It is World Migratory Bird Day today. So what is WMBD?
World Migratory Bird Day is a special day to celebrate these incredible birds and help protect them. This year, we’re focusing on making our cities, villages, towns, and communities, from rural to urban, more bird-friendly. In 2025, WMBD will raise awareness about migratory birds’challenges due to human activities and expanding urban development. The campaign will advocate for strategic urban planning and conservation efforts that incorporate bird-friendly practices, making sure that our communities become havens for these remarkable travelers. The 2025 theme encourages action from all sectors, including national and local governments, businesses, community groups, and individuals worldwide.
What does “bird-friendly” mean?
“Bird-friendly” means making our environment safe and welcoming for birds. We can do this by planting native plants, providing clean water, and avoiding the use of harmful chemicals. By creating and protecting shared spaces, we can help birds on their long journeys and make our communities more beautiful and healthy.
What will you do to help migratory birds?
Good Morning. We hope that the start to your weekend has been a pleasant one! It was sunny on Saturday but there were cold gusts of wind that felt like they were strong enough to fly us to the Arctic. There are wildfires burning in Manitoba and we are on a fire ban. The two main ones were started by two men in their 40s. Tragic.
‘The Girls’ are no longer bothered a bit by Toby. They don’t even seem to notice him OR the fact that all of the toys they were tired of playing with are now in his toy basket.
Out for the count!
We had a lovely Friday. It was the first time that Karen came to help and it worked out brilliantly. Toby even got a ride to the park in his little push stroller! We visited the market and picked up a couple of hydrangeas and tomorrow we will get the rest of the plants purchased through a fundraiser for feral cats and kittens. It will be so nice to see some colour in the garden.
Dyson looks a little ‘plump’ and I wonder when we will have some new kits running around. The Crows are coming for their cheesy dogs again, the Starlings are still here along with the normal visitors including a very beautiful male Hairy Woodpecker. There is, however, sadly, a notable drop in the number of House Sparrows. I wonder what is happening? Is it the fact that our City continues to cut down trees that might have had nests? Shame on them.
The great news in Osprey World is that Blue 33 and Maya have their first hatch at Rutland Water!
Against the happiness at Rutland, there is sadness at Worcester Cathedral. I am so pleased that the chick has been removed to be tested.
Glaslyn: Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn has written a blog hoping to capture all the drama happening at the nest!
Manton Bay: First hatch of Blue 33 and Maya has eaten. Dad brought in a huge fish.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 9th May 2025
Today saw the welcome return of Aurora 536 spending time on Nest One after yesterday’s concerns of the pair moving to another nest. Of course, Garry LV0 and Aurora might still chose a different nest, however as Garry brought nesting materials as well as fish and Aurora spent a good deal of time either on Aila’s Perch behind the nest or on the nest itself and even did some very gentle nestorising, Nest One must surely be the front runner for this pair to take up residence. While it would be good to see more mating behaviour, Garry brought Aurora two fish today and didn’t tease her but allowed her to take them immediately, another encouraging sign of their increasing commitment to each other and Nest One. His tally rises to forty five, while over on Nest Two, Dorcha received two fish from Louis and his tally now stands at seventy seven. There were no alarms or disturbances today, allowing the Ospreys to enjoy the sunshine in peace, and this settled weather continues through tomorrow and all next week.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.53.10 (03.44.09); Nest Two 23.09.20 (04.15.58)
White Rock British Columbia Eagle Nest: The two eaglets have been given names: Miracle and Phe’nom (Phenomenal). Both eaglets were fed. They are ten days old today. The male, Scar, is not helping at all. Mum is doing it all!
Sydney Sea Eagles: Both Lady and Dad were at the nest on Friday.
Cornell Red-tail Hawks, Big Red and Arthur: Big Red removed O3 from the nest cup and put her deceased third baby at the side. https://youtu.be/p0L-EIu3JcM?
Hellgate Canyon: New Male brings Iris another fish! Looks like Iris is thinking this might be alright. https://youtu.be/7AnsSZB2Aj4?
San Jose City Hall: The Fab Four are doing positively fine.
Heidi’s Osprey Notes:
Thank you for being with us today. If you have a special ‘Mamma’ Bird you would like mentioned tomorrow, let me know! See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my short post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi’, Bird Friendly Day, Peregrine Falcons in Worcester, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Cornell Bird Lab, Montana Osprey Project, San Jose City Hall, Maryland Western Shore, Boathouse, LRWT
It has been one of the most roller-coaster years that I can remember in Bird World. Mates not returning. Mates arriving late only to find that younger birds have taken their place. Long standing residents have lost their nests. Single Mums struggle to tend their chicks. Today, for the very first time, Big Red’s third hatch O3 died shortly after hatch. In her history on camera, which began in 2012 (she probably began raising chicks in 2005-06), no chick has died on the nest. Every hatch has fledged except for one and that was K3 who had a problem with her jaw. She was rescued but had to be euthanised. I have to admit that I am heart broken. Like all other raptors, Big Red and Arthur have two other chicks to raise to fledge and then teach them the ways of the hawk so they can survive in the big world. Arthur has the nest full of food and the other two appear to be healthy. It has been the wettest season I can remember on this nest and I hate ‘wet’ nests. Many chicks of various species die from what harbours in that damp and with lung problems.
This made me feel very weepy. Friday and it is pitching down rain on Big Red and Ithaca. Send her good wishes, please.
Cornell’s official notification of the loss of O3.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 8th May 2025
Today was mainly calm and routine – Garry LV0 delivered two fish for Aurora 536 but seems to have adopted a pattern of making her wait, by arriving on the nest with the fish then immediately taking it away, and returning a bit later to give it to her. No mating behaviour has been observed lately, but as they’re off-nest most of the time, we don’t know if it’s taking place elsewhere on one of the other vacant nests in the area, or not at all. The two fish take Garry’s tally to forty three, while Louis, who also brought two fish for Dorcha, raises his tally to seventy five. Steve Q posted his fish statistics for week five, summing up Louis’ output as “Remarkably consistent numbers over the last 3 seasons”. There weren’t any overnight owl visits, but something unseen scared Dorcha off the nest today, leaving the eggs unattended for about two and a half minutes. However, they came to no harm and we’re still on track for first hatch in just about two weeks time. The weather was settled again, another stunning sunset was seen from Nest Two, and the forecast is clear skies and light winds tonight, and a positively balmy 19°C and full sunshine tomorrow. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.39.20 (04.07.01); Nest Two 22.54.02 (04.12.47) Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/Rq6jzQKsGi0 N2 Louis settles down to egg duty after delivering the first fish 06.09.05 (zoom)https://youtu.be/tS6l2Py6V74 N1 Yet again Garry makes Aurora wait to get the first fish 10.05.36
Life at home today was very interesting. The plan is to make certain that Toby loves to go in the car and behaves himself when we are out and about.
Many, many years ago when I travelled to Japan regularly, I loved watching the little puppies and dogs being pushed in the specially designed prams for them. I had never seen anything like it! Well, today, Toby got his very own little enclosed stroller so that we can literally take him almost everywhere.
Oh, but wait!!!!!!!! Who’s in the stroller?
Calico: ‘Can I go for a ride, too?’
We did have a delightful day. Toby got to take in all of the shops, see the animals, and even enjoy the sunshine while we had a picnic. No whining, no barking, just a quiet puppy playing with his toys in his carrier or sleeping. Did I tell you that I feel blessed?
Back at home, the energy came out and this old pair of shoes took a bit of a beating!
Being outside really helped to get over the loss at Cornell. Toby and The Girls help, too. As I told someone today, ‘Toby is my heart’. He is the most incredible little creature.
I checked on only a few other nests, but will try and catch up tomorrow. Sometimes it is just nice to ‘stop’ and reflect on how much these amazing birds mean to us.
Heidi’s Nest Notes:
You will be hearing about intruding ospreys – lots of them. Many are the two year olds returning after their first migration. Kielder Forest has some of those visitors.
FOBBV: SK Hideaways caught our dear Gizmo and Sunny sleeping alone. Their time with us is getting shorter and shorter. Visit the cam as much as you can – you will not regret it. You will only regret it if you don’t. https://youtu.be/vnLAyVBKCPI?
Duke Farms: ‘PB’ writes: “Duke Farms. 6:31am…mom brings fish and feeds all 3 then dad brings large Eel and other 2 share a meal…all 3 having breakfast!”
Hellgate Canyon: Iris has a new male companion and he brings fish. What more can we ask? Oh, and he’s pretty cute.
Will there be more eggs?
If the first clutch is lost early in the season, they may attempt a second nesting attempt. A second clutch is likely if the eggs are lost early in the season, but the pair is less likely to breed again if the eggs are lost later in the season.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Single Breeding Attempt: Ospreys generally have only one breeding attempt per year.
Early Loss: If the first clutch of eggs is lost early in the breeding season (before the eggs hatch), the pair may attempt to lay a second clutch.
Timeframe for Second Clutch: A second clutch is usually laid about three weeks after the failure of the first one.
Late Season Loss: If the eggs are lost during the middle or later stages of the breeding season, the pair is more likely to skip breeding that year.
Dr Greene has some thoughts for us:
“Hi everyone,
Sorry for the radio silence – I have been travelling and busy. At the start of the season, we cautioned you to buckle your seatbelts for the Hellgate Soap Opera! And our cautionary warning was warranted – there has certainly been a lot going on.
Finnegan did not return, and alas, we suspect that he might have died over the winter. He could have gone somewhere else, but with such a successful breeding season last year, if he was still alive he would have most likely returned to the Hellgate nest.
Louis visited Iris and mated repeatedly with her, and she laid three eggs (April 29, May 1 and May 4). Iris’ behavior is very interesting: without a dedicated mate, she has not been super attentive to her eggs. We suspect that from previous experience, she knows that without a partner bringing her food and helping to share incubation with her, the eggs won’t survive. So she has been flying off leaving them unguarded.
