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Bald eagles are sensitive to human
disturbance. If you disturb birds at a nest site, adults may abandon their eggs or young
in the nest. The pair may not renest or produce any young until the following year.
Watching eagles during the winter has less impact on the birds, especially if done in a
safe and responsible way.
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Don't disturb or harass wintering eagles,
since they are already stressed by the cold and scarcity of food. Scaring eagles away from
their food could deprive them of the energy they need to maintain their body temperature
through the cold night. Unhealthy eagles generally do not successfully raise young the
following spring.
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Stay at least 300 yards from perched eagles
or even farther away during severe weather.
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Stay in your vehicle when eagle watching, or use some other
obstruction, such as a blind or tree.
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Since eagles feed mainly early in the morning, plan viewing trips
for late morning or afternoon.
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The best time to visit eagle winter feeding
areas is from December through February. Eagles return to their nesting areas in late
February or early March.
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Wintering bald eagles are usually found near
open water, where water flowing through the dams on rivers keeps the water from freezing.
Eagles concentrate in these areas to hunt for fish and injured waterfowl.
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Watch for other interesting birds near winter
eagle sites. The open water attracts many species of waterfowl. Other raptors, such as
rough-legged and red-tailed hawks, are frequently seen in the open countryside.
