Bureau of Land Management Volunteer Feature

SOARING WITH EAGLES
BLM Volunteer Recognized for Bald Eagle Education

Over 1,000 bald eagles migrate through the Canyon Ferry area each year from mid-October to mid-December to feed on spawning Kokanee salmon downstream from Canyon Ferry Dam. During this time the eagles draw a large viewing audience as people from all over the world come to observe the gathering of at least 30-60 eagles, with a recorded high concentration of 302 in 1991.

During the past seven years, Glenn has become a self-taught expert on eagle ecology. With this knowledge he developed an educational presentation for adults and children alike, teaching more than 10,000 school children about the values and rewards of working together to conserve lands and resources to benefit wildlife. He diligently drives 34 miles round trip, often during sub-zero temperatures over snow-packed, icy roads five days a week,to give his presentations.

Glenn Stockdale and his bubbly personality work their magic on a group of bright-eyed schoolchildren. Glen's presentations reach thousands of students of all ages.

For this work, Glenn received the BLM's 1997 National Volunteer Making a Difference Award. Glenn also has received national media attention for his work, including a feature story by Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News. (He is currently being considered for a new CBS program, "Eye on People.") By sharing his knowledge and expertise, Glenn is shaping public awareness in Montana and beyond. His message about the bald eagle speaks to the importance of protecting not only our National symbol, but the thousands of additional threatened and endangered species in the United States as well. As one of his colleagues puts it, "Glenn truly soars with the eagles."

Bald Eagles

For thousands of years, possibly since the Pleistocene (Ice Age), bald eagles have nested along the Missouri River near Helena, Montana, and followed the river during their fall and spring migrations.

Eagles, awe-inspiring, but still considered threatened in some areas. Programs at the Canyon Ferry Visitor Center include presentations about protecting this fragile symbol.

Bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) can live up to 45 years, and one survived to age 75 in captivity. Their white head and tail appear with sexual maturity at 3 to 5 years. A successful pair produces one or two, occasionally three, young. Both parents share in the 35-day egg incubation. The bald eagle is the largest bird of prey in Montana, weighing from 7-13 pounds and has a 7 1/2-foot wingspan. You can see why its majestic stature has earned it our Nation's national symbol.

 

Over 1,000 eagles migrate to the Canyon Ferry Reservoir every year. Birdwatchers also flock to this area to get a few glimpses of their favorite bird.

Some bald eagles live year-around in Montana, and other migrants nest as far north as Canada and in the western states to the south. A favorite place in Montana for the "residents" and the migrants is Canyon Ferry Reservoir. The spawning Kokanee is a prime food to fuel the eagles during migration. Their diet also includes waterfowl and small mammals.

The Canyon Ferry bald eagle viewing program

The bald eagle viewing program includes displays and information about eagle ecology at the Canyon Ferry Visitor Center, guided tours for school groups during the week, and a hosted viewing program at Riverside Campground Viewing Area during the weekends and holidays. The Visitor Center is open from October 25 through December 7 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends/holidays, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. during weekdays. This free-admission program is managed through a cooperative effort by the BLM, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Forest service, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Montana State University, Carroll College, Lewis & Clark County, Helena Chamber of Commerce, Montana Power Company, private land owners, and numerous volunteers.