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PH nest
Topic Started: Jun 11 2009, 02:46 PM (353 Views)
beautifuleagles
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I know that 26 and 10 keep coming back to "their" nest because of territory, but why do they still at this time of year, come back with sticks and do nestorations?
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moving
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Hi, BeautifulEagles, I've seen this behovior at other Bald Eagle nests as well.

It seems it has a multipurpose role:

It gives the pair a head start on rebuilding the nest for the next brood, and
it serves to reinforce the pair's bonds ... this can go on all year round in the case of some pairs.

There might be other uses for the behavior too, but these are a couple of the majors.

Jim :D
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beautifuleagles
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Thanks Jim!!!!!! It does make sense, interesting too!! I hope I helped you in your question.. :D
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peppermint
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We've never observed this behaviour this time of year before because they've still had chicks in the nest to feed. Usually, once the chicks fledge, quite a bit of time passes before we see them exhibiting this nestoration behaviour...usually fall/winter. This is all new to us this year.
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beautifuleagles
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Thanks Patti! It just makes me wonder why they would be doing this or also just to let other birds know that the nest is still theirs and not be mess with it. As if to say......"we are still here". Just a thought.
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peppermint
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I think we've all been wondering that! Some of us hopeless romantics keep hoping for a very late season egg laying. I'm just glad to see them continuing their interest in the nest after their loss this year. This seems a good sign for the next season.
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LeicaEagle
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I also was curious and thought that perhaps they were just "showing the colors" to make it known on the eagle grape line or maybe the eagle fish line that this territory is very much taken and shows any new eagles that they should keep out
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moving
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Hi again, Peppermint, Beautifuleagles, LeicaEagle...

First, Leica, I want to tell you I've had a Leica R4-S outfit for more than 20 years, and I love it. Best lenses in the world of optical photography. :D

I don't think we have seen this situation on local nests, you are right. But 2 seasons back, on the nest that got me started, Shepherdstown, WV, they lost 3 eggs to a killer storm right at hatching time. That pair, Liberty & Belle, behaved much the same as K 10 & K 26 have behaved. In fact they did more visits and perhaps started earlier than the PH pair. Everyone was speculating whether they would lay a second clutch and wondering if there would be time for eaglets to fledge in time. And the speculation went on for weeks. They worked on the nest and even showed some affection (might have been a couple of matings at the beginning of this period), and it lasted essentially the whole year until the next brood. Also, I don't believe they disappeared altogether from the camera for a month or more as they usually do after the fledging in a normal year.... Built the nest to an unusually advanced level that year too.. with extra high, wind-breaking sides all around. :D

I believe you are absolutely right about the nestorations showing that the nest is occupied and the territory is held by the PH pair to any passing raptors. That's one of the possible uses of this behavior, which I forgot ... senior moment, sorry.

Jim :D
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