21 July 2025
Late breaking news that cannot be ignored:
I love storks – white, black or even rainbow coloured. Storks are wonderful and we are killing them along with other birds such as ospreys because of our general disregard for what plastic does to the world. “The chief culprit was baler twine, a plastic string used to secure hay bales: either the twine or its wrapping was responsible for almost all the entangled chicks. A few were caught up in domestic plastics such as bags or milk containers. The chicks died from strangulation, amputation and infected wounds.
“They roll and roll and they go around and it’s almost as if they tie the rope around their legs even harder as they move,” Franco says.
Acácio likes to talk about successful rescues, too. Once, she peered into a nest built on the stump of a cork oak tree to find two three-week-old siblings, their limbs coiled in spirals of blue baler twine.”
How many times has Dr Greene talked about the baling twine issues with ospreys in Montana? We need to find a solution for this plastic monster. It is more than sad.
Please read the article from The Guardian. It is enlightening.
Killer in the nest: how young storks are being strangled by plastichttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jul/14/discarded-plastic-baler-twine-killing-birds-white-storks-aoe?CMP=share_btn_url
A situation is developing at Osprey House Environment Centre in Australia. The female is feeding last year’s fledgling and her two young osplets! ‘MB’ sends us the FB link:
https://www.facebook.com/OspreyHouseEnvironmentCentre?
Whew! Welcome to the beginning of the week! We hope that each of you had a wonderful weekend.
The Girls enjoy watching the dozens of new baby birds in the garden. They come up close to the conservatory windows and cause quite a stir! Cute little wrens today. The baby Crows still arrive wanting their peanuts, and you can hear the Blue Jays two blocks away if the feeder is empty. It is a joy! Toby has had several walks. We have met many new neighbours and their puppies. He is growing leaps and bounds. I cannot quite believe it. His halter had to be loosened today, and I swear he is 15 cm or 6 inches longer. My new bed seems much smaller, and he really snores. We had a wonderful barbecue celebrating my daughter’s birthday. Everyone was there. It was fantastic. Even the wildfire smoke and wasps could not dampen anyone’s spirits.
I am now a member of the Virginia Wildlife FB group. (Thank you so much for letting me join – I really want to learn about the situation of all wildlife in Virginia.) First thing I noticed – images of Bald Eagles chasing Ospreys to get their precious fish! Check it out on their FB group. Ospreys have trouble with all manner of feathered ‘friends’ trying to get their fish. Gulls, eagles, even other ospreys.
Heidi’s Osprey Nest Notes:
Seaside osprey cam has had issues with their live stream all season, and it has been frustrating for viewers and the chat moderator, Jewel. There was a fledge the morning of 7/20 that occurred when the livestream was down, and reports came in from ‘boots on the ground’, John and August. With a brief nest view later.
Thank you, Heidi.
Gorgeous photograph of the three fledglings from the Centreport Bald Eagle Nest on Long Island, New York.
A good news story about wildlife is always welcome, and I received one last week from one of our regular readers, ‘MP’. I have tried to attach the images, but alas, I gave up. I know that you can imagine a barbed wire fence with large barbs and how, if an animal jumped over the fence, they could easily become injured.
“Hi, Mary Ann. All these photos and writings are from Ron Dudley. He’s showing a good side of ranchers and Nature Conservancy working together for nature. thought this to be a positive side.I thought you’d like to know.~M
Some ranchers in the valley have installed pronghorn-friendly barbed wire fences that have no barbs on the bottom wire. This fence is one of them.
And pronghorn-friendly fences aren’t the only example of ranchers trying to protect wildlife in the valley. Much of the huge valley is Sage Grouse country. When in flight, grouse have a hard time seeing barbed wire, so they often crash into it. When a 6+ lb. Sage Grouse crashes into barbed wire at speed, the results are predictably disastrous.
So some ranchers have allowed organizations like the Nature Conservancy to install bright white fence flags on their fences. The flags are easy to see and research has shown that they significantly reduce grouse/fence mayhem. I took this photo on June 19th in one of the more remote areas of the valley.
