Rfalconcam Forum

Over the past few months the bald eagles at the Norfolk Botanical Garden have been working on a new nest site within the Garden. Although the eagles were concentrating on the new nest site, sticks were occasionally added to the original nest.  It is not at all unusual for bald eagles to maintain multiple nest sites within a breeding territory and to periodically switch nests.

The new site is approximately 125 feet Northwest of the previously established nest.  In early December, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) biologists visited the Garden to lay out an exclusion area around the new nest site.  The purpose of this area is to ensure the integrity of the eagle territory and prevent disturbance to the eagles.  Norfolk Botanical Garden (NBG) personnel put a system of barriers in place to inform their visitors which areas are off limits to general visitation.  The barriers are put in place from Dec. 15 - July 15th and offer protection to the core of the nesting territory during the breeding season.

To provide web cam coverage of the new nest, the camera and associated equipment had to be moved.  To be certain the eagles had settled on the new site, the camera move was delayed until yesterday (Dec. 29th).  Climbers from Nuckols Tree Care removed the camera and moved it to provide coverage of this year’s nest.  The camera was placed in the nest tree - approximately 15 feet away from the nest itself, and provides an excellent view into the nest bowl.  Staff from the Norfolk Botanical Garden moved the support equipment.  A VDGIF biologist and a research asscoiate from the Center for Conservation Biology were on hand to direct camera placement, perform camera maintenance, and ensure that the work didn’t negatively impact the eagles.  In the light of early morning today both eagles visited the new nest site.

For the next couple of weeks the camera and networks that support the live eagle cam will be tested and we’ll get ready to go live for 2011.  This will allow us to see the completion of the nest building as well as mating and of course the first egg laying.  Join us as we follow this eagle pair.  These eagles are emblematic of the successful recovery of the Bald Eagle - as well as the ongoing challenges that the species face.

  New nest

http://eaglenest.blogs.wm.edu/ (http://eaglenest.blogs.wm.edu/) Norfolk Eagles get cozy and snuggle.  :heart: :heart:

Azalea is near the Adam Thouroughgood House in Thoroughgood section of Virginia Beach at midnight Jan 3. I am going to look for her. More details later.

Well, Azalea wins again!! I arrived at 7:45am at the exact spot where she was at midnight, but she had already flown the scene. I took a chance that she might return to Witchduck where she was on Jan 2 and where she has spent several nights lately. Also, photographer Jim Deal got a look at Azalea there yesterday. As I arrived a juvenile was being chased away by two adults. Was it Azalea? I don’t know. The juvie did not return. All was not lost however. The two adults put on a flying spectactular for the next 30 minutes. Dipping, diving and screaming. On New Years day, Jim Deal and I located a new eagle nest just a short distance from there. It is likely those two eagles that were putting on the show.

Norfolk Botanical Garden eagles build cozy new nest.

A pair of eagles are hatching another family this nesting season at Norfolk Botanical Garden

Maybe Mom is tired of the floor plan or wants a better view.

Whatever the reason, Dad is determined to keep her happy, so the eagles are building a new nest for the eaglets they will raise this season at Norfolk Botanical Garden. This is the eighth year they have nested together at the gardens in Norfolk.

Last year, the female eagle laid the first of three eggs on Jan. 31, so the pair works daily to get the new quarters in order before their nurturing duties begin.

But, sometimes they slack off, according to the "nuzzle, nuzzle" entry that the Center for Conservation Biology features on its eagle nest blog at http://eaglenest.blogs.wm.edu (http://eaglenest.blogs.wm.edu)
"Not much nest building this morning," reads the blog.

"Male brought one small stick, hung around long enough to get a little lovey-dovey from mom, then left. She got tired of waiting for him to return so went after her own stick. After getting that in place, she left about 8am."

To make sure you can see everything that happens in the nest late January through late May, when the eaglets usually fledge, the botanical garden is moving its "live eagle cam" to the new location, and will have it set up for online viewing later this month. The camera was placed in the nest tree, about 15 feet from the nest itself. Biologists were there to direct camera placement, and clean up the equipment; you can see what the camera looks like in photos on the eagle nest blog.

The newly constructed site marks the third nest that the eagles have built within the botanical garden, according to Stephen Living, watchable wildlife biologist for the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries.

"It is normal for eagles to maintain multiple nests within the same territory and to periodically switch between them," says Living.

Why the eagles decided to build another nest is always a guessing game, agrees Reese Lukei, research associate at the Center for Conservation Biology at the College of William and Mary.

"But, some factors likely are damage to a prior nest or nest tree, disturbance from other animals or people, insect infestation, insufficient foraging success or just a change of venue," he says.

"Only the last factor appears to be why the botanical garden eagles have built a new nest."

All of the nest sites are within approximately 220 feet of each other. The new nest is about 5 to 6 feet wide, according to Lukei. The parents continue to bring sticks and bedding material like pine straw, and will add to the nest as needed throughout the breeding season

In December, botanical garden and inland and game fisheries staff set up protective barriers around the nest to protect the breeding ground. Recent eagle nest blog posts mention the pair meeting on the "love branch," nuzzling a lot, for sure.

Watch the nest

•See photos of the eagles building the new nest at the Center for Conservation Biology's eagle nest blog at http://eaglenest.blogs.wm.edu (http://eaglenest.blogs.wm.edu)

 :wave: Very AWESOME eagle pics!  Thanks Donna.  :clap:

Yesterday morning Jan 10 the female moved a large piece of rotting tree trunk that has been in the back of the nest for about two weeks (you can see it in previously posted photos) to the front edge of the nest blocking our camera view into the bottom of the nest (photos 1-3). This morning the male moved that piece of wood to the right side restoring our view into the nest pocket (at least for now). Note you can see the eagle’s feet in last photo.

http://eaglenest.blogs.wm.edu/ (http://eaglenest.blogs.wm.edu/) Norfolk eagles caught mating on new nest! Won't be long for them!

http://www.wvec.com/marketplace/microsite-content/eagle-cam.html (http://www.wvec.com/marketplace/microsite-content/eagle-cam.html) online now

 :clap: Love this cam!  ;D

Me too!!!  :clap:

Both there now


Male in nest, female on branch

Great sight on that nest!  :2thumbsup:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rnrWLfF8uQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rnrWLfF8uQ) from today

 :eagle:   :happy:      :eagle2:

Update on Buddy

NBGE Training Updates

Support the Wildlife Center’s care of Buddy

The staff of the Wildlife Center has started a more intensive program of training for Buddy, the Norfolk Bald Eagle.  The ultimate goal would be to train the bird to sit calmly on a handler’s gloved hand, so that the eagle could be taken to programs and presentations off-site.

Please check back in for periodic updates on the eagle’s training.

A Helpful Guide to Raptor Training Terminology

Training Raptors:  Wildlife Center to Present January 29 Program at Wild Birds Unlimited in Virginia Beach
[Program by Claire Train will include training update on Buddy].
January 25, 2011 update from Claire Thain

Buddy’s training is coming along with some ups and downs—sometimes he does exactly what’s asked of him, and other times he’s extremely headstrong.  If he doesn’t perform the behaviors I ask of him the first time, I’ll leave and come back later for a second training session.  I’m trying some new techniques and regularly consult with other eagle trainers as Buddy’s training progresses.

Bating off the glove is a regular experience for Buddy; however, this behavior will lessen as he becomes more comfortable staying on the trainer’s glove.  At this point, he still has not learned to come back up and grip his feet on the glove, which he should be learning soon.

Figuring out the best way for him to understand how to do this has presented a challenge. As an alternative, I’ve been working with Buddy to teach him to make short flights to the glove. I’m hoping that this training will help encourage him to grip the glove.  Buddy caught on quickly to this technique when I first introduced it.  Hopefully, flying to the glove combined with increased amounts of time staying on the glove will help Buddy learn how to return to the glove from a bate.

JANUARY 25 UPDATE, 3:00 pm:   Amanda Nicholson, Director of Outreach, accompanied Claire on today’s training session to take some photos of Buddy for this training update—and for the first time, Buddy bated and returned to the glove!  Claire was thrilled with this break-through and hopes that Buddy will continue to repeat this behavior consistently.

A very handsome Buddy.

Way to go Buddy! :mbanana: :gum:

 :2thumbsup:

Any time now 1st egg.

http://www.wvec.com/marketplace/microsite-content/eagle-cam.html (http://www.wvec.com/marketplace/microsite-content/eagle-cam.html)

Beautiful! ;D

It was a year ago today, she laid her 1st egg. Looks like she's getting ready soon.

Norfolk Eagle close up.

Stunning!  :clap:

1st egg is here!!

Whoo hoo SWEET!! Thanks, I was waiting!

1st Egg for Norfolk eagles!

 :thumbsup:  Before ya know it we'll have our own pefa eggs!  :yes:

 Yodel-Lay-Hee-Hoo! Something like that! (http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m575/maxmoo/Funny%20Pics/Decor%20Smileys/1lg090yodel.gif)

first we need Archer to come home. Unless Beauty picks Mr T

You can see the eggs bald little head!  :clap: Momma's out N about.

Egg laying video!

http://www.wvec.com/video?id=115213599&sec=577832 (http://www.wvec.com/video?id=115213599&sec=577832)

 2nd egg is here!!!   :clap:

A Super Bowl EGG!! (http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w181/zing11026/Egg-egg.gif)

2 eggs @ Norfolk

She may have laid a 3rd egg just before 6 last night.  Probably won't be able to see it today...the nest is covered in snow!



Poor Momma!

They having a blizzard?

Sure does look like it! 

P.S.  Looks like it was Dad on the nest at first light...their forum caught the nest exchange.

Momma with a beak full of snow...

Poor things! Didn't they get buried with snow last year too while on the eggs :eagle2:?

Yup-she laid her first egg in a snowstorm last year.  But they don't get buried nearly as bad as West Virginia and Blackwater.

Egg #3!!!    :2thumbsup:

No way, I need to catch up on my cams. Oh thank you Kris!

Meanwhile, the past 2 years they placed a transmitter on one of the juvies.  Both Azalea (F 2009) and Camellia (M 2010) have been in and around the Norfolk Botanical Gardens! 

Holly managed to see Camellia and get his picture!



More pictures on the Norfolk forum (http://www.norfolkeagles.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=4471)

The tracking blog is at http://eagletrak.blogs.wm.edu/ (http://eagletrak.blogs.wm.edu/)

FUNNY!  Dad is brooding the eggs.  Mom arrives to take over.  She practically has to pick him up to get him off the eggs!

Norfolk Botanical Garden eagles long nest exchange.wmv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY-zKghgdfk#)

Hatch watch is on at Norfolk!  http://www.wvec.com/marketplace/microsite-content/eagle-cam.html (http://www.wvec.com/marketplace/microsite-content/eagle-cam.html)

This pair are pretty consistent with the first egg hatching at 37 days...which is today!

Meanwhile, the first egg hatched late this morning at Norfolk!

Oh gee, I've been so busy, haven't checked. Thanks Ei!

First feeding!

Awwwww! :hatch1: :chick3:

Second hatch at Norfolk!  Not sure what time.  First sighting was around 12:08, but it was already dry.

 :hatch1: :hatch1:  Thanks EI!   :2thumbsup:

Look at that cute little dirty face!

Love it!

Awwwww! :baby:

The 3rd one hatched today!   :chick3: :chick3: :chick3:

The 3rd egg hatched today! 



Had to borrow a pic-thanks MsAudreyAnn on the Norfolk forum (http://www.norfolkeagles.com/index.php)!

We've gotta stop meeting like this, Kris!  :hysterical:

Here they are!! The Norfolk 3

      :handshake:

 :yes: :hatch1: :hatch1: :hatch1: ;D

BUDDY UPDATE!!

Update:  March 21, 2011

Buddy came into the hospital on Friday, March 18 for his monthly dremmel session – this time, Dr. Dave wanted to try the beak-trim while keeping Buddy awake.  Education Coordinator Kelly Rourke made a custom-fitted hood for Buddy to wear during the trim to reduce stress as well as to keep Buddy’s eyes protected.

Dr. Dave reports:  “We tested the new hood out today and determined that the chin strap is attached too far forward. This doesn’t allow us to open the mouth without Buddy biting my thumb.  Kelly  will be modifying the hood for the next session. 

We did use an older hood and coped the beak while Buddy was awake. Once he had accepted that my thumb was not leaving his mouth, he was quiet and accepted the procedure.  Three millimeters were taken off of the end of the top beak. Several millimeters were taken off of the edges of the bottom beak. In the end, the lower beak fit nicely under the top beak. The procedure was fairly quick –only about three minutes — and Buddy seemed miffed but tolerated the procedure well.”

The next beak trim is scheduled for mid-April; the plan is to continue the dremmel sessions while Buddy is awake.

It's feeding time for the eaglets!

Momma's searching the nest for scraps. Dads probably out fishing! :steff:

OH MY, they had Duck!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHJsfOMlXoo# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHJsfOMlXoo#)

There's been a couple of ducks served at Blackwater this year too...

 :2thumbsup:  It's alot of hard work plucking feathers!  :gum:

Yay, 2 girls and a boy!! Thanks.

From the NBG eagle forum by ShutterbugBob

Great portrait. Thanks

Love the pic!  Thanks, Ei!

 :eagle2: :eagle2: :eagle2: Just look at those faces!  ;D Thanks Kris and Ei!  :2thumbsup:

what an outstandingly handsome family

Not sure what happened yet but momma Eagle has passed....looking for info..OMG!!

NORFOLK -- A plane landing at Norfolk International Airport struck and killed an eagle Tuesday morning, and it has been confirmed that it was one of the very popular eagles from the Norfolk Botanical Garden.

Tuesday afternoon, Stephen A. Living, a wildlife biologist with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries confirmed it is indeed one of the nesting pair from the Norfolk Botanical Garden.

These eagles were well known through the Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagle Cam provided by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF), Norfolk Botanical Garden and WVEC, and have been at NBG since 2001 and have been featured on the Eagle Cam on WVEC.com since 2006.

Eagle Cam watcher Linda Eszenyi drove from Northern Virginia in hopes of getting a personal glimpse of the pair and their eaglets.

“They told me and I just had to go have a cry.  I was so hurt and disappointed, not for just me but for everybody that watches,” Eszenyi said.

Reese Lukei, a research associate with the Center for Conservation Biology (CCB), has monitored and blogged about these eagles for ten years.

“It’s about like losing one of your kids,” Lukei described.

Moments before the confirmation, Living said "We are fairly certain it's the female from Norfolk Botanical Garden based on the location, the physical characteristics of the eagle and the fact that the female hasn't been seen on the nest since early this morning."

Biologists with the VDGIF, CCB, and the staff at NBG will continue to monitor the nest and are working to ensure the health of the eaglets.

DGIF management and other wildlife experts met Tuesday at the Botanical Garden to discuss the status of the eagle nest and whether the male can meet the needs of the eaglets.

“We are going to be watching this nest very closely over the coming days to see if he is able to provide regular feeding for the chicks,” Lukei stated.

The adult male eagle has been seen in a nearby tree Tuesday afternoon but has not been seen at the nest.

"These eaglets are right on the edge of being able to feed themselves if something is brought to the nest, but we will be watching to see if the male helps them eat. If he doesn't, they will likely have to come out of the nest," said Lukei.

Lukei said there are cases of single adult eagles raising broods of young. He added that a decision will be made by Wednesday about what will be done with the three eaglets.

"They had a breakfast this morning, a big catfish, but with these temperatures we're having, if they are not fed eventually, they will become dehydrated," said Lukei.

Lukei said that if the eaglets are removed from the nest, they could be placed in a foster nest or relocated to a wildlife rehab center. A foster nest is a nest with eaglets of the same age. Lukei said this approch has been successful with other birds.

The final decision about the eaglets will be made by the DGIF, which has regulatory authority in Virginia.

The plane strike happened sometime between 8:30 and 8:50 a.m.  A US Airways regional jet coming from Philadelphia was preparing to land at 8:50 when the pilot reported the bird strike.

Shank says the eagle was reportedly feeding at Lake Whitehurst with another eagle when the strike was reported.

The plane landed safely and no one was hurt, said Shank.  He added that there was minor damage to the aircraft.

Shank told WVEC.com that this is the second eagle strike in several weeks and fourth in 10 years; the others occurring in 2005 and 2001.

Shank said the airport is working with the US Fish and Wildlife office to see if anything can be done to protect airline passengers and wildlife.

 
How awful for her and her mate, plus 3 babies. So sorry, so sad. She was a great mom!

The eaglets have not been fed this am. Waiting for dad to drop off food. If he does not, they will place the eaglets in other nests to be raised. What a horrible accident. I know it happens, still, it breaks my heart.  :heart: :heart: :heart: RIP Mom!

I'm speechless.  Thankfully the "babies" are almost full grown now...

Dad just came with a fish and is trying to feed them. One eaglet here looks like he is hugging dad.  :heart:
I get too emotional.

Fly free, sweet mamma bird.  This is so sad :crying:

I'm heartbroken.  Fly free, Momma.   :'(

They've started a candle page for Mom eagle...

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=eagle (http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=eagle)

if you'd like to participate...

Thanks, Ei.  I did.

Thanks, Ei, I just lit a candle as well :(

This is so sad. I also lit a candle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPiaxuiAtRw#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPiaxuiAtRw#ws)

A tribute to momma Eagle!  :crying:

This song makes me cry on the commercial!

That is a very sad thing.  :'( Poor Eagle mom and poor eglets!

Oh, that is so sad!!  I don't understand how that could happen!  At least they are monitoring the nest to see if dad can keep up with the task...and poor dad losing his mate!  The bald eagle pairs are so sweet together, it's just heart breaking to hear of this!
Suzanne

   
Norfolk Botanical Garden:
This morning the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will be removing the 3 eaglets and send them to the Wildlife Center of Virginia.

   
WVEC:
DGIF biologists have decided that it is in the best interest of the eaglets to remove them from the nest and relocate them to the Wildlife Center of Virginia. The removal operation will take place at 10 a.m.


Norfolk Botanical Garden:
DGIF has the legal responsibility for the welfare of these eaglets and has made the decision to remove them, deeming this is in the best interest of the eaglets.

Norfolk Botanical Garden:
One option discussed was to leave them and see if the father could continue to raise them alone. It is possible he could, but it is also very possible he could not continue to provide enough food as they grow and need a higher calorie count. There was a concern it would reach a point of no return and it would be difficult to remove the eaglets. It would present the problem of being too late to remove them for their survival. There is a reason it takes two parents to raise the eaglets.


  Buddy in training!

I'm surprised that they didn't go the route of providing extra food for the male so he could spend less time hunting and more time feeding the eaglets.

I think the biggest factor is how close they are to wingerciszing with lift...if the male can't pull it off there would be too much of a risk they would be injured trying to fly away if a rescue was attempted any later than now.

Happening now.

All done, success!

Thanks for posting that Donna!!  I immediately went to the live feed of the rescue.  So happy I had computer access this morning.  That last little guy was spunky!  Now dad will have time to mourn and move on.
Suzanne

It was so sad. I feel bad for the dad also.  :heart: I know he will bounce back and life goes on. I think we hurt more than them.  :crying:

I feel sad that now he has lost his whole family.  I am surprised that they didn't wait to see if dad could do it all. 

Empty nest but lots of Pooh!  :(

http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/nbg-faqs/ (http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/nbg-faqs/) more here

Will arrive this afternoon, blood work, health checks will be done. Making preparations for flight cage and nest for them. Will be housed next to an adult Bald eagle for moral support.

OH no, he's looking for them!  :( :crying:

Look how handsome Buddy is! Having some fish!

MVK:
The plane was landing and the male and female were fishing. The male got out of the way and the female could not. She was found with the fish next to her.

MVK:
I do not know what is going on with the male eagle, but suspect he'll hang around for a day or two before getting on with his life. He will almost certainly do just fine. Lament and self-pity are fortunately human traits not shared by most animals.

The male eagle will almost certainly find a new mate before the next breeding season. It is not unreasonable to hope that he will bring his new mate back to the same nest for the new season, though only time will tell about that.

Snippets from the chat

So is the fishing grounds next to the airport? Dad got out of the way, mom didn't. Do the planes fly right over the river? Dad may have seen mom get hit. It's just a tragic accident. Things like this actually keep me awake at night, worrying.

The gardens are right next to the airport.  The peninsula both are on juts into Lake Whitehurst, which is where they were fishing.

NBG Eaglets, Thursday April 28
9:10 a.m.

A preliminary morning report:  the eaglets are doing well.  Wildlife rehabilitator Suzy Doell provided them with a large fish last night — most of it was chopped into smaller pieces, though she also left a large hunk of fish to see how well they’re tearing on their own.  As of this morning:  all fish was eaten!  More reports to come after the daily “morning rounds” with the veterinary team.

WCV report

Happy Birthday, Buddy!  Despite the chaos due to the arrival of the 2011 Norfolk Botanical Garden Eaglets — Buddy’s little siblings — Buddy was celebrated on this busy spring day.  To mark the occasion, he was served a nice, tasty bluefish — which he managed to devour fairly quickly for having such a crooked beak!  Buddy also received a new toy, which was highly entertaining.

Buddy and Blufish

Love Buddy!  :wub:

http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/nbg-thursday-april28/ (http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/nbg-thursday-april28/) Updates on eaglets and new nest.

I guess they are stuffing and mounting mom eagle.  :( Personally, I would vote against this. Let her rest, bury her near her nest, plant flowers and a nice plaque.

I'm with you. Donna :(
 Those eaglets are really cute.

Where did you hear that?

One the Wildlife Center of V fb page. People are disputing it.

Was it WCV announcing it?  I didn't see anything anywhere else...and I can't FB here at work

No Norfolk announced it. 

