Bald Eagle

trfour · 01-06-2005, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lin

I'm sure NH must count the Bald Eagles on the same day seeing it is a national count but here is the info from my MA wildlife newsletter.
MassWildlife Advisory

WHAT: Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Survey

WHEN: Friday, January 7, 2005 9-3PM

WHERE: Statewide—MassWildlife staff may be reached at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters in Westborough or at the Quabbin Reservoir at the Enfield Lookout during the day. Best opportunity to view eagles is at the Enfield Lookout at Quabbin Reservoir in Belchertown or along the Merrimack River. Views are generally distant.

BACKGROUND:

MassWildlife will be participating in the nationwide Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey from January 1 through 14, 2005. January 7 will be used for a concentrated survey of major rivers, lakes, reservoirs and the coast by MassWildlife personnel and volunteers across the state. National Grid will provide MassWildlife staff with a helicopter survey of the Quabbin and Connecticut River area. In 1979, the first year of this survey, 8 eagles were documented in the state. In 2004 approximately 61 bald eagles were documented as wintering in Massachusetts during the count period. The highest number of eagles counted in this survey was 76 in January of 1998. Documented origins of wintering bald eagles based on leg bands include: Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan.

Eagle sightings during the count period are welcomed and may be reported in writing to "Eagle Survey", MassWildlife, Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581 or via email to mass.wildlife@state.ma.us. Include town, location of sighting, and if the bird was an adult or immature eagle.

Fact sheets on the eagle restoration project and natural history information may be obtained through the Westborough office from Kim Ausmus, 508/792-7270 x200 or Ellie Horwitz x105.

CONTACTS:

Westborough Field Headquarters—Ellie Horwitz, Chief, Information & Education 508/792-7270 x105

Merrimack River Area—Patricia Huckery, Northeast District Supervisor 978/621-8432 (cell) or 978/263-4347 (office); Dr. Thomas French, Assistant Director, Natural Heritage & Endangered Species 508/450-5141 (cell) or 508/792-7270 x163 (office)

Quabbin Reservoir, Enfield Lookout—Marion Larson, Information & Education Biologist 508/330-2154 (cell) or 508/792-7270 x111 (office).

Thank you.

ApS · 01-07-2005, 10:12 PM

America's national bird started to disappear in the 1960's. My first sighting was just ten years ago -- terrific to see this comeback.

A couple of years ago, I watched a bald eagle snatch a very large turtle from the lake, really struggle to gain tree-top height, then release the turtle, which fell head-first (maybe tail-first) back into the lake.

Last April, a cousin of the bald eagle (the bald eagle is only found in the US) carried off a bear cub in full sight of Norwegian forest rangers.

Another eagle cousin, now extinct, carried off a hominid child to its nest, found by archaeologists: http://www.winnipesaukee.com/oldforu...mes;read=63433

Bald eagles also "play with their food": http://www.winnipesaukee.com/oldforu...mes;read=69731 (These last two were posted by "I.R." and "Madrasahs" respectively, my previous usernames).

Even this morning, a Pekingese was reported carried off in Montana's -0° temperatures just this past New Year's holiday. http://bozemandailychronicle.com/art...news/02dog.txt

Rattlesnake Gal · 01-08-2005, 10:23 AM

Wildlife Report from N.H. Fish and Game -- November 20, 2003

CALLING ALL EAGLE EYES!
The Audubon Society of New Hampshire invites you to join dozens of volunteers participating in the 23rd consecutive year of wintering bald eagle monitoring, a statewide effort to conserve and protect this federally-listed "threatened" and state-listed "endangered" species, organized in cooperation with the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program at N.H. Fish and Game, as well as the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Over the past two decades, this intensive field project has produced critically important data on bald eagle wintering activities, information that N.H. Fish and Game and N.H. Audubon have used in ongoing efforts to protect sensitive eagle habitat throughout the Granite State. Whether you can commit to regularly scheduled weekly fixed-point surveys or driving routes throughout the entire winter, or are only available a few times over the winter season, your help will be welcomed.

The Audubon Society of New Hampshire
Last winter, several dozen Audubon volunteers conducted surveys for Bald Eagles along New Hampshire's major rivers and lakes, finding a record-high number of eagles wintering in the state. We need volunteers to monitor established routes and survey poits on a weekly basis throughout the winter to determine where important foraging, perching, and roosting sites are located. You can also participate in our state's portion of th enational Midwinter Eagle Survey, which will be held in mid-January. Volunteers can also check for signs of late-winter breeding activity at known nest sites. Please contact Chris Martin in the Conservation Department at 603-224-9909, ext 317, or at cmartin@nhaudubon.org to learn more about how you can get involved.

Merrymeeting · 01-09-2005, 08:20 PM

Good article on the recovery of the eagle in today's Boston Globe.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/art...k_on_the_wing/

ApS · 01-13-2005, 08:59 PM

Thanks for the article, MM. Notice the eagle-watcher in the article was named Pelosky?

(A story from last year, better forgotten).

When I'm not at Winnipesaukee, (presently at a rural/central Florida lake), I get from one to three bald eagle sightings on any one day.

Strong winds today caused me to need to untangle my already hurricane-tangled TV antenna on my steep roof -- about 25 feet above the ground.

While up there, you couldn't miss the approach of one these eagles "Kreee!...Kreee!...Kreee!.... I turned to look and saw a huge adult. It was banking slightly into the strong wind and soaring directly towards me -- right at treetop level -- a "strafing run", as it were.

...And it looked at me with absolutely no concern as it rocketed perhaps 25 feet over my head, continuing its repeated scream..."Kreee!...Kreee!...Kreee!...Kreee!...kree!...kree...."

I'd heard their distant calls before, but what was remarkable about this scream was how LOUD it was. (On this roof, it's a good thing I have strong knees!)

Awesome creature! An awesome experience...and only about six seconds in duration.

KBoater · 01-14-2005, 11:27 AM

I had an eagle encounter this week while boating in FL. He was a mature eagle and dove next to the boat with claws extended picked up a fish (Mullet I'm told) and took off for a sandbar for lunch. Quite a sight. Those claws are impressive.

mcdude · 01-19-2005, 07:34 PM

SURFIN' THE WEB - "Spy on the Wild"
Spy on the Wild is actually part of The Animal Planet. The link below
takes you to the lead-in page...just click the "continue" link when
you arrive on the first page.
On the second page, you'll see a picture of an eagle. To the right of
the eagle is a link for "Mini-cam in action." Click that for a real
treat. What it takes you to is six videos that are unlike any you've
ever seen. You'll have a real bird's eye view of an eagle in flight.
I do mean a bird's eye view too. Two minicams were strapped onto a
golden eagle, and the videos show you the view from the back of the
eagle as he soars over some mountainous terrain. Go soaring!
click on continue....then on "mini-cams in action"

arthurc · 01-19-2005, 08:02 PM

What a Show!

Silver Duck · 01-19-2005, 08:04 PM

Wow, mcdude, that was fantastic! Thanks a million!

Silver Duck

xltRod · 01-19-2005, 09:15 PM

That was outstanding. would like to see more of that study. Rod

ApS · 01-19-2005, 11:25 PM

Thanks, McD. I'd heard about this effort on Coast-to-Coast-AM radio a week ago, but never expected to view it -- and so soon.

My olde computer is impossibly slow to load these, but I've viewed two of the six so far -- several times. More tomorrow.

"My" eagle has a favorite roost across the lake from me -- one mile away. With the naked eye, I can just make him out on the branch. According to this video, he can see me twice as close as I can see him.

Pretty impressive bird.

upthesaukee · 01-19-2005, 11:36 PM

Awesome, McDude!!!!!

