Tei ee a lose OnNeee Ss el tele N 21 
ONE DAY EAGLE COUNT 
February 19 or 20, 1972 
Most of the Mississippi River from its source to below St. Louis, as well as 
most of the Illinois River, was covered. Kentucky again was covered by the 
Kentucky Ornithological Society. A few additional areas came in. St. Louis 
led again in the number of people taking part with about 200. A total 
slightly under 500 people were involved. The area from Lock and Dam 12 
at Bellevue, Iowa, to Warsaw was covered by both plane and cars. A care- 
ful comparison was made. Dr. De Decker flew the plane with Pete Petersen 
doing the counting. Dr. L. H. Princen handled the data for the Illinois River. 
Many groups of people participated — Fish and Wildlife people, game man- 
agement, lockmasters, and bird watchers all took part. 
Location Adults  Immatures Not Aged Total 
Lock and Dam 3 thru Lock and Dam 11 Don 47 Z 286 
Lock and Dam 12 to Lock and Dam 18 242 89 0 331 
Lock and Dam 20 to Pool 22 107 18 0 125 
Pool 22 io below Si. Louis 87 48 16 151 
Illinois River 113 126 15 254 
RIVER TOTALS 786 328 33 1147 
70.5% 29.5% 
Illinois Wildlife Refuges ie 21 0 34 
Kentucky 18 28 13 59 
TOTALS 817 377 46 1240 
69% 31% 
Other Reports: 
Missouri 48 26 1 60 
Nebraska 64 17 14 ak 
TOTALS 97 43 15 155 
70% 30% 
Comments: 
A total of 12 Golden Eagles were found. 
This 50% increase in total numbers must indicate that Bald Eagles 
coming to the rivers must be from other directions rather than from the 
north only. The Mississippi River south to at least Lock and Dam 20 had less 
open water than in the past twelve years counts. River was mostly open 
southward 
The 12 Golden Eagles are more than we have ever found. Daily reports 
that are coming in to me from the all-winter study shows additional Golden 
Eagles. These must come from the west. 
The possibility that eagles come from Fish and Wildlife Refuges is 
great. This could also account for the increase in immatures, as more imma- 
tures are normal in duck and geese refuges. 
(continued on page 38) 
