Do eagles migrate?

bohman

Well-Known Member
Specifically, bald eagles? I know ospreys do, but have no idea about eagles. I just saw a bunch of them in an area that I haven't seen any all summer, and I wondered if they were just passing through now that summer is over and the weather is turning.
 

vegmom

Bookseller Lady
I saw a bald eagle flying over the ball fields at Cove Point Park couple weekends ago. I guess the ones here stick around?
 

bohman

Well-Known Member
MMDad said:
Some do, some don't. It might be that you didn't notice them, or they could have come south.

http://www.baldeagleinfo.com/

Thanks, good link. What I saw today basically matches what I read on this page: http://www.baldeagleinfo.com/eagle/eagle10.html There were 6 adults, circling relatively high in one area. They could have been catching a thermal.

Or maybe not. I'm just having fun trying to figure out what they are doing. I work in a windowless office so there's probably plenty out there that I don't see on a daily basis.
 
bohman said:
Specifically, bald eagles? I know ospreys do, but have no idea about eagles. I just saw a bunch of them in an area that I haven't seen any all summer, and I wondered if they were just passing through now that summer is over and the weather is turning.
Depends on whether or not they can get food during the winter.
 
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lugebob

Guest
5 or 6 are circling over the Goose Bay marina area. Perhaps it is get down and get cozy mating season... :lmao:
 
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Inkpen

Guest
Most of the coastal eagles stick around or if the winter gets really bad move south a bit to coastal VA.
Eagles from Canada migrate here and spend the winter.
A few golden eagles migrate here and can be seen at Blackwater Wildlife Refuge on the eastern shore.
Takes 5 years for eagles to get their white heads and tails.
Many times you do see an eagle, but dont know it by it coloration.


More info from DNR, MD: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/baldeagle.html

Winter counts: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/bewintersum.asp

Nesting locations: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/eagle_nest_locations.asp
 
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Inkpen

Guest
Some eagle photos..

1. 2 yo juvenile female..all black/brown head, gray, black beak.
2. 3 yo juvenile male...first molt..hard is part white, beak changing.
3. Adult female, approx 12 years old, fully mature. Crasshed into dirt mound while going after groundhog. Groundhog made it to its den, eagle crashed and suffered fatal internal trauma. Died at Tri-State Bird Rescue, Deleware.
4. Adult male,age unkown, in rehab, had been shot and lost its left wing. Hangs out with female. To be relocated this fall to an eagle sanctuary.

Notice the coloration of the head and the beak. The 2 juveniles were both released back into the wild.
The first 3 eagles came from So. Maryland.. Two were from Clavert, the male was from St. Mary's.
 

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sanchezf

Little ol' Me
Inkpen said:
Some eagle photos..

1. 2 yo juvenile female..all black/brown head, gray, black beak.
2. 3 yo juvenile male...first molt..hard is part white, beak changing.
3. Adult female, approx 12 years old, fully mature. Crasshed into dirt mound while going after groundhog. Groundhog made it to its den, eagle crashed and suffered fatal internal trauma. Died at Tri-State Bird Rescue, Deleware.
4. Adult male,age unkown, in rehab, had been shot and lost its left wing. Hangs out with female. To be relocated this fall to an eagle sanctuary.

Notice the coloration of the head and the beak. The 2 juveniles were both released back into the wild.
The first 3 eagles came from So. Maryland.. Two were from Clavert, the male was from St. Mary's.

Do you work for an animal rescue??
 
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Inkpen

Guest
sanchezf said:
That's wonderful!!
Is it local (St. Mary's)
Can people visit? (I'd love to bring the kids)

No, not local. TriState is in Deleware. Wildlife Rescue is in Hamstead. Not really open to the public for tours, stresses the animals. Sorry.
 

sanchezf

Little ol' Me
Inkpen said:
No, not local. TriState is in Deleware. Wildlife Rescue is in Hamstead. Not really open to the public for tours, stresses the animals. Sorry.

Completely understandable.
:yay: for what you do for the animals
 
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