On Jan 30, 2013 I posted that HK for the past year has not gone far from Honey Bee Golf Course and the North Landing River in Virginia Beach. That is in contrast to his sibling Azalea and most other juvenile bald eagles who are well known for wandering far and wide. While HK is not wearing a satellite transmitter like Azalea, with the assistance of several local eagle photographers we know from their excellent photos that HK has stayed right around Honey Bee Golf Course for most of the past year.
One area of bald eagle behavior that not much is known is the when and how of territory establishment. Well, we are learning from HK, and again with the help and photo documentation of our fabulous local eagle photographers. It is now known “why” HK is sticking so close to Honey Bee besides being an excellent place to forage for fish. HK is in the process of building a nest on the golf course. The nest location was first identified by the Dynamic Duo of Cary Lynch and Beverly Nettleton on Jan 10, 2013. Does HK have a girlfriend? Maybe. Photographers Jim Deal and Shelly Fowler have captured photos of two bald eagles of the same age (she has darker tail feathers) sitting together and one is definitely HK. Also HK was photographed by Bob Mislan carrying a stick on Feb 1.
For the past three days, Feb 2, 3, 4 I have observed HK bringing sticks to the nest 11 times. During that time I have not seen a female bald eagle come to the nest, and it appears that HK is constructing the nest by himself – apparently establishing his territory. Management of Honey Bee Golf Club is aware of the nest that HK is working on. In fact, while we were at the nest tree HK brought in a stick.
Once again we thank the photographers who have been so observent and provided their photos for all of us to enjoy and learn. All photos are copyright of the photographer.
To view more photos of HK and the other bald eagles visiting Honey Bee go to this link by Pam Monahan- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Honey-Beeagles/395098947182294?ref=tn_tnmn
Jim Deal Jan 21, 2013
Shelly Fowler Feb 2, 2013
Bob Mislan Feb 1, 2013
Reese F Lukei Jr Feb 2 and 4, 2013
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Many thanks to Reese and all photogs and golf course management and…HK himself!
