Welcome to the Channel Islands - Nest Observation (NO) & Bald Eagle Discussion thread.

Work in Progress

This thread is devoted to documenting the lives of several bald eagle nesting pairs on the Channel Islands including the ones that have a cam on their nest: Fraser Point, Sauces, Two Harbors and West End bald eagle pairs & families. There is also a eagle cam on the Big Bear nest now too and that link is listed on the IWS eagle cam page now as well. The Pelican Harbor nest no longer has an eagle cam.

The Nesting Territories for this pairs is best described by looking at the maps that details the pairs and their territory.

Catalina Island - Nesting Bald Eagle Pairs & their Territory

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Northern Channel Islands - Nesting Bald Eagle Pairs & their Territory - Map - 2014

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The pictures of the maps are compliments of the Institute for Wildlife Studies.


Links to the Institute for Wildlife Studies Web Cams

Dr Sharpe is currently working on the cams ... here is a copy of his post that he shared on Face Book on Sept 23 2016.
IWS Facebook page:

"I am trying out using YouTube for our live eagle cams, which should get rid of commercials and seems to stream better (also has more options for streaming quality from which you can choose). If you are still seeing all Ustream feeds on the camera page, then simply right click on the page's background and select reload (could be a symbol, depending on the browser)."

If that doesn't work, try this link:http://www.iws.org/interactive_nestchat_allUstream.html

Utube has a 4 hour archive option see the tutorial here


Direct Links to the Eagle Cams


New Links - Feb 4 2017

Fraser Point
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=122mIMz7zVE

Sauces
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ftp5UhFJX0

Two Harbors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQD-CdW4QJ0

August 9, 2017

New ... Two Harbors cam links

Overhead View
http://explore.org/live-cams/player/two ... k-catalina

Two Harbors Old Nest View
http://explore.org/live-cams/player/bal ... wo-harbors


West End

Overlook/Wide Angle View of Territory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_A02qWWai0




Link to the all cams page
http://www.iws.org/interactive_nestchat_allUstream.html


Big Bear Cam
https://www.youtube.com/embed/iHofqKTOcKw?autoplay=1

Links to the page with all the links to the current IWS bald eagle cams

http://www.iws.org/interactive_nestcams.html

Link to the IWS eagle cam page with links to all IWS cams including Humboldt Bay and Big Bear complete with chat

http://www.iws.org/interactive_nestchat_allUstream.html

A picture of four of the nests - as of Sept 30 2016
Top Left; West End
Top Right - Fraser Point
Bottom Left - Sauces
Bottom Right - Big Bear



Important links-as of Sept 30 2016

Links to last year's thread

forum/viewtopic.php?showtopic=819849

Institute for Wildlife Studies - Main Page
http://www.iws.org/

Institute for Wildlife Studies - Eagle Cam Page
http://www.iws.org/interactive_nestchat_allUstream.html

Facebook Institute for Wildlife Studies
https://www.facebook.com/IWSEagles/?hc_ ... CH&fref=nf

Facebook Bald Eagles 101

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1690426617860075/

Resource Information
The Channel Islands Live -Eagle Cam Discussion forum (CHIL) has an extensive journal on the Channel Islands Eagles and you can access information
on the history of these majestic families here:

Wing-Bling Reference Chart, Santa Catalina Island Banded Eagles
http://z7.invisionfree.com/CHIL_EagleCA ... topic=1989

Wing-Bling Reference Chart, SC, SR & Anacapa Islands Banded Eagles
http://z7.invisionfree.com/CHIL_EagleCA ... topic=1990

EaglesEagles Over The Rainbow Bridge, History & Links to Tribute Threads
http://z7.invisionfree.com/CHIL_EagleCA ... ry22051384


CHIL - Nest Observations
http://z7.invisionfree.com/CHIL_EagleCA ... howforum=5

Pat (Cumbrian) of CHIL Eaglecam Discussion forum has completed the Class of 2016 ... its an awesome summary of all the Channel Island Bald Eagle families complete with maps and pictures of the nesting territories click on link below

http://z7.invisionfree.com/CHIL_EagleCA ... opic=10862

Thank You Pat The Class of 2016 is a great resource for all of us following this amazing bald eagle families thanks again

All of these nests are off the coast of California...so all times are expressed in the Pacific time zone.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Posting Guidelines

We welcome all observations and discussions about eagles here and we ask all members to treat each other with mutual respect.

