Writer, Conservationist, Activist, Bird Lover
4 May 2026
The news is too good. Queen Iris has laid her first egg with her new mate. Oh, start counting the days til hatch!!!!!!
Oh, geez. I am over the moon.
Thank you to the Cornell Bird Lab and Montana Osprey Project for their streaming cam allowing us to witness this historic event.
4 May 2026
Hi there,
Well, I couldn’t stay away from watching Big Red and Arthur.
P1 is a cutie. We will know by today if either of the two remaining eggs are viable. I don’t care. One healthy eyas to survive to fledge and then survive Cornell’s windows would please me greatly. Arthur is preparing for lots of meals as he gets the chippies and the snakes to the nest.
Big Red always encourages the hiks to eat just a little more.
Cornell Bird Lab has a video of the live snake Arthur brings to the nest. https://youtu.be/LJjxLo-sG0I?
It looks to me as if we have a beak peeking out of one of the other eggs and a small crack in the last.
Big Red has been keeping P1 nicely fed.
It is just a little fluff ball.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 3rd May 2026
Another day of low activity and nothing out of the ordinary. Dorcha and Louis continue to take turns incubating the three eggs, Dorcha gets a break to eat, bathe, and stretch her wings when Louis brings fish or sticks and takes over egg-sitting, and Louis does whatever male Ospreys do when they’re not fishing, egg-sitting, or patrolling their territory. Which he must have been doing today as he brought no fish at all, so the nest tally remains at thirty seven. Over on Nest One, Garry brought one fish for Aurora, taking his tally to forty four. At the time of filing this report – midnight – she does not appear to have laid her second egg. Will Aurora lay her egg in the early hours before the camera goes off-line? Will Louis swoop in early with a dried up old fish he actually caught today but doesn’t deliver until tomorrow? Answers on a postcard please.*
Today’s videos:
https://youtu.be/Rbzi5TkRc-4 N1 Garry’s lunchtime fish does a flyover before Aurora takes it 12.53.24
https://youtu.be/i-8M9QhFk4s N2 Unhappy Dorcha sends Louis fishing 13.11.26
Bonus watch – stunning drone footage of the two nests, filmed in 2024, before the birds returned of course:
https://youtu.be/HKIxtz_ICXU N1
https://youtu.be/wiSNcrl7_mM N2
Blast from the past, this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/_ldayacEJVk N1 Domestic abuse? Aila makes Louis move 2020
https://youtu.be/O66MzVbKdEk N1 Louis chases a Hoodie wanting his fish 2020
https://youtu.be/EXKZvJIsSnU N1 Poor old Louis! First a kick then a bit of fish stuck in his beak 2020
https://youtu.be/U-5w06vRVgc N2 Dorcha wears a fake moustache 2022
https://youtu.be/475Qa4mMr_M N2 Louis gets a bashing with a big stick 2022
https://youtu.be/aGybeh25I3I N2 Size matters! Coal Tit is startled by Dorcha 2022
https://youtu.be/hr9oHiTH2EA N2 Mute button needed as Dorcha sees Louis bringing dinner 2023
https://youtu.be/9NftDmPybXk N1 Garry brings fish number one for hollow-cropped Aida 2024
https://youtu.be/mmOwq1QEOTQ N2 Louis misjudges landing with a big stick 2024
https://youtu.be/zp36YlZE3yA N2 Two Lesser Redpolls arrive and one perches near Dorcha 2024
https://youtu.be/eAqcolh9_VQ N1 Woodland visitors: Tree Pipit, Coal Tit, Wren 2024 2024
https://youtu.be/hmAqX1qE0FM N1 Yet again Garry LV0 makes Blue 536 wait for the fish 2025
https://youtu.be/QtzXJFp8qDc N2 Louis does a flyby before landing with a very late first fish 2025
https://youtu.be/vQ2GdD48Pqw N2 Tawny Owl strikes Dorcha! 2025 (slo-mo repeat with zoom)
* No, not really!
You’re invited to join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam
Just a quick check in at Big Red and Loch Arkaig. Have a great day everyone.
Thank you to Geemeff for their Woodland Trust summary and to the Cornell Bird Lab for their streaming cam.
3 May 2026
Good Morning Everyone,
Sadly one of the four chicks of Big Red and Arthur’s did not survive hatching. I am going to presume that it was, as it appears, the crushed egg. The other one appears to be fine. Two more eggs to go.
Big Red tried several times to feed P1. There was even a live snake on offer! Eventually the little one was ready.
P1 is getting stronger.
‘SP’ sent the link to the Cornell video of the hatch: https://youtu.be/2cMuMRxZBAQ?
SK Hideaways Videos, Week of 26 April 2026
FOBBV Eagles ~ Big Bear Valley, CA ~ Jackie, Shadow, Sandy, and Luna
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
Meet Socialite Sandy & Laid-Back Luna ~ Figuring Out Who’s Who (2026 May 1)The votes are in and the 3rd graders selected the names Sandy and Luna for Jackie and Shadow’s chicks. I’ve pointed out some of the differences in the video to help you discern which is which.
Here’s the FOBBV announcement:
******
Chick 1’s name is Sandy with 30 student votes.
Chick 2’s name is Luna with 25 student votes.
The remaining top 5 votes are as follows: Star with 22 votes. Chip with 22 votes. Phoenix with 18 votes.
Sandy was the most popular name entered with 3706 of the 63,915 names submitted. Please know that although Sandy would not have wanted us to outright name one of the eaglets Sandy, she would have been honored that you and the students went through the process and named one of the 2026 eaglets after her. Thank you for your participation and your generous support of Friends of Big Bear Valley from the entire team. You are much appreciated!
