Page 11 - GreenMaster Winter 2024

Golf Links:
the Eagle The bustling nest with three eaglets.
than his parents and his resemblance to a golden eagle was remarkable.
This juvenile’s casual demeanor around humans, having been raised so close to golf course activities, illustrated a unique adaptation. It had a curious habit of sticking to its spot when you approached, almost as if it was daring you to come closer. Sometimes, they would land just meters away, as if to test your bravery. It was clear they were far more comfortable with us encroaching on their personal space than we were with them encroaching on ours.
We were told to expect the parents to leave at summer’s end, as they go off with the young and get them settled away, much like a first- year college student. While away, the parents will continue to look for a more suitable nesting site, one that offers protection, and a steady food supply. When September arrived, the fledgling had left the nest, and the parents returned to continue their nesting cycle.
In 2020, the nest saw the arrival of two eaglets, a testament to the thriving population and the effective management strategies employed. The following years continued to showcase the nest’s productivity. Three eaglets hatched in both 2021 and 2022, and the pattern persisted into 2023. 12 eagles fledged in 5 years was a clear demonstration of the long-term success of the conservation efforts and the eagles’ adaptation to their unconventional nesting site.
Our strategy was to maintain a visible human presence and to introduce controlled noise to help the eagles acclimate to their new surroundings. Several times a day, from late winter into spring, we would take strolls around the nest area. Different people took turns patrolling the area - sometimes in pairs and occasionally in larger groups, like a social club on the move. Meanwhile, a handheld blower provided the soundtrack of its own: it varied between a gentle hum, as if whispering sweet nothings, and a full-throttle roar, like a dragon with a
cold. It was like having a musical accompaniment, but with less melody and more surprise. This approach proved successful, and in early May, a baby eaglet was visible in the nest.
The young eagle grew quickly, with its first flights beginning in June, and could be seen across the golf course in late July. In contrast to the adult, juvenile bald eagles have mottled brown and white plumage. They gradually acquire adult plumage as they mature, usually taking five years. As June came to an end, the juvenile appeared larger
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