Forget the cigars, these birds need trout: Eagle chick hatches at Lake Casitas

Tom Kisken, Ventura County Star
·2 min read
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The egg has hatched. A baby bald eagle is believed to have been born at Lake Casitas Recreation Area outside of Ojai, eagle watchers reported Thursday.

The chick is the 17th eagle born at the lake since 2013. The parents, nicknamed Hannah and Mr. Majestic, are believed to be one of the only nesting pairs of bald eagles on Ventura County’s mainland, perhaps the sole one.

Without a camera, how do bird watchers know the egg hatched?

There is no eagle cam at the lake. The baby has not yet been seen. Its birth in a massive nest in a large eucalyptus tree was confirmed by changes in the parents' behavior over a hatching period first observed by watchers on Tuesday.

On Thursday morning, Mr. Majestic delivered a fish to the nest, allowing watchers to confirm the birth.

“They don't bring food to the nest until their babies are born," said Judy Spaar-Hillewaert, who has observed the eagles daily for many years and chronicles their actions on a Facebook page. “It's amazing. It's what we were waiting for. It's not even a milestone. It's a miracle."

How can I see the nest?

Hannah, a female bald eagle, sits in the nest Thursday after her baby chick hatched at Lake Casitas Recreation Area near Ojai.
Hannah, a female bald eagle, sits in the nest Thursday after her baby chick hatched at Lake Casitas Recreation Area near Ojai.

Visitation to the eagle habitat is restricted to marked paths on either side of the hill topped by the nest. The restrictions began three years ago in an effort to protect the raptors.

The birth comes in the wake of news that three eggs produced by eagles at Big Bear did not hatch and apparently were not viable.

The Lake Casitas eagles have delivered their own drama over the years. Hannah emerged on the scene four years ago after an invading eagle from Santa Cruz Island launched a fatal attack on the female eagle named Joy that was Mr. Majestic’s mate. Then, the intruder left the site as quickly as she came. Hannah, then 4, arrived and eventually took over maternal duties, adopting the newborn chick, nicknamed Bundle of Joy.

Could there be more baby eagles?

Hannah produced at least one egg in 2021 but it did not hatch. Two babies were successfully born each of the next two years.

The baby born this week may soon have a brother or sister. Eagles often produce two eggs and can, in rare occasions, have more.

"If there are three (eggs), I will faint," Spaar-Hillewaert said.

Tom Kisken covers health care and other news for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at tom.kisken@vcstar.com or 805-437-0255.

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This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: The nest is full again as a bald eagle chick hatches at Lake Casitas