Question a da week

[Lee Borgersen]

  Question a da week


Q: I noticed the DNR eagle cam is back online. Do bald eagles in Minnesota migrate for the winter, or do they stay on their summer nests?

A: Many Minnesota bald eagles do not migrate. As long as they have access to open water, they can and do stay here all year. In fact, with the installation of the eagle cam, we have learned that eagle nests are rarely vacant. Eagles are bonded to their nesting territories, and staying around ensures that it will not be taken over by another eagle or pair of eagles.

The eagles along the Mississippi River and Hawk Ridge near Lake Superior during spring and fall are mostly migrating eagles. Most of the eagles come from Canada and use the Mississippi flyway to travel south to their wintering grounds.

Lori Naumann, DNR nongame wildlife program specialist