Category Archives: Birds of Poole Harbour

Monday in Bird World

2 June 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

I have added the latest news that I have received at the top. It’s great to be back with you. I trust that you have been keeping up with your favourite nests and have an eye on Sunny and Gizmo. They are going to fly this week.

I have received staggering news from our monitor VV living in Maryland. They have 15 osprey nests within sight of their porch. This is yesterday’s report. When you finish reading it, I want you to educate yourselves. Join the good folks at Menhaden- Little Fish, Big Deal FB page and find out why ospreys are starving in the Chesapeake. Then I want you to write everyone you know to stop the industrial fishing of Menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay. It could be too late. For several years, the osplets have been dying. There is no one to replace the adults once they die or leave the area. They are going extinct, faster than DDT killed them, due to one company – Omega and that company is Canadian. It makes me furious as a Canadian.

VV writes: ” I wish I had a shred of good osprey news for you. But I have not. Many nests were incubating but nearly simultaneously nests were abandoned, some osprey have returned after gulls and crows cleaned out their eggs.  Some have not returned. Two unpaired males I know by name abandoned their nests a good week before the pairs left. Those without eggs quit mating and they, too, left their nests. I guess a food issue, males no longer able to provide and females having to fish for themselves to survive.

It all happened within a matter of a week, a week and a half. It happened last year after chicks hatched but all died in early July. A second year of no fledglings.

Another observer on the island continues to see eagles stealing ospreys’ food. And the osprey behavior toward eagles is muted to non-existent this year. As little as two years back the entire creek full of osprey would leave their nests to chase an eagle passing overhead. Osprey ignore them entirely this year. The osprey grow silent when the eagles fly across the creek.”

This was the largest area for Osprey. Heidi and I have seen a steady decline and I believe a few years ago I predicted that there would be no osprey in the area in 3-4 years. I am beyond sad. I am angry that humans take money and profit takes over the quality of life for everyone on our planet. What happens in the Bay impacts all of us.

The UK and the Roy Dennis Foundation know what extinction of raptors looks like. In comparison to what is happening in Maryland and the neighbouring states of the Chesapeake Bay, the very first osprey has hatched in the USK Valley (think south Wales) in 250 years! Congratulations.

A HISTORIC FIRST HATCHING — Usk Valley OspreysDownload

Llyn Brenig did have its hatch!

It is also expected to start raining on Monday morning in Winnipeg. Outside, it smells like a campfire. The fires continue to rage, people are being evacuated, and there are areas where only a helicopter can access. There are so many fires burning that there are not enough helicopters. I hope private companies are helping.

I am starting to write Friday evening. We have just finished watering the garden plants. The air is acrid. The sky is hazy. You might think you were in the middle of hundreds of car tyres burning. I cannot even imagine what it is like for those on the front lines fighting the fires in northern and eastern Manitoba (or other parts of Canada). It is 29 C.

While others are caring for the people in the towns and villages under threat, there is the wildlife that makes their late spring and summer homes in our province. Imagine hundreds of raptor nests with chicks and the fires burning. The adults can fly if they do not get ‘smoke inhalation’ and hopefully get to safety. Those chicks cannot fly. There are still many issues trying to rescue more than 17,000 people. They are leaving with nothing. If they are lucky they can bring their pets. One of the problems when they get to my city with those beloved pets is that the hotels are not allowing them inside! I find that incredibly ‘mean’. We are fortunate to have a few agencies that are rescuing the dogs and cats that had to be turned out on the streets. They will provide care and food for them and return them to their owners when it is convenient for the owners. I hope they can find the owners. So many of the pets might not be tattooed or have a microchip. Many of us are busy collecting toiletries and clothes as well as pet food for these unfortunate people. Can you imagine losing absolutely everything?While many are dedicated to helping the people in towns and villages facing danger, we must not forget the wildlife that calls our province home during late spring and summer. Picture this: hundreds of raptor nests filled with helpless chicks, surrounded by raging fires. The adult birds may be able to escape if they avoid smoke inhalation, but the chicks are unable to fly.

Simultaneously, we are confronted with the daunting task of rescuing over 17,000 individuals who are fleeing with nothing but the clothes on their backs. If they are fortunate, some can bring their cherished pets along. Yet, upon arriving in my city, they face a heartbreaking reality—many hotels refuse to accept pets. This is utterly unjust.

Thankfully, a handful of compassionate agencies are stepping up to rescue the dogs and cats abandoned in the streets. They are providing much-needed care and food for these animals, with the hope of reuniting them with their owners when the time is right. However, many pets lack identification tattoos or microchips, complicating the rescue efforts.

In the meantime, many of us are rallying together to gather toiletries, clothing, and pet food for these displaced individuals. Can you imagine what it feels like to lose absolutely everything? We must come together to support them in their time of need.

Menhaden overfishing has significantly disrupted the ecosystem in the Chesapeake Bay, leading tof whales and dolphins several years ago. Additionally, striped bass are starving and turning to crabs for food, leaving ospreys without the necessary sustenance. I have mentioned this to you before: overfishing causes widespread disruptions. In Ireland, for example, similar overfishing issues are driving whales and dolphins away. I wonder what the long-term outlook is for the ospreys that are beginning to breed there.

‘Nothing left’: Irish whale-watching company closes amid ‘overfishing’https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/30/irish-whale-watching-company-ends-tours-on-south-atlantic-coast-and-blames-overfishing?CMP=share_btn_url

Other news comes from Arctic research showing that birds lived with the polar bears in an area of Alaska more than 74 million years ago. “Researchers believe their discovery of more than 50 bird fossils from the Prince Creek formation in Alaska is the oldest evidence of birds nesting in polar regions, pushing back the date by more than 25m years.”

Birds were nesting in the Arctic during age of dinosaurs, scientists discoverhttps://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/may/29/birds-were-nesting-in-the-arctic-during-age-of-dinosaurs-scientists-discover?CMP=share_btn_url

Heidi has a good report for us on the US osprey nests she is monitoring:

Osoyoos:  Soo and Olsen bonded after their return from migration, however after some battles at the end of April, a new male took over. Two of their three eggs were laid after Olsen was no longer seen, but the new male destroyed all three of those eggs.  A new egg was laid on 5/30.  I believe the female is Soo.  Comparing photos, she looks like the same female for the past 4 seasons, but some believe it is a new female.  The new male is a big fellow, and he has a very large dark crown mark and a necklace.  This new clutch may not be a good thing.  In the past, the ospreys have had difficulty finding fish during the heat, and now they may be trying to raise chicks a month later than previous years.

Patuxent River Park Nest 2:  After the cam was offline for 9 days, two of the three osplets were missing.  It appeared as though the oldest one was the only chick in the nest.  We have been told that the other two chicks blew off the nest during a storm. But, I suspect that the park staff may not really know what happened to those two chicks, and we can’t rule out the possibility predation.

Dewey Beach Lions Club osprey nest:  Things were going very well for this family of two osplets… until a few days of wind and rain spoiled the fishing. Then chick 1 became aggressive. When the weather improved, Mom supplemented Dad’s fish, and even the past 2 days when there were 9 fish, and 6 fish, chick 1 would not let chick 2 eat.  The fish Mom and Dad were catching were on the small side.  They never caught that really big fish that would have allowed chick 2 a chance to have a good meal.  Little 2 died on 6/1, at 16 days of age.

Thanks, Heidi!

The news that has come to my inbox is mixed – osplets dying by the nestfuls while others are thriving. Betty Lou has fledged and returned to the nest, where she was rewarded with a giant fish. Jak and Audacity know how to raise ‘children’. Let us hope that the circumstances come together so that they can do this again in 2026!

BUNDGoitzsche-Wildnis: “Red kites are fast and skilled hunters. When an attack occurs very suddenly, the adults often have only a fraction of a second to react. Furthermore, wild animals instinctively weigh up whether a defense could endanger their own life or the remaining clutch of eggs. We suspect that the adults were taken by surprise and didn’t recognize the danger. They have been breeding successfully on this eyrie for so many years now, although they have never been threatened by red kites before; perhaps there is simply no strategy for dealing with it.

June 1, 2025: A red kite takes a second chick from the nest.

May 26, 2025: Drama for the ospreys: a red kite comes while the chicks are being fed and steals a chick from the nest. The attack lasts only seconds.”

White Rock Eagles: It appears that the male may be providing some assistance. The two eaglets, Miracle and Phenom, are doing well. Their crops are about to pop. Sweet little babies. Another miracle and a fish fairy. Love it! https://youtu.be/BvEHLnh-Wh4?

Dyfi Osprey Project: Telyn and Idris are doing a fine job with their triplets. They are kept warm and nicely fed.

Rutland Manton Bay: The fourth hatch is tiny. We wait to see if it will survive. Blue 33 has fish in the largest freshwater lake in Europe at Rutland Water and he is an excellent fisher and provider. The pair have raised several clutches of four. Fingers crossed. Blue 33 spent a lot of time on Sunday on the nest with Maya and the four kiddos.

Foulshaw Moss: Little Three gets right up there to eat. White YW and Blue 35 have raised nests where there were two quite larger chicks and a tiny one and all three fledged. Indeed, the third hatch in 2021 became the dominant on the nest!

Birds of Poole Harbour: Blue 022 and CJ7 raised four to fledge in 2024, to the shock of everyone. Looks like they are going to do it again this year. I wonder if they might become another ‘Super’ Couple like Blue 33 and Maya at Rutland? Or maybe this pair could beat Rutland’s record!

Family Portrait.

Llyn Brenig: We’re on hatch watch week!

Llyn Clywedog: Dylan is keeping the fish coming in despite some inclement weather. The chicks are doing well and Seren is being the perfect Mum.

Tweed Valley: The two females now have four osplets to raise between them. The male, New Guy, has not been around and it is understood that he is not assisting the ‘women’ in any way. The first three eggs to hatch belonged to Mrs O, an experienced female, while the fourth hatch belongs to the new female at the nest. The females do not seem to care whose is whose – they are happy to bring in fish to share between them. An incredible display of cooperation and another one of those miracles from this year that we must enjoy.

Glaslyn: Everyone loves Aran. He was not seen for the past five days. The weather in Wales was horrible. Well, to the delight of everyone, Aran came out and was seen on Sunday. Fabulous. He was enjoying the sunshine that finally came out.

Loch of the Lowes: Raining on Saturday. The female incubates the remaining egg for this new couple, taking the place of Laddie LM12 and Blue NC0.

Alyth: The camera is down, but there is evidence that Harry and Flora are feeding at least one chick on the nest. Thanks, Jeff Kear, UK Osprey Info, and VG for checking and reporting.

West Midlands Ringing Group:

MNSA Oceanside Ospreys: Three chicks on the nest. Cold weather event occured on the 23/24 of May. Little three could not fit under Mum and died of hypothermia. The feeding on the 24th without little 3: https://youtu.be/RGwYSUptOqA?

Loch Arkaig:

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 1st June 2025

Today saw the return of Garry LV0 to Nest One, although to Aurora’s disappointment, he arrived with empty talons. Later when Aurora was alone on the nest, she was disturbed by a Raven’s kronking as it did a fly-by, and flew off to chase it away. Over on Nest Two, Louis continues to provide plenty of fish – four today, taking his tally to one hundred and thirty six. The second fish was a little tiddler that vanished in three minutes, and Louis was instructed to get more, if that’s how we can interpret Dorcha’s reaction. He returned an hour later with a fish so massive, it travelled on and off the nest providing several meals as it went. He is very strong to be able to lift such a big fish out of the water which bodes well for the continued well-being of the chicks who were stuffed full today so much so that one chick did a comical faceplant during feeding time, as if its bulging crop was too heavy to keep it upright. It rained throughout the night and sporadically throughout the day but a dry night with light winds is forecast for tonight with a low of 7°C, continuing dry through tomorrow with a high of 15°C.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 00.01.18 (02.50.57); Nest Two 22.56.00 (04.01.47)
Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/WJsJLdNJmqM  N2 Bobs 2&3 have a tug of war over a piece of fish one!  07.07.28

https://youtu.be/ao-Up4L7NyA N1 Aurora’s hopes are dashed when Garry arrives empty-taloned 11.14.04https://youtu.be/oyh7O2O8gvM N2 Snack-sized fish two lasts three minutes – Dorcha calls for more 12.03.13https://youtu.be/sIJtlrxOrzs  N2 Louis does as requested, brings a third fish and it is absolutely massive 13.12.42https://youtu.be/It7wP0qWVvE N1 A Raven disturbs Aurora and she chases after it 14.38.46https://youtu.be/ojNzSKAINIE N2 Louis takes the big piece of fish away – Dorcha is not amused 15.28.37https://youtu.be/FO5EiELibIg N2 One of the chicks is so full from fish number four it does a faceplant! 21.25.07  

Bonus guide to rapid growth in Osprey chicks:

https://www.dyfiospreyproject.com/blog/emyr-mwt/rapid-growth-phase-young-osprey-chicks

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/i–2XW43oXM N1 Second Osplet has hatched! 2020

https://youtu.be/XbNjpDD3WlQ N1 The family star on BBC Breakfast 2020

https://youtu.be/q4H8zoxABb4 N1 Four birds, one egg and a stick 2020

https://youtu.be/b2IqFZAEsCQ  N2 Bob’s in a food coma after a big feed 2022

https://youtu.be/BzFjPMkQWNI  N2 Little bob decorates the nest 2022 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/8iA7u9vco48  N2 Aerial acrobatics as Louis chases crows 2022 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/uIyRLn_uEjY  N2 Breakfast for day-old bob 2023

https://youtu.be/ARLjY1fBI2E  N1 Prince brings moss, a little bird scares Affric 2023

https://youtu.be/p1dSf6D594s  N1 Male LV0 intrudes on Prince & Affric 2023 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/Knfn8T1p3lI  N1 Mating attempts 2023

https://youtu.be/vWefra79niY N2 Fish number one 04.16.11; Two 04.24.22 ; Three 04.39.24 A new record! 2024

https://youtu.be/P5M_NMUdDGM N1 Garry LV0 pays a fleeting visit 2024 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/IP8sJBIGe5A N2 Fish number six – bob begs from dad in error 2024

Why not come and join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:

