Monty, Marsha and...

Is this Monty or Marsha?

If you have not seen last month's post regarding the new pair of Bald Eagles in Montlake, you may want to take a moment to catch up. The post was titled, New Neighbors. Click on the green highlighted title if you would like to see how they built their new nest in Montlake.

I must admit, I have paid significantly less attention to my old favorite eagle pair, Eva and Albert, since Monty and Marsha built their nest quite close to my home. This week I just happened to notice that Eva and Albert have not two but three healthy-looking eaglets in their nest. 

As luck would have it, Peter Reshetniak, President of Raptor Education Foundation, sent me a link to his beautiful video which documents that Eva and Albert have three young in their Broadmoor nest. Click Here to watch his wonderful update.

Identifying individual eagles might seem frivolous, but my assumption is that to truly appreciate and learn about our new neighbors we must first figure out how we can recognize them. 

In the earlier post regarding Marsha and Monty I mentioned noticing a difference in their 'eyebrows'. I have tried for years to see physical differences in Eva and Albert, other than size, but I have never felt very secure in identifying them. This could be partially due to the height of their nest. Even with closer access to Monty and Marsha's nest my progress has been a slow and humbling process, but I think I am finally making headway.

In this photo from January, the smaller Monty is sitting in front. Clearly, he has less of an overhang above his eye. Marsha's 'eyebrow' hangs down above and slightly in front of her eye. If you look back at the first two photos in this post, which were taken in late May, you can clearly see Marsha's distinctive eyebrow. The fact that the difference has been consistent for a number of months increases my willingness to rely on the distinction.

Of course the flip side to the issue is, can we also see a consistent distinction for Monty? Here is a similar photo of Monty in May and we can see that his eyebrow has remained fairly horizontal and without the slight downward protrusion, like Marsha's.

Here is another example, with their heads in the shadows, it is less obvious that Marsha is the closer bird. However, there is just enough of a difference to tell them apart.

One of the things this distinction has taught me is that Monty spends much more time on the nest than I had expected. While this tiny distinction is sometimes helpful it is not always a functional distinction. For example, when the eagles are in the air they seldom slow down and allow me to examine their eyebrows.

Although in this case, when Monty was just leaving the nest, I did get a clear look at his eyebrow. As luck would have it, there is currently another notable distinction between these two eagles. 

On Monty's right wing, just beyond the halfway point, Monty is missing one of his feathers. In this photo there is just a tiny gap through which the sky is visible. It takes at least two years for an eagle to replace all their feathers, so while Monty is regrowing this feather we will have a larger personal indicator.

This photo from January shows Monty has been missing this feather for a few months. The missing feather is near the border (I think of it as his elbow) between his primary and secondary feathers. I believe Bald Eagles have ten primary feathers. If my counting is correct Monty is regrowing his third or fourth secondary feather.

Occasionally I get lucky. Here is a photo of Monty in-flight with both his partially missing feather and his horizontal eyebrow on display.

Of course the next question is how do we identify Marsha in-flight. This photo from late in May shows that she is regrowing two secondary feathers on her left wing. One near the mid-point and one is closer to her body.

This photo from early March shows that she has been missing these feathers for a few months. Being able to identify them individually also helps us to learn the boundaries of their territory. Previously, I have had to watch the eagles until they returned to their nest to identify them.

For nesting Bald Eagles it seems like their most consistent challenge is defending their eggs, and then their young, from crows. 

Sometimes they see the challenges coming, and sometimes they don't.

Monty seems to react to the crows a little more than Marsha. I wonder if her indifference is somehow due to her larger size or just a generally calmer personality.

If I remember correctly, Monty was a bit upset by the crows in this photo.

Still, when Monty returns to the nest Marsha can also get a bit vocal.

The most exciting Marsha and Monty moment in May was getting to see the head of a young eaglet (or two) in their nest. A kind and generous neighbor allowed me access to their strategically placed deck, which enabled this special and unique view.

These young eaglets create some new challenges for us. Will we be able to identify the individual young birds? What will be appropriate names for Monty and Marsh's offspring? Luckily, we do not have to worry about protecting and feeding the young.

In this photo, we see Marsha returning to the nest with baby food.

By the way, if you have an extra few minutes you might want to read these wonderful posts regarding, Valuing Nature and Decoding the Audio Mysteries.

