Vertebrate Species in progress

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) Monitoring and Management Plan

Golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) face many threats in southern California. To reduce these threats and successfully conserve this species in western San Diego County, MSP Roadmap 2021-2026 objectives include the development and implementation of a “Management Strategic Plan for Golden Eagles in San Diego County” and a “Monitoring Strategic Plan for Golden Eagles in San Diego County”. These plans include general sections with background information and rationale for prioritizing and developing monitoring and management recommendations. Previously, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in collaboration with local, State, and other Federal agencies has conducted a multi-year research study of golden eagles to address questions regarding habitat use, movement behavior, nest occupancy, genetic population structure, and human impacts on eagles. From 2016-17, occupancy analyses were conducted and it was concluded that estimates of occupancy were greatest at sample sites with more rugged terrain conditions, lower human development, and lower amounts of scrubland vegetation cover (Weins et al. 2022). Tracking data from the last 10 years in the Western Unites States have shown eagles exhibit long-distance, nonroutine movements that were responsive to the updraft potential of the spatial and temporal landscape they encountered (Poessel et al. 2022). For the development of both Plans, chapters will be shaped based on the latest scientific information regarding occupancy, natal nesting success, juvenile dispersal, movement and biotelemetry, home range estimation, habitat use, and prey availability. Site-based threats assessment will be used to determine the best management practices. These plans are developed with input and guidance provided by the San Diego Golden Eagle working group, which includes include landowners and managers, scientists, species experts, and representatives from non-profit organizations, government, and wildlife agencies. Occurrence-specific management recommendations will be based on working group input and multiple years of data on Golden Eagle population status, habitat associations, and threats. These are living documents as the plans will be updated when new information becomes available or management actions are completed, and new recommendations are needed.
Project Focus

Golden Eagle, Golden eagle

Sarah Thomsen

San Diego Association of Governments

Robert N. Fisher

U.S. Geological Survey

Elizabeth Roesler

Elizabeth Roesler

Elizabeth Roesler

Project Protocol
File name Lead Author Year Type
A Clarification on the Effects of Urbanization on Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) Habitat Selection Tracey, Jeff; Madden, Melanie; Bloom, Peter; Fisher, Robert N. 2020 report
Biotelemetry Data for Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) Captured in Coastal Southern California, February 2017–December 2019 Tracey, Jeff; Madden, Melanie; Molden, James; Sebes, Jeremy; Bloom, Peter; Fisher, Robert N. 2020 report
Biotelemetry Data for Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) Captured in Coastal Southern California, November 2014–February 2016 Tracey, Jeff; Madden, Melanie; Sebes, Jeremy; Bloom, Peter; Katzner, Todd; Fisher, Robert N. 2016 report
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) Habitat Selection as a Function of Land Use and Terrain, San Diego County, California Tracey, Jeff; Madden, Melanie; Bloom, Peter H.; Katzner, Todd; Fisher, Robert N. 2018 report
Golden Eagle Occupancy Surveys and Monitoring Strategy in Coastal Southern California, United States Wiens, David ; Bloom, Peter; Madden, Melanie; Kolar, Patrick, S.; Tracey, Jeff; Fisher, Robert N. 2022 journal article
Interpreting long‐distance movements of non‐migratory golden eagles: Prospecting and nomadism? Poessel, Sharon, A.; Woodbridge, Brian; Smith, Brian, W.; Murphy, Robert; Bedrosian, Bryan, E.; Bell, Douglas; Bittner, David; Bloom, Peter; Crandall, Ross, H.; Domenech, Robert; Fisher, Robert N.; Haggarty, Patricia, K.; Slater, Steven, J.; Tracey, Jeff; Watson, James, W.; Katzner, Todd 2022 journal article
Linking behavioral states to landscape features for improved conservation management Sur, Maitreyi; Woodbridge, Brian; Esque, Todd C.; Belthoff, Jim R.; Bloom, Peter H.; Fisher, Robert N.; Longshore, Kathleen; Nussear, Kenneth E. ; Tracey, Jeff; Braham, Melissa A.; Katzner, Todd 2021 journal article
Relevance of individual and environmental drivers of movement of Golden Eagles Sur, Maitreyi; Duerr, Adam; Fisher, Robert N.; Tracey, Jeff; Bloom, Peter H.; Miller, Tricia; Katzner, Todd 2020 journal article
Topographic drivers of flight altitude over large spatial and temporal scales Duerr, Adam; Miller, Tricia; Dunn, Leah; Bell, Douglas A.; Bloom, Peter; Fisher, Robert N.; Tracey, Jeff; Katzner, Todd 2019 journal article