The mother's remains are still at Norfolk Airport in a refrigerator until the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials decide what to do with them. He notes that the Norfolk Botanical Garden would like to have it mounted for display and that process has been started.

http://www.wvec.com/my-city/norfolk/US-120702329.html (http://www.wvec.com/my-city/norfolk/US-120702329.html) in this article

That's odd-they've been posting on moderated chat (after the last update time on this article) and the forum that she'll be going to the Eagle Repository in Colorado as is required by law.

That's how rumors get started.  Keep in mind that local governments (city of Norfolk) don't deal with the USFWS on a regular basis, and probably don't know the various laws. 

Wildlife Center of Virginia
Once the eaglets are settled into their new outdoor enclosure (later this morning), an adult Bald Eagle will be placed in the other half of their enclosure. While this bird won't have direct access to the chicks, she will serve as an adult role model for the chicks since they'll be able to see her.

NBG
The events of the past week have saddened all of us. It is now time to move foward and look to the day 3 special eaglets will soar high and free. Dad Eagle will move on with his life and hopefully it will include us. It is amazing that thousands of people around the world were brought together in such a peaceful loving way. Mom Eagle - I believe your mission is accomplished. MVK

NBG Eaglets, Friday April 29
9:30 a.m.

The eaglets are resting comfortably this morning.  The quick food report is that they ate — though didn’t finish all of their fish.  This is to be expected — at this point, the staff are over-serving them just to ensure there’s plenty for all.

The staff are just tweaking a few more things in their enclosure, so that once the chicks are moved in, the staff won’t have to spend much time in the enclosure.  We expect that they’ll be moved late this morning — yes, photos and videos can be expected!

In the meantime, the WCV had an early morning delivery:  84 pounds of fish.  This special delivery was made to ensure that the WCV has enough fresh fish to feed to the eaglets — and other Bald Eagle patients — over the coming months.

Hmmm...can't get into the WCV site...wonder if they're off line to connect the planned webcam?

And I re-read the article over lunch & did some digging-the fellow quoted about Mom eagle's body is the airport's executive director-not connected to NBG or VDGIF.  Hopefully he was just saying something he heard in passing.

Keep trying - I was just there

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st8xPjjLJT0# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st8xPjjLJT0#) Eaglets new home

I think we all crashed the site..."The eaglets are in the nest!  They actually made their way up the hill well over an hour ago — but our website traffic has been so high, it’s tough getting in to provide updates and photos!"

Anyway...

Norfolk Botanical Gardens placed in nest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGj9_CFdLXM#ws)

A nice new home for the Eaglets!   

The babies are on the webcam!

http://www.wvec.com/marketplace/microsite-content/eagle-cam.html (http://www.wvec.com/marketplace/microsite-content/eagle-cam.html)

So wonderful to be able to watch them again!

This was just re-posted:

updated post from NBG today -

Source Norfolk Botanical Garden: She will be sent to the National Eagle Repository in Colorado
http://www.fws.gov/le/natives/EagleRepository.htm (http://www.fws.gov/le/natives/EagleRepository.htm)

Source Norfolk Botanical Garden: We did not ask - she was not our bird, she was wild.

Event to honor eagle's memory in Norfolk

NORFOLK

Native American drum group Four Rivers Drum will play a memorial concert Sunday in honor of the Norfolk Botanical Garden's female bald eagle that was killed Tuesday. The event will be 10:30 a.m. in the Matson Garden area at the garden, 6700 Azalea Garden Road.

The bird died after being struck by aircraft heading into the Norfolk International Airport. Three eaglets that remained in the nest were later moved by biologists to the Wildlife Center of Virginia. Scientists were concerned the male bald eagle would be unable to keep up with the baby birds' care.

During the ceremony, the first performance will be an "Eagle Calling Song" followed by memorial songs to the female eagle and other selections to honor the male eagle which still lives in the area.

"It seems appropriate that we as Native American people should pay honor to the eagle family that resided in our midst," event coordinator Vincent Schilling said in a news release. In Native American culture, the eagle is believed to be a messenger of prayers, the release said.

The event is open to the public and is included with garden admission. For info, visit www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org (http://www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org)

 

She deserves it and it's nice of them to pay tribute.  :(

I hope the Daniele family is reading this thread.

You got that right Shaky!  :clap:

Exactly, right, Shaky!

What a touching tribute for mama eagle.  Very respectful.  Her life and her passing should be noted

The eaglets in their new nest

I second, or third, or fourth...that emotion!  Mario's people...you reading this?

I doubt they care!

Even if they do read it, I STILL will not eat at their restaurants anymore!

http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/junior-on-swing.wmv (http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/junior-on-swing.wmv) Junior swinging

Center of Virginia's website: Junior was illegally taken from his nest in 1984 at an early age. At about age six months, he escaped his captors [or was released] and was found walking down a road in Merced, California, wearing jesses. His feathers were broken and shredded, suggesting that he had been kept in a wire cage. His feather condition left him unable to fly, and he was admitted to a wildlife rehabilitation facility for treatment, where it was determined that Junior had become imprinted on humans during his time in captivity. Junior came to the Wildlife Center in March 1985. Though his ability to fly has been restored, his imprinted status precludes his release into the wild.

http://eagletrak.blogs.wm.edu/2011/05/01/azalea-camellia-together-on-nanneys-creek/ (http://eagletrak.blogs.wm.edu/2011/05/01/azalea-camellia-together-on-nanneys-creek/) These 2 slept 100 yards apart on April 29th!

http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/2011/05/nbg-monday-may2/ (http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/2011/05/nbg-monday-may2/) Eaglets update

I was just reading that-interesting that the youngest has lead in his blood.  Hopefully the level will be down soon...

The eaglets look very comfy in their new digs!  :zz:

The eaglets were just weighed and NV had another blood test...

"Ed Clark, WCV:
Okay, some news----good news at that. They have already run the blood test on NV. His blood lead level has dropped to "low" which is a big improvement. The testing equipment can still detect some lead, but at levels too low to measure and quantify. That was part of the goal of the day. No treatment for this condition will be required. "

Excellent news!

 goodnews: Thanks Ei!  ;D

On Sunday, May 1,  Four Rivers Native American Drum performed a concert at the base of the nest tree to honor Mom Eagle and send prayers for strength to Dad Eagle and the eaglets.  Chris7 from the Norfolk forum recorded it...it's in 6 parts.  The links are in the forum post.  The drumming begins in earnest in part 3.



Norfolk Forum post (http://www.norfolkeagles.com/viewtopic.php?f=86&t=4964)

I'm pretty sure you can view the topic without being a member.  If anyone has trouble let me know & I'll post the individual youtube links.

http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/2011/05/nbg-tuesday-may3/ (http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/2011/05/nbg-tuesday-may3/) yesterdays fun with the eaglets.

Great care and all 3 looking good!  :thumbsup:

That is so impressive.  The care and feeding of three eaglets.   Kudos to the caretakers!   

 :good post: Donna     :thanx:  So happy for the care these eaglets are getting.  ;D

Severe Weather Damages Wildlife Enclosure

A flurry of severe thunderstorms in the Shenandoah Valley, many accompanied with wind gusts reportedly approaching 70 mph, caused damage to a newly renovated flight cage at the Wildlife Center of Virginia.  The limb of a tree outside the enclosure apparently damaged the specialized fabric used for the walls of the 85-foot-long cage which was specifically designed as an exercise space for large raptors, such as eagles and hawks.  

There was only one bird in the cage at the time, an adult Bald Eagle, #11-0207, that was admitted to the Center in late March with puncture wounds.  Taking advantage of the tear in the side wall, the eagle squeezed through the hole in the fabric and performed what the Center calls a “self-release”.

According to Wildlife Center President Ed Clark, the incident is more frustrating than anything else.  “With more than 50 outdoor enclosures, it just figures that the one damaged was the one holding a Bald Eagle.  The bird was recovering from her wounds and was flying extremely well — too well, apparently.  I guess she just had things to do.” WCV staff think that the bird may well return to her home territory in Gloucester

The damaged cage is adjacent to the enclosure in which three young eaglets hatched at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens are being held.   The adult eagle that escaped was being housed next to the eaglets, primarily to serve as a role model for them.   Clark said he wants to assure everyone that the enclosure in which the young birds are being housed is more than secure, since the fabric walls of that space have been reinforced with welded wire fencing. “At no time were the eaglets in any danger, nor were they especially bothered by the storm,” Clark said.  “We’re just going to have to find them a new friend”.

The Center says repairs to the large enclosure are underway.  In addition to replacing the torn wall panel, all branches and saplings within five feet of the outside of the cage will be cut back.  While this was done at the time the cage was constructed, the 15-foot-tall maple tree that caused the damage has grown up since the cage was built. Said Clark, “It just never occurred to us that this three- inch diameter tree could damage the side of the cage, but then it is hard to anticipate weather events like we have recently experience.

Wildlife Center of Virginia
NBG eaglet cam viewers: unless we get more stormy weather here in Waynesboro, there will be a scheduled cam outage tomorrow (Thursday, May 5) from 8:00 am to 9:30 am while we have an electrician here to do some work in our outdoor area. Please spread the news!

http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/2011/05/nbg-eaglet-mail/ (http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/2011/05/nbg-eaglet-mail/) The NBG eaglets are so popular, they've already started to get their own mail! (http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt247/wapellah/mail.gif)

That's so sweet. Gotta love the innocence of kids!  :2thumbsup:

Web celebrity eaglets relocate to Wildlife Center

WAYNESBORO --

Ed Clark denies any notion he's been taken hostage.

Instead, the president of the Wildlife Center of Virginia said he's accepted that 150,000 people watch his every interaction with three eaglets recently rescued and moved to Waynesboro.

Through a continuous online video feed, a global group has taken interest in the well-being of the fuzz-ball birds and raised thousands of dollars for their care.

For months, the Norfolk Botanical Garden used a camera to broadcast the hatching of the eaglets. The birds, including mother and father, became Web celebrities. At any given hour, at least 2,000 people watched the eagles and typed live comments into a chat room.

So when the wheels of a U.S. Airways jet struck and killed the mother, the online fans "erupted," Clark said.

The outpouring of grief and support led to a memorial service for the female bird in Norfolk. More than 100 people attended, including a Native American drum group.

With the fan base mobilized, attention turned to the eaglets, which naturalists determined should be moved.

"We have come to understand that they are a true force of nature, or for nature, whichever way you want to look at it," Clark said from his office this week.

The eaglets moved to the center in Waynesboro. With them came the masses, demanding a camera and constant access.

The move also sparked a fundraiser through the Chase Community of Giving project. Within a week, the eagle fund got enough votes to reach the national top-10 list for the project, earning $25,000.

On May 19, another round of voting begins with a top award of $500,000.

Anna Davis, 60, of Staunton, said she started following the birds online in March.

"Usually when I come in (to work) I'll bring up the eagle cam and make it a smaller window on the screen," Davis said. "It is very addictive."

Debbi Skluzak of Norfolk helps moderate the Wildlife Center of Virginia's online chat room. She said many people consider the online birds to be pets.

"I might have 10 cameras that are small that are all over the place on the (computer) screen," she said. "I think a lot of people would rather watch this live cam, and watch these eagles as they grow up, than watch television."

Skluzak said she's in the process of printing more than 6,000 calendars to memorialize the eaglets' killed mother.

Clark said the arrival of the eaglets to the Wildlife Center caused so much attention the organization's website crashed. Employee email accounts overloaded.

"It's a truly sincere commitment to these birds," Clark said. "It may be over the top, but it's an investment."

Clark said the online chat room and increased attention connects more people to nature in a month than the facility's traditional education programs do in a year.

"We feel an enormous amount of responsibility to keep these people," Clark said, "who are so genuinely … connected to these birds."

http://www.dailypress.com/features/family/home-garden/dp-nws-eaglets-0520-20110519,0,5710748.story (http://www.dailypress.com/features/family/home-garden/dp-nws-eaglets-0520-20110519,0,5710748.story) 3 eaglets doing well

http://www.wvec.com/news/Support-For-Eagles-122363264.html (http://www.wvec.com/news/Support-For-Eagles-122363264.html) Read here

And the donations, eagle sculptures and even pizza rolls in!!

WAYNESBORO, Va. — “To baby eaglets: I hope you grow big and strong. Hope you get set free. P.S. Do not eat the paper.”

The message, written in pencil on a brown and white paper cutout of a bald eagle, came from a first-grader in Madisonville, La. It was among stacks of letters from well-wishers, children and adults alike, who’ve been tuning in to Eagle Cam at the Wildlife Center of Virginia.

Three 10-week-old eaglets, rescued from a nest at the Norfolk Botanical Garden after their mother was killed by an airplane, are the stars who have attracted thousands of viewers to the Wildlife Center’s website since they arrived four weeks ago.

On their first day at the center, about 30,000 visitors crashed the Wildlife Center’s Website, said Ed Clark, Wildlife Center president.

“About 175,000 people buried us with emails right after the birds got here,” he said.

The concerned eagle fans inundated the center with questions and complaints, some angry at first about the removal of the birds from the nest at the garden, a decision made by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to save the babies.

The attention was a little overwhelming at first, said Clark, but he and his staff decided to go with it. They set up a live feed from the eaglet’s new nest out in the woods and the babies were back on webcam in two days. Clark began doing live chats online with fans.

“I did a 90-minute chat interview online, and just laid it all out for them,” he said. “I explained that if we didn’t take the babies, they would see at least one die, because the male (parent) wouldn’t be able to care for all of them by himself.”

The center’s recent plans to do more educational outreach online by upgrading software and hardware could not have been timed better. The devoted eagle watchers from around the world have “validated and reinforced” the efforts to have a stronger online presence, Clark said.

The eaglets’ parents were the first to hit the Big Time when they set up house in a pine tree at the garden six years ago. A web cam was set up, and wildlife lovers obsessively followed their adventures in babymaking.

Their most recent batch of eggs hatched successfully, but mom, with a fish in her mouth, was struck at the airport by an Air Wisconsin plane. The company donated a “significant contribution” toward the care of the eaglets.

Fans also have been generous. And they entered the Wildlife Center in the Chase Community Giving vote and the center won a $25,000 grant in Round 1. Round 2 continued until midnight last night - the center was in the running for $100,000 as of Wednesday afternoon.

“In five days we’ve increased our active donors by 25 percent,” Clark said. “That would be unrealistically ambitious goal for one year in a normal development program.”

Meanwhile, the eaglets are thriving in their caged nest in the woods. “In the morning, they’re like kids jumping up and down on the bed,” Clark said.

The 3 eaglets were moved while their flight pen is being built!!

WVEC won 200k and Northfolk won 100k in round 2 of the chase giveaway.

WVEC.com

Posted on June 1, 2011 at 8:41 AM

Updated Wednesday, Jun 1 at 8:51 AM

WAYNESBORO, NC -- A Norfolk eaglet is on the mend after veterinarians found a chip fracture to her left leg.

The injury was discovered Tuesday during their check-up at The Wildlife Center of Virginia, where they’ve been since the death of their mother in mid-April.

The eagle, NZ, was holding her left foot up and when center workers went to get her, she tried to hop away without putting weight on her leg, officials said.

Radiographs confirmed the injury on the inside of her left leg, right above her band. Officials say the injury is considered “fairly minor.”

Vets believe NZ ran into something Tuesday morning because the fracture is typically caused by a blunt force rather than becoming entangled or from interaction with a sibling.

NZ is being kept in a separate enclosure through the week to keep her quiet so healing can begin.

Vets gave NZ anti-inflammatory medication and pain medication. They say her leg won’t need a cast or bandages.

Once additional radiographs confirm that her fracture is well calloused, she will return back to the pen with her siblings, officials stressed.

 You can watch the eaglets as they grow up at the Wildlife Center of Virginia with the WVEC.com EagleCam.

On Wednesday, contractors were beginning to build the flight pen the three eaglets will eventually use.

 

Kjellstrom & Lee workers are donating their time, center officials said.

The eaglets were moved out of Eaglecam view Tuesday because material for the build was arriving and there would be lots of activity and noise around their pen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsppFAeuFPg# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsppFAeuFPg#) Video of their new flight cage being constructed

 :2thumbsup:  Interesting video. Thanks Donna!  :wave:

The 2 babies were moved back to their new digs today-NZ is still on cage rest.  There are a couple of videos posted  here (https://picasaweb.google.com/rhoda.gerig/NorfolkEagles?authkey=Gv1sRgCMGys5CX5t2KJg#) of one flying to & from one of the new perches and taking a bath!

Most excellent Ei, thanks!

https://picasaweb.google.com/rhoda.gerig/NorfolkEagles?authkey=Gv1sRgCMGys5CX5t2KJg#5618124473988555938 (https://picasaweb.google.com/rhoda.gerig/NorfolkEagles?authkey=Gv1sRgCMGys5CX5t2KJg#5618124473988555938)

Today was weigh-in day at WCV.  This is a video of Dr. Miranda catching one of the eaglets...quite an excellent catch all the way at the end of the clip!

And today's news...

http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/2011/06/nbg-eaglets-tuesday-june14/ (http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/2011/06/nbg-eaglets-tuesday-june14/)

NZ leg is healing and there's now a 4th eaglet in the flight pen!

Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagle Release

MARK YOUR CALENDAR.  The release of the three Norfolk Botanical Garden Bald Eagles will take place on Wednesday, July 27 at 11:00 a.m.  The release will take place at Berkeley Plantation, a historic plantation on the James River below Richmond [and right next to Westover Plantation].

Please RSVP if you are planning on attending the eagle release so that we may get a rough estimate of how many people to expect.  Plan on arriving at Berkeley Plantation between 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. for the release.  Berkeley Plantation opens at 9:30 a.m.

Please visit the Berkeley Plantation website for directions.  Alternatively, use Google/MapQuest to obtain the best directions from your location to the Berkeley address:

12602 Harrison Landing Road
Charles City, Virginia 23030

(Time flies huh?)

Watch Norfolk eaglets return to the wild online or in person

NORFOLK -- Three young eagles will be returned to the wild later this month and you can join wildlife officials to say goodbye and good luck.

The three were removed from their nest at Norfolk Botanical Garden in late April after their mother was killed by a plane landing at Norfolk International Airport.

They've been cared for at The Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro and people around the world have watched their progress on the WVEC.com Eaglecam.

"Today the three are healthy, can fly, and are ready to go back into the wild – free and on their own," said President Ed Clark.

The release will occur Wednesday, July 27 at 11:00 a.m. at historic Berkeley Plantation on the James River between Williamsburg and Richmond.

Officials say the plantation provides eagle-friendly habitat and is just across the river from the James River National Wildlife Refuge – 4,200 acres of protected land that hosts one of the largest Bald Eagle roosts on the East Coast.

The event is free and open to the public, but officials ask that your RSVP so they know how many people to expect.

"Based on the RSVPs we’ve received to date, we’re expecting folks from 24 states and Canada to be attending the eagle release," Center spokesman Randy Huwa told WVEC.com.

Officials stress you should be prepared for hot weather by dressing in light clothes, wear a hat, sunscreen and bring something to drink, like water.

One of the eaglets will be released just after 12 noon. That will be shown live on 13News @ Noon with reporter/anchor Joe Flanagan reporting live.

WVEC.com is planning to stream the release of all three eaglets beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Wildlife Center officials said one of the three young eagles will be fitted with a transmitter. "It will allow Va. Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries eagle biologists, Wildlife Center staff, and visitors to the Wildlife Center’s website to track the eagle’s travels for up to two years," explained Huwa.

There's been no final decision on which eagle will be fitted, but Center staff expects it to be attached to one of the two females.

 :thumbsup:  Cool!  ;D

Although they're going where they need to be, I am going to miss them!

3 very "special" eagles. Wednesday, the BIG day for them.  :(

Today at 11am, watch the release.

http://www.wvec.com/marketplace/microsite-content/eagle-cam.html (http://www.wvec.com/marketplace/microsite-content/eagle-cam.html)

The release will be streamed live on WVEC

http://www.wvec.com/marketplace/microsite-content/eagle-cam.html (http://www.wvec.com/marketplace/microsite-content/eagle-cam.html)

Beat me again!  :handshake:

 :hysterical: Same!!

This is the schedule...btw, there are 2 other eaglets being released.  They will go first since they have flown in the wild before, then the 3 NBG eaglets.  Ed Clark said there will probably be about 15 minutes between birds...

A note about today’s broadcast:

8:00 a.m.:  The five young Bald Eagles that will be released tomorrow will be caught.  The catch-up crew (same as the weigh-in crew) will be starting with the three Norfolk birds and then will be catching the two eagles in the other flight pen.  As each bird is caught, it will be taken down to the hospital to be “bumpered” and placed into a transport crate.  The “bumpering” is something that’s done to keep the eagles’ wrist areas padded and protected during transport.  The two eagles, #1714 and #1235, will be banded.

9:00 a.m.: Feed from the Wildlife Center cam to WVEC will stop.

11:00 a.m.:  WVEC’s live streaming of the release will begin [same website address].  DGIF Biologist Steve Living will be narrating the release.   

WVEC’s moderated discussion will continue throughout the remainder of the week.

And please join us …

Thursday, July 28, 9:00 a.m.:  The Wildlife Center will begin streaming the Wildlife Center Animal Cam.  Please look for the “animal cam” link on the front page of the Wildlife Center’s website at that time.  A moderated discussion will also be launched at that point, though likely minimal discussion will take place on Thursday/Friday as the WVEC discussion wraps up.

Empty flight cage...all packed up and ready to go...



Ed Clark of WCV posted this yesterday...

...but this time tomorrow....life as they know it will be changed forever..... Life, as they should have known it, will begin.

The feed was spotty, but I managed to catch one takeoff...NV...

 

Stay safe babies!

Man, I tried so hard to watch but it just wasn't working for me. :( I wish them all well.

