The eagles have landed: AZGFD’s bald eagle nest cam now streaming

Dec. 18, 2018 Arizona Game and Fish Department The eagles have landed: AZGFD’s bald eagle nest cam now streaming Live stream of bald eagle nest brings wildlife to your smart device PHOENIX — The camera is set, zoomed in and ready to broadcast the day-to-day life of a pair of bald eagles hoping to raise a family inside their nest at Lake Pleasant Regional Park. On Tuesday, Dec. 18, the Arizona Game and Fish Department — in partnership with Salt River Project, Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department, Arizona State Land Department and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation — began live-streaming from the camera perched near the bald eagle nest on Lake Pleasant. Watch the cam Watch eagle cam footage “We are thrilled to bring this camera to fruition,” said Randy Babb, AZGFD watchable wildlife program manager. “Our goal is to provide opportunities for people to truly appreciate and connect with Arizona’s wildlife, and live-feed wildlife cameras such as this help us to do exactly that. People will be fascinated as they learn from and watch these nesting eagles incubate eggs and rear their young in real-time.” Records show bald eagles have inhabited Lake Pleasant since at least 1979, with the first documented nesting attempt occurring in 1984. While no young were produced until 1993, 28 birds have since survived to take their first flight, known as fledging. Two eggs were laid in the nest in early January 2018 and each hatched the following month. The two young successfully fledged in late April. “Park visitors are always excited to catch a glimpse of these magnificent raptors flying overhead while they’re recreating at Lake Pleasant Regional Park,” said R.J. Cardin, director for the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department. “Now, through the addition of the eagle cam, everyone can enjoy this experience from the comfort of their own home.” The camera feed was made possible through permitting and coordination with Arizona State Land Department, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Maricopa County Parks and Recreation, and Salt River Project. “These beautiful birds often nest in and around the state’s rivers and reservoirs, and we are proud to be a part of a program that allows more members of the public to view these majestic raptors,” said Kara Montalvo, SRP Director of Environmental Compliance and Permitting. The bald eagle cam is the fourth wildlife camera offered by the department, which also provides seasonal views of wintering sandhill cranes in southeastern Arizona, a bat roost at Cluff Ranch Wildlife Area and an underwater pupfish cam. All the live streams can be viewed at www.azgfd.gov/livecams. Viewers are asked to check the cameras frequently if there is no activity in the nest. Often the birds will leave at multiple times for feeding. If eggs are laid, viewing will be more consistent and predictable. The Arizona Game and Fish Department Lake Pleasant bald eagle live-streaming camera is funded through Heritage and Pittman Robertson funds, the Southwestern Bald Eagle Management Committee and public donations.   “Viewers wishing to support the Watchable Wildlife program and its wildlife cameras are asked to consider making a donation,” Babb added. “These cameras are very expensive to install and maintain and we appreciate any and all donations.” Did you know? The Arizona Game and Fish Department conserves and protects Arizona’s 800+ wildlife species but receives NO Arizona general fund tax dollars. Contribute to our on-the-ground conservation efforts at www.AzWildlifeHero.com.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, or disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AZGFD’s programs or activities, including its employment practices, the individual may file a complaint alleging discrimination directly with the Director’s Office, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000, (602) 942-3000, or with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attn: Civil Rights Coordinator for Public Access, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS:WSFR, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation or this document in an alternative format by contacting the Director’s Office as listed above. Arizona Game & Fish Dept. · 5000 W. Carefree Hwy, Phoenix, AZ 85086 (602) 942-3000 · www.azgfd.gov

AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING MASS BIRD DEATH IN HILLSBORO

Some birds have been taken to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lab in Ashland for testing.

Posted: Nov. 17, 2018 10:30 AM

Updated: Nov. 18, 2018 12:58 AM

Posted By: Associated Press

HILLSBORO, Ore. (AP) - Federal and state authorities are investigating a mass bird death in northwestern Oregon.

Officials say a bald eagle, red-tailed hawk and dozens of red-winged blackbirds and European starlings were found dead in a field in Hillsboro earlier this week.

