it's a busy day - Phoebe's (hummingbird) first of the latest clutch hatched pre-dawn today!
and I see that Delta's nest has finally been abandoned - there's one egg left there. Better luck next year!
it's a busy day - Phoebe's (hummingbird) first of the latest clutch hatched pre-dawn today!
and I see that Delta's nest has finally been abandoned - there's one egg left there. Better luck next year!
I hadn't checked on them for a while, and voila, there are 3 chicks in there!!
http://www.wildearth.tv/sidney-eagle-nest-02
The Hornby family has two babies! The older one is a pistol, biting her sibling on the head during feedings.
I love the names they picked, too.
"My predominant feeling is one of gratitude. I have loved and been loved;I have been given much and I have given something in return...Above all, I have been a sentient being, a thinking animal, on this beautiful planet, and that in itself has been an enormous privilege and an adventure." O. Sacks
Hornby kids names are David and Alexandra (eldest). Named for Canadian environmentalists David Suzuki and Alexandra Morton.
Sad situation at Sidney BC nest -- one eaglet is caught in fishing line and can't get free. Intervention will be difficult because nest is in dead tree -- unsafe for climber. Would require a crane -- and ground may be too wet for that. They are looking into what can be done.
It's been a tough year for raptors. In real life the hawk nest I watch lost a father (Mom and two babies doing well with supplemental food provided by rehabber).
A hawk nesting at NYU has a swollen leg possibly caused by band. She could have been helped by our wonderful local rehabber, who is fully willing and qualified to capture, treat and return her to nest -- but bureaucrats got involved and nothing has been done.
NYU hawk cam sponsored by NY Times is here:
http://www.livestream.com/nytnestcam
The Times' coverage is spotty/inaccurate on the hawk story. They mis-estimated hatch date because no one knew how to watch for incubation starting; then they failed to notice she was banded.
The wonderful wildlife biologist who participates in Hornby chat helped me come up with some accurate background to send reporter. He may not care, but it makes me happy to point out some errors.
I have to admit, every time there is a new post on this thread I'm filled with dread. I'm going to avoid watching the Sidney nest, it would break my heart to see that. I'm hoping that intervention will be successful.
A fishing line?! honestly. I fish (it's a constant internal struggle for me, I fly fish mostly and crimp all my barbs and only do catch and release). Whenever I'm out, I take everything back with me, including the really short lines I cut. And I always clean up after others, too. My boyfriend thinks I'm nuts, but it angers me so much when other fishing people are so reckless. You'd think they'd be a bit more environmentally friendly but they're awful. Grr.