The astounding thing to us is that the half life of an untended osprey egg is measured in seconds or minutes!! Almost as soon as Iris leaves an egg untended, a raven swoops in and flies off with the egg. This demonstrates the need for the eggs and small chicks to be tended 24/7, and without a bonded pair bringing up young is not possible.
But a few days ago, NEW GUY 2 showed up, and Iris seems to be pairing with him! He has been bringing in fish and driving off Louis. This is exactly what happened last year, and so Iris may lay some more eggs. Stay tuned . . . .
I have posted a timeline that summarizes events from the 2024 breeding season (on the bottom half), and the 2025 events so far.
More later!
Think pure thoughts, Erick Greene and the Montana Osprey Team
I will continue with the Spark Birds that inspired you. If you have a comment on a bird, please send it. Thank you!
Thank you for being with me today. Please take care. We hope to see you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, PB’, Cornell Bird Lab Red-tail Hawk Cam, Cornell Bird Lab, SK Hideaways, Trempeauleau Bald Eagle Cam, Montana Osprey Project/Cornell Bird Lab, Dr Greene, East Hampton Star, inyourarea.co.uk, Duke Farms, Colonial Beach. Osoyoos, Smallwood, Patuxent River Park Nests 1 and 2, Kielder Ospreys
Toby has grown. He has legs! So far, he does not mind his collar and having his leash attached going about the house. He goes to his potty pads, twirling around like a ballerina, which is a good sign that something is about to happen. My son says I must teach him to sit and to behave on his lead. I do not doubt that this intelligent little man will be fine.
If I forgot to say, Hugo Yugo and Toby slept in the bend of my left arm Tuesday night. Calico was back on the conservatory table this morning and well, The Girls have settled into their ordinary routine and just don’t seem to be bothered by his presence this afternoon.
The weather continues to be ‘weird’. It is going to be 36 C next week. I have a serious problem with this because of the dryness and the fires. What about the birds? I have lived in Manitoba, on and off since I was a late teenager, and having a 36 degree C was something that was rare. Of course, that temperature has been more familiar the last four or five years but not until ‘summer’. Not the beginning of May. We will make certain there is plenty of water for all the outdoor animals.
Today, Mr and Mrs Crow began, in earnest, to eat the cheesy dogs, which tells me that they have either babies in the nest or are thinking about it! The Blue Jays are here in earnest, and Dyson took five peanuts this evening at one go! She has to be at least ten years old, and it is her.
My goodness. When ‘LS’ submitted her ‘Spark Bird’, I am not certain she realised how many people love Harriet and miss her so much. The fact that we will never know what happened to Harriet has left holes in so many hearts. People are pleased that M15 was able to raise their last two eaglets, E21 and E22, alone and that he was happy to find a new mate BUT everyone would like Harriet back! Thank you, ‘LS’ for taking us down memory lane – albeit full of tears.
Eleven people sent in the name Louis. You know who you are! No, not Iris’s Louis, but Louis from Loch Akraig, specifically Louis with his mate Aila, whom they met during the pandemic when the pair raised their triplets, JJ5, JJ6, and JJ7. 400,000 people are said to have watched the couple from the Loch Arkaig I nest that year. When Aila did not return, Louis moved the nest to nest 2, where he raised chicks with his current mate, Dorcha. I must admit that I was devastated when Aila did not return, and it did take me a while to warm up to Dorcha.
Big Red and Arthur: It appears that the last two eggs are pipping. O2 is taking some time and we have seen this many times this year. Wishing both those little ones a good hatch!
O2 has hatched!!!!!! Arthur has covered the nest with chipmunks and squirrels. O3 is on its way too and should arrive by today. What joy!
I love watching Big Red and Arthur raise their family. Arthur just fills up that nest with every kind of critter he can so that no one ever goes hungry. Big Red stuffs those babies and keeps them warm and cosy alternating brooding with Arthur. I cannot tell you how much I adore this Red-tail Hawk. She is, of all the birds on streaming cams, my ‘Spark’ Bird.
Someone commented about all the prey. Thank goodness for Arthur’s good hunting skills. The pantry is always full and in case of a bad weather day this is essential for these babies. Great parents.
Hellgate Canyon: The New Boy has finally brought Iris a fish!!!!!!!!!! Viewers around the world jumped up and down for joy and shed tears. It appears not to be Finnegan – I really hoped it was – but, a new male interested in our Queen and her nest.
Foulshaw Moss: White YW and Blue 35 incubating eggs. It won’t be long.
Jose City Hall Falcon Scrape: ‘PB’ sends us a screen capture of some very full crops! Monty and Hartley are taking superb care of these four. Brilliant.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 7th May 2025
Today’s main story is all about Aurora 536 – we received word today that she was ringed in Loch Fleet in Sutherland in 2022. This means she’s a three year old, and a good match for five year old Garry LV0 who was ringed in Loch Garry in 2020. They’re both young and healthy, he’s an excellent fisherbird and has a good nest with a well stocked loch nearby, and she appears to have adopted him and his nest. So everything has aligned for them to be successful parents – fingers crossed it works out as hoped. The Tawny Owl who visited Nest One this morning might find surprise occupants next time if the young pair produce eggs this season! Garry brought two fish taking his tally to forty one, and over on Nest Two, Louis’ three deliveries for Dorcha take his tally to seventy three. The weather was settled and the day ended with a colourful sunset best seen from Nest Two, and the forecast promises more settled weather and sunny spells tomorrow.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.46.52 (04.23.21); Nest Two 22.56.24 (04.31.52)
I am so angry. There are some of us that wish we lived in Virginia and could make an impact on these decisions. The ospreys and their chicks are dying. We saw this in earnest in 2024. Have a read!
In case you haven’t heard the menhaden board met today at 1 PM to discuss area and seasonal protective options for Chesapeake Bay menhaden …the options the work group proposed concentrated on ospreys and their critical times for raising young for example May 1 through August 15 . Area restrictions were proposed by the WG for Chesapeake Bay and the mouth of Bay during the critical time periods.
Please be aware that Lynn Fegley, the director of DNR fisheries and Allison Colden , CBF’s chief scientist who was the Maryland representative on the work group sat in silence when the time came for them to make a persuasive presentation on the options that they favored, the benefits of the options and the benefits to Maryland. A few questions were directed to them about ospreys and striped bass and they gave very incomplete one might say incompetent answers. For example, they could not explain to the questioner the difference between the freshwater ospreys, successful breeding, and the saltwater ospreys that rely on menhaden to survive’s dismal breeding success. This is completely covered in Dr Bryan Watts’s scientific article titled a Tale of Two Bays , but they ignored these well-known sources or had never bothered to read them.
Lynn Fegley and Allison Colden are two very intelligent women who decided to sit mute during the  most important moment that we have ever had for Chesapeake Bay in so far as protecting its food supply. I am quite sure they had read all of the articles about ospreys and that they completely understand the ERP science it says when ospreys and striped bass are in poor condition it is menhaden over harvesting that is to blame. The ERP science was never mentioned. They both know completely, how our Maryland recreational, commercial and charter fishing for striped bass has collapsed but they did not discuss it. Their silence was deafening .
The question is why these two menhaden board leaders did not speak out to convince this board to adopt options to protect Maryland. When the time came for them to make a motion for the board to pass protective options to protect our bay’s food supply, they sat in silence. Because of the inaction of these two people today , there is nothing that is going to happen to prevent the starvation of thousands of osprey babies this season and nothing to prevent more of our charter fishing captains from going out of business and no hope for progress here to restore the bay’s food supply so millions our children could enjoy the bay the way it should be.
If you can find factual evidence as to why this disaster to Chesapeake Bay occurred I hope you will post it on this website so the public will know why this happened
By the way, the end result was this board abdicated its responsibility and kicked the matter back to “discuss” it again in August. You can be sure that in Virginia’s Pat Geer and his cohorts at Omega protein are celebrating victory, once again, tonight., I expect the advocates for menhaden reform are in shock over what happened today.”
Black Stork Nest in Poland: Two hatches on Wednesday!
Golden Eagle Nest in Latvia of Spilve and Gristlis: One egg has hatched. Still watching and waiting to see if the second egg will hatch.
Black Stork Nest of Kergu and Kerli: They are still incubating. The eggs were laid on: Looduskalender Forum listed when the eggs were laid:
1. egg on 21.4.2025, 00:06 2. egg on 22.4.2025, 23:35 3. egg on 24.4.2025, 22:41 4. egg on 27.4.2025, 02:02
Wild Bucovina Golden Eagle Nest 2: Eaglet was stuffed today!
Bety and Bukachek, Mlade Buky, Romania: Incubating two eggs (I think).
Glaslyn: Teifi and Elen have been at the nest. Individuals are observing Aran who is remaining in a familiar place and fishing for himself.
Ladies showing off their osprey eggs!!!!!!! Heidi’s Nest Notes are Visuals today! Love the labels – those really help. Enjoy!
Port Lincoln Ospreys: New has come in that Phantom is alive and well. Fran Solly writes,
“In what surely is the proverbial “needle in a haystack” search we were thrilled to find Phantom this afternoon and to see her with another bird. Phantom is the 2021 female bird from the Price Artificial Platform. She flew to Kangaroo Island shortly after fledge. In October 2024 her tracker stopped operating but locals reported sightings of her. Today we can confirm those sightings with these photos.”
Ospreys of Nova Scotia: Names have been chosen for Oscar and Ethel’s chicks by popular vote: Nova, Russell, and Sunny. Congratulations. Lovely names!
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their posts, comments, notes, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, PB’, Liz Bracken, Norwegian Ospreys, Cornell Red-tail Hawk Cam, SK Hideaways, Montana Osprey Project/Cornell Bird Lab, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Agrippina & Antares Peregrine Falcons, San Jose City Hall Falcon Scrape, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Menhaden- Little Fish, Big Deal FB, Bociany Czame Online, LDF, Looduskalender Forum, Wild Bucovina, Mlade Buky Stork Cam, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Dahlgren, Forsythe, Kent Island, Fortis Exshaw, Maryland Western Shore, Cape Henlopen, Port Lincoln Ospreys,
You are all truly amazing! I absolutely cherish your questions, and I want to apologise for not being able to respond to each one personally. Time often slips away from me, but please know that every letter and comment you send means the world to me. Keep those questions coming! I promise to do my utmost to address the latest inquiries before we shift our focus to our beautiful feathered friends.