*****
Video: https://youtu.be/lTEiU33HYgo
One chick gets chatty with neighbors ~ Birdwatcher in training (2026 Apr 29)
Video: https://youtu.be/k1noEq1qAoE
Jackie & Shadow protected the eaglets through storm ~ Daylight brought sunshine (2026 Apr 26)
Video: https://youtu.be/ckmcHQL6WFw
Fraser Point Eagles ~ Santa Cruz Island, CA ~ Cruz, Andor, Sasha, Zuma, and Ryder
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Fraser Point Eagles Cam Ops
Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY4V_AppZ6s
Sasha, Zuma & Ryder ~ Giant Crops, Clown Feet & Independence (2026 Apr 28)
Video: https://youtu.be/dbhIIQsTVN0
San Jose City Hall Falcons ~ San Jose, CA ~ Hartley, Monty, and 4 chicks
Courtesy San Jose City Hall Peregrine Falcon Cam
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
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SanJoseCityHallFalcons/
Wiki https://sanjoseperegrines.editme.com/
8-Day Old Chicks Place Rush Order for Lunch ~ Plus One Leg Down the Hatch (2026 Apr 28)
There was an eating milestone during lunch ~ one chick downed a leg. (If you want to skip that celebration, it happens from 2:44-3:44 in the video.)
Video: https://youtu.be/YQmkKceqN3k
Redding Eagles ~ Redding, CA ~ Liberty and Guardian
Courtesy of Friends of the Redding Eagles, Redding, California
Livestream page: https://www.youtube.com/@FriendsoftheReddingEagles/streams
Guardian romanced Liberty with a fish dinner and a bath in the river (2026 Apr 26)
Video: https://youtu.be/K7ZhwXpLRq4
Check out Ruth and Oren’s two hawklets, too! And, of course, check out Monty and Hartley’s kids in SK Hideaways video.
Dual feeding with Milda and Zorro and the two White-tail Eaglets at the Durbe County nest in Latvia. They are getting pin feathers!
Ohk they are so cute.
Thank you for being with us today. It is a lovely 20 degrees and we are going to spend it outside. It is supposed to rain and get cooler. Tomorrow the cleaning lady comes and I am working on the moulding for the door. I will be watching some of the nests on my big screen but I might not be publishing a post until mid-week. So take care of yourselves. Enjoy the week, get outside, listen to birdsong. Be happy.
Thank you to SK Hideaways for their video links and the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to watch the lives of our birds (the good and the not so good).
2 May 2026
Hello Everyone,
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 2nd May 2026
In the early hours of this morning, Dorcha produced egg number three, most probably her final egg as she’s not one of those rare Ospreys who produce four eggs. Nest Two was calm today, no intruders and two fish deliveries, although Louis did take his time with the second, bringing it more than fourteen hours after the first. Louis’ tally rises to thirty five, and the nest total to thirty seven. Over on Nest One, Aurora 536 spent most of the day on the nest, although she did spend a block of more than three hours off the nest, leaving the egg unattended. She might have been perched nearby, it was in the early hours so we don’t know. Garry LV0 brought two fish, taking his tally to forty three, and he’ll need to keep up a steady supply as Aurora’s second egg is due tomorrow. At the time of filing this report (23.30), Louis is still on Nest Two incubating the eggs, looking unlikely to move any time soon although Dorcha is standing right behind him.
Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/XVLCnN4L_3A N2 Egg number three, with squeaking 03.12.24https://youtu.be/hTbtvizGGYE N2 Dorcha departs with her breakfast leaving Louis on egg duty 06.45.44https://youtu.be/bu4-o68r8fo N1 Aurora departs with her fish, Garry remains on egg duty 10.17.57https://youtu.be/bdwfME2osds N1 Aurora refuses Garry’s second fish 15.40.38
https://youtu.be/4MxkQbfIcns N2 Louis gives fish number two a tour before landing it 21.17.31
Bonus guide – Woodland Trust’s advice on visiting bluebell woods:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqjpl597rjko
Blast from the past, this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/0Rw_H0C8-SE N1 Owl strike on unsuspecting Aila 2020 (Slo-Mo)
https://youtu.be/JJRPS8QYvpY N1 Lockdown Ospreys star on BBC Breakfast 2020
https://youtu.be/rwa2_9rR24Q N1 WT’s Dr Jessica Maxwell discusses the nest on BBC Breakfast 2020
https://youtu.be/1syQj_jjjxw N2 Golden variation: Dorcha is bathed in the setting sun 2022 (Classic Ospreys Bach)
https://youtu.be/efwVjBqAYpA N2 Gerroff and go fishing! 2023
https://youtu.be/bdcOT9JEGB8 N1: Garry LV0 brings moss, flies to Pole Tree then away 2024 (zoom)
https://youtu.be/GioCl06202I N2: Fish number one and only for Dorcha 2024
https://youtu.be/EKAjiNbY3A0 N2 Shadows seen near the nest at the time of the Eagle encounter 2024 (zoom)
https://youtu.be/WLLCALZOinI N1 Blue 536 gets the first fish from Garry LV0 the second times 2025
https://youtu.be/Cp3WkBSAZ_I N2 Intruder Osprey buzzes Louis & Dorcha 2025 (zoom)
https://youtu.be/vF0HagQMSb8 N1 fish number two but it’s B536 who brings it! 2025
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
‘PB’ continues to admire the fortitude of Jill, the female at the Achieva Osprey Platform, in St Petersburg, Florida. I don’t blame them. Jill is stepping up on the number of catfish she is bringing to the nest. As the two chicks get older, they require more food. She has to eat. Jack is not contributing nearly enough. We think of healthy osprey chicks. I look at nests like the Dyfi nest of Idris, Blue 33 at Manton Bay, Dylan at Lyn Clywedog, Louis at Loch Arkaig, or Blue 022 at Poole Harbour. Let’s think 7-8 fish a day. Nice big fish – not little twiddlers. Of course, there are others, White YW – I could go on and on. So the gold standard would be those 7-8 big fish, like Mullets, to make healthy fat osplets to fledge. I fear that like many of the eagle nests we have seen where the eaglets looked healthy but when taken into care were noted to be infested and ‘thin’ (Eagle Country a couple of years ago). So bravo to Jill. I wish we could drop some nice fish for her.
