The famous American bald eagles at Tampier Slough in southwest Cook County have returned to the nest. Both eagles were spotted by the nest in mid-February and are now tending it. It’s believed they may have stayed in the area over the mild winter, as two adult eagles were recorded at nearby Long John Slough in December.

Because eagles typically return to one nest year after year, District biologists believe they’re the same pair that successfully raised at least one eagle last year, the first time that’s happened in Cook County in more than a century.