Category Archives: bird cameras

Is it Haku? Friday in Bird World

16 January 2026

Good Morning Everyone,

It is at least +1 °C on the Canadian Prairies today, if not warmer. Everything is melting. Ellen reported that the walkways were very icy this morning – not so good for a late evening walk, perhaps.

Toby and I woke up near midnight to find a blizzard occurring. Everything was so beautiful and white this morning! We had worked hard to get the ice off the paths – so much for that! Anthony will be here later to clear up.

We are looking at the calendar. It is Robbie Burns Day on the 25th. Many of you might have Scottish ancestors. My father was named after the Clyde River, and the family was distant, originating in Angus and Perthshire. The name originates from the Dalriadan Celtic Scotii (Scots) from Ireland, who colonised the south-west of Scotland from about the 4th century AD. Dunchad (Duncan) mac Conaing co-ruled Dalriada with Conall II (c.650 – 654).” Many contemporary DNA labs indicate that some of my father’s family is from Donegal, Ireland. It is all very interesting.

So who is Robbie Burns you ask? AI Overview says, “AI Overview

Robert Burns (Robbie Burns) is celebrated as Scotland’s national poet for his enduring poems and songs that captured Scottish life, love, and the human condition, making him a cultural icon and pioneer of the Romantic movement, with his birthday, Burns Night(Jan 25th), becoming a global tradition honoring Scottish heritage through suppers, poetry, and toasts, notes Wikipedia and Scotland.org. His work, often in Scots dialect, remains relevant, with his lyrics influencing literature and his song “Auld Lang Syne” sung worldwide at New Year, says Wikipedia and BBC.  

Key Reasons for Celebration

How He’s Celebrated

  • Burns Night: Held annually on January 25th, it involves formal dinners (“Burns Suppers”) featuring Scottish traditions like haggis, bagpipes, and recitations, say Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Burns and BBC. 
  • Toast to the Immortal Memory: A key part of the supper involves speeches honoring Burns’ life and work, with toasts to women (Toast to the Lassies) and witty replies, note BBC and Scotch Whisky Association. 

Haven’t quite decided what we will do this year for Burns night but will keep you posted!

There is a second hatch at Winter Park, Florida’s Bald Eagle nest. It might be five days younger but our experienced Mum keeps both of her little ones well fed.

(More images from Friday below)

Gracie Shepherd has the first feeding for chick 2 captured on video: https://youtu.be/d0-yd-XK3Ak?

We have a name for C14 or Connie and Clive’s only Bob at Captiva. Quinn. Nice name!

There is a possibility that Haku has returned to the West End nest on Catalina Island. SK Hideaways has that on video: https://youtu.be/XiDDW4QvFpA?

The latest news from Knepp’s Rewilding Project!

Knepp news 20 years of rewilding beavers cleaning water Burns NightDownload

New name and their camera is now on line.

The Glen Hazel (Hays) Bald Eagle Cam Is Live Again
The Glen Hazel (formerly Hays) Bald Eagle Cam is officially back online. After the original Hays nest fell last year, the same iconic eagle pair rebuilt nearby, and the live camera returned yesterday with a clear new view of their Glen Hazel nest along the Monongahela River near Pittsburgh. Viewers can once again watch these local bald eagles in real time as a new chapter begins at their updated nesting site.Check it out:https://sportsmansparadiseonline.com/bald-eagle-cams/hays-bald-eagle-camera/

I can’t even write what I think about this fine – and the act that this person beat a Buzzard to death. Isn’t there something about how a person treasts animals that indicates how they might treat people? Raptor Persecution UK adds commentary:

Commentary on the conviction of gamekeeper Thomas Munday (bludgeoned Buzzard to death on Hovingham EDownload

Duke Farms has their second egg on 15 January.

Liberty and Guardian are checking out their nest and the egg cup. Thanks, SK Hideaways. https://youtu.be/gP7Yj1vtEH8?

Winter Park babies re nothing short of adorable. Mum has this all under control.

Gabby is such a gifted Mum just like the Winter Park female. To stop the bonking, feed them to the brim as equally as possible and sit on them if necessary.

Smile. Girri continues to fly and be seen on the tower cam at Orange Australia. Fantastic.

Canadian Penny Albright is down in Captiva and she is going to be reporting on several osprey nests near to where she is staying. Thanks, Penny!

Remember the Abu Dhabi osprey cams are live and there is a lot of action. Check it out. https://www.youtube.com/live/myhsgmbiyfQ?

‘J’ sends us the breeding update for the Kakapo (those with check marks are good to go)

Pied Wagtails at the mall? The Guardian tells us all about it.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/16/country-diary-the-new-year-shopping-centre-is-packed-with-hundreds-of-pied-wagtails?CMP=share_btn_url

“Pied Wagtail rear view 700” is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

The snow has stopped bu the wind hasn’t. It is blowing cold. Ann took the lads out for a walk. Tomorrow Toby goes for a thorough grooming. He has not been able to be trimmed since he was so ill. While at the vet, his tummy got matted so the little darling is going to have a bit of a shave. His long curls on top of his head and his ears are going to be cut. He should look like a new boy tomorrow.

Have a good weekend. Take care of yourselves. We will see you on Monday.

Thank you to SK Hideaways for their videos, to the owners of the streaming cams for allowing us into the lives of our raptors, to the authors of the FB posts, The Guardian for their avian reporting, and Openverse for their images. Cheers to Raptor Persecution UK for bringing the atrocities that happen to our feathered friends to life for us.

