NCTC - Shepherdstown, West Virginia, 2017-2018
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Re: NCTC - Shepherdstown, West Virginia - 2018
After a minute or so of that, the intruder moved to the left side of the nest and Dad did a bit of digging, then the intruder laid down in the nest.
Dad stared at him/her for a bit that snapped at him/her, and the intruder got up. At this moment, the intruder (on left as we view them) looks more like a rounded female than angular male - adding to my confusion.
After a few more minutes, the intruder laid down again, while Dad continued to dig in the nest bowl area.
Dad stared at him/her for a bit that snapped at him/her, and the intruder got up. At this moment, the intruder (on left as we view them) looks more like a rounded female than angular male - adding to my confusion.
After a few more minutes, the intruder laid down again, while Dad continued to dig in the nest bowl area.
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Re: NCTC - Shepherdstown, West Virginia - 2018
After a couple of minutes, the intruder dug in the nest a bit. And s/he is looking bigger now.
A bit of a faceoff....
More digging, another faceoff, then the intruder went back to the left side of the nest and lay down again. They stayed that way for maybe 10 minutes, intruder lying down, Dad looking around. I think this was around 6:50 pm.
A bit of a faceoff....
More digging, another faceoff, then the intruder went back to the left side of the nest and lay down again. They stayed that way for maybe 10 minutes, intruder lying down, Dad looking around. I think this was around 6:50 pm.
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Re: NCTC - Shepherdstown, West Virginia - 2018
Then the intruder did some more digging while Dad stood back on the right. Then they both wandered around the nest puttering with sticks (as far as I could tell - it was getting dark), then another confrontation, beak to beak on tippy-toes (I'm not sure who is who at this point).
Then I think it was the intruder who lay down in the nest for at least 5-6 minutes, though my guess is that s/he was testing it for size and comfort more than incubating. (It was getting dark enough that I stopped recording at that point.)
They both flew off at 7:08; I heard some trills in the distance; two eagles came back at 7:11. At 7:12 pm, one was incubating while the other was perched on the edge of the nest.
At 7:22 pm the eagle on the edge of the nest flew off; the other one followed a moment later. Two eagles returned at 7:24 pm; one went to the nest area and the other perched on the edge of the nest. Then the one on the edge moved into the nest with no apparent difficulty - so neither of them was Belle. And that's when I left for dinner.
Then I think it was the intruder who lay down in the nest for at least 5-6 minutes, though my guess is that s/he was testing it for size and comfort more than incubating. (It was getting dark enough that I stopped recording at that point.)
They both flew off at 7:08; I heard some trills in the distance; two eagles came back at 7:11. At 7:12 pm, one was incubating while the other was perched on the edge of the nest.
At 7:22 pm the eagle on the edge of the nest flew off; the other one followed a moment later. Two eagles returned at 7:24 pm; one went to the nest area and the other perched on the edge of the nest. Then the one on the edge moved into the nest with no apparent difficulty - so neither of them was Belle. And that's when I left for dinner.
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Re: NCTC - Shepherdstown, West Virginia - 2018
11:39 pm (how'd it get to be so late?)
I'm seeing one eagle sleeping on the nest incubating the egg - which makes me think the egg wasn't damaged with all the coming and going today. I don't see any other eagles.
Good night, everyone.
I'm seeing one eagle sleeping on the nest incubating the egg - which makes me think the egg wasn't damaged with all the coming and going today. I don't see any other eagles.
Good night, everyone.
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Re: NCTC - Shepherdstown, West Virginia - 2018
10:00 I recorded throughout the evening and just came to check the recording. At 12:01 an eagle attacked what I believe to be the intruder on the nest incubating the egg. They both went over the edge and 2 minutes later I heard what sounded like more fighting so hopefully that means they both were alive still after the fall. It was quite intense I hope both eagles are fine!
Darlene, Langley, member since May 10 2006
Re: NCTC - Shepherdstown, West Virginia - 2018
My goodness. What a turn of events on this nest. Nature can be so amazing but I also hope all is well. Beyond worried about poor Belle.
Re: NCTC - Shepherdstown, West Virginia - 2018
'Morning, everyone.... And thanks for the overnight coverage, Darlene. I checked Facebook, and Terri Bayles posted a video of the intruder coming down from the stump yesterday afternoon - https://youtu.be/h5hpJQzZKbE - thanks, Terri! Debs posted there and suggested that this may be a young female - which could explain Dad's behavior, and the leaner look.
9:59 am
Nest is empty.
I need to do other things, but will try to post if there is activity.
10:15 am
Hearing calls, I think nearby. One eagle for sure.
10:38 am
Hearing something/someone near the mic.
9:59 am
Nest is empty.
I need to do other things, but will try to post if there is activity.
10:15 am
Hearing calls, I think nearby. One eagle for sure.
10:38 am
Hearing something/someone near the mic.
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Re: NCTC - Shepherdstown, West Virginia - 2018
Is there anyone at NCTC who can take a look around the nest? With the high winds coming in tomorrow it might be best to take a look today, if possible. Looks like the facility is closed to the public.
Re: NCTC - Shepherdstown, West Virginia - 2018
2:30 pm
Someone just landed on the nest - Dad? He's moving freely, so not Belle as I'm sure she'd still be pretty sore even if she didn't break anything.
