Sunday, June 29
Decorah Dad feeds the third eaglet!
Field update from Bob:
[ "I was at the hatchery a little past 6AM this morning. David and Ann Lynch were down at the city compost site. The adult female eagle was perched in the maple tree. I lobbed a quail out on the cement and as usual the female did not respond. Every few minutes I would toss the quail high in the air hoping that the male would see the offering. After a few minutes I drove down to the compost site and met up with David along with several other eagle people who ventured out early to see eagles. Soon, the adult male eagle came flying in to the site carrying the quail. He landed next to the immature bird (EWOT) who snatched the quail and mantled.
David and I then set off to track down the young eagle with the transmitter. She spent last night in a corn field. This AM we found her laying down tucked up against a wire woven fence. She must have spent quite a bit of energy trying to get through or over the fence. I was able to grab her and quickly put a hood on her head. David then drove while I held the young eagle (EWT) and we made a direct line to the compost site.
Once we got there, we tossed three quail up on one small mulch pile very near the mulch pile with the other eaglet (EWOT). As soon as I released her on the pile she began to devour the quail. She ate all three in short order. I ran back to the hatchery and set out two small trout, hoping the adult male would snatch one and return to the compost site. All of us that were watching were rewarded when we saw the adult male eagle arrive with one trout and deliver it to the eaglet without a transmitter. The adult male then flew over to another mulch pile. Before the adult male arrived with the trout the eaglet without a transmitter flew over to the bird with the transmitter. They interacted a bit and then eagle EWOT flew back to his mulch pile.
I returned to the city compost site around 2:30 to check on the eaglets. Both of them were perched together on the tallest mulch pile. The adults have visited and the adult male brought food. It has clouded over and with luck the eagles will remain for more feedings from the adult." ]
From S.O.A.R:
~ Update from SOAR and 6 photos ~
Here's the link to SOAR's update and 6 new photos:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/SOAR-Saving-Our-Avian-Resources/422229164528389
Thanks to Ty for the pics!
(photos posted pending permission from S.O.A.R)
This one is post surgery, showing our handsome eaglet looking fierce. Weight was up to 8 lbs from 7.75 prior to surgery showing he was gaining weight. We wanted to let you have the most current news, but we are a little light handed today. We'll answer questions as time allows, or you can ask on SOAR's site. Thanks to everyone at SOAR, and to Ty for the photos!
(photos posted pending permission from S.O.A.R)
Pic 1 - Kay and Dr. Dirks look at the new xray before surgery. Dr. Dirks is still wearing his lead vest. He basically holds the bird in position so it can be done without anesthesia. If needed he will wear lead gloves. A quick three second click and it's done. Neat.
Pic 2 - Plucking the surgery site, under anesthesia
Pic 3 - Initial incision
Pic 4 - Xray to check pin position. The tool holding the pin is still in place. The pin was trimmed and it is now sticking out of the elbow about 1/4 inch so they can pull it out from there when healed.
Pic 5 - Wrapping to stabilize after surgery
Pic 6 - Waking up from anesthesia Pretty handsome after surgery.
Decorah Dad feeds the third eaglet!
Field update from Bob:
[ "I was at the hatchery a little past 6AM this morning. David and Ann Lynch were down at the city compost site. The adult female eagle was perched in the maple tree. I lobbed a quail out on the cement and as usual the female did not respond. Every few minutes I would toss the quail high in the air hoping that the male would see the offering. After a few minutes I drove down to the compost site and met up with David along with several other eagle people who ventured out early to see eagles. Soon, the adult male eagle came flying in to the site carrying the quail. He landed next to the immature bird (EWOT) who snatched the quail and mantled.
David and I then set off to track down the young eagle with the transmitter. She spent last night in a corn field. This AM we found her laying down tucked up against a wire woven fence. She must have spent quite a bit of energy trying to get through or over the fence. I was able to grab her and quickly put a hood on her head. David then drove while I held the young eagle (EWT) and we made a direct line to the compost site.
Once we got there, we tossed three quail up on one small mulch pile very near the mulch pile with the other eaglet (EWOT). As soon as I released her on the pile she began to devour the quail. She ate all three in short order. I ran back to the hatchery and set out two small trout, hoping the adult male would snatch one and return to the compost site. All of us that were watching were rewarded when we saw the adult male eagle arrive with one trout and deliver it to the eaglet without a transmitter. The adult male then flew over to another mulch pile. Before the adult male arrived with the trout the eaglet without a transmitter flew over to the bird with the transmitter. They interacted a bit and then eagle EWOT flew back to his mulch pile.
I returned to the city compost site around 2:30 to check on the eaglets. Both of them were perched together on the tallest mulch pile. The adults have visited and the adult male brought food. It has clouded over and with luck the eagles will remain for more feedings from the adult." ]
From S.O.A.R:
~ Update from SOAR and 6 photos ~
Here's the link to SOAR's update and 6 new photos:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/SOAR-Saving-Our-Avian-Resources/422229164528389
Thanks to Ty for the pics!
(photos posted pending permission from S.O.A.R)
This one is post surgery, showing our handsome eaglet looking fierce. Weight was up to 8 lbs from 7.75 prior to surgery showing he was gaining weight. We wanted to let you have the most current news, but we are a little light handed today. We'll answer questions as time allows, or you can ask on SOAR's site. Thanks to everyone at SOAR, and to Ty for the photos!
(photos posted pending permission from S.O.A.R)
Pic 1 - Kay and Dr. Dirks look at the new xray before surgery. Dr. Dirks is still wearing his lead vest. He basically holds the bird in position so it can be done without anesthesia. If needed he will wear lead gloves. A quick three second click and it's done. Neat.
Pic 2 - Plucking the surgery site, under anesthesia
Pic 3 - Initial incision
Pic 4 - Xray to check pin position. The tool holding the pin is still in place. The pin was trimmed and it is now sticking out of the elbow about 1/4 inch so they can pull it out from there when healed.
Pic 5 - Wrapping to stabilize after surgery
Pic 6 - Waking up from anesthesia Pretty handsome after surgery.