By Andrew Berry
Bald Eagles on the Rise: A Conservation Success Story at Bernheim
Once rare in Kentucky, bald eagles are now a powerful symbol of conservation success. As we mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, let us also celebrate the remarkable recovery of the bald eagle as our iconic and emblematic national bird. According to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR), the state’s nesting population has grown from a few pairs in the late 1980s to more than 200 active nests today. Bernheim Forest and Arboretum is proud to play a role in the wildlife recovery in Kentucky during the past 50 years.
Bald eagle activity continues to increase in and around Bernheim. Nests have been documented within Bernheim, along the Salt River corridor, and in nearby Knob State Forest. Observations include both adult eagles and a growing number of immature birds that have not yet developed the iconic white head and tail. These immature eagles are especially important, signaling a healthy and expanding population.
Christmas Bird Count Data
The 2025 Christmas Bird Count recorded over 53,000 bald eagles in more than 2,100 locations, showing that this iconic species has made a remarkable recovery across North America. They concentrate heavily along major river systems like the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, around the Great Lakes, and in coastal areas such as the Chesapeake Bay where open water and abundant fish make winter survival easier.
It’s especially encouraging how widespread bald eagles have become across inland landscapes like Kentucky. Even away from major rivers, we’re seeing consistent sightings tied to smaller lakes and reservoirs, often in the 30-acre size range, and sometimes even smaller. These scattered water bodies act like migratory stepping stones across the landscape, especially when paired with the region’s rugged knobs and forested terrain that provide safe roosting and hunting vantage points. This data shows that bald eagles are not just recovering but fully reoccupying the broader landscape in a way we haven’t seen in generations.
A Year in the Life of Bald Eagles in Central Kentucky
Eagle activity in the Bernheim region shifts with the seasons:
- Winter (December–February): Peak viewing season. In addition to resident nesting Kentucky birds, eagles from Canada and the northern U.S. migrate south, with January and February offering the highest concentrations.
- Late Winter (January–February): Bald eagles are among the earliest nesting birds. Local pairs begin courtship and may lay eggs in mid-winter.
- Spring (March–May): Chicks hatch, and adults are highly active, feeding young and moving frequently between nests and water sources.
- Summer (June–August): Sightings decline as young birds disperse and eagles range more widely. Dense foliage also makes it harder to spot.
- Fall (September–November): Activity increases again as birds return to more predictable territories, with immature eagles especially visible.
How Bernheim Supports Bald Eagles
Bernheim’s landscape provides the essential ingredients eagles need: water, food, and space. Large water bodies including Lake Nevin, Crooked Creek Lake, and Lotus Lake offer reliable fishing and scavenging opportunities, while surrounding forests provide secure nesting and perching habitat.
Active habitat management at Bernheim plays a key role in attracting and sustaining eagles. Efforts to maintain forest and open habitats, restore wetlands, and protect waterways, including miles of streams and acres of lakes, create a rich, interconnected landscape. Wildlife corridors further enhance movement and access to resources across the region.
Beaver population increases in the Salt River may also play a role in providing habitat for eagles. Beavers maintain wetlands that expand open water, improve water clarity, and increase waterfowl and prey species. From above, these areas signal abundant life and are indicators that are especially attractive to bald eagles. Visitors at Bernheim often observe eagles near Lake Nevin and beaver-influenced wetlands, where fish, waterfowl, and other prey are plentiful. In winter, eagles also take advantage of scavenging opportunities across Bernheim’s large forested tracts.
A Personal Reflection on Bald Eagles and Wildlife Recovery
For many Kentuckians, the return of bald eagles reflects a broader transformation of their relationship with wildlife. In the mid-1980s, spotting a bald eagle in central Kentucky was an extraordinary experience. One such moment occurred for me in 1985 as I watched a bald eagle circle over a small farm pond in Jessamine County, creating a lasting impression of what was possible for wildlife recovery in this region.
Just fifty years ago wild turkeys were absent, coyote, bobcat, and deer were scarce, and beaver and otter almost non-existent. Over the past 40 years, wildlife in Kentucky, especially large mammals and raptors, have rebounded significantly. Children growing up now experience a richer, more dynamic wildlife community than previous generations.
Experience Bernheim
As spring unfolds and the forest greens up, Bernheim is an ideal place to experience both the return of wildlife and the decades of restoration of Kentucky’s landscapes that support it. The recovery of bald and golden eagles is best understood as a witness in person at Bernheim Forest.
Bernheim offers much to explore. You can enjoy a 17-acre natural playground, Isaac’s Café, more than 40 miles of trails, diverse horticultural collections, L+A+N+D: an experience of discovery, and outdoor art, including the Forest Giants in a Giant Forest and the Tin Man.
