observed, yet eagles were frequently seen flying to and from the direction of Roosevelt Lake where they were most likely acquiring food. Six prey deliveries were observed. All were brought to the nest by the adult male eagle. Five items were identified as unknown fish and one was unknown to type. Management activities Archaeological activities were postponed at Meddler Point by the BR until eagles had successfully raised the young. Management recommendations 1.Prior to the rising of Roosevelt Lake in 1996, the Pinto Breeding Area will most likely need few management activities other than: a.Restricting access to roads leading to the nest area. b.Continue nestwatch activities. 2.Once the lake rises more extensive monitoring and management will be needed. a.Buoys or floating berms will need to restrict boat access to the nest area. b.Nestwatchers will need a boat to contact boaters near the nest area. c.Campgrounds have become more developed near areas of the Salt River inflow to Roosevelt. Education and signs near these areas will be necessary in order to inform and educate Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 54 recreationists. d.The increased lake level will eventually kill the live Pinto nest trees. Because eagles in Arizona do nest in snags, should these trees/snags remain standing, eagles will probably continue to use them as nests. However, unlike the Alamo BA that also uses snags, it appears that there is no immediate alternative nest tree for these birds once the trees/snags fall. 1.It may be prudent to plant cottonwood trees in a future conservation area set aside from recreation areas. 2.Although artificial nest structures are discouraged because they do not solve the bigger problem of habitat degradation, the Pinto BA may be one site that there is few alternatives. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 Sheep Breeding Area June 1994 Page 55 Observation period The Sheep Breeding Area was monitored for the first time by the ABENWP since 1988. From 6 February 1993 to 14 March 1993, a total of 26 days and 239 hours were spent monitoring the area. Fifteen days consisting of 167 hours of observation were spent monitoring from dawn-todusk. Eagle activity The Sheep eagles did not lay eggs in 1993, yet we have progressively observed more eagle activity over the past three seasons. In 1991, the site was consistently checked throughout the breeding season, but no eagles were observed. The following year, observations of a near-adult female with a green VID band, USFWS band, and telemetry backpack paired with an unbanded male adult eagle were made in the area. Throughout the 1992 breeding season, the BR (H. Messing pers. comm.) reported observations of perched eagles in the Punkin Center area. Although we observed eagles in the nest area in 1992, a family of great-horned owls successfully raised three young in nest #1. In 1993, what appeared to be the same pair of eagles were observed perched in the nest area prior to the arrival of monitors. Although eagles were regularly seen in the area, the birds were first observed perched together in the nest on 24 February. At this time, both eagles began to renovate nest #1 daily for 1-3 hours until 6 March when nest repair ceased. Afterwards, the birds were not observed working on the nest again and were seen less than 2 hours a day in the nest area until nestwatchers left the site. The female was banded with a green VID band on the left leg, USFWS band on the right, and a telemetry backpack. The symbol engraved on the VID band was a "C" inside a circle indicating that this bird hatched from the 76 Breeding Area in 1988. The male was an unbanded eagle in adult plumage. Human activity Heavy rain and flooding of Tonto Creek and minimal observation time were likely contributors to the small amount of human activity recorded in the Sheep Breeding Area in 1993. A total of 11 activities in 6 different categories were recorded (Table 30). Seven (63.6%) of the activities occurred when a bird was not in the nest area. Wildlife interactions The Sheep eagles were observed interacting with subadult bald eagles, common ravens, redtailed hawks, great blue herons, and a great-horned owl. All four interactions with a subadult bald eagles occurred from 20-24 March. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 56 Food habits Three forage attempts were made from a cottonwood perch 1.4 river kilometers downriver from the nest (Table 31). An unsuccessful attempt was made for a common merganser and unknown fish species. Table 30. Human activity, Sheep Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Type N Helicopters ORV Small planes Shooters Hikers Hunters Total 1 Eagle behavior toward human activity1 W 0 R 0 F 1 1 L 1 1 B 1 1 3 2 7 ? D-D total2 1 (16.7%) 1 (16.7%) 1 (16.7%) 1 (16.7%) 2 (33.3%) 0 6 (100%) Total 2 (18.2%) 1 (9.1%) 1 (9.1%) 4 (36.4%) 2 (18.2%) 1 (9.1%) 11 (100%) 1 1 2 2 N=None, W=Watched, R=Restless, F=Flushed, L=Left Area, B=eagle not in area, ?