hey AU Dw BOON BB Ue. kel N 21 
For some years we have wondered whether eagles nest in Illinois. Re- 
liable data shows that both Bald and Golden Eagles have been seen all 
summer in the region around Palisades State Park and Savanna Ordnance 
Depot, Illinois, and Green Island and McGregor, Iowa. In August one young 
Bald Eagle was caught by its toe in a trap set for crows in a melon patch. 
The bird was released. The Federal and State men from both Iowa and 
Illinois who work for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Conserva- 
tion Department agree that Bald Eagles do nest in the general area men- 
tioned. The people at the Savanna Ordnance Depot say that several pairs 
of Bald Eagles nest there. I plan to investigate thoroughly the possibilities 
of nesting this summer. 
SuMMARY — Much additional data has to be obtained and added to that 
of the National Audubon Society in the next few years. We will soon know 
more about eagles than ever before. We hope to learn whether Bald Eagles 
are really declining in young, as seems to be the case on a national scale. 
No drop in total numbers of eagles has been apparent along the Mississippi; 
in fact, a build-up in numbers over the past few years has been found. Part 
of the drop in proportions between the two age groups could be from chang- 
ing migration patterns or differences in feeding habits. This remains to be 
proved. The percentages of young in the Tri-City area and also up and 
down the river from New Boston, Lock and Dam 17 to Lock and Dam 12 
at Bellevue, Iowa, seem lower than in most of the country. Some loss in 
young has been reported down the river and upstream from these areas. 
We cannot reach any conclusions as yet from data gathered thus far. 
Final Report — February 19, 1961, Bald Eagle Count 
State Numberof Reports Adults Immatures Unclassified Total 
Illinois 7 365 Dil 1 417 
Indiana 3 0 0 0 
Iowa 3 10 3 15 
Kansas 3 0 0 0 
Kentucky 2 3 2 5 
Michigan 5 plus : 35 5 a8 Al 
Minnesota none 
Missouri 3 17 14 31 
Nebraska 7 LAL 31 18 76 
Ohio 1 0 1 il 
Oklahoma 1 0 0 20 20 
Wisconsin 5 13 2 15 
Totals 50 470 111 40 621 
Percentage, adults to young: 80.9 19:1 
COMMENT — The eagles credited to Illinois were found mostly on the 
Mississippi River bordering some of the other states. Severe snowstorms in 
Wisconsin and Michigan held down the count. Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and 
Nebraska had good coverage. Wisconsin had planned excellent coverage, but 
the weather interfered. Only a few people have been contacted in the other 
states. 
