CLERMONT, Ky. — An eastern golden eagle that has called Bernheim Forest its home for several years is migrating back to Kentucky!
GPS tracking shows Athena started making the roughly 1,7000-mile trek down from Wapusk National Park in Canada on Oct. 19, according to Bernheim officials.
She has traveled around 700 miles so far, briefly roosting on the shores of Havoc Lake, just west of Lake Nipigon. On Halloween, Athena pinged just 50 miles north of Lake Superior.
"A recent cold blast has brought up to 3 inches of snow cover along her route around Lake Superior," officials said, adding she still has about 1,000 miles left of her fall migration.
It's believed Athena will continue migrating south over the next few weeks and will likely be returning for another winter in central Kentucky.
The route Athena has chosen, indicates she will go around the Great Lakes. This is typical among other migratory birds heading south into the U.S., officials said.
Researchers have been tracking Athena since 2019, which has helped expand their knowledge of eastern golden eagle behavior and migration.
Is she traveling alone?
In February, Bernheim announced Athena was seen with a new mate for the first time since her previous partner died.
Although it's unclear if she's traveling alone right now, researchers do know she hatched a chick over the summer.
Check out these photos of Athena's nest in Canada!
PHOTOS: Athena, eastern golden eagle, nest in Canada
"If the chick has survived through the summer, it is likely now traveling south on its first migration," officials said. "Perhaps a stopover in the Wisconsin Driftless Area would be a great learning experience for a juvenile golden eagle."
The Driftless Area of Wisconsin and Minnesota are an important area for migratory birds to rest before they journey into the Midwest's agricultural lands, which pose threats from poor habitat and expanding windfarms, a news release said.
Researchers continue to monitor her flight path as her GPS pings off nearby cellular towers. They expect her migration to end in the next few weeks.
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.
