I don't know if anyone else reads the RPP forum besides Kitten ... but Kitten received a reply to her FB post on the forum instead of FB ... it was polite enough but I, myself had to reply and I feel the need to copy it over here as well.
I am VERY, very glad to see that the little one make it's way back to the nest bowl. I think there has been a mate switch here as this pair does not take care of it's chicks the way I've seen them do before. Of course, watching from the comfort of my home thousands of miles away does not an expert make of me. :)
But ..... I'd like to make a few comments if I may. Not to cause any trouble ... merely for informational purposes. As to posting 'questionable' comments on FB - I guess I can see the point. Forums are more appropriate for those discussions as we are more experienced in watching. But when you need to 'go to the source' for answers, in a hurry, FB does seem like a logical place to look for answers.
Quote:
If the eaglet had been stuck, there is risk that any human intervention may frighten away the parents, who may then abandon the other two chicks, and often that's why intervention is not done. It's not that raptor handlers don't want to help, it's that there is often far too much risk in doing so, and that is the reason the choice is made to let nature take its course.
We do monitor all nests, and if there is reason for concern, we will often wait long periods (sometimes many hours) to see if perhaps an eaglet that is stuck will free itself, or a parent will nudge it loose, etc. This applies to any situation where there may be reason for concern.
I must take issue with these comments. There are SOOOO many nests in which the chicks are banded every year and not once have I ever seen or heard of the parents abandoning the nest/chicks. I think this is an old myth ... based on the population of eagles 30 years ago. And as to the waiting ... yes, sometimes the problem does resolve itself ... but sometimes waiting is just a death sentence for the eaglet. I watched the eaglet at the Sidney be rescued/released from the fishing line tangled on his foot (and that was MAJOR undertaking) as well as an Osprey chick also entangled in fishing line .. twice! Chicks this young, without their second coat of down, will die fast of exposure.
I very truly do understand the whole 'letting nature take it's coarse' thing ... but I'm also starting to believe in my heart that the organizations that set these cams up need to take some responsibility for the well being of the birds - when it is truly called for. Having thousands of people watching and making donations (not to mention the money the sponsors make) demands it. (That is just my opinion!)
Hugs to everyone ... I'm glad the day ended well... and I'm sorry for the long post!
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Thanks for that great picture SGB it is great to see both there taking care of the kids
Between 8 & 9 oclock good catch SGB I haven't seen a PS so far 