HOG ISLAND, ME~2019 - 2024

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12697

Lady just can't get a break! Earlier today she abruptly left the nest again as she could see an eagle flying in toward the nest. It landed after she left and promptly pierced or grabbed with it's talons the piece of cardboard Steve (I think) brought to the nest a few days ago and flew off with it!!

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12697

A little over 4 hours ago while still light out, Lady looked around and then got up and flew. She has not returned to the eggs.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12697

Lady returned at 3:40 am to incubate per mod. Last night as referred to in previous post, the time Lady left the nest was 8:18 pm.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12697

All is well, but another bald eagle visit to the nest this morning. Lady was able to fly off the nest just prior to the eagle landing. It took a clump of nesting material with it as it flew off. It was given chase by an osprey/ospreys in the distance. Probably Lady and/or Steve.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12697

If the osprey looks a little different on the nest tonight ... it is different, it's Steve! Lady left the nest again earlier this evening and Steve came by a few minutes later with the eggs unattended and started incubating. Hopefully, the owl will not attack him in the middle of the night as it did Lady ...

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12697

From mod:

"Lady is amazing! Between chasing away Bald eagles, she found enough time to lay egg # 3 at 1:34 pm EDT. All eggs are equally beautiful! Congratulation, Lady and Steve!"

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12697

Earlier this eve Steve brought a fish for Lady. She left with it and never returned, so Steve is on incubation duty again tonight.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12697

Steve on nest incubating again tonight. Lady left a little after 8:00 pm and he came in a few minutes later.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12697

Mod's report from this morning on last eve:

"Lady still prefers to stay off the nest during the night. But we have Steve for the rescue! Last night, she left at 8:08 pm. Steve arrived with a fish at 8:10 and eventually took over incubation. The fish is still in the nest. Lady returned at 3:18 am, this morning and took over incubation again. Steve left the nest - with the fish!"

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12697

Steve is on duty again tonight. It looks as if he came in with a fish sometime around 9:00 EDT. Lady took it and flew. She did come back later with a missed landing to the perch, but circled around and came in again and nailed it. She didn't stay long.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12697

Mods report this morning on last evening:

"Last night, Lady was away from her clutch for 3 hours only. After leaving around 9 pm towards the mainland, she returned shortly after midnight from that direction to resume incubation. A sign that she is becoming more self-confident? Or is a 4th egg ready to be laid, today? Watch her closely around noon, give or take two hours…"

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12697

Another owl attack on Lady last night! Really a shame as she seemed willing to stay last night to incubate since these attacks began. I believe she did leave in the early evening and Steve came in to incubate, but she returned. The owl landed on her back again as she slept and they seemed still connected as they tumbled off the nest. You could see them separate out from the nest. The owl returned shortly to the nest and checked it out, then the eggs. Eventually it went to the perch for a bit, then flew. There is a video at site. Anticipate Steve will incubate tonight. Here is report from mod:

"Well, it happened again: This night, at 11:50 pm, a GHO attacked Lady. They eventually got separated and Lady flew to the left, in direction to the Long Cove. Around 12:08 am, the owl returned to the nest, picked on a rock crab and checked on the eggs.

Steve returned to the nest at 4:38 am and resumed incubation; Lady returned back at 6:14 am! Hurray!"

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12697

Steve is on duty for incubation tonight. I'm not sure when Lady left. I really hope this all works out somehow. It may be a matter of time till the GHO attacks him during the night and he is smaller than Lady ...

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12697

There were not any problems and Steve incubated through the night. Mod report for times:

"The night was – luckily - uneventful. Lady left the nest around 7:40 pm, Steve took over incubation, immediately. Lady returned at 4:14 am to the perch."

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12697

Steve on the nest tonight to incubate. Think Lady left a couple hours ago and he came on within minutes. Hoping the owl stays away.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12697

The owl stayed away last night ... hoping for the same tonight. Steve is again on duty for the overnight.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12697

Steve continues to incubate for the overnights and so far he has not had any visits from the owl.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12697

The GHO paid Steve a visit during the night, but no surprise attack as Steve was aware and ready for it. Steve did a tremendous job of protecting his eggs and warding off the owl!! The owl landed on the nest twice and the last time Steve landed ON the nest while the GHO was on it! Great job Steve. The GHO looked down at the eggs on one of it's visits, but from what I could tell, there was not any harm done to the eggs. There is a long video at site, but you can easily scan forward through it to catch the action. From mod on incident:

"Well, this night we saw Steve interacting with a GHO for the first time: I am very impressed by Steve's interaction, starting around 2:10 am. Not only that he was vigilant and anticipated the GHO encounter, he also fought the GHO off. Kudos, Steve!"

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12697

The GHO came back last night and this time catching Steve asleep. It landed on Steve's back and attacked just as it did with Lady twice. Steve did come back later to incubate for a short period till Lady arrived, but has not been seen since. The owl returned and checked out the eggs and may have pecked them a little while Steve was away. From what views have been noted of the eggs so far today, no damage is seen. Wonder if Steve will incubate tonight? There is a video at site. From mod on incident:

"It happened again: At 3:27 am, the GHO attacked Steve but he was able to free himself. At 4:02 am, Steve returned to the perch, but got scared off by a returning Lady at 4:18 who resumed incubation."

gigi · **Posted:** Sun May 24, 2020 2:45 pm

It's certainly a tough life for Steve and Lady.

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