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.
I was so busy watching our little bobbleheads and poor Bodie that I missed a double fledge. Dasher and Dancer flew out of the Captiva nest on Sunday morning together! Stunned parent looks on. No doubt there will be footage posted on FB.
They have not returned to the nest yet. 80 and 82 days old.
At Big Bear, Shadow fed the chicks and then removed the deceased chick to the pantry area before brooding the two survivors. Do not be alarmed by this behaviour. They are carrion eaters. This is not what we saw at the NCTC nest with Scout last year (infanticide/cannibalism). Shadow is cleaning the space and they may or may not consume the dead eaglet. Sometimes they are left to become part of the nest. Other times they are removed from the nest or eaten.
I was worried about the wee ones earlier but Jackie was back brooding quickly.
SC1 is so cute peeking out of that deep bowl. As someone noted, Jak had better start building those cot railings.
Dr Sharpe will be on Santa Cruz Island repairing the signal next week.
Feedings at Duke Farms. Little one gets some!
The trouble with the juvenile intruder at Gabby and Beau’s nest continues. Gabby and Beau got rid of it again so that they could feed Bodie!
Bodie had a great meal and even did some self-feeding. Relief.
Ferris Akel found Arthur on the scaffolding at Cornell on Saturday. (No bands on leg. BR has federal band).
Thank you for this quick check in. Congratulations to Dasher and Dancer and to Connie and Clive and everyone at Window to Wildlife for a great year at the Captiva Bald Eagle nest.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams: Window to Wildlife, Sylvia, FOBBV, NEFL-AEF, Ferris Akel Tours, Duke Farms, IWS/Explore
We hope that you have had a glorious weekend! While it was nice weather during the week the cold winds hit bringing in some freezing rain that is still lingering. Did you know that kitty litter is very good for melting ice?
I wonder which nests you have been watching?
Many of you have commented that watching what is happening at the nest of Gabby and Beau is causing you a lot of anxiety. The juvenile did return to the NEFL nest of Gabby, Beau, and Bodie. The fledgling from another nest – probably lost from their own nest and hungry – was ushered off unceremoniously several times by the adults.
It is a lot of drama and I know it is difficult to watch. Gabby’s fledgling was also lost one season and could not find her nest for a week or so and she was so exhausted that she stayed home for a month once she found her nest! I feel sorry for this one – hungry and lost. Life is confusing enough and these eaglet is young. Let us hope it finds its home – and I hope its parents are alive and have prey on the nest.
Of course, you could be watching the miracle child of Jak and Audacity. What an amazing ending after years of waiting. Audacity and Jak wanting a little eaglet so much! Well, here it is!
Jak is so excited. There is fish all over for this little blessing. They are also eating the placenta from the seals that are having pups in the harbour. This is really good food for that baby.
‘A’ writes on Sunday: “The new baby at Sauces is the sweetest fluffiest little person with the cutest wee face. It is strong and active and was eating eagerly when I watched it with Audacity at lunchtime today. I was concerned that the nest bowl was too deep but the chick seems to have no trouble peering above the rim, and given the current lack of baby rails (get moving, Jak, this nest requires some toddler-proofing), it’s a good thing that the bowl is deep! As long as no-one pulls a load of grass in there and buries the baby! Or tugs a fish on top of it and squashes it! So far, Audacity is being very careful with her pride and joy.
Lunch today was some sort of rodent, and the little one ate eagerly, managing very large bites for what I believe was its first meal. The blood all over the nest comes from yesterday’s treat for the new mum – seal placenta apparently. It does look absolutely gruesome but is of course incredibly nutritious. I have no idea of its calcium value (god knows Audacity needs to replenish that, as her body has been cannibalising her own skeletal structure season after season as she has laid all those eggs). It looks well, despite its difficult hatch (it has managed to get every piece of shell off) and it seems healthy. I have high hopes for this little family. Jak stayed on the nest after delivering lunch and seemed to want to help with the feeding, leaning in to the chick on a couple of occasions Audacity mixed in some seal placenta with the rodent, and I’m sure the level of nutrition from that placenta would be amazing for a newly hatched chick. “
At the nest of Jackie and Shadow, the two surviving chicks of that terrible winter storm appear to be alright. Please send them your good wishes because they, too, got cold and wet despite all the good care of Jackie and Shadow.
Fish are now on the menu at Big Bear along with a pile of Coot!
Sunday breakfast and all looks good except the kids are alone and uncovered. I sure hope that sun is warm.
