Author Archives: maryannsteggles

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.

Sunday in Bird World

25 January 2026

Good Morning Everyone,

It’s Sunday, not Monday. I have the week’s videos from SK Hideaways, and it is a wrap of a review of what is happening in Bird World.

We have been under an extreme cold warning for more than a week now. It is currently -35 (Saturday night). The vets have said that if it is too cold for humans then it is decidedly too cold for dogs to be outside. Their paws can freeze and crack! There is no evidence that frigid cold causes arthritis but dogs with arthritis suffer pain because of constrictions if they are out in this cold. Toby, hopefully, will never have arthritis, but his little incident the other day means he needs to stay inside. We have played a lot of fetch – he loves it – but he discovered that he also likes to play ‘fish’ with the Girls! We were decluttering the pantry as part of an overall downsizing of all our stuff and we found a fishing pole toy with feathered ends. Oh, all of them had such a good time. It was wonderful!

I have not spent as much time on the computer watching the nests as I did a year ago. This has not been a bad thing! In a recent blog, the lovely, talented cookbook author Mimi Thorisson said, “Over the years, living on this planet has taught me something important. It is imperative, from time to time, to detach slightly from the social world and enter a phase of semi-hibernation. It is healing. It is comforting. It brings you back to yourself.” I hope that each of us is taking time to watch the birds and animals outside – I often add that they are such an important part of my life that I have felt paralysed to move to a different house. Our day begins, as it always does, with breakfast in the conservatory and a ‘count’ of the visitors to the nest. Another count occurs around 1530, along with continuous checks on Brock’s dish. These birds and animals bring such joy to my life, along with The Girls and Toby, who have proven to be loyal companions. So, please, embrace the wildlife that is around you. Do what you can to improve their lives – a dish of water, some food. It all helps.

The second eaglet on the Winter Park nest in Florida has been receiving both food and attacks from its older sibling. The size and age difference along with food availability are key here.

Ondabebe caught the second eaglet with a full crop on Saturday. https://youtu.be/PUXtegsGAy0?

Send good positive energy for lots of prey – the parents have to eat, too!

Research indicates that siblicide on Bald Eagle nests is 5% or less – meaning that it is rare. (The osprey mortality rate is often higher than 17% in the nests we have monitored.)

Here is a good article on various Avian Siblicide to help you understand which raptors are more likely to have one nestling kill another. It is very informative.

Avian_SiblicideDownload

SK Hideaways sent their videos for the week of the 18th for your enjoyment.

Channel Island California Eagles
Livestreamed nests:
~ Fraser Point ~ Santa Cruz Island ~ Cruz & Andor
~ Sauces Canyon ~ Santa Cruz Island ~ Audacity & Jak
~ Two Harbors ~ Catalina Island ~ Cholyn & Chase
~ West End ~ Catalina Island ~Resident in flux

Two Harbors
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Two Harbors Eagles Cam Ops
Overlook Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yx7RKxpyzQ
Eagle Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5T2eHM8tcI

Cholyn & Chase Do Nesting Season with Class ~ Mating & Fish Gift (2026 Jan 23)
Chase has embraced nesting season with much enthusiasm as he continues to woo Cholyn with fish between mating activities. 22 years of “wedded” bliss and romance is still very much alive for this royal couple of Catalina Island. (2026 Jan 23)
Video: https://youtu.be/2OEWiuQ9ZxM

Chase Wants Eggs ~ Tests Nest Bowl as Cholyn Watches + Mating (2026 Jan 20)
Despite the fact that Chase “knows” that Cholyn almost always lays eggs at the end of February or early March, he’s trying to hurry her along by showing her how comfy the nest bowl is and frequent mating. Here, Chase lays in the nest bowl 3 times to Cholyn’s zero times. Cholyn seems to give him a “what’re you doing?” look, but in her typical Cholyn way, just goes with the flow. Always in sync even when it means humoring the other. 
Video: https://youtu.be/SZZAkQ0D9z8

Cholyn & Chase Nesting Season Kickoff ~ 2x Mating & Fish Gift (2026 Jan 18)
Cholyn and Chase had their official nesting season kickoff ~ at least from where we could see them. They mated in the morning, then Chase brought Cholyn a nice fish for lunch. They had long conversations off camera and then returned to the nest in the late afternoon to mate again. Here’s hoping for a fruitful season for this beloved couple and royalty of the Channel Islands.
Video: https://youtu.be/bNEHHlGDCQ4

West End
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | West End Eagles Cam Ops 
Nest Low Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfuqjSNXZ14
Other Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmmAzrAkKqI
Overlook Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kad6O4nF6bg

Couple ID Markers & More Mating ~ Need Nestorations to Seal Deal (2026 Jan 22)
The new West End couple (aka masked and unmasked; and VE1 (male visitor) and VE2 (female visitor)) continue to take steps towards being a bonded pair. While they have accomplished mating quite well (!), they have not embraced the nest repairs that would indicate their intentions to start a family this season. It’s early, though, and things can change (as they always do). (2026 Jan 22)
Video: https://youtu.be/acrvEOup90E

Masked Female & Unmasked Male Mate for 1st & 2nd Time on Camera (2026 Jan 21)
The visiting eagles have been at the West End for about 2 weeks and seen together most days. While mating sounds have been heard off camera, this was the first (and second) observed mating. So the bond is there, but will they remain here to lay eggs and raise chicks? Stay tuned for the next episode of As the West End Turns. 
Video: https://youtu.be/Z1z28PuQFTs

FOBBV Eagles ~ Big Bear, California ~ Jackie & Shadow
Courtesy FOBBVCAM | Friends of Big Bear Valley

ℹResident Bald Eagle male: Shadow (unbanded) since May 2018. Estimated hatch year: 2014
ℹResident 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

Morning Chortle-Snortles & Shadow’s First Incubation Stint (2026 Jan 24)
Jackie laid her and Shadow’s first egg late the previous day, so this morning was Shadow’s first opportunity for some incubation time. From what we have observed, he really, really seems to enjoy this part of nesting. So much so that he took his time heeding Jackie’s fish calls.
Video: https://youtu.be/jcIPh9l19aQ

Shadow delivers FEEESH ~ Jackie Stumbles on Nest Rails Trying to Collect (2026 Jan 24)
When Jackie saw Shadow deliver a whole, big fish (aka feeesh) from her perch on the Cactus Snag, she squealed with glee and made a beeline for the nest. As it turns out, she and Shadow have constructed such a robust fortress, that Jackie stumbled trying to get in the front door. She, of course, did prevail and enjoyed her meal with gusto.
Video: https://youtu.be/nTcUFmY6Dxw

JACKIE & SHADOW WELCOME FIRST EGG OF SEASON! (2026 Jan 23)
A quick labor for Jackie as she laid the first egg of the season. Shadow quickly came to meet his egg and seemed pretty smitten already.

