VALMONT & FORT ST. VRAIN ~2010

Juanita · **Posted:** Thu Feb 25, 2010 1:05 pm

Beth, Dr. Redig did not mention any injuries Snowflake would have sustained and I think he would have since I stressed how many dedicated fans this nest has.

I believe Valmont is a coal-fired plant.

I emailed Amy Ries the reply I got from Dr. Redig, since she's Bob Anderson's webmaster.

Beth · **Posted:** Thu Feb 25, 2010 1:17 pm

For some reason the eggs were abandon last night Juanita so I assumed it
was a problem with Snowflake being hurt...

Beth · **Posted:** Thu Feb 25, 2010 1:57 pm

Posted by Dave on the raptorresource forum...

Thanks for your support and concern for the Valmont GHO's. The adult female is currently perched outside the nest just out of the camera's view. Observing her with binoculars from about 100 yards away, she appears to have dried blood on her face. The adult male is roosting in a favorite spot directly below the nest and he appears to be healthy. There has been a third GHO, probably female based on size, in the immediate area for over a week. I am speculating that the nesting female got into a territorial fight with the intruder last night. There has been no sign of the third owl today. Hopefully, the female's injuries are superficial and she will recover quickly.

GHO's have been nesting at the Valmont power plant for over 30 years. In the 13 years I have been watching them, only 1 nest has failed, although there has been plenty of excitement. They are remarkably adaptable. The nest cameras give us incredible insight into the challenges they face. Their three eggs are almost certainly nonviable after being exposed for so long. They may possibly lay a second clutch in two weeks or so like they did several years ago.

Be assured that we are keeping a close watch on the owls. I will submit another post if anything significant occurs here. Thanks again for your support.

Dave Madonna

kittenface · **Posted:** Thu Feb 25, 2010 2:27 pm

I was just ready to post that to Beth
I sure hope she is alright and they might try again they didn't try last year but just maybe this time around and that other female will stay the heck away
(please excuse my language

PattiO · **Posted:** Thu Feb 25, 2010 2:39 pm

Maybe Snowflake hurt her just as bad as she seems to have been hurt.... or worse. Not that I want any GHO's to die!! She still looks very uneasy right now. She is back in the box. At least we know they are both alive.

Juanita · **Posted:** Thu Feb 25, 2010 2:49 pm

I just want to take a warm washcloth and gently clean off Snowflake's beautiful face.

Beth · **Posted:** Thu Feb 25, 2010 3:49 pm

Pics from Valmont...Nest in the first photo and the arrow shows it in the 2nd photo

Knorrie · **Posted:** Thu Feb 25, 2010 3:54 pm

Ahh poor Snowflake :sosad2

Read all the posts and thanks those who did contacted the people around there :thankyou

Lucky there is the post from Dave to tell us more about her situation and health.
Realy sad but also happy she is seen and healthy (licking her wounds).
Wish them a second try for offspring now.

Edit: thanks Beth for those nest pics!

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 2:18 pm **Posts:** 64480

This just makes me sick...First and foremost, I hope she's ok...and bless Dan's heart, trying to incubate...I don't think male owls do that...(I'll have to research)...I know its premature, but I wouldn't count the eggs out yet, if they're not damaged. If she is able to return to regular incubation, maybe they will be ok..(remember how long Scout was off that first egg) and we're still crossing our fingers for 1 or 2 of the eagle eggs at Shepherdstown to be ok...as long as the eggs didn't freeze....thanks everyone for the coverage and for contacting those involved...and for the pics, Beth...

catwoman · **Posted:** Thu Feb 25, 2010 4:06 pm

I'm finding what's happening very heartwrenching, but I'm glad both owls were seen & appear to be OK. Yes, it would be nice if Snowflake went back to incubating her eggs, just in case. & a second clutch would be great!

Thanks for the info, Beth!

PattiO · **Posted:** Thu Feb 25, 2010 4:30 pm

I hope she's OK as well ... and doesn't need human assistance. Although I don't know if they would do that or not?? Thanks for those pics Beth ... that thing is in the middle of nowhere on that stack!! :shock:

No one there at the moment.

kittenface · **Posted:** Thu Feb 25, 2010 4:39 pm

Beth
Thank-you so much for the pictures and getting the information from Dave over here
so fast so we could all calm down a bit

Beth · **Posted:** Thu Feb 25, 2010 5:09 pm

I just knew we would have a good 2010 season when 3 eggs came sooooooooo

~*Postive vibes for our sweet couple*~

bev. · **Posted:** Thu Feb 25, 2010 6:09 pm

I have been watching of and on since the wee hours this morning. this has almost turned me off cam watching

I posted over at Maine that I thought it was unusual for Dd to be in so much with mom this week. I felt he was protecting her. and now we know he was.

Male great horned Owls do help in incubating. as a matter of fact dad has helped quite a bit. Sometimes we jsut assume it is mama V but lot of times it was Dad. He did come in and incubate in the wee hours of the morning. You can tell these 2 apart by their tails at the back.

One is outside on perch right now.
I am sure the injuries are superficial ,from what I saw. Mom is probably keeping watch to get the upper hand ,if the female comes back. I have seen many peregrine fights and the female will be antsy for awhile until she knows things are O>k.

I am in and out now but will keep watch

I am sending positive vibes. and who knows, maybe one or 2 of the eggs are viable. it is not below freezing and they are in the sun.

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 2:18 pm **Posts:** 64480

I just checked the cam...no one is on the eggs, but there is someone perched to the right...so I feel good about that...I'm just keeping my fingers crossed. this is definitely the Bad part of watching cams...

kittenface · **Posted:** Thu Feb 25, 2010 7:23 pm

This is so sad to watch now

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 2:18 pm **Posts:** 64480

It really is...but right now, I just want Snowflake to be ok!!!

kittenface · **Posted:** Thu Feb 25, 2010 7:50 pm

skygirlblue wrote:

It really is...but right now, I just want Snowflake to be ok!!!

Oh your soooo right hopefully all she needs will be some R&R and peace and quiet
to understand her lose.
We'll see eggs again if not this time next
It is all about HER now

PaulaP · **Joined:** Thu Oct 29, 2009 4:21 pm **Posts:** 86

I am so sad to read all these posts. I heard that there was a problem here over at Starr. When I first started wwatching today, I noticed that the eggs were uncovered for a quite awhile. I hope that some of the eggs are salvageable.

Poor Snowflake. I join all of you here in hoping that she is OK and that they can brood these eggs or lay again. Get well, Snowflake.

bev. · **Posted:** Fri Feb 26, 2010 1:20 am

here are some shots I lightened of her. I think she knows she should be on the eggs(instinct) but here instinct to get better is stronger.
and for that I am grateful

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VALMONT & FORT ST. VRAIN ~2010

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