I have been hesitant to share this news, but I feel this information is going to become public any day whether I announce it or not. So, I thought I’d provide an “official” update on the active bald eagle’s nest in Watson Woods Riparian Preserve.

Just over a year ago, from late December 2023 to January and February of 2024, a pair of bald eagles built a large nest in one of the old cottonwood trees in Watson Woods Preserve.

This was a new nesting location, located in a highly trafficked area including walkers, runners, cyclists, bird watchers, photographers, and individuals using canoes and kayaks. It was unique to have a bald eagle’s nest in a high-use recreation area, and it created a lot of interest in the community.

Unfortunately, many individuals did not respect the amount of space nesting bald eagles need, and they ventured too close to the nest. Eventually, the eagles abandoned their nesting efforts. It was difficult to accept the fact that the curiosity of many resulted in a failed nesting attempt.

A few months ago, it was evident that the eagles were going to give it another go, using the same nest. As the eagle’s nest-restoration efforts were getting under way, crews from the City of Prescott Parks and Recreation Department put up signage at several points leading into Watson Woods. Additionally, a barrier was placed across the southern edge of the lake to discourage boaters from approaching the nest site.

Over the last few months, I have been monitoring the nest about five days a week, using a spotting scope so not to disturb the eagles by getting too close to their nest. I never left any of the main trails in an effort to get closer to the nest. I am happy to report that there has been far less disturbance to the eagles this year.

Just over a month ago, I observed activity at the nest indicating there was at least one chick in the nest. Now that I’ve shared this information publicly, I have an impassioned plea. Please, do not go off-trail in an effort to get a better look at the nest. With a good pair of binoculars—or a spotting scope—one can view the nest right from the Peavine Trail.

Sometimes we can love nature to death, which can make for a horrible outcome. If you are visiting Watson Woods Riparian Preserve, or walking on the Peavine Trail, and you see someone going off trail in an effort to get closer to the eagle’s nest, I encourage you to call and report this violation to the Prescott Parks and Recreation Department.

On one of my outings this past week to monitor the nest, I used my spotting scope and my iPhone and shot a video that I will post on The Lookout’s Facebook page. In the video you can see the chick (I have only seen one) eating heartily as one of its parents rips pieces of prey into smaller, bite-sized pieces.

This is an exciting time for nature lovers, but we need to continue to be hypervigilant in our efforts to respect the area around the nest, and stay on the main trails. It would be heartbreaking to disturb the eagles now that they have a healthy, growing chick.

Also, I failed to mention in my column last week that I would post some videos I shot of the greater sage-grouse performing at their lek site. If you would like to see this bizarre courtship behavior, I invite you to go to The Lookout Facebook page to view those videos, as well.

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.

This past weekend was the winter solstice, the shortest day and the longest night of the year. While I personally do not like the cold, I do love the winter night sky. Each morning when I go outside to retrieve the newspaper, I like to just pause, and look at the heavens and take in the wonder of the night sky.

Maybe like you, unfortunately I live in a neighborhood where some of my neighbors leave their outside lights on all night long. Why? I have no idea. To me it is annoying, and a poor use of precious resources. We live in a time when we need to be so mindful of how we use energy.

One may think it is a little thing, a 100 watt bulb left on all night, but multiply that by hundreds and thousands of lights left on all night and what a huge impact this has on energy use.

There is a dark sky ordinance in some communities. I personally like living in a community where people value dark skies. I like living in a neighborhood where there aren’t any street lights.

Another issue to consider is the impact of lights on wild birds, especially when they are migrating. Lights at night disorient while birds, resulting in window strikes, resulting in an untimely death.

Several months ago the Courier ran an article about outdoor lights at night, and the impact on wild birds. I concur.

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