Conservationists go airborne to observe bald eagles

UNDATED - The young eagles huddling together seemingly paid little mind to the helicopter circling above their pine tree nest at Lake Oconee. <br> <br> The chopper&#39;s occupants, however, were keenly interested in the fact that they counted three fledgling bald eagles an excellent number for one nest of the long-endangered species. <br> <br> The bald eagle, once feared to be on the brink on extinction due to habitat changes and toxic chemicals such as the pesticide DDT, was wiped out in Georgia during the 1970s. But through rereleases and careful monitoring, the bald eagle now is close to being taken off Georgia&#39;s endangered list and being ``delisted&#39;&#39; nationally. <br> <br> The Department of Natural Resources conducts airborne observations like the one made Wednesday twice a year, once in January or February to count the number of eagle nests in the state and again before May to count newborn eaglets. <br> <br> A state conservationist says the regular checks are one way of continuing to secure the eagle&#39;s habitat and population, even if it officially loses its endangered classification. <br> <br> ``With the eagle, the numbers have reached a comfortable level,&#39;&#39; said Jim Ozier, a senior wildlife biologist with the DNR. ``Now it&#39;s just seeing that the nesting areas have adequate protection.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Ozier and other observers saw 13 newborn eagles Wednesday at lakes Oconee, Sinclair and Clarks Hill and small ponds in between, bringing this year&#39;s total to an estimated 72 a figure consistent with recent years, Ozier said. Last year, a ``particularly good year,&#39;&#39; produced 92 eaglets, he said. <br> <br> Bald eagles eat primarily fish and other animals found in the water, so tall pine and cypress trees near Georgia&#39;s coast and large lakes make attractive habitats, Ozier said. <br> <br> There are about 61 known nesting areas in the state, and eagle pairs at about 53 of them successfully produced young last year, Ozier said. <br> <br> Still, bald eagles continue to face numerous threats. <br> <br> AVM, a nervous system disease whose cause remains unknown, killed more than a dozen eagles last year and at least four this year. Natural predators such as coyotes, dogs, bobcats, hawks and great-horned owls prey on young eagles unable to defend themselves. <br> <br> And humans still infringe upon the birds despite increased public awareness in recent years and cooperation between environmental agencies and private landowners. <br> <br> ``The population of Georgia is growing so fast, we&#39;re losing a tremendous amount of habitat,&#39;&#39; Ozier said.