Day 120: I know my east-coast readers will find it hard to believe, but Bald Eagles are a common sight in the Pacific Northwest, especially along rivers and lakeshores. As I began my walk on the Bud Blancher Trail on Tuesday, there were nine perched in close proximity to the first bridge. The present gathering is partly due to a recent "fish toss," the return of frozen salmon carcases to the waterway as part of a habitat restoration project. Word spreads among these big birds when the food source is plentiful; otherwise, this section of the Mashel is normally the territory of one or two pair and their offspring. Both adults and juveniles were out and about, this youngster posing for his close-up to the delight of local photographers.
Can you say more about the fish toss? How does that help habitat restoration? Never heard of it...
ReplyDeleteDecaying salmon carcases are part of the natural order of things in streams and rivers which normally support salmon. There is a strong move to restore the Nisqually and its tributaries to a state which will support a natural run of salmon, so every year, frozen fish carcases are trucked in and pitched into the Mashel in the hopes of returning the river to its former health. It's one of many restoration projects.
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