Last winter, a pair of Bald Eagles built a nest in one of the large Cottonwood trees at the northern edge of the Watson Woods Riparian Preserve. This was the first time Bald Eagles had attempted to nest at this location. It was an exciting time—would they be successful?
In the end, there was far too much human disturbance—by kayakers, hikers, photographers, and probably even some over-anxious birders. When the eagles first started building their nest, the water level of the lake was low so hikers and photographers were able to walk directly to the tree where the nest was located.
Later, as the level of the lake rose, the area around the tree was then accessible by water, and kayakers were paddling right up to the tree. With so much human activity immediately in the area of their nest, they eventually abandoned the nest, resulting in a very disappointing outcome.
Another complication with the nest location is its proximity to the target practice facility for the Prescott Police Department. I was walking on the Peavine Trail earlier this week, and was watching an eagle perched on a log at the edge of the lake. When the guns were fired, the eagle was startled and took flight.
However, even after abandoning their nest last year, the eagles continued to hang out in the general vicinity. The expression “site fidelity” is used to describe the behavior of birds when they are loyal to—or tied to—a specific nesting location. It was apparent, in spite of last year’s nest failure, the eagles had fidelity to this site.
When the eagles started building their nest last year, it caught everyone off guard since there was no history of them ever building at this location. Our efforts to create a buffer of sufficient size were reactive, not proactive, and too late to have the needed protection.
This past week, the eagles were observed carrying large sticks to their nest. Due to better communication and reports of eagle activity in the area, the City of Prescott has been very proactive. On Monday, staff from the Parks and Recreation Department installed a number of signs and banners alerting the public to the Bald Eagle activity.
How can you help? Please share this information with fellow trail users. We need to get the word out to the public to stay on the main, established trails through this area.
There is a trail off of the Peavine that drops down into Watson Woods heading west in the direction of the red bridge spanning Granite Creek. No one should leave this trail and bushwack in the area between the trail and the southern boundary of Watson Lake.
Additionally, I would encourage people who are using the main trails to move expeditiously through the area. Don’t stop and dawdle. Wild animals—including birds—have a sense of when they are safe and when they have been detected.
Most people have had the experience of walking in nature and seeing a cottontail, or a dove in close proximity. If you maintain your direction of travel and speed, these animals will stay put. However, if you stop, turn, and look at the animal, it knows it has been spotted, and it will flee.
If people will move quickly through the area near the Bald Eagle nest, this will reduce the stress on the eagles. Under no condition should anyone approach their nesting tree. By so doing, this breeding season will hopefully result in a happy ending!
Until next week, Happy Birding!
Eric Moore is the owner of The Lookout, in Prescott, where you will find a Hallmark Gold Crown Store, wild bird products, and Swarovski and Vortex optics. Eric has been an avid birder for over 55 years. Eric can be contacted at eric@thelookoutaz.com.
