Eagles Put on a Show as If They Knew They Were Stars!
A group of anxious birders, including Robert & Stacey Calvert, Richard and Christine Pankop, Frank, Mary and Susan Williams, Mike Hannum, Denise Weltzin, Anne Wermer, Donna Gore, Mary Ann Layman, Susan Schaerre, and Evelyn Schwein, met at sunrise at the West Union bridge in west-central Indiana 30 January 2010 to begin the twelfth annual Indiana Audubon Society Eagle Field Trip.
Anticipation turned to elation as the first Bald Eagle passed over before the trip leader finished his introductory spiel to the group. Within the next half-hour another 20 birds passed by en-route to the Wabash River. Although this was well below our 40+ average, who can complain about seeing 21 Bald Eagles in thirty minutes! To add to the entertainment, a flock of Wild Turkeys flew over Sugar Creek and began feeding in a field while one of the males tried out his courting maneuvers.
Fifteen participants caravanned along the Tow Path Road where a large flock of Canada Geese were waiting along with about 30 Trumpeter Swans. Heading through Lodi a Mute Swan and four Greater White-fronted Geese were encountered as an immature Bald Eagle flew over. The bridge over the river yielded a group of Great Blue Herons, an immature eagle, and lots of crows feeding on the floating chunks of ice.
After a quick break at the Cayuga Burger King we headed for the Cayuga Power Plant’s south gate. As expected a few thousand Canada Geese, Common Goldeneye, American Mergansers and Ring-billed Gulls were present. But the bonus bird was the male Whooping Crane standing among the sleeping geese. What a thrill!
Then off to the nearby eagle nest which showed little activity for about ten minutes. Suddenly, as if choreographed for maximum impact, five immature Bald Eagles appeared overhead circling slowly while the nesting pair came in screaming. The nesting pair landed near the nest, the female with a fish in her talons, posing as long as we desired. Meanwhile the immature birds circled low right above us as if they knew they were stars.
Time allowed us to take advantage of the open house eagle day at the power plant. We rode in from the parking lot in chilly open wagons pulled by tractors. But the eagle show continued as three or four eagles circled over the wagons as if trained as we headed for the river. At the river more eagles were perched and flying up and down the Wabash (just like they were suppose to!).
The trip continued after lunch with six intrepid birders entering the vast Newport river bottoms where two adult and five more immatures eagles were waiting. On through Montezuma and back towards West Union, three gorgeous Rough-legged Hawks hovered over the hayfields, their plumage immaculate against the snow.
We returned to the Trumpeter Swan spot along the Tow Path Road to find more geese including about 20 Greater White-fronted Geese, a Cackling Goose, and a dozen Tundra Swans. And there was still time to try for the Golden Eagle at Russell Bend. Cutting cross-country three more flocks of Wild Turkey were encountered plus two more immature Bald Eagles. We walked the last quarter mile of the Russell Bend road which was treacherously icy but the icicles along the rock formations were spectacular. A couple of Golden-crowned Kinglets broke the general silence as an adult Bald Eagle flew over.
As we approached the east end of the “Golden Eagle” field the wintering immature Golden Eagle flew up from the ground but we were blocked by the trees. It perched momentarily then circled low before disappearing, failing to circle overheard as it normally does for prime study. Still not a bad way to end the day.
And who can complain about a show starring more than 26 Bald Eagles (at least 49 appearences), a Golden Eagle, a Whooping Crane, Greater White-fronted Geese, three swan species, and great company. Thanks to all participants who made the trip a grand production.
Alan W. Bruner
Trip leader and Indiana Audubon Society Field Trip Chair