Return to the Sky: The Surprising Story of How One Woman and Seven Eaglets Helped Restore the Bald Eagle

by Tina Morris

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Birds, Nature

208 pages, Hardcover

Published October 3, 2024

Reviews

[Corvus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal. Review tba. Sad this does not have more attention.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

rtc 🦅 (holy crap I love eagles)

[CatReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

In her 2024 memoir, Tina Morris recounts her time in graduate school in 1976-1977 essentially parenting young bald eagles in an effort to restore the threatened bald eagle population New York state. The bald eagles Morris raised were a mix of injured young eaglets and excess eaglets that were the result of three egg clutches in areas where the bald eagle population was more robust (bald eagle mated pairs usually can only raise two eaglets at once, though sometimes they'll produce a third eaglet for the sake of having at least two eaglets survive to fledging). Over two seasons, Morris helped raise half a dozen bald eagles to adulthood, and from what limited data is available, many of them lived long and reproductively successful lives; bald eagles as a whole have flourished since the 1970s and are no longer a threatened species. Morris earned her Master's degree as a result of her 1976-1977 work (though she largely shied away from publicity associated with her project), but her plans to pursue a PhD and become a professional/academic ornithologist were sidelined due to her marriage and years spent raising her four children. I'm glad that Morris was able to share her story of the important work she did -- and that she and the rest of us are able to benefit from the restored eagle population. (For anyone interested in eagles, there are many high quality livecams in eagle nests across the US for your viewing pleasure.)

My statistics:
Book 254 for 2024
Book 1857 cumulatively

[Liza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I taught with Tina. She is as modest as she comes across in this book. Her passion for the environment exudes from everything she does. She leads by example. She gave so many lessons to our entire school community.
I saw several eagles and nests this summer while visiting a friend in Newcastle, Maine. As I read this book, I wonder if those eagles would have been there had it not been for Tina’s bravery, commitment, ingenuity, and caring of “her eagles”.
This book reads so well. Each chapter tells an important story about conservation and our connections with each other and with our environment. The Bald Eagle is a symbol of our strong and resilient country. I pray it will be able to stay strong and resilient.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read about how much can be achieved when you persevere and don't take no for an answer. I walked away from this book feeling empowered and hopeful for the future of so many struggling bird species and the dedicated wildlife biologists (women in particular) trying so hard to protect them. This is a heart warming success story by all accounts. How the author came to care for Bald Eagles in the first place, against all odds, is inspiring. Before reading, I knew very little about Bald Eagles and took for granted whenever I'd see one. Now, after reading 'Return to the Sky', knowing how close we were to losing this species completely, I have a new appreciation and gratitude for those who worked so hard to save them.

[Pam Lindholm-levy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writer shares all her emotions in her assignment caring for nestling Bald Eagles that have been moved from their parents to foster-nests in New York State. Her anxieties are ones we would all have, and her successes as a foster parent quell them as she experiences one after another.

The idea behind this foster parenting began in 1975 as the US bicentennial was approaching and our national symbol, the Bald Eagle, had been nearly wiped out because of the widespread us of DDT. The program the writer participated in became a template for others, while it and the banning of DDT brought Bald Eagles back from the brink.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Currently living in Boise Idaho and near the birds of prey facility I decided to pick up this hook. Had no idea what I was about to learn but super fascinating to read the story and learn the connection with our local facility.
It’s always a magical moment to see a bald eagle along the Boise River and reading this book gave me a deeper appreciation of how one person can really make a difference.

[Loren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly recommend reading Return to the Sky. What a remarkable and inspiring story of Morris' work to restore America's national bird. Bird nerds, conservationists, and anyone who needs a little hope in their lives today will thoroughly enjoy this slim but satisfying memoir.

[Lauralee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great story and fascinating to learn about a project I didn't even realize had to be created. It was interesting to see how Tina found her way into this role and I would have loved to have her as a science teacher. Thanks for sharing your story you deserve the recognition!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pleasant listen. Fulfilled my need for a nonfiction nature story that did not have a deep undercurrent of doom and gloom about our climate catastrophe and gave me a little hope for the future. Truly shows how small efforts can make big impacts in the world.

[Linda Benedict · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important story of how bald eagles were reintroduced to and northeast US and it happened right in our backyard.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic story how bald eagles were brought back from near extinction in the northeast. A coming of age story of a young-woman who though unsure followed her dreams and say yes!