This article was written by Rachel Putnam, Kroening Nature Center Naturalist
Have you ever looked up to see a bald eagle flying overhead? At North Mississippi Regional Park, it is fairly common to see these majestic birds in flight or perched along the river. Bald eagle populations in Minnesota have increased dramatically in the decade since it was taken off the state Endangered Species List: there are now 9,800 breeding pairs of bald eagles in Minnesota, more than any state except Alaska. The primary reason we often see bald eagles in the park, however, is that a pair has a nest right across the river from the park (pictured). To view the nest, go to the Eagle picnic pavilion at the north end of the park and look directly across the river for a large nest high in the cottonwoods.
Bald eagles build the largest nest (pictured) of any bird in Minnesota: a typical nest is a massive construction of sticks measuring 5-6 feet across and several feet tall that may weigh over a ton. Pairs return to the same nest year after year, adding to it each year. Nests can get so large that they eventually topple the nest tree, but if a nest is built in a healthy tree and is located in a good territory, a bald eagle pair may use the same nest for decades. Bald eagles begin nesting in March, but the pair is already bringing sticks to the nest to prepare for the nesting season. The eagles can also often be seen perched on nearby cottonwoods, or feeding on fish or carrion along the river.
In early March the female will lay one to three eggs and the pair will take turns incubating them, sometimes even in the snow. The young hatch 35 days later and keep their parents busy providing food. In about three months the young eagles are old enough to “fledge,” or learn to fly and leave the nest. Eagles have a 6-foot wingspan, so the nest can get pretty crowded at that point as the young eagles try their wings.
Despite rebounding populations, bald eagles still face real threats, lead poisoning chief among them. Because they eat a lot of fish and carrion, bald eagles are frequently exposed to lead through their food: lead fishing tackle can be swallowed by fish, and lead shot fragments remain in the gut piles hunters leave behind. There are now non-toxic alternatives available, and because a piece of lead as small as a grain of rice is sufficient to poison an eagle, it is important to do all we can to ensure that eagles remain a common sight along our rivers and lakes.
Visit the park to see the eagles for yourself and check out one of the upcoming programs offered at Kroening Nature Center in February.
Birding Basics × Saturday, February 3, 9-10 a.m. Free, ages 8+ (activity #3041). Practice looking and listening for birds by going on an accessible walk to find our resident woodpeckers. Geared towards introductory birders, but all are welcome.
Nature Tots: Animal Babies and Families × Saturday, February 3, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free, ages 2-6 with an adult (activity #3022). Come learn about some of the animals that live in the park, how they take care of their young, and how their babies grow.
Homeschool Day: Winter Residents × Thursday, February 8, 1-3 p.m. $5/person, ages 6-12 (activity #2874). Learn about where our winter resident animals find shelter and food and their adaptations for dealing with the cold, then go on a walk to look for animal tracks and signs.
Family Fun Day: Winter Play × Saturday, February 10, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free, all ages (activity #2893). Join a naturalist for games and fun outdoors. We’ll warm up indoors with hot chocolate and a winter-themed craft to take home.
Black to Nature: Up North Mardi Gras × Saturday, February 10, 1-3:30 p.m. Free, all ages (activity #3844). Celebrate the spirit of Mardi Gras in North Mississippi Regional Park! Learn about the animals that live in the park, then get creative with Northside artists to make a mask of your favorite animal, and join in a parade of animals accompanied by musicians and Moko Jumbie.
Nature Art: Valentines for the Earth × Sunday, February 18, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Free, all ages (activity #2897). Send nature a valentine on paper you can plant. Make paper embedded with seeds, decorate a card with nature-themed stamps, and share your love of nature with kind words for the earth.
Adventure Hub Highlight: Winter Trees × Saturday, February 24, 1-2 p.m. Free, all ages (Activity #2895). Go on a hike with a naturalist to learn about trees in winter and how to use an identification key, then check out an Adventure Hub backpack to explore winter trees on your own.