1732 Pope’s Creek Rd, Washington Birthplace
VA 22443
United States
After more than two months of treatment and care, Bald Eagle #24-2165 is ready to return to the wild!
This hatch-year Bald Eagle was found near Mattox Creek in Westmoreland County in mid-June 2024. The eagle was spotted on the ground for about a week; while this behavior isn’t unusual for a fledgling bird, observers became concerned with the bird’s lack of flight and activity. Tidewater Wildlife Rescue helped contain the bird on June 15, and the eagle was transported to the Wildlife Center of Virginia that same day.
The Center’s veterinary team found that the young bird was quiet, very weak, thin, and dehydrated. They quickly provided subcutaneous and oral fluids; the eagle perked up later that day after being rehydrated and eagerly ate his dinner. The next day, the eagle was stable enough for radiographs; fortunately, the veterinary team found no fractures.
By early July, the young bird was ready for a larger outdoor space and was moved into the Center’s A3 raptor tower, where the rehabilitation staff could continue monitoring the bird’s activity and appetite. The bird was given full access to the flight space by mid-July, and began daily exercise in preparation for release. By mid-August, the rehabilitation reported that the young bird was “flying beautifully” and was ready for release.
The eagle will be released near the George Washington Birthplace National Monument on Wednesday, August 21, at 1:00 pm Eastern. Join us to watch the bird return home! The release is free and open to the public. Attendees are asked to RSVP with the name and number of people in their party using this webform.
Directions: Attendees should plan to meet at the George Washington Birthplace National Monument [1732 Pope’s Creek Rd, Washington Birthplace, VA, 22443] and may utilize the parking lot at the park. The release party will then walk to the field adjacent to the park for the actual release.
The release will take place rain or shine unless thunderstorms with lightning threaten visitor safety.