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September 2009
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NewsChannel 36 has partnered with Carolina Raptor Center to bring you pictures as Savannah, a bald eagle in captivity due to injuries, takes care of her nest. Her mate is Derek Click here for a web cam of Savannah's nest. 3/19 Savannah left the nest after 51 days of incubating her egg. The egg was cold when Julia Raddatz, rehabilitation coordinator at Carolina Raptor Center, gathered it for examination in the lab. After evaluation, it was determined that the egg developed for approximately two weeks. It's very likely that the egg froze during the first snowfall of the year when temperatures dipped to the low teens in early February. To keep herself occupied, Savannah has been moving nesting material in the aviary and built another nest near her old one. The aviary is open again for public viewing and Savannah enjoys visitors coming to see her at Carolina Raptor Center. 3/10 At 11 a.m. today Julia Raddatz, rehabilitation coordinator at Carolina Raptor Center, removed Savannah's egg from her nest and brought it into a dark room to candle it. Candling an egg is the process of holding an egg up to a bright light in order to visualize the density of its contents. Upon candling, Julia saw that the contents of Savannah's egg were too dense to allow light to pass through. This could mean two things: It could mean that an embryo has developed to the point that it has taken up the entire egg or, the far more likely possibility, the egg was fertilized but development stopped at an early state. Julia also noted that there was no movement within the egg. She did not hear any sounds coming from the egg, or any other outward signs of hatching. When an embryo begins to develop within an egg, it causes the chemistry of the egg to change. Then, when development stops, the contents will decompose faster than if it were never fertilized, causing the contents to become more dense, which likely explains what Julia saw when she candled it. The egg was placed back in the nest so Savannah can make the choice of when she is done incubating her egg. Savannah returned to the nest almost immediately after the egg was returned to her. CRC staff will be removing the visual barrier around the eagle aviary tomorrow afternoon so the public can come out and see where Savannah's nest is located and all five bald eagles in the enclosure. 3/9 Due to the length of time that Savannah has been laying on her egg, CRC staff will be removing Savannah's remaining egg at 11 a.m. on Tuesday to inspect the viability of the remaining egg. If the egg is fertile, it will be returned to the nest and if not, we will gain what knowledge we can from the egg. Normal length of incubation for bald eagle eggs is 34-37 days. As of tomorrow, 44 days will have passed since the first egg was laid and it is very unlikely that hatching could still occur. Savannah's change in behavior last week may have been due to her expecting the eggs to hatch as the incubation period was nearing its end. Expect more information by late afternoon on Tuesday. 3/6 Last night Savannah removed one of her eggs from the nest. The egg was infertile. Carolina Raptor Center staff candled the second egg around 11 a.m. and there's hope it will hatch. The egg was placed back in the nest and Savannah returned to sitting on it. There's hope it will hatch by Monday. PHOTOS of CRC staff inspecting the egg 3/5 Over the past 48 hours, Savannah is still behaving differently. She has been moving the eggs around much more and standing up to check on them often. This may be because she is hearing noises within the eggs or feeling them start to move around. At approximately 10am, staff confirmed that 2 eggs are still present, although it is difficult to see them clearly enough to know if they are starting to crack/hatch. 3/3 After our snow storm, with temperatures dropping to the low teens, Savannah is exhibiting abnormal behavior. She will sit on the nest and quickly stand up, looking quite agitated and nervous. It's quite possible that the eggs have started to wiggle. 2/26 Everything has been going very well for Derek and Savannah. CRC staff closed off the remainder of their enclosure from the public this week in preparation for the eaglets hatching this Saturday the 28th through Tuesday the 3rd. It is important that we prevent the eaglets from seeing our staff and visitors to protect them from imprinting on humans. Imprinting is a natural process that causes the newly hatched eaglets to become strongly attached to their parents. In the simplest terms: imprinting is how and when an eaglet learns that it is an eagle, and how to behave like an eagle. Keep your eyes on EagleCam , and you might be the first one to see the eggs start to hatch! 2/15 Derek and Savannah are still doing a wonderful job caring for their eggs, but they aren't the only "love birds" at Carolina Raptor Center. Our Golden Eagles, Pioneer and Orion have also made a nest! Pioneer (the female) has laid eggs a few times before, and although they have never hatched, there is always a first time for everything. The staff at CRC is keeping a close eye on our Golden Eagles and we're providing everything they need for nesting. Visitors to CRC can come and watch Pioneer and Orion continue to build their nest.
