By Andrew Berry
This late February we find Bernheim’s migratory nomad, the adult male Golden Eagle Hermes, once again active across southern Indiana and central Kentucky. He has made three trips to Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge yet continues to move back and forth between Indiana and the lower Kentucky River Valley, crossing the Ohio River seven times in recent weeks. In doing so, Hermes has revisited several of the locations he has used in previous years further demonstrating his site fidelity.
Recently Hermes has flown to protected areas including Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge, Indian-Kentuck Creek, the Kentucky River Wildlife Management Areas, Twin Eagle Wildlife Management Area, and the Cane Run Conservation Easement in Henry County. He has also navigated many farms and towns including Vevay IN, and Carrollton KY, while traveling between forest patches and along waterways. His movements in late winter suggest active hunting, roosting, and perhaps excursionary behavior in pursuit of a mate. Hermes travels remind us how fragmented forests and protected lands can support wide-ranging raptors and other winged migrants.
Stay tuned as we follow Hermes on his continued travels. Could he still make a turn towards Bernheim? And will this finally be the summer he settles down with a mate and establishes a nesting range?
Bernheim’s Golden Eagle research is made possible through the continued support of the Judge Boyce Martin Jr. Birds of Bernheim sponsors, the Beckham Bird Club, the Kentucky Audubon Council, Cellular Tracking Technologies, Conservation Science Global, the Eastern Golden Eagle Working Group, and many other dedicated partners and supporters.
