Everyone has a winter tradition that marks the beginning of the holiday season. For some it is playing your favorite being bing crosby carol or perhaps bringing home a christmas tree to decorate. For my family it was the moment my mom said on a Saturday morning, “jump in the car, we are going to see the eagles!”
Bald eagles are not permanent residents on Lake Coeur d’Alene, but during a short eight-week season from mid-November to mid-January they migrate to Wolf Lodge Bay on the northeast end of the lake. The migration to our area is triggered by the spawning of up to a half million kokanee, a landlocked sockeye salmon. The eagles come from northern lakes and rivers that freeze over in the winter just for the opportunity to feed on these tasty morsels.
As we drive east on I-90 towards the bay, I anxiously peer out of the car window, waiting to get my first glimpse of these magnificent birds. I begin seeing what look like golf balls in the trees. They are peppered along the south side of the bay when I realize these are actually the bright white heads of the mature bald eagles.
Once off the highway, we pull alongside the road and get out of the car.
My sister squeals. “There is an eagle going for a fish!” she exclaims.
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We watch as this massive bird, with a wingspan of over 6 feet, drops out of a tree as if it were a wrecking ball. It swiftly glides down to the water, and in an instant the eagle has a silvery kokanee in its talons. The bird laboriously flies back to its snowy perch where it begins to dissect its prey.
As we stand in awe of this incredible moment we become acutely aware of the beauty that exists in our own backyard. And so, once again, the holiday season is upon us, brought in on the wings of eagles. It has become my favorite Christmas present. N
Higgens Point on Lake Coeur d’Alene is a great location to view the eagles. Click for directions.
According to the Bureau of Land Management – each winter from November through February a migrating population of bald eagles visits the Lake Coeur d’ Alene area to feed on spawning kokanee salmon. The BLM began counting bald eagles around Wolf Lodge Bay in 1974. The number of eagles returning to this area varies from year to year.
Safety/Viewing Tips
- Avoid disturbing the birds. Do not approach them on foot.
- Stay as far away from the birds as possible. Binoculars are essential.
- Stay in your vehicle if viewing nearby birds.
- Park off the main road
- Do not stop on the road or look for eagles while driving. Interstate 90 and Highway 97 are heavily traveled. Remember, it is illegal to stop in any traffic lane.
By Meegan Corcoran
Photography By Joel Riner
As Featured In: Winter/Spring 2017