Video: https://youtu.be/n0-5Ko2AWYY

The Bald Eagle nest on Farmer Derek’s property in Kansas has its first egg.

Rose and Ron have two gorgeous eaglets with so much juvenile plumage!

Quinn is the cutest little eaglet over at the Captiva nest of Connie and Clive.

Girri is flying strong with Diamond and Gimbir. This is just incredible. How many years have we followed this nest, hoping for such an amazing outcome? This is wonderful – a strong, big female.

Duke Farms’ female looking at the trio of eggs she has laid.

SK Hideaways caught Shadow delivering a fish to Jackie as she has been incubating their first egg of the season. https://youtu.be/nTcUFmY6Dxw?

There are no concerns at the nest of Gabby and Beau. NE32 and 33 are growing strong with their thermal down and pin feathers. Lots of food and great parenting make a difference – Beau and Gabby are well-bonded, experienced, and work together like a nicely oiled machine. (Watch them using cam 2: https://www.youtube.com/live/hQrJv_Dt4tY?

At the SW Florida nest of M15 and F23, E26 is getting those gorgeous deep black juvenile feathers. Doing so well!

Anna II is a valiant mom in the cold and rain of Louisiana. Not much nourishment for everyone – let’s wish for a sunny day tomorrow.

Jack and Jill have been seen at the Achieva Credit Union osprey platform in St Petersburg, Florida.

Gimbir, that cute Dad that fathered the dynamic Girri, is getting his adult plumage!!!!!!!

My lad and lass – besties forever.

It’s 2:46 minutes long. There is a bit of a pause in the middle but stay to the end. I hope these two make you smile.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Thank you for your e-mails and your comments. It is so nice to know there are others out there who love our feathered friends and who will do anything to make their lives better! I am sorry if I am not able to answer the comments or your e-mails as quickly as I did in the past, but I do appreciate each and every one of them and will, I promise, get around to responding!

We will be back on Friday, if not before – depending on action in the nests.

Please take care of yourself. We look forward to having you with us again soon.

We all owe a great debt to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to monitor the lives of our raptor families. I am indebted to all those who create videos (which takes a lot of time), such as SK Hideaways, and to the authors of the FB posts and the articles that I have included in my blog. We learn from one another, and I hope we share what we know with others. Thank you all. My blog would not be the same without your contributions.

Jackie and Shadow have an egg!!!!!!!

23 January 2026

Oh, I love these two. We have an early egg (compared to some years past) for our Big Bear romantic couple, Jackie and Shadow.

Smile. While there might be sadness elsewhere, we have to celebrate what could be an amazing year for these two Bald Eagles in Big Bear Valley that we love so much.

Time to get another mini-bottle of champagne! I finally go to open the last one in 2025 – let’s make it another year for this couple. Send them all your love and good energy.

SK Hideaways has it on video. https://youtu.be/n0-5Ko2AWYY?

Thank you to SK Hideaways and to the owners of the streaming cam that allow us this amazing look into the lives of our raptors.

Osprey Eggs at Frenchman’s Creek and Moorings Park

23 January 2026

A big shout out to Heidi who alerted me to the arrival of the first osprey eggs in Florida!

Harry and Sally are great parents, and they have a good location for their babies’ fish. I would call this a very successful nest in the past, so if you are having osprey withdrawal, watch this couple when hatch arrives.

This is the link to Harry and Sally’s streaming cam link on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/R3wpPIj09IE?si=-NekHbkt8LAGGFn4

Heidi posted a video of the grand event on FB: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1572311574014013

Frenchman’s Creek has had its problems in the past. GHO has taken an egg and a check last season and we have had a nest full of fish but no parent to feed the three chicks who did manage, amidst all our anxiety, to fledge!

Here is the link to the Frenchman’s Creek YouTube streaming cam link:

Link is here: https://www.youtube.com/live/zcDGdR2QkDo?

Well, this is a great beginning. I am very partial to the Moorings Park nest and highly recommend it to you especially if you are a first time osprey nest watcher.

Thank you, Heidi! We have our first entries for the 2026 year in the data forms. Thank you for being with us today for these announcements – and to the owners of the streaming cams who allow us to watch our fish hawks.

It’s Just Nature!

Hello Everyone,

For years, I had the time to advocate for our raptor nests. In the past year, Don’s dementia has deteriorated, and with the arrival of Toby, my free time is minuscule. That said, my ‘inbox’ is full of the tragedy that is or could be brewing at the Texas Bald Eagle nest, along with the GHO having visited the Frenchman’s Osprey nest with its first egg of the season! In the past that GHO has taken an egg and a chick. So let me get on my bandwagon, albeit it a shorter one than in the past.

‘It is Just Nature!’ IF I hear that phrase one more time I am liable to blow up like a balloon. Nature. Ask my friend, ‘R’, what it was like in Florida in the 1950s when they would take their kayak out into the wilderness. Ask the deer in my neighbourhood or the ospreys in the Chesapeake Bay. Humans have destroyed nature. So don’t tell me you can’t help the little eaglet in the Texas nest, or remove the trash from the Brevard nest, or put up lights for the osprey at Frenchman’s Creek. That is just a start at my list – add Achieva to that, too.

