[Bristol-Birds] VHCC biology students enjoy outdoor classroom at SHL Bald Eagle nest.
- From: "Wallace Coffey" <jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Bristol-birds" <bristol-birds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 6 May 2009 19:28:31 -0400
Biology students from Virginia Highlands Community College
enjoyed a special field trip Wednesday as the 2008-2009
spring semester draws closer to its final session.
The group gathered at South Holston Lake to see the majestic
Bald Eagle nest which now holds a very large eaglet.
In this photo the
eaglet stands
atop its nest
awaiting parents
to bring food.
The students
were excited to
see an adult
arrive at the nest
with a fish. The
eaglet is all brown
and has no white
that is visible.
The adult stood
on the nest for an extended period and apparently tore up bits
of the fish for the young. The young spent time laying in the
nest and standing high on it to stretch and flap its wings.
Assistant Professor Kevin Hamed, from the VHCC biology
faculty, joined Wallace Coffey of the Bristol Bird Club to spend
about two hours observing nest life with the Bald Eagles and
providing information and leading discussion about eagle.
During the session,
students learned
about the history of the
eagle populations in
Virginia and Tennessee
as well as efforts to
reintroduce eagles to
both states, including
the 1990's hacking
project which released
29 eaglets at the South
Holston hack tower at
Little Oak Campground.
The students were intent to learn about post breeding season dispersal,
radio telemetry of fledgling eagles, feeding habits, the various
elements of the breeding season and reproductive timing. The diets
of eagles during the nesting season as well as the growth of young
and other aspects of eagle nesting biology were shared.
The group enjoyed a relaxed afternoon of study, outdoor enjoyment,
seeing their national bird and an extended discussion of various facets
of field biology, graduate study, biological research and approaches
to understanding avian breeding populations.
Let's go birding . . . .
Wallace Coffey
Bristol, TN
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