As there are four different families and nests that we are reporting on here please identify which nest you are referencing and the time the event occurred.

For continuity please use this video symbol to introduce your video and the fish symbol : to identify a fish delivery.

This is an international discussion thread and courtesy to others is expected. Be respectful and polite and refrain from comments about politics, race or religion or sexual innuendo.
Profanity, personal jabs or slams, or other inappropriate comments are unacceptable.

Please keep bold and color text to a minimum.

Please do not share animated or altered screen captures here.

As a courtesy to others here please do not use smilies in the body of nest observations and do not use ALL CAPS for your posts. We prefer that the Quote Button is not used on this thread...and if you must use it...because you are referring to something on a previous page...then take TEXT only...never captures or video; Thanks.


This thread is devoted to documenting the behavior of the eagles; discussion about non-eagle topics is fine when activity on the nests is slow.

Please limit the pictures in each post to no more than a total of 150,000 bytes (150KB) and to avoid horizontal scrolling pictures or scaps (screen captures) may not exceed 500 pixels wide - though it's fine to post a 500-pixel-wide thumbnail that clicks to a much larger picture. Three captures per post is recommended.

Periodically we will tidy up this thread by deleting posts that are not directly related to maintaining an accurate journal of nest observations and/or eagle discussion.

Enjoy the eagle watching and thanks again to all that participate on this open forum.

West End Pair & Nest
West End Family History - Thunder and Superman

Meet the resident pair K91 Thunder (F-Born 2009/Off spring from Two Harbors Nest) and K01 Superman (M-Born 2000)


Thunder


Superman


The West End Nest & Territory

Superman and Thunder - Family History

Superman K01 and Thunder K91 became a new pairing late in the 2014 season after the long term resident female Lady Wray went missing and presumably died of old age. See Wray's legacy and the entire history of the West End pairs on the next post!

As a new pair; K91 Thunder and K01 Superman did not produce any offspring in the 2014 season. In 2015 this pair had two eggs; one egg broke very close to hatch date; a dead chick was visible and K91 consumed its remains. Dr. Sharpe thought based on the size of the chick that it likely died sometime before the egg broke. The second egg hatched on schedule and this pair enjoyed their new baby chick. Sadly the chick died just after it was removed from the nest for banding. The death of the chick was a sad loss for this new pair and also for everyone following this family. The IWS crew were shocked; they had never lost a chick during banding so this was a very unusual event. A necrospy determined the chick died from acute septicemia a bacterial infection in the blood. We hope that the 2016 nesting season will go better for this pair.

2014 - New Pair; Non Nesting Season
2015 - Two eggs; One egg broke with a dead chick inside (very close to hatch time) Second Egg Hatched - April 5 2015; Sadly the chick died during Banding - May 28 - 7 Weeks of Age
2016 - Success! This pair fledged two chicks; K62 - June 18, 2016 and K60 - June 24, 2016


2017 Nesting Season

•adults return: This pair does not migrate they remain in the nest area all year long as there is food aplenty.

•intrusions: Another adult male eagle; K08 Sept 29 2016

•eggs laid: 2; Unknown dates as cam was lost at the nest in a wind or weather event

•hatched: Unknown

•banding - May 19, 2017 .K-73 (M) Pascoe & K-74 (M) Haku


•fledged - Both confirmed as Fledglings on June 21st.


•juvies last seen: Still in the area August 9, 2017

Background on the Legacy of Wray & Superman & West End Pairs

Wray Goes Missing-Fall of 2013 - New Female(s) at West End

After the 2013 nesting season Wray appeared to be sporting an foot or leg injury as she was limping and favoring one side. I think the last time I saw Wray
in the nest was August 17 2013 although Dr. Sharpe reported seeing and observing her on October 1, 2014, from the bait station. Dr. Sharpe had set up
the bait station so that he could observe Wray and possibly trap her so that he could examine the nature and extent of her injury. Wray never did visit the
bait station in fact she disappeared during this same time period.