Humans have drastically altered nature, leading to accelerated wildlife extinction through habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and overexploitation. The primary driver is land-use change—specifically deforestation for agriculture, urbanisation, and resource extraction—which eliminates habitat and food sources for species. Key, consistent impacts include habitat fragmentation, illegal poaching, and the introduction of invasive species. 

I think Heidi and I had over 40 ways that humans had destroyed the homes of our wildlife, but let’s take a look at those broad categories.

  1. Habitat loss has to be one of the leading causes – urbanisation, farming, cows (yes, cows), industry, mining, etc continue to reduce the area and break up the spaces for the animals so they can survive.
  2. Toxic Air and Water – we have destroyed good water and air with chemicals from industry, pesticides used in agriculture, and contaminated entire food chains. Then there are the plastics in the ocean – more plastic than plankton now and if you want to know how horrible that is think of the albatross.
  3. Climate Change – We have accelerated this through our continued use of fossil fuels. We have disrupted the breeding cycles and the caused many animals not to have the time to adapt to change.
  4. Illegal Wildlife trade, Overfishing and over hunting. Poaching birds in Australia and mammals in Africa for luxury pet items or use in traditional medicines.
  5. Introduction of Invasive species that prey upon and destroy native wildlife.
  6. Deforestation. Cutting down trees around the world damages everything. It is more expensive but coffee grown in shade saves habitat for our beloved birds while providing a good income for the farmers and workers. Branded as ‘Birds and Beans’ it is accredited by the Smithsonian. So think about it. How much do you spend buying coffee at one of the local coffee shops? Then check out their pricing. Reduce your coffee consumption or do what Jane Goodall did and use the grinds twice – help wildlife.

So nature? Don’t tell me it is nature when our raptors are starving. It is us and it is time for humans to step up and take responsibility.

So here is some information to help you understand more fully so you can argue on behalf of our wildlife:

Top 10 Ecological Issues Affecting Wildlife | IFAWDownload

Knowledge Platform has an animation describing how we are destroying nature. https://youtu.be/900Qnh2uNgM?si=6p0b9Si6Rg1U4KjY

Window to Wildlife said they will continue to monitor the nest at Winter Park Florida and do “what they legally can”.

With great respect to Window to Wildlife, who have done incredible work and acted quickly within the legal limits when a ‘CLEARLY caused human issue’ threatened the eaglets, such as fishing line.

It is now time for agencies and groups and individuals to advocate for the wildlife – step in and put more fish on that nest in Florida. It has happened in South Australia and it happens all the time in Eastern Europe. Two good examples are Mlady Buky and the community feeding the storklets and parents when one adult was electrocuted. The other was the removal of the storklets, hand rearing them at a medical facility, and then fostering them in Estonia. There are many instances where humans reached out to help.

The Migratory Bird Laws of the 1940s are archaic. That was 85 years ago. If they can be changed with the snap of a finger to allow the killing of the raptors during migration, then equally, we need to step up and protect the birds in their nests!!!!!!!! It is time.

This is an AI Generated response when I ask how humans have destroyed nature:

Human activities have severely degraded the natural world, resulting in a sixth mass extinction event, with roughly 1 million species at risk. Key drivers include the destruction of over 80% of wild mammal populations, clearing of 70% of land for agriculture, and significant pollution of oceans. These actions have altered 75% of ice-free land, leading to widespread biodiversity loss, climate change, and ecosystem collapse. 

Key Areas of Destruction:

  • Biodiversity Loss & Extinction: Human activity has caused a 20% decline in biodiversity on average in land animal communities. Roughly 83% of all wild mammals and half of all plants have been lost.
  • Land Use & Deforestation: Roughly 70% to 75% of the Earth’s ice-free land surface has been altered, with 40% of land degraded, largely for agriculture, mining, and logging. Between 2000 and 2013, 1.9 million square kilometers of undisturbed ecosystems were lost.
  • Ocean & Marine Life: Nearly 90% of marine fish stocks are fully exploited, overexploited, or depleted. Around 66% of the ocean area is impacted by human activities like pollution and overfishing.
  • Climate Change & Atmosphere: Burning fossil fuels and land-use changes (deforestation) are primary drivers of climate change, causing melting ice sheets, sea-level rise, and extreme weather, National Geographic Society and YouTube. 

Primary Drivers:

  • Overexploitation: Royal Society notes that overfishing and overhunting constitute 20% of biodiversity decline.
  • Pollution: Plastic pollution and fertilizer runoff are significantly damaging marine environments.
  • Economic Expansion: The demand for resources has led to the rapid destruction of ecosystems, with only 3% of the earth’s terrestrial surface remaining ecologically and faunally intact. 

Please think about these matters and speak up. The osprey cannot do this for themselves nor can the little eaglet who is injured (is it superficial? or is it hot and the chick is becoming rapidly dehydrated?).

Thank you for listening. See you soon.

Thank you to those who took the time to write to me about issues at the nests and to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us into the lives of the raptors we love so much.

Royal Cam chick taken to nest…Late Thursday in Bird World

22 January 2026

Good Morning Everyone,

As predicted, we woke to -34 C Thursday morning. It was SO COLD that when Toby set his paw on the deck, he cried and ran into the house. The general rule is: if it is too cold for humans, it is too cold for pets to be outside. No walk with Ellen today – we will find something else to do inside to work those muscles! Maybe it is a good day to vacuum – Don pushes and Toby chases. Great for both.

Today is a very special day. For 21 years, my son has the first class he teaches at the SGU medical school say ‘Hello Mom’. It happens in a few minutes and always brings tears. It is difficult living so far away from your children. I am glad that Jaine and her family are close. For years, I travelled with my son (since he was 18 and our first trip to India) and later him, his wife, and Don. Unbelievable times in Asia – great memories.

Again, thank you so much for your kind wishes for Brock. He is much loved and has been coming regularly to the heated feeder. He has already arrived on Thursday morning. Brock has to have a warm place to hunker down, or he’ll freeze. Gosh, I am glad, but I wish I knew where it was!

