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1993 ARIZONA BALD EAGLE WINTER COUNT Gregory L. Beatty, Bald Eagle Management Coordinator James T. Driscoll, Bald Eagle Biologist Nongame Branch, Wildlife Management Division Technical Report 32 Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Program Chief: Terry B. Johnson Arizona Game and Fish Department 2221 West Greenway Road Phoenix, Arizona 85023-4312 June 1994 Recommended Citation Beatty, G.L. and J.T. Driscoll 1994. 1993 Arizona bald eagle winter count. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Technical Report 32. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona. Acknowledgments We thank the following for their contributions to Arizona's 1993 bald eagle winter count: Bureau of Reclamation, Salt River Project, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Audubon Society, Arizona Game and Fish Department. Project Funding Funding for this project was provided by: voluntary contributions of helicopter time by the Bureau of Reclamation and the Salt River Project; the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Heritage Fund; and Project W95-M, Jobs 1 and 4, under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman-Robertson Act). TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1 Methods........................................................................................................................................ 1 Results .......................................................................................................................................... 3 Discussion.................................................................................................................................... 4 Recommendations ...................................................................................................................... 6 Literature Cited ........................................................................................................................... 7 Appendix: Data tables for 1993 winter surveys ..................................................................... 9 1993 ARIZONA BALD EAGLE WINTER COUNT Gregory L. Beatty and James T. Driscoll INTRODUCTION Arizona's wintering bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) population was examined in the 1970s and early 1980s through comprehensive winter counts (Todd 1977, 1981, 1984a, 1984b; Hall 1985). In 1986, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), coordinators of the nationwide survey, asked that only areas of eagle concentration (sites with more than 15 eagles observed in 2 or more years) be surveyed. Subsequently, due to Arizona's lack of eagle "concentrations," the state only contributed minimal information in 1986 and 1987 (Hastings 1988). From 1989-1991 winter counts in Arizona were localized to specific management areas such as Roosevelt Lake (USFWS 1990) and Nankoweap Creek (Brown and Stevens 1991). The statewide count completed in 1992 (Beatty 1992) tied Todd's (1984b) previous high count of 225 bald eagles. The national bald eagle winter survey was initiated and organized by the NWF from 1979-1991. It is now coordinated by the Raptor Research Technical Assistance Center (RRTAC - Bureau of Land Management, 3948 Development Avenue, Boise, Idaho 83705). Because the bald eagle can be gregarious in winter, national surveys can determine the species' success throughout its range and distribution (Stalmaster 1987). In addition, determining the bald eagle's winter use in Arizona contributes to agencies management efforts on the bird's wintering grounds. Our goal for the 1993 count was to duplicate 1992's survey routes and search for eagles in new areas of the state. Unfortunately, heavy rainstorms during the survey period and restrictions placed upon AGFD by the White Mountain Apache Tribe hindered our attempts to accomplish these objectives. Yet, we were still able to count 186 bald eagles: 46 (25%) subadults, 133 (71%) adults, and 7 (4%) unknowns. METHODS The 1993 winter count was scheduled for 6-10 January for agency helicopters to be used on weekdays and to provide a weekend for volunteers. Due to the diverse habitat in Arizona and the desire to maximize (but not duplicate) the count of bald eagles in a narrow time frame with minimal effort, a variety of methods are needed to survey the state adequately. The Salt, Verde, East Verde, Bill Williams, Gila, Black, and White rivers and associated lakes are the main water bodies in central Arizona where fish and carrion eating raptors like bald eagles might occur. Because these drainages have rugged terrain, deep canyons, and are relatively inaccessible, they are best surveyed by helicopter. The Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) and the Salt River Project (SRP) contributed two days of helicopter time to survey the Verde River and lower Salt River. 1 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 2 Other areas that bald eagles may frequent in Arizona which are more accessible by boat, vehicle, and foot, were left to volunteer surveyors. 2 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 3 Poor weather and constraints put upon AGFD did not allow us to survey areas visited in 1992 by helicopter. Heavy rainstorms and high river flows caused a day-to-day wait until helicopter time was available because agency helicopters were tending to emergencies. This delay caused our surveys to be conducted outside of the target survey period and at undesirable times of the day. The Verde River flight was conducted on 11 January, 1993 and our Salt River flight was postponed until 21 January. In addition to heavy rains, the White Mountain Apache Tribe placed restrictions upon all endangered species work on the reservation. This caused us to terminate our survey for the upper Salt River and the lower Black and White rivers. Helicopter surveys were conducted with three biologists and a pilot in low-level flight, directly above the drainage. The observer in front had the best overall view. Observers in back watched for birds out the side windows. Often the observer in front was able to spot the most eagles. Biologists in back were most useful observing eagle concentrations along a short stretch of river or lake when birds were flushed by the helicopter. Location and distance traveled are described by river kilometers after BioSystems Analysis, Incorporated's river map atlas (Hunt et al. 1992). When river kilometers were not known, landmarks and estimated distances were used. Level of flight and speed varied on terrain, height and density of tension wires, and wind speed. A flying height of 100-200 feet above ground level was best for all observers when conditions were favorable. Volunteer surveyors from agencies and private groups were solicited through the mail, given NWF forms, and instructed on procedures. Most volunteers surveyed from their vehicle. Foot travel, boat, and helicopter followed as the next most preferred methods. The state was broken down into regions (northeast AZ - White Mountains, northern AZ - Flagstaff/Coconino Co., Glen Canyon Recreation Area, central AZ - Salt/Verde rivers, southwestern AZ - lower Colorado River, southeastern AZ - San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation). A coordinator was appointed for each region to maximize the areas covered and to minimize double counting of birds. Regions were chosen based upon past sightings of wintering bald eagles, available bald eagle habitat, location of agencies involved, and geographic landforms. Areas surveyed by volunteers were determined by the expertise of the coordinators and surveyors in their particular region and from areas visited in 1992. Some counts were made in areas not assigned to a region. NWF forms were then submitted to the Department for compilation and sent to the western regional coordinator of the RRTAC. Adult plumaged bald eagles are birds at least five-years old, with a distinct all-white head and tail, brown wings and body. Subadult (or immature) plumaged birds are less than five-years old, with brown in the tail and head and white mottling on the body (Clark and Wheeler 1987). Volunteers were sent instructions for identifying adult and subadult bald and golden eagles. They were also asked to be aware of mistaking four- Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count year old near-adult bald eagles for full adult plumaged birds. June 1994 Page 4 Bald eagles were classified as resident breeding birds by being sighted on commonly used perches, and proximity to a known nest. More obvious determinations were made when eagles were actually incubating eggs or perched in a nest. Data are broken down by county in two sections, the helicopter survey and the volunteer survey by county (see Appendix: Tables 1-27). The separation between helicopter and volunteer surveys w s created due to the difference in method and a because of the desire to retain duplication of effort and consistency for comparisons in future seasons. Many of Arizona's county borders are defined, in part, by a river. In the following cases where a drainage was a county border, the county which the bird was counted in, was chosen arbitrarily: Bill Williams River/Alamo Lake-Mohave County, upper Verde River-Yavapai County, San Carlos Reservoir-Gila County. These border decisions will remain consistent for future counts. RESULTS Because of the poor weather, the dates on which bald eagles were counted ranged outside the window of time (6-10 January) designated nationally for counting eagles. This year surveys occurred between 5-28 January. One hundred eighty-six bald eagles were counted statewide (Appendix: Tables 29 and 31). One-hundred thirty three were adults (71%), 46 were subadults (25%), and 7 were of unknown age (4%). One near-adult bird was counted near Fredonia. More bald eagles may have been near-adults and misidentified as full adults due to the inexperience of volunteers, distance of bird when identified, lack of spotting scope, poor viewing conditions and/or a brief period of observation. Three golden eagles were spotted during the count, two were adults and one was of unknown age (Appendix: Table 30). All of these birds were observed in Coconino County. One was being chased by a near-adult bald eagle. The greatest effort was spent in Coconino County where 31+ volunteers spent 3219 minutes (53.65 hours) searching for bald eagles (Appendix: Table 28). Additionally, Coconino County also counted the most eagles (n=81). The most efficient method of counting eagles was by helicopter. The 26 eagles counted by helicopter in 333 minutes represents 1 eagle/12.8 minutes of searching. The most efficient ground effort was expended in Apache County where 1 eagle was counted for every 34 minutes spent searching (Appendix: Table 28). Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count DISCUSSION June 1994 Page 5 Methods of searching for bald eagles during the 1992 and 1993 winter count changed from those of earlier statewide surveys. Todd (1981) flew extensively throughout the state in a fixed-wing aircraft emphasizing the northern section of the state near Flagstaff, and the eastern, White Mountains region. In contrast, the helicopter was the only aircraft used in the 1992 and 1993 count, with an emphasis on central Arizona's rivers and lakes surrounding the breeding bald eagle population. Todd flew the lower reaches of the Verde and Salt rivers, but his access to the upper reaches of these drainage was hampered by the fixed-wing aircraft's inability to fly in narrow canyons. In the 1992 and 1993 survey, the northern and northeastern regions of the state were left to terrestrial volunteer surveyors. The total number of bald eagles counted in Arizona during the 1993 winter count was 186. In 1992 we counted 225 bald eagles, which equaled the previous high of birds counted statewide in 1984. Totals from previous statewide counts (Todd 1984, Hall 1985, Beatty 1992) are presented in the Appendix (Table 32). The low numbers for 1985 (118 bald eagles) were likely due to the lack of air support, an integral part of the survey method from 1981-1984. Also in 1985, a spring bald eagle survey, in which 109 eagles (56 adults, 53 subadults) were counted, occurred from 17-30 March. Thirty-five percent (n=38) of these spring birds were resident breeders and 20 percent (n=22) were young in the nest. Arizona bald eagle winter counts from 1986-1990 were low due to the changes in the NWF survey method and the lack of coordination for a statewide effort. Roosevelt Reservoir has been consistently surveyed from 1989-1993 for wintering bald eagles (Appendix: Table 33) by USBR in response to a USFWS (1990) recommendation in the Biological Opinion issued 30 March, 1990 on the Central Arizona Water Control Project, Roosevelt Dam Element of Plan 6. Although Roosevelt supports three pairs (Tonto, Pinto, and Pinal) of breeding eagles, no eagles were observed on the winter count. We did see birds very near Roosevelt: 2 eagles at the Tonto Creek inlet to the lake and 1 subadult below Roosevelt Dam. The totals for the surveys conducted from 1989-1993 were 24 sightings consisting of 26 (18 adults, 8 subadults) bald eagles. Sixteen (62%) of these eagles were observed on the north shore, and 10 (38%) on the south shore. With the three breeding areas and winter migrants, Roosevelt Reservoir probably receives the most year-round use by bald eagles in Arizona. Nankoweap Creek, a tributary of the Colorado River in Marble Canyon has represented the most concentrated area for wintering bald eagles in Arizona since its examination by Brown and Liebfried (1991). In 1990, from 26 February to 4 March, the creek supported more than 20 bald eagles per day, with a peak concentration of 26 birds (Brown and Liebfried 1990). This gathering of eagles has been in response to accessible spawning trout in the lower reaches of the 14 kilometer long creek (Brown et al. 1989b). Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 6 Brown did not recommend searching Nankoweap Creek in early January due to the probable lack of eagles and the effort needed to access the site (T. Tibbitts pers. comm.). However, from 16 February to 6 March, surveys coordinated by the USFWS and the National Park Service Co-op unit at Northern Arizona University were performed from the canyon's rim and along the river. No more than 5 eagles were observed at one time and a minimum of 5 individual birds were recognized. Throughout this survey period only one forage attempt was observed (Sogge and Tibbitts pers. comm). The age distribution of the 186 bald eagles observed during Arizona's 1993 winter count was 71 percent (n=133) adults, 25 percent (n=46) subadults, and 4 percent (n=7) unknown. Stalmaster (1987) discusses the factors which can influence winter age ratios, such as status of the population, stage of migration, and geographic location. Later, Stalmaster summarizes: "roughly a third of all eagles in any concentration are juveniles and sub-adults." The NWF national winter surveys (Hastings 1988) for 1986-1988 averaged 33 percent subadult bald eagles. Arizona's statewide counts from 1981-1985 and 1992-1993 averaged 31 percent subadult bald eagles. Arizona's 1993 count of 25 percent subadult birds was the lowest from all of our statewide counts. Unless the low percentage (25%) of sub-adult bald eagles observed in 1993 becomes a trend, limitations placed upon our survey locations by the White Mountain Apache Tribe and poor weather likely affected our chances of spotting more young birds. We were unable to survey six breeding areas on the upper Salt River and the nearby lower White and Black rivers. As a result, only 19 breeding areas were surveyed in 1993 compared to 27 in 1992. In 1992, the rivers along these six breeding areas on White Mountain Apache Tribal Land supplied 17 (42.5%) of the 40 bald eagles counted among the breeding population (Beatty 1993). These 40 birds represented 57 percent of the total number of subadult bald eagles (n=70) counted for the entire survey. During the 1993 count, we only counted two subadult bald eagles among the breeding population. However, had we been able to survey the upper Salt River and the lower Black and White rivers, we still may have not observed many more eagles. Compared to the 1992 count, our 1993 survey of the upper Verde River, San Carlos Reservoir, and Roosevelt Reservoir indicate that heavy rains, turbid rivers and muddy lakes affected the abundance of eagles. Extensive records (Appendix: Tables 34-36) maintained by Kelly Kishpaugh of the Verde Train (20 miles of river between Clarkdale and Perkinsville) indicate that eagles observed per day during the month of January dropped considerably from 1992 (10.3 eagles/day) to 1993 (6.6 eagles/day). On our helicopter surveys in this stretch of river we observed 6 eagles in 1992 and 0 eagles in 1993. On San Carlos Reservoir we spotted 11 eagles (8 subadults, 3 adults) in 1992, only 2 eagles were observed in 1993. Seven birds were observed on Roosevelt Lake in 1992, no birds were observed in 1993 (although 2 eagles were observed at Tonto Creek inlet and 1 bird was below Roosevelt Dam). Comparing densities of eagles observed among the Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 7 breeding population for 1992, considerably less eagles were observed in 1993. It would seem that extreme rainfall and the subsequent affects of muddy lakes and turbid rivers caused eagles to travel elsewhere for food. In 1993, we observed a higher proportion of resident eagles at occupied breeding areas visited compared to the 1992 count. Because Arizona breeding eagles do not migrate and are either incubating or involved in courtship during our winter count, we have an established number of eagles to evaluate the accuracy of our counts. During the 1992 count we observed at least one eagle at 15 of the 27 occupied breeding areas (55.6%) visited on our helicopter surveys. This low percentage raised questions regarding the thoroughness of our counts (Beatty 1993). In 1993, we observed resident eagles in 14 of the 18 occupied territories (77.8%) visited. In 1993, most eagles observed along surveys in the breeding population were resident eagles (25 of 30 birds counted, 83.3%). Assuming a pair of eagles was present at all 18 occupied territories visited during the survey, we had the potential of observing 36 birds. We observed a 25 resident eagles representing 78 percent of the maximum of 36 breeding eagles. RECOMMENDATIONS 1.Work with the White Mountain Apache Tribe to perform surveys on the Black, White, and Salt rivers. 2.Perform a helicopter survey on the Gila River above San Carlos Reservoir. We could then compare results from the 1992 and 1994 helicopter surveys and decide the best route for future counts. 3.The great response and contribution by volunteers made the 1992 and 1993 counts a success. To retain continuity and duplication of effort, future efforts should target the same locations visited in 1992 and 1993 with the same personnel. 4.Coordinate helicopter flights over the upper Verde River with the Verde River Train to compare accuracy. 4.Weather, ice conditions, and prey availability are important factors in winter eagle distribution. These elements should be emphasized when volunteers fill out their survey forms. An example survey form should be distributed to volunteers. 5.Examine southern places of the state, such as the San Pedro River and Willcox Playa. Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count LITERATURE CITED June 1994 Page 8 Beatty, G.L.. 1993. 1992 Arizona bald eagle winter count. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Technical Report. Arizona Game and Fish Department. Phoenix, Arizona. Brown, B.T., and W.C. Liebfried. 1990 The effects of fluctuating flows from Glen Canyon Dam on bald eagles and rainbow trout at Nankoweap Creek along the Colorado River, Arizona, 1990 Interim report submitted to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Grand Canyon National Park. October 2, 1990, Flagstaff, Arizona. Brown, B.T., W.C. Liebfried, R. Mesta, and L.E. Stevens. 1989a. Wintering bald eagles along the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon and at the mouth of Nankoweap Creek, with observations of rainbow trout, January 1989. Brown, B.T., R. Mesta, L.E. Stevens, and J. Weiseit. 1989b. Changes in winter distribution of bald eagles along the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Arizona. J. Raptor Res. 23(3):110-113. Brown, B.T. and L.E. Stevens. 1991. Influences of fluctuating flows from Glen Canyon Dam and the effects of human disturbance on wintering bald eagles along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon, Arizona. Draft Report submitted to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Grand Canyon National Park. December 1, 1991, Flagstaff Arizona. Clark, W.S. and B. Wheeler. 1987. A field guide to hawks of North America. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts. Hall, R.S. 1985. Memo re: Arizona's 1985 winter and spring bald eagle surveys. Bureau of Land Management, Kingman, Arizona. Hastings, B.C. 1988. Midwinter bald eagle survey report, 1986-1987. Institute for Wildlife Research, National Wildlife Federation, Washington, D.C. Hunt, W.G., E.W. Bianchi, D.E. Driscoll, and R.E. Jackman. 1992. Ecology of Breeding Bald Eagles in Arizona, Parts A-F. Report to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Contract No. 6-CS-30-04470. BioSystems Analysis, Incorporated, Santa Cruz, California. Stalmaster, M.V. 1987. The bald eagle. Universe Books, New York, New York. Todd, R.L. 1977. Winter bald eagle in Arizona. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count Phoenix, Arizona. June 1994 Page 9 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. Todd, R.L. 1984a. A report on the Nongame Branch bald eagle survey flights in January, 1984. Special Report. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona. Todd, R.L. 1984b. Memo re: winter bald eagle counts in Arizona. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1990. Biological opinion on Central Arizona Water Control Project, Roosevelt Dam Element of Plan 6 (2-21-83-f-10), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Phoenix, Arizona. Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count APPENDIX: DATA TABLES FOR 1993 WINTER SURVEYS June 1994 Page 10 Table 1. Arizona bald eagle winter count, Verde River helicopter survey, 11 January 1993. Survey personnel: James Driscoll, Jon Hanna, and Mike Ingraldi (AGFD); Pilot Ken Kloppel (USBR). Time 1705-1700 1700-1646 1646-1636 1636-1618 1618-1612 1612-1606 1606-1553 Location Verde/Salt confluence to Hwy 87 bridge, 0.0-4.2. Hwy 87 bridge to Needle Rock, 4.2-29.5. Needle Rock to north end of Bartlett Reservoir 29.5-60.0. North end Bartlett Reservoir to Horseshoe Dam, 60.0-73.5. Horseshoe Reservoir, 73.5-84.0. Inflow Horseshoe Reservoir to Table Mt. nest #4, 84.0-110.0. Table Mt. nest #4 to Fossil Creek, 110.0136.5. Comments No eagles observed 2 adults observed near Ft. McDowell BA 2 adults in Bartlett BA 2 adults in Cliff BA 1 adult observed 1 subadult above Horseshoe Reservoir, 2 adults in Table Mt. BA No eagles observed Subadults 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Adults 0 2 2 2 1 2 0 Total # eagles 0 2 2 2 1 3 0 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 11 Table 1. Continued. Time 1553-1544 1544-1516 1516-1510 1510-1505 1505-1435 1435-1428 1428-1327 1327-1320 1320-1315 Location Lower East Verde River, 0.0-~10.0 Fossil Creek to West Clear Creek, 136.5175.4. Lower West Clear Creek, 0.0-~10.0 West Clear Creek to Verde River bridge in Camp Verde, 175.4-185.1. Verde River bridge to Peck's Lake, 185.1234.0. Peck's Lake. Break and refuel in Sedona. Upper Verde River, 234.0-248.0. Verde River to Sycamore Creek/Verde River confluence, 248.0-252.0. Comments No eagles observed 1 adult in nest at East Verde BA No eagles observed No eagles observed No eagles observed 1 adult observed No eagles observed No eagles observed Subadults 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Adults 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 Total # eagles 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 12 Table 1. Continued. Time 1315-1300 1300-1253 1253-1245 1245-1240 Location Sycamore Creek/Verde River confluence to Perkinsville, 252.0-271.0. Perkinsville to Hell's Canyon, 271.0283.0. Verde River above Hell's Canyon to power lines across river, 283.0-310.3. Power lines to Sullivan Lake, 310.3-316.0 Comments No eagles observed No eagles observed 1 adult perched near km 292.9 No eagles observed Subadults 0 0 0 0 Adults 0 0 1 0 Total # eagles 0 0 1 0 Table 2. Arizona bald eagle winter count, summary of Verde River helicopter survey, 11 January, 1993. Length of Survey 1240-1705 Total survey time: 204 min. 1 eagle/16 min. Locations Verde River 0.0-316.0, Peck's Lake, Lower East Verde River 0.0-~10.0 Lower West Clear Creek 0.0-~10.0 # Subadult Bald Eagles 1 # Adult Bald Eagles 12 Total # Bald Eagles 13 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 13 Table 3. Arizona bald eagle winter count, lower Salt River/Roosevelt Reservoir/Tonto Creek/San Carlos Reservoir helicopter survey, 21 January, 1993. Survey personnel: James Driscoll, Greg Beatty (AGFD; Teah Nobel, Pilot Doug Blakely (SRP). Time 1302-1320 1321-1349 Location Salt/Verde River confluence to Stewart Mountain Dam, 0.0-21.9. Stewart Mt. Dam to Roosevelt Reservoir, 21.9-79.1. Comments 2 adults at Orme BA. 1 adult at Blue Point BA, 1 subadult below Roosevelt Dam,only north ends of Canyon and Apache Reservoirs surveyed. No eagles observed - Large nests at Alchesay Canyon and Cottonwood Creek examined. 