This spring, Mass Wildlife staff banded 29 eaglet chicks with two identification leg bands; an orange state band and a silver federal band. Some reports are still coming in, but the estimated number of eaglets fledging (surviving to fly from the nest) is at least 50 birds from 57 known active nests. Mass Wildlife's eaglet banding season ended June 22, a very late date for a very remarkable reason. After a spring storm in early March destroyed their nest and eggs, a pair of eagles in Middlesex County rebuilt the nest in a nearby tree, successfully laid eggs, and hatched two eaglets. This is the first time eagle re-nesting has been reported in the Bay State. Eagle re-nesting is an extremely rare event due to the amount of energy required to rebuild a nest, lay eggs, and hatch chicks. Mass Wildlife tree climbing staff reported that the new nest located in a large pine near the Charles River was about five feet in diameter and solidly built. The few re-nesting reports from other parts of the country indicate that successful re-nesting occurs only when the event happens during the early egg laying period. To support the conservation of Bald Eagles and other rare wildlife, donate to the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Fund. Contribute by sending a check made payable to Commonwealth of MA: NHESP to Mass Wildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581. Learn more: mass.gov/nhesp.
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