Goodbye to a Grand Old Eagle's Nest

Locals who drive WI Highway 35 between Winona and La Crosse have had a spectacular sight along the way once they reach the Trempealeau Wildlife Refuge. A massive eagle's nest that was perhaps 40 years in the making, towered in the floodplain forest on the north side of the refuge and could be easily spotted from the highway - especially after leaf-fall until leaf-out in spring. 

I thought of it as the ultimate high-rise lodging.

The "high-rise" eagle's nest, Trempealeau Wildlife Refuge
Image - Kris Lawson

During a severe storm system on the evening of May 21, with damaging high winds the old tree and its heavy nest came crashing down. 

The National Eagle Center reported on their Facebook page nullabout this grand old nest's demise:

"Several times over the years we have shared photos of what is undeniably the most impressive nest along the Upper Mississippi River. Located just south of Winona, MN along highway 35 on the Wisconsin side of the river stood a mammoth Bald Eagle nest that was impossible to miss. It stood out on the landscape and had done so for decades!

Until last week.

Severe thunderstorms moved through the region and high winds damaged many trees, including this tree. Given the likely hundreds of pounds of weight from the nest and the force of the wind, it all came crashing down. This is the natural end for nests; eventually, the tree either dies and falls, or the nest becomes so large and heavy that the tree collapses under the weight. It marks the end of an era and a very impressive run for a nest that defied belief for those who laid eyes upon it.

We've heard speculation that this particular nest could have been upwards of 40 years old, dating back to the early 1980s. If that was indeed true, it would mean that that particular nest was one of the first nests to be built in the area as the Bald Eagle population began to rebound from near extinction in the 60s and 70s. What a legacy! The sheer size of this nest certainly makes it plausible that that was the case. Goodbye, old friend! You helped a lot of eagles enter into the world."

I am happy I had a chance to see this behemoth before it's end. It speaks to me of why we hike and explore the outdoors - to see and experience everything that nature has to offer. It helps us realize that nothing lasts forever. It also helps us appreciate each fleeting flower, plant, fungi and creature as we come upon it.