Birbiplane...

Attachment 67827

The native Red Kite population was persecuted almost to extinction in the 19th century and just a small number were left in mid-Wales.

Since then a local re-introduction project has increased the numbers substantially and they are now a frequent sight hereabouts.

We had one land in the front garden a few years ago and occasionally they settle in the tall trees behind the house.

Sadly, I found one bird that had flown into a power cable and severed a wing.

I took the poor soul to a nearby wildlife hospital and they were hopeful that it would survive in captivity as the point where the wing was severed is the point used in amputation and doesn't bleed too badly.

Unfortunately, it succumbed about a fortnight later.

Good catch, and thanks for the ID.

~Wiki

One of steve biro's pictures...

On 5/31 last year I reported that the Bald Eagle chicks on the Santa Cruz Island live cams took their first flights.
It looks like the first ones will do so today or tomorrow.
The three siblings on the bottom cam are really active this morning.


https://www.nps.gov/chis/learn/photo...gle-webcam.htm

I saw one Fly.

Watching the stream from Sauces Canyon and Fraser Point I don't see chicks, just one adult at each nest.

The chicks are as big as the parents, who have white-feathered heads and tails.
Sometimes the feed gets stuck and they show previous highlights.
Two chicks (of three) at Fraser Point and both parents spent at least part of the night and can be seen by viewing earlier video by clicking on the timeline.
The rowdy youngsters have torn the crap out of the nest in the past week or so.
At 0844 Thursday there just one of the "babies."
Always only "Solo" at Sauces.

Yeah, I looked again later and saw chicks.

The Hanover birbs are "practicing", they're getting about an inch of air

http://cellar.org/img/birbflightpractice.jpg

Up and at 'em lads!

The single eaglet (Solo) at the Sauces nest finally soloed.
A landing at 0825 today lacked a little grace, but was nice to see.

https://explore.org/livecams/bald-ea...ces-bald-eagle

One of the Hanover youngsters was accidentally knocked out of the nest during a food delivery. The eaglet landed on a lower branch and is okay. Experts say he may find his way back to the nest by climbing, or may gain enough confidence to try flying off. Experts figure it is time to fledge; they have all the proper feathers to get started.

An interesting event in an otherwise great year for them.

The four eaglets on Santa Cruz Island are gone almost all of every day and night with an occasional visit with the hope of a meal.

Only one birb in Hanover nest right now, looks ready to take the plunge.