the wetland eagle story
We’re fortunate to have a mating pair of American bald eagles call the wetland home. They stir the heart as they soar high above, hunt, tend their nest and raise their young.
Since we began monitoring the wetland eagles in 2013, 21 eaglets have hatched and 18 offspring have successfully fledged. With abundant food and water and protected habitat, the wetland is helping to sustain the remarkable recovery of this iconic species once in danger of extinction.
WATCH THE WETLAND EAGLES
Our eagles are typically in residence from September through June. Each breeding season adds an exciting new chapter to our eagle story. You can watch and listen to the nesting action live on our eagle cam. Its design, fabrication and installation were made possible through the generosity of donor Kathy D. and our partnership with Good Faith Energy, Mica Steel Works and Primoris.
Visit Our Eagles
We encourage you to visit the Wetland Center in hopes of seeing the eagles and other abundant wildlife. The 1.5-mile round trip to view their nesting habitat takes you as close as federal regulations allow. You’ll see signs on the trail asking you not to approach any closer. Please respect these restrictions. Any human impact on the JBS eagles or their nests will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. This habitat is monitored 24 hours a day.
Our Eagles’ History
Adult eagles were first observed in the wetland in 2008. Juveniles with adults were spotted in 2010, although no nesting activity was observed. Adults began nesting in the wetland in the fall of 2011, building their home on an arm of a high-voltage transmission tower.
With electricity flowing nearby, the nest’s location jeopardized the safety of the eagles and the reliability of electric service. A remarkable partnership of Oncor, MICA Steelworks (formerly Falcon Steel), Chapman Group, The Rosewood Corporation, North Texas Municipal Water District, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Wetland Center set out to find a beneficial solution for the eagles and for electricity customers.
Over two days in July 2014, after the eagles had left for the summer, a 50-person team relocated the 200-pound nest. They removed the tower arm with the nest intact and attached it to a replica tower a quarter of a mile away. With no electrical lines attached to it, this new structure offered a safe nesting site.
But would the eagles use it? Ornithologists gave it a 50-50 shot. When the eagles returned in the fall of 2014, they tried to rebuild their nest on the original energized tower. Every few days, Oncor removed the nesting sticks. The eagles located the new tower in October and quickly moved in to reclaim their old nest. They have used the replica tower most years since.
Click here to see a timeline of events of their nesting behaviors and eaglets.
