Re: Bald Eagle Sanctuary Steering Commitee members raise concerns about safety of nest observers

Posted by Kelly Smith on
URL: http://bald-eagles-of-broward-county-florida.17.s1.nabble.com/Bald-Eagle-Sanctuary-Steering-Commitee-members-raise-concerns-about-safety-of-nest-observers-tp3337385p3364909.html

Observation areas that give the eagles a bit more breathing space are highly desirable.  However, I'm sure that it is important that we do not introduce human traffic between the nest site and the stand of melaleucas to the west.  The adults spend a great deal of time in the dead trees, and I'm sure that they would feel threatened if there were a throng of observers located between their roost and their nest.  Are we talking about an observation site along US 27?  That seems pretty far for good observing.  We also need to remember that when the kids fledged, they spent a great deal of time roosting to the south.  They may have chosen this location as it offered them a bit more of a buffer from the presence of observers at a time when their flight skills would not allow them to fly from perceived danger as easily as a fully flighted adult could.  I think that we must be very cautious about changing any human activity patterns and locations.  We can't do much about the increase of traffic along Pines Blvd, but where we funnel the curious public must be very cautiously planned.