Lakeland PBS
❤ Donate
  • Home
  • Support
  • Watch Now
    • Livestream
    • Local Shows
    • Watch Online
    • Schedule
    • Our Channels
    • Webcam
  • Lakeland News
    • News Feed
    • Featured Segments
    • Watch a News Story
    • Watch a Sports Story
  • Shop
  • About
    • Contact Us
    • State Legacy Funding
    • Meetings & Public Filings
    • Education
    • Employment
  • ❤ DONATE

Bald Eagles on Spring Migration Back to Minnesota

Lakeland PBS — Mar. 26 2016
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Bald eagles are migrating back to Minnesota and may be seen in large numbers across parts of the state over the next few weeks, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

“Ice is breaking up along the rivers, so it’s definitely time for folks to keep their eyes out,” said Lisa Gelvin-Innvaer, DNR regional nongame wildlife specialist. “It all depends on the weather.  It’s typical to see eagles coming through our area in mid-to-late March, as waters begin to open up and snow melts. This year, some eagles began migrating through in February.”

unnamedOnly two states, Florida and Alaska, have greater nesting populations of bald eagles than Minnesota. In 2005, researchers estimated there were more than 1,300 active nests in Minnesota, and that number likely has increased since then.

Fall migration typically occurs as lakes and rivers freeze over, since most eagles prefer a diet of fish. Bald eagle wintering grounds ideally contain open water, ample food, limited human disturbance and protective roosting sites.

Not all bald eagles migrate southward in the fall, Gelvin-Innvaer said. In southern Minnesota, it’s common for some eagle pairs to stay the winter, especially during milder winters.

Bald eagles that stay local may begin courting and nesting as early as December or January. Other bald eagles return to their breeding territories, as soon as a food source is available.

“Eagle migration hotspots are a bit of a moving target, so it’s hard to say where the eagles are right now,” Gelvin-Innvaer said. “In Minnesota, the biggest concentrations tend to be along the Minnesota River corridor, the north shore of Lake Superior and around Lake Pepin in southeastern Minnesota.”

Adult bald eagles are easily identified by a white head and tail contrasting with a dark brown body. Bald eagles attain full adult plumage in their fourth or fifth year. In flight, bald eagles are sometimes confused with turkey vultures. However, bald eagles have a tendency to soar on flat, board-like wings, while turkey vultures fly with their wings in a V-shape.

Bald eagles are one of many wildlife species that benefit directly from tax-deductible donations to the Nongame Wildlife checkoff on Minnesota tax forms or online year-round at www.mndnr.gov/nongame/donate/.

Checkoff dollars fund research, surveys and education for more than 700 nongame wildlife species. Every dollar donated is matched by funds from the Reinvest In Minnesota Account.

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

By — Lakeland PBS

Our mission to educate, entertain, enrich, and enlighten.

Related Posts

8 Minority Jail Officers Settle Suit Over Guarding Chauvin

Local Law Enforcement Named as State DWI Enforcer All-Stars

Primary Election for Beltrami County Sheriff to Be Held Tuesday

Prosecutor Wants to Intervene in Doe v. MN Case on Abortion Restrictions

  • Program Schedule

Recently Added

Common Ground: Women Collaborate and Create a Round Robin Quilt

Posted on Jun. 22 2022

When the Music Stopped

Posted on Jun. 20 2022

Common Ground: Historical Society Tour of State Hospital Cemetery

Posted on Jun. 15 2022

Lakeland Currents - Rotary Ends Human Trafficking

Posted on May. 27 2022

Backroads: Charlie Parr

Posted on May. 26 2022

Get the free PBS Video App

roku
Apple TV
FireTV
AndroidTV
Google Play Store
Apple Store

Connect with Us

Watch Lakeland PBS Live Stream!

Contact Us

Directions
Submit an Event
Submit a Video or Photo
Problem with the Website
Need to contact us about something else? Please visit our contact us page for more options.

About Us

Lakeland PBS understands the media that people are exposed to make a significant impact on their lives. Our hope is that the six channels we broadcast along with our online presence provide people with media experiences that make a positive impact on their lives.

Lakeland PBS is where you want to be!

108 Grant Ave NE, Bemidji, MN 56601 | 800-292-0922
KAWE Public Profile | KAWB Public Profile | Cable Provider Channel List | Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2022 Lakeland PBS. All Right Reserved.

How would you like to show your support?

Monthly Contribution

One-Time Contribution

Thank-You Gift

I would like to select a thank-you gift

No Gift

Put 100% of my gift towards programming

 

Loading Comments...