Before we move on, let us consider some numbers. Fifty-one (51) days til the middle of March, when we should begin to look for Big Red and Arthur to think about eggs, UK Ospreys will be arriving, and if we add another fortnight to that, Iris might be back, but for sure, by 8 April – her day of choice. I miss the ospreys. The lack of chicks at Port Lincoln left a big hole.

Hard to believe but an osprey has already been spotted in Scotland this past week and a visiting falcon to the scrape at University of Montreal in the snow!

The Royal Cam chick has been returned to the nest and Dad is there to greet the little one. https://youtu.be/pPuUIdzt8ss?

Locally, Wildlife Haven has been busy. Lumi, the lynx, has been flown to Guelph, Ontario for an MRI. Lumi is improving and will return to the Assiniboine Park Zoo, a partner with Wildlife Haven, soon. There is also a new raptor ambassador.

Introducing Our Newest Ambassador
We’re thrilled to introduce the newest member of the Wildlife Haven family—a young Swainson’s Hawk named Harriet.
Harriet arrived at Wildlife Haven as an orphaned nestling in August of 2025. She was very young, and it was unusual for a Swainson’s Hawk to be at this stage so late in the year, as she would normally need to prepare for fall migration.
In addition to being orphaned, Harriet needed medical care for a serious eye injury; a retinal detachment. She responded wonderfully to treatment and thrived under the care of our hospital team. With the expertise of the Wildlife Haven hospital staff and Dr. Sherri, Harriet’s retinal detachment fully healed.
Although her physical recovery was excellent, Harriet was too young to complete migration. Swainson’s Hawks must successfully complete their first migration to properly imprint, as this initial journey provides a foundational map for all future migrations. Without this experience, Harriet’s chances of survival in the wild would have been unlikely. After careful consideration, it was determined that she would be an excellent candidate for our ambassador team.
In September, Harriet moved to our ambassador wing, where she started training and learning important skills, including stepping up onto the glove. She continues her training in preparation for active participation in our Education Program, where she will have the opportunity to visit schools, attend community events, and help inspire people of all ages to care about and protect wildlife.
Harriet when she arrived at Wildlife Haven in August.Amy, our Education Program Manager, training Harriet to step up on the glove.
Ambassador animals play a vital role in conservation by connecting the public with nature and encouraging action to protect wild animals. Thanks to the incredible care Harriet has received, and the ongoing support of our community, she now has the chance to live a long, enriching, and meaningful life while educating Manitobans about wildlife.
Welcome to the team, Harriet!

Some good news is coming from the Winnipeg City Council. You might recall that there was a move to revoke the requirement for bird-friendly windows – well, that motion lost! Birds and wildlife lovers won against the bureaucracy. Remember. The movement to stop the City Councillors from changing this bylaw began with only a few people and grew and grew until the Council had to back down. Anything is possible when people join together for the greater good.

A great review of the 2025 osprey breeding season in Iowa! “Young osprey numbers hit a record high in Iowa, while peregrine falcons hold steady

https://www.iowapublicradio.org/environment/2026-01-19/ospreys-peregrine-falcons-birds-iowa-dnr-2025

According to new DNR reports, raptor surveyors and volunteers documented 58 osprey fledglings and 28 peregrine falcon fledglings in 2025. The positive numbers stem from years-long restoration efforts in Iowa.”

SK Hideaways caught the new couple mating for the first time in the West End nest area of the Channel Islands. https://youtu.be/Z1z28PuQFTs?

For the first time, Friends of Osprey South Australia have produced a very detailed report for the 2025 breeding season.

Osprey_Monitoring_Report_2025-26 (1) (2)Download

Heading to Poole Harbour? I sure hope I might make it and it is good to know what events are in store for the summer —- mine will be seeing CJ7 and/or Blue 022!

https://www.birdsofpooleharbourbookings.co.uk

At Kisatchie E1, there are now two eaglets, E04 and E05.

There has been quite a bit of rivalry at the Winter Park Florida Bald Eagle nest amongst the chicks due to a lack of food.

Wow. Look at that NE Florida Bald Eagle cam! Can you find the eaglets?

Thank you so much for being with us today. We are going to try to stay warm. Please take care. We will see you again on Monday.

Thank you to the owners of the streaming cams for letting us keep an eye on our favourite raptor families. I am very grateful to the authors of the FB posts included above, who give us great information and images. Thank you to Fran Solly and the Friends of Osprey Sth Aus for undertaking that great 2025 survey!

Third egg at Duke Farms…Tuesday in Bird World

20 January 2026

Good Morning Everyone,

-27 C

Thank you so much for your notes about Brock. We were delighted to see him on the front video camera, and our entire block became very animated on our private Messenger chat group. Brock is the only feral cat remaining in our area. As most of you know, he is four or five years old and has survived horrible winter conditions – and some rather hot, nasty summers, too. What has happened is that neighbours have come together to watch and protect him; slowly but surely, they have. I am no longer the only one who leaves food for him and waits for him to come. This is wonderful! The more who love and care for him, the better his chances of surviving or not falling into the dreaded hands of those who would euthanise him.

Our cold weather continues. Toby went for a short walk with Ellen. Toby is normally so excited and wants to keep going beyond the half hour, but today Ellen said that when they reached the corner, he wanted to come home. I don’t blame him. It was windy, and the chill factor was -26 C at noon. We continue to expect temperatures in the range of -33 to -35 by the end of the week and over the weekend. A break comes a week from today. In the meantime, it is inside activities! Today, Ann will take Don for several hours of walking at IKEA. Oh, how I wish someone would invest money in a very large indoor dog park with a coffee shop! There are a few places where dogs, including therapy dogs like Toby, are allowed, even though they are not classified the same as ‘service’ dogs. We will survive, and if I once complain about the heat of summer, you remind me about these cold, dark days of January.

Louis II and Anna II’s little fluff ball is nothing short of cute. Check out the Kistchie National Forest E1 nest!

The eagles at Duke Farms in New Jersey surprised everyone when a third egg arrived just after 1700 on Monday, the 19th of January! If all three hatch, this is going to be one busy family. (This Mum does tend to lay three eggs).

