Date: 5/7/25 4:32 pm From: Michelle Landis via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] RTHA v. BAEA in nest
Really interesting behavior today. I've been watching an eagle nest on March Point this Spring. There is a RTHA nest in the same meadow, less than 1/4 mile from the BAEA nest. Last week there were two eaglets, I haven't been able to confirm chicks for the RTHA.
Today, both eagle adults were in the nest, slightly unusual. They were VERY vocal, somewhat unusual, so I'm watching to see what they're yelling at. Turns out, it's an adult RTHA who is savagely harassing them. He would kite above the nest, eagles yelling at him (I say "he" without any evidence....my apologies), blow past the nest at high velocity, and finally absolutely dove on the nest, within a wingspan of the adult eagles. This went on for at least 45 minutes and then I had to leave.
If I were a less scientific and more anthropomorphic person, I would say this RTHA was PISSED. He was sending some kind of message and I wish I knew what it was. My guess, and it's a good guess, is that the eagles grabbed a chick out of the RTHA nest. Who needs soap operas.
