Bald eagle population appears to be increasing in Georgia

photo A bald eagle sits on a nest overlooking Lake Oconee near Greensboro, Ga., in this file photo. The bald eagle's revival is one of the success stories of endangered species in the U.S.

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The bald eagle population in Northwest Georgia is climbing slowly, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources reports.

DNR Nong ame Director Jim Ozier told the Rome News-Tribune that the department has found eagle nests in areas where they aren't expected. In all, Georgia had 163 confirmed nests last year. Olzier hopes to find that many when DNR finishes its survey this year.

"I'm expecting it'll be between 160 and 170 probably," he said. "There's always a chance it could drop off because sometimes they move around and we don't find the new nesting site."

The bald eagle population is particularly strong along the state's coast.

In the Savannah area, an ongoing survey of bald eagle nests puts Chatham County's latest count at 26. That's up considerably from last year's record of 17 nests, The Savannah Morning News reported.

"Chatham definitely is the state leader by a long shot," Ozier said.

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