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A bald eagle was sighted on Beaver Street on Thursday.
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Bald Eagle Sighted Over the Hoosic River in North Adams

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A number of nesting pairs of the raptors have been sighted or confirmed in South and Central County. It's not clear if this bird in North Adams has a mate. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Photographer Rick Duteau, who helps cover sports at iBerkshires, caught images of a bald eagle on Thursday taking a break above one of the American flags that have been hung over the Hoosic River. 

The eagle has been seen recently in this area, just above the Eclipse Dam off Beaver Street. It apparently drew a crowd on its most recent siting.

Bald eagles were re-introduced into Massachusetts in the early 1980s. According to Massachusetts Audubon, the last presumed nesting of these birds of prey had been around the turn of the 20th century. The species was endangered by the use of DDT, which softened or eliminated the baby birds' shells. Since the banning of DDT in 1972, the nation's symbol has moved from the "endangered" list to "threatened" status.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus is a scavenger that prefers carrion but will seek small prey, especially fish. It is the largest raptor in the state with a wingspan up to 7 feet. Bald eagles have also been sighted in recent years along Cheshire Reservoir. Audubon's most recent bird listing (no date given) shows confirmed and possible sightings mostly in Central and South County and one block that appears to be Cheshire Reservoir. 

About 30 bald eagles were counted in Vermont in 2017, but that was in the northern and northwestern part of the state along Lake Champlain and as far south as Lake Bomoseen. 

On the other hand, MassWildlife in 2018 counted 76 pairs of bald eagles in the state, a more than 20 percent increase over 2016. The state agency is looking for information on nests or nesting birds, including "adults carrying sticks or nest lining material are of special interest." Observations can be sent to State Ornithologist Andrew Vitz at andrew.vitz@mass.gov. MassWildLife has more information on the birds here.


Tags: birds,   eagles,   

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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