(by Chris Martin)
2025 Breeding Season Results
In 2025, New Hampshire saw a 9% increase in the number of Bald Eagle territorial pairs. NH Audubon staff and many volunteer observers started in February and worked through August to tally 128 pairs statewide – 13 more than we counted in 2024! New territories in 2025 included successful breeding pairs near Beaver Lake in Derry and on Lake Winnepocket in Webster.
We confirmed 94 pairs incubating eggs, but found only 62 pairs that fledged at least one young. This relatively poor productivity was likely due in part to a very wet early Spring, a time when recently hatched eaglets are most vulnerable. We tallied a total of 85 fledged juveniles in 2025 and found only one Granite State nest with three fledglings, far fewer than the five nests with three chicks in 2023, when a record-high 93 eaglets fledged.
Several NH wildlife photographers and birders contributed band IDs for 10 free-flying eagles in 2025, including four nesting adults ranging in age from 16 to 19 years old. Special thanks to Iain MacLeod for his weekly eagle-watching around Lake Winnipesaukee. His dedication led to the discovery of at least four new nests on the big lake in 2025. And thanks to everyone for continuing to support Bald Eagle recovery efforts across the Granite State!