**Check the LRC for reference on eagles. A
good one is: Life Histories of North
American Birds of Prey by Arthur Cleveland Bent**
1. Eagles
can be observed in the Midwest during the winter—usually mid-December through
early-March. If the weather is mild this period is shorter, if severe then
longer.
2. Eagles
receive the following during the winter:
a.
Good food supply—fish. This mean that they are
found along major rivers, just below dams where the water is not frozen and
they can “fish.”
b.
Protected night roasting area. This means that a
short distance from their fishing ground an area must be present with large
trees and often a geologically shaped bowl area. These 2 items five protection
from the winter elements.
3. Bald
eagles are endangered. Figures vary but only several thousand eagles now exist
in the continental U.S. A large portion, probably several hundred can be found
near us, in the Midwest during the winter. During the winter, in the Midwest,
we are very fortunate to be able to observe this majestic bird / endangered
bird in our area.
4. Equipment:
warm clothing, binoculars / spotting scope, camera (film ASA 200o or 400,
usually telephoto lens). It will be COLD—since
you will be observing in open, windy areas near water.
5. The
following locations are a fairly complete list of spots where I have observed
eagles during the winter over the past 5 seasons. (* = especially good areas)
(eagles migrate +\
where they are; one year may be different than the next) (*best viewing times
at the river are: 9-11 fish, 11-2 in trees, 2-4 fish, after 4 return to nest)
a.
** Eagle Valley—Glen Haven, Wisconsin (phone:
630-794-2373)
b.
Prairie Du Chen, Wisconsin—from atop Effigy
Mounds National Monument in
c.
DuBugue, Iowa
d.
* Belleville, Iowa—look to the Illinois side
e.
** Hampton, Illinois—Illini State Park (just
south of nuclear power plant, Cordova)
f.
** Moline, Illinois—Rock Island, Illinois à
our eagle island (observe from parking lot on Davenport, Iowa side)
g.
*** Keakuk, Iowa—Warsaw, Illinois / Hamilton,
Illinois (WIU field station)
h.
Along Mississippi River south à
south top of Illinois
i.
Sometimes along Illinois River
j.
Starved Rock
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