NOTE: This post is part of a continuing series of observations: [ First | << Prev | Next >> ]

It was a slow day at the eagle nest this week. The sky was overcast and there just wasn’t much going on.

A few changes have been made to address the trespassing issue that was noted in last weeks post. The most obvious are the “Private Property” signs posted at key locations. But its not just the issue of trespassing. The welfare of the eagles is at stake, and I believe any further transgressions will be taken very seriously.

A further consideration, in addition to the well-being of the eagles and their eaglets, is the simple fact that lots of time, money, and effort is being invested in the planned move of the nest to its new location. Stressing the eagles unduly runs the risk of sabotaging this project. There is not a lot of margin for error.

Nobody wants to see this get ugly. Nobody wants to involve law enforcement. But if these kinds of things continue, I suspect someone will have to be made an example of. I hope not.

baldeagle-nestweektwelve-001

Only one adult eagle was present when I arrived on this morning. Both eaglets were hunkered down in the nest and hidden from view. When a single juvenile finally made an appearance it allowed just a fleeting glimpse. He raised up for just a half second, and then quickly back down into the dish of the nest to snuggle with his sibling.

The most notable thing that happened with the eagles today occurred when a Turkey Vulture flew too close to the nest. The big female eagle wasted no time chasing the intruding vulture away. Circling vultures are a constant fixture in the air above the nest, but this is the first time I have seen this kind of behavior from the eagles.

A lone adult at the top of the nest tower.
A lone adult at the top of the nest tower.
The big female was very vocal on this morning.
The big female was very vocal on this morning.
The female would occasionally take to the air to circle the tower a time or two.
The female would occasionally take to the air to circle the tower a time or two.
Coming in for a landing.
Coming in for a landing.
The eagles are vocalizing a lot these days.
The eagles are vocalizing a lot these days.
This time the female eagle seemed to be on an urgent mission.
This time the female eagle seemed to be on an urgent mission when she left the tower.
She climbed high into the sky...
She climbed high into the sky…
...and targeted a passing Turkey Vulture.
…and targeted a passing Turkey Vulture.
The vulture wasted no time making an exit.
The vulture wasted no time making an exit.
Back to the tower!
Back to the tower!

baldeagle-nestweektwelve-015

baldeagle-nestweektwelve-016

baldeagle-nestweektwelve-017

baldeagle-nestweektwelve-018

baldeagle-nestweektwelve-019

baldeagle-nestweektwelve-020

baldeagle-nestweektwelve-021

baldeagle-nestweektwelve-022

At last an eaglet makes an appearance.
At last an eaglet makes a brief appearance.

NOTE: This post is part of a continuing series of observations: [ First | << Prev | Next >> ]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.