Notes from the Field (Fall 2016):

Date: November 17, 2017

Location: Ocean Shores

Observers: Dan Varland, Mike Walker, Jerry Broadus, and Susan Burchardt. 

Raptor Count:

 

Bald Eagle	Peregrine Falcon
3 adults, 2 immatures	2 adults

 

 

Marked Individuals Observed:

Species	Color Marker Code
Peregrine Falcon	Z/V

Jerry Broadus with Z/V, a2-year- old female Peregrine Falcon we recaptured

for blood and feather sample collection. Dan Varland photo. 

Susan Burchardt with Z/V. A hooded falcon is a calm falcon. Dan Varland photo.

Red Phalarope foraging in the beach access road ditch at Ocean City. Dan 

Varland photo. 

 

Dan Varland photo.

 

Date: November 15, 2016
Location: Grayland
Observers: Dan Varland, Tom Rowley, Larry and Marcus Warwick.

Raptor Count:

 

Bald Eagle	Peregrine Falcon	Merlin
1 adult	2 immatures	1 (age uncertain)

 

Marked Individuals Observed:

Species	Color Marker Code
Peregrine Falcon	S/6

 

This is Peregrine Falcon S/6. She was captured and banded just a few weeks 

ago, on October 28. No one on that survey was authorized to take a blood

sample, so we re-captured her today to do just that for contaminants

and disease testing. Tom Rowey photo. 

 

S/6 offers a wing (with some assistance!) in preparation for blood 

sampling. Tom Rowey photo. 

 

 

 Marcus Warwick with S/6 shortly before the release.  Tom Rowey photo. 

Away!  Tom Rowey photo. 

Date: November 10, 2016
Location: Long Beach
Observers: Dan Varland, Ashley Sacco, Kristin Jones, Glenn Markquardt, and Susan Burchardt

Raptor Count:

 

Bald Eagle	Peregrine Falcon
2 immatures	3 immatures

 

 

Individuals Marked:

Species	Color Marker Code
Peregrine Falcon	A/6

 

We captured and banded this first-year female Peregrine Falcon. Dan Varland photo. 

 

We gave her visual identification band A/6.  Dan Varland photo. 

 

Dianna Moore held the falcon during processing. She was a feisty one!!! 

 

 

Visual identification band S/6 and the USGS band.  Kristin Jones photo. 

Date: October 5, 2016
Location: Ocean Shores
Observers: Dan Varland, Kristin Jones, Rocio Crespo, Gwen Graff, Glen Marquardt, Sierra Salopek, Jordan Brune, and Salena Hubackes.


Raptor Count:

Bald Eagle
6 adults

Today the Coastal Raptors survey crew included Dr. Rocio Crespo and 

veterinary students from Washington State. Here I brief the students on what to 

expect before the start of the survey. We counted 6 Bald Eagles and no other 

raptors during our survey. Rocio Crespo photo. 

After the survey we were met by Jennifer Mannas for the release of a 

rehabilitated Bald Eagle. Jen is a wildlife biologist with PAWS in Lynwood, 

Washington. Rocio Crespo photo.  

Broken primary and secondary feathers on this eagle. On May 26, 2016 the eagle was fished out of the Quinault River by Quinault Tribal members. First transported to Dr. Sonnya Crawford and the Grays Harbor Veterinary Clinic, the eagle was later transferred to the PAWS wildlife rehabilitation center in Lynwood, Washington. In addition to broken primary and secondary feathers, the eagle had a soft tissue injury to its left wing.
Photo courtesy of Jen Mannas.



Bald Eagle resting comfortably at the PAWS facility.
Photo courtesy of Jen Mannas.







Kristin Jones slips boots over the eagle's feet.







Kristin and I work together to apply the bands. The visual identification band on this individual was E/O.



The eagle weighed in at 10 pounds, 5 ounces (4,678 grams). Measurements (hallux talon and bill depth) and a blood test indicated this individual was female.

The veterinary students obtained a blood sample, drawing from the jugular vein.

Jen Mannas with the eagle just before release.



Away!

---

Date: October 4, 2016
Location: Long Beach
Observers: Dan Varland, Kristin Jones, Tony Starlight, Sherry Kucera, Glenn Marquardt, Sue Clark, and Tom Rowley.


Raptor Count:

Northern Harrier	Osprey	Bald Eagle	Peregrine Falcon
2, age uncertain	2, age uncertain	5 adults	1 immature

Marked Individuals Observed:

Species	Color Marker Code
Peregrine Falcon	R/5

R/5, a first-year male Peregrine Falcon we captured and banded.
Tom Rowley photo.



Kristin Jones with R/5 just after he was hooded.



Sherry Kucera recording data while husband Tony Starlight hung onto R/5. Kristin Jones applied the bands and took measurements.
Tom Rowley photo.



Tom Rowley photo.



Tom Rowley photo.



Tom Rowley photo.



Bald Eagle casts a pellet.
Tom Rowley photo.



Western Grebe stranded on the beach due to illness or weakness from lack of food. Tom captures the bird in a dead run as we approach with our vehicle for a closer look.

---

Date: September 28, 2016
Location: Long Beach
Observers: Dan Varland, Kristin Jones, and Nancy Meyrick.


Raptor Count:

Northern Harrier	Bald Eagle	Peregrine Falcon
2, age uncertain	1 adult	1 immature

Individuals Captured and Marked:

Species	Color Marker Code
Peregrine Falcon	N/D

N/D, a first-year male Peregrine Falcon we captured and banded
Nancy Meyrick photo.



Nancy Meyrick photo.



Based on plumage characteristics and measurements, we classified this individual as belonging to the tundra subspecies of Peregrine Falcon.
Nancy Meyrick photo.



Nancy Meyrick photo.



Nancy Meyrick photo.

---

Date: September 20, 2016
Location: Ocean Shores
Observers: Dan Varland, Kristin Jones, Mary O’Neil and Dianna Moore.


Raptor Count:

Peregrine Falcon	Bald Eagle
1, age uncertain	1 Adult

Marked Individuals Observed:

Species	Color Marker Code
Bald Eagle	B/O

Our survey vehicle, which also doubles as a mobile blind.
Kristin Jones photo.



North of Ocean Shores, this Coyote trotted toward our vehicle hoping for a handout.
Dan Varland photo.



The Coyote heads off without food from us.
Dan Varland photo.



We saw about 10 American Pipits foraging amongst the rocks at the Ocean Shores jetty.
Dan Varland photo.



Dan Varland photo.

---

Date: September 12, 2016
Location: Ocean Shores
Observers: Dan Varland, Dan Miller, Sandra Miller and Kristin Jones.


Raptor Count:

Peregrine Falcon
1, age uncertain

Erosion control just north of the jetty.
Dan Varland photo.



Fencing to catch drifting sand for the erosion control effort.
Dan Varland photo.



Dan Varland photo.



Raven with odd growths on its head, feeding on a carcass.
Dan Varland photo.



Raven with avian pox. We were able to capture this individual with the net launcher. After the survey, Kristin dropped the bird off at the Grays Harbor Veterinary Clinic in Montesano where the diagnosis was the viral disease avian pox. Sadly, the raven was euthanized as there is no treatment for this infection.
Dan Miller photo.

---