Oregon State Police are investigating, and some birds have been taken to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lab in Ashland for testing.

Portland General Electric says crews checked a nearby transformer but it's designed to be safe for birds, and it's unlikely the birds were electrocuted.

Audubon Society of Portland Conservation Director Bob Sallinger says it's possible the smaller birds were poisoned, and the larger, predatory birds died after eating them.

Read on  

Bird watchers expecting bald eagle population to soar

Eagle watches anticipates stellar year

Each year, eagles descend upon the Fraser Valley and this year is anticipated to bring in more than normal.

Emad Agahi, CTV Vancouver
Published Saturday, November 10, 2018 7:25PM PST 

It’s one of nature's most spectacular sights, and one unique to where we live.

Tens of thousands of bald eagles will soar into the Fraser Valley to feed this winter and according to biologist David Hancock, it could be their best turnout yet.

“Here in southern B.C., we're the snowbird capital of the world for eagles," said Hancock.

Hancock, who has been studying the ferocious birds for more than 60 years, is preparing for their annual arrival.

As northern rivers freeze over in the winter, the province’s eagle population flies south.

Each year close to 35,000 hungry bald eagles travel from as far as Alaska down to the Fraser Valley to feed on spawned salmon.  Most find their way down the Harrison River near Agassiz.

“It’s quite spectacular there,” said Christian Sasse.

Sasse is a professional photographer who’s been capturing B.C. eagles  for almost a decade.

“Early in the morning the whole plains, the Chehalis Flats, would be flooded with eagles. It's quite an incredible sight," he said.

Sasse believes the amount of rain this fall has the makings for a record turnout, adding “as long as it doesn't rain too much and it doesn't rain too little.”

Eagles can also be spotted across Metro Vancouver, most commonly in Delta, a Kitsilano and Stanley Park.

Continued  

Bald eagle sightings are on the rise locally

By MARK TODD mtodd@starbeacon.com

May 13, 2018

CONNEAUT — Bald eagles, once on the road to extinction, have been seen in abundance in Ashtabula County in recent days, bird-spotters are reporting.

Large numbers of young birds have been seen along the Lake Erie shore, especially in the vicinity of Conneaut Harbor, observers said. Janet Szekely, who lives along the lake in Conneaut, has a front-row seat for the sightings.

Eagles often perch in trees on her property, said Szekely, who often takes a short trip east to the city’s harbor for a bit of bird-watching. Recently, she has seen large numbers of eagles on the harbor sandbar and breakwater.

“They’re everywhere in Conneaut Harbor,” she said. “I see them early in the morning.”

For three years, Szekely has maintained a Facebook page — Ashtabula County Eagles — that welcomes photos and comments from fans of the national symbol. Others who have posted to the page in recent days agree eagle sightings have been plentiful.

The resurgence of the bald eagle in Ohio is a wonderful success story, said Laurie Graber, a wildlife research technician with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The number of eagles seen locally mirrors population growth enjoyed in other parts of the state, she said.

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Maryland conservation group says drone pilot buzzed bald eagle's nest in Pasadena

Chris Eberly, executive director of the Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership discuses the effects drones have on nesting eagles and other species. 

Selene San Felice

Eagles and drones are not friends in flight, the Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership warns after a recent Pasadena incident.

After a drone pilot was reported to police for bringing his drone close to an eagle and causing another to leave its nest, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Maryland Natural Resources police got involved.

Kelly Hunt, a volunteer eagle nest monitor for the partnership, said she was checking on a nest this month next to Fort Smallwood Elementary School when she saw a man send his drone up to the nest.

As the drone approached the nest, the female flew away and a male — presumably the father — flew up to the drone for a few seconds before flying past it.

A bald eagle was filmed swimming Monday evening at the community beach in Epping Forest. Eagles can't fly when their feathers get soaked from being in the water too long.

Hunt warned the man he was disturbing the eagles and they could injure themselves if they attacked the remote-controlled copter. She said he refused to fly his drone away from the nest, saying he was within his Federal Aviation Administration rights.

