OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN
by Bill Jensen
Bald Eagle Count Soars
Tahoe Institute for Natural Science Reports Record Tally
Cruise for a Bird's-Eye View For the general public, one of the best chances to experience a Bald Eagle sighting is from the water. Laura Forvilly, owner of Lake Tahoe Bleu Wave Cruises in South Lake Tahoe, says the number of eagle sightings from their Emerald Bay Cruise has increased every year. “Last year we had a nest of eagles right at the mouth of Emerald Bay,” she says. “It's magical to see them as a family together.”s Public cruises on the 75-foot Tahoe Bleu Wave, which is harbored in the Tahoe Keys Marina, are held daily. Because of pandemic protocols cruise capacity is limited and passengers are socially distanced either inside or
“In addition to eagles, you might see an osprey which look similar. ”she says. “Once we saw a bear swimming across the mouth of the bay. He knew the shortest distance to get to the other side. To see something like that is really a gift.”
'Tahoe Big Year' Birding Event Underway
Photo courtesy Clare Foster
Tahoe Institute for Natural Science (TINS) is conducting the 2021 “Tahoe Big Year” event. The year-long scavenger hunt invites people to scour the region for as many bird species as possible. Registering for this free event gives participants a platform to track all the bird species spotted throughout the year, while competing with other birding enthusiasts to see who can find the most species. However, the Tahoe Big Year is not strictly a competition. It is also a space for the entire community, from first timers to experts, to experience the Tahoe region’s diverse bird community. “Birding is an activity uniquely situated to provide plentiful health benefits while conforming to the guidelines and restrictions of the pandemic itself,” says Will Richardson, Executive Director at TINS. “Recent research shows that life satisfaction is greater for those living in environments of higher biodiversity, and with over 300 bird species that have been recorded around Tahoe, there are a lot of birds to see. But this is really something anyone can do for fun no matter where they live.” Participants have access to expertise and advice from TINS staff and each other through monthly virtual get-togethers, presentations, and other learning opportunities. The event is open to anyone, though those who become TINS members (starting at $35/ year) will enjoy additional perks during the Big Year such as a monthly prize drawing. To register and dive into birding with both feet, or to learn more about the Tahoe Big Year, visit tahoebigyear.org.. f
A majestic Bald Eagle at Lake Tahoe.
'In a lot of ways, this count monitors the success of the protections that we have put in place for these eagles,' -- Will Richardson, TINS co-founder & executive director
out in the double-diesel powered 1966 Burger Classic. Luxuriously comfortable amenities include a fully stocked bar with fireplace, private lounge, stateroom, fly-bridge, gigantic party bow, restrooms and full climate controlled indoor facilities. “It's considered the limo of yachts,” says Forvilly who purchased the craft from Caesar's Tahoe 15 years ago. “It's been around the world a couple of times.” While also available for private charters, weddings and special events, the beauty of Emerald Bay and the allure of a close encounter with nature will always be one of Tahoe Bleu's biggest The Tahoe Bleu Wave plying the waters of Big Blue. draws. Photo courtesy of Lake Tahoe Bleu Wave Cruises
It’s been a banner year for Bald Eagles in Lake Tahoe. The Tahoe Institute of Natural Science (TINS) reported that a record number of 42 Bald Eagles were spotted during its recent annual survey. The previous high was 27 set in 2017. Approximately 200 volunteers turned out for the event, double last year's number, which is part of why TINS believes this was the most accurate count to date. TINS was founded in 2010 and the organization conducts ongoing biological research in the Tahoe-Sierra region, contributing important data to help improve management decisions regarding wildlife. It has been conducting the Bald Eagle count for the past nine years. “Based on reports of sightings from recent weeks we expected to see quite a few eagles during the count, but this total was surprising.” said TINS outreach director, Sarah Hockensmith. “As always our tally is based on careful examination of the timing of movements of individual birds from one station to the next, and we believe we have a conservative and accurate tally for the day.” Many of the eagles were concentrated around parts of the lake that usually see few during the count, namely parts of both the East and West Shores. Whereas spotters found relatively few in the marshes around South Lake, where there are usually numerous eagles. The national symbol of America became a protected species in 1940, but populations continued to decline dramatically with the introduction of the insecticide DDT. Tahoe's count began in 1979, and for the first few years there may have been only two or three Bald Eagles per year, with zero eagles seen on the 1980 count. Thanks to protections, eagle numbers at Tahoe started to rise, peaking at 27 in 2017. In recent years, counts have averaged in the low 20s. "In a lot of ways, this count monitors the success of the protections that we have put in place for these eagles,” said TINS Co-Founder and Executive Director, Will Richardson, “and it is a lot of fun.”
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