A release of a bird of prey after rehabilitation from an injury is a joyful, bittersweet celebration. For a wildlife rehabber, it is the fulfillment of the ultimate goal and the moment of validation for why she does what she does. It is a tangible result of actions taken - of putting in countless hours of caring, fussing, researching, and worrying. Ask any wildlife rehabber what a release is like, and they will tell you it is magical, even spiritual, when an animal returns to the wild.
For that bird of prey to be a bald eagle, a symbol everyone recognizes and reveres, makes it extra special. For Ellen, it was weight off her shoulders to be able to save such a high-profile bird. For this bald eagle, it was a journey that took almost seven months.
On a property near Plattekill Creek, a few kids were playing in the woods and spotted a bald eagle hanging upside down, stuck in a tree. As they were recording it, the eagle freed itself and fell into the swamp and scurried in further. They were unable to do anything that day so they contacted Ellen around 9pm that night. This was on March 20, 2025.
Next morning at 8am, the property owner met Ellen on the side of the road and took Ellen into the woods where the eagle was last seen. Ellen spotted the eagle and waded into the water that was two feet deep with gloves and a net. On her third step, Ellen’s shoelace from her boot got caught on a log and she fell to her knees. The water was around 36 degrees Fahrenheit at the time. Ellen had to chase the eagle another 10-12 yards into the swamp and now she was up to her waist in cold water. She was finally able to net the eagle and had to carry the eagle back out. By the time she got back to the car, Ellen was soaked, physically exhausted and was barely carrying the bird.
Later that afternoon, after some rest, Ellen and Dominic Cancilla examined the eagle in the doll house in Ellen’s backyard. They did not see any noticeable injuries or any signs of head trauma. It was a male eagle and since its head and tail were white, he was at least five years old. On the Monday after the exciting weekend, they took the eagle to be seen by a veterinarian. Nothing was broken and there was no sign of West Nile or avian flu, which was good news.
Ravensbeard took the eagle in so he can recover and regain his strength. He spent a short time in one of the enclosures and then was placed in the flight cage. However, he was not eating and his condition was not getting better. In fact, it was slowly getting worse. Needing some expert opinion, Ellen contacted Cornell University’s veterinary department and they agreed to examine him.
On May 11, Dominic drove the eagle up to Ithaca and left him there. A couple of weeks later, the eagle had carpal surgery to repair the damage to the wrists that were sustained while beating his wing into the tree trunk when he was stuck in the tree.
Meanwhile, Ellen contacted some of our local bald eagle monitors and trackers and found out that all the mated bald eagles were accounted for and none of them were missing a mate. This was an indication that this eagle may have been passing through, trying to establish his own territory, or find a mate.
Knowing this, Ellen asked if Cornell could release the eagle up there. She was told that the eagle had to regain his strength post-surgery and they did not have a flight cage where he could do that. (They have plans for one). So, he had to be transported back to Ravensbeard for additional rehab. Ellen drove up to Ithaca on July 4th weekend, made use of the time to visit Cornell’s facility and its natural surroundings. She brought the eagle back and was placed again in Ravensbeard’s very own 100-foot flight cage.
The objective was clear. We needed to fatten him up and put him on an exercise regimen. Thanks to Adams Fairacre Farms’ fish department’s generous contribution, there were plenty of salmon heads, tails, and scraps in between. The eagle was eating up a storm and gaining weight quickly. Now, Ellen had to make him fly laps daily in the flight cage and get his wings in shape. Once he was not panting after 5-10 laps, then she knew his stamina was returning.
On October 11, 2025. The eagle was released not very far from where he was found. With a small crowd on hand, witnessed by volunteers who helped feed him, the eagle wasted no time and shot out of the carrier flying northwest. He was later seen circling the area. It was a very special moment and it was over in seconds. Thankfully, it was a very happy ending.
(Photo by Andrew Moore)