AUBURN, Ala. (WRBL) - A public meeting is scheduled as Auburn residents seek accountability following the destruction of a bald eagle nest to make way for a housing development near North College Street. The nest, home to a bonded pair of bald eagles, Jim and Pam, since at least 2017, was removed under a federal permit issued to Edgar Hughston Builder, Inc.
Auburn District 3 City Councilwoman and Mayor Pro-Tem Beth Witten announced the meeting will take place Tuesday, November 26, at 6 p.m. at Buston Education & Meeting Center, located at 161 N. Ross Street. Andrew Hopkins, raptor administrator at Auburn University’s Raptor Center, will address the community’s concerns about the removal’s impact on wildlife.
The meeting is open to all residents, and Witten encourages attendees to submit questions in advance by emailing her at bwitten@auburnalabama.org.
The 75-acre property, purchased by Hughston Homes in March for $760,000, is slated for a 46-home development. Tyler Findley, a representative for Hughston Homes, stated the company was unaware of the nest at the time of purchase. "We immediately consulted experts and complied with all necessary regulations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a permit on October 30 to remove the nest, ensuring the decision was in the eagles' best interest," Findley said.
Local bird experts and residents dispute the company’s claim the nest was an alternate site rather than the eagles’ primary home. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating whether the removal violated federal permit terms, which prohibit nest destruction if occupied by adult eagles, eggs, or chicks. Video taken hours before the nest’s removal shows an eagle present, raising further questions about compliance.
WRBL has submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for the permit and related documents, with a response expected by December 16.
Mayor Ron Anders and the Auburn City Council have expressed their frustration. Mayor Pro Tem Witten, who had been negotiating with Hughston Homes, accused the developer of intentionally misleading her during a Friday phone call.
“I specifically asked if the eagles’ nest would be untouched until we could hold our Zoom call Monday morning,” Witten stated. “Tyler Findley, the developer’s representative, assured me it would. Then I learn he was present while the nest was taken down.”
The City of Auburn released a statement confirming it does not have jurisdiction to enforce federal bald eagle protections. However, the city’s legal team has been instructed to urge USFWS to investigate whether the permit’s terms were followed.
Meanwhile, local bird experts report Jim and Pam have been seen carrying nesting materials and rebuilding the nest in the area. Residents hope it’s far from Hughston Homes’ property.
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