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Catalina Update; Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Topic Started: Aug 19 2009, 12:25 PM (2,734 Views)
eaglegal
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Hi Everybody,

I’m not thrilled about writing this week’s report but here it goes.

Two out of the eight 2009 Catalina eagles have died this week.
Last Thursday, K96, one of the Twin Rocks (TR) juveniles, was seen floating about 3 miles off of Emerald Bay (Catalina), and on Saturday, it washed out at Oak Street Beach on the mainland.
Yesterday, we received a report from someone on the mainland who found K98, one of the two West End juveniles, washed out on the shore in San Pedro.
Camera viewers thought they had seen both WE juveniles near the WE nest yesterday but it was probably K97, and some other juvenile since K98 must have died a few days ago.

The fact is that bald eagles have a 50% mortality rate during their first year. It is hard to accept it but the good news is that at least half of the 2009 juveniles are still on the island and are doing great.

This week I have surveyed the entire island several times looking for all the juveniles. I got good signals and visuals of K99 from Pinnacle Rock nest, K91 and K87 from Two Harbors nest and K00 from Pinnacle Rock (2007). K97, the other WE juvenile continues to come back to the nest therefore being in plain view of the cam.

I have not being able to able to find K94 (TR) and K90 (SR) yet but I’m hopeful that they just happen to be on the opposite side of the island where I’m radiotracking or that they crossed the channel and are finding enough to eat.

I made a long video of the young eagles soaring the skies close and far away from their territories. Enjoy!

Posted Image

I took a couple of trips to the WE hoping to get visuals on some of the eagles but both times it was cold and there was a thick and low marine layer.
Posted Image

Last Friday Pii’ ich and I gave a presentation to a class of archeologist that were doing some surveys on the island. The program went great. She was very vocal and a little shy about eating the quail in front of them but she eventually ate a few pieces of pork. No pictures though.

I normally don’t include pictures of the bison in Catalina but this particular one came out of nowhere while I was radiotracking along the road and “munched” on grass for the whole time I was there without being bothered by my presence. They have to graze pretty much all day given that the plant life in Catalina is not meant to support herbivores so there’s very little for them to eat out here, especially during the dry season that last several months.
Posted Image

I hope for a brighter update for next week,

Steffani
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bette
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STEFFANI -
I feel so bad for you when you have to post bad news. Even though we all know the percentages, it still brings tears :'( , especially when it is an eaglet we have watched from the beginning.
But...., you did get to see/get signals from K99 (PR), K91 and K87 (TH) and K00 (PR 2007). And so, we will focus on the good news. :D
Thank you for your update, which must have been hard to write. Bless you and all you do for our eagles.
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Naturegal
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Steffani - My heart is broken <:3 . I can imagine how you feel. I know we have to accept the good with the bad, but this is really difficult when you have watched a beautiful eaglet like K-98 who we named Faith, perish. :'( and poor little K-96 who was just beginning his journey. Nature can be cruel but we will put all our energies into the 6 eaglets who are safely soaring the island. Thank you for your update as sad as it is and thank you for all you do to monitor these magnificent birds.

K-98 Faith :candle: :^^^:
K-96 :candle: :^^^:
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catM
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Steffani, so sad about the ones who died. :'(

I did enjoy your video. Thanks for the update.
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amethyst
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What a shame to lose any of them...but Wray and Superman's Faith?.....so sad....

Thank you for all your reports...good ones and sad ones, too...
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beautifuleagles
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So sad and so sorry to hear about 2 of this years juvies. :( It must be so hard for you and the crew to see and report on this. Thank you for all the updates, the photos and the great things you all do. (((GH)))

:candle: :>0<: K98 Faith

:candle: :>0<: K96
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ostrich2
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How sad. That water crossing seems to be the biggest danger that the birds in this particular area face, although as we saw with Limuw not the only one unfortunately.
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KLJinOz
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Very sad news indeed, but as you say, mortality is 50% so we look to the remaining eaglets to thrive.

Thanks for the video and pics, I always enjoy looking at pictures of the Islands.
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harpo516
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K96 and K98 :candle: :candle: :^^^:

just as those who've gone before - you have taught us much

soar high little ones.......

Thanks for the info and update Steff - we know it can't be easy for all of you and surely it is disappointing! Statistics .... hmmmm - let's hope we can stay well below them ...... :X: :X: :X:

wonderful to know the others continue to do well and are learning the skills that will help them survive!

again - thanks for all you do :Hugs:
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Patti
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It's never a happy time to learn of those eaglets are were not meant to make it. Thank you for these reports...whether good or bad news, it's always much appreciated.

Hope next week is happier for you, Steffani. I'm sure this is not easy for you.

~~~ <3 ~~~ <3 ~~~
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Patti
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I was reading Naturegal/Carole's post...and can barely hold back the tears. I'm so sorry for those of you who are so faithful to Nest Watch.

I think I have learned to emotionally distance myself since Limuw's death. The parrot world lost Alex, the famous African grey, just weeks after Limuw died--and that double whammy set me back for many months. I knew I could never go through that again. I still love them all---will always love the eaglets and think about them when I'm outside watching the sky here. :soar: <3 :soar:
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cdn-cdn
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So sorry to have lost you, dear Faith K-98, and K-96 as well. May you fly free and safe in the heavens now. Thank you for all that you taught us during your short time here on earth. You will be missed.

Steffani, sending you a big hug, this must be so hard on you. :Hugs:

K-98 Faith :^^^: :candle: :soar:
K-96 :^^^: :candle: :soar:
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Topa Topa Hikers
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:candle: K-98 Faith :soar:
K-96 TR :candle: :soar:
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bette
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STEFFANI -
I just got to watch your "long video of the young eagles soaring the skies close and far away from their territories. Enjoy!" and enjoy I did.
I needed that after reading the sad news today. I really enjoyed watching their interaction and "play" at times. Thank you.


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SoCal Lady
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(((GH))) STEFFANI (((GH)))

How sad for K98 & K96 --their lives cut so very short but they did soar on the winds as they were meant to do, unfortunately the 50% odds proven again.

Thank you for the beautiful video of K91, K87 & K99 flying high and for now safe. We hope with all our hearts that the remaining 6 can thrive, but hoping won't guarantee anything, as we all know.

The Bison is a magnificent looking bull--and your photo does him proud.


WE K98 :^^^: :soar:
TR K96 :^^^: :soar:
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