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Bald Eagle Migration Update: February 23, 2005 Today's Report Includes:
Field Notes from Peter Nye
All is pretty quiet on the New York eagle-scene this week. Mid-February has been very mild here, with rain recently, making it feel more like spring is approaching than the middle of winter. Despite this, we still have hundreds of eagles wintering here, with one roost count conducted along our Hudson River of over 80 birds the night of 13 February. Many of our nesting birds, however, are on their nests actively rebuilding, shuffling sticks and bringing in grass in preparation for their upcoming egg-laying, which occurs mostly during March and early April. Lest we be fooled though, I'm sure we're still in for some winter before real spring gets here. Several of us were out trapping this past Tuesday (15 Feb), at two different sites, but unfortunately, no luck. Although we did have some nice "target birds" around our bait, luck wasn't with us in capturing any this week. While watching one set, we also had a beautiful immature golden eagle drop in, just long enough to get our hearts pumping. Although it perched very near our bait, and took a good look, it took off without feeding and left us to ponder what a striking bird it was. V98 continues to reside (for the time being) down in the Chesapeake Bay region, but soon should be thinking about heading north. Look back at when and where we caught V98 and see if you can guess when it will leave and head back toward New York. Also, do you think she will stop in the same area where we caught her last year, or simply "avoid" that area now? Also, no recent data from A20 since 5 Feb, so I still suspect his radio has died after 3 yrs of operation and that he is still down in PA: you could look up his data for the past couple springs to see when he usually leaves and heads north. Until next time, think snow! Next scheduled eagle trapping is week of 7 March, as I am heading out to Utah skiing (snowbaoarding) with family all next week. Eagleye New York State Dept. Environmental Conservation Delmar, NY Today’s Map and Data
Ask the Expert Now Open! Journey North studies always spark students' curiosity and questions. Sharpen your pencils because during the next two weeks your class is invited to pose questions to our Bald eagle expert, Peter (Eagleye) Nye. Nye will read your questions and then volunteer his time to share firsthand knowledge about the eagles he knows so well. Submit your questions from now until March 4, 2005. We'll post your questions along with Pete Nye’s answers on March 18. Predicting Eagle Behavior
The transmitter batteries on Golden eagle #A20 have run out of juice, but we have 3 year's worth of data and maps to help us imagine and predict where he is and when he will start to head north to his nesting grounds. Study the maps and data in the archives before you take this challenge to make some predictions about Golden eagle #A20.
(To respond to this question, please follow the instructions below.) Nest Building Comes Close to Home Within shouting distance of the Journey North headquarters in MN a bald eagle is busy building a brand new nest! We first noticed the nest high in an oak tree late last fall. Activity has increased this past month. Of course we are incredibly excited to be watching this event and we have high hopes for observing the successful breeding, egg laying and raising of eaglets in this habitat so close to our headquarters. How will these eagles' phenology compare with the birds in New York? We'll have to wait and compare. In most regions, a pair of eagles starts working on their nest from 1 to 3 months before the female lays the first egg. Resident Minnesota and New York eagles both feel the need to get their nests in order now. However, in the far northern regions eagles can't delay this long. According to Birds of North America, "In Saskatchewan, adults build or repair nests in September prior to migration and build or repair nests in April upon return from wintering grounds." The Visit and the View: Eagleye Describes Eagle Nests
With this kind of size, there is no problem having most eagle nests easily hold a man's (or woman's!) weight, and I regularly often climb right into the nest with the eaglets while banding. That way I can get all my supplies out and organized, and relax a bit! The one common denominator just about all eagle nests have in common is the view: the view from a eagles nest is one of the most spectacular on earth - they certainly know how to pick the prime lookout spots. The nests themselves, once eaglets are born and a few weeks old, are completely flat across the top, contrary to what you might think of as a "bowl nest". They contain soft vegetation, and often fresh greenery such as white pine sprigs or some other leaves; cattails and cornstalks are also a big item here in NY! Airy Aeries Of all birds in the world, Bald Eagles hold the record for the biggest nest ever built. One nest in Florida was 6.1 meters deep, 2.9 meters wide, and weighed 2,722 kg (almost 3 tons). Could a Bald Eagle nest this size fit in your classroom?
Eagleye Nye is an expert on eagle nests and eagle habitat. Learn more about the art and science of nest building and as you read, reflect and connect the eagles' nest with your own housekeeping skills.
(To respond to this question, please follow the instructions below.) Eagle Habitat Biologists estimate that about 16,000 bald eagles winter (counted each January) in the lower 48 states. Some of these obviously stay to nest in the lower 48 come spring, but the vast majority probably are migrating back into Canada to nest. That is a lot of breeding eagles and a lot of breeding habitat. What do you suppose it all looks like? Eagleye shares some of his insight with us about eagle habitat:
Do you live in the desert, or out on the Great Plains or in the mountains? What would eagles make their nests out of where you live?" Reckless Disregard- Discussion of CQ #4 Last week we read a press release from the US Fish and Wildlife Service about 2 people who violated the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. We asked, The fine imposed on the men who cut down the Bald eagle nest was too harsh. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Defend your answer. Imagine returning to your nest site to find it had disappeared. What would you do? How long would it take to replace the nest with a new one? Do you have the time to rebuild? Would you have to find another nest and push out its owner? After reading today’s update about eagle nests we hope you realize the serious role we must take to protect both the birds and their nesting sites. Eagle Glossary Build your vocabulary with terms used in our reports as we study eagles this season. Find the following terms from this weeks report and define them in your eagle journals or portfolios: aerie, phenology, roost. How to Respond to Today's Challenge Questions:
1. Address
an e-mail message to: jn-challenge-eagle@learner.org Copyright
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