=Unknown. D-D Total=Information collected on dawn-to-dusk observation days. Table 31. Observed forage events1 and success by bald eagles at the Sheep Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Prey types Sex Fish E2 Male Female TOTAL 1 1 1 S-U3 0-1 1-0 1-1 Birds E 1 1 S-U 0-1 1-0 E 2 1 3 TOTAL S-U 0-2 1-0 1-2 Each number represents a forage event for a food item not the number of strikes to capture the item E = Forage events observed 3 S-U = Successful captures of prey - unsuccessful capture of prey 1 2 Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 57 Management activities In January we noticed that a large branch had fallen onto nest #1. The tree was climbed, but because the branch was much larger than we had estimated, it could not be moved. Fortunately, most of the nest was not obstructed by this branch. To help protect the Sheep bald eagles and promote riparian growth along Tonto Creek, the BR purchased a 160 acre piece of land downriver of nest #1 that was proposed for a sand and gravel operation. Management recommendations 1.The Sheep Breeding Area, unlike other Arizona bald eagle breeding areas, is severely limited by the number of potential nest sites. Few large trees in typical locations and no nearby cliffs exist to place a nest. Although the Tonto Creek Riparian Unit (TCRU) developed by the BR and the USFS encompasses the Sheep site, the present nest tree is dying and growth of new trees to nesting size will not exist for decades. An artificial nest and a cottonwood pole planting project may help replace loss of existing trees and speed up the cottonwood regeneration process. If an artificial nest is constructed in this area, it may be beneficial to either build a large nest in an existing tree or to build a nest tower and platform inside the protection of an existing large tree. 2.Increased observations of eagle activity at this breeding area indicates that a future nesting attempt is likely. It would be prudent to inspect the area for new nests in December and January. Should either a new nest or increased eagle activity be observed early, it would be best to station early nest monitors at this site and watch the site daily throughout the season. 3.There exists the possibility of a great deal of human activity in this breeding area due to its close proximity to the highway and the Punkin Center/Jake's Corner/Tonto Creek/Roosevelt communities. Although a closure would be in the best interest of the eagles, the topography does not lend itself to focused access points. Thus, enforcement would be difficult. Continued monitoring by the ABENWP may be the best way to protect these eagles from human activity. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 76 Breeding Area June 1994 Page 58 Observation period Observation of the 76 Breeding Area began on 6 February 1993 and ended on 28 February 1993. The site was monitored for a total of 18 days, totaling 145 hours. Over 10 dawn-to-dusk days the site was watched for 105 hours. Eagle activity Incubation began on 5 or 6 February in nest #3. Activity at the nest remained "normal" until 26 February when the female left the eggs uncovered for 3 hours. On this day she displayed an odd "yawning" behavior. She opened her mouth at regular intervals of 30-35 seconds. She continued to display this odd behavior and left the eggs uncovered on 27 and 28 February for 4.5 hours and 6.3 hours respectively. Rain persisted these final two days of incubation and two eggs were collected for analysis on 28 February. The female was an unbanded bird in adult plumage. The male is in adult plumage and had a silver USFWS band on the left tarsus. We made a mistake in the 1991-1992 ABENWP summary report (Beatty 1993) stating that the male had a band on its right tarsi. The male has been banded on its left tarsi at the 76 Breeding Area since 1988. Human activity Heavy rain, poor road conditions were likely contributors to the few amount of human activities recorded in 1993. A total of 5 activities were recorded (Table 32). Table 32. Human activity, 76 Breeding Area - ABENWP 1993, Arizona. Type N Canoes Horse-riders Hunters Agency workers Total 1 Eagle behavior toward human activity1 W 0 R 0 F 1 1 L 0 B 0 ? 0 D-D total2 1 (25.0%) 1 (25.0%) 1 (25.0%) 1 (25.0%) 4 (100%) Total 1 (20.0%) 2 (40.0%) 1 (20.0%) 1 (20.0%) 5 (100%) 1 2 1 4 2 N=None, W=Watched, R=Restless, F=Flushed, L=Left Area, B=eagle not in area, ?=Unknown. D-D Total=Information collected on dawn-to-dusk observation days. Wildlife interactions One interaction with a red-tailed hawk was observed. Arizona Game and Fish Department ABENWP Summary Report 1993 June 1994 Page 59 Food habits One successful forage attempt was observed approximately 100 m downriver from the nest tree. Perched on the river bank, the female hopped in |
