[‘Matthew’ the bald eagle recovering at BEAKS after vehicle encounter]

The bald eagle rescued from a car grille has been named Matthew, and is now in care at B.E.A.K.S. Wildlife Sanctuary, where he is doing well.

An article from jacksonville.com:



Photo by Cindy Mosling, BEAKS.

‘Matthew’ the bald eagle recovering at BEAKS after vehicle encounter

Famed bald eagle Matthew was bruised not broken by a Saturday encounter with a Saturn on Fleming Island.

The bird made national news after becoming stuck in a car grille in traffic on U.S. 17 the day after Hurricane Matthew blew by Northeast Florida. After being freed from the car by Clay Fire and Rescue and Clay County Sheriff’s deputies, the bird was taken to Cindy Mosling, who founded the BEAKS wildlife sanctuary on Big Talbot Island in Jacksonville.

She was stunned to find that the bird did not have broken wings or bones. He was initially “lethargic,� likely because of the experience and related bruising, she said. But by Monday, Matthew was eating and was able to fly to higher perches in his cage.

“He’s feisty now,� she said. “His wings are working.�

Mosling planned to give Matthew a test flight in a larger enclosure to confirm the health of those wings. If the bird passes that test, he will be released “right away,� she said.

The eagle was christened Matthew by Billi West, who was driving on U.S. 17 on Fleming Island, saw it caught in the grille of another car and motioned to the other driver to pull over. She later drove the bird to Mosling.

About 100 BEAKS birds were evacuated to Callahan during the storm. An ostrich and emu had to be left behind in a tarp-covered enclosure and Mosling spent anxious hours worrying about them. But they made it through fine, Mosling said.

Meanwhile, many trees on the property did not fare so well. So many large trees are down that Mosling said she suspected a tornado went through the sanctuary.

“We had to climb trees to get in,� she said.

Many aviary enclosures that used to receive shade from those trees have to be relocated because they are now in direct sunlight, she said.

Miraculously, the falling trees came down between enclosures rather than on top of them. But Mosling needs donations to repair many enclosure screens that were damaged.

http://jacksonville.com/news/2016-10-10/%E2%80%98matthew%E2%80%99-bald-eagle-recovering-beaks-after-vehicle-encounter

Video of the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, including more information and footage of Matthew the bald eagle.

https://www.facebook.com/BEAKSINC/videos/vb.172255212905193/899172413546799/?type=3&theater

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/environment-and-nature/20161011/condor-chick-born-in-wild-flies-from-nest-at-pinnacles-for-first-time-in-a-century?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook#disqus_thread

This is great news! Thank you, nwfloridafalconfan!

I don't follow this site too often but have followed the latest news on BCAW. It's sad to read that Spark isn't there anymore..that there might be a new male.  There's several daily posts and pics on BCAW about what's going on, if you want to check it out, Alison.

Thank you for that information, Kris. I just hope that Spark is found safe somewhere.

Eaglet SE17 began branching yesterday. Today he was out on a branch when he lost his footing, and slipped down to a lower branch. From there he went lower again, and then was divebombed by curras. This startled him, and he ended up on the ground, not a safe place for an eaglet. Among other hazards, there is a fox in the area.

Rescuers were able to reach him. They captured him and placed him in a cage. He is believed to be okay, but has been taken to be checked out at the wildlife hospital. I hope he is not injured. I am not sure what the next step is, but apparently it is unlikely that he will be returned to the nest.

Both parents are currently in the nest tree.

[Monday, October 17, 2016]

It appears that Durand's mate, Spark, may be missing.

From the blog:

Monday, October 17, 2016

Spark MIA? New Male?

Fans have reported the possibility of a new male in the downtown Columbus territory and concern over the lack of sightings of the resident male, Spark. The lack of observations of Spark are not necessarily cause for concern at this time of the year. Courtship and nesting occur in late winter into spring and outside of this time frame some peregrines do migrate (remember that the Latin name for peregrine means “wanderer�).

