Santa Cruz Island Update, July 24-31, 2012

[IWS Crew]

Hi there eagle fans,

Fortunately we don't have any bad news to report this week, as Maria sadly did last tour. On top of that we have some interesting observations of the Santa Rosa fledglings A-79 and A-80, albeit via GPS data,. They both traveled over to San Miguel Island and then returned to Rosa, but then A-79 came over to Santa Cruz. Island hopping already!

There isn't a whole lot to report this week, but we did have a few sightings, and obviously the empty nest syndrome is setting in pretty seriously these days. GPS shows a number of the birds apparently taking “vacations”. A-58 (from the Smuggler's pair) had been over on Anacapa for awhile and now A-57 is over on Rosa, now that A-58 returned. Separate vacations for them it seems.

A-46 cruised over to the Carl/Ragged Mountain area, which given his “home-body” tendency of late was a little unusual. A-69 was also over on San Miguel, maybe showing this year's Rosa youngsters around.

Anyway, let's get to the pictures.

Kim went out to check on A-84 at Chinese Harbor early in the tour, even though he has been very good about showing up regularly on the nest camera. You can't really see him well (at all?) in this first picture, but he is sticking close to home, for now. Must like the dining service.


But he did a little showing off for Kim and she got a couple of nice shots.




I'll start off my pictures with one that some folks won't appreciate quite as much, but they have their place out here too.


Maria discovered this last tour so I went to see if it was still in the way. It is. It doesn't have to be winter for the trees to fall.


At the time, I was on my way to check on the Sauces youngsters, A-81 and A-82. I wasn't able to get you any photos or video of them since they were too busy, and very far off, playing in the wind over the North Ridge, along with A-72 (according to GPS).


I was however able to get some better views of the Sauces adults at Kinton Point.


Initially A-40 was in the shade while A-27 was up on the ridge line.


A-40.


A-27.

[IWS Crew]

But then I think it got a little warm for A-27, or she just wanted some “quality time” while the kids were off playing, and she went down to see her man. “Togetherness”.




Since I was in the area I went to check one of the regular eagle hangouts on the north end of Christy Beach. Occupied!






Unfortunately I can't be sure who it was, the bird had flown by the time I could sneak closer, but there is a good chance it was A-49 since that is one of her favorite spots.

In contrast, this little one wasn't in a hurry to “fly” anywhere.




Kim made a check in the Loma Pelona area and came across this pair, most likely the Los Pinos (formerly Willows) pair.


We managed to get out in the boat along the north shore one day, but it was a little rougher to the west than we had hoped. We did however make it a bit past Fry's and caught sight of A-24 along the way. A-46 was over near Carl Pk. (GPS said) about that time.


We headed for smoother waters back towards Chinese Harbor, passing feeding sea lions, and hopeful gulls, along the way.

[IWS Crew]

At Chinese we found A-84 near the nest.




And one of the adults was playing hide-and-seek in the branches nearby. Can you find it?


Maybe this will help.


Another day and I went out towards Carl Pk and Johnson's Beach to look for A-77. It's a nice spot to look for eagles.


I wasn't able to find A-77, but I found the parents (most likely) at Punta Arena.




Now don't start worrying unnecessarily. I suspect A-77 is behaving much as the Rosa youngsters are, given that they are similar ages, and could be all over the island by now, or even over on Rosa for that matter. We'll keep checking for a transmitter signal and I suspect there is a good chance Helen will have an A-77 sighting soon.

While I was looking for A-77, Kim was checking the Sauces birds. She caught sight of both the youngsters perched together, but hard to differentiate in the picture, and both adults at the point.




There was one more eagle sighting that day as I rode back. A juvenile with a GPS transmitter, but I wasn't able to get a good view of it. There is a good chance it was A-72, but since the sighting was at a half-hour mark (we get GPS points on the hour) it is unlikely we'll find out who it was. Still, always good to see a young one out flying over the island. (Edit: Our latest GPS data suggests that this was most likely A-79. She was in the area, and A-72 was not, at the "top of the hour" before and after the sighting.)

[IWS Crew]

One more of the young foxes born this year. They are growing up quickly.


With that we will say goodbye for now. This was Kim's last tour as another season ends and she moves on, again (this her 4th season), to pursue other “adventures”. She has hauled many a load, spent countless hours looking through scopes and binoculars, and walked (and ATV'd) many a mile in support of this project and we thank her very much for all of it. Thank you!

I also want to say Thank You! to Maria for all her help this season. But then she isn't really leaving now, is she, just moving a couple of islands over.

I will be taking a vacation my next tour so unfortunately you'll be missing one update, but I don't think you all will begrudge me a little time off..., at least not too much.

Be well all,

Don, Kim, and the Crew


PS. The latest GPS data showed that A-79, from the Lopez nest on Santa Rosa, has flown all the way to East Anacapa. And then back to Cruz. That means A-79 has hit Miguel, Rosa, Cruz, and Anacapa in the last week. Looks like we have an adventurer on our hands.

[IWS Crew]

[jeannec]

Thank you Don - super update and pictures - even love the little snake! Enjoy your vacation, and wishing the best to Kim on her new adventures!

[summer818]

Thank all of you for everything you do. Happy travels Kim, and thanks for all your hard work, it's greatly appreciated. Maria, it will be great having you on the Catalina working with Peter, I look forward to meeting you next year on the island. Have a great week!

[Naturegal]

Don, Kim & Crew - Fabulous update

Kim - Wishing you all the best in your new adventures

Maria - Enjoy your time on Catalina, we will be able to see you on cam at WE and TH at bandings, enjoy your new position with IWS.

Don - Have a terrific vacation, we can manage without an update for one week, I think

[debs]

Kim, Maria & Don Many thanks for the wonderful update and stunning pictures Appreciate the visuals of the PH tree as we can see where Marcus, K26 and K10 are hiding or perching when they disappear out of our view on that long narrow babysitting branch.

Kim thanks for everything and wishing you the very best on your next great adventure

Maria Look forward to seeing you on Catalina

Don We will try to keep the ENS at bay..... have a great vacation and wishing you fair weather

[raycyn]

Wow, thanks again you guys, so much fun - I thought it was a great report - lots of eagles what more could you want:) Happy adventuring Kim, looking forward to seeing you on Cat updates Maria and Helen and Don - you do fabulous work - thanks for all you do for our eagles.

[Asti]

[vickih]

Don glad to know our fledglings are doing well, as well as our adults.

Kim we will miss you and good luck in your new endeavors.

Great update.

Vickih

[klemon]

What a lovely report. Even the snake. Love to hear about the young ones adventures. Wish they could talk. Have a great time on your vaction Don and stay safe. Thanks to all the crew for everything you all do. Looking forward to seeing Maria on Catalina .

[SoCal Lady]

DON, KIM AND CREW....BEAUTIFUL! BEAUTIFUL UPDATE! ALL THE PHOTOS ARE SOOOOO PRETTY! A84 SOARING OVER THE WATER...

HOPE THE SANTA CRUZ EAGLETS STAY THERE...BETWEEN ALL THE ISLANDS...THEY HAVE A HUGE PLAYGROUND AND FOOD SOURCES APLENTY TO SCAVENGE ON FOR WHEN THEY LEAVE THEIR NEST NEIGHBORHOODS.

I AM SURE MARIA WILL MISS YOU ALL THERE AND I HOPE SHE BEGINS TO FEEL AT HOME AT HER NEW ISLAND CATALINA HOME . EACH OF THE ISLANDS HOLD THEIR OWN SPECIAL MAGIC AND WONDERS.

[marshaz]

Thanks, so much IWS crew. What a great job on the pics and posts.