Jordan Lake Bald Eagle Nest report 5 photos 02/01/2019

By neighdoctor February 1, 2019 Jordan Lake Bald Eagle Nest report 5 photos 02/01/2019

Ranger Nest: has Egg(s).  Hooray!

 

I found both eagle parents sharing incubation duties this morning.

 

Ranger Mom incubating the egg.

Ranger Dad stretching about 150 feet from the nest.

 

Ranger Mom and Ranger Dad trading nest duties.

Ranger Mom flying out to get a break from the nest.

Ranger Dad incubating the eggs.

 

 

Ranger Mom soaking up some sunshine.

35.712584 -79.036254

Jordan Lake Neighborhood, 5 photos 01/30/2019

By neighdoctor January 30, 2019 Jordan Lake Neighborhood, 5 photos 01/30/2019

The golden hour gilds not only bald eagles, but red-shouldered hawks too.

 

This juvenile was very intent on something across the swampy part of the cove.

 

 

His interest pegged up a notch and he tapped his foot in anticipation.

 

 

His kee-ah, kee-ah call announced his growing impatience and readiness to hunt.

 

 

He glanced intently at me, making very certain I was watching – all youngsters want attention!

 

 

Then he launched and I wished him luck on his hunt.

35.712584 -79.036254

Jordan Lake Bald Eagle Nest report: First Nest, 4 photos 01/29/2019

By neighdoctor January 29, 2019 Jordan Lake Bald Eagle Nest report: First Nest, 4 photos 01/29/2019

First Nest: Hatch!!!

 

Since I cannot see into the nest, I have to reply on indirect evidence that an egg(s) have hatched.

Mom Kate is showing one of the behaviors.

In her talons she has a mat of litter that has been soiled by the chick.

All birds keep their nests very clean and remove the soiled nesting materials.

Eagles take the used litter far from the nest before letting it drop to the ground.

 

 

Dad Petruchio is showing the other good indicator that there has been a hatch: feeding behavior.

Here he is bringing a small fish to the nest.

 

 

He then stands just within the nest, pulls the fish apart and leans over to feed the chick.

 

 

It didn’t take Petruchio more than a minute to feed the small chick.  

Dad Petruchio often takes a moment, as in this photo, and just watches the chick.

 

 

35.712584 -79.036254

Jordan Lake Dam: Puzzled 2-year-old Bald Eagle

By neighdoctor January 28, 2019 Jordan Lake Dam: Puzzled 2-year-old Bald Eagle

This 2-year-old bald eagle was puzzled and determined.

He knew there had to be fish in the water below. 

 He was certain of that … or maybe not.  Apparently not.  

After this single long hard look, he eased back into forward flight and went down the river.

35.712584 -79.036254

Jordan Lake Bald Eagle Nest: First Nest, 2 photos, 01/26/2019

By neighdoctor January 26, 2019 Jordan Lake Bald Eagle Nest: First Nest, 2 photos, 01/26/2019

First Nest

 

Parent Bald Eagle hand-off of nest duties.

I heard Kate start to call from the nest and knew that she was seeing Petruchio.

He was out of my sight, then I blinked and he was in the nest.

 

 

2 blinks later, Kate was out of the nest and way down the cove, heading for the main lake.

 

 

35.712584 -79.036254

Jordan Lake Neighborhood, 3 photos, 1-24-2019

By neighdoctor January 24, 2019 Jordan Lake Neighborhood, 3 photos, 1-24-2019

Jordan Lake is always full of surprises and contrasts.

It is home to both the largest and smallest raptors in the US.

Both of the birds below were very proud of their catches this afternoon.

 

American Bald Eagle

 

length: 34-43 inches   weight: 168 oz   wingspan 72-96 inches

 

American Kestrel (also the smallest falcon in the US)

 

length: 9-12 inches    weight: 3.9 oz   wingspan 20-24 inches

 

35.712584 -79.036254