American bald eagle

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By Jordan Lake Bald Eagle Nest report: First Nest 1 photo, 1 video 02/08/2019
First Nest
The cove suddenly erupted in Mom Kate’s high pitched angry alarm calls.
This time the intruder was another bald eagle.
I looked toward the main lake and there was Petruchio making a high speed dash for home.
Dad Petruchio had a fish for his family.
The two-year-old bald eagle wanted to steal the fish.
The dash was on as both raced toward the nest.
Eventually there were two two-year-olds and a three-year-old trying for the fish.
Petruchio made it to the nest and the screams continued.
Finally he and Kate stand side by side and watch the intruders fly out.

By Jordan Lake Bald Eagle Nests reports, 4 photos, 02/06/2019
So far, the news is very good at the two nests that had human intrusions!
 
First Nest
 
Dad Petruchio bringing a fish to the nest this afternoon.
 
 
 
 
Mom Kate on the left and Dad Petruchio on the right.
Kinda hard to see Kate – wind was blowing and she was staying tight on the chick(s).
 
 
 
 
H&G Nest
 
Mom Godiva hasn’t laid her eggs yet; that’s her on the right.
Hershey seems to be singing a duet with her.
You can see the nest to their right.
As always, this nest is the furthest reach for my camera.
 
 
 
 
Thought I’d give you a wider view of the nest and the surrounding trees.
Do you see Godiva too?
 
 

By Jordan Lake: Human Intrusions at Bald Eagle Nests

The Bald Eagle Families of Jordan Lake need YOUR HELP. I am asking each of you to spread the word about how to be good citizens when around bald eagles. In 2 of the past 3 days, humans have intruded on two of the bald eagle nests.  Keep this well-known fact in mind: bald eagle parents will literally abandon their eggs or chicks if human intrusion occurs.  If the parents abandon their family, they don’t have a second chance for a brood of eaglets that year.  Bald eagles are Federally protected and there are stiff penalties and fines for disturbing any bald eagle.  So, here is what happened:

1) On Saturday a person was flying a drone and trying to get it into position to see into H&G Nest.  Drones terrify bald eagle parents and they will literally abandon eggs and chicks if a drone is closer than at least a thousand feet for even a few seconds.  Non-breeding bald eagles have been known to attack drones – no eagle should have to tackle a drone. I have no concern or sympathy for the drone owner if their drone is destroyed but the real potential for damage to an eagle makes me angry.  Also pass along the following information: recreational use of drones is FORBIDDEN at Jordan Lake Dam.  The use of drones is FORBIDDEN at all Jordan Lake State Park facilities (ramps, beaches, campgrounds, etc.).
2) This morning I watched a human intruder wander the shoreline below First Nest. Dad Petruchio was on the nest when he saw the person.  The father eagle teetered on the edge of the nest watching as the human got closer.  When Petruchio could no longer stand the presence of the person, he bolted from the nest.  Momma Kate came streaking in from midlake, but she turned back and bolted too.  The chicks were without parents – and especially the warmth of those parents – for more than 1 hr 45 min.  Twice both parents tried to approach their nest and twice both parents left.  The Rangers came and explained to the intruder how his presence was endangering the bald eagle family. The man apologized.  But, it was a long cold 155 minutes before Kate and Petruchio felt they could return to the nest.  It will be a number of days before we will know if the chicks survived.  Photo below is Kate streaking back to the nest almost 2 hours after the human activity had stopped.  Petruchio followed her into the nest a few seconds later.

By Jordan Lake Dam: Bald Eagle Chase, 2 photos 02/03/2019
There are 3 bald eagles in the chase.
The lowest bald eagle is a 3-year-old and it caught the fish that is dangling from one talon.
The adult bald eagle was right behind the 3-year-old when the youngster caught the fish and immediately the chase was on.
The best way for the catcher to hold onto his fish was to make it deep into the woods and land on a branch, fish again the branch.
The 3-year old had almost made it to safety when a 2-year-old eagle joined the chase and cut in below the adult.
The chase was fast and furious with a lot of screams. Ultimately, the 3-year-old lost the game and dropped the fish.
I have enclosed both a full-color and a black and white image.
The scene is so detailed that it may be easier to see the 3 eagles in one or the other photographs.
 
 
black and white of same photo

By 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.