Not long after this photo was taken, I talked to a local rancher (Justin) about the fence flags. Here’s what he said (paraphrased) – “As long they (the Nature Conservancy and organisations like them) are willing to pay for them, and install them, I’m certainly willing to allow them to do so.”
Foulshaw Moss and Cumbrian Wildlife Trust:
All three at Foulshaw Moss have now fledged. Congratulations White YW and Blue 35 for another fantastic and very successful year.
Dyfi Osprey Project: Idris is one of my all-time favourite male ospreys. He is known as ‘Daddy Long Legs’, but he is a great fisher. Now he has broken another record. Watch the video to find out what that is: https://youtu.be/Y_GEb2QQapM?
Dunrovin Ranch Osprey Platform:
Allin’s Cove West: “A day in the life of the single parent offspring. Sleep, stretch, wing flat, call for food, and when none arrives, sleep some more.”https://youtu.be/cQx9eX2G31w?
Goitzsche-Wildnis with J Castyner: “Being an only child seems to have only advantages. Zeus and Fjona have focused on taking care of the boy, protecting him and feeding him in the best possible way. We can see it in the video. Mother and son are (I think) on the camera pole screaming to claim the teak, but when the father arrives alone the young man goes down to collect the piece: a beautiful headless fish, a luxurious fillet. For the boy, the best.” (The two older siblings were predated by a Red Kite). Other report below on this nest.
Sauces Canyon: Betty Lou comes home. https://youtu.be/19Ah8LzbEfI?
Two Harbours: Date night with long-time bonded mates, Chase and Cholyn by SK Hideaways. https://youtu.be/4PCwSnUvu2k?
West End Nest: Haku is on and off the nest. Makaio has not been seen for some weeks. Many believe he has left for migration since this is off-season. We must wait. It looks like Haku is warming up to the new visiting male.
I receive many questions about Akecheta since he was photographed on the mainland near Ojai. To my knowledge, no other photographs with his blue wing tag have been taken. I am sure he is alright. Is Thunder with him? Well, we haven’t seen her around the nest, and I just think she left eggs so abruptly that it is possible.
Haku and MV (male visitor) are a nice looking couple.
Coeur de’Alene, Idaho: The three surviving osplets are doing well. Mum has not removed the body of the fourth baby yet.
Fru Rauer: The Norwegian Osprey Project and Translocation of Norwegian birds to Ireland.
Short explanation video. Click on CC for English. The ten are already in Ireland. https://youtu.be/o6mjGxTfAbs?
Ringing of Ospreys in Taipalsaari 2025: https://youtu.be/opE1IBwXeN0?
mie caught a fish delivery at the
Kallaveden sääksilive: https://youtu.be/K4pDiyKbUTg?
Ringing at the Janakkalan Nest in Finland: https://youtu.be/UFhpbkVDrwA?
J Castnyer catches a fish delivery at the Goitzsche Wildnis Osprey nest in Germany. That fledgling was in there quick – ‘Mine and Mine Alone’ is the message. https://youtu.be/C7sh8ngNEVo?
And they give us an update at Eschenbach: “Despite the problems in broadcasting the live broadcast from the Eschenbach nest, I have uploaded this short video to confirm that everything is going well: Herbert has delivered a fish, Hermine is repeating the teak between the children and, most importantly, both are now flying. Normality is a gift from heaven.” https://youtu.be/yp5U1QXB_LQ?
Rutland Manton Bay: Will Maya stay home, postponing the start to her migration to help feed all those babies? We wait to see.
Birds of Poole Harbour: Everyone wants fish. Caught three on the nest.
Big Bear Valley: Jack and Shadow ‘almost’ visit. SK Hideaways catches it. https://youtu.be/SjMY4TyS_Ws?
Trempeauleau, WI: Mum is home, but where is T3? Well, that fledgling is never far away. Mum comes in with a fish and you can hear the sqeeing and then T3 is there to grab her dinner.
SK Hideaways caught Mum bringing in one of her whoppers for her ‘baby’. https://youtu.be/rmu1eJKTMkY?
Talk about a loving and devoted mother. Mrs T sure is that and more. I get all weepy seeing the two of them together. It was such a challenging year for Mrs T raising this fledgling from hatch alone – and often, as I have said many times, without the help of Mr T, who was a hindrance stealing fish for his other nest with two youngsters from this one! But, nevermind, Mrs T did the unthinkable. She is amazing.
