14 May 2025
Good Morning Everyone,
Oh, it was a scorcher on the Canadian Prairies on Tuesday. 35 C. Wildfires burning. https://youtu.be/kbI5sjK7rHM?
Fire bans are in place. Wildlife is killed or displaced. It is way too hot for this time of year.
The lilacs that were planted some twenty-five years ago are blooming. This is about a fortnight early. The sky is filled with dust, and the goslings are hatching across the province. The urban raptors are seeking out water in places like my friend’s pond and at various bird feeders. Things just feel ‘weird’.
Check for shallow bowls, and please leave water out for all the animals. They need it desperately! It is life saving – more important than food!
Then we look at the weather forecast to come. What a roller coaster. Yes, did you spot it? Snow. Snow on the ‘long’ weekend -.
Tuesday took an unexpected turn. Toby had been scratching incessantly, and I initially believed it was a reaction to the shampoo. When I bathed him Tuesday morning – well, it was one of those spray foam baths for days when you don’t want to do the full meal bath deal – everything appeared normal with his ears. However, by Tuesday afternoon, it was clear that something was seriously wrong. Anne picked up on it right away as she has had Spaniels. Thankfully, when we phoned the vet’s office there had been a cancellation if we could get him right there. We grabbed everything and off we went in rush hour traffic with so many miserable souls because of the heat.
Oh, we love our vet. Everyone came out to see Toby. They are used to our Girls. They took swabs and ran tests, determining that Toby has a significant bacterial infection in his right ear, which the vet indicated is quite atypical for such a young dog. While he refrained from diagnosing Toby with allergies, he advised us to keep a close eye out for any recurring ear infections. That could indicate allergies.
Moreover, Toby will need regular monitoring for dental issues and any indications of a heart murmur. My heart goes out to this sweet bundle! These potential genetic concerns are alarming, but our love for him matches that for his sisters, and we are absolutely committed to ensuring he receives the best possible care. We will do everything in our power to support him through this.
Toby now weighs 2.0 kg.
In the image below he is NOT happy about having that sore ear poked and is ready to eat everyone alive.
Back home the pain killers have worked. He took the pills dipped in peanut butter. Go figure. And now, it is nearing 2300 and he is finally settling down for the second time. I might even get some sleep!
Back in Bird World…
‘PB’ kept me informed about the ringing at the San Jose City Hall Falcon scrape. Thank you!
Monty and Hartley were not one bit pleased about the presence of the humans with their babies.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 13th May 2025
Not much happened today on either nest – both males brought two fish to their mates, raising their respective tallies to fifty one (Garry LV0) and eighty five (Louis). There were some gusts of wind moving sticks around, Garry LV0 tangled with one on Nest One but wasn’t injured, and he and Aurora had to spread their wings at one stage to keep their balance while on Nest Two Louis merely looked puzzled when a stick went vertical on him. Dorcha appeared to be enveloped in a spider’s web overnight but that was just a trick of the camera. And that was it, with good weather today and same again expected tomorrow – the season is proceeding calmly, long may it continue.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.01.02 (03.41.33); Nest Two 23.09.36 (04.00.34)
Today’s videos:
https://youtu.be/2me6yQ_9Z3U N2 Dorcha appears to be enveloped in a spider’s web 01.08.35
https://youtu.be/NPwEHFp2-Mk N2 Very lively trout and another season’s earliest record-breaker 04.38.50
https://youtu.be/-9fHSacHmV0 N1 Aurora grabs the first fish of the day as soon as it arrives 08.37.34
https://youtu.be/gSjRMNLm5gw N1 Garry does a flyby then makes Aurora wait to get fish number two 14.50.40
https://youtu.be/KK6Os6NapSU N2 Louis’ second delivery is so big Dorcha can hardly lift it 16.10.02
https://youtu.be/p5BSaJvk1L0 N1 Flying sticks! A windy afternoon for Garry & Aurora 17.25.52