“I understand how cool it is and the temptation to view what’s going on inside the nest, but not to the detriment of the eagles,” Hunt said.

Continued  

Maine lobstermen rescue swimming bald eagle that is on the verge of drowning

USA TODAY NETWORKCydney Henderson, The Arizona RepublicPublished 6:29 p.m. ET Aug. 1, 2017 | Updated 6:29 p.m. ET Aug. 1, 2017

PHOENIX — Lobstermen have many strange encounters during their time at sea.

This memorable account in Maine, however, is one for the books.

Lobsterman John Chipman and his sternman Kevin Meaney lent a helping hand to one of the country’s most cherished animals — a bald eagle.

The national bird of the United States symbolizes unlimited freedom, but a wildlife biologist who serves as Maine’s bird group leader says this particular eagle was on the brink of drowning.

“I knew it wasn’t going to make it,” said Chipman. “The way he was acting, I knew he wanted help.”

Watch video and read on 

Upcoming Event: Annual bald eagle event set for Flagstaff

Posted in: Wildlife News

Feb 25, 2017

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.  -- Did you know that Arizona is visited by over 200 bald eagles during the winter?  To learn more about these amazing birds and to see live eagles, the public is invited to attend the Annual Bald Eagle Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Willow Bend Environmental Educational Center at 703 E. Sawmill Road in Flagstaff.

Several programs will be offered during this year’s event, which is hosted by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and Willow Bend Environmental Education Center. The cost for the event is $5 per participant for each program or free for Willow Bend Members.

All programs, except field trip, will be held at Willow Bend. The day will also include an opportunity to see live bald eagles up close and a chance to talk with dedicated individuals from Liberty Wildlife Rehabilitation Foundation.

8-10 a.m. – “Early Birds” Field Trip: Join current and retired AZ Game and Fish wildlife biologists for an early morning field trip searching for bald eagles and local waterfowl around Lake Mary. Meet at 8 a.m. at AZ Game and Fish Office at 3500 Lake Mary Road. Personal transportation is required and carpooling is encouraged. The field trip will be cancelled if there is inclement weather.

10-11 a.m. – “Eaglets” Family Presentation: A family-focused interactive program especially designed for families with young children (ages 4-12 years old). Learn about and view live eagles.

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. – “Fully Fledged” Community Presentation 1: Learn about the incredible bald eagle from an Arizona Game and Fish biologist and view live eagles up close. Presentation is open to all ages. (Please note this is the same presentation as the 1 p.m. session. Please only sign up for one presentation.)

1-2 p.m. – “Fully Fledged” Community Presentation 2: Learn about the incredible bald eagle from an Arizona Game and Fish biologist and view live eagles up close. Presentation is open to all ages.

“Educating people about wildlife, conservation and management is a goal for Willow Bend and Arizona Game and Fish,” Willow Bend Director Moran Henn said. “We are very excited to be partnering with Game and Fish and Liberty Wildlife again for this year’s event.”

Those going on the early bird field trip should remember to dress appropriately for weather conditions, and bring binoculars and bird field guidebooks. To register for one of the programs offered or for more information, visit www.willowbendcenter.org.

New administration rule would permit thousands of eagle deaths at wind farms

Published May 04, 2016 

 Associated Press

The Obama administration is revising a federal rule that allows wind-energy companies to operate high-speed turbines for up to 30 years, even if means killing or injuring thousands of federally protected bald and golden eagles.

Under the plan announced Wednesday, companies could kill or injure up to 4,200 bald eagles a year without penalty -- nearly four times the current limit. Golden eagles could only be killed if companies take steps to minimize the losses, for instance, by retrofitting power poles to reduce the risk of electrocution.

Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe said the proposal will "provide a path forward" for maintaining eagle populations while also spurring development of a pollution-free energy source that's intended to ease global warming, a cornerstone of President Barack Obama's energy plan.

Ashe said the 162-page proposal would protect eagles and at the same time "help the country reduce its reliance on fossil fuels" such as coal and oil that contribute to global warming.

