Tuesday was a beautiful day in the Canadian prairies. Oh, you cannot know how grateful I am. We have been planning to take Anne to Bird’s Hill Park to hand-feed the Black-capped Chickadees. She has heard us talk about our walks there and how the wee songbirds land on your hands to take the Black oilseed. It is a pre-Thanksgiving ‘thank you’ to Anne. I could not survive without her help and support.
It was so warm that we had a wee picnic of sorts at Pineridge Hollow. Toby was so good, and I am certain that The Girls were happy to have a wee break from their brother for the afternoon. It was just a perfect day. Walking the trails among the tall pine trees was renewing!
The little birds did not disappoint!
It was a wonderful surprise Tuesday evening to see that the Dark-eyed Juncos have returned from the north and have stopped over in the garden to fatten up for migration! There were at least two dozen of them pecking away at the seed on the deck. I hope to get some decent images of them for the next blog. They are so cute!
Several have asked about Brock. He is still here despite Toby. Toby seems to know when Brock is around. So Brock and I have developed a method of getting his food to him without Toby knowing. Brock comes to the door and lets me know he is waiting for food. Once I see him, he goes under the deck and waits. I take out the food, sometimes with Toby, and then as I close the door and secure Toby inside, I call ‘kitty kitty’. Brock will come out to eat within five minutes.
Migration count is underway in West Africa, posted by Mary Cheadle:
Dyfi have posted a wonderful blog, and I urge each of you to read it. Mrs G is the ‘UK Iris’ equivalent who bred at Glaslyn. Her last mate was the adorable Aran, who was usurped this year by Teifi. Perhaps Aran will return and take his nest with Elen in 2026, as the nest failed this year due to all the drama. We will wait. Aran will need to return early and work to win Elen’s heart. Elen might be smart to breed with Aran again because his chicks (along with Mrs G’s great DNA) are returning!
Blue 497 -talk about a handsome bird!!!!!!!!! Just look at him. The first Glaslyn male known to be breeding in Wales. Two chicks this year, but one possibly fell out of the nest at 5 weeks, and the other disappeared at 7 weeks, possibly predated by a goshawk.
The cameras at Captiva’sWindow to Wildlife Bald Eagle and Osprey nests are going live today.
Ashley Wilson continues to find Newmann and Elaine at the scrape at Spirit Bluff. They will migrate soon.
The fledgling at the Selati Black Eagle nest has brought its first caught prey to the nest!
Meanwhile, like other Bald Eagles, Jackie and Shadow are returning to their nest to kick start the 2025-26 season at Big Bear Lake.
At the West End, the juvenile Bob returned to spend some time with Haku. https://youtu.be/Hlct5mJkthw? SK Hideaways caught it!
Gorgeous Haku on Tor:
Beau and Gabby are ready for a very successful season at the NE Florida Bald Eagle nest.
The Majestics are working on their Denton Homes nest.
Andor with his blue wing tag at the Fraser Point nest on the Channel Islands. Cruz flew in, too.
The IWS is having its annual fall fundraiser. You could be a winner! At least one of my readers has named one of the eaglets at the West End nest (Treasure), and I was selected to name one of the other eaglets – Phoenix – at one of the other nests without a streaming cam. Many have won beautiful photographs and kit. We are eternally grateful to Dr Sharpe and his team for all the work they did to restore the Bald Eagle population to the islands after the DDT debacle.
There is much discussion over the female (or perhaps both) eagles at the John Bunker Sands Wetlands nest. Is this Mum? Or is it a new female? Is this even Dad??? Without definitive markings (the mark on the head could be an injury, prey blood, etc), it is impossible to know without Darvic Rings.
Checking on the Australian nests –
The 367 Collins Street adults are doing an incredible job feeding and taking care of their triplets in Melbourne.
Dad took over incubation so Mum could have his breakfast. She returned with a really full crop. Oh, hatch is coming so soon – seriously, I cannot wait to see a baby osprey. It seems like forever.