On October 22 2013 a young female K-87 started visiting with Superman at the West End nest. Over the next five months it looked like K-87 was going to
be the new resident female at West End then on April 5, 2014 K-87 was displaced by her sister K-91. Since then K-91 has been the steady female at the West End nest.
Unfortunately, all the change at the West End nest resulted in a lost breeding season; there were no eggs were laid in 2014!

Hard to say good bye to Lady Wray who had tremendous presence; a great teacher to her kids but also too so many of us observing her. Wray was a protective,
warm and loving mother to all her babies and always a fun loving partner to her Superman. We loved Wray's wit and charm in the nest ... miss her so much ...

Lady Wray ... May You Always Soar High & Forever Free ... RIP Wray ... Forever Loved ... Forever in our Hearts


Wray & Superman - Family History - 2006 to 2013

1986 - Wray was born in British Columbia then taken to the Channel Islands & released from the Sweetwater Hacktower on Catalina Island. Resident female since 1991
2000 - Superman was born at the San Francisco Zoo then fostered into the Pinnacle Rock Nest; Replaced the resident male who disappeared in 2006

2007-Three fostered chicks - K72 (F) Earth; K73 (M) Wind; K74 (M) Fire; all three fledged successfully.
2008 - Two chicks - K-65 (F) Miracle (Westie); K-67 (F) Surprise both fledged successfully.
2008 - Note: Two eagles now have the same bling ~~ K65 Westie & K-65 (M) PR Nest-Class of 1986
2009- Two chicks - K98 Faith and K97 Joy - both female; both fledged successfully. K98 Deceased
2010- Two chicks - K08 Dakota and K07 Aquila; both fledged successfully. Deceased: K07 & K08 only K07's body recovered.
2011- Three chicks - K-12 (F) Aahana; K-13 (M) Alerio & K-14 (M) Prince Harry; all three fledged successfully. Deceased K14
2012- Three chicks - K-27 Athena (F) & K-24 - Megwich (M) & 5Z Ge-nii (F) - nicknamed Me2; all three fledged successfully; Deceased K24 & K27
2012 - Note Me2 was too small to get wing blings so she was banded with two bands like Superman; one silver band/left leg and one orange band/right leg
2013-Three Chicks - K27 (M) Newton; K28 (F) Bella; K29 (F) Marthe; all three fledged. Deceased K29 Marthe
2013 - In the fall Wray goes missing; presumed deceased from old age; she was 27 years old when she went missing.

Superman Goes Missing - Fall of 2010-New Male K51 Comes a Courting
After the 2010 nesting season towards the latter part of August Superman K01 disappeared from the area. Wray remained in her territory and
in September a new young male K51 started visiting the nest and began courting Wray. Over the course of the next four months and based
on the behavior observed in the nest it certainly appeared that Wray was accepting K51 as her new mate.
K51 was hatched at the San Francisco Zoo in 2005 and then fostered into the Pinnacle Rock Nest.

Then on January 13, 2011 Superman returned to the nest and he re-established his relationship with Wray. K51 left the territory and has not
been seen at the West End nest since but he has been observed with another female in the Channel Islands territory.

The Original Resident Pair was a Trio - Wray, Dianna and Shenandoah - 18 Years - 1991 to 2008

This nest was established in 1991 and it was a bit unusual as the resident pair was actually a trio of three adults; two females Wray, Dianna and a male Shenandoah.
In 1986 the Wray and Dianna K-69 were both brought to the Island as chicks from British Columbia, Canada and were released together from the Sweetwater Hacktower
on Catalina Island. The original male Shenandoah K-77 went missing in the spring of 2006
at 25 years of age. Superman K01 became the new resident male that same year. In 2008 Dianna K69 disappearedhas not been seen since 2008 but there is hope
she may have left to form a pair with an unattached male. According to Dr. Sharpe of IWS, Wray and the original male were a pair for a year before
Dianna joined them, so she was the junior member of the trio. This amazing trio raised many chicks over the course of their 18 years together.

