Category Archives: avian starvation

Where is darling Louis? …Friday in Bird World

28 June 2024

Hello Everyone,

Thursday was not a good day. Indeed, it has been tearful and solemn. Our beloved Louis at Loch Arkaig has not been seen on camera since 1151 local time on Wednesday. Intense storms with gale-force winds in the area almost blew the two osplets off the nest. Dorcha is trying to keep them safe, and she did fly off and returned with an eel so they would have something to eat. Geemeff writes, “Only one fish yesterday, and just the tail end of that. No fish today, so Dorcha went off and came back with an eel. Concern is growing for Louis.”

Many of you will have watched Loch Arkaig nest 1 during the pandemic where Louis and Aila raised three amazing osplets, JJ5, JJ6, and JJ7. Sadly Aila did not return and he bonded with Dorcha. Louis moved them from the Loch Arkaig nest 1 to the current nest where, sadly, the weather is worse. Louis has always been an amazing provider. My heart is breaking. It feels like someone hit me really hard in my abdomen. This just can’t be happening.

As Thursday passes, concerns continue to grow as Louis has not been seen all day after being perched in his favourite tree late on Wednesday by Liz Bracken who can view the area with her scope.

Dorcha is feeding the chicks but eating very little herself. She needs to eat, too. Oh, please come home safe, Louis.

Dorcha is desperately trying to protect her two chicks during the storm.

Geemeff’s report for Loch Arkaig:

Daily summary Thursday 27th June 2024

Midnight finally arrives to end a dreich day filled with worry over Louis – where is he? The usually reliable super-fisherbird hasn’t been seen for over 24 hours, and concern is growing. He only brought a partial fish to the nest yesterday and Dorcha and the chicks are hungry. So taking matters into her own talons, Dorcha went off and returned with an eel which she proceeded to feed to the very eager chicks, once again, she didn’t get much herself. Dorcha’s fish (yes, eels are fish) takes the tally to two hundred and fifty one. Despite the official forecast the weather has been atrocious and at one point, both chicks were nearly blown off the nest in a violent gust of wind. What’s described as a ‘moderate breeze’ and heavy rain soaking the nest and its occupants is set to continue until tomorrow afternoon when there is a prospect of some sunshine. As the chicks’ plumage isn’t fully waterproof as yet, Dorcha still needs to act as mumbrella to shelter them, which she can’t do if she’s off fishing. With luck, Louis will turn up tomorrow. No action on Nest One.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.38.27 (03.25.18); Nest Two 23.00.49 (03.57.48)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/BQMQTT_q0yg Dorcha goes fishing and brings back an eel 15.14.44 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/lJMENKfuHSI OMG! Chicks nearly blown off the nest! 15.16.18 (super slo-mo repeat)

Bonus read – something different to think about, here’s Woodland Trust’s guide to foraging and what’s in season: 

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2021/06/foraging-in-june

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/things-to-do/foraging/foraging-guidelines

Watch the Loch Arkaig Osprey livestream 24/7 and join in the conversation here:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

This is the latest news from The Woodland Trust:


After taking advice we have decided to place some fish on the nest today if Louis or Dorcha do not bring anything in meantime. This could be within the next hour or two subject to legal clearance. The camera may be switched off for this to happen. Given the weekend is approaching, a licence is also being sought to remove the chicks from the nest so we have that option over the weekend if we need it. The advice we have received is that if Louis has not returned by the end of the weekend, then he likely will not be returning. That being the case it is unlikely Dorcha would be able to successfully raise the two chicks to the end of the season and migration. Even given her best efforts to protect them and fish, they would likely not make it. Enquiries have revealed that among the options there is potential for the chicks to go into an existing translocation programme for the benefit of the species. We won’t commit to that until we are sure Louis and Dorcha don’t have a good chance of continuing undisturbed to raise their family. The tricky thing is not intervening too soon when Louis might turn up at any moment, and not leaving it too late until the chicks won’t be in good enough condition to survive translocation. The advice we have is that it is too soon to write Louis off yet, but if he continues to be absent until late into the weekend then we should look at removing the chicks then. The licence to do that is being sought today, even if it is not needed in the end. In order to increase the chance of a successful outcome for the chicks should they be removed in a few days time, they are going to be fed today to tide them over for now. They may also be fed tomorrow. To provision the nest Lewis will climb the tree and leave fish. You will appreciate we have a lot to sort out and I may not be able to answer the many questions I am sure you will have. So please bear with us.

If you are interested in Ospreys in Canada, I have just joined the very informative Ospreys of Nova Scotia FB group run by Connie Dennis, who monitors the nest of Ethel and Oscar at Russell Lake in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Connie told me that the birds in Nova Scotia have “lots of fish”. My goodness, that makes me want to dance!

Ethel feeding Skyor and Heidi at the Russell Lake osprey nest in Nova Scotia. Photo credit: Connie Dennis.

There are no streaming cams but if you want to see some pretty well-fed babies head over to that group!

The trio at Charlo Montana – Charlie and Lola’s kids – are doing well. It has been raining but fish has come in and they seem fine.

I wish every nest had a Finnegan and, like all of you, I continue to be overjoyed that Iris has such an incredibly amazing wonderful magnificent mate!

‘A’ comments: “at Hellgate, Finn removed the fish from the nest around 07:15 and it was so heavy, he could hardly drag it off the nest, let alone lift it! I wondered why he didn’t just eat on the nest and feared he would drop it. And it appears that’s what must have happened, because although he had a good crop when he next returned, it was nowhere near the size it would have been if he’d eaten even a third of that fish. So obviously, he has dropped it, which is unfortunate, as it would have fed the entire family at least four big meals today. When Finn does come back at around 08:35, it is not with the remainder of the fish but with a huge branch. He then manoeuvres it into position and moves another large branch further around the nest. It appears he has noticed, as I have over the past 36 hours or so, that Big Bob is beginning to become very adventurous and is exploring the surface of the nest and heading out towards the rails on his own, sometimes even ending up out there at 3am and having to be brought back into the warmth of Iris’s underfluffies. Big Bob really does look to be right in the middle of his reptilian phase (I have to believe now that he is also a male, given how incredibly laid-back he is and how he tolerates Baby Bob in front of him for feedings, waiting to reach over to get a bite once Iris has stopped giving Little Bob consecutive bites, often for some time. Yesterday evening, she was feeding Little Bob for so long that I became worried Big Bob would lose patience, leaning over Little for a bite and continually missing out. Surely, he would become frustrated by this sooner or later. But no. Mum just kept feeding Little Bob until, essentially, he was too full to compete and sat down. The rain has now really set in (it’s nearly 9.30am and the camera keeps freezing) and although poor Iris is saturated, she still manages to keep both osplets absolutely dry. She is truly amazing – and the best mumbrella ever in both rain and sunshine. This is the most magical nest. First, of course, we have the gift from the gods that is Finnegan. Then, we have two viable eggs, both Finn’s, laid a full week apart, which both hatched. As if that were not enough, despite the serious concerns raised by the massive time and size discrepancy between the two hatches, we discover we have a second chick, nowhere near as well developed at hatch than was its much larger older sibling, that somehow still manages to get itself fed without any fear of getting to mum’s beak (once he could see it). And now, to cap it all off, we have a much older, larger sibling deep in the reptilian phase who still has not raised a talon or a beak in anger towards his younger sibling. So I can only think we have two brothers here. Surely even parents as devoted as Iris and Finn have demonstrated themselves to be could not have controlled the sibling aggression to this degree with a female first hatch and a male second hatch. It has been one miracle after another.  Still, as we have seen, Iris is an amazingly experienced, patient and dedicated mum. She never ceases to impress me. And as for Finn, what a man. He has his quirks, but Iris really has found a keeper in this handsome, devoted young mate. You go girl! What a cougar she is. Oh don’t you just ADORE the way he feeds her? ” She continues, “I do wish Finn would stop removing the leftovers from the nest. He eats a huge meal from them, then doesn’t feel hungry and obviously doesn’t realise that the chicks cannot eat enough to get them through the long gaps between fish deliveries that are the result of this behaviour. It would be far better if Finn caught much smaller fish, but these gigantic fish that seem to be the only thing on offer at this location will be great in a few weeks’ time but at this stage is proving annoying. Still, Iris is ensuring that the babies are fed into a food coma every time she has the opportunity to do so, even if it means sacrificing the time to eat properly herself on occasion. Finn has fought her for the fish more than once while she is feeding the osplets, and she has had to insist that he leave it alone until she’s finished. (It’s as if he wants to show the fish off, then take it away and eat the head before returning it. But of course this excites the chicks, who then wonder what has happened to the fish, so Iris argues loudly about it and usually wins – at least temporarily.) It is this particular quirk of his that does lead me to believe this is his first time. He should know by now that babies need small, frequent feedings not two or at most three massive feedings a day. “

At Field Farm, all four osplets are feathered and accounted for! ‘A’ writes, “Mini was self-feeding at Field Farm yesterday. What a cutie he is. All four are looking wonderfully well. “

CJ7 and Blue 022’s chicks should be getting ringed soon. They, too, are doing quite well. Dedicated parents, good fish supplies. It all makes a difference.

Steelscape appears to be doing alright.

Salt Point is good.

At the Newfoundland Power nest, Hope continues to feed her chick.

At Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Mum is feeding the only surviving baby, too. Some relief. I hope these two mothers continue.

The weekly highlights in video for Richmond and Rosie in SF:

A message from Kelly Sorenson of the Ventana Wildlife Society:

My link to Thursday’s Condor Chat did not work. I asked ‘B’ to let me know if they found out anything about Aurora’s death. Here is what he reports, “There is no definitive answer on the cause of death for Aurora, but the possibility VWS considers to be most likely seems to be possible lead poisoning from contaminated prey that was fed to the chick.  This is mainly because they report that they are seeing high lead concentrations in many of the birds that they have trapped.  They were not able to recover Aurora’s body for analysis because the nest tree was so compromised by the Dolan fire that it would be too risky for a climber to retrieve the body.  VWS says that Zenith, the father, consumed the remains, so if there is indeed lead poisoning there would be concern for Zenith’s health, and they will watch for that.

Neither mother Redwood Queen nor Zenith are currently vaccinated for avian flu.  The fact that both Redwood Queen and Zenith seem to be healthy makes them think that avian flu is less likely to be the cause of Aurora’s death, but they will be watching Redwood Queen and Zenith for signs of illness, and both parents are now “at the top of the list” for trapping to be vaccinated.  28 out of 100 of the free-flying condors in the flock are currently vaccinated.  8 more have now received the first of two doses of vaccine in June and remain in isolation pens awaiting the second dose.  (Only adults that are not nesting and juveniles can be vaccinated, so it has not been possible until now to vaccinate Redwood Queen or Zenith this year, since they were nesting until now,)  Two more condors that were trapped recently were found to have high lead concentrations and have been taken to the Oakland Zoo for chelation treatment before they can be vaccinated.

One other potential cause for Aurora’s death that cannot ruled out is that s/he may have been attacked by a predator (even possibly by another condor) at night when Aurora was not visible on camera.”

Heidi will, no doubt, include this in her report. This attack reminds me of Ervie and his siblings after they fledged – out and out monstrous effort to keep the other away from the nest and food. Let us hope that neither is injured.

Heat. Dehydration. Lack of food.

‘J and PB’ called my attention to the report from FORE on Luna:

 “6/27/24 Update on Luna’s Necropsy & the effects of extreme heat on eaglets & other nesting birds. I contacted our Raptor Rescue Angel Marily Woodhouse from Defiance Canyon to get an update on Luna’s remains & she shared this important information with me…

“I emailed with the Lab, and she said on the 21st that she would be getting the body in the next few weeks, when someone from the Redding office is going to Rancho Cordova. Luna’s body is being kept frozen at the CA Dept of Fish & Wildlife Office until transport. Dehydration is an effect, but the initial cause is high heat and/or becoming too weakened to eat for that and additional reasons. All young birds grow incredibly fast, but eagles go from less than a quarter lb. to 8-10 lbs. in 10 weeks, which is a high level of physical stress. It’s difficult to keep up, even in optimal conditions. Extreme conditions exacerbate the stress. When I looked at the temperatures for the 10 days from June 5th to June 14th when Sol died, the average high this year was 101; in 2023 the average high for the same 10 days was only 88. An article in the Guardian today talks about the heat issues, focusing on people, who have more ability to escape than an un-flighted bird: 

“One degree celsius of warming may sound relatively small but it can translate into quite substantial impacts as it’s an average and the extremes of that average can cause much higher likelihoods of deaths from heatwaves, as well as agricultural impacts and wildfires,” she said.

Here is the article in The Guardian, FORE is referring to. We need to realise that heat and lack of food is going to kill so many, many more and that where possible we should provide supplementary fish:

Visualized-the-parts-of-the-US-where-summer-heat-has-risen-the-most-Extreme-heat-The-GuardianDownload

In case you do not open files, here is the map. You will see that many of the problematic nests are within the upper heat reaches of 3 C.

It is the hard reality of our heating world and how terrible the impact is going to be on our beloved friends.

Oh, how lovely to see them. Larry and mate visit their Alcatraz scrape!

Look at that crop on Tuffy! Just saying…when food is plentiful.

Ferris Akel caught up with the Ns and with Big Red and Arthur on the Cornell Campus Thursday evening.

Big Red is moulting. She will be ‘Blondie’ soon.

One of the Ns.

Big Red and Arthur on Bradfield at the end of a busy day.

David Gessner’s book on Flaco, the Eurasian Owl, that escaped from the Central Park Zoo, who died nearly a year after gaining his freedom, will be released in 2025.

‘H’ reports:
6/28 Colonial Beach had their third hatch overnight. 

6/27 Osoyoos osprey nest:  The live stream resumed at 0930.  It is not uncommon for Olsen to deliver three fish by that time of the morning, and when the cam went live, we could see a partial fish in the nest.  Soo fed meals from that piece of fish at 1007 and 1044, finally finishing the fish at 1057.  There were two more fish delivered that I saw.  A  large whole fish was delivered at 1513, that Soo fed for 11 minutes, and finally a bedtime snack fish at 1829.  Things are looking good for this bunch.

6/27 Forsythe osprey nest:  Due to Bigs dominance, Middle had not had very much to eat for a couple of days.  There were four fish delivered to the nest, including one from Opal.  The first fish of the day, at 0856, was a very large fish from Oscar, that Opal fed for 55 minutes.  Big was determined not to allow Middle to eat.  Despite the long meal, Middle was only able to eat 20 bites of fish!    Almost seven hours passed before Opal delivered the next fish at 1550.  It was a good size fish that she fed for 18 minutes.  Early on, Middle managed to position himself on the opposite side of Opal from Big, and Opal fed both of the siblings.  Sometimes, the moms will inexplicably move the fish, and blow the cover of the underdog osplet being fed to one side.  I was worried that Opal might do that…but she didn’t.  Middle ate for 18 minutes.  Middle was not able to get to Opal’s beak at the third meal consisting of a tiny fish.  At 1753 Oscar brought a fish that Opal fed for 13 minutes, and Middle was able to be fed on the opposite side from Big for 10 minutes.  One day at a time.

6/27 Fenwick Island osprey nest (Capt Mac’s Fish House):  There were six meals averaging about 12-15 minutes in duration.  This lil’ 13-day-old baby is growing, getting plump, and looking good.


6/27 Captiva Ospreys:  It has been an unusual, but successful season for Jack and Edie, and their two offspring.  Most of us always root for the underdog, youngest osplet.  Darling was younger by only 36 hours.  But, the siblings may as well have been three days apart in their ages, based on the degree of dominance from the older sibling, Ding.  Darling fought for his meals on an almost daily basis, including surviving a 3.5 day period of starvation.  Darling is a survivor.

Darling fledged on 6/26.  On 6/27 Darling flew back to the nest for the first time, and made a good landing.  Unfortunately, the fledgling Ding no longer wants to share the nest with him.  Ding acted very aggressively toward Darling for nearly half an hour, eventually forcing him off the nest. 

Ding’s instinct is simply one of survival.  Ding is not being ‘mean’.  She is a strong osprey, and that is a good thing to be.  Ding is territorial, and now only sees Darling as competition for food that a parent may bring to the nest.  Jack has been delivering five fish a day to the nest for Ding and Darling.  Today, Jack brought three fish to Ding at the nest.  Perhaps Jack took two fish to Darling on a branch.   That would be more fish than Darling would get after food fights with Ding on the nest. 

We were very glad to see Darling this morning.  We may or may not see Darling again on camera.  This is not an unprecedented turn of events at some raptor nests after fledging.  Jack will continue to bring fish to Darling away from the nest, Darling will learn how to fish, and he will continue to be a survivor.

Many thanks to the wise and capable Mods of the Captiva live stream, for assisting us with our thought processes on these events.

‘PB’ reports that Baby Cowlitz had 75 bites of fish Friday morning and is a survivor! How wonderful. It will live another day. Wish for fish! And gentle siblings.

Thank you so very much for being with me today. This was a hop skip and jump through some nests with some information on what is impacting our most loved birds. Take care of yourself. See you soon!

Thank you to the following who sent me comments, notes, for their posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today. I could not do it without you! ‘A, B, CD, Geemeff, H, J, PB’, The Woodland Trust, Geemeff, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Connie Dennis, Ospreys of Nova Scotia, Cowlitz PUD, Charlo Montana, Montana Osprey Project, Field Farm, BoPH, Steelscape Ospreys, Salt Point, Newfoundland Power Snow Lane Osprey Cam, MN Landscape Arboretum, Ventana Wildlife Society, Heidi McGrue, FORE, The Guardian, SK Hideaways, Moorings Park, Ferris Akel Tours, David Gessner FB, Colonial Beach, Osoyoos, Fenwick Island, Forsythe Ospreys, Window to Wildlife, and Cowlitz PUD.

Sunday in Bird World

23 June 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

It is 25 degrees, blue sky with some clouds and predicted rain later today for Southern Manitoba. It is ‘hot’ in the conservatory. Calico is in front of Mr Dyson’s fan. Oh, she loves that fan!

The very last of the summer perennial (as opposed to the annuals) planting is finished. All of the greenhouses have their stock on sale and it is the perfect time to plant the Milkweed and Daisies. Everyone should be trying to find a place for one Milkweed on their property. For the butterflies.

