We saw a real tug-o-fish today as DN18 and DN17 scrapped over a small trout that DNF brought in. Note that DN18 used his eagle table manners – gorging everything but one bite down quickly. No one can steal it once it’s down the hatch…exception here: https://lauraerickson.substack.com/p/parasitic-jaeger-in-july!
Fledge and post-fledge activities are going on at all of our eagle nests right now and several people have expressed concern that the fledglings aren’t being fed. It’s common for feedings to decrease somewhat as the new fliers earn their wings and learn to navigate, hunt, fish, find carrion, and defend or steal food. But eagle parents are still caring for their young and all of our nests are busy eagleports – even the North no-longer-nest, where the eaglets are using the nest tree’s branches and nest framework for perching, meal prep. and eating. So join us in No Worry Zone and enjoy the North, Trempealeau, and fort St. Vrain eagles while you can! It won’t be long until they start wandering more widely!
Decorah North Eagles
June 24, 2024: DN18 screes hungrily next to Mr. North
June 24, 2024: Fish deliveries continue, great food competitions, both eat – https://youtu.be/jq4JTHGh8HI?si=qTmHam5B_gopdurh. Outdoor School is going well! A squeeing DN18 is perched with Mr. North when DNF flies in with a fish. DN18 flew down and grabbed it while Mr. North watched and vocalized. DN17 quickly arrived and tried to steal it. She got one bite but DN18 downed half the fish, including its tail. DN17 got her fish a few minutes later, when DNF arrived with fish #2!
June 23, 2024: The nest’s framework makes a most unusual pillow for DN17!
June 24, 2024: Mr. finds dropped fish on the ground, has a nice snack – https://youtu.be/yDue-BcshKw?si=SsK5MRLPbmLcLPx3. Finders, keepers! Mr. North enjoys a peaceful snack at the bottom of the tree. Perhaps the eaglets don’t realize he’s there?
June 24, 2024: Another look at DN17. The fledglings did a wonderful job practicing their eagle table manners today!
June 23, 2024: 6 34 am DNF brings fish #3, DN17 joins DN18 – https://youtu.be/_bdhMy7hTS0?si=BPmBbc4dYAneC1KT. DN17 and DN18 have a lot to learn. Fortunately, DNF and Mr. North are there to feed the eaglets as they learn the finer points of flying, hunting, and catching food!
Trempealeau Eagles
June 24, 2024: It’s time for a selfie! Mrs. T and one of the eaglets.
June 24, 2024: TE1 & TE2 just being eaglets on the nest – https://youtu.be/WxlDFXHkqVU?si=HpOQ_H_fS4xcwUvj. Mrs. T perches in the foreground with TE1 and TE2 hang out on the nest together. Some of you have expressed concern about the parents. Both are still there and the eaglets are getting fed…even though Mr. T seems determined to teach them a few lessons about defending their meals!
June 24, 2024: TE2 protects nestover pelt from Mr T three times – https://youtu.be/yRxbyAoHRUM?si=HsN2E8UFyRHReb2G. TE2 doesn’t want to share lunch, Mr. T! Note that while Mr. T would like the pelt, he doesn’t really object or respond aggressively when TE2 takes it away. Someone is learning their table manners!
June 23, 2024: The whole family vocalizing at 4.13 am – https://youtu.be/6yMShTpPS-M?si=P2jPBfD3Lap_Nuf9. What were they vocalizing about? We don’t know! But go to about one minute to hear the family’s chorus and try to pick out individual voices.
June 19, 2024: TE1 on selfie branch hops to the nest and flies back – https://youtu.be/O3cXu2UG0x4?si=nYzmBQpTVdc3KpzS. I love eagle selfies! We get a very nice look at TE1 as it perches near the camera. I also enjoyed seeing the eaglets interacting in the nest.
Mississippi River Flyway
June 24, 2024: It’s a turtle parade! I know this isn’t a swimming eagle, but I couldn’t resist!
June 23, 2024: Eagle swims – https://youtu.be/4r-KYJN5YY0?si=o72KWfZltvCPWafW. Eagles are big, but very floaty. Some of their bones are hollow and their feathers trap air and help repel water, even though they aren’t entirely waterproof. They can’t fly out of the water once they are swimming, but they can swim to land and clamber out. Watch the whole video or go to nine seconds to see the eagle land and begin breast-stroking. It looks like the eagle either thought it was going to land in shallower water or planned to perch on vegetation, but things didn’t go quite as planned!
The Raptor Resource Project