Postcards from our Bald and Golden Eagles!

Where are D36, D27, and Golden Eagle (GOEA) 733? 733 was our big mover last week, flying 576 miles south in just six days! She spent October 17th and 18th flying 302 miles south from western Ontario down into northern Minnesota. On October 19th, she flew 126 miles southeast past Ely, Minnesota to the north shore of Lake Superior. She followed the shore down and around the big lake’s western tip at Duluth before dropping down through Wisconsin’s lake country – a fairly regular route for some of the bald eagles we track as well! She is currently located in the Elmwood, Wisconsin area, roughly 25 miles north of Lake Pepin on the Mississippi River. Several watchers reported seeing golden eagles at Hawk Ridge in Duluth at about the time she was moving through. I have to wonder if she was one of them!

Golden Eagle 733's map on Monday, October 24, 2022.

Golden Eagle 733’s map on Monday, October 24, 2022.

D36 is still in NE Iowa, but might be ending his summer staycation. Brett wrote that D-36 is continuing to forage along the Turkey River, although he has expanded his range and seems to be moving around more. This isn’t too surprising given the time of the year – even though he stayed home, he could still be experiencing migratory restlessness! – and he’ll have plenty of company soon.

Bald Eagle D36's map on Monday, October 24, 2022.

Bald Eagle D36’s map on Monday, October 24, 2022.

How about D27? We haven’t heard from her transmitter recently, which is a little disappointing, but not too surprising. The last time she pinged us, she was located just north of Clermont, Iowa. Amy took a trip out to survey the area and didn’t find her, although she did find a large group of eagles and vultures near a confined feedlot. We’ll keep an eye out there and at some of her favorite haunts in the Decorah area, and we’ve got our talons crossed for more hits. We would really like to find where she and bald eagle D24 – remember him? – nest as adults. If you know of a nest located within 20 miles of Decorah, please give me an email and let me know about it.

We're looking for bald eagle nests in NE Iowa - and especially within 13-20 miles of N1.

We’re looking for bald eagle nests in NE Iowa – and especially within 13-20 miles of N1.

Stay fierce, fly high, and don’t forget to write! A thousand thanks to Brett Mandernack and Ryan Schmitz for sharing their maps, data, and expertise, and to the Kohler Company for their support of the bald eagle tracking project.

Golden eagles summer in some of the most sparely populated, isolated regions in the world. During the summer, 733 would see very few humans, although she might have watched whales, seals, dolphins, arctic fox, marmots, and other arctic animals. The image above was taken not far from her current location and shows a typical rolling Driftless landscape: beautiful and rugged, but well-populated with people. I'm fascinated by the difference!

Golden eagles summer in some of the most sparely populated, isolated regions in the world. During the summer, 733 would see very few humans, although she might have watched whales, seals, dolphins, arctic fox, marmots, and other arctic animals. The image above was taken not far from her current location and shows a typical rolling Driftless landscape: beautiful and rugged in places, but highly populated. I’m fascinated by the difference between their winter and summer grounds. 

hore of Hudson's Bay, Nunavut. Photo by Mike Verrier. I can't get over the difference between 733's summer and winter ranges!

Shore of Hudson’s Bay, Nunavut. This photo wasn’t taken too far from one of the places we tracked her this summer. It’s a very different world! Photo by Mike Verrier.