Eagle Viewing Directory

Virginia

As I was driving home from work on 2-1-10 at around 3:30 pm a beautiful fully grown bald eagle flew right in front of my truck and up into a tree. The location was route 612 near Sowego in Fauquier County. The eagle was eating an animal carcass along the side of the road and flew up in front of me only about 10 feet away. What a sight it was. This was the first bald eagle I have ever seen in the wild.
Marc Sciance
We were traveling East on Rt. 130 between Glasgow, Va. and Elon, Va. when I spotted an eagle flying up from the James River and landing in tree. We turned around and watched him sitting in the tree for a few minutes. This was my first Bald Eagle in the wild. I am not sure of the exact date and time but think it was Jan. 21, 2010 at approximately 3:00PM.
Terry Meadows
South Boston, Va.
I swear I just saw a bald eagle! I live in Virginia Beach VA and I saw one flying over my office. White head, dark brown body, yellow/brownish feet, It had caught something. I was shocked! I didnt think we had them here. I checked online to see if it was a seagull and no way! it was def! a bald eagle!
Donya F. Smith
On 12/18/09, I went to Elizabeth Mills Riverfront Park in Landsdowne, VA. It's located in Eastern Loudoun County. What a sight!! I saw four Bald Eagles....three juveniles and one adult. I spent about 1/2 hour watching the three juveniles flying and playing over the water, occasionally sitting in a tree. After the 1/2 hour one of them started calling and shortly I heard another call off to my right. It was an adult, flying over to them, calling out. The adult landed in the tree with them. Beautiful!!! The park is right behind some HUGE houses, so I was really surprised to find them there. I'm so happy to see them so close to civilization and thriving!
Diane Flanagan
Ashburn, VA
I saw a beautiful adult Bald Eagle on 12/7 at about 4:00 PM on Rt 15 near US 29 in Haymarket, VA. It flew right in front of my vehicle while I was driving and then perched in a tree beside the road. I pulled over to watch it in amazement for several minutes before continuing my drive. What a treat!
Kevin Compton
Warrenton, VA
I was having a Christmas party at my house on December 5th, 2009 when we saw a Bald Eagle land in the middle of the road and then fly up into a neighboring tree. My house is located off of Hermitage Road in Henrico, Virginia. I couldn't believe it but knew for sure that it was an eagle after seeing the bright white head and tail feathers along with the yellow beak and large wingspan. He didn't stay around long. We saw him for about 3 minutes before he took off down the neighborhood, flying from tree to tree.
Diana Rose
I was working in the Water's Edge subdivision in Penhook, Va at a house on the shore of Smith Mountain Lake at around 10:00 am today (12-4-09). I noticed a large bird flying into the tops of the trees and thought it was just a hawk until I saw the bright white feathers of the under tail area and the white head and yellow beak and realized I was looking at a Bald Eagle!! It landed in a tree top about 100 ft. from my coworker and I and we just watched it sit in the tree for about 5 or 10 minutes. It was a large bird and I assume may have been taking a rest from flying since the Bald Eagle is pretty rare in this area, but it may have been looking for a fish to catch. I wish I had my camera because that is the first one I have ever seen not in a zoo. I could have sat there all day and watched but unfortunately, the eagle decided to move on.
Michael Andrew, Roanoke, Va
We spotted a bald eagle having breakfast on Sunday, 11/15, high up in a tree on our property - enjoying a good breakfast. Our land backs up onto Totopotomy Creek, in AshCreek subdivision, and the tree is in the back of our property, just next to the creek. It was there for approximately 90 minutes before it's breakfast was done, and headed out for another adventure. What an awesome sight from our own deck!
Sally Rudkin
November 16th, 2009 Boston VA ( southern tip of Rappahannock County):
Had a most welcome visit on our 11 acre property from noon until 4PM. Believe the Bald Eagle had just caught a fish from our pond when I saw it fly up into a nearby oak tree where it sat for the next couple of hours. After being irritated by passing cars on the road nearby, along with some very upset crows, it changed to a different tree farther into the woods where it had a bit more privacy. Stayed and looked awesome for the next two hours while I snapped a bunch of pretty long-range photos out the side window of our log cabin.
Craig Landrum
Here's a picture of an Eagle I saw this morning in my Bluemont Virginia home (we live just above the Shenandoah River on the mountain)
Patty Erickson
Heading in to work this morning at 9:00 am heading west on the 264 highway just past the 64 highway I spotted a Bald Eagle flying south. It was a gorgeous full grown adult flying about 20 feet above the front of my car. My first Bald Eagle ever seen, that close, flying free, it was amazing.
Bryan Chauveau
October 22, 2009
I saw two bald eagles perched in a tree just north of the intersection of Foxcroft Road and St. Louis Road in Loudoun County, VA. It was 9:22 am when the birds were observed. Great to see these birds back again.
Albert Howard
Just saw a bald eagle eating something in a field off of River Rd. right before I got to the Chancellorsville Battlefield in Spotsylvania County, VA. I did a double take first saying in my brain, that is a bald eagle. Then I realized what I was seeing and looked again to confirm. Brown body, pure white head and I was close enough to spot the yellow beak---could not be mistaken. It was really a big bird.
