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Premature Laying?; Re Two Harbors - egg laid too soon?
Topic Started: Feb 18 2014, 07:15 AM (492 Views)
JudyB
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Hi Dr. Sharpe and crew -

Like everyone else, I was happy to see a second egg at Two Harbors - and sorry to hear that it had apparently broken within a couple of hours of being laid.

I was surprised to see a second egg so soon - looking back over the last few years, K-82 has usually laid her second egg about 3 full days after the first, or more - and this was a bit less than 2-1/2 days. Is it possible that the egg wasn't fully developed (or whatever the term is for an egg that's ready to be laid) or wasn't developing correctly?

I know that the books say that eagles can lay a second egg in 2-4 days, but without taking the time to go through all my records, my impression is that 3 days is a lot more common than 2-1/2. Thanks!

Added -
This is the fourth year in a row that the Two Harbors pair has lost an egg - though the timing has been different each year. I'm wondering if the residual DDT and other chemicals in the water might also be a factor.
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Eagle Guy
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It generally takes 24-72 hours to lay another egg. These birds have been eating DDT-contaminated food for nearly 16 years, so it is possible DDT plays a role in her not being able to lay healthy eggs.
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Patti
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I wish I could remember where I read it....and think it was not on this website...that DDT/DDE was still affecting the wildlife. May have read that last year or the year before.
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JudyB
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Thanks, Dr. Sharpe!
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