Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 16:09:26 +0000 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Eric Sprague Subject: River Otters v. Bald Eagles at Eastern Neck NWR Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Eastern Neck NWR Sunday, 1/25/04 - 4:00pm Late Sunday afternoon, I watched up to five River Otters on the edge of the ice and in the water in the Chester River off the landing at the end of Bogle?s Wharf Road. Also watching the otters, were 10 Bald Eagles (1 adult, 9 juveniles) perched in nearby trees and on the ice. The Eagles would occasionally buzz the otters, but always seemed to be just a little too late as the otters dove back into the water. At one point, an Eagle approached too closely on the ice and a feisty otter chased the bird away. The adult Eagle didn?t stick around too long ? possibly understanding the difficulty in catching an otter. However, the juvenile Eagles patience/curiosity almost paid off. As four otters ran across the ice towards another stretch of open water, three juvenile Eagles took chase. The otters quickly realized the danger and turned back. Two juvenile Eagles appeared poised to take two separate otters ? legs extended, talons clenched, but pulled back after being within a foot or two of capturing them (my wife cheered in delight as I quietly sighed). I?m not sure why the juvenile Eagles didn?t take the otters. I imagine an otters bite isn?t comfortable, but either is the clutch of an Eagle?s talons. It is possible the juveniles didn?t have much experience with otters and just hesitated too long. Also on the river, were small numbers of Greater Scaup, Bufflehead, Black Duck, Mallard, Ruddy Duck, and Mute Swan. A great first trip to Eastern Neck NWR. Eric Annapolis, MD ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================