Olympian file photo
A bald eagle sits in its nest near the Governor's Mansion on May 15, 2000. The eagles built a second nest overlooking Capitol Lake after the Feb. 28 quake.

Bald eagle pair prepare to nest --but where?

Eagles have two nests overlooking Capitol Lake

JOHN DODGE, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Saturday, February 16, 2002

OLYMPIA -- A pair of bald eagles appears poised to resume nesting activities this spring on the shores of Capitol Lake.

"They've been hanging around all winter," said Bob Trebil, who has a bird's-eye view of the eagles' nest tree from his Old Oregon Trail home at the southeast corner of the lake.

The eagle pair first gained local notoriety in 2000, when they built a nest within a stone's throw of the Governor's Mansion on the Capitol Campus. They hatched one eaglet that year, but biologists don't think it survived.

Last year, the eagles abruptly abandoned the nest after the Feb. 28 earthquake and quickly built a new one south of 23rd Avenue in a secluded old-growth tree overlooking the lake.

They hatched two chicks there, both of which appeared to successfully fly from the nest last summer, said Kelly McAllister, a regional habitat biologist with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Trebil and other Capitol Lake-area residents look forward to a repeat performance this year.

"We are hoping they will make some repairs and nest here again this year, versus going back to the Capitol Campus," he said.

The fact they are frequenting the second nest tree of late suggests it's their preferred site, McAllister said.

An immature bald eagle, apparently one of last year's offspring, also has been spotted sitting in the nest tree recently, Trebil said.

Barring some unforeseen event, the pair will probably settle back on the nest next month for the breeding season, McAllister said.

Most bald eagle pairs in Western Washington lay their eggs from late March to early April. The eggs typically hatch by early May.

John Dodge covers the environment and energy for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-754-5444.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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