Hello Eagle Enthusiasts,
As some of you may know from yesterday’s chat board, this year’s Hazards Nest chick A-83, had to be taken off island for medical treatment. He is in good hands now, but they still aren’t sure what is causing his ailment. His tests for lead came back negative, so that isn’t it. He was also x-rayed, and that was inconclusive, so there are no obvious broken bones. Now they are running further tests, so hopefully we will know soon. In the meantime, they are keeping him hydrated, comfortable, and fed. They are also giving him antibiotics in case of infection. At this point he is still looking very unwell and weak, but they are doing all they can for him. I wish I could say everything will turn out all right, but at this point I am not quite sure. I will keep you updated though. <:::

On to the weekly update. Here is how the week looked…

Wednesday
I surveyed at the West End, but all I saw all day was a distant adult at Black Point, way too far away for pictures. Maria checked on the Sauces fledglings, though, and she got these great shots:

The nest area… sometimes it is hard to see anything at all



A-27 and A-40 by the nest



A-27 and A-81 near the nest



A-40 and A-82 near the nest



Thursday
Thursday is when we first realized that there was something wrong with A-83. We went out by boat, scanning the coast for other eagles as we went, and Maria hiked in to a good viewpoint for watching the nest. She watched for just about an hour and noted that A-83 seemed lethargic and was drooping his head. Here is what he looked like:






When we first arrived, both adults were perched near the water



Close-up of A-16



But while we were there, both parents moved up canyon to where they could keep an eye on their baby



continued...

Friday
We were concerned about A-83, so I hiked in and spent about 4 hours watching him (about the maximum possible with the long hiking time). He was still drooping his head, but was much more active than on Thursday. He wingercized a few times, hopped around the nest a bit, and called to his parents when they were in the area. At the end of my observation, I hiked in a little closer to the nest than usual so that I could get a better visual. I was looking for any outward signs of what might be affecting him. If it had been fishing line wrapped on his neck or something external like that, I would have seen it. There was nothing visible, and my closer presence was disturbing the parents, so I ended my observation and hiked out.

A-83 stretching, perched on a limb at the back side of the nest. This is where he spent a lot of the day



A-83 showing the head still drooping



A-00 keeping an eye out, not pleased with my presence



While I was checking on A-83, Maria checked on the Carl nest fledglings. Both of them are doing great. Here they are:






And here are some foxes she saw on the ride out:






continued...

Saturday
We were still very concerned about A-83, but we knew that we had disturbed the parents by checking up on him so much, so we gave the nest a day off from our intrusive presence. Instead, we went out on the boat and surveyed along the south shore. We saw A-84 perched downhill and just east of the Chinese Harbor Nest. He is looking good.






Then we saw a pair near Smuggler’s Harbor, almost definitely A-57 & A-58

Can you see them?



Here they are…





Finally, we saw this pair near Loma Pelona. It is probably either A-45 & A-51 (the Los Pinos/ Willows Pair) or A-21 & A-48.





continued...

Sunday
We boated out to check on A-83 again. Maria dropped me off, and I hiked up to the viewpoint. I couldn’t see him in the nest though, and after trying to spot him from a few different locations I finally saw him below it. I hiked to him, and as soon as I saw that he was still alive, we began the process of rescuing him. Maria sped back in the boat and collected a kennel and an assistant so that we could transport him with a minimum of stress. We carefully moved him from the nest area to the boat, then by boat to Prisoners Harbor and finally to a quiet room in our field site for the evening. We fed him some very moist fish, hoping to get some hydration into him, and then left him in peace (since warmth, hydration, and lack of disturbance are amongst the most important factors in recovery).

I didn’t get many pictures since we were all so focused on keeping A-83 stable and stress free, we certainly didn’t want to hover over him longer than necessary. I did get these 2 pictures of A-00 keeping an eye on me after I checked on A-83 below the nest:






Monday
I left the island and brought A-83 to the Ojai Raptor Center. I had made arrangements with them Sunday night, so they were ready for his arrival. They hydrated him, did an external check-up, and then placed him in a quiet enclosure with towels supporting him.


Maria and I carrying him in his kennel onto the boat



At the Ojai Raptor Center, getting checked and hydrated



At this point I would like to say thank you to the many people who helped us get A-83 to medical care quickly and safely.

