BALD EAGLES NESTING ON MY PROPERTY

[scratch'n'peck]

Last weekend we had the final snow of the season (I hope considering it feels like summer this weekend). I got some photos of the two males (I think) on the far perch. As I was clicking away, I heard some eagle calls from the nest confirming the presence of three eagles in the area. Last year the eagles were more vocal, and I wonder if the pair was more vexed by visits from the third eagle then. This year there are far fewer peal calls from the nest it seems, suggesting a calmer nesting season.

I noticed some interesting behaviors on the far perch through the scope on a couple of occasions: Two eagles were perching, but one would start to beak at the other's feet and wings. On one occasion, the seemingly harassed eagle kept scooting over and then it hopped to a nearby branch. Another time the beaking seemed to force the eagle off the branch all together. This behavior makes me wonder if there is an uneasy truce between the males. If only I had a nest camera to track the eagles...

 

[NickyKnack]

Simply beautiful! Such a great shot!

 

[scratch'n'peck]

A red tail hawk landed on a tree outside the house and a got some photos through the laundry room window. I think a pair of the hawks have a nest on the other side of the wetland. It is difficult to see the nest from my home, but I have seen a hawk repeatedly land near what looks like a nest. Once I watched one of the eagles circle over that side of the wetland a few times in a row with the hawk in pursuit.

 

[Suzie]

So pleased that you are enlightening us of continuing events with these wonderful eagles...I have caught up now on the progress since I was last on your great thread...

Mr. Bean ....the cute little owl was no doubt named after a character called Mr; Bean by the actor Rowan Atkinson...maybe it is the eyes!

Wonderful photography of the events that are being explained in great detail by you....

Waiting for your next post...

 

[scratch'n'peck]

So pleased that you are enlightening us of continuing events with these wonderful eagles...I have caught up now on the progress since I was last on your great thread...

Mr. Bean ....the cute little owl was no doubt named after a character called Mr; Bean by the actor Rowan Atkinson...maybe it is the eyes!

Wonderful photography of the events that are being explained in great detail by you....

Waiting for your next post...

Ha! Rowan Atkinson did make his eyes very round for that character. The wee owl is also as ovular as a bean. Yesterday I was cleaning behind the indoor owls' enclosures and had to move them around, which they found to be disconcerting. So they were watching me with extra round eyes!

Here is a photo of Burt the long eared owl who usually looks rather alarmed due to his round eyes.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Unfortunately, it became clear near the beginning of May that the hatch was not successful. The eagles were spending time near the nest, but I did not observe them tending to the nest. Of course we will not know if the eggs were not viable or if they were destroyed by something.

On May first I noticed an immature (dark headed) eagle perching near the nest, then shortly after it flew away, two adult eagles (I think the original pair) perched in the same tree for over an hour. In that time I heard peal calls from over head and saw an immature eagle and a white headed mature eagle fly over the area. Two days later I heard peal calls from the nest and could see a white head over the edge. Peal calls continued for at least 20 minutes, and I noticed an eagle on the far perch. Eventually an eagle flew from the nest to join the other one on the far perch, and it apparently brought some food along from the nest, because it started pulling morsels from whatever is held in its talons. Peal calls kept coming from the nest and the far perch. Eventually a mottle feathered immature eagle flew from the nest in the opposite direction. Who knows if tensions among the eagle trio contributed to the nesting season failure... It will be interesting to watch who shows up for the next nesting season.

Here is a photo of the bald eagle head visible over the edge of the nest on May 3.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

I have not updated since last nesting season. The eagles are hanging around the nest preparing for the new nesting season. I have seen the trio together on several occasions around dusk. Sometimes just the pair roost overnight on a lower branch of the nest tree, but it is not unusual for them to be joined by the third eagle.

On two occasions so far this season I was able to get photos of the trio on the far perch tree frequented near the end of the day.

 

[drumstick diva]

Maybe the third eagle is another female and the male encouraged her to stay?? Strange but,...

 

[scratch'n'peck]

They are a strange eagle trio. I think there are two males because I have spied one eagle mounted by the others a few minutes apart while perching. It is surprising because one would expect males to be more territorial.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Here is another photo of the eagles on the same perch on a recent evening when the lighting was better.