EAGLE NATURE FOUNDATION, Ltd.

What is the Eagle Nature Foundation?

Membership Benefits

2008 Bald Eagle Bus Tours – Jan/Feb/March

The_Bald_Eagle

The_Bald_Eagle_Factfinder

10^th Annual Fall Eagle Fest –Oct. 27, 2007

48^th Annual Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Count, Jan. 26 & 27, 2008

2007 - Bald Eagle Nest Monitoring Program

2008 Nebraska Bus Tour, March 17 - 20

Teacher Education Programs

Junior Eagle Nature Club

Eagle Nature Foundation Sale Items

2007 Bald Eagle Calendars

Related_Sites

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What Are We!

An international non-profit environmental preservation organization formed in 1995, the Eagle Nature Foundation, Ltd. conducts a variety of exciting programs to save our national symbol and other endangered species from extinction, and to increase public awareness of unique, endangered plants and animals. It has a very colorful history.

Our work actually began back in the early 1960’s as the Southwestern Wisconsin Audubon Club. This club sponsored Mr. Ingram’s bald eagle research in the winter of 1964 and 1965, during which the first known bald eagle roosting valley in the nation was documented. In 1967, it sponsored the first Bald Eagle Days in the nation Cassville, WI. And then in 1970, it started this event as an annual event for many years, which grew into International Bald Eagle Days and was held in nine states from Arizona to New York to Florida to Manitoba to Tennessee.

To prevent the Great River Road from coming through and destroying the above mentioned bald eagle roosting valley, and after trying unsuccessfully to get the Fish & Wildlife Service and the Wisconsin DNR interested in purchasing the area, the organization itself decided to purchase this land, later named Eagle Valley Nature Preserve. In January of 1972, the organization incorporated and changed its name to Eagle Valley Environmentalists, Inc. (EVE).

Within two months after it was incorporated the organization was more than $100,000 in debt after purchasing the first 200 acres of the valley. During the next four years, the Executive Director negotiated and the organization purchased more land from neighboring farmers to increase the size of the preserve to a total of 1470-acres, which included three miles of undeveloped Mississippi River Bluffs. By this time, it had a debt load of over $1,000,000.

It developed the Environmental Center at Eagle Valley Nature Preserve, with sleeping and eating facilities to handle up to 40 to 50 persons per weekend. By manning the center with a small paid staff and many volunteers, more than 10,000 visitors per year were accommodated. At the center many weekend workshops and activities were conducted including Wildflower Weekends, Hawk Watch Weekends, Canoeing Weekends, as well as Eagle Watching and Cross County Skiing Weekends. Workshops, which were conducted at the center, included Winter Survival Workshops, Bird Identification Workshops, Environmental Leadership Training Workshops, and Nature Awareness Workshops. For one week during each summer for 16 years, EVE sponsored an Environmental Camp for adults on the Bruce Peninsula in Ontario, Canada with college credit from Silver Lake College in Manitowoc, WI.

After a bird banding station was developed at the valley, more than 250 species of birds were documented using the valley at some time during the year. Wildflower weekends were able to document over 450 species of wildflowers growing at the valley. Eagle Valley Nature Preserve was documented to be one of our nation’s finest hawk migration locations, when more than 36,000 hawks were observed migrating over the valley in a single day on several different years. It was not uncommon to see more than 50,000 hawks migrate over the area in a single fall season. Each fall every weekend for years the staff and volunteers manned a hawk banding station at the Environmental Center.

In 1974, EVE members discovered Ferry Bluff on the Wisconsin River was being used as an bald eagle roost and again the Exec. Director got options to purchase that land. With help from the National Wildlife Federation and a grant from Anheuser Busch the first part of Ferry Bluff Eagle Sanctuary was preserved. Through other purchases and donations this was later expanded to include close to 300 acres and was managed by the Ferry Bluff Chapter of EVE.

Over the years the organization became involved in bald eagle research and preservation efforts up and down the Mississippi River as well as on the Wisconsin and Illinois Rivers. It conducted this research for several different power companies, the US Army, barge companies, and private individuals. It discovered and documented 46 of the 59 known nighttime bald eagle roosts along these rivers.

It found and named Oak Valley Eagle Preserve near Moline, IL for the large oak trees the eagles were using as a nighttime roost. This valley was eventually preserved, thanks to more help from the National Wildlife Federation and the Illinois Audubon Society. EVE documented that the bald eagles were using both Burlington Island and Clarksville Islands on the Mississippi River for nighttime roosts and worked to preserve these areas.

In the early 1980’s the organization was asked to help prevent the Department of Transportation from destroying the Pike County Conservation Area (owned by IDNR) as it constructed the Central Illinois Expressway across the Illinois River in Pike Country. EVE took its fight to preserve the Pike County Conservation Area from destruction by the Central Illinois Expressway, all the way to the Illinois Supreme Court, but lost the fight. The CIE was constructed as two bridges over the Illinois River and destroyed the valley for the use by eagles by placing the eastbound lane on the North side of the valley and the westbound lane on the South side of the valley

This work had hardly been completed when EVE was asked to help prevent the Illinois Department of Natural Resources from allowing the Freeman Coal Company to strip mine the 3,000 acre Rice Lake Conservation Area south of Peoria on the Illinois River. The IDNR stated that they would get the 3,000 acres back in 20 years, after the area had been strip mined, and then they would create better habitat than was there at the time. It was only after forcing two Environmental Impact Statements to be prepared by IDNR, and finally a public hearing to be held, that this battle was successful. During this public hearing EVE was able to document for the hearing officers that the area was used by as many as 11 different endangered species and that over 50 bald eagles used it as a nighttime roost. Since that time IDNR has made this area one of the IDNR’s largest land holdings in the whole state of Illinois.

