Wow. Isn’t this a great morning?! We had marvelled at Jackie and Shadow’s first hatch keeping a keen eye on that second egg that was pipping knowing full well there would be two eaglets today – and there are!
We missed the second hatch. Thanks to ‘PB’ for sending me some great images while we were out walking Toby.
It has been a while since I watched the news. In fact, I have made a conscious decision to live in the moment, to rejoice in what is happening in our garden as the seasons change, and to monitor how our on-screen bird families are faring. The world is too dark and from past experience checking on streaming cam videos that show ‘death’, it would seem that more people prefer to see a ‘snuff’ video of an eaglet than one where a much loved and wanted chick is hatching. To me that is simply ‘sick’. So, I don’t post them and I don’t watch them.
Today was also a glorious day in the garden. At 0900 three Blue Jays appeared! Three. One of Junior’s and the Mrs fledglings from previous years has returned. They make their nest in the tree across the lane now that their big elm has been cut down. Mr and Mrs Crow have arrived. We have started putting out leftover chicken and their cheesy dogs as they begin to build up after the winter and prepare for their nesting. The Starlings are here, the sparrows are down in number, and the chickadees arrive at dusk and dawn. The Red squirrels are busy caching peanuts – I do not know why and to date, we still have dear Dyson coming with her kits. She is VERY old. We know it is her because of markings that we have compared over the years. With lots of good food and a safe environment, Dyson can possibly live for several more years. That makes me happy.
The Starlings yesterday:
I could never catch the three together in the same frame.
I record the seasonal changes in the garden including the arrival of more species in this book:
Just like many of the large nature centres keep track of the arrival and departure of their ospreys and eagles, I do the same with all of the garden animals over the years. It is a wonderful way to keep yourself in ‘the present’. Nature heals us – it does not destroy us. We need to embrace the life around us.
Each of us should turn off the outside world to keep our hope and kindness. Most of you will recognise that we are all interrelated and that what is good for wildlife and the planet is also good for humans. Then why do we allow people to destroy our precious home? Clearly, Jackie and Shadow do nothing to destroy Big Bear, and yet their habitat is constantly under threat, as it is now from proposed construction at Moon Camp. I want ‘the people’ to triumph for Jackie and Shadow – not just for them but as a signal that we care about wildlife, their habitat, and the sheer joy that their existence gives to us. If there has ever been a time to step up and be heard on this matter, it is now. Being silent is no longer an option. Whether you do it at the ballot box, by donations or volunteering, writing letters or op ed pieces, do something. That something could be as simple as a dish of life-saving water put out daily and refreshed for the birds and animals.
Baiba has the first feeding attempt at Big Bear for hatch 1. (Gosh, I hope they name this one Sandy!), and they could name the second Speers. That would be a wonderful tribute to a woman who worked so hard for these eagles. https://youtu.be/Lyo3kpR280M?
There continue to be ospreys arriving. We are keeping a close eye out for Louis and I would love to see Blue 35 return to Foulshaw Moss although I have to say that hope is dwindling by the day. Blue 717 has really taken a liking to White YW and why wouldn’t she? He is an amazing provider.
Fish deliveries at the Pont Cresor nest of Z1 Aeron and Blue 14 are at 07:03 – 11:29 – 16:23 according to chat. This is the new streaming cam at Glaslyn owned by Friends of Osprey.
Z1 Aeron is an excellent provider – one of Monty’s boys. Making his dad proud.
At the nest of Aran and Elen, close to the Pont Cresor platform, Aran is delivering fish in terrible conditions, but no Elen to eat them. It is not clear to me that Aran and Elen have seen one another at all since Aran’s return. Please correct me if I am wrong.
Storm Dave has brought rain and wind, with some snow, to Wales. It was particularly bad last evening in Sotlad at the Loch Arkaig nest. Will Louis return today or tomorrow?
Dorcha had a sunken crop. She is waiting for Louis to bring her a fish but she doesn’t know he has not arrived. Oh, please, Louis come home.
Asha has arrived home at RSPB Loch Garten.
Keep your eyes on those screens for arrivals and if you haven’t seen the second baby at Achieva, check it out. Dad is doing an amazing job bringing in the fish! What a relief.
To those celebrating, Happy Easter or Happy Passover. May you find peace and joy and have good times with friends and family.
Take care everyone. That is it for today. Toby is getting a nail trim in the house tomorrow. Another one of the convenient services I have discovered and it is now time for me to think of what we might have for lunch. We hope to see you soon!
