Bald Eagle HE Has Died, Berry College Eagles Second Egg, Bald Eagle HK and Sterling, Black Eagle Makhaza, Africam Black Eagle Waterfall Video, Songbird Forest

Sadly, it's true that Bald Eagle HE was found dead this week onboard the Navy base at Little Creek. She died of blunt force trauma, but it likely wasn't witnessed since the actual cause wasn't listed. (It's not reported if she was struck by a vehicle or aircraft or if she flew into something.) Here's a link to the story. I started watching the Norfolk Botanical Garden nest in 2008 -- but the nesting season was cut short when Buddy was removed from the nest. So, my first year to truly watch this nest was 2009, the year of Azalea (HH), HK (now at Honey Bee Golf Course), and HE (who last year became the mate of her Dad). There has been a whole history of loss for Dad Norfolk, with this just being the latest. I'm sad at the loss of HE and for the loss of another of Dad's mates...

The Berry College Bald Eagles are right on time! Mom Berry laid her second egg of 2016 almost exactly 3 days after the first egg. She missed by less than 2 hours! If there will be a third egg, it will be Wednesday. Maybe late Wednesday. Maybe into the early morning hours of Thursday... Egg watch continues! Here's video of Mom Berry laying the second egg (10:15) -- vocalizing like she did while laying the first egg.

And here's another video from today of Dad bringing lunch and grass (9:56) to the nest.
(I will embed videos when it will let me...)

Here's a few s'caps from today. I like this one because we can see the egg and Mom is looking up:

She's not limping this year. But you can see how her leg sticks out. I think she had a broken leg and it has finally healed. It's not perfect... But she is able to walk on it and I suppose she can forage for herself.

This is from the second video I posted today. But I had to post a still as well. Dad was practically sitting on Mom's head while trying to do some nestorations. She was very tolerant.

Pam Monahan has a great post about Bald Eagle HK and his mate Sterling. She has a little of everything in this latest post, including them mating! Talons crossed for an egg this year! Here's a link to her post.

I had reported that Black Eagle Makhaza, from the 2007 Africam Black Eagle nest, was being treated. She has no improvement of function in her legs and wings. She is in pain. They have decided to humanely euthanize her. Here's a link to their statement.

Unfortunately, they used the phrase, "let her go" instead of euthanize. Which has led some people to ask for clarification. She is being euthanized. Then there's another group of people that are against euthanizing her. She would have died a horrible death without human intervention. And now, after no improvement, it would be cruel to keep her alive. She isn't living her destiny. She will not recover. She is in pain.

And speaking of the Africam Black Eagle nest... They had a hailstorm there. Check out this incredible video of their waterfall after a recent hailstorm. Mother nature can be pretty wild!

Check out this article about the "Songbird Forest" in Brazil.

Northeast Florida Eagles Day 7&9, Black Eagle Makhaza and Update on Habitat Development

I'm back after spending time with my family for Christmas. I hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

The Northeast Florida chicks are looking good! They are already 7 and 9 days old!

The Southwest Florida Eagles continue to incubate their eggs.

Black Eagle Makhaza is still recovering from her injuries that she sustained while hunting. Here's a link to some pictures of Makhaza when she was in the nest in 2007. Included are the pictures from when she was banded (which is how she was identified) and after she fledged.

The Black Eagle Project is also reporting that a judgement has been reached in the case of a developer who was going to disturb the Black Eagle's range. Here's an excerpt of the judge's statement:

We are happy to inform you that Judge Victor has made an order in the Black Eagle Project Roodekrans favour and has ordered that the Developer be interdicted from commencing or continuing with the construction on the remainder of portion 2. She has also interdicted them from transferring or alienating the properties pending the outcome of the review application.

White-bellied Sea Eagles SE15, Africam Black Eagles Makhaza

Here's a link to a more current picture of SE15, the White-bellied Sea Eaglet that fell to the ground and was unable to fledge. He has some feathers that did not grow in right. It will take a year for the new feathers to grow in. Hopefully, the new feathers will be ok and he will be released back into the wild.

There's some news from the Africam Black Eagle folks. First, our Eaglet from this year (Kendi) has left the nest area but is still in the parent's natal area. Also, there was an injured Black Eagle that was identified by a leg band as the 2007 offspring from the Africam Black Eagle nest. Her name is Makhaza. She is receiving treatment and will hopefully recover. Here's a link to the full details and pictures.