Rachel Wilhelm
On September 14th I saw a large Bald Eagle soaring over my home in the Ashland community in Woodbridge Virginia. It was so beautiful and flew over head for quite a while.
Dina Moore
September 25, 2009 Floyd, VA
My jaw DROPPED this evening when I was driving down Rt 8 (just past Beaver Creek Road) heading towards Riner. I saw a BALD EAGLE! In Floyd! The eagle was unmistakably an adult bald eagle and it took my breath away how effortless its flight was. I got such a close view I could actually see its face. Just incredible! I hope to have an experience like this one again while I live here!
Meghan McCarrick
OMG!!! I spent almost two hours early this morning watching a mature bald eagle in Virginia Beach. I had dropped my daughter off at school, 8:50 AM, went to leave the school and when pulling out spotted a huge bird in flight over a lake across the street from school. I immediately thought it was an eagle, but not having ever seen one outside of a raptor center or zoo, I couldn't believe my own eyes! I pulled into a gravel lot and drove over a grassy area where I proceeded to watch, for the next the next hour & 45 minutes, a magnificent bald eagle. The eagle obviously had caught something as when I first pulled up it appeared to be eating something. In 5-10 minutes it had finished eating and "hopped" over to another branch where it sat for the next 1 1/2 hours! I waited through both the cold and rain praying for it to fly so I could see it in full flight, but it was more patient that I was! What a sight!! I will be looking for any more in the area!
Angie Cox
At approximately 2:30 pm on February 18th, I saw (and photographed) a bald eagle eating a deer carcass off of Belmont Ridge Road near the intersection of Evergreen Mills Road in Loudoun County, Virginia. The body appeared to be just over two feet.
Doug Bibb
February 10, 2009 – Saw a mature adult Bald Eagle perched in a tree next to Rt. 50 in Loudoun County, East of Upperville (near Willisville Rd.). Time was approx. 8:20 a.m.
Most likely one of the same ones that have been viewed in the Middleburg, VA area over the past few months. It thrills me that these majestic birds are making a come back in this area thanks to conservation and protected nesting areas. I hope we continue to see more.
Sara Mauck
On Tuesday Feb 2, 2009 on my way to work I had to stop because a car had stopped. I looked over to the right and in a field about 30 or so yards there was a large bird sitting on top of a deer that apparently been hit by a auto. I had to take numerous looks to confirm that it was a very large and healthy bald eagle Took me by surprise because I didn't even know that they were in the state of Va. The time was 8:50 in the morning and the temp was 22 degrees. I travel down this road every day so from now on I'll look for this treasure. Never in my life would I expect see a historical fixture such as this. This sighting was in Shawsville Va. on Allenghany springs Rd
Terry Fenton
I spotted a bald eagle in a tree while walking along Lake Manassas in Gainesville VA. At first I thought it was a big hawk or maybe an owl but then I saw the white head and when it took flight - a large white tail.
Pete Buckley
I have frequently viewed bald eagles along the north fork of the shenandoah river from my house in deer rapids, strasburg virginia. Over the past several years I often see them flying above the river, perching on high branches along the river bank and on rare occassion witnessed them pulling fish out of the river. I have also seen on more rare occassions a solitary golden eagle over the river. My first sighting of the golden eagle was in the fall of 2006 and again just recently in January 2009.
Barry Hadley
January 20, 2009 - Middleburg, VA
I saw a bald eagle flying at the intersection of Rt. 50 and Rt. 611. It was 10:00 am.
Albert Howard
I was driving west on the George Washington Memorial Parkway on January 19, 2009, which was the day before the inauguration. I had just passed the Spout Run exit on my way to McLean/Chain Bridge Exit and saw a bald eagle LOW on a branch on the Virginia side of the Potomac. He (or she) was eye level with my car and I looked right at its face! I think it was hunting for prey in the Potomac, even though the river was partially frozen.
Lori Ponish
January 18, 2009
Sitting in my living room on this Sunday afternoon I saw a very large bird with a light colored tail fly over our apartment complex on Springfield Road in Henrico County, VA. I thought it really looked like an eagle but didn't get a good enough look to say for sure. However, through the next 2 - 3 hours I watched the eagle come back and swoop over the homes and trees, even diving at a couple of cars driving down Springfield Rd. I even got a few good pictures of it. Seems everyone and thing is getting into the patriotic spirit for Barack Obama's inauguration on Tuesday...
Emily Pyle
I spotted a Bald Eagle on Jan. 12th 2009 on Deerskin Drive perched in an oak tree in front of a neighbors house. The location is fredericksburg ,VA. It was big and beautiful. I couldn't believe it let us walk right underneath it. I'm a hunter and am one to be in the woods alot, but I've never seen one this close.
Martin Snyder
My sister and I were traveling on route 15 south, 01/08/2009 in Louisa County, Va, when I looked up and noticed two mature bald eagles on a dead tree on the edge of a field. We turned around and pulled into the field and looked up at them about 70 feet away for about 2 minutes, I don't know how to put this but it seemed as if they began mating for about 20seconds then they both flew off circled the field then flew away.
Matt and Paige Hosmer
Today Jan. 3rd at 2:00 pm we experienced our first ever Bald Eagle sighting. This was the first time in thirty eight years of living here that I have seen a bald eagle. We live in the town of Stuarts Draft, Virginia. This bird came from the north and was flying south.
