Conservation 20/20 closes trail at Galt Preserve
Recent visitors to the Galt Preserve may have noticed that the trail on the south side of the parking area has been closed.
The sign posted states, “A portion of this trail is closed in order to better protect the nesting bald eagles.”
Bald eagles nest between October and May.
According to the website nationaleaglecenter.org, eagles have a strong nest fidelity and return to the same nest and nesting territory each year. These eagles began nesting at Galt Preserve in 2012. The eagles chose the nest on the edge of the pine flatwoods south of the driveway leading into the preserve.
Since the initial nesting, the pair has successfully fledged two chicks over three nesting seasons (one the second year and one the third year). This is year four of the nest and preserve staffers hope for another successful nesting year. Nest success is not guaranteed.
In order to give this pair the best chance for successful nesting, Conservation 20/20 staff has closed the trail closest to their nest. According to the ‘Attention’ sign, “The embryos in the eggs can die if the adult is stressed and leaves the nest for too long.”
Visitors are asked to please help this pair of eagles by:
Respecting the closed trails and no parking zones.
Watching the eagles with binoculars or a spotting scope rather than walking closer to the nest.
Speaking quietly and minimizing loud noises (even a barking dog or idling car on the road can be disturbing).
Not trying to give them supplemental food. Bald eagles know how to hunt and will take care of bringing the appropriate food to their young.
Visitors likely will notice multiple eagles on this Conservation 20/20 preserve. It is not uncommon to see eagles of different ages in addition to the nesting pair. You can approximate a young eagle’s age based on its plumage. Juvenile eagles start off with dark brown feathers and bill, then get mottled and at approximately 5 years they grow into their white heads and tails and striking yellow legs and beak.
Galt Preserve is a 265-acre nature preserve at 3661 Stringfellow Road, St. James City, about 7 miles south of Pine Island Center on Stringfellow Road, slightly north of York Road.