Bald Eagle Migration Update: February 15, 2006

Today's Report Includes:

• Field Notes from Peter Nye
• Today’s Map and Data
• Thinking Like a Scientist: Can We Be Objective?
• Invitation to Dialog: Anthropomorphism
• Geography Sleuthing: Challenge Question #2
• Say “Hello” and "Good-bye" to Eagle U27!
• Reminder

Hello Journey North!

I've sent along all the latest data where these eagles are, so check out the map. What kinds of things do you notice?
To begin, you really need to study each individual eagle's locations from the data (see below), and from last week to this.
Some of these birds have moved south over the past week; wonder why? Perhaps the cold snap we got last week, or the absence of food where they were.
A few of these eagles are now down near the north end of the Chesapeake Bay, a popular spot for Bald eagles. See if you can find some information on eagles in this area, in terms of numbers of eagles down there. Is this a good habitat for Bald eagles?
Can you find one eagle that shows a pattern of movement? Which one?
(* Hint: look at the 2005 maps.)

Open Water
Despite a couple of cold days up here last week, conditions remain extremely mild, with little to no ice and lots of open water, making foraging and survival much easier than usual on these birds. (Some ice has formed over the past couple days, but is not expected to last, as our temperatures are to climb into the 30s again this week.)


Capture Attempts
We attempted to capture some more birds last week, on Thursday, but we had little to no activity on our bait. Even the immature eagles, which are usually pretty easy to attract down to bait, were not interested. Instead, most spent this sunny, breezy, mild day soaring and engaging in aerial acrobatic play with each other. We did have a juvenile (less than 1 yr old) visit our carcass to feed briefly (usually a good sign for us because they will attract other eagles to the bait), but no other birds came in and we did not fire the net on this youngster. Why?
Likewise, Scott attempted some captures last week, but also had no luck and will be trying again this week.
We will be out again this week, Thursday, and hope for some luck again. Meantime, keep thinking about all this and stay tuned; it'll only get more interesting!

Eagleye Nye
New York State Dept. Environmental Conservation
Delmar, NY

What does this week's map reveal?

There is a lot to see on this week's eagle map. For the first time the movements of the immature birds are revealed. Which one has ventured farthest from its nest site? Find the Chesapeake Bay. Which of the eagles are feeding in this area? Find and label on your map. Study our map or use the data to make your own map to answer these questions.

This Week's Migration Data (in a printer-friendly format):

• Adult Bald Eagle Data
• Immature Bald Eagle Data

• Can We Be Objective?

Our naming contest has caught the attention of many students eager to share their ideas in CQ #1. It has also created a bit of a stir within the scientific community.
Why? Scientists avoid anthropomorphism in their studies.
Definition: Assigning human motivation, characteristics, or behavior to inanimate objects, animals, or natural phenomena.

The eagles have never been named, Eagleye explains, because it might change the way we see them. Scientists must keep an open mind and look at research subjects objectively.

What to Do?
It’s important to understand why scientists use numbers to identify individuals. Let's learn more about how a scientist thinks.

• A Scientist is...

In YOUR Classroom
You can choose to follow Eagleye and not name study animals. Or you can use your own classroom names for the birds. What will you decide? Open a discussion with your classmates.
Try this guide to take you through a process for decision making.

• Exposing All Sides

Challenge Question #2:
"Where could you find information about Bald eagles in the north end of the Chesapeake Bay? How many eagles spend the winter there?"

To respond to this question, please follow these instructions.


Bonus: Answer More Questions from Eagleye Nye’s Field Report

A Bald Eagle Release Story

Share the fantastic pictures of Eagleye releasing Bald eagle U27. Stop action images help you to learn about the capture process and eagle anatomy. Print this easy to read booklet, or enjoy it on a Web slide show.

• Printable Booklet
• Slideshow
• High Speed Internet Connection? Download and view a short video of the eagle release.

• Keep a Bald Eagle Journal
  Use printer-friendly journal pages for each update – and modify format to suit your needs.
• Build Your Own Eagle Glossary
  Build your vocabulary with terms used in our reports as we study eagles this season. Be sure to add anthropomorphism.