Page 12 - GreenMaster Winter 2024

TAKING FLIGHT
In the grand theatre of the animal kingdom, few acts are as exhil- arating as juvenile bald eagles first attempt at flight. They face a rite of passage that makes a teenagers’ attempt at parallel parking look mundane. At around 10-12 weeks old, these young eagles are thrust into the skies, or rather nudged off the proverbial cliff. Their first flights are a combination of grace and chaos.
These fledglings, with a wingspan stretching up to 7.5 feet, can’t exactly be described as “elegant” when they first take off. Their initial flaps resemble a blender on high speed rather than a majestic soaring bird. It is a bit like watching an overly ambitious kite in a windstorm – there is a lot of enthusiasm, but it is not always effective.
During the early flights, juvenile bald eagles spend much of their time flapping around in circles, perfecting their technique and learning to master those enormous wings. This phase is characterized by frequent, albeit ungraceful landings and near misses with trees. Each crash is a lesson in aero- dynamics and perseverance.
In the end, after countless awkward attempts, these young eagles will soon take to the skies and could make a seasoned flyer envious. However, in the first weeks of July, their aerial antics provide both entertainment and a reminder of the trials in mastering one’s craft.
12 • CGSA • GreenMaster
The injured eagle patiently waiting for treatment at the OWL Foundation.
AN UNEXPECTED CHALLENGE
Their story took a dramatic turn in June of 2024, when a bald eagle was discovered early in the morning, injured and unable to fly. The injury occurred during a territorial dispute with other bald eagles, a common occurrence as they defend their nests and something we have witnessed in previous seasons. We contacted several wildlife rescue associations, though many had little or no experience in recovering large birds of prey. Thankfully, we were directed to The Owl Foundation.
The injured eagle presented a challenging capture scenario; thankfully Zoologist Annick Gionet was up to the task. Despite the severity of its condition, the eagle’s strength and determination were evident. It had been injured recently, and although it could not take to the skies, the eagle managed to escape us. Leaping a solid 6 feet with each hop and executing a speedy waddle whenever it had the chance. It was feathered parkour in action. In a further attempt to evade capture, the eagle plunged into the lake that Heron Point surrounds, showcasing its impressive swimming abilities.
With a bit of teamwork and a dash of nautical flair, our crew corralled the eagle with a well-placed canoe. Feathers were ruffled, but the mission was accomplished. Annick returned to The Owl Foundation with our eagle for assessment.
The absence of the eagle placed additional strain on the nest. With father away, the mother eagle had to fend off persistent attacks from other eagles while caring for the two young eaglets, which were not yet capable of flight. Other eagles were swooping in to stake their claim on the nest, our eagle, fueled by what looked to be pure fury and remarkable velocity, would dive at them like a feathered freight train.
By the end of the second week, the battle was taking its toll on all involved; some challengers looked as though they could be joining our other eagle in recovery. The situation grew increasingly dire as the mother struggled to provide for and protect her offspring under these challenging conditions. As the juveniles learned to fly, sightings of our eagles became more and more rare. Were they driven away? Or had they finally succumbed to the relentless wear. Despite going through long periods with an empty nest, we remained hopeful. In the last days of July, we got the call we had been waiting for - Dad was ready to come home.