CHARACTERIZATION OF BALD EAGLE WINTER NIGHT ROOST
HABITAT ALONG THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Brian C. E. Hall
St. Mary's University, Resource Analysis Program, 700 Terrace Heights #16,
Winona, MN 55987

Winter Bald Eagle populations along the upper Mississippi River have been
slowly growing over a number of years.  Further population increases may
require additional winter habitat.  This study used Geographic Information
Systems and forest inventory data to compare five known night roost sites on the
upper Mississippi River.  Topography, forest composition, and spatial
relationships for each site were analyzed.  Roost slopes ranged from flat to 42
degrees. Dominant roost site tree species were mostly maples, oaks, and
cottonwoods, 74 to 90 feet tall.  Distances from roosts to ice-free water ranged
from 115 to 2,246 meters (mean = 748). 

Keywords:  Bald Eagle, Mississippi River, winter habitat, Haliaeetus
leucocephalus, GIS


Brian C.E. Hall
700 Terrace Heights #16
Winona, MN  55987
507-457-6603
bchall@rex.smumn.edu
Poster presentation. Not willing to switch format. 
I am a student.