JILL BROWNING
Merry Christmas from Sterling, VA! We live in Cascades, a busy suburban community close to Dulles airport. Within 5 miles of our home, you can escape to paths that go along the Potomac River. Just two days ago, my husband and kids (8 & 7) caught the Potomac Heritage Trail off of Algonkian Parkway and walked in some woods along the Potomac River by a golf course. After we turned to go back towards home, we heard a loud cry above us. My mind immediately went to that animated film The Rescuers and I thought "An Eagle!!!". We looked up and caught sight of two large eagles flying a long the tree line-never before seen in our many walks in the woods. What a gift!!! Psalm 103:1, 5 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name...Who satsfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
Elisa Rivera
December 17, 2008 St. Louis, VA (Middleburg, VA)
I saw two bald eagles in flight at 2:07 pm. One was a mature bird and the other was a juvenile. This sighting was near the intersection of St. Louis Rd. and Foxcroft Rd.
Albert Howard
December 16, 2008 Middleburg, Virginia
I saw an adult bald eagle flying low over a pond in late morning. This is near St. Louis Rd. and Route 50.
Liz Dennison
December 15, 2008 St. Louis, VA (Middleburg, VA)
I saw a bald eagle flying in the area at 1:00 pm. The bird was soaring in the gusty wind. This is the third time I've seen a bald eagle in the area. About 1 week ago, one was seen in a corn field just north of St. Louis. Prior to this, I saw one on a fence just south of Snickersville Turnpike on St. Louis Rd.
Albert Howard
My male and female eagles,are back for another year. Their "kids" (2) that were born last year have been seen in the general area as their parents. They seem to be happy and healthy, eating deer road kill in a nearby field and keeping the feral cat population down.....
Kathleen Owens, Spotsylvania
December 3, 2008 Middleburg, Virginia
This morning I was thrilled to see a juvenile bald eagle standing on a small island in the middle of a pond near my home. He took off and flew low over the pond several times before landing again (the pond had a thin layer of ice). I looked around the area with binoculars and found an adult eagle high in a tree nearby. After a little while a second juvenile joined the first near the pond. All three stayed in the area for quite a while and gave me a wonderful opportunity to watch them in their natural habitat. This is my second sighting of an eagle at the pond but I've seen several flying over in the last few months. I've only lived here for a couple of months so I don't know if this happens every year at this time - but I certainly hope to see them again.
Liz Dennison
December 2, 2008 2pm EDT
Hillsboro, VA @ Stonybrook Rd.
Saw a bald eagle on the ground, in the cow pasture with what looked like a meal held by his talons, the size of a squirrel or rabbit.
Lisa Morelli
Tuesday December 2, 2008 Catlett Area, Fauquier County
Second sighting of an adult bald eagle at the corner of Rts 605 and 604 near Catlett in Fauquier County Virginia. First seen in flight on November 9th while traveling along 604 at 11:00 am, it appeared to come from the large field adjacent to both roads. This second sighting at 4:30 pm was made even more exciting because the adult bald eagle was on the ground approx 50 feet off the road with two full size juveniles sharing in a road kill deer. I was able to double back and slowly drive by the field again and watch all three feed. They did not appear to mind the traffic.
I have lived near this crossroads for 20 years and have only ever seen 1 bald eagle which was a few years ago also feeding in a farmers field.
Al Truslow
Bald Eagle sighting on both Nov.27 and 28th in Williamsburg,VA 23188
Cathy Hill
I saw a bald eagle carrying prey this morning at tree top level over the median of I-64 between Williamsburg and Newport News, Virginia.
Ray Pepe, 11/21/08.
I saw a pair of bald eagles sitting in a tree overlooking the James River in Richmond, Virginia today. A woman with a telescopic lens was photographing the eagles, and she let us look at them through the lens. The bald eagles frequent that grove of sycamore trees along Riverside Drive near the Pony Pasture.
Peggy Boon
On Saturday, November 15, 2008 while driving in front on Newport News Williamsburg International Airport my wife and I saw a mature American Bald Eagle majestically soaring at tree top level. Just out for his late morning flight after 3 days of rain. What a beautiful and awe inspiring life time memory. We wanted to stop and stare however we didn't want to cause an accident.
Billy and Lynny Kurowski
On Sunday evening March 16 2008 around 6:30 PM a pair flew over our neighborhood here in Southwest Chesterfield County at the corner of Otterdale and Hull Street(Rt 360). A beautiful experience to see them in our area.
Chris Deckert
Manassas, Virginia - March 6, 2008
While out on my deck this afternoon about 2:15, I was called to look up by some resident crows and to my surprise viewed a Bald Eagle flying West to East just above the tops of the tall Virginia Pines in the yard and following close behind was another one. What a treat. I have lived in this house for going on 26 years and have been an avid bird watcher for many of those years. Today was my first Bald Eagle sighting in this area.
