SHEPHERDSTOWN (NCTC) ~ January-March 2011

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

Since I'm a glutton for punishment, I checked the weather...Lows~33...tomorrow, Mostly sunny with high of 54...Tomorrow night, a challenge...90% chance of rain. Monday, 60% rain and Tuesday, 30% rain...Now...fingers crossed that the rain will chase this intruder away, Lib returns, and Belle keeps this baby warm and dry!!!

PattiO · **Posted:** Sat Mar 19, 2011 7:48 pm

This was just posted on the blog by WVSusan ... sounds more confusing to me.

Quote:

I must agree w several who have posted already that we have a 4 yr old dirty girl who didn't breed this yr. She is HUGE. .... Much bigger than Belle, but does not look threatening today at least not to Belle. Cannot confirm sighting of Lib. Questionable. Trudy comes in and sits on the limb above the nest and appears to be more of a guardian than a threat, at least how she may perceive at her young age.

She is dirty girl with size and stature more like a vulcher and still has dark markings on her head and tail. Lib would not stand a chance with this one. I think she, however, is not meaning harm to the nest. Trudy flew in to the nest unattended nest and simply went to the top limb as if in watch. She looked down at lPaddy and Paddy was looking up at her, Perfect opportunity if Trudy wanted to take the nest or the contents within, but she was just in protective mode.

That's all we have folks, wait Trudy just tried to land on the nest from the upper limb I still think she just wants to be a part of it, odd as it seems, she just doesn't know how It all works or she'd have brought a fish by now.

Mick · **Posted:** Sat Mar 19, 2011 7:51 pm

Good news. While I missed the intruder landing, I did film the "feed". Here's the good news, the eaglet lifted it's back end and defecated. Here's a screen shot which you can barely make it out. It's a white stream that goes right under Belle's beak.

Mick · **Posted:** Sat Mar 19, 2011 7:54 pm

That's interesting PattiO. Yikes, yikes, yikes.
I know the defecation could just be from the processed nutrients from the yolk sac, but it's a sign that the eaglet is functioning well.

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

That is the best news ever, Mick....it can't come out if it ain't going in!!!!! Oh glory be...now, if Belle can just keep this up, Trudy leaves, and Lib returns...too many wishes?

Thanks for bringing that observation post over...maybe Trudy can turn into a helper...Now, she can win me over if she goes and brings Belle a fish!!!

obxbarb · **Posted:** Sat Mar 19, 2011 8:31 pm

Really nice shots and video everyone! So interesting, and Belle seems to be feeding. That eaglet's crop is bigger for sure. Very nice news to end the day!!!

kittenface · **Posted:** Sat Mar 19, 2011 11:09 pm

Mick wrote:

kittenface wrote:

Mick wrote:

kitten, I saw that too. I saw it last night and thought, what the heck is she doing? From the back it looked like she was feeding. I did NOT mention it because it would be extreme speculation on my part.

Oh how well I understand that, but like you I thought it looked that way yesterday I read what the experts (my opinion) there say and just report.

No no, Kitten, I wasn't directing the speculation comment at you. I thought I was imagining things last night because I so wanted to believe the eaglet was being feed.
:loveshow:

I'm sorry if it read that way. My apology!

Oh sweety I only meant I felt the same as you about not knowing as much as others.

Mick · **Posted:** Sun Mar 20, 2011 1:32 am

kittenface wrote:

Mick wrote:

kittenface wrote:

Mick wrote:

kitten, I saw that too. I saw it last night and thought, what the heck is she doing? From the back it looked like she was feeding. I did NOT mention it because it would be extreme speculation on my part.

Oh how well I understand that, but like you I thought it looked that way yesterday I read what the experts (my opinion) there say and just report.

No no, Kitten, I wasn't directing the speculation comment at you. I thought I was imagining things last night because I so wanted to believe the eaglet was being feed.
:loveshow:

I'm sorry if it read that way. My apology!

Oh sweety I only meant I felt the same as you about not knowing as much as others.

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

Was up early today so checked in on Belle. At 6:46am est, intruder flew to top branch, shaking camera. Belle cried out when she saw her coming. After a minute, she checked on Paddy who was wide awake. Here is a little pic of him. Hope the rain comes and chases intruder away.

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

Belle left the nest for a while and has now returned. Little Paddy O'Joy hanging in there. Woke up with a better feeling of hope for them. After all, in the worse case scenario, little Paddy will have probably broken the record for length of time a newborn eaglet can go without food, since this morning starts his 5th day alive without fresh fish. (if we are wrong and he is not getting food from Belle) In the best case scenario, Belle has outsmarted the intruder, and we will be celebrating. Here is a reminder of how determined Belle can be, and why Belle is so many people's hero, in the pic below. Doesn't this intruder know just WHO she is dealing with?

Yes, that is Belle covered in snow 02-10-2010 protecting egg that would become Palmer the eaglet.

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

Edit: Sorry, today, Sunday, POD has been alive 3 complete days (forgot StPaddys Day was thursday not wed!)

Mick · **Posted:** Sun Mar 20, 2011 1:28 pm

Ground observation report from Shepherdstown Eagle Daily,

4 people observing with bins, intruder still present, either sitting on limb above nest or soaring overhead. Lib was seen. Intruder continues to follow both Belle and Liberty when they fly. Still no sign of food at the nest.

SusanE · **Posted:** Sun Mar 20, 2011 1:32 pm

I needed a break this morning from this nest, so I do appreciate the update, Mick. Much easier than reading hundreds of posts on the blog. :wink:

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

Well, I could only tolerate about 20 seconds...I heard calling near the nest...slight movement from the baby...but if the temp is accurate on the side of the page, its 31 degrees...

Thanks for posting the update, Mick ...I cannot believe it is still there..but, I'm very happy that Lib has been spotted...If I were an observer on the ground, I would have brought fish to drop below the tree...I wonder if Belle and Lib have tried to combine forces to drive this intruder off..

I'll be honest...I'm not sure I have as much hope today...

SusanE · **Posted:** Sun Mar 20, 2011 1:54 pm

Belle returned and mantled the nest for a few seconds. She is softly calling.

SusanE · **Posted:** Sun Mar 20, 2011 2:03 pm

BELLE HAS A FISH IN THE NEST!

edit: She picked it up and moved it and now she's just standing there looking around.

SusanE · **Posted:** Sun Mar 20, 2011 2:11 pm

Belle is now eating. Paddy seems to be sleeping.

SusanE · **Posted:** Sun Mar 20, 2011 2:16 pm

Uh oh, Belle was just watching the sky above her, then vocalized, and then the cam jolted. My guess is Intruder has landed above her.

Mick · **Posted:** Sun Mar 20, 2011 2:19 pm

The last time I saw the eaglet move was during my last post. I have been watching continuously.

SusanE · **Posted:** Sun Mar 20, 2011 2:23 pm

She's currently just sitting and clutching the fish with both feet:

Bird Cams Around the World

SHEPHERDSTOWN (NCTC) ~ January-March 2011

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