There have been at least nine different species of prey delivered to the kiddos at the 367 Collins Street falcon scrape in Melbourne since they hatched. Nothing short of adorable with their pink beaks and feet but now their eyes appear to be open (normally after five days).
ABC Science discusses the life of urban birds in Melbourne. Have a watch and a listen. They even mention the falcons! https://youtu.be/0EA3VNP2vJM?
Oh, how I love the Sydney sea eaglets. Lady and Dad are doing a magnificent job bringing in prey. Their plumage is stunning. About this time in their development, my stomach gets a little queasy. The mobbing of the eaglets as they fledge, causing them to bolt out of the forest, on occasion, or to be injured and hanging around the Discovery Centre, sends me running for the Gaviscon.
Calico urges you to help her and her feathered friends. Educate those you know who might be opting to get their lawns ‘greener’. The toxins kill the ‘food chain’.
‘PB’ asked me when I plan to publish the results of this year’s Osprey data. I hope to have finished entering my data by the end of October. Heidi is finished! I have the following to enter: 35 nests in Nova Scotia, 18 nests in Italy, and 15 failed nests from Maryland. There are, of course, hundreds and hundreds, if not thousands, of failed nests in Virginia and the surrounding area that will not be in the forms, sadly. We do not have enough information other than that there were no Menhaden for the adults, and the nests failed, resulting in no eggs, eggs being abandoned, or chicks starving to death on the nest.
The report from William & Mary University is below and paints the stark picture that Heidi and I have seen and predicted for a couple of years. I am embarrassed that this is a Canadian Company that is killing the entire ecosystem. It makes me so angry.
If the waters of New Zealand are warming up faster than we can blink, when will the impact hit the various seabird colonies? This article in The Guardian discusses the warming seas.
There is other good news – not just for us but for the birds. I am forever an optimist that we can change the way we live and, in turn, create better spaces for wildlife, including our feathered friends. For the first time, considering the international scene, renewable energy is powering homes and industries instead of fossil fuels. PRC is leading this change. China is rapidly expanding its solar and wind energy capacity, surpassing the total of the rest of the world combined. India has turned to renewables and is lessening their need for coal. Solar power is gaining momentum in Pakistan and various African countries, including Nigeria, Algeria, and Zambia. In fact, solar power provides more than 80% of the new energy.
It’s migration season. Some tips on when to help a bird from Wild Birds Unlimited.
Thank you so much for being with us today! Please take care of yourself. We will see you next Monday if not before! Looking for a hatch at Port Lincoln. Wonder when it will come?
Thank you to the individuals and owners of streaming cams and individuals posting for various FB groups listed in Bold. You keep us informed. A particular shout-out to SK Hideaways for their videos. The Guardian and Bush Heritage Australia continue to publish great articles on wildlife and the environment. We are grateful.
The leaves on the trees in the garden are primarily on the ground. We can now see into the previously hidden back area that was obscured during the summer. Brock continues to sun himself on the farthest woodshed. He is cautious now to let me see him when he comes to the deck for food, preferring to grab my attention and hide under the highest decking, waiting to be sure that Toby is not about. Toby ‘guards’ the territory. It is unclear whether he believes he is a cat, like The Girls, but he decidedly does not like any other animals in the garden, including Mr Crow and Mr Blue Jay. Of course, they pay him no mind. Tonight, Hugo Yugo and Toby are curled up in the small dog bed with HY holding Toby’s head firm and washing and washing his neck. I do think they ‘love’ one another in only a way that they understand.
We have experienced torrential rain and storms, primarily characterised by heavy rain and strong winds. This summer, the province posted that we had only 1/3 the average rainfall – hence, all the wildfires. That has corrected itself. This is good news for all the trees and shrubs that require a lot of moisture before winter arrives. All of the trees and shrubs we planted this year are doing very well. The new Amur Cherry stands tall in the front garden while the Wisteria has wound itself around the stairs and is beginning to climb the side of the porch. I hope to post images of huge clumps of beautiful purple flowers one day. The debate is whether or not to bring the Jasmine plant inside. The problem lies with the aphids, and whether they will also infest the inside plants despite the cleansing and soil changes. The Coral Hibiscus (image near the bottom of the blog) is beautiful, but its flowers are toxic to pets. Although it will not be available for purchase, it can be given to someone who can care for it without harming any cats or dogs. Sometimes the first frost comes and surprises me, and that ends all the debate!
