[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TAS BirdBoard ] [ FAQ ]
Posted by Ken Schneider on 06:55:43 05/29/08
Early this past December, I photographed two Bald Eagles courting and copulating at our lake (in west Miramar). Within the next 2 weeks they were seen carrying nesting materials to a wooded area near a busy intersection not far away. Despite searching the area, we were not able to find the nest until a neighbor finally located it on April 20. The observer stated: I didn t want to linger around and draw attention to the nest but I did notice an eagle flying overhead. It was flying high and it appeared mottled like a juvenile. I really hope this property is not slated for development but I suppose it is only a matter of time.
This morning I got out and photographed it. It is obviously fresh and quite large, about 4 feet in diameter. It is only about 2 miles from our home, and located about two-thirds of the way up in an Australian Pine tree. This is in the same direction as that followed by the eagles that visited our lake, as well as others seen bringing branches and fish from other nearby lakes.
Therefore, it is very likely the nest of our pair. The nest site is within sight of a major thoroughfare, about 100 yards from the edge of a 1/8 x 1/4 mile rectangle of drained and formerly cultivated or grazed Everglades, now covered by a relatively undisturbed second-growth forest of Melaleuca & Australian Pine. It is on private land, surrounded on two sides by residential subdivisions, with ever-expanding retail and other commercial development nearby. Therefore, I will not divulge the nest location (so please don't ask). I have reported it to FFWCC as it is not listed on their Eagle Nest Locator Web page. In fact, they show no active nests in all of Broward County. I have asked for assurances that they monitor it under the new (relaxed, post-delisting) regulations. See blog for photo and more about the proposed regulations, which protect native pine but not Australian in vicinity of eagle nests.
[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TAS BirdBoard ] [ FAQ ]