Category Archives: American Eagle Foundation

Saturday in Bird World

22 March 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

There was quite the scare at Sauces Canyon Friday when a huge placenta was brought in that covered most of SC1. The wee one was shivering. The camera operator stayed and caught Audacity doing everything she could to save her little one. She was moving and shuffling and removing matter to free SC1. It took two hours. Everyone was holding their breath.

Meanwhile the nest is simply full of food including a dead seal pup and a lot of Mackerel.

SC1 standing up for a meal after its arduous ordeal. Another miracle. Poor little thing could use a bit of a wipe. But who cares – SC1 looks fine.

In other Eagle news, Bodie and the visitor at NE Florida are quite settled in with one another. Gabby even fed the other juvenile – and, of course, Bodie got fed as well. Many are hoping that the American Eagle Foundation will give the adopted eaglet a name.

Bodie did not go hungry! Look at this crop. It is a wonder she can stand upright.

The two at Big Bear Valley are doing so well. Look closely, the pin feathers are coming in. The little one is scampering around that egg cup wanting ‘out’. They are flapping their little wings and growing fast.

The eaglets at John Bunker Sands Wetlands are gorgeous.

The triplets at Duke Farms are doing well. Their mum was heroic in keeping them as dry as she could during the recent storm. They have their dark thermal down coming in which allows them to regulate their temperatures but, oh, what a lovely sight she was tucking them in as best she could. Just look today.

At the NCTC nest, Bella and Scout’s little one had its first feeding. It is fine. Scout was there to see it hatch and has brooded the wee one. This is good news. https://youtu.be/0aPqI9_OW5c?

Mr North and Mrs DNF have a hatch in progress or two at the Decorah North nest in Iowa.

Hancock Wildlife Foundation announced today that their Surrey nest of Brit and Rey has their second egg of the season.

We are keeping eyes on several other nests for pips that include Harvey and Ellie at the Kansas Eagle Cam on Farmer Derek’s land, the other egg for Bella and Scout at the NCTC nest, and US Steel.

Osprey News:

Dyfi Osprey Project: Idris has arrived home. They just turned the camera on and as if by magic, there he was. So happy to see him home. It is nine days earlier than his usual arrival date of March 30th. Now let’s get his mate Telyn home soon – and safe.

Known as ‘Daddy Longlegs’, Idris is an excellent fisher. He must have been hungry. Look at those whoppers at the nest.

Kielder Nest 7: Female KX7 arrives! This is the earliest arrival ever of an osprey back at Kielder Forest. Her mate is KM18, yet to arrive.

More on KX7 | Kielder OspreysDownload

Threave Castle: Blue KC has arrived on the nest to join her mate Black 80 on the 20th of March.

Birds of Poole Harbour: Blue 022 that helped raise our fine osplets to fledge with its mate CJ7 has arrived home safely! He wasted no time in starting to work on their nest.

Glaslyn: Elen, Aran’s mate, arrived back on the Glaslyn nest this morning and then flew over to the PC nest which interestingly has a camera this year. Wonder who will get to watch it?

Meigs Point, Connecticut: The unringed male has returned on the 19th of March. He immediately began to work on the nest – cleaning out that egg cup.

Eschenbach: Hermine has not returned yet. The visiting female is getting more comfortable. Joan Castanyer writes: “Herbert follows the courtship rituals with the female, from gifts in the form of fish to displays of submission. In the video we can see him with his back to her, flapping his wings. Meanwhile, the female complains because he, instead of fish, has brought material for the nest. The candidacy of the new partner is strengthened, although there is still time for Hermine.”

Joan’s video of the couple on the nest: https://youtu.be/PvI5HHr2X7s?

Blue NC0 has been fishing and working hard on her nest at Loch of the Lowes.

Manton Bay’s Blue 33 and Maya are busy working on their nest.

Other Birds:

Trumpeter Swans arriving in British Columbia.

Knepp Farm White Storks: First eggs of the season confirmed laid.

News from KneppDownload

A White-tailed Eagle visited the Seili Osprey nest in Finland! https://youtu.be/PetGCU1piEA?

Other news:

Geemeff sent news about osprey migration and species decline and the perils our darlings face.

https://www.culturednortheast.co.uk/p/osprey-wins-the-race-back-for-the

‘PB’ sent me an article from the Omaha News confirming the deaths of the geese from Bird Flu.

Bird flu confirmed in dead geese found at Omaha lakeDownload

Mark Avery has an update on Bird Flu in his latest news blast. I am cutting and pasting here for all of you. This is going to be a potentially catastrophic year for our feathered friends.


Bird flu 1: there are currently many UK cases of bird flu and the list of affected bird species has reached 31 for 2025: Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Bewick’s Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Pink-footed Goose, Barnacle Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, White-tailed Eagle, Red Kite, Buzzard, Goshawk, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Kestrel, Curlew, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Little Gull, Cormorant, Razorbill, Barn Owl, Long-eared Owl, Tawny Owl, Grey Heron, Pheasant and  Starling. It might look as if gulls, wildfowl and raptors are particularly affected, and it’s possible that’s the case, but the flaws in the ‘surveillance’ scheme (negative tests not publicly reported, limited numbers tested, no systematic testing) mean that it is difficult to know what this species list means in terms of species affected – click here. An interesting gull list and just one passerine in the list!

Bird flu2: wintering Sandhill Cranes have been dying of bird flu in Indiana – 1500+ of them (click here). This link – click here – provides information from the USA on detections in wild birds but also in dairy cows (quite a lot) and there are some human cases including one death, it seems. Robert F. Kennedy, who was put in charge of health matters by Trump, has suggested letting the disease rip in order to find the resistant birds that could form the basis for building a resistant stock. Something similar was considered as a covid response in the UK. US scientists are quoted as opposing Kennedy’s suggestion because intensively-farmed chickens and turkeys are killed so quickly that they never (?) produce antibodies to the disease. I wonder what the death rate is in Wild Turkeys in the USA? 

Bird flu3: a paper in British Birds (by Tim Birkhead and Ben Hatchwell) assesses the impacts of bird flu on the Guillemot colony on Skomer which has been studied for five decades. The 2023 outbreak of bird flu led to a higher-than-usual number of recoveries of (dead) ringed Guillemots that July and August and counts of ringed birds in 2024 suggested that about a quarter of the colony had been lost the year before. There were impacts on nesting success too which will take some years to work their way through. For a not very relevant comparison (perhaps), UK human covid deaths in 2020 numbered around 72,000, or 1 in 1000 of the population, or 0.1%.

In Manitoba, the Assembly of First Nations has issued a statement on Bird Flu. As you can see, the concern is world-wide. Please help by keeping your feeders and bird baths clean and follow any directives that you are given. So far no one is asking for songbird feeders to be taken down. The fear is for the migratory birds that are coming to their spring and summer breeding grounds.

‘PB’ loved Smallie like all of us. She sends news that there are three falcon eggs at Amersfoort. How grand!

At Robert Fuller’s kestrel nest, the couple, Apollo and Athena, are fighting to protect their eggs. https://youtu.be/qFeLnxjXT24?

