Field Rd Bald Eagles, Sunshine Coast, BC - 2017/2018 season

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heatherj
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Field Rd Bald Eagles, Sunshine Coast, BC - 2017/2018 season

Post by heatherj » Wed Mar 14, 2018 2:36 pm

Welcome to the Field Rd nest thread for the 2017/2018 Season. Old forum thread for 2017/2018 here

If you visit the Field Rd nest in Wilson Creek on the Sunshine Coast, BC, Canada you are welcome to post comments and pictures here.

This nest was new to the forum in 2016 though the nest has been occupied at least since 2011 and probably a lot longer. The nest is in a big Douglas Fir on private property and any views from public property are from quite a distance or would require bushwacking through scrub. However from our property we have a peek-a-boo view of the back of the nest and as we have quite a few big trees around us we're quite well placed for observations of the activities of the adults and juveniles throughout the year. The pictures may not always be great but hopefully they'll be interesting!!

The nest is in the riparian area of Husdon Creek at the back of a big vacant lot on upper Field Rd. The nest tree can be seen from Field Rd but I haven't been able to see the actual nest as its hidden by foliage. The nest tree is a tall tree with a bent top circled in the picture below. Adult eagles can sometimes be seen sitting in the trees along Field Rd - I'm sure some of them are this couple.
  • 2013 - 1 eaglet fledged on or before July 26
  • 2014 - 1 eaglet fledged, date unknown
  • 2015 - 1 eaglet fledged, date unknown
  • 2016 - 1 eaglet fledged on or before July 23.
  • 2017 - 1 eaglet fledged on or before July 15. Second eaglet fell from nest on Aug 11 but was rescued and taken to Gibsons WIldlife Rehab and then on to OWL in Delta for long term rehabilitation. He was released near his nest on Feb 1 2018. We all wish him a long and happy life living wild and free with many thanks to all that helped get him there :)
  • 2018 - 1 eaglet fledged on or before July 16.
Here's a picture of the nest tree from Field Rd. To take this image I parked at the mail boxes on Wilson Rd and walked a little way down Field Rd to get a clear view of the nest tree. I took the image in March, in the summer there are a lot of leafy trees in the way so the view is not as good.
HWF_Field_20170324_9233_Edited.jpg
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Re: Field Rd Nest 2017/2018 season - Sunshine Coast, BC, Canada

Post by heatherj » Wed Mar 14, 2018 2:37 pm

Here are some pics from the 2016/2017 season

Ma and Pa fluffed up to stay warm one cold January morning
HWF_Field_20170111_5706.JPG
Both eaglets in the nest in July 2017
HWF_Field_20170720_9861.JPG
Little Miller (the youngest eaglet) on his release day in Feb 2018
HWF_Field_20180201_0979.JPG
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Re: Field Rd Nest 2017/2018 season - Sunshine Coast, BC, Canada

Post by heatherj » Wed Mar 14, 2018 2:37 pm

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Re: Field Rd Bald Eagles, Sunshine Coast, BC - 2017/2018 season

Post by heatherj » Fri Mar 23, 2018 8:50 pm

Catching up on my postings :)

Here are a couple from January this year

One adult on the favourite tree on the vacant lot
HWF_FieldRd_20180115_0212.JPG
And a flyby from one of the adults
HWF_FieldRd_20180127_0693.JPG
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Re: Field Rd Bald Eagles, Sunshine Coast, BC - 2017/2018 season

Post by heatherj » Fri Mar 23, 2018 8:52 pm

Then2 pics from Feb 5.

One adult in the favourite tree again
HWF_FieldRd_20180205_1076.JPG
And a flyby from a subadult this time
HWF_FieldRd_20180205_1070.JPG
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Re: Field Rd Bald Eagles, Sunshine Coast, BC - 2017/2018 season

Post by heatherj » Fri Mar 23, 2018 8:54 pm

Here a few pics from Feb 10 of Ma and Pa enjoying a sunny day by doing some synchronized soaring.
HWF_FieldRd_20180210_1207.JPG
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And one of the adults on a favourite perch tree from the snowy days around Feb 19
HWF_Field_20180219_1828.JPG
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Re: Field Rd Bald Eagles, Sunshine Coast, BC - 2017/2018 season

Post by heatherj » Fri Mar 23, 2018 9:00 pm

Sadly no pictures but I saw mating on Mar 12.
:woohoo:

And as of this week I'm pretty sure that an adult is sitting in the nest. I saw what looked like a changeover last night. There was a lot of calling from the nest, then an adult flew into the nest and I think it was the other adult that flew out.