2/4 - Derek and Savannah have been very dedicated parents through last night's snow and below freezing temperatures. Savannah has been on the nest almost all day today, with Derek taking over incubation duties for short relief shifts. Bald eagles are known to spend more time on their eggs in cold weather in order to maintain their eggs at a constant temperature. If the eggs cool below a critical temperature, the eaglets would not survive. 2/2 - Savannah and Derek have been incubating their eggs for one week now. Bald eagle eggs generally require 34 to 37 days of incubation, so we hope to see their eggs hatch between February 28th and March 3rd. 1/28 - Savannah laid her second egg sometime between 6 p.m. Tuesday and 7 a.m. Wednesday! Bald eagles usually lay two eggs an average of three days apart; so Savannah is right on time. It's also a great sign that Derek and Savannah stayed on the nest during the rainstorm today. 1/27 - Derek and Savannah have been taking turns lying on their egg. CRC staff is keeping a close eye on the pair via EagleCam, hoping to see a second egg laid in the next 24 to 48 hours. 1/25 - SAVANNAH LAID AN EGG IN THE NEST! She has been lying on her egg when no one is around and meticulously tending to the nest, but is easily scared off the when people approach the aviary. 1/23 - WCNC EagleCam is up and running internally! 1/22 - CRC staff added more large sticks near the nest. Savannah and Derek's behavior is unchanged. 1/18 - Savannah has been seen near the nest regularly, adding nest materials, and has dug a 6" deep hole in the middle of the nest. 1/15 - Savannah was again observed on nest at 11:00 am. Nesting materials appeared to have been moved around. CRC staff added more nesting materials (sticks and small pine bows) near nest. Savannah and Derek were acting "protective" of nest. 1/14 - Savannah was seen sitting on the nest in the morning. 1/12 - CRC staff inspected the nest box to ensure that it was structurally sound. Mulch and nesting materials were added to the nest. A small shade was added above the nest and the EagleCam housing unit and photo blind were added to the right side of the nest. Keepers started observing Savannah and Derek sitting closer together than usual (on the same branch) frequently since at least January 1. 23 CommentsLeave a comment |
Totally awesome! I went to Carolina Raptor Center's website, http://www.carolinaraptorcenter.org/eagle_journeys.php and they have videos and the full story on these eagles. There are even maps of two of the eagles they released. How do those birds find their wintering and summering areas every weekend? I hope that someone will provide funds to track the new eagles. I wonder if a donor could name an eagle if they provided the money to buy the tracking device and tracking fees.
It has been so exciting, watching Savannah and Derek. I was looking forward to the hatching, but for 2 days, the camera is not working. How disappointing, to have watched for weeks, and now nothing. Thanks for the tease.
A disappointed bird watcher
Lesa
When the eagle chicks hatch, will someone go in and weigh the chicks and check their health? How will the mom eagle react to people coming near her chicks? How fast will they grow? How will they learn to fly if their parents cannot fly because of their injuries? Inquiring minds want to know...
Thank you so much for posting this website - it's been awesome watching Savannah and all of the other eagles and waiting for those babies! Several of us are addicted. Your blogs have been great - we want more!!!!!
I'm so excited. I can't stop watching!
Hi!
I Think Both Eggs have hatched . I don't see any eggs anymore.
If You could Make the camera Clearer like it was in the begining . We all could see the Eaglets & Savannah & Derek alot more clearer PLEASE !!!
It's been making my eyes hurt real bad .
I have been a Great Lover Of EAGLES ALL MY LIFE.
THIS EAGLE CAM IS SOO COOL . I LOVE IT SOO MUCH !!!
PLEASE ,If you could make the camera more Clearer Please My eyes Will thank you so much !
THANKS AGAIN FOR THE EAGLE CAM IT'S GRRRREAT !!!
MIMI
Hi Again !
I'm so sorry about Savannah & Derek's Egg. I thought i saw them moving thursday morning at 10:30 to 10:45 . When I read that you were going to check them at 1pm But you came in at 11am and when I saw the girl slump down , I thought that's not a good sign . I got so upset & still am .
You ALL at CRC Have got to be feeling like you have lose a Baby yourselves , like I do .
How do you get through something like this ?
I Hope that God will make sure this egg hatches .
The weather this weekend will be in the 70's so that's a good thing .
