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Count Higher
The number of bald eagles counted in Virginia incrased by 60 birds, according to the second annual bald eagle census taken by the National Wildlife Federation. The total bird count for the “lower 48” was 13,127 eagles—nearly 3,500 more birds than were sighted in the 1979 survey. The Virginia count for 1980 was 166 birds.
The census was taken between January 2 and January 20. 1980 by more than 2.900 counters from 47 state wildlife agencies, seven federal agencies and 138 private conservation organizations. William S. Clark, director of the National Wildlife Federation’s Raptor Information Center, said that the 35 percent increase in sightings cannot be interpreted as evidence that the bald eagle, an endangered species in 43 of the 48 contiguous states, is making a comeback.
Until the annual census has been taken enough times to establish a reliable “base line" from which fluctuations can be measure. Clark said, it will be difficult to say whether the bald eagle population is increasing or declining. "However," Clark added, “this year’s figures do seem to indicate that we are not losing ground in our effort to save our national bird. We are especially encouraged by the number of young and immature birds ^sighted.”
89.6%