Tulsa Nest, Horvath Eagle, Merlin in Tompkins, and Parks Contest

Tulsa nest photos courtesy of KJRH-Tulsa TV

An update on the mysterious pods from Jackie of the Tulsa Hawk Forum--
Hello, Donna--

I'm attaching a couple of screen capture photos from the KJRH nest this morning. We thought you might like to check out the latest contents, perhaps a boom in the number of sycamore pods/balls, an increase from two to, perhaps as many as five: one on the platform to the left of the nest, and four either in or to the right of the nest's interior.

Jackie ("Bville") of the Tulsa Hawks Forum


And here a bit more zoom for a closer view of the nest, which seems to have grown exponentially of late. And as Jackie points out, five more London Plane fruits or as we're calling them for short--pods.

And just why do they seem to be placing them specifically? What is the purpose of the pods? Rather maddening actually. Sympathetic magic? They are taking the place of the traditional evergreen boughs? An insecticide? Do London Plane fruits have a fragrance, a sap that does something? We'll just have to keep watching...
.
Wildlife rehabilitator Bobby Horvath and the now washed juvenile Bald Eagle that had been and still partially is, covered in a mystery substance.

Here is an update from Bobby and Cathy Horvath on the Eagle--

Hi all,

I just wanted to forward some pictures taken of a recent trip to the field creance flying the eagle. We were disappointed with the lack of flight ability at this time .

Unfortunately since the feather condition has deteriorated instead of improving after discussing the case with DEC and other eagle experienced rehabbers it was decided the best course of action for this case is to hold the bird till it molts . That won't be until this summer at least.

A first year bird molts later and not necessarily completely as adults do. A broken feather sample was sent to the DEC pathology lab and they were unable to determine what the substance is or come up with a solvent to remove it. The feathers now feel like hairspray was applied and anymore washing is only drying them and causing them to become brittle. We followed the TriState Bird Rescue protocol for oil soaked birds with no success. He's only partially flighted at this time. We know for sure the feather situation is a definite problem but aren't sure if there's any others issues besides.

We had hoped to get him back out as soon as possible as it is beneficial for bald eagles juveniles to be released in the winter, contrary to other bird release timeframes, as they are social at this time of the year and learn from being released where other older birds are wintering.

Sorry to report that won't be the case here. Anyway we plan to continue exercising him for physical and psychological reasons until the new feathers start to grow in and then we will be forced to let him rest as to not damage any new growth. Until they are developed enough then we will start flying him again for pre release conditioning.

Thank you for your support and your followers support as well.

Cathy and Bobby

Here you can especially see the deteriorated condition of the eagle's feathers.

Cathy Horvath and the Bald Eagle

An alert from writer and squirrel rehabber Carol Vinzant--

Did you see how parks is having a contest to create a mascot?
http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_about/mascot.html
I think we have to submit some things to get a dog, squirrel or bird in there.
http://animaltourism.blogspot.com/2009/02/animal-watchers-please-save-nyc-parks.html

Carol Vinzant

Photograph by Francois Portmann www.fotoportman.com/

Francois questions: "Kestrel or Merlin female at TSP? [Tompkins Square Park]. This bird looks very large for a Kestrel and has heavily streaked underparts!"

I just looked in The Peterson Field Guide- Hawks of North America and I'd say we have a juvenile or adult female Merlin, Falco columbarious.

The field marks are size, heavy streaking, a faint if any "mustache", thin pale horizontal tail stripes (Kestrels bands are dark on lighter tail), and a definite white throat.

Donegal Browne