The National Eagle Center is pleased to announce a joint partnership with Audubon Minnesota, MN Department of Natural Resources Non-game and WI Department of Natural Resources, to further study the wintering population of Golden Eagles in and around the SE Minnesota, SW Wisconsin section of the Mississippi Flyway.
Now in its second year, Education Director, Scott Mehus, is ready to take the study to the next level. With 15 years of Golden Eagle research under his belt, this coming year has great potential to be the pinnacle of the study.
Six years ago, Mehus began organizing the “Wintering Golden Eagle Survey of the Mississippi Watershed: Bluffs and Coulee Region.” The January Survey conducted and coordinated by Mr. Mehus through the NEC includes nearly 100 volunteers or Citizen Scientists, who assist in counting Golden Eagles in SE Minnesota, SW Wisconsin and NE Iowa.
The objectives of this study are to discover: The origination or breeding territories of these birds, use of our area’s habitat, prey requirements, migration timing and route, and pair fidelity while on the winter territory. To gain a more thorough understanding of the Goldens’ behaviors, the partners will live trap Golden Eagles, up to eight within the next two years. “Whitey,” last year’s rescued and released Golden, has already been fitted with this transmitter. this winter. These birds will then be fitted with a satel-lite radio and GPS tracking device.
These birds will then be released and the monitors will assist in collecting data on the birds’ natural history. The data collected will be an excellent educational resource for all organizations and agencies included.
Scott is thrilled with this opportunity and invites you to contact him with any questions or to become involved in the workshops, field trips or discovery displays.