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

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 31st May 2025

Not much happened today on either nest, Aurora 536 did a bit of perching and preening on Nest One but again there was no sign of Garry LV0, and over on Nest Two all was routine which is what’s needed as the chicks enter their rapid development phase. Expert fisherbird Louis delivered six fish, taking his tally to one hundred and thirty two, and Dorcha ensured all three chicks got plenty to eat. It was wet and windy today and more of the same is expected tonight with heavy rain and a gentle breeze with a low of 8°C, with the rain lessening a little to light rain with a high of 14°C tomorrow.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.21.00 (03.33.01); Nest Two 22.50.14 (04.05.20)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/MoB_uBBdzZ0 N2 First fish arrives and all three get a share 06.17.35

https://youtu.be/BO61UB4BaI4 N2 Bob1 has eaten so much of fish two it collapses into a food coma 07.08.41 

https://youtu.be/hcJWbIkLMBw N2 All tree chicks get a good feed from fish three 12.07.14

https://youtu.be/VSTpfQH7Iu4 N2 An early fish supper arrives, fish four 18.03.39

https://youtu.be/9q579fFqWpA N2 Yet another fish arrives, number five today 20.25.43

https://youtu.be/___SuiP3geQ N2 Dorcha carefully shares out fish six 21.51.05  

https://youtu.be/JHwjovpitoA N1 Aurora gives up and leaves for the night 22.02.09

Bonus action – People’s Postcode Lottery helped Woodland Trust buy Arkaig Forest, fund its on-going restoration, and support the Osprey cams giving us our 24/7 livestreaming joy. If you’re a social media user, could you please thank them when posting Loch Arkaig content:

https://www.postcodelottery.co.uk/good-causes/charities/woodland-trust

Blast from the past, this day in previous years: 

https://youtu.be/iwfBMeFYino  N1 Record fast fish arrives: 5 mins 23 secs! 2020 

https://youtu.be/svRZ4AJ3C4M  N1 Sleepy bob uses the other eggs as a pillow 2020 

https://youtu.be/MWwaGMTjPek N1 Osprey with blue ring intrudes on Aila & Louis 2020 (slo-mo) 

https://youtu.be/E_JOPZSi0nQ N2 Egg 2 sings sweetly preparing to hatch 2022 

https://youtu.be/VqQDp44UxTg N2 First chick has hatched! 2022 

https://youtu.be/14S1RC_H0IE N2 Chick’s big day: meeting mum and dad 2022

https://youtu.be/84WJZxukT5c  N2 Louis reacts to the chupping 2023 

https://youtu.be/-bKcyAe1lwQ  N1 Affric & Prince fend off an intruder 2023 

https://youtu.be/btm-8Qg6e0o  N2 Little bob hatches! 2023 (zoom) 

https://youtu.be/udB7LRh6zMs N2 Proud parents and a good look at little bob 2023 (zoom) 

https://youtu.be/3AEkinUe5Io   N1 Prince brings fish for Affric 2023 

https://youtu.be/OpIOpWqfB0A   N2 Disco divas are Staying Alive, Staying Alive 2024 (Artistic Ospreys)

https://youtu.be/grQeBqx-770  N2 The bobs squabble when Dorcha leaves and stop when she returns with a stick 2024

Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:

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

Thanks, Geemeff! And thanks, Mary.

Report from Jane Goodall brings hope!

Protecting chimpanzees and building community resilience to climate change in Senegal – Jane GoodallDownload

Sauces Canyon: Sauces Canyon: Jak and Audacity are amazing parents. Not only did they reward their young daughter, Betty Lou, with a big fish to encourage her to return to the nest, but they have also sat with her in the pine tree and delivered food to her there! Thanks to ‘PB’ for the wonderful report on Saturday!

Fraser Point: Mama Cruz has been missing for almost a day. When she returned to the nest, it was clear that she had been fighting an intruder. I am just holding my breath.

FOBBV: Jackie and Shadow adore their two eaglets, Sunny and Gizmo. I cannot imagine what is going through their heads as these two darlings ready to take to the sky. Jackie is feeding them on Saturday!

KTLA captured Sunny’s flight to the branch! https://youtu.be/Zw9yJUNAN9k?

So what will Jackie and Shadow do after Sunny and Gizmo fledge? What do you think? Have a look: https://youtu.be/8lXgCfA4xys?

Kansas City Eagles (Farmer Derek): Fish delivery after fish delivery. https://youtu.be/oH4im5vikqA?

San Jose Falcons: Dinner time! https://youtu.be/G6120p0G_Ko?

Hartley’s Missed Prey Drop?? Check it out! https://youtu.be/q-UHk-SNCyQ?

Trempeauleau Eagles: T3 doing fantastic. Mum brought in at least three fish on Friday.

Duke Farms: All three fledglings on the nest wanting some dinner! I did not see any prey delivered. Maybe you did.

Boulder County Fairgrounds: Three osplets with the fourth egg pipping on Saturday. Experienced Mum and new dad are going to be busy keeping these crops full.

OPPD Fort Calhoun: The triplets are so close in age. It appears everything is going very, very well. So tiny. They blend in to the point that if your eyes are tired, you really have to look close or hope they move!!!!!!!!

Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home: The only surviving eaglet is doing well. Thanks, ‘PB’ for posting this message on FB.

Pitkin County: Three little heads peek up out of the deep nest cup when it is dinner time. Two hatched on the 27th, with the third on the 28th. Fantastic, they are so close in age.

Cornell Red-tail Hawk Cam: The Os are walking around and pecking at prey. Arthur has the nest looking like a massacre. No one ever goes hungry on Big Red’s nest. Never.

Hellgate Canyon: Iris was on and off the nest on Sunday. She is looking good.

Charlo, Montana: Incubation continues.

City of Independence, Oregon: Female looking down. I did not see an indication of a hatch or feeding. Incubation continues.

Latvian Goshawk Cam: Beautiful chicks get a feeding. https://youtu.be/qMX_CVCZkRo?

Knepp Farm: Purple Emperors are about to hatch!

News from KneppDownload

Snowy Egrets. Want to learn more about them? There is other great information in this newsletter from the American Bird Conservancy including this announcement: :Lake County, Illinois Rules That Homes Must Prevent Bird Collisions – A National First“.

Snowy Egret Golden SlippersDownload

Love across species. https://youtu.be/OX1_OiR1j0E?

They fought to protect the Ground Squirrels in my City and they won! Thanking my daughter, Jaine, for sending this to me.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-ground-squirrel-sulfur-gas-application-rejected-1.7549220

I am delighted that you could join us today. Everyone in the family is doing fine. We hope that you are happy and well and getting outside whenever you can.

Calico and Baby Hope on the table watching Toby but not having their tails bitten!

Toby can climb up the cat tree!

Hugo Yugo loves to sleep on the top of the small cat tree. She will have her next dental cleaning and surgery on 11 June.

Missey in Toby’s toy box!

Brock waits and sleeps on a deck chair for when we get up and he gets some fresh food.

Calico is sending everyone a smile – look at the cute cygnets! https://youtu.be/9CJ1HM5WhWo?

Thank you to the following for their letters, notes, comments, posts, videos, articles, images, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, J, PB, VV’, The Guardian, Osoyoos Town Council Osprey Cam, Patuxent River Park, Dewey Beach Lion’s Club, Crooked Lake, Seaside Ospreys, Colonial Beach Ospreys, PSEG Oyster Bay, Brevard County, Moraine State Park, BUNDGoitzsche-Wildnis, Hancock Wildlife Foundation White Rock Eagle Cam, LRWT Manton Bay Ospreys, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, BoPH, Llyn Clywedog, Tweed Valley Osprey Project, Scottish Wildlife Trust (LOTL Ospreys), West Midlands Ringing Group, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Mary Cheadle and Friends of Loch Arkaig FB, Jane Goodall Foundation, IWS/Explore, CIEL and Barbara Wolfsong, FOBBV, KTLA, San Jose City Hall and SK Hideaways, Trempeauleau Eagle Cam, Duke Farms, Boulder County, OPPD, Cornell Bird Cam Red Tail Hawk Cam, Cornell Bird Cam Hellgate Canyon, Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home, Oregon Public Broadcasting, CBC Manitoba, Robert Fuller, Farmer Derek, Discover Outdoors, Nesting Bird Life and More and the LDF, Raptor Resource Project/Explore, Usk Valley Ospreys, Jeff Kear and UK Osprey Info and Llyn Brenig

Betty Lou Fledges…Friday in Bird World

30 May 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

The highlight of Thursday was the fledge of Betty Lou, chick of Jak and Audacity, at 76 days. Oh, she had been doing some incredible hovering on Wednesday.

Nestflix Memories caught that fledge! (I wonder if Jak and/or Audacity saw their miracle chick fly for the first time?). https://youtu.be/k1egvndhupg?s

Betty Lou likes the pine tree branches!

She returned to the nest and grateful parents Jak and Audacity presented their fledgling with a whole fish, which she devoured! There was a lot of squeeing…check it out on the live webcam.

If that wasn’t enough, ‘PB’ sent me the message by Pat Burke that all three of the Duke Farm’s eaglets fledged one after the other on Thursday. Amazing!

We are just waiting for Sunny and Gizmo and the San Jose Falcons and we are just sitting on pins and needles.

One of the incredible stories of this year has been the Tweed Valley nest where two females with a single male laid their eggs. All along the two females have supported themselves, sharing fish, and tending to the eggs. The male hasn’t been around the nest for many days (but seen in the area). The females have taken turns fishing and sharing their fish. They have each cared for and fed, together or separately, the two chicks that have hatched.

You will need to join their FB group to see the video but here is a screen capture.

This may well be the year that we see females rise to the occasion and raise chicks alone – White Rock, Tempeauleau, and Tweed are three that come to mind. Can you think of others?

The garden has been busy! The Baltimore Orioles have arrived along with a host of different Warblers, to the garden! The birdsong is phenomenal. We have made a little nook to sit with Toby, and it is like being in the middle of a jungle surrounded by birds.

I sincerely appreciate your understanding and the wonderfully supportive letters I have received. Choosing to reduce the frequency of my posts from Bird World was a tough decision, but it is essential for my family’s well-being at this time. I am committed to creating Bird World updates that not only educate and inform but also keep you connected to the happenings in the nests. I truly hope you find the content I share valuable and enjoyable!

The weather in Winnipeg has been warm and sunny. In the north and east of my province, large wildfires are raging. The Province has declared a province-wide emergency. People from larger towns that are threatened with being burned to the ground are being evacuated to Winnipeg. The smoke has coloured the sky, and many people are having health difficulties due to it.

Just one image of hundreds showing Flin Flon, Manitoba. The entire town has been evacuated. (Someone flew a drone and the water cannon aircraft could not fly setting off this catastrophe!).

IIn Norway House, the only highway access in or out is on fire. This is just one of the many fires burning in the northern and eastern parts of my province. We are okay for now, aside from the smoke. Our thoughts are with everyone affected, including all the wildlife in the forests that were once their home but are now ablaze.n Norway House, the only highway access in or out is on fire. These are only two of the numerous fires burning in the north and east of my province. We are alright except for the smoke. Our thoughts are of course with every breathing soul including all of the wildlife in the forests that was once their home and is now blazing.

This is the current fire danger map for Canada. We need some of that rain that has been plaguing our raptor nests.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who reached out to check on us after hearing about the wildfire conditions in our area. Your concern means the world to me and truly showcases the strength of our community. The dry conditions are quite alarming, but there’s hope on the horizon as the forecast indicates a couple of days of rain next week.

In the meantime, I’m grateful to have Toby and Don by my side, helping to keep the garden containers watered. Our dried peas and beans are beginning to sprout, which is an exciting sign! We experimented with cayenne pepper around each planter box, but the squirrels have completely ignored it in search of cozy spots to stash their peanuts. Dyson and I definitely need to have a chat about their antics!

I’m optimistic that in a few weeks, I’ll have some stunning photos to share of our thriving climbing peas and beans, so let’s keep our fingers crossed! Meanwhile, the lilacs continue to bloom magnificently. We’ve discovered a charming, shady spot for a couple of chairs and a small table, the perfect setting to enjoy our coffee with Toby. It’s such a joy that he is now trained to go outside. Sitting there, listening to the cheerful birdsong and surrounded by the delightful fragrance of blooming flowers, truly elevates our moment of tranquillity together.

The view of some of the lilacs, the crabapple tree, and the trees at the back from inside the sitting room. This entire space is full of birds singing. It is wild. Nothing controlled by humans here, just the way the birds like it! And the rabbits, the raccoon, and the squirrels. What about those deer that visit?

One type is so gorgeous.

I’m truly relishing every moment spent outdoors. Tonight we played a captivating game of ‘Miss Marple.’ After finishing his late meal, Brock piqued our curiosity, prompting us to follow him and, perhaps, uncover his current living situation. To our surprise, he appears to be residing under the deck of a house just half a block away. This could be an ideal shelter for him, except for one drawback: he must cross the street to access our feeder.

I hope you’ve had some time to reflect on the incredible rescue at the osprey nest in Western Maryland Shore Old Town Home. How many times did we urge people to remove some of the osplets from nests around the Chesapeake Bay when food was scarce in 2024 due to the overfishing of Menhaden, the primary food of ospreys, in the Chesapeake Bay by a Canadian company, Omega? Many of you yelled at your screens when help did not come to the osplet at Colonial Bay. Of course, there were at least another hundred nests in the same situation.

It is unclear whether or not the rehabilitation of the third hatch at Old Town Home will be successful. These are some things to consider:

Young ospreys in rehabilitation have variable outcomes, depending on the severity and nature of their injuries or circumstances, as well as the quality of rehabilitation provided. While some ospreys, such as those with leg injuries, can recover and return to the wild, others may face challenges with feeding and development, which can impact their long-term survival. 

Factors Influencing Osprey Rehabilitation Success:

  • Injury or Condition:The type and severity of the injury or condition will significantly influence the likelihood of successful rehabilitation. 
  • Age and Developmental Stage:Young ospreys are particularly vulnerable and rely heavily on parental care for essential skills like hunting and flying. 
  • Access to Food and Water:Providing the right diet and ensuring proper hydration is crucial, especially for young ospreys who may not eat well in captivity. 
  • Rehabilitation Techniques:Some rehabilitation centers use innovative approaches like introducing juvenile ospreys to the concept of fish from the water through supervised practice. 
  • Release Strategies:Successful release often requires careful planning, considering factors like the bird’s physical condition and the availability of suitable habitat. 

