It comes as no surprise that Lake Martin is home to several biodiverse ecosystems featuring a variety of animals.

However, none has captured the imagination and attention of lakegoers quite like the area’s bald eagles.

The birds, at one time listed on the national endangered species list, have made a major recovery in population numbers, especially in the area of Lake Martin.

Explore Lake Martin offered the following description of the bird for those interested in searching for them.

“The adults are larger than a hawk, have a large hooked bill, yellow legs, and a dark brown body.  The white head and tail tend to be the most noticeable characteristic. “

 “The adults are the only ones that have white heads.  When they are first born, they are born with a dark head, and they slowly get more white showing up on their head as they age (kind of like me.)  While the white on my head took a little longer to form, a Bald Eagle typically has a fully white head by 4.5-5 years old.  As they age, the body feathers and tail also change, but the head is the most noticeable aspect that people see first. “

Jimmy Lanier, trail builder and founder of the Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association (CRATA), revealed where he has observed the birds most frequently.

“I would see them all the time, especially on the Deadening Trail,” Lanier said. “I have seen them land on those big dead trees on Chimney Rock Island. Once I sneaked up on one and surprised him. I got so close I could see his eyes. He looked back at me when he took off. I would see them once every month. Sometimes more than that.”