The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking for help in counting every known bald eagle nest in Minnesota this April in anticipation of the pending removal of the bald eagle from the federal endangered species list.

Bald eagles are already returning to nesting sites from their wintering areas near open water in southern Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri. Anyone who spots an active bald eagle nest is asked to contact the DNR’s Nongame Wildlife Program.

“There are thousands of Minnesotans who work, recreate and drive through rural areas each spring,” said Rich Baker, DNR nongame research specialist. “We need them to contact the DNR and tell us where they’ve recently seen eagles hanging around a large nest.”

Bald eagles have experienced a dramatic recovery since they were listed as a federally endangered species in 1967, Baker said. In 1973, only 115 active bald eagle nests could be found in Minnesota. The DNR nongame wildlife program found 681 nesting pairs in the most recent statewide survey, completed in 2000.

A federal recovery plan written in 1978 established a goal of 300 active territories for Minnesota by the year 2000, but this goal was reached by 1987.

Telephone or e-mail messages reporting sightings should include a detailed description of the location of the eagle nest (including the county, township and nearest landmark), whether or not eagles were seen at the nest, and a way to contact the person reporting the nest.

Report eagle nests to:

St. Paul, (651) 296-9662, steve.kittelson@dnr.state.mn.us.

Grand Rapids, (218) 327-4518, maya.hamady@dnr.state.mn.us.

Brainerd, (218) 833-8728, pam.perry@dnr.state.mn.us.

Bemidji, (218) 755-2976, katie.haws@dnr.state.mn.us.

Rochester, (507) 280-5070, jaime.edwards@dnr.state.mn.us.

New Ulm, (507) 359-6039, brad.bolduan@dnr.state.mn.us.