Nature at Work

Philadelphia Eagle · Post by **Philadelphia Eagle** » Fri May 27, 2005 7:36 am

This morning, as usual, we were having breakfast and listening to the birdsong from the yard when it became apparent that something was different.

At first we couldn't work out what it was but then it became apparent - there was total silence!

The normally busy feeders were deserted - there wasn't as much as a feather to be seen anywhere!

What had happened? Had all the birds suddenly decided they wern't hungry - all at the same time?

When we ventured out to the yard the answer presented itself.

There on a high perch about 200 yards away sat not one but two magnificent bald eagles!

The sight of these had caused the small songbirds to vanish and wherever they were hiding they were totally silent. There wasn't a cheep to be heard!

After about 10 minutes both eagles flew off - presumably to seek a more profitable hunting ground and within seconds of their disappearance the songbirds emerged from their various hiding places and resumed eating and splashing in the birdbath.

While normal service was being resumed one solitary bird took up position high in a tree. Presumably he was the lookout in case the eagles returned!

minks · Post by **minks** » Fri May 27, 2005 8:12 am

tmbsgrl wrote: Wow that would have been so cool! I love eagles! They are beautiful.

Isn't that amazing.

You know round my house just before the sun rises the birds chirp like mad, lovely sound at 5am but I dont mind as I fall back asleep, and then at dusk, just before the sun goes down, they are chirping to close the day. So wonderful to just sit and listen to on a warm eve.

Phili, I am really enjoying the bird chats with you.

One of lifes simple pleasures.

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Fri May 27, 2005 9:29 am

Wow Philli, nature is truly an amazing thing is'nt it?, clever little birdies.

I bet you were kicking yourself for not having a camera ready!

john8pies · Post by **john8pies** » Fri May 27, 2005 10:54 am

Fantastic story, but couldn`t the eagles have worn wigs ? (joke!)

along-for-the-ride · Post by **along-for-the-ride** » Fri May 27, 2005 1:47 pm

Last night my husband and I were looking out our back door and saw a one lone lightening bug flashing off and on around the yard. We watched til he flew away into the night. We had not seen one in years.

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Fri May 27, 2005 2:39 pm

posted by philadelphia eagle

When we ventured out to the yard the answer presented itself.

There on a high perch about 200 yards away sat not one but two magnificent bald eagles!

Thought the bald eagle had become very rare in the US, how common is it? Seen Golden eagles on a few occasions-probem we have is gamekeepers shooting them illegally. One of the loneliest cries I've ever heard-although that could be you only see them in isolated places and the perception suits the mood.

Philadelphia Eagle · Post by **Philadelphia Eagle** » Fri May 27, 2005 5:13 pm

gmc wrote: posted by philadelphia eagle

Thought the bald eagle had become very rare in the US, how common is it? Seen Golden eagles on a few occasions-probem we have is gamekeepers shooting them illegally. One of the loneliest cries I've ever heard-although that could be you only see them in isolated places and the perception suits the mood.

The bald eagle is quite rare in some States although its numbers are thriving in others.

It's unusual to see one in the wild here in PA except up in the Poconos but we have an eagle sanctuary around 10 miles away as the crow (eagle) flies and they fly over from there occasionally.

These two were immature juveniles and hadn't yet got the telltale white coloring around their neck area.

I would love to see one of your golden eagles. It must be a wonderful sight!

David813 · Post by **David813** » Fri May 27, 2005 5:25 pm

gmc wrote: posted by philadelphia eagle

Thought the bald eagle had become very rare in the US, how common is it? Seen Golden eagles on a few occasions-probem we have is gamekeepers shooting them illegally. One of the loneliest cries I've ever heard-although that could be you only see them in isolated places and the perception suits the mood.Eagles have made a significant recovery after the devastation wrought by now banned pesticides. (Mexico still uses many of them.) Eagles were nowhere to be seen in the Midwest only 10 years ago. Now they are spotted in the KC area. I don't know an eagle from a falcon or hawk at a distance so I don't claim to have seen one but local birders reported over 10 sightings in the 5 county area last year.

nvalleyvee · Post by **nvalleyvee** » Fri May 27, 2005 5:32 pm

We only get the eagles at Bosque Del Apache during their winter migration. They are magnificent birds. For now we are content with hanging hummingbird feeders in front of the windows so we can watch them. I'm very jealous.

Philadelphia Eagle · Post by **Philadelphia Eagle** » Fri May 27, 2005 7:03 pm

nvalleyvee wrote: We only get the eagles at Bosque Del Apache during their winter migration. They are magnificent birds. For now we are content with hanging hummingbird feeders in front of the windows so we can watch them. I'm very jealous.

Don't be jealous! I bet you have beautiful hummingbirds.

We tend to get only the ruby throated variety.

They arrive around mid-June and ignore our carefully positioned sugar-water feeders going instead straight to the hanging baskets along the porch!

Such ingratitude!

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 12:38 pm

Phili, i thoght of you while i was reading my local paper this week.

A Bald Eagle has been spotted several times in the area local to me, here's the link..

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/men/n ... hdale.html

capt_buzzard · Post by **capt_buzzard** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 12:44 pm

Watch out for Buzzard's Bird watch next month. Live on FG