 |
Home | Search | Browse | About IPO | Staff | Links |
|
Home | Search | Browse | About IPO | Staff | Links |
|
Winter Watch STORY BY LIZ PENSONEAU AND MEL HOYLE PHOTOS BY ADELE HODDE The sight of a bald eagle soaring majestically overhead invokes feelings of patriotism and admiration in most Americans. With a wing span ranging from 6 to 8 feet, the noble bald eagle commands the respect it deserves as the national symbol of the United States.
In Illinois, we are fortunate to be able to observe these magnificent creatures up close and in their natural habitat. One such opportunity is at Pere Marquette State Park's llth annual Bald Eagles Days. Held Jan. 2-5, 14-17 and Feb. 4-7 and 11-14, the program is hosted by Scott Isringhausen, the park's site interpreter and Joan Hendricksen, an authority on birds who volunteers her time. The program, which is filled with activities for eagle-watching enthusiasts, kicks off at 8:30 a.m. and concludes at 3 p.m. The first item on the agenda is a one-hour informative program at the Visitor Center that teaches guests to distinguish between immature and mature bald eagles and provides information about what eagles eat, how they obtain their food and why they are here this time of year. A short video lends more insight into the life of the bald eagle. Steve Broccardo and his 7-year-old son, Dante, take a turn at the spotting scope during last year's Bald Eagle Days at Pore Marquette State Park.
Each Bald Eagle Days session begins with an hour of classroom instruction presented by Pere Marquette State Park Site Interpreter Scott Isringhausen. "Most people do not realize that Illinois is the second best area in the lower 48 states for observing eagles in the wintertime," Isringhausen said. "They migrate here looking for open water where they can find their favorite food—fish. If they nest successfully, they will stay here the year round. There are a few nests in the state that are active, and we'll be fortunate enough to see one. But for the most part, eagles nest in Alaska, Canada and the northern parts of the U.S. and not in Illinois." Following the indoor program, a caravan is formed for a drive to observe bald eagles and other wildlife. "You will probably get the opportunity to see such things as deer, turkey, great blue heron, ducks, woodpeckers, white pelicans, Canada geese and other wildlife," Isringhausen said. "We'll visit a part of the Mark Twain Wildlife Refuge known as the Gilbert Lake area, and this is where the pileated woodpecker and the other species I've mentioned are known to exist. We'll drive on a road that also borders the Illinois River. It's an exceptional place to see all the different wildlife." Isringhausen said spotting scopes and binoculars are very helpful, as his groups try to disturb the wildlife as little as possible. Scopes, which must be shared, are provided for the tour, but it is suggested that observers bring their own binoculars. They should also dress for cool weather. "Temperatures can be quite cold, and I go out regardless of the weather. I've never had to cancel an event because of it, although I have been known to modify the route," Isringhausen said. Elderly people and people with children will be glad to learn that they do not have to leave their vehicles to observe the eagles and the wildlife. And, when the group does leave the vehicles, Isringhausen says it's only for a short period time. There is no long-distance walking involved. The caravan stops for lunch at a riverside restaurant where eagles can sometimes be observed while visitors dine. "The Barefoot Restaurant at Hardin [on the Illinois River] has huge glass windows, and the spotting scope goes in with the group," Isringhausen said. "On Mondays, when the Barefoot is closed, we stop at The Loading Dock at Hardin or the Kampsville Inn at Kampsville. All of these eateries are area landmarks."
Isringhausen pointed out that bald eagles are not actually bald, but instead have white feathers on their heads and tails that contrast with the darker colored feathers that cover their bodies. They are not called bald because of their appearance, but rather as a form of balde, an Old English word meaning white. "Bald eagles do not get their white feathers until they are between 4 and 5 years old. In captivity they have been known to live to reach 50 years of age, but in the wild, 25 to 35 years is old for an eagle. Many of
them do not survive their first year," he said. "Also, females are quite a bit larger. A female may weigh as much as 14 to 15 pounds, and a male eagle only 8 to 9 pounds. "Eagles are special. They have the ability to focus on an object with one eye while using the other eye to focus on a different object, or they can focus both eyes on the same object," Isringhausen added. "An eagle's vision is 4 to 5 times sharper than that of a human, and it is said an eagle can see a fish in the water from a half a mile away." Fish comprise as much as 90 percent of the bald eagle's diet. The gizzard schad is the fish that they kill a lot and is their primary food. Their second main source of food is waterfowl. "At night the eagles may travel a few miles into deep wooded ravines seeking protection from the wind and other disturbances, but they always return to the water each day to feed," Isringhausen said. "That's really why they are here. Since we normally have open water, this is where they go to be in the south, making us the eagles' version of Florida." Isringhausen said for those watching from the ground, the mating rituals of eagles can seem a little extreme, as they often engage in courtship by locking talons in midair and descending several hundred feet in a series of somersaults. Before hitting the ground, each will go off in its own direction at the last second in what is called a "starburst." Sharon Moeller (above) and Fred Moeller (immediate left) took advantage of their binoculars to view wildlife during the auto caravan at last year's Bald Eagle Days event while others enjoyed the spotting scope. Participants should dress warmly as tours are never canceled because of the weather.
Once paired, eagles remain together until one bird dies, which can be for up to 30 years. (If one bird dies, there is a chance that another mate will be chosen.) They return to the same nest year after year, adding a new layer of limbs and twigs. Isringhausen said the largest nest known to exist was located in Indiana and weighed more than 2 tons before collapsing. An average nest in Illinois is 5 feet wide and 3 feet deep, but weather conditions such as windstorms oftentimes cause nests to blow down. "After mating, both parents share the responsibilities of incubating and feeding the young, and both are excellent at parenting," Isringhausen said. "They become quite territorial over the immediate vicinity of their nest and perches. When they lay their eggs, they may be laid two to three days apart. Their eggs look a lot like chicken eggs, and are about 3 inches around and 2 inches long. Eggs are laid from early March to the end of April, and incubation is about 35 days. On the average, only 1.8 eggs survive. Eagles that do live grow very fast, and within 72 to 75 days, are ready to fly. Their number one predator in Illinois is the raccoon. It gets in the nest and eats the eggs and young birds. Of course, if the raccoon gets too close to the parent, it becomes 'dinner.'" If you've enjoyed reading about this bird, you should consider attending Bald Eagle Days. Just remember that space is limited, so your reservation needs to be made as soon as possible by calling (618) 786-3323, extension 1. If you do participate, chances are that by the end of the day, you'll have a new appreciation for eagles thanks to Isringhausen's knowledge of and enthusiasm for the birds.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
