Hen Harriers disappear…Early Wednesday

24 June 2026

A heat wave has hit the UK, and in Wales, they are expecting temperatures above 30 C and will be closing the hides at the nature centres. Rain and now heat.

We continue to have rain but right now there is a wee bit o sunshine with a huge black cloud moving in over the conservatory from the West. Did I say I was sick of rain? I must run out and feed the birds so they manage something before the deluge hits.

One that is thriving and my first little Roma tomato!

Oh, the tomatoes need some heat. The leaves are turning yellow because of too much rain!

A run through some nests:

Charlo: C22, the only surviving osplet on the nest of Charlie and his new mate, appears to be doing fine.

Dewey Beach: Little Dewey is feathered and is OK. I use the term ‘OK’ because the fish coming in are on the small side. Nothing wrong with small, but they will need a lot of them.

Osoyoos: The youngest died a few days ago (on the 20th I believe). This nest could be in trouble – lots of fish needed.

Rutland’s Manton Bay: The trio got their bling on Tuesday. There are two males and a female.

Loch Doon: Expecting the two chicks of Frankie and Angel to be ringed today.

Salmon River, Idaho: Baling twine continues to plague this nest with its two ospreys.

OBX: Two fish and four feedings at this nest -. I say they need more fish. These chicks are growing.

Moraine: Three gorgeous feathered osplets.

Smallwood: Three feathered osplets and a goldfish for dinner?

Upper Newport Bay: Two flapping osplets thinking of fledging.

Oyster Bay: Another nest with three feathered osplets that appears to be doing alright.

Santiam Canyon: Another nest with three osplets. Some large fish came on Tuesday and stopped some of the anxiety that had been happening at the nest.

South Cape May Meadows: The nest of Hera and Zeus that has brought such sadness to the adults in past years. There is now only one surviving osplet. Hoping this baby makes it.

Hellgate Canyon: Many of the other nests could use the size of fish that Clark is bringing onto the nest for Iris and Baby.

Cape Henlopen: Miles and Hennie are both fishing for their three. Wish this nest well. These adults are trying – like all the others to find food.

NCTC nest of Bella and Scout: Susie has fledged and we are on fledge watch for RJ.

Border Ospreys: Trying to keep the heat off the chicks and find fish!

https://borderospreys.co.uk/2026/06/24/fish-and-hot-chicks/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSozT9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeUHRwGyZE4KYQjA8pQ8OOIyZlDgt17sQ7ZUmZjJt1u6ufEHX6wrBQXlOTXa4_aem_AW3cWa0ZfC8b2i5kyrTGLw

Tweed Valley Nest 2: Eggs due to hatch next week. Oh, my they are so late.

Boulder County: Three nicely feathered osplets.

Minneapolis Landscape Arboretum: We still have two growing chicks.

Kielder Nests:

UK Hen Harrier Report: 149 missing from grouse-hunting estates over the past 8 years. Incredibly horrible. I love Hen Harriers – but what about the chicks that get stomped at the nest? Grouse hunting needs to be made illegal. I do not care if it is a medieval tradition of the aristocracy and royals.

If you want a good little book, Bowland Beth, will break your heart and make you understand.

Now another one in Wales. What is wrong with people?

Thank you so much for being with us early today. Please take care. I will see you again tomorrow for a brief look at what is happening! We send everyone out there a big hug. I wish I could send our friends in the South some of our rain, and I wish for cooling temperatures for those in the UK who are under an Extreme Red Warming – 38 C possible. An unprecedented heat wave.

Another one of Missey from yesterday.

Thank you to absolutely everyone who wrote a newsletter, to Ruth T at Raptor Persecution UK, to those that post on FB and to the owners of the streaming cams where I took my information and screen captures, I am forever grateful.

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