Examples of Successful Rehabilitation:

  • Ospreys with leg injuries that regain function and are successfully released back into the wild. 
  • Young ospreys rescued from entanglements that are rehabilitated and released.
  • Ospreys that are re-nested in new nests after being rescued. 

Challenges in Osprey Rehabilitation:

  • Difficulty with Feeding:Ospreys can be notoriously difficult to feed in captivity, and some may not eat at all, making it challenging to rehabilitate and release them. 
  • Developmental Delays:If young ospreys are not properly cared for and lack parental guidance, they may develop delayed or incomplete hunting skills. 
  • Entanglements and Other Threats:Ospreys can be entangled in fishing nets, twine, and other materials, potentially leading to injuries or death. 

The third hatch at Maryland Western Shore was quite tiny and young. It had a head injury and could have had other internal injuries caused by the male stepping on its body. It was also denied food but had a large crop when removed from the nest. Looking forward to updates with the hope that this little one is another miracle of 2025.

Sadly, on Wednesday, there was some concern for the middle hatch at Maryland’s Western Shore. It has died of hypothermia. Thanks, ‘PB’, for keeping me informed of the situation.

Weather and lack of fish have plagued the osprey nests in the Chesapeake Bay area for the past few years. It is taking its toll this year. I wonder how many osprey nests will fledge their own clutch this year?

Some interesting spring migration counts and news is coming out of Hawk Mountain in Pennsylvania. “Count coordinator David Barber summed the season up as follows: The count ended on a low note with three days of fog and rain. The last official migrant of the 2025 count was an unidentified raptor on the afternoon of May 12. Trainees, staff, and volunteers counted 220 hours over 38 days. The total count of 1,271 birds was 30% above the 10-year average of 980 and was the fourth highest spring count recorded at Hawk Mountain. The high day was April 18 with 581 birds including 2 turkey vultures, 6 ospreys, 3 bald eagles, 6 northern harriers, 1 sharp-shinned hawk, 12 Cooper’s hawks, a season high 542 broad-winged hawks, 5 red-tailed hawks, 3 American kestrels, and 1 merlin. The broad-winged hawks count of 885 was 71% above the 10-year average and a new record high! The count of 33 northern harriers was 61% above average and the highest count since 2013. Counts of Cooper’s hawks, American goshawk, and American kestrels also were above average, whereas counts of black vultures, turkey vultures, ospreys, sharp-shinned hawks, red-shouldered hawks, and red-tailed hawks were below average. All other species had average counts this year.”

Migration eUpdate Spring 2025 Wrap UpDownload

White Rock, British Columbia: The single Mum, together with a generous fish fairy, is keeping the two eaglets alive. I don’t think anyone would have believed that these two would live to get their thermal down, and if you look closely, you will see some feathers coming through!

Kielder Forest: The first hatch at nest 1A for parents W6 and KF13. The latest post from KF also reads, “The weather has been very poor since Saturday with strong winds and rain at times. The parents on Nest 7 have been doing a wonderful job balancing sheltering with feeding their three chicks.

Although there is rain in the forecast for Kielder Forest it should be mainly just showers with less wind and warmer temperatures.”

Well, by Thursday all three eggs had hatched at Kielder Forest. Congratulations!

FOBBV: By the time this is posted, I expect that both Sunny and Gizmo will have fledged. (more below)

Sauces Canyon: Betty Lou is ready to take to the skies, too. And as reported above, she did just that! https://youtu.be/8bsdSUkulpY?

White Rock Eagles: The two raised by the single Mum are doing fine. Thanks, fish fairy, for lending a hand and some fish!

Ely Cathedral Falcon scrape: Two eyasses this year as one of the eggs did not hatch.

Birds of Poole Harbour: An update by BoPH for us on this year’s happenings. (more below)

Osprey Webcam 2025 Update – Birds of Poole HarbourDownload

Glaslyn: It appears that it is now official. Five-year-old Teifi, the son of Idris and Telyn from the Dyfi platform, has now taken over the lead male role at Glaslyn. Aran continues to be seen in the region.

Dyfi: Idris and Telyn feeding their clutch as high winds make their way through the valley. Check out the cows below.

Birds of Poole Harbour: CJ7 and Blue 022 now have four osplets in the nest as of Thursday. The 4th hatch has already had its first fish meal.

Llyn Clywedog: The miserable weather has the two hatches of Dylan and Seren beaking one another. Let’s hope that cold and wet clears up.

Foulshaw Moss: White YW and Blue 35 are doing a good job with their three.

Trempeauleau: Mum doing a great job – all alone!

Denton Homes: The nest has dried out and we are just waiting for these three beauties to branch.

Little Miami Conservancy: Two beauties. Like the others getting ready to branch.

Cardinal Land Conservancy: These two are so ready to fly.

Cornell Red Tail Hawks: O1 and O2 are standing, walking around, and getting their beautiful juvenile feathers. Both are doing exceptionally well as we would expect with parents Big Red and Arthur. Big Red is still staying with her babies at night.

Hellgate Canyon: NG has been fighting intruders at the nest over the last days. Iris has also been coming around.

San Jose City Hall: They are ready to go. Will they take off at the same time? Like Duke Farms? (Thanks, PB, for the screen capture.)

Big Bear Valley: Jackie, Shadow, Sunny, and Gizmo were all together on the nest Thursday evening. What a beautiful family. This could be one of the last images of the four on the nest, as fledging can happen at any second.

SK Hideaways caught some of the action at Big Bear: https://youtu.be/io-MSVvvUWQ?

Patuxent River Park 2: All three chicks have perished while the camera was down for a week. Cause unknown.

Moraine State Park:

Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home: The only surviving chick of three with a big crop on Thursday.

Loch Arkaig: The latest from Geemeff on what is happening at Loch Arkaig!

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 29th May 2025
Today was all about fish – plenty on Nest Two but none on Nest One. Garry LV0 did turn up where Aurora 536 had been waiting for hours – she wanted fish, he wanted to mate, and neither got their wish. This is day six of thirteen without fish, his tally is becoming slightly meaningless and remains at sixty six. Louis on the other hand is performing magnificently and delivered another five today, and as Steve’s stats show, he’s Mr Consistency as it was the same as this day last year. His tally shoots up to one hundred and twenty two. Although it appeared bob3 didn’t have much, it must be remembered that being so much smaller than the other two means needing less food, and Dorcha did take care to include all three chicks when sharing out the food. It rained today as forecast but there were breaks in the weather. The forecast is light rain showers and light winds with a low of 11°C  tonight, and light rain showers and a gentle breeze tomorrow morning, clearing in the afternoon with a high of 17°C.Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.33.57 (03.40.51); Nest Two 22.43.36 (04.03.43)
Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/1gX2u2eGvIE N2 A chick nutmegs Dorcha with a squirt! 10.00.58https://youtu.be/yZEt_-fipSU  N2 Breakfast is very late because dad’s eaten most of it! 10.09.55https://youtu.be/uJJIn3vt96o  N2 All three chicks get some of fish two 15.43.44https://youtu.be/wsqyBae4VAo N1 Aurora wants fish, Garry wants to mate, neither succeeds 16.43.03https://youtu.be/M7avkNa__fw  N2 Fish number three is finished quickly but bob3 does get some 18.53.49https://youtu.be/za_qjIHMpaU N2 Dorcha blocks the view of fish four being shared out 21.07.49  https://youtu.be/GMtWeYvN1_4  N2 Fish number five arrives – will there be another today?  22.14.10
Bonus guide – when is a wood not a wood? When it is a forest!http://woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2024/12/difference-between-wood-and-forest/

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/JrHUpXY-a7c  N1 First chick has arrived! Happy birthday Doddie-to-be 2020

https://youtu.be/gOLg_bK_xP0  N1 First look at his chick for Louis 2020

https://youtu.be/8s40lObbaYA  N1 First really good look, and a magic moment with mum 2020

https://youtu.be/oMbnjRm-XpA  N1 First squirt just misses Aila’s fish supper 2020

https://youtu.be/OmRsqDDynoY N2 Dorcha goes for a quick comfort break, no pip visible 2022

https://youtu.be/7BLSruxJFzE   N1 Affric (Blue 152) and Prince? on Nest One 2023 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/KBZ2QR7ya5Q  N1 Louis does a bit of nestorising 2023

https://youtu.be/wKZuLPNZEOI  N2 A close up look at the eggs – is that a pip? 2023 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/3PgLtnW4E7I N2 Rock chick song and dance 2024 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/XQA-9K4Tu90  N2 Fish number two, small whole trout, all the bobs get some 2024

https://youtu.be/UJaqA0uIc_I  N2 Louis and Dorcha have a chat 2024

https://youtu.be/RSx0V5DBRHA  N2 Bob3 starts a fight then leaves bobs1&2 to get on with it 2024

https://youtu.be/VrWzAVSrBHw  N2 Lovebirds – Dorcha gives Louis a hug 2024

https://youtu.be/38GAjtlL70M  N2 Fish number five arrives in a sunset glow 2024

Why not come and join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:

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

‘A’ shares a few of her thoughts: “Did you see Mrs T brought in a huge bouquet of flowers to the Trempeauleau Eagles nest this afternoon (29 May)? I’ve never seen that before. T3 had a bit of a nibble. Mr T hasn’t stolen a fish from this nest for several days now – we hope his other nest is doing as well as this one is. 

And the hawklets at Cornell are doing well, although the younger one is still much smaller than its sibling. Plus, I thought you might like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yxbrs5MplyA

Isn’t Mama kestrel gorgeous? And those hungry chicks! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGPOAL5fUZU

And Betty Lou is a wonderful outcome for a nest that has seen so much heartbreaking disappointment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbNysUP8how Such a happy family. Well done Jaks and Audacity. Perseverance pays off for darling Audacity, whose determination has made her one of my favourites as you know! I do hope her bone density is not compromised by all those fragile eggs she kept laying. 

And Jackie and Shadow are watching their pair preparing to leave the nest. Both Sunny and Gizmo are looking fabulous. It really has been a mixed season – great success for some nests and tragedy for others, including the RTHs at Cornell, usually a nest that never loses a chick.”

And than you to ‘L’ who had a Cooper’s Hawk visit their birdbath in South Carolina reminding all of us that water is essential for the birds – please put out some bowls!

Calico’s Tip for the Week: Get your legs moving! You don’t need to hit the daunting target of 10,000 steps every day; studies have shown that just 4,000 steps can keep you healthy and active. It’s crucial to maintain strength and muscle in our legs. As a wise surgeon once told my mother after her hip replacement, “If you don’t use them, you will lose them.”

This past winter, we relied on a stationary bike because the icy sidewalks made walking outside too risky. To avoid falls, we opted to stay indoors, venturing out only for short walks at places like The Leaf and IKEA.

Now that summer is here, we’re excited to take Toby out in his stroller for our walks. In just five weeks, once Toby has completed his vaccination series, we’ll be ready to let him explore on his leash, helping him maintain his fit and energetic puppy figure. Let’s stay active and enjoy the great outdoors!

The New York Times has some ideas on how to get walking.

Well 4 ways to trick yourself into taking a walkDownload

Thank you so much for being with us today. We will see you on Monday. Take care.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘A, Geemeff, L, PB’, Nestflix Memories, Pat Burke, Tweed Valley Osprey Project, Streetheart, Chesapeake Mermaid, Maryland Western Shore, Hawk Mountain, White Rock Eagles Community FB, Birds of Poole Harbour, Gywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Dyfi Osprey Project, Llyn Clywedog, Geemeff and the Woodland Trust, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Trempeauleau Eagle Cam, Denton Homes, Little Miami Conservancy, Cardinal Land Conservancy, Cornell Bird Lab Red-tail Hawk Cam and Hellgate Canyon, Big Bear Valley, Popular Science, IWS/Explore, Accuweather, Moraine State Park, Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home, SK Hideaways, The New York Times, Laura Rose and Trempeauleau Eagles, UK Osprey Info FB

Tuesday in Bird World

27 May 2025

Good Morning,

Update: Third chick just hatched at Loch Arkaig for Louis and Dorcha. Oh, I was hoping that this one would stay in the egg as the others are so big. But, no. They have three!

Hatch at Boulder County Fairgrounds.

Hello, everyone. It is nice to be back with you after being away for a week. The hours and days flew by and it was a week that was anything but uneventful! Let’s see if I can remember a few of the highlights:

-Toby’s ear infection got worse. Then he started clawing at his left ear, and went back to the vet. This time, they realised that putting drops into Toby’s ear wasn’t working for Toby, me, or the infection. They gave him a treatment that was to last a fortnight. Hopefully that will do the trick! A snood has been ordered. A scrunchie ties these floppy ears back with a covering for the ears themselves. I will send photos when it arrives. To make my life easier, Toby is sleeping through the night. He has learned to go potty outside. This is a big deal and I am shocked at how smart he is. Does every puppy parent say that? The issue is you cannot do something once and think you won’t have to repeat it so it takes thinking at every turn not to be caught into creating a bad behaviour. Toby loves to play fetch, and he drops his little lamb at my feet so I will toss it again. That poor lamb. Toby shakes it and shakes it. I am told it goes back to when Spaniels were ‘helping with the hunt’ and would subdue the prey. Today, it is often a way of getting rid of some energy, thank goodness. Toby has lots of energy and continues to be either in ‘off’ or ‘on’ mode. There is no middle ground. Toby loves Hugo Yugo, and they often play chase! Initially, I wondered if I had made a mistake getting a puppy. It was ‘my’ first dog. My father always had dogs, but they were under his care, and I loved the cats at our house. So Toby has been a new experience. It is getting easier and I adore him.

-I lost my credit card. Anyone who has lost a card will understand the frustration this causes.

-Garden planting. We have all the containers on the deck planted with pollinator-friendly plants, herbs, or a combination of three types of beans and peas. The Kentucky Wonder beans have already sprouted! There are cherry tomatoes and peppers in patio pots, and we picked up some bright red Salvia today for the hummingbirds when they arrive. The new hose is heavy. The new brass nozzle is divine. We also planted four hydrangeas, and to our delight, the three peonies we planted last year are coming up nicely.

