Winter convocation: Where you can see bald eagles soaring in the suburbs
The eagles are coming! Soaring into Illinois in huge numbers, bald eagles can be spotted at several suburban locations this winter.
Although only 30 to 40 pairs of bald eagles make the state their full-time home, according to the University of Illinois’ Biological Surveys and Assessment Program, the population surges to more than 3,100 eagles during winter.
That’s when cold weather up north forces eagles to travel south in search of open water to hunt.
“Specifically this year, the excessive cold weather that we recently had means that more eagles will be coming south,” said Cindy Skrukrud, a Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge board member. “You may have not have liked the extreme cold, but it has pushed eagles farther south.”
Exclusive to North America, the bald eagle’s wingspan can range from 5 ⅟₂ to 8 feet. They can grow to 40 inches in length and weigh up to 12 pounds.
Experts, including Barb McKittrick, Kane County Forest Preserve environmental education manager, say populations of bald eagles along the Fox River have boomed as local water quality has improved since the Environmental Protection Agency banned the use of DDT and Congress passed the Clean Water Act in 1972.
“Not only do we see more overwintering bald eagles in recent years, but many pairs of breeding eagles are now making the Fox River watershed their home year round,” McKittrick said.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service reports the population of eagles in the lower 48 states has more than quadrupled from 72,434 in 2009 to 316,700 in 2020.
Birders looking for viewing spots in Kane County can check out the Fox River Shores Forest Preserve near Carpentersville, Les Arends Forest Preserve near Batavia and Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve near South Elgin, McKittrick said.
The Lake County Forest Preserve District suggests viewing eagles at the Des Plaines River, the Fox River and Independence Grove Forest Preserve.
“Look higher in trees along open bodies of water,” suggests Lake County Forest Preserve wildlife ecologist Jim Grego, who says fish are a main source of food for the birds. “Just try to be respectful from a distance, and don’t get too close.”
Lake County has seen a wild increase in eagle sightings from only one reported in 1997 to a sighting reported almost every day this year.
Another viewing opportunity for birdwatchers is at the 13th annual Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge “In Search of Eagles” program on Saturday, Feb. 7. It will run from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. along the Fox River at the Algonquin dam, former Carpentersville dam and McHenry dam.
No registration is required. Attendees are asked to dress for the weather and to bring their own binoculars if they have a pair.
The state of Illinois also offers many options for spotting the majestic birds.