Day 15 Welcome to Winter

16 Decembert 2025

Hello Everyone,

I cannot tell you what a strange day it is. It is now +4 degrees C. The snow and ice are melting. The sky is heavy with cloud, and the wind is beginning to pick up. The forecast calls for a change within four hours: cold, very windy conditions and snow. Ann has taken Don to the zoo. Toby and I have been out for a good, long walk, as the rest of the week’s weather is questionable. It feels dark and dreary, and that wet cold, when things are melting, is not so nice. Toby enjoyed all of the puddles but was glad to get home to a warm towel and be dried off!

At the feeders this morning.

Mrs Junior

One of the 31 Starlings was checking to make sure there was dog and/or cat kibble in the feeder—female house sparrow in the back.

Male House Sparrow

If you missed it, juvenile eagles visited the nest of Jackie and Shadow. Everyone wants them to be Sunny and Gizmo! We know where this nest tree is located and how difficult, if not impossible, to get there to band the eaglets but gosh, it sure would be a confirmation if they had Darvic rings.

Thanks, SK Hideaways.

“here’s the video from last nights visit by 2 juvies to J&S’s nest tree. Oh my, the eaglesphere is certainly all a flutter about it! 

FOBBVCAM 🦅Two Juvie Eagles Visit Nest Tree🌲Jackie & Shadow Let Them Be ☮️ Could it be⁉️ 2025 Dec 15
https://youtu.be/F6R4BuHTTOc

Gracie Shepherd asked the question: Whose eggs will hatch first: M15 and F23 at SW Florida or Ron and Rose at Dade County. I’m for having them hatch at the same moment! But who cares if they are healthy, right?

I keep saying it. Look. This is Girri but you could be easily fooled into thinking it was Diamond. Fledge watch is on – and this gal could fly out that scrape window any second.

Nice Osprey counts coming in from West Africa. Thank you Mary Cheadle, Jean-marie Dupart and all who follow the birds!

Today’s Country Diary focuses on the Snipe – oh, how I love seeing this bird in our wetlands in the summer. Enjoy.

ttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/dec/15/country-diary-i-love-these-soggy-winter-bogs-and-so-do-the-snipe?CMP=share_btn_url

“Greater Painted-snipe (Male) I2 IMG 9477” by J.M.Garg is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Many of Bird World readers are struggling. ‘T’ and ‘J’ have lost someone dear to them in the last few days, and I am aware that several have loved ones in the hospital in critical condition. Our warm thoughts are with all of you at this time.

Please take care. We will see you again tomorrow!

Thank you to SK Hideaways, Jean-marie Dupart for tackling what seems impossible, The Guardian, and the owners of the streaming cams and FB posters for their alerts!