Beth Hannum
During my commute to work this morning at roughly 815am I was traveling on Route 110 past the Pentagon and the Arlington National Cemetery. Just past the Pentagon I noticed a larger than normal sized bird preparing to land. I noticed that it had a white head and a dark colored body. I told myself that it couldn't have been a bald eagle. I didn't think that these types of sightings were typical of this region, that was until I went on line to google bald eagle sightings and learned that they have become regular occurances in the Rosyln, VA and Regan National Airport area's dating back to November 2007.
Robert Tansmore
February 28, 2008
I posted in January 2007 about my first Bald Eagle sighting. Now 13 months later, my pair are doing well. I see them daily in the same area. They are awesome birds. Someone posted that they saw and eagle feeding on a deer carcass at Blockhouse and Courthouse Roads. This is 4 miles north of where 'my' eagles are. Could be another eagle or the same.
Kathleen Owens
February 24,2008
My wife and I watched a bald eagle soar in small circles just above the oak trees that overlook the George Washington Parkway and the Potomac River (across from Georgetown) at Fort Smith in North Arlington, Virgina.
R. Welsh
On Friday, February 15, 2008 as I made my commute home, I exited I-95 at Route 1 South in Woodbridge, Virginia. As I approached the Route 1 bridge to go south over the Occoquan River I noticed a large bird sitting in a tree on the right side of the road next to the bridge. As I got closer I could clearly see that it was a mature (very large) American Bald Eagle. I crossed the bridge, turned around and re-crossed the bridge and pulled over to take a picture. Before I could get my phone out to take a picture it flew away. It was a majestic site.
Christine Karrer (Kendall)
On February 5, 2008, while traveling on Museville Road in Pittsylvania County, I saw a bald eagle in a large open field eating a deer carcass with some crows and buzzards. I was so excited to see my first wild bald eagle that I went home to get my camera. Upon return, it was still there. I was able to take several pictures while it sat in a tree on the edge of the field.
Randy Hammock
Chatham, VA.
Spotsylvania, VA Jan 29, 2008. Taking my two children to school we came to the corner of St. Rt. 208/606 and Blockhouse road. There in an empty field was an American Bald Eagle feeding on a dead deer that had showed up there the day before. I pulled over and took pictures. I have never been this close to an Eagle in the wild before.
Laura Lee Bauerle Jaworski
Spotsylvania, VA
Jan, 28 2008 4:00pm near Luray, VA.
As my two girls and I pulled into the Ganders Farm near Luray for piano lessons a mature bald eagle flew in front of our car heading west towards the Shenandoah river and White House Ferry( rt. 211 bridge). Ten minutes later while walking along the river near White House Ferry I spotted what I assume was the same Eagle gliding in circles over the river. Beautiful bird!
David Clark
Sterling, Virginia
On Sunday afternoon, January 20, 2008, I just happened to look out our upstairs bedroom window and couldn't believe my eyes. It was an eagle about to fly over our house. It wasn't a turkey vulture. This bird had the white tail feathers and white head. It was such a beautiful sight and was so happy I witnessed it.
Jane Grush
Eagle sighted in flight being chased by Crows then rooting to avoid the attack in Ashburn Va 20147 out side DC near Leesburg Va
1/17/08 9:05 AM
Donald Leckrone
Smith Mountain Lake, Bedford County
We saw a beautiful adult bald eagle flying the lake shoreline for several minutes in front of our residence on the Bedford County side (R-42) of Smith Mountain Lake this morning. We had heard from the guys building our house last year that they had seen one several times but this is our first sighting.
Jeff and Ellen Pauley
Sunday, December 30, 2007
10:00 am, Ashburn Village, Loudoun County, VA. I noticed an unusually large white flash of tail feathers connected to a large bird that certainly was not a turkey vulture. It was less than 10 feet off the back of my house. The bald eagle flew over the man-made lake due North and perched in a tree. It was annoyed by a few crows. My whole family was able to witness the amazing presence of such a rare bird in this area. There was a smaller hawk of some sort also near that same tree, but it did not stay around long enough to be identified as a second eagle. This is the first sighting of a bald eagle over this lake and I've been bird-watching here for 10 years.
Barb, Jeff and Ben Tanner
I've never heard of bald eagles in the western part of the state, so I'd like to document our sighting. On December 26, 2007, my brother and I pulled the car off of the Blue Ridge Parkway, about five miles west of Roanoke Virginia, and hiked down a short trail along the Roanoke river. When we'd hiked about 100 feet away from the road, we were on a steep cliff overlooking the river, and looked over the river to clearly see a bald eagle flying at about the same elevation as us, a few hundred feet above the river. Its white head was obvious, although we weren't close enough to get a good look at its beak and beautiful eyes. We watched it fly around, looking for fish, for maybe 45 seconds before it flew out of sight. It was beautiful and exciting!
Jon Dodson
December 11, 2007
Observed a bald eagle flying overhead in Stuarts Draft, VA being pestered by three to four crows. Not ever having seen a bald eagle in flight, my wife and I first observed the white tail. While banking in flight, we observed the white head. Very exciting!
Christopher Nye
I live on a pond in Powhatan, Virginia & we have seen eagles here for about 2 years. They usually stay only a few days. The most recent sighting was this week & last week (Dec. 3-12) & one day I saw 3 eagles. One seems to be sticking around & sits in the tree in front of our house.
