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Minnesota’s
Wintering Bald Eagles
While resident eagles abound
in Minnesota, each year the Mississippi River valley becomes a
migration corridor for many species of waterfowl, raptors, and
shorebirds that move back and forth from their northern summer
homes to the warmer southern wintering grounds of our area. During
this time, southeastern Minnesota is host to significant numbers
of bald eagles making their way south. Many bald eagles prefer to
over-winter in the Wabasha and Reads Landing area of the
Mississippi River.
Eagles are attracted to open water areas of the river during the
winter because food is plentiful and easy to find.
The Chippewa River entering the Mississippi at Reads Landing at
the foot of Lake Pepin causes the river to remain unfrozen
throughout the winter.
The eagles begin to congregate here along the river in early
November, with the best viewing opportunities during December
through March. Eagles can be seen soaring and diving for fish
during morning and early evening hours. Midday they typically
perch on tall trees at the river’s edge.
Harriet and Angel are two female eagles that are used for
educational programs conducted by The National Eagle Center.
Harriet arrived on July 4th and took part in the Celebration and
Ceremony that will honor local eagles. She was brought to the
Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota with soft tissue
damage from a collision of some sort. Harriet, an adult eagle, has
already completed her training and has even done a few programs!!
Angel, an immature eagle, was originally brought to the Raptor
Center from Grantsburg, Wis. with an old fracture that prevented
flight. She now makes her home here at the National Eagle Center.
Columbia is our newest addition; she was recovered by hunters in
Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge in Oconto Country near Dunbar
Wisconsin on 12/31/01 and was initially sent to Bay Beach Wildlife
Center in Green Bay for treatment. She was transferred to The
Raptor Center on 1/3/02 for surgery.
She had sustained an open fracture of the right proximal humerus
(humeral fracture was close to the shoulder.) Physical therapy was
performed throughout her convalescence. The bird could not fly
well enough for release. She was placed in our care on January 1,
2003. She is now approximately 3 years of age. |
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