‘The Girls’ are doing fine. In fact, they are adorable. Yes, I am biased. Today, each one sat on my lap while I trimmed their nails. The only wiggly one was Hugo Yugo, but we still got the job done. They love watching Mr Crow come get his hotdogs and peanuts. Today Mr BlueJay and Junior were retreating cheesy dogs which makes me think that the baby Blue Jays have hatched. Like Crows (both are Corvids), the babies need meat. It uses less energy to get the cheesy dogs than it does to chase down insects and worms – although I only give them enough to ensure plenty of food for the little ones but not enough to keep them from foraging.

If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you will know that the Ospreys in the NE area of the US, the Chesapeake Bay Area, depend on Menhaden as their primary food source. Ever wonder why so many are dying in the nest? or nests are just failing? Take a moment to watch this video:

‘VV’ has been monitoring a number of nests that are also in the area impacted by Menhaden fishing. She says, “The nest failure rate is so  disappointing. Leading up to the past 4-5 years was a stunning population boon. The nest with the lost chicks was erected in 1990, the first of the 19+ on my excel. At its height we’d be cursing by now, every nest screaming for breakfast and really big time soiling our cars, etc. Now I’m watching a handful of bored females waiting for the boys to come in from fishing. As is proving the case with everything, the population fell faster than it rose.” ‘VV’ sent images of the nests that failed.

That water should be full of fish.

I want to run through a number of nests and just see how they are doing. Some have gotten neglected but we are going to begin with ‘H’s reports today.

“It is very hot at the mid-Atlantic and northeast US nests that I follow, with temperatures in the mid to upper 90’s, and over 100 degrees in some locations.  Not only will the young ospreys need more fish for hydration, but fishing can become more difficult, as fish may seek the cooler deep waters.

6/22 Patuxent River Park osprey nest:  The dad at this nest is amazing.  He delivered eleven fish to the nest for his family.  Unfortunately, most of them were not very big.  Little did manage to eat at all but two of the meals, but only ate for a few minutes at each of the other meals.  Throughout the day, Little never had a really big crop.  At 11:25 pm Dad delivered a large partial fish to the nest in the dark!  Little had a private feeding at the beginning of the feeding for 7 minutes, then shared the rest of the meal with a sibling for the next 30 minutes.  Thanks, Dad…you are ‘way cool’.

6/22 Fenwick Island osprey nest (Captain Mac’s Fish House):  I am always worried about this nest.  It just seems to me (not an expert), that the lil’ 8-day-old nestling doesn’t get enough to eat.  I rarely see this baby in a food coma or with a very large crop.  There were five feedings on a very warm day, and they averaged about 10 minutes in duration, but that included June eating.  The fish that Johnny delivers to the nest are usually a good size.  It is thought that June may be a new mom.  I would like to see this baby have more frequent feedings.  Get it in gear, June!

6/22 Forsythe osprey nest:  This is one of the nests I worry about in the heat.  Fishing does seem to become more difficult during heat waves at this location.  There were four fish brought to the nest, and Opal caught two of them herself (thanks, Opal).  The remaining two siblings, ages 32 and 31 days, seem to be getting along amicably.”

6/22 Osoyoos osprey nest:  This brood of three, ages 15, 14, 12 days of age, are doing well.  Dad brought fish to the nest 8 times (some may have been leftovers).  Some of the fish were tiny, but a few were a good size.  The siblings are still getting along nicely, and Little is able to eat his/her fill at most meals.

6/23 Kent Island (Chesapeake) osprey nest:  The last potentially viable egg was laid 38 days ago.  Viewers are hoping that Tom and Audrey will have a lil’ baby to raise this season.


6/22 Captiva osprey nest:  It was quite a momentous day for this osprey family.  Ding fledged in the morning, and returned to the nest seven hours later.  Ding had been seen flying circuits around the bay and nest area.  In Ding’s absence, Darling thought s/he had died and gone to heaven, lol.  Three fish were delivered in that span of time, two partials from Jack, which Darling ate, and a whole catfish from Edie that she ended up feeding to Darling.  Darling had not eaten that well for some time.  Ding’s first trip back to the nest was with a landing on top of the camera, and an eventual hop down to the nest (landing on Edie).  A couple of hours after Ding’s return, Jack delivered a whole sheepshead, which Ding devoured.  In the afternoon, Darling performed a few ‘personal best’ high hovers. “

Thanks so much, ‘H’.

That hot weather was everywhere. Even up in Ithaca where it was 87 yesterday when Ferris Akel was doing his tour.

The first egg has hatched at Dunrovin for Swoop and his new mate, Winnie. Congratulations everyone!

The two osplets and the DNH egg at Steelscape are doing very well.

The one surviving osplet at Sandpoint is good.

It is hot in Boulder, too, like in many places. Mum is shading her Only Bob.

Lola and Charlie at Charlo Montana have the sweetest kids.

The camera at Field Farm is focused on the road and not on the nest.

Bruce and Naha at the Seaside Osprey nest and their new osplets are doing fine.

Little concerned about the heat and the level of hydration and fish for the four at McEuan Park in Idaho. Will keep monitoring.

‘MM’ reports on Osoyoos: “Just wanted to drop a quick note as I was watching the Osoyoos nest and dad brought in a decent size fish compared to his usual catch. All the chicks had a nice crop and were so cute 😍. I hope things get better food-wise for this nest. “

‘Pam Breci’ reports that Little Bob did really well on Saturday. This is fantastic news. “Cowlitz looking good, little 3 just has a good dinner. Needed to wait so good thing fish are large to feed all 3 and mom.”

Dr Greene is delighted with Finnegan and the growth in his and Iris’s two chicks over the past the past ten days.

Everyone loves Iris and Finnegan and their two miracle babies.

‘A’ reviews the early morning with Iris and Finnegan: “Finn arrived at 05:27 for the big fish he brought in late yesterday (22 June). He ate for a while on the nest, then took the fish to the perch. At 05:36 he brought the fish back. Iris decides to get up for a stretch and soon after 05:42, she flies off the nest, leaving Finn with the fish and the osplets. 

She is literally back within seconds, and she comes over to the fish and begins feeding the chicks. Omigod!! What I have been waiting to see is finally happening. Both Finn and Iris are simultaneously feeding the osplets from the same fish! Little Bob is front and centre, with Big Bob behind and above him. There is, as usual, absolutely no aggression between the pair. 

It is however a fleeting moment, and Iris takes over the fish as Finn moves away. He has some blood on his breast, probably from the fish. Little Bob is doing well at this feeding but Iris is careful not to forget Big Bob, who is behind his sibling. It is wonderful to see these two getting along so well, but each day as I wait for Big Bob to transform into a mini-dinosaur, I wonder whether it is just a countdown to the inevitable bonking stage. Perhaps we have two very laid-back brothers here. I SO hope so. 

Finn has a chunk of the fish that he has picked up and turns away from the feeding with it. Iris continues giving bites to the osplets, primarily Little Bob, who remains sitting up confidently in front of his sibling. He is the cutest wee osplet with the sweetest little round bottom. He is seeing well and his balance is much better, though he does still face-plant a fair bit as he lunges forward for mouthfuls. He is managing much larger bites now. I do love the way Iris carefully feeds both chicks, sometimes changing her mind when she thinks one is getting too much. 

The other day when Little Bob ended up on his back three or four times, I was tremendously concerned, especially on the first occasion, but the way Iris was immediately aware that this situation was problematic and required intervention was impressive, as was the way she carefully circled the stricken chick and observed exactly what she was dealing with, then set about trying to right the wee one. On each occasion, she managed to do so, primarily through very carefully manoeuvring one or both feet into position underneath Little Bob so she could then lift him slightly by judicious shuffling. It was impressive. 

As you know, we have lost at least two chicks already this season to exactly such a situation, and I was really scared for Little Bob, especially when he repeatedly seemed to end up on his back – I began to fear some neurological problem or even an uneven nest surface – something that was causing this. I still wonder why, as it did not appear to happen the following day, and yesterday afternoon it did happen once, briefly, but he rapidly righted himself with a single effort (he did seem a little panicky but got it done). 

So today, I am not nearly as worried as I was, and he is eating wonderfully well. I adore the way he is getting on with his older sibling, though I am aware we are right on the verge of finding out whether we are going to go through a bonking period on this nest. Big Bob is being VERY patient, with Baby Bob getting at least twice as many bites at this feeding because he is at the front and mum doesn’t have to lean as far to feed him. Periodically, she leans over to give a bite to Big Bob, but not nearly often enough to be even-handed, and there are several moments when I am wishing she would feed the older sibling at least half a dozen mouthfuls. I don’t want an episode of food frustration! 

Iris is feeding Little Bob at least three or four mouthfuls for every one that she offers BIg Bob, who is handling the situation admirably. After a while, she starts having three or four bites herself between each one she gives to Little Bob – Big Bob is missing out almost altogether by now. There is still a huge amount of fish left over (that monster fish brought in last night is not even half gone yet). At 05:52 she finishes feeding and settles down to brood. Little Bob has a huge crop, Big Bob not so much. There is still about half the fish left. Just before 05:55 Finn removes it from the nest. Iris is not overly pleased – again, she would have fed the osplets (and herself) again in about 90 minutes had Finn left the fish (or at least some of it). “

It is so hard to believe but the Fab Four on the Poole Harbour nest are all feathered. Mini Little Bob is right there, big and healthy! These parents worked and worked to make sure there was lots of fish and every one of their babies was fed. Four are surviving. Tears.

There aren’t four but there are three big feathered osplets on the Dyfi nest of Idris and Telyn.

We have talked about osprey nests. We have talked about egg cups, twigs that catch little legs, and all sorts of things. Just look at the nest that Seren and Dylan have for their Bobs up at Clywedog in Wales. What a gorgeous nest.

Babies at Glaslyn of Aran and Elen are getting all those beautiful feathers, too. Nest not quite as comfy as Seren’s.

Younger babies at Llyn Brenig, both doing well.

Those babies in Germany are now as big as their mother! Unbelievable. And beautiful.

A ten-day-old baby at Finland #3 is just a fat little cutie. (One died of a nest accident and the other egg DNH).

Two chicks at Bridge Golf getting their juvenile feathers. Unclear the status of Middle Bob’s leg. Little Bob died of siblicide/starvation the other day.

Gary published a video on the passing of Sol and Luna at Redding.

Geemeff’s daily summary for Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust:

Daily summary Saturday 22nd June 2024
The weather was somewhat unsettled today but no further somersaults were done by Dorcha. Louis excelled himself bringing six fish to the nest and his tally now rises to two hundred and thirty seven. Deliveries included an early breakfast and a late night snack. Dorcha shared out the fish fairly, and the two chicks were models of patience and politemess at mealtimes. Garry LV0 visited Nest One twice today, staying for over an hour the second time. No disturbances for any of the Loch Arkaig residents as the Red Arrows took a different route home. Tonight’s forecast is for light cloud and light winds so with luck the family will have a peaceful and dry night tonight. 
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 00.23.51(03.19.51); Nest Two 23.15.27 (03.56.16)

Watch the livestream 24/7 and join in the conversation here:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam
Today’s videos:
https://youtu.be/Bqeq0_3IguI  N2 Fish number one, headless trout, Dorcha blocks the view 04.19.55
https://youtu.be/2Rqe03hrp0c  N2 Fish number two, small whole trout 06.47.28

https://youtu.be/M8F0cHIaW1I  N1 Garry LV0 visits, flying in from the right  07.57.38
https://youtu.be/C9VqBeD-eZY   N2 Fish number three, big whole trout, the chicks form an orderly queue 11.19.12

https://youtu.be/apsDxegpiMs  N2 Fish number four, big headless trout 12.19.57 

https://youtu.be/0kqpLR6pgEw  N2 Fish number five, big headless trout, the chicks line up politely 18.39.53

https://youtu.be/MjzQ3di6UIM  N1 Garry LV0 returns for a second visit today, stays for an hour 19.42.43 

https://youtu.be/pMbvgH-OrHA  N2 Fish number six – late night snack gone in 5 mins 22.18.50
Bonus read – Woodland Trust was one of hundreds of nature organisations marching through London today calling for Government to Restore Nature Now:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2024/jun/22/restore-nature-now-march-in-london-in-pictures

The Peregrine Falcon scrape in Osaka, Japan is cleaned up and will wait for next season. Beautiful fledglings this year.

‘A’ reports:

“Both mums were in to feed the chicks at Taiaroa Head this morning (Saturday 22 June) – BOK to feed TFT chick at 08:20 and LGL to feed TF chick at 09:38. The previous day (Friday 21 June), both BOK and LGL were in, feeding their chicks, at the same time – at 12:23 we have a shot showing simultaneous feedings occurring at both Royal Cam nests. Too cute. TF has begun exercising his wings, and his wingspan is amazing. How did those sweet little wings become these magnificent gliding instruments in such a short time? The preparation begins for a solitary ocean life, surfing the thermals. It’s astounding to think how far these little ones will travel before one day they hopefully return to within metres of their natal nests. Still giant fluff balls, but with wings becoming more defined by the day. Magnificent birds. When we think of 28-year-old Iris, it is amazing to think of Wisdom, in her seventies. No wonder they are such spiritually important birds to so many seafaring cultures. And what an amazing privilege it is to be able to watch them at Taiaroa Head under the tender care of the rangers. Truly blessed.”

 

“WBSE: June 21: A quiet night, then several early morning duets and mating. Both were standing in the deep nest bowl, with Dad chewing and digging at Lady’s feet, settling leaves and twigs in the bowl . Dad brought in a fish at 8:07, but took it off the nest. He returned later with a stick and spent some time moving things about. Then they were both away for some time, then both back a few times with a stick. Off again, until Dad brought in a partially plucked coot at 13:33, which was taken by Lady and eaten on the branch. She ate for over 45 minutes, then off, leaving one coot leg draped on the branch. Dad returned, bringing a stick, just after 4pm with a full crop, so he had eaten somewhere. Lady came in as well, with duets and mating nearby. At dark, both were settled close to the nest.”

June 22: A cold and wet morning – rain started in the night and Lady hadn’t moved. An early duet at 6:21. Shortly after, a long duet as Dad joined Lady – but no mating. After, another duet and this time a mating – still raining. Dad returned with the tail end of a fish at 8:52. Lady claimed it and ate the lot nearby, then away. A duet was heard nearby at 10:03 though out of sight. Then again, and Lady returned just after 11am with a stick. They were away again until 14:13, when Dad brought another fish in, which was claimed and eaten by Lady. Then they were off again, until both returned home before 5pm, and straight into some nest arrangement. Then duet and mating, and more nest bowl work from Dad. They moved to their night roosts. Any action tonight, we shall report tomorrow.

They are everywhere. Seriously everywhere. Plastics. Microplastics. The more I try to escape them, the more they try to sneak into my life and yours. Even at the greenhouse, those bloody plants were in plastic containers. Why? Well, the answer to not taking them home is to have them wrap them up individually in the newspaper. Why can’t they use biodegradable containers??????

It’s terrible for the seabirds and for those on land who get caught in those mesh bags or have bin liners land on their nests. The only good use for plastic I have seen lately is the covers for the large bales of hay or straw on the farmer’s fields, which prevents the birds from taking the PLASTIC twine that holds them together back to their nest to entangle their babies. When did we stop using jute? (Maybe it wasn’t so good either but it was natural.) Oh, some things get me really worked up! Hats off to the company that packages frozen vegetables in the States and does it in biodegradable paper bags!!!!!!!!

Planet-vs.-Plastics-Earth-DayDownload

Very sad news coming out of Ventana Wildlife via Lady Hawk. Redwood Queen’s chick, Aurora, has passed away.

‘J’ sent us the link for Duke Farms’s Eaglet E-book for 2024. Thanks, ‘J’.

http://online.flipbuilder.com/oqzm/xrzi/index.html

It is that time of year. Those baby birds are just out of the nest and people see them and think they are abandoned.

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

Thank you so much to the following for their notes, posts, images, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘A, Geemeff, J, H, MM, PB, VV’, Virginia Beach Menhaden PSA, Window to Wildlife, Osoyoos, Forsythe, Fenwick Island, Patuxent River Park, Kent Island, Dunrovin Ranch, Steelscape, Sandpoint Ospreys, Boulder County, Charlo Montana, Field Farm, Seaside Ospreys, McEuan Park, Osoyoos osprey Cam, Cowlitz PUD, Pam Breci, Montana Osprey Cam, BoPH, Dyfi Ospreys, Llyn Clywedog, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Fischadlerwebcam, Satakunna Saaksett, Bridge Golf Club, Gary’s Eagle Videos, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Osaka Peregrine Falcon, Earth Day, NZ DOC, WBSE Sea Eagle Cam, Duke Farms, Lady Hawk, and Nebraska Wildlife Rehabilitation.

Friday in Bird World

21 June 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

Thursday. Hot. Windy. 25 C. It is hard to believe that it was raining so much a few days ago. Everything has dried up. Meanwhile, ‘A’ writes from Melbourne where it is the middle of the night and it is 2 C. What a difference! I did make it to the nature centre for the 4.8 k walk. It was a lot of fun today. There was a pack of about five little boy, oh, they were probably 8, doing a scavenger hunt. So we’re standing by the hide, on the path, next to a bench and they are wondering if we have seen anything ‘manmade’. Oh, and they also needed a sign. Oh, help me, I almost rolled on that manmade path laughing my head off. They actually didn’t understand the word. I wondered why it said ‘man’. So we pointed to the hide then to the path then to the bench and told them where the sign was and off they went. ‘I found it, I found it’ – could be hurt ringing through the Aspen trees.

It is the end of the school year in Manitoba. The zoos, museums, nature centres are all full of school children that are so anxious for a summer break that they can’t sit still in their seats. They have taken their exams and are just counting the days til summer break.

It is the summer solstice today – which is actually the 20th of June when I am writing this and you will be reading it tomorrow. So summer is officially here and it is coming in with a blast. We will have temperatures of 28 degrees this week. I am contemplating a fountain for the birds. Meanwhile, Calico is blissful as she stretches out in front of Mr Dysons cooling fan. She thanks him daily!

