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.
Jak and Audacity’s second egg has been pierced by Audacity’s talon and is no longer viable. The first egg that was laid remains intact. Thank goodness.
There is a fishing line and a red/white bobber on the nest of Louis and Anna II in the Kistachie National Forest. The Migratory Bird Act permits intervention because this is a human-caused hazard. It requires a letter of permission from the USFWS.
At PA County Farms there is cause for celebration – first egg for our couple who often lay and hatch three or four eggs! I am hoping for just two healthy eaglets.
It was a fantastic day on the Canadian prairies. The weather is warm, the snow is now slush and horrid, but it is great for dog walks! The car washes are going to be very busy this week. By the weekend it will warm up to 0 C.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Send good wishes that the fishing line is removed safely in Louisiana and that Jak and Audacity’s first egg holds.
Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to SK Hideaways for their video and to the owners of the streaming cams who allow us to view the lives of our lovely raptors.
This has to go first as I missed it so a belated happy birthday to Jackie and Shadow!
And before anything else, a ‘fiver’ will give you the opportunity to vote for the names for Gabby and Beau’s eaglets. But you must hurry!
Great capture of a tandem feeding by Gabby and Beau!
I wish you could have been at story time this afternoon. It was so warm in the conservatory. I started reading – Don and Toby were already there. Calico ran in when she heard my voice and then Baby Hope. The two Calicos stayed for over an hour and then left – and that is when I stopped reading. There was just something about their presence, the sun shining in the glass, and the blue sky. It really was so nice and warm and cosy. The light streaming in demanded that we have story time early, and it was beautiful. We shall switch the time to the early afternoon on these bright sunny days.
SK Hideaways has good news: “Quick news flash: Jackie & Shadow were observed mating on the Lookout Snag at 14:30:55!”
Jak and Audacity’s egg is holding! Send them your continued best wishes.
Bird Flu continues to take lives and now it is the Thames Valley Swans that are under threat.
It is so wonderful that people like Penny Albright who is vacationing is also sending us news about the local ospreys on Sanibel! Thank you.
Lucille Powell reminds us that Rosie could be arriving at the platform she shares with Richmond in a fortnight!
Storks seem to be returning to certain areas of Europe. In some areas of France, people are beginning to feel the transition from winter to spring. Some are seeing a few daffodils and quince blossoms.
I am so pleased that many are learning about the flightless parrot, the Kakapo, and checking in on the streaming cam. There are so few of these birds left and great care is taken with them just as the NZ DOC does with the Royal Albatross.
Jak and Audacity now have their second egg.
Thank you so much for being with us for this quick check on our friendly raptors. We will be back with you at the end of the week! Please take care of yourself.
Thank you to the creators of the videos that I have linked here today, the authors of the FB posts, and The Guardian for its coverage of the raptors and the environment. I am so grateful. My blog would not be the same without your talents!
Oh, the sadness that the loss of Jackie and Shadow’s eggs has caused. It was like a grey cloud that covered the entire world. Of all the nests, these two tug at our heartstrings more than any others – or so it seems by the continued number of letters I am receiving. They are certainly a very special couple.
Everyone is complaining about the weather. My friend, Geemeff, in the UK, is tired of rain, and we are tired of snow. There is little room in my garden for anymore! The rain in the UK is having a huge impact on the birds and wildlife there.
Here, the wind and the freezing cold are surely impacting the birds that come to the garden. Surely. It is difficult enough for humans – and for our dear Brock. We will be ever so happy when spring arrives.
Meanwhile…Toby continues to try on little coats. This one will be for a warmer day. The aviator coat and his red jump suit are perfect for the weather now. The jump suit is the best as he can leap into deep snow and not have it cover all of him.
Ann rescued a three-year-old dog. Lucy is a little smaller than Toby. Toby used his allowance to get her a very adjustable pink vest. We hope she likes it.
Once Lucy is fixed, she is coming over to meet Toby. Let us hope they are real friends. It would be brilliant.
Morning delight: There is an osprey at the Wolf Bay nest in Alabama.
There has been so much discussion about Jackie and Shadow and that is simply because we love them. They are the most loved bald eagles in the US if you count the number of viewers along with all the news coverage. We are sad for them – and for us. What a joy it has been to watch Spirit fledge and then Sunny and Gizmo last year. Oh, what a year it was and we hoped for another. Perhaps there will be. It was unusual for Jackie to be off the eggs for so long. Each of us knew that. You felt something was wrong. Those eggs are so precious to them. I got a note from ‘B’ that might help clarify what happened – and why we must always ‘trust the Eagles’.
