Drone threatens triplets nesting area

A drone flew over the White Rock Lake eagles’ nest at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 6. Regular eagle watchers each contacted law enforcement and City of Dallas Urban Biologist Brett Johnson. Their quick response resulted in identification of the drone operator nearby. A Dallas Police Department officer took the operator’s information and referred it to the locally assigned game warden. Johnson and the officer met with the eagle watchers at the nest at 6 p.m. What the eagles (and the law) require from human eagle viewers is simple. Watch from the marked distance without disturbing the birds. Raising triplets can’t be easy. Imagine Nick to Nora — the names of the adult eagles given by areas locals — saying, “We’re outnumbered!” For legal buffs, requirements and penalties for violations appear in The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. Molesting the eagles, especially during the breeding season, can result in imprisonment, a felony conviction and fines up to $100,000. — Patricia Gaffney

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