NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDENS ~ May - Dec 2011

SusanE · **Posted:** Wed Jul 27, 2011 9:12 pm

POSTED BY JIM:

jim wrote:

Mick, it was 3 attempts to get NX flying today. After the first two attempts they caught her again and carried her up to the top of the field next to where the releases took place and launched her again. She ended up back in the same place they retrieved her from after the second attempt. She just could not get any elevation. The "cell phone" they outfitted her with weighs 80 grams. I say take the thing off of her. It is basically a cell phone as it signals will be relayed via cell phone towers. Three months to the day after these eagles were removed from the nest at NBG after the tragic loss of their mother, freedom is theirs.
NZ upon release

NX working hard. I am confident she will be airborne soon

NV headed our way, did a u-turn and headed out over the James River. It was AWESOME to
be a part of this.

This eagle came from Hampton, Va. and had a great release! Band #05

The fifth eagle came from King & Queen County, Va. He took off to the right of us went
over the trees and was gone. Band #06

SusanE · **Posted:** Wed Jul 27, 2011 9:17 pm

Jim, thank you so much for sharing your experience and your photography with us. Your pictures are AWESOME as usual. I agree with you 100% with regard to NX and that transmitter. She's been through so much in her young life already; let her have some freedom. I don't need to be "entertained" with where she goes.

Is there somewhere we can write/call to request that NX be given her freedom?

obxbarb · **Posted:** Wed Jul 27, 2011 10:14 pm

Boy, I hope they take that transmitter off of her. CCB, who has attached and tracked hundreds of birds (eagles, peregrines, whimbrels and others) does not support putting transmitters on rehabbed animals. Its too risky, with studies backing up their position. After today, it seems a little risky.

obxbarb · **Posted:** Wed Jul 27, 2011 10:16 pm

Jim, your photos are gorgeous! The crowds were enormous and Ed was obviously in his glory. How great to have so much enthusiasm generated for wildlife. I'm in awe!!!

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:18 pm **Posts:** 64757

Jim...just amazing!!!!

Barb...I'm glad to hear you say that...I do hope they will take the transmitter off...NX doesn't need this right now...

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:18 pm **Posts:** 64757

NX being rescued after going to ground.

gigi · **Posted:** Thu Jul 28, 2011 8:51 am

Poor baby. I hope they take the transmitter off.

jim · **Posted:** Thu Jul 28, 2011 11:27 am

SusanE wrote:

Is there somewhere we can write/call to request that NX be given her freedom?

Susan,

Ed Clark, President of http://www.wildlifecenter.org. This thing is basically a cell phone that runs out in two years
and she is stuck with the strap (for lack of a better word) for her entire life. Pretty stupid! Have everyone you know contact him. NX won't be grounded for long. Thanks for the kind words and support.

SusanE · **Posted:** Thu Jul 28, 2011 11:28 am

Email sent to: wildlife@wildlifecenter.org. I hope that is the correct email address to get to the right person(s).

I hope others will also make their opinions known.

Mick · **Posted:** Thu Jul 28, 2011 3:30 pm

I am so shocked to hear the straps do not rot off. I have tried to be as open as possible about these transmitters. If they lead to preserving healthy habitat and maintaining plentiful food sources by limiting development then I see they are a burden a few birds must bear for the benefit and protection of many.

But straps not rotting off?

Edit: Since I made this comment I tried to research. I have read that the dangling straps have gotten caught and hampered the bird. I don't know what the answer is.

Mick · **Posted:** Thu Jul 28, 2011 3:39 pm

Email sent.

Jim
In my concern, I neglected to thank you for your wonderful photos and your presence at the release. Your advocacy for the eagles is admirable. Thank you for being a member of this forum.

This forum rocks.

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:18 pm **Posts:** 64757

my email is sent too... :thumbegg:

jim · **Posted:** Thu Jul 28, 2011 6:30 pm

Thanks to everyone for the nice comments on the photos. I am fortunate
to be able to share them on this wonderful forum. SGB, thank you for the
video, as unfortunate as it is. I sent a e-mail to WVC TELLING :sunmad:

them to remove the
transmitter. I hope they come to their senses. It was hard to watch NX struggling
yesterday. The other 4 eagles had no problems what so ever.

gigi · **Posted:** Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:37 pm

I also sent an email requesting that the transmitter be removed. I also asked the question about the material of the straps and if it does or does not disintegrate eventually. I hope the squeaky wheel gets the oil...

PattiO · **Posted:** Sat Jul 30, 2011 12:21 am

Jim ... thank you so much for those beautiful photos!!! I'd like them to take that transmitter off as well. They've had a hard enough start on life as it is.

SusanE · **Posted:** Wed Aug 03, 2011 9:45 pm

POSTED BY JIM

jim wrote:

Concerning the release of NBG juvie, NX. Hi everyone.

Ed Clark, WCV:

"We will not have a firm date for the re-release for at least another ten days to two weeks... Not next week, but the week after, she will be reevaluated to see how her behavior is maturing... A key indicator is whether or not she stops the juvenile vocalizations... The re-release with NOT be a public event, and the location will NOT be announced in advance, other than it will be som...ewhere along the stretch of the James River, near where the others were released. It will NOT be in the same precise location as the previous release.. We'll select a spot with better perching trees close by.
We WILL try to get videos and photos for posting, and we WILL provide full details, after the fact

SusanE · **Posted:** Wed Aug 03, 2011 9:46 pm

Sounds to me like they don't want anyone watching and complaining about her struggle with her "backpack." Poor NX. :cryinggirl:

gigi · **Posted:** Wed Aug 03, 2011 10:13 pm

SusanE wrote:

Sounds to me like they don't want anyone watching and complaining about her struggle with her "backpack." Poor NX. :cryinggirl:

I think you may be right.

kittenface · **Posted:** Thu Aug 18, 2011 9:59 pm

Wildlife Center Seeing More Attention & Money
Waynesboro, Va.
Since 1982 the Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro has quietly gone about its mission of caring for injured wildlife, but in the past four months it's gotten a lot more attention.

gigi · **Posted:** Fri Aug 19, 2011 12:37 am

Nice article about a wonderful place! :smile:

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NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDENS ~ May - Dec 2011

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