SHEPHERDSTOWN (NCTC) ~ January-March 2011

Mick · **Posted:** Mon Mar 21, 2011 2:58 pm

None. that I have uncovered SGB. There is a long report from a ground observer which says he soars over the nest, trying to draw the intruder away.

Edit: I'm trying to make sense of this report. Yesterday Lib did perch in the tree, but nothing about the two working together.

SusanE · **Posted:** Mon Mar 21, 2011 2:59 pm

skygirlblue wrote:

...I'm just curious, have there been any reports of Belle and Lib joining forces against this bird?

None that I've read or seen.

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:18 pm **Posts:** 63313

carly wrote:

I take it eagles are not like Pefa's in this type of circumstance? A female pefa would have ripped the feathers off her head and punted her head first out of the nest by now - whereas here it just seems like she's being submissive and hoping to outlast her. Is that common?

That's a good question...I don't know...there are plenty of reports from the Norfolk nest about one or both of the parents (either separately or together) escorting and/or showing aggression toward an eagle that comes into their space...

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:18 pm **Posts:** 63313

It looks like they've pulled the cam back...

Mick · **Posted:** Mon Mar 21, 2011 3:01 pm

SusanE wrote:

skygirlblue wrote:

...I'm just curious, have there been any reports of Belle and Lib joining forces against this bird?

None that I've read or seen.

There are two reports that yesterday Belle and Lib soared over the nest together.

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:18 pm **Posts:** 63313

That's good to hear, Mick..thanks

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:18 pm **Posts:** 63313

Since it appears they've pulled the cam back (that's helpful for me), I've got the recorder on it..just in case..

Mick · **Posted:** Mon Mar 21, 2011 3:07 pm

Here is a video of Trudy on the nest by Eaglelover1923

LeeLee · **Joined:** Mon Sep 28, 2009 7:54 pm **Posts:** 471

updated last post. Belle still on nest, on guard, looking around. Noticed my pics of intruder this afternoon (which I did not post since it shows POJ moved) the camera has zoomed out. Was this a teqhnique used by someone (?) to force intruder off cam? ha ha Also dont understand why Belle doesnt kick her to the curb. She onlly cries and may lurch, maybe she is losing her fight. Im very afraid if she keeps returning, Belle will give it up. Ground reports yesterday claim they are seeing Liberty. Am shocked that the males dont help defend the nest when the intruder is a female though I understand why it was said due to size. Just never considered that. Also on last comment edit: Belle dug deeper into the nestcup like she did yesterday late afternoon, tearing out clumps of grasses. She may re-cover all, dont know. Belle just flew off, maybe chasing intruder.

Mick · **Posted:** Mon Mar 21, 2011 3:22 pm

Liberty was actually on the nest for a short time this morning.

Mick · **Posted:** Mon Mar 21, 2011 3:24 pm

Belle is off the nest.

Mick · **Posted:** Mon Mar 21, 2011 3:26 pm

Belle's back. Intruder is in the area.

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:18 pm **Posts:** 63313

Thanks for posting the video, Mick...the intruder really looks HUGE...now here's a question...what if we've been watching Lib this entire time and it was Lib in the video with the intruder...and that's why we haven't seen more serious altercations at the nest...

edit: Yes, I'm grasping at straws here...Belle moving the stick in the vid so reminded me of Lib...but, I've never been able to tell them apart anyway unless they were both standing in the nest at the same time..

Mick · **Posted:** Mon Mar 21, 2011 3:42 pm

Belle sustained an injury the first day over her beak, on the right side. That is how I am identifying her along with the reports from the ground observers. They are reporting in real time from Blackberry. But it sure is a valid thought SGB.

Mick · **Posted:** Mon Mar 21, 2011 3:44 pm

Intruder is alone in the nest.

Mick · **Posted:** Mon Mar 21, 2011 3:45 pm

She looked at the remains, backed off and left.

obxbarb · **Posted:** Mon Mar 21, 2011 3:46 pm

carly wrote:

I take it eagles are not like Pefa's in this type of circumstance? A female pefa would have ripped the feathers off her head and punted her head first out of the nest by now - whereas here it just seems like she's being submissive and hoping to outlast her. Is that common?

I just want to say I've laughed through the last two pages after this comment, thankfully. You are so right Carly...they would fight to the death! This is another one of those big learning experiences that we will always refer to. Its been amazing to watch (or read).

Unfortunately, as the eagle and falcon populations max out we will be seeing more of this I'm afraid. There just aren't enough good locations to go around. Especially in our area of Virginia. The Wildlife Center got two adult injured eagles last week, probably from a territorial battle. I'm guessing that a nesting female is less likely to fight to the death than a non-nesting female, and the males are too small to fight. It would be death. Its interesting here, because I don't think there are that many eagles in West Virginia (maybe less than 20 pairs?), and it seems like there would be more nesting locations. I keep thinking this is one of their kids, but who knows?

Mick · **Posted:** Mon Mar 21, 2011 4:01 pm

Mick wrote:

She looked at the remains, backed off and left.

Video of same (this is the intruder on the nest)

Click image to view on PBucket

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:18 pm **Posts:** 63313

Mick...I recorded the same event...I think that might be Lib!!!...

kittenface · **Posted:** Mon Mar 21, 2011 4:10 pm

I have finally got the guts to watch the videos and now I wonder,
The way she seemed gentle withe the egg and body I wonder what she would have done if Belle
had left the nest when Joy was still alive.

Bird Cams Around the World

SHEPHERDSTOWN (NCTC) ~ January-March 2011

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