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Catalina Update; Wednesday,June 3, 2009
Topic Started: Jun 3 2009, 10:55 AM (3,038 Views)
eaglegal
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Hello everybody,

We have prepared an amazing update for all of you.
On Saturday we banded the Twin Rocks (TR) chicks and Sunday we banded the Pinnacle Rock (PR) chick. Professional climbers Jim Spikler and Nolan Bowman came to help us get to these extremely remote nests.

This picture shows the first climb to the TR observation spot. Can you find all 5 biologist?
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A bit closer
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Here’s Suzanne and Rosanne coming down the other side of the hill
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Nolan, Pete and Jim setting up the anchors and the ropes to rappel over 300ft down into the TR nest
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Jim went down first
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The TR adults K33 and K17 fiercely defending their nest and dive-bombing on the climbers
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Working up the largest bird out of the two, K96, who was banded as a female
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Working up the other smallest birds out of the two, K94, who was banded as a male
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Placing radio telemetry packs and adjusting the straps
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A close-up of K94
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Cont…
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eaglegal
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Nolan holding K94 on his hands and K96 inside the yellow bag on his back
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Jim climbing down again to put the chicks back in their nest
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I put together two long videos of the TR banding so I hope you enjoy them
TR Banding Part One
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TR Banding Part Two
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Now the Pinnacle Rock banding

This year we took a different route coming down to the nest. Instead of rappelling straight down on the nest ridge, we went down one gully over to the east all the way to the beach from about 1600ft. This is what it looked like
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Walking along the beach towards the nest, which is that flat top on the slope on the left side of the image
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The eagles spotted us just before we got to the beach and landed close to their nest. Can you spot the eagle on the next image?
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Climbing up to the nest (about 250ft)
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Nolan trying to find a way up to the nest to grab the chick
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Cliff Aster, the only plant that dares to grow around here
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Cont...
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eaglegal
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The PR chick out of the bag
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Getting ready for banding
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We also have a couple of longer videos of the process. (I would have loved to film parts of the climb up/down to show you just how remote and treacherous these gullies are but it was too dangerous to have the camera out or be reaching into the pack to get it out.)
PR Banding Part One
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PR banding Part Two
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We have also checked on K90, the Seal Rocks chick and he is doing just fine.
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The blood result came back for K90, K91 and K87 and it turns out we got them all right!
SR-K90 is a male
TH-K87 is a female
TH-K91 is a female

A few people have been concerned about the movements of the Two Harbors chicks so during one of the great IWS Island Tours, we decided to drive to Two Harbors and take a few pictures of the wandering chicks.
Their nest sits on pinnacle that is surrounded by drop-offs on all three sides except the one where the camera is placed. They chicks wander out this way, stepping away from the cam’s view but along that same ridge.
Here’s one of them coming back from this area
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Making another short jump
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Safely back on her nest to wait for their parents to deliver some food
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Parent, K82, keeping an eye on her chicks
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And speaking about the TH nest, the big news of the week I know everyone is going to be excited about… K83, the TH chick from 2008 (aka Star) was spotted yesterday near Highway 97 in the northwest of the country. We don’t have any images but her sighting is confirmed!

I’ll say good-bye with a picture of K93, the Middle Ranch pair male. Both of them were at the reservoir yesterday and were vocalizing to each other while we were there. we sure hope they decide to breed next year. Same goes for the Rattlesnake pair.
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We will be banding the West End chicks on Friday so remember to watch us on the cam and be sure to check out next week’s update for videos and photos of the last banding of the year!

Steffani
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harpo516
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That is one of the most awesome updates yet! LUV the TH photos of them wandering and hopping around!

Wonderful job by the team in your efforts of banding this past week or so - of all the Catalina nests and chicks.

Thank you so much for sharing this with us and for taking us along! We learn something new each time you post!