-Little trips. We helped with my bestie’s Golden Retriever while she was away – a walk and a small feeding at noon. Then we headed out on various trips, including Baby Days at the wildlife rehabilitation centre, the opening of Oak Hammock Marsh, and a couple of trips to Pineridge, where the antique shop held a yard sale. We found two lovely French terracotta jardinieres, as well as another on a stand. The plan is to create a focal point on the deck. We have been able to visit with some friends during all of this, which was delightful. Today, at Pineridge, we ran into our granddaughter, who was there with a friend checking out its potential as a wedding venue for June 2027.

-Nice things that happened. I have desperately been trying to make my life easier. Three areas that require attention when one has a puppy is grocery shopping, hair cuts, and doctor’s appointments. We were able to solve the hair cuts by getting an appointment with one of our City’s most respected mobile salons. Will keep you posted. We ordinarily do not go to malls or large grocery stores and Toby is welcome in the Farmer’s Kitchen at Pineridge and St Leon’s Market, thankfully. That is perfect for us. Now just to figure out what to do about the doctor’s appointments or treatments. If I know that they are on prone to be on time, it is not a problem. We are trying not to be away longer than 1.5 hours due to the issues related to ‘withdrawal/separation anxiety’ within this breed.

So the week was a balance of the good and the bad. Thankfully, there was ‘no ugly’.

What I realised during this time away from writing the blog is that our summers are very short. This past winter was not conducive to being outside often due to the ice on the trails. One of the things I want to do is spend much more time in the garden with Don and Toby, as well as friends and family. Simple meals and laughter, hopefully with few wasps! (The feral feeder is being relocated to help with that.)

I have consistently emphasised the importance of spending time outdoors in nature and finding a balance in our busy lives as crucial for prioritising self-care. I often remind myself to secure my oxygen mask before assisting others. As Don’s dementia evolves—albeit subtly—he continues to help with many things around the house, which allows him to feel valued. Yet, sometimes I find it challenging to discreetly untangle his assistance without him noticing. Communication is growing more difficult, but there are moments of striking clarity that leave me almost speechless.

This summer, my intention is to dedicate more quality time to him, fostering patience, fun, and cherished memories that will sustain us during tougher times. With all this in mind, I’ve made the difficult decision to shift my blog schedule. Difficult? I have made so many long-time friends through the blog that not reaching out to you every day has caused me some anxiety. I need to slow down, and I know you understand. Rather than daily posts, I will share updates twice a week—on Mondays and Fridays.

I intend to summarise all the weekend happenings on Mondays, while Fridays reflect the week’s events. I aim to revamp the format to better engage with you by addressing your questions from the mailbox, spotlighting key happenings at the nests, and featuring one educational topic of current interest related to nest activities. I appreciate your understanding as I navigate these changes.

I also want to thank all those wonderful people who continually support me by sending me news from the nests. You have no idea how helpful that is.

Australian Bird news: Alison gives us a run down on what has been going on ‘down under’:

“In bird world, Diamond and Xavier are well. Diamond regularly has a giant crop – she was crop dropping this morning, twice actually, so she has plenty of room for a largish lunch. Xavier is such a darling. He is very fond of Diamond, though he is twinkle-toed when it comes to bonding sessions, when he darts out of the box as if afraid he’ll get squashed. 

At Port Lincoln, mum and dad were both on the barge this morning, Mum on the nest and Dad in the mancave. Both are looking well and seem to like their renovated nest. 

At Collins Street, there is no activity, and won’t be until eggs are due to hatch (assuming we get eggs this season). 

At Olympic Park, Mum and Dad have been working on the nest, bringing sticks and nesting material around lunchtime yesterday. They went fishing in the afternoon, then settled near the nest overnight. 

At Taiaroa Head, SS Trig chick is on her nest this morning, looking absolutely gorgeous as usual. It is so lovely to see that snowy-white plumage unblemished by any incidents of spilling. This is plumage that indicates a childhood totally free of bullying! She is exquisite, she really is. Mum came in yesterday at breakfast time to feed her chick and the little one was given a supplementary feeding two days ago (24 May). We’ll see what her weight is like tomorrow (Tuesday 27 May), which is weekly weighing day. SS Trig chick has fairly consistently been on the skinny side, with her parents seemingly unable to find enough food for her. Thank heavens we have the rangers – the squid smoothie fairies. These gorgeous birds really are given the very best of care. It’s astonishing how far these rangers go to ensure their safety and to assist them to breed successfully. A wonderful example to the world. 

Winter is quickly approaching in Melbourne, with icy mornings but sunny days.”

Stork Intervention is not new to the European Union.

‘PB’ reports: “Watching white stork cam in Hungary and they rescued baby #5. They said its taken to a rehab where they later release it. So happy they saved it before parents threw it over.”

So, just why do people help the storks?

People in Europe help storks due to a combination of cultural beliefs, environmental concerns, and the birds’ role as a symbol of positive aspects like good luck, new beginnings, and family life. Storks have been associated with good fortune, and their presence on rooftops was believed to bring harmony and even protect against fires.


Here’s a more detailed look at the reasons:
Cultural and Symbolic Reasons:
Good Luck and Fertility:
Storks are widely believed to bring good luck, and in many regions, they are associated with fertility and the arrival of babies.
Family Harmony:
In Central and Eastern Europe, storks are believed to bring harmony to families on whose property they nest.
Symbol of New Life:
The storks’ tendency to nest on rooftops is seen as a symbol of the arrival of new life, contributing to the belief that they bring babies.
Protection Against Fire:
In some regions, storks’ nests on houses were believed to offer protection against fires, further enhancing their revered status.
Conservation and Environmental Efforts:
Habitat Protection:
Storks are highly dependent on wetlands and other natural habitats. People in Europe are actively involved in protecting and restoring these habitats to ensure the continued survival of stork populations.
Awareness and Education:
Programs like the “Stork Route” in Brandenburg and initiatives like the European Stork Villages network help raise awareness about storks and their conservation needs.
Public Relations:
Festivals and events celebrating storks, photography contests, and other public relations initiatives help foster a positive relationship between humans and storks.
Stork Villages:
The European Stork Villages Network encourages communities to embrace storks as part of their natural and cultural heritage, fostering a sense of responsibility for their well-being.

As an advocate for intervention, I find the actions of individuals helping storks to be noble and I wish these attitudes would translate themselves to the eagles and ospreys that need help throughout the world.

One significant relationship that became internationally famous was that of a Polish man and a female white stork who could not fly and her mate. If you do not know this story then please watch this video that captures the extraordinary measures that were taken to care for this female and to ensure that each year she could spend the summer with her mate raising storklets.

Her name was Malena. https://youtu.be/sXMfbY8CawY?

Another video by Unity: https://youtu.be/b3Sb3-u4vAk?

Bonus: You might also recall when Urmas rescued the surviving storklets of Jan and Janikka after Jan disappeared on June 1, 2022. It is believed that he was probably electrocuted. The storklets were taken to the veterinary clinic on June 5, and there, along with Dr Madis, they were first raised by humans and mechanical storks before being placed into nests. Bonus was adopted by my favourite Black Stork of all time, Karl II and his mate, Kaia on 30 June. Bonus was fitted with a transmitter. We know from a sighting that the transmitter was down when he was alive and well on August 3, 2024, at Turov, Belarus.

Video of Urmas removing the storklets: https://youtu.be/oCJd5RLfN6M?

Video of storklets being fed by by humans and mechanical storks: https://youtu.be/3-Jf2gTlvbQ?

Video of Urmas placing Bonus on the nest of Karl II and Kaia: https://youtu.be/UrFLFPbDGZk?

Video of Karl II feeding his storklets and Bonus: https://youtu.be/JKU6H1NH85E?

Mlade Buky, Czech Republic: Community comes together to feed the stork nest when parent is dead. Caught on video by Tomas Borbely: https://youtu.be/nm5wTNjWfC4?

There are many more examples of human kindness towards storks. I encourage you to find them; they will warm your heart.

I want to publicly thank the individuals at Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home Osprey nest and streaming cam for rescuing baby three on Monday, the 26th of May. Owl Moon Raptor Centre will be trying to save this little one. It is one of the youngest, if not the youngest, osplets I have seen go into care. I know they will try their best to help this baby. It had been pecked and had a bloody head, had been denied food, and on Monday morning, Dad stepped on its head and stood there for some time. The little one was rescued and taken into care. It is unknown whether it is too small or ill to survive at the time of this writing, but I am grateful for the kindness shown. It is time for all interventions to occur. Fish are in short supply, and fish fairies are needed! As are rescues.

What has been happening in the UK Osprey nests (and the few North American ones) while I was away the last week?

Rutland Manton Bay: Blue 33 and Maya have four osplets this season. It is not the first time. Sadly, the last time there were four, tiny little Bob perished. Blue 33 is hauling in lots and lots of fish and all four are doing well. The tiny little Bob is quite the character and gets itself up there for the feedings!

Birds of Poole Harbour: Blue 022 and CJ7 have three beautiful and healthy chicks! Chick 4 is emerging from the egg.

Loch Doon: Frankie and Angel have sadly lost their little third hatch. It is quite cool at the nest and the older two got under Angel after a feeding, but little three didn’t. It perished very quickly being unable to thermoregulate.

Llyn Clywedog: Miserable damp cold weather here, too. Seren Blue 5F is keeping her two Bobs fed and warm. Unclear about the third egg.

Glaslyn: First up. The good news is that Aran has been seen after being MIA for a number of days. People were getting concerned. Thankfully the BOGS have been keeping a good eye and saw him!

Elen and Teifi are sheltering in the trees.

Dyfi: The weather is miserable and Idris was trying to feed them a very tough flounder this morning. Idris and Telyn have had their three eggs hatch! Dates were:

🐣 17th May at 16:22 (38.1 days)

🐣🐣  18th May at 13:15 (36.0 days)

🐣🐣🐣 21st May at 15:29 (36.0 days)

Three Chicks Hatch – Including Bobby Bach (Eventually) _ Dyfi Osprey ProjectDownload

Foulshaw Moss: All three eggs of White YW and Blue 35 have successfully hatched.

Kielder Forest:

Nest 7: KX7 and KM18 have three successful hatches.

Tweed Valley: This is the latest news, and it’s a week old. I hope the weather has improved and more fish have come for the two females – eggs should have hatched or be hatching soon!

Loch Arkaig 1 and Loch Arkaig 2: See Geemeff’s daily summary below.

Hellgate Canyon: Iris and the ‘New Guy’ are still together! She often gives him a right ear full. It is too funny. No more eggs this year, just take the time to enjoy every moment with this amazing osprey! The new guy shares some of his fish. What a couple.

Charlo Montana: Pip Watch is coming soon! Coyotes were observed on the streaming cam going across the valley.

Golden Gate Audubon: Richmond and Rosie have one chick this year, which hatched on either the 10th or 11th of May. (I have no knowledge of another hatch, but please correct me!)

Snow Lane, Newfoundland: Beaumont and the New Female have been sighted around the nest. No eggs yet. Maybe not this year.

Russell Lake, Nova Scotia: The unseasonal weather has stopped. Oscar and Ethel are incubating eggs, but only for another 7 or 8 days.

Trempeauleau Eagles: The success of this single-parent nest (male has another nest) is outstanding. Just look at T3 all kitted out with its juvenile feathers.

FOBBV: Sunny and Gizmo are getting great height as they prepare for fledging.

Sauces Canyon: Betty Lou has also been getting some amazing air. What a miracle child for Jak and Audacity. So thankful that they were able to be parents this year after so many tragic attempts.

Fraser Point: Kaimana and Blue Day are 65 and 63 days old. Adorable eaglets! Andor and Cruz are great parents.

Denton Homes: The trio are really getting into jumping on that nest. They have survived storms and what a relief it is to see that nest held during some dramatic weather. It will not be long.

Kansas City Eagles: Kanza is 9 weeks old and getting some air. Ellie, Harvey and Kanza have suffered through some rough weather like The Majestics.

Latvian Golden Eagle Nest: Spilve, Grislis, and Meldrs. Food has not been plentiful. Grislis finally brought a squirrel! https://youtu.be/7uXlT8ve3bk?

Fort St Vrain Eagle Cam: We worried they would get caught in the sticks and could not escape. We feared they would fall over the edge. Could you look at the two surviving eaglets on this nest?

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 26th May 2025

A slow day on Nest One, Aurora 536 spent time perching and waiting, then Garry LV0 arrived but without any fish. He had other ideas and mounted her successfully but it’s probably too little too late for eggs this year. His tally remains at sixty six. Over on Nest Two, Louis brought a big breakfast in the form of a massive trout from which the bobs had plenty of feeds. He’d eaten the head but still seemed hungry and returned for a mid morning raid, discovering the fish tucked under Dorcha’s feathers and foiling her attempts to stop him taking it by pulling her across the nest until she let go. He did return the fish a little later, however the fish’s travels weren’t over as he took it away again with Dorcha in hot pursuit until he returned it for the bobs’ next feed. Later Dorcha’s attention was on a distant aerial chase as two Ospreys pursued each other, too far away to confirm ID but one was probably Louis. The day’s action ended with Louis bringing a small fish supper so fresh it was still flapping, and he remained on the nest watching Dorcha feed the eager chicks. At the time of posting this report (midnight) some watchers think the third egg has pipped but the view hasn’t been clear enough to confirm it. Perhaps those who watch through the night and submit their excellent reports will have exciting news for us tomorrow morning. It was a wet and windy day today just as forecasted, and the rain’s expected to continue overnight with a low of 6°C but with the possibility of sunny intervals tomorrow and a high of 13°C.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One (03.50.35E); Nest Two 22.35.27 (04.04.54)
Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/Tz7Y_155TwI N2 Dorcha tucks into breakfast, Louis covers the chicks 07.30.55

https://youtu.be/Rb60Etc3cw0 N1 Aurora calls for fish but Garry has other ideas! 10.25.19https://youtu.be/nC9LVBEwMcg N2 Dorcha tries and fails to stop Louis taking a fish 11.40.42

https://youtu.be/43o1eD2kI3I  N2 Louis steals the fish but Dorcha makes him return it 13.57.46

https://youtu.be/2FqE3EXsIwY N2 Dorcha watches as two Ospreys chase each other 14.41.05 (zoom / slo-mo repeat)

https://youtu.be/QrzNvjRaZWU N2 Louis delivers a fresh flapping fish supper 19.44.59

