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Nesting bald eagles completely disappeared from Tennessee in the 1960s and 70s. There were no known successful eagle nests in the state between 1961 and 1983, a span of 22 years. Zero. With the banning of DDT in 1972 and protection afforded by the Endangered Species Act in 1978, bald eagles began to return to our skies but they needed help.
So what's new? Due to the efforts of TWRA, TVA, and the American Eagle Foundation, bald eagles have made a robust comeback since their low ebb in Tennessee in the 1960s.
After an absence of over two decades, TWRA reports that the first successful bald eagle nest in our state was discovered near Dover in the spring of 1983. Since that initial lone nest, there are now over 200 nests statewide. So many in fact, they have become rather difficult to tally.
Bald eagles form long-term pair-bonds that perhaps last for life. They are site loyal and will generally return to the same nesting locations year after year. But like other birds of prey, the mated pair go their separate ways after their parental duties are finished and can roam vast areas searching for food.
The mated pair return to their chosen breeding territory in late fall...
For the rest of my Valentine story, look for the January/February issue of The Tennessee Conservationist.
Top photo by David Magers.
Thank you, Louise.
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