The great folks at Border Ospreys hoped beyond hope that Augusta and Samson’s eggs would survive the weather and the lack of incubation at times and well, sadly, they didn’t. The nest failed this year. The eggs did not hatch.

REALITY-CHECKDownload

After such sadness, the three little osplets at Charlo Montana are just the cutest things. I mean these three are seriously cute. If you are not watching this nest, you should be! Link is provided below.

Iris and Finn are incredible parents! They talk to one another. Finn works hard getting those fish on that nest. Just look at those two bundles of happiness for Iris.

At first glance, Mum seems to be doing alright by the only surviving chick at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. BUT the chick has to constantly find Mum, then get right up to the beak, and hope to get more than a couple of bites of many large fish that come. I do love how Dad supervises. And he should. This is her second year, Dad is much older. He wants his chicks to live!

Sadly I disagree with the individual that writes the Twin Cities Metro Osprey FB. This Mum is not great. The chick is hanging on. The weather is going to get hot and intense. We will be very fortunate if it fledges – and I do hope it does.

The nest does look marginally better. Maybe the local community could help this family and make some wired twig rails like they have at Glaslyn and get them some nice nesting material for next year. I would imagine a ‘Landscape Arboretum’ could come up with something wonderful that would feel like a down duvet and chicks would fall down holes or get their legs twisted in the twigs. Just a thought.

The other problematic female is Hope at the ‘Hopeless’ nest in Newfoundland. She is incubating eggs. Beau is there with her.

At Cowlitz PUD, it is a different story.

Little Mini at Field Farm is still hanging in there. It sometimes has a difficult time getting right to be the beak but Mum just keeps feeding.

The parents with four chicks have to work so much harder and the Mums have to feed chicks almost the entire day to make sure they are growing and healthy. Blue 022 and CJ7 are doing just that.

Mum and Dad are equally busy at McEuan Park in Idaho.

Smile. Summer is here! Jackie and Shadow are full of hope for the next season. They are fixing up their nest. I continue to hope that their great spirit rubs off on us, each one of us.

We are all attached to the place that we consider to be our ‘home’. It is the same for the Decorah North eaglets whose nest tree failed. They are having the time of their life eating prey by the banks of the river, having baths in the water, and hopping around and roosting on their nest tree. That is what they were doing on Thursday before the heavy rain began.

The two chicks at Llyn Brenig are doing fabulous.

Family photo at Patchogue. Two gorgeous fathered osplets!

‘MP’ writes of Patchogue: “I went to take a look at the PSEG nest and dad was bringing in a fish. What a whooper it is and without a head too. Look at the girls/boys with mom alerting as if to say alright father!”

That is a great image. This is the dad with the nest of four osplets in 2023, one of them Little Mini aka Tiny Dancer. That minuscule osplet survived because of these great parents. It was an incredible year, 2023, on this nest. And now it is great to see these two lovely big fully feathered birds.

Three gorgeous osplets at the Oyster Bay nest.

Those three chicks of Idris and Telyn at Dyfi in Wales are looking so good.

Geemeff sends us the daily log from Loch Arkaig 2 and The Woodland Trust.

Daily summary Thursday 20th June 2024

Everything including the weather was settled today – the two chicks shared food amicably, Louis brought four fish, taking his tally to two hundred and twenty seven, and Dorcha took a few short breaks away from the nest. Nest One had two little songbird visitors, but no sign of Garry LV0 or any other Ospreys. The sad bundle of feathers that was Chick 3 is still visible but rapidly shrinking in the warm weather, and is starting to disappear into the nest. Tonight’s forecast is light winds and light rain, which has already started as night cam cam on, and on the day of the summer solstice the day cams were on for about twenty hours.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.44.24 (03.17.03); Nest Two 23.04.41 (03.41.28)

Watch the livestream 24/7 and join in the conversation here:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/dbPUsy22H-k  N2 Fish number one, tiddler trout, C1 steps up, both share without squabbling 06.02.09

https://youtu.be/sJmM7BCDNeM  N2 Fish number two, headless big trout , more amicable sharing 07.50.39 

https://youtu.be/GdSitZMBDS4 N1 A little songbird visits, flits aound for a few moments 08.22.01

https://youtu.be/nUyCrKbpe6k  N2 Fish number three, headless whopper trout, C1 feeds while C1 preens 11.59.37 

https://youtu.be/rHetENtXjX8 N1 Another little bird visits the nest, plays with a sprig of heather, then departs 19.52.16

https://youtu.be/VcaXA_QBj4k N2 Fish number four, large whole trout, both chicks feed together calmly, C2 gets most 21.26.45

Bonus watch – film which explores how healthy woodland is critical to the wellbeing of salmon:

https://www.channel5.com/show/riverwoods-a-salmon-s-journey

Cal Falcons doing well. Beautiful fledglings. Great parents.

We are losing birds. 126 not seen in a decade – anywhere. This is not good.

New-analysis-reveals-126-birds-are-lost-to-science-without-a-confirmed-sighting-in-at-least-a-decadDownload

Today I was reading about the 52C temperatures in the Middle East and wondering what the impact will be on raptors in the area. I recall being in Delhi, eons ago, and it was 46 C. It did not take long to understand the reasons the old Raj government went to Simla in the summer. My heart goes out to any and all of you that are enduring these horrific temperatures. And to our wildlife.

‘What-if-there-just-is-no-solution-How-we-are-all-in-denial-about-the-climate-crisis-Climate-criDownload

My garden is a cool paradise in a city that is concrete. I quietly plucked the dead blossoms off the climbing roses while bees went about gathering nectar from the opened roses. There are now more than 30 trees on my 100 x 50′ property and that does not include the 8 metres of tall thick lilac bushes or the dozen trees at the back. It is shady. The birds are all in the branches being quiet. Not using their energy. The vines also offer a cool spot – or a safe place where the raptor cannot see them. Water is out for the feral cats along with wet and dry food. The bird baths were cleaned and filled. More shrubs and a large oak will be planted in the fall. I will not live to see that Oak but I hope that squirrels in the future will benefit from its presence. I know that the little contribution that I make to our planet is nothing but a drop in the bucket but I would still like to dream that if half the people on our planet changed their behaviour (please read the article above), collectively we might instigate some huge changes. I know you care. You wouldn’t be reading my post if you didn’t.

Leaving a bowl of water outside for birds can save lives! Mr Crow is cawing and saying cheesy dogs, too!!!!!!!!

Now that the Ns at Cornell have fledged, Ferris Akel has some early evening tours. He caught up with both of our fledglings Thursday evening.

There is concern for the chicks at the Bridge Golf course. It is extremely hot. C2 appears to have a problem with one of its legs. I understand that a rescue team is ready to check the situation but they require permission from the landowners. My concern is also with food despite the fact that C3 is getting some fish. Sadly, it appears that C3 might have died during the night.

On the other hand, unless there are predators, the Only Bob at the Port of Ridgefield is looking good.

Now – those great reports from ‘H’:

6/20, Audubon Boathouse osprey nest: Around 7 a.m., Skiff dumped a large amount of seaweed in the middle of the nest, on top of the babies and the egg. Dory wrangled with the mass of seaweed for a long time to get the babies out from under, but she never got the egg out. Just prior to that, we thought we saw a possible pip in the egg, which was at day 36. The egg remained under the seaweed and was most likely stepped on many times throughout the day. In the evening, the egg was partly uncovered, and we had a view of the egg. The shell was completely crushed, but there was movement seen from inside the shell. The baby was trying to push its way out. Unfortunately, this baby may die in the shell. 6/21 morning update: The egg is once again buried, and cannot be seen. Dory and Skiff’s two lil’ babies are 7 and 3 days of age.

6/21 Colonial Beach osprey nest: David and Betty have been incubating three eggs. Today is day 35 for egg #1, and they are on pip watch.

6/20 Mispillion Harbor osprey nest: Almost two years ago at the Boathouse nest, we witnessed a herring gull attack the fledgling, Sloop, on the nest three separate times to steal Sloop’s fish. Today, at the Mispillion Harbor nest, Della was feeding supper to her two youngsters when she was suddenly attacked by a herring gull who was interested in stealing the fish. There was a brief, but intense battle, and the gull eventually flew away. Fortunately, none of the ospreys were hurt. The fish went overboard. It makes one wonder what happens at the river or bay after Warren catches a fish. How many of his catches are stolen from him? Warren and Della will need to do some nest repairs, starting with replacing the rail sticks that were lost, as their curious osplets have recently begun migrating about the nest.

6/20 Captiva ospreys:  There were five fish brought to the nest.  Jack delivered the first, and Edie delivered the next four.  There were feedings and self-feedings.  Jack also briefly stopped at the nest in the evening, just to check on his family.  Ding may fledge at any time.  S/he was doing high hovers many times, including hovering off the perch and landing back on the perch.  Oh my!

6/20 Forsythe osprey nest:  Things have been going quite well at this nest for several days.  Oscar has been delivering enough fish so that there is hardly any aggression between the 29 and 30-day-old siblings.

Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. We hope to see you again soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, images, articles, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post this morning: ‘A, Geemeff, J, H, MP, PB’, Border Ospreys, Rosie Shields, Charlo Montana, Montana Osprey Project, Explore.org, MN Landscape Arboretum, Newfoundland Power, Cowlitz PUD, Field Farm, BoPH, McEuan Park, FOBBV, Raptor Resource Project/Explore, Llyn Brenig, PSEG, Dyfi Osprey Project, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Cal Falcons, SK Hideaways, Birdlife International, The Guardian, Ferris Akel Tours, Bridge Golf Course, Audubon Boathouse, Mispillion Harbour, Forsythe, Window to Wildlife, Colonial Beach, and Port of Ridgefield.

Tragedy at Minnesota…Tuesday in Bird World

18 June 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

I had a wonderful Monday with my son. The rain did not come until 1600 and now the sun is trying hard to peek out from the grey clouds. ‘The Girls’ have all come out of hiding now that he has returned to his sister’s house. They really do not like company!

Early morning news from ‘IB’. MN Landscape nest back up and yes, two babies have died. Soar high little ones.

‘PB’ wrote early that Smallie had gotten himself into some mischief by landing in the city’s moat. He was rescued by the Animal Ambulance – the staff seem to know Smallie rather well by now – dried off and sent on his way. They note that his flying is not that good yet. But he is safe and back with the big sisters fighting for food or getting a private feeding. It is likely we won’t see much more of the falcons on the ledge but maybe Smallie will spend the night inside the scrape.

‘PB’ reports that Smallie has not been seen since he was rescued in the canal. Sisters have. Send him good positive wishes this little fellow.

The fledglings are still around the Campanile! Good news for us to grab a view. Maybe not for a tired Annie.

Iris and Finnegan welcomed their second hatch Monday morning.

Both are getting a nice fish dinner as a drenched Dad, Finnegan, looks on as Mum Iris feeds. The water in the Clark Forke River has cleared up and Finnegan is really doing some marvellous fishing. He is just the best thing that could have come into our beloved Iris’s life.

‘A’ comments: “At the 16:43 feeding (medium-sized whole fresh fish courtesy of Finn) our rapidly growing osplet (who looks like a mini dinosaur already) it is easy to see the tiny second hatch, its beak open, initially with its back to mum and the food, but it turns around, albeit behind its sibling so without much chance of getting fed in this position. I have no idea what time this little one hatched (I’ve been so busy today, this is my first chance to check the nests and it’s nearly 8.30pm here in Melbourne). 

Iris is doing a great job of feeding Big Bob, who eats well and holds his head up perfectly, as s/he has done since it hatched. The little one is facing the wrong way. Its little beak is open but it cannot see mum. Mum is going to have to move if she is to feed the baby. It is probably not particularly hungry yet, but that depends on what time it actually hatched. That was a large hole I saw, so it could have produced a hatch by dawn, which would definitely make it time for a feeding. I am unsure whether it has been fed earlier in the day. 

By 16:46 the baby is facing the right way, Iris considers offering it a bite but changes her mind and continues feeding Big Bob. Little Bob is right beside its sibling but further from mum, who is already reaching to feed Big Bob. At 16:46:53 she gives it the first tiny flake of fish. At 16:47 she feeds it a larger piece, which it seems to manage. And another at 16:47:15. She is now feeding one bite to Big Bob and one to Little Bob but quickly reverts to feeding the larger chick. Periodically, she carefully gives Little Bob a mouthful of fish. It is begging for food, keen to eat, and it seems to be doing pretty well with the bites it is being given by Iris. She is a good mum – filling up the larger osplet and then starting to offer bites to the little one. There is no bonking at this early stage from the larger chick. 

At 16:49:30 Iris has a bit of fish for herself, returning to feeding at 16:50:16. Mum has moved the fish, and Big Bob has turned to his right to accommodate the change in position, but Little Bob turned to his left, so now his back to the feeding again. Iris continues feeding Big Bob, who has eaten a LOT of fish in the past ten minutes. 

Iris takes a bite of fish and carefully moves all the way around the nest to Little Bob’s side, where she appears to be preparing to offer him the fish, but then eats it herself and begins cleaning up the dropped pieces from around the chicks (suggesting that Little Bob failed to swallow much of the fish he was given). Finn immediately flies onto the nest as if to take the remaining fish Iris has temporarily deserted, but then he seems to be considering feeding the chicks. Instead, he waits for Iris to finish eating the leftovers so that he can offer her the bite. Eventually, having waited some time, he swallows it himself. Iris retrieves the fish and at 16:53 resumes feeding Big Bob.

Little Bob is again facing the wrong way. Big Bob is eating and eating. Iris moves the fish around the nest, as if intending to feed Little Bob, but instead decides to try and hork the tail down. It is still attached to quite a bit of flesh and Iris has to work to try and get it down. She tries twice, failing both times, and eventually returns to feeding Big Bob with it! Finn watches on. Little Bob is right beside Big Bob now, facing mum and begging for food, but mum has not offered him any. Big Bob refuses a bite and at 16:54:45, Iris leaves the last piece of fish and decides to brood. I would like to think that Little Bob had at least a couple of bites of fish that he didn’t drop. Finn flies to the perch, waits until Iris is settled and flies in to retrieve the tail piece of fish. “

Fab Four at Field Farm are doing fantastic. Looks like they are going to beat the odds.

The Quartet at Poole Harbour are equally as fabulous. They are managing with four mouths to feed splendidly. Such calm. I still think the majority are little boys if not all of them!

‘J’ sent me something that I think you will enjoy. The Institute for Wildlife Studies (IWS) with Dr Sharpe and the people who care for the Channel Islands eagles released the reasons for the names given to the eaglets in the Adoption Challenge. I don’t think they would mind if I share it with you. ‘J’ compiled the information from their individual posts on FB. Images of the eaglets are on the IWS FB page.

The second Pinnacle Rock eaglet has been named Sean ‘Olol ‘Koy after the Institute for Wildlife Studies San Clemente Loggerhead Shrike Project lead! These siblings celebrate Sean and Nicole’s effort to rescue the Bald Canyon eaglet earlier this spring. From the donor, ” ‘Olol ‘Koy is Chumash for dolphin. The Chumash Creation story is that Hutash, Earth Mother goddess created the first Chumash people on Limuw Island (now Santa Cruz Is.) When the island became too crowded she created a rainbow bridge to send half the people over to the mainland. Some looked down and fell into the ocean to drown. Hutash saved them by transforming them into dolphins. Chumash consider dolphins their brothers and sisters.”

One of the two chicks from the Pinnacle Rock nest has been named Nicole Tauri! From the donor, Tauri is a Native American name for Young Eagle, and “We all know our New Hero, Nicole! Thank you for your service Nicole!”. The photo is of a pair of chicks from 2014.

The Los Pinos chick has been dubbed Kāwika (Kaa-vee-ka), Hawaiian for Dave. From the donor: “For appreciation of all the awesome views, experience and knowledge of the Channel Islands Nest. His dedication speaks for itself. Our friend goes back all the way to 2006! He was a IWS Chat Mod back in the early 2000 and then the CamOp after Dr Sharpe. The first and Head IWS CamOp for Explore and Mod for IWS YouTube. “

The second chick at Twin Rocks has been named! No ‘Nah Me is named after the donor’s grandparents, and a street in Quartzite Arizona. “In 1965 [my Gramma and Grampa] bought property in Quartzsite, AZ along with 5 other couples. The other people argued about what to name the street. All wanted their last name used! My Grampa quietly left and went to the recording office and submitted No-Name Street. It was granted. I went to Quartzsite in 2020 to visit their resting place. I talked to the lady at City Hall and told her that story. The lady said ‘Really, we’ve been pronouncing it No ‘Nah Me!’”

The two eaglets from the Seal Rocks nest on Santa Catalina Island have been named! They are “Milo” and “Merida Jane” in honor of two beloved pets who have recently passed.

The second Fraser Point eaglet has a name- Reign! This bird was adopted and named by a group of seven friends who call themselves the Cruzors gave this name because “Cruz is royalty herself being the first natural hatch on the islands since the bald eagle restoration project. Therefore, it is only fitting that her offspring embody her legacy.”

One of the two eaglets at Empire nest on Santa Catalina Island has been named Charley! 

The story behind this name, in the words of the IWS supporter adopting this nest:

“The first name of my beloved ex-husband. We had a relationship that spanned nearly 20 years & after our divorce we eventually became nearest & dearest friends. At the end of his life he battled 2 different cancers over 3 years & I was his caregiver through both. When he was diagnosed with the 2nd cancer (Stage IV pancreatic) he asked me, “Will you help me get ready to go to Heaven?” I, of course, said yes. His last wish was to travel with a friend to their cabin in the woods to see the wildlife. On the trip we came across a Bald Eagle perched where it could be clearly seen in an unusual area near a well-traveled highway. We stopped & our friend got a great picture. The eagle was one of the last of earth’s creatures Charley saw–he died at the cabin less than 24 hours later. That was coming up on 13 years ago this November & to this day I keep a framed picture of that eagle nearby.”

We have a drawing winner who named the eaglet from the Middle Ranch nest on Santa Catalina Island. This eaglet will be named Avalon, in honor of the city where they were married in 1990. Congratulations on getting to name an eagle, and on 34 years of marriage!

