Jordan Lake. First Nest. I had not seen any eagles at all anywhere near First Nest for at least six weeks. Then I was sent a text that said an eagle was in First Nest. Indeed there was a female in the nest and eventually we saw the male out flying. These photos were done this morning in the rain and so they are not the clearest at all. It looks like the female is incubating eggs! I will have to wait to get a very good photo of both parents before I know for sure whether or not they are Kate and her mate. Stay tuned!
Jordan Lake. Loblolly has not laid eggs yet; gate still open. Interference sensitivity charts for a bald eagle breeding season has egg laying as the most critical point in time. Juvenile eagles keep an eye on bald eagle nests because they like to rob the nest of eggs or chicks. The parent eagles know this and guard their territory even before eggs are laid. Loblolly and Pitch have the added hardship and stress of human visitors being allowed to get too close to their nest and disturbing the natural sequence of being a parent eagle. There were people in the shelter area when I took these 2 photos. None of the three eagles got anywhere close to the shelter parking lot – they avoided it. Photo: Loblolly on left, Pitch on right, 3-year-old bald eagle in 2nd photo.
Jordan Lake. Mom Loblolly. I have obtained the email address and telephone number of the US Fish and Wildlife Service‘s Law Enforcement division. If you have a moment, could you email your concerns about getting the gate to Shelter 8 closed, to the enforcement division lawenforcement@fws.gov or call 1-844-397-8477? This is the division tasked with enforcing the federal laws concerning the bald eagles. Thank you so much for all of your support of the bald eagles of shelter eight.
Jordan Lake update on shelter eight. Loblolly and Pitch have begun their mating. You can see all about it on ABC channel 11 at this link https://abc11.com/bald-eagles-jordan-lake-nest-at-shelter-8/12709341/. My thanks to ABC11 for helping everyone understand how to properly care for these bald eagles. Please continue with your phone calls and emails to anyone you think can help Loblolly and Pitch. Superintendent Mole has continued to leave the gate to shelter 8 open. shederick.mole@ncparks.gov (919) 362-0586 ext 231
Jordan Lake. Mom Godiva likes to occasionally have a meal of bird. You can see the water splash trail as the cormorant that Godiva was chasing tried to first run and take flight, but then decided the safest route was to just dive under. Mom Godiva was not happy that she missed. I am sure the cormorant thinks otherwise.
Jordan Lake. They still have not laid eggs. In the video that is Loblolly drying off. Pitch was way down at the other end of their territory, watching the world go by. Please note: I have been asked if while pursuing my advocacy for the bald eagles at Jordan Lake, especially Loblolly and Pitch, “if I was upset with rangers and everybody and anybody who is working at Jordan Lake Park”. My answer is a loud no, not everybody. It is Superintendent Mole and his supervisors that have decided to keep the gate to Shelter 8 open. I have utmost respect and appreciation for the rangers, maintenance and administrative staff at Jordan Lake State Park. These women and men work hard to protect visitors and provide them with opportunities to enjoy being within the natural beauty of the park. These workers are under the supervision of Superintendent Mole and so have to follow his directions. I don’t know where the rangers, maintenance and administrative staff at the park stand on the issue at shelter 8 – I simply know that all my interactions with them have been great. My continuing advocacy and request is for Superintendent Mole to direct the closing of the gate at shelter 8 and protect Loblolly and Pitch and their nest.
doc ellen's journey 