Thanks to the Park Service, especially Amy, for helping with transportation near the nest. Without an extra pair of hands it would have been a less than smooth hike out to the boat.

Thanks to Island Packers, especially Captain Jimmy, for making sure that we had a quiet, comfortable, warm spot to put A-83 for the trip from Santa Cruz Island to the mainland.

Thanks to the Ojai Raptor Center for taking such good care of our little guy. It is good to know that he is in good hands.

Finally, thanks to all of the people who watch the nests and capture video on this eagle forum. With so much of our time going to make sure that A-83 was okay, it was a lifesaver to be able to go online to read your comments & watch your video captures and see that A-81, A-82, and A-84 were all getting fed and looking healthy.


So that was our week. It was scary and exhausting, but I am relieved that A-83 is at least getting the best care possible now. :)^

Until next time,
Helen & the IWS Crew

Thank you Helen and the crew for rescuing A-83. He is in great hands at the Ojai Raptor Center. We will be crossing our talons that he will be able to be rehydrated and taken back to his nest area for release.

And thank you again for another great report. You guys are fantastic.

Carole

Helen and IWS Crew thank you for all you do. I know this must be difficult, but A83 is in good hands and is getting hydrated, fed and loving care. Hopefully :X: :X: he will be okay. About 2 years ago another eaglet was found deceased and it looked like dehydration. Possibly because of the main food source. You found him alive and he is now getting the care he needs because of all you have done.

My prayers are with A83 and your crew.

Vickih :o

Helen, Amy, Maria, and Captain Jimmy,

Thank you soo much for rescuing A83!

Hoping that this has a happy ending :X:

Thanks so much for taking care of sweet A83, and I'm so glad he's with the wonderful staff at ORC. I volunteer there, and have become good buddies with Avalon, she's a sweet eaglet. I pray that A83 will have a full recovery and be able to soar the skies again. The staff told us he didn't look good, and they're doing everything they can to help him.

Other than that a wonderful update, and so many adults and juveniles enjoying their beautiful island. Thanks so much Don, Helen, Maria and Captain Jimmy, you're all the best.

Helen, IWS Crew and all involved in rescuing A-83. He is in good hands at the Ojai Raptor Center and now has a fighting chance for survival. :X:

For this week's update and great photos, you are the best. :Hugs:

Speedy recovery A-83. :wub:

DITTO!! DITTO! DITTO! YOU ALL ARE THE BEST FRIEND A EAGLET COULD WANT , NEED AND HAVE!! :Hugs: :Hugs: (poor baby...of course he doesn't know that ...but we do).

WE ALL ARE SENDING TONS OF CRUZER MOJO A83's WAY TOO. <3

Oh thank goodness you were checking up on A-83 and were able to rescue him on time :)^

Thank you Maria, Helen, Amy and Captain Jimmy for the speedy reactions getting him to the ORC where he is getting the best possible care.

(((GH))) from all of us and thanks for another great update on the Santa Cruz :<<o>>: :<<o>>:

We'll be sending lots of Cruzer mojo to A-83 for a good outcome :candle:

Helen and IWS Crew,
So good our eagles are doing so well!
:X: Well wishes for A83 and his quick recovery! :X:
So good you fond him when you did! And for all the help!
Thanks to Helen, Amy, Maria Capt Jimmy and Raptor Center!
Keep safe! :Hugs:

Helen, Maria & the IWS Crew, and all the others who helped you....thank you so much be being there for A83. Thank you to the Ojai Raptor Center and their tender care.

A83 is in my thoughts and prayers. :wub:

(You got some great nest photos this week too.)

Oh Thanks Helen, Amy, Jimmy, and IWS crew for rescuing A -83. We hope it's a full recovery.

:X: Wishing Ojai Raptors the best on diagnosing and helping A-83 :X:

Thanks to Helen & IWS crew for the care and rescue of beautiful A-83, and to all the other helpers along the way. It means a lot knowing the eagles mean so much to you, too! <3 <3

I'm sad to say the update on A-83 is not good. He passed away today shortly after 5:15pm. Although we tried our best, and the Ojai Raptor Center did all they could, he was too sick to make it. I'm just grateful that he was comfortable and warm at the end. They will conduct a necropsy tomorrow to try to find out why he died. I will keep you updated.