Remember – if you are feeling the least bit down, put on a jacket and head outside. Sit and listen. Feel the breeze on your cheek. I promise you will feel a thousand times better. If you are up to it, go for a walk. Check out the birds around your home. Let me know what you are seeing. Bye for now!
Thank you to Baiba for the videos of the Big Bear Valley family of Jackie and Shadow. Thank you ‘PB’ for alerting me to the full second hatch at BBV and to all the owners and people who post news including Jeff Kear and the UK Osprey Info FB, I am so grateful. Thanks a billion!
Exciting Update: George Anderson has posted that a confirmed sighting of Breac (Loch Arkaig 2025) on the north coast of Spain on the 30th of August. He was last seen at Loch Arkaig on 15 August. This is incredible news.
The photographer sent the Woodland Trust the images to share including this one of the location – and they note that Breac was flying with another osprey.
I am so thankful for this BlueSky post. White YW is one of my all-time favourite UK male ospreys, and he is often overlooked by the nests at Rutland and in Wales. He deserves a gold medal. This year, he stayed and fed a juvenile that wasn’t even his at Foulshaw Moss in Cumbria!
August is now a page turned in the calendar. Children are getting excited about returning to school to see their friends, and, for us, it really marks the time that most of the ospreys have migrated to their winter homes, with the Bald Eagles thinking about returning to their nests. In fact, M15 and F23 have now returned to SW Florida! Fantastic.
The real active nests are those in Australia. There are chicks in the nest in the Olympic Park, eggs being laid on the ledge at Collins Street in Melbourne’s CBD, eggs expected at the Port Lincoln barge and the other nests around South Australia, and then there is Diamond’s scrape. It may be a failed year if dear Xavier does not return. In New Zealand, the Royal Cam chick is set to fly off on her grand adventure within the next fortnight.
At Port Lincoln, Mum and Dad are cosy, and I get the feeling that eggs are imminent.
The weather in the Canadian prairies is hot and humid. The paint stores are busy as new colours are appearing around my neighbourhood. We even managed to get our front door re-painted. It was ‘too’ blue for me, so now it is ‘nearly’ black, a colour called Railings. It works well. Now to do the window frames.
Brock looked pretty shabby not that long ago. His coat is improving, and the missing fur from his tail is growing back. Toby often scares him, but Brock appears to have learned to let me know that he is here for food, then step back, let me put it out, and come back up to the deck to eat. Tonight he had two huge bowls! Another cat has appeared. She is a lovely grey, almost tortoiseshell, with some nice apricot splotches. She has either had kittens or is going to have kittens – she will not let me get close enough to tell. Toby often sends her running.
Baby Hope. Gosh. I had no idea it was a long weekend. That is what happens when you are retired. It was impossible to get a vet! She continues to allow me to have a ‘guarded look’, but clearly, she would benefit from antibiotics. Anne and I are going to attempt to trick her into a carrier and get her to the clinic on Tuesday. She is eating well and had jumped up to the ledge of the piano window in the living room, where she was last seen washing herself. I am grateful for your good wishes for this darling girl and to ‘MP’ for their expert guidance on what she might benefit from, including a long-term antibiotic injection. — Well, I haven’t slept much because of the injury, which is on her chin, where she can’t wash easily, looked bad on Saturday, and, as a consequence, I didn’t sleep. Come Sunday morning, and I got a great look, and things are very much improved. I will have to trap her, but ‘MP’ has given me some great advice about getting medicine to calm her to help that along if it is needed – a tiny bit of Gabapentin. How kind. At any rate, she seems to be on the mend. Fingers and toes crossed.
The Troublemakers:
Bird World news is going to become ‘thin’ as we wait. I hope to fill some of the void with book news and articles for you to read over the winter in the coming months as we wait for baby eagles to hatch in North America.
Our Canadian osprey fledglings are very smart! One or the other or both from the Russell Lake osprey platform in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, is catching their own fish! Thanks, Connie and Don Dennis.
SK Hideaways new videos!
Flirty Haku Gets Frisky with MV on Night Perch🌠
West End Eagles🦅 Catalina Island, CA (2025 Aug 29)
The budding romance between Haku and MV is fascinating to watch. Here, Haku is in a particular frisky mood when she arrives on the night perch.
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies, explore.org
Dad Juggles Growing Chicks🤹♂️ SE36 Gets Wise for Bites!
