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For all you eagle fans--Over the weekend, Christina Murphy, of the Norfolk Eagles Forum, attended the release of three rehabbed young eagles by the Wildlife Center of Virginia. She took some great videos and also posted wonderful stills taken by a friend of her family. Here is the general information, plus links to the videos and stills, all by permission from Christina and friend.
Christina's intro to the videos: "I posted 4 videos. The first one is Ed Clark’s opening comments. Then a video for each eagle. The first eagle was tossed up in the air toward the trees then did a mid-air u-turn toward the water. Which I didn’t anticipate so I lost him in the view finder. The second eagle, Ed was surrounded by people and I couldn’t see the eagle until it cleared everyone’s head, then I got it perfect. The third one, I positioned myself perfectly and got great footage from start to finish."
Link to videos (click on the individual "frames" ):
http://www.norfolkeagles.com/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=1132
Link to still photos:
http://www.norfolkeagles.com/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=1128

Christina also sent this report on the three Norfolk Botanical Gardens fledglings:
"At the Norfolk nest, the oldest (HK) has been pretty scarce. But the two girls have not made him very welcome, so I’m not surprised. And he did get out first with the parents to learn how to hunt, so hopefully he is independent now and making it on his own. The two girls, Azalea and HE, are still getting food drops at the nest. But they are spending a lot of time with the parents as well. HE still seems reluctant to leave the nest though… Azalea’s tracking maps show that she is increasing her range. She is flying over the airport. I think most of us feel that they would be better off on their own and venturing out than sticking close by and flying over the airport. We’re just waiting on the day that Azalea’s tracking shows a straight line instead of all this back-and-forth she’s been doing."

Some photo samples from the release day, by permission, Donald Lynch. (I'm not sure whether the following are of the same or different birds.):
Ed Clark, President and co-founder of Wildlife Center of VA, prepares for a release:

Ed gets a wing to the face (after already having had his glasses broken):



What it's all about!

Edited to delete double post.
-Bville

A couple of photos of one of the RanchAcres juvies over the past two days.




A day or two earlier I had also seen one of the juvies flying around the cell tower that the parents are sometimes seen perched on, calling out loudly.  Then it circled off to the east, joining up with one of its parents near the Education Service Center  (hmm, bville - remember the photo you posted from the news clip showing the hawk eating at that site?  We had wondered if it could have been one of the RanchAcres pair - I would definitely say now that it is within its territory!!)  They circled around a bit there and across the street at the Methodist Manor before I lost track of them.



I have not had any more sightings of the Langenheim 09 twins or their parents. 

I have a few photos - really poor quality - of one of the 51st&Peoria adults a couple of different times hanging around 51st and Lewis, as well as a couple of their juvie flying by my house --  somewhere in my photostream recently! --  www.flickr.com/photos/cheryls_camera

One day last week I watched a juvie on one of the cell towers at 36th & Lewis during a rainstorm (also in my recent flickr photostream).  It was flapping its wings, holding them out like it was gliding, and then they would just droop and hang down.  Then it would repeat it - finally it got enough lift and flew over to an adjacent cell tower.  When I got a bit closer, I discovered it had joined its SIBLING!!!  I had no idea there were 2 juvies from the 36th&Lewis nest.  It is extremely hard nest to view and the few glimpses I have had, it appears extremely small.  Major street reconstruction went on right underneath the nest the whole nesting season, which is completed now - but the intersection nearby where the cell towers are is under major construction now, a maze of orange barrels.

Which brings me to another point which may not affect the hawks at all but left me wondering.  The urban landscape for the Langenheim and 51st&Peoria RTs has been undergoing major changes the past few months as the area is readied for more I-44 expansion.  Many of the buildings and trees they have used as perches are now gone or in the process of being taken down.  The cell tower that I have occasionally spotted one of the Langenheim adults will soon be taken down and relocated about 1/2 mile south.  But at least none of these projects affect the areas where their actual nests are - around 1/2 mile away.

Thanks, catgirl. I do remember that news clip photo. Will go back and review that and put your new sightings on the map. It never hurts to make note of even the smallest glimpses, does it? I love that beautiful face on the juvie in your second photo!

http://www.norfolkeagles.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=1204&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&sid=73128451b8dcabdacea1096e43602cf8

WOW!  I was chatting with the Norfolk folks this morning and they linked me to their forum and the most recent incredible shots of a mid-air fish transfer from Dad to Azalea!

Langeheim's Spotted yesterday afternoon in the wind gliding about on the thermals. They actually appeared to be playing, floating along zooming around then massive flapping of wings, then more soaring.  Teenagers! Go Figure.

Workaholic:

Langeheim's Spotted yesterday afternoon in the wind gliding about on the thermals....rc

Thanks for that report, Workaholic! For mapping purposes, were these the two juvies, and were they in the vicinity of the park?

Gunit (if you are around), have you seen any north Tulsa Hawks this summer? How about in the vicinity of Mike Patrick Park, or the J.D. Metcalfe Recreation area? Or anywhere else?

Bville,

B'ville-

Yes I am still around.  I have not seen any hawks at Metcalf or Mike Patrick Park.  There is one, probably the Mike Patrick hawk, that checks out the bird feeders in my yard every once in awhile.  I have seen an adult hawk several times on a light post at the Sheridan Avenue offramp from Highway 11.  I usually see it around 5:00 to 5:30 pm. I have not had much time to observe lately, just by chance.

