by Matt Marquardt –
MASON CITY – Decorah, you may have a rival.
An eagle’s nest has been located in Mason City on South Birch Drive, and people are talking about it.
This Sunday afternoon, cars were driving by, slowing down and people were even getting out and walking down to the Winnebago River bank to get a closer look.
Click here to view photos. (NIT would like to thank Jerry Anderson of Mason City for many of the photos; he sent the clearest shots of the birds.)
The nest seems to be perhaps 7-8 feet wide, and is high up in a tree just across the river from the water treatment plant.
The two large eagles can be seen, soaring near the nest and also sitting inside the nest, two big white heads turning and gazing about.
The wildlife in the area is amazing; the eagles are not the only animals busy on the Winnebago River.
Beavers are busy chewing up trees (see photo, right) and the area is teaming with fish, turtles, raccoons, ducks and geese.
Jerry Anderson of Mason City was busy fishing his favorite spot Sunday and pointed out the eagles nest.
“Right up there,” he said, pointing to the large mass of sticks and mud high atop a tree.
“I’ve been watching them for some time. They are mating and there will be eggs soon, is my guess.”
Anderson had a couple of lines in the water as he told of other birds and wildlife he has seen recently, and he pointed out the beaver’s handy work on the trees. Nearby, a raccoon ran across the ice. At that moment, the eagles returned, soaring above us for a moment to be captured on video, and then disappeared.
Jerry Anderson of Mason City points out an eagle’s nest in Mason City on February 19th, 2012.
Watch video:
There are laws that punish the village idiot for killing endangered birds. Remember last year when Mr. Shakleton was charged in the death of a trumpeter swan that took up residence just north of Mason City? Hopefully the other village idiot will get a clue and realize we (the people) will not put up with him harming our bald headed friend.
Tree hugger-people don’t eat eagles, not even village idiots. Those raccoon and beaver they talked about in the article though can be delicious!
Saw one of the pair downtown by Willow Creek yesterday morning. At least that time I got a shot as it perched upon one of the utility poles by the substation on 5th.
You shot at it????
Allow me qualify that, I took a shot with a camera.
Taste like chicken!!
I just heard because this nest was located in Mason City that Scott Tornquist was going to join the DNR board in an effort to determine it’s outcome.
Hearsay!!!! Well I heard a lot of things too.
Hearsay!!!!
thin-skinned f-tard, that’s a joke. Shows you how guilty some people are around here though. Amazing
Hardy Har Har Har.
Hey, Oh no, did you hear that the word “gullible” is not in the dictionary?
Just took a few minutes out of my busy day for a break on NIT. Had my laughs, now back to work.
R U looking for work? ;>))
We have been out to observe the majestic Eagle’s a couple of times. Bring your binoculars if you venture out to view them. They are beautiful and a grand site to see!
Thanks for covering this story NIT !
We have to be careful and not love them to death. It is good they are on opposite side of river, but still can be made nervous enough for human encroachment to abandoned nest. I’ve seen it before. If possible stay in car and glass them from window. Enjoy, but they come first.
Definately stayed in the car…. no harm to eagle’s!
are they by the city sewage?
I’d like to see a local group get things rolling on a camera/live video stream like they have set up in Decorah.
I find it rather inspiring that a nesting pair would choose Mason City for their home. I hope they bring many new eaglets to the area.
The people doing the Decorah web cam are experts, not a bunch of eagle fans. Leave these birds alone. It is essential for the survival of the chicks that they have a healthy fear of humans. The more exposure they have to us the less fear they will have.
Spring is in the air! Thanks for this uplifting tale to start my week! Yay!!
good story and happy to see the eagles! But stay away from them and leave them be!! Everybody and their dam brother will be swarming aroung them and maybe end up driving the birds away. Hope people look from a distance and just stay away!!
Wow, with eagles up above better be watching those little pets. Just sayin…..
Do you really think its was a good idea to report where the eagle have its nest? Considering we have gun happy people?
gun happy people? are you kidding me?? What an idiot.. You don’t think gun owners like eagles as much as you? I repeat…your an idiot…
As a gun owner, I find that comment offensive. Just because I own a gun, you think I’ll be down there taking shots at a couple of large birds? First of all, anyone that takes any shots are subject to man violations of the law. Discharging a firearm within city limits is illegal (this includes BB/Pellet guns as well), attempting to bring any harm to the American Bald Eagle is a serious crime. Not only is it still on the endangered list, it is the national bird.
Pointing out the location, only help others that are interested, to locate the nest for observation… even this gun toting nature lover.
Another hard hitting news story….keep up the good work…
I have been seeing them quite often both downtown and at Big Blue. Another great antagonist for the crows to complain about along with the Snow Owl.