Spring babies: eaglets in the aerie

Some very small youngsters are being seen in some very large nests this month. This is the month for hatching bald eagles.

Bald eagles in this area have started to incubate eggs in late February or early March. After about 35 days, the eggs, averaging two per nest, are ready to hatch. By April 15, many nests had young; down-covered, off-white 120-gram fluff balls about the size of a fist. The eaglets will stay in the nest for 10 to 12 weeks, depending on the parents for food. By the time the young eagles fledge, they will weigh somewhere between 4.5 and 5 kilograms, or 10 to 12 pounds.

Eagles usually pick inaccessible, out -of-the way places to build a nest for good reason; they are very sensitive to human disturbance during breeding time. Because of this, most wildlife agencies discourage getting too close to eagle nests, and areas around nests are restricted to public access. If a nest is spotted, it is best to stay at least 300 feet away or, if on the river, paddle as necessary for safe navigation, but don’t land under a nest tree.

The Bashakill Area Association has a volunteer nest watch program which runs every spring during breeding season. For more information visit thebashakill.org or call 845/888-5381.