Wednesday evening

[Mike Fossler]

Stopped by Wednesday (04-29-09) around 5:00pm. No other watchers were around, nor were any of the eagles. I did notice additional construction work had occurred at the traffic signal project including trenching from the west, along the eagle watch swale, to a point near the "End School Zone" sign which appears right in front of the nest at the roadside. This appears to be for a future flashing sign relative to a school zone warning.

Used my time to swing by Long Key (again.) Anyone intersted in Long Key and what it offers can see some photos I posted in a Long Key folder on Flickr.   http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikefosslerphotography/sets/72157617520034248/detail/

MF

[Trisha]

We too saw the evidence of digging this am Mike. Al said it is 2 inch, grey, underground electrical tubing that was installed. Near the point where it stopped by the nest, Al said there is a vertical stub sticking out above the ground. More unburied tubing was laid out on the ground to the east so we assume there is more to be done.

The Long Key pics are super...I have to get there!

[Carolyn J]

Trish, If you haven't been to Long Key, you've got to go. I'll probably be going there Sun, as it's members day at Flamingo Gardens, so I'll do both places. The babies at Long Key are a sight to see. Just in 1 group of trees, there must be 10-20 babies of different species.
Are you going to be around Sun AM?
Carolyn

[NewMexiKen]

As I understand it, a concrete control box is to be installed about 15-20 feet east of the "School Zone" sign, to replace the smaller slab that is a bit farther to the east of it. It will involve deep excavation and heavy machinery, and was to be deferred until the eaglets depart from the nest. The City dug in that area  to locate the water line a few weeks ago to prevent it from being damaged. The Broward County School Board is the permittee. Tim McCoy is the person who monitors the nest for the contractor. I have copied him with Mike's note and asked if they still plan to wait until the eagles have left the nest tree. The end of the "nesting season" is defined by FWC: "Nesting Season: In Florida, the period 1 October–15 May, unless the young fledge before or after 15 May." While some might argue that this period should end when the young no longer return to the nest, the FWC guidelines are not of much help here. I believe that the eaglets were especially sensitive to disturbance during the first couple of weeks after they fledged. As of Tuesday, April 28 they were still coming to the nest at night. Technically, the contractor appears to now be free to work within 330 feet of the nest. The control line in front of the nest site was to be only about 18 inches deep, to be quickly completed and requiring light equipment and probably was no greater disturbance than the traffic and mowing equipment already tolerated at that distance.

I will let you know if I find out anything more.

[NewMexiKen]

As I understand it, a concrete control box is to be installed about 15-20 feet east of the "School Zone" sign, to replace the smaller slab that is a bit farther to the east of it. It will involve deep excavation and heavy machinery, and was to be deferred until the eaglets depart from the nest. The City dug in that area  to locate the water line a few weeks ago to prevent it from being damaged. The Broward County School Board is the permittee. Tim McCoy is the person who monitors the nest for the contractor. I have copied him with Mike's note and asked if they still plan to wait until the eagles have left the nest tree. The end of the "nesting season" is defined by FWC: "Nesting Season: In Florida, the period 1 October–15 May, unless the young fledge before or after 15 May." While some might argue that this period should end when the young no longer return to the nest, the FWC guidelines are not of much help here. I believe that the eaglets were especially sensitive to disturbance during the first couple of weeks after they fledged. As of Tuesday, April 28 they were still coming to the nest at night. Technically, the contractor appears to now be free to work within 330 feet of the nest. The control line in front of the nest site was to be only about 18 inches deep, to be quickly completed and requiring light equipment and probably was no greater disturbance than the traffic and mowing equipment already tolerated at that distance.

I will let you know if I find out anything more.

[Trisha]

Hi Carolyn,

I actually went there last night and saw all the nests and
babies...they were sooooo loud! I didn't explore at all
as they were having some dedication/event there and all the parking
spaces were full. As of now, Sunday is free.
Let me know your plans.

Trisha


On Thu, Apr 30, 2009 at 8:32 PM, Caroln (via Nabble) - No Reply
<[hidden email]> wrote:

> Trish, If you haven't been to Long Key, you've got to go. I'll probably be
> going there Sun, as it's members day at Flamingo Gardens, so I'll do both
> places. The babies at Long Key are a sight to see. Just in 1 group of trees,
> there must be 10-20 babies of different species.
> Are you going to be around Sun AM?
> Carolyn
>
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