Decorah bald eagles' nest is getting some surprising visitors

Photo courtesy of Raptor Resource Project

The new nest built by the Decorah Bald Eagles has been getting some decidedly un-bald-eagle-ish visitors.

Raptor Resource Project Director Bob Anderson says two adult Great Horned Owls have made several visits to the nest over the last several weeks.  The visits by the owls come at the same time the Decorah Bald Eagles are showing interest in using the new nest once again.  The eagles have brought many new sticks, clumps of grass and the occasional corn stalk to the nest to get it ready for the hatching season.

Anderson says he's hoping the Great Horned Owls will use the old eagles' nest instead.  "This would make for some very interesting interactions between the two species," says Anderson, adding, "The next few weeks will tell."