Menu
Winter prime time for eagle watching
HOLDREGE -- Once rare, federal protections have helped increase the numbers of bald eagles in Nebraska, and winter is definitely the best time to observe this magnificent species.
According to Nebraska Game and Parks Wildlife Biologist T.J. Walker, eagles follow the waterfowl migration south during the winter and frequently winter over at reservoirs, natural lakes and along the rivers of the Chicken Dance Trail which runs throughout southwest and south central Nebraska.
"It's not uncommon to find dozens of eagles in areas where waterfowl are concentrated, because they have hopes of dining on duck or goose flesh during the cold winter months," Walker said. He noted there are many locations throughout southwest and south central Nebraska where they can be seen during the winter months.
"Bald eagles may occur anywhere along our rivers, including the North Platte, South Platte, Platte and Republican," Walker said, "but they tend to concentrate around reservoirs where ducks and geese are wintering."
Sutherland Reservoir in southwest Lincoln County is a great location to see these birds in good numbers. Other reservoirs, including Lake McConaughy (Keith County), Enders Reservoir (Chase County), Swanson Reservoir (Hitchcock County), Red Willow and Medicine Creek Reservoirs (Frontier County), Jeffrey Lake and Maloney Reservoir (Lincoln County) and Harlan County Reservoir (Harlan County) are all good bets for bald eagles this time of year.
Walker says it's smart to pay attention along the roads as well. Eagles are commonly seen from I-80 and can be spotted along U.S. 34 in southwest Nebraska. Golden eagles are also a possibility in this area during the winter months, though they typically stay out in open country in grasslands and croplands, Walker said.
Before you know it, spring will return and the majority of these majestic beauties will head north to nest. So get out to the nearest reservoir and take a look. You may be surprised at how many bald eagles you'll see.
More information on bird watching and birding adventures in southwest and south central Nebraska can be found online at www.chickendancetrail.com.
About the Chicken Dance Trail
The Chicken Dance Trail is actually a collection of great bird watching locations in southwest and south central Nebraska, between the Platte and Republican Rivers.
Because the area includes the narrowest section of the hourglass-shaped Central Flyway, the Chicken Dance Trail is uniquely situated for birders. Millions of different birds come through here during spring and fall migrations, making the Chicken Dance Trail one of the best places in the country to see a wide variety of species in a relatively small area.
Chicken Dance Trail bird watching sites were developed by local naturalists and birding experts and are collected into a series of bird watching "adventures" which are described in detail, along with interactive maps, at www.chickendancetrail.com. Other resources include a bulletin board on which to post interesting sightings, a birding chart, useful birding links, and guides to restaurants, lodging and activities in the area.