It’s now the middle of January and what should be the beginning of the peak bald eagle viewing season along the Wasatch Front.
Numerous locations have been producing a few daily bald eagles for this bird watcher as I travel from nature preserve to nature preserve in search of birds.
So far, the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge has been the most consistent with regards to bald eagle sightings, at least for me that is, for the winter season.
One location, Farmington Bay WMA has been a hot spot in recent years, but, unfortunately, it is looking like it won’t be one this year.
Last year, I personally spotted over 50 bald eagles at Farmington Bay, and another very experienced birder I know counted around 100 on the same day.
(Visit Bird Shirts and More for gallery wrapped canvas art.)
(For a limited time, use coupon code save10 during checkout to save 10% off your entire order.)
But so far Farmington Bay has only been producing a couple of bald eagles out on the ice this winter.
So what is the difference between this year and last winter?
Carp, a most unwanted non-native fish species that uproot aquatic plants and muddies up the water, reducing photosynthesis in the process, but also is a major food source for many birds, especially the wintering bald eagles is the difference between last year and this season.
In an effort to help control the unwanted carp population, Farmington Bay chemically treated the water and drained the units nearly dry, leaving a large supply of dead fish that attracted dozens and dozens of bald eagles for a quick and easy meal.
This year, however, there were no carp eradication efforts, and the wetlands weren’t drained so no exposed carp to feed upon, causing the bald eagles to search elsewhere for a meal.
(Visit Bird Shirts and More for gallery wrapped canvas art.)
(For a limited time, use coupon code save10 during checkout to save 10% off your entire order.)
Being a wetland, there are ducks that sit out on the frozen marsh that attracts a few bald eagles but nowhere like it was last winter with a large supply of dead carp ready for the taking.
So, all in all, last winter was an anomaly with regards to the high number of bald eagles with a most unnatural supply of fish, meaning that won’t be happening this year, unfortunately.
But there are bald eagles to be seen, both on Farmington Bay and all up and down the Wasatch Front so don’t let that be a discouragement in the least.
It just means you won’t be seeing any unusual large numbers like last season had at Farmington Bay.
lately, I’ve been seeing a few bald eagles out by the marina on Antelope Island, Farmington Bay, The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, and in the small town of Corinne along the Bear River heading into town.
(Visit Bird Shirts and More for gallery wrapped canvas art.)
(For a limited time, use coupon code save10 during checkout to save 10% off your entire order.)
I hope that helps anyone interested in finding the bald eagles that were wondering why the large congregating of eagles at Farmington Bay last year isn’t there this winter.
Subscribe
If you are into nature like I am, I offer you to head on over to my subscribe page and sign up for email notifications for future blog posts.
I appreciate your support and thank all who continually share posts on Facebook or any other of the social media outlets out there.
We also have started a YouTube channel where we occasionally post video updates in addition to our blog writings.
Bird Watching Apparel
“Have An Owlsome Day” Hooded Sweatshirt, available at Bird Shirts and More in a variety of colors as well as t-shirts, mugs, and tote bags.
