The last Bald Eagle -- #60 -- to pass over the West Union bridge area. Photo by Mike Hannum.

From near and far they came - from Griffith, Highland, and Crown Point to the far northwest, from Sharpsville, Kokomo, Noblesville, and Mooreland north and east of Indianapolis, and from Terre Haute and Evansville to the south. In all nearly forty individuals came to see eagles - some for the first time, others to participate in the unique Indiana experience of seeing dozens of Bald Eagles as they leave their night-time roost and head to their day-time feeding areas along the Wabash River. The group assembled from 7:00 to 7:30 a.m. with great anticipation at the West Union bridge in west-central Parke Co. Elaine Goldsmith and Tomi Padgett were designated as the official counters and everyone was instructed on where to stand. At about 7:40 a.m. the first two eagles came in and were quickly followed by three more. For the next fifteen minutes they flowed by quickly until the count reached 55 by 8:00 a.m. Quite a thrilling experience, especially since some participants had never seen a wild Bald Eagle before and some were not quite convinced it would be this easy to see lots of eagles in Indiana. It was almost enough excitement to forget the crisp 24-degree temperatures. After 8:00 a.m. five additional birds came by bringing the morning total to 18 adult and 42 immature Bald Eagles. Not a bad way to start the day.

Injured Barred Owl near Howard, Parke Co. Taken to clinic. Photo by Mike Hannum.

From the bridge our 13-car caravan headed north along the river in hopes that the 100 plus Trumpeter and Tundra Swans were still roosting on the frozen flood bottoms. Unfortunately the water had returned to the river and all that was left were layers of ice -- no swans. Just north of Howard an unfortunate encounter was made with a Barred Owl. This bird was sitting at the side of the road having been hit by a car. It was incapacitated with a broken wing. Making the most of a bad situation this bird made a great education tool for those who had never seen this owl up close, especially the very young boys and girls in the group. Mike Hannum and Denise Weltzin sacrificed their time and took the bird to a veterinary and rehab clinic in Terre Haute. But the damage was too severe for recovery and release to the wild and it was euthanized. Thanks to Mike and Denise for doing their best!

The trip continued to the Lodi bridge where an adult eagle was spotted along the ice-flow dotted river. And just to the west an adult Bald Eagle was sitting on its nest. After a necessary rest stop at Cayuga the caravan headed for the Cayuga Power Plant pond. As we approached, waves of Canada Geese rose from the misty pond surface and flew westward -- so many that we thought there would be nothing to see on the pond. Surprisingly the "place was packed". As many as 3-4 thousand geese were crowded together -- so tight that we could barely see a Greater White-fronted Goose and a "blue" Snow Goose wedged in among them.

Next we drove to the eagle nest behind the power plant where an adult bird flew off its nest and posed in full view for all to admire. The young children were excited to have scope filled views of this majestic bird. Along the river Ring-billed Gulls and crows were flying over the river and standing on ice-flows while about seven Great Blue Herons flew by. Another immature eagle made a brief appearance before our departure.

Lunch at Greenacres Restaurant hit the spot and we were ready for more. We continued south along the river and though we could not get into the river bottoms due to ice-covered roads, we were able to find some interesting birds. In the Newport bottoms a bonus flock of 60 Sandhill Cranes were feeding in the corn stubble while more geese and a few thousand ducks (Mallards and Am. Black Ducks) flew in and landed behind them.

Due to limited river access due to ice, it was decided to head for the Universal mine area southwest of Clinton to look for swans, hawks and Short-eared Owls. We first drove into fields in Illinois where all one-hundred-plus Trumpeter Swans that have wintered here for years "always" go during the day according to the trip leader. Naturally they could not be found! We followed the flocks of geese flying westward in hopes they would lead us to the swans, but oddly they led us to more geese. In fact a few thousand geese, including at least fifty Greater White-fronted Geese were feeding in corn stubble about three miles into Illinois. A single adult Snow Goose stood out among them.

We hoped for swans in the stateline pit pond at Universal but when we arrived could only see one swan facing away with its head tucked under its wing. One swan and we couldn't even identify it. But there were a few thousand more geese and some Common Goldeneye.

