The calm before the storm on Wednesday night. It is nearing 2000 and the blizzard that is to hit us is slowly beginning. Brock was outside eating, and I hope he filled up and will tuck himself in for the duration, wherever his bolt hole is. His heated mat is to arrive on Sunday, but with the weather, it and all other deliveries in the Canadian prairies could be disrupted. I really want to see if he will spend some time in that large dog kennel with the heated mat.
The lights on Melvin’s tree. The wind is calm but it will get up to 90 kph.
We will sleep nicely and wake up to find out what happened!
Do you know these oranges? The Satsumas. They differ from the easy-peel. A totally different shape with a thick, loose skin and the most delicious taste. They were initially only grown in Japan. Now, an area in California also grows them, as do other regions of the Pacific Northwest and Florida. When I was a little girl, we dreamed of having a big Navel Orange in our holiday stockings. Now I only dream of these!
About every three or four months I check to see ‘who is reading Bird World’. For a long time, the top two countries were the United States and the United Kingdom. Not so anymore. All the People’s Republic of China needs is 50 more viewers, and they will top the list!
Some of you will know that I spent several weeks each year teaching in China, outside Beijing. I have also travelled extensively along the Silk Road, from one end to the other. I love the people, the country, the art, particularly the ceramics and lacquer, and the food – most especially that from the North!
I hope to learn more about the raptors in Asia and to share that with all of you so please send links!
The big news is the perfect fledging of Girri. My goodness, that was one strong female falcon! I wondered if she saw either Gimbir or Diamond, or both, as she flew out because she was vocalising so loudly. Yesterday I identified the adult that brought the Galah in as Gimbir. Cilla Kinross says it was Diamond – so apologies. I am corrected.
The other news is that there is a pip at SW Florida.
That pip was getting bigger Thursday morning. Look close. F23 is very restless. She knows that baby is coming! You can see the beak. It won’t be long now.
For those new to my blog and new to watching Bald Eaglets develop, here is what you should expect to happen:
The baby eaglets will grow very, very quickly. From tiny helpless bobbleheads with fish and prey droppings all over their face to adult size in 10-14 weeks. You can almost see them grow right before your eyes and if you blink, they will have fledged!
The eaglets hatch with their eyes open (unlike peregrine falcons). They have some down but cannot regulate their body heat. They are entirely reliant on their parents (unlike ducklings). That white down will change to a woolly grey down, like thermal underwear, and they can then regulate their body heat. Pinfeathers will then begin to emerge on their back and on the wings. They will learn to feed themselves and perform wing exercises by hopping around the nest. Then they will branch – they will hop to a nearby tree branch before their first flight, which will take place anytime between 10 and 14 weeks. Fledglings should return to the nest and remain with their parents for approximately a month, during which they learn to hunt.
We are also keeping an eye on Dade County. Heidi noted in the chat, “1st eggs for Rose: R4 pipped at just under 36 days, R7 pipped at 37.75 days. R6 was deemed to be egg #2 of that clutch.” “Egg #1 is ~ 35days +20.5 hrs”
The blizzard came in a flurry overnight. The wind was so bad that the snow piled up in the strangest of places. Brock’s feeding area was completely covered with snow, up to the conservatory windows. The walkways are clear! It is still blowing, and some people do not have power. We are just fine.
I always worry about Brock because I do not know for 100% where he sleeps. Can he get out? Did the snow block him in? His food is waiting for him.
We have the second egg for Louis II and Anna II at KNF-E1 nest in Louisiana on Wednesday.
New Window to Wildlife streaming cam: Winter Park, Florida. Mum has only one eye. There are two eggs laid on the 4th and 7th of December. Check them out.
Boy, that looks like another deep nest bowl.
In Tuesdays Winter blog, I posted an article by Raptor Persecution UK about the suspicious killing of satellite tagged White-tail Eagles. The Police are now investigating. Will they discover the killers? Will the courts actually provide penalties that will stop the killing of innocent raptors in various parts of the UK?
“The RSPB is offering a £10,000 reward for information leading to a conviction. Dr James Robinson, RSPB chief operating officer, said: “The RSPB is shocked with this news, so much so that we are offering an overall reward of £10,000 for information that leads to a conviction in these cases. Eagle tag-data is so precise that the point of death and any subsequent movement of the tag will be known to investigators, so we urge the public to come forward with information. Raptor persecution has no place in modern society, let alone threatening such an important UK government-backed reintroduction scheme like this.”
We are beginning to slow down. The blizzard reminds you how nice it is to not go out in the crowds. Nellie arrives on Sunday! It is hard to believe that for those celebrating Christmas we are now one week away. I hope that you are having fun preparing and that you have heeded the call not to go out and buy and buy. Find something special you can do for someone – they will remember that generous gift of your time forever.
Take care everyone. We will see you again tomorrow. Just think. There will be a baby eaglet for M15 and 23. I cannot wait.
Thank you to Heidi for her great data collection, the owners of the streaming cams, Raptor Persecution UK, Elfruler, and The Guardian.
It is so nice to have you with us today. Everyone sends you a big hello and a wish for a good start to the week.
Part of the week was spent packing away the summer linens for the fall and winter wool. It has rained – and then it rained some more. This is fantastic for the trees and shrubs and will help them during the dry cold of the upcoming months. The Girls continue to enjoy the conservatory, where, when the sun does shine, it is hot. Toby will soon give up his raincoat for winter boots held up by suspenders, along with a padded puffer jacket, hat, and jacket! He is quite the fashion aficionado! The neighbours must be chattering away behind their curtains about this very spoiled little pooch. They must think we have gone daft!
Brock continues to amaze me. Toby sends him scattering under the deck where he waits for me to get Toby inside and call ‘kitty kitty’. He then scampers out to eat his meal returning at least twice more during the day. I caught him sitting down a bit on the fence. Brock is looking pretty good these days.
The Girls are good. I will get some good images of them this week for you. We are all doing well. There are long walks with Toby around the neighbourhood and to several of our favourite parks. We are starting our third year with Anne and our fifth year of living with dementia. Either I am so used to the situation or things really are better than they were a year ago – I am not sure, but I am thankful for our days, which aren’t full of the kind of excitement some dream of, but they really are nice and comforting.
We woke up to yet another day of rain. Toby and I bundled up and cleaned out the bird feeders. The tray feeders now only hold corn kernels or peanuts as the moisture does not cause them to go off so quickly. All other seed is now in either covered feeders or in those cylindrical tube feeders. New suet out for the woodpeckers! Oh, I wish there were places to walk dogs inside when it is pitching down rain!!!!!!!!!!
A sadness fell over Bird World this week as it was acknowledged that there would be no little osplets on the Port Lincoln barge for Mum and Dad this year. The eggs were removed by Bazz Hockaday and sent to Adelaide for inspection to determine the cause of the nest failure. The eggs were fertile. There were little osplets, but for some reason, Mum determined that their lives were not viable and stopped incubation. In a post, Tiger Mozone, thought it was odd that incubation was stopped as some stay on eggs, hoping for 70 days!
The barge nest looks lonely.
This is the latest post from Port Lincoln Osprey:
What was curious to me was that later Ervie chose to visit the barge for one of the first times in ever so long. Will Ervie take over the nest one day?
Everything you ever wanted to know about osprey eggs and more:
There are many myths and scientific explanations when events don’t work out as anticipated. In this case, ‘everyone knew’ that rain would cause eggs to fail. But, does it? Not for this clutch in Maryland:
SK Hideaways Videos for the week of 12 October 2025
Introduction: I first fell in love with raptors in 2019 ~ Annie & Grinnell, the CalFalcons, at the UC Berkeley Campanile. All the videos I’ve created since that time stem from that love and my desire to learn all I can about these and other raptors. My mission is to inform, educate, and entertain viewers. I have never and will never monetize my videos. They are purely a labor of love that give me great joy to share with anyone kind enough to view them.
Two Harbors Eagles: Cholyn & Chase Perch on Favorite “Thrones” ~ Spend Day on Cam (2025 Oct 19)
Chase was spotted just after sunrise on the cactus perch. Later, Cholyn was on her low ocean view perch, where Chase joined her ~ a special treat for fans ~ as they chortled and spent time together. In the afternoon, a visitor, possibly a juvenile bald eagle, was chased around the territory, but soon all was calm. The late afternoon found Cholyn on another ocean view perch, where she watched the world go by till dusk and beyond. Catalina Island, California.
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies, explore.org, Two Harbors Eagles Cam Ops
West End Eagles ~ Akecheta & Haku VERY Cozy on Tor in AM🌅Back Together at Dusk🏜️(2025 Oct 18)
Akecheta and Haku met on the far tor in the morning, sitting close as they observed their habitat. They spent the day (on camera) apart, both visiting the nest at separate times. Then, as dusk approached, they came back together on the night perch. While they didn’t remain there ~ owing to human disturbances off shore ~ it is likely they either reunited elsewhere for the night or will come back together in the morning.
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org
West End ~ Catalina Island, CA ~ Akecheta & Haku (2025 Oct 17)
Akecheta and Haku roosted together on the same perch overnight for the first time. They greeted the dawn with long, glorious chortles and then settled atop the far TOR (top of rock) on a sparkling blue sky, blue sea morning.
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org
FalconCam Project ~ Diamond & Gimbir (2025 Oct 17)
Gimbir made an early wake-up visit. When Diamond’s initial breakfast order went unheeded, she went out and gave him a few minutes of egg time. He came through later with breakfast, only he dashed out with Diamond, so she stashed the gift and returned. Finally, Gimbir gave her a longer break and she was able to get her breakfast.
Courtesy FalconCam Project, Charles Sturt University NSW Australia
367 Collins St. Falcons🪽Wee Chick Gets Private Feeding 🍽️ Big Chicks Want Their Share🐥🐥(2025 Oct 20, 6:14-10:36)
The smallest chick ~ presumed male ~ has been unable to scale the nest since entering the gutter a few days back. This “limitation” has gotten him private attention from Mum F24 ~ including brooding and feeding. The two bigger chicks ~ presumed female ~ decided they’d had enough and barged in on a feeding. The little one was unfazed, remaining steadfast at Mum’s beak. In the end, everyone got their fill.
