On April 4, 2014, the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) conducted a statewide Spring Eagle Survey. Agency staff and other interested citizen volunteers checked known eagle territories and explored areas with potential eagle habitat to verify continued use of "old" nests and to search for "new" eagle nests. The preliminary results of these efforts yielded a total of 37 active eagle nests throughout the Commonwealth. These preliminary numbers do not include any birds from the Quabbin where it's expected there will be a similar number of nesting eagles as there were in 2013 (11 territorial pairs). Ice conditions on Quabbin Reservoir prevented the usual boating survey on April 14 and a later trip was postponed due to high winds. A survey will take place by mid-May. The highest number of active nests (11), were documented along the Massachusetts stretch of the Connecticut River. Four nests were documented along the Merrimack River. Individual nests were located throughout the state, with number of nests in the Berkshires (Lake Buel and Onota Lake), Central Massachusetts (Wachusett Reservoir and Pine Hill Reservoir), and the southeastern section of the state (Assawompsett Pond and Halfway Pond). A total of 4 new nests were reported this year in Ipswich, Lenox, Northbridge, and Royalston.

Bald Eagles have increased in numbers in the state ever since they were reintroduced to the Quabbin Reservoir in the 1980s. Andrew Vitz, DFW State Ornithologist expects final results will indicate that a record number of eagles is nesting in Massachusetts. "With higher numbers of eagles establishing nesting territories throughout their range, we can't possibly cover the entire state." said Vitz. "Citizen spotters play an important role in our survey efforts. We had 30 volunteers actively participate in the count and have received dozens of e-mails this spring reporting eagle sightings. Several of the new nests were first discovered and reported to us by the public."

Vitz thanks everyone who participated in this count, especially to Department of Conservation and Recreation for reservoir survey efforts and all the volunteers who dedicated their time to looking for eagles. He encourages anyone to submit eagle sightings during the breeding period (April-August) to MassWildlife's electronic Vernal Pool and Rare Species VPRS Information System, an online data submittal and mapping application. Sighting reports can also be sent to: natural.heritage@state.ma.us or by postal mail to "Eagle Survey", DFW, Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, 100 Hartwell Street, Suite 230, West Boylston, MA 01583.