Staff and volunteers at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge successfully completed the Refuge's 30^th annual mid-winter eagle survey on January 8, 2009.  This collaborative effort involved a total of 8 refuge staff and 18 volunteers.  Survey participants were scattered across the refuge at stationary observation sites as part of this two-part survey.  The non-roost (morning) count produced a total of 107 eagles consisting of 72 adult bald eagles, 25 immature bald eagles, and 10 eagles that could not be identified to species.  The roost (evening) count produced 90 eagles consisting of 50 adult bald eagles, 34 immature bald eagles, and 6 eagles that could not be identified to species.  As illustrated by the graph below, despite slightly below average results for 2009, trends indicate a steadily increasing eagle population at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.