"There's a lot of good news in here," Ashe said in an interview, calling the plan "a great tool to work with to further conservation of two iconic species."

The proposal sets objectives for eagle management, addresses how bird populations will be monitored and provides a framework for how the permitting system fits within the agency's overall eagle management, Ashe said.

Wind farms are clusters of turbines as tall as 30-story buildings, with spinning rotors as wide as a passenger jet's wingspan. Blades can reach speeds of up to 170 mph at the tips, creating tornado-like vortexes.

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Huge bald eagle missing in Gloucestershire

3 May 2016 at 10:21pm

A bald eagle with a broken tracker has gone missing from the International Bird of Prey Centre in Gloucestershire.

According to founder Jemima Parry-Jones, the female bird called 'Cremorne' is in a wood near Newent - refusing to come down.

The bird was being flown at the centre on Saturday when it flew off and didn't come back.

Last updated Tue 3 May 2016

Source …

UPDATE

Bald eagle who fled Gloucestershire bird-of-prey centre returns

By Western Daily Press | Posted: May 06, 2016

A peckish bald eagle who fled a bird-of-prey centre with a broken tracker has safely returned.

Staff at the International Centre for Birds of Prey (ICBP) said "temperamental" Cremorne took to the skies after she got spooked on Saturday night. 

After staff spent a few days tracking the bird - which has a seven foot wingspan - her radio transmitter suddenly stopped working and she went AWOL on Tuesday. 

Luckily, after a campaign to spread the word, was found and returned to the centre in Newent,Gloucestershire yesterday (Thurs). 

She was spotted sitting in a tree near Ledbury before being recaptured.

Read more: 

Bald eagle caught in hunting trap freed by brothers in heartwarming video

A clip of the incredible rescue of a bald eagle caught in a hunting trap in Canada has gone viral

By Telegraph Video, video source Storyful Pro / Facebook / Michael Fletcher

9:47AM GMT 28 Nov 2015

A video showing two Canadian men rescuing a bald eagle from a trap in Ontario, Canada, has gone viral in recent days, receiving thousands of views since it was posted on November 24.

Brothers Michael and Neil Fletcher were hunting near the town of Dowling, when they came across an eagle caught in a trap.

According to the brothers, the eagle had caught one of its talons in a claw trap used by fur trappers.

"It was attached to a stake and the eagle was trying to fly up, but it only had a foot of slack in the chain," Michael said.

Speaking to cba.ca Neil said, “It was relieving to see that it was still alive. I knew we had to do something right away.”

“At first the eagle was a bit nervous to have my brother and myself there… as soon as he realised we were trying to help he kind of calmed down a little bit. His head would kind of move back and forth to look at us, but that was the most he’d do,” he said.

Once the eagle was freed from the trap, the pair posed for a quick selfie before sending the bird of prey on his way.

Continued …

Ozzie the bald eagle: How a webcam celebrity to millions died fighting for his love

His and Harriet’s nest has attracted 40 million views, but in the end Ozzie lost his life, and love, to a younger eagle

Yanan Wang

Thursday 1 October 2015 13:00 BST

Within an hour of Ozzie's death, over 600 people has posted comment to CROW's Facebook CROW - Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife

For over twenty years, Ozzie and Harriet lived in marital bliss.

It was clear from the start that they were made for each other. She, a striking creature with a large beak and black-speckled tail; he, smaller but no less distinguished, with sprinkles of white interspersed on his right shoulder.

After a residential stint elsewhere in North Fort Myers, Fla., the bald eagle pair made their nest on the sprawling property of Dick Pritchett Real Estate, where they flew freely among the pine trees. The year was 2006, and Ozzie and Harriet had yet to become national darlings.

Little is known about the couple’s life during this quiet period. Presumably, they engaged in conventional eagle activities: eating fish, tending to a nest, gliding majestically.

Ozzie’s life came to an abrupt end Tuesday evening in a manner ripe for Shakespearean tragedy. The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), where the eagle was being treated this weekend, announced his passing on their Facebook page.

Continued ...