Royal Roads Eagles, Colwood, BC - 2019-2024 Seasons

[sassyk]

I visited the Cottonwood Lane nest late afternoon on June 10th because I was visiting out that way. The weather wasn't ideal and it started to rain while I was there. One adult was flying towards the nest as I arrived and the eaglets were squawking. I think the adult brought in some food. After the adult dropped the food in the nest it flew to the usual perch tree near the nest tree. I managed to get some halfway decent photos of 2 of the eaglets and the adults.

Both adults in the nest tree.

Adult above the nest & partial views of 2 of the eaglets.

2nd eaglet on right side of nest.

[sassyk]

A few more photos of the eaglets on June 10th.


This photo shows the back of the nest; only a good partial view.

This photo was taken from another vantage point, a little further up the trail.

The eaglet was very active for about 10 minutes, exercising its wings.

[sassyk]

A few more photos of the eagles on June 10th.

The eaglet was getting some good air time

2 eaglets visible in the nest.

The adult in the usual perch tree.

[sassyk]

I visited both nests yesterday and saw both eaglets in the Cottonwood Lane nest. One was perched on the side of the nest, a 2nd one was sitting at the back of the nest. However, I did not see or hear the adults.

These first 2 photos were taken from the main path across the field.
Part of the 2nd eaglet is visible on the left side of the photo.

This photo was taken from Cottonwood Lane, behind the nest tree.

[sassyk]

June 20th visit cont'd.

These first 2 photos were taken from Cottonwood Lane behind the nest tree.

This photo was taken from the main path across the field.

[sassyk]

When I arrived at the Royal Roads nest yesterday one of the adults was perched on
the branch at the side of the nest. A minute later it flew off.

The eaglet is somewhere at the back of the nest, hidden by all the sticks and nesting material.

[sassyk]

I visited the Cottonwood Lane nest on June 24th. One of the eaglets was perched at the side of the nest calling and calling. We thought we heard 2 different calls but couldn't find a 2nd eaglet. The call seemed to be coming from behind the nest but we could not see another eaglet while we were searching from the lane behind the nest. We assumed one eaglet had fledged We saw an adult flying in behind the nest tree but didn't see it land. It flew out and across the field towards the lagoon a short while later.

[sassyk]

June 24th cont'd.

These photos were taken from the intersection of the 2 trails.

[sassyk]

June 24th cont'd.

The eaglet finally got tired of calling & flapping and watched us as we were leaving the area.

[sassyk]

I received some very sad news yesterday that one of the eaglets from the Cottonwood nest that was banded by the Ministry crew was found dead on the Hatley Park property. It appeared to be in an advanced state of decomposition, but no cause of death was given

[Philjo56France]

I received some very sad news yesterday that one of the eaglets from the Cottonwood nest that was banded by the Ministry crew was found dead on the Hatley Park property. It appeared to be in an advanced state of decomposition, but no cause of death was given

Hi Sassyk, so if i understand well, this is the nest (Cottonwood lane) where there were 3 eaglets, two of them were banded and measured the 25th of May (why only 2 of 3?)
and then june 10 only 2 eaglets insight,
June 20, two eaglets insight also,
June 24 one eaglet insight but another calling (normally still 2 eaglets). "We assumed one eaglet had fledged" one of the 3 or one of the 2 ?
06-29 "I received some very sad news yesterday that one of the eaglets from the Cottonwood nest that was banded by the Ministry crew was found dead on the Hatley Park property. It appeared to be in an advanced state of decomposition, " Was it one of the two last (so dead between june 24 and 29) or the third one who seemed to be missing before june 10???
Sorry for all these questions with many no answer...

As i have no pics of this little one, i add it in the same thread where i place the little one from Robert Bay
viewtopic.php?p=595071#p595071

[sassyk]

Hello Philjo56France, thank you very much for adding your information to your 'In Memorium' thread. You have done an excellent job of documenting the sad news of so many precious birds whose souls are now flying free

The 3rd eaglet in the Cottonwood Lane nest was not banded due to it being so much younger and smaller than the older 2. I don't know for sure which eaglet was found dead but definitely one of the older 2 as it was banded. We will try to obtain additional info from the Ministry regarding the band number and where on the property the eaglet was found. I will add any additional information I receive.

[Philjo56France]

You're welcome Sassyk
I will check time to time...

[sassyk]

I was at Esquimalt Lagoon yesterday and saw one of the adult eagles fly from the area of the Royal Roads nest, out over the lagoon, then soar overhead.

[sassyk]

This is the starting post for the 2022-2023 nesting season.

I have been out to Esquimalt Lagoon twice this month; I did not see or hear any eagles in the area on Oct. 3rd. On Oct. 13th I saw both eagles perched in separate trees on the Fort Rodd Hill side of the lagoon. They called back & forth a few times then flew over the road to the inside of the lagoon and perched in separate trees.

After I had stopped to see various shorebirds, swans and ducks along the lagoon, I went to the Cottonwood nest across the field but did not see or hear any eagles. When I drove to the bridge end of the lagoon on my way home both eagles were perched in separate trees on the Fort Rodd Hill side of the lagoon.

Will be back with some photos.