A Growing Number of Youth Fishermen

Eagles have more or less been a constant fixture on the new West dike since we have begun drawing water down
off the 40-acre Rest Pond

I feel like the proverbial "broken record," but water levels drive activity on the marsh. That has become a recurring theme not only in my day-to-day reality, but has been a constant for the broad diversity of wildlife that utilizes the property. Our Rest Pond (last year's millet) is now drawn down to the point that the remaining basin fluctuates between maybe 5 acres of skim water after a decent rain to maybe 3 acres after a few hours of pumping (15-30 minutes at a time).

Every time we run the pump, what was relatively calm surface water begins to boil with nervous fish. Isolated splashes gradually progress to exposed backs and frantic runs for deeper water. Deep is a relative term. The remaining basin is no more than 12-18" deep at its deepest, but most of the area now holds 6" of water or less. Still, it is likely serving as refuge for hundreds, if not thousands, of carp along with a modest diversity of other species (e.g. bowfin, bullheads, bluegills, largemouth bass, and lots and lots of topminnows).

I spent probably an hour one evening late last week watching juvenile eagles hover in a stiff southwest wind just over the water's surface. Occasionally, one would awkwardly land and stumble over a carp's back. The muscular fish would often deter anything beyond an exploratory prod with the talons and swim off to live another day (or at least another few minutes). The most determined eagles would eventually sink their claws -- and then beaks -- into the cornered fish.

I was amazed at how often the most determined birds did the catching only to get flushed off their kill by another eagle. Juveniles relented to each other, but most often, I was watching the young struggle to get a catch, only to get pushed away by a larger, bolder adult.

I'm taking these photos/video from nearly 1,000 feet away, so the resolution isn't great. But they start to give a feel for the daily ritual. It has become common to see up to a dozen (or more) eagles on the dike at any given time. They seem to enjoy balancing their days between sunning, squawking, fishing, and just stretching their wings.

It has become increasingly difficult not to take these incredible birds for granted. It seems strange to use the word, but they are most certainly "common." I don't have a good feel for how many are actively using the marsh right now, but it has to be dozens. I'd love to gain a better understanding for where they were all hatched and what their daily/seasonal ranges are apt to be.

Pretty impressive silhouette -- off to another fishing hole

Here's a true "moment in the marsh" that might give you the best feel for what I witnessed the other night (complete with 35+mph sustained winds -- sorry for the shaky video; but not bad at 800+ feet away, using a monopod!) . . .