‘B’ wrote: “I hadn’t looked at the Friends of Big Bear Valley facebook page until now, so I hadn’t realized that FOBBV had seen that one of the eggs was cracked even before the ravens visited. So, yes, maybe Jackie had sensed that something was off. Hopefully Jackie will quit incubating what remains now, so that she can move on, even if there isn’t a second clutch. I totally understand you not sending a note upon learning the news — I had thought that might be a possibility even before you mentioned. Much as we love all these nests, Jackie and Shadow are special.”
No matter what happens we will keep these two in our hearts and continue to check in on their daily activities. We might be surprised by a second clutch. As I mentioned, second clutches are, indeed, rare but Jackie and Shadow did have one in 2021.
SK Hideaways Videos Week of 25 January 2026
FOBBV Bald Eagles: Jackie & Shadow ~ Happy Birthday, you two!
While their precise hatch date is unknown, we celebrate both their birthdays on 1 February. Courtesy FOBBVCAM | Friends of Big Bear Valley Resident Bald Eagle male: Shadow (unbanded) since May 2018. Estimated hatch year: 2014 Resident Bald Eagle female: Jackie (unbanded) since September 2016. Estimated hatch year: 2012 Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE Wide View Cam (Cam 2): https://youtube.com/live/LCGYWfbyBWc LIVE Recap & Observations https://bit.ly/3Md8TSz Big Bear Eagle History: https://www.friendsofbigbearvalley.org/eagle-history/ Raven Breaks Both of Jackie & Shadow’s Eggs (2026 Jan 30) It was a very sad day in Big Bear. Jackie and Shadow were away from the nest for nearly 4 hours. During that time, ravens made multiple visits and ultimately breached both of the eggs. But before they did, we could see that one egg was already cracked. Perhaps Jackie and Shadow’s extended absence indicated their sense that something was off with the eggs. Absent an eagle mind-reader, we will never know. Video: https://youtu.be/PT0yZCVYKJE Courtesy FOBBVCAM | Friends of Big Bear Valley
JACKIE LAYS 2ND EGG! Shadow Will be So Eggcited Tomorrow! 2026 Jan 26 Jackie had another short labor laying her second egg of the season just before dusk. Shadow had been visiting just 20 minutes before, so he’ll get a welcome surprise in the morning. Video: https://youtu.be/TTBhA0nK7NU
John Bunker Sands Bald Eagles: Mom & Dad Courtesy John Bunker Sands Wetland Center Eagle Cam Eagle Tower Camera 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wdo7BzUU_g Eagle Tower Camera 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEDb2KqvvyQ Eaglets JBS 24 & JBS 25 Begin Bonking Despite Full Pantry (2026 Jan 28) 3-day-old JBS 24 and 2-day-old JBS 25 are being very well fed. They even have tiny baby crops and a very full nest of food. Despite that, instinct has kicked in and one eaglet, likely JBS 24, has begun a food competition. But it’s pretty minor and the video shows just one instance of the eaglet being aggressive against its sibling. It is reported that this nest historically has very little sibling aggression (except for last year), so let’s hope the typical trend continues. Even with the one bonk shown here, these two are a joy to watch. (2026 Jan 28) Video: https://youtu.be/GPwd5POXfuM
1- and 2-Day Old Eaglets Get to Know the Joys of FISH (2026 Jan 27) JBS 24 hatched on January 25th; JBS 25 on January 26th. We join them as Mom feeds them an afternoon fish snack. They make the troubles of the world simply fade away. Video: https://youtu.be/CIvPlG-vqNc
San Jose CH Falcons: Hartley & Monty’s Rooftop Rendezvous ~ Nesting Season in Full Gear (2026 Jan 29) Despite what the calendar says, spring is already in the air for Hartley and Monty. Today they met briefly on the ledge before a rooftop rendezvous. Hoping for eggs in just over a month. Video: https://youtu.be/cMUzsVTn408
San Jose CH Falcons: Hartley & Monty Are in the Mood for Love (2026 Jan 24) Nesting season kicks off in earnest as Hartley and Monty increase mating frequency. Video: https://youtu.be/RjN3HDNp_Wo
The GHO has caused the female at Frenchman’s Creek to stop incubating her egg at night. She has only laid one. Heidi has kept a close eye on this nest. It is so sad and at the same time, I am glad that the female wants to survive and has learned to stay away when the owls are flying at night. Osplets can wait another year or never until the owl is not around.
