Roost Count Results
Sunday, 19 February. 2012
Hello Eagle Counters!As winter temperatures continue to moderate, eagle numbers have continued to decline. We counted 18 eagles Sunday, whereas we counted 54 eagles two weeks ago.Eagle numbers were likely higher last week as well. I counted 21 eagles roosting in Black Hawk Roost alone, as well as an additional 2 eagles roosting in Sugar Loaf. The winds were strong and cold, blowing out of the northwest. These were perfect conditions for eagles to use Black Hawk Roost.
While standing on Highway 60, I watched many eagles sally out from their perches to participate in courtship flights as more eagles returned to the roosting area. Many birds were flying in from the south, while a few birds entered the controlled airspace at Black Hawk from the north.
Ten eagles were often flying over the roost at one time. Courtship flights included frequent tandem flying and several birds rolling in mid-air to present talons. I was standing with a group of ornithology students and one of them asked if the birds ever locked talons. They had heard that this was possible. Of course, I explained that though locking talons and free-falling is eagle courtship behavior, it is infrequently seen in winter areas. I knew of only a few FBEC members who had ever noted seeing locking talons in the Sauk Prairie area. While pontificating on eagle behavior, the students and I were watching eagles courting over Black Hawk. Of course, immediately after verbosely stating how unusual it was to see eagles lock talons, an adult did so with an immature, falling for about 100 feet before separating just above Black Hawk Roost. It was the first that I had ever witnessed that behavior in 25 years of eagle watching in Sauk Prairie! I am not sure that the students really believed me…Surprisingly, we still do not know if eagles who nest in our area actually winter here as well. Recoveries from banded pairs are still very infrequent. Observations of eagle use of nests through the winter suggest that our resident birds do not migrate but that is still far from conclusive. Having breeding birds overwinter in the area where they nest may be why extensive courtship behavior in eagles such as locking talons can be seen, but only rarely in winter areas. Perhaps the courtship that we see is of more locally breeding eagles while the truly wintering birds are less likely to display extensive courtship behavior. In most years the proportion of breeding to wintering birds would be still quite low. It is always good to know that there is more to learn… Collectively you all applied 32 hours of counting effort today and your efforts are much appreciated.If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact me.Jeb BarzenCount Results
Adult
Immature
Unknown
Total
Blackhawk
-
-
-
-
Sugarloaf
1
1
-
2
Ferry Bluff
-
-
1
1
Fox
-
-
-
-
McDonald
-
-
-
-
Jones Slough
-
-
-
-
Lone Rock
4
1
2
7
Big Hollow
-
-
-
NC
Ederer/Been
2
-
-
2
Leland
5
1
-
6
Totals:
12
3
3
18
Volunteer Hours: 32
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