Carburn Park Bald Eagles Update April 5, 2025

While strolling along side the river at Carburn Park, I stopped a birder and asked if he saw anything exciting so far this morning.  He told me he saw an American Bald Eagle sitting in a tree away the heck down past the far end of the Park. I aimed for where I thought he might be talking about and sure enough, there was the Bald Eagle perched on a branch. What the birder did not tell me and maybe he did not spy what I spied and that was...... 

.....there was a Bald Eagle sitting in a nest not far from where the perching Eagle was perching. This was not where I watched them build a nest on the Island in the centre of the Park nor a bit to the south of the old nest where they were beginning a new one awhile back.  This was in the far opposite direction.  I am grateful to have such a great zoom on my camera so I can capture this kind of scene.  The perching Bald Eagle is staring in the direction of the nest.  About two hours later when I was getting ready to call it a day and head home, I made a quick trip back to the area and both Bald Eagles were still in the same location.  An egg may already have been laid as it is about time for that.  With fingers crossed, I uttered a little prayer, "stay save and best wishes to you both"! 

After enjoying the sights of the two American Bald Eagles, I wandered about to see what other exciting sights there might be.  I spied this White-breasted Nuthatch flitting about a tree and then poking its head inside this cavity as if to see if anyone was home.  What I saw next surprised me! 

The Nuthatch began taking the nesting materials from the cavity.  I don't know if this is an old nest or if it is a new nest built by another pair of Nuthatches. I watched it make five trips taking materials each time and placing them in a cavity on the back side of this same tree.  On return visits to the Park, this will be a location I will monitor as I pass by.  

It seems the Northern Flickers are taking over Carburn Park!  

They are plentiful, this is just one of the many.

Talk about Robins!  I love the sound of the Robins' songs as they echo throughout the forest first thing in the morning.  My mind wandered off to how I have experienced that enjoyment when I wake while camping.  Many Robins are making Carburn Park their home and no doubt in the process of finding partners and building nests.

The Black-capped Chickadees are obviously playing the mating game!  

They are chasing each other rather than flitting about from tree to tree.

This one stayed still for a second, long enough to snap the shot!

When you hear a Pileated Woodpecker pecking, you know it is not a Downy nor a Hairy nor a Flicker.  The sound reverberates throughout the Park.  When I heard it, it was like a calling and I felt I must go after it.  I did and here it is!  

such beautiful colouring 

The Canada Geese are still in charge of the old Bald Eagles nest!

As each day passes, more and more visitors are arriving to the area.  I am checking eBird daily.  I took this screen shot from that website.  It shows the birding hotspots around the city. The screen shot is as of today and represents sightings in the past week. These are the birding hotspots around the city. The colour coded chart is below.  As more and more visitors arrive, lots of the blues, greens and yellows will turn to shades of red and orange.  Exciting times to come!