BROWNSVILLE — They’re getting ready to install a new dock at the Port of Brownsville, and a young eagle is keeping a close eye on their progress.
The fledgling bald eagle is the newest eagle to be sighted at the port, which is on Burke Bay, once a heron sanctuary and still home to at least one heron pair.
A pair of bald eagles have also been spotted in the one-time bird sanctuary.
All of which makes the port a favorite destination for local wildfowl watchers and photographers.
The young eagle is not afraid of humans, according to one Brownsville liveaboard. “It just sat on the dock railing and looked at me from about eight feet away” while she took its picture, she said.
Other times, the eagle can be seen sitting on top of the radio tower, watching port employees working on the new docks.
(Incidentally, as of 2007, the bald eagle was removed from the federal Endangered Species list.)
The dock units — made of recyclable aluminum and plastic, according to Northwest Docks owner, Jim Guy — will replace the old, wooden B dock and its finger piers.
Presently, port staff members are installing electrical, water and sewage lines. After that, the walkway plastic gratings will need to be cut and installed. Plans call for moving boats off B dock. Then the old, wooden docks will be replaced with the new docks.
Plans call for 10 new main walkway sections as well as about 29 new finger piers. The installation is slated to begin in August and take about 30 days to complete, according to Matt Appleton, interim port manager.
“We have replaced F, E, D, C, and now B dock,” Appleton said. “It’s virtually a whole new marina. The only dock remaining to be replaced will be A dock, which is the fuel dock.”
Meanwhile, the eagle is watching.
— Terryl Asla is a reporter for Kitsap News Group. He can be reached at tasla@soundpublishing.com.
Five of the new main walkway units for the port’s B dock are stacked in the port’s parking lot in front of the lighthouse. There will be 10 walkway units in all, replacing the old, wooden docks. The new docks are recyclable and environmentally-friendly. (Terryl Asla/Kitsap News Group)
