Merrill Creek Reservoir's resident bald eagles have
begun their tenth nesting season in 2008.
The story of the Reservoir's
nesting bald eagles began in the fall of 1997. Bald eagles are usually spotted
gliding over our hawk watch during the fall. They are occasionally joined by
golden eagles also passing through on their migratory journey.
What was different about this pair of adult bald
eagles was that they decided to hang around. Instead of using Merrill Creek as
a pit stop to rest and refuel on some fish or waterfowl, they settled in.
During the spring and summer of 1998, our optimism grew that they may indeed
nest. Along the western shore of the reservoir, the eagles constructed three
crude "house-keeping" nests. A biologist from the New Jersey Endangered and
Non-game Species Program explained that these practice nests were almost always
observed the year before a pair of bald eagles mate and establishes a real
nest.
In the winter of
1999 continued observation of the eagles revealed that Merrill Creek would
become only the second nesting location for bald eagles in the Northern half of
the state!
The Merrill Creek Naturalists, Jane Bullis and Jim Mershon,
have kept a close eye on the eagles ever since. Using a spotting scope and
observing from across the reservoir at the I/O Tower parking lot, they are able
to track the eagles nesting cycle without disturbing them.
| Activity Observed |
| 2/14/08 |
Female
confirmed incubating, possibly 7th year bird seen intermittently. |
| 3/17/08 |
Confirmed hatch
date. |
| 5/01/08 |
Two young eagles banded,
one male and one female. |
Have
you seen Eagle Activity? Please share it with us!
E-Mail: Jane Bullis or Jim Mershon
Please remember that
these birds are very sensitive to human disturbance! Do not attempt to walk or
boat within 300 yards of the eagle nesting area. The best observation point is
from the Inlet/Outlet Tower parking lot.
To reach this area, park at
the parking lot off of Fox Farm Road.
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