photo 3 story

Greetings from Holtwood

It's been awhile since the last report, way back in February. That one may have been a bit premature. The Feb. 11 Eagle Watch showed the 40 participants no eagles at all. Since then, monitoring of the nest has found that incubation actually began after March 1. Previous indications were what is called "false incubation," where the eagle is actually lying down in the nest, but no eggs have yet been lain. Today (March 13), as the photo shows, the female Bald Eagle was lying low, still and alert, once in awhile bending her head down to arrange some nest lining, or grab a bite of food which the male has supplied. The male, while I was taking this photo, was down on the river taking a bath! He then flew up and perched in a tree, within easy sight of the nest, to dry off.

Compare this photo with the last one and you can easily see that the nest edges have been enhanced and fortified with many more pretty large sticks. Adding to the nest will continue, with diminishing frequency, until the first egg hatches. For the next 25 to 30 days, this is the most we can see: one eagle parent-to-be showing just the top of his or her head, rising once in awhile to turn the eggs, or to exchange duties. These are the activities guaranteed to be seen on the next eagle watch March 18.

Today the temperature reached 76 degrees, the water in the canal beneath the nest was noisy and alive with spring peepers and green frogs, and the Piney Island pair of osprey were seen perched on their nest tower, which for the first time since monitoring began, held no remains of previous years' nests. Winter winds removed every stick, so the osprey pair must build from scratch this year. It's good they returned this early in the season to accomplish that tedious chore. Another added attraction for the next eagle watch!

The next Eagle Watch will be held Saturday, March 18, at 10 a.m. Meet at the Lock 12 Historic Area off Route 372 on the York County side. Bring binoculars and dress for outdoor weather.