Eagles move from Brewer Lake to Holden

We have a new eagle nest on Maine Audubon’s property at Fields Pond. The pair of eagles that formerly tried to bring up their young on a small island in Brewer Lake has moved to Fields Pond.

It’s a good thing. The latter island was disturbed often, and the eagles had not been able to raise their young there for several years. The new nest is on the island in Fields Pond.

Now their nest is well-hidden and won’t be disturbed. This year they have fledged two young, who are flying all around Fields Pond. The adults are watching their young as they catch fish on their own.

We offered canoe trips for adults, children and families all summer. They always were thrilled to see these regal birds sitting on pines on the edge of Fields Pond, or soaring slowly over the lake. We’re so glad the eagles moved.

“There’s another new eagle nest in the Bangor area,” said Audubon member Peggy Markson. “According to Maine’s eagle biologist Charlie Todd, this is the first eagle nest within the Bangor city limits in 50 years! It’s along the Kenduskeag Stream.”

Having grown up in Bangor on the Kenduskeag Stream, I was thrilled with that news.

Peggy then said, “In late May, I stopped by to see my folks there, and noticed an eagle. When I looked with binoculars I was shocked to see the eagle’s beak and face completely covered with blood! Then I realized it was eating its prey right on the shore of the stream – looked like it was a muskrat.” Quite a sighting.

In 25 years of eagle-watching, I have two memories of eagles that stand out for me. That’s because I previously had the idea that eagles were slow, lumbering fliers.

While I was canoeing with an Audubon group, an osprey screamed as it flew at top speed about 50 feet above us with a fish in its talons. An eagle was quickly overtaking the osprey, with a fierce look in it eye – but they always look that way.

The panicked osprey let go of the fish, and in an instant the eagle had snatched the fish out of the air with one foot, and flew away.

The second-most memorable experience was on Route 2 just north of Hogan Road in Bangor. An eagle was flying north 50 feet above and in front of my car. It flew in a relaxed manner, looking regal and flying slowly. It was going 40 miles an hour.

For information on Fields Pond Audubon Center, call 989-2591.