Eastside Audubon is applauding a Kirkland group’s recent decision to shift the position of the Fourth of July fireworks barge to protect two baby bald eagles still in their nest at Heritage Park.
“The bald eagle is our national symbol and the Heritage Park nest has a special place in downtown Kirkland and along the July Fourth parade route,” said Andy McCormick, president of Eastside Audubon. “We are very happy that Celebrate Kirkland! understood the benefit to the eagles of having the fireworks display farther away from the nest to reduce the risk of disturbing the two eaglets that have not yet fledged and cannot fly. It will be a great day to celebrate the birth of our country and the bald eagle.”
For Fourth of July celebrants who would like to see the baby eagles, Eastside Audubon will be at Heritage Park with spotting scopes pointed at the nest high in a fir tree over the lake. High-power scopes allow viewing at a distance with no disturbance to the nesting birds, and will be available after the parade and for two hours before the fireworks show.
Along with McCormick, Kirkland resident and Eastside Audubon member Nancy Roberts met with Penny Sweet of Celebrate Kirkland! last week to request the move of the fireworks’ barge. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service guidelines require fireworks displays to be located at least a half-mile from an active bald eagle nest and recommend a distance of one mile.
As a result of the meeting between Eastside Audubon and Celebrate Kirkland!, the fireworks’ barge this year will be farther south and the fireworks shells will be directed away from Heritage Park in an effort to prevent frightening the young birds.
An adult bald eagle pair has been nesting in the park for at least three years and last summer successfully fledged one young bird. With two young in the nest this year, there is a greater risk of one falling out if they are disturbed, McCormick said.
“Moving the fireworks farther from the nest will contribute to the successful fledging of the eaglets,” he said.
The 4th of July parade, picnic and fireworks draw more than 10,000 attendees. Event website information is available at www.explorekirkland.com.
About Eastside Audubon
Eastside Audubon is the National Audubon Society chapter active in Bellevue, Bothell, Carnation, Duvall, Issaquah, Kirkland, North Bend, Redmond, Sammamish, Snoqualmie, Woodinville, and unincorporated East King County.
Eastside Audubon works to protect, preserve, and enhance natural ecosystems and our communities for the benefit of birds, other wildlife, and people. We welcome new and experienced birders on our birding walks and field trips and in our birding classes. Visit www.eastsideaudubon.org.