Sydney White-Bellied Sea Eagles Lady & Dad (2025 Aug 30)
At 2 weeks old, SE35 and SE36 are getting too big for Dad to brood, but he does his best. SE36 is finding clever ways to get plenty to eat when Lady brings a whopper for breakfast.
Diamond has a Young Suitor ~ He’s Making Himself at Home (1 September 2025)
Diamond’s long-time mate, Xavier has been missing for 5 days. In that short time, a young male falcon (tiercel) has appeared and seems to be courting Diamond. The tiercel visited the nest and took a good look around. Diamond met him there for what appeared to be a short bonding session. We will have to watch and wait to see how the story unfolds.
Courtesy FalconCam Project, Charles Sturt University NSW
Sacha Dench and Conservation Without Borders have uploaded the entire 22-episode series of The Flight of the Osprey to YouTube. There is some really great information and discussion in these. Here is your link:
The Queen of the North American ospreys, Iris, is still at her nest at Hellgate Canyon in Missoula, Montana. She arrived on Friday in need of a fish! Was she looking for the New Male to chase her down? He has been very good at providing meals and helping renovate the nest.
Hard not to check on Iris all day long. She is still home and as beautiful in that golden light as ever.
Iris is still home in Missoula on Monday.
Charlie continues to deliver nice fish to C19 and C20 at Charlo Montana. What an amazing place for ospreys. It is a gorgeous landscape.
At least one fledgling is still in Idaho at the Coeur d’Alene South Osprey platform.
Teifi is still at Glaslyn. Here he is on the old Oak snag. Elen has not been seen since Thursday, 28 August. Teifi was also seen on Monday and so was Aran so both of the males are staying around Aran’s ‘old nest’? Or will Aran return early and try a takeover in 2026??
At Rutland Water, both Blue 33 and Maya and their 110-day-old fledgling 3R8 are still home.
Birds of Poole Harbour: 1H1 from Nest 2 was seen fishing at the Christchurch Harbour on Monday.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 31st August 2025 Not much to say – a handful of songbirds and a Great Spotted Woodpecker paid a visit, and amidst concerns about the invasive spruce bark beetle, currently trending in the news, Woodland Trust’s 2025 update to their 2021 State of the UK’s Woods and Trees report is available, link in the bonus section. Within the report there are links for each of the four home nations, it’s a very interesting read. George will post the official season summary on this page when it’s ready, and I’m working on my highlights video and hope to be able to post it here before the comments close. In any event, I’ll shut down the increasingly redundant daily summary in the next few days. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.07.46 (05.41.14); Nest Two 21.01.03 (05.48.18) Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/eVzQjLMvX0E N2 Songbirds and a Great Spotted Woodpecker visit 09.57.55 Bonus read – Woodland Trust’s 2025 updated
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 29th August 2025
Today started with Nest One receiving a midnight visit from a Tawny Owl, and both nests had daylight visits from songbirds but the most interesting event was Steve Quinn publishing his end of season fish stats. Louis delivered four hundred and thirty seven fish, and Dorcha doubled her previous score with two deliveries, ending the season with four hundred and thirty nine fish brought to the nest. Steve says: “As a community we have now counted/reported 2222 fish over the 5 seasons”.
Every single one of those fish was observed and recorded and scrutinised to make sure it wasn’t an earlier fish returning, and everyone who played a part should congratulate themselves for a remarkable feat of citizen science, with huge thanks to Steve for his very thorough analysis. Link to his report:
Your smile for today: African Crowned Eagles incubate Egyptian goose eggs and they hatch! Liznm captures it on video! https://youtu.be/Jh9X9yV7rpg?
On Monday, one of the goslings jumped to the ground safely and was confirmed to be alive and well by the environmental team at the Zimbali Estate. Liznm has it on video: https://youtu.be/3Iv4wfRnxCw?
The August newsletter from Birdlife International:
On the Cornell Campus, Big Red and Arthur have been seen. O2 appears to be off exploring the area. It is that time when the fledglings leave their parent’s territory to set off on their own. We wish the three of them a good fall and winter and will watch for Arthur and Big Red to bring sticks in for next year.
In Orange, a new male has shown up at the scrape.
Then Holly Parsons noticed a similarity with one of our favourite fledglings from this nest – Izzi. Poor Cilla. She put him back in the scrape twice that season. Izzi was such a character – do you remember his cicada popsicles?
Thanks, Karen Leng.
