A bald eagle returns with a common murre that she captured at sea off of Yaquina Head just north of Newport. (Photo by Roy W. Lowe)Common murres were staging recently off Yaquina Head just north of Newport in three large rafts, providing a steady supply of food for bald eagles beginning to court and nest in the area.
Bald eagles of a locally mated pair calling together during their courtship on the rocks at Yaquina Head. (Photo by Roy W. Lowe)Bald eagle predation of common murres on the nesting rocks at Yaquina Head is a common occurrence during the seabird breeding season from May through August, said retired U.S. Fish & Wildlife manager and avid bird photographer Roy W. Lowe of Waldport.
Murres don’t begin breeding until May but they randomly show up adjacent to nesting locations in the winter and then may be gone for weeks or months. On this day bald eagles were able to take advantage of the situation.
The breeding season has begun for bald eagles on the central Oregon coast and they are courting, nest building and some are likely already on eggs, Lowe said.
The female bald eagle captured the murre near Yaquina Head and then fed first. She has finished eating and backs up and ducks as the male hops over her to consume the remaining portion of the murre. (Photo by Roy W. Lowe)
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