http://youtu.be/6ocW6R897sA With Dad still missing, the UME is getting too close for comfort.

The AEF and its team were able to rescue an eaglet with a fishing hook inside its stomach from a Sevierville nest 80 ft above the ground on Monday morning of this week and have it back in its nest on Tuesday morning (with the hook removed). Many thanks to our team of cooperators.

April 24, 2018 -- The American Eagle Foundation's Smoky Mountain Eagle Nest Cam featuring the AEF's bald eagle pair Lady Independence and Sir Hatcher II

During the evening of April 22, 2018 at approximately 5:55 pm, the AEF's Smoky Mountain Nest Cam Volunteer Remote Camera Operator and Liaison identified what appeared to be some type of string in the nest. Upon closer observation by AEF staff and Smoky Mountain Nest Cam Volunteers, we concluded that a fish was brought to the nest by one of the parent eagles. The fish had spinner bait with a hook and braided line attached to it. The American Eagle Foundation Staff and Volunteers closely monitored the location of the fishing tackle and line within the nest. On April 23, 2018 at approximately 6:00 pm another fish with a hook and line attached was brought into the nest by one of the eagles. At that point, the AEF's, Al Cecere and Staff quickly began planning to remove the fishing line and tackle from the nest, first by obtaining approval from the USFWS and also enlisting the help of a professional arborist tree climber to assist in the process. On the morning of April 24, 2018 Al Cecere, Connor O'Brien and the tree climbing team went to the nest to remove the fishing line and tackle, upon further observation, it became obvious that one of the eaglets (SM15) had mono-filament hanging from its beak, so the eaglet was removed from the nest and taken to a local vet office for x-rays. Those x-rays revealed that the eaglet (SM15) had swallowed a hook and was lodged inside the eaglets' stomach. The eaglet is now being cared for by UT Vet School. We will work to keep everyone informed and deliver information on the status of SM15 as we receive it. Thank you for your patience.

4/24/18 - Update from Al Cecere- UT vets were able to remove the hook from the eaglets stomach, hopefully the eaglet will be returned to the nest soon.

Lady Independence & Sir Hatcher II have a special history with the American Eagle Foundation and its eagle repopulation & conservation programs. Lady was hatched at Dollywood in the nest of non-releasable Bald Eagles Independence & Franklin in 2008 and was banded & released at the AEF's Hack tower on Douglas Lake at about 13 weeks of age. She returned to the area with her mate (AEF named "Sir Hatcher I") in 2011, and they produced 16 eaglets together through 2017. In 2018, Lady returned with a new mate, "Sir Hatcher II ". (We have no idea what happened to her original mate). The new male was also banded by the AEF And had been rehabbed by the AEF after "failing to fledge" from a wild nest in Marion County in East Tennessee. This eagle was subsequently released from the AEF's hacktower on Douglas Lake in 2012. Lady and Sir Hatcher II are currently raising 3 eaglets together.

All photos Copyright 2018. American Eagle Foundation (www.eagles.org) All rights reserved.

Decorah Eagles: Morning Update & A Little "Hope"
Our search team was on the ground early this morning continuing to look for Dad Decorah who was last seen on the nest about 7:30pm Wednesday Evening. As you know from our previous posts, Mom has been calling for him, and she is also in the company of an Unidentified Male Eagle (UME) who has been perched close by the nest tree and surrounding trees. He does not seem to pose a threat to Mom or the eaglets, but she has vocalized her displeasure. Mom continues to do what she does best, care, feed and nurture D29, D30, and D31 while taking few and short breaks. We will continue to provide updates as they come in from our boots-on-the-ground search team. We know that this is a very tough time for all of you who love the Decorah Eagles, and it is for all of us here at RRP as well. We're buoyed by your supportive and kind comments, and want to leave you with a little hope … it's what we are all holding on to as we search for an outcome.

Please don't ask what happened to Dad or speculate … We wish we knew, but we don't, and are hoping to find him while remaining optimistic. Take the time to read our previous posts from yesterday and you might find that a question you wonder about has been answered. Our wonderful mods here are working overtime to read and acknowledge your posts, and answer questions, and we're stretched a little thin, as some of our volunteers are part of the search effort.

What we can tell you is that Mom and the eaglets are fine. She has tremendous strength as well as skills learned from the best - her devoted partner Dad Decorah. The hatchery is right outside the nest door for trout, as well as the stream below for the run of spring suckers, and there is still food stockpiled in the pantree. The eaglets have their wooly natal down jackets and are able to better thermoregulate and will do fine. Even if unattended for a short bit, they are never far from Mom's watchful eyes.

Thank you all for your support, kindness, and understanding during a most difficult time for everyone.

