POWERGRAMS

39 eagles will lay one to three eggs each year with an incubation period of 35 days. Young eagles are independent by about 20 weeks. Alabama Power's reservoirs provide ideal habitats for eagles. "Bald eagles live near the water; we'll often see them flying around the lake," said Clint McKelvey, a member of the Shoreline Management team on Lake Martin. "The lake provides the food they need and nesting areas in wooded areas near the reservoir." Bald eagles settle near rivers, lakes and marshes, where they can find their staple food. But they need more than fish to flourish. They need perching areas and nesting sites, often set at the tops of tall trees. While the bald eagle can fly long distances, they usually return to nest within 100 miles of where they were born. "Our lakes provide the ideal place for the eagles to nest," said Fitch. "They need tall trees to look for prey. Our state has open water, tall native trees and wildlife in abundance to support them." The nationwide surveys are taken in a two-week period each January. The surveys identify nest locations and where eagles are flying. "This is also vital information for Alabama Power as we plan construction activities so that we can avoid disturbing their nests," said Fitch. The surveys track the maturity of the eagles, classifying them as adult or immature birds. Eagles are considered immature or juvenile for four to five years. "Immature eagles are dark brown in coloring and can even get confused as golden eagles because of this," explained Fitch. "They don't get the recognizable white feathers on their heads and tails until they reach maturity." "WE ARE REPORTING SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER NUMBERS OF EA Eagles nest spotted by employees near Lake Mitchell. This year, 23 eagles were found on Alabama Power reservoirs: one on Bouldin, five on Jordan, four on Martin, eight on Mitchell and five on Smith. So when is the best time to spot the eagles? "On clear, sunny days, from December through February, but they are harder to see when they are roosting in the trees," said Fitch. "You can sometimes spot them from the shoreline, especially during colder months." For a national symbol that once faced extinction, Alabama provides the American bald eagle a place for the growing population to thrive. For more information about Alabama Power's environmental partnerships and stewardship, visit www.alabamapower.com. Reservoir Adults Immatures Total Bouldin 1 0 1 Jordan 2 3 5 Martin 3 1 4 Mitchell 5 3 8 Smith 4 1 5 2016 BALD EAGLE SURVEY RESULTS:

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