We were thrilled, but not surprised, to find that Harper Bernheim, the Golden Eagle is back in his winter habitat in Bernheim Forest for the third consecutive year. Motion detecting cameras were able to photograph Harper and identify him by his leg band.
It was early 2015 when we tagged Harper and tracked his migration from his wintering grounds in Bernheim on a journey north to the Hudson Bay in Canada. In Canada, Harper established a nesting site in an area known as the Hudson Bay lowlands just south of Churchill, Manitoba. He returned last winter and spent time within the Wilson Valley, along with several other golden and bald eagles that make Bernheim their winter home.
This information continues to add to our knowledge of golden eagles and their migratory patterns during winter in the lower 48 states. The data we collected while tracking Harper tells us that he preferred to stay within uninhabited forested areas, using a migratory route on his way north that relied on stopovers in protected wooded areas. He is just one of many golden eagles making their way to Bernheim Forest in the winter, where they hunt and scavenge until returning north in mid-March.
We’re delighted that our stewardship efforts have provided a habitat for Harper and others that is appealing enough to return year after year. Welcome home, Harper.