Bailey Lake Raptors Traditional Cache

Bailey Lake is roughly 61 acres, is shallow (15' max depth) and is technically defined as a wetland and not a lake.  It receives storm water runoff from 18,431 acres in the City of Woodbury.  Bailey Lake used to be much smaller, but continued to grow with the development of the city.  There had been an Eagle's nest not too far from this little island.  The tree that it was in eventually fell.  The Eagles have since built a new nest nearby.  

Bald Eagles nest in trees except in regions where only cliff faces or ground sites are available. They tend to use tall, sturdy conifers that protrude above the forest canopy, providing easy flight access and good visibility. In southern parts of their range, Bald Eagles may nest in deciduous trees, mangroves, and cactus. It’s unknown whether the male or the female takes the lead in selecting a nest site. Nests are typically built near the trunk, high up in the tree but below the crown (unlike Osprey nests).

NEST DESCRIPTION

Bald Eagles build some of the largest of all bird nests—typically 5 to 6 feet in diameter and 2 to 4 feet tall, and ranging in shape from cylindrical to conical to flat, depending on the supporting tree. Both sexes bring materials to the nest, but the female does most of the placement. They weave together sticks and fill in the cracks with softer material such as grass, moss, or cornstalks. The inside of the nest is lined first with lichen or other fine woody material, then with downy feathers and sometimes sprigs of greenery. Ground nests are built of whatever’s available, such as kelp and driftwood near coastal shorelines. Nests can take up to three months to build, and may be reused (and added to) year after year.

If you are lucky, you will see the two resident eagles in their nest or perched upon the nearby telephone poles.