I birded Highland County Saturday 12/23 and had several eagle sightings
throughout the day.
At about 10:00 I saw two immature golden eagles soaring together over Lantz
Mountain to the west of Rte 643, just north of Rte. 642. I watched them for
about ten minutes before they disappeared to the west of Lantz Mountain. About
a half hour later, I saw an immature golden eagle (presumably one of the
perviously observed birds) being chased by a red-tailed hawk near the
intersection of Rte 643 and Rte 644. As I continued north on Rte 644, I had
occasional sights of presumably the same golden flying around the south side of
Snowy Mountain. Then, just after 11:00 two immature golden eagles (presumably
the same two birds) flew directly overhead, no more than 50 feet above the
ground. Quite a show!!! As I watched the goldens, I noticed an immature bald
eagle in the distance to the north (in WV airspace). I didn't notice an
antenna.
Other golden eagle sightings during the day:
- Rte 600 (Upper Back Creek Road), approximately 2 miles south of Rte 250 -
one immature golden soaring to the north over Lantz Mountain (approx. 12:30).
- Rte 638 just west of the intersection with Rte 637 - one immature golden
soaring to the north near the south end of Monterey Mountain (approx. 2:00).
- Rte 631 (east of Monterey) near the top of the ridge before 631 descends
toward Rte 629 - one immature golden eagle soaring toward the north, on the
west side of the ridge (approx. 3:00).
Presumably all of these sightings involve the two birds seen together early
in the day (though it is possible that as many as five immature golden eagles
were present and following me around western Highland County today).
Other interesting birds today included five flyover red crossbills on Rte
600, approximately one-half mile south of Rte. 250, one red-breasted nuthatch
in the Norway spruces and red pines just south of the Rte 600 / Rte 250
intersection, and three hooded mergansers at various farm ponds in the County.
Good birding and happy holidays!
Craig Tumer
College Park,MD
ctumer@yahoo. com
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