A. Townsend
Chatham, Virginia (northern Pittsylvania County, Museville Community on the Pigg River)
On Sunday, December 2, 2007, around 10:00 a.m. I was looking out my back window overlooking my river bottoms (live on the Pigg River in the Museville Community) and I sighted a large bird flying down the river above the tree tops lining the river – which was about eye level from my window. It caught me off guard – sighting the large bird with the stark white tail feathers and with the white head --- I knew that I had finally seen a Bald Eagle. I watched it fly down the river bottom out of sight (around 300 yards). It was a spectacular sight!

On Thursday, December 13, 2007, my friend, Burt Gregory, went down to the river bottom and noticed large bird tracks. He took several pictures of the tracks. The tracks were very large – approximately 8 inches in length with the 3 splayed talons.. He placed a pack of cigarettes down beside them to show a proportion to size. They were in sand leading down to the river edge.
Tonda Brown
Several times this past fall, I saw a bald eagle flying around the far west end of Big Bethel Reservoir in Newport News, Virginia. I have only seen one at any one time, so I don’t know how many there really are.
Cynthia Bailey
I live in a large-lot wooded subdivision called Pine Slash in Hanover County, VA. Our subdivision has a pond in the middle of it. As I was driving to work on November 29, 2007, I saw a pair of Bald Eagles in trees overlooking the pond. I pulled over in my car to watch them. It was truly amazing. They finally flew across the pond when another car came by. I had gotten out of my car by then and heard the high-pitched call that they make. It gave me goose bumps.
Harriet Condyles
We have seen for several days a single bald eagle flying and landing around our neighborhood in Hanover county, Virginia. Specifically around Atlee high school in Mechanicsville, Virginia.
David E. Allen
Quinton, Virginia (20 miles east of Richmond in New Kent Co.)
On my way to work I spotted a bald eagle sitting in a field. I have thought to have seen them before around this time of year, however this time there was no doubt in my mind what kind of bird I was looking at. It was approximately 20 feet away from the road and appeared to be overlooking a small deer that was laying in the ditch. I slowly went past and was fortunate to watch the magnificent bird take off in flight. That is something I won't soon forget and hope to see more of.
-S Johns, Richmond, va

My husband and my two sons were driving on Quiocassin Road in Henrico County. We spotted a bald eagle in a marsy area next to Gracious Living Retirement Center. It was so awesome! We also saw one last fall hunting and caught a fish on our way over to Belle Isle in downtown Richmond, va.. We explain to our young children what a unique experience this is and how to treasure these sightings!
Mrs Fritz Geissler
The morning of 11/19/07, I saw a bald eagle while driving on Rt 655 in Somerset, Orange Co., VA. My attention was drawn to something dark and large in the air next to the road. When I turned and looked, the large black body with white head/neck and white tail feathers were evident. It must have just taken flight as it was approx. 25 feet in the air. It was an amazing sight! While I’ve seen eagles soaring high in the sky over Lake Moomaw in Bath County, VA., this was the first time I’d seen one so close in the wild. Thank you for providing a site where I can share my experience.
Paige Mawdsley
November 15, 2007. Yesterday afternoon, I was driving my usual route through the back roads of Sussex County, VA. My school bus was almost empty. I was looking for some turkey buzzards that I had seen that morning, but instead I saw the big white tail of a Bald Eagle. I stopped my bus and pointed it out to the three remaining students. We watched as it flew up into a pine tree. Then we saw not one but two Bald Eagles sitting in opposing trees. It was a magnificent sight. Another vehicle had also slowed to view the beautiful creatures. This is not a highly populated area, and is thickly wooded among the swamps. My students and I will certainly not forget the beautiful sight, and look forward to seeing the pair of birds again.
Janice Moore, Sussex VA
My daughter and I were heading towards Interstate 295 in our car when a large bird with white on it's tail flew overhead. I said do you think that was a vulture? She said it looked like an eagle. As we drove a little further we saw a beautiful large Bald Eagle perched high in the tree. This was right off the 295 exit for the Richmond International Airport in Highland Springs, Virginia on Thursday November 15, 2007 at approximately 2:10 pm.
S. Stanley
November 4th, 2007. Driving through Keswick, VA on a beautiful crisp autumn day, I noticed a very large brownish bird bopping up and down in a field. Then I saw the white tail and as it took off, the white crown of the bald eagle. As it flew up into some nearby trees I noticed that there were three others! Another car pulled up behind us with a young girl who recognized them as well. It was an amazing sight- never had I seen more than one pair at a time!
Jennifer N. Wingard
State: Virginia
Location: Appalachian Trail - Clarke County Near Myron Glaser Cabin
Date: 27October2007
Time: Approximately 1300
A group of us were crossing a highway that divides the AT in Clarke County adjoining the the Blue Ridge. I looked up to notice a turkey vulture when I spotted the distinct white head/dark body/white tail of a bald eagle! Upon first spotting the eagle it was nearing the canopy of the woods across the highway that we had just crossed. The eagle was hovering, wings stretched riding the air currents. Over the next few minutes the eagle drifted further away but still in sight. It was my first bald eagle sighting and I was ecstatic! Several other saw the eagle and confirmed my identification. It was a truly inspiring and memorable experience. I've been looking earnestly for years with a handful of near misses but no success until now. It made an already great weekend unforgettable!
