By Jim Smith, PPL consulting naturalist
Posted on Feb. 26, 2005

This is the second report on the two pairs of nesting bald eagles in PPL Corporation’s Holtwood Environmental Preserve. The pair on the new Lancaster County nest, as of this date, appears to have eggs and is incubating. The female was seen lying low, still and alert in the nest, with the male perched just outside.
 
The pair on the York County tower, as of this date, is still just seriously thinking about it. My next report will hopefully show an adult on eggs.

One of the reasons this PPL-owned and -operated preserve was included in an Audubon Important Bird Area (IBA) was precisely because of these nesting eagles and ospreys.

This week’s photo shows the general "lay of the land" for part of this IBA. It was taken from the rock outcrop on the Mason-Dixon Trail, just across the Susquehanna River from the Holtwood Hydroelectric Plant, shooting toward the southeast, and from which last week’s photo was taken. The black blob in the right-hand side of the transmission tower in the foreground is the York County nest. In the background, spanning the river, is the Norman Wood Bridge, which carries Route 372. The road just below the tower is McCall’s Ferry Road, which parallels the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal on which Lock 12 is located. The Lancaster County nest cannot be seen from this vantage point, but it would be just behind the ridge of trees in the upper left corner of the photo. It is easily visible as one crosses the bridge from west to east. This area is also a part of the Susquehanna River Birding and Wildlife Trail.

The first eagle watch for this season is 10 a.m. Saturday, March 19. If you plan on attending, dress warmly, bring binoculars and be prepared to be outside for an hour or more. Meet at the Lock 12 Historic Area, just west of the Norman Wood Bridge on the York County shore of the Susquehanna River.

If you visit on your own, park in the parking lot of the Lock 12 Historic Area. From there, it is a 20-minute walk along McCall’s Ferry Road to the nesting site. You also may park in a small parking lot along the road about 300 feet south of the nesting site. It’s located near the large "river warning" sign. PPL asks all visitors to respect the nest and obey the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s "Do Not Enter" signs.

COMING EVENTS: On Saturday, March 26, a birding program will focus on migrating birds, with perhaps a peek at the eagles in the river valley below the Holtwood Dam. Meet at the Holtwood Environmental Center. We’ll then drive to Face Rock Overlook. Bring binoculars and a birding guide if you have one.