Bald Eagles

coachgrd · May 7, 2007

Hi guys...

I have 4 acres of property, 2 of which are nothing more than wetland. Late in the winter, I happened to be out for a walk and as I passed the wetland portion of my property, I noticed 100' off the road, sitting in a dead tree...the biggest bird I'd ever seen. I assumed it was some sort of a hawk as I have seen them around from time to time. Then, last week, an aquaintance told me that he sat for 20 minutes and watched a Bald Eagle in one of the trees in my wetland. (My wife also says she saw someone else doing the same recently.) Now I myself have not seen the bird again but the the thought of having a Bald Eagle nesting there is to me pretty neat. I have three little kids and I'm sure they'd love it too.

Do they come and go like this? (I'm surprised I have not seen it again...been checking everyday.) Is it umcommon for them to build a nest (even though I see no nest yet) so close to the road?

Just wondering about your experiences...

Thanks,
coachgrd

mjarrels · May 7, 2007

When I lived on Whidbey Island in Washington State Eagles would land in the yard... huge birds. Just hope that the Government does not see then or you will be screwed forever on YOUR property...

mark

Robert_in_NY · May 7, 2007

I have never seen a bald eagle in the wild until this year. I seen one carrying nesting material near Cassadaga, NY and another carrying nesting material to the gorge in Silver Creek, NY. They are making a comeback in this area and I hear of more and more of them nesting around here. They are amazing birds to watch fly and hunt. If you are lucky they will stick around there so you can see them more often.

ToadHill · May 7, 2007

Two weeks ago I was at New Albion Lake outside Gowanda NY and saw 2 of them fishing, one had a large fish in its tallons and the other was chasing it.

RonMar · May 7, 2007

They do build nests when they pair up, or re-use existing abandoned ones. This will usually keep at least a pair in a general geographic area. It all depends upon the available food supply. I see them in my area just about every day when on the road, particularly out along the coast of the Olympic Peninsula. Either you have a good nesting site, or you have a good observation post of a huntable area. Got fish in your wetlands? Got other small game around your wetlands? I often see them in the trees along the coast for just this reason, looking for fish in the water.

Robert_in_NY · May 7, 2007

ToadHill said:
Two weeks ago I was at New Albion Lake outside Gowanda NY and saw 2 of them fishing, one had a large fish in its tallons and the other was chasing it.

We had a osprey take a large gold fish out of our pond a few years back. It then flew out back and landed in one of the trees and ate it. It made the geese upset when he crashed into the water to grab that fish

Its good to hear they are still around Gowanda. I can't remember how many years I have heard they are nested on the Catt. creek in Gowanda but never did see any there.

EddieWalker · May 7, 2007

Two years in a row we've had one on a nest right next to Lake *********. Both years had two chicks in the nest, and the people have been so thick that the county has barriers up with parking areas along the road. Some people set up with tripods and chairs to make a day of watching them!!!!

Eddie

tallyho8 · May 7, 2007

I live on the River Road with the levee between me and the Mississippi. For years I could look out my window while sitting in my living room using my computer and watch the bald eagles. They had a nest in a tree right across the levee and during the day the male would watch the nest from a high tree about 100 yards away and the female would dive into the river and catch fish and go feed the young. Katrina knocked the tree down. I miss my birds.....

SPIKER · May 8, 2007

This year was the first year I saw wild bald eagles in our area as well. I saw one out of corner of my eye in the Muskeegum water shed along the muddy fork, but wasn't 100% sure as I was driving by. well next day the woman said look at that buzzard over there it's got a white head.:rollin:

I slowed down and looked & sure enough it was a good sized bird. later a few week ago I saw 4 or 5 of them looked to be pairing up in a field down near the black fork... (all in Ashland County.) I told the guys at work and several of them that are out on the local lakes said they have been seeing them a lot last few years on Clear Fork, Pleasant Hill and Applevally lakes.

Something you never saw unless ya went to the zoo or out west back when I was a kid.

MarkM