RAMONA — A pair of bald eagles that has been nesting in a tree in the Ramona grasslands since late last year have hatched a single chick, the Wildlife Research Institute announced Thursday.
The discovery was made last weekend while researchers were conducting an annual countywide golden eagle count and flew over the bald eagle nest and took photographs with a high-powered lens, said Chris Meador, the institute’s assistant director.
One unhatched egg was also spotted in the nest, but Meador said it is probably infertile.
The chick appears healthy, well-fed, and probably a month old, he said.
Only two pairs of nesting bald eagles are known to exist in the county. However, Meador said, reports are increasing of bald eagle sightings in many parts of the county, including in the Lake Hodges area. The other nesting pair have resided near Lake Henshaw on Vista Irrigation District land for several years.
The Ramona grasslands eagles’ nest is about one mile from the institute’s headquarters, which sits in the middle of the grasslands area.
Meador said the Ramona bald eagles have been spotted capturing and feeding on squirrels, which is rare. Usually, he said, bald eagles eat fish, but no lakes are near the nest.
“We’re very happy to see them adapting to their environment,” Meador said.
The Ramona eagles have also been seen preying on water fowl.
The institute has asked people to not approach or go anywhere near the nest, but it can be observed from Rangeland Road.
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