In 1983 the organization changed its name to The Eagle Foundation (TEF). During the mid 1980’s it developed one of the nation’s largest captive bald eagle breeding programs with 23 disabled bald eagles in the facility. But after three years of being unsuccessful in getting a single fertilized egg, or even a single drop of eagle semen from the males to fertilize the females, the program was shut down in April of 1988 and the eagles were given back to the Fish & Wildlife Service.

This occurred when the organization was in the midst of a financial crunch and this program was costing over $45,000 per year just to care for the eagles. The power company had warned us that they would turn off the electricity by the end of April, if we did not pay the bill. The board set a priority of how the bills were to be paid and that was so far down the list there was little hope that it could be paid. Without electricity the freezers would not keep the eagles’ food frozen. During the four years that we had these birds we had not had an eagle die, or even one get sick.

During late 1987 and early 1988 the organization moved its headquarters from Apple River, where it had been since its inception to Galena, IL, where it could operate a nature related store on Main Street. This worked so well that the membership almost doubled, 850 to over 1500, in just six months. It has grown to 850 during the Year of the Eagle in 1982 and stayed at that level for about six years.

During the first part of 1988 most of the officers were driven out of the organization, including the President, Vice President, 2 Treasurers and the Executive Director. As soon as the last of the these officers resigned, the remaining board shut down the organization’s whole operation, including the environmental center at Eagle Valley Nature Preserve, and its new store and office on Main Street in Galena, IL. With no programs operating and no communication to the membership and with no money coming in to service its debt load the remaining board of TEF declared the organization bankrupt by the end of 1988. The bankruptcy court sold Eagle Valley Nature Preserve to the Kohler Company, which maintains it as a private preserve, closed to the public. The Ferry Bluff land was sold to the Wisconsin DNR to be managed as part of their Wisconsin River Wilderness area. So the land that so many persons helped to preserve is preserved, but just in a much different way than the founders had planned.

Once the bankruptcy was cleared away, all of the officers who had been driven out and some other past officers and directors decided to start the organization again feeling our goal had not been achieved and that some national organization was needed to keep the public aware that the bald eagle was still threatened. That is how Eagle Nature Foundation, Ltd. (ENF) was started, in March of 1995.

Since then ENF sponsored International Bald Eagle Days in Chattanooga, TN in 1996. It has been a member of and publisher for the KY/TN/IL Bald Eagle Management Team for many years. The following pages in this web site will explain some of the many other things we do; such as conduct five bald eagle bus tours each winter, conduct the nation’s largest one day Midwinter Bald Eagle Count, and many other Environmental Education efforts. We are presently working to preserve several pieces of bald eagle habitat along the Illinois River, including stopping a proposed coal mine adjacent to the Rice Lake Conservation Area near Banner. Presently, we are looking at several other Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin bald eagle habitats that need to be saved and we will act to preserve them just as quickly as our finances will allow us to do so. A bequest would go a long way towards bringing these efforts to fruition.

You can help assure a safe and secure future for our endangered national symbol by supporting the work of the Eagle Nature Foundation. Your membership and donations will insure the success of our preservation, education and research programs and will keep the majestic American bald eagle forever flying free.

A donation to our Bald Eagle Endowment Fund would help make sure we have the money in the future to continue the vital work we have started. This money will be put into a secure, guaranteed investment so that we can only use the interest for our operating expenses.

-HABITAT  PRESERVATION.  We monitor bald eagle and other endangered wildlife populations and strives to preserve habitat that is vital to the survival of those populations.	-RESEARCH.  We fund and conduct bald eagle research, disseminate research results, and sponsor International Bald Eagle Days, North America's most important bald eagle research meeting.
-PUBLIC INFORMATION. Accurate, timely publications, news releases, brochures and audio-visual programs tell about the need to help eagles and other wildlife.	-LEGISLATION. We regularly support and work for laws that will preserve vital wildlife habitat
-EDUCATION. Materials for schools inform students about the needs of the bald eagle and discuss our responsibility to preserve and protect the natural environment.	-LEGAL ACTION. When necessary, we take legal action to save threatened wildlife habitat.

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************************************************************** MEMBERSHIP  BENEFITS.

Here is what you receive when you join the Eagle Nature Foundation, Ltd.

- A laminated membership card.

- Informational brochures about ENF's programs and activities.

- Discounts on certain books, birdfeeders and nature items purchased from the Eagle Nest Nature Store.

- Two issues per year of ENF's Environmental Newsletter, "The Nature News", which includes up-to-date information about the environment and ENF's many activities.