Tuesday in Bird World

13 January 2026

Hello Everyone,

I happened upon an article in The Guardian about the ‘new’ analogue bag. New? Well, you think about that after reading this article. It is focused on what I have been asking us to do – spend less time staring at screens and get outside – even if this blog is about raptors that we watch virtually! Or read a book, learn to crochet, paint – get involved with nature. Anything but the darn phones. Staring at a screen is not living.

The author says, “There’s a new “it” bag – but this time it is not about a designer label or splashy logo. Instead, it’s what is inside that counts.

So-called analogue bags, filled with activities such as crosswords, knitting, novels and journals, have become the unexpected accessory of the season.

They are being championed by millennials and gen Z as a way to reduce screen time. Similar to a prep bag, the idea is that the bag or basket should 

Here is the link to the full article:

The rise of the analogue bag: fashion’s answer to doomscrollinghttps://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2026/jan/09/rise-of-analogue-bag-fashion-answer-to-doomscrolling?CMP=share_btn_url

Play a game and see how many people you know can tell you what an ‘analogue’ bag is! I would love to hear what responses you received.

There was a time when I got up in the middle of the night to worry about Big Red encased in ice, to check on a chick I was concerned about, or to see if we had a hatch. My life no longer allows that—sleep is precious! And it should be precious for each of us. There are other things too – drinking lots of water, walking or moving about as much as one can, good food, listening to birds, etc. My grandmother was such an interesting woman. She grew up when everything you had you grew or raised, and then she lived a long life and saw the rise of ‘fast food’. She did like a fifteen-cent McDonald’s hamburger as a treat, but her real motto was to eat only ‘what is real’. There was always butter on the table, and she had a huge garden that she tended well into her late 80s. I recall, as a child, being fascinated by her chickens and loving to gather the eggs. She would definitely join the analogue group!!!!!!! A cake out of a box! I can hear her squealing and laughing now.

The weather has been grand and at 0 degrees C., I am getting Don and Toby out for some nice long walks and visits with neighbours and other dog walkers. It is essential to a good night’s sleep – fresh air is amazing.

I am going to just check in on a couple of nests.

Check out the video Heidi made showing those three-week-old cuties of Ron and Rose in Dade County. The wingers are priceless. https://youtu.be/Hm1SLp3ZzAM?

The second egg was pipping at Winter Park, Florida, on Monday. My ‘inbox’ comments suggest that this cutie pie gets the award for being the most precious little eaglet this season – it and its single-visioned Mum have won hearts and minds.

No second hatch as of Tuesday morning. Pip is progressing.

Androcat introduces us to Gus and Willow, the new residents at Eagle Country! https://youtu.be/O-Jwpx6OCGU?

E26 is doing nicely – just look at those pin feathers coming in. Eggbert continues to get covered and brooded, covered and brooded. I love it when E26 uses that egg as a pillow.

Toby wishes everyone a great day!

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. Check out the Winter Park nest for a hatch later today or tomorrow. Dade County’s cam was down for a possible fishing line removal (it was suggested) and the NCTC cam of Scout and Bella is now up and running.

See you soon!

Thank you to the owners of the streaming cams where I took my scream captures, to the authors of all the informative articles, and a generous thank you to those who post on FB and keep us informed of the latest nest news. Thanks Heidi for that cute video of Ron and Rose’s little ones.

First egg for Duke Farms Eagles…Late Monday in Bird World

12 January 2025

Good Evening Everyone,

I did not intend to post a blog today. The warm weather has energied all of us. We did a 4.3 km walk and then came home and dismantled the conservatory, scrubbed the floors, and rearranged the furniture. I wish Toby could do heavy lifting. He gets bored when Hugo Yugo wants to sleep and not play and now Toby is into tearing leaves off the tropical plants! What a mess they make.

We have our first egg at Duke Farms.

It is the time of year when some institutions offer honorary adoptions to support the essential work they do for our raptors. One of those is Ventana Wildlife, which manages the California Condors at Big Sur and Pinnacles. You could adopt – Redwood Queen, mother of Iniko (1031), who survived the Dolan Fire. Redwood Queen was the mate of Kingpin, who died, but she is now the lead condor in the flock.

Eagles at Decorah North.

Milda, the White-tail Eagle, was on her nest in Durbe County, Latvia on Monday.

Ospreys in Abu Dhabi! Here is the link to the streaming cams: https://www.youtube.com/live/3HOYTC_Ws3M?

I do love the eaglets – they are the cutest little things but my heart throbs at the sight of a tiny osprey or eyas.

I really ‘need’ Jackie and Shadow and Jak and Audacity to have at least one healthy eaglet this year. It would make 2026 so much better. Both couples are working on their nests.

Crap. The Mum at Winter Park was attacked by an owl. Ondabebee caught it on video. https://www.youtube.com/live/3HOYTC_Ws3M?

Jean-marie Dupart counts ospreys in Western African along the coast of Senegal. We are so grateful for his diligence, dedication, and the sightings of banded birds. Thank you for your report. Gosh KA9 sounds like a familiar osplet…let me see if I can find out where it is from.

Of course, KA9 is a male that hatched at Llyn Brenig in 2022. Ringed 4 July 2022. Parents are LJ2 and LM6.

Screenshot

We did lots of walking and cleaned up the conservatory, moving furniture, etc. Then we made SK Hideaways’ scone recipe #2. Delicious.

