eagle activity below Red Rock Dam

[Martha Jane]

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!

[Paul Brooks]

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. 

[Angela Battle]

Hello Paul, 

Thank you for that very informative answer to the earlier question. Wanted to follow up with one of my own. 

Can Eagles feeding on birds that have died of Avian Flu get the flu that way?

A. Battle

Rural Clarke County

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[Paul Brooks]

Yes, the can, and do get the flue from ingesting infected birds. USFWS is already reporting a few bald eagle deaths from it in SW Iowa and NW Missouri. 

[Angela Battle]

Is there any plan or effort to collect the carcasses before the eagles can get to them? Might help stop the spread? 

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[Paul Brooks]

No. They are saying that the carcasses are too contagious to be handled. I haven't seen any efforts. There is discussions going on, but the policies right now don't  allow them to intervene. 

[a...@hologrambirds.com]

I just got back from Maffitt Reservoir and they have really cleaned up the carcasses that were there last week, so some are being removed.

 

Ann Johnson

Norwalk

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[g...@iowatelecom.net]

Thanks, Paul, and everyone for their newsy comments. Happy birding!

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From: "Paul Brooks" <paulbro...@gmail.com>
To: "IA-BIRD" <ia-...@googlegroups.com>
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!

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[Clayton Will]

A pair of Eagles in SW Florida survived covid and currently raising two young after loosing chicks in 2024. They have a flat white eye that is typical of birds that have survived covid. Tje link is to tje Florida eagles. 

Clayton Will

Madrid

 https://dickpritchettrealestate.com/southwest-florida-eagle-cam/

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