The’ quiet’ was one of the best things about being on Hecla Island during the winter. (The hardest was being away from The Girls). Hardly anyone was there except for those ice fishing and the odd tourists. The snow was pure white – not dirty with salt and sand like the City. You could see the deer in the woods, the Crows and Eagles flying overhead, and some small birds murmuring. A few gulls were sitting on the top of the lighthouse and, of course, at least one very large grey wolf. Without the foliage, it was also easy to spot Crow nests, a few eagle nests and one osprey, one near Winnipeg Beach. It felt so good. As most of you know, I am not fond of the City. While I have dreamed of moving to ‘the middle of nowhere’, my heart is also with the animals that occupy our garden. So this summer, we must plant even more trees to enclose us; perhaps, it will be a buffer for noise and other humans. Yellow Warblers on the Galapagos Islands feel the same as I do about traffic noise!

Traffic noise triggers road rage among male Galápagos birdshttps://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/20/traffic-noise-triggers-road-rage-among-male-galapagos-birds?CMP=share_btn_url

Closing on a really upbeat note – Cornell’s Red Tail Hawk Big Red has been working on that egg cup on Friday. We could have eggs soon!

Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care. We hope to have you with us again soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, images, articles, posts, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, J, PB’, IWS/Explore, NEFL-AEF, FOBBV, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Duke Farms, NCTC, Deb Stecyk, Raptor Resource Project/Explore, Dyfi Osprey Project, Kielder Forest Ospreys, Threave Castle, Meigs Point Ospreys, Eschenbach Ospreys, Joanna Castanyer, Woodland Trust (LOTL), Lynn Cracknell, Knepp Farm White Storks, Cultured Northeast, First Alert 6, Mark Avery, Robert Fuller, Town of Amersfoort Falcons, The Guardian, LRWT, Cornell Red Tail Hawk Cam, Hancock Wildlife Foundation, Manitoba Assembly of First Nations, Osp, Birds of Poole Harbour, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn

Sadness at the KNF-E3 nest…Friday in Bird World

21 March 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

I always start my blog early in the day and add to it. As I ready for bed Thursday night it is with a very heavy heart that I tell you that KNF E3-04 passed Thursday evening after having only a few bites of food and the tiniest – one gulp – of fish on Wednesday – since Sunday. The eaglet was, as you know, battered by its older sibling. This nest began very hopeful with two beautiful eaglets, and ‘something’ changed that. Was it the adult’s inexperience, as the Rangers believe? Is there such a shortage of food? Why did things begin to go ‘sideways’ for this family last weekend? These eaglets were fully feathered? If the parents were inexperiened might not this have shown up much earlier with the eaglets dying before getting their juvenile feathers? It just feels odd. Kincaid Lake should be full of fish as it is stocked (or was) annually for the people who come for recreational fishing, so why isn’t this nest full? Ale II hasn’t been seen for a day and a half because there is no reason for him to come to the nest if he has no food to bring. We will never know the circumstance or the combination of circumstances that caused such a dramatic change on this nest, but let us now hope that the older sibling will have food and survive to fledge. It would be a tragedy to lose both and it could easily happen. (More later in the blog).

Just a note. I will be sending this out very late or early on Friday morning and I could miss news of hatches or osprey arrivals. If so, I will include them for Saturday.

Happier Times for the eaglets:

Yesterday was the spring equinox and our feathered friends are on the move. But how is a changing climate impacting some of them?

Weatherwatch: climate shifts threaten birds’ return as spring arriveshttps://www.theguardian.com/news/2025/mar/20/weatherwatch-climate-shifts-threaten-birds-return-as-spring-arrives?CMP=share_btn_url

There is more sadness with the return of migrating birds in North America. ‘PB’ reports that numerous Canada Geese are dying of HPAI in Nebraska on their way to Canada. This horrible disease is spreading and spreading and no doubt we will lose many in various species as it continues to wreck havoc.

Heidi’s Osprey Report:

3/20 – Carthage osprey nest (Tennessee):  Mom and Dad are back together!  Dad arrived about 11 days ago and another female has had her sights set on him.  Finally Mom arrived a couple days ago and had a serious talk with the ‘other woman’, lol.

3/20 – Lake Murray osprey nest (South Carolina):  Congrats to Kenny and Lucy… Lucy laid their third egg early this morning.

Thanks, Heidi!

There are ospreys flying over every area of the UK, it seems.

Argathy Red Kites found themselves in need of a quick fix to their osprey nest that was destroyed in a recent storm.

“Crisis averted! Yesterday we headed to our osprey nest tree planning to quickly install a new camera before the birds return… unfortunately we swiftly discovered that recent storms had destroyed our old nest platform. Our legendary tree climber Keith had a mammoth job but built a beautiful new platform and got the camera installed. Now the long wait for the birds begins!”

River Gwash – Rutland female reaches age of 20 and is still returning to breed:

Dyfi: The camera will be live by the time you read this!

Balgavies Loch: Three ospreys, yet to be identified, have been seen flying over the loch.

Thanks Jeff Kear and UK Osprey Information or posting these news items.

Loch of the Lowes: Blue NC0 is bringing in moss in anticipation of eggs and having a marvellously soft nest for them and the osplets.

Bald Eagle Nests:

Pips at Decorah North! Yes, both eggs have pips.

NCTC Nest: Scout and Bella have their first hatch of the 2025 season at NCTC. The egg shell is the proof!!!!!!!

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING ENTRY ON KISTACHIE E3 IS DISTURBING AND HAS DISTURBING IMAGES.

Kistachie E3: The younger eaglet, 04 has been beaten and was down in the centre of the nest bowl most of the day. It had one small fish. I was hoping for a miracle, but it appears the wee one is near death or has died as of 1828 there was no more movement Thursday evening. I am grateful if its suffering is ended quickly. This has been quite the nest to watch. At one point in time if you had asked me, I would have said it was like a Black or Golden Eagle’s nest where the death of the second hatch is enshrined in the DNA of the species. But this was a Bald Eagle’s nest. The real question is what went wrong to cause such a blatant siblicide?

To those on the chat who wanted an intervention, the Migratory Bird Act does not allow it unless there is a clear human-caused issue. Even then with another fully feathered eaglet on the nest, permissions would not be given (if there is staff to provide them with) because it could cause a premature fledge of 03 and its possible death.

Soar high and free little one.

Food must be very scarce as Andria II plucked 04 preparing it for dinner for 03 and then flew off. Why are they not bringing fish from Kincaid Lake?

I was asked if I am working on a Memorial Wall for 2025. Yes, I am. I had to stop with Akecheta and Thunder and just take a break. It was getting to be too much. And the deaths have continued. I hope to have the wall up honouring those souls by the end of March. If you know of a feathered friend to include, please remind me so I do not fail to include them. Thank you.

I do not want to end on a sad note. There is so much to be thankful for and so I am including our miracles!

At the Big Bear nest, a video of sibling love: https://youtu.be/tGb47Md2h0s?

A deep egg cup to keep a wee much loved and longed for eaglet safe and contained at Sauces.

The love and struggles of a mother desperately trying to keep her three eaglets dry during a bad storm in New Jersey at Duke Farms.

What might have been a problem is proving that eagles, too, can adopt! Check out Bodie with VJ.

Thank you for being with me. We have had a lovely time on Hecla Island, but are looking forward to being home with ‘The Girls’ tomorrow and will set up early. Take care. See you soon.