I couldn't get it to work for me either. :(  I also wish them a safe life's journey!

Thanks, Ei!  Beautiful to see!

There will be more coverage once the news vans get back to Norfolk...there were lots of video & still cams...this is the noon news broadcast of 2 of the releases...

http://www.wvec.com/my-city/norfolk/Big--126197853.html?mb (http://www.wvec.com/my-city/norfolk/Big--126197853.html?mb)

Do I have to cry over every release? What a baller I am!  :crying:

I saw also that big event!  :eagle:

Whoa - someone who is attending the Eagle Release just flew in on a helicopter! No joke! These eagles ARE rockstars! :)  Found this on FB!

WHAT!!

I think it might have been Ed Clark who came by helicopter. 

The eaglets were late-they took a wrong turn & got lost.

NX had to be returned to care.  She wasn't injured-just hot, tired & stressed and couldn't get any altitude.

Poor baby.  Hope she'll be OK from all this hoopla.  :(

Official post...she was handled extra because they put a transmitter on her...
   
Ed Clark, WCV:
Good afternoon all..... I'm in the car, on the way back to WCV... I know the chat has exploded with speculation about NX.... She is FINE. She is NOT injured in any way. She got overheated with the extra handling, and since it was the middle of the day.... we decided not to push her further or harder today.... Her flight was strong and capable, and it took the whole team quite a while to catch her... You should see the team..... They were soaked.... We anticipate keeping her for a few more days, then when she's re-released, we'll do it early in the day, when the temps are 20 degrees cooler....

Ed Clark, WCV:
I had lunch with some of the Game Department guys who were in the boat... They said the other birds did great, from their vantage point..... We are very confident that all are fine. In fact, NX probably would have been fine, if we had just left her there, but we opted to err on the side of being sure.... as we have from Day One.

http://hamptonroads.com/2011/07/young-bald-eagles-ready-fly (http://hamptonroads.com/2011/07/young-bald-eagles-ready-fly)  More on the release, transmitter girl back in rehab

Some release pictures are posted...

http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/2011/07/nbg-eagle-release-photos/ (http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/2011/07/nbg-eagle-release-photos/)

And, the cam has moved to the WCV site...

http://wildone.org/eaglecam/wildlife-center-web-cam/ (http://wildone.org/eaglecam/wildlife-center-web-cam/)

It's currently on NX and her cage-mate, KS.  They will sho other areas and animals over time.

Nicely done video of the releases!

The Farewell Show - NZ, NX, and NV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qcYBrPLzEw#)

Nice video!  Thanks for posting, Ei! NX looked hot when they were holding her.  Hope she's doing OK and will be released soon.

MAMA would be proud--you did good :heart: great video--thanks

From the chat...

07/28/11 Cary: …. my pics of a juvie at 5:30 pm yesterday, a couple thous. feet down-river from the release field. There is a purple band, but it is unreadable. Each of you can pretend it is whoever your fav is. Whoever it is looks pretty happy surveying it's new beginnings
   
Juvie after the release (https://picasaweb.google.com/105690810447914673239/2011_07_27BandedJuvieAround530pm?authkey=Gv1sRgCICXg8St5sHPQQ#slideshow/5634389998193947426)

Looking good!  Thanks, Ei!  :thumbsup:

Looking at the world with amazement. Where do I go next? I love the pics! Thanks

An official video from VDGIF (http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/birds/eagles/berkeley-plantation-release/)

life is good said the juvie--and great pictures--ty

That was wonderful to see! Thanks!  ;D :eagle2:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/state-news/2011/jul/31/tdmet02-wildlife-center-learned-online-lessons-fro-ar-1208021/ (http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/state-news/2011/jul/31/tdmet02-wildlife-center-learned-online-lessons-fro-ar-1208021/) A good read

Wildlife Center learned online lessons from eagle fans

 :2thumbsup:

For those who may be interested...the full length version of the release including the speeches...by Chris from the Norfolk forum (http://norfolkeagles.com/)...

Bald Eagle 3plus2 Release 7_27_11 part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7LOxgF8GlQ#)

Bald Eagle 3plus2 Release 7_27_11 part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtvYVU6l2gQ#)

Thanks for posting, Ei!  Has there been any reason given as to why they're keeping NX caged for so long after she was found to be unhurt from the first release? 

It turns out she wasn't quite ready for release after all.  They said when they found her grounded she wasn't behaving like an angry juvie but more like a scared baby, cowering and even making "baby" squeek sounds.  They say it wasn't apparent with her siblings because they were all in a routine.  Once she was in the flight pen with a different eagle it was obvious she wasn't quite mature enough.  They think she would have been OK but better to be on the safe side. They think another week to 10 days will give her enough time.  Azalea the transmitter bird from 2009 was the same way-hung around the nest begging for food until mid-August.  Then suddenly a light bulb went off for her & she was on her way.  She's still successfully going back & forth between VA & NC.

I remember that with Azalea.  Is NX the one who suffered a foot/leg injury and that's why she's behind?

No-that was NZ.  And NV was the one with high lead levels.  That's why they picked NX-she's the one that hadn't been handled much at all.  They think she's just one of those late bloomers.

I knew if I waited long enough the full answer from Ed Clark would show up on their chat...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Source Ed Clark, WCV: First, NX is in great health. She is strong, fit, able to fly well, eating well, and everything else she needs to be at this age, from a physiological point of view. What became clear, only at the release, is that her behavior, which looked fine under the controlled circumstances of the flight pen, was a bit more juvenile under stress than we would have imagined, given her interaction with her siblings. When they approached her on the ground after her initial release, instead of responding with an adult "one step closer and I'll rip your face off" vocalization--the kind we got from NZ and NV--she gave a juvenile distress "cheaping" call. In and off itself, that would not have been a huge deal, but her response to the people was to hunker down and run, rather than fly off.... again, a juvenile reaction. It was a normal reaction, entirely, but a reaction of a bird who has not quite "flipped the switch", as Dr. Miranda puts it, to being a fully mature sub-adult. So, since there were so many people there, and we knew that someone would not be able to resist approaching her, we decided that it would be best to bring her back and give her a bit more time. Part of the benefit of having KS in the cage with her, is that it is giving her something with which to deal that makes her respond... Again, normal stuff, but pushing her a bit... That is allowing us to watch and monitor her reactions.

 goodnews: Thanks Ei!  :wave:

http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/2011/08/new-enclosure-for-buddy/ (http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/2011/08/new-enclosure-for-buddy/)

Buddy's new enclosure specs!! Beautiful and Buddy will be so happy. And he will have his own WEBCAM!!!

That will be great!  :bguitar:

A little birdie said dad eagle was seen flying with another eagle!!

http://hamptonroads.com/2011/08/eagles-changed-life-virginia-wildlife-hospital (http://hamptonroads.com/2011/08/eagles-changed-life-virginia-wildlife-hospital) NX gets released tomorrow for the second time. Hope she does ok this time.

Congowings was on the phone with Bobbie at the release site...

10:28
Congowings:
NX was just released -

10:32   
Congowings:
KS (NX room mate) was just released -She flew over the trees - and is now going across the water - 
KS is still flying over the water- so the tail feathers don't seem to be an issue.

10:39   
Congowings:
Dr. Dave has gone off to see where NX might have gone - it takes a while to hike over there - and see if they can see where she went. When she flew off she disappeared behind trees - 

10:44   
Congowings:
Okay - Dr. Dave and JrDeal found NX - she is sitting in a tree close to the water - just chilling out. No vocalizations - just getting her bearings. So all is good.

Update...

12:07
   
Congowings:
I have some more details concerning NX. Once released she flew off, but then u-turned and landed on the ground a distance away - and hid in some bushes. But when she saw Dr. Dave advancing she took off and gained altitude quickly - flying a bit over the water and the trees -  landing near the river bank. She then took off and flew up into one of trees - where she still remained when everyone left. She did make some vocalizations at one point - but they were adult vocalizations, not juvenile distress sounds. So, it sounds like she is doing well.

 :phew: Thanks Ei!  :wave:

I hope she does well. Thanks for the update!

http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/2011/08/new-enclosure-for-buddy/ (http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/2011/08/new-enclosure-for-buddy/) Buddy's new enclosure being built. Looks nice and he has a pool!! Move over Buddy, I'm moving in!

There was a report that NX was seen standing on the ground.  She later flew up into a tree.  While this is perfectly normal behavior for Bald Eagles, since they didn't immediately rush back to "rescue" her there have apparently been some negative to downright nasty comments & calls coming in to WCV.  So after Ed Clark posted a rousing "get a grip" post, he posted this...

"It is interesting to us that all of this is so captivating for people, and that some people don't really grasp that this is really a pretty ordinary story, by some measures. Adult animals with young in the nest or den die every day, but the tens of thousands, if not millions.... The only thing that makes this story very different is that these babies were not subjected to the cruel realities of nature. In that case, it is pretty certain that one or two of the three Rock Stars would not have survived to fledge. They were spared that harsh reality, for three or four months, but at some point they have to make it---or not make it--on their own. While hundreds of thousands watched this saga unfold, it is fundamentally the same situation facing one out of three of our patients each year, including eight young eagles, so far, in 2011. That's why, for us, this story is compelling but neither unique or unprecedented. It is just one of many hundreds of such stories we see each year. We have a broader context within which to keep this all in perspective."

From the tracking NX page here (http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/tracking-nx/)

Where is she now?

August 31:  The Wildlife Center staff received data from NX’s transmitter today.  We are still learning this new system and will be experimenting with different ways to display maps and data on her whereabouts. 

We do know that since her release, NX has spent most of her time in a wooded area next to the James River, and she roosted in a tree overnight. She spent a short amount of time on the ground this morning, but otherwise has been perching in trees ranging in height from 10 to 28 meters.   At 8:22 a.m. she took a quick flight across a field, clocking in at 60 miles per hour at an altitude of 68 meters.  All in all, by examining the data, we think that NX is exploring the area around Berkeley Plantation.

The next “data dump” from the transmitter should occur on Friday — if she is within cell coverage at the appointed hour.   Please check back here for further updates.

http://www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org/gardens-horticulture/all-gardens/eagle-tribute-plaza (http://www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org/gardens-horticulture/all-gardens/eagle-tribute-plaza) Eagle Tribute Plaza

http://www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org/programs-events/calendar/events/581 (http://www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org/programs-events/calendar/events/581) Fall Festival & Eagle Tribute Plaza Dedication

 :thumbsup:

September 2:  NX appears to be moving a bit farther afield — and is now off of the Berkeley property.   She’s moved into a different forested area close to the water.   According to Mike Lanzone, one of the Cellular Tracking Technologies experts, that exact spot is one used by other Bald Eagles that also have units on.

http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/tracking-nx/ (http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/tracking-nx/)

it sounds like the hi-tech eagles all (including nx) hang out together :clap:

September 6: As of today, NX has been on her own for one week.  She remains close to Berkeley Plantation, and each morning wakes up a little further from her release location. For the last five nights she has roosted next to a small tributary of the James River that cuts up behind Berkeley and Westover; this is prime eagle habitat.

Looking at her “tracks” on Google Earth, we can see NX’s travel path tends to stick to tree lines, which provide her good cover and lots of roosting and perching places; the shallow waters of the upper tributary where she has been for the last few days are good fishing grounds. Position, speed, and altitude data is recorded by the backpack at 15-minute intervals, so interpretations of other behaviors (for example, hunting) would only be conjecture at this point; however, we are seeing her in the air quite a bit flying from place to place. It will be interesting to see where she moves to next now that she has reached the narrowest end of the tributary.

Maps are posted at http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/tracking-nx/ (http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/tracking-nx/)

 :2thumbsup:

 goodnews: :yes:

Where is she now?

September 10:  After some mid-week rainy weather cleared, NX opted to leave the Berkeley Plantation area — and is now in King and Queen County!  On Friday, September 9, she woke up at the same general area near the Berkeley Plantation — and then left town at about 9:30 a.m.  She flew 35 miles to a forested area in King and Queen, and arrived around 1:30 p.m.  Today she seems to be flying around the same general area.

She's doing well so far!  

Buddy's enclosure is coming along nicely!  They had "Buddy Day" at WCV this past weekend and Shelly Fowler posted some video on her smugmug site (http://shellyva.smugmug.com/Other/Videos/17320901_kKGCXJ#1473881277_qJvCgWz).

Our little Buddy is growing up!  Look how white his head & tail are getting!  :eagle2:

He certainly is!  He's developing into quite a handsome young Eagle! :wub:

http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/tracking-nx/ (http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/tracking-nx/) Tracking NX  She's just hanging around.

Wildlife Center of Virginia
We know everyone is asking about NX updates ... and nope no updates today. She didn't phone in! As we mentioned before, if she is out of cell range for her allotted "check in" hour, we'll miss the chance to get a read on her. She's likely out there in a spotty cell coverage area -- we all know how that goes -- so we'll look for another report next week.

Where is she now? Still in Northumberland County, hanging out on the Little Wicomico River! Or at least, that's where NX the Bald Eagle was on Saturday. In and out of spotty cell coverage areas, so no data from today -- but the area where she is looks to be an excellent spot to be an eagle!

Nope, I wasn't worried...not one tiny little bit... :phew:

Moving day for Buddy! 

Buddy's Big Move (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oryNkmZmae4#ws)

I'm so happy for Buddy and his new home!  :clap:

There are also some stills posted...

http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/2011/09/buddys-new-enclosure/ (http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/2011/09/buddys-new-enclosure/)

And, back at NBG, Dad has been seen in the company of an adult and a sub-adult Bald Eagle.  The sub-adult "dirty" bird (not completely white head yet) landed in the original nest!

Cary's pics (http://cjlynch.smugmug.com/Nature/9-20-11-NBG-Eagles-5-Fly-bys/19133479_9Ft8kz#1490070769_xH4B3f8)

Shelly's pics (http://shellyva.smugmug.com/Animals/Eagles-NBG-and-others/17310822_BrmpzH#1489809013_L4XVkNC)

All via the forum http://norfolkeagles.com (http://norfolkeagles.com)

NX Update:

September 22: NX has settled in on the banks of the Little Wicomico River in Northumberland County. The stand of trees she is favoring borders fields rather than heavy human-occupied territory, and she has a small inlet nearby in which to fish.



We think it is time to take a look at where her journey has taken her over the last 23 days. She is currently 62 miles from her release location in Charles City, Virginia. In her travels she has visited seven counties, crossed one major river and numerous smaller rivers and streams, been known to frequent areas other tracked eagles have been to, and may have crossed paths with her sister Azalea.

NX Journey So Far


As you can see in the picture above she is very close to Accomack County — where our most recent bald eagle patient was rescued!

We're back just in time for an NX update!

September 26: NX is still enjoying the same stand of trees on the Little Wicomico River in Northumberland County, Virginia. She has crossed the river a few times to visit nearby piers, but otherwise is quite content to remain where she has been for the past week.



NX Tracking page (http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/tracking-nx/)

Dad Norfolk has a girlfriend!

Pictures & Story at the link... CCB Blog (http://eaglenest.blogs.wm.edu/2011/09/29/nbg-eagle-pair-2011-12-season/)

 :the_wave: :b-day: :yippee:

 goodnews:

A new female!  :happy:

The Center for Conservation Biology
Reese visited NBG today and took a few photos of the male eagle. Both eagles were in the nest today. Its looking good!

 :clap: Stunning!  ;D

Tracking NX

Where is she now?

October 1: NX was able to check in today. Since we heard from her last, she has ventured further inland on the Little Wicomico River to a place called Hansons Cove. It is a heavily wooded area, and her tracks show her flying back and forth to trees on either side of the cove. Her last known position shows that she has returned to her a preferred tree in a more populated zone of the river.
NX spent a few days exploring Hansons Cove on the Little Wicomico River.


NX spent a few days exploring Hansons Cove on the Little Wicomico River.

September 30: NX did not “phone home” today. On September 28, she was still in the same place along the Little Wicomico River. She may be out of cell phone range, and will check in again when she is back in an area with coverage.

Where is she now?

October 6: After five days without a check-in, NX came back into cell range and today her backpack was able to transmit the details of where she has been. On October 2, at around 11:15am, NX left Hanson’s Cove on the Little Wicomico River in Northumberland, Virginia, and flew roughly 2 miles further north to Vir-Mar Beach, in Virginia’s Northern Neck region. She spent two nights there and during the days explored most of the length of the river before returning to her current home base on the Little Wicomico on October 4.

Chris on the Norfolk forum (http://www.norfolkeagles.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=5707) posted this video of Dad & his new lady arriving...

This is really dark… Sunset was at 6:44PM and this video was taken at 6:51. But they came in together and were chattering. Then they chattered some around the nest. One left (which I missed) and then the other one left. This was my first time meeting the new lady and it was exciting! (0:51):

Norfolk Botacal Garden Bald Eagles 05OCT11.wmv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jtiq10f75CI#)

I still feel awful for mom but glad dad found a new mate.  :heart:  Thanks Ei.

Forgot to say...check out the great photos posted in the Photographers Nest (http://www.norfolkeagles.com/viewforum.php?f=16) thread there.  

I'm not posting direct links to the photos because there have been some photos stolen from there and they've asked that we not copy or post them elsewhere.  I cannot believe people can be that rotten to steal someone's hard work.

As a photographer's wife... Ei, they DO! And they see nothing wrong with it.

What do you mean by stealing? Using the pic for their own purposes? I think I have done that! So when I post a pic from someone elses site, I STOLE IT???   :surprise: :o :scaredblue: :secret2: Like the Bat I posted earlier, was stolen? I was always confused about what to post and what not to. Where do we draw the line?  :confused: (I never stole a pic and said I took it!)

When cross posting a picture (like the bat one) you should always credit the photographer, if known, and the website where you found it, if not.  I usually try to post both.  Most photographers are OK with that as long as credit is given.

The problem the Norfolk photographers are having is people saving, sharing, printing and even selling the pictures as their own.  That's why they've started putting their names in huge letters across the photos and have asked us to view them on the Norfolk forum or the individual photographer's website.  

Technically you shouldn't even save someone's picture without their permission, but most people are OK with that if you are only using it for your own personal viewing pleasure.  But it can get to be a slippery slope.

Youch! I'll remember that! Thanks   :dead-horse:

Lots of interesting and informative stuff on the web concerning copyright and copyright infringement.  For example:

http://webnet77.com/webstuff/copyright.html (http://webnet77.com/webstuff/copyright.html)
http://copyright.gov/title17/ (http://copyright.gov/title17/)
http://copyright.gov/title17/92chap5.html (http://copyright.gov/title17/92chap5.html)

I think the photos Donna uses in her posts qualify as being "...for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting..." and would fall under Fair Use Limitations (http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#107 (http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#107)).  I agree that non-owned photos used is this context should give credit to the owner.  And probably better to quote just a highlight of a copyrighted article, then link to the original post.     

While I respect Dumperskitty's decision not to provide direct links to copyrighted material, I don't think such links are legally or ethically prohibited. 

http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=Intellectual_Freedom_Issues&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=25306 (http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=Intellectual_Freedom_Issues&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=25306) 

My 2 cents.

Oh, I don't disagree.  I'm only speaking of the Norfolk eagle photographers and their posts on the Norfolk forum..."Photographer's Nest/NBG Eagle photographers post their photos here. Please do not copy/save or use any photos without permission of the photographer."

Where photos are posted in "public" I will continue to post thumbnails with proper credit when known.

OK, I'll be "Fair use"! Thanks NFF!

Interesting. I am facing this issue.  I didn't realize if I designated public in my files anyone could use them and make money off them.  That has changed.  But I now have a web site that kind of protects that.  If I post anyone can see them.  The files are small enough they would make terrible copies.  It is an issue as I move to retirement and have sold a few pictures.  My photog friends don't put up their good ones.

Today's unveiling of the Sculpture dedicated to momma eagle.

What a gorgeous tribute to her.   

WOW that's awesome!  :clap:

Chris has posted multiple videos of the dedication on the Norfolk Forum (http://www.norfolkeagles.com/viewtopic.php?f=97&t=5766)...

The webcam at NBG has been turned on internally-WVEC will turn on the live feed if & when they're sure this is the nest they're going to use.  They captured evidence of new sticks & the new couple perched in the nest.  Reese Lukei has posted some pictures at the CCB blog...

Sticks & eagle in the dark (http://eaglenest.blogs.wm.edu/2011/10/12/nbg-camera-turned-on-today-oct-12/)

Mom Eagle sculpture dedication (http://eaglenest.blogs.wm.edu/2011/10/16/spilling-the-wind-eagle-sculpture-dedicated/)

The happy couple (http://eaglenest.blogs.wm.edu/2011/10/17/photos-of-nbg-eagle-pair/)

http://eagletrak.blogs.wm.edu/2011/10/16/azalea-returns-to-northumberland-county/ (http://eagletrak.blogs.wm.edu/2011/10/16/azalea-returns-to-northumberland-county/) Azalea news!

Thanks Ei for the links!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdls2awvTgc# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdls2awvTgc#)

During the dedication, an eagle flies over!

What a busy news day!   First Amanda at WCV posted this note...

"October 27:  NX’s last “check-in” was on October 11; her last reported location was on the Little Wicomico River, near Ophelia. Wildlife Center staff consulted with the VDGIF biologists who fitted NX with the transmitter to inquire about other Bald Eagles in Virginia with transmitters — they confirmed that the other eagles that have been outfitted with these “cell-phone” transmitters routinely go in and out of cell coverage areas — sometimes for weeks at a time.

Since one DGIF biologist is near Ophelia, she offered to go out to the last known coordinates of NX just to check out the area.

On October 26, she visited NX’s favorite hang-out.  Apparently the pine tree was fairly “white-washed”; the biologist also found a pile of fish bones (old and new) underneath it and a feather from a juvenile Bald Eagle — signs that someone had definitely been hanging out in the area!  When she first arrived, the biologist also flushed a juvenile eagle from a nearby tree, but she was unable to tell if the bird was wearing a transmitter.  

