28 August 2023
Good Morning Everyone,
It was another beautiful day – it is decidedly fall. I can look out the conservatory’s windows and see the sky between the branches of the 100+-year-old Maple trees a block away. They are so tall that they dominate everything. Thankfully, they are Maples as the old Elms are being cut down. On my walks, I cringe when I see the orange spray paint – a solid circle and a line underneath means the tree is diseased and is due to be cut down. All of the trees in front of my house that the squirrels used to leap to the ones on the other side (they formed a huge canopy) so they did not have to run across the pavement will be gone before winter. The Re-Leaf programme has already planted a Snowflake Hawthorn in place of one of them, and I am due two other trees in a few weeks to go on my property. A friend is also donating some small trees they thinned from their property. So the forest behind my house – the garden area – is growing and will continue to do so. The intent is to have it so thick that mowing is never required but, primarily, so the birds have a thick shelter, a sanctuary.
Calico is adapting wonderfully. We have played with toys, and had meals, she has slept on my lap while I was reading, and she is eating well. No one in the area has seen kittens or a kitten – during the day or at night. Everyone was asked when they were walking their dogs or working in their garden this evening. One lovely lady is leading the late-night search for them for another 5 or 6 days. Then we will all rest easy. They will continue to be vigilant. We all noticed that the food left under the deck – very smelly fish- had not been touched and a hungry kitten would have wolfed it down. Sad.
I suddenly discovered that I had a lot of time on my hands and could sit, sip tea, and read, sometimes with Calico and sometimes alone. Missey and Lewis – believe it or not – are not especially lap kitties. I am hoping they will change their ways. They adore being ‘together’ – that relationship is, for them, paramount. So far, everyone is happy, and this transition will be slow and steady…I am happy to have Calico safe with Lewis and Missey in the house. She is no longer hiding under her tent in my old offie but, is sleeping in the open on the large pet carrier with a soft blanket that my lovely neighbour made long ago for another rescue kitten, Duncan. Duncan loved watching Ladybirds and often had to be stopped from eating them! They dominate the pattern.
Thanks ‘JE’ for sending me the link to this rescue by PSEG Long Island.
We have this rescue but we also have trouble at Centrepoint. Can you help by writing in to help save the eagles of Centrepoint? Here is the information – thanks ‘J’ for sending this in:
18 August at 02:27 · “Last year we fought for the rights for the eagles to keep their territory as they found it. Today the Town of Huntington approved the beginning of construction of the first of many projects that are in direct view of their nest. I failed the people who adore both the eagles and the the town of Centerport. The Huntington Town Boards, Council, Zoning board and more including our elected officals failed us all. They promise it all before we vote, made by certain officals in the town, the inter-connections from the town officials for these construction projects is disgusting and wrong. The abuse of power must end. There I was thinking they were looking out forthe people who voted for them.. What a fool I was. Poor eagles…Didn’t sleep much last night knowing that these projects being SOO close to our eagles nest could spook the eagles from Centerport – so I compiled a list of Names and Phone numbers / email addresses of those you can contact…Let these caring individuals know what we think. If you send an email to ANY of these people be sure to “CC Andrew Raia” He is the town clerk and it forces the town to make your email part of the record. Please only like this post if you’re willing to send emails to these people. This way I know if 3 people or 300 people make the effort. Thanks all..”
TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
100 MAIN STREET, HUNTINGTON, NY 11743
GENERAL SWITCH BOARD: 631 351-3000. HOURS: 8-4
EDMUND J. SMYTH, SUPERVISOR 631 351-3030ESMYTH@HUNTINGTONNY.GOV
DR. DAVE BENNARDO, COUNCILMAN 631 351-3172DBENNARDO@HUNTINGTONNY.GOV
JOAN CERGOL, COUNCILWOMAN 631 351-3173JCERGOL@HUNTINGTONNY.GOV
EUGENE COOK, COUNCILMAN 631 351-3174
ECOOK@HUNTINGTONNY.GOV
SALVATORE FERRO, COUNCILMAN 631 351-3175SFERRO@HUNTINGTONNY.GOV
ANDREW RAIA, TOWN CLERK 631 351-3206 ARAIA@HUNTINGOTONNY.GOV
Federal Government & StateSenator Kirsten Gillibrand 202 224-4451
SENATOR CHARLES SCHUMER 202 224-8542
(WASHINGTON OFFICE) HTTPS://WWW.SHUMER.SENATE.GOV
KEITH BROWN, NY STATE ASSEMBLYMAN 12TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
631 261-4151 (COMMACK OFFICE) BROWNK@NYASSEMBLY.GOV
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It was a very touching moment when Tina Moore retrieved the body of JJ, Jasper and Louise’s second hatch at Fortis Exshaw, and buried him by the big rock by the lake. What a kind and generous individual. RIP JJ – soar high in the thermals above the pond.
The intruders have been relentless.
Poul Blue 2E3 fledged from Tweed Valley. He was fitted with a tracker and this is his amazing journey so far. A goshawk killed his sister Sacha after she fledged. So, he is ever so important. He is doing so well….safe travels!
What a beautiful place for an Osprey nest – Charlo Montana. Fledglings still at home, still fish calling!
At the Glacier Gardens Bald Eagle nest, Hope flew off at 0659 this morning. She made several trips back and forth to the nest including eating some prey!
At 1106:
Final sighting of Dorcha at Loch Arkaig. 17 August.
Final sighting of Louis at Loch Arkaig. 24 August.
And when will the final sighting of Mini be at Patchogue? She was on the perch Sunday morning, the 27th of August, but as of 1437 Manitoba time, she has not reappeared.
‘R’ has been watching Mini since her injury – very closely – and he notes that she has been using her leg much more and putting weight on it and wonders if “she tore a ligament since her knee only appears to buckle in a single direction?” We won’t ever know, but it does appear that she will recover, and that is excellent news.
Mini returned to the nest perch at 16:26.
Mini flew back to the nest around 1700 and was, surprisingly, joined by Mum, who might be coming to check on her nest and say goodbye before migrating. Most females appear to stop – however briefly – at their nest before leaving, even if they have been out and about in the territory for several days or weeks before their departure.
Mini is doing very well. Mrs J Johnson on the chat reports that Mini has developed new skills including mashing the fish with her beak to eat it and now eating with both her right and left feet. We know she scratches her head with her left leg. She had a crop when she landed in the afternoon, so she is being fed off nest. I bet Dad would love it if all of them were down where he caught the fish to save him from flying through town.
Maya and Blue 33 were still home on Sunday. They had a juvenile intruder about. It seems none of the nests have been left undisturbed this year.
At the Fortis Exshaw nest, ‘H’ brings us the latest on the tragic events unfolding at this nest near Canmore, Alberta. “It was an emotionally stressful day for the viewers. We heard Banff calling and approaching the nest at 0647. She was being chased. Banff landed at the far side of the nest, and planted her talons firmly on the back of JJ’s body, and she tucked a bit. Banff knew that she was about to be struck. And she was. One second after Banff landed she took a hard hit on her back by the big female intruder. The intruder held on to Banff as they went over the edge of the nest, and Banff briefly held on to JJ. JJ’s body fell to the ground, and it appeared as though the intruder was still holding on to Banff as she flew over the pond. For a short while, we heard Banff weakly calling in the distance. Ugh, poor Banff. We had previously witnessed the intruder pair attempting unsuccessfully to remove JJ from the nest on a few occasions. Well, now JJ’s body was on the ground. And, what about Banff? Was she alright? It was a very long day waiting for any sign of Banff. Meanwhile the new ‘owners’ of the nest were frequently on and off the nest. The female ate a fish on the t-perch, and was briefly joined on the perch by the male. A viewer that lives nearby arrived at the nest shortly after 1000. ‘TM’ was there to look for Banff, and to bury JJ’s body. We all watched as TM buried JJ near the pond. It was very moving. Thank you, TM for your compassion, and for giving sweet JJ a proper burial. While TM was at the nest area, she felt confident that she heard Banff’s unique voice coming from across the river. She spotted an osprey in a tree, but wasn’t quite able to make it out to be a juvenile. Before she left, TM again heard Banff calling. Throughout the afternoon we thought we heard Banff calling in the distance. And then . . at 1725 we heard Banff’s voice, and it was getting closer, and louder . . Oh please don’t land on the nest Banff! The female intruder landed on the nest with her intruder alert . . yes, that’s right, Banff is now the intruder at her natal nest. Then sweet Banff quickly flew by and buzzed the nest from behind the camera, and she was screaming at the female: “I am still alive you crazy bird!” Haha! The female intruder really did have a look of amazement on her face, lol. We were thrilled and relieved to know for sure that Banff was alive and well. Banff is an amazingly strong and resilient fledgling. “It may not be possible for us to see you any more, Banff. For your safety, you should not come back to the nest.”
