Do eagle siblings ever disperse together? Although our eaglet siblings all appear to be best friends post-fledge, D24, D25, D35, and D36 all dispersed separately. However, half-siblings D27 and D36 spent a few days in the same area on November 23, 24, and 25 this year. Thanks so much for the postcards, eaglets!
D36, D27, D24, and D1 all seem to like the Turkey Valley watershed a little south and west of Postville. It looks like eagle paradise: plenty of running water, steeply folded hills to provide trees and shelter, and uplands filled with feedlots and food. Given all the confined feeding operations, I have to think that the young eagles had a lot of company as they soared over the hills and valleys, looking for food and chasing other eagles.
If you go to our interactive maps and explore November 23, 24, and 25, you’ll see that the eagles weren’t always as close as they look. However, it is very clear that they were flying through the same area and attracted to the same food sources and landscapes. They roosted within about 700 feet of one another on the 23rd and were within a few 100 feet of one another on the morning of the 24th.
The two went their separate ways by November 26th, with D27 continuing to circle the area while D36 headed south and east toward the Mississippi. Our last airmail was from the Elkader area. If he keeps going, perhaps Brett will get a chance to see him across the river in Eagle Valley. Stay fierce and well fed, eaglets…and don’t forget to write!
A thousand thousand thanks to Brett Mandernack and the staff of Eagle Valley for sharing their knowledge, expertise, and maps!
The Raptor Resource Project