John Martin History For Further Regulations The is truly an all-American bird Information – it is the only eagle unique to North America. • The State Park is open from 5 am to 10 It ranges over most of the continent, from the State Parks pm daily. A Colorado State Parks Pass is northern reaches of Alaska and Canada south to John Martin Reservoir State Park 30703 Rd. 24 required on all vehicles. northern Mexico. Hasty, CO 81044 • The State Park closes campsites 39 through When America adopted the Bald Eagle as 719-829-1801 109 in the treed area of the Lake Hasty its national symbol in 1782, as many as 100,000 [email protected] Campground from November 1 to March nesting Bald Eagles lived in the continental www.parks.state.co.us 31 of each year to provide an undisturbed , excluding Alaska. However, due and protected area for Bald Eagles to roost, to years of human persecution, habitat loss, food Colorado Division of Wildlife loaf, hunt, and/or rest. The large trees in source reduction, and impaired reproduction Lamar Area Office this area also help protect the eagles from caused by environmental contaminants, 1204 East Olive the wind and weather. Visitors to the Park especially DDT, only 417 nesting pairs were Lamar, CO 81052 719-336-6600 during this time should be particularly found in the lower 48 states by 1963. The Bald Eagle was listed as endangered throughout careful in controlling their pets and noise Department of Natural Resources most of its range (including Colorado) under the levels if Bald Eagles are roosting in the area. 1313 Sherman Street, #718 Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966 and Denver, CO 80203 • Both the north and south shore areas of John the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Martin and the reservoir are closed to all 303-866-3311 public access from the waterfowl closure Today the American Bald Eagle has made U.S. Army Corps of Engineers line east to the dam from November 1 to the a tremendous comeback. Since the banning of DDT in 1972 and with intensive protection efforts John Martin Reservoir end of waterfowl season or as posted. through partnerships between federal, state, and 29955 Rd. 25.75 • Bald Eagles are protected by the local governments, conservation organizations, Hasty, CO 81044 Endangered Species Act, the Migratory universities, corporations and thousands of 719-336-3476 Bird Treaty Act, and the Bald and Golden individual Americans, Bald Eagle populations Eagle Protection Act. Anyone who harasses have increased throughout much of the United U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 755 Parfet Street, Suite 361 or harms a Bald Eagle may be assessed a States over the past three decades. As a result at Lakewood, CO 80215 it is estimated today that there are over 5000 maximum penalty of $100,000, up to 303-275-2370 three years in jail, suspension of hunting nesting pairs of Bald Eagles. The Bald Eagle www.fws.gov John Martin Reservoir and fi shing privileges, and/or forfeiture was reclassifi ed from endangered to threatened of any vehicles/vessels used in throughout its range in the lower 48 states in 1995 State Park the disturbance. and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service proposed de-listing the Bald Eagle in 1999. To date no fi nal determination has been made on this de-listing proposal. Physical Characteristics Eagles at waterfowl populations (food source) increase The Bald Eagle is the most recognized raptor John Martin and there are larger areas of open water for Bald (bird of prey) in North America. The Bald Eagle is Eagles to hunt. During low water years, the a large brownish-black bird with distinctive white During the winter months, Bald opposite is true. head and tail feathers, which appear only after Eagles can be seen throughout the area the bird, is 4 to 5 years old. Young Bald Eagles fl ying, standing on the ice, and perched Viewing Ethics/Hints are mostly dark brown until they reach four to or roosting in tall trees. John Martin • Dawn and dusk are the best times six years of age and may be confused with the Reservoir and the surrounding area are to view. considered essential winter habitat based golden eagle. This striking raptor has large, pale • Use binoculars or a spotting scope eyes; a powerful yellow beak; and great black on the number of eagles using the area and duration of use. In January of 2001 so that you can view eagles from talons. Females can weigh up to 14 pounds and further distances. have a wingspan up to 8 feet. Males are smaller, an aerial census documented 58 eagles weighing 7 to 10 pounds with a wingspan of using the area. That number increased • View eagles without changing 6 feet. The bird’s life span in the wild can reach to at least 126 eagles during the winter of their behavior. Give them plenty 30 years. 2001-2002. Bald Eagles begin to arrive in of space. Eagles are sensitive to Habitat & Diet November and stay until mid-March and human disturbance. use the area for hunting, feeding, loafi ng, Bald Eagles are found in association • Be respectful of perching and roost sites. and roosting. To date no breeding with estuaries, large lakes, reservoirs, Well-meaning but intrusive visitors can activities have been observed. major rivers, and some seacoast areas. cause an eagle to fl ee its roost. This leaves In winter, Bald Eagles congregate at Bald Eagle numbers vary from year an eagle susceptible to the elements during specifi c wintering sites that are generally to year. Not all factors infl uencing this inclement weather and causes undue close to open water and offer good variation are known although winter stress, which reduces its fi tness going in to perch trees and roost sites. Roost sites weather conditions appear to have an breeding season. Visitors who get too close are usually in tall trees in areas that are effect. During severe winters, northern may also scare an eagle from its hunting protected from the wind, weather, and lakes and reservoirs freeze prompting perch, preventing it from human disturbance. Bald Eagles to migrate south in search capturing prey. of preferred habitat (large open water Their diet consists largely of fi sh and • Keep pets on a leash or areas with an adequate food base, good waterfowl, but also includes upland leave them at home. Pets perch trees, and protected roost sites). birds, small mammals (prairie dogs, may startle, chase, or Conversely, during mild winters, Bald rabbits, etc.), and carrion. Bald Eagles even kill wildlife. Eagles do not have to migrate this far are skilled hunters, but are opportunistic south to fi nd preferred habitat. In • Let animals eat their predators and will steal prey captured by addition to weather conditions, water natural foods. Pick up other raptors. levels also appear to affect Bald Eagle all trash and food scraps. numbers. During high water years,