Bald Eagle Migration Update: March 10, 1997

Don Pfitzer, USFWS

To: Journey North
From: Peter Nye, New York Department of Environmental Conservation

"I would bet #N 98 might be leaving any time now. Better start predicting when & where she'll go! Though she seems to be holding fast at her wintering site so far, many of our eagles seem to be on the move already. This is a bit early, but perhaps due to the very mild weather we've had and continue to have. It's been near 60 degrees here last two days. We had a spate of extremely mild February weather that took out our ice, opened up vast stretches of water, and seemed to cause our wintering birds to head north sooner. Our resident nesters are all mostly back on territory also, redecorating their nests. (This is also early.) Weather of course is quite variable this time of the year, particularly farther up north, where they got quite a snowstorm yesterday (3/5). Here's the latest data:

• Click Here for Today's Satellite Data.

"By the way, I was trapping on the 26th at our Sullivan County site, and captured 3 bald eagles, 2 immatures and one adult. Unfortunately, none could be outfitted with a satellite transmitter. One was simply unsuitable (too young), one 3-yer old turned out to be a NY nestling from 1994 (previously banded), and the adult (also previously banded) turned out to be nestling from a nest in Massachusetts, which obviously would do us no good to track as we know where it's from and likely going this month. Tough business this!! Unfortunately, things don't look good for capturing any additional birds this spring."

EAGLEYE Nye

Weather-wise Students Will Predict Eagle Migration
Peter Nye has help this spring from his New Jersey neighbors. Students who've learned to predict weather as part of the RST2 project will use their skills to make daily weather forecasts for his eagles. When the eagles begin to migrate, visit the RST2 WWW site where every day you'll find satellite imaging and weather data along with the students predictions.

Try This!
Peter Nye prepared the summary below about the weather and eagle migration to help the New Jersey students with their predictions. Pull out a weather map and learn how to identify fronts & wind direction. Then, see if you can predict how weather will affect the eagle's movements. You'll be able to compare your predictions with those from our weather experts in New Jersey.

• Click Here for Peter Nye's Summary About Weather and Migration

Journey South?!
In our last report, we asked, "Where was Eagle #N 99 on February 20th?" Do you think he is migrating yet? Why or why not?"

As you'll find in reading students' answers to this Challenge Question (Click Here), on February 20th Eagle N 99 had left New York and moved to the SOUTH! What's going on here? "My teacher is confused," revealed students in Southwest Harbor, Maine.

In our last report, Peter Nye explained that in his previous studies he had tracked only adult eagles during migration. N 99 is a juvenile bird and won't be breeding this spring. Nobody knows where N99 will go! Here are Peter Nye's comments:

"Our 3-year old immature (N99), as you know, has been on the move since shortly after capture. (This is kind of expected from immatures). N 99 roosted the night of capture at the capture location, then headed southwest a bit. On February 20th seemed to be hanging out along the Susquehanna River in east-central PA, approximately 30 miles north of Harrisburg. She's been moving south along the Susquehanna River through Pennsylvania, and is now in the extreme upper part of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. Where is she headed?

"Probably the best way to describe movements of young eagles, at least during the first 3 years of their life, is semi-directed 'wandering'. During these years, young eagles are learning their way around, learning to survive, and learning what's out there. Very often their movements will be based upon other eagles; they will see and key in on other eagles they encounter along their route and check them out to see what they are up to, thus getting exposed to a variety of habitats and places during their young life. Primarily they are constantly in search of the easiest food source they can find, and extensively wander both summer and winter. Somehow, however, they are quite able to find their way back to their natal area (the area where they were born)."

Thanks to students in Trempealeau, Wisconsin for the interesting report below. Can you answer this question?

Challenge Question # 4
"Why do you think so many eagles pass through Trempealeau, Wisconsin?"

"On Friday, March 7th, we had 9 bald eagles (7 immature) soaring over our playground. We are located on the Mississippi River in west south-central Wisconsin. We always get a huge eagle migration so this is just the beginning. There's an active nest a few miles from school and the adults have been working on it for a couple of weeks. The "peak" of the migration is usually the first week of spring so we will keep you posted as they come in. Our teacher, Mr. Lee, and his son saw 169 eagles on the first day of spring two years ago from one spot at the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge a few miles from our school.

"Nearby is Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, Perrot State Park, and U.S. Lock & Dam #6 - an extraordinarily beautiful area. We call it "God's Country". We're just starting to see signs of spring:

• 2 sandhill cranes were spotted Thursday, March 6th.
• Several of us saw a big flock of geese flying along the river on Wednesday,March 5th.
• None of us have spotted robins yet but they have been seen.
• The ice is beginning to break up on the river near us, but not at Trempealeau, yet.
• Mr. Lee, our teacher, saw his first road-killed skunk last week - a sad sign

1. Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge-eagle@learner.org
2. In the Subject Line of your message write: Challenge Question # 4
3. In the body of the message, give your answer to this question:

Challenge Question # 4
"Why do you think so many eagles pass through Trempealeau, Wisconsin?"

Don't Forget!
Please include the name of your school and your location so we can credit you properly for your answers.

The Next Bald Eagle Migration Update Will be Posted on March 24, 1997.