American Bald Eagles at Lake Jacomo, Missouri 2024 finale

I'm going to jump straight into this report and try to be as simple and as factual as I can be.
The injured eaglet that was taken to the wildlife refugee center had to be euthanized due to the extended injury to the leg that was broken. Soon after the nest collapsed, I was still very hopeful that the two remaining eaglets might have somehow survived this tragedy. In the 48 hours after the storm, I could see that the adults were still in the area and seemed to be engaging with something deeper into the woods near where the nest collapsed. Since then, J1 ( the female adult ) has seemed to have moved on. I haven't seen her the last few days while visiting the lake. Only J2 ( the male adult ) can be seen flying over the lake now. He is no longer engaging going into the woods like I saw earlier in the week. When the eaglets are about to fledge, and soon after, they become very, very vocal. This has been the key for me trying to figure out if the eaglets survived. I haven't heard a single eaglet cry out since I saw them last in the nest. They were just starting this process of calling out and becoming very vocal at the same time the nest collapsed so I expected to hear something if they survived.
Just silence from across the lake. I am now coming to the sad conclusion that all three eaglets have probably perished. Even if they survived the initial catastrophe, to survive on the ground for two weeks before flight, would almost be impossible with all the other predators in these woods. No one has been able to verify what has happened to the other two eaglets because no one is allowed to interfere with these wild animals. We must let mother nature take Her course, not Ours. All we can do is observe and hope for the best. With some luck, I am hopeful that the Eagles will rebuild next year.
I am sadden by these events and I do hurt as I think about this family like many of you who watch my videos. It is impossible not to feel some kind of attachment when you observe these magnificent animals in the wild for the extended times like we have. Take the time to grieve, heal and then learn how to appreciate all the time we have watching The Eagles of Jacomo. Find faith in knowing that this is all natural. This is the world we live in. These are natural occurring events and we should all experience the feelings and emotions that come with it. Its call living.
I urge everyone to get outside this summer. Observe and be active. We are all limited to the time we have here, please use it wisely. Thanks again to the many people who watch and engage with me through my KZbin channel. I wish you all the best and I can't thank you enough for your support.
Cheers, Everybody !

[@jtno5982]

Love the Eagles of Lake Jacomo. Nice to see J2. Hopefully next season is better. Thank you for the video. Cheers!

[@CherC68]

Thank you for all you have done in filming these beautiful animals and introducing me to the nest Dennis. I admit I have felt a lot of sadness and grief after learning of J1 fighting off the buzzards and then loss of the nest and yet I am still hopeful for next year. I'm so sorry to hear about the eaglet and I will try to remain hopeful for the two remaining eaglets. Thank you for all your hard efforts and for me it felt wonderful to witness their journey and I will continue to get out and be one with nature.

[@GAM-TIME]

It’s been a magnificent journey watching this year unfortunately with a tragic ending. I highly appreciate all the time & effort you put into this. I agree to get out & enjoy this beautiful world & all it has to offer. Thanks Dennis!

[@andreafinke8734]

Big tragedy and hopefully next season will be better. Thanks for information and respectful greetings from Germany.

[@dennisschullerjr1720]

Thanks so much for watching and ty for the comment. I am very hopeful for next year. Cheers to the peoples of Germany!

[@RobertStewart-pd5ld]

We were at the boat ramp this morning and saw 3 separate eagle flights from the woods to the eastern cove and back. Each time it landed deep in the woods, not landing in a tree. At least one time it was flying like it had a fish. Could not tell which one it was. There may be reason to hope yet.

[@dennisschullerjr1720]

That is wonderful news! Thank you so much for the updates. I will try to get out there sometime this week to observe

[@RobertStewart-pd5ld]

Went to boat ramp yesterday about 4:00 and saw both eagles at same time sitting in trees , then one flying and went into woods. Then later saw talon fighting with another eagle and they both flew east up the cove and never saw either again

[@dennisschullerjr1720]

Wow That's intense 😳 I can't ty enough for posting what you are seeing. It means a great deal to us all. I still hold out a little bit of hope for those eaglets. Only time will tell. Thanks again for the post! I have very little time to invest into the Eagles of Jacomo atm so I really appreciate this!

[@RobertStewart-pd5ld]

I should have added: Each time it landed deep in the woods at the same place

[@dennisschullerjr1720]

Be sure to listen for vocal bird calls. If the eagles are in there, they should be making a lot of squawking.

[@RobertStewart-pd5ld]

Have been meaning to report on eagles across from south boat marina but no time. Biggest news was one day last week when I saw an adult following a large brown bird into the trees near where the nest was. Had hopes it was a training flight but saw no more of either bird, but they weren’t fighting. The next day, saw 2 eagles doing a lot of soaring together for a long time. Then yesterday saw 2 chases of another eagle but no talon fighting. Not sure what to make of it all

[@dennisschullerjr1720]

It all sounds very interesting. I'm not sure what to make of it either. The parents may be under duress from the loss and may act very differently than what we are used to seeing.