French Creek Estuary Eagles, Vancouver Island - 2022-2024 Seasons

Camera is offline, but we do get occasional updates for the French Creek Estuary nest on Vancouver Island, BC, from local observers

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French Creek Estuary Eagles, Vancouver Island - 2022-2024 Seasons

Post by gemini » Fri Sep 17, 2021 7:10 am

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The French Creek Discussion Forum

Welcome to the 2022 - 2024 Eagle Nesting Seasons

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This Nest is in the Pacific Time Zone

Thanks to French Creek House Ltd. for funding the installation of this webcam.
Thanks to Shaw Cable Nanaimo for supporting the outbound bandwidth.


Please Note: Unfortunately, the cam is not currently active. However all is not lost! We have a wonderful ground observer team who will continue to observe and report. As we receive their observations they will be recorded in this thread.

Links to the start of the current and previous season's discussion in this thread:

2023/2024 Season starts HERE
2022/2023 Season starts HERE
2021/2022 Season starts HERE
2020/2021 Season starts HERE

This forum is for Discussion, Observations, Photos & Videos related to events/occurrences of the French Creek Estuary Eagle Nest located on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Please join us as we follow the progress of the French Creek Estuary Eagles and share your Observations, Photos & Videos . You can join the forum to post by clicking the "Register" button in the upper right corner.

There are lots of helpful hints about how the forum works here - HELPFUL HINTS and an Index to help you navigate the forum here - FORUM SITEMAP. If you have questions - please ask - and WELCOME!


The French Creek Estuary Eagles Nest

French Creek is located on the east coast of Vancouver Island, halfway between Parksville and Qualicum Beach. French Creek, a community watershed, supports a large population of coho and chum salmon, steelhead, cutthroat trout, migratory birds and other diverse wildlife. It is an ideal habitat for eagles to nest and raise their young.

French Creek eagles checking out the nest
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Cam view from the nest
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Map of French Creek area
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French Creek Estuary Eagles, Vancouver Island - 2021-2022

Post by gemini » Fri Sep 17, 2021 7:22 am

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2023-2024 Season Notable Dates:

Adults returned:

Eggs laid:

Fledged:

Eaglets last seen:

Adults last seen:


2022-2023 Season Notable Dates:

Adults returned: Adults confirmed with video back in territory and working on their nest October 19, 2022

Adult seen on nest: October 10, 2022

Eggs laid: at least one

Fledged: June 28, 2023

Eaglets last seen: June 30, 2023

Adults last seen:
Mom last reported seen June 30, 2023 hanging out with her chick. Dad last reported seen in early June.


2021-2022 Season Notable Dates:

Adults returned:

Adult seen on nest: one adult - September 26, 8:18 am; two adults - October 3, 6:36 pm

Camera stopped working: December 25, 2021 (everything possible was tried from the ground over the next couple of weeks, but it will require a trip up the tree while the eagles are away in the late summer)

There were no further notable dates for the 2022 season as the French Creek eagles returned to their old nest near the marina for the 2021-2022 season. Please see the Nest History for a summary of their nesting season.


Useful Links:

French Creek Nest History in Brief
French Creek Estuary Cams
French Creek 2022-2023 Discussion
French Creek 2021-2022 Discussion
French Creek 2020-2021 Discussion
2022 and 2023 season's Video Library
2020-2021 Video Library
Other HWF Cams
HWF forum member's DICTION-AERIE
French Creek Weather Now


Nest Adoptions for 2022/2023 are now available!

In the 2023 nesting season (September 2022-August 2023) this nest has been adopted by:

~ Irish Eyes ~
~ JudyB ~
~ gemini ~
~ The very generous ongoing support from Jane McLennan on behalf of her grand-children Tamsyn, Lucille, Finola, Hanna and her great-grand-children Ivy, Winter, Winona and Bea ~


Previous Year's Adoptions

2013 - 2023

You too can honor your favorite fine feathered family
and support the work of Hancock Wildlife by adopting the
HWF nest of your choice.

