Eagles making home in Fourth Street Preserve

“Here he is! See him?” said Scott Holt, pointing to a majestic bald eagle that swooped over his house.

Holt and his wife, Jackie, live on the edge of the Fourth Street Preserve in Lewes. They are thrilled the eagles are building a nest in their backyard.

The bird photographed by the Cape Gazette April 26 was carrying a branch to add to that nest, which is located high atop a tree back in the forest.

“He or she will hang out for a couple of hours, looking one way. Then he’ll turn and look the other way. It’s pretty neat,” Holt said.

Supporters of the Greater Lewes Foundation’s Open Space Alliance campaign to protect the Fourth Street Preserve think it’s neat too.

The campaign is trying to raise $8.3 million to buy and save the 29-acre parcel as open space. That includes protecting the animal habitats.

Holt said he sees birds of all types, foxes and deer in the preserve.

The campaign has raised more than $2 million so far.

The alliance will hold fundraisers at Children’s Beach House in June and an art show in July.

“We’re excited and hopeful that the preserve will go forward. They can make this a nice little area the whole town can enjoy and the wildlife can enjoy too,” Holt said.