Raptor Resource Project
22 April at 21:16 ·
I’d like to start this message to you all with my own acknowledgement of admiration for Dad Decorah, who has captivated the hearts and minds of so many. For over 10 years, he has served as the subject of enjoyment, education, and wonder for millions of people, while being an eagle partner to Mom Decorah and Dad to many eaglets. It is amazing to think that after the successful fledge of D29, D30 and D31, he will have brought so many fish to the nest, gathered and shimmied so many eaglets underneath him, and delivered so many eaglet meals to 31 eaglets that we know! After so many hours of gazing at this beautiful creature, I have to share a couple photos of him tending to his young and keeping them safe with Mom Decorah during the recent snowstorms.

To the best of our knowledge, Dad Decorah has been missing since Thursday morning. We are doing our best to answer the question – “what happened to Dad?�. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those that helped in the search for Dad Decorah on Friday, Saturday, and into a portion of Sunday. We had over 20 people there to help with the efforts, including the Decorah Fire Department Search & Rescue Team. That includes people that were able to be physically present and those that were not, but were helping behind the scenes. It really came in handy to have Incident Commander experience assembling and managing emergency response spill crews in a prior career. We train to be thorough, methodical, and keep good communication channels open and that is exactly what the larger reconnaissance team did Saturday morning. Local residents, volunteers, and RRP staff set out to search the grounds from the immediate nest area all the way out to the perimeter of the valley. We scoured the normal roost and perch areas that Dad Decorah frequented. Highways and focus points like road-kill along them were targeted. The Decorah Fire Department also used their drone experts to check out some of the more challenging areas. We did not encounter any sign of him up to this point.

We will continue monitoring the situation at N2B while the new nest dynamics play out. Thank you all for your understanding during this difficult time, as we do our best to figure out what happened and observe a new reality that is unfolding before our eyes. We know that Mom is strong, experienced, and we are pulling for her success…..and we are in this together as we have always been. That is what has made this group of eagle followers special. Our human emotions and attachment to these amazing creatures cannot be denied. Having said that, we all have the opportunity to witness nature unscripted and unedited. It is an opportunity to understand and become connected to the natural world through “our eagles�.

Again, thank you for your care, concern, and support of these very special bald eagles and the world-wide educational effort they allow us to provide.

John Howe, Director
Raptor Resource Project

  Hope they find him, crazy how he just disappeared. 

Found this on our twitter page and had to share this unusual looking Eagle! 

Looks sort of like a Harpy! This was in Kenya

Here's something you don't see very often...a tiercel on the eggs sleeping with his head under his wing!

Heck, Ed does it every night except he's on his pillows, on the couch!!

By: Falco P Dagsamenvatting 22 April
** trouble in the mortar, figuratively and later literally **. The mortar will remain calm for some longer time. At First, the day seemed to start again like the last few days. NV stays in "Standing-sleep" in the closet. If she gets woken up by 06.00, she'll leave right away. What about m? Yeah, it's gonna be on his egg again! Then all of a sudden, around 07.20, the mortar starts in the mortar. Strange because this storm wasn't predicted until late afternoon. Yet again high voltage around the tower by a 3th Falcon. Attacks over and over. Around 10.40, it looks as if nv is going to see this strange intruder out and return the rest. The day will expire as it has been in the last few days. Quiet, calm, no registered mating, a prooioverdrachtje and 2 group conversations from nv and m by the closet. In the chat, you will be aware of a memorable moment. " Lambert is going to film at the tower this afternoon." today exactly 11 years ago it turns out that one of the most historic territoriumgevechten has taken place with the necessary consequences. Mhhh, I think, what was going on here. It's a good time to dive into vwg's archives. And see here; for the initiates perhaps a " oh yes-moment " and for the new among us maybe a " oh yes?- a moment ". that tower in the mortar was ready in 1990 In the winter of 2004-2005, members of the vwg around the tower saw some peregrines floating and a hive was quickly placed in 2005 The legendary pa and ma became the first residents and in March 2005 the first 2 Kuuks were a fact. Also in 2006, pa and ma chicks raised big, but preferably 4. Than in 2007, the known s2 is coming into the picture after which ma will eventually be defeated by this superior s2. PA continues only breed but SV also hijacks all the food away Which causes the youngest chick to die. However, to everyone's surprise, s2 finally takes care of the care and leaves 2 Kuuks. In 2008-2009 and 2010, this couple is running like clockwork, finally, 4, 4 AND 3 boy from the nest. In 2011 everything seems to be going well, and at the end of the breeding season there are 3 chicks again. Just after the breeding season, s2 is shot by an unknown. Operations to regret and optimal care, in the following year, s2 dies. In 2012, dad must be looking for a new partner. At first it seems to be 2 OR IT ALSO LAYS 3 Eggs, but even then there are territorial battles during breeding and the hilt is taken over by vv (a strange ongeringd female) Unfortunately, all of this has taken its toll. Demanded and for the first time no chicks in the world in the mortar. 2013 is awesome too. Pa starts the season with vv, after which the death of 2 or again appears and the fight concerns vv. This one picks "eggs" for her money and leaves. You'd think! A week later, maybe at training camp, she's back there and she knows how to drive 2 or out. At the end of the season, 2 Young Falcons come out. Bizarre news in may is that the dead 2 or is found on one of the rings of the tower. In 2014 everything is quiet and pa and vv are a total of 4 boy. The Year 2015 is then another one with obstacles. Both pa and vv have to take the necessary battles with male and female invaders. Result pa delft the defeat and this has never been heard again. Vv eventually continues with a ongeringd male (VM) which leads to 4 chicks. In 2016 and last year 2017, vv and vm were always together, after which 4 AND 2 chicks were born respectively. As of 2005, a total of 38 boy peregrines were born in the mortar. Class anyway?! And 2018.....? seems to be going to be like 2012, a year without chicks. It is nice to be able to consult such information and realize that this science is thanks to all the volunteers of vwg, experience spring and our own falconisten. When I shut down, the trouble is over, literally now. The predicted thunderstorms in the evening in the mortar have fortunately been omitted. He's back on his feet. A dagsamenvatting of actually nothing or maybe it is; great beautiful knowledge.

