Desert Messenger

April 3, 2019 www.DesertMessenger.com 15 Egg Watch 2019 PHOENIX — Beginning Sunday, March 31 all eyes are trained on the Arizona Game and Fish Depart- ment's live-streaming bald eagle camera and the egg carefully nes- tled inside a cliffside nest on Lake Pleasant. It's then when the fourth — and lone surviving — egg laid by a pair of nesting bald eagles will have completed its 35-day incubation pe- riod, meaning the egg could begin hatching at any moment. Watch the cam "The current breeding season has been a roller coaster for viewers and wildlife enthusiasts alike," said Jeff Meyers, AZGFD watchable wild- life program coordinator. Since the department's live-streaming bald eagle camera went live Dec. 18 more than 320,600 people have tuned in for the ensuing drama. "The first egg was eaten by ravens. The second was eaten or damaged by a ringtail," Meyers said. Egg three? Ravens, once again. "During this period, the birds also continued to ward off multiple attacks from a rival adult bald eagle that repeated- ly dive-bombed the nest. All this re- markable activity was broadcasted live to thousands of online viewers who now have a greater apprecia- tion for Arizona's wildlife." On Feb. 24 — one day after los- ing the third egg — the female laid a fourth. This time the new nesting pair drew from hard lessons about the importance of ensuring the egg was incubated at all times and the need to work together to ward off predators looking for their next easy meal. The eggs were the first for this breeding eagle pair, after the pre- vious male was bested by another bird early into the current breeding season. However, the new male's youth and inexperience was quickly exhibited as he struggled to grasp his role in caring for and protecting vulnerable eggs. "These events highlight the unpre- dictable challenges wildlife face on a daily basis," said Kenneth "Tuk" Ja- cobson, AZGFD raptor management coordinator. "There is a moderate chance the fourth egg may hatch, but if it does, the eaglet will continue to face life-threatening challenges. It will need constant adult care and protection from predators for the first three weeks, but its chances for survival will increase each day until it successfully fledges from the nest in 10 to 12 weeks." Records show the bald eagle popu- lation at Lake Pleasant has grown since 1993 and 28 birds have since survived to take their first flight, known as fledging. In this nest, two eggs were laid with the previ- ous male in early January 2018 and each hatched the following month. The two young successfully fledged in late April 2018. The Arizona Game and Fish De- partment Lake Pleasant bald eagle live-streaming camera is funded through Heritage and Pittman Robertson funds, and public dona- tions. Those wishing to support the Watchable Wildlife program can click the "donate now" button after selecting which live camera feed to view at www.azgfd.gov/livecams. To support the department's effort to conserve and protect Arizona's more than 800 native wildlife spe- cies, the public can purchase a Con- servation Membership package at www.azwildlifehero.com and click- ing on "support us" and "become a member." Different membership levels come with special perks, from a beautiful set of wildlife notecards to an annual subscription to Arizo- na Wildlife Views Magazine. The bald eagle cam is the fourth wildlife camera offered by the de- partment, which also provides sea- sonal views of wintering sandhill cranes in southeastern Arizona, a bat roost at Cluff Ranch Wildlife Area and an underwater pupfish cam. All the live streams can be viewed at www.azgfd.gov/live- cams. (StatePoint) When it comes to changing the world, your own back- yard is a great place to start. As you make home improvements, con- sider their potential to benefit local wildlife that travel in and around your property. Here are a few important steps you can take. Plant Native Species By planning native species exclusively in your garden and yard, you will be promoting a healthy local ecosystem while providing proper nourishment and a natural habitat for visiting wild- life, whether that be insects, birds or furry creatures. Because native plant species are meant to thrive in your local climate, they will require less maintenance, which means a beauti- ful yard with less stress. Prevent Bird Strikes You may not realize it, but your home poses a risk to birds. Window strikes are common among many species of migrating birds, and mil- lions of wild birds are killed annu- ally flying into windows. However, a simple home improve- ment project can make your home safer for birds. Birds can see certain light frequencies that humans can't, so by applying UV decals and UV liquid to your home's windows and sliding glass doors, you can make windows visible to birds in a way that won't obstruct your own view. "Protecting birds adds beauty to your garden, is good for the envi- ronment and most importantly, saves lives," says Spencer Schock, founder of WindowAlert, a com- pany that offers UV decals and UV Liquid. The UV decals and liquid from WindowAlert have been proven to effectively alter the flight path of birds to prevent window strikes. The coating will look like etched glass to the human eye, but be very visible to a bird. As UV reflectivity may fade over time, it's important to replace the decals and liquid ev- ery four months. Application tech- niques can be found by visiting WindowAlert.com. Build a Bird house Add beauty to your yard with a wooden bird house. Find a design you love or get creative and craft your own, using your own home's architecture for inspiration. A stra- tegically placed bird house -- either within three feet of a window or over 30 feet away -- will help avoid bird strikes. Be a good neighbor -- not just to the other humans. Make improvements to your home that will help protect both local and migratory wildlife. Home & garden improvements to benefit local wildlife OPEN YEAR ROUND! Come Visit Our Tropical Oasis! Crafts - Games - Potlucks Ask about our February/March Specials! 855 E. Rogers Place, Quartzsite, AZ 928-927-6605 desertedgervpark.com DESERT EDGE RV PARK Quartzsite, Arizona

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