Text and video: Ahto Täpsi
At the end of December, I headed out to observe eagles. As is my custom, I arrived under the cover of darkness and settled in quietly to wait. A light dusting of snow covered the ground, and as the first light of morning broke, the forest came alive with the calls of tits. Soon, a group of jays arrived; they remained active throughout the day, their presence fluctuating in intensity.
Around 10:30 AM, the first eagle appeared. It perched on a branch for about fifteen minutes, scanning the area with a watchful eye before descending to the ground. Even then, it remained vigilant. Gradually, the bird relaxed and spent a considerable amount of time foraging. It was a magnificent, mature white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla).
Briefly, the weather improved, and the sun — a rare sight at the end of this year — made a fleeting appearance. However, the clear skies were short-lived, and snow soon began to fall again. It was then that a large, robust juvenile white-tailed eagle arrived. With its identification rings gleaming, it boldly displaced the older bird and took over the spot. As the snowfall intensified, the "youngster" eventually decided to retreat to a nearby tree, where it remained perched for nearly an hour.
As evening approached, the snow began to ease. Perhaps triggered by the change in weather, two fully mature adult eagles arrived on the scene. They began to inspect the site, a move that did not sit well with the juvenile in the tree, who was determined to defend its territory. A brief scuffle ensued; fortunately, there were no casualties, and the young bird successfully held its ground.
By then, dusk was rapidly turning into night.
This memorable encounter took place on December 29, 2025, at the Alutaguse eagle hide.
