VENTANA WILDLIFE SOCIETY
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Bald Eagles

Did you know that the Big Sur Condor Sanctuary used to be the site of a Ventana Wildlife Society eagle release tower? Between 1986 and 1994 VWS biologists successfully restored a breeding population of bald eagles to the Central Coast of California. 
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Once an endangered species, Bald Eagles were delisted in 2007
Bald Eagles are breeding once again in the Central California Coast Region, thanks to a successful re-introduction project conducted by Ventana Wildlife Society which was supported by members, private foundations and corporations and permitted by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Game. Breeding Bald Eagles were absent for most of the last century in Central California after the devastating effects of DDT brought the bird to near extinction. Once the DDT ban paved the way for recovery, we set about reintroducing Bald Eagles in Central California. From 1986-2000, we released 70 juvenile Bald Eagles at our private wildlife sanctuary located in Big Sur, CA. Our goal was establishing a self-sustaining population in Central California that would consist of at least four breeding pairs. At last count, we found 30 nesting territories in the region and the wild population is thriving.  


Did you know? 
Bald Eagles are the fastest growing bird in North America?  Chicks grow on average of 6 oz per day and reach the size of their adult parents in just 10 to 13 weeks in age, (the age range for fledging - to leave the nest).  Females are much larger than the males so the males leave the nest earlier than the females do.  Check out this field guide to see the rapid changes chicks undergo in such a short time.  
   
publications
Sorenson, K. J., L. J. Burnett, and M. M. Stake. 2017. Restoring a Bald Eagle
breeding population in central California and monitoring 25 years of regional population
growth.
Journal of Raptor Research 51:145-152.
technical reports
​025         Thorngate, N. 2004. Bald Eagle Management Plan. Ventana Wildlife Society Technical Report #025 to California Army National Guard, Camp Roberts, Big Sur, CA.

030         Thorngate, N. 2005. Bald Eagle Monitoring at Camp Roberts California Army National Guard Training Facility. Ventana Wildlife Society Technical Report #030 to California Army National Guard, Camp Roberts, Big Sur, CA.
 
038         Thorngate, N. 2006. Bald Eagle Monitoring at Camp Roberts California Army National Guard Training Facility, 2006.  Ventana Wildlife Society Technical Report #038 to California Army National Guard, Camp Roberts, Big Sur, CA.
 
044         Burnett, J. and K.J. Sorenson. 2007. Ventana Wildlife Society’s Bald Eagle and California Condor Restoration Program: 2006 Annual Report. Ventana Wildlife Society Technical Report #044 to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Salinas, CA.
 
057         Tomassi, S., K. Sorenson, and S. Jackson. 1999. 1999 Final Report: Bald Eagle Reintroduction and Nest Monitoring on the Central California Coast. Technical Report #057, Ventana Wildlife Society, Salinas, CA.
 
059         Sorenson, K., L. J. Burnett, J. Steffen, and S. Lucido. 2001. Bald Eagle and California Condor Restoration in the California Central Coast region: 2001 Final Report. Technical Report #059, Ventana Wildlife Society, Salinas, CA.
 
081         Ventana Wildlife Society. 2013. Eagle Conservation Plan for Camp Roberts California National Guard Training Site 2013. Ventana Wildlife Society Technical Report #081 to California National Guard, Camp Roberts, California.
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ventana wildlife society

9699 Blue Larkspur Ln, Ste 105
Monterey, CA 93940

(831) 455-9514 | fax (831) 455-2846
​​

Ventana Wildlife Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization | Federal EIN 94-2795935
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  • Who We Are
    • Bald Eagles - Our Beginning
    • Wildlife Sanctuaries
    • Annual Reports / Documents
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Employment
    • Contact Us
    • Media Coverage
  • Condors
    • Condor Cams
    • Zoom-Chats
    • Baby Condors
    • My Condor Bios
    • Condor Releases
    • Videos and Photos
    • Condor Threats
    • Condor Field Work
    • Vultures of the World
    • Artists Supporting Condors
  • Education
    • Youth Programs
    • Partner Programming
    • Bilingual Education
    • Nature Prescription Programs
    • Salud y Naturaleza
    • Inspirational Youth
  • Services
    • Ecological Services
    • Condor Presentations
  • Subscribe
  • How You Can Help
    • Donate >
      • Donate
      • Donate to Condor Recovery
      • Donate to Youth Education
      • Leadership Circle
    • Annual Membership
    • Adopt-A-Condor
    • Fund-A-Student
    • Big Sur Discovery Center
    • S'MORE in Big Sur
    • Events >
      • Annual Condor Fundraiser
    • Legacy Society
    • Our Supporters
    • Volunteer
    • Your Opinion Matters
  • Shop