Richmond and Rosie are still home with 112 day old fledgling Beacon keeping them company at the Golden Gate Audubon osprey ‘light’ nest in San Francisco Bay. https://youtu.be/fcqdZFri2DU?
Our Melbourne commentator ‘A’ writes: “This is such devastating news, and at this stage, there seems little possibility of his return. A hunting accident is being considered the most likely but perhaps we’ll never know for certain. It is a tragedy, but Diamond is not wasting any time in moving on. There is a male juvenile falcon (such a cutie) who has been bonding with her and who seems very at home in the scrape and on the ledge. He has been eating in a leisurely manner on the tower as well, and Diamond has been engaging in bonding behaviour with him (see 06:08:10 this morning and again at 13:02:03 – on both occasions he was in the scrape, e-chupping, and Diamond came in for bonding). So it seems as though she may be getting to like him. His plumage is still not adult, though, so he is still too young I think to be a mate for Diamond. Time will tell.
Meanwhile, I have been so sad about the loss of Xavier, who has been a wonderful mate for Diamond. We all adore Xavier. I really didn’t know how to cope with his disappearance initially. I still don’t. He was the sweetest falcon, and we’ll never forget the way he stepped in and stepped up when Diamond was left to raise eyases alone. He is a huge loss to all of us who watched him and loved him.
There has been talk of a second male hanging around Diamond, so perhaps she has two suitors. Most of the chat seems to think there will not be fertilised eggs this year, but mating has been seen, so Diamond for one is not giving up just yet. To be honest, there is a surreal aspect to even typing this. I tried to do it yesterday but I just couldn’t. I’ve kept on thinking if I don’t acknowledge it, maybe it won’t be true. I know. It’s pathetic. But I keep wondering what it is that is so lethal in that seemingly idyllic environment for falcons. Why do none of the fledglings seem to survive? What kills the males at this scrape? Is there that much competition in this area? “
Want to know more about hummingbirds – and who wouldn’t? Great programme with David Attenborough – so much nicer than the news (which we don’t watch anymore). Forty-five minutes of great images and information: https://youtu.be/Lbmy4TLkVFU?
If you would like to attract hummingbirds to your garden, have a watch! The Nature of Things shows you how to create the perfect environment. https://youtu.be/g02Ss3xgABc?
We are right in the middle of migration season. Many have written to tell me that the Canada Geese have arrived in some southern locations. This is about European geese. If you haven’t seen it, take the time to do so. The images are magnificent and, as always, there are many things to learn. This could be, along with some of the others mentioned above, a good alternative to the news cycle. We found that our minds are no longer spinning since we literally stopped watching or listening to the news! Yes, we buried our heads in the sand, and it is terrific. https://youtu.be/Rxo-IbAF7kQ? Thank you Animal Documentaries.
If you missed the August edition of Condor Chat with the Ventana Wildlife Society, here it is archived on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SrasdEJfexw? This is the 5th anniversary of the Dolan Fire and the rescue of Condor 1031, Iniko.
There is a discussion about Bob Cats killing young condors. The Condor Chat is excellent – you can learn and learn and never know enough about these amazing carrion eaters.
Calico wants everyone to try and aim for zero waste!
Thank you so much for being with us. Please take care. We look forward to having you back with us on Friday.
I want to thank our notable contributors, ‘A, Geemeff, PB, and SK Hideaways’, the owners of the streaming cams listed in bold, the individuals who take the time to create videos and post them on YouTube, and the administrators of FB groups such as Jeff Kear at UK Osprey Information, and all others, often too many to name. I am very grateful to you and to the newspapers that still cover environmental issues as they relate to our precious feathered friends. My blog would not be what it is without your input into the world of birding.I also want to thank ‘MP’ for the generous sharing of their knowledge of veterinary medicine with me so that I could help Baby Hope.
On Wednesday afternoon, we looked up and saw blue skies – a first in days where the sun was masked by heavy heavy haze from the wildfires. All of the citizens from at least two communities have been evacuated and any animals left behind are being fed and evacuated if they are fit enough. Many groups are stepping up to help those who have lost everything but a suitcase of items and maybe a dear pet. Hockey arenas have been taken over and community centers to house and exercise the pets. This is a blessing. Our City is rallying and collecting clothes and toiletries and pet food. It is making me proud.
In our garden, six baby European Starlings have fledged. The adults were feeding them, and tonight they had them at the big table feeder, eating various items – small bits of cheesy dog treats, chopped peanuts, cat and dog kibble, as well as various seeds.
