Visitors to the Nest

Our nesting eagles continue to diligently fulfill their incubation duties, tucking more dry grasses and other materials around the three eggs to keep them warm, in spite of some distractions.

Earlier this week, a few juvenile eagles visited the nest area. One went so far as to chase down one of our adult eagles as it was looking for a place to perch and eat a pigeon held in its talons. The juvenile’s attempt at a free lunch failed, and it flew off. It’s possible these were birds that fledged from this nest in previous years. Now they’re unwelcome intruders, thieves at the dinner table, rather than guests.

 We’ve also had some concerns over human visitors to the nest area recently. Here are some things to keep in mind:

 

• This nest is closely followed by people living nearby. They regularly visit the nest area to take telephoto pics of the eagles from a designated non-disturbance area marked by signs. So far these wildlife photographers have been very considerate of the eagles and they have stayed far enough away from the nest to not bother the eagles. We are aware of their visits and monitor the area closely.
• The location of the nest is not being disclosed to the public. This is for the safety of the eagles, as well as their potential visitors, as the nest is located in an area with poor access. While some people know the nest’s location, they’ve been good about keeping it to themselves to minimize potential disturbance. This is a sensitive time for eagles and we really don’t want to bother them.
• There also have been a few not-so-considerate visitors to the nest area over the past week. DNR has placed signs around the nest tree clearly indicating where it’s okay to walk – and where it’s not. When we see or hear of human visitors getting too close to the nest, we ask them to move on. DNR conservation officers also keep an eye on the area.
• We try to monitor happenings around the nest, and we have steps laid out to protect the area as needed. Thank you all for your help on this front!

 

Sweet, sweet spring

In case anyone hasn’t noticed, Spring is most definitely in the air a bit early this year. With the cool nights and warm days, sap will be flowing in the state’s many maple trees – something appreciated by Minnesotans of both the two- and four-legged varieties.

 The sap of maple trees is the raw ingredient for making the maple syrup that tastes so good on pancakes and other human fare. Each year, Minnesotans head into the woods to insert specially designed spouts, or “spiles,” into maple trees to collect the slightly sweet sap within, catching it in buckets or other containers. The sap is boiled down into syrup.

 Humans aren’t the only critters that enjoy the sweet taste of maple sap. It’s also a food source for wildlife. Squirrels, especially small red squirrels, are known to lick sap off of maple trees and even chew small holes in bark to reach the sap. They will then sometimes revisit these spots to lick up the sweet sap repeatedly. So, poke your nose outside on this warm weekend to catch the sweet scent of Spring, and see if you can catch a squirrel in the act of licking a tree.

 You can learn more about making syrup from maple trees, and find events at Minnesota State Parks where you can see it being done, by visiting www.mndnr.gov.

 Death & taxes

Of life’s two certainties, tax time at least offers some choice -- as in deciding how much you’d like to donate to the Minnesota Nongame Wildlife Program on Line 21 of your state income tax form. The program is funded almost entirely by donations. Look for the loon and consider helping eagles, other birds, bees and the more than 800 critters the Nongame Wildlife Program works with. They’ll appreciate it!

Don't forget to visit our Facebook page, where lots of eagle video and pictures are posted regularly.  Thank you! 

 

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