Category: New Species

Yesterday’s Gazette pointed out the new addition to the football field: a large nest atop one of the light platforms. The headline is “Bald Eagle Sets up Nest Atop Knowles Field”, but the body of the article quotes Susan Heckly of the Linsay Museum saying it may also be an Osprey.

Ya think?

Smart money is betting on the Osprey, as we have at least one productive pair downtown that comes back every summer and makes their home on the west hills. Usually I can watch them from the backyard. The article also suggested it might be a “juvenile bald eagle” and its worth mentioning that even if this was the case, the odds of it being recognized are very small. Young bald eagles (like young people, when you think of it) aren’t “bald”. It takes about four years for them to get their classic white head. In the meantime they look very much like a golden eagle.

Here’s a photo of a immature bald eagle, taken last year in the high sierras:

Here’s a mature bald eagle, taken last year in Alaska where they are practically as common as crows:

Here’s an osprey for comparison. This photo was taken in the everglades where they don’t have many high trees to choose from and so the birds are much more visible.

Notice the white chest and eye stripe. They are also a good deal smaller than eagles, but still large enough to make you draw a breath when you see one. Many years ago Jon and I were driving down highway one at Jenner when we suddenly noticed a heavy opsrey presence. Nearly 50 were filling up the skies, diving into the ocean, and scooping out their unlucky prey. We pulled over to watch in awe as bird after bird displayed its fishing prowess. There must have been some kind of fish run, a sudden temporary increase in food that drew predators from miles around. It was amazing.

The osprey was deeply hurt by our use of pesticides in the 70’s, (DDT in particular, which weakened the eggshells and meant that many were crushed) but it has made a remarkable comeback. Every fall we canoe the ocean rivers in Mendocino and we count a nesting pair every half mile or so. Walk the abandoned snake road trail and you will see several, on their way to and from the water, their fish tucked like torpedos under their feet. Ospreys usually nest on the tops of headless trees or on high flat platforms given to them by man (like the top of a football field light fixture) and you can often see these on powerpoles and the like.

Our crack wildlife team is on the mystery of this football-loving bird. We’ll get you photos soon…

UPDATE:

Okay, the droppings and discarded sticks under the nest definately give it that lived in appearance. For the final eagle/osprey answer we need an actual bird sighting. However, if you happen to stop by, check for pellets. Most birds of prey drop balls of undigested material (fur and bones) on the ground beneath their nest. Ospreys are fairly unique in that they usually don’t. If you see a pellet…we have eagles. In that unlikely event our poor bulldogs might have to sit this season out…