Camellia Satellite Transmitter Has Been Recovered
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March 19, 2015Rappahannock eagles beat expectations
March 20, 2015
On March 17, 2015 a resident on Morris Neck Road in rural Virginia Beach, VA contacted the Center for Conservation Biology that she had found a “tracker in our yard”. I made arrangements to go to her house and pick up the “tracker”. The device is the satellite transmitter that Camellia was wearing. It was found in a pile of mud near the edge of Morris Neck Road in the area that the last signal was sent by the transmitter on February 11, 2015. After inspection by Libby Mojica, the transmitter appears to have been pulled off by Camellia. The transmitter is in rather poor condition and not likely that it can be rehabbed and reused. In the second photo below you can see the transmitter number “74435” assigned to Camellia. Click on photos to enlarge.
Photos by Reese F Lukei Jr
8 Comments
How fortunate that she called to report the find!
How did Camellia manage to get it off? Nice to get it back, even if it can’t be re-used.
Response – Camellia was able to pull three of the straps off the transmitter with his beak. After 5 years the straps have worn out and easier to pull loose.
Has he been spotted since 2/11/15? Just to be sure not lost in an “eagle battle”!
Response – We are not certain of the status of Camellia. He has not, as far as we know, been seen since the last signal from the transmitter. There was a photo taken of an adult with a purple leg band during the snows we had in February at a place Camellia is known to visit, however, the eagle was too far away to read the band alpha code.
Wow. I can’t believe how close that was to me. I know I’ve driven by it numerous times. Sorry we won’t have the transmitter to ID Camellia by any more but am encouraged he is out and about and doing eagle things. Great spotting by the lady who found it.
Awww. I wonder if he feels naked now… Glad it was recovered.
Thanks for the info, and thanks to the mindful woman who called you about her find!
How wonderful that it was found. I’m hoping some day we will hear that Camellia has been spotted and perhaps even a photo! Maybe he even has a lady and bobbleheads this year!!
Thank you to the lady who contacted CCB.I wish we knew more about Cam..Maybe he will stay close like He and Hk and be spotted.Wishing all the best for you ..”stinker” Thank you Reese ”Oh and a big thanks to you ..I’am sure the Osprey’s at Back Bay love their new “house”