Biologists counted 146 eagle nests, 111 of which were active, in Nebraska in 2014.

Bald eagles were on federal and state endangered species lists as late as 2007 and 2008, respectively. In less than a quarter century the species has gone from a nonexistent breeding species in the state to one that is relatively numerous, according to Joel Jorgensen, Game and Parks’ nongame bird program manager.

In the early 1980s, when federal recovery plans were written to save populations in the lower 48 states, the recovery goal for Nebraska was set at 10 breeding pairs. In 1991, Nebraska recorded its first active and successful bald eagle nest in approximately a century. In 2007, the number of nests had grown to 54 active nests. In 2014, there were 111 active nests.

Learn more about the success of these birds in recent years on the Nongame Bird Blog.

The public is invited to a free walleye fishing workshop March 12 at Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium near Gretna.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission fisheries outreach program manager Daryl Bauer will present the 7 p.m. workshop, which will include a discussion on walleye habitat, management and fishing techniques.

The aquarium is located in Schramm Park State Recreation Area, 5 miles south of Interstate 80, exit 432. For more information, call the aquarium at 402-332-3901.

Nebraska Game and Parks received news from our partners at the Woodmen Building that a new male Peregrine Falcon was spotted at the nestbox in downtown Omaha. The good news was they were able to read the color band to identify this male falcon. The shocking news was the band was very familiar, black over green and the letters 19/K. This alphanumeric band belongs to the male Peregrine Falcon that has been one half of the nesting pair present at the Nebraska Capitol since 2005. What might this mean for the Capitol falcons? Visit the Nongame Bird Blog to find out. 

Since 1984, tax deductible donations to the Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund have helped the thousands of species that call Nebraska home. Wildlife Conservation Fund projects help those species considered non-game, or those that are not hunted or fished. Donated dollars have big impact because Wildlife Conservation Fund dollars are matched with other grants.

This year, consider donating all or a portion of your tax refund to the Wildlife Conservation Fund through the Wildlife Checkoff on your state income tax form. You can also make a donation online any time of year, and right now those who donate online will receive one or more gifts. Visit our website to learn more about this limited-time incentive as well as about this important program.