Westshore, Metchosin and Sooke Bald Eagles - 2019-2024 Seasons

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Re: Westshore, Metchosin and Sooke Bald Eagles - 2019/2020/2021 Seasons

Post by sassyk » Tue Apr 20, 2021 9:54 pm

I visited the nest area on Apr. 18th but did not see or hear any eagles. However, one could have been down in the nest :luck: My birding partner has visited this nest a couple of times in the past month and has seen an adult in the nest appearing to be incubating.
Farhill Rd. Nest 18 Apr. 2021.JPG
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Re: Westshore, Metchosin and Sooke Bald Eagles - 2019/2020/2021 Seasons

Post by sassyk » Fri Apr 30, 2021 2:01 pm

I visited the Farhill Rd. nest on Apr. 27th. As I was driving to the nest tree I saw an adult flying from the area and a few minutes later saw it circling overhead. I took photos from Park Dr. as well as from Duke Rd. and Haystock Rd. but did not see an eagle in the nest.

From Park Dr.
Farhill Rd. Nest 27 Apr. 2021 (from Park Dr.).JPG

From Duke Rd.
Farhill Rd. Nest 27 Apr. 2021 (from Duke Rd.).JPG

From Haystock Rd.
Farhill Rd. Nest 27 Apr. 2021 (from Haystock Rd.).JPG
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Re: Westshore, Metchosin and Sooke Bald Eagles - 2019/2020/2021 Seasons

Post by sassyk » Sat May 15, 2021 2:07 pm

I visited the Farhill Rd. nest with my birding partner on May 12th and as we were walking down the road an eagle squawked and flew from the area of the nest tree. We had not seen it when we were parking up the road. However, we did not see or hear any eagles in or around the nest for the remainder of the time we spent watching.
Farhill Rd. Eagle Nest 12 May 2021.JPG
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Re: Westshore, Metchosin and Sooke Bald Eagles - 2019/2020/2021 Seasons

Post by sassyk » Sat May 29, 2021 2:08 pm

I visited the Farhill Rd. nest yesterday and still did not see any eagles or action in the nest. I took photos from both sides of the nest and don't see anything. Perhaps in another couple of weeks I'll see an eaglet or 2 peeking over the side of the nest.

This photo was taken from Park Rd.
Farhill Rd. Eagles(1) 28 May 2021.JPG

This photo was taken from Duke Rd.
Farhill Rd. Eagles(2) 28 May 2021.JPG
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Re: Westshore, Metchosin and Sooke Bald Eagles - 2019/2020/2021 Seasons

Post by sassyk » Sat May 29, 2021 2:12 pm

I finally managed to get to Langford Lake yesterday to see the eagle nest. One of the adults was sitting on the side of the nest and it looks like there are 2 lumps in front of her, one darker than the other. The path to the bridge was closed so I had to stand at the edge of the lake to get some photos.
Langford Lake Eagles(1) 28 May 2021.JPG
Langford Lake Eagles(2) 28 May 2021.JPG
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Re: Westshore, Metchosin and Sooke Bald Eagles - 2019/2020/2021 Seasons

Post by sassyk » Thu Jun 17, 2021 7:06 pm

I visited a few nests yesterday with my birding partner. After many visits we still did not see any eagles or eaglets at the Farhill Rd. nest :(

Different sides of the nest tree.
Farhill Rd. Nest(1) 16 June 2021.JPG
Farhill Rd. Nest(2) 16 June 2021.JPG
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Re: Westshore, Metchosin and Sooke Bald Eagles - 2019/2020/2021 Seasons

Post by sassyk » Thu Jun 17, 2021 10:10 pm

My birding partner and I viewed the Witty's Lagoon nest from Tower Point yesterday. We did not see anything in the nest but did see an adult perched in a tree across the lagoon. The lighting was terrible and this photo has been cropped a lot and resized smaller.
Witty's Lagoon Eagle(1) 16 June 2021.JPG

The nest tree is difficult to find from Tower Point at the wrong time of day and the lighting is terrible.
Witty's Lagoon Nest 16 June 2021.JPG

An immature eagle was perched on the marker off the point but unfortunately my camera battery decided it was dead so I didn't get a photo. The immature flew off the marker and landed in a tree across the big field; we saw an adult at the top of that tree as we were leaving the point.

