America 250: The Bald Eagle

Over 250 species of birds have been recorded at Carolina Beach State Park, including the bald eagle. Bald eagles are visible year-round, but the best chance of seeing one is in the fall and winter, during nesting and migration season. They can be seen soaring over the Cape Fear River, hunting for fish. In the spring and summer, it is also common to see another impressive angler, the osprey. Osprey are characterized by a white head with a dark eye stripe, while mature bald eagles have entirely white heads. 

At Chimney Rock State Park, bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) are most likely to be seen along with other diurnal raptors (birds of prey) during the fall migration season. While they are not the most common in our park it can typically be expected to see a few during the fall migration season. Other notable and impressive birds that inhabit the park and migrate through include peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus), and the Common (or Northern) Raven (Corvus corax) both of which utilize the steep terrain in cliffs found within the park and the surrounding area of the Hickory Nut Gorge. During the spring the park hosts various species of warblers and a multitude of other songbirds such as indigo buntings (Passerina cyanea), scarlet tanagers (Piranga olivacea), and brown creepers (Certhia americana).

At Falls Lake State Recreation Area there are about 14 bald eagles that call our lake home throughout the year. We see more passing through in the winter months. Mature bald eagles have the classic white head and tail, when you see it, you know it. Falls Lake is also home to some juvenile bald eagles that still have their brown and black colored plumage. The bald eagles' flight profile of its wings is straight, there is no "V" shape where the wings meet the body.

Beaufort Inlet is an excellent location to observe birds. At Fort Macon State Park, the best time to see a bald eagle is during the winter but they can be present at the park year-round.

Goose Creek State Park’s brackish marshes, cypress swamps, and shoreline along the Pamlico River make excellent habitats for bald eagles, especially because these birds favor wetland-rich ecosystems near open water and tall, mature trees. Most of the eagles spotted at Goose Creek State Park are found around the Flatty Creek Trail and Mallard Creek Trail pier, along the Pamlico River and Goose Creek shoreline, and throughout the park’s waterways. These settings offer the right blend of habitat and visibility for these majestic raptors. Winter (November – February) is the best time for bald eagle sightings in eastern North Carolina. Migrating eagles from up north join the local population, increasing the chance of sightings.

At Gorges State Park, visitors can occasionally spot bald eagles soaring over the Blue Ridge Escarpment as they travel to and from nearby water sources such as Lake Jocassee to the south and Lake Toxaway to the northeast, where they hunt fish, their primary food source. The park is also home to other large raptors, including black and turkey vultures, red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks, sharp-shinned hawks, and Cooper’s hawks. For the best chance at viewing bald eagles, visitors should head to the back deck of the Visitor Center, one of the park’s highest and most accessible vantage points, where a paved walkway circles the building and offers a variety of sweeping views.

At Hanging Rock State Park, visitors have several opportunities to view bald eagles and other species throughout the park’s diverse trails and overlooks. From the Visitor Center, walk straight across the parking lot to reach the Hanging Rock Trail on the left, where vultures, hawks, and ravens often soar around the peaks. best viewed in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds. Following the main road up to the lake, the Lake Trail beside the Lake Bathhouse offers chances to spot herons, ducks, and other birds, especially early in the day or when the lake is closed. Heading right from the Visitor Center, a short, wheelchair-accessible path leads to the Rock Garden, winding through forest habitat where songbirds and woodpeckers are frequently seen. Along the Riverbluffs Trail, which borders portions of the Dan River, visitors may encounter bald eagles, as well as Great Blue Herons and other waterfowl in late spring and summer, with morning hikes recommended to beat the heat and weekend crowds. 

Throughout the park, bald eagles can occasionally be seen soaring over peaks, fields, or waterways, while the more common turkey vulture glides overhead using powerful thermals. While bald eagles rely on sharp eyesight to hunt, turkey vultures use an extraordinary sense of smell to locate food from over a mile away, making both species impressive sights across the landscape.

At Haw River State Park, bald eagle sightings are rare. There have only been four reported sightings in the park. It is more common to see a great blue heron fishing by the water, a red-tailed hawk soaring in the sky, or a pileated woodpecker swooping through the forest. The park’s mix of wetlands, woodlands, and open fields makes it a great place for birdwatchers.

Jockey’s Ridge State Park’s Living Shoreline is an excellent location for wildlife viewing to include both aquatic and terrestrial critters and a wide variety of birds. Osprey patrol the shoreline, but it is possible to catch a glimpse of bald eagles soaring above, especially during spring and fall migration. Follow the Tracks in the Sand Trail over to the Roanoke Sound for a memorable outdoor adventure.

