On Saturday, January 21st, 2012 volunteer observers got out around the blufflands and observed 125 golden eagles. More than 140 volunteer observers covered survey areas in sixteen counties in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.
This year’s total represents more than 50% increase in golden eagles observed over last year. Clear skies and cold weather on the day of the count made for ideal golden eagle viewing.
The Annual Wintering Golden Eagle Survey is part of an on-going project to learn more about the golden eagle population in the blufflands region. Golden eagles were not previously considered regular inhabitants of this area. For the last eight years, the Wintering Golden Eagle Survey has gathered important data to confirm a regular wintering population of golden eagles in the blufflands of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.
The Golden Eagle Project is also tracking golden eagles using GPS satellite transmitters to find out more about migration and possible breeding origin of these birds. Tracking maps are available online at Golden Eagle Tracking.
The Golden Eagle Project is a partnership of the National Eagle Center and Audubon Minnesota with support from the Minnesota and Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources and United States Fish and Wildlife Service and funding through Minnesota’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.
To find out more about the Golden Eagle Project, contact Project Co-Coordinator Scott Mehus at the National Eagle Center, scott@nationaleagelcenter.org or 651-565-4989.