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WILDERNESS JOURNAL: VISITING BALD EAGLES AT LAKE CASITAS
It is June and some members of the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, their families, and friends accompanied us to Lake Casitas to visit and see the bald eagle parents and their offspring. Luckily we had a caravan of three cars on a gorgeous bright sunny day with minimal clouds and light traffic. We started out from Agoura Hills, California at 7:30 AM to be sure to arrive early to see the wildlife and hopefully see the baby eagles (eaglets) getting fed.
Upon arrival, we could see the giant eagle’s nest high in the Eucalyptus tree and one of the parents on a branch adjacent to the nest. When entering Lake Casitas, the road to the left follows around so one can park quite near to view the nest and with binoculars can view the two little baby eagles. The mother eagle could be seen high in the sky carrying towards the nest a “duck roast.” We were just in time to see the baby’s breakfast banquet.
We could see that the drought has impacted heavily in this area and the water line is the lowest ever experienced in this region. One could see boats unable to maneuver in the water so that they are now grounded. The water wildlife is diminished in numbers. Some of the trees have died.
Even in the drought the ducks are still making use of the water.
However, there are still plenty of birds to view. The following are what we bird watchers viewed besides the bald eagles:
Acorn Woodpecker House Finch
American Coot Hummingbirds (Anna’s)
American Crows Killdeer
Ash-throated Flycatcher Lesser Gold Finch
Barn Swallow Mallard Duck
Black-crowned Night Heron Mockingbird
Black-headed Grosbeak Northern Harrier
Black Phoebe Red-tailed Hawk
Brewer’s Blackbird Red-winged Blackbird
Bullock’s Oriole Robin
California Gull Rock Dove
California Towhee Snowy Egret
Canada Goose Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow Starling
Dark-eyed Junco Turkey Vultures
Domestic and Mallard Hybrid Ducks Western Blue Bird
Great Blue Egret Western Grebe
Great Egret Western Kingbird
Great-tailed Grackle Western Scrub Jays
Hairy Woodpecker Wrentit
On the return trip, we took our caravan to the Ventura Harbor for an outdoor lunch at famous Andria’s for their delicious fish and chips as well as other seafood dishes. Everyone commented on what a wonderful outing experience they had and were glad to be introduced to a new dining place. Of course, the highlight was the experience seeing the bald eagle family.
