1 August 2023
Good Morning Everyone!
It is the first day of August and I am reminded that we have about 7 more weeks of summer. It cooled down in the garden today and the birds were noticeably happier. The lilacs have given them respite when it was really hot and the bird bath – remember to keep putting out water. Dehydration is a terrible problem. Many wildlife rehabbers say it is worse than not having regular meals. Clearly, the Blue Jays, now totalling more than 14, find the bird bath a source of pleasure!
Today it will go up to 31 degrees. It has been like a yo-yo – temperatures going up to the 30s and then dropping to the low teens.
Missey and Lewis continue to enjoy watching the birds and ‘talking to them’ – and as always, staying rather close to one another.
Once in a while, a bird will land on the glass ceiling, which fascinates the kittens.
On days when we lose an Osprey, it is always comforting to have the garden birds and the kittens.
I want to start with some amazing news coming out of Loch of the Lowes. The female fledgling, PF4, – a strong and determined and hungry fledgling – caught her first fish today. Why is this such a big deal? It is rare for a fledgling osprey to catch a fish before it has left for migration. This is still July! It was small but that does not matter. The skill and coordination required – well, it looks like this one is well equipped to face the world. Fantastic.
I am really hoping that LOTL will post a video of this special moment in PF4’s life.
Others have been wondering if anyone could remember another UK fledgling successfully catching a fish before migrating. The only one that has come to mind so far is Oswald who hatched in Naimshire in 2011. He did not migrate until October!
At Llyn Brenig, Mari tried over and over again to catch a fish. Maybe she will be successful like PF4 tomorrow. That would be fantastic.
We always need a feel good moment and here is the one to begin our day. Couple saves Osprey! Salmon Arm, BC.
And because we can all use good news about more generous and compassionate people, another osprey save.
Staying in British Columbia, the second hatch at Osoyoos died Monday 31 July.
The little one, the second hatch, is alive at 0531 when fish comes in before the attack by One. (I do not like the images of the chicks being brutalised or dead…one of the last looks when this one could hold its head up). It has been an incredibly difficult year for the Ospreys around the world this year.
Soo, the female has not been seen since Saturday. Olsen has been bringing in nice fish but this little one was too weak to eat Monday morning. Problems with starvation/siblicide were mitigated by the growing heat domes in the area and the wildfires and then the disappearance of Mum. Olsen has been doing splendidly under the circumstances. This evening, good news has come from ‘H’ who says that Soo is back on the nest at 1633. She adds, “After Soo returned to the nest at 1633, she fed #1 from a large fish that had been left on the nest. Soo was on the nest with #1 when Olsen delivered a fish at 2008.” Thank you, ‘H’. With two parents and a single osplet, let us hope that all goes well for this little one to fledge.
In order to highlight the threats to our feathered friends, NZ is adding some very interesting birds to its ‘Bird of the Century’ contest.
“This year five extinct species will be included among the 75 contenders, to bring attention to the pressures facing the natural world. In New Zealand, 82% of birds are threatened with extinction.”
Bruce Yolton continues to follow the Eurasian Owl that escaped from the Central Park Zoo as the owl continues to live and hunt in the wild.
At Steelscape, things continue to look good.
Patchogue: Mini enjoying a fish while another sibling is envious.
Mini enjoying another fish! Our girl is doing well.
Bridge Golf: Cam went down late on the 27th of July. Both osplets were fully feathered, healthy, and eating well. No reason to believe that they will not fledge.
MN Landscape: Even with lots of intruders around and Dad on the nest, this 21 year old father has made sure there is fish on the nest. The only surviving osplet is doing well – and there are many, many nests in this area that have suffered this season. A number of reports indicate that a number of males are missing and the females are having to provide protection and hunt. Lots of nests have lost osplets in the area because of this.
Collins Marsh: The first hatch has flown. I am not certain that 31 July was the first time because this bird flew like a pro! Congratulations.
Sydney Sea Eagles: SE31 and 32 are off to a very good start. They are about the same size and Lady is a pro at feeding them the tiniest bites of fish. Both are doing so well.
SK Hideaways gets us up close and personal with these little fluff balls:
The three little Osplets at Osprey House in Australia will melt your heart.
