Jordan Lake. Oh my! A bald eagle CHICK! This is the first chick I have seen this season. The 4-5 week old chick is located at the Mystery Nest. For a long time we were not sure if this new nest was going to be occupied. To locate the chick: go to the right from mom eagle until you run into the big branch sticking out at you, then look for the black beak of the chick above the nest brim. I think there may be a second chick just to the right of that big branch.
Jordan Lake. Shelter eight nest. Still no eggs. This is mom Loblolly. Yesterday Captain Doug and I had the opportunity to watch her for a while. One magnificent bird!
Jordan Lake. Gate to 8 is still open. There are still no eggs. The photo is of Loblolly in the upper right and Pitch in the lower left. They were enjoying a good turn together in the bright sky.
Jordan Lake. While Captain Doug and I were out checking various nests we managed to watch the mom bald eagle from Captain’s Nest do a spectacular launch. In the nest photo that is Dad incubating. As you can see he looks small in the nest because all nests are constructed to fit the girth of the much larger bald eagle hen.
Gate is still open. Eggs still not laid. In the problem of how to balance the management of the needs of the bald eagle family of Loblolly and Pitch, the bald eagle parents at Shelter 8, with the consideration for the public visiting the Jordan Lake State Park Area, I find myself considering this:
Along with the laws involving bald eagles and their environment, I hold the thought, central to my approach to all animals, that I as a veterinarian, am responsible to know how animals act in many situations. If I am aware that any animal (bird, horse, cat, dog, snake) is in distress, being disturbed or harassed, I need to bring my training to bear upon the situation. So, paired with the laws or restrictions published about nesting bald eagles, there is my awareness that this pair of bald eagles has lost chicks in the past and that human disturbance has been documented. As a veterinarian and a citizen of North Carolina I must do what I can to bring as much safety to the Shelter 8 nest as I can – and that means getting the gate to Shelter 8 closed. As a veterinarian I must also do what I can to educate: people who perhaps don’t understand how to properly care for their cow or horse or eagle. These bald eagles belong to all of us. There is a marvelous opportunity at Shelter 8 – if this pair can successfully raise chicks, their nest is ideally suited for a webcam. If Loblolly and Pitch again lose their potential family, we will lose that possibility. My thanks to each and every one of you who are working so hard, each of you in your special ways, to give Loblolly and Pitch the greatest safety and our best chance at getting to moment by moment watch them raise their chicks. photo is Mom Loblolly
Jordan Lake. Shelter eight update. Gate is still open. Still no eggs. Top photo is Dad Pitch. I don’t know what he is staring so intently at! Bottom photo is Mom Loblolly very regally perched in the sunshine. My thanks to all who continue to try in so many ways to get the gate closed and bring as much safety as possible to Loblolly and Pitch.
doc ellen's journey 