Trip Report: Bald Eagle Rescue at Scappoose Bay
In early April, my girlfriend and I decided to head out to Scappoose Bay for an afternoon of paddling at Scappoose Bay Paddling Center. We wanted to try out the Hobie Pro Angler 17 tandem kayak and get a feel for how the massive kayak performed (very heavy, but with two turbo fins it was quick on the water!). After we launched from the dock my girlfriend who was in the front turned to me and said, "I hope we see some wildlife this morning"... well, she got her wish, along with a very up close and personal experience neither of us will forget.
We piloted the kayak towards Scappoose Creek to go check out the Heron rookery. About 200 yards away, we spotted a Bald Eagle roosting on a low piling. The eagle attempted to catch a fish, only to get waterlogged and trapped in the water. We took measures into our own hands and began calling everyone we could. The State Police got ahold of me and told me they were getting a boat and the Portland Audubon Society was on their way, but they wouldn't be on the water for another 45min.
The eagle was struggling in the water and we couldn’t stand by watching it slowly drown. With the eagle nearly under water, we had to act quickly. My girlfriend paddled the massive kayak through the trees as I removed my flannel shirt and life jacket. We approached the eagle and I reached out and grabbed her, wrapping her in the shirt for warmth. Then we paddled like crazy back to the dock.
OSP was waiting for us on the dock with dry towels from the Scappoose Bay Paddle Center. The officer and I quickly wrapped the nearly lifeless eagle in dry towels then rush her to his truck and turned up the heat. The Audubon Society showed up minutes later and took her in for emergency care. I called every single day to find out how she was. For the first couple of days, the eagle appeared to be in a very bad state. On the third morning I called once again, and to everyone's surprise, she was standing on her own!
After a flight test, the Audubon Society called and told me she was ready for release. Of course, my girlfriend and I were there to witness the release of this incredible creature. About 30 seconds after letting her out, another eagle flew in and landed next to her. They appeared to be talking up a storm! It was her mate! Eagles mate for life and he had probably been searching for her for days. They flew off together, happy and reunited. This was an incredible experience for us, one I will never forget.
The eagle was struggling in the water and we couldn’t stand by watching it slowly drown. With the eagle nearly under water, we had to act quickly. My girlfriend paddled the massive kayak through the trees as I removed my flannel shirt and life jacket. We approached the eagle and I reached out and grabbed her, wrapping her in the shirt for warmth. Then we paddled like crazy back to the dock.
OSP was waiting for us on the dock with dry towels from the Scappoose Bay Paddle Center. The officer and I quickly wrapped the nearly lifeless eagle in dry towels then rush her to his truck and turned up the heat. The Audubon Society showed up minutes later and took her in for emergency care. I called every single day to find out how she was. For the first couple of days, the eagle appeared to be in a very bad state. On the third morning I called once again, and to everyone's surprise, she was standing on her own!
After a flight test, the Audubon Society called and told me she was ready for release. Of course, my girlfriend and I were there to witness the release of this incredible creature. About 30 seconds after letting her out, another eagle flew in and landed next to her. They appeared to be talking up a storm! It was her mate! Eagles mate for life and he had probably been searching for her for days. They flew off together, happy and reunited. This was an incredible experience for us, one I will never forget.