This photo was taken with an iphone through 3 panes of dirty glass. Those babies are cute! They are growing so fast and eating lots of finely chopped cheesy dogs and kibble – the bowls get filled at least 4 times a day!
You can see four – three at the table and one in the tree to the right. There are two more on the wire above the feeder so all six made it through the first days! So happy.
Toby is very tired. We bought a small 14″ push mower and Toby was just so excited! We cleared off the only spot of grass in the back in order to fix him a little pen so he can be smelling and moving and not on a lead when we are weeding and watering. I could fix the holes in the old fence but it would mean that Brock could not get into the garden so this is a good alternative.
Toby with his favourite stick. He loves to play fetch and there is a long area in the house that is perfect for this!
Hugo Yugo will be having her dental surgery on Wednesday the 11th. It already makes my mouth hurt! Poor little girl.
Hope is sound asleep in the small enclosed space at the base of the cat tree while Hugo Yugo is at the top. It is hard to see her. Maybe she is hiding from Toby!
It is another mixed bag of news in Bird World.
The only surviving osplet of the Red Kite attack in Germany is alive. Zeus and Fjona at Goitzsche-Wildnis are very diligent about keeping this one as safe as they can.
At Sauces, Betty Lou has been coming home and enjoying many big fish dinners. She can mantle spreading across that entire nest to protect her snack!
Please note that the IWS still has its Adoption Challenge going and I am ever so happy that last year one of my long-time readers on Bird World got to name one of Thunder and Akecheta’s eaglets! It could be you this year.
Gizmo has still not fledged but was so delighted when Sunny returned to the nest tree at Big Bear Valley. A few of the news agencies that carried this fledge at Big Bear! The fledglings are international stars now, too. Not just Jackie and Shadow.
At the Dyfi Osprey Project, Idris brought in a huge mullet for the family. They are doing well – Idris is an amazing provider and Telyn is just like her mother, Maya, fantastic.
Idris continues with his delivery of hugh fish for Telyn and the trio.
All four osplets of CJ7 and Blue 022 are alive and doing well at Poole Harbour.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 5th June 2025
Once again Aurora 536 spent many hours on Nest One, waiting quietly, and her patience was rewarded when Garry LV0 brought her a fish. That fish takes his tally to seventy one. On Nest Two Louis just kept bringing fish, five today, and the fifth one takes his tally to one hundred and fifty for the season. The smallest chick seems to have worked out strategies for feeding times, and was front and centre during several feedings. All three chicks ended the day with bulging golf ball crops, but that didn’t stop chick1 suddenly attacking chick2, and later chick 2 unwisely retaliated and paid the price. Chick3 very wisely ducked down and let them get on with it, as did Dorcha, who watched but didn’t intervene. She was busy bringing cot rails including one with a sharply pointed end and had some difficulty choosing a suitable place to put it. She succeeded only for Louis to come along later and move it! It rained during the night and earlier today but not as much as forecast. Light rain and light winds are forecast for tomorrow and overnight tonight, with a low of 7°C and a high of 15°C. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.50.46 (03.23.17); Nest Two 23.06.45 (04.01.17) Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/b_Djl6ySh8w N2 Chick3 moves in front of chicks 1&2 to get a good feed 06.39.56https://youtu.be/7rxHzjOTrWw N2 Chick3 moves around and gets a good share of the second fish 10.36.10https://youtu.be/ok_po0c7qNs N2 Chick2 unwisely retaliates and picks a fight with dino chick1 12.35.17https://youtu.be/58FdzKDL7Tc N2 Dorcha brings an unwieldy pointy stick 16.23.36https://youtu.be/rZnavAZfoA4 N1 Aurora’s calls are answered when Garry brings a fish 17.09.05https://youtu.be/__WBMKkPcMM N2 Louis arrives blood stained but it’s only fish3’s blood 18.21.53https://youtu.be/ktznutwuAms N2 Late night snack arrives – fish number four 22.04.00
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 4th June 2025
