Shepherdstown, West Virginia 2011
- Molly
- Registered user
- Viestit: 5111
- Liittynyt: 27 Syys 2009 21:09
- 14
- Paikkakunta: Helsinki, Suomi Finland
Such a tragedy. Mom`s finally got the fish but the little one hasn`t been moving for a while now. I hope to be wrong.
All the birds have flown up and gone; A lonely cloud floats leisurely by. We never tire of looking at each other - Only the mountain and I. -Li Po-
The new day is begining... Belle has been up and checked the nest cub couple of times. Think, if the egg should be fine and yet hatchedl! Can it be even possible?? I guess, I'm dreaming...
Just now it's peaceful, only wind. I try later put some pics here from yesterday.
Just now it's peaceful, only wind. I try later put some pics here from yesterday.
Sadly I think its safe to assume that this breeding attempt has failed this year, I have not been watching the nest for long so does anyone know did something happen to the male at this nest site, has he disappeared ?
I think the eagle shown is a new female, probably the intruder that caused the nest failure, it must be one tough bird as apparently it has succeeded in driving off both the resident pair, as the resident male has been seen at the nest site regularly
Robbo, this from NCTC Eagle nest updates:
March 21, 2011
In upcoming weeks, we will do our very best to post regular, factual updates that are grounded in science. Over the weekend, we were able to confirm the presence of a third adult eagle near the nest, and we are almost certain that it is a breeding age female. Typically, the presence of a new female means she is competing with the established pair of eagles for the current nest and the territory that goes with it. Nest competition is a common occurrence in areas with healthy eagle populations, meaning the total population of eagles near NCTC has likely increased in recent years.
We have also confirmed multiple sightings of the male eagle who is part of the established breeding pair. The male does not appear to be injured, and seems to be in good health. The eaglet which hatched on March 17th has died and the remaining egg is not likely to hatch given that it is not being regularly incubated by the parents.
We do have biologists on staff here at NCTC who are available to share their expert assessments of the situation. In addition, our land manager has been communicating with another raptor biologist based in our Chesapeake Bay field office. There is general agreement that if the new female eagle is successful in chasing off the current female, the new female will then need to recruit a male to join her. However, it is likely too late in the nesting season for success in laying, incubating and hatching any new eggs.
You may wonder why there is competition over this nest - and there are several potential factors. Eagles prefer to nest in the tops of large trees located near rivers, lakes, and other wetlands. The NCTC nest is located very close to the Potomac River, which is a plentiful source of fish for nesting eagles to hunt. In addition, eagle nests represent a considerable investment of effort to construct: they can be up to 10 feet in diameter and weigh up to 2,000 lbs. And finally, as mentioned above, nest competition frequently occurs in areas with a significant eagle population.
March 21, 2011
In upcoming weeks, we will do our very best to post regular, factual updates that are grounded in science. Over the weekend, we were able to confirm the presence of a third adult eagle near the nest, and we are almost certain that it is a breeding age female. Typically, the presence of a new female means she is competing with the established pair of eagles for the current nest and the territory that goes with it. Nest competition is a common occurrence in areas with healthy eagle populations, meaning the total population of eagles near NCTC has likely increased in recent years.
We have also confirmed multiple sightings of the male eagle who is part of the established breeding pair. The male does not appear to be injured, and seems to be in good health. The eaglet which hatched on March 17th has died and the remaining egg is not likely to hatch given that it is not being regularly incubated by the parents.
We do have biologists on staff here at NCTC who are available to share their expert assessments of the situation. In addition, our land manager has been communicating with another raptor biologist based in our Chesapeake Bay field office. There is general agreement that if the new female eagle is successful in chasing off the current female, the new female will then need to recruit a male to join her. However, it is likely too late in the nesting season for success in laying, incubating and hatching any new eggs.
You may wonder why there is competition over this nest - and there are several potential factors. Eagles prefer to nest in the tops of large trees located near rivers, lakes, and other wetlands. The NCTC nest is located very close to the Potomac River, which is a plentiful source of fish for nesting eagles to hunt. In addition, eagle nests represent a considerable investment of effort to construct: they can be up to 10 feet in diameter and weigh up to 2,000 lbs. And finally, as mentioned above, nest competition frequently occurs in areas with a significant eagle population.
As I promised here some earlier pics. Couldn't make it yesterday and
had great difficulties today figure out of a large number of images...
The Sunday 20 March 2011, when Paddy died.
Paddy weakened. After couple of minutes Mom came, she saw... I thought, now she will go for a fish! She left. ( I turned the cam off)
At 18:17 - 18:21 CET
When I some hours later turned on... It had happened. Belle screamed painfully a while... later angrily to an intruder (?) upwards looking... again and again... and then watched quietly at Paddy standing in place for a long time... Began eat the fish and several times like asking, Paddy, you want a bit? Once the fish almost fall to the nest cub on Paddy, Belle frightened it very much.
Pain, Grief.
The Fish ~ You want some?
Brooding. Lost.
Belle vocalized painfully many hours...Night came, and she began to incubate them, she was sitting on the egg and dead Paddy tending them.
Following day Belle buried Paddy and the Egg in the nest cub - today she did it a second time.
had great difficulties today figure out of a large number of images...
The Sunday 20 March 2011, when Paddy died.
Paddy weakened. After couple of minutes Mom came, she saw... I thought, now she will go for a fish! She left. ( I turned the cam off)
At 18:17 - 18:21 CET
When I some hours later turned on... It had happened. Belle screamed painfully a while... later angrily to an intruder (?) upwards looking... again and again... and then watched quietly at Paddy standing in place for a long time... Began eat the fish and several times like asking, Paddy, you want a bit? Once the fish almost fall to the nest cub on Paddy, Belle frightened it very much.
Pain, Grief.
The Fish ~ You want some?
Brooding. Lost.
Belle vocalized painfully many hours...Night came, and she began to incubate them, she was sitting on the egg and dead Paddy tending them.
Following day Belle buried Paddy and the Egg in the nest cub - today she did it a second time.
- Molly
- Registered user
- Viestit: 5111
- Liittynyt: 27 Syys 2009 21:09
- 14
- Paikkakunta: Helsinki, Suomi Finland
This was one of those so sad stories that are taking place in the nature all the time......without us knowing anything about them
But still..... Thank You Annie for sharing that with us
But still..... Thank You Annie for sharing that with us
All the birds have flown up and gone; A lonely cloud floats leisurely by. We never tire of looking at each other - Only the mountain and I. -Li Po-
Thanks Mimmu and Annie for the updates and pictures.
Agree with you robbo: One tough bird! Saw this, the Intruder came after Belle had just flew off, maybe fishing. Intruder examined the grave of Paddy and the Egg and arranged places!! - - - This is Belle's and Liberty's nest for long time.robbo kirjoitti:I think the eagle shown is a new female, probably the intruder that caused the nest failure, it must be one tough bird as apparently it has succeeded in driving off both the resident pair, as the resident male has been seen at the nest site regularly
Cource this is the nature, but...
Here's something too, even in the message which Mimmu sent, were already said a lot.
What about then this? Two videos from Paula :
http://www.youtube.com/user/paulaeaglet ... o3kuaUbS3M
http://www.youtube.com/user/paulaeaglet ... jZyrEG_bEs
Very interesting.
http://www.youtube.com/user/paulaeaglet ... o3kuaUbS3M
http://www.youtube.com/user/paulaeaglet ... jZyrEG_bEs
Very interesting.