There is perhaps no sight as thrilling as that of a Bald Eagle soaring over the Connecticut River. The image of great strength and beauty, it is easy to understand why the Bald Eagle was chosen as our national symbol. Measuring three feet long with a wingspan of over seven feet, the eagle is a bird that’s hard to miss. As you can imagine, a bird of this size and splendor must have a nest to match its stature. Big birds need big nests!
Eagles mate for life and usually return to the same nest year after year. Over the years, new material will be added to the nest, causing it to become larger and larger. Nests are typically four feet in diameter and three and a half feet tall. They are usually positioned in the top section of a large tree, just below the crown. As you can see in the photo, the nest structure is constructed of large intertwined branches and smaller twigs.
Eagles lay between 1-3 eggs with incubation lasting about thirty-five days. Both parents share in the incubation process as well as feeding and caring for young. The young birds remain in or near the nest for about three months. Nests are almost always located near a body of water, which provide hunting opportunities for fish, small aquatic mammals and waterfowl.
These Bald Eagle nest photos were taken in Hartford County last January. While I don’t like to publicize all nest locations, the fact is eagles and nests are becoming more and more visible. Take for instance the North Meadows Bald Eagle nest in Hartford. Seen easily from Interstate 91, the nest sits as a symbol of hope and as an indicator of the health of our environment. For those like myself who drive by it every morning, I can’t think of a better way to start the day than a portrait of a brilliant sunrise and an eagle nest.
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