Catalina Update, Wednesday, March 7, 2012

[eaglegal]

Hello everybody,

We have been checking the Catalina nest regularly and I’ll start my report from the east.

The Seal Rocks nest still has their two eggs and both, K25 and K34, share the incubation duties.




I seem to be spending a big chunk of my day checking this nest; we hike up to the nest in just about 10 minutes but once I get to the blind and it is the female who is incubating, I end up waiting for hours for her to make a move and let me see into the bowl.






It is during the switches that I finally get to confirm how many eggs are there. As of Monday they had two!




Here’s a video of the switch


Cont…

[eaglegal]

After SR, I normally head over to the Pinnacle Rock nest. They still have one egg and this time I spotted the second adult perched at the very end of their territory








On Monday, I checked them again and she was still incubating one egg


Here’s s short video


Next is the Rattlesnake nest. They also continue to incubate their two eggs and it is nice to see the male involved in the whole process, I guess he has learned to be a better mate over the years!




K47




Cont…

[eaglegal]

I made a video too


Then, I usually check the Twin Rocks nest. They have not laid eggs yet but are definitely present and active in their territory.
Empty nest…




On Thursday, I was searching for the pair when I spotted not one, or two but three adults chasing each other, and a little red-tailed hawk that was following the chase very closely.


They never landed so I was unable to ID the birds but they were most likely the TR pair, K33 and K17, and K67.

Here’s the video of the chase


You see, last week, Pete spotted K67 just a couple of miles away from the TR area so we are thinking she must be looking for a place to settle down and breed. Too bad for her K33 already has a mate, but can’t blame her for trying…


Yesterday I went over to the area again and after a couple of hours I spotted K15, one of the two chicks from RS nest from 2011, fly right over me


It wasn’t long before one of the TR adults came out from their hiding place and chased her off the area. Then, he/she flew over to the nest and perched on the ridge


I circled the eagle and the nest




Cont…

[eaglegal]

I also made a short video of the silly ravens moving stuff around on the TR nest


At the end of the day I head over to Middle Ranch to feed Hydi and Pimu and to check on the Middle Ranch nest


Last Friday, I found K93 incubating their single egg


When I check on them on Monday I unfortunately found an empty nest and I could see some broken shells on the edge of the nest


After a while, the female arrived to the nest and went into an incubating position, telling us that she has not given up and will probably try to breed again this season.


They still have about 2 months to lay eggs so we will keep checking.


I have a video of this nest too


The Two Harbors nest continues to incubate their two eggs and the West End nest incubates their three eggs. Check out these videos posted by some of our cam watchers
TH
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFdyax39FDg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5HbGWpYqoA

WE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhwQ3Yx0Wjg


Until next week,
Steffani

[Rosie]

Thanks! I enjoyed those extra videos, especially, "...Look out below..."! Sometimes I wonder how parents-and eggs-survive! LOL

[raycyn]

Thanks as always for the fabulous up date -sad re Middle Ranch - hope they do have more eggs. Meanwhile we cam watchers are sure enjoying "our nests" and hoping for successful hatches.

Thank you IWS for being there for all of us!


Cindy in Oregon

[EarthMuffin]

Steffani, thank you for the update! You have the patience of a saint, sitting there waiting for hours at the Seal Rocks nest to get a glimpse of the .

Very nice to see K15

that Middle Ranch pair lost their egg. I hope they try again!

PR - their nest looks in pretty bad shape. Glad to see them incubating nonetheless!

[SoCal Lady]

STEFFANI--You have amazing patience when you are waiting hours to get your chance to do the egg check.

The videos are delightful, especially the Aerials at TwinRock area! Beautiful sight seeing K17, K33 and K67 soaring together.

K17 & K33 seem to be enjoying being empty nesters, since they have not had a chance to raise chicks for the past 2 years and that nest sure looks not to be prepared for nesting this year either. They may still surprise us.

[summer818]

Thanks for the great update on most of our eagle couples. My heart breaks for the MR pair, they just can't get a break. I pray they try again, and have success in 2012.

Thank you for all the hard work and hiking you do for all of us, wishing you a great week!!!

[canyonfran]

With the broken egg shells on Middle Ranch and also the trouble with broken egg shells on Pinnacle, could it be that the DDT problems are still not completely absolved???? It's weird that there are so many broken eggs in the nests.

Thank you for your efforts.

[cdn-cdn]

Aw, sad news about the broken egg at MR. that A-37 will be able to lay another egg this season.

[Patti]

So sorry about the Middle Ranch egg loss. I have a soft spot for this nest and hope it works out for them later in the season.

[vickih]

Steffani -- thank you for the great update. Looks like all is going well. Maybe K67 should check out A64 . I always thought they would do well together. I am so glad to see a picture of her. She has always been a favorite of mine.

Vickih

[Artsy Mom]

Thanks for all the videos and the of the nests Steffani So sad for the MR pair.

I too am wondering about the DDT issue. Will Peter try to collect any egg shell remnants to test them? I think we all have forgotten how uncertain life can be for the since there have been so many successes.

for all the nesting pairs on the Channel Islands this year.

[pescychick]

Thanks for the great update Steffani. Sorry, to hear about the Middle Ranch pair, crossing talons that they will try again and be successful. Looking forward to our future hatchlings.

Carole