DALLAS — A bald eagle family at White Rock Lake has welcomed two new members.
Brett Johnson, a conservation manager with the Dallas Park and Recreation Department who’s been observing the eagles’ nesting behaviors since early March, found the two new eaglets in the nest at Lake Highlands Park several weeks later. A pair of bald eagles, made up of a male and a female, have been spotted near White Rock Lake since late 2020.
“We are excited the bald eagles have two new members,” said Johnson.
Dallas Parks and Recreation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are providing ongoing coordination and technical assistance to protect the health and safety of the bald eagle family.
“The USFWS is glad to see the eagles have returned and have at least one eaglet observed in the nest,” said Omar Bocanegro with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “We continue to coordinate with the City of Dallas to assist to ensure the nest is undisturbed.”
To help prevent unintentional disturbance of the eagle family, Dallas Park and Recreation is asking park visitors to adhere to park regulations and restrictions, staying at least 300 feet away from the eagles. An orange fence has been installed around the nesting area, and park officials urge eagle watchers not to cross the fence. Dogs have been observed to disturb the eagle family and owners are asked to keep them on a leash. Spectators are also urged to keep noise levels low near the nesting area.
In addition, the department has limited certain recreational activities near the nesting area at Lake Highlands Park, including erecting a fence near the nesting area, monitoring restricted park areas and postponing construction activities and athletic tournaments.
“This is a testament to the department’s efforts in preserving and protecting our natural habitats that allow these majestic birds to thrive,” said Johnson.
Bald eagles are also federally protected. Disruption of their natural activities is prohibited and a violation of the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
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