Decorah Eagles lay first egg of the season

WINNESHIEK COUNTY - A power struggle for ownership of the Decorah eagles nest has apparently been resolved in favor of the world-famous eagles.

The female, known affectionately as 'Mom” to many faithful viewers of the Raptor Resource Project's popular webcam, laid her first egg of the season at 6:15 Wednesday night, according to Bob Anderson, director of the Decorah-based organization.

For the past several weeks, a pair of great horned owls has challenged the eagles for occupancy of the nest.

At times the birds have come to blows, knocking each other out of the nest situated in a cottonwood tree near the Decorah Fish Hatchery.

'I think it's over,” said Anderson, who had earlier predicted that the first pair to lay an egg would prevail.

Anderson said the owls, who had been behaving territorially at the nest, have not been seen nor heard near the nest for about five days.

The Decorah eagles have two nests within 400 feet of each other, each equipped with videocameras and microphones. Anderson said he had hoped the owls would settle in the old nest - a prospect which now seems unlikely, he said.

Anderson said the adult female eagle flew to the nest, coaxed the male off the nest bowl and promptly laid the first egg of the season.

A second egg will likely be laid in three days and a third in an additional three to four days, he said.

The eagles mated before the 2008 nesting season and have since hatched 20 chicks.

The eagle nest can be viewed at http://www.kcrg.com/eaglecam