At Manton Bay, Blue 33 (11) continues to wait for Maya, his mate who is fifteen years old this spring.
Sisters Blue 24 and 25 have both visited the Manton Bay nest hoping that Blue 33 will bring more fish for them. I sure hope Maya gets home safely and if she doesn’t, I hope that Blue 33 gets a mate worthy of him!!!!!!!
Blue 33 is known, sometimes sadly, for bringing large live fish to the nest. He was caught on video by Geemeff battling one of those a couple of days ago! https://youtu.be/9a8cvy7GrJo?
On Sunday, Geemeff writes about the shenanigans at Rutland: “Fingers crossed that both Maya and Blue 11 return safely. Meantime, this looks like a successful mating between 33 and 25, judging by the way she shakes her tail feathers. Or at least, much better than his attempts earlier today.”
A nice fish came on the Kisatchie E3 nest. The eldest ate first while the little one was submissive, almost hanging over the edge of the nest to its peril. but it clung on, listened, watched, and is getting good at the snatch and grab after the oldest one is full. Oh, help this nest. It needs more food and there are tornadoes in the area tonight (Saturday). It was two days ago – on Thursday that 04 had a really nice crop. He needs to not be so fearful and snatch and grab more. It is hard with such an aggressive older sibling. They sometimes go to bed very hungry. What is happening with deliveries and fish from the lake? Anyone know?
Beautiful little eaglet at the Johnson City nest of Boone and Jolene.
Two wee ones at Bluff City. Franklin and Frances each brought in fish and the kids ate well.
Tornadoes and big storms passing through parts of the US. Berry College seems to be right in the middle of it with rain and lighting at the old nest. Pa and Missey are using another nest so I have no news on eggs.
Oh, what a sweet little osplet at the Moorings Park nest. And it is going to be a healthy one, a fat little bottom full of fish!
Hard to see but that little one at Frenchman’s Creek seems to be doing well, too.
There were at least two fish deliveries at Duke Farms and all ate well and had crops. The little one even had a private feeding.
Calico wishes to thank everyone who helped with her fundraising. She is pleased to report that when all the funds are in by the end of March, she will donate $420 to two of the charities that care for feral mothers and their kittens, trying to find them homes and for abandoned pets. She is delighted. Thank you so much! Fundraising is over for this spring.
I cannot tell you how much I miss Akecheta and Thunder. We have had so many losses this year, but this one really gutted me and still does – along with Annie and Alden. I know. They all took a piece of us, some more than others.
This was posted and I wanted to share it so that you will go to the Channel Islans Eagle Lovers: CIEL Facebook group to see the entire video clip of Akecheta courting Thunder!
Thank you for joining us today. On Wednesday, we are going on a mini-break to Hecla Island. We hope the weather is not too frigid and that we will see more geese and even the arrival of some American White Pelicans. I will post on Wednesday, take a few days break, and return on Saturday. Take care of yourself during that time. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, images, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘A, Geemeff, Heidi, J’, NEFL-AEF, IWS/Explore (Sauces Canyon), FOBBV, LRWT, Geemeff, Port Tobacco Eagle Cam, Lori Staely and HDonTap, Kisatchie E3 Bald Eagle nest, Union County Falcon Cam, LDF, The Guardian, SK Hideaways and San Jose Falcons, Berry College Eagles, Moorings Park Ospreys, Frenchman’s Creek Ospreys, Stephanie Ross and CIEL, SK Hideaways and FOBBV, Geemeff
Jak and Audacity’s baby worked its way, a long time, out of that crushed shell to the joy of everyone who has cheered and cried for this couple.
Just look!
It is cold to the bone on the Canadian Prairies despite the hint of spring arriving. There were two beautiful Blue Jays in the garden along with the two crows so it appears that all is well with part of the garden family. Brock is eating as I write. The Girls are resting – waiting for their late night snack.
I am certain that most of you have checked on several Bald Eagle nests today including that of Jackie and Shadow, Jak and Audacity, and Beau an Gabby. Maybe you even went to see if the eaglets at Kistachie E3 have been fed.
There were still two eaglets at the nest of Jackie and Shadow on Friday. More Coot has come to the nest supplementing the usual fish. The snow on the water must be keeping the fish at bay.
In the feeding below both are up. Earlier they appeared cold and worry set in. We do not know the fate of the the other eaglet (I am not saying it was the third hatch – it looked to be the second to me but the experts can confirm). It has made our hearts drop and feel ever so sad. But let us wish these two a long and healthy life.
