As we all know, a good food source will bring in the birds. Eagles
migrating over Highland County are benefiting from local sheep farmers'
recent misfortune... The coyotes in Highland County have been
particularly hard on the sheep in the Blue Grass Valley lately- three
separate kills on the west side of VA 640 (Blue Grass Valley Rd.) 1/4
mile south of VA 639.
Recently Carol Bandy, a resident birder, reported a record number of
bald eagles on the ground at one time. On Friday, September 17th. about
7:15 a.m, she saw a total of 15 at once at the above location. There was
only one adult in the group- the other 14 were immature eagles of
various ages. This is the largest number reported since we started
keeping sighting records in Highland County January 2006.
The previous record was 11 reported by Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Ranrick on
September 15, 2007. That group included two golden eagles and the site
was at the top of Wimer Mt. Rd. (VA 640) west side, near WV state line,
near Margaret O'Bryan's property/house. National records show golden
eagle migration later than bald eagle migration. Highland Eagle Survey
records show golden eagles consistently reported throughout the summer
in 2006, 2007 & 2008. This was not the case this summer... no one
reporting golden eagles this summer, also not nearly as many people
reporting this year. More recent records are in the process of recovery
after a computer crash destroyed them.
Sandy Hevener
General Delivery
Blue Grass, VA 24413
