Mooseheart eagles are back

The local celebrities known as the Mooseheart eagles are back. And there is speculation that observers might be talking about the birth of eaglets in the near future.

That would be exciting news for Batavia resident Ron Dickenson, a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, who enjoys photographing the eagles who live on the Mooseheart Child City & School property near Batavia. Dickenson said that the way the eagles are acting leads him to believe there is an egg in the nest that was built late last year.

"The female never leaves that area," Dickenson said. "I've got a feeling there's got to be at least one egg in that nest."

The eagles provided drama last year at Mooseheart when they built a nest in a small tree that did not provide much support. Eaglets were born. Then, a heavy storm in May knocked down the nest, along with the eaglets. Experts from Barrington-based Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation were called in, and a man-made nest was constructed. The eaglets were placed inside, but when it was determined that the eaglets were not being cared for, they were moved to Flint Creek's site.

Ultimately, the young eagles were released to Starved Rock State Park. And those who followed the Mooseheart eagles were left to wonder whether the adults would remain in the Mooseheart area. Mooseheart spokesman Darryl Mellema said he was thrilled to see them back, building a new nest.

"It's exciting that they stayed," Mellema said. "With everything that happened last year, the one question was – would the eagles remain?"

There is hope for a better experience this year. Mellema and Dickenson said the tree looks to be much more sturdy than the tree that held the nest last year.

"We've had a lot of wind to test it," Dickenson said.

Dickenson said it would be impossible to confirm there are eggs in the nest unless eggs that were there hatched. Even then, he said, eaglets might be too small to spot at first. But that will change as they grow. He said he expects observers will be able to view the young eagles by mid-April.

The eagles are not the only natural curiosity in the area. The early sighting of pelicans last week caused a bit of a stir. There also have been owls sighted in Geneva. But Dickenson said the eagles are special. He shows up often to watch them interact, and he photographs them.

Mellema, who last year stressed that the eagles weren't really Mooseheart's eagles, said "clearly, there's a connection between them and this property here."

"Don't, in any way, think that we're not proud to have them here," Mellema said.

Bob Andrini, president of the Kane County Audubon Society, understands the appeal. He said people are eager to post pictures of eagles at the group's website – www.kanecountyaudubon.org.

"There is a lot of interest," he said. "It's not only our national symbol, but it's a bird that a lot of people know. They watch them so much that they feel they have a vested interest in 'their eagles.' "