Finally. The murder trial of a gamekeeper who killed his colleague will begin. This all began, as I understand, with the killing of raptors.
A trip down memory lane: ‘A’ wrote, very excited. She found some information from three years ago and she wants me to share it with you. I know that you will remember the little red-tail hawklet raised by the Bald Eagles on Gabriola Island in British Columbia, Canada. ‘A’ writes: “I found this from 15 March 2023:
As a followup to last year, a local observer reported that the hawklet Malala was being seen with the adults on the beach and seemed to be doing well – apparently young hawks stay with their parents longer than eaglets, and the parents are accepting this.
Isn’t that just wonderful? And how amazing that the adult birds maintain a caring and teaching relationship with the hawklet for some significant period of time after it fledges, even though this is not the usual behaviour with eaglet fledglings of a similar age. And how wonderful that the little hawklet is on the beach with its adoptive parents, learning how to hunt for eagle food. I cannot tell you how that just makes my heart sing. As you know, I adored that spunky little hawklet, and had SO many questions after it fledged that I never thought would be answered. So it is wonderful to hear that single piece of news – it makes me so incredibly happy. I suppose the courage of the wee thing was what made the difference. It was cautious in its early behaviour on the nest but equally, it stood up for itself, literally fought for respect once or twice, and generally behaved in a very assertive manner. I’m not sure whether the outcome would have been different if Malala had been a bit more timid.
In the end, the basic behaviours of a chick were interpreted by the parents as warranting parental care because they are programmed to react that way and because their hormones were in the ‘chick caring’ phase. See a begging small beak, fill it with food. Hawklets are brave, bold little things – they do mature very quickly – and I suppose that is what saved this small person. But I really think this must happen quite frequently – some birds rely on the parental instincts of other species to reproduce at all (cuckoos, some ducks and a range of others), so I think we’d be surprised at how frequently it does occur if we knew the exact numbers. Parental instincts are just so incredibly strong. Look at the seemingly irrational devotion of parents of most species. The self-sacrifice involved in raising young is incredible (look at the albatrosses) and yet it is demonstrated by almost every species.
As you might have picked up, this has absolutely made my weekend. I am beyond thrilled! Please update your readers. I know how popular the Gabriola Island nest became in 2022 as a result of this blended family – so much so that the landowners chose not to allow the livestream the following season (2023). They did continue to monitor the bald eagle pair in 2024, I think, though I don’t know about 2025. It was a GROWL project, but there is no current information about the nest on their site.”
Deb Stecyk has posted the following about the activities at the NCTC nest of Bella and Scout. You might have difficulty viewing the log here so please go to Bald Eagles 101 FB.
I am so ashamed that I forgot about some nests, and I do not intend to – look at the two eaglets at Hilton Head! They are so gorgeous and have all their juvenile plumage!!!!!! And what a feast – six fish. Lovely.
As i the Winter Park Bald Eagle nest had not endured enough with the earlier rivalry between the eaglets, difference in age by five days, then a huge storm has torn off the rails! https://youtu.be/zyHx4-fMUxg?
Send them good wishes. The eagles can quickly build up the rails if the chicks can manage to stay in the nest.
ABC’s Bird of the Week is the Painted Bunting. Have a read. These colourful birds remind me of the Rainbow Lorikeets that visited Daisy the Duck while she was incubating her eggs or the sea eaglets when they are on the nest. I find I always learn something about these little focused stories.
There is a second egg at the Pink Shell Osprey nest in Florida.
Thank you so very much for being with us today. We hope that Monday brings you a wonderful start to your week. Our friends in parts of France are beginning to see small flowers, a Quince blossom here or there – tiny little reminders that spring will come! It is sunny with a beautiful blue sky today and it is -19 C. It will warm up a bit. Toby is getting excited about going for his walk with Ellen in half an hour. I am so grateful for all the help and support that I have.
As for us, we are doing well. It is 2 February and it is our anniversary. Last year we were in Guadeloupe. This year we are sharing a very special Chocolate Haskap cake and are simply grateful that we have a home, food, are able to heat that home in the winter and take care of the other animals that bring joy to our lives. It is the little things around us that are important – keep them safe and make the land and the lives of those that share it better. If everyone did that, we would not have a problem!
