SNN (ScrollingNetworkNews) ✿ ✿ Our Mel and Sydney returned to their nesting box with plenty of bonding occurring..but after 2.5 months of Sydney in the box from Dec 2013 to mid Feb 2014, the lack of prey gifts from Mel ( perhaps due to the severe and historic drought underway in California)and they have forgone the nesting process this year as many other raptors ✿ Compared to other owls of similar size, the Barn Owl has a much higher metabolic rate, requiring relatively more food. Pound for pound, Barn Owls consume more rodents – often regarded as pests by humans – than possibly any other creature. ✿ We remind viewers that sometimes owlets may not survive - the parents will dispose of things in "The Owl Way" -viewer discretion is advised, this is nature and the "Owl way". ✿ ~ ✿ “Animals, like us, are living souls. They are not things. They are not objects. Neither are they human. Yet they mourn. They love. They dance. They suffer. They know the peaks and chasms of being.” ― Gary Kowalski, The Souls of Animals ✿ Each species is a masterpiece, a creation assembled with extreme care and genius." ~ E.O. Wilson

Friday, April 13, 2012

Eagles Nest Fails

Fort St. Vrain Station, Platteville, Colo.
This 6 foot-wide and 5 foot-deep nest has been active for many years and the Colorado Division of Wildlife bands young birds at the nest site each spring. Last year, this nest fledged two baby bald eagles. This past summer, a brand-new pair of eagles chose this power plant's nest

"We are sorry to announce that the Fort St. Vrain eagle nest has failed. A violent storm soaked the nest and remaining two young, who died of cold. This is the second time this has happened at this nest, which is in a remote and hard to reach area. This brings up some questions they are often asked. When is it right to intervene in a nest? Is it ever wrong to intervene in a nest? How do we decide when to intervene?"

Intervention isn't always possible. Neither the Fort St. Vrain nor Decorah Bald eagle nests can be easily and safely accessed once babies are in the nest. A bucket truck isn't an option and we can't shoot a line. Those of us who watched Decorah last year might remember the saga of the dreaded red twine. None of us wanted to watch an eaglet die from gangrene or infection, but going up to the nest could have resulted in the death of one or more of the eaglets if they were hit by a bolt or jumped from the nest once they intruded on it. Sometimes we can't intervene.

It isn't always clear when intervention is needed. Several years ago, a female falcon named Alma died after hatching five babies. The babies were 20 or so days old - far past needing brooding. They debated at length whether to go up and retrieve them. Since Dairyland Power Alma can be remotely monitored, they decided to let Dad try raising all five. He did a wonderful job and all five fledged without intervention. Many things that might seem to us to require intervention - a parent dying, things that go bump in the night, loud noises, hungry babies - are a regular part of life for the birds we watch.
Intervention isn't always necessary.

However, intervention is sometimes both possible and necessary. They give flagyl to nestling falcons when they have Frounce. They do their best to create raccoon-proof nesting sites for birds - eagles and falcons can handle most challengers, but raccoons are a serious problem. They recommend putting grounded young birds in a high place, safe from traffic, people, and other animals. When it is possible and necessary, they intervene.

Death is part of the natural order, but that doesn't make it any less sad when it happens. The rest of their Colorado nests appeared to have made it through. We all watch these animals and love them, but they belong to no one but themselves. Their lives are a gift we are privileged to share.
This is not the Decorah Nest