John Rose
I sit in an office on the 26th floor of an office building in Virginia that faces the Potomac River and Washington, DC. I usually see the airplanes on their final landing approach to Reagan National Airport, but this afternoon I glanced out and saw a bald eagle soaring just above my eye level, about 200 yards away over the nearest bank of the river. He/she was riding a thermal and rose higher and drifted to the north until out of sight. I see a lot of birds, including hawks, but this is the first bald eagle I recall seeing from this window since I've been in the office, for over a year now. Quite appropriate for Washington!
Douglas A. Heydon
Last weekend, on Saturday May 19, 2007, the boys and the adult leaders of Boy Scout Troop 1347 were canoeing on the Shenandoah river near Luray Virginia. As we came out of the last rapids for the day and approached our campsite, we spotted a lady in a canoe sitting silently and pointing into the trees on the far bank. As we followed her pointing, we spotted a very large bald eagle sitting high in a tree at the foot of the limestone cliff on that bank. The ten canoes, excited boys and more excited adults in our party were too much for the Eagle who majestically lifted from the tree and flew up the center of the river. The occupants of the trail canoe were so mesmerized that they failed to navigate that last set of rapids and capsized. It was a thrill that we will never forget.
Sam Baker
I never gave thought to Bald Eagles in my 'neck of the woods' until January 2007. I was driving to work and saw a white object near a beaver pond, beside the road. I thought it was a dog sitting next to the water. As I drove closer, I realized it was a bald eagle! Immediately I was overcome with amazement and thrill. What a sight! In my 'neck of the woods', Partlow section of Spotsylvania County, VA.
Westmoreland County there are tons of eagles along the Rappahanock river, so eagles are no stranger to VA. But never would I have imagined them to be at a beaver pond in Partlow! They are truly amazingly beautiful birds who should always be protected! Kathleen Owens
Friends and neighbors had gathered at 4p. for a funeral at Arlington National Cemetery on one of the coldest days of the year, 2/08/07. Cars pulled up and waited while the cortege was forming and there, circling about 100 ft above us was an extremely large bird with a blazing white head and tail and another somewhat smaller brown bird, (female? Immature male?) On a bright day with the flag draped coffin pulled by horses against the background of the Potomac and the Pentagon over one of America’s most hallowed grounds, there was no more stirring sight......everyone saw it. Truly spectacular.
Alice Barrow
Febuary 2, 2007, While on my way home from work, last night, I was traveling the back roads of Long Island Va. I was taken by the majestic form off a Bald Eagle perched on the remains of a dead calf. It was lightly snowing, which added to the beauty of the picture.
Ms. Debra Kline
My family has seen a bald eagle twice in the past few months in the far eastern Hanover County area of Virginia. I first saw it on Election Day in November, just after leaving my polling place (how appropriate was that!). It was sitting in a dead crag in the Chickahominy River swamp. Then, my entire family saw it on Saturday morning, January 27th, 2007, flying over our heads and across a hay field, less than 5 miles from where I saw it in November. We have a lot of wild turkeys, vultures, owls and hawks in the area, but they just pale in comparison to this stunning bird.
Pam Drew
I saw three Bald Eagles around the area of Langley AFB, Virginia January 16 – 18, 2007. I have seen them for the last three days sitting on pilings on the north side of the base. I also saw one hunting around the airfield.
Barry Cheesman
Janurary 15,2007
One of the most beautiful and inspiring things I have ever seen is a wild Bald Eagle. I saw a pair of them on the above date in Loudoun Co. Virginia. They were located on Lime Kiln Rd. just off of Rt.15 south in an area close to Goose Creek.
I've seen captive Eagles and while they are impressive it is also sad.
I will never forget this sighting and I hope to see many more in the future.
Charles Powell
I had seen two bald eagles along the Shenandoah River last year, flying side by side above me just as I drove over the bridge on Rt. 9 heading toward Virginia. Wow, what an amazing site! I had not seen any again until last weekend. On Sunday, January 14, 2007 I saw one bald eagle sitting low, right along the Shenandoah River bank. Again, I had just passed the Rt. 9 bridge, heading west toward Charlestown, and had turned left on the road just after the bridge. The bald eagle must have just caught a fish and found a spot to have his feast. I wondered if it was one of the bald eagles I saw last year, and if it was, then where was the other bird? Hope its ok.
Juliann Shockley
My husband saw a Bald Eagle this morning from our window on the second floor! I am an avid bird watcher and I can't believe I missed it!!!! Anyway, this is the first time we have ever seen one here, and I look a lot.
Linda Stenzel
Quinton Virginia
Jan 6, 2007; Munden Point, SouthEastern Virginia Beach, VA.
Shortly before 1:00 this afternoon I was in the back yard when I saw what I assumed to be a buzzard soaring in the thermals overhead (We had an exceptionally hot day for January - over 70 F!). Upon closer look, I noticed that the bird looked different than the buzzards and had a white head. I ran inside to get my binoculars, and when I came back out, there were two birds. The one was definitely a Bald Eagle, beautiful and majestic. The other looked very similar, but its head was not as bright white - perhaps it was a juvenile. It was hard to see since thay were soaring so high and within a couple of minutes they had disappeared behind the trees. I am 48 years old and have only seen them in the wild once before (in Alaska). It was really exciting to see them in Virginia and I hope to see them again!