So it is possible that Spark has migrated out of the area and in his absence another male is investigating the territory. There are any number of falcons out there (called “floaters�) that do investigate territories as they can, especially during migration. These floaters can be unmated falcons or falcons with a territory that just happen to be migrating (perhaps Spark is investigating another territory wherever he may be?).

It is also possible that the other male came into the territory and battled Spark for it. In that case, the lack of sightings of Spark would indicate that the new male was the victor.  However, most territorial battles occur between females and the lack of this other male’s assertiveness in accessing the ledge (and lack of witnesses downtown of such an altercation) would imply that a territorial battle did not occur.

Peregrines maintain the same mate from year to year but quickly find a replacement when/if something happens to one of the pair.  Therefore, the current situation may just be a case of when the cat’s away (Spark), the mice (Durand and the new male) will play-so to speak!!  The birds have no loyalty to a mate if the mate is not present.  Having the cameras running even in the “off seasonâ€� definitely helps us see more of what goes on. But don’t forget, the downtown territory is large and the cameras only show about 25 feet of ledge space.  Therefore, a lot of the daily action and interactions of the peregrines can and does go on outside of our view.

Our role is to watch and learn and note what players we have when nesting season comes around again early 2017.  Any photos confirming leg bands on a peregrine that is not Durand (or a peregrine lacking leg bands) will be helpful in tracking which male(s) are confirmed in the territory.

To review, Durand's leg bands are:  right:  silver USGS band; left:  black/black 32/X
Spark's leg bands are:  right:  purple USGS band; left:  black/red 32/B

Only time will tell if Spark or the mysterious visitor--or another male altogether--will be the resident male next year.  As information becomes available, it will be shared here.

I think it is very unlikely that Spark has migrated, since he has never done so before. He has always stayed around during the winter.

I hope that he has not been in a territorial battle with another male. Unfortunately, battles between males are not uncommon; I have seen a number of those take place on cam.

I hope that Spark, son of SW and Boomer, is okay. He has been a wonderful mate for Durand and a great father to their chicks.

From where I am, the Columbus cams have not been working for several months. Either an error message states that the whole site is down, or when the site is working, only black rectangles are visible where the live stream should be, so I have been unable to keep up to date with this site.

     

Beauty and DC were both at the nest:

         

Sunrise movie

Spectacular sunrise! Thank you, Shaky.

He seemed to be talking to Beauty, but she was not visible on cam.

         

Dot.ca arrived early this morning:

         

After he left, Beauty stayed, and was there until 2:41 p.m. What a beautiful falcon she is; her coloring is just exceptional.

That's why I nicknamed her the Beautyful one! 

I didn't know that you were the one who gave her that nickname, MAK! It's perfect for her!

[Bald eagle stuck in car grill rescued in Florida]

I hope this poor eagle, a seven year old male, will make a complete recovery. The plan is to release him once he recovers from his ordeal. I am very glad he was rescued. Many thanks to Clay County police and firefighters for helping him.

Bald eagle stuck in car grill rescued in Florida





Photos: Clay County Sheriff's Office.
 
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct. 9 (UPI) -- What appeared at first to be a 3D decal on the front of a car bumper, turned out to be a live eagle. The driver who noticed the eagle stuck in the front grill of a passing car chased down the vehicle and alerted police.

Clay County police and firefighters were soon on the scene, and were able to dislodge the eagle. The bird apparently became lodged in the front of the car when it flew too close in front of the oncoming vehicle.

"The bird is alive and was turned over to the B.E.A.K.S. Wildlife Sanctuary," the Clay County Sheriff's Office reported on Facebook. "Great job by all involved."

http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2016/10/09/Bald-eagle-stuck-in-car-grill-rescued-in-Florida/2701476035550/ph2/

Dot.ca is back for another visit:

         

After he left, Beauty stayed, and was there until 2:41 p.m. What a beautiful falcon she is; her coloring is just exceptional.

       

         

DC spent some time trying to coax Beauty into the nest: