Can you post it on your Michigan bird forum? Congratulations by the way

Here is a link that might be useful: Michigan bird list

The Midwest (and most other places, too) bald eagle population is exploding. Ohio has had well over 100 active nests in the last few years, with more newo nes each season. The same thing is happening in Michigan, too.

Here's an extremely important (but not well-known) factor. Some radio telemetry studies done on newly-fledged BEs here in Ohio show that about 4 out of 5 are able to survive their first winter. For all other raptors, it's usually closer to the reverse, only 1 or 2 out of 5 are able to get through the first winter. Most of them starve and die.

But bald eagles are no longer being shot or trapped, and DDT no longer disables their eggs. All of that coupled with their strong ability to survive their first year after leaving the nest means that the population can do nothing but expand dramatically. Where the population growth will end is still a guess, but most areas have room for many more new pairs and nests, meaning even more eagles in the wild.

In Ohio, the eagles aren't nesting just along large streams and Lake Erie. They have begun to nest like red-tails, in isolated woodlots far from fish sources. Many of these birds are eating roadkill and mammals, almost like golden eagles. The species is adapting well to the modern world. Locally here in northern Ohio we had a pair nest in somebody's back yard, raise three eaglets, which then dropped down into the yard and practiced flight training on the landowners' trapoline. We have pictures of this that are unbelievable.

As you can see, the bald eagle is back.

I posted this last year, but I thought that it was appropriate to post again.
Here is a link to a Live Eagle cam for a nest that is active. The adults are clearing the snow and reenforcing the nest as I write this. The cam has been down for several months but seems to be working now. It appears that the female will be laying the eggs very soon so I wanted all of you to have the opportunity to watch this incredible site.
Happy eagle viewing.....
Rich

Here is a link that might be useful: Eagle cam

Well I think that it is exciting. Obviously, this Eagle was a lifer for you, and as far as I go, any lifer is exciting! And eagles are so magestic...beautiful creatures with that oh-so-serious expression on their faces.

I have updated my book, The Dynamic Great Lakes with information about the American bald eagle populations. Their return is due to the ban on DDT. I know about this since my husband and I worked to get DDT banned in our town, Grand Haven, MI. Then we worked to get DDT and like pesticides banned in Michigan. It took many years for the Great Lakes to purge themselves of these lingering hard pesticides. But now the eagles have landed and we enjoy seeing the cavorting on our Lake Michigan beach and all along the river.

For more information about this, please visit my website.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Dynamic Great Lakes

To continue the good news, the bald eagle is faring better in the South as well. Alabama had 56 known nests at last count, many along the Tennessee River. The closest I have seen one to my home is about 20 miles. Even so, it is still a rare treat to see one. Looking forward to the day when I get one on my yard list.

Bald eagle is a great bird, D62. Those DNR guys and gals may have their birds diluted with bear,wolverine, and lynx, while we birders can afford to focus. Also, if they didn't appear blase' about your sighting, you might think them unsophisticated. Enjoy your sighting and try to hook up with some local birders.

I too have been shocked & surprised to have sighted 2 adult Bald Eagles in Northern Virginia. My first sightings in the wild as well.

They are truly striking majestic birds, & I was lucky enough to see one really close (as it almost flew into the windshield of my car & nearly became extinct - lol). It was such a glorious bird that I had to pull over & take a few breaths before continuing on.

i remember when i was in kindergarten (1974-75) bringing a quarter to sschool to "help save the be's"

Had to respond; last fall I saw a bald eagle near my home flying over the neighbor's fish farm ponds and saw it and another one several times up until Nov. I'm from se Ohio and was simply awestruck. My life is now all eagle!! I saw one again a few weeks ago and have seen him about once a week. I've bought new binoculars, eagle car plates, a new digital camera and "live" to seen one. They are so magnificent. Just love talking about them! My family thinks I'm obsessed!

I saw my first two down here this year and managed to get a shot of one yesterday. Not too good, but since it was my first I kept it.

I saw one in San Miguel, California last fall. San Miguel is in Northern San Luis Obispo county.

I saw three in April on the Oregon Coast :) They are always awesome to see.

This is interesting to read. My neighbor and myself were sitting on the front porch two days ago and I saw a bird that was very obviously not one of the hundreds of hawks around here and I thought to myself that it was a bald eagle. It had an eagle flight and white head unlike any "hawk" I've ever seen. My neighbor said that there weren't any around here except for the raptor center and that if it was one that it must have escaped. Hum, I think I'll tell him about this post.

At 54, I retired and moved to the country. Now, I am near a large water source (fish that is) and we have bald eagle nests, adults, and juveniles.

The last bald eagle I saw was one flying overhead recently as I sat on my deck in the back yard.

I've seen 4 adult bald eagles in as many days while driving around the metro Twin Cities area.

Since DDT was banned, the eagles have returned. It took a long time for the poisons to purge out of the Great Lakes, but now eagles may be seen often along the shores of the Great Lakes. They like to scout for dead fish on the shore, but sometimes they will go after ducks in the river. I have a lot of information about the return of eagles, peregrine falcons and ospreys in my book, The Dynamic Great Lakes. Eagles have returned to other regions of the U.S. and Canada as well.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Dynamic Great Lakes

always interested in eagle sightings -- especially active nests in michigan and texas to photograph for our website www.eagles-r-us.com

Here is a link that might be useful: Eagles-R-Us

Designer, I'm VERY happy for you! Seeing a bald eagle flying free in the wild is always an unforgettable sight. I have no doubt that you will continue to see more in time.

This past Saturday, I trekked up to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and saw 17 BEs (adult and immature) pass over the lookout that day.