Next Monday is Canadian Thanksgiving. It is timed with the harvest and has nothing in common with the underlying motives for the American Thanksgiving in late November. Ours is more simple – a people grateful for the harvest. We will have guests that otherwise would not be with anyone that day. The Girls and Toby will be delighted for the attention.
We hope that you have been having marvellous times watching that terrific trio of fluff balls in Melbourne at the 367 Collins Street falcon scrape. What cuties they are. The female, F23, looks formidable. I would not want to mix it up with her.
Suzanne Arnold Horning caught Big Red on the Cornell Campus today, and it is always a pleasure and a relief.
The videos by SK Hideaways for the last few days with some new offerings:
Diamond & Gimbir Welcome Their Second Egg (1 Oct 2025)
Diamond laid her and Gimbir’s second egg 59-1/2 hours after the first. Her typical laying interval is between 50 and 60 hours. Congrats, Diamond and Gimbir!
Courtesy FalconCam Project, Charles Sturt University NSW
Gimbir Meets and Nibbles First Egg (2025 Sep 30)
In his first inspection of his and Diamond’s first egg, Gimbir did a good amount of nibbling of the shell during each of his 3-4 inspections. There was no obvious harm done, but Gimbir clearly needs a little daddy training, which is no surprise given his young age. He has performed well in all his other lessons, so we have high hopes for his paternal capabilities.
Courtesy FalconCam Project, Charles Sturt University NSW
Channel Island Eagles, California
West End Bald Eagles🦅Akecheta and Haku Sit Not Quite Side-by-Side on Tor (2025 Oct 2)
After Akecheta’s first visit a week earlier, it was unclear whether he was still in the area. Today’s visit left no doubt when he was positively ID’d sitting near Haku on the middle tor. While not behaving like good friends, Akecheta and Haku did seem comfortable in each other’s company. Only time will tell where this fascinating story goes from here.
Two Harbors Eagles🦅Cholyn & Chase Greet Day in Song🎶22 Years Wedded Bliss (2025 Sep 30)
Cholyn and Chase came together to watch the sunrise and greet the day with their melodious chortles. We never tire of watching this couple’s glorious splendor.
Dad Tries to Feed 5- and 2-Day Old Chicks Whole Prey (2025 Oct 5, 8:22:50)
When Dad M24 arrived with yet another meal for his family, Mum F24 was out. So he did what any super responsible dad would do ~ he tried to feed his chicks. Trouble is, the prey was bigger than the chicks. F24 returned and straightened him out, surely knowing he meant well. (2025 Oct 5, 8:22:50)
Chick #3 Peeks Out at Dusk ~ Makes Grand Appearance in Daylight (2025 Oct 2-3)
Chick #3 peeked out of its shell 2 days after its siblings, hatching in a fashionably late manner. Here we see its arrival at dusk and then its grand appearance the next morning.
Chick #2 Hatches ~ #1 Rolls Out of Nest with Excitement (1 Oct 2025)
Chick #2 snuck out in the dark of night, but dawn provided a grand entrance for the wee one. Chick #1 was so excited they rolled right out of the nest box. Mum F24 eventually rolled them back in. Another celebratory day for the Collins Street falcon family.
Mum F24 and Dad M24 Welcome 1st Chick! (2025 Sep 30)
Mum F24 was on incubation duty when chick #1 appeared from under her. Dad arrived 90 minutes later, seeming slightly perplexed about what to do now that one of his beloved eggs had become a squirming chick. After a bit of revelry, Mum and Dad got back to incubating #2 and #3.
