First Eaglet Confirmed In Will County: Forest Preserve

WILL COUNTY, IL — The Forest Preserve District of Will County has confirmed the arrival of one eaglet after eggs were laid in late February, according to a news release.

The confirmation came Monday, from volunteer Joel Craig, who was checking on one of the nests where eagles laid eggs. This nest is one of two active nests in the preserves, and the eagles in this nest laid eggs about a week before the eagles in the second nest, the preserve said.

Craig estimates this eaglet hatched around March 25, but it takes some time for them to get big enough to be visible in the large nest. While he only spotted one eaglet, there may be another one that isn't yet visible, according to the preserve.

An eaglet sighting in the second nest might be possible in about a week, the preserve said.

Last year, both nests successfully produced two offpsring.

One sign that the eggs have hatched is that the female eagle is no longer sitting down low in the nest. If she's down low, she's still incubating, according to the preserve.

Once the eggs hatch, activity around the nest will increase, as the male will need to bring in large amounts of food for the very hungry offspring.

Eagles and their nests are federally protected, and human interference could cause them to abandon the nest and their eggs, according to the preserve. The National Audubon Society recommends being at least 330 feet away from a nest.

In order to protect these birds, the preserve does not publicly disclose nesting locations. If you should come across a nest, be sure to keep your distance.