Others are abandoning their eggs. Severna Park in Maryland is one of the first on streaming cam. I want you to prepare yourself. There has not been an influx of fish falling into the waters. Better the eggs do not hatch than wee babes or fully feathered near-to-fledge chicks starve on camera. I warn you to brace yourself for what could be the most tragic year yet. I want to be wrong. If it is, It is sad and entirely unnecessary.
The Chesapeake Bay ecosystem is in a very dire situation. In its case, there are no Menhaden for the ospreys, the Striped Bass, the Tarrapins or others that fed on them to eat. I cannot comment on the neighbouring states, but we do know from images taken that Omega has been industrial fishing along the shores (within legal limits, but sometimes seen to use helicopters to push the fish out) of other states. Virginia is the problem. Want to change this? People have to care. So you have to elect people who really care about all living things, the balance of life on the planet, and are action, not all talk.
Look at how much Little has grown since it has had fish!
Take care all. See you soon.
Thank you to Geemeff, to ‘PB’, to you the readers who care dearly about all the wildlife and to the owners of the streaming cams that let us witness the lives of these beautiful creatures.
2 May 2026
Hello Everyone,
Ever heard of the International Dawn Chorus? Well, it’s tomorrow.
AI Overview: International Dawn Chorus Day 2026 takes place on Sunday, May 3, 2026. Celebrated annually on the first Sunday in May, this global event encourages people to wake early to experience the peak spring birdsong, either by joining organized guided walks or simply listening from home.
Key Details for 2026:
#DawnChorusClub on social media to share their recordings and experiences.It is recommended to check local listings for nature walks in your area.
Let’s get out in nature – .
We had our first Robin in the garden Saturday morning. So happy. We were just chatting with Ann on Friday and I said we hadn’t had Robins in the garden for several years and there it was!
Did I tell you that Toby alerted the other evening and we had two deer eating from the feeders? Life is full of beautiful moments.
Today I am having to be very cautious. Toby has had his first ‘treatment’ for ticks, fleas, and worms. These Cavaliers have many health issues. I listened to a reader, now friend, and got the best treatment I could get. Still, I cannot have the cats licking Toby’s back as one of the ingredients is dangerous for them. So the Calicos are sleeping in Don’s room and Hugo Yugo and Missey are in mine. Tonight Toby and I will lock ourselves in and by tomorrow at noon, the treatment should be completely dry and all will be well til se have to do it again in a month.
I have learned a lot, and Toby will not go to the groomers anymore. He will only have the hair between his pads cleaned, his nails trimmed and his ears cleaned. I brush him every day and shampoo and condition as necessary – when it is muddy, it could be more than once a day. He is a Spaniel!!!!!!!! They sure love to get dirty.
The Girls are good and Don is hanging in there. we have our good days and bad days. The bad ones aren’t that bad anymore! I am working on some small renovations to the house. I wasn’t happy with the glass around the French doors that were installed – I don’t know why but it bothered me immensely so I am now working on installing bookcases with drawers and a lot of moulding.
They are IKEA. David put them together yesterday evening – a great young dad with two children who works very hard. All of that glass above will be covered up with some panelling modelled on Shaker doors. The question then is to paint or not paint? I will see how tired I am. The plan was to paint them the same colour as the walls, but David also said I could leave everything white and paint the French doors a white to match the bookcases and relax. That sounds easy! I am definitely changing the handles for knobs.
Keeps my mind busy.
There are names at two nests that I know of as of a few minutes ago –
At the nest of Jackie and Shadow, the school children selected the names Sandy for the oldest and Luna for the youngest out of the names sent in.
At the nest of Irvine and Stella, USSteel, the triplets have been named:
The Achieva Credit Union runs the cam but doesn’t get involved either the ospreys. Why doesn’t the chat group have someone run a naming contest for Jack and Jill’s two?
‘PB’ took this screen capture of their bursting crops of the US Steel eaglets. Irvine has been keen to ensure the little one is fed regularly, while Stella seems to take care of the older two. I wonder if the ‘baby’ smelled different when it returned from rehab/rescue – similar to the way our cats and dogs smell different when they come home from the vet, and the other pets in the house growl and dismiss or attack them
Achieva’s Mum Jill is incredible, and if there is a bird Mum of the Year, it could well be her for pitching in immediately when she saw her baby was going to starve to death and catching those catfish like Diane used to bring in. The difference is that Jill goes fishing at a specific time in the afternoon and always comes back with a nice catfish dinner. She sometimes goes out early, too, if Jack fails to bring in breakfish.
Big at Achieva has started self-feeding. He grabbed a small fish from Jack and ate while Jill fed her catfish to Little on Saturday.
The Kakapo streaming cam is live again. They are growing so fast and turning sooooo green. Just beautiful.
The hatch at the Cornell Red Tail Hawk nest of Big Red and Arthur is bothering me. I hope I am just being too cautious. It looks like one of those high-humidity crush eggs. I want to be terribly wrong about this concern. I haven’t seen any of Big Red’s eggs crush like this in the years I have been watching – and that has been a long time. (Please feel free to correct me!)
Arthur and Big Red are doing a lot of changeovers but they are sure now showing us anything. I sure hope those babies are fine. The Cornell Bird Lab has a whole Q & A on their hawks. People always ask:
Records show that Big Red was banded in the nearby town of Brooktondale, New York, during her first autumn in 2003. Arthur was first spotted by local birders on Cornell University campus as a fledgling in 2016.
Big Red picked Arthur to be her mate after her previous mate, Ezra, died. Arthur did not yet have his red-tail!!!!!!!!!!! But as we know, the birds know better than we do. Arthur impressed by presenting Big Red with a multiple squirrels, his great hunting skills showing he would be a good provider for their chicks, won her heart. The rest is history.