367 Collins Street Falcons: F24, M24, 3 eyases (15 Oct 2025, 11:26+)
As is true every year, the chicks get fed up with the morning sun and venture towards the shade. Mum F24 is never ready for this transition, doing her best to corral the chicks and keep them in the nest. This hasn’t worked in the past and didn’t work today. There was a frantic hour or so with Mum trying to brood the chicks still in the nest and those who’d escaped. Eventually she accepted the inevitable and relaxed. We were also treated to a camera adjustment, which allowed us to see the three toddler chicks sleeping peacefully in the shaded gutter. (15 Oct 2025, 11:26+)
367 Collins Street Falcons: F24, M24, 3 eyases (14 Oct/17:39+)
When Mum F24 brought yet another large meal, the chicks’ crops were already bulging. But F24 was determined to feed them, regardless of how many times they fell into food comas.
Sydney WB Sea Eagles: Lady, Dad, Eaglets SE35 & SE36 (2025 Oct 15)
Yesterday was a day of special moments for the memory treasure chest. SE35 and SE36 are quite inseparable these days. They perched on the nest rim and SE36 “hugged” SE35 while they cuddled in the nest. SE36 also performed a spectacular horaltic pose. The family came together in the evening for a meal and just to hang out.
It is a concern that should be on all our minds: what will the world be like for our grandchildren? One photographer “Margot Raggett has spent the past decade raising money for conservation efforts around the world but now she feels nervous about the future. “It does feel like we’ve taken a backward step,” she said.
The wildlife photographer has raised £1.2m for the cause in the past 10 years through her Remembering Wildlife series, an annual, not-for-profit picture book featuring images of animals from the world’s top nature photographers. The first edition was published in 2015, when the Paris climate agreement was being drafted but, in the years since, efforts to tackle the climate crisis have been rolled back.”…..”“Compared to a few years ago, there was a desire for renewables instead of drilling for oil across the world. I think the importance of nature is something for us all to cling on to,” said Raggett.
Despite this, she has some hope. “I’m nervous but equally I’m encouraged by the fact that there are so many people that do seem to still care. I’ll do everything I can to keep my end of the bargain and keep fighting. And I know there’s lots of other people who feel the same, so time will tell, but we certainly can’t be complacent.”
In a timely reminder of how fraught the outlook is for wildlife at the moment, this year’s release, titled Ten Years of Remembering Wildlife, is being published alongside original and altered images of animals including polar bears, cheetahs and pangolins living in, and then scrubbed out of, their natural habitats.”
The images are intentionally meant to provoke us into thinking what life would be like if there were no animals, no birds. Can you imagine it? The book is a massive picture book which will be released on 11 November in North America at a cost of $100 CDN.
In another article, The Guardian looks at the peregrine falcons that have taken over an industrial site in the UK. I love these 350 word Country diary stories! And, of course, we all love the falcons.
Good news is that one of my favourite books by David Gessner is out in a 25th anniversary edition, Return of the Osprey. A Season of Flight and Wonder. Helen MacDonald, author of H is for Hawk(amongst others), has written a powerful foreword to the release that you will enjoy. If you have read this book years ago, it may be time for a reread! And when you finish, I suggest returning to Soaring with Fidel, too. MacDonald describes Gessner’s odyssey with the ospreys, “Perhaps all this makes Gessner’s quest sound dry. it is not. It is a gloriously gonzo, whole-souled pursuit. He wrenches at raw fish with pliers to see what it might feel like to feed like an osprey, leaps into water to try and catch herring in a manner as much like an osprey a human can manage. There is a transporting lyricism in this book’s pages, along with passages of raw horror and moments of glorious weirdness, as when Gessner imagines the female osprey delicately feeding torn pages of his writing notebook to her young” (xi).
The release gave me the nudge to write to David Gessner to alert him about the situation in the Chesapeake Bay region and osprey starvation. This was his response:
“Mary Ann,
Thank you. I’m on it! Three weeks or so I got back from a trip up the East Coast where I saw some of the usual osprey suspects including Bryan Watts, P. Spitzer, Joannie in Colonial beach, Ben Wurst and of course Alan. Like you, I’ve got menhaden on the mind. I’ve been swallowed up by school but am heading up to Cape Cod the last week of this month and plan on finishing a longform piece then. The folks at the Atlantic said they would take a look so that’s my first stop for the essay.
All Best, David”
I am really hoping that someone like Gessner can get the kind of attention needed to stop Omega from killing off the entire ecosystem – if it is not too late already for our ospreys. I need the hope of ten Jane Goodalls. Politics should not be a part of protecting our environment. Humans must recognise the damage we are doing and work mightily hard to correct it.
How much do you know about Chimney Swifts? Charles Brown has just finished a 45-year study and has done a video presentation on YouTube on that very subject: https://youtu.be/VnnPOaf1Dpc?
Things appear to be going very well for Gimbir and Diamond at the Charles Sturt Falcon scrape in Orange, Australia. Incubation continues without issue.
Gimbir is adorable and rather brave not bringing in the entire Eastern Rosella. Diamond and all of us – while clearly missing and never forgetting dear Xavier – are appreciating this young falcon and his food gifts for Diamond. Cilla Kinross gives us the latest…notice that nice crop of our little man.
F23 takes extraordinary care of her trio at the Melbourne CBD falcon scrape! I am more and more impressed with her. The chicks have now moved themselves to the opposite end from where they hatched, keeping out of the sun and the deadly heat of Melbourne.
‘A’ comments: “Oh they are the sweetest family. Little dad is adorable – he works so hard at bringing plenty of food for those ravenous babies. And mum is very efficient at keeping the littles warm and dry and fed and generally safe. My goodness, they gave her a run for her money once they discovered the gutter, didn’t they? Poor mum. She couldn’t work out what to do. And I loved dad’s solution. He just took one look at the chaos and got the hell out of Dodge. It was hysterically funny. Which of course is why I sent it to you. Those moments are just too precious – the way the birds think is on display, and it is truly fascinating. They DO think, and you can see them logically eliminating alternatives and coming up with new ones, then being forced to prioritise, which is always absorbing. For people like us, trying to understand the thoughts and emotions of their world is absolutely fascinating. While we may run the risk of anthropomorphising a little too much, at the same time it is obvious that birds definitely do have emotions.”
At the Olympic Park WBSE nest, we have branching! The currawongs have been relentless this season in their attack on the nest. There are days that I wish the WBSE would eat all of them!!!!!!
Lots of wingersizing!
These eaglets are so gorgeous. It is difficult to tell them apart, and it is getting to be that ‘sad time’ when they will make their way out into the world. We can only hope that they survive the Currawong attacks and make their way to the river roost of their parents, where they can be fed and learn to hunt.
Screen capture of the eaglets by SK Hideaways in their video.
It has not only been the currawongs that are causing mischief but also owls.
At the West End nest, Haku and Akecheta are getting accustomed to one another.
Akecheta watching Haku soar above the nest.
Oh, I have such a fondness for Akecheta. The year that he took such gallant care of the triplets just warmed my heart beyond belief.
There are, of course, so many others – M15 raising his two eaglets alone after Harriet disappeared, every one of Annie’s mates, dear little Xavier…I could go on and on. They really are special – our raptors. It breaks my heart that our environment is changing so quickly that many of them might not be able to adapt (of course, along with humans, too).
Chase and Cholyn are at home at Two Harbours in the Channel Islands.
Big Red has been spotted at some of her favourite spots on the Cornell Campus. Suzanne Arnold Horning knows our Queen of the Red-tail Hawks very well! Thank you, Suzanne, for always keeping us informed.
There is a tragedy underway in the area of the Panama Canal. The first-ever failure of the 2025 seasonal upwelling has occurred. This is critical for fisheries and coral reefs; widespread plastic pollution; and the ecological disruption of the Panama Canal, which is allowing marine species to invade freshwater ecosystems. These problems are impacting coastal communities and local livelihoods– and will ultimately impact seabirds.
Failure of seasonal upwelling
What it is: The seasonal upwelling is a natural process where trade winds push warm surface water away from the coast, allowing cool, nutrient-rich deep water to rise. This is vital for the marine food web in the Gulf of Panama.
The issue: For the first time in at least 40 years, the upwelling did not occur in 2025. Scientists suspect this is due to weakened trade winds linked to climate disruption.
Consequences: The lack of nutrient-rich water is stressing fisheries and could harm coral reefs. This event highlights how climate change can disrupt long-standing ocean systems.
Plastic pollution
The scale: Panama faces a major plastic pollution crisis, generating over 380,000 tons of municipal plastic waste in 2022.
Waste management: More than 88% of this plastic is not properly managed, with large amounts ending up in landfills, being burned, or polluting the environment.
Consequences: This pollution threatens marine ecosystems, wildlife, public health, and the local economy.
Panama Canal ecological disruption
The issue: The 2016 expansion of the Panama Canal has allowed saltwater to enter the freshwater Lake Gatun and facilitated the movement of marine species inland.
Consequences: Ocean species like snooks and lionfish are entering freshwater ecosystems, displacing native species and disrupting the food web. This also introduces new challenges for local fishermen who rely on the freshwater ecosystem for their livelihoods.
Other impacts: The expansion has also contributed to saltwater intrusion into the canal’s freshwater supply, which is a source of drinking water for a large portion of the population.
It is time to think of the birds that visit our gardens as winter approaches. Lesley the Bird Nerd tells us how to care for them properly in her video: https://youtu.be/Zi6iIGUGxpo?
Oh, I do love the Blue Jays in our garden. Junior and the Mrs and three of their fledglings are here all day long, and if the peanut tray is empty, you can hear them easily. Two Crows visit daily along with all the squirrels, red and grey, and an army of sparrows, a few black-capped chickadees, and some woodpeckers. The Starlings continue to visit around 1530 for puppy chow!
There are osprey nests that we can begin watching in the US that will have eggs after the new year. They include Achieva in St Petersburg, Florida, where Jill has been captured sitting on the perch, along with Captiva on Sanibel Island, Florida, Moorings Park, and Frenchman’s Creek – notice, all are in Florida, where the ospreys do not necessarily migrate and where there is the warmth and fish for them earlier than in the north.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care of yourself. There is a very nasty cold going around that is making people extremely tired. We will look forward to having you with us again next Monday!
