There's an active eagle nest in Blaine, quite well known in the area, in a tree that overhangs a thoroughfare used by thousands of cars and trucks per day. You can drive nearly to the base of the tree on two sides, and it sits in a vacant lot that's been for sale for some time by an absentee landowner so no one worries about trespassing.
The pair that used it last year fledged two young birds, and they're hanging out again this spring, necking and _____ing and fixing up the nest and generally being oblivious to anything going on around them, ain't love grand.
The neighbors fall into two groups, one that hasn't noticed (I guess because the birds haven't been on Oprah yet) and a larger group that protects them like momma bear does her cubs. Little boys with slingshots have had their little asses kicked back home. Natives (from Canada, or at least riding in a B.C. car) looking to poach feathers late one night by leaping over the fence at the base of the tree separating it from the traffic have been shot at with BB guns (it's still America) before being arrested by the local PD. The realtor's order to cut the tree was forestalled by a state game agent, who later said, "We'd NEVER look for an eagle's nest there. Glad you called."
It's been written up in the Blaine Birding Guide and is pointed out by many others every day. The neighbors are fine with people coming to look, and if you wish you could even come to a neighborhood Eagle-watching barbecue later in the spring. Think of Blaine as a friendly place to bird but not to poach or molest animals. We'll even take a wounded possum to the rescue shelter.
The best approach, opposite from the thoroughfare, is on a dead-end residential street that approaches nearly to the base of the tree and makes a dandy place to stop and get out and watch from less than half a block away. Woe betide those who do not respect these birds, say the neighbors, always watching, but a drive-by look is fine.

So. Should I reveal its location to the much wider audience on this network? Tell just a few people? Keep it quiet so the falconers or Indian feather merchants don't raid it, or the birdlorn drive them away? Even if you know where it is, what's your vote?

And until we hear from a few people, if you want the exact location or an image of them let me know (or someone tell me where to post the jpeg file).


Jack Kintner <kintner at nas.com> Blaine, WA