Thank you to Heidi for the images of the E3 eaglets in a better time and to ‘PB’ for the news from Nebraska, The Guardian, Jeff Kear and UK Osprey Info FB, Argathy Red Kites, River Gwash Ospreys, Raptor Resource Project/Explore, NCTC Nest, Kistachie National Forest E3 Bald Eagle Nest, FOBBV, IWS/Explore, Duke Farms, NEFL-AEF,

Wednesday in Bird World

19 March 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

I am finishing reading David Gessner’s book, The Book of Flaco. The World’s Most Famous Bird. I have about a quarter more to go, and I will send a review. However, I have discovered another writer who brings up topics we should contemplate within this volume. The author is Jack Turner, and the excerpts from his book, The Abstract Wild, set me out to order a copy.

The thread that bonds ‘us’ is our deep love and caring for animals, whether real or virtual. I have found it as easy to care for the lives of Jak and Audacity and suffer through their struggles as I have with Hugo Yugo and her teeth. Now, seeing the second hatch on the Kistachie E3 nest being beaten to death and starving causes acute anxiety and tears. Gessner writes about Turner: “In his brilliant manifesto….Jack Turner mourns the loss of our deep connection with animals. Implied in this is our unwillingness to fight for wild animals.” He then quotes Turner: “To reverse this situation we must become so intimate with wild animals, with plants and places, that we answer to their destruction from the gut. Like when we discover the landlady strangling our cat.” (135)

We turn to nature, to the trails in the woods, to the open skies for relief from what is surely a deplorable state on our planet. Nature is healing. I can no longer read the news where country upon country is attacking others and killing ordinary people, destroying their lives and homes – and, of course, the pets and the wildlife alongside this. Or the news that truck loads of people have powerful rifles and are aiming at the skies in Lebanon to kill innocent storks – the ones who survived the winter and the long migration and are returning to breed. What makes us so unique to think we can do this? Thank goodness there are a few people willing to get out there and stand up to make sure those people leave.

Each of us needs to find a way to stand up and help. And it doesn’t have to be money because everyone is struggling in this current economy. We have discussed this before, but right now, your volunteering, those old clean sheets, that bottle of bleach or detergent, and a flat of cat or dog food are more needed than ever. Each day, more beautiful animals are being left tied to the doors of pet shelters, surrendered by families who can no longer afford to feed themselves, never mind a much-loved pet. Help if you can in whatever way you can. Time, money, making phone calls, helping with fundraising, whatever…please help. Even that single bowl of water refilled during the day for migrating birds is a huge help. Do not underestimate these small acts of kindness. They save lives. Show that humans do care about wildlife and domesticated pets. Stay positive! Look for the beauty. It is right there, and it might need your help.

Turning to something different, I am so happy today. In the very late fall, when snow and ice were at the nature centre, we found two Canada Geese. They were ‘stranded’ here, and it was too late to fly. We told the lovely girl at reception, and she phoned Wildlife Haven, and they picked them up to add to four others from the centre from the previous day. Today, all six were released to the lake to join hundreds of other geese that have arrived, marking spring in Manitoba.

It was so lovely to be there to witness their return! [Please note the pet carriers. All rehab centers need them to help transport animals. If you have some sitting around please do donate them!]

All of the preparations for the outside animals have been made along with The Girls or our mini-break to Hecla Island. We are not gone long, returning late on Friday. We have a new cat sitter, but a miracle has happened. I do not know why we are so blessed, but I will take it. Anne, who has been with us for 15 months, helping with respite care for Don and giving me a break, has offered to take care of the girls when we travel. The Girls love Anne, they know her well. They run to the door when she arrives. This is so much of a relief. I do not know how many longer trips there are in our future, but I know that I will be much more relaxed now!

Bald Eagle News:

NE Florida: Bodie is learning to live like an eagle and doing well. (more news below)

Kisatchie E3: Three fish came on the nest. The eldest got all of then while the youngest was both submissive and attacked vigorously by the oldest almost to the point of death. They are both starving. The oldest will live another day, but will the youngest. This nest needs food, more food so that the adult might ‘decide’ (she or he is ignoring it)* and intruders and owls are not helping. Send them positive wishes, please. (Warning or watching this nest).

*As we have often seen, adults do not respond to chicks that are submissive and hungry. This nest was going OK, not great but it had the potential to fledge two. Now that is in jeopardy.

West End: Makaio’s new mate FV at the West End nest has been chosen by a donor an winner in the nest challenge.

Big Bear Valley: The two eaglets are doing fantastic. https://youtu.be/65ANhlrmBtc?

Cardinal Land Conservancy: Hatch and a pip.

Sauces Canyon: Jak and Audacity do not wish for SC1 to go hungry. The nest is full of seal placenta, seabirds of some type, fish. The little one is so protected in that deep nest bowl. This family is simply delightful.

The first egg has been laid at the Surrey Bald Eagle nest of Brit and Rey in British Columbia, Canada.

‘J’ sends sad news from PA County Farm:

Osprey News:

Heidi’s News:

3/18 – Fenwick Island osprey nest (Delaware, Captain Mac’s Fish House) – Woohoo, Johnny arrived back at the nest a day after we first saw June.  How wonderful!  Happy to see this pair again.  Last season, June and Johnny lost their first two eggs to crows… so “I would advise that you two be more diligent this season, okay?”  lol.

3/18 – Wolf Bay osprey nest (Alabama) – Congratulations to Josie and Bert.  Egg #2 was laid in the early morning hours today.  

3/18 – South Cape May Meadows osprey nest (New Jersey) – We have been awaiting the return of Hera and Zeus from their migration.  Last season their two very young babies were predated by a Great Horned Owl.  Then this morning… We witnessed a GHO visit the nest, and our hearts sank.  

Thank you, Heidi.

There has been no news of new arrivals in the UK or Europe at the time of this writing.

Eschenbach, Germany: “Herbert is already in nesting mode and has started working on the nest, carrying and moving branches. He is waiting for Hermine, of course, but if there are other candidates, the place must be attractive, not only for the capabilities of the titular male, but also for the comfort it offers. A long migration is well worth it!”

PARQUE NACIONAL MARÍTIMO-TERRESTRE DEL ARCHIPIÉLAGO DE CABRERA: Both adults have arrived at the nest and are refurbishing and mating. https://youtu.be/vEaRhXjFrkc?

Loch of the Lowes: Blue NC0 has begun refurbishing her nest waiting for the male who will be her new mate and provider.

Not only is Blue NC0 a good mother, she is also an amazing fisher. Look at that salmon!!!!!!!!

Guildford, Connecticut: Osprey on the nest!

Threave: Osprey has touched down. Believed to be a male. We are hoping it is Black 80.

Other Nest News:

At 4:51:54, Beau takes a fish from the juvenile intruder and gives it to Bodie who horks that fish down looking straight at the camera. While we might all have been ‘sick’ to see this intruder, it is possible that Bodie not having a sibling has learned many survival skills she will need in the wild by having this visitor.

They appear to be ‘friends’ now as long as it does not involve food. Bodie beaked and protected his food yesterday. This is a great learning experience. I think Gabby and Beau have decided that too.

San Jose City Hall: Monty and Hartley have 4 eggs!!!!!!! https://youtu.be/Wq4JNWh-1_s?

News from Knepp Farm and Storrington.

