On Saturday morning, May 8, 2010, the 6-week old eaglets which hatched out at Shiloh in late March, were discovered lying on the ground at the base of the nest tree. Both eaglets were dead. An investigation determined the eaglets most likely were frightened out of the nest by some intruder, perhaps by a great horned owl, an unrelated sub-adult eagle, or a raccoon, and as a result of not yet being able to fly, fell to their deaths. Since the untimely loss of their offspring, the adult bald eagles (the breeding pair known affectionately as Hiram and Julia) have remained in the immediate area of Shiloh battlefield, making infrequent and brief appearances in or around the nest tree. As a result of the loss of the eaglets at the nest site, which has altered the predictable behavior pattern of the nurturing adult birds and made scheduled opportunities to view the birds impossible, the ranger-guided eagle watch interpretive programs scheduled for May and June have been cancelled. |
Last updated: April 14, 2015