- Four issues per year of ENF's magazine, Bald Eagle News, with exciting articles and photo essays about bald eagles and other wildlife, news of ENF activities, and updates on environmental issues

- Opportunity to participate in special ENF events, such as bird counts, bus tours and nature camps.

- The satisfaction of knowing you are helping ensure the future of our national symbol, as well as other endangered wildlife species.

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MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION BY MAIL:

Make checks payable and mail to:

The Eagle Nature Foundation

300 E. Hickory St.
Apple River, IL. 61001
Phone:1-815-594-2306

Fax Phone: (815) 594-2305
E-Mail: eaglenature.tni@juno.com

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION  ONLINE :

Please enroll me as a member of The Eagle Nature Foundation.

$15/ Year Student / Senior Citizens.

$20/Year Individual.

$30/Year Family.

$50/Year Sustaining

$250/Life

$1,000/Founding

$12.50/Year Library Subscription.

$100/Year Organization Affiliate.

I would like to make an additional donation:

General Donation $

Specific Donation $ for

Name:   

Address:

City:      

State:           Zip: 

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Bald Eagle Bus Tours – 2008

The Eagle Nature Foundation is pleased to once again sponsor our 4-hour bus tours to see wintering bald eagles along the Upper Mississippi River. On selected Saturday mornings, January 12^th, February 9^th, February 16^th, February 23^th, and March 8^th, the 4-hour tour will leave from the Stoney Creek Inn in Galena, IL at 8:00 am.

Bald eagles winter in large numbers along the Upper Mississippi River during the winter months. Tour participants during past years have been delighted to enjoy anywhere from 5 to 400 of these bald eagles during a single four-hour bus tour. In 2006, no tour saw as many as 20% immatures, which indicates a problem with the bald eagle reproduction.

Bald eagles will be seen fishing, perching, nesting and flying overhead. There will be ample photographic opportunities, so bring your camera. Different active bald eagle nests will be observed from a distance, so the nesting adults will not be disturbed. Those nests raised a total of 7 young eaglets in 1999.

These coach bus tours will visit several different communities of wintering bald eagles. Their daily feeding habits, migration movements and life history, as well as survival problems will be presented for your information and enjoyment. A tour participant will come away with a much better appreciation of America’s National Symbol, and the knowledge of why we should all strive to keep it flying free.

If any group would like a private tour, please call the ENF office to see if such a tour would be feasible and to make the arrangements.

Tour Guide - Terrence N. Ingram

Researcher, author and speaker, Terrence N. Ingram, has researched and photographed bald eagles for over 45 years. He is the CEO and founder of the Eagle Nature Foundation, Ltd. and has been leading bus tours to see wintering bald eagles for over 45 years.

Mr. Ingram may personally have observed more bald eagles than anyone else alive. On many occasions he has counted more than 1500 bald eagles in a single day along the Mississippi River. He has personally discovered and documented more bald eagle severe weather winter roosts along the Mississippi River and its tributaries, and edited more bald eagle manuscripts than any other person.

Mr. Ingram is the coordinator for the annual Midwinter Bald Eagle Count along the Mississippi River, and is a member and editor of the KY/TN/IL Bald Eagle Management Team. He is editor of Bald Eagle News, as well as Nature News, and is author of the out of print coffee table book, EAGLE. Autographed copies of this book may be available for participants to purchase during the bus tour.

Mr. Ingram received the coveted Sol Feinstone Environmental Award from Syracuse University in 1974. For his years of preservation work he was named an Illinois Environmental Hero in 2006 by Illinois Lt. Gov., Pat Quinn.

Boarding Time & Location

The coach bus tours will depart from Stoney Creek Inn on Hwy 20, west side of Galena, IL (near McDonalds) at 8:00 am each Saturday morning; Jan. 12, Feb. 9, 16, 23 and March 8.

Stoney Creek Inn, Ramada Inn, and Country Inn & Suites in Galena are all pleased to help sponsor these eagle bus tours by offering special rates to anyone who stays at their Inn when participating on a tour. Their special Friday night tour rate of $79/room, includes a complimentary Continental Breakfast. So families may enjoy these tours, children under 17 stay free at the Stoney Creek Inn.

For overnight reservations at Stoney Creek Inn, call 800-659-2220; at Ramada Inn call 815-777-2043; and at Country Inn & Suites, call 815-777-2400.

Bus Tour Reservations

Advanced Reservations are required.

The cost for a tour is $60 per seat for adults and $40 per seat for children under 17 and the seats are on a first come, first served basis. $10 of this fee is non-refundable, if you cancel for any reason. When you call, you will be informed of whether you may still have time to send a check, or will need to use a credit card ($1 extra per seat) to pay for your seat to ensure you seat will be reserved.

If you reserve a seat prior to Jan. 1, 2008 you are eligible for an early bird 10% discount on your tour rate.

Call 815-594-2306 to make your reservations for a tour, and to see if there are any seats left on the specific tour, which you may wish to take. If you find you are unable to go on one tour and but are able to participate in a different one let us know prior to a tour and you may change the tour date for no extra charge,

Call 815-594-2306 if you would like to receive any of our tour brochures.