‘H’ also reports on Forsythe noting what I have – there is not much to report! “Oscar brought one fish to the nest for Ollie. Ollie flew to the camera pole at 1033, and she was not seen the rest of the day.”
One of the fledglings was on the perch at Wolf Harbour in Alabama on Sunday afternoon.
Fledgling or fledglings going to the Seaside Osprey nest on Sunday also.
Dad continues to bring fish to the fledgling at the MN Landscape Arboretum nest.
At the Bridge Golf Club, both fledglings are still coming to the nest for fish. It is reported that there were four delivered on Friday and three on Saturday. So far, one fish has been delivered on Sunday that I have seen.
Harry continues delivering lots of fish to the third hatch at Alyth. Indeed, the most activity over the weekend is these incredible Dads flying back and forth from their fishing spots to the nest to fatten up their chicks so they can migrate. Then, the Dads will need a few days to care for themselves. They are real athletes. Those legs must be ever so strong and muscular.
There is a fledge at Sandpoint – and a return! Well done, Coco.
The goshawk is still about at Poole Harbour and it makes me nervous. One fledgling died last year when it was dragged off this nest by the hawk.
Sadly, there might not be any eggs this year at Port Lincoln. Mating attempts are not very productive. He is young! It might be good for Mum to have a year off – but there is still time for eggs. It is Australia, not North America and Eastern ospreys do not migrate.
Spoke too soon…maybe.
The three fledglings at Boulder County Fair Grounds spent the night together on the perch and were there at the nest during the day wishing for fish.
A giggle from the Dyfi nest today!
Have you wondered about Flaco, the Eurasian Owl that escaped from the Central Park Zoo? Robert Yolton catches us up on some of Flake’s latest comings and goings. I don’t always post on Flaco, so please go to Robert’s blog – you will learn much about urban hawks!
Andor visited after being in the water at the Fraser Point nest on the Channel Islands Sunday. He dried off quickly in that beautiful California sun.
Mum and Dad were on alert at the Sydney Sea Eagle nest in the Olympic Forest. Possums and other intruders kept them busy. SE31 and 32 are doing well. They are standing strong, their beautiful feathers are coming in, and they are delightful.
We are expecting the second egg for Diamond and Xavier today.
SK Hideaways caught that second egg! Congratulations Xavier and Diamond.
Please keep all of our friends – feathered or not – in your positive thoughts as Idalia heads for Florida.
Thank you so much for being with me today. Take care of yourself. Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, tweets, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog this morning: ‘A, Geemeff, H, J, JE, PB, R’, Fortis Exshaw, Forsythe, Geemeff and Tweed Valley, Charlo Montana, Glacier Gardens, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, PSEG, LRWT, Wolf Harbour, Seaside, MN Landscape Arboretum, Bridge Golf Club, Alyth, Pam Breci and The Joy of Ospreys, Anne Ryc and Love for Pool Harbour Ospreys, PLO, Boulder County, Marissa Windic and Friends of Dyfi Osprey Project, Sydney Sea Eagle Cam, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, SK Hideaways and Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, and Sunnie Day.
