Marsh Nest, Sechelt on the Sunshine Coast BC - Seasons 2020-2024

[JudyB]

Fund Drive for Hard Drives

Good afternoon, everyone! I have just learned that we do not have the hard drives we need to record our cams as we approach little chick time - and we do not have the funds necessary to buy them.

These are the high resolution drives that are connected directly to the cams at the site, making it possible to record high quality videos of events at the nests - and we usually have them up and running before the eggs are laid. As you know, we already have eggs at three of our four nests, and they are likely any day now at the fourth nest - so time is of the essence.

Our tech person Ken is estimating that it will cost about $7000 to buy the high quality, high capacity drives needed for our 9 cams, and while we are keeping up with our regular monthly expenses, we don't have the extra money needed to buy and install the hard drives.

I know this is a hard time financially for many of us, with many businesses closed - but it may also be a time when some of us are staying home and watching the eagles after cancelling planned trips or dinners out - and I'd like to ask those who can to contribute towards these hard drives.

Details about How to Donate

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

Thank You!

[stim]

I finally got to this nest site with my camera April 7. Pa was visible in a tree about 2 over from the nest tree, facing the nest and the wind. I was across the water from him. He called and was answered from the nest. No eagle visible.

As I lowered my camera I saw Ma fly from the nest toward the Lighthouse. Pa flew to the nest and quickly disappeared into its depth.

Before I left Ma flew back around, looked at the nest and then took off across the top of the Bay. What a good Ma, making sure all was attended to before leaving.
The nest as seen from Osprey St.

[Mushka]

What a great visit and pictures Sandra! I stopped in on April 16th and didn't see as much active at the nest though did find both adults at home, one even took a couple of swoops in at the ducks at the Marsh while I was there causing quite the commotion. Along with the regular gang, Mallards and Canada Geese, there was a pretty female Canvasback duck and Northern Pintail couple there.

Karen H

Please click onto the pictures to enlarge

Eagle couple at the nest, picture taken from inside the Marsh

Female canvasback visitor to the Marsh

Male Northern Pintail

[stim]

Very nice photos Karen. I'm glad you didn't have to witness 1 of our eagle couple succeed in trying to capture a duck!

[heatherj]

I visited the Marsh on Sunday May 10 and saw an adult sitting on the edge of the nest looking very intently at something in the nest .... hopefully an eaglet or two?

When I uploaded my pics I could see one fluffy head just visible behind the branch on the left. And the adult was looking intently towrds the other side so perhaps a second eaglet?

[stim]

It's taken a while to post. These photos were taken on Mothers Day, May 10. Sitting on my favourite bench across the water from the nest tree I could easily see Ma in the nest but no youngsters. I was thrilled on discovering them in my photos. Ma stayed mainly on the nest, did a fly about with Pa out over Porpoise Bay and spent some time in a perch tree near the nest tree with him. Below there were ducks, geese, goslings paddling about in the water.

Enlarge the photo by clicking x 2. One youngster in front, our left of Ma. Behind it you can see the beak and head of a second. They still have down on their heads.

If you look between the eaglet in front and Ma, part of an an eaglet's head and eye can be seen.

Cinnamon Teal duck without a mate swimming below the nest.

[stim]

As I stopped by here Fri June 26 rain drops started falling, lightly enough that I could quickly get a few shots of the lone eaglet sitting on a branch beside the nest. It was overcast and dreary at the time. Looking to me like a beautiful big girl.

[stim]

NESTING SEASON 2020-2021 BEGINS HERE

With the positive report from our friend who lives across the street from this nest we can continue with our new season knowing both eaglets fledged in the summer.

[stim]

Our friend Maureen has reported that the eagle couple are back and how good it is to hear their chatter, see them flying around.

Nest as seen from the end of Osprey 9/20

From across the marsh, 9/20

[Mushka]

I was at the Marsh on December 17th and while walking around the duck pond noticed one of the adults in the nest, a short time later the second adult flew in, with possibly a stick/branch, was a bit hard to see. Both adults were then in the nest appearing to be moving something around or rearranging. After a short time one adult left the nest and hopped up onto a branch beside the nest, followed soon after by the other adult who perched on another branch beside the nest. After a minute or so they both started looking intently over towards Porpoise Bay as if they'd seen something, and shortly after both flew off in that direction.

Karen H

Please click onto the pictures to enlarge

Adult flying in with possibly a branch or stick, there is already an adult in the nest

Both adults in the nest, rearranging ?

Shortly after this they both started looking intently over towards Porpoise Bay and then both flew off in that direction

[stim]

Great sightings Karen! I wonder if they saw the man who feeds them waving a fish around over there, or perhaps the eagle couple with nest by the Blue Heron sign? Also the eagles gathering, soaring up between the compost pile that steams this time of year and those soaring near the dump could attract them. Apparently eagles spend time at the compost likely getting warm. Their spa. That can be a busy eagle area before nesting time.

[stim]

I dropped by On Feb 3. No eagles at home but more mallards in the pond below the nest than I've ever seen at one time!

[stim]

I returned March 8. No sign of eagles but the nest looks great from a human perspective! Neighbour of the nest says there is lots of noise and activity going on.

[Mushka]

I did a quick loop around the Marsh on Thursday, March 18th, it was overcast and drizzly rain so looking towards the nest I couldn't see anything as it was too dark in there.

But, while I was walking the perimeter of the Marsh I heard a loud piercing call, almost like an alarm call over and over coming from the nest. Then I saw what the commotion was about, an adult eagle was in the area and flying by. An adult left the nest and quickly flew after the eagle, escorting him/her out of the area.

The Marsh eagle then flew back and landed in a tree close to the nest tree. I don't know if it the male or female that flew after the intruder or if there was still an eagle in the nest, too dark to see.

Karen H

[stim]

Awesome sighting Karen! I suspect eggs in that nest!