From 2011-2022, the Wildlife Center tracked the post-release movements of nearly two dozen former eagle patients. In most cases, these GPS transmitters were provided by the state eagle biologist, and the data on the birds were a part of a larger, ongoing research study that monitors eagle movements to determine the range and behavior of eagles in Virginia’s coastal plain. For the Center, this was an invaluable opportunity to track the movements of some of our rehabilitated patients.
Center staff and followers tracked many of these eagles for months. In some cases, the transmitters appeared to have failed after a period of time; in three cases, the eagles died several months post-release. Three eagles -- NX, W20, and MN72 -- were tracked for five years or more!
Check out this video for more information about lessons learned from our eagle tracking efforts:
Here’s a complete list of tracked eagles:
| WCV Patient Number |
Post-release |
Released | Release Location | Months Tracked |
| Golden Eagle | February 2011 | Harvey's Knob Overlook | 1 | |
| Bald Eagle #11-0475 | NX | August 2011 | Berkeley Plantation | 5 years! |
| Bald Eagle #14-0649 | C35 | August 2014 | Chincoteague | 17 |
| Bald Eagle #14-0650 | C46 | August 2014 | Chincoteague | 5 1/2 years! |
| Bald Eagle #14-1955 | NC99 | December 2014 | Natural Chimneys | 8 |
| Bald Eagle #15-0642 | W20 | August 2015 | Widewater State Park | 5 1/2 years! Confirmed death from lead poisoning. |
| Bald Eagle #15-1667 | YR73 | September 2015 | York River State Park | 1; suspected death |
| Bald Eagle #15-1348 | GW91 | September 2015 | George Washington Birthplace | 2; confirmed death |
| Bald Eagle #15-1261 | SML52 | October 2015 | Smith Mountain Lake | 7 |
| Bald Eagle #15-1312 | BI78 | October 2015 | Belle Isle State Park | 13 |
| Bald Eagle #15-1922 | KG09 | November 2015 | King George County | 5 years; suspected death |
| Bald Eagle #15-2090 | BP39 | December 2015 | Berkeley Plantation |
12 |
| Bald Eagle #15-2015 | BP91 | December 2015 | Berkeley Plantation | 10; confirmed death (likely electrocuted) |
| Bald Eagle #16-1474 | BI20 | August 2016 | Belle Isle State Park | 2 |
| Golden Eagle #16-1934 | Saltville GOEA | November 2016 | Big Walker Lookout | 4 |
| Bald Eagle #16-1012 | BP28 | September 2016 | Berkeley Plantation | 5 |
| Bald Eagle #16-2217 | CP93 | November 2016 | Chippokes Plantation State Park | 12; confirmed death (hit by vehicle) |
| Bald Eagle #17-0836 | MN18 | August 2017 | Mason Neck State Park | 29; died, body unrecovered |
| Bald Eagle #17-1181 | MN72 | August 2017 | Mason Neck State Park | More than 5 years |
| RR53 | July 2018 | Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge | Nearly 3 years; died, body recovered |
Frequently Asked Questions about Transmitters
For a summary of all eagle releases since 2011, please visit this page.