Have a great day on Union Bay...where nature lives in the city!

Larry

Wood Duck Update:

Off the top of my head, I can no longer count the number of Wood Duck ducklings that have been reported in the last week. This is a great time to be visiting the shores of Union Bay.

This duckling was already wandering around on its own, which makes it helpful to be able to tell the difference between a Wood Duck... 

...and a Mallard duckling. Not counting their size, Do you see a key difference? Answer below.

Going Native:

Without a well-funded Environmental Protection Agency, it falls to each of us to be ever more vigilant in protecting our local environments. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and native creatures. I have been told that even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. My hope is that we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors and local businesses to respect native flora and to support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:

1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.
2) Remove invasive species and then wait to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (If natives plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)
3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.
4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants.

My intention in my weekly post is to include at least one photo each week and visually challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms.

What species of butterfly is this? Is it native to Union Bay?

Scroll down for the answer.

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Western Tiger Swallowtail: Yes, it is a native. Click on the name to learn more.

(In the case of the ducklings notice the difference between their dark eye lines. Another difference is that the light-colored feathers on the Mallard duckling are a slightly brighter yellow.)

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The Email Challenge:

Over the years I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements regarding my posts. Even more frustrating when they go to 're-sign-up', hoping that will enable them to once again start receiving the announcements, they get a message which says 'Sorry, you are already signed up.' Google has not responded to my requests for help with this issue. 

My functional work around is to setup my own email list and each week I manually send out a new post announcement. If you are experiencing the issue and would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Thank you for your patience!

My email address is LDHubbell@comcast.net

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New Neighbors

In early December, I thought these two eagles were the established pair usually seen on the 520 Bridge - Eva and Albert. The day after I posted this photo, I was surprised to see three pairs of mature eagles on Union Bay. Eva and Albert were on Foster Island where they often spend time. The Talarus pair were in their usual winter cottonwood, just east of Husky Stadium. Plus, this pair was once again sitting just north of the Waterfront Activities Center. 

Since 2011, when I started paying attention, there have been just two Bald Eagle nest sites on Union Bay. The Talarus nest, north of Yesler Swamp and Eva and Albert's nest in Broadmoor Golf Course. The nest which Eva previously shared with Eddie the Eagle. I wondered if there might be a new permanent pair of eagles on Union Bay.

The next day, when I saw an eagle carrying a stick across Montlake Cut, their intentions were confirmed. 

Both, the larger female...

...and the smaller male were heading for the south side of Montlake Cut.

They were taking turns flying into the cottonwood tree behind the totem pole on the southeast corner of The Cut.

First one and then the other would bring in the soft budding branch tips from nearby cottonwoods.

After negotiating their way through the outer foliage, the eagles would attempt to balance the branchlets in a fork high above the ground. There was only one medium-sized branch and a smaller twig which stayed in the tree at this early point in the process.

Getting the new nest started was quite a challenge. The area beneath the tree was nearly covered with the spongy soft cottonwood leads. I never saw the eagles attempt to pickup any of the fallen branches. They would just fly over and break off another fresh one.

Also, the eagles did not appear to remove any branches or twigs from the nesting tree. I wondered if they understood that the living branches surrounding the nest would eventually provide leaves, shade and protection for their future family.

Usually they would fly to the north side of The Cut for building materials. 

It was quite obvious when the eagles were evaluating which branch to select.

Progress was slow, at least when compared to most other types of birds. I soon realized that watching a pair of eagles build their first nest was a unique opportunity, given that eagles normally reuse their nests. Since eagles mate for life and they can live for decades first nests can be few and far between. If this is a first nest, then it is most likely their first breeding season and their first attempt at establishing a territory.

If we want to live in harmony with are new avain neighbors it is important to get to know them. One of the first things we do with new human neighbors is to introduce ourselves, learn their names and what they do. Finding names for this new pair of eagles felt like a logical next step to me, but none came to mind. 

To make matter worse, identifying individual eagles is difficult, some would say nearly impossible. Only when they sit side-by-side is their size difference obvious. As time passed I did begin to see subtle differences in their eyebrows. I think the female (above on the right) has a slightly heavier brow. She looks a bit more serious to me.

