Hope Springs Eternal: New Chance for Eagles at U.S. Steel Irvin Plant

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.— Isaiah 40:31

Exciting News: Lucky the US Steel Irvin Plant Fledgling Takes His First Flight!

We're thrilled to share an exciting update about Lucky, the beloved juvenile eagle at the US Steel Irvin Plant. Today, Lucky spread his wings and took his first flight! This milestone marks the beginning of an adventurous new chapter in his life. So, 77 days after hatching.

Lucky's journey is just getting started. Over the next year, he'll stay close to his mom and dad, learning essential skills like hunting and navigating the skies. It's a critical period of growth and development, and we can't wait to see how he progresses.

Courtesy of KDKA CBS

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Stay tuned for more updates on Lucky's adventures and his journey towards becoming a majestic, independent eagle!

Claire, Irvina and Lil USS-7

Mom, Dad and Baby eating sushi. The 2nd egg has not hatched but Mom is still keeping an eye on it. Hope still springs eternal. (Screen shot today 4/17.)

If you could’ve, what would you have named the little one?

UPDATE: The Eagle Cam is back up! The fledgling that was initially named USS-7 at the U.S. Steel Irvin Plant nest now goes by the name “Lucky.” This name was chosen through an online contest and fundraiser for Tamarack Wildlife Center. Donors could vote for their favorite name, and the proceeds from the donations benefited Tamarack’s work in rescuing and rehabilitating injured, sick, and orphaned wildlife.

 

Today, April 7, 2024, in a breathtaking spectacle of new life, an eaglet broke free from its shell and spread its wings into the world! Witness the awe-inspiring miracle as nature's masterpiece unfolds before our eyes.

Claire has been prepping the nest off and on all day. Church bells were ringing in the distance, this morning. In celebration of this momentous occasion, buy a bag of Spirit Animal Coffee thru the link.

According to Native tradition, If the eagle is your spirit animal, you likely possess a remarkable sense of vision and clarity, able to see opportunities and challenges from a broad perspective. Courage flows through your veins, allowing you to fearlessly pursue your aspirations and soar to great heights. Independence and freedom are paramount to you, as you value autonomy and the ability to chart your own path. With intuition as your guide, you harness wisdom from both the earthly and spiritual realms, embodying focus, determination, and an unwavering commitment to your goals…To be continued in follow-up blog article.

UPDATE: All eyes are on the US Steel Irvin Eagles. Concerns arise as Hays and Bear Lake Eagles' eggs failed to hatch. So naturally we are nervously awaiting the outcome. Environmental Factors Under Scrutiny. Eggs were laid March 2nd and March 4th.

Meanwhile, the eagle nest at the U.S. Steel Irvin plant still holds two eggs, with the second one laid in early March. According to the Audubon Society, eagles typically incubate their eggs for 35 days. Birdwatchers are also monitoring the peregrine falcon nest at the Cathedral of Learning, where the resident couple has laid three eggs.

Irvin and Claire, the bald eagle pair near the U.S. Steel Irvin Plant, welcomed another egg March 6th, marking the eighth successful hatch at the nest.

The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania announced last month that the first egg of 2024 was laid at the Hays bald eagle nest in Pittsburgh. These eagles have been nesting on the hillside in Hays since 2013.

You can watch the video of Claire laying the second egg here.

For live updates from the eagles' nest, you can always tune into the live stream here.

 

Below are the other two nests from earlier this year. None of the eggs were viable in those two nests, thus we were very anxious about the USS Steel Irvin plant eagles.

You Go Girrrrl!

Despite the absence of offspring this season, the eagles continue to defend their nest with unwavering valor. Witnessing Jackie's fierce death stare gaze warding off a nosy raven on Saturday, March 16, 2024, serves as a testament to their steadfast commitment.

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Yet, the looming threat persists, as ravens lurk nearby, waiting to feast upon the unviable eggs once Jackie and Shadow depart. Their vigilant defense, however, is not without other surprises. On that same fateful Saturday, a "sub-adult" bald eagle, likely hatched in 2022, ventured into the nest area, boldly perching itself in the nearby trees before moving closer to the nest.

Intriguingly, Jackie's response was one of cautious observation rather than outright hostility. Despite the potential threat, she refrained from sounding any alarms, hinting at a possible familiarity with the visitor or a sense of trust in its intentions. This visitor, speculated to be Spirit, the eaglet hatched in 2022, raised questions of kinship and connection.

The absence of aggression from both parties further adds to the enigma surrounding their interaction. With Jackie and Shadow expected to depart the nest imminently, the atmosphere brims with anticipation and uncertainty.

Update: Bear Valley Eagles

As the nesting period progressed, a shift occurred in the dynamics between the eagles. Initially, both Jackie and Shadow dutifully took turns watching over the eggs. However, Jackie eventually relinquished her duties, prompting a noticeable reaction from Shadow.

Unlike Jackie's swift decision, Shadow appeared hesitant to let go. He vacillated between sitting on the nest and flying in and out, seemingly unable to make up his mind. Despite leaving the eggs unattended for a brief period, Shadow returned to resume incubation after some deliberation.

Shortly after Shadow settled back onto the nest, Jackie returned, sparking a tense exchange between the pair. Their vocal disagreement escalated into what observers described as an intense argument, with Jackie ultimately persuading Shadow to leave the nest.

However, Jackie's tenure on the nest was short-lived. After merely three minutes, she departed, flying towards Shadow perched on a nearby roost tree. Shadow's distressed vocalizations indicated his reluctance to accept the situation, leading to another exchange between the pair.

Yet, following their discussion, Shadow promptly returned to the nest, assuming responsibility for incubating the eggs throughout the night. It appeared that Jackie's efforts were aimed at convincing Shadow to come to terms with the inevitable outcome concerning the eggs.

In the early hours of the morning, around 4:30 a.m., Shadow finally left the nest. Their interaction suggests that Jackie's persistence may have eventually led to Shadow's acceptance of the situation, as evidenced by their absence from the nest and the eggs throughout the day.

Thus with deep sympathy, it's been reported that the eggs of a bald eagle couple in San Bernardino National Forest fell victim to ravens, as shared by the Friends of Big Bear Valley.

Jackie and Shadow, beloved by thousands who were eagerly anticipating their journey to parenthood once again, unfortunately abandoned their nest with two precious eggs inside. Footage captured by the Friends of Big Bear Valley revealed ravens feasting on the eggs, devastating news for all those invested in the well-being of these majestic birds and their offspring…to be continued See And the Raven

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