Eagle population ‘soaring’ in Central Illinois

PEORIA HEIGHTS, In poor health. (WMBD) — The Land of Lincoln can also be house to one of many nation’s most recognizable symbols: the bald eagle.

However how frequent is it to see them flying round Central Illinois? In response to native wildlife consultants, it’s simpler than we might notice to see the attractive birds.

In response to Colton Sanders, a Naturalist on the Forest Park Nature Heart in Peoria Heights, the bald eagle inhabitants in Central Illinois is within the 500-range. Throughout the complete state, he mentioned, there are about 10,000 bald eagles.

The bird-turned-national-symbol remains to be federally protected, regardless of being off the endangered species checklist.

“We’re hovering at about 300,000 bald eagles again in the US,” Sanders mentioned. “That places them at about 71,000 nesting pairs, that means these are occupied nests of breeding bald eagles. Again once they had been placed on the endangered species checklist, there have been about 407 nesting pairs. So, large improve that we’ve seen.”

The birds had been faraway from the endangered species checklist after they hit about 9,000 nesting pairs, he mentioned.

“Go right down to the Illinois River, any main waterway, and spend a while down there. You possibly can see bald eagles just about all through the complete yr,” Sanders mentioned. “You’re extra actively going to see them within the colder months, so January, February.”

Sanders really helpful Detweiler Park in Peoria for any birdwatching, because the park is correct off Route 29, on the riverfront. Forest Park Nature Heart, he mentioned, can also be an ideal place to see them flying, if there’s a transparent view of the sky.