Oh, I wish I were a little younger. I would open a facility for people with dementia where they had free access to gardens, animals, baking -. Most talk about the time for some things, but it doesn’t seem to happen in the free way that it should. Keeping minds and bodies busy is paramount.

I will share one of these with each of you virtually!

Thank you so much for being with us for this very brief blog. I cannot promise that there will be another til the end of the week or next Monday. In the meantime, please do take care of yourself.

Thank you to everyone who posted information on FB. We appreciate your generous sharing of information and videos. Thank you to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to watch our beloved raptor families.

Pip for Beau and Gabby!

30 December 2025

Hello Everyone,

Great news from the American Eagle Foundation. It is official. Beau and Gabby have a pip. This is what I have been waiting for – and what joy this little one will bring.

This image is from the AEF:

First, please do send me some of your favourite memories from our bird nests so that I can post them on 2 January! I really want to hear from you!

SK Hideaways Videos, week of 12/21/25

Channel Island Eagles

Fraser Point Eagles: Elusive Cruz Visits Nest with Andor ~ A Few Sticks are Shuffled (2025 Dec 27)

It was a real treat to see Cruz and Andor together after Cruz’s nearly 2-week absence from the cameras. For those who haven’t met this pair, we provided a little history as they did a bit of stick shuffling and hanging out. 

The female, Cruz, hatched at the Pelican Harbor nest on Santa Cruz Island in 2006 and was the first known chick to naturally hatch on the islands since 1950. Andor hatched at the Baby’s Harbor nest, also on Santa Cruz Island, in 2017.
Video: https://youtu.be/ijOvAohCxeA
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies, explore.org, Fraser Point Cam Ops
Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY4V_AppZ6s

Two Harbors Eagles Cholyn & Chase ~ 22 Years of Devotion & Territory Rule (2025 Dec 21)
Cholyn and Chase briefly greeted the morning together at the nest before Chase departed to do eagle things. Cam ops then gifted us with close-ups of Cholyn and we took the opportunity to share some history of these 27-year-olds marvels, who have been together for 22 years. Their story is part of the eagle restoration program in the Channel Islands that began in 1980. Through trial, error, and extraordinary work by scientists at the Institute for Wildlife Studies, the program has been wildly successful. Cholyn and Chase, now the elders of the Channel Island eagles, are just one piece of that story.

Video: https://youtu.be/y_ZPyUTo92E

Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies, explore.org, Two Harbors Eagles Cam Ops

Eagle Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5T2eHM8tcI

Overlook Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yx7RKxpyzQ

FOBBVCAM Eagles🦅
Original live video courtesy of  @FOBBVCAM   https://www.friendsofbigbearvalley.org/

The opinions presented on this channel do not necessarily reflect the opinions of FOBBV.

ℹResident Bald Eagle male: Shadow (unbanded) since May 2018. Estimated hatch year: 2014

ℹResident Bald Eagle female: Jackie (unbanded) since September 2016. Estimated hatch year: 2012

🔗Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE

🔗Wide View Cam (Cam 2): https://youtube.com/live/LCGYWfbyBWc

🔴LIVE Recap & Observations https://bit.ly/3Md8TSz

Jackie With and Without Fishing Line 🎣 With Shadow and Wonky Stick (2025 Dec 26-27)
Jackie arrived on December 26th with a long bit of fishing stuck to her beak. She stayed at the nest a short time, flying off with the line still attached.  We were relieved to see her arrive the next morning without the fishing fine, but with a beautiful, big wonky stick. Shadow joined later to celebrate and we all breathed a sigh of relief. 
Video: https://youtu.be/qscEDVaWNwM

Jackie & Shadow Bicker, Beaky Kiss & Bump During Big Nestorations (2025 Dec 26)

Jackie and Shadow spent just over an hour bringing a wide variety of branches to build up rails and begin forming an egg cup in anticipation of nesting season. Along the way, they entertained us with bickering, beaky kissing, and bumping each other to and fro.
Video: https://youtu.be/cn4LWsO8YQU

San Jose CH Falcons: Hartley & Monty Stop By to Deliver Holiday Greetings ❄️ (2025 Dec 25)

Hartley and Monty stopped by for some pair-bonding after opening and devouring their Christmas gifts.

Video: https://youtu.be/pXDnrxiFGQE

Courtesy San Jose City Hall Peregrine Falcon Cam

AEF-NEFL Eagles: Gabby and Beau Have Long Conversation Before Changeover (2025 Dec 23)

Gabby and Beau may have been discussing the fact that pip watch for NE32 and NE33 is just 2-3 days away. They talked for quite some time before Gabby relieved Beau of incubation duty. The chortling and chirping was music to our ears. 
Video: https://youtu.be/2UAbkrjUyp8
Courtesy American Eagle Foundation/NEFL Eagle CamOps


FalconCam Project GIRRI RETURNS TO TOWER! 2025 Dec 23
Girri shows off her strength and flying skills as she returns to the top of the tower to meet up with her parents. She fledged just 5 days ago. Great job, Girri! (2025 Dec 23)
Video: https://youtu.be/2Yvnm67rL2A
Courtesy FalconCam Project, Charles Sturt University NSW (http://www.csu.edu.au/special/falconcam/)

Box Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv2RtoIMNzA

Ledge Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuZaWzhXSAI

Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KCFRoO6URs

Tower Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQxrTGgNu4M

We’re on HATCH WATCH at NE Florida for Beau and Gabby and it is raining Monday night. The AEF confirmed a pip in the afternoon around 3pm.

Gabby is restless.

There will be a little one tomorrow.

We have a hatch at Hilton Head.