Helen

Thanks for the update
And more thanks for save 83.............
Hope 83 get well very soon

Soar high A-83, much love & {hugs}. We hardly knew you, but miss you already, <:3
for sure.

Thank you the update, beautiful photos of the sauces nest.

It's been a tough year on the nests, may all our eaglets live long & happy lives


:soar: :soar: :soar:


:candle: :candle: :candle:

Thanks Helen ... the IWS Crew ... and all the other kind folks mentioned in the rescue of A-83.

You did your best for him ... as did Ojai Raptors ... and he was safe, comfortable and warm at the end.


RIP beautiful eaglet. :candle:

I'm so sorry to hear this. <:3 It's always hard to say good-bye to an eaglet.

Thanks to all that worked hard to help him. We appreciate you!

I know you're as sad as we are....maybe more so.

Soar high, little one! :<<o>>: :'(

Oh, how sad the A83 did not make it, he must have been very sick. How beautiful that you have the possibility to take care of him. He was comfortable and warm at the end, this is good to know. <:3
:candle:

May all the other eagles have a long life and good life. :<<o>>:

RIP A-83 and soar high and free :candle: :^^^: <:3 :<<o>>:

:<<o>>: :candle: :'( :'( Awwww, A-83....

Thank you for the update, Helen - and for all you and everyone else did.

Rest in peace, young one, and fly free forever. <:3 :candle:

Helen and Crew...thank you for being vigilant and taking action when you did; the loss is a little easier to handle knowing he was not alone on the ground when he crossed over. My heart breaks for you all as well, no matter how many little ones you loose, it still has to be difficult. :boohoo: <:3

RIP sweet A-83 :candle:

Oh no :'(

Thank you for the update Helen and hugs to all that were involved in trying to save A83. :Hugs:

Sorry to hear the news of our A-83. :'( . But, I thank you and ORC for doing all you could for him and making him comfortable.

RIP A-83 May you :<<o>>: high and free.

Carole

Like everyone else I was so hoping that A83 could be saved. We know if won't always be the case, but with all the efforts you made you gave A83 hope and made him comfortable.

Thank you for all you do.

Vickih :D

Thank you, everybody, for all that you did to make A83 comfortable to his end. He is home again...flying in the heavens. :<<o>>: <3 :candle:

Still, our hearts hurt.

Please let us know how the necropsy comes out. I wonder if he had a failing organ?

:'( So sorry to read about A-83's passing. :'( Poor thing. Just breaks my heart. :<<o>>: Godspeed little one...

:<<o>>: There goes A83, to soar with the other eagles. God bless your soul. So sorry, it hurts us to see you leave so early. You will be forever in our prayers. You will be happy now. :'( :'( :'( :'(

Soar with the angels A83. :'( :candle:

Hello,
They began the necropsy today, but they still haven't found a clear cause of death. They have a few more things they want to check tomorrow though, so I will let you know what they find.
Helen

Thanks, Helen. We sure appreciate you keeping us updated.

Thanks Helen for keeping us updated.

Thank you, Helen, for keeping us informed about A83--this kind of news is never easy to share or hear (read). Heartfelt thanks to you and to everyone who had a hand in trying to save this eaglet--so sad that it didn't turn out the way we had hoped. I know the folks at ORC did all they could for him, and it's a comfort to know he was well-cared for at the end. I hope the necropsy provides sufficient clues to his demise that will help IWS protect all the eaglets, present and future.

Just want to add that the pictures of A82 & A81 perched below their ever-watchful parents on different trees are absolutely heartwarming, and help bring a smile even when there is heartache. Thank you.

Thank you, Helen. Your updates are much appreciated.

Hello everyone,

The second day of the necropsy on A-83 hasn't resulted in any new findings. I was hoping that they could find what made him so sick, in case it could ever help us in taking care of the rest of the population, and also for the sense of closure it would give. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to determine a clear cause of death.

Thank you all for your supportive words, both when he was sick and since he passed. It is heartwarming to know how many poeple out there care about these birds so much.

Rest in Peace little guy...

Thanks for keeping us all updated.

Sorry that no clear cause was determined.

A-83 will never be forgotten.

<:3 :candle: