Birders Flock to Sheffield Mills for 10th Year by Rob Gorham

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Birders Flock to Sheffield Mills for 10th Year!

by Rob Gorham February 5th, 2001 Sheffield Mills, N.S. - Colder than usual weather over the Minas Basin made for some spectacular viewing of American bald eagles in eastern Kings County over the past two weekends. The cold weather drove dozens of birds inland to feed on chicken-waste placed in fields by local farmers. It’s a practice that gone on for more than two decades. And, today, both the eagles and curious bird-watchers have grown increasingly accustom to gathering here each winter.

Matt Hennigar, co-ordinator of the 10^th annual Sheffield Mills Eagle Watch, says it's the "image of power and grace, those kinds of characteristics, that attract people" to the bald eagle.

During the first weekend of the annual watch more than 1,000 people observed and photographed the majestic birds. Last weekend about 300 people braved the cold weather to attend the event.

Participants also watched videos and a slide show on the eagles at a local community hall. Eagle enthusiasts from both the Blomidon Naturalists Society and the Raptor Rehabilitation Center were on hand to discuss eagle habitat and behaviour.

Although a bald eagle can live up to 30 years, its average lifespan is only about ten. The bird prefers coastlines with lots of pine; and a nest can weigh as much as a ton, according to Hennigar.

It is anticipated that the eagle watch this year will eclipse last year's record sightings of more than 450 eagles. Volunteers will be stationed throughout eastern Kings County to count the number of bald eagles they spot in an hour.