Birds Birds Birds

On Bald Eagle nestmaking: “Both sexes contribute sticks to the structure, but the female does the arrangement.” — Birds of Prey: Hawks, Eagles, Falcons, and Vultures of North America by Pete Dunne, Kevin T. Karlson.

(Some bad iphone content to start, but they get better)

Summer 2025
First encounter with a mature Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in the wild was at Nonquitt Marsh on June 18, 2025, at 6:45pm. Merlin open and it picked up one Bald Eagle and then another. BAEA02.

Did catch a photo of one in the trees across from the Observation Deck. BAEA03.

Didn’t see another Eagle until July 7 at 3:25pm. Got a great look. BAEA04

Then grabbed an audio recording at 7:26pm on July 18. BAEA05

There have been many interactions between Osprey and Eagles. This video was taken on July 23 at 7:12pm after the Eagle landed and conveyed its annoyance to a tailing Osprey. BAEA06.

The next day, the same Eagle was back at the Marsh. A month later, August 23, an Eagle was alone across from the Deck but it took off quickly towards the ocean. Apparently it was a big loop because shortly after the Eagle returned and at least 10 Osprey took flight making a racket while chasing the Eagle Northwest. Caught the audio. BAEA07.

On August 28, a Bald Eagle landed on a sunken log out in the roadside pond part of the marsh. Still sitting there looking around spreading its wing as a couple times walked back-and-forth. BAEA08.

The Eagle took off, flying towards the Observation Deck and the Ospreys intercepted it as it went Northwest.

Fall 2025

The first Eagle of Fall 2025 was the evening of September 2. It glid in lazily and was harassed by 11 Osprey after it landed across from the Observation Deck. They had a good argument. BAEA09.

The Eagle eventually was swayed and decided to leave by seaward way. Two days after 9/11 a Bald Eagle went seaward but looped at the beach and flew roughly 30 feet above the Observation Deck. Then on September 15 an Eagle landed on the tree across from the Deck. BAEA10.

It was quickly divebombed and screamed at by an Osprey. The next day, September 16, Steve with his big camera caught an Eagle lazily flew through the Marsh, did a lap, and headed Northwest. Eventually came back and sat on the sunken log before heading Northwest again. BAEA11.

BAEA12.

BAEA13.

Saw an Eagle at the Marsh on September 18, a Second Year Juvenile Bald Eagle on September 21, and a mature Eagle on September 22. The final sighting of the Fall was finally seeing both Eagles at once on October 11 at 5:20pm. One Bald Eagle was on Osprey nestpole. Another Eagle flew in from the South, kept going North before eventually coming back to sit on a sunken rock near her mate. Both took off together and flew at the Observation Deck. Some incredible photos taken by Steve. BAEA14.

BAEA15.