When Ryan Brady initiated a spring raptor count at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center (NGLVC) while a student at Northland College in 1999, his ornithology professor, Dick Verch, had never documented a golden eagle near Ashland, WI. 

The first bird Ryan spotted, on the very first day, showed the slightly V-shaped silhouette, small dark head, and dark tail of a migrating golden eagle. Both birders were thrilled! Recently in Duluth, 41 golden eagles flew over in a single day!

This week, I talked to Ryan Brady to get all the details on when to see golden eagles in Wisconsin, and how to identify them when you do.