The nest is, as I recall, over the years, very successful, with all the eggs hatching but one. Only one chick, K3, did not fledge. Sadly, a few have died from window collisions on the campus and one from West Nile Virus. E3 is an ambassador for the Cornell Bird Lab.
The eyases of Oren and Ruth are so cute and becoming quite the characters. Lots of food including bunnies.
Weekly update, a Nesting Eagles Podcast, of the Trempealeau Bald Eagle nest. https://youtu.be/hJrEKu04BrU?
Migration is stepping up in North America. Please turn out the lights and save lives.
‘J’ sent the banner from nature chat:
1st egg laid today at Lesser Spotted Eagle Cam in Estonia.
Pip watches begin for 1st eggs at Black Stork Cam in Poland 2 and at Northern Goshawk Cam in Estonia.
Pip watches begin for 1st eggs at Golden Eagle Cam in Estonia 2 and at Golden Eagle Cam in Romania.
Pip watch continues for 1st egg at Peregrine Falcon Cam in New Jersey.
I wonder why they aren’t covering Big Red????????
News from Kielder – more osprey eggs!
Beautiful Iris and what looks like her new mate.
Perhaps he’s young?
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 1st May 2026
A mainly routine day today after the excitement yesterday of an egg for Nest One finally arriving after six long years. Both first time parents Aurora 536 and Garry LV0 fulfilled their parental obligations with Aurora brooding the egg and Garry supplying fish, and quick meal breaks for Aurora while Garry took over egg duties. This bodes well for their next two eggs, due 3rd and 6th May. Garry delivered two fish, taking his tally to forty one, and on Nest Two, Louis also delivered two fish to Dorcha, although the first was just a tail-end snack. Their nest tally now stands at thirty five including two brought by Dorcha. Her third and probably final egg is due tomorrow, 2nd May, and with luck she won’t be disturbed by intruders like the one she fought off today, the English male Osprey whose Darvic looks like 286 and who’s intruded a couple of times already. Weather was settled but expected to change to light showers overnight with possible thunder showers tomorrow. Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/KsufkdeOL14 N2 Louis brings a tiny snack for Dorcha 06.44.34https://youtu.be/I9K9nCpFocQ N1 Garry brings Aurora a fish and remains on egg duty 11.11.28 https://youtu.be/tgDswzdcGxI N1 Garry brings a second fish but the first’s still there 15.01.43
https://youtu.be/uf3M3YUjaEU N2 English blue ringed Osprey intrudes on Dorcha 17.17.30https://youtu.be/SR8offMPO9s N2 Dorcha flies off with fish two as soon as Louis brings it 18.48.22
Blast from the past, this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/l-f7VaXK21A N1 Two red deer graze near the nest 2020
https://youtu.be/fnHg9LxETHA N1 Louis pays a flying visit 2021 (slo-mo)
https://youtu.be/wE6nWxP8JTU N2 Dorcha’s third egg arrives just after midnight 2022
https://youtu.be/w3jSNo9VC3g N1 Affric & Prince are back with moss! 2022
https://youtu.be/KiQW-kUOBnM N2 Louis is oblivious as a bat flits around 2022
https://youtu.be/iF-53Y6h0IA N2 Dorcha’s finally able to persuade Louis to leave 2022
https://youtu.be/7fF-jH2_83k N2 Dorcha tells Louis off for taking so long 2023
https://youtu.be/0wwxhyiiz24 N1 Aida arrives with the sunrise, Garry is heard but not seen 2024
https://youtu.be/oHU-qlnE6lQ N2 Intruder nearby makes Dorcha & Louis flee the nest 2024 (slo-mo repeat with zoom)
https://youtu.be/8mdWTR5kpcE N1 Garry LV0 brings a fish but Aida’s not there 2024 (zoom)
https://youtu.be/CggxUpYOh3M N1 Another successful mating 2025 https://youtu.be/vfGb0sFlXtk N2 Dorcha does a grab and go with the second fish 2025https://youtu.be/EfXhITns0qo N1 Blue 536 grabs the second fish immediately 2025
Why not come and join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam
Sadly the fishing line is still hanging out of the mouth of the only surviving of three osplets at the Moorings Park nest – Poor Winken. Is no one coming to help?
Thanks so much for being with us today. Enjoy being outside tomorrow. Smile. Listen for the birdsong. It will relieve whatever is aching your heart.
Thank you to all the contributors today – we appreciate your dedication and hard work on your summaries, your videos, your FB posts, and all the articles. Thank you so much to everyone who got in touch with me with news of happenings in Bird World and to the owners of the bird streaming cams, we are all grateful to you for allowing us into their lives.
1 May 2026
Happy May Day to everyone,
It is 6 C and what a wonderful sunny day it has been.
There is great news coming out of Glaslyn. Our dear Aran, once the mate of Mrs G and then Elen, ousted from his nest at Glaslyn in 2025 by Teifi, is now with a new mate and there are eggs!
From the Glaslyn Osprey Group FB:
Big Red and Arthur will have a lovely little chick soon.
Look at the front egg!!!!!!!
There is now some concern for Winken at Moorings Park who was seen with a fishing line hanging from its beak.
Fish continue to be delivered by Jill at the Achieva nest with a fish arriving from Jack around 11:18 this morning.