Everyone else is doing fine.

My news is that my husband is in the ICU waiting for a bed in the hospital so that he can be fully treated. I do not know what the future holds but he is calm and knows me, and there is nothing nicer than lying next to him cuddling. Thank you for all your positive wishes – that beautiful energy sent from around the world is precious and is helping us I am certain.

Please take care of yourselves. I will check in tomorrow briefly.

Thank you to SK Hideaways for their great videos, to the owners of the streaming cams, and to those who post news on FB. My blog would be nothing without your input.

Day 23 Welcome to Winter…Eggs at John Bunker Sands, Hatch at Captiva

23 December 2025

Hello Everyone!

Good Morning.

-17 C and overcast. No sun in sight.

It was a great night. Our visiting canine, Nellie, settled in and slept through the night – and so did the rest of us! We woke up refreshed. Toby and Nellie headed out with Ellen at 0930 while ‘The Girls’ had their breakfast in peace. When the dogs got home, Don and I looked at the four sad bananas on the counter and set about to make banana bread. It was a great start to the morning.

Hugo Yugo and Toby were holding hands last evening. I can’t get enough of this puppy and sweet kitty. They have to either be touching or near to one another.

Oh, these animals just lift my spirits.

There are two eggs at the John Bunker Sands Wetlands Bald Eagle nest in Texas! That one flew right by me I was so intent on finding out about Girri. Congratulations.

That egg cup is deep!

SK Hideaway’s video of Girri’s return: https://youtu.be/2Yvnm67rL2A?

More videos of Girri reaching the tower. This one from Falcon Cam Project. https://youtu.be/0IIRQz6eImM?

Let’s hope we see more of Girri’s strong flying. It gives me hope that this fledgling of Diamond’s will survive!!!!!!!! She is one heck of a flyer.

Our friend ‘A’ is checking on Angel, the Leucistic Hawk, and her mate Tom and found an update from Connor at Window to Wildlife: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHDDXUkIKio

Connie and Clive have a hatch at the Captiva Eagle cam. CE14 looks strong and alert.

E26 appears to be lucky (in some ways). No indication of a pip in E27’s egg. This is day 38 for that egg. Yes, it is still within the time frame for hatching. Would I want it to? Well, I wouldn’t. Many will. E26 is strong, healthy, and eating well. A lack of a sibling means no bonking – that has already started at Dade County in force with the Rs.

Gabby and Beau continue incubation at NE Florida. I am getting excited for their first pip next week.

Jackie and Shadow are visiting the Big Bear Valley Bald Eagle nest! They were there Tuesday!

Ron and Rose have a nest full of food for C10 and C11. There are still a few bites of Coot and a whole lot of fish ready and waiting.

If you missed Ventana Wildlife’s December chat, here is the link to find out what is going on with the California condors: https://www.youtube.com/live/_FO6WuxmL08?

The post today is quick and sweet. We hope you are not caught up in the rat race of the build-up to the final days of the holidays. Take care. We will see you tomorrow.

Thank you to the owners of the streaming cams where I took my screen captures, to SK Hideaways for their video, to ‘A’ for alerting me to Connor’s Window to Wildlife update! This blog would not be the same without you and without all those amazing members of Bird World!

Day 22 Welcome to Winter…Girri flying strong…KNF E3 has an egg!

23 December 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

Calm has settled in with the dogs and cats. Nellie tested me to see if I would feed her continually or provide endless treats or allow her to stay outside in the snow longer than her arthritic back legs could bear. ‘No’. Nellie is a quick learner. Toby and Nellie are waiting or Ellen to show up at 1500 for their walk – a treat for me for the holidays is a dog walker for the entire period coming twice a day. Oh, it is so nice.

I didn’t know all of those things that dog owners know until we got Toby. Of course, Hugo Yugo still sleeps in the crook of my arm at night while Toby is wrapped around me or on the other pillow. Calico still gets extra attention and brushings along with Missey who spends the late evening with Don and a brush. Baby Hope waits for me at night to sneak her some treats. I love my girls — and I love this little guy.

There is a new couple at the Kistachie National Forest E3 nest. On Monday, the first egg of their season arrived. Congratulations. For those of you who don’t know, this was the nest of Alex and Andria – a beloved couple. It is now the home of Alex II and Andria III. Congratulations to everyone down in Louisiana!

Monday evening, when we go to bed, Clive and Connie will have their first eaglet to care for! How exciting. They are incredible parents.

This means this morning there will be a fluffy bobblehead and maybe another on the way at Captiva.

Coot has been on the menu for R9 and R10 at Dade County nest of Ron and Rose. Aren’t they cute?!

E26 is a cutie pie. Their menu was fish and/or roadkill. It doesn’t look like that second egg is going to hatch (of course, I could get a surprise). This is day 38 for that second egg.

We are on day 30 today for Beau and Gabby’s first egg at the NE Florida Bald Eagle nest. So, it looks like we could have a baby there by next Monday! Are you getting excited?

Girri has been seen on the top of the tower with Diamond and Gimbir! This is the time from the chat moderator: “@donnadec2606​​23 DEC TOWER 3 on the roof ; 06.43.43; FLIGHTS 09.26.07+; BOX 06.44.06 screaming Girri flies by; LEDGE 07.00.33 kangaroo hops away; 09.26.14 Girri hovers by ledge.” Holly Parsons caught Gimbir on the ledge and Girri flying by – mid area at the right!

This is nothing short of marvellous news. I do not remember, in recent years, any of the fledglings flying so strongly – please feel free to correct me!