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10^th Annual Fall Eagle Fest – Oct. 27, 2007

The Eagle Nature Foundation will host the 10^th Annual Fall Eagle Fest from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm at the Galena Convention Center, Galena, IL on Saturday, Oct. 27. At three times during the day, 10:00, 12:00 and 2:30, a live Bird of Prey show will be presented by John and Dales Stokes, with hawks and owls flying over the heads of the audience. Other plans for the Festival include a junior and senior high school Bald Eagle Essay Contest, a junior and senior high school Nature Art Contest and display, nature photographers’ displays, food and other vendors, as well as environmental displays. Environmental organizations wishing to have a booth at this festival are invited to call ENF’s office, 815-594-2306 for available space.

This Fall Eagle Festival is sponsored by many businesses throughout the Tri-State area. It will be a family event to be enjoyed by children of all ages. There will be something for everyone to enjoy. There will be a free door prize for everyone who registers at the event.

Any schools wishing to schedule a John and Dale Stokes Bird of Prey Show at their school on Thursday or Friday preceding the Fall Eagle Fest, may do so by calling the ENF Office for details.

Bald Eagle Essay Contest –

Background

Purpose: Since it was placed on the Endangered Species List in 1976, our national symbol, the bald eagle, has come back from being endangered in 43 states, to just being threatened throughout the nation. Reproduction of young eagles across the nation seems to have taken a down hill slide during the past six years. In order to ensure that this decline is only temporary and that the bald eagle may continue to fly free over our great nation, we need to develop an awareness among our nation’s young people, of why the Bald Eagle must remain a viable part of our environment and our heritage. ENF is proud to provide this opportunity for our current younger generation to express its views on the importance of our symbol of freedom to the world and to future generations. Last year all winning entries were entered into the Congressional Record by Congressman, Donald Manzullo.

Rules: This year the essay must be entitled “How Important is Our Bald Eagle Reproduction Rate?” and must be limited to 500 words or less. Each school is limited to two entries in the Junior High School division and two entries in the Senior High School division. Therefore, to comply with this requirement, all entries must be prejudged by the school staff. All entries must be postmarked prior to October 16, 2007

Judging: Our preliminary panel of judges will choose the top four entries in each division. These eight semifinalists, 4 from each division, will be notified of their being chosen by Oct. 22, 2007. The final judging will take place at 1:00 pm, Oct. 27^th, during the Fall Eagle Fest, when the eight semi-finalists must orally present their essays to the general public in order to qualify for any of the prizes.

Awards: The first place winner in each division will receive a check for $100, plus a trophy, while the second place winner will receive a check for $50, third place a check for $25 and fourth place a check for $10. A school, or home schooled children, represented by the top essay winner in each division will receive a plaque and $50 for the department, or family teacher, coordinating the essay contest. The judges have full discretion to not award a prize, if they feel the essay is not worthy of an award. Each of the semi-finalists will receive a t-shirt to wear during Eagle Fest, so members of the public will recognize them.

Registration Forms: Registration forms for the Fall Eagle Fest Bald Eagle Essay Contest can be requested from:

ENF Headquarters, 300 E. Hickory St., Apple River, IL 61001 Ph. 815-594-2306

ENF Nature Art Contest

There will be a school Nature Art Contest with two divisions, junior and senior high school.

Purpose: Our nation is facing many environmental problems, including global warming, over population, pesticide and other chemical pollutions, as well as the destruction of habitat and the decline of many species of insects, birds, reptiles, mammals and plants. Getting our younger generation to think about many of these things and what may be lost in their lifetime is very important. Many times a picture is worth a thousand words. Some students may be able to tell this story through their art, better than they can with words.

As with the essay contest, schools are limited to entering only two pieces in each division, so the schools must prejudge their students’ work, to determine, which ones are their best two.

Rules:

1. Any crayon, pencil, or watercolor medium will be acceptable.

2. The maximum size is 16” X 20”.

3. The subject matter must be nature oriented, with a preference to being eagle related, but that will not be a criteria for the judges to use in their decision making.

4. The entries will be judged before Eagle Fest, and only the best 40 will be displayed during Eagle Fest.

5. Ribbons will be posted on the winning entries, so everyone can see which ones the judges liked the best.

6. Awards for the top four winners in each division will be presented during the award ceremony at 2:00 in the afternoon.

7. These eight winners will be notified by Oct. 22, so they can make arrangements to be present during the award ceremony.

8. Entries will not be returned by mail, unless the students or teachers want to pay for the shipping and handling charges,

9. Entries may be picked up to be taken home, after 3:00 PM during Eagle Fest, Oct. 27, 2007.

Awards: The first place winner in each division will receive a check for $100, plus a trophy, while the second place winner will receive a check for $50, third place winner a check for $25 and fourth place winner a check for $10. A school, or home schooled children, represented by the top art entry in each division will receive a plaque and $50 for the department, or family teacher, coordinating the Nature Art Contest. Each of the eight winners will receive a t-shirt to wear during Eagle Fest, so members of the public will recognize them.