Ping Shen reports on the Seattle couple, Harry and Sally: “Making up for lost time – Harry has been busy delivering both fish and nesting material, and also spent some time today excavating the “bowl” of the nest (you can see things flying out behind his talon, almost like a dog), sitting in it, etc. Hopefully Sally is pleased, despite his late arrival! Great to see them both back…no eggs yet, but perhaps soon…”
Viki writes with good news from Maryland: “I discovered a 22nd nest on the island, and it had 2 osprey – looked a very bare platform so perhaps they’re new. And another of my original 21 has 2 osprey now (maybe with eggs) so that’s 15 of 21 with a pair
And as for LB (the M4 young father who is fiddling around with Ethel on the side), Lily, F4, has figured it out. What LB wants to do is brood those eggs – if he brings a fish, she lets him incubate; if he shows up on N4 antsy, she lets him incubate. She no longer takes her fish to N3, which is on the way to Ethel’s N2, but takes it the other direction to N4’s traditional perch in the North Copse of pine trees. Lily also let LB mate with her-once after I’d seen him copulating with Ethel. (I think she must have a nest full of eggs given how long ago she started seriously incubating and the continued flurry of mating afterwards. Do you think the new father is satisfying himself with brooding? Possibly similar urges ?????”
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 30th April 2026
What a glorious day – Aurora 536 produced her first egg, which clearly took a lot of effort but gave us our first egg on Nest One since Aila had her lockdown trio there in 2020. Six years is a long time to wait and hope for chicks on the original Loch Arkaig camera nest but today that wish is coming true. Garry LV0 was surprised and did a comical double take when he first saw the egg – shortly before it was laid, he came steaming in for a mating attempt and was roundly told off by Aurora, who pecked him and winged him away, and although he offered fish later, she wasn’t interested – had a bit of a hard day! Garry brought her four fish in total, taking his tally to thirty nine, and over on Nest Two, all was calm with Louis bringing one fish for Dorcha, taking the nest tally to thirty three.
Today’s videos:
https://youtu.be/Sz6L4ZP7T48 N1 Fish number one – Aurora digs out a fresh fish tail from the nest cup 08.35.53https://youtu.be/89V2Fz4ZCZM N1 Garry brings fish number two, a huge headless trout 15.12.48https://youtu.be/NIAf0M7jHRA N2 Dorcha flies off with a colourful trout 16.45.56
https://youtu.be/qpAE26laGGw N1 Aurora attacks Garry when he tries to mate – is an egg imminent? 18.53.13https://youtu.be/3FEsX0EqE1k N1 First egg on Nest One in six years! 19.18.37 (zoom)https://youtu.be/gDogiAUcptE N1 Garry brings a third fish but Aurora’s busy with the egg 19.58.38 https://youtu.be/YCUepaMGHv8 N1 Garry does a double take 20.04.42https://youtu.be/aVg4jZpwsGE N1 Garry brings a fourth fish but Aurora’s still not interested 21.38.54
Bonus read – while we have eggs on our mind, discover Woodland Trust’s partnership with Sainsburys:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/partnerships/our-partners/sainsburys
Blast from the past, this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/ZIC6oJaL_EM N1 Cheeky Hoodie annoys Louis 2017
https://youtu.be/tg86hWM2aIA N1 Is it the Tawny Owl disturbing Aila? 2020
https://youtu.be/PoQ1BlwQBTE N1 Little plucker! Aila’s drastic action to make Louis move 2020
https://youtu.be/dDUQS2FK7Yw N2 Shouldn’t laugh but.. poor Dorcha! 2022
https://youtu.be/PhoMl4grLhI N2 Louis removal aids! 2023
https://youtu.be/Rwc5CsbBa3w N1 She’s back and she’s got a name – meet Aida! 2024
https://youtu.be/3rZnQ5f8Qn4 N1 Aida’s willing, Garry makes several attempts but no success 2024
https://youtu.be/k5rxoSg2D44 N2 Intruder Osprey touches down next to Dorcha 2024 (slo-mo repeat)https://youtu.be/SsW5LJKZSBk N1 Garry LV0 brings Blue 536 the first fish of the day 2025
https://youtu.be/s52rukepjLI N2 DeliverLouis: A nice fish supper arrives for Dorcha 2025
You’re invited to join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam
That’s it for me today. Don will be returning with Ann for some dessert after a full afternoon at the nature centre. Thank you for being with us. Take care everyone. Keep an eye on Big Red and Arthur’s nest – we will have some of the cutest babies filling that nest at Cornell shortly.
Thank you to Ping Shen, Geemeff, PB, and Viki for keeping me up to date on their nests. I am terribly grateful to them and those who post on FB and who own the streaming cams that allow us into the lives of these magnificent birds.
30 April 2026
Good Morning Everyone,
There is always a reason to celebrate, even when there is sadness. My friend, Geemeff, says that getting weary over the recent deaths is ‘because we care”…and yes, that is right. We fall in love with these little ones, and we want to help them when they are ill – desires most of the time that simply have to be nothing more than that. Today’s sadness comes from Mooring Park. It appears that this nest that began with three will have only one to fledge this year.
Blinken, the second hatch at Moorings Park Osprey Platform in Florida, was showing signs of being ill several days ago. Eagle-eye ‘PB’ spotted it. Sadly, the little one passed this morning, but not before looking lovingly and saying goodbye to Mum.
Do animals and birds have emotions? Have a listen to Marc Bekoff: https://youtu.be/oQDPyBNtojI?
The big hug for Jane: https://youtu.be/EJmxu4ENJ50?
The very last time chicks were dancing and fledging from Loch Arkaig nest 1 was in 2020, with Louis and Aila’s trio. Aila did not return in 2021, and Louis never went back to their nest. He made nest 2 his with Dorcha. Today, Geemeff writes that Aurora has laid her first egg! Congratulations. It is nice to see that both nests at the lach will have babies this year!
Here is the link to Loch Arkaig 1 camera: https://www.youtube.com/live/–l_qKzu2kE?
The other good news is that it appears that Big Red and Arthur not only have one pip but two!
OR 6 and 7 are doing great at Syracuse University’s Red-tail Hawk nest. This is also great news.
Charlie and Lola fans will be glad that the injured female and her mate have reunited on a different nest, choosing to live in what we hope is peace. Let the intruders have their old nest. Let’s wish them luck.
Speaking of intruders, Lyn Brenig had one in the dark!
And then we have this post from Dyfi. Did Idris think his mate Telyn was an intruder?