“Forgot to send you this – it’s only about ten seconds but it is a fabulous illustration of (a) how these birds work as a team and (b) how incredible peregrine falcons really are – you must put it into the blog (I’m certain readers would be as impressed by it as I was): https://www.youtube.com/shorts/B8xQJaPB4tw.
Meanwhile, that pigeon Dad brought to the Collins Street ledge early this morning was humongous. Mum was already feeding the littles yesterday’s gigantic pigeon, which she had stashed in the pantry, so Dad dragged his new offering into the gutter and subsequently took it off, presumably to the pantry, which is on a floor (or the roof) above the scrape. Rain is forecast for this afternoon, which will bring Mum’s garage door technique into its own, as none of these chicks is yet able to thermoregulate (they have only natal down at this stage) I have zero concerns in that regard, as Mum is just magnificent at using her wings to shelter her chicks. The best I have ever seen in fact. I love this couple. Could you guess?
At 10.38, Dad brings in yet another pigeon (not as large as the last but definitely a decent piece of prey). This Dad is taking his new parental responsibilities extremely seriously. I don’t think these chicks are going to go hungry at this scrape. Ever. Good on you little Dad. What a partner he’s been for Mum this season.
At WBSE, SE35 is picking at leftovers while SE36 stretches its wings by practising this flapping business their parents seem to utilise to great effect. It’s being very energetic! Go SE36! Oh these two are growing up SO fast. The thought of losing them to their annual battle with the currawongs is worrying me more with every passing day. Lady and Dad have done their usual magnificent job of raising two gorgeous, healthy eaglets, only to have to abandon them to their fate and cross their talons, as it were. And yet they try again each season. I do wish we could get a GPS tracker on these fledglings to see whether any do disperse to an area where they can survive and hopefully breed. As it is, we can only guess (and hope).
At Orange, the ultimate cougar peregrine (Diamond) is incubating her two eggs. Gimbir has done some incubating this morning – he is learning by the day. Here is the summary of the falcons’ activities so far this morning (the time stamps refer to the box cam rather than the nest cam or the tower cam): 3 Oct BONDING 4.47.57, 05.29.55, 05.53.51 (Incubation G 5.05.19, 06:26:19, 7.19.40, 8.30.49)
I think Diamond will whip him into shape very quickly – it’s fascinating to see what instinct drives him to do. He seems to have a very good idea of what he needs to do with these strange things in his scrape but he understands their importance and may even be getting some idea of what’s inside them. But of course we can’t know that. Suffice it to say that Diamond is acting as a strict teacher and Gimbir seems to be an eager student and a quick learner. He is very sweet (like all male peregrines). It will be a real treat to watch him come into his own as a father in front of our eyes. By his second incubating effort of the day (at 06:26:19) he seems to have worked it all out. He knows that if he comes into the scrape and finds the eggs unattended, it is his job to keep them warm and safe. He has also perfected his enfluffling technique and does it perfectly. I am SO proud of our very precocious little man. It’s hard to believe that a year ago,.he was just leaving his own natal nest. And as I said the other day, he has taken on a real challenge in Madame Diamond! (I have to say – and this is NOT for the blog – that he reminds me of my husband when we first met. I was 37 and he had just turned 20 (literally the week before we met). I am a somewhat formidable female but he had no fear of taking that on. Enough said. We had a wonderful ten years. “
From the videos and ‘A’s’ commentary, you can see that all is going well in the Australian nests currently as I wait – rather impatiently – for the hatches at Port Lincoln!!!!!!!
There are still ospreys in the UK who have not left on their migration. This Tweed Valley fledgling is one of them! Thanks, Mary Cheadle!
Want to learn more about White-tail Eagles? You cannot go wrong by listening to this podcast by Dr Tim Mackrill sponsored by the Osprey Leadership Foundation.
At the West End nest (IWS/Explore), Haku has been having trouble with a juvenile coming to the nest! Nestflix Memories caught the battle for the fish on video: https://youtu.be/9rUwR30TjyI?
