Category: Eagle

Anxious Day at Minnesota Bound Bald Eagle nest

More than a few of us were holding our breath  at least a little bit this afternoon, as both parents had been away from the nest (at least out of cam sight) virtually the entire day!  I am told the eaglets were fed in the morning and then at about 11am Mom took off from the nest (Dad had already left).  Then everyone watched and waited.  Concern that if the parents did not reappear would the little ones, just under two weeks old,  be able to thermoregulate into the night?  Was one parent injured?  Should someone be called?  If things got more serious would there be an intervention?  Everyone tried not to worry, but one thing was definite, the eaglets has not been fed all the rest of the day and they were vocal about it!

Finally at about 6pm nest time both mom and dad reappeared! yoohoo!, the cheers could be heard all the way out here in Calif!  It even looked like Dad had a fish!  But as quickly as they arrived, Dad took off (with fish) and Mom flew off again too.  Still no food for babies.  We watched and waited again.  I think (I’m bad at keeping track of time, sorry) about an hour later Mom returned for a few minutes, again without food.  Then Mom left again!   But at least we knew that both Mom and Dad were okay!   Thankfully just before the cam went off for the night (it is solar powered), Mom returned, still without food, but hopefully at least to stay and warm the chicks during the night.  Guess it was a hard day for hunting.  And some believe that there may have been an intruder in the area that kept the parents from hunting.   The chicks were feisty all day, so seemed fine and hopefully, tomorrow, food will arrive!

Bald Eagle NX from Wildlife Center of Virginia being re-fitted with transmitter today

In preparation for her realease (yeah!), NX is scheduled to have her transmitter put on today.    Her blog is here (scroll down to last entry): http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/2011/12/injured-nx/   and discussion and critter cam (showing flight pen where she has been staying during rehab is here: http://wildone.org/eaglecam/wildlife-center-web-cam/

Hatch Watch – the Week ahead..

Early in the week, the Wolf River nest comes into hatch watch time, and then toward the end of the week, the American Eagle Foundation.  Looking forward to some more lively hatchlings, as some of the other nests are already approaching or have reached fledge time!   I love to be able to watch the little ones at all growing stages at the various nests.    We have eaglets ranging from one day old to more than 12 weeks at active eaglecam nests!

NBG nest females #2 and #3 seen on cam within an hour of each other

This morning at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens Bald Eagles nest, both #2 and #3 were seen on cam within an hour of each other.      Apparently Female #3 shared a fish with the male on the nest earlier (taking turns actually in the nest), and then about an hour later female #2 arrived.    Whew!  Also a fair amount of chatter is being heard between eagles this afternoon, primarily off camera.

..and we now have 2 Hatchlings at White Rock!

Little #2 made his/her grand entrance just a little while ago, kicking the last of the egg free (which in the photo, #1 is using for propping up to look around) 🙂    So, cute!

It seems there have been some other birds flying around which are annoying the parents today.   I saw one fly by below the nest at one point, and all I could tell was that it was fairly large bird, with dark feathers.  I saw a report from a reliable ground viewer on the Hancock forum, that they saw juvie eagles in the area of the nest.   So that all fits together as the probable explanation.