Meanwhile, we still have a fortnight before we expect Blue 33 and Maya’s eggs to pip at Rutland Water.
A little longer in Cumbria as we waited for Blue 35 to return.
One of the stories in this month’s Birdlife International magazine is the challenges that the Emperor Penguin now faces.
As Grasslands disappear, so does the song of the Bobolink. A story from Orion:
I am waiting for Geemeff to send her summary of today’s events at Loch Arkaig. I suspect that with the arrival of the first egg in six years at Loch Arkaig nest 1, there is much to do and lots to celebrate. I will post that summary, along with all their wonderful videos, separately when they arrive.
I know that I am missing many who should appear on the Memorial Page. If you can help me with names – storks, hawks, eagles, ospreys, etc, I would be grateful. They should be remembered. Thank you!
Thank you for being with us today. We will be back with you soon!
Thank you to ‘PB’ for alerting me first about Blinken’s condition, to Marc Bekoff for his studies in animal behaviour, to Dyfi for their newsletter, to all who post on FB and keep us up to date and to the owners of the streaming cams mentioned, thank you. We would not be able to share the lives of our favourite bird families without you.
29 April 2026
Hello Everyone,
The spring weather dipped and it was chilly. Don was really looking forward to going to Fort Whyte on Wednesday, but 5 C with wind meant that he got to visit his other favourite place, The Leaf, with Ann. There are koi and the butterfly area that give him great delight.
Toby and I stayed home. Had a wee walk, did a tiny bit of clearing up, and then relaxed. I immediately fell asleep with Toby wrapped around my head. Sometimes we don’t know when we are ‘dog tired’.
It is now late Wednesday night. There is growing concern for the second hatch, Blinken, at the Moorings Park Osprey Platform in Naples, Florida. The osplet cannot eat, and its poop shots are ‘dry’. The bird is very dehydrated, and I fear it will not live much longer.
You might recall that Richmond and Rosie lost a fully feathered osplet several years ago. Molate died immediately after falling from the nest to a platform below on July 16, 2022, at 58 days of age, following a decline in health. The body of Molate was on the platform but not retrieved and no necroscopy was conducted (as I recall the situation). The behaviours of Blinken and Molate are similar – it is unfortuante that we do not know what caused Richmond and Rosie’s chick’s demise.
Molate:
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 29th April 2026Dorcha produced her second egg right on schedule today – it arrived bright and early with a few squeaks and whistles. The branches and bedding is hiding it from view for now, but her behaviour made it quite clear she’d laid another egg. Third and probably final egg due in three days time. Meanwhile over on Nest One, Aurora 536 is keeping us guessing, no egg as yet despite showing quite promising signs from time to time. The males performed as expected, both Louis and Garry LV0 delivered two fish each, taking the Nest One tally to thirty five and the Nest Two to thirty two.
Today’s videos:
https://youtu.be/uMAu-4WhyaY N2 Dorcha refuses breakfast – is an egg on the way? 05.28.24https://youtu.be/psj41aGoErU N2 Egg number two! Congratulations Dorcha & Louis 05.34.12
https://youtu.be/PHvbx1DF0M4 N1 Garry delivers a whopping great trout 16.10.43 https://youtu.be/j07bQlyfEHQ N2 Louis delivers fish number two and settles down to egg duties 17.41.11
https://youtu.be/g7lrnNCsGH0 N1 Aurora refuses Garry’s second fish 20.35.41
Bonus action – a significant, lasting way you can support Woodland Trust and stand up for trees:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/support-us/give/gift-in-will
Blast from the past, this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/rxYqoHxXPMY N1 Louis coy-mantles for Aila 2017
https://youtu.be/wO972vIFy8U N1 First mating for Louis & Aila 2017
https://youtu.be/shhxI4hywlY N1 Tawny Owl attacks Aila 2020 (slo-mo)
https://youtu.be/rYQg6ow0Krg N1 Aila helps Louis log on 2020
https://youtu.be/5zVFnXl94p8 N1 Affric & Prince return 2022
https://youtu.be/h0lIyo4MYQw N1 The Art of Weave 2023 (Classic Ospreys: Bach in quicktime)
https://youtu.be/FoF0b5rBZ4s N2 Dorcha’s glad to see Louis bringing breakfast 2024
https://youtu.be/en2jZLwlbtg N1 Garry LV0 fails to mate with his new girlfriend 2024
https://youtu.be/KgbhdQWyOZE N2 Dorcha’s not interested when a third fish arrives 2024 https://youtu.be/IVnRt58Tuws N1 At last! Successful mating between Blue 536 and Garry LV0 2025https://youtu.be/il6HhuVaY2s N2 Dorcha’s happy to see Louis with fish number two 2025
You’re invited to 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
Quiet Eagle caught one of this year’s fledglings returning to the NE Florida nest of Beau and Gabby! What a wonderful surprise! https://youtu.be/VXg35bQvgTI?
It is raining on Big Red at the Cornell Red-tail Hawk nest as we await pip.
Arthur is such a good mate! Here in a video by Cornell Bird Labs, he delivers prey to the Queen of the RTHs. https://youtu.be/IcX48z_ZTNA?
At the other Red-tail Hawk nest of Ruth and Oren, the two little ones are doing well.
Milda and Zorro’s White-tail eaglets in Latvia are nothing short of adorable. They are four days old.
Migration Update from Hawk Mountain, PA:
Sharon Pollock brings us an interesting video from the Big Bear nest of Jackie and Shadow. (copy and paste the link into your computer)
Predator of the Australia Honeyeater caught on video! https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/29/australia-endangered-bird-regent-honeyeater-video-egg-thieves?CMP=share_
I am closing tonight with a very disturbing incident that happened in my City. A seventeen year old male drove an SUV over sleeping Canada Geese. Warning: This video is very disturbing. https://youtu.be/G8EqFpLOi4w?
Citizens are outraged, and many in the mental health field are stating that this type of violence towards innocent wildlife is only a short way from harming humans.
We must close with some happiness, and that is the Achieva osprey nest. Mum, Jill, is incredible. As Mother’s Day approaches, surely she might be the top nominee in Bird World this season. She has kept her babies alive and herself by going out and fishing, some mornings and almost every evening but one that I am aware. Other osprey nests might be successful when fish are short if those females would follow her lead.
Thank you for being with us tonight. Please take care. We look forward to having you with us again soon.
Thank you to Sharon Pollock and the Cornell Bird Lab for their videos, to Geemeff for their extensive daily summary and videos of all things at Loch Arkaig, to the authors of the FB posts, and the owners of the streaming cams. I am very grateful. Thank you also to The Guardian for reporting on environmental and wildlife news and ‘PB’ for keeping me up to date on Blinken and the Achieva osprey nest.
28 April 2026
Good Evening Everyone,
Oren and Ruth have two little fluff balls.
They have four little eyases, pink beaks, pink toes…white fluff. They are readying to be able to see (it usually takes 4-5 days). Monty and Hartley’s little falcon babies are so cute. Each one is doing so well.
Audubon Florida has published their annual report. These summaries are very interesting and you can learn a lot! Take, for example, how hurricanes benefit some shorebirds: “When multiple hurricanes and storms in 2024 rearranged habitats across the Gulf Coast, the resulting expanses of bare sand created ideal conditions for beach-nesting birds, especially Wilson’s Plovers. Combined with a lack of major storms in 2025, our team saw encouraging results for many coastal bird species all around the Sunshine State, thanks in large part to the dedication of our incredible shorebird steward staff and volunteers.”
Check it out. We can all learn something and what is happening in one region might give some insight into what is occuring in others.
Ospreys have returned to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum platform.
Ospreys have also returned to a very sad nest at Collins Marsh in Wisconsin. It is on top of the roof of an old fire watch tower that was hauled in to the nature centre. This nest has always needed attention and I feel for these two because it looks as if there are no rails at all and the whole is sloping downwards. My wish would be that every owner of a streaming cam connected to an osprey platform make an effort during the off season to clean and refurbish – and strengthen the nests and the platforms.
I just want to call it ‘evil’. I am still trying to wrap my head around the mind of an individual who would shoot a mute female swan incubating eggs and then stomp on her eggs, leaving her life-long partner to mourn. Now, the poaching of Bald Eagles in Michigan. These inconceivable acts of abuse and violence against animals happen in every country. No region is immune. Some blocks away from where I live, but close enough for discomfort, a seemingly normal couple tortured and killed cats on the dark web for money. They were looking for a child to be next when they were caught. The cruelty by the individuals against the swan, the eagles, and the raptors in places like Scotland tells me that if a person would hurt an animal, what in the world would they do to a human? They have no heart.
There is great news coming from the Snow Lane Osprey Platform in Newfoundland, Canada – Beaumont has just returned. Let’s hope his new mate arrives safely!
We have egg number 3 at Lyn Brenig in Wales.
The female at Loch Garten returned today after a week’s absence and laid her first egg.
Things going very well with Andor and Cruz’s triplets after the return of Ryder who fell out of the nest by the IWS.
Beautiful eggs of Teifi and Elen.
‘PB’ sent me a note that USS 11 was returned to the nest along with some nice fish gifts! Congratulations. Well done.
Third egg for Samson and Augusta at the Borders.
Thank you so much for being with us today for this quick report. We hope that you are well and enjoying the beginning of your week! Take care. We will be back in a couple of days – unless Big Red and Arthur have hatches and we will be back sooner.
Thank you so much to ‘PB’ for her alert, to the owners of the streaming cams for allowing us to view the lives of our bird friends, to Jeff Kear at UK Ospreys FB for keeping me on my toes, and to all who post information and images on FB to keep us up to date on what is happening.
27 April 2026
It is almost time to say good night.
We had a very strange day today. We were both tired. Toby was due to go for his grooming. It was a new doggie spa. I will only say this – Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not to be ‘shaved’ all over unless they are covered from tail to nose in heavy matting. (That would be supreme neglect. I said ‘no’ to the shave – I should have been warned off by that question. Toby did not get hurt, or anything, and the groomer did do what I asked, except that, on their own, they cleaned his face, which meant they cut off his whiskers! —– Toby will be going to his former groomer from now on even if I have to wait to get in!
The weather has turned a bit cool. It was 0. We had a very cool wind. It is to warm up – aren’t I always saying that? Spring really needs to come. I have ordered a gallon of paint so I can do a second coat of Railings on the exterior doors. I do love that deep grey with a blue undertone. We have changed door wreaths – we simply change the flowers and ornaments. The next couple of months are pink peonies. Oh, how I love peonies! We have one old bush from 1902 that still thrives, and over the past two years, I have planted more. Many of the shrubs have to be segregated from Toby as they would make him ill if he ate them!
‘PB’ alerted me to the goslings preparing to jump. These parents were incredible.
The five goslings were encouraged by Mum several times and then Dad flew up to give them a pep talk. The five appear to have made it down safely. Nothing cuter than these babies taking this huge leap of faith. Heidi has it on video: https://youtu.be/sqTCn7X8ipE?
Ping Shen wrote last night with such relief. “Here, it has been an interesting few weeks – after seeing Sally on April 2nd I naturally kept an eye out for Harry and a few days later a male did show up on the nest…upon closer inspection (photos), however, it was fairly clearly not Harry (no distinctive black spot in the left iris, etc). Sally seemed to tolerate this new male well enough (#5350 is Sally, on the right, with the new male on the left), though I wondered if she would wait for Harry and if so…where was he and when would he show up. As the days turned to weeks…I started to resign myself to the idea that I might not see Harry again. Then…as I ambled down towards the nest yesterday, seeing the 2 birds there and assuming it was Sally and the new male, imagine my surprise and joy to look through the viewfinder and find a different male…much more brown on the chest and then…as he turned just right…that drop in the left iris! Harry!! Unmistakably Harry, and the two are now back together – I hadn’t visited in a few days so I don’t know exactly when he showed up or what happened to the other male (presumably chased off by one or both of them), but what a relief! Interesting that he showed up some 3+ weeks after Sally – perhaps this is why she left a good six weeks or so before he did last summer? Perhaps her schedule is just earlier than his…anyways, as you can see they are wasting no time, and the nest is starting to expand and the Osplet-making has begun!
