Bald Eagles in Highlands

Written By: Luke Osteen | Issue: April 2024

In our July 2021 Issue, our in-house naturalist/philosopher and resident smart guy William McReynolds explained how the Bald Eagle, our National Bird, was returning to the Plateau.

I knew this spectacular bird of prey, the resilient symbol of an endangered species being brought back from the edge of extinction, had been spotted over Lake Glenville and southern Jackson County, but somehow it hadn’t occurred to me that they’d returned to Highlands, a bit further to the west and a bit higher in elevation.

That’s why I was startled when I spied this massive bird atop a dying hemlock on Mirror Lake. There was no mistaking its identity with its snowy white hood, deep breasted body, and stone-cold killer gaze. (Aren’t all raptors unimpeachably cool? Think of those majestic Peregrine Falcons patrolling Whiteside. They don’t need to wear Ray-Bans, not even the diminutive Chicken Hawk.)

Of course, if I’d been paying attention a little more closely, I wouldn’t have been surprised.

Here’s what Jason Love, the Highlands Biological Station’s Associate Director had to say about Bald Eagles in Highlands.

“I’ve seen Bald Eagles the past couple of years in the Highlands area. There was one earlier this winter that was hanging around Harris Lake, probably attracted to the stocked trout and waterfowl.

“We saw it again during the annual Christmas Bird Count and were able to add it to the list. I imagine this is the same bird that has been spotted at Mirror Lake but can’t be certain. There is a pair that has nested on Lake Emory in Franklin the past several years. It seems that Bald Eagles have been slowly expanding in the mountains, which is nice to see.

“Based on HBS’s historic records, there was an adult Bald Eagle that was spotted flying at Whitesides Mountain on July 20, 1956. According the eBird, which is a citizen science app that allows one to report bird sightings, there have been several sightings in the Highlands area in recent years:

“Those found in the fall and spring are likely migrating birds. The ones in the winter may be local birds who are either foraging or perhaps looking for nest sites. To my knowledge there is not a nest in the Highlands area, but that may soon change.

“Regardless, these recent sightings should be celebrated, as the Bald Eagle was once listed as Federally Endangered. That status can largely be linked to the use of DDT, which caused eggshell thinning in raptors, causing the eggs to be crushed when the birds tried to incubate them. The US has banned DDT and has also passed stricter water quality standards thanks to the Clean Water Act, which likely also played a role in the bird’s recovery, since it primarily preys on fish and waterfowl.”