I want to extend special thanks to SK Hideaways for their videos and for caring so much about our raptors and to ‘A’ for her commentary on the Australian raptor nests. Thank you to the individuals and owners of streaming cams, as well as those posting for various FB groups listed in Bold. The Guardian continues to publish informed articles on wildlife and the environment, as well as several others listed in bold. There is no way that a single individual can monitor all of the nests and keep up to the minute. I am grateful to all those who post in the various FB groups. These individuals so generously send me precious notes about their favourite birds to the authors of books that educate and inspire us, like David Gessner.
Before we start with our feathered family, ‘The Girls’ think it is high time that they get to say hi to you, too. Hugo Yugo is doing well. We hoped she wouldn’t grow, but she has. She is still the smallest and she can hold her own with all of the others. She is due for more dental surgery in less than two months. She is sweet, energetic, and will always be the first to get into trouble.
The next one to get into mischief will be Missey and it is almost always because of a plant. When she was little (with Lewis), they would want to sleep in the freshly watered soil of the house plants. It was quite odd. Here she is checking out the water in the dish. Is she missing nutrients?
Hope is almost as big as Mamma Calico. I am always amazed. They are inseparable. I have to place their food dishes right next to one another. If I don’t, Hope will not eat. She always waits til Calico is finished and then eats what is left. They nap together, and at night, they wrap themselves around one another. Hope will be two years old on July 1.
They are the joys of my life – a lot of work, but worth every minute of it!
Now, let’s check on what is happening in Bird World.
I want to begin with something uplifting – miracles. Don’t forget them! Bodie! Betty Lou. https://youtu.be/NkRWApbNAVE
What a week! I know that your hearts have been broken just like mine. If your love could sustain them, every baby and adult on every nest would thrive. You have so much empathy for each – and from your notes and comments, I know that these bird families are so close to your hearts – they are family. If your ideas and willingness to help would save them, there would be no danger. I am so proud of each of you. To everyone who has taken photographs of the Achieva Credit Union Osprey nest, made phone calls, and contacted the local Audubon society, thank you. Being local is a big help. Clearwater Audubon installed the platform. It has withstood significant hurricanes better than many. Something has happened in the last couple of years to cause the loss of the chicks and the eggs. A very knowledgable individual needs to examine that nest from the top to the bottom, the environment around the nest, etc to try and determine what is causing this issue. No owl was seen in the footage or other large mammal like a raccoon getting up to the nest. The culprit was either too small to see, went under the nest (scaled the wooden pole and came up through one of the holes), or it is the holes themselves. The platforms MUST have drainage. Heavy rains would kill the babies just like those that killed the white storklets in Europe last year. The drain holes need non-rusting mesh applied to keep anything like an osplet or an egg from falling through them. There is lots to do and it is just the dedicated individuals working locally that might make this happen. You must get people to care and realise there is a problem. Two years in a row – . Sad.
As I write this, the second eaglet at Fort St Vrain has fallen off the rails – it could not have survived a fall from that height. We have lost the 4th and 1st hatches. The other two surviving eaglets are up under the rails. At 1709 nest time, the eaglets were still moving and appeared in food comas after being fed. Yes, the parents feed them, and there is food in the nest. The issue seems to be the heat. It is 28 C or 83 F and hotter in the nest area. Thankfully, it was cloudy today. I hope these two survive.
The eaglet on the top left of the nest is trying to get its talons from the branches. It might succeed.
Individuals below the nest can be heard but are they there to help? Who are these people? Might the adults not return? We wait. ‘PB’ has confirmed that temperatures will drop to 44 F. These two cannot thermoregulate as they are not old enough. It would be essential they both be under Mum to survive.
In terms of the temperature on the nest today, according to the local weather station, this is the hottest it has been in the area since they have been keeping records. That is 153 years! Please send them your best wishes. Temperatures are set to drop with rain on Sunday. These guys will need protection!
Mum is incredible. She fed the one eaglet and the other came out and now both are free. Tears and more tears of joy and relief.
‘PB’ sent me a note – both eaglets tucked under Mum safely!!!!!!!! What a relief for this family.
Wondering about the role of heat and how it is impacting these eaglets – as well as other species caught in these heat domes:
Extreme heat poses a significant threat to baby bald eagles (eaglets) as they lack the ability to thermoregulate effectively, particularly in the early stages of their development. Eaglets rely on their parents for warmth and protection from the sun, rain, and snow. When parents are forced to leave the nest for extended periods due to the heat, eaglets can be vulnerable to hypothermia or heat stress.
Here’s a more detailed look at how heat impacts eaglets:
1. Thermoregulation:
Eaglets cannot regulate their body temperature effectively until they develop down feathers, typically around 10-14 days of age.
Before this stage, they are entirely dependent on their parents to keep them warm and protect them from overheating.
Adult eagles can thermoregulate by panting and heat loss through their legs and feet, but eaglets lack these mechanisms.
2. Parental Dependence:
Parents play a crucial role in keeping eaglets safe from extreme temperatures.
They sit on the nestlings to provide warmth and insulation during cold weather and shade during hot weather.
When parents are forced to leave the nest for extended periods due to heat stress or other factors, eaglets are left vulnerable.
3. Vulnerability to Heat Stress and Hypothermia:
If eaglets are exposed to direct sunlight for too long, they can overheat.
If they are left in the cold without parental protection, they can become chilled.
Both heat stress and hypothermia can be fatal for eaglets.
4. Importance of Nest Protection:
Parents also protect their young from rain and snow.
They use their bodies to shield the eaglets from the elements, ensuring they stay dry and protected.
This protection is especially important during the first few weeks of life when eaglets are still developing their water-resistant feathers.
5. Environmental Factors:
Climate change is causing more frequent and intense heat waves, which can increase the risk of heat stress for eaglets.
Warmer springs can also negatively impact nest success, potentially reducing the number of eaglets that survive.
Changes in precipitation patterns can also affect the availability of food sources and create challenges for eagles raising their young.
Geemeff sends us the daily Loch Arkaig summary for The Woodland Trust:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 12th April 2025 Another calm day today both weatherwise and at the nests, although the wind did pick up a bit. No intruders disturbed Louis and Dorcha at Nest Two, and no one turned up to visit Garry LV0 on Nest One, perhaps because he didn’t bring any fish. However Louis brought three fish to his nest, two small and one very nice trout, and his tally now stands at twentyseven. The Inver Mallie forecast, which includes the nest area, states light rain and gentle to moderate breezes tonight and tomorrow. Of course, with both nests exposed at the top of very tall trees, moderate breezes can still make the nests sway. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.13.13 (05.18.40); Nest Two 21.07.24 (05.30.05) Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/8Dt5eUk016I N2 Fish number one, small half trout 06.37.58 https://youtu.be/k1Udox-wXjA N1 Garry LV0 arrives, does some prep, leaves 10.14.39https://youtu.be/WnBqnbmXPlM N2 Louis snaffles a piece of the small second fish before departing 15.08.41https://youtu.be/Jb_uOUGFJZw N2 Deliverlouis! A very fine trout is delivered 17.46.45Bonus look: PaulineC’s latest watercolour of Louis & Dorcha (thanks Pauline)
Our #LochArkaig ospreys inspire some wonderful art. 🎨 We love this watercolour of Louis and Dorcha by Pauline Conley 👏 #ospreycam #arkaigosprey
Loch of the Lowes: Occupancy is being contested! Geemeff writes: “The complicated fight for Loch of the Lowes’ nest – there are SIX Ospreys in the battle!”
Kisatchie National Forest: At 9:15:16, KNF E3 fludged. He was up on a high branch, perch 4, flapping and, like many others, just slipped and went. There was some chatter about the eaglet hopping about on the ground. Ranger Steve searched for an hour and could not see eaglet so it is either hiding in the spring foliage or flew off. Parents were heard.
John Bunker Sands Wetlands: The oldest eaglet that fledged first has returned to the nest on Friday! Bravo! https://youtu.be/G_ls92wSBNU?
Just a note: Charlo Montana is still on Highlights.
Geemeff sends us: “A good news story – sort of, it’s a pity people have to clean up after others, but it’s very good that they do! Monofilament is a killer.
Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, messages, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, J, PB, SP’, Fort St Vrain Eagle Cam/Excel Energy, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Rosie Shields and Border Ospreys, Kisatchie National Forest Eagle Cam, Montana Osprey Project/Cornell Bird Lab, The Guardian, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Birds of Poole Harbour, Explore.org, scyllabub, SK Hideaways, Kielder Forest
It is 0 degrees on the Canadian prairies. The sky is blue and peppered with a few wee cottontail clouds. We spent part of the day outside of the City watching geese fly overhead and deer near the woods. It felt so good.
The two Crows have been visiting the feeder. This morning they had a treat – pizza! There have been regular visits from the two Blue Jays along with the Red Squirrels, the Starlings, a few grey squirrels, and some sparrows. Several male House Finches have been visiting, too.
I am so grateful to see the Crows returning to the garden and the Blue Jays. Long-time readers will remember that these couples bring their babies to the garden when they fledge. It is quite entertaining especially the baby Crows who peck on the conservatory’s roof demanding more ‘cheesy dogs’!
Baby Hope relaxing in the sunshine in the conservatory. She was less interested in the birds than having a nap.
Hugo Yugo had other ideas – like leaping down to play fight with Hope.
They are certainly enjoying the warm weather!
About a week ago, some quotes from Jack Turner’s book, The Abstract Wild, were included in my blog. They focused on our lack of connection to nature and how we must regain a true and deep empathy and connection in order to truly help the wildlife.
One of our readers chronicled an event after reading those quotes that touched my heart. They wrote, “Deep connection with animals. That reminds me that I have a great little story for you. After months, I finally went to the cemetery on Monday. Only a short walk, but I was outside and it was sunny. On the way back to the bus station I passed a caterpillar crawling on the pavement. After a few more meters, it clicked, I sighed and walked back. Found some leaves to put him on and put him in a garden. I walked on and a lady was standing at a bus stop (not the one I needed) and asked me what I had just picked up. So I told her. She said she had thought something like that and that I am like her. She said something similar to your quote, people lost their connection to nature. We continued talking and agreed on every topic we discussed until her bus came, and we hugged goodbye!”
