Bald Eagle Migration Update: February 1, 2006 Today's Report Includes:
Tracking Bald Eagles with Eagleye Nye
We’re proud to welcome the return of "Eagle Eye" Nye who's back for the 12th season! His agency, the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation, has been studying eagles in New York for about 30 years (oddly enough, the same amount of time Nye has been working there!). Nye is one of the top eagle biologists in North America, and we're grateful for the chance to look over his shoulder each year as he conducts his important work. Take a minute to meet Eagle Eye Nye and to learn about his research. Field Notes from Eagleye Nye Hello Journey North! Things have been hopping here in New York with eagles while you were gone, throughout the year, as usual. We’ve had another record year again here, eagle-wise, with 441 eagles tallied during our January 2005 mid-winter bald eagle survey (part of the National survey effort conducted at this time) as well as a record breeding season, with 92 nesting pairs who fledged 112 young in 2005. Now, we are deeply involved in our winter eagle work, capturing and tracking New York wintering eagles. Let me start with some background on what we are up to currently and which eagles we (you) are tracking. Old Trackers and New Birds Bear in mind my usual caution as we proceed this winter; the eagles we capture could either be winter visitors who will indeed migrate, or they might be resident eagles that will stay in the area come spring and breed here; we have no way of telling. Furthermore, as my Research Goals page states, we are now launched on a study of Delaware River eagles, and our focus is mostly on what essential habitats these eagles are using along the Delaware, winter or summer, so we actually want both breeders and wintering birds. Scott, Kathy Michell, Sarah Shute, Steve Joule, Kathy Maloney and I will be out there attempting to capture additional eagles, so wish us luck. For now, enjoy this photo of Scott and me with U21. So far, we here in New York have not had much of a winter. Early on
in December we had some snow (and I got some snowboarding in) and cool
temps, but leading into Christmas and now through most of January,
we have had very mild temperatures and mostly totally open waterways. Eagleye
Nye
Meet the Eagles of 2006 So far we have 3 adult and 6 nestling Bald eagles to track this year. The researchers will attempt to capture 1 or 2 more birds this season. Each of these birds is fitted with a satellite transmitter (called a "PTT"). The young birds were fitted with transmitters while they were still in the nest! Biologist Peter Nye and his assistants visited the nest sites before the young birds could fly. We will watch them this season to learn about juvenile behavior.
Mysteries Revealed - Fall 2005 Migration Map Ready
Try This! Map Lesson
Contest Now Open: Name the Eagles Like most scientists, Peter Nye uses an identification number to identify each individual animal he is studying. Students tracking eagle migrations learn more easily when the birds have names they can remember. Therefore, we're starting this migration season with a "Name the Eagles" contest. Send us the names you think best suit each eagle. Judges will chose names that meet the following criteria:
Remember,
we have 6 immature
eagles and 3 adults. Enter your names in the contest:
To respond to this question, please follow these instructions. With each name submitted, be sure to include your name, school
and grade level. Welcome and Helpful Hints
The Next Bald Eagle Migration Update Will Be Posted on February 8, 2006. Copyright
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