Lin · 01-20-2005, 11:48 AM

Pretty neat views. Thanks so much for sharing the link.

SIKSUKR · 01-20-2005, 02:42 PM

Wow!!What a view that is!!If only we could strap a camara onto fat lazy les as he flys through the aisles of Wal-mart or maybe on Grants head as he dives and encounters the rock bass or hey,how about a camara on Madrasahs eagle so it can catch all those big "offshore" boats doing damage to the shoreline.So sorry,I couldn't resist.All in good fun you guys. SS

Pepper · 01-20-2005, 10:23 PM

McDude, that was fabulous. I thoroughly enjoyed that! Thanks for sharing it! Really really really WOW

DRH · 01-20-2005, 10:33 PM

The others have pretty much said it all, McD. Thanks!

Just Sold · 01-20-2005, 11:27 PM

Thanks to McD for a great post.

ApS · 01-21-2005, 08:05 AM

1) One of the videos shows the "Tilly" the eagle being attacked by a "buzzard" in Scotland. The brief encounter shows a "buzzard" with its talons dropped -- a threat-gesture. In the video, Tilly does a barrel-roll to counter the threat with her talons. I had never seen this among the many turkey- and black- vultures in the US -- birds we might call buzzards.

It turns out that some buzzard species in the UK are raptors -- hawks that take live prey. http://www.birdsofbritain.co.uk/bird-guide/buzzard.htm

From the description, a buzzard in the UK seems closest in behavior to our large red-shouldered hawk, a common roadside hawk, very tolerant of human presence. (I know. One set up a nest right above my car in the driveway.)

2) To the casual coin collectors among us, a bald eagle also appears on a solid-silver United States coin commemorating the Confederate soldier. It circulated over a million half-dollars, and sells today for 50-60 dollars. I had never before seen a reference to it -- until Google turned it up. http://www.commem.com/prod31a4.htm

01-07-2005, 10:12 PM	#2
ApS Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florida (Sebring & Keys), Wolfeboro Posts: 5,946 Thanks: 2,220 Thanked 779 Times in 555 Posts	Eagles don't just "take" fish. America's national bird started to disappear in the 1960's. My first sighting was just ten years ago -- terrific to see this comeback. A couple of years ago, I watched a bald eagle snatch a very large turtle from the lake, really struggle to gain tree-top height, then release the turtle, which fell head-first (maybe tail-first) back into the lake. Last April, a cousin of the bald eagle (the bald eagle is only found in the US) carried off a bear cub in full sight of Norwegian forest rangers. Another eagle cousin, now extinct, carried off a hominid child to its nest, found by archaeologists: http://www.winnipesaukee.com/oldforu...mes;read=63433 Bald eagles also "play with their food": http://www.winnipesaukee.com/oldforu...mes;read=69731 (These last two were posted by "I.R." and "Madrasahs" respectively, my previous usernames). Even this morning, a Pekingese was reported carried off in Montana's -0° temperatures just this past New Year's holiday. http://bozemandailychronicle.com/art...news/02dog.txt Last edited by ApS; 01-07-2005 at 10:26 PM. Reason: Add turtle