It reminded me of a period when I stayed in Udaipur, India. Many of my friends were Jain and are always careful not to harm anything in their path. Gentle souls, I recall.
After several days of tenseness on the nests – the fishing line and hook at Big Bear, SC1 almost killed by the sea pup corpse, and the death of KNF-E04 – we need a break. There are good things happening and it is so nice to read about them.
Ever wondered how the birds migrate from their winter homes to their spring and summer? And land on the same branch? Sometimes we can’t do it with the apps on our phone! Quantum Mechanics is the answer.
‘L’ sent me a note: “Isaac has spotted the osprey couple at Patchogue on their new nest!” Fantastic. Hopefully Isaac will provide frequent updates so we know when the osplets hatch and how this family, so dear to all of us, is fairing. (There is no camera as PSEG took down the old nest and did not install a new one on the new nest).
‘J’ sent a post from naturechat about the age of the juvenile visitor at NEFlorida with Bodie.
Sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis) are magnificent birds! They have inspired people from various cultures worldwide, including scientists, conservationists, and nature writers such as Aldo Leopold. Sandhill cranes are an ancient species, with the oldest fossil estimated to be 2.5 million years old. Their rich natural history includes spiritual and cultural significance.
One endearing aspect of Sandhill Cranes is that they are long-lived and mate for life, with pairs remaining together year-round for two decades or more. The oldest Sandhill Crane on record was at least thirty-seven years and three months old. This fact plays a vital role in our patient’s story.
In mid-December, The REGI clinic received several calls about a solitary Sandhill Crane near McDill Pond in Stevens Point. Sandhill Cranes in the area have migrated south by that date. This crane was languishing on a property. It had not been flying for weeks. It was hiding under a resident’s porch. The reports were concerning indicators that the bird may have a wing injury or lead or another type of poisoning. We suggested the crane be captured and transported to Raptor Education Group Inc. (REGI) for care. The property owner was due to be away; she alerted a UWSP natural resources college student to the crane’s dilemma. On December 21st, in below-zero temperatures, UWSP student Kayla Allred gathered a group of friends and family members and captured the crane. REGI volunteer transporters Randy and Anne Orlikowski transported the crane to REGI in Antigo.
REGI staff were prepared and waiting for the crane’s arrival. The large male was lethargic; however, we saw no apparent signs of fractures or injuries during the initial physical. We tube-fed him a liquid diet, gave him fluids, and let him rest for a few hours to recover from his capture and transport. Radiographs and blood work were negative for injuries or toxins. His physical exam revealed no concerns. Our work with wildlife must include the whole bird, not only what clinical tests offer as a diagnosis. Every medical concern was checked. He had no medical issues that we could prove, but we remained faced with a very depressed, healthy adult male with no injuries or abnormalities. When a patient is admitted, we request a history from the person who reports the bird. That includes questions about the bird’s behavior when found. Were physical movements regular or odd for the species? Could the bird be threatened by a dog or other predator, or what changed in the surroundings to prompt unusual behavior? Everything is a clue to the patient’s condition. Our adult male sandhill crane patient was hiding under a porch! Not normal behavior. The one thing that changed was that there were two sandhill cranes, and now he was alone.
Wildlife rehabilitation is a complicated field that requires knowledge of each species’ natural history, dietary needs, habitat requirements, and medical aspects in our care. Understanding that sandhill cranes have a long lifespan, The oldest Sandhill Crane on record was at least thirty-seven years and 3 months old. Once paired, they are together for life, two decades or longer for these magnificent birds. Youngsters migrate with their parents. They stay together as a family for about 10 months after hatch.
We realized our handsome patient was grieving the loss of his long-time mate. He had no will to go on without her by his side. While we do not know what happened to her, she disappeared in late fall. According to the property owner, the pair had been on the same property for at least ten years or longer. (If anyone in Stevens Point near Mc Dill Pond does know what caused her demise, please let us know)
We gave this patient supportive care. In cases like this, we do whatever works to help our patients recover. Massages around his head, neck, and face made a difference and perked up his sensory system. He started eating again. We moved him from a small enclosure to successive larger areas to allow him to investigate his surroundings. Slowly, he recovered and began behaving in a typical fashion; however, he had not vocalized during the three months we had him in care. We had cameras on him in the flights, and while he was exercising his wings and jumping as cranes do, we could not document vertical flight, which was necessary for his successful release back to the wild.
Spring was approaching, and we expected our local sandhill cranes to arrive home at any time. On Tuesday of this week, we heard loud crane vocalizations. At first, we thought it was our wild resident cranes announcing their return home. To our surprise, it was our patient in the flight jumping, flapping, and calling out with great excitement to whoever would listen. The following day, we moved him into a large outdoor enclosure. The enclosure has 12 ft. tall sides but a mostly open top, as it usually houses our resident flightless bald eagles. He would have to have an excellent vertical flight capability to fly out of the compound, which was the one aspect we could not prove in the enclosed flight building. The crane showed great excitement being outdoors again. He began acting like any other wild crane, probing the soil, chasing mice, and investigating the enclosure. He vocalized all day. Soon, the resident pair joined his happy sounds. The following morning, he ate well and was filled with more excitement and enthusiasm than we had ever seen in him. At about noon, a staff member observed the crane testing his vertical flight abilities, and then, with one effortless jump, he was airborne and took flight, gaining altitude until he was a speck in the sky. The event occurred so quickly that our staff forgot to take photos. However, they got another chance as the crane returned and circled our facility a few times before he headed out!
We wish this handsome sandhill crane the best in his future. We hope he finds another mate, but that is not assured in their species. No matter what, we hope he lives happily ever after.
Birds amaze and teach us every day. It is an honor to work with them. Their lives are complicated and mirror our own in many ways. This is not our idea of how they live; it is not anthropomorphic information but biologically sound evidence.
Thank you to Sharon, the landowner, and UWSP student Kayla Allred and the capture team she gathered after noticing his odd behavior and giving this handsome crane a second chance at life just when he thought his reason for living was over. The capture occurred in below-zero temperatures, with wind chills reaching -35 below zero F.
If you want more information on Sandhill cranes, please find a link below.
A quick check on some of our nests- all mixed up with no order at all today.
Blue IHI, the Rutland 2022 hatch, landed on the Poole Harbour nest this morning. (The nest of Blue 022 and CJ7).
Pont Cresor: Z2 (Aeron) and Blue 014 are reported to be back on the nest.
Foulshaw Moss: White YW has arrived back at his nest!
Goitzsche Wildnis, Germany: Zeus returned to the nest on Sunday the 23rd. We are waiting for the arrival of his mate, Fjona.
Brevard Osprey Nest, Florida. Three eggs.
NEFlorida Bald Eagle nest of Gabby and Beau: Bodie is stealing food from JV. These two are so good together! https://youtu.be/6OxI8s55jGc?
Dahlgren Osprey Nest: Two ospreys on the nest Sunday afternoon. LO and MO1 as identified by the chat moderator.
Kansas Bald Eagles: Kanza is doing very well. Second egg has not hatched (yet).
Fraser Point Bald Eagles: Andor and Cruz have their first hatch. It is deep in that nest bowl.
NCTC Bald Eagle nest of Bella and Scout: Two eaglets are doing well. They are simply adorable.
Mispillion Harbour, Delaware: Della and Warren have returned!
RoundhouseLoch Doon: Resident female named Angel has arrived on Sunday the 23rd.
Big Bear Valley: All is well with Jackie and Shadow and the eaglets. Thank goodness.
Threave Valley Ospreys: Two Ospreys on the nest!
Achieva Credit Union: Jack delivered the first fish of the day on Sunday after 1700. Oh, my goodness. I hope these deliveries get better.
Two Harbours: The second egg broke on Sunday. No one knows precisely what happened. Chase and Cholyn will be fine. Dr Sharpe was interviewed and says there is plenty of time for a second clutch and we should be checking back around the end of April.
Eschenbach: Hermine has not returned. Joan Castanyer reports: “Herbert seems to have made a connection with the new female. Days pass and Hermine does not return, although there is still some hope. But the thousands of kilometers of migration must have a benefit and the option of mating with a female is the most reasonable. However, in the afternoon Herbert seemed melancholic in the nest without his Hermine 😥.”
Sauces Canyon: Jak and Audacity’s baby is growing and strong. So pleased it is alright.
Cornell Red Tail Hawk Cam: On goodness. Isn’t Big Red, at 22 years old, just the most beautiful Red-tail Hawk?
Decorah North: Windy and rain coming. Waiting for the first hatch.
Researchers have noted that the plumage of some birds is getting duller. But why? Have a read!
Mini-Book Review: David Gessner, The Book of Flaco: The World’s Most Famous Bird
I recently completed Gessner’s captivating book about Flaco, the Eurasian Owl who escaped from the Central Park Zoo in February 2023. Many of you likely followed his remarkable journey, either in person or through social media, as he adapted to life as a wild owl, skillfully expanding his territory throughout the year.
Gessner delves into the intense controversies that surrounded this extraordinary bird. For instance, the size of Flaco’s enclosure at the zoo, described as “the size of a department store window,” raised significant concerns. Questions erupted about whether more proactive measures should have been taken to recapture him and return him to the zoo. The debate over whether Flaco’s freedom outweighed the risks of safety was a poignant theme throughout his story, especially against the backdrop of the widespread use of rodenticides in the area.
Gessner compellingly introduces readers to notable figures who have delved into the concepts of ‘wild’ and ‘wilderness’, such as Jack Turner in his thought-provoking book, The Abstract Wild, and the writings of Henry David Thoreau. Despite living more than 150 years apart, Turner and Thoreau offer strikingly relevant insights into environmental and wildlife issues. It is refreshing to see how their perspectives resonate with contemporary challenges, bridging the gap between past and present. Gessner masterfully intertwines their observations with his own and the life of Flaco, raising profound and challenging questions about the impact of human activity on wildlife. His exploration urges readers to confront these critical issues with urgency and reflection.
