The Bald Eagles of Gulf State Park-Alabama

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Here is a recent post about the eagles from the Gulf State Park - Alabama Facebook page, which might be of interest just because -- well, ya know -- WDE! I've edited out a couple of paragraphs. Complete article at the link following the quote.

The Beloved Bald Eagles of Gulf State Park

Every year around October the park staff, residents of the area and visitors to Gulf State Park are on the lookout for the eagles to return to their nest just 450 yards off beaten path of State Park Road 2 in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Over the last 7 years we’ve been watching the eagles nest in the same tree. The original pair came in and the male died after the second year while fighting with another male eagle. The remaining female found a new mate and returned to the nest the following year. “From what we have observed over the last 7 years there have been 6 fledglings from this particular nest,” states Kelly Reetz Park naturalist who has been with the park for 15 Years. Her favorite part is watching the chicks learn to fly. “The eagles love this nest because the tree is very tall and old and provides a lot of shade. There are not very many tall trees in this area that are close to large bodies of water which is where they hunt for food for their young” says Reetz.

Bald eagles are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Bald and Golden Eagle Act. This is because bald eagle numbers in the 1700’s were estimated between 100,000-150,000 and declined to numbers as low as 500 nesting pairs in the lower 48 states. Bald eagle numbers rebounded to nearly 10,000 nesting pairs in the U.S. in 2007, when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the recovery of the bald eagle and its removal from the list of threatened and endangered species.

“This year our nesting pair had two fledglings that are big and beautiful and will be leaving the nest within the next few weeks,” says Park Superintendent Lisa Laraway. As with 50% of fledglings, should the eaglet make it through the first year, its chances of survival increase dramatically. However, the challenges to its existence include finding a reliable food source, a suitable territory for nesting, hunting, and roosting, and avoiding the threats posed by major threats from humans include destruction of the eagle's habitat, intentional and involuntary poisoning, shootings, and even electrocution.

Eagle Facts

Mating season: Anywhere from late September to early April, depending on the region. Gestation: The female lays her first egg 5-10 days after mating. The eggs are incubated for about 35 days. Clutch size: 1-3 eggs. During breeding season, the male and female work together to build a nest of sticks, usually located at the top of a tree. The nests can weigh up to a ton and measure up to 8 feet across. Once paired, bald eagles remain with each other until one mate dies, then the surviving bird will find another mate.

Link: https://www.facebook...1884941254249:0