Eagles still expecting

This eagle, a resident of the North Fork of the Palouse River since winter, appears to be on guard.

The eagle’s nest along the North Fork of the Palouse River is still occupied, but no chicks have been seen yet.

Two American bald eagles have been spotted at the nest.

According to state Fish and Wildlife biologist Howard Ferguson, the birds produce two and sometimes three chicks. He said eagle chicks normally can be observed some time in May. Eagle chicks normally can be seen hopping in the nest and flapping their wings.

The nest is large, made in the crook of a tree along the river. The eagle builds the largest nest of any North American bird and the largest tree nests ever recorded for any animal species, up to 13 feet deep, eight feet wide and weighing up to one ton.

Once eagles make nests, they use it repeatedly over many years, adding new material each year.

No bald eagle’s nest has been officially listed for Whitman County on the state’s DFW web site.

Ferguson said the department isn’t keeping track of bald eagles this year, but is concentrating on golden eagles. He said downstream on the Palouse River from the bald eagle nest, the department has documented four golden eagle nests.

Three golden eagle nests have been located in Garfield County along the Snake River.

Bird watchers are asked to stay in their vehicles to make sure the birds are not disturbed.