I strongly recommend this book for its profound exploration of pressing wildlife issues. Gessner’s exceptional writing is truly captivating, making it nearly impossible to put it down. However, if you’re in search of a beautiful picture book about Flaco, you might want to look elsewhere. The book does feature a central section filled with coloured images of Flaco, captured by individuals whose lives were deeply touched by his presence, alongside dedicated photographers who meticulously documented his daily adventures.
You can order the book through your local lending library (since it is recently released it could take some time to receive a copy) or purchase it for $24.95.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care everyone. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, articles, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, H, J, L’, The Guardian, ABC7, nature chat, Raptor Education Group, Inc, all about birds, Goitzsche Wildnis, Brevard Osprey Platform, NEFL-AEF, Dahlgren Ospreys, Kansas Bald Eagles, IWS/Explore, NCTC Bald Eagle Nest, Heidi McGrue and Mispillion Harbour, Roundhouse Loch Doon, FOBBV, Jeff Kear and UK Osprey Info (Threave Valley, Achieva Credit Union, IWS/Explore, Joan Castanyer an Eschenbach Ospreys, Cornell Red Tail Hawk Cam, Raptor Resource Project/Explore, The New York Times
Please note that Lori had an error and has updated the cost of the six pack cards for Calico’s Corner. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please see the posting Calico’s Corner for the update.
Before we begin with all the news, ‘EJ’ sent me a magnificent image of an osprey that flew over them in Alabama. We all need smiles right now and this is a beautiful healthy bird! (I am always so grateful for your images and your generosity in sharing with all of us!)
As I write this there are three ongoing matters in Bird World. The first is the missing Thunder from the West End nest. She left at 1430 on Friday, February 28 and has not been seen since. Makaio has gallantly incubated the eggs even bringing prey to eat on the nest while taking some short breaks. The second is the anxiousness surrounding the pip/hatch watches for both Big Bear and Sauces. I am always concerned about third hatch eaglets so I guess there are four items – that wee one at Duke Farms. I recall too many dying on that nest.
In the cast of Thunder, many speculate that she has gone off for a spa day like Gabby typically does. I am not convinced. There are several possibilities to consider: she might have been injured in a territorial fight, or worse, she could have been killed. Another concern is that she may have succumbed to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), though I hope that is not the case and I am unsure if it even exists on the islands. I tried to check and could find no conclusive information.
The romantic-comedy writer in me imagines a more whimsical scenario where she went to get prey, encountered Akecheta, and they flew off into the sunset together. Of course, this is just fanciful thinking and should be taken as such, but it would make for a marvelous ending.
If we do not see Thunder back on the nest by mid-afternoon on Monday, we must assume that she has been injured or killed.
It is the beginning of March and it is time to start watching for the arrival of Canada Geese on the Canadian Prairies as well as the return of the UK and European Ospreys. But for now, my friend ‘J’ reminds me that love, companionship, and joy wrapped up in a lot of hope for this year can be seen in 5 letters: Bodie!!!!!!!!!!
What a precious eaglet that is – and yes, Bodie is NOT small! If every nest could have one single eaglet as healthy as Bodie it would be fantastic. There is no need to cheer for three eggs or even two. Sadly, too many nests last year looked like they had two healthy eaglets when, in fact, they were not. Thing Eagle Country. One well fed eaglet. That is all we need. And it is certainly all the parents and the environment need.
Last year, Heidi and I monitored over 502 osprey eggs along with VV who kept an eye on an inordinate number of nests in Maryland right out their front door! Sadly, none of the chicks at Island Creek survived and most along the coast of the Chesapeake Bay also died. While many might wish to state categorically it was due to the heat dome, there is evidence from countries much hotter and for longer – that with sufficient fish providing hydration nests of 2 or 3 osplets can survive intense summer weather. I hold no hope for the nests again this year. There has been no change in making the Canadian company, Omega, accountable and no real science behind what is a sustainable catch limit. The people fighting this in the region are tireless but they are up against lobbyist and politicians. The dolphins and whales have already left. Would anyone in this lifetime ever have believed that this entire area could be without ospreys? Well, it can happen. What we need are fish fairies and large garden koi ponds. People who will take risks to help the ospreys.
It is now the end of February. I had intended to return to posting Bird World news every morning. The last full moon saw a marked decline in my husband’s cognitive powers and his behaviour. It has been overwhelming and my colleague ‘H’ says my ‘brain is fried’ from all of it. Thankfully, osprey season has really not started and ‘H’ has been handling 99.9% of the data entries so far. I will start with the UK nests, Rosie/Richmond, and Iris plus Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. I am hoping our dear friend VV will monitor those nests in Maryland in their front yard! We won’t get up to 502 but we will do our best to get accurate information so we can see what is causing mortalities in 2025. In 2024, it was weather/starvation as the main driver of deaths. But, back to the posting of news. I am keeping my head above water by posting two larger blogs twice a week. I hope the information is helpful. These will come on either Sunday or Monday and Thursday. Essential news items will come as they happen. I will also try to post at least one or two good news items each day by mid-afternoon. I miss all of you! And I miss being in contact with the birds in their nests like I was before…
So, let’s see what is happening!
Golden Gate Audubon: Rosie has returned to Richmond on the light stand in San Francisco Bay! March 1. I am so delighted. She landed and started calling for Richmond right away.
Port Lincoln Ospreys: I am so grateful to the folks at Port Lincoln Ospreys who are regularly posting the tracking of the ospreys in South Australia. Looks like Ervie is having a fun time hanging out with Giliath! They spend the night together. How cool is that. You can find all of the tracking on the Port Lincoln FB page. I am including the one for Ervie and Giliath here because Ervie still melts my heart.
Dale Hollow Eagle Cam: Thank you to ‘KR’ for alerting me to the two eggs at this nest. As many of you will remember, there were issues getting help for the eaglets when they were tangled in fishing line. I am only putting this notice now for those of you that wish to watch this nest. I will not be covering it.
Duke Farms: There are currently three eaglets with the last hatching on Saturday, March 1. ‘A’ comments: “Another feeding at Duke Farms about four hours after the last (no time stamp on the feed as far as I can see, which is irritating) and on this occasion, the older hatch did even better, grabbing big pieces. The younger hatch was at least facing the right way this time, and sat nicely beside its sibling at the table. However, mum only half-heartedly offered it a bite or two, it made no attempt to grab at them, although like its older sibling yesterday, it is VERY loud and persistent in its begging for food. Even so, mum is adept at ignoring all pleas and simply sitting on the noisy little bundles. Oh Mary Ann they are just ADORABLE. Aren’t they the sweetest things at this early stage (while any attempts at bonking are harmless because they can’t even see their target properly.”…”I fear I can see a definite pip on egg three, which is of concern to me for the reasons outlined yesterday. This nest is already problematic – it was with only one eaglet – so I hate to think of what will happen with three. The nest is covered in fish – dad is certainly doing his job – but whether that fish gets into those little beaks is another question altogether. Mum did give the first hatch a nice feed this morning and the wee one was doing really well, swallowing quite large pieces with relative ease. Hatch two was still fairly unsteady (and facing the wrong way) but I suspect it will be 24 hours before we need to start worrying about its food intake. It is very reassuring, though, that the older chick is eating well and mum is doing a good job of feeding it. “
Like so many nests this year, Duke Farms has three eggs. Personally I do not like three egg hatches unless the male digs right in there and helps like Akecheta did at the West End. It is difficult. Some have even raised four.
Sauces: The first egg laid by Jak and Audacity is holding! ‘A’ remarks “In wonderful news from Sauces, darling Audacity’s egg continues to hold – she has it buried fairly deep and safe in the nesting material but we still get a good look at it around 13:22. (Mind you, if Jak continues to mate with Audacity while she is incubating, there are no guarantees! Men!!) Assuming the egg doesn’t break, pip watch begins in 10 days. I think everyone is praying this egg is strong and that this poor long-suffering mum will finally get the precious eaglet she has sacrificed so much to give a chance at life. My heart goes out to this couple. Audacity is so brave and so determined. I do wonder whether the repeated calcium depletion year after year has had any long-term impacts on her bones. Certainly, she has given everything she has in her efforts to raise an eaglet. She deserves this more than anyone. It’s like Iris last year. Repeated loss finally followed by a miracle baby (or babies in Iris’s case.”
Leucistic Red-tail Hawk Nest in TN: ‘A’ writes: “Meanwhile, Angel and Tom were at their nest again this morning. The nest looks absolutely ready for a couple of eggs and we are so hopeful this season that there will be eggs at this nest. Talons crossed (speaking of which, how gorgeous is Angel’s French polish?). There was even another afternoon check-in, and there have no blue jays in sight (or heard) today or yesterday, which ho-efully will persuade Angel and Tom that they can raise chicks without harassment at this nest. Still, after last season, I think we are all holding our breath every time they skip a day of nest work.
I have not seen any mating on camera but if I remember rightly, that was the case in Deyani’s season too so we shouldn’t read anything into it. Tom managed two fertile eggs out of two (even though only one chick survived) so I see no reason for concern in that regard. Young he may be but I doubt that slows down a male of any species! Just saying.”
Falcon Cam Project: Xavier and Diamond have been bonding in the scrape. Oh, how nice it is to see you! https://youtu.be/4fmYvw-ZSWo?s
Florida Slub Jay Population: Attached is Audubon Florida’s annual report on Slub Jays.
Royal Albatross Colony, New Zealand: The Royal Cam chick is in the post-guard phase and is getting lots of good meals from the adults! https://youtu.be/5XgDs0L8A6A?
Big Bear Valley: 13,976 souls watching Jackie and Shadow as Jackie takes over the evening incubation shift. We are on pip watch at Big Bear Valley!
Both eagles protecting those precious eggs! How dare a sub-adult try and land on that nest during this crucial time!!!!!!!! https://youtu.be/bxQRZvfUftE?s
West End: Not sure how many eggs since the camera was down. Thunder and Makaio continue incubation and then Thunder disappears. Makaio was on incubation for over 24 hours. Is this a case of needing a spa day like Gabby or Gigi or has something more sinister happened to Thunder? We wait.
Makaio took several breaks on Saturday and even brought food to eat at the nest so he is doing fantastic. Let us hope Thunder returns safely.
Kansas City: Harvie and Ellie continue the incubation of their two eggs.
