Eagles in Guntersville

[Suz]

If we hope to see the eagles this year, we need to go to Guntersville next weekend. 
We could meet at Town Creek early, then hike the rest of the day.  Bring a camera.  I do know where a nest was three years ago, that we can check on if we don't see any.  Great trails anyway, even if we don't see the birds.

[Joshua Szulecki]

I would be thrilled to go and try and see the eagles this year!

Two years ago (Feb. 2006) I spent a few days staked out at the nest that was at the Guntersville Dam. Unfortunately, last year the eaglets died, and I'm told that they usually don't return to a nesting site when the offspring there die. That site was ideal because there was a snag tree near both the nest and the road, so on days of poor visibility, and when they felt like it, the eagles would take turns watching from the snag tree just a few feet from the road.

Has anybody heard any tips regarding where they might be active this year?

[Joshua Szulecki]

Another benefit, besides hiking in Guntersville SP, is the fairly close proximity of High Falls & Bucks Pocket SP. Plenty of stuff to do in that area.

[Suz]

That was the  next I knew of.  Too bad! :'(

[Joshua Szulecki]

Strike that...

THEY ARE BACK!

http://www.al.com/sports/...6972244040.xml&coll=2

Anybody wanting to go to this location would have to get up EARLY, as it was PACKED the last time I was there on a weekend. It is a show worth going to, but you might spend the day there waiting, especially if it is clear. But if they are there, you WILL SEE THEM.

[Joshua Szulecki]

I'll probably visit the dam a few weekends in a row now that I know the eagles are back, and I have a new lens to test out.

The only caution about going to this site is that you need to be on your best behavior. Quiet when the eagles are around, keep away from the nest site, and NO DOGS. The bird photographers there WILL make you very unwelcome if you do anything to scare the birds.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Not much activity in this thread recently... So I'll go ahead and indicate that I will be going to the Guntersville Dam area to observe the Bald Eagles on Saturday morning. I'll probably be there very early, and then head out from there somewhere in the middle of the day to visit some place nearby with waterfalls.

If you want directions to where the eagles are, check that article I linked to, or feel free to ask.

[Joshua Szulecki]

I've decided I'm just making a scouting trip to the area tomorrow, so I'm not going really early.

[Suz]

Have a good trip, I'll stay around here and walk my dogs.  Shop for food.  Those obligations...

[Joshua Szulecki]

I finally made it to Guntersville today.

I spent about 30 minutes despairing because I could locate the 2006 nest, which was empty, and next to it was the empty 2007 nest, although I still didn't know that was last year's nest. Finally, a group of people gathered a few hundred yards away and that allowed me to locate the current nest. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to view, and there isn't a snag tree out in the open for the parent on watch to perch on. Fortunately, the nest is very far from the road, and should allow the eagles to avoid being stressed by any visitors. Not photographically productive, but good for making more eagles.

If you are interested in trying to catch a glimpse, the new nest is on the north edge of the powerline cut that crests the hill north of the dam. If you walk about 50ft from the cut, and spot a v-shaped branch, you can use it to visually guide you to where the nest is. My understanding is that it is probably only kosher to view from the roadside, do not attempt to climb the hill. They do not appear to have put up new restricted area signs for this nest site, but I would guess that they'll come yell at you for getting too close.

I do not have any pictures of the eagles.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Okay, just as an FYI if you want to see the eagles...

TVA tells me that they are working on putting up new restricted area signs, but currently the restrictions are as follows:
"During nest building, nest laying, and incubation/hatching periods (December 1 - June 1in northern Alabama), eagles are highly sensitive to disturbance and, thus, human disturbance is restricted to coming no closer than 660' of eagle nests. "

So stay 660 feet or greater, preferably greater, away from that nest if you go visit. My recommendation is to just view it from the road, while there is still no foliage, with a pair of binoculars.