Catalina Update, March 7, 2007

Welcome to another Catalina Island Update. It was a busy week for Steffani and me, collecting eggs from two more nests and monitoring the ones we have already collected. As it turned out, all five of the West End eggs were fertile. This is the first time that both females have laid fertile eggs. We now have nine fertile eggs and monitor them daily.

All the eggs in the Brinsea incubator

One of the eggs showing an embryo. The dark spot in the middle is the eye of the embryo


Below is a video of the West End eggs showing the progression of development.




The Twin Rocks pair laid their second egg on March 1st and we went into the nest on March 4th to remove the two eggs and replace them with the artificial eggs. We had both the sunglasses cam and the new HD camera going for this adventure and I’ve put together another short video of the trip. Both eggs are fertile and developing.



One of the photos of the Twin Rocks male taken during the visit to the nest.


As some of you saw, we removed two eggs from the Two Harbors nest yesterday afternoon. Because of the number of viewers, the internet feed was slow. Here is some footage we shot at the nest using the new video camera.




The Seal Rocks pair laid their first egg on March 2nd and their second egg a couple days later. We are now checking the nest daily to determine if and when the eggs hatch. We have a video camera on the nest so we can get a good look at the nest bowl and activity.




The Pinnacle Rock birds are also sitting on two eggs that we also monitor daily.

We also continue to monitor the younger birds on the island. A-32 has been seen several times at Thompson Reservoir, perching near male K-93. Perhaps they will pair up and mate next year. Other birds on the island include a bird fostered in 2004, four young birds fostered in 2005 and two fostered in 2006.

DR. SHARPE AND STEFFANI - I am in awe of your video captures and all that you go through to each the nests - can really see how the eagles pick sights as isolated as possible from humans and as near the water - thank you for allowing us to go the trip with you - how wonderful that all the eggs have been found to be furtile - think WE wins the prize for the most laid.

What a gift to come home to from a long day to see these videos. Each one is so special!
From seeing the embryo MOVE, to egg collection from various aspects to Daddy chirping over his eggs! WOW
I have a question for Dr Sharpe, what are the markings on the eggs?

Thank you so much! Ozzie

I am in awe! What a job you guys do (and have..)

Have the eagles ever "attacked" you - like physically touched - when you've had to go to the nests! I know you try to be quick in and out so as to allow them to return as quickly as possible. Just having them do the fly by with those talons they have ----

I don't know about the "rock" skiing! So do you guys work out daily to be in top shape to get to each of these nests!?

Loving the calling at the Seal Rocks Nest!

So you candle the eggs daily? every other day? to monitor development? How cool....

The whole thing - just absolutely tremendous! Thank you for taking us with you. ?Thanks Steffani and Peter!

edit: One more thing - I think the incubator needs a bit more fluff!

and one more thing - how many eggs have you collected/incubated at a given time?

Dr. S you need to make a documentary....Bravo for all your work and dedication to Eagles and educating us. Brillant video and photos...can not wait for more!

This is the most awesome update of all time! For once, I am speechless! (yes, I heard the collective sigh of relief from the choir) Thank you Dr Sharpe and Steffani!

I am in awe! I held my breath as you went down the 'shoot'..

Way cool!!!!

We candle the eggs each morning so that we can pull dead eggs before they start to rot and possibly affect the other eggs. We label each egg with pencil so that we know which is which, and we also draw a line around the air cell (the air-filled area at the big end of the egg) to be able to follow how quickly it is increasing, which is a sign of water loss). Just before hatching, the air cell will increase by 5-10 mm per day as the embryo drinks up the remaining liquids in the egg.

Awesome updates!!

In the egg switching videos, it looks like if you lost your footing, you could fall off a cliff and straight into the water...is it really as dangerous as it looks??

I think we'd bounce a few times before we hit the water There are dangerous spots on the trek to each nest where you could severely injure yourself if you fell.

What can I say.....This was an awesome update and Dr Sharpe and Steffani you really put your lives on the line for these eagles. I'm not sure I could "ski" down that slope. This is such a jaw dropping experience. Thank you ever so much

On your way to the Twin Rocks nest, you passed a tree with a rather large nest.

If you said in the video, I didn't catch it, but what nest is that?

EDIT: I went back and watched again: "It's their old nest from 1998".

I guess it's too close for some other eagle pair to take up residence?

I'm with Hula.... speechless... AND late for work.... couldn't stop watching each and every frame.
No WONDER he was snickering as he stroked past us lightweights that were huffing and puffing and muttering about the 'Death March' on the way to the Sta. Cruz nest!!
THANK YOU, Dr. Sharpe, for allowing us to join you on this miraculous journey!

WOW, I enjoyed every minute of this update. Great great great.

Thank you again, Dr. Sharpe, for such a spell-binding update. I am at a loss for words other than to say thank you for all you do for these birds and for taking us along with you!