CONCORD, NH – An impressive total of 70 young bald eagles reached fledging age in the Granite State this summer, an exciting new record and an increase of  nearly 20% from just last year. Eagle chicks are considered fledged at 11-12 weeks of age, when they begin to fly from, and then return to, the nest. Since bald eagles returned to New Hampshire in 1988, a total of 497 bald eagle chicks have fledged from nests located across the state. More than 26% of those fledglings, 129 in all, have been produced in just the past two breeding seasons alone!

It was another record-setting breeding season for bald eagles in the Granite State. “New Hampshire’s bald eagle population has experienced a remarkably strong recovery over the past two decades, and this rebound is particularly evident in our 2018 breeding season results,” said Chris Martin, a raptor specialist with New Hampshire Audubon who coordinates statewide eagle monitoring efforts.

In 2018, the state’s first-ever productive re-nesting by bald eagles was documented when a pair nesting in Strafford County failed during incubation, but then laid a second clutch of eggs and successfully fledged one chick in late August.  Other highlights from this year’s findings include the identification of six new breeding territories and the documentation of two nests that produced three young, respectively. Volunteers deserve much of the credit for providing the data that helps document nesting eagles in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire Audubon, a non-profit membership organization, is dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and habitat throughout the state. For more information about New Hampshire Audubon visit www.nhaudubon.org.

New Hampshire Fish and Game’s Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program works with state and private partners to protect more than 400 wildlife species in New Hampshire. Learn more at www.wildnh.com/nongame.