Rescue of a Juvenile Bald Eagle

Blog written by Eagle Project volunteer, Frank Budney

On June 15th, 2020 a juvenile Bald Eagle was rescued in a most unlikely location; on a major highway, located in an industrial area of Union County. At first glance stories like this usually have an unfortunate ending, considering the location, but the timely arrival of a local Police Officer on patrol saved the day.

This is only part of the story. The eagle in question was one of two nestlings that hatched from a nearby nest back on March 24. Its sibling fledged sometime in late May or early June while this individual remained on nest, branching next to it but never attempting to fly. By June 14, the juvenile in question was still perched next to the nest with no indication that it was about to fly until the following morning when it was rescued.

The young eagle was unable to fly, due to an injured left wing, and ended up on the highway. She was found by a police officer and thankfully an Animal Control Officer was able to capture the bird while the police officer stopped traffic on the busy highway. The juvenile was transported to the Raptor Trust at the Great Swamp in Millington for rehabilitation. After five weeks of rehab the female juvenile was ready for release.

On July 23 , Eagle Project volunteers Frank Budney and Barbara Mckee transported this young eagle 150 miles south to Dividing Creek in Cumberland County where they met Kathy Clark, and her team. The eagle was banded with a green NJ band E-98 and released. This location is the site of several other juvenile eagles who were released recently after recovering from various injuries. A feeding station has been set up and stocked daily with fresh fish to supplement their diet until they are able to hunt on their own. Eagle E-98 has a second chance to join the New Jersey population Bald Eagles, and in time have her own nest and raise a new generation of Bald Eagles. We wish her godspeed, and may she soar with her kind far into the future.

Thank you to all the NJ Eagle Project volunteers who work tirelessly to monitor and protect NJ eagles.

Special thanks to the American Eagle Foundation, Wakefern Food Corp./ShopRite Stores, and P&G for their generous support for our Bald Eagle Project.