We were sad to learn yesterday that one of our long-term resident birds has died. We are not sure what the cause of death is, but the DNR will do a necropsy at some point and share the results. When a vigorous and healthy adult suddenly succumbs to an unknown cause, as happened here, I always fear that a boat-strike or angling casualty might have occurred, but it is too early to know. All we know, thanks to the sleuthing of Georgia Eusebio, is that the male dragged himself onto shore, moribund, on August 23rd and died shortly afterwards at the Northwoods Wildlife Center. This male was a favorite of ours on the study, as he was  tame and relaxed during our behavioral observations, yet fiercely protective of his territory. He was also a long-distance disperser, having hatched in 1994 on Snipe Lake in Vilas County, which is about 5 miles WNW of Eagle River. His passing leaves his mate, who was banded on South Two in 1997, to care for the two strapping chicks, which are just learning to fly. We think they are old enough to survive losing their father. Gabby and Kristin will continue to follow them this fall, so we shall see.