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Nest History:
2019 Season: Mr and Mrs French Creek raised one eaglet to fledge. The eaglet was named Frankie (female)
2020 Season: The eagles raised two eaglets this year They were named Hali (female) and Leu (male) (This was short for Haliaeetus leucocephalus.)
2021 Season: An artificial nest and camera were installed in the newly created French Creek Bald Eagle Preserve which encompasses part of the French Creek Estuary with its incredibly rich flora and fauna. This nest is a community effort, supported by the Hancock Wildlife Foundation recommendations of a tree in which to build an eagles nest. The hope was to entice the pair that occupies this territory to call the new nest home. Like in many such nests built by the HWF, it was rewarding to see the eagles take charge and complete the nest. However, though they visited often adding sticks to the nest they had other ideas as to where they wanted to raise their young and opted to use another build of their own choosing closer to the Marina. Unfortunately, just before egg laying time there was some tree clearing happening nearby and likely due to the disturbance and noise level so close to their nest, they did not produce any young this year. We hope to see them back for the 2022 season - at the nest with the camera!
2022 Season:
The 2022 season started off well with the arrival of first one eagle on Sept 26 and then two were seen together on Oct 3. The pair visited the nest sporadically over the next couple of months sometimes bringing a stick or two and working on the nest. Meanwhile, the ground observers observed a pair they believed to be the same pair we were watching on camera, working diligently on the nest they used last year. This is not what we wanted to hear!
Also, beginning as early as the first arrival of the pair in September, our camera started to pixelate or completely shut down, at first just here and there, but then more and more often, until it shut down completely on December 25. Everything possible was tried from the ground over the next couple of weeks, but it required a trip up the tree while the eagles were away in the late summer. Very disappointing news.
However, we still had our ground observers (GO’s) who continued to report on the pair. The eagles had definitely taken up residence in the same nest (the Marina nest) they had used last year. At first, our GO’s were discouraged because although the parents were seen often in and around the Marina nest, there was no sign of any young . . . until June 17 when we received this wonderful news from Denise Foster: Chair, Save Estuary Land Society:
"I'm thrilled to confirm that our French Creek eagle pair have two chicks in the nest they built last year at the Marina!!
On April 27th we observed what appeared to be an adult feeding young. After that there were only sightings of one or both of the adults in the nest or perched in the tree.
Perhaps due to the horrible, lashing rain and wicked winds we've experienced the chicks were hunkered down and possibly protected by an adult deep in the nest and out of sight. As David mentioned, their nests are always so much deeper than they appear to be when seen from down on the ground.
It's so wonderful to see this pair with two healthy chicks!"
We are happy to report both chicks fledged successfully! A disappointing year with a happy ending! And there's always next year!
2023 Season:
As the eagles continue to nest at the French Creek Marina, repairing the cam at their alternate nest has been put on hold for now. However, we are still receiving reports from our ground observers and today, we received the following update for the 2023 nesting season from Denise Foster: Chair, Save Estuary Land Society. Thank you Denise!
"The French Creek Marina parents (especially the Mom) were incredibly attentive to their chick from the moment it hatched, during its time in the nest and after it fledged. The adult female often spent 30-40 minutes with her chick in the nest eating and resting together. The chick was one of the first to hatch and fledge in the area. After fledging both parents were often seen perched together in one of their favourite perches along Viking Way with their youngster just above on a branch . When one or both parents flew off junior would follow, likely hoping to get in on any prey they might find.
Mom and her fledgling left the territory (likely on the same day) on their northern migration during the 3rd week in September joined by Dad the following week. The male was gone only three weeks when I observed him back along Viking Way. Two days later during a heavy rain I saw the pair perched so closely together they looked like one eagle - I like to think they missed each other!
Many local birders are reporting adult eagles returning to their territories but no juveniles seen as yet, including the French Creek Marina young eagle."
Pictures and videos can be viewed HERE!