Two weeks later, maybe a dozen pieces had been added to the nest. There was progress, but it was slow.

At this point, I was beginning to understand the shape and scope of their new territory. In the past, the Talarus pair of eagles controlled the northwest half of Union Bay, while the 520 pair patrolled the area to the south and east. The dividing line seemed to run between Marsh and Foster Islands and angle off across the bay heading north by northeast. 

The northern border of the new eagle territory starts just south of Husky Stadium. It includes Marsh Island to the east, Kingfisher Cove to the southeast (Click Here to see my Union Bay map) and apparently all of Portage Bay to the south and west. I suspect the boundary negotiations will continue over time. 

It has been especially fun to watch the eagles verbally defend their new territorial alignments from each other. It is clear that Montlake Cut and Marsh Island now belong to the new eagles. This fact of ownership inspired an idea for their names, Monty and Marsha. 

By early in January, the nest appeared to double in size, though it was still way too small to be functional.

With stubborn branches, Monty sometimes had to fully commit to the removal process.

This could necessitate some tricky maneuvers when gravity kicked in.

Sometimes Marsha could be a bit indifferent while Monty struggled with the placement of branchlets and twigs.

Still, the work continued.

Even though the progress was slow, Monty seemed to take pride in his efforts.

By early in February, the nest was looking significantly more substantial.

By early in March it was hard to pick out the original stick. 

On March 9th, Eva - the female in the Broadmoor nest - began setting on eggs. Monty and Marsha's nest still looked a bit undersized. Neither of the new eagles were acting like there were eggs in the nest. I was starting to worry about their prospects for parenting in 2018.

By the end of March, the nest was definitely getting more impressive.

In early April, I started to get the feeling that Marsha and Monty might actually be on eggs. Even though neither of them were visible in the nest, I realized that this did not mean they weren't there. When eagles are on eggs they usually sit very low in the nest. Their white heads may only be visible from a distant angle. I began backing away from the nest, but still I saw nothing. 

I retreated to Montlake Bridge. Even at that distance neither eagle was visible in the nest. I crossed to the north side of The Cut and then slowly worked my way east. I stopped every few steps to take a photo and enlarge the image, hoping to catch a glimpse of an eagle. Finally, at the northeastern tip of The Cut I hit pay dirt.

If you look closely at the photo above, directly in front of the trunk of the tree, you can see the white head of an adult eagle. Eggs are under way!

As I headed for home, I saw Marsha come in and land at the nest. She sat for a few moments and then called out.

 Apparently, in eagle-speak she said, 'Time to get up. It is my turn on the eggs!'

 Being the smaller of the two, Monty did as directed.

I have no idea what Monty was crowing about, but his tone seemed to imply, 'These are my pride and joy, first of my line and our future offspring. Oh, What a mighty eagle I am!'

No doubt Marsha understood whatever Monty said, but her obvious focus was on the care and well-being of the eggs. I suspect she was thinking, 'Yes, Yes, Just move along Monty.'

As Monty took to the air, Marsha settled in on the eggs and I wondered, How will our new neighbors handle the festivities on the first day of boating season.

Have a great day on Union Bay...where eagles nest in the city!

Larry

ps: If my calculations are correct, boating season and the new eaglets will arrive at just about the same time.

Going Native:

Without a well-funded Environmental Protection Agency, it falls to each of us to be ever more vigilant in protecting our local environments. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and native creatures. I have been told that even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. My hope is that we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors and local businesses to respect native flora and to support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:

1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.
2) Remove invasive species and then wait to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (If natives plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)
3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.
4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants.

My intention in my weekly post is to include at least one photo each week and visually challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms.

Do you know this flower? Is it native to Union Bay?

Scroll down for the next step.

***************

Pacific Bleeding Heart is a native flower. Click on the name to read more about this plant and its uses.

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The Email Challenge:

Over the years I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements regarding my posts. Even more frustrating when they go to 're-sign-up', hoping that will enable them to once again start receiving the announcements, they get a message which says 'Sorry, you are already signed up.' Google has not responded to my requests for help with this issue. 

My functional work around is to setup my own email list and each week I manually send out a new post announcement. If you are experiencing the issue and would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Thank you for your patience!

My email address is LDHubbell@comcast.net