2 adults observed at each of the Tonto, Sheep, and 76 BAs. No eagles observed. Subadults 0 1 Adults 2 1 Total 2 2 1349-1402 Roosevelt Dam along southern perimeter of reservoir to Tonto Creek inlet. Tonto Creek inlet up the creek to 76 BA 14.5-59.0. Tonto Creek inlet along northern perimeter of Roosevelt Reservoir to Pinto BA Refuel at Roosevelt. Coolidge BA. San Carlos Reservoir perimeter. 0 0 0 1403-1424 1434-1441 0 0 6 0 6 0 1441-1507 1535-1540 1540-1605 Refuel and break. 1 adult observed Coolidge nest. 2 adults observed. flying toward 0 0 1 2 1 2 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 14 Table 4. Arizona bald eagle winter count, summary of lower Salt River/Roosevelt Reservoir/Tonto Creek/San Carlos Reservoir helicopter survey, 21 January, 1993. Length of Survey 1302-1605 Total survey time: 129 min. 1 eagle/10 min. Locations Salt River below Stewart Mt. Dam 0-21.9, Saguaro Reservoir (north shore) Canyon Reservoir (north shore) Apache Reservoir (north shore) Roosevelt Reservoir (north shore) 21.9-79.l, Tonto Creek 14.5-59.0, San Carlos Reservoir perimeter # Subadult Bald Eagles 1 # Adult Bald Eagles 12 Total # Bald Eagles 13 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 15 Table 5. Arizona bald eagle winter count, Apache County-volunteer survey, 6 and 9 January 1993. Survey personnel: USFS Springerville and Alpine Ranger Districts; White Mountain Audubon Society; AGFD Region I. Methods: ground vehicle and foot travel. Date 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 Time 0840-0900 1230-1245 0900-0905 1030-1100 1130-1200 0942-0952 Location Becker Lake. Nelson Reservoir Casa Malapais, Little Colorado River. S. Fork, Little Co. River, S. Fork campground. Greer Lakes, Bunch, River and Tunnel Reservoirs. The Ranch Lake. Comments Eagles in cottonwoods southeast side of lake. Lake 30% iced-over. Eagle in cottonwoods. 2 adults, 2 subadults. Lakes 95% iced-over, 1 adult at River Reservoir. Lake 95% iced over, 3 adults in Ponderosa Pine south of HWY 60. Lake 100 % iced-over, 1 adult flying in area. 1 adult in snag on west side of lake. 2 adults 1 adult in cottonwood snag Subadults 2 0 1 2 0 0 Adults 2 0 0 2 1 3 Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 4 0 1 4 1 3 at 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/9/93 1/9/93 1005-1035 1152-1208 0800-0830 0710-0740 Ortega Lake. Sponseller Lake. Concho Lake Zion Lake 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 1 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 16 Table 5. Continued. Date 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 Time 1030-1045 1048-1109 1120-1530 Location San Francisco River to Luna Lake Luna Lake San Francisco River from Luna Lake to New Mexico border FS road 281 to Turkey Creek Campbell Blue Creek, FS road 30 from 281 to Brooks Ranch Nutriosa Reservoir Judds Lake Williams Valley Sierra Blanca Lake Black River, east fork Black River, west fork Coyote Creek area Comments Subadult flying west toward town of Alpine Adult perched in pine snag No eagles observed Subadults 1 0 0 Adults 0 1 0 Unknown 0 0 0 Total 1 1 0 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1120-1140 1157-1234 1009-1010 1009-1014 0900-0920 0945-1030 1430-1530 1530-1600 1035-1105 No eagles observed No eagles observed 1 eagle of unknown age No eagles observed No eagles observed No eagles observed No eagles observed No eagles observed 1 eagle of unknown age 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 17 Table 6. Arizona bald eagle winter count, summary of Apache County volunteer survey, 6 January, 1993. Dates/Time 1/6/93 Locations Becker Lake, Nelson Reservoir, Casa Malapais, Little Colorado River, South Fork Little CO River Campground, Greer Lakes-River, Bunch and Tunnel, The Ranch Lake, Ortega Lake, Sponseller Lake, Concho Lake, Zion Lake, San Francisco River to Luna Lake, Luna Lake, San Francisco River- Luna Lake to NM, FS road 281 to Turkey Creek, Campbell Blue Creek, FS road 30 from 281 to Brooks Ranch, Nutriosa Reservoir, Judds Lake, Williams Valley, Sierra Blanca Lake, Black River, east fork Black River, west fork, Coyote Creek area # Subadult Bald Eagles 6 # Adult Bald Eagles 14 # unknown Bald Eagles 2 Total # Bald Eagles 22 Total survey time: 750 min. 1 eagle/34 min. Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 18 Table 7. Arizona bald eagle winter count, Cochise County volunteer survey, 9 January, 1993. Date 1/9/93 1/9/93 Time 1530-1600 1200-1600 Location Parker Canyon Lake Willcox Playa Comments No eagles observed No eagles observed Subadults 0 0 Adults 0 0 Unknown 0 0 Total 0 0 Table 8. Arizona bald eagle winter count, summary of Cochise County volunteer survey, 9 January, 1993. Survey personnel: USFS Santa Catalina Ranger District; AGFD Region V. Methods: ground vehicle and foot travel. Dates/Time 1/9/93 Total survey time: 270 min. 0 eagle/270 min. Locations Parker Canyon Lake, Wilcox Playa # Subadult Bald Eagles 0 # Adult Bald Eagles 0 # Unknown Bald Eagles 0 Total # Bald Eagles 0 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 19 Table 9. Arizona bald eagle winter count, Coconino County volunteer survey, 5-9,12-13, 28 January, 1993. Survey personnel: USFS Kaibab, Williams, Chalendar, Chevelon, and Mormon Lake Ranger Districts; Flagstaff Birding Club; Glen Canyon National Recreation Area; Northern Arizona Audubon Society; AGFD. Methods: ground vehicle, foot travel, boat, helicopter Date 1/7/93 1/12/93 1/8/93 1/8/93 1/8/93 1/8/93 1/5/93 Time 0900-1400 300 min. 0800-1000 1030-1100 1245-1300 1315-1330 Location West Chevelon Canyon, Road 34 Chevelon Canyon Lake Willow Creek White Horse Lake Barney Flat Wetland Kaibab Lake Cedar Knoll, FS 422(a),89a Juan Tank Allotment Pittman Valley Spring Valley Wash J.D. Dam Lake Holden Lake Red Lake Valley Tusayan-HWY 64 Country Club Lakes Bellemont Comments 2 adults observed. 5 adults, 4 subadults, 2 unknown age. 1 adult observed. 2 adults and 2 subadults observed at adjacent meadow 3 adults observed 1 adult observed 1 near-adult bald eagle flying with 1 golden eagle. Incidental observation 1 adult observed 2 adults observed 2 adults, 4 subadults No eagles observed 1 adult observed 2 adults and 2 immatures 1 adult in pine snag 2 adults at Lake Elaine 1 adult observed Subadults 0 4 0 2 0 0 1 Adults 2 5 1 2 3 1 0 Unknown 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 G.E. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 2 11 1 4 3 1 1 1 G.E. 1 2 6 0 1 4 1 2 1 FS Roads 1/8/93 1/8/93 1/13/93 1/8/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/7/93 1/9/93 1/9/93 1430-1500 1630-1640 0915-0925 1100-1200 1500-1530 1030-1040 0900-1000 0930-1200 1120-1210 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 2 2 0 1 2 1 2 1 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 20 Table 9. Continued. Date 1/9/93 1/9/93 1/9/93 1/9/93 1/9/93 1/9/93 1/9/93 1/9/93 1/9/93 1/8/93 1/7/93 Time 1210-1300 1300-1350 1600-1615 1000-1400 0900-1200 0945-1330 1430-1730 1030-1230 0900-1030 1145-1545 1015-1208 Location Davenport Lake Catarac Lake Steel/Stone Reservoir Townsend-Winona Road A Townsend-Winona Road B 89 North (Sunset CraterWupatki) Route 180 Stoneman Lake area FH3 I-17 (Flagstaff to Sedona exit) FH3 Lakes (Mary, Morman, Prime, Ashurst) Hwy 87(A-Sitgreaves FS boundary to Clint's Well) Hwy 87-Hwy 260-Camp Verde RD (Clint's Well to Camp Verde) Glen Canyon National Recreation Area-Lees Ferry to Stateline, WahweapLake Powell Comments 2 adults observed 2 adults observed 1 adult observed No eagles observed 1 adult observed 2 golden eagles observed No eagles observed 4 adults and 1 subadult 2 adults observed 3 adults and 2 subadults 14 adults, 4 subadults and 2 unknowns. 14 birds at Lower Lake Mary perched in snag No eagles observed 2 adult eagles observed Subadults 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 4 Adults 2 2 1 0 1 2 G.E. 0 4 2 3 14 Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 Total 2 2 1 0 1 2 G.E. 0 5 2 5 20 1/8/93 1/8/93 1015-1230 1000-1200 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 1/28/93 0855-1327 No eagles observed on Arizona section of survey, 20 eagles spotted on Utah portion 0 0 0 0 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 21 Table 10. Arizona bald eagle winter count, summary of Coconino County volunteer survey, 5-9, 12-13, 28 January, 1993. Dates/Time 1/5-6, 12-13, and 28/ 93 Total survey time: 3219 minutes 1 eagle/40 min. Locations West Chevelon Canyon, Chevelon Canyon Lake, Willow Creek, White Horse Lake, Barney Flat Wetland, Kaibab Lake, Cedar Knoll, FS Roads 422(a),89a, Juan Tank Allotment, Pittman Valley, Spring Valley Wash, J.D. Dam Lake, Holden Lake, Red Lake Valley, Tusayan, HWY 64, Country Club Lakes Bellemont, Davenport Lake, Catarac Lake, Steel/Stone Reservoir, Townsend-Winona Road A&B, Route 180, Stoneman Lake, FH3, I-17 (Flagstaff to Sedona exit), FH3 Lakes (Mary, Morman, Ashurst), Hwy 87 (A-S FS boundary- Clint's Well), Hwy 87-Hwy 260-Verde RD (Clint's Well to Camp Verde), Glen Canyon National Recreation Area-(Lees Ferry to Stateline, Wahweap- Lake Powell), # Subadult Bald Eagles 20 # Adult Bald Eagles 57 # Unknown Bald Eagles 4 Total # Bald Eagles 81 Table 11. Arizona bald eagle winter count - golden eagles, summary of Coconino County volunteer survey, 5 and 9 January, 1993. Dates/Time Locations # Subadult Golden Eagles # Adult Golden Eagles Total # Golden Eagles Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 22 1/5&9/93 89 North (Sunset Crater-Wupatki), Cedar Knoll, FS Roads 422(a),89a 0 3 3 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 23 Table 12. Arizona bald eagle winter count, Greenlee County volunteer survey, 6 January, 1992. Dates 1/6/92 Time 1309-1557 Location Blue River-Downs Ranch to Turkey Creek Comments 3 adults - 1 adult in pine snag at fish hatchery, 2 adults perched in cottonwoods, 1 unknown age bird No eagles observed No eagles observed Subadults 0 Adults 3 Unknown 1 Total 4 1/6/92 1/9/92 1300-1430 1140-1154 Beaver Creek Turkey Creek, Campbell Blue, Blue River, FS Rd 281 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Table 13. Arizona bald eagle winter count, summary of Greenlee County volunteer survey, 6 January, 1992. Survey personnel: USFS Alpine and Clifton Ranger Districts; AGFD Region I. Methods: ground vehicle and foot travel. Dates/Time 1/6/92 Total survey time: 271 min. 1 eagle/68 min. Locations Blue River-Downs Ranch to Turkey Creek, Beaver Creek, Turkey Creek-Campbell Blue, Blue River (FS Rd 281) # Subadult Bald Eagles 0 # Adult Bald Eagles 3 # Unknown Bald Eagles 1 Total # Bald Eagles 4 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 24 Table 14. Arizona bald eagle winter count, Maricopa County volunteer survey, 13 January, 1993. Dates 1/13/93 Time 1030-1200 Location Painted Rock Reservoir Comments 1 subadult Subadults 1 Adults 0 Unknown 0 Total 1 Table 15. Arizona bald eagle winter count, summary of Maricopa County volunteer survey, 13 January, 1992. Personnel: AGFD Nongame Branch. Methods: foot travel. Dates/Time 1/13/92 Total survey time: 90 min. Locations Painted Rock Reservoir # Subadult Bald Eagles 1 # Adult Bald Eagles 0 Total # Bald Eagles 1 Table 16. Arizona bald eagle winter count, Mohave County volunteer survey, 8-10 January, 1993. Dates 1/8/93 Time --Alamo Lake Location Comments 4 adults from Alamo and Ive's Wash BAs observed by nestwatchers, both pairs incubating eggs. 4 adults observed in Grand Wash Bay Subadults 0 Adults 4 Unknow n 0 Total 4 1/9/93 0800-1100 Lake Mead, Temple Bar 0 4 0 4 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 25 1/10/93 0645-1445 1/9/93 1/9/93 0700-1000 0800-1200 Lake Mead, Boulder Basin, Boulder Canyon, Lower Virgin Beach Topock Marsh, Havasu National Wildlife Refuge Lake Mohave, Colorado River 1 adult and 1 subadult observed 1 1 0 2 No eagles observed 4 subadults observed 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 26 Table 17. Arizona bald eagle winter count, summary of Mohave County volunteer survey, 8-10 January, 1993. Survey