A fish at Cape Henlopen…relief. Late Friday in Bird World

31 July 2026

Hello Everyone,

This is going to be a very, very short hello to everyone and a wish that each of you has a lovely weekend – and if it is a long one like it is in Canada, then please get out and enjoy some birdsong in the shade, if possible. It remains very hot here. Ann has taken Don out, and I plan on having a cuddling nap with Toby! The Girls are all sound asleep. Calico and Missey have not been happy with one another, so I am trying another one of those calming diffusers from the vet. I really do feel gutted when they are not getting along.

There is relief. ‘PB’ writes: “Hennie brought CH1 a dogfish (which was to tough to eat) and 2 menhaden which baby devoured. Hennie looks thin this morning but took off after 3rd fish delivery hopefully to get her own fish or eat some of it and bring back a partial.”

There was no help coming for CH1 like at South Cape May Meadows and those who care dearly for the adults and chicks at this nest – namely our Heidi – were devastated that CH1 would wither and die on that nest. Why not feed them? The answer was that the chick might fledge early. My response is – they can’t fledge if they are starving to death. Let us hope that more fish arrives for the adults, too.

There is other good news. Jackie is continuing to improve.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 30th July 2026 

The chicks spent today flying around making constant short flights, landing on the nearby Scots Pine, returning to the nest for fish, competing for fish with each other and with Dorcha, and generally enjoying their new found freedom. For the first time since the season began in April, the nest is empty as both chicks are spending their first night elsewhere. This is another side of nest cam watching – we’re willing the chicks on to fledge, and then suddenly have to cope with empty nest syndrome! But we will have the pleasure of the chicks’ company for a few weeks longer as they fatten up and prepare for migration, historically Dorcha doesn’t stay too long after her chicks fledge but Louis will stick around bringing fish until the chicks leave. From now on every sighting is to be treasured. This time last year Aurora had already left but both she and Garry are still here, Garry brought her one fish today taking the Nest One tally to one hundred and eighty seven, while Louis brought five fish, taking the Nest Two tally to three hundred and fifty one. After a damp start the weather was settled although the ‘moderate breezes’ sounded very loud on nest cam, and it’s forecast to be dry overnight with a low of 9 °C, changing to thundery showers tomorrow with gentle breezes and a high of 15 °C.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/oOXarBAKpW8 N2 Juniper attacks Dorcha and gets both fish one 04.59.33 and fish two 05.05.35https://youtu.be/IicSVqhKqsk N2 Amber gets fish three and Dorcha loses out again 10.09.13https://youtu.be/uga2QueDe1g N2 Dorcha gets fish four to herself as both chicks are absent 12.47.18https://youtu.be/kHmRBZU5Jcg N1 

Garry follows Aurora to the nest and gives her a fish 14.12.57

https://youtu.be/6ktLd4RWAKU N2 Dorcha gets fish five first then gives it to Amber 14.21.04

Everyone’s invited to join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and you’re all welcome:

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

It has been confirmed that little Sol will not be returned to the Fru Rauer nest in Norway but will be placed with a more experienced pair of adults where there is plenty of fish.

It seems that many places are suffering this year from a lack of fish. The wildfires and heat across the UK and Europe have had an impact as well as in North America.

The latest Condor Chat from the Ventana Wildlife Society. https://www.youtube.com/live/DRuhlA8PXig?

Sadly there are a lot of condors dying from lead poisoning.

I cannot get enough of Iris and Wensi!

Nearing fledge in Minnesota. Two beautiful osplets.

Smile. There are still four feathered chicks at Blackbush!

Take care, all. I will be back on Monday. I am going to take a few days off. We are having some plumbing renovations done, and the plumbers are not here, so if the weather allows, I hope to get Don and Toby out for some walks and to visit with some friends and family this weekend.

Remember – please leave a dish of water out and food if you can!

Thank you to Geemeff, to PB, and to everyone who posted on FB, to the Ventana Wildlife Society and the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to view the lives of these magnificent creatures.