[TN-Bird] Both Eagles at Pickwick Dam (Hardin County)

  • From: Jud Johnston <rivendell@xxxxxxx>
  • To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2018 18:11:48 -0600

Sylvia and I made a quick run over to Pickwick Dam this afternoon to try to tick the long-tailed ducks, which I hadn't seen for a long time, and she never had. We found the two long-tailed hens almost immediately upon arrival, and got out the scope and camera for some better looks and maybe a photo.

Right about then the real fun started. A bald eagle flew in, swooping low over the coots and ducks, causing them to tighten the raft and retreat toward the shore immediately under our observation post. The eagle made several passes, but we didn't see it take a coot. It landed in a tree over on the bank, and I busied myself with the camera for a bit. When I looked up again, the eagle was out over the water again, being chased by a huge dark bird. They both went to the bank, while the list of suspects for the dark bird narrowed to one very quickly. When they came out out again, the golden eagle resumed its chase and harassment of the bald eagle, swooping and diving while the bald tried to hunt. Both eagles soon landed on the north bank, the bald eagle within 100 yards of the dam extended, and the golden about 100 yards further upstream. Sylvia and I both had good scope looks at the golden eagle, a magnificent bird. Absolutely jet black underneath, the nape/crown actually looked silver to me, rather than gold. Regrettably, it flew off while I was getting the camera. An experience I don't expect to have again.


Jud Johnston

Waynesboro, TN


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