A pair of bald eagles has taken up residence in the sanctuary, much to the delight of Sanctuary Director Ed Carlson and staff. This is the first recorded nesting pair at Corkscrew since the 1940’s, and the fact that the birds chose this area for their territory is a testament to the mission of Audubon, “…to conserve and restore Florida’s ecosystems for native birds…”

Corkscrew was not a logical choice for these eagles, since they prefer to nest within one mile of a large body of water--but Corkscrew offers something else that bald eagles in Florida are finding in increasingly short supply, suitable nesting substrate. The pines at Corkscrew are perfect for the nesting birds, and they chose a spot that is not accessible to the visiting public. They and their eaglets should have a peaceful and uneventful nesting season.

The eaglets, three weeks old in the photo, appear healthy and content.  Corkscrew volunteer Rod Wiley was able to document the birds for Audubon from a safe distance with the help of a 1050mm worth of camera lens. It was further enhanced with digital software to provide this amazing glimpse into the lives of Corkscrew’s eagles.

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