The Wildlife Center staff will continue to check NX’s transmitter data daily and will report when we next hear something.  In the meantime, nothing to do but to wait for NX to “phone home”. "

Then, just as she was typing into the chat to check the update, NX finally phoned home!

"October 27  12:37 p.m.:  After 16 days of not checking in … NX checked in!  It turns out that over the past two weeks, NX has been in the same general area of the Little Wicomico River.  She did venture off on another trip from Hanson’s Cove to Vir-Mar Beach.  This trip is very similar to the one she took at the beginning of October, when she was out of cell range for five days [see October 6 posting below].  After looking at the data on where NX was yesterday, we can conclude that she was not the juvenile eagle that the DGIF biologist flushed from the woods near NX’s  ”usual” spot."



Then there was a post on FB that Barbara Melton had gotten pictures of NX!  Upon review by CCB it was determined that it was actually her big sister Azalea from 2009!



from FB Album (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.301187919910255.90968.100000571478682&type=1) by Barbara Melton

And Camellia from 2010 has been hanging out at NBG for a few days now.  Phew!  I think that's all!

 :phew: That is a lot for one day!! All good news though! NX, Azalea and Camillia. Dats alotta eagles!

And there's more!  The new female was caught roosting in the nest tree!

CCB Blog (http://eaglenest.blogs.wm.edu/2011/10/27/posingroosting-in-front-of-ir-light-1027/)

 
 

from NBG eaglecam

Dats alotta females in one day!! Great news though.

:bguitar: 

Another update from Monday...

CCB Blog (http://eaglenest.blogs.wm.edu/2011/10/31/male-up-close-oct-31/#comments)

Both the adult eagles were in the nest by 7:10 this morning. The female left twice and returned without sticks then flew without returning. The male went out three times to get sticks then left at 8:10, likely until late this evening. Closeups of the male.

Eagles at Norfolk Botanical Garden
How old is the new female in 'Dad Norfolk's' life? According to Reese Lukei, "This morning (11/6) the female returned to the nest tree when there was good light and posed for the web cam. A few weeks ago Dr. Bryan Watts and I conferred as to the age of the new NBG female and concluded that she is a first year breeding age bald eagle. What are the indicators? The very pale yellow, almost grey eye color. Head feathers still have a brown tinge behind both eyes, the cheek and below her beak."

Working together, dad and new girl!

 :yippee: ;D

http://youtu.be/VCUwfr6GpRU (http://youtu.be/VCUwfr6GpRU) Buddy's new home...it's beautiful!

 :clap: What a great place!  :2thumbsup:

Buddy has a nice new home!  :happy:

Eagles at Norfolk Botanical Garden

Rain has delayed the planned installation of cameras this morning. But it didn't stop DGIF biologist Steve Living from helping us scout locations for camera placement ... and a microphone.   :clap: :heart:

:2thumbsup:

'Last evening Camellia was across from the Admin. building [at Norfolk Botanical Garden].' -- Reese Lukei


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QSOfy_XOMXA#! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QSOfy_XOMXA#!) sneak peak of the drive thru lights at Norfolk. Beautiful

A million bulbs!!  :o

 :clap:

That video is amazing!

NBGE Training Updates

Buddy in training

A Helpful Guide to Raptor Training Terminology
November 29 Update – Darcie Huntress

Rather than jump right in with talking about Buddy’s training in the specific, I think this is a good time to give some background on the training approach we are using. Ray Norton, a master falconer here in Virginia, is mentoring me and some of the other WCV staff in how to train Buddy using operant conditioning – also known as clicker training. The principles of clicker training were established by behavioral researcher B.F. Skinner; Karen Pryor brought it to the masses when she learned to apply it to training dolphins and a variety of other animals. Ray says if it has a brain and it eats, it can be trained this way.

Operant conditioning reinforces desired behavior with a reward. The clicker (or whistle, in this case) is a way to mark the desired behavior; it becomes a communication tool between trainer and animal. When the principles are applied cleanly and consistently, the click signals it is reward time. Buddy’s prior training laid a good foundation for our future work. For example, Buddy would sit on his perch and have his evening meal thrown in to him – a fun game of catch, but one which reinforced him for sitting in one place and returning there after each item was eaten. Now we are changing the game. His meal – cut up into bite-size pieces – becomes his reward for working.  It is already clear that Buddy is bright and entirely capable of learning all the things we want to teach him.

So the question for many people will be, how will we shape his behavior? We start by reinforcing behaviors that he already offers, and in fact this is already occurring. One behavior he already offers is sitting on his A-frame perch. This behavior has already been reinforced as described above. He also already knows to fly to a handler’s gloved hand when it is raised, and we are working with him to sit there calmly without clenching with his talons.

The point where his training will really take off will come once he makes the connection that a blow of the whistle means he has done something for which he will be rewarded. Once this recognition occurs, we will start reinforcing new behaviors. As he begins to offer these behaviors consistently we can begin to put some of them on cue and then use them to build chains of behavior. We have many training goals for Buddy, including having him go into and out of his travel crate of his own volition and stepping onto the scales so he can be weighed.

It is already very rewarding to see the wheels turning and his comprehension of how the game changes. In the wild, eagles constantly change their tactics to get the sustenance they need, so we are engaging that part of Buddy’s natural history in this process and making life here at the Wildlife Center that much more interesting and engaging for him.
November 22 update

After a break in training for a couple of months and moving into his new enclosure, Buddy is ready to get back to work!  The Wildlife Center staff will be working with an experienced falconer to train Buddy.  The goal is not only to train Buddy to sit calmly on a handler’s gloved hand – but also to get Buddy to enjoy sitting on the glove.  This way, he can travel to programs and presentations off-site.

Falconer Ray came to the Wildlife Center on the afternoon of November 18 to get to know Buddy, to meet with Center staff, and get a sense of where Buddy is with his training. Buddy did quite well and hopped up on Ray’s glove several times.  Ray repeated a Buddy session on November 19, and then on the afternoon of November 20, Ray worked with both Buddy and outreach coordinator Darcie.  Since Ray won’t be able to travel to the Wildlife Center every day to train Buddy, he will be “training the trainers” too — and getting various staff members involved.

From May

Eagles at Norfolk Botanical Garden

Happy Dec. 1! Update from Reese Lukei this morning -- "The female spent all night on the front branch. She stretched her wings and as soon as the male arrived she took off. The male stayed a few minutes then he left too."

Injured NX Being Transported to Wildlife Center

NX, a juvenile Bald Eagle rescued from her nest at the Norfolk Botanical Garden earlier this year and treated and released by the Wildlife Center, was admitted to a permitted wildlife rehabilitator in the Northern Neck last night [December 1] .  The injured eagle was found at 10:45 p.m. in the middle of the road near the Ophelia post office and was picked up by a deputy from the local sheriff’s office.

The preliminary report from the permitted rehabilitator is that NX has a wing droop and blood in her mouth, but is feisty and is in good weight and physical condition.

The eagle is now being transported to the Wildlife Center and is expected to arrive late this afternoon.  We’ll post additional information here as we learn it.    :crying:

That poor NX!  :o  :'(

Darn-NX has been through so much and now this.   :(

Just like us humans what doesn't kill you just makes you stronger!  ;)

2:12 p.m.

NX arrived at the Center.  Special thanks to two wonderful transporters who very quickly made room in their schedules to get her here!

NX has been placed into the Center’s “waiting room” — a small, dark, quiet room.  She will be allowed to de-stress there before her physical examination.  Dr. Dave reported that NX was standing and made some “eagle grunts” when he peeked in at her.
3:49 p.m.

Dr. Dave McRuer and Dr. Adam Naylor have started NX’s physical exam.  They will do a complete exam — feeling for any broken bones, soft tissue injuries, or other abnormalities.  They will also take a blood sample to run in the Center’s in-house lead testing machine.  Dr. Dave will be removing the transmitter so that it doesn’t get in the way of any examinations or diagnostics.

All physical exams start with an eye check:

NX exam on December 2

4:05 p.m.

Dr. Dave found injuries to NX’s right carpus [wrist], wing, and eye.   She tested “low” for lead, meaning that lead toxicity is not an issue.

NX weighed in at 4.035 kg.  When she was released in August 2011, she was 4.18 kg — which means she was doing just fine finding her food out in the wild!

We’ll post more information here as we know it.



UPDATE:

Injured NX Arrives at the Wildlife Center

PATIENT: Bald Eagle, #11-0475, NX

LOCATION OF RESCUE:  Northumberland County, Virginia

CAUSE OF ADMISSION:  Suspect hit by car

ADMISSION DATE: December 2, 2011

PROGNOSIS:  Fair

NX, a juvenile Bald Eagle rescued from her nest at the Norfolk Botanical Garden earlier this year and treated and released by the Wildlife Center, was admitted to a permitted wildlife rehabilitator in the Northern Neck on December 1.  The injured eagle was found at 10:45 p.m. in the middle of the road near the Ophelia post office and was picked up by a local animal control officer.

The preliminary report from the permitted rehabilitator was that NX had a wing droop and blood in her mouth, but was feisty and in good condition.

Two transporters made room in their schedules to immediately transport NX to the Wildlife Center.  The bird arrived on December 2 at about 2:10 p.m. and was standing in her transport crate.

Dr. Dave McRuer examined NX and found injuries to her right wing and eye.  There were abrasions on her right carpus [wrist], which were sutured together using a skin stapler.  Dr. Dave also found a one-square-centimeter laceration on her right wing and the vitreous of NX’s right eye also showed some damage.  NX also had subcutaneous emphysema  [air under the skin] on the left side of her chest.  All of these injuries suggest that perhaps NX was hit by a car, though we may know more once radiographs are performed.  Blood work revealed that lead levels are “low”, meaning that lead toxicity is not an issue.

Dr. Dave removed NX’s transmitter so that it does not become damaged or get in the way of any diagnostics.  Everything about the transmitter and fitting looked great!

Dr. Dave reported that NX was standing this morning when he checked on her.  She was fasted last night, so that the veterinary team can anesthetize her later today to perform a series of radiographs.

I had to laugh at Ed Clark's version of this news on the chat this morning:

Ed Clark, WCV:
Good morning all---before you get excited, I'm only here to post a single update on NX, for those of you who are not following the WCV website or Facebook pages. NX was ALIVE this morning--always a good way to start any day. She had defecated profusely, due to the fluids she was given last evening. This is also a good thing because it shows that her "systems" are working properly, and she is digesting her food. Later today, Dr. Dave and team will anesthetize her and take the x-rays we were unable to take yesterday, when she arrived (due to her having had a full crop). That will give us a very good idea of the extend of the injuries to her right wrist, and will let us know if there are other skeletal issues. After that, we'll have a better idea of her prognosis. Stay tuned. We'll update things as news is available. (Read this to suggest that calling, emailing, or otherwise asking for new news will not hasten the process.)

And the latest:

December 3 examination

On the morning of Saturday, December 3, NX was anesthetized for radiographs and a physical examination. Dr. Dave found an open wound on the left wing [flushed and sutured]; a ruptured airsac; a left-eye injury; and soft-tissue swelling over the right wrist [although the bones and tendons seem fine].

Two additional areas of concern:

GI tract. NX regurgitated overnight; her crop was empty this morning. NX will be given some mice/small chunks of rat this evening to see if she will eat. Dr. Dave would like to take a look at NX’s GI tract within the next week, using the Center’s new endoscope.

Left shoulder. NX’s left shoulder looks slightly drooped, and there may be a slight decreased range of motion. Dr. Dave spotted what might be a small fracture on the head of the coracoid; additional radiographs [after shoulder swelling has subsided] may provide more insights. To be on the safe side, the Center vet team wrapped NX’s left wing in a body wrap.

Dr. Dave thinks these injuries are consistent with NX having been struck by a vehicle.

So, there you go. Nothing too shocking, actually. All of these injuries are relatively "normal" for a bird that has been hit by a car. She had been in the area where she was injured for about 24 hours, but we cannot know when during that period she actually sustained the injury...or even if there was more than one incident. We can only deal with what we do know, and that is as we have stated. It is far too soon to make a prognosis, but we remain optimistic.

Don't let the long list of issues alarm you. The big thing at this point is the possible fracture of the coracoid (sort of like a collarbone, but in birds) and the injure to the right wrist. The good news is that the wrist looks normal, but swollen from the apparent impact. We are listing all the details, because we keep complete records in our medical files, and we want to be sure that no problem, even if slight, is overlooked in follow-up care.

5:00 p.m. update:

When the veterinary team checked on NX at the end of the day, they found that she ate all of meal — a small meal of chopped rat/mice.  The team hopes that she will keep the meal down overnight.

Wildlife Center of Virginia
Dr. Adam reports that NX kept all her food down last night! She is bright and alert ... and very feisty this morning!   :clap:

And pictures!

 
 

Good news! Thanks!

AND...on the eagle trak blog here (http://eagletrak.blogs.wm.edu/2011/12/04/azalea-back-at-kings-grant/) Azalea was photographed by Reese Lukei!



AND...at about the same time and about 10 miles away, Cary Lynch got photos of Azalea's brother & nestmate, HK, and another purple banded sub adult (couldn't be read)...photos here (https://picasaweb.google.com/105690810447914673239/2011_12_03HoneyBeePurpleBand?authkey=Gv1sRgCJWU8dD4ssmg_AE)

Great news!  ;D

is that her in pix 4?--she is the cutest eagle ever--u go girl!!

Wildlife Center of Virginia
NX has not been taken out yet for treatments this morning; the veterinary team has her scheduled for another set of radiographs today. They'd like to ensure that her positioning for the radiographs will give them the best view of what is going on with her injured shoulder. Because NX will be anesthetized, she was fasted last night.

In addition to the radiographs, Dr. Adam and team will clean NX’s wounds and will give her anti-inflammatories and antibiotics.'

December 5 update
Change of plans:  initially, NX was scheduled for radiographs today to see if a different set of x-rays would reveal the same subtle shoulder fracture that Dr. Dave noted on December 3.  After removing NX from her small indoor enclosure for morning treatments, the veterinary team decided to wait until later in the week to perform the radiographs.  Since her shoulder is still slightly swollen, Dr. Dave anticipates that a few more days of healing will really enable the team to make a better assessment of the injury.

NX was bright, alert, and feisty when the team cleaned her wounds and administered her medications during morning treatments.

Thanks for the update Kris. :wave:

Eagles at Norfolk Botanical Garden
‎'For the first time this season, the NBG adult eagles have both spent the night in the nest tree sitting on the back branch together. Here they are sound asleep side-by-side with the Christmas lights in the background 9:22 to 9:26

  :heart: Still miss mom but glad dad found love again!

 :heart: Aww...ain't love grand!?!  :heart: 

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/New-Cameras-for-the-Eagle-Cam.html?soid=1101704207226&aid=dFOVdvWET7o (http://myemail.constantcontact.com/New-Cameras-for-the-Eagle-Cam.html?soid=1101704207226&aid=dFOVdvWET7o) New cam for the Eagles!

Awesome! Thanks!!  ;D

http://eagletrak.blogs.wm.edu/2011/12/04/azalea-back-at-kings-grant/ (http://eagletrak.blogs.wm.edu/2011/12/04/azalea-back-at-kings-grant/) Azalea's where-a-bouts!! Not far from nest!

A new update on NX; it sounds encouraging.

December 6 update

Dr. Miranda reports that NX is doing well — the subcutaneous emphysema over her chest seems to be getting much better.  NX did eat last night and kept her meal down.  Since NX is eating well, the veterinary team will be putting her p.m. medications in her food to avoid having to grab her up twice a day.

 goodnews: :thanx:

December 7 update

Dr. Dave reports that NX continues to remain bright and alert.  She did eat last night, though not all of her food — the untouched food contained her evening medications.  Dr. Dave and team will be catching NX up tonight to ensure she receives her medications.  The vet staff will also get a current weight on her, using an XXL “raptor wrapper” that someone recently made for the Center!

She's no dummy! 

December 8 update

NX continues down the road to recovery.  She ate everything last night and once again kept her food down.  The vets will check out her GI tract again on radiographs, which will be taken on December 9, but at this point, Dr. Dave anticipates that they will not need to scope NX.

NX was weighed today [wrapped up tightly in a "raptor wrapper"] and is 3.55 kg.  While this is down from her initial weight on December 2, the veterinary team isn’t concerned.  Her initial weight included her transmitter [80 grams] and a crop full of rancid deer meat [which she regurgitated on her first night in the hospital].  Also given the fact that she had to be fasted prior to radiographs, the vets aren’t surprised that NX’s weight has decreased a bit.  She’ll likely put that weight back on in a matter of days as she continues to recover.

Dr. Dave affixes a “tail guard” to NX’s tail to protect it while housed indoors:

Raptor wrapper

Thanks Donna!  ;D

December 9 update

NX was anesthetized this morning for another series of radiographs.  Dr. Miranda and Dr. Dave closely examined NX’s left coracoid and were able to definitively confirm a fracture today.  Not only is her coracoid fractured, but it has “avulsed” – meaning that the fractured portion of bone has actually been pulled away by the tension of a ligament or a tendon.

Dr. Miranda replaced the body wrap on NX, which is securely holding her left wing against her body.  The wrap will remain on for the next two weeks.  Another set of radiographs will be taken during the week of December 19.  The veterinary team hope to see evidence of healing by that point – the fractured area may form a callous, or her body may actually absorb the chunk of bone that has pulled away from the fracture.

NX’s right eye injury is unchanged at this point, though her lacerations are healing nicely.  The carpal wound on her right “wrist” is still swollen, but continues to slowly heal.  Dr. Miranda noted that NX’s GI tract looked “much happier” on radiographs today, indicating that no scoping would be needed at this time.

Eagles at Norfolk Botanical Garden

No nest building, but they did spend some time together in the nest early this morning.

Today's update on NX:

December 12 update

NX continues to remain bright, alert, and feisty. She is eating well and finished up her course of medications over the weekend. Dr. Miranda decided to change the treatment procedure for NX’s right carpal [wrist] wound; on Saturday, Dr. Miranda applied a small, moist bandage to the area in hopes of encouraging the dry, scabby wound to heal more efficiently.

   

 goodnews:

Asleep in Nest Tree Tonight (Dec 12)  (http://eaglenest.blogs.wm.edu/)

For the first time since Dec 5, both of the adult eagles are spending the night in the nest tree tonight. Photo 2 they have their heads tucked in.

 :heart: :heart: :wub:

Buddy update:

December 14, 2011

On Monday, December 12, the Kjellstrom & Lee construction crew needed to get into Buddy’s enclosure to replace a pipe in Buddy’s swimming pool.  Since Buddy needed to vacate the enclosure for the crew to get work done, the veterinary staff decided that they may as well get a bit of “work” done on Buddy himself at the same time and brought him down to the clinic.

Dr. Dave coped Buddy – a bit early, but preferable to having to catch the eagle up again in two weeks’ time. Dr. Dave dremmeled Buddy’s beak and shaved off two to three millimeters off of the lower beak, and one to two millimeters off of the top of the beak.  The next dremmel session is scheduled for late January 2012.

Center vets also gave Buddy his annual physical exam, which included blood work and a series of radiographs.  Buddy appears to be in good health, and the vet staff found no significant findings on in-house blood work or radiographs.

Buddy eye exam December 2011When Dr. Miranda performed an eye exam on Buddy, she did find something unusual – in both of his eyes, there are rounded, fluid-filled areas within the pecten.  The pecten is the “nourishing” part of a bird’s eye, and is not responsible for sight.  These type of cysts on a bird’s pecten could be congenital, the results of an infection, or just “idiopathic” – meaning it just happens, and we don’t know why!  In Buddy’s case, the veterinarians could easily rule out a congenital cause – Buddy’s eyes are examined every year, and these cysts were not present before.  The team could also rule out infection, as there are no other parts of Buddy’s eyes that look abnormal, and all blood work is within normal limits.  That just means that we’re not quite sure why his eyes look like this – but there’s no cause for concern.  The vets will check Buddy’s eyes again in six months.

Buddy will actually be staying in his “old house” for a couple of days while the work in his eagle palace continues.

 :2thumbsup: Thanks for the update Donna! What a little Buddy!  :heart:

Norfolk Botanical Garden, WVEC prep for eagle season

NORFOLK  – The folks at Norfolk Botanical Garden are preparing for the 2011-2012 eagle season.

On Thursday, barriers in the garden protecting the area around the eagle nest were installed.
The barriers are the same as last season and will restrict the pathway through the Renaissance Court and the Matson Garden area roads.

In November, three new state-of-the-art cameras were installed near the nest thanks to a donation from David McDonald. Two cameras focus on the nest while the third camera provides images of the beautiful surrounding area, including various perches used by the eagles when they are not on the nest.

“Norfolk Botanical Garden is pleased once again to be able to help provide the informative and educational video of this fascinating nature activity,” commented Don Buma, executive director for Norfolk Botanical Garden. “As visitors from around world view this pair of eagles, it is our hope that each person acquires a greater appreciation of plants and animals and the environment in which they live.”

The plans are to begin broadcasting 24/7 with sound, sometime in the beginning of January.
This one-of-a-kind experience is made possible through a partnership with Virginia Department of Game Inland Fisheries, WVEC, and Norfolk Botanical Garden.

The Eagle Cam provides a unique and close-up view of the daily lives of a wild pair of Bald Eagles.  The pair being a male that has nested at the Norfolk Botanical Garden for eight years and his new female mate.

You may recall the male eagle’s former mate was killed last spring after being struck by an airplane.  Their eaglets were moved to the Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro.

You will be able to access the Eagle Cam right here on WVEC.com.  We will host the video feed and post slideshows of activity at the nest.

