By Kersti E. Muul

Conservation Scientist/Specialist and Community Naturalist

To help solve the mystery of which nest 'Bey' and 'Jay' possibly belong to, I have been working with amazing observers from the Alki and Schmitz park neighborhoods; residents who are familiar with the Schmitz nest pair, and the Salty's pair. They have been invaluable, sending me photographs, sightings and observations, both recent and historic. This has helped me understand their ranges, perches, hunting territories, nest site fidelity, and nesting success.

EDITORS NOTE: An eagle named 'Bey' was seen to be sick and was humanely captured and taken to PAWS to be cared for and treated. Bey is now on the mend. The story of her capture is here.

This morning at 7:52 I received a message from one, alerting me to two adult eagles perched in the Schmitz nest tree. I have already ruled out the Salty's nest, as both of the pair have been seen multiple times.

I ran down to the nest to photo-document, and I observed behavior for 30 minutes. They appeared bonded and familiar. In my opinion, it's highly unlikely the male has had time to recruit a new female (It's only been 11 days). I never saw him do any recruitment behaviors, combined with the low likelihood of a single, mature, adult female being available. I have spent hours tracking and observing this male, as well as another (lone male) at Lander and Belvidere. 

At this point I feel that either 'Bey' and 'Jay' have an undisclosed nest (so far nobody in West Seattle knows of a third Alki nest), OR the pair could be somewhat newly bonded; not having built a nest yet, or in the process of building. My research has them here as a bonded pair since at least 2019. 

I inquired to see if Bey could be banded before release and learned PAWS bands all raptors before release. Banding would be instrumental in helping me continue to research. I feel there is so much to learn from this, and I'd like to continue with the research on territory size/overlap and direction, pair bonds and nest sites. I would love to see where she goes post release, see how she fares in health, finding her mate, and if she will continue to stay in the area. 

Figuring out who she is, and who her mate is was so important; ensuring release back here, as well as making sure that 

in her condition upon release, if she were to get into some sort of dispute with a newly recruited female, she could survive. 

As of today, Bey is doing really well. She has been banded and moved to the flight cage, where she can now begin to exercise and get her strength back. 

I am still raising money for her care, link below. Thank you to all who have donated already. I also have someone who has expressed his intention to match my total.

Donation link:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10224209722887060&id=1121785635&ref=m_notif&notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic

If you see eagles and consider your sighting significant or urgent, please email me at 

kersti.e.muul@gmail.com