We look forward to having you with us again later this week. Take care.
Thank you to SK Hideaways for their videos, to the others who create videos and information posts on FB and the authors of articles and posts that tell us much about our feathered friends. I am grateful to all of you as well as the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to look into the lives of our favourite raptors.
This will be the last little post of the day. I will be back on Monday or Tuesday, depending on what is going on in Bird World.
Just after I sent out the Jak and Audacity post, ‘N’ sent me a note to tell me that Ellie at the Kansas City Bald Eagle nest had laid her second egg. I don’t want to ever play favourites when it comes to our birds but goodness they are laying eggs and hatching quicker than I can find out what is happening!
We need to celebrate not only Jak and Audacity’s egg but also the second egg of Ellie and Harvey! Congratulations to all!
Also, part of tonight’s story time had a quote from John Muir, the founder of the National Park system in the US. I think it is worthwhile to read it over and over again!
“Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into the trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will fall off like autumn leaves.” (John Muir, 1901)
Thank you to ‘N’ or sending me the notice about Ellie and Harvey’s second egg arrival and to Farmer Derek for allowing us into the lives of the wildlife that share his family’s property.
We are in the midst of a snow storm. I was reminded today that there is something really important – after a storm – whether it be rain or snow – you MUST clean our your bird feeders completely! Why?
It takes very little time for the birdseed to get mouldy. Less than 48 hours in some instances.
Birds get a fungal infection called Aspergillosis. Aspergillosis is a serious, often fatal fungal infection in birds, primarily caused by Aspergillus fumigatus. It affects the respiratory tract (lungs/air sacs) by inhaling spores from mouldy, damp environments. It commonly impacts stressed, captive, or wild birds, causing chronic breathing difficulties, weight loss, and, if severe, rapid death.
The fungus thrives in warm, moist, decomposing organic matter, such as wet bedding (especially corn cob or wood shavings), moldy grain, or improper, poorly ventilated housing. It does not typically pass from bird to bird.
Mr Crow thanks you and reminds you that to adequately clean the feeders you should use a dilute wash of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water. Soak the feeders for 10 minutes. We have an old wash tub that we use for this very purpose but it also needs regular cleaning to stop disease from spreading.
Thanks so much for being with us. Take care and please enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Oh, and please also go to the Kakapo cam. There were three fertile eggs. The rangers have left one fertile one and removed two to incubators for other females who might not have a check. It is a new cam and the kakapo need all the support we can give them – their population is struggling.
I didn’t write. Each of you knows what happened at Big Bear Valley’s Bald Eagle nest of Jackie and Shadow. After having left the eggs uncovered for a number of hours, the Ravens came. Of course, all of us are devastated. I have had more than 100 letters full of sadness from you. Jackie and Shadow hold a very special place in our hearts.
Jackie and Shadow will move forward – and so will we. Will there be a second clutch? We will have to wait and see. For me, I am thankful that at that altitude, with its issues about egg thickness and fertility, we got to enjoy Sunny and Gizmo. If we get an eaglet this year, it is a bonus.
Sue Bruhling has the idea!
At 0823, Jackie was looking down at the shells. It broke my heart. I cannot show you that image because of the restrictions set by the owners of the streaming cam. But keep watching our beloved Big Bear family – and continue to send them the most positive energy. They can surprise us!
How often do Bald Eagles lay a second clutch? Bald Eagles rarely lay a second clutch, doing so only if the first set of eggs is lost early in the season, typically within the first two weeks of incubation. This “replacement” or “double” clutch happens in roughly 3% of total nesting attempts, or about 27% of cases where the first clutch fails. A second clutch is possible only if the first is lost early enough for the female’s hormones to allow a new cycle. Second clutches are usually triggered by early-season nest failure due to predation, human disturbance, or destroyed eggs. Energy Requirements: The pair must have sufficient food and energy resources to produce a second set of eggs, typically 1 or 2. Jackie and Shadow did just this in 2021 when they lost their first clutch.
Thank you to reader ‘A’ in Japan who sent me the most beautiful images of a hen harrier that they took – and allowed me to share with you. This is that gorgeous raptor that is so persecuted in parts of the UK.
There is an osprey couple incubating at Captiva but not on the Window to Wildlife streaming cam.
Scotland creates the first UK law to have homes install Swift bricks. Don’t know what a swift brick is? Read on.
