Beacon Hill Park Eagles, Victoria BC - 2017/2018 Season

[sassyk]

Welcome to the Beacon Hill Park Eagles thread for the 2017/2018 season. This thread is dedicated to observations, photos, videos and discussion of the eagles who inhabit this nest in Beacon Hill Park, within the City of Victoria, BC. These eagles have been seen quite often perched atop the totem pole on the edge of the woodsy area of the park, near Dallas Rd. and Cook St. Over the years there have been several nests within the park and this past season the eagles produced one eaglet

Link to the thread for the first half of this season from Sept. to the present time here.

Links to previous seasons on the old forum:

2016/2017 Season
2015/2016 Season
2014/2015 Season
2013/2014 Season
2010-2013 Seasons

Link to the history of Beacon Hill Park History of Beacon Hill Park

Beacon Hill Park is a wonderful place to visit at any time of the year. The ducks are always waiting for a free meal and the peafowl wander the park year round The gardeners work hard planting seasonal flowers for everyone to admire and photograph and the rose garden is a wonderful spot to sit and relax while enjoying the beauty and scents of the roses. The park has been used by many a bride and groom for capturing beautiful wedding portraits around the lakes and gardens. Visitors ride in horse drawn carriages through the park in the spring and summer months.

Link to Beacon Hill Children's Farm here.

Map of Beacon Hill Park. The eagles nest tree is across the road from the children's playground. If you stand in front of the washroom building you will get a good view of the perch tree, which is next to the nest tree.

[sassyk]

Photo taken 20 Jan. 2014. The nest is in the tree on the left;
the tree on the right is their perch tree.

Adult at top of perch tree, taken 10 June 2013.

Both adults in the nest, taken 17 Mar. 2014

[sassyk]

In January of 2014 there were intruder eagles causing a territorial battle to ensue. Both resident eagles were defending their territory when 2 eagles locked talons and fell over a branch. One of our Hancock forum members was at the nest area when this occurred and she captured the event. The eagles eventually managed to unlock their talons and fly away. Unfortunately one of the gardeners found a dead eagle at the bottom of the nest tree early the next morning. The gardener and locals who regularly watch the eagles were quite certain the dead eagle was not one of the resident eagles. Thanks to member Cheryl (ogopogo) for submitting your photos.

[sassyk]

Photos of the eagles perched atop the totem pole.

Photo taken 3 Mar. 2015.

Photo taken 15 Mar. 2016.

Photo taken 23 Apr 2016.

Info & photos of the totem pole here.

[elle]

There was a Bald Eagle on top of the totem pole yesterday afternoon when we drove by. It is on my agenda to visit the park tomorrow.

[sassyk]

Marie saw an eagle in the nest this afternoon. It looked like it was incubating

[elle]

Great news. We plan a visit today.

[Calypso]

I don't know what happened to the message I posted in this thread yesterday. Off into the ether, I suppose!

My husband saw two eagles in a courtship flight yesterday morning. They flew over the totem pole towards Clover Point, then flew East past Ross Bay Cemetery.

He said it was beautiful to watch, but unfortunately he did not take a video.

[sassyk]

Glad you made it here calypso Thanks for the info; too bad your husband didn't get any video. That would have been fun to watch!!

[elle]

Saw Mum in the nest today Got a snap. Will post later. When we left we heard her vocalise. After as we were walking along Cook St toward the village we saw her fly overhead. She must have been successful in calling Dad to take over nest duties. She looked pretty happy to be spreading her wings. It was such a gorgeous day it seemed everyone was out all at once.

[elle]

Here is the picture I promised.

Incubating on a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon March 10-2018

[elle]

Took a stroll through Beacon Hill yesterday afternoon and Ma was in position in the nest. She seemed to be up a bit higher. I know we can't possibly have a hatch yet but maybe she was airing the egg ( s)

[elle]

Pictures from Monday March 19

[sassyk]

I went to the park this afternoon to see if the eagles were around the nest. One was in the nest but all I saw the first time around was the tip of a wing. The second time around I saw an adult at the back of the nest rolling the eggs. I saw some white tail feathers as well as two wing tips at the front of the nest facing me.

Photo showing a glimpse of the adult's head, beak and back.

Photo showing tail and wing feathers facing me.

[sassyk]

Went to the park for awhile today in very dreary weather We didn't see anything moving in the nest but one of the adults flew to the top of the nest tree from behind the nest. I managed to get a couple of photos of it but unfortunately it was facing away from me.

These first 2 photos were taken from the sidewalk across from the washroom building.

This photo was taken from the sidewalk across from the nest tree.