personnel: National Park Service; AGFD Region III. Methods: ground vehicle and boat. Dates/Time 1/8-10/93 Total survey time: 1080 min. 1 eagle/77 min. Locations Alamo Lake, Lake Mead, Temple Bar, Lake Mead, Boulder Basin, Boulder Canyon, Lower Virgin Beach, Topock Marsh, Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, Lake Mohave, Colorado River # Subadult Bald Eagles 5 # Adult Bald Eagles 9 # Unknown Bald Eagles 0 Total # Bald Eagles 14 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 27 Table 18. Arizona bald eagle winter count, Navajo County volunteer survey, 6 January, 1993. Survey personnel: USFS Heber and Lakeside Ranger Districts; White Mountain Audubon Society; AGFD Region I. Methods: ground vehicle and foot travel. Date 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 Time 1300-1400 1117-1210 1022-1040 0835-1315 0817-1017 1116-1128 1137-1209 1113-1127 1024-1041 1011-1126 0920-0955 1011-1126 1414-1448 0900-0945 1015-1045 1120-1214 1015-1230 Location Black Canyon Dry Lake Cottonwood Wash, Clay Springs FS Rds. 50461536956170 699 Highway 260 Scott's Reservoir Rainbow Lake Lake of the Woods Jacque's Marsh Little Mormon Lake Showlow Lake Whipple Lake White Mountain Lake Pintail Lake Telephone Lake Schoen's Reservoir Fools Hollow Lake Comments No eagles observed No eagles observed 1 adult 1 subadult perched 2 subadults 1 subadult 1 adult, 1 subadult No eagles observed 1 adult perched in snag No eagles observed 2 adults observed No eagles observed 2 adults observed 1 adult flying 2 adults 4 adults, 1 subadult 5 adults perched along southern arm of lake Subadults 0 0 0 1 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Adults 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 2 1 2 4 5 Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 0 0 1 1 2 1 2 0 1 0 2 0 2 1 2 5 5 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 28 Table 18. Continued. Date 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 Time 0900-0920 0920-0935 0935-0955 1455-1520 1137-1218 Location Woodland Lake Fred's Lake Edeler's Lake Lone Pine Lake Long Lake Comments No eagles observed No eagles observed 1 adult observed No eagles observed No eagles observed Subadults 0 0 0 0 0 Adults 0 0 1 0 0 Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 Total 0 0 1 0 0 Table 19. Arizona bald eagle winter count, summary of Navajo County volunteer survey, 6 January, 1992. Dates/Time 1/6/92 Total survey time: 1210 min. 1 eagle/47 min. Locations Black Canyon, Dry Lake, Cottonwood Wash/Clay Springs, FS Rds. 50461536956170699, Highway 260, Scott's Reservoir, Rainbow Lake, Lake of the Woods, Jacque's Marsh, Little Mormon Lake, ShowLow Lake, Whipple Lake, White Mountain Lake, Pintail Lake, Telephone Lake, Redhead Marsh, Schoen's Reservoir, Fool Hollow Lake, Woodland Lake, Fred's Lake, Edeler's Lake, Lone Pine Lake, Long Lake # Subadult Bald Eagles 6 # Adult Bald Eagles 20 Total # Bald Eagles 26 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 29 Table 20. Arizona bald eagle winter count, Pinal County volunteer survey, 9 January, 1993. Date 1/9/93 Time 0915-1300 Location Picacho Lake Comments No eagles observed Subadults 0 Adults 0 Unknown 0 Total 0 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 30 Table 21. Arizona bald eagle winter count, summary of Pinal County volunteer survey, 9 January, 1993. Survey personnel: AGFD Region V. Methods: ground vehicle. Dates/Time 1/9/93 Total survey time: 225 min. 0 eagle/225 min. Locations Picacho Lake # Subadult Bald Eagles 0 # Adult Bald Eagles 0 # Unknown Bald Eagles 0 Total # Bald Eagles 0 Table 22. Arizona bald eagle winter count, Santa Cruz County volunteer survey, 9 January, 1993. Survey personnel: AGFD Region V. Methods: ground vehicle and foot travel. Date 1/9/93 1/9/93 1/9/93 Time 1230-1300 0800-1630 1330-1500 Location Bog Hole Patagonia Lake San Raphael Valley Comments No eagles observed No eagles observed No eagles observed Subadults 0 0 0 Adults 0 0 0 Unknown 0 0 0 Total 0 0 0 Table 23. Arizona bald eagle winter count, summary of Santa Cruz County volunteer survey, 9 January, 1993. Survey personnel: AGFD Region V. Methods: ground vehicle and foot travel. # Subadult # Adult # Unknown Total # Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 31 Dates/Time 1/9/93 Total survey time: 630 min. 0 eagle/630 min. Locations Bog Hole, Patagonia Lake San Raphael Valley Bald Eagles 0 Bald Eagles 0 Bald Eagles 0 Bald Eagles 0 Table 24. Arizona bald eagle winter count, Yavapai County volunteer survey, 8-10 January, 1993. Survey personnel: Northern Arizona Audubon Society. Methods: ground vehicle and foot travel. Dates 1/9/93 1/9/93 1/9/93 Time 0700-1700 0800-1600 0900-1600 Location Wet Beaver Creek (USFS Station to Verde River) Lower Oak Creek (Red Rocks to Verde River) Upper Oak Creek (Red Rocks to Pine Flat) Comments 1 subadult observed 1 adult observed 1 adult observed Subadults 1 0 0 Adults 0 1 1 Unknown 0 0 0 Total 1 1 1 Table 25. Arizona bald eagle winter count, summary of Yavapai County volunteer survey, 8-10 January, 1993. Survey personnel: Northern Arizona Audubon Society. Methods: ground vehicle and foot travel. Dates/Time 1/8-10/93 Locations Wet Beaver Creek (USFS Station to Verde River), Lower Oak Creek (Red Rocks to Verde River), # Subadult Bald Eagles 1 # Adult Bald Eagles 2 Total # Bald Eagles 3 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 32 Total survey time: 1500 min. 1 eagle/500 min. Upper Oak Creek (Red Rocks to Pine Flat) Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 33 Table 26. Arizona bald eagle winter count, Yuma County volunteer survey, 8 January, 1993. Survey personnel: Imperial National Wildlife Refuge. Methods: boat. Dates 1/8/9 3 Time 1000-1630 Location Colorado River, Imperial National Wildlife RefugeCibola Lake to Martinez Lake. Comments 3 adults and 6 immatures, all eagles perched on sand bars. Part of survey performed in La Paz County, all eagles observed in Yuma County. Subadults 6 Adult s 3 Total 9 Table 27. Arizona bald eagle winter count, summary of Yuma County volunteer survey, 8 January, 1993. Survey personnel: Imperial National Wildlife Refuge. Methods: boat. Dates/Time 1/8/93 Total survey time: 360 min. 1 eagle/40 min. Locations Colorado River, Imperial National Wildlife RefugeCibola Lake to Martinez Lake # Subadult Bald Eagles 6 # Adult Bald Eagles 3 Total # Bald Eagles 9 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 34 Table 28. Survey effort, 1993 - Arizona bald eagle winter count. Location/County Helicopter Surveys Apache County Cochise County Coconino County Greenlee County Maricopa County Mohave County Navajo County Pinal County Santa Cruz County Yavapai County Yuma County Totals Time 333 minutes 750 minutes 270 minutes 3219 minutes 271 minutes 90 minutes 1080 minutes 1210 minutes 225 minutes 630 minutes 1500 minutes 360 minutes 9938 minutes Number of volunteers 7 11 3 31+ 3 1 8 11 2 2 5 3 87 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 35 Table 29. Summary of Arizona bald eagle winter count, helicopter and volunteer survey, January 8-12 and 14, 1993. Location Verde River, helicopter survey Lower Salt River/San Carlos Reservoir/Tonto Creek, helicopter survey Apache County Cochise County Coconino County Greenlee County Maricopa County Mohave County Navajo County Pinal County Santa Cruz County Yavapai County Yuma County Totals Length of Survey 204 minutes 129 minutes # Subadult Bald Eagles 1 1 # Adult Bald Eagles 12 12 # Unknown Bald Eagles 0 0 Total # Bald Eagles 13 13 750 minutes 270 minutes 3219 minutes 271 minutes 90 minutes 1080 minutes 1210 minutes 225 minutes 630 minutes 1500 minutes 360 minutes 9938 minutes 6 0 20 0 1 5 6 0 0 1 6 46 14 0 57 3 0 9 20 0 0 2 3 133 2 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 22 0 81 4 1 14 26 0 0 3 9 186 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 36 Table 30. Summary of Arizona winter count, golden eagles, helicopter and volunteer survey, January 8-12 and 14, 1993. Location Verde River, helicopter survey Lower Salt River/San Carlos Reservoir/Tonto Creek, helicopter survey Apache County Cochise County Coconino County Greenlee County Maricopa County Mohave County Navajo County Pinal County Santa Cruz County Yavapai County Yuma County Totals Length of Survey 204 minutes 129 minutes # Subadult Golden Eagles 0 0 # Adult Golden Eagles 0 0 # Unknown Golden Eagles 0 0 Total # Golden Eagles 0 0 750 minutes 270 minutes 3219 minutes 271 minutes 90 minutes 1080 minutes 1210 minutes 225 minutes 630 minutes 1500 minutes 360 minutes 9938 minutes 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 37 Table 31. Summary of 1993 Arizona bald eagle winter count by county. Location Apache County Cochise County Coconino County Gila County Greenlee County Maricopa County Mohave County Navajo County Pinal County Santa Cruz County Yavapai County Yuma County Totals # Subadult Bald Eagles 6 0 20 0 0 1 5 6 0 0 2 6 46 (25%) # Adult Bald Eagles 14 0 57 9 3 10 9 20 0 0 8 3 133 (71%) # Unknown Bald Eagles 2 0 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 (4%) Total # Bald Eagles 22 (11.8%) 0 81 (43.5%) 9 (4.8%) 4 (2.2%) 11 (5.9%) 14 (7.5%) 26 (14.0%) 0 0 10 (5.4%) 9 (4.8%) 186 (100%) Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 38 Table 32. Summary of statewide Arizona bald eagle winter counts, 1981-1985, 1992-1993. Year 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1992 1993 Totals # Subadult Bald Eagles 60 (36%) 72 (34%) 53 (33%) 63 (28%) 40 (34%) 70 (31%) 46 (25%) 404 (31%) # Adult Bald Eagles 103 (63%) 135 (64%) 104 (66%) 159 (71%) 78 (66%) 145 (65%) 133 (71%) 857 (67%) # Unknown Bald Eagles 2 (1%) 3 (2%) 1 (1%) 3 (1%) 0 10 (4%) 7 (4%) 26 (2%) Total # Bald Eagles 165 210 158 225 118 225 186 1287 (100%) Table 33. Summary of Roosevelt Reservoir bald eagle winter counts, 1989-1993. Year Nov. 21, 1989 Jan. 3, 1990 Feb. 6, 1990 Mar. 21, 1990 Jan. 15, 1991 # Subadult Bald Eagles 1 1 1 0 3 # Adult Bald Eagles 5 5 1 1 1 Eagles Observed North Shore 1 5 1 0 3 Eagles Observed South Shore 5 1 1 1 1 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 39 Jan. 10, 1992 Jan. 21, 1993 Totals 2 0 8 5 0 18 6 0 16 1 0 10 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 40 Table 34. Verde River Train bald eagle counts, Perkinsville-Clarkdale, Arizona, 1992. Date Jan. 3, 1992 Jan. 6, 1992 Jan. 8, 1992 Jan. 10, 1992 Jan. 11, 1992 Jan. 12, 1993 Jan. 15, 1993 Jan. 18, 1993 Jan. 19, 1993 Jan. 22, 1993 Jan. 24, 1993 Jan. 25, 1993 Jan. 26, 1993 Jan. 27, 1993 Jan. 31, 1993 Total # Subadult Bald Eagles 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 3 0 1 3 3 8 10 0 33 (21%) # Adult Bald Eagles 5 6 6 8 3 3 8 13 4 10 4 15 16 12 11 121 (79%) Total # Bald Eagles 5 7 6 8 4 4 8 16 4 11 7 18 24 22 11 154 (100%) Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 41 Table 35. Verde River Train bald eagle counts, Perkinsville-Clarkdale, Arizona 1993. Date Jan. 2, 1993 Jan. 13, 1993 Jan. 14, 1993 Jan. 15, 1993 Jan. 23, 1993 Jan. 24, 1993 Jan. 30, 1993 Jan. 31, 1993 Total # Subadult Bald Eagles 3 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 6 (11.3%) # Adult Bald Eagles 3 9 5 2 5 9 9 5 47 (88.7%) Total # Bald Eagles 6 10 5 3 5 10 9 5 53 (100%) Table 36. Summary of Verde River Train bald eagle counts, Perkinsville-Clarkdale, Arizona 1992-1993. # Subadult Bald Eagles 33 (21%) 6 (11%) 39 (19%) Average # Subadults Per Day 2.2 0.75 1.7 # Adult Bald Eagles 121 (79%) 47 (89%) 168 (81%) Average # Adults Per Day 8.1 5.9 7.3 Average # Bald Eagles Per Day 10.3 6.6 9.0 Total # Bald Eagles 154 (74%) 53 (26%) 207(100%) Year 1992 1993 Total Days 15 8 23 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 42
Object Description
TITLE | Arizona bald eagle winter count |
CREATOR | Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program (Ariz.) |
SUBJECT | Bald eagle--Arizona--Counting; |
Browse Topic |
Land and resources |
DESCRIPTION | This title contains one or more publications. |
Contributor | Arizona Game and Fish Department. |
Publisher | Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program (Ariz.) |
Material Collection |
State Documents Annual Reports |
Source Identifier | GF 11.3:B 15/ |
Location | o908166892 |
Serial Information | Technical report (Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program (Ariz.)) |
REPOSITORY | Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records--Law and Research Library. |
Description
TITLE | 1993 Arizona bald eagle winter count |
CREATOR | Beatty, Gregory L.; Driscoll, James T.; |
DESCRIPTION | 45 page (PDF version). File size: 125.814 KB. June 1994. Technical Report 32. |
