Eagles at Franklin-McElheny Preserve - March 13, 2019

Published March 13, 2019

SELT is aware that Bald Eagles have been sighted on the Preserve during daylight hours throughout the year.  In addition, SELT has long been aware of a known nest site nearby at the Three Rivers Farm.   

To understand if/how eagles are using the Preserve, SELT has consulted with eagle experts Chris Martin, Senior Biologist-Raptors, with NH Audubon and Tom Wittig, Eagle Coordinator, with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Northeast Region.  Specifically, SELT has discussed with them:  the proximity of the Preserve to the known nest location downstream; any documented winter roosting sites on the Preserve as well as the potential for winter roosting on the Preserve; daytime sightings of Bald Eagles on the Preserve and; considerations we should make for management of the land given the potential for foraging or roosting activities.   

To determine impacts to the Bald Eagle wildlife biologists consider three primary behaviors:  Nesting, roosting and foraging activities on a given property.  

Nesting:  In New Hampshire, nests are most commonly found in tall, mature, open trees near the water’s edge, with white pine the most common species the nests are built in.1, 2  To date, no eagle nests have been observed on the Preserve.   

Winter Roosting:  In the winter, Bald Eagles will roost at night in communal groups near large areas of open water such as Great Bay in the Seacoast Region.1, 3  According to UNH Cooperative Extension, winter roost sites are most commonly “characterized by large diameter white pines spaced far apart.  This allows for easy access into the roost yet provides sufficient overhead cover to protect against inclement weather.  Roost trees often face east on a >20% slope.”1  In order to help understand if roosting occurs on the Preserve, an evening eagle survey was conducted, as further described below.  At this time, there is no documentation of a winter roost on the Preserve.   

Foraging:  Throughout the day, Bald Eagles forage for food.  While they mainly eat fish found in the open water, they also will eat other birds, small/medium mammals, turtles and carrion.3  SELT is aware that Bald Eagles have been observed in close proximity to the Preserve or on the Preserve during the day and that this site may support foraging activities by the eagles.  


 Eagle Survey 

Our understanding is that while Bald Eagles most likely use the Preserve to forage throughout the day that does not mean the Preserve is used as a winter roost at night.  Because winter roost sites are used at night, an eagle survey was conducted on the evening of February 6th, 2019.  The Preserve was observed from a vantage point across the river from approximately 4:15 pm to 5:30 pm by NH Audubon’s Chris Martin, Rollinsford resident Jon Ordway, and Deborah Goard, SELT’s Stewardship Director.   

During the survey no Bald Eagles were observed flying into or roosting in the trees on the Preserve; however, two adult Bald Eagles were observed along the river corridor.  When the survey participants first arrived, one eagle was observed on a dead tree on the Maine side of the Salmon Falls River by the bridge.  It soon departed and flew downstream toward the convergence of the Salmon Falls and Cocheco Rivers.  The second eagle was seen just after 5:00 pm flying downstream over the Preserve, in the direction the first eagle flew.   

While no direct signs of roosting were observed, SELT will pursue additional survey work in early spring to further look for signs of potential winter roost sites on the Preserve, such as feathers or regurgitated pellets, under trees that are suitable for roosting.  

Management Considerations 

SELT takes management activities on our lands that have the potential to affect State or Federally listed rare, threatened or endangered animal as well as plant species very seriously.  In fact, several properties we own are specifically managed for these species.  To that end, we routinely consult with wildlife biologists, consulting foresters and other natural resource professionals as we plan management activities on our lands.   

As part of any future management of the Preserve, SELT, for a number of reasons, plans to leave a 150-foot buffer along the Salmon Falls River as well as Garvin Brook.  Within this buffer, trees would not be removed, with an exception of trees that present a safety hazard to users of the trail along the Salmon Falls River, such as large hemlocks in advanced decline due to the effects of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid.   

From our discussions with Chris Martin and Tom Wittig, we understand that leaving a 150-foot buffer would go a long way in protecting any possible winter roosting areas or foraging activities in the event Bald Eagles are on the Preserve.  As a final management strategy is determined, SELT will continue to communicate with these experts to make sure any management activities are consistent with their recommendations or requirements. 


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