During the Tahoe Institute for Natural Science’s 44th annual Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Count in January, 21 Bald Eagles were counted in the Tahoe Basin. The group counted 15 individual adults, 4 immatures and 2 eagles of undetermined age, making 2023’s count slightly below average for the previous 10 years of 25, but only half the number seen during its record-breaking count of 42 two years ago, according to TINS.
Fewer birds on this year’s count may be due in part to the overall weather patterns surrounding the count. Strong winds create whitecaps on Lake Tahoe’s surface, which severely affects the bird’s ability to spot and hunt prey. This, in turn reduces movement in the birds, which are mostly detected when they are hunting or moving locations. Wind also affects volunteers’ ability to spot the eagles. As well, a few stations were inaccessible this year due to road closures. | tinsweb.org
