Bald eagles spotted in region

This eagle was sitting in a tree in the front yard of a residence on North Kingshighway on Feb. 5. (Submitted photo)

SIKESTON -- Scott County Conservation Agent Leother Branch has fielded more than one call from an excited resident reporting what looks like a bald eagle.

Branch reassures them, yes, it probably is.

The bald eagle with its snowy-feathered head and white tail is not an uncommon site along the Mississippi River, Otter Slough and Ten-Mile Pond. However, recently they were also spotted in the rice fields of southeast Missouri and even in a Sikeston backyard.

"In the Bootheel, we have prime habitat for them and are a safe haven for eagles to nest. We are seeing nests start to develop in Scott, New Madrid and Mississippi counties," Branch said. "For those migrating through, this is a great place to stop and visit."

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