World Bird Sanctuary: Our dear Murphy who incubated an egg and adopted an eaglet has passed.

Lebanon: Illegal hunting of our beautiful storks in Lebanon: Dispicable.

Royal Albatross Colony: The Royal Cam chick is growing at Taiaroa Head. https://youtu.be/NNmkH964pvk?

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care of yourself. Tomorrow we leave for Hecla Island. We will return on Friday after hopefully seeing American White Pelicans, Trumpeter Swans, and Geese that have arrived recently. I do not know if I will be sending out a blog during that time but I will be back with you for sure on Saturday.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, articles, images, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, J’, NEFL-AEF, Carol Shores Rifkin, Institute for Wildlife Studies, Fenwick Island, Wolf Bay, SCMM, Eschenbach Ospreys, PARQUE NACIONAL MARÍTIMO-TERRESTRE DEL ARCHIPIÉLAGO DE CABRERA, Loch of the Lowes, Guildford Connecticut Osprey Group, SK Hideaways, Knepp Farm and Torrington Storks, World Bird Sanctuary, Maria Marika, Elain, IWS/Explore, Kistachie National Forest E3, PA Country Farm

Maya is home! Monday in Bird World

17 March 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

For those celebrating St Paddy’s Day, enjoy!

Best news of the morning! Geemeff writes” 09.51 Intruder Blue 25 is on the nest when resident male Blue 33 lands, looking agitated. Suddenly a third Osprey appears and lands at 09.52.26 – it’s Maya! There is much display of wings from all three but not much sound, then Blue 25 takes herself off as the rightful female has returned. Welcome home Maya!”

https://youtu.be/mVrB7ZbMqsk

‘The Girls’ informed me that they have been ignored. So I tried to take some photos of them relaxing in the sitting room this morning.

Who could resist those eyes? They are like celadon or beautiful green glass. Baby Hope is the sweetest, most quiet, peaceful young lady.

Her mother is equally beautiful, but not ‘so sweet’. Calico wants to be the ‘boss’. At the same time, she wants to be held and cuddled ever so tightly. Calico has gorgeous eyes, too but there is something about the placement and/or the shape of Baby Hope’s that just shock you into stillness.

Missey prefers spending her time sunning herself on the wickers. She is so wooly!!!!!!

The angle makes her look a little ‘plump’. Hugo Yugo isn’t but she is a real character always getting into trouble and it is possible to hear her crying a block away. Her teeth are bothering her. It is such a shame.

At the nest of Jackie and Shadow in Big Bear, Jackie removed the deceased eaglet from the nest and flew away with it. Sometimes the dead chicks become part of the nest, sometimes they are taken a distance from the nest, and sometimes they are eaten. This is all normal behaviour. Research on ospreys has shown that they often take the little chicks a distance of about 100 metres.

A video of the removal: https://youtu.be/SHjEbOZZ-ZY?

The other two chicks have eaten well. The nest is full of prey items and one even has enough energy to start bonking the other. It feels good! I was quite worried that they would get a chill.

Jak and Audacity are overjoyed to have a baby. The number of dual feedings is substantial. They are such proud parents!

The little one at Moorings Park is doing very well, indeed.

So far there is not an egg at the nest of Liberty and Guardian. Information provided says, “Liberty has not laid her 1st egg yet & she is now past her latest egg laying date ever including a 2nd Clutch in 2017 where she laid an egg on 3/10 & 3/13. This is uncharted waters for Liberty who has laid eggs every season for the last 19 years with her 3 different mates. It is also uncharted waters for all of us who love & follow them. We don’t always know why things like this happen but we do know that we need to continue to TRUST THE EAGLES! Everything happens for a reason even though we may not always know what that reason is. So let’s sit back & enjoy watching Liberty & Guardian as their beautiful bond continues to deepen day by day.”

Is there hope? Liberty continues to stay on the nest in the rain Sunday evening.

Gary gives us some insight: https://youtu.be/UFoKgEa6zHc?

The American Eagle Foundation captured the antics of the visiting juvenile to Gabby, Beau, and Bodie’s nest: https://youtu.be/vn9M7Es8HFU?s

Is there a tragedy brewing for the two fully feathered juveniles on Kisatchie Forest’s E3 nest? An adult arrives at 19:19:40 empty taloned and is attacked by the starving eaglet.

The eaglets have been searching for anything on the nest to eat and resting. There is a lake you can see that is stocked each year with fish. What in the world is going on at this nest. Is this a repeat of what happened at Boundary Bay in BC?

The adult fed the oldest one a bite of something, nothing really, and the little one went into submission. Adult went to branch. Are the adults ill? Are there intruders? Where on earth is the fish from that lake?

Even first time parents – here I am thinking of Louis and Anna at the E1 nest – filled their pantry with fish. 20 one day! There is something incredibly wrong. It is a shame to sit and see these beautiful babies starve to death.

What a challenging year it has been, starting with the deaths of E24 and E25 of HPAI at SW Florida. As one reader said today, there is so much more of the season to go and so far it has been devastating. Another said that, to add insult to injury, pigeons are now roosting on The Campanile as we mourn the possible loss of Annie and Archie.

A research project is focusing on Annie and her impact on our lives. They are requesting anecdotal stories. Please do consider contributing. I could not imagine a world without Annie and Grinnell and now to have lost so many other mates and possibly Annie now is beyond thinking.

“What have Berkeley’s falcons meant to you? Gretchen Kell from UC Berkeley’s news office is looking for personal anecdotes with specific examples of how Annie and company have impacted your life/health/awareness, during the pandemic or any time Email her at gkell@berkeley.edu.

The trio appear to be all over the nest at Duke Farms and they seem to be doing alright.

A Harris Hawk threatens the people of a UK village!

It clawed the back of my head’: the Hertfordshire village harassed by a hawkhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/mar/14/hawk-attacks-flamstead-hertfordshire?CMP=share_btn_url

“Harris Hawk 6d” by ahisgett is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

The challenges facing Harris Hawks are many:

Harris’s Hawks face challenges like habitat loss from urbanization and oil/gas development, electrocution on power lines, poisoning, and vehicle collisions, which are common threats to birds of prey. 

Here’s a more detailed look at the challenges:

  • Habitat Loss:
    • Urbanization and oil/gas development reduce habitat quality and prey availability. 
    • Loss of natural perches and nesting sites can lead to hawks perching on power poles, increasing the risk of electrocution. 
    • Harris’s hawks are known to live in sparse woodland, semi-desert, and marshes, so habitat destruction in these areas poses a significant threat. 
  • Human-Related Threats:
    • Electrocution: Perching on power poles, which are often unshielded, can lead to electrocution and death. 
    • Poisoning: Poisoning from pesticides or other toxins can affect Harris’s hawks. 
    • Vehicle Collisions: Collisions with vehicles can cause injury or death. 
    • Killing by Humans: While not as common, some hawks are killed by humans. 
  • Natural Challenges:
    • Drought: Droughts can reduce prey availability and impact nesting success. 
    • Fire Weather: Droughts and fire weather can lead to habitat loss and increased risks for hawks and their nests. 
    • Spring Heat Waves: Spring heat waves can endanger young birds in the nest. 
  • Captive Breeding Challenges:
    • Isolation: Harris’s hawks are social animals, and isolation can lead to behavioral problems like thigh-plucking, aggression, and mis-imprinting. 
    • Overdependence on Falconer: Overdependence on the falconer, often promoted by food association, can create problems with captive-bred hawks. 

