Sam has been a frequent visitor at the Serio residence on the Pennsylvania side of the West Branch of the Delaware River.

She/he seemed to be in some distress: calling incessantly to Mom and Dad; not hunting; hanging out on the ground on the blueberry flat—walking around; sleeping in the hickory tree at the top of our property, whiling away the hours atop the dregs of our big favorite willow in front of the house (it was old and was felled during the last big blow).

Last week we called the eagle S/Him—(shim) because of the unknown sexual designation of the bird. Then it became known within the house as “Shimmery” due to the amount of the week’s rain—glistening upon the outermost feathers. Jim decided “Sam” was appropriate (could be Samantha or Samuel—or Uncle Sam) designation.

After two weeks of Sam intermittently hanging (well, perching) out, Mom and/or Dad were still not responding to the Dickensian Oliver plea: “Please sir, may I have some more?”

On Saturday, July 22, Sam was fed by parents, but on Sunday was bereft of familial support, and seemed to be favoring the right talon, limping on the left. Only short flights of no appreciable altitude were attained.

On Sunday. outreach to the Delaware Valley Raptor Center in Milford, PA; two numbers for the National Park Service (NPS); and PA Fish and Wildlife provided no immediate response. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Dispatch provided numbers for the environmental conservation officer responsible for the New York territory just across the river. He responded in late afternoon. We expressed concern for Sam who, though on PA property, was also only 50 feet away from New York waters. The raptor center called back on Sunday evening and did seem concerned, and expressed disappointment with PA’s lack of response.

Early Monday morning, Sam was fed by family. Sam proceeded to land on the Serio front porch, and then appeared to request of lift on “Hope,” our drift boat. Heavy rain ensued. Sam went to the blueberry flat black walnut for refuge. Tuesday starting at 5 a.m. and continuing to Thursday, July 27, our resident eagle has still been hanging out on top of our willow’s remains. 

[Jim and Patty Serio live in Scott Township, PA, and submitted this story along with Jolene and Louise (14-year-old Weimaraners) and Dusty (Viszla, 10 years old). As of press time, we had not been able to get the latest update, but will share any news with our readers if and when we get it.]