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[glogdog]

So I was looking through The Bald Eagle, Haunts and Habit of a Wilderness Monarch, by Jon M. Gerrard and Gary R Bortolotti and found some interesting statistics.  Jon Gerrard says it has to do with the differences in the size and shape of the wing between adult and immature Bald Eagles.  That gives rise to other differences in their flight one of which is their optimum speed. This optimum speed depends on the size and shape of the wing and weight of the bird.  His observations on Besnard Lake in Saskatchewan suggested that "adult eagles flapping steadily in calm air fly at 28-32 miles per hour.  Immatures, with their relatively larger wings, flap slower than adults. That changes progressively as an eagle ages."  Here are his findings: Flapping rates of 13 immatures averaged 167 flaps per minute; of 2 near-adults, 177 flaps per minute; and of 28 adults, 188 flaps per minute.

[glogdog]

It's that time of year for bird and raptor migration.  A great website filled with a lot of information is the Hawk Migration Association of North America's Raptor Migration Database.  Here's the link.  http://hawkcount.org/ Click on it and then off to the left-hand side, click on 'Find a Hawkwatch' close to where you live.  If you're new to hawk watching, check out this link: https://www.hmana.org/new-to-hawkwatching/?fbclid=IwAR00j3y7_wU0uJ7bAV7TGIsEvkum2hejNGnd808SukJXjeNyirzI4Me0EuY

Migration counts can  include Hawks, Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, Kites, Kestrels, Turkey Vultures, Peregrine and Prairie Falcons, Ospreys, Goshawks and Harriers. 

[glogdog]

Here's a very positive, encouraging article that I found dated July 3, 2019 on The Center for Conservation Biology webpage.  The 2019 survey results for Bald Eagles nesting along the James River in Virginia show that there are 302 pairs of Bald Eagles.  It says that back in the 1970's the species completely disappeared as a breeder.  Read about their remarkable comeback.  BTW, this webpage is filled with other great information:
https://ccbbirds.org/2019/07/03/james-river-bald-eagles-reach-symbolic-milestone-of-300-pairs/

[glogdog]

So here's proof that Bald Eagles do play. Thanks eaglewhisperer, RRP, Explore, and the camera operator at the Mississippi River Flyway cam.  https://youtu.be/E2YAKcwIubw

[glogdog]

If you happen to live in Minnesota, here's a good read about where to find birds in the winter:

https://bit.ly/2rmm9Aj

[glogdog]

Kudos to the state of Ohio.  Here's an interesting link from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources page explaining that for the first time in 8 years they are attempting to find every Bald Eagle nest in the state.  I thank fellow Moderator, Jfrancl, for bringing this to my attention and thought you all would enjoy reading it.
   
http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/wildlife-home/post/help-discover-all-of-ohio-s-bald-eagle-nests

[glogdog]

Not all Bald Eagles nest in trees or on cliffs.  How about a cactus?  A recent article from the Arizona Game & Fish Department shows a photo of Bald Eagles nesting in a Saguaro Cactus. It's been decades since they've been spotted.  Here's the article:

https://www.azgfd.com/azgfd-biologists-document-first-bald-eagle-nest-in-saguaro-cactus/

[glogdog]

Happy 4th of July everyone!  Today we celebrate Independence Day in America commemorating the Declaration of Independence of the United States which occurred on July 4, 1776.  Six years later the Bald Eagle was chosen as the emblem of the United States.  The Raptor Resource Project wrote a great write-up today on how the Bald Eagle became our national symbol.  Thanks, RRP.  Here's the link:

https://www.raptorresource.org/2020/07/04/happy-4th-of-july/

Also I'd like to add this video which shows the power and majesty of Bald Eagles:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g3LN9AxxzA

[glogdog]

I came across this wonderful news story from Audubon which occurred in May, 2020.  For the first time in 115 years an eaglet was spotted in a Bald Eagle's nest on Cape Cod. 

 https://www.audubon.org/news/this-bald-eagle-chick-first-hatched-cape-cod-115-years

[glogdog]

It's that time of year to get out and see some Eagles with migration still occurring.  Here's the link to the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN.  If you're lucky enough to live close by, here's some viewing informaion: https://tinyurl.com/yy76hsuv

One more link that explains why Winter is the best time to view eagles at the National Eagle Center: https://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/winter-eagles/

[glogdog]

The National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN, provides a lot of great information especially during the winter months.  There are several chances to view bald eagles as they congregate closer to Lock & Dams where the water doesn't freeze up, providing a good food source.  Here's a link from their webiste that gives Bald Eagle number counts at various locations: https://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/winter-bald-eagle-count/   

[glogdog]

Here's a recent article from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service about the growing numbers of Bald Eagles:

https://www.fws.gov/news/ShowNews.cfm?ref=america%E2%80%99s-bald-eagle-population-continues-to-soar&_ID=36871&fbclid=IwAR0OF86tAudarJghsHsmossCgJJEbqohWLVqA0e208iMZRmovpD4LOBlcm4

[glogdog]

A rare occurrence in Wisconsin this Bald Eagle season - 4 eaglets seen in a nest at 1000 Islands.  Textbooks say that less than 1% of bald eagle nests have 4 eggs, let alone all hatch.  Here's the link:

https://1000islandsenvironmentalcenter.org/1000-islands-location-of-bald-eagle-nest-with-a-rare-hatching-of-four-eaglets/

[glogdog]

If you are fortunate to live near the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN, you have the chance to go on a Bald Eagle Field Trip from October 2021 thru April 2022.  The beautiful National Eagle Center building sits right on the banks of the Mississippi River.  During the winter months hundreds of Bald Eagles migrate to the Mississippi River for open water to find food.  The field trips are led by expert naturalists.  Here's the link.  Check out the other field trips too of other species:

https://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/eagle-viewing/#Bald-Eagles

[glogdog]

If you're fortunate to live in or near any of the locations mentioned in the below link, there are plenty of opportunities to go Bald Eagle watching.   Check for any COVID restrictions too before you go.
https://midwestweekends.com/plan_a_trip/nature/birds_wildlife/eagle_watching_mississippi_river.html?fbclid=IwAR2EYlLtfzucPRmrV8qptfRZdW05LMVOf7VRZyEfcMrlXUMWJI11e_IIt74