There is snow at the nest. This Mum – well, not this one, but an earlier one, spent her entire incubation period buried in snow one season (or so it felt).

The two little eaglets at Winter Park Florida BE nest are just great. Look at the fish hiding under the moss on that nest!

Work continues at nests around the world and their streaming cams getting them ready for spring.

Most of us know some of the ways that human behaviour has changed the lives of our beloved birds. Heidi and I made list after list one year. The Guardian published a good read on this very topic, along with some remedies we can undertake to improve the chances of raptor survival. Here is part of what the author says, “Many people look up to admire the silhouette of raptors, some of the planet’s largest birds, soaring through seemingly empty skies. But increasingly, research shows us that this fascination runs both ways. From high above, these birds are watching us too.

Thanks to the development of tiny GPS tracking devices attached to their bodies, researchers are getting millions of data points on the day-to-day lives of these apex predators of the skies, giving us greater insight into where they hunt and rest, and how they die.

The data shows human activity has hidden consequences across entire landscapes, and is more significant than previously thought.

One phenomenon the data has revealed is the “weekend and holiday effect” on days where more people tend to go to wilderness areas – such as the beach, or forest for hiking. Researchers found eagles expand their range on public holidays, an indication that they travel further to find food.”

The entire essay can be found here: ‘We thought they would ignore us’: how humans are changing the way raptors behave
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/19/we-thought-they-would-ignore-us-how-humans-are-changing-the-way-raptors-behave?CMP=share_btn_url

News Monday (on Tuesday) from Rita the Eagle, Ron’s former partner at Dade:

‘J’ sends us a Kakapo update:

👉 Update on Pearl | He whakahou mō Pearl

🥚 Pearl kicked off the breeding season as the first female to mate. She went on to lay a clutch of four, but we confirmed this morning that all her eggs are infertile.

🏝 Pearl hatched in 2002 (she will turn 24 years old in March). Her mother is Alice – one of the oldest kākāpō alive – and her father Waynebo died in 2011. Pearl was named for the successful kākāpō breeding season of 1999 on Pearl Island (which is near Rakiura/Stewart Island).

Pearl has 6️⃣ living offspring and could become a first-time grandma this season or next. They are:

• Attenborough and Faulkner from 2016 (with Felix)

• Tuarua from her second clutch in 2019 (with Boss)

• Mātāmua, Moana and Mokonui from 2022 (also with Boss)

Fun fact: Mātāmua was the first chick to hatch in the 2022 season. His name means ‘first born’ or ‘oldest child’ in te reo Māori.

🤞🏽 There is every reason to remain hopeful for Pearl to have offspring this season too. As an ‚early bird’, she still has plenty of time to mate and nest again.

Girri continues to fly strong around the tower at Orange. Magnificent.

Calico’s Tip for the Week – when it is cold cold, the birds need fat. Think suet! Poster comes from Home and Garden Tips FB.

Can you imagine -27?

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. We will see you on Friday.

Thank you to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to follow our raptor families, to the authors of the FB posts, to Rita the Eagle, who fills us in on her history on Rita’s History Monday, and to ‘J’, who sent us news of the Kakapo Recovery.

Hatch at KNF E1 nest…Late Monday in Bird World

19 January 2026

Good Afternoon,

Just a quick catch-up.

First, Brock has returned. He showed up on the front video camera at 11:35 this morning. He had been to my neighbour, Jane’s, earlier to eat, but she did not see him. Now we had proof of life! Happy tears.

We have a hatch at the Kistachie National Forest nest of Louis II and Anna II at the E1 nest. Time 14:01.

Screenshot 2026-01-19 at 3.26.09 pmDownload

The Royal Cam chick continues to make hatch progress in New Zealand.

A second eaglet at the Texas nest has died. The cause is highly suspected to be HPAI.

Another Hen Harrier in the UK has been illegally killed and dumped. Why do some humans believe they have a right to take the life of another living being?

Satellite-tagged Hen Harrier Edna “suspected illegally killed”. Was she killed & dumped at a windfarDownload

And another Hen Harrier in Cumbria.

Satellite-tagged Hen Harrier ‘Pete’ disappears in Cumbria – Raptor Persecution UKDownload

There are many books on Hen Harriers. Bowland Beth: The Life of an English Hen Harrier moved me the most. Bowland Beth’s story became a focal point in the debate over hen harrier conservation, a totemic species facing decline due to human persecution, often linked to grouse shooting interests.

Bowland Beth was a real female Hen Harrier tagged in the Bowland Forest in Lancashire. She was shot before she was able to breed. Because of her sat tag, the story chronicles her movements in great detail. David Cobham chronicles the bird’s tragic life and illegal shooting, highlighting persecution issues in UK conservation. Beth’s story symbolises the species’ struggle for survival against human threats, particularly in the Bowland Forest.

SK Hideaways didn’t think that dementia and a clean house were oxymorons. Well, the other day it was the carpets and hardwood floors that were cleaned. You should see my utility room today! Have someone you are caring for who has dementia? Seriously, try getting them involved in cleaning. It could change your life.

Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. We look forward to having you with us later this week!

Thank you to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to see the miracles and the sadness in the lives of our raptor friends. I am very grateful to those who create videos, post information and images on FB, and to Raptor Persecution UK, who alerts us to the atrocities our feathered friends face at the hands of humans.

Hatch underway at Royal Albatross Colony…Monday in Bird World

19 January 2026

Good Morning,

We hope that you had a good weekend! It was ——– cold here. You can use whatever word you like. The wind blew so that even in the City there were whiteouts. I cleared off the two tables beside Brock’s feeding station to see how much snow actually fell. Have a look!

The young lad clearing the snow has certainly been busy. We are now under an extreme cold warning and some forecasts say that we will have between -38 and -42 C temperatures this coming weekend. I cannot even imagine it.

Toby was finally able to get the mats off his tummy after his stay at the vet, but the groomer had to shave him. Now Toby likes to go outside to do his ‘business’. Potty pads are for little baby training – you can almost hear him say that. Poor fella. He flew outside, did the job, and got right back in. I had a warm towel waiting for that bare stomach of his. Can dogs get frostbite?

