Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

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Bald Eagle Migration Update: March 22, 2006 

Today's Report Includes:

Today's Map and Data

The migration has begun! Just a quick update today to give you the latest news from Peter Nye and data for your map. March is here—and some of the eagles are starting their migration north!
Read Eagleye’s field report carefully and study our new individual eagle maps. Watch for a full update next week.

 

Field Notes from Eagleye Nye

Hello Journey North
Well, it seems that last week was a good week to head north, at least for our adults.
V98 and U25, began their northward journey. This gives you an opportunity to do some digging and analysis on V98’s migration history: Study data from spring 2005. How does V98's departure date compare with the past two years? Is V98 following her "usual" migratory path? Dig into the data and maps:

We are very fortunate this year to also get data on the day these two were moving, giving us multiple readings on that day while they were on the move. I've included multiple data points for both on that day, so you could try to figure out some neat stuff, like how far and how fast they may be moving.

Migration Begins for V98 and U25.
Easier to see on our new tracking maps.
Click dots and view information for each eagle on its own map.
Try This! "Clock" V98
Click on the tracking map to find the geographic coordinates (Lat/Long) and the time logged for each location. Locate the start and finish in an atlas, then measure distances. Can you calculate how fast they are moving?
U25, sub-adult female, and Kathy Michell on 01/25/06.

Maybe you could also project a path for U25, and do some guessing as to where she might end up and when. Go back to her capture picture and recall she was what we classify as a "sub-adult', a 4-year old bird. These birds are not yet full adults, but are capable of breeding. Whether she has a mate and may breed this year, is unknown. What do you think?

As for our other adults, U27 continues north, and is now in Quebec. As a "new" bird for us this year, this also gives us the opportunity to guess where she may be going.
U21 made an interesting western move, as seen last week, and is now on the St.Lawrence River, another one of our traditional bald eagle wintering areas. While she is right in the prime wintering spot there, I don't think she’ll stay long. Her location tells me she will probably be proceeding north into Ontario (or even slightly north-west). This is where most of our St. Lawrence River birds end up. Our other migrants have all gone to Quebec or Labrador; none of them have traveled through the St. Lawrence area.

Adult P04 remains where he moved to last week, in northern NY. This is a little bit worrisome, as I thought he might keep going, but this isn’t totally unusual. I’m hoping he will be on his way again by next week’s report.

Now, for our youngsters’ movements, there isn’t too much to report. I'm getting concerned about Y94, since no new signals in a week, meaning the PTT or the eagle may be dead. All other youngsters are in generally the same areas where they have been.

That's all for now. Enjoy studying the clues from this week’s data!

Eagleye
New York State Dept. Environmental Conservation
Delmar, NY

Ask the Expert Questions Answered
Bald Eagle Expert "Eagleye" Nye

How much does an eagle eat in a year? What is the most abnormal behavior you have ever seen in an eagle? Do eagles see black and white or color? These are some of the great questions submitted to our Bald Eagle Expert, Peter Eagleye Nye.

Eagleye opens up to share his knowledge about eagle instinct, adaptation and survival. Read it all:

The Next Bald Eagle Migration Update Will Be Posted on March 29, 2006.

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