Identifiers
Dianna K69 - Orange wing bling on each wing.
Wray - No blings; has a silver leg band
Superman K01 - Orange wing bling on each wing; only visible when his wings are fully spanned as the blings are tucked inside and under the wings.
Superman has a silver band on his left leg and an orange band on his right leg.

In 2007 three of the five eggs removed for incubation in 2007 hatched, and the trio successfully raised female K72 ("Earth" ) and males K73 ("Wind" ) and K74 ("Fire" ). One of two eggs removed for incubation in 2008 hatched (though it was out of position for hatching and needed assistance to break out of its shell), and Wray surprised everyone by laying a third egg after the initial two were removed - which actually hatched naturally, although Dr. Sharpe put the chances of an egg from that pair surviving to hatch at less than 5% because of the contamination in the area. Both the incubator chick K65 "Miracle" and the naturally-hatched K67 "Surprise" are female.

Egg Laying
Based on past experience, look for eggs in late February and early March, chicks in early April, and fledging from mid-June to early July.

Wing Blings, Banding
Eagles hatched, fostered or released from hacking towers on Catalina Island have orange wing tags with the letter K and two numbers;
the first number is often the year they were hatched - but as there are now more than 10 eaglets per year, the others will get unused numbers
from previous years, like K03 at Seal Rocks.
Eagles hatched, fostered or released in the northern Channel Islands (including Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa) have powder blue wing tags with the letter A.

Fledgling Survival Rates
The first year for a young juvenile or fledgling is a difficult one as they learn to hunt and fend for themselves. At one time it was thought that about
50 percent of first year juvies did not survive that first year now with more transmitters tracking fledglings they now believe that survival rates
are much higher. The IWS tracks their fledglings so we will include updated information where we can...thanks to IWS. Note IWS no longer tracks the young juveniles after they fledge.

Two Harbors Family History

Meet the Resident Pair

The Lovees - K82 (resident female) and K81 (resident male) - Feb 15, 2015




K82 and K81 became a breeding pair in 2003; both were 5 years of age.

The resident female K82 hatched from an egg removed from the West End Nest in 1998 and was then fostered into the Pinnacle Rock Nest.

K82 has orange wing blings on her wings. The resident male K81 was hatched at the San Francisco Zoo in 1998 and then fostered into the West End Nest.
K81 started with two wing blings one on each wing, however, sometime in 2013 his left bling fell off. K81 has two ankle bands; a silver federal leg band
on his right leg and an orange aluminum band with "7/L" on his left leg.

DDT pollution caused a rapid decline in the bald eagle population; causing the eggs to thin so many did not hatch. To promote the recovery of the
bald eagle population eggs from this nest were removed a few days after they are laid and replaced with artificial eggs. The viable eggs were then
artificially incubated then once hatched the chicks were fostered back into the nest so that the chicks could be raised by the parents.

2003 - 1 Chick - K36 (M) - Successfully fledged - Fostered Egg from SF Zoo
2004 - 1 Chick - K46 (F) - Successfully fledged - Fostered Egg from SF Zoo Deceased Dec 2004
2004 - 1 Chick - K43 (F) - Fostered into the Pinnacle Rock nest; Successfully fledged
2005 - 1 Chick - K55 (M) - Fostered - Successfully fledged - Deceased July 25 2006
2006 - 1 Chick - K63 (F) - Fostered - Successfully fledged
2007 - 2 Chicks - K78 (M) Fostered - Sol/Peanut and K79 (F) Luna - Both fledged successfully
2008 - 1 Chick - K83 (F) Star - Fledged successfully
2009 - 2 Chicks - K87 (F) Lightning and K91 (F) Thunder" - both eggs hatched naturally in the nest; Both fledged successfully
2010 - 2 Chicks K04 (F) Avalon and K06 (M) Gabriel - Both fledged successfully - (K06 Gabriel - Deceased Mar. 2011)
2011 - 1 Chick - K18 (F) Solitaire - Fledged successfully
2012 - 1 Chick - Deceased - Taken by a fox at 3 weeks of age (April 20 2012)
2013 - 1 Chick - K38 (F) Echo - Fledged successfully; was still in the area into October and returned to the nest periodically
2014 - 1 Chick - K43 (F) - Fledged successfully
2015 - 2 Chicks; Sadly one fell thorough the floor of the nest at about 3.5 weeks of age; the remaining chick K58 (F) official name Emeraldskye thrived and went onto fledge
2016 - Nest failed; two eggs were laid; one broke during the incubation cycle and the other failed to hatch. Dr. Sharpe later removed the egg to exam it; non viable
2017 - New Nest; no cam on new nest so reports were based on the IWS visits to their nest territory; 1 Chick; K72 (F) Washi - Banded on May 19, 2017; Orange Leg Band corresponds with wing # .. Acraft Band 72/A