Neighbour came up with a solution – we are going to try doggie long johns on Toby tomorrow for his walk with Ellen.

The big worry at the moment is Brock. He has not been seen since late Thursday. This is unlike him. One of the neighbours and I are keeping a close eye on our feeding stations and others have joined in to check for prints – but with the blowing snow prints are not always present. I fear he has gotten snowed in his bolt hole and cannot get out even by clawing. Oh, please let him be alright.

Bird World? What is happening.

The egg has been switched and the hatch for the Royal Cam chick is underway in New Zealand! Liznm has the switch on video: https://youtu.be/Ab_hrAB1jp8?

There is also a hatch underway in the Kistachie National Forest in the first egg at E1 nest in Louisiana.

At the E3 nest, the eggs are ​​28 and 25 days old today.

SK Hideaways has a great line up of videos for the week.

SK Hideaways Videos Week of 11 January 2026

AEF-NEFL Eagles ~ Northeast Florida ~ Gabby, Beau, NE32 & NE33
Courtesy American Eagle Foundation/NEFL Eagle CamOps https://nefleaglecam.org/
Nest Cam 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouWBQoVFegI
Nest Cam 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQrJv_Dt4tY
Cam 3 (Approach view) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImHK7o8UHXE
Nest Cam 4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gkln9bA4CwE

NE33 Comes to Terms with New Clown Feed & Flappable Arms (2026 Jan 17)
As 18-day-old NE32 napped, 17-day-old NE33 looked down only to discover very large appendages at the end of its legs that seemingly sprouted overnight. Yes, the clown feet phase has arrived along with more exuberant baby wingers. This is going to be fun. 
Video: https://youtu.be/ydq-njzJr7I


Channel Island California Eagles
Livestreamed nests:
~ Fraser Point ~ Santa Cruz Island ~ Cruz & Andor
~ Sauces Canyon ~ Santa Cruz Island ~ Audacity & Jak
~ Two Harbors ~ Catalina Island ~ Cholyn & Chase
~ West End ~ Catalina Island ~Resident in flux

Two Harbors: 22 Years Wed ~ Cholyn & Chase Still Bump, Beak, and Cuddle (2026 Jan 13)
Cholyn and Chase filled their morning nestorations with lots of bonding bumps and beaking. Though some might call “anthropomorphism” on us, the frequent direct physical contact made by these 28-year-old wonders could only be described as cuddles (by us). Nearly 23 years as a mated pair and the romance lingers on. 
Video: https://youtu.be/njM08jBvYNU
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies, explore.org, Two Harbors Eagles Cam Ops
Eagle Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5T2eHM8tcI
Overlook Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yx7RKxpyzQ

West End:  Possible Haku Return Followed by 3-Way Chase Around the Tors (2026 Jan 15)
A third eagle appeared at the West End, who looks a lot like Haku. A positive ID awaits her visiting the nest, where field marks are clearer. The pair that has been around for a while sat together away from this third eagle. 

As sunset approached, there was a remarkable chase scene that seemed to involve minimal physical contact. All three eagles were seen flying after that, so all is well. Who knows what will transpire tomorrow. 
Video: https://youtu.be/XiDDW4QvFpA

FOBBV Eagles ~ Big Bear Valley, California ~ Jackie & Shadow
Courtesy FOBBVCAM | Friends of Big Bear Valley

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

Jackie Brings Another Tree to the Fortress ~ Shadow Shakes His Head (2026 Jan 13)
Jackie is very focused on creating a fortress to protect the eaglets we hope will come along in this nesting season. To that end, she brought an even bigger “tree” to the nest than before. Shadow wasn’t too sure about all the big new furniture, but in his easygoing way, just helped “fix” the placement once Jackie stepped aside. They also both pancaked in the nest bowl to test the comfort level. 
Video: https://youtu.be/rmGaHA-YRtM

Jackie Adds Large Furniture ~ Alters as Needed ~ Shadow Steers Clear (2026 Jan 12)
Shadow thought evening nestorations would be minimal, but Jackie arrived with a massive, complex branch. Shadow mostly stayed out of the way as Jackie tinkered away ~ whittling and snapping branches. Final placement of the big, new furniture is pending. 
Video: https://youtu.be/EMnEs2oLQ74

Redding Bald Eagles ~ Redding, California ~ Liberty & Guardian
Courtesy of Friends of the Redding Eagles, Redding, California 
URL changes frequently, so here’s main page to livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@FriendsoftheReddingEagles/streams

Liberty & Guardian Tweak Nest Bowl ~ Bump Bonding All the Way (2026 Jan 16)
Liberty and Guardian made two morning visits to the nest, tweaking sticks, aerating nesting material, and all the while bump bonding. There was a minor disagreement about furniture placement, but the ensuing beaking was brief and flirty. 
Video:  https://youtu.be/gP7Yj1vtEH8

Liberty and Guardian Defend Nest Against Mystery Midnight Intruder (2026 Jan 15)
Guardian flew in to the nest just after midnight and began alert calling. Liberty joined him shortly after and the two of them sounded the alert for quite a while. While we didn’t see the intruder on camera, it could have been a Great Horned Owl or the female sub-adult bald eagle who has been hanging around the nest in the past few days or both!  At 6:02-6:06 in the video, there is rustling and the sound of a sub-adult right before Guardian issues a few wing slaps. 

Our dynamic duo defended together until they deemed the threat over. Liberty pancaked in the nest and dozed with her head against Guardian as he continued to keep watch. We think he grabbed a few winks as well. Eventually Guardian flew off, but Liberty stayed till dawn. This middle-of-the-night nest defense surely signals that nesting season is in full swing (not to mention the mating observed!). (2026 Jan 15)
Video: https://youtu.be/hM36iXT_qfc

Want to learn more about the illegal killing of raptors in the Dales? There are three free webinars to inform you.

