Eagle Watch!

BLM began counting bald eagles around Wolf Lodge Bay in 1974.  On January 15, 2010, 46 bald eagles were counted, down from the 135 counted on December 31, 2009.

Coeur d'Alene Press News Article:  Symbol of America:  Bald eagles are back for the watching

Join us again in December 2010 when volunteers and staff from the Forest Service, Idaho Fish and Game, and Audubon Society as the Bureau of Land Management hosts the annual Coeur d’Alene Eagle Watch event. Join us at the Mineral Ridge Boat Launch and Mineral Ridge Trailhead, located in Wolf Lodge Bay on Coeur d’Alene Lake, to learn about and observe the bald eagles feeding on the spawned kokanee salmon. Exhibits and telescopes, along with presentations, will be provided.

Eagle watchers have been asked to record their zip codes since 1994.  Fifty thousand people have come to watch eagles during these 12 weeks of viewing.  Although 70 percent of eagle watchers have come from a three-hour driving distance, the other 30 percent have come from all 50 American states, Washington D.C., two US military zip codes, two US territories and 36 foreign countries.  Many of these out-of-area people are visiting family and friends in the local area, on skiing vacations, and are exchange students.

Safety / Viewing Tips

• Avoid disturbing the birds. Do not approach them on foot.

• Stay as far away from the birds as possible. Binoculars are essential.

• Stay in your vehicle if viewing nearby birds.

• Park off the main road.
   Suggested viewing areas: Higgins Point, Mineral Ridge Boat Ramp,
   Mineral Ridge Trail head

• Do not stop on the road or look for eagles while driving.
   Interstate 90 and Highway 97 are heavily traveled. 
   Remember, it is illegal to stop in any traffic lane.