Registration Forms: Registration forms for the Fall Eagle Fest Nature Art Contest may be requested from:

ENF Headquarters, 300 E. Hickory St., Apple River, IL 61001 Ph. 815-594-2306

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Junior Eagle Nature Club

A membership organization for children of all ages:

(Lifetime Membership - $5.00 + $1.50 for postage)

Members will receive the following:

1. Laminated membership card
2. Laminated membership certificate
3. One 8" x 10" colored nature print - members have their choice of the following:

1. Eagle (flying)
2. Loon and babies
3. Mountain Lion cub
4. Black Bear cub
5. Snowy Owl
6. Wolf Pups

1. Packet of information about the bald eagle and other environmental issues.
2. Knowledge that you are helping preserve the natural world for the enjoyment of future generations.

Send your membership name and fee to the Eagle Nature Foundation office listed above.

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48^th Annual Midwinter Bald Eagle Count

Volunteers are needed for the 48^th Annual Mid-winter Bald Eagle Count, which will be held throughout the Midwest from Minnesota to Tennessee on Jan. 26 – 27, 2008. It was the annual results of this count, started in 1961, by the late Elton Fawks, which first alerted the nation to the decline of the bald eagle throughout the early 60’s, and eventually led to the bald eagle being placed on the Endangered Species List in 1976.

In 2007 the counters tallied a total of 3824 bald eagles with only 744 known immatures, which is 19.7 %. This is the lowest percentage of immatures since 1964. In 2006, a total of 1725 bald eagles were tallied with only 392 immatures, yielding a percentage of 23.3%. In 2005, a total of 1638 bald eagles were tallied with only 324 immatures, yielding a percentage of 24.6%.

In 2004, the counters tallied a total of 3971 bald eagles with 2731 known adults and 924 known immatures. These are almost the identical numbers that were tallied in 1997 when 3731 eagles were tallied, with 2720 known adults and 927 known immatures.

In 2003, the counters tallied a total of 3159 bald eagles, with 2277 known adults and 733 known immatures. In 2002, the counters tallied a total of 2511 bald eagles with 1653 known adults and 791 known immatures. In 2001, the counters tallied a total of 3101 bald eagles with 2010 known adults, and 1071 known immatures.

In 2000, the counters tallied a total of 1568 bald eagles with 949 known adults and 605 known immatures. In 1999, the counters tallied a total of 1913 bald eagles with 1237 known adults and 595 known immatures. During the 1998 count, a total of 1593 bald eagles were counted, which included 1063 known adults and 522 known immatures.

In comparison, in 1963 the counters tallied only 525 bald eagles and 102 immatures yielding a percentage of 19.7%. In 1964, counters tallied 485 bald eagles with only 61 immatures yielding a percentage of 17.2% of known age birds and in 1965 counters tallied 868 bald eagles with 191 immatures or 24.8%. .

During the past five years the percentage of immatures has dropped from 26.5% in 2003 down to 19.7% in 2007. During the past ten years the immature ratio averaged 29.4% and has varied from a high of 38.9 % in 2000 to the 2007 low of 19.7 %.

From these numbers it appears that the bald eagle population reached a peak in 2000 and has been steadily declining ever since. The cause of this decline is unknown. The eagles declined in the 1950’s for some unknown reason as well. The Fish & Wildlife Service claims that the decline in the 1950’s was due to DDT, but the bald eagle population had been on the rebound for years before our nation banned DDT, so DDT was not the main reason for the decline.

Idaho had the poorest production per active nest that they have had in the last 10 years. Arizona has not produced enough young to maintain their bald eagle population in 9 out of the past 10 years. These are all reasons for us to remain alarmed.

Volunteers are needed to help count bald eagles on this count weekend in January, 2008. Anyone wishing to help with the count should get count forms by contacting Mr. Terrence N. Ingram, Executive Director, Eagle Nature Foundation, 300 East Hickory, Apple River, IL 61001, or phone 815-594-2306.

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Eagle Nature Foundation Sale Items

2007 ENF Bald Eagle Calendars - Large beautiful 12” x 12” local bald eagle photographs taken by expert nature photographers, Herb Lange, Hazel Green, WI and Thomas Sofianos, Davenport, IA make this a real keepsake. – A must have for every bald eagle enthusiast - $10 each plus $3 for shipping and handling.

Gold Bald Eagle Pin – 1" gold eagle pin designed from ENF’s complete logo with safety lock - $5

Blue eagle Buttons – 2 inch buttons with ENF’s logo on a blue background – $.50 each

Eagle Nature T-shirts – White shirt with Eagle Nature Name & Decal –

$10 each plus $2.50 shipping and handling – state size desired

Coffee Mug -- “I Helped Save An Eagle” - Green with gold lettering and gold ENF logo - $7.50 includes S&H

EAGLE - (Presently out of Print – We occasionally find copies available)

Hardcover coffee table book by Terrence N. Ingram - 9 3/8" x 12 ¾"

144 pages – 150 full color and black & white photographs

Through words and pictures, EAGLE, illuminates the behavior and habitat of this majestic bird, with special emphasis on their threatened status and the recovery efforts that are protecting their future.

Naturalist and eagle-researcher Terrence N. Ingram provides readers with the opportunity to visit the eagle’s world through an insider’s eyes, offering the unique insight gained from a lifetime of studying these impressive creatures.

For animal lovers and eagle enthusiasts everywhere, EAGLE is the perfect resource to this wild and graceful raptor.

