Actually, #60 was found several weeks ago, but I didn't write any notes on my previous weekend. So, I'm here to announce that #60 (singing guy) was found alive and well 5km from where he was released. Somehow this little bird flew (or was taken by the winds?) across very barren landscapes, desolate dunes of volcanic ash, and dusty scrubby vegetation to find a mamane oasis in a valley east of the release site. Every time we went to visit him, he was in the same tree. The only obvious indication of his presence was the quiet crunching emanating from the depths of the shadows as he ate mamane pods.
#94's (little red girl) transmitter died a couple days before we left, but I was able to find her in her same spot a couple times. #90 (orange flower girl) is totally in with the in-crowd. She is often seen with a wild unbanded male (which sounds very risque now that I write that out), and sometimes with other wild birds in a cavorting, tumbling Palila flock. The 70s, #76 and 75, are still up high, typically within a 100m of each other, and appear to be doing well. Each have begun exploring around a little, not simply sticking with the same tree.
All in all, I was very happy with the status of our birds when we left for the last time, leaving them to eat their pods in peace. No longer will they be bothered by the beeping of our receivers as we track them down and stare at them, noting their behavior and health. For better or worse, they're on their own, and I am confident that they have the skills to survive up there within reasonable circumstances. The mountain is entering spring, then will transition into summer, when warm weather will make life easier. Our released birds probably won't go through the stress of building nests or raising young this year. They'll continue to live their lives, learning the land and gaining experience to make it through the year in order to breed in the next.
Good luck little Palila!
#94's (little red girl) transmitter died a couple days before we left, but I was able to find her in her same spot a couple times. #90 (orange flower girl) is totally in with the in-crowd. She is often seen with a wild unbanded male (which sounds very risque now that I write that out), and sometimes with other wild birds in a cavorting, tumbling Palila flock. The 70s, #76 and 75, are still up high, typically within a 100m of each other, and appear to be doing well. Each have begun exploring around a little, not simply sticking with the same tree.
All in all, I was very happy with the status of our birds when we left for the last time, leaving them to eat their pods in peace. No longer will they be bothered by the beeping of our receivers as we track them down and stare at them, noting their behavior and health. For better or worse, they're on their own, and I am confident that they have the skills to survive up there within reasonable circumstances. The mountain is entering spring, then will transition into summer, when warm weather will make life easier. Our released birds probably won't go through the stress of building nests or raising young this year. They'll continue to live their lives, learning the land and gaining experience to make it through the year in order to breed in the next.
Good luck little Palila!