LOCAL EAGLE POPULATION GROWING

Bald eagles are finding northcentral Pennsylvania to their liking, according to a recent Pa. Game Commission report.

Eagles are known to be nesting in at least 47 of the state's 67 counties. There were 132 confirmed nests in 2007, producing more than 150 eaglets. A quarter-century ago, there were only three eagle nests remaining in Pennsylvania.

More eagles are probably coming, says Doug Gross, an ornithologist with the Game Commission.

"Eagles will continue to build more nests near large impoundments and rivers where no eagles are present currently or there's room for another pair," Gross forecasts.

About 70 percent of eagle nests are producing eaglets. Poor weather conditions have the greatest impact on nesting success, followed by predators.

New bald eagle nests have recently been confirmed in Clearfield, Bradford, Forest, Lycoming, Tioga, Warren counties.

Cameron County Wildlife Conservation Office Wayne Hunt reports that he sighted a pair of mature bald eagles in a sycamore tree along the Driftwood Branch of the Sinnemahoning Creek in May, suggesting another pair has moved into Cameron County.

Game Commission officer Denise Mitcheltree observed two mature bald eagles as they perched in trees near the Long Toe Road in Potter County.

"Even from a distance, the size of these birds was quite impressive as the sun glinted off of their white feathered heads," Mitcheltree said.

Elk County Wildlife Conservation Office Dick Bodenhorn reports that once again this year there are at least two active eagle nests, with young eaglets, along the Clarion River in Elk County.