4 Bald Eagles in a food fight!

February 3, 2015 in Bald Eagle

Had an amazing time yesterday morning in very cold temps, watching 4 Bald Eagles along the Merrimack River in Lawrence.   Arrived to find 2 adults quietly perched on tree branch overhanging slow flowing river below. Then one adult slowly departs to the west.

This is the Bald Eagle with the transmitter and antenna. This is a rehabilitated adult eagle that was banded and fitted w/ a non-solar transmitter and antenna prior to release near Auburn ME on 12/11/2005. According Maine Wildlife officials, that 2005 rehabbed bird was banded with one of the last-remaining Maine state orange color bands with a three digit code “E7E”. Due to incomplete records, this bird would be a minimum of 15 yrs old this coming spring!

As the adult flew just a bit upriver, clear eagle cries were heard nearby. After scanning in search of the bickering sounds, 2 subadults were observed on snow-covered ice near edge of river. Watched while they engaged in playful food fight. The adult approached and then joined in the fracas. Fascinating!

16 photo sequence posted:   http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/159042638   Click “next” in upper right to advance frames!

Bald Eagle: positive ID for transmitter/antenna bird!!

January 28, 2015 in Bald Eagle

In an email from Tom French at MassWildlfe, Tom summarizes the E7E findings:

You have not been copied on the most recent exchanges regarding the Bald Eagle on the Merrimack River, Lawrence, MA with a PTT transmitter.   I think that we all now agree with Chris Martin’s assessment below that the color band code is E7E formerly on an orange band which has now lost all of its color.  This bird was from Maine after all.

I think the evidence is now fairly strongly pointing to the adult Bald Eagle that has been observed on several occasions over at least the past year on the lower Merrimack River in Massachusetts with a PTT transmitter is E7E from Maine.  Photos by Craig Gibson which include the photo embedded below, ones attached above and others athttp://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/158909836 , when all added together show E7E.

The following records of a banded adult Bald Eagle with a PTT tag seen on the lower Merrimack River between Lawrence and Amesbury, Essex Co. probably all refer to this bird.

01-02-13, Lawrence – Robbie Valcourt

  1. 12-~18-13, Lawrence – Doug Fernandes
  2. 03-09-14, Salisbury – Jack Dorsey
  3. 01-07-15, Lawrence/N. Andover – Craig Gibson & Doug Fernandes
  4. 01-13-15, Lawrence – Craig Gibson
  5. 01-22-15, Lawrence – Craig Gibson
  6. 01-28-15, Lawrence – Craig Gibson

Here are excerpts from two previous emails from Charlie Todd and Bill Hanson that provide some background on this bird, as well as Chris Martin’s assessment from this morning.

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On Jan 10, 2015, at 7:30 PM, Todd, Charlie <Charlie.Todd@maine.gov> wrote:

A few of our orange anodized bands deployed on eagles during 1984-1987 (N = 249 eagles) still show up.  Most are faded to pale gold but at least one I’ve handled was absolutely colorless.  As you know, anodized aluminum bands of that era were not very colorfast.  However, only one bird with an orange color band (code = E7E) was fitted with a PTT satellite unit.  It was a rehab bird released near Auburn ME on 12/11/2005) and the transmitter failed years ago.  A few of the 1984-87 eagles had VHF transmitters (with the long floppy antenna dangling over the tail) but that first photo shows an erect antenna typical of PTT satellite units.

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On Jan 21, 2015, at 8:04 PM, Bill Hanson [bill.hanson@briloon.org] wrote:

Craig’s photo sure looks like our North Star unit. The antennae position, rubber antennae base, and small round tip are the same. I attached photos of the unit we put on that day. One photo shows the satellite next to one of Charlie’s older radio units for scale. On another of Craig’s photos I definitely see the E and what looks like the angled part (/) of the 7. The color also matches the more orange shade of the original MDIFW bands. I’d bet it’s the Gulf bird. Mark P. has a scar on his chin to remember her by. Guess that dental floss holds up pretty well. Thank you for the excellent photos and information.

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On Jan 29, 2015, at 11:03 AM, Chris Martin [cmartin@nhaudubon.org] wrote

I don’t think there can be any doubt now that it’s E7E.  See this cropped and slightly color-adjusted version of one of Craig’s photo from yesterday which I have attached.  From the movement map (also attached) in the couple years after the transmitter was placed on it in Dec 2005, appears that it typically winters on the lower Merrimack, but might be breeding somewhere between Bath and Augusta.  A nice rehabbed bird survival story, and great work by Craig Gibson to get this info via photos!

 

Bald Eagle and subadult: transmitter & antenna & LEG BANDS!

January 13, 2015 in Bald Eagle

For those with an interest, a fascinating additional sighting on Tuesday of the transmitter/antenna adult Bald Eagle.  Photos include partial view of leg band codes, PTT transmitter, and antenna.  No clarity around possible origin of this bird and no clear way to whittle down the possibilities, with lots of expert input as you’ll see below.  Stopped by the Great Stone Dam again in Lawrence Tuesday morning and encountered both an adult and a subadult bald eagle on the ice!Looks like a gull had been ripped apart and they took turns.  Was able to watch and capture photos from the west side of the Great Stone Dam bridge.  The bridge is on South Broadway and is also known as Rt. 28.  The adult had a transmitter and a PTT antenna that sticks up……so fired away with camera hoping to possibly get band codes.  The adult looks like it has a possible “E” on the band.  I’m not able to clarify any further info.  The subadult looks like P/7 which has been seen and photographed previously.
Links to photos:
Adult feeding on gull, cleaning bill, walking ice, and drinking:    http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/158836224   CLICK “NEXT” UPPER RIGHT TO ADVANCE
4 photos of subadult (2.5yrs) with P/7 leg band:  http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/158836483
4 photos of adult leg band:  http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/158836525
2 photos of PTT transmitter and antenna:   http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/158836531
P/7 info from Tom French:
Bald Eagle
Band numbers:  0679-04089, and P/7 burnt orange
Banding date and Location:  06-12-12 – MA, Essex Co., Amesbury, Powwow River (tributary of the Merrimack River).
Sex:  Possible female based on size compared to sibling (7.25 lb)
Siblings: P/6 (5.75 lb)
No previous band reports
From Charlie Todd, Coordinator of Endangered/threatened Species in Maine:
A few of our orange anodized bands deployed on eagles during 1984-1987 (N = 249 eagles) still show up.  Most are faded to pale gold but at least one I’ve handled was absolutely colorless.  As you know, anodized aluminum bands of that era were not very colorfast.  However, only one bird with an orange color band (code = E7E) was fitted with a PTT satellite unit.  It was a rehab bird released near Auburn ME on 12/11/2005) and the transmitter failed years ago.  A few of the 1984-87 eagles had VHF transmitters (with the long floppy antenna dangling over the tail) but that first photo shows an erect antenna typical of PTT satellite units.  Quebec has used orange color bands & some PTT transmitters in recent years.  Check with Charles on possibilities from there.  Best – Charlie

Charlie Todd                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Endangered & Threatened Species Coordinator                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

From Charles Maisonneuve, bird biologist in Quebec,

There are no numbers on the bands we use to mark bald eagles, only a combination of 2 letters, one over the other.  If you are sure the code ends with a 5, then it’s not a bird banded in Québec.

Charles Maisonneuve, biologiste

Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs

Direction de la gestion de la faune du Bas-Saint-Laurent

Any and all further input and comments most welcome as we gather more information.  These were best of the limited band photos!