Norfolk Eaglet Fledged May 29, 2015
Grace Still Fishing at TRS May 28, 2015
May 29, 2015
Grace Remains at the Catfish Farm May 31, 2015
June 1, 2015
The bald eaglet from the Norfolk nest NO1501 at Hunt Club Point fledged at about 5:30pm on May 29, 2015. I believe the fledgling is a male based on photos I took today. He is the offspring of the male adult who formerly breed at Norfolk Botanical Garden and his daughter banded with purple band HE on April 22, 2009. Today, May 30, 2015, the fledgling was being persistently mobbed by crows in the backyard of a neighbor about a block from his nest. All photos copyright Reese F Lukei, Jr.
13 Comments
Simply wonderful photos of this “miracle” and very beautiful eaglet. Wish there would have been some way to have kept track of him, since this was such a unique circumstance, but we know he will be soaring the skies soon and the NBG legacy will go on. Thank you Mr. Lukei.
Thank you Reese for the pictures and your opinion that this beautiful eaglet is a male. Sure do wish there was some way to know how he does and where he goes. He is a special eaglet…
Sure wish we could keep up with him, but it’s just so special to see another fledgling from Dad Norfolk!
So great that you were there to see this and get pictures! Thanks for the post!
So great you got these photos. For a fledgling he sure seems to know how to handle those crows! I guess it is all in the genes. Thank you Reese for all you do, for all you have taught us and for continuing to teach us.
It’s a joy to see such good pictures of his first adventure into his new world. Thank you.
So happy for Dad and HE. So glad that this fledgling continues not only Dad Norfolk’s story, but also Mom’s legacy through HE. Like everyone else, I wish we could know where he goes and if he were to be sighted again, but I understand why it didn’t happen. Fly long and free, beautiful one… you have big talons to fill!
Reese, I bet seeing this guy fledge was special even for someone who has watched so many eagles over the years.
Response – Three generations in one nest. How unique is that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much for the photo’s Reese..seeing them made my day..I do wish we could keep track of him for a while..maybe next year.. what a handsome guy..just like his dad.
Beautiful pictures but I don’t understand why they mob these fledglings. We have two Red-Tailed Hawks at Eaglecrest Wildlife and they are also mobbed by RWBB and others. Is there a reason they do this to them? They drove ours from branches around the nest. Do any of the mobbed fight back and get dinner?
Response – Mobbing is a natural antipredator behavior observed frequently in birds. Raptors are seen especially being mobbed by smaller birds such as crows and other blackbirds, and even blue jays. We saw that at Norfolk Botanical Garden on the live web cam. Sometimes it is the crows that are being mobbed by smaller blackbirds such as grackles.
Thanks Reese for always being there with the answers and wonderful pictures. Does this eaglet have any features that would allow you, our expert, to ID him from a photo for a time after he leaves the nest forever? Does he have any naming initials even though he wasn’t tagged or will he just be known henceforth as that handsome eaglet in the sky and no one will know he is “our” eaglet?
Response – I have not noticed any distinctive markings and not any naming initials. Only do that when fitted with purple band.
So happy Dad Norfolk and mate have had a successful year! I hope the next month is kind to the little one and he lives well and safe. I suspect he will do fine!!
Thanks so much Reese, three generations in one nest indeed!!
Thank you Reese for all you do for our Norfolk Eagles! It is greatly appreciated!