This morning (7/16), during the last Eagle Watch, in a very humid, drizzly and cloudy atmosphere, 12 die-hard eagle watchers assembled, for the last time, to try to see the fledged eaglet from the tower nest. She left the nest sometime in the last week of June, and I had not seen her since. Just at the end of the watch, about 11:30 a.m., when half of our group had already dispersed, she appeared, flying in to the nest tower and perching on its top.

 

Prior to the appearance of the juvenile eagle, a pair of ospreys, a fledgling and its Mom, were on the top of the tower eating some fish. Eagles and ospreys are now out and about, and trying to catch a glimpse of them is a matter of timing, but hang around long enough and you'll be sure to find both here at Lock 12.

 

This is my last report for 2005. The Holtwood Environmental Preserve has, as of this date, produced at least 25 American Bald eagles, since 1999. This from four known nests on the Preserve. The Pennsylvania Game Commission has moved the eagle from endangered to threatened, but please do not use this as an excuse to downgrade our national symbol! It must continue to fly high, free and unencumbered!