Click HERE to see how!
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French Creek Estuary Eagles, Vancouver Island - 2021-2022

Post by gemini » Fri Sep 17, 2021 7:22 am

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IDing The Eagles:

Scaps coming as soon as we have something to ID one or both!!
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French Creek Estuary Eagles, Vancouver Island - 2021-2022

Post by gemini » Fri Sep 17, 2021 7:24 am

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The French Creek Bald Eagle Preserve

The French Creek Bald Eagle Preserve -a wonderful community project that the Hancock Wildlife Foundation has been supporting.

Their legacy initiative is to create the 1st Bald Eagle Preserve on Vancouver Island to protect 23 acres of vital habitat for eagles and wildlife. Several groups are working together including The Save Estuary Land Society and Friends of French Creek Conservation Society, Nanaimo and Area Land Trust, Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Regional Research Institute, Vancouver Island University, Arrowsmith Naturalists and Mid-Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement society. A special thanks to the generous property owner, French Creek House Ltd., who is poised to gift over 12 acres of their land to the Eagle Preserve and who funded the artificial nest and webcam.

I recommend viewing this brief video as it says it all - “IF YOU CARE, YOU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN!” The eagles are brought back.

The opening scenes show the foundational sticks being sent up the tree by the Save French Creek Estuary Land Society volunteers. At the top of the tree is Myles Lamont, our HWF chief climbing biologist, fixing these branches into the intricate web of a bald eagle nest. This nest is the community effort, supported by our Foundation recommendations of a tree, to again build an eagles nest. Like in many such nests we build, it was so rewarding to see the eagles take charge and complete this nest for a productive new season.

The rest of the video shows why the community got behind saving this French Creek Estuary - its incredibly rich flora and fauna. Do you have otters, beavers, an annual migration of thousands of black brant and a myriad of migrant birds in your back yard?

This is an awesome community driven video. I want to specifically thank Denise Foster for coordinating this complex multi-year project and for rallying all the various organizations in the regions to help conserve this estuary treasure. Their team is fundraising toward the purchase of the remaining 5 acres of land to complete the 23-acre Eagle Preserve and they could use your help so please contribute. See https://www.saveestuarylandsociety.ca/

October 2023:

News on the latest project by the Save Estuary Land Society:

It may be of interest to know that the Save Estuary Land Society conducted a Bald eagle & Great Blue heron nest identification and monitoring project during January - August 2023 along the east coast of Vancouver Island from Deep Bay to Nanoose which involved the help of 45 dedicated volunteers. Data on the numbers of nests identified, breeding success/failure and other pertinent information is being provided to the BC Ministry of Water, Land & Resource Stewardship along with local government agencies to update their data bases and inform decision making.
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French Creek Estuary Eagles, Vancouver Island - 2021-2022

Post by gemini » Fri Sep 17, 2021 3:41 pm

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David Hancock has received a number of videos of the French Creek eagles from last season and of local happenings that relate to the eagles or their territory area which he wants posted somewhere on the forum. So in anticipation of receiving more - here is our new French Creek Video Library.

French Creek Video Library 2023-2024
**Videos thanks to: Denise Foster, Chair, Save Estuary Land Society

Video Title (link), Video Length, Date Video Recorded/Posted (link)






French Creek Video Library 2022-2023
**Videos thanks to: Denise Foster, Chair, Save Estuary Land Society

Video Title (link), Video Length, Date Video Recorded/Posted (link)

**Adult flies in with branch to their Marina Nest (:46) - Oct 28, 2022
**French Creek eagles working on their nest! (2:22) - Dec 22, 2022
**French Creek Mom Flies in with Fish (:22) - Jul 16, 2023
**Two Parents, Two Fish at French Creek (1:02) - ;Jul 16, 2023

=================================================2343=========================================

French Creek Video Library 2021-2022
**Videos thanks to: Denise Foster, Chair, Save Estuary Land Society

