Sandy fludges and then flies…Late Sunday in Bird World

28 June 2026

Hello Everyone,

Late news: Sandy fludged and then flew from the Big Bear Valley nest of Jackie and Shadow today. SK Hideaways gives us details and has the video: “After a glorious morning of new milestones by Luna reaching higher heights on the Y branch and Sandy venturing further out on a front porch limb, the day dimmed. In attempting to return to the nest from the front porch by jumping over Sandy, Luna accidentally knocked Sandy off her perch.

Sandy was lodged in branches at two points below the nest tree for awhile, but soon released and righted herself. She was soaring or flapping as she released ~ a very good sign. Then FOBBV reported that she had been seen flying on their security camera. Hopefully we’ll see her on the webcam soon. (2026 Jun 28)

Video: https://youtu.be/_I12FV2ZfX8

SK Hideaways Videos Week of 21 June 2026

FOBBVCAM Eagles ~ Big Bear Valley, CA ~ Jackie, Shadow, Luna & Sandy 
Courtesy FOBBVCAM | Friends of Big Bear Valley
Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE
Wide View Cam (Cam 2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41eq4VzCYc4
Live Recap & Observations https://bit.ly/3Md8TSz

FLEDGE WATCH FOR REAL ~ Sandy on Back Porch Edge ~ Luna to High Perch (2026 Jun 27)
Sandy and Luna both took big steps today ~ literally. Sandy perched on two of the back porch branches and exercised her wings with fledge-worthy vigor. Luna walked up the high perch on the front porch and exercised his wings with just as much energy. His dismount back to the nest was 10/10. One release of that back hallux talon from any of those perches and off they’d go. It’s only a matter of time and a few more grey hairs for fans. 
Video:  https://youtu.be/glMMMrK8mmI

Jackie & Shadow Can’t Resist Feeding Sandy & Luna ~ Awww (2026 Jun 26)
Instinct is a powerful thing. Despite the fact that Sandy and Luna are nearly 12 weeks old and have been self-feeding for some time, Jackie and Shadow sometimes cannot resist the urge to feed their big eaglets. Similarly, Sandy and Luna can’t resist being fed. In this video, Jackie and Shadow fed themselves and the eaglets. In addition to just enjoying some nice fish, the parents were also teaching the eaglets to identify opportunities to eat by stealing food from other eagles. This is a vital skill in their first years on their own while they learn to fish for themselves. To fans, these are bittersweet keepsake moments, as we know these eaglets will begin their life journeys very soon. (2026 Jun 26)
Video:  https://youtu.be/VC4KjBSvxPA

Luna & Sandy Take BIG JUMPS ~ Fledge Time Nearly Here (2026 Jun 24)
Luna and Sandy prepare for their next adventure in the big, wide world with BIG wingers, HIGH jumps, and LOTS of energy. At 11-1/2 weeks old, they are well within the fledge watch window. Typically male eaglets fledge first, so Luna could go first, but every eaglet and every nest is different. They both look strong and ready to fly. Holding fast to these moments as their departure time nears.
Video:  https://youtu.be/4GF9N7QnMA0

Fraser Point Eagles ~ Cruz, Andor, Sasha (hatched 3/28), Zuma (hatched 3/30), Ryder (hatched 4/1)
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Fraser Point Eagles Cam Ops
Nest Cam:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY4V_AppZ6s

Sasha Brings Fish Home~ Cruz Gets Tail ~ Possible Ryder Sighting (2026 Jun 25)
Sasha arrived at the nest with a whole fish, which was likely a gift from a parent (or stolen). Cruz came to see what was for breakfish, but Sasha was not very inviting.  Cruz reverted to Mama role and fed Sasha a bit. When the eaglet remembered that he could self-feed, he snatched the fish and carried on. Later, Cruz returned and took the tail for herself. No one was more shocked than Sasha. As fans hope and await the return of Zuma and Ryder to the nest, we spend much time listening and watching for fleeting fly-bys. I’ve captured both here and invite you to join in the guessing game of who’s who! 
Video: https://youtu.be/wEML1FhAYdY

Ryder Fludges ~ Cruz Makes Beeline for Nest ~ Departs with Fish (2026 Jun 22)
The jump that broke the nest’s back could describe what happened when Ryder challenged that weakening edge of the nest. He slid/flapped down to the ground and could be heard squeeing and rustling around as he explored the ground he’s visited once before. 

If you recall, Ryder fell from that edge on April 24^th (here’s the fall: https://youtu.be/WJ6b7BAztF0 / and here’s the rescue https://youtu.be/lKSFIC4irKI). He was just over 3 weeks old then. Now at 12 weeks old, he’s strong enough to have softly hit the ground (only about 15 feet below the nest) and capable of flying (though he has to prove that to himself). 

Cruz arrived just 25 seconds after Ryder fell and did a thorough assessment of the situation, as Sasha arrived and gave her an earful. About 90 minutes later, Cruz took fish leftover off the nest. We’d bet money that Ryder got a private feeding.
Video: https://youtu.be/KwnxmTaoZGM

RYDER BRANCHES! Returns & Tests Weak Nest Edge Before Branch #2 (2026 Jun 21)
Ryder finally took the short leap to the branch that Zuma chose to branch on a few days ago. It was an easy step-flap and Mama Cruz was right there to witness the grand accomplishment. 

Ryder returned to the nest and explored the weak edge of the nest that partially collapsed yesterday. Not sure about that fixation, but it gives us slight palpitations. Only slight, though, as Ryder is ready and able to fly ~ she just doesn’t quite know it yet.  Enjoy these fleeting moments while they last. 
Video: https://youtu.be/Wz_wtfSMdY0

San Jose City Hall Falcons ~ San Jose, CA ~ Hartley and Monty; Jet, Scout, Stewart, Walton (hatched 4/4/26)
Courtesy San Jose City Hall Peregrine Falcon Cam | Predatory Bird Research Group
Nest Cam:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBSxPjy5sow
Ledge Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pp9TisLmLU
Roof Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQLhmV6bP6o

Brothers Jet & Walton Hatch Plotto Oust Parents Hartley & MontyJet and Walton partnered in morning aerobatics before settling on the roof for some mischief plotting. When Hartley and Monty attempted to meet up for morning bonding, Jet put the plan to work as he ousted both parents from the nest area. But Hartley and Monty made up for it later with two undisturbed rendezvous in the afternoon. While not captured here, we saw that there were three boys on the louvers at day’s end. (2026 Jun 23)
Video:  https://youtu.be/cQwfc0oKhmU

Hartley & Monty Relaxed Too Soon ~The Terrific Tiercel Terrors Returned (2026 Jun 20)
Hartley and Monty celebrated their wildly successful season with a long bonding session and putting their talons up on the deck. That is until Jet disturbed their peace with an extended screaming session. The cacophony drew Scout and Walton to the balcony to see what the fuss was about, which gave me a perfect opportunity to capture more of the mayhem we’ve all grown to love. We didn’t see Stewart, but know that he showed up today. At day’s end, the brothers roosted on the louvers overnight once again. Enjoying these fleeting moments while they last.
Video:  https://youtu.be/ASVIdmLjiIU

West End Eagles ~  Catalina Island, CA ~ Isla & Lee
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | West End Eagles Cam Ops 
Nest Low Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfuqjSNXZ14
Other Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT1adgYSfbcqI
Overlook Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4VruASFo0A

Lee Jumps, Flees When Creepy-Crawly “Prey” Moves ~ Raven Cleans It Up(2026 Jun 27)
I shouldn’t laugh… but just can’t help myself. Sorry, Lee. 
Video: https://youtu.be/yA8wz1WlzwQ

I hope that your weekend was kind to you and that most of all, those that were in the heat of Europe or parts of the UK were able to stay cool. One of our readers from Berlin said that it had rained a little and was hoping it would help cool their 38 C temperatures. In Wales, where it was very hot, the male ospreys managed, or at least Teifi did, to get lots of fish on the nest so that his mate and chicks would stay hydrated. In the US, the nests that have struggled and lost chicks are finding some Menhaden or other species. We simply have to wait. The females are fishing – Little Dewey’s Mum and Della are doing very well, indeed. Jill at Achieva started a trend – I hope that it keeps up and that this is one way in which ospreys are adapting to the new reality of a heating world. That new reality is that both adults will have to fish and be creative finding food.

One of the nests that is causing a lot of anxiety is Blackbush in Prince Edward Island. That nest has four little ones. The oldest has decided to just hammer the tiny little 4th hatch. Its head has been beaten up to where there is now a huge bloody spot – or is it a hole? Hard to tell. Most of us cheer for the underdog and this nest took my mind back to two years at Port Lincoln. The first was with Solly when she brutally killed the tiny little third hatch, and then there was Zoe, who, full and fat, literally murdered her two siblings. It was after this that the fish fairies began to come to the nest. Thank goodness. Zoe traumatized all of us that were watching. And that is the point of this paragraph. Watching these screens when there is bullying and sheer physical violence is not good for your mental or physical health. I urge anyone who is having difficulty watching to please turn of the screen. Wait for 48 hours and then return. If the chick is still alive more than likely, it will remain so. If it has died, then you have saved yourself some very traumatic moments. I am especially thinking of many of you who have heart issues or high blood pressure. Please do consider my advice.

