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Today's report from Decorah Eagle Cam Alerts
"We wanted to reach out to you regarding recent events at the nest in Decorah.

The eagles have had to face some dramatic weather over the last days to weeks but perhaps nothing is as concerning as what follows...

As you may be aware, Dad seems to be missing from the nest.

Dad was last seen at the nest this past Wednesday at 7:30 PM CT. Since that time he has been absent creating some concern. A search team has been and continues to search for him in an effort to explain his absence. Mom has been calling for him to no avail.

On Friday morning, a male eagle was spotted by the nest. Observation by the boots on the ground team has concluded that this male is not in fact Dad. The fact that he has not given Mom any relief or come down to feed the eaglets are just some of the observations helping to lead to this conclusion. The good news is that Mom does not appear threatened by the unidentified male and the eaglets appear safe.

What we can tell you is that Mom and the eaglets are fine. Mom has tremendous strength as well as skills learned from Dad over their years together. The hatchery is right outside the nest door for access to food and there is plenty of food currently stockpiled. The eaglets are able to better thermoregulate and will do fine. Even if unattended for a short bit, they are never far from Mom's watchful eyes.

This is not the first time that Dad has been absent. He was gone for two days last year before showing up back at the nest. His whereabouts at that time are still unknown, but he did come back.

This has been a difficult time for everyone who follows these amazing eagles. The search team continues to look for Dad and we will keep you updated as soon as more information becomes available.

To end on a positive note, we have added video of the eaglets and Mom (and Dad) as they face off against the odds of cold, wet snow and the continued unpredictable nature of life in the wild. We have also added video of the young eaglets alone with some sibling rivalry and more recently of Mom fending by herself and defending the nest from an intruder.

Watch the videos now. http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=FwEl9& ... aLp9XfVoWA

Watch the live feed now. http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=FwEl9& ... bpBoEdR5Ig "

Dad, come back healthy and whole, the family needs you

04/23 Mom as a sunshade











14.36 am Children alone in the nest. temp 19 deg C, there is sun



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfvCnjHt8QQ

They are still young to be left alone in that cold. I hope she can provide for them, although I guess RR would supplement to help.

19º C = 66º F.

Also I misread the post about Dad coming back. I thought it said he did, but now I see it was wishful thinking. I deleted the post and am sorry if I caused any confusion with my enthusiasm.

From Raptor Resource Project FB page yesterday. Well fed eaglets.

Another update from RRP. Still no Dad.
"There has been a lot of concern and many questions regarding the recent events in Decorah and we wanted to touch base to try and provide you with the most up to date information.

To begin, we wanted to summarize the timeline of events beginning last week:

On April 18, 2018 a severe snowstorm hit Decorah and the nest. This was following several days of other storms. Mom and Dad cared for the eaglets together. Dad was last seen at the nest at 7:30 PM

On April 19, 2018 the weather improves but Dad does not show up to replace Mom to give her a break or to feed the eagles. Concern begins.

On April 20, 2018 a second day begins without Dad and worry increases. Mom continues her amazing care of the eaglets and for now, food is plentiful. Mom sense Dad's absence and begins to call for him but there is no response. The camera catches glimpses of another male eagle (referred to as Unidentified Male Eagle or UME). Mom seems to tolerate him close to the nest but he does not give Mom and break, bring in prey or respond to her calls. After review with many eagle experts, it is determined the the UME is NOT Dad.

On April 21, 2018 a search party begins searching for Dad. Mom continues her care of the eaglets and grows agitated by the intrusion of UME. Her calls have largely stopped.

On April 22, 2018 search parties continue to look for Dad without success. Mom is still wary of UME and continues to feed the eaglets throughout the day. While there is concern, the eaglets appear on track, eating, sleeping, pooping, bonking and continuing to grow as expected.

From April 23, 2108 until now there still remains no signs of Dad. Reports from observations near the nest include UME chasing another eagle away from the hatchery. In addition UME continues to move closer to then nest and shows more comfort being around Mom. Mom also seems to be growing more tolerant of UME being closer to the nest and her young by the day.

As of today it has been 9 days since Dad was last seen at the nest and it appears that we have to accept the Mom will have to go on without him.

