Little goes to bed full at Achieva…Late Monday in Bird World

20 April 2026

Good Evening Everyone,

First, I want to thank one of our regular readers, ‘CR’, for stepping up in response to a request. I had reached out to see if anyone had images or knowledge of the owl attacks on Peanut at the Winter Park nest. ‘CR’, so concerned about this sweet eaglet, stayed up. They took video clips and still images. Why is this important? Because another regular reader has researched methods to deter owls from striking eagle nests. ‘MP’ wanted proof of the extent to which Peanut was attacked to accompany a presentation on how this viciousness could be stopped. We know that owls also attack osprey nests – this could become very important. I am so grateful to these two readers for responding and wanting to find a way to help, even if nothing comes of it soon. Thank you both! —–Remember, we can all help in many ways, small and large.

Spring feels like it is here. 16 C. However, we are expected to have torrential downpours later this week that might cause flooding. This is nothing compared to what is happening in other parts of the world and my thoughts today are with our friends in Japan who have had a strong earthquake and tsunami.

Toby and I are ‘being good’ and trying to stay out of Melissa’s way as she cleans up after us. Best thing I have ever done recently – for myself. I love a clean house, but goodness, there was never the time or the energy to get into the corners or those cobwebs 4 metres up in the conservatory. Now Toby and I need to have a conversation about ‘muddy paws’. I am going to bed smiling – the house glistens, and this is another weight off my shoulders. My mind is calm. What a wonderful way to start the week. I am so grateful to the wonderful people who help me live through having a husband with Lewy Body Dementia. Toby loves it because we can have many more walks, and Calico is getting an extra story hour!!!!!!! Gosh, I love these animals. They hear me start reading and, like lining up to get on an ark, they begin to filter into the conservatory.

So what in the world has gone on in Bird World today?

Let’s start with some sadness and move on to great joy. All three eaglets at the Hanover Bald Eagle nest, home to single Mum Hope and Dad Spot, who isn’t helping, have died. Spot killed the last one a short time ago. Reminiscent of the first year that Scout had eaglets with Bella at the NCTC nest. Very sad.

It looks like Achieva has started off good today. I saw three fish be delivered by 1400. Jack has surprised me. Little got a nice crop but he has to wait. Big is probably a ‘really BIG’ sister.

I wonder if Jack has a physical issue and that is why he was so ‘off’ with the fish? Did he get a sprained leg? Surely ospreys get unwell and out of whack like we do! At any rate, today was a fantastic day. We will celebrate it.

A close-up view of an osprey nest with two young ospreys on it, surrounded by twigs and branches, set against a backdrop of trees and a residential area.
A bird's nest made of twigs, located on a platform, with two birds present; one perched on a pole and another standing on the edge of the nest. Visible background includes trees and a street.
An osprey sitting in its nest made of twigs, with a view of a neighborhood street and trees in the background.
A bird's nest situated on a platform with two chicks and an adult bird, surrounded by greenery and a view of a street in the background.
A bird's nest made of twigs is pictured on a platform, with trees and a street in the background. Two birds are visible in the nest.
A bird's nest made of twigs is visible atop a tall pole, with a bird sitting on it. The background includes trees and a street with vehicles and buildings.
A webcam image of an osprey nest featuring two young chicks and an adult osprey perched on a post nearby. The background includes trees and a street.

More fish. Little at Achieva had a nice crop before bed! Wow. What a great day.

An osprey standing on a nest made of twigs, located on a pole surrounded by trees, with a suburban street visible in the background.
An osprey sits on a pole overlooking a large nest made of twigs, with a smaller osprey inside the nest. Background features include trees and a street with houses.

Lola has not been seen at the Charlo nest for two full days. The Owl Institute has published a statement that might shed some light on her absence:

A social media post discussing the status of Ospreys Lola and Charlie, mentioning recent fighting over their nest and potential relocation.

Iris and New Guy 2 continue to be a presence together on the Hellgate Canyon nest! Just smiling. There was a fish dug out of the rim of the nest, too, a nice big one.