We had our own traumatic moments here this week. I you are a long time reader, you might recall that Don was hospitalised with prostrate issues over the Christmas holidays. Not being able to urinate causes toxins to build up in one’s body and that, in turn, causes very aggressive and often violent behaviours. I began to notice that Don was agitated and he began to get aggressive over the past few days and then it occured to me that it wasn’t the full moon that is to arrive shortly, but a prostrate issue. I could not get anyone in the public health service to come to my house without a doctor’s order and our GP is away for the weekend. Why does everything happen on the weekend or a holiday?!! At any rate, my BIL kindly agreed to drive 1.5 hours into the City and take Don to Urgent Care this morning. Thankfully, about 2000 Saturday evening, Don was able to relieve himself. We both jumped up and down with joy. Then we collapsed from exhaustion. I hope to arrange for help to come should I need it in the future and not have to go through a visit to Urgent Care which can mean sitting for hours and hours – this does not work for someone with dementia, normally. So, relief.

It is fledge watch at Rutland’s Manton Bay osprey nest of Maya and Blue 33 and their trio.

I am concerned about the smaller osplet on the Osoyoos nest in British Columbia. One has already passed. There has been no fish since 1800 Saturday at this nest. I fear all will perish. With the history of this nest, I wish the City would simply remove this platform and maybe the ospreys might find a more suitable place.

And the one that everyone is worried about is little 4, as mentioned above, at Blackbush in PEI.

Still two and a Dudley at Cowlitz PUD, but the smaller ones look ‘thin’ to me. Unlike my vet, who likes pet dogs and cats lean, I like my osplets nice and plump even during the teenage period of the Reptile phase.

The trio at Clark PUD are looking good.

Fish deliveries were on the small side at the Port of Ridgefield on Saturday. Let’s hope this isn’t a trend.

Trying to stay cool at Pitkin County Trails in Colorado.

HDonTap has no rewind but there appears to be two rather healthy osplets on the Coeur d’Alene, Idaho South Osprey platform. One did a ‘ps’ and I tried to get a capture of it – it was magnificent! Tells me that chick is getting a lot of food and it appeared to be the smaller of the two. Bravo.

There you can see that ‘ps’ very clearly!!!!!!!!!

This nest has been ‘sad’ in past years. Last year the female was left to take care of the chicks on her own and the year prior the male was unreliable. This is a good year. Yahoo.

The two at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum are doing grand.

Kam, Keke, and little Phoenix at the Sandpoint nest. Kam got left out of some of the fish he delivered.

Clark just continues to bring in whoppers. I will be grateful for this magical nest this year and try, so hard not to dwell on what I thought was going to happen in the NE. It is a tragedy but people need to collectively join together or it is simply going to get worse.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 28th June 2026

Today was wet and windy, with a few dry spells in between. It started out as a slow fish day but ended up with routine figures – Louis delivered four fish taking the Nest Two tally to two hundred and one, and his personal tally to one hundred and ninety nine, while Garry delivered a late evening fish for Aurora, and that single on-camera fish takes his tally to one hundred and forty two. Both males were delivering small fish which didn’t take long to finish, speculation is the loch was stirred up due to the weather and the big fish went deep, but regardless, everyone got a meal, and the two chicks swallowed a tail each. The forecast is for the light rain showers and gentle breezes to continue overnight and throughout tomorrow, with a low of 11°C and a high of 17°C.

Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/7_XvG95dUWI N2 Gust of wind blows Dorcha and chick over 10.32.19https://youtu.be/LninEfM6L3k N2 First fish is demolished in 15 minutes 10.55.49https://youtu.be/rzBDLf36uhE N2 Dorcha’s not there so Louis waits with fish two 17.00.57https://youtu.be/b60Qp0rSjxM N2 Louis’ fish number three is season’s 200th 20.15.24https://youtu.be/AKiWxvC36gA

N2 The fourth fish is another tiddler and quickly polished off 21.40.14https://youtu.be/2_4YQ0KvLEc N1 Finally! Aurora gets a fish – it’s a tiddler 22.32.36

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

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Thank you for being with us today. I will not be back with you until Wednesday. There is a lot going on in the next couple of days. Keep an eye on the nests. Ringing is going to be going on at some nests in the UK while fledge watch continues at Rutland’s Manton Bay. Take care!

Thank you to SK Hideaways and Geemeff for their video lists and summaries. I am so grateful to have those for you! Thank you also to the owners of the streaming cams – without you we would not get ulcers worrying about all these ospreys, eagles, and hawks!