The Bald Eagle Community

The bald eagle was finally adopted as the emblem of the United States in 1787 because "its long life, great strength, and majestic looks, and also because it was then believed to exist only on this continent." The bald eagle has survived for many years. It was almost lost at one point, and finally now is on its way back and the numbers are rising thanks to many efforts by various foundations. The Bald Eagle is more than a just a bird like every other species it too has a special part in keeping the food chain going.

While driving On Rte10 through the town of Hamden what seems to be an ordinary ride can become a scenic view of our nation's bird. On a tall skinny Birch tree over 40 ft in the air is lives a bald eagle in its natural habitat. In this nest lives a male adult and female adult with an Eaglet. The nest is located in a farming open field along a river bank. This field and river provides the eagles with a source of food. The eagles mostly eat fish, the adult eagle will swoop down to the water and grab a fish all in one motion flying the meal back to the nest to feed its family. The field is posted to prevent people from ruining the habitat, since the natural reproduction of this eagle is very important to its recovery from being endangered. I was able to view this community form the road and was able to watch the nest and occasionally watch the adult eagle fly away most likely looking for food to feed his family. The nest form my view was huge at least 3 feet in diameter perched up about 40 ft high on a birch tree. The surrounding area of the nest was clear of any branches or trees creating a clear access way for the birds to land. Below the nest was a large open field on the bank of an active river.

I visited the site approximately 5 times each visit was a t a different time in hopes of observing a different activity. My first visit was around 10am one of the adults was perched on a branch nearby to the nest patiently staring at the surroundings. The eagle stayed for a while without moving. On my next visit at 12am I observed the whole family active inside the nest. From my view I could only make out two of the adults. My guess was that they were taking care of there young maybe even feeding it. My next visit was at a later time 5pm this time only one of the adults was present. The next two visits that I made were repeats of what I had already saw. I was hoping to be able

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