Bonus – fancy solving a puzzle? Loch Arkaig jigsaw puzzle featuring Louis & Dorcha is on sale:

https://shop.woodlandtrust.org.uk/woodland-trust-loch-arkaig-osprey-jigsaw

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/j2zFGdLHFfI  N1 What spooks Aila? 2019

https://youtu.be/OtayWPtR_fo N1 Aila repels an intruder Osprey 2020 (real-time)

https://youtu.be/Ocm48b6Os7s N1 Same intrusion in slo-mo 2020

https://youtu.be/dedcBVUI0dQ N1 Tug of fish: Let go, Louis! 2020

https://youtu.be/AYQ–hL3MLU N1 A Jay visits 2023

https://youtu.be/EJXmdCL0D2g N2 Dorcha has breakfast while Louis does the housework 2023https://youtu.be/qgZZjeA6M5U   N2 Fish number three, headless trout – bobs are home alone 2024https://youtu.be/CMBJis-X6UQ  N2 No one wants fish number four so Louis takes it away 2024

Everyone’s welcome to join the community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and friendly:

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

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 25th May 2025

A soggy night and wet for a good part of the day too, but that didn’t prevent the second chick hatching. Pipping was seen yesterday  around 10pm, and tucked away warm and dry under Dorcha, bob2 allowed brief glimpses from time to time as it made its way out of the shell, emerging fully by 3am. By 5am bob2 had had a first feed from Louis’ first fish delivery, and things are looking good for these two. The third egg is a few days away from hatching and will need to be strong and determined to compete with this pair. Louis delivered a second fish and his tally rises to one hundred and eight. Unusually when returning the second fish to Dorcha, he sat on top of the chicks and wouldn’t let her feed them, prompting a discussion about his usual lack of enthusiasm for chick-sitting as opposed to his extreme enthusiasm for egg-sitting. Over on Nest One, Garry LV0 put in an appearance after not being seen yesterday, and rewarded Aurora’s patience with a fish. His tally rises to sixty six but Aurora would probably prefer it rises a bit faster as she sat patiently perching for many hours waiting in vain for him to return with more fish. Dorcha’s mumbrella skills will be needed as more rain is forecast throughout the night with a low of 6°C, and thundery showers and a moderate breeze with a high of 11°C tomorrow.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.08.17 (

03.51.04); Nest Two 22.39.52 (04.10.50)
Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/NyeaPABkHboN2 Welcome little bob2 – second chick is here! 02.58.07

https://youtu.be/Oij43i5RvqQN2 Fish number one – bob2’s first feed 04.56.58

https://youtu.be/Nsf3B2QYrC8 N1 After yesterday’s no-show, Aurora’s glad to see Garry with fish 

09.35.23

https://youtu.be/Lr0bAPHnRHY N2 Dad brings a second fish and mum feeds the bobs 13.00.47

https://youtu.be/f2aHh2WdLOA N2 Dorcha would like to feed the chicks but unusually Louis is sitting on them ! 15.19.36

Bonus advice – George WTS’ 2024 post on how to survive the highs & lows of nest cam watching:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/?ht-comment-id=14839719

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/8FYcojpPJQc  N1 Louis brings a v-shaped stick 2020

https://youtu.be/5f4o-219oIs  N1 What time do you call this? 2020

https://youtu.be/DKhP0pbVLbQ  N1 Louis is given his marching orders 2020

https://youtu.be/if-vCqrqRLI  N2 Unusually persistent Hoodie annoys Dorcha 2022

https://youtu.be/Isc_NPFqB4M  N1 Louis visits again 2023

https://youtu.be/rLwmdraNUD4  N2 Dorcha’s branching out 2023

https://youtu.be/4pTHER9sy-w  N2 Bob1 has a go at self-feeding!!!!! 2024

https://youtu.be/GRCzf9FTFRo  N2 Olympic hero! Louis pole-vaults in  2024    

https://youtu.be/vZcMnDPsX-s  N2 Fish number three, first flatfish of the season 

https://youtu.be/EpDxudcMp6Q  N2 Tough as old boots – Dorcha and the fish skin 2024 

https://youtu.be/P_1jqw2RRf8  N2 Purple haze: Louis & Dorcha caught in the glow of sunset 2024

Why not come and join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:

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

Big Red and Arthur and O1 and O2. The hawlets are getting their feathers! What a beautiful nest! Everything continues to go smoothly with Big Red in her element as Queen Mum.

Latvian Goshawk: The eyasses were ringed. Here is the video! https://youtu.be/sHUHLcDdJwM?

San Jose Falcons: Oh, they are mischievous! SK Hideaways catches them in the act. https://youtu.be/uhz-X5Mg4hU?

Looking for Loons? The cams are back up!

2025 Loon Cams are LiveDownload

Wildfires continue to burn in our province. Grave concerns for wildlife – not only the mammals but also the migrant raptors and songbirds that come to Manitoba in the late spring to raise their young. Send positive wishes.

A beautiful story of people working together to transform sheep fells for birds. “A groundbreaking tree-planting programme is uniting farmers and rewilders, as portions of common ground in the Yorkshire Dales national park are being restored to their ancient glory.” Why can’t this be happening everywhere?

Bringing back the birds: the ‘ghost woodlands’ transforming England’s barren sheep fells https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/may/26/ghost-woodlands-rewilding-sheep-fells-yorkshire-uk-aoe?CMP=share_btn_url

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. I will see you again on Friday!

Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, posts, messages, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, PB’, Eagle Goddess, The Dodo, Liznm, Unity, Tomas Borbely, Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home, LRWT, Birds of Pool Harbour, Loch Doon, Llyn Clywedog, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Dyfi Osprey Project, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Kielder Forest, Tweed Valley Osprey Project, Montana Osprey Project, Charlo Montana, Golden Gate Audubon, Snow Lane Osprey Cam/Newfoundland Power, Nova Scotia Ospreys/Connie and Don Dennis, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Cornell Bird Lab Red-tail Hawk Cam, Trempeauleau Eagle Cam, FOBBV, Sauces Canyon/IWS and Explore, Fraser Point/IWS and Explore, Denton Homes, LDF, Xcel Energy, The Weather Centre of Manitoba, LDF/Verotaja, San Jose City Hall, SK Hideaways, The Guardian, Loon Preservation Society, Farmer Derek

Friday in Bird World

28 March 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

The predicted snow storm to bring 25 cm to our region began about ten minutes ago at 1616 on Thursday. Big flakes are blowing in the garden. The grey squirrels are still gathering peanuts and the Starlings are eating. The Crows, Jays, and a female Downy Woodpecker were here earlier along with Little Red – who has just appeared again – and the Sparrows.

At the end of the day, the ruler tells me that more than 35 cm of snow fell in the garden. We need the moisture and it is so beautiful and white!

Cornell Red-tail Hawk Cam: Great News. Twenty-two year old Big Red, Cornell’s Iconic Red-tail Hawk, has laid her first egg of the season on Thursday.https://youtu.be/RCChvBTKMVs?

Osprey News:

Birds of Poole Harbour: National UK news reported on the presence of Maya’s daughter, 1H1 (2022) at the nest of CJ7 and Blue022. (Posted on UKOsprey Information)

Kielder Forest: Blue K13. She landed briefly on another nest. Hers is nest 6. All of her three chicks were sadly lost, along with so many other nests, to the unseasonal weather in 2024.

Another female returns today | Kielder OspreysDownload

Loch of the Lowes: A male visits the nest of Blue NC0.

Geemeff comments: “NC0’s potential suitor is interesting – he’s not the Dark Intruder, but is he the Pale Male, or a new one? The action took place over 55 minutes, I condensed it into a 4 minute clip. This is what SWT says:

A male landed on the nest next to NC0 at 13:44 this afternoon, and spent around 55 minutes quietly sitting alongside her. After engaging in a spot of ‘nestorating’ and a failed mating attempt he flew off, leaving her alone to enjoy last night’s fish supper on the ‘Split Birch’. Weather conditions are making it hard to make positive comparisons with footage of various males from last year, however this bird does not look to be the osprey known as the ‘Dark Intruder’ who defended the territory last season after the death of her long term mate, LM12. It could be possible that it might be the ‘Pale Male’ who destroyed the eggs and tried to claim the territory as his own, or another male entirely- at this stage we can’t be sure and will need to watch to see how things play out. One things for sure, things are about to get exciting!

https://youtu.be/H6yHEn2CaH8“

Boulder County Fairgrounds: The female has arrived home to the nest!

Dyfi Osprey Nest: Telyn has arrived home to her Idris! Geemeff says: “Idris was so happy to see Telyn, he brought her a fish and then mated with her while she was eating it 😃

In this heavily edited clip shortened from 53 minutes down to one minute: Telyn Blue 3J arrives at 12.40, looking in very good shape. Her mate Idris arrives with a fish at 13.15, and she grabs it eagerly. Idris leaves shortly thereafter, and Telyn takes her fish and flies up to the high perch. 13.33 Idris returns and flies up to join Telyn where she’s eating her fish on the high perch. But instead of joining her, he proceeds to mate with her! The cam operator zooms in and we see Telyn is clutching her fish determinedly while Idris goes to work. He flies away leaving her to her meal. Welcome home Telyn!”

https://youtu.be/2EzHbkMtcug

Goitzsche Wildnis: JC comments: “Zeus is still waiting for his Fjona. He looks restless, scanning the horizon, as if his gaze were guiding his partner to reach the nest. There is a touch of melancholy and sadness in this solitude of Zeus. No other female has passed by the nest looking for an opportunity to nest. Hopefully this situation has its hours numbered. We’ll see how the day presents itself tomorrow 😀.”

Bald Eagle News:

NEFlorida: Bodie has learned so much from his nestmate. He has learned to steal food, to share food, and to let the juvie enjoy his own prey. He is now jumping up and down and flapping and soon Bodie will be flying with JV.

Big Bear Valley: https://youtu.be/Sezx1r9w-yo?

Update and naming contest: https://youtu.be/VCNErs_fqkU?

NCTC: There was almost another potentially harmful accident today. Thankfully, all is well. https://youtu.be/YdEb8VmmCMs?

US Steel: First hatch on Thursday.

Little Miami Conservancy: Hatch in progress on Thursday. https://youtu.be/C-rRpAd1WWc?

Kisatchie National Forest E3: E03 has officially branched.

Other Avian News:

White-Tailed Eagle in Nizhnyaya Kama National Park Russia: We are awaiting the laying of the second egg on Thursday.

San Jose City Hall Falcon Scrape: Tensions rise at the scrape. https://youtu.be/dG–zX15XAM?

This should make us want to find ways to do better!

Biodiversity loss in all species and every ecosystem linked to humans – report
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/26/human-link-biodiversity-loss-species-ecosystems-climate-pollution-eawag-study-nature-aoe?CMP=share_btn_url

‘EJ’ says ‘run turtle run!’

https://www.thedodo.com/daily-dodo/tiny-animal-accidentally-ends-up-in-eagles-nest-and-plans-a-great-escape

Thank you so much for being with us today. We love having you with us. Take care of yourself. Go outside and smell the spring air, listen for birds and geese, walk through the trees, and just sit still. We need to take care of ourselves, one another, and our wildlife.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: “EJ, Geemeff’, Cornell Red Tail Hawk Cam, Birds of Poole Harbour, Kielder Forest, Woodland Trust (LOTL) and Geemeff, Boulder County Fairgrounds, Dyfi Osprey Project, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, KCAL, NCTC, Deb Stecyk, PIX Cam, Little Miami Conservancy, White-Tailed Eagle in Nizhnyaya Kama National Park Russia, San Jose City Hall Falcon Scrape, The Guardian, Joan Castyner, Kistachie E3 Bald Eagle Cam, The Dodo

Thursday in Bird World

27 March 2022

Hello Everyone,

Thank you to everyone for sending in news items. It is much appreciated and it is all too easy for me to miss something which is important. So, we are going to put the news items in my inbox up front today.

‘J’ let me know that the much loved Latvian Golden Eagle Spilve, mother of the late Klints, has laid an egg. In 2020, Spilve laid her first egg on 29 March. It is believed that she has not been breeding since then – at least not at this nest. https://youtu.be/DOj7tYjk1j0?

“EJ’ sent me a wonderful news article. Imagine gold fish ponds everywhere ——–imagine ponds and large holding tanks, no deeper than 3 feet – full of koi. That sure would put an end to hunger on some of those osprey nests! I remember marveling at the adults at Collins Marsh one year. The normal fish were small and one day the adults found a koi pond. I wondered if it was a garden centre or a home. Their babies ate well then.

https://www.fox5vegas.com/2025/03/26/goldfish-dumped-henderson-pond-attracting-birds-prey-bird-enthusiasts

Port of Ridgefield, WA: ‘BHA’ writes: “Sorry the photo isn’t very good  – this is on my t.v. New camera is great, complete with date and time this year (which doesn’t show in this picture). As you can see it’s a beautiful day here in the Pacific Northwest. 🌞”. The couple laid three eggs last year with only one chick reaching fledge (2 DNH).

I think that image is very good and we so appreciate your sharing it with us. What a nice day for this couple to be home!

‘PB’ sent us the 2025 US State of the Bird Report and it shows numbers os birds are dropping significantly.

2025 U.S. State of the Birds Report Shows Widespread Declines – Birds and BloomsDownload

Osprey Nest News:

Heidi’s News:

Patuxent River Park osprey nest (MD) – 3/26 the cam went live for the season, and I was delighted to see the same ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’ at the nest.  It’s good to see they both made it back.

Seaside osprey nest (OR) – Bruce returned on 3/24, and Naha arrived on 3/26. It’s always wonderful when a beloved pair are reunited after a long migration.

Crooked Lake osprey nest (IN) –  An osprey pair is at the nest.  The chat is referring to the male as Noble, and is referring to the female as ‘Mom’ (rather than Whitley), but I think it is the same female.

Moorings Park osprey nest (FL) –  The chatters were fond of calling Sally and Harry’s only osplet ‘Solo’.  But, on 3/26 the community bird club officially named the 17-day-old youngster “Ozzie.”

Other Osprey news:

Bassenthwaite/Blackgate Farm Ospreys: J Kear reports that both ospreys have returned to their nest.

Llyn Brenig: Blue 372 is eating a lot of fish and restoring her strength and health in time for breeding season.

Dyfi Osprey Project: Perhaps Idris is trying out for the Olympic pole vaulting team! Idris worked hard on that nest and now he can celebrate with his mate Telyn who returned today.

