 |
|
||||
|
Bald Eagle Migration Update: May 14, 2003
Today's Report Includes:
- Special Thanks to Our Bald Eagle Biologist!
- Field Notes from Peter Nye
- What Did You Learn? Peter Nye Summarizes His Research Findings
- How Does Spring 2003 Compare?
- Scientist Says: How Scientists Communicate Research Results
- Watch the Eaglet Grow!
- Eagles Online: Three Weeks Old and Counting
- What Do You See? What Does the Ornithologist See?
- Eagles Are Big Babies: Discussion of CQ’s #20 and #21
- Year-End Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts!
Special Thanks to Our Bald Eagle Biologist!
As the migration season draws to a close, we'd like to turn your attention behind the scenes. Over the past 4 months, in addition to his busy job, Peter Nye found extra time to share his research and knowledge with us all. Journey North would not be possible without the dedication of scientists like Peter Nye who contribute their expertise voluntarily.
 |
Thank
you, Peter! |
Field Notes from Peter Nye
It looks like we jumped the gun when we proclaimed that Bald Eagles were
nesting throughout their breeding range. One of Peter Nye's Bald Eagles
in Canada's far north still hasn't settled in yet. As for the two Golden
Eagles, take a look at their recent wanderings! Here are Pete’s
comments with this week's map and data:
|
|
Link to Latest Data:
“It looks like Bald Eagle V31's finally home, but note the interesting moves for Bald Eagle E50. He got blown(?) south then went back north again... maybe a storm?
"I hope everyone has a great summer! It's been a great season.”
Eagle Eye Nye
New York State Dept. Environmental
Conservation
Delmar, NY
What Did You Learn?
Peter Nye Summarizes His Research Findings
Last November, Peter Nye traveled to a scientific conference to give a presentation about his bald eagle migration studies. He shared his findings, based on his work tracking eagles by satellite since 1992. How many days does spring migration take? Who leaves earlier, males or females? How far do eagles travel? Read what he's learned:
How Does Spring 2003 Compare?
Now that this season is complete, follow the trail and the timing of each eagle's migration. How do this spring’s results compare to Peter Nye's past conclusions about spring migration? Fill in the "Comparing Spring Migrations Chart" to help you analyze the data.
Scientist Says
How Scientists Communicate Research Results
One of the most important steps in a scientist's work is sharing research results with other scientists. This is how the body of scientific knowledge is built--and how it constantly changes, as new research findings replace the old. As a way to synthesize your learning this spring, write your own scientific paper based on the Bald Eagle research you have witnessed. This lessons guides you through the steps:
Watch the Eaglet Grow!
|
|
Eagles Online: Three Weeks Old and Counting
The little online eagle has been growing in its nest since April 17. He’s now three weeks old! What changes do you notice?
 |
 |
 |
What Do You See? What Does the Ornithologist See?
Look at this week’s photos and jot down your observations. Next, compare your notes to those written by Journey North's Laura Erickson:
| Nestcam Notes | |||
| Baby Sitting | Big Foot | Itching to Grow Up | |
Eagles Are Big Babies:
Discussion of Challenge Questions #20 and #21
 |
 |
 |
A baby robin fledges when it’s only 13 days old, and a hummingbird at 21 days. If an eagle fledges when its 10-12 weeks old, how many days is that, asked Challenge Question #20?
"An eagle would be 70-84 days old when it fledges," calculated Melissa.
Wow, what a difference! Why do you suppose young eagles take so long to grow up compared to hummingbirds and robins, asked Challenge Question #21?
Jonathan, Jay, Dipesh and Tom thought this through beautifully. "We think eagles take so long to grow, because it takes time for them to learn to hunt. Young eagles are not good at catching fish so they take dead ones on the shore and must learn to catch fish that are alive. It also takes time to learn to fly. Eagles have to be taught and cared for unlike humming birds that are ready to fly and find food at birth."
Here are additional thoughts from Laura Erickson:
- Robins and hummingbirds are much smaller, with a much shorter life-span, than eagles. Smaller birds start nesting when they are one or at most two years old, so many more of their behaviors must be "innate"-that is, instinctive. That means they don't have to spend as much time learning new things as eagles do.
- Hummingbirds take nectar from flowers. Robins search for worms on the ground and berries in trees and shrubs. Their techniques for slurping up nectar, pulling out worms or plucking berries are fairly simple and straightforward. Hunting for live and wary creatures is much trickier--a trout can wiggle away a lot easier than a berry can! So hunting birds must be very adaptable and intelligent, and they need time to develop their skills.
|
|
Journey
North |
This is the FINAL Bald Eagle Migration Update. See You Next Year!
Copyright 2003 Journey North. All
Rights Reserved.
Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form
