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ARIZONA BALD EAGLE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 2004 SUMMARY REPORT Kenneth V. Jacobson, Bald Eagle Field Projects Coordinator Jorge S. Canaca, Bald Eagle Biologist John G. Koloszar, Bald Eagle Biologist James T. Driscoll, Bald Eagle Management Coordinator Nongame Branch, Wildlife Management Division Technical Report 247 Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Branch Chief: Leonard Ordway Arizona Game and Fish Department 2221 West Greenway Road Phoenix, Arizona 85023-4399 December 2004 CIVIL RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMPLIANCE The Arizona Game and Fish Commission receives federal financial assistance in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration. Under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, or disability. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire further information please write to: Arizona Game and Fish Department Office of the Deputy Director, DOHQ 2221 West Greenway Road Phoenix, Arizona 85023-4399 And The Office for Diversity and Civil Rights U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 4040 North Fairfax Drive, Room 300 Arlington, Virginia 22203 AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE The Arizona Game and Fish Department complies with all provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This document is available in alternative format by contacting the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Office of the Deputy Director at the address listed above or by calling (602) 789-3290 or TTY 1-800-367-8939. RECOMMENDED CITATION Jacobson, K.V., J.S. Canaca, J.G. Koloszar, and J.T. Driscoll. 2004. Arizona bald eagle management program 2004 summary report. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Technical Report 247. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors acknowledge and appreciate the assistance of the following people: Nick Fiscina, Arizona Public Service; Dana Banwart, GeoMarine Inc. (U.S. Air Combat Command); Terry Gerber and Darcy Kinsman, Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department; National Audubon Society (Arizona chapters); Dave Ritchie, Rio Verde Ranch; Marilyn Ethelbah, Tudor Montague, and Dixie Padilla, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community; John Keane and Lance Stewart, Salt River Project; Stefanie White, San Carlos Apache Tribe; Amy Heuslein, U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs; J.T. Hesse, U.S. Department of Defense (Luke Air Force Base); Ted Cordery, U.S. Bureau of Land Management; Henry Messing and Mark Santee, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation; Greg Beatty and Mary Richardson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Janie Agyagos, Jim Copeland, Noel Fletcher, Cavetta Jones, Gen Masters, Vincente Ordonez, Heidi Planke, Mike Ross, Albert Sillas, Linda Whitetrifaro, and Todd Willard, U.S. Forest Service; Robin Brean, Verde Valley Railroad; Cynthia Dale, White Mountain Apache; Elisabeth Burgard, Barbara Jewett, and Robert Magill, Arizona Game and Fish Department. A special thanks goes out to all the winter count coordinators and volunteers for their hard work and dedication. This report, in part, summarizes the results of monitoring by the Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program using the breeding area (BA) reports submitted by contractors in 2004. Those include: Steve Alsup and Lindsay Reynolds, Bartlett BA; Jean Carpenter and Ernie O’Toole, Box Bar BA; Sara Kennedy and Lyndsay Helleckson, Coolidge BA; Joe Peddie, Cresent BA; Suzanne Ehret and Robert Klotz, Ladders BA; Joe Peddie, Michele Young, Jean Carpenter, Luna BA; Belita Marine and Brian Gerber, Orme BA; Marie-France Julien and Melanie Pilon, Pinto BA; Adriane Albertowicz and Aran Meyer, Pleasant BA; Samantha Burrell and Carl Bullock, San Carlos BA; Jennifer Ottinger and Marion Finucane, Tonto BA; Chris Harrison and Joanie Smith, Tower BA. PROJECT FUNDING Funding for this protect was provided by: Arizona's Nongame Wildlife Checkoff; the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Heritage Fund; Arizona Public Service; Geo-Marine Inc.; Salt River Project; San Carlos Apache Tribe; State Trust Fund Grants; U.S. Bureau of Land Management; U.S. Bureau of Reclamation; U.S. Department of Defense (Luke Air Force Base); U.S. Forest Service (Coconino, Prescott, and Tonto National Forests); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (State Wildlife Grant); and Verde Canyon Railroad. TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction.....................................................................................................................................4 Study Area.......................................................................................................................................4 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count...................................................................................................3 Introduction.........................................................................................................................3 Methods...............................................................................................................................3 Results and Discussion........................................................................................................4 Management Recommendations..........................................................................................5 Arizona Bald Eagle Nest Survey.....................................................................................................5 Introduction.........................................................................................................................5 Methods...............................................................................................................................6 Results.................................................................................................................................6 New Locations Surveyed.........................................................................................7 Historical BAs..........................................................................................................8 Survey Sites with Existing Large Nests...................................................................9 Breeding Areas.........................................................................................................9 Overview................................................................................................................11 Management Recommendations........................................................................................11 Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program.......................................................................................12 Introduction.......................................................................................................................12 Methods.............................................................................................................................13 Results and Discussion......................................................................................................14 Bartlett Breeding Area...........................................................................................14 Box Bar Breeding Area..........................................................................................15 Coolidge Breeding Area........................................................................................16 Crescent Breeding Area.........................................................................................16 Ladders Breeding Area..........................................................................................17 Luna Breeding Area...............................................................................................17 Orme Breeding Area..............................................................................................18 Pinto Breeding Area...............................................................................................19 Pleasant Breeding Area..........................................................................................19 San Carlos Breeding Area......................................................................................20 Tonto Breeding Area..............................................................................................21 Tower Breeding Area.............................................................................................21 Other Interventions............................................................................................................22 Granite Reef Breeding Area...................................................................................22 Management Recommendations........................................................................................22 Literature Cited.............................................................................................................................23 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Summary of the Arizona bald eagle winter count 2004......................................................4 Table 2. Summary of Arizona bald eagle winter counts 1981-1985, 1992-2004..............................5 Table 3. Arizona bald eagle productivity summary 2004................................................................6 Table 4. 2004 Arizona bald eagle nest survey summary, new locations.........................................7 Table 5. 2004 Arizona bald eagle nest survey summary, historical BAs........................................8 Table 6. 2004 Arizona bald eagle nest survey summary, nest sites.................................................9 Table 7. 2004 Arizona bald eagle nest survey summary, BAs......................................................10 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Location of known bald eagle BAs in Arizona, 2004......................................................2 LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix A: 2004 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count Results......................................................25 Appendix B: Raptor Reproductive Status Criteria...........................................................................29 Appendix C: 2004 Arizona Bald Eagle Productivity.......................................................................30 Appendix D: 2004 Nest Survey Results........................................................................................32 Appendix E: Bartlett Breeding Area Summary.............................................................................38 Appendix F: Box Bar Breeding Area Summary............................................................................42 Appendix G: Coolidge Breeding Area Summary..........................................................................44 Appendix H: Crescent Breeding Area Summary...........................................................................49 Appendix I: Ladders Breeding Area Summary..............................................................................51 Appendix J: Luna Breeding Area Summary..................................................................................57 Appendix K: Orme Breeding Area Summary................................................................................59 Appendix L: Pinto Breeding Area Summary.................................................................................61 Appendix M: Pleasant Breeding Area Summary...........................................................................62 Appendix N: San Carlos Breeding Area Summary........................................................................65 Appendix O: Tonto Breeding Area Summary................................................................................68 Appendix P: Tower Breeding Area Summary................................................................................70 ARIZONA BALD EAGLE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 2004 SUMMARY REPORT Kenneth V. Jacobson, Jorge S. Canaca, John G. Koloszar, and James T. Driscoll INTRODUCTION In 1978, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) listed the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as amended (1973) in 43 states (including Arizona), and threatened in five others (USFWS 1982). In Alaska, the USFWS did not list the species and it does not occur in Hawaii. The USFWS downlisted the bald eagle to threatened in 1995 (USFWS 1995), and has proposed to delist in the future (USFWS 1999). Until delisting, the bald eagle remains protected under the ESA. Thereafter, the Airborne Hunting Act, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Lacey Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and Arizona Revised Statute Title 17 will protect the species. To enhance coordination, increase communication, and provide oversight for Arizona bald eagle management, land and wildlife management agencies formed the Southwestern Bald Eagle Management Committee (SWBEMC) in 1984. The members include: Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD), Arizona Public Service (APS), Arizona State Parks Department, Army Corps of Engineers, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Geo-Marine (U.S. Air Combat Command), Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department (MCPRD), Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC), Salt River Project (SRP), San Carlos Apache Tribe (SCAT), Tonto Apache Tribe, U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), U.S. Department of Defense (Luke Air Force Base), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), USFWS, U.S. National Park Service, and White Mountain Apache Tribe. In the past, the Arizona Bald Eagle Management Program annually provided three separate technical reports summarizing Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count, Arizona Bald Eagle Nest Survey, and the Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program (ABENWP). This year, we have compiled all of this information into one report. STUDY AREA Statewide monitoring and surveys were conducted within five biotic communities, (Brown 1994): Great Basin Conifer Woodland, Interior Chaparral, Plains and Great Basin Grasslands, Rocky Mountain (Petran) and Madrean Montane Conifer Forest, and Sonoran Desertscrub-Arizona Upland Subdivision. Other biotic communities visited include Chihuahuan Desertscrub, Mohave Desertscrub, Sonoran Riparian Deciduous Forest and Woodlands, and Sonoran Desert-Lower Colorado Subdivision. Most of Arizona’s bald eagle breeding habitat exists between 329 and 1719 meters (1080 and 5640 ft) elevation in central Arizona (Fig. 1). These breeding areas (BAs) occur within riparian areas of the Upper and Lower Sonoran Life Zones and transition areas (Brown 1994). Plant species vary in each of the five biotic communities. Characteristic species of the Great Basin Conifer Woodland are juniper (Juniperus spp.) and pinyon (Pinus spp.). Interior Chaparral is represented by agave (Agave spp.), crucifixion thorn (Canotia holocantha), evergreen oaks (Quercus spp.), manzanita Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 2 (Arctostaphylos spp.), and skunkbush sumac (Rhus trilobata). Typical species of the Plains and Great Basin Grasslands include bluestem grasses (Andropogon spp.), teddy bear cholla (Opuntia bigelovii) and prickly pear cacti (Opuntia spp.), grama grasses (Bouteloua spp.), and sagebrush (Artemisia spp.). Species often found in the Rocky Mountain and Madrean Montane Conifer Forests are firs (Abies and Pseudotsuga spp.), Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii), oaks (Quercus spp.), pines (Pinus spp.) and spruces (Picea spp.). Common species in the Sonoran Desert-Arizona Upland Subdivision are barrel cacti (Ferocactus spp.), blue palo verde (Cercidium floridum), creosote bush (Larrea tridentate), foothill palo verde (Cercidium microphyllum), mesquite (Prosopis spp.), saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea), Goodding willow (Salix gooddingii), Arizona sycamore (Platanus wrightii), and introduced salt cedar (Tamarix spp.). Figure 1. Location of known bald eagle BAs in Arizona, 2004. The Becker BA is within a Plains and Great Basin Grassland biotic community (Brown 1994). An isolated patch of cottonwoods along the eastern shore of Becker Lake creates local nesting habitat similar to the riparian areas of the Upper and Lower Sonoran Life Zones. Crescent, Dupont, Luna, Lynx, and Rock Creek BAs are in Montane-Conifer Forest (Brown 1994). Representative vegetation includes; blue spruce (Picea pungens), Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) white fir (Abies concolor), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii), and common juniper (Juniperus communis). Riparian vegetation includes narrowleaf cottonwood (Populus angustifolia), thinleaf alder (Alnus tenuifolia), Bebb’s willow (Salix bebbiana) and coyote willow (Salix exigua). Dupont, Lynx, and Rock Creek BAs are located in isolated patches of ponderosa pine surrounded by Interior Chaparral, which consists mainly of pinyon-juniper woodland, shrub live oak (Quercus turbinalla), pointed and pringle manzanita (Arctostaphylos pungens and pringlei). Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 3 ARIZONA BALD EAGLE WINTER COUNT INTRODUCTION Because bald eagles are nomadic in winter, national winter surveys are an effective tool to monitor the species' success throughout its range (Stalmaster 1987). In addition, the identification of the bald eagle’s winter distribution in Arizona was a goal in the 1982 Southwest Bald Eagle Recovery Plan (USFWS 1982). The knowledge of wintering bald eagle habitat use allows for the consideration and implementation of management to protect important wintering areas. Although the USFWS has proposed to delist the species, the importance of the national winter count remains. Through each state’s consistent efforts, the winter count will continue to provide post-delisting data on national population fluctuations. The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) initiated and organized the national bald eagle winter count from 1979-1991. Arizona contributed this information from the 1970’s to the early 1980’s (for example Todd 1981). However, in 1986 they changed survey protocol to only count areas of high bald eagle concentrations (routes with more than 15 bald eagles observed in two or more years). Due to Arizona's lack of "concentrations," we contributed minimal information in 1986 and 1987, and surveyed only specific management areas from 1989 to 1991, such as Roosevelt Lake and Nankoweap Creek (for example Brown and Stevens 1992). Arizona’s statewide winter counts resumed in 1992, using a combination of terrestrial (foot, boat, snowmobile, vehicle) and aircraft surveys (for example Driscoll and others 2004). In 1995, AGFD and the NWF established 115 standardized routes for Arizona’s bald eagle winter count. The U.S. Geological Survey Biological Resources Division, Snake River Field Station (USGS), now coordinates the national winter count effort. METHODS We continued to use, and strive to complete, the established 115 standardized survey routes for the 2004 Arizona bald eagle winter count. Additional routes were completed and integrated into this document for management purposes, but were not included in the results to the USGS. We scheduled the winter count for January 6 to 12, 2004, which included weekdays for agency personnel and a weekend for volunteers. The short survey period minimizes the chance for any large-scale bald eagle movements between survey routes and related duplicate counts. Due to the diverse habitat in Arizona and our desire to maximize (but not duplicate) statewide coverage in a narrow period with minimal effort, we used a variety of survey methods. The best method to survey the rugged terrain and deep canyons of a linear drainage is by helicopter. USBR and SRP contributed four days of helicopter time for two to three biologists and a pilot to fly 25 routes. While the helicopter’s altitude and speed were dependent upon terrain, height and density of power lines, and wind speed; a height of 30.5 to 61 m (100 to 200 ft) above ground level and 55 to 65 knots (48 to 57 mph) was optimum for observing bald eagles. Highway routes, large lakes, and point counts were surveyed by boats, snowmobiles, vehicles, and on foot. We solicited surveyors from cooperating agencies, and volunteers from private groups. We supplied survey forms from the USGS, and instructed them on the National Survey Protocol. We classified the bald eagle sightings into adult, subadult, and unknown age classes. We advised the volunteers to be aware of the various near-adult plumages as they may be easily mistaken for full adult bald eagles. We also recorded sightings of golden eagles (Aguila chrysaetos) during the Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 4 survey, but did not report them in this document. We broke the data into two sections for comparison: 1) the terrestrial survey by county, and 2) the helicopter survey (Appendix A). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The 2004 Arizona bald eagle winter count tallied 369 bald eagles (Table 1). We documented 243 adults (65.9%), 113 subadults (30.6%), and 13 unknown eagles (3.5%). The highest number of bald eagles occurred on the lower Black River (n=67). An additional 46 eagles were counted on non-standardized routes (Appendix A). Table 1. Summary of the Arizona bald eagle winter count 2004 . County Routes Minutes Adult Subadult Unknown Total Total/minute Verde River drainage 3 273 24 12 0 36 0.1319 Salt River drainage 11 251 98 38 0 136 0.5418 Gila River drainage 7 166 18 9 0 27 0.1627 Various helicopter 4 8 1 2 0 3 0.3750 Apache 17 706 9 5 4 18 0.0255 Cochise 2 183 1 1 0 2 0.0109 Coconino 29 4,137 45 20 6 71 0.0172 Graham 1 270 6 3 0 9 0.0333 Greenlee 1 50 0 0 0 0 0 Maricopa Not Surveyed Mohave 4 1,458 11 3 0 14 0.0096 Navajo 19 819 24 17 2 43 0.0525 Pima 1 60 0 0 0 0 0 Pinal 1 40 0 0 0 0 0 Santa Cruz 4 240 0 0 0 0 0 Yavapai 6 1,926 6 3 1 10 0.0052 Yuma and LaPaz Not Surveyed Totals 110 10,587 243 113 13 369 0.0349 Of the 115 standardized routes, Arizona completed 110 (95.7%). Surveyors spent a total of 10,587 minutes (176.5 hours) searching. The greatest survey effort was in Coconino County, where volunteers searched for 4,137 minutes (68.9 hours). The most efficient method of counting was by helicopter. We counted 202 bald eagles in 698 minutes (11.6 hours). This represented 0.2894 bald eagles observed per minute. The most efficient volunteer ground effort (in counties with more than one survey route) occurred in Navajo County where they observed 0.0525 bald eagles per minute. The 369 bald eagles counted in the 2004 Arizona winter count was above the average 327 bald eagles counted annually since the survey routes were standardized in 1995 (Table 2). Including this year, Arizona counts an average of 332 bald eagles during the winter. In addition, we completed 110 (95.7%) of the 115 standardized routes. This matches the 2000 and 2003 surveys for the most routes completed. In 2004, the percentage of adults (65.9%), subadults (30.6%), and unknown bald eagles (3.5%) counted was relatively similar to the national average of 67% adults from 1986-2000 (Steenhof and others 2002). Statewide winter counts from 1981 to 1985 and 1992 to 2003 averaged 64% adults (n=2951), 33% subadults (n=1534), and 2% unknown (n=115). Arizona’s extended drought has dried many high country lakes, smaller cattle tanks, and has lowered most of the larger reservoirs. Mild weather conditions during the 2003-2004 winter allowed existing waters to remain clear of ice, and the lack of precipitation minimized turbidity in the Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 5 flowing river systems. Even though open water was limited in certain areas, we believe the mild weather dispersed the bald eagles statewide. The only unexpected concentrations include 15 eagles at Rainbow Lake and 11 eagles at Showlow Lake. Historic record highs for these two survey sites were nine and five, respectively. 1The effort for the 1981-1984 counts was described in miles flown. Table 2. Summary of Arizona bald eagle winter counts 1981-1985, 1992-2004. Year Survey Time Birds/minute Adults Subadults Unknown Total 1981 -1 - 103 (63%) 60 (36%) 2 (1%) 165 1982 - - 135 (64%) 72 (34%) 3 (2%) 210 1983 - - 104 (66%) 53 (33%) 1 (1%) 158 1984 - - 159 (71%) 63 (28%) 3 (1%) 225 1985 - - 78 (66%) 40 (34%) -- 118 1992 9,801 0.0230 145 (65%) 70 (31%) 10 (4%) 225 1993 9,938 0.0187 133 (71%) 46 (25%) 7 (4%) 186 1994 7,949 0.0457 263 (72%) 96 (26%) 4 (1%) 363 19952 9,563 0.0259 164 (66%) 76 (31%) 8 (3%) 248 1996 7,255 0.0498 232 (64%) 127 (35%) 2 (1%) 361 1997 7,718 0.0444 193 (56%) 134 (39%) 16(5%) 343 1998 7,1903 0.0416 183 (63%) 103 (36%) 4(1%) 290 1999 8,3783 0.0500 248 (62%) 144 (36%) 11 (3%) 403 2000 9,4023 0.0346 202 (62%) 115 (35%) 8 (2%) 325 2001 8,7263 0.0248 141 (66%) 70 (32%) 5 (2%) 216 2002 9,032 0.0445 236 (59%) 147 (37%) 19 (5%) 402 2003 10,0363 0.0360 232 (64%) 118 (33%) 12 (3%) 362 2004 10,587 0.0349 243 (66%) 113 (31%) 13 (3%) 369 Totals 115,575 0.0430 3194 (64.3%) 1647 (33.1%) 128 (2.6%) 4969 2Beginning of 115 standardized routes derived from the 1992-1994 surveys. 3Some survey times not recorded. Times averaged from reported times of previous counts. MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Continue to conduct the annual winter count with the 115 standardized routes. 2. Continue to encourage consistency by winter count surveyors to follow established routes and methods for long-term analysis potential. 3. Continue updating the Nongame Branch bald eagle winter count database with core information from the standardized survey forms. 4. Compile spatial data from winter count survey maps to document the location and abundance of wintering eagles, spatially identify important habitat use areas, and develop statewide maps for distribution to cooperating agencies. 5. Continue to document the location and cause of wintering bald eagle mortalities in Arizona, and follow up with appropriate management. ARIZONA BALD EAGLE NEST SURVEY INTRODUCTION The bald eagle nest survey enhances our understanding of breeding bald eagle ecology in Arizona. Discovery of new BAs and alternate nests, coupled with the knowledge of current and historical BAs, allows for an accurate description of the distribution, status, and annual Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 6 productivity of Arizona’s breeding population. Timely discovery of BAs also identifies sensitive areas requiring proactive management from potentially adverse impacts. In 1972, concern about the bald eagle population’s decline nationwide prompted surveys for the species throughout Arizona (Rubink and Podborny 1976). These annual surveys have continued to the present, excluding 1976 and 1977 (for example Canaca and others 2004). The AGFD administered and performed the 2004 nest survey, in cooperation with the SWBEMC. METHODS Habitat quality, the presence of nests, previous bald eagle sightings, and spacing prioritized survey areas. We monitored breeding activity at current and historical BAs, and nest sites discovered between 1992 and 2004 (for example Canaca and others 2004). We also investigated reports of bald eagles and nests by other agencies, biologists, and the public. A one to three person team conducted surveys between January and June 2004. Winter count flights (January) and monthly occupancy and reproductive assessment (ORA) flights (February to June) were used to locate nests and survey for new BAs. Timing of the ORA flights corresponded with the different breeding stages (that is incubation, nestling, fledgling). Boats, helicopters, and vehicles were used to access survey areas. Helicopters, provided by APS, SRP, and USBR, flew at approximately 70 meters (200 ft) above ground level and at 50 to 60 knots (45 to 70 mph). Drainage topography, high-tension wires, and wind influenced altitude and speed. If nest occupancy could not be determined from the air, a ground survey ensued. We used Questar® spotting scopes (40-160x), binoculars (10x), and nest map atlases from Hunt and others (1992) and SRP (1998) to relocate historical BAs, and find alternate nests in existing BAs. Numbers assigned to new nests were consecutive with the last number assigned within that BA. Nest numbers assigned before this document are found in previous Arizona bald eagle nest survey reports (for example Canaca and others 2004). Determination of breeding status followed operational definitions derived from Postupalsky (1974, 1983) and Steenhof and Kochert (1982) (Appendix B). “Tall” and “short,” “large” and “small” are terms used in this report to describe heights of cliffs, and the size of trees and nests. “Tall” and “large” refer to substrates suitable for breeding bald eagles as compared to current Arizona bald eagle nests and locations. The terms “small” and “short” refer to structures of inadequate height and size. RESULTS We examined all known BAs (n=46) for breeding activity (Fig. 1). Of 40 occupied BAs, 39 pairs attempted to breed, and 27 pairs successfully produced 42 fledglings (Table 3, Appendix C). Significant findings of the 2004 nest survey include seven new alternate bald eagle nests and ten fallen nests. Table 3. Summary of Arizona bald eagle productivity 2004. Number of BAs 46 Number of Active BAs 39 Number of Occupied BAs 40 Number of Failed Breeding Attempts 12 Number of Eggs 59 Number of Successful Breeding Attempts 27 Nest Success = 27/40 0.68 Number of Young Hatched 50 Number of Young Fledged 42 Mean Brood Size = 42/27 1.56 Productivity = 0.68 x 1.56 1.05Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 7 Results of the individual flights are located in Appendix D. Areas worthy of further discussion (bald eagle observations, fallen nests, new nests, potential nest sites) are described here. Nest locations are sensitive data, considered confidential by AGFD, and omitted from this report. Management agencies requiring specific locations should contact the AGFD Heritage Data Management System at (602) 789-3612. New Locations Surveyed (Table 4) Black River. – With suitable habitat on the lower Black River, we monitored this watershed for evidence of new BAs. Although two adult bald eagles were observed in March, no breeding activity was documented. Burnt Point. - Over the past few years, we have received multiple reports of bald eagles: foraging on the Payson golf course, near Cold Springs, along the upper East Verde, and have recovered a dead adult bald eagle north of Payson. Those reports continued in 2004 with the sighting of a potential nest and adult bald eagles on the Mogollon Rim cliffs of Burnt Point, northeast of Payson. We surveyed the area in March and found several small nests, but no bald eagles. Del Rio Ponds. - Isolated stands of cottonwood trees adjacent to the Del Rio ponds (south of Sullivan Lake in the Chino Valley) seem to attract wintering bald eagles. We surveyed in January, February, and March but found no nests or breeding activity. Salt/Gila river confluence. - We received multiple reports of nesting bald eagles east of the confluence of the Salt and Gila rivers, West of Phoenix. A ground visit on January 14 and two helicopter surveys in February and March rendered no new nests, although one sub-adult bald eagle and four ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) were observed. Nesting substrate, open water, and foraging potential were available but sporadic. Many trees were small and water was often intermittent with dense overgrowth. However, waterfowl and fish concentrations seem to be sufficient to support a breeding pair. Salt River/Tempe Town Lake. - During the winter, consultants with the Federal Aviation Administration reported sightings of bald eagles foraging on Tempe Town Lake, and possibly occupying a nest upstream near the Highway 101/202 interchange. Surveys in March and May yielded a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaciensis) nest, but no bald eagles were found. Willow Springs Lake. – With the expansion of bald eagles in the White Mountains, we continue to survey the Mogollon Rim Lakes for bald eagle nests. In April, we found an osprey incubating in a new nest (#1) below the Willow Springs Lake dam and two osprey using the lake. In May, one adult bald eagle was observed at the SW end of the lake. No bald eagle nests or breeding activity was observed. Table 4. 2004 Arizona bald eagle nest survey summary, new locations. Location Date Survey Method Results Aqua Fria River 2/2, 3/12 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Bear Canyon Lake 4/21, 5/4 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. 4/21 - Two ospreys in area. Big Lake 5/4 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Black River 3/11 Helicopter Two adults in area. Blue Ridge Reservoir 4/21 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Burnt Point 3/12 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 8 Table 4. continued. Location Date Survey Method Results Del Rio Ponds 1/5, 2/2, 3/12 Helicopter No new nests. 1/5 - Two adults and two sub adults in area. 2/2 - One adult and five subadults in area. East Clear Creek 5/4 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Gleason Flat 1/30, 3/11, 3/31 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Goldwater Lake 2/2, 3/12 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Hawley Lake 5/4 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Horseshoe Cienega Lake 5/4 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Lee Valley Reservoir 5/4 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Pacheta Lake 5/4 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Pecks Lake 1/5 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Railroad Bridge 4/21, 5/3 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Reservation Lake 5/4 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Roosevelt Lake 1/6, 5/4, 6/6 Helicopter No new nests. 1/6 - Eleven adults and ten subadults in area. 5/4 - One adult at each of the two major inflows. 6/6 - Four adults and three subadults on lake. Salt/Gila Rivers 1/14, 2/2, 3/12 Ground Helicopter No new nests. 2/2 - One subadult in area. 3/12 - Four ospreys in area. Salt River/Tempe Town Lake 3/12, 5/3 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. 3/12 - Red-tailed hawk nest. Sunrise Lake 5/4 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Willow Springs Lake 4/21, 5/4 Helicopter 4/21 - One osprey incubating in new nest #1 below dam. Two ospreys on lake. 5/4 - One adult perched on the SW end of lake. West Clear Creek 1/5 Helicopter No new nests. One adult in area. Historical BAs (Table 5) Bronco, Eagle, LF, Muldoon, Lost Mule (Natanes ), Red Hill, Seven Mile, Sullivan, and Willow. – The Bronco, Eagle, LF, Muldoon, Lost Mule (Natanes), Red Hill, Seven Mile, Sullivan, and Willow historical BAs were documented by Hunt (1992). After researching the history of these BAs and applying our definitions, we found no evidence that bald eagles used or occupied these nests. Therefore, we have removed these BAs from their historical designation and placed them under Survey Sites with Existing Large Nests. Arizona now has 13 historical BAs. Camp Verde. - Camp Verde BA has remained unoccupied after the only known nest was lost in the floods of 1993. We designated this BA as historical in 2004 after being unoccupied for ten consecutive years. No new nests or bald eagles were observed when we surveyed in February and March. Table 5. 2004 Arizona bald eagle nest survey summary, historical BAs. Location Date Survey Method Results Ash 1/6 Helicopter No new nests. One adult in area. Camp Verde 2/2, 3/12 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Chino 3/12 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Devil’s Post 3/12 Helicopter All known nests empty. One adult in area. Mule Hoof 1/7, 1/30, 3/11, 5/4 Helicopter All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 9 Survey Sites with Existing Large Nests (Table 6) Chevelon. - The April and May flights in Chevelon Canyon were limited by high winds, however the existing nest was not observed on either and is presumed fallen. No new nests or bald eagles were observed. Muldoon. - Bald eagles have been consistently observed in the Muldoon area on the January, February, and March flights since 2000. We again surveyed this area during these flights in 2004. Since all known nests were empty and no new nests have been found, we assume the bald eagles observed are wintering and using the unoccupied habitat of the upper Verde River. Mogollon Rim Lakes. - Despite reports of bald eagle activity near the Mogollon Rim lakes, no new nests or breeding activity was documented in April and May. Ospreys with active nests at Knoll, Willow Springs (see New Locations Surveyed), and Woods Canyon lakes suggest there is a sufficient prey base for bald eagles to occupy these in the future. Table 6. 2004 Arizona bald eagle nest survey summary, nest sites. Location Date Survey Method Results Chevelon 4/21, 5/4 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. 5/4 – Nest #1 fell. Eagle 1/8 Helicopter No new nests. One adult in area. Granite 1/5, 2/2, 3/12 Helicopter All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Hell Point 1/5, 2/2, 3/12 Helicopter All known nests empty. 1/5 – One adult in area. Knoll Lake 4/21, 5/4 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. 4/21 – One osprey incubating in nest #1. LF 1/5, 3/12 Helicopter No new nests. 1/5 – Two adults in area. Muldoon 1/5, 2/2, 3/12 Helicopter All known nests empty. 1/5 – Three subadults in area. 2/2 – One adult in area. 3/12 – One adult in area. Sullivan Lake 1/5, 2/2, 3/12 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Willow 1/8 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Woods Canyon 4/21, 5/4 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. 4/21 - One osprey incubating. Two ospreys on lake. Breeding Areas (Table 7) Canyon. - Canyon nest #8 fell before January, and nest #5 had fallen by March. All known nests were empty and no bald eagles were observed when surveyed on five flights. Cedar Basin. - In March, we located a new sycamore tree nest (#8) 13 km upstream from nest #3. Cibecue. - In March, a golden eagle was incubating in nest #6. In May, an addled egg was observed in nest #2 suggesting the pair laid eggs and failed, although no bald eagles were observed on the four previous flights. Cliff. - A single adult was observed in January and March. No new nests were found. Coldwater. - Nest #1 fell before January, and nest #3 fell before the February. Granite Reef. - In January, we found two adults in a new cottonwood tree nest (#4) downstream of nest #2. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 10 Lone Pine. – In January, one adult was found standing in a new sycamore tree nest (#5) upstream from nest #2. Lynx. – After loosing nest #1 on April 1, 2003, we surveyed the lake by helicopter from January to March 2004. In March, we found an adult incubating in a new ponderosa pine tree nest (#2) approximately 0.5 km from the lake. Pinto. - In January, we found an adult standing in a new cottonwood tree nest (#6). The new nest is located on Meddler Point, upstream of Campaign Bay. Rodeo. - Nest #1 fell before January. San Carlos. - Nest #2 fell before January. 76. - In January, we found the supporting branch for nest #3 had broken and two adults in the area. In February, we found a new nest #4 in the same tree as nest #3, and one adult in the area. Sheep. - In January, we found the supporting branch for nest #3 broke. In February, we found one adult incubating in a new cottonwood tree nest #4. Winkelman. - Nest #2 fell before January. Table 7. 2004 Arizona bald eagle nest survey summary, breeding areas. Location Date Survey Method Results Canyon 1/6, 1/30, 3/11, 3/31, 5/4 Helicopter 1/6 – Nest #8 fell. 3/11 – Nest #5 fell. All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Cedar Basin 1/7, 1/30, 3/11, 5/4 Helicopter 1/7 – Two adults upstream. 1/30 – Two adults upstream. 3/11 –New nest #8. Cibecue 1/7, 1/30, 3/11, 5/4 Helicopter 3/11 – Golden eagle incubating in nest #6. 5/4 – Addle egg in nest #2. Cliff 1/5, 2/2, 3/12, 5/3 Helicopter 1/5 – One adult in area. 3/11 – One adult downstream of nest area. Coldwater 1/5, 2/2, 3/12, 5/3, 6/6 Helicopter 1/5 – Nest #1 fell. 2/2 - Nest #3 fell. Dupont 1/30, 3/11 Helicopter All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Granite Basin 1/6, 1/30, 3/11, 3/31 Helicopter All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Granite Reef 1/6, 1/30 Helicopter 1/6 – Two adults standing in new nest #4. Lone Pine 1/7, 1/30, 3/11, 5/4, 6/6 Helicopter 1/7 – Two adults and two subadults in area. 1/30 – One adult standing in new nest #5. Lynx 2/2, 3/12, 5/3, 6/6 Helicopter 2/2 – One adult and three subadults in area. 3/12 – One adult incubating in new nest #2. Pinto 1/6, 1/30 Helicopter 1/6 – One adult standing in new nest #6. 1/30 – Two adults standing in nest #6. Rodeo 1/5 Helicopter Nest #1 fell. San Carlos 1/6 Helicopter 1/6 – Nest #2 fell. 76 1/6, 1/30, 3/31, 5/4 Helicopter 1/6 – Nest #3 supporting branch fell. Two adults in area 1/30 – Found new nest #4. One adult in area. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 11 Table 7. continued. Location Date Survey Method Results Sheep 1/6, 1/30, 3/31, 5/4, 6/6 Helicopter 1/6 – Nest #3 supporting branch fell. 1/30 – One adult incubating in new nest #4. Winkelman 1/6, 1/30, 3/11 Helicopter 1/6 – Nest #2 fell. No new nests or bald eagles. Overview Significant findings of the 2004 Arizona Bald Eagle Nest Survey include the discovery of seven new alternate nests and ten nests that had fallen. The Camp Verde BA was designated historical after being unoccupied for ten consecutive years. The Bronco, Eagle, LF, Muldoon, Lost Mule (Natanes), Red Hill, Seven Mile, Sullivan, and Willow BAs were reclassified as Nest Sites upon review of historical literature and the applications of our definitions. Nest surveys in the White Mountains and Mogollon Rim area will require more attention as the population grows. In the White Mountains, bald eagle breeding activity has expanded to include the Crescent Lake BA which successfully produced young this year. Considering some of the Luna Lake fledglings are of breeding age, the Crescent BA is now productive, and the bald eagle’s high natal area fidelity, the White Mountains may become increasingly important for high elevation breeding bald eagles. The Mogollon Rim has suitable nesting substrate and hatchery-stocked lakes to support breeding pairs as well. The level of bald eagle reports and a May sighting of an adult at Willow Springs Lake indicate their breeding distribution may be expanding. The continued creation and loss of alternate nests, coupled with the expansion and distribution of Arizona bald eagles, further demonstrates the necessity and importance of ORA flights. These flights allow for consistent monitoring of population numbers, distribution, and their reproductive success in the rugged terrain of Arizona. Without the aid of these flights, we would not be able to accurately document these important demographic parameters. MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Future survey efforts should monitor historical BAs, potential BAs, and large nests reported in previous nest survey reports. These documents are useful tools for identifying occupancy trends, locating new BAs, and monitoring population expansion. 2. Bald eagles banded in Arizona have been observed near or on El Novillo Reservoir, Sonora. This suggests that the current distribution of our population may extend into Sonora, Mexico. Identifying breeding bald eagles, through banding, visual identification and transmitters would clarify the extent of which our population reaches into Sonora, and would help to accurately describe our survivorship estimates. 3. Surveyors should continue to use the nest survey, ORA, and winter count flights, in concert with follow-up ground surveys to inspect areas. From the air, surveyors can easily cover large sections of bald eagle habitat. Follow-up ground surveys thoroughly investigate an area. 4. Examine the following areas for breeding bald eagles and/or nests: • Agua Fria River drainage – Up and downstream from Lake Pleasant. • Big Sandy River drainage - Upper Trout Creek. • Bill Williams River drainage - Bill Williams National Wildlife Refuge Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 12 • Black River drainage - Little and Big Bonito creeks to the confluence of the Black River, Paucity Creek, Pacheta Creek, Reservation Creek, osprey nesting areas on East and West Fork and main stem of the Black River. • Central and Eastern Mountain Lakes – Bear Canyon, Black Canyon, Blue Ridge, Casadore Springs, Chevelon Canyon, Cholla, Christmas Tree, Doney Park, Dry, George's Basin, Knoll, Nash Creek, Phillips Park Tank, Paucity Lake, Point of Pines, Roger's, Tonto, Willow Springs. • Colorado River drainage - Lake Mead (Grand Wash), Gene Wash Reservoir, Nankoweap Creek, Lee's Ferry. • Little Colorado River drainage – Forest Service Road 113 to Lyman Lake. • North Fork of White River - Known osprey nesting locations • Gila River drainage - Lower Blue River, San Francisco River to Gila River confluence, Gila Box. • Salt River drainage - Blue Point BA to Orme BA, Gun/Tonto creek confluence, Mormon Flat Dam, Redmond BA to Canyon BA, Cibecue BA to Cedar Basin BA, Tanks Canyon. • White Mountain Lakes – Big Lake, Canero Lake, Lee’s Valley Lake, Nelson Reservoir, Nutrioso, Sierara Blanca Lake. • White River – Whiteriver to confluence with Black and Salt rivers. ARIZONA BALD EAGLE NESTWATCH PROGRAM INTRODUCTION In 1978, USFS biologists and two Maricopa Audubon Society volunteers began to monitor bald eagles near Bartlett Reservoir to understand the effects of recreation. This monitoring effort eventually expanded to other BAs, and developed into the ABENWP. In 1984, the USFWS assumed coordination of the ABENWP on behalf of the SWBEMC, and expanded its scope. In 1991, after passage of the Heritage Initiative, the USFWS transferred the lead to the AGFD. To address the needs of Arizona’s breeding bald eagles, the ABENWP operates with three goals: conservation, data collection, and education. Due to high recreation pressures along some of Arizona's lakes and rivers, land management agencies enact seasonal closures to protect the bald eagles during the breeding cycle. Nestwatchers interact with members of the public who enter these closures, educate them on bald eagles, distribute brochures, and/or direct them away from the breeding attempt. To help the land and wildlife management agencies make better bald eagle management decisions, nestwatchers collect basic demographic information and behavioral responses to human activities. Possibly the most tangible benefit of the ABENWP is determining when the bald eagles are in life threatening situations. Daily monitoring allows biologists to intervene in these situations, and eliminate/reduce the threat. In this report, we summarize significant discoveries at each monitored BA in 2004. Detailed reports of each monitored BA are centralized at AGFD, and distributed to the appropriate land and wildlife management agencies. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 13 METHODS We select the BAs to be monitored by weighing the level of recreation activity and management needs. Included are those with seasonal closures (Bartlett, Box Bar, Ladders, Luna, Pleasant, and Tower), those without (Coolidge, Crescent, Orme, Pinto, San Carlos, and Tonto), and those monitored for opportunistic information (Granite Reef and Needle Rock). In the fall of 2003, we advertised the ABENWP contract positions through the American Ornithologists Union Newsletter, American Birding Associations Job Listing, AGFD Internet site, SWBEMC internet site, Society for Conservation Biology web page, Texas A&M web page, Wildlife Society web page, and at university and college job placement services nationwide. Presentations, brochures, and word-of-mouth also contributed to the pool of applicants. We held two orientation meetings, and several question and answer sessions for the selected ABENWP contractors. The first two meetings offered an introduction to the program, background and the ABENWP's role in bald eagle management, and an explanation of data forms and emergency protocols. After the orientation meetings, the contractors chose a partner and BA, and were taken into the field. The question and answer sessions occurred after the first ten-day work period, and before every other ten-day work period thereafter. In these sessions, we discussed filling out forms, consistency in data collection, requirements for the final report, and any additional concerns or comments. When appropriate, additional problems or questions were handled on an individual basis. Fieldwork began February 6, 2004, and continued until nestlings fledged. Teams of two nestwatchers maintained a ten days on/four days off schedule. During each ten-day work period, weekend observations were conducted from dawn-to-dusk to cover times of high recreation use, and document the resulting habitat use of the breeding pair. Monday through Thursday observations were a minimum of eight hours with emphasis on identifying territory boundaries, home range, and overall habitat use of the breeding pair. Nestwatchers recorded bald eagle behavior and recreation use data from assigned observation points (OP’s) within the BA. We selected OP’s to provide optimal viewing while minimizing the impact to the breeding bald eagles. Alternate OP’s were identified when the breeding pair utilized areas out of the primary OP’s view. Nestwatchers were provided spotting scopes, Motorola radios, cellular telephones, and/or USFS radios for viewing and communication needs. We supplied BA maps with river kilometer designations, and a guide to commonly taken fish species. They recorded all bald eagle behavioral data on supplied field forms. Nestwatchers provided their own transportation, gas, supplies, binoculars, and housing on days off. Within an arbitrary 1.0 km (3300 ft) radius of a bald eagle or active nest, nestwatchers recorded all human activity and the associated bald eagle behavior. They classified bald eagle behavior in response to human activity into seven categories: none, watched, restless, flushed, left area, bird not in area, and unknown. If the bald eagles performed their normal activities without acknowledging the human activity, nestwatchers recorded a "none" response. "Watched" was a bald eagle looking in the direction of the human activity without displaying any other observable reaction. If the bald eagle vocalized and/or moved noticeably without leaving the nest or perch, nestwatchers recorded "restless." If a bald eagle left its location quickly in response to a human activity, nestwatchers recorded a "flushed" response. "Left area" was recorded when a bald eagle became intolerant and flew away. Nestwatchers recorded a "not in area" if a bald eagle was not present, and an "unknown" response if the bald eagle could not be observed. To accurately describe activities that caused bald eagle behavior change, "restless,” "flushed,” and "left area" responses, are considered significant. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 14 At the Pleasant and Box Bar BAs, nestwatchers recorded human activity different than described above. They recorded compliance with the Pleasant BA closure by documenting the number of boats and jet skis approaching the buoy line and those that entered. If the watercraft entered the closure and proceeded past the nestwatchers, they were documented as "inside the closure." Conversely, they recorded those who complied with the closure or those who were contacted by the nestwatchers as "at the closure." Due to the high level of recreation activity at the Box Bar BA within 1.0 km of the active nest, nestwatchers only recorded the human activities and the bald eagle’s associated behavior that occurred on the east side of the river. Nestwatchers documented all aspects of bald eagle behavior at their BA. They documented interactions with other wildlife; habitat use; forage events; frequency, type, and prey species delivered to the nest; incubation time; time attending the nest; and feeding frequency. In this report, we only discuss human activity, foraging attempts, prey deliveries, habitat use, and site-specific management recommendations. Contrary to years before 2002, the nestwatchers focused data collection on habitat use of the breeding pair. This focus will help land and wildlife managers assess impacts of projects occurring within breeding area boundaries. Due to this shift in focus, some information collected historically has been de-emphasized. These include: inter-specific interaction, low flying aircraft reporting, prey delivered to nest, and other wildlife observed. In addition, nestwatchers were instructed to use the weekdays to document the locations and types of habitat use within the breeding pair’s home range. This prohibited them from consistently monitoring the breeding pair’s behavior at the nest. Therefore, comparisons to reports before 2002 may not be appropriate. Data collection on weekends remained the same with dawn to dusk monitoring of the breeding pair’s behaviors at the nest. Management considerations included in this report are taken directly from the individual BA reports and therefore are not the opinions of the authors or AGFD. We have included them as informational material for land and wildlife management agencies reviewing this report, and for further discussion at SWBEMC meetings. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The ABENWP monitored 14 BAs in 2004. Those include: Bartlett, Box Bar, Coolidge, Crescent, Granite Reef, Ladders, Luna, Needle Rock, Orme, Pinto, Pleasant, San Carlos, Tonto, and Tower. The final status of monitored BAs was three failed, 11 successful, and 17 young fledged (Appendix C). The Granite Reef and Needle Rock BAs were monitored opportunistically by nestwatchers at adjacent BAs; therefore, data for these BAs are not included in this report. Bartlett Breeding Area Observation Period. – February 6 to June 2. Total monitoring 87 days/898 hours. Eagle Identification. – The male is unbanded in adult plumage. The female is blue visual identification (VID) banded on her left leg, USFWS banded on the right leg, and in adult plumage. She is possibly the 1995 Tonto nestling identified previously as the Bartlett male. Management Activities. – 1) The USFS reinstated the seasonal BA closure. 2) The male and female nestlings were VID banded “17/C” and “17/D” at 4.5 weeks of age, respectively. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 15 Human Activity. – Nestwatchers recorded 306 human activities (Appendix E). Aircraft (small planes, helicopters, and jets) represented 90.5% of reported activity, watercraft 5.2% (canoe/kayak, rafter, and boaters), and terrestrial activity 4.2% of three different types. Eight activities elicited 12 significant responses from the breeding pair. The bald eagles were restless to three off-highway vehicles (OHVs), and one small plane and helicopter each. The breeding pair flushed in response to one small plane, helicopter, canoe/kayak, rafter, boater, and researcher each, and left the area in response to one boater while docking on shore. Food Habits. – Nestwatchers observed 32 forage attempts. The male was successful in 43.7% (n=7) and the female in 62.5% (n=10). Fish accounted for 90.6% of the attempts, 3.1% mammals, and 6.2% unknown items. The breeding pair delivered 79 items to the nest. The male delivered 87.3% and the female 12.7%. The most common prey type was fish (81.0%), although birds (6.3%), mammals (5.1%), and unknown prey (7.6%) were taken. No prey items were identified to species. Habitat Use. – The Bartlett nestwatchers identified 84 perch locations along the Verde River and four perch locations on Bartlett Lake. River perches spanned 5.5 km ranging from river kilometer (rk) 31.6 to 37.1 and lake perches spanned 7.3 km ranging from lake kilometer (lk) 42.3 to 49.6. The pair spent 75.2% of their time within the immediate nesting area between rk 34.6 and 34.9, 14.8% at rk 34.4, and 10% at the remaining perch locations. No boat was available to follow, locate, and document the pair’s use of Bartlett Lake, therefore information on lake habitat use is limited. Box Bar Breeding Area Observation Period. – February 6 to April 25. Total monitoring 50 days/498 hours. Eagle Identification. – The male is blue VID banded “5/G” on his left leg, USFWS banded on the right leg, and in adult plumage (Pleasant 1994 nestling). The female is blue VID banded “5/H” on her left leg, USFWS banded on the right leg, and in adult plumage (Pleasant 1994 nestling). Management Activities. – 1) The USFS reinstated the seasonal BA closure. 2) The owners of Rio Verde Ranch allowed ABENWP to camp and monitor from their lawn. 3) ABENWP contractors were active in educating the public visiting the Rio Verde Ranch and the campground at the end of USFS road 161. 4) The two male nestlings were VID banded “16/C” and “16/D at 5.5 weeks of age and fitted with satellite transmitters at nine weeks of age. Human Activity. – Nestwatchers recorded 71 human activities within the closure (Appendix F). Aircraft activity (helicopters, small planes, and motor para-gliders) represented 56.3%, terrestrial activity represented 42.3% of seven different types, and watercraft 1.4%. Three activities elicited three significant responses from the breeding pair. The bald eagles were restless to one gunshot, and flushed in response to one ATV and hiker each. Food Habits. – Nestwatchers observed three forage attempts. The male made one unsuccessful attempt for a fish and the female successfully caught two suckers on two attempts. The breeding pair delivered 91 items to the nest. The male delivered 58.2% (n=53) and the female 41.8% (n=38). The common prey types were fish (34.1%), mammals (19.8%), and unknown items (39.6%). No prey were identified to species. Habitat Use. – The Box Bar nestwatchers identified 11 habitat use areas that spanned a 2.8 km stretch of the Verde River ranging from rk 23.1 to 25.9. The pair spent 42.0% of their time at rk 23.1, 35.1% at rk 25.0, 9.4% at rk 23.9, and 13.5% at the remaining perch locations. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 16 Coolidge Breeding Area Observation Period. – February 7 to May 2. Total monitoring 96 days/777 hours. Eagle Identification. – The male and female are both unbanded and in adult plumage. Management Activities. – 1) ABENWP contractors were introduced to the SCAT police in an orientation session held on their first day in the field. 2) The SCAT Police visited the ABENWP contractors on a daily basis. 3) The one male nestling was VID banded “17/V” at 5.5 weeks of age. Interventions. – On June 16, ABENWP contractors observed the 11.5 week old nestling motionless in the nest. AGFD biologists recovered the nestling on June 17. Heat stress was the likely cause of death. Human Activity. – Nestwatchers recorded 48 human activities (Appendix G). Terrestrial activities of six types accounted for 62.6% and aircraft (small planes, jets, and helicopters) for 37.4%. Two activities elicited two significant responses from the breeding pair. The bald eagles left the area in response to one jet and helicopter each. Food Habits. – Nestwatchers observed 26 forage attempts. The male was successful in 50.0% (n=5), the female in 68.8% (n=11). Of these attempts, fish accounted for 61.5%, mammals 15.4%, birds 11.5%, amphibians 3.8%, and unknown 7.7%. The breeding pair delivered 19 prey items to the nest. The male delivered 47.4%, and the female 52.6%. The common prey type was fish (89.4%), although amphibians and mammals were also taken (5.3% each). Of the nine items that could be identified to species, six were carp (Cyprinus carpio), two were catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), and one was a sucker (Catostomus spp.). Habitat Use. – The Coolidge nestwatchers identified 136 separate perch locations along the Gila River. River perches spanned a total of 3.8 km ranging from rk 23.9 to 27.7. The breeding pair spent 58.0% of the time directly in the nest area, 15.9% at rk 24.8, and 26.1% at the remaining perch locations. Crescent Breeding Area Observation Period. – March 10 to June 3. Total monitoring 45 days/263 hours. Eagle Identification. – The male is blue VID banded “8/R” on his left leg, USFWS banded on the right leg, and in adult plumage (1997 Luna nestling). The female is unbanded and in adult plumage. Management Activities. – 1) ABENWP contractors were active in educating the visiting public and talked to fisherman at Crescent Lake. Human Activity. – Nestwatchers recorded 528 human activities (Appendix H). Terrestrial activities represented 90.5% of four different types, 7.6% watercraft (boats, canoe/kayaks, and float tube), and aircraft (small planes) 1.9%. Fishermen accounted for 98.3% (n=470) of the terrestrial activities. Two activities elicited 11 significant responses from the breeding pair. The bald eagles flushed in response to two fishermen and hikers each, and left the area in response to seven fishermen. Food Habits. - Nestwatchers observed 60 forage attempts. The male was successful in 76.3% (n=29) forage attempts, the female in 86.4% (n=19). Of these attempts, 90.0% were for fish, 6.7% carrion, and 3.3% reptiles. The breeding pair delivered 34 prey items to the nest. The male delivered Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 17 61.8%, and the female 38.2%. Of prey items, the most common prey type was fish (79.4%), although carrion (11.8%), reptiles (5.9%), and mammals (2.9%) were also delivered. Of the three items that could be identified to species, two were Garter Snakes (Thamnophis spp.) and one was a muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus). Habitat Use. – The Crescent nestwatchers identified 12 separate perch locations around the lake. Perches spanned a total of 0.8 km ranging from lk 1.9 to 2.7. The pair spent 62.4% of their time at the nest (lk 2.2), 14.9% at lk 2.4, and 22.7% at the remaining ten perch locations. Ladders Breeding Area Observation Period. – February 6 to June 25. Total monitoring 104 days/878 hours. Eagle Identification. – The male is blue VID banded “9/W” on his left leg, USFWS banded on the right leg, and in adult plumage (1998 76 nestling). The female is unbanded and in adult plumage. Management Activities. – 1) The USFS reinstated a seasonal breeding area closure surrounding the nest area. 2) The USFS posted closure signs at the upstream and downstream access points to the Verde River. 