Poor Decorah eagles. It's so cold here and rainy and this during the night we had snow. Today the eagles' nest is covered with snow.

That happened at Norfolk this season too. The biologist there said the eagles are highly insulated and can withstand this.

The chicks however are vulnerable until they get they thicker down feathers. There used to be an eagle cam in Maine somewhere, run by National Geographic. They had a severe Nor'easter storm and the chicks did not survive that. The people following that nest were really upset etc!

So are the Decorah chicks still hanging in there? I haven't looked recently.

Yesterday it was confirmed at Norfolk, that the female eagle we watch so carefully and tenderly feed and care for her young chicks, was struck and killed by an airplane on Tuesday.

The male cannot feed the large chicks now by himself, so after watching carefully, the biologists have removed the chicks to the same rescue center that took care of the ill one 2 yrs ago.

Here is a link the the blog:

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I totally feel stricken about this news. It was very uplifting to watch this eagle family start and grow each spring.

More details:

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So sad! Just heartbreaking. I'm glad though that the babies will be cared for at the rescue center. I wonder what will happen to the male. Will he mate again?

Yes, he'll find another mate. He is younger than the female was.

Her previous mate was struck by an airplane too, and the place nearby where their nest was the tree was cut down, so they would move farther away from the planes.

She moved to the Norfolk gardens, and chose a new younger male.

No one knows at this time if he will return there with a new female, or move to a new nesting area entirely.

This was such a rare, wonderful,intimate experience watching them raise those chicks, and behave in noble positive ways.

I am still very stricken about this ... it is just not fair. But I did notice the female seemed slower and her feathers more unkempt this season. I thought to myself, it was amazing she did 3 eggs. Maybe the weather and extra cold took a toll on them too. Maybe this slowed her down just enough to not avoid the landing gear as it came down.

Whatever the reason, it is very sad. And you are correct that the rehab place is very good. That is the only "good" part of this.

It is possible we will never have this opportunity again, to watch these noble intelligent birds go about their lives, in the same way.
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I sort of hope they move elsewhere since this is the second time, but certainly will miss watching this miracle of wildlife at its finest.

Maybe they will find another area in the Botanical Gardens further from the airport....Then maybe DGIF will relocate the cam for us.

I live in VA, but on the western side of the state. Hubby & I saw a pair of adult bald eagles circle above our house a couple weeks ago....awesome sight. I also had an opportunity last year to see one up close as it snacked on road kill on the mountain road we live on. It was about 30 feet in front of me and I slowed thinking it was a white trash bag open on the road. Once I stopped completely, the eagle took off in front of me with it's wingspan the width of the vehicle. Truly incredible as it flew right in front of the windshield. Had to sit there a few minutes to absorb what I had just watched.

I will sure miss the eaglets and watching them grow.

I intentionally had not been watching this year as I needed to avoid the distraction from work
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but I am so sad to hear of this and hope maybe the male will mate and nest in the Gardens again

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This is just so sad.

At least they have set up a cam to watch the chicks in the sanctuary.
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U.S. Airways to make a donation toward the care of the eaglets at the wildlife center:


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There is a video stream today of sorts from the rescue location.

So click on the main link and you may see some things. Today I only see 2 chicks being active. But the resolution is poor.

Try this:

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They found low lead levels in the smaller male. Tests will be ongoing.