Wednesday Update, January 17th, 2007

[IWS Crew]

Hello Everyone!


Welcome to the Wednesday, January 17th Update. The arctic cold air has chilled California for over a week now, far longer than the usual quick cold spells. On the Island, the valley temperatures have dropped below freezing every night, as low a 17 degrees at the Main Ranch. Fixing burst pipes are now a regular part of the morning routine in the valley. The combination of wind and cold temperatures have prevented us from touring the island by boat, so by foot it has been. The search for new nests continues...

Within the last week, the crew has searched the entire south side of Santa Cruz Island for nesting eagles. Though we have not yet found a new nest, we do know of two suspected pairs of eagles: A-00/ A-16 and A-21/A-11. We think A-21 and A-11 are either on Anacapa Island or on the southeast side of Santa Cruz Island. We are unsure where A-00 and A-16 are, now suspected to be on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. With no new developments on Santa Cruz Island, one crew member went to Santa Rosa yesterday, hoping to uncover nesting activity there.

Most of the eagles are still on Santa Rosa Island, A-49 and A-60 included. The elephant seals have come ashore to give birth and the eagles are quick to pick up on this new food source. A- 55, A-52, and A-40 are the only three to have returned to Santa Cruz from Santa Rosa. With the hunt over on Santa Rosa, the eagles have begun to spread out a bit.

A young blue-tagged eagle was recently seen on San Nicolas Island, about 60 miles south of Santa Cruz Island. Our GPS data did not reveal which young eagle had made the trip there. However, we did receive GPS points from an older eagle, A-33, indicating that he went to San Nicolas on the 12th, several days after the young bird was reported to be on that island. We now have TWO eagles on San Nicolas Island. On the 14th, A-33 flew from San Nicolas Island to Santa Barbara Island. He only spent one day on the small island before returning to San Nicholas Island. A-33 has proven to be a very strong flyer, visiting two of the most remote of the Channel Islands. We are still unsure on the tag number for the young eagle seen on San Nicolas Island.

While recently searching for eagle nests here on Santa Cruz Island, I did see several pairs of osprey. I saw one pair near Christy Beach, on the west end of Santa Cruz Island, and the other pair in Chinese Harbor, on the north east side of the island. We have been seen many osprey over this past year, yet this was the first time we have seen them paired up, exhibiting breeding behavior. There are very few records of osprey nests on the Channel Islands and such a development is very exciting.

We have no new pictures to share with you this week. We just got a new camera for the project and we soon hope to be sharing more pictures in the future. Until next week…

Cheers,
Chris

[KLJinOz]

I am continually amazed at the range of talent the Crew has, fixing burst pipes!?!
Thanks for the update, the season, whilst cold, appears to be getting exciting indeed! Ozzie

[Patti]

Chris, what a lot of interesting activity going on throughout the islands. I'm going to have to get out a map, as a bit fuzzy on the location of the other islands. Looking forward to next week's report--and hope you can stay WARM!

[Paula eaglet momster]

Glad to hear the romance of A-11 and A-21 is proceeding!

The development of nesting Osprey pairs would really be something! They are a pretty awesome raptor.

[kljinusa]

We love photos, you have given us some great ones over the months. But the weather has been so cold this winter, we understand that you can't provide something this time. Malibu got snow today, and Santa Cruz may have as well. Pouring rain and sleet in Agoura Hills where I work, but wouldn't you know, Ventura didn't get a drop of moisture. My yard sure needs it.

Your narratives are what we look forward to and thank you for "being out there"" for us.

[harpo516]

A new romance - ah - thanks Chris (as always)

[saraoh]

Chris,
How long do you anticipate that Santa Rosa will be the main food source for A-49 and friends? Glad to hear they are being so well fed!
Can't wait to see some pictures taken with your new camera. You guys are brilliant photographers. I love the color and composition of your photographs.
Maybe you will be able to use the boat by this weekend. It is forcasted to warm up by then.
Many thanks!
Sara

[Bea]

Thank you for our weekly update Chris & Crew! I'm always looking forward to them. Very nice news about the Osprey sightings. Also interesting about the eagles on San Nicolas. Try to stay warm

[Loverofchicks]

is in the air on Santa Cruz and even in the osprey, too. that is so great. I would love to be able to hunt for nests. that is a job I would love. Thanks so much Chris for the great update. it was great even with out pics. hope the weather will warm up soon for you all out there. Frances

[sandie]

Good grief....is fixing pipes in your job description???
How long will our Cruz stay on Santa Rosa...how long do the seals continue to have thier young? It's been so long since we have seen Cruz!! Do the parents know thier kids after they fledge? After how long do they no longer recognize their offspring?
I can hardly believe it's been almost a year and we are back again talking about nest's and eggs and love in the air. Will we actually be able to see the egg laying. The Eagle's body is so huge...and the bowl seems like it would conceal the actual laying. Babies in February!!!! I am so excited
Thanks again for the wonderful update. Camera can be used to catch site of those new boats too I hope!! Maybe even video???

[cdn-cdn]

Hi Chris. Thank you for the descriptive update. A33 is bold and strong, plus the young eaglet who also managed to fly to San Nicolas. I think that the team must really want to know who that is! Good luck with finding more pairs and nesting activity. It's wonderful to be a part of the early stages of the nesting season. I am learning a great deal. Thank you very much for the regular updates....glad A49 "our girl" is safe.

[SheilaSB]

CHRIS - Thank you so much for an informative update - really excited about the pairs of eagles being seen together - hope it warms up so your search for more nests can continue - the weather on the islands reminds me of IL where I came from - lows of 28 and highs of 53 are cold enough for me in SB. Thanks to all of the IWS crew for their great work - fixing frozen pipes no less. Will look forward to pics in the near future with your new camera.
SheilaSB

[Troth]

Thank you Chris, it is really interesting to hear about the travels of all the eagles island hopping. And also that love is in the air for some of the couples, I hope we see lots of new babies this spring. The crew should be commended for their dedication to the eagles by going out hiking around in the freezing cold. I thank you, the eagles thank you and nature thanks you. Take care and stay warm.

[Cumbrian]

Thank you Chris ... as always an informative update .... hope you can find out about the other young eagle with the blue tags on.

Great to hear that our girl Cruz is still well, and with her friends, sampling new foods.

Keep warm .... and I hope that you don't have too many more burst pipes to fix!

[Cockney2]

Thanks so much for the great update Chris. We'll hope the weather improves for you, so no more broken pipes. Again, many thanks.