Bald Eagle in flight over Tiverton.
Photo by Mike Tucker.
Bald Eagle in flight over Tiverton. Photo by Mike Tucker. Quahog.org > Attractions > Bald Eagles of Scituate Reservoir Bald Eagles of Scituate Reservoirby Mike Tucker This Way to the Eaglets! Scituate Reservoir, Route 116, North Scituate, Scituate The majestic beauty of the bald eagle has enamored observers for centuries. In fact, it was over 200 years ago, on June 20, 1782, that the United States declared the bald eagle our national emblem, the species being unique to North America. Despite its official status, this creature was brought to the brink of extinction by habitat destruction and pesticide use. It has since rebounded to a healthy population and here in Rhode Island we are fortunate to have witnessed this comeback with increasing reports of migratory eagles and our very own nesting pair. Their plightWhen the colonists first arrived, it is believed the bald eagle population exceeded 250,000 in North America. With the expanding colonial population, their habitat eventually became encroached upon. In addition to fewer nesting locations, the eagles became subject to bounties, as colonists believed they were a direct threat to livestock as well as the food they hunted and fished for. In the early 1800s it was common for a dead eagle to be worth twenty cents, a sizable sum for that era. They were also hunted for sport and specimens were often sold to museums. Public outcry lead to the National Emblem Law in 1940, which forbade the killing of bald eagles below the fortieth parallel... but their plight was not over. As late as 1953, bounties were still being offered on bald eagles in Alaska. Shrinking habitat continued to be a problem as prime habitat for these majestic creatures was also prime real estate for people who desired lakefront homes. In addition, the use of DDT as a pesticide in the '50s and '60s compounded the many problems eagles were already facing. The poison worked its way through the food chain and resulted in very thin and weak eggshells, which easily broke when incubated. This had a devastating effect on many birds of prey. In 1972 the use of DDT was banned but the damage already done was severe. By the following year, the population was fewer than 500 pair in the lower forty-eight states.
The comeback
Sightings on the riseAs winter sets in and the lakes and rivers freeze in northern New England, many eagles seek out more temperate locations to find food. Sightings of migratory eagles in Rhode Island have become common and somewhat regular during the winter. The Seekonk River, Narrow River, Barrington River, and many reservoirs and lakes around Rhode Island receive special visits from our national bird. Each year, the Audubon Society of Rhode Island receives many phone calls from elated residents who have just witnessed an eagle perched in a tree or soaring majestically overhead. A bald eagle is an opportunist when it comes to surviving winter. They will seize ducks and gulls resting on the ice as well as scraps from the Central Landfill in Johnston. During the winter, sightings usually do not indicate that they have interest in nesting in the area. Bald Eagles prefer to stay close to the nest all year, but in areas where freeze-over occurs regularly, they routinely migrate. The adults will often drive their own offspring off territory and continue to feed as long as food is available. That is why the bulk of our Rhode Island sightings are immature birds. During hard winters, we see more adult eagles joining the young ones in our area. The local connectionWith the growing population of bald eagles, many local biologists figured it was just a matter of time before a pair gave it a try here in Rhode Island. Breeding pairs primarily feed on fish, so a large body of water is a requirement. They usually nest in the tallest tree that provides the best view of their territory. Eagles prefer a lot of good perches in the area, a healthy fish population, and very little human disturbance. There isn't a better place in the state that fits these requirements than the Scituate Reservoir. The main body of water is 3,400 acres in size with about 14,000 acres of forest throughout the protected area. No recreational or commercial use of the land or water is permitted. Given the ideal conditions, it was inevitable that the Scituate Reservoir would see the state's first recorded bald eagle nest. During the winter of 2002-2003 I photographed a pair flying around an island on the reservoir. There was a loose collection of sticks in a tree that indicated some attempt at nest building was made. This is common for a pair's first nest—"playing house" if you will. They won't actually have eggs, but it is considered an active nest when they exhibit this behavior. It is likely the eagles "played house" the previous year. I met up with Scott Massey, who works for Providence Water (the organization that manages the Scituate Reservoir), at a local bagel shop that winter. I told him what I had seen and gave him my card with the request to call if he saw any behavior that could indicate a nesting pair. The call came on March 12, 2003. Scott had witnessed sticks being carried to a nest and seen a courtship behavior called "bill tapping." After witnessing this behavior myself, I immediately contacted Michael Amaral from United States Fish and Wildlife as well as the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management to arrange a meeting with Providence Water. I knew Michael from my involvement with the Peregrine Falcon banding in Providence. As the regional endangered species specialist, he is also involved with nesting bald eagles throughout the Northeast. Providence Water, excited to have the first recorded eagles nesting in the state, wanted to be sure not to disturb them with their forestry practices.
The eagles chose to nest on an island, a safe distance from any human activity. This is important, as bald eagles have been known to abandon a disturbed nest—even after chicks have hatched in the early nestling phase. They have a very strong site fidelity that keeps them coming back to the same nest for many years. The nest continues to grow in size each year as the eagles continue to add sticks. They are usually six feet in diameter and can get as deep as seven to ten feet. Older nests, which can weigh over a ton, have been known to topple a tree from the excess weight. See 'em for yourself
The futureThe success of Rhode Island's bald eagles is a shining example of what land and water conservation can accomplish. Preservation efforts from environmental organizations are critical if we are to see these majestic creatures nest in other parts of the state. Large parcels of undisturbed land are needed with continued conservation of habitats. Strict water and air pollution legislation is more important than ever, given the growing population and shrinking open space. Tough enforcement of protective laws as well as the support of the public is crucial to the continued success of this spectacular bird. The comeback of the bald eagle has been remarkable, but it is important to remember what drove them to the edge of extinction and why. Hopefully an eagle sighting will never be considered a rarity again.
External LinksBald Eagle Sighting Log for Rhode Island. InformationCost: free Time required: directly proportional to your level of interest Hours: open year round, dawn to dusk. A good set of binoculars is recommended. A spotting telescope is even better. Finding it: From Route 295 take exit 6 to Route 6 west. Go about 3.7 miles and turn left onto route 116. Go about 1.3 miles (passing through the center of the Village of North Scituate) and look for an opening in the trees giving a view of the Scituate Reservoir on the right, and a shallow pulloff on the left. To observe the eagles, look across from that break in the trees to the large island in the reservoir. What’s nearbyDistances between points are actual distances, without regard to mountains or icky demons. Your travel distance will be longer. This article last edited March 9, 2015 © 1999–2021 Quahog.org (with the exception of elements provided by contributors, as noted). |
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