Thanks for the information, Gunit. It's encouraging to know that there are still hawks in some of the general areas you've reported on in the past. That is good news on a hot summer day. I'll incorporate your information on the Map. 

For followers of the Norfolk Botanical Garden eagles: There is new information today from the Wildlife Center of Virginia with an update on last year's Norfolk eaglet, called Buddy. Buddy was removed from the nest last summer for treatment of a lesion on his beak caused by Avian Pox. The lesion healed, but Buddy's beak has continued to need periodic treatment for an abnormal growth pattern that interferes with the bird's feeding. The latest assessment and determination are that Buddy has been declared "Non-releasable." Here is the explanation form Edward E. Clark, President and Co-Founder of the Wildlife Center of Virginia, in a communication sent to the Wildlife Center Community.
 Mr. Clark:

   "Earlier this month, I asked Dr. Dave McRuer, the Director of Veterinary Medicine at the Wildlife Center of Virginia, to do a formal evaluation of Case #08-0887, the Norfolk Bald Eagle.  As you know, this bird was brought to the Center in May 2008 from its nest at the Norfolk Botanical Garden, with what turned out to be a particularly virulent case of Avian Pox.    

      Based on a review of the bird’s treatment over the past 15 months, evaluation of the curvature of the eagle’s beak, and the habituation of this young bird to humans, Dr. Dave has recommended that #08-887 be classified as a non-releasable animal.  I concur in that judgment. 

      Despite an unprecedented effort by our veterinary and rehabilitation staff, including support and consultation with several of the world’s top experts on avian surgery, the eagle’s beak continues to grow with a significant misalignment – a curvature which will need to be corrected every few weeks.  It is likely that the damage to the growth plate of the eagle’s beak occurred before the bird was admitted to the Wildlife Center; the damage may even have been done before the external Avian Pox lesion was first spotted by eagle watchers.  In very young birds, even minor issues can result in significant problems, and this was anything but a minor issue. 

      The question now is what’s next – what’s the best placement for this young eagle?   

      Our sense is that this eagle will continue to do very well in captivity.  Since he does not appear to be unduly stressed by the sights and sounds of humans, our hope is that he could have a future as an education or display animal.  We will need to decide if 08-887 stays with us here at the Wildlife Center of Virginia, or if the bird should be placed in another education-based wildlife facility.  One of the considerations will be appropriate housing for a fully flighted bird.  Wherever he ends up, frequent beak trims will also be a requirement for the rest of his life.  The capacity to provide such specialized care must be a consideration for permanent placement.   For the time being, and on a probationary basis, 08-0887 will be housed in a large outdoor pen adjacent to some of the Center’s education animals [his neighbors will be a Golden Eagle and a Red-tailed Hawk].   We will closely monitor his adjustment to his new surroundings and his new neighbors.  

      Many individuals have played a role in this bird’s rescue and care.  Thanks to the presence of the webcam focused on the nest, and the keen observation skills of eagle watchers both in Norfolk and online around the world, the Avian Pox infection was noticed while there was still time to intervene.  Otherwise, the viral lesion would surely have killed the chick within the first few months of life.  Instead, thanks to volunteers, regional biologists, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries officials, park workers, and many others, the eagle ended up in our hands at the Wildlife Center of Virginia.  

      During this bird’s tenure at the Wildlife Center, the eagle’s case has offered training opportunities for 32 visiting veterinary students, five visiting veterinary technician students, more than 20 rehabilitation trainees, and countless volunteers.   The eagle continues to be followed by a network of loyal fans across the country – indeed, around the world.  For our part, the Center will continue to provide periodic updates on 08-887 through the special section of the Center’s website.   

      At this point, given all of the options of which we are currently aware, #08-0887 will remain at the Wildlife Center of Virginia for the foreseeable future.  He will be transferred from the list of active patients [under our wildlife rehabilitation permit] and added to our collection of non-releasable “educational” birds, as authorized by our Eagle Exhibition permit, issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  While I reserve the ability to review and revise my decision, based on the organizational needs of the Wildlife Center of Virginia and the best interests of the bird, for the time being we welcome #08-0887 to his new role as ambassador for his species, and teacher, at the Wildlife Center of Virginia."

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More information and photos at the Center's website:

http://www.wildlifecenter.org/wp/norfolk-botanical-garden-eagle/

The two adult eagles at Sooner Lake, August 21

Thank you so very much Bville, both for the update on Buddy the eagle and for posting a screen capture of the Sooner Lake parents!! I totally missed that! Just like seeing Kay and Jay hang around the KJRH tower, it is nice to see "Fred" and "Ethyl" at the Sutton nest site.

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live well --- laugh often --- love much

Well Bville did you happen to see the wasp attack?? I was watching the cam and this huge thing kept flying across in front of it. It was trying to attack the camera I think. Here is where it landed on the lense. It was there long enough for me to open my capture and get a shot. Ohwell I guess something is better than nothing!!

 

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Yesterday is history
Tomorrow a mystery
Today is a gift

AHHHHHH!!!! Giant bugs again!