A portion of the sale of each book is donated to ENF to further our efforts to save the eagle and its vital habitat.

Autographed copy - $50.00 plus $7.50 shipping and handling.

Order from the Eagle Nature Foundation office, listed above.

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Bald Eagle Nest Monitoring Program for 2007

The Federal and many state governments are dropping all of their monitoring programs and activities for the bald eagle. Unless some private monitoring programs do not pick up the slack there will be a real void in our knowledge about changes in the bald eagle populations. Presently there appears to be a problem with our bald eagle reproduction in many parts of the country, which has to be confirmed as soon as possible, so steps can be taken to reverse this trend. To help fill this void in our eagle knowledge, the Eagle Nature Foundation (ENF) has instituted a Bald Eagle Nest Monitoring Program.

ENF is asking schools, organizations, businesses and individuals to support the program by paying $100 towards the cost of monitoring each nest. This will cover only part of the volunteer’s cost of visiting each nest each week to determine what is occurring at the nest. But just getting part of their gasoline paid for will let that volunteer know that his or her efforts are appreciated. In appreciation for their $100 the sponsor shall receive a certificate and report at the end of the year as to what occurred at the nest throughout the nesting season, including but not limited to the number of young actually hatched and fledged. Any potential sponsor is urged to contact ENF and indicate their interest in being a part of this very important program.

ENF is seeking many volunteers, who can make weekly visits to one or more nests, and record what is occurring. This includes such things as: how many adults are nearby; what the adults are doing; how many young are in the nest; as well as what other factors, such as weather or disturbances they see. Last year observers recorded when trees were blown down and whether or not the young were saved and rehabilitated.

Anyone interested in being an observer for a nest near them should contact the Eagle Nature Foundation, 300 East Hickory St. Apple River, IL 61001 or call 815-594-2306.

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Nebraska Bus Tour, Mar. 17 – 20, 2008

Participants will get to enjoy one of our nation’s greatest natural wonders, the Sandhill Crane migration stopover in central Nebraska. Each spring over 80% of the world’s population of Sandhill Cranes converge on this part of our nation. We will also be looking for Whooping Cranes, Bald Eagles, Snow and Blue Geese, Prairie Chickens, Prairie Dogs, Burrowing Owls and Peregrine Falcons.

We will visit and enjoy several historic highlights, such as: the 1865 steamboat, Bertrand, which sank carrying goods up the Missouri River; Fort Kearny State Historical Park featuring the first fort built to protect travelers on the Oregon Trail; Pioneer Village, where you can see how America grew; and Hastings Museum of Natural and Cultural History, featuring the world’s largest display of Whooping Cranes.

We will visit several different wildlife areas, such as: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge; Nebraska’s Rainwater Basins; Crane Meadows Visitor Center; Rowe Sanctuary and the Lain Nicolson Audubon Center, with its straw bale building, and the J-2 Power Plant Eagle Viewing Site. Most of these sites have gift shops, so there will be ample opportunity to get souvenirs.

A trip to Nebraska would not be complete without a stop at the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument, an eight story building right over Interstate 80, which takes you through the history and pioneer development of Nebraska, the Oregon Trail and our present Interstate highway system.

This will be a very delightful, educational and entertaining four day tour to relive some history and to see and enjoy some of our nation’s vast natural resources.

Tour guide will be Terrence N. Ingram, who has directed and taught environmental and leadership training camps and workshops for over 30 years, in both Wisconsin and Canada. He was named one of Illinois’ 2006 Environmental Heroes by Lt. Gov., Pat Quinn.

The tour cost is $580 per person, or $480 per person double occupancy, which includes the tour bus, tour guide, three nights in motels and entrance fees to all locations. This does not cover food for four meals, or a possible stay at Stoney Creek Inn in Galena, IL before or after the tour. Stoney Creek Inn (800-659-2220) and Country Inn & Suites (815-777-2400) in Galena both offer a $79 room rate for anyone staying in their Inn both before and after the tour.

This tour will leave from Stoney Creek Inn in Galena at 8:00 am on Monday morning, March 17 and return to Stoney Creek Inn on Thursday evening, March 20. This tour is being limited to the first 40 people who reserve a seat. Cars may be left in the Stoney Creek Inn’s parking lot while you are on the tour.

Please call 815-594-2306 to see if there are any openings are remaining, or to make a reservation.

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The Bald Eagle

The golden eagle had represented power and majesty for thousands of years before John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and our Nation’s other founding fathers chose the bald eagle as our national symbol in 1782. Then as now, the eagle represented “a free spirit, high soaring and courageous.” Moreover, the bald eagle has always been uniquely American, found only on our continent.

At the time the Republic was formed, the bald eagle was common in North America, soaring through the skies over its timber-bordered lakes, streams, and coastlines. Perhaps as many as 25,000 lived in what we now call the lower 48 states.

Today, the bald eagle is still listed as a “threatened species “south of the Canadian border.” Its number dropped dangerously low over the last century, for a number of reasons. However, the outlook is getting better. Because of the efforts of many people, the decline in the bald eagle population has apparently been halted and perhaps, even reversed.

Conservationists view recent improvements with cautious optimism. But much work remains to be done - increased preservation of crucial natural habitat, greater public awareness of the eagle’s problems, plus more public and private funding for conservation and research.

