18 December 2023
Good Morning,
We had a bit of a blizzard for a very short period on Sunday. It was quite beautiful – those big flakes dancing down through the branches of the lilacs landing on the ground, covering up all the unsightly shells of the Black-oil Seed. The squirrels were here to get some excellent peanuts, but I saw no Blue Jays. I have not seen Junior or the little one for at least a week. Did they finally leave? along with the last of the geese? The girls are doing splendidly. Their new interactive robot toy is such a hit that each one of them joins in playtime – even Calico! Most of all it is Hope and Hugo tearing around after the laser dot or the feather teaser. I cannot possibly express the joy I feel seeing these three enjoying one another’s company. I feel so blessed.
I have been told by more than four dozen individuals that there is an international party going on right now. Donations are flowing into the American Eagle Foundation, cigars are being bought, and champagne glasses are clinking – or maybe tea cups. So what is all the fuss about? V3. Yes, one might think that the first bobblehead of the Bald Eagle season would be celebration enough but Gabby and V3 got right down to business today on the streaming cam and the chat went wild.
They were working on the nest when everything went wild…this leads me to believe that those ruffled feathers on Gabby’s back the other day were from a successful mating, too.
Tails were swishing in the right direction and both eagles seemed pleased – especially Gabby. Eggs in a week?
Lady Hawk captured the moment everyone has been waiting to ‘see’. Gabby is much loved and let us now all hope for the healthiest eaglets for this new pair.
The new little bobblehead at Captiva is as cute as they come. It is too bad that you hatched on the same day as V3 getting his camera groove…you are a darling and we shall watch every bite of fish you eat as you grow into a magnificent eaglet.
Connie is making sure that it has some fish. Oh, my. How is your heart rate? The first little bobble of the year!
Feeding time at Captiva!
Brad is getting some real height to his hovering and we can expect a fledge from the second hatch at Port Lincoln any time!
‘A’ remarks: “Oh how much do we love Giliath and Bradley? They are still so civilised when mum is feeding them. Loving the aggression Brad is showing defending his food, and both kids were very vocal as they mantled their food to protect it from passing seagulls. Too adorable. I suspect this pair could end up rivalling Baz and Ervie when it comes to competing for fish on this nest – Brad sure won’t be backing down, he’s made that very clear. Mum does her best to maintain some sort of order but there are times when even she has no chance against Brad’s sheer determination. He’s one feisty second hatch that one. I suspect he would have survived with or without a fish fairy! “
‘A’ also reminds us, “At SWFL, the first egg was laid at 9pm on Friday 24 November, with a relatively lengthy gap to the second egg at about 1.45pm on Monday 27 November. I’m not sure when we are due to go on pip watch, but 35 days would make hatch day 29 December, although delayed incubation was practised here apparently, so perhaps 30 or even 31 December is more likely. Certainly, I would like a shorter gap between hatches than we saw between the eggs being laid! I think we all would. F23 was being very diligent about rolling the eggs before settling down last night. It is nearly daylight there now, just after 6am, and F23 has done the entirety of the night shift. She has been tucked and sleeping soundly. No overnight owl disturbances from what I could see. You have big shoes to fill, F23. So far, she is doing a great job. “
At the Kisatchie E3 nest, Alex is not on the eggs incubating them Sunday night. He was on and off during the day. It is very sad. We all hope that Alex will move on after Andria’s death and that we will discover what took his beloved mate from him.
Alex still has the female protecting him and the nest.
The Redding Eagle cam is up and running.
Wisdom is still dancing and dating and looking for a new mate! 72 years old.
A strong sea eaglet – SE31 flying around Lady and Dad’s River Roost!
A few more images of SE31:
Penguin Colonies are showing some recovery.
Remember that one of the simplest things that we can do to help wildlife is to give them water.
Thank you so much for being with me today. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, letters, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ’A, H, J’, NEFL-AEF, Lady Hawk, Window to Wildlife, Taylor Marcy Hardin, PLO, Brad M, KNF-E3, Sassa Bird, FORE, Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, Chang-le Dong, Eagle Cam, Bird Guides, and Birdlife Australia.