The Original Two Habors Nest



Based on past experience, look for eggs in late February and early March, chicks in early April, and fledging from mid-June to early July.


2017 Nesting Season

- Adults at this nest do not migrate as there is food aplenty in their environment

- New Nest so no cam on the new nest

- Eggs laid: 1 for sure

- Hatched: .Unknown Hatch Day

- Banded - May 19, 2017 - K72 Washi - Orange Leg Band corresponds with wing # .. Acraft Band 72/A

- Fledged - Confirmed as a Fledgling on June 26th.

Sauces Family History

Meet the Sauces Pair - A48 (Female) & A40 (Male)


A-40 Resident Male

The resident male # A-40 (M) originally from the SF Zoo; Released from South Hacktower on July 2, 2005. A40's leg band identifier: 629-47391
Blue wing blings lost in January 2013 and September 2014.

A-48 Resident Female
The resident female #A-48 is originally from the SF Zoo; she was released or fledged from: North Hacktower on June 14, 2006. A48's leg band identifier: 629-52406
Lost both blue wing blings in 2015 (July and November)



In March 2013 A48 joined A40 at the Sauces nest and she has been the resident female ever since.

2017 Nesting Season

8 eggs were laid over two clutches but unfortunately all 8 eggs broke.

First Clutch - Eggs laid on Jan 31, Feb 3, Feb 6, Feb 9 and Feb 12, 2017 - 5 eggs in the first clutch
Second Clutch; Eggs laid on March 3, March 9 and March 12, 2017 - 3 eggs in the second clutch

Dr. Sharpe posted this on IWS
"As have many of you, we have been intently watching the Bald Eagle pair at Sauces Canyon on Santa Cruz Island. We are disheartened to see that the most recent eggs broke yesterday.
We do not know why the eggs keep breaking, but will continue to monitor the nest and further investigate the cause. We will attempt to collect prey samples and eggshell fragments and analyze them for contaminant levels and eggshell thinning. Although this is an unfortunate situation for this pair, we are encouraged by their successful nesting in 2016 and the continued recovery of the Bald Eagle population across the Channel Islands. Thank you to all the dedicated web cam viewers for your observations and concern for the pair.

Sauces History

There has been several failed nesting seasons at this nest ... changes within the pairs and some bad luck resulted in these losses ... hopefully 2018 is better for this pair.

2017 - Nest Failed - 8 Eggs laid all 8 broke
2016 - Two chicks fledged; A62 & A63
2015 - Nest Failed; Egg(s) laid; eggs broke
2014 - Nest Failed; Eggs laid in Feb; both eggs broke; second clutch attempt a month later resulted in one egg being laid; egg broke; nest failed
2013 - Nest Failed; Two Eggs incubated Intruder arrived into their territory early March; On March 4 2013; A27 disappeared while defending her nest; The resident male A40 attempted to incubate eggs alone until March 7 but eventually he had to leave the nest and ravens swooped in and stole both eggs! A few days later a new female appeared at the nest A49 Cruz there was speculation that Cruz might be the new female a this nest. However, a few days later another female A48 joined A40 on the nest; A48 replaced A27 and is now the new female at this nest. Note A27 was later seen with A-68 hanging out together in the Baby’s harbor area ... A27 and A68 fledged a chick together in 2015!
2012 -Two chicks fledgled; banded June 8 2012 .. A-81 & A-82
2011 - One Chick fledged; banded June 2 2011 A-73 Note Change in pairing - In Feb 2011 the original male A28 was replaced by another male A40; A27 and A40 successfully raised and fledged one chick
2010 - One Chick fledged; Note A27 becomes the new female at this nest and together A27 and A28 successfully raised and fledged one chick
2009 - Nest Failed; July 22 2009 resident female A02 deceased; body found in Pozo, CA
2008 - Nest Failed; A28 male and A02 female become a pair at the Sauces nest
2007 - Non Nesting Season? - A02 and A28 paired up at the Sauces nest


