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Bald Eagle Migration Update: March 30, 2005 Today's Report Includes:
This week our map and data give us a lot to consider. Fledglings Y89, Y90, Y94 and Y96 have been active. P04 keeps moving. What about V98?
Field Notes from Peter Nye Hello again eagle trackers.... Hope you enjoy looking over this week's maps. As you can see, eagle V98 is still down south, but one potentially interesting thing is the possibility that V98 may have moved east, across the Chesapeake Bay from Aberdeen. I say "may" have moved, because this last fix I received on V98 was a "class 0", meaning only accurate within about 1km. Unfortunately, this was the last fix before this update, so we'll have to wait to see if indeed she has moved. Bald eagle P04 continues to move north, albeit very slowly. As of this update, he still appears to be in New York, just below the St. Lawrence River; staging to go into Quebec? What do you think it means that he appears to be going north so slowly?? Eaglet Y89 has been interesting, heading north briefly around the 19 and 20th of March, but quickly retreating south again, now near one of our large reservoirs where we have nesting eagles. Similarly, eaglets Y90 and Y94 appear to have "stalled out" in central Pennsylvania; one at a large reservoir and the other on a major river....why do you think? Finally, eaglet Y96 appears to like it down in the Chesapeake, and remains there, now in eastern Maryland; for the same reasons the other eaglets are where they are?? When do you think the urge to "wander and explore" will hit these eaglets again?? Lots of interesting movements to watch! Talk to you all next week. Eagleye New York State Dept. Environmental Conservation Delmar, NY Connect the Dots for Y90
Satellite
technology allows us to "see" where the eagles move from week
to week. The eagle's platform transmitter terminal, or PTT sends signals
to the satellites orbiting above which return to earth as latitude and
longitude coordinates. The coordinates are then used to place the eagle
sighting onto a map.
(To respond to this question, please follow the instructions below.) Field Day Activities: Looking Closely
Eagles, Migration and Weather This week Eagleye gives us many questions to think about. About P04, he asks, "What do you think it means that he appears to be going north so slowly?" Also, about Y90 and Y94, he says they, "appear to have stalled out in central Pennsylvania; one at a large reservoir and the other on a major river....why do you think?" Can we predict why? Eagleye offers some suggestions, "I guess the main thing to keep in mind, whether it is migration we're talking about or some other behavior is to remember that bald eagles are individuals just like you and me, and while many may behave in a certain common way, there will always be some who will behave in a different manner. This is just a fact of life. So, don't get upset if your predictions don't follow the expected patterns!" Read more from Eagleye to help you understand more about eagle migration: Eagle Adaptations: The Body
Are you ready for this week's adaptation? Most bird bodies don't tell much about the bird's life until you look carefully at the wings, tail, and legs. For this week's question think carefully about what is inside the eagle as well as what we see on the outside.
(To respond to this question, please follow the instructions below.) Adaptations: The Tail Discussion of CQ #12 "In what ways does the eagles tail help sustain their fishing and scavenging lifestyle?" The tail - is very important for flight and maneuvering. While the bald eagle is soaring or gliding in flight, the tail feathers are spread, in order to attain the largest surface area and increase the effect of thermals and updrafts. The tail also helps to brake the eagle when landing and assists in stabilization during a controlled dive or swoop toward prey. The strength of the feathers and the follicles holding the feathers is quite impressive, while watching the tail move back and forth and up and down during maneuvers. Other great adaptations included balance while flying, an aid for slowing down when landing and a signal to others that when the tail is white that the bird is mature.
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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