Category Archives: Birds of Poole Harbour

Some ospreys are still home…Friday in Bird World

6 September 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

I hope the week has been good for you and that you have some plans to be outside this weekend. We will be off searching for cranes and watching for geese landing at night.

Do you put off things? I have and it was time that I did something about a few extraordinary things waiting for attention. Sitting safely in a fireproof box were several beautiful letters by ‘KM’. They include stories of birding decades ago when she was a child. Eagleman Charles Broley would visit their house.

Broley was a bank manager for RBC in Winnipeg, where I live. The branch was on Corydon Avenue. Broley is also more well-known for being a bander of eagles and more. The Lower Beverley Lake website, where Broley also lived, states:

Eagle Platform, Location: Blue Heron Point

Many prominent people have resided on Lower Beverley Lake, and Charles Broley was one of them. It can actually be said that he “soared with the eagles”! The Broley family lived at one end of Whiskey Island where we can still see the white cottage Charles Broley acquired in 1913 when he was a banker in Delta. Following his retirement in 1939, Charles Broley became widely known in Canada and the United States as the “Eagle Man” when he began to band and study bald eagles: by the age of 80 he had banded over 1000 of these birds, climbing by rope ladder up lofty trees to reach their nests, It was he who first sounded the alarm about DDT, realizing that this widely used pesticide was responsible for the increasing sterility of the mature birds. Most of his work was done in Florida, but he also dealt with several eyries in the Lower Beverley Lake area. Life Magazine ran a full photo feature on Charles Broley and the National Geographic produced a documentary on his impressive work with eagles. His wife, Myrtle, was a well-known author and his daughter, Jeanne Broley Patric, still summers on the lake and publishes stories and poems.

Why am I mentioning Broley today (I have previously posted about him)? Several reasons. The first is that we are now in the ‘between’ season. Most ospreys have begun their migration. Most, not all. A few dads or wanna-be mates in the UK are still providing fish; it appears that the entire family of Iris are still in Missoula. Dr Green saw four ospreys soaring together – Iris, Finnegan, Antalia, and Sum-eh. So, the oldest had not begun her flight south; she was getting fish elsewhere or fishing for herself. What a joy to see them all. The eagles return to check on their nests and make some restorations, clearly marking their nest in their territory for any would-be takers. The only active nest with chicks right now is the Olympic Park Eagles. Diamond and Xavier are incubating eggs with Mum and Dad at Port Lincoln and M22 and F23 at 367 Collins Street. The long and short of it is that this is a good season for reading!

I highly recommend Eagle Man. It gives such good insights into the life of eagles. You can only purchase it used. This is the cover for one advertised on ABE books.

Amazon does not have any copies, but this is a reasonable synopsis of the book’s contents.

Check your library and all the used book sellers if you want a copy.

I was honoured to receive a photograph of Charles Broley in the garden of the head of Michigan’s Audubon Society in the 1950s and an eagle feather. The framer did a wonderful job. I asked for a thick envelope attached at the back to include letters and articles about Broley.

The frame is a beautiful walnut – the image wasn’t straight, so it appears cropped. Our Eagleman Broley has his hat of the day and overcoat. My husband looked down and thought it was my Dad. Yes, they sure do look alike! My Dad loved birds and was the first to introduce them to me, but his life was with other things with wings (planes), and he was not a birder. Oh, how I wish he had been.

Could you look closely at the colours in the feather? I apologise for the strange green reflection from the ceiling! There is a beautiful shimmer of a pinky apricot in that feather that is hard to see. Perhaps it is better in the image above. The apricot kisses the white and charcoal feathering on both edges. So kind of ‘KM’ to think of me.

The eagle feather will hang next to a very special Osprey feather, from a juvenile that got to fly, but sadly not for long. She was electrocuted. Thank you, ‘CD’.

Again, I want you to notice the colours. The walnut frame was picked specifically because of the tip of Heidi’s feather. The deepest black espresso bleeds into a marvellous orange, then ochre and cream at the tip.

The two birds were very special, and I hope that by framing them and including all of the documents associated with them, someone will appreciate them after I have spread my wings and flown.

