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Catalina Update; Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Topic Started: Jun 10 2009, 03:48 PM (2,528 Views)
eaglegal
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Hello everybody,

Last Friday we banded the West End chicks, them being the last two chicks to be banded for this year.
The IWS crew waiting for the camera crew to set up their gear about half way into the hike.
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Pete, Suzanne, Cedrick, Kevin, Richard and I arrived to the nest around 1pm. The adult eagles spotted us 20 minutes into our hike and all along the hike they displayed an extremely defensive behavior towards us. They are such good parents… if it wasn’t so necessary for us to band these eagles, none of us would ever consider approach their nest and grab their chicks. The female (a.k.a. Wray) certainly put on a show for the camera crew that came along with us. Both, Kevin and Richard, mentioned they now have an even greater respect for the eagles after they experienced what these birds are capable of when it comes to protecting their offspring.
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Pete working on the cam
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Pete and I climbed to the nest to grab the chicks and Cedrick was waiting at the bottom of the pinnacle waiting to be handed a bagged eagle.
The first one “refused” to get in the bag; for the second one, I climbed on the nest to make things easier. It all worked out well.
Climbing to get the chicks
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One of the WE chicks before banding
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Both WE chicks before banding
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Getting to the nest and grabbing the chicks
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Since we ran out of tape, Kevin is going to put together a short video of the event so we will be posting it in a future update.

First bagged chick
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Here is Suzanne holding K97 to be
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Getting the second chick out of the bag and handing it to Cedrick
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Cont…
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eaglegal
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One more picture of the WE chicks…
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We have been checking the Twin Rocks, Pinnacle Rock and Seal Rocks chicks as well and they are all doing great, exercising and getting ready to fledge.

The TR chicks a few days after banding
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Pete put a couple of videos together of the SR and PR nests
The SR chick (as well as the TH chicks) is getting very close to fledging
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The PR nest
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Aside from banding, nest monitoring and taking care of the captive eagles we have also been doing a lot work at the office, spinning blood to separate whole red blood cells and plasma for contaminant analysis, trying to fix/upgrade camera systems and, among others, making personalized wing markers.

Counting the orders…
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All done! (for now)
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To find out more about how to get these teensy wing markers as a way to support the Bald Eagle Restoration Project on the Channel Islands, visit us at

http://s11.zetaboards.com/IWS_Eagle_Forum/index/

Wing markers replica
http://s11.zetaboards.com/IWS_Eagle_Forum/index/

Until next Wednesday,

Steffani
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cdn-cdn
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Dr. Sharpe, Steffani, and all the crew at the banding, thank you for taking such a risk in reaching the WE nest to band the eaglets. From watching all the videos over the years my view is that Wray and K-01 seem to be the fiercest at defending their nest. They swoop so close instead of soaring overhead, and they are relentless in trying to protect their chicks. What an exhausting time for them and for the crew as well. You must be glad that's over with for another year. Wray and K-01 must have been happy to see you leave, too! :D So there are two girls at the WE nest, the same as TH. More future mother eagles for the Channel Islands, how wonderful and amazing.

Congratulations for such a successful eagle nesting season on Catalina. Godspeed to all the eaglets as they begin their lives in the wild.
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eagle eye
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Great report Steffani!! I love the photo of the eaglets together as you look up at them. But we still don't know if they are boys or girls :unsure:

oops guess I didn't read it close enough Sorry
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cdn-cdn
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Eagle Eye, Steffani mentions it in the video, but very quietly and briefly (but I know I heard it! :)).
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eagle eye
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cdn cdn Guess I'll have to listen again. I didn't hear her say it.

I heard Steff say it 97 and 98 banded as females, but is it official or just a guess? They are usually right though.
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LeicaEagle
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Just an odd observation, to me it looks as if 01 and his mate seem to be the most agressive in defense of thier nest. From the video it looks as if you may have ended up in need of a good wig /toupe maker from the dives made upon the banding team. Or are the other nests as well defended when you near them?? The other videos of banding dont seem to be as dramatic to my untrained eye
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Naturegal
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Steffani :<S><: - A huge thank you to you, Peter, Suzanne, Cedrick, Kevin and Richard on a job well done. I believe Wray and 01 are the most determined pair in defending their chicks and nest, I couldn't believe how close they swooped down to you. Great video and photos of all the nests but the close ups of the WE chicks are the most beautiful.

What a wonderful eagle season on Catalina this year, congrats to all of you for a job well done! :)^ I too wish all the eaglets Godspeed and hope they soar for many more years and produce chicks of their own. :soar: ^"^

Love those mini wing markers, just ordered a few for some Beanies.
:BE:
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harpo516
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Awesome update - glad the cam was panned out so we could see 01 and Wray flying around and around! That was fantastic! Glad all was accomplished! Anxious to see if b/g? :unsure:

Hope the film crew got some great footage! The eagles are always cooperative - well most of the time - OK maybe some of the time! rofl

thanks for taking us along

AND LOVE the teensie blings! You Rock!
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momkat523
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That was INCREDIBLE! Your camera's perspective totally showed how close they were to your heads while dive bombing! We knew while watching the banding but that was great. Thanks for all you do!!!!!! :)^
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SoCal Lady
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:}^ STEFFANI WOWEE-- The WE video is terrific and the panoramic views are nice perspective of the nests surroundings/cliff hanging trail to get there. After that afternoon's work I think you all must have been pooped out , the chicks were too and Wray and K01 from the hours of "defending" their chicks. WHEW!

The video of TR is really nice close view this time too and the SR chick likes to wander from its nest too --we now see. Could hear K25 and K34 not too happy video was being taken of their SR chick. :D

Thank you to you, Peter, Suzanne, Cedrik, Kevin and Richard for giving us the live pulled back view of the banding events last Friday---it was thrilling beyond words.

Well all the Catalina nests were naturally successful this year---so exciting and a good sign for sure. Now we all wish these Chicks well, as we do every year , for their next big step in their fledge and then their next bigger step in exploring away from parents and begin their lives as Juvies.

Thank you so much Steffani for your UPDATES--they are appreciated more than words can express!

P.S.--The photo of K97 & K98 that Peter took before your nabbed them is a REAL BEAUTY---always amazes me how trusting these chicks are when approached like this. Maybe it is just being frozen in fear--or it is the Peter and Jim really are Eagle Whisperers <3
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bette
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Finally able to take the time to watch the videos tonight, after checking the postings earlier today - wonderful as usual. Words cannot begin to describe the sense you give us of allowing us to be there with you. We are all so very grateful for all your hard "work" - it is obvious how much you love :wub: it. Thank you again.
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Tiger
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I see our little wing blings. I'm so excited.

MIB
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ostrich2
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I get an error trying to view the first video - does anyone else have that problem?
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catM
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I can't get that video either.
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