Hugo Yugo’s Fan Club is eagerly awaiting updates on her upcoming surgery and her dental health. I truly appreciate all the love and concern you’ve shown! Hugo Yugo is set to undergo surgery and extraction on June 11, but to be honest, I’m uncertain about what will actually be done.
I’m thrilled to share that we’ve been diligent in brushing her teeth twice a day, sometimes even three times. Recently, we’ve noticed a positive change: Hugo Yugo has started eating kibble instead of her usual chicken and rice wet food. I believe this shift has been beneficial in helping to clean her teeth.
At the moment, I can only spot a very tiny red area, with no signs of extensive redness in her gums. I want to remain hopeful and cautious—so I’ll knock on wood that I’m seeing accurately and not just what I want to see. We have an important follow-up in five weeks, and I’m optimistic about what we’ll discover!
The second most frequently asked question is: How are The Girls adjusting to Toby? As of Tuesday evening, Toby has been with us for 72 hours, or three days. Initially, The Girls were filled with curiosity; they simply can’t comprehend what “a tiny bundle of energy” means. While Toby isn’t a cat, he has certainly intrigued them. There have been a few hisses as they navigate this new presence. Baby Hope, in particular, prefers to keep her distance from Toby. Meanwhile, Hugo Yugo is always on guard, closely observing him, while Calico has surprisingly become more focused on Toby and is leaving Missey undisturbed. Missey, for her part, quietly watches from a distance.
Despite these initial adjustments, The Girls gradually returned to their familiar routines. Hugo Yugo continues to demand food with his usual enthusiasm, and Calico was extra affectionate with Anne today, vying for her attention. Overall, they are settling back into their typical behaviours. We’ve devoted ample time to engaging with them in our usual activities, ensuring they feel cherished and not sidelined.
The third question everyone seems to be asking is: How is Toby doing? Anne had the pleasure of meeting Toby for the first time today, and she was thoroughly impressed—she gave him the thumbs-up! Toby’s role as a therapy dog is already taking shape, and while he will receive formal training soon, he is truly stepping into that role exceptionally well.
During a walk, Anne and Don expressed some concern about leaving Toby home alone. However, when they returned, they found him peacefully asleep in his little bed, completely undisturbed. It’s heartwarming to see how much joy he brings, especially as he energetically shakes his new toys like a bull in a ring. It’s amazing to think how strong a 1.5 kg puppy can be!
Toby is now sporting a brand-new collar; we had to hunt for an extra extra small size, but we finally found the perfect fit. Today was also a success because we discovered his ideal food at a charming family-owned shop that specializes solely in pet food—no beds or toys. The shop is just a few blocks away and offers free delivery, which will be incredibly convenient for me in the future. Toby is truly settling in wonderfully! I feel blessed and every day I am just so grateful. I feel surrounded by very supportive individuals, including yourselves. That means the world to me.
I have exciting news to share! The young man who provided invaluable help with snow shovelling this winter will now take on all our gardening responsibilities. I’ve come to a realisation about my capabilities and limitations, and my top priority is to ensure Don remains comfortable at home without completely depleting my energy.
While I’m still searching for someone to assist with house cleaning, my strategy is to save the funds I would have spent on a regular cleaner and hire a professional service for a comprehensive deep clean twice a year. Besides, the floors need cleaning once or twice a day with four cats and a puppy. How much fur (hair?) finds its way into the corners is amazing! This way, I can maintain a comfortable environment for Don while hopefully managing my well-being as effectively as possible.
Spring has arrived. Green is popping up everywhere. It was cooler today. 16 C instead of 28. What a change! We are now under a fire ban because it is so dry so no outdoor fire pits or barbecues. Plants ordered on a fundraiser for the feral kittens arrive next Saturday so we will begin to have some colour and there are plans for seven 8′ tall cedar trees (I think they look like Lebanon cedars- very upright). We have a pen to put together so Toby can be outside when we are working in the garden. Hopefully The Girls don’t decide they want to go out too! They can’t.
Toby plays really hard for about 30 minutes and then instantly goes to sleep for at least 2 hours. And I am sleeping well!!!!!! Can’t believe it.
The most fun is playing chase and soon, I think that The Girls will join in. For now they know to get up higher than the ‘little yapper’. Hugo Yugo watching Toby – will try to get a chase scene soon!
Well, a major break through. Both Toby and Hugo Yugo slept together in my left warm pit last night. Yippeeee.
I truly appreciate your kindness, and I think of you every day. I hope you’re in great health and making the most of the outdoors whenever possible. Getting outside is essential for our mental well-being and for keeping our bodies active for as long as we can! Even taking a moment to sit and listen to the birds can rejuvenate a tired spirit almost instantly.
Spark Bird: There is a lovely little book by a similar name about birds that inspired people to become involved in birding. For many of us, the birds that catapulted us into wanting to know more, to help preserve, and to educate ourselves came through the nests on the streaming cams. So many of you responded to ‘LS’s’ comments about Harriet being her spark bird, and it brought back tearful memories. Indeed, so many of our much-loved birds are no longer with us. Still, we need to keep them alive in our memories, and they are, of course, alive in the DNA of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, should they have been lucky enough to have survived those treacherous early years. Tens of thousands of people certainly loved Harriet – if not more.
For ‘CL’, a local bird sparked her love of everything with feathers. She writes: ‘I grew up on The Orkneys. At the weekend, my parents would take me and my brothers and sisters to the shore to tire us out looking for ‘pirate treasure’. I was captivated by the Purple Sandpipers that populated the shore especially when the tide went out.
I had never heard of a Purple Sandpiper so I had to look them up! This is the RSPB’s description: “The Purple Sandpiper is a medium-sized wading bird that is larger, stockier and darker than a Dunlin. It is mainly dark grey above and whitish below. It has a downcurved beak and bright orange legs. In flight, it shows a white wing-stripe. A couple of pairs nest in Scotland, but this species is mainly a winter visitor to almost any rocky coast in the UK. Most are found in Orkney, Shetland and along the east coast of Scotland and northern England – it is rare south of Yorkshire, except in Devon and Cornwall. The breeding areas in Scotland are kept secret to protect the birds from egg thieves and disturbance. It is listed on Schedule 1 of The Wildlife and Countryside Act.”
Time to move on….I could ramble all day. Life is beautiful and being surrounded with kindness comforts me more than anyone could ever know. It is calming and reassuring. I am also grateful for many of you who are providing fish for the raptors. I know that several have created koi ponds near to the platforms while others are placing fish – these generous outpourings might prove to save chicks that otherwise might have succomb to heat and starvation. We have taken their land, their resources, and their food supplies. Giving back is a good thing.
Let’s start with Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 6th May 2025
Louis started the day by bringing the earliest fish of the season at 5am, and followed it up with a second at tea time, taking his tally to seventy fish, not bad since his season only started on 2nd April. Apart from a few minor alarms, no low-flying owl or Osprey intruders bothered Dorcha or the eggs today, and steady progress is being made towards first hatch. Over on Nest One, the new Arkaig Osprey pair are also making steady progress. No intruders bothered them although Garry LV0 was scared off the nest by a piece of bark. He brought two fish for Aurora 536 which seems to have satisfied her as she didn’t appear when he brought a third fish, and his tally now stands at thirty nine. The promised sunny spells materialised, the weather was settled and due to stay that way with more sunny intervals due tomorrow.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.28.43 (03.50.45*); Nest Two 22.18.01 (04.19.19)
Smallwood State Park: Their first baby hatched the evening of 5/6.
Patuxent River Park (nest 1) – Mom and Dad have their first hatch. The hatchling was first seen the afternoon of 5/6.
Patuxent River Park (nest 2) – They also have their first baby, seen the evening of 5/6. The egg cup is very deep and we have not been able to see any eggs. We can just barely see the new baby’s head.
OBX (Outer Banks): Betsy laid her second egg early on 5/7. It was laid almost 5.5 days after she laid egg #1.
Audubon Boathouse at Hog Island: 5/7, Dory laid her second egg early this morning.
Big Red and Arthur: Pip is getting bigger on O2. Just look at how many squirrels Arthur is already bringing to the nest – soon those babies will have a squirrel bed. https://youtu.be/gTDiCN_px-E?
Trempealeau Eagles: A beautiful scene – Mum guarding her only surviving baby who she is caring for alone.
Denton Homes: If the weather will continue to cooperate, this family will be just fine. Look at those gorgeous eaglets getting their juvenile feathers.
Kistachie National Forest E3: The surviving eaglet is gorgeous and returns to the nest for all to see how well s/he is doing.
Little Miami Conservancy: Two beautiful eaglets squeeing their heads off when food arrives.
Duke Farms: These three look ready to fly!
Fort St Vrain: Chucking down rain on the two surviving eaglets.
NEFlorida: Stunningly beautiful Bodie.
Big Bear Valley: Family Portrait.
Sauces: Betty Lou is gorgeous and much, much loved. She has been standing on the cot rails!
Fraser Point: Lovely.
Tweed Valley Ospreys:
Latest news from Tweed: On 6th May Newboy brought a good- sized fish back to nest 2 where Mrs O was sitting on eggs. She instantly stood up and pounced on the fish and took it in her talons. She began to eat at the nest but a hungry F2 returned and tried to grab the fish. When food is involved, it seems that this is the only time that any aggression between the birds is evident, Mrs O was fiercely holding on to the fish and had no intention of letting F2 take it. A slight squabble broke out and she then launched into the air taking the fish with her. F2 then settled on to the four eggs and the male took off from the nest too. Ten minutes later Mrs O returned to the nest with the remaining leftovers of the fish and she let F2 take it from her.