Three free webinars about illegal raptor persecution hosted by Friends of the Dales ‘Eyes on the SkiDownload

Fish gifts arriving at the US Steel nest! Indeed, across the eagle nests, the others are getting ready to breed. https://youtu.be/kVmf5ljfXaM?s

One of my favourite books is H is for Hawk by Helen MacDonald. Indeed, I like all of MacDonald’s books. Now H is for Hawk is an audio book! And it is a movie. Yes! Part of the article reads, “It is coming up to 12 years since the publication of H Is for Hawk, about the historian, writer and naturalist Helen Macdonald’s time spent training a Eurasian goshawk after an intense period of grief. Showered with awards, the book was a runaway hit and sparked a literary trend for shared transformative encounters with animals including cats, dogs, magpies and hares.

This month, H Is for Hawk comes to the big screen in a new adaptation starring Claire Foy. But there is still time to get to know the source material, which tells of the sudden death of the author’s father and how Macdonald, an experienced falconer who had previously trained kestrels and peregrines, took delivery of a temperamental young goshawk named Mabel with the aim of taming her and teaching her to hunt. Macdonald, who is non-binary, is the audiobook’s narrator. Their reading is characterised by introspection, curiosity and flashes of humour as they observe this “spooky, pale-eyed psychopath” who, as well as feeding and flying, likes to play ball with scrunched-up bits of paper.”

H Is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald audiobook review – a soaring journey through griefhttps://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/jan/15/h-is-for-hawk-by-helen-macdonald-audiobook-review-a-soaring-journey-through-grief?CMP=share_btn_url

Updates on the Northern Ireland Peregrine Falcon shooting:

Update on the shot Peregrine in Strabane, Northern Ireland – Raptor Persecution UKDownload

Update on what is happening at Knepp with its rewilding and Burns night celebrations. Oh, I wish I could be there!

Regenuary Burns Night Celebrations at KneppDownload

More eagles dying of lead toxicity. (There is great information on amounts that kill in this posting from Wild Heart Ranch in Oklahoma. When will humans get fed up with using lead and its impact on wildlife and stop the lead? ‘J’ sends us news:

·”It takes 1 ppm lead (parts per million) to kill an eagle, but less can easily be fatal. 

This is the last photo of this beautiful eagle standing, taken Saturday. He crashed last night and we gently ended his struggle. 

His initial lead test was above .65 ppm, which is as high as our machine reads, but he was responding to treatment and gaining strength, though he never did keep solid food down. All his calories were gavage fed (tube) and even though we deal with lots of birds that initially cannot deal with solids, we usually have them eating within 3-4 days. He wanted the fish so badly. He just couldn’t tolerate it, indicating the severity of his condition. 

We did 5 days of lead chelation (binding lead in the blood with CAEDTA) and we were getting there, but it was too little too late.

His last blood test showed 27.3 on the machine (.27ppm). We had brought his levels way down, but the damage was already done. His blood tests on Friday showed his liver was struggling, so we knew then not to get our hopes up. 

A “lead eagle” is an every day, all day-late into the night high alert here. We give them privacy and rest, but in between, we are on a medical battlefield, in constant contact with the veterinarians from the Tulsa Zoo, (eagle experts) adjusting, evaluating, changing treatment… following directions to the letter, recording every move we make and every result, so that if things go south, we KNOW we did everything we could, and if we pull off a “miracle”, we have our map for next time. 

There is no confidence when lead levels are this high, but if they are fighting and stabilizing, we will continue to support them, even when we know their odds are low. When they crash, it isn’t a small symptom. They go down, close their eyes and they give up. That’s what he did last night. 

For some of our crew, this was their first “lead eagle”. They gained experience and understanding of treatment and symptoms and the delicate and intense work of battling this toxin. His life made an impact here as he helped new hands learn how to care and reminded us of the reality of lead in the wild and why it is so important that we educate and ask, again and again. However long it takes. 

ONE is too many. Lets keep lead out of the wild. For our eagles, a FLAKE, smaller than a grain of rice, is likely fatal. 

Annette 

I’ll be on Fox News Tulsa this morning talking about him. 

His last test was a .27

Here is AI overview of blood test guidelines:

„A lead level of 0.27 ppm (27 µg/dL) in an eagle is a significant finding, indicating subclinical lead exposure, meaning the bird has ingested lead and is likely suffering chronic effects, even without obvious symptoms, but isn’t in immediate acute crisis like levels over 60 µg/dL; it’s well above background levels (below 0.2 ppm) and a major concern for eagle health, with many birds in this range experiencing subtle issues like poor body condition or anemia, and it’s a common level found in wild eagles, highlighting ammunition as a primary source.”

Beyond sad.

The first mortality of 2026 has been added to the new memorial wall. If you know of others, please let me know! Adding these names just makes me weep. I know that I am missing some from 2025 – if you notice one that isn’t there, don’t hesitate to contact me.

I am working hard to review how my care of Don is doing – and how I can engage him in helping me rather than me having to do all of the housework, all the care of the animals, and ‘entertaining’ and caring for Don. I have learned that those with dementia do not need to be entertained. Some people with dementia need to be busy – and Don is one of those. But it doesn’t need to exhaust me at the same time. So, for as long as he can, he and Toby will vacuum the carpets and apply Bono to the hardwood floors. Don can fold towels or clean out drawers (under supervision), and Toby can drag them out just as he puts them in. In the end, it doesn’t matter. Dishwashers can be unloaded – we have done all of this before, but I will engage him in helping with earnestness until the weather warms up and we can be outside. I know how much my life has changed because it was this time last year that we were in Guadeloupe. Shortly after, a sea change occured and Don’s dementia has progressed. That progression has changed our lives – and clearly it has impacted how often I can send out a newsletter about our favourite birds. But, I am not giving up! So, wish me luck. If you have any ideas, send me a note. I appreciate any and all ideas.

Thank you so very much for being with us today. We hope that you have a really good week. We are looking forward to having you with us in a couple of days, when we have some cute little hatchlings.

Thank you to SK Hideaways for their great videos. Thank you to the creators of the other videos, the owners of the streaming cams that let us view the lives of our favourite bird families, authors of FB posts, and authors of articles and posts that help us understand the lives of our raptors. My blog would never be the same without your talents.