The reason for Dad's disappearance is still uncertain. Thoughts have included hypothermia from the snow storm, car collision, electrocution or simply Dad giving up. For many reasons, none of these appear likely. The most plausible solution at this time based on expert opinion is that a fight with the UME is the most likely reason. There is a high density of surrounding eagles and intra-species fighting has become a major source of natural mortality for bald eagles.

Regardless of what the reason is for Dad's absence, this is something that is hard for all of us. However, this is quite normal in eagle life. Death and succession is part of the natural order despite how hard it may be for us to witness and accept. The Raptor Resource Project has determined that it will no intervene and pull the eaglets from the nest. Mom is very capable of caring for the eaglets as she has demonstrated these last few days. Human intervention would be an invasion of nature.

We hope that this gets you up to date and answers some of your questions. To end on a high note, we have added video to the site including interactions with UME, the wonderful eaglets growing up before our eyes and Mom's perseverance as she continues to raise her offspring.

We look forward to keeping you up to date."

Today's Update From Decorah
"It is hard to believe but the young eaglets are past the 4 week mark! They are now about a foot tall with a 2 foot wingspan. Their vision is sharp and they are better able to stand and take a few steps. Their feathers are changing as well and becoming more dotted with pin feathers. They are also becoming more independent as their motor skills continue to improve.

Mom continues to amaze us with her strength and skills raising her 3 eaglets. Mom has perched near UME on the maple tree and has tolerated him on the Skywalk branch but still will not let him anywhere near the nest. UME has proven he can protect from other male eagles and continues to try and win Mom over. There seems to be an overall mutual acceptance of each other but with certain boundaries. UME has not shown any aggression towards the eaglets but also has not done anything to help care for them. That being said, he is keeping intruders away from the area surrounding the nest so his presence is somewhat comforting with the absence of Dad. Mom seems to be growing more tolerant of UME's presence but they are not partners yet. Ultimately, this will be her decision.

We have added video to the site of the eaglets and their amazing growth as well as Mom's heroics and taking a little mealtime of her own. Enjoy!

We look forward to keeping you up to date.

Watch the videos now.
http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=FwEl9& ... u5E2koLpCw "

Thanks Gigi. Here are some pics from yesterday. These kids are well fed. It is fortunate for mom that the hatchery is there....like shooting fish in a barrel. She has a favorite tree that she perches in overlooking the hatchery, which has the nest in her line of sight. She can hunt and keep an eye on the kids at the same time. The fish supply is plentiful. The new male, UME has been a great defender of the territory, which is a big help for mom. It allows her to focus on the kids. The recent upset and chaos at the nest has quieted down. I understand that some photographers on the ground recently saw UME lock talons with an intruder and bring it close to the ground. Mom is becoming more comfortable with him, perching very close, but she has set boundaries and will not let him on the nest. He has not been aggressive toward the eaglets and hopefully he will be accepting of the kids flying around the territory once they fledge. I understand that Dad was about 21 yrs old. It is possible that he passed form old age and died somewhere outside the search area. I understand some feel anger toward UME if he drove Dad away or injured him, but to be truthful we'll never know. It may not have happened that way. We don't even know who the 3rd intruding eagle is. Is it Dad, who is not as strong as he once was to hold a territory? Dad was a beloved icon here for a very long time and raised many youngsters. He lived a successful eagle life.

Sat 651pm - The kids sporting full crops.


Sat 654pm - The youngest up front and center.


Sat 657pm - The youngest with a Mohawk hairdo.


Sat 703pm - One of the older eaglets.


Sat 708pm - Mom perching with the new male in her lookout tree.

Some pics from yesterday. I understand that the new unidentified male eagle (UME) has becomes Mom's knight in shining armor. He has been protecting the territory, the nest, Mom, and the kids. He is growing on her, too. Friday, she left him alone in the nest tree with the kids for a good half hour. Her trust is growing and he is respectful of the boundaries she has laid down. As a result, he has yet to venture onto the nest, but has posed no threat to the eaglets. He is turning out to be a good guy and will probably be a good mate for Mom.

648pm


650pm


720pm - Mom and the kids just before she went out to hunt, bringing back fish for dinner.

910pm - These kids are growing up so fast. The eaglet on the far left looks to me like a male with that small round head shape. They are adorable.

That's great news! Thanks.

1101 am - The three amigos.


809 pm - Feed this evening by Mom.

Decorah

Thanks Loza. Here's a pic from yesterday morning, Sat 6/9.

1058am