Contributor | Arizona Game and Fish Department. ; Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program (Ariz.) |
Publisher | Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program (Ariz.) |
TYPE | Text |
RIGHTS MANAGEMENT | Copyright to this resource is held by the creating agency and is provided here for educational purposes only. It may not be downloaded, reproduced or distributed in any format without written permission of the creating agency. Any attempt to circumvent the access controls placed on this file is a violation of United States and international copyright laws, and is subject to criminal prosecution. |
DATE ORIGINAL | 1994-06 |
Time Period |
1990s (1990-1999) |
ORIGINAL FORMAT | Born digital |
Source Identifier | GF 11.3:B 15/1993 |
Location | o908166892 |
DIGITAL IDENTIFIER | NGTR-032_1993_winter_count.pdf |
DIGITAL FORMAT | PDF (Portable Document Format) |
REPOSITORY | Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records--Law and Research Library. |
Full Text | 1993 ARIZONA BALD EAGLE WINTER COUNT Gregory L. Beatty, Bald Eagle Management Coordinator James T. Driscoll, Bald Eagle Biologist Nongame Branch, Wildlife Management Division Technical Report 32 Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Program Chief: Terry B. Johnson Arizona Game and Fish Department 2221 West Greenway Road Phoenix, Arizona 85023-4312 June 1994 Recommended Citation Beatty, G.L. and J.T. Driscoll 1994. 1993 Arizona bald eagle winter count. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Technical Report 32. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona. Acknowledgments We thank the following for their contributions to Arizona's 1993 bald eagle winter count: Bureau of Reclamation, Salt River Project, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Audubon Society, Arizona Game and Fish Department. Project Funding Funding for this project was provided by: voluntary contributions of helicopter time by the Bureau of Reclamation and the Salt River Project; the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Heritage Fund; and Project W95-M, Jobs 1 and 4, under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman-Robertson Act). TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1 Methods........................................................................................................................................ 1 Results .......................................................................................................................................... 3 Discussion.................................................................................................................................... 4 Recommendations ...................................................................................................................... 6 Literature Cited ........................................................................................................................... 7 Appendix: Data tables for 1993 winter surveys ..................................................................... 9 1993 ARIZONA BALD EAGLE WINTER COUNT Gregory L. Beatty and James T. Driscoll INTRODUCTION Arizona's wintering bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) population was examined in the 1970s and early 1980s through comprehensive winter counts (Todd 1977, 1981, 1984a, 1984b; Hall 1985). In 1986, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), coordinators of the nationwide survey, asked that only areas of eagle concentration (sites with more than 15 eagles observed in 2 or more years) be surveyed. Subsequently, due to Arizona's lack of eagle "concentrations," the state only contributed minimal information in 1986 and 1987 (Hastings 1988). From 1989-1991 winter counts in Arizona were localized to specific management areas such as Roosevelt Lake (USFWS 1990) and Nankoweap Creek (Brown and Stevens 1991). The statewide count completed in 1992 (Beatty 1992) tied Todd's (1984b) previous high count of 225 bald eagles. The national bald eagle winter survey was initiated and organized by the NWF from 1979-1991. It is now coordinated by the Raptor Research Technical Assistance Center (RRTAC - Bureau of Land Management, 3948 Development Avenue, Boise, Idaho 83705). Because the bald eagle can be gregarious in winter, national surveys can determine the species' success throughout its range and distribution (Stalmaster 1987). In addition, determining the bald eagle's winter use in Arizona contributes to agencies management efforts on the bird's wintering grounds. Our goal for the 1993 count was to duplicate 1992's survey routes and search for eagles in new areas of the state. Unfortunately, heavy rainstorms during the survey period and restrictions placed upon AGFD by the White Mountain Apache Tribe hindered our attempts to accomplish these objectives. Yet, we were still able to count 186 bald eagles: 46 (25%) subadults, 133 (71%) adults, and 7 (4%) unknowns. METHODS The 1993 winter count was scheduled for 6-10 January for agency helicopters to be used on weekdays and to provide a weekend for volunteers. Due to the diverse habitat in Arizona and the desire to maximize (but not duplicate) the count of bald eagles in a narrow time frame with minimal effort, a variety of methods are needed to survey the state adequately. The Salt, Verde, East Verde, Bill Williams, Gila, Black, and White rivers and associated lakes are the main water bodies in central Arizona where fish and carrion eating raptors like bald eagles might occur. Because these drainages have rugged terrain, deep canyons, and are relatively inaccessible, they are best surveyed by helicopter. The Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) and the Salt River Project (SRP) contributed two days of helicopter time to survey the Verde River and lower Salt River. 1 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 2 Other areas that bald eagles may frequent in Arizona which are more accessible by boat, vehicle, and foot, were left to volunteer surveyors. 2 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 3 Poor weather and constraints put upon AGFD did not allow us to survey areas visited in 1992 by helicopter. Heavy rainstorms and high river flows caused a day-to-day wait until helicopter time was available because agency helicopters were tending to emergencies. This delay caused our surveys to be conducted outside of the target survey period and at undesirable times of the day. The Verde River flight was conducted on 11 January, 1993 and our Salt River flight was postponed until 21 January. In addition to heavy rains, the White Mountain Apache Tribe placed restrictions upon all endangered species work on the reservation. This caused us to terminate our survey for the upper Salt River and the lower Black and White rivers. Helicopter surveys were conducted with three biologists and a pilot in low-level flight, directly above the drainage. The observer in front had the best overall view. Observers in back watched for birds out the side windows. Often the observer in front was able to spot the most eagles. Biologists in back were most useful observing eagle concentrations along a short stretch of river or lake when birds were flushed by the helicopter. Location and distance traveled are described by river kilometers after BioSystems Analysis, Incorporated's river map atlas (Hunt et al. 1992). When river kilometers were not known, landmarks and estimated distances were used. Level of flight and speed varied on terrain, height and density of tension wires, and wind speed. A flying height of 100-200 feet above ground level was best for all observers when conditions were favorable. Volunteer surveyors from agencies and private groups were solicited through the mail, given NWF forms, and instructed on procedures. Most volunteers surveyed from their vehicle. Foot travel, boat, and helicopter followed as the next most preferred methods. The state was broken down into regions (northeast AZ - White Mountains, northern AZ - Flagstaff/Coconino Co., Glen Canyon Recreation Area, central AZ - Salt/Verde rivers, southwestern AZ - lower Colorado River, southeastern AZ - San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation). A coordinator was appointed for each region to maximize the areas covered and to minimize double counting of birds. Regions were chosen based upon past sightings of wintering bald eagles, available bald eagle habitat, location of agencies involved, and geographic landforms. Areas surveyed by volunteers were determined by the expertise of the coordinators and surveyors in their particular region and from areas visited in 1992. Some counts were made in areas not assigned to a region. NWF forms were then submitted to the Department for compilation and sent to the western regional coordinator of the RRTAC. Adult plumaged bald eagles are birds at least five-years old, with a distinct all-white head and tail, brown wings and body. Subadult (or immature) plumaged birds are less than five-years old, with brown in the tail and head and white mottling on the body (Clark and Wheeler 1987). Volunteers were sent instructions for identifying adult and subadult bald and golden eagles. They were also asked to be aware of mistaking four- Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count year old near-adult bald eagles for full adult plumaged birds. June 1994 Page 4 Bald eagles were classified as resident breeding birds by being sighted on commonly used perches, and proximity to a known nest. More obvious determinations were made when eagles were actually incubating eggs or perched in a nest. Data are broken down by county in two sections, the helicopter survey and the volunteer survey by county (see Appendix: Tables 1-27). The separation between helicopter and volunteer surveys w s created due to the difference in method and a because of the desire to retain duplication of effort and consistency for comparisons in future seasons. Many of Arizona's county borders are defined, in part, by a river. In the following cases where a drainage was a county border, the county which the bird was counted in, was chosen arbitrarily: Bill Williams River/Alamo Lake-Mohave County, upper Verde River-Yavapai County, San Carlos Reservoir-Gila County. These border decisions will remain consistent for future counts. RESULTS Because of the poor weather, the dates on which bald eagles were counted ranged outside the window of time (6-10 January) designated nationally for counting eagles. This year surveys occurred between 5-28 January. One hundred eighty-six bald eagles were counted statewide (Appendix: Tables 29 and 31). One-hundred thirty three were adults (71%), 46 were subadults (25%), and 7 were of unknown age (4%). One near-adult bird was counted near Fredonia. More bald eagles may have been near-adults and misidentified as full adults due to the inexperience of volunteers, distance of bird when identified, lack of spotting scope, poor viewing conditions and/or a brief period of observation. Three golden eagles were spotted during the count, two were adults and one was of unknown age (Appendix: Table 30). All of these birds were observed in Coconino County. One was being chased by a near-adult bald eagle. The greatest effort was spent in Coconino County where 31+ volunteers spent 3219 minutes (53.65 hours) searching for bald eagles (Appendix: Table 28). Additionally, Coconino County also counted the most eagles (n=81). The most efficient method of counting eagles was by helicopter. The 26 eagles counted by helicopter in 333 minutes represents 1 eagle/12.8 minutes of searching. The most efficient ground effort was expended in Apache County where 1 eagle was counted for every 34 minutes spent searching (Appendix: Table 28). Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count DISCUSSION June 1994 Page 5 Methods of searching for bald eagles during the 1992 and 1993 winter count changed from those of earlier statewide surveys. Todd (1981) flew extensively throughout the state in a fixed-wing aircraft emphasizing the northern section of the state near Flagstaff, and the eastern, White Mountains region. In contrast, the helicopter was the only aircraft used in the 1992 and 1993 count, with an emphasis on central Arizona's rivers and lakes surrounding the breeding bald eagle population. Todd flew the lower reaches of the Verde and Salt rivers, but his access to the upper reaches of these drainage was hampered by the fixed-wing aircraft's inability to fly in narrow canyons. In the 1992 and 1993 survey, the northern and northeastern regions of the state were left to terrestrial volunteer surveyors. The total number of bald eagles counted in Arizona during the 1993 winter count was 186. In 1992 we counted 225 bald eagles, which equaled the previous high of birds counted statewide in 1984. Totals from previous statewide counts (Todd 1984, Hall 1985, Beatty 1992) are presented in the Appendix (Table 32). The low numbers for 1985 (118 bald eagles) were likely due to the lack of air support, an integral part of the survey method from 1981-1984. Also in 1985, a spring bald eagle survey, in which 109 eagles (56 adults, 53 subadults) were counted, occurred from 17-30 March. Thirty-five percent (n=38) of these spring birds were resident breeders and 20 percent (n=22) were young in the nest. Arizona bald eagle winter counts from 1986-1990 were low due to the changes in the NWF survey method and the lack of coordination for a statewide effort. Roosevelt Reservoir has been consistently surveyed from 1989-1993 for wintering bald eagles (Appendix: Table 33) by USBR in response to a USFWS (1990) recommendation in the Biological Opinion issued 30 March, 1990 on the Central Arizona Water Control Project, Roosevelt Dam Element of Plan 6. Although Roosevelt supports three pairs (Tonto, Pinto, and Pinal) of breeding eagles, no eagles were observed on the winter count. We did see birds very near Roosevelt: 2 eagles at the Tonto Creek inlet to the lake and 1 subadult below Roosevelt Dam. The totals for the surveys conducted from 1989-1993 were 24 sightings consisting of 26 (18 adults, 8 subadults) bald eagles. Sixteen (62%) of these eagles were observed on the north shore, and 10 (38%) on the south shore. With the three breeding areas and winter migrants, Roosevelt Reservoir probably receives the most year-round use by bald eagles in Arizona. Nankoweap Creek, a tributary of the Colorado River in Marble Canyon has represented the most concentrated area for wintering bald eagles in Arizona since its examination by Brown and Liebfried (1991). In 1990, from 26 February to 4 March, the creek supported more than 20 bald eagles per day, with a peak concentration of 26 birds (Brown and Liebfried 1990). This gathering of eagles has been in response to accessible spawning trout in the lower reaches of the 14 kilometer long creek (Brown et al. 1989b). Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 6 Brown did not recommend searching Nankoweap Creek in early January due to the probable lack of eagles and the effort needed to access the site (T. Tibbitts pers. comm.). However, from 16 February to 6 March, surveys coordinated by the USFWS and the National Park Service Co-op unit at Northern Arizona University were performed from the canyon's rim and along the river. No more than 5 eagles were observed at one time and a minimum of 5 individual birds were recognized. Throughout this survey period only one forage attempt was observed (Sogge and Tibbitts pers. comm). The age distribution of the 186 bald eagles observed during Arizona's 1993 winter count was 71 percent (n=133) adults, 25 percent (n=46) subadults, and 4 percent (n=7) unknown. Stalmaster (1987) discusses the factors which can influence winter age ratios, such as status of the population, stage of migration, and geographic location. Later, Stalmaster summarizes: "roughly a third of all eagles in any concentration are juveniles and sub-adults." The NWF national winter surveys (Hastings 1988) for 1986-1988 averaged 33 percent subadult bald eagles. Arizona's statewide counts from 1981-1985 and 1992-1993 averaged 31 percent subadult bald eagles. Arizona's 1993 count of 25 percent subadult birds was the lowest from all of our statewide counts. Unless the low percentage (25%) of sub-adult bald eagles observed in 1993 becomes a trend, limitations placed upon our survey locations by the White Mountain Apache Tribe and poor weather likely affected our chances of spotting more young birds. We were unable to survey six breeding areas on the upper Salt River and the nearby lower White and Black rivers. As a result, only 19 breeding areas were surveyed in 1993 compared to 27 in 1992. In 1992, the rivers along these six breeding areas on White Mountain Apache Tribal Land supplied 17 (42.5%) of the 40 bald eagles counted among the breeding population (Beatty 1993). These 40 birds represented 57 percent of the total number of subadult bald eagles (n=70) counted for the entire survey. During the 1993 count, we only counted two subadult bald eagles among the breeding population. However, had we been able to survey the upper Salt River and the lower Black and White rivers, we still may have not observed many more eagles. Compared to the 1992 count, our 1993 survey of the upper Verde River, San Carlos Reservoir, and Roosevelt Reservoir indicate that heavy rains, turbid rivers and muddy lakes affected the abundance of eagles. Extensive records (Appendix: Tables 34-36) maintained by Kelly Kishpaugh of the Verde Train (20 miles of river between Clarkdale and Perkinsville) indicate that eagles observed per day during the month of January dropped considerably from 1992 (10.3 eagles/day) to 1993 (6.6 eagles/day). On our helicopter surveys in this stretch of river we observed 6 eagles in 1992 and 0 eagles in 1993. On San Carlos Reservoir we spotted 11 eagles (8 subadults, 3 adults) in 1992, only 2 eagles were observed in 1993. Seven birds were observed on Roosevelt Lake in 1992, no birds were observed in 1993 (although 2 eagles were observed at Tonto Creek inlet and 1 bird was below Roosevelt Dam). Comparing densities of eagles observed among the Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 7 breeding population for 1992, considerably less eagles were observed in 1993. It would seem that extreme rainfall and the subsequent affects of muddy lakes and turbid rivers caused eagles to travel elsewhere for food. In 1993, we observed a higher proportion of resident eagles at occupied breeding areas visited compared to the 1992 count. Because Arizona breeding eagles do not migrate and are either incubating or involved in courtship during our winter count, we have an established number of eagles to evaluate the accuracy of our counts. During the 1992 count we observed at least one eagle at 15 of the 27 occupied breeding areas (55.6%) visited on our helicopter surveys. This low percentage raised questions regarding the thoroughness of our counts (Beatty 1993). In 1993, we observed resident eagles in 14 of the 18 occupied territories (77.8%) visited. In 1993, most eagles observed along surveys in the breeding population were resident eagles (25 of 30 birds counted, 83.3%). Assuming a pair of eagles was present at all 18 occupied territories visited during the survey, we had the potential of observing 36 birds. We observed a 25 resident eagles representing 78 percent of the maximum of 36 breeding eagles. RECOMMENDATIONS 1.Work with the White Mountain Apache Tribe to perform surveys on the Black, White, and Salt rivers. 2.Perform a helicopter survey on the Gila River above San Carlos Reservoir. We could then compare results from the 1992 and 1994 helicopter surveys and decide the best route for future counts. 3.The great response and contribution by volunteers made the 1992 and 1993 counts a success. To retain continuity and duplication of effort, future efforts should target the same locations visited in 1992 and 1993 with the same personnel. 4.Coordinate helicopter flights over the upper Verde River with the Verde River Train to compare accuracy. 4.Weather, ice conditions, and prey availability are important factors in winter eagle distribution. These elements should be emphasized when volunteers fill out their survey forms. An example survey form should be distributed to volunteers. 5.Examine southern places of the state, such as the San Pedro River and Willcox Playa. Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count LITERATURE CITED June 1994 Page 8 Beatty, G.L.. 1993. 1992 Arizona bald eagle winter count. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Technical Report. Arizona Game and Fish Department. Phoenix, Arizona. Brown, B.T., and W.C. Liebfried. 1990 The effects of fluctuating flows from Glen Canyon Dam on bald eagles and rainbow trout at Nankoweap Creek along the Colorado River, Arizona, 1990 Interim report submitted to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Grand Canyon National Park. October 2, 1990, Flagstaff, Arizona. Brown, B.T., W.C. Liebfried, R. Mesta, and L.E. Stevens. 1989a. Wintering bald eagles along the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon and at the mouth of Nankoweap Creek, with observations of rainbow trout, January 1989. Brown, B.T., R. Mesta, L.E. Stevens, and J. Weiseit. 1989b. Changes in winter distribution of bald eagles along the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Arizona. J. Raptor Res. 23(3):110-113. Brown, B.T. and L.E. Stevens. 1991. Influences of fluctuating flows from Glen Canyon Dam and the effects of human disturbance on wintering bald eagles along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon, Arizona. Draft Report submitted to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Grand Canyon National Park. December 1, 1991, Flagstaff Arizona. Clark, W.S. and B. Wheeler. 1987. A field guide to hawks of North America. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts. Hall, R.S. 1985. Memo re: Arizona's 1985 winter and spring bald eagle surveys. Bureau of Land Management, Kingman, Arizona. Hastings, B.C. 1988. Midwinter bald eagle survey report, 1986-1987. Institute for Wildlife Research, National Wildlife Federation, Washington, D.C. Hunt, W.G., E.W. Bianchi, D.E. Driscoll, and R.E. Jackman. 1992. Ecology of Breeding Bald Eagles in Arizona, Parts A-F. Report to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Contract No. 6-CS-30-04470. BioSystems Analysis, Incorporated, Santa Cruz, California. Stalmaster, M.V. 1987. The bald eagle. Universe Books, New York, New York. Todd, R.L. 1977. Winter bald eagle in Arizona. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count Phoenix, Arizona. June 1994 Page 9 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. Todd, R.L. 1984a. A report on the Nongame Branch bald eagle survey flights in January, 1984. Special Report. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona. Todd, R.L. 1984b. Memo re: winter bald eagle counts in Arizona. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1990. Biological opinion on Central Arizona Water Control Project, Roosevelt Dam Element of Plan 6 (2-21-83-f-10), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Phoenix, Arizona. Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count APPENDIX: DATA TABLES FOR 1993 WINTER SURVEYS June 1994 Page 10 Table 1. Arizona bald eagle winter count, Verde River helicopter survey, 11 January 1993. Survey personnel: James Driscoll, Jon Hanna, and Mike Ingraldi (AGFD); Pilot Ken Kloppel (USBR). Time 1705-1700 1700-1646 1646-1636 1636-1618 1618-1612 1612-1606 1606-1553 Location Verde/Salt confluence to Hwy 87 bridge, 0.0-4.2. Hwy 87 bridge to Needle Rock, 4.2-29.5. Needle Rock to north end of Bartlett Reservoir 29.5-60.0. North end Bartlett Reservoir to Horseshoe Dam, 60.0-73.5. Horseshoe Reservoir, 73.5-84.0. Inflow Horseshoe Reservoir to Table Mt. nest #4, 84.0-110.0. Table Mt. nest #4 to Fossil Creek, 110.0136.5. Comments No eagles observed 2 adults observed near Ft. McDowell BA 2 adults in Bartlett BA 2 adults in Cliff BA 1 adult observed 1 subadult above Horseshoe Reservoir, 2 adults in Table Mt. BA No eagles observed Subadults 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Adults 0 2 2 2 1 2 0 Total # eagles 0 2 2 2 1 3 0 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 11 Table 1. Continued. Time 1553-1544 1544-1516 1516-1510 1510-1505 1505-1435 1435-1428 1428-1327 1327-1320 1320-1315 Location Lower East Verde River, 0.0-~10.0 Fossil Creek to West Clear Creek, 136.5175.4. Lower West Clear Creek, 0.0-~10.0 West Clear Creek to Verde River bridge in Camp Verde, 175.4-185.1. Verde River bridge to Peck's Lake, 185.1234.0. Peck's Lake. Break and refuel in Sedona. Upper Verde River, 234.0-248.0. Verde River to Sycamore Creek/Verde River confluence, 248.0-252.0. Comments No eagles observed 1 adult in nest at East Verde BA No eagles observed No eagles observed No eagles observed 1 adult observed No eagles observed No eagles observed Subadults 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Adults 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 Total # eagles 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 12 Table 1. Continued. Time 1315-1300 1300-1253 1253-1245 1245-1240 Location Sycamore Creek/Verde River confluence to Perkinsville, 252.0-271.0. Perkinsville to Hell's Canyon, 271.0283.0. Verde River above Hell's Canyon to power lines across river, 283.0-310.3. Power lines to Sullivan Lake, 310.3-316.0 Comments No eagles observed No eagles observed 1 adult perched near km 292.9 No eagles observed Subadults 0 0 0 0 Adults 0 0 1 0 Total # eagles 0 0 1 0 Table 2. Arizona bald eagle winter count, summary of Verde River helicopter survey, 11 January, 1993. Length of Survey 1240-1705 Total survey time: 204 min. 1 eagle/16 min. Locations Verde River 0.0-316.0, Peck's Lake, Lower East Verde River 0.0-~10.0 Lower West Clear Creek 0.0-~10.0 # Subadult Bald Eagles 1 # Adult Bald Eagles 12 Total # Bald Eagles 13 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 13 Table 3. Arizona bald eagle winter count, lower Salt River/Roosevelt Reservoir/Tonto Creek/San Carlos Reservoir helicopter survey, 21 January, 1993. Survey personnel: James Driscoll, Greg Beatty (AGFD; Teah Nobel, Pilot Doug Blakely (SRP). Time 1302-1320 1321-1349 Location Salt/Verde River confluence to Stewart Mountain Dam, 0.0-21.9. Stewart Mt. Dam to Roosevelt Reservoir, 21.9-79.1. Comments 2 adults at Orme BA. 1 adult at Blue Point BA, 1 subadult below Roosevelt Dam,only north ends of Canyon and Apache Reservoirs surveyed. No eagles observed - Large nests at Alchesay Canyon and Cottonwood Creek examined. 