Achieva Credit Union: Jack and his new mate now have two eggs in that amazing nest that Jack built.
Moorings Park: Three eggs for Sally and Harry. Pip and hatch expected between March 8-12. Yes. We are that close. This is a very good nest to watch but will three be a challenge?
Frenchman’s Creek Ospreys: Continuous owl strikes.
John Bunker Sands Wetlands: Both eaglets are really losing the few remaining dandelions on the tops of their heads. What a wonderful nest this has been to watch this year!
Red Kite killed in the Cairngorms. ““The Park Authority condemns the illegal killing of raptors in the strongest possible terms. Raptor persecution has no place in 21st century Scotland but sadly incidents such as this are still taking place. It is an unacceptable crime that not only harms our raptor populations, but also damages the reputation of those land managers that act lawfully and work hard to care for wildlife.
“We are committed to working with partners to make sure the National Park is a safe haven for raptors and to establish the full circumstances of this incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0846 of Thursday 27 February. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously”.
Did you miss Ventana Wildlife’s February Condor Chat? Well, never fear. Here is the archived talk! The next live event is 27 March. https://youtu.be/RATJ0DwkoQE?
Thank you to all those people who help all those rehabbers every day of the week. They would not be able to save our precious wildlife without your help.
Wondering about all those three egg Bald Eagle nests? THIRTEEN nests already with 3 eggs (incl. Sauces)…Bartlesville, Big Bear, Centerport, Duke Farms, FOLFAN, Fort St Vrain, Fraser Point, NCTC, ND-Leef, PA Farm Country,Port Tobacco,Sauces 2 broke, and US Steel. Thanks, J.
A big shout out to all the teams in the UK who went out and cleaned up the osprey nests and refurbished them if needed! The raptors are on their way home and will arrive feeling most welcome. I wish every individual associated with a streaming cam (or not) would help our dear fish hawks (or others) with a cleaned out nest and new nesting material. It makes a difference. Just ask Hope and Beau at Snow Lane, Newfoundland.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care everyone. Go outside for a walk. Listen to the birds. Clean your feeders. Migration is coming! Turn off the news and feel the sunshine on your face. We hope to see you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, images, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, EJ, Geemeff, H, J’, NEFL-AEF, Golden Gate Audubon, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Dale Hollow Eagle Cam, Trudi Kron, Duke Farms, IWS/Explore, Falcon Cam Project, Florida Audubon, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, Farmer Derek Kansas City Eagles, Achieva Credit Union, Moorings Park, Frenchman’s Creek, Heidi McGrue, Kisatchie National Forest, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Raptor Persecution UK, EurekAlert, Polar Bears International, Ventana Wildlife Society, Hoo’s Woods Raptor Center
It is 2:35 in Big Bear Valley Wednesday afternoon and there are 12, 215 people watching Jackie and Shadow’s nest for any sign of a pip. Pip watch officially begins on March 1. Typically Jackie’s eggs hatch at 38-39 days.
‘B’ sends us all the latest on this internationally loved couple.
HPAI is a concern everyone including our garden. It has been +3 for the last few days. The snow is melting. There is standing water everywhere. The air is beginning to smell like spring. Most of the snow was cleared off the deck. All of the feeders were cleaned and disinfected. We will start a daily count to determine what is happening. When the European Starlings returned, there were 58 in the lilac bushes daily. There are now only 9. There were two Blue Jays, four Grey Squirrels, two Red Squirrels, and well, we were used to get at least 150 sparrows of various species. Might there be two dozen now? The Chickadees are here flitting, and there is a single female adult Downy Woodpecker. Two Crows. The loud songs from the birds in the garden could be heard more than half a city block away. There is still song, but it is so quiet.
It was extremely warm on Wednesday and we headed off to the zoo for a long and much needed walk before an Alberta Clipper is going to dump snow on us today. Five polar bears were sleeping on the snow! Just look at how clean its pads are!
I know that most of you are nervous about the upcoming breeding seasons whether it is the remaining eagles, the ospreys, or the hawks/falcons. I would also include the storks – oh, how I adore them! Throughout this posting and in many more to come, I want to encourage you to delight in the eaglets that have hatched and are healthy, for those eggs in nests, and for the storks and ospreys that are making their way home. Sending positive energy their way. In Manitoba, we are taking bets on the arrival of the first Canada Goose to the Oak Hammock Marsh. They could arrive within the week! I am so excited.
Let’s start with something nice and I cannot think of anything nicer than the miracle eaglet, Bodie, in Gabby and Beau’s nest.
NE Florida: That little cutie pie of Beau and Gabby’s now has a name! He is 5 weeks and 3 days old today.
I asked ‘AI’ to provide the meanings for the name Bodie:
The name Bodie has multiple meanings and origins:
Enlightenment: A respelling of the Sanskrit word Bodhi, which means “enlightenment” or “wisdom”
Messenger: From the German word bode or boden, which means “messenger”
Large-bodied: From the Old English word bodig, which means “trunk” or “chest”
Bold: From the French surname Beaudin, which is rooted in the old Germanic word bald
Sheltered: From the Germanic and Scandinavian name Boden, which means “sheltered”
Bodie is a gender-neutral name with origins in Sanskrit, German, French, Scandinavian, and Scottish.
In ancient times, messengers were vital to society, carrying news and information between communities and individuals. People with the name Bodie were associated with this role, and were often respected members of society.
Bodie has been on the rise in popularity in the United States, first entering the top 1,000 names in 2014. In 2022, it was ranked 484th in the top 500 names.
A turkey vulture came and sat on the nest of Bodie on Wednesday but the real question remains: where are Gabby and Beau? They have not been seen at the nest on Wednesday. This is concerning. Bodie is not self feeding but he did go to the pantry and attempt to get a nibble or two of the prey.
Where are Beau and Gabby?
Cal Falcons: In my last post with the long listing of the nest happenings, I pondered what was going on at the Cal Falcon scrape on The Campanile. The following day a notice was posted. It made my heart sink to my toes and tears pour out of my eyes. HPAI is everywhere. I believe it is even accounting for the lack of songbirds in the garden this winter. Cal Falcons is warning us that this could be the reason that we are not seeing Annie or Archie.
More news agencies are picking up on the loss of dear Annie and her mate. My heart is feeling very empty about this and I am hoping for a miracle.
We have to find hope and beauty in those birds that are surviving and those who are desperately trying to raise families in a very hostile environment. One of those is the new mate of Thunder, Makaio. He seems really good at caring for the eggs and protecting the nest. https://youtu.be/SexBFchvb-A?
These are short-tailed Albatross. Information on the volcanic island where they live states: “The Izu-volcano on Tori-shima is one of a chain of small islands about 600 km south of Tokyo. The island is one for the threatened albatross-birds, namely the short tailed albatross, and have been uninhabited by people since the Meteorological Institute drew back their scientists from an observatory in 1965, after a strong earthquake hit the area. About 30 people lived on the island before that, but they were evacuated after an eruption in 1939. In 1902 an eruption killed all the 125 people living on the island at that time.”
Located on Izu Island south of Tokyo and the main island of Honshu.
Here is a thorough article on the history of the short-tailed albatross in the area including ‘feather picking’.
Years ago we wondered what would happen to our much loved storks flying through war-torn Ukraine. Karl II had his favourite spots to stop and rest on the way to Africa. We always held our breath. Just how much wildlife has been impacted by this war?
PSEG Patchogue Osprey Platform, Long Island: There will be no camera for the PSEG Patchogue nest. ‘MP’ sent me the response this morning when he noticed that there was no streaming cam: “Thank you for your online inquiry. I have heard back from our Wildlife department: Due to construction in the immediate vicinity of the Patchogue osprey platform, PSEG Long Island has relocated this platform to a nearby location away from construction activities and human interference. However, we were not able to reconnect the osprey camera at this new location. Therefore, the Patchogue osprey camera will no longer be available.” PSEG further added, “”The camera was removed in order to provide the ospreys with a calmer living environment, at this point there are no plans to reactivate the camera. The websiteOsprey Cams – PSEG Long Island will be updated if and when the camera comes back online.”
Of course, being a power company we both wondered why on earth they couldn’t rig up a solar panel or something or is it another issue? Like all of us calling them when the nest is dangerously dirty? Who knows. I assume PSEG wants a calmer life since the ospreys wouldn’t care one way or the other about the camera! Ridiculous.
Frenchman’s Creek: Heidi confirms that the second egg was laid on the 25th of February.
Pine Island Osprey Platform: Looks as if the eggs are not viable. This is truly a blessing with the GHO in waiting for chicks.
Achieva Credit Union Osprey Platform, St Petersburg, Florida: As of Wednesday afternoon there remains only one egg for Jack and his new mate.
We are sitting in the conservatory monitoring the birds at the feeder. This morning I put out 1/4 of the amount of peanuts, Black Oil Seed, along with a large helping of Bark Butter and Meal Works (directed at the Starlings). There are approximately nine or ten Starlings. Where have all the birds gone?
I will be tracking HPAI in our region, and elsewhere, during 2025 as it appears to be having a large impact on some bird counts.
Little Miami Conservancy: Two eggs. 19th and 22nd of February.
Duke Farms: Cute little first hatch and now it has a little brother or sister.
WRDC: Both R7 and R8 doing fantastic. Look at all the fish on that nest!
Captiva: Dasher sleeps like an adult and we have branching at the nest on Wednesday!
MN-DNR: Two eggs being incubated. Laid on the 14th and 17th of February.
FORE: Liberty and Guardian do not yet have eggs. Everyone is worried. Maybe they will not have eggs this year. Maybe they will. We wait. But it is getting late because of the heat. Both of their eaglets died last year. They know and they grieve. It is alright if they chose to skip this year. Last year Duke and Daisy chose not to raise a family. The previous year Duke was missing in the storm and we thought he was lost. Daisy lost two osplets but was able to fledge one. Life is challenging – and it is going to get worse. Send Liberty and Guardian your love and support.
Abu Dhabi Osprey Platform: The triplets appear to be doing well.
Royal Albatross Colony News:
Cornell Red Tail Hawks: The camera should be back in operation for Big Red and Arthur in a week! Thank goodness.
Can you lend a hand to Hob, her friends, and the Moli?
