Achieva has another egg…Wednesday in Bird World

1 May 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

I am sitting at a table overlooking Devonian Lake at the nature centre. There is a Mallard splashing and having a wonderful bath while two Canada Geese look on. A Franklin’s Gull is giving a ‘kek’ or alarm call while Eastern Phoebes and Red-winged Blackbirds are singing. The sky has a few clouds at the horizon and the sun is shining bright. There is a bit of a nippy wind. Even so, it is marvellous to be outside. It is the last day of April and now, tomorrow when I hit publish, it will be May Day. Time goes by way too quickly.

Then there were these beauties. Hooded Mergansers. Male on top. Female and male in second image. Notice the beautiful crested white head that is outlined in black. There is a white chest with two additional black lines and the most gorgeous brick-rust sides. Now look at the eyes. Yellow!

The male is the same brick rust colour all over. She has the wildest hair do- like someone who put their finger in an electric socket or went to one of the science museums and was at the Van de Graaff generators.

They are diving waterfowl feeding on small fish, snails, amphibians, and dragonfly larvae. They will nest in a tree stump near water or use nesting boxes. It would be rare for them to lay their 10-12 white eggs on the ground. Incubation lasts for 29-33 days.

I am being reminded that this is ‘baby season’. That is when wildlife rehabilitation centres are full of youngsters – eaglets, osplets, possums, squirrels, turtles, bunnies; you name it. Every centre has a list of items and ours just reminded everyone of its upcoming ‘baby shower’. So I thought that I would ask you if you have any of the following that you are no longer using (needs to be in good condition and clean or purchased new and donated) that could be used by your local rehab centre: over-the-door mirrors (used as an enrichment tool for waterfowl), mealworms, kiddie pools, pet crates of various sizes to help volunteers transport patients, birdseed, bleach, laundry detergent (not scented), paper towels, stock tanks, power washers, natural peanut butter and pecans. Then, of course, there are those things that I always natter about – clean used towels and sheets. A lot or a little – everything is appreciated!

Everyone was caught off guard when Diane laid her first egg of what could be termed a second clutch on Tuesday around 11:35. For those unaware, she had three eggs in an earlier clutch. One hatched and when the chick was a day old something happened. Chick and eggs disappeared. That is all we know.

Diane seemed as surprised as us! Guess we need an egg cup in that nest. Gosh, does anyone know if Tampa Bay Raptor Center finished with their upgrades to this nest?

Equally shocking is the fact that Iris’s new guy is still around. Louis has not been able to oust him. He brings Iris fish — I know we are all holding our breath to see how this will turn out. This guy has no idea that he has bonded with the Matriarch of all Ospreys. Is it possible Iris will raise chicks again?

Jackie consumes the third and final egg ending the 2024 breeding season with Shadow alongside.

Cal Falcons confirms that it is the first time in the history of their nest that a dual feeding has taken place. Way to go Archie.

Too big to fit under Annie?

In Australia, Diamond has had to fight off Cockatoos.

There is no indication that either of the two remaining eggs on Big Red’s nest have a pip. You can’t hear it, but that was a sigh of relief. Historically it will be the first time that an egg did not hatch on this nest. N1 and N2 are big and healthy and Arthur has filled the nest with enough food for six! The squirrel population is diminishing this year on the Cornell campus rapidly. For those that do not know, when Big Red was interviewing for a new mate, it was Arthur who didn’t even have his red tail yet that won her heart by catching so many squirrels. Big Red loves to eat a squirrel. It sealed the deal. He has been lining the nest on years that squirrels rebound on the university campus after he has decimated them their population the year prior.

It has to be a first – this many fish in an osprey nest waiting to be eaten (or not). Gosh, it has to be slimy to walk on that OR is it so hot that they are turning into dried fish? Any thoughts?

Harry kept the fish coming on the nest at Moorings Park. A whooper arrived at 1455! Tuffy was right there and ready. There had been another fish just two hours earlier! Even with intruders, Harry is a great fisher and this nest is doing well. Some tell me that they have difficulty telling Tuffy from Ruffie now. Isn’t that remarkable?

‘R’s report on Florida-Gainesville for Tuesday: “Stella brought 3 fish.  #1 dominated the first 2 feedings.  #2 had a nice big crop on feeding #3.”

There has been no sign of Talon now for several days and we must conclude that Stella is a single Mum.

This image is from Monday. There will be a lot said about the UFlorida-Gainesville camera and, sadly, none of it will be good. There is no rewind and you can view the prior days events but not the current one. Can you hear me growling

More intruders for Dorcha to have to deal with! And at Loch Garten, the Corvids are wanting Asha to get up off her eggs so they can eat them. These poor gals get no peace.

Gary LVO still works on the Loch Arkaig 1 nest in hopes of a family this season.

Then he brings Aida a fish! Sealing the deal.

Two eggs at Sandpoint on Tuesday.

‘H’ reports that Little at Lake Murray ate well on Tuesday. Yes!

Many are worried about LM12 Laddie at Loch of the Lowes. This is the latest.

All five goslings made the leap successfully off the Roger’s Place Osprey Platform.

Last egg for the Niagara Bee Ospreys.

This is today’s short report. There is a lot of incubation going on. Eaglets are growing and some are thinking about fledging. Osprey eggs are still being laid. Thanks for being with us! Take care.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, images, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post this morning: ‘Geemeff, H, MP, PB, R, SP’, Achieva Credit Union, Montana Osprey Project, SK Hideaways, Cal Falcons, Cilla Kinross, Cornell RTH Cam, Frenchman’s Creek, Moorings Park Ospreys, University of Florida-Gainesville, Geemeff, Sandpoint Osprey Cam, Lake Murray ospreys, Jeff Kear, Owl Research ProjectExplore, and Niagara Bee.