2 adults observed at each of the Tonto, Sheep, and 76 BAs. No eagles observed. Subadults 0 1 Adults 2 1 Total 2 2 1349-1402 Roosevelt Dam along southern perimeter of reservoir to Tonto Creek inlet. Tonto Creek inlet up the creek to 76 BA 14.5-59.0. Tonto Creek inlet along northern perimeter of Roosevelt Reservoir to Pinto BA Refuel at Roosevelt. Coolidge BA. San Carlos Reservoir perimeter. 0 0 0 1403-1424 1434-1441 0 0 6 0 6 0 1441-1507 1535-1540 1540-1605 Refuel and break. 1 adult observed Coolidge nest. 2 adults observed. flying toward 0 0 1 2 1 2 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 14 Table 4. Arizona bald eagle winter count, summary of lower Salt River/Roosevelt Reservoir/Tonto Creek/San Carlos Reservoir helicopter survey, 21 January, 1993. Length of Survey 1302-1605 Total survey time: 129 min. 1 eagle/10 min. Locations Salt River below Stewart Mt. Dam 0-21.9, Saguaro Reservoir (north shore) Canyon Reservoir (north shore) Apache Reservoir (north shore) Roosevelt Reservoir (north shore) 21.9-79.l, Tonto Creek 14.5-59.0, San Carlos Reservoir perimeter # Subadult Bald Eagles 1 # Adult Bald Eagles 12 Total # Bald Eagles 13 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 15 Table 5. Arizona bald eagle winter count, Apache County-volunteer survey, 6 and 9 January 1993. Survey personnel: USFS Springerville and Alpine Ranger Districts; White Mountain Audubon Society; AGFD Region I. Methods: ground vehicle and foot travel. Date 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 Time 0840-0900 1230-1245 0900-0905 1030-1100 1130-1200 0942-0952 Location Becker Lake. Nelson Reservoir Casa Malapais, Little Colorado River. S. Fork, Little Co. River, S. Fork campground. Greer Lakes, Bunch, River and Tunnel Reservoirs. The Ranch Lake. Comments Eagles in cottonwoods southeast side of lake. Lake 30% iced-over. Eagle in cottonwoods. 2 adults, 2 subadults. Lakes 95% iced-over, 1 adult at River Reservoir. Lake 95% iced over, 3 adults in Ponderosa Pine south of HWY 60. Lake 100 % iced-over, 1 adult flying in area. 1 adult in snag on west side of lake. 2 adults 1 adult in cottonwood snag Subadults 2 0 1 2 0 0 Adults 2 0 0 2 1 3 Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 4 0 1 4 1 3 at 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/9/93 1/9/93 1005-1035 1152-1208 0800-0830 0710-0740 Ortega Lake. Sponseller Lake. Concho Lake Zion Lake 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 1 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 16 Table 5. Continued. Date 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 Time 1030-1045 1048-1109 1120-1530 Location San Francisco River to Luna Lake Luna Lake San Francisco River from Luna Lake to New Mexico border FS road 281 to Turkey Creek Campbell Blue Creek, FS road 30 from 281 to Brooks Ranch Nutriosa Reservoir Judds Lake Williams Valley Sierra Blanca Lake Black River, east fork Black River, west fork Coyote Creek area Comments Subadult flying west toward town of Alpine Adult perched in pine snag No eagles observed Subadults 1 0 0 Adults 0 1 0 Unknown 0 0 0 Total 1 1 0 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1120-1140 1157-1234 1009-1010 1009-1014 0900-0920 0945-1030 1430-1530 1530-1600 1035-1105 No eagles observed No eagles observed 1 eagle of unknown age No eagles observed No eagles observed No eagles observed No eagles observed No eagles observed 1 eagle of unknown age 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 17 Table 6. Arizona bald eagle winter count, summary of Apache County volunteer survey, 6 January, 1993. Dates/Time 1/6/93 Locations Becker Lake, Nelson Reservoir, Casa Malapais, Little Colorado River, South Fork Little CO River Campground, Greer Lakes-River, Bunch and Tunnel, The Ranch Lake, Ortega Lake, Sponseller Lake, Concho Lake, Zion Lake, San Francisco River to Luna Lake, Luna Lake, San Francisco River- Luna Lake to NM, FS road 281 to Turkey Creek, Campbell Blue Creek, FS road 30 from 281 to Brooks Ranch, Nutriosa Reservoir, Judds Lake, Williams Valley, Sierra Blanca Lake, Black River, east fork Black River, west fork, Coyote Creek area # Subadult Bald Eagles 6 # Adult Bald Eagles 14 # unknown Bald Eagles 2 Total # Bald Eagles 22 Total survey time: 750 min. 1 eagle/34 min. Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 18 Table 7. Arizona bald eagle winter count, Cochise County volunteer survey, 9 January, 1993. Date 1/9/93 1/9/93 Time 1530-1600 1200-1600 Location Parker Canyon Lake Willcox Playa Comments No eagles observed No eagles observed Subadults 0 0 Adults 0 0 Unknown 0 0 Total 0 0 Table 8. Arizona bald eagle winter count, summary of Cochise County volunteer survey, 9 January, 1993. Survey personnel: USFS Santa Catalina Ranger District; AGFD Region V. Methods: ground vehicle and foot travel. Dates/Time 1/9/93 Total survey time: 270 min. 0 eagle/270 min. Locations Parker Canyon Lake, Wilcox Playa # Subadult Bald Eagles 0 # Adult Bald Eagles 0 # Unknown Bald Eagles 0 Total # Bald Eagles 0 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 19 Table 9. Arizona bald eagle winter count, Coconino County volunteer survey, 5-9,12-13, 28 January, 1993. Survey personnel: USFS Kaibab, Williams, Chalendar, Chevelon, and Mormon Lake Ranger Districts; Flagstaff Birding Club; Glen Canyon National Recreation Area; Northern Arizona Audubon Society; AGFD. Methods: ground vehicle, foot travel, boat, helicopter Date 1/7/93 1/12/93 1/8/93 1/8/93 1/8/93 1/8/93 1/5/93 Time 0900-1400 300 min. 0800-1000 1030-1100 1245-1300 1315-1330 Location West Chevelon Canyon, Road 34 Chevelon Canyon Lake Willow Creek White Horse Lake Barney Flat Wetland Kaibab Lake Cedar Knoll, FS 422(a),89a Juan Tank Allotment Pittman Valley Spring Valley Wash J.D. Dam Lake Holden Lake Red Lake Valley Tusayan-HWY 64 Country Club Lakes Bellemont Comments 2 adults observed. 5 adults, 4 subadults, 2 unknown age. 1 adult observed. 2 adults and 2 subadults observed at adjacent meadow 3 adults observed 1 adult observed 1 near-adult bald eagle flying with 1 golden eagle. Incidental observation 1 adult observed 2 adults observed 2 adults, 4 subadults No eagles observed 1 adult observed 2 adults and 2 immatures 1 adult in pine snag 2 adults at Lake Elaine 1 adult observed Subadults 0 4 0 2 0 0 1 Adults 2 5 1 2 3 1 0 Unknown 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 G.E. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 2 11 1 4 3 1 1 1 G.E. 1 2 6 0 1 4 1 2 1 FS Roads 1/8/93 1/8/93 1/13/93 1/8/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/7/93 1/9/93 1/9/93 1430-1500 1630-1640 0915-0925 1100-1200 1500-1530 1030-1040 0900-1000 0930-1200 1120-1210 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 2 2 0 1 2 1 2 1 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 20 Table 9. Continued. Date 1/9/93 1/9/93 1/9/93 1/9/93 1/9/93 1/9/93 1/9/93 1/9/93 1/9/93 1/8/93 1/7/93 Time 1210-1300 1300-1350 1600-1615 1000-1400 0900-1200 0945-1330 1430-1730 1030-1230 0900-1030 1145-1545 1015-1208 Location Davenport Lake Catarac Lake Steel/Stone Reservoir Townsend-Winona Road A Townsend-Winona Road B 89 North (Sunset CraterWupatki) Route 180 Stoneman Lake area FH3 I-17 (Flagstaff to Sedona exit) FH3 Lakes (Mary, Morman, Prime, Ashurst) Hwy 87(A-Sitgreaves FS boundary to Clint's Well) Hwy 87-Hwy 260-Camp Verde RD (Clint's Well to Camp Verde) Glen Canyon National Recreation Area-Lees Ferry to Stateline, WahweapLake Powell Comments 2 adults observed 2 adults observed 1 adult observed No eagles observed 1 adult observed 2 golden eagles observed No eagles observed 4 adults and 1 subadult 2 adults observed 3 adults and 2 subadults 14 adults, 4 subadults and 2 unknowns. 14 birds at Lower Lake Mary perched in snag No eagles observed 2 adult eagles observed Subadults 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 4 Adults 2 2 1 0 1 2 G.E. 0 4 2 3 14 Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 Total 2 2 1 0 1 2 G.E. 0 5 2 5 20 1/8/93 1/8/93 1015-1230 1000-1200 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 1/28/93 0855-1327 No eagles observed on Arizona section of survey, 20 eagles spotted on Utah portion 0 0 0 0 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 21 Table 10. Arizona bald eagle winter count, summary of Coconino County volunteer survey, 5-9, 12-13, 28 January, 1993. Dates/Time 1/5-6, 12-13, and 28/ 93 Total survey time: 3219 minutes 1 eagle/40 min. Locations West Chevelon Canyon, Chevelon Canyon Lake, Willow Creek, White Horse Lake, Barney Flat Wetland, Kaibab Lake, Cedar Knoll, FS Roads 422(a),89a, Juan Tank Allotment, Pittman Valley, Spring Valley Wash, J.D. Dam Lake, Holden Lake, Red Lake Valley, Tusayan, HWY 64, Country Club Lakes Bellemont, Davenport Lake, Catarac Lake, Steel/Stone Reservoir, Townsend-Winona Road A&B, Route 180, Stoneman Lake, FH3, I-17 (Flagstaff to Sedona exit), FH3 Lakes (Mary, Morman, Ashurst), Hwy 87 (A-S FS boundary- Clint's Well), Hwy 87-Hwy 260-Verde RD (Clint's Well to Camp Verde), Glen Canyon National Recreation Area-(Lees Ferry to Stateline, Wahweap- Lake Powell), # Subadult Bald Eagles 20 # Adult Bald Eagles 57 # Unknown Bald Eagles 4 Total # Bald Eagles 81 Table 11. Arizona bald eagle winter count - golden eagles, summary of Coconino County volunteer survey, 5 and 9 January, 1993. Dates/Time Locations # Subadult Golden Eagles # Adult Golden Eagles Total # Golden Eagles Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 22 1/5&9/93 89 North (Sunset Crater-Wupatki), Cedar Knoll, FS Roads 422(a),89a 0 3 3 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 23 Table 12. Arizona bald eagle winter count, Greenlee County volunteer survey, 6 January, 1992. Dates 1/6/92 Time 1309-1557 Location Blue River-Downs Ranch to Turkey Creek Comments 3 adults - 1 adult in pine snag at fish hatchery, 2 adults perched in cottonwoods, 1 unknown age bird No eagles observed No eagles observed Subadults 0 Adults 3 Unknown 1 Total 4 1/6/92 1/9/92 1300-1430 1140-1154 Beaver Creek Turkey Creek, Campbell Blue, Blue River, FS Rd 281 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Table 13. Arizona bald eagle winter count, summary of Greenlee County volunteer survey, 6 January, 1992. Survey personnel: USFS Alpine and Clifton Ranger Districts; AGFD Region I. Methods: ground vehicle and foot travel. Dates/Time 1/6/92 Total survey time: 271 min. 1 eagle/68 min. Locations Blue River-Downs Ranch to Turkey Creek, Beaver Creek, Turkey Creek-Campbell Blue, Blue River (FS Rd 281) # Subadult Bald Eagles 0 # Adult Bald Eagles 3 # Unknown Bald Eagles 1 Total # Bald Eagles 4 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 24 Table 14. Arizona bald eagle winter count, Maricopa County volunteer survey, 13 January, 1993. Dates 1/13/93 Time 1030-1200 Location Painted Rock Reservoir Comments 1 subadult Subadults 1 Adults 0 Unknown 0 Total 1 Table 15. Arizona bald eagle winter count, summary of Maricopa County volunteer survey, 13 January, 1992. Personnel: AGFD Nongame Branch. Methods: foot travel. Dates/Time 1/13/92 Total survey time: 90 min. Locations Painted Rock