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Mar 7, 2017
Bald eagles migrating back to Minnesota
Bald eagles are migrating back to Minnesota and may be seen in large numbers across parts of the state over the next few weeks, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
The spring eagle migration usually coincides with ice-out. A warm February melted much of the snow cover, and ice is breaking up along the rivers, said DNR regional Nongame Wildlife specialist Lisa Gelvin-Innvaer.
Because of that, this years migration appears to be a couple weeks earlier, so folks in southern Minnesota will be seeing eagles soon, even with the last remnants of winter, she said. Were already seeing small groups of eagles along the Minnesota River.
Only two states, Florida and Alaska, have greater nesting populations of bald eagles than Minnesota. In 2005, researchers estimated there are more than 1,300 active nests in Minnesota.
Fall migration typically occurs as lakes and rivers freeze over, since most eagles prefer a diet of fish. Bald eagle wintering grounds ideally contain open water, ample food, limited human disturbance and protected roosting sites. As their population increases, however, some eagles have become tolerant of some disturbance, particularly traffic, choosing to nest near busy highways or in very urban habitats. To supplement their diets in winter, eagles also prey on mammals and other birds, and will often be seen on roadsides eating carrion.
Not all bald eagles migrate southward in the fall, Gelvin-Innvaer said. In many areas in Minnesota, its common for some eagle pairs to stay the winter, especially during milder winters and wherever there is open water.
This years winter was a bit milder, she said. There were fewer subzero nights and not as much snow on the ground as some other years. That should have made for an easier winter for them to find food.
Bald eagles that stay local may begin courting and nesting as early as December or January. Other bald eagles return to their breeding territories as soon as a food source is available.
Eagles tend to vary their migration routes, so its hard to say exactly where the eagles are right now, Gelvin-Innvaer said. In Minnesota, the biggest migrations tend to be along the Minnesota River corridor, the north shore of Lake Superior and around Lake Pepin in southeastern Minnesota.
Adult bald eagles are easily identified by a white head and tail contrasting with a dark brown body. Bald eagles attain full adult plumage in their fourth or fifth year. In flight, bald eagles are sometimes confused with turkey vultures. Bald eagles can be distinguished by their tendency to soar on flat, board-like wings, while turkey vultures fly with their wings in a V-shape.
The bald eagles recovery is a success story and an example of how they and many other wildlife species benefit directly from donations made to the Nongame Wildlife checkoff on Minnesota tax forms. For the past 40 years, checkoff dollars have been used to fund research, surveys and education for more than 900 nongame wildlife species. When the checkoff began, bald eagles, peregrine falcons and trumpeter swans were almost gone from our landscape. Today, they are all thriving in Minnesota. Each dollar donated is matched by funds from the Reinvest In Minnesota Account. Donations are accepted year-round.
More information is available here: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/nongame/donate/index.html.
The DNRs Nongame Wildlife Program is now streaming live video of a nesting pair of bald eagles on its website at http://www.mndnr.gov/eaglecam.
For additional information on bald eagles and where to view them, go to http://www.mndnr.gov/birds/eagles/winter_wabasha.html.
Check late season snowmobile and ski trail conditions before traveling
While there are still areas of good snowmobile trail riding and cross country skiing in far northeastern Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources advises riders and skiers to check online trail condition reports before traveling. Several bouts of warm weather have led to deteriorating ice conditions and halted most trail grooming activity.
Snow depth and grooming conditions for state-maintained trails are updated weekly at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snow_depth/index.html.
As snow recedes, rocks and other obstructions can become a hazard to trail users.
Softening ground has necessitated closing gates on some trails and forest roads to protect them from damage and several private landowners have also closed their gates.
Trail grooming activities could resume if there is adequate snowfall and cold temperatures return.
State snowmobile trails are open annually through March 31 as conditions allow, but may be closed where trails cross private lands when use can cause damage to the land.
Marv Hill of Virginia named snowmobile safety instructor of the year
Duane (Marv) Hill of Virginia has been named the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Snowmobile Volunteer Instructor of the Year for 2016.
Hill has been the lead instructor for snowmobile safety class taught at the Mesabi Sno Voyageurs snowmobile club for 47 years. It is estimated that Hill has instructed and assisted teaching more than 2,000 students over the years as well as recruited numerous other volunteer instructors.
Outside of the classroom, Hill was instrumental in developing the Laurentian Snowmobile Trail, Harry Burr Memorial Rest Area, and trail bridge over the Pike River; organized the areas first charity ride to benefit the March of Dimes; and has served a number of volunteer leadership positions including Mesabi Sno Voyageurs snowmobile club, Range Trail Committee, and is a current member of the Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association (MnUSA).
From snowshoeing through remote, wooded areas to flag early snowmobile trails, fundraising, and working with youth to instill safe habits on the trails, Hills lifetime love of the sport is reflected in his many years of volunteer service.
Marv genuinely cares about teaching students the ways to legally, responsibly and safely operate snowmobiles, said DNR Conservation Officer Matt Frericks, who nominated Hill for the award. Only a dedicated instructor who cares about getting young people involved and teaching them the sport of snowmobiling would make such an effort for so many years.
Even as he has started to slowly turn the instructor reigns over to younger instructors, Hill still plays a vital role in organizing and promoting classes. Each year, he personally arranges for a local DNR officer to present a rules and regulations segment to the class, which helps promote understanding of the role of enforcement and that the DNR Officer is a resource.
More than 1,000 volunteer instructors teach DNR snowmobile safety courses across the state.
For more information on the dates and locations of these courses, see an online list at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/vehicle/snowmobile/index.html or call 800-366-8917. For a copy of the DNRs 2016-2017 Minnesota Snowmobile Safety Laws, Rules, and Regulations handbook, call 888-646-6367 or 651-296-6157 or visit the regulations Web page at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/snowmobile/index.html.
Roemhildt named Pheasants Forever Wildlife Professional of the Year
Scott Roemhildt, grassland programs coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, has been named Pheasants Forevers 2017 Wildlife Professional of the Year.
This is humbling for me, Roemhildt said. Pheasants Forever does so much for wildlife and habitat. Ive always respected the mission of PF and their ability to get good conservation work done. Its an incredible honor to be recognized for doing the work I love.
The award, presented at a program during National Pheasant Fest in Minneapolis, honors agency wildlife or habitat professionals who have worked hand-in-hand with Pheasants Forever for the benefit of pheasant and other wildlife populations.
Scott Roemhildt has worn many conservation hats over the years while tirelessly working for the pheasants of Minnesota, said Eran Sandquist, Minnesota state coordinator for Pheasants Forever. His commitment to wildlife, soil and water can be seen on the ground in habitat areas as you drive through southern Minnesota, where he has worked his entire career. His unique ability to bring folks together to achieve collective mission has served the people and projects of Minnesota well.
In his position, Roemhildt heads up the states Walk-In Access program, which pays landowners to allow public hunting on their private land. Since its inception in 2011, the program has grown to include more than 23,000 acres across 46 counties in the state. He also oversees the Roadsides for Wildlife program, is the DNR liaison with the Governors Pheasant Hunting Opener and assists with grassland communications for the DNR.
Pheasants Forever is the nations largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Together with Quail Forever, the organization has more than 149,000 members and 720 chapters across the United States and Canada. Since its creation in 1982, the organization has spent $708 million on 517,000 habitat projects benefiting 15.8 million acres.
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News from the DNR - Marshall Independent