Two ospreys sitting on a nest at night, with one osprey in the foreground and the other slightly behind.
An osprey sitting on its nest made of twigs, overlooking a parking lot and surrounding trees in a daytime setting.
Two ospreys perched on a nest, one looking directly at the camera while the other is slightly turned, with a blurred background of a parking lot and green trees.

Milda has her second little WT eaglet hatch at the Durbe County nest in Latvia. Congratulations!

Beautiful day in Norway at the Fru Rauer osprey nest.

An osprey standing on a nest made of sticks overlooking a body of water, with a rocky shoreline and hills in the background under a clear sky.
An osprey sitting in a nest made of sticks, with a scenic view of a calm body of water in the background under a clear sky.

There are eggs being laid at some of the Finnish osprey nests – gosh, it feels so early. At other nests, the ospreys are arriving.

#4:

A bird of prey standing on a nest made of twigs and branches, surrounded by a forest landscape in the background.
An osprey stands on its nest made of twigs, overlooking a scenic landscape of trees and hills.

Osp caught the nest building at the Jannakkala nest! https://youtu.be/ASp7ogw9uYY?

A collage of four images showing an osprey in a nest made of twigs and branches, with some areas of ground visible in the background.

And there is the egg laid on either the 18/19 of April! And then it was ‘rejected’….goodness, the drama that is unfolding at all the osprey nests this year. “Janakkala Osprey 18-19.4.2026_Aake ei hyväksy XLL:n ensimmäisen munan / Aake rejects XLL’s first egg.”

An osprey perched on its nest made of twigs and branches, situated on a grassy field with sparse vegetation in the background.

When we visited Guadalope last year, we called the Blue and Yellow Macaw at the Botanical Gardens ‘Roger’. We brought a stuffed one home which Toby adopted the minute he saw it as a little puppy. Today, these beautiful creatures are once again back in Rio. Smile. A good news story is always welcome.

A dream come true’: Brazil’s blue-and-yellow macaws return to Rio after 200 years https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/09/a-dream-come-true-brazils-blue-and-yellow-macaws-return-to-rio-after-200-years?CMP=share_btn_url

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 20th April 2026

Today was another routine day with mating encounters and many fish – Louis and Garry LV0 made three deliveries each. Dorcha took all three fish eagerly, but Aurora 536 turned down her second one, preferring to remain on her perch. There’s speculation that an egg might be imminent, however, she left for the night and the nest is currently empty. After Louis and Dorcha unusually pulled an all-nighter sleeping on the nest last night, Nest Two is also empty tonight. The fish count now stands at nine total for Nest Two, seven from Louis and two from Dorcha, and twenty one for Nest One, all brought by Garry. George WTS wonders “Anyone care to predict who will come out on top between Louis and Garry? Will experience or youth count?” and so far, the consensus is Louis will win. We shall see.Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/mDwLg_MTVLs N2 Louis arrives with a well munched trout 06.41.23https://youtu.be/bWqtuXimQbI  N1 Aurora seizes the first fish immediately then departs 11.03.25https://youtu.be/qXuUPwjwTYA N2 Fish number two for Dorcha, a headless trout 12.47.22 https://youtu.be/whWVIkcWqII  N1 Garry LV0 arrives with fish number two but Aurora 536 isn’t there 14.01.52 https://youtu.be/qhdDPmpbXiQ N1 This time Aurora doesn’t hesitate and grabs fish number three 18.51.54 https://youtu.be/VtxsuFNS6QQ N2 Dorcha has a bit of a tussle getting fish number three 19.25.37
Bonus guide to sustainable foraging and what’s in season this month:https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2023/04/foraging-in-april/
Blast from the past, this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/wHZ82lsjm0w N1 Is an egg on the way? Aila rejects Louis 2020
https://youtu.be/BmWPo9QWyCo  N1 Aila attacks Louis! 2020 (Slo-mo)
https://youtu.be/aafgLlitPRM  N1 Louis pays a flying visit to his empty nest 2021
https://youtu.be/9VqSvrxPL_E  N2 Fish fight, Dorcha wins eventually 2022
https://youtu.be/Cc8twF7MOYs  N2 Dorcha stays the night on the nest 2023
https://youtu.be/upyTm7MQoaY  N2 Egg number three! 2024 (zoomed repeat)
https://youtu.be/IrJUd9po9EQ  N1 Garry LV0 does a flypast before bringing his fish to Nest One 2024
https://youtu.be/PlkidBYXpsg N2 Dorcha shows no sign of injury on leaving with her fish 2024https://youtu.be/F2ypJD3KP48 N2 Dorcha gets a lively breakfast 2025 https://youtu.be/_U3zHvEiUHY N1 Garry brings breakfast for Blue 536 2025 

