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Weekly Nest Notes- “Here We Grow!”

E10 and E11 are growing at a rapid pace and if you blinked you missed something. Eagle chicks grow at a faster rate than any other bird in North America. At hatch E10 and E11 were approximately 3 inches tall and weigh about 2 ounces. By week 3 they are about 8-10 inches tall and weigh approximately 2.5 lbs. Harriet and M15 stuffed the growing babies to the brim with nutritious courses of fish, foul, mammals and a variety of unidentified food objects. Family meal time had Mom and Dad on the nest both empting the abundant pantry feeding the Es, themselves and each other.

Milestones are being achieved as E1o climbed the mountain of moss and grass and ventured out of the nest cup and nest bowl. E11 was soon to follow. New found freedom showed the Es scurrying about the nest, peeking through the rails, and napping in the warm sun. M15 seemed to have a hard time trying to corral the scampering babies. They walk on their elbows so to speak or walk on their hocks as their leg muscles develop.  Soft gray natal down is being replaced with darker thermal down and they are able to regulate their body temperatures. Small sprouts of  feathers on their growing wings are beginning to take shape. Their appearance is different minute by minute and it is often times hard to tell one from the other. Little tails and big feet are bumping out from their developing bodies. They hatched so closely together that their roles have changed several time. At the beginning E10, as first hatched, was the more dominant and aggressive eaglet often times pecking E11 into submission.  E11 has taken on that role and has been observed as more aggressive, not unlike human siblings battling back and forth for control. These are good characteristics for both as they will need to be strong to survive in the wild one day.

Harriet and M15 are imprinting the ways of the Eagles onto E10 and E11 as we see them picking at the food piles and sticks and moving grasses. They watch the comings and goings of Mom and Dad and are more aware of their surroundings. They can see over the nest rails and observe the world outside of the nest.

Many more  changes will be seen as E10 and E11 continue the journey to their next milestones. Harriet and M15 have seen to it that their growing babies have plenty of food, comfort and security as they keep close watch over their family. Nest Notes by dadsjazz

Weekly Video Highlights

Video by Lady Hawk ( captured from SWFEC cameras)

Ground video by wskrsnwings

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