1 -
The Klamath Basin Refuges (Tulelake, California
530/667-2231) hosts the largest wintering concentration of
Bald Eagles in the lower 48 states, often up to 1000 birds. Each
year during the month of November, bald eagles begin to appear
en masse on their Klamath Basin wintering grounds. These birds
come from as far away as the Northwest Territories in Canada and
Glacier National Park, and quickly settle into a daily routine
of waterfowl scavenging throughout the Basin's marshes by day
and seek shelter in large trees at night. Visitor's should be
able to easily spot dozens of these majestic raptors along the
Tule Lake and Lower Klamath auto tours. It is not uncommon to
see over 50 eagles from one spot. In February, the refuge plays
host to the nation's oldest birding festival: the Bald Eagle
Conference in Klamath Falls.
2 -
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (Basom, New York
585/948-5445) Named for the Iroquois Indians, eagle watching
is among the refuge's most popular activities. In a cooperative
project with the state, the sounds and motions of eagles are
transmitted by mircrowave to the refuge office from either one
of the two nests the birds use.
3 -
Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge (Woodbridge,
Virginia 703/490-4979) Eighteen miles south of Washington,
DC. On the banks of the Potomac River, lies an 8000 acre
peninsula, and the home of the first refuge established
specifically for the protection of bald eagles. The Great Marsh
Trail provides the best overlook on the refuge to see bald
eagles. November through March eagles are courting, rebuilding
their nests and laying eggs. By June, eaglets are fledging the
nests.
4 -
Patuxent Research Refuge (Laurel, Maryland,
301/497-5761) is the nation's only refuge established to
support wildlife research. The 12,750-acre refuge, which
supports a wide diversity of wildlife, is managed to protect
native and migratory bird species. A nesting pair of bald eagles
has used the North Tract Refuge since 1989. Visitors will find
20 miles of roads and trails for hiking, bicycling and horseback
riding on the North Tract, where there are also wildlife viewing
areas.
5 -
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (Cambridge,
Maryland 410/228-2692) Eagles are here in droves from the
fall through the summer, taking advantage of the mix of marsh,
forested uplands and some farm fields. The refuge annually
winters over 200 bald eagles, and supports the largest nesting
population of bald eagles north of Florida on the Atlantic
Coast. The Nanticoke River, in the heart of the refuge's
Nanticoke Division, has been designated a Maryland Wild and
Scenic River. |
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6 -
Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge (Crystal
River, Florida 352-563-2088) From October through April,
many bald eagles winter and nest on the banks of the
Chassahowitzka River. In fact, frequently, visitors will be
greeted by a pair of bald eagles in a tree at the refuge
entrance. Visitors can take pontoon boat tours, rent canoes or
bring their own boats and take to the river to get great views
of adult and juvenile birds flying over the river hunting for
fish.
7 -
DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge (Missouri Valley,
Iowa 712/642-4121) This refuge has become an important
wintering area for up to 120 bald eagles. Visitors can see
numerous bald eagles in the trees or once DeSoto Lake is frozen,
sitting on the ice, taking advantage of a plethora of fish and
snow geese. In addition, thousands of artifacts can be viewed at
the visitors center from the1968 excavation of the steamboat
Bertrand, which sank in 1865. The 200,000 artifacts provide one
of the most significant assemblages of Civil War era artifacts
in the Missouri River region. The DeSoto Visitor Center exhibits
much of the collection and contains interpretive displays on the
historical development of the Missouri River Basin, the
ecological impacts of that development, and the natural history
of the area and its wildlife.
8 -
Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge (Mound City,
Missouri 660/442-3187) Visitors can attend Bald Eagle days
at the refuge this year on December 1 and 2 featuring live eagle
shows and guided tours of the refuge's 2-300 bald eagles. There
are two hiking trails - Eagle Overlook, a one and one half mile
round trip walk that takes the visitor into the wetlands; and
the Loess Bluff Trail, a one half mile round trip walk that
climbs 200 feet to the top of the bluffs for a panoramic view of
the Refuge. Squaw Creek contains approximately thousands of
acres of wetlands, grasslands, and forests. It is a major
stop-over for more than 300,000 snow geese, 100,000 ducks, and
250 bald eagles.
9 -
Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge (Zimmerman,
Minnesota 612/389-3323) is a particularly good spot for
eagle viewing; an extensive network of shallow lakes that freeze
and grow short of oxygen in the winter mean a seasonal fish kill
that provides easy feeding in the spring, when groups of eagles
descend to eat their fill. Hundreds of eagles are drawn to the
refuge and while their numbers are especially strong in the
spring, some eagles are there almost 11 months of the year.
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10 -
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge (Ridgefield,
Washington 360/887-4106) Ridgefield is home to four nesting
pair of bald eagles, but dozens more drop by in the winter,
feeding on waterfowl and fish from the nearby Columbia River.
The big birds are usually easily visible from December through
March and sometimes beyond, depending on the Columbia salmon
runs. Among the contiguous United States, Washington is one of
the largest eagle nesting sites in the country.
11 -
Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge (Union City,
Tennessee 901/538-2481) hosts between 150 and 200 bald
eagles from December through mid-January and sometimes, through
February, as the birds take advantage of the thousands of ducks
and geese wintering on the 15,000-acre Reelfoot Lake. While the
refuge itself is closed in the winter to give waterfowl a chance
to rest, two refuge observation decks remain open throughout the
year and accommodate a high rate of visitors who are attracted
by the yearly eagle influx.
12 -
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge (Scottsbluff,
Nebraska 308/635-7851) Bald eagles have successfully nested
on the refuge each year since 1992. The 1992 nest was the 2nd
successful "Nebraska" nest in over 100 years. This refuge was
created as a sanctuary for migrating birds. In December the
refuge is open to the public for Bald Eagle Viewing Days.
Spotting scopes are set up along the lake for visitors to view
the dozen or so bald eagles that are taking advantage of the
masses of migrating birds.
13 -
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge (Soldotna, AK
907/262-7021) With a statewide population of between 50,000
and 70,000 bald eagles, much of Alaska is eagle country. In
fact, you're likely to see these majestic birds anywhere in the
coastal southcentral or southeastern portions of the state,
including downtown Anchorage! For a special eagle-viewing
experience, however, try floating through the Kenai National
Wildlife Refuge in June or early July when the mighty king
salmon return to their birth waters to spawn. You'll see hunting
birds hovering high overhead, and both mature and immature
eagles perched in trees lining the banks above this world class
fishery. The waters of the Kenai river are beautiful, turned
emerald green by their cargo of glacial silt, and while you
enjoy your eagle-watching adventure you'll also have a good
chance of hooking into one of the river's legendary kings, the
largest of which approach 100 pounds. |