Video Title, Video Length, Date Video Recorded/Posted

First visit caught on cam this season! (1:38) - Sept 26, 2021
Waiting for Mate? - part 1 (4:30) - Sept 26,2021
Waiting for Mate? - part 2 (3:40) - Sept 26,2021
Same eagle that has been coming the last few days?? (3:27) - Sept 29, 2021
Hard at work - the nest is looking better! (10:10) - Oct 4, 2021
** French Creek pair as they watch over their territory! (:44) - Oct 17, 2021
Eagle Removes a Big Stick (1:15) - Oct 19, 2021
Eagles Discuss Dinner (9:00) - Nov 9, 2021
French Creek Eagles Explore Nest (19:16) - Dec 1, 2021
Visitor at French Creek (2:40) - Dec 2, 2021
Morning visit at French Creek (26:29) - Dec 2, 2021
**Bald eagle pair near nest (:37) - Dec 13, 2021
**Adult eagle intruder (:44) - Dec 13, 2021
**Bald eagle pair invite (:34) - Dec 13, 2021
A lone eagle attempts to move a stick (1:29) - Dec 16, 2021
A pair of eagles move a stick together (1:14) - Dec 16, 2021
**French Creek Eaglets enjoying the day! (:45) - Jun 17, 2022
**Watch Me!! (:59) - Jun 24, 2022



2020-2021 Video Library
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Post by gemini » Fri Sep 17, 2021 3:53 pm

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Nest History:

2019 Season: Mr and Mrs French Creek raised one eaglet to fledge. The eaglet was named Frankie (female)

2020 Season: The eagles raised two eaglets this year They were named Hali (female) and Leu (male) (This was short for Haliaeetus leucocephalus.)

2021 Season: An artificial nest and camera were installed in the newly created French Creek Bald Eagle Preserve which encompasses part of the French Creek Estuary with its incredibly rich flora and fauna. This nest is a community effort, supported by the Hancock Wildlife Foundation recommendations of a tree in which to build an eagles nest. The hope was to entice the pair that occupies this territory to call the new nest home. Like in many such nests built by the HWF, it was rewarding to see the eagles take charge and complete the nest. However, though they visited often adding sticks to the nest they had other ideas as to where they wanted to raise their young and opted to use another build of their own choosing closer to the Marina. Unfortunately, just before egg laying time there was some tree clearing happening nearby and likely due to the disturbance and noise level so close to their nest, they did not produce any young this year. We hope to see them back for the 2022 season - at the nest with the camera!

2022 Season:

The 2022 season started off well with the arrival of first one eagle on Sept 26 and then two were seen together on Oct 3. The pair visited the nest sporadically over the next couple of months sometimes bringing a stick or two and working on the nest. Meanwhile, the ground observers observed a pair they believed to be the same pair we were watching on camera, working diligently on the nest they used last year. This is not what we wanted to hear!

Also, beginning as early as the first arrival of the pair in September, our camera started to pixelate or completely shut down, at first just here and there, but then more and more often, until it shut down completely on December 25. Everything possible was tried from the ground over the next couple of weeks, but it required a trip up the tree while the eagles were away in the late summer. Very disappointing news.

However, we still had our ground observers (GO’s) who continued to report on the pair. The eagles had definitely taken up residence in the same nest (the Marina nest) they had used last year. At first, our GO’s were discouraged because although the parents were seen often in and around the Marina nest, there was no sign of any young . . . until June 17 when we received this wonderful news from Denise Foster: Chair, Save Estuary Land Society:

"I'm thrilled to confirm that our French Creek eagle pair have two chicks in the nest they built last year at the Marina!!

On April 27th we observed what appeared to be an adult feeding young. After that there were only sightings of one or both of the adults in the nest or perched in the tree.

Perhaps due to the horrible, lashing rain and wicked winds we've experienced the chicks were hunkered down and possibly protected by an adult deep in the nest and out of sight. As David mentioned, their nests are always so much deeper than they appear to be when seen from down on the ground.

It's so wonderful to see this pair with two healthy chicks!"


