Bald Eagle “MB” in Montauk, NY July 4, 2015
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Grace Returns to North Carolina July 12 2015
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Young bald eagles are known to wander about in their first few years and that is true of a fledgling bald eagle from Norfolk, Va that was banded with purple leg band “MB” on June 12, 2015 at Ocean View Elementary School. On July 4, 2015 “MB” was observed and photographed by Mr. Charles Schell at Montauk County Park, NY on the eastern end of Long Island. Mr. Schell again photographed “MB” on July 9 at the same park and has given his permission to use his photos in this post.
You can read more about “MB” in an earlier post on this site on June 12. Many thanks to Mr. Schell for being so observant, sending his photos to The Center for Conservation Biology and allowing us to use them.
9 Comments
MB caught in one of the storms ? Jet stream ?
Thanks Mr Schell.
This sounds crazy, but since the location of MB’s nest was unknown, is it remotely possible that she returned to her home territory in NY after making the exhausting trip to VA???
Response – Sidney, it is much more likely that the eaglet was out of a nest somewhere close to Ocean View. There has been an active bald eagle nest at Ocean View Golf Course for the past three years. That eagle pair only visited that nest on occasion, and it is likely they have another nest close by and that the location has just not been identified.
Thanks for info, Reese.
Is it possible that this eaglet reunited with the parents and the whole family made the trip? Or is it normal for a hatch year eagle to wander this far so early in life?
Response – Once the fledgling leaves its natal area it is on its own. Yes, it is normal for young eagles to travel long distances such as this.
It’s amazing that a youngster that was struggling and might have perished without human intervention is now more than 300 miles away in a little over three weeks. It is so gratifying to get feedback like this on a banded bird. I think that CCB’s conservation efforts are so important. Thanks for the work that you do and for sharing it with us!
Best wishes for you MB..hope to see a photo of you again..Big thanks to Mr.Schell and to you Reese
What a little traveler! Hope he/she found a buddy to show her the ropes! Stay safe little MB! Thanks to Mr Schell and Reese!
Is this bird tagged on both legs?
Response – Yes. with a USGS band on right leg and Purple band on left leg.
My family and I observed MB yesterday (8/2) and again today (8/3) at the same location where she was spotted and photographed by Mr. Schell, Montauk County Park on Long Island. Today she was joined by a second juvenile bald eagle! Unfortunately that one did not stick around for photos. I took many pictures of MB today and would be happy to share a couple if you can advise of the best way to forward them to you. When we first observed her today she was eating a large fish; she dropped it when she flew to a nearby piece of driftwood and the second eagle swooped in and took off with it.