The bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, is the national symbol of the United States. Historically, its presence in densely populated areas like New York State was rare. These magnificent raptors require large, undisturbed territories near expansive, fish-rich bodies of water to thrive. Decades of human settlement and pollution made maintaining a stable population in this region incredibly difficult, leading to a dramatic decline that required significant conservation efforts to reverse.
Confirmation of Presence and Current Status
Bald eagles are definitively present on Long Island, representing a remarkable success story for local wildlife conservation. The population is a mix of transient and resident birds, with many moving south from colder northern territories during the winter months. These migratory eagles congregate around Long Island’s open waterways when northern lakes and rivers freeze.
The most significant development is the establishment of successful, year-round breeding pairs. Historically, the last known nesting site on Long Island was on Gardiners Island in 1932. The local population has been steadily building over the last decade, with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) monitoring a growing number of active nests. Recent reports indicate at least eight to fifteen known nesting pairs across Long Island, a number that continues to increase.
Key Habitats and Viewing Locations
To spot a bald eagle, target specific locations near large bodies of water, particularly in the winter. Eagles are most often seen in the morning as they begin hunting or perched high in mature trees overlooking the water.
Reliable Viewing Locations
- The Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge, situated along the Carmans River on the South Shore, is recognized as a reliable location for sightings.
- On the North Shore, the area around Centerport’s Mill Pond has gained fame for its resident bald eagle pair.
- Other North Shore spots include Caumsett State Historic Park, which is a designated Bird Conservation Area, and the eastern portions of Suffolk County.
- Excellent viewing opportunities also exist on the North Fork, particularly near the Riverwalk in Riverhead and Indian Island County Park.
The Recovery Story
The near-extinction of bald eagles from New York State was a direct consequence of the widespread use of the pesticide Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) following World War II. This chemical entered the aquatic food chain and accumulated in the eagles’ bodies, causing reproductive failure. DDT interfered with calcium metabolism, resulting in eggshells too thin to withstand the weight of the incubating parent, leading to crushed eggs and virtually no successful births.
After the federal ban on DDT in 1972, the New York State Bald Eagle Restoration Project launched a massive recovery effort starting in 1976. This program centered on a technique called “hacking,” where young eaglets were taken from healthy populations, primarily in Alaska and the American West, and hand-reared in large outdoor cages in New York. The project successfully released 198 young eagles into the wild, primarily in Upstate New York, between 1976 and 1988.
These efforts successfully restored the statewide population, which met its goal of establishing ten breeding pairs by 1989. The return of bald eagles to Long Island is a ripple effect of this successful statewide recovery. As the population expanded across New York, the birds began to naturally re-colonize their former ranges.