The Steller’s Sea Eagle surveys of 2012
March-April surveys using ultralight
IrinaUtekina
has flown 2 missions on an ultralight aircraft on March, 30, 2012 and April, 6,
2012. Both the Kava and Chelomdja were surveyed. The purpose of the
flights was to survey density of the moose in the reserve and paid for by the
Magadan Game committee (part of the Ministry of Nature Resources). So Irina
managed to make the surveys as close to the arrival of the eagles as
possible. Technically it was a free ride for us. The Chielomdja flight had to
be interrupted due to heavy headwinds, which forced to land the ultralight
earlier than expected. There was a steady snow cover in the area at the time of
the surveys. There were three new nests found, which are invisible from the
river. One was found close to the Central Rangers station. Only one Steller’s
Sea Eagle was spotted on Chelomdja.
Snow cover was exceptionally low. The
local hunters failed to shoot moose as they were not able to drive show
machines fast enough without damaging them. While flying a forest fire was
observed. It is quite a unique phenomenon for the period with snow
cover.
