Tracking that Golden Eagle

Whitey the Golden Eagle being radio-tracked to learn its north/south migration particulars has been in Minnesota since Oct. 22. It began its south-bound trip in far northern Canada, where it spent spring, summer, and early fall. Here is a day-by-day report filed by Mark Martell, director of bird conservation for Audubon Minnesota. A map provided by Martell follows.

Oct 28 – 29, 2009 –Eagle 42 spent the evenings of both days in eastern Aitken Co. 5 miles east of Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Moved about .5 miles during the day of the 29th  and Roosted on the edge of a woodlot. Roosted 18 mi. south from his location on the 27th. 

Oct 27, 2009 –Eagle 42 was in Aitken Co. on the SW border of Savanna Portage State Park, about 2.75 mi. NE of Battle Island. Roosted 41 mi. south/southwest of his location on the 26th. Roosted on the edge of a dirt road leading into a gravel pit (?).  miles during the day

Oct 26, 2009 –Eagle 42 was just outside of Hibbing, St. Louis Co., MN. Roosted in a fairly open/shrubby field 34 mi. west of his location on the 25th.

Oct. 24-25, 2009 – Eagle 42 was in Itasca Co. on the Chippewa NF about 5 mi. north of Deer Lake and 17 mi. east of Lake Winnibigoshish. He roosted about 35 mi. south of his location on the 23rd.

Oct 23, 2009 – Eagle 42 was in southern Koochiching Co. about 16 mi. south of Big Falls in Koochiching State Forest. He roosted about 31 mi. south of his location on the 22nd in what appears to be a woody bog.

Oct. 22, 2009 – First day in MN. Roosted on the bank of the Little Fork River about 3 mi. southeast of Little Fork in Koochiching Co.