‘SP’ sent us a link to an article on the research on wind turbines by Audubon. They categorically note that painting one blade black, something that has been known for some time, will save the lives of our feathered friends. It is simple. The real question is why don’t these companies do the right thing and fix the issue? We have, for example, wind turbines in Manitoba right in one of the major migration routes for raptors. You would be sick if you visited that place because of all the beheaded eagles. No one has done anything and I suspect the company doesn’t care!!!!!!!! It is a huge issue because these enormous turbines – and they are enormous – are getting installed everywhere. I have yet to see a black blade on one of them.

https://www.audubon.org/magazine/surprisingly-simple-solution-protect-birds-wind-turbines-gets-its-biggest-test-yet

At the Hellgate Canyon nest, Antali was persistent in coming to the nest in hope of fish. It paid off. Poor Finnegan could lose his talons.

Johnny is still at the Fenwick Island nest feeding his juvenile!

There is at least one fledgling getting fish at the Newfoundland Power nest of Beaumont and Hope. I cannot confirm the presence of the other fledgling or adult. Some of you might know.

C16 is still getting fish deliveries at Charlo Montana. Yum, yum.

The fledgling at Cowlitz is 100 days old on 5 September (or as I write this). We know from the Dyfi Osprey Project that the longest a fledgling has stayed at the nest was 109 days. That was Padarn in 2022. Hopefully, this miracle youngster, who the Bald Eagle did not take as itsre, two siblings we will flourish – and it looks like it could be well prepared for migration just like Beaumont and Hope’s two kiddos.

I did not see any activity at the Fortis Exshaw’s Osoyoos nest on Thursday.

Harvie is busy delivering fish at Fortis Exshaw’s osprey platform near Canmore Alberta. It appears that both fledglings are still in town.

At the Sandpoint nest, River is still home. River flies off with fish from perch. Cannot confirm if Keke is still present. Keo is delivering.

It looks like CJ7 and Blue 022’s family might have finally departed for migration. What a wonderful year it has been with that little 4th – 5H6 – turning out to be such a formidable sibling on that nest. That tiny, tiny little thing not only survived amongst much bigger siblings, but thrived. I really look forward to seeing him return in 2026!

There are still two juveniles from the Kurzeme nest in Lativia at home! Both are wearing Red Darvic rings – difficult to read the numbers. They have survived any other larger raptors living in the forest.

We are all fascinated when Bald Eagles raise Red-tail Hawklets as their own. This is the story of a 14 year old California youth that photographed a family of eagles raising a hawklet. A lovely read! And, yes, you ,ight have guessed – this is the story of Tuffy2 (not Tuffy from 2019).

This Teen Photographer Captured a Raptor Rarity: Bald Eagles Raising a Red-tailed Hawk Chick | AudubDownload

If every monument, every building in every city would turn off their lights during migration, the lives of billions of birds would be saved. Imagine. Thanks, ‘PB’ for spotting this. Gosh…imagine. Contact your City Hall and make them aware of this important undertaking, your Councillor or anyone who will listen. You CAN make a difference!

Geemeff’s Daily Summary for Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust:

Daily summary Thursday 5th September 2024

No avian activity as is the norm now, but the weather has perked up and blazing sunshine with positively tropical highs of 25°C is forecast for the next two days. A pity our family didn’t get to enjoy similar weather before the chicks had to be removed in order to save them via a translocation programme – Louis was able to bring a final fish for breakfast which Dorcha served up on that last morning together before the chicks left the nest on 1st July, link to that video: https://youtu.be/Q_HakxODigs

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 20.53.24 (05.35.20); Nest Two 20.50.26 (05.44.14)

Today’s videos: none

Bonus recipe from our very own Woodland Trust Scotland George – make some bramble whisky!