The first Fraser Point eaglet has been named Manini, the adopter’s family name, and an homage to the advisor and doctor to King Kamahamaha I who brought plants, including pineapples to the Hawaiian Islands.

I am reposting the announcement for our first Fraser Point eaglet because I misplaced the title “King.” The first Fraser Point eaglet has been named Manini, the adopter’s family name, and an homage to the advisor and doctor to King Kamahamaha I and who brought many plants, including pineapples to the Hawaiian Islands.

We have names for the Bald Canyon eaglets! Hatched on the day the moon covered the sun, the older sibling is named Eclipse, and the younger Selene after the Goddess of the Moon in Greek Mythology. 

The proverbial West End middle eaglet has been named Treasure. From the adopter: “Well, each of these eaglets is a treasure, and, with full respect to his/her siblings, I would like this one to carry that name: Treasure.”

The eldest eaglet from the West End has been named Koa. From the Level 1 Nest Adopter who gave this eaglet its name “WE1 is the offspring of Akecheta and Thunder. Akecheta means “fighter” in Native American language. As the eldest triplet, WE1 will carry on its father’s legacy as the protector. Koa is the Hawaiian word for warrior. Koa warriors served to protect lands, natural resources, and the ruling chiefs. They were seen as brave, bold, fearless, valiant & courageous.”

We have a new name! The youngest of the West End chicks has been named Sterling in honor of the adopter’s late father.

We have our first named chick! Pimu, from the Twin Rocks nest on Catalina Island, named “to recognize and honor the Tongva People who were the indigenous custodians of the Southern Channel Islands, including Catalina Island, over 7000 years ago. The Tongva called Catalina Island ‘Pimu.’”

The weather is bad at Charlo Montana. Not good for newly hatched chicks.

There is bonking starting at Osoyoos and the fish that I have seen have been small. This nest really needs a good supply of food to feed five. Not Olsen’s fault. He is doing the best that he can in a tough situation. ‘H’ might have a further report.

The Loch Arkaig is difficult to watch. C1 now goes after C2. I did not see a lot of fish deliveries. This is really sad. C3 reminds us how fabulous nests can change. It takes one ferocious, normally female, oldest sibling and a day or two without a lot of food deliveries and mayhem can occur – the result, the loss of one or more babies.

Geemeff’s Daily summary Monday 17th June 2024

After yesterday’s sadness at the loss of little Chick3, today was calmer all round, both for the family and for the watchers. Louis brought three fish to the nest, taking his tally to two hundred and ten. He put on a sprint between leaving the nest after delivering the first fish and returning with the second fish, and achieved a remarkable Nest to Nest time of 9 minutes 37 seconds. However, this doesn’t beat his all-time N2N record of 5 minutes 23 seconds on 31st May 2020. The third fish was basically just a tail end, and as with the earlier fish, dominant C2 got most and wouldn’t let submissive C1 have any. C1 is looking very hollow-cropped while C2 has the usual golfball – so it was heartening to see C1 suddenly decide to stand up to C2. Several attempts were made in quick succession, none lasted long and inevitably C2 soon subdued C1, but this bodes well for the future. There was discussion around the fate of the sad bundle of feathers that was C3, it’s possible Dorcha will dispose of it in the forest as she’s done before, or bury it within the nest vegetation, or it might even get eaten. C1 had the odd peck at it today, right before Dorcha had to deal with an intruder Osprey overflying the nest. No activity on Nest One, the weather was much more settled, and tonight’s forecast is a dry night with light cloud and light winds.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 00.03.50 (02.54.38); Nest Two 23.19.46 (03.48.07)

Watch the livestream 24/7 and join in the conversation here:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

Today’s videos, all Nest Two:

https://youtu.be/rcFGjw9ggH8  Fish number one, very small whole BT, C1 gets none 04:27:10 

https://youtu.be/IVqA6qiQegI Fish number two, small whole trout, arrives <10 mins Nest-to-Nest time!  04.37.12 

https://youtu.be/vxpIhe93244 Chick1 pecks at Chick3’s body, Dorcha deals with intruders 14:29:47

https://youtu.be/sAFaD-IV1No  Fish number three, just a tail-end but C2 stops C1 getting any 17.48.52 

https://youtu.be/UVmvmdGrrgo Chick1 finally makes an attempt at standing up to C2 18.10.01

Bonus watch (not for the faint-hearted) –  LizB talks about Ospreys eating their dead chicks. Warning: graphic content.

Rosie and Richmond continue to construct their new nest on the light stand now that two chicks have hatched.

Challenger, the Eagle that soared to fame during the Super Bowl and has served as an ambassador for decades is to undergo cataract surgery today at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. Send this amazing eagle good wishes for a full recovery.

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Siblicide is horrible to watch. ‘H’ and I can predict some nests where it will occur because we are aware of the weather and food availability. Others we can’t. Loch Arkaig threw us a curve ball. A perfect nest where there is fish and good parenting. Weather sets in. Things go sideways. We are watching several nests at the moment and hoping they might turn around.

There is some concern over Little Bob at Cowlitz. It ate at breakfast but had only a handful of bites of fish from the second feeding due to the eldest keeping it away. Smart little one went on the other side of Electra to eat. We wait to see how this unfolds. There is plenty of competition in the area for fish and the eagles there do steal from the ospreys when they fly to their nests with fish.

I have concerns about the osprey nest at the Bridge Golf Club. We lost Little Mini and we could lose Little. Big is hampering it eating.

One of the things that touches my heart is seeing the fledglings return to the nest to eat their fish. We see this at University of Florida-Gainesville and I am sure it is happening there while the camera is down. We see it at Moorings Park with Ruffie and Tuffy and also at Venice Golf Club. I would, however, dance around the room if all three fledglings showed up at the nest at once – just to know all are safe and sound.

Split screen shows both at Moorings on Monday having fish like the two above.

Change in date for the ringing of Rutland’s Only Bob.

In Scotland, the Golden Eagle Recover Programme is working hard.

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Good night Lake Murray. I hear predator grates like the ones at Cowlitz PUD will be installed if the Cowlitz chicks are once again saved from any predation this year like they were in 2023.

‘H’ reports:

6/17 Forsythe osprey nest: It was another good fishing day for Oscar.  There were only five fish, but three of them were quite large.  The first meal of the day lasted for 75 minutes, and both of the osplets ate three times.   As you might expect, sibling rivalry was quelled today. 

6/18 Kent Island (Chesapeake) osprey nest:  It looks as though egg 1 of Audrey and Tom’s second clutch is not going to hatch.  It is at 41 days, and had been pecked by a crow over a month ago.  Egg 2 broke at laying.  Egg 3 remains, and will be 33 days old later this evening.

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6/18 The Boathouse osprey nest:  Dory and Skiff’s lil’ babe is four-days-old already, and is cute as a button!  Egg #2 is at 37 days today, with no pip seen at the time of this note.

6/17 Patuxent osprey nest:  The three osplets are 37, 40, and 41 days old.  There were seven fish brought to the nest.  Little ate nothing of the first small fish.  Meals two and three were sort of combined, as there ended up being two fish in the nest at the same time.  Little ate very well at those feedings, and both of the older siblings tried a little bit of self feeding.  Little did not eat again until the last meal of the day, and ate 32 bites of fish plus the fish tail.  My impression over the past two days is that Little needs to have more to eat.  The temperatures will be very warm in the upcoming days, and I hope Dad will bring in some whoppers so that Little will have enough to eat.

6/17 Captiva osprey nest:  They had another splendid day.  There were five fish brought to the nest, two from Edie and three from Jack.  There were feedings and self-feedings.  Darling has become quite adept at self-feeding, and s/he was able to maintain possession of a fish or two when Ding attempted to steal it.  Progress!  Ding was doing some major helicoptering, including a few times completely out of sight for several seconds.  

And how wonderful. A Black Stork nest and the chicks getting ringed in Latvia!

Thank you so much for being with me. Please do take care. We hope to see you again soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, posts, articles, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post this morning: ‘A, Geemeff, H, IB, J, PB’, MN Landscape Arboretum, Amersfoort Falcons, SK Hideaways, Cornell Bird Lab, Montana Osprey Project, Field Farm, BoPH, IWS/Explore, Charlo Montana, Osoyoos Ospreys, The Woodland Trust, Geemeff, SF Bay Ospreys, Discover Magazine, Cowlitz PUD, Bridge Golf Course, VGCCO, Moorings Park Ospreys, LRWT, Forsythe, Patuxent River Park, Lent Island, Audubon Boat House, Window to Wildlife, BirdGuides, Lake Murray Ospreys, and LDF.

Second chick for Iris and Finnegan…Monday in Bird World

17 June 2024

Hello Everyone!

We hope that you had a lovely weekend. Sunday was beautiful in southern Manitoba. Blue skies with lots of wind to keep the mosquitoes away. We did the 10 km walk, the long path, around Oak Hammock Marsh. The Red-winged Blackbirds followed us. There were songbirds, ducks with ducklings, goslings, Pelicans, and Swans. There was even Killdeer. It was a glorious afternoon spent outside.

They were clearly ‘white’ but, for the sake of saving my arm today, I went with my phone and not the long lens. Bad decision. They look like Snow Geese or Swans to me and not Pelicans, but they were approximately 30 metres away. Please feel free to disagree! The image when cropped and blown up is too faint to tell accurately.

I really hope that you got to spend some time outside, away from the computer screen. Hearing the birds, listening to the wind, feeling the sun – it all makes everything better and it has been a particularly rough week in Bird World.

First news for Monday: We have a second chick at Hellgate for Iris and Finnegan!

I am going to start with the sadness so we can move on to the gladness.

Geemeff sends us the report for The Woodland Trust and the Osprey nests at Loch Arkaig:

Daily summary Sunday 16th June 2024

Sadly, there’s only one story today – the death of little bob3 at 24 days old. The youngest chick succumbed to weather, lack of food, and stress from aggression by the middle chick. Although s/he did get some fish today, it was too little too late and two days of cold wet weather plus being left uncovered in a downpour this morning when too weak to crawl under mum was too much for the chick to overcome. It will be interesting to see how the other two chicks react to having one less competitor, but it looks like chick1 is already working out strategies to prevent chick2 getting all the food. Louis brought five fish to the nest today, taking his tally to two hundred and seven. No activity on Nest One except for a little songbird who pootled around for a few minutes. It was very dreich today but tonight’s forecast of partly cloudy with light winds and 9°C temperatures is slightly better. 

RIP little chick three: 24th May – 16th June 2024

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.42.37 (03.13.33); Nest Two  23.20.40 (03.51.29)

Watch the livestream 24/7 and join in the conversation here:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/kT2dGq0-2zs N2 Fish number one, small whole trout – C3 is looking weak  05.06.42

https://youtu.be/hlazHmk6Q64  N2 Fish number two, headless large trout – C3 gets a few bites 05.52.19 

https://youtu.be/boDKXOe820U N2 Fish number three, headless large trout – C1 gets a good feed, C3 doesn’t move 09.40.52

https://youtu.be/n7QT7THpK3M N2 Fish number four, whopper headless trout – has C3 lost its fight? 13.44.49 

https://youtu.be/zW4F9G1h224 N1 A little songbird visits 14.03.50 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/zN-GUwN08iM  N2 RIP Little bob3: the last day of Chick Three 05.54 – 19.02

https://youtu.be/ElWA0SIE6yM N2 Fish number five, whopper trout. C2 immediately moves in 21.29.27 

https://youtu.be/dCQU4Mrm4F0 N2  N2 Chick1 has a cunning plan to thwart C2 21.40.45

A thesis on osprey nest mortality.

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Geemeff’s tribute to little C3 at Loch Arkaig.

And now for the giggle of the day which comes form ‘A’:

In Sydney, the eagles have been on the nest this morning (in fact, Lady is there at the moment). The magpies chose Saturday to start mating all over Melbourne. Nature strips, medians, backyards. It’s avian pornography wherever you look. Even the noisy mynahs are joining in (not with the magpies, obviously!) so it seems it is about a week or two until egg-laying begins in southeastern Australia. We are keeping an eye/ear out for our falcons in Collins Street – they must be around their scrape by now if they are planning to use it this year. 

It is time for some good news! Smallie is flying. ‘PB’ reports that he was seen sitting on a bicycle and was flying back and forth to the nest. Smallie was the much loved Amersfoort tiny, tiny falcon with the humongous siblings. Many thought Smallie didn’t have a chance. The parents kept feeding and Smallie, by his/her own nature didn’t give up. She/he got out on that scrape and ate anything they could. Now Smallie is flying! Tears.

‘PB’ reports that Smallie flew off the ledge like a pro! There he goes!

Another tragedy that has turned out alright. Both Decorah North eaglets are flying. Their nest collapsed Sunday morning and it was feared one might be grounded and couldn’t get up. But now they are together on a branch – the last news that I had. Mr and Mrs DNF are incredible parents and they will make sure these two are well looked after! No worries there.

The power on the camera at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum went down at 0530 on Sunday morning after the storms and rain went through the area.

All four osplets at Field Farm are doing great.

And smile. All four at Poole Harbour are doing fantastic, too. Little Mini is turning into a Reptile!

Reports from ‘H’:

6/16, Fortis Exshaw osprey nest:  The third baby hatched at approximately 14:04.  Louise’s new mate, Harvie, has taken good care of her this season, helping with security, providing fish, and incu-brooding.  We know that he’ll be a great Dad.

6/16, Patuxent osprey nest:  There were six fish brought to the nest.  It wasn’t the best day for Little, but he still did okay.  There was no ‘whopper’ fish that would allow for a prolonged private feeding for Little.  S/he ate well at 0752 and 1237, but was only able to eat for about 9 minutes at the last four meals of the day.

6/16 Mispillion Harbor osprey nest:  Della and Warren, and their two 21 and 20-day-old chicks are doing great.  Warren is a fishing machine, and it seems like these two osplets are always eating. 


6/16, Captiva osprey nest:  It was another fish-filled day…and as you know, fish make ospreys happy…so everyone was happy!  There were seven fish brought to the nest by Edie and Jack, and Jack delivered five of them!  Oh, my goodness, what a great Dad…tirelessly providing for his family despite being injured.

We are on fledge watch for the last of the San Jose falcons! And SK Hideaways shows us how silly these kids are.

Food fight at San Jose!

Three beautiful babies at Cowlitz PUD protected by those fish grates by the PUD.

Three beautiful babies enjoying a fish dinner at Osoyoos.

More good news. The two Eastern Imperial Eaglets of Altyn and Nova in the RU nest appear to be very healthy.

I continue to hope that the two Golden Eaglets in the Estonian nest 2 will survive. They appear to both being doing well, also.

There was some concern about the osplet of Iris and Finnegan. It had gotten itself upside down in the nest, but that drama, thankfully, has passed and the chick is right side up again!

‘A’ comments: “Finn is still the perfect partner, feeding Iris and bringing in fish for her and the youngster. He just loves being on the nest when Iris is feeding the chick, which he is absolutely besotted with. He is fascinated and delighted by the little one and takes every opportunity to see it. He is very careful around the chick now, using his wings to keep his balance and ensure that he does not stumble or step on the chick – a major improvement on his initial clumsy clomping around the nest. 

Iris was a lot better today, feeding the osplet more often and generally looking a lot more alert and active. I wonder whether she was very tired from the first hatch,she had three nights (two that were particularly disturbed) when she was awake for much of the night while the first chick was hatching. She was aware on that first night of the activity beginning in one of her eggs, and over the following two nights she had a hatching egg, and then on the third night, a just-hatched chick. She had very little sleep, and she really did appear lethargic to me over the past couple of days. But today, she appeared much more energetic 

Meanwhile, that osplet is MONSTROUS. Surely it cannot possibly be only five days old. It looks twice that age, and it is growing so fast, it appears to be entering the dinosaur phase already. I am extremely nervous about a potential second hatch. This size discrepancy is ridiculous. Surely a hatch as tiny as this second one is likely to be has absolutely no chance against a sibling literally ten times its size. And I am not entirely sure Iris has the energy to give a new very tiny chick. Certainly, Finn will do his best to support Iris, and I love the way he feeds her on the nest. She sure is demanding! I never saw her with Stanley, but if he also fed Iris, then perhaps it is Iris who is dictating the behaviour of the males in her life. It is most unusual behaviour in my experience. Certainly, we have seen males occasionally offer a mouthful to a female on the nest, but I have never seen feeds of this length and this regularity. She is being feted by this handsome young man. Our Iris sure is an impressive cougar. “

And the news is still good. Richmond of SF Golden Gate Audubon is a Grand -Dad. Robin B caught Lassen and his family on video for everyone.

Sharon Dunne reports that both Royal Cam chick parents were in today! What luck!

Sara and Sota at the Sun Coast Osprey nest had two fledges this past week. Congratulations! (screen capture by Lucille Powell)

The two chicks at the WDNU Tower in South Bend, Indiana appear to be doing well. No rewind so it is hard to catch a great image of the entire family!

Charlie and his new mate at Charlo Montana have three beautiful osplets. Mum is not too happy with the delivery of ‘something’ – it certainly wasn’t a fish! She uses her beak to push it to the rails.

There are many benefits to having only one osplet to feed. Parents do not use up as much energy. There is normally enough fish for three. The Only Bob usually grows big and strong. Boulder County is a good example.

Only Bob at Manton Bay is doing fantastic. ‘She’ – seriously I believe this is a nice big female – will be ringed this week. Blue 33 and Maya doing well after Maya’s earlier sickness. (I still owe you the entry for Manton Bay. I have not forgotten. The deaths and tragedies seem to have overtaken everything lately).

After the issues at the Dahlgren nest, Sandpoint’s platform is starting to worry me. Old fish, new fish. Baby gets fed.

There are growing concerns for C3 at the Bridge Golf Club. We have already lost Mini Little to siblicide and it looks as if we could lose Little on this nest. It would appear that the supply of fish might only be enough for two chicks, not four and maybe not three.

The two osplets at Ferris State University have all their beautiful juvenile plumage. One egg DNH.

The trio at Radford University are at the same stage as those at Ferris in their plumage development. Aren’t these babies beautiful?

Two little sweeties at Blackbush. Hoping those eggs continue to be DNH.

Is it dangerous to be a fledgling eagle parent? Ask Akecheta!