SK Hideaways also catches up with the Southern UK Hobby Falcon nest in the UK: https://youtu.be/7S9hwxdwaQ0?
Oh, my goodness, they are sooooo cute.
Tatarsan White-tail Eagles, RU: Fledgling visits nest, hoping for food.
Latvian Golden Eagles: Food delivery from Grislis. Spilve feeds – and it was a long feeding. https://youtu.be/-_HhGdK-pi8?
Menhaden-Little Fish, Big Deal: The entire article and the information on how to write is in my late Monday, 14 July blog. There is a big meeting on May 7. Don’t sit on this. Could you write to the Virginia Legislators? Cute and Paste – send it to all of them, demanding proper biodiversity and an end to commercial fishing in the Chesapeake and along the coasts of the Atlantic. We don’t want any more osplets to die, along with many other species.
If you love osprey, don’t sit on this. Get busy. Set aside two hours – that is all it would take to compose a letter – and send it out to every Virginia politician, along with the journalist who wrote the article, The New York Times, The Globe and Mail, etc. This is not the time to be silent.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 20th July 2025
The two chicks practised their flying and landing skills today, popping on and off the nest especially when Louis was around delivering fish. Breac got most of the two fish delivered by Louis, but Darach was determined and attacked both Dorcha and Breac to get a share. Both chicks were mantling and squawking over the fish so it appears hyperphagia (compulsion to eat) is setting in as migration looms in the not too distant future. Louis’ tally rises to three hundred and twenty eight, and Garry’s one fish delivery takes his tally to one hundred and thirty one, although it was such a small piece of fish, Aurora might not consider it worth counting. After staying dry most of today, the rain started this evening and scattered showers will probably continue through tonight with cloudy skies, light winds, and a low of 15°C causing muggy conditions. There’s a weather warning in place for the Highlands tomorrow of heavy showers and scattered thunderstorms causing localised flooding, and a high of 21°C in the Inver Mallie area.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.26.53 ( 03.50.00E); Nest Two 23.19.12 (03.57.54)
Today’s videos:
https://youtu.be/4l4BfjYbvU0 N1 Garry brings Aurora a tiny bit of fish but she takes it anyway 06.59.02
https://youtu.be/1XR3T6twJ-g N2 Dorcha takes fish one from Louis then allows Breac to take it 14.01.16
https://youtu.be/AcWKLikcyc8 N2 And repeat! Dorcha gets fish two from Louis then lets Breac get it 19.28.55
https://youtu.be/_Xh5vhdm9qI N2 Dorcha & Breac are attacked by Darach after he gets hold of fish two 20.29.10
Bonus watch – LizB’s long lens videos from a mile away of Darach and Breac just after Darach fledged yesterday:
Blast from the past, 19th July* in previous years:
https://youtu.be/BIHDRrpe6Qo N1 My turn daddy! Louis feeds Rannoch 2019
https://youtu.be/TwqqSshM42E N1 Doddie drops in to grab all the breakfast 2020
https://youtu.be/-xNiwmN-xQI N1 Doddie does an evening flypast of the nest 2020
https://youtu.be/EYDBamjYrf8 N1 Hey! who put that there? Prince makes an undignified departure 2021
https://youtu.be/304-lrclaZw N1 Third visit by the new pair Blue 152 & Prince YP 2021
https://youtu.be/xW2CIMG3IDM N2 Hooked on you – the chicks get hooked together! 2022
https://youtu.be/lmPZ_jmuEz0 N2 Dorcha reacts to an intruder Osprey seen on camera 2022
https://youtu.be/L1DG3H9gUUM N2 RAF flypast doesn’t stop Louis (2022)
https://youtu.be/k_2pVwLNAZU N2 Louis brings a fish and eats it himself 2023
https://youtu.be/Lq9DbF3I6J4 N2 LY7 does a massive double helicopter! 2023
https://youtu.be/9SyP31iXLbc N2 FLEDGE! Ludo LY7 is off into the world! 2023
https://youtu.be/xArpA43gG1Q N1 Affric 152 receives another fish from Garry 2023
https://youtu.be/6SBcqw1oX38 N1 A Wood Pigeon visits 2024