But Mon. Tues. & Wed. Going to be raining. Hope God will protect the Eaglet so it doesn't die .
And maybe some help from you at CRC . We All don't need to see more bad news . We can't take it . We been watching All this time & Praying for Eaglets.
I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY AT CRC FOR TAKING GREAT CARE OF ALL THE RAPTORS !!!
WE'RE COMING AGAIN TO SEE THE EAGLET WHEN IT GETS BIGGER BEFORE IT LEAVES US AFTER 5 TO 6 WEELS OLD.
THANKS AGAIN FOR THE EAGLE CAM . IT'S GREAT !! I LOVE IT .
THANKS
MIMI
You know, I don't think we're going to see any eagle babies this year, but I've really enjoyed watching Savannah and Derek - They make a great team!
sorry to here that. i hope the bird-couple does not give up. so sad.
Thank you for the update. We have enjoyed watching the eagle cam here and the falcon cam in Indianapolis. It is fascinating and educational. Job well done. We'll keep our talons crossed for the remaining egg, Savannah and Derek. Can you take questions?
I was wondering if there are more eagles in S & D's "home"? And, if so, are they any threat to the eggs/hatchlings? (Thought I saw a third eagle in some of the video). Thanks again CRC.
Thanks so much for the web cam. I don't know much at all about the eagles but, I do know that I have fell in love with Savannah. I wanted so much for her eggs to hatch. I have watched everyday. I feel like a I have lost a part of my family. Yes I get very attached to my animals. I would update my grandson and my husband everyday. Thanks for making her a part of our lifes. She's beautiful and I know she would have a made a great mom.
I saw someone take the egg this morning and did not see it put back, but it seems she is sitting on it. I was almost in tears yesterday when you felt the second egg would not hatch. Anxiously awaiting the hatching!!!
I was looking forward to the egg hatching. Please leave the camera, the eagles are fascinating to watch.
My daughter and I have been totally mesmerized by Savannah. I own a florist and can barley do my work due to having to watch Savannah. I look forward to watching her through the year and pray she can hatch her eaglets next year! Bless her heart, we feel so bad for her and hope all will be well next year ~Debi
I have fallen in love with watching this beautiful bird. I am sorry that the eggs will not produce little ones, but I am thankful for the opportunity to watch this lovely animal. I cannot wait to visit CRC and see her in person, along with the other birds I have seen on your website. Thanks for sharing.
Watching Savannah has been both heartening and heartbreaking. There she is, still sitting on that moot egg. Imagine what an attentive, protective mother she would have been. Other than a miracle, can anyone tell me why she is still sitting on that egg? Thank you, CRC, for this rare opportunity to view the behavior of these fabulous eagles!
She brings tears to my eyes. She never gives up. What a perfect mom you are Savannah. You are so beautiful, so “bound and determined” to do everything you can for the little one.
I’ve never been to CRC but that’s about to change. Thank yall so much for making this experience a part of my life.
Thank you CRC and WCNC for bringing us the eaglecam. Despite the unfortunate outcome this year I have enjoyed watching and am looking forward to a better outcome next year. You have a fantastic facility that I visit many times a year.
This is just becoming painful to watch. Poor Savannah, what a trouper, she will not give up. Will CRC eventually intervene and take the egg? Obviously it is moot at this point since the male doesn't even come around anymore. If he realizes it why doesn't she? Anyway, thanks so much for the opportunity to witness this wonderful event of nature.
I saw the camera back up today. I didn't realize that Savannah has such a large area to fly around.
I visited the raptor center over the Thanksgiving Holidays while I was in Charlotte visiting my daughter. This is a fantastic place to visit, and I plan on going again next time I get down there.
Thank you so much for the update on the remaining egg. I worried about that extremely cold weather that we had and had anxiously watched for any signs of viability of the egg but it just wasn't meant to be. What a precious pair Savannah and Derek are and hopefully they will succeed next year.
Many thanks to the Carolina Raptor Center and NewsChannel 36 for providing the Eagle Cam and the news and updates. The eagles truly are beautiful!
It has been so wonderful being able to see Savanah and how much she has worked to get her eggs to hatch. Feel like she is a part of the family and boy did the news hurt when we found out there's no eaglets. How long will it be before she and Derrick may be parents again? And will you guys put the eagle cam back on them? Thank you so much for sharing such a magnificant event with evryone.