THIS APPEARED IN THEIR FB AND IN CASE ANYONE MISSED, THOUGHT I WOULD POST.
Raptor Resource Project 21 hours ago · Edited 1-22-14 ~ Tick Tock … Time Is Getting Closer!
Mother Nature signals the change of seasons, but how does Mom Decorah know her biological clock is ticking? Daylight length is one factor. The phenomenon known as photoperiodism, allows many birds and other animals to adapt to seasonal changes in the environment through their physiology and behavior, and signals the most favorable time of year to produce offspring.
Courtship and bonding rituals also signal that time is getting close to reproduce. We see Mom & Dad both actively getting the nest ready by the addition of branches, twigs, corn husks and corn stalks and other soft materials to line the nest bowl. Other behaviors frequently observed at the beginning of mating season include pair perching, vocalizations, bill stroking and pecking, and some footing or body stroking.
We've gathered some video from 2012 to show two great examples of Mom Decorah asserting with Dad to let him know she is ready. She uses vocalizations to express her desires, and then begins to exhibit her desire with both footing and body posturing, and a beak kiss. The last video is of our couple mating. While we may not be able to view that this year at the new nest, the beautiful vocals are unmistakable … and this year we may 'hear' what we don't 'see'.
Bob writes: "As I was going over the Argos data early this AM I was surprised to find that D1 was not too far from my home. I warmed up the car since the temperature was around zero, with a brisk wind, and got a cup of coffee to go. But try as I might I was not able to spot D1 on my first AM outing. I returned home and called on Mary to join me, hoping that a second set of eyes would help. We quickly determined that D1 was in the back field of a nearby dairy farm. They were most friendly and quickly gave me permission to access their land. As I rounded the back side of the dairy barn, I could see D1 perched in a nearby tree. As I tried to work around so that the sun was behind me, she took flight. It was good to see her again. I am determined to get a good frontal image of D1 so we can see the status of her molt."
BUNNIEM1
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Thanks for the update BUNNIE! It's so amazing that we watching this eagle hatch and have known where she's been since then. Wouldn't it be something to get to see her nest and have a family, too!
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Thu Jan 16, 2014 11:54 am
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