This morning, between 8 - 9 at Red Rock Lake (SE corner, Ramsey Co), I saw fewer eagles than last week, but still well over 50. I was particularly impressed by a single tree which held 23 bald eagles, most of them mature. I wonder why so many mature eagles are still roosting together instead of nesting? Maybe this is a feeding station on their way north? I just hope the dead carp in Red Rock Lake are safe for them to eat.
Not far from the tree with the 23 eagles were another 15 - 20 eagles along the shore, with this group having more immatures. At one point, about 10 immatures took flight, chasing each other like rowdy ungainly teenagers trying out their huge broad wings. Also noteworthy were over 50 hooded mergansers spread out along the length of Red Rock Lake. Many were fishing quietly in mated pairs, while some were in groups of 4 - 5 males with a single female. The males were bobbing their brightly marked hooded heads, presumably trying to get the attention of the single female. Directions: take Maxwell exit off Hwy 61 (about half mile north of I-494), follow Maxwell to Red Rock Road, then Red Rock Rd past the west side of Gerdau Ameristeel. The tree with the 23 eagles was about halfway down the lake, between the lake and Hwy 61. ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