Bonus watch – Osprey-eye view of Loch Arkaig and surrounds, wind’s blowing, you might want to turn down the volume! (thanks LizB):
Blast from the past, this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/YlOAPDKh6W8 N1 Aila’s seen silhouetted in the distance 2020
https://youtu.be/pMiyJCRoAEQ N1 Sleepy Aila nods off 2020
https://youtu.be/PuDXOSzgDgg N1 Aila employs the kitchen sink approach to remove Louis 2020
https://youtu.be/qC_j3fiHG6o N1 Aila practises her head-bashing technique on Louis 2020
https://youtu.be/FSF6fiwMDvs N1 Slightly better mating attempt by the newsome twosome 2021
https://youtu.be/xcAoRU34zcg N2 Duh! Dorcha drops her breakfast 2022
https://youtu.be/b_Zd5jXoyQA N2 Louis makes an unorthodox exit 2022
https://youtu.be/LjPue1ITRe4 N2 Dorcha’s subtle nudge for Louis 2023
https://youtu.be/03Te8ZCOfEY N2 Dorcha shows off her huge wings 2024 (slo-mo)
https://youtu.be/ULnmZa5llbQ N2 Dorcha’s almost invisible unlike the swarm of insects 2024
Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam
Heidi’s Osprey Nest News:
Barnegat Light osprey nest: This spring has been quite unsettled at the BL osprey nest platform after Daisy did not return from migration. Many ospreys were interested in the nest and some were vying for Duke’s attention. Things started to settle down, and it seemed that Duke had found a new mate. But alas, the new gal left him for another guy, and she has been seen at the 20th street nest. Poor Duke. Along came a new gal, (temporarily named Miss Pretty), and they seemed to hit it off. Well… Miss P laid an egg on 5/13, and Duke could not be happier!
Venice Golf Club osprey nest: The three chicks had all been thriving. The second chick was seen trying to cast a pellet for a couple of days, and was unable to eat. Sadly, the chick passed away on Tuesday, at 40 days of age.
Ferris Akel posted a video of the Red-tail Hawks near to his residence, Betty and Barney. It is always nice to see more hawks! https://youtu.be/BgHH-Kp5Eyk?
Norwich Cathedral: Two chicks remain after the sad loss of the third Peregrine chick at Norwich Cathedral, which had hatched on May 5th. The high temperatures may have contributed to the chick’s demise, as young peregrines struggle to regulate their body temperature during the early stages of life.
Great Spirit Bluff: Gorgeous eyases enjoying many meals!
Raptor Resource Project gives us information on the falcons and the nest at Great Spirit Bluff.
FOBBV: Sunny is hovering higher and higher! https://youtu.be/pQbo4cOJ6ek?
No one wants them to take flight least of all their parents. Jackie slept so close to them on the nest last night. She knows. And these are such miracles. When there will next be little ones for her and Shadow on this nest is unknown based on all the challenges they face. They are showing us that we must savour every second of every day. You never know when you will say that last goodbye. KTLA 5 is anticipating that fledge. https://youtu.be/FOveSP9duOU?
Trempeauleau Bald Eagles, WI: T3 is beginning to take its first unsteady steps. Give that Mum a wonderful round of applause!
Explore discusses the situation at the Trempealeau Nest in this video: https://youtu.be/u8bp5-2zTv8?
Lincoln Cathedral: Dad feeding those lovely little fluff balls.
Chichester Peregrine News:
Eschenbach Ospreys: Our couple has four eggs! Joan Castanyer caught the moment of the fourth egg on video. https://youtu.be/_vS4PajS0DU?
Dunrovin Ranch: Swoop and mate have three eggs!
Snow Lane, Newfoundland: Hope is waning that the long time female resident, Hope, will return. There is a new female and Beaumont attempted to mate with her this morning.
Ah, so much happening and so little time today to cover it all. Iris did return to the nest much to the delight of everyone who was worrying so much that they needed antacids.
Take care of yourselves. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for the posts, comments, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, PB’, San Jose City Hall Falcon Scrape, Geemeff and the Woodland Trust, Ferris Akel, Raptor Resource Project, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, Cali Condor, KTLA5, Lincoln Cathedral, Joan Castanyer, Dunrovin Ranch, VGCCO, Barnegat Light, Havre de Grace, Norwich Cathedral, Chichester Peregrine News, Snow Lane Newfoundland Ospreys Newfoundland Power