Business as usual today – Aurora 536 spent a lot of time on Nest One and Garry LV0 brought her a fish. Later he swooped past carrying a second fish but kept going leaving Aurora calling in vain. His tally rises by one to seventy. The family on Nest Two are all doing very well, Louis brought two fish raising his tally to one hundred and forty five and Dorcha shared them out leaving the chicks ending the day with golf ball size stuffed crops. The wind wasn’t as strong as predicted for today and is forecast to remain light until Sunday. It will be wet overnight with a low of 6°C and wet throughout tomorrow with a high of 13°C, in fact rain is forecast for the next week. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.25.30 (03.20.47); Nest Two 22.54.18 (03.57.46) Today’s videos:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 3rd June 2025 Apart from some noisy gusts of wind and the odd non-threatening intruder alert, today was fairly routine. Everybody got fed – four fish for Dorcha on Nest Two and one fish for Aurora 536 on Nest One – and the chicks ended the day with bulging golf ball crops. Garry LV0’s tally rises to sixty nine, and Louis’ to one hundred and forty three. The weather was wet and windy as forecast, changing to drizzle and a gentle breeze overnight with a low of
5°C, and light rain showers and a moderate breeze tomorrow with a high of 11 °C.Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.52.43 (03.21.04); Nest Two 22.50.40 (04.00.58) Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/W6s8zOwX7-k N2 Home alone chicks in quicktime 02.53 – 03.00 https://youtu.be/–NG_Z6RU-M N2 Season’s earliest breakfast arrives 03.39.15 https://youtu.be/Z7MgJ2PDjgQ N2 Second breakfast arrives and Louis sticks around while the chicks are fed 08.48.29
https://youtu.be/zFtBedllEzE N1 Aurora grabs the fish and tells Garry to leave 08.58.46https://youtu.be/wRnQq_QXtR8 N2 The gusting wind doesn’t stop fish number three being fed to the chicks 19.53.35 https://youtu.be/vnYqbvwP4QE N2 Littlest chick makes sure of a good share of fish number four 21.33.56 Bonus watch – all the highlights of the season to date on Woodland Trust’s YouTube channel
The news from Tweed Valley is not good, if you missed it. The nest 2 had Mrs O, an experienced female osprey, and another female and a male named New Guy. New Guy went MIA from the nest and the new female did bring in a single fish as their four eggs hatched. The first three were Mrs O’s and the last the new female. Sadly, all of the osplets died when mothering behaviour did not lead to fishing behaviour.
At Glaslyn, it seems Teifi is finding all the good fishing spots. Let’s hope he turns out to be a good provider for Elen next year.
Rutland’s Manton Bay: All four chicks are doing well. Little four got some fish. Dad came in with another big one but Maya had the kids already quiet and in bed.
Llyn Brenig: The second chick has hatched!
Foulshaw Moss: Some bonking is taking place.
Kielder Forest: A returnee to their natal nest. Wow. They used the word amazing. With only a small percentage of the osplets that fledge returning as two years old, this is something to celebrate.
One of the blog chatters says, “I never cease to be amazed by the inherent navigation skills of wild creatures. Not only did IB7 find his own way to West Africa, with no parental help, but two years on he returns to the very nest where he hatched. And most human beings cannot reach an address a few miles away, without satnav!”
Moorings Park: Fledgling Ozzie comes in and gets a late dinner on Thursday.
Trio at Pitkin County. Look at that sweet little third hatch getting right up there for some fish.
San Jose City Hall: ‘PB’ sends some images and a note: “Chico and Emma being playful on the roof tonight. Look at the size difference and colors. Chico smaller and darker compared to Emma.”
Chichester Peregrines: The two little eyases were ringed on 2nd of June and determined to be female!
I wrote to the Greens Ledge Light Preservation Society about their ospreys. I received this response: “We just saw the first hatching this morning – at least 2. There were 3 eggs in total. The late-May Noreaster brought some wave action into the nest briefly during the worst of it, but avoided major impacts. The upgraded nest (as of last season) held it all together. We were very happy to see the little heads poking out this morning. The nest live camera isn’t optimally perfectly – the eggs have been just out of frame – but we’ll see more action shortly as the babies emerge and start walking around the nest. https://savegreensledge.org/osprey-cam“.
Steelscape Ospreys:
Charlo Montana: Pip Watch is coming soon.
Hellgate Canyon: Iris was on the nest on Wednesday. She looks great! The New Guy has been bringing her fish. I hope both return next year, and New Guy keeps Louis away so there can be other osplets on this nest!
Lots of in and outs on Thursday, too. New Guy will fly in with his fish gift and Iris will remove it to eat it.
Boulder Fair Grounds: A cold front appeared to come through the area on Wednesday evening and the third hatch was exposed and not under Mum and perished. All had been well fed. There are two surviving chicks.
The weather on late Thursday is wet and cooler again. Poor babies. I hope these two survive.
Longmont, Colorado: The third hatch died Wednesday night of hypothermia.
