Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Mature bald eagle tends to juveniles in nest. There are more than 270 active bald eagle nests in the state.
A pair of whooping cranes take flight. Note the bright white coloration and black wing tips.
Bald Eagle Nests
The state Game and Fish Department is asking for help in locating active bald eagle nests in North Dakota.
Game and Fish conservation biologist Sandra Johnson said the department is looking for locations of nests with eagles present, not individual eagle sightings.
Eagles lay eggs in early-to-mid March, and hatch about a month later. Johnson said it's easy to distinguish an eagle nest because of its enormous size.
"And you don't have to travel far to find one, as we have around 270 active bald eagle nests, and possibly more, in the state," Johnson said, while noting that in 2008 North Dakota had only 50 active nests.
Eagle nests are observed in more than three-quarters of the counties in the state, mostly near streams and mid- to large-sized lakes. However, they are also found in unique areas such as shelterbelts surrounded by cropland or pasture.
Nest observations should be reported online at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov. Observers are asked to not disturb the nest, and to stay a safe distance away. Johnson said foot traffic may disturb the bird, likely causing the eagle to leave her eggs or young unattended.
Whooping Cranes
The Game and Fish Department has put out the annual call for people to report sightings of whooping cranes. These endangered birds will migrate through North Dakota soon.
Whooping cranes are bright white with black wing tips, which are visible only when the wings are outspread. In flight they extend their long necks straight forward, while their long, slender legs extend out behind the tail.
White birds such as pelicans, snow geese, swans and egrets are often mistaken for whooping cranes.
Anyone sighting whoopers should not disturb them, but record the date, time, location, and the birds' activity. Observers should also look closely for and report colored bands which may occur on one or both legs. Whooping cranes have been marked with these bands to help determine their identity.
Whooping crane sightings should be reported to the Game and Fish Department in Bismarck, (701) 328-6300, or to local game wardens. Reports help biologists monitor marked birds, determine survival and population numbers, and identify times and migration routes.
