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National Eagle Center 50 Pembroke Ave, Wabasha, MN 55981 651.565.4989 nationaleaglecenter.org

Golden Eagle Migration

Mapping

Overview of Lesson – This activity will expose students to real life

research and science. Students will use data collected in the Golden

Eagle Project to practice mapping skills and complete calculations.

Minnesota Science Standards

5.1.1.1.2 – Recognize that when scientific investigations are replicated they

generally produce the same results, and when results differ significantly, it

is important to investigate what may have caused such differences. For

example: Measurement errors, equipment failures, or uncontrolled

variables

5.1.3.4.1 – Use appropriate tools and techniques in gathering, analyzing

and interpreting data. For example: spring scale, metric measurements,

tables, mean/median/range, spreadsheets and appropriate graphs.

5.1.3.4.2 – Create and analyze different kinds of maps of the student’s

community and of Minnesota. For example: weather maps, city maps,

aerial photos, regional maps or online map resources

7.1.3.4.1 – Use maps, satellite images and other data sets to describe

patterns and make predictions about natural systems in life science

context. For example: use online data sets to compare wildlife populations

or water quality in regions of Minnesota.

7.4.4.1.2 – Describe ways that human activities can change the populations

and communities in an ecosystem.

8.1.3.3.2 – Understand that scientific knowledge is always changing as new

technologies and information enhance observations and analysis of data.

For example: analyze how new telescopes have provided new information

about the universe.

Time Needed – 45 minutes to

1 hour

Ages – grades 5-‐8

Season – Any

Materials – Worksheets,

pencils, calculator

Optional Materials –

Smartboard, measuring tape,

stop watches, internet access

Lesson Outline

I. Introduction -‐ 10

minutes

II. Mapping – 15 minutes

III. Worksheet – 15

minutes

IV. Review – 10 minutes


Background Information:

Golden eagles are one of two species of eagle found in the United States. This chocolate brown colored

bird is one of the largest birds on the continent and adults have gold colored feathers along the back of

the neck. Golden eagles have a worldwide distribution and are found across the northern hemisphere in

Europe, Asia, North Africa and North America.

In North America, golden eagles are primarily found in the Western States and Provinces from Mexico

through Alaska. There are also small breeding populations in northern Ontario and Quebec, with a

wintering population in the eastern United States. (See range map at the end of this lesson.)

Golden eagles are regular winter inhabitants in the Midwestern United States in the blufflands of

southeast Minnesota, western Wisconsin and northeast Iowa.

Habitat

Golden eagles utilize a wide range of habitat types, including high-‐altitude regions, deserts, forests and

open areas. In the Midwestern US, they can be observed in the dense forests of the blufflands, often

utilizing the open, upland prairies (goat prairies) as hunting grounds. Recent surveys coordinated by the

National Eagle Center and carried out by volunteer observers have uncovered an apparently regular

wintering population using the bluffs of southeast Minnesota, western Wisconsin and northeast Iowa.

Diet

Golden eagles are terrestrial predators, commonly feeding on mammals, birds and reptiles. They have

been known to take prey as large as pronghorn or white-‐tailed deer. In the upper Midwest, common

prey items are squirrels, rabbits and wild turkeys.

Golden eagles in the blufflands

Golden eagles do not nest or breed in Minnesota or Wisconsin, but they are regular winter residents of

in parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.

The Golden Eagle Project is contributing to the world’s knowledge of this species by surveying the

regional population, studying their habitat use and migration patterns. One tool the Project is using is

satellite telemetry, using small solar powered GPS transmitters to track golden eagles. Golden eagles are

captured and fitted with small solar powered GPS transmitters. The location data is transmitted to

satellites and downloaded to researchers. Using location data from the bird's transmitter a map of its

migration path and habitat use can be determined.

The Golden Eagle Project is a partnership of the National Eagle Center and Audubon Minnesota, with

participation from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Department of Natural

Resources and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and funding support from through

Minnesota’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. For additional information, please visit the

National Eagle Center’s website at nationaleaglecenter.org.


Vocabulary:

• Migration -‐ the seasonal movement of animals between breeding and non-‐breeding ranges.

• Telemetry -‐ The science and technology of automatic measurement and transmission of data by

radio, satellite or other means from remote sources to receiving stations for recording and

analysis.

• Transmitter – the device that is attached to the eagle that records and sends data on the bird’s

location.

