NEWBURYPORT — It seems this winter's lack of snow and ice has also affected another local winter staple — bald eagles.
The majestic birds, which can occasionally be seen sitting in waterfront trees or soaring above the Merrimack River, have become a popular bird-watching attraction in recent years. Last January, a record-setting number of eagles was spotted in Massachusetts and along the Merrimack River, but this year's relatively warm weather has reduced their numbers.
There's no official count yet — that will be done statewide on Jan. 13 — but anecdotal observations indicate there are few right now along the Merrimack River.
"It's been so mild that the eagles up north haven't been around in search of food. The rivers up north haven't frozen," said Steve Grinley, owner of the Bird Watchers Supply and Gift in Newburyport. "As things get colder, more eagles should be coming here."
Bill Gette, director of the Joppa Flats Audubon Center in Newburyport, said the lack of eagles "is not terribly unusual" for this time of year, particularly given the weather patterns. Unseasonably warm weather has kept waterways unfrozen in the eagles' summer and fall hunting grounds to the north.
"For a lot of these animals, the migration itself is expensive in terms of energy expenditure," he said, adding that the birds will remain in their northern grounds "for as long as the weather permits."
Gette predicts that by mid-February, when Newburyport hosts its annual Eagle Fest, the number of bald eagles will substantially increase. The event, planned for Feb. 11, typically draws more than 1,000 visitors.
Tom French, assistant director for the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, said eagle sightings are down across the state compared to last year. But that's not necessarily a bad sign. The population appears to be healthy and growing, and the temporary decrease caused by mild weather is mitigated by the growth in the number of eagle nests in the state.
The Merrimack River now has four nests — three in Haverhill and one in West Newbury, French said. A few years ago, there were none. The West Newbury nest has been the most productive.
Last year's eagle count produced 107 birds statewide, with 11 spotted on the Merrimack. The prior year yielded 7 along the river.
Eagles feed on fish, and the open waters of the Merrimack River — particularly around Deer Island in Amesbury and Carr and Ram islands in Newburyport — are known to be some of the best places to watch for eagles. Cashman Park in Newburyport offers a panoramic view of the river and is used annually as one of the half-dozen spots around Massachusetts for the statewide eagle count.
Bald eagles were entirely wiped out in Massachusetts by 1905. They were reintroduced in the 1980s, and their numbers have steadily climbed since then.
In recent years, the eagle nest in West Newbury has drawn significant attention from biologists. The precise location of the nest has been kept secret in order to protect the birds.
West Newbury and Haverhill share the distinction of being the only communities north of Boston where eagle nesting is currently occurring, according to the state. The most prolific nesting areas are in the western part of the state, along the Connecticut River and the Quabbin Reservoir. SOURCE
