Bald eagles rebuild nest in Greenfield after wind storms

GREENFIELD, Ind. (AP) - A pair of bald eagles appears to be rebuilding their home in a central Indiana neighborhood after their nest was destroyed in wind storms.

Some watchers of the birds in Greenfield feared they would fly to a new location after their nest blew down in September, The Indianapolis Star (http://indy.st/1LzTSCt ) reported. But amateur photographer Jason Lee said the eagles have begun work on a new nest about 100 feet from their old home.

"They are kind of in the rebuilding phase," said Lee, who started the "Greenfield Eagle Watch" Facebook page in March.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources biologist Amy Kearns said bald eagles become easier to spot in Indiana at this time of year. She said eagles return to their nests each year and add more sticks.

"This is a good time of year for them to start building nests," Kearns said. "They have a lot of work to do before egg-laying time."

The best places to find bald eagles around Indiana include Geist Reservoir, Eagle Creek Reservoir and along the White River and most other rivers or lakes. The birds gather in large numbers around Lake Monroe near Bloomington and Salamonie Lake near Wabash when nesting season begins in January and February.

Bald eagles have made a comeback in Indiana after disappearing from the state more than 100 years ago. Their return is credited to an eagle relocation program started 30 years ago.

Kearns said there are now some 300 known bald eagle nests in the state. The only one known in Hancock County is the one in Greenfield. Lee said he feels "privileged" being so close.

"I can drive down the road and see them," Lee said. "It's not something everyone gets to do."

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Information from: The Indianapolis Star, http://www.indystar.com