Troutbirder II

Troutbirder II
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Thursday, October 31, 2013

Whitey: The Wandering Golden Eagle (Part 2)

He was injured, captured, rehabilitated and set free with a transmitter on board to find out from whence he came into the Mississippi Valley.  His name was Whitey and he was a Golden Eagle.....


Golden eagles were thought to be relatively rare in the hill and valley region bordering the mighty Mississippi river valley between Minnesota and Wisconsin. Most experts believed they were lost wanderers from the Rocky Mountain west. More interested birders, better equipment and knowledge of differentiating the big brown eagle from their immature Bald Eagles cousins, has  changed that opinion.

Goldens nest all the way up to the Arctic coast in Alaska and Western Canada. Their range maps in the older field guides show nothing along the western edge of Hudson Bay.

From late April to May, Whitey  flew from western Wisconsin north to Duluth Minnesota at the westernmost tip of Lake Superior. Then he crossed into Ontario, Canada. And then he kept on going and going and going. He flew past Churchill on the southern shore of Hudson Bay. Then further north along Hudson's Bays western edge. He traveled 2,382 miles, averaging 72 miles per day. His  longest one-day flight was 193 miles. From late May to early October, Whitey spent the summer wandering over an immense area of Nunavut — from the northern shore of Hudson Bay to a lake above the Arctic Circle. It had been a migration of astonishing proportions and came as a total surprise to everyone. Or as one of the experts said, “Wow!”

Then in the fall on October 7, he turned and headed back toward his winter home.  By early November, Whitey was back in southwestern Wisconsin after a 26-day, 1,750-mile migration.

Mark Martell, director of bird conservation for Audubon Minnesota said the finding has conservation implications. "These birds are cool, just cool," Martell said. "Here’s this huge, predatory bird that we weren’t even aware was here on a regular basis."

Their presence raises a serious issue — how best to protect them —. But more information is needed first.  Each year in late winter now under the direction and training of the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minnesota, volunteers including the Troutbirders, have participated in a Golden Eagle survey.  About a hundred have been counted each year in the  surveys for the last ten years. before they head north to breed. In more recent years other Goldens have also be tracked.
The Rocky Mountain West hosts many of these birds year around.   On a fly fishing trip to the high country in  Montana my brother Greg and I once counted over thirty Goldens along the road.   World class amateur photographer Mona (Montanagirl) graciously allowed me to use one of her many wonderful pictures. Golden eagles are truly golden.  The picture and the link to her nature blog is shown below. Take a look.....
 
http://girlinmontana.blogspot.com/



 

26 comments:

  1. Hi TB. First, thank you for using my photo in your post about the Golden Eagle (and for crediting me! LOL). The amount of miles flown by the Eagle in your story is just mind-boggling. It was a great read.

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  2. Just finished both blogs about the eagle. It was interesting and incredible the lives these birds live. Thanks TB.

    BTW, what eventually happened to Whitey?

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  3. Hmm This is so educational. So perhaps it was indeed an immature bald eagle that in our yard years ago, when we lived on the lake as it doesn't look like the Golden comes this way . Thanks for all the info , now I want to research the Eagles in our area more :)

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  4. Great to know "The Rest of the Story."

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  5. They are beautiful birds. I had no idea they could migrate so far or fly so many miles in one day!
    We see lots of goldens in Utah. Bald eagles are relatively rare and seasonal.

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  6. Know so little about this bird myself it is fascinating the things I have learned. It makes me wonder if that they are the type of bird that is really is roaming for food in larger areas rather than limiting themselves to a small territory. It is a beautiful bird and I am glad they are being counted and watched.

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  7. Know so little about this bird myself it is fascinating the things I have learned. It makes me wonder if that they are the type of bird that is really is roaming for food in larger areas rather than limiting themselves to a small territory. It is a beautiful bird and I am glad they are being counted and watched.

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  8. What travelers they are, seeing the route I will be more observant in the spring. Great post! :)

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  9. Wow, I am stunned at the amount of miles the travel but the daily total was amazing.
    Whitney's pay back for his rescue was gratifying.

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  10. Thanks for all the info. The grandkids once thought they saw a golden eagle and I said I didn't think we had them here. Maybe they were right!

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  11. The distances they fly is mind boggling! Wow is right!

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  12. Thanks for sharing the story of Whitey with us. These are truly magnificent birds.

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  13. Great, and informative post.

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  14. VERY interesting, I never expected to learn that goldies are solid mid-westerners. How cool is that!?!

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  15. dogs:
    two that look promising:
    http://gsdca.org/breeders-classifieds/breeder-puppy-ads/item/741-todorhaus-german-shepherds
    and
    http://gsdca.org/breeders-classifieds/breeder-puppy-ads/item/746-riverrock-german-shepherds
    good luck :-)

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  16. Fascinating information. We get a few here on the northeast coast each year. I've seen one in the same location 3 years in a row. Mona is something, isn't she? I love her photography. Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a very nice comment. I don't always just post about quilting, so I hope you'll stop in again sometime. Maybe check out some of my archived posts about hiking, birding, and kayaking in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia! I have lots of fun and see some amazing places. I'm a retired teacher, too!! Love the picture on your header! Have a great day! ~karen

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  17. This post and the one one previous about the Golden eagle was so engrossing. I would love to see Goldens like you have seen. Your maps played an important part in your post showing how the golden moved along its migration route.
    Great post!! -- barbara

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  18. We see the Bald Eagle frequently up here in Nth WI and even a Golden on occasion. I would love to see one close up. They are most interesting birds. The migration info was amazing. Thanks so much, you and Mona, for sharing your photos and knowledge. You've taught this ol' bird a few things.
    Life is Full of Surprises

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  19. Great posts. Did the Golden Eagle have the same decline as the Bald due to pesticides? I've seen Balds frequently for the last 10 years here in NE MN. Now I better keep an open mind about possible Goldens. These blog posts will interest my husband, as he grew up with the mighty Mississippi right in front of his house (across the highway.) Unfortunately we never got to the Eagle Center.

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  20. Wonderful story, migration is fascinating thanks for the two blogs on Whitey!

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  21. Hey, Troutbirder!

    Thanks for the terrific stories on the Golden Eagle. After his recuperation, he was truly ready to roll!

    Also Montana Girl's photos are just excellent. Not to be missed.

    Jo

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  22. Both of your blogs about Whitey are wonderful. I can't believe that he could travel that far and to be able to track him is very exciting. Thanks.

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  23. Wow! 193 miles is an amazing distance for one day!

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  24. Technology, ahem, can be rather amazing. :)

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  25. I had the privilege of viewing a golden eagle once, in the wild. They are magnificent. Loved this post! :)

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