I am worried that one of the eaglets does not appear as well as the other.
‘PB’ reports that both eaglets were fed well at 17:28. The feeding lasted approximately 10 minutes for the eaglets and another five for the adult. I wonder if the one is ‘sweaty’ from the warm brood patch or damp from the nest???
Saturday morning and both eaglets are alive at Big Bear. We might never know which one perished.
Hatched! The last time I checked on Friday the eaglet at Sauces was still trying to break free of that membrane.
That eaglet is moving and moving and it looks like it is almost here. Pinch me please.
VH Hock caught it on video. This is a small capture form that FB video:
Dr Sharpe says:
So many are hoping so much, hoping beyond hope for this couple. Thanks, J.
The two eaglets at the Kisatchie E3 nest were fed yesterday and there was food on the nest today. Some relief there!
I believe you are looking at the only hatch at Moorings Park Osprey platform in Florida this season. The other eggs do not appear viable. Let us wish this one strength!
Was there a visitor at the nest of Gabby and Beau today? Or was i seeing double? Beau finally sent the visitor packing.
Milda and Zorro have two eggs in their White-tail Eagle nest in Durbe County, Latvia. Wonderful.
My heart leaps whenever it sees Blue 33. He has been flying around with fish hoping for his Maya to appear. We need her to come home healthy. She had a difficult year in 2024.
It happened last year. Everyone wants Blue 33! Geemeff writes, “Rutland Ospreys: resident male Blue 33 eventually gives intruder female Blue 25 his fish
And since I recorded this, there have been mating attempts- hurry home Maya and Blue 11!”
I am waiting for Blue NC0 to land on the Loch of the Lowes nest as well as well as all of the other UK ospreys. Oh, let them have a good season.
We have an egg at Lake Murray. ‘H’ writes: :3/14 – Well, the Lake Murray Osprey nest of Kenny and Lucy really has an egg now. We don’t know what to make of the fact that they have both been incubating an unseen egg for the past 6 days, which may or may not have been hidden inside of a glove, lol. We are calling this egg #1, and it was laid on 3/14 at 10:59.”
We can just see a wee osplet from under Mum’s breast at Frenchman’s Creek.
Maintenance on Big Red and Arthur’s cam at Cornell University.
From the nest it appears that Angel and Tom have been working on their nest. There is even a pinecone in the centre!
The eaglets at Hilton Head are getting their juvenile feathers!
Egg at Wolf Bay.
‘J’ asked me if I have purchased or read any books on Flaco, the Eurasian owl that escaped from the Central Park Zoo. As it happens, I am reading the recently released book by David Gessner on Flaco. Half way finished. Will let you know the verdict soon!
Thank you so much for being with us today. I need to take a wee bit of a breath so the postings for the next couple of days might be quite short while we wait to see what happens at Big Bear and Sauces. Surely there will be more osprey arrivals as well. Take care everyone. See you soon.
Thank you so much to the following for their notes, posts, images, conversations, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘Geemeff, H, J, PB’, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, IWS/Explore, VH Hock, Dr Sharpe, Kistachie National Forest E3, Moorings Park, NEFL-AEF, LDF, LRWT, Loch of the Lowes, Lake Murray Ospreys, Frenchman’s Creek Ospreys, Window to Wildlife, Hilton Head Island Trust, The Guardian, Wolf Bay Ospreys, Geemeff
It appears that the video I posted was an earlier incident.
Gracie Shepherd notes that all three eaglets were fed and then the little one ‘disappeared’ into what is believed the snow of the nest bowl.
Cali Condor comments as the mod on FOBBV chat: “During the first feeding session today only two chicks were visible. We cannot see the entire nest bowl because the view remains partially obstructed by snow.”
The tragedy is already making all the news.
Whatever happened, we send our sincerest condolences to everyone who love Jackie and Shadow and to Jackie and Shadow themselves who so longed for babies. May the remaining two stay safe and the storms stay away.
Oh, my goodness. Is it possible that something has happened to one of the chicks at Big Bear? This video shows one caught on Shadow’s talon. There appear to be only two chicks in the nest eating later. The little one was last seen in the snow. I presumed it has passed. What a tragedy.
UPDATE: Peeps can be hear on the Sauces cam if you turn up the volume loud enough.
I had not expected to publish anything today, but, of course there are exciting things happening. As I write this Jak and Audacity’s baby is trying to get out of that membrane. Dr Sharpe says that a large part of the shell had pulled away from the egg on Thursday. The membrane will get brittle and easier for the wee one to break it with its egg tooth. I am so hoping. As I told one reader this will require a large magnum of champagne. We have so long wished for this couple to have an eaglet to raise. I hope it comes to pass.
