Bird Cams Around the World

Oh C-R-A-P! I spoke too soon. Intruder back!

This is breaking my heart. Belle sounds like she is whimpering or calling "help me."

My understanding is that folks at this site with take a "hands off" approach, but someone from the Shepherdstown Blog has made contact with someone on site and the one-site person will take a walk around the property tonight.

I just learned from Raptor Resource that ground personnel is aware of the situation. That's all I heard.

Edit:
Sorry Susan. Same news.

That's okay, Mick. I'm glad to know other forums are covering this.

I agree, carly. At least there is an angel on site (Randy) who is willing to go and take a look around. God bless him. Hopefully he will have some news tonight.

I guess this is the other side of the great coin that allows us to be voyeurs into the lives of these great birds -- but we also must share the sadness, I guess also.

You are so right, Dot K. On the Shep. Blog someone named "TJ" who sounds like he knows what he's talking about also thinks the intruder is another female based on size and how she reacted when Belle tried to chase her off the nest in the first video that KF posted. The intruder was rather unphased. He also thinks she is a 4th yr bird based on plumage. He also felt that Paddy O'Joy should have 2-3 days of nourishment from the yolk sack.

Encouraging Susan! Thank you!

She's calm again but making periodic soft vocals

She continues to look up

There is video, if you want to review, on YouTube.
Posted by greencashew.

Thanks, Mick. That must be the one I missed when the cam froze up on me. Belle is one tough girl.

She held steady. The video might also explain why she keeps looking up.
Edit: the intruder dropped from overhead.

Good observation, Mick. Maybe the intruder is just sitting . . . up there. . . and waiting for her chance.

Something to keep in mind though, (and this helps me not to get too out of whack emotionally) is that if we had watched Miss Intruder hatch, grow up, get banded, fledge, etc., we would be more sympathetic to her. She is doing only what Mother Nature has instilled in her. She is not evil.

Let's hope for the best but let's not wish any harm on Miss Intruder.

At 9:15 p.m. Belle tucked her head in to sleep. Let's hope she has a peaceful night

Here is the update from the guy who took a walk around the grounds. Thanks to hedgie at the Shep blog for posting it:

"Good News.

I walked the trails along the Potomac and around the nest tree till dark.
I saw no injured eagle.
Here's what I observed:

6:30 pm: Belle was on the nest and calm and another eagle was perched
in the branches above the nest. Because Belle did not seem stressed, I can
only assume it was Lib. I had binocs, but due to sun glare could not see
him well.
I did think his feathers looked a little ruffled though.

6:40: After some chatter back & forth, both birds take off and fly toward
the river.
They were both gone @ 30 mins.

7:10: One eagle returned to the nest and shortly after the other returned
to perch above the nest.
Both eagles seemed calm.

8:15: Belle on the nest and calm. The other eagle (Lib ?) is perched above
the nest.

8:45: We have a nearly full moon and I see Belle on the nest (on TV) and
calm.

All quiet on the western front.

Randy"