Fitting the Solar Powered Transmitter on Monroe Spark's Back


Location: Estral Beach Osprey Nest
Time: 9:00 - 11:15am July 16, 2013
Photographer: 下里巴人 (Ming)

Three healthy male osprey nestlings were selected and fitted with solar powered transmitters in the past 2 weeks. They are named Independence (Kent Lake nestling), Monroe Spark (Estral Beach), and LeRoy (Pinkney Cell Tower).

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity of observing Monroe Spark's backpack fitting event. From now on we will be able to find these three boy's whereabouts anytime even after they migrate to South America in the winter. Their GPS locations are indicated as blue, yellow, pink dots on the google map at OWMSE website.

This album contains a few photos recorded during the tranmitter fitting session at Estral Beach. Also included are a few pictures showing Independence with his new backpack and his siblings recorded this morning.

1. After 40 minutes delay by thunder storm, the tranmitter team was ready to start the action at 9:40am. The parents were circling around in the sky while the three nestlings were laying low in the nest



2. Compared to the 200 feet tall cell towers they had climed for osprey banding, this one is shorter (50 feet high). However, the task of getting the nestling into the bucket safely is not any less challenging. He had to face the sharp talons and beak, and the struggling wings that span 5 feet. After 25 minutes maneuver, he finally got Monroe Spark into the bucket and lowered to the ground safe and sound at 10:10am.

(a)

(b)




3.Before the telemetry unit donated by DTE was installed, Monroe Spark got a complete checkup by the Vet from Detroit Zoo.


4.See eye to eye:)
(a)
(b)

(c)


5. Say "ahh..."


6. No pain!


7.The backpack was tied to Monroe Spark by teflon ribons


8.The ribons were threaded together. Super glue was used to further strengthen the tie.


9. Blood test and identification
(a)

(b)


10. The backpack is now securely and comfortabely fitted onto Monroe Spark.


11. Thanks to the exellent teamwork by OWSEM, Detroit Zoo, the DNR, Wildlife division of USDA, DTE, American Tower, Skyline and Clearlink, the Osprey telemetry project was a great success!





The Independence's backpacking event was earlier than Monroe Spark's. I saw him and his family serveral times after the transmitter was attached to him. Here are a few pictures I took this morning (100% crop):

12. Just a few minutes after we arrived at Kent Lake, Dad came back with a big goldfish. Indy is the little one on the far right. A rectangle transmitter can be seen on his back.


13. Indy's big sister(far left) is strong enough to fight for food and eat on her own. The other sister can also eat by herself. Apparently Indy still had to wait for his turn and often be fed by the mother.


14.While the big sister was eating the big red fish, 2nd sister waited close by. Indy just turned away from the fish. The attenna on his back is clearly visible. Mom just stood there watching.



15. Indy stared at the fish, whining.



16. 2nd sister got the fish now. Finished eating,the big sister decided to relieve herself. The distance that thing traveled is proportional to the osprey's strength and health. This picture further confirmed Jane's Law:)




17. Finally Indy got the fish under his talons. Mom was happy and flew to her roosting tree near by. The big sister was exercising her wings.






to be continued...

Thanks Jane, Stevie, Bruce, Barb, John...and all my wonderful osprey watcher friends for the information and knowledge about osprey and osprey related events.
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