Santa Rosa Island Update, April 3-6, 2012

[IWS Crew]

Hi there eagle fans,

I started off this tour going out to Santa Rosa Island while Kim covered Santa Cruz. Since my main objective was to check on the Lopez nest and the Trap Canyon pair's new nest I headed out to Lopez soon after arriving on the island.


A-43 was perched near the nest and A-39 was in attendance of at least one chick at the nest, though it was very hard to see into the nest, since much of it is hidden within the “tree”. It is quite possible another chick was hidden out of view, but I couldn't confirm it at the time.




Given the inconclusive nature of my visit, re: the second chick Helen had seen on the previous visit to Rosa, I headed back to check on them again the next morning. Again, one of the adults took up a vantage point a bit up-slope of the nest and another was at the nest with the chick (s?), but again I never saw a second chick. So it seems that we have either lost one of the chicks or it is just shy and hanging out towards the back of the nest. Let's hope for the latter. I guess we'll find out for sure when banding takes place in early May.




After Lopez I headed over to check on the north shore nest of the Trap Canyon pair (A-08 and A-22) near Verde Canyon. Unfortunately this nest is impossible to see without disturbing the birds and all my best belly-crawling reptilian impressions still spooked the birds before I could tell if one of them was even at the nest and incubating or...(?). I only got to see one perched above the nest. All I could tell was that the nest looked empty of eggs or chicks.


Helen had a similar result on her last visit, but obviously the adults are still hanging out there and were very defensive. There was also what looked like fresh prey in the nest which left me with an unsettled feeling. Hmm..., must go ponder this for a bit.

There were some nice sightings along the way from Lopez to Verde.
Shrike and Peregrine.




I spent the next day looking for eagles and nests along the southeast coast of the island...


... and though I didn't find any eagles, I did find both nests and “nesters”. The arch/bridge was pretty cool too.
Unused nest.

[IWS Crew]

Many nests.






Even a view of some eggs.


I also found some very cooperative models.
One top center and one bottom center.






I had one more morning to fill before flying off the island, hitching a ride on one of the Park flights so I could go over to Santa Cruz the next day and put our boat back in order. So I headed back over to Verde again to scratch that bothersome itch in the back of my brain. Again I failed at my “Ninja-crawl”, but at least this time I did see one of the birds perched at the edge of the nest, very briefly. Then they took up telling me to get lost again.


Things were looking much as they did the previous visit...


… and I wasn't enjoying being the object of so much displeasure, despite the photo ops.

[IWS Crew]

But there appeared to be even more prey in the nest this time?!?


Had to move around a bit more even though I didn't want to spend any more time there than absolutely needed..., and then...


Only saw the one, but maybe another one hiding? We'll leave them be until the Lopez banding.

Time to leave and almost feeling a little of what the eagles must when they soar. With a brief stop at San Miguel and a view of the seals and sea lions on the beach.






Passing by Santa Cruz with views towards Prisoner's and Chinese Harbor, my destination on the next morning's boat... details to come in the Santa Cruz update. Probably not today, but soon.


Until then...

Be well all,

Don and the IWS Crew

[JoJo]

Super update Don and Crew, so glad you found that little cutie

Thank you

[Patti]

Thank you for the great photos (especially the peregrines) and good news about the Trap Canyon chick!

Hope the 2nd Lopez chick is ok.

Thank you Don & IWS crew!

[SoCal Lady]

EXCITING UPDATE! LOVE THE PEREGINES! AND LOOK AT THAT TINY SWEETIE SURE GLAD YOU SCRATCHED THAT ITCH AND FOUND THAT CHICKLET!

[marshaz]

Woweeee. Thanks IWS crew!

[micalee]

What a wonderful update for Santa Rosa! If we didn't know better... I would swear that

that chick was in Cloaking Mode Seriously ...

Let's hope that you will be able to visit again before banding and discover it's "Ghostly"
Twin!

Love the accompanying pictures esp. the parent giving you the "stink-eye" over his/her shoulder

Thanks again!

[raycyn]

So fun to get teh occasional Santa Rosa update - love, love love the escapades with A 80 and excited you found a chick there - thanks for giving me something to laugh about





Cindy in Oregon