Rita the Eagle’s History Monday:
I am going to look forward to a day when I read about the growth of the Hen Harrier population and not that rising deaths near driven grouse moor estates in Scotland!
Geemeff sends us some good news — remember, it is going to be up to us to do what is right for wildlife and that could include purchasing land, etc.
Happier news – the RSPB Geltsdale reserve is forging ahead after the successful land purchase. More funds needed of course, but as we all know, times are tough so people can support in ways other than donations eg by publicising on their social media feeds, buying from the online shop or better yet paying a visit to Geltsdale or any other RSPB reserve.
Thank you so much for being with today. We look forward to having you with us again soon! Take care of yourselves!
Thank you also for your patience with Calico’s cards. She had no idea what was entailed when she set out to help feral cats! The latest was securing proper mailing envelopes so the cards would not be bent when shipped! Those should arrive today or tomorrow. Then we can finalize the shipping! She told me she was glad we only do this twice a year. LOL.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, streaming cams, videos, and articles that helped me to write my post today: ‘B, EJ, Geemeff, Heidi, J, MP’, Berkeley News, American Eagle Foundation, Cal Falcons, KRON4, SK Hideaways, NEFL-AEF, SK Hideaways, IWS/Explore, Yamashina Institute for Ornithology, Japanese Albatross Cam, The Guardian, PSEG, Tartasan WTE Cam, Frenchman’s Creek, Heidi McGrue, Achieva Credit Union, Government of Canada, Little Miami Conservancy, Duke Farms, WRDC, Window to Wildlife, MN-DNR, Gary’s Eagle Videos, Nesting Bird Life and More, Abu Dhabi Osprey Platform, Sharon Dunne, Hob Osterlund, Rita the Eagle, RSPB, Raptor Persecution UK
We hope that you have had a lovely weekend and got to spend some time with friends or outdoors in nature OR both. Sunshine, the sound of the birds, or the laughter of others can elevate a slow sad day to one full of light. Try it, please.
The days are growing longer on the Canadian Prairie, with daylight stretching until at least 6:00 PM! This is a thrilling reminder that spring is just 27 days away. Ospreys will soon be returning to the UK, and by now, many nests in the US will already have eggs. We are all wishing for their safe return.
The Girls have really been enjoying the warmer weather and longer daylight hours, too. I have noticed that they will only sleep on the back and arms of the sofa if there is a wee blanket.
This year, I am particularly invested in a few remarkable birds—after all, we all have our favourites. I am eagerly anticipating the return of Louis to Dorcha at Loch Arkaig, and I hope he arrives healthy and revitalized. Maya faced challenges in 2024, and I am determined to see her once again partner with Blue 33 to raise a family. Even though Laddie is sadly no longer with us, there is hope that Blue NC0 will find a new mate and create a family at Loch of the Lowes.
I am also excited to see CJ7 reunite with Blue 022. Their incredible bond has allowed them to raise four extraordinary osplets in 2024. Additionally, let’s not forget about Iris and Finnegan! Together, let’s energize the flyways between the southern coast of Texas and Montana to ensure Iris’s safe return, with Finnegan there to protect her and support her in raising another brood of chicks. Join me in sending our heartfelt good wishes! Join me in sending our heartfelt good wishes!
As we turn our attention to the present, the anticipation of this year’s hatchlings fills me with hope—true little miracles waiting to unfold. You may have your own favourites, but for me, the joy of seeing Jak and Audacity finally welcome an eaglet after so many years along with Jackie and Shadow, would make this season unforgettable just like it was with Iris and Finnegan last year or even Beau and Gabby this year. I can already envision myself sitting there, overwhelmed with tears of pure happiness and soggy popcorn.
It is going to be a great year. Can you feel it?
Last week, I shared an article from The Guardian that a reader sent me. The article highlighted the polar bear fur trade and mentioned that the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) was actively involved in or supporting it. The reader, who had donated decided to reach out to the WWF to inquire about their position on polar bear fur and the claims made in The Guardian article. I am pleased to share the response from the WWF that they received.
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your concerns regarding a recent article in The Guardian about WWF’s position on polar bear conservation. We believe the story mispresents our position and we are actively raising inaccuracies with the publication directly. To be clear, WWF does not support or promote the polar bear fur trade, as you can see in our response to the article (https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?13500441/Guardian-response-polar-bears).
WWF remains steadfast in our mission to conserve polar bears and their habitat, while respecting the rights of Indigenous communities. Our funds are directed toward scientific monitoring of polar bear subpopulations, developing non-intrusive tracking methods such as eDNA, supporting research on the impacts of climate change on polar bears, and advocating for the protection of vital polar bear habitats. This work is essential to the long-term survival of the species.
We appreciate your passion for wildlife and for the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the conservation of polar bears and their habitat.
Regards,
Nirilis World Wildlife Fund
Donating is a very personal choice, and it can be disappointing when the values we care about conflict with the organizations we support. I’m glad to hear that our reader received a response to their inquiry clearing up the misinformation.
On another note, one of our readers has always dreamed of seeing polar bears in their natural habitat, and they are coming to Manitoba this November for that experience! That is so exciting.
Time to check on our nests. There is a lot happening! In fact, I will apologise for the long ‘list’ and I didn’t even begin to cover all of what is happening! Eggs are being laid everywhere. Just as soon as some of these eagle eggs begin to hatch, ospreys will be returning hoping to find their mates and get on with their breeding season.
I cannot find the live stream for Big Red and Arthur. Normally in the late fall they begin to check on their nest on the Fernow Light Stand. Is it the construction that is causing this? I must find out.
Cornell Red Tail Hawks: Ferris Akel caught Big Red on the scaffolding of the clock tower, one of her favourite spots on the Cornell Campus. It was 39 degrees F. Big Red will be 22 years old this year. She hatched 7 miles from the Cornell Campus in 2003 and was ringed that October. She has been raising chicks on the Cornell Campus for a long, long time. She was on streaming cam in 2012, but that is not to say that she did not start having chicks much earlier than that!
Ferris also found Arthur so all is well. Gosh, it is so good to see them.
Achieva Credit Union: Jack’s fancy nest attracted a new mate and their egg was laid Friday the 21st of February at 22:14. Congratulations!
Frenchman’s Creek: We have an egg! Now, it’s Sunday and we have two. Mum hit by a GHO over night. Can we send the owls on holiday this year?
Pine Island Ospreys: Egg 1 broke. Egg 2 is 40 days old. Looks like it is non-viable. With that audacious owl, I would be just as happy that those eggs simply break or turn into dried Dudleys.
Lake Murray: Resident pair have returned! Gosh, let us hope those strobe lights and mannequins do their job this year and are set up right when those eggs are laid to send a message to those owls.
Hilton Head Nature Conservancy: The two eaglets are doing very well.
Golden Gate Audubon: Richmond is looking for Rosie. She traditionally arrives between February 18 and March 9. Pray for her safe return.
Little Miami Conservancy: Betty laid her first egg with Baker coming to see on the 19th. Expecting egg 2 on Saturday. https://youtu.be/SuT8i49kEmo?
Sauces: The very first egg that Jak and Audacity is incubating is still holding. That egg was laid on our anniversary, the 2nd of the 2nd month. That means that today, that egg is 22 days old. We need another fortnight til pip watch. Oh, please make this their year!
31 continues to melt my heart. As far as I am concerned, 31 was a miracle eaglet. Let’s see if we can have a couple more at Sauces and Big Bear. Wouldn’t that make this a fantastic year?!
Standing on those feet!!!!!!!!!
Beau turned out just to be the best Daddy 31 could ever have wished to have….
Leucistic Red-tail Hawk: Angel has visited the nest in Tennessee.
Fay Slough Eagle Nest: Has collapsed with all the rain. Dr Sharpe recently installed a camera there. No eggs. Eagles were working on the nest.
Dataw Island Bald Eagle Nest: Skylar is doing well. Has been seen on camera really flapping its wings!
West End: Thunder and Makai have their second egg. It was laid on 20 February. A Raven took the first.
Durbe County nest of Milda: Milda, the White-tailed Eagle has been coming to the nest preparing for the next breeding season. Eggs should come in the next few weeks. Fantastic. https://youtu.be/YCxGI8aTJWA?
Gleeson’s South Australia Osprey Platform: Marie found herself inland and quite away any possible fish meals. The relief that spread through the Port Lincoln community when Marie turned and flew south to the coast could be felt in Canada. Even the fish fairies were ready with meals for Marie as she would have been super dehydrated.
Latvian Golden Eagles Spilve and Gristles: They are getting ready for an exciting breeding season. https://youtu.be/Faj0YrCBeOg?
University of Florida-Gainesville Osprey Platform: Stella has returned with a new mate. Talon disappeared with three osplets on the nest. Stella managed to keep one of them alive and Talon Jr fledged! Hoping for a better year for this new couple.
Big Bear Valley Eagle Cam: Already people from around the world are getting excited over the prospect of Jackie and Shadow having a wee eaglet this year. There are three eggs. https://youtu.be/u6LnJNYfmHc?
Jan 22, 25, and 28. Pip watch: 27/28th of February!!!!!!!! So what will you be doing on Thursday?????????????????????
Fraser Point: There are three eggs for Andor and Cruz, too! Eggs: 14, 17, and 20 on the Santa Cruz Island nest.
Bluff City ETSU: Franklin and Frances have two eggs being incubated. They were laid on the 26 and 29 of January. So let’s count. Egg 1 is 29 days old today. We should be expecting pip watch in a week – on 3 March. Mark your calendars.
Johnson City ETSU: Boone and Jolene’s first egg is three days older than that of Bluff City which means that we should be looking for a pip watch on the 28th of February or 1 March.
Port Tobacco: Chandler and Hope are another couple with a three egg clutch – 3, 5, and 9 of March! So many three egg clutches this year.
US Steel: Stella and Irvine again with three eggs. This is a first for this nest!!!!!!!!! February 13, 16, and 19.
PA County Farm: Oliver returned to the nest looking good. What a relief with growing concerns over HPAI.
Centreport Eagles: First egg on the 19th. Looking for the second on Saturday before posting this blog.
Notre Dame Eagles: Gigi and her new mate now have two eggs!