SK Hideaways has Girri flying on video! https://youtu.be/2Yvnm67rL2A?

A story from The Guardian that should put a smile on your face!

‘Miracle’ of Zealandia: chick is born to rare takahē pair thought to be infertile https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/dec/21/takahe-chick-rare-born-new-zealand?CMP=share_btn_url

Thank you so much for being with us. I am going to send this out this evening because of the news of Girri. See you late Tuesday or Wednesday morning! Take care.

Thank you to the owners of the streaming cams where I took my screen captures, to SK Hideaways for that great video of Girri, and to The Guardian for always covering the environment and wildlife.

Day 21…Welcome to Winter continued

22 December 2025

Good Morning,

You won’t be short of eaglets to watch over the holidays! They are coming quickly.

Two quick notes. There is a pip at the nest of Clive and Connie at Captiva. Thanks, R, for alerting me to this!

Here is the link to the Windows to Wildlife cam so you can watch: https://www.youtube.com/live/EOxc_lfPF1U?

R10, the second hatch for Ron and Rose, came quickly and that little one is going to be a good match for its older sibling, R9, I hope.

E26 might well be an only eaglet at the SW Florida nest of M15 and F23 this year. One healthy eaglet is fine with me.

We survived our first evening with Nellie. She is testing the waters to see what she can get by with at our house that she can’t at home. Oh, she doesn’t know me! I follow her Mummy’s directions to the letter. She loves being in the garden, but she has arthritis in her back legs, so she can’t play as long as she would like. Toby’s meals look delicious to her, but they would make her sick. Toby is a little weary of her. He was excited to have company but she has a very loud bark and that frightens him a bit. It will all settle down in a couple of days – maybe by the end of today.

I hope your week is a good one, not a stressful one. Go out for a walk and enjoy the fresh air. That is precisely what we are going to do in an hour!

Take care. See you tomorrow.

Thank you to ‘R’ for sending me the note about the pip at Captiva. I wasn’t expecting it! And thank you to the owners of the streaming cams that let us watch these amazing eagle families.

Day 21. Welcome to Winter. R10 on its way!

22 December 2025

Good Morning Everyone!

[I am sending this out at 2200 Sunday evening in case things get hectic Monday morning – have a great day everyone].

Yesterday was the Winter Solstice. From now on, we will have a tiny bit more daylight, which is always welcome. Sunday was bright and sunny, and there is nothing better to energise a weary body after days of snow and grey than bright light. The Girls certainly enjoyed having those beautiful rays of warmth fill the conservatory.

For the past several weeks or months, I have encouraged each of you to slow down – to savour the moment at hand without worrying about what happened a week ago, what will occur in a month, or if your holiday dinner is perfect, or your house looks like the best cleaning service has detailed it. You would be too worn out to enjoy any of the fun if you did that. Instead, relax. Make the days simple so that you can enjoy them.

I found a blog post about ‘How Not to Feel Lost in a Parisian Cafe’, and I want to share it with you, not that you are going to Paris soon (or maybe you are), but because it speaks to sheer relaxation. Take a quiet moment with a cuppa and enjoy it. Practice relaxing. It is one thing that North Americans are not good at! Endless lists, too much goal orientation and achievement having priority over simple living.

https://open.substack.com/pub/frenchglimpses/p/how-not-to-feel-lost-in-a-parisian?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

This led to a link about the joys of doing nothing in retirement. In this article in The Wall Street Journal, there is this quote: “Earlier this summer, I read ‘This Is Happiness,’ by Niall Williams, about a fictional Irish community in the mid-20th century where rain is a constant presence in the lives of the town’s poor residents, until it isn’t. “You don’t see rain stop, but you sense it,” he writes at one point. “You hear the quietness you thought was silence get quieter still, and you raise your head so your eyes can make sense of what your ears have already told you, which at first is only: something has changed. The quote describes more eloquently than my words how I felt that morning at the cabin when something for me had changed. It was the realization that in experiencing the peace that doing nothing brings, I could acknowledge quietly to myself, “This is happiness.”

Here is the link to the entire article (I don’t have a subscription and I was able to open it; I hope that you can): https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/relationships/retirement-rest-do-nothing-benefits-90d52ff4?reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

Nellie arrived. The pups have been in and out, and then a rest, and then in and out again. Nellie loves the deep snow in the garden – she is a big girl. Toby likes to go out but not stay out as long. It has been great fun watching them play.

We had a proper ‘tea’ and christened a new teapot. This year we managed to break two teapots – the daily glass one and a much-loved temmoku one made by my friend Gunda Stewart years ago. There are ‘art’ teapots in my cupboards made by people across Canada, but I don’t use them. So…dear Anne brought us a replacement glass one, and I went over the top and purchased a rather glitzy version for special occasions. It is entirely unlike me; I am a much more rustic, handmade person. I like the story behind this design. It is based on the ceiling of the Library in the Fairmont Hotel in Toronto. This is where the ladies had to wait and have tea while the men checked them into the hotel.

I met a wonderful woman years ago in Yangon. Besides the fact that we both looked up and noticed that we were each reading Burmese Days, we were also sequestered inside our hotel for a few days during bombings in the City. Victoria introduced me to Coronation Chicken, and that is what we had today, along with egg mayo, sausage rolls, vegetable samosas, cranberry, orange, and mince tarts, shortbread cookies shaped like Scotty dogs, Fortnum’s Christmas cake, and chocolates. It was a fantastic way to celebrate the solstice! (I meant to take photos and forgot in the flurry of Nellie’s arrival!)

