It’s extremely cold out, but Mr. North and mate DNF are busy preparing for eggs. She arrives early in the video to begin carpeting the North Nest with a cozy layer of grass. He flies in 25 seconds and joins her, giving us a great look at how much larger she is – and how much she has her feathers fluffed up to combat the cold! We get a nice slow-mo take-off at 2:31.
When can we expect eggs at the North Nest? Last year, DNF laid her first egg on February 21 at 3:36 PM – just ten days from now! The cold weather and low humidity could push egg-laying back a little bit, since it makes it harder for DNF to build the water reserves she needs to lay eggs. Watch for both eagles, but especially DNF, to spend more time in and around the nest as the big day approaches. We think that the process of laying eggs starts about 48 hours before we see them. You can learn more about it here: https://www.raptorresource.org/…/how-long-does-it-take…/.
Watching Xcel Energy’s Fort St. Vrain nest? They are usually our first layers! Last year, Ma FSV laid her first egg on February 14 at 5:56 PM. The live stream came back on this morning and we’ve seen both eagles spending time there today. I don’t know when they are going to lay, but I’m checking in on a regular basis.
A number of you have contacted me with questions about lead ammo and tackle regulations in your state. I am working on a round-up of all 50 states and will be publishing it soon.
The Raptor Resource Project