Their Nest and Territory

Fraser Point Family History

In 2006 Cruz A49 was the first natural hatch (Pelican Harbor nest) in the Channel Islands since 1949.
A49 is the Resident Female at this nest and she is 10 years old.

The Resident Male - A64 - Spirit - is 9 years old now. K26 and K10 were also the parents of Spirit ... class of 2008.
A64 has not been seen for a few months; he disappeared from the nest when a golden eagle was bothering this pair; hopefully
he returns for the 2017 season!



Resident Female - A49 - Cruz - Current Age 10



The Resident Pair


I
Cruz and Spirit's - History Together

2012 - One chick; died unknown causes
2013 - One chick; A89 F - Sapphire - first second generation eagle successfully fledged
2014 - Two chicks; A97 M - Maxiwo; A98 F - Glory - both fledged
2015 - Two chicks - A54 F Chanita; Second chick F - Takoda too small for wing blings; banded #709-03074
2016 - Nest failed; a golden eagle was threatening the resident pair; the golden eagle visited the nest several times during the 2016 nesting season. Cruz stood her ground and continued to protect her nest and territory from the golden eagle threatening it ... as the threat continued we saw less and less of the resident male A64 ... hoping he returns for the 2017 season!
2017 - New Nest; Fledged three chicks; A-02 Henry, A-03 Theos and A-04 Barrett; there was no cam on the nest so updates were only available when IWS visited their nesting territory.

Here is a video of Cruz A49 protecting her meal from the Golden Eagle; after Cruz has had her fill she exits the nest and the Golden Eagle flies in and enjoys some of the fox meal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfdZZW_ ... e=youtu.be

Thanks to Vicki for capturing this video footage.


2017 Nesting Season

•adults return: This pair does not migrate they remain in the nest area all year long as there is food aplenty.

•intrusions: Past: Golden Eagle

•eggs laid: 3

•hatched: Unknown

•fledged - 3 Chicks; A-02 Henry, A-03 Theos and A-04 Barrett; there was no cam on the nest so updates were only available when IWS visited their nesting territory.

•juvies last seen: Unknown

Work in Progress

Bald Canyon Pair

A32 & K-76

A32 is 13 years old and she is from a nest near Juneau, Alaska; released on September 12, 2004 from the North Hacktower.
A32 has a FWS Leg Band: 629-47380.

The resident male K-76 is 10 years old. Hatched from Twin Rocks on April 3 or April 4 2007 and was fostered back into the nest on April 10 2007.
K76 has a federal leg band 629-52430

The nest is located on San Clemente Island

2017 Nesting Season

Eggs Laid - March 5 & 8, 2017
Hatched - April 11, 2017 & April 13, 2017
Banding - May 27, 2017; A-01 (F) Keena & A15 (M) Wrigley
Fledged - Wrigley - June 28, 2017 at 5:47am.and Keena - July 2, 2017 at 10:27am.
Juvies last seen - Unknown as cam went down July 27, 2017



History
2014 - A32 and K76 become a bonded pair
2015 - Fledged 2 chicks; both have leg bands 5D & 5M
2016 - A32 lost her left wing-bling
2016 - Fledged 2 chicks; no leg bands; nest not accessible during banding season
2017 - 2 Chicks fledged; A15 Wrigley on June 28, 2017 & A01 Keena on July 2, 2017