Bald Eagle - British Columbia / Hornby Island

[The Peregrine Chick]

Thanks for posting the update RCF, I know lots of folks here were devoted watchers of the Hornby Eagles.  Given Phoenix's death last year (2010) and how many people would have been very distressed by this turn of events, I can only imagine how tough a year it was for the Carricks.  It is too bad that they cannot continue but they did provide a wonderful view into the real lives of eagles in BC for everyone.  And while I will miss checking out the cam, I am glad I had the opportunity to watch even for just a little while.  And I know that next spring, the adults will be back in their nest and that they will be watched over by fans at the HEG.

[RCF]

It looks as though the webcam on the Hornby Island nest has been turned off  They've got the Decorah nest and the Sea Eagle nest cams up instead.  Thought this was temporary until they got the Hornby cam running, but I read somewhere that the cam is gone for good...  Haven't been able to find out why...

Posted on hancock forum
"By: Doug Carrick on Monday, October 24 2011 @ 01:09 PM EDT
Doug Carrick
Doug Carrick

This is a notice that I am leaving the whole business of broadcasting the Hornby Eagles. I am absolutely torn asunder by this decision. I read over the recent posts and am reminded of all the people that just love seeing these eagles. I see all the people who followed the eagles to the Hancock Wildlife Forum and it is upsetting to abandon such good people. When I decided to quit two months ago there were hundreds of people who requested that I keep broadcasting by some other mode and they were so pleased when it happened. I am forever grateful to David Hancock who welcomed me back so the eagles could carry on to the satisfaction of so many people. And I know it will be a blow to nightowl who has been the best hostess and moderator I could ever imagine - full of wisdom, balance, and wit ... with a warm welcoming personality. IrishEyes and jbkgrants have been wonderful "oldtimers" on the Hornby Eagle thread. JudyB has watched over this thread so well and Richard arranged the transition to the new site with quiet diplomacy. I am fully aware of the upset this will be causing and genuinely wish there was some way around it.

However I have had long talks with Sheila. The hassles and stress associated with the broadcasting of the Hornby Eagles is taking the joy from our lives. We have had enough. We cannot have our lives destroyed to give thousands the pleasure of the eagles. Other people could arise above these things and continue on despite them. But we are not able to do so - thinskinned? But we are as we are, and have to decide what is best for us. So with understanding and appologies, we are now going on to new things. Who knows what? Doug and Sheila Carrick


Hornby Island Bald Eagle Cam -- Summary & Thanks to Doug & Sheila Carrick.
http://www.hancockwildlife.org/forum/viewtopic.php?showtopic=281235

[RCF]

It looks as though the webcam on the Hornby Island nest has been turned off   They've got the Decorah nest and the Sea Eagle nest cams up instead.  Thought this was temporary until they got the Hornby cam running, but I read somewhere that the cam is gone for good...   Haven't been able to find out why...

This is a link to the forum for Hornby Island Eagles Ground Observations - 2011-2012.  There are beautiful pictures of the eagles and also video taken from the ground.

http://www.ournaturezone.com/index.php?topic=939.msg81850#new

[susha]

It looks as though the webcam on the Hornby Island nest has been turned off   They've got the Decorah nest and the Sea Eagle nest cams up instead.  Thought this was temporary until they got the Hornby cam running, but I read somewhere that the cam is gone for good...   Haven't been able to find out why...

[Kinderchick]

Camera moving around alot right now so maybe there is a hatch occuring right now?

[bcbird]

I was following the chat for awhile, the first egg hatched and the second is expected perhaps by morning.  The audio at the site is good enough that the peeping could be heard from the egg distinct from the already hatched eaglet.

[Kinderchick]

Susha has reported that there has been a hatch here at this nest.

[Kinderchick]

Woo hoo! This webcam is now back up and running and there's an eagle in the nest right now!

http://www.hornbyeagles.com/webcam.htm

[sami]

I suppose there's some comfort in the fact that nothing could be done, but it's still very sad. Nature is so cruel at times. Thanks for the update, bcbird.

[bcbird]

I happened to return to the Hornby Eagle site and read the final report on the cause of Phoenix's death.  She died of sudden and overwhelming fungal inflamation throughout both lungs, the diagnosis, acute  bilateral aspergillosis pneumonia.  As this was not a disease spread bird to bird, the probable source was from infected prey. Her physical status was within normal limits, and the opinion was that no intervention could have prevented her death.  

The full report is at http://www.ournaturezone.com/index.php?topic=355.msg22616#msg22616.

[Kinderchick]

Sometimes it is the quality of life or death that one needs to be grateful for.

Yes, that is so very true. Thank you for your reflections and this reminder, TPC.

[bcbird]

Sometimes it is the quality of life or death that one needs to be grateful for.

That statement is comforting, and provides food for thought of many other situations, and not only in the animal world.  Thank you, Tracy. 

[eagle63_1999]

Ty for posting your thoughts Tracy. I have refrained from saying anything because I didn't know what to say.  It is sad all around.  But your words brought me comfort.

[The Peregrine Chick]

Pneumonia might have been the chick's cause of death, but there could have been other problems (not discernable on the necropsy) that made him susceptible to pneumonia in the first place.  Goslings and ducklings get abandonned when the parents realize there is a problem - they look and act fine and you are sure they must just have gotten lost/separated, next thing you know they (literally) drop dead.

On the upside (not that there really is one) but Phoenix died in an environment he understood without the stress of being handled and examined by humans.  If he had been older and the pneumonia not so aggressive, he might have done more damage before dying.  Sometimes it is the quality of life or death that one needs to be grateful for.

[Kinderchick]

Still very sad, every time I think about Phoenix.  She must have been extremely ill. I wonder how a fungal pneumonia develops in eagles?