24 November 2022
Good Morning,
Saturday was a day when we just wanted to stay in bed. Snow was still on the ground, and it was -7 C. The house felt cold because of the conservatory and ‘The Boyfriend’ was not waiting for me. I had to call him. He must have a really good hearing as he stays, where Calico had her kittens, under the deck in a dark, dry, safe place about 1.5 blocks away. He came and ate and went back quickly. He has refused the heated house. Hugo Yugo would like to have it as a playhouse! No way. Back it will go. Maybe another outdoor cat will approve of it. Brock is too cautious, having lived out in the wild for at least three full years.
In the garden, it was reassuring to see Dyson and the three kits, two Crows, two Red Squirrels, and two Blue Jays along with sixty or seventy sparrows.
We baked croissants and sipped hot chocolate later bringing in firewood. We feel like hibernating (and I felt sick) opting to spend the day with Ferris Akel and his tour while petting ‘The Girls’. I am always amazed at the wildlife on these tours around Ithaca. Among all the ducks, Ferris streamed no fewer than four Northern Harriers as dusk began to settle (at least two females and two males). They were flying low to the ground, looking for prey. Tundra Swans, Snow Geese, Herons, Sandhill Cranes, Green-winged Teals, Mallards, and Canada Geese were also at the marsh.
All about Birds describes the Northern Harrier:
Notice the face of the Harrier. The configuration, looking like an owl, is what allows it to have such keen hearing.
“Northern Harrier Cruise” by ~ Bob ~ is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
These beautiful raptors are at the heart of the petitions to stop Grouse Hunting and the estates that purposefully kill raptors like the Harriers.
abcbirds gives us more information on the raptors:
The Assiniboine Zoo in Winnipeg has installed stairs for its 29-year-old polar bear, Agee, to help her swim and move more easily around the compound. This thoughtful gesture gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling, especially when things are happening to wildlife.
Thankfully the fish fairy came to Port Lincoln on the 23rd. The family was hungry. I wonder what happens each year when Dad is unable to fish.
Wilko and Kasse are waiting for fish Sunday morning.
Cam operator gave us some great close-ups of Wilko and Kasse.
It is 1135 and no fish at Port Lincoln yet.
Oh, geez. Another day when the fish, if any, come very late. 1336. No fish.
Wilko, Mum, and Kasse didn’t get much fish on the 24th.
That late partial fish of Mum’s must have tasted really good to the two kids whose wings are getting worked. So is the fairy only delivering every other day?
There has been no word about SE33 other than he is resting and recovering. Many types of birds have been coming to the WBSE nest, including a Pacific Black Duck. ‘J’ wrote to ask me about Daisy the Duck, who I chronicled trying to raise ducklings two years in a row on the eagle nest several years ago. Daisy the Duck was seen on the canal near the Discovery Centre. after her second year The average life expectancy of Pacific Black Ducks is very short, 2 and at the most 3 years. While our dear Daisy isn’t with us, she continues to be a wonderful part of our lives and the history of this nest, and she taught us about determination, hard work, and the challenges these ducks face trying to raise a family. If the male had helped with incubation, so Daisy could freely feed and not have to leave her eggs alone, we might have had ducklings!
So the Pacific Black Duck that you have seen on the nest is not, sadly, our dear Daisy.
Cilla Kinross says she hopes to see Yira flying to the tower shortly. Xavier and Diamond were in the scrape bonding on Sunday. CK thinks Yira could be in a thick area of trees, but she doesn’t want to go there to check for fear of disturbing them. She notes that one of the fledglings was missing for ten days and turned up very safe and in good shape. We hope Xavier and Diamond know where Yira are and they are providing prey. Fingers crossed for a very positive sighting.
Are you concerned? Do you live hear to where this public hearing is being held on the 26th? If so, please step up and show the USFWS that people care that Bald Eagle nests are destroyed! And destroyed during breeding season for what?
This is in Alabama. You can also write or phone the Auburn District Council and Mayor’s office to protest what seems to be an illegal permit to Hughston Builders. This is especially important if you are one of the voters in the community. Please make your voice heard!
On the island of Kauai’, Kalama has returned to her mate! You might have her book on your shelf.
Ron and Rose were at the WRDC nest.
Didn’t see anyone at the NCTC nest of Bella and Scout or Gabby and Beau at NE Florida.
Eagles were at Redding.
The eagles are visiting at Berry College. Hello Pa and Missey!
Milda and Zorro have both been to the White-tail Eagle nest in Durbe County on Saturday. https://youtu.be/8NKMPL-Q-0I?si=oKghOWKQILueY1so
Oakland Zoo releases a California Condor into Pinnacles after being treated for lead toxicity. It was also vaccinated for HPAI.
It is so quiet in Bird World. If the eagles have eggs they are incubating. We have eggs at SW Florida, SuperBeaks, and Captiva. Meanwhile we wait for the others to lay theirs. Wilko and Kasse are old enough to be ringed. That should be happening soon. I have not seen an intended date anywhere. If you have, let me know.
The migration chart from Hawk Mountain for the end of the week. The Northern Harrier numbers look good compared to many others.
We still have large flocks of Canada Geese in Winnipeg and southern Manitoba. The Snow Geese are coming, and so are the Snowy Owls. Water is still open for now, and there is still grass. We wish them a safe migration and cannot wait until March arrives again. And let’s see – seriously, four months!!!!!!! Five at most. I am looking forward to hearing the honking, to traveling to Hecla Island to see the American White Pelicans who will have arrived, and flying to Newfoundland to see Puffins. There is so much to look forward to when the winter ends. For now, we will figure out ways to enjoy the cold.
Today I just feel sick – like a wintry flu has set in.
Besties. When I look at them, I feel better.
Calico’s Tip for the Day: If you are feeding feral cats in an area where the temperature is freezing or below, please only give them dry food. Wet food will freeze in the dish and they will not be able to eat it.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. We hope to see you soon.
Thank you so much to the following for their notes, posts, images, articles, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, J’, Ferris Akel Tours, All About Birds, OpenVerse, abcbirds, American Bird Conservancy, Assiniboine Park Zoo, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Bart M and PLO Obs Board, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, Elizabeth White, Hob Osterlund, WRDC Bald Eagle Nest, NCTC Bald Eagle Nest, FORE, Berry College Eagles, Baiba, Oakland Zoo, Hawk Mountain Migration Count.