There are so many people who have helped wildlife. At the moment I am completely behind Isabella Tree and rewinding. I am hopeful that what she has done at Knepp Farm might translate into urban and suburban gardens. After adding more trees to our property, we added more annuals to attract the pollinators. Every little bit helps. You can do it with a single pollinator friendly potted plant!

Conservationist-Isabella-Tree-‘Rewilding-is-vital-for-the-UKs-agricultural-future-Food-The-GuDownload

Thank you so much for being with me today. Have a great week. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, images, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, H, J, MP, PB’, Geemeff for The Woodland Trust, Sea Eagle Cam, Amersfoort Falcons, Raptor Resource Project/Explore, MN Landscape Arboretum, Field Farm, BoPH, Patuxent River Park, FortisExshaw, Window to Wildlife, Mispillion Harbour, SK Hideaways, Cowlitz PUD, Osoyoos Ospreys, Eastern Imperial Eagle Cam RU, Eagle Club of Estonia, Montana Osprey Cams, SF Bay Ospreys, Robin B, Sharon Dunne, Sun Coast Ospreys, Lucille Powell, WDNU Tower, Charlo Montana, Boulder County, LRWT, Sandpoint Ospreys, Bridge Golf Club, Ferris State University, Radford University, Netflix Memories, and The Guardian.

Iris second hatch, Lake Murray Osplet flies when hit by GHO, deaths at Forsythe…Saturday in Bird World

15 June 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

Friday was a really beautiful day. The sky was a clear blue and there was no rain and little wind. The temperature was 24 C. It was a good day to check out the goslings and ducklings at the park later – I went around 1700 and they were coming out of their shady island nests to swim. Even with the sprinkler system, the rain and the heat are causing some algae/pond plant problems.

It was really hard to see the tiny ducklings.

Oh, I adore the little female Wood Ducks.

This Mallard had two surviving ducklings. Many had 12 or 13 and it was hard to tell as the Canada Geese do their ‘daycare thing’ so you might see several geese caring for nearly forty youngsters while the other parents forage.

Five beautiful and tiny little wood ducks.

My garden is lush. The water has caused everything to thrive in a year when I worried as the winter had been so dry. Some of you will recall that there was a peony plant and a climbing rose that were planted on my property in 1902 when the old two-story house was built by Italian rail workers. Both are still alive. The peony is full of buds that will bloom soon and the rose is simply bursting with buds. I coddle it as if it were the most precious thing and I often wonder who lived here and who the woman was who planted the roses and the peonies.

The roses now cover an area of approximately 3 metres by 5 metres. The area is absolutely thick with branches laden with these amazing buds. What a treat! I am already dreaming of what it will be like to sit next to the flowers and sip my tea when they bloom – imagine the scent!!!!!!!

I feel that I am such a bearer of bad news these days. There are so many issues that face our raptors and many of those are playing out around the world. You might recall that there was heavy rain and flooding around the nest of Liberty and Guardian. It was noted that the tree was dead. Today, Sol is dehydrated, and death could be imminent. FORE has tried to get a tree climber but the tree is in too bad of a shape for them to climb. Liberty tried to feed her eaglet but Sol was not interested.

Over the years the citizen scientists, like yourself, observing the nests of all avian species have noted issues with nests. If it isn’t happening (and certainly some places are diligent at inspections), nests should be inspected annually prior to breading season. Dead trees, sadly, should be taken down so that we do not find ourselves in the situation with Liberty and Guardian’s Sol. This might also help with nest collapses when the nests are simply too large and heavy rain would cause them to crash potentially killing eaglets.

Sadly Sol passed away Friday morning. He was 77 days old. Right ready to fledge.

For those concerned for Luna, boots on the ground found her and she is alive and well. What a relief!

At the Fraser Point Nest of Andor and Cruz, Reign has fell off a nest that is collapsing. She was found safe under the nest!

The full report of Ospreys on the Iberian Peninsula for 2023-24 is now available.

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‘EJ’ sent us a news story to put a smile on our faces. We do need a good rescue right now!

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What a beautiful Black stork nest in Poland!

Two juveniles on Tor – those West End fledglings are strong. Thunder and Akecheta got them a lot of high quality food. We see it in their spunk and in their flying. But, oh, to have such open spaces without buildings. They are blessed.

All three West End Eaglets – Koa, Treasure, and Sterling were caught on video soaring together. How lovely.

Idris and Telyn did a great dual feeding for the osplets at the Dyfi nest in Wales. They are looking for names. Need to be unused river and mountain names in Wales. Check it out! Dyfi Osprey Project.

Those Montreal falcons really want to fly! If you are missing the Cal Falcons and San Jose ones, then take a look at these three.

Things have still to settled down at Loch Arkaig. C2 still dominates all the feedings.

Blue 022 gets the fish to the nest for CJ7 to feed the Fab Four.

New dad, Finnegan, is actively involved in every aspect of the family including security, delivering food, feeding Iris, and feeding the chick plus being support. What a guy. So thankful you came along, Finnegan. This is an amazing story unfolding on the nest Iris now shares with you.

Good night, Iris.

‘A’ alerts us to the second hatch. Iris didn’t get much sleep!

“Darling Finn was in with a late fish last night (14 June) at 18:53:45. It’s a nice size and appears whole. When Iris stands up to claim it, we can see the second tiny head in the nest. It is still very tired from the hatch, and only wakes up because Big Bob disturbed it by standing up, getting ready to be fed. Big Bob is gigantic already, so this second hatch is going to need to be a strong-minded chick. Iris begins eating while Finn checks out his offspring. 

Finn stands and watches Iris feeding Big Bob, who is a great little eater. After a couple of minutes, he flies to the perch while Iris continues feeding. By 19:09 Big Bob’s face is covered in fish and he is falling into a food coma. Mum settles down to brood the pair. Finn flies down the nest, then at 19:16 heads off. Dad is back with a stick at 19:30:24 and leaves again immediately. 

Shortly after 19:29, Iris stands and begins alerting. She looks upwards, continuing to alert loudly. Intruder? She calms down relatively quickly but continues to glance upwards and to her left (towards the camera). It is at this point that Finn arrives (from the opposite direction) with the stick, which he nearly brains the chicks with. After he leaves, Iris remains standing and occasionally glances at the same spot again. 

Eventually, after a good rouse and another glance around, Iris goes to settle on the chicks but changes her mind and stays standing, looking around. Around 19:33:40 she has a good flap of her wings. Impressive.At 19:34 she carefully returns to brooding the chicks. At 20:06:30 Finn is back on the perch. He flies off again at 20:12:20.

This morning, Finn arrives on the nest just before 05:18, while it is still dark, to say good morning. He stands beside her. She is her usual very chatty self. He is silent. Having said only yesterday I’d never seen Iris sleeping tucked, she did so quite a bit last night (especially as morning approached). Shortly after 05:25, Finn set off to get breakfast. He returns soon after 06:30 but without a fish. Iris does not sound pleased by this development. 

He does a little busy work on the nest, but when Iris stands up at 06:3424, he immediately flies off. Iris stretches her wings and then flies off the nest herself at 06:34:40. She is back at 06:35:13, so obviously just did a circuit of the car park. Dad is back just before 06:38, again with empty talons. Iris leaves again. Finn is standing on his left leg a lot, which I presume is just resting but I am hoping he has not suffered any injury to the leg. I don’t think so. He wonders whether/how to brood the chicks and looks around for Iris. 

Eventually, shortly after 06:41 Finn settles down to brood the osplets. It appears Iris has taken breakfast into her own talons. Iris is back at 06:56:17. She has no fish. Finn gets up carefully and flies to the perch, allowing Iris to brood the osplets. Iris gets up, moves a large piece of bark, and settles down again. Why? Strange. After a good preen, Finn leaves again around 07:09, hopefully on a fishing expedition. Iris looks to have a good crop still but the chicks need feeding, especially the younger one. 

It is now 07:25 and Finn is not yet back. I do hope this new baby is not too tiny and that it is able to get fed. I also hope that it is a female and the first hatch a male, but I doubt that. This first hatch is precocious, physically and behaviourally. It is strong and a very good eater. I am fearful for the younger osplet, but then always was with the lengthy gap (a full week) between the laying of those two eggs. We will wait and hope.”

An absorbing article about Iris and Finnegan with interviews with Dr Greene and his helper Sharon Leigh-Miles.

‘Thats-a-great-mom-World-famous-osprey-welcomes-a-new-chick-Montana-Public-RadioDownload

‘A’ has finally fallen in love with Ospreys! She writes, “Iris carefully supervised Finn’s first attempt at feeding their chick yesterday morning (14 June) at around 08:55. Initially, he wasn’t very good at it, finding it hard to reach down far enough to put the food into the chick’s beak, but after two or three efforts, he successfully gave the chick a bite. And another. He was good at getting the pieces small enough but leaning down to get the food into the chick’s beak took him a little more practice. But he is learning. Iris standing behind him, watching closely but not interfering, was so sweet. She is happy to teach him how to be a good dad – I’m surprised she is not more protective of the wee one, but she obviously trusts this guy and he has already proven himself to her in many ways. Certainly, he has demonstrated an amazing level of devotion to his family. Let’s hope he remembers that his primary role is away from the nest – fishing for the family and keeping intruders away from the territory. Family time is a bonus. But I do adore how proud he is of Iris and their chick. I wonder how he will manage provisioning for two osplets, Iris and himself. 

By 08:57 Iris was a little concerned that far more fish was going into Finn’s mouth than into the chick’s beak and decided to intervene. When Finn tries to feed the chick a piece that is too large, Iris takes it from his beak and bends down to feed it carefully to the wee one. Finn continues to eat the fish, while Iris feeds the chick saliva several times. He keeps eating. She moves closer, obviously wanting more of this fish to be fed to the chick. (It is large and pretty much whole, so Finn is entitled to eat the head at least. Iris however is concerned only about feeding the chick.) When he turns to feed a piece to the osplet, she takes it from him again and feeds it to the chick. This is repeated several times, with Iris taking food from Finn to feed to the chick. This is SO sweet. They are not so much tandem feeding as team feeding. Iris is clearly teaching Finn about being a great dad. 

Finn now concentrates again on eating for himself, so Iris settles down to brood the chick, though it remains visible at her breast. She reaches out to nibble at the fish Finn is holding down, as he continues to eat beside the nest bowl. He feeds Iris a couple of bites, then continues eating. She continues nibbling at the fish too. When Finn flies to the perch shortly after, he leaves the fish beside Iris. He returns to the nest at 09:33:35 with eyes firmly on the leftover fish. Iris has a lot to say. He nibbles on the fish a little, but soon leaves without removing the remaining fish. 

He is soon back again (10:05), possibly with a stick, although Iris standing up obscures our view. She is very chatty. He is tall, dark and handsome, a man of few words. She settles back down to brood and he simply stands behind her on the nest, protectively. After a couple of minutes, he circles Iris and she stands up to show him his baby (and the hatching second egg, presumably). He looks down into the nest, obviously fascinated as always. She continues to chirp. Having closely examined his progeny, Finn flies to the perch. Iris continues chatting. By 10:19, she is settling down to brood again. Finn remains on the perch. There is still half a large fish (probably a fair bit more) remaining on the nest. “

We still have three chicks at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum! Mum provided good shade for much of the day and the three had some good fish.

Wow, that third hatch at Charlo Montana sure came quickly. Charlie looks on at this three kids and his new mate.

Little Mini had a bit of a crop earlier in the day from this feeding but was shut out later – something that bothered me a bit. It was rather submissive during a late feeding allowing the older Little Bob to lean over it and eat. I am hoping Little Mini was just full.

Only Bob at Sandpoint is a fat bottomed little cutie.

‘MM’ watched the Osoyoos nest for us on Friday and she reports: “It was offline again until about 9:30 this morning so not sure if there were any feedings before then but I have counted 6 so far today with the 6th one still taking place. For the most part they have been very small especially the first three or four. I’m almost certain at the first feeding(9:56 am) mom ate it all while the chicks bonked one another. The fish lasted all of 5 minutes, was so small you could barely see it. At 10:56 and 11:34 am dad delivered small fish again with each chick getting a few bites and mom also definitely wasn’t enough to fill their crops. At 1:26 and 2:51 pm he brought fish that were a little bit bigger but not by much. Again they each got enough to keep hunger at bay but still not seeing bulging crops like at other nests. Number 6 was delivered at 4:12 pm and was still ongoing when I started this email. It was definitely bigger than the others. As the chicks get older hopefully the fish will get bigger because there’s no way those tiny fish will fill up 3 growing chicks and mom has quite the appetite as well 😄 I noticed they are pretty well behaved whilst eating but not so much while there’s no food on the nest.”

The 6th fish of the day and the biggest. Thanks, ‘MM’

Two gorgeous feathered babes on the Patchogue nest!

The little one enjoying some fish on the Cowlitz PUD nest.

It is difficult to see if all the chicks are alright on the Oyster Bay nest because of the greenery.

Two surviving osplets at Maryland Western Shore for Old Town Home are fantastic.

Smallie spent the night in the scrape. He is looking very well.

Prey continues to be provided for the Ns at the Cornell nest of Big Red and Arthur. Both fledglings appear to be flying strong.

‘H’ reports:

Dahlgren osprey nest:  Early on 6/14, viewers noticed that the 12-day-old chick was in a deep hole in the nesting, and sitting on a bottom wood slat of the platform nest.  The baby is surrounded by some articles of clothing, perhaps gloves (?), and can’t hardly move.  So far, Helen has been able to feed her baby in that position.  Viewers tried for hours to raise awareness with the nest owners.  Finally this morning on Facebook is the response:  Brigitte Schwurack Top contributor Thank you for your message, the owners of the camera are informed.

6/14, The weather started to clear, and it turned out to be a great day!  Due to poor fishing, the youngest osplet, Darling, had not eaten for over 3.5 days.  At 0917 Edie delivered a whole catfish, and Ding ate. Darling was not able to eat any of that fish.  At 1015 Edie brought another whole catfish and fed Ding.  While that was taking place, Jack arrived with a partial fish.  Ding grabbed Jack’s fish, and Darling was quick to grab Edie’s catfish, and ate his first bites of food for over 87 hours.  At 1024 Edie took the fish from Darling and began to feed him.  Darling ate for about 40 minutes.   At 1259 Edie landed with a partial ladyfish, Darling grabbed and mantled, but Ding took it away.  Ding ate until 1334, then walked away.  There was still a lot of fish left, and Darling self-fed on the ladyfish.  At 1337 Edie brought a whole ladyfish, Darling abandoned the other one, and Edie fed some of the new fish to Ding, but most to Darling. At 1428 Edie fed the remainder of the first ladyfish, mostly to Darling, and some to Ding.  Finally, at 1956 Edie delivered a partial catfish.  She fed Ding, and then Ding did some self-feeding.  Everyone’s prayers had been answered for tons of fish.  Darling had a large crop for most of the day.  We are so very thankful that the weather cleared and Edie and Jack were able to catch fish, and that our dear Darling is still with us!

6/14 Forsythe osprey nest: There are not enough fish being brought to this nest.  It has already undergone brood reduction once.  Mini4 died of siblicide/starvation on 6/11.  There were four fish brought to the nest on 6/14, and none were very large.  Big and Middle were both responsible for preventing Little from eating for the second straight day.  Little passed away overnight…COD siblicide/starvation.  Big also controls when Middle is allowed to eat, and Middle ate a total of 156 bites of fish the entire day.  This may end up being a one-chick nest, where once there were four of the cutest little osplets you had ever seen.

6/14 Fenwick Island osprey nest – Captain Mac’s Fish house:  Congratulations to Johnny and June on the hatch of their first baby at approximately 19:45.

6/14, Patuxent osprey nest:  There were six fish brought to the nest by Dad, and a couple were whoppers!  Everyone had a great day, and Little had several good private feedings.  Remarkably, at meal #5, Little was eating right beside Big…as if they had been best buddies their entire lives!


It was almost daylight, and I thought the osplet had survived another night without being hit by the GHO.  At 0538 C1 was standing up in the nest when she was struck hard by the GHO.  The GHO was not able to take her.  C1 managed to grab the rail sticks with her talons, but had been thrown  off balance, and she eventually fell off the nest.  That nest is very high, and we hoped that she was able to flap and float down to the ground.  Well, she did better than that….  The nest owner saw C1 flying across the lake!

‘J’ sent us an update on Connick, Connie and Clive’s eaglet from 2023.

‘J’ also sent us an update on Chance:

‘RP’ sent us a smile:

Thank you so much for being with me today. Please take care! See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, observations, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, EJ, H, J, MM, PB, RP’, FORE, Vicki Jacques, BVS Girl, Aguila Pesiadora, The Raptor Resource Project, BocianiMyBolewice, IWS/Explore, Dyfi Osprey Project, Friends of Loch Arkaig, Montreal Falcon Cam, Geemeff, BoPH, Montana News, Charlo Montana Osprey Cam (Owl Osprey Project), MN Landscape Arboretum, Field Farm, Sandpoint Ospreys, Osoyoos Osprey Cam, PSEG, Cowlitz PUD, Maryland Western Shore for Old Town Home, Amersfoort Peregrine Falcon Cam, Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey, Lake Murray Ospreys, Forsythe, Patuxent River Park, Dahlgren, Fenwick Island, and CBS Sunday Morning.

Pip in Iris and Finnegan’s second egg…Friday in Bird World

14 June 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

The rain clouds came Wednesday evening and watered the garden and they are rolled in again from the West Thursday morning. Hugo Yugo is afraid of the thunder and lighting and the minute it starts she scatters to get under the duvet on my bed. Poor thing. Friday is a different matter. There are no clouds in sight. The sky is a pure beautiful blue with the bright emerald green from the trees decorating it. Everything is so lush. I have never seen trees and shrubs grow so much in such a short time. It just shows how much we need the water and how dry our winter had been.

I spent about three hours walking at the zoo on Thursday and about an hour sitting and having tea and watching the polar bears. It was the most glorious day. I am hoping to be a good example to all of you to get out and about, but I have to admit that I was pretty sore and tired after that!

The bears had been fed and were swimming in the icy cold water area before they left to go into their den. They are so gorgeous and are extremely well cared for. (I am still not sure what I think about zoos).