If you missed it, Harry and Sally have three eggs at Moorings Park osprey platform in Florida.
‘A’ is keeping an eye on our Royal Albatross: “Dad WYL returned from foraging yesterday and immediately fed his chick. Look at that adorable bill and those sweet little pink paddles. Are they not the cutest things you’ve ever seen? Look at that cute little yawn from Plateau Chick? Seriously. It’s even cuter than a hawklet, and you know how I feel about those. Deyani was just the sweetest chick I’ve ever seen – except for these tiny albatross chicks. There is absolutely nothing like them. They grow to such a size, with that immense wingspan, but for now, they’re just like little fluffy toys. These birds are beyond special. Their patient stoicism is awe-inspiring. So incredibly gentle and yet so powerful in their own way. Such solitary birds for so much of their lives, and yet so loving when they do interact with their chicks or partners. They never cease to amaze me.
I read that the departing parent pulls the grass and dumps it over their shoulder as an offering of nesting material to the remaining parent, and that this gesture is an indication of their intention to return. If that is true, it is just one more adorable feature of these wonderful birds. I’m sorry if I’m sounding a little albatross-obsessed, but it’s only because I am. Which reminds me, thank you for the link to the Laysan albatross on Midway Atoll. The sweet chick on the camera is such a woolly little person. Too cute.”
Jack and Jill continue to work on the Achieva Credit Union nest.
I have been told that Owlvira and Hoots have a couple of owlets in their nest.
Owlvira is certainly looking as if she is feeding babies under her!
Little ones at John Bunker Sands are doing well. Lots of ‘bird’ prey on that nest today.
It is warming up for us. Snow is starting to fall, and with the warmer weather, the forecast is for snow on and off through the end of Sunday. We hope the wind will stop. We had a lovely walk with Toby this morning and cleaned up around Brock’s feeding station. Oh, spring, please come early!
Take care of yourselves. See you soon!
Thank you so much to the authors of the posts, the owners of the streaming cams and to ‘A’ for her lovely photos.
It is warming up. -15 C wasn’t bad today but it is still cold. Not having any wind really helped on our morning excursion. The last Thursday of the month is ‘old people’s day’ at pet food stores, with 10-20% discounts. Toby loves going to the pet store. He is spoiled. Well, is there a word that means ‘more than spoiled’. He is always on the ‘lookout’ for a new toy when we go shopping, and today it was a fishing wand with some Valentine feathery bobbles. He would not stop whining til it went in the cart!!!!!!! Now, pet stores often do things on purpose just like grocery stores – put the toys down low in line of the pet’s sight. Remember having a toddler at the checkout line with candy???
Well, the fishing wand toy was a big hit with everyone – including all The Girls. So, thank you, Toby!
We managed to get The Girls two extra-large bags of their kibble and six large 24-tin boxes of wet food, and then there was Brock. He got his huge bag of dry kibble and some wet, and I got a big box of wet food for my neighbour, who also feeds Brock. Toby got his dry food and a handful of Lamb Chop toys. On the way home we stopped to pick up a box that had been delivered earlier in the week when we weren’t home. It is an aviator jacket – faux leather with shearling. Toby is a WWII fly boy!!!!!!
Does he look tired of trying on coats? He isn’t actually. Apparently, the tri-colours look ‘grumpy’ because of their colour patterns. I think he is rather handsome and reminds me of the character Andrew in the Foley’s War series.
Toby now has more jackets than Don and me combined. I guess it is time for a doggie closet. It is a good thing that not one of the The Girls likes to be ‘dressed’.
We have finished one book and begun another for Calico’s story time at night. The book was an ‘accident’. Yesterday was the day you don’t want to wake up to. I woke up unwell, but did manage to get the last appointment with my doctor on Friday. Then, when I went to do errands while Ann was here, the front passenger tyre was cooked. The book was a purchase so I could relax and read while the chaps worked on getting a new tyre for my car. The Kamogawa Food Detectives Menu of Happiness by Hisashi Kashiwai. If you have ever travelled or lived in Japan, I recommend this book. When I visited Japan, which I often did, starting in the 1980s, I always stayed several blocks from the JR Station on Gojo-dari. I could walk to the Kamo River. The book somehow brought back all the flavours and aromas of the streets that I loved so much, like a tsunami rushing over me. Calico approves. The other book, The Friendship Book, arrived in the post – I had not ordered it. Who blessed me with a book of daily readings??? Eventually, the mystery revealed itself, and we are very grateful to ‘MC’ for the volume that we read at the start of story time each evening.
