'While the baby birds are on the ground, the climber is collecting leftover food items from the nest. The ground crews examine chicks for health, take measurements to figure out the sex, and pluck three breast feathers from each bird to test for mercury levels. One chick at a time is placed into the bag and the pulley is lowered to the ground. One identification band is put on each of the birds' legs.įrench said crews set up a pulley with a rope and a cloth bag is placed at the end of the pulley. In 2009, 21 nests produced chicks, and 37 young eagles survived to fledge, according to Fisheries and Wildlife.įrench climbs into bald eagle nests during nesting and banding season taking place from May to June. This past January, wildlife officials and volunteers spotted 71 bald eagles during a two-day annual survey, according to French. 'The closest nests we know about are located in Fall River, the Merrimack River, and the Quabbin and Wachusett reservoirs.'īald eagle pairs are scattered across the state, except for Cape Cod and the islands, according to French. 'That's the thing that perks my interest more than anything,' he said. 'If there are two white-headed bald eagle adults flying around then it means they are pretty close to their nests and that would be significant,' he said.įrench said because of Framingham's large reservoirs, it is quite likely that there are bald eagle nests around that have not been identified yet by MassWildlife. This time of year, he said, nesting season is over and juvenile bald eagles are everywhere. Tom French, assistant director of the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, said that number is four more than last year. 'Eagle nests in Massachusetts total 31 across the state,'said Coca. Bald eagles do not nest here, but are looking for food this time of year. Linda Coca, natural history information coordinator for the Massachusetts Audubon Society, said it is very likely that bald eagles are in the Framingham area. The bald eagle, America's national bird, continues to make its comeback, and a Framingham resident recently spotted one in town.

Tom french birds