DC Bald Eagles
With increasing numbers of Bald Eagles around the Washington, DC area, mostly near the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac (they are nearly always found near water), sightings are becoming more and more common.
Most of us remember the story of George and Martha, and we’ve witnessed a number of other dramatic rescues. A visit to the National Zoo’s Bald Eagle Refuge will get you a close-up look at these majestic creatures. And now you can get a rare view of a wild bald eagle nest provided by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries at this WVEC Web cam page.
Down to a low of only 417 pairs in the lower 48 states in 1963, the birds have now been upgraded from endangered to threatened. I have yet to see one soaring over the river. What about you? Tell us your story of spotting our national symbol.
I have seen bald eagles in DC about 30 times, so it is hard to pick just one. There was one time that I was at the National Arboretum and saw one perched at close range (~50 feet). Another time I was at Hains Point and watched one soar above the dome of the Capitol. Earlier this year I was crossing the grounds of the Washington monument when one flew directly overhead at low altitude. (I think I was the only person who noticed.) I have seen them pretty much everywhere in the city, but mostly along our two rivers.