Nesting areas reopened in Voyageurs National Park

Sixty two bald eagle nests were identified within the boundary of Voyageurs National Park this spring and summer.

The eagles were identified while conducting aerial and on water surveys to determine the number and location of nesting pairs within the park. Adult pairs were observed at 28 of the nests. Twenty six of the 28 breeding pairs were actively involved in incubating-compared to 31 in 2006, and 29 in 2005.

Reproductive success and productivity in the park’s breeding population was greater in 2007 than in 2006. Nine of the pairs failed to raise at least one young to the fledgling stage of development compared to 14 in 2006.  Nineteen of the pairs raised 27 young this year compared to 18 pairs and 26 young in 2006.  The reproductive success for the park’s breeding population was 68 percent this year compared to 56 percent in 2006. The number of young fledged per breeding pair was 0.96 this year compared to 0.81 in 2006. See Table 1 for a summary of this year’s survey.

The 56 adult breeding eagles and their 27 young combined with an estimated 40, 1, 2 and 3 year old immature bald eagles, should afford visitors the opportunity to see and enjoy many of the approximately 120 eagles that live and breed throughout VNP.

The areas around 12 of VNP’s 28 bald eagle nesting sites occupied by breeding pairs temporarily closed to campers and other human activities in early May are now reopened, according to park staff.

Four of the park’s 235 developed visitor use sites were affected by the temporary closures.

The reopened developed areas are: Namakan Lake –Sexton Island (N62) and Hamilton Island East (N11) campsites; Rainy Lake-Skipper Rock Island (R45) and Sand Bay South (R25) houseboat sites.

Eight undeveloped areas reopened are: Kabetogama Lake — East Northland Island, North Wood Duck Island Beach, West Cemetery Island Beach, West Sphunge Island Inlet, Richie Island; Rainy Lake-East Fox Island Inlet, North Diamond Island, and Red Rock Island.

Each year since 1992, the park has temporarily closed the land and water areas around active bald eagle nests to visitor use during their critical nesting periods. The closures have been based on recommendations of bald eagle researchers from across the U.S. to land management agencies and in accordance with federal laws protecting bald eagles. After the young leave the nest, which usually occurs by mid August, the areas are again reopened for public use.