DAVIS COLUMN: Eagles in tree tops, clear sky and near open water | Recreation

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Now is when bald eagle pairs are common, easily observed, and may not be so timid. Still, stay your distance.

Watch for nest repairs, bird pairs, and consider organized watching days.

Several communities along the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers host eagle days to make viewing more educational, but some watchers prefer to do it solo one nest, one pair, or one feeding area at a time.

Nest repair can go on with little notice, but even a causal observation puts us at awe with size, weight, and mass of these perennial, two-ton nests. After years of watching nests during January and February, eagle pair teamwork may not be apparent with one bird on each end of sticks, limbs, and vines flying toward a nest.

The immature bald eagles play no role in these activities, except competing for food at a road kill or field carcass, often a deer. At times, while not Wisconsin nesters, golden eagles will frequent during winter searching for food, too.

This makes four possible eagle sightings, mature and immature bald and golden eagles; all are all possible.

Except for some owls, and other than eagles, common feeder birds are not nest-building and laying eggs in January or February. Still, there is plenty of activity around feeders, water sources, and perching areas.

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