1 February 2024
Hello Everyone,
As I was set to go and check the status of the youngest eaglet at JB Sands Wetlands, I checked on Jackie. She has laid egg 3! This is an absolute first for our gal. Congratulations!
There had been no hard incubation and everyone was wondering if there was going to be a third egg. We now have our answer. Hunker down, Jackie.
Well, it sure feels like spring. Another glorious day. At least +6 C with bright blue skies and no wind.
My love of fresh flowers has dwindled, thanks to Hugo Yugo. They are highly poisonous to cats (tulips even!) or the smell of the water causes her to knock down the vase, break off the bud, and run around the house. So, let’s see what she does with some silk peonies! They are not so interesting. One for Mum and 0 for Hugo Yugo.
I need your help! Osprey eggs are being laid in North America. Once again the International Osprey Data Project is collecting information on nests. Last year, ‘H’ and I observed over 300 osprey eggs. This year, we hope to compare the 2024 data with that from 2023. It is impossible to keep track of every nest. I know that there are currently some, such as Pelican Bay, that have eggs or chicks. This is what I need: the name of the nest, the link to the camera or website, the name of the parents, the date and time of each egg laid, and the date and time of hatch and fledge. If you are watching any nests, please send me this information. I may already have it, but I might not! The more eggs and nests that are observed, the more detailed the findings on the causes of death, including siblicide – and ultimately, the survival rate after two years of those that did manage not to be killed by their older siblings such as Mini at Patchogue! Thank you!
Abby and Blaze have their first hatch of the 2024 eagle season! Congratulations everyone at Eagle Country! The chick’s name is Swampy. (You can see the eaglet in the first few seconds only).
Swampy is so cute. Look at the way the light plays through that down. It really does look like a dandelion.
Blaze sure got excited! Or is there a weather system heading this way? Look at the fish on that nest. Wow.
From the multi-view camera:
Jack and Diane have their second egg of the 2024 osprey season in Florida. Tie was 1548. Jack and Diane will not listen to me, but they would be just as happy if they stopped right now. And so would we and so would that third hatch.
There has been a huge win for the sea birds including the Puffins in the UK. The government has finally, after a 25 year campaign, ended sand eel fishing. This is vital food for these extremely endangered sea birds.
Everyone loves them and they are truly facing extinction without this change in legislation.
The Puffins are like the canaries in the coal mine. Let us hope that this bill will have a positive impact on their numbers and quality of life. No more Puffins floating up on the shores of Scotland – dead from starvation.
The 2nd of February might be Ground Hog Day for some, but for Flaco it was his first day of freedom! Many questioned Flaco’s ability to live in the wild – now we know. Well done, you Eurasian Owl.
The Royal Cam chick is gaining weight! Looks like this baby has figured out how feeding works nicely. What a cutie pie.
Shadow is still playing with sticks and as of Wednesday evening, the two eggs are in tact. Everyone is happy.
Mum is getting plenty of food gifts from V at the Pittsburgh-Hays Bald Eagle nest.
Dad loves being at the nest with Mum and trying to feed the little eaglets at John Bunker Sands. Gosh, I wish this camera had a zoom!
Sadly, the smallest eaglet has died. It got on its back and tried to right itself for over 3 hours. It was not strong enough. Condolences to all. The chick was three days old.
No egg at Moorings Park.
On Wednesday, Cal was significantly darker on the head than Lusa. S/he is also walking much better on that nest today.
E23 had a huge drop all day long! No shortage of fish.
E23 is so full it will not take any more bites when offered.
Ah, they are a gorgeous couple and they have their first egg – Thunder and Akecheta.
At The Campanile, the new male stood out in the rain waiting for Annie. Thanks ‘B’ for alerting me to this!
This is a really good read and lead up to the return of the UK Ospreys. It was posted around several FB sites on Wednesday. Monty. If you do not know who Monty is – think the male founder of the Osprey dynasties in Wales at Dyfi. This is the story of one week in the life of Monty who had to choose a new mate in 2013 when his former mate, Nora, did not return. Below the story is the family tree at Dyfi showing the fruitful relationship that Monty had with Blue 12, Glesni.
Many consider Monty to be ‘the greatest’ UK male Osprey ever.
Thank you so much for being with me today. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, websites, streaming cams, and articles that helped me to write my blog today: ’A, B, Geemeff, H, J’, Eagle Country, Achieva Credit Union, RSPB, Philip Lymbery, The Herald, Big City Birder, Sharon Dunne, FOBBV, PIX Cams, JB Sands Wetlands, Mooring Park, Window to Wildlife, SW Florida Eagle Cam, IWS/Explore, Cal Falcons, and the Dyfi Osprey Project.
Thank you Mary Ann for the report today. Congratulations Jackie & Shadow! This is a test now, to see if they can stay on the nest incubating and not have the ravens sneak in on them or take them away from their nest duty. Go well ☺️❤️💐
I am so hoping that Shadow and Jackie as well as Jak and Audacity have one healthy eaglet each this year – not asking for more, just one. Tears of joy if they do.