While canoeing on the Salt Fork River Sunday afternoon, June 3rd, four of us saw an adult bald eagle take off down the river channel and then we spotted the nest with one chick! The nest is located in a large sycamore tree on the left back (if one is headed downstream) approximately 1/2 mile downstream of 400E, Runyan Bridge, and before you reach Conkeytown. All three forks of the Vermilion River system, the North Fork, Middle Fork, and now the Salt Fork, have active bald eagle nests. Incredible! As far as I know, this is the first bald eagle nest to be noted on the Salt Fork River.
We had a leisurely trip in clear water from 300E, Butler Bridge, to 700E, the mouth of Stony Creek, in a canoe and two kayaks. This is a beautiful stretch of stream in Vermilion County with high bluffs, rock riffles, and the historic Conkeytown mill site in a beautiful sandstone bluff. It was a great day for a float down the Salt Fork.
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That's great about the eagles Sue! I've enjoyed seeing them on the Salt Fork now on 4 occasions, although I don't know if I am seeing multiple individuals, or just the same one more than once.
ReplyDeleteTwo weeks later on June 24th, Tom and I again, with friends, visited the eagle nest. Putting in at 400E we paddled our kayaks down to the site and then paddled and walked back upstream to our cars. There were TWO healthy eagle chicks on the nest! Since then they have fledged. We saw an immature eagle at our farm NE of Homer last week, so it is quite possible you will be seeing them in the area.
DeleteWhile heading back to our cars at 400E, we were delighted to find many species of mussels displaying in the stream! One of the perks of low water is being able to see the bottom of the channel. If you go, make sure to take time to look for these spectacular creatures.