Besides spending time in the research centre learning how climate change is hampering the ability of these iconic bears to get food, I also found out how the staff at the zoo determine if one of them is ill. They put different coloured sprarkle bits in their food. So Bear A might have green, Bear B red, etc. Then they check their poop. Reminded me of the movie, The Last Emperor of China.

Polar bears are most active in the winter and hibernate during the summer. Churchill, Manitoba, is the Polar Bear Capital of the World. I do not know when they gave that small town on Hudson’s Bay the moniker, but today, if you want to see Polar Bears, you must go out in boats at two specific times of the year – spring and fall. The times are getting later and later as the sea ice gets smaller and smaller and further away from land. The bears have great difficulty getting food. They must fatten up in the winter to live on the fat all during hibernation. Sadly, they are hungry because of fewer and fewer seals. Some bears are catching seals in open water, and in the fall, they are desperately hungry. They come into Churchill and feed on garbage, which causes the citizens to get upset and the bears to be shot. Life is becoming desperately hard for them.

Sad news coming in this morning. One of the four fledglings at San Jose, Luna, has been found dead on the ground following a building collision. Thank you ‘SP’ for alerting me.

As I ready for bed, there is serious concern over the Captiva Osprey nest. Connor from Window to Wildlife posted the following letter. This is one of the nests that ‘H’ monitors and she notes that Darling has had nothing to eat (but perhaps a few scraps) in 75 hours. This is because of the weather. We are hoping for a miracle but are realistically expecting Darling to pass away.

‘H’ reports on Captiva which is a nest she monitors: “6/13 Captiva ospreys:  The stationary tropical wave weather pattern that extends all across south Florida is expected to continue for the next few days, albeit with conditions predicted to be a little less severe in some places.  The two osplets, Ding and Darling, had eaten a meal the evening of 6/10.  Then fishing became impossible due to the stormy weather, not just because of the wind and rain, but due to the effect it had on the water surface and water turbidity.  The evening of 6/12 Edie brought a partial catfish to the nest which was eaten by Ding.  The morning of 6/13, Jack delivered a partial needlefish that was eaten by Ding.  In the afternoon, Edie brought a partial catfish, and that was eaten by Ding.  And, in the evening, Jack delivered a partial sheepshead that Ding ate.  The shortage of food has rekindled Ding’s ultimate dominance over Darling, and Ding wins the battles for the fish.  If enough fish is brought to the nest, Darling will win some of those battles, and Ding may also allow Edie to keep a fish to feed Darling.

In my opinion, if Darling passes, it will have nothing to do with Jack’s injury.  This is about the weather.  It is a prolonged weather event that a young unfed osplet cannot endure.  And, I’m sure this scenario is being played out at many osprey nests all across south Florida that have been impacted by this nearly-stationary tropical wave.

This is exactly the same effect that the Nor’easter had in New Jersey last June.  Certain adverse weather systems simply hang around too long, causing poor fishing that lasts for too many consecutive days…not just one day, or two days, but three days or more.  The end result is the starvation/dehydration deaths of many young ospreys.  In some cases, the prolonged stormy weather may cause the deaths of the adult ospreys as well.  For example, at the Ocean City, NJ nest, where the parents disappeared after the June 2023 storm, intruders took over the nest, and the osplets died in the nest.   

When the weather begins to improve after such a prolonged adverse weather event, and the adult ospreys are able to catch a fish, they must eat at least part of the fish to ensure their own survival, before bringing the remainder of the fish to the nest to feed their young.  Then, the dominant osplet in the nest will eat first.

At Captiva, Edie was providing for her two osplets just fine for three days in Jack’s absence, while we were unaware that he had been injured.  Then the storm hit, and made fishing impossible for an extended period of time.  Now that fishing has started to improve, and both Edie and Jack have been able to bring a few fish to the nest, the eldest osplet, Ding, has first dibs on the food.  If Darling dies, it will not be because of Jack’s injury.  It will be due to the storm, and because s/he happens to be the youngest osplet in the nest.  

By 07:00 on 6/14, Darling will not have eaten for 84 hours.  Pray for enough fish this morning to feed both Ding and Darling.”


6/13, Forsythe osprey nest:  After 10 fish were brought to the nest by Oscar on 6/12, this nest took a nose dive…with no apparent explanation.  At 0822, Oscar delivered a medium-sized headless fish.  Little was not permitted to eat at that meal, and Middle only ate a few bites.  After many hours, Opal decided to go fishing herself, and she returned with a large whole fish at 1530.  That feeding lasted for 40 minutes, and yet Little only ate 4 bites of fish.  He was prevented from eating by both Big and Middle.  We saw Oscar on the perch, but perhaps he wasn’t feeling well.  Little ate pretty well on 6/12, so he is not in immediate danger of starvation.  

6/13 Patuxent: There were six fish brought to the nest by Dad.  Little did not manage to eat at the first meal, but had a nice 12 minute private feeding at the second meal.  Little was not able to make it to Mom’s beak during the next two meals.  Little usually automatically assumes his tuck-and-surrender posture when a fish is delivered to the nest, and he has learned to wait his turn until Big and Middle are full.  But, at meal five, he fell asleep while waiting, lol.  The meal began at 1600, and by 1616 both Big and Middle had dropped back…queue Little…calling Little…where’s Little?…Oh my goodness, he had fallen asleep!  Mom ate some of the fish, and all of a sudden Little woke up at 1621 and said, “Oh, here I come Mommy, save some for me.”  But, there were only two bites of fish that Mom had left to feed her youngest.  Ahh, but Dad wasn’t finished…he delivered a large headless fish at 1822, and Little had a mostly private feed for 23 minutes and ate 145 bites of fish. 

6/14 South Cape May Meadows osprey nest:  We knew that the crow most likely destroyed egg #3 on 6/8, and it pecked at another egg.  One egg hatched on 6/11 which could have been either the first or second egg.  Well…another egg hatched overnight on 6/14!  So, the first baby was from egg #1 at 39 days, and the second baby was from egg #2 at 39 days.  “Now, you two must get along..Ya hear!”  Congratulations to Hera and Zeus!

6/14 Fortis Exshaw osprey nest:  The second baby hatched overnight.  Congratulations to Louise and Harvie!  (I do not have any good photos yet) 

6/14 Boathouse osprey nest:  Congratulations to Dory and Skiff on their first baby of the season.  The lil’ one hatched just after 8 a.m.

Gosh, that is a cute little baby, Heidi! Look at those dark eyes.

Thanks so much, ‘H’. We love your reports!

One of my readers said this morning that ‘the Montana nest might bring us the happiness we need this year’. With all the worry about Jack at Captiva with ‘the something’ sticking out of his leg (looks like part of a fishing spear to me), and all the nests that have four chicks, and now Loch Arkaig with the ferocious C2, well. It is going to be nice to sit and watch Iris live out a wonderful summer. She always had the best nest in the country. She would work on it right after she arrived from migration and then stop and make sure it was in tip top shape when she left. Just look at it. Perfect. This is just the best ‘icing on the cake’ for this female. A devoted male after so many years. When did Stanley die? 2014? If you look at the timeline below, you will see that the fledge in 2018 was just a fluke. It has been ten years since Iris had a clutch of chicks that fledged! So this really is a miracle year.

Hellgate-Osprey-Cam-Timeline-Cornell-Lab-Bird-Cams-Cornell-Lab-Bird-CamsDownload

So far, Finn is delivering on his promise to continue to be a good mate and dad. A huge fish came on the nest for Iris and baby Thursday morning.

The enthusiasm for a big fish for the babe and Iris caused some concern Thursday afternoon. ‘MB’ writes, “Some clumsy/scary looking moments at Iris’ nest 14:50 ish.  A large fish arrives complete with head.  The two adults both seem keen to wrangle it, more interested in the fish than the chick.  The wee chick is trodden on a few times.  It goes down and stays still for a while, and I am holding my breath.  By 15:00 ish the chick is back up and begging and the fish has been taken over to the perch to be sorted out. Hopefully it will arrive back for a more civilised feeding.”

Goodness me. We do not need a nest accident! Iris and Finnegan with that whole fish and wee babe wanting fish!

Finnegan looks down at the wee babe while Iris feeds. Oh, I wish I could see what he is thinking.

‘A’ adores Finn: “Finn does appear young, but if he has never done this before, he sure is a natural dad. He adores Iris and worships this tiny creature in the nest. He watches it with absolute fascination, and spends quite a bit of time on the perch, guarding his family with obvious pride. Adorable. 

You should see the size of the afternoon fish he brought it – it is MASSIVE (timestamp 14:51:15). Iris is happy! She starts to eat, but Finn decides he’s hungry too, so there is a bit of a tug of war over the fish, with the chick rapidly moving out of the way for fear of being squashed by this giant fish. Iris returns to brooding the chick and Finn starts eating the head of the fish. The chick is confused! 

Finn takes the fish to the nest perch and continues eating. And eating. And eating. By 15:32 Iris is getting impatient, and Finn brings the fish back to the nest. He stands beside Iris, looking very proud, until 15:40, when he grabs the fish and brings it around to Iris’s head. She is periodically vocalising at Finn but not getting up for the fish! 

Finn continues eating the fish head, occasionally offering a bite to Iris, who ignores it. Just before 15:43, he feeds a bite to Iris, which she accepts. She finally stands up, and slowly moves around to the fish. It is 15:44 and the chick is hungry. Finn stays on the nest, and the chick is not sure which parent to turn to for food. Iris is eating. Finn is watching his chick from the other side of the nest cup. Finally, around 15:45 Iris starts feeding Bob. The chick is good at this part! It is a voracious little feeder and can hold its head up, and steady, very easily indeed. It is strong and it is healthy. Such a blessing. Iris is giving her baby the smallest pieces – just right for a newborn osplet. She is such an experienced mum – calm and diligent. In fact, this chick seems to have inherited some pretty good genes all around. 

Oh I love this little family. Finn is proving to be a perfect dad, He could not be prouder of his osplet and he adores Iris. I know how many people are just over the moon for Iris. Every girl deserves a Finn in her life! I adore the way he feeds her on the nest. SO sweet. I have never seen a feeding like yesterday’s – yes, a few bites, but not a full eight-minute feeding that involved at least 50 bites of fish. That really was something very special indeed. I love this guy. Not just delivering fish but breakfast in bed for the new mum. He’ll be bringing flowers next! “

A pip in the second egg of Iris and Finnegan has been confirmed Thursday evening. Tears. Get the tissue boxes out!!!!!! The champagne is already gone.

The three babies at Charlo Montana are soooooo tiny.

C2 finally let up and everyone, including Dorcha, got some fish out of the sixth delivery of the day. Did I say that C2 is a big female and behaves like Zoe, the osprey, at Port Lincoln of 2022?

All of the osplets at Field Farm are accounted for!

A flurry of a tandem feeding at Poole Harbour with CJ7 and Blue 022 trying to keep the four osplets alive and healthy. They are doing an incredible job.

Blue 022 is great at feeding. Both adults were rushing to get the four fed as heavy rain was coming into the area.

One surviving Osplet, one deceased by a nest accident, and it looks like a DNH egg at Sandpoint.

Those three are tough little osplets at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. They are still alive!

It is extremely difficult to see how many or how little fish are coming to the Osoyoos nest with its three osplets. Soo and Olsen have had a tough time of it in recent years. The area has been hit with heat bombs and the local lake and river that supply the fish appears not to have enough fish – or it is so warm that they are diving deep – that Olsen cannot catch them.

I noted three feedings on Thursday. At 1034, 1536, and 1656. This is not enough to sustain this family.

If you have the time, the Osoyoos cam is up and running. Any help in establishing how many fish come on this nest would be ever so helpful. Thank you.

It’s hot at the Cowlitz PUD nest. Three osplets. We need lots of fish to come on this nest!

Perhaps it is my imagination but it seems like the fish deliveries at some of the nests with small babies – that need to be fed a little but many times over – are slow.

Waiting for pip/hatch watch at Captain Mac’s Fish House Osprey platform.

Maya keeping her Only Bob dry from the rain at Rutland. What a great Mum she is. So sad she was sick at the beginning of the season. The ringing of the chick is scheduled for June 21.

At the Golden Eagle nest #2, Mum has brought prey in a couple of times on Thursday. Both chicks ate.

Edith P caught the feeding on video.

Golden Eaglet in Bucovina România doing well.

Some images from the nest of Big Red and Arthur and the new fledglings, the Ns.

The two hawklets at Syracuse have both branched and the nest is bare. I am thinking they both might have fledged.

‘H’ is watching for a pip Thursday evening for Dory and Skiff. Will see what she reports in the morning.

Hatch at nest #3 in Finland. (One egg had nest accident and one other egg left to hatch)

One osplet so far at nest #1 in Finland.

Some of you will have read the book Beauty and the Beak. I am sorry to inform you that Beauty has passed away.

Thank you so much for being with us today. There is joy tinged with great sadness. Please take care. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, posts, images, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, H, PB, SP, T’, Connor and Window to Wildlife, Patuxent River Park, Forsythe Ospreys, SCMM, All About Birds, Montana Osprey Project, Cornell Bird Lab, Charlo Montana Ospreys, Geemeff, BoPH, Sandpoint Ospreys, MN Landscape Arboretum, Osoyoos, Cowlitz PUD, Pitkin County Open Spaces and Trails, Captain Mac’s Fish House, LRWT, Eagle Club of Estonia, Edith P, Wild Bucovina Association, Cornell RTH, Heidi McGrue, Nesting Bird Life and More, Finnish Osprey Foundation, and Birds of Prey Northwest.

Monday in Bird World

10 June 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. (Thoreau, Walden, 58).

The Girls and I are revisiting Thoreau’s Walden – I learn something every time I read this book! Mostly, it cements in me how fortunate we are if we can spend time with the trees, the animals living in the wild, even nature in our own gardens.

I hope that you had a really good weekend and found some time to spend with friends, family, or outside—or all three! We worked in the garden and are sore from the tips of our toes to the top of our heads. The heat and rain have caused everything to grow out of control! So far there has been no rain so it was a good day since everything is drying out. I would love to send this rain to places that are running out of water. It is frightening because there are not only implications for humans but also wildlife.

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Two things to put a smile on your face today. The first comes from ‘T’. Watch ‘the cobra’ attack the Imperial Eagle. Then laugh. (Valid made the video and Rinur posted it).

The second comes from Missey and Hugo Yugo, who adore one another. When Missey lost her best friend Lewis last year, she was the saddest cat. Then Hugo Yugo came into her life and she took over the motherly duties the little ginger cat was longing for. Like Calico and Hope, these two are inseparable.

TWO Great Questions from the InBox:

Question 1. ‘NF’ asks: “Have a question…we had eaglets double fledge 6/7 in Kansas. Do you have any knowledge of that happening before? Many questions about that. Thanks in advance & keep up the good work!!”

Sadly, my data forms are for Ospreys but I could recall instances of eagles fledging close together, but not specifics. Thankfully, Elfruler came through and ‘NF’ sent me their response. I thought some of you might also be wondering. “Hi, Nina, it was fun watching your 2 juveniles take off yesterday!  Yes, there are several records of 2 juveniles fledging on the same day.  In recent years:

Maryland Port Tobacco, 6/4/23, three eaglets fledged on June 4, the first at 6:18, the second shortly after that (cam down, time uncertain), the third accidentally fell at 7:09.

Ohio Avon Lake, 7/7/22, one at about 6:22, the other at about 7:21.

Oklahoma Bartlesville 6/10/22, one at about 15:21, the other at 15:28.

Pittsburg Hays 6/10/22, one at 7:20, the other at 7:50.

Ohio Ashtabula, 6/24/20, one at 6:43, the other at 12:43.

British Columbia Surrey Reserve, 6/28/20, one at 8:15, the other at 10:18.

There are more in my spreadsheets, I’ve just searched the last few years, but from these you can see that it does happen.

Best to you,

-elf”

Question 2. From ‘PB”. “I saw your update on Seaside and #3 passed due to a wind/hail storm…but I watched their in memoriam video of #3 and they showed the storm so how did the little baby pass when under mom? Was it more lack of food?”

Yes, the little one was well protected by Mum. The death was not caused by anything human or by siblicide but was starvation and/or illness caused by a weather-related event. The storm was a mitigating factor in the chick not having enough food and also they get these terrible respiratory illnesses from the cold and damp. We won’t know precisely which it was.

If you missed it, Treasure at the West End nest of Akecheta and Thunder fledged on Saturday. Lady Hawks’ video shows the whole event clearing up many questions. Treasure is on a steep hill and has not been seen eating. Is this a place where the eaglet can get its footing to fly off? More questions than answers. The latest information is that Treasure is on a cliff face near the old nest.

‘B’ reports that Sterling has fledged on Sunday so all three of Akecheta and Thunder’s eaglets this year have taken their first flights.

Hats off to Dylan at Llyn Clywedog – he brought two HUGE trout (along with other fish) to the nest for Seren and chicks on Sunday. My goodness, gracious. Dylan does love his trout and if you don’t know, they stock the Clywedog Reservoir with 45,000 fish annually!

Dr Green just posted the following information as we are now on pip/hatch watch for the first egg at Iris and Finnegan’s nest.

I don’t know about you, but I am sitting on the edge of my chair in anticipation. I never thought Iris would have another devoted mate like Stanley.

Port Lincoln reports that Calypso and his new mate are checking out the Tulsa Platform. Could Mum and Dad be grandparents this year??? Things are beginning to heat up in Australia!

Little Mini right up at the beak for that fish dinner at Field Farm. One determined little osplet. This will certainly help with its survival. Don’t you just love these vivacious fourth hatches? They have to be clever and determined. Remember: It is only about 1 out of 100 fourth hatches that survive. Looks like Field Farm and Poole Harbour are going to be survivors if things continue as they are. Other nests are in trouble.

It rained some more. Each time there was a feeding Little Mini is there. No problems that I can see other than its size. The other three are rather ‘chill’ compared to many nests.

At Poole Harbour, Little Mini is right there. Sadly, Blue 022 has a love for black bin liners. I wish he didn’t bring them to the nest.

Two chicks for the WDNU Tower in 2024.