https://youtu.be/wp5mZUIOlQU N2 No fish and a failed mating attempt 2024
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 19th July 2025
Today was a day for celebration – not only did Breac 7P7 return safely after not returning to the nest after his maiden flight yesterday, but Darach 7P0 also fledged, and returned in time to be fed by his mum Dorcha. His fledge wasn’t the nonchalant take off his brother made – Darach did some flapping, hopping, and squeaking before launching himself off the right edge of the nest and out of sight. However, his return was pretty good, he made a smooth landing looking confident as if he’d been flying for a while. So that’s both chicks achieving this milestone, and while some on the forum express sadness at no longer having them around all the time, this is the major step in their development, their parents have been working towards. Many watchers are celebrating by making a donation towards the upkeep of their home in Arkaig Forest – there are many ways to donate, the easiest one is to use the yellow button on this page above ‘What’s been happening on the nest today?’ All donations of whatever size are gratefully received and will be put to good use. In other news, Louis delivered four fish to the nest today, one of which Breac tried to eat starting from the tail! But soon realised his mistake, flipped it around neatly, and started tearing into the head as Dorcha has shown them. Louis’ tally now stands at three hundred and twenty six, while Garry’s rises by one to one hundred and thirty following his delivery to Aurora today. The promised rain materialised and the chicks were just a damp huddle, the forecast calls for more rain overnight continuing tomorrow with thundery showers, with a low of 16°C tonight and a high of 21°C tomorrow.Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.43.27 (03.31.43); Nest Two 23.55.24 (04.00.52)
Today’s videos:
https://youtu.be/lm8l1KbeW_w N2 Darach & Dorcha ignore Louis’ fresh fish preferring the old one 04.56.26https://youtu.be/B56rYKu0NdQ N2 That’s no way to treat your mum! Darach pecks Dorcha 07.13.28 https://youtu.be/B89bbPQVaPk He’s back! Breac returns from his maiden flight N2 09.05.27 https://youtu.be/OdCbe-kLjjA N2 Both helicopter together, Breac takes off for flight two 10.38.00
https://youtu.be/2ks2GzdtlO8 N2 FLEDGE! Darach has done it! also found his wings 13.02.38 (zoom)https://youtu.be/hnm7TNtng34 N2 Dorcha allows Breac to have the second fish 15.45.52 https://youtu.be/i-scN7LGgIY N1 Aurora grabs the fish and goes, Garry stays and tidies up 17.26.48
https://youtu.be/tQMpMSjGkpo N2 He’s back! Darach returns and sticks the landing 17.31.27https://youtu.be/OAkKQWbpQRU N2 Two wet chicks greet Louis arriving with fish number three 18.31.50 Bonus watch – another brilliant video from Steve Quinn of the nest seen from a kilometre away:
Blast from the past, this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/bzD0ewEZPy0 N1 FLEDGE!! Mallie takes her first flight! 2019
https://youtu.be/nyUAdw2pU64 N1 I’m home mum! Mallie lands gracefully after her maiden flight 2019
https://youtu.be/NZL4TzrXZJ4 N1 A different perspective: the family in split-screen, 2020 (thanks LizB)
https://youtu.be/Dn8RbvlOV_s N1 Vera lands on Captain 2020 (slo-mo)
https://youtu.be/S9BxyRx0wUA N2 Night moves: LW5 prepares for liftoff 2022
https://youtu.be/EcWKtfYf9OU N2 Have fish will travel: Fish number two arrives, departs and returns 2022
https://youtu.be/Mz4fJSZ_LUQ N2 Dorcha and LW6 fight over a fish 2022
https://youtu.be/T8wtZ_Zrq_E N2 Ludo’s second flight 2023
https://youtu.be/kYV3QZ-BIa8 N2 Ludo’s eventful third flight – gets divebombed and crash lands 2023
https://youtu.be/ZtKWJC9nqiU N1 Affric eventually gets a fish from Garry 2023
https://youtu.be/VmlZ8LP5KjU N2 Ludo makes a perfect landing this time 2023
https://youtu.be/HQpwZ0KNtUU N2 Ludo gets tired of waiting and self-feeds 2023
https://youtu.be/n5V3RcoCZJI N1 Garry arrives with a third fish for Affric 2023