Other birds are facing challenges – indeed, all of them. Birds Canada gives an interesting webinar on what our forest birds are finding difficult in our world today. Notice that I said, ‘our world’. Birds around the world are facing the same challenges. https://youtu.be/_vX4K3HO7IM?

At the time of this writing, the fledglings, Dasher and Dancer, had not returned to the nest at Captiva.

Snow in Michigan. Traverse Eagles trying to keep their eggs warm and dry.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please send all your good wishes to all of the nests. It is an unusual year and they need all the help we can send them. Take care. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, pictures, streaming cams, videos, and articles that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, H, J, MP, SP’, SK Hideaways, FOBBV, IWS/Explore, Moorings Park Ospreys, FORE, Gary’s Eagle Videos, American Eagle Foundation, Kisatchie National Forest E3 Bald Eagle Nest, Cal Falcons, Duke Farms, The Guardian, Open Verse, Birds Canada, Traverse City Bald Eagles

Sunday in Bird World

16 March 2025

Hello Everyone!

We hope that you have had a glorious weekend! While it was nice weather during the week the cold winds hit bringing in some freezing rain that is still lingering. Did you know that kitty litter is very good for melting ice?

I wonder which nests you have been watching?

Many of you have commented that watching what is happening at the nest of Gabby and Beau is causing you a lot of anxiety. The juvenile did return to the NEFL nest of Gabby, Beau, and Bodie. The fledgling from another nest – probably lost from their own nest and hungry – was ushered off unceremoniously several times by the adults.

It is a lot of drama and I know it is difficult to watch. Gabby’s fledgling was also lost one season and could not find her nest for a week or so and she was so exhausted that she stayed home for a month once she found her nest! I feel sorry for this one – hungry and lost. Life is confusing enough and these eaglet is young. Let us hope it finds its home – and I hope its parents are alive and have prey on the nest.

Of course, you could be watching the miracle child of Jak and Audacity. What an amazing ending after years of waiting. Audacity and Jak wanting a little eaglet so much! Well, here it is!

Jak is so excited. There is fish all over for this little blessing. They are also eating the placenta from the seals that are having pups in the harbour. This is really good food for that baby.

‘A’ writes on Sunday: “The new baby at Sauces is the sweetest fluffiest little person with the cutest wee face. It is strong and active and was eating eagerly when I watched it with Audacity at lunchtime today. I was concerned that the nest bowl was too deep but the chick seems to have no trouble peering above the rim, and given the current lack of baby rails (get moving, Jak, this nest requires some toddler-proofing), it’s a good thing that the bowl is deep! As long as no-one pulls a load of grass in there and buries the baby! Or tugs a fish on top of it and squashes it! So far, Audacity is being very careful with her pride and joy.  

Lunch today was some sort of rodent, and the little one ate eagerly, managing very large bites for what I believe was its first meal. The blood all over the nest comes from yesterday’s treat for the new mum – seal placenta apparently. It does look absolutely gruesome but is of course incredibly nutritious. I have no idea of its calcium value (god knows Audacity needs to replenish that, as her body has been cannibalising her own skeletal structure season after season as she has laid all those eggs). It looks well, despite its difficult hatch (it has managed to get every piece of shell off) and it seems healthy. I have high hopes for this little family. Jak stayed on the nest after delivering lunch and seemed to want to help with the feeding, leaning in to the chick on a couple of occasions  Audacity mixed in some seal placenta with the rodent, and I’m sure the level of nutrition from that placenta would be amazing for a newly hatched chick. “

At the nest of Jackie and Shadow, the two surviving chicks of that terrible winter storm appear to be alright. Please send them your good wishes because they, too, got cold and wet despite all the good care of Jackie and Shadow.

Fish are now on the menu at Big Bear along with a pile of Coot!

Shadow comes to say good night to Jackie and the kiddos. https://youtu.be/BtNhMzwjDqY?

Sunday breakfast and all looks good except the kids are alone and uncovered. I sure hope that sun is warm.

At Manton Bay, Blue 33 (11) continues to wait for Maya, his mate who is fifteen years old this spring.

Sisters Blue 24 and 25 have both visited the Manton Bay nest hoping that Blue 33 will bring more fish for them. I sure hope Maya gets home safely and if she doesn’t, I hope that Blue 33 gets a mate worthy of him!!!!!!!

Blue 33 is known, sometimes sadly, for bringing large live fish to the nest. He was caught on video by Geemeff battling one of those a couple of days ago! https://youtu.be/9a8cvy7GrJo?

On Sunday, Geemeff writes about the shenanigans at Rutland: “Fingers crossed that both Maya and Blue 11 return safely. Meantime, this looks like a successful mating between 33 and 25, judging by the way she shakes her tail feathers. Or at least, much better than his attempts earlier today.”

https://youtu.be/QhcMVRfb6kA

Two cutie pies at Port Tobacco!

There are now three at PA Farm Country!

A nice fish came on the Kisatchie E3 nest. The eldest ate first while the little one was submissive, almost hanging over the edge of the nest to its peril. but it clung on, listened, watched, and is getting good at the snatch and grab after the oldest one is full. Oh, help this nest. It needs more food and there are tornadoes in the area tonight (Saturday). It was two days ago – on Thursday that 04 had a really nice crop. He needs to not be so fearful and snatch and grab more. It is hard with such an aggressive older sibling. They sometimes go to bed very hungry. What is happening with deliveries and fish from the lake? Anyone know?

Beautiful little eaglet at the Johnson City nest of Boone and Jolene.

Two wee ones at Bluff City. Franklin and Frances each brought in fish and the kids ate well.

Tornadoes and big storms passing through parts of the US. Berry College seems to be right in the middle of it with rain and lighting at the old nest. Pa and Missey are using another nest so I have no news on eggs.

Oh, what a sweet little osplet at the Moorings Park nest. And it is going to be a healthy one, a fat little bottom full of fish!

Hard to see but that little one at Frenchman’s Creek seems to be doing well, too.

There were at least two fish deliveries at Duke Farms and all ate well and had crops. The little one even had a private feeding.

Are these the official names? If so, I missed it! Harpo, Meechi, Jupi???

Hartley and Monty now have three eggs at the San Jose City Hall scrape!!!!!!!!! https://youtu.be/BqfENvs4uec?

Now we can see those eggs at San Jose! https://youtu.be/jOnjWZ6PGjk?

The first egg for Frida at the Falcon Cam in New Jersey was laid on Saturday.

Gorgeous Milda incubating her two WTE eggs in Latvia.

Ever wonder what gulls eat besides fries at the sea side?

From profiteroles to moles: project uncovers gulls’ surprising diethttps://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/15/from-profiteroles-to-moles-project-uncovers-gulls-surprising-diet?CMP=share_btn_url

Calico wishes to thank everyone who helped with her fundraising. She is pleased to report that when all the funds are in by the end of March, she will donate $420 to two of the charities that care for feral mothers and their kittens, trying to find them homes and for abandoned pets. She is delighted. Thank you so much! Fundraising is over for this spring.

