The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) will be surveying bald eagle nests across the Lowcountry throughout the month of February.
As part of the annual surveys, SCDNR biologists and pilots will be flying low-altitude aircraft, sometimes at tree top level, over coastal and inland areas in Charleston, Savannah and Walterboro. The low passes allow surveyors to safely and accurately count eagle chicks in their nests.
The surveys are critical to continued conservation of the species. Once endangered, the bald eagle has rebounded and populations are now thriving across much of South Carolina.
SCDNR says that while the flights might appear unusual, they are safely planned in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration and are at no time intended to pose a risk to people or property.