Alcoa Davenport's Bald Eagle Nest

Taking Shape

Some of you ask about the size of the nest. I can't give you an actual measurement. I am estimating the bottom to the top is about four feet. Inside the nest from the outside edge to the outside edge I would guess is in the 6-7 foot range. I took the picture below yesterday and I think it does give you a good sense of the size. Note the camera is just above the nest to the left in this shot.

Have a good weekend!

Power Lines

It was very disappointing to read about the eagle from the Decorah nest that was killed while contacting a power line a few days ago. Unfortunately as the Bald Eagle continues to make this great comeback, the larger numbers are likely to have this happen more often.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, we contacted Mid-American Energy earlier this year and asked them to review the power lines near the Alcoa nest and in the direction they tend to fly to the north of the nest. I am attaching a couple of pictures to show some of the things MEC installed. On a two-line pole they seem to have put in covered jumper wires and on some four-line poles they have covered the two inside lines nearest the pole where a bird might try to land.

It has been great seeing both Liberty and Justice in the nest regularly for the past month or so. They have added quite a few sticks to the structure. I was just at the nest today and it looks like it is at least four feet from the bottom of the structure to the top. They are very impressive builders.

Camera locked up

We have had a couple of problems today with the camera. First the feed was not getting out and then when we got the feed restored we were not getting audio and now the video seems to be locked up from earlier this afternoon. I'm not sure if we will be able to get this resolved over the weekend, but hopefully by Monday. I can see the camera from my computer, so I know it is not the camera, it has to be something software related in the feed,

On another topic, people have commented on some pictures that make it look like the nest is surrounded by power lines and wires. The photo is taken with a telescopic lens from across the river and it compresses stuff in the background. Those towers are 1-2 miles from the nest site. There are a few power lines near the nest and this summer Mid-American Energy came out to do an evaluation and recently installed avian protection on the power lines nearest the nest.

More nest time

It has been a couple of weeks since I posted. We are starting to see our pair spend more time in and around the nest. Yesterday there were several times in the afternoon when they were not in the nest, but you could hear them calling in the background from somewhere in the vicinity.

Thanks for those of you who have placed orders for EagleCam merchandise (see link above). I have been told that items have started shipping to folks this week.

Also if you are an educator please check out the link above to some learning modules created for classroom use by our partners at the Bettendorf School District.