The Eagle Family

Whenever we haul the string of traps on the west side of Haddock Island, I am amazed by all of the bird songs that drift our way. Haddock is a small island, but has a dense forest growing on it, unlike other local islands. It is neighbored by Pond Island that has no trees at all. Not only do we see the usual gull and shag (cormorant) on the shore of Haddock Island, but there are many songbirds that call that island home. I've started to think of it as a sort of bird sanctuary.

The first day that we set traps by the island, I noticed an American bald eagle perched at the very pinnacle of a spruce tree. I watched it for a while and then observed why he was sitting so confidently on that topmost branch. He was watching over his family. Directly below the male eagle, an enormous nest sat securely in the forking branches of a maple. A female eagle sat very close to the nest. Cap and I stared at the nest while the hauler was at work, and eventually we spotted two little heads peaking up over the rim of the nest. Now the whole picture made sense: Mama Eagle was close-by protecting the nest while Papa Eagle was keeping watch from a higher vantage point.

The second time that we passed by the Eagle residence things were more active. The two fledglings were now standing in the nest and becoming more restless, moving around aplenty. Mrs. Eagle still watched over them, but from further away. And Dad was gone. Soon he returned to the nest with food. Most of his time was probably consumed with finding lots of food for his fast growing offspring!

Today we hauled the Haddock Island traps yet again. This time the babies had grown enough to be teenagers. The parents kept watch from yet a greater distance, their trust growing. At one point, Mrs. Eagle brought them something and they fought over it. Her children are starting to get sassy.

Next time we haul maybe we'll see some flying lessons. Or maybe the little ones will already be gone!