Evin taking measurements in the field.
Evin Stanford, M.S., 1997
(Assistant Small Game Project Leader, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission)Department of Biology
Murray State University, Murray KY 42071
Impacts of dam construction, predictors of density, and nesting domains: a study of bald eagles in western Kentucky.
ABSTRACT:
The effects of dam construction on bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, [Aves: Accipitridae]) along the Ohio River and within Ballard County wildlife Management Area (BCWA), and the ecology of bald eagles, was studied in western Kenucky Aerial surveys determined the occurance of bald eagles near the Olmsted Lock and Dam during the winter of 1994/1995. The proportional density of bald eagles in a one-mile and six-mile interval centered at the site of damn construction was reduced when compared with densities prior to dam construction. A marginally-significant shift in the distribution of bald eagles along the Ohio river between Paducah, Kentucky and Cairo, Illinois also occured between the two survey periods. Bald eagles avoided the area of dam construction, and the distribution of bald eagles along the Ohio River may be shifting away from the area of dam construction.
A comparison of driving surveys conducted during and prior to dam construction revealed no evidence that dam construction had caused bald eagles within the BCWMA to shift their distribution away from the dam site. In fact, the distribution of bald eagles within the management area was 15% closer to the site of the dam during than before construction.
A best model for predicting the number of bald eagles on a communal roost was determined, but the accuracy of predicted values was poor. The independent variables in the best model were the number of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) observed during driving surveys and the square of the week number assigned to each roost observation, a significant parital correlation was found betweenthe number of Canada geese observed during the driving surveys and the number of bald eagles observed on the roost.
Two pairs of bald eagles with nests within the magament area had distinct areas of use that were nonoverlapping. One pair of nesting bald eagles focused much of their activity in the direction of the Ohio River. The other pair focused much of their activity around an impoundment within the management area. Responses to territorial intruders were only oserved on three occasions for both nesting pairs of bald eagles.
Constructed by Brandon Kellie on 6/22/01.
