Historically, bald eagles were regular residents of Kansas lakes and streams. DDT and other chemicals changed that, not only in Kansas, but throughout the nation. The use of these toxins thinned eggshells and often made adults sterile. Since fish are the primary diet of eagles, mercury was also responsible for their dwindling numbers. According to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, in 1963, there were only 417 nesting pairs left in the 48 contiguous United States. While DDT has not been in use for some time, it will be a very long while before bald eagle populations are restored (they were recently removed from the endangered species list, prematurely).
Other common threats to bald eagles are power lines, cars, and gunshots. Even though they are no longer on the endangered list, they are still protected, but it seems some humans just cannot resist taking a shot at them. This is very common for juvenile eagles who are not quite as fearful of humans as they should be.
Over the last twenty years, Kansas has made great strides in helping restore this amazing bird. Since the first nest at Clinton State Park in 1989, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks notes that approximately 30 pairs of eagles have nested in Kansas and these nests have fledged approximately 330 eaglets.
I saw my first bald eagle at Clinton State Park in 2007. Before moving to Lawrence, I was not aware that bald eagles existed in or had ever existed in Kansas. I was not prepared for the thrill of seeing them and had no idea at the time that seeing them would launch my fascination with the birds of Douglas County. (Click on picture to enlarge.)