I hope Buddy's eyes will not cause him any problems.

The most recent update on NX:

December 14 update

NX weighed in at 3.82 kgs today — she continues to eat well.  The wound on her right carpus continues to heal slowly — Dr. Miranda is checking and changing the small dressing over her wound daily.

Today's update on NX:

December 23 update

The vet staff continue to catch up NX each day to monitor her bandages and change as needed.  NX continues to eat well — she’s now weighing in at 4.09 kgs!

 :thanx:

Norfolk female Eagle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-x8hXzgtHI#)

Video of the new female by Duane Noblick.

At first she flew away when she saw people, but she seems to be settling down now.  Wary, but more relaxed.

Celebrity Eagle on the Mend at Wildlife Center

http://ideastations.org/radio/archive/2011-12-23-celebrity-eagle-on-mend-at-wildlife-center (http://ideastations.org/radio/archive/2011-12-23-celebrity-eagle-on-mend-at-wildlife-center) Listen to the recording about NX mom and dad

A new update on NX today; it sounds encouraging.

December 28 update

The veterinary team caught up NX this morning to remove her body wrap — diagnostic intern Katie reports that NX continues to remain very feisty. Dr. Miranda removed the body wrap and was pleased with the extension of NX’s injured wing.  She left “bumpers” [protective bandages] on NX’s carpi [wrists] to protect the injured area on the right carpus and to prevent any injuries to the left carpus, now that NX is free to flap that wing.

Dr. Miranda would like to keep NX inside until the next set of radiographs next week — but if NX becomes too jumpy and active indoors, the veterinary team will move her to a small outdoor enclosure.

And an article about NX:

http://www.northernnecknews.com/?p=428 (http://www.northernnecknews.com/?p=428)

The Garden of Eagles
‎1st patient of 2012, Patient #12-0001, Bald Eagle. From Mr. Randy Huwa: The first patient of 2012 has arrived at the Wildlife Center -- a Bald Eagle. This bird was picked up in Chesapeake yesterday [Saturday] afternoon and spent the evening with wildlife rehabilitator Lisa Barlow. The bird arrived at the Center early this afternoon. We'll post additional information as it becomes available. Report from Dr. Miranda: It is an adult BAEA, 3.8 kg. Bird is thin, but not emaciated, weak, hanging head -- showing classic symptoms of lead poisoning. Test found blood lead levels of 0.267 ppm so we have started chelation therapy.

Promising news at the CCB Eagle Nest Blog (http://eaglenest.blogs.wm.edu/2012/01/01/happy-new-year-2012/)

This morning January 1, 2012, both adults arrived at the nest together at 6:45. The female stayed only about 6 minutes and then flew off. The male left and returned with his talons full of grass and straw. He left again and did the same thing returning with more grass, this time calling for his mate who did not respond. He then left at 7:56 and has not returned. The female arrived about 8:30 with grass in her talons, stayed a few minutes and left. Now the nest has a pile of grass and straw. The new year has begun.

 

More pics at the blog

http://www.wvec.com/video/featured-videos/New-year-new-start-for-Norfolk-bald-eagles-136538598.html (http://www.wvec.com/video/featured-videos/New-year-new-start-for-Norfolk-bald-eagles-136538598.html)  Interview with Reese Lukei on the new female

NX seems to be making good progress:

January 3 update

NX was anesthetized on the morning of January 3 for another set of radiographs.  Dr. Miranda reports that the avulsed piece of bone in NX’s injured shoulder is healing and appears to be reattaching.  While NX’s left shoulder still appears to be “dropped” a little on the radiograph, Dr. Miranda is pleased with NX’s range of motion and how that shoulder feels.  The boney changes in the humeral head appear to be unchanged from prior radiographs.  The veterinary team will continue to monitor on future x-rays.  NX’s eye injury is also resolved – Dr. Miranda says that the vitreal fracture in NX’s right eye has healed.

After recovering from anesthesia, NX was moved to one of the Center’s “C-pens” – a small outdoor enclosure for raptors that are not quite ready to be moved into a flight pen.  Enclosures in this complex measure about 8’ x 16’ and are large enough for birds to hop and flap to different perches, but are not large enough for flight.  At this point, the Center vet and rehabilitation staff do not want NX to over-extend her healing shoulder and wing by flying.

NX is scheduled for another set of radiographs on Monday, January 16.  Pending satisfactory radiographs, she will then be moved into a flight pen.

 goodnews: :thanx:

Mating has begun

http://eaglenest.blogs.wm.edu/2012/01/09/nbg-eagle-pair-first-observed-mating-jan-9/ (http://eaglenest.blogs.wm.edu/2012/01/09/nbg-eagle-pair-first-observed-mating-jan-9/)  :clap:

Eagles at Norfolk Botanical Garden
On Friday morning, January 6, 2012 a female eagle was found dead in the Garden by a visitor. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries was contacted and they retrieved the eagle for further examination. Currently, there is no apparent cause of death. Specialists have closely monitored the nest since Friday morning to determine if the dead eagle was the female of the current nesting pair at NBG. An eagle pair was observed at the nest early Friday morning, January 6th and also just after sunset Sunday evening, January 8th. Mating behavior was observed Monday morning, January 9th. Biologists continue to closely monitor the situation. Norfolk Botanical Garden will provide information as it becomes available.

 :crying:

Oh no  :crying:

NX update:

January 16 update
 
NX came into the Wildlife Center hospital today for another set of radiographs.  Dr. Miranda is pleased by how well the avulsion fracture is healing – the little chunk of fractured bone continues to reattach itself.  NX’s range of motion in her injured wing is good, and no additional changes were spotted on the head of her humerus [a potential concern on the December 20 radiographs].
 
Since the Center is currently housing three mature Bald Eagles in each of its A-pens, some “eagle shuffling” will need to be done in order to get NX into a large flight pen.  The rehabilitation and vet staff will be working on that Tuesday January 17, and plan on moving NX into A2 if all goes well.
 
NX is currently weighing in at 4.45 kg [a 450 gram gain since her December admission date], though the staff expect to see that weight decrease once she becomes more active again in a flight pen!
 
The Wildlife Center staff hope to be able to present NX on a webcam later this week.

Thanks for the update Kris!  :2thumbsup:

Bald Eagle pair at Norfolk Botanical Garden on January 8

Since the loss of his mate in April of this past year, the male bald eagle from the Norfolk Botanical Garden remained in the area and was regularly seen by visitors.  In late September he was seen with a new adult female.  This bird was identified as a five-year-old based on some light brown spotting on her white head and tail.  This pair was seen spending time together in the nest tree and began adding sticks and refurbishing the nest.

As the breeding season approached the pair were making regular visits to the nest in the mornings and evenings and had begun lining the nest with pine-straw and dried grasses. On the morning of January 6th a visitor to the Norfolk Botanical Garden found a dead adult bald eagle.  Staff at the Garden notified DGIF and the remains were collected by DGIF staff. There was no apparent cause of death and this bird was identified as a five-year-old female based on plumage and measurements.

Staff at the Garden observed the nest closely over the weekend and DGIF, NBG and CCB personnel kept a watch on the camera. A second adult perched near the nest on Friday and on Sunday evening a female eagle joined the male in the nest.  On Monday, the first breeding of the season was noted on camera.

This has raised the question as to whether or not the female eagle currently being seen is the same bird that has been seen throughout the fall.  The obvious pair bond between the two would seem to indicate familiarity with each other. However at this point in the breeding season pair bonds can form quickly as hormonal changes drive the urgent need to reproduce.  There is no definitive answer and at this point we can only speculate..

In either case this episode is indicative of the recovery of bald eagles, to the point where there are ”excess breeders” birds of reproductive age that have not secured their own territory.  Despite the challenges seen by the individual birds at the Norfolk Botanical Garden, the population of bald eagles is thriving in Virginia.  

The remains of the eagle collected on Jan. 6th have been forwarded to pathology experts at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center to learn as much as possible about the bird’s cause of death. The perliminary results should be known within a few weeks.

Norfolk Botanical Garden
UPDATE: Dr. Bryan Watts and Reese Lukei, Center for Conservation Biology at the College of William and Mary, have closely compared images of the adult female eagle found dead in the Garden Friday, January 6, 2012 with December and January images of the nesting female. The physical characteristics of both female eagles are very similar, thus preventing a definitive identification.

Also, at approximately 6:30pm on Saturday, January 14, 2012 a 2-year old juvenile bald eagle was found dead under power lines in a different location within the Garden. Experts have determined the age of the bird, but do not have any history or specific identification. They do know it is not an eagle from the Garden. The juvenile bird has been transferred to DGIF and will be delivered to the lab for further investigation.

http://wildone.org/eaglecam/wildlife-center-web-cam/ (http://wildone.org/eaglecam/wildlife-center-web-cam/) NX cam

Eagle Mortality Norfolk
Botanical Garden

On a global scale, our electrical infrastructure kills millions of
birds annually.  There are three common
ways that birds are killed when interacting with transmission or distribution
lines.  The most common of these is
referred to as pole electrocution.  Birds
perching on power poles are electrocuted when they come in contact with two
conductors and complete a circuit.  To
overcome this problem, power companies have retrofitted power poles in areas
known to have problems to prevent birds from making these contacts.  The second most common cause is referred to
as a mid-line electrocution which occurs when a large bird flies through the
lines and is able to complete a circuit by touching two wires with its
wingtips.  The third form of mortality is
when a bird flies into lines does not complete a circuit but is killed by the
trauma.  Bald eagles are particularly
vulnerable to mortalities related to the electrical infrastructure because they
are large enough to bridge the gap between conductors.

In a recent investigation of 62 eagle mortalities caused by power lines
within the upper Chesapeake Bay, Bryan Watts and Libby Mojica from The Center
for Conservation Biology determined that both line location and context had a
significant influence on the likelihood that they would kill eagles.  Lines that are near water or foraging areas
are crossed regularly and have a greater likelihood of being problem lines.  Lines that are exposed in open areas are much
more likely to kill eagles compared to those that are associated with screening
vegetation.  This is because tall trees
planted near electrical lines serve to shift the flight line of eagles above
the power lines.

In just the past 2 weeks, two eagles have been found dead within the
grounds of Norfolk Botanical Garden that were associated with power lines.  The first was an adult-plumaged female and the
second was a juvenile-plumaged bird.  The
juvenile clearly died by trauma-related mid-line strike, and the adult is suspected
as having also died by trauma-related mid-line strike.  The extent to which these mortalities were
facilitated by interactions with other eagles is not clear.  We have very little information on causes and
rates of eagle mortality but such events are likely much more common than we
currently know.

...and the saga continues...from Reese Lukei on the CCB blog (http://eaglenest.blogs.wm.edu/2012/01/21/replacement-female-jan-20-2012/)

Replacement Female Jan 20, 2012

We do not yet have all our questions answered about the death of the adult female bald eagle at Norfolk Botanical Garden on Jan 6, 2012. However, as of yesterday Jan 20, 2012, we do have the answer to one question. Is the current female that the male is with the same female that he had been with since Sept 2011? The answer – NO! The current female is yet another fifth year bald eagle in her first breeding season. Look at her tail feathers that have brown/black in them unlike the prior female. She is also molting head feathers with a distinct bare spot in the top of her head, and her bill is still turning yellow with grey. She also has many more older, more worn, lighter brown body contour feathers. Eagle cam photos Jan 21, 2012.

 

...and NX is back on the cam at WCV!

http://wildone.org/eaglecam/wildlife-center-web-cam/ (http://wildone.org/eaglecam/wildlife-center-web-cam/)

...and I post that just in time for them to switch the cam back to the Red Shouldered Hawk.  Oh well!  NX will be back I'm sure!

Here's a photo I think you all will be happy to see (in a non-creepy way)! At 7:13am this morning the two NBG adults mated on the lower front branch of the nest tree. Dispite it being before sunrise, foggy and the camera having a lag of 10 to 20 seconds, Reese did manage to get two photos on the very edge of the frame.

I post this only for informative puposes:

http://eaglecam.tumblr.com/post/16418528570/january-24-2012 (http://eaglecam.tumblr.com/post/16418528570/january-24-2012)

"Following the eagle airplane strikes last April at Norfolk International Airport, bald eagles were recognized as a serious strike hazard as part of an ongoing Wildlife Hazard Assessment being performed by USDA Wildlife Services at the request of the Airport.   Due to the proximity of the eagle nest at the Norfolk Botanical Garden and the history of airplane strikes involving breeding eagles from this territory the nest was identified as a threat to both human safety and the safety of the bald eagles.  A variety of management options are currently being considered by federal wildlife and airport safety experts.  As a wildlife regulatory and permitting entity, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries must remove itself from the Eagle Cam partnership to avoid any conflict of interest. We have been proud to help bring this educational opportunity to the public for so many years and look forward to working with our partners on future endeavors."

http://www.wvec.com/eaglecam (http://www.wvec.com/eaglecam) Eagle cam is up and running!!

http://eagletrak.blogs.wm.edu/2012/01/30/camellia-at-brown-cove-great-neck/ (http://eagletrak.blogs.wm.edu/2012/01/30/camellia-at-brown-cove-great-neck/) 14 yr old girl finds Camillia in her back yard.

Cool find for her!

Officials determining fate of Norfolk Botanical Garden eagles

http://www.wvec.com/my-city/norfolk/Wildlife-officials-determining-fate-of-Norfolk-Botanical-Garden-eagles--138513869.html (http://www.wvec.com/my-city/norfolk/Wildlife-officials-determining-fate-of-Norfolk-Botanical-Garden-eagles--138513869.html)

UPDATE

The Garden of Eagles
From a second report on WVEC: "VDGIF says they agree with the findings of a wildlife hazard assessment and working on a solution that does include taking the nest down."

From this am

Norfolk Botanical Garden is extremely fortunate and proud to be the nesting grounds for wild eagles. The eagles have advanced our mission and taught millions the importance of environmental education while developing a loyal and caring worldwide audience of eagle watchers. This would not have been possible without the strong partnership with WVEC, VDGIF, and with special assistance from the CCB and our caring viewers.

Without a doubt, everyone loves the NBG eagles and cares deeply about their safety and well-being. As you are aware, there are current discussions among several agencies regarding the nest at NBG. Concern has been expressed by these agencies about the proximity of the nesting eagles to the Norfolk International Airport and the danger that it could present to the flying public.

Norfolk Botanical Garden is neither legally nor professionally in a position to take any action that would affect the bald eagles that are nesting at the Garden. We are an educational and horticultural institution that displays beautiful landscapes, maintains plant collections and provides environmental information.

If and when there is any action to be taken in regard to eagles at the Garden or in the region, it will be added to the Airport’s existing Wildlife Hazard Management Plan. This plan has been in place for a number of years, as it is at all airports, and addresses animals that present a hazard to airline safety. These plans are created by wildlife experts and enforced by the appropriate government agencies.

We recognize that the viewing public is strongly invested in these eagles and understand and share in your frustration with the unknown. But it is just that, unknown.

As the eagle component of the Wildlife Hazard Management Plan is developed, NBG will provide further information as soon it becomes available.

As I am sure you will agree, public safety and the safety of the eagles is paramount. It is the responsibility of the professionals and experts involved, or others they may deem appropriate, to develop a plan that effectively addresses and provides sound solutions to this situation.

One of them there now! Not sure on the nest situation. Time will tell if they have to remove it.

Meanwhile, it sounds like the nest is turning out to be Peyton Place...from last night's chat at 6:15...I'm still scrolling to see if there's more detail...

Congowings:
Well, things sure can be confusing - and this year seems to be the year of confusion and changes. I just spoke to Mr. Lukei - and our viewers have excellent eagle eyes - Mr. Lukei says this is not the female the male has been with for the past few weeks (the one with the dark tip on the tail and dark feathers on the head). He is going to look carefully at the screen captures he just took and the previous captures he took to compare. However, he thinks there is a possibility that this is the female he was seen earlier with in the season. He also thinks the other female may have tried to approach the nest (this is just a guess - as no one saw it) which is why we saw the vocalizations. As soon as he has more information he will let us know. The male was the one in the submissive posture - which is normal. The females are the more dominant.

After the female left last night, a GHO stopped for a visit...video by Rhoda at the link...

https://picasaweb.google.com/106076466575367436243/NBG2012#5705281532073037202

From BCAW and Kris G!


 OK Norfolk Dad, pick ONE! The mods were talking last night about Dad and this situation. I think it may be like goldilocks and the three bears LOL?? One too cold, one too hot, and finally one just right? LOL the only bad thing is they said Dad may not have had a strong bond with ANY of them since that takes time, and he went from one to another. It could play out that he does not create a big enough bond with any of these females, and has to find a new one altogether. Hopefully if that happens, he can do it before egg laying time is up. They said we could end up with NO eggs this season if he cant choose in time. Also, with so many 5 yr olds around the garden right now, there will be more fighting between eagles and nests happening. This situation has thrown us a real curve ball, anything can happen including what happened at the West End nest a few years back - 2 females on the same nest! So expect anything to happen, and yet it is all very exciting.

I saw a news article saying that WVEC/DGIF commented that with the original pair, being territorial, they kept other eagles AWAY from the garden and airport, and the present situation seemed to be drawing MORE eagles to the area. In light of the present DGIF and airport discussions regarding the hazards of eagles/plane strikes, this is of concern to them...but their article as before, kind of says there is nothing they will do about it, i.e. push for nest to be removed, or eagles. So why do they even have to put all this out there, the DGIF/Airport people? Just to stir the brew and cause drama?

Anyway, lets hope Dad finds his true love. This is so much a flashback to Pale Male after Lola's death, it is shocking/amazing? to see it happen to Dad.

Eagles at Norfolk Botanical Garden
‎'As the Nest Turns' continues! According to Reese Lukei, 'This female with the black in her tail, known as #3, was last seen in the nest with the male on Jan. 30th. She was first in the NBG nest on Jan. 20th. Since Jan. 31st, another female, likely #2 (with the male Jan. 8th-19th), has been with the male and mating with him. #3 was seen Feb. 6th soaring above NBG. Yesterday, at 3:33pm she returned to the NBG current nest tree.'

Here's the breakdown of the females you may have seen in the nest and the dates:
Female #1 - Sept. 2011 - Jan. 6, 2012
Female #2 - Jan. 8 - 19, 2012
Female #3 - Jan. 20 - Jan. 30, 2012
Female #2 - Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2012 (Either #2 or a 4th female!)
Female #3 -- Feb. 7

*Whew*

Dad better find 2 more nests!!

Wonder whatever happened to #1?  Doesn't sound like he's going to settle anytime soon!

Speculation, but based on the dates, I'm guessing female # 1 was a transient who is now heading north...

According to the reports on the ground, #2 was skittish with all the human activity just like #1 was.  #3, Dirty Tail, seemed to not be bothered at all by the people around, so it will be interesting to see if she's the one that winds up staying.

Certainly is being a learning opportunity!

http://eaglenest.blogs.wm.edu/ (http://eaglenest.blogs.wm.edu/)

Photo 1 is a red-tailed hawk with abnormal plumage known as leucistic or partial albinism.

Meanwhile, no eggs yet in Norfolk.  Female #2 made a brief re-appearance yesterday at the nest, Female #3 (Dirty Tail) is back today. 



Closeup of Dad Norfolk in the nest today.

They said maybe egg soon plus SOUND!!!  :clap:

http://www.wvec.com/eaglecam (http://www.wvec.com/eaglecam)

Yowza!   :scaredblue:

Dad Norfolk fought off an intruder IN the nest today!  Pics on the Norfolk forum

http://norfolkeagles.com/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=6725 (http://norfolkeagles.com/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=6725)

AND Shelly (one of the local photographers) caught the #3 female (AKA Dirty Tail) locking talons with the intruder!

Photos here  (http://shellyva.smugmug.com/Animals/Eagles-NBG-and-others/17310822_BrmpzH#!i=1740625831&k=8MWhdW2)

Some fantastic pics!  :clap: :thanks2:

Wow! Looks like this drama isn't going to end anytime soon. Great pics!

Not Happy!  :(

One of the eaglets tagged in 2007 ID'd May 16, 2012, still in Norfolk.

http://eaglenest.blogs.wm.edu/2012/05/28/2007-norfolk-botanical-garden-eagle-identified/ (http://eaglenest.blogs.wm.edu/2012/05/28/2007-norfolk-botanical-garden-eagle-identified/)  :clap:

 goodnews: :yes:

http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/norfolk/safety-of-eagles-in-jeopardy (http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/norfolk/safety-of-eagles-in-jeopardy)

Eagle nests could be relocated   Video and photos

3 Eagles nests in NBG will be removed:

http://hamptonroads.com/2012/08/norfolk-officials-move-eagles-nests-away-airport (http://hamptonroads.com/2012/08/norfolk-officials-move-eagles-nests-away-airport)

   
Fireworks, paintballs may be used in eagles' eviction  Norfolk

http://hamptonroads.com/2012/08/fireworks-paintballs-may-be-used-eagles-eviction#comment-1412568 (http://hamptonroads.com/2012/08/fireworks-paintballs-may-be-used-eagles-eviction#comment-1412568)

The dispersal plan is being drafted, but the city likely will use paintball guns and pyrotechnics to annoy the eagles, Barras said. The goal is to shoot paintballs and fireworks near the eagles to make them feel uneasy.  :crying:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/935/260/788/stop-the-removal-of-the-norfolk-botanical-garden-eagle-nest/ (http://www.thepetitionsite.com/935/260/788/stop-the-removal-of-the-norfolk-botanical-garden-eagle-nest/) sign if you wish 

Thanks for the link Donna, I am disgusted with them and have signed the petition.  ???

The whole thing is so ridiculous.

