The long cold snap and increased amount of ice on Vermont's waterbodies is likely causing eagles to congregate near open water so they can hunt fish and waterfowl. Eagles are opportunists, and will also feed on carcasses on the ice or open land areas.

Thanks to many of you, we have received several eagle reports since the 2018 Winter Bald Eagle Survey started on January 3. During the first week of the survey, we received reports of 8 adult eagles:

• 2 adults near Rte 127 north of Burlington
• 1 adult at a farm in Kirby
• 2 adults on the Otter Creek
• 2 adults near Brattleboro on the West River
• 1 adult on the Battenkill River

Vermont's eagle population is definitely growing, but it hasn't quite reached the numbers people see along the Mississippi in the winter:

http://www.kwqc.com/content/news/Army-Corps-of-Engineers-rangers-show-us-how-they-count-eagles--468223903.html

Please continue to send in your sightings!

The 2018 Winter Bald Eagle Survey continues through Wednesday, January 17. Now that the weather is a bit milder, eagles may be a little more active and visible. Thanks again for your reports.  As a reminder, report eagles seen in Vermont during the survey period to Margaret Fowle at mfowle@audubon.org, or post them on our Facebook Page:

• date
• location
• time of day
• number of Bald or Golden Eagles seen
• approximate age of the eagles (i.e., adult Bald Eagle with white head and tail, or immature that is mostly brown)
• any notable behavior (i.e., carrying nesting material, flying with another eagle, etc.)