I wondered if Nellie was going to get stuck. She didn’t. She jumped and rolled.

A really tired Toby. He went to sleep before he even got in his bed.

Next to Toby, Nellie is in her big dog bed.

All is right in ‘dog’ world.

SK Hideaways Videos, week of 14 December 2025

Sauces Canyon Eagles:  Jak and Audacity Chortle in the Dawn ~ An 11-Year Love Story (2025 Dec 19)
As Jak and Audacity greet the day with nature’s most perfect music ~ chortles ~ we share a little history of this 11-year love story. 
Video: https://youtu.be/jCVVKQNIbfw
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org
Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnTsOesC6hE

West End Eagles

Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies, explore.org
Nest Low Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfuqjSNXZ14
Other Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmmAzrAkKqI
Overlook Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kad6O4nF6bg

Haku Issues Mating Invitation ~ Akecheta’s Not in the Mood (2025 Dec 20)
As Akecheta and Haku enjoyed their often frequented ocean view, Haku started feeling a little frisky. She let out some beautiful chortles and lowered her head, making it clear she was inviting Akecheta to mate. This time, Akecheta was focused elsewhere and did not respond. These two are spending a lot of time together on camera, so we could guess they’re doing so off camera as well. We have seen at least 2 mating attempts before this event, so may also guess that such attempts are being made behind closed tors. We are feeling optimistic about a fruitful nesting season for these two. 
Video: https://youtu.be/zhov66JVXDI

Akecheta Attempts Mating After Haku Casts Massive Pellet (2025 Dec 17)
After spending the night together on the night perch, Haku woke before Akecheta and cleared her gizzard by casting a rather large pellet. So large, in fact, that when it hit the ground, it woke Akecheta. Unperturbed, he went right back to sleep before waking later to attempt the first mating we’ve seen on camera. While unsuccessful, it bodes well for these two pursuing nesting and mating behaviors for the season ahead. Akecheta later did some nestorations before setting off to the middle tor, posing beautifully for the camera. (2025 Dec 17)
Video: https://youtu.be/YWxv9J9LbMM

FOBBV Eagles: Two Juvie Eagles Visit Nest Tree ~ Jackie & Shadow Let Them Be (2025 Dec 15)
Two first year juvenile eagles (2025 hatch year) visited the nest tree. The first flew to the very top while Jackie and Shadow were finishing their day’s nestorations. While their hackles were raised and they were very vocal, Jackie and Shadow did not physically approach the visitor. The second juvie arrived at the nest tree after Jackie and Shadow had retired to their Roost Tree. Who might they be? #CouldBeSunnyOrGizmo
Video: https://youtu.be/F6R4BuHTTOc
Courtesy FOBBVCAM, Friends of Big Bear Valley, CA

FalconCam Project
Courtesy FalconCam Project, Charles Sturt University NSW
Box Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv2RtoIMNzA
Ledge Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuZaWzhXSAI
Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KCFRoO6URs
Tower Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQxrTGgNu4M

GIRRI FLEDGES at 43 Days Old (2025 Dec 18)
Girri woke early on her fledge day, full of energy and raring to go. After some vigorous wingercises and a full frontal attack of the camera, Girri took a wee rest and did a bit of yoga before taking flight. The fledge was perfect, as she flew across the flatlands to a perch tree. Cilla Ross captured video of her perched safely to everyone’s delight. Wishing Girri well in this exciting new phase of her young life.
Video: https://youtu.be/96yPLdvaixU

Viewer Discretion: Diamond’s Prey  Unzipping Lesson ~ Girri Chases Gimbir (2025 Dec 15)
Diamond brought another galah (aka pink and grey cockatoo) to the nest for Girri. She watched as her chick tried to consume the galah, but Girri does not yet possess the skills to prep prey. After letting Girri struggle a while, Diamond demonstrated how to prepare and ultimately consume prey. While SK Hideaways doesn’t normally publish graphic displays of raptors eating, we felt Diamond’s master class was interesting and educational. This is something raptor lovers may want to understand about these birds of prey. But we understand if you’d rather skip this lesson. When Gimbir came for the second seating, Girri chased him around the nest. Then Diamond fed him a few bites, but decided better of it. Best he remember that he’s a mate/parent and not a chick.
Video: https://youtu.be/rgCWPyT11No

There is nothing cuter than a couple of bobbleheads – .

Dade County R9.

SW Florida E26.

Two very much loved eaglets. R10 appears to be on its way.

I am unclear as to the status of E27’s egg. A single healthy eaglet fledging strong would be fine for me for each nest.

It looks like a juvenile eagle on the Berry College Bald Eagle nest in Georgia.

For those following the ups and downs of Lumi, the young lynx that found itself in the care of our local wildlife rehabilitation clinic, Wildlife Haven, is improving all the time. A video was posted on Instagram of Lumi going through the morning zoomies. She certainly looks like she is getting stronger each day!

We have eggs with Louis II and Anna II at Kisatchie National Forest’s E1 Bald Eagle nest. Now there is a bonded pair at the E3 nest. Tonya suggests that we are now on egg watch for them. Nice. https://youtu.be/NkSdsMy2WAo?

Gimbir in the Charles Sturt University Falcon scrape overlooking the wooded area below where Cilla saw Girri yesterday. I wonder if Gimbir can encourage Girri to try and make her way up that steep flight to get to the scrape where she hatched?

