Santa Rosa Island Update, March 2-9, 2010

[IWS Crew]

Hi everybody,

Well, we’ve been off the island for about 5 days now so I figure it’s about time to get this posted.

Another “interesting” tour, but on Santa Rosa Island this time. We had rain, some ridiculous winds, and even this. "Auntie Em, Auntie Em!"


Oh, and let’s not forget the drug runners.
http://www.petethomasoutdoors.com/2010/03/...y-and-bust.html

But now on to what I know you are really interested in, damn the torpedoes and full speed ahead to the eagles.

We started off the tour trying to discover if the Trap Canyon pair has been active at their previous nest site. Unfortunately it looks like they may have given up, at least at this location. Too many failures?
We checked on the nest a few times during the tour and near the end I actually went up above it and took the second picture. It isn’t possible to see into the entire nest because of the Coreopsis, but it appeared to me they haven’t done any “nestorating” this year. I’m hoping they have set up somewhere else. (fingers crossed)




At one point, while visiting the Trap Cyn area, I did catch sight of this eagle and it dropped into one of the other Trap Cyn arms. I was hoping maybe the pair had moved over one canyon, but I could never find anything. Since I was never able to get the tag number I’m not even sure this was one of the Trap pair.


As there has been a lot of eagle activity around Trancion Cyn we spent a good deal of time there, including one very wet ride back double up on an ATV. The other one stalled out. “It’s an adventure.” But there were eagles there.

I’m not sure who this juvenile is, maybe A-64, but I’ll have to check on GPS points when I get back out to Santa Cruz. You can just make out the transmitter antenna.


Scruffier looking than yours truly.


Juveniles weren’t the only eagles at Trancion. No IDs unfortunately.


And then there were two. These two were dancing together for quite awhile.


While there are some nests in Trancion, I don’t think any of them are eagle nests. They looked too small and one of the NPS personnel said that some other raptors have known nest sites in Trancion. We’ll have to check back on this one.


Let’s see, Trap, Trancion, guess it’s time to head over to Johnson’s Lee, that notorious smuggler’s destination. It’s a pretty place.

[IWS Crew]

cont.

And there is even an eagle or two, one blue and one orange. It has been known that A-43, female, has been hanging out there regularly with some fella from Catalina , but no one was able to ID him until this tour when Kim got a good look at his “bling”. He is K-36, though you’d never be able to tell from this picture.


And the missus.


Then one day we kept seeing the both of them, often heading up the same canyon. So that’s where she got to.


But where did he end up? Oh, there he is. Such a nice pair.


But..., now where did he come from? I sure didn’t see him a minute ago..., ahhhhh....


What, too far away? How about this?


Yep, they are getting ready to attempt a family. Another shot of the nest with K-36 hiding behind some branches up above.


Kim was able to get a view of A-43 actually at the nest before we left the island, but no eggs as of that date. The NPS fox folks are going to try to keep an eye on things there for us since we are limited in our ability to get to Rosa these days. Thanks Angela and Donavon!

Well, I think that just about does it for now. Kim and I are headed back to Santa Cruz for the next tour. In the meantime, don’t forget to stop and smell the flowers.


Be well all,

Don

[KarenTX]

Thanks Don for the very informative and entertaining update. Looks like Santa Rosa has some very interesting weather and drug runners to boot.
I enjoyed all the great pictures of the various eagles and island scenery. Thanks for taking the time to share them with us. Hope you and Kim have a great tour on Santa Cruz. Have a great week and be careful out there!

[dory]

Don
You crack me up!!!
Keep it up!
Thanks,
Dory

[jeannec]

Thank you Don - what a funny, informative and picture-filled update!! Gosh please stay safe with all those things going on around you!! And your ATV craps out, sheesh!

So is A-43 and K-36 a new pair with a new nest site? (Jackson's Lee?) If so that is great news - I will have to go check our charts!!!

A-43 (F) Class of 2005 from SF Zoo released from Santa Cruz hacktower;
visited PH nest Jan 2008 in Jann/EagleDuo's video

K-36 (M) Class of 2003 from SF Zoo fostered into Two Harbors nest

This post has been edited by jeannec on Mar 14 2010, 11:24 PM

[beautifuleagles]

Well thank you for an enjoyable update with laughs and great photos! Just glad you and crew didn't come upon the drug dealers. This Mexico stuff is getting really bad. Please stay safe while watching and reporting on our great bird.
Thank you for all you and the crew does! Stay safe!

[Early Bird]

Nicely done Don!!! Thanks for sharing the great report and all the interesting local info, weather, drug runners and all!!! Sure makes your job look interesting!!

[Naturegal]

Don for a most informative update. Your great sense of humour makes me . Continued success in monitoring all the nests and stay away from the druggies. Your photos are beautiful.

[Sara Oh]

Don,
Thanks for taking us along on your wild ride! I had loads of fun.

[vickih]

Don -- Great update! Wow! Santa Rosa has it all. Good luck to A43 and K36. I hope that was A64! I just about have a scrapbook of that dude! Have you ever thought about writing? You do it so well and you are quite clever with the written word. Have a great week and thanks for all you do.

Vickih

[SoCal Lady]

DON-- THANK YOU! Loved your FUN NARRATION --TERRIFIC UPDATE. I smiled when you refer to the fella and the missus.

Santa Rosa had way to much excitement Tornado aloft and drug runners--good grief! Hate to think of any surveying biologist running to these bad actors hiding out.

EAGLE PHOTOS ARE ALL GLORIOUS!!

The wild flower photo is Loverly

[cdn-cdn]

Thank you very much, Don, for a great update on all your eagle adventures.

[summer818]

Thank you Don for such an informative great update. Thanks to the Northern Island IWS crew for all you do, I can't thank you enough.

[Artsy Mom]

Great Update Don and IWS Eagle Crew.

You guys are intrepid adventurers...neither rain, nor wind, nor tornadoes or broken down ATV's will deter you from getting the latest scoop on the and we really appreciate your tenacity

Stay away from the drug runners though they may not appreciate your inquisitiveness