Tuesday Part 2

Hi Folks,  We are all waiting with baited breath to see how this nesting season is going to work out.  I recently contacted the Regional Bald Eagle Coordinator for FWS, Craig Koppie,  and he sent me this message a few minutes ago:

"There could be several reasons for this issue. There could be a replacement nest they constructed during the fall and they are visiting less frequently at their usual location as you suggested. There might be a mate replacement so they are starting later due to a new pairing. Or lastly, they are the same pair and just sense a colder than normal year and are holding off a few weeks or so because of icing on the river and greater snow fall potential. I believe somehow, nature knows."

We know that these are the same two birds, so we need to figure this year's delay is caused by  a new nest or the cold weather. 

I am betting that the cold weather is impacting timing this year.  This is the coldest stretch of weather in many years.  Combine the weather with the snow and the iced up river and that's enough to delay things...

So time will tell which theory is correct.

Craig just released a cool book with Teena Gorrow called Inside a Bald Eagle's Nest.  Check it out here.