[TN-Bird] Bald Eagle, American Coot

Last Sunday we visited Fort Donelson in Stewart county, and while at the Fort 
site, noted signs for nesting eagles.  Sure enough, a large nest in a tree 
was there, and right away one Bald Eagle came in and landed.  About a minute 
later another made a low passover and flew on over the river.

Later in the day on a visit to Paris Landing State Park, we drove back across 
the Highway 79 bridge over the Tennessee River to look at the gull island, 
which I believe is in Henry county.  Noting several groups of ducks, we stopped 
briefly and noticed a Bald Eagle flying over, flushing a group of American 
Coots.  In the next minute, the Eagle hovered low over the water for several 
seconds, dove almost to the water, then went back up to hover, and then dove 
into 
the water and came up with a coot in claws.  Takeoff was slow and low, but 
instead of stopping on the gull island, it flew toward Grays landing, crossing 
into Stewart county.  As we drove slowly across the bridge, we got great views 
as it flew alongside, being harassed by a few gulls momentarily.  The eagle 
then crossed the bridge, flew around Gray's landing, and gained some altitude 
as 
it rounded the next corner into the hollow.  I would guess there is a nest in 
that hollow, but don't know if it could have been headed to Fort Donelson five 
miles away.
This hunting behavior was a first for us, and was very interesting.  I would 
guess the first dive was as the Coot was coming up for first air, spotted the 
eagle and dove again immediately, but when it had to come back up for air, it 
was all over.
If there is a nest in the vicinity, this could be a common site in this area 
with the large numbers of coots around the bridge.
Ken Oeser
Hendersonville, TN
Sumner county
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