Shadow wants brooding time. Some worry chick 3 isn’t getting enough food and is also cold and wet. We have to wait and see. https://youtu.be/Jiowi5MwKDU?
The first Osprey star has landed at Manton Bay and the first fish of the year was delivered to his nest by Blue 33 (10). Here is some more information about the Rutland Ospreys:
The first of our annual reports from ‘H’ is full of nest news from the US:
There is an osprey nest cam in Havre de Grace, Maryland, that I have been watching for a couple of days. It seems to have a bonded pair. We have already seen fish gifts and mating. It is located at the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum: (photo of the male with a fish)
There is an osprey nest cam that went online two days ago in Dewey Beach, Delaware. So far in two days, I have only seen a gorgeous female, and she has begun to refurbish the nest while she waits for her mate to return: (photo of the female)
Opal returned to her nest at Forsythe NJ on 3/12. She awaits the return of her mate, Oscar. Opal is a 4-egg-layer. Oh, I dread that. Last season, all four eggs hatched, and only the eldest fledged. There never seems to be enough fish at that nest. I am hoping that only two chicks will hatch this season.” Thanks, H!
I just caught sight of two ospreys on Maryland’s Western Shore for Old Town Home osprey nest!
Peregrine Falcon numbers are dropping. We understand that dear Annie and Alden might have succumb to HPAI. Is that the cause of this other sudden decline?
In the summer of 2023, Ambrose reported that 20 of 60 peregrine nesting sites were empty, with nearly a dozen more missing a parent. That is particularly notable because peregrines are generally loyal to both their nesting site and their partner….Curiously, the peregrine’s plight in North America seems most pronounced along the coasts. In New Jersey, for example, 22 of the 44 known nesting peregrines went missing during the last breeding season. In Virginia, local scientists recently noted that a dozen out of roughly 70 birds had vanished.
Peregrine nests in inland Washington state, near the Cascade mountains, seem stable, Anderson says, while those on the nearby San Juan Islands are struggling.
“It is interesting that coastal populations are showing impact while those in the middle of the continent, so far, do not,” says Patrick Redig, a veterinarian and president of the Midwest Peregrine Society, who helps track 200 nesting pairs across seven states.
Though scientists lack an official answer as to what is driving such sudden and far-reaching disappearances, many – including David Bird, who formerly led the Avian Science and Conservation Centre at Canada’s Montreal’s McGill University in Quebec – think highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) may be largely to blame.”
More tragedy. Seabirds are getting brain disorders like Alzheimer’s. What to blame? Microplastics?
Ospreys are starting to arrive in the UK as well as in the NE of the US.
Thank you for being with us today. Take care everyone. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘H, J’, FOBBV, Channel Islands Eagle Lovers FB, SK Hideaways, Rutland Manton Bay, River Gwash Ospreys, Maryland Western Shore for Old Town Home, The Guardian
I had to leave for appointments this morning and I just want to catch you up on a lot of happenings.
First, there is a pip at the nest of Jak and Audacity at Sauces Canyon. Their only surviving egg appears to be viable!
They are thinking this could take longer as it appears to be a crushed hatch.
I am just speechless. Is it possible that this is another miracle unfolding under a lot of feathers? Oh, send them good wishes. That egg is tough. We want this baby out safely.
The Ospreys are arriving at the nests in the UK. This morning we had Blue 35, Blue 25, and Maya’s mate, Blue 33 all at Rutland.
“The first Osprey has arrived back to Rutland. Blue 25 has recently been spotted on the nearby Manton Bay nest at Rutland Water. We’ll keep you posted as to when one arrives here, hopefully next week!“
Most of you know that Blue 33 is my favourite male of all the UK ospreys – and he is in amazing company!
1612 was the arrival time. Within two hours Blue 33 has a big fish on the nest waiting for his Maya.
In other news, Milda laid her second WTE egg in Latvia while the second egg at Port Tobacco has pipped. Many think Cholyn might lay a second egg at Two Harbours. Be on the lookout.
I am going to take a break tomorrow and I will be back with you on Saturday. I hope to welcome a baby eaglet at Sauces! If this happens, that feels like a magnum of the best champagne!!!!!!!!!
Take care everyone. See you soon.
