Cleburne Times-Review, Cleburne, TX

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  • A bald eagle seems to have taken to a tree on the Cleburne Golf Links. Course workers said they’ve spotted the bird off and on over the last three years. Courtesy photo

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November 20, 2008

Bald eagle linked to Cleburne golf course

By Matt Smith/msmith@trcle.com

The bald eagle, our national emblem since 1782, frequents Alaska, British Columbia, the northwest coast and, apparently, Cleburne Golf Links. At least one bald eagle seems to favor the rolling green overlooking Lake Pat Cleburne.

“We’ve seen [the eagle] off and on for about three years,” said Mike Wren, golf course supervisor. “I can’t say it’s the same bird but think it most likely is. I think some of them migrate, and some don’t.”

Wren guessed the eagle’s age at “adult” and said he’s unsure whether the bird is male or female.

“He’ll be here for a while then disappear again,” Wren said. “It’s been more common to see him this year than last. I saw him again yesterday.”

The bird seems partial to a tree near the 11th hole on the course, Wren said. He seems less inclined to pose for photos although Wren managed to snap a few shots.

“We’ve seen him flying around on rare occasions, which is a real treat to see,” Wren said. “The problem is it’s hard to get close enough to get many pictures.”

Course workers consider the eagle a bit of a mascot, Wren said, and hope the bird continues to visit after the course, which is undergoing renovations, re-opens for public use.

“No, we haven’t given him a name yet,” Wren said. “We probably should do that.”

Gail Morris, president of the Fort Worth Audubon Society, said she’d not heard of bald eagles in Cleburne before.

“There are some in Texas, they usually come in winter, but it’s not as common,” Morris said.

Bald eagles tend to live up north, Morris said. Although they migrate, most don’t come down as far south as Texas, she said. But bald eagle sightings are not unheard of in North Texas, Morris said. A few even nest, which means there are occasionally eaglets in the area.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed bald eagles from the endangered species list recently, but they are still being monitored to ensure their comeback, said Jessica Alderson, urban biologist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Eagles, according to legend and www.baldeagleinfo.com, are said to be the only animals able to stare directly into the sun. A Kwakiutl legend has it that they had poor eyesight before convincing the slug — said to have excellent eyesight back then — to temporarily trade eyes.

The eagles later refused to trade back, accounting for their excellent eyesight and the slugs’ slowness. Or so the story goes.

The Web site is silent on the birds’ opinion of golf, however.

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