There is a lot going on in Bird World.
‘N’ writes about the Kansas City Bald Eagles, “Ellie laid her first egg this evening! Woohoo so excited. I have included the Facebook post of the announcement. I felt like I was reading Elfuler’s section on behavior in oviposition (egg laying) as I am watching. Amazing. Never gets old does it…
The Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis) is a small, mottled brown-and-gray nightjar found in open, arid habitats throughout the Americas. Known for its buoyant, butterfly-like flight, it feeds on flying insects at dusk and dawn. It is often distinguished from the similar Common Nighthawk by its lower, more erratic flight and a white or buffy bar located closer to the wingtips.
Our Melbourne correspondent is in love with the Royal cam albatross: “Just look at that beautiful little creature. Isn’t it just exquisite beyond words? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeHJsX84JAI. And how wonderful is Mum BOK? They are so serene, gentle, and patient. Beautiful, stately birds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeHJsX84JAI“
‘A’ continues, “The partying juveniles are keeping our baby awake. (Probably, they’re providing some form of entertainment for BOK as she sits there for days on end.) Seriously, aren’t these ‘adolescents’ just too funny? Mind you, after this period of partying, they can spend literally decades as part of a bonded pair, devoting themselves to raising a chick every second season, so perhaps this is the only real chance they get in a very long lifetime to ‘live it up’.
Aren’t their sky calls just wonderful? One of those adolescents has the most startling screeching noise. They do seem to have highly individual voices at that age.
Plateau Chick is progressing well, although it is still fairly small (and lost weight the first two days after hatching, which is not unusual). Mum regurgitated a squid beak during yesterday morning’s feeding, which the chick spat out and the ranger later retrieved from the nest. The twice-daily weighings and health checks will become daily at one week of age I believe, but so far, there have been no concerns with the wee one. It is absolutely precious, is it not? That perfect little bill and those sweet little feet are totally adorable.”
SK Hideaways caught two of the cutest little eaglets at the John Bunker Sands Wetlands nest! https://youtu.be/GPwd5POXfuM?
At the Moorings Park Osprey platform, Harry and Sally now have three eggs. They are an incredible couple. Food is normally not scarce but, honestly, I hope one of these eggs does not hatch!
All those Hen Harrier killings in the UK??? Well, one man, Racster Dingwall pleaded guilty to the offences in some of the killings.
In part it reads, “MAN SENTENCED FOR BIRD OF PREY PERSECUTION OFFENCES ON GRASSINGTON MOOR
A man has been sentenced for trying to kill a legally-protected bird, following an investigation by North Yorkshire Police.
The case against Racster Dingwall for encouraging or assisting bird of prey persecution, using the Serious Crime Act 2007, is believed to be the first of its kind in the country.
In October 2024, a covert camera placed by the RSPB captured footage of three men on Grassington Moor, using radios and speaking in code to discuss shooting towards and killing wild birds, including hen harriers.
The recording was passed to North Yorkshire Police, and an investigation was launched by the force’s Rural Taskforce.
The footage was processed by technicians at the Regional Scientific Support Services, and an expert from the National Wildlife Crime Unit was called in to interpret it.
This analysis showed that one of the men – later identified as gamekeeper Racster Dingwall – was in possession of a semi-automatic shotgun for the sole purpose of killing a hen harrier.
Dingwall, 35, from Ellingstring, was interviewed by Rural Taskforce officers, and subsequently charged with encouraging or assisting the killing of a Schedule 1 wild bird (contrary to Sections 45 and 58 of the Serious Crime Act 2007); and possessing a shotgun for the purpose of killing a Schedule 1 wild bird (contrary to Section 18 (2) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981).
All wild birds are protected by law, and ‘Schedule 1’ birds, including hen harriers, have additional protection.
It is thought to be the first time a charge of encouraging or assisting an offence under the Serious Crime Act 2007 has been used in relation to bird of prey persecution. “
There are still more people to find, as a substantial number of satellite-tagged Hen Harriers have been shot over the past couple of years.
At the Fort Myers nest o M15 (who delivered three meals in record time on Thursday), E26 has not only been incubating the egg, covering it with moss, and is now working on building the rails. Quite the eaglet!
Gabby and Beau’s NE32 and 33 are growing like wild weeds in a picture-perfect garden. Both had huge crops on Thursday afternoons, and the adults even managed to get some nice fish.