3) The USFS provided contractors with a camping trailer. 4) Two male nestling were VID banded “17/R” and “17/S” at six weeks of age. Interventions. – On May 6 during a banding trip, the nestlings were both were underdeveloped. The older nestling 17/S was underdeveloped by one week and the younger 17/R by two weeks. On May 16, the nestling banded 17/R died at 7.5 weeks of age in the nest with no obvious injuries. A combination of heat stress, competition with the larger sibling, and a Mexican Chicken Bug (MCB) infestation was the likely cause of death. Human Activity. – Nestwatchers recorded 261 human activities (Appendix I). Aircraft (small planes, helicopters, and motorized parachute) represented 41.4%, watercraft (canoe/kayak, boater, and float tube) 39.0%, and terrestrial activities of seven different types 19.6%. Three activities elicited nine significant responses from the breeding pair. The bald eagles were restless in response to two helicopters, and one canoe/kayak and agency worker each. The pair flushed to two canoe/kayaks and agency workers each, and the breeding pair left the area in response to one canoe/kayak. Food Habits. – Nestwatchers observed 38 forage attempts. The male was successful in 54.8% (n=17) and the female in 42.9% (n=3). Of these attempts, 71.0% were for fish, 7.9% birds, 5.3% mammals and reptiles each, and 10.5% unknown. The breeding pair delivered 86 prey items to the nest. The male delivered 73.3% and the female 26.7%. The common prey types consisted of fish (87.2%), and unknown (7.0%). Of the 35 items that could be identified to species, 80% were sucker, 14.3% carp (Cyprinus carpio), 2.9% channel catfish, and 2.8% Sonoran mudturtle (Kinosternon sonoriense). Habitat Use. – The Ladders nestwatchers identified 159 perch locations along the Verde River. River perches spanned a total of 6.4 km ranging from rk 157.7 to 164.1. The pair spent 65.7% of the observed time near the nest (rk 162.9), and 34.3% at the remaining perch locations. Luna Breeding Area Observation Period. – February 6 to June 6. Total monitoring 93 days/877 hours. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 18 Eagle Identification. – The male is black VID banded “Δ/A” on his right leg, USFWS banded on the left leg, and in adult plumage (1988 Texas nestling). The female is black VID banded “Δ/B” on her right leg, USFWS banded on the left leg, and in adult plumage (Unknown origin). Management Activities. – 1) The USFS reinstated the seasonal BA closure. 2) Nestwatchers were stationed at the boat ramp to talk to fisherman launching boats. 3) The USFS housed the nestwatchers in a trailer. 4) The two male nestlings were VID banded “16/H” and “16/K” at 5.5 weeks of age. Human Activity. – Nestwatchers recorded 864 human activities (Appendix J). Terrestrial activities represented 61.5% of eight different types, watercraft (boats, canoe/kayaks, and float tube) 36.9%, and aircraft (jets and planes) 1.6%. Eight activities elicited 44 significant responses from the breeding pair. The bald eagles were restless in response to five picnickers and two jets. The breeding pair left the area in response to 18 canoe/kayaks, eight fishermen, five construction events, three agency workers, two snowmobiles, and one float tube. Food Habits. – Nestwatchers observed 152 forage attempts. The male was successful in 49.0% (n=50) forage attempts, the female in 56.0% (n=28). Of these attempts, 59.2% were for birds, 27.6% fish, and 13.2% unknown. The breeding pair delivered 98 prey items to the nest. The male delivered 60.2%, the female 29.6%, and an unknown adult 10.2%. Of these prey items, fish accounted for 38.8%, birds 37.8%, carrion 14.3%, mammals 3.1%, and unknown 6.1%. Of the 64 items that could be identified to species, 59.4% were rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and 40.6% American coots (Fulica americana). Habitat Use. – The Luna nestwatchers identified 16 separate perch locations around the lake. Perches spanned a total of 4.8 km ranging from lk 0.3 to 5.1. The pair spent 43.3% of their time at the nest (lk 2.3), 39.0% at lk 2.5, and 17.7% spent at the remaining 14 perch locations. Orme Breeding Area Observation Period. – February 7 to May 16. Total monitoring 80 days/620 hours. Eagle Identification. – The male and female are unbanded and in adult plumage. The Orme male is in a polygynous relationship with the female from the Rodeo BA. Management Activities. – 1) The SRPMIC continues to restrict non-tribal member use of the river area. 2) The SRPMIC Police visited the ABENWP contractors on a daily basis and patrolled the nesting area during times of elevated recreation use. 3) Two male nestlings were banded “16/M” and “16/N” at 5.5 weeks of age and one (16/N) was fitted with a satellite transmitter at nine weeks of age. Human Activity. – Nestwatchers recorded 252 human activities (Appendix K). Aircraft (planes, jets, ultra-lights, and helicopters) represented 57.5%, terrestrial activity 40.5% of 13 different types, and watercraft (rafters and canoe/kayaks) 2.0%. Nine activities elicited 15 significant responses by the breeding pair. The bald eagles were restless to one vehicle and flushed in response to four drivers, two canoes/kayaks, one helicopter, small plane, swimmer, birder, and agency worker each. The breeding pair left the area in response to one helicopter, agency worker, and rafter each. Food Habits. – Nestwatchers observed 34 forage attempts. The male was successful in 66.7% (n=4) attempts, the female in 59.3% (n=16), and an unknown adult in 100% (n=1). The most common forage item was fish 58.8%, although birds 2.9%, and unknown prey types 38.2% were also hunted. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 19 The breeding pair delivered 53 prey items to the nest. The male delivered 28.3%, and the female 71.7%. Fish composed 60.4% of those items, 1.9% birds, and 37.7% unknown. No prey items were identified to species. Habitat Use. – The Orme nestwatchers identified ten separate perch locations along the Verde and Salt Rivers. River perches spanned a total of 10.5 km ranging from rk 0.3 to 4.2 on the Verde River and rk 4.4 to 10.8 on the Salt River. The pair spent 93.5% of the time within the immediate nesting area between rk 0.3 to 0.4 (Verde River) and rk 5.2 to 5.3 (Salt River), and 6.5% spent at the remaining five perch locations. Pinto Breeding Area Observation Period. – February 10 to May 21. Total monitoring 67 days/592 hours. Eagle Identification. – The male is blue VID band “5/D” on his left leg, USFWS banded on the right leg, and in adult plumage (1994 Blue Point nestling). The female is blue VID banded “2/H” on her left leg, USFWS banded on the right leg, and in adult plumage (1991 Alamo nestling). Management Activities. – 1) The Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Closure limited recreational activities on the west side of the Salt River. Human Activity. – Nestwatchers recorded 16 human activities (Appendix L). Terrestrial activity of three different types and watercraft (rafter, canoe) accounted for 37.5% each, and aircraft (helicopters) 25%. Two activities elicited a significant response from the breeding pair. The breeding pair flushed in response to one helicopter and driver each. Food Habits. – No forage attempts or prey deliveries were observed. Habitat Use. – The Pinto nestwatchers identified 17 separate perch locations along the Salt River. River perches spanned a total of 3.9 km ranging from rk 101.6 to 105.5 on the Salt River. The breeding pair spent 91.7% of the time at three perch locations within the nest area (rk 104.3), and 8.3% at the remaining perch locations. Pleasant Breeding Area Observation Period. – February 7 to May 12. Total monitoring 66 days/609 hours. Eagle Identification. – The male is blue VID banded “W” on his left leg, USFWS banded on the right leg, and in adult plumage (1987 Horse Mesa nestling). The female is unbanded and in adult plumage. Management Activities. – 1) MCPRD reinstated the seasonal closure around the active nest. 2) MCPRD marked closure boundaries with buoys and signs. 3) Nestwatchers were stationed at the southern closure boundary to educate recreationists on the closure and bald eagles. 4) The female nestling was VID banded “16/U” at six weeks of age. Human Activity. – Nestwatchers recorded 115 human activities (Appendix M). Aircraft (small planes, helicopters, jets, and ultra-lights) represented 46.1%, watercraft (boats, skiers, and jet skis) 36.5%, and terrestrial activities (OHV and fishermen) 17.4%. Four activities elicited eight significant responses by the breeding pair. The bald eagles flushed to three boats, two helicopters, two jet skis, and one fisherman. Of the 1,482 watercraft that approached the southern buoy line, only 57 (3.8%) did not comply (agency boats omitted). Boats represented 94.7% of those non-Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 20 complying, and 5.3% jet skis. However, within the type of watercraft, only 4.2% of the boats and 2.1% of the jet skis did not comply with the closure. In addition, 78.9% of the violations occurred on a weekend. Food Habits. – Nestwatchers observed 12 forage attempts. The male (n=6) and female (n=3) were successful in all forage attempts, an unknown adult was successful in 50.0% (n=1), however tandem hunting (n=1) proved unsuccessful. Seventy-five percent of the attempts were for fish, 16.7% birds, and 8.3% reptiles. The breeding pair delivered 58 prey items to the nest. The male delivered 44.8%, the female 31.0%, and an unknown adult 24.1%. Prey items were comprised of 22.4% fish, 3.4% birds, 1.7% reptiles, and 72.4% unknown. Two prey items were identified to species with one smallmouth (Micropterus dolomieui) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) each. Habitat Use. – The Pleasant nestwatchers identified 17 separate perch locations on the Agua Fria arm of Lake Pleasant. Perches spanned a total of 0.6 km ranging from rk 68.7 to 69.3. The breeding pair spent 63.6% of the time at the nest (rk 60.9), 21.2% at rk 68.9b, and 15.1% spent at the remaining 15 perch locations. San Carlos Breeding Area Observation Period. – February 6 to May 9. Total monitoring 70 days/701 hours. Eagle Identification. – The male is blue VID banded “11/E” on his left leg, USFWS banded on the right leg, and in near adult plumage (2000 Doka nestling). The female is purple VID band “Diamond D” on her left leg, USFWS banded on the right leg, and in adult plumage (1989 Bartlett nestling). Management Activities. – 1) ABENWP contractors were introduced to the SCAT police in an orientation session held on their first day in the field. 2) The SCAT Police visited the ABENWP contractors on a daily basis. Human Activity. – Nestwatchers recorded 491 human activities (Appendix N). Terrestrial activity of 19 types accounted for 97.6% and aircraft (small planes, jets, helicopter, and ultra lights) 2.4%. Eight activities elicited 15 significant responses from the breeding pair. The bald eagles were restless to four jets, and one driver, OHV, woodcutter, ultra light, and helicopter each. The breeding pair flushed in response to four hikers, and one researcher, and left the area in response to one hiker. Food Habits. – Nestwatchers observed eight forage attempts. The male was successful in 80.0% (n=4), and the female and an unknown adult in all attempts (n=2 and n=1 respectively). Successful foraging attempts consisted of 37.5% fish and mammals each, and 25% carrion. The breeding pair delivered 56 prey items to the nest. The male delivered 66.1%, the female 26.8%, and an unknown adult 7.1%. Of the delivered items, 51.8% were fish, 16.1% birds, 3.6% carrion, and 28.6% unknown. Of the 12 items that could be identified to species, 25.0% were suckers and American coots each, 16.7% black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) and carp each, and 8.3% largemouth bass and goldfish (Carassius auratus) each. Habitat Use. – The San Carlos nestwatchers identified 15 separate perch locations along the San Carlos River and four along San Carlos Reservoir. River perches spanned a total of 5.0 km ranging from rk 9.5 to 14.5 and lake perches spanned 8.0 km ranging from lk 12.0 to 20.0. The breeding pair spent 93.2% of the time directly in the nest area and 6.8% at the remaining 14 perch locations. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 21 Tonto Breeding Area Observation Period. – February 7 to May 23. Total monitoring 73 days/633 hours. Eagle Identification. – The male is blue VID banded “G” on his left leg, USFWS banded on the right leg, and in adult plumage (1987 Pinal nestling). The female is blue VID banded “Backwards 3” on her left leg, USFWS banded on the right leg, and in adult plumage (1987 Horseshoe nestling). Management Activities. – 1) The Indian Point campground remained closed throughout the breeding season. 2) The Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Closure limited recreational activities in the area. Human Activity. – Nestwatchers recorded 39 human activities (Appendix O). Aircraft (small planes and helicopters) accounted for 53.8%, and terrestrial activity 46.2% of six different types. One activity elicited two significant responses from the breeding pair. The breeding pair flushed and left the area in response to one agency worker each. Food Habits. – The nestwatchers observed opportunistic pirating by both breeding adults, but these events were not part of established patterns. Similar to previous years, they regularly observed the adults returning from the vicinity of Roosevelt Lake with prey items. The breeding adults delivered 106 prey items to the nest. The male delivered 50.9%, and the female 49.1%. Of these items, 69.8% were fish, 4.7% mammals, 2.8% birds, 0.9% carrion and reptiles each, and 20.8% unknown. No prey items were identified to species. Habitat Use. – The Tonto nestwatchers identified 14 separate perch locations along the Tonto Creek. River perches spanned 1.2 km ranging from rk 16.1 to 17.3. The breeding pair spent 97.2% of the observed time within the nest tree (rk 16.7) and 2.8% spent at the remaining 13 perch locations. Tower Breeding Area Observation Period. – February 6 to May 5. Total monitoring 65 days/630 hours. Eagle Identification. – The male is purple VID banded “Diamond 8” on his left leg, USFWS banded on the right leg, and in adult plumage (1988 Ladders nestling). The female is unbanded and in adult plumage. Management Activities. – 1) The USFS reinstated a seasonal breeding area closure surrounding the nest area. 2) The USFS posted closure signs at the upstream and downstream access points to the Verde River. 3) The USFS provided contractors with a camping trailer. 4) The female nestling was VID banded “17/E” at six weeks of age. Interventions. – On May 5, the nestling pre-fledged at nine weeks of age. The nestling was found dead directly below the nest with no obvious injuries. The nest harbored a MCB infestation that likely caused the death of the 2003 nestlings. The combination of heat stress and a MCB infestation is the likely cause of this years failure. Human Activity. – Nestwatchers recorded 108 human activities (Appendix P). Terrestrial activities of 12 different types represented 62.0%, aircraft (small planes and helicopters) 34.3%, and watercraft (canoe/kayak and rafters) 3.7%. Six activities elicited 15 significant responses from the breeding pair. The bald eagles flushed to eight trains, three rafters, and one researcher, small plane, and OHV each, and left the area in response to one shooter. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 22 Food Habits. – Nestwatchers observed seven forage attempts. The male was successful in 33.3% (n=1) and the female in 50.0% (n=2). Fish accounted for 57.1% of the attempts and unknown 42.9%. The breeding pair delivered 26 prey items to the nest. The male delivered 34.6%, the female 57.7%, and an unknown adult 7.7%. Fish comprised 69.2% of those items, 7.7% birds, 3.8% mammals, and 19.2% unknown. No prey items were identified to species. Habitat Use. – The Tower nestwatchers identified 50 perch locations along the Verde River. River perches spanned a total of 15.2 km ranging from rk 236.5 to 251.7. The pair spent 67.0% of the observed time near the nest (rk 248.2), 17.5% at rk 248.1, and 15.5% at the remaining 48 perch locations. OTHER INTERVENTIONS Granite Reef Breeding Area On February 11, we responded to a report of an injured adult bald eagle at the Granite Reef nest. The injured adult was retrieved and taken to Liberty Wildlife Rehabilitation Center where it was euthanized. On February 12, the female began to abandon the nesting attempt. We retrieved and placed the eggs in an incubator at Liberty Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. On March 6, the two eggs hatched, however, one nestling died two days later. On April 12, the surviving nestling was banded “16/W” and successfully fostered into the active Horseshoe BA nest. On May 10, we deployed a solar-powered satellite transmitter on the fosterling, and it later fledged. MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS Bartlett Breeding Area 1. Check cable barrier and signs at the beginning of each breeding season. 2. Provide brochures to nearby airports. 3. Update public use maps to include current roads and breeding area closures. 4. Monitor the pollution in Bartlett Reservoir. 5. Continue efforts to deploy breeding adults with transmitters. Box Bar Breeding Area 1. Increase presence of Law Enforcement personnel during weekends. Coolidge Breeding Area 1. Investigate techniques for increasing shade at the nest. 2. Maintain steady water releases from the dam until nestlings fledged. Crescent Breeding Area 1. Place a closure around BA. 2. Implement the Monofilament Recovery Program at Crescent Lake and Big Lake. Ladders Breeding Area 1. Place an educational sign with a photo and a map of the closure boundary at Beasley Flat informing boaters and recreating public about bald eagle natural history. Luna Breeding Area 1. Post bald eagle closure information at the campground kiosk. 2. Establish an island within the closure for waterfowl breeding habitat. 3. Additional trash receptacles throughout parking and camping areas. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 23 Orme Breeding Area 1. Cooperation with FMYN should be sought. 2. If complete closure of the Orme BA was desired by SRPMIC, a locked chain between two poles would prevent vehicle access on roads entering the closure. 3. Provide additional trashcans at the confluence area where recreation pressure is high. 4. Permanently close the road that runs directly behind the Orme nest. 5. Tonto National forest should inform its guests of area boundaries. 6. Organize river clean-ups. Pinto Breeding Area 1. Replace and update existing signs at the entrance to FR 333. 2. Access to FR 333 should be blocked by a gate during breeding season. Pleasant Breeding Area 1. Have park employees distribute written and/or oral information about the Agua Fria closure to visitors. 2. Provide better markings delineating closure on jeep/ATV trail and more buoys at the southern end of the closure. 3. Printing information about the closure in the newspaper (sports section). 4. Inform the airport south of Carefree Highway and the Air Force Base that there is a 2,000 ft advisory above the BA. 5. More law enforcement at the closure on the weekends. San Carlos Breeding Area 1. Create a management scheme where regeneration can sustain both the habitat and woodcutting. 2. Only call law enforcement when serious threat to the breeding attempt or nestwatchers is imminent. Tonto Breeding Area 1. Monitor effects of Bermuda flats campground and boat density on eagle foraging sites. Tower Breeding Area 1. Replace lock on the green gate that closes the jeep trail at the Sycamore canyon parking lot. 2. Post closure sign on FR9507 in a place where turning around is possible or install a gate. 3. Extend closure. LITERATURE CITED Brown, B.T., and L.E. Stevens. 1992. Winter abundance, age structure, and distribution of bald eagles along the Colorado River, Arizona. Southwestern Naturalist 37:404-435. Brown, D.E. (ed.). 1994. Biotic Communities, Southwestern United States and Mexico. The University of Utah Press. Salt Lake City. Canaca, J.S., K.V. Jacobson, and J.T. Driscoll. 2004. Arizona bald eagle 2003 nest survey. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Technical Report 229. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 24 Driscoll, J.T., K.V. Jacobson, and J.S. Canaca. 2004. Arizona bald eagle winter count: 2003. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Technical Report 227. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona. Hunt, W.G., D.E. Driscoll, E.W. Bianchi, and R.E. Jackman. 1992. Ecology of bald eagles in Arizona. Volumes A-F. Report to U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Contract 6-CS-30-04470. BioSystems Analysis, Inc., Santa Cruz, California. Postupalsky, S. 1974. Raptor reproductive success: some problems with methods, criteria, and terminology. In F.N. Hammerstrom, B.E. Harrell and R.R. Olendorff, Eds. Management of raptors. Proceedings of the conference on raptor conservation techniques. Raptor Research Report 2:21-31. Postupalsky, S. 1983. Techniques and terminology for surveys of nesting bald eagles. Appendix D in J.W. Grier and others, eds. Northern States bald eagle recovery plan. U.S. Dept. Inter., U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Twin Cities, Minn. Rubink, D.M. and K. Podborny. 1976. The southern bald eagle in Arizona: a status report. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Report 1. Albuquerque, New Mexico. Stalmaster, M.V. 1987. The bald eagle. Universe Books, New York, New York. Steenhof, K. and M.N. Kochert. 1982. An evaluation of methods used to estimate raptor nesting success. Journal of Raptor Management. 46(4):885-893. Steenhof, K., L. Bond, K.K. Bates, and L.L. Leppert. 2002 Trends in midwinter counts of bald eagles in the contiguous United States, 1986-2000. Bird Populations 6:21-32. Todd, R.L. 1981. Multi-agency findings on the distribution of bald eagles for Arizona in the January months of 1979, 1980, 1981. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1982. Bald eagle recovery plan (southwestern population). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque, New Mexico. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1995. Endangered and threatened species: bald eagle reclassification; final rule. Federal Register. 60(133): 36000-10. Department of the Interior, Washington, DC. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1999. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; proposed rule to remove the bald eagle in the lower 48 states from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife; proposed rule. Federal Register. 64(128):36454-64. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 25 APPENDIX A: 2004 ARIZONA BALD EAGLE WINTER COUNT RESULTS Table 8. 2004 Arizona bald eagle winter count volunteer survey results. Route Number Route Name Minutes Surveyed Adults Subadults Unknown Bald Eagle Unknown Eagle Apache County 1 Becker Lake 20 2 0 0 0 2 Little Colorado River (LCR) 20 1 0 0 0 3 S. Fork LCR – Campground 23 0 0 0 0 4 Casa Malapais – LCR 20 2 2 0 3 5 Greer Lakes (River, Bunch, and Tunnel Reservoirs) 22 0 0 0 0 6 Sponseller Lake 15 0 0 0 0 7 Mexican Hay Lake 60 0 0 0 0 8 White Mountain Hereford Ranch (Trinity, Glen Livet, McKay reservoirs) 45 1 0 0 0 9 The Ranch Lake 25 0 0 0 0 10 Ortega Lake 25 0 0 0 0 11 Concho Lake 30 1 1 0 0 12 Luna Lake 53 0 0 0 0 13 Nelson Reservoir 55 0 0 0 0 14 Nutrioso Reservoir 36 1 1 0 0 15 Tenney Pond 20 0 0 0 0 16 San Francisco River (Alpine RD to New Mexico) 24 1 1 0 1 17 Campbell Blue Creek 213 0 0 0 Total 706 9 5 0 4 Cochise County 18 Parker Canyon Lake 90 1 1 0 0 19 Willcox Playa Not Surveyed 20 Sulphur Springs Valley – Whitewater Draw 93 0 0 0 0 Total 183 1 1 0 0 Coconino County 21 Long Lake Complex 340 5 4 3 0 22 Stoneman Lake 265 0 2 0 0 23 FH3 145 1 0 0 0 24 I-17, Sedona to Flagstaff 175 2 1 0 0 25 Bellemont 342 0 1 0 0 26 Townsend/Winona A/B 390 1 1 0 0 27 HWY 89 North/Sunset Crater – Wupatki 375 1 0 0 0 28 FH3 Lakes (Mary, Mormon, Marshall, Prime) 577 5 2 0 0 29 Continental Country Club Lakes 170 0 0 0 0 30 Chevelon Canyon Lake 145 4 2 1 1 31 Holden Lake 15 0 0 0 0 32 Spring Valley Wash 180 2 0 0 0 33 Red Lake Valley 120 1 0 0 0 34 Kaibab Lake 58 1 0 0 0 35 Pittman Valley 40 3 1 0 0 36 Davenport Lake 15 3 0 0 0 37 Scholz Lake 40 4 1 0 0 38 Cataract Lake 15 2 0 0 0 Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 26 Table 8. continued. Route Number Route Name Minutes Surveyed Adults Subadults Unknown Bald Eagle Unknown Eagle Coconino County (continued) 39 Willow Springs Lake 105 1 0 0 0 40 West Chevelon Canyon 65 1 0 0 0 41 Willow Creek 50 0 0 0 0 42 White Horse Lake – Pomeroy Tanks 30 1 1 0 0 43 JD Dam Lake 45 2 3 0 1 44 Barney Flat Wetland 15 0 0 0 0 45 Steel/Stone Road 90 0 0 0 0 46 Pine Flat 40 1 0 0 0 47 Boggy Tank 60 1 0 0 0 48 Blue Stem Wash-Babbitt property 185 0 0 0 0 49 Glen Canyon Nat'l Rec Area (Lee's Ferry) 45 3 1 0 0 50 Colorado River, Lee's Ferry to Little Colorado River Not Surveyed Total 4,137 45 20 4 2 Grahm County 51 Point of Pines Lake Area 270 6 3 0 0 Greenlee County 52 Greys Peak 50 0 0 0 0 Maricopa County 53 Painted Rock Reservoir Not Surveyed Mohave County 54 Lake Mohave 330 2 1 0 0 55 Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, Topock Marsh 198 0 0 0 0 56 Lake Mead, Temple Bar 900 7 1 0 0 57 Alamo Lake 30 2 1 0 0 Total 1,458 11 3 0 0 Navajo County 58 Lake of the Woods 25 0 0 0 0 59 Rainbow Lake 60 5 10 0 0 60 Little Mormon Lake 16 0 0 0 0 61 Whipple Lake 34 0 0 0 0 62 Long Lake 41 0 0 1 0 63 Lone Pine Lake 60 0 1 0 0 64 Schoens Reservoir 60 0 0 0 0 65 White Mountain Lake 47 0 0 0 0 66 Dry Lake 65 0 0 0 0 67 Jacques Marsh 65 4 2 0 1 68 Scott's Reservoir 25 0 0 0 0 69 Showlow Lake 81 8 3 0 0 70 Pintail Lake 15 1 0 0 0 71 Telephone Lake 15 1 1 0 0 72 Fool Hollow Lake 150 5 0 0 0 73 Fred's Lake 10 0 0 0 0 74 Edeler's Lake 15 0 0 0 0 75 Cottonwood Wash/Clay Springs 27 0 0 0 0 76 White Lake 8 0 0 0 0 Total 819 24 17 1 1 Pima County 77 Arivaca Lake 60 0 0 0 0 Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 27 Table 8. continued. Route Number Route Name Minutes Surveyed Adults Subadults Unknown Bald Eagle Unknown Eagle Pinal County 78 Picacho Reservoir 40 0 0 0 0 Santa Cruz County 79 Bog Hole 60 0 0 0 0 80 Patagonia Lake 90 0 0 0 0 81 San Raphael Valley 60 0 0 0 0 82 Pena Blanca Lake 30 0 0 0 0 Total 340 0 0 0 0 Yavapai County 83 Wet Beaver Creek 465 2 0 0 1 84 Oak Creek 480 1 0 0 0 85 Willow Lake 250 1 0 0 0 86 Lynx Lake 251 1 0 0 0 87 Watson Lake 240 0 0 0 0 88 Goldwater Lake 240 1 3 0 0 Total 1,926 6 3 0 1 Yuma and LaPaz Counties 89 Imperial National Wildlife Refuge Cibola/Martinez Lake – Colorado River Not Surveyed Table 9. 2004 Arizona bald eagle winter count helicopter survey results. Route Number Route Name Minutes Surveyed Adults Subadults Unknown Bald Eagle Unknown Eagle 90 Verde River 228 21 11 0 0 91 Lower East Verde River 17 2 1 0 0 92 Lower West Clear Creek 28 1 0 0 0 93 Lower Salt River 25 21 12 0 0 94 Upper Salt River 62 7 2 0 0 95 Lower Tonto Creek 27 3 0 0 0 96 Lower Cherry Creek 2 0 0 0 0 97 Lower Canyon Creek 7 0 0 0 0 98 Lower Cibecue Creek 11 0 0 0 0 99 Lower Carrizo Creek 3 0 0 0 0 100 White River 16 1 1 0 0 101 North Fork White River 30 10 2 0 0 102 Lower Black River 45 47 20 0 0 103 Big and Little Bonito Creeks 23 9 1 0 0 104 San Carlos River (Talkalai Lake) 17 1 0 0 0 105 San Carlos Reservoir 13 1 5 0 0 106 Upper and Lower Gila River 34 5 0 0 0 107 Eagle Creek 37 8 3 0 0 108 Bonita Creek 16 0 0 0 0 109 Lower San Francisco River 36 2 1 0 0 110 Blue River 13 1 0 0 0 111 Sunrise Lake 3 1 0 0 0 112 Big Lake 2 0 0 0 0 113 Lee Valley Reservoir 1 0 0 0 0 114 Crescent Lake 2 0 2 0 0 115 Lake Pleasant Not Surveyed Totals 698 141 61 0 0 Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 28 Table 10. 2004 Arizona bald eagle winter count non-standardized route results. Route Name County Minutes Surveyed Adults Subadults Unknown Bald Eagle Unknown Eagle Camp Clover Coconino/Yavapai 130 3 2 0 1 Camp Navajo Coconino 215 2 0 0 0 FR 35 & 27 Coconino/Yavapai 360 0 0 0 0 Garland Prairie Coconino 150 2 1 0 1 HWY 64 Coconino 15 1 0 0 0 HWY 64 East Coconino 30 1 0 0 0 HWY 87 South Coconino 150 0 0 0 0 HWY 87 North Coconino 70 1 0 0 0 HWY 180 Coconino 210 1 2 0 0 Johnson Canyon Coconino 30 3 0 0 0 Kachina Sewage Treatment Plant Coconino 30 0 0 0 0 Loop Road Coconino 300 2 1 0 0 Moqui Road #328 Coconino 50 0 0 0 0 O’Dell Coconino 58 3 2 0 0 Partridge Creek Coconino 300 2 1 0 0 Upper Basin – FR 307 Coconino 120 0 0 0 0 Lake Mohave Mojave -- 8 4 0 0 Mortenson Wash Navajo 120 2 0 0 0 Camp Verde Yavapai 35 0 0 0 0 Totals 2373 31 13 0 2 Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 29 APPENDIX B: RAPTOR REPRODUCTIVE STATUS CRITERIA Breeding Area (BA): An area containing one or more nests within the range of one mated pair of birds. Operationally, once a BA is established, we consider it a BA whether it is occupied by bald eagles in a given year or not, until or unless it is designated historical. Occupied BA/Nest: An occupied BA must have an occupied nest, which is any nest, where at least one of the following activity patterns was observed during the breeding season: a. Young were raised. b. Eggs were laid. c. One adult sitting low in the nest, presumably incubating. d. Two adults present on or near the nest. e. One adult and one bird in immature plumage at or near a nest, if mating behavior was observed (display flight, nest repair, coition). f. A recently repaired nest with fresh sticks, or fresh boughs on top, and/or droppings and/or molted feathers on its rim or underneath. Active Nest: One in which eggs have been laid. Activity patterns (a), (b), and (c) above are diagnostic of an active nest. Unoccupied BA/Nest: A nest or group of alternate nests at which none of the activity patterns diagnostic of an occupied nest were observed in a given breeding season. BAs must exist as occupied before they can be recognized and classified as unoccupied. Successful BA/Nest: An occupied nest from which at least one young fledged during the breeding season under consideration. Nests were successful if at least one young was raised past eight weeks of development. Failed BA/Nest: An occupied nest from which no young fledged due to any cause. Historical BA: A BA that has remained unoccupied for ten consecutive years. Given that some records of breeding occupancy are sparse in the literature before 1973, this term also applies to any BA recorded not showing signs of occupancy since. Reoccupied Historical BA: A Historical BA, which shows signs indicative of being active. Pioneer Effort: The occupancy of a new nest, in previously undocumented breeding habitat, where there is no evidence of prior activity. These occur in areas monitored by the ORA flights before discovery due to 1) the presence of a large nest built by another or unknown species, or 2) the observed suitability of the habitat. Existing Status: A BA that shows signs of prior occupancy (e.g. multiple large nests) and/or signs of prior activity (e.g. prey remains below an existing nest) upon discovery. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 30 APPENDIX C: 2004 ARIZONA BALD EAGLE PRODUCTIVITY Table 11. 2004 Arizona bald eagle productivity. Breeding Area Status1 Nest2 Incubation Date Eggs Hatch Date Young Fledged Fledge Date Alamo F 4 1/4-2/2 1+ Failed 2/2-26. Bartlett* S 1 2/2-2/5 2+ 3/2 2 2 6/2-6/7 Becker U Blue Point S 10 <4/6 2+ <4/6 2 2 4/21-5/4 Box Bar* S 3 <1/5 2+ 2/2-2/6 2 2 4/16 Bulldog S 1 <1/6 2+ 1/30-3/8 2 2 5/4-6/7 Canyon U Cedar Basin O 5 Cibecue F 2 <5/4 1 Found one egg in nest on 5/4. Cliff U Coldwater S 3 2/2-3/12 1+ 3/12-4/6 1 1 >6/7 F 4 2/16-2/20 1+ 3/28 1 Failed 6/17. Coolidge* One nestling died at 11.5 weeks of age. Crescent* S 1 3/24-4/6 1+ 4/22-5/6 1 1 7/25 Doka S 2 <1/2 2+ 1/5-2/2 2 2 3/31-4/21 Dupont U S 6 2/2-3/12 2+ 3/12-4/6 2 1 5/4-6/7 East Verde One nestling last observed on 5/4 at 7.5 weeks of age. Fort McDowell S 16 1/5-2/2 2+ 2/2-3/12 1 1 5/3-6/7 Granite Basin U F 4 1/30-2/2 2 Failed 2/12. Granite Reef* Nest abandoned 2/12. Two eggs taken to rehab. Fostered 4/12 into Horseshoe. Horse Mesa F 4 1/6-1/30 1+ Failed 2/2-3/2. Horseshoe S 11 1/5-2/2 1+ 2/2-3/12 1 2 5/3-6/7 Ive's Wash S 3 1/4-2/2 3 2/18-2/25 3 3 >5/3 S 3 2/16-2/20 2+ 3/26, 3/28 2 1 6/24 Ladders* One nestling died 5/16 at five weeks of age from emaciation related to MCB infestation. Lone Pine S 5 1/30-3/11 2 3/11-5/4 1 1 >6/7 Luna* S 1 <2/6 2+ 3/5-3/19 2 2 5/26, 5/31 Lynx S 2 <3/12 1+ <3/12 1 1 5/3-6/7 Needle Rock* S 2 1/5-2/2 1+ 3/8-3/12 1 1 5/3-6/7 F 1 1/5-2/2 1+ 2/11-3/12 1 Failed 3/12-4/6. Oak Creek Last observed brooding on 3/12. Orme* S 6 1/6-1/30 2+ 2/25 2 2 5/16, 5/19 F 4 1/5-2/2 1+ 2/19-3/12 1 Failed 5/29 Perkinsville Nestling taken to rehab on 5/29 for broken wing. Died 6/9. Pinal S 2 1/6-1/30 1+ 3/11-3/17 1 1 5/4-6/7 Pinto* S 6 1/30-2/6 2+ 2/29 2 2 5/23-6/7 Pleasant* S 3 <2/2 1+ 2/27 1 1 5/14-5/30 Redmond S 5 1/30-3/11 2 3/11-3/16 1 1 5/4-6/7 Rock Creek F 1 1/30-3/11 1+ Failed 3/31. S 2 1/5-2/2 2+ 2/2-3/12 2 1 5/3-6/7 Rodeo One nestling disappeared 3/31-5/3 at 3.5 to 9.5 weeks of age San Carlos* S 3 1/6-1/30 1+ 2/21 1 1 5/11-5/16 76 F 4 2/23-3/11 1+ Failed 3/11-3/18. F 4 1/6-1/30 1+ 2/25-3/11 1 Failed 5/4-6/7. Sheep Nestling disappeared 5/4-6/7 at seven to 11.5 weeks of age. Suicide S 1 1/6-1/30 3 2/9-3/2 3 3 >5/7 Sycamore S 4 <1/2 2+ 1/5-2/2 2 2 3/31-4/21 1 Breeding area status codes (Postupalsky 1974): U=unoccupied, O=occupied, S=successful, F=failed. * Nests monitored by the Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 31 Table 11. continued. Breeding Area Status1 Nest2 Incubation Date Eggs Hatch Date Young Fledged Fledge Date F 4 2/2-3/12 1+ 3/12-4/6 1 Failed 5/3-6/7. Table Mountain One nestling disappeared 5/3-6/7 at three to eight weeks of age. Talkalai S 7 2/6-2/8 1+ 3/11-4/13 1 1 >6/1 Tonto* S 2 1/6-1/30 2+ 2/22 2 2 5/16, 5/22 F 8 1/2-1/25 1+ 3/1-3/4 1 Failed 5/5. Tower* One nestling died 5/5 at nine weeks of age related to MCB infestation. Winkelman U 1 Breeding area status codes (Postupalsky 1974): U=unoccupied, O=occupied, S=successful, F=failed. * Nests monitored by the Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 32 APPENDIX D: 2004 NEST SURVEY RESULTS Table 12. Results of the winter count, ORA, and Nest Survey Flights. Location Time Comments January 5, 2004 Orme 0823 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Rodeo 0827 Nest #1 fell. One adult in area. Sycamore 0832 One adult incubating in nest #4. Second adult in area. Doka 0838 One adult incubating in nest #2. Second adult in area. Fort McDowell 0840 Two adults standing in nest #16. Box Bar 0842 One adult incubating in nest #3. Needle Rock 0844 All known nests empty. One adult in area. Bartlett 0849 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Cliff 0930 All known nests empty. One adult in area. Horseshoe 1003 All known nests empty. One adult in area. Table Mountain 1024 One adult standing in nest #4. LF nest site 1054 Two adults in area. East Verde 1102 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Coldwater 1113 Nest #1 fell. All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Ladders 1324 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. West Clear Creek 1334 No new nests. One adult in area. Oak Creek 1434 All known nests empty. One adult in area. Pecks Lake 1452 No new nests or bald eagles. Tower 1503 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Perkinsville 1515 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Hell Point nest site 1531 One adult in area. Muldoon nest site 1536 Three subadults in area. Granite nest site 1541 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Sullivan Lake nest site 1544 No new nests or bald eagles. Del Rio Ponds 1548 Two adults and two sub adults in area. January 6, 2004 Granite Reef 0755 Two adults in new nest #4 Orme 0757 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Bull Dog 0807 One adult incubating in nest #1. Blue Point 0810 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Horse Mesa 0835 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Tonto 0848 All known nests empty. One adult in area. Sheep 0918 Nest #3 branch broke. All known nests empty. No bald eagles. 76 0927 Nest #3 branch broke. Two adults in area. Roosevelt Lake 0973 No new nests. Eleven adults and ten subadults in area. Pinto 1137 One adult standing in new nest #6. Pinal 1147 All known nests empty. One adult in area. Redmond 1203 One adult standing in nest #5. Second adult in area. Canyon 1230 Nest #8 gone. All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Ash historical BA 1249 No new nests. One adult in area. Talkalai 1317 No new nests or bald eagles. San Carlos 1334 Nest #2 fell. All known nests empty. One adult in area. Suicide 1350 All known nests empty. Two adults in area. Coolidge 1400 All known nests empty. Two adults in area. Granite Basin 1436 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Winkelman 1444 Nest #2 fell. All known nests empty. No bald eagles. January 7, 2004 Cibecue 1028 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Mule Hoof historical BA 1042 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Cedar Basin 1055 All known nests empty. Two adults upstream. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 33 Table 12. continued. Location Time Comments January 7, 2004 continued Lone Pine 1113 All known nests empty. Two adults and two subadults in area. Crescent 1223 All known nests empty. Two subadults in area. January 8, 2004 Willow nest site 1007 No new nests or bald eagles. Eagle nest site 1039 No new nests. One adult in area. January 30, 2004 Granite Reef 0834 One adult in nest #4. Orme 0835 One adult incubating in nest #6. Bull Dog 0841 One adult incubating in nest #1. Blue Point 0844 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Horse Mesa 0900 One adult incubating in nest #4. Rock Creek 0905 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Tonto 0908 One adult incubating nest #2. Sheep 0915 One adult incubating in new nest #4. 76 0925 New nest #4 in former nest #3 tree. One adult in area. Dupont 0943 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Pinto 0955 Two adults standing in nest #6. Pinal 0959 One adult incubating in nest #6. Redmond 1003 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Gleason Flat 1014 No new nests or bald eagles. Canyon 1020 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Cibecue 1142 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Mule Hoof historical BA 1150 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Cedar Basin 1207 All known nests empty. Two adults upstream. Lone Pine 1220 One adult standing in new nest #5. Talkalai 1440 One adult standing in refurbished nest #7. Second adult in area. San Carlos 1420 One adult incubating in nest #3. Suicide 1430 One adult incubating in nest #1. Coolidge 1435 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Granite Basin 1505 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Winkelman 1526 No new nests or bald eagles. February 2, 2004 Granite Reef 0739 One adult incubating in nest #4. Second adult in area. Orme 0741 One adult incubating in nest #6. Rodeo 0744 One adult incubating in nest #2. Second adult in area. Sycamore 0748 One adult incubating in nest #2. Second adult in area. Doka 0752 One adult brooding one one-week old nestling in nest. Second adult in area. Fort McDowell 0755 One adult incubating in nest #16. Box Bar 0759 One adult incubating in nest #3. Needle Rock 0800 One adult incubating in nest #2. Bartlett 0805 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Cliff 0824 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Horseshoe 0845 One adult incubating in nest #11. Table Mountain 0858 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. East Verde 1004 One adult standing in nest #6. Second adult in area. Coldwater 1014 Nest #3 fell. All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Ladders 1025 All known nests empty. One adult and two subadults in area. Camp Verde historical BA 1035 No new nests or bald eagles. Oak Creek 1052 One adult incubating in nest #1. Tower 1117 One adult incubating in nest #8 Perkinsville 1126 One adult incubating in nest #4. Hell Point nest site 1132 No new nests or bald eagles. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 34 Table 12. continued. Location Time Comments February 2, 2004 continued Muldoon nest site 1142 All known nests empty. One adult in area. Granite nest site 1148 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Sullivan Lake nest site 1151 No new nests or bald eagles. Del Rio Ponds 1156 One adult and five subadults in area. Lynx 1335 One adult and three subadults in area. Goldwater Lake 1341 One adult in area. Alamo 1421 One adult incubating in nest #4. Ive’s Wash 1427 One adult incubating in nest #3. Pleasant 1548 One adult incubating in nest #3. Salt/Gila Rivers 1610 One subadult in area. March 11, 2004 Granite Reef 0734 All known nests empty. Two adults in area. Bull Dog 0741 One adult brooding in nest #1. Blue Point 0744 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Horse Mesa 0812 Nest empty, confirmed failed. Rock Creek 0815 One adult incubating in nest #2. Sheep 0830 One adult incubating in nest #4. Second adult in area. 76 0837 One adult incubating in nest #4. Second adult in area. Dupont 0849 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Pinto 0900 One adult incubating in nest #6. Second adult in area. Pinal 0904 One adult brooding one 1.5-week old nestling in nest. Redmond 0908 One adult incubating in nest #5. Gleason Flat 0913 No new nests or bald eagles. Canyon 0930 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Nest #5 fell. Cibecue 1115 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Golden eagle incubating in nest #6. Mule Hoof historical BA 1125 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Cedar Basin 1200 New nest #8. One adult in area. Lone Pine 1210 One adult incubating in nest #5. Second adult in area. Black River 1214 Two adults in area Talkalai 1413 One adult incubating/brooding in nest #7. San Carlos 1424 One adult brooding. Suicide 1428 Two 1.5-week old nestlings in nests and one adult in nest. Coolidge 1430 One adult incubating. Second adult in area. Granite Basin 1458 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Winkelman 1500 No new nests or bald eagles. March 12, 2004 Salt River/Tempe Town Lake 0725 Red-tailed hawk nest Rodeo 0740 One adult sitting low on nest on nest #2. Sycamore 0746 Two seven-week old nestlings in nest. Doka 0750 Two seven-week old nestlings in nest. One adult in area. Fort McDowell 0754 One adult standing in nest. One three-week old nestling in nest. One egg. Needle Rock 0800 One adult feeding, one one-week old nestling in nest. Bartlett 0804 One adult brooding. Cliff 0830 One adult downstream of nest area. Horseshoe 0842 One adult incubating/brooding in nest #11. Table Mountain 0848 One adult incubating in nest #4. East Verde 0900 One adult standing in nest #6 with possible egg. Second adult in area. Coldwater 0908 One adult incubating in nest #4. LF nest site 0925 No new nests or bald eagles. Burnt Point 0952 No new nests or bald eagles. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 35 Table 12. continued. Location Time Comments March 12, 2004 continued Camp Verde historical BA 1058 No new nests or bald eagles. Oak Creek 1110 One adult incubating/brooding in nest #1. Perkinsville 1133 One adult standing in nest with one one-week old nestling in nest. Hell Point nest site 1142 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Muldoon nest site 1147 All known nests empty. One adult in area. Granite nest site 1150 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Sullivan Lake nest site 1155 No new nests or bald eagles. Del Rio Ponds 1200 No new nests or bald eagles. Lynx 1212 One adult incubating in new nest #2. Goldwater Lake 1217 No new nests or bald eagles. Devil’s Post historical BA 1400 All known nests empty. One adult in area. Chino historical BA 1425 No new nests or bald eagles. Alamo 1430 All known nests empty. One adult on lake. Ive’s Wash 1437 One adult shading two+ two-week old nestlings in nest. Agua Fria River 1553 No new nests or bald eagles. Salt/Gila Rivers 1620 No new nests or bald eagles. Four ospreys in area. March 31, 2004 Pleasant 0643 One five-week old nestling in nest. Horseshoe 0700 One adult standing on nest with a three-week old nestling in nest. 76 0720 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Sheep 0730 One adult incubating. Second adult in area. Tonto 0734 One adult on nest with two 4.5-week old nestlings in nest. Second adult in area. Rock Creek 0740 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Failed. Pinto 0750 One adult on nest with two three-week old nestlings in nest. Second adult in area. Pinal 0754 One adult incubating/brooding. Redmond 0800 One adult on nest with one three-week old nestling in nest. Second adult in area. Gleason Flat 0809 No new nests or bald eagles. Canyon 0818 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Suicide 1129 One adult on nest with three 3.5-week old nestlings in nest. Second adult in area. Coolidge 1132 One adult brooding. Second adult in area. Granite Basin 1140 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Bull Dog 1220 One adult on nest with two four-week old nestlings in nest. Orme 1225 One adult on nest with one four-week old nestling in nest. Rodeo 1227 One adult on nest with two three-week old nestlings in nest. Sycamore 1230 Two 11-week old nestlings in nest. Doka 1232 Two 11-week old nestlings in nest. Fort McDowell 1235 One adult on nest with one five-week old nestling in nest. Box Bar 1237 One adult on nest with two nine-week old nestlings in nest. Needle Rock 1238 One adult on nest with one three-week old nestling in nest. Second adult in area. April 6, 2004 Ive’s Wash 0900 Banded three four-week old nestlings in nest. Two adults in area. Alamo 1159 All known nests empty. Two adults in area. Perkinsville 1445 One adult with one 3.5-week old nestling in nest. Oak Creek 1500 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Failed. Coldwater 1514 One adult brooding. East Verde 1522 Two 3.5-week old nestlings in nest. Two adults in area. Table Mountain 1528 Two adults brooding. Horseshoe 1538 One adult with one three-week old nestling in nest. Cliff 1544 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 36 Table 12. continued. Location Time Comments April 6, 2004 Blue Point 1615 Two six-week old nestlings in nest. Two adults in area. April 21, 2004 Horseshoe 0732 Two seven-week old nestlings in nest. Table Mountain 0736 One adult on nest with one one-week old nestling in nest. East Verde 0747 Banded two five-week old nestlings in nest. Two adults in area. Coldwater 1117 One adult brooding one three-week old nestling in nest. Railroad bridge 1135 No new nests or bald eagles. Oak Creek 1150 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Blue Ridge Reservoir 1326 No new nests or bald eagles. Knoll Lake nest site 1341 One osprey incubating. Two other empty osprey nests observed. Bear Canyon 1348 Two ospreys in area. Woods Canyon nest site 1353 One osprey incubating. Two ospreys on lake. Willow Springs Lake 1400 One osprey incubating in nest below dam. Two ospreys on lake. Chevelon nest site 1405 High survey. No new nests or bald eagles. Blue Point 1448 Two eight-week old nestlings in nest. Doka 1455 Two fledglings and one adult in area. Fort McDowell 1457 One eight-week old nestling in nest. One adult in area. May 3, 2004 Ive’s Wash 0755 One adult on nest with three 8.5-week old nestlings in nest. Lynx 0849 One eight-week old nestling in nest. Two adults on lake. Perkinsville 1000 One eight-week old nestling in nest. Tower 1010 One 8.5-week old nestling in nest. Railroad bridge 1015 No new nests or bald eagles. Oak Creek 1030 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Ladders 1055 One adult on nest with one 4.5-week old nestling in nest. Second adult in area. Coldwater 1100 One five-week old nestling in nest. One adult in area. East Verde 1107 One adult on nest shading two 7.5-week old nestlings in nest. Second adult in area. Table Mountain 1245 One adult on nest Shading one three-week old nestling in nest. Horseshoe 1250 One adult on nest with two 8.5-week old nestlings in nest. Second adult in area. Cliff 1257 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Needle Rock 1313 One eight-week old nestling in nest. One adult in area. Box Bar 1315 Two adults on nest with two 13-week old nestlings in nest. Fort McDowell 1316 One 11-week-old nestling in nest. One adult in area. Rodeo 1320 One eight-week old nestling in nest. One adult in area Orme 1329 Two nine-week old nestlings in nest. Salt River/Tempe Town Lake 1345 No new nests or bald eagles. May 4, 2004 Box Bar 0645 Two fledglings in area. Bull Dog 0658 Two nine-week old nestlings in nest Blue Point 0700 Two ten-week old nestlings in nest. Horse Mesa 0715 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Tonto 0722 Two 9.5-week old nestlings in nest. Sheep 0727 One 6+week old nestling in nest. One adult in area. 76 0733 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Roosevelt Lake 0745 One adult at each of the two major inflows. Pinto 0800 One adult on nest with two eight-week old nestlings in nest. Second adult in area. Pinal 0804 One 6+week old nestling in nest. One adult in area. Redmond 0807 One eight-week old nestling in nest. One adult in area. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 37 Table 12. continued. Location Time Comments May 4, 2004 continued Canyon 0820 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Cibecue 0950 Addle egg in nest #2. No bald eagles. Mule Hoof historical BA 1000 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Cedar Basin 1019 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Lone Pine 1020 One adult shading one four-week-old nestling in nest. Second adult in area. Pacheta Lake 1052 No new nests or bald eagles. Reservation Lake 1100 No new nests or bald eagles. Big Lake 1105 No new nests or bald eagles. Crescent Lake 1107 One adult incubating in nest #1. Second adult in area. Lee Valley Reservoir 1113 No new nests or bald eagles. Sunrise Lake 1116 No new nests or bald eagles. Horseshoe Cienega Lake 1120 No new nests or bald eagles. Hawley Lake 1124 No new nests or bald eagles. Chevelon nest site 1250 No new nests or bald eagles. Potential nest fell. Willow Springs Lake 1315 One adult perched on the SW end of lake. Woods Canyon nest site 1320 No new nests or bald eagles. Bear Canyon Lake 1325 No new nests or bald eagles. Knoll Lake nest site 1330 No new nests or bald eagles. East Clear Creek 1345 No new nests or bald eagles. June 6, 2004 Rodeo 0630 One adult in area. Nest #2 partially fallen. Needle Rock 0643 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Bartlett 0648 One adult in area. Horseshoe 0700 All known nests empty. One adult in area. Table Mountain 0720 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Failed. East Verde 0730 One adult in area. Coldwater 0736 One eight-week old nestling in nest. Ladders 0740 One nine-week old nestling in nest. One adult in area. Lynx 0806 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Sheep 1045 One adult in area. Tonto 1053 One adult and fledgling in nest tree. Roosevelt Lake 1105 Four adults and three subadults on lake. Pinto 1112 One 13-week old nestling in nest. One adult and fledgling in area. Pinal 1118 One adult and fledgling in area. Redmond 1129 All known nests empty. One adult in area. Lone Pine 1151 One nine-week old nestling in nest. One adult in area. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 38 APPENDIX E: BARTLETT BREEDING AREA SUMMARY Table 13. Observed human activity and bald eagle behavior, Bartlett BA, Arizona, 2004. Human Activity N1 W R F L U Total Percent Small plane 150 50 1 1 -- 9 211 69.0 Helicopter 25 36 1 1 -- 1 64 20.9 OHV 4 4 3 -- -- -- 11 3.6 Canoe/kayak 1 4 -- 1 -- 2 8 2.6 Rafter 1 1 -- 1 -- 1 4 1.3 Boater -- 2 -- 1 -- -- 3 1.0 Jet 1 1 -- -- -- -- 2 0.7 Researcher -- -- -- 1 -- -- 1 0.3 Agency worker -- 1 -- -- -- -- 1 0.3 Docking boat -- -- -- -- 1 -- 1 0.3 Total 182 99 5 6 1 13 306 1Bald eagle behavior, N=none, W=watched, R=restless, F=flushed, L=left area, U=unknown. Table 14. Observed forage event and success, Bartlett BA, Arizona, 2004. Fish Mammals Unknown Total Sex E1 S-U2 E S-U E S-U E S-U Male 14 6-8 1 1-0 1 0-1 16 7-9 Female 15 10-5 -- -- 1 0-1 16 10-6 Total 29 16-13 1 1-0 2 0-2 32 17-15 1E=A Single forage event, not the number of attempts during 1 event. 2S-U=Successful – Unsuccessful forage events. Table 15. Observed prey types delivered to the nest, Bartlett BA, Arizona, 2004. Sex Fish Bird Mammal Unknown Total Percent Male 56 5 2 6 69 87.3 Female 8 -- 2 -- 10 12.7 Total 64 5 4 6 Percent 81.0 6.3 5.1 7.6 79 Table 16. Bald Eagle Habitat Analysis at the Bartlett BA, Arizona, 2004. Perch Location1 Perch Type2 Side Shade Distance to H2O3 H2O Type4 Land Type5 31.6a BO Left No 1 RU UP 31.6b BO Left No 1 RU UP 33.6 BA Left Partial 1 RU UP 33.8 SH Right No 3 PO MB 34.0 BA Left No 1 PO UP 34.1a CL Left Partial 1 PO MB 34.1b SO Right Yes 1 RU WT 34.2a CM Left No 1 PO MB 34.2b SB Island No 1 PO WT 1River/lake kilometers (Hunt and others 1992). 2BO=boulder, BA=cut bank, SH=shrub, CL=cottonwood large/20-30+m, SO=shore, CM=cottonwood medium/10-20m, SB=sandbar. 31=0-25m, 2=26-50m, 3=51-75m, 4=76-100m, 5=101-200m, 6=201-300m, 7=301-400m, 8=>401m. 4RU=run, PO =pool. 5UP=desert upland, MB=mesquite bosque, WT=willow thicket, CW=cottonwood grove, TA=talus, GB=gravel bar. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 39 Table 16. continued. Perch Location1 Perch Type2 Side Shade Distance to H2O3 H2O Type4 Land Type5 34.2c SM Left No 1 PO MB 34.2d CM Right Partial 1 PO CW 34.2e SB Island Partial 1 PO WT 34.2f ST Right Partial 3 PO MB 34.3a CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.3b CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.3c CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.3d CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.3e CF Right Partial 1 RU TA 34.3f BO Island Partial 1 RU WT 34.3g SS Right No 1 RU TA 34.3h SM Left No 3 RU MB 34.3i SO Right No 1 RU GB 34.4a CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.4b CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.4c CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.4d CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.4e CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.4f CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.4g CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.4h CT Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.4i CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.4j CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.4k CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.4l CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.5a CF Right Partial 1 PO CL 34.5b CT Right Partial 1 PO CL 34.5c GB Island Partial 1 RI WT 34.5d CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.5e GR Channel Partial 1 BW WT 34.5f CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.6a CF Right Partial 1 PO CL 34.6b CF Right Partial 1 PO CL 34.6c CT Right Partial 1 PO CL 34.6d CF Right Partial 1 RI CL 34.6e CF Right Partial 1 PO CL 34.6f CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.6g CF Right Partial 1 RI CL 34.7a CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.7b CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.8a NE Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.8b CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.8c PT Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.8d CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 1River/lake kilometers (Hunt and others 1992). 2SM=snag, CM=cottonwood medium/10-20m, SB=sandbar, mesquite, ST=snag top, CF=cliff ledge, BO=boulder, SS=soft snag, SO=shore, CT=cliff top, GB=gravel bar, GR=ground, NE=nest, PT=pinnacle top. 31=0-25m, 2=26-50m, 3=51-75m, 4=76-100m, 5=101-200m, 6=201-300m, 7=301-400m, 8=>401m. 4PO=pool, RU=run, RI=riffle, BW=backwater. 5MB=mesquite bosque, CW=cottonwood grove, WT=willow thicket, CL=cliffs, TA=talus, GB=gravel bar. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 40 Table 16. continued. Perch Location1 Perch Type2 Side Shade Distance to H2O3 H2O Type4 Land Type5 34.8e SP Right No 3 RU UP 34.8f CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.8g CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.8h CT Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.8i CT Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.8j CT Right No 1 RU UP 34.8k CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.8l CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.8m CF Right Partial 1 PO CL 34.8n CF Right Partial 1 PO CL 34.8o CF Right Partial 1 PO TA 34.8p CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.9a CT Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.9b ST Right No 3 RU UP 34.9c CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.9d SS Right No 1 RU UP 34.9e CT Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.9f CT Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.9g PV Right Partial 1 RU UP 34.9h SO Island Partial 1 PO WT 34.9i CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 35.0a SS Right No 1 RI UP 35.0b CF Right Partial 1 RI CL 35.0c PT Right Partial 1 RI CL 35.0d CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 35.2 CF Right Partial 8 RI CL 35.4a SM Right Partial 1 PO MB 35.4b SO Left Partial 1 PO WT 36.0 BO Left No 1 RU UP 36.5 CL Right Partial 1 RU MB 37.1 CF Left Partial 6 RU CL 42.3 BO Left No 3 RS UP 43.9 SM Left No 1 RS UP 49.2 BO Left Partial 1 RS CL 49.6 BO Left Partial 1 RS CL 1River/lake kilometers (Hunt and others 1992). 2SP=stump or fallen tree, CF=cliff ledge, CT=cliff top, ST=snag top, SS=soft snag, PV=palo verde, SO=shore, PT=pinnacle top, SM=snag, mesquite, BO=boulder, CL=cottonwood large/20-30m. 31=0-25m, 2=26-50m, 3=51-75m, 4=76-100m, 5=101-200m, 6=201-300m, 7=301-400m, 8=>401m. 4RU=run, PO =pool, RI=riffle, RS=reservoir. 5UP=desert upland, CL=cliffs, TA=talus, WT=willow thicket, MB=mesquite bosque. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 41 Table 17. Bald Eagle Habitat Use at the Bartlett BA, Arizona, 2004. River km NX1, 2 PP PH PW PX EX SX GN WB Total Percent 31.6 -- -- -- 6 -- -- 2 -- -- 8 -- 33.6 -- -- -- 6 -- -- -- -- -- 6 -- 33.8 -- -- -- 104 2 -- -- -- -- 106 0.2 34.0 -- -- 6 4 1 -- -- -- -- 11 -- 34.1 -- -- -- 1 1 -- -- 1 -- 3 -- 34.2 -- 114 76 770 425 157 494 16 3 2,055 3.4 34.3 -- 119 44 391 54 18 38 1 -- 665 1.1 34.4 -- 184 110 8,617 48 20 -- -- -- 8,979 14.8 34.5 -- 50 61 1,686 17 52 302 1 -- 2,169 3.6 34.6 -- 220 72 2,722 410 36 -- -- -- 3,460 5.7 34.7 -- 21 3 1,613 9 5 -- -- -- 1,651 2.7 34.8 (nest) 35,706 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 3 35,709 58.9 34.8b -- 22 43 3,001 159 12 2 7 1 3,247 5.4 34.9 -- 164 168 1,206 5 -- -- -- -- 1,543 2.5 35.0 -- 42 -- 529 4 -- -- -- -- 575 0.9 35.2 -- -- -- 2 -- -- -- -- -- 2 -- 35.4 -- 28 -- 39 3 -- -- 7 -- 77 0.1 36.0 -- -- -- 137 1 -- -- -- -- 138 0.2 36.5 -- -- -- 39 -- -- -- -- -- 39 0.1 37.1 -- -- -- 78 65 -- -- -- -- 143 0.2 42.3 -- -- -- 64 -- -- -- -- -- 64 0.1 43.9 -- -- -- 3 -- -- -- -- -- 3 -- 49.2 -- -- -- 6 -- -- -- -- -- 6 -- 49.6 -- -- -- 8 -- -- -- -- -- 8 -- Total 35,706 964 583 21,032 1,204 300 838 33 7 Percent 58.9 1.6 1.0 34.7 2.0 0.5 1.4 0.1 -- 60,667 1Observation Time (minutes). 2NX=nesting activities, PP=perched preening, PH=perched hunting, PW=perched watching, PX=perched various, EX=eating various, SX=shore various, GN=gathering nest material, WB=undetermined behavior. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 42 APPENDIX F: BOX BAR BREEDING AREA SUMMARY Table 18. Observed human activity and bald eagle behavior, Box Bar BA, Arizona, 2004. Human Activity N1 W R F B U Total Percent Helicopters 2 16 -- -- 4 -- 22 31.0 Small planes 1 15 -- -- -- -- 16 22.5 ATV’s 1 6 -- 1 2 -- 10 14.1 Hikers -- 5 -- 1 -- -- 6 8.5 Gunfire -- -- 1 -- -- 4 5 7.0 Fisherman 3 -- -- -- -- -- 3 4.2 4 X 4 vehicles -- 3 -- -- -- -- 3 4.2 Picnickers 2 -- -- -- -- -- 2 2.8 Motor para-glider -- 2 -- -- -- -- 2 2.8 Shooter -- 1 -- -- -- -- 1 1.4 Boater 1 -- -- -- -- -- 1 1.4 Total 10 48 1 2 6 4 71 1Bald eagle behavior, N=none, W=watched, R=restless, F=flushed, B=birds not in area, U=unknown. Table 19. Observed prey types delivered to the nest, Box Bar BA, Arizona, 2004. Sex Reptiles Fish Mammals Birds Unknown Total Percent Male 19
Object Description