Thank you to Barbara Wolfsong, IWS/Explore, SK Hideaways, FOBBV, NEFL-AEF, Rutland Water, River Gwash Ospreys
Update: Hartley lays second egg and at Port Tobacco the first and second eggs are pipping! Nothing at Sauces yet.
It is +2 and sunny and oh, my goodness, spring is really in the air. No doubt I will write about some huge snow storm hitting us mid-April as it often did on my eldest son’s birthday, but, for now, there is a lovely sound in the garden – bird song!
The deck and gardens are getting cleaned. As you can see there is still some snow and ice. These two wanted a wee bath! But, the water is now out an the bath turned upside down in anticipation of snow arriving Thursday morning.
‘B’ writes that the weather is turning again. Poor Jackie and Shadow have a nest full and can’t get a break with the weather!
“The weather at Big Bear is looking better today (Wednesday) than I had expected, given the previous forecasts. But the bensweather.com prediction now shows the heaviest snow tomorrow (and snow continuing Friday), so still a good time to lay in supplies! ”
Bodie. Not so long ago, this magnificent juvenile eaglet was the size of those little bobbleheads. It is hard to remember. Bodie was our first miracle that gave us hope.
I have to admit that like many of you I have been so captivated by the triplets at Big Bear and Bodie that I have not checked on other nests today. This will be a short posting!
Meanwhile, on the Cornell Campus, Big Red and Arthur are busy working on their nest. We will have eggs in a fortnight! https://youtu.be/Ebb5ZPRcZTs?
White Storks are incubating eggs at Knepp Farm.
One egg has hatched at Moorings Park.
No eggs for Edie and Lloyd at Captiva yet. It is late. Maybe the nest will be empty this year.
Food is scarce or not existent at the Kistachie E3 nest. What in the world is wrong? Please send good wishes to them, please.
Important condor dies of lead poisoning. Please let us end this painful and needless way for our wildlife to die.
There is concern that the only surviving egg at Sauces is not viable. Still waiting at Port Tobacco and also for that second egg at the nest of Bonnie and Clyde. We had all hoped that Jak and Audacity would have a family this year. We will give it a couple more days.
‘L’ writes that the Bald Eagle Cam at the Sutton Centre in Bartlesville, Oklahoma is up and running with eagles on the nest.
‘J’ sent a note that Keke at Superbeaks had fledged and returned to the nest successfully.
The birds are migrating.
Howard was the Bald Eagle that the great folks at Wild Heart Ranch helped through a series of ‘boots’. Look at how well he is doing now.
Poachers being arrested that have been killing our beautiful storks. The Akkar region is in Lebanon.
The killing of migrant birds for fun in Lebanon (and other areas) has been of ongoing concern.
Thank you for being with me today. I hope you can get outside and smell the freshness of spring. See you soon.
Thank you to the following fort their notes, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘B, J, L’, IWS, SK Hideaways, FOBBV, NEFL-AEF, Cornell Bird Lab, Knepp Farm, Moorings Park Osprey Cam, Window to Wildlife, Kistachie National Forest E3 Bald Eagle Nest, US Weather Service Hastings Nebraska, Wild Heart Ranch, Soraya Z Mouawad, Research Gate
It is 1930 Tuesday evening and it is still light on the Canadian prairies. It will not be long til spring is officially here. It would be so nice if the weather were the same! It still feels like winter!!!!!!!!
It will not be long til ospreys are arriving in the UK just like the geese are returning to the spring and summer breeding grounds. Life in Bird World is going to get that much more exciting.
There is a hatch at the GHO nest of Bonnie and Clyde on Farmer Derek’s property.
The third hatch at Big Bear is a real character, a brave little soul. I am counting on this one being a female!
‘A’ comments: “I watched the 14:20 feeding at Big Bear today (10 March) and Jackie was being very diligent about feeding all three. The first two lined up at the table were fed, one then the other, then the first again – she was giving them pieces that seemed way too large but they ate valiantly. One eventually collapsed into a food coma, and the third chick got to the front. Jackie moved around a little to favour it more and then proceeded to feed the remaining chick along with the youngest, who continued to compete throughout the feeding and seemed to do pretty well out of the feeding. All three were fed adequately, and Jackie was very deliberate about it. This gives me a great deal of hope that these three do have a fighting chance to survive – there was no bonking whatsoever at this feeding, even though the youngest was in the front row and I kept expecting a beak to the back of its head. But no, all eyes were on mum and the food, with not a single incident of aggression. It was most heartening, though of course we take things a day at a time. Shadow as usual did his daddy duty whenever he got a chance and alerted Jackie whenever he needed a break;. These two are doing a great job and are sharing the chores between them, with both taking their turns at hunting, fishing, feeding and brooding. What a team. “
The first egg has hatched at PA Farm Country early Tuesday.
