Philly Has No Eagles

We regret to inform our readers that the Philadelphia eagles have left the city. No, no, no. Not those guys. The eagles - as in bald eagles.

PHILADELPHIA - A bald eagle nest at the old Philadelphia Navy Yard has failed, but birdwatchers are holding out hope that the first pair of bald eagles spotted in the city in more than 200 years will nest again next year.

After the nest was spotted in February, state officials began keeping a close eye on the eagles in hopes that they would breed. But birdwatchers and state officials say the eagles haven't been spotted since April.

"We believe it is failed and that the birds are gone," said Debbie Beer, a birder who spotted the eagles in February and has been helping the state to monitor them. "I'm hoping that they come back next year and nest again."

Beer last spotted the birds on April 5.

Dan Brauning, wildlife diversity supervisor for the state Game Commission, said the birds could still be nearby.

We here at Blue Crab Boulevard know exactly what happened to the eagles. The Lions ate them.