FreeLists / bristol-birds / [Bristol-Birds] eagle nest destroyed at Kingsport amunition plant

["Wallace Coffey" <jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Army Ammunition Plant
Holston River
Kingsport, TN
Hawkins County

The upper Holston River region's only BALD EAGLE nest was destroyed during a 
devastating windstorm last month.  

According to Bruce Cole, a natural resources biologist with the facilty,  a 50 
mph windstorm struck the plant property on April 3 (a Sunday night) and ripped 
away one of three prongs of the tall sycamore nesting tree.  An estimated 2/3 
of the nest fell from the tree.  A storm which followed a few days later 
brought down the remainder.

It is believed that the nest contained one eaglet.  No young or traces were 
located.  The adults remain in the area and were seen in the vicinity of the 
nest by a member of the security force as late as last week . 

The nest was located on Clay Island in the Holston River between river Mile 
Point 138-139  (36.5254°N, 82.6527°W),  fully within the security area of the 
fenced plant property.  Cole said the nest was built in the tallest tree 
around.  It easily towered 20-30 feet above any other.  He estimated the nest 
to be about four feet in diameter.

Cole said the eagles had expanded the nest by about double its 1995 size.  It 
was much deeper and his usual hillside viewing spot did not allow him to 
observe as much about the contents as he did last year.  Incubation was steady 
as usual until about four or five days before the storm.  Then the adult was up 
from the nest and perching nearby, suggesting that whatever eggs may had 
hatched.  He felt that he had confirmed at least one young due to that behavior.

He had observed food items had fallen from the nest as would be expected and 
were seen beneath the tree.  This was possible indication that one or more 
young were being fed.  Scavengers may have visited the area to feed on the 
items and that could explain why there was no remains of any young.

Let's go birding......

Wallace Coffey
Bristol, TN