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Tag: wildlife expert

  • WATCH: More than 1,000 bald eagles converge at wildlife refuge

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    WATCH: More than 1,000 bald eagles converge at wildlife refuge north of Kansas City

    There gonna be any birds here today? We’re at Les Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge. Oh my gosh, that is so good. On New Year’s Eve I think it was I saw where they had *** record number of eagles. Made about *** 7 hour drive up here and try to get that moon just to the side. I’ve never been here before, but I had some friends that had. The eagles we came here to photograph the eagles and when I pulled into the refuge, I just, I couldn’t, I had to catch my breath. I couldn’t believe how many eagles I was seeing. Oh it’s, it’s awesome. There’s no other place you get to see this many eagles. It’s really neat to be able to see this. The state of Missouri itself is known as one of the most well known states for wintering eagles, and we’ve been seeing an increase in eagles now for years. Our previous record was set on January 3, I believe, 2022, and we had 833 bald eagles in the refuge. Just this past week, we set *** new bald eagle record of 1,012 bald eagles here in the refuge. I’ve never seen this many eagles in one place. All the ones that we’re seeing, uh, that don’t have any white on them are immature bald eagles. As they start to get into that 3 to 44 to 5, you start to see, um, white coloration start to show through on tail feathers and the heads. By the time they’re 5 years old, they usually have *** full white head, white tail, and they’re of breeding age. I’m just blown away by it. Uh, they’re used to people, I suppose they don’t seem to mind us at all, just like right here, those are extremely close. Uh, with my big lens, I can basically just see his head. Uh, they’re, they’re calm, they’re, they’re enjoying their life. I would just encourage folks to come visit. I mean this is *** phenomenal resource for the public. Um, I’m honored to be able to manage, uh, this resource. You can’t beat stepping out here in the refuge and seeing 1000 eagles and uh and what nature has to offer here in northwest Missouri. There’s not *** better place right now that I know of anywhere around here to to see eagles.

    WATCH: More than 1,000 bald eagles converge at wildlife refuge north of Kansas City

    Updated: 6:32 AM EST Jan 10, 2026

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    Less than 100 miles north of Kansas City is a yearly spectacle — the annual bald eagle migration at Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge.”We’ve been seeing an increase in eagles now for years,” said William Kutosky, wildlife refuge manager. Missouri is one of the best-known states for wintering eagles, and 2025-2026 is proving no exception. Loess Bluffs celebrated a new bald eagle record at the refuge just last week. “Our previous record was set on January 3, 2022, and we had 833 bald eagles here,” Kutosky said. “This past week, we set a new bald eagle record.”On Dec. 30, wildlife experts observed 1,012 bald eagles at Loess Bluffs. “I’ve never seen this many eagles in one place,” said Jim Belote.Belote drove in from Conway, Arkansas, to see the migration. “I would just encourage folks to come visit,” Kutosky said. “This is a phenomenal resource for the public.”

    Less than 100 miles north of Kansas City is a yearly spectacle — the annual bald eagle migration at Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge.

    “We’ve been seeing an increase in eagles now for years,” said William Kutosky, wildlife refuge manager.

    Missouri is one of the best-known states for wintering eagles, and 2025-2026 is proving no exception. Loess Bluffs celebrated a new bald eagle record at the refuge just last week.

    “Our previous record was set on January 3, 2022, and we had 833 bald eagles here,” Kutosky said. “This past week, we set a new bald eagle record.”

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    On Dec. 30, wildlife experts observed 1,012 bald eagles at Loess Bluffs.

    “I’ve never seen this many eagles in one place,” said Jim Belote.

    Belote drove in from Conway, Arkansas, to see the migration.

    “I would just encourage folks to come visit,” Kutosky said. “This is a phenomenal resource for the public.”

