Eagles soar and arrows fly straight
Eagle nests wanted.
The 2013 Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey is Jan. 2-16; the important focus dates are Jan. 11-12. The purpose of the count is to monitor the status of bald eagle wintering populations in the contiguous United States (lower 48).
This national census is coordinated by the Biological Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey. Most of the bird counting is done on “standard survey routes” each year by government agencies, but some volunteers are included.
The best way for individuals to help nationwide is to find eagle nests. The Tennessee state coordinator for the entire survey is Scott Somershoe. When contacted recently he said, “I’m always on the lookout for new eagle nests. I keep a data base of nests for Tennessee and do my best to track nesting success and the population of breeding birds in the state.”
Since 1983 the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has coordinated the monitoring of bald eagle nests as they increased from a single occupied nest in 1983 to about 150 nests in 2011.
Somershoe added that, without public input, it is tough to keep a full inventory on the identified nests and tough to find new ones. Sighting information can be sent via email to (scott.somershoe@tn.gov) or by phone at 615-781-6653. The information requested includes: Name and address or telephone number of observer, date, time and place of observation, and species observed if any.
In 2007 the bald eagle was removed from the Environmental Protection Agency’s list of threatened and endangered species. Since 1980 more than 330 young bald eagles have been released in Tennessee. For a review of this year’s data and a national analysis of previous years, go to http://ocid.nacse.org . More information is available at http://corpslakes.us ace.army.mil/employees/bird/midwinter.cfm.
• In the 10 years of the National Archery in the Schools Program no archer has ever shot a perfect score (300) in any NASP tournament or championship — until now. At the NASP Invitational Tournament in Richmond, Ky., last month Ryan Long became the first NASP archer to achieve perfection. Ryan shot 15 arrows from 10 meters and 15 arrows from 15 meters using his standard Genesis bow, no sights or other attachments, and Easton full length 1820 aluminum arrows. Each of Ryan’s 30 arrows landed squarely in the three-inch 10-ring.The previous record high score in NASP was 298, shared by several archers.
Ryan is a senior at Madison Central High School in Richmond, Ky. He is no stranger to success. He finished fourth in 2011 and third in 2012 at the NASP National Tournament; Ryan also took first in 2011 and third in 2012 at the NASP World Tournament in Orlando, Florida.
Tom Wiest welcomes news, questions and comments from readers. Contact him at (wiest.tom@gmail.com)