Do you know what Gabby and Beau are up to at the NE Florida nest? Wings of Whimsy checks up on what has happened during the last week. https://youtu.be/1eSGYv-KPrc?
Time to vote for the Australian Bird of the Year! Remember,New Zealand recently voted the Peregrine Falcon asits Bird of the Year. Maybe we can do this for Australia, too! The Guardian gives us more information.
The image below is the poster and here is the link that will tell you how to vote:
“It wasn’t until I was in my 20s that I realised birds could have a powerful significance even for people who weren’t bird-nerds like me….One day I got a lift with a friend who was really struggling. As she sped through inner city streets sobbing uncontrollably, things started resembling that scene from Vanilla Sky when Cameron Diaz drives Tom Cruise off a bridge. I persuaded her to pull over, and we parked beneath some trees. As I sat, clueless about how to ease her distress, a white-plumed honeyeater flitted down and started hopping around in front of us, searching for insects.
Watching that sweet little bird go about its business was the circuit-breaker we needed. Completely indifferent to our troubles, it connected us to something bigger, putting our issues into perspective and brought a magic sense of wonder at simply being alive. I’m not so woo-woo as to claim that the appearance of a single bird was an instant cure-all, but its presence brought a moment of peace and grace to what had been distraught hopelessness.
Recent studies have shown that this experience is not unique. Playing birdsong in hospital has been shown to reduce levels of both reported pain and anxiety in patients as well as reducing the average time spent before discharge from the ward. A 2020 European study showed that having 14 extra bird species in your neighbourhood raised general happiness levels equivalent to the same boost people would get if they started earning $150 a week more.”
I know that these articles and the importance of birds to our lives is ‘preaching to the choir’ as all os us understand fully the mystical quality that they have over our lives. Each week I get one or two letters from people, mostly strangers, who stop and send me a note telling me how much the birds on the streaming cams have done for their lives. Many have terminal illnesses and their love for the bird families has helped them through great trauma.
Today, I often advise people not to listen to the news, but to go outside instead. Alternatively, consider getting a small bird feeder and placing it so you can watch it from a window. Put out a bird bath and cheer along all the fun the birds have when they are bathing! I promise that even the most dismal moments — and I am certainly no stranger to those – will melt away.
Calico has a couple of book recommendations – not for the fun of reading aloud to four cats and a dog, but rather for those who might feel like they have lost control of their lives. It reminds us not to be so ‘goal-oriented’, making endless lists so that we are productive and feel good about ourselves. She speaks of restorative time – very important! Not just relaxing but restoring. Finding Focus has, on every other page, advice about putting your devices away and finding time to be outside. There is another chapter on eating well. In the past year, I have witnessed friends whose lives have been shattered by sudden deaths in their family and how that has impacted them. To be mentally alert, you must feed your body well. Not with cookies and processed cakes but whole foods. Every since Don was diagnosed with dementia, probably even before, we have practiced eating the ‘rainbow’ – making sure that our plate had all the colours as best we could. Now it is a game to ensure that we have that and are not eating food that has come from a factory. Dear Toby even eats eggs from hens that run free on a farm. We see them living life to the full every week when we pick up our eggs and vegetables. I want each of you to take care of yourself. Life is extremely stressful for many right now.
I mentioned not watching the news. We turned off the television component years ago and now only have a couple of streaming channels so that we can watch several British series. I do not miss not reading the news or listening to commentary that may or may not be informed. We try to focus on the local and take care and make better, if we can, the lives around us. It really does good for your mental health.
The other book is The Almanac. A Seasonal Guide to 2026 is a real gem for those living in the UK. It is a fantastic almanack focusing on the natural world month by month, featuring planting guides, moon cycles, and a genuine focus on the woods and trees. Beautifully presented along with folklore and even recipes!
Raptor Persecution UK researches the killing and disappearance of raptors in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Calico also wants to send you some images from the garden from the last few days when it was 27 °C. There are many more, but I am just learning about this camera and finally found a setting that works for me.
The coral Hibiscus continues to bloom.
