Bald Eagle: Incinerator Rd., Lawrence, MA

February 12, 2018 in Bald Eagle

_W7I7005-001An 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!

Bald Eagle chase scene!

January 9, 2018 in Bald Eagle

_W7I0065-001An 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.

_W7I0335-001While 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

_W7I1194-001Two 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.

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Bald Eagle: Merrimack River

November 16, 2017 in Bald Eagle

_W7I7508-001In 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 adult perched Merrimack River

April 4, 2017 in Bald Eagle

_W7I1111-001On 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: Merrimack River, Lawrence

February 27, 2017 in Bald Eagle

_W7I2553-001Always be on the lookout as you pass favorite locations, cuz you just never know why you might see!  For the past many years, Bald Eagles have been seen perched along the Merrimack River across from the NX Stage inc. corporate headquarters on Merrimack Street in Lawrence.  But since the recent park went in the Bald Eagles have for the most part avoided this location as a popular winter perch.  On this bright sunny Monday morning, it was a wonderful surprise to encounter this adult Bald Eagle perched and enjoying the morning sun overlooking the Merrimack River!

Bald Eagle adult and juvenile: Essex County

February 8, 2017 in Bald Eagle

_W7I0466-001A dark overcast morning with visibility limited to under 2 miles with fog, mist and temps in low 30’s.  Went looking for Bald Eagles along the Merrimack River and was very pleased to locate a probable nest with an adult perched adjacent to the nest.  Just a 1/2 mile away was a dark juvenile perched on a snag overhanging the Merrimack River.  Hopefully this will be an active nest this year!

 

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Bald Eagle adult perched Merrimack River

February 7, 2017 in Bald Eagle

_W7I0415-001Today started off as a dark morning with winds from NE at just 10 MPH, light snow, visibility about 1/2 mile and temps around freezing.  Made a pass by the ballfields in Lawrence next to the Essex Correctional facility and spotted an adult Bald Eagle.  It was perched in a large tree just east of the water treatment plant.  Nice views over the Merrimack River from the elevated ballfields.  No other Eagle in sight and no clear sign that eagle had leg bands.

Bald Eagles perched in North Andover

January 4, 2017 in Bald Eagle

_w7i6422-001Nice looks on cloudy morning at pair of perched Bald Eagles on a branch overlooking the Merrimack River.  They were seen from the Lawrence side of the river from the ball field next to the Essex County pre-release center and were perched on the North Andover side.  No ability to see leg bands, but likely continuing pair of local eagles!

Bald Eagles: Merrimack River

December 27, 2016 in Bald Eagle

_w7i5775-001Went looking for Bald Eagles along the Merrimack River this morning and was delighted to observe a pair of adult eagles perched on a branch overlooking the river.  The vantage point was from the ball field adjacent to the Essex County pre-release center (aka the Farm) in Lawrence.  The eagles were quite a distance away.  The eagle on the left saw busy with rubbing its bill from side to side on the branch, likely cleaning up after a meal.  The other eagle was nearby.  The eagle on the right appears to have black left leg band!

The other eagle, on the left, seems to have an orange gold colored left leg band with the #4 visible.

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