Apple Pie & Eagles: Kirkland 4th of July Show Shifts South to Protect National Symbol

Eastside Audubon Society announced today that Celebrate Kirkland! has agreed to shift its annual fireworks barge south and redirect the colorful shells to help protect a local symbol of America, currently nesting at Heritage Park.

Andy McCormick, president of Eastside Audubon, along with Kirkland resident and Eastside Audubon member Nancy Roberts met with Penny Sweet of Celebrate Kirkland! last week to request the move of the fireworks barge due to its proximity to a nesting pair of Bald Eagles with two nestlings this year, the organization said in a press release. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service guidelines require fireworks displays to be located at least a half-mile from an active Bald Eagle nest and recommend a distance of one mile.

“The Bald Eagle is our national symbol and the Heritage Park nest has a special place in downtown Kirkland and along the July Fourth parade route,” said Andy McCormick. “We are very happy that Celebrate Kirkland! understood the benefit to the eagles of having the fireworks display farther away from the nest to reduce the risk of disturbing the two eaglets that have not yet fledged and cannot fly. It will be a great day to celebrate the birth of our country and the Bald Eagle.”

For 4th of July celebrants who would like to see the baby eagles, Eastside Audubon will be at Heritage Park with spotting scopes pointed at the nest high in a fir tree over the lake. High-power scopes allow viewing at a distance with no disturbance to the nesting birds, and will be available after the parade and for two hours before the fireworks show.

As a result of the meeting between Eastside Audubon and Celebrate Kirkland!, the fireworks barge this year will be farther south and the fireworks shells will be directed away from Heritage Park in an effort to prevent frightening the young birds.

An adult Bald Eagle pair has been nesting in the park for at least three years and last summer successfully fledged one young bird. With two young on the nest this year, there is a greater risk of one falling out if they are disturbed, Mr. McCormick said.

“Moving the fireworks farther from the nest will contribute to the successful fledging of the eaglets,” he said. 

Patch is seeking updated guidance from Celebrate Kirkland! for boaters who wish to watch the display from the water, and will provide that as soon as it's available.