Wakefield nest near the Strait of Georgia, Sechelt BC, 2017-19

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This nest is new to me but was built in 2014 by an eagle couple who had nested in a nearby tree for years. The nest tree sits on private property almost at the corner of Wakefield Rd. and Hwy 1 going west out of Sechelt. Upside on the NW corner. It can be seen from my friend's property on Wakefield Rd, especially her living room window! Lucky lady.
I have tried unsuccessfully to find the nest tree from the beach, from the side of the highway, from Wakefield Rd near the corner.
Last season they raised 1 youngster who left the nest early June. Every year my friend has been watching them they have had 1 youngster.

2018 They raised and successfully fledged a pretty big girl, PBG, named by my friend Holly.
If you drop by here welcome, and please feel free to post any pictures or eagle sightings you get.

This year, 2019 the eagles chose to rebuild in a different tree in the same stand of trees. Holly can hear them, see them flying around but can't see the nest anymore. We will update as we can.

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Reserved

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Pictures taken from Holly's front lawn Oct. 24, 2017. Ma in the nest, Pa perched near the nest. Busy nestorating as I watched from the lawn, then the living room window. Pics can be enlarged by clicking on them x 2.

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A post from a local HWF friend Heather Jan 1, 2018...

Thanks for creating this new thread Sandra ... it is so exciting to have another nest on the Coast being observed for HWF!

[Marg]

Good to see the Wakefield Nest here Sandra.
Any news from Holly re the eagles?

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I'm laughing here Marg, forgot to include that Holly told me today that the eagles are in the tree, looks and sounds like nesting to her. They had gone missing for a while so she was pleasantly surprised to see and hear them back. The male might have some black on its head as she said that it looks like a subadult to her and looked soaking wet so not like the large male she is used to. We'll have to keep an eye on that.
I hope to visit this week.

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I did get back to Holly's house on Wednesday the 28th. There was territorial flying, calling and answering going on. I could not get a picture of the nest with greenery from another tree in the way but did see movement there. As I stood with camera set on a tripod in flew who must be Pa, landing in a fairly nearby tree calling. Answering heard from what could be the nest area. I don't see evidence of dark markings on the head of this eagle, perhaps chasing away the one Holly thought looked like a subadult.

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And then time to preen.

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I returned to Holly's front yard yesterday. I did not see nor hear any eagles. She has assured me that activity is going on here.

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I just heard from Holly. Their eaglet has branched and is huge she says, dwarfs Ma and Pa. I've told her it must be a female and about the blood feathers.

[heatherj]

Wow! Great news Sandra

And great pictures !

[Mushka]

Great news and updates on this nest Sandra. Is this early for an eaglet to be branching ? I haven't even seen any little heads in the nests I stop by so wondering if the Wakefield couple are ahead of most nests we are checking in on.

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This female is among the earliest to lay I would think. She did last year as well. I forget the full range of laying dates. Most lay in March I think but anywhere from late Feb to late April? Can anyone help me out here with laying range of dates?

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Return to the nest yesterday around 2:00 pm found an adult busy feeding self or our big girl, now dubbed Pretty Girl by Holly. This feeding went on and on and on so I left.
Holly said that recently a turkey vulture invaded causing much reaction of course from parents.

The nest as I see it through my lens from Holly's front lawn, left of middle near bottom of picture.

Cropped.

[Marg]

It sounds like you had a good visit with Holly and witnessed the feeding at the Wakefield nest!

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I just read an email from Holly. She thinks her Big Girl has a sibling in the nest! To be confirmed.

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Back to the nest Tuesday June 19 to find an adult and eaglet visible in the nest. The adult was busy eating, eaglet watching, when it looked like the adult had something stuck down its throat. Many open beaked pictures were taken before eating resumed. The eaglet seemed consumed with watching the antics.
This must be 1 well fed eaglet, no calling out for food while the adult ate.

Adult mouth open.

Mouth still open.

Feeding continues, eaglet then grabbed the odd bite.

[Marg]

You had a good visit Sandra, thanks for the update and pics.

[heatherj]

Thanks for the updates Sandra! Looks like a happy eaglet!

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I just got an email from Holly and her Big Pretty Girl fledged today. Ma and Pa were "very excited, proud, protective", "very aero dynamic". The 3 of them were "looping and flying in circuits". How amazing to watch!

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I visited Wakefield Beach yesterday hoping to see Big Pretty Girl or the family. I watched the skies above the trees near the nest tree, scanned the beach but did not find any of them. It was very pleasant sitting in the sun by the water though. I saw a sea lion, was hoping it was an Orca but not.

[Marg]

Exciting news!

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I saw Holly yesterday and she says that twice now PBG has flown over low, turning, looping, showing off for her while she tries out her flying capabilities. Lucky lady is Holly!

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There has been major road construction ongoing for months here, possibly 1 reason the eagles changed their nest location? A reason I have not been able to look for their new nest. I know it cannot be seen from Holly's house anymore so yesterday I visited the beach area at the bottom of Wakefield Rd. No road work being done. On looking up into the trees where I could hear eaglets chirping I did spot a white head but no nest. I hope you can find the perched eagle. The nest is there as eaglets are there chirping but not to be spotted.

[heatherj]

Such a shame that the eagles had to move their nest. But I'm glad that you were able to find their new nest Sandra!

And that they have eaglets! Excellent news!!

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Holly let me know May 10 that one of their eaglets is branching big time. It definitely sounded like more than one peeping away when I saw an adult in a tree there. Last year it was May 20 that a single eaglet was seen branching and 1 was seen flying June 30.
Compared to our eaglets on cam, just starting to get pin feathers, this is very early to be branching.

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Holly reassures me that a big eaglet here is branching well and safely. Still only seeing 1, or perhaps 1 at a time as I heard more than 1 calling for food in April. Too bad we can't see the nest this year.

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According to Holly there has been a fledge here. Around mid June I believe. Early again this year!