Santa Cruz Update, July 19, 2007

[IWS Crew]

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to the Santa Cruz Island Update. We had another trapping intensive week with few results to brag about. Peter Sharpe came up to Cruz for several days to demonstrate the floating-fish trapping method. For three straight mornings we traveled the North Shore by boat to find A-00 and A-16 in hopes of trapping both mature eagles. Upon finding a perched mature eagle, we floated out the snare-rigged fish, trying to entice a bird to take a free meal. Only once did an eagle swoop down and retrieve the fish, only to somehow avoid the snares and make off with the free meal. It was very exciting to watch, but disappointing nonetheless. Following that failed trapping attempt, we were unable to lure any more eagles to our floating fish bait.

For those whom do not understand the floating-fish trapping method, here is a brief summary of how it works: Using our small boat, we locate an eagle near the shoreline that is hopefully fishing or looking for food. Once an eagle is located, we drop a heavy floating log in the water with a bungee cord attached at one end. Attached to the other end of the bungee is strong fishing line. As we slowly motor away from the floating log, we release about 30 meters of line into the water. Finally, attached to the end of the fishing line is a fish about 12-14 inches in length rigged with several snares, also made of strong fishing line. After coming to the end of the fishing line and releasing the floating fish, the trap is set. We then motor about ¼ mile away to watch. If all goes perfectly, the eagle will swoop down and grab the floating fish with its talons, becoming entangled in the snares. As the eagle flies away with the fish, the snares tighten, the fishing line goes taunt, and the heavy floating log and bungee cord prevent the eagle from flying off. With the eagle now in the water, we quickly motor over scoop up the entire bird with a large fishing net, thus successfully trapping the eagle. After taking blood, feathers, and reequipping the eagle with a new transmitter, we release the bird be air or by land, depending on how wet the eagle is. We will reattempt this method in about a month here on Santa Cruz Island.

As for Limuw, post-fledging life is very exciting. According to our GPS data, Limuw has twice flown to a harbor about a mile to the west of the nest. With every day that passes, Limuw’s wing muscles become stronger, enabling him to explore more of the island. After returning from a day of floating-fish trapping, we stopped by the nest only to see Limuw soaring above the ridge, looking more comfortable than ever in the air. The local western gull population did not seem too excited about yet another eagle in the area. Keep up the good work, Limuw!

That about does it for this Update. Until ‘nest’ week…
-Chris

Here is Limuw soaring near the ridge, only about 100m from the nest.


A black osyercatcher tends to her chick, probably not too excited about Limuw’s fledging success.

[harpo516]

Thank you thank you - awesome and truly appreciated! AND I've now learned something new - just when I think my brain is full - even more information!

Sorry it didn't succeed but it will! Good luck on the next venture!

[peppermint]

Chris: Thanks for the update and gorgeous soaring photo! I guess you guys were out trapping and missed the visit from Cruz?? Good thing it's on video so you can see the instant replay...thanks again for all your efforts out there....keep on trappin'.

[cdn-cdn]

Thank you for the update and photos, Chris. I've saved the soaring eaglet picture to my favourites ....... soon we won't be able to see Limuw at all. Did you or anyone else on the team see Cruz?

[Naturegal]

Chris - Thank you so much for your update. Love the picture of Limuw. Have you seen Cruz lately, we did, she visited with Limuw on his nest.

[Madison99]

Thanks Chris for the update. It is great that our Limuw is flying so far.Wahoo!!

[SoCal Lady]

With tears running down my cheeks, Thank you so much Chris for the photo of Limuw flying so high and so beautifully and looking so accomplished. ---- The little fluff ball is growing into a handsome, confident juvinile---- and we pray his first year will be successful as he learns more and more skills from K10 and K26----and then be on his own using those skills to survive the odds of his all important first year.

[Jeanette]

Thanks. Nice to know our boy is gretting stronger. Flew to a nice harbor no less. He looked really good soaring.
Jeanette

[Patti]

Thank you for the interesting update--AND the great photos. Yes, it really has been an exciting week! Thanks again.

[Bea]

Thank you Chris for a great update. Better luck next time in trying to catch those adults. Not an easy task for sure!
Great to hear your description of Limuw soaring in the air, and thanks also for the nice pictures!!

[kljinusa]

I love hearing about the field work processes that you IWS biologists go through to activate the GPS. I have to chuckle to myself that the process is not so high tech, but quite primitive actually. I imagine the Chumash in ages past going through the same process to get those venerated feathers...

[Loverofchicks]

Hi Chris and thanks for the great update. You will finally come upon a way to trap those eagles I am sure. You all are such wonderful people. Thanks for the great picture of Linuw and the other bird it was strange to me (living here in Kentucky), but kind of cute.
Frances

[summer818]

Chris fabulous pics and post! Hearing about our little Limuw is exciting with his daily adventures. Thank you for all you do!