https://youtu.be/ogHunWjD9iA N1 Affric lands with an aerial battle going on nearby 2025

Everyone’s welcome at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, fun, and free:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

‘J’ sends us the banner from naturechat.org:

2nd egg hatched today at White-tailed Eagle Cam in Latvia.

3rd egg hatched today at Peregrine Falcon Cam in Belgium.

Pip watch begins for 1st egg at Peregrine Falcon Cam in Belgium 2.

At the John Bunker Sands Wetlands Bald Eagle nest, fledgling/juvenile JBS24 returned to the nest for a fish dinner. I am so pleased that this juvenile is doing so well.

This is what has gone on at the Loch of the Lowes so far this 2026 season: https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/2026/04/loch-of-the-lowes-osprey-update-the-2026-season-so-far/?

The Usk Valley Osprey Cam has its own FaceBook group: https://www.facebook.com/uskvalleyospreys

Two ospreys perched on a nest in a foggy landscape, with trees and hills in the background, representing the Usk Valley Ospreys project.

It is late and time for me and Toby to begin to settling for the night.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon!

Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to this posting – to Geemeff for all the news from Loch Arkaig, to those who posted images and information on FB, to ‘J’ for the news from naturechat.org, The Guardian for covering environmental and wildlife issues, to the owners of the streaming cams who let us observe these amazing families, and to you for caring so much about our planet and our wildlife.

Loch of the Lowes osprey update – the 2026 season so far
Loch of the Lowes osprey update – the 2026 season so far

Published by maryannsteggles

I went to the UK as a Commonwealth Scholar in 1990 and received my PhD from the University of Leicester in 1993. After three decades of university teaching, I retired to devote my time to the study of raptor behaviour. I am particularly interested in Ospreys and am working on a long term project on third hatch survival and siblicide in these raptors. My blog is a result of a fascination with my local wildlife and the desire to encourage others to love and care for birds! I live on the Canadian Prairies and prior to the pandemic travelled a lot. I am questioning the use of aviation fuel at the moment as we all strive to help our planet. My early research was in politics and art including British public statues exported to Southeast Asia and Vietnam Resistors that contributed much to Canadian ceramics. Books and articles were published on those subjects over a period of 3 decades. Now I am working on books for children so they can learn about the challenges our raptors face.

2 Comments

  1. Linda Kontol says:
    11 thAmerica/Winnipeg-05:0030America/Winnipeg04bAmerica/WinnipegMon, 20 Apr 2026 21:24:10 -0500 2021 at 21:24

    Thank you Mary Ann! I was right on time this afternoon and got to watch as DD Osprey fed the little at Achieva !
    I was so thankful! Hoping all stays like this and they both fledge. ❤️🙏
    Thanks for all the updates too and pictures. Will look at all of them tomorrow !
    Good night and give little Toby a hug
    And we will see you here again soon!
    Linda

    Reply
    1. maryannsteggles says:
      11 thAmerica/Winnipeg-05:0030America/Winnipeg04bAmerica/WinnipegMon, 20 Apr 2026 22:18:24 -0500 2021 at 22:18

      You are so welcome. Thank you for all your comments!

      Reply

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