First ever eider nest at Pinola Conservancy!

We are extremely proud of our first ever nest, and subsequent hatch, of common eider at Pinola Conservancy! The breeding behavior of the eiders was at a fever pitch prior to the nest, unlike any observed in previous years of working with the species. Even still, the nest came as a complete surprise as the hen managed to make her nest in a box embedded into rock work on the side of a hill, which was not a place we would have suspected. She flushed out of the box on a routine check up around that area and when we peeked inside, 2 eggs, of an eventual 3 egg clutch, were found! Ultimately, 2 chicks hatched on May 25. They are doing great and are growing rapidly. Here’s hoping to more to come in the future!