TITLE | Arizona bald eagle management program summary report |
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Full Text | ARIZONA BALD EAGLE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 2004 SUMMARY REPORT Kenneth V. Jacobson, Bald Eagle Field Projects Coordinator Jorge S. Canaca, Bald Eagle Biologist John G. Koloszar, Bald Eagle Biologist James T. Driscoll, Bald Eagle Management Coordinator Nongame Branch, Wildlife Management Division Technical Report 247 Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Branch Chief: Leonard Ordway Arizona Game and Fish Department 2221 West Greenway Road Phoenix, Arizona 85023-4399 December 2004 CIVIL RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMPLIANCE The Arizona Game and Fish Commission receives federal financial assistance in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration. Under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, or disability. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire further information please write to: Arizona Game and Fish Department Office of the Deputy Director, DOHQ 2221 West Greenway Road Phoenix, Arizona 85023-4399 And The Office for Diversity and Civil Rights U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 4040 North Fairfax Drive, Room 300 Arlington, Virginia 22203 AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE The Arizona Game and Fish Department complies with all provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This document is available in alternative format by contacting the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Office of the Deputy Director at the address listed above or by calling (602) 789-3290 or TTY 1-800-367-8939. RECOMMENDED CITATION Jacobson, K.V., J.S. Canaca, J.G. Koloszar, and J.T. Driscoll. 2004. Arizona bald eagle management program 2004 summary report. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Technical Report 247. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors acknowledge and appreciate the assistance of the following people: Nick Fiscina, Arizona Public Service; Dana Banwart, GeoMarine Inc. (U.S. Air Combat Command); Terry Gerber and Darcy Kinsman, Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department; National Audubon Society (Arizona chapters); Dave Ritchie, Rio Verde Ranch; Marilyn Ethelbah, Tudor Montague, and Dixie Padilla, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community; John Keane and Lance Stewart, Salt River Project; Stefanie White, San Carlos Apache Tribe; Amy Heuslein, U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs; J.T. Hesse, U.S. Department of Defense (Luke Air Force Base); Ted Cordery, U.S. Bureau of Land Management; Henry Messing and Mark Santee, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation; Greg Beatty and Mary Richardson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Janie Agyagos, Jim Copeland, Noel Fletcher, Cavetta Jones, Gen Masters, Vincente Ordonez, Heidi Planke, Mike Ross, Albert Sillas, Linda Whitetrifaro, and Todd Willard, U.S. Forest Service; Robin Brean, Verde Valley Railroad; Cynthia Dale, White Mountain Apache; Elisabeth Burgard, Barbara Jewett, and Robert Magill, Arizona Game and Fish Department. A special thanks goes out to all the winter count coordinators and volunteers for their hard work and dedication. This report, in part, summarizes the results of monitoring by the Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program using the breeding area (BA) reports submitted by contractors in 2004. Those include: Steve Alsup and Lindsay Reynolds, Bartlett BA; Jean Carpenter and Ernie O’Toole, Box Bar BA; Sara Kennedy and Lyndsay Helleckson, Coolidge BA; Joe Peddie, Cresent BA; Suzanne Ehret and Robert Klotz, Ladders BA; Joe Peddie, Michele Young, Jean Carpenter, Luna BA; Belita Marine and Brian Gerber, Orme BA; Marie-France Julien and Melanie Pilon, Pinto BA; Adriane Albertowicz and Aran Meyer, Pleasant BA; Samantha Burrell and Carl Bullock, San Carlos BA; Jennifer Ottinger and Marion Finucane, Tonto BA; Chris Harrison and Joanie Smith, Tower BA. PROJECT FUNDING Funding for this protect was provided by: Arizona's Nongame Wildlife Checkoff; the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Heritage Fund; Arizona Public Service; Geo-Marine Inc.; Salt River Project; San Carlos Apache Tribe; State Trust Fund Grants; U.S. Bureau of Land Management; U.S. Bureau of Reclamation; U.S. Department of Defense (Luke Air Force Base); U.S. Forest Service (Coconino, Prescott, and Tonto National Forests); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (State Wildlife Grant); and Verde Canyon Railroad. TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction.....................................................................................................................................4 Study Area.......................................................................................................................................4 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count...................................................................................................3 Introduction.........................................................................................................................3 Methods...............................................................................................................................3 Results and Discussion........................................................................................................4 Management Recommendations..........................................................................................5 Arizona Bald Eagle Nest Survey.....................................................................................................5 Introduction.........................................................................................................................5 Methods...............................................................................................................................6 Results.................................................................................................................................6 New Locations Surveyed.........................................................................................7 Historical BAs..........................................................................................................8 Survey Sites with Existing Large Nests...................................................................9 Breeding Areas.........................................................................................................9 Overview................................................................................................................11 Management Recommendations........................................................................................11 Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program.......................................................................................12 Introduction.......................................................................................................................12 Methods.............................................................................................................................13 Results and Discussion......................................................................................................14 Bartlett Breeding Area...........................................................................................14 Box Bar Breeding Area..........................................................................................15 Coolidge Breeding Area........................................................................................16 Crescent Breeding Area.........................................................................................16 Ladders Breeding Area..........................................................................................17 Luna Breeding Area...............................................................................................17 Orme Breeding Area..............................................................................................18 Pinto Breeding Area...............................................................................................19 Pleasant Breeding Area..........................................................................................19 San Carlos Breeding Area......................................................................................20 Tonto Breeding Area..............................................................................................21 Tower Breeding Area.............................................................................................21 Other Interventions............................................................................................................22 Granite Reef Breeding Area...................................................................................22 Management Recommendations........................................................................................22 Literature Cited.............................................................................................................................23 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Summary of the Arizona bald eagle winter count 2004......................................................4 Table 2. Summary of Arizona bald eagle winter counts 1981-1985, 1992-2004..............................5 Table 3. Arizona bald eagle productivity summary 2004................................................................6 Table 4. 2004 Arizona bald eagle nest survey summary, new locations.........................................7 Table 5. 2004 Arizona bald eagle nest survey summary, historical BAs........................................8 Table 6. 2004 Arizona bald eagle nest survey summary, nest sites.................................................9 Table 7. 2004 Arizona bald eagle nest survey summary, BAs......................................................10 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Location of known bald eagle BAs in Arizona, 2004......................................................2 LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix A: 2004 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count Results......................................................25 Appendix B: Raptor Reproductive Status Criteria...........................................................................29 Appendix C: 2004 Arizona Bald Eagle Productivity.......................................................................30 Appendix D: 2004 Nest Survey Results........................................................................................32 Appendix E: Bartlett Breeding Area Summary.............................................................................38 Appendix F: Box Bar Breeding Area Summary............................................................................42 Appendix G: Coolidge Breeding Area Summary..........................................................................44 Appendix H: Crescent Breeding Area Summary...........................................................................49 Appendix I: Ladders Breeding Area Summary..............................................................................51 Appendix J: Luna Breeding Area Summary..................................................................................57 Appendix K: Orme Breeding Area Summary................................................................................59 Appendix L: Pinto Breeding Area Summary.................................................................................61 Appendix M: Pleasant Breeding Area Summary...........................................................................62 Appendix N: San Carlos Breeding Area Summary........................................................................65 Appendix O: Tonto Breeding Area Summary................................................................................68 Appendix P: Tower Breeding Area Summary................................................................................70 ARIZONA BALD EAGLE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 2004 SUMMARY REPORT Kenneth V. Jacobson, Jorge S. Canaca, John G. Koloszar, and James T. Driscoll INTRODUCTION In 1978, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) listed the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as amended (1973) in 43 states (including Arizona), and threatened in five others (USFWS 1982). In Alaska, the USFWS did not list the species and it does not occur in Hawaii. The USFWS downlisted the bald eagle to threatened in 1995 (USFWS 1995), and has proposed to delist in the future (USFWS 1999). Until delisting, the bald eagle remains protected under the ESA. Thereafter, the Airborne Hunting Act, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Lacey Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and Arizona Revised Statute Title 17 will protect the species. To enhance coordination, increase communication, and provide oversight for Arizona bald eagle management, land and wildlife management agencies formed the Southwestern Bald Eagle Management Committee (SWBEMC) in 1984. The members include: Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD), Arizona Public Service (APS), Arizona State Parks Department, Army Corps of Engineers, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Geo-Marine (U.S. Air Combat Command), Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department (MCPRD), Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC), Salt River Project (SRP), San Carlos Apache Tribe (SCAT), Tonto Apache Tribe, U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), U.S. Department of Defense (Luke Air Force Base), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), USFWS, U.S. National Park Service, and White Mountain Apache Tribe. In the past, the Arizona Bald Eagle Management Program annually provided three separate technical reports summarizing Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count, Arizona Bald Eagle Nest Survey, and the Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program (ABENWP). This year, we have compiled all of this information into one report. STUDY AREA Statewide monitoring and surveys were conducted within five biotic communities, (Brown 1994): Great Basin Conifer Woodland, Interior Chaparral, Plains and Great Basin Grasslands, Rocky Mountain (Petran) and Madrean Montane Conifer Forest, and Sonoran Desertscrub-Arizona Upland Subdivision. Other biotic communities visited include Chihuahuan Desertscrub, Mohave Desertscrub, Sonoran Riparian Deciduous Forest and Woodlands, and Sonoran Desert-Lower Colorado Subdivision. Most of Arizona’s bald eagle breeding habitat exists between 329 and 1719 meters (1080 and 5640 ft) elevation in central Arizona (Fig. 1). These breeding areas (BAs) occur within riparian areas of the Upper and Lower Sonoran Life Zones and transition areas (Brown 1994). Plant species vary in each of the five biotic communities. Characteristic species of the Great Basin Conifer Woodland are juniper (Juniperus spp.) and pinyon (Pinus spp.). Interior Chaparral is represented by agave (Agave spp.), crucifixion thorn (Canotia holocantha), evergreen oaks (Quercus spp.), manzanita Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 2 (Arctostaphylos spp.), and skunkbush sumac (Rhus trilobata). Typical species of the Plains and Great Basin Grasslands include bluestem grasses (Andropogon spp.), teddy bear cholla (Opuntia bigelovii) and prickly pear cacti (Opuntia spp.), grama grasses (Bouteloua spp.), and sagebrush (Artemisia spp.). Species often found in the Rocky Mountain and Madrean Montane Conifer Forests are firs (Abies and Pseudotsuga spp.), Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii), oaks (Quercus spp.), pines (Pinus spp.) and spruces (Picea spp.). Common species in the Sonoran Desert-Arizona Upland Subdivision are barrel cacti (Ferocactus spp.), blue palo verde (Cercidium floridum), creosote bush (Larrea tridentate), foothill palo verde (Cercidium microphyllum), mesquite (Prosopis spp.), saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea), Goodding willow (Salix gooddingii), Arizona sycamore (Platanus wrightii), and introduced salt cedar (Tamarix spp.). Figure 1. Location of known bald eagle BAs in Arizona, 2004. The Becker BA is within a Plains and Great Basin Grassland biotic community (Brown 1994). An isolated patch of cottonwoods along the eastern shore of Becker Lake creates local nesting habitat similar to the riparian areas of the Upper and Lower Sonoran Life Zones. Crescent, Dupont, Luna, Lynx, and Rock Creek BAs are in Montane-Conifer Forest (Brown 1994). Representative vegetation includes; blue spruce (Picea pungens), Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) white fir (Abies concolor), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii), and common juniper (Juniperus communis). Riparian vegetation includes narrowleaf cottonwood (Populus angustifolia), thinleaf alder (Alnus tenuifolia), Bebb’s willow (Salix bebbiana) and coyote willow (Salix exigua). Dupont, Lynx, and Rock Creek BAs are located in isolated patches of ponderosa pine surrounded by Interior Chaparral, which consists mainly of pinyon-juniper woodland, shrub live oak (Quercus turbinalla), pointed and pringle manzanita (Arctostaphylos pungens and pringlei). Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 3 ARIZONA BALD EAGLE WINTER COUNT INTRODUCTION Because bald eagles are nomadic in winter, national winter surveys are an effective tool to monitor the species' success throughout its range (Stalmaster 1987). In addition, the identification of the bald eagle’s winter distribution in Arizona was a goal in the 1982 Southwest Bald Eagle Recovery Plan (USFWS 1982). The knowledge of wintering bald eagle habitat use allows for the consideration and implementation of management to protect important wintering areas. Although the USFWS has proposed to delist the species, the importance of the national winter count remains. Through each state’s consistent efforts, the winter count will continue to provide post-delisting data on national population fluctuations. The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) initiated and organized the national bald eagle winter count from 1979-1991. Arizona contributed this information from the 1970’s to the early 1980’s (for example Todd 1981). However, in 1986 they changed survey protocol to only count areas of high bald eagle concentrations (routes with more than 15 bald eagles observed in two or more years). Due to Arizona's lack of "concentrations," we contributed minimal information in 1986 and 1987, and surveyed only specific management areas from 1989 to 1991, such as Roosevelt Lake and Nankoweap Creek (for example Brown and Stevens 1992). Arizona’s statewide winter counts resumed in 1992, using a combination of terrestrial (foot, boat, snowmobile, vehicle) and aircraft surveys (for example Driscoll and others 2004). In 1995, AGFD and the NWF established 115 standardized routes for Arizona’s bald eagle winter count. The U.S. Geological Survey Biological Resources Division, Snake River Field Station (USGS), now coordinates the national winter count effort. METHODS We continued to use, and strive to complete, the established 115 standardized survey routes for the 2004 Arizona bald eagle winter count. Additional routes were completed and integrated into this document for management purposes, but were not included in the results to the USGS. We scheduled the winter count for January 6 to 12, 2004, which included weekdays for agency personnel and a weekend for volunteers. The short survey period minimizes the chance for any large-scale bald eagle movements between survey routes and related duplicate counts. Due to the diverse habitat in Arizona and our desire to maximize (but not duplicate) statewide coverage in a narrow period with minimal effort, we used a variety of survey methods. The best method to survey the rugged terrain and deep canyons of a linear drainage is by helicopter. USBR and SRP contributed four days of helicopter time for two to three biologists and a pilot to fly 25 routes. While the helicopter’s altitude and speed were dependent upon terrain, height and density of power lines, and wind speed; a height of 30.5 to 61 m (100 to 200 ft) above ground level and 55 to 65 knots (48 to 57 mph) was optimum for observing bald eagles. Highway routes, large lakes, and point counts were surveyed by boats, snowmobiles, vehicles, and on foot. We solicited surveyors from cooperating agencies, and volunteers from private groups. We supplied survey forms from the USGS, and instructed them on the National Survey Protocol. We classified the bald eagle sightings into adult, subadult, and unknown age classes. We advised the volunteers to be aware of the various near-adult plumages as they may be easily mistaken for full adult bald eagles. We also recorded sightings of golden eagles (Aguila chrysaetos) during the Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 4 survey, but did not report them in this document. We broke the data into two sections for comparison: 1) the terrestrial survey by county, and 2) the helicopter survey (Appendix A). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The 2004 Arizona bald eagle winter count tallied 369 bald eagles (Table 1). We documented 243 adults (65.9%), 113 subadults (30.6%), and 13 unknown eagles (3.5%). The highest number of bald eagles occurred on the lower Black River (n=67). An additional 46 eagles were counted on non-standardized routes (Appendix A). Table 1. Summary of the Arizona bald eagle winter count 2004 . County Routes Minutes Adult Subadult Unknown Total Total/minute Verde River drainage 3 273 24 12 0 36 0.1319 Salt River drainage 11 251 98 38 0 136 0.5418 Gila River drainage 7 166 18 9 0 27 0.1627 Various helicopter 4 8 1 2 0 3 0.3750 Apache 17 706 9 5 4 18 0.0255 Cochise 2 183 1 1 0 2 0.0109 Coconino 29 4,137 45 20 6 71 0.0172 Graham 1 270 6 3 0 9 0.0333 Greenlee 1 50 0 0 0 0 0 Maricopa Not Surveyed Mohave 4 1,458 11 3 0 14 0.0096 Navajo 19 819 24 17 2 43 0.0525 Pima 1 60 0 0 0 0 0 Pinal 1 40 0 0 0 0 0 Santa Cruz 4 240 0 0 0 0 0 Yavapai 6 1,926 6 3 1 10 0.0052 Yuma and LaPaz Not Surveyed Totals 110 10,587 243 113 13 369 0.0349 Of the 115 standardized routes, Arizona completed 110 (95.7%). Surveyors spent a total of 10,587 minutes (176.5 hours) searching. The greatest survey effort was in Coconino County, where volunteers searched for 4,137 minutes (68.9 hours). The most efficient method of counting was by helicopter. We counted 202 bald eagles in 698 minutes (11.6 hours). This represented 0.2894 bald eagles observed per minute. The most efficient volunteer ground effort (in counties with more than one survey route) occurred in Navajo County where they observed 0.0525 bald eagles per minute. The 369 bald eagles counted in the 2004 Arizona winter count was above the average 327 bald eagles counted annually since the survey routes were standardized in 1995 (Table 2). Including this year, Arizona counts an average of 332 bald eagles during the winter. In addition, we completed 110 (95.7%) of the 115 standardized routes. This matches the 2000 and 2003 surveys for the most routes completed. In 2004, the percentage of adults (65.9%), subadults (30.6%), and unknown bald eagles (3.5%) counted was relatively similar to the national average of 67% adults from 1986-2000 (Steenhof and others 2002). Statewide winter counts from 1981 to 1985 and 1992 to 2003 averaged 64% adults (n=2951), 33% subadults (n=1534), and 2% unknown (n=115). Arizona’s extended drought has dried many high country lakes, smaller cattle tanks, and has lowered most of the larger reservoirs. Mild weather conditions during the 2003-2004 winter allowed existing waters to remain clear of ice, and the lack of precipitation minimized turbidity in the Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 5 flowing river systems. Even though open water was limited in certain areas, we believe the mild weather dispersed the bald eagles statewide. The only unexpected concentrations include 15 eagles at Rainbow Lake and 11 eagles at Showlow Lake. Historic record highs for these two survey sites were nine and five, respectively. 1The effort for the 1981-1984 counts was described in miles flown. Table 2. Summary of Arizona bald eagle winter counts 1981-1985, 1992-2004. Year Survey Time Birds/minute Adults Subadults Unknown Total 1981 -1 - 103 (63%) 60 (36%) 2 (1%) 165 1982 - - 135 (64%) 72 (34%) 3 (2%) 210 1983 - - 104 (66%) 53 (33%) 1 (1%) 158 1984 - - 159 (71%) 63 (28%) 3 (1%) 225 1985 - - 78 (66%) 40 (34%) -- 118 1992 9,801 0.0230 145 (65%) 70 (31%) 10 (4%) 225 1993 9,938 0.0187 133 (71%) 46 (25%) 7 (4%) 186 1994 7,949 0.0457 263 (72%) 96 (26%) 4 (1%) 363 19952 9,563 0.0259 164 (66%) 76 (31%) 8 (3%) 248 1996 7,255 0.0498 232 (64%) 127 (35%) 2 (1%) 361 1997 7,718 0.0444 193 (56%) 134 (39%) 16(5%) 343 1998 7,1903 0.0416 183 (63%) 103 (36%) 4(1%) 290 1999 8,3783 0.0500 248 (62%) 144 (36%) 11 (3%) 403 2000 9,4023 0.0346 202 (62%) 115 (35%) 8 (2%) 325 2001 8,7263 0.0248 141 (66%) 70 (32%) 5 (2%) 216 2002 9,032 0.0445 236 (59%) 147 (37%) 19 (5%) 402 2003 10,0363 0.0360 232 (64%) 118 (33%) 12 (3%) 362 2004 10,587 0.0349 243 (66%) 113 (31%) 13 (3%) 369 Totals 115,575 0.0430 3194 (64.3%) 1647 (33.1%) 128 (2.6%) 4969 2Beginning of 115 standardized routes derived from the 1992-1994 surveys. 3Some survey times not recorded. Times averaged from reported times of previous counts. MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Continue to conduct the annual winter count with the 115 standardized routes. 2. Continue to encourage consistency by winter count surveyors to follow established routes and methods for long-term analysis potential. 3. Continue updating the Nongame Branch bald eagle winter count database with core information from the standardized survey forms. 4. Compile spatial data from winter count survey maps to document the location and abundance of wintering eagles, spatially identify important habitat use areas, and develop statewide maps for distribution to cooperating agencies. 5. Continue to document the location and cause of wintering bald eagle mortalities in Arizona, and follow up with appropriate management. ARIZONA BALD EAGLE NEST SURVEY INTRODUCTION The bald eagle nest survey enhances our understanding of breeding bald eagle ecology in Arizona. Discovery of new BAs and alternate nests, coupled with the knowledge of current and historical BAs, allows for an accurate description of the distribution, status, and annual Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 6 productivity of Arizona’s breeding population. Timely discovery of BAs also identifies sensitive areas requiring proactive management from potentially adverse impacts. In 1972, concern about the bald eagle population’s decline nationwide prompted surveys for the species throughout Arizona (Rubink and Podborny 1976). These annual surveys have continued to the present, excluding 1976 and 1977 (for example Canaca and others 2004). The AGFD administered and performed the 2004 nest survey, in cooperation with the SWBEMC. METHODS Habitat quality, the presence of nests, previous bald eagle sightings, and spacing prioritized survey areas. We monitored breeding activity at current and historical BAs, and nest sites discovered between 1992 and 2004 (for example Canaca and others 2004). We also investigated reports of bald eagles and nests by other agencies, biologists, and the public. A one to three person team conducted surveys between January and June 2004. Winter count flights (January) and monthly occupancy and reproductive assessment (ORA) flights (February to June) were used to locate nests and survey for new BAs. Timing of the ORA flights corresponded with the different breeding stages (that is incubation, nestling, fledgling). Boats, helicopters, and vehicles were used to access survey areas. Helicopters, provided by APS, SRP, and USBR, flew at approximately 70 meters (200 ft) above ground level and at 50 to 60 knots (45 to 70 mph). Drainage topography, high-tension wires, and wind influenced altitude and speed. If nest occupancy could not be determined from the air, a ground survey ensued. We used Questar® spotting scopes (40-160x), binoculars (10x), and nest map atlases from Hunt and others (1992) and SRP (1998) to relocate historical BAs, and find alternate nests in existing BAs. Numbers assigned to new nests were consecutive with the last number assigned within that BA. Nest numbers assigned before this document are found in previous Arizona bald eagle nest survey reports (for example Canaca and others 2004). Determination of breeding status followed operational definitions derived from Postupalsky (1974, 1983) and Steenhof and Kochert (1982) (Appendix B). “Tall” and “short,” “large” and “small” are terms used in this report to describe heights of cliffs, and the size of trees and nests. “Tall” and “large” refer to substrates suitable for breeding bald eagles as compared to current Arizona bald eagle nests and locations. The terms “small” and “short” refer to structures of inadequate height and size. RESULTS We examined all known BAs (n=46) for breeding activity (Fig. 1). Of 40 occupied BAs, 39 pairs attempted to breed, and 27 pairs successfully produced 42 fledglings (Table 3, Appendix C). Significant findings of the 2004 nest survey include seven new alternate bald eagle nests and ten fallen nests. Table 3. Summary of Arizona bald eagle productivity 2004. Number of BAs 46 Number of Active BAs 39 Number of Occupied BAs 40 Number of Failed Breeding Attempts 12 Number of Eggs 59 Number of Successful Breeding Attempts 27 Nest Success = 27/40 0.68 Number of Young Hatched 50 Number of Young Fledged 42 Mean Brood Size = 42/27 1.56 Productivity = 0.68 x 1.56 1.05Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 7 Results of the individual flights are located in Appendix D. Areas worthy of further discussion (bald eagle observations, fallen nests, new nests, potential nest sites) are described here. Nest locations are sensitive data, considered confidential by AGFD, and omitted from this report. Management agencies requiring specific locations should contact the AGFD Heritage Data Management System at (602) 789-3612. New Locations Surveyed (Table 4) Black River. – With suitable habitat on the lower Black River, we monitored this watershed for evidence of new BAs. Although two adult bald eagles were observed in March, no breeding activity was documented. Burnt Point. - Over the past few years, we have received multiple reports of bald eagles: foraging on the Payson golf course, near Cold Springs, along the upper East Verde, and have recovered a dead adult bald eagle north of Payson. Those reports continued in 2004 with the sighting of a potential nest and adult bald eagles on the Mogollon Rim cliffs of Burnt Point, northeast of Payson. We surveyed the area in March and found several small nests, but no bald eagles. Del Rio Ponds. - Isolated stands of cottonwood trees adjacent to the Del Rio ponds (south of Sullivan Lake in the Chino Valley) seem to attract wintering bald eagles. We surveyed in January, February, and March but found no nests or breeding activity. Salt/Gila river confluence. - We received multiple reports of nesting bald eagles east of the confluence of the Salt and Gila rivers, West of Phoenix. A ground visit on January 14 and two helicopter surveys in February and March rendered no new nests, although one sub-adult bald eagle and four ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) were observed. Nesting substrate, open water, and foraging potential were available but sporadic. Many trees were small and water was often intermittent with dense overgrowth. However, waterfowl and fish concentrations seem to be sufficient to support a breeding pair. Salt River/Tempe Town Lake. - During the winter, consultants with the Federal Aviation Administration reported sightings of bald eagles foraging on Tempe Town Lake, and possibly occupying a nest upstream near the Highway 101/202 interchange. Surveys in March and May yielded a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaciensis) nest, but no bald eagles were found. Willow Springs Lake. – With the expansion of bald eagles in the White Mountains, we continue to survey the Mogollon Rim Lakes for bald eagle nests. In April, we found an osprey incubating in a new nest (#1) below the Willow Springs Lake dam and two osprey using the lake. In May, one adult bald eagle was observed at the SW end of the lake. No bald eagle nests or breeding activity was observed. Table 4. 