The eagle detour was removed and paddlers now have full access to the blueway system at Robinson Preserve

BRADENTON -- Last Friday the Natural Resources Department and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission decided it was ok to reopen a paddle trail, after months of waiting to see if a pair of courting eagles would start a family.

Did you know that a pair of American Bald Eagles fledged six more eagles over the years at Robinson Preserve?

Since 2007, the American Bald Eagle population has begun to increase. State and federal laws continue to protect the eagle.

Max Dersch is a county supervisor for the Natural Resources Department, and you could say he knows a thing, or two, about eagle courtship and nesting.

But before we go any further with this story, let’s start out with a basic understanding of eagle courting, which could take up to six months.

Once a male and female eagle ”finds“ each other, they court, which is vital to their decision to build a nest. During this time they must be left alone to "woo" each other.

Even once a nest is built, there’s no guarantee that baby eagles are on the way.

But if little ones do spring up, there’s, also, no guarantee of their survival, due to predators that stalk an eagle’s nest for a quick meal.

This is why part of the blueway system’s paddle trail was blocked since September, because if people interfere with any phase of the courtship, nesting and eaglet upbringing, the eagles may not mate, nest or stay with their young.

If an eagle could speak for itself, it would most likely ask for a little privacy, please.

”Federal law states that people have to stay back a certain amount of feet from an active nest when courtship is active," Max Dersch said. ”We are at the tail end of their nesting season and we waited to reopen the trail to make sure the eagles had a full chance to mate.“

The two eagles at Robinson Preserve have been courting since September, but Dersch said this year they won’t be raising any little ones like the years before.

This is not really that unusual. Eagles don’t always bear offspring on an annual basis, and sometimes they will have two sets of offspring in one year, if their first set of eaglets is unsuccessful .

”Their courtship was very active,“ he said. ”The nest building was active, too, while the male eagle kept bringing sticks to the nest.“

But, alas, the period where the female eagle sits on her eggs did not occur this year, so paddlers can now enjoy full access to the trail at the park.

Dersch said that traditionally eagles like to nest in live native pine trees.

But this couple, nested in an old osprey nest in a dead tree that overhung the water.

”Under Florida law any collecting of eagle material is strictly prohibited and heavily fined,“ Dersch added. ”Folks should keep in mind our shorelines are completely protected, too, and people should use designated landing areas when getting out of their canoe or kayak for a stretch or break.“

Just a little message from Max Dersch about other creatures lingering around the trail: Although alligators are rare and seasonal at the park, one was spotted recently. So, don’t be caught off guard if you happen to see one hanging out in the salt water here and there.

In 2007 and 2008 the decrease in the Florida eagle population started to increase, due to their protection under strict laws, and they are still under protected under state and federal eagle laws.

”Please remember to paddle responsibly within the preserve,“ added Melissa Nell, who manages the education division for the department. ”Please help the habitat and its wildlife inhabitants by only using the marked paddle pull off regions (located on the map and marked by signs and boulders on the bank).“

Erica Newport is a daily reporter for The Bradenton Times. She covers art, culture and community. If you have a story that might interest Erica, please e-mail her using erica.newport@thebradentontimes.com address.  She also takes your questions related to our weekly theme days and provides advice and opinions for our readers.

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