Over 400 species of birds can be seen along the Outer Banks, many right here at Jockey's Ridge.  Several of these birds are coastal, song, migratory waterfowl, etc. that either call our park home year-round or are seasonal residents.  Birds of prey follow the dunes during migration periods. One of the most notable birds is the world's fastest animal, the Peregrine Falcon!

Just a short walk from the Visitor Center at Jones Lake State Park brings visitors to the 224-acre Carolina bay lake, where bald eagles can sometimes be seen soaring over the open water as they search for fish. The lake is also home to barn swallows in the summer and a wide variety of waterfowl in winter, all of which can be observed from the picnic area or the quiet swim beach. Nearby Salters Lake, accessible by hiking trail or with a ranger-led vehicle pass, offers additional habitat viewing opportunities, including areas used by the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. 

At Kerr Lake State Recreation Area, expansive open water and forested shorelines create ideal conditions for spotting bald eagles and osprey, which are most often seen gliding low over the lake. In winter, Kerr Lake also hosts an impressive influx of migratory waterfowl like ducks, mergansers, and loons, while wild turkeys remain a familiar sight in surrounding fields and wooded areas.

Jordan Lake is one of the most reliable places in the region to see bald eagles; in summer, it supports the largest concentration of eagles east of the Mississippi River, and in winter, roughly 26 to 28 nesting pairs establish territories and rear their young. While adults are easily recognized by their white heads and tails, juvenile eagles with mottled brown and white plumage are also commonly seen as they practice soaring and fishing throughout the park.

New Hope Overlook (339 W. H. Jones Rd., New Hill) is one of the best places at Jordan Lake to observe birds and possibly spot a bald eagle. After passing the ticket booth, turn right toward the boat ramp and park in one of the designated spaces; from there, you can walk onto the docks or remain on the paved area overlooking the water. Early morning and late evening offer the best chances to see eagles flying over the main body of the lake. Another excellent viewing area is the Ebenezer Church beach access (2582 Beaver Creek Rd., Apex). After entering the gate, continue down the main road to the beach, where the shoreline near Shelter 1 (an ADA-accessible area) provides ideal views of bald eagles fishing at daybreak or gliding across the lake. 

Bald eagles are a common sight at Kerr Lake State Recreation Area and can be seen flying over the lake from any of our shorelines. They can also be seen scavenging fish carcasses left behind by, or stolen from, Ospreys. This area has a variety of birds from common songbirds to rare waterfowl. Eagles and osprey are most often seen over the water. In the winter there is a large influx of waterfowl that includes ducks, mergansers, and loons. Turkey are also common in our fields and wooded areas.

At Lake James State Park we can see Bald Eagles flying overhead at the Catawba River Access. Many of the trees in this area of the park make for good nesting sites leading to more frequent sightings. Eagles will use this area to establish and defend their territory, find their lifelong mates, build nests, and raise their young. They will soar above the water looking for fish to eat. From a mile away Bald Eagles can spot a fish in the water, know exactly where to dive, and catch it! This area is also a good birding sight for Ospreys, another large bird of prey, who build their nests on the light poles along the dam. 

Stop by the Lake Norman State Park Visitor Center and follow the short paved path to Park Lake, where visitors can often see great blue herons, snowy egrets, osprey, and occasionally bald eagles hunting over the water. Bald eagles are also spotted along the quieter shoreline areas of Lake Norman itself, where they glide low in search of fish and prefer the park’s less populated coves and inlets. Throughout the park’s lakeside trails, osprey frequently dive from high above to catch fish, while a variety of wading birds and raptors move between the open water and forest edges.

At Mayo River State Park, bald eagles have been encountered along several access points, and they are confirmed to nest in the area. Overlooks of the river are the best places to spot them during quieter hours and slow seasons when we don't have many people kayaking or swimming. Many other birds of prey and feathery friends are commonly found on our waters as well. Mayo River State Park very recently added the yellow-crowned night heron to our list of residents.

Morrow Mountain State Park is one of the premier birdwatching destinations in the Uwharrie Mountains, offering a wide range of elevations and habitats that support diverse bird life throughout the year. Spring and fall migrations are especially productive thanks to the park’s abundant water sources, and with its recent expansion, the park now includes roughly ten miles of shoreline along the Yadkin–Pee Dee River. Bald eagles are frequent visitors to the area, drawn in part by early 20th-century lake construction that created ideal foraging conditions; eagles often take advantage of stunned fish below the dams and are well adapted as opportunistic scavengers. The rugged Uwharrie landscape also provides excellent perches and potential nesting sites, making the park a reliable location to observe these impressive raptors.