2004 Arizona bald eagle nest survey summary, new locations. Location Date Survey Method Results Aqua Fria River 2/2, 3/12 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Bear Canyon Lake 4/21, 5/4 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. 4/21 - Two ospreys in area. Big Lake 5/4 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Black River 3/11 Helicopter Two adults in area. Blue Ridge Reservoir 4/21 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Burnt Point 3/12 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 8 Table 4. continued. Location Date Survey Method Results Del Rio Ponds 1/5, 2/2, 3/12 Helicopter No new nests. 1/5 - Two adults and two sub adults in area. 2/2 - One adult and five subadults in area. East Clear Creek 5/4 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Gleason Flat 1/30, 3/11, 3/31 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Goldwater Lake 2/2, 3/12 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Hawley Lake 5/4 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Horseshoe Cienega Lake 5/4 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Lee Valley Reservoir 5/4 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Pacheta Lake 5/4 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Pecks Lake 1/5 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Railroad Bridge 4/21, 5/3 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Reservation Lake 5/4 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Roosevelt Lake 1/6, 5/4, 6/6 Helicopter No new nests. 1/6 - Eleven adults and ten subadults in area. 5/4 - One adult at each of the two major inflows. 6/6 - Four adults and three subadults on lake. Salt/Gila Rivers 1/14, 2/2, 3/12 Ground Helicopter No new nests. 2/2 - One subadult in area. 3/12 - Four ospreys in area. Salt River/Tempe Town Lake 3/12, 5/3 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. 3/12 - Red-tailed hawk nest. Sunrise Lake 5/4 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Willow Springs Lake 4/21, 5/4 Helicopter 4/21 - One osprey incubating in new nest #1 below dam. Two ospreys on lake. 5/4 - One adult perched on the SW end of lake. West Clear Creek 1/5 Helicopter No new nests. One adult in area. Historical BAs (Table 5) Bronco, Eagle, LF, Muldoon, Lost Mule (Natanes ), Red Hill, Seven Mile, Sullivan, and Willow. – The Bronco, Eagle, LF, Muldoon, Lost Mule (Natanes), Red Hill, Seven Mile, Sullivan, and Willow historical BAs were documented by Hunt (1992). After researching the history of these BAs and applying our definitions, we found no evidence that bald eagles used or occupied these nests. Therefore, we have removed these BAs from their historical designation and placed them under Survey Sites with Existing Large Nests. Arizona now has 13 historical BAs. Camp Verde. - Camp Verde BA has remained unoccupied after the only known nest was lost in the floods of 1993. We designated this BA as historical in 2004 after being unoccupied for ten consecutive years. No new nests or bald eagles were observed when we surveyed in February and March. Table 5. 2004 Arizona bald eagle nest survey summary, historical BAs. Location Date Survey Method Results Ash 1/6 Helicopter No new nests. One adult in area. Camp Verde 2/2, 3/12 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Chino 3/12 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Devil’s Post 3/12 Helicopter All known nests empty. One adult in area. Mule Hoof 1/7, 1/30, 3/11, 5/4 Helicopter All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 9 Survey Sites with Existing Large Nests (Table 6) Chevelon. - The April and May flights in Chevelon Canyon were limited by high winds, however the existing nest was not observed on either and is presumed fallen. No new nests or bald eagles were observed. Muldoon. - Bald eagles have been consistently observed in the Muldoon area on the January, February, and March flights since 2000. We again surveyed this area during these flights in 2004. Since all known nests were empty and no new nests have been found, we assume the bald eagles observed are wintering and using the unoccupied habitat of the upper Verde River. Mogollon Rim Lakes. - Despite reports of bald eagle activity near the Mogollon Rim lakes, no new nests or breeding activity was documented in April and May. Ospreys with active nests at Knoll, Willow Springs (see New Locations Surveyed), and Woods Canyon lakes suggest there is a sufficient prey base for bald eagles to occupy these in the future. Table 6. 2004 Arizona bald eagle nest survey summary, nest sites. Location Date Survey Method Results Chevelon 4/21, 5/4 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. 5/4 – Nest #1 fell. Eagle 1/8 Helicopter No new nests. One adult in area. Granite 1/5, 2/2, 3/12 Helicopter All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Hell Point 1/5, 2/2, 3/12 Helicopter All known nests empty. 1/5 – One adult in area. Knoll Lake 4/21, 5/4 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. 4/21 – One osprey incubating in nest #1. LF 1/5, 3/12 Helicopter No new nests. 1/5 – Two adults in area. Muldoon 1/5, 2/2, 3/12 Helicopter All known nests empty. 1/5 – Three subadults in area. 2/2 – One adult in area. 3/12 – One adult in area. Sullivan Lake 1/5, 2/2, 3/12 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Willow 1/8 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. Woods Canyon 4/21, 5/4 Helicopter No new nests or bald eagles. 4/21 - One osprey incubating. Two ospreys on lake. Breeding Areas (Table 7) Canyon. - Canyon nest #8 fell before January, and nest #5 had fallen by March. All known nests were empty and no bald eagles were observed when surveyed on five flights. Cedar Basin. - In March, we located a new sycamore tree nest (#8) 13 km upstream from nest #3. Cibecue. - In March, a golden eagle was incubating in nest #6. In May, an addled egg was observed in nest #2 suggesting the pair laid eggs and failed, although no bald eagles were observed on the four previous flights. Cliff. - A single adult was observed in January and March. No new nests were found. Coldwater. - Nest #1 fell before January, and nest #3 fell before the February. Granite Reef. - In January, we found two adults in a new cottonwood tree nest (#4) downstream of nest #2. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 10 Lone Pine. – In January, one adult was found standing in a new sycamore tree nest (#5) upstream from nest #2. Lynx. – After loosing nest #1 on April 1, 2003, we surveyed the lake by helicopter from January to March 2004. In March, we found an adult incubating in a new ponderosa pine tree nest (#2) approximately 0.5 km from the lake. Pinto. - In January, we found an adult standing in a new cottonwood tree nest (#6). The new nest is located on Meddler Point, upstream of Campaign Bay. Rodeo. - Nest #1 fell before January. San Carlos. - Nest #2 fell before January. 76. - In January, we found the supporting branch for nest #3 had broken and two adults in the area. In February, we found a new nest #4 in the same tree as nest #3, and one adult in the area. Sheep. - In January, we found the supporting branch for nest #3 broke. In February, we found one adult incubating in a new cottonwood tree nest #4. Winkelman. - Nest #2 fell before January. Table 7. 2004 Arizona bald eagle nest survey summary, breeding areas. Location Date Survey Method Results Canyon 1/6, 1/30, 3/11, 3/31, 5/4 Helicopter 1/6 – Nest #8 fell. 3/11 – Nest #5 fell. All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Cedar Basin 1/7, 1/30, 3/11, 5/4 Helicopter 1/7 – Two adults upstream. 1/30 – Two adults upstream. 3/11 –New nest #8. Cibecue 1/7, 1/30, 3/11, 5/4 Helicopter 3/11 – Golden eagle incubating in nest #6. 5/4 – Addle egg in nest #2. Cliff 1/5, 2/2, 3/12, 5/3 Helicopter 1/5 – One adult in area. 3/11 – One adult downstream of nest area. Coldwater 1/5, 2/2, 3/12, 5/3, 6/6 Helicopter 1/5 – Nest #1 fell. 2/2 - Nest #3 fell. Dupont 1/30, 3/11 Helicopter All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Granite Basin 1/6, 1/30, 3/11, 3/31 Helicopter All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Granite Reef 1/6, 1/30 Helicopter 1/6 – Two adults standing in new nest #4. Lone Pine 1/7, 1/30, 3/11, 5/4, 6/6 Helicopter 1/7 – Two adults and two subadults in area. 1/30 – One adult standing in new nest #5. Lynx 2/2, 3/12, 5/3, 6/6 Helicopter 2/2 – One adult and three subadults in area. 3/12 – One adult incubating in new nest #2. Pinto 1/6, 1/30 Helicopter 1/6 – One adult standing in new nest #6. 1/30 – Two adults standing in nest #6. Rodeo 1/5 Helicopter Nest #1 fell. San Carlos 1/6 Helicopter 1/6 – Nest #2 fell. 76 1/6, 1/30, 3/31, 5/4 Helicopter 1/6 – Nest #3 supporting branch fell. Two adults in area 1/30 – Found new nest #4. One adult in area. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 11 Table 7. continued. Location Date Survey Method Results Sheep 1/6, 1/30, 3/31, 5/4, 6/6 Helicopter 1/6 – Nest #3 supporting branch fell. 1/30 – One adult incubating in new nest #4. Winkelman 1/6, 1/30, 3/11 Helicopter 1/6 – Nest #2 fell. No new nests or bald eagles. Overview Significant findings of the 2004 Arizona Bald Eagle Nest Survey include the discovery of seven new alternate nests and ten nests that had fallen. The Camp Verde BA was designated historical after being unoccupied for ten consecutive years. The Bronco, Eagle, LF, Muldoon, Lost Mule (Natanes), Red Hill, Seven Mile, Sullivan, and Willow BAs were reclassified as Nest Sites upon review of historical literature and the applications of our definitions. Nest surveys in the White Mountains and Mogollon Rim area will require more attention as the population grows. In the White Mountains, bald eagle breeding activity has expanded to include the Crescent Lake BA which successfully produced young this year. Considering some of the Luna Lake fledglings are of breeding age, the Crescent BA is now productive, and the bald eagle’s high natal area fidelity, the White Mountains may become increasingly important for high elevation breeding bald eagles. The Mogollon Rim has suitable nesting substrate and hatchery-stocked lakes to support breeding pairs as well. The level of bald eagle reports and a May sighting of an adult at Willow Springs Lake indicate their breeding distribution may be expanding. The continued creation and loss of alternate nests, coupled with the expansion and distribution of Arizona bald eagles, further demonstrates the necessity and importance of ORA flights. These flights allow for consistent monitoring of population numbers, distribution, and their reproductive success in the rugged terrain of Arizona. Without the aid of these flights, we would not be able to accurately document these important demographic parameters. MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Future survey efforts should monitor historical BAs, potential BAs, and large nests reported in previous nest survey reports. These documents are useful tools for identifying occupancy trends, locating new BAs, and monitoring population expansion. 2. Bald eagles banded in Arizona have been observed near or on El Novillo Reservoir, Sonora. This suggests that the current distribution of our population may extend into Sonora, Mexico. Identifying breeding bald eagles, through banding, visual identification and transmitters would clarify the extent of which our population reaches into Sonora, and would help to accurately describe our survivorship estimates. 3. Surveyors should continue to use the nest survey, ORA, and winter count flights, in concert with follow-up ground surveys to inspect areas. From the air, surveyors can easily cover large sections of bald eagle habitat. Follow-up ground surveys thoroughly investigate an area. 4. Examine the following areas for breeding bald eagles and/or nests: • Agua Fria River drainage – Up and downstream from Lake Pleasant. • Big Sandy River drainage - Upper Trout Creek. • Bill Williams River drainage - Bill Williams National Wildlife Refuge Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 12 • Black River drainage - Little and Big Bonito creeks to the confluence of the Black River, Paucity Creek, Pacheta Creek, Reservation Creek, osprey nesting areas on East and West Fork and main stem of the Black River. • Central and Eastern Mountain Lakes – Bear Canyon, Black Canyon, Blue Ridge, Casadore Springs, Chevelon Canyon, Cholla, Christmas Tree, Doney Park, Dry, George's Basin, Knoll, Nash Creek, Phillips Park Tank, Paucity Lake, Point of Pines, Roger's, Tonto, Willow Springs. • Colorado River drainage - Lake Mead (Grand Wash), Gene Wash Reservoir, Nankoweap Creek, Lee's Ferry. • Little Colorado River drainage – Forest Service Road 113 to Lyman Lake. • North Fork of White River - Known osprey nesting locations • Gila River drainage - Lower Blue River, San Francisco River to Gila River confluence, Gila Box. • Salt River drainage - Blue Point BA to Orme BA, Gun/Tonto creek confluence, Mormon Flat Dam, Redmond BA to Canyon BA, Cibecue BA to Cedar Basin BA, Tanks Canyon. • White Mountain Lakes – Big Lake, Canero Lake, Lee’s Valley Lake, Nelson Reservoir, Nutrioso, Sierara Blanca Lake. • White River – Whiteriver to confluence with Black and Salt rivers. ARIZONA BALD EAGLE NESTWATCH PROGRAM INTRODUCTION In 1978, USFS biologists and two Maricopa Audubon Society volunteers began to monitor bald eagles near Bartlett Reservoir to understand the effects of recreation. This monitoring effort eventually expanded to other BAs, and developed into the ABENWP. In 1984, the USFWS assumed coordination of the ABENWP on behalf of the SWBEMC, and expanded its scope. In 1991, after passage of the Heritage Initiative, the USFWS transferred the lead to the AGFD. To address the needs of Arizona’s breeding bald eagles, the ABENWP operates with three goals: conservation, data collection, and education. Due to high recreation pressures along some of Arizona's lakes and rivers, land management agencies enact seasonal closures to protect the bald eagles during the breeding cycle. Nestwatchers interact with members of the public who enter these closures, educate them on bald eagles, distribute brochures, and/or direct them away from the breeding attempt. To help the land and wildlife management agencies make better bald eagle management decisions, nestwatchers collect basic demographic information and behavioral responses to human activities. Possibly the most tangible benefit of the ABENWP is determining when the bald eagles are in life threatening situations. Daily monitoring allows biologists to intervene in these situations, and eliminate/reduce the threat. In this report, we summarize significant discoveries at each monitored BA in 2004. Detailed reports of each monitored BA are centralized at AGFD, and distributed to the appropriate land and wildlife management agencies. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 13 METHODS We select the BAs to be monitored by weighing the level of recreation activity and management needs. Included are those with seasonal closures (Bartlett, Box Bar, Ladders, Luna, Pleasant, and Tower), those without (Coolidge, Crescent, Orme, Pinto, San Carlos, and Tonto), and those monitored for opportunistic information (Granite Reef and Needle Rock). In the fall of 2003, we advertised the ABENWP contract positions through the American Ornithologists Union Newsletter, American Birding Associations Job Listing, AGFD Internet site, SWBEMC internet site, Society for Conservation Biology web page, Texas A&M web page, Wildlife Society web page, and at university and college job placement services nationwide. Presentations, brochures, and word-of-mouth also contributed to the pool of applicants. We held two orientation meetings, and several question and answer sessions for the selected ABENWP contractors. The first two meetings offered an introduction to the program, background and the ABENWP's role in bald eagle management, and an explanation of data forms and emergency protocols. After the orientation meetings, the contractors chose a partner and BA, and were taken into the field. The question and answer sessions occurred after the first ten-day work period, and before every other ten-day work period thereafter. In these sessions, we discussed filling out forms, consistency in data collection, requirements for the final report, and any additional concerns or comments. When appropriate, additional problems or questions were handled on an individual basis. Fieldwork began February 6, 2004, and continued until nestlings fledged. Teams of two nestwatchers maintained a ten days on/four days off schedule. During each ten-day work period, weekend observations were conducted from dawn-to-dusk to cover times of high recreation use, and document the resulting habitat use of the breeding pair. Monday through Thursday observations were a minimum of eight hours with emphasis on identifying territory boundaries, home range, and overall habitat use of the breeding pair. Nestwatchers recorded bald eagle behavior and recreation use data from assigned observation points (OP’s) within the BA. We selected OP’s to provide optimal viewing while minimizing the impact to the breeding bald eagles. Alternate OP’s were identified when the breeding pair utilized areas out of the primary OP’s view. Nestwatchers were provided spotting scopes, Motorola radios, cellular telephones, and/or USFS radios for viewing and communication needs. We supplied BA maps with river kilometer designations, and a guide to commonly taken fish species. They recorded all bald eagle behavioral data on supplied field forms. Nestwatchers provided their own transportation, gas, supplies, binoculars, and housing on days off. Within an arbitrary 1.0 km (3300 ft) radius of a bald eagle or active nest, nestwatchers recorded all human activity and the associated bald eagle behavior. They classified bald eagle behavior in response to human activity into seven categories: none, watched, restless, flushed, left area, bird not in area, and unknown. If the bald eagles performed their normal activities without acknowledging the human activity, nestwatchers recorded a "none" response. "Watched" was a bald eagle looking in the direction of the human activity without displaying any other observable reaction. If the bald eagle vocalized and/or moved noticeably without leaving the nest or perch, nestwatchers recorded "restless." If a bald eagle left its location quickly in response to a human activity, nestwatchers recorded a "flushed" response. "Left area" was recorded when a bald eagle became intolerant and flew away. Nestwatchers recorded a "not in area" if a bald eagle was not present, and an "unknown" response if the bald eagle could not be observed. To accurately describe activities that caused bald eagle behavior change, "restless,” "flushed,” and "left area" responses, are considered significant. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 14 At the Pleasant and Box Bar BAs, nestwatchers recorded human activity different than described above. They recorded compliance with the Pleasant BA closure by documenting the number of boats and jet skis approaching the buoy line and those that entered. If the watercraft entered the closure and proceeded past the nestwatchers, they were documented as "inside the closure." Conversely, they recorded those who complied with the closure or those who were contacted by the nestwatchers as "at the closure." Due to the high level of recreation activity at the Box Bar BA within 1.0 km of the active nest, nestwatchers only recorded the human activities and the bald eagle’s associated behavior that occurred on the east side of the river. Nestwatchers documented all aspects of bald eagle behavior at their BA. They documented interactions with other wildlife; habitat use; forage events; frequency, type, and prey species delivered to the nest; incubation time; time attending the nest; and feeding frequency. In this report, we only discuss human activity, foraging attempts, prey deliveries, habitat use, and site-specific management recommendations. Contrary to years before 2002, the nestwatchers focused data collection on habitat use of the breeding pair. This focus will help land and wildlife managers assess impacts of projects occurring within breeding area boundaries. Due to this shift in focus, some information collected historically has been de-emphasized. These include: inter-specific interaction, low flying aircraft reporting, prey delivered to nest, and other wildlife observed. In addition, nestwatchers were instructed to use the weekdays to document the locations and types of habitat use within the breeding pair’s home range. This prohibited them from consistently monitoring the breeding pair’s behavior at the nest. Therefore, comparisons to reports before 2002 may not be appropriate. Data collection on weekends remained the same with dawn to dusk monitoring of the breeding pair’s behaviors at the nest. Management considerations included in this report are taken directly from the individual BA reports and therefore are not the opinions of the authors or AGFD. We have included them as informational material for land and wildlife management agencies reviewing this report, and for further discussion at SWBEMC meetings. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The ABENWP monitored 14 BAs in 2004. Those include: Bartlett, Box Bar, Coolidge, Crescent, Granite Reef, Ladders, Luna, Needle Rock, Orme, Pinto, Pleasant, San Carlos, Tonto, and Tower. The final status of monitored BAs was three failed, 11 successful, and 17 young fledged (Appendix C). The Granite Reef and Needle Rock BAs were monitored opportunistically by nestwatchers at adjacent BAs; therefore, data for these BAs are not included in this report. Bartlett Breeding Area Observation Period. – February 6 to June 2. Total monitoring 87 days/898 hours. Eagle Identification. – The male is unbanded in adult plumage. The female is blue visual identification (VID) banded on her left leg, USFWS banded on the right leg, and in adult plumage. She is possibly the 1995 Tonto nestling identified previously as the Bartlett male. Management Activities. – 1) The USFS reinstated the seasonal BA closure. 2) The male and female nestlings were VID banded “17/C” and “17/D” at 4.5 weeks of age, respectively. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 15 Human Activity. – Nestwatchers recorded 306 human activities (Appendix E). Aircraft (small planes, helicopters, and jets) represented 90.5% of reported activity, watercraft 5.2% (canoe/kayak, rafter, and boaters), and terrestrial activity 4.2% of three different types. Eight activities elicited 12 significant responses from the breeding pair. The bald eagles were restless to three off-highway vehicles (OHVs), and one small plane and helicopter each. The breeding pair flushed in response to one small plane, helicopter, canoe/kayak, rafter, boater, and researcher each, and left the area in response to one boater while docking on shore. Food Habits. – Nestwatchers observed 32 forage attempts. The male was successful in 43.7% (n=7) and the female in 62.5% (n=10). Fish accounted for 90.6% of the attempts, 3.1% mammals, and 6.2% unknown items. The breeding pair delivered 79 items to the nest. The male delivered 87.3% and the female 12.7%. The most common prey type was fish (81.0%), although birds (6.3%), mammals (5.1%), and unknown prey (7.6%) were taken. No prey items were identified to species. Habitat Use. – The Bartlett nestwatchers identified 84 perch locations along the Verde River and four perch locations on Bartlett Lake. River perches spanned 5.5 km ranging from river kilometer (rk) 31.6 to 37.1 and lake perches spanned 7.3 km ranging from lake kilometer (lk) 42.3 to 49.6. The pair spent 75.2% of their time within the immediate nesting area between rk 34.6 and 34.9, 14.8% at rk 34.4, and 10% at the remaining perch locations. No boat was available to follow, locate, and document the pair’s use of Bartlett Lake, therefore information on lake habitat use is limited. Box Bar Breeding Area Observation Period. – February 6 to April 25. Total monitoring 50 days/498 hours. Eagle Identification. – The male is blue VID banded “5/G” on his left leg, USFWS banded on the right leg, and in adult plumage (Pleasant 1994 nestling). The female is blue VID banded “5/H” on her left leg, USFWS banded on the right leg, and in adult plumage (Pleasant 1994 nestling). Management Activities. – 1) The USFS reinstated the seasonal BA closure. 2) The owners of Rio Verde Ranch allowed ABENWP to camp and monitor from their lawn. 3) ABENWP contractors were active in educating the public visiting the Rio Verde Ranch and the campground at the end of USFS road 161. 4) The two male nestlings were VID banded “16/C” and “16/D at 5.5 weeks of age and fitted with satellite transmitters at nine weeks of age. Human Activity. – Nestwatchers recorded 71 human activities within the closure (Appendix F). Aircraft activity (helicopters, small planes, and motor para-gliders) represented 56.3%, terrestrial activity represented 42.3% of seven different types, and watercraft 1.4%. Three activities elicited three significant responses from the breeding pair. The bald eagles were restless to one gunshot, and flushed in response to one ATV and hiker each. Food Habits. – Nestwatchers observed three forage attempts. The male made one unsuccessful attempt for a fish and the female successfully caught two suckers on two attempts. The breeding pair delivered 91 items to the nest. The male delivered 58.2% (n=53) and the female 41.8% (n=38). The common prey types were fish (34.1%), mammals (19.8%), and unknown items (39.6%). No prey were identified to species. Habitat Use. – The Box Bar nestwatchers identified 11 habitat use areas that spanned a 2.8 km stretch of the Verde River ranging from rk 23.1 to 25.9. The pair spent 42.0% of their time at rk 23.1, 35.1% at rk 25.0, 9.4% at rk 23.9, and 13.5% at the remaining perch locations. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 16 Coolidge Breeding Area Observation Period. – February 7 to May 2. Total monitoring 96 days/777 hours. Eagle Identification. – The male and female are both unbanded and in adult plumage. Management Activities. – 1) ABENWP contractors were introduced to the SCAT police in an orientation session held on their first day in the field. 2) The SCAT Police visited the ABENWP contractors on a daily basis. 3) The one male nestling was VID banded “17/V” at 5.5 weeks of age. Interventions. – On June 16, ABENWP contractors observed the 11.5 week old nestling motionless in the nest. AGFD biologists recovered the nestling on June 17. Heat stress was the likely cause of death. Human Activity. – Nestwatchers recorded 48 human activities (Appendix G). Terrestrial activities of six types accounted for 62.6% and aircraft (small planes, jets, and helicopters) for 37.4%. Two activities elicited two significant responses from the breeding pair. The bald eagles left the area in response to one jet and helicopter each. Food Habits. – Nestwatchers observed 26 forage attempts. The male was successful in 50.0% (n=5), the female in 68.8% (n=11). Of these attempts, fish accounted for 61.5%, mammals 15.4%, birds 11.5%, amphibians 3.8%, and unknown 7.7%. The breeding pair delivered 19 prey items to the nest. The male delivered 47.4%, and the female 52.6%. The common prey type was fish (89.4%), although amphibians and mammals were also taken (5.3% each). Of the nine items that could be identified to species, six were carp (Cyprinus carpio), two were catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), and one was a sucker (Catostomus spp.). Habitat Use. – The Coolidge nestwatchers identified 136 separate perch locations along the Gila River. River perches spanned a total of 3.8 km ranging from rk 23.9 to 27.7. The breeding pair spent 58.0% of the time directly in the nest area, 15.9% at rk 24.8, and 26.1% at the remaining perch locations. Crescent Breeding Area Observation Period. – March 10 to June 3. Total monitoring 45 days/263 hours. Eagle Identification. – The male is blue VID banded “8/R” on his left leg, USFWS banded on the right leg, and in adult plumage (1997 Luna nestling). The female is unbanded and in adult plumage. Management Activities. – 1) ABENWP contractors were active in educating the visiting public and talked to fisherman at Crescent Lake. Human Activity. – Nestwatchers recorded 528 human activities (Appendix H). Terrestrial activities represented 90.5% of four different types, 7.6% watercraft (boats, canoe/kayaks, and float tube), and aircraft (small planes) 1.9%. Fishermen accounted for 98.3% (n=470) of the terrestrial activities. Two activities elicited 11 significant responses from the breeding pair. The bald eagles flushed in response to two fishermen and hikers each, and left the area in response to seven fishermen. Food Habits. - Nestwatchers observed 60 forage attempts. The male was successful in 76.3% (n=29) forage attempts, the female in 86.4% (n=19). Of these attempts, 90.0% were for fish, 6.7% carrion, and 3.3% reptiles. The breeding pair delivered 34 prey items to the nest. The male delivered Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 17 61.8%, and the female 38.2%. Of prey items, the most common prey type was fish (79.4%), although carrion (11.8%), reptiles (5.9%), and mammals (2.9%) were also delivered. Of the three items that could be identified to species, two were Garter Snakes (Thamnophis spp.) and one was a muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus). Habitat Use. – The Crescent nestwatchers identified 12 separate perch locations around the lake. Perches spanned a total of 0.8 km ranging from lk 1.9 to 2.7. The pair spent 62.4% of their time at the nest (lk 2.2), 14.9% at lk 2.4, and 22.7% at the remaining ten perch locations. Ladders Breeding Area Observation Period. – February 6 to June 25. Total monitoring 104 days/878 hours. Eagle Identification. – The male is blue VID banded “9/W” on his left leg, USFWS banded on the right leg, and in adult plumage (1998 76 nestling). The female is unbanded and in adult plumage. Management Activities. – 1) The USFS reinstated a seasonal breeding area closure surrounding the nest area. 2) The USFS posted closure signs at the upstream and downstream access points to the Verde River. 