Pale Male brings in a pigeon for Ginger Lima.
Long time Central Park hawkwatcher, Stella Hamilton pointed out what a great flyer Ginger Lima is.
But first she has some eating to do.
She seriously gets to it.
Ginger Lima dives off the nest after eating.
And curves up.
A bank.
And off she goes again.
More Fifth Avenue Hawks tomorrow....
Displaced eyasses.
Sometimes one just has to wonder--From Raptor Watcher Jackie Dover--
The story:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/04/02/florida.hawk.folo/index.html?eref=mrss_igoogle_cnn
Note that "Audubon representatives could not be reached for comment."
Then:
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011104020317
Note that: "On top of that, he said, getting the required state and federal permits to have them removed was estimated to take between 90 and 120 days. But by Friday afternoon, after a flurry of news media attention that included calls from Orlando TV stations and CNN.com, those permits had been expedited."
The result: Video--
http://www.floridatoday.com/videonetwork/882744792001/Has-divebombing-hawk-drama-finally-ended-
The newly hatched babies are now in the care of the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, in Maitland, FL.
I commented on the National Audubon Facebook page, with this reply from the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey (who have their own page, I learned).
"Thank you for your comment, Jackie. Unfortunately, no media has contacted us about this issue, otherwise we would have commented for the story on CNN.com. We were just as surprised as you when we read we were not available for comment!
"It was the home owner who got state and federal permits to remove the baby hawks, please know that Audubon played no role in the state and federal permitting decision to remove these chicks from their nest in Melbourne.Yet, the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey does insist on the safe and proper handling of these magnificent creatures - no matter what their circumstances may be.
"Audubon staff did not remove the chicks from their nest, nor did we endorse the state and federal permit to do so. It is our job to ensure these babies have the best opportunities to live a full and healthy life back in the wild. Only 2 years ago, this type of permitting could have allowed for the birds to be shot. It was through the advocacy work of Audubon of Florida that these permits now allow for rehabilitation services by wildlife and veterinary organizations.
"Although the current outcome is not one that we ever want to see (healthy baby birds removed from their healthy parents) we can assure you that the chicks will be cared for by our dedicated and skilled staff until they are able to be reunited with their parents or released back into the wild.
"Thanks again for your comment, Jackie. Since 1979, we have accumulated hundreds of amazing successes stories in rehabilitating our winged friends. We owe this success entirely to our knowledgeable and aware supporters. Please “like” the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey and stay in contact with us as we work to create a better Florida for birds."
-----------------------
My reply:
"Thanks for your kind comment. I understand how the media can drive a story, and how it can even be used as a vehicle to promote private interests of individuals. That would seem to be the case here. Thank goodness you folks agreed to take the eyasses of this unfortunate pair of hawks. I hope that you will inform the public as to the well-being of the babies as you continue to care for them. At least, they will have a chance at survival, unlike some redtailed hawks' babies in Tulsa, whose active nest was destroyed by land-clearing machines a couple years ago, even with the knowledge that the babies were present in the tree. Nothing was done to hold anyone accountable."
The Center's FB page has since posted a photo (attached) of the two babies, asking the public to "stay tuned."
Sad story!
Best wishes,
Jackie Dover
No comments:
Post a Comment