He called a couple of times as he came in, and he's now lying in the nest - incubating?
Pauljk, I know that the people at NCTC have been notified. I also have heard that the person who is most involved with the cam isn't there and I'm not sure when he's coming back. And I know they are short-staffed. That said, I expect someone took a look in the area around the tree - and we know from other times there have been injured eagles that they are very good at not being found.
Someone just landed on the nest - Dad? He's moving freely, so not Belle as I'm sure she'd still be pretty sore even if she didn't break anything.
He called a couple of times as he came in, and he's now lying in the nest - incubating?
Pauljk, I know that the people at NCTC have been notified. I also have heard that the person who is most involved with the cam isn't there and I'm not sure when he's coming back. And I know they are short-staffed. That said, I expect someone took a look in the area around the tree - and we know from other times there have been injured eagles that they are very good at not being found.
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Re: NCTC - Shepherdstown, West Virginia - 2018
Thank you JudyB. I know they may hide to recover. I remember what happened with the Trio nest mom last year and she was never found. I hope this turns out differently for Belle. Good Thoughts.
Update: I sent an email to NCTC in Shepherdstown and just got this response:
Update: I sent an email to NCTC in Shepherdstown and just got this response:
Updates are being posted on the Bald Eagles 101 Public Group Facebook page. They have a detailed explanation of everything to date. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1690426 ... 665731833/Hello!
Thank you for your email concerning the eagle nest. We are located in Shepherdstown and do appreciate your concerns. We have contacted the Fish and Wildlife Officer who is our on campus animal contact and he has went to the nest and found no issues.
Thank you for your concerns,
Meghan
Re: NCTC - Shepherdstown, West Virginia - 2018
Pictures from 2:35 pm that I didn't get back to post earlier, as the eagle was flying to the stump.
From 2:43 pm - I think this is the same eagle, perched on a branch behind the trunk
I haven't been here constantly - but have not seen any eagles when I have been here. It's now dark at the nest, and I think it's raining.
From 2:43 pm - I think this is the same eagle, perched on a branch behind the trunk
I haven't been here constantly - but have not seen any eagles when I have been here. It's now dark at the nest, and I think it's raining.
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Re: NCTC - Shepherdstown, West Virginia - 2018
9:28 It is pouring at the nest! Oh beautiful Belle, please be safe out there somewhere!
Darlene, Langley, member since May 10 2006
Re: NCTC - Shepherdstown, West Virginia - 2018
Eagle on the nest this morning at 7:45. It wasn't there for long. It had a clean, shorter tail and didn't look like the intruder. I didn't see it walking, but it did seem to be able to balance on both feet. Hmm.. Hoda on Bald Eagles 101 says it's the intruder. Probably true since the current thinking is that there is a pair of intruders (male, female).
Added the flyaway..
Added the flyaway..
Re: NCTC - Shepherdstown, West Virginia - 2018
Good morning, everyone, and thanks for the picture of the early visit, Pauljk.
I checked the Bald Eagles 101 Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1690426617860075/), and observers there are reporting that someone - they think the female intruder - was on the nest much of the night.
There was also a post by Steven Chase from NCTC, and he is apparently back now, and he reports that they have not seen or found any injured eagles so far, and confirmed that if they found an injured bird, they would get it veterinary assistance. I don't know the area - but he says "This nest is in a prime location, only a few hundred yards uphill from the Potomac and less than a mile from a dam that ensures an ample supply of fish. It is the perfect location, what eagle would not want it?" - and that does make sense. He's also not the first to note that the population of bald eagles has grown from near extinction to very healthy, and the "sometimes violent competition we have seen the past week or two is part of natural selection. In healthy ecosystems, this is how nature works, even though it can be cruel to watch." I'm not sure if you need to be a member of Facebook to read his complete post - link is https://www.facebook.com/groups/1690426 ... 719047161/.
9:00 am
It is very windy at the empty nest.
I checked the Bald Eagles 101 Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1690426617860075/), and observers there are reporting that someone - they think the female intruder - was on the nest much of the night.
There was also a post by Steven Chase from NCTC, and he is apparently back now, and he reports that they have not seen or found any injured eagles so far, and confirmed that if they found an injured bird, they would get it veterinary assistance. I don't know the area - but he says "This nest is in a prime location, only a few hundred yards uphill from the Potomac and less than a mile from a dam that ensures an ample supply of fish. It is the perfect location, what eagle would not want it?" - and that does make sense. He's also not the first to note that the population of bald eagles has grown from near extinction to very healthy, and the "sometimes violent competition we have seen the past week or two is part of natural selection. In healthy ecosystems, this is how nature works, even though it can be cruel to watch." I'm not sure if you need to be a member of Facebook to read his complete post - link is https://www.facebook.com/groups/1690426 ... 719047161/.
9:00 am
It is very windy at the empty nest.
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Re: NCTC - Shepherdstown, West Virginia - 2018
Thank you for the update JudyB. It is some comfort to know that Steven is keeping an eye on things. I suspect that that facebook page is like the others and that you can read the posts, but it will keep bothering you to login. You do have to have a facebook account and join their group to post/comment there.