Hi everyone,

As most of you know already, things out here on the islands are now well into the nesting season. So much so that we are spending most of our time checking on nests, eggs, and chicks. While we may not be doing as much searching and pair chasing, and things settle into a little more of a routine, it's great to see what is looking to be our most productive season yet. :X:

We had a late arrival to Prisoner's Harbor since the boat went to Santa Rosa first, but we managed to see 3 eagles from the boat. Not too bad before even setting our feet on the island, but they were all a bit too far away to see tags on. However, we can be fairly certain, based on their locations (and known perch preferences), that one was a member of the Cueva pair (A-16 or A-00), another a Fry's pair member (A-46 or A-24), while the third was a juvenile (A-70 based on GPS data) near Lady's/Baby's Harbors.

Due to our late arrival we really only had a chance to check on the recently discovered Los Pinos nest (of the old “Willows pair”, A-45 and A-51). It took a little while, but eventually they showed up and spent some time “nestorating”, so no eggs..., yet.


The next day we spent the morning trying to get a new encoder working on the Chinese Harbor nest camera, without success, so the old one will stay in place until Dr. Sharpe can make it out and work his techno magic. In the afternoon Kim went out to check on the Carl nest and its chicks while I went to Loma Pelona to scan the Sandstone Point area.

Kim was able to see both chicks, doing well, and the male was at the nest performing shading and feeding duties. More on Carl later.


I struck out at Loma Pelona, but I checked in on the Los Pinos nest area both going and coming. I never saw a bird at the nest, but A-51 was hanging out very close by.




The nest side view, with the nest at the lower left corner.


Wednesday we put on our serious hiking attitudes as Kim headed to check out the Fry's Nest (A-46 & A-24) and I went to Hazard's to see what the Cueva Pair (A-00 & A-16) were up to. At Fry's, the pair was well in evidence, visiting the nest and even mating on a couple of occasions. Promising signs of, hopefully, eggs to come.
A-46 in the nest tree as A-24 flies in from the lower left.


Both at the tree.


Some closer views of A-24.




And Kim bids them adieu as they enjoy a prominent, hopefully romantic, viewpoint.

Kim had another sighting of interest during her Fry's hike, a Catalina Island juvenile. Unfortunately it wasn't possible to get an ID. “K-?”


Meanwhile, over at Hazards I was able to see both the Cueva birds.
A-16.




And best of all, A-00 on the nest incubating!


I wasn't able to see if it was one or more eggs, but for now it's enough to know they have at least one. :)

And I got my own little bonus on my way back along the North Ridge, a blue-tagged juvie with a back-pack. I couldn't quite tell who it was, either A-71 or A-74 based on what I could see of the tags.




Then, of course, the views are always their own reward. Santa Rosa, beyond the fog.




Perhaps a bit sore the next day, well..., me anyway, Kim not so much, but we headed out again to try (with Dr. Sharpe along via cell phone) and get a better signal through the Sauces Nest cam. I went up to Mt. Diablo while Kim went over to the Sauces antenna. I didn't take any pictures from up high and spent the afternoon on more mundane chores, but Kim took a few shots along the way.
Sauces beach with Kinton Point and Santa Rosa Island across the channel behind it.


A couple of the island residents.

Kim left Sauces to check on the Los Pinos nest again, and while the birds were either at the nest or nearby, there was still no incubating.

I think we are up to Saturday now. It was my turn to go check on the Carl nest and it was really nice to see how much the chicks had grown since last tour. And they hadn't killed each other either! :)
First the male was sitting with them.


But then he left them “home alone”.


Not to fear, mom soon arrived.


And she was nice enough to feed them, even if it was just “nest-overs”.


Things got even better later when papa showed up again with some fresh sushi and dished out the portions.




It's really great to see this family thriving, especially given the long distance they set up house-keeping from the water. Here's wishing them continued success.

