Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

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Bald Eagle Migration Update: April 16, 2003

Today's Report Includes:

Lastest Migration Map and Data

Link to Latest Data:

Field Notes from Peter Nye
Another big week!
  • Hey! Bald Eagle V31 finally decided to start moving again! Look at the nice NE move on Tuesday, April 8th. We got 3 fixes that same day, showing continued northward movement. Next, check out where he was on April 11th, this guy is moving! After yet another big northeast move on Sunday, April 13th he’d made it to Labrador. What a week for V31!
  • No move yet for E50 on April 8th or the 10th...But then on April 13th, he departs!! Remember, this guy is headed for Labrador, too. Interesting that his first move this spring is due north, not northeast. Journey North maps show he did the same last spring. What will happen next, a bee-line to Labrador like last year?
Last Spring This Spring
  • Golden Eagle A20 is still truckin’ north according to readings on the 7th, 9th and 11th. A drop back occurred on the 13th. Keep that in mind as we consider A00.
  • Look at Golden Eagle A00 now. Remember his backtrack last week? Well, he moved north again, 147 miles (237 kilometers), to almost the same spot.

I thought he may have overshot where he wanted to be initially, and was making short-range adjustments--searching for familiar landmarks. (The long distance movements of migrants are likely based on coarse guides--major landmarks like mountain ranges or coastline, etc. Some also suspect the sun and magnetic fields. As they (he) gets closer, he'll use more refined landmarks, smaller and more familiar to guide him 'home.')”

The other possibility is that he may have run into some really severe weather, and simply retreated a bit, as we have seen before with some of our Bald Eagles on their way north. Let’s see what happens next...

Pete Nye and Family

I am heading on a journey myself--a family backpacking vacation to Grand Canyon/Four Corners area. Tough to bring my laptop and get service in the Grand Canyon. So, you won't be hearing from me for a while. Unfortunate timing, Journey North and eagle movement-wise, but that's when my kids are off from school.

The work will start as soon as I get back. First I've got helicopter surveys for 3-4 days, to monitor nesting eagles around the state. From the helicopter, we try to determine the stage of nesting, the age and number of young, etc. Based on that information, the following week I start nest visits for banding. Those continue for all of May and June.

Back in touch on the 30th...

Pete

One Week Off for Eagleye'sVacation
Next Update April 30

Note to Readers: We’ll miss next week’s update, since Pete won’t have access to the migration data. Watch for the next update on April 30.

How is Animal Migration Like a Human Vacation?
Speaking of travel, how is a human vacation different from an animal migration? For example, have YOU ever traveled without a suitcase? When people go on a trip, a lot of planning and preparation takes place. How about a bald eagle? Compare and contrast the purpose of travel, the preparations required, and the consequences of any mistakes. You're sure to appreciate an animal's remarkable journey even more after comparing their abilities to our own.
Let's Visit an Eagle Nest!
You can't hop into Pete Nye's helicopter for his New York nest survey, and you can only imagine what's happening in the eagle nests way up in Canada right now. However, you can take a peek inside one Bald Eagle nest any time you want. The "Eagles Online" webcam, sponsored by Northeast Utilities, sends live shots from a Connecticut River Bald Eagle nest, where egg #1 may be about to hatch:

"Is an eagle egg about to hatch? Watch for an adult eagle bringing food to the nest in anticipation of a hungry mouth," says the Eagles Online biologist. "This behavior is sometimes a clue an egg will hatch within a day or so. The adults are hearing the faint peeps of the shell-bound chicks and sometimes engage in this feeding behavior."
Tuesday was a sunny day in the eagle nest. Can you see the sprigs of green vegetation?
On Wednesday morning the eagle was holding its wing open. This wasn't seen all day yesterday. What's going on?
Brrrr....Bald Eagles begin nesting in February in Massachusetts, and lay their eggs in March. Why do you think they start so early in the spring?
Eagles Online, March 2001
Field Notes by Remote:
Spring Nesting Phenology of Eagles
  1. As a silent observer, visit the eagle nest online regularly.
  2. Read the Bald Eagle Nesting Phenology Chart for facts about eagle nesting behavior. (Phenology is a branch of ecology that studies the timing of seasonal events.)
  3. Watch for key events that give clues about the stage of the nesting cycle.
  4. Record your observations on the Nesting Phenology chart.
Challenge Question #17
When Will Eggs Hatch in Canada?
Let's make some assumptions and predictions about Nye’s eagle nests in Canada, using information from the nest in Massachusetts.

Challenge Question #17
"If we assume the first egg hatches in Massachusetts on April 20, roughly when do you predict the first egg will hatch in Bald Eagle E47's nest? How about Bald Eagle E49's? (Assume E47 and E49 lay their first egg 2 weeks after arriving at their nest-sites. Use the migration map to determine the dates and they arrived.)"

Challenge Question #18
What Does the Blue Leg-band Mean?

TrappingMarch2003_088

In reading about the Eagles Online nesting pair, one piece of information was of special interest: The male eagle has a silver band on one leg and a blue band on the other.

Challenge Question #18
“What does the blue leg-band on the male Bald Eagle in Massachusetts tell you?”

(To respond to these questions, please follow the instructions below.)

Discussion of Challenge Question #15
What’s the Weather Like in Labrador?

We asked, "According to the map, what were the snow and ice conditions like in Labrador on Monday, April 7?"

Michelle St. Wendelin's High School stepped forward with her observations. "It looks to me like Labrador was mostly snow covered," she said.

Be sure to visit the NOAA site and watch the 31-day animation!

Discussion of Challenge Question #16
Highs and Lows in Labrador?
Challenge Question #16 asked you to research the typical temperatures in Labrador in April. Thanks to the terrific research done by the scientific team of Jay, Dipesh and Jonathan at Iselin Middle School, we have these weather conditions from Labrador to report:

“The normal maximum temperature for April in Labrador is -1.5 degrees Celsius and -13.3 degrees Celsius for the minimum. We got our information from an internet site provided by Environment Canada.”

Try This!
How’s the weather for your favorite of Peter Nye’s eagles? Print out Environment Canada’s weather map, visit online for weather data, and record temperatures for each of the eagle nests. Does it EVER get warm in Canada? These eagles certainly seem hearty, to consider New York a warm overwintering area!
How to Respond to Today's Challenge Questions:

IMPORTANT: Answer only ONE question in each e-mail message.

1. Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge-eagle@learner.org
2. In the Subject Line of your message write: Challenge Question #17 (or #18).
3. In the body of EACH message, answer ONE of the questions above.


The Next Bald Eagle Migration Update Will Be Posted on April 30, 2003

 

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