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Eagle Banding on the Mississippi River
In 2007, for the second year in a row, Audubon Minnesota teamed up with the National Park Service for one week to locate active bald eagle nests along the Mississippi River from upstream of Minneapolis to Prescott, Wisconsin. This 70-mile stretch of the river is part of an internationally significant migratory flyway for more than 300 bird species. Audubon and the National Park Service have a common interest in protecting and restoring the ecological health of the river for birds, fish, wildlife and people.
 Twelve nests were located, and 18 young eagles were carefully removed, measured, weighed, and banded. After blood and feather samples were taken, the birds were returned to their nests. Biological samples were analyzed for contaminants – harmful chemicals the birds might have ingested with their food. Because eagles are at the top of their food chain, accumulating whatever their body will not process out, they serve as a warning system for the environment in which they live. Collection of data will continue in 2008. Records kept over time will help determine long-term trends and alert us to threats to the population.
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