Story and photos by Robin Brumm
I decided to make a trip to Decorah on Saturday, since the weather was going to be nice. I don’t have to get up at dark o’clock since they are incubating and there is usually someone there all the time. So I left at light o’clock and headed across the river. You know when you see 18-20 eagles while driving over the Mississippi River, that it will be a good day!
When I got to Decorah, I decided to drive through the hatchery area. I looked around for the new eagle pair that has been hanging around N1, but I didn’t see them anywhere. I guess if I want to see them, I will have to get up in the middle of the night, at dark dark o’clock! lol
April 9, 2022: Mother Goose at N2B (at the hatchery)
I went over toward N2B to see if I could see Mother Goose. I Walked down the bike trail that goes past N2B. When you stand on the trail in front of the nest, you look up at the nest, and you can’t really see anything that is in the middle of the nest. I walked back to my car and was able to see Mother Goose’s head peeking up above the nest rails from the shoulder of the road. I was also able to see her through some branches from the bridge, but I’m pretty sure if people don’t watch the cam, they don’t even know she is there!
I got in my car and headed over to N3. I parked, grabbed my lawn chair, camera and binoculars and headed down the trail. When I got to the spot where I could see the nest, I noticed a white head in the nest. I couldn’t tell who it was so I got out my binoculars and looked at the nest. I still couldn’t tell who it was, so I took a photo and zoomed in on my camera and saw that it was DM2 incubating. So I set up my lawn chair and sat down to watch. I was watching for quite a while when I saw DM2 stand up and fly off. Hmm.. where did he go?? About 2 min. Later he came back. I guess he needed to stretch his wings a little bit. About a half an hour later, he flew off again, but this time Mom flew in! I didn’t really have to look through my binoculars or zoom in to a photo to tell that it was her. She takes up more room in the nest that DM2 does! I did take a photo and zoom in on it to make sure it was her though! While I was watching, I asked her how many eggs she had laid, but her beak was sealed, and she wouldn’t share any info! I watched quite a while longer, and then decided I should leave. I did want to mention that watching incubation is sometimes like watching paint dry, lol.
April 9, 2022: The Bobway eaglet
I decided to go home via the Bobway eagles nest. The last time I stopped there it looked like the parent was either incubating or brooding on the nest, so I wanted to go check again to see if any bobbleheads were visible. I got there and looked through my binoculars and saw 1 bobblehead! I quickly took a bunch of pictures and hoped that I got a picture of it before it laid back down.
As I continued on my way home, I wondered how many eggs Mom and DM2 are incubating. It is assumed that Mom laid her egg on or around March 20, so that means that hatch watch will start the week of April 25th, I’m guessing mid week sometime. I’m sure I won’t be able to see little bobbleheads for a couple of weeks after that. I guess I need to get out my calendar and do some planning!
RRP appreciates Robin’s generosity in sharing her photos and reminds you they are copyrighted and may not be downloaded without her express written consent.
The Raptor Resource Project