A major part of this effort lies in informing Americans about our National Symbol. A greater understanding and appreciation of this majestic, threatened bird will help it to survive and flourish as a valued part of our heritage.

Symbol Adopted.

On June 20, 1782, the bald eagle was formally adopted as the emblem of the United States, a living symbol of our nation’s strength and freedom.

Today, the bald eagle represents more than a nation. The eagle typifies the plight of all wildlife struggling to survive in a world dominated by the needs of human beings. The decline of the bald eagle reflects the reduced quality of our natural environment. If this powerful symbol of freedom continues to be abused and neglected as it has been for decades, what hope does the future hold for less recognized species?

Concern for the fate of all endangered species is growing. At the same time, human activities are disturbing, or destroying, more and more of the natural environment. Clear thought and keen awareness of these issues are essential, if we are to preserve unique and important ecosystems.

What is the Bald Eagle?

The bald eagle is a bird of prey - that is, a flesh - eating bird. Its Latin name - Haleaeetus leucocephalus - means “white-headed sea eagle.” It is called “bald” because the word was used in times past to mean white or white faced.

Field Marks:

Adult: dark brown body, white head and tail, yellow feet, beak and eyes.

Immature: dark brown body, showing white in the wing linings and breast. It has brown head, tail, feet, beak and eyes and is similar in appearance to the Golden Eagle without white on the tail. Golden Eagles have feathered legs to the toes. Bald eagles have bare legs.

Found only in North America, the bald eagle is also called the American Eagle. The other eagle native to this continent, the somewhat less rare Golden Eagle, occurs in other parts of the world as well. The bald eagle is the North American continent’s second largest bird of prey, surpassed in size only by the California Condor.

As is true with most birds of prey, the female is almost always larger than the male. A female bald eagle may stand as much as 107 centimeters (42 inches) high, with a wingspan of up to 240 centimeters (8 feet). Males stand up to 90 centimeters (35 inches) high, with wingspans of nearly 200 centimeters (6 1/2 feet). Body weights of bald eagles range from 3.6 to 6.4 kilograms (8 to 14 pounds), with females generally about a kilogram heavier than males.

How Do I know A Bald Eagle When I See One?

In addition to their large size, adult bald eagles are identified by their snowy white head and tail feathers. However, a young bald eagle does not grow these white feathers until it reaches sexual maturity in its fourth or fifth year of life. Immature bald eagles are a mottled light and dark brown all over, and in flight they often are mistaken for golden eagles or turkey vultures.

Osprey are often mistaken for bald eagles, but with a little close observation can be easily identified. The osprey has a smaller head, that is white, with a black line going through the eye. Some 4 year old eagles will show this same black line, so the wing shape is the best identification. The osprey has a narrower wing than the bald eagle and normally has a crook in it, while the bald eagle wing will be straight.

What Do Bald Eagles Eat?

Sixty to ninety percent of a bald eagle’s diet consists of fish. The birds generally scavenge dead fish, although they will catch live fish as well. They will take an occasional heron, crow, grouse, duck, gull, or small mammal, especially if fish are not available. They will feed on dead animals, if other food is not found. This includes dead animals, such as road killed deer, as well as chickens and small pigs, which farmers may throw out with their manure during the winter.

The bald eagle is an opportunist and will sometimes steal fish from an osprey or crow. But ospreys have been observed stealing fish from young eagles as well.

The bald eagle uses several fishing techniques. A favorite method is to perch in a tree and watch for a fish swimming in open water nearby, and then swoop down to capture it. If a suitable tree is not available near the water for perching, the birds may also fly out over open water looking for fish below. In winter, they may perch on the edge of ice near open water and wait for fish to float by, or to wash up on the ice.

After catching a fish the eagle will either fly back to a perching tree to eat it or, if the fish is small enough, swallow the fish whole while the bird is in flight. Occasionally, eagles will carry a larger fish they have caught back to the ice or to the shore to be eaten. In over 80% of their feeding, wintering bald eagles along the Mississippi River, feed upon small fish they eat while flying.

No valid record exists of a bald eagle ever carrying off a baby. An 8-14 pound eagle may only carry off prey that is approximately half its weight.

How Do Bald Eagles Nest?

It has been stated for many years that a Bald Eagle pair will mate for life, but if one partner dies, or disappears, the other will find another mate. A newly bonded pair may work several years on a nest before actually breeding. They may desert one nest site and start again somewhere else, usually within 1/2 mile.

A northern bald eagle will begin to nest sometime in February or April. A southern bald eagle will begin to nest in December and January Each nesting pair will spend a great amount of time preparing the nest before any egg is laid. The successful nest is generally located in a large tree, within one mile from water, where adequate food is available.

Bald eagle nests are generally found from 15 to 36 meters (50 to 120 feet) above the ground, in a tall, sturdy tree. It takes at least four days for a pair of eagles to build their nest.

A typical bald eagle nest (eyrie) will range from 1.8 to 3 meters (6-10 feet) in diameter and about 1.8 to 3 meters (6 to 10 feet) high. The nest cavity, where eggs are laid, will be about 30 to 40 centimeters (12 to 16 inches) in diameter and about 10 centimeters (4 inches) deep.