Screenshot
There was a Q & A session with Dr Sharpe. ‘J’ found some of the questions and answers for us.
Geemeff sends us news: James River Park is live:news item –
Bodie still takes our breath away. She is so beautiful.
‘A’ considers: “At NEFL, I agree with you that Bodie must be a big beautiful female like her mum. She is gigantic! I’m not sure she is particularly motivated to leave home just yet, having been so spoiled by Gabby and Beau. Tonight, Gabby is sleeping on the nest with her giant daughter, perhaps aware she won’t have her around for too much longer. What a wonderful season it has been for this couple. This nest has really lived up to all the hopes we had for it when Gabby first showed an interest in V3 all that time ago. To see their love story come to this is so wonderful, it brings tears to my eyes all over again. Darling Gabby really deserves a guy like Beau – he has turned out to be the mate we hoped he would be for her. And what a great dad he has been. “
Just look at gorgeous Iniko (1031), daughter of King Pin and Rewood Queen.
The Oregon Zoo has thirteen California Condor eggs this year!
Sun Coast Osprey Cam is up and running.
I always get the feeling that the E3 nest in the Kistachie Forest needs more food. I remember Louis bringing in piles an piles of fish to E1 – what is happening at E3 this year?
One tiny little osplet at Frenchman’s Creek.
Food is in very short supply – or appears to be – at the ETSU Bluff City nest.
Will Cholyn and Milda lay a second egg today?
Thank you so much for being with us today for this brief catch up with some of the nests. Take care everyone. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, posts, images, articles, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, J, SP’, Farmer Derek GHO Cam, SK Hideaways, FOBBV, HDonTap, Dr Sharpe an the IWS, James River Park, NEFL-AEF, Ventana Willife Society, Sun Coast Osprey and Lucille Powell, Kistachie National Forest, Frenchman’s Creek Ospreys, Bald Eagle Cams ETSU and Terry Anita
Oh, it was so nice over the weekend and now the bitter cold north winds of winter have returned on Monday. The sky is a grey white, the branches of the lilacs are bending, and the birds and outdoor animals have eaten and gone back into their cosy homes. I feel for them as I look at ‘The Girls’ who are running around a warm house with toys, dishes of food, and as many pets as they want. Snow is falling as I write.
There are lots of nice fish on the Kisatchie E3 nest and our dear little eaglet (EO4) has a full crop. Seems big sibling (E)3) is full and isn’t bothered. Nice.
There was a dual feeding at the E3 nest at 0906 on Monday. How nice.
Life continues to be good on the Big Bear nest of Jackie and Shadow as another winter storm is approaching.
The twelfth feeding of the day at Big Bear. They are well fed and feisty – the two oldest it seems liking to twist one another around. I am not concerned. It is just trying to set the pecking order. Not easy sometimes! https://youtu.be/snXVpHwmsZI?
Boone has the nest loaded for what will be the only eaglet at Johnson City. Jolene is a fantastic mum. Things are going so well there. Look at those nice fish.
The Dukies are so cute. Just look at them all lined up so sweet.
A glimpse of the eggs at Decorah North!
Bodie sure is gorgeous. She has grown so big and tall. Ebony juvenile plumage. Spunk. Lots of good names for this vibrant girl.
It is Rita’s History Monday. Thanks ‘J’ for sending the post in!
There is good news coming out of Wild Heart Ranch. You might recall that they were fitting booties onto a Bald Eagle to help with its terrible talon. They also had Skylar. Skylar came in with a back fracture and a dislocated hip, he was neither suspected to fly today, nor land this well, nor perch. Annette expected Skylar to become an ambassador, but obviously now there is renewed hope for release. Good news all around at WHR.
Bullfinches are some of the most beautiful birds. I would love to have them in my garden!
The image is the male Bullfinch which the RSPB describes as, “The male Bullfinch is unmistakable with his bright pinkish-red breast and cheeks, grey back, black cap and tail, and bright white rump. The flash of the rump in flight and piping whistled call are usually the first signs of Bullfinches being present. They feed heavily on the buds of various trees in spring and were once considered a pest of fruit crops.”
Bullfinches face the following challenges to their lives:
Bullfinches face challenges like habitat loss, particularly of hedgerows and woodlands, and changes in agricultural practices that reduce food sources and nesting sites, leading to population declines.
