QUARTZ MOUNTAIN - “You would think with all the recent cold weather that Lake Altus would have lots of bald eagles coming south to find unfrozen lakes,” said Sue Hokanson of Quartz Mountain Nature Park, “but it is sad to say that is not the case.”

The numbers of bald eagles has increased recently but is still quite low compared to previous years. This year there are two mature eagles and three immature birds being spotted somewhat regularly. In comparison in 1998 there were sixteen bald eagles seen almost daily (10 matures and 6 immature eagles).

According to Hokanson, bald eagles are not in their breeding cycle when they winter at Quartz Mountain, so they are quite sociable with other eagles. “When one eagle is spotted, any others in the area are usually close by,” she said. “When the bald eagles depart about mid -February to early March, they will be heading to their breeding territories in the north-Montana, Wyoming and Colorado. Upon arrival there, the eagles will start exhibiting breeding behavior and will become territorial.”

Hokanson also said that there will be two more sets of eagle watches this season, the weekend of Jan. 27 and 28 and two weeks later on Feb. 10 and 11. If you have a group (4H Club, Scout troop, civic or church group) that would like to schedule an eagle watch, just call 563-2238 and ask for Sue. You may also call the Nature Center direct at 319-8382.