[Bristol-Birds] Apparently no eagle nest at Austin Springs
- From: "Wallace Coffey" <jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Bristol-birds" <bristol-birds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 17 May 2012 04:59:11 -0400
A mated pair of Bald Eagles at Austin Springs on Boone Lake in Washington
County, TN, apparently have no nest.
They frequent a portion of the impoundment in the vicinity of DeVault Bridge
(US 11E) and Austin Springs Road Bridge.
They appear slightly behind the South Fork Holston River nesting pair in
developing a more adult plumage. This may be the first year they have been
mated. Failure to nest in the first year is not uncommon.
There is some suspicion that the pair might be the same ones which we believe
attempted to nest near the mouth of Beaver Creek in the South Fork Holston arm
of Boone and disappeared during the first week of February. They were
frequenting a previous season's nest of the Great Blue Heron. The pair was
photographed copulating nearby. That nest was again used by the herons.
The Austin Springs birds have been seen regularly starting in March.
A significant observation was copulation seen Tuesday (15 May). According to
Bob Hatcher, former TWRA eagle biologist and consultant to the American Eagle
Foundation, this is the latest copulation date known for Tennessee eagles.
However, Bald Eagles sometimes copulate outside of the nesting season.
With the assistance of landowners, maintenance workers and others in the area,
monitoring has enjoyed off-road access and a search by water. Two residents
helped by kayaking the shoreline to search for a nest.
One resident has extended continued off-road access by vehicle for the purpose
of monitoring. He solicited a neighbor to participate.
The roost area was determine to be more than a half mile from their staging
site. Female eagles with nestlings remain close and attentive to the nest at
this stage of the nesting season. A female (or mate) lingering for long
periods at such a great distance from nestlings seems rare.
A staging tree used before going to roost and being utilized for about 30
minutes beginning approximately six minutes before sunset, is evidence the pair
has a strong bond. The male has a flight path from the tree to its roost. The
female follows the male within minutes and uses a different flight path.
However, roosting together during egg laying is typical. Egg laying at this
late date is not known to have occurred in the state.
An active nest seems to defy odds. But stranger things have happened.
Wallace Coffey
Bristol, TN
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