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Golden Eagle Survey 2020 Final Report

On January 25, 2020, 190 citizen scientist volunteers from the National Eagle Center spread out across the blufflands and forested areas of southeast Minnesota, western Wisconsin and eastern Iowa during the 16th annual Wintering Golden Eagle Survey. They were seeking golden eagles that winter in the hills and valleys of the region. The National Eagle Center greatly appreciates all the time and energy that these citizen scientists dedicated to this survey. This year they observed 119 golden eagles, which is about average for the survey. This report contains the full survey results.

Overview

Citizen Scientist Observers: 190 Survey Routes: 71 States Covered: 3 (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa) Counties: 40 Total Surveying Hours: 450+ Total Miles Driven: 5,801

Total Golden Eagles Observed 2020 Routes Reporting > 5 Golden Eagles 2020 119 WI 2 Buffalo County 2019 145 WI 3 Buffalo County 2018 62 WI 5 Buffalo County 2017 44 WI 6 Buffalo County 2016 149 WI 8 Trempealeau County 2015 148 WI 14 Buffalo County WI 24 Vernon County / Jackson County Golden Eagles (Adult : Juvenile) WI 32 Vernon County / Richland County 2020 77% / 23% WI 33 Richland County / Sauk County 2019 67% / 33% MN 12 Houston County 2018 84% / 16% 2017 59% / 41% 2016 67% / 33% 2015 74% / 26%

50 Pembroke Ave. S, Wabasha, MN 55981 | nationaleaglecenter.org | 651.565.4989 Total Bald Eagles Observed Bald Eagles (Adult : Juvenile) 2020 1,403 2020 78% / 22% 2019 1,391 2019 74% / 26% 2018 1,202 2018 83% / 17% 2017 893 2017 79% / 21% 2016 1,515 2016 81% / 19% 2015 1,888 2015 80% / 20%

2020 Top Routes (Bald Eagles) 2019 Top Routes (Bald Eagles) WI 8 Trempealeau County 91 WI 6 Buffalo County 125 WI 5 Buffalo County 65 WI 11 Buffalo County 78 WI 31 Grant County 58 WI 5 Buffalo County 76 WI 22 LaCrosse County 50 MN 11 Houston County 66 WI 13 Buffalo County 49 WI 31 Grant County 52 WI 4 Buffalo County 41 WI 27 Crawford County 51

Unidentified Eagles 2020 60 2019 92 2018 38 2017 13 2016 80 2015 161

Falcons Harriers

Total American Kestrels Observed Total Northern Harriers Observed 2020 89 2020 6 2019 64 2019 6 2018 141 2018 3 2017 161 2017 2 2016 60 2016 8 2015 125 2015 10

50 Pembroke Ave. S, Wabasha, MN 55981 | nationaleaglecenter.org | 651.565.4989 Hawks

Total Red-Tailed Hawks Observed 2020 Top Routes (Red-Tailed Hawks) 2020 461 WI 24 Vernon Co. / Jackson Co. 29 2019 583 WI 31 Grant County 24 2018 737 WI 8 Trempealeau County 18 2017 353 WI 32 (S) Vernon Co. / Richland Co. 16 2016 792 WI 29 Vernon Co. / Crawford Co. 15 2015 650 WI 33 Richland Co. / Sauk Co. 15

2019 Top Routes (Red-Tailed Hawks) MN 11 Houston County 35 WI 35 Iowa County 32 WI 24 Vernon Co. / Jackson Co. 25 WI 30 Grant County 23 WI 17 Trempealeau County 19

Total Rough-Legged Hawks Observed 2020 Top Routes (Rough-Legged Hawks) 2020 127 WI 8 Trempealeau County 13 2019 124 WI 9 Trempealeau County 12 2018 131 MN 12 Houston County 7 2017 54 WI 25 Vernon County 6 2016 108 WI 5 Buffalo County 6 2015 160

2019 Top Routes (Rough-Legged Hawks) WI 27 Crawford County 12 MN 11 Houston County 11 WI 25 Vernon County 7 WI 5 Buffalo County 6 WI 28 Richland County 6

Total Sharp-Shinned Hawks Observed Total Cooper’s Hawks Observed 2020 1 2020 10 2019 4 2019 5 2018 9 2018 16 2017 3 2017 10 2016 10 2016 11 2015 9 2015 13

50 Pembroke Ave. S, Wabasha, MN 55981 | nationaleaglecenter.org | 651.565.4989 Shrikes

Total Northern Shrikes Observed 2020 23 2019 6 2018 13 2017 2 2016 9 2015 8

Other Noted Species American Crow Mourning Dove American Goldfinch Northern Cardinal American Robin Northern Flicker American Tree Sparrow Northern Raven Barred Owl (WI 34, - 1, WI 41 -1) Pileated Woodpecker Belted Kingfisher Purple Finch Black-Capped Chickadee Red-Bellied Woodpecker Blue Jay Red-Headed Woodpecker (Record - 19!)* Canada Goose Red-Shouldered Hawk (WI 12 - 1) Dark-Eyed Junco Red-Winged Blackbird Downy Woodpecker Ring-Necked Pheasant Eastern Bluebird Rock Dove European Starling Short-Eared Owl (WI 33 - 2, MN 7 - 1) Great-Horned Owl (WI 6 - 1) Snow Bunting Hairy Woodpecker Trumpeter Swan Horned Lark (IA 3 - 60, WI 26 - 60) Tufted Titmouse House Finch White-Breasted Nuthatch House Sparrow Wild Turkey Merlin (WI 8 - 1, WI 13 - 1, WI 35 - 1) *Most years average 1 Non-Bird Species Fox Squirrel Raccoon Gray Squirrel Red Squirrel Mink Virginia Opossum Muskrat White-Tailed Deer

50 Pembroke Ave. S, Wabasha, MN 55981 | nationaleaglecenter.org | 651.565.4989