Hi, Here are the results for the Golden Eagle Survey of 2008. the count day total was 37 golden eagles, the count week total, adding birds seen either a few days before or after count day, on different locations, added 23 more for a grand total of 60. There were 67 observers, and 26 routes, (16 in MN, 9 in WI and 1 in IA). On count day 31 birds were seen in WI and only 6 in MN. In 2007, 47 participants counted 54 Golden Eagles. Also seen this year were 390 Bald Eagles, 112 Red Tails, 18 Rough- Legged Hawks and several American Kestrels, Northern Shrikes, Sharp -shinned hawks and 1 Red Shouldered Hawk. Anyone wanting more details, please contact Scott Mehus(scottmehus at nationaleaglecenter.org). Scott really deserves a lot of thanks from all of us for all the work he has put into this over the years. It would not be happening without him.
On a more personal note, I got skunked (not literally) on count day, but Scott and I reran part of the route the next day. My route is the southern end of Buffalo County. Near the end of Pipers Valley we saw an juvenile golden with wings set come across the road. He was flying back across the road with a squirrel in his talons, when literally out of nowhere 2 adult balds appeared. (I think they were lurking in the trees) They got the squirrel away from him. He then went after them but to no avail, and one of the balds chased him out of the area. Everything that I've ever read says the Golden Eagles are dominant over the Balds at prey. I think this outcome was different because the golden was a juvenile, and the Balds were definitely acting as a team. There is a very large nest near there on the Trempealeau River, and I am guessing this was the pair from the nest. If that wasn't enough, on Platt valley road, we had an adult Golden sitting right in front of us on a telephone pole (idiotic squirrel seen clinging to pole). He flew, and a subadult Golden came in. What a great day. these spots are easy to find. If you are heading north on highway 35 turn right on to County Road P. Go north, go past Piper's Valley road. Big nest on Right side by River. Turn Left onto Platt Valley Road. We saw the perched eagle just on top of the ridge, after we crossed Jumbeck Road. At Brandhorst Road go left. (Good place to start looking for Rough legs) after a short distance, take a left on Piper's Valley Road. Where the valley opens at the bottom we saw the juvenile golden. This takes you back to county P, so its a loop. Brandhorst, County P beyond Platt's and County M on the ridge are also good places to look. as is Rocky Ridge Road, a dead end off of county M. Joan Schnabel Fountain City WI