[Peregrine falcon’s death should be reportedThe bird’s death should be reported to officials who banded it]

Late on Friday night, when I was searching for an update on an unrelated subject, I came across a short article by Joan Morris which stated that a peregrine had been found dead in San Jose. The person who found the bird was asking where to report this, since the bird was banded.

From The Mercury News:

Peregrine falcon’s death should be reported

The bird’s death should be reported to officials who banded it

DEAR JOAN: On my walk the other day I came across two dead birds. One of them appears to be a peregrine falcon with bands.

The falcon appeared to be ready for lunch as it had feathers in its talons, and may have flown into the power lines or the telephone pole. Both birds were at the base of the pole.

I reported this to San Jose Animal Control with their online form and let them know I had pictures of the bands, but I have heard nothing from them.

I’m sure whomever banded this bird would like to be aware of its outcome. Can you help me let the proper people know?

Tim Toschi, San Jose

DEAR TIM:  How very sad to see such a magnificent bird lying so still. You should report the bird’s death to the United State Geological Survey’s North American Bird Banding Program at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Maryland. You can file a report online or call 800-327-BAND.

http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/10/27/peregrine-falcons-death-should-be-reported/

That really is wonderful news! So glad he has been seen!

Several great photos of SE17 have been posted, including a gorgeous close-up.

https://www.facebook.com/Sea.EagleCAM/posts/1196801823690134

No new sightings of SE17 so far, but some people have been hearing him on cam from time to time.



An article on this beautiful fledgling, with several photos:

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/news/sydney-sea-eagle-fledgling-returned-after-failed-first-flight

[King Street]

King Street

Erin and Stormin at the nest a few minutes ago:

Two on the ledge at the moment:

I think they are both looking particularly beautiful:

         

From yesterday afternoon. Love seeing them together.

     

   

[October 20, 2016]

The Great Horned Owl who came to The Raptor Trust in early August with a fish hook and lure embedded in her wing has recovered, and has been released. What a great outcome for this beautiful owl!

October 20, 2016

One for the good guys!

Many of you recall the story from this past August about the Great Horned Owl we rescued from Dealaman Pond in Warren, NJ. The bird was found tangled in fishing line, hanging over the pond with a fishing hook stuck through its wrist.

Last night, 10/19/2016, Senior Medical Staffer, Cathy Malok from The Raptor Trust, released this big girl back into the wild!

The photos here show this female owl the day she was admitted for care with the fishing hook embedded in her wing, while the other photo shows her last night, in Cathy's hands, moments before release.



Photo: The Raptor Trust. The earlier photo mentioned was posted by Donna on this page on August 3.

Stories like this one remind us here at The Raptor Trust who we are and what we do. And horrible as this bird's individual adventure was, there were some positive outcomes.

We'd like to thank the citizens of Warren and surrounding areas for talking about this story in the local media to bring attention to the issue, and also the Blue Ridge Sportsman's Club for organizing a volunteer clean up of the pond to make it safe for both wildlife and human visitors as well.

This one took a community effort. Thanks to everyone who helped.

[10:50am, 26th October]

SE17 had not been seen for several days, but this morning there is a short post about a possible sighting.

10:50am, 26th October

Report from rangers they saw juvie fly from saltmarsh to forest. It was probably SE17 because (based on previous young) that is the likely area he may frequent, but they weren't close enough to see a band. *A first year WBSE was seen on Sunday, so there is a small possibility it had returned. A one year old wouldn't have the dark fringing on tail feathers (like the picture we have of S3 at the top of this page).

I hope that this is SE17, and that he is being fed by his parents. His Mom was seen with him in the salt marsh several days ago, so his parents know where he has been.

So very sad to see this. She was such a beautiful owl, and she will be much missed. 

I hope they find the person who did this, but do not have much hope that this will happen. Wildlife crime always seems to end up with nothing being done. This is much more than a "misdemeanor".

Rhea Mae and Tiago at the nest this morning:

Sea eaglet SE17 has been found in the salt marsh area outside the reserve. Posted five hours ago:

Narrative from our lead researcher, Judy Harrington

This morning we received a report of a juvenile Sea-Eagle near the river.

Going to check a short while later, I heard lots of birds making a fuss over Main Lagoon -something's happening!

Going to check I saw SE17 standing in the saltmarsh. Over a couple of hours, Steve, Shirley and I watched him being swooped and seriously pecked by ravens. An adult landed beside him twice, though we saw no feeding.

To our great surprise another juvenile eagle flew over. No longer about though.

We were very concerned at the submissive posture and apparent poor condition of 17. We circled around and approached by a different direction. Again to our surprise, he took off and flew a short distance.  We left him safe (I hope) apparently in a tree. Still being swooped. I am unsure that he has been fed.

Hopefully tomorrow the parents will bring food and he stays in this safe area.

There are photos with the post. I hope SE17 is going to be okay; it is not good to see him on the ground and being attacked by ravens.

https://www.facebook.com/Sea.EagleCAM/posts/1189835334386783

Dot.ca paid a visit to the nest this morning. From his behavior, I think Beauty was close by.

     

     

[October 18, 2016]

October 18, 2016

Island Girl continues on her purposeful track south, making her way along the coast around the Gulf of Mexico in a leisurely manner and stopping here and there for several days. She has now covered 4,133 miles.



The most recent blog entry from Donald McCall:

17 October, 2016

Island Girl is in Southern Mexico and Headed for Guatemala

After following the Gulf Coast of Mexico until just past Veracruz, Island Girl has now moved inland, and to higher ground, as she continues southeast through the state of Chiapas, Mexico toward Guatemala. She traveled 322 km (200 mi) on Sunday, remaining north of the Sierra Madres, and roosted in a forested area last night at an elevation of 1198 m (3931 ft). She was 200 km (124 mi) from the Guatemala border.

This is her usual and most direct route through southern Mexico and Central America, which she will probably follow through Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua before reaching the Caribbean Coast in Costa Rica.

[October 8]

Island Girl has continued her southern migration. The website was down for some days, but came back online.

October 8

By then she had travelled 3,118 miles.



And the associated blog entry, from Donald McCall:

08 October, 2016

Island Girl Has Almost Reached Mexico

Island Girl followed the Texas coastline for 333 km (207 mi) yesterday (Friday, 7 October), and nearly reached Mexico.  Her southwesterly course took her farther inland by the end of the day;  she roosted last night in the town of Pharr, 11 km from the Rio Grande (and Mexico), and 100 km (62 mi) west of South Padre Island and the Gulf of Mexico.  Google Earth shows her location to be a small strip mall, where the tallest nearby object appears to be a large billboard (visible on Google Street View).