Loch of the Lowes: Second egg has arrived for the new couple
Hellgate Canyon: Louis is busy providing fish for Star as she incubates her eggs and there is now a persistent male visitor at Iris’s nest. There is considerable ‘wonderings’ if this is Finn. Did Finn return earlier and was chased away by Louis? Did Finn bring the fish earlier? Remember. I keep saying it. Tim Mackrill and Roy Dennis will tell you. The only two places on an osprey where the plumage pattern does not change is the top of the head and the underwing. It is extremely difficult to get good images of the underwing unless you are lucky enough to be directly under the bird in flight. Images have been posted of Iris and the new male and of Finn. ‘PB; sent me copies for your consideration (and my pondering).
I would like it to be Finn – I would liked it to have been Finn a month ago. I am not sure. It would be nice for Iris to be courted with fish- for her to feel special and I believe that these intelligent raptors know the difference. To Iris and all the love that might come her way still!
Port Lincoln Ospreys: Beautiful Mum was at the barge! Be sure to renew your membership. Every membership (very reasonable) goes to erect platforms for the growing osprey population in South Australia. The Friends of Osprey Sth Australia is incredible – what they do with the funds they have. They have motivated community members and in doing so, everyone protects these endangered raptors.
What cute faces! Monty and Hartley’s little ones lined up for breakfast.
Take care everyone. thank you for being with us today. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘CL, Geemeff, Heidi, PB’, RSPB, Openverse, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Cornell Bird Lab Red-tail Hawk Cam, Rosie Shields and Border Ospreys, Trempealeau Bald Eagles, Denton Homes, Kistachie National Forest E3, Little Miami Conservancy, Duke Farms, Xcel Energy, NEFL-AEF, FOBBV, IWS/Explore, Tweed Valley Osprey Project, Loon Preservation Society, Hellgate Osprtey Cam, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Smallwood Osprey Cam, Patuxent River Park, OBX, Audubon Boathouse, Loch of the Lowes, San Jose City Hall
Morning Update: Hellgate Canyon. The timing could not be more perfect since Finnegan did not return (or did he?). Iris laid her three eggs and poof – Ravens took them. Starr, Louis’s mate, will have her eggs and Louis will be busy providing Starr with fish. The battle of the nest took place on Monday and early Tuesday morning, Iris and the victor sat on her nest together. We wait to see what happens.
[On an Osprey, the only two markings that never change yearly are the head markings and the underwing markings. Remember that. Everything else could vary.]
Big Red and Arthur: O2 making its way. O1 eating well and Arthur is stocking up the nest! It is a Hawk Delight buffet!
Another ‘summer’ day at the beginning of May on the Canadian Prairies. It was a perfect day. Toby’s ‘godmother’ visited with a toy basket full of everything a tiny dog would love to chew. Toby is really feeling at home. He likes to play tug of war with the hem of my long linen dress, growling and hopping around. He had his first bath today. Didn’t seem to mind and loved the drying off with the towel. I hope he sleeps well tonight!
The Girls are fine. They are curious but not intimidating. They keep their distance trying to figure out what this ball of energy that is either wide awake with great energy or sound asleep ‘is’. Not a cat. None of them have ever seen a dog before. It is quite interesting.
Hugo Yugo thinks it is just a great day to sleep in the conservatory where the temperature is in the 30s.
I really would like to hear from you about those birds on the streaming cams that sparked your interest. So send them in! I will try and include one a day for the next few weeks!
‘LS’ wrote: “What sparked me was when I saw Harriet and M15 profiled on the nightly news in 2018. It intrigued me to hear that a camera was installed so the public could watch an eagle’s nest. I would watch occasionally and was fascinated with learning things about eagles I never knew. It was 2020, the year E14, died that really grabbed my heart and attention. When Harriet and M15 reclutched I fell in love with E16 and then E15 who didn’t leave the area until early November. I still miss those 2 eaglets.”
Thank you, ‘LS’.
The last time I checked there was a good size pip in O2’s egg at the Cornell Red-tail Hawk nest of Big Red and Arthur. Cornell Bird Lab has it on video: https://youtu.be/dJNVLRdb6Dc?
Hellgate Canyon: There was a lot of activity going on at the nest of Iris today. The third egg was taken by the Raven on Sunday. Today another male took on Lewis and appeared to want to be friendly with Iris. The situation is ongoing.
Xcel Fort St Vrain: Those two surviving eaglets that we worried so much about seem to be doing just fine. Always a relief.
Trempealeau Bald Eagle Nest: Things are going well despite Mr T’s theft of fish. Eaglet has its blood feathers coming in!
White Rock Nest: ‘PB’ writes that the eaglets eat well Monday afternoon. A lovely fish fairy. 🙂
San Jose City Hall Falcon Scrape:
Golden Eagle Nest, Latvia, Spilve and Grislis: Hatch is underway!
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: First egg for the new couple. Thanks, ‘MP’.
Glacier Gardens Bald Eagles, Juneau, Alaska: Two eggs.
Glaslyn: I posted about Aran Monday morning. What a wonderful osprey he is.
West Point Eaglets: A storm took down the nest and the eaglets have perished just like Scout and Bella’s triplets at NCTC.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 5th May 2025
Today’s news is that Blue 536 has been given a name: Aurora. George WTS comments: Now that it looks like 536 is going to stick around we have decided to call her Aurora. This is a popular girl’s name in Scotland these days. Its root meaning is “dawn” which vibes well for her as a new beginning for Garry and Nest One. It is also a nod to the northern lights aka aurora borealis. Aurora strengthened her claim to Garry LV0 and his nest by bring some moss and a tiny twig and doing a little gentle nestoration. Garry on the other hand spent time mating but didn’t bring any fish, although we suspect he is providing fish to her away from the nest. His tally remains at thirty six. It was far busier on Nest Two, where Louis and Dorcha had at least two incursions by intruder Ospreys, and Louis spent much time fighting aerial battles. He still managed to find time to fish, and brought one fish to the nest, raising his tally to sixty eight. The overnight forecast is for a clear sky and light winds, and sunny intervals tomorrow.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.39.32 (04:10.24); Nest Two 22.57.08 (04.21.44)
If you are a member of Ospreys of Nova Scotia, voting is now underway for three names for Ethel and Oscar’s 2025 chicks! Great names suggested! And voting made easy. Just click on the name.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care! We hope to see you again soon!!!!!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, MP, PB’, Cornell Bird Lab Red-tail Hawk, Montana Osprey Project/Cornell Bird Cam, Trempeauleau Bald Eagle Cam, White Rock Eagles/D Hancock Foundation, LDF, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Ospreys, Glacier Gardens Eagles, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, West Point Eagle Nest, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Xcel Energy, Friends of Midway, The Guardian, Raptor Persecution UK
We have now had Toby at home for 24 hours (when writing this). I am shocked at how ‘chill’ this little bundle of joy is. He was only placed on his potty pads once, and he uses them all the time. He is eating and drinking well. I can hardly believe it. Toby thinks Hugo Yugo’s beautiful, thick tail is a toy. So far, only a hiss from Baby Hope once.
It is a lot of work; I will not make this sound easy. I have many ‘babies’ to care for now, but having these lovely souls surrounding me is also bliss. I cannot imagine little Toby anywhere else, not for a second. The Girls got on with their own lives later and were less curious.
I am looking forward to Toby being able to walk – short ones. Tomorrow we will try him in his backpack!
It is summer on the Canadian prairies. Today, it was 28 degrees C. Lilac buds are bursting open, and the grass is turning green before our eyes. We are now in a high fire warning because everything is so dry. We could use some of the rain that fell in some of the southern US.
We have done a little checking on some nests for you!
Loch of the Lowes: This is the first egg for the new resident pair, replacing Blue NC0 and Laddie. The female is LF25.
Our friends, Friends of the Ospreys have sent us some great news regarding Roli KA5 2019 born Llyn Brenig. Diolch yn fawr!!!
Update on the Chris Wood nest
The last couple of weeks this pair have been defending the nest, they’ve established a territory keeping other ospreys away, the first few days they had a male Osprey from a nest not far away visiting and making a nuisance of himself, but all that looks to be settled now, they’ve built up the nest with lots of nesting material and everything is looking really promising for a successful season. Male KA5 2019 from the Llyn Brenig nest, an offspring of Blue 24 and Blue HR7 and female 7C1 2022 from a private nest in the Lake District, offspring from male 9C 2014 who’s an offspring of 11/98 and Mrs G from the Glaslyn nest.”
Hellgate Canyon: A wet day for Iris and for the third egg. She looked down at her egg for a few seconds and flew off the nest. The Raven came and took the egg immediately. Iris is intelligent as are all raptors. She knows what happens. I am sad for her that Finnegan did not return – he would most certainly have if he could. No doubt he succomb to something and died or is injured and in care somewhere. Without Darvic rings we do not know.
I am also glad that Iris had a wonderful year in 2024. It was such a privilege to share her joy at having a mate that helped her raise two wonderful chicks, Sum-eh and Antali. That precious year lives on in them.
Send Iris positive energy. Raptors have feelings and I do ache for this wonderful gal, in the same way as I agonise for those females that find themselves sharing nests for whatever reason this happens, we do not know.
Trempealeau Bald Eagle Nest: Despite what I just said, so far this little one appears to be doing alright.
Glaslyn: Aran was photographed in the area. He has not been at the nest for a few days but has been seen chasing intruders. Teifi came to the nest and was on the perch with Elen. It could be the end of an era and the beginning of a new partnership.
To be clear, I adore Aran. He returned very late this year, and Teifi had already settled in. I am glad that neither has fought to the death. Aran has raised a total of 26 chicks at the Glaslyn ospreys’ nest. He has successfully raised two chicks with Elen in their first year together, and three chicks last year. Previously, Aran raised 18 chicks with Mrs. G.
This is the history of Aran at Glaslyn from the Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn website:
Mrs G was first discovered breeding in the Glaslyn nest in 2004. It is also possible that she was the female osprey that a male was seen displaying to in 2003. It was mid-summer, the time we would expect to see two and three year old ospreys prospecting for partners.
Sadly she failed to return in 2023 for what would remarkably have been her 20th season breeding in the Glaslyn Valley.