Duke Farms: Goodness me. Another three egg clutch. Is this an unusual year? Eggs laid on 17, 20, and 23 of January. Pip watch for the first egg is right now- Friday evening as I write this. Maybe by the time of posting we will have eaglets in New Jersey!
Decorah North: Mr North and Mrs DNF on the 11th and 14th of February.
Redding Eagles: Liberty and Guardian have no eggs yet in the new nest and many are concerned that the time envelope is running out due to the extreme heat of the spring.
It seems that there are a larger than average number of nests with three egg clutches for the Bald Eagle nests on streaming cams in 2025. What is it that determines clutch size?
Factors that affect clutch size
Age: The age of the female bald eagle is related to the size of her clutch.
Season: Cold weather and the time of season can affect clutch size.For example, clutches laid later in the breeding season may have fewer eggs.
Resources: The availability of resources, such as prey, can affect clutch size.
Contaminants: Legacy contaminants like DDT can suppress clutch size.
Clutch size of bald eagles
The average clutch size of bald eagles is just under two eggs.
Successful pairs of bald eagles usually raise one, two, or occasionally three young per nesting attempt.
Bald eagles may lay a second clutch if the first set is lost.
Other information about bald eagle clutches
The complete breeding cycle from the time of arrival at a nest to the period of fledgling dependency is about six months.
Bald eagles may move south in the fall in response to changes in weather conditions and prey availability.
The Peregrine Falcons are starting to pay attention to their scrapes and mates. At Wilmington, Stewart is impressing Bridgette with a nice dressed pigeon!
At Orange, Xavier and Diamond have both been to the scrape. Diamond hid a grebe and well, guess who found it? Cutie pie Xavier!
Where are our Cal Falcons?
At least one falcon seen at Great Spirit Bluff.
We need hope right now and Knepp Farm is giving us a good dose of it!
Bird says of these lovely geese: “Relatively small and short-necked goose with contrasting dark brown head and neck, small black bill with pink band near tip, and pink legs. In flight shows extensively pale silvery upperwings. Breeds in Greenland, Iceland, and Spitsbergen; winters mainly in coastal lowlands with farmland and marshy grassland. In main areas, occurs in flocks of hundreds or even thousands; elsewhere, singles or family groups can be found among flocks of other geese. Rare but increasing winter visitor to northeastern North America, almost always with flocks of Canada Geese.”
Pink-footed geese breed in remote areas of Greenland, Iceland, and Svalbard during the Arctic summer. They nest on cliffs, rocky outcrops, and tundra hummocks.
Breeding grounds
Greenland: Remote areas of eastern Greenland
Iceland: Remote areas of Iceland
Svalbard: Remote areas of Svalbard
Novaya Zemlya: The Arctic Russian archipelago of Novaya Zemlya
One huge issue for these geese is the thawing tundra. Will this mean that they will spend all year in Iceland, Greenland, and areas of the Russian archipelago?
There are also threats to beloved parrots. What are they? Birdlife International says:
From the humid rainforests of South America to the deserts of Australia, parrots are found on nearly every continent – adding colour and life to ecosystems globally.
But, did you know that parrots are among the most threatened group of birds in the world?
Human activities pose the biggest threats to these colourful birds:
Agriculture is impacting 78 species like the near threatened Jonquil Parrot.
Exploitation by the pet trade is affecting 75 species like the critically endangered near threatened Palm Cockatoo.
Logging is affecting 62 species like the critically endangered Swift Parrot.
Climate change is affecting 32 species like the endangered Black-billed Amazon.
The count down clock to the arrival of the UK ospreys:
Calico is checking shipping rates for her cards and will have her fundraising page up by Tuesday or Wednesday. She is looking for good shipping deals for those who have written to request cards from Europe and Asia! It is incredible how complicated sending items to others can be. Some couriers are keen competitors, and we hope to have this ready to launch by Wednesday. Thank you for being so patient. Calico is very grateful to all those who have sent notes wishing to support her fundraising.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care of yourself. Try to get outside. Read an uplifting book. Watch a silly romance-comedy. Whatever it takes. We look forward to having you with us again on Thursday.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, images, letters, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘EJ, Geemeff, H, J, SP’, WWF, Ferris Akel Tours, Achieva Credit Union, Frenchman’s Creek, Pine Island Ospreys, Lake Murray Ospreys, Golden Gate Audubon, Little Miami Conservancy, IWS/Explore, NEFL-AEF, Window to Wildlife, Fay Slough Eagle Cam, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Dataw Island, LDF, Fran Solly, University of Florida-Gainsville Osprey Cam, FOBBV, Bluff City-ETSU, Johnson City-ETSU, Port Tobacco Eagle Cam, PIX Cams, PA County Farms, Centreport Eagles, ND-LEEF, Duke Farms, Raptor Resource Project/Explore, FORE, SK Hideaways, Elfruler, Wilmington Falcons, Falcon Cam (Orange), Cal Falcons, Knepp Farm, Openverse, UK Osprey Information, komu news, HDonTap
Oh, it has been a glorious time in Guadeloupe. We hoped to see more hummingbirds and today what a shock we had. We walked through a treed area and there on a branch sleeping was a Purple throated hummer. It is large, much bigger than any of the hummingbirds that visit our garden in Canada and, indeed, larger than a sparrow! The images are not so good – I only had my phone and I was so surprised to see this gorgeous creature.
There was also a Green Heron fishing in the pond with the Flamingos. Each day, there are new surprises.
We are at the airport in Port a Pitre. It id a really hot day! The AC in the departures lounge is working over time. We had the most amazing trip. Small little coves, private beaches, the rainforest. Lots and lots of fresh fruit, but I am dying for a big salad and some vegetables! It is snowing and blowing in Winnipeg. We will be home tomorrow afternoon late and it should be clear. We hope that all of you have had a good ten days. This is a beautiful island to visit if you ever get the chance!
Oh, so many are worried about little NE31 sleeping alone in that big eagle nest. Beau and Gabby are up on the branches ready to protect 31 and, thankfully, there does not seem to be any predators, such as GHOs, in the area.
31 is hot in the Florida sun!
Thunder has been hanging out with the new young male at the West End. The last time Akecheta was on the screen was when he was injured on the 19th of January. We wait to see because we have no knowledge of what has transpired since the cams went down almost immediately. I recall incidents at the NCTC nest where Bella and/or Smitty were injured and they returned after a period of time, once it was 21 days, if I recall correctly.
If anyone has been worried about R8, Rose fed the youngest one an entire fish or so it seemed. The kids are doing good and it doesn’t seem that there should be any cause for alarm.
There is some concern over Southwest Florida’s M15’s eyes. Conjunctivitis is a symptom of HPAI. You might recall that E17 and 18 were removed for treatment for Conjunctivitis several years ago and returned to the SW Florida nest. Now, F23 and M15 would have HPAI. They ate the food of the eaglets; they shared the nest. I believe this was covered in one or both of the CROW releases. The incubation period is a fortnight, two weeks. R25 passed on 26 January. We will be approaching the end of the two weeks at the weekend. F23 was seen bathing at the pond on Wednesday and drying her wings. — I think they both look good, and like everything else, let us appreciate these moments. Everything turns on a dime in Bird World. Who would ever have predicted that our dear Akecheta would lose his territory? I still can’t believe it.
Other news. Hope has laid her second egg at Tobacco Creek and we have the second egg for Jak and Audacity at Sauces. Sadly, at least one of Audacity’s eggs has broken. Our hearts break for this couple. Oh, how I wish someone would place a fertile hard-shelled egg in their nest!
Hope’s second egg:
There is good news coming out of the IWS and Dr Sharpe. ‘T’ writes that Sauce’s fledgling is ‘Kaiannika (hatched in Sauces in 2019). She is the current female at the Empire Nest!! She had an eaglet last year.” Let us hope that she is successful again this year! That is wonderful news.
“MP’ reports that everything is going well at the JB Sands Wetlands. “The eagles at this nest are doing exceptional. You’ll see this family having lunch and dinner together most days. It seemed to solve the bonking with dad feeding one or both chicks. Sometimes mom lets dad think he’s helping a lot, and he really is. He is probably the sole reason the bonking has stopped.”
At the Achieva Osprey platform, Jack built a gorgeous nest trying to attract a new mate. The following screen captures show their interaction. It is sometimes very challenging!
Two females fighting over Jack’s nest! Gracious.
Jack scaring off one of the females.
The female ousting Jack off the nest!
That sweet little Royal Cam chick getting fed by Mum! Need a break from the woes of the world, just check these gentle giants out!!!!!! https://youtu.be/zMNQfoxmENg?
Bart Molenaar sent me a note wondering if I had ever seen an osprey nest with two males and one female caring for a family of three osplets. I have not. I have seen falcon nests with several parents but not an osprey nest that I can recall (will check my files when I am home). Most often we see those male ospreys kicking the eggs out that might belong to another male. We most recently saw this at Iris and Finnegan’s nest when Finnegan ousted what he believed to be a ‘Louis egg’. The nest that Bart is referring to is a new one that showed up on his YouTube feed and it is in Abu Dhabi. There were originally four little chicks, but the smallest just didn’t thrive. They look to be between three and four weeks old with those lovely juvenile feathers coming in.
Fish delivery times according to ella on the chat: Fish deliveries = 07:02:23, 8:56:02, 10:17:27, 11:11:06, 13:53, 14:25:55, 14:48:08, 15:49:03, 16:28:17, 16:45:54, 18:06
When you have two active dads you don’t need any fish fairies it seems.
We also have news of Ervie. It is ALWAYS comforting to see his tracker working and to know that our favourite lad is doing well.
Thanks so much for being with me today. We have two full days of travel ahead and are watching a large storm that is brewing around Montreal. Hopeful that all the flights will go as planned. My next post will likely not be until Monday – giving me time to settle back at home and spend some hours with The Girls who will be demanding much attention. Take care all. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Bart M, Geemeff, J, MP, TU’, NEFL-AEF, IWS/Explore, SK Hideaways, Port Tobacco Eagle Cam, Achieva Osprey Platform, JBS Wetlands, NZ DOC, Abu Dhabi Live, newscientist.com, Port Lincoln Osprey
