Wednesday Update, January 3rd, 2007

Hey All,

It's Wednesday Update time! Since Jessica and I got back from Christmas vacation, we've spent the last couple days getting a handle on what the birds have been doing since we left a couple weeks ago. Although there has been quite a bit of movement since then, it looks like not a lot has changed since Chris posted his great year-end review last Saturday, so I'm just going to post a couple pictures that we managed to get over the past few days with the remote cameras we have here on Santa Cruz.

We were happy to get pictures of a few birds that we hadn't been seen in quite some time. A-00 (2002 male) and A-16 (2003 female) were photographed together on the south side of Santa Cruz island, in Willows canyon. Seeing these birds together at this time of year is a good indication that they may have paired-up and could possibly attempt a nest this season. Now that we know they're in the area, we'll try to keep track of them, looking for any signs of nesting behavior.

We also got a few pictures of A-24 (2004 release) and A-37 (2005 release), both in the Willows area. Neither of these birds have working radio/GPS telemetry, so it's good to see that they're moving around the islands and taking good care of themselves.

That's about all I have for now. I'll talk to you all again next week.

Dave


A-00 and A-16 spending some quality time together.


A-24 sizing up the situation. You can really see her 'Osprey' head in this picture.

Thanks for the update and the pictures, Dave! Good news on all counts...especially the news of another possible nesting pair! Sure is reassuring to know ya'll are monitoring these beautiful birds so carefully!

Dave, thanks for the great pictures? Isn't A-16 a bit young for nesting and why does she have a full head of hair at only 3 years? And A-00 only being 4 years old is also fully feathered but still a bit young for nesting. Do they ever go early like this? What are the chances for a successful nest in a pair this young?

I was wondering that myself, HB.... but come Spring of '07 they will be 5 and 4 respectively, won't they, if born '02 and '03? Aren't those the same ages of Cruz' parents when they paired up? I think that I'm just having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that it's actually already 2007 !

Sounds like "love is in the air"!! Thanks for the update and photos!! Very interesting.... And hope everyone your way had a great hoilday season!!

Dave - thank you for the news and photos. Nice to know that you were able to see some birds that have not been seen for awhile. Another nesting pair would be wonderful.

Hulababy,
maybe you want to post this in a sep. quest. thread. I've asked ques. in the update threads in the past and have not received a response...I'm sure Dave and IWS Crew are too busy to post and repost, etc... Just a thought. I was thinking the same thing though re: age of eagles and breeding and all .
N

Wonderful news regarding the romantic couples out on the Santa Cruz Island. Very positive! I loved the pictures, I don't care what anyone says, I think their little pants are so cute!!! Yes they have pants and they are very cute!!

Thanks again Dave, Jessica and Chris for all the wonderful work you do, a billion thanks and kudos coming your way. Oh what the heck, let's make it a trillion.

Thank you very much for the update, Dave. I loved seeing the background scenery in the two pictures. That's great news of the possibilty of another nesting pair. The team must have been happy finding out about some birds that hadn't been seen for awhile.

I was wondering that myself, HB.... but come Spring of '07 they will be 5 and 4 respectively, won't they, if born '02 and '03? Aren't those the same ages of Cruz' parents when they paired up? I think that I'm just having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that it's actually already 2007 !

Yes you're right. My lackluster math skills have already been pointed out to me. It still seems early for A-16 to have her full doo though

Thanks Dave a good update as usual and love the pictures. It is so cool to see eagles in different age groups. Let's hope for another nesting pair I will cross my talons. Frances

Thanks, Dave! Interesting closeups of the evolving head feathers~~thanks for the great photos and information.

I liked his description "Osprey head". Very apropo!

Dave, Thanks for the update and the great pictures. Happy New Year.

Dave, Those pictures were taken with pig remains. I assume the pig eradication is still in progress. Roger