Peter Nye

Bald Eagle Migration Update: April 14, 1997

To:	Journey North
From:	Peter Nye
	New York State Dept. Environmental Conservation
Date:	April 10, 1997

"I thought I'd give you a quick and interesting update on #N 98. I had another disturbing 5 day gap in the signal from her transmitter. You got last reading of 04/05/97 . I didn't get another until tonight (04/10/97), and then only a single one. (See below). Recall this happened once before on 02/19/97, for the same 5-day signal gap. Weird and unknown why the unit is doing this.

"I hope to get additional signals again tomorrow, but the single one of today is also very curious. It is a "class 1" fix, which means is somewhat trustworthy. It indicates that #N 98 has dropped a considerable distance (approx. 150 miles) back south into Ontario province to near a place called Smiths Falls(44.841N, 76.070W). This is not far at all from her capture site along the St. Lawrence River (maybe 30 mi. north). Assuming this location is accurate, it presents an interesting opportunity for study. Here are questions for actual and budding weather-watchers:

• What were the weather conditions where #N 98 had been, 150 miles north of Smith Falls? (Link to Weather Map Archives .)
• What may have caused her to move back south?
• When do you suppose this took place? (i.e. Which day(s) during the 5 day data gap between April 5 & April 10.)

"I have not attempted to look up the local weather up there, but if they got the same arctic blast that moved across the country within the last few days (in the teens with wind chills near zero), I can just imagine that conditions up there must be pretty inhospitable (and still plenty of ice). I'll keep you posted.

Peter E. Nye
New York State Dept. Environmental Conservation
Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources
Endangered Species Unit
Wildlife Resources Center
Delmar, NY

The Next Bald Eagle Update Will be Posted on April 21, 1997.