Two Hatchlings at the Northeast Florida Nest and One So Far At The Southwest Florida Nest

Babies!!! Both of the Northeast Florida hatchlings have arrived, on 12/23 and 12/25. And one of the Southwest Florida babies has hatched today. The parent also seems to be more stable. Hatch watch continues for the second egg. Here is a fantastic video of the second hatch at the Northeast Florida nest.

Pip at the Northeast Florida Bald Eagle Nest!, and Problems Continue at the Southwest Florida Nest

We have a pip today (and should have a hatch tomorrow) at the Northeast Florida nest!

One of the parents continues to struggle with balance issues at the Southwest Florida nest.

Trouble at the Southwest Florida Bald Eagle Nest, Northwest Florida Nest is on Hatch Watch, Nestoration at Berry College, Charitable Giving

One of the Southwest Florida Bald Eagle parents is having problems balancing. I've seen videos of Bald Eagles suffering from lead poisoning that act like this. Here is a link to a video from today of the nest. It is very hard to see a Bald Eagle struggling like this. The eagle will die if it doesn't receive chelation therapy to remove the lead. (Chelation therapy is where a chemical binds to the lead so it can be eliminated from the body. The Wildlife Center of Virginia has had to treat a lot of birds with chelation therapy. Sometimes it's successful, and sometimes the damage is too great to allow recovery...) The eggs are also in jeopardy due to the unsteady parent. A fall or mis-step can result in a broken egg. Plus, it takes two parents to keep the eggs and young safe while the other hunts and chases off intruders. The odds of this nest having a good outcome if this is lead poisoning is very low. Even if the parent gets treatment, it will leave only one adult to do everything. I've only heard of one nest that succeeded after the loss of one parent. This nest is on hatch watch toward the end of this week. Here's a link to the Southwest Florida cam. You can read my previous posts about lead poisoning in Bald Eagles. Please read these posts and help to educate any hunters among your friends and family!

The Northwest Bald Eagle nest is also on hatch watch. Their eggs were laid three days before the Southwest Florida nest. So, we should see a hatch there this week. Here is a link to the Northwest Florida cam.

There has been a lot of activity at the Berry College Bald Eagle nest, as the parents prepare for eggs. Now is a good time to start watching this nest since the parents are making several stops at the nest every day. They are bringing sticks, soft grasses, and Dad is wooing Mom with food. It's fun to watch them take turns moving the same stick until they are both satisfied with its location. here's a link to the Berry College cam.

I have just made my end of year donations. Please consider these organizations. Donations help them and provide a tax deduction for you. For wildlife, I donate to these organizations and specify that my donation is for the treatment/conservation of Bald Eagles:

• the Center for Conservation Biology
• the Wildlife Center of Virginia
• the non-game program of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

I also give every year to Heifer. (Chickens, Honey Bees, and shares of Heifers, Pigs, and Water Buffalos are my favorites.) If you are not familiar with them, check out the link above. I love the pay-it-forward aspect!