Love is in the Air Along the Trail
With Spring soon-approaching, the Bald Eagles have been busy either adding to, rebuilding, or building a new nest. As you travel the Schoharie County Eagle Trail, you can see eagles breaking off branches in the nearby trees and carrying them back to the nest-site almost daily. It can take anywhere from 1 month to 3 months to build a new nest. They are usually about 4 to 6 feet in diameter and 3 feet deep; the older the nest, the larger it will be.
Love Is In The Air
When eagles are not nest-building, they can be spotted sitting side by side in some of their favorite spots. This behavior starts in Early February and will continue as they are building their bond together until the time they mate, and she lays eggs. Some of the Eagles will lay eggs as early as the 2nd or 3rd week of February and some lay as late as the 3rd week of March.
Spot Baby Eagles In Their Nest
After the eggs are laid, both parents will take turns sitting on the eggs for the next 32 – 35 days. After the eggs hatch, they will care for and feed them for the next 12 to 14 weeks until they fledge the nest. Between late March and June will be the best time to view the adults and the babies in the nest. All the nests in the county are active this year, and we have also found three new nests in the county and hope to have them added to the Eagle Trail soon, once we have the OK from New York State DEC.
What happens if a bald eagle builds a nest on your property?
If a Bald Eagle builds their nest on your property, and the eagles continue to use the nest and raise young, then no federal laws have been violated, notify NYS DEC.
The Best Areas to Spot The Flock
Viewing Site #14 located at Mine Kill State Park: look in the trees along the reservoir or sitting on the ice.
Viewing Site #15 located at 990V: look for eagles in the trees along the creek on both sides of the spillway and the Gilboa Dam spillway.
Most of the over-wintering Eagles seem to have left the area; some of them have headed back to their home range or off roaming the countryside looking for a mate, even traveling thousands of miles.
You're Invited to Join Our Flock!
You can help us with our efforts in protecting the Eagles in Schoharie County by becoming A Friend of the Eagle Trail. Friends of the Eagle Trail receive special invitations to trail meet-ups, have direct access to Trail Ambassador, given photography tips, mailed a limited edition postcard and more!
Tour With Combs Wildlife Photography
Tours of the Eagle Trail make great birthday gifts, weekend adventures, with family or something to do while in town for a graduation or wedding! Combs Wildlife provides the transportation, spotting scopes, binoculars, cameras, and local knowledge.
Click on the image to the right to download the full February 2024 “Tales from the Trails” newsletter from the Schoharie County Eagle Trail!
(Be sure to check your downloaded files if you are having trouble viewing)
Become a Friend of the SC Eagle Trail today to receive insider trail updates, articles, and access as well as seasonal Eagle Trail memorabilia and gifts.