Bald Eagles

coachgrd · May 7, 2007

Hi guys...

I have 4 acres of property, 2 of which are nothing more than wetland. Late in the winter, I happened to be out for a walk and as I passed the wetland portion of my property, I noticed 100' off the road, sitting in a dead tree...the biggest bird I'd ever seen. I assumed it was some sort of a hawk as I have seen them around from time to time. Then, last week, an aquaintance told me that he sat for 20 minutes and watched a Bald Eagle in one of the trees in my wetland. (My wife also says she saw someone else doing the same recently.) Now I myself have not seen the bird again but the the thought of having a Bald Eagle nesting there is to me pretty neat. I have three little kids and I'm sure they'd love it too.

Do they come and go like this? (I'm surprised I have not seen it again...been checking everyday.) Is it umcommon for them to build a nest (even though I see no nest yet) so close to the road?

Just wondering about your experiences...

Thanks,
coachgrd

mjarrels · May 7, 2007

When I lived on Whidbey Island in Washington State Eagles would land in the yard... huge birds. Just hope that the Government does not see then or you will be screwed forever on YOUR property...

mark

Robert_in_NY · May 7, 2007

I have never seen a bald eagle in the wild until this year. I seen one carrying nesting material near Cassadaga, NY and another carrying nesting material to the gorge in Silver Creek, NY. They are making a comeback in this area and I hear of more and more of them nesting around here. They are amazing birds to watch fly and hunt. If you are lucky they will stick around there so you can see them more often.

ToadHill · May 7, 2007

Two weeks ago I was at New Albion Lake outside Gowanda NY and saw 2 of them fishing, one had a large fish in its tallons and the other was chasing it.

RonMar · May 7, 2007

They do build nests when they pair up, or re-use existing abandoned ones. This will usually keep at least a pair in a general geographic area. It all depends upon the available food supply. I see them in my area just about every day when on the road, particularly out along the coast of the Olympic Peninsula. Either you have a good nesting site, or you have a good observation post of a huntable area. Got fish in your wetlands? Got other small game around your wetlands? I often see them in the trees along the coast for just this reason, looking for fish in the water.

Robert_in_NY · May 7, 2007

ToadHill said:
Two weeks ago I was at New Albion Lake outside Gowanda NY and saw 2 of them fishing, one had a large fish in its tallons and the other was chasing it.

We had a osprey take a large gold fish out of our pond a few years back. It then flew out back and landed in one of the trees and ate it. It made the geese upset when he crashed into the water to grab that fish

Its good to hear they are still around Gowanda. I can't remember how many years I have heard they are nested on the Catt. creek in Gowanda but never did see any there.

EddieWalker · May 7, 2007

Two years in a row we've had one on a nest right next to Lake *********. Both years had two chicks in the nest, and the people have been so thick that the county has barriers up with parking areas along the road. Some people set up with tripods and chairs to make a day of watching them!!!!

Eddie

tallyho8 · May 7, 2007

I live on the River Road with the levee between me and the Mississippi. For years I could look out my window while sitting in my living room using my computer and watch the bald eagles. They had a nest in a tree right across the levee and during the day the male would watch the nest from a high tree about 100 yards away and the female would dive into the river and catch fish and go feed the young. Katrina knocked the tree down. I miss my birds.....

SPIKER · May 8, 2007

This year was the first year I saw wild bald eagles in our area as well. I saw one out of corner of my eye in the Muskeegum water shed along the muddy fork, but wasn't 100% sure as I was driving by. well next day the woman said look at that buzzard over there it's got a white head.:rollin:

I slowed down and looked & sure enough it was a good sized bird. later a few week ago I saw 4 or 5 of them looked to be pairing up in a field down near the black fork... (all in Ashland County.) I told the guys at work and several of them that are out on the local lakes said they have been seeing them a lot last few years on Clear Fork, Pleasant Hill and Applevally lakes.

Something you never saw unless ya went to the zoo or out west back when I was a kid.

MarkM

shvl73 · May 8, 2007

I've been seeing them alot more in New England. Some far into northern Maine, almost up to Houlton.

goaliedad · May 8, 2007

I've been luck enough to see a fair number of eagles- not like Alaska where there are hundreds, but... not far from our house a guy puts out road kill in the winter- one time saw five at one time. Also one right on the side of the road. They are awesome!

Jaybr · May 8, 2007

There's a good number of them around here, on the rivers and lakes. I had a young one fishing my pond a couple years back.

You probably don't want them nesting on your property. There was a pair nesting in a tree near a lake here on some land that was going to be developed, govt put up so many regulations about construction near the nesting site that the development got cancelled. They probably wouldn't even want you mowing grass within a couple hundred yards of the nest.

dooleysm · May 8, 2007

I saw one just a few weeks ago in southern Indiana. First one I've seen in years. It was flying around a lake as we drove by. I pulled over and watched it for a bit. Very exciting for me to see. There's a large resevoir nearby (Patoka) where I've heard there's some bald eagles, but I don't get out there often and haven't seen any out there.

Asymtave · May 8, 2007

Got a ton of them here on the south shore of Lake Erie. I was out cutting wood Easter weekend I think and a pair must have been doing a mating flight overhead. Squaking and screeching and diving towards one another.

A few years back I was headed home on my motorcycle, maybe exceeding the speed limit a little bit on the final stretch. I was coming to a very fast stop right in front of the mailbox to grab the mail. An eagle jumped out of the ditch right next to me and scared the **** out of me. He was chowing on a racoon. Plenty of fish nearby but I've read that they eat as much mice as anything else.

And speaking of Ashland, I was heading down to Mansfield this last New Years Eve, on Hwy 19 just north of a little village called Bloomville. I saw a big *** bird sitting in a tree literally right on the side of the road. I pulled a U turn and took a closer look. Was a juvenile eagle not 12 feet up in a tree. It sat long enough for me to take several pictures. Cool.

coachgrd · May 8, 2007

Asymtave said:
Got a ton of them here on the south shore of Lake Erie.

I'm along Lake Erie as well...only over on the PA side. Just about 15 min south of the Lake.

schmism · May 8, 2007

wow people think eagles are special

in the winter they are common to see around the first lock and dam on the missisip..... (alton IL) there are a number of known spots that are ausome for watching. a busy day and youlll have 10-15 to watch.

NSBound · May 8, 2007

Same here in Nova Scotia - somewhat common but they are so big and majestic they are just awesome to watch. There are several that hang out at the river bend where I'm building my new house. Every year there may be 5-10 around, and while they are majestic on the wing, have you ever seen them land and try to walk? Most awkward things around. Interesting too that if their wings get wet, they have to lounge around until they dry off or they have trouble flying. And such pathetic cries the have too. But nonetheless, they are great to watch, I took the attached pic while standing in my boat last summer. It's somewhat grainy because of the zoom, and maybe a bit fuzzy from moving in the boat, but I was glad to get it.