Here’s something you don’t see every day: A couple of bald eagles are nesting near White Rock Lake in Dallas.
Urban Biologist Brett Johnson, with the city, says reports of eagle sightings started pouring in last month.
"Roughly around October 13th," Johnson says. "Bird watchers and nature lovers started sending me pictures and just general reports of them hanging out in the area."
Their appearance has officials with the City of Dallas concerned. But not because bald eagles pose any kind of threat to the environment or the people at White Rock Lake. They won’t snatch any babies out of strollers, either-- despite a very specific rumor that's been making the rounds. Johnson says the concern is that people are getting too close for comfort.
"[The city's] concern right now is making sure we minimize our overall impact to them," Johnson says. "We've got a large trail construction project that is going on nearby. We've been working with the Fish and Wildlife Service to make sure that our construction is at an acceptable distance."
The city is also putting up signs near where the eagles are nesting, asking people to be aware that they're there … and to keep their distance.
"Right now, I'm really asking people if at all possible to maintain about 100 yards distance from them," Johnson says.
As you can imagine, bald eagle sightings are pretty rare, especially in Dallas. But Johnson says it’s not unheard of for them to make this area home.
"Them setting up shop at White Rock is fairly unique," Johnson says. "I wish they had chosen a slightly different location near White Rock Lake. The area they're hanging out in does get a lot of activity. They hang out right next to what is technically a state highway. That presents some potential challenges we're trying to work through."
There is one male eagle and one female. Johnson says he only knows if a handful of other confirmed bald eagle pairs nesting in the DFW area. Dallas officials currently have no plans to relocate these two.
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