Bantam Lake Bald Eagle Nesting Season 2018

Bald Eagle pair scoping out their nesting territory, February 2018.

The breeding pair of Bald Eagles have returned to Bantam Lake and are preparing for the 2018 breeding season.  It took the pair several years to construct the nest which was used to successfully fledge two chicks in 2017 for the first time.  They appear to be very active again this year and are frequently observed hunting around the Bantam Lake vicinity, especially where there is open water (ice free).  Occassionally they are observed peering down the holes that ice fisherman drill.  They have been observed bringing sticks to supplement their nest.  If everything goes according to a traditional schedule in this part of their breeding range, the female will lay the eggs at the end of February or early March. 

Connecticut's Bald Eagle breeding population has been increasing for the past 40 years due to conservation efforts implemented by the US Endangered Species Act and state agencies such as CT DEEP.  If you observe Bald Eagles in Connecticut, please report them here. 

Thanks to Leo Kulinski, Jr. for sharing all of his photographs and for all of the time he spends watching the Bald Eagles.

Bald Eagle ice fishing after fishermen left the lake.

Bald Eagle adult and two chicks at nest along Bantam Lake shoreline, 2017 breeding season.