Busy eagles building their nest: Decorah

[Kris G.]

Posted on BCAW:  

RE: Decorah Eagles

Some sad news reported by RRP a little while ago on their Facebook Page:

We are sorry to announce that Bob Anderson found D14 dead yesterday near Rockford, Iowa. D14, a 2012 hatch year bald eagle from Decorah, Iowa, was electrocuted after landing or trying to land on a power pole. Bob immediately notified the utility company. D14's body will be sent to the National Eagle Repository, where his feathers and other parts will be distributed for use in Native American religious ceremonies. Bob and Brett Mandernack did a close examination of D14's body. He was healthy and butterball fat. There were no signs of wear from the transmitter or backpack.

How common is electrocution? A federal study done in the 1990s identified impact injuries, poisoning, gunshot, and electrocution as the top four sources of bald eagle mortality. We haven't seen it in Decorah until this year, but D14's transmitter was the only reason we were able to follow him after he left the nest. New poles commonly have bird safety devices since bird electrocutions are not only tragic, but can cause fires and power supply disruptions. However, many old poles remain and safety devices don't always work. It's been known since the 1920s that power lines and poles can present a danger to birds. As Bald eagle (and presumably other large bird) populations expand, more electrocutions may happen.

D12, a sibling of D14, was electrocuted earlier this year. A group calling themselves The Memorial for D12 Facebook Group (aka The Raptor Nation) responded by working with Alliant Energy, Puget Sound Energy, Decorah High School, and Decorah Building Supply to develop and fit bird-safe perches for the hatchery. I have a blog post and links about that here: http://raptorresource.blogspot.com/2012/11/bird-safe-power-poles.html.

[Donna]

This is awfully sad that both were electrocuted! We need power lines under ground! Thanks Kris.

[NoraH]

Here is a video and some pictures from when D14 was released after getting his transmitter put on...I've just been in tears this afternoon  

Video:

https://picasaweb.google.com/nora.countrylass/2012DecorahEagles#5758802092778505458

[Kris G.]

I thought of you first thing when I read this awful news, Nora. I'm so sorry.

[MAK]

Tragic! 

[glothom]

That is so sad. 

[NoraH]

Two from the same year is more than too much.  D12 died across from the hatchery just north of the nest.  D14 was about 70 miles WSW of Decorah.

I signed the petition "Make the Avian Protection Plan mandatory". I'm asking you to sign this petition to help us reach our goal of 1,000 signatures. I care deeply about this cause, and I hope you will support our efforts.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/681/860/451/make-the-avian-protection-plan-mandatory/?taf=1

[Donna]

http://youtu.be/0FDK0Y6jX4E

[Kris G.]

If anyone would like to light a candle for D14, here's the link:

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=D14

[Donna]

Decorah eagle home for the holidays! D1 spent three months this summer above the Arctic Circle before flying back to Iowa.

Christmas may be is just another day in the life of a bald eagle, but D1, the parapatetic offspring of the world-famous Decorah eagles, is home for the holidays.

http://thegazette.com/2012/12/24/decorah-eagle-home-for-the-holidays/

[Donna]

There was a lot of speculation about the large bird that showed up near the original nest in Decorah yesterday. Could it be D1 or was it another bird? Bob confirmed that the bird was an immature red-tailed hawk - a real surprise, given how calmly the eagles reacted to it. Our data hasn't shown D1 back at the nest yet, although the transmitter isn't on all the time and she has been tracked close to it. I think a lot of us would like to see her there.

http://youtu.be/NMYfqRyEq0Y

[MAK]

Interesting! 

[Donna]

http://www.thecountrytoday.com/outdoors/article_610b540a-5f51-11e2-87d3-001a4bcf887a.html

Decorah eagle cam may be off air in 2013

[MAK]

http://www.thecountrytoday.com/outdoors/article_610b540a-5f51-11e2-87d3-001a4bcf887a.html

Decorah eagle cam may be off air in 2013

Fingers crossed! 

[Donna]

NO trespassing little squirrels!!

http://youtu.be/lo1J2kGzaC0