The most popular bird at Raystown Lake is the Bald Eagle.  The eagle is listed as Pennsylvania endangered, however, due to the recovery, the bald eagle is no longer federally listed under the Endangered Species Act.  Several federal laws remain in effect including the Bald Eagle Protection Act provides continuing protection for the bald Eagle.

Eagles prefer nesting in large trees.  Nest building takes place from February to March.  Incubation occurs through April and eaglets will fledge in early July.  During winter months up to 20 eagles can be found feeding on the lake. 

Management efforts at Raystown include protecting existing nesting, foraging and roosting habitat sites and monitoring nest sites, concentration sites, and roosting areas.  

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

The status of the osprey in Pennsylvania is endangered. No nesting sites have been confirmed at Raystown Lake or the Juniata River watershed. Ospreys do use the entire lake and river for fishing and can be a common sight especially in the early spring and fall when migration occurs.

In cooperation with the Juniata College Field Station, the Corps staff working with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and other funding and/or monitoring groups, established an osprey hacking program during the summers of 2003, 2004 and 2005. During the program 14 osprey fledged with the hopes of their return to the lake or the watershed. To date, the return and nesting has not been successful, but hopes still exist that these birds or others may nest again on Raystown.

Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis)

In Pennsylvania this bird is listed as threatened. It prefers freshwater marshes where cattails and reeds predominate. Through 1987, this bird had only been confirmed breeding at eight sites in Pennsylvania. Two of these sites were at Raystown Lake. The management procedures are to protect the bands of cattails along the lake margin that provide ideal habitat for this rare bird.

Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris)

Listed in Pennsylvania as vulnerable, this bird has been confirmed breeding at less than 20 sites in Pennsylvania. Of these 20 sites, 14 are found at Raystown Lake. Because this bird prefers cattail marshes and wetlands, these habitats should be protected or enhanced at the lake.