October 2, 2026
On September 13, ECOs Calanni and Damrath assisted with the release of three Bald Eagles they had a part in rescuing during the past year. Two juvenile raptors and one adult were released back into the wild in Belfast, with approximately 50 excited bird lovers of all ages looking on. The adult Bald Eagle was discovered injured in Centerville, Allegany County, on June 11. The two juvenile birds were reportedly injured after their nest came down at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in Wayne County. The juvenile birds were admitted to the Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Hospital at Cornell University on June 19. All three eagles were then transported to Messinger Woods Wildlife Care and Education Center in Holland, Erie County, where they received treatment from wildlife rehabilitator Marianne Hites and her team. On release day, all three Bald Eagles flew high into the sky without incident.
