Raptors among us

Today's Washington Post has a short article about eagles that have improbably occupied a desolate island in the Potomac south of DC. There's a good photo too. Here's the citation and first paragraphs:

Eagles Have Landed -- Among Us
Rallying Species Finds Urban Haven on Potomac

By David A. Fahrenthold
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, January 17, 2005; Page A01

Rosilie Island, a spit of land in the Potomac River where bald eagles roost, has a good claim to being the most unlikely wildlife refuge in the Washington area.

It's not a natural island, or even an island at all. Instead, it's an old sand and gravel dump, where enough dirt was piled over the years to create a ragged peninsula.

Then there's the noise and bustle of the huge National Harbor construction project, being built on the island's doorstep. And the small matter of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Tiny Rosilie holds up the Maryland end of this roaring monstrosity, with 200,000 cars passing every day and more lanes under construction.

But somehow, the bald eagles don't seem to mind. As many as two dozen now perch here at any given time, including one nesting pair and a number of transient eagles who use the island as a "loafing ground" in winter.