Bird Cams Around the World

I agree about the banding. I think it is less intrusive, but maybe they do need to incorporate some medicine and do a blood draw if possible?

That would seem like a good idea, Michele, but it would probably mean that a veterinarian would have to go down the rope to get to the chicks, or the chicks would have to be raised to the roof in order to have an exam.

I will say we've had a wet winter this year. I don't remember ever seeing rain in the past years like we did this year (during eyas time). Normally, if anything, I always remember hot weather with the eyasses. Wonder if that has had any impact?

I'm am very sorry everyone to here about Blue
I"m just wondering if maybe Blueboy did have had that Frounce (tric) I remember someone writing he was looking like he was trying to hack something up I remember Bella at Great River doing that a day or so before she died

This is so sad to read and watch

I can't get this cam, but I feel for those who have watched and seen these things happen, and I understand that you feel that human intervention in these cases would serve better than not, but the truth is...nature is nature and unpredictable, and beyond our control...and to quote something I read today, 'nature is beautiful, but can sometimes be ruthless'. As sad as it is to watch, we can't and shouldn't go against the call of nature, and I do agree that human intervention would cause more stress than is necessary in most cases.

I view the cams on the 'Beleef de Lente' website and the Great Tits who had 7 hatches, are now down to only 3 chicks; the Storks are down from 4 to 2. The Barn Owl in Washington state had 7 hatches and only 4 owlets remain...it's all about survival and in some cases with some of these birds, if there is not enough food, unfortunately, the parents survival prevails over the chicks.

I wish I could offer some more encouraging words, but perhaps instead of dwelling so on those sites where there has been tragedies, we should focus more on being happy for those sites where there have been such positive outcomes (and miracles, i.e. Gulf Tower).

Huggss to all...

I am worried with all of you about trich. Weaker birds are more vulnerable to it, and as Glenn mentioned it hits at a certain age. I've seen it in Virginia, and we've seen it elsewhere. Those poor babies in Minnesota But the one who was taken out and treated survived. NJ birds are treated in advance of banding, which I think is a great idea. Something like 80% of pigeons carry the disease. So perhaps they are all fed the same thing, and the strong ones survive. Still, there is a danger of them getting it from Blue if the parents don't take him out.

I am crossing my fingers for the last two, and I think it usually happens at the same time to the nest, so its likely they are strong enough to hang in there.

Another final point...California has a much better history of growing the population than other states. They have hundreds of pairs vs 20 per state or so everywhere else. Survival of the fittest becomes more of a reality. That's been true in Canada too, where they have territories that are dangerously close together. I'm not sure seeing these nest battles is a better option personally.

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Both are on the lower ledge. Not sure if they were up there yesterday or not as I did not watch.
Silver went first, then Red.

Great picture 'ljames'...is this the first time they've gotten on that ledge? This near fledge time when these birds are exploring more and more and 'flirting' with being right on the edge of ledges and such, gives me a near heart attack sometimes because of my fear of heights (high open heights), especially with those falcons that are way up high on buildings.

I did not watch yesterday, but this is the first time I saw them do it this season. It is always heart-stopping to see, but they do it every year, although one year a little male was knocked off by his sister. He was ok.

The first year I watched, I would actually get up and run away from the computer, close my eyes, hands over eyes, etc. I was so afraid that I'd see one fledge, then afraid I'd miss it. Not so worried about that anymore, but still concerned that the two remaining might get sick.

I just read the posts here. This is my hometown and I am very sad. Yes, the Jersey City biologist, Kathy Clark, has had losses from trichomoniasis, and treats the eyasses at one week and then again during banding. We lose birds in Jersey due to weather and buildings now. San Jose people are very bonded to these birds and this is another terrible loss. My heart goes out to them.

The practice over the past few years has been to let nature take its course. It is very hard on us watchers.

Silver steals from Red. But now they have real names, Kekoa and Maya.

A nice picture of EC from earlier.

great pics, ljames!!

They are getting close now, but I have to tell you, my heart has just not been in it since little Blue Boy was lost.

Please try to be very happy for the remaining two. I won't be there until late August this year, so they will have flown to other parts of California. They deserve our prayers just as much now as when they were hatched. Life is very hard for raptors in their first year.

Very nicely put Bonnie and so true. I love the quote you have (as a signature I guess) at the end of your posts.