Yeah, Telyn is home!

Kielder Forest Nest 4: Mrs 69 is home!

Another female home | Kielder OspreysDownload

Roudsea Wood: Both adults are back at the nest.

Birds of Poole Harbour: CJ7 got down to business and got rid of Maya’s 2022 daughter, Blue 1H1, and has been getting nicely reacquainted with her mate, Blue 022. These two raised four osplets to fledge – the little one won everyone’s heart for its tenacity!

Loch of the Lowes: Blue NC0 is some great fisher. She is going to be incredible shape.

Colonial Beach Ospreys: A mystery female appeared on the nest on Wednesday.

Sun Coast Ospreys: Sara and Sota have their second hatch.

Lake Murray: At least two attacks on the nest by other ospreys yesterday. Hoping resident ospreys, Kenny and Lucy, are safe.

Blithfield Reserve, UK: Male has returned to the nest.

Bald Eagle News from the Nests:

US Steel: The first hatch is here!

NCTC: Bella had to defend her three eaglets against an intruder. https://youtu.be/Tj64Q6HSD74?

It is possible that one of Bella and Scout’s eaglets is injured. Deb Stecyk reports that it could be puncture wounds. Please send good wishes. https://youtu.be/8KsYYqn5qOU?

Big Bear Valley: The two eaglets are thriving.

Jackie and Shadow brought in 8 fish deliveries. https://youtu.be/UUNNWIsz24k?

Decorah North: Mr and Mrs DNF have a failed season. Their first eaglet tried for five days to free itself of a crushed shell before dying. The second egg is 41 days old today and deemed unviable.

Duke Farms: The triplets still doing very, very well.

Sauces Canyon Eagles: Betty Lou is growing and growing!

West End: The blood from the encounter off camera to save territory is drying on Haku as she stands proudly by Maiko.

Hilton Head Island Trust Eagle Nest: The two eaglets are doing fantastic. https://youtu.be/DOj7tYjk1j0?

Sutton Centre Eagles: They have their second hatch of the season.

Glacier Gardens: The male died last year. Mum was seen ‘eyeing’ a potential new mate in late December. Mum was at the nest on Wednesday.

Kistachie National Forest E3: E03 had at least one prey delivery today. I rewinded late in the day, but the eaglet did appear to have a crop earlier, too. 03 appears to have branched, slightly.

The nest appearance was an empty taloned adult.

Birds and their eggs were rescued from the California wild fires – what a nice ending for today!

Dozens of bird eggs and chicks rescued from collapsing tree in Californiahttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/25/birds-rescued-california?CMP=share_btn_url

Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care. See you soon.

Thank you to those who sent news, for comments, videos, articles, images, posts, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘BHA, EJ, Geemeff, H, JK, LDF Golden Eagle Cam, Fox5Vegas, Port of Ridgefield, Birds & Blooms, OspreyInfoUK, Dyfi Osprey Project, Birds of Poole Harbour, Woodland Trust (LOTL), Colonial Beach Ospreys, Moorings Park Ospreys, Sun Coast Ospreys, NCTC, Deb Stecyk, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, Raptor Resource Project/Explore, Duke Farms, IWS/Explore, Hilton Head Island Trust, Sutton Centre, Bartlesville, OK, Patuxent River Park, The Guardian, Crooked Lake, Seaside, Patuxent River Park, Lake Murray ospreys, Kielder Forest

Wednesday in Bird World

26 March 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

Tuesday was an unforgettable day on the Canadian prairies. At 6:30 PM, I glanced outside and was mesmerized by one of the largest skeins of geese I’ve ever seen—more than 100 incredible birds soaring overhead! I only wish you could have witnessed the spectacle and heard their joyful honking with me. Spring has undeniably arrived; you can practically smell it in the air, and the snow and ice are finally melting away.

You may have noticed that we haven’t been out walking as much this winter. The trails have been treacherously icy. Although I’m usually accustomed to anything winter can bring, I took a spill once and quickly realized I needed to prioritize safety over stubbornness. Riding the indoor bicycle has been my alternative, but honestly, it doesn’t compare. There’s something profoundly uplifting about watching little birds flit around, nibbling seeds from your hand; those moments wash away any troubles and remind you of the beauty all around us.

Every year I find myself thanking Heidi for all of her reports. She has been such a big help in keeping up with many of the US arrivals and I will thank her today before I forget! [I also want to thank everyone that sends me news, images, articles, videos, or just lovely e-mails to chat. I do so appreciate them!]

Heidi’s Osprey Report:

OBX – Outer Banks osprey nest (North Carolina):  Frederick and Betsy are back together.

Moraine Preservation Fund (PA): Mom and Dad have both returned for another nesting season.

Maryland Western Shore:  Arthur and Marilyn have both returned to their dockside home.


3/25 – Geese have taken over the Sandpoint, Idaho osprey nest.  Momma goose laid her first egg on 3/25.  Keke and Keo are expected to return in about a week.

UK Osprey News:

Birds of Poole Harbour: CJ7 has arrived at her nest at 1828 on Tuesday! Blue 022 was very happy to see his mate! Geemeff caught the moment on video: https://youtu.be/UYSUPLELU5M? She will have to send Blue 1H1 packing!!!!!!! 1H1 has refused to leave. CJ7 even defended her nest against her mate on Wednesday! Things are confusing but osprey love is not happening yet. CJ7 will become fierce toward’s Maya’s girl – let us hope no one gets hurt.

Llyn Clywedog: Dylan has returned to the nest at 1650 on Tuesday.

Dylan’s arrival on video: https://youtu.be/RdqUXIPfWkQ?

Roundhouse Loch Doon: Frankie and Angel were so happy to see one another they were doing ‘osprey kisses’.

Allin’s Cove West: The male arrived earlier and the female arrived on Tuesday the 25th.

Allin’s Cove East: The male arrived on the 24th of March.

Loch Arkaig: Please return Louis and Dorcha.

Frenchman’s Creek: It is hard to catch a glimpse of the Only Bob but it is doing fine. Pin feathers are coming in. Look carefully and you will see its little tail.

Loch of the Lowes: Blue NC0 waits for a dark handsome male to arrive at the nest in Scotland.

A dark osprey has appeared on Wednesday at her nest. I am awaiting confirmation to see if it is the Dark Knight from last season.

Glaslyn: Elen waiting for Aran to return today. Fingers crossed.

Dyfi: Idris waits for Telyn to come home.

Llyn Clywedog: An unringed female was on the nest with Dylan. We are awaiting the return of Blue 5F Seren, his mate.

Loveland, Colorado: Both ospreys are back at the nest.

Bald Eagle News:

Sauces Canyon: The miracle baby has a name!

Decorah North: The Raptor Resource Project posted the following:

https://www.facebook.com/RaptorResourceProject

“We are sad to announce that DN19 died in hatch. We saw the egg’s first external pip at 12:03 PM on March 20, but after four days of hatch in progress, all movement ceased. Hatch had been proceeding for about 103 hours at that point: longer than the longest documented hatch time that we could find, and much longer than the 24 to 48 hours post-pip that we usually see here.

As of this post, we don’t know why DN19 failed to hatch. As usual, DNF laid two eggs about three days apart. She and Mr. North incubated them through roller-coaster temperatures and some bad weather, but spring is unpredictable: if bald eagles couldn’t cope with weather variability, they wouldn’t be nesting here. The first external pip happened on schedule and things appeared to be proceeding normally…until they weren’t.

What about the second egg?

We finally got a good look at the blunt end of the second egg and confirmed that there was not, contrary to our Thursday announcement, a pip: good news, since it means that DN20 could still hatch. DN20 turns 39 days old today and we are watching for a pip.

We’ll be sticking to DN19 and DN20, even though DN19 failed to hatch. We’ll discuss future plans moving forward: nomenclature gets complicated, and I’d like to know what researchers have done in similar situations.

What will you do if both eggs fail to hatch?

If both eggs fail, we’ll try to retrieve them for necropsy and testing. We might not learn what happened, but there are causes – malpositioning, HPAI, environmental contaminants, injury – that we can confirm or rule out.

We would especially like the eggs tested for HPAI if neither egg hatches. Early on, it was believed that the disease was fatal to Bald Eagles regardless of age: if anyone had HPAI, everyone died. But it’s become clear that isn’t the case. If the outbreak is killing young at greater rates than adults, that could have serious implications for population health five to ten years from now.

Will the Norths reclutch if both eggs fail?

Right now, the North’s hormonal regime is driving incubation and brooding behavior. If egg two remains intact, they will probably incubate it for quite some time: long enough to interfere with any potential reclutching. But if it breaks or we retrieve the eggs, they might reclutch. We saw a reclutch at the North Nest in 2018 and reclutches have been documented elsewhere. Mr. North would need to bring DNF back into condition for reclutching to happen.

For you, the broken-hearted nest watcher, I quote Kaeli Swift: “Please, rather than shutting down those deep feelings you have for wildlife…lean into them. Teach your friends and neighbors and children to feel those deep feelings. Because it’s from that space that we can do best by wildlife…”. Thank you so much for taking this journey with us.

Hatch watch starts at our Fort St. Vrain nest on March 31st, and at our Trempealeau nest on April 9. If we have any new updates about the North nest, we’ll post them on our website and Facebook page.”

Big Bear: Big Chick climbs the rails! https://youtu.be/z9jLmPOi860?

West End: There have been more territorial disputes it would appear. Haku arrived at the nest covered in blood on Tuesday. I know that we all cannot even contemplate that Akecheta and Thunder are not on this nest, but it would be good if territorial matters calmed down in this region. That is the problem with successful breeding – fighting over the best nest sites!

‘J’ has updated the information list on Bald Eagle season. (Thank you so much).

BALD EAGLES – SEASON 2024-2025

eagle nest dates chart from

facebook group Raptors of the World

any typos are mine

101 eggs laid:

6 broken

2 taken by ravens

4 non-viable

1 failed to fully hatch

6 eaglets died

44 hatched (incl those that died)

38 surviving hatches

4 fledged

0 fledged but died

CHICKS HATCHED

december: 6 hatchlings

january: 8 hatchlings

february: 6 hatchlings

march: 24 hatchlings + 1 not out of egg

14 december hatch 1 SWFL E24  † 26 january 2 eggs, 2 hatched, 2 died

17 december hatch 2 SWFL E25  † 28 january 2 eggs, 2 hatched, 2 died

19 december hatch 1 Superbeaks SB5 / Keke fledged 12 march 2 eggs, 2 hatched, 2 fledged

21 december hatch 2 Superbeaks SB6 / Barron fludged 16 march 2 eggs, 2 hatched, 2 fledged

24 december hatch 1 Captiva C12 / Dasher fledged 16 march 2 eggs, 2 hatched, 2 fledged

26 december hatch 2 Captiva C13 / Dancer fledged 16 march 2 eggs, 2 hatched, 2 fledged

11 january hatch 1 Dade County R7 2 eggs, 2 hatched

12 january hatch 2 Dade County R8 2 eggs, 2 hatched

13 january hatch 1 Dataw Skylar 2 eggs, 2 hatched, 1 died

14 january hatch 1 Dataw Whisper † 2 eggs, 2 hatched, 1 died

20 january hatch 1 NEFL NE31 / Bodie 2 eggs, 1 dnh, 1 hatched

22 january hatch 1 JBS JBS22 2 eggs, 2 hatched

23 january hatch 2 JBS JBS23 2 eggs, 2 hatched

30 january hatch 1 KNF E3 03-03 2 eggs, 2 hatched, 1 died

1 february hatch 2 KNF E3 03-04 † 2 eggs, 2 hatched, 1 died

8 february hatch 1 Hilton Head E1 2 eggs, 2 hatched

12 february hatch 2 Hilton Head E2 2 eggs, 2 hatched

25 february hatch 1 Duke Farms 3 eggs, 3 hatched

27 february hatch 2 Duke Farms 3 eggs, 3 hatched

28 february hatch 3 Duke Farms 3 eggs, 3 hatched

3 march hatch 1 Johnson City JC25 2 eggs, 1 hatched, 1 dnh

3 march hatch 1 Big Bear † 3 eggs, 3 hatched, 1 died

4 march hatch 2 Big Bear 3 eggs, 3 hatched, 1 died

5 march hatch 1 Bluff City BC26 2 eggs, 2 hatched

7 march hatch 2 Bluff City BC27 2 eggs, 2 hatched

8 march hatch 3 Big Bear 3 eggs, 3 hatched, 1 died

11 march hatch 1 PA Farm Country † 3 eggs, 2 hatched, 1 died

12 march hatch 2 PA Farm Country 3 eggs, 2 hatched, 1 died

13 march hatch 1 Port Tobacco 3 eggs, 1 dnh, 2 hatched

14 march hatch 1 Sauces SC1 / Betty Lou 3 eggs, 2 broke, 1 hatched

14 march hatch 3 PA Farm Country 3 eggs, 2 hatched, 1 died

14 march hatch 2 Port Tobacco 3 eggs, 1 dnh, 2 hatched

18 march hatch 1 Ott Family 3 eggs, 1 hatched, 2 pipwatches

18 march hatch 1 Cardinal Land 2 eggs, 2 hatched

19 march hatch 1 Farmer Derek Kanza 2 eggs, 1 hatched, pipwatch

20 march hatch 1 NCTC 3 eggs, 3 hatched

20 march hatch 2 Cardinal Land 2 eggs, 2 hatched

21 march hatch 1 Folfan 3 eggs, 1 hatched, 2 pipwatches

21 march hatch 1 Bartlesville 3 eggs, 1 broke, 2 hatched

22 march hatch 2 NCTC 3 eggs, 3 hatched

23 march hatch 1 Fraser Point 3 eggs, 1 broke, 2 hatched

24 march hatch 2 Bartlesville 3 eggs, 1 broke, 2 hatched

24 march hatch 3 NCTC 3 eggs, 3 hatched

25 march hatch 2 Fraser Point 3 eggs, 1 broke, 2 hatched

25 march eggling Decorah North DN19  † eaglet couldn’t get out of egg 

CHICKS DIED †

19 january 2025 Dataw Island Conservancy, one of two eaglets, 5 or 6 days old

26 january 2025 E24 SWFL, 43 days old, avian flu

28 january 2025 E25 SWFL seizures & fell off nest, avian flu

14 march 2025 Misty, Big Bear eaglet, lost in the snow

16 march 2025 PA Farm eaglet, cod unknown

20 march 2025 E3-04 KNF-E3, siblicide, no food 

CHICK STUCK IN EGG †

25 march 2025 DN19 Decorah North eggling did not get out, longest struggle ever seen on livecam

CHICKS FLEDGED

Captiva Dasher 16 march

Captiva Dancer 16 march

Superbeaks Barron 16 march

Superbeaks Keke 12 march

ADULTS MIA

alfabetical:

Abby Eagle Country 2024

Akecheta West End 2025

Claire US Steel 2024

Thunder West End 2025

Other Birds:

‘PB’ sent more news about Sandhill Cranes.

