West Virginia Wildlife from Eyewitness News

Bald Eagles

Our national symbol is alive and well in West Virginia

July 1, 2009
Reporter: Patrick McMurtry
Videographer: Brad Rice

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Take a trip to the Smoke Hole area of West Virginia and you're bound to be impressed by the natural beauty of the area, but don't forget to scan the trees along the Potomac River because you might find one of nature's most beautiful sites-Bald Eagles!

"This particular nest has been here five or six years, it's one of several on the South Branch in the Potomac drainage, where the bulk of the eagle population in the state is, the nesting eagle population," says Rob Tallman of the WV DNR.

These majestic animals nest here about every year and you can bet the locals not only know all about them, but are very proud to have these eagles as members of their community.

"These people take great pride in these eagles, they're their eagles, their local eagles, they like to keep an eye on them, see how they're doing, talk about them, it's a good thing to have them there, it's something people are very interested in," says Rob Tallman.

The Potomac is the perfect place for these eagles to raise their young. There is plenty of fish in the river, the trees are high and remote. And while it was once a very rare site, things are looking very good for eagles, not only here, but in many areas of the United States.

"The population is increasing, and it's stable, they're good, the habitat is there, the eagles are there, there's no reason for them to be listed anymore, they're stable," says Tallman.

So the next time you're cruising around the eastern part of the state, make sure you keep an eye on the sky and the tree line. You just might see one of these beautiful birds. For West Virginia Wildlife, I'm Patrick McMurtry, Eyewitness News