HG&E went beyond its FERC mandate to construct bald eagle nest platforms and opted to instead construct the nests. In 2005, two of the three nests were incubated, with one producing 3 bald eagle fledglings. (note: an additional 3 eagle were birthed in 2004)
Originating 2,625 feet above sea level in the Fourth Connecticut Lake, the Connecticut River is the longest river in New England. Nearly 1,045 miles of tributary streams emerge from the mountains of the Connecticut River Valley to form the 410 mile Connecticut River. The river is bounded by four New England states-New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut and Massachusetts- as it flows south to Long Island Sound. A majority of the Connecticut River basin is forested, except for the floodplains in Massachusetts, which is suitable for bald eagle habitat. This area includes a waterway with plentiful sources of fish for food and forest stands for nesting, perching, and roosting.
The 43.8 megawatt (MW) Holyoke Hydroelectric Project (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) No. 2004) is located on the Connecticut River at mile 80 in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties, Massachusetts. An area of about 8,309 square miles is drained by the river at the Holyoke dam. The main facilities of the project are located in the City of Holyoke and the Town of South Hadley, Massachusetts. This municipally owned utility provides services to over 18,000 customers.
This HG&E Project provides for protection, enhancement and monitoring of a threatened and endangered species.
Today, the bald eagle is beginning to reclaim much of its historic range. In Massachusetts, this is primarily the result of the 1980's Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife(MFW) hatching program. Although the bald eagle was confirmed as successfully breeding in the state in 1989, it remains on the threatened and endangered species list in Massachusetts. Measures undertaken by HG&E to protect and enhance bald eagle habitat were defined in the June 6, 2003 FERC order approving the Threatened and Endangered Species Protection Plan (Plan) under Article 416 for the Holyoke Project. HG&E is fulfilling the objectives of the Plan through a cooperative effort that has included collaboration with MFW, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, (FWS), private landowners, and private enterprise. Following nest site construction in 2003, HG&E is committed to ongoing monitoring, site enhancements and agency liaison.
In 2005, for HG&E The Eagle Nest Site Construction and Monitoring Program was one part of HG&E's overall resource management and enhancement program. Other activities implemented beyond the requirements of its FERC License include
- A recapture study, in cooperation with the FWS and another utility, to document downstream movement of salmon smolts in the River;
- A program to test alternative operating regimes to avoid River fluctuations that may be detrimental to the restoration and protection of the Puritan tiger beetle;
- Funding stipends for volunteers assisting with FWS Puritan tiger beetle research within the Project impoundment;
- Funding a part-time interpreter position for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Connecticut River Greenway State Park;
- Diving inspections of the Project impoundment to document yellow lampmussels and dwarf Wedgemussels;
- In cooperation with the FWS, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection,(MADEP) and the Holyoke Conservation Commission, continued to remove water chestnut (Trapa natans) in the Project area (rather than just monitoring this invasive species);
- Producing GIS maps of all recreational facilities and water withdrawals in the Project area and shared them with MADEP to complement their regulatory efforts on the River;
Publishing and distributing "Places to visit along the Connecticut River" (an informational brochure for boaters).
Ideal nest sites are in a floodplain forest near large canopy trees, which the birds use for perching. HG&E owns limited property along its impoundment and does not hold flowage and seepage rights. Also, constructing a nest 80' up in the canopy of mature cottonwood trees would not be easy.
Once HG&E obtained permission from private landowners to access their properties, land was selected using field work that included both river and land reconnaissance. A competitive bid process was then used to select a contractor. It was important to find a company that demonstrated a commitment to environmental stewardship. Lewis Tree was hired for the job.
A literature search and consultation sessions with the agencies, determined that the procedures provided in the USDA Forest Service Research Note RM-RN-535, Constructing Bald Eagle Nests with Natural Materials (Grubb, 1995) would be followed in the building the nest sites.
Using two climbers in the trees and two to three supporting individuals on the ground, each nest took approximately one day to complete. Materials were hoisted up and assembled in the trees.
Three nests were constructed high in cottonwood trees overhanging the Connecticut River. In keeping with other established, active nests on the river, the manmade nests were constructed in branches overhanging the riverbank. Selective pruning created an unimpeded view of the river, which also enabled easier access for the birds.
All materials used in the construction were gathered from the area adjacent to the selected trees. Following the methodology and procedures set forth in the Research Note, the nests were composed of sticks and lined with softer materials such as fallen leaves and dry grasses. Green saplings, which nest builders weaved through the branches, were used for the nest's foundation and provided extra strength and flexibility. At one location, to obtain an optimal configuration, timber was used to anchor and span a gap.
FWS indicated that they would consider the project a success if one of the nests were used within five years. In 2004, two nests successfully fledged three eaglets. In 2005, the same two nests were incubated. Although one of these failed, the other produced three fledglings. The failure of the one nest is attributed to early spring storms. Consecutive use of the two nests over the two years is indicative of a successful management project. Noteworthy Event: In 2004, one of the nesting pair was a juvenile female. After observing a blue band on the female and consultation with FWS, it was determined that this was an immature female from New York State - the first known occurrence in Massachusetts!
HG&E worked closely with the MFW and FSW to meet the objectives of the Plan. MFW representatives, Ralph Taylor, Connecticut Valley Wildlife District Manager, and Dave Fuller, Wildlife Biologist, worked with Kathleen Casey, Project Manager - Managed Action Partnership (MAP), with regard to the identification of potential suitable nest site locations. Final selection of the sites was determined in the field with confirmation from USFW (New England Field Office) Endangered Species Specialist, Michael Amaral. Michael Amaral was able to offer his first hand experience in the construction of eagle nest sites.
Land owners need also be acknowledged for their interest and cooperation in permitting access through and construction of the manmade nests on their property(s).
HG&E will continue to identify, protect, and enhance eagle habitat in order to evaluate the success of this approach to resource management. Field monitoring will commence in January of each year when MFW conducts their annual Winter Flyover. In February/March, HG&E will conduct weekly field visits to determine "nesting" at each of the three sites. As spring progresses, the active nests will be observed weekly to determine if eggs are being incubated. From early April, if a nest has been successful, weekly field visits will continue through fledging. The eaglets will typically be banded in May by MFW with HG&E participation. Any nests that are not actively used will be monitored on a monthly basis from May through October.
Monitoring will be conducted on land on the river at a safe distance from the nests so as not to disturb the birds. Throughout the monitoring period, observations will be shared with MFW and FWS. The agencies will be notified immediately of any change in nest site status. Annual reports are also submitted to FERC.
"We would like to thank HG&E Manager, James Lavelle and all the folks at Holyoke Gas & Electric for allowing Lewis Tree Service, Inc. to be a part of the eagle's restoration. It is truly our pleasure to join Holyoke Gas & Electric in this stewardship effort to aid in the continued population growth of the symbol of our nation and the freedoms we all enjoy."-Walter Dodge Lewis Tree Service, Inc.
"Thank you very much for your wonderful gift of Bald Eagle by Gordon Morrison for our elementary school libraries. I have enclosed a copy of your letter with each book so that our schools will learn the wonderful news of the successful nest site enhancement for bald eagles along our part of the Connecticut River. We appreciate the work your division has accomplished in working to preserve the river's ecology for our national symbol. The book will certainly compliment our "Connecticut in the Classroom" program, as well as providing our students with a beautiful illustrated book full of important information about the bald eagle. Thank you for supporting our efforts to provide our students with rich and current books in our libraries."- Susan K. Carey, Curriculum Coordinator, Holyoke Public Schools.
