Photo: Courtesy of Mass.gov
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife has asked residents to report any sightings of bald eagles carrying sticks this winter.
From December to February, bald eagles are collecting materials like sticks to use to build their nests.
“In the mating pair, the male will collect the nesting materials and bring them to the female who will construct the nest,” said Mass. Wildlife in a Facebook post.
If you do see a bald eagle flying with sticks in its talons, Mass. Wildlife said that you should make note of the location and time and then notify them via email at mass.wildlife@mass.gov.
Wildlife officials said that each year they keep track of where bald eagles are nesting, and they rely on the public for help.
Bald eagles are the largest bird of prey in Mass., and they usually live near coastal areas, estuaries and large inland bodies of water.
As of 2018, there were 76 territorial pairs of bald eagles in the state. Bald eagles were removed from the Federal Endangered Species List in 2007, although until 2012, they were listed as endangered in Mass.
Currently, bald eagles are designated as “special concern” in the state, according to Mass. Wildlife.
WBZ's Jim MacKay (@JimMacKayOnAir) reports.
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