Science & Nature
Chicago’s Eaglets Draw Too Much Attention, Park District Limits Access to Nesting Site
Chicago’s first eaglet in more than 100 years, seen poking out of its nest on the Southeast Side. (Chicago Park District)
Chicagoans have gone perhaps a little too gaga over a pair of baby bald eagles, the first hatchlings said to have been recorded within city limits in more than 100 years.
The Chicago Park District has erected barriers at the Southeast Side park where the eaglets and their parents are nesting. A popular trail is now closed to protect the family of eagles. Last fall, the Park District similarly had to block access to Montrose Pier to deter throngs from disturbing a visiting snowy owl.
The Park District announced the eaglets’ arrival last week. Birders and district staff had been monitoring a nest over the winter and the first eaglet was spotted April 28. The presence of a second eaglet was confirmed days later.
The district’s decision to publicize the location of the nest drew criticism online from people who expressed concern the information would lead to harassment of the birds.
Last Friday, a district spokesperson told WTTW News via email the park in question was “not a high traffic area” and that staff had only observed a “handful of birders, nothing outside of the ordinary.”
But the situation changed over the weekend when “an increased number of press and photographers” were seen on site, Irene Tostado, a Park District spokesperson, said.
“Out of an abundance of caution, and to minimize disturbance and for the protection of the nesting area, we have temporarily closed access to the woodland path for the foreseeable future,” Tostado said. “We appreciate the cooperation of all our patrons in avoiding the area.”
According to the National Audubon Society, the presence of humans could startle eaglets and cause them to jump out of the nest before they’re capable of flight.
Although bald eagles are no longer listed as an endangered species, the federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act prohibits human behavior that interferes with eagles’ normal breeding, feeding and sheltering activity.
Contact Patty Wetli: [email protected]
