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Bald eagle numbers continue to rebound across the Commonwealth, giving winter birders more chances to see these impressive birds. Cleaner local waterways, better food supply, and increased protection are all contributing factors. On https://nestvui.com/yen-vien-baby/ , there are now eight known bald eagle nests, with the number climbing as the season goes on.Most bald eagles live in forested areas near water, preferably lakes, rivers, reservoirs, marshes and coasts. They are attracted to open areas that provide good visibility for hunting and perching. They favor tall, mature trees that offer a wide view of their surroundings. They are most likely to nest in pines, but will also use hardwoods, usually at the edge of a wooded area or along a riverbank or marsh. Their talons are too large to penetrate the bark of most trees, so they build their large nests in the crotch, often above water level.While nesting, bald eagles are very attentive to their young. They will feed their fledglings and help them learn to hunt and fish. The parents will also teach their young to fly, which takes about 12 weeks. After leaving the nest, immature eagles remain nomadic until they become fully mature at about five years of age. They communicate with their adult mates and siblings by making high-pitched whistling sounds, which they make by spreading their wings in a circular motion and puffing them up and down.During the winter, bald eagles seek open waters for food and roosting sites, where they form communal roosts with up to 100 birds. They roost at night and in the daytime when they are not feeding or hunting. Disturbance of a roost site can cause birds to abandon the area and may result in eagles being flushed from the nest prematurely. This can leave their young vulnerable to thermal stress, loss of moisture and predation.The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has a network of volunteers and partners who monitor bald eagle nests. These people, including the Madison Audubon Society and 1000 Islands Environmental Center through their Bald Eagle Watch [exit DNR] program, play an important role in ensuring that bald eagles survive their comeback. In addition to observing the nests of bald eagles, these groups and individuals work to protect habitat and raise public awareness of bald eagles. Local wildlife rehabilitators like the Raptor Education Group, Inc. in Antigo nurse sick and injured eagles back to health. Communities along the Wisconsin, Fox and Mississippi rivers host eagle-watching events.This Fourth of July weekend, grab a picnic blanket and some binoculars, and head out to your favorite state park to see if you can spot a bald eagle nest. If you happen to find a nest, consider helping DNR by reporting it. State wildlife biologists use a database of reported nest locations to identify breeding and non-nesting activity.Visit the DNREC Bald Eagle Nest Locator to find a nest near you. And don’t forget to share your eagle sightings with the world by submitting your sighting on our Bald Eagle Nest Report.