Birdwatching is especially rewarding at Morrow Mountain State Park’s lakefront facilities, where the open water and surrounding shoreline create ideal conditions for spotting a wide variety of species. Bald eagles, while present throughout the day, are most active in the morning, and visitors who spend even a few minutes at the fishing pier or boardwalk often enjoy excellent views of these impressive raptors. 

Those seeking a closer look can rent a canoe or kayak from the Morrow Mountain Boathouse and paddle upstream toward Falls Dam, located about a mile away, which is one of the best locations in the park to watch for both soaring eagles and birds perched near the water’s edge. Along the way, visitors may also encounter cormorants, egrets, herons, kingfishers, osprey, and barn swallows. To reach the lakefront area from the Park Office, turn right out of the parking lot, make the next immediate right, and follow the road for about one mile to the Boathouse parking lot, which also provides access to Lake Tillery, as well as the Fall Mountain and Three Rivers hiking trails.

While it’s possible to see a bald eagle migrating by Mount Mitchell State Park, it isn’t very likely. There aren’t any bodies of water at Mount Mitchell State Park that keep bald eagles as long-term residents, but they may be seen from the observation tower during peak migration seasons during the fall and spring. 

If you're not having much luck spotting a bald eagle, try looking for two charming members of the corvid family, the American crow and the common raven. While these two species look similar, the common raven is substantially larger. American crows can be seen throughout North Carolina, but the common raven is primarily a resident of the western part of the state. If you don’t typically see ravens in your neighborhood, take advantage of your time at Mount Mitchell State Park to enjoy these highly intelligent birds. Watching them explore their surroundings is a true joy!

The Bean Shoals Access Area at 103 Yadkin River Park Trail in Pinnacle, about a 13-minute drive from the Pilot Mountain State Park Visitor Center, offers one of the region’s most productive bird-watching locations. After traveling down the gravel road and crossing two small bridges, visitors arrive at a large native grass field on the right and a picnic table and restroom area on the left, with parking available in the mowed grass beside the picnic tables. This expansive field of native grasses provides essential food and habitat for nearly sixty bird species throughout the year, making it an ideal spot to observe both resident and migratory birds. Common sightings include Carolina wrens, eastern bluebirds, American goldfinches, field sparrows, and eastern phoebes, while seasonal migrants such as the brilliantly colored indigo bunting and the bright yellow warbler add flashes of color to the landscape. The dead snags along the forest edge frequently attract pileated woodpeckers—the largest woodpecker species in North Carolina—and the tall grasses hide small mammals that draw in red-tailed hawks. Visitors scanning the sky may even spot a bald eagle soaring toward the river. As dusk approaches, the area comes alive with the calls of barred owls and the deep “hoot” of great horned owls. Birdwatching can be enjoyed from your vehicle or by walking along the field edge to take in the full diversity of species that rely on this unique habitat.

At Raven Rock State Park, bald eagles have been spotted flying low along the Cape Fear River during the winter months as they hunt for fish, seek out mates, and scout for possible trees to nest in. Raven Rock Loop Trail is the 2.2-mile-long signature trail that winds through a mixed pine and hardwood forest to the high cliffs, which hang over the Cape Fear River. Birders can search for warblers and songbirds along the Mountain Laurel-covered banks of Little Creek and view soaring birds of prey and waterfowl from The Overlook. Along Little Creek Loop Trail, wild turkey, barred owl, and migrating warblers can often be seen. The Fish Traps Trail and Northington Ferry Trail both descend to the Cape Fear River. Spotted sandpiper are often seen feeding along the rocks in the river during migration. The longest and most challenging trail is the Campbell Creek Loop Trail. Because this trail is five miles long and has a steep grade, it is not as frequently used for birding though species like the belted kingfisher create nesting tunnels which can be seen in the creek banks.

Eagles, ospreys, and herons are popular birds that can often be seen near Carolina Bay lakes throughout the year. At Singletary Lake, these species are most commonly seen in the morning and late afternoon. Young bald eagles have been viewed soaring above the lake this year suggesting that a nest is located nearby. While eagles and ospreys are typically seen from the pier, herons and other wading birds can be seen at the spillway at the end of the park road. We also see a variety of predatory birds along highway 53 passing by the park, possibly hunting between the Cape Fear River and Singletary Lake. Winter months bring droves of migrating ducks to Singletary and melodies of songbirds can be heard year-round throughout the park.