Bald Eagles

In and around the Montezuma Wetlands Complex: I have finally been able to check out all 15 nests. 13 out of 15 nests have produced and fledged young eaglets; We have seen a total of 20 eaglets associated with those nests.

It appears that the nest tree of one of our established nests had fallen down. That explains why the pair relocated not too far from that site over the winter. I could see the new nest through the trees until mid-March. On June 1, we went out the Clyde River to try to check on it but could not see it from the river. I think we were close and there was most likely at least one eaglet around based on the behavior of the parents. They were flying around, vocalizing and seemed pretty agitated while we were in that vicinity. The nest is in the overall count but I could not report any eaglets associated with it.

1 nest has had no nesting activity this season.

Most, if not all, of our eaglets have fledged. Many will hang around the nest area for a while and eventually venture further away. Some will stay around the Complex for months and some will move on to explore other areas. Look for dark brown eagles that have white feathers only under their wings. However, if you see a fledgling eagle it may or may not have been raised on the Wetlands Complex. We often see first-year eagles in early May, before our eaglets are ready to fledge. These have migrated from parts south, like Florida. In Florida, many hatch in January then join the northward migration arriving here in May. Some will spend the summer here and others will continue further north.

When you visit the Montezuma Wetlands Complex you have a really good chance to see a Bald Eagle. Many times they are perched in trees (harder to see this time of year with foliage – but look on dead limbs), standing on top of muskrat mounds in the marsh, and flying overhead. When they are soaring, their wings are almost perfectly horizontal. Sometimes you have to be patient and wait to see that. We also have Turkey Vultures soaring but can be distinguished from Bald Eagles by the “V” shape they make with their wings. We also have Osprey living in the Wetlands Complex for the summer. This time of year they are very busy feeding their young. When they soar, the wrist joints of their wings are usually prominent and they kind of look like an “M”. They also hover and dive head first when fishing. Bald eagles tend to swoop in to get fish, not dive.