We've been down this road. Remove the nest and the birds will find another place. In the same territory. With the same-if not actually greater-risk of plane strikes. The very first Norfolk nest was at the end of the runway. They removed the tree. That nest wasn't safe for the birds or people.  The eagles went to NBG. Where it is now is relatively remote from the airport.

The only thing this does is allow politicians to pat themselves on the back and say they "did something". And they're forcing NBG's hand making it clear they will be held liable if they don't "do something" too. 

So when the next plane strikes whatever unlucky bird happens to be nearby-more likely to be 1 of 1000 geese than 1 of 2 eagles-they can all say "we tried!"

Bull. Period. Petition signed.

Who was here first, the Eagles or the Airport?  Nuff said!

I am disgusted and signed the petition with comment.

Victoria airport uses boom guns to scare eagles and other birds away. they have a lot more eagles out there. the guns are just a sound. this would make sense here.
I am really ashamed of the powers to be. complete idiots.

I too signed. Can I say I hate some people.   :hyper:

I signed a few days ago.  Heartbreaking for dad Eagle.  I am disgusted!

From Norfolk:

Eagles at Norfolk Botanical Garden
Everyone at the Garden is saddened by the impending removal of the eagle nest. We will miss the joy of the eagles and the daily interaction with our friends in the eagle community.

The Garden's position has been from the start that there should be an effective solution to the airline/bird, or eagle in this case, problem. Only time will tell if removing the nest is a solution. The current course of action, nest removal and dispersion, has been established by the Federal Government. It is necessary for the Garden, which does not own the Garden property and only manages the Garden at the City's prerogative, to follow the City's lead in matters dealing with the Federal Government.

Norfolk Botanical Garden staff will not remove the nest or apply dispersion tactics. These actions will be done by contractors hired by the City or by state or federal authorities.

Thank you very much for your support of the Garden and the eagles.    :crying:

 :(

wouldn't that make the tax payers the owners? as a tax payer I'd say the nest stays and the airport goes.  :devil:

Yeah what she said!  ;D

Eagles' fans implore Norfolk not to get rid of nests.

Ardent fans of Norfolk Botanical Garden’s eagles implored city officials Tuesday to wait a year before removing the popular nests. Mayor Paul Fraim responded quickly, telling them no way. “Your argument is not with us,” he said. “It’s with the people with the federal government who tell us what to do.”

http://hamptonroads.com/2012/08/eagles-fans-implore-norfolk-council-not-get-rid-nests (http://hamptonroads.com/2012/08/eagles-fans-implore-norfolk-council-not-get-rid-nests)

http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/norfolk/group-fights-to-keep-eagles-in-norfolk (http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/norfolk/group-fights-to-keep-eagles-in-norfolk)

Group fights to keep eagles in Norfolk

Don't forget our gathering of hope on Saturday at 5 p.m. at Norfolk Botanical Garden! Meet in the main parking lot in front of the visitors' center. More later but in the meantime please, EAGLE ON!!!!! And thanks!

http://youtu.be/BLCWBOuvMbo (http://youtu.be/BLCWBOuvMbo)

"This is a pair of Bald Eagles local to me. In the first segment the male Eagle was desperately trying to break off a branch to add to their nest. In the second segment the male (left) and female (right) sat quietly enjoying the evening. Photographs at the end of the video were taken during the 2012 nesting season. Music: Peter Hawkes~Cassidy Buxom, Steve Glotzer~No Place Like It. Royalty free music."

Duane Noblick-Eagle Photographer

http://www.wvec.com/news/Eagle-fans-create-memorial-to-save-nests-in-Norfolk-170863471.html (http://www.wvec.com/news/Eagle-fans-create-memorial-to-save-nests-in-Norfolk-170863471.html)  Memorial to save the nest

Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagle Alliance
Councilman Tommy Smigiel and I attended the NBG Board meeting tonight at the Garden and the board voted to form a task force to study the eagle nest removal issue and asked the city manager's office to delay taking the nest down until their study was complete. Assistant City Manager Anne Odell was at the meeting, too.

This is great news IF the city manager complies and waits to remove the nest.

EAGLE ON, EVERYONE!!! EAGLE ON!!!!!!!!!

Good!  :thumbsup:

http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/norfolk/task-force-to-study-moving-eagles (http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/norfolk/task-force-to-study-moving-eagles)

Task force to study relocating eagles

Posted on fb:  :crying:

BREAKING NEWS: NORFOLK NESTS TO BE MOVED TOMORROW
Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagle Alliance


Very sad news for Dad and #3 and all of us who love our eagles and our Garden. Shame on our City!
 
Good Afternoon,

 This morning the Norfolk Botanical Garden board held an emergency meeting and voted to support the recommendation to remove the nests. I have attached their motions to this email. The City is in possession of the state and federal permits. After discussions with USDA representatives who state removing the nest as early as possible gives the eagles a chance to find another location and reviewing the Garden’s schedule, we determined the best time to remove the nests is tomorrow morning Thursday, October 4th.

According to the tree service, climbers will remove the nests by hand and drop branches to the ground. Under federal law, a USDA representative will supervise the removal process. In the interest of public safety, the garden will close for no more than two hours during this process.

Moving forward, USDA representatives will monitor and report any eagle activity at the Garden and conduct appropriate dispersal techniques.
 
Since 2011, representatives from the USDA, Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries, the Norfolk Botanical Garden, the FAA and the Norfolk International Airport met about the eagle activity at the airport, nest proximity to the airport, strike history and eagles in Virginia. In June, the City of Norfolk brought these groups around a table to further examine the issue and discuss the recommendation from USDA Wildlife Services to remove the nests following the completion of the Wildlife Hazard Assessment which showed a “significant risk” to public safety. The FAA also sent a letter supporting the USDA’s position in July. Shortly thereafter, the Airport, City and Garden agreed to support the recommendation and remove the nests.
 
The City of Norfolk, as landowner, moved forward to obtain the necessary state and federal permits in August.
 
While we all have enjoyed the eagle’s presence in the Garden, encouraging the birds to relocate ultimately ensures the safety of the public, property and the eagles.
 
Please feel free to call me with any questions.
 
Sincerely,

Lori Crouch
Public Relations Manager
 City of Norfolk
 810 Union Street, Suite 1101
 Norfolk, Va. 23510
office (757) 664-4067
cell (757) 646-5381
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NorfolkVA (http://www.facebook.com/NorfolkVA)
Twitter: www.twitter.com/CityofNorfolkVA (http://www.twitter.com/CityofNorfolkVA)

Saying bad words...lots of bad words...

Me too, Ei.

Me 3 and they are not pretty!!!!

So who payed them off.
What a bunch of fools

Rita - Syr.

All the petitions, march's, phone calls..etc, was for nothing!!  :thumbsdown:

I don't think it was a direct payoff.

I think enough people were afraid that there was enough of a risk of a plane striking an eagle and that the City of Norfolk would be on the hook for any damages or injuries if they "ignored the experts" that they went with the most politically expedient choice.

I saw enough comments in all the articles that we (eagle supporters) were putting the nest of 2 birds ahead of the lives of a plane full of humans who would surely die in a fireball any minute if the eagles are allowed to stay that I knew the handwriting was on the wall.  They've washed their hands of any blame for anything. Typical politicians. Except for one brave councilman, Tommy Smiegle (sp). I hope enough people remember this on election day.

But you can't fool Mother Nature. The eagles will move a few miles away. And continue to fish in Lake Whitehurst. And raise many generations of eaglets. Who will all learn to fish in Lake Whitehurst. And some of the eagle supporters will find them. And we'll know that they're OK.

Moving forward, USDA representatives will monitor and report any eagle activity at the Garden and conduct appropriate dispersal techniques.


this is the sentence that bothers me the most

They've been talking about paintball guns & noisemakers.

But, as our watchers know, we ground dwellers can't be everywhere.

The whole thing is just sickening. But the eagles will win in the end.

And then this comes in from Audubon, who refused to take a stand on the Norfolk nest issue...


Dear Friend,

We know birds don't have a political party and that they don't vote.

We also know it's both disrespectful and simplistic to pigeonhole a commitment to conservation as progressive or conservative. Protecting birds, their habitats and our natural resources is just plain common sense.

Bird lovers come in all political flavors. But many politicians and their media messengers have polarized the debate, pitting everyday people against each other. It's causing gridlock that makes progress nearly impossible. And the clear losers are our children.

It's time to send a message: conservation is too important to be held hostage by partisan politics. Please join me in signing the American Eagle Compact.

Audubon has joined forces with ConservAmerica, a leading conservative pro-environment group, on a campaign based on common ground called "Because Conservation Doesn't Have a Party." Our hope is to deliver hundreds of thousands of signatures on the American Eagle Compact to the winners of November's elections. It's a set of principles with a simple message: conservation is not left, or right, or center—it's common sense.

Your signature will tell legislators that playing politics with nature and with our children's future isn't the right path forward. You can tell them that there's a better way to move ahead, a way to support smart conservation practices that we agree on in communities across America.

As President of Audubon, I take great pride in the political diversity of our bird-loving community. Sharing a commitment to conservation isn't progressive or conservative—it's American.

Please sign the American Eagle Compact today.

Thank you,
David Yarnold
President and CEO
National Audubon Society

Save us from the hypocrites in this universe...

I have a knot in my stomach!!!

Heavy sigh...

NORFOLK-- The eagle nests at Norfolk Botanical Garden were removed Thursday morning.
Federal, state and local wildlife officials said one complete nest and a partial nest had to be taken down because of the danger to wildlife and aircraft coming and going from nearby Norfolk International Airport.
The FAA cited concerns about four bald eagles being struck by aircraft in the last 10 years. The USDA identified bald eagles as "an extremely high" hazard risk to aircraft.
The city applied for state and federal permits to remove the nests before nesting season begins in the next few months. The permits came in this week.
A post on the City of Norfolk Facebook page said "While we all have enjoyed the eagle’s at Norfolk Botanical Garden, encouraging them to find a new home ultimately ensures the safety of the public, property and the eagles."
Norfolk Botanical Garden will delay its opening until approximately 9:00 a.m.
The removal didn't take long - perhaps 5 minutes - because the nests weren't as intricately-built as they expected.
City officials said Norfolk Botanical Garden, Norfolk International Airport and the city agreed to support the recommendation of the USDA Wildlife Services to remove the nests following months of discussion and study of the USDA’s Wildlife Hazard Assessment and Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries reports on the status and population of eagles in Virginia.
 
 :crying:

A stinking crock of hooey.

Lies, lies, all lies!!!!!  :thumbsdown: :nono:

Eagles at Norfolk Botanical Garden
A Sad Day
The removal of the nest is unpopular, sad, and unfortunate and for many of us at the Garden it is like a death in the family. However, birds and airplanes don’t mix. There has been considerable discussion about “liability”, “what if”, opportunities missed and solutions not undertaken. However, the most immediate concern is the protection of life – both human and eagle. The likelihood of...an eagle taking down a multi-engine airliner can be debated. But it is pretty much a given that an eagle will not survive a collision with an airliner.

And, isn’t the love of eagles, their well being and survival what we are all most committed to? If action is possible that will reduce the chances of even one eagle being killed by an aircraft it is action that should be taken. Nest removal is basically an action that is being undertaken to increase the odds that there will not be future eagle deaths attributed to aircraft at Norfolk International Airport. It is also increasing the odds that there will not be human loss of life that may occur at the same time.

Pfft!

Yeah, we've seen here how wonderful nest removal is :(

isn't that the truth.  :(

Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagle Alliance
Got back from the Garden about about 7 p.m. after spending all day there - arrived at 9:15 a.m. and saw our beautiful eagles a number of times. Yes, dear friends, the nest is down but it was never the sticks that made that our special tree. It is our memories of Mom and Dad and our three bobbleheads and Dad's courting season and #3! Dad and #3 are still soaring around their beautiful garden. I am exhausted, both emotionally and physically and will report more tomorrow. We will EAGLE ON for Dad! It's about them, not about us or a nest. More news tomorrow!!!

 :( :( :( :crying: :crying: :crying: :'( :'( :'(



David Lynch (fb) Had to share this.

I write with a heavy heart this morning. The Eagles nest at Norfolk Botanical Gardens has been removed, and the utter lack of common sense and compassion of government is now bare and exposed, for all to see...

When not caring for family, I spend all my free time as a raptor and wildlife preservation/protection advocate. I work with some of the most wonderful people on this earth, all across our great country, to help educate the public about raptors, the hazards they face, and how we can make a difference. This morning is one of those times when I stand back and wonder what, if any, difference I am making. A dear friend said to me yesterday “try as we might, we will never leave this earth a little better than how we found it ... but we must never give up the fight!” That statement is what is getting me through today, and will fill me with the needed desire to continue to advocate, educate, preserve, and protect. Even if the human species does not see the value of these sentiments, it is now my job to MAKE them understand.

The mission of Raptor Resource Project, one of the organizations I am so proud to donate my time to, is “to preserve and strengthen raptor populations, expand participation in raptor preservation, and help foster the next generation of preservationists”. I find the last past the most interesting.... In our time, right now, it has never been more important to educate the younger population, to arm them with the knowledge necessary to continue to advocate, to show them that the circle of life includes humans, and upsetting that circle can have tragic implications...

As we continue to take wildlife habitat from our animal brothers and sisters, please do not believe that they are the problem. There has to be a way for us to coexist. While we eradicate and destroy in our pursuit of the almighty dollar, there must be people to that stand up and point at the problems. We as humans claim superiority, and believe that our needs supersede all other beings needs. This is known as arrogance, and it is what happened when we poisoned eagles to near extinction with DDT. In 1972, DDT was finally banned because of “advocates and preservationists”. I will not allow history to repeat, not now, not on my watch and my time on this earth.

Please take today and think about how you can help. Whether it is a donation, advocating actions, or simply telling your children how important wildlife is to us and this planet, it will all make a huge difference...

My emotional/artistic side is also wide awake this morning. Goodbye ‘Dad’, may the Great Spirit guide you (and your new mate, DT) to a safer place, filled with peace, so you may accomplish your life purpose. I will think of you everyday.

~Dave~

David Lynch
Norfolk, Virginia October 4, 2012.... A vivid picture of what a 1000 Pound plus eagle's nest looks like after the Norfolk City Council gets a hold of it......

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America..."

These words were written to help ensure that the People would be protected from rogue and corrupt government... I think there are many in Virginia who need to give this document another look...

http://www.wvec.com/my-city/norfolk/Eagle-nests-coming-down-Thursday-172532661.html?can=n (http://www.wvec.com/my-city/norfolk/Eagle-nests-coming-down-Thursday-172532661.html?can=n)  Done deal!  :o

We are not finished. We will talk about some plans going forward on Sunday. We want all of us to have a chance to grieve and to be angry for a few days, including us. We need to as always be who we are - those who love our eagles and their Garden and who are honest, respectful and the most caring of people. We are hopeful that we can keep our eagles close and safe and always in our hearts. We shall indeed EAGLE ON, together!

"Norfolk Botanical Garden Executive Director Donald R. Buma said the USDA will be monitoring eagle activity and if they start building nests, harassment techniques will be used to chase them off." :snarl:

Think we can use harassment techniques and drive the USDA off? :viking:

Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagle Alliance
Good morning! We are in research mode right now trying to keep our eagles safe. We thank you for all of your support and please share our page and let's keep our eagles in our hearts and minds and also in the minds of those who took the most drastic of actions. And please check out Norfolk Botanical Garden's new facebook page. It is stunning. Lots of information, photos, videos of our eagles! This capture of Dad Norfolk courtesy of NBG, WVEC, CCB and Reese.




http://youtu.be/glGRqJD5NOY (http://youtu.be/glGRqJD5NOY) Norfolk Eagles An interrupted Love Story Published on Oct 12, 2012 by Erika Becerra   :crying:

 :(

Good morning, Alliance!! Just a brief update this Monday morning. We have gathered a lot of information these past few days in our quest to keep Dad Norfolk and #3 safe in THEIR Garden. We are making positive headway. We have been assured that pyrotechnics WILL NOT be used against our eagles in any way, shape or form. A huge step forward!!! More to come! EAGLE ON!!!!!

 :2thumbsup:

Story is done nicely.  I hope that
this works out well to the Eagles advantage.
                     :wub: :wub: :wub:
                           Lola

http://www.mississauga.com/community/article/1518297--pearson-airport-fights-birds-the-natural-way-with-birds (http://www.mississauga.com/community/article/1518297--pearson-airport-fights-birds-the-natural-way-with-birds)

Posted on their fb page:

Pearson Airport fights birds the natural way — with birds

Mississauga.com    (Go Canada)

The natural way! Kinda lol!  :pfalcon:

Dad in his favorite tree.

Hi All! Had a wonderful visit with Dad Norfolk today at the Garden. He was just enjoying the beautiful weather sitting in his favorite tree. Just a quick photo from my little point and shoot! He says EAGLE ON!!! :)

From fb  12-9-12

 :heart:

 :christhumbs: :cheerleader:

Neat picture!  :christhumbs:

What a beautiful photo! But won't this nest be removed too?

Posted on their FB page:  :(

So sad to report that the tree service went to the Garden on Thursday morning and on orders from the USDA removed both new nests our eagles were building. When will this nonsense stop?

How sad for them, how rude of these people!

That's just wrong!  :thumbsdown:

sometimes our government sucks swamp water    >:(

Amen!

http://youtu.be/xiO4xiGYRe0 (http://youtu.be/xiO4xiGYRe0)  Buddy gets his beak in shape

Bless his heart but he does have wonderful caretakers!

http://www.wvec.com/news/Protestors-flock-to-Norfolk-Botanical-garden-after-eagle-nest-removal-186630991.html (http://www.wvec.com/news/Protestors-flock-to-Norfolk-Botanical-garden-after-eagle-nest-removal-186630991.html)  So far, 3 nests have been removed but they keep rebuilding. How sad for them. Where will she lay her eggs???

No nest equals no eggs right?  :banghead:

Evicted Norfolk eagle refuses to leave botanical garden

The group worries about the pair's chances of producing offspring this season and fears the female might resort to laying an egg on the ground, Senechal said.

That's not the USDA's chief concern, Barras said. He noted that bald eagles are no longer on the state's list of threatened and endangered species and said that one unproductive year for the garden's eagles will not hurt Virginia's eagle population.  (Pfft)

TWO unproductive seasons-no eggs last year either...

Exactly Ei! He had too many girls to choose from. Now he has one and can't have a nest! This SUX! Wish they would leave them alone but that won't happen..... :heart: less!

It must be frightening, frustrating, confusing for them to not be able to nest in an area that has been home to dad Eagle for many years.  So sad....

wish someone would go to this brainiacks house and tear out his foundation, and do it every time he tries to rebuild and see how he likes it   :devil:

Yeah what she said!!!  ;)

The Garden of Eagles
Many may know that 2009 eagle HK has been seen at Honeybee Golf Course in Virginia Beach with another eagle. And the other day Cary Lynch and Beverly Nettleton found Azalea (2009) in Chesapeake off Hillcrest. This morning Jim Deal and Joe Foreman found Azalea again off Hillcrest, but apparently she is keeping company with another eagle. Photographs will be posted later.    :2thumbsup:

  :clap:

I hope so!

Azalea

Wonderful news! 

And great pics!  :flash:

Another beautiful pic of Azalea

Since Azalea had been hanging around the Edinburgh Commons (Hillcrest Parkway) section of Chesapeake I decided to head down there early this morning. I got there just after sun rise to find a first year bird in a tree behind the Home Depot. As soon as I got out of the car, he was gone! A few minutes later in comes Azalea. Finally I got so see her. It has been 2 years since I last saw her over off Witchduck Point in Virginia Beach. She stayed for a few minutes before flying off to the north. She circled back and landed on the bank of the retention pond between Home Depot and Wendy's. Poor girl has to eat now and then, so she grabbed a fish and headed over to the on ramp for 168 North to eat. After finishing the fish, she headed over to the Wal-Mart parking lot and roosted in soon trees for a few minutes. Then west to roost along Hillcrest Parkway for a couple of minutes. She then flew off and was not seen for a few minutes, but she returned to a tree along Hillcrest Parkway where she was joined by an adult Bald Eagle. This bird has no bling (un-banded). There was no signs of aggression between these two birds. Maybe Azalea has a boyfriend! The male left and flew off over the lake and Azalea headed back to the Wal-Mart parking lot. She roosted in a couple of trees before heading back over to a tree behind Home Depot. She roosted in a tree there for a bit when in comes a 2 year old juvenile eagle. It too had no bling. Both the juvenile and Azalea left a couple of minutes headed north along 168. The juvenile was spotted in a tree along the on ramp for 168 North. It flew off rather quickly at which point I called it quits. The last 2 are a pair of Red Tail Hawks that hang around at Handbury and 168. Enjoy the photos.
by: James Deal



FB

 :thumbsup:

http://hamptonroads.com/2013/02/looking-soaring-conclusion (http://hamptonroads.com/2013/02/looking-soaring-conclusion)

Looking for a soaring conclusion!  :(

And today there was a notice that the Norfolk Eagle forum will be shutting down.

Very little to say with no eagles to watch. Very sad. I've been a member there for years...

I read that today. It is sad and just so wrong what they have done to these birds and their devoted followers. I hope that someday Dad Norfolk and his mate will be able to build a nest and he will have babies once again.

I just read that a 5th nest built by Dad Norfolk and his mate in NBG was removed by the USDA this AM.

Thought they had to stop after 3?? Heartbreaking!! This is so RIDICULOUS!!!!!

The permit allowed the USDA to remove 3 nests-so far 2 were removed on Oct. 4th and 1 on Dec. 8th, Jan. 11th and Feb. 9th. I feel so bad for these Eagles having built these but also having paintballs shot at them and whatever other means they're using to chase them off!  :(

So disgusted!

Eagle on!  :rolleyes:

VIRGINIA BEACH

Citizen scientists have done it again!