At Port Lincoln, let’s see what Giliath and Ervie have been up to – Giliath has been to Lincoln National Park, Boston Point, and Boston Island (very similar to Ervie).

Ervie’s tracker – both lads come back to the wharf at Port Lincoln to roost at night.

I don’t know about you but I am always relieved to see our dear Ervie doing so well.

I read Mark Avery’s Blog every month and he always reports on Bird Flu in the UK. Having seen the deaths of hundreds of Canada geese near to where I live, I continue to be interested in how HPAI is still impacting wildlife.

This was the report in Mark Avery’s most recent blog:

“Bird flu: Defra’s most recent update seems to cover the period up to 30 November and has a lot of positive records, especially of wildfowl, and adds Woodcock to the 2025 list of affected species bringing the total to 53: Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Bewick’s Swan, Black Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Pink-footed Goose, Barnacle Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Gadwall, Wigeon, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Eider, White-tailed Eagle, Red Kite, Buzzard, Goshawk, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Kestrel, Curlew, Woodcock, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Kittiwake, Little Gull, Sandwich Tern, Arctic Tern, Common Tern, Roseate Tern, Gannet, Fulmar, Manx Shearwater, Cormorant, Razorbill, Guillemot, Puffin, Black Guillemot, Barn Owl, Long-eared Owl, Tawny Owl, Grey Heron, Pheasant, Woodpigeon, Greenfinch and Starling. The flaws in the ‘surveillance’ scheme mean that it is difficult to know what this species list means in terms of species affected – click here. “

Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care! Have a great beginning to the week. See you on Tuesday!

Thank you to SK Hideaways for those great videos and to the owners of the streaming cams who give us a look into the lives of our eagles. I also want to thank those who take the time to post reports and images on FB so that we know what is going on with our beloved raptors. Thank you to Mark Avery for his blog where I used his bird flu report today as well as to the authors of the articles in Substack and WSJ.

Day 18. Welcome to Winter. E26 is a strong eaglet.

19 December 2025

Good Afternoon Everyone,

Oh, my goodness, what a day it has been. I have made a couple of videos for you. Still, you do not get the intensity of the heavy wet snow blowing down. We have had more than 20 cm of snow in our garden in only two hours!

Ann braved the storm, which let me shop in the neighbourhood, stocking up on cat and dog food, along with any provisions we were missing. We can now stay put for up to a fortnight without having to leave the house – perhaps longer! Mind you. Toby loves the snow. He doesn’t care if it covers him from top to bottom. He jumps and, living up to his sporting pedigree as a duck hunting dog, often likes to pester the small birds.

SW Florida did beat Dade County to hatch, but R9 is now working its way out of that shell. This is perfect timing, as it lets us watch both of them and cheer those little ones on as they clamour to step into the world of eagles.

Oh, what a sweetie. And strong. This will be a formidable big sister for that second hatch (probably).

That little eaglet was ravenous!

You will notice that part of E26’s shell has attached itself to E27’s shell. Don’t concern yourself. The little one should be working itself out of the other end and as F23 and M15 roll that egg, the old shell could easily come off.

Proud parents M15 and F23.

I really hope you can open this. Girri has been seen and she was caught on camera flying very strongly. I am including that FB post and I urge you to visit the Orange, Australia Peregrine Falcons FB page for the latest news.

Cilla Kinross’s latest blog is located here with all the news about Girri and a video:

https://falconcam.csu.edu.au/2025/12/18/and-shes-off-2/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOymP1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeu4NmShlCMPYMAZH4VmFqJZ3mi4MhtTfify_gaNnGHIVraBcjdOqV97ogRxc_aem_SerBcOW7qxqLYqUDTvqA9w

In case you cannot open the link, Cilla notes that the fledge was a very strong one. Then she says, “I had a couple of visitors from Melbourne today and so we went and had a look for her. We found her by chance on the ground with some magpies in the woodland directly in front of the ledge cam, so she had moved a fair way from her original landing place.

Unfortunately, we disturbed her and she took off, flying close to the ground towards the road. We checked that she hadn’t gone across the road and into the open paddock (she hadn’t) and had a bit of a look around, but didn’t want to disturb her again as it is very hot today (32 C), so it’s best she rests in the shade until this evening.

She’ll now start learning to fly and may return to the box within a few days or a week or two. Barring accidents (they do happen from time to time) she should be with us for a couple of months and I will try and get some photos of her in the field.”

That brings you up to date on the latest ‘big’ news in Bird World.

Please take care. We look forward to having you with us again tomorrow!

Thank you so much to Cilla Kinross for her informative post, to the owners of the streaming cams I am so grateful as you allow us into the lives of our wonderful birds. I also want to thank those individuals who have posted on FB the latest news and photos. My blog would not be the same without you.

Day 17 Welcome to Winter Larger pip at SW Florida

18 December 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

The calm before the storm on Wednesday night. It is nearing 2000 and the blizzard that is to hit us is slowly beginning. Brock was outside eating, and I hope he filled up and will tuck himself in for the duration, wherever his bolt hole is. His heated mat is to arrive on Sunday, but with the weather, it and all other deliveries in the Canadian prairies could be disrupted. I really want to see if he will spend some time in that large dog kennel with the heated mat.

The lights on Melvin’s tree. The wind is calm but it will get up to 90 kph.

We will sleep nicely and wake up to find out what happened!

Do you know these oranges? The Satsumas. They differ from the easy-peel. A totally different shape with a thick, loose skin and the most delicious taste. They were initially only grown in Japan. Now, an area in California also grows them, as do other regions of the Pacific Northwest and Florida. When I was a little girl, we dreamed of having a big Navel Orange in our holiday stockings. Now I only dream of these!

