By Kelly Nokes, Program Administrator—
What bald eagles are telling us about the Columbia
Check out this article featured in OPB's Ecotrope blog this fall about what recent studies conducted on bald eagle eggs in the lower Columbia are telling us about the toxicity of the Columbia River.
Evidence suggests a toxic hot spot along the lower Columbia between Cathlamet and Astoria. Results of the study show the eagle reproduction rate to be significantly lower in this stretch than anywhere else on the river.
As stated in the article:
Federal scientists noticed in the 1980s that bald eagles in the Columbia River estuary were producing fewer babies. Normal reproduction is one baby produced per nest per year, and 30 years ago eagles in the lower Columbia River estuary were producing about half that.
Since then, eagles from other areas have moved in and built nests there, and the overall numbers have gone up to 150 eagle pairs from the mouth of the Columbia to Bonneville Dam.
Now, according to the latest egg samples, the eagles between Astoria and Cathlamet are producing .8 babies per nest per year.
The article provides great information on the pollutants most impacting the eagle population as well as recovery efforts underway. Check it out!
