Migration Update: March 28, 2007

Today's Report Includes:

  • Eagle Migration: Map, Data, and Questions >>


First day of Spring 2007
Kinzua Dam in Bradford, PA
Credit: Hugh Feiro

Eagle Migration: Map, Data, and Questions
  • This week's migration map >>
  • Data for your own classroom map >>
  • Questions about this week's map (handout) >>
Explore! What’s Happening at 41.56N, -74.788W?
A popular spot for eagles. Why?

This week’s map shows something interesting at the coordinates 41.56 N latitude and -74.788 W longitude. Take a look at the map to see where this is. Which eagles show sightings here this winter? Which eagle was here on 03/21/07?


Let’s explore the area and find out more!

The Mongaup Bald Eagle Preserve
Many of the eagles in this popular wintering area are resident New York State birds. (A "resident" bird does not migrate; it stays in the state all year.) This is evident by the sky-blue leg band they wear, signifying them as "New Yorkers." Peter Nye and his team have banded these birds as nestlings over the years. The Mongaup area also regularly attracts birds from other states: purple-banded birds from Michigan, black-banded birds from Connecticut, and gold-banded birds from Massachusetts.
Why is this area so attractive to bald eagles?
Let’s take a closer look.
Water from the Mongaup River was dammed up in 1926. The dam generates hydro electricity that powers parts of NY state. Below the dam in the Swinging Bridge Reservoir the water is open all year round. Why would that attract eagles?

A Closer Look at the Mongaup Bald Eagle Preserve
Credit: Google Maps
  • What’s Happening at 41.56N, -74.788W? >>
Links: This Week's Eagle Resources
  • Teacher Tip: Tracking Flight Distance and Direction using a GPS >>
  • Read: A Capture Story (at the Monguap Dam) by Peter Nye >>
  • Reference: Calculating Distances as the Crow Flies (Using the Online Distance Calculator) >>
  • Reference: Eagles OnLine (Live Nest Camera) >>
  • Journal: Bald Eagle Journal >>
More Eagle Lessons and Teaching Ideas!

The Next Bald Eagle Migration Update Will Be Posted on April 4, 2007.