Bald Eagles in Lafayette

[Mgderf]

It may not be a big deal to some, but I was greatly excited to spot not one, but two bald eagles in Lafayette yesterday afternoon.

I was in a car crossing the Union St bridge from Lafayette to West Lafayette.
At the west end of the bridge, on the north side, is a large pond/small lake.

As we we exited onto the off-ramp, I spotted a very large bald eagle swoop down and take a fish from the pond/lake. I was not driving so I had the privilege to watch nature instead of the road.
It flew from the waters surface up to a tree-top about 60' up and only 30 yards or so from Williamsburg apartments below.

I knew that Indiana made a concerted effort years ago to re-introduce bald eagles to Indiana. I saw proof yesterday of it working.

 

[HavokCycle]

originally from that area. i remember reports of them a few years ago. my old man in an adjacent county says theyve been out that way too.

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

That's cool alright.

They're still rare enough that when you see them, it's memorable.

 

[Tydeeh22]

they're all over. on 26 outside of rossville theres a couple near the filled up quarry. near burrows and french post park theres a few. so glad to know theyre back.

 

[aclark]

Seems like there's been a few of them hanging around the wabash for the last couple years. Great sight to see.

 

[shooter521]

The hot spot to watch Bald Eagles in the Lafayette area is the Williamsburg apartment complex; they have been congregating on the Wabash in pretty good numbers for the past few years.

 

[JokerGirl]

Gorgeous birds. They're actually becoming more popular. I believe there are around 26? nesting pairs known in the state now.

There's a pair at Eagle Creek that you can see on a regular basis.

 

[Mgderf]

The hot spot to watch Bald Eagles in the Lafayette area is the Williamsburg apartment complex; they have been congregating on the Wabash in pretty good numbers for the past few years.

I am so glad to hear this. I used to fish that pond most every weekend, before the state cut it in half . I would take the dogs down there after dark and just lie on the bank drowning worms.

I'm pleased to think that what once was a rare occurrence, is now somewhat common-place.

 

[lww]

There were some pics in today's J&C: http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.d...20130215&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=302150024&Ref=PH

By Michael Heinz/Journal & Courier
A convocation of Bald Eagle sit in a tree near the Wabash River Friday, February 15, 2013, in West Lafayette. Up to 20 of the eagles were spotted along the Wabash behind Williamsburg Apartments.

 

[Mgderf]

There were some pics in today's J&C: http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.d...20130215&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=302150024&Ref=PH

By Michael Heinz/Journal & Courier
A convocation of Bald Eagle sit in a tree near the Wabash River Friday, February 15, 2013, in West Lafayette. Up to 20 of the eagles were spotted along the Wabash behind Williamsburg Apartments.

This is outstanding!

 

[Jludo]

When I was at Purdue last year I lived on the Wabash and there were always 2 Bald Eagles right outside my window. Was pretty neat because the only place I'd seen them before was on my fishing trips to Canada. Later in the year there were 2 or 3 juvenile's who would land on branches to thin to support their weight and fall out of the tree, funny stuff.
It's probably illegal or frowned upon but in Canada we'd stun the smaller small mouth we caught, toss them in the middle of the lake and the eagles would swoop down and grab them, made for great pictures.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Downtown Lafayette is awash in bald eagles.

No doubt they are there for the coffee and restaurant scene.

https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/break_room/132236-police_confront_bald_eagles_lafayette.html

 

[cfl4rat]

I haven't seen them for myself but I've seen pictures and been told by quite a few that there is a pair of them at SIA

 

[No2rdame]

Something positive the government is finally doing with our tax dollars! They are beautiful birds, but I've never seen any that are not in captivity. I hope one day they become more popular and I will be able to see them in their natural habitat.

 

[shooter521]

I believe there are around 26? nesting pairs known in the state now.

IDNR documented 119 active nest sites in the state in 2010. Probably something more than that today.

http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/indiana/record-number-of-bald-eagles-in-indiana

Eagles are a regular sight at many of the places I go birding, so while they may lack the "ooh ahh" factor they used to have, I never get tired of seeing them.

 

[VoteRedTeam]

Great Thread! My dad spotted one in Kokomo a year or two ago. I haven't seen one since I was a kid but they are always an awesome sight.