SU's Gorrow Examines Bald Eagles in New Book

SALISBURY, MD---The American Bald Eagle is a well-known symbol of the United States, but few have the opportunity to study the bird up close in its natural habitat. Dr. Teena Ruark Gorrow, professor of teacher education at Salisbury University, is one of those few.

“Bald eagles have come a long way since their devastating decline in the 1960s,” Gorrow said. “Once on the brink of extinction, these majestic raptors have rebounded. Even so, their resilience is being tested in ways unforeseen just years ago. Long-term protection of the species requires that we understand the eagles’ way of life and foster environmental stewardship.”

A native of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Gorrow said that she has felt a deep appreciation for wildlife and the environment since childhood and longed to inspire others toward species and habitat protection. When eagle nest cams started popping up on the Internet a few years ago, Gorrow saw the need for an educational tool and decided to write a book about the bald eagle’s nesting behaviors.

She contacted Craig Koppie, eagle/raptor biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Chesapeake Bay Field Office, to share her vision. Koppie is a recognized expert who has amassed an extensive 30-year work history with bald eagle research and recovery initiatives, including a host of accomplishments and awards. Looking for ways to integrate science, education and public outreach to ultimately raise public awareness about eagles, Koppie welcomed the book idea.

Their new book, Inside a Bald Eagle’s Nest: A Photographic Journey through the American Bald Eagle Nesting Season, is scheduled for release by Schiffer Publishing in December. Featuring 160 unique photographs, the book presents a factual and rare glimpse into the nesting behaviors of the Chesapeake Bay bald eagle. It illustrates how eagles select their nest site, construct and gather nest materials, forage for prey, ward off intruders, and care for their young. Gorrow and Koppie also function as their book’s photographers.

“The bald eagle has captivated our imaginations for years,” Koppie said. “As a raptor biologist who has worked with bald eagles for over three decades, I’m extremely pleased to present our story about America’s bird and the ways in which it cares for its young. We believe that this book will be a timeless treasure to be enjoyed by all ages.”

For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU website at www.salisbury.edu.