Thought you might enjoy the update from Seattle, and the good news. ”
Ping is not the only one who worries about late arrivals. This year, a number of ospreys have arrived several weeks later than they were expected. I am starting to wonder if they wintered in the same area, and weather events meant they were late in leaving. Wonder where they were??
Oren and Ruth have two chicks hatching at Syracuse University’s Red-tail Hawk cam. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/live/X_lEUCn8QcI?
The latest news from the chat – both chicks are out. “15:10-15:17–Ruth continued to help the chick in Egg #1, removing much of the shell as the chick pushed. A hatch can’t be called until the chick is fully out of the eggshell.” “A LOT has happened today! Egg#2 hatched around 17:08, so HAPPY HATCH DAY OR2 the second chick of 2026 named for its parents initials as well! We are THRILLED both chicks hatched on the same day!”
The little eaglet of Irv and Stella at the US Steel nest, USS 11 will be returned to his nest on Tuesday the 28th after rescue and rehabilitation. Great work everyone!
Geemeff stayed up very, very late. Aurora was assaulted by owl strikes. Check out all the action below at Loch Arkaig at the two nests!
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 27th April 2026Today started as a routine day enlivened by our first sight of the egg when Dorcha stood to roll it, giving us a good look at it. Louis delivered two fish to her, taking the nest total to twenty seven, and Garry LV0 brought two fish to Aurora 536, taking his tally to thirty two. Aurora didn’t eat either of them – she dropped the first and despite circling round to look for it, had to leave without it, and although Garry kept returning with the second fish, she showed no interest. It was speculated she might be getting ready to lay an egg but that ended when she left the nest at 19.40.
However, she returned to the nest at 23.53 but if she had any hopes of staying the night and laying an egg, those were dashed by a bombardment from owls who kept flying past her and over her, with calls heard continuously in the background. She didn’t actually receive a strike but had had enough and departed at 00.04. While this was going on, Dorcha was undisturbed on her nest.
Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/bhSevUHZgEE N2 Dorcha departs with her breakfast, Louis takes over 05.46.05https://youtu.be/7PrrV8elxNg N2 First glimpse of the egg! 06.42.17https://youtu.be/8uRm7s4e3xQ N1 Oops a daisy! Aurora loses Garry’s fish over the side 14.25.30https://youtu.be/spaulP2MrTc N2 Dorcha gets a fine whole trout from Louis 15.34.16 https://youtu.be/7vfT-hcN9FU N1 Garry tries several times to give Aurora a second fish 19.07.05https://youtu.be/Zo9SVAB-ynM N1 Aurora is bombarded by owls 23.53.08Bonus watch – how on earth do the nest cams get wifi in the middle of nowhere? Your questions answered! Comms West now provide the service,
Locheilnet was the original provider: https://commswest.co.uk/about-us/
Blast from the past, this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/q_WwmwEsYBA N1 Louis won’t let Aila have his fish 2019
https://youtu.be/p3aqIV2VHuo N1 Owl attacks Aila 2020 (slo-mo)
https://youtu.be/OsGsdpzZVdY N2 Owl strikes Dorcha as she guards her egg 2022 (slo-mo)
https://youtu.be/2RPYImn6HsQ N2 Egg number two for Dorcha 2022
https://youtu.be/AtdFILU2Sm0 N2 Owl attacks minutes after the second egg 2022 (slo-mo)
https://youtu.be/E2U7-JML07w N2 Egg number three! 2023 (zoom)
https://youtu.be/jT3MesYLieY N2 Hooded Crow intrudes on Dorcha 2023
https://youtu.be/-JTu8Cr1Guo N2 First fish does a flypast before landing 2024
https://youtu.be/MfQttkWT3Uk N1 Garry LV0 leaves Nest One and perches on Pole Tree 2024
https://youtu.be/B-zPWF3ZiJg N2 Takes two to tangle: Loch Arkaig Ospreys bump into each other 2024
https://youtu.be/3hwN14iQOV4 N2 Drookit Dorcha protects the eggs in wet weather as breakfast arrives 2025https://youtu.be/emNgeo_CV3A N1 Elevenses for Blue 536 when Garry LV0 brings fish 2025
https://youtu.be/7RE-LA7Pdwo N2 Dorcha screams her approval as Louis brings fish 2025
Why not come and join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam
All is well at the UK nests save for the owl strikes and intruders, including returning two year olds. We wait for hatch!
If you live near southern Manitoba, Wildlife Haven is having its ‘Baby Days’ on Saturday, 2 May. They are in great need. They already have over thirty new baby patients this season, and that number will continue to grow. I am certain it is the same with the rescues near you. Check out their wish lists – look in your garage. Got an old dog or cat carrier that is in good shape? Clean it up and donate if you no longer use it. Check for other items. You would be surprised by what is needed—including tools!
Thank you for being with me today. Tomorrow you should be able to see the two little darlings at Syracuse University. I encourage you to hawk watch – you won’t regret it. I am now waiting for Big Red and Arthur to have their babies.
Take care. We will see you soon.
I am so grateful to Ping Shen for sharing his Seattle osprey family with us. Thank you to Geemeff for staying up late to create the video of Aurora’s attack and all the other news. To ‘PB’ for keeping me informed on great events that I might have missed. To the authors of FB posts and the owners of the streaming cams – I am always grateful.