Two surviving chicks at Seaside.

The trio at the Salt Point Osprey Platform are all thriving. Do you know this nest at Cayuga Lake in Upstate New York? It is the home of Orpheus and Ursula. Here is some information provided by the Lansing Parks and Recreation Department.

“This nest was built by Orpheus in 2013, and with his two mates Ophelia (2013–2022) and Ursula (2022–current), they have reared many healthy fledglings over the years. The nest is ideally located within the Salt Point Natural Area in Lansing, NY, at the confluence of Salmon Creek, a fast-flowing trout stream, and fish-rich Cayuga Lake. Orpheus and his mate continually tend their nest built atop a 55′ dedicated nesting platform with a spectacular 360º view—and protection against marauding great-horned owls. This nest camera is a solar-powered camera operating in one of the cloudiest areas in the USA. After a streak of consecutive overcast or stormy days, the batteries drain and the recording may stop. After a few hours of sunshine, all will return to normal. High winds may also cause noise from the camera housing.”

Here is the link to their streaming cam. These chicks are doing fantastic.

Three at Pitkin County Open Trails and Spaces are doing well. We can just see the tops of their heads!

‘H’ sends in the reports for the nests she is monitoring:

“6/9, Forsythe NJ osprey nest:  This nest has become very unsettled and dangerous.  The nest dynamics continue to evolve for the worse.  The oldest of the four osplets, Big1, has become very aggressive and controlling.  Before today, Little3 was the primary aggressor, and would take out its hunger-frustration on Mini4.  Today, Big1 was beaking all of its siblings.  Every time LIttle3 would beak Mini4, Big1 would beak Little3.  But, several times at each meal, Big1 would beak all of them, including Middle2, so that Big1 would be the only one eating.  Quite often that would set off Middle2, and Middle2 would beak everyone.  There were six meals today.  Middle2 managed to make out okay simply because of its size.  Middle2 was able to position itself further away from Big1 at feedings, and still be able to reach Opal’s beak.  Neither Mini4 nor Little3 had very much to eat yesterday, as Little3 would keep Mini4 from eating, and Big1 would keep Little3 from eating.  Today, I counted fish bites for both Little3 and Mini4.  Mini4 ate a total of 36 bites of fish today, and Little3 ate a total of 17 bites of fish.  There is not enough fish being brought to this nest for three osplets undergoing a growth spurt, much less four osplets.  It’s going to take  A LOT MORE FISH.  This is very sad.”

6/9, Patuxent River Park osprey nest:  It was a good day for this nest.  There were “only” three fish and feedings, but a couple of the meals lasted so long, they should be counted as two meals.  The first fish at 0749 was a large live catfish, and that fish flipped and flopped all over the place.  No one was hurt, and I think the kids were mildly entertained, lol.  That meal lasted for 95 minutes.  Little still does get beaked and intimidated once in a while, but Little has learned to mitigate those occurrences.  S/he simply stays away from Mom in the early phase of a meal, so as not to incur the wrath of Big.  Little waited until about 0830 and then worked his way to the other side of Mom and she began to include her youngest in the feeding.  After a while Little had a bit of a private feeding, and had eaten a total of 80 bites of fish.  When Mom had given up on picking at the catfish skull, Dad moved on over, picked up the skull and pulled off 30 additional bits of meat for Little.  What a cool Dad.  The fish at 1118 was a small headless fish, and the meal lasted 10 minutes.  Big and Middle were not very hungry, and Little ate 55 bites of fish.  The last fish of the day at 1458 was a huge whole fish, that provided for another 95 minute feeding.  Little had a few separate private feedings and ate for a total of 30 minutes. 

Dahlgren osprey nest:  Being first-time parents, the new couple, Helen and Doug, continue to work out some issues with parenting.  There is a learning curve of course, and they are getting better.  Their single osplet is 8 days old, and is looking good…nice and plump!

Fortis Exshaw osprey nest:  Louise and her new mate Harvie are expecting their first baby at any time.  Louise laid three eggs, but we’ve never seen three eggs at one time in that deep egg cup.  All the best to them!

South Cape May Meadows osprey nest:  On 6/8 a crow destroyed one egg, and pecked at another.  We believe that there is still at least one viable egg remaining.  From the nature of the contents of the destroyed egg, we believe that egg was definitely not egg #1, and was more likely egg #3 (not positive, though).  Eggs #1 and 2 would be 38 and 35 days on 6/10.  We are hoping for a hatch for Hera and Zeus.

Fenwick Island, Delaware osprey nest, at Captain Mac’s Fish House:  Johnny and June’s first two eggs were destroyed by crows.  Eggs 3 and 4 remain, and we are on pip watch!

Osoyoos osprey nest:  Soo and Ollie’s two little bobs are doing great.  The third egg is 36 days old on 6/10.

McEuen Park osprey nest: They have three little hatchlings that hatched sometime between 6/4 and 6/8, with one egg remaining.  There is no rewind for that cam, so it was difficult to find a view when the parents were not ‘incu-brooding’.

If you were following Chance, the Red-tailed Hawk that went to an eagle’s nest for dinner and got adopted, you might know that it fell from the nest. Chance is near-fledging. Chance was rescued and is in a wildlife facility. This is the latest from the photographer covering the story, Jann Nichols.

‘PB’ writes that Smallie has been seen and photographed – see image below – but there is no confirmation that the eyas has had any food since being returned after its fall.

Big siblings on the grate.

One of the chicks, the eldest, wasn’t looking good to me at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. It seems to have rallied a bit. I do wish this Mum would spend less time eating fish and more time feeding her chicks. That is precisely how we lost the chicks last year! Send good energy to this nest!

‘MP’ has been watching and counting. He says, “I counted her eating five bites to one she attempts to give one chick but if they don’t take it immediately she retreats with it and eats it herself. One chick keeps rolling on their back.” MP continues, “The male appears to be bringing bigger fish maybe so she will have enough for her and the chicks? He does stand there and watch which I’ve never seen other males intently watch the feeding. My take is he’s seeing if she feeds them at all. It is hard to watch not knowing if you are watching the makings of mental illness on a nest of innocent babies leading to their death.”

This is the oldest chick that keeps going over. I fear that the babies are dehydrated. Mum leaves them exposed and the little things cannot regulate their temperature. It is very hot at times and they need many feedings, lots of little bites throughout the day to keep them healthy. So very, very sad. We have seen this same behaviour in Hope at the Snow Lane nest consistently. I once queried an old hand at osprey behaviour about mental illness and our discussions wound up around the theme of how chicks learn. We know that they have instincts and we also know that they copy parental behaviour. That is how they learn. We know that some osprey nests are simply better than others. The environment is richer with fish. The parents are more attentive. Did this female as well as Hope come from nests where the female neglected her chicks? or where there was a drought and the chicks suffered? We will never know the answer to that question because the birds are not ringed and we cannot track their history.

Let us hope that this nest has a turn around.

This was earlier.

Later:

Three eggs visible at the nest of Hope and Beau in Newfoundland at Snow Lane.

Two cutie pies at the Sandpoint Osprey platform. Looks like we have one egg that could be a DNH. We wait. These two are only two days old.

Trio at Great Bay doing fantastic, too. Is it my imagination or are the inland nests doing better this year in terms of survival rates? In my data forms, we have regions such as North America, UK, Europe, etc but we do not have North America divided up by regions. That might prove helpful in the future.

Patchogue osplets are doing very well despite the nest being full of garbage – the plague of being a nest in an urban environment.

Three beautiful babies at the Dyfi nest in Wales enjoying a fish dinner in the drizzle.

Three little ones at Bridge Golf being fed. Fingers crossed.

Two eaglets – still – at the Eastern Imperial Eagle nest in RU.

Still seeing two at the Estonian Golden Eagle nest.

Fledge feels eminent at the Cornell RTH nest of the Ns – two hawlets of Big Red and Arthur. Both have been flapping and jumping from one end of the nest to the other. Arthur has been busy bringing in prey close together to try and stop them from flying today.

Oren and Ruth’s two hawklets (one died) are preparing to fledge form their nest at Syracuse University, too.

Cal Falcon fledglings visiting the tower.

Many of you are travelling to see osprey. For the next couple of days I will be including images. Today is from Mobile Bay and tomorrow will be Rutland. ‘L’ had a lovely tour of the Alabama and Florida coasts and sent some images of Ospreys on their platforms and fishing that she saw and took with her phone for us. Thanks, ‘L’.

Some great news coming in late. One of two chicks fathered by 4K at Belvoir Castle near where I lived in the UK has been photographed in the UK on his return as a two-year-old. 4K was the subject of a book, If You Build It, He Will Come. He was also the focal osprey for Sacha Dench’s first round of Flight of the Osprey. Blue 4K is a mature male Osprey from Belvoir Castle, Rutland, hatched in 2013 and satellite-tagged in 2018. I wondered how he had died and Geemeff gave me the following information months ago, “Blue 4K’s tracker showed him in Guinea setting off north, then stopped transmitting. The tracker was fitted in 2018 so was coming to the end of its service anyway, therefore we just expected to see him back at his nest a month or so later. But after weeks went by, it was clear he wouldn’t be returning, and Simon has assumed he died in Guinea when the transmissions stopped. But of course, we don’t know.”

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, questions, photographs, comments, videos, articles, tweets, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, B, Geemeff, H, J, L, MP, NF, PB, TU’, Thoreau, CounterPunch, Elfruler, Lady Hawk, Llyn Clywedog Osprey Cam, Montana Osprey Project, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Field Farm, BoPH, WDNU, Seaside Ospresy, Salt Point Ospreys, Pitkin County, Jann Nichols Photography, isamersfoort.pl, MN Landscape Arboretum, Newfoundland Power, Great Bay Ospreys, PSEG, Dyfi Osprey Project, Bridge Golf Club, Imperial Eagle RU, Eagle Club of Estonia, Forsythe Ospreys, Patuxent River Park, Fortis Exshaw, Dahlgren Ospreys, SCMM, McEuen Park, Osoyoos Osprey Cam, and Fenwick Park Ospreys, Cornell RTH Cam, SU-RTH Cam, and Cal Falcon Cam.

Weather related deaths…Sunday in Bird World

9 June 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

Saturday was a blue sky sunny day (for the most part) on the Canadian Prairies. It was 22 degrees C with a bit of a breeze. A perfect day to be working in the garden. With all the rain and heat the little grass and the few weeds about have caused me to wish I had a goat!

Today, I promised myself that I would never purchase anything that needs to be assembled. All of the new planter boxes are together, but the so-called privacy screens’ that attach to the back are a bloody nightmare. The easiest thing today was picking up the new trees at the Re-Leaf Programme. Hackberry and Pin Cherry were the order of the day. Someone in the future will benefit from the shade of that Hackberry, and I hope the birds in my lifetime will enjoy the berries from both.

The Girls are all back to normal after my mini-break. The lilac bushes are full of leaves, and it is difficult for them to see the birds sometimes – and for me, too! It was late, but Baby Hope was particularly inquisitive about the ivy plant on the island. She is gorgeous. The girls are all back to normal after my mini-break. The lilac bushes are full of leaves, and it is difficult for them to see the birds sometimes – and for me, too! It was late, but Baby Hope was particularly inquisitive about the ivy plant on the island. She is gorgeous.

The Girls are thinking of birthday parties. Baby Hope will be a year old on 2 July, and Missey will be two on the 15th of July. Parties are in the making, complete with sardines, special tin cat food, and, of course, some new toys.

At the Florida-Gainesville Osprey nest, Middle fledged on Saturday and did a beautiful return flight. Mum was on the best waiting. She did a stupendous job this year. We could have lost all the osplets when Talon went missing, but this one survived thanks to Mum overcoming her brooding hormones and going out to fish!

The Lesser Spotted Eaglet that hatched in Zemgale, Latvia, succumbed to obligate siblicide on 8 June 2024. It had hatched the day before.

If you are unfamiliar with Cainism and siblicide, you might like to read the following when you have the time.

1-PDF-On-Cainism-in-the-Lesser-Spotted-Eagle-Aquila-pomarina-and-a-possible-Explanation-for-thDownload

We often wonder why nests do not cooperate and why the adults do not stop siblicide. The following article gives us some insight into this question.

Siblicide-An-Inextricable-Behavior-in-Birds-ExploreDownload

No issues with fish deliveries at Loch Arkaig. Louis is a master!

There is something very special about that third hatch at Loch Arkaig. I love how ‘she’ (seems too aggressive to be a third hatch male) makes herself bigger when the pecking order battles begin. Little is on the left.

Border Ospreys wonders if any eggs of Samson and Ursula might hatch? Well, we were surprised to see three at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum after the first egg had been left unattended for some hours in the rain. We have also watched as Milda the White-tail Eagle had to leave her eggs in quite cold weather to feed when her mate died. The two eggs hatched. Oh, and just this year, we witnessed this same phenomena at the NTCT nest of Bella and Scout. The eggs hatched but the eaglets, very healthy, were sadly killed by Scout.

So maybe Border Ospreys. Just maybe! We will wait and see.

WHAT-IF…-–-Border-OspreysDownload

There are two hatches at Sandpoint Osprey Cam. That second one came along quite quickly!

To the delight of everyone, the Minnesota Landscape Mum is feeding her chicks! This is a difficult nest. Caution advised.

Keeping our eyes on Iris and Finnegan’s nest in Montana. Dr Green’s post:

The Only Bob at Boulder County is turning into a reptile!

‘A’ brings us up to speed on Field Farm. “This is an amazing nest. This afternoon, dad brought in another monster fish, this one whole and very fresh. Mini Bob and Little Bob were at the right place at the right time and made up the front row of the feeding line. Mum fed Mini and Little, with the two older siblings making up the second row, behind their two younger siblings and apparently quite happy to wait their turn. Mini is adorable. Absolutely the cutest little osplet. S/he is just SO much smaller than its siblings, it is sometimes hard to find it on the nest (hint: it likes to stay near or underneath mum if it can). They are all sweet, with their round little bottoms and their bandit stripes, and these parents are working hard to ensure all four get full crops several times a day. 

With the size of the fish being brought onto this nest, I would venture a guess that none of these osplets has experienced that unpleasant sensation known as hunger. And in the absence of that experience, the older osplets are confident they will get plenty to eat even if they are left until last. Perhaps most of these osplets are male (only one of them behaves like a female and even then, it’s pretty rare and not prolonged). Whatever the reason, it is at this point a very peaceful nest and an absolute joy to watch. 

We are all too aware that these nests can literally turn on a dime, with a prolonged spell of bad weather impacting fishing or intruders causing distractions that limit fishing time or even end in the loss of a parent. So it is unwise to speak too soon or to assume that things will continue to run as smoothly as they have done so far. Talons crossed for this little band though. They are just lovely and I couldn’t help but mention the afternoon feeding.”

Turn on a dime it might. Little Mini got itself upside down with its head stuck under an older sibling and is fiercely trying to right itself. Sadly it will die if it can’t.

What a glorious relief. After what seemed an incredibly long time, Little Mini is upright! (No timestamp, very frustrating).

‘A’ observes, “Mini Bob at Field Farm IS OKAY. It finally managed to get back onto its front, although it was hindered by a sibling that would not get off it and was holding down its head, as well as by a long thin stick that was laid right across the chick, over its neck and literally holding it down, no matter how hard it struggled. Eventually, the arrival of a second parent caused a general milling about, which both got the sibling off Mini Bob and also moved the stick pinning him down. And he finally struggled over and onto his feet. He is okay. There is a feeding now occurring (about six hours ago) and Mini is at the back of the feeding line by the time he has righted himself and got to the table, but there is a big fish, I think, and it is not shy about finding a way to mum’s beak. Its little tummy was very full when it was stuck on its back (I think it was so fat, it was actually hindering its efforts to right itself), so I’m not concerned about that. It will be fed. 

It has a survivor’s temperament and there is not much bonking on this nest, for some reason. I still think the spreading around of the aggression rather than its being c oncentrated on a single (third) hatch may make the four-chick nests a better siurvival chance for the younger hatch/es than a three-chick nest. I am interested in that theory, as you have probably gathered by now. “

‘A’ also brings in another one of our four clutch nests, Poole Harbour! “Just a quick update on Poole Harbour. There is a feeding underway right now at Poole Harbour (7 June, 12:39). Mini is front and centre of the feeding line and Blue CJ7 is feeding the little one along with two of its siblings, one on either side. Little Bob, on Mini’s left, is also doing very well at this feeding. The oldest is still lying down behind the other three, not bothering to participate in the feeding until about 12:42, by which time it is standing behind Mini Bob, leaning over him a little but not being at all aggressive or even stealing bites. All four are waiting their turns. There is no bonking as yet at this feed, although the older siblings are in the reptilian phase. Mini Bob is a confident little osplet and seems to have no fear of its siblings. Mum is feeding it some bites that are way too big for it, but it is struggling valiantly to swallow what it can, and is doing well and getting some good pieces. This is an impressive nest indeed to have a fourth hatch looking as good as this wee osplet is. 

As the feeding continues and all four osplets have joined in, CJ7 doles out the food relatively evenly, though Mini is too small to compete for bites with its much taller siblings so relies on CJ7 specifically leaning down to offer it bites, which she does, periodically giving the wee one two or three bites in a row. They are all waiting their turn, politely holding their positions and allowing their siblings to eat without intimidation or interference. This is a truly lovely thing to watch. It is a huge fish, so the only thing that will leave anyone with room for more will be mum getting tired of feeding the osplets. Four little open beaks are hard work! Mum is not neglecting her own needs, though, tucking in to some very very large chunks of fish herself in between feeding bites to her chicks. She really does seem to make a huge effort to share the food around to all of them and to ensure that each is being fed. She really does take extra care. Mini Bob, being so much smaller than its siblings, finds it very hard to reach mum’s beak in any competition. But mum leans right down to Mini Bob’s beak, turning her head to ensure he can take the food easily. Sometimes the piece is too large and she feeds part of it to a sibling, then turns back and gives the remainder to Mini Bob. 

I would hazard a guess that this is a mainly male nest – if this lot were females, there would be a lot more aggression than what we are seeing (none at all). The youngest is very confident indeed and has no fear of its siblings whatsoever. If this continues, and there is no intruder problem or fish shortage, this nest is almost certainly going to fledge four osplets if Blue CJ7 has anything to do with it. It is just lovely to watch, and how often do you say that about a four-osplet clutch?”

