Midtown Bald Eagles – One of the Most Watched Nests in South Carolina

In this fast-paced, ever-changing world, some things remain remarkably unchanged. One of these is a massive bald eagle nest that has been used continuously since shortly after Hurricane Hugo in 1989. What has changed is the development of the beautiful and convenient Midtown neighborhood surrounding the nest. Fortunately, developers have been respectful of the nest – and the federal laws that protect these birds – and the eagles are in turn adapting to the hustle and bustle that accompanies living within close proximity to people. Kudos go to the Midtown community of conservation-minded folks that took the initiative to monitor and protect this nest, creating a win-win situation for all involved.

Last year, the mating pair successfully produced one chick that survived to fledge and leave the nest. As of today, the mated pair is still observed at the nest site daily, but there are not yet signs of eggs or chicks in the nest. Bald eagles mate for life, but if one of the pair goes missing for more than about 3 weeks, the remaining bird will take on a new mate. This is where human activities can often interfere with Mother Nature. 

Lead poisoning is one of the leading causes of bald eagle mortality. Bald eagles are scavengers. It is increasingly common for these birds to be admitted to medical facilities with extremely high levels of lead toxicity, typically from consuming carcasses or gut piles left behind by hunters. One lead pellet the size of a pinhead is enough to kill an eagle. If the eagle does suffer from lead poisoning and is fortunate enough to be found and brought to a qualified medical facility, treatment is available. However, this treatment can take weeks to months, depending on the severity of the bird’s condition. Many bald eagle cams across the country have witnessed this scene, where one of the mated pair “disappears” and is likely assumed dead by the remaining mate. So, the remaining bird takes on a new mate. Weeks later, when the bird that “disappeared” recovers and is released back to the territory, he/she may find that they’ve been replaced! Thus, a battle for territory ensues, and there is not always a happy ending to the story. This scenario is also seen with rodenticide poisoning. The moral of the story is – please don’t use rodenticides as they often kill non-target species (including pets), and if you are a hunter, consider switching to non-lead ammunition and properly disposing of the remains of your harvest.

While raising a family of bald eagles in the middle of a busy suburban development may not seem ideal, it is a fact of today’s world that wildlife must adapt. And many species are doing just that, including bald eagles. Territory is everything to a bald eagle, and as this family of eagles has demonstrated, they’re not going anywhere, despite the changes occurring around them. The bonus of this adaptation is that we are provided with the opportunity to observe nature much more closely without having to venture into the “wilderness” to do so. And if you live in the Midtown community, what a gift to be a part of this rare view of a bald eagle family, year after year, while still living in one of the most convenient spots in Mt. Pleasant. 

There are many housing options in the Midtown community – from condos to townhomes to single-family homes. One of the newest opportunities is townhomes built by Lennar, Midtown Townhomes, conveniently located directly across from MUSC and less than a minute to I-526 access. These beautiful homes boast grand interiors with high-end finishes and Location, Location, Location! Plans for a neighborhood park that will include walking trails, food trucks, and a stage for musical performances promise to be a source of community for all. CLICK HERE to see the new Lennar townhomes:

If you’d like to join the Midtown community with its own personal eagle family, give me a call. I’d love to help you find your perfect spot in this dynamic, growing community!