As we were approaching the parking area we saw another adult perched in a tree nearby. I managed to change the battery in my camera and took one shaky photo before leaving.
Witty's Lagoon Eagle(2) 16 June 2021.JPG
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Re: Westshore, Metchosin and Sooke Bald Eagles - 2019/2020/2021 Seasons

Post by sassyk » Tue Jul 13, 2021 1:35 pm

I went to Langford Lake on July 11th and saw one eaglet up on a branch above and to the left of the nest. I was sure I saw the 2nd one but cannot find it in any of my photos :roll: I did not see or hear either of the adults; the bridge is still closed and I had a limited view from the edge of the lake.
Langford Lake Eagles 11 July 2021.JPG
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Re: Westshore, Metchosin and Sooke Bald Eagles - 2019/2020/2021 Seasons

Post by sassyk » Sat Jul 24, 2021 2:06 pm

My birding partner has reported hearing from the landowner who lives near the nest tree at Langford Lake that one of the eaglets has fledged :woohoo:

On July 27th she reported that both eaglets had fledged and seemed to like perching in the old nest tree :thumlft:
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Re: Westshore, Metchosin and Sooke Bald Eagles - 2019/2020/2021 Seasons

Post by sassyk » Sun Aug 01, 2021 1:47 pm

My birding partner went back to check on the nest at Witty's Lagoon on June 28th. The property owners said the eagles had been pretty active. She checked the 2 older nest but saw nothing. An eagle was perched next to the old nest on the neighbouring property, looked down at her, clucked then flew off. Definitely appears the eagles did not nest this year :(
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Re: Westshore, Metchosin and Sooke Bald Eagles - 2019/2020/2021 Seasons

Post by JudyB » Mon Aug 02, 2021 7:17 pm

2021 Cam Maintenance
Matching Drive

A little over 17 weeks ago, we met Tiku from our Surrey Reserve nest; this is just before he or maybe she made it all the way out of the shell:
Image

And now Tiku and Tucca from Surrey Reserve and Hope and Chase from Delta 2 have all set out to explore the world.

We do still have one young eagle to watch - this is Romeo from our White Rock nest, who hatched 6 weeks later than Tiku:
Image

At 11 weeks, he (or maybe she) is practicing perching on the nest supports and exercising those big wings. Eaglets generally fledge (take their first flight) between 10 and 14 weeks, and it's my guess that will happen in the next week or so.

And you know - I haven't really thought about this before - but our little window to access the nests and clean the cams and do any other necessary work isn't always that much longer than the 35-40 days it takes an egg to hatch. Last year the Surrey Reserve adults didn't leave until August 14 (though they weren't visiting very often after Thor left in mid-July) - and Dad Sur was back on September 26. Different pairs have different schedules - and it can vary from year to year - so it would be great if we could get ready now.

With that in mind....
Image

We will be posting more details about our Adopt-a-Nest program, the new option to adopt one of our eagles with a tracker (details soon), the Monthly Donor program - and the work we need to do on the 10 cameras we now have at five different nests.

The important thing to know is that at least the first $1000 in donations toward our cam maintenance fund drive will be matched by long-time supporters of Hancock Wildlife - so the time to donate is now!

Image


Details about How to Donate

If you have questions, please contact [email protected] or [email protected]

Thank You!

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sassyk
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Re: Westshore, Metchosin and Sooke Bald Eagles - 2019/2020/2021 Seasons

Post by sassyk » Sun Sep 12, 2021 3:48 pm

Unfortunately I was unable to return to the nest territories for one last visit before the end of the season. My birding partner was informed that the 2 eaglets in the Langford Lake nest had successfully fledged and were flying around the area :rh: I hope they enjoyed a banquet of spawned out salmon in the rivers in Alaska.

I have unlocked this thread for the 2021/2022 season as some of the eagles have returned to their nesting territories looking healthy and well fed. Hoping to see some eaglets next spring :luck:
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Re: Westshore, Metchosin and Sooke Bald Eagles - 2019-2022 Seasons

Post by sassyk » Sun Oct 10, 2021 1:04 pm

October 10, 2021 - Good News :woohoo:

I have had good news from my birding partner that she saw an adult perched next to the nest tree at the Farhill Rd. nest. The eagles from the Langford Lake nest were bringing sticks to the old nest tree; I wonder if they will build a new nest in that tree :chin:

This will be the opening post for the 2021/2022 nesting season.
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Re: Westshore, Metchosin and Sooke Bald Eagles - 2019-2022 Seasons

Post by sassyk » Sat Nov 13, 2021 11:54 am

Due to the fact that I have had hip replacement surgery 2 weeks ago, I will not be able to visit the nests for awhile. My birding partner will forward her observations to me to post here.

Observations over the past couple of weeks:

Langford Lake nest- the eagles were seen nest building in the old nest tree
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Re: Westshore, Metchosin and Sooke Bald Eagles - 2019-2022 Seasons

Post by sassyk » Sun Apr 10, 2022 3:30 pm

My birding partner has confirmed the Langford Lake and Farhill Rd. nests have been active so far this season :woohoo: I will try to visit the nest areas soon, when the weather here gets better. It has been very unsettled lately with rain, wind & hail :holdon: :(
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