We are happy to report both chicks fledged successfully! A disappointing year with a happy ending! And there's always next year!

2023 Season:

As the eagles continue to nest at the French Creek Marina, repairing the cam at their alternate nest has been put on hold for now. However, we are still receiving reports from our ground observers and today, we received the following update for the 2023 nesting season from Denise Foster: Chair, Save Estuary Land Society. Thank you Denise!

"The French Creek Marina parents (especially the Mom) were incredibly attentive to their chick from the moment it hatched, during its time in the nest and after it fledged. The adult female often spent 30-40 minutes with her chick in the nest eating and resting together. The chick was one of the first to hatch and fledge in the area. After fledging both parents were often seen perched together in one of their favourite perches along Viking Way with their youngster just above on a branch . When one or both parents flew off junior would follow, likely hoping to get in on any prey they might find.

Mom and her fledgling left the territory (likely on the same day) on their northern migration during the 3rd week in September joined by Dad the following week. The male was gone only three weeks when I observed him back along Viking Way. Two days later during a heavy rain I saw the pair perched so closely together they looked like one eagle - I like to think they missed each other!
Many local birders are reporting adult eagles returning to their territories but no juveniles seen as yet, including the French Creek Marina young eagle."


Pictures and videos can be viewed HERE!
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French Creek Estuary Eagles, Vancouver Island - 2021-2022

Post by nightowl » Wed Sep 22, 2021 12:01 am

....
This post marks the beginning of the 2021-2022 season.

For other seasons go HERE






WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2021


:bye 1:

Our eagles aren't back yet but the cam is once again up and running so......
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French Creek Estuary Eagles, Vancouver Island - 2021-2022

Post by IrishEyes » Wed Sep 22, 2021 5:07 am

Good Morning French Creek, Judy and all .....thank you nightowl for starting our day here :grhug:
screenshot_01.jpg
© Free

Weather Report
screenshot_05.jpg
5:02a
Cam is streaming on the empty nest
screenshot_06.jpg
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French Creek Estuary Eagles, Vancouver Island - 2021-2022

Post by nightowl » Thu Sep 23, 2021 12:00 am

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2021

:bye 1:
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French Creek Estuary Eagles, Vancouver Island - 2021-2022

Post by IrishEyes » Thu Sep 23, 2021 7:45 am

Good Morning French Creek, .Judy and all.....Thank You nightowl for starting our day here :grhug:

Weather Report
screenshot_01.jpg
7:39a
Cam is streaming on the empty nest
screenshot_02.jpg
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French Creek Estuary Eagles, Vancouver Island - 2021-2022

Post by JudyB » Thu Sep 23, 2021 8:34 am

Good morning, everyone, and thanks for posting the weather here, Bev!

8:33 am
I did a quick check of the dvr, and a squirrel visited the nest, but I didn't see any sign of eagles.

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French Creek Estuary Eagles, Vancouver Island - 2021-2022

Post by IrishEyes » Thu Sep 23, 2021 12:12 pm

Thanks Judy !
12:08pm
Nest is empty
screenshot_04.jpg
I did a quick check on the DVR and no eagles seen.
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French Creek Estuary Eagles, Vancouver Island - 2021-2022

Post by IrishEyes » Thu Sep 23, 2021 6:26 pm

6:22pm
Quiet at the empty nest
screenshot_25.jpg
I checked the DVR and No eagles seen .. :luck: soon we hope :)

Goodnight Judy and all who watch this nest . Stay Safe Be Well :grhug:
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French Creek Estuary Eagles, Vancouver Island - 2021-2022

Post by nightowl » Thu Sep 23, 2021 11:59 pm

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2021

:bye 1:
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Re: French Creek Estuary Eagles, Vancouver Island - Seasons 2021 & 2022

Post by IrishEyes » Fri Sep 24, 2021 5:22 am

Good Morning Judy and everyone and thanks nightowl for starting our day here :grhug:

Weather Report
screenshot_41.jpg
5:17a
Cam is streaming on the empty nest
screenshot_42.jpg
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