'FORUM FRIENDS, WILDLIFE-FROM-WHEREVER' (Off-season, all cams off at Loch Garten)

Great video by wskrsnwings of the return of E17 and E18 at South Florida Eagle Cam.

Since their return, life has returned to normal.  Feeding, eating, sleeping, bonking. Amazing to see the parents accept them back after a week away.

Fantastic video, thanks for posting the link, Korky.

Yes, they're both doing very well albeit E18 still having to go into submissive mode on occasions but is learning to keep 'his' distance at feeding times. Their eyes are clear and bright - what a marvelous job CROW did!

NE24 has hatched at North East Florida eagle nest, awaiting the 2nd egg for NE25 to hatch now.

'What to expect on the Royal Albatross Cam, February, Post-Hatch Guard phase'

Peekaboo

(c) Cornell/DOC

"And now there were two" - Tweeted yesterday by Landings Bird Cam - the historic couple on this nest is Scarlett & Rhett (unofficial names) - I have covered them (and the previous tenant, a Great Horned Owl family) in the past for a Facebook page, until our ospreys came home.  This is where Hurricane Matthew wreaked havoc, and their nest was set up in a new tree last year.  They've had some tragedies due to storms and intruders but I think last season was successful.

NE Florida ~ Samson & Gabrielle (successors of Romeo & Juliet)

Two eggs laid but it looks as tho one has suffered misfortune, having been encased in half of the hatched shell.  I haven't read anything whatsoever about this but downloaded the stream for a few days.

This is from the so-called 4K cam, but 4K not yet enabled - it was put there by a TV company but the transmission was abandoned because of the tragedy with R&J's eggs.

Cam1

The rogue half-shell is firmly fixed, shows no sign of coming off:

scylla said:

NE Florida ~ Samson & Gabrielle (successors of Romeo & Juliet)

Two eggs laid but it looks as tho one has suffered misfortune, having been encased in half of the hatched shell.  I haven't read anything whatsoever about this but downloaded the stream for a few days.

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Scylla, some info for you that I found on the Hancock Wildlife Foundation/Eagles Discussion Forum...

AEF-NEFL Hamlet Update: posted from Gretchen
There have been questions asked as well as incorrect information posted (including unofficial videos) regarding the unhatched egg, NE25. Naturally we are disappointed the egg hasn’t hatched, and we would like to address that…

Soon after NE24 hatched (Monday, February 8 at 3:10am) the NE25 egg slid inside of NE24’s empty shell. It’s likely the remaining internal egg yolk and the membrane inside the shell created a bond to NE25’s egg, as the shell has remained there. It appeared to many there was a crack in the egg, as some yolk appeared to seep out from the overlapping shell. The unhatched egg, NE25, appears to be intact.

Interesting questions asked:
“Are you certain the hatched egg is NE24 (not NE25)?” Our attentive Camera Operators noted distinct markings on each egg from the onset. When the pip was observed, NE25 was on day 34 (and a half), so odds are in favor that NE24 was the hatched egg, although we can never confirm.

“Would this overlapping shell prevent or affect the pip or hatch of the remaining egg?” The shell was covering the small end of the egg. During the hatch process the pip will always be on the big end of the egg near the air sac, so we believe that wouldn’t affect the pip/hatch process. To validate we consulted with the bald eagle specialist at AEF and an Ecologist at the Institute for Wildlife Studies in California. They concurred.

“When or will the remaining egg hatch?” At this time the NE25 egg is on Day #41. Unfortunately, we believe the egg is non-viable. Either the egg is infertile, or the embryo of the fertilized egg did not properly develop. Some research and recent observations suggest that 10-25% of eggs laid do not hatch. We will likely see Samson and Gabby continue to incubate the egg as they are unable to determine if the egg is viable or not. Over time they will give up and move on. The egg will likely be buried in the nest material.

The good news is we have one adorable and feisty eaglet, NE24, that has warmed our hearts. It will be a joy to follow this little one through development. Samson and Gabrielle have proven to be exceptional parents in just two breeding seasons. We are thankful for NE24!

 Thank you very much, SANDRA!

Sandra P said:

Unfortunately, we believe the egg is non-viable.

We can rest assured that there's been no little chick struggling to get out, what a relief.

11 Feb

Boreal Ontario (mainly to keep track of the Western Meadowlark)

Ruffed Grouse

First time it rather crashed in, didn't stay, pottered on the ground before flying up:

12 Feb, the Gray Jay and Western Meadowlark shared the feeder for a while

The Western Meadownlark was also on the feeder on the 13th.