Baby bald eagles are living in a Downingtown park. July 4 fireworks will move so they can sleep in peace.
The annual borough fireworks show's usual location is too close to the nest of three recently hatched bald eaglets.
Ahead of the America 250th celebrations, one Chester County borough is changing its Fourth of July fireworks show to protect the nation’s emblematic bird.
Three recently hatched bald eaglets are nestled in the trees at Kerr Park in Downingtown — about 300 feet from where the borough typically sets off its fireworks show, said Jack Law, public works director for the municipality.
Since the eaglets can’t yet leave the nest, the borough, in adherence with state regulations, will be moving its fireworks show elsewhere. They’re still working to identify a new spot, he said.
The eaglets — named Liberty, Freedom and Independence, in honor of the 250th — hatched between the end of March and early April. They were born to a pair of eagles, Connie and Lloyd, who have called the borough home for roughly 14 years.
It’s relatively rare for three eaglets to be born to a pair, Law said. And the borough has made efforts to protect the birds by installing fencing to keep people from standing directly under the nest, which became an issue when the eaglets hatched, he said. They weren’t sure if the birds were particularly bothered, but “we didn’t want to take a chance,” Law said.
Though the eaglets are new residents to the borough, their parents have been long-timers. They first nested in a more secluded park more than a decade ago. That nest was abandoned, and the pair built their new nest roughly two years ago, Law said. He anticipates the adults will stay in the area, though the eaglets may spread their wings.
“This is the 250th anniversary of the country, and we’re just very fortunate to have those birds in Downingtown this year, especially with the eaglets,” Law said.
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