Second Bald Eagle Pair Incubating Eggs In Will County

WILL COUNTY, IL — After last week's announcement that a mated pair of bald eagles was incubating eggs in Will County, the Forest Preserve District of Will County has now confirmed that a second mated pair is also incubating eggs.

"Just like in past years, Forest Preserve District staff and volunteers are monitoring two active nests, and over the weekend, we had visual confirmation that the second mated pair is now incubating eggs," the preserve said in a news release.

The preserve does not know how many eggs, but eagles typically lay one to three eggs and generally average two. Last year, both nests successfully produced two offspring, according to the preserve.

Egg incubation is determined when an eagle hunkers down low in the nest, to incubate the eggs. Another telltale sign that the eagles are incubating eggs is if they are observed bringing in grass and other materials to help insulate the eggs, according to the preserve.

Eagle eggs take about 35 days to hatch, and about two weeks after hatching, some little eaglet heads could be seen popping out of the nest.

Looking ahead, this year's new arrivals will further increase the local eagle population because they won't stray too far from home, the preserve said.

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

In order to protect these birds, the preserve never publicly discloses nesting locations. If you should come across a nest, be sure to keep your distance.