Here’s a more detailed look at the challenges bullfinches face:
Habitat Loss:
The destruction of native woodlands and hedgerows has contributed to the decline in bullfinch populations.
Intensification and improvement of agricultural practices may also have a negative impact, with less seed available during the colder months.
Bullfinches require thick, healthy native hedgerows and woodlands for nesting, along with a supply of seed and flower buds in spring to survive.
Food Source Reduction:
Changes in agricultural practices, including the loss of arable weeds, can reduce the availability of food sources for bullfinches.
Loss of trees and hedgerows in the wider countryside also impacts food availability.
Predation:
Bullfinches are vulnerable to avian predators like corvids (such as Magpies) and raptors (for example Sparrowhawks).
Conflict with Humans:
Historically, bullfinches were considered pests of commercial fruit trees due to their liking for flower buds, leading to licensed control measures.
However, these measures did not seem to have a significant impact on the population, and bullfinches have since undergone a population decline.
Other Factors:
The bullfinch trade, driven by the desire for male birds and their singing prowess, can also negatively impact populations.
Some traders estimate that as many as 80% of traded bullfinches die.
Disease:
Bullfinches can be affected by parasitic diseases like trichomoniasis, which can prevent them from swallowing food.
‘J’ egg count: Fifteen nests with 3 eggs and one with four eggs. Unbelievable.
Fraser Point 2 left, Sauces 1 left, still no pip
I missed Ott Family – all 3 eggs laid in february, and Trempealeau just had its third (10 march)
Bartlesville
Big Bear 3 chicks
Centerport
Denton Homes
Duke Farms 3 chicks
Folfan
Fort St Vrain FOUR eggs
Fraser Point 1 broke
NCTC
ND-Leef
Ott Family
PA Farm Country
Port Tobacco
Sauces 2 broke
Trempealeau
US Steel
It is no secret that I love the birds – or any animal. It is also not a secret that I blame humans for the harm that has come to them. Now we have this! The right to kill migratory birds. Someone please tell me when all this is going to end? (It was tried before in 2017 and revoked).
Lloyd Brown has just posted this message: “The news everyone has been waiting for….
The live feed at the “R” nest is dead for the rest of this season. It will not be coming back up until after R7 and R8 fledge. We believe some animal (most likely a squirrel) has destroyed the cables to both cameras. If we were to try to repair it, we run the risk of endangering the babies lives. We will not do that! It is illegal for us to go near the nest for anything except a life threatening situation for the babies. No more live feed until after this coming May. At which time, we will be rebuilding the whole thing.”
The Ventana Wildlife Society does an enviable job in caring for the California Condors.
Thank you so very much for being with us today. Take care all. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, letters, articles, videos, images, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘H, J, MP’, Kisatchie E3 Bald Eagle Nest, Androcat, Farmer Derek GHO Cam, FOBBV, Duke Farms, Johnson City-ETSU, Raptor Resource Project/Explore, NEFL-AEF, Rita the Eagle FB Page, Wild Heart Ranch, The Guardian, LDF, Moorings Park Ospreys, IWS/Explore, RSPB, The Washington Post, Lloyd Brown, The Ventana Wildlife Society, SK Hideaways
UPDATE: Chase and Cholyn have their first egg at Two Harbours.
It is +5 and it was a remarkable Sunday on the Canadian Prairies. There were eleven Canada Geese at the nature centre enjoying the open water while children tried their luck at ice fishing at the other end of the lake.
It is going to snow today with the temperatures dropping to -15 C. It felt like spring on Saturday and Sunday and this was remarkable in lifting our spirits. We were outside without heavy coats!!!!!!! The birds are singing, the squirrels are playing chase, and well, life feels so good. Winter is ending.
The arrival of the geese signal the arrival of spring.
‘PB’ sent me a post showing the Kearney Centre where they have never seen so many Cranes an snow geese at one time at the Nebraska site. Our feathered friends are on the move!
This is the image posted by Michelle Neville and sent to me by ‘PB’. Isn’t this amazing?