Audubon’s Rowe Sanctuary shows all of the gorgeous Sandhill cranes: https://www.youtube.com/live/wDYrRVUPWRo?

Thanks so much for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, J, PB’, Outerbanks Osprey Cam, Moraine Preservation Fund, Western Maryland Shore, Birds of Poole Harbour, Llyn Clywedog, Geemeff, East Ayrshire Leisure, Woodland Trust (LOTL), Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Dyfi Osprey Project, IWS/Explore, Raptor Resource Project, USFWS, Allin’s Cove East, Allin’s Cove West, Woodland Trust (Loch Arkaig), Audubon/Explore

Yira fledges…15 November 2024

Good Evening Everyone,

There is some news coming in after I was away for all the day so I am sending out what would be my Saturday newsletter Friday evening.

Yira fledged at 0734. Prior to this, the female 2024 hatch of Xavier and Diamond had been ‘losing’ it in the scrape box. She was running, pulling at fluff, flapping her wings, and attacking the parents. She watched them fly and lure her. And she appeared to fly well. Here are some images from before that first flight:

The moment before she flew. She is strong and determined. It looked like the best fledge. Go girl!

Send good wishes for her survival!

Here is the video: https://youtu.be/igkrrKnhMjI?

There was a parent in pursuit as Yira flew down over the trees and circled back.

A magnificent flight!

It is Friday, and it is time for the second instalment of the Poole Harbour 2024 year for CJ7 and Blue 022 and their four chicks!!!!!!! https://youtu.be/HTsguUDXPPs?

It was historic. Never in the last 600 years did they have four chicks in an osprey nest in Poole and it is rare in other parts of the UK as well. It is also a challenge for all four to survive. CJ7 and Blue 022 worked together from the start to provide fish for this fast growing family. In the middle of the screen with its soft down – ever so tiny 5H6 – aside its big siblings already into the Reptilian phase. No one believed 5H6 would survive, but survive she did. What a scrapper.

I get lots of news. Many are from wildlife rehabilitation clinics that have patients that have survived or died. They send reminders for us and the first one is from World Bird Sanctuary in St Louis. It is still migration – we still have birds here to leave – and they have had so many window collisions. Please spread the word:

Window strikes are one of the most common causes of injury we see in our patients and are responsible for the deaths of millions of birds each year. Depending on the current lighting and angle, windows can look like more sky or a reflection of the surrounding woods rather than the hazard they are. You can help prevent window strikes by putting anti-collision decals on your windows. These decals are minimally visible to humans but reflect UV light making them more visible to birds. They are now available in a huge range of designs so you can choose a pattern that suits your style. Click the button below to see the various types of decals.

If you witness a bird colliding with a window, swiftly containing it is crucial for its survival. Many birds seem to recover and fly away shortly after the impact, only to succumb to their injuries days later. Gently place the bird in a box or pet carrier and keep it in a quiet, dark area while reaching out to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Even if the bird appears uninjured, a licensed rehabber can treat hidden injuries and monitor its recovery to ensure it’s safe for release.

California Condors are always on my mind. So few people are making such a huge difference to increase the numbers of these very endangered carrion eaters. The Ventana Wildlife Society has a fundraiser where every dollar you send is matched with some more on top of that. Here is the letter from the Director with the information in case you are interested.

Help Save the California CondorDownload

At Collins Street, F23 spent the night with her last remaining chick in the scrape. https://youtu.be/3KDeB74gSZg?

Oh, dear. Mum brought in a tiny little part of a fish early on Saturday and by noon Dad had brought nothing. Fish Fairies please come! Kasse had none.

A reminder from Toronto.

One of my favourite wildlife rehabbers in the world – A Place Called Hope. It reminded me that we must have hope and believe in the birds. I wish someone had believed that Garrama had something to give to the world. Why isn’t there a service that addresses the right of physically challenged raptors like we have for people? (A reminder to put Garrama on the Memorial Wall – oh, geese. That is hard!)

Beau and Gabby continue to discuss the comfort of their nest in Northeast Florida.

Thank you so much for being with us today. ‘The Girls’ are all fine. Hugo Yugo recovered completely and is now trying to find the next string, cord, or cable that she could chew and swallow so she would get all the attention again! The Boyfriend has much competition. We watch for him to get his bowl outside but there are now 8 cats at the feeder, an increase in a week of three. The Starlings are still here along with the Crows and Blue Jays, but not as many Sparrows. They still keep me busy – and of course, smiling. We walked today in the forest with the chickadees and took my good friend with us. It is always a treat. At the end of doing that ‘forest bathing’ there is nothing in our minds but happiness and hope.

Take care everyone. I will be back Sunday morning.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, images, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post: ‘A, J’, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, SK Hideaways, Birds of Poole Harbour, World Bird Sanctuary, Kelly Sorenson and Ventana Wildlife Society, 367 Collins Street by Mirvac, Port Lincoln Osprey Cam, Bart M for the Obs Board at PLO, Toronto Wildlife Centre, A Place Called Hope, NEFL-AEF.

Sad news, WBSE34 euthanised and 33 is in care…Tuesday in Bird World

12 November 2024

Hello Everyone,

Sad news has come in this morning. As you were aware, it appeared that only one sea eaglet was seen around the parents. WBSE34 found itself far, far from home and blinded. We have also received word that WBSE33 is in care. This could be very good news if her condition is good. Oh, these poor babies. Thanks, Heidi.

Hugo Yugo is fine. It could, however, have ended badly. She ate a shoelace with a knot at one end! I will spare you the details, but suffice it to say that the ‘evidence’ arrived in the middle of dinner with my ‘bestie’. Hugo Yugo is back to her cheeky self and is now cuddled under my left arm, making it difficult for me to keyboard. Her sisters might well wish she was still under the weather as they had quite a bit of peace while she was under the weather. We are all relieved, and to think we thought she was trying to pass a fur ball!!!!!!! Not our girl. Where in the world she found this shoestring is beyond me; none seem to be missing. Gracious. I thought only dogs did things like this!!!!!!

Quickly skipping to our birds…

As anticipated, the second egg arrived for M15 and F23 around 6:15 PM. F23 experienced some intense contractions, which made me feel uncomfortable! I don’t expect a third egg, so we should be entering the hard incubation phase. A hatch is expected in mid-December.

Here it is caught on video! https://youtu.be/CyGBfYAPlDk?

We might have at least one fledge at Collins Street when you read this. The eyases are hungry, the parents are teasing them, and they can fly – they don’t know it yet! https://youtu.be/lauS5ZxHfaw?

Still there, but not for long.

Gosh, they are cute. SK Hideaways caught two on the perch and beaky kisses, too. We are so going to miss these three! https://youtu.be/xTzR2lhGCh8?

The family is waiting for breakfast at Port Lincoln. One fish arrived at 0924, and another at 1018. Mum brought them both to the nest, but as you will see from the images, she is not wet, so it is assumed that she picked them up from Dad. Unless, of course, she dried really quickly before returning to the nest.

Yesterday, Dad delivered four fish. He will probably do that again today. He is off to a good start! Kasse and Wilko can eat all the fish that comes to the nest – guaranteed.

.These fish counts and observations are absolutely critical in understanding osprey behaviour and the fish demands of a nest. I am still collecting data for the people working in Virginia to end the commercial fishing of menhaden. Yesterday, I received a fish count from ‘SD’ who counted 579 deliveries at Glaslyn. Counts vary due to the weather, the nests close proximity to good fishing, competition from other ospreys, eagles, gulls, etc. (More about the overfishing of Menhaden and need for accurate counts like they do at Port Lincoln below).

Morning images from the scrape of Diamond and Xavier. They might not have the runway that the Collins Street triplets have, but there is a whole lot of flapping going on with downy feathers flying everywhere! These two are more than adorable. Diamond and Xavier are demonstrating their flying skills and showing the kids how much fun it is to be a bird outside the window of the scrape.

Lots of food at Orange. The down is disappearing with only a few dandelions left. This year I have spent more time watching this scrape than Melbourne. Oh, how I hope that Yira and Garrama triumph without any issues soaring high above the tower chasing Diamond and Xavier for prey and getting it! With no bad weather when they fledge. Yes, let’s wish – all of us for sunny days and no rain!

Lots of activity at the nest of Gabby and Beau on Monday.

In migration news, Blue 511 appears to have flown with the good winds south out of Poole Harbour Monday morning. There is news of an osprey still in The Netherlands that has not left on its migration.

If you missed part 1 of the five part series on what CJ7 and Blue 022 got up to in raising four osplets to fledge in 2024, then here it is. There is a new release every Friday so do subscribe. (It’s free). The first episode is ‘The Arrival’. https://youtu.be/IlySzcfTh3c?

Isn’t it about time that all power companies need to be respectful of wildlife and amend and erect new poles or place them underground so no bird gets fried? Eighteen swans found dead. Please read about their unnecessary deaths here: https://bbc.com/news/articles/cew2nzvdyklo

The posting below addresses Stripped Bass; if you look closely, you will see that this was over a year ago. Never mind the date – everything still applies. I want to add that the osprey chicks and some adults starved to death because of Omega’s industrial fishing of Menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay. Not just a few, nearly every chick hatched and not just in Virginia! This has to stop. For precious little Cobey and all the Cobeys that hatch in the future, please help. If you do not live in Virginia, write to their Governor. Let’s flood his office from around the world. You can get a digital form by searching for Governor Glenn Youngkin, Governor of Virginia and clicking the ‘Contact’ link at the top.

Wild Justice has just sent out its report on the Rodenticide Stewardship Report. Did the efforts to create less harm to wildlife work? Have a read – you can really educate yourself on these commercial killers and the harm that they do.

Collateral_Damage_Wild_Justice_websiteDownload

Can you help the British Trust for Ornithology?

Calico would like you to help those who cannot always help themselves or who find themselves in a difficult moment.

‘MP’ sent me a link that addresses even more ways that being in nature heals us and how touching plants can help. Thank you!

https://www.livescience.com/health/a-direct-relationship-between-your-sense-of-sight-and-recovery-rate-biologist-kathy-willis-on-why-looking-at-nature-can-speed-up-healing?utm_term=EACFAD43-2015-4ED5-BB24-0F91F8AC994E&lrh=ad9593b53bdc7d1701328fe35b20b4bcfcaf820d4b7c74c2aa18868201b08d9d&utm_campaign=368B3745-DDE0-4A69-A2E8-62503D85375D&utm_mediu

So that you know, I will no longer be posting on X but will be moving the blog to Bluesky this week. The best way to receive the blog is by e-mail subscription. There is no fee, and I have vowed that there never will be a charge for my blog or ads. You can unsubscribe at any time quickly.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please stop and go outside and be near plants and birds. Each of us needs to take care of ourselves. It is an anxious time. Tomorrow I will have some images of the geese and ducks that remain at my local pond for you. It was soothing – yes, soothing is a good word – to spend time with them on a crisp sunny day.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, images, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, H, J, MP’, SWFlorida Eagle Cam, SK Hideaways, 367 Collins Street by Mirvac, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, Port Lincoln Ospreys, NEFL-AEF, Birds of Poole Harbour, CBCN, Wild Justice, BTO, Facts that will Blow Your Mind FB, livescience.com

First egg of the Bald Eagle season at SW Florida…Saturday in Bird World

9 November 2024

Hello Everyone. Good Morning!

Congratulations to M15 and F23 on beating everyone to the start line for the 2024-25 Bald Eagle breeding season. Wow. 8 November. These two are early!

M15 was above the nest during the labour and immediately went down to share the moment with his mate. And then, of course, the gift of fish. Congratulations!

SK Hideaways captures this historic moment and the delivery of the fish gift for his mate by M15 on video: https://youtu.be/EAsqF1jMMWg?

I wonder which eagle nest will be next.

There were two major breakthroughs on Friday morning with ‘The Boyfriend’. He did not go under the step when I took ‘his’ food out. He stayed about a metre away. Then he sunned himself looking in the window at Calico and Baby Hope. About an hour later, one of the ‘pets’ that get let outside arrived. ‘The Boyfriend’ did not attack the cat, but that cat hissed and howled like someone was pulling its ears off. He just sat still and stared and then went back to getting some sun. I have put a call in for a trap to catch the tiny black kitten so that it can go to a shelter, be socialized, and have a home. And now for the fun part. How long have we been calling this tuxedo cat ‘The Boyfriend’? Don’t you think it is time for him to have a name? Please send me suggestions either in the comments or by sending me an e-mail. I will put all of them in a jar and pull one out on the 15th of December. So, please help us name this kitty we have grown to love so much! He has now started his de-worming treatments.

Please, also, send your best wishes to little Hugo Yugo who is quite under the weather. We are hoping that she is only having difficulty with a hairball. She now has medicine which should send that mat of hair out the other end like the Atlas rocket!

She has been drinking lots of water and resting. Even Hope knows she is unwell and is letting her sleep in the basket without bothering her. Thanks, Baby Hope! (Of course, Baby Hope is no longer a ‘baby’ as she is now as big as Calico!)

Gosh, I am glad the fish fairy came to Port Lincoln. What a relief. Wilko and Kasse are growing and they need more and more fish. I wonder if there is any parallel between the weeks each year when Dad’s fishing seems to slow?

Mum, Wilko, and Kasse are waiting for fish.

Kasse is one month and one day old today. There she is nearest the screen in the image above – she still has a bit of the white stripe down her back. it will be gone shortly. It was a quick and easy way to tell her apart form Wilko. Is Kasse the largest? Kasse is three days younger than Wilko. I think Kasse is a female third hatch. They are both antsy and we need more fish on this nest – for Mum, too. Come on Fish Fairies!

At this feeding, Kasse got the fish tail.

Great view of Kasse with her white stripe.

