You know I wanted to post something toi that effect last night but then that would have meant that they were gone.
So the empty nest syndrome has begun

Thanks for having the same sadness about the season being over......empty nest syndrome has indeed set in.

Summary of a successful season at Fort ST. Vrain. This report is broken down to the important events that occurred during the 2010~2011 season. Activities for each week are recorded here in a brief format.

The female eagle laid three eggs: 2/16; 2/19; and 2/23. The first hatchling arrived on 3/28, 41 days after the first egg was laid. I believe that the first egg was inviable and the hatchling came from the egg laid on 2/19. The second eaglet hatched on 3/31. While eagles are not named the eaglets were referred to as Scout (second egg laid and first hatchling) and Glory (Third egg laid and second hatchling) in the daily logs.

Week One:

The eaglet was first seen at 7 a.m. It was offered food before 2:41 but did not respond, but at 2:41 it fed. Mom kept the eaglet tucked in the first 2 days. This eaglet insisted on sitting up in front of the parent while it incubated the other eggs.
3/31 the second eaglet was observed about 8 a.m. It was offered food at 9:12 and it ate a few bites. The older eaglet is dominant at feedings. Pecking is constant at feedings.
Both eaglets are strong and are bobbing up and down and feeding hungrily. The older continues to be dominant at feedings.
4/2 The older chick is out of the nest bowl (egg cup) and remains so for 5 hours. Both parents watched over the eaglet during this time. Mom finally lured it over with offerings of food that she moved ever closer to the nest bowl.
Both eaglets were tucked in at dusk. But this eaglet continued to climb out of the nest bowl/egg cup. Perhaps it was not as deep as the parents thought.
The third egg remains intact.

Overhead view of the three eggs.


First eaglet hatches.


Feeding after second eaglet hatches.

Week Two:

4/4 The eaglets are left alone on the nest for the first time for a short time. Both are very active and their little wings are being stretched. The older chick, Scout is hard to keep tucked in or under.

4/5 Today both of the eaglets are out of the nest bowl/egg cup. Glory, the younger eaglet is 5 days old which is how old Scout was when she roamed the nest. Mom is off the nest bowl most of the afternoon, but does not leave the nest.

4/6 Parents are off the nest for 10 minutes which is the first time they have been gone for more than a quick off and on. Feedings are peaceful with less pecking, but Glory has learned to wait and reach in as he can.

4/7 The ealgets are moving around the nest more. They move with that falling forward getting up approach. Scout is even more dominant at feedings.

4/9 Parents are now leaving the eaglets unattended for up to an hour at a time. The third egg remains on the nest.





They are tucked in front of mom.

Week Three:
They are beginning to stretch their wings outward as they move about the nest.

Glory has learned to be submissive but move in and snatch food from the feeding parent and stay out of the way of pecking. Glory is picking up dropped pieces of the food. Food is most often a small furry critter.....prairie dog, rabbit, mouse, or vole. They have fish delivered now and again. They also are fed turtle.

4/14 It snowed overnight and into the early morning. The parent has been tucking the eaglets under and has stayed on the nest with this colder weather.

4/17 Scout is also picking up dropped pieces of food. Scout is beginning to stand tall. Moving more quickly about the nest.
Scout and Glory is getting the darker coloration.
Parent continues to spend the night on the nest.

Week Four:

The parents are no longer brooding the eaglets. The egg is gone. I have no idea if it was buried or if the parents removed it.

4/19 Scout is beginning to hop about the nest with wings flapping. Glory not there yet.



4/20 Both are beginning to extend their lengthening wings as they rest. They are also starting to jump about the nest with their little wings extended and sometimes flapping.

4/21 They both begin to pick up bedding or small sticks. Some sticks are moved and others just picked up and dropped again.
They both search for nestovers now.

4/22 to 4/25 They are moving faster about the nest. They sleep along the fence as well as in the center of the nest.

Week Five

This week when it snowed the parents stayed on the nest and shielded the eaglets from the rain/snow. The parents have been off the nest more, but do stand guard along the fences as the eaglets rest.

Glory consistently maneuvers to a place away from Scout's pecking. In the picture below he actually snatches food from under mom.

Both are stretching out their wings as they rest. And they are beginning to get the dark pin feathers.

Week Six 5/2 to 5/8

The eaglets are getting much darker in color. They are spending most of the day on the nest alone. They are not being fed as often. I am seeing early morning and late afternoon feedings. Some days there will be 2 other feedings.
Mom is still on the nest at night.

The third picture is of Scout on the fence for the first time.