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  • Sick Canada Geese in El Dorado County, wildlife experts confirm bird flu arrives with migration

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    The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has confirmed at least two cases of avian flu in birds found at Cameron Park Lake in El Dorado County. It’s a popular spot for Canada Geese as migration begins for these birds and others.Launi Varbell, who walks the lake daily, has noticed more geese recently arriving. “I’ve been videoing them because they’re big clusters of them,” she said. “They’re gorgeous. I love them.” Leslie Ackerman from California Wildlife Encounters has been monitoring the situation closely. “I tend to look for ones that are isolated; there’s one over there by himself,” Ackerman said. Ackerman is an experienced wildlife rescuer and noted that they are finding more sick and dying birds than usual. “We found 14 birds, five which were already dead. And the rest I’ve actually had to euthanize,” she said. “It’s been hard hit out here.”Ackerman recorded a video of a sick goose showing flu symptoms, such as spinning in a circle. She said there are other signs too.”Very lethargic. They tend to have neurological issues where they wobble, their head swivels,” Ackerman said. “We have received two Canada Geese carcasses from Cameron Park Lake, and the preliminary results show avian influenza,” said Peter Tira with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.Tira explained that the flu first appeared in wild birds in Northern California in 2022. “Those birds, some of them are diseased, and they bring that in with them. They’re social. They congregate in large flocks. And so it spreads,” Tira said.Ackerman added, “You can see how well it spreads because there’s so many all congregated together.” Wildlife experts anticipate finding more sick geese as more flocks arrive for fall migration. “These guys are healthy, and hopefully they stay that way,” Ackerman said.The Department of Fish and Wildlife reports that the outbreak currently is confined to El Dorado County, with no avian flu deaths reported in Sacramento or Yolo Counties. Experts advise not to touch dead or unusual-acting birds and to inform park management or contact Wildlife Encounters or the Department of Fish and Wildlife. While the risk to humans is minimal, it is important to prevent the spread to other animals or pets.To report a dead or dying animal, call 916-358-2790.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    CAMERON PARK, Calif. —

    The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has confirmed at least two cases of avian flu in birds found at Cameron Park Lake in El Dorado County. It’s a popular spot for Canada Geese as migration begins for these birds and others.

    Launi Varbell, who walks the lake daily, has noticed more geese recently arriving.

    “I’ve been videoing them because they’re big clusters of them,” she said. “They’re gorgeous. I love them.”

    Leslie Ackerman from California Wildlife Encounters has been monitoring the situation closely.

    “I tend to look for ones that are isolated; there’s one over there by himself,” Ackerman said.

    Ackerman is an experienced wildlife rescuer and noted that they are finding more sick and dying birds than usual.

    “We found 14 birds, five which were already dead. And the rest I’ve actually had to euthanize,” she said. “It’s been hard hit out here.”

    Ackerman recorded a video of a sick goose showing flu symptoms, such as spinning in a circle.

    She said there are other signs too.

    “Very lethargic. They tend to have neurological issues where they wobble, their head swivels,” Ackerman said.

    “We have received two Canada Geese carcasses from Cameron Park Lake, and the preliminary results show avian influenza,” said Peter Tira with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

    Tira explained that the flu first appeared in wild birds in Northern California in 2022.

    “Those birds, some of them are diseased, and they bring that in with them. They’re social. They congregate in large flocks. And so it spreads,” Tira said.

    Ackerman added, “You can see how well it spreads because there’s so many all congregated together.”

    Wildlife experts anticipate finding more sick geese as more flocks arrive for fall migration. “These guys are healthy, and hopefully they stay that way,” Ackerman said.

    The Department of Fish and Wildlife reports that the outbreak currently is confined to El Dorado County, with no avian flu deaths reported in Sacramento or Yolo Counties.

    Experts advise not to touch dead or unusual-acting birds and to inform park management or contact Wildlife Encounters or the Department of Fish and Wildlife. While the risk to humans is minimal, it is important to prevent the spread to other animals or pets.

    To report a dead or dying animal, call 916-358-2790.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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