Stranger In The Nest

A 3-year-old juvenile bald eagle (A32) tries to steal K10's breakfast. When that doesn't succeed, she makes herself at home on the nest for over an hour.

Several interesting places to watch for...
1) 0:59 - an eagle flashes by from top middle to the lower left side.
2) 1:24 - when K10 first notices A32.
3) 1:35 - 2 shadows zoom across the canyon.
4) 1:38 - K10 zips across the top left corner.
5) 1:42 - A32 lands on the nest.
6) 2:21 - As A32 is shown in a defensive stance, a wing tip appears for a scant second in the top right corner. K10's or K26's?
7) 3:16 - A32's first departure.
8) 3:20 - K10 returns to the nest.
9) 3:36 - an upset K10 voices an alarm.
10) 3:41 - K10 takes off.
11) 3:44 - A32 lands.
12) 4:29 - A32 looking for nestovers.
13) 5:53 - A32 resting her foot?
14) 6:17 - A32 lightening the load.
15) 6:23 - A32 leaves
16) 6:26 - A32 flies up the canyon behind the nest.

QUOTE: "A32 is a Santa Cruz eagle. She was released on the island in 2004, so she is just turning 3 years old this spring, hence the mottled plumage. It is unusual to have another eagle land on the nest. I do not recall ever seeing another eagle land at a nest during the breeding season, but often times there are other eagles in the area. Perhaps Peter has seen other eagles at nests before?

As far as we know right now, A32 is not a breeder and is not territorial, so she is just cruising the island looking for food, etc. She may not remain long (although she looks pretty comfortable right now), and I'm sure K-10 and K-26 will return to normal nesting activities. However, it will be interesting to see what happens. She is pretty big (did you see the way the branch lowered under her weight?), so I imagine the adults are perched close, just keeping an eye on her, not wanting to get in a fight with a big, perhaps aggressive, eagle. Not worth it. Interesting goings on nonetheless.
Jessica
IWS Eagle Crew"

To learn more about the Institute for Wildlife Studies (IWS), A32, this nest and the bald eagles that made history in 2006 on this nest and what's in store for the coming year go to IWS.org and http://z7.invisionfree.com/CHIL_EagleCAM/index.php?act=idx