How old was she? As she was not ringed we did not know her exact age and previous history, but we do have a few clues that might indicate her possible age. It is known that three-year old birds tend to arrive during April and two-year old birds tend to arrive from late May onwards. We know the exact date the chicks were killed in 2004 and can estimate their approximate age from their plumage. By working the dates back we can guess that Mrs G would have arrived approximately around the 20th April that year. Spot on for a three-year old bird. We know for certain Mrs G arrived on 22nd April in 2005, further supporting the case that she was a probably a young female. Inexperienced younger females also tend to have smaller broods, there were only two chicks in 2004 and only two eggs hatched in 2005, although three eggs were laid. We can therefore guess that Mrs G was probably hatched in 2000 or 2001, making her around 22 years old the last time we saw her in 2022.
How many eggs did she lay? At least 60 – we will never know how many she laid in 2004, but we do know there were at least two. 32 eggs with 11(98) and 23 eggs with Aran. The first five eggs in 2015 were either infertile or father unknown.
Breeding Years
2004 to 2022
Number of chicks produced
52 hatched 44 fledged
Apart from the two chicks that were killed in 2004, she also lost a chick in 2006 (the eldest, shortly before fledging) and 2007 (the middle chick at 16 days old – it had been knocked across the nest by a very lively mullet a couple of days before, maybe this was connected). In 2019 the middle chick died at 19 days old. A post mortem revealed that the cause of death appeared to be pneumonia and lung haemorrhage associated with lungworm infestation, together with acute blood loss anaemia. The report also indicated that the middle chick was likely to have been a female.
During 2021, Aran was injured during a storm just days after the first two chicks had hatched and as the third chick was hatching. He was unable to provide fish during this critical early period in their lives and tragically all three chicks died within a week of being hatched.
Mrs G returned in 2022 for her 19th breeding season in the Glaslyn Valley and following an early season ‘brief encounter’ with Z2 / ”Aeron” on the FotO Pont Croesor Nest, she was reunited with Aran to successfully raise a family on the Glaslyn nest for what was to be the last time.
Grand-chicks
130 that we currently know about!
Great grand-chicks
13 so far.
11 (98)
Ochre 11 was hatched at a nest near Aviemore in 1998, before being taken to Rutland Water in July that year as part of the ongoing translocation project. At Rutland he was a fairly dominant youngster, frequently taking fish from other birds in his holding pen. He was released on 7th August and took an hour to leave the pen. Surprisingly given his subsequent history, he spent several weeks around the vicinity of the reservoir. He was never spotted at Rutland Water as an adult.
In the mid-summer of 2003 local birdwatchers were sure they had seen a male osprey displaying and it was believed that a second osprey was around. It was too late in the season for breeding, but it was hoped that there was a prospecting pair present. In 2004 11(98) was discovered breeding at the Glaslyn nest with Mrs G, although the pair lost their two chicks when the nest slipped during an unseasonal storm. It is very likely that 11(98) was the male osprey that had been seen displaying to a female in 2003.
He wore his ochre plastic darvic ring with the number 11 until 2007, when he confused everyone by arriving back without it. He did not appear to like flounder and was never seen to bring one back to the nest. His favourite fish were mullet and trout and he could often be spotted fishing at Pwll McAlpine, along the Porthmadog Cob. He was a very distinctive osprey and it was always a welcome sight when he was spotted fishing from the cob.
He was last seen on 4th September 2014 when he was 16 years old.
Breeding Years
2004 to 2014
Number of chicks produced
30 hatched 26 fledged
Unringed male, arrived at Glaslyn on 30th April 2015. Given the name Aran because when he first arrived, looking from the Visitor Centre, he kept flying in the direction Nantmor and appeared to be flying towards Yr Aran, the mountain peak south of Snowdon. It was also an easy name for to pronounce for non-Welsh speakers.
Aran arrived at the time we would expect to see prospecting two or three-year old ospreys. His behaviour during his first breeding year suggested that he was not an experienced male and his plumage was not what we would expect from a more mature male. Matings were less frequent than we had seen with the old pairing and he appeared rather unsure of how to behave when left alone with the young chicks. For instance, when the chicks were around two weeks old, he made no attempt to feed them when Mrs G was absent for several hours chasing away intruding ospreys, even though they were food soliciting for the fish he had bought to the nest. He is a great provider of fish however, bringing back a large variety of marine species, such as garfish, flounder and sea bass, as well as trout and mullet. He proved to be more experienced in the mating stakes during his second breeding year, as he was also spotted mating with Blue 5F. In June 2016 he demonstrated that he was more confident with the chicks, by feeding them himself for the first time.
During a raging storm on the evening of 20 May 2021, Aran left the nest to fish for his growing family. We did not see him again until the middle of the following afternoon, when the storm was finally calming down. Aran did not have a fish and it was clear from his demeanour that something was not right. Mrs G had fed the remaining scraps of the previous days fish to the chicks during the morning and the very young chicks needed feeding urgently. We realised that Aran had sustained an injury to his right wing and he was clearly fatigued.
After seeking expert advice, we decided to provide supplementary fish near to the nest, in an attempt to give the young family a chance of survival. Sadly, our efforts were not successful and the three chicks died over the course of the following few days. However, the fish we provided gave Aran the opportunity to rest and recover and within two weeks he was catching small fish and another two weeks later he was able to catch reasonably sized fish once again. It was too late in the season for a second breeding attempt, but Aran and Mrs G remained together defending their nest from intruding ospreys. By the end of the season, we were confident that Aran had made a full recovery.
Although he was later returning in Spring 2022 compared to more recent years, he arrived back on the Glaslyn nest on 10 April and soon was re-joined by Mrs G for another successful breeding season.
Number of chicks produced
26 hatched 22 fledged
Geemef’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 4th May 2025
Today was all about poor Dorcha being bombarded with intruders on Nest Two. Following on from the quick hard Tawny Owl strike last night around 11pm, she then suffered three more strikes in the midnight hour in quick succession, in fact in under eight minutes. She handled it well and neither she nor the eggs appeared to be harmed, but then mid morning the nest was invaded by an unringed Osprey who practically landed on her back before she got rid of it. By the time Louis brought her a lunchtime fish, she must have been ready for a break. Louis only brought that one fish, taking his tally to sixty seven. Over on Nest One, Garry LV0 also brought only one fish which despite making several appearances on the nest only raised his tally by one to thirty six. Nest One also had visits from Tawny Owls but as it doesn’t have eggs needing protection, the visits are merely interesting interludes for the nest cam watchers. The weather was settled today with an owl-friendly overnight forecast of clear skies and light winds and full sunshine tomorrow.
Night cam switchover (day cam): Nest One 22.30.49 (04.23.57); Nest Two 22.56.59 (04.30.39)
It was a very busy day in my corner of osprey world… seven eggs and a fledge:
South Cape May Meadows: 5/4, Congratulations to Hera and Zeus on their third egg.
Dahlgren: Congrats to Helen and Doug on their first egg of the season, laid on 5/4. This nest was quite unsettled for a long time this spring, and the first egg is about two weeks later than last year.
The Boathouse at Hog Island: The first egg for Dory and Skiff was laid on 5/4. Best wishes for them.
Kent Island, Chesapeake: Audrey laid her second egg on 5/4. Hoping for a better outcome this season for Tom and (new) Audrey.
Forsythe: Opal and Oscar have been in town for about six weeks. Their season has progressed very slowly and I’m not quite sure why… it wasn’t weather or intruders. Opal laid her first egg on 5/4, more than three weeks later than last year.
Fortis Exshaw: Congratulations to Louise and Harvie on their first egg of the season. Louise laid the egg on 5/4 at 20:21.
Moorings Park: Ozzie, the only chick of Harry and Sally this year, fledged at 56 days of age. It was a strong and beautiful flight. It took her nearly 11 hours to make it back to her nest, and she looked exhausted. Some of us were beginning to worry about her. Congratulations Ozzie, well done! Here is a video of Ozzie’s fledge and return to the nest:
Cape Henlopen State Park: The new nest platform was installed over two years ago, but there has not been an osprey pair until this season. Congratulations to ‘Miles’ and ‘Hennie’ on their first egg, laid on 5/4 at 17:50. Everyone is thrilled!
[ FYI, please see my post in the Cape Henlopen Osprey Nest FB group, regarding the names for the Cape Henlopen osprey pair]
Thanks, Heidi, for that great report. Looks like things are beginning to happen!
‘PB’ sends us a fantastic image of the Fab Four at San Jose City Hall!
And of the White Rock BC Mum feeding her two eaglets. If this female could be left alone, she just might make Bald Eagle award lists for incubating alone and brooding, feeding, and hunting. Gosh, she deserves all our good wishes.
Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, PB’, LOTL, Cornell Red Tail Hawk Cam, Kielder Forest, Llyn Brenig, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Trempealeau Bald Eagles, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, SCMM, Dalhgren, Boathouse at Hog Island, Kent Island, Fortis Exshaw, Moorings Park, Cape Henlopen State Park, San Jose City Hall, White Rock BC D Hancock Wildlife Foundation
Morning Update: Glacier Gardens streaming cam is now live and Liberty appears to have a new mate!
NEFlorida: Gabby brought Bodie two fish on Saturday! Yippee.
Ciril Nest, Threave: Mary Cheadle has posted that PF4, the unringed female that came to the nest, is none other than Laddie LM12 and Blue NC0’s fledgling from 2023! Oh, how wonderful that one of their chicks, who had one of the harshest starts in terms of weather and lack of food, is alive.
Saturday was a long day. It took nearly three hours over rolling hills, past farmer’s planting their fields, and ponds full of ducks and geese. The trip to pick up Toby was magical and so good for our souls.
Toby is tired. He slept all the way from his home in the country with his brothers and sisters to the City. He played for a bit with a tiny rope chew toy and he is now asleep again. The Girls have been curious, but not aggressive in any way. I don’t think they know ‘what’ Toby is! The key is going to be making certain that each and everyone of them does not feel left out but gets lots and lots of love and cuddles.
Calico looking at me wanting to know what ‘that thing’ is!
I don’t think Hugo Yugo had seen anything so tiny – and Toby is VERY tiny.
Toby likes to be held or be in his very soft bed. Nothing else.
Toby is going to fit into the family just fine. All I had to do was look over at Don’s face as he held Toby on the trip home and well, I melted. A gentle puppy for a very gentle man.
I am going to check on a few nests but before that Geemeff sends us the daily summary for Loch Arkaig – and oh, goodness, poor Dorcha. The owls are at it again!
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 3rd May 2025
Another day of low activity and nothing out of the ordinary. Dorcha and Louis continue to take turns incubating the three eggs, Dorcha gets a break to eat, bathe, and stretch her wings when Louis brings fish and takes over egg-sitting, and Louis does whatever male Ospreys do when they’re not fishing, egg-sitting, or patrolling their territory. Louis brought one fish today, taking his tally to sixty six, while over on Nest One, Garry brought two fish to take his tally to thirty five. Blue 536 continues to come to the nest and Garry continues making mating attempts, not always successful. However, he seems to have developed a teasing strategy whereby he brings a whole fish to the nest, shows it to her then takes off with it, returning it headless a little later and only on the second go round letting her take it. Interesting times on Nest One. The dry weather’s set to continue with an overnight forecast of partly cloudy with a gentle breeze, and sunny intervals tomorrow.
EDIT: So much for nothing out of the ordinary – after this report was filed, a Tawny Owl struck Dorcha. Neither she nor the eggs were harmed. We’ve been hearing owls for some time and anticipating a strike and it’s come tonight – when will the next one happen?
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.25.48 (04.30.05); Nest Two 22.24.58 (04.39.52)
Today’s videos:
https://youtu.be/-UydAzTc7fw N1 Garry LV0 brings and takes away a whole fish, returns it headless to Blue 536 13.17.07
Usk Valley Ospreys: No birds breeding in the valley for at least 250 years. This pair is much loved and they made The Guardian! Will they turn out to be super media stars like Jackie and Shadow?
Cornell Red Tail Hawk Cam: Arthur has brought in a bird and some other type of prey for Big Red, their first hatch of the season. It is a rainy, wet day.I am beaming like a godmother!
This little one is O1. Sometimes I think Big Red will make it til the end of the alphabet! What an amazing hawk.
Sunday is rainy in Ithaca.
White Rock Eagles: ‘PB’ reports that Mum fed the two eaglets the leftover duck, and instead of fighting, they ate and had crops. Mum later brought in a fish for the two of them. If the males leave this nest alone, we might see a female not only incubate but also raise eaglets without help. I hope she makes it! Send such good energy.
The eaglets are the 25th and 26th of this great Mum and they are named Yankee and Zulu.
Hellgate Canyon: Iris took a break – a very short one – and the Ravens came and took the second egg.
Trempealeau Bald Eagles: Mum and Baby are holding their own. Just smiling.
Duke Farms: It feels like fledge is coming soon. Eagles fledge from 10-14 weeks and can spend from a month to three or four months in the area of the nest being trained and fed by parents.
FOBBV: Beautiful Gizmo and Sunny at Big Bear are getting as anxious as the Duke Farms eaglets to fly.
Charlo Montana: The second egg has arrived for Charlie and Lola.
Much news coming out of the UK:
Police are seeking information on the killing of two Red Kites.
You are invited to a free webinar (you do need to register) with the Cornell Bird Labs: Here is the information:
Red-tailed Hawk by Cynthia Sedlacek
Dear Friend, More than 1 billion birds are killed from collisions with windows every year. Fortunately, affordable and effective solutions are available for residents just like you! Join the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for a free, virtual webinar to learn how YOU can make the windows at your home safer for birds. Everyone who attends will be entered to win up to $500 in bird-window collision deterrents.* Register today, spots are limited!
*The prize-drawing winner will receive a gift card for $500 to apply toward products to deter bird-glass collisions. The winner will be randomly selected and notified on May 15, 2025, at the email address they provide during registration. We hope to see you there,Dr. Tina PhillipsOn behalf of the Bird-Friendly Action TeamCornell Lab of Ornithology
This webinar is part of a research initiative conducted by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology about our outreach to reduce window strikes. You must be 18 years of age or older to register. By registering, you consent to sharing your name and email address as part of the study, but we will code and remove any personal information so the data are anonymous and not personally identifiable.
That is it for me today. It is time to pay some attention to a very late dinner and some four legged friends. Take care everyone! See you soon.
Thank you to everyone for their notes and to those who especially sent me the sometimes vulgar ads that appeared on my blog. I have sent these to WP trying to determine what has happened. Thank you to those that sent notes, posts, images, videos, ideas, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, PB’, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Cornell Bird Lab Red-tail Hawks, Montana Osprey Project/Cornell Bird Lab, White Rock Eagles and Hancock Wildlife Foundation, Trempeauleau Bald Eagle Cam, Duke Farms, FOBBV, Charlo Montana/Raptor Resource Project, Raptor Persecution UK, Cornell Bird Labs, Glacier Gardens, NEFL-AEF
Morning Update: The first hatch of Big Red and Arthur comes in some pouring rain – last I checked the little one is almost free of the egg. BR is keeping it dry!
My Friday newsletter was hacked. Ads originating with Facebook appeared where the information images and posts from the White Rock Eagles should have been. I have sent this to WordPress. At the same time, I am so sorry. I will be removing all information other than my own wording about White Rock today in the event that their posting is ‘infected’ as WP thinks it could be. Please let me know if you see other ads. They should not appear. Thank you, Geemeff and Heidi, for calling this to my attention.
Calico and Hugo Yugo are helping me write to you today. Calico is a typical toddler – the minute their parent gets on the telephone, they want attention and will do anything for it including walking all over the keyboard! Hugo Y is more interested in a large basket that has appeared in the conservatory and Missey has decided, along with Baby Hope, that the best thing to do today is have a nap. The sitting room is clean enough a baby could eat off the floor. There is positively nothing that could go into a puppy’s mouth including the much loved peants in the shell that the girls like to use for hockey late in the day. The deck has been cleared and the feral feeder has been moved. No need for heated bowls anywhere but water will be very welcome as it is to be – yes, hold it, 25 degrees C tomorrow when we pick up Toby. He might need a cooling pad even with the AC in the car. Unbelievable. Winter to what would have been the very heat of summer and it is just May. I fear for our birds this year.
The biggest news of the day is that Bodie flew. Our first miracle of the year has flown. Friday morning. Bodie just up and flew off the nest like a professional.
As I write this, the bird that I love the most, Big Red, the Cornell 22 year old Red-tail Hawk, has her first hatch of the 2025 season underway.
It started raining in Ithaca. I ‘hate’ rain and hatchlings. Yes, to be sure, Big Red and Arthur are perfectly capable of keeping the eggs warm and dry and any hatchling the same. What I dislike is when the cold and the damp set in and take over the next and little ones die of what we might simply call a ‘cold’. It is harder to feed them when it is pitching rain and prey scrambles to keep itself dry, too, so might not be as abundant. Let us hope that the rain subsides.
What was your ‘Spark’ Bird when you first started watching the streaming cams? If you are inclined, I would love to include your initials and your comments in my blog.
‘PB’ wrote that she is enamoured with the little eyases at the San Jose City Hall falcon cam.
What about the little falcons at Lincoln Cathedral? They are darlings!
Most of what I hear, over and over again and in my own head, is the silence at The Campanile and the difficulty in realising that Annie is gone. Those were such beautiful years that she gave us with her mates always raising beautiful fledglings. DDT took them and now it appears HPAI is destroying the remaining numbers.
Will my grandchildren even get to hear the beautiful songs of birds? I wonder.
Tewkesbury: So cute. It has been a very rough year for the eagle families, and the ospreys will have a difficult time. Is it time for us to step up and watch the smaller raptors – the hawks and the falcons?
Duke Farms: Just look at them looking out to their world.
Xcel Energy, Fort St Vrain: Eaglets in heraldic pose. Tried to shade under Mum today. Appear to be doing well.
Two other miracles at the Big Bear Valley nest of Jackie and Shadow are preparing to fly.
Sauces: Betty Lou is one ‘big’ gal! She has done so well and is another of the miracles from 2025 that we should never forget.
Farmer Derek GHO nest of Bonnie, Clyde, and Starr: As you will remember, Starr fludged unexpectedly. She returned to the nest. Androcat has it all on video in case you missed it earlier. https://youtu.be/7A4kOTOF1kg?
Geemeff’s Daily summary for Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 2nd May 2025
Today was mainly quiet apart from Louis & Dorcha being buzzed by a low-flying intruder Osprey. The ringed intruder didn’t land nor did s/he give us a good look at its blue Darvic ring but as it was worn on the left leg, we know it’s a Scottish Osprey. Louis brought two fish to the nest taking his tally to sixty five, and two fish were brought to Nest One taking that tally to thirty three. However, the second fish unusually arrived carried in by Blue 536 rather than by Garry, although it’s suspected he handed it to her off-nest. The weather forecast states light rain and light winds overnight, but keep in mind the nests are exposed at the tops of tall trees so the conditions might not be that light. However the forecast for tomorrow is brighter and drier with light clouds, a gentle breeze, and a few sunny spells. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.08.52 (04.39.22); Nest Two 22.02.14 (04.44.57) Today’s videos:
White Rock, BC. It is a wonder the two little sweeties are still alive. When food is present, they fight and don’t eat getting only a few bites and then one of the intruding males takes the food. ‘PB’ writes of an incident Saturday evening: “WR 20:18-20:22 the male was on the nest moving material on top of the babies and was pecking them. He did this several times, and on his last peck on the baby’s head, mom yelled at him, and he backed off and then flew away. I’m scared this guy will kill the babies.”
Rutland Manton Bay: We will be on pip watch by the end of the week.
One of the things I am learning about having a puppy is precisely how much I do not know. At the same time, as I read Louise Glazebrooks’s book, One of the most eye-opening experiences of having a puppy is realizing just how much I have yet to learn. As I delve into Louise Glazebrook’s insightful book, “Everything Your Puppy Wants You to Know,” I can’t help but draw parallels to my husband’s journey with dementia.