Reservoir # Subadult Bald Eagles 1 # Adult Bald Eagles 0 Total # Bald Eagles 1 Table 16. Arizona bald eagle winter count, Mohave County volunteer survey, 8-10 January, 1993. Dates 1/8/93 Time --Alamo Lake Location Comments 4 adults from Alamo and Ive's Wash BAs observed by nestwatchers, both pairs incubating eggs. 4 adults observed in Grand Wash Bay Subadults 0 Adults 4 Unknow n 0 Total 4 1/9/93 0800-1100 Lake Mead, Temple Bar 0 4 0 4 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 25 1/10/93 0645-1445 1/9/93 1/9/93 0700-1000 0800-1200 Lake Mead, Boulder Basin, Boulder Canyon, Lower Virgin Beach Topock Marsh, Havasu National Wildlife Refuge Lake Mohave, Colorado River 1 adult and 1 subadult observed 1 1 0 2 No eagles observed 4 subadults observed 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 26 Table 17. Arizona bald eagle winter count, summary of Mohave County volunteer survey, 8-10 January, 1993. Survey personnel: National Park Service; AGFD Region III. Methods: ground vehicle and boat. Dates/Time 1/8-10/93 Total survey time: 1080 min. 1 eagle/77 min. Locations Alamo Lake, Lake Mead, Temple Bar, Lake Mead, Boulder Basin, Boulder Canyon, Lower Virgin Beach, Topock Marsh, Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, Lake Mohave, Colorado River # Subadult Bald Eagles 5 # Adult Bald Eagles 9 # Unknown Bald Eagles 0 Total # Bald Eagles 14 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 27 Table 18. Arizona bald eagle winter count, Navajo County volunteer survey, 6 January, 1993. Survey personnel: USFS Heber and Lakeside Ranger Districts; White Mountain Audubon Society; AGFD Region I. Methods: ground vehicle and foot travel. Date 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 Time 1300-1400 1117-1210 1022-1040 0835-1315 0817-1017 1116-1128 1137-1209 1113-1127 1024-1041 1011-1126 0920-0955 1011-1126 1414-1448 0900-0945 1015-1045 1120-1214 1015-1230 Location Black Canyon Dry Lake Cottonwood Wash, Clay Springs FS Rds. 50461536956170 699 Highway 260 Scott's Reservoir Rainbow Lake Lake of the Woods Jacque's Marsh Little Mormon Lake Showlow Lake Whipple Lake White Mountain Lake Pintail Lake Telephone Lake Schoen's Reservoir Fools Hollow Lake Comments No eagles observed No eagles observed 1 adult 1 subadult perched 2 subadults 1 subadult 1 adult, 1 subadult No eagles observed 1 adult perched in snag No eagles observed 2 adults observed No eagles observed 2 adults observed 1 adult flying 2 adults 4 adults, 1 subadult 5 adults perched along southern arm of lake Subadults 0 0 0 1 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Adults 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 2 1 2 4 5 Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 0 0 1 1 2 1 2 0 1 0 2 0 2 1 2 5 5 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 28 Table 18. Continued. Date 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 1/6/93 Time 0900-0920 0920-0935 0935-0955 1455-1520 1137-1218 Location Woodland Lake Fred's Lake Edeler's Lake Lone Pine Lake Long Lake Comments No eagles observed No eagles observed 1 adult observed No eagles observed No eagles observed Subadults 0 0 0 0 0 Adults 0 0 1 0 0 Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 Total 0 0 1 0 0 Table 19. Arizona bald eagle winter count, summary of Navajo County volunteer survey, 6 January, 1992. Dates/Time 1/6/92 Total survey time: 1210 min. 1 eagle/47 min. Locations Black Canyon, Dry Lake, Cottonwood Wash/Clay Springs, FS Rds. 50461536956170699, Highway 260, Scott's Reservoir, Rainbow Lake, Lake of the Woods, Jacque's Marsh, Little Mormon Lake, ShowLow Lake, Whipple Lake, White Mountain Lake, Pintail Lake, Telephone Lake, Redhead Marsh, Schoen's Reservoir, Fool Hollow Lake, Woodland Lake, Fred's Lake, Edeler's Lake, Lone Pine Lake, Long Lake # Subadult Bald Eagles 6 # Adult Bald Eagles 20 Total # Bald Eagles 26 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 29 Table 20. Arizona bald eagle winter count, Pinal County volunteer survey, 9 January, 1993. Date 1/9/93 Time 0915-1300 Location Picacho Lake Comments No eagles observed Subadults 0 Adults 0 Unknown 0 Total 0 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 30 Table 21. Arizona bald eagle winter count, summary of Pinal County volunteer survey, 9 January, 1993. Survey personnel: AGFD Region V. Methods: ground vehicle. Dates/Time 1/9/93 Total survey time: 225 min. 0 eagle/225 min. Locations Picacho Lake # Subadult Bald Eagles 0 # Adult Bald Eagles 0 # Unknown Bald Eagles 0 Total # Bald Eagles 0 Table 22. Arizona bald eagle winter count, Santa Cruz County volunteer survey, 9 January, 1993. Survey personnel: AGFD Region V. Methods: ground vehicle and foot travel. Date 1/9/93 1/9/93 1/9/93 Time 1230-1300 0800-1630 1330-1500 Location Bog Hole Patagonia Lake San Raphael Valley Comments No eagles observed No eagles observed No eagles observed Subadults 0 0 0 Adults 0 0 0 Unknown 0 0 0 Total 0 0 0 Table 23. Arizona bald eagle winter count, summary of Santa Cruz County volunteer survey, 9 January, 1993. Survey personnel: AGFD Region V. Methods: ground vehicle and foot travel. # Subadult # Adult # Unknown Total # Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 31 Dates/Time 1/9/93 Total survey time: 630 min. 0 eagle/630 min. Locations Bog Hole, Patagonia Lake San Raphael Valley Bald Eagles 0 Bald Eagles 0 Bald Eagles 0 Bald Eagles 0 Table 24. Arizona bald eagle winter count, Yavapai County volunteer survey, 8-10 January, 1993. Survey personnel: Northern Arizona Audubon Society. Methods: ground vehicle and foot travel. Dates 1/9/93 1/9/93 1/9/93 Time 0700-1700 0800-1600 0900-1600 Location Wet Beaver Creek (USFS Station to Verde River) Lower Oak Creek (Red Rocks to Verde River) Upper Oak Creek (Red Rocks to Pine Flat) Comments 1 subadult observed 1 adult observed 1 adult observed Subadults 1 0 0 Adults 0 1 1 Unknown 0 0 0 Total 1 1 1 Table 25. Arizona bald eagle winter count, summary of Yavapai County volunteer survey, 8-10 January, 1993. Survey personnel: Northern Arizona Audubon Society. Methods: ground vehicle and foot travel. Dates/Time 1/8-10/93 Locations Wet Beaver Creek (USFS Station to Verde River), Lower Oak Creek (Red Rocks to Verde River), # Subadult Bald Eagles 1 # Adult Bald Eagles 2 Total # Bald Eagles 3 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 32 Total survey time: 1500 min. 1 eagle/500 min. Upper Oak Creek (Red Rocks to Pine Flat) Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 33 Table 26. Arizona bald eagle winter count, Yuma County volunteer survey, 8 January, 1993. Survey personnel: Imperial National Wildlife Refuge. Methods: boat. Dates 1/8/9 3 Time 1000-1630 Location Colorado River, Imperial National Wildlife RefugeCibola Lake to Martinez Lake. Comments 3 adults and 6 immatures, all eagles perched on sand bars. Part of survey performed in La Paz County, all eagles observed in Yuma County. Subadults 6 Adult s 3 Total 9 Table 27. Arizona bald eagle winter count, summary of Yuma County volunteer survey, 8 January, 1993. Survey personnel: Imperial National Wildlife Refuge. Methods: boat. Dates/Time 1/8/93 Total survey time: 360 min. 1 eagle/40 min. Locations Colorado River, Imperial National Wildlife RefugeCibola Lake to Martinez Lake # Subadult Bald Eagles 6 # Adult Bald Eagles 3 Total # Bald Eagles 9 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 34 Table 28. Survey effort, 1993 - Arizona bald eagle winter count. Location/County Helicopter Surveys Apache County Cochise County Coconino County Greenlee County Maricopa County Mohave County Navajo County Pinal County Santa Cruz County Yavapai County Yuma County Totals Time 333 minutes 750 minutes 270 minutes 3219 minutes 271 minutes 90 minutes 1080 minutes 1210 minutes 225 minutes 630 minutes 1500 minutes 360 minutes 9938 minutes Number of volunteers 7 11 3 31+ 3 1 8 11 2 2 5 3 87 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 35 Table 29. Summary of Arizona bald eagle winter count, helicopter and volunteer survey, January 8-12 and 14, 1993. Location Verde River, helicopter survey Lower Salt River/San Carlos Reservoir/Tonto Creek, helicopter survey Apache County Cochise County Coconino County Greenlee County Maricopa County Mohave County Navajo County Pinal County Santa Cruz County Yavapai County Yuma County Totals Length of Survey 204 minutes 129 minutes # Subadult Bald Eagles 1 1 # Adult Bald Eagles 12 12 # Unknown Bald Eagles 0 0 Total # Bald Eagles 13 13 750 minutes 270 minutes 3219 minutes 271 minutes 90 minutes 1080 minutes 1210 minutes 225 minutes 630 minutes 1500 minutes 360 minutes 9938 minutes 6 0 20 0 1 5 6 0 0 1 6 46 14 0 57 3 0 9 20 0 0 2 3 133 2 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 22 0 81 4 1 14 26 0 0 3 9 186 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 36 Table 30. Summary of Arizona winter count, golden eagles, helicopter and volunteer survey, January 8-12 and 14, 1993. Location Verde River, helicopter survey Lower Salt River/San Carlos Reservoir/Tonto Creek, helicopter survey Apache County Cochise County Coconino County Greenlee County Maricopa County Mohave County Navajo County Pinal County Santa Cruz County Yavapai County Yuma County Totals Length of Survey 204 minutes 129 minutes # Subadult Golden Eagles 0 0 # Adult Golden Eagles 0 0 # Unknown Golden Eagles 0 0 Total # Golden Eagles 0 0 750 minutes 270 minutes 3219 minutes 271 minutes 90 minutes 1080 minutes 1210 minutes 225 minutes 630 minutes 1500 minutes 360 minutes 9938 minutes 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 37 Table 31. Summary of 1993 Arizona bald eagle winter count by county. Location Apache County Cochise County Coconino County Gila County Greenlee County Maricopa County Mohave County Navajo County Pinal County Santa Cruz County Yavapai County Yuma County Totals # Subadult Bald Eagles 6 0 20 0 0 1 5 6 0 0 2 6 46 (25%) # Adult Bald Eagles 14 0 57 9 3 10 9 20 0 0 8 3 133 (71%) # Unknown Bald Eagles 2 0 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 (4%) Total # Bald Eagles 22 (11.8%) 0 81 (43.5%) 9 (4.8%) 4 (2.2%) 11 (5.9%) 14 (7.5%) 26 (14.0%) 0 0 10 (5.4%) 9 (4.8%) 186 (100%) Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 38 Table 32. Summary of statewide Arizona bald eagle winter counts, 1981-1985, 1992-1993. Year 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1992 1993 Totals # Subadult Bald Eagles 60 (36%) 72 (34%) 53 (33%) 63 (28%) 40 (34%) 70 (31%) 46 (25%) 404 (31%) # Adult Bald Eagles 103 (63%) 135 (64%) 104 (66%) 159 (71%) 78 (66%) 145 (65%) 133 (71%) 857 (67%) # Unknown Bald Eagles 2 (1%) 3 (2%) 1 (1%) 3 (1%) 0 10 (4%) 7 (4%) 26 (2%) Total # Bald Eagles 165 210 158 225 118 225 186 1287 (100%) Table 33. Summary of Roosevelt Reservoir bald eagle winter counts, 1989-1993. Year Nov. 21, 1989 Jan. 3, 1990 Feb. 6, 1990 Mar. 21, 1990 Jan. 15, 1991 # Subadult Bald Eagles 1 1 1 0 3 # Adult Bald Eagles 5 5 1 1 1 Eagles Observed North Shore 1 5 1 0 3 Eagles Observed South Shore 5 1 1 1 1 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 39 Jan. 10, 1992 Jan. 21, 1993 Totals 2 0 8 5 0 18 6 0 16 1 0 10 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 40 Table 34. Verde River Train bald eagle counts, Perkinsville-Clarkdale, Arizona, 1992. Date Jan. 3, 1992 Jan. 6, 1992 Jan. 8, 1992 Jan. 10, 1992 Jan. 11, 1992 Jan. 12, 1993 Jan. 15, 1993 Jan. 18, 1993 Jan. 19, 1993 Jan. 22, 1993 Jan. 24, 1993 Jan. 25, 1993 Jan. 26, 1993 Jan. 27, 1993 Jan. 31, 1993 Total # Subadult Bald Eagles 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 3 0 1 3 3 8 10 0 33 (21%) # Adult Bald Eagles 5 6 6 8 3 3 8 13 4 10 4 15 16 12 11 121 (79%) Total # Bald Eagles 5 7 6 8 4 4 8 16 4 11 7 18 24 22 11 154 (100%) Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 41 Table 35. Verde River Train bald eagle counts, Perkinsville-Clarkdale, Arizona 1993. Date Jan. 2, 1993 Jan. 13, 1993 Jan. 14, 1993 Jan. 15, 1993 Jan. 23, 1993 Jan. 24, 1993 Jan. 30, 1993 Jan. 31, 1993 Total # Subadult Bald Eagles 3 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 6 (11.3%) # Adult Bald Eagles 3 9 5 2 5 9 9 5 47 (88.7%) Total # Bald Eagles 6 10 5 3 5 10 9 5 53 (100%) Table 36. Summary of Verde River Train bald eagle counts, Perkinsville-Clarkdale, Arizona 1992-1993. # Subadult Bald Eagles 33 (21%) 6 (11%) 39 (19%) Average # Subadults Per Day 2.2 0.75 1.7 # Adult Bald Eagles 121 (79%) 47 (89%) 168 (81%) Average # Adults Per Day 8.1 5.9 7.3 Average # Bald Eagles Per Day 10.3 6.6 9.0 Total # Bald Eagles 154 (74%) 53 (26%) 207(100%) Year 1992 1993 Total Days 15 8 23 Arizona Game and Fish Department 1993 Arizona Bald Eagle Winter Count June 1994 Page 42 |