Pitch Bald Eagle

Tag

By Shelter 8 Update

Jordan Lake. We have not seen Dad Pitch or Mom Loblolly in their nest for a week. No eggs in the nest. Have not had a recent closeup of Pitch to know how his injury is doing. All of this means that this breeding season for this pair of bald eagles has ended without any chicks. I honestly do not know why there were no eggs laid: some possibilities could’ve been marauding immature eagles or the injury to Dad Pitch or interference caused by visitors or a combination of those or other factors. If I see Dad Pitch again close enough to know how he is doing I will definitely let you know. In the meantime we can all hold onto our thoughts, prayers and meditations for the next breeding season starting in December. Thank you again for all your love, concern and vast amounts of energy, in so many ways, in your efforts to provide Loblolly and Pitch the best of protection by trying to get the gate to shelter eight closed. Peace and grace, Doc Ellen

By Dad Pitch has a Foot Injury

Jordan Lake. Shelter 8 nest. Dad Pitch has an injured left foot; it is very swollen. I don’t know how it was injured. There are several possibilities for the damage – following are thoughts from my veterinary point of view but, I stress, are not proven data in this case and are not in any particular sequence of importance: 1) the foot was caught in fishing line and that has stopped circulation within the foot 2) Pitch damaged the foot in a fight with a marauding immature bald eagle 3) Pitch was startled by visitors and in turning away to leave the area caught his foot in the fork of a branch and twisted the foot. Any of these things could have happened separately or together as part of an accident. This injury may be part of the reason why there are still no eggs at Shelter 8.

Dad Pitch

By Shelter 8 Update

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.

Loblolly and Pitch

By Shelter 8 Update

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.

By Update Loblolly and Pitch

Jordan Lake update on shelter eight. Loblolly and Pitch have begun their mating. You can see all about it on ABC channel 11 at this link https://abc11.com/bald-eagles-jordan-lake-nest-at-shelter-8/12709341/. My thanks to ABC11 for helping everyone understand how to properly care for these bald eagles. Please continue with your phone calls and emails to anyone you think can help Loblolly and Pitch. Superintendent Mole has continued to leave the gate to shelter 8 open. shederick.mole@ncparks.gov (919) 362-0586 ext 231

By Update on Loblolly and Pitch

Jordan Lake. They still have not laid eggs. In the video that is Loblolly drying off. Pitch was way down at the other end of their territory, watching the world go by. Please note: I have been asked if while pursuing my advocacy for the bald eagles at Jordan Lake, especially Loblolly and Pitch, “if I was upset with rangers and everybody and anybody who is working at Jordan Lake Park”. My answer is a loud no, not everybody. It is Superintendent Mole and his supervisors that have decided to keep the gate to Shelter 8 open. I have utmost respect and appreciation for the rangers, maintenance and administrative staff at Jordan Lake State Park. These women and men work hard to protect visitors and provide them with opportunities to enjoy being within the natural beauty of the park. These workers are under the supervision of Superintendent Mole and so have to follow his directions. I don’t know where the rangers, maintenance and administrative staff at the park stand on the issue at shelter 8 – I simply know that all my interactions with them have been great. My continuing advocacy and request is for Superintendent Mole to direct the closing of the gate at shelter 8 and protect Loblolly and Pitch and their nest.