February 9 notes: adult eagles return!

Both adult eagles appeared in the nest today. They likely were never far away. Visits to the nest and the duration of their stay should increase steadily over the next 6 - 8 weeks prior to active nesting (commences with egg-laying). Even when not visible in the nest, one or both are likely keeping a watchful eye from a sentry perch nearby.

Check your audio settings if you are watching the eagle 'cam via live-streaming video. You may hear the shrill vocalizations of adult eagles perched locally. Many are surprised by the sound of an eagle call! I live one-half mile away from an eagle nest in Penobscot County and can sometimes hear the adults vocalizing around their nest while inside my home: often before sunup or during the early morning hours when many birds are most active.

Management comments: Mid-February is traditionally the start of the sensitive period for nesting eagles in coastal Maine. Although bald eagles sometimes acclimate to human activities, new disturbances or abrupt seasonal changes can cause breeding failures or permanent abandonment of nests. Seasonal safeguards are a key safeguard to coexistence with nesting eagles. The timing of nesting events is generally a month later in northern Maine, and therefore the onset of the sensitive period is March 15 there. Charlie Todd, Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife