It took some time, but I finally got all the information back from the disputed eider taken earlier this season by one of my good friends. Being the good man I am, I'll put the photos of the disputing participants for my personal enjoyment.
Just like with the banded hen several years ago that was over 13 years, this drake eider proved to be quite the trophy. The statistics are as follows: Male Common Eider banded on 8/8.2002 at the Petit Manan Wildlife Refuge, south of Milbridge, Maine by Brad Allen of DIFW. This drake was believed to have been hatched in 2001 or earlier and taken on December 5, 2009.
My hen banded eider was far more traveled as it made the trek from Sonora, Nova Scotia (at least 400 miles) over 13 years while this drake presented a far more residential lifestyle traveling only eighteen miles in 7.5 years.
Of particular notice, the band left worn readily on one side and was missing several numbers. Once it was returned, the etching process now clearly displays all numbers. However, you can easily see how the band was inspected almost burred around the band. I'm not sure if this is due to my request to have the band remain round, or it was done with a different technique. I checked the band from my hen and could not see any of the numbers the BBL found.
On any account, I'm getting excited about my extended ice fishing vacation up in the Grand Lake Stream region as the Rabid Outdoorsman and yours truly embark on 4 day fiasco chasing both the lake trout and landlocked salmon. It should make for quite an experience and quite a blogging flogging. This BlogFlog begins on February 18th, so stay tuned...
The Downeast Duck Hunter
2 comments:
Pretty cool to know the stats of that Eider. Truly amazing creatures and deserving of our respect.
Thanks for the update and good luck on your upcoming fishing adventures.
That fishing trip sounds like great fun-looking fwd to updates. Good luck!
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