On Mar 13 I could just see the top of a white head low down in the nest. And again on Mar 16. Looks like brooding I think! :)
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HWF_Field_20180313_6393.JPG
Adult in the nest on Mar 13
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HWF_Field_20180316_6398.JPG
Adult in the nest on Mar 16. In almost exactly the same spot!
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Re: Field Rd Bald Eagles, Sunshine Coast, BC - 2017/2018 season

Post by heatherj » Thu Mar 29, 2018 5:44 pm

Here are some random pictures of the adults and one visitor over the last week or so. I have been watching the nest but haven't been able to see any heads peeking over the sides though I have heard calls coming from the nest on a few occasions especially if another eagle is passing by.
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HWF_Field_20180317_6406.JPG
A passing new adult on Mar 17
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HWF_Field_20180321_6513.JPG
Pa on guard duty on Mar 21 at 17:30
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HWF_Field_20180321_6534.JPG
Pa still on guard duty on Mar 21 at 19:30
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HWF_Field_20180322_6545.JPG
An adult on guard duty on Mar 22
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HWF_Field_20180323_6557.JPG
And someone stretching their wings on Mar 23
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HWF_Field_20180325_6588.JPG
Then back on guard duty on Mar 25
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Re: Field Rd Bald Eagles, Sunshine Coast, BC - 2017/2018 season

Post by stim » Sat Mar 31, 2018 5:31 pm

Good day! Heather I love your collection of pictures and story line to go along with them. How wonderful to see that brooding looks to be occurring!
I visited the field last Wed, March 28, going in where you and I entered on our mission to find Miller. This time the party was over, the number of eagles of all ages who hung out there in the winter gone. I disturbed some stellar jays on the way along the path, possibly nesting there? I couldn't find a nest but they were very noisy and flying in close to me as I walked toward that area. Then I saw Pa flying to his favourite snag tree I now know, from the area of the nest tree. He may have seen me approaching as well!
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A little work on his brood patch?
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One of the jays, looking bigger than Pa because I was much closer to it.
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Re: Field Rd Bald Eagles, Sunshine Coast, BC - 2017/2018 season

Post by heatherj » Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:22 pm

Lovely pictures Sandra! Interesting that the eagle party has gone but probably to be expected now that nesting has begun. Pa probably moved them all on :)

And I love the pic of the Jay. They're such beautiful birds!
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Re: Field Rd Bald Eagles, Sunshine Coast, BC - 2017/2018 season

Post by heatherj » Sun Apr 15, 2018 9:57 pm

Here are some random images from the last couple of weeks
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HWF_Field_20180330_6695.JPG
One adult taking a break from brooding or guard duty early afternoon on Mar 30
HWF_Field_20180330_6696.JPG
An adult sitting on a favourite perch tree later that same afternoon
HWF_Field_20180331_6948.JPG
A passing juvenile on Mar 31 - resulting in some irate calls from the nest!
HWF_Field_20180402_6969.JPG
On April 2nd an adult just visible peeking from behind the cross branch at the right side of the nest.
HWF_Field_20180408_6994.JPG
On April 8th an adult on guard duty
HWF_Field_20180408_6997.JPG
Shortly afterwards, a changeover and the other adult takes a breather to stretch his/her wings
HWF_Field_20180409_7113.JPG
Another peek a boo view of an adult on the nest from Apr 9
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Re: Field Rd Bald Eagles, Sunshine Coast, BC - 2017/2018 season

Post by heatherj » Sun Apr 15, 2018 10:10 pm

Then today a juvenile circled around the nest resulting in some calling from an adult sitting in the nest. The juvie did a few circuits and then flew off. But the juvenile had some very strange feather tips on his wings and tail as if the feathers were not very well formed. So I was wondering if it might perhaps be Miller! I looked very hard to see if I could see a band on his leg but no luck. So no way to really confirm it is him but if it is him.....that is very exciting news :D

Click on the image to see a bigger version

For anybody new to this thread, Miller fell from the nest last summer He was rescued by HWF members and sent to rehab. He was successfully released in Feb 2018. Read his full story starting here http://archive.hancockwildlife.org/foru ... 83#1015783
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Re: Field Rd Bald Eagles, Sunshine Coast, BC - 2017/2018 season

Post by stim » Mon Apr 16, 2018 10:44 am

Exciting postings Heather with much activity going on in your neighbourhood! I see an eagle eye watching you in both nest pictures. I love it! And yes, I am thinking this is Miller as well, looking to be a one year old with unusual feather development. I am so glad you got that shot! :thumlft: You've made my day. :hug:

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Re: Field Rd Bald Eagles, Sunshine Coast, BC - 2017/2018 season

Post by marg » Mon Apr 16, 2018 11:20 am

heatherj wrote:
Sun Apr 15, 2018 10:10 pm
Then today a juvenile circled around the nest resulting in some calling from an adult sitting in the nest. The juvie did a few circuits and then flew off. But the juvenile had some very strange feather tips on his wings and tail as if the feathers were not very well formed. So I was wondering if it might perhaps be Miller! I looked very hard to see if I could see a band on his leg but no luck. So no way to really confirm it is him but if it is him.....that is very exciting news :D

Click on the image to see a bigger version

For anybody new to this thread, Miller fell from the nest last summer He was rescued by HWF members and sent to rehab. He was successfully released in Feb 2018. Read his full story starting here http://archive.hancockwildlife.org/foru ... 83#1015783
Yes, it could be our little Miller Heather! I bet you were happy to see him. :D
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Re: Field Rd Bald Eagles, Sunshine Coast, BC - 2017/2018 season

Post by Mushka » Mon Apr 16, 2018 9:11 pm

Catching up on this thread, lots of wonderful pictures and updates Heather ! How exciting that you may have seen Miller, it does look like it could be him with those unusual wing feathers.

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