![]() Those who wish to join the hike are asked to meet at Holland Ponds at 50385 Ryan Road at 2 p.m.ĭress for the weather with proper footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. Schultz’s guidelines to ensure the eagles have every opportunity to thrive and raise a family in our beautiful community.” Related Articlesīoat parade to illuminate Clinton River, raise funds for KARENS rescue group First, however, I urge everyone to follow Ms. “As a patriotic American, it is exciting to know we have a pair of bald eagles nesting in one of our parks. “Lizzy Schultz is an excellent naturalist, and I can’t think of better ambassadors to welcome American eagles to our township than her and Parks and Rec Director Joe Youngblood,” said Shelby Township Supervisor Rick Stathakis. To help residents and visitors safely view the eagles, Schultz and Bonin will lead a free guided hike from 2-3 p.m. “With Lizzy Schultz leading the way, our staff is well-equipped to help our community enjoy our new residents without negatively impacting them, their nest or the surrounding ecosystem.” Guided hike “We’re fortunate that this is not the first time we’ve had VIPs nesting in Holland Ponds,” Parks, Recreation and Maintenance Director Joe Youngblood said. If park patrons see individuals trespass beyond the barriers, they can call the Shelby Township Police Department non-emergency line at 58. In addition to the new barriers and patrols, existing infrastructure protects the eagles as they nest in the same area as the established heron rookery, which already has viewing areas and trails designed to avoid nest disturbance while allowing access for hikers and nature enthusiasts. Combine that with our residents’ passion for our community and parks, and I’m sure we’ll have no problem keeping the nests safe and ensuring a successful season for the eagles.” “We have the best public safety professionals and park officials in the state, which make our township the ideal place to raise a family. “The eagles chose Shelby Township for their new home for the same reasons everyone does,” Township Supervisor Rick Stathakis said. The Shelby Township Police Department will be monitoring access points to the trails near the nesting area as well as other portions of Holland Ponds Park in order to aid in the enforcement of the guidelines. However, officials are asking enthusiasts to respect the rules for bird watching. Nests can reach 9 feet in width and weigh as much as a car. The nest, or eyrie, starts at about 5 feet wide but they often add to it each year. If all goes well in rearing the young American bald eagles (aka Haliaeetus leucocephalus), the pair will remain together and come back to the same nest each year. PHOTO COURTESY OF SHELBY TOWNSHIP/VIA BOB BONIN They do not gain their iconic white head and tail until they are about 5 years old.” A view of the nest that the American bald eagles have built in a tree at Holland Ponds Park. Juveniles are solid brown with mottled white areas underneath their wings. The chicks take flight at about 3 months old and look nothing like adults. “Typically, one to three eggs are laid as early as January, hatching in about five weeks. “Wildlife photographer and bald eagle observer Joan Bonin reported that the eagles have been seen sitting low in the nest, appearing to roll egg(s) and change guard, a sign they are incubating eggs,” Elizabeth “Lizzy” Schultz, a naturalist and nature center coordinator for Shelby Township parks, recreation and maintenance said in a news release. Shelby Township’s Holland Ponds Park has become a hotspot for bird watchers now that everyone knows nature photographers have spotted two American bald eagles nesting in one of the trees.
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