Several Beacon readers reported seeing a bald eagle in the area this past summer. Swimmers at Highland Lake, fishermen on Webster Lake and the Merrimack River, and hikers on Ragged Mountain are among those spotting the huge raptors.
The distinctive white head and tail of the adult eagle, along with an impressive six- to seven-foot wingspan, make its identification relatively certain. Younger eagles, in contrast, are easily confused with other large birds of prey.
First prize in reactions to a local bald eagle sighting goes to a wedding party staying at the Bluewater Farm lodge. Spotting an eagle gliding over Bradley Lake, they were inspired to break into a spontaneous version of the national anthem.
New Hampshire Fish and Game Officer Heidi Murphy concurs that there has been increasing bald eagle activity over the past couple of years. “I can’t scientifically say whether there are more in the area, but it does seem that way. Certainly if there is a proper food source and good habitat, the eagles will stick around.”
I asked New Hampshire Audubon’s eagle expert, Chris Martin, if we are all seeing the same eagle or if there could be many in the area. He explained that it could be just one pair, as their territory is about 100 square miles, but there might be more.
New Hampshire is experiencing a period of steady growth – approximately 20% annually – in our bald eagle population. Just 20 years ago, due to the effects of DDT, there was only one confirmed nesting pair. Now experts estimate there are 40 territorial pairs; you can expect to see eagles anywhere in the state.
Chris mentioned that so far, New Hampshire Audubon has had no luck finding a nest in this area, and we have a chance to help. If you see an eagle flying overhead with sticks or similar material in its bill, please take time to notice the direction of flight and contact Chris in Concord at 224-9909 with that information.
Shopping for Nature Lovers
It’s that time of year when we find ourselves looking for good presents for family and friends. If there is a young person (three to seven years) on your list, you might want to consider Mary Holland’s new book, Ferdinand Fox’s First Summer. This nonfiction account of the first summer in the life of a red fox kit is told with lovely full-page photographs and text explaining each scene.
Readers of Mary Holland’s book Naturally Curious already know what a terrific photographer and naturalist she is. It is no surprise that her new children’s book has won two awards: “Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12” by the National Science Teachers Association and the Children’s Book Council and a 2013 Children’s Moonbeam Award.
Any adult who spends time in our local forests probably already has a copy of Tom Wessels’ Reading the Forested Landscape, which explains how clues can help woods walkers understand prior land use, fires, or storms. That same person might value a smaller, more portable version: Forest Forensics: A Field Guide to Reading the Forested Landscape. Here Wessels supplies photographs to illustrate those clues and a key to help interpret details. A reference chart at the back of the book summarizes the key and the visual clues.
East Andover Hike
As part of the Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsage Greenway’s winter season, there will be a hike in East Andover on Saturday, January 25. Frank Baker has agreed to join me on a snowshoe walk of about five miles to secluded Weeks Pond. If conditions are right, this will be a good opportunity to learn some tracking skills from an experienced outdoorsman. E-mail me if you would like to be included in updates about this event.
Please remember to contact me with your questions, suggestions, observations, and photographs concerning Andover’s natural world at AndoverNaturally@nullgmail.com.