01-08-2005, 10:23 AM	#3
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,252 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,451 Thanked 1,349 Times in 475 Posts	Calling All Eagle Eyes! Wildlife Report from N.H. Fish and Game -- November 20, 2003 CALLING ALL EAGLE EYES! The Audubon Society of New Hampshire invites you to join dozens of volunteers participating in the 23rd consecutive year of wintering bald eagle monitoring, a statewide effort to conserve and protect this federally-listed "threatened" and state-listed "endangered" species, organized in cooperation with the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program at N.H. Fish and Game, as well as the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Over the past two decades, this intensive field project has produced critically important data on bald eagle wintering activities, information that N.H. Fish and Game and N.H. Audubon have used in ongoing efforts to protect sensitive eagle habitat throughout the Granite State. Whether you can commit to regularly scheduled weekly fixed-point surveys or driving routes throughout the entire winter, or are only available a few times over the winter season, your help will be welcomed. The Audubon Society of New Hampshire Last winter, several dozen Audubon volunteers conducted surveys for Bald Eagles along New Hampshire's major rivers and lakes, finding a record-high number of eagles wintering in the state. We need volunteers to monitor established routes and survey poits on a weekly basis throughout the winter to determine where important foraging, perching, and roosting sites are located. You can also participate in our state's portion of th enational Midwinter Eagle Survey, which will be held in mid-January. Volunteers can also check for signs of late-winter breeding activity at known nest sites. Please contact Chris Martin in the Conservation Department at 603-224-9909, ext 317, or at cmartin@nhaudubon.org to learn more about how you can get involved.

01-09-2005, 08:20 PM	#4
Merrymeeting Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Merrymeeting Lake, New Durham Posts: 2,226 Thanks: 302 Thanked 800 Times in 368 Posts	Eagle article in today's Globe Good article on the recovery of the eagle in today's Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/local/art...k_on_the_wing/

01-13-2005, 08:59 PM	#5
ApS Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florida (Sebring & Keys), Wolfeboro Posts: 5,946 Thanks: 2,220 Thanked 779 Times in 555 Posts	To spot an eagle, keep your antennas up. Thanks for the article, MM. Notice the eagle-watcher in the article was named Pelosky? (A story from last year, better forgotten). When I'm not at Winnipesaukee, (presently at a rural/central Florida lake), I get from one to three bald eagle sightings on any one day. Strong winds today caused me to need to untangle my already hurricane-tangled TV antenna on my steep roof -- about 25 feet above the ground. While up there, you couldn't miss the approach of one these eagles "Kreee!...Kreee!...Kreee!.... I turned to look and saw a huge adult. It was banking slightly into the strong wind and soaring directly towards me -- right at treetop level -- a "strafing run", as it were. ...And it looked at me with absolutely no concern as it rocketed perhaps 25 feet over my head, continuing its repeated scream..."Kreee!...Kreee!...Kreee!...Kreee!...kree!...kree...." I'd heard their distant calls before, but what was remarkable about this scream was how LOUD it was. (On this roof, it's a good thing I have strong knees!) Awesome creature! An awesome experience...and only about six seconds in duration.

01-14-2005, 11:27 AM	#6
KBoater Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Wolfeboro Posts: 521 Thanks: 10 Thanked 29 Times in 15 Posts	Diving Eagle I had an eagle encounter this week while boating in FL. He was a mature eagle and dove next to the boat with claws extended picked up a fish (Mullet I'm told) and took off for a sandbar for lunch. Quite a sight. Those claws are impressive.

01-19-2005, 07:34 PM	#7
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,367 Thanks: 374 Thanked 1,057 Times in 495 Posts	The Eagle Has Landed! SURFIN' THE WEB - "Spy on the Wild" Spy on the Wild is actually part of The Animal Planet. The link below takes you to the lead-in page...just click the "continue" link when you arrive on the first page. On the second page, you'll see a picture of an eagle. To the right of the eagle is a link for "Mini-cam in action." Click that for a real treat. What it takes you to is six videos that are unlike any you've ever seen. You'll have a real bird's eye view of an eagle in flight. I do mean a bird's eye view too. Two minicams were strapped onto a golden eagle, and the videos show you the view from the back of the eagle as he soars over some mountainous terrain. Go soaring! click on continue....then on "mini-cams in action" Last edited by mcdude; 01-19-2005 at 07:38 PM.

01-19-2005, 08:02 PM	#8
arthurc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 82 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	What a Show!

