Observation Notes March 18, 2024

Photo Courtesy Ward Welch (All Rights Reserved)                                

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.