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[STLbf]

Chat for DNN and blog says that DN18 (younger) got a length of fishing line with some fish eaten on the 25th.  Sorry, I've been distracted by work on my house this week and didn't post any pics on Thursday, although I did watch one of the eaglets trying to dislodge something that then hung from its beak.  Figured it was another icky pellet so didn't do at screen pic.

Anyhow, this morning both eaglets seem to be eating normally. They are trying to pick up whole small fish and little bits from the nest, and sometimes get pieces of grass, too.  Cam ops provide closeups, but I haven't seen the fishing line today on the rewind.  Maybe a watcher can zoom on a closeup that I cannot.   There's a tandem poop shoot however, on the following set of pics.   

[STLbf]

More pics from this morning.  Last one includes the length of binder twine that has been in the nest since before the eggs hatched (have to check the date), see blue circle at the RRP label.  Binder twine is used for baling hay and straw.  It's not the problem fishing line, but could also entrap a bird, especially if it is tied in a loop.

[Puff]

I spotted that yesterday too.  I felt maybe it was some innards that all didn't go down.  Yep I know about the twine; we had that issue on N1 many moons ago.

But now I wonder "if" it finally got swallowed down or sent out with a pellet  Has there ever been a known incident of an eaglet having ingested a string and have serious issues.  Amy know?

P 

[Ginger52]

I don't have a pic, but if you go to about 11:51 am, just after Mr. North arrives, you'll see the line as 18 moves around with his mouth open.

[Ginger52]

Ok, I went back and snipped a pic that shows the line.  DN18 is in the center and you can see the line coming down from the center of his open mouth.

[STLbf]

Ginger, thanks for getting a good look at the fishing line coming from  DN18's mouth.  It's really fine, but it would take some effort to break it.  RRP will know what to do, including getting up to the nest and cutting the line, then hoping the part inside the bird passes on through without a problem.

Here's a pic of the binder twine from FEB 19th when it first appeared at the nest.  This type is natural material, but it is very hardy and would take several years to degrade in the weather.  The plastic versions are a menace, and I'm glad this farmer doesn't use that type -- usually pink or green.

[Nora in IA]

I'd sure feel better if he'd cough the line up with a pellet than trying to pass it the other way, to apt to get caught up somewhere. 

Man they're growing!

[BrokenLug]

Blog post from RRP.

https://www.raptorresource.org/2024/04/26/problem-at-the-north-nest/
 

[Puff]

Am I the last to discover there's a North Nest chat?  And, there are quite a few olde chatters there, too.

I figured it out late, had to get approved for sign in, then it was closed for the night.  Oh well, there's always tomorrow.

P 

[nanimal]

It's very upsetting to hear about the fishing line issue with D18. Up to this point, it's been a no-drama season, which is always a relief for us nest watchers and the North family. I appreciate RRP's thoughtful consideration of any next steps to ensure the best outcome for D18.

[STLbf]

Nanimal, I'm sure all of us watchers are feeling the same way as you.  Cam ops are getting closeups.  The fishing line is very thin, and the light has to be just right to see it.  I haven't yet.  Ginger52 posted a really good pic yesterday.  It's possible that DN18 might have cast it in a pellet.  That would be the best outcome.

This morning, things look normal.  DNF and MrN are taking longer times away from the nest now that the eaglets are bigger and the weather is warmer.

[STLbf]

MrN brought a very large fish about 11:45 this morning.  He ate most of it, then shared a couple bites with the eaglets, giving DN17 the tail.  Cam ops got great views of each eaglet stretching its wings as they stand up and down.

[STLbf]

How about these yawning pics?  Or the eaglets could be moving fish from their crops.  Whatever, I don't see fishing line anywhere.  At the same time, MrN was having his turn at the creek for a bath.

[STLbf]

Extreme closeup of DN17 with an open mouth, then picking up a fish bit from the nest and dropping it, over and over, never swallowing it.  And a pic of a robin with a very full crop -- insects & worms for lunch.

[Puff]

STL  I have to go along with the maybe missing line.  I've been watching since early this morning.  I haven't/don't see anything either.  Let's keep being optimistic!

P