Message from Krista Hayward along with lots of her photos!!!

In early June, I was invited to go with the research team from Biodiversity Research Institute to visit Hope Island and collect data & samples, and observe the banding of the Bald Eagle chick. I’d been in touch with them over the spring, reporting observations from Chebeague, which included an estimated hatch date. Upon our arrival on Hope, both Bald Eagle parents were present and though they showed concern with our presence, they were not aggressive. They flew to neighboring trees, made some noise and did some fly-by’s during the observation period to check in.

After climbing the tree, Chris DeSorbo, the Director of the Raptor Program, places the eaglet in a canvas bag and gently lowers it to the ground. In addition to banding it (could not determine visually whether a male or female), they took a fecal & blood sample, a feather sample, some measurements along with its weight, and will run tests for lead and mercury contamination. They estimated it to be about 6.5 weeks old, weighing a solid 9 pounds! We had the eaglet out of the nest for about 30 minutes and not long after it was returned, both parents came back.

Being at the top of the food chain, eagle research gives a lot of insight as to the health of the local environment. It also helps frame future conservation work and environmental laws. More information can be found on their website, www.briwildlife.org.

I will get test results later in the fall-if anyone is interested in seeing them, they can email me.