I cannot tell you how much I miss Akecheta and Thunder. We have had so many losses this year, but this one really gutted me and still does – along with Annie and Alden. I know. They all took a piece of us, some more than others.

This was posted and I wanted to share it so that you will go to the Channel Islans Eagle Lovers: CIEL Facebook group to see the entire video clip of Akecheta courting Thunder!

Thank you for joining us today. On Wednesday, we are going on a mini-break to Hecla Island. We hope the weather is not too frigid and that we will see more geese and even the arrival of some American White Pelicans. I will post on Wednesday, take a few days break, and return on Saturday. Take care of yourself during that time. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, images, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘A, Geemeff, Heidi, J’, NEFL-AEF, IWS/Explore (Sauces Canyon), FOBBV, LRWT, Geemeff, Port Tobacco Eagle Cam, Lori Staely and HDonTap, Kisatchie E3 Bald Eagle nest, Union County Falcon Cam, LDF, The Guardian, SK Hideaways and San Jose Falcons, Berry College Eagles, Moorings Park Ospreys, Frenchman’s Creek Ospreys, Stephanie Ross and CIEL, SK Hideaways and FOBBV, Geemeff

Tears. Baby for Jak and Audacity. Saturday in Bird World

15 March 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

Jak and Audacity’s baby worked its way, a long time, out of that crushed shell to the joy of everyone who has cheered and cried for this couple.

Just look!

It is cold to the bone on the Canadian Prairies despite the hint of spring arriving. There were two beautiful Blue Jays in the garden along with the two crows so it appears that all is well with part of the garden family. Brock is eating as I write. The Girls are resting – waiting for their late night snack.

I am certain that most of you have checked on several Bald Eagle nests today including that of Jackie and Shadow, Jak and Audacity, and Beau an Gabby. Maybe you even went to see if the eaglets at Kistachie E3 have been fed.

There were still two eaglets at the nest of Jackie and Shadow on Friday. More Coot has come to the nest supplementing the usual fish. The snow on the water must be keeping the fish at bay.

In the feeding below both are up. Earlier they appeared cold and worry set in. We do not know the fate of the the other eaglet (I am not saying it was the third hatch – it looked to be the second to me but the experts can confirm). It has made our hearts drop and feel ever so sad. But let us wish these two a long and healthy life.

I am worried that one of the eaglets does not appear as well as the other.

‘PB’ reports that both eaglets were fed well at 17:28. The feeding lasted approximately 10 minutes for the eaglets and another five for the adult. I wonder if the one is ‘sweaty’ from the warm brood patch or damp from the nest???

Feeding video by SK Hideaways: https://youtu.be/_SpuLJYXMh8?

Saturday morning and both eaglets are alive at Big Bear. We might never know which one perished.

Hatched! The last time I checked on Friday the eaglet at Sauces was still trying to break free of that membrane.

That eaglet is moving and moving and it looks like it is almost here. Pinch me please.

VH Hock caught it on video. This is a small capture form that FB video:

Dr Sharpe says:

So many are hoping so much, hoping beyond hope for this couple. Thanks, J.

The two eaglets at the Kisatchie E3 nest were fed yesterday and there was food on the nest today. Some relief there!

I believe you are looking at the only hatch at Moorings Park Osprey platform in Florida this season. The other eggs do not appear viable. Let us wish this one strength!

Was there a visitor at the nest of Gabby and Beau today? Or was i seeing double? Beau finally sent the visitor packing.

Milda and Zorro have two eggs in their White-tail Eagle nest in Durbe County, Latvia. Wonderful.

My heart leaps whenever it sees Blue 33. He has been flying around with fish hoping for his Maya to appear. We need her to come home healthy. She had a difficult year in 2024.

It happened last year. Everyone wants Blue 33! Geemeff writes, “Rutland Ospreys: resident male Blue 33 eventually gives intruder female Blue 25 his fish 

And since I recorded this, there have been mating attempts- hurry home Maya and Blue 11!”

I am waiting for Blue NC0 to land on the Loch of the Lowes nest as well as well as all of the other UK ospreys. Oh, let them have a good season.

We have an egg at Lake Murray. ‘H’ writes: :3/14 – Well, the Lake Murray Osprey nest of Kenny and Lucy really has an egg now.  We don’t know what to make of the fact that they have both been incubating an unseen egg for the past 6 days, which may or may not have been hidden inside of a glove, lol.  We are calling this egg #1, and it was laid on 3/14 at 10:59.”

We can just see a wee osplet from under Mum’s breast at Frenchman’s Creek.

Maintenance on Big Red and Arthur’s cam at Cornell University.

From the nest it appears that Angel and Tom have been working on their nest. There is even a pinecone in the centre!

The eaglets at Hilton Head are getting their juvenile feathers!

Egg at Wolf Bay.

‘J’ asked me if I have purchased or read any books on Flaco, the Eurasian owl that escaped from the Central Park Zoo. As it happens, I am reading the recently released book by David Gessner on Flaco. Half way finished. Will let you know the verdict soon!

Rescuers help birds caught in Cyclone Alfred.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/15/a-perfect-storm-the-dedicated-rescuers-caring-for-sodden-seabirds-blown-in-by-cyclone-alfred?CMP=share_btn_url

Thank you so much for being with us today. I need to take a wee bit of a breath so the postings for the next couple of days might be quite short while we wait to see what happens at Big Bear and Sauces. Surely there will be more osprey arrivals as well. Take care everyone. See you soon.

Thank you so much to the following for their notes, posts, images, conversations, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘Geemeff, H, J, PB’, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, IWS/Explore, VH Hock, Dr Sharpe, Kistachie National Forest E3, Moorings Park, NEFL-AEF, LDF, LRWT, Loch of the Lowes, Lake Murray Ospreys, Frenchman’s Creek Ospreys, Window to Wildlife, Hilton Head Island Trust, The Guardian, Wolf Bay Ospreys, Geemeff

Late Thursday in Bird World

13 March 2025

Hello Everyone,

I had to leave for appointments this morning and I just want to catch you up on a lot of happenings.

First, there is a pip at the nest of Jak and Audacity at Sauces Canyon. Their only surviving egg appears to be viable!

They are thinking this could take longer as it appears to be a crushed hatch.

I am just speechless. Is it possible that this is another miracle unfolding under a lot of feathers? Oh, send them good wishes. That egg is tough. We want this baby out safely.

The Ospreys are arriving at the nests in the UK. This morning we had Blue 35, Blue 25, and Maya’s mate, Blue 33 all at Rutland.

River Gwash Ospreys announced:

 “The first Osprey has arrived back to Rutland. Blue 25 has recently been spotted on the nearby Manton Bay nest at Rutland Water. We’ll keep you posted as to when one arrives here, hopefully next week!🤞“

Most of you know that Blue 33 is my favourite male of all the UK ospreys – and he is in amazing company!

1612 was the arrival time. Within two hours Blue 33 has a big fish on the nest waiting for his Maya.

Screenshot 2025-03-13 at 4.31.53 pmDownload

Jackie and the triplets survived the snow storm! https://youtu.be/4uLYptc_QFE?

At NEFlorida Bodie is self feeding.

In other news, Milda laid her second WTE egg in Latvia while the second egg at Port Tobacco has pipped. Many think Cholyn might lay a second egg at Two Harbours. Be on the lookout.