One of Dyson’s kits from this past summer.
The European Starlings returned and really have been enjoying a great bath.
Baby Hope is feeling much better after her injury. She is watching one of the Crows cawing on the fence outside the conservatory.
Thank you so much for being with us today. This is going to be a busy week for me, as we had heavy rain for several days during the past week, and there is still much to do to ready the garden for winter. Although we experienced temperatures reaching 28 °C last week, the weather has become considerably cooler. It is now time for warmer coats and toques when we watch Toby – we learned that this evening! Soon, we will be pulling out the winter boots. My point is that all the nests are doing very well. We anxiously await the first hatch with some trepidation at Port Lincoln – we worry every year whether there will be enough fish to sustain the chicks until they fledge. I will post again on Monday, the 13th, our Canadian Thanksgiving, unless we have a hatch or something really significant happens in Bird World. Please take care of yourself. Go outside and enjoy the wonders that fall has to offer – the crunch of leaves beneath your feet and that distinctive autumn ‘aroma’.
Thank you to the individuals and owners of streaming cams and individuals posting for various FB groups listed in Bold. You keep us informed. A particular shout-out to SK Hideaways for their videos and to ‘A’ today for her keen observations on the Australian nests. The Guardian continues to publish great articles on wildlife and the environment, and Raptor Persecution UK keeps reminding us how unsafe it is for raptors in the UK and why. We are grateful.
Everyone has their spot! Gosh, golly. I am taking some time while Hugo is snuggled up in the hammock of the new cat tree, sound asleep. He is doing better this morning. He has eaten and has slept cuddled nest to me both nights he has been here. Poor Hugo. You need to grow!
I must admit that he is so tiny I am terrified of ‘breaking’ him. Getting Hugo to eat is a bit of a challenge – I don’t think I have ever had a cat that didn’t want to eat! So – is it his recent vaccinations? The move from the foster family to here? Is he ill? The latter concerns me. Hugo now has an appointment with the vet today at 12:20. He does not appear to have thrived, so, we are going to see if we can change all that! And get advice on how to do it.
The girls have not fully embraced Hugo. Hopefully, they will once he really finds his legs in the family.
Because of Hugo’s need for attention – and, of course, Calico, Hope, and Missey still need to know they are loved – I am going to take a week off from everything, including writing the blog, to give them full and undivided attention. The banding at PLO has been moved to the 11th or the 12th. We should have more eagle eggs and bobble heads at Superbeaks by the 15th when I return and maybe fledges at Port Lincoln! Thank you for your understanding.
Several events in Bird World have us smiling. The first is that Ron and Rita have their first egg of the 2023 breeding season.
‘H’ wrote: “18:18:04 egg #1. No one really expected this. She was hanging out at the nest most of the day however. We never even saw them mate!”
Wonder who will be next?
Rose is much loved. It did not look like an easy labour.
Also in Florida, it looks like V3 is getting the hang of things up at The Hamlet.
We are at pip/hatch watch at Superbeaks!
Eagles were at Redding on Wednesday.
Urban myths about eagles debunked. Do they really fly above storms?
A juvenile has been seen on the tower in Orange!!!!!!!! Incredible after no sighting for a few days. I feel excited about going to change the Memorial Page. Tears.
And more good news from Orange: “
At Orange, Diamond is sleeping off what looks like a large dinner (she has her usual huge crop), on her ledge and facing into the scrape. News of Barru (or is it Marri?) is good, and comes complete with footage from 6 December and 7 December:
NEWS 7th December 2023 Cilla Kinross Our fledgling is nothing if not an early riser. In this morning’s video, it is chasing Xavier around just after dawn. https://youtu.be/0FNHaf2m5rs 6th December Sightings of our one remaining juvenile (still unidentified, sorry) brought some relief to the channel followers as he or she had not been seen for a few days (even in the roost trees). This video covers most of the early morning antics, including a clumsy climb up the tower by the fledgeling and Xavier chasing a magpie. https://youtu.be/Rw4y0YVRTmo“
At Port Lincoln… Dad arrives with a small partial fish for breakfast around 0810.
