SAVANNAH, Ga. () — Coastal Georgia saw a 73% eagle nest success rate in 2025, boasting an estimated 83 eaglets in 2025.

The Coastal Empire also saw five new nests this season, with 81 occupied. Fifty-nine nests were successful, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

While the coast saw an average success rate, southwest Georgia saw slightly lower success rates.

While the coast is surveyed annually, other regions like the southwest are surveyed at least every other year. Two years ago, the southwestern region had a 75% success rate.

This is likely due to the eagles have more food resources in estuaries on the coast versus other regions, survey leader Bob Sargent said.

The decline could be the result of storm damage, possibly from Helene and Milton in 2024, Sargent told DNR. The decline could also be a delayed response from avian influenza, which hit the coast in 2022.

“I say delayed because eagle mortalities and nest failures from the initial outbreak of the disease were confined to the coastal counties,” Sargent told DNR. “But we know from necropsy reports this past winter that the disease has since spread to inland eagles, especially so among birds in the Chattahoochee watershed.”

Eagle nesting on the coast did bounce back from the illness, which may bode well for southwestern nesting rates.

While the southwestern region is below average, eagles are still flying high in the Peach State, DNR officials said. Twenty-five years ago, only 55 nest territories were reported in Georgia, now Georgia has maintained 200 nest territories a year for 10 years, officials reported.

The public is encouraged to report eagle nests and can do so by clicking or tapping here, calling (478) 994-1438) or emailing bob.sargent@dnr.ga.gov.

To support the conservation of bald eagles and hundreds of other Georgia plants and animals, you can purchase or renew an eagle or monarch license plate or renew these, officials said. You can also renew older hummingbird license plates.