Yeah. Three Tommy Ruffs delivered to Mum, Wilko, and Kasse at 1147. Thank you, Fish Fairies.

News from Sydney–:

Both chicks ate early at Orange amidst a lot of wingersizing!

“Please feed me the Starling!”

The Collins Street eyases are looking more and more like their adult parents on Saturday.

Karen Leng caught the triplets in a FB video on Friday when F23 flew in with prey. Oh, they are hungry and it got a wee bit chaotic as would be expected as we near fledge. The baby is last up to the beak. Notice the difference in the amount of down still clinging to the wing feathers.

SK Hideaways caught the triplets branching and getting rid of a lot of fluff! https://youtu.be/YTHBvEzfNsA?

One of the triplets makes it to the perch! Heidi caught the moment on video: https://youtu.be/zZp3Q-xeBm4?

F23 protects her babies. https://youtu.be/ZW3vdXxADcc?

Bubba continues to thrive at Growing Home nest near Sydney, Australia.

It was an amazing year at Poole Harbour. CJ7 and Blue 022 raised four osplets to fledge without even missing a beat in the music. CJ7 contributed much fish to the nest to help her mate. I don’t recall any animosity and of course we all fell in love with the fourth feisty hatch Blue 5H6 which just has to be a female. There is a five part series celebrating the triumphs of the season, please take the time to watch. What a year it was!

Just look at that beautiful family.

The first segment is ‘The Arrival’. Here are Blue 022 and CJ7 meeting one another after their migration, an early scene in the segment.

It’s annual adoption time at the Kakapo Recovery.

Read Bluster-Murphy’s profile and learn how to adopt a kākāpō here: https://www.doc.govt.nz/…/get-involved/adopt-a-kakapo/

The latest news from Knepp Farm on the White Stork’s reintroduction and the huge success of 2024. It is a remarkable story of Polish storks that were injured and could not fly being brought to the UK to re-establish the population there.

A Stork’s Story – from the Ground, Up! – KneppDownload

Connie and Clive have been at the Captiva Nest. I wonder if they will be next to lay eggs?

Jackie and Shadow were at their nest, too! https://youtu.be/MDW_573xNpU?

And if you can keep track of the numbers, E1-M2 and E1-F3 were at the Kistachie National Forest E1 nest working hard.

The Majestics are working hard, too!

There are so many Bald Eagle nests. These aren’t even scratching the surface.

Is climage change changing eagle migration and prompting early breeding?

Bald Eagle Climate Change Impact GuideDownload

Geese make me smile. I love my Canada Geese, Ross’s Geese, White-fronted Geese and dream of seeing seas of Barnacle Geese and Pink-footed Geese. Maybe!

Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their posts, notes, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, H, J’, SWFlorida Eagle Cam, SK Hideaways, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Judy Harrington and Olympic Park Eagles, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, 367 Collins Street by Mirvac, Karen Leng, SK Hideaways, Heidi McGrue, Growing Home Osprey Cam, Birds of Poole Harbour, Kakapo Recover, Knepp Farm, Window to Wildlife, Cali Condor, Kistachie National Forest, Denton Homes, Zero Hour Climate, Wild Sligo.

Fish Fairy Arrives at Port Lincoln…Friday in Bird World

8 November 2024

Good Morning,

It was sunny and windy on Thursday morning. There were about 500-600 Canada Geese on a nearby golf course when I drove past. The water in the ponds providing swimming for some and no doubt safety for others later.

All of the feral cats have been to the feeders this morning: Squishy, a grey tabby with a flipped over ear, the Orange Ginger family pet that is let loose during the day, the grey tabby, and The Boyfriend. The need is growing. Of course, everyone thinks that prices of things will drop, but in my lifetime I have never seen this happen. Pet food appears to be soaring. My heart breaks for the families who have to surrender their pets, but not for those that dump them. They need care and surely there is someone to take them home and love them rather than leaving them to the freezing cold of a Winnipeg winter. On Saturday we will take all the wood out of the wood boxes, load them with straw and put a light bulb in there and close in three and a half sides. It will help some.

There is still concern about Avian Flu and bird feeders. ‘R’ sent us an article from The Washington Post that might answer some of your questions. The author says, “While avian flu is widespread among wild bird species, less than 2 percent of cases have been in songbirds and other typical visitors to bird feeders. Health officials have not recommended taking down bird feeders except for people who keep domestic poultry as part of a backyard flock. (In such cases, the USDA says poultry owners should take down feeders for wild birds or keep them well away from their captive flock, and to make the captive flock’s food and water inaccessible to wild birds.)

People should clean bird feeders and bird baths regularly. Make sure to thoroughly wash your hands after touching the feeders. Avoid direct contact with birds, and do not handle sick or dead birds.”

Here is the entire article. Please read!

Opinion | Why it’s concerning that a pig has contracted the H5N1 avian flu – The Washington PostDownload

The GHO continues to come to the nest of M15 and F23. https://youtu.be/dRJqTZaPN-M?

Fort St Vrain female brings rabbit up to the nest. https://youtu.be/KhZAFvcMp1c?

Gabby on and off the nest quickly at NE Florida!

M15 and F23 working diligently every day on their nest in Fort Myers, Florida.

M15 checks out the nest for suitability for F23 and their eggs.

Chandler flew in to the Port Tobacco Eagle Nest for a few seconds!

Haven’t seen anyone so far on Thursday at Big Bear.

Ron and Rose were at the WRDC nest despite the very windy conditions on Thursday.

Connie and Clive visit the Captiva Eagle nest on the Barrier Islands in Florida on a breezy day. Nice crops! Good to see these two after Milton tore through the island.

Eagles working on the Denton Home nest and sleeping together at the nest. What a wonderful sight.

Wednesday they worked on the West End cam of Thunder and Akecheta, Thursday it was Two Harbours nest of Chase and Cholyn, Thunder’s parents.

Sub-adult visits the NCTC nest of Bella and Scout. https://youtu.be/uWfxpBlLquY?

They were flapping and waiting for breakfast at 367 Collins Street in Melbourne.

Prey delivery at Collins Street.

‘A’ remarks: “Suddenly, the trio at Collins Street are rapidly approaching fledge. Two of them are now running along the ledge, flapping their wings vigorously, which is nerve-wracking in the extreme. There is almost no fluff left on the older two, except a few dandelions on their heads. The youngest still sports some fluff on its wings, but suddenly, these three are looking very much like juvenile falcons. We will not have them for much longer. I cannot believe how quickly that triple-headed fluffball of an eating machine has become three juveniles who are potentially within days of fledging. Omigod, I am going to miss them SO much. It seems like only yesterday that we saw our first gutter stomp. “

Yira and Gammata share morning prey. Diamond feeds, too.

Do they need more prey at Orange? https://youtu.be/S-XJbpAaq0c?

‘A’ comments: “At Orange, the pair still have quite a bit of down on their heads and wings. They are about a week behind the Collins Street trio, are they not? At least the Orange fledglings do often/usually return to the scrape after fledging (we remember those occasions when the parents literally had to bar the door from their adult offspring, with a not so gentle hint relating to the concept of dispersal). But we do generally get to see a bit more of them once they fledge. At Collins Street, we essentially wait until someone finds one of them injured, dead or starving on the streets of Melbourne’s CBD. We get little or no information on them post-fledge (although the Facebook group may have some BOTG – I’ll be relying on you for info from that source). But watching the Collins Street kids today has left me flabbergasted at how time has flown and the fact these chicks are already about to do the same. I’m sad now. “

Dad is off his perch and Mum is calling for food. There was not much on Thursday and Kasse got nothing. There was some beaking. This provoked the fish fairies into action.

‘A’ reports: “The most important news of the day is that there was a four-fish delivery from our beloved Fish Fairy at Port Lincoln this morning (09:38). A day too late unfortunately to prevent the two incidents of bonking yesterday that for the first time occurred during a feeding and was definitely done in order to prevent Kasse from eating. Not a good thing, and I’m glad the FF stepped in straight away. I would have preferred it to happen two days ago, when I was worrying about the lack of food deliveries and the potential for aggression this presented, but I suppose they were trying to avoid it altogether. And dad had been stepping up his fishing efforts – successfully, up until the last three or four days. So it was probably weather-related. But whatever the reason, the nature and timing of yesterday’s aggression made it essential that the Fish Fairy step in asap. I’m glad they didn’t delay. “

Thank you, Fish Fairies! I will sleep better Thursday night in Canada knowing you are there.

Heidi’s video of the Fish Fairy!!!!!!!! They included this information below the video: “Wilko is 33 days old, and Kasse is 30 days old. There were only two fish delivered to the nest yesterday, and as a result there was significant sibling aggression due to food competition. This morning, the ‘Fish Fairy’ placed four fish on the nest. It was the first time the supplemental fish were necessary this season. Ospreys are endangered in South Australia, and last season they instituted an officially authorized program of supplemental feeding for this nest. The supplemental feeding program is intended to help increase the survival rate of the osprey nestlings. Last year’s Fish Fairy program was a success, and both osplets fledged! For more information on the supplemental feeding program, please see this statement dated 10/27/23: https://portlincoln-osprey.com/portli…

https://youtu.be/lZRZQG4puUs?

The latest on the Olympic Park eagles.

Elizabeth Grey, National Audubon said on Thursday that Audubon vows to: “Strengthening Local and State Initiatives: While federal policy may shift, our commitment to local and state conservation efforts remains steadfast. We will work with communities to build resilience, ensuring that conservation continues regardless of changes at the federal level.” Just as I see my City taking every piece of land and building 3-4 story apartment buildings instead of 35 stories, each of us needs to lend a hand to help wildlife. You can do that in your own garden.

Jackie and Shadow have been chortling! https://youtu.be/d8gCyTmwZ0A?

I needed a smile today and seeing Seren 5F at her winter home in The Gambia does it. She is a great mate to Dylan at Llyn Clywedog and a fantastic mother. She wasted a lot of years being courted by Aran but, in the end, he stayed with Mrs G. Great choice! But glad 5F found a great mate, too. Dylan is amazing. This is her biography from Glaslyn Wildlife.

Seren Blue 5F will be thirteen years old during the 2025 breeding season.

“Hatched at the Rutland Site K nest in 2012. Her mother is the satellite tagged female Yellow 30 (hatched at the Rutland Site B nest in 2005) and her father was the translocated Rutland male Red 08 (2001).

In December 2013, Blue 5F was photographed by Chris Wood at Tanji Marsh in Gambia, she was 18 months old at the time and would not yet have made a return journey to the UK. In December 2014 Chris returned to Tanji Marsh and he again found 5F settled for the winter there. She had not been spotted back in the UK during the summer, although it is likely she would have travelled north as a two-year old. On 9th April 2015 Blue 5F was captured on camera again, as she landed on the perch of the Glaslyn nest, this was the first sighting of her in the UK as an adult. She remained in the Glaslyn area during the summer and intruded at the Glaslyn nest on several occasions. By the middle of October we heard the news via Fansu Bojang and Chris Wood that 5F was back in her wintering quarters in Tanji Marsh.

On 29th March 2016 Blue 5F landed on the perch at Glaslyn once again. Two days later she was in a skirmish with her cousin Blue 24 at the Dyfi nest. Glesni, another cousin, who was the resident female at Dyfi, had not yet returned. Before long, 5F was back on a favourite nesting platform in the Glaslyn area. Aran was spotted mating with her on several occasions and for a while she appeared to be incubating eggs. The nest failed however and 5F soon resumed her regular intrusions at the Glaslyn nest.

During the winters of 2016 to 2019, 5F was once again settled in her wintering quarters in Gambia, where Chris Wood photographed her for the fourth and fifth consecutive years.  During the winter of 2018 she spent the majority of her time in the Tujereng Beach area of Gambia, although she was spotted at Tanji again in autumn 2019.

On 1st April 2020, 5F appeared on the camera that had been installed by NRW at the Llyn Clywedog Osprey nest in mid-Wales. On 3rd April she also appeared on the Glaslyn nest, before being seen off by Mrs G. The following day she returned to Clywedog and was soon joined by the resident male, Dylan. The original female, Delyth, failed to return and 5F became Dylan’s new mate. Together they raised three male chicks and all three successfully fledged. A very happy outcome – Congratulations 5F!”

There are still Ospreys in the Netherlands that have not migrated – along with several in the UK. Maybe they know something we do not? Is it possible not to migrate in an age of climate change? Last year was the hottest on record for our planet.

How might climate change impact Bald Eagles?

How climate change could hurt bald eagles » Yale Climate ConnectionsDownload
Modeling climate change impacts on overwintering bald eagles – PMCDownload

Latest ever osprey in Poole Harbour is Blue 511.

A 25 year old German Osprey has been seen in Sardinia. Blue Ring OD. Amazing. Its experience, after surviving those first years after fledgling, have kept this bird alive. Incredible.

The last information I could find on the migration of the Black Storks from Estonia. Apologies for the small size. I cannot enlarge but perhaps you can.

Calico wonders if you would like to make someone feel warm and fuzzy? Lucille Powell has provided the address for the residents of the Riverview Care home next to Iris and Finnegan’s nest. Have a card and a stamp? Want to include a note about yourself and how much you love the ospreys? Or anything else. Here is the information. Think about spreading the love!

I do not know if they are taking any further orders but here is the information about the Iris and Finnegan pins. These are made out of sticks brought to the nest by the ospreys and collected by Dr Greene. They are carefully lathed and assembled by Sharon Leigh and her husband. I have enjoyed mine for years and you can get find new ink cartridges almost anywhere.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care of yourself. We hope to see you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, images, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, R’, The Washington Post, Androcat, chickiedee64, NEFL-AEF, Port Tobacco Eagle Cam, FOBBV, WRDC Eagle Cam, Window to Wildlife, Denton Homes Eagle Cam, Trudi Kron and Bald Eagles 101, Deb Stecyk and NCTC Eagle Cam, 367 Collins Street by Mirvac, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, Nesting Birdlife and More, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Olympic Park Eagle Cam, Heidi McGrue, Judy Harrington, SK Hideaways, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Valerie Webber and The Clywedog Osprey Group, Yale Climate Connections, Ecology and Evolution and PMC, Jeff Kear and Friends of Loch Arkaig FB, H Lorm and Looduskalender Forum, Montana Ospreys at Hellgate and Lucille Powell, Montana Osprey Cams.