Eagle Watching Tips

[CBNMO]

Planning a couple trips to take folks out in the boat to see the eagles this fall/winter. Any tips on best dates and areas of the lake to see several ? Thanks

[gitnby]

Planning a couple trips to take folks out in the boat to see the eagles this fall/winter. Any tips on best dates and areas of the lake to see several ? Thanks

Dates vary every year? We sometimes see them in mid to late October, and have seen them stay as late as March, sometimes April.

We see them every year up in Fisher Creek! (just Northwest of Hwy 13 bridge)

I usually see a pair that hangs out just inside of the main lake point south of Arrowhead Dock, which is directly across the Lake from Kimberling Inn and Ahoy's.

They fly over the house all of the time, and they love to sit on top of a big tree not more than 150 feet from my deck. Not sure where they roost, but they seem to go back and forth between the bridge and the back of Fisher and Brushy Creek coves.

Was on the dock one morning and had one swoop down after a fish right in front of our dock and take off back to the North up into Fisher. What a sight!

There are many other places on the lake to see them, and I'm sure some others will chime in on their favorite spots!

[skeeter]

Planning a couple trips to take folks out in the boat to see the eagles this fall/winter. Any tips on best dates and areas of the lake to see several ? Thanks

Wow ! That's a tough question to answer. These birds can range so far and so fast it's really tough to predict their whereabouts at any given time.

I would suggest scanning the skies over water's-edge ridges and bluffs that have the day's prevailing winds blowing into or onto them. Those winds provide the Eagles with an updraft that allows them to soar along the shore where the wind hits the land coming across the water and then turns upward. Those locations also enable them to visually scan the water for shad being blown into the banks by the current the wind creates.

Another place I have seen them frequently is on long points of land that extend out into the lake. That's going to be a little hard to find this year with the Lake being slightly above normal pool but they do like to congregate on those exposed pieces of dry ground and is one of the few times I have seen them actually on the ground instead of perching in a lakeside tree.

We have noticed when they first arrive from the North they like to gather in small flocks and put on a fantastic show of aerobatics locking talons with one another and tumbling through the sky doing several somersaults. It's an amazing sight if you see it.

[Ealy]

I upgraded from Eagle to Lowrance several years ago, On sunny days, duck into a shady boat slip for easier viewing.

Seriously by November you should be seeing several. Go into Little Cow back by the ski course and look around. I've seen 'em in there for years.

[rps]

Three to six in the holiday island to Beaver stretch every year. The fun part is when they dive on the fish in the water. Start looking November and hope they last to March.

Tangent: Saw a white pelican last week. How cool.

[Phil Lilley]

Come down to our place and you'll see Ospreys and Bald Eagles. More Osprey's than eagles but I've seen both just today on the lake.

Lots of blue herons and kingfishers too.

http://lilleyslanding.com

[BIG K]

There is a nest on t-como right across from Blue Havens dock you can see two adults and young almost everyday the lake queen stops on most trips to let folks watch. Man i wish i was there right now.

[Bill Babler]

There is an area on Table Rock that is called by the locals Eagle's Roost. These birds don't roost there, but are there now. I saw 3 pairs today. The location is between Baxter Marina and Campbell Point. I have seen as many as 30 birds there at one time. They just love these shallow gravel flats on the South East side of the lake.

Best time is November thru March. They are always there, or have been for the last 30 years.

Good Luck Eagle Huntin.

[CBNMO]

Thanks to all for the tips and reports. Watching them dive down and pick up a fish is really cool. I'll try to map out a trip soon.

I read a newspaper article on the net, from Neosho Daily News, the Conservation Dept. had an Eagle watching day in Stella last year in January. Said they have counted 184 Eagles in the field there at one time, maybe not that day though. Seems like a lot in one field? May check by there also, but a trip in the boat is always more fun. At least more adventure, if not more fun.

[dtrs5kprs]

Ditto on Fisher and Baxter area. I have shot some great stills and video of eagles in the back of Little Indian at Baxter. Also see them around the mouth of the James...managed a nice pic there 2 years ago on the stubby little bluff that we used for Christmas cards/gifts for some eagle loving friends (managed a 3# K on those trees there at the same time ). Saw some last year directly across the lake from Schooner Creek in that little cut by the long point.

Not that I want to get too close, but it seems like it is easier to get closer to them if it is cold. My experience only perhaps.