Northern Channel Islands Update, May 8, 2008

[IWS Crew]

Hi there,

I apologize for not posting sooner, but the last few weeks have been a little emotional here on the Northern Channel Islands. As reported in the last update, the grassland nest failed for unknown reasons. Following the nest failure we noticed the GPS data on A-04 (the female of the grassland nest) indicated she was not moving. We hoped she had just dropped her transmitter, but I hiked to her last known GPS location and found her dead in the bottom of a ravine. Based on the circumstances surrounding the nest failure and A-04’s death, we think she got in a fight with another eagle while defending her chicks, but sustained injuries which led to her death. We will be sending her to a lab to be necropsied in the hopes the lab can determine a cause of death. It will be good to get some closure on the situation at the grassland nest as the whole experience has been pretty depressing for those of us working here. In honor of A-04, here are some photos of her since she was just a chocolate brown juvie up until she was a mom of chicks of her own. I also include one of A-60, her sole offspring who is still wandering the Channel Islands.







Dave and I trapped A-04 in 2005 to put a new GPS transmitter on her:





A-04 with her 2 chicks in 2008:



A-04's son A-60 in 2006:




On another sad note, we confirmed the failure of the Santa Rosa Island nest. The eggs were at least 10 days overdue to hatch as of April 22, and the adults were showing signs of abandonment, spending less and less time incubating the eggs. I was there on April 22 and watched both adults perched together in a tree above the nest. After about an hour, they flew off and never returned to the area for the rest of the afternoon. I hiked as close as I could to the nest and was able to look in and see that there were still 2 intact eggs in the nest, but I was not able to safely climb into the nest to recover the eggs. We wanted to recover the eggs to determine the stage of development and to send the contents to a lab for contaminants analysis. We also wanted to do this as soon as possible as ravens might scavenge the abandoned eggs. So, the next day, with the help of Mark Senning and Ed Smith of the National Park Service, I was able to climb into the nest to recover the eggs. I brought the eggs back to Santa Cruz Island with me and we opened them up. There appeared to be no development at all in either egg, so these eggs were never going to hatch. Perhaps the eggs were infertile or were not incubated well. We will be sending these to a lab for further analyses. It was A-08 and A-22’s first nesting attempt, so we’re hopeful next year these two will attempt to nest again with better success. Before I left Santa Rosa Island I visited one of their favorite foraging locations and spotted both eagles perched above the ocean. We know their bond is strong, so we’re sure we’ll be seeing more from these two in the future.



SRI eggs



A08 + A22 perched on "Eagle Rock" on SRI



Close-up of A08 + A22

It has been a season of extreme highs and extreme lows here on the Northern Channel Islands. The antics of Bobble and Wobble at the Pelican Harbor nest keep our spirits up and help us get through these other disheartening events.

Jessica

[Cumbrian]

OMG Jessica .... that is the worst news possible about the Grassland nest!

I am devastated ... as I know all of you are ... about A-04.

Thank you for the beautiful pictures of her .... she was a wonderful mother ... lets hope her son .. A-60 .. continues to stay on the Islands.

As you said .. you have had the highs and lows this season ....

Thanks for all that you and the team do regardless ... and for keeping us all informed too.

[lakemaryeaglewatcher]

Jessica, thanks so much for you update. It is indeed sad news about A04. Even though we couldn't watch the Grassland pair, hearing reports about this unusual nesting site were so fascinating. Nature can sometimes be very cruel in our eyes. Thank you for all your wonderful work and reports.

[EagleLoverFL]

Jessica Thank you for posting what must have been a very hard update. All our thoughts are with everyone who work tirelessly on behalf of our wonderful eagles.

[Vynah Bird]

Thank you for the update, even though there was such sad news about the fate of the Grassland chicks' mom. It's a rough world!

Yes, Bobble and Wobble entertain us from hour to hour every day! They are as wonderful as their older brother Limuw who we miss so much. Looking forward to banding day with those two. That's going to a three-ring circus!

[jkr55]

Hugs to everyone at IWS and all who had hopes for the grassland and Santa Rosa nests. 04 was a lovely young lady and will be missed! I am eager to hear the results of the necropsy on 04.

[Naturegal]

Jessica - Thank you for your report. Like all of you I am about A04. Her pictures are beautiful and this is how we will remember her.

[KLJinOz]

Very sad news indeed A-04, lets hope her mate finds another female for next year, what is the chance of that?

Also sad news about the unhatched eggs, please follow up with us on the lab results.

Thank you so much Jess et al for your dedication and reporting, we really appreciate it.

Look forward to the banding event on SC!

[Tiger]

The death of A04 is devastating. She was the first of the Santa Cruz eagles to become a mother.

MIB

[ojailala]

Jessica, so devestated along with all of you...what a sweet eagle she was and I hope her son continues to thrive for the two of them... I am without words right now

[Ojai Hikers]

I'm so sorry about the loss of A-04. First her chicks and now the sad news of her death.
You are not alone in your grief as we have all prayed for protection for the Grassland nest.

[saraoh]

Oh Jess, such heartbreaking news about the beloved A-04. Have you seen any sign of K-11?

[harpo516]

A04 was beautiful in all ways and may she soar forever .....
Hopefully her legacy will be thru her son when his time comes ....

So sorry to hear about the SRI nest as well.

And truly = Bobble and Wobble entertain, delight and surely educate us all!

Thank you Jessica for sharing and caring....... Mantles to all of the IWS team...

[betsy]

Jessica, it is soo soo sad about A-04...I really did get choked up. It must have been so very hard to find her dead. I'm so so sorry. This has been a first for me since I'm fairly new here, and I hate the feeling. I know it is nature and it can be cruel but it is still so bothersome. That's why I didn't do very good on our ranch, LOL. I have a hard time brushing sad things off.
Thanks for all the great pictures. And even though the news was sad, I agree that the PH nest and their antics keeps us all happy.

[Eagle Duo]

I am in shock over the loss of A-04. My heart goes out to all of you.....along with lots of mental hugs!

Thank you for the wonderful pictures of her.