Here are some essential insights that have significantly shaped my approach:
Never allow people to jump or lean into the carrier with the puppy—it’s crucial for their safety and comfort.
Ensure a calm environment for your puppy; a tranquil setting fosters a happier pet.
Establish a consistent routine; this creates a sense of security for your new furry friend.
Refrain from scolding for accidents; instead, offer praise for good behavior to encourage positive habits.
Invest in high-quality food for your puppies; nutrition is key to their development and health.
Pay close attention to your puppy’s cues—understanding their needs strengthens your bond.
Always ensure they go to the bathroom before breakfast; a simple step that can make a big difference in your day.
Be prepared to sacrifice some sleep; the rewards of companionship and unconditional love are worth it.
These lessons not only enhance my understanding as a pet owner but also serve as reminders of patience, care, and the importance of nurturing relationships.Everything your puppy wants you to know‘, I am reminded of my husband with dementia. Don’t let people jump and lean into them in a carrier. Keep the puppy calm. Establish a routine. Do not scould for accidents. Give praise for things well done. Feed the puppies good food. Listen to what your puppy is saying. Make sure they go to the bathroom before breakfast! Be prepared to lose sleep.
I am smiling. My father always had a dog. Surely I have told you this many, many times. The first was, of course, the three-legged terrier, Trixie. Then there was a Manchester Terrier. Somewhere in the mix was a poodle that my dad just knew I would love. His last dog came from a family that dumped three Doberman puppies next to our fence in a box. People knew my dad would feed any animal or person – he could not stand for anyone to be hungry. Besides the dogs we also had cats. He stayed home from his position at Tinker Airforce Base to help with one female have her kittens. She would press her back legs against the palm of his hands. He would make sure that they were all well and that the garage was secure so the males could not come in and kill the kittens. It was a different time. No one took dogs and cats to the vet to be spayed or neutered. Later, of course, he did. The Doberman’s name was Daisy and she was the most gentle dog I ever met. She rode in the passenger seat of his car and they were never separated until he broke his hip and had to go into hospital. Daisy would have killed anyone who tried to harm my father. Thankfully no one ever did. I tear up just thinking about the two of them together. They were so peaceful, calm, and quiet together. Daisy would sit right next to my dad as he handed the Cardinals and Eastern Bluebirds in his garden. Which reminds me why I started on this – puppies, I now understand, as well as people with demential, also require lots of calm quiet time. No drama. Well, as it turns out nesting birds also need the same!
I hope that Toby is as happy with our family as Daisy was with my father.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, messages, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, PB’, NEFL-AEF, Cornell Bird Lab Red-tail Hawk Cam, San Jose City Hall, Lincoln Cathedral, Canadian Raptor Conservancy, UCFC, Peace, Roger Smith and Salisbury Cathedral, Teweksbury Abby Peregrine Falcons, Duke Farms, Xcel Energy Fort St Vrain Eagles, FOBBV, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust and Loch Arkaig, IWS/Explore, The Guardian, Farmer Derek Owl Cam
As we prepare for the arrival of Toby, my time is running out. Anything that could fit into a small mouth must go into hiding along with ‘precious’ rugs, shoes, etc. Cords must be taped to the wall so they cannot be seen. It is a big learning curve from having cats! As a result, my blog will be brief for the next several days. I will try to catch the latest news and follow up on the White Rock and Trempealeau eagle nests and any happenings in the UK.
Cornell Red-tail Hawks: On Thursday, Big Red and Arthur have their first pip of the 2025 season.
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: ‘MP’ alerts us to a new couple on the nest. “I don’t know if you are aware of this nest having 2 new osprey residents. A new male and female. The nest looks amazing compared to the other resident’s nests.”
‘AR’ sent me a great good news story to share with you! One lucky Eagle.
White Rock, BC Bald Eagle nest. Read this carefully – the female incubated the eggs alone for 42 days. She might be fine if the males would stop stealing the food. Then there is the issue of the heat. This nest needs a sunshade! They are the sweetest little eaglets and well, I do not believe this is going to end well. Maybe all these eagles should take a page out of the osprey playbook from Threave!
The latest post on the White Rock eaglets from Terry Anita:
5/2/25 This is the White Rock, BC, Canada post for today. Please comment here. I’ll be updating & adding screenshots & info throughout the day. Eagles Mom (Dad missing) 2 eaglets. Hatched 4/30/25.
Screenshot 1: The male with the missing feathers above the right eye visits the nest. #2: Mom and male fly out. #3 Eaglets looking good this morning. Mom returns with no food. Male returns, digs in the nest for leftovers, then leaves.
These are believed to be Moms 25th and 26th eaglets. She has a lot of experience. But the circumstances are so difficult. She just spent 42 days incubating alone. And if it wasn’t for the males stealing all the food she brought in. She’d be in a better position, with left overs in the pantry. Local residents have left out grasses for her, to line the nest. But she hasn’t taken them. She’s doing the very best she can. The eaglets are also left alone in full sun on that nest. And are way too young to be able to regulate their temperature. All we can do is keep positive vibes going. This is a very big uphill battle for Mom.
There are other nests in close proximity. And many bald eagles in the area. There have been several males vying for Mom since Dad went missing. However most of the males seem more intent on taking food from the nest, than anything else. Mom has been tolerant of a few of these males and mated with more than one of them. The area gets a lot of eagles visiting when the herring run takes place. The White Rock, BC herring run typically happens in spring, with the most intense activity usually occurring in early to mid-March. The exact timing is unpredictable, but it generally begins in late February or early March and can continue into April.
We are watching nature unscripted. Should it become distressing to watch. Please step away & take a break.. Please do not try and compare this situation with other nests. No two nests, eagles or circumstances are the same.
Backstory. Mom is not a first time Mom. She’s been in the area for several years. And is believed to have had around 26 hatches, including this seasons eaglets. The male (Dad) went missing shortly after the first egg was laid. That egg was left unattended for over 11 hours and deemed non viable. The second egg was laid. But with her mate missing the female had to incubate the eggs alone. She was obviously gone for long periods of time, multiple times. As she has to find food for herself. The male visitors weren’t bringing her food and had no interest in the eggs. The eggs hatched on 4/30/25.
***Several males have been around, trying to win Mom over.
You might see any one of these males on the nest, usually stealing food. It’s very difficult to distinguish one male from another… A young male “Smudge” with dark feathers on his head just above the beak is one that can be easily recognized.. Smudge has been a frequent visitor… He’s been seen for about the last month and a half, on and off. But had stayed for the past few weeks.. Smudge seemed to be invested and even brought a fish in on 4/30/25.
Update. Smudge was in a fight with another male on the evening of 4/30/25. We are waiting to see if he’ll return. Or if the male he fought with has taken his place.”
Hellgate Canyon: Iris laid the second egg on Thursday 1 May. Poor darling. I would give almost anything to see Finnegan fly onto that nest right now.
Kent Island (Chesapeake Conservancy): There’s a new Audrey in town. ‘Fair Lady’ beat out a couple other females and won over Tom, and she laid her first egg on 5/1 at around 11:10. Meet Audrey4, aka simply ‘Audrey’.
OBX (Outer Banks): Oh my, what an early rough start to the season it was for Betsy and Frederick. There were so many intruders and battles. But, finally things settled down and Betsy laid her first egg of the season on 5/1 at 14:07. This first egg is almost a month later than last season.
My inbox continues to be filled with the most devastating news for wildlife that I have witnessed in my lifetime.
Each of you should know the name ‘Wisdom’, the oldest ringed bird in the world, a Laysan Albatross, who nests on the Midway Atoll. So when you read the following, sent in by Geemeff, I want you to think about ‘Wisdom’ and I hope that this will cause you to act to fight against any policies that destroy the lives of those, like Wisdom, who cannot speak for themselves.
Now is Our time!
A Nai’a (Spinner Dolphin) springs forth on Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) 2025 Photo by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Volunteer Joe Owen
Supporters of Friends of Midway Atoll (FOMA) are needed now more than ever to be the voice for the public lands and waters known as Kuaihelani (the backbone of heaven), which is designated as a National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial within the larger Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument (PMNM). The Administration has reduced the federal workforce, is proposing new policies and rescinding long-standing environmental policies, all of which are negatively impacting the ability to conserve, honor and protect our Nation’s public lands and waters.
With these unprecedented challenges, the FOMA Board is committed to sharing specific requests and calls to action via this newsletter and our newly launched advocacy web pagehere.Addressing and finding solutions to the critical needs of wildlife and people on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge/Battle of Midway National Memorial has our sleeves rolled up. We are positioned to help but the need is greater than our current capacity.
One Way to Help
FOMA takes its responsibilities seriously by aligning your donations with priority conservation needs that cannot be met by the refuge. We promise to continue to direct our funds to projects that offer immediate support for wildlife, bridge the financial gaps needed to continue collecting one of the longest sets of seabird data on the planet, share the stories and magic of Midway, and supplement core volunteer functions lost to budget and personnel cuts. As an example, the current refuge volunteer coordinator position will be vacated and unfunded in May. However, your donations have enabled FOMA to fund a volunteer coordinator position to mentor, train, and lead a 4-person crew of 6-month volunteers to implement critical on-the-ground conservation work. This will allow critical work to continue without losing ground to protect species and their habitats.
We are exploring creative ways to support Midway, including directing FOMA funds to pay contractors who can continue to protect habitats from invasive species. After nearly 3 decades of continuous effort, the refuge is close to eradicating Verbesina encloides; and stepping back now is inconceivable. Additionally, we will ensure efforts continue to honor those who fought in the Battle of Midway. We also commit to building a relationship with the PMNM Culturally Working Group while illuminating the cultural significance of Kuaihelani by honoring native Hawaiian species and place names.
