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Are There Timing Restrictions?

WDFW biologists met in Dec 2001 to discuss the bald eagle management plan provisions in light of the continuing success of bald eagle recovery. At that meeting it was determined that timing restrictions will no longer be required for building activities in the vicinity of bald eagle nests. This is in recognition of the overall success of the bald eagle population in Washington state, and of the goal of managing for the population as a whole rather than the year to year success of individual pairs. We have had opportunities to observe the effect of disturbance on some nests, generally where nests have not been known to WDFW before the disturbance, and in a few cases where disturbance has occurred in violation of a management plan. We have found that in certain cases nest failure occurred, but in other cases eagles have successfully fledged young in spite of disturbance. Eagles are long-lived birds that have strong fidelity to their nesting site, and will return to renest even after failure in a given year. Therefore, we now feel that it is justified to permit the potential disturbance created by building activities, although we still protect nest and perch trees and other aspects of bald eagle habitat.

However, if a federal permit is required (such as through the Army Corps of Engineers), then federal timing restrictions may apply. Contact the US Fish and Wildlife Service to find out if there are any required federal timing restrictions under your federal permit.

Even though timing restrictions are not now required by WDFW, the following information is provided to help you minimize disturbance when possible. Eagles are most sensitive to disturbance Feb 1 - April 15. They are establishing territories and beginning incubation at this time. The chicks typically hatch in mid to late April. Once the chicks have hatched, the adults are less likely to abandon as a result of disturbance. The chicks are able to keep themselves warm and feed themselves by late April to early May, so are more easily able to survive periods when the adult is off the nest due to temporary disturbance. The young typically fledge (leave the nest) in mid July. At that time, just before fledging, they are vulnerable and can be frightened off the nest before they are able to fly. Therefore, we hope that landowners will take the following approximate schedule into account : Feb 1 - May 1, more sensitive; May 1-July 1, less sensitive; July 1-July 15, more sensitive; July 15 - Jan 31, least sensitive.