They are cursed! 

10:46
11:17  

UPDATE:

Beauty gave up!! 

Yep, and here is the moment, showing DC's "deer in the headlights" look

I remember well!! So cute!! I was just on my way to Rochester that day!

[When he tells her "An egg is hatching" she takes over. This is the way of the peregrine.]

Wednesday April 18, 2018, 7:40am:

Yesterday was hatch day at the Cathedral of Learning nest but it was not a happy day.  As the female peregrine Hope has done in the past, she killed and ate some of her young as they hatched.  The status right now is:

April 17, 8:10am: As the first egg began to hatch, Hope picked up the chick, killed and ate it. Her back was to the camera.
April 17, 9:07am: As the second egg began to hatch, Hope opened the egg, killed and ate the chick in full camera view.
April 17, 1:35pm: Terzo was on the eggs. Hope arrived and chirped for him to leave.  She opened the 3rd egg, picked up the chick and carried it, but did not kill it.  Hope eventually brooded the chick and the remaining egg.
April 17, 4:55pm:  Early evening: Terzo brought food. Hope fed the chick.
April 18, 6:20am:  Nest exchange at dawn. Terzo arrives with food. Hope feeds the chick. Then Terzo broods. 1 egg remains.

Why does Hope kill and eat her young?

We don't know.  This is such a rare occurrence that there's no guidance from similar peregrine nests -- they just don't do this.  Meanwhile every idea we come up with is a guess.  I prefer not to wade into the guessing.

Unusual behaviors:

Yes, Hope kills and eats her chicks but there are two unusual habits that accompany it:

Hope opens the egg.  The hatching rule for all birds is this: Chicks must open the eggs themselves. At other peregrine falconcams notice that the mother watches but does not touch the shell until the chick has forced open the two halves.  Later the mother eats the shell (which is normal). Raptors beaks are sharp and could damage the chick. Normal mother raptors do not use their beaks on the eggs.
Hope picks up and carries the chick.  Normal peregrines don't pick up their hatchlings. When a chick is outside the scrape (nest bowl) the mother uses the underside of her closed beak to pull the chick back to her.  Hope uses her closed beak to arrange the eggs but she breaks that rule when they hatch.
 

Why doesn't Terzo stay at the nest and prevent this from happening?

The rule at peregrine nests is that the mother bird is totally in charge.  The father bird defers to her.

A corollary is that the mother bird is always present and in charge at hatching time.  She calls all the shots, including timing of the first feeding.

The father bird may communicate that he wants something to be different but it's her decision.  When Hope tells Terzo, "It's my turn to be on the nest!" he has to leave.  When he tells her "An egg is hatching" she takes over.  This is the way of the peregrine.

What next?

We don't know what Hope will do with the last egg so these warnings still apply.

A Caution to Viewers:

Don't watch the eggs hatch at the Cathedral of Learning if it upsets you to see a mother kill her young.


Remember when DC watched (Orion) (?) hatch? He didn't call Beauty and he was kinda surprised!! No one really knows why she eats her young, not even the experts but OMG, it sure is traumatic!!

Kate said this happens else where, I would like to know more about this......NOT RIGHT!!

Between this nest and DeMortel....it's enough to drive a person who just "ADORES" falcons...mad! 

Sad to think it's where Beauty was hatched, too.

Yes, but Dorothy wasn't a Cannibal!! 

She has issues!!    I don't watch that cam anymore! She needs help!

NOT NORMAL!!! 

harlequin peregrines
both flying
quest with food on top of 225  Ann B

She said Quest was in nest on eggs when she got there then Mystery man brought food, she left the nest, he tried to mate more than once but of course, she said NO!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2018/04/12/falcons-are-as-fast-as-racecars-pity-their-poor-prey/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.370c7ed6fc26

Cam 8 ice

It was 83 here in NJ yesterday...too hot for me, today back to normal.... 38!!