24 bald eagle chicks have fledged from nests on the Channel Islands, making for the most successful breeding season since recovery effort began over 35 years ago.
This year there were 19 breeding bald eagle pairs on the Channel Islands producing 24 chicks, including 10 on Santa Cruz Island, 9 on Santa Catalina Island, two each on Anacapa and San Clemente Islands, and one on Santa Rosa Island.
“Since 2006, when the first bald eagle to hatch naturally on the Channel Islands in over 50 years, we have seen a steady rise in the population of these majestic birds,” said Channel Islands National Park Superintendent Ethan McKinley. “Today, not only do we celebrate the birth of our great nation, but also the recovery of a species that symbolizes our freedom.”
Recovery efforts this year were made possible from a generous grant from the Annenberg Foundation and the diligent survey and monitoring work conducted by biologists with the Institute for Wildlife Studies.
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The Institute for Wildlife Studies (IWS), a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of wildlife species, is involved in conservation projects around the world. IWS has conducted bald eagle restoration on Catalina Island for over 35 years. iws.org
Landowners who support restoration efforts include the National Park Service (who manages on five of the eight California Channel Islands), The Nature Conservancy (who jointly owns and manages Santa Cruz Island with the NPS), the Catalina Island Conservancy for Santa Catalina Island, and the U.S. Navy on San Clemente Island.