About every three or four months I check to see ‘who is reading Bird World’. For a long time, the top two countries were the United States and the United Kingdom. Not so anymore. All the People’s Republic of China needs is 50 more viewers, and they will top the list!

Some of you will know that I spent several weeks each year teaching in China, outside Beijing. I have also travelled extensively along the Silk Road, from one end to the other. I love the people, the country, the art, particularly the ceramics and lacquer, and the food – most especially that from the North!

I hope to learn more about the raptors in Asia and to share that with all of you so please send links!

The big news is the perfect fledging of Girri. My goodness, that was one strong female falcon! I wondered if she saw either Gimbir or Diamond, or both, as she flew out because she was vocalising so loudly. Yesterday I identified the adult that brought the Galah in as Gimbir. Cilla Kinross says it was Diamond – so apologies. I am corrected.

The other news is that there is a pip at SW Florida.

That pip was getting bigger Thursday morning. Look close. F23 is very restless. She knows that baby is coming! You can see the beak. It won’t be long now.

For those new to my blog and new to watching Bald Eaglets develop, here is what you should expect to happen:

The baby eaglets will grow very, very quickly. From tiny helpless bobbleheads with fish and prey droppings all over their face to adult size in 10-14 weeks. You can almost see them grow right before your eyes and if you blink, they will have fledged!

The eaglets hatch with their eyes open (unlike peregrine falcons). They have some down but cannot regulate their body heat. They are entirely reliant on their parents (unlike ducklings). That white down will change to a woolly grey down, like thermal underwear, and they can then regulate their body heat. Pinfeathers will then begin to emerge on their back and on the wings. They will learn to feed themselves and perform wing exercises by hopping around the nest. Then they will branch – they will hop to a nearby tree branch before their first flight, which will take place anytime between 10 and 14 weeks. Fledglings should return to the nest and remain with their parents for approximately a month, during which they learn to hunt.

For a detailed discussion and images, there is nothing better than the Elfruler website. Please see: https://www.elfruler.com/?page_id=1610

We are also keeping an eye on Dade County. Heidi noted in the chat, “​​1st eggs for Rose: R4 pipped at just under 36 days, R7 pipped at 37.75 days. R6 was deemed to be egg #2 of that clutch.” “Egg #1 is ~ 35days +20.5 hrs”

The blizzard came in a flurry overnight. The wind was so bad that the snow piled up in the strangest of places. Brock’s feeding area was completely covered with snow, up to the conservatory windows. The walkways are clear! It is still blowing, and some people do not have power. We are just fine.

I always worry about Brock because I do not know for 100% where he sleeps. Can he get out? Did the snow block him in? His food is waiting for him.

We have the second egg for Louis II and Anna II at KNF-E1 nest in Louisiana on Wednesday.

New Window to Wildlife streaming cam: Winter Park, Florida. Mum has only one eye. There are two eggs laid on the 4th and 7th of December. Check them out.

Boy, that looks like another deep nest bowl.

In Tuesdays Winter blog, I posted an article by Raptor Persecution UK about the suspicious killing of satellite tagged White-tail Eagles. The Police are now investigating. Will they discover the killers? Will the courts actually provide penalties that will stop the killing of innocent raptors in various parts of the UK?

“The RSPB is offering a £10,000 reward for information leading to a conviction. Dr James Robinson, RSPB chief operating officer, said: “The RSPB is shocked with this news, so much so that we are offering an overall reward of £10,000 for information that leads to a conviction in these cases. Eagle tag-data is so precise that the point of death and any subsequent movement of the tag will be known to investigators, so we urge the public to come forward with information. Raptor persecution has no place in modern society, let alone threatening such an important UK government-backed reintroduction scheme like this.”

Police investigate after white-tailed eagles go missing across UKhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/dec/17/police-investigate-after-white-tailed-eagles-go-missing-across-uk?CMP=share_btn_url

More information has come in about the Scottish WTE.

More detail on the ‘missing’ White-tailed Eagle in south Scotland – Raptor Persecution UKDownload

Haku and Akecheta were on the nest together Thursday morning. Several mating attempts yesterday but nothing positive yet.

Activity at Decorah North. They have a winter wonderland, too.

Waking up to the morning at Trempealeau.

Gorgeous day at US Steel.

Boone and Jolene are busy at Johnson City ETSU.

Crows at Achieva. Maybe it should be a Crow nest – not fit for Ospreys.

Is the weather strange where you live? Are the birds mixed up? They sure are here! And in the UK as this article from The Guardian reports.

Is chorus of winter birdsong a herald of spring – or warning of climate crisis?https://www.theguardian.com/news/2025/dec/18/is-chorus-of-winter-birdsong-a-herald-of-spring-or-warning-of-climate-crisis?CMP=share_btn_url

We are beginning to slow down. The blizzard reminds you how nice it is to not go out in the crowds. Nellie arrives on Sunday! It is hard to believe that for those celebrating Christmas we are now one week away. I hope that you are having fun preparing and that you have heeded the call not to go out and buy and buy. Find something special you can do for someone – they will remember that generous gift of your time forever.

Take care everyone. We will see you again tomorrow. Just think. There will be a baby eaglet for M15 and 23. I cannot wait.

Thank you to Heidi for her great data collection, the owners of the streaming cams, Raptor Persecution UK, Elfruler, and The Guardian.