I was fishing on the south branch this morning. I was surprised to see a large bald eagle at just below tree top level flying over me. I have fished the south branch many years and this is the first time I have seen a bald eagle. Has anyone else seen a bald eagle? BTW I had a good time fishing the SB this morning with a couple of brown trout.
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Bald eagle on the south branch
- Thread starter hanknj
- Start date
I have seen more bald eagles than you could imagine on the SB...
Just not on the upper trout sections....I see alot in the lower reaches...
Say from clinton on down to past the confluence....They have been pretty
regular customers for the last ten yrs er so....How far up did you see him??
Just not on the upper trout sections....I see alot in the lower reaches...
Say from clinton on down to past the confluence....They have been pretty
regular customers for the last ten yrs er so....How far up did you see him??
FIN-ITE 34
Well-known member
Have seen a mature and a juvi on a number of occasions in the Middle Valley stretch.
NJ has in excess of 170 known eagle nests and there have been approximately 90 chicks fledged so far this year. Start looking at the sky and I guarantee you will be amazed how many eagle you see around.
NJ has in excess of 170 known eagle nests and there have been approximately 90 chicks fledged so far this year. Start looking at the sky and I guarantee you will be amazed how many eagle you see around.
Thursthouse
Tight Loins
Always a special moment seeing a bald eagle...I've seen one on the SBR and even more surprisingly (to me) have seen one several times on the ramapo... along with a mink..thought those were pretty cool sightings in such an urban area..
flyI4
Fishizzle, I use worms but I'm looking to upgrade!
Saw one fly over the Garden State Parkway at the Matawan/South Amboy area near the driscol bridge. Totally odd place for a bald eagle but in general I think the population has really rebounded the past 10 years or so. They are a common sighting now in the catskills.
Rusty Spinner
Active member
I helped the Raritan Trout Club today in Middle Valley do some stream restoration work and saw a mature bald eagle this morning, likely the same one you saw cruising near Vernoy. I see them at least weekly between Middle Valley and the KLG. They really have become somewhat common. The Musky is loaded with them.
Rusty Spinner
Active member
I did not realize bald eagles were a common sight along the SB. I will be more observant with an eye on the sky as well as the river
This is probably the same one you saw. Sorry, no telephoto lens. Just a point and shoot....
PinelandsGillie
I want to move to the green mountains
I saw a bald eagle eating a dead deer near my house, didn't know they are scavengers
Rusty Spinner
Active member
They are primarily scavengers. They are notorious at stealing the meals of others such as Ospreys.
FIN-ITE 34
Well-known member
They are not primarily scavengers. They are what is classified as opportunistic birds of prey that will steal food from other eagles, other birds and will feed on carrion when most of their normal food sources are scarce. Otherwise, they are hardcore killers.
Watch a nesting pair for a couple hundred hours a year for 8 years and you will see just what they bring to the nest. Fish, birds, waterfowl, muskrats and turtles.
CTobias
Professional BS'r
They are definitely not hardcore killers. They are lazy and look for easy meals. Which is exactly why they wait below cleaning tables.
lightenup
A fan of Boobery
Well.......it is our national bird......Franklin wanted it to be the Turkey......these days I believe that would be more representative of our society......but the scavenger thing maybe more representative......I'll go with the Turkey......Ben Franklin was a genius.......
Turkeys are on of the strongest fliers on the planet.....
Turkeys are on of the strongest fliers on the planet.....
FIN-ITE 34
Well-known member
Rusty Spinner
Active member
Wild turkeys are wicked smart, unlike domesticated turkeys that often drown in heavy rains by looking up at the sky with their beaks open....
Franklin was right, but we went with the scavenger instead.
Franklin was right, but we went with the scavenger instead.
gregschmegg
New member
I fished the gorge this morning for the first time in weeks. saw an eagle about 6am in the trestle lot. it flew over me about 30' in the air with a very large rainbow in its claws.
The birds are having a free buffet in there now with the low water levels.
The birds are having a free buffet in there now with the low water levels.
Bruce Edward Litton
New member
I cast a Senko almost clear across the S. Branch, fighting a bass, it surfaced mid river, eagle was swooping down...turned its head, saw me, and aborted the attack.
Bruce Edward Litton
New member
Don't get it.
