KGA EARTH DAY CLEANUP

Hearty thanks to our Earth Day crew of diligent trash pickers. On Sunday, April 20th, 2008, a dozen bags of debris were collected from the shoulders and wooded areas along Heathcote, Ridge, and Mapleton Roads. There were the usual bottles, cans, food containers, styrofoam, pizza boxes, and plastic bags, but also bags of grass clippings, a bicycle wheel, a squashed volleyball, and perhaps the most unusual item found to date:

LARRY NILES HIGHLIGHTS EAGLE RECOVERY

Our local eagles received a lot of press recently, as a result of coverage given to KGA's annual meeting on May 10th, 2007. The speaker for this program, Larry Niles, Ph.D., worked for the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife's Endangered and Nongame Species Program for over 20 years, including 14 years as its Chief. He is now the Chief Biologist for Conserve Wildlife Foundation.

In 1973, only one nesting pair of bald eagles was known in our entire state. By 1982, that single nest had failed for eight successive years. A group of scientists in the Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP) of the New Jersey Fish, Game and Wildlife department determined to do something about this tragic situation. Through dedication, enlistment of novel surrogate parents, and the relocation of young birds from other areas, the ENSP (with the help of dedicated volunteers) successfully re-introduced ald eagles into New Jersey. Now we have a productive American bald eagle nest in Princeton, and these magnificent birds are well on their way to recovery in the state.

The fledgling rate is 1.3 birds per nest--very good--and about 80 young a year are now being produced.
During the January 2006 Midwinter Eagle Survey, 55 active nests and 192 bald eagles were observed
statewide. Dr. Niles showed data from nest surveys, mid-winter eagle counts, radiotelemetry studies,
and contaminant research (e.g., analysis of compounds such as PCB's-found in alarming levels
in the Delaware River--and the pesticide DDT in blood samples and eggshells), along with
a memorable collection of eagle photos.

He noted the relationship between habitat protection and the protection of endangered species, and
cited loss of habitat as the biggest threat: what he called "the tightening noose." He described
upcoming changes in legislation that will effect protection of these magnificent birds.
The new rule, if passed, will create habitat conservation plans (HCP's), to simplify the
permitting system and provide better protection for eagles and other wildlife. Development
will be encouraged to happen where most appropriate, following the European model--
on the periphery of existing development.

A wonderful coda to the program was provided by Kingston resident Curt Emmich, in the form of
photographs of the banding of a six week-old eaglet.

NY TIMES STORY ON LARRY NILES AND BALD EAGLES IN NEW JERSEY

Larry Niles Keeps Watch on Young Eagles

Click here to see eagle photos!