Dorsett Hobby Falcons: Cuteness overload. Gosh, it is easy to forget that the little hawks and falcons grow so much faster and fledge sooner than the ospreys and big eagles. I just love their little beaky kisses!
Finnish Osprey Nest 1: Roihu, the little male on the nest with two sisters, fledged today! Congratulations.
Finnish Nest at Muonio in Lapland: All three are doing super.
Alyth: The trio have all fledged. They did not spend the night on the nest but nearby and were there at dawn waiting for fish deliveries.
Poole Harbour: Lots of fish coming to the nest and every once in awhile you just wonder if CJ7 might like to have a long fish lunch. There has been at least one intruder in the area but so far everything is going smoothly at the nest.
RSPB Loch Garten: Five fish were delivered before the camera went down. It was a really good day at the nest.
Fish scuffle at Manton Bay: Blue 33 flies in with a fish with two of the fledglings on the nest. Another flies over after the delivery. There was a bit of a fight for the fish but nothing like we have seen on other nests. They all know there will be more fish — and look at the size of it. Can you imagine if a fish this size fell on the Osoyoos or Forsythe nest?
At Loch Arkaig, a Sparrowhawk visits the nest of Louis, Dorcha, and Ludo…it is no threat to them but what a lovely chance encounter.
Boulder County: All three safely flying and on the nest. Life continues to be good at Boulder.
Time for ‘H’s reports: Fortis Exshaw: Mr. O made a quick stop at the nest at 0612. Louise had not yet arrived at the nest in the morning, so only the kids were there. Mr.O stood there for ten seconds, looked around, checked the skies, then he left. Mr.O was just checking up on things for the family. Smile. There were three fish delivered to the nest, including one by Mr.O. Chick #1 is undergoing a bit of a personality change. S/he is slightly aggressive toward #2 when a fish is delivered, and often grabs the fish, and self-feeds. All perfectly normal at this stage in its development. Chick #1 ate the first two fish that were brought to the nest. When the third fish was delivered by Louise at 1221, #1 sent #2 to the sidelines, and then was fed by Louise. After several minutes, #2 managed to get to the other side of Louise to be fed as well, but it was the only meal of the day for chick #2. Chick #2 will learn to try to acquire fish as well, and s/he needs to improve its self-feeding skills. But, a few more fish would help in this situation, I think.
Forsythe: “After two days of much cooler temperatures, it seemed that fish were easier for Oscar to catch. Oscar started the day off like gangbusters, delivering fish at 0839, 0852, 0949, 1024, and 1052. There were three fish for Owen, and two for Ollie. But, then there were no more fish for the rest of the day. Go figure. So, as the fledglings became hungry later in the day, there were a couple of kerfuffles between them. Five fish is not bad, though. With easier fishing, perhaps it’s a good time for the juvies to try to catch their own fish. They are 70 and 71 days old and fledged two weeks ago.”
Thank you, ‘H’!
I have often mentioned Urmas and his fish baskets. These baskets have saved the life of Karl II and his family. It is a beautiful intervention intent on saving these rare birds. Kindness. Compassion.
Emyr Evans (Dyfi Osprey Project) has posted a short article discussing inbreeding in Ospreys. you might find this interesting.
On the Cornell Campus in Ithaca, New York, Suzanne Arnold Horning was able to catch sight of some of the Ms. The three fledglings have done well…super well in fact. I won’t say another word because I do not want to jink this year.
Thank you so much for being with me today. Please take care of yourself. Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Thank you so very much for being with me today. Thank you to the following for their notes, videos, posts, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘AMW, Geemeff, H, MP’, LOTL, Carol White and Friends of Llyn Brenig Osprey Project, Sunnie Day, Linda McIlroy and Raptors of the World, APCH, Osoyoos, The Guardian, Bruce Yolton, Steelscape, Patchogue, Bridge Golf, MN Landscape Arboretum, Collins Marsh, Sydney Sea Eagles, Osprey House, SK Hideaways and Dorsett Hobby Falcons, Finnish Osprey Foundation, Alyth, Poole Harbour, RSPB Loch Garten, LRWT, Boulder County, Fortis Exshaw, Maria Marika, Emry Evans and Dyfi Ospreys, and Suzanne Arnold Horning.
