Bald Eagles and Avian Flu

By neighdoctor April 16, 2022 Bald Eagles and Avian Flu

Bald Eagles are at risk due to Avian Flu. The avian influenza has been detected in NC commercial poultry flocks - likely brought into the area by wild birds. I have not yet observed or been notified of any cases of Avian Flu here at Jordan Lake.

I would advise anyone that finds an eagle on the ground incapacitated or dead, not to touch it and to immediately call the NC Wildlife Resource Commission at 1 (800) 662-7137‬. Anyone touching the sick eagle can spread the virus to their hands, clothes, etc. I am not as worried about a human getting the avian flu (so far it has not transmitted from bird to human) but any contamination you might get on yourself - hands, clothes, shoes, rubber gloves - can too easily transfer from you to say your bird feeders, etc. at home. Best to let the personnel with the proper protection and protocol pick up the bird.

Please share this information!

Two Bald Eagle Chicks!

By neighdoctor April 14, 2022 Two Bald Eagle Chicks!

Jordan Lake: H&G nest. Happiness and joy! There are TWO chicks at Hershey and Godiva’s nest. I was sure glad to see them both.

Hershey Says NO to a Yearling Bald Eagle

By neighdoctor April 11, 2022 Hershey Says NO to a Yearling Bald Eagle

Jordan Lake. H&G nest. First photo: bald eagle up top is a 1-1.5 year-old bald eagle that got way too close to Dad Hershey‘s nest. Dad Hershey promptly told the youngster that it could not stay in his space. Didn’t take long for that youngster to turn around and head out!

Chick Supervision?

By neighdoctor April 7, 2022 Chick Supervision?

Jordan Lake. H&G nest. Dad Hershey had been repairing the left-hand end of the nest. Rearranging sticks – nest upkeep is a never-ending task for most parent raptors. I did not realize his chick was supervising until dad got distracted and jumped up and out of the nest. Now, like the chick, I am wondering just what did Dad Hershey see!

Big Pine Nest has Failed

By neighdoctor April 1, 2022 Big Pine Nest has Failed

Jordan Lake. Bald eagle parents Loblolly and Pitch have not returned to the nest since 3/21. The chick has not been seen since 3/14, two weeks after it hatched. At 2 weeks, the chick cannot thermoregulate and must have the warmth of a parent to survive. The parents could no longer tolerate the human and canine intrusions, which when added to other natural stressors led to the chick being lost. The park refused to shut the gate to the shelter area and give the very best possible protection to the bald eagle family. A chick of our National Symbol lost, gone. Human disturbance helped bring this untimely ending to these parent bald eagles’ breeding cycle and sorrow to our hearts. The loss of the chick also meant the failure of our best opportunity to once again have our own bald eagle webcam. The closure of a single gate would have given the greatest possible protection, but the park refused to take that simple step.
My heartfelt thanks both to all of you my wonderfully supportive readers and to the caring people of North Carolina and beyond for your steadfast concern and hopes for the Big Pine Nest family.

H&G nest Chick Wing Wapping!

By neighdoctor March 31, 2022 H&G nest Chick Wing Wapping!

Jordan Lake. This morning the bald eagle chick in the nest was doing what I call wing wapping. In another words starting to work on all of the muscles, tendons, ligaments in its wings and body. Takes a lot of strengthening to get to the point where the chick can eventually fly. The last photo shows the chick in the nest just behind dad Hershey … I do believe the chick is saying “hey dad did you just see what I was doing?”