Bald eagle nests are growing quieter as young eagles range farther from home and fall migration begins. In Florida, the first signs of a new nesting season are already appearing.
A visitor bald eagle returned to the U.S. Steel nest four days in a row, while a subadult was also seen near Irv. Here’s what the late-summer visits could mean.
For almost a full day, Kaydee kept returning to the Big Bear cameras without Shadow. Then at 9:06 Saturday morning, one familiar white head finally appeared again.
Shadow settled into the Big Bear nest for more than an hour Tuesday evening, giving viewers a beautiful extended look at him. Then he left, and Kaydee showed up soon afterward.
Kaydee landed in the Big Bear nest and immediately went to work on the sticks. Shadow watched from nearby, but when she turned her attention to him, things got beaky.
Kaydee turned Sunday morning at the Big Bear nest into a moment eagle fans needed. After discovering the camera and delivering some unforgettable head tilts, she took off just seconds behind Shadow.
After days of nest visits, close roosts, preening and morning duets, Shadow and Kaydee have reached a new point. A raptor biologist who helped band Kaydee now says the Big Bear eagles appear to be forming a pair bond.
Juvenile bald eagle Sid returned to the U.S. Steel nest with a raw injury to the outer toe of the left foot and a missing talon. A wildlife expert has reviewed photos of the injury, and there are encouraging reasons to remain hopeful for Sid’s recovery.
Shadow chortled into the Big Bear morning, and this time another eagle answered. After spending the night close together, Shadow and KD1 greeted the dawn with a duet that made an already remarkable new pattern even harder to ignore.
Dad HD made a welcome return to the Decorah cameras on August 16, stopping for a fish before flying toward the bluffs. Meanwhile, DH3 continues building strength in a larger rehabilitation enclosure.