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2019/08/bramble-whisky

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/LEMJm8XBfas  N1 Lachlan eats one fish, departs with another 2017 (thanks Scylla)

https://youtu.be/o-WY7x6x5Xc  N1 Whose nest is it anyway? Rannoch and a Hoodie 2019

https://youtu.be/VOXzZ-0vTSo  N1 Confirmed: final sighting of Louis 2019

https://youtu.be/1310c1jFxaU  N1 Who’s on the nest before Vera gets breakfast from Louis? 2020

https://youtu.be/7pj8uTDrCKc  N1 Confirmed: final sighting of Louis 2020

https://youtu.be/j4z65mVcjkI  N2 Sarafina departs and the Hoodies move in 2022

https://youtu.be/BV2mAedbJ9o  N2 Hoodies on the nest force Louis to abort landing with his fish 2022

https://youtu.be/vPO_llkryLo N2 Mobbed by Hoodies, Sarafina loses her fish! 2022

https://youtu.be/4ekm0Uf7r7c  N1 Misty morning sunrise 2023 (timelapse)

https://youtu.be/C5w-9s869M4  N2 Juvenile Sparrowhawk visits 2023 (zoom)

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

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

And some other interesting stories that caught Geemeff’s eye to share with us. Was it humans that took that nest??????? My money is on the power company coming to change the light bulbs. We have seen this before. Remember when the men put the two chicks in the woodchopper? It was sickening. They could have waited a month. This is very disturbing.

Partnership working for the benefit of Ospreys:
https://m.fairfaxconnection.com/news/2024/sep/04/dominion-energy-park-authority-connect-to-help-ospreys/

And a mystery – where’s the nest gone? If weather, there should be evidence of the nest remains at the base of the pole. The two fledglings sitting on top of the pole are probably fish-calling rather than distress calls, I would imagine:

https://eastgreenwichnews.com/mystery-of-missing-osprey-nest

After this female was shot (!) the chicks were taken into care. One didn’t make it, but the other was returned to his natal area:

https://wchstv.com/community/wild-appalachia/wild-appalachia-young-osprey-release

Waba, the Black Stork, son of Karl II, is feeding in a beautiful area as he makes his way to Africa for migration.

When I travel to visit my son in Grenada, the mangroves are places of peace and tranquilty. They are home to many species of birds including our beloved ospreys. Like wetlands, they are important habitat. El Salvador could be losing some of theirs.

The vanishing mangroves of El Salvador: ‘All our efforts may only slow the destruction’ https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/article/2024/sep/05/mangroves-el-salvador-forests?CMP=share_btn_url

Gorgeous Gabby. Will she finally have chicks again with Beau after her beloved Samson disappeared?

Those cute little falcons in Orange. Diamond wants food, Xavier wants to cuddle with his ‘eggies’. Adorable. https://youtu.be/Kvf6sYH-qnM?

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

Thank you so much to the following whose notes, posts, images, articles, videos, and streaming cams helped me to write my post this morning: ‘CD, Geemeff, KM, PB, SP’, NEFL-AEF, The Guardian, Montana Osprey Project, @Hellgate Osprey, Heidi McGrue, Looduskalender, fairfaxconnection.com, eastgreenwichnews.com, wchstv.com, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Audubon, Gateway Arch FB, LDF, BoPH, Sandpoint Osprey Cam, Fortis Exshaw Canmore, Alberta, Fortis Exshaw Osoyoos, Cowlitz PUD, Newfoundland Power, Charlo Montana, Audubon.org, Lower Beverley Lake News, Amazon, ABE Books, SK Hideaways, Save our Menhaden.

Monday in Bird World

2 September 2024

Good Morning,

For many around the world, today is a holiday. I hope that you are enjoying this long weekend, that the weather was good, and that you made some fantastic memories.

It is a beautiful day – Sunday, as I write this. It must be about 24 C. I have not looked, but it is comfortable, and the sun is out. The Crows are pulling worms and insects from the ground around the neighbourhood and pecking at the wooden bark that the City put around the newly planted trees. I have two now in the front to replace the 122-year-olds that had to be cut down due to disease.
We look forward to planting five more trees during the local fall Re-Leaf campaign. That should make the garden area a complete forest, but it will take some time for them to get big enough to be of benefit. I wonder why more aren’t planting large shade trees with summer heating up?

