USACE News:
ALBUQUERQUE — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Albuquerque District staff at four of their lakes – Abiquiu, Cochiti, and Santa Rosa lakes in New Mexico, and John Martin Reservoir in Colorado – will host midwinter eagle surveys in January 2025.
The events are free, open to the public, and all are welcome to participate.
All participants are asked to dress warmly and consider current weather conditions at the lake they plan to visit.
Spotting scopes, binoculars, and/or long-range cameras are also recommended to aid in spotting eagles.
The purpose of the eagle count survey is to gather individuals to help count eagles along standard, non-overlapping survey routes as part of a nationwide midwinter bald eagle survey. It is also a great opportunity to encourage shared environmental stewardship efforts with the public to promote wildlife conservation.
National Wildlife Federation officials have asked participants in each state to count eagles along standard routes to provide data on count trends. The basic objectives of the survey are to index the total wintering bald eagle populations in the lower 48 states, determine eagle distribution during a standardized survey period, and identify previously unrecognized areas of important winter habitat.
The annual midwinter survey represents a unique source of long-term, baseline data. Unlike nesting surveys, this provides information on both breeding and non-breeding segments of the population at a potentially limiting time of the year. The count has become a national tradition since 1984 and is an annual event at several of USACE-Albuquerque District’s lakes. In addition to providing information on eagle trends, distribution, and habitat, the count has helped to create public interest in bald eagles and their conservation.
Abiquiu Lake, N.M.
The annual midwinter eagle survey at Abiquiu Lake is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025.
No pre-registration is required.
“We already have confirmed sightings of bald eagles at the lake,” said Kara Rapp, natural resource specialist at Abiquiu Lake. “We are hoping to even see more eagles at this year’s event.”
Participants are asked to meet at the Abiquiu Lake Visitor Center for registration beginning at 9 a.m. Hot coffee and snacks will be provided during registration.
A presentation about eagles and other potential bird sightings will begin at 9:30 a.m. The count will start at 10 a.m. and run until noon.
To join the event, come at 9 a.m., Jan. 11, 2025 to the Abiquiu Lake Visitor center at 4731 Hwy 96, Abiquiu, N.M., 87510. The Abiquiu Lake Visitor Center is located on Hwy 96, just 2 miles west of the Hwy 84 junction.
Follow Abiquiu Lake on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbiquiuLakeUSACE/
Cochiti Lake, N.M.
The midwinter eagle survey at Cochiti Lake is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. No pre-registration is required.
Volunteers are asked to meet at the Cochiti Lake Visitor Center. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. Hot coffee and snacks will be provided during registration.
A presentation about eagles and other potential bird sightings will begin at 9:30 a.m. The count will start at 10 a.m. and run until noon.
To participate in the event, come to the Cochiti Lake Visitor center at 82 Dam Crest Road, Pena Blanca, N.M., 87041, at 9 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025.
Follow Cochiti Lake on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USACE.Cochiti.Lake/
Santa Rosa Lake, N.M.
The midwinter eagle survey at Santa Rosa Lake is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. The event is free and open to the public and no previous experience is required.
Participants are asked to meet at the USACE-Santa Rosa Lake Project Administration Office, located at 2528 Joe & Louie Page Road, Santa Rosa, N.M., 88435, at 8 a.m. From there staff and participants will disperse into groups to count eagles around the lake. The event will end at 4 p.m. Participants can bring their own lunch if they wish.
Please contact Park Ranger Paul Sanchez at the Santa Rosa Lake Project Office (575.472.3115) with additional questions.
John Martin Reservoir, Colo.
The midwinter eagle survey at John Martin Reservoir is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.
“Last year we reported 78 eagle sightings during the survey thanks to the efforts of our volunteers!” said Holly Garnett, natural resources specialist at John Martin Reservoir.
No experience is required. Participants should meet at 7:45 a.m., in the conference room at the USACE-John Martin Reservoir office located at 29955 County Rd 25.75, Hasty, Colorado, 81044. Directions: drive just past the Caddoa Disc Golf Course into the gated/fenced compound. The gate will be open for public access. Once inside the compound, park within the dirt lot on either the west or east side of the building, and then enter through the glass door located on the west side of the building.
We ask participants to arrive by 7:45 a.m. to allow the staff time to assign participants to their routes and be ready for the 8 a.m. start time. The event will end around 10 a.m.
Please email JohnMartin@usace.army.mil if you are interested in attending or want more information.
Follow John Martin Reservoir on Facebook.