There is a lot of prey on the Winter Park Bald Eagle nest. There was a tandem feeding. Both have been fed. The oldest is simply big in comparison, so you can probably guess that she is a fierce first-hatch female and a second-hatch little boy. Things have turned around. Fingers crossed that it continues.
Cuties at the E1 nest of Anna and Louis II in the Kisatchie National Park.
It will not be long til those little bobbleheads of Anna and Louis will be the gorgeous feathered juveniles like those on Ron and Rose’s nest at Dade County.
C14 or Quinn at the Captiva nest of Clive and Connie is catching up with those juvenile feathers quickly. So sweet this Only.
Thank you so very, very much for being with us today and for all your wonderful comments, e-mails, and snail mail letters. I do so appreciate them! Take care of yourself. We look forward to having you with us again at the end of the weekend!
Thank you so much to the individuals who have created some incredible video captures of our raptor families, to those who post information on the various social media sites, and to Raptor Persecution UK, OpenVerse, and to ‘N’ and ‘R’ for sending me great information along with ‘A’ and her commentary on the Australian birds. My life is so much better – as is my blog – with each of you in it!
Toby relaxing in the conservatory.
Calico tempted to eat Toby’s chicken for her lunch!
Oh, it was a grand day today. -15 at noon. Toby went for a walk with Ellen and I got to attend to some much needed recycling. The decluttering/downsizing continues at a rampant pace which makes me feel rather happy. Less really is more! It will get colder but by next Monday, we are going to be looking at -5. One of our favourite places, Pineridge Hollow, has been closed for renovations and I plan to make it a day for Ann, Don, Toby, and me. Monday is our wedding anniversary and an outing on Tuesday to feed the chickadees and be out in the country without freezing to death is in order. Oh, I can already smell the conifer trees and hear the chickadees sing!
A few quick announcements. I had not expected to be back with you til the end of the week but…
Gosh, those eagles just keeping laying eggs and hatching and doing well!
Good news, really, at the Winter Park, Florida Bald Eagle nest. E2 seems to be figuring out how to survive, and the parents are doing well. There have been some good feedings without any rivalry. If the food keeps coming – and there is a huge hunk of fish on the right side of the nest, all should be well. (I am being positive because siblicide is RARE on Bald Eagle nests compared to other species).
Jackie and Shadow now have their second egg. So egg 1 on the 23rd and egg 2 Monday, the 26th. Whoooooooo yeah! I am really hopeful as these eggs are ‘early’ like last year. Last year, the first egg of 2025 was laid on Jan. 22. The second and third eggs came a few days later on Jan. 25 and Jan. 28. Their first successful chick to hatch was Spirit in 2022.
CBS LA announces the moment! (As well as so many other news agencies – Jackie and Shadow are truly loved!). https://youtu.be/fMlh1KuSPvA?
News of Royal Albatross:
Life at the E1 nest of Anna and Louis II is going along nicely.
Sally and Harry have their second egg at Moorings Park on Monday the 26th. Thanks, Heidi!
The Abu Dhabi Cams on four nests:
The second chick has hatched at John Bunker Sands Wetlands Centre!
I want to remind you that there is now a streaming cam at the Kakapo nest. This is a first, and it is a real treat. Please check out these amazing flightless parrots that are nearly extinct. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/live/BfGL7A2YgUY?
Thank you so much for being with us. Please take care of yourself. So many people are in storm areas. Stay warm, stay safe. We hope to have you with us again soon.
Thank you to Heidi for sending me the note about Moorings Park, to the owners of the streaming cams where we watch our favourite raptor families and use screen captures to tell their stories, to SK Hideaways and others for their videos to bring those lives to life, and to those who post announcements on FB. I am very grateful to each of you. My blog would not have all the news it does without your input.
Just a correction. I reported an egg in Kansas City – nope, not there. ‘N’ sent me a lovely note and will alert me when it arrives: “Wanted to let you know, no egg in Kansas. Some are assuming she has. She has been staying the night for the last few evenings. Ellie’s history is 2/11 & 2/13 for the first egg. I will try to let you know when she does. (I moderate at Kansas, Great Lakes/Traverse City & EC fyi.)
Harriet laid last year 2/25 & 2/28. The year before her and Harry fledged three eaglets. Will be interesting to see if we have 2 or 3 there this year. Video taken from ground.
