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BLM Pinedale Field Office completes 2026 mid-winter eagle survey

Wyoming
High Desert DO
Pinedale FO
Media Contact
Jacqueline Alderman
307-775-6208
BLM Office:
Pinedale Field Office
Bald eagle perched on a bare tree branch against a cloudy gray sky.
BLM staff captures image of eagle in Pinedale, Wyoming, March 12, 2018. (Photo by Mark Thonhoff, BLM Wyoming)

PINEDALE, Wyo. — The Bureau of Land Management Pinedale Field Office recently completed its annual Mid-Winter Eagle Survey in January 2026, contributing to a nationwide effort to monitor eagle populations and long-term population trends.

During the 2026 survey, observers documented 51 total eagles, including 31 bald eagles and 20 golden eagles along established survey routes within the Pinedale Field Office area. Results were similar to the 2025 survey, when 54 total eagles were observed, including 42 bald eagles and 12 golden eagles.

Survey conditions during both the 2025 and 2026 counts were notably windy, presenting challenging conditions for observers. A total of 23 volunteers participated in the 2026 survey, including 22 members of the public and one volunteer from Wyoming Game and Fish Department, highlighting the strong partnership between BLM and the local community.

“Every January, several hundred volunteers across the United States count eagles along standard survey routes, and the Pinedale Field Office has participated in this effort for more than 20 years,” said Theresa Guldbrandson, wildlife biologist with the BLM Pinedale Field Office.

“These surveys provide valuable information about eagle populations and habitat use both regionally and nationwide. By collecting consistent data year after year, we contribute to a broader understanding of eagle population trends and support long-term management efforts.”

Snow-covered rocky hills rise behind a flat, snowy field with sparse vegetation under a clear sky.

 

Since 1979, federal and state agencies, along with hundreds of volunteers, have counted eagles across the United States each January. Data collected during the Mid-Winter Eagle Survey help establish national and regional population indices and improve understanding of eagle distribution and habitat use throughout the lower 48 states.

For more information contact the Pinedale Field Office at [email protected] or 307-367-5300. Stay updated on BLM Wyoming by following us on Facebook and Twitter.

The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.