01-19-2005, 08:04 PM	#9
Silver Duck Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Billerica, MA Posts: 364 Thanks: 40 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Wow, mcdude, that was fantastic! Thanks a million! Silver Duck

01-19-2005, 09:15 PM	#10
xltRod Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Windham NH Posts: 19 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	That was outstanding. would like to see more of that study. Rod __________________ It is far easyer to beg forgiveness, than ask permission.

01-19-2005, 11:25 PM	#11
ApS Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florida (Sebring & Keys), Wolfeboro Posts: 5,946 Thanks: 2,220 Thanked 779 Times in 555 Posts	Many thanks Thanks, McD. I'd heard about this effort on Coast-to-Coast-AM radio a week ago, but never expected to view it -- and so soon. My olde computer is impossibly slow to load these, but I've viewed two of the six so far -- several times. More tomorrow. "My" eagle has a favorite roost across the lake from me -- one mile away. With the naked eye, I can just make him out on the branch. According to this video, he can see me twice as close as I can see him. Pretty impressive bird. __________________ Is it "Common Sense" isn't.

01-19-2005, 11:36 PM	#12
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,604 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,469 Thanked 1,983 Times in 1,083 Posts	Awesome, McDude!!!!! __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

01-20-2005, 11:48 AM	#13
Lin Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Massachusetts & Moultonborough Posts: 673 Thanks: 41 Thanked 15 Times in 11 Posts	Pretty neat views. Thanks so much for sharing the link. __________________ Lin

01-20-2005, 02:42 PM	#14
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	Wow!!What a view that is!!If only we could strap a camara onto fat lazy les as he flys through the aisles of Wal-mart or maybe on Grants head as he dives and encounters the rock bass or hey,how about a camara on Madrasahs eagle so it can catch all those big "offshore" boats doing damage to the shoreline.So sorry,I couldn't resist.All in good fun you guys. SS __________________ SIKSUKR

01-20-2005, 10:23 PM	#15
Pepper Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Laconia, NH Posts: 1,284 Thanks: 409 Thanked 155 Times in 40 Posts	Oh, Wow! McDude, that was fabulous. I thoroughly enjoyed that! Thanks for sharing it! Really really really WOW __________________ Never waste time lamenting what was. Simply celebrate what is!

01-20-2005, 10:33 PM	#16
DRH Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Meredith Posts: 1,689 Thanks: 1,205 Thanked 677 Times in 179 Posts	Fascinating! The others have pretty much said it all, McD. Thanks! __________________ DRH

01-20-2005, 11:27 PM	#17
Just Sold Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Suncook, NH, but at The Lake at Heart Posts: 2,615 Thanks: 1,083 Thanked 434 Times in 210 Posts	Eagles Fly! Thanks to McD for a great post. __________________ Just Sold At the lake the stress of daily life just melts away. Pro Re Nata

01-21-2005, 08:05 AM	#18
ApS Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florida (Sebring & Keys), Wolfeboro Posts: 5,946 Thanks: 2,220 Thanked 779 Times in 555 Posts	Buzzard 1) One of the videos shows the "Tilly" the eagle being attacked by a "buzzard" in Scotland. The brief encounter shows a "buzzard" with its talons dropped -- a threat-gesture. In the video, Tilly does a barrel-roll to counter the threat with her talons. I had never seen this among the many turkey- and black- vultures in the US -- birds we might call buzzards. It turns out that some buzzard species in the UK are raptors -- hawks that take live prey. http://www.birdsofbritain.co.uk/bird-guide/buzzard.htm From the description, a buzzard in the UK seems closest in behavior to our large red-shouldered hawk, a common roadside hawk, very tolerant of human presence. (I know. One set up a nest right above my car in the driveway.) 2) To the casual coin collectors among us, a bald eagle also appears on a solid-silver United States coin commemorating the Confederate soldier. It circulated over a million half-dollars, and sells today for 50-60 dollars. I had never before seen a reference to it -- until Google turned it up. http://www.commem.com/prod31a4.htm __________________ Is it "Common Sense" isn't.