Today will the party for all the girls – Calico’s arrival into the house a year ago, Baby Hope’s coming into the house, and Hugo Yugo’s first birthday this evening. I will take photos. They only needed a new scratch post and we picked up some Halloween toys and treats. They are incredibly spoiled. I tell everyone the four of them have given to me much more than I can ever do for them. Last evening we had a fright. The garden door was closed but I guess not all the way and the wind whipped it open. Three girls flew out – Calico, Hugo Yugo, and Baby Hope. I ran out to the deck and Baby Hope and Hugo Yugo flew back in the house. Calico didn’t. She went under the deck. My fear was she would leave the garden area. I sat and read to her and took out food just like I did when I was wooing her last summer to come into our house. She would stick her head out. She was terrified of the outdoors – not curious or happy to be out, but terrified. Eventually, I put three girls in the conservatory, opened the garden door, called her and she flew into the house. She went to sleep on the reclining scratching post and didn’t wake up for three hours!!!!!!!! I cannot tell you how relieved I am.

There are now three eggs (as reported in my last post) at the Port Lincoln Osprey platform in Australia. Oh, I hope the fish faeries are getting ready to get permits for delivering supplementary dinners!!!!

Iris wanted a fish delivery, too. She landed on the nest fish calling and in came Finnegan with a nice lunch. What a guy. Does he get the ‘New Dad of the Year’ Award? Surely, he would!

At 1221 Iris flew away with the headless fish. (Finnegan had a nice crop so he is feeding himself as well – thank goodness). Now where did she eat it?

Iris on the Owl Pole later. Was it here? Cannot tell from the camera footage. Or did she hand that fish off to a fledgling?

The Corncrake population is increasing in Ireland again.

RSPB describes them thus: “Corncrakes are related to waterbirds Moorhens, Coots and Water Rails but, unlike their family members, they live on dry land. Corncrakes are surprisingly small – only a little bigger than a Blackbird. This Schedule 1 species is very secretive, spending most of its time hidden in tall grass or reedbeds, you’ll probably hear its rasping call before you see it.”

Waternish has a good description of everything one might need or want to know about Corncrakes:

Corncrakes – Visit WaternishDownload
Irish Corncrakes increase again – BirdGuidesDownload

It is clear that something must be done to the type of material that the Blue Darvic Rings are made of. Blue NC0 lost hers and now a broken one has been found – thankfully the osprey is alive!

Skylor, the surviving juvenile of Oscar and Ethel at the Marshall Lake osprey nest in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, is still with us. Mum Ethel is migrating or has reached her winter spot and sadly, sister Heidi died from being electrocuted. Oscar and Skylor should be on their way south soon. Good to see you Skylor!

Fast action the part of Nova Scotia Power who have put up a ‘Yellow thing’ to protect the ospreys (and other raptors) from being electrocuted. They should be proactive and put these on other commonly used nests. The people who monitor those nests in Nova Scotia know which poles those are – it would surely help save lives in the future. So sorry that beautiful Heidi was lost – what a healthy osplet she was!

USK Valley gives us a delightful view of osprey behaviour. It is a good read.

KEEPING WATCHFUL EYES — Usk Valley OspreysDownload

Power to the Glaslyn osprey nest is down. It is possible the cable might have been damaged by agricultural equipment. It is unclear when it will be restored.

I did not get a screen capture but Blue 022 did bring a fish to Blue B52 at the Poole Harbour nest on Sunday. So both were still home then. Birds of Poole Harbour also confirmed with a sighting turned in by a local.

No confirmed sighting of Idris at Dyfi on Sunday.

At Llyn Brenig, Fledglings Blue 8B8 and 8B9 were home on Sunday with Blue 372 busy delivering fish to both of them.

In the top image, notice the osprey on the tree in the distance eating a fish. The juvenile is waiting for Dad to finish his meal and bring the leftovers – which Dad does!

Both juveniles are still at home at the Newfoundland Power osprey nest at Snow Lane. Fish deliveries are being made. I cannot confirm if Hope is still present. (If you have news, please send me a note). These youngsters are gorgeous. They are dark just like Mum. And notice the difference in size. There is, I believe, the female as the oldest and the younger male.

Keo at Sandpoint delivering a fish to River on the platform. On the chat, “Dorothy Auld​​: Keke was last seen on cam on 28th, cam was down on 29th and part of 30th but Keke was seen on 1 of those days. She was not seen yesterday.”

At Charlo, C16 and Charlie are still there. I cannot confirm Lola. If anyone has seen her at the nest, please let me know.

The Collins Marsh Osprey platform in Wisconsin fledged three osplets this season. I can confirm that there is at least one juvenile still at the nest receiving fish from Dad.