IWS Team Rocks! Thank you Steffani!
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jeannec
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OMG!!!
WHAT A FANTASTIC UPDATE!!! :><::><::><:

AND WITH A STAR SIGHTING!!! WOOHOO!!
:**::**::**:

Thank you for the great update - can't wait to look at all the videos and go back thru the pictures again. Two girls at Two Harbors, Gulliver has a little brother - and Star is A-OK! :ok:

Thanks Steffani!!
:D
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summer818
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Steffani, thank you so much for the best update ever! The news of Star has me doing cartwheels! :**: :**: She's very special to me. I've been so worried about her for months. Your banding photo's are just spectacular! :clk: Loved the shot of the patio where are twin girls are playing and learning. Amazing, somehow I knew they were girls, they so remind me of Miracle and Surprise!

Thanks again for all you, Peter and the IWS Team do for our eagles. :><:
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EagleNut
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Wow! Star is ok and what a wonderful report. I can't wait to get home tonight so I can see your pictures and video. Thank you for taking all of us with you. It's almost like we are there. I'm ecited about Friday and the West End chicks. I'll be watching. Thank you.
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Naturegal
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Steffani - This update was the best ever! Watching the banding videos was better than going to any movie theatre, they were amazing and your beautiful smile says it all.

Seeing the TH "girls" exploring their domain is very reassuring that they are on safe ground for the time being, until they decide to fledge.

K-83, our "Star" up in the Northwest, well she must have danced her way there. I am so relieved to know that she is well and safe.

Thanks to you, Peter, Jim, Nolan, Suzanne and Rosanne for this super-duper update, you've made my day. :Hugs:
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iggle
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Just reading all the great news has put me over the edge and I haven't even seen the photos and videos yet! Two more girls at TH ^"^ ^"^ and a Star sighting :soar: ! WOW!!! :```:
Thank you for a super update Steffani! I'm glad you are all back at sea level safe and sound.
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Lauri
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Dear Steffani,

Well, you've outdone yourself this time! Amazing update! The pictures and video are terrific and I definitely have a sense of what tough nests these are to reach!

I also liked seeing the shots of the Two Harbors chicks on the "patio" where we can't see them on camera.

And the very sweet icing on this week's cake-- Star has been sighted! That's good news, to know she is out there after so long with no news!

Wonderful update. Thanks for taking the time and keeping us posted!

Lauri
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EagleScout
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Very Nice. :D
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eagle eye
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Beautiful videos!!! Just like being there...almost. You are all wonderful. It's obvious that you love your jobs. Thanks for risking life and limb to take care of the eagles. Bless you all!! <3
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beautifuleagles
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Oh my gosh.....this is such an awesome and one of the best updates ever!!! :><: I sat here and was in awe about all of it. Love the great videos and pictures. They way you narrate the videos and have the loving and caring way of handling these chicks. I had tears in my eyes thinking what a great crew you all are. You all are so good and get along so well as a team. Steffani is such a sweet lady and seems to be so much fun. Love the way you talk!!! Dr. Sharpe has a great whistling talent!!! :lol: The guys are so caring also. So happy to hear that we have 1 male, like our sweet Gulliver and 2 lil sweet, wandering girls on the TH nest!! The best news is seeing Star! I was so worried about her with no reports of her, but now we know she is fine, disco dancing in her new area. Her 2 sisters will be doing that shortly too!! Can't say thank you enough....thank you!!! :><: :><: Stay safe and everyone is so proud and love the work and dedication you all do!!!! :**:
:<:: <---- Dr. Sharpe!
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ojailala
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Steffani.. and and the gang !!.... You did an amazing job this time.... We can see the dangers and understand why there were no photos of the dangerous climb...Thanks for the wonderful videos.. will watch them again ... just when those eagles thought they were out of reach of humans.. you come knocking at their back door :}^ :soar: Congratulations on a job very well done.. :><: :clk: :soar:
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emptynest
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What a wonderful update. I am so happy to hear of a confirmed Star sighting :**: :**: :**: And 2 beautiful girls at TH.

Than you Steffani, Peter and crew.
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