Allin’s Cove East: There is at least one little osplet that has hatched. You can barely see it on the left of this short video: https://youtu.be/0O7AQ_MnPjc?
Wolf Bay, Alabama: The trio are growing. They have beautiful juvenile plumage. The oldest is 45 days, the middle is 44, and the third is 42. This nest has done well this year! There is still some time before fledge!
Cornell Red-tail Hawks, Ithaca: Big Red and Arthur’s O’s are working their legs walking around that nest, which must be very difficult. They are starting to flap their wings, too! These two are so cute.
Big Red sleeping and protecting her babies.
Look at the beautiful ‘peach’ on the breasts of these Os and their lovely feathers that are coming in. These two images show you the difference in size.
Saaksilvie #1: Can you find the newly hatched osplet?
Saaksilvie #3: Incubation and egg rolling. Hatch expected soon.
Saaksilvie #4: Two of the three eggs of Nuppu have hatched so far! This nest was the home of the first osprey to hatch in Finland for the 2025 season on 1 June. Here it is on Nesting Bird Life and More’s video: https://youtu.be/yDF4ZYsy-Uc?
And now there are three osplets!
Saaksilvie #5: No one is home.
Janakkalan: Incubation continues. The egg cup is so deep that it is impossible to see the number of eggs or any piping.
Paltamo: Three eggs are being incubated. Dad brings in a nice fish for Mum so she can have a break after a long incubation period.
Muonio: Eggs being incubated. Again, it is so difficult to see how many are in the nest.
Norway: Two really healthy osplets! They hatched on May 31 and June 2. Their Mum is Fru Rauer.
Carthage Ospreys: The only surviving osplet on the nest is doing well. At least three fish of various sizes came in on Thursday.
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: Only one egg left in the nest. ‘MP’ tells me that the cold wet weather of a week ago, caused one egg to get kicked to the side of the nest with a second sticking to the breast feathers of Mum. It rolled back to the egg cup and was buried.
Mlade Buky: Bety, Bukachec and two storklets.
Trempeauleau Eagles: Mum did it. Look at T3. Surely nothing can stop this amazing little miracle from fledging.
Denton Homes: All three still on the nest.
Sad news accompanied by the warmth of human kindness at a stork nest: “OUR WONDERFUL KROPECZKA UNFORTUNATELY PASSED AWAY … 💔
The wonderful hostess of the main nest in Klekusiów, the most wonderful stork mother and perfect partner, had an accident and despite the best care of specialist doctors, our Beloved Kropeczka unfortunately passed away! 😭
Kleks was left alone, taking care of three tiny chicks, but we believe that with the help of a very good Guardian – the Host of Klekusiów, he will manage to raise all three and at the end of the season the youngsters will go to the wintering grounds! 💖👍
Milda and Zorro’s White-tail Eagle nest, Latvia: The two chicks are almost ready for fledge and neither is hesitant to fight over prey deliveries! https://youtu.be/n5j5NiFLrC4?
Golden Eagles in Estonia: Liznm brings us up to date (the date of the banding was 4 June): “The eaglet was banded yesterday . Since then, Helju has stayed away Kalju takes care of the eaglet. He brought a small bird. The eaglet pulled another prey from under the hay! A furry animal.it managed to eat some of it. it looks like a part of a fox puppy – the back part with legs and tail.” https://youtu.be/bCf0pQo5z8g?
Golden Eagle in Latvia: Spilve feeding her surviving chick in the rain.
Over the years, you have likely heard me express my frustration with the attitude of humans towards wildlife more than once. Well, who in the world believes that poison of any kind is a good thing? Sticking paper? Seriously. Well, it now appears that the oldest breeding White-tailed Eagle in Ireland has been poisoned! Since raptors don’t produce poison or put it out to kill animals, then it had to be some mean two-legged idiot!
Many of written to find out if ‘The Girls’ are still getting their story time. Yes, they are. It has taken me some time to find quality books on birds that I wanted to purchase this year. In past years, we have had stacks of books to read. We have gone back and read some old favourites. Now I can tell you that our reader ‘J’ from Germany suggested a wonderful book, BirdNote. Chirps, Quirks, and Stories of 100 Birds from the Popular Public Radio Show. It arrived yesterday and we will have a review for you in next Friday’s post! I can already tell you that Calico quite likes it!!!!!!!! Thanks, ‘J’ for this great recommendation.