There was news on 6 December from Sydney. Thanks, ‘A’:
December 6: Early morning and both adults were reported at River Roost around 7am, with SE31 joining them from deeper in the mangroves as the adults greeted the day with a duet. River activity disturbed the youngster and she took flight, circling over the bay, before returning to land near the adults. She then flew back a little to the west, through the mangroves. She continued to fly about strongly until our team saw a parent deliver a fish at 10:10, which SE31 then ate in the mangroves. Later in the afternoon, around 3pm, both adults were seen at Goat Island.
And more good news on the 7th: “
At WBSE, the ranger report is another good one, with our juvenile being spotted with her parents. Also great to see a juvenile osprey, born and raised nearby, flying so well and looking so good.
December 7: At 07:30 both adults and our juvenile were at River Roost, with SE31 between the parents, whining at times. I missed the report of a visit by two ospreys to the area yesterday afternoon, just before 5pm. Eagle calling and a brief flight and interacting in front of River Roost. No further action was reported today. A very hot day and more hot weather is expected tomorrow. One eagle was seen at Goat Island later in the afternoon. The picture below shows the juvenile osprey, a neighbour from another bay nearby.”
Horrible.
It is hard to imagine. 3 billion birds gone in 50 years.
Do you know someone who qualifies and is interested?
Thank you so much for being with me. See you on the 15th! Until then, please take care.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, announcements, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog this morning: ‘A, H, J’, Debra Keely, WRDC, HeidiMc, Carol S Rifkin, Superbeaks, FORE, Dulles-Greenway, Holly Parsons, Cilla Kinross, PLO, Sydney Sea Eagles, Raptor Rescue Society, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Science, and Cris Martin.
Thank you so much for all your good wishes for Lewis. We are taking it all one day at a time. After many consultations with vets (5 this morning), Lewis is on anti-inflammatory pain relief and will be tested for feline FIV on Wednesday. This is a holiday weekend and this is the earliest booking we could get. All decisions will be made based on the results of that test. Feline FIV is like human AIDS. Many feral cats have FIV. Our Humane Society used to test for this at intake but the explosion of pets during Covid – and their subsequent dumping – meant they could not keep up and the lab cost of each test also soared. ‘Feline immunodeficiency virus, or cat FIV, is a retrovirus infection first discovered in cats in the U.S. The virus is often referred to as cat HIV or cat AIDS because it has a similar effect on felines. FIV-positive cats may have the virus in their system for years before showing signs of illness.’ One of the signs is the gums and teeth so we are waiting for testing with Lewis.
One reader’s grandmother advised her never to do anything but to wait…wait until you have all the answers. That is what I am doing. I have found all manner of mobile vet clinics that do specialised care. What a blessing as Lewis was simply overwhelmed with anxiety when he was at the clinic. He is such a sweet boy. To my knowledge, he is only a danger to Hope. Missey is FIV negative and has been vaccinated and so is Calico. Hope cannot have her vaccinations until she is spayed in three weeks. So they are separated and Calico remains separate, too. Lewis and Missey have always been together and she brings him a lot of comfort.
The vet advised that he only have soft food but, I decided, in the end, to put out his favourite hard food, some soft food from a tin, and a lovely bowl of roasted organic chicken for his supper. He ate a little from all the bowls. Poor fella. The girls had some as well. One day at a time. He also had some breakfast. Sadly there is no cure for this disease and sometimes you never see the cat’s activation of the disease til they are much older. Your warm wishes for him are much appreciated.
Lewis and Missey looking out the little window together this evening.
Lewis votes for ‘Wallander’ as one of the best TV shows on BritBox.
The winner of Australia’s Bird of the year for 2023 is –
Looking at the birds. Today brought a single story that just made me so joyful. Tearful.
