Spring signals the return of robins, the trill of cardinals in the trees, budding trees and the return of eagles up the river. I've got some links for you to try and help enjoy what's happening in nature.
Decorah eagles
This is the granddaddy of them all. There are a lot of eagle cams now, but once upon a time there were few and this was the one to see. It still is. This is the Decorah Eagles nest, which is located just south of Decorah, Iowa, near the trout hatchery. There is great history about the nest and the eagle cam effort at the Raptor Resource Center Project's website. You can learn a lot with their posts as well and the discussions that occur. Try the link here . But if all you want to do is watch, go with the US Stream link. And then be sure to come back again and again as the eggs hatch.
Minnesota eagle
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources continues to step up its game and help you learn along with your viewing. They note this year might be one of those learning about nature events that might seem hard. They wrote: " Our female eagle has had many struggles with mates and nesting this year. The eggs may not be viable, but we continue to learn so much about our abundant population of eagles through the lens of this cam." You can learn more about that with this link . It's been the cold, wet snow that's the likely culprit, but also the challenges of a growing eagle population as eagles compete for mates and nests. Lots to learn. Read and watch.
www.dnr.state.mn.us/features/webcams/eaglecam/index.html
Falcon cam
The DNR also has a falcon cam, which is also a fun way to watch and learn. Birds of prey can be tough and nature can rough, so always expect as you enter these viewing options that you might see dinner time or perhaps some cold, hard decisions in survival that deal with eggs or newly hatched birds. It's a good learning opportunity. Falcons are tucked more in and more compact, so your viewing will be different.
www.dnr.state.mn.us/features/webcams/falconcam/index.html
Headwaters
Winter is melting! The DNR has five webcams that can transport you to nests and great places in this state. I was dabbling around with the eagles and was reminded of this one that shows the Mississippi River headwaters. Give it a look as our seasons change.
www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/Itasca/headwaters.html
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National Eagle Center
The real deal is still the best and that's where our friends at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha come in. Have you been there? It's worth the short trek east from Rochester. As the thaw continues, we see the eagle migration and the eagles stopping for lunch along the open water. I love it! It's almost startling to see so many eagles perched in the trees or along ice in the river looking for fish. I think some of my favorites have been along here as well as right at the Interstate 90 exit in La Crosse, Wis . The National Eagle Center lists good spots for viewing and for eagle cams. As I noted, go there. You'll learn and enjoy the beauty of the river. If you can't, click on their recommended links. Here's a good link to see what's been counted and where .
www.nationaleaglecenter.org/eagle-nest-cams
Golden eagles
One of the things that I enjoy about the National Eagle Center is its attention as well to golden eagles. They might be tougher to spot at first, but there is much to learn and there is a strong effort underway to learn more and track them. You can learn more from the National Eagle Center before you go out by reviewing their site. And if you want to participate in next year's counting effort, you can contact them at this site, as well. Good luck!
www.nationaleaglecenter.org/golden-eagle-project/golden-eagles-in-minnesota
