Geek Alert (Warren, Crafton, Gap: live in, woodpecker, eat)

[Hopes]

One of the bald eagle sightings listed is on Route 28 between Etna and Millvale. That validates my Route 8 valley sightings IMO. I first saw one well over 10 years ago---late 90s or early 2000s. I've seen them a couple times a year here and there. They are absolutely beautiful and very distinctive, making them easy to identify.

About the rooftop. When I researched immediately after seeing it, I learned the storks can nest on rooftops and on top of chimneys. I ruled out stork because we only have wood storks in North America, and wood storks have short necks.

The more I look at pictures, the more I feel confident it was a blue heron. Here's an idea of what it's like to see a blue heron on a roof. It's quite a sight. It stood there FOREVER. Hubby and I watched it for a good 20 to 30 minutes. Then I took the dog out into the yard and it disappeared.

Moderator cut: copyrighted photo removed

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by robrobrob

The other day I spoke to a guy from the Audubon society. He said there are 3 bald eagle's nests in the area. One in Harmar, one by Sandcastle and a 3rd on private property along the Ohio.

They might not know where all of them are. They've been around for at least 15 years. They're having babies. They nest at a minimum of 1/2 mile from each other's nests, but can spread out more. Or maybe the ones I saw on Route 8 have subsequently moved to Harmar within the past two years. If I see one flying near Route 8 again, I'll definitely post. It's only a couple times a year I see them. I'm not always on the watch for them, just see them by chance sometimes.

Originally Posted by robrobrob

He also said that when the eagles lay eggs and hatch next year that he expects them to move to the East End for the schools because the East End is the only place to raise a family in Pittsburgh.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by Copanut

She's a dizzy broad, ain't no Winky's in Wilmerding, ain't no Eagles on Route 8.

Where is there a Winky's these days? I haven't seen one in years.

[robrobrob]

The Audubon guy said the nest in Harmar was a Red Hawk nest that the eagles took over and that the Red Hawks were still around the nest.

[SammyKhalifa]

As I read this thread, the first thing that came to mind is that I was glad someone else made the "Red Herring" comment before I had the chance to.

Anyhow, Eagles are becoming more and more common (even moving into areas where they never lived before). Back in the 80s, there were only a few up near my parents' cabin at Pymatuning Lake, and those were some of the only ones in the state. Now I notice them a lot.

[Copanut]

I NEVER saw a hawk growing up. Now, they sit near my bird feeders waiting for lunch.

[LIRefugee]

I often see one hawk sitting atop the steeple of Calvary Episcopal Church on Shady facing west, looking for meals. One time I actually saw two of them perched next to each other. It's always a delightful sight.

[ditchdigger]

Now, they sit near my bird feeders waiting for lunch.

Helping to coach my then 10 year old daughter's softball team a number of years back, one of the other coaches noticed a Red Tailed Hawk sitting on the light pole right behind third base. "Oh, cool! Girls, look up on the pole, there's a hawk!" The whole team of 10 and 11 year old girls turns thier eyes to the top of the pole, to see this flurry of little feathers floating down.

The hawk was having lunch....

[Kippy]

Bald eagles, red-tailed hawks offer spectacle as they battle for Harmar nest | TribLIVE

[Hopes]

That's a great picture, Kippy!