3) The USFS provided contractors with a camping trailer. 4) Two male nestling were VID banded “17/R” and “17/S” at six weeks of age. Interventions. – On May 6 during a banding trip, the nestlings were both were underdeveloped. The older nestling 17/S was underdeveloped by one week and the younger 17/R by two weeks. On May 16, the nestling banded 17/R died at 7.5 weeks of age in the nest with no obvious injuries. A combination of heat stress, competition with the larger sibling, and a Mexican Chicken Bug (MCB) infestation was the likely cause of death. Human Activity. – Nestwatchers recorded 261 human activities (Appendix I). Aircraft (small planes, helicopters, and motorized parachute) represented 41.4%, watercraft (canoe/kayak, boater, and float tube) 39.0%, and terrestrial activities of seven different types 19.6%. Three activities elicited nine significant responses from the breeding pair. The bald eagles were restless in response to two helicopters, and one canoe/kayak and agency worker each. The pair flushed to two canoe/kayaks and agency workers each, and the breeding pair left the area in response to one canoe/kayak. Food Habits. – Nestwatchers observed 38 forage attempts. The male was successful in 54.8% (n=17) and the female in 42.9% (n=3). Of these attempts, 71.0% were for fish, 7.9% birds, 5.3% mammals and reptiles each, and 10.5% unknown. The breeding pair delivered 86 prey items to the nest. The male delivered 73.3% and the female 26.7%. The common prey types consisted of fish (87.2%), and unknown (7.0%). Of the 35 items that could be identified to species, 80% were sucker, 14.3% carp (Cyprinus carpio), 2.9% channel catfish, and 2.8% Sonoran mudturtle (Kinosternon sonoriense). Habitat Use. – The Ladders nestwatchers identified 159 perch locations along the Verde River. River perches spanned a total of 6.4 km ranging from rk 157.7 to 164.1. The pair spent 65.7% of the observed time near the nest (rk 162.9), and 34.3% at the remaining perch locations. Luna Breeding Area Observation Period. – February 6 to June 6. Total monitoring 93 days/877 hours. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 18 Eagle Identification. – The male is black VID banded “Δ/A” on his right leg, USFWS banded on the left leg, and in adult plumage (1988 Texas nestling). The female is black VID banded “Δ/B” on her right leg, USFWS banded on the left leg, and in adult plumage (Unknown origin). Management Activities. – 1) The USFS reinstated the seasonal BA closure. 2) Nestwatchers were stationed at the boat ramp to talk to fisherman launching boats. 3) The USFS housed the nestwatchers in a trailer. 4) The two male nestlings were VID banded “16/H” and “16/K” at 5.5 weeks of age. Human Activity. – Nestwatchers recorded 864 human activities (Appendix J). Terrestrial activities represented 61.5% of eight different types, watercraft (boats, canoe/kayaks, and float tube) 36.9%, and aircraft (jets and planes) 1.6%. Eight activities elicited 44 significant responses from the breeding pair. The bald eagles were restless in response to five picnickers and two jets. The breeding pair left the area in response to 18 canoe/kayaks, eight fishermen, five construction events, three agency workers, two snowmobiles, and one float tube. Food Habits. – Nestwatchers observed 152 forage attempts. The male was successful in 49.0% (n=50) forage attempts, the female in 56.0% (n=28). Of these attempts, 59.2% were for birds, 27.6% fish, and 13.2% unknown. The breeding pair delivered 98 prey items to the nest. The male delivered 60.2%, the female 29.6%, and an unknown adult 10.2%. Of these prey items, fish accounted for 38.8%, birds 37.8%, carrion 14.3%, mammals 3.1%, and unknown 6.1%. Of the 64 items that could be identified to species, 59.4% were rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and 40.6% American coots (Fulica americana). Habitat Use. – The Luna nestwatchers identified 16 separate perch locations around the lake. Perches spanned a total of 4.8 km ranging from lk 0.3 to 5.1. The pair spent 43.3% of their time at the nest (lk 2.3), 39.0% at lk 2.5, and 17.7% spent at the remaining 14 perch locations. Orme Breeding Area Observation Period. – February 7 to May 16. Total monitoring 80 days/620 hours. Eagle Identification. – The male and female are unbanded and in adult plumage. The Orme male is in a polygynous relationship with the female from the Rodeo BA. Management Activities. – 1) The SRPMIC continues to restrict non-tribal member use of the river area. 2) The SRPMIC Police visited the ABENWP contractors on a daily basis and patrolled the nesting area during times of elevated recreation use. 3) Two male nestlings were banded “16/M” and “16/N” at 5.5 weeks of age and one (16/N) was fitted with a satellite transmitter at nine weeks of age. Human Activity. – Nestwatchers recorded 252 human activities (Appendix K). Aircraft (planes, jets, ultra-lights, and helicopters) represented 57.5%, terrestrial activity 40.5% of 13 different types, and watercraft (rafters and canoe/kayaks) 2.0%. Nine activities elicited 15 significant responses by the breeding pair. The bald eagles were restless to one vehicle and flushed in response to four drivers, two canoes/kayaks, one helicopter, small plane, swimmer, birder, and agency worker each. The breeding pair left the area in response to one helicopter, agency worker, and rafter each. Food Habits. – Nestwatchers observed 34 forage attempts. The male was successful in 66.7% (n=4) attempts, the female in 59.3% (n=16), and an unknown adult in 100% (n=1). The most common forage item was fish 58.8%, although birds 2.9%, and unknown prey types 38.2% were also hunted. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 19 The breeding pair delivered 53 prey items to the nest. The male delivered 28.3%, and the female 71.7%. Fish composed 60.4% of those items, 1.9% birds, and 37.7% unknown. No prey items were identified to species. Habitat Use. – The Orme nestwatchers identified ten separate perch locations along the Verde and Salt Rivers. River perches spanned a total of 10.5 km ranging from rk 0.3 to 4.2 on the Verde River and rk 4.4 to 10.8 on the Salt River. The pair spent 93.5% of the time within the immediate nesting area between rk 0.3 to 0.4 (Verde River) and rk 5.2 to 5.3 (Salt River), and 6.5% spent at the remaining five perch locations. Pinto Breeding Area Observation Period. – February 10 to May 21. Total monitoring 67 days/592 hours. Eagle Identification. – The male is blue VID band “5/D” on his left leg, USFWS banded on the right leg, and in adult plumage (1994 Blue Point nestling). The female is blue VID banded “2/H” on her left leg, USFWS banded on the right leg, and in adult plumage (1991 Alamo nestling). Management Activities. – 1) The Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Closure limited recreational activities on the west side of the Salt River. Human Activity. – Nestwatchers recorded 16 human activities (Appendix L). Terrestrial activity of three different types and watercraft (rafter, canoe) accounted for 37.5% each, and aircraft (helicopters) 25%. Two activities elicited a significant response from the breeding pair. The breeding pair flushed in response to one helicopter and driver each. Food Habits. – No forage attempts or prey deliveries were observed. Habitat Use. – The Pinto nestwatchers identified 17 separate perch locations along the Salt River. River perches spanned a total of 3.9 km ranging from rk 101.6 to 105.5 on the Salt River. The breeding pair spent 91.7% of the time at three perch locations within the nest area (rk 104.3), and 8.3% at the remaining perch locations. Pleasant Breeding Area Observation Period. – February 7 to May 12. Total monitoring 66 days/609 hours. Eagle Identification. – The male is blue VID banded “W” on his left leg, USFWS banded on the right leg, and in adult plumage (1987 Horse Mesa nestling). The female is unbanded and in adult plumage. Management Activities. – 1) MCPRD reinstated the seasonal closure around the active nest. 2) MCPRD marked closure boundaries with buoys and signs. 3) Nestwatchers were stationed at the southern closure boundary to educate recreationists on the closure and bald eagles. 4) The female nestling was VID banded “16/U” at six weeks of age. Human Activity. – Nestwatchers recorded 115 human activities (Appendix M). Aircraft (small planes, helicopters, jets, and ultra-lights) represented 46.1%, watercraft (boats, skiers, and jet skis) 36.5%, and terrestrial activities (OHV and fishermen) 17.4%. Four activities elicited eight significant responses by the breeding pair. The bald eagles flushed to three boats, two helicopters, two jet skis, and one fisherman. Of the 1,482 watercraft that approached the southern buoy line, only 57 (3.8%) did not comply (agency boats omitted). Boats represented 94.7% of those non-Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 20 complying, and 5.3% jet skis. However, within the type of watercraft, only 4.2% of the boats and 2.1% of the jet skis did not comply with the closure. In addition, 78.9% of the violations occurred on a weekend. Food Habits. – Nestwatchers observed 12 forage attempts. The male (n=6) and female (n=3) were successful in all forage attempts, an unknown adult was successful in 50.0% (n=1), however tandem hunting (n=1) proved unsuccessful. Seventy-five percent of the attempts were for fish, 16.7% birds, and 8.3% reptiles. The breeding pair delivered 58 prey items to the nest. The male delivered 44.8%, the female 31.0%, and an unknown adult 24.1%. Prey items were comprised of 22.4% fish, 3.4% birds, 1.7% reptiles, and 72.4% unknown. Two prey items were identified to species with one smallmouth (Micropterus dolomieui) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) each. Habitat Use. – The Pleasant nestwatchers identified 17 separate perch locations on the Agua Fria arm of Lake Pleasant. Perches spanned a total of 0.6 km ranging from rk 68.7 to 69.3. The breeding pair spent 63.6% of the time at the nest (rk 60.9), 21.2% at rk 68.9b, and 15.1% spent at the remaining 15 perch locations. San Carlos Breeding Area Observation Period. – February 6 to May 9. Total monitoring 70 days/701 hours. Eagle Identification. – The male is blue VID banded “11/E” on his left leg, USFWS banded on the right leg, and in near adult plumage (2000 Doka nestling). The female is purple VID band “Diamond D” on her left leg, USFWS banded on the right leg, and in adult plumage (1989 Bartlett nestling). Management Activities. – 1) ABENWP contractors were introduced to the SCAT police in an orientation session held on their first day in the field. 2) The SCAT Police visited the ABENWP contractors on a daily basis. Human Activity. – Nestwatchers recorded 491 human activities (Appendix N). Terrestrial activity of 19 types accounted for 97.6% and aircraft (small planes, jets, helicopter, and ultra lights) 2.4%. Eight activities elicited 15 significant responses from the breeding pair. The bald eagles were restless to four jets, and one driver, OHV, woodcutter, ultra light, and helicopter each. The breeding pair flushed in response to four hikers, and one researcher, and left the area in response to one hiker. Food Habits. – Nestwatchers observed eight forage attempts. The male was successful in 80.0% (n=4), and the female and an unknown adult in all attempts (n=2 and n=1 respectively). Successful foraging attempts consisted of 37.5% fish and mammals each, and 25% carrion. The breeding pair delivered 56 prey items to the nest. The male delivered 66.1%, the female 26.8%, and an unknown adult 7.1%. Of the delivered items, 51.8% were fish, 16.1% birds, 3.6% carrion, and 28.6% unknown. Of the 12 items that could be identified to species, 25.0% were suckers and American coots each, 16.7% black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) and carp each, and 8.3% largemouth bass and goldfish (Carassius auratus) each. Habitat Use. – The San Carlos nestwatchers identified 15 separate perch locations along the San Carlos River and four along San Carlos Reservoir. River perches spanned a total of 5.0 km ranging from rk 9.5 to 14.5 and lake perches spanned 8.0 km ranging from lk 12.0 to 20.0. The breeding pair spent 93.2% of the time directly in the nest area and 6.8% at the remaining 14 perch locations. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 21 Tonto Breeding Area Observation Period. – February 7 to May 23. Total monitoring 73 days/633 hours. Eagle Identification. – The male is blue VID banded “G” on his left leg, USFWS banded on the right leg, and in adult plumage (1987 Pinal nestling). The female is blue VID banded “Backwards 3” on her left leg, USFWS banded on the right leg, and in adult plumage (1987 Horseshoe nestling). Management Activities. – 1) The Indian Point campground remained closed throughout the breeding season. 2) The Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Closure limited recreational activities in the area. Human Activity. – Nestwatchers recorded 39 human activities (Appendix O). Aircraft (small planes and helicopters) accounted for 53.8%, and terrestrial activity 46.2% of six different types. One activity elicited two significant responses from the breeding pair. The breeding pair flushed and left the area in response to one agency worker each. Food Habits. – The nestwatchers observed opportunistic pirating by both breeding adults, but these events were not part of established patterns. Similar to previous years, they regularly observed the adults returning from the vicinity of Roosevelt Lake with prey items. The breeding adults delivered 106 prey items to the nest. The male delivered 50.9%, and the female 49.1%. Of these items, 69.8% were fish, 4.7% mammals, 2.8% birds, 0.9% carrion and reptiles each, and 20.8% unknown. No prey items were identified to species. Habitat Use. – The Tonto nestwatchers identified 14 separate perch locations along the Tonto Creek. River perches spanned 1.2 km ranging from rk 16.1 to 17.3. The breeding pair spent 97.2% of the observed time within the nest tree (rk 16.7) and 2.8% spent at the remaining 13 perch locations. Tower Breeding Area Observation Period. – February 6 to May 5. Total monitoring 65 days/630 hours. Eagle Identification. – The male is purple VID banded “Diamond 8” on his left leg, USFWS banded on the right leg, and in adult plumage (1988 Ladders nestling). The female is unbanded and in adult plumage. Management Activities. – 1) The USFS reinstated a seasonal breeding area closure surrounding the nest area. 2) The USFS posted closure signs at the upstream and downstream access points to the Verde River. 3) The USFS provided contractors with a camping trailer. 4) The female nestling was VID banded “17/E” at six weeks of age. Interventions. – On May 5, the nestling pre-fledged at nine weeks of age. The nestling was found dead directly below the nest with no obvious injuries. The nest harbored a MCB infestation that likely caused the death of the 2003 nestlings. The combination of heat stress and a MCB infestation is the likely cause of this years failure. Human Activity. – Nestwatchers recorded 108 human activities (Appendix P). Terrestrial activities of 12 different types represented 62.0%, aircraft (small planes and helicopters) 34.3%, and watercraft (canoe/kayak and rafters) 3.7%. Six activities elicited 15 significant responses from the breeding pair. The bald eagles flushed to eight trains, three rafters, and one researcher, small plane, and OHV each, and left the area in response to one shooter. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 22 Food Habits. – Nestwatchers observed seven forage attempts. The male was successful in 33.3% (n=1) and the female in 50.0% (n=2). Fish accounted for 57.1% of the attempts and unknown 42.9%. The breeding pair delivered 26 prey items to the nest. The male delivered 34.6%, the female 57.7%, and an unknown adult 7.7%. Fish comprised 69.2% of those items, 7.7% birds, 3.8% mammals, and 19.2% unknown. No prey items were identified to species. Habitat Use. – The Tower nestwatchers identified 50 perch locations along the Verde River. River perches spanned a total of 15.2 km ranging from rk 236.5 to 251.7. The pair spent 67.0% of the observed time near the nest (rk 248.2), 17.5% at rk 248.1, and 15.5% at the remaining 48 perch locations. OTHER INTERVENTIONS Granite Reef Breeding Area On February 11, we responded to a report of an injured adult bald eagle at the Granite Reef nest. The injured adult was retrieved and taken to Liberty Wildlife Rehabilitation Center where it was euthanized. On February 12, the female began to abandon the nesting attempt. We retrieved and placed the eggs in an incubator at Liberty Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. On March 6, the two eggs hatched, however, one nestling died two days later. On April 12, the surviving nestling was banded “16/W” and successfully fostered into the active Horseshoe BA nest. On May 10, we deployed a solar-powered satellite transmitter on the fosterling, and it later fledged. MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS Bartlett Breeding Area 1. Check cable barrier and signs at the beginning of each breeding season. 2. Provide brochures to nearby airports. 3. Update public use maps to include current roads and breeding area closures. 4. Monitor the pollution in Bartlett Reservoir. 5. Continue efforts to deploy breeding adults with transmitters. Box Bar Breeding Area 1. Increase presence of Law Enforcement personnel during weekends. Coolidge Breeding Area 1. Investigate techniques for increasing shade at the nest. 2. Maintain steady water releases from the dam until nestlings fledged. Crescent Breeding Area 1. Place a closure around BA. 2. Implement the Monofilament Recovery Program at Crescent Lake and Big Lake. Ladders Breeding Area 1. Place an educational sign with a photo and a map of the closure boundary at Beasley Flat informing boaters and recreating public about bald eagle natural history. Luna Breeding Area 1. Post bald eagle closure information at the campground kiosk. 2. Establish an island within the closure for waterfowl breeding habitat. 3. Additional trash receptacles throughout parking and camping areas. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 23 Orme Breeding Area 1. Cooperation with FMYN should be sought. 2. If complete closure of the Orme BA was desired by SRPMIC, a locked chain between two poles would prevent vehicle access on roads entering the closure. 3. Provide additional trashcans at the confluence area where recreation pressure is high. 4. Permanently close the road that runs directly behind the Orme nest. 5. Tonto National forest should inform its guests of area boundaries. 6. Organize river clean-ups. Pinto Breeding Area 1. Replace and update existing signs at the entrance to FR 333. 2. Access to FR 333 should be blocked by a gate during breeding season. Pleasant Breeding Area 1. Have park employees distribute written and/or oral information about the Agua Fria closure to visitors. 2. Provide better markings delineating closure on jeep/ATV trail and more buoys at the southern end of the closure. 3. Printing information about the closure in the newspaper (sports section). 4. Inform the airport south of Carefree Highway and the Air Force Base that there is a 2,000 ft advisory above the BA. 5. More law enforcement at the closure on the weekends. San Carlos Breeding Area 1. Create a management scheme where regeneration can sustain both the habitat and woodcutting. 2. Only call law enforcement when serious threat to the breeding attempt or nestwatchers is imminent. Tonto Breeding Area 1. Monitor effects of Bermuda flats campground and boat density on eagle foraging sites. Tower Breeding Area 1. Replace lock on the green gate that closes the jeep trail at the Sycamore canyon parking lot. 2. Post closure sign on FR9507 in a place where turning around is possible or install a gate. 3. Extend closure. LITERATURE CITED Brown, B.T., and L.E. Stevens. 1992. Winter abundance, age structure, and distribution of bald eagles along the Colorado River, Arizona. Southwestern Naturalist 37:404-435. Brown, D.E. (ed.). 1994. Biotic Communities, Southwestern United States and Mexico. The University of Utah Press. Salt Lake City. Canaca, J.S., K.V. Jacobson, and J.T. Driscoll. 2004. Arizona bald eagle 2003 nest survey. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Technical Report 229. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 24 Driscoll, J.T., K.V. Jacobson, and J.S. Canaca. 2004. Arizona bald eagle winter count: 2003. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Technical Report 227. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona. Hunt, W.G., D.E. Driscoll, E.W. Bianchi, and R.E. Jackman. 1992. Ecology of bald eagles in Arizona. Volumes A-F. Report to U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Contract 6-CS-30-04470. BioSystems Analysis, Inc., Santa Cruz, California. Postupalsky, S. 1974. Raptor reproductive success: some problems with methods, criteria, and terminology. In F.N. Hammerstrom, B.E. Harrell and R.R. Olendorff, Eds. Management of raptors. Proceedings of the conference on raptor conservation techniques. Raptor Research Report 2:21-31. Postupalsky, S. 1983. Techniques and terminology for surveys of nesting bald eagles. Appendix D in J.W. Grier and others, eds. Northern States bald eagle recovery plan. U.S. Dept. Inter., U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Twin Cities, Minn. Rubink, D.M. and K. Podborny. 1976. The southern bald eagle in Arizona: a status report. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Report 1. Albuquerque, New Mexico. Stalmaster, M.V. 1987. The bald eagle. Universe Books, New York, New York. Steenhof, K. and M.N. Kochert. 1982. An evaluation of methods used to estimate raptor nesting success. Journal of Raptor Management. 46(4):885-893. Steenhof, K., L. Bond, K.K. Bates, and L.L. Leppert. 2002 Trends in midwinter counts of bald eagles in the contiguous United States, 1986-2000. Bird Populations 6:21-32. Todd, R.L. 1981. Multi-agency findings on the distribution of bald eagles for Arizona in the January months of 1979, 1980, 1981. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1982. Bald eagle recovery plan (southwestern population). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque, New Mexico. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1995. Endangered and threatened species: bald eagle reclassification; final rule. Federal Register. 60(133): 36000-10. Department of the Interior, Washington, DC. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1999. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; proposed rule to remove the bald eagle in the lower 48 states from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife; proposed rule. Federal Register. 64(128):36454-64. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 25 APPENDIX A: 2004 ARIZONA BALD EAGLE WINTER COUNT RESULTS Table 8. 2004 Arizona bald eagle winter count volunteer survey results. Route Number Route Name Minutes Surveyed Adults Subadults Unknown Bald Eagle Unknown Eagle Apache County 1 Becker Lake 20 2 0 0 0 2 Little Colorado River (LCR) 20 1 0 0 0 3 S. Fork LCR – Campground 23 0 0 0 0 4 Casa Malapais – LCR 20 2 2 0 3 5 Greer Lakes (River, Bunch, and Tunnel Reservoirs) 22 0 0 0 0 6 Sponseller Lake 15 0 0 0 0 7 Mexican Hay Lake 60 0 0 0 0 8 White Mountain Hereford Ranch (Trinity, Glen Livet, McKay reservoirs) 45 1 0 0 0 9 The Ranch Lake 25 0 0 0 0 10 Ortega Lake 25 0 0 0 0 11 Concho Lake 30 1 1 0 0 12 Luna Lake 53 0 0 0 0 13 Nelson Reservoir 55 0 0 0 0 14 Nutrioso Reservoir 36 1 1 0 0 15 Tenney Pond 20 0 0 0 0 16 San Francisco River (Alpine RD to New Mexico) 24 1 1 0 1 17 Campbell Blue Creek 213 0 0 0 Total 706 9 5 0 4 Cochise County 18 Parker Canyon Lake 90 1 1 0 0 19 Willcox Playa Not Surveyed 20 Sulphur Springs Valley – Whitewater Draw 93 0 0 0 0 Total 183 1 1 0 0 Coconino County 21 Long Lake Complex 340 5 4 3 0 22 Stoneman Lake 265 0 2 0 0 23 FH3 145 1 0 0 0 24 I-17, Sedona to Flagstaff 175 2 1 0 0 25 Bellemont 342 0 1 0 0 26 Townsend/Winona A/B 390 1 1 0 0 27 HWY 89 North/Sunset Crater – Wupatki 375 1 0 0 0 28 FH3 Lakes (Mary, Mormon, Marshall, Prime) 577 5 2 0 0 29 Continental Country Club Lakes 170 0 0 0 0 30 Chevelon Canyon Lake 145 4 2 1 1 31 Holden Lake 15 0 0 0 0 32 Spring Valley Wash 180 2 0 0 0 33 Red Lake Valley 120 1 0 0 0 34 Kaibab Lake 58 1 0 0 0 35 Pittman Valley 40 3 1 0 0 36 Davenport Lake 15 3 0 0 0 37 Scholz Lake 40 4 1 0 0 38 Cataract Lake 15 2 0 0 0 Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 26 Table 8. continued. Route Number Route Name Minutes Surveyed Adults Subadults Unknown Bald Eagle Unknown Eagle Coconino County (continued) 39 Willow Springs Lake 105 1 0 0 0 40 West Chevelon Canyon 65 1 0 0 0 41 Willow Creek 50 0 0 0 0 42 White Horse Lake – Pomeroy Tanks 30 1 1 0 0 43 JD Dam Lake 45 2 3 0 1 44 Barney Flat Wetland 15 0 0 0 0 45 Steel/Stone Road 90 0 0 0 0 46 Pine Flat 40 1 0 0 0 47 Boggy Tank 60 1 0 0 0 48 Blue Stem Wash-Babbitt property 185 0 0 0 0 49 Glen Canyon Nat'l Rec Area (Lee's Ferry) 45 3 1 0 0 50 Colorado River, Lee's Ferry to Little Colorado River Not Surveyed Total 4,137 45 20 4 2 Grahm County 51 Point of Pines Lake Area 270 6 3 0 0 Greenlee County 52 Greys Peak 50 0 0 0 0 Maricopa County 53 Painted Rock Reservoir Not Surveyed Mohave County 54 Lake Mohave 330 2 1 0 0 55 Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, Topock Marsh 198 0 0 0 0 56 Lake Mead, Temple Bar 900 7 1 0 0 57 Alamo Lake 30 2 1 0 0 Total 1,458 11 3 0 0 Navajo County 58 Lake of the Woods 25 0 0 0 0 59 Rainbow Lake 60 5 10 0 0 60 Little Mormon Lake 16 0 0 0 0 61 Whipple Lake 34 0 0 0 0 62 Long Lake 41 0 0 1 0 63 Lone Pine Lake 60 0 1 0 0 64 Schoens Reservoir 60 0 0 0 0 65 White Mountain Lake 47 0 0 0 0 66 Dry Lake 65 0 0 0 0 67 Jacques Marsh 65 4 2 0 1 68 Scott's Reservoir 25 0 0 0 0 69 Showlow Lake 81 8 3 0 0 70 Pintail Lake 15 1 0 0 0 71 Telephone Lake 15 1 1 0 0 72 Fool Hollow Lake 150 5 0 0 0 73 Fred's Lake 10 0 0 0 0 74 Edeler's Lake 15 0 0 0 0 75 Cottonwood Wash/Clay Springs 27 0 0 0 0 76 White Lake 8 0 0 0 0 Total 819 24 17 1 1 Pima County 77 Arivaca Lake 60 0 0 0 0 Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 27 Table 8. continued. Route Number Route Name Minutes Surveyed Adults Subadults Unknown Bald Eagle Unknown Eagle Pinal County 78 Picacho Reservoir 40 0 0 0 0 Santa Cruz County 79 Bog Hole 60 0 0 0 0 80 Patagonia Lake 90 0 0 0 0 81 San Raphael Valley 60 0 0 0 0 82 Pena Blanca Lake 30 0 0 0 0 Total 340 0 0 0 0 Yavapai County 83 Wet Beaver Creek 465 2 0 0 1 84 Oak Creek 480 1 0 0 0 85 Willow Lake 250 1 0 0 0 86 Lynx Lake 251 1 0 0 0 87 Watson Lake 240 0 0 0 0 88 Goldwater Lake 240 1 3 0 0 Total 1,926 6 3 0 1 Yuma and LaPaz Counties 89 Imperial National Wildlife Refuge Cibola/Martinez Lake – Colorado River Not Surveyed Table 9. 2004 Arizona bald eagle winter count helicopter survey results. Route Number Route Name Minutes Surveyed Adults Subadults Unknown Bald Eagle Unknown Eagle 90 Verde River 228 21 11 0 0 91 Lower East Verde River 17 2 1 0 0 92 Lower West Clear Creek 28 1 0 0 0 93 Lower Salt River 25 21 12 0 0 94 Upper Salt River 62 7 2 0 0 95 Lower Tonto Creek 27 3 0 0 0 96 Lower Cherry Creek 2 0 0 0 0 97 Lower Canyon Creek 7 0 0 0 0 98 Lower Cibecue Creek 11 0 0 0 0 99 Lower Carrizo Creek 3 0 0 0 0 100 White River 16 1 1 0 0 101 North Fork White River 30 10 2 0 0 102 Lower Black River 45 47 20 0 0 103 Big and Little Bonito Creeks 23 9 1 0 0 104 San Carlos River (Talkalai Lake) 17 1 0 0 0 105 San Carlos Reservoir 13 1 5 0 0 106 Upper and Lower Gila River 34 5 0 0 0 107 Eagle Creek 37 8 3 0 0 108 Bonita Creek 16 0 0 0 0 109 Lower San Francisco River 36 2 1 0 0 110 Blue River 13 1 0 0 0 111 Sunrise Lake 3 1 0 0 0 112 Big Lake 2 0 0 0 0 113 Lee Valley Reservoir 1 0 0 0 0 114 Crescent Lake 2 0 2 0 0 115 Lake Pleasant Not Surveyed Totals 698 141 61 0 0 Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 28 Table 10. 2004 Arizona bald eagle winter count non-standardized route results. Route Name County Minutes Surveyed Adults Subadults Unknown Bald Eagle Unknown Eagle Camp Clover Coconino/Yavapai 130 3 2 0 1 Camp Navajo Coconino 215 2 0 0 0 FR 35 & 27 Coconino/Yavapai 360 0 0 0 0 Garland Prairie Coconino 150 2 1 0 1 HWY 64 Coconino 15 1 0 0 0 HWY 64 East Coconino 30 1 0 0 0 HWY 87 South Coconino 150 0 0 0 0 HWY 87 North Coconino 70 1 0 0 0 HWY 180 Coconino 210 1 2 0 0 Johnson Canyon Coconino 30 3 0 0 0 Kachina Sewage Treatment Plant Coconino 30 0 0 0 0 Loop Road Coconino 300 2 1 0 0 Moqui Road #328 Coconino 50 0 0 0 0 O’Dell Coconino 58 3 2 0 0 Partridge Creek Coconino 300 2 1 0 0 Upper Basin – FR 307 Coconino 120 0 0 0 0 Lake Mohave Mojave -- 8 4 0 0 Mortenson Wash Navajo 120 2 0 0 0 Camp Verde Yavapai 35 0 0 0 0 Totals 2373 31 13 0 2 Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 29 APPENDIX B: RAPTOR REPRODUCTIVE STATUS CRITERIA Breeding Area (BA): An area containing one or more nests within the range of one mated pair of birds. Operationally, once a BA is established, we consider it a BA whether it is occupied by bald eagles in a given year or not, until or unless it is designated historical. Occupied BA/Nest: An occupied BA must have an occupied nest, which is any nest, where at least one of the following activity patterns was observed during the breeding season: a. Young were raised. b. Eggs were laid. c. One adult sitting low in the nest, presumably incubating. d. Two adults present on or near the nest. e. One adult and one bird in immature plumage at or near a nest, if mating behavior was observed (display flight, nest repair, coition). f. A recently repaired nest with fresh sticks, or fresh boughs on top, and/or droppings and/or molted feathers on its rim or underneath. Active Nest: One in which eggs have been laid. Activity patterns (a), (b), and (c) above are diagnostic of an active nest. Unoccupied BA/Nest: A nest or group of alternate nests at which none of the activity patterns diagnostic of an occupied nest were observed in a given breeding season. BAs must exist as occupied before they can be recognized and classified as unoccupied. Successful BA/Nest: An occupied nest from which at least one young fledged during the breeding season under consideration. Nests were successful if at least one young was raised past eight weeks of development. Failed BA/Nest: An occupied nest from which no young fledged due to any cause. Historical BA: A BA that has remained unoccupied for ten consecutive years. Given that some records of breeding occupancy are sparse in the literature before 1973, this term also applies to any BA recorded not showing signs of occupancy since. Reoccupied Historical BA: A Historical BA, which shows signs indicative of being active. Pioneer Effort: The occupancy of a new nest, in previously undocumented breeding habitat, where there is no evidence of prior activity. These occur in areas monitored by the ORA flights before discovery due to 1) the presence of a large nest built by another or unknown species, or 2) the observed suitability of the habitat. Existing Status: A BA that shows signs of prior occupancy (e.g. multiple large nests) and/or signs of prior activity (e.g. prey remains below an existing nest) upon discovery. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 30 APPENDIX C: 2004 ARIZONA BALD EAGLE PRODUCTIVITY Table 11. 2004 Arizona bald eagle productivity. Breeding Area Status1 Nest2 Incubation Date Eggs Hatch Date Young Fledged Fledge Date Alamo F 4 1/4-2/2 1+ Failed 2/2-26. Bartlett* S 1 2/2-2/5 2+ 3/2 2 2 6/2-6/7 Becker U Blue Point S 10 <4/6 2+ <4/6 2 2 4/21-5/4 Box Bar* S 3 <1/5 2+ 2/2-2/6 2 2 4/16 Bulldog S 1 <1/6 2+ 1/30-3/8 2 2 5/4-6/7 Canyon U Cedar Basin O 5 Cibecue F 2 <5/4 1 Found one egg in nest on 5/4. Cliff U Coldwater S 3 2/2-3/12 1+ 3/12-4/6 1 1 >6/7 F 4 2/16-2/20 1+ 3/28 1 Failed 6/17. Coolidge* One nestling died at 11.5 weeks of age. Crescent* S 1 3/24-4/6 1+ 4/22-5/6 1 1 7/25 Doka S 2 <1/2 2+ 1/5-2/2 2 2 3/31-4/21 Dupont U S 6 2/2-3/12 2+ 3/12-4/6 2 1 5/4-6/7 East Verde One nestling last observed on 5/4 at 7.5 weeks of age. Fort McDowell S 16 1/5-2/2 2+ 2/2-3/12 1 1 5/3-6/7 Granite Basin U F 4 1/30-2/2 2 Failed 2/12. Granite Reef* Nest abandoned 2/12. Two eggs taken to rehab. Fostered 4/12 into Horseshoe. Horse Mesa F 4 1/6-1/30 1+ Failed 2/2-3/2. Horseshoe S 11 1/5-2/2 1+ 2/2-3/12 1 2 5/3-6/7 Ive's Wash S 3 1/4-2/2 3 2/18-2/25 3 3 >5/3 S 3 2/16-2/20 2+ 3/26, 3/28 2 1 6/24 Ladders* One nestling died 5/16 at five weeks of age from emaciation related to MCB infestation. Lone Pine S 5 1/30-3/11 2 3/11-5/4 1 1 >6/7 Luna* S 1 <2/6 2+ 3/5-3/19 2 2 5/26, 5/31 Lynx S 2 <3/12 1+ <3/12 1 1 5/3-6/7 Needle Rock* S 2 1/5-2/2 1+ 3/8-3/12 1 1 5/3-6/7 F 1 1/5-2/2 1+ 2/11-3/12 1 Failed 3/12-4/6. Oak Creek Last observed brooding on 3/12. Orme* S 6 1/6-1/30 2+ 2/25 2 2 5/16, 5/19 F 4 1/5-2/2 1+ 2/19-3/12 1 Failed 5/29 Perkinsville Nestling taken to rehab on 5/29 for broken wing. Died 6/9. Pinal S 2 1/6-1/30 1+ 3/11-3/17 1 1 5/4-6/7 Pinto* S 6 1/30-2/6 2+ 2/29 2 2 5/23-6/7 Pleasant* S 3 <2/2 1+ 2/27 1 1 5/14-5/30 Redmond S 5 1/30-3/11 2 3/11-3/16 1 1 5/4-6/7 Rock Creek F 1 1/30-3/11 1+ Failed 3/31. S 2 1/5-2/2 2+ 2/2-3/12 2 1 5/3-6/7 Rodeo One nestling disappeared 3/31-5/3 at 3.5 to 9.5 weeks of age San Carlos* S 3 1/6-1/30 1+ 2/21 1 1 5/11-5/16 76 F 4 2/23-3/11 1+ Failed 3/11-3/18. F 4 1/6-1/30 1+ 2/25-3/11 1 Failed 5/4-6/7. Sheep Nestling disappeared 5/4-6/7 at seven to 11.5 weeks of age. Suicide S 1 1/6-1/30 3 2/9-3/2 3 3 >5/7 Sycamore S 4 <1/2 2+ 1/5-2/2 2 2 3/31-4/21 1 Breeding area status codes (Postupalsky 1974): U=unoccupied, O=occupied, S=successful, F=failed. * Nests monitored by the Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 31 Table 11. continued. Breeding Area Status1 Nest2 Incubation Date Eggs Hatch Date Young Fledged Fledge Date F 4 2/2-3/12 1+ 3/12-4/6 1 Failed 5/3-6/7. Table Mountain One nestling disappeared 5/3-6/7 at three to eight weeks of age. Talkalai S 7 2/6-2/8 1+ 3/11-4/13 1 1 >6/1 Tonto* S 2 1/6-1/30 2+ 2/22 2 2 5/16, 5/22 F 8 1/2-1/25 1+ 3/1-3/4 1 Failed 5/5. Tower* One nestling died 5/5 at nine weeks of age related to MCB infestation. Winkelman U 1 Breeding area status codes (Postupalsky 1974): U=unoccupied, O=occupied, S=successful, F=failed. * Nests monitored by the Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 32 APPENDIX D: 2004 NEST SURVEY RESULTS Table 12. Results of the winter count, ORA, and Nest Survey Flights. Location Time Comments January 5, 2004 Orme 0823 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Rodeo 0827 Nest #1 fell. One adult in area. Sycamore 0832 One adult incubating in nest #4. Second adult in area. Doka 0838 One adult incubating in nest #2. Second adult in area. Fort McDowell 0840 Two adults standing in nest #16. Box Bar 0842 One adult incubating in nest #3. Needle Rock 0844 All known nests empty. One adult in area. Bartlett 0849 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Cliff 0930 All known nests empty. One adult in area. Horseshoe 1003 All known nests empty. One adult in area. Table Mountain 1024 One adult standing in nest #4. LF nest site 1054 Two adults in area. East Verde 1102 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Coldwater 1113 Nest #1 fell. All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Ladders 1324 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. West Clear Creek 1334 No new nests. One adult in area. Oak Creek 1434 All known nests empty. One adult in area. Pecks Lake 1452 No new nests or bald eagles. Tower 1503 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Perkinsville 1515 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Hell Point nest site 1531 One adult in area. Muldoon nest site 1536 Three subadults in area. Granite nest site 1541 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Sullivan Lake nest site 1544 No new nests or bald eagles. Del Rio Ponds 1548 Two adults and two sub adults in area. January 6, 2004 Granite Reef 0755 Two adults in new nest #4 Orme 0757 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Bull Dog 0807 One adult incubating in nest #1. Blue Point 0810 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Horse Mesa 0835 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Tonto 0848 All known nests empty. One adult in area. Sheep 0918 Nest #3 branch broke. All known nests empty. No bald eagles. 76 0927 Nest #3 branch broke. Two adults in area. Roosevelt Lake 0973 No new nests. Eleven adults and ten subadults in area. Pinto 1137 One adult standing in new nest #6. Pinal 1147 All known nests empty. One adult in area. Redmond 1203 One adult standing in nest #5. Second adult in area. Canyon 1230 Nest #8 gone. All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Ash historical BA 1249 No new nests. One adult in area. Talkalai 1317 No new nests or bald eagles. San Carlos 1334 Nest #2 fell. All known nests empty. One adult in area. Suicide 1350 All known nests empty. Two adults in area. Coolidge 1400 All known nests empty. Two adults in area. Granite Basin 1436 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Winkelman 1444 Nest #2 fell. All known nests empty. No bald eagles. January 7, 2004 Cibecue 1028 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Mule Hoof historical BA 1042 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Cedar Basin 1055 All known nests empty. Two adults upstream. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 33 Table 12. continued. Location Time Comments January 7, 2004 continued Lone Pine 1113 All known nests empty. Two adults and two subadults in area. Crescent 1223 All known nests empty. Two subadults in area. January 8, 2004 Willow nest site 1007 No new nests or bald eagles. Eagle nest site 1039 No new nests. One adult in area. January 30, 2004 Granite Reef 0834 One adult in nest #4. Orme 0835 One adult incubating in nest #6. Bull Dog 0841 One adult incubating in nest #1. Blue Point 0844 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Horse Mesa 0900 One adult incubating in nest #4. Rock Creek 0905 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Tonto 0908 One adult incubating nest #2. Sheep 0915 One adult incubating in new nest #4. 76 0925 New nest #4 in former nest #3 tree. One adult in area. Dupont 0943 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Pinto 0955 Two adults standing in nest #6. Pinal 0959 One adult incubating in nest #6. Redmond 1003 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Gleason Flat 1014 No new nests or bald eagles. Canyon 1020 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Cibecue 1142 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Mule Hoof historical BA 1150 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Cedar Basin 1207 All known nests empty. Two adults upstream. Lone Pine 1220 One adult standing in new nest #5. Talkalai 1440 One adult standing in refurbished nest #7. Second adult in area. San Carlos 1420 One adult incubating in nest #3. Suicide 1430 One adult incubating in nest #1. Coolidge 1435 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Granite Basin 1505 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Winkelman 1526 No new nests or bald eagles. February 2, 2004 Granite Reef 0739 One adult incubating in nest #4. Second adult in area. Orme 0741 One adult incubating in nest #6. Rodeo 0744 One adult incubating in nest #2. Second adult in area. Sycamore 0748 One adult incubating in nest #2. Second adult in area. Doka 0752 One adult brooding one one-week old nestling in nest. Second adult in area. Fort McDowell 0755 One adult incubating in nest #16. Box Bar 0759 One adult incubating in nest #3. Needle Rock 0800 One adult incubating in nest #2. Bartlett 0805 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Cliff 0824 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Horseshoe 0845 One adult incubating in nest #11. Table Mountain 0858 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. East Verde 1004 One adult standing in nest #6. Second adult in area. Coldwater 1014 Nest #3 fell. All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Ladders 1025 All known nests empty. One adult and two subadults in area. Camp Verde historical BA 1035 No new nests or bald eagles. Oak Creek 1052 One adult incubating in nest #1. Tower 1117 One adult incubating in nest #8 Perkinsville 1126 One adult incubating in nest #4. Hell Point nest site 1132 No new nests or bald eagles. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 34 Table 12. continued. Location Time Comments February 2, 2004 continued Muldoon nest site 1142 All known nests empty. One adult in area. Granite nest site 1148 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Sullivan Lake nest site 1151 No new nests or bald eagles. Del Rio Ponds 1156 One adult and five subadults in area. Lynx 1335 One adult and three subadults in area. Goldwater Lake 1341 One adult in area. Alamo 1421 One adult incubating in nest #4. Ive’s Wash 1427 One adult incubating in nest #3. Pleasant 1548 One adult incubating in nest #3. Salt/Gila Rivers 1610 One subadult in area. March 11, 2004 Granite Reef 0734 All known nests empty. Two adults in area. Bull Dog 0741 One adult brooding in nest #1. Blue Point 0744 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Horse Mesa 0812 Nest empty, confirmed failed. Rock Creek 0815 One adult incubating in nest #2. Sheep 0830 One adult incubating in nest #4. Second adult in area. 76 0837 One adult incubating in nest #4. Second adult in area. Dupont 0849 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Pinto 0900 One adult incubating in nest #6. Second adult in area. Pinal 0904 One adult brooding one 1.5-week old nestling in nest. Redmond 0908 One adult incubating in nest #5. Gleason Flat 0913 No new nests or bald eagles. Canyon 0930 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Nest #5 fell. Cibecue 1115 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Golden eagle incubating in nest #6. Mule Hoof historical BA 1125 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Cedar Basin 1200 New nest #8. One adult in area. Lone Pine 1210 One adult incubating in nest #5. Second adult in area. Black River 1214 Two adults in area Talkalai 1413 One adult incubating/brooding in nest #7. San Carlos 1424 One adult brooding. Suicide 1428 Two 1.5-week old nestlings in nests and one adult in nest. Coolidge 1430 One adult incubating. Second adult in area. Granite Basin 1458 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Winkelman 1500 No new nests or bald eagles. March 12, 2004 Salt River/Tempe Town Lake 0725 Red-tailed hawk nest Rodeo 0740 One adult sitting low on nest on nest #2. Sycamore 0746 Two seven-week old nestlings in nest. Doka 0750 Two seven-week old nestlings in nest. One adult in area. Fort McDowell 0754 One adult standing in nest. One three-week old nestling in nest. One egg. Needle Rock 0800 One adult feeding, one one-week old nestling in nest. Bartlett 0804 One adult brooding. Cliff 0830 One adult downstream of nest area. Horseshoe 0842 One adult incubating/brooding in nest #11. Table Mountain 0848 One adult incubating in nest #4. East Verde 0900 One adult standing in nest #6 with possible egg. Second adult in area. Coldwater 0908 One adult incubating in nest #4. LF nest site 0925 No new nests or bald eagles. Burnt Point 0952 No new nests or bald eagles. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 35 Table 12. continued. Location Time Comments March 12, 2004 continued Camp Verde historical BA 1058 No new nests or bald eagles. Oak Creek 1110 One adult incubating/brooding in nest #1. Perkinsville 1133 One adult standing in nest with one one-week old nestling in nest. Hell Point nest site 1142 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Muldoon nest site 1147 All known nests empty. One adult in area. Granite nest site 1150 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Sullivan Lake nest site 1155 No new nests or bald eagles. Del Rio Ponds 1200 No new nests or bald eagles. Lynx 1212 One adult incubating in new nest #2. Goldwater Lake 1217 No new nests or bald eagles. Devil’s Post historical BA 1400 All known nests empty. One adult in area. Chino historical BA 1425 No new nests or bald eagles. Alamo 1430 All known nests empty. One adult on lake. Ive’s Wash 1437 One adult shading two+ two-week old nestlings in nest. Agua Fria River 1553 No new nests or bald eagles. Salt/Gila Rivers 1620 No new nests or bald eagles. Four ospreys in area. March 31, 2004 Pleasant 0643 One five-week old nestling in nest. Horseshoe 0700 One adult standing on nest with a three-week old nestling in nest. 76 0720 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Sheep 0730 One adult incubating. Second adult in area. Tonto 0734 One adult on nest with two 4.5-week old nestlings in nest. Second adult in area. Rock Creek 0740 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Failed. Pinto 0750 One adult on nest with two three-week old nestlings in nest. Second adult in area. Pinal 0754 One adult incubating/brooding. Redmond 0800 One adult on nest with one three-week old nestling in nest. Second adult in area. Gleason Flat 0809 No new nests or bald eagles. Canyon 0818 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Suicide 1129 One adult on nest with three 3.5-week old nestlings in nest. Second adult in area. Coolidge 1132 One adult brooding. Second adult in area. Granite Basin 1140 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Bull Dog 1220 One adult on nest with two four-week old nestlings in nest. Orme 1225 One adult on nest with one four-week old nestling in nest. Rodeo 1227 One adult on nest with two three-week old nestlings in nest. Sycamore 1230 Two 11-week old nestlings in nest. Doka 1232 Two 11-week old nestlings in nest. Fort McDowell 1235 One adult on nest with one five-week old nestling in nest. Box Bar 1237 One adult on nest with two nine-week old nestlings in nest. Needle Rock 1238 One adult on nest with one three-week old nestling in nest. Second adult in area. April 6, 2004 Ive’s Wash 0900 Banded three four-week old nestlings in nest. Two adults in area. Alamo 1159 All known nests empty. Two adults in area. Perkinsville 1445 One adult with one 3.5-week old nestling in nest. Oak Creek 1500 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Failed. Coldwater 1514 One adult brooding. East Verde 1522 Two 3.5-week old nestlings in nest. Two adults in area. Table Mountain 1528 Two adults brooding. Horseshoe 1538 One adult with one three-week old nestling in nest. Cliff 1544 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 36 Table 12. continued. Location Time Comments April 6, 2004 Blue Point 1615 Two six-week old nestlings in nest. Two adults in area. April 21, 2004 Horseshoe 0732 Two seven-week old nestlings in nest. Table Mountain 0736 One adult on nest with one one-week old nestling in nest. East Verde 0747 Banded two five-week old nestlings in nest. Two adults in area. Coldwater 1117 One adult brooding one three-week old nestling in nest. Railroad bridge 1135 No new nests or bald eagles. Oak Creek 1150 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Blue Ridge Reservoir 1326 No new nests or bald eagles. Knoll Lake nest site 1341 One osprey incubating. Two other empty osprey nests observed. Bear Canyon 1348 Two ospreys in area. Woods Canyon nest site 1353 One osprey incubating. Two ospreys on lake. Willow Springs Lake 1400 One osprey incubating in nest below dam. Two ospreys on lake. Chevelon nest site 1405 High survey. No new nests or bald eagles. Blue Point 1448 Two eight-week old nestlings in nest. Doka 1455 Two fledglings and one adult in area. Fort McDowell 1457 One eight-week old nestling in nest. One adult in area. May 3, 2004 Ive’s Wash 0755 One adult on nest with three 8.5-week old nestlings in nest. Lynx 0849 One eight-week old nestling in nest. Two adults on lake. Perkinsville 1000 One eight-week old nestling in nest. Tower 1010 One 8.5-week old nestling in nest. Railroad bridge 1015 No new nests or bald eagles. Oak Creek 1030 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Ladders 1055 One adult on nest with one 4.5-week old nestling in nest. Second adult in area. Coldwater 1100 One five-week old nestling in nest. One adult in area. East Verde 1107 One adult on nest shading two 7.5-week old nestlings in nest. Second adult in area. Table Mountain 1245 One adult on nest Shading one three-week old nestling in nest. Horseshoe 1250 One adult on nest with two 8.5-week old nestlings in nest. Second adult in area. Cliff 1257 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Needle Rock 1313 One eight-week old nestling in nest. One adult in area. Box Bar 1315 Two adults on nest with two 13-week old nestlings in nest. Fort McDowell 1316 One 11-week-old nestling in nest. One adult in area. Rodeo 1320 One eight-week old nestling in nest. One adult in area Orme 1329 Two nine-week old nestlings in nest. Salt River/Tempe Town Lake 1345 No new nests or bald eagles. May 4, 2004 Box Bar 0645 Two fledglings in area. Bull Dog 0658 Two nine-week old nestlings in nest Blue Point 0700 Two ten-week old nestlings in nest. Horse Mesa 0715 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Tonto 0722 Two 9.5-week old nestlings in nest. Sheep 0727 One 6+week old nestling in nest. One adult in area. 76 0733 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Roosevelt Lake 0745 One adult at each of the two major inflows. Pinto 0800 One adult on nest with two eight-week old nestlings in nest. Second adult in area. Pinal 0804 One 6+week old nestling in nest. One adult in area. Redmond 0807 One eight-week old nestling in nest. One adult in area. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 37 Table 12. continued. Location Time Comments May 4, 2004 continued Canyon 0820 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Cibecue 0950 Addle egg in nest #2. No bald eagles. Mule Hoof historical BA 1000 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Cedar Basin 1019 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Lone Pine 1020 One adult shading one four-week-old nestling in nest. Second adult in area. Pacheta Lake 1052 No new nests or bald eagles. Reservation Lake 1100 No new nests or bald eagles. Big Lake 1105 No new nests or bald eagles. Crescent Lake 1107 One adult incubating in nest #1. Second adult in area. Lee Valley Reservoir 1113 No new nests or bald eagles. Sunrise Lake 1116 No new nests or bald eagles. Horseshoe Cienega Lake 1120 No new nests or bald eagles. Hawley Lake 1124 No new nests or bald eagles. Chevelon nest site 1250 No new nests or bald eagles. Potential nest fell. Willow Springs Lake 1315 One adult perched on the SW end of lake. Woods Canyon nest site 1320 No new nests or bald eagles. Bear Canyon Lake 1325 No new nests or bald eagles. Knoll Lake nest site 1330 No new nests or bald eagles. East Clear Creek 1345 No new nests or bald eagles. June 6, 2004 Rodeo 0630 One adult in area. Nest #2 partially fallen. Needle Rock 0643 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Bartlett 0648 One adult in area. Horseshoe 0700 All known nests empty. One adult in area. Table Mountain 0720 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Failed. East Verde 0730 One adult in area. Coldwater 0736 One eight-week old nestling in nest. Ladders 0740 One nine-week old nestling in nest. One adult in area. Lynx 0806 All known nests empty. No bald eagles. Sheep 1045 One adult in area. Tonto 1053 One adult and fledgling in nest tree. Roosevelt Lake 1105 Four adults and three subadults on lake. Pinto 1112 One 13-week old nestling in nest. One adult and fledgling in area. Pinal 1118 One adult and fledgling in area. Redmond 1129 All known nests empty. One adult in area. Lone Pine 1151 One nine-week old nestling in nest. One adult in area. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 38 APPENDIX E: BARTLETT BREEDING AREA SUMMARY Table 13. Observed human activity and bald eagle behavior, Bartlett BA, Arizona, 2004. Human Activity N1 W R F L U Total Percent Small plane 150 50 1 1 -- 9 211 69.0 Helicopter 25 36 1 1 -- 1 64 20.9 OHV 4 4 3 -- -- -- 11 3.6 Canoe/kayak 1 4 -- 1 -- 2 8 2.6 Rafter 1 1 -- 1 -- 1 4 1.3 Boater -- 2 -- 1 -- -- 3 1.0 Jet 1 1 -- -- -- -- 2 0.7 Researcher -- -- -- 1 -- -- 1 0.3 Agency worker -- 1 -- -- -- -- 1 0.3 Docking boat -- -- -- -- 1 -- 1 0.3 Total 182 99 5 6 1 13 306 1Bald eagle behavior, N=none, W=watched, R=restless, F=flushed, L=left area, U=unknown. Table 14. Observed forage event and success, Bartlett BA, Arizona, 2004. Fish Mammals Unknown Total Sex E1 S-U2 E S-U E S-U E S-U Male 14 6-8 1 1-0 1 0-1 16 7-9 Female 15 10-5 -- -- 1 0-1 16 10-6 Total 29 16-13 1 1-0 2 0-2 32 17-15 1E=A Single forage event, not the number of attempts during 1 event. 2S-U=Successful – Unsuccessful forage events. Table 15. Observed prey types delivered to the nest, Bartlett BA, Arizona, 2004. Sex Fish Bird Mammal Unknown Total Percent Male 56 5 2 6 69 87.3 Female 8 -- 2 -- 10 12.7 Total 64 5 4 6 Percent 81.0 6.3 5.1 7.6 79 Table 16. Bald Eagle Habitat Analysis at the Bartlett BA, Arizona, 2004. Perch Location1 Perch Type2 Side Shade Distance to H2O3 H2O Type4 Land Type5 31.6a BO Left No 1 RU UP 31.6b BO Left No 1 RU UP 33.6 BA Left Partial 1 RU UP 33.8 SH Right No 3 PO MB 34.0 BA Left No 1 PO UP 34.1a CL Left Partial 1 PO MB 34.1b SO Right Yes 1 RU WT 34.2a CM Left No 1 PO MB 34.2b SB Island No 1 PO WT 1River/lake kilometers (Hunt and others 1992). 2BO=boulder, BA=cut bank, SH=shrub, CL=cottonwood large/20-30+m, SO=shore, CM=cottonwood medium/10-20m, SB=sandbar. 31=0-25m, 2=26-50m, 3=51-75m, 4=76-100m, 5=101-200m, 6=201-300m, 7=301-400m, 8=>401m. 4RU=run, PO =pool. 5UP=desert upland, MB=mesquite bosque, WT=willow thicket, CW=cottonwood grove, TA=talus, GB=gravel bar. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 39 Table 16. continued. Perch Location1 Perch Type2 Side Shade Distance to H2O3 H2O Type4 Land Type5 34.2c SM Left No 1 PO MB 34.2d CM Right Partial 1 PO CW 34.2e SB Island Partial 1 PO WT 34.2f ST Right Partial 3 PO MB 34.3a CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.3b CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.3c CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.3d CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.3e CF Right Partial 1 RU TA 34.3f BO Island Partial 1 RU WT 34.3g SS Right No 1 RU TA 34.3h SM Left No 3 RU MB 34.3i SO Right No 1 RU GB 34.4a CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.4b CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.4c CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.4d CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.4e CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.4f CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.4g CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.4h CT Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.4i CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.4j CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.4k CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.4l CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.5a CF Right Partial 1 PO CL 34.5b CT Right Partial 1 PO CL 34.5c GB Island Partial 1 RI WT 34.5d CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.5e GR Channel Partial 1 BW WT 34.5f CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.6a CF Right Partial 1 PO CL 34.6b CF Right Partial 1 PO CL 34.6c CT Right Partial 1 PO CL 34.6d CF Right Partial 1 RI CL 34.6e CF Right Partial 1 PO CL 34.6f CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.6g CF Right Partial 1 RI CL 34.7a CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.7b CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.8a NE Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.8b CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.8c PT Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.8d CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 1River/lake kilometers (Hunt and others 1992). 2SM=snag, CM=cottonwood medium/10-20m, SB=sandbar, mesquite, ST=snag top, CF=cliff ledge, BO=boulder, SS=soft snag, SO=shore, CT=cliff top, GB=gravel bar, GR=ground, NE=nest, PT=pinnacle top. 31=0-25m, 2=26-50m, 3=51-75m, 4=76-100m, 5=101-200m, 6=201-300m, 7=301-400m, 8=>401m. 4PO=pool, RU=run, RI=riffle, BW=backwater. 5MB=mesquite bosque, CW=cottonwood grove, WT=willow thicket, CL=cliffs, TA=talus, GB=gravel bar. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 40 Table 16. continued. Perch Location1 Perch Type2 Side Shade Distance to H2O3 H2O Type4 Land Type5 34.8e SP Right No 3 RU UP 34.8f CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.8g CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.8h CT Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.8i CT Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.8j CT Right No 1 RU UP 34.8k CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.8l CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.8m CF Right Partial 1 PO CL 34.8n CF Right Partial 1 PO CL 34.8o CF Right Partial 1 PO TA 34.8p CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.9a CT Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.9b ST Right No 3 RU UP 34.9c CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.9d SS Right No 1 RU UP 34.9e CT Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.9f CT Right Partial 1 RU CL 34.9g PV Right Partial 1 RU UP 34.9h SO Island Partial 1 PO WT 34.9i CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 35.0a SS Right No 1 RI UP 35.0b CF Right Partial 1 RI CL 35.0c PT Right Partial 1 RI CL 35.0d CF Right Partial 1 RU CL 35.2 CF Right Partial 8 RI CL 35.4a SM Right Partial 1 PO MB 35.4b SO Left Partial 1 PO WT 36.0 BO Left No 1 RU UP 36.5 CL Right Partial 1 RU MB 37.1 CF Left Partial 6 RU CL 42.3 BO Left No 3 RS UP 43.9 SM Left No 1 RS UP 49.2 BO Left Partial 1 RS CL 49.6 BO Left Partial 1 RS CL 1River/lake kilometers (Hunt and others 1992). 2SP=stump or fallen tree, CF=cliff ledge, CT=cliff top, ST=snag top, SS=soft snag, PV=palo verde, SO=shore, PT=pinnacle top, SM=snag, mesquite, BO=boulder, CL=cottonwood large/20-30m. 31=0-25m, 2=26-50m, 3=51-75m, 4=76-100m, 5=101-200m, 6=201-300m, 7=301-400m, 8=>401m. 4RU=run, PO =pool, RI=riffle, RS=reservoir. 5UP=desert upland, CL=cliffs, TA=talus, WT=willow thicket, MB=mesquite bosque. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 41 Table 17. Bald Eagle Habitat Use at the Bartlett BA, Arizona, 2004. River km NX1, 2 PP PH PW PX EX SX GN WB Total Percent 31.6 -- -- -- 6 -- -- 2 -- -- 8 -- 33.6 -- -- -- 6 -- -- -- -- -- 6 -- 33.8 -- -- -- 104 2 -- -- -- -- 106 0.2 34.0 -- -- 6 4 1 -- -- -- -- 11 -- 34.1 -- -- -- 1 1 -- -- 1 -- 3 -- 34.2 -- 114 76 770 425 157 494 16 3 2,055 3.4 34.3 -- 119 44 391 54 18 38 1 -- 665 1.1 34.4 -- 184 110 8,617 48 20 -- -- -- 8,979 14.8 34.5 -- 50 61 1,686 17 52 302 1 -- 2,169 3.6 34.6 -- 220 72 2,722 410 36 -- -- -- 3,460 5.7 34.7 -- 21 3 1,613 9 5 -- -- -- 1,651 2.7 34.8 (nest) 35,706 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 3 35,709 58.9 34.8b -- 22 43 3,001 159 12 2 7 1 3,247 5.4 34.9 -- 164 168 1,206 5 -- -- -- -- 1,543 2.5 35.0 -- 42 -- 529 4 -- -- -- -- 575 0.9 35.2 -- -- -- 2 -- -- -- -- -- 2 -- 35.4 -- 28 -- 39 3 -- -- 7 -- 77 0.1 36.0 -- -- -- 137 1 -- -- -- -- 138 0.2 36.5 -- -- -- 39 -- -- -- -- -- 39 0.1 37.1 -- -- -- 78 65 -- -- -- -- 143 0.2 42.3 -- -- -- 64 -- -- -- -- -- 64 0.1 43.9 -- -- -- 3 -- -- -- -- -- 3 -- 49.2 -- -- -- 6 -- -- -- -- -- 6 -- 49.6 -- -- -- 8 -- -- -- -- -- 8 -- Total 35,706 964 583 21,032 1,204 300 838 33 7 Percent 58.9 1.6 1.0 34.7 2.0 0.5 1.4 0.1 -- 60,667 1Observation Time (minutes). 2NX=nesting activities, PP=perched preening, PH=perched hunting, PW=perched watching, PX=perched various, EX=eating various, SX=shore various, GN=gathering nest material, WB=undetermined behavior. Arizona Game and Fish Department December 2004 NGTR 247: ABEMP: 2004 Summary Report Page 42 APPENDIX F: BOX BAR BREEDING AREA SUMMARY Table 18. Observed human activity and bald eagle behavior, Box Bar BA, Arizona, 2004. Human Activity N1 W R F B U Total Percent Helicopters 2 16 -- -- 4 -- 22 31.0 Small planes 1 15 -- -- -- -- 16 22.5 ATV’s 1 6 -- 1 2 -- 10 14.1 Hikers -- 5 -- 1 -- -- 6 8.5 Gunfire -- -- 1 -- -- 4 5 7.0 Fisherman 3 -- -- -- -- -- 3 4.2 4 X 4 vehicles -- 3 -- -- -- -- 3 4.2 Picnickers 2 -- -- -- -- -- 2 2.8 Motor para-glider -- 2 -- -- -- -- 2 2.8 Shooter -- 1 -- -- -- -- 1 1.4 Boater 1 -- -- -- -- -- 1 1.4 Total 10 48 1 2 6 4 71 1Bald eagle behavior, N=none, W=watched, R=restless, F=flushed, B=birds not in area, U=unknown. Table 19. Observed prey types delivered to the nest, Box Bar BA, Arizona, 2004. Sex Reptiles Fish Mammals Birds Unknown Total Percent Male 19 |