Bald Eagle: Incinerator Rd., Lawrence, MA
February 12, 2018 in Bald Eagle
An adult Bald Eagle in regular perch on a tree branch overhanging the Merrimack River. Mostly Cloudy morning with hardly any wind and temps in low 20’s!
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Bald Eagle chase scene!
January 9, 2018 in Bald Eagle
An adult Bald Eagle was seen eating fish on a tree snag along the north side of the Merrimack River this morning near the Ferrous Site in Lawrence, MA. It ripped the fish apart and constantly looked around in between bites. It was a bright sunny morning, with clear skies, wind fromt he SW at 12MPH and temperature around 36F.
While watching the Eagle, and its many looks all around skyward, it started to make series of high-pitched calls. Clearly, some type of threat was in the air nearby. Stopped and looked up to find a juvenile Bald Eagle come roaring by overhead. The adult Eagle takes off, the younger one chases in pursuit of the fish in talons of the adult; younger one then departs and flies upriver; older one swoops down and lands on the nearby ice edge where the Spicket River empties into the Merrimack River; quite a show!
3 Bald Eagles: Merrimack River, Lawrence
December 5, 2017 in Bald Eagle
Two adult Bald Eagles perched along Merrimack River, 125 yards apart, and then a third adult flies in from the west, loops a number of times and lands on a proximate perch, while one of other eagles takes off downriver; quite a nice show! The number of wintering Bald Eagles along the Merrimack continues to grow as the weather gets colder.
Bald Eagle perched Merrimack River, North Andover
December 4, 2017 in Bald Eagle
Another bright sunny morning, clear skies, winds light from NE under 5MPH, and temps in mid-30’s. Observed this adult Bald Eagle on a regular perch overhanging the Merrimack River in North Andover. This perch location is a regular one at this time of year. It is just down river from where Sutton Pond empties into the Merrimack River, to the east of the Rt. 495 overpass.
Bald Eagle: Merrimack River
November 16, 2017 in Bald Eagle
In these late fall days, Bald Eagles are seen both solo and in pairs along the Merrimack River in Lawrence and North Andover. They perch high up on branches that overhang the river. They tend to select locations that provide excellent visibility up and down the river. Bald eagle winter roosting sites typically contain open water, ample food, limited human disturbance, and protection from predators. Preferred roosts are usually coniferous or deciduous super-canopy trees.
This adult Bald Eagle did have leg bands. They were only visible later when the Eagle departed in flight. Stay tuned!
Bald Eagle Essex County nest #2
April 11, 2017 in Bald Eagle
A stunning morning with cobalt blue skies, bright sun, winds from the south at 8MPH, and temps in low 60’s. Observed a beautiful adult Bald Eagle near an occupied nest, taking a break while the mate incubated eggs. Hatch time for this nest is right about now and we should see signs of feeding young over next few days!
Bald Eagle adult perched Merrimack River
April 4, 2017 in Bald Eagle
On a cloudy overcast morning with light rain, winds from the East at 16MPH, gusting 25MPH and temps reaching 40F, was surprised to find an adult Bald Eagle perched in a tree overlooking the Merrimack River. For most local Bald Eagles, it is nesting time and time for protecting the nest habitat unless not there yet! This perched Eagle was in North Andover seen from the Incinerator Rd ballfield complex next to the Essex county Pre-Release Center in Lawrence, MA.
Bald Eagle: female on nest
April 3, 2017 in Bald Eagle
Under bright sun, blue skies, light wind and temps close to 60F, was able to observe this female Bald Eagle who has been incubating for the past month. At this point in calendar, likely use has hatched at least one egg and the young eaglet is now growing!
Bald Eagles around nest
March 30, 2017 in Bald Eagle
Made an morning visit to Bald Eagle nest and observed both male and female both perched and in flight around the nest while sitting and watching from a distance under clear skies, bright sun, light winds from NW and temps in mid-thirties. Both adult Eagles were seen with leg bands but unable to make any positive ID on the leg band codes during this visit!
Bald Eagle Essex County nest #1: with fish
March 23, 2017 in Bald Eagle
Sixty to ninety percent of a bald eagle’s diet consists of fish. The birds generally scavenge dead fish, although they will catch live fish as well. The bald eagle is an opportunist and will sometimes steal fish from an osprey or crow. But ospreys have been observed stealing fish from young eagles as well. The bald eagle uses several fishing techniques. A favorite method is to perch in a tree and watch for a fish swimming in open water nearby, and then swoop down to capture it. If a suitable tree is not available near the water for perching, the birds may also fly out over open water looking for fish below. In winter, they may perch on the edge of ice near open water and wait for fish to float by, or to wash up on the ice. After catching a fish the eagle fly back to a perching tree to eat it, bring it back to the nest, or if the fish is small enough, swallow the fish whole while the bird is in flight. Occasionally, eagles will carry a larger fish they have caught back to the ice or to the shore to be eaten. In over 80% of their feeding, wintering bald eagles along the Merrimack River, feed upon small fish they can eat while flying.
