Eighteen participants disregarded a forecast bitterly cold day on January 9, for the DOAS field trip to view wintering eagles in Delaware County. The weather turned out to be not so bad, with abundant sunshine and light winds. The eagles were only moderately cooperative: nine birds were spotted along the East and West Branches of the Delaware River and Cannonsville Reservoir. This was a lower count than in recent years, and may be related to the fact that the trip was on an earlier date than usual.
What lacked in quantity was made up in quality. A lovely adult eagle perched quite cooperatively alongside a nest above the village of Deposit. It eventually headed downriver in dramatic flight. Another great sight was two immature eagles scrapping over a fish that one had captured. This battle continued for several minutes at close range. The trip concluded with a congenial lunch and bird talk in Downsville.
Andy Mason
(Eagle photos, taken during the field trip from far away, by Dave Kiehm. Eagle-watchers photo by Andy Mason.)
