We are pleased to share with you this week's field notes from our eagle expert. While most of us enjoy watching these impressive beautiful birds, Bob's detailed and recorded observations serve as an important baseline to a more formal understanding of our eagles behavior.
OBSERVATION NOTES
PIPER GLEN BALD EAGLE NEST
Mar 20, 2024
OBSERVER: Bob
LOCATION: Piper Glen Golf Club (Driving Range) 4300 Piper Glen Dr.
DATE OF VISIT: 03/18/2024
TIME OF VISIT: 11:30 -12:30 PM
WEATHER CONDITIONS:
Temperature: 53 F Wind (direction speed): N @ 7mph
Sky: mostly cloudy
Precipitation: none
BAEAs PRESENT: (Yes) No
Number & Type: 4; 2 mature + 2 Eaglets
BEHAVIORS OBSERVED:
Nest Improvement: Yes (No)
Courting: Yes (No)
Copulation: Yes (No)
Territorial Defense: Yes (No)
Nest Sitting: Yes (No)
Food Deliveries: Yes (No)
Eaglet(s) in Nest: (Yes) No
Eaglet Fledging: Yes (No)
OBSERVATION NOTES (record every :15):
:15 Both mature BAEAs were perched above the nest when I arrived. As
I walked out to the dam one of the BAEAs left its perch and flew a
path over both the small pond and the larger reservoir.
Eventually it flew toward the Gillespie property. I noticed
that 15 Cormorants were perched in the favored tree across the
reservoir. I could make out one eaglet in the nest with my
binoculars.
:30 I walked out toward the end of the dam and set up my scope. From
this vantage point I could view both eaglets in the nest. One
was out on top of the nest and the other a bit inside the nest.
Their fuzz is beginning to be replaced by the normal dark
feathers. This vantage point will not last much longer as the
leaves of the Sweetgum tree are beginning to unfurl. I
walked down to the lower level and out to the nest tree. I
am happy to report that no new vines have appeared to
climb the nest tree. I was able to locate a clear view of the nest
and the eaglet from a location along the perimeter of the small pond.
This location should continue to offer good unobscured views of the
nest and the eaglets.
:45 As I continued to watch the nest one of the eaglets retreated into the
nest and was no longer visible. There were some strong wind gusts
and I suspect that was the reason for the retreat. At some point
the BAEA mate had returned to the reservoir and reclaimed
its perch from the Cormorants. All remained the same until
my departure.
3 comments:
Amazing that they live here in the city.
This is more to my liking. Don't dig into Ed Driggs or the developers too closely.
Awesome birds I saw one over Trader Joe's a week ago.
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