Bald eagle pair nesting at Barr Lake

BRIGHTON – Once again, the nesting pair of bald eagles at Barr Lake State Park have begun the incubation period of future eaglets. If all goes well, the eaglets should hatch around mid-April.

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Photo by John Carr Bald eagles, like this one pictured at Prairie Center earlier this year, are a common sight in Brighton. New eaglets will likely hatch at Barr Lake in April.

    A pair of bald eagles has attended a nest in the wildlife refuge since 1986. During that time, eagles have survived severe storms, the loss of nesting trees, and several changes of mates. As of 2010, the Barr Lake bald eagle pair had fledged 40 young from eight nests.
    Each year, since 1988, volunteers from the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory’s Bald Eagle Watch have anxiously awaited the signs of hatching eaglets in early spring.  Typically, one or two eaglets hatch. If all goes well, the juveniles will fly from the nest in late June and remain in the area with their parents most of the summer. 
    “It’s the second-oldest nest on the Front Range and one of the oldest nests in state that we’re aware of,” said David Klute, the Colorado Division of Wildlife’s statewide bird coordinator.
    Bald eagles are seldom seen far from water -- large rivers, lakes and seacoasts. In Colorado, they are often found near reservoirs, such as Barr Lake, and along major rivers such as the South Platte, Arkansas, Rio Grande, Yampa and Colorado. During the breeding season bald eagles defend territories and most frequently can be found nesting in large cottonwood trees.
    The best viewing of the eagle nest is from the gazebo, a 1.3-mile walk south of the Barr Lake Nature Center into the wildlife refuge. The nest is approximately a quarter mile from the gazebo and is easily seen with binoculars. The Nature Center loans binoculars and features a display about eagles.
    The Barr Lake Nature Center is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can purchase park passes and registrations at the nature center. Retail purchases at the center support educational programs at Barr Lake because a portion of the proceeds from sales comes back to the park.
    The first bald eagle nests were discovered in Colorado in the mid-1970s. Populations have since consistently increased and more than 100 eagle nests are known in the state. Colorado also supports significant numbers of wintering bald eagles. Typically, between 400 and 1,000 bald eagles can be found over-wintering throughout the state, offering birders cold-season viewing opportunities.
    Attracting more than 12 million visitors per year, Colorado’s 42 state parks are a vital cornerstone of Colorado’s economy and quality of life. Colorado state parks encompass 224,447 land and water acres, offering some of the best outdoor recreation destinations in the state. Colorado state parks is a leader in providing opportunities for outdoor recreation, protecting the state’s favorite landscapes, teaching generations about nature and partnering with communities.
    Colorado state parks also manage more than 4,300 campsites, and 63 cabins and yurts.  For more information on Colorado state parks or to purchase an annual pass online, visit www.parks.state.co.us.