Gaylen Paden
We were golfing in Virginia Jan 3 2007 and sighted a large bald eagle just south of Richmond in the Chester area on Nash Rd. just opposite the Highlands golf course, I got a couple of good pictures before hit flew out of sight.
John McCluskey
I saw two Bald Eagles December 21, 2006 while was stuck in traffic along the beltway. It was around 4:30 in the afternoon along I 95 near the Telegraph Road exit. There have been many recorded sightings along this corridor including the famous mating pair Martha and George at the Wilson Bridge earlier this year. The interesting thing that caught my eye was the mass of black dropping vertically out of the sky. I was nearly stopped (other cars did stop) and upon closer inspection I was able to witness the talon grappling behavior of the two eagles. I would estimate the pair dropped 50-100 feet at a fast (violent appearing) spin. Upon release they flew south toward (I am guessing) toward Huntley Meadows Park. Happy viewing!
Bruce Roberts on the Blue Ridge in Clarke County, Virginia.
We have seen one bald eagle where we live for the five days. We live in Virginia, southwest of Winchester.
The Pintos
November 12, 2006, 10:45 am
Just a few minutes ago we saw a bald eagle, flying into our property in Augusta County near Waynesboro, Virginia. It was being mobbed by crows, & we saw it pluck something out of a tree & fly off with it. We think it may have been a squirrel. We live in an oak grove next to a woods & beside a farmer's field. We saw it fly head-on into our yard & noticed the large size, huge wingspan, & white head & tail. This is our first sighting of a bald eagle in this area!
Courtesy of Ben & Linda Smoke
On October 20, a deer died near our home in Hanover, Virginia. She had been hit by a car a struggled about 200 feet into a recently harvested soybean field. We were amazed that we saw as many as 9 eagles feasting on the carcass during the next week. This was a great chance to view eagle behavior because there were birds of all ages fighting over the carcass. Courtesy of Jennifer Lantrip
April 24, 2006
My husband and I were sitting on our front porch, which is in Chesterfield County, VA, about five miles from the James River, when we saw a bald eagle fly over, going west, and it flew almost over our house. We were so excited that we ran out into the yard to watch the bird's progress, and then we saw a second eagle following the first! I sure do hope we see them again, but I am wondering why they were so far from the river, where we assumed they would rather nest. We think maybe that since our part of Chesterfield County (Chippenham Pkwy & Hopkins Rd) is so developed that they must have to go a bit further from the river to hunt. There is still quite a bit of forest left here and I love to think that they have made our neighborhood part of their domain. Courtesy of Cat LeMay-Phillips
Where: South Anna River, 1/2 mile west of Route 1, Doswell, Hanover County, VA
When: Monday, April 10, 2006 0745 EDT
I sighted a pair of Bald Eagles this morning. We have lived on the river for 9+ years and this is our first sighting of these spectacular birds. This landed in trees within 75-100 feet of our house and I was able to get the binoculars and verify. Both birds looked in great condition. I wasn't fast enough with the camera and missed to opprotunity to photograph them. Hope that this will not be the only sighting. Courtesy of Ken Burt
we live in the east end of henrico county, virginia (just east of richmond) close to a fairly large population of bald eagles. (which may be in danger of developers, by the way!) i have lived here most of my life and have gotten used to seeing them occasionally, but never tire of it. yesterday, however, i saw my first young bird. my dog pointed him (or her?) out to me, up in one of our oak trees. it was really beautiful-and it took a minute to realize what it actually was. i'm not sure how old it was, it was a fairly large bird, but the head feathers were still a beautiful grayish color. it was a great experience-i just wish i had the presence of mind to grab the camera before it took off. :)
Courtesy of vickie mullins
richmond, va
April 5th , 2006 my wife and I were traveling back to Pa. from our daughter's in Gloucester,Va. We were driving up Rte. 14 just east of West Point, Va. when we noiced a Bald Eagle sitting in the field, only about 30 feet from the road. We had to go back of course, because we never saw one in the Wild. As we went back to look the Bald Eagle quickly took flight. What a beautiful sight. To us it was a blessing as we were celebrating out 20th Wedding Anniversary that Day. Courtesy of Frank & Kaye Skies
I recently saw a bald eagle by the roadside perched on a fence post not 10 feet from the road as I drove by. It was perched beside a dead deer carcass in the ditch. I had thought I had seen another on a month or so ago in the same area but was unsure. This eagle was sighted off Poindexter Road of Louisa County, Virginia just south of E. Jack Jouett Road. Courtesy of Clay Pass
Where: Tabb subsection of York county, at one of the ponds in Wythe Creek Farms
When: 22 March at 0730 and 9 March at 0830.
Today he was fishing in the pond ... I saw him catch a 10" fish.
Courtesy of Bob Hinger
On March 5th, 2006, on our way home from South Carolina, driving North on I-95 we spotted two bald eagles. They were sitting high up in trees overlooking, what we thought was the Jamestown river in the state of Virgina. We drove about another hour going north on i-95 and spotted 1- single Eagle flying over another watery area in Virgina.
