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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!

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Bald Eagle adult: transmitter & antenna AGAIN!!

January 12, 2015 in Bald Eagle

While making rounds along the Merrimack River this morning, encountered an adult Bald Eagle just east of Rt. 495 perched in regular location.  Then, made a pass over the bridge by the dam in Lawrence and spotted another adult Bald Eagle on the south side of the river just west of the dam. It was perched on an overhanging branch scanning waterfowl below.  Was able to draw near and watch Eagle being subjected to crow harassment.  Although dark overcast with light drizzle, was able to capture a few nice images, including views of transmitter/antenna.  The leg band looked dark brown with no visible marking on the brownish band. Hope to get leg band numbers soon!

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Update on transmitter & antenna

January 12, 2015 in Bald Eagle

From Charlie Todd, Coordinator for Maine Endangered & Threatened Species:

“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.”  

 

 

 

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Bald Eagle perched in the drizzle

January 12, 2015 in Bald Eagle

With Monday morning temperatures hovering around freezing and a light drizzle coming down, this adult Bald Eagle was content to hang on one of its regular perch locations and just watch the river run!

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Bald Eagle, first year, over Merrimack in Lawrence!

January 9, 2015 in Bald Eagle

What a nice surprise while scanning for Bald Eagles this afternoon with a staffer and fellow bird photographer from NXStage Medical Inc., to encounter a young first year bird flying west from the direction of the Lawrence Municipal Airport.  We were standing outside in the wind and cold comparing notes when we both noticed a likely eagle in the distance.  The eagle was lazily moving west and following the path of the river below.  The light was beautiful and we were so thankful!

A few more photos:   http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/158758027    Click “next” in upper right to advance frames!

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Bald Eagle adult along Merrimack in Lawrence!

January 8, 2015 in Bald Eagle

What a nice surprise to see a Bald Eagle back at one of the favorite deep winter perch locations along the Merrimack in Lawrence.  Over the past few winters, the Bald Eagles have waited until the coldest weather to perch on trees overhanging the Merrimack on the north side of the river opposite Salvatore’s Restaurant.  This morning, an adult Bald Eagle was perched just above a large pack of Canada Geese at the mouth of the Spicket River where it enters the Merrimack River.  After a while, it departed and nestled into a perch right around the corner.

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Bald Eagle adult with transmitter and antenna!

January 7, 2015 in Bald Eagle

While navigating the very cold weather on Wednesday morning, had a nice opportunity to make a quick check for Bald Eagles along the Merrimack.  Bumped into Doug Fernandes, a UMASS Lowell student preparing to graduate.  Doug made numerous trips to Lawrence last winter and captured a number of terrific photos of Bald Eagles including a handful of keepers of an adult Bald Eagle with a transmitter and antenna on its back.  We had an unexpected surprise while watching an adult perched on the North Andover side of the river.  It launched into flight headed a short distance to the west, circled back and landed on the opposite of the river in Lawrence near the ball field.  After circling, we had a few moments for photos, even with eagle at quite a distance.  Later, the photos indicated a transmitter and antenna.  NICE!  Hope to capture more photos later with leg band numbers so that we might learn more about this Bald Eagle!  A few more photos posted:  http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/158758020  Click “next” upper right to advance!

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Bald Eagle pair perched overlooking Merrimack!

December 12, 2014 in Bald Eagle

What a treat to find a pair of adult bald eagles perched close together overlooking the Merrimack River just east of Rt.495 in Lawrence.  They were perched on an overhang about 70 feet above water level.  This is a very regular perch location, but recently only with single adult eagle sightings.  The skies were heavy overcast with light rain, fog, and mist.  Visibility was under 4 miles and winds were light out of the north at about 6-8 miles per hour.  The vantage point was from the ball field located off of Incinerator Road next to the Essex County correctional facility.

 

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Bald Eagle adult: Merrimack River

November 6, 2014 in Bald Eagle

The Bald Eagles are seen almost daily perched along the North Andover side of the Merrimack River just east of Rt. 495.  Had nice looks this morning from the Lawrence side of the river from the ball field parking lot on Incinerator Rd. just past the Essex County Correctional Center on Marston Street.  Observations made under slight overcast skies, light winds from the south, and temperature almost 60F.

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Bald Eagle adults in flight!

October 27, 2014 in Bald Eagle

The pair of adult Bald Eagles continue to be seen along the Merrimack River just west of Rt. 495 between Lawrence and North Andover.  They are normally seen in the mornings more so than in the afternoons at this time of year.  This morning, they departed their perch and proceeded with a number of lazy aerial loops before heading downriver to the east!  A joy to watch them in flight!!

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