Remember the world-famous bald eagles of Decorah, Iowa? Millions watched via nest-cam last spring and summer as three eaglets hatched, grew and ultimately fledged, after receiving praiseworthy care from their white-crowned and regal parents.
Today the Raptor Resource Project posted an update on its facebook page. The parents are actively rebuilding the nest and probably will produce more eggs in February or early March.
(The broadcast began Saturday. The ustream feed is embedded below and the eagles are most often seen early in the morning.)
The whereabouts of two of the three offspring from last year are unknown because only one was fitted with a GPS satellite transmitter. "We certainly hope that they are thriving very well and that they will remain safe as they begin their first winter season," the update states.
The young eagle wearing a transmitter is named D1 and, since leaving the nest last Aug. 14, has enjoyed a remarkable journey, north through Minnesota and south through Wisconsin before returning the the same general area when it was born.
"Many of you have asked what would happen if D1 tried to go back in her natal nest," it states in the update. "If D1 were to come within the territory claimed by her parents, either the branch or nest, the parents would most likely become very vocal and reject her.
"This is a normal reaction from parents after the juveniles have been on the wing for some time. It is unlikely that they would harm her, but they would enforce the general rule that she would not be welcome."
It will be interesting to see if D1 appears on the Ustream feed and how its parents will react. But the real interest will build once the eggs are laid and especially after they hatch. Last year's real-life nature reality show was unsurpassed in terms of popularity.
—Image showing D1 late last September at Yellow Lake in Wisconsin is courtesy of the Raptor Resource Project
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