While I was out checking on the Carl nest, Kim went east to Loma Pelona to see if A-48 might be around Sandstone Point. She didn't see A-48, as far as she could tell, but she did have a few sightings.
Apparently the Los Pinos pair (formerly the Willows pair) have moved their territory far enough east that they may have displaced A-48, who was a regular at Sandstone Point. (But maybe not, based on what we saw at the end of the tour.)




The usual nice view of Anacapa remains, however.

I also had my own sighting of the Los Pinos pair later in the day, after my return from the Carl nest.
A-51 at the nest and A-45 down low by the water.






No eggs yet, but when I left them they were busy working on the nursery so I expect that to change soon.


Sunday, as those of you know that watch the nest cameras or live in Southern California, was a wet one so we were “cabin-bound” for the day. But it was a good opportunity to get caught up on assorted tasks.

The nice thing about the rain is it made for a lovely Monday. With long views of the island...


… and snow-capped mountains on the mainland.


Kim headed for the Sandstone Point area and I headed over Montanon Ridge towards Smuggler's. Apparently we weren't the only ones enjoying the day as the eagles decided to have a group soaring event. Kim and I both got to watch them from our respective sides of the Ridge, and while they were a bit too high to see really well, it was pretty amazing to see 6, from my side, and 7 from Kim's, all soaring together. There were blue tags, orange tags, GPS transmitters, and adults and juveniles. Mock attacks showed some of the amazing agility for such large birds. And it all lasted for well over an hour! Quite the sight, but hard to get them all in one shot. Just a taste (yes, those really are all bald eagles!).




Eventually it all settled down and these two, the Smuggler's pair I suspect (A-57 & A-58) relaxed on top of Yellowbanks, just east of Smuggler's.

I left them to hike back over the Ridge and soon we came to the end of another tour. Not a bad way to end it. So now we'll leave you until next time, with the hope to bring you news of more eagles and chicks next tour.

Be well all,

Don and Kim :<<o>>:

WoW! Another super Update ... Thanks Kim and Don

Loved the heart around the Los Pinos pair ... certainly looks hopeful for some eggs there.

Great news too about the Fry's pair and Cueva actually incubating!

Look at the Carl's twins ... how they've grown!

What a great day you had watching all those Eagles having fun.

Stay safe.

Awesome update you guys, so appreciate all you do - the large group of eagles at the end is awesome! What a beautiful Island you are so lucky! Be careful on those hikes and take good care.

Thanks again! :)^


Cindy in Oregon

Great update - how wonderful to have "so many" eagles that there could be a group flying event like that. LOVE the heart-shaped circle <3 around the Los Pinos pair haha!! :)^

Thank you for your very full report Don and Kim! My heart is soaring along with all those eagles. Well done IWS!!!

That has to be one of the most beautiful photos~! I love eagle's~!!
Thanks for the Santa Cruz Island update.
Cute photos of the eaglets in the Carls nest...

Sooo if we visit Santa Cruz Island will we see eagles flying?
I'm going to have to make another trip to SCI soon.

Thank you so much, Don and Kim, for the terrific update. :<<o>>: :<<o>>:

Don and Kim -
Awesome, Fantastic, thanks for the work you all do!
Keep safe!

Thank you Don & Kim, you guys are the best! Have an eggciting week! Yay! :**:

Don and Kim, and IWS crew, awesome updates and pictures. The quail is so cute.

Thank you so much for the great update and beautiful pictures of eagles and other island wildlife.

I look forward to these updates each week!

:><:

Take Care out there!

Thank you so much, Don & Kim, for the very well organized and colorful Update! I hope A24 lays egg/s and makes A46 a proud papa too.

The glorious photo of the 6 (7 from Kim's viewpoint) flying eagles brightens the day!

Looking forward to next week's news.

:><: Excellent update, beautiful pics, and I agree with Topa...that shot of the juvie...breathtaking <3 <3

Thank you for taking us along each week, looking forward to more :egg: and :^:

Stay safe!