https://youtu.be/yx5Yoxe0feY N2 Not tonight! Dorcha’s not accepting of Louis’ attentions 2023 (zoom)
https://youtu.be/Vkh1bYP9V_U N1 Sweet little singer visits 2024
https://youtu.be/U2bBn4PpMoM N1 Garry LV0 brings a stick and does nest prep 2024
https://youtu.be/jN1-tY56wnA N1 A pair of little birds pay an early evening visit 2024
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 18th July 2025
Today’s main story is Breac 7P7’s fledge. After doing a proper high helicopter off the screen in the morning, around lunchtime he casually had a quick preen, then without any fuss, spread his wings and launched himself out into the world. Older brother Darach 7P0 looked slightly bewildered but mum Dorcha flew off her perch to deal with the interloper, mistaking him for one of the intruders who’ve kept her and Louis busy today. He didn’t return to the nest, but thanks to LizB and her trusty scope, he’s been sighted perching on a tree behind the nest. Link in the bonus section to those trees via the drone flyover video. Despite intruder alarms, Louis delivered four fish to the nest, taking his tally to three hundred and twenty two. Nest One cam was up and running again this morning, allowing us to see Garry LV0 and Aurora 536 on the nest. He didn’t bring her any fish but they did have a successful mating, and when Affric 152 intruded and landed on the nest, they flew off together in the same direction showing their strong bond which bodes well for next year. His tally remains at one hundred and twenty nine. The weather was settled today, the thundery showers didn’t materialise but are forecast to show up tomorrow with a high of 22°C, but overnight it’s expected to be dry and partly cloudy with light winds, and a low of 14°C.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.41.29 (03.51.51E); Nest Two (04.08.30)
Today’s videos:
https://youtu.be/FAR3H2mrmRY N2 Darach wins the tug of war for fish one 06.59.30
https://youtu.be/jiKLX7mriNA N1 Garry and Aurora are scared off by Affric 11.02.30
https://youtu.be/Dehz9bEl9po N2 Breac gets high! Proper off-the-screen helicopter 09.40.27
https://youtu.be/Y3McAjshYKw N2 FLEDGE! Breac 7P7 has found his wings and flown! 13.23.30
https://youtu.be/G_madcp0b3c N2 Louis brings a second fish but only one chick is there 14.51.40
https://youtu.be/632J3R7_bUk N2 Darach is alone on the nest and gets fish three to himself 16.59.16
https://youtu.be/JIAeVM0yzpY N2 Darach does a good job of tackling a whole fish, 4th today 21.56.24
Bonus watch – LizB has spotted Breac 7P7 perched behind the nest, in the trees seen in this drone flyover video:
Blast from the past, this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/hVAZXaUtY_M N1 Did Aila pop out for a quick pint? Looks tipsy on landing! 2019
https://youtu.be/25QSyNV93w8 N1 Sibling rivalry – Rannoch gets a beating 2019
https://youtu.be/fZq4NVQVZGk N1 FLEDGE! Doddie finds his wings 2020 (Classic Ospreys: Chopin 2020)
https://youtu.be/FXbWOQ9_eII N1 Vera and Captain bow to Doddie 2020
https://youtu.be/jzeN92U37KU N2 Dorcha makes off with fish number two, chicks not happy 2022
https://youtu.be/QLDYCp-9mQE N2 Dorcha makes room for LW5 to wingercise 2022
https://youtu.be/gGXO_xyQDws N1&2 RAF do another flypast – three jets this time 2023
https://youtu.be/vxdVywfJT3U N1 Garry finally brings a fish for Affric 2023
https://youtu.be/mmcV4tRItZk N2 LY7 gets high! Proper helicopter! 2023
https://youtu.be/qaojgIgK74A WTScotsocial tweet and footage of 1JR tucking into his fish dinner in Spain 2024
https://youtu.be/wa59vTuwYJc N2 No fish, just a failed mating attempt 2024
https://youtu.be/pxWsh7-M96g N2 Is this a juvenile Tawny Owl calling nearby? 2024
From the Ventana Wildlife Society. I am starting with a quote from the newsletter. The work that these remarkable individuals do should get the highest praise. There are few of them and they really live their lives caring for these amazing creatures.
