COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — When it comes to the migrating population of bald eagles that visit Wolf Lodge Bay on Lake Coeur d’Alene each year, this year’s season appears to have been somewhat slower for the iconic birds of prey.
Based on counts conducted by the Bureau of Land Management, the number of eagles spotted around the bay were significantly fewer compared to recent years. Biologists aren’t entirely sure what’s behind the dip, but don’t necessarily have any reason to be concerned.
BLM wildlife biologist Carrie Hugo, who has conducted the eagle counts for several seasons, said her initial count in mid-November appeared to be on track for an average or above average season as far as eagle numbers go.
That would change, though.
"Then two weeks later, the numbers started to go down. Which I thought was unusual," said Hugo of the amount of eagles. "My counts closer to Christmas were in the mid-40s. Where normally, they would have normally been, in recent years, in the 300s. So it was definitely a very different year."
On Dec. 29, final count listed on BLM’s website showed 22 eagles were spotted at Wolf Lodge Bay. That compares to 229 eagles counted on Dec. 21, 2018 and 383 eagles counted on Dec. 20, 2017. A bar graph provided by Hugo showed 2019’s peak eagle count noticeably lower than the last two years.
Each year, the migratory birds arrive on Lake Coeur d’Alene to feast on spawning kokanee salmon, often drawing crowds of onlookers, photographers, and wildlife enthusiasts. The BLM has conducted eagle counts since 1974, the agency said.
While Hugo noted that she didn’t have any firm answers as to why fewer eagles showed up on Lake Coeur d’Alene this year, she believes that the season’s kokanee spawn could have played a role.
Based on an informal sample of kokanee fisherman, Hugo says it appears there weren’t as many fish for the birds to feast on.
"And what we had noticed, and what a lot of fisherman we talked to noticed, is that the kokanee were larger, but there were fewer of them,” Hugo said.
Hugo also theorized that an early fall cold snap could have potentially affected the kokanee’s spawning habits and trigged the fish to spawn earlier.
"There's always conjecture, trying to figure out how things work,” she said.
"Another thing I noticed early on is that the eagles were starting to compete over fish, really early in my counts, which usually happens later in the season after the spawn has peaked,” added Hugo.
Notably, Hugo said that the amount of eagles feasting on kokanee on Lake Pend Oreille and around Bayview has increased in recent years, possibly attributing to fewer of the birds on Lake Coeur d’Alene. Kokanee populations have been rebounding in the area, Hugo explained.
Hugo said that she’s communicated with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game regarding the kokanee population in Coeur d’Alene, and that the agency noted that kokanee numbers can fluctuate in the area. Based on recent counts, kokanee numbers were not low enough to cause any concern, Hugo said.
It's not the first time eagle numbers have fluctuated either. Data provided by Hugo also showed dips in eagle counts around 2008 and 2015 compared to the years before.
Hugo said she plans to continue her counting efforts and educating visitors from across the country about the majestic birds. Hugo says Lake Coeur d’Alene has attracted bird watchers from across the country and every US state.
"I'm not leaving any time soon,” she chuckled. "It's a great job. How can you complain about being paid to count bald eagles?"