Louis and Dorcha…late Saturday in Bird World

17 January 2026

Hello Everyone,

I hope that you are all warm and well. It has been remarkably cold here on the Canadian Prairies following a huge snow storm on Friday. But if -22 C seems cold, then imagine -42 C which is what is forecast for next Saturday.

I am sending you some news, and I want you to smile. Louis and Dorcha, Loch Arkaig’s ospreys, are ‘Parents of the Year’ in The Guardian.

Year in wildlife – in pictures | Animals | The GuardianDownload

Thank you, Geemeff, for sending us this wonderful news!

Is it Haku? Friday in Bird World

16 January 2026

Good Morning Everyone,

It is at least +1 °C on the Canadian Prairies today, if not warmer. Everything is melting. Ellen reported that the walkways were very icy this morning – not so good for a late evening walk, perhaps.

Toby and I woke up near midnight to find a blizzard occurring. Everything was so beautiful and white this morning! We had worked hard to get the ice off the paths – so much for that! Anthony will be here later to clear up.

We are looking at the calendar. It is Robbie Burns Day on the 25th. Many of you might have Scottish ancestors. My father was named after the Clyde River, and the family was distant, originating in Angus and Perthshire. The name originates from the Dalriadan Celtic Scotii (Scots) from Ireland, who colonised the south-west of Scotland from about the 4th century AD. Dunchad (Duncan) mac Conaing co-ruled Dalriada with Conall II (c.650 – 654).” Many contemporary DNA labs indicate that some of my father’s family is from Donegal, Ireland. It is all very interesting.

So who is Robbie Burns you ask? AI Overview says, “AI Overview

Robert Burns (Robbie Burns) is celebrated as Scotland’s national poet for his enduring poems and songs that captured Scottish life, love, and the human condition, making him a cultural icon and pioneer of the Romantic movement, with his birthday, Burns Night(Jan 25th), becoming a global tradition honoring Scottish heritage through suppers, poetry, and toasts, notes Wikipedia and Scotland.org. His work, often in Scots dialect, remains relevant, with his lyrics influencing literature and his song “Auld Lang Syne” sung worldwide at New Year, says Wikipedia and BBC.  

Key Reasons for Celebration

How He’s Celebrated

  • Burns Night: Held annually on January 25th, it involves formal dinners (“Burns Suppers”) featuring Scottish traditions like haggis, bagpipes, and recitations, say Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Burns and BBC. 
  • Toast to the Immortal Memory: A key part of the supper involves speeches honoring Burns’ life and work, with toasts to women (Toast to the Lassies) and witty replies, note BBC and Scotch Whisky Association. 

Haven’t quite decided what we will do this year for Burns night but will keep you posted!

There is a second hatch at Winter Park, Florida’s Bald Eagle nest. It might be five days younger but our experienced Mum keeps both of her little ones well fed.

(More images from Friday below)

Gracie Shepherd has the first feeding for chick 2 captured on video: https://youtu.be/d0-yd-XK3Ak?

We have a name for C14 or Connie and Clive’s only Bob at Captiva. Quinn. Nice name!

There is a possibility that Haku has returned to the West End nest on Catalina Island. SK Hideaways has that on video: https://youtu.be/XiDDW4QvFpA?

The latest news from Knepp’s Rewilding Project!

Knepp news 20 years of rewilding beavers cleaning water Burns NightDownload

New name and their camera is now on line.

The Glen Hazel (Hays) Bald Eagle Cam Is Live Again
The Glen Hazel (formerly Hays) Bald Eagle Cam is officially back online. After the original Hays nest fell last year, the same iconic eagle pair rebuilt nearby, and the live camera returned yesterday with a clear new view of their Glen Hazel nest along the Monongahela River near Pittsburgh. Viewers can once again watch these local bald eagles in real time as a new chapter begins at their updated nesting site.Check it out:https://sportsmansparadiseonline.com/bald-eagle-cams/hays-bald-eagle-camera/

I can’t even write what I think about this fine – and the act that this person beat a Buzzard to death. Isn’t there something about how a person treasts animals that indicates how they might treat people? Raptor Persecution UK adds commentary:

Commentary on the conviction of gamekeeper Thomas Munday (bludgeoned Buzzard to death on Hovingham EDownload

Duke Farms has their second egg on 15 January.

Liberty and Guardian are checking out their nest and the egg cup. Thanks, SK Hideaways. https://youtu.be/gP7Yj1vtEH8?

Winter Park babies re nothing short of adorable. Mum has this all under control.

Gabby is such a gifted Mum just like the Winter Park female. To stop the bonking, feed them to the brim as equally as possible and sit on them if necessary.

Smile. Girri continues to fly and be seen on the tower cam at Orange Australia. Fantastic.

Canadian Penny Albright is down in Captiva and she is going to be reporting on several osprey nests near to where she is staying. Thanks, Penny!

Remember the Abu Dhabi osprey cams are live and there is a lot of action. Check it out. https://www.youtube.com/live/myhsgmbiyfQ?

‘J’ sends us the breeding update for the Kakapo (those with check marks are good to go)

Pied Wagtails at the mall? The Guardian tells us all about it.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/16/country-diary-the-new-year-shopping-centre-is-packed-with-hundreds-of-pied-wagtails?CMP=share_btn_url

“Pied Wagtail rear view 700” is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

The snow has stopped bu the wind hasn’t. It is blowing cold. Ann took the lads out for a walk. Tomorrow Toby goes for a thorough grooming. He has not been able to be trimmed since he was so ill. While at the vet, his tummy got matted so the little darling is going to have a bit of a shave. His long curls on top of his head and his ears are going to be cut. He should look like a new boy tomorrow.

Have a good weekend. Take care of yourselves. We will see you on Monday.

Thank you to SK Hideaways for their videos, to the owners of the streaming cams for allowing us into the lives of our raptors, to the authors of the FB posts, The Guardian for their avian reporting, and Openverse for their images. Cheers to Raptor Persecution UK for bringing the atrocities that happen to our feathered friends to life for us.