Yesterday, we saw a lone bald eagle in a tree near the nest in the deciduous
tree in the Arboretum. (From 520, you can see this nest and the one in the
evergreen tree in the Broadmoor golf course.) We were in the Arboretum for
more than an hour and the eagle remained in the same spot during that time.
Does anyone know if the either of these nests was used last year?

At dusk, I went to the Black River in Renton, and was surprised to see great
blue herons sitting on nests. This seems early in the season to me. Last
year the herons didn't return to the nests in Kiwanis Ravine until nearly
March, I don't believe. I use Valentine's Day as a day to start looking for
them.

On a field trip to the Black River last year, I learned that the males select
the nests, with the most dominant males securing the nests that are most
protected from predators. Then they court the females, who join them on
their nests. (They do not mate for life.) So I assume the herons on the
nests now are males.

Didi Anstett
didianstet at aol.com
Seattle