Hats off to CJ7 and Blue 022. This is one of the finest four chick nests I have ever observed! Little Mini gets to eat with the group or is fed separately at every feeding on Saturday. Gold medal nest.

‘H’ reports on some of the nests she is monitoring:

“8, Forsythe NJ osprey nest:  The chicks are 18, 17, 16, and 14 days old.  It is uncanny how much the dynamics of this nest remind me of last year.  It feels as though I have been transported back in time to June of 2023.  The reptilian phase of osprey growth has hit this previously tranquil nest with potentially dire results (I pray not).  Chicks number 1 and 2 are generally very mellow (just like chicks 1 and 2 last season).  Little Mini4 is mellow.  And, chick 3 has become very aggressive (just like chick 3 of last season).  Chick 3 has found out that the easiest target for her to take out her aggression is Mini4.  So, chick 3 has been severely beaking poor lil’ Mini4 many times during meals, and sometimes outside of meals.  On occasion, chick 1 takes it upon himself to beak chick 3 after chick 3 beaks Mini4…just like chick 1 would do last year!  Oscar delivered 5 fish to the nest, and most were on the small-ish side.  There was one large fish, from which Mini4 was fed 17 bites of fish.  Mini4 had fewer than 90 bites of fish in five meals on 6/8.  I am very worried about Mini4.  I’m sure Oscar is doing his best to provide his family with fish.  The nest platform is in a very expansive marsh, and is located at least 5 miles from the Atlantic Ocean.  There are a couple of shallow-water bays nearby.”

“
6/8, Patuxent River Park osprey nest:  Dad delivered five fish to the nest for his family.  The first fish of the day was of medium size, and of course everyone was hungry.  Little could not get to the feeding line, and was shut out of that meal.  At meal two, Little only managed three scraps of fish off the nest fed to him by Mom at the end of the meal.  Hang in there Little, things usually improve for you later in the day!  Well now…Dad delivered a huge live fish at noon.  At 1220 Little was fed his first bite of fish.  Little had a mostly private feeding for the next 34 minutes, and ate approximately 246 bites of fish!  At 1500 Dad brought a large headless fish.  Little ate a few bites at 1505, but was beaked by Big.  Little soon resumed eating on the other side of Mom from Big, and ate an additional 46 bites of fish, before Middle returned to the table and pushed Little aside. Little was able to grab a bite intermittently, and by the end of the meal had eaten 61 bites of fish.  The last fish of the day was a partial fish at 2040.  Little made no attempt to eat…he was still stuffed from his earlier meals!”

There are three osplets at the Crooked Lake osprey platform (Timothy Dygert Live Stream). They are 9, 8, and 6 days old today.

Ruffie and Tuffy on the Moorings Park Osprey Platform in Florida. Each hoping to win that prize fish dinner.

The trio at Goitzsche-Wildnis are great!

At the Golden Eagle nest, chick 1 had a huge crop. Chick 2 waited, very intimidated, and was fed! I want to be hopeful.

The oldest sibling is starting aggressive attacks on the younger. Golden Eagles – like the Lesser Spotted Eagles – practice obligate siblicide. It is, however, late for this to be happening. The only way now might be to push the younger sibling off the nest which appears to be what is being attempted in the image below.

The older didn’t manage and I find this very interesting. Both fed – oldest first and then second.

One of the reasons that I have such huge respect for the communities, groups, individuals that maintain the Osprey nests in the UK is that they do not have this:

The weather in the UK has been really bad in the region of the Kielder Forest in the north. Many healthy chicks and some struggling third hatches have died due to the horrific wind, hail, and rain. Condolences go out to everyone at Kielder. I will slowly be adding these to the Memorial Page along with Little Bob from the Seaside nest who died in a severe storm on June 2.

On 8 June around 1300, Smallie, the youngest of the Peregrine Falcons at Our Lady Tower in Amersfoort Netherlands fell off the scrape. The youngster was rescue and we await news to see if he will be returned to the scrape. Thanks, ‘PB’ for alerting me to this event. We all care so much for this little guy. Smallie has been returned to an area near the scrape. Meanwhile the big sibs have food fights on the scrape!

Lots of visitors to The Campanile on Saturday! These are seriously beautiful fledglings.

Remember: The juveniles have vertical banding on their chests while Annie has horizontal as an adult. Those kids sure have nice crops. Annie and Archie are incredibly protective parents. What an amazing year it was.

Fledge watch on for the Red-tail Hawks of Big Red and Arthur on the Cornell Campus is approaching.

It is heating up in Orange as Diamond and Xavier are bonding in the scrape! Seriously is it really time for the Australian nests?? Unbelievable.

The streaming cam at Colonial Beach is back on line.

I am still seeing two babies at the Imperial Eagle nest of Alton and Nova in RU.

Nesting Bird Life and More captured a feeding at the nest with both of the Golden Eaglets.

Osplets that hatched on 21 and 22 of May in the Ramuka Forest in Poland are doing well.

Three osplets at Finlands #4 nest.

There are two osplets in the Pitkin County Open Spaces and Trails in Colorado.

News of the San Jose Falcons!

‘PB’ reports that Smallie has been heard. We cannot see if it gets food but I plan to assume that since Mum came into the scrape to feed Smallie that she will try and make certain he has food outside. Fingers crossed.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Tomorrow I hope to cover some of the nests not touched upon today. There are so many events – hatches, fledges and, sadly, deaths, that is especially hard to keep up sometimes. Please take care. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, observations, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, H, J, MP, PB’, University of Florida-Gainesville Osprey Cam, LDF, ResearchGate, ExploreBlog, Geemeff, The Woodland Trust, Border Ospreys Blog, Sandpoint Osprey Cam, MN Landscape Arboretum Osprey Cam, Montana Osprey Project, Boulder County, Field Farm, BoPH, Time Dygert Live Stream, Moorings Park Ospreys, Fischadlerwebcam, Eagle Club of Estonia, Lake Murray Osprey, Forsythe Osprey Cam, Patuxent River Park, Amersfoort Falcon Cam, Cal Falcons, Cornell RTH Cam, Cilla Kinross, Colonial Beach Osprey Cam, Imperial Eagle Cam RU, Nesting Bird Life and More, Ramuka Forest Osprey Cam, Finnish Osprey Foundation, SK Hideaways, and Pitkin County.

It’s three for Minnesota Landscape…Saturday in Bird World

8 June 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

‘The Girls’ are all back to normal! Thank goodness. We are minus Missey in the photos. She wanted to be alone while the other three were enjoying watching the garden birds and animals going about their daily search for food.

It was Friday so organic chicken dinner. Tummies are full and it is siesta time.

The ‘outdoor’ kitties were to have roast chicken dinner, too, but the Crows and the Starlings found the plate! They decidedly preferred the roast chicken to cheesy dogs! I don’t blame them. Oh, but wait. They left some and ‘The Boyfriend’ was happy.

The rain has really helped the garden this year. We are becoming entirely overgrown without any effort.

If you skipped over the BBC SpringWatch programme which Geemeff copied for everyone who cannot access BBC’s iPlayer, I want to suggest you go back and have a look. About sixteen minutes into the programme is the first interview with Roy Dennis. The raptors flying over the UK today can almost all be attributed to his efforts in reintroduction and relocation including Ospreys, Red Kites, and Eagles (Golden and White-tailed). Roy Dennis has made a huge difference to UK Wildlife and our understanding of the raptors for more than sixty years. He is a legend.

If the world had 1 out of every 1000 persons as committed as Roy Dennis, imagine how wonderful the world would be for all of us – human and non.

Hats off to those amazing people in South Australia who are working as hard to create homes for the Ospreys. Today they managed to erect 3 platforms in Port Neill! Using a helicopter. It takes a village.

Platform for Streaky Bay, too!

You might have heard that Lucia fell off the scrape. She did and she was returned! Thanks to ‘B’ for wondering what happened and for ‘SK Hideaways’ for giving us the story. ‘B’ notes that Hartley and Monty brought Lucina lunch right away – about 45 minutes after she was returned. We can all jump for joy at these amazing parents.

Everyone was shocked to wake up Friday morning to find that there are three osplets on the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum nest. No one believed that the first egg would hatch – and I was hoping for only two, but we have three. Wish this nest luck as they will need it!

Oh, this nest makes me nervous. This is not a very attentive female. Watch this nest at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum with caution. This female does not seem to have matured from last year. The male is much older. Still, Mum needs to keep her babies warm and feed them -.

A female that does not have a good track record is Hope at the ‘Hopeless’ Snow Lane nest in Newfoundland. She is incubating three eggs.

There are now three osplets on the Collins Marsh nest in Wisconsin. This new couple fledged two last season. Hopefully there is a lot of fish – historically not so many and the nests have managed with two but consistently lose the third hatch to siblicide/starvation.

Field Farm baby so tiny. ‘A’ comments, “Field Farm is an interesting dynamic. I have not watched this nest, but I note that the tiny youngest, though very small, seems to be healthy and active and is certainly not cowed by its siblings. The aggression – and there is a lot on this nest – seems to be primarily started by what I think is the second hatch, Middle Bob (though it may be the third – the second and third are close in size) who is happy to attack all three of its siblings but on this occasion chooses the oldest. Bad move. Perhaps it is female and the third hatch rather than the second (which would account for relative sizes and explain the temperaments of hatch two vs hatch three) but certainly, Mini Bob is trying to stay out of its way. The oldest is forced to retaliate with some vigor, and in the process decides to beak Mini Bob for good measure. Wrong place, wrong time. But it was brief and not overly vicious, just a single shake by the back of the neck, but Mini remains tucked, as does Little. Big Bob seems satisfied. 

There is a parent on the nest, who did not intervene in any way but allowed the osplets to deal with their own pecking order negotiations. The baby rails at this nest are huge branches complete with foliage, and dad (I think) flies in with another of them. It is at least two metres long and requires quite some manoeuvring into position. On the other side of the nest, one of the older chicks grabs a largish stick and does its own work on placing it! TOO cute. This is the chick that appears to be the most nervous of the four. It is often tucked, just in case, and appears to be shyer than the youngest and certainly not aggressive like other two osplets. 

Dad is soon back with another, much shorter stick. A fish would go down a lot better, dad! There are a lot of ospreys on this nest, and half a forest in giant tree branches. It is starting to look more than a little crowded up there! 

This will be an interesting nest, but Mini Bob definitely has a chance, depending as always on a regular fish supply to the nest. Temperamentally speaking, it has the determination and courage to survive. It appears to be confident, healthy and very active. It also appears to know the basics of nest etiquette, not unnecessarily provoking larger siblings but nevertheless standing its ground. Time will tell.”

‘A’ continues, “Nevertheless, both Poole Harbour and Field Farm have four healthy, active osplets at this stage. Both nests have an excellent chance of fledging all four hatches, and I was pleasantly surprised to check them out. (I had not done so in either case until reading your blog mentioning these two cameras.) I am fascinated by four-osplet clutches after Mini did so well at Patchogue last season. That really did prove that four is not an impossible task, and in fact may even be a better risk than three, where two often seem to gang up on the youngest. With four, perhaps, the aggression is spread around a little more. I have no idea why but the social dynamic on the nest definitely seems different with four than with three. It is super interesting to me, and I will have to watch quite a lot more of these two nests to develop a theory on it. The sample size I am basing my observations on here is way too small, but still it seems interesting that it is the case on both of these nests for starters. I am probably talking nonsense, but it does strike me as interesting. “

Two surviving chicks at Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home are thriving.

‘H’ reports: “The Osoyoos nest has their first hatch, egg #1 of three eggs, at 39 days.”

Aurora returns to the Campanile. How wonderful. Now remember you can go to moon_rabbit_rising on Instagram and see amazing images of the fledglings along with their parents flying around the Berkeley campus!

Mum was in the scrape feeding Smallie before 2300 on Friday. Smallie had a big crop and pulled away the prey item to tell Mum she could leave. Smallie has gotten a lot of plumage and looks much more like a falcon now. What a wonderful story of survival – tiny little one still being cared for after big siblings have fledged. What amazing parents. This would not happen in an Osprey nest.

It is hot in Montana as Iris watches the train go past her nest. We are on the count down to pip/hatch watch for Iris and Finnegan. Will there be a chick?

At the Green Ledge Lighthouse Osprey nest of Ollie and Olivia, there are now two little osplets. The first hatched on 4 June and the second on 6 June.

‘H’ sends in her fantastic reports: “6/8, South Cape May Meadows osprey nest:  This morning at 0530 Zeus arrived with a stick, and Hera immediately left the nest.  At 0555 Zeus also left the nest.  Then, at 0600, a crow arrived.  The crow pecked at one egg and completely destroyed another.  There were three eggs, with the first egg due to hatch at any time.

6/7 Patuxent osprey nest:  Everyone is so glad that Little was returned to the nest after a 48 hour stint in rehab.  Now…back to watching Little compete for food with his two older, and much larger siblings.  There were six fish brought to the nest by Dad, and 7 feedings.  Little had only managed to eat a few bites up until the fifth meal of the day.  At 1254 Dad brought a partial fish, and as per usual, Big and Middle ate first.  Finally, at 1330 Little had a 12 minute private feeding and had eaten approximately 94 bites of fish.  Little’s best meal of the day was the sixth meal.  Dad delivered a very large fish at 1618.  By 1641 Big and Middle had both moved away from the table, and Little began to eat…and eat…and eat.  Little had a ‘mostly private’ feeding for the next 30 minutes, and had eaten at least 236 bites of fish!”

“6/7, Forsythe osprey nest:  This is a nest of four osplets, ages 17, 16, 15, and 13 days.  With the exception of a few rare ‘off-meal’ short bonking battles, this nest has always been entirely peaceful.  All four kids have been lining up side by side for meals.  The only meals where Mini would ended up a little short on fish bites, would be when Oscar would deliver a small fish tail.  Until now that is….I noticed around 1400, the chick I believe to be #3 simply ‘went off’ on all of her siblings…bonking everybody.  This was very unusual, and occurred repeatedly until a fish was delivered at 1402 (the third meal of the day).  It had been 5 1/2 hours since their last meal, but they have gone 7 hours between meals before without aggressiveness being triggered.  However, now they are entering their reptilian phase.  Due to the size of the fish, all osplets ate well at this feeding.  At 1657, Oscar brought a medium sized fish tail, and for the first time ever, there was bonking during a meal.  Again, the instigator was chick #3, and she wasn’t picking on any one of her siblings in particular, he/she was bonking everybody.  Mini ate very little at this feeding.  The last meal of the day was at 2010 from a small fish tail, and Mini again was only able to eat a few bites.  Note to Oscar:  They need more fish!”

“6/8 The Osoyoos osprey nest has their second hatch. The baby was first seen at 04:45.”

We are also on the count down to fledge at both the Cornell and Syracuse Red-tail Hawk nests. This would normally not happen during a rainy period. Big Red often fills her chicks up to the top of their crop of she doesn’t think it is a good day to fledge.

If you were watching the Kansas City Eagles on Farmer Derek’s property, both Cheyenne and Wichita fledged! Together!!!!!!! Well…OK. Ten minutes apart. Amazing.

Golden Eaglets at Kaljukotkas are both alive. I have to say I really am wondering if both will survive. Normally the youngest is killed before it starts getting its feathers. The male is a good provider but Mum has not had much luck. Rain has started. Will this make hunting more difficult? and make the older sibling more aggressive if prey is scarce? We wait.

The Golden Eaglet in Bucovina Romania is enjoying huge crops on Friday.

Three at Cowlitz appear to be doing alright as well.

The trio at Great Bay seem to be alright. They were enjoying a fish dinner the last time I checked and all seemed well.

So many storks have lost their lives this year due to the flooding in Europe. In other parts of Eastern Europe, birds did not return. When there are nests, seeing ones with five storklets has been unusual. They are all doing amazing. Puts a big smile on one’s face…a big smile.

Please, please do not feed any waterfowl bread! We have seen this at our local pond. Angel Wing is deadly – not fun or cute. Do not feed bread! Get some birdseed or other approved foods or don’t feed at all.

The fourth hatch at The Bridge Golf Club has died of siblicide/starvation on 7 June. Dad has brought in a number of fish and the chicks have been full including Little Bob (three). Fingers crossed.

This article is very informative. Heidi and I have collected data that indicate the average hatch is 36.5 days after the egg is laid.

Everything-You-Wanted-To-Know-About-Osprey-Eggs-But-Were-Afraid-To-Ask-Osprey-Camera-BlogDownload

What is the odds of 4 osplets on a nest to survive to fledge? 100 to 1.

Four-osprey-chicks-in-100-1-odds-Kielder-nest-share-BBC-NewsDownload

The camera at the nest of Liberty and Guardian at Redding is down for the rest of the season. Hoping for posted updates. Here is some updates and information from Gary.

The two eaglets on the White-tail Eagle nest in Lower Kama National Park RU are fantastic. Well-fed and getting their full juvenile plumage.

The Zemgale Lesser Spotted Eagles now have two chicks in their nest in Latvia. Annas and Andra are the parents.

Thank you for being with me today. Have a wonderful weekend. See you soon!

Thank you so much to the following for their notes, comments, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, B, Geemeff, H’, Geemeff and BBC SpringWatch, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Fran Solly, SK Hideaways, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Newfoundland Power Osprey Cam, Collins Marsh, Field Farm, BoPH, Maryland Western Shore for OTH, Osoyoos Osprey Cam, Amersfoort Falcon Cam, Montana Osprey Project, Green Ledge Lighthouse Preservation Society, SU-RTH Cam, Osoyoos Osprey Cam, Patuxent River Park, Forsythe Osprey Cam, South Cape May Meadows Osprey Cam, Cornell RTH Cam, Androcat, Eagle Club of Estonia, Cowlitz PUD, Bucovina Wild, Great Bay Osprey Cam, Maria Marika, Jamie Maslar, Bridge Golf Club Osprey Cam, Osprey Camera Blog, BBC News, Gary’s Eagle Videos, Kama National Park RU White-tail Eagle Cam, and the LDF.