News Release
National Park Service
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VENTURA, Calif. — As the United States commemorates its 250th anniversary, partners in one of the nation's most successful wildlife restoration efforts are celebrating another productive nesting season for America's national bird—the bald eagle.During the 2026 nesting season, 14 breeding pairs of bald eagles hatched at least 16 chicks across Channel Islands National Park, including the first successful fledging of bald eagle chicks on San Miguel Island since the early 1950s. The season marks another milestone in a recovery effort to restore bald eagle populations on the islands that began in 1980 after the birds disappeared in the mid-20th century. Bald eagles now nest on four of the park's five islands, reflecting more than four decades of restoration and monitoring efforts.
The season also included a setback when the Santa Rosa Island Fire burned through portions of Santa Rosa Island's rare Torrey pine forest, including an active bald eagle nesting territory, in May and June. Following the fire, National Park Service staff confirmed that an eaglet from the affected nest did not survive.
Chumash cultural specialists who were onsite with the Chumash Fire Department and National Park Service resource staff properly cared for the deceased eaglet. The Chumash have lived on and continue to steward the Channel Islands and adjacent mainland coast.
"As our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, the recovery of the bald eagle on the Channel Islands stands as one of America's great conservation success stories," said Ethan McKinley, park superintendent. "The return of our national bird to these islands reflects decades of commitment, scientific expertise, and collaboration among public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and conservation partners."
Bald eagles disappeared from the Channel Islands in the mid-20th century due primarily to the effects of DDT contamination and human disturbance. Restoration efforts began in 1980 and continued for more than four decades through the work of biologists, land managers, nonprofit organizations, and public agencies.
The restoration project was led by the Institute for Wildlife Studies in partnership with Channel Islands National Park and numerous conservation organizations.
"This year's nesting season demonstrates the remarkable resilience of the Channel Islands bald eagle population," said Erin Weiner, The Eagle Project lead at the Institute for Wildlife Studies. "While the loss of an eaglet in the Santa Rosa Island Fire was disappointing, the overall population remains healthy and self-sustaining. The fact that bald eagles are once again successfully nesting across the islands is an extraordinary conservation achievement and a testament to decades of restoration work."
The Channel Islands Bald Eagle Webcams provide an intimate view of the breeding and nesting behavior of bald eagles on the islands: Channel Islands Live Bald Eagle Webcams - Channel Islands National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
Last updated: July 20, 2026