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[MpMom]

I can hear him yapping

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[ssrl]

Just checked the nest now for the first time today and saw one was gone.  Missed it to MpMom.  Thanks for posting.

[MpMom]

SSRL, the other wants to go

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[MpMom]

 

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[MpMom]

 

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[ssrl]

Just checked the nest now MpMom, one gone, one on a branch and an adult in the nest!!! These are exciting times in the young eagles lives.

[MpMom]

Now is when they really learn

From the MN DNR...
It's time for me to fly
What if I fall?
"Oh but my darling, what if you fly?"  the iconic words of Australian poet Erin Hanson, come to mind this week as we watch the nest with trepidation. E1, the older and likely female eagle chick took her maiden flight out of the nest this week.  It was an admirable sail from the nest, through the trees behind the nest.  E2 was clearly surprised by the exit and ran to the other side of the nest to see where it's sibling went. Once she landed, a photographer on the ground, Thomas Demma, captured this beautiful image of the landing spot. 

Later in the day, E1 came back to the nest to hang around for a while, likely looking for food.  As we've mentioned before, during this time, the parents continue to provide food for the chicks, on and off of the nest.  They will teach them how to find food on their own, on the ground and in the water.  The chicks have lots to learn yet, like how to catch thermals in the wind and soar to amazing heights.  They will continue to visit the nest from time to time and may even spend their nights there.  The nest will remain their "safe spot", at least for a while, until they venture out completely on their own.

Final Newsletter for the season
The camera will remain on until the third week in August, so you may still have the opportunity to see the eagles in the nest from time to time, even after they leave the nest, but this will be our last update for the season.

This has been an exciting and challenging year for us and for the new parents on the nest.  We hope you have enjoyed watching Minnesota bald eagles raise a family right in your living rooms, classrooms or wherever you viewed from.   

We also hope that you will get outdoors with your families and continue to find joy in nature. We are very fortunate in Minnesota to have some of the most abundant wildlife, lakes, forests and state parks in the country.  Everyone is welcome in nature.  Take advantage of nature and all of its fun, beauty and peaceful tranquility. 

Special thank you to everyone who has donated to the Nongame Wildlife Fund!  We rely on your contributions - they make it possible for our hard-working team to bring this 24/7 spectacle into homes and classrooms around the world. We couldn't do it without your support. Thank you!

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[MpMom]

 

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[MpMom]

 

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[ssrl]

Yep, just checked the nest now at 4:10 - empty and I saw Thomas Demma's photos yesterday, beautiful.

[MpMom]

Home now SSRL

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[ssrl]

Great pic of the whole family MpMom.  Thanks for posting.

[MpMom]

You are welcome SSRL

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[MpMom]

I AM SICK

FROM THE DNR...

Sad News
July 4, 2020
Yesterday was a sad day.  We regret to inform you that E1 passed away yesterday. Unfortunately, she flew into a power line and was found dead.   One of our photographers who monitors the nest reported a chick was dead and hanging from a near by power structure.  He reported it to Nongame staff and we contacted Xcel Energy, who immediately responded and had a crew on site to retrieve the chick, which was identified as E1.

No one witnessed the event.  Her wing caught a loop and she was found hanging.  Once Xcel retrieved the remains, Nongame took possession of E1.  It was determined that she was not electrocuted.  It appears she hit the line and likely died on impact  It happened some time between 8:30 am and 6 pm yesterday, July 3.  Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for eagles to perish by hitting power lines, but it is always sad to witness and report.

 The first year of an eagle's life, particularly after fledging, is the most dangerous.  The mortality rate of eagle chicks during the first year of life is greater than 50%.  Survival after the first year is much higher.

We've witnessed dangers and mortality at our nest, yet never really knowing for sure how many chicks survive past their first year.  Power lines, vehicles and predators are all hazards for eagles and many will encounter dangerous situations, especially when they are nesting so close to urban areas.  Because Minnesota's eagle population is healthy, there is a higher percentage of eagle mortality. It is difficult to see mortality as a positive thing, but it does mean that our population as a whole is healthy.

Of course, we hope that E2 will continue to thrive and survive until adulthood.  There is no way to protect birds from all of the environmental hazards, but escaping them will result in a stronger individual.  E2 has, and will continue to visit the nest and we will keep the camera on until at least the end of August.

As we remember E1 and celebrate our nation's birthday, we wish a happy July 4th to everyone.

 We also need to thank you for your continued support of the Nongame Wildlife Program . We rely on your contributions - they make it possible for our team to be on call to respond to these emergencies 24/7. We couldn't do it without your support. Thank you!

Thomas Demma captured this beautiful image E1 right after fledge.  RIP E1

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[kbshcb]

Ugg, yes this is sickening.....

Especially when many of us asked the DNR to make the area safer......remember that?...they say this wasn't an electrocution but years ago we thought we lost a few to something related to power lines.....Wish I knew exactly what was going on over there, and do hope it was just an accident, but given the many birds lost to power lines including electrocution me wonders.