Monday in Bird World

23 December 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

Oh, how lovely for you to be here with us. I know that many are busy preparing for the holidays, as Christmas and Hanukkah fall on the 25th of December this year. It can be the most hectic and wondrous of times. So, thank you.

We had a joyful day with our granddaughter. It is always so nice to see her. She is heading off to Australia in a few days to visit a lad. I am thinking it is serious! Time will tell.

The Crows were quick to tell me that they were wanting more cheesy dogs this morning. Gosh, they can be louder than an alarm clock! It doesn’t matter. Both were here along with everyone else. The heated food and water dish is working so well. I highly recommend it to anyone in a cold climate like ours who is feeding outdoor cats (or other animals – the squirrels are enjoying the water, too).

I had a very welcome letter from David Hancock. He is busy writing a book and part of it will include musings about the Eagle Man, Charles Broley. Some of you will recall that I wrote about Broley a few years ago. Broley was the manager of a bank not far from where I live in Winnipeg. On his retirement, he began watching birds. More important, he became ‘THE’ authority on Bald Eagles travelling to Florida where he banded 2000 eaglets. His writings helped others understand these amazing birds.

As it happens, I have been given photographs of Broley, a signed copy of his book Eagle Man, and some eagle feathers from one of the nests where he ringed the birds. I can help David this way – and it is a great honour. While Broley is Hancock’s hero, Hancock has made such a massive difference to Bald Eagles in Canada that he deserves a similar title. One of his latest ventures has been to build shades for the eagle nests in British Columbia, recognising that the climate is getting very hot in that region and that heat is jeopardising their lives.

There were no bucket trucks in the 1940s and 50s to get Broley to the top of the trees to ring those eaglets and check on the nests. He had to climb them often using a makeshift ladder.

We are beginning Bald Eagle season, and it is a good time to think about Charles Broley and what he taught us about these amazing raptors. I am attaching a report he wrote that changed how individuals understood Bald Eagle migration. It is informative and still applicable today.

There are continued worries about Gabby’s behaviour. Gabby is wise. Some think she is ill but I think the fish she brought to the nest was a reminder to Beau that you don’t just incubate you have to bring lots of prey to the nest. Gabby knows best – I hope she isn’t sick, but that she would rather let the eaglets not hatch as starve if Beau isn’t ready.

Earlier Gabby flew into the nest with a fish scaring Beau who has been valiant in his efforts at incubating the eggs. https://youtu.be/Ja6jHVpMha4?

Gabby eats the fish but does not incubate the eggs.

Gabby was high up in the tree and not incubating Sunday night. Will the eggs be abandoned? https://youtu.be/nEt5bU7_TsQ?

In the Big Bear Valley, one of the most beloved couples (if not the most loved) has been caught on camera mating. Positive wishes for this to be their year to raise another eaglet! https://youtu.be/acHqB32wqkM?

The Ventana Wildlife Society works hard to provide non-lead ammunition and still the Condors suffer from lead poisoning. All hunting, fishing, and military equipment should be lead-free. It is not rocket science. Just do it! Where is the compassion for all carrion eaters that will end the manufacture of this deadly ammunition?

Cal Falcons has upgraded its camera.

All is well at the SW Florida Eagle nest of M15 and F23 while eggs are incubating elsewhere. They had an intruder earlier, but it had left. The wee ones are full and doing well.

M15 and F23 are remarkable parents. I have said this many times. They are like the best synchronized swimmers. They work together to feed the eaglets, M15 provides lots of prey, and F23 is diligent in her care. You never get an uneasy feeling.

At Hilton Head the GHOs appear to have abandoned their idea of occupying the eagle nest. Gracie and George are very busy getting that nest whipped into shake for breeding season. https://youtu.be/mNNTjwsL75E?

Liberty and Guardian are working just as hard trying to get a new nest ready in time for their eggs after their other nest tree finally collapsed.

There were fish enough on Sunday at Port Lincoln and it looks as though Kasse and Wilko had about equal meals. Thank goodness for Mum who has proved herself more than worthy of all honours for ‘Mum of the Year’.

It looks as though Kasse has found leftovers on the nest.

I hope that many more fish come to this nest on Monday.

Thank you so much for being with me today. Please take care. We hope to see you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, images, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘J, KM’, The Wilson Bulletin, NEFL-AEF, Deb Stecyk, The Ventana Wildlife Society, SK Hideaways, Cal Falcons, SW Florida Eagle Cam, Hilton Head Land Trust, FORE, Bart M and the PLO, Port Lincoln Ospreys