The city of San Antonio welcomes millions of visitors every year, but a recent visitor is causing quite a stir in the city. People who live near the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River on the south side have reported seeing a young adult Bald Eagle. This is good news indeed, as it suggests that recent work towards river habitat restoration is perhaps working.
Nature
Bald Eagle Sightings in San Antonio Have Residents Excited and Hopeful
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SARA Conducting Avian Study
Photo: Flickr/Mick Thompson
The bird who is causing such a fuss in the Alamo City has the iconic white head and tail of an adult. However, the tip of its tail is still dark, leading experts think that this bird is not a mature adult. They also are unsure whether this bird is male or female.
Kirk Moravits, with the San Antonio River Authority (SARA), told KENS 5 News that “all of the investment made in the river restoration effort is paying off now and into the future. The San Antonio River Authority has been conducting a bird survey for years.”
Moravits said, “the San Antonio River Authority is conducting a three-year avian study to document the different species on the site, as well as look at change over time. We’re currently in our third year of the survey and we’ve observed over 50,000 individual birds as well as over 175 different species.”
San Antonio River Habitat Enhancements
Photo: Flickr/gosdin
Moravits told KENS 5 that the habitat enhancements made by SARA have made a positive impact on the area wildlife.
“There are different species of grasses and different wild flowers, and then there is structural diversity as well. So having short grasses, having tall grasses and having trees and shrubs is important,” Moravits said.
Texas is Home to Breeding and Nonbreeding Eagles
Photo: Flickr/Pen Waggener
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, “the Bald Eagle population in Texas is divided into two populations; breeding birds and nonbreeding or wintering birds. Breeding populations occur primarily in the eastern half of the state and along coastal counties from Rockport to Houston. Nonbreeding or wintering populations are located primarily in the Panhandle, Central, and East Texas, and in other areas of suitable habitat throughout the state.”
Bird experts say if you want to see this San Antonio Bald Eagle for yourself, don’t waste any time. This particular bird is likely migratory and could be leaving the San Antonio area within the next few weeks.
