Brecksville Bald Eagles - November 2, 2015

I am very happy to announce that the Brecksville Bald Eagles have returned to their nest! 

From a report by the National Park Service... "Beginning In 2006, bald eagles built a nest in the Pinery Narrows area in Brecksville, the first recorded in Cuyahoga County in more than 70 years. That nest was unsuccessful, but the breeding eagles returned and nested the following years with these results:

• 2007 - one eaglet successfully hatched and fledged
• 2008 - one eaglet successfully hatched and fledged
• 2009 - a late winter storm in February 2009 caused the nest to fail
• 2010 - two eaglets successfully hatched and fledged
• 2011 - a storm in early March blew down the entire nest tree; another nest was start but no eggs hatched
• 2012 - one eaglet successfully hatched and fledged
• 2013 - two eaglets successfully hatched and fledged
• 2014 - two eaglets successfully hatched and fledged"

Once these birds begin nesting, the CVSR will close the tracks to allow the Eagles the peace they need to make more eaglets and continue returning year after year. But fear not! you can still catch a glimpse of these awesome birds from across the river. Just park at the Brecksville "Station Road Bridge Trailhead", walk down the trail heading north, beyond all the trail kiosks where you'll come to a bridal trail, turn left down the bridal trail (always yield to horses and riders!) follow the trail down near the river, look up and across the tracks, you won't miss the nest! 

Fun Facts!

• Bald Eagles are believed to mate for life.
• Their average life span is 28 years.
• Average wingspan ranges from 6-8ft yet the birds only weigh on average 7-14lbs! 
• The largest Bald Eagle nest was 9.5ft wide 20ft tall and weighed over two TONS! 
• It takes young eagles around 5 years to turn their distinctive colors, until then they are a dark brown all over. 
• The call which we relate to the eagle (as heard on tv, movies, etc) is actually that of a red tailed hawk dubbed over. Eagle calls sound more like tennis shoes on a squeaky basketball court (look it up, it's great!)
  
• During the eagles courting/mating dance, the eagles will fly high up in the sky, charge towards each other, link talons, and fall cartwheel free-fall from the sky waiting until they're seconds from the ground to release.