I voted.

We were supporting several Pepsi refresh challenge participants before the break. Did any of them return?

The Byron-Bergen School newsletter just came out telling about the excitement of winning the challenge and included a description of what the playground will be like when it's finished. They're presently recruiting people to help assemble the project and when it's finished, I'll see if I can get a pic of it to post on here.

Excellent on both! 

Also-"A Tricycle for Lexie"-we saw little Lexie & her mother coming into church on Easter and got to talk to her mom.  She said that Lexie got her tricycle and is progressing very well with her leg strengthening since she received it-and she rides it every chance she gets! She said to say thank you to everyone for their votes!

Turkey Vultures are usually just floating through the area on migration.  They may be attracted to the caches left by the Peregrines on top of buildings.  As far as I know, they are no threat to Peregrines or their young.  They are just in the wrong spot at the wrong time, when it comes to a protective Peregrine Papa.  

Personally, I think Turkey Vultures are handsome birds.  If you get a chance to visit with Barf at Wild Wings, you might change your opinion.  

Carol P.

Thanks,Donna for asking, and thank you to BF and Ann for the report and pics of Kendal with TV.  
I left work yesterday and stopped because  I saw the  ugliest thing sitting in the road.  It flew up when I passed, so of course I stopped and then saw three turkey vultures sitting in trees on the side of the road.  I pulled out my binocs and just sat and watched them.  They are big and  "big ugly".   So good for Kendal for sounding the alarm and chasing this  big, ugly TV from the nest.  
Actually, if someone can answer...how much of a threat are TVs to the nest?  I thought they were only attracted to carrion, and by the scent or gasses given off by decaying matter.  Do TVs prey on nests too?
I know our parents downtown have been subject to TVs  and given chase as well.  Can anyone inform?

I fell in love with Barf, he caught my attention!! 

Yep. I'm fine. Now go make me a sammich!

What want?   Actually, I can't move since I'm glued here!!!

That blob of light has eyes...and it looks like beauty is watching it..     

Gee, I should ask more often!!! Thanks so much BF, what perfect timing!! GREAT pics too!

Any news on Quest??? Nothing since April 30th. Anyone have contact with Harlequin? Just wondering how the last egg is doing. Thanks!!

Forum member, Nicole from Montreal, has asked me to post this for her. Please help them win $10,000 for this great cause by voting each day until the voting closes on June 30, 2011. Thank you!

http://www.refresheverything.ca/quebecoiseaux

Good cause..OK!

Last we heard you said you were in traction!! Then nada! Just checking.

Don't they have wet naps where he eats!!

Very cute pics again, thank you for posting. So adorable!! 

[Hope your Birthday is the best]

Hope your Birthday is the best. Would love to hear from you.

 

[WCV staff think that the bird may well return to her home territory in Gloucester]

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-releaseâ€�.

According to Wildlife Center President Ed Clark, the incident is more frustrating than anything else.  â€œWith 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.â€� 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,â€� Clark said.  â€œWe’re just going to have to find them a new friendâ€�.

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!

Yay 3 for Rhea Mae and Tiago!  WooHoo!   

Donna - that is one of my favorite pictures of Rhea Mae.  When we saw that picture, the original road trip gals, Kathy O, Lisa McK & Carol P, made immediate plans to travel to Whitby and find our beloved Rhea Mae.  That was the best trip ever.  We never did find her, but we had an awesome time trying.  I have no idea how many people we showed that picture to and asked, "Have you seen this bird?  Have you seen that branch?"  Hahahahahaha!   

I remember that trip you all took and yes, it's a fantastic pic of RM!! 

Wow, these are all good and I like the captions. Thanks who submitted and thank you Aafke, I know you have been very busy. 

That's great news, thanks Lynn.