Heavy Hearted Farewells
As a result of recent actions by this Administration to reduce the federal workforce, Midway has lost critical operational and administrative staff capacity. In February 2025, Midway Atoll and its sister Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge lost their supply, shipping and travel logistics coordinator, Dan Link. This is a critical position given the logistics of supporting these remote refuges in Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. On Friday, April 17th Midway Atoll lost its full-time Budget Analyst who managed Midway Atoll’s budget including paying bills, making purchases and supporting large contracts.
Also on April 17th we bid a heavy-hearted farewell to an irreplaceable brain trust in the Pacific Islands Refuges and Monuments Office in Honolulu that provided direct support to Midway Atoll and the other refuges and monuments in the Pacific. We bid farewell to Science Manager for the Pacific Islands Climate Change Cooperative Jeff Burgett, Refuges and Monuments Area Supervisor Ric Lopez, Deputy Area Supervisor Susan White, Supervisory Wildlife Biologist Beth Flint, Biology Science Technician Anna Vallery, Administrative Officer Eloise Wong and Wildlife Biologist Megan Laut (pictured below).
Photo by: USFWS/Laura Beauregard
These individuals were the backbone of the support office for all the National Wildlife Refuges including the Battle of Midway National Memorial and the Marine National Monuments in the Pacific. Their cumulative time spent working at the field level for wildlife (and people too) along with upper level managerial and planning experience is measured in centuries of knowledge, passion, intellect and wisdom. Known throughout the Pacific for their expertise, these now former employees had to secure their files and walk out the door with only a few days’ notice.
The impact of this loss will be felt for decades and has crippled the ability of those remaining to protect Midway and meet the mission of the agency. Unfortunately, this is just the beginning as more staff cuts are anticipated as well as a possible Reduction in Force. Along with budget and staff reductions, Executive Orders to eliminate previous provisions to protect nature further threaten the ability to conserve fish and wildlife in these extraordinary and unparalleled environments.
Imminent Threats to Midway’s Wildlife and What You Can Do!
Unfortunately, these warp speed actions by the Administration are now producing major threats to wildlife and habitat through the dismantling of federal laws protecting the islands, reefs, and waters at PMNM and more urgently at Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument(PIHMNM). This monument encompasses 7 National Wildlife Refuges and protects wildlife that knows no ocean boundaries as they transit in the greater oceanic ecosystem.
Grey reef sharks and schools of anthias in the waters of Jarvis Island, Pacific Remote Island Areas Marine National Monument. President Biden has an opportunity to fully protect the area. (Kelvin Gorospe/NOAA/2017)
In an effort to create a collective strength in numbers, we will continue to highlight the most pressing threats and point to those non-profit organizations protecting these monuments. On our webpage you will find links to recent executive orders or actions that seek public comment. We will also provide clear guidance and helpful tips.
Now is our time to hoist the sails and voyage together. We feel honored to join you and look forward to speaking out together for what we deeply value as we malama (take care of) Kuaihelani.
I Mua!
In the Hawaiian language the words I Mua mean to “move forward” or “move ahead” towards a goal and can express a deep commitment to support a feeling, an idea, a person or a cause.
Mahalo for all your support, Your Friends of Midway Atoll
As many of you might recall, I have praised the wildlife vet, Dr Tess, that has spent the last year at our rehabilitation clinic, Wildlife Haven. She maintains that wildlife are more resilient and can survive with many physical challenges. What this means is that new wildlife vets like Dr Tess are reluctant to simpy euthanise wildlife simply because they are missing a limb or have an inconvenient broken bone. ‘MP’ sent me an example of another surviving nicely in the wild with one leg! They write, “This is an example of what you were talking about. Ron Dudley captured this photo of a Brewer’s Blackbird missing a foot but still able to go on. It didn’t stop her from gathering nesting materiel for her nest. She was just as efficient as the other females. Only the female builds the nest in this species, as you probably know. So, all the males around just sat back and watched. They appear to have big feet too. I thought you’d be interested in seeing it play out in real time.”
Border Ospreys: Samson and Augusta have their first egg of the season!
San Jose City Hall: There is joy to be found. Look at those crops. Thank you, ‘PB’.
A magnificent rescue!
Trempealeau Bald Eagle Nest: T3 is getting stuffed. Despite male taking food, the little one is doing well. Please send good positive energy.
How thoughtful.
Geemeff’s daily summary for Loch Akraig and The Woodland Trust:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 1st May 2025 After an absence of a few hours which had us feeling a little edgy in case Blue 536 was ‘doing an Aida’, she turned up on Nest One ready to accept fish and mating advances from Garry LV0, and succeeded in getting both. Just as well, as females need ongoing mating for egg production to be stimulated, and the male needs to deliver a steady supply of fish to keep the female’s interest. Bearing in mind that Aila & Louis met on 28th April, mated for the first time on 29th April and still managed to fledge a chick in time to migrate, this pair are in line with that schedule so there is still an outside chance of chicks on this nest this season. Garry’s three fish deliveries take his tally to thirty one, and over on Nest Two, Louis also delivered three fish to Dorcha, raising his tally to sixty three. There was a bit of rain today, but the Inver Mallie forecast for tonight and tomorrow is more settled, with light clouds and light breezes.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.08.23 (04.37.31); Nest Two 22.03.42 (04.43.17) Today’s videos:
Thank you so much for being with me today. Take care. We hope to see you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, posts, letters, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘AR, Geemeff, Heidi, MP, PB’, Cornell Red-tail Hawk Cam, Cornell Bird Lab, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Fox News, Hilton Head Eagles, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, Friends of Midway Atoll, Pukaha National Wildlife Centre, Farmer Derek Kansas City Bald Eagle Nest, San Jose City Hall, Deborah Victoriana Friends of Duke Farms, Raptor Resource Project, Kent Island, OBX, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust
It is May! The grass is getting green. There are buds on the trees and our favourite market garden opened for the season on Wednesday. Everyone was so happy and couldn’t help but let that spill over to saying hello to everyone! Fantastic. Happiness is contagious.
The White Crowned Sparrows have returned form their migration and spent the morning scratching in the garden. Lovely to have them back.
We are getting ready to pick up Toby on Saturday. Yes, there has been a name change! Yesterday we connected with some neighbours on our walk that had small dogs. It is going to be fun! Toby passed his vet check on Wednesday except for a tiny hernia which will be repaired when he is fixed.
We also noticed how many birds are now nesting in a type of evergreen, a small upright one, since the large elm trees have been cut down in our neighbourhood. Today we are going out to get several of these trees. They grow fast and will give some added protection for our garden friends including the rabbits that like to hide under them.
Hugo Yugo wants to wish everyone a wonderful May Day from her favourite spot in the house. No worries about Toby jumping up there.
Heidi sends some nest news for us: Osoyoos osprey nest: The first egg of the season was laid on 4/30 at 21:27.
South Cape May: Congratulations to Hera and Zeus on their second egg, laid on 5/1 at 07:37.
Geemeff sends us the daily summary for the Loch Arkaig and the Woodland Trust:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 30th April 2025
This day last year was all about Aida, the ten-day wonder we thought would be Garry LV0’s mate but who disappeared as soon as she was given a name! Things look very different on Nest One this year however, as Blue 536 arrived on 18th April and has not only allowed Garry to mate successfully with her but has also brought nesting materials and shown Affric 152 the door when she came calling. Garry brought two fish to the nest, taking his tally to twenty eight. However, something unseen caused him to startle and fly off the empty nest with the second fish, dragging bits of bedding as he went. There was no sign of Blue 536 and no intruder caught on nest cam. The residents of Nest Two continued calmly, no alarms, just routine, with three fish delivered by Louis raising his tally to fifty nine. We are now potentially three weeks away from first hatch. The weather was settled and sunny but light rain is expected tonight through to mid morning, and cloudy for the rest of the day. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.03.57 (04.19.43); Nest Two 22.02.10 (04.38.42) Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/Jne_dpBphq0 N2 Dorcha departs with the first fish in a beak hold 09.21.29https://youtu.be/SsW5LJKZSBk N1 Garry LV0 brings Blue 536 the first fish of the day 11.00.50https://youtu.be/VEXgE-ScSkQ N2 Is this second fish a Brown Trout or a Silver Tourist? Dorcha doesn’t mind which! 13.48.54
White Rock, BC: Well, the new male, Smudge, is pitching in! Can we hope that these two little eaglets that recently hatched will survive? Wishing for another nest that is compromising for the good of the hatchlings.
Trempeauleau Nest, Wisconsin: It is an eagle nest that I am watching closely so these are all the updates I can find.
Rutland Manton Bay Previous Fledgling: Oh, my goodness 3H3 is really making the rounds!
Great Bay Ospreys:
Charlo, Montana: Lola showing off her egg.
Hellgate Canyon: Beautiful, resilient Iris.
Sandpoint: The Canada Geese have left the property and it appears that Keo has flown by a couple of times to check and see if the property is indeed vacated.
All of the goslings made it to the water safely!
Loch of the Lowes: We now have what appears to be a stable pair on Blue NC0 and Laddie’s nest:
Denton Homes: ‘PB’ sent a great image of a dual feeding Wednesday.
Farmer Derek’s GHO Cam: Starr fludged Tuesday night. Androcat has the mishap on video: https://youtu.be/7A4kOTOF1kg?
German White Storks: ‘TU’ sends us news: “German white storks Sissi and Franz had 4 eggs and few attacks on the nest. Few of them happened even at night time so we could see battles in black and white ) So 3 chicks hatched the same day!” https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10049613998422033&set=pcb.1375529173713873
Kakapo Recovery: Great news.
Common pesticides are killing gorgeous Corellas in Australia. It could happen anywhere.
If you live in Manitoba, consider heading to the Baby Shower at Wildlife Haven in late May.
Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, PB, TU’, Wildlife Haven, Ross Ellet, Kakapo Recovery, German White Stork Cam, Farmer Derek, Denton Homes, Sandpoint, Montana Osprey Project, Raptor Resource Project, Diana Lambertson and The Joy of Ospreys, Evelyn Bardoul, SK Hideaways, Terri Anita and White Rock BC Eagles, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, SCMM, Osoyoos Osprey Platform, Jeff Kear and UK Osprey Info, Rutland Osprey Project
