01
Nest screening
I locate and confirm eagle nests in and around the work area, record whether each is in use or alternate, and map distances to planned activity, all from a respectful distance.
Texas field services
Eagle surveys and monitoring
Recording credit
Bald eagle calls · © Rachel Thurman, XC1163370 / Xeno-canto · CC BY 4.0. Full recording, converted to AAC for web playback; no cuts or sound edits.
I check eagle nests near your project, recommend a buffer that fits the site, and monitor the birds while work happens, so your crews know where and when they can work.
Eagle Monitoring Log Tool
Before work begins
Eagle disturbance is more than contact with a nest
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act prohibits unauthorized take of bald and golden eagles. Under current regulations, disturbance can include activity that is likely to cause injury, reduced productivity or nest abandonment by substantially interfering with normal breeding, feeding or sheltering behavior.
Removing, relocating, destroying or obstructing an eagle nest requires an eagle nest-take permit, even when the nest is not currently in use. A project that may disturb breeding eagles may need a general or specific disturbance permit under the framework revised in 2024.
Survey · plan · monitor · report
How I support your project
Every job is scoped to your project’s activity, schedule and permit conditions.
02
Buffer recommendation
A written, site-specific buffer based on USFWS screening distances, line of sight, terrain, existing activity and breeding stage.
03
Monitoring during work
Visits scheduled around your work. I log eagle behavior against the activity, equipment and distance, with stop-work triggers agreed before work begins.
04
Records and reporting
Dated observation logs, photos and maps, plus a summary formatted to your project’s permit or monitoring conditions.
Eagle Monitoring Log Tool
Keep eagle observations, nest records and nearby project activity together, then turn your field notes into a report.
LogBehavior & work activity
ReferenceID, nesting & protocols
ExportExcel, CSV & print/PDF
Tool features
- Log & nests: time-stamped activity entries and nest records.
- Identify & nesting: bald and golden eagle reference material.
- Protocol & report: project checks, report text, exports and a backup file.
Records stay on your device until you export them. Use the backup option to keep a separate copy.
Available individually or with Dashboard Membership. Follow your project’s monitoring plan and permit conditions when using the tool.
Four things to review
What shapes the buffer around a nest?
Nest conditions and the work around them shape the recommendation. Open each factor to see what I review.
01Nest and territory statusOccupancy, breeding stage and territory
Whether a nest is in use or alternate, the pair’s behavior, breeding stage and the wider territory all matter.
02ActivityThe work, equipment and disturbance sources
Construction, vegetation alteration, aircraft, blasting, recreation and routine existing use can present different disturbance profiles.
03Distance and screeningDistance, terrain and visibility
Distance remains important, but terrain, vegetation, line of sight, noise and whether similar activity already occurs can change the analysis.
04Timing and durationBreeding stage and the work schedule
Breeding stage, frequency, intensity and duration shape both the biological risk and the appropriate monitoring plan.
View bald eagle distance screening guidanceUSFWS reference table and source links
| Distance | Typical setting | FWS screening direction |
|---|---|---|
| More than 660 ft | Most activities | A disturbance permit generally is not recommended; very loud activities require a wider review. |
| 330–660 ft | Breeding season | Similar existing activity, visibility and site facts affect the result; consult the regional permit office. |
| Less than 330 ft | Breeding season | FWS guidance indicates a disturbance permit is recommended. |
| Any distance | Nest removal, relocation, destruction or obstruction | An eagle nest-take permit is required, including for a nest that is not currently in use. |
Reviewed September 2026. Apply current regional guidance and contact the appropriate U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service office for a project-specific answer.
Federal guidance uses screening distances and activity categories, but those numbers are not universal permission to work or automatic no-work zones. Apply the current regional key, permit conditions and site facts.
From baseline to report
How monitoring unfolds
Follow the work from the first observations to the final record. Select a step for details.
01Document baseline behavior
Record nest status, occupancy, breeding behavior, visibility and existing background activity before the project action begins.
02Connect observations to work
Track the activity, equipment, distance, timing and eagle response rather than recording birds in isolation.
03Use predetermined triggers
A monitoring plan should identify who can pause or modify work, which behaviors trigger action and how communication occurs.
04Report consistently
Permit holders may have specific monitoring and annual reporting conditions. The field record should match those requirements.
Scope first, then a written estimate
How your quote is built
Every project is quoted per project, based on the actual time, including travel. Before any work begins, you get a written estimate with a not-to-exceed maximum.
| Task | What it covers | Typical hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduling and access | Coordinating access, the work schedule and who can pause work | 0.5–1 |
| Drive or travel time | Round trip from my nearest base | Actual time |
| Nest screening | Locating and confirming nests, status and distances to work | Depends on the area |
| Monitoring visits | Observing eagle behavior during project activity | Set by the monitoring plan |
| Maps and records | Nest locations, buffers, observation logs and photos | 1–3 |
| Mileage | From my nearest base | IRS standard rate |
| Lodging and meals | Multi-day work far from my base | Federal (GSA) per diem |
| Out-of-state projects | Travel quoted per project; minimum of one field day per trip | Quoted separately |
Go to the source
Use current eagle guidance
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Living and working near eagles
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Eagle disturbance permits
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Eagle nest removal permits
- 50 CFR Part 22: Eagle permits
Permit eligibility and conditions are determined by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, not by a field biologist. This page is general information, not legal advice or a permit determination.
Working near a known or possible eagle nest?
Share the location, activity, schedule and any existing nest records or agency correspondence. I’ll reply with next steps.