Bogota Eagles

12-January-2020
  In 2010 a pair of Bald Eagles were spotted along Overpeck Creek western shoreline in Ridgefield Park.  These two were named Alice and Al, and by 2011 they were seen building a nest. In 2015 a clutch of 3 Eaglets were spotted. They were given the name of Hope, Faith, and Flyer. In years of harsh winters the waters of Overpeck Creek would freeze solid causing  the Eagles to look for open water to feed in. On those year Bald Eagles would be spotted flying over the Hackensack River from Ridgefield Park to Teaneck and beyond. Sometimes and Eagles could be seen resting in the trees near the Bogota Recreation Center in Olsen Park.
  Late in 2019 the sighting of  one, and possibly two, Bald Eagles became more common.  They would fly at a lower level and be increasing spotted in the trees along the western side of Olsen Park. By 2020 the eagles could be seen carrying twigs and branch which could be used for nesting material. 
  Bald Eagle normally start nest building in January, and if successful there is a possible of eggs being laid around mid-March. If there is a new nest being made the presents of human activity could result in the Eagles abandoning that location in favor of a more secure area. 
   In 2007 the American Bald Eagle was taken off the Endangered Species list. That same year  Bald and Golden Eagle came under the protection of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.  Some of the provisions of this law was to establish a 1,000 foot area around a nesting site as a restricted zone. It also became Federal law that prohibits anyone, without a permit issued by the Secretary of the Interior, from “taking” Bald Eagles. Taking is described to include their parts, nests, or eggs, molesting or disturbing the birds. The Act provides criminal penalties for persons who “take, possess, sell, purchase, barter, offer to sell, purchase or barter, transport, export or import, at any time or any manner, any Bald Eagle, or any Golden Eagle, alive or dead, or any part, nest, or egg . Violation of these laws  may be punishable by fines or imprisonment. There is also civil penalties for  anyone who takes, possess, transports, sells, barters, or purchases any dead or alive Bald or Golden Eagles will be fined $5,000 for each violation. In addition, he or she who violates or disturbs any egg or nest will be fined under the civil penalty act. Addition charges of trespassing  could be added if a nest is built on private property.
  Federal and Local conservation group urge the public to enjoy the chance to observe these and other wildlife from a safe and respectful distance. It is asked if anyone has seen, or has information about human disturbance of these Eagles, or a possible nesting site, to contact the New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection at:   https://www.njfishandwildlife.com/ensphome.htm

( To help  support Bogota Blog NJ with it's coverage of Local stories & sports

 please contribute  at: donate to Bogota Blog NJ )   

photo courtesy of Gemma Coccioli

( To help  support Bogota Blog NJ with it's coverage of Local stories & sports

 please contribute  at: donate to Bogota Blog NJ )