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Bald Eagles Return to the Midwest

A bald Eagle flying through the air

Photo Credit Thomas Coyne

The Return of Bald Eagles to the Chicago Area: A Conservation Success Story, will be a virtual panel discussion with Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie and partners via Zoom from 6 to 6:40 p.m., January 10. The event will highlight the return of nesting bald eagles in the area. U.S. Forest Service specialists and trained raptor monitors will tell the story of the resurgence of bald eagles in Chicagoland and help de-mystify the basics of eagle watching, including how to identify gender, age and more.

Currently, 35 bald eagle nests have been spotted in the six counties surrounding Chicago, and two are located at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, in Will County. A nest was confirmed during grassland bird surveys in June 2014, with several successful fledglings since then. In 2017, another active eagle nest was confirmed.

Although the bald eagle was removed from the list of threatened and endangered species in 2007, National Save The Eagles Day, January 10, was established only recently as a day to remember the incredible conservation story of bald eagles in the Chicago area and acknowledge those instrumental in bringing America’s national bird back from the brink.

Admission is free at fs.usda.gov/detail/midewin/home/?cid=FSEPRD923271.