This time, a group of eagle watchers at Honey Bee Golf Club have learned that one of the bald eagles born and banded at Norfolk Botanical Garden is establishing nesting territory at the golf course.

How young eagles establish nesting territoryis not well known. But our dedicated citizen scientists who have camerasthat can pick up bird bands and their numbers are adding information to the puzzle.

Reese Lukei, a volunteer research associate with the Center for Conservation Biology in Williamsburg, keeps an eye on local eagles. He writes a blog, http://eaglenest.blogs.wm.edu (http://eaglenest.blogs.wm.edu), for the center about the eagles that were banded over the years in the garden's nests.

In a recent blog, Lukei wrote about "HK," one of the eagles that was banded at the garden four years ago. HK has been photographed often carrying sticks and even building a nest at Honey Bee.

HK's sister, Azalea, was the eagle equipped with a satellite transmitter at the garden. She has been tracked far and wide, but HK appears to be somewhat of a homebody, sticking around the golf course, Lukei wrote.

"With the assistance of several local eagle photographers, we know from their excellent photos that HK has stayed right around Honey Bee Golf Course for most of the year," he said.

That area of the North Landing River that flows through Honey Bee is full of food fish, and this time of year gizzard shad gather there to spawn. The abundance of food draws not only HK but severalother eagles, as well as herons, egrets and water birds of all kinds.

The area has become so well known that eagle watchers have a community Facebook page called Honey Beeagles, where they post their wonderful photos.

Lukei was excited to learn of HK's behaviorbecause not much is known about when and how a young eagle establishes territory. HK is 4 years old now and will be of breeding age next winter.

"It is not known why HK is sticking so close to Honey Bee, besides its being an excellent place to forage for fish," Lukei wrote. "HK is in the process of building a nest on the golf course."

All of this information is available thanks to our citizen scientists and Honey Beeagles photographers, like Cary Lynch, Beverly Nettleton, Jim Deal, Shelly Fowler, Bob Mislan and Pam Monahan. In his blog, Lukei thanked the photographers for "being so observant and providing photos for all to enjoy and learn from." See many of their photos on the Honey Beeagles Facebook page.

Though HK has been photographed with another eagle close by, it doesn't appear that he has a girlfriend.

Lukei watched HK take sticks to his nest for three days in a row but did not see a female. He came to the conclusion that HK was nest-building to establish his territory.

HK is not dumb! He must be thinking ahead to when he has a family and can settle down in an area where it will be easy for Dad to bring home the bacon.

HamptonRd.com


HK nest building

Banded female that was seen with HK   from fb  photo courtesy by James Deal

What excellent news! And I'm glad to see he's settling somewhere that the faithful followers of NBG can follow HK!

HK scores some soft nesting material from a soccer field this morning at 8:09am

From fb

That's a big piece of lumber HK   :o

http://wildlifecenter.org/buddy-training-updates (http://wildlifecenter.org/buddy-training-updates)  Buddy's training begins!

HK's nest from Feb 4th

Same nest March 2.     :o

 :2thumbsup: Doing a good job on that nest!  ;D

Long but worth the read-this has been sent to the press by the Eagle on Alliance.  The USDA removed a 6th nest today.



March 5, 2013
BALD EAGLES CONTINUE TO BUILD NEST AFTER NEST
AT NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDEN

Norfolk, Virginia – After more than five months of harassment by the USDA with paintball guns, pyrotechnics, lights and the removal of five nests that they have built since early October, the resident bald eagles at Norfolk Botanical Garden (NBG) aren't leaving. This cruel treatment of our national symbol and the damage being done to the Garden through “tree modification” isn't working and there is no proof that the methods being used to force the eagles to relocate have ever worked – at least not for this species of raptor. As the eagles begin building their sixth nest at the Garden, and the expenses associated with these dispersal programs pile up, Eagle On Alliance (EOA) continues to insist that there are better proven methods to protect Norfolk International Airport (ORF) and the bald eagles and that it is time to stop the futile harassment of these birds.

Eagle On Alliance is a 785-member world-wide group dedicated to researching solutions to the issues that serve both the best interests of the NBG bald eagles and preserve airport safety. EOA is also part of a much larger network of thousands of citizens in the City of Norfolk, across the Commonwealth, across the region and around the world who champion the bald eagles at NBG. The NBG eagles became one of the most watched and loved nesting pair of bald eagles in the world. This citizen’s network is credited with bringing attention and thousands of dollars in grants to the Garden and many, many visitors to Norfolk thus providing a positive economic impact for the city.

It is the belief of EOA, that when the City of Norfolk supported the request to remove the eagles’ nests at NBG and then harass the eagles, the City did not realize the full impact this action would have, including the economic impact on NBG. Donations to the Garden have dropped significantly.

After spending countless hours conducting research, speaking with wildlife biologists, environmental lawyers, officials of the state and federal wildlife agencies and local officials, and after reviewing over 2,000 pages of documents received as a result of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to Norfolk International Airport (ORF), EOA has found more constructive solutions to the situation.

Through this research, EOA concluded that the issue is not about “dangerous eagles”. While we understand and respect the importance of passenger safety at ORF, and the safety of the eagles, we found that the chance of an eagle strike at ORF is .00000438356. Only one eagle with ties to NBG has been struck in 22 years. And in the 22 years of record keeping for bird strikes, the American Bald Eagle only makes up .001 of a percentage point in all bird strike records in the United States. The fact remains, that other types of wild life such as gulls, geese and flocking birds present a much greater risk to ORF’s passengers than eagles.

In addition, documentation received through our FOIA requests to ORF shows that the underlying issues are budgetary and the resulting insufficient wild life mitigation efforts by ORF. Reports show that although the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA-APHIS) recommended a larger budget for mitigation efforts, ORF’s management questioned the estimate and requested a budget for half of the amount recommended.

Documentation shows that a USDA staff person only works 60 hours a month at the airport which includes airport services and now NBG services. This equates to less than three hours a day. ORF has stated that they have other staff members and even volunteers (?) to assist with mitigation, but ORF staff members only provide mitigation services as a “collateral” duty. And wildlife mitigation does not appear as a “line item” on ORF’s annual budget.

From the very beginning, NBG eagle advocates asked the City to delay requesting a permit for nest removal to form a committee to study all other mitigation options. One request that was repeatedly mentioned during discussions, emails and public comments was the use of Avian Radar Systems to assist with all wildlife mitigation at ORF. While ORF’s Executive Director Wayne Shank indicated to The Virginian-Pilot that the airport had looked into this as an option for airport safety, it is clear through documentation we received that this was not the case. Mr. Shank also added that avian radar is a tool that would not have prevented the death of two eagles in 2011. We strongly disagree.

All research we conducted shows that Avian Radar, while relatively new technology, is already making an impact in the reduction of bird strikes at private, commercial and military airports worldwide. In fact, the FAA has endorsed the use of Avian Radar Systems to the point that they are offering AIP grant funds to Part 139 airports. ORF is a Part 139 airport and would be eligible for these grants. While Mr. Shank said that the death of the two eagles wouldn't have been prevented, our research shows that the death of the NBG female eagle (“Mom Norfolk”) could have been prevented by either proper mitigation efforts or through an Avian Radar system.

Airport tower reports of the strike show that the airplane pilot that landed on “Mom Norfolk” reported to air traffic control that two eagles were seen eating a fish on the end of the runway. Instead of telling the pilot to fly over while the eagles were dispersed, no word of caution was received from the tower and the pilot proceeded to land on the female eagle. The strike report also states that pilots were not warned of wildlife in the vicinity. The male eagle, fortunately, flew off. But the female eagle was killed, causing damage to the airplane’s landing gear when she rose to get out of the way.

If Avian Radar had been in place, an alarm would have alerted air traffic control and the incoming flight of the presence of the eagles in the vicinity. Avian Radar systems can track the movement of almost all wild life in air space both vertically and horizontally.

In addition, the current Wildlife Hazard Management Plan for ORF signed by the FAA on January 25, 2011, states in section 139,337(f)(5)(iv)“Communication between wildlife control personnel and any air traffic control tower in operation at the airport: “All wildlife control personnel are equipped with radios and have proper training to contact the air traffic control tower. If an immediate hazard exists that might compromise the safety of air traffic at ORF, the Director of Operations or the Wildlife Coordinator shall coordinate with the air traffic control tower, and if necessary, detain arriving or departing air traffic until the hazard is eliminated. In extreme cases, the runway may need to be closed temporarily at the discretion of the Director of Operations. Although the air traffic control tower cannot be expected to monitor all wildlife hazards on the airfield and still direct air traffic, tower personnel regularly notify the Fire Department immediately if pilots report hazards or any such hazards are observed from the tower.”

The pilot of the plane that struck the female eagle on April 26, 2011 reported seeing two eagles on the runway. Where was the ORF Fire Department and why wasn't it dispatched?

While the events that occurred on April 26, 2011 were unfortunate, what is even more troubling is that the NBG eagles have become a scapegoat for improper mitigation efforts at ORF. The picture presented by ORF to wildlife agencies and the City of Norfolk indicated that the eagles at NBG had suddenly become an emergency threat to life and property even though the eagles have nested at the Garden for more than ten years.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and the USDA convinced City of Norfolk officials that they had no choice but to support the next step of nest removal as the way to solve the problem. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) merely recommended removal. The Administration did not mandate nest removal. Scare tactics were used by the USDA to convince the City Manager’s Office that there was no choice but to remove the nests.

Our research also shows there actually was another option that could have been included in the City of Norfolk’s application for a nest removal permit. Federal Register document dated September 11, 2009, U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service, 50 CFR Parts 13 and 22, Eagle Permits; “Take Necessary to Protect Interests in Particular Localities; Final Rule” indicates that through these rules, the City of Norfolk could have asked for the permit to allow the USFWS and USDA to relocate the nest to an alternate location or provide a substitute nest in a safe area of the eagles’ territory and attract the eagles to those safer locations.

On page 44, Section 22.27, Removal of Eagles Nests, (a) (2), it states “Where practicable and biologically warranted, the permit may require a nest to be relocated, or a substitute nest provided, in a suitable site within the same territory to provide a viable nesting option for eagles within that territory, unless such relocation would create a threat to safety. However, we may issue permits to remove nests that we determine cannot or should not be relocated.”

In discussions with Eliza Savage, Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Department of Interior in Arlington, Virginia, who is the Department’s contact for this document, she stated that the option of nest relocation was indeed a possibility for the NBG eagles. Her office is well aware of the NBG eagles and the efforts of Eagle On Alliance. She advised that we should indeed ask the City of Norfolk why this provision was not included in the original nest removal permit application.

When the City was asked this question, the response from the City Manager’s office was “We didn't know.”

Ms. Savage also suggested we contact Sarah Nystrom in the Region 5 office of USFWS in Hadley, Massachusetts, the office that issued Norfolk’s nest removal permit. Ms. Nystrom is also well aware of the plight of the eagles at NBG and was quite helpful in addressing this issue. She advised that normally the relocation efforts are begun ahead of actual nest removal but that it was not too late to put plans into place. We believe this plan may have provided one solution for the airport, the eagles, NBG and the City of Norfolk.

We suggested joining the City Manager’s Office to make a formal announcement that a resolution had been presented. In addition, this solution would have allowed more time for ORF and the City of Norfolk to research Avian Radar systems – a much better alternative for protecting our passengers and all of the wildlife surrounding ORF. Eagle On Alliance founder Carol Senechal and City Councilman Tommy Smigiel met with City Manager Marcus Jones and Assistant to the City Manager Wynter Benda on January 28, 2013, to discuss this and other beneficial solutions to the issues concerning airport safety and the pair of bald eagles residing at (NBG).

We hoped that the city would consider this as one of the options for moving forward. We were ready to partner with the city on a more sensible solution and tell the thousands of supporters and the media that the City of Norfolk would, indeed, do the right thing. But the City Manager’s office repeatedly delayed the process of finding alternate nesting sites by questioning our research, even though we presented hundreds of pages of that research to Mr. Jones and Mr. Benda. The delay has extended for more than four weeks.

At our January 28 meeting, EOA again also officially requested that the City of Norfolk discontinue the USFWS Eagle Nest Removal permit and delay by one year any further removal of nests and any further harassment of the NBG eagles. We hoped that at some point, there would be a realization that both man and Mother Nature could coexist side by side. This is the same position that EOA has held since July of 2012.

The challenges of wildlife existing near airports have been solved by many other communities by using some of the recommendations we presented. Sadly, no such solution has been reached or researched by the City of Norfolk.

Oh how sad this all is! It's a bunch of  "who shot John" as Judge Judy would say! I hope the Eagles will win this one and the next nest will stay. I know a few of us here have helped spread the word about the NBEagles. I'm all for them!! Eagle ON, I say!!  (http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m242/axiemeluv/Animation/Animals/166b45cd61tg6.gif)

Thanks Kris!

Eagle On!

 :eagle:  Eagle On!!!   :eagle2:

http://hamptonroads.com/2013/03/norfolk-illegally-moved-bald-eagles-says-group (http://hamptonroads.com/2013/03/norfolk-illegally-moved-bald-eagles-says-group)  These people are NOT giving up!!   :clap:

I forgot to mention...the norfolk forum will be continuing after all. Several members have volunteered to take over as moderators.

http://www.wvec.com/news/Group-charges-Norfolk--197459901.html (http://www.wvec.com/news/Group-charges-Norfolk--197459901.html)

http://eagletrak.blogs.wm.edu/2013/03/23/azalea-last-transmission-march-17-2013/ (http://eagletrak.blogs.wm.edu/2013/03/23/azalea-last-transmission-march-17-2013/)

Azalea -Last Transmission! March 17, 2013

http://www.wvec.com/my-city/norfolk/Government-says-eagle-nest--202682361.html (http://www.wvec.com/my-city/norfolk/Government-says-eagle-nest--202682361.html)

Eagle ON making progress!

Not really.  When reviewed they're within their rights as far as the permit and they are going to continue taking them down and E on A is going to continue fighting it.

http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/norfolk/no-eagle-permit-violations-found-in-norfolk (http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/norfolk/no-eagle-permit-violations-found-in-norfolk)

I read the other day EOA has ammunition to use after thousands of $ spent, they found a glitch! Who knows but it was only suppose to be 3 nests, they've gone beyond that! This whole thing SUX!

Yes it does Donna.  Even though Virginia took the eagles off one list they're still on the federal list for migratory birds.  Do we see them trying to eliminate geese and everything else that is around there?  Everything is about that pair of eagles.  :(

Absolutely and it makes me sad/mad!!!

The husband of a lifelong friend of mine from Rochester owns the company that built the cams for that nest in Norfolk.  They are just sick about the situation there. She says every time the eagles build a nest in the garden, officials destroy it with paintball guns. I'm so glad to see there's good news for at least one of the Norfolk eaglets.   

They're shooting paint balls at the Eagles, have disassembled and destroyed 6 nests, that I know of, and have cut down all the branches of the trees that would support the nests so that they can't rebuild in the same spot.  It's horrible!

Guess they haven't heard the old saying...cut off your nose to spite your face...idiots...

Wow, that is indeed horrible! 

Last I heard they had taken a seventh nest down.

Did you ever get the feeling they'll keep at it until there aren't any trees left in the Garden? Just to prove they can...

that would not surprise me at all, stupid idiots  :stupid:

They definitely don't plan on stopping this.  Other airports don't take this route.   :(

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/feds-say-norfolk-should-continue-removing-botanical-gardens-eagle-nests-near-airport/2013/04/12/f77dcd30-a33c-11e2-bd52-614156372695_story.html (http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/feds-say-norfolk-should-continue-removing-botanical-gardens-eagle-nests-near-airport/2013/04/12/f77dcd30-a33c-11e2-bd52-614156372695_story.html)

The blind leading the blind it seems.

Rescued eagle has landed in Stafford

BY RUSTY DENNEN / THE FREE LANCE–STAR

A bald eagle that became something of an avian celebrity after its mother was struck by a plane in Norfolk has settled in Stafford County for now.

The Wildlife Center of Virginia—which rescued the female eagle and her two siblings—has been tracking the bird, dubbed NX, for nearly two years.

It’s only the second time the nationally recognized wildlife center in Waynesboro has tracked one of its rehabilitated raptors.

“We did this on a golden eagle a couple of years ago” in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, said Randy Huwa, the wildlife center’s executive vice president.

The center chose to track NX because of her unique history.

She’s “certainly had an unusual life,” said Huwa.

NX was one of three eaglets hatched in a nest at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens in April 2011. The trio had a wrenching start: Their mother was hit by a plane at a nearby airport, and they were sent to the Waynesboro center for care.

One of the three—wearing a band inscribed with the letters NX on one foot—was equipped with a GPS transmitter and released four months later at Berkeley Plantation on the James River below Richmond.

According to tracking data, NX slowly made her way from the Tidewater area to the Northern Neck, where she stayed for about 10 months.

There, she suffered another mishap. She was found along a road in Northumberland County, likely hit by a car.

The bird was captured, sent back to Waynesboro for rehabilitation, and released again in May 2012 at the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge near Warsaw.

After hanging around there for a while, NX turned north, following a meandering path along the Virginia shore of the Potomac River. She appears settled now in Widewater along the northeastern edge of Stafford.

Huwa says NX’s journey is different from other tracked eagles, because most of them stayed in the wild after they were banded and fitted with transmitters.

“The helpful part is insight about what happens to a rehabbed bird,” Huwa said.

“You can’t really make assumptions” that the travel behavior would be the same as the others.

“It’ll be interesting to see how she reacts, where does she go, in the context of [other] birds with transmitters.”

Huwa says there’s no way to predict whether the eagle will stay in Stafford or move on. The transmitter sends tracking data every 15 minutes via cellphone networks.

Huwa says the center is already gleaning valuable information from the tracking data.

“One of the things that’s impressed me is that both times she was released, she hung around the release site for a few weeks. That reinforces, for some of us, to take special care when we put a bird back in the wild. We need to have a good spot.”

The center typically chooses protected areas along rivers for its releases, such as Caledon State Park and Land’s End Wildlife Management Area in King George County and the Rappahannock River Valley refuge.

The lower Rappahannock and Potomac rivers have become eagle hot spots along the East Coast for nesting and feeding on spring runs of migratory fish.

“There’s lots of other eagles around, and they can learn from them,” Huwa said.



Fredricksburg.com

 :clap: :2thumbsup:

http://wtkr.com/2013/04/23/buddy-the-bald-eagle-to-make-his-shenandoah-valley-debut/ (http://wtkr.com/2013/04/23/buddy-the-bald-eagle-to-make-his-shenandoah-valley-debut/)

Buddy the Bald Eagle to make his Shenandoah Valley debut!

Official say Buddy is [arguably] the most famous Bald Eagle in the U.S/world/universe. From the time he was an egg in his nest at the Norfolk Botanical Garden – back in 2008    :2thumbsup:

I can't believe how much time has passed. Buddy is a star!  :star: :heart:

It was 2 yrs ago today that Mom Norfolk was killed.  :(  A beautiful tribute video to her posted on FB:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCVAa_KZGSQ#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCVAa_KZGSQ#ws)

http://youtu.be/XuMmIefvWhE (http://youtu.be/XuMmIefvWhE)  Buddy's life from 2008-2012  He is all grown up!

Both are very nice videos-thanks for sharing ladies!  :clap:

http://wildlifecenter.org/news_events/news/happy-hatch-day-buddy-0 (http://wildlifecenter.org/news_events/news/happy-hatch-day-buddy-0)

Amazing what some communities do to help bald eagles. Eagle On Alliance met with the city in January to find an alternate nesting site for the NBG eagles. EOA offered to pay all expenses and provide all labor. With the blessing of the USFWS, USDA and VDGIF, all we needed was written permission from the City of Norfolk to look for sites on City-owned property. It never came. Even though we were warned that the chances of success were slim that the eagles would move, we were determined to try. But the city refused to help us in any way. Again, it's amazing how other communities will help their resident bald eagles! EAGLE ON!!!!

from fb    :clap: :thumbsup:

http://wtkr.com/2013/06/02/bald-eagle-makes-special-appearances/ (http://wtkr.com/2013/06/02/bald-eagle-makes-special-appearances/)

Bald Eagle makes special appearances.  (Buddy)  He looks awesome!

He sure does Donna! Thanks!!  :wave:

http://youtu.be/fXfuLNYgL9Q (http://youtu.be/fXfuLNYgL9Q) Quick video of Buddy and a BIG pooh!!

 :2funny: :goodone:

Moving right along!! I hope this ends soon. They want to nest!  :(

October 25, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

EAGLE ON ALLIANCE FILES REQUEST FOR EMERGENCY INJUNCTION TO STOP DESTRUCTION OF BALD EAGLES NESTS AT NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDEN
Hearing set for Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at 4 p.m. at
United States District Court in Norfolk

Norfolk, Virginia – Eagle On Alliance (EOA), a public interest group of concerned citizens worldwide, filed a motion in Federal Court today for an emergency injunction to stop the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) from allowing the destruction of any more nests of the bald eagles at Norfolk Botanical Garden (NBG), and to enjoin the USDA’s Wildlife Services from engaging in any such activities until the Court has an opportunity to resolve EOA’s challenge to the federal government’s issuance of a nest destruction permit.

The Honorable Henry Coke Morgan, Jr. will hold a hearing on the motion on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. in Courtroom 2, United States District Court in Norfolk.

The USFWS issued an eagle nest take permit to the City of Norfolk in October of 2012 that allowed the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Wildlife Services (USDA-WS) to remove bald eagles’ nests and the USDA-WS removed a total of seven nests at the Garden between October 4, 2012 and March 29, 2013 halting the celebrated eagles’ last nesting season. That permit is due to expire October 31 and over a year later, the eagles are still at the Garden.

