Bald Eagles on Squam Lake
Bald Eagles first nested on Squam Lake in 2003 (the first pair to do so in the Lakes Region in more than 50 years). The original pair picked a lovely spot right in the center of the lake. The old male was replaced in 2013 and the old female was ousted in 2020 (aged 21 years).
Since 2003, thirty-one chicks have fledged from this territory. No doubt, many of those chicks have returned to breed at the now more than 25 nesting sites in the Lakes Region. In 2024 a second pair of Bald Eagles built a new nest on Little Squam Lake.
In 2023, NH Audubon staff and field volunteers continued to track the robust resurgence of the Granite State’s Bald Eagle population. State-wide monitoring confirmed 109 TERRITORIAL PAIRS in NH, up 18% compared to 2022. 61 SUCCESSFUL NESTS, produced 93 YOUNG, the latter up nearly 11% over the 84 fledglings produced in 2022. The 2023 breeding season totals for all categories set new state-record highs for the post-DDT era. Read more about NH Audubon's Bald eagle Monitoring and Management.
Squam Lake Bald Eagle Nesting Success:
- 2023 – The pair built a new nest on Long Island and fledged 2 chicks
- 2022 - 2 chicks fledged
- 2021 - Too late to nest
- 2020 - 3 chicks fledged
- 2019 - Nest failed in early April.
- 2018 - Nest failed after hatch. Possibly due to predation.
- 2017 - Nesting attempt failed in April after nest damaged in winter
- 2016 - 3 chicks fledged
- 2015 - Nest failed
- 2014 - 3 chicks fledged
- 2013 - Nest failed due to severe ice storm in late April
- 2012 - 3 chicks fledged
- 2011 - 3 chicks fledged
- 2010 - 2 chicks fledged
- 2009 - 2 chicks fledged
- 2008 - 2 chicks fledged
- 2007 - Pair used alternate nest on Long Island, failed with eggs or small chicks
- 2006 - 2 chicks fledged
- 2005 - 2 chicks fledged
- 2004 - 1 chick fledged
- 2003 - 1 chick fledged