I am going to take a break tomorrow and I will be back with you on Saturday. I hope to welcome a baby eaglet at Sauces! If this happens, that feels like a magnum of the best champagne!!!!!!!!!

Take care everyone. See you soon.

Thank you to Barbara Wolfsong, IWS/Explore, SK Hideaways, FOBBV, NEFL-AEF, Rutland Water, River Gwash Ospreys

Thursday in Bird World

13 March 2025

Hello Everyone,

Update: Hartley lays second egg and at Port Tobacco the first and second eggs are pipping! Nothing at Sauces yet.

It is +2 and sunny and oh, my goodness, spring is really in the air. No doubt I will write about some huge snow storm hitting us mid-April as it often did on my eldest son’s birthday, but, for now, there is a lovely sound in the garden – bird song!

The deck and gardens are getting cleaned. As you can see there is still some snow and ice. These two wanted a wee bath! But, the water is now out an the bath turned upside down in anticipation of snow arriving Thursday morning.

Dr Sharpe’s talk on the Channel Islands Eagle Restoration! https://youtu.be/f2x_7KyTA90?

Thank you so much for archiving that talk! So much to learn.

At the nest of Jackie and Shadow, it is impossible not to melt when you see those little ones.

SK Hideaways caught this cuteness on video: https://youtu.be/1kiyqM1Y-t4?

‘B’ writes that the weather is turning again. Poor Jackie and Shadow have a nest full and can’t get a break with the weather!

“The weather at Big Bear is looking better today (Wednesday) than I had expected, given the previous forecasts.  But the bensweather.com prediction now shows the heaviest snow tomorrow (and snow continuing Friday), so still a good time to lay in supplies! ”

Bodie. Not so long ago, this magnificent juvenile eaglet was the size of those little bobbleheads. It is hard to remember. Bodie was our first miracle that gave us hope.

I have to admit that like many of you I have been so captivated by the triplets at Big Bear and Bodie that I have not checked on other nests today. This will be a short posting!

GLG has returned to the Royal Cam chick after foraging. What a gorgeous sky call. https://youtu.be/Nl3qnUZKGCo?

Meanwhile, on the Cornell Campus, Big Red and Arthur are busy working on their nest. We will have eggs in a fortnight! https://youtu.be/Ebb5ZPRcZTs?

White Storks are incubating eggs at Knepp Farm.

One egg has hatched at Moorings Park.

No eggs for Edie and Lloyd at Captiva yet. It is late. Maybe the nest will be empty this year.

Food is scarce or not existent at the Kistachie E3 nest. What in the world is wrong? Please send good wishes to them, please.

Important condor dies of lead poisoning. Please let us end this painful and needless way for our wildlife to die.

There is concern that the only surviving egg at Sauces is not viable. Still waiting at Port Tobacco and also for that second egg at the nest of Bonnie and Clyde. We had all hoped that Jak and Audacity would have a family this year. We will give it a couple more days.

‘L’ writes that the Bald Eagle Cam at the Sutton Centre in Bartlesville, Oklahoma is up and running with eagles on the nest.

‘J’ sent a note that Keke at Superbeaks had fledged and returned to the nest successfully.

The birds are migrating.

Howard was the Bald Eagle that the great folks at Wild Heart Ranch helped through a series of ‘boots’. Look at how well he is doing now.

Poachers being arrested that have been killing our beautiful storks. The Akkar region is in Lebanon.

The killing of migrant birds for fun in Lebanon (and other areas) has been of ongoing concern.

CyprianKozera-WhiteStorksKillingInLebanonDownload

Thank you for being with me today. I hope you can get outside and smell the freshness of spring. See you soon.

Thank you to the following fort their notes, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘B, J, L’, IWS, SK Hideaways, FOBBV, NEFL-AEF, Cornell Bird Lab, Knepp Farm, Moorings Park Osprey Cam, Window to Wildlife, Kistachie National Forest E3 Bald Eagle Nest, US Weather Service Hastings Nebraska, Wild Heart Ranch, Soraya Z Mouawad, Research Gate

Wednesday in Bird World

12 March 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

It is 1930 Tuesday evening and it is still light on the Canadian prairies. It will not be long til spring is officially here. It would be so nice if the weather were the same! It still feels like winter!!!!!!!!

It will not be long til ospreys are arriving in the UK just like the geese are returning to the spring and summer breeding grounds. Life in Bird World is going to get that much more exciting.

There is a hatch at the GHO nest of Bonnie and Clyde on Farmer Derek’s property.

The third hatch at Big Bear is a real character, a brave little soul. I am counting on this one being a female!

Bonking fest at Big Bear and the little one wins?! https://youtu.be/Dpi6o6e1TTU?

They look like little angels don’t they?

‘A’ comments: “I watched the 14:20 feeding at Big Bear today (10 March) and Jackie was being very diligent about feeding all three. The first two lined up at the table were fed, one then the other, then the first again – she was giving them pieces that seemed way too large but they ate valiantly. One eventually collapsed into a food coma, and the third chick got to the front. Jackie moved around a little to favour it more and then proceeded to feed the remaining chick along with the youngest, who continued to compete throughout the feeding and seemed to do pretty well out of the feeding. All three were fed adequately, and Jackie was very deliberate about it. This gives me a great deal of hope that these three do have a fighting chance to survive – there was no bonking whatsoever at this feeding, even though the youngest was in the front row and I kept expecting a beak to the back of its head. But no, all eyes were on mum and the food, with not a single incident of aggression. It was most heartening, though of course we take things a day at a time. Shadow as usual did his daddy duty whenever he got a chance and alerted Jackie whenever he needed a break;. These two are doing a great job and are sharing the chores between them, with both taking their turns at hunting, fishing, feeding and brooding. What a team. “

The first egg has hatched at PA Farm Country early Tuesday.

Screenshot

There was a Q & A session with Dr Sharpe. ‘J’ found some of the questions and answers for us.

Geemeff sends us news: James River Park is live:news item –

 https://rvahub.com/2025/03/11/osprey-camera-is-back/

nest cam – https://www.youtube.com/live/M_H4YmAVdJA

The Decorah Goose Cam is live! And there are two eggs. The first was laid on the 9th and the second on the 11th.

Video of that first egg for Hartley and Monty at San Jose. https://youtu.be/-CTUMjflTyo?

Bodie still takes our breath away. She is so beautiful.

‘A’ considers: “At NEFL, I agree with you that Bodie must be a big beautiful female like her mum. She is gigantic! I’m not sure she is particularly motivated to leave home just yet, having been so spoiled by Gabby and Beau. Tonight, Gabby is sleeping on the nest with her giant daughter, perhaps aware she won’t have her around for too much longer. What a wonderful season it has been for this couple. This nest has really lived up to all the hopes we had for it when Gabby first showed an interest in V3 all that time ago. To see their love story come to this is so wonderful, it brings tears to my eyes all over again. Darling Gabby really deserves a guy like Beau – he has turned out to be the mate we hoped he would be for her. And what a great dad he has been. “

Just look at gorgeous Iniko (1031), daughter of King Pin and Rewood Queen.

The Oregon Zoo has thirteen California Condor eggs this year!

Sun Coast Osprey Cam is up and running.