Thank you so very much for being with us today. We are delighted that you are here and that you care so much about our feathered friends! Take care. We hope that you can be with us on Monday when the next blog will be posted.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, articles, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, J, J, MP, PB’, CBC, Goitzsche-Wildnis, IWS/Explore, ABC, Fly High Eagles, Fox News 5, NBCLA, RSPB Scotland, Dyfi Osprey Project, BoPH, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Jeff Kear, UK Osprey Info and Tweed Valley Ospreys, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, LRWT, Llyn Brenig, Kielder Ospreys, Moorings Park Ospreys, Pitkin County Ospreys, San Jose Falcons, Janet Shaw and chichester Falcons, Greens Ledge Light Preservation Society, Pam Breci, Joy of Ospreys, Steelscape Ospreys, Raptor Research Institute, Montana Osprey Project, Boulder Fair Grounds, Anderson Moor and Longmont, Colorado ospreys, Allins Cove East Ospreys, Cornell Bird Lab Cams RTH, Saaksilvie 1, 4, and 5 osprey nests, Finnish Osprey Foundation, DDTC, MN Landscape Arboretum Ospreys, Mlade Buky Capi, Trempeauleau Eagle Cam, Alukin, LDF, Liznm, Lodz Black Storks, B Isia, Raptor Persecution UK, The Narwal, Cumbria Wildlife Trust
Just a few things of noteworthy interest for all of us.
First: Sunny fledged! What a glorious event filled with the bittersweetness of us wishing and hoping Jackie and Shadow would have at least one viable egg. Hanging on through bad weather and being astonished at how Jackie and Shadow are such amazing parents to Sunny and Gizmo. Gizmo will want to follow Sunny as quickly as she can!
FYI – ALL FOUR FLEDGE TODAY – Monday June 2 !!!!!!! 3PM STATUS CHECK
Just a quick update but I’m sure via cam a lot of you have already figured out with an empty nest ledge that all four have fledged and are perched elsewhere.
First to fledge Octavia, Next to fledge was Emma. Third was Chico and last Willow.
Current status – Octavia is at the top of what we call Clara’s tree over at SJSU
Emma is on City Hall building around the 6th floor
Willow is on the southeast corner stairwell
Chico is still being searched for. He was seen heading north of the City Hall area. Animal control has been notified. They are always notified that we are on fledge watch detail and to call us if they ever rescue a juvenile falcon. The parents also give us clues where to find a wayward juvie as what Hartley did this morning in finding Octavia on the Miro.
We’re still here for some hours as our BOG trek the area looking and keeping eyes on the juveniles. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
Last, and I am sorry to leave on a sad note. I posted the information I received from VV who monitors 15 Osprey nests right outside their porch in Maryland on the Menhaden – Little Fish, Big Deal FB. I received a lot of responses and I am copying several of those for you below. In addition, there are people monitoring the Menhaden population. Remember, Menhaden is the primary food for ospreys and the lack of it due to industrial fishing (or is there anything else?) has been causing nests to fail for the past three years Heidi and I have been recording the data on mortality. They note that the Menhaden have left the Chesapeake Bay. This is catastrophic for the ospreys!
where are you located? I’ve seen the same thing you describe in Gloucester County VA at the lower end of the York River in Guinea. I started seeing it with the nest off my dock about 5 years ago and it has gradually spread throughout the creek and lower York River and around into Mobjack Bay. I might see one osprey check our stand out in the spring and then no activity. he nest across the creek had a pair and they nested for several weeks, and now have abandoned the nest. I think the fabled nest on top of the Coleman bridge crossing the York River is now abandoned after MANY years!
Kristofer Rowe Failure rate here Chesapeake Bay #1 Habitat for Ospreys, Data from CCB,USGS, about 90% worse the DDT era,data here shows overfishing Menhaden by foreign Canada Omega Protien.
I’ve been studying Osprey on the coast of CT for 8+years. Including replacing 35 platforms that were about 40 years old and doing some egg studies. I’m also a avid Osprey photographer. I have been preaching from a soap box for years that the population has been collapsing. This chart was from 2020 for what it’s worth. I expect the numbers to be more dismal now.
I am unbelievably sad this evening. We are witnessing the decimation of the osprey population in this region of the US that had, at one time, one of the highest, if not the highest, populations of ospreys.
Thank you to SK Hideaways, ABC News, KTLA 5, Pam Breci, San Jose City Hall Falcon Watchers, and the Menhaden – Little Fish, Big Deal FB group.
