Many had been monitoring the Cowlitz PUD nest because of the heat and Little not getting enough food.
Sadly, the metal grates did not keep the Bald Eagle away. The Eagle flew from the opposite directions with a clear path. It took Little quickly in the early morning of Friday the 12th of July.
The question now is will it return for the other two osplets – probably. What a sad year it has been.
Thank you to ‘PB’ for alerting me of this tragedy and for Cowlitz PUD for their attempt to save this family and for their streaming cam.
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.
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It is. Cowlitz PUD put up the metal fish grates two years ago after the eagle took all three osplets one after the other! Last year nothing happened but Dad had delivered a fish and I guess the eagle followed him. No fish, so took the chick! It is a big problem – predation by other raptors especially Great Horned Owls.
Did anyone see what happened to the second chick last night?
After it disappeared, both parents were on the nest and Electra was feeding the 3rd. When it was dark, Electra did not roost next to the remaining check but sat on the side of the nest rocking for a long time. She wasn’t making any sound, just rocking side to side. Haven’t seen her at the nest for over two hours this morning.
Dad had brought in a fish and I guess the eagle followed him and noticed the babies. Didn’t get the fish but took Little. I had so hoped that those grids would work. They did last year but this year the eagle came up through the unprotected sides. It is sad. I am hoping that the other two might be too big to take but they could be more feathers than weight.
I’m so sorry. The metal gates were working but now I don’t know.
I wonder since little was so much smaller and not lying together with the others if the eagle thought little was prey. Little may be on the eagles nest but we don’t know where the eagle came from. So sad indeed.
Prayers the others will be safe
🙏🙏. Thanks for this update Mary Ann!
OMG this is sad beyond words!!
It is. Cowlitz PUD put up the metal fish grates two years ago after the eagle took all three osplets one after the other! Last year nothing happened but Dad had delivered a fish and I guess the eagle followed him. No fish, so took the chick! It is a big problem – predation by other raptors especially Great Horned Owls.
Did anyone see what happened to the second chick last night?
After it disappeared, both parents were on the nest and Electra was feeding the 3rd. When it was dark, Electra did not roost next to the remaining check but sat on the side of the nest rocking for a long time. She wasn’t making any sound, just rocking side to side. Haven’t seen her at the nest for over two hours this morning.
The eagle took it during the day really quick…faster than a blink. So sad.
Very sad 😢
Dad had brought in a fish and I guess the eagle followed him and noticed the babies. Didn’t get the fish but took Little. I had so hoped that those grids would work. They did last year but this year the eagle came up through the unprotected sides. It is sad. I am hoping that the other two might be too big to take but they could be more feathers than weight.
Tears…. 🥺
Absolutely. I was so hopeful that those metal fish guards would work.
I’m so sorry. The metal gates were working but now I don’t know.
I wonder since little was so much smaller and not lying together with the others if the eagle thought little was prey. Little may be on the eagles nest but we don’t know where the eagle came from. So sad indeed.
Prayers the others will be safe
🙏🙏. Thanks for this update Mary Ann!
I hope that the eagle does not return!