“If you watched our wildlife documentary, Condor Canyon, you got to know Amigo (204) and his long-time mate, Kodama (646). Often the first condors seen by blossoming birders in Big Sur, CA, Amigo and Kodama were fixtures in their territory at Sea Lion Cove. They raised three biological chicks together playing a key role in the recovery of the species.
On December 13, 2024, Amigo was found deceased on the cliffs of his coastal territory. It is known that condors can live more than 5 decades, however, at the time of his death, Amigo was just 25 years old. Necropsy results confirmed his cause of death was lead poisoning. The lead bullet recovered from his digestive tract was consistent with a .22 caliber. While this caliber is legal in California, lead-based ammunition has been banned for hunting wildlife since 2019 due to its devastating effects on condors and other wildlife. Lead poisoning accounts for half of all known causes of death in condors and unfortunately for Amigo, his life was cut short.
However, this isn’t about blame, but rather, about solutions. Hunters and ranchers across California are following the law and doing their part to protect wildlife. Many responsible land stewards want to make the switch but still face limited availability of reliable non-lead options for smaller calibers like .22, which is America’s most popular rifle. Expanding access and awareness is key to protecting condors and supporting people whose livelihoods depend on working and living off the land.
Let’s honor Amigo’s legacy by advancing practical tools and partnerships that benefit both people and wildlife. If you or anyone you know hunts or has a ranch in central California, please pass along information about our Free Non-lead Ammunition Program. Click or tap the button below to get started.” That button is in the newsletter. If it doesn’t work, go to their website.
Lead toxicity impacts more than just condors. Many of the Bald Eagles taken into care have enormous amounts of lead, so don’t just do this for the condors, do it for all raptors. Call for a lead-free world in terms of ammunition (both recreational and military) as well as in fishing gear, etc. It is do dangerous!
I have received news from ‘TU’ that the mother stork hit by the car in the Czech Republic has died. Thankfully, her storklets are doing very well. Had their rescue taken any longer, it might have been a different story.
‘TU’ and I also discussed Bonus the much beloved Black Storklet that was orphaned, raised for a bit in a clinic with Urmas and Dr Madis, and then fostered by Karl II and Kaia. We all loved Bonus and followed ‘his’ journeys and then his satellite transmitter went dead and our hearts sank. Well, Bonus might not have a transmitter but SHE is very much alive and has been seen and photographed at many nests. Urmas also agrees that Bonus is a female. Yippee. I hope that Bonus finds a safe nest – many more are needed along with artificial ponds full of frogs and little fish – but that she lives long, raises many storklets, and carries on the DNA of her parents, Jan and Janika.
Grandaughter Elysha highly recommends David Attenborough’s Ocean. It is a documentary that raises the issue of overfishing in the ocean and sheds light on our beloved albatross. Please check out the official trailer and then find the documentary on your streaming channel: https://youtu.be/O7V8OuS2BMY?
A new FB group that also looks at Kakapo.
The Cornell Red Tail Hawks, Big Red, and Arthur’s Os are still enjoying their time around the Cornell Campus and having Mum and Dad provide them with meals!~
Thank you so very much for being with us. We are taking a brief retreat-type holiday this week. The forecast, however, is for rain both where we live and at our destination. It is easier to be home to care for Don and Toby, but we are going with open minds and eyes, knowing that home is only 2 hours and 20 minutes away! My Friday blog may be short.
Brock is waiting for food. Then the wasps came and he left. Thankfully, he returned and ate his entire meal. I felt relieved, as he doesn’t look so good these days.
I want to thank our notable contributors, ‘Geemeff, Heidi, PB, PS, TU’, the owners of the streaming cams listed in bold, the individuals who take the time to create videos, including SK Hideaways, and the authors of posts such as Jeff Kear at UK Osprey Information, and all those at Menhaden-Little Fish, Big Deal FB. I am very grateful to you and all the others and to the newspapers that still cover environmental issues as they relate to our precious feathered friends. My blog would not be what it is without your input into the world of birding.