This was the high point to driving 600 miles from South Carolina to PA. Courtesy of Bill Cowden
Yesterday, March 3, 2006, in the late afternoon, my children and I saw a bald eagle from our backyard. We got our binoculars out to make sure and there was no mistaking it. It stayed perched high in the pine tree for quite some time. What is especially surprising is that we live in a mainly residential area of the Great Bridge, Chesapeake area of Virginia. We look forward to seeing it again. Courtesy of Ken & Kathleen Kimball
Thursday morning, March 23, 2006, I was driving in my car and saw two large birds sailing in a large circle near the intersection of Old Keene Mill and Bauer Roads in Springfield, Virginia. I pulled over to watch them. The larger very clearly had a white head and tail with a dark body. I would estimate a wingspan of greater than 3 feet. The smaller was dark in color and at first I thought it was a large crow but having studied your website I wonder if it was a juvenile eagle. It wasn't as dark as I would expect a crow to be. I couldn't see the color of their feet or beaks. Awesome! Courtesy of Phyllis Prats
I looked up this morning from chores on the horse farm that I work on in Powhatan County, Virginia and there were several crows bothering about a rather large bird. I assumed it was a hawk but very little further investigation was needed to realize it had a definite white head and a prominent white tail. It landed in a tree on the edge of the woods, the crows around it, then it flew off out of our clearing. The farm is in a rural Piedmont area of Virginia about 200 miles from the coast. Courtesy of Julie Devine
Glad to have found this site and to read the different sightings. I was especially happy to see that there had been a couple in Hanover County because on Thursday, Feb. 9th, 2006 I was driving west on Staples Mill Rd. (Rt. 33), near interstate 295, when I saw a large bird feeding on a dead animal which had been hit by a car. As cars approached the bird took flight and landed in the median it had a huge wing span and as I passed I could clearly see the white tail and white head. It was a spectacular bird, I couldn't believe what I was seeing, I wanted to stop but there was too much traffic. I felt that I should report this sighting to someone so I called the Audubon Society, but got a recording. I was also interested to learn on your site that bald eagles do feed on carrion because after relating this sighting to my husband he didn't think that an eagle would be feeding on a dead animal. Courtesy of Jane O'Brien
    Monday, 2 January 1045am, sighted a mature bald eagle in the vicinity of Greenwood Church Rd. and Cherry Hill Rd in Hanover County VA. First one I've personally seen in this area. This area, which is bounded on the south by the South Anna River and the north by Scotchtown Rd. encompasses The Hollows Golf Course and has a fair amount of water.
    The eagle flew a wide circular pattern around the area, roosting fist in one tall evergreen to the southwest of Cherry Hill Rd. and Big Bear Ct., then moved southeast to roost in another tall evergreen closer to the river SE of the gold course. Courtesy of Paul LaFrance
I saw my very first wild bald eagle on January 2, 2006 in Virginia Beach, VA. I am a PGA Assistant Golf Professional at an exclusive small private club called Bayville Golf Club. We are located right on the Lynnhaven Inlet about a ½ mile or 1 mile from the Chesapeake Bay and approximately 4 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. One of our club members told me the eagle was perched on our long pier out into the inlet eating what appeared to be a fish. I immediately grabbed my digital camera and snapped some great pictures from about 75 to 100 yards away from the bird. He was a beautiful, healthy looking animal and he was definitely watching me carefully the entire time. We were all very surprised to see the eagle in this area which is very much dominated by small hawks and osprey, but we can understand why this would be a good spot for him as our course is located hundreds of acres with no housing development and abundant wildlife. He eventually glided off his perch and flew off over the water and then to some nearby tall trees. Let us know if this is the first sighting in Virginia Beach and we will continue to look our for our new flying friend. Courtesy of William Dove.
    I looked through the reported sightings in my area of Old Church, Virginia ( Hanover County) and was excited to see someone else report seeing a Bald Eagle in this area. My mother also observed what she believed to be a bald eagle several weeks ago. Additionally, on December 31 in a field in old church were delighted to observe 3 bald eagles feeding on a small animal. We were able to get about 200 feet from the birds and noticed that it appeared to be two adults and a younger bird. One adult left the ground a circle close to the ground for a short time before slipping into the woods. I have seen numerous bald eagles around rivers and bays, however this seems somewhat more significant for our area. The sighting occurred in an area that is not relatively close to any large bodies of water. I am encouraged to see that there have been multiple sightings relatively close to one another and hope that this may mean a nesting pair has made their home in the area. Perhaps the health of the bald eagle populations at least in this area has reached a level where there densities have forced them into areas not defined as ideal habitat. The sighting was both amazing and depressing knowing that the field I observed the birds in is scheduled for development and much of the area is headed that way as well. Courtesy of Ellison Orcutt
On December 22, 2005 during the afternoon, I observed a beautiful bald eagle fly into our residential area and land high in a large tree on a major residential street. We are about 1/2 mile from the Occoquon River in Lake Ridge, Prince William County, Virginia. This is the first time I have ever seen a bald eagle in the wild. There are plenty of squirrels crossing the streets and in the trees, although I did not see the eagle catch anything. The eagle was a mature bird with amazingly white head and tail feathers. I watched him for several minutes before continuing my walk. Courtesy of Richard Grauel

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