There are two news items that you need to be aware.
First, Little Boots has passed peacefully. Thanks ‘H’ for alerting me a few moments ago. I was so hopeful that he would make it. Soar high Little Buddy!
Thank you to everyone who worked so desperately hard to save this baby.
The announcement:
This has been a really rough year. Is it possible that Harriet at the SWFlorida Bald Eagle nest, mate of M15, is no longer with us? She was last seen last evening. Normally, she would be on the attic branches with M15 watching over the babies. She has left for a time but the eaglets are usually older. Here is a text by Lady Hawk and a video. Please send your warmest and most positive wishes to M15 and the Es and Harriet for her safe return.
M15 and the Es await her return. M15 fed the two eaglets this morning.
Thank you to ‘H’ and ‘M’ for the alerts. Thank you to the Wildlife Centre of Texas, SWFlorida Eagles and D Pritchett, and Lady Hawk for their posts, videos, and streaming cams that make up this blog.
I went to the UK as a Commonwealth Scholar in 1990 and received my PhD from the University of Leicester in 1993. After three decades of university teaching, I retired to devote my time to the study of raptor behaviour. I am particularly interested in Ospreys and am working on a long term project on third hatch survival and siblicide in these raptors. My blog is a result of a fascination with my local wildlife and the desire to encourage others to love and care for birds! I live on the Canadian Prairies and prior to the pandemic travelled a lot. I am questioning the use of aviation fuel at the moment as we all strive to help our planet. My early research was in politics and art including British public statues exported to Southeast Asia and Vietnam Resistors that contributed much to Canadian ceramics. Books and articles were published on those subjects over a period of 3 decades. Now I am working on books for children so they can learn about the challenges our raptors face.
View all posts by maryannsteggles
Fly high little Boots – so very sorry to hear this news but there is comfort in knowing much was done to preserve that fighting spirit, sadly to no avail.
Let us hope there will be better news about Harriet. Fingers crossed…
I’m just so saddened by the lost of baby Boots🙏💕 and the missing of Harriett. 🙏❤️🦅
Please keep us informed Mary Ann.
Thank you and have a Good Friday evening
Linda
Hi Nancy. Fishing line and hooks and gosh, I started making a list with someone the other day. All terrible things out there. I know someone posted an image but the Pritchett’s continue to say when she flew off she did not have a line or sinker so I don’t know…Harriet was or could have been 30 years old. It is possible that she has died of natural causes. Avian Flu seems out of the question because no one else is sick but then, there is also the comment that she flew after an intruder. If that was the case she could be injured or have been killed. Sadly we might never know what happened to beloved Harriet. M15 is definitely doing her proud and those two eaglets sure look like they have a chance to make it.
Hi Rita, Thanks so much for your comment. The last statement from SWFL was she had no hook or sinker in her mouth and she flew off and there was an intruder. Yes, you know eagles very well. They can and will fight to the finish especially if there are chicks to protect. I recall Bella, without chicks, really being bloodied and cut. She returned to her nest 21 days later. NCTC. This just doesn’t seem that way. I think if Harriet were injured and could fly she would be at that nest. There is a possibility – although I hate to even state a theory – that she could have simply died of old age. With all the carrion eaters (the vulture eating food put out by outrageous individuals) reminds us that they are about and yes to your last statement.
Fly high little Boots – so very sorry to hear this news but there is comfort in knowing much was done to preserve that fighting spirit, sadly to no avail.
Let us hope there will be better news about Harriet. Fingers crossed…
oh, this is beyond sad, on both accounts. Please hurry home, Harriet. Hoping for the very best news soon.
Sad to hear this.
I’m just so saddened by the lost of baby Boots🙏💕 and the missing of Harriett. 🙏❤️🦅
Please keep us informed Mary Ann.
Thank you and have a Good Friday evening
Linda
So heartbreaking on both reports. Thank you for keeping us informed, Mary Ann. It is crushing, if something happened to Harriet….
Hopefully Moms not another innocent victim of fishing line. I can’t bear the thought …
Hi Nancy. Fishing line and hooks and gosh, I started making a list with someone the other day. All terrible things out there. I know someone posted an image but the Pritchett’s continue to say when she flew off she did not have a line or sinker so I don’t know…Harriet was or could have been 30 years old. It is possible that she has died of natural causes. Avian Flu seems out of the question because no one else is sick but then, there is also the comment that she flew after an intruder. If that was the case she could be injured or have been killed. Sadly we might never know what happened to beloved Harriet. M15 is definitely doing her proud and those two eaglets sure look like they have a chance to make it.
Considering if she went after an intruder and lost, then we will never find her, hate to say it, she would have been a meal(s). Sorry
Hi Rita, Thanks so much for your comment. The last statement from SWFL was she had no hook or sinker in her mouth and she flew off and there was an intruder. Yes, you know eagles very well. They can and will fight to the finish especially if there are chicks to protect. I recall Bella, without chicks, really being bloodied and cut. She returned to her nest 21 days later. NCTC. This just doesn’t seem that way. I think if Harriet were injured and could fly she would be at that nest. There is a possibility – although I hate to even state a theory – that she could have simply died of old age. With all the carrion eaters (the vulture eating food put out by outrageous individuals) reminds us that they are about and yes to your last statement.