As the cold weather takes hold in Wisconsin, eagles migrate south to the places that have open waterways — and that includes our own Fox River.

For the past 13 years or more, the Kane County Forest Preserve District notes that bald eagles have wintered along the Fox. During a Christmas count in 2011, 20 eagles were counted between Aurora and St. Charles.

They’re returning again, as these photos by Dave Soderstrom clearly show.

According to an article in NorthwestQuarterly.com, the Fox River provides a perfect winter habitat, with plenty of resting places and abundant food sources.

You can keep up with eagles and other wildlife at the Kane County Audubon sightings page.

An article in the Kane County Chronicle, eagles are back from near extinction. Volunteers with the Illinois Audubon Society counted 5,975 counted from Jan. 1 to 15 this year. That’s up from 2,325 spotted in 2013. The population was as low as 885 in 1994.

In recent years, bald eagles have been plentiful enough for the Kane County Forest Preserve District to offer classes on the topic provided by experts. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at the Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, you can learn about the fascinating history of these iconic birds.

“With a wingspan of more than 6 feet, bald eagles can be hard to miss. Yet few people realize that these magnificent creatures live among us — right on our very own Fox River. This program will feature stunning images captured by Ron Dickenson, a local wildlife photographer who has been chronicling our area’s ‘Mooseheart eagles’ since 2008,” the Forest Preserve District website says.

Advance registration is required. Please call 630-444-3190 or e-mail programs@kaneforest.com to register.

Thanks to Dave Soderstrom of Geneva for sharing the photos you see here.

Read More

• Kane County Chronicle: Bald eagles back from near extinction
• NorthwestQuarterly.com: Follow the Eagles In Wisconsin and Illinois