smallfarmsustainability's podcast · Iowa State Universtiy Extension and Outreach Small Farm Sustainability

Episode 187: Bald Eagles in Iowa

March 7, 2023·11 min·1 clip

Heidi Anderson shares that Iowa counted a record 5,709 bald eagles last winter, a stunning recovery from zero in the 1970s.

This episode of the Small Farms Podcast focuses on the resurgence of bald eagles in Iowa. Host Olivia Hamlin, a Small Farms Extension Specialist, interviews naturalist Heidi Anderson from Polk County Conservation. Heidi Anderson's role involves educating the public about natural resources and outdoor connections. The conversation centers on the significant increase in bald eagle sightings during Iowa's winter months. Heidi explains that eagles migrate south only until they find open water for hunting fish. She identifies Saylorville Lake and Lake Red Rock as key Iowa reservoirs whose dams provide this critical winter habitat. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources monitors populations through a winter survey and a nest monitoring program. A record 5,709 bald eagles were counted in the January 2022 statewide survey. Heidi notes there are now over 500 active nesting territories in Iowa, with at least one recorded nest in every county. This marks a dramatic recovery from the 1960s and 70s when no eagles remained in the state. A notable insight is that bald eagle nests can weigh up to a thousand pounds and are often reused and expanded annually. Eagles may build more than one nest within a territory as a backup. Heidi clarifies that eagles are opportunistic feeders, primarily eating fish but often scavenging roadkill or stealing prey from other birds to conserve energy. She states that eagles are not a significant threat to pets, unlike great horned owls. For public involvement, she recommends reporting eagle nests to the Iowa DNR's Wildlife Diversity Program and suggests connecting with birdwatching groups like Iowa Audubon. The tone is educational and conversational, with the host asking direct questions to draw out practical information. The style is informative and accessible, aimed at a general audience interested in local wildlife. This episode would appeal to Iowa residents curious about the eagles they see, birdwatchers seeking observation tips, and anyone interested in local conservation success stories. Listeners seeking highly technical ornithological data or dramatic narrative might find it too straightforward.

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