All of the staring at the Big Bear triplets caused me to miss the first hatch at Moorings Park. Apologies all around! Thank goodness it is a nest that ‘H’ is watching for the forms, and if anyone ever doubts her observations , well, don’t. Believe her regardless of what all the chatter is saying. She is persistent. She will stay up all night watching frame by frame to make certain she has it. So here is the report, “Moorings Park had its first hatch this morning at 0726, at 39.5 days if it was egg #1. It could have been egg 2 at 36.5 days. This year, eggs 1 and 2 were very similar. So, if there is a DNH (and I’m hoping there is), then I may go back in and modify the hatch order of the eggs.) [We first saw a small pip at 2357 on 3/8. I searched the entire evening, and could not see an earlier pip. Last season at Moorings only two eggs hatched, and the experts on the chat said that egg #1 did not hatch. I think we have egg 3 as DNH in the forms, but I do recall them saying egg 1 didn’t hatch.”
Watching the baby at Big Bear. These triplets are so cute. That first hatch is a bit of a corker. Love this family!
‘B’ reports more weather coming to Big Bear: “More weather is forecast for Big Bear — snow predicted for Tues, Wed, Thurs. Fingers crossed — glad the chicks are still small.
The second hatch at the Kisatchie National Forest E3 Bald Eagle nest is really getting a raw deal from its older sibling. One would have thought that the dominance would have ended. Is there a problem with the amount of food being brought to the nest that is causing this type of bonking?
No food for the younger one this time round.
E04 will get some foo but the viscious attacks have really caused it to be hyper cautious and often not eat.
Andria II is very much aware of what is happening on the nest and made several attempts to ensure 04 had some food.
The Institute for Wildlife Studies has announced Dr Sharpe’s successor and the information for the Adoption Challenge for 2025. Here is the post. This is their big fundraiser and you could get a chance to name an eaglet! One of our readers did just that for one of Akecheta’s triplets. What an honour.
Bald Eagle chart, thank you for checking all those locations and sending this to us, ‘J’: (I cannot make it any larger). E is pip or hatch watch. F is the hatch date.
At the nest of Beau and Gabby, the adults have to watch their talons when they deliver food to Bodie. This big girl really loves her prey. She is gorgeous. It has really been a joy watching this new family raise its first eaglet (yes, I know Beau has been around for a few years, but this is the first year as a ‘family’).
Bodie is so good at the snatch and grab. Beau and Gabby are training their only youngster to survive in the world when it did not have the chance to scrap with siblings! Watch: https://youtu.be/orZm8josGhg?
Mum and Dad were very protective of their two beautiful eaglets during a recent storm in the Dallas area!
Certainly only eaglet at Johnson City is such a cutie and could well have a life of bliss like Bodie.
The triplets at Duke Farm seem to be doing fine. Life can change quickly.
‘J’ sends news that the Osprey ambassador Oliver at Marathon (home to Rita) has died.
Upcoming pip watches: Port Tobacco and Sauces starts and we wait for hatch for Bonnie an Clyde at the GHO nest on Farmer Derek’s Property in Kansas.
News from ‘A”: “Tom and Angel are spending time at the nest most days though not all. They are still bringing pine sprigs to the nest and doing a lot of nest cupping so they appear to have largely completed the early structural work (although more baby rails will no doubt be added once any hatchling/s start venturing out of the nest bowl) and are now perfecting the soft surface in the centre of the nest and trying to eject the pine cones that fall into it. There is still no guarantee that they have committed to a clutch at this location this season but we watch and hope. At least they both appear healthy and their pair bond remains strong.
At Taiaroa Head, I’m not sure if you heard the news that the DNA results showed our chick to be a female. She is getting fed regularly and is rapidly becoming a gorgeous snowy-white fluffball. I love that her plumage is unstained by regurgitation, indicating that there has been no incident to cause her undue stress or fear during the post-guard period. She sure is an adventurous small person and has explored the vicinity of her nest, A rat was seen on the camera yesterday morning and ranger Sharyn advised that they have been catching a larger number of rats than usual at this time of year in the traps the rangers set. The albie chicks should be large enough to not be endangered by the rats but apparently they are a major hazard for the little blue penguins, who are only breeding successfully in areas where there is trapping. We need to be incredibly grateful for the work these rangers do to protect not just the albies but also the other native wildlife of this area. “
Thank you so much for being with me today. My goal is to post ‘some’ news each day. It will not be a full account of every nest! I do hope that you find something enjoyable and valuable. Take care everyone. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, articles, announcements, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, B, Geemeff, H, J, PB’, Michelle Neville, Moorings Park Ospreys, FOBBV, Ben’s Weather, SK Hideaways, Kistachie National Forest E3 Bald Eagle Cam, IWS, NEFL-AEF, AEF, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Johnson City ETSU, Duke Farms, Marathon Wildlife Centre, Geemeff, The Guardian
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