Before the Maine Golden Eagle Study began in January 2024, not much was known about golden eagles in Maine. Golden eagles are rare, elusive birds and baited trail cameras are the best way to find them. With the help of community scientists and other conservation partners, the Maine Golden Eagle Study is gaining momentum. Together, we are now well on our way to finding out where golden eagles are and how we can help them thrive in Maine and across their range.

In 2024, community scientists and other conservation partners submitted photos to the Maine Golden Eagle Study from 45 camera trap sites. Of those, 13 trail cameras documented golden eagle activity.

In the decade prior to the study, golden eagles had been documented in 31 Maine townships. Since the study got underway in January 2024, observations have been recorded in 20 townships. Golden eagles were observed for the very first time in 11 townships.

Proving just how effective baited camera cameras are compared to other methods of golden eagle detection, 95 of the 99 observations days in 2024 were captured via baited trail cameras.

Detecting golden eagles across Maine is an exciting first step in the Maine Golden Eagle Study but we aren't going to stop there. The most frequently visited site in 2024 recorded golden eagle presence for 26 days. Reliable sites like this could provide the unique opportunity equip golden eagles with tracking devices so we can learn not just where they are, but where they go using radio telemetry.