The nest removal/harassment permit was requested in the name of airport safety after the female from the NBG nest was struck and killed on April 26, 2011 when a plane hit her as she sat at the end of a runway eating a fish. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Wildlife Strike Database, the pilot was not warned that eagles were in the area or on the runway, nor were the eagles dispersed by airport personnel.

This eagle strike is only one of 536 wildlife strikes at ORF according to the FAA Database. Documents obtained by EOA under the Freedom of Information Act show that other, far more effective means of wildlife mitigation, can be used at Norfolk International Airport (ORF) to insure public safety from all bird and wildlife strikes rather than the destruction of the nests of one pair of bald eagles.

Nevertheless, even though the Executive Director of ORF, Wayne Shank, stated in an interview with The Virginian-Pilot in July, 2013 that “I want to make it perfectly clear that the airport is not a proponent of any particular course of action. We are not telling anyone to take the nests down,” the City of Norfolk applied for a permit to “protect the airport” from the NBG bald eagles. Records further show that although the Airport could engage in more efforts to keep birds, including eagles, off the runway, it has failed to implement such measures, claiming that it has “limited resources” for such activities. However, the Airport’s own financial reports show that the Airport recently budgeted more than $11 million for cosmetic improvements to its lobby – including a “huge skylight covering center court and marble-wrapped columns,” see Pilot Article (May 8, 2012), and has over $150,000,000 in “total net assets.”

Internal records also show that the wildlife experts consulted by the federal government before the permit was issued agreed that removal of nests and harassment of these eagles would NOT be an effective means of keeping eagles out of this area, due to its extremely rich habitat for eagles. These experts, including experts from the Center for Conservation Biology at the College of William and Mary, who study the thousands of eagles who migrate through this part of the country each year, agreed that “there would likely be a constant effort by eagles to build in the general area,” and that “removal of the nests will not address the concern of aviation and eagle hazards.”

Because the City of Norfolk insists that this permit is needed due to risk factors of an eagle strike at ORF, EOA retained the services of Adam M. Finkel, ScD., CIH, a national expert on risk assessment and the former Director of Health Rulemaking at the federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration who has worked in the field of quantitative risk assessment of environmental and occupational health and safety hazards for the past 27 years, to assess the risk of an eagle strike at ORF caused by an NBG eagle.

According to Dr. Finkel, whose declaration was filed in support of the request for an emergency injunction, the risk of any injury to a person caused by the NBG Eagles colliding with a plane within the next year (during the time it would take the Court to issue a final ruling in this case) “is de minimis by any legal, contextual, and practical standard.” Dr. Finkel further explains that because three of the four eagle strikes at ORF have involved non-NBG eagles, “we have to assume that the lion’s share of the problem involves birds that will not be affected by this controversy, whose risks to airplane flight will persist unless the airport changes its overall management practices.”

EOA also enlisted the expertise of Peter E. Nye, a nationally recognized eagle expert who served as the Team Leader of the Northern States Bald Eagle Recovery Team for the FWS, who explained in his declaration that “it is highly likely that the eagles who presently nest at the Norfolk Botanical Garden have actually succeeded in keeping other eagles from nesting and foraging there through active territorial defense, and that the abandonment of the Garden by these eagles could actually increase the number of eagles (or perhaps other large piscivores such as osprey) that move into the area to forage and/or nest.”
# # #

We didn't win yesterday’s court battle but we were able to stock up on ammunition for the war. We weren't really surprised at the outcome - an emergency injunction is a very hard "get" I understand but I have to say that our lawyer gave it her best shot! She was outstanding. USFWS came with FOUR lawyers and it was US against the world AGAIN. Sitting in FEDERAL COURT asking for an emergency motion against a FEDERAL AGENCY - our tax money at work!!!

HOWEVER!!!! It’s something we had to try to do for Dad and the Missus!!!!

Please let me emphasize here that yesterday was simply A HEARING ON A MOTION that we made. Our argument was very narrow in scope and we only had an hour. It is NOT the court’s decision on our lawsuit. NOW, we get to take our case to court with all of the additional information we have, all of OUR arguments, all of OUR facts and let UFSWS and the USDA answer OUR questions! We are in a good place right now – a very good place.

EAGLE ON!!! Today is a new day!    (I hope they win)

 :eagle:  Eagle on!   :eagle2:

http://hamptonroads.com/2013/12/ignoring-eagles-plight (http://hamptonroads.com/2013/12/ignoring-eagles-plight)

They made the paper!

In the news again!

As Norfolk dismantles eagle nests, doubts mount

http://hamptonroads.com/2013/12/norfolk-dismantles-eagle-nests-doubts-mount (http://hamptonroads.com/2013/12/norfolk-dismantles-eagle-nests-doubts-mount)

 :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/view_shared?p=127b7914be50e8f3e51f2c2&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url (http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/view_shared?p=127b7914be50e8f3e51f2c2&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url)  What a marvelous Eagle that "Buddy"  :heart:

What a nice video of Buddy. Thanks for sharing!  :clap:

A nice video of Buddy!  :eagle:

http://hamptonroads.com/2014/01/bald-eagle-hit-plane-killed-norfolk-airport (http://hamptonroads.com/2014/01/bald-eagle-hit-plane-killed-norfolk-airport)

Another Eagle killed at the airport today! So much for them keeping an eye out, no one saw the eagle??

Hope it wasn't dad or his new mate, that have no nest because they remove them as fast as they rebuild!

Just awful!!!

Maybe it would have been at the nest instead of the airport if they hadn't taken the damn nest down!  :tickedoff:

From NBG Eagle Alliance:

GREAT NEWS TODAY!!! Both Dad and the Missus were seen and photographed together today!!! They are safe from harm!!!! EAGLE ON!!!

 :yahoo:

Eagle On!!!

http://youtu.be/jCdGL6aktKU (http://youtu.be/jCdGL6aktKU)  Buddy being very vocal and he reads books!!  ;)

At first, I thought he was caught on something until I saw him fly.  Maybe Buddy needs a mate...he's at that age now.   :wub:

The USDA located and removed a 9th nest on Feb. 6th.  So sad for this pair...   :crying:

:snarl: :tickedoff:

DAMN them, how can they keep doing this, it obviously isn't accomplishing a thing.  :(

I thought he was tied to that thing he was perched on at first-was happy when he flew across.  :phew:

Your government at work - results aren't mandatory, but wasting taxpayer dollars is!

because they are too stupid to admit they are wrong

isn't there a saying about the sign of true insanity is to keep doing the same stupid thing over and over and expecting a different outcome  :stupid:

It's animal cruelty - they can paint anyway they want but to me that's exactly what it is.  This is their home and has been for years.  :( :(

Sure is!  AND.....
The American public keeps voting the same garbage in election cycle after election cycle, so we GET the Government that we deserve.

sometimes I wonder if the whole election thing isn't rigged  :secret2:

A love story between 2 Eagles.

One is HK from Northfolk Botanical Gardens, the missus is from NC and here is their story well written by Mary Reed Barrow

HK is 5 years old now and ready to breed! :)

http://hamptonroads.com/2014/09/local-love-affair-takes-flight (http://hamptonroads.com/2014/09/local-love-affair-takes-flight) read it here   :heart:


http://www.ccbbirds.org/news-room/blogs/eagle-nest-blog/ (http://www.ccbbirds.org/news-room/blogs/eagle-nest-blog/) Blog on how Sterling was rescued and now!

Such a sweet story  :heart:  And to think it took 2 years to positively identify Sterling! Wow!

The Norfolk Botanical Garden bald eagles appear to be safe and sound in a new nest outside of Norfolk Botanical Garden. Having endured two years of nest destruction and harassment, the NBG eagles have wisely chosen to build a new nest on private property where they cannot be disturbed.

THE NEW NEST IS ON PROPERTY NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND TO PROTECT THE EAGLES FROM FURTHER HARASSMENT, THE NEW NEST LOCATION WILL NOT BE DISCLOSED.

We have not disclosed this information to you before now for the safety of the eagles first and foremost, but also because until the last few days it was impossible to verify exactly whose nest it was. Mike Inman was able to get that magic photo that clearly shows the “dot” in Dad’s eye. Thank you, Mike!!!! It IS Dad Norfolk’s nest. As you can see, the nest is quite large and it is believed to be his “primary” nest. And the property owners support our eagles and EOA in every conceivable way.

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/10-30DadeagleNF_zps59584a14.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/10-30DadeagleNF_zps59584a14.jpg.html) (photo credit Mike Inman)


This is the "BEST" news!!

Fantastic news.  And a huge thank you to the secret owners of the land - bless you for supporting them!  :notworthy:

Wonderful!   :clap:

After I read this on FB last night, I was so happy to finally hear some good news about Dad Norfolk and his mate. I, also, thank the landowners who are supporters of the Eagles and EOA and all they've done and are doing to prevent further harassment of these birds.  

Finally, Home Sweet Home for them!!!  :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:   ;D

yeah!! to whoever the land owners are. thank you so much you are Good people,  :clap: :notworthy: :thumbsup: :2thumbsup: :bow:

This are very good news! :yahoo:

Finally some good news!  :newyearbd: These poor eagles have had a very rough time of it over the past couple of years, so I was delighted to see this post.

Dot in PA

I was in a hurry last night & zoomed past the post on FB...just too many repeats of bad news. Guess I should have opened it  :paperbag:

What fabulous news after all this time...

They have an EGG!!!!!  (http://www.picgifs.com/easter-graphics/easter-graphics/eggs/easter-graphics-eggs-676516.gif) (http://www.picgifs.com/easter-graphics/)   Based on observations!! It's been a long time!!  :heart:

Yaaaaaaaaay!!!

 :letter_e: :letter_g: :letter_g: :cheerleader: :cheerleader:

 :clap:

I was so excited when I read the good news last night on FB!  So happy for Dad Norfolk and his mate!

That are wonderful news!

Wonderful news!

Dad Norfolk in the news!

http://www.13newsnow.com/media/cinematic/video/23090941/eagles-new-home-in-norfolk/ (http://www.13newsnow.com/media/cinematic/video/23090941/eagles-new-home-in-norfolk/)

 goodnews:

Well it turns out, dad Norfolk's GF is gone, the one he has been booted off any nest they have built over the last few years! His new mate, the one that has laid an egg/eggs is his own daughter from 2009!! This just confirmed today!! She is HK's sister. Not uncommon, as we all know!! They think the other female could not lay eggs and she moved on!!

Well, I'll be!!

                             :nausea:

Well alrighty then. Eagle on!!  :eagle2: :eagle:

CAMELLIA SATELLITE TRANSMITTER HAS BEEN RECOVERED

On March 17, 2015 a resident on Morris Neck Road in rural Virginia Beach, VA contacted the Center for Conservation Biology that she had found a “tracker in our yard”. I made arrangements to go to her house and pick up the “tracker”. The device is the satellite transmitter that Camellia was wearing. It was found in a pile of mud near the edge of Morris Neck Road in the area that the last signal was sent by the transmitter on February 11, 2015. After inspection by Libby Mojica, the transmitter appears to have been pulled off by Camellia. The transmitter is in rather poor condition and not likely that it can be rehabbed and reused. In the second photo below you can see the transmitter number “74435” assigned to Camellia.

Remembering MOM Norfolk!  :crying:

Such a tragedy 4 years ago!

http://youtu.be/5sIAFrxFAo0 (http://youtu.be/5sIAFrxFAo0)

Birdbrain 56

Sad news.. :sorrow:

I am heartbroken to report that tHE Missus (HE) was struck and killed this morning at the amphibious base in Norfolk. Reese just called to tell me the horrible news. They think she was struck by a truck or car. That is all I know for now. Please say a prayer - say many many prayers for her and for Dad. Love and hugs to all! I will tell you more as I find out. I am beside myself as I know you are, too!

https://www.facebook.com/NorfolkBotanicalGardenEagleAlliance (https://www.facebook.com/NorfolkBotanicalGardenEagleAlliance)

I just saw this on Facebook too, Kris, and was going to share it.  So sad!   :(

Follow-up post from FB:

The Garden of Eagles: "With a heavy heart it has been reported that banded 2009 Norfolk Botanical Garden (NBG) Eagle HE died January 6, 2016. She was one of three eaglets that were raised in 2009 by the NBG eagle pair, Mom and Dad Norfolk (HK and HH-"Azalea" were her siblings). Last season HE and 'Dad Norfolk' became a bonded pair and raised one eaglet. The three are featured in the month of January in the 2016 'Garden of Eagles' calendar (see pinned post). HE and her siblings were featured in the first 'Garden of Eagles' calendar (for the year 2010). May she fly free forever.

Source Reese F. Lukei, Jr: "Adult Female Bald Eagle "HE" banded April 22, 2009 at Norfolk Botanical Garden was found dead at the US Navy Little Creek Expeditionary Base on January 6, 2016. Only injury was to her head from some type of collision, likely a motor vehicle. Other details may be available later. HE bred last year at a nest in Norfolk VA with her father from Norfolk Botanical Garden and successfully raised one chick."

They've sure had quite a time at that nest  :(

Very exciting day at the nest and elsewhere and I missed most of it! The early bird does indeed get the photos! I arrived a 7:15 a.m. and was already too late but thank you thank you thank you for our property owner AND Mike Inman who were there before me! YAY! The property owner found Dad and a friend in the nest tree and got some great photos before they took off after mating YAY!!!! The property owner went home and Mike followed the eagles and I stayed at the nest until Mike called to tell me where he had found them. I found Mike but of course the female had flown but Dad was still there!
Just to put this story in context, I was half-way back home this morning at 7:51 am so a lot happened in those 35 minutes! Mike will post some photos later of Dad and his new "chicky" as he calls her! LOL!!!
Here are the property owners photos from this morning - keep in mind it was dark and very cloudy as always! Eagle On! And YAY Dad!!!    :heart:


From FB

Some sad news.. :(

http://www.wildlifecenter.org/critter-corner/current-patients/bald-eagle-17-2257 (http://www.wildlifecenter.org/critter-corner/current-patients/bald-eagle-17-2257)

Hopefully HK will make a full recovery. 

Very sad to read that HK has been injured, and that the prognosis is guarded.  :( I remember him and his siblings so well.

At least he is at WCV, where he will receive the best possible care. I hope the surgery will go well next week, and that this handsome eagle will make a full recovery.

Thank you for posting the news, Kris.

 :crying: Oh no, he was doing so well! Loved reading about him and the golf course! Such sad news!!

Bill & I toured the WCV a few years ago and it's a wonderful place with an incredible staff...he is in great hands.  HK's sister, HE, was Dad Norfolk's mate in 2015 but, unfortunately, she succumbed to injuries from a vehicle strike in Jan. 2016.

I haven't been there, Kris, but I would love to visit WCV. I know how good they are with eagles, and they have excellent avian veterinary surgeons. HK will have the best chance for recovery at WCV.

I remember reading about his sister at the time. It is so very sad that she was lost at such a young age.

HK update!

http://www.wildlifecenter.org/critter-corner/patient-updates/bald-eagle-17-2257-hk-update (http://www.wildlifecenter.org/critter-corner/patient-updates/bald-eagle-17-2257-hk-update)

Didn't expect an update so soon! Thanks, Kris!

Things sounds somewhat better, and it seems that the WCV staff are trying to keep HK comfortable until he is ready for surgery on his leg. I see that the prognosis of "guarded" has been upgraded to "guarded to fair".

This morning's update on HK:

September 4, 2017

Bald Eagle HK remained bright and alert throughout the weekend, and ate on his own Saturday evening and Sunday! The leg bandage has remained clean and dry, and there is evidence of minor swelling of the injured leg and foot, which is to be expected.

Dr. Ernesto, the Center’s Hospital Director, has been reviewing the radiographs and planning Tuesday’s surgery. He’ll be applying an external fixation to the fractured metatarsus; while many avian fractures can be pinned with an intramedullary [IM] pin, the metatarsus can’t be repaired using that technique, as the hock or metatarsus-phalanx joint would be damaged. Instead, pins will be inserted through both sides of the eagle’s leg, both above and below the fracture. An external fixation pin will then be held in place by the pins in the eagle’s leg, which will offer stability and support during the healing period. Dr. Ernesto will decide on his final configuration of the fixation on Tuesday.

The update also has radiographs of HK's leg fracture.

https://www.wildlifecenter.org/critter-corner/patient-updates/bald-eagle-17-2257-hk-update-0 (https://www.wildlifecenter.org/critter-corner/patient-updates/bald-eagle-17-2257-hk-update-0)

Thanks, Alison!  Hoping surgery goes well!

HK is now out of surgery:

September 5, 2017

On the morning of September 5, Dr. Ernesto and licensed veterinary technician Leigh-Ann took Bald Eagle HK to surgery. Critter Cam viewers were able to watch the events on cam!

Leigh-Ann anesthetized the eagle and both she and Dr. Ernesto prepared the surgical site – plucking feathers all along HK’s injured leg. The bird received pain medication prior to surgery, and a catheter was placed to deliver fluids during the surgery. After the bird was prepared, he was taken into the Center’s operating room for the procedure.

Dr. Ernesto placed five pins in HK’s leg, above and below the fracture site. After the pins were placed, two external stabilizing bars were attached to the pins on either side of the leg to offer support to the eagle as he heals. The bars were anchored in place with acrylic. Once the bars were firmly in place, each was wrapped with protective vet wrap. Dr. Ernesto was pleased with the surgery overall.

(https://picload.org/image/dggrdlaw/hk-pins-sept-5-1a.jpg)

The entire fixation will stay in place for at least two weeks; then radiographs will be taken. If all is healing well, a “dynamic destabilization” will take place, which means that portions of the apparatus will be removed slowly. If all goes well, it will take about five weeks for HK’s leg to heal entirely. After the leg is fully healed, the bird will be moved to an outside enclosure and then will need to be re-conditioned in a large flight pen.

More photos with the update.

https://www.wildlifecenter.org/critter-corner/current-patients/bald-eagle-17-2257-hk (https://www.wildlifecenter.org/critter-corner/current-patients/bald-eagle-17-2257-hk)

I hope everything will go smoothly during recovery for this beautiful and special eagle.

:mini-bird: Here's hoping the surgical recovery goes perfectly. At least he survived the operation. It's early, I know, but it would be so wonderful if he were eventually be ready for release. Good luck to him!

Dot in PA

Thanks for posting, Alison!  I just read this newest update on FB!

Amanda Nicholson, WCV: Hey all -- just a quick update -- Dr. Ernesto told me that HK is standing already on his new contraption! Yay! He's still a bit sleepy (probably will not eat tonight) but looking good.

Thanks, Kris! I just came to post the same short update which you posted!  After everything HK has been through today, it's remarkable that he is standing already. He is one strong eagle. I am so glad that he is receiving this excellent level of care.

Today's update on HK; there is some cause for concern.

September 7, 2017

The morning after Bald Eagle HK’s surgery, Dr. Ernesto noted that the eagle was able to bear weight on his injured right leg, indicating that the external fixator was able to offer support to the eagle; however, HK was not bearing weight on his left leg. When HK is quietly resting in his enclosure, he often lies down with his wings spread out for balance.

Additional radiographs, as well as a review of the initial radiographs, didn’t show any obvious left leg or spinal injuries. On Thursday, Dr. Ernesto performed another examination of the eagle; results suggest that there is likely nerve damage to the left leg. The eagle is reactive when the upper part of his leg is manipulated but is not reacting when Dr. Ernesto manipulates the lower part of the leg and the foot. It’s unknown if injury occurred when HK was struck by a vehicle, or is due to how the eagle has been compensating for the fractured leg.

The team is performing daily physical therapy on both of HK’s legs, and will continue to offer anti-inflammatories and pain meds.

https://www.wildlifecenter.org/critter-corner/patient-updates/bald-eagle-17-2257-hk-update-2 (https://www.wildlifecenter.org/critter-corner/patient-updates/bald-eagle-17-2257-hk-update-2)

Oh dear..thanks for the update, Alison.

Oh dear, that's a shame. Hopefully he can overcome this setback.  :yes:

This morning's update on HK.

This is not at all what I was hoping for. It is extremely worrying.  :( I hope things will start to improve very soon for HK.

September 8, 2017

The veterinary team ran additional blood work on Bald Eagle HK; results indicated a high white blood cell count, which is concerning to Dr. Ernesto. On Friday, September 8, Dr. Ernesto grew even more concerned when he examined HK and found that the eagle’s right leg – the fractured leg – did not have appropriate blood flow. Dr. Ernesto removed one of the pins from the external fixation to help blood flow; he also scheduled a regimen of warm compresses to HK’s daily therapy, which also includes physical therapy and laser therapy. It’s likely that HK is spending too much time on his fractured leg due to the nerve damage in his left leg.

If HK stabilizes, Dr. Ernesto would like to explore additional diagnostic testing options to learn more about the nerve deficiency in HK’s left leg. Dr. Ernesto reached out to Virginia Tech to inquire about scheduling an EMG for HK. An EMG, or an electromyogram, measures muscle response as the nerves cells (motor neurons) are stimulated.  An EMG should offer better information about HK's injury, including whether or not the team can expect HK's nerve damage to slowly heal, or if the nerve damage is permanent. Before scheduling an appointment for an EMG, the veterinary team needs to see improvement to the blood flow in the eagle’s fractured leg.

The veterinary team carefully set up a sling for HK in his indoor enclosure; hopefully if the bird spends more time off of his feet, improvements will be seen. Throughout all of the traumatic injuries and treatments, HK is still eating on his own, which is encouraging. The staff will monitor the eagle closely during the next two days.

(https://picload.org/image/dggclral/hk-sept-8-1a.jpg)

https://www.wildlifecenter.org/critter-corner/patient-updates/bald-eagle-17-2257-hk-update-3 (https://www.wildlifecenter.org/critter-corner/patient-updates/bald-eagle-17-2257-hk-update-3)