After another rest stop we renewed our birding by entering the mine area from the town of Universal. We saw very little for a while so we decided to drive into one of the cemetaries where Great Horned Owls often roost in the red cedars. Before we got into the cemetary an owl flew off through the woods along with hopes of everyone seeing this owl. But a second owl was still in the cedars and was spotted just before it flew into the trees nearby and posed for all to see. It allowed everyone to see it well for quite some time through 60 X spotting scopes.

Heading into the northeast section of the mine area, we watched two Rough-legged Hawks through our scopes as they hovered over the fields. After a few more Northern Harriers and some Eastern Meadowlarks we headed back south then west and just waiting for us on a roadside post was a Short-eared Owl. Soon a second bird was noted, then further up the road two more. Much time was spent admiring and photographing the birds as they "fluttered" over the fields in their feeding pattern or perched on posts, small saplings, and the ground.

Short-eared Owl in Universal Mine area, Vermillion Co.
Photo by Mike Hannum.	Photo by Alan Bruner.

Further up the road we decided to check the other end of the stateline pit pond to see if any swans had flown in. Sure enough about seven Trumpeters had arrived and to the south there was a Mute Swan and many geese. As we watched, more swans flew in until about 17 were present. and the field trip leader could boast "I knew they were here all the time!"

Canada Geese and Greater White-fronted Geese (foreground) NW of Universal mine area. Photo by Mike Hannum.	Assemblage of Canada Geese, ducks and Trumpeter Swans at Universal Mine. Photo by Mike Hannum.

A further check of the thousands of geese in the field east of the pond revealed a few hundred Greater White-fronted Geese. In addition, considerable time was spent trying to show everyone some Cackling Geese sprinkled in with the Canadas. Due to confusion with small Canada Geese, it is uncertain whether or not everyone or anyone saw the same birds.

Canada Geese and Cackling Geese flying into fields NW of Universal mine area. Note the top bird and the second bird from left. Their small heads and bills, and short necks identify them as Cackling Geese. Photo by Mike Hannum.

A return trip through the Short-eared Owl area gave us more excellent views plus a few more birds. Perhaps 5 or 6 birds were actually present. In addition a gorgeous dark-phased Rough-legged Hawk was studied along with more Northern Harriers.

Grand finale -- a kaleidoscope of Canada Geese to end the day. Photo by Mike Hannum.

It was getting late and it was time to depart. As we headed east into Universal a flock of twenty Eastern Meadowlards was being observed when Tom Goldsmith radioed the front car to "Look behind you!". We all looked to the west against the brilliant pink and gold sunset sky and saw the horizon rising up. Skein after skein of Canada Geese rose from the west and soon saturated the entire sky around us, creating a kaleidoscope of patterns as they surrounding us and filled the sky with penetrating sound. We all just stood in awe at the sight as we ended our day.

Thanks to all for a great day of fellowship and cooperation. Not a bad day! In all we had more than sixty Bald Eagles, more than thirty hawks, more than 10,000 geese of four species, a Mute Swan, seventeen Trumpeter Swans, very cooperative Great Horned and Short-eared Owls, and new experiences for everyone.

Eagle Field Trip participants after seeing fifty-five eagles in fifteen minutes. Photo by Alan Bruner

Participants included the following: Margaret & Henry Tamar, Tom Mahaney, Chlo Hartman, Gerri Moore, Beata St. Clair, Pat Strange, Thomas Sanderson, Darren Farley, Renee Hall, Penny Callaway, Tomi Padgett, Emily Padgett, Hannah Callaway, Alyssia Hall, Ariana Hall, Jan & Stephanie Cain, Paul & Barbara Hall, Jane Harmon, John & Karen Domogalik, Tom and Elaine Goldsmith, Scott Enochs, "Richard and Kristine", Matt Williams, Tony Gonczarow, Denise Weltzin, Mike Hannum, Tim & Marsha Cole, Alan Bruner. Unfortunately a few participants did not get on our sign-up sheet and we apologize if your name was omitted.

Alan Bruner, Trip leader

---