• Endangered – a species that has been identified as under threat of extinction or extirpation; In

the United States, the US Fish and Wildlife Service maintains an official list of species that are

considered endangered and threatened or of special concern. Internationally, the International

Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) maintains listings of more than 49,000 species,

subspecies and varieties of flora and fauna and places each in a category based on the level of

threats that species is facing in the wild.

• Threatened – a species whose population is decreasing and vulnerable to becoming

endangered.

Prior to teaching:

Gather materials and print out 1 copy of the worksheet per student.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction (10 minutes)

Ask students about birds that they may have seen in the back yard. Do they stay all year long? Many bird

species migrate in response to food availability. Define migration. Some birds go a short distance, while

others travel long distances each year. Scientists are able to track birds using technology. They attach a

small device to the bird and then are able to follow an individual. A group of researchers are tracking

golden eagles using satellite telemetry transmitters that the eagles wear like backpacks. They then

download the information to a computer and are able to determine where the eagles are spending time.

Teachers: use the images in the appendix to help explain what researchers are doing.

Mapping Activity (15 minutes)

The telemetry data is provided from the Golden Eagle Research Project. Pass out the worksheet and

have the students begin by mapping the data points. Then have students complete the calculations on

the reverse side of the worksheet.

Smart Board Review of Worksheet (15 minutes)

Go to webpage: Golden Eagle Project – Golden Tracking (http://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/golden-‐

eagle-‐project/golden-‐eagle-‐tracking/) from the Nationaleaglecenter.org on the smart board. Using the

interactive map, have students compare and contrast the routes of the birds with active transmitters.

*Note by clicking on the route, you can read more specific information


Wrap-‐up and Discussion Questions (10 minutes):

Why would birds or animals want to migrate?

Why would researchers want to study the golden eagle?

What can researchers learn by using telemetry data?

Why would the eagles route vary year to year or season to season?

Additional Information

National Eagle Center www.nationaleaglecenter.org

Cornell Lab of Ornithology http://www.birds.cornell.edu/Page.aspx?pid=1478

USFWS Golden Eagle Fact Sheet

http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewReportsPublications/FactSheets/Golden_Eagle_Status_Fact_Sh

eet[1].pdf


Golden Eagle Mapping Worksheet

Place a data point at each of the following locations:

1. Find Great Bear Lake, Canada and place a point directly East on the border of the

Northwest Territories and Nunavut

2. Eastern most point of Great Slave Lake

3. Place a point where the borders of Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan and

Manitoba meet.

4. Thompson, Manitoba

5. Northern most end of Lake Winnipeg

6. On land between Lake Nipigon and Lake Superior

7. Duluth, Minnesota

8. Central Wisconsin

Date Left Breeding Territory: October 3rd

Date Arrived on Wintering Territory: December 20th

Total Distance: approximately 2,700 miles traveled in 78 days

Calculate average miles moved per day (show work)

Calculate average speed in mph (show work)

During migration, it is common for an eagle to stop at one location or even a week before continuing

migration. Why do you think a bird would pause during migration?

The information for this activity is based on the migration of Golden Eagle #45 (Jeanette). The graphing

points are approximations for this activity only. All other maps in this lesson are using the real data.


Golden Eagle Mapping Worksheet – ANSWER SHEET

Place a data point at each of the following locations:

1. Find Great Bear Lake, Canada and place a point directly East on the border of the

Northwest Territories and Nunavut

2. Eastern most point of Great Slave Lake

3. Place a point where the borders of Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan and

Manitoba meet.

4. Thompson, Manitoba

5. Northern most end of Lake Winnipeg

6. On land between Lake Nipigon and Lake Superior

7. Duluth, Minnesota

8. Central Wisconsin

Date Left Breeding Territory: October 3rd

Date Arrived on Wintering Territory: December 20th

Total Distance: approximately 2,700 miles traveled in 78 days

Calculate average miles moved per day (show work)

2700 miles ÷ 78 days = 34.6 miles per day OR approximately 35 miles per day

Calculate average speed in mph (show work)

35 miles per day ÷ 24 hours per day = 1.45 miles per hour

During migration, it is common for an eagle to stop at one location or even a week before continuing

migration. Why do you think a bird would pause during migration?

Possible answers include food availability, good hunting grounds, weather conditions, etc.

The information for this activity is based off Eagle #45 (Jeanette). The graphing points are

approximations for this activity only. All other maps in this lesson are using the real data.


Golden eagle wearing a satellite transmitter

Transmitter and banding supplies used by researchers

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