I always get the feeling that the E3 nest in the Kistachie Forest needs more food. I remember Louis bringing in piles an piles of fish to E1 – what is happening at E3 this year?

One tiny little osplet at Frenchman’s Creek.

Food is in very short supply – or appears to be – at the ETSU Bluff City nest.

Will Cholyn and Milda lay a second egg today?

Thank you so much for being with us today for this brief catch up with some of the nests. Take care everyone. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, posts, images, articles, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, J, SP’, Farmer Derek GHO Cam, SK Hideaways, FOBBV, HDonTap, Dr Sharpe an the IWS, James River Park, NEFL-AEF, Ventana Willife Society, Sun Coast Osprey and Lucille Powell, Kistachie National Forest, Frenchman’s Creek Ospreys, Bald Eagle Cams ETSU and Terry Anita

Monday in Bird World

10 March 2025

Hello Everyone!

UPDATE: Chase and Cholyn have their first egg at Two Harbours.

It is +5 and it was a remarkable Sunday on the Canadian Prairies. There were eleven Canada Geese at the nature centre enjoying the open water while children tried their luck at ice fishing at the other end of the lake.

It is going to snow today with the temperatures dropping to -15 C. It felt like spring on Saturday and Sunday and this was remarkable in lifting our spirits. We were outside without heavy coats!!!!!!! The birds are singing, the squirrels are playing chase, and well, life feels so good. Winter is ending.

The arrival of the geese signal the arrival of spring.

‘PB’ sent me a post showing the Kearney Centre where they have never seen so many Cranes an snow geese at one time at the Nebraska site. Our feathered friends are on the move!

This is the image posted by Michelle Neville and sent to me by ‘PB’. Isn’t this amazing?

All of the staring at the Big Bear triplets caused me to miss the first hatch at Moorings Park. Apologies all around! Thank goodness it is a nest that ‘H’ is watching for the forms, and if anyone ever doubts her observations , well, don’t. Believe her regardless of what all the chatter is saying. She is persistent. She will stay up all night watching frame by frame to make certain she has it. So here is the report, “Moorings Park had its first hatch this morning at 0726, at 39.5 days if it was egg #1.  It could have been egg 2 at 36.5 days. This year, eggs 1 and 2 were very similar.  So, if there is a DNH (and I’m hoping there is), then I may go back in and modify the hatch order of the eggs.) [We first saw a small pip at 2357 on 3/8. I searched the entire evening, and could not see an earlier pip.  Last season at Moorings only two eggs hatched, and the experts on the chat said that egg #1 did not hatch. I think we have egg 3 as DNH in the forms, but I do recall them saying egg 1 didn’t hatch.”

Watching the baby at Big Bear. These triplets are so cute. That first hatch is a bit of a corker. Love this family!

‘B’ reports more weather coming to Big Bear: “More weather is forecast for Big Bear — snow predicted for Tues, Wed, Thurs. Fingers crossed — glad the chicks are still small.

https://www.bensweather.com

Glad that Shadow brought in 5 fish on Sunday.  Better keep busy today!  The feedings of the little ones are so cute, especially those tandem feedings.

The rays of the sun kissed those adorable babies.

Lots of food coming to the Big Bear nest! https://youtu.be/r2IjbNsj4Eo?

More than 31,000 souls watched this dual feeding!!!!!!!!!

SK Hideaways caught this dual feeding on video: https://youtu.be/VV9DnU30QAs?

The second hatch at the Kisatchie National Forest E3 Bald Eagle nest is really getting a raw deal from its older sibling. One would have thought that the dominance would have ended. Is there a problem with the amount of food being brought to the nest that is causing this type of bonking?

No food for the younger one this time round.

E04 will get some foo but the viscious attacks have really caused it to be hyper cautious and often not eat.

Andria II is very much aware of what is happening on the nest and made several attempts to ensure 04 had some food.

The Institute for Wildlife Studies has announced Dr Sharpe’s successor and the information for the Adoption Challenge for 2025. Here is the post. This is their big fundraiser and you could get a chance to name an eaglet! One of our readers did just that for one of Akecheta’s triplets. What an honour.

Bald Eagle chart, thank you for checking all those locations and sending this to us, ‘J’: (I cannot make it any larger). E is pip or hatch watch. F is the hatch date.

At the nest of Beau and Gabby, the adults have to watch their talons when they deliver food to Bodie. This big girl really loves her prey. She is gorgeous. It has really been a joy watching this new family raise its first eaglet (yes, I know Beau has been around for a few years, but this is the first year as a ‘family’).

Bodie is so good at the snatch and grab. Beau and Gabby are training their only youngster to survive in the world when it did not have the chance to scrap with siblings! Watch: https://youtu.be/orZm8josGhg?

Mum and Dad were very protective of their two beautiful eaglets during a recent storm in the Dallas area!

Certainly only eaglet at Johnson City is such a cutie and could well have a life of bliss like Bodie.

The triplets at Duke Farm seem to be doing fine. Life can change quickly.

‘J’ sends news that the Osprey ambassador Oliver at Marathon (home to Rita) has died.

It is not an osprey but a Sparrowhawk at Loch Arkaig. https://youtu.be/5eeCTuyXl-8

The loss of butterflies is catastrophic – a wake up call to us!

Butterfly population in US shrinking by 22% over last 20 years, study showshttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/06/declining-butterfly-populations?CMP=share_btn_url

Upcoming pip watches: Port Tobacco and Sauces starts and we wait for hatch for Bonnie an Clyde at the GHO nest on Farmer Derek’s Property in Kansas.

News from ‘A”: “Tom and Angel are spending time at the nest most days though not all. They are still bringing pine sprigs to the nest and doing a lot of nest cupping so they appear to have largely completed the early structural work (although more baby rails will no doubt be added once any hatchling/s start venturing out of the nest bowl) and are now perfecting the soft surface in the centre of the nest and trying to eject the pine cones that fall into it. There is still no guarantee that they have committed to a clutch at this location this season but we watch and hope. At least they both appear healthy and their pair bond remains strong. 

At Taiaroa Head, I’m not sure if you heard the news that the DNA results showed our chick to be a female. She is getting fed regularly and is rapidly becoming a gorgeous snowy-white fluffball. I love that her plumage is unstained by regurgitation, indicating that there has been no incident to cause her undue stress or fear during the post-guard period. She sure is an adventurous small person and has explored the vicinity of her nest, A rat was seen on the camera yesterday morning and ranger Sharyn advised that they have been catching a larger number of rats than usual at this time of year in the traps the rangers set. The albie chicks should be large enough to not be endangered by the rats but apparently they are a major hazard for the little blue penguins, who are only breeding successfully in areas where there is trapping. We need to be incredibly grateful for the work these rangers do to protect not just the albies but also the other native wildlife of this area. “

Thank you so much for being with me today. My goal is to post ‘some’ news each day. It will not be a full account of every nest! I do hope that you find something enjoyable and valuable. Take care everyone. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, articles, announcements, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, B, Geemeff, H, J, PB’, Michelle Neville, Moorings Park Ospreys, FOBBV, Ben’s Weather, SK Hideaways, Kistachie National Forest E3 Bald Eagle Cam, IWS, NEFL-AEF, AEF, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Johnson City ETSU, Duke Farms, Marathon Wildlife Centre, Geemeff, The Guardian