The eagle has landed

At one point, they were in danger of disappearing entirely. Because

of development and the use of pesticides that damaged eggs, the bald

eagle -- the only eagle unique to North America -- ended up on the

endangered species list, with few remaining along the Southern

California coast and nearby islands where they once had thrived.

Across the nation in 1963, there were only 417 known breeding pairs.

Bans on the pesticides and intensive breeding programs, including

one on Catalina Island, have helped the national symbol make a

remarkable comeback. There are now almost 7,700 breeding pairs in

America. It is a success story that has been on display in the past

week along Laguna Beach’s shoreline.

A lone bald eagle has been making his -- scientists say it’s an

unmated male, weighing about 8 or 9 pounds -- majestic way along the

coast. “K13,” as scientists call him, was released in 2001 as part of

the Catalina program.

Dozens of lucky people have seen the bird. He’s been spotted

perched on telephone poles, inland and near the beach and, of course,

in flight.

No one is quite sure how long he might stay. He could return with

ease to Catalina. He could choose to remain, perhaps splitting time

between the Bolsa Chica in Huntington Beach, the Upper Newport Bay

and Laguna’s open space.

If he does, we should consider ourselves lucky. Not only has the

effort to save the bird been successful, but we will get a chance to

see this all-too rare symbol of the country up close. It’s also a

reminder, if one were needed, why the fight to keep our open space

around the city free of development has been so important.