There are many amazing Ospreys. This is about one amazing female Osprey. She flies more than 4500 km from her nest in Wales to Africa, landing on the same concrete post yearly. Those living in The Gambia wait to see her arrive. What a comfort to know that Llyn Clywedog’s Blue 5F Seren arrived at her winter home safely again this year. It does just bring tears to your eyes. Ten years. A decade.
Migration is the single most perilous event in the lives of the ospreys. Many never make it their first year to a winter abode where they will live, maturing for the next two years. This amazing female – the fantastic mate of Dylan – has been doing this repeatedly. What an amazing bird she is. Let us all hope that her winter home continues to exist amidst much habitat loss for the birds in the region. Send positive wishes that she avoids Avian Flu and returns in April to her nest to raise more amazing chicks. She lost one this year to the goshawk – taken while feeding them. Such a tragedy.
Here is an article form Natural Resources on Seren.
The migration map for all species for 5 October in North America.
Checking on the migration status of Karl II and his Black Stork family for 5 October.
Kaia is in Israel!
Last data from Karl II he was in Turkey.
Kalvi is in Bulgaria.
Little Waba is in Romania.
Bonus’s tracker quit transmitting some time ago. His status is unknown.
Please go and vote for names for the two falcons at Orange. This year the choice is from local mammals that live in the area.
Gabby and V3 are thinking about eggs. Moss came in to line the nest bowl today. Looking good in The Hamlet!
The Pritchetts have ended the wait and all the anxiety surround ‘a name’ for M15’s new female. Like him, she has a gender designation and the year she came to the nest. F23.
One of the pair flies away. You can see that in the images 2/3. Going to get more moss!
At Orange, ‘H’ caught Xavier delivering breakfast to his lovely family. These two chicks are doing so well. They are being fed equally, and there are no problems with their size, etc. It is wonderful to see!
At Port Lincoln, Dad has been delivering fish. Here is the daily observations from yesterday.
Imncubation continues at Collins Street.
The Sea Eagles are beautiful. They are growing up too fast, and we should be looking for branching shortly. Too soon they will fledge. Just look at those beauties.
The NZ DOC ranges had their best year ever. 33 chicks Royal Albatross chicks fledged off Taiaroa. Congratulations!
The heating planet and seas will have a direct impact on the ability of our beloved Royal Albatross (and all other sea birds and those that rely on fish from the sea, rivers, and lakes) to survive. What are some scientists saying?
‘As Carbon Brief has pointed out, it makes three main points. The first is that some important clean energy tech – solar energy, electric cars and battery production – is now being rolled out at a record pace, in line with what is needed to reach global net zero emissions by 2050. Under the IEA’s pathway to zero, solar and EVs could provide one-third of the global emissions cuts needed by 2030. This tells us that rapid change is possible. In the case of solar, it suggests that it can leapfrog fossil fuels as a primary energy source in the developing world, if influential countries tailor their support in that direction.’
This could be one of the solutions for our birds – solar power is growing in many industries, including fishing boats. Now, if we could get them to limit their catch, set their lines at night – or even have a 5-year moratorium on any fishing – might the seas recover?
Feeding cats is a problem and I must be much more diligent to ensure that my family of felines only eats sustainable products. I will keep you informed as I work my way through this process of Dolphin Friendly, no bycatch brands. If you have been studying this, please let me know what you have discovered!
From ‘H’ this morning – a wonderful thought to share with all of you.
We know that leaving our gardens for the winter is the best thing we can do for the insects, the animals, and the birds. One of the elders in our province tells us, ‘We don’t cut into Mother Earth with metal blades; we cover her with a blanket and tuck her in for the long sleep.’ Wise words.
Thank you so much for being with me today. Please take care. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, photographs, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘B, H, K’, Birdlife Australia, Jane Dell and UK Osprey Info, Natural Resources Wales, Birdfact, RSPB, SAVE, Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, Sunnie Day, Looduskalender Forum, Donatella Preston, Lady Hawk and SW Florida Eagle Cam, NEFL-AEF, Heidi M, PLO, NZ DOC, The Guardian, Holly Parsons, and Sydney Sea Eagle Cam.
