Santa Cruz Update, October 10, 2007

Hi Eagle Fans!

After numerous months and endless hours in the blind, our hard work and patience has finally paid off- we trapped a bald eagle!
Jessica and I arrived on Santa Rosa Island on Tuesday of last week, armed with the bow net and high hopes. The hunt started on Rosa in August, and since then most of the eagles, adults included, have relocated to that island, feasting on the abundant gut piles and carcasses left by the hunters. With this in mind, we knew it would be an especially good opportunity to trap.
Shortly after arriving, we spoke with the hunters about bait options, trapping locations, and safety logistics. They are a friendly crew, eager to help with our project and excited to see bald eagles back on the islands. We agreed on a trap site towards the interior of the island and they provided us a deer carcass to help bait the eagle in. The first full day of trapping seemed very promising. Ravens inundated the trap site; alerting eagles that something good to eat was available. A-08 and A-22 arrived together and fed on the carrion, unfortunately not in the bow net. They are both white headed eagles and prime contenders for a nest this spring on the north side of Santa Rosa. A-35 was in the area but never landed to feed.

The following day, Monday, started out ideal. About 60 ravens showed up that morning to feed on the deer. Then, two adult bald eagles showed up: A-17(female) and A-21 (male). Last spring, A-21 was with A-11(male) on Anacapa and east Santa Cruz. Looks like there was a change in partners. Anyway, A-17 and 21 began feeding on the bait near to the bow net, initially ignoring the huge hind quarter in the trap. We thought we had missed them too. Next thing we know, A-17 walks straight into the trap, hops on the hind quarter, and begins feeding vigorously. Jess waits until the bird takes several bites, then when the eagle goes comfortably for another, she sets the trap off. We got her! We jump on our ATVs and drive about 200 yards to the trap.

I snap a shot right as we arrive. A-17 is a bit tangled in the net but otherwise completely unharmed.


We pull her out of the trap, wrap her talons, and put a hood on. She is asleep in minutes.


While I hold her, Jess takes a precious blood sample, plucks several chest feathers, and equips her with a GPS/VHF transmitter (her first transmitter fell off about 1 year after she was released). A-17 is calm and cooperative the entire time. When we finish, the hood is removed, talons unwrapped, and with a quick boost by Jess, A-17 flies off perfectly.





This was an ideal eagle to trap. We haven’t seen (identified) this eagle in about two years. She is of prime breeding age and she already has a partner. The GPS/VHF transmitter she now wears will show us exactly where she might nest. The blood sample we took will be analyzed and compared to blood that was taken before her release. This follow-up sample is crucial to the question about DDT contamination in the Northern Channel Islands. The chest feathers plucked will be sent to the lab for stable isotope analysis, eventually reflecting what specifically her diet consisted of.

Trap open


Trap closed


Dave, Jess, and I will be on Santa Rosa Island next week. Hopefully we with have some more success for the next update.

Chris

Awesome awesome - one down (how many to go)? I'm glad to hear of the cooperative effort! Thank you so much for your follow thru and sticking to it - can't be easy! If only "here birdie, birdie" worked!

Thank you so much for sharing - the photos are super!

ps do you think they have picked a nesting site?? would it be expected or hoped for 2008?

WHOO HOO. Way to go!!!

AWESOME PICTURES!!!

I forgot to add how beautiful A17 was!

Wow! How exciting! Glad to hear about A-17! Thanks for an exciting update and pictures!

Outstanding photos and report, Chris!!! Thank you! Any signs of A-49 over there?

Hi, I agree with all the others. What outstanding photos and what patience you all have.

Awesome photos!!! Another eagle for us to watch Thank you very much for sharing.

Sammy

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SUCCESS AFTER MONTHS OF DOGGED PERSERVERANCE!

Fingers crossed that the blood work comes back as a fine healthy adult eagle with no DDT present. A17 sure is a beauty!

Hope Cruz A49 makes her presence known to you all while there on Santa Rosa.

Thank you for sharing your photos

Oh, this was sooooo exciting!! How many years have you personally been trapping? Loved reading this and seeing great photos!

Bravo, Chris, Dave and Jessica, on your success. Your perseverance finally paid off. Your photos are fantastic.

Were you able to get any pictures of A08 or A22? There are only a few of them in the archives.... (hint, hint). It's good news to know that they are still together.

Another potential pair/nest with the news about A17 and A21.... well done! That would make an even dozen potential nests. What great news hidden within your great trapping news, especially with the addition of the transmitter!

If you find/have any more pictures that could be used to enhance the presentations in the "Meet the Adult Pairs" thread I'd really appreciate having the chance to use them, if/when you have more time to post them.

Congratulations and Well Done ... I admire your perseverance. Let us hope that A-17 is the first of many more eagles that you get to trap and conduct your tests on.

A-17 is sure a beautiful eagle and I hope that she and her chosen partner will decide to build a nest ready for next season.

Thanks for the long awaited update ... it was well worth waiting for with super photos as well.

I too hope that you will see A-49/Cruz whilst you are over on Santa Rosa Island.

Woo Hoo, excellent. Wow, what a beauty! Thanks for sharing your great work with all of us!

Wow, oh wow, oh wow!

What terrific pictures and story. Congratulations! You must be thrilled. What a gorgeous eagle.

Thank you, Chris!!

What a thrilling report! I found myself jumping up and down in my chair as I read. Congratulations on a very successful trapping!
How exciting to find still another potential nesting pair!
The photos are awesome. I love the one of Jessica releasing A-17. Well actually I love every one that has a healthy eagle in it.
Thanks Chris for the long awaited update.

You know, it's awfully cool in the midst of your busy day at work, you stop to take a bunch of pictures to post for us on the internet. Thank you so much!
THAT ROCKS!!!!

Great job!