Late Monday in Bird World

5 October 2026

Hello Everyone,

It is 16:38. The sun is far over in the west, casting a magical glow over the garden. The wind is just beginning to pick up as the birds arrive for a late meal before settling in for the night. I know where the Crows nest, the squirrels’ dreys are in the park, and the Blue Jays stay in the tree across the back lane, but where do the sparrows and Starlings go? It is an eternal question.

One starling is looking for ‘dog food’ kibble that Ann gave to me for the Crow family.

Toby and I had some amazing walks today. Perfect weather – 16 degrees C. The leaves were dancing around on the sidewalk. Toby loves chasing them! He sometimes looks grouchy, but he is anything but. What a sweet little lad he is and what comfort.

I am so sorry that I made so many people cry. It was not my intention. Yes, our situation feels rather dire, and it certainly wasn’t what anyone would expect. No matter what I do, I cannot change the impact that it had on Don’s life. His doctor, Dr Classen, believes there is a possibility that he might be able to come home if he can get near to the mobility that he had when he went into hospital. Life right now is so uncertain, and all I can do is wait and take things one day at a time.

So for now, we will begin decorating our spaces for Thanksgiving and Don’s all-time favourite holiday, Halloween. He made mechanical figures and put them on the porch of our Victoria house ‘back in the day’. Those sculptures often made the local newspaper. And there was nothing more wonderful than dressing up and handing out treats – it was always magical.

Tomorrow’s treat will be pumpkin pie – it is the season!!!!!!!!!

In Melbourne, it is hot. Mum at 367 Collins Street is panting and trying to keep her babies cool.

Mum and Dad are sleeping on the nest tree in the Olympic Forest, all the while protecting SE 37 and 38.

Gimbir takes over incubation from Diamond. Gimbir is the great provider! Cilla Kinross identified the prepared morning’s prey as an Eastern Rosella.

We are ready for hatching. Stay tuned, or you will miss it. Here is the link to the box cam, side view: https://www.youtube.com/live/gnF7_gRHHMQ?

There is some really good news coming from Nikki Redman and Fran Solly in South Australia:

Black Stork migration news from Maria Marika:

‘The Rookies’. California Condors are preparing to be released into the wilderness after hatching at several zoos in California. Here is the link to their live-streaming cam: https://www.youtube.com/live/1u6rKUrUot8?

Here is the Condor Roost for those living in the wild. They can feed on the lead-free carcasses provided by Ventana Wildlife Society. Here is the link to this camera: https://www.youtube.com/live/QQdF-8CVSC0?

There are a number of other cams, including nest cams, that are currently offering Highlights.

There will be a lot of fundraising going on – it is that time of year. There are calendars galore including the one from Idris and Telyn’s nest at Dyfi.

There is also the book about Aran and Mrs G from Glaslyn that is written by Kathryn Keir and illustrated by Penny Albright. Funds will be used for the streaming cam for Aran’s new nest. Will provide information as it becomes available but I am so looking forward to this offering!!!!!!

An osprey still in the UK.

UK Osprey Information FB is looking for a new banner:

That’s it for today. Please take care everyone. Keep checking on Diamond and Gimbir’s scrape in the water tower at Charles Sturt University in Orange, Australia. Hatch is coming.

Thank you to everyone who contributed information and images on FB, to those who created videos and wrote content, and to the owners of the streaming cams – we are eternally grateful.