UPDATE: The young eagle that hightailed it away from his nest last Friday was spotted hanging with his sibling yesterday (June 22) in Oak Bay.
“The two young eaglets were spotted together hanging out together on York Place near the nest and flying together,” said
Christina* Carrières, senior wildlife rehabilitator at Wild ARC.
A resident also reported she saw them perched on adjacent rooftops and flying near the nest.
A handful of residents were on hand this afternoon as a juvenile eagle returned to Oak Bay after recuperating in Metchosin and Duncan.
The young male was discovered below his nest during a May wind storm and taken to BC SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre in Metchosin.
Eaglette gets released back to the wild @ his home in Fireman's park #oakbay. Thank you @ARCAnimalRescue 4 amaz'g opportunity @OakBayPolice pic.twitter.com/IXAaMkd2Qr
— Sheri Lucas (@deranged162) June 16, 2017
After being medically cleared, he spent some time at The Raptors in Duncan, says Christina* Carrières, senior wildlife rehabilitator at Wild ARC.
“It was the best situation for the fledgling to go there and be cared for by the foster parents eagles until he was strong enough to be able to fly on his own,” Carrières said.
With eyes always watching the nest behind the police and fire building on Monterey Avenue, Wild ARC was quickly notified once the other juvenile in the nest took flight.
“His sibling fledged also in the last couple of days and he was ready … we just wanted to reunite them as soon as possible,” Carrières said.
The young bird took off in the direction of the beach, giving most onlookers a view of his tailfeathers. The nearby nest was empty at the time but Carrières expects the family to reunite.
Anyone who sees orphaned wildlife can contact the BC SPCA hotline 1-855-6BC-SPCA (1-855-622-7722) for advice.