During the early spring pupping season, eagles are especially active. The
pup rides on the mothers chest and she has to eat. On several occasions in
March and early April I have observed that when a mother dives for food, the
youngster cries, you can hear them from shore, a very baby like wahhh sound.
This alerts the eagles that there might be an unattended pup and they come
off the trees and begin circling. On three occasions I have seen other
otters (I understand they form maternal groups) form a circle around pups
and when an eagle makes a pass, the otters all begin splashing their big
hind feet. This is a distraction for the predator and may also alert the
mother under water that her young is in trouble.

Rob Sandelin
Naturalist, Writer, Teacher
Snohomish