Robert, I've known Spilve ever since that drama with Klints, when her mate Virsis disappeared. I'll never be able to get those images out of my head.
At least, in 2025, Spilve raised a child with Grislis… Meldrs. She's had some bad luck—Grislis is gone too, and now she has Kotka. Hopefully things will work out next season.

Spilve is experienced enough with life now to raise offspring effectively. She captured my attention and my affection years ago when she tried to raise Klints alone and then it died. I've been wishful that she can have success in the bog, and yet each season passes without a brooding season.

It seems difficult to not only exist but also to thrive within the bog as a predator, which in itself is counterintuitive. The other difficulty seems to be bonding with a suitable, capable mate, and then maintaining that bond for more than one ineffective breeding season.

Surely the Latvian ornithologists have formulated expert opinions about Silve's situation and conditions by now, yes? I don't believe the bog is a failed experiment though, knowing that the nest platform is artificial. I believe 10 to 20 years of controlled study is required for proper understanding.

That’s what I thought, too. I hope that’s a good sign. In any case, I was thrilled by their unexpected appearance. And once again, I realized just how much these (unpopular) eagles mean to me.

Yes, 2026 was a success for Spilve and Grislis. I do continue to wonder why her mates disappear though. Perhaps the bad luck in the bog is disproportionate (for whatever reason or reasons) compared to what is more common with bonded predatory bird pairs, where those pairs maintain their bonds for several years.

As for Spilve, I will continue to take interest with her life and the developments at that bog nest. It's encouraging to see her and another mate at the nest right now, considering that it's not breeding or brooding season and not really the time for nest repairs either.

@roberttragesser:disqus , Spilve and Kotka, the GE in Latvia, were in the nest yesterday! Such a surprise!