Decorah North Nest Rebuild

We completed the Decorah North nest rebuild, cleaned the cameras, and are (mostly) on to our next project on the Mississippi Flyway. I’ve posted a few pictures so you can get a look at how we rebuilt the North nest. Spoiler alert: we used a bionic John-built limb to support a nest ‘basket’, which we filled with branches and mulch. We left two lovely trout for Mr. North and DNF!

Click on the photos to enlarge them and see how we got it done!

The completed nest. We hope Mr. North and DNF like it!The completed nest. We hope Mr. North and DNF like it!
Obligatory look at the literal vanload of equipment it takes to build an Bald Eagle nest.Obligatory look at the literal vanload of equipment it takes to build an Bald Eagle nest.
Tim from Total Tree Care gives us training in using the bucket and truck. I would totally hire these guys for tree work – they were very helpful, really knew their stuff, and the lift worked wonderfully.Tim from Total Tree Care gives us training in using the bucket and truck. I would totally hire these guys for tree work – they were very helpful, really knew their stuff, and the lift worked wonderfully.
A look at the nest site before we started working. It is in a large fork of the original nest tree with sturdy limbs that overlook the pasture. We both loved using the bucket truck to get into the tree. It was so much easier than climbing a rope!A look at the nest site before we started working. It is in a large fork of the original nest tree with sturdy limbs that overlook the pasture. We both loved using the bucket truck to get into the tree. It was so much easier than climbing a rope!
However, the bucket was too small for two people and we needed someone in the tree. Amy prepares the station that she’ll use to move around in the tree and help get John’s bionic limb placed properly.However, the bucket was too small for two people and we needed someone in the tree. Amy prepares the station that she’ll use to move around in the tree and help get John’s bionic limb placed properly.
Getting the bionic limb into place. John engineered it for sturdiness and flexibility of use. We had several options for attachment and creating the nest basket in a way that wouldn’t damage the tree.Getting the bionic limb into place. John engineered it for sturdiness and flexibility of use. We had several options for attachment and creating the nest basket in a way that wouldn’t damage the tree.
Hauling the beam up into place after John attached it. We set up a pulley system in the tree that could be locked in place to hold the beam until we were ready to release it.Hauling the beam up into place after John attached it. We set up a pulley system in the tree that could be locked in place to hold the beam until we were ready to release it.
John bringing cable to create the basket. I love the Dad vibe!John bringing cable to create the basket. I love the Dad vibe!
Another look at the beam. The new nest location also faces the pasture and is very open – perfect for flying into with branches and fish.Another look at the beam. The new nest location also faces the pasture and is very open – perfect for flying into with branches and fish.
The nest basket.The nest basket.
Attaching braces to help support the sticks. They are well buried under sticks and mulch.Attaching braces to help support the sticks. They are well buried under sticks and mulch.
A look at the nest basket from above.A look at the nest basket from above.
Beginning to place the sticks!Beginning to place the sticks!
Sticks and more sticks! We wove and crunched smaller branches between the larger branches to plug the gaps. We felt like eagles…and now I wonder if some of the nest digging helps probe for gaps and determine where grass and husks should go!Sticks and more sticks! We wove and crunched smaller branches between the larger branches to plug the gaps. We felt like eagles…and now I wonder if some of the nest digging helps probe for gaps and determine where grass and husks should go!
John delivering more branches. He LOVED the bucket truck!John delivering more branches. He LOVED the bucket truck!
‘How high is the new nest?’ We were at about 70 feet.‘How high is the new nest?’ We were at about 70 feet.
Cramming small sticks into a gap.Cramming small sticks into a gap.
It’s hard to place sticks when you are standing on them! Amy set up a sling so she could lift up her feet and hover over the nest while placing sticks on it.It’s hard to place sticks when you are standing on them! Amy set up a sling so she could lift up her feet and hover over the nest while placing sticks on it.
It felt like ab day at the gym! Remind me to get going on those eagle-themed workouts! 😂It felt like ab day at the gym! Remind me to get going on those eagle-themed workouts! 😂
Attaching another brace to expand the nest and prevent slumping. John’s first bionic limb rebuild out at Xcel Energy’s Fort St. Vrain nest happened after the nest slumped.Attaching another brace to expand the nest and prevent slumping. John’s first bionic limb rebuild out at Xcel Energy’s Fort St. Vrain nest happened after the nest slumped.
Sticks and more sticks! This would have taken a week if we didn’t have the lift. It took only five to ten minutes for John to load sticks and bring them up. He cut some of them at Great Spirit Bluff, bringing a little bit of GSB to the North nest.Sticks and more sticks! This would have taken a week if we didn’t have the lift. It took only five to ten minutes for John to load sticks and bring them up. He cut some of them at Great Spirit Bluff, bringing a little bit of GSB to the North nest.
We also had to clean the cameras. Amy sets up anchors to move higher into the tree.We also had to clean the cameras. Amy sets up anchors to move higher into the tree.
Gaps have been filled and, many sticks later, the nest is almost ready for mulch taken from the remains of the fallen nest.Gaps have been filled and, many sticks later, the nest is almost ready for mulch taken from the remains of the fallen nest.
Yes, we did joke about the male eagle bringing the sticks and the female eagle rearranging them! John places sticks.Yes, we did joke about the male eagle bringing the sticks and the female eagle rearranging them! John places sticks.
Dumping the first load of mulch. It fills up the gaps and yields a very stable platform.Dumping the first load of mulch. It fills up the gaps and yields a very stable platform.
We’re almost done! John just delivered the fish. Thanks to Brian Malaise and the hatchery staff for getting them for us!We’re almost done! John just delivered the fish. Thanks to Brian Malaise and the hatchery staff for getting them for us!
The completed nest. We hope Mr. North and DNF like it!The completed nest. We hope Mr. North and DNF like it!

Related posts:

  1. Fort Saint Vrain Eagle Nest Rebuild Project
  2. Storm Topples North Nest
  3. Starter Nest For The North Eagles
  4. N2B, the new Decorah nest
Decorah North Eagles, News