Monthly Archives: October 2019

Videos: Nestoration, stickwork, breakfish!

September 27, 2019: DM2 works on the nestbowl

It’s been a busy couple of days for Mom and DM2! While we are still several months from productive copulation, the shorter days have triggered the onset of nesting behavior. On October 27, we saw DM2 test the nest bowl for the first time. As our followers know, the eagles lay and incubate eggs in very cold weather. The nest bowl underneath the egg cup needs to be loosened to help drain water and prevent the eggs from cracking on

Saturday movie mega-roll!

October 25, 2019: Mom and DM2

Grab your favorite beverage, put your feet up, and get ready for our movie mega-roll! In Decorah, Mom supervises DM2’s work, a subadult pays a quick visit, Mom and DM2 have a Beakerson’s moment, and Mom eats a fish. At Decorah North, we get great looks at both Norths and some other inhabitants – including cows! – of the North valley. On the Flyway, pelicans take off, American Avocets forage, and an airplane photobombs some eagles! I loved all of

It’s Nestoration Time!

October 22, 2019: The North Eagles

The Decorah and Decorah North Eagles have started working on their nests! At Decorah, DM2 pole vaults into N2B and does some work on N1, while both eagles deal with the unending rain. Mom supervises DM2’s work and perches in the maple, ignoring a sub-adult visitor. At the North Nest, Mr. North brings in what might be the first stick of the season and we get a beautiful look at the two of them perched together. I loved all of

Who is Mom’s beau? It’s DM2!

October 17, 2019: DM2

Like a lot of you, we’ve spent the past couple of weeks trying to figure out who Mom Decorah is spending time with. He looked like DM2. He acted like DM2. But was he really DM2? We got confirmation on October 19 when one of our camera operators got up close and personal with his left iris and captured his distinctive fleck! This mark, combined with distinctive head and facial features and his behavior with Mom around the nest, allows

Friday Night Nestflix!

October 18, 2019: Mom and DM2 at N2B

Whatta Day…to quote Sherri Elliott! We have some lovely videos from Decorah and Decorah North and a blog about migration. We fixed the audio (and a couple of other things) at the Flyway yesterday and seeing what looked like about 100,000 canvasback ducks got me thinking about migration. Thanks to all of you for watching, learning, and caring – and for your excitement about DM2. We were thrilled and we’re glad you are too! A special thanks to our camera

Nestflix for October 16, 2019

October 16, 2019: Unknown Male Eagle, N2B, Decorah

Time for Nestflix and chill! Eagles at both Decorah nests seem to be making up for lost time. While the North eagles and Mom Decorah were all seen on their respective territories, we really didn’t see them visiting their nests. That has changed! The eagles won’t start spending most of their time at the nest until just before egg-laying, which usually happens in mid-February. You are most likely to see them at the nest at dawn or at dusk –

Nestflix for October 15, 2019

October 15, 2019: Mom Decorah

The Decorah and Decorah North Eagles are back! We know we have Mr. North and DNF at the North nest. How about the Decorah nest? We know Mom is there. While there is a lot of agreement that the male looks like DM2 (fans have pointed our head shape, beak shape, and what we can see of his eyes), we’re still hoping to confirm with an iris shot – especially after last fall, when we thought we might never leave

Day Trips to Decorah

September 14, 2019: Mom and unknown male eagle on the maple

Photos & story by Robin Brumm I have been to Decorah two times in the last few weeks, but life got busy and I didn’t have time to post, so today I have a 2-for-1 Coupon for you … 2 Day Trips in one post. 8-30-19 Day Trip Shortly after I got to Decorah, Mom flew onto the maple tree. She only stayed about 15-20 minutes and then flew off. She didn’t even tell me she was leaving! At least