WILDLIFE WATCHING — A total of 204 bald eagles were counted today (Dec. 13) in the Wolf Lodge Bay area of Lake Coeur d'Alene, up from 121 eagles counted on Dec. 5 and 100 eagles counted on Nov. 27 during their annual congregation to feast on spawning kokanee.

Today's tally compares with 259 eagles surveyed during this same week in 2011, said BLM wildlife biologist Carrie Hugo. Last year's corresponding count had mushroomed with a surge of eagles arriving in the seven days after 136 eagles were counted in the first week of December, survey statistics show.

A record 273 bald eagles was counted at Lake Coeur d'Alene on Dec. 29, 2011.

Some eagles may be turning their attention to the big run of kokanee at Lake Pend Oreille that starting rebuilding the last two years at Granite Creek, Idaho Fish and Game biologists say.  At least 130 eagles were counted there last week.

Nevertheless, the show at Lake Coeur d'Alene's Wolf Lodge Bay, right off Interstate 90, is as good as ever, Hugo said.

"There were oodles of them in Beauty Bay and the viewing was great today," she said, noting that she counted 157 adults (white heads) and 47 juveniles. "Last year on Dec.16, I counted 215 adults and 44 juveniles."

See this blog post for tips on CdA eagle viewing areas.