A pair of eagles, once established, may use the same nest several times over a period of years. Each year more materials are added to the nest, which increases the size of the nest each year that it is used. Nests weighing up to 2 tons have been found.

A Vermillion, Ohio nest measured 2.6 meters across its top and was 3.6 meters high and weighed nearly 1,000 kilograms! Usually, eagles will build more than one nest and use them alternately.

An eagle nest is constructed from large sticks, which are laid together to form the outside part of the nest. The center of the nest is filled with dead weeds, stubble and other softer materials, which may be available in the area. The nest cavity where the eggs are laid is lined with grass, dry moss and feathers.

Many authorities believe that the bald eagle shows such a strong attraction to its nesting site that, if displaced or overly disturbed, a pair may not return to the nest the following year. This fact places great importance on protecting nesting areas from disturbances such as logging operations, land development and recreational activities.

Human activity in the area of a nest during the breeding season must be strictly controlled to avoid disturbance of the nesting bald eagles. The United States Forest Service has developed, and is presently enforcing, human activity controls in bald eagle nesting areas in the National Forests of Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Arizona. This may be a great part of the reason the bald eagles population has recovered so well in the past 40 years.

The female eagle will normally lay two eggs, and occasionally three, which are about the size of a goose egg (74.4 mm x 57.1 m.) and colored dull white or pale bluish white. Both parents incubate or brood the eggs, which take 34 to 35 days to hatch, and care for the young eaglets. These eaglets will remain in the nest for another 12 to 13 weeks before taking their first flight.

After learning to fly and feed themselves, the young immature eagles are allowed to return to the nest for the remainder of the summer. But the young eagles are usually not observed near their parent’s nest after the first year.

Where in the United States are Bald Eagles Found?

The search for food forces bald eagles, which nest in the northern United States and Canada, to migrate south in late autumn, when lakes and rivers in their nesting grounds freeze over. Congregations of these birds may be seen during the winter along lakes and rivers where there is open water, often near dams and power plants.

Primarily fish eating birds, they are found along the coasts of North America and along inland lakes and rivers from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic. The birds will winter as far north as ice free water permits. At some time during the year, a bald eagle may be seen in nearly every state in the continental U.S. (there are none in Hawaii).

A majority of Bald Eagles nest in Alaska and remote areas of Canada. A small number nest in the United States in areas where isolation can still be maintained. Major nesting areas are concentrated in: the Far West, (Alaska, the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington, as well as Washington, Oregon, and northern California); the Upper Midwest (central and northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and upper Michigan); and the East Coast (Maine, the Chesapeake Bay area, and Florida).

During winter months, bald eagles are widely scattered throughout much of the continental U.S. Substantial numbers may be found along the Upper Mississippi River and its larger tributaries. Smaller concentrations may be found in other areas, including the deserts of the West and Southwest.

How Many Bald Eagles Are There In North America?

This question is almost impossible to answer. Even if an exact number could be obtained, it would change from one year to the next. Also, because of the migratory habits of bald eagles, estimates of the populations are extremely difficult to make and may be misleading.

Based on several years of surveys in the United States and Canada, the total bald eagle population of North America is estimated to be somewhere between 35,000 and 50,000.

That Seems Like Many Bald Eagles!

Why Should We Be So Worried About Their Fate.

There are relatively large eagle populations in Alaska and Canada. Alaska, for example, is thought to have approximately 10,000 nesting pairs, Saskatche-wan Province alone is estimated to have between 3500 and 4000 pairs. 0ver 3000 pairs are believed to exist in Canada in addition to Saskatchewan.

Prime nesting areas in the United States are unevenly distributed in Florida, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Oregon & Washington. There are close to 400 active nests in National Forests alone, and perhaps as many on state and private lands.

Twenty five years ago most states had no nesting bald eagles at all. However, in the last few years many states have had one to thirty pairs of bald eagles successfully raise young. It is this low number of bald eagles in the lower 48 states, where large numbers once existed, which prompts concern for the fate of the species.

Now we are seeing a six year decline in the percentages of young that are surviving to winter. What the reason is for this decline is unknown. The exact reason for the decline in the 1950s is unknown as well. The Fish & Wildlife Services states that the eagles declined in the 1950s because of DDT. The problem with that statement is the fact that the bald eagle was recovering for years before the nation banned DDT.

How Close To Extinction Is The Bald Eagle?

The answer could be (and often has been!) debated for hours. Some recent events give encouragement to the belief that the species will never become extinct. Bald eagle eggs from Wisconsin and Minnesota have been transplanted successfully into nests in Maine, where the population suffered a decline in reproductive success because of pesticide contamination.

Young eagles have been successfully transplanted into nests in Maine, New York, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Indiana and Missouri. Illinois and Iowa now have more bald eagles nesting within their borders than they have had for more than 70 years. So there is hope for the eagles’ future.

At the same time, there is a constant struggle to protect essential vital habitat against human disturbance and destruction. The threat of toxic chemicals in their food supply continues.

Wait A Minute!

DDT And Dieldrin Are Banned In The U.S.

So They are No Longer A Threat To The Bald Eagle, Right?</