Roberts Bay Bald Eagles- Sidney BC - 2017-2018 Season

[elle]

Welcome to the Roberts Bay Sidney BC Bald Eagles thread.

This thread is dedicated to observations, photos and videos of the eagles who inhabit a nest on private property overlooking Roberts Bay in Sidney BC on Vancouver Island.

The 2017 season was a very special one because we watched this Bald Eagle pair not only successfully raise 3 eaglets to fledging but also a Red Tailed Hawk. This anomaly garnered worldwide attention. It was a marvel and a privilege to watch and share the activities at this nest.

We have monitored this nest for about 6 years and every year they have successfully fledged eaglets.

We wish them every success in the coming year.

Last year's thread for the season 2016-2017 can be viewed HERE

Prior years threads

2015-2016 season

2014-2015 season

2013-2014 season

2012-2013 season

[elle]

Reserved

[sassyk]

I believe this was Mom who flew over the bay and landed in a tree near the end of Beaufort Rd. on Jan. 15th.

[elle]

Quick visit to Roberts Bay late this afternoon. There was an adult perched in a tree on Beaufort . Nest looks good and there were poops evident in the driveway below the nest but we did not see evidence of occupation.

[rainna4]

Hello elle and sassyk,
It's been awhile since I have visited with you. I am happy to read that it looks like some eagles have been close by. Hopefully we will see evidence of nestorations soon. I can verify the Canada Geese will be home soon, if not the first bans showing up already. I live in a very active rest-over area and they are flying by the hundreds several hours daily. The night time is just as busy judging by the sounds. It's like winter is shedding it's coat and spring is announcing itself with the concert of all the flying feathered songs on the wind.

I know my opinion may not be agreeable with some folks, but personally I hope for a quiet successful season for your resident eagle family.
I look forward to your updates.

Rainna

[elle]

Hi Rainna: And thank you. I am certainly one in agreement with you for a quiet successful season for the Roberts Bay eagle family. I am in agreement for all Bald Eagle nests . Make it so

[elle]

Last week we saw an adult in the nest.

[elle]

Roberts Bay today.

[Judith]

There is at least one Chick in the nest.

[elle]

Thx Judith . No hawks this year .

[Judith]

No activity seen in the nest. Two adults one block away sitting together in the top of a tree on Beaufort. Just a brief check.

[Judith]

No activity in the nest today

[Judith]

Visited the nest today a fellow visiting from Montreal was on the beach taking pictures of the adult. I looked at the back of the nest from the beach and there was a huge brown shape. I thought at first it was an adult (previously I had looked at the front of the nest and didn't see anything) I went back around to the front of the nest again and could barely make out a dark form at the back. Finally, after a long wait the Juvenile came to the front of the nest and he was huge. The fellow from Montreal told me a neighbor told him a chick had died and now there was only one.

[sassyk]

Judith thanks for posting this info. Our regional WiTS rep has been told by her nest monitor that there were no chicks this year. She is the lady who lives in the last house on the right at the end of the cul-de-sac. I find it strange because there would be whitewash all over her driveway. Surprise, surprise!!

[sassyk]

I took a drive out to the peninsula this evening. There is indeed a big beautiful eaglet in the nest I drove around to the end of Beaufort but did not see any adults. I was surprised to see the house at the end of Beaufort is undergoing some renovations and a lot of trees and bushes have been removed from the property. I will post some photos tomorrow.

[sassyk]

A few photos of the eaglet in the nest last evening.

It was preening and had a small white feather stuck to its beak.

[Judith]

I will be over there soon at low tide the adults are out on the bay usually. I am glad to see the pictures I thought I was going crazy.

[sassyk]

Judith quite often we think there aren't any eaglets in a nest and then all of a sudden 1 or 2 big ones appear It's just being there at the right time I hope you see the adults today.

[Judith]

While I was there today from noon until 1 PM there were no adults anywhere around.
Junior was up in the nest did not make any sounds.

[sassyk]

Judith that's too bad you didn't see the adults today They were probably hunting or fishing for junior's pre-nap meal Hope you have better luck next time. I'm going to try to visit the area again soon.

[elle]

What a different year from last year with only one mouth to feed instead of four!

[sassyk]

What a different year from last year with only one mouth to feed instead of four!

Yes indeed! And nobody reported seeing anything in the nest until Judith did on June 5th. I was giving the eagles a rest from all the excitement of last season's activities around the nest site

[sassyk]

I visited the nest area yesterday. No adults seen or heard. The eaglet was not visible in the nest for the first 5 mins. then it sat up facing the back of the nest. Then when I wasn't looking it jumped up and turned around to face us It was very curious and was watching all the little birds coming and going from below the nest and in the surrounding trees. Lots of different bird sounds in the area

[sassyk]

The eaglet flapped its wings once then walked over to the left side of the nest. Then it rested its head between the branches and continued to watch the little birds flitting around.

[Judith]

Out on a limb today

Judith

[sassyk]

Good news Judith I'll be in Sidney on Sunday and will visit the nest.

[sassyk]

We visited the nest area briefly today after the Canada day parade in Sidney and a delicious lunch at Boondocks Bar & Grill. The eaglet was perched high up above the nest just surveying it's territory. A couple who had been there this morning said the eaglet was flapping it's wings and they thought it was going to fly. I didn't see any of the neighbours to ask if the eaglet has fledged. We didn't see or hear the adults anywhere in the area. I'll post some photos later.

[sassyk]

Photos of the eaglet this afternoon. It was perched near the back of the nest tree half hidden by small branches and the sun was glaring on it

[Judith]

I too was there on Sunday must have just missed you. The neighbors said the eaglet had not fledged yet I didn't see any adults but the eaglet was getting around pretty good in the tree. No calling out very quiet. There were 19 herons in the bay below the tree.
Judith

[sassyk]

Judith. I saw Jewel and her husband at Boondocks yesterday. She is the neighbour who hosted the block party last year. She was with a group of people so I didn't go and speak to her.