Date: 1/2/26 5:22 pm From: <ghr...> <ghr...> Subject: Re: [ia-bird] Re: eagle activity below Red Rock Dam
Thanks, Paul, and everyone for their newsy comments. Happy birding!
From: "Paul Brooks" <paulbrooks27944...>
To: "IA-BIRD" <ia-bird...>
Sent: Friday, January 2, 2026 4:10:50 PM
Subject: [ia-bird] Re: eagle activity below Red Rock Dam
The kettling activity is because most of the rivers are still pretty open, and there is no snow cover on the ground. They are normally fishing from the trees near the dam and dont have much open river. They are likely using the trees for rest at night, and then spreading out to search for other food sources during the day that would be easier than fishing. Warmer temps also slow their metabolism allowing for more "playful flight" opportunities than they would normally have, as they aren't burning as many calories trying to maintain body temperature. The large numbers are likely because of plentiful dead geese and other migratory water species above the dam from hunting and avian flu. If we get snow cover, and colder temps to freeze the rivers up, they will go back to their normal fishing close to the dam with many staying right below the outlet all day. But forecasts don't have any long stretches of cold weather in the next 2-3 weeks, so this behavior may continue for a while.
On Friday, January 2, 2026 at 3:09:36 PM UTC-6 Martha Jane wrote:
Anyone else seen the enormous number of eagles "kettling" below Red Rock dam? Sometimes mixing with gulls, and flying very very high? We've been here this time of year before and not seen this behavior, plus this is the most eagles we've seen congregated here in years – and usually the higher numbers correspond with a super hard winter, which this has not been. Any feedback welcome. Good birding in 2026!