At Blackbush at Old Tracadie Harbour, again, there is at least one juvenile at the nest wanting fish. I did not see a delivery. Without Darvic rings it is impossible to tell them apart without a close analysis of their head markings. It appears to be the same fledgling.

At Osoyoos, Olsen is on a fishing frenzy bringing in some huge fish for a change. Gosh, I wish we had this size of fish when the chicks were small. We might not have lost Little. Weather in various parts of Canada has cooled down a bit for the weekend making fishing much better for the raptors. Heidi has confirmed that Mum Soo is still in town and delivered a fish to fledgling 2. Well done.

Juveniles so full there is a large piece of fish left on the nest.

At Oyster Bay PSEG nest at least one juvenile is there. I cannot confirm that this is one of the fledglings. It could be an osprey passing through on its migration. I did not see a fish delivery and the osprey has a really nice crop.

No one sighted at the Boulder County nest so far on Sunday. It is awfully quiet there!

There is at least one juvenile at the Pitkin County Open Spaces and Trails osprey platform in Colorado – on the nest calling for fish. I did not see a delivery there during the time I watched and in rewind.

White YW and one fledgling are still at Foulshaw Moss in Cumbria.

There are Dads working hard for their fledglings!

Gabby, get home quick! Beau is waiting for you.

A post by Trudi Kron concerning the Minnesota Bald Eagle cam (DNR nest).

Geemeff sends us the daily summary for Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust:

Daily summary Sunday 1st September 2024

Another dry sunny day brought more visitors – Nest One was visited by a pair of Ravens. One settled on the centre perch while the other flew over to Stick Tree and was joined by a third bird. It’s back to rain in the Inver Mallie area tonight however, and heavy rain is forecast for tomorrow. Osprey sightings are being reported down the length of the country as most of the UK Ospreys are now on the move southwards – fingers crossed for safe passage for all migratory birds. 

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.16.55 (05.15.36); Nest Two 21.08.34 (05.33.20)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/6hi6ZJAJNpQ N1 A Raven perches on the nest, a second perches in Stick Tree and a third flies in the distance 19.04.19 (zoom)

Bonus read – how Woodland Trust is saving the rare and internationally important Celtic Rainforest:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/about-us/where-we-work/scotland/saving-scotlands-rainforest

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

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

I was so very happy to be the donor of a new book to the Friends of Loch Arkaig FB group’s grand fundraiser organised by Mary Cheadle. Mary does an incredible job raising funds for the Woodland Trust. This one netted GBP 610.47. Well done, Mary Cheadle!

Xavier might be wanting some eggie time. Diamond is now in hard incubation with three eggs!

‘A’ reports: “Xavier arrived early in the scrape this morning (06:50) to spend a little time with Diamond (he didn’t bring any breakfast though, which was very remiss of him). When he left (07:10), Diamond followed him, presumably with food on her mind, and Xavier took his opportunity to sneak back into the scrape and get some egg time (07:11:12). He was, as is his wont, chatting to his eggs, which is just the cutest thing ever. He is having some difficulty covering all three eggs, as he is even by falcon standards a very tiny little male, but he persisted until he managed to do so. Oh he is SO adorable. 

Diamond was back at 07:14:33 and after a short conversation, Xavier got up off the eggs and left the scrape via a classic GCW leap (07:15:10). Diamond settled back down on the eggs, where she has remained, dozing, ever since. Hard incubation is underway here at Orange, and also at Collins Street, where the eggs are rarely unattended and then only for short periods. I haven’t seen food brought to the ledge this morning, though mum has been out herself and perhaps organised something to eat. “

Good Morning Melbourne!

‘H’ sends us Victor Hurley’s fact sheet! All you wanted to know about eggs and more – that is falcon eggs.

FFS 03-24 Egg incubation requirements (2)Download

Good Morning Mum and Dad at Port Lincoln!

For those who live in Australia, you will understand the joke. I often comment on the fat little bottoms and legs of the falcons and the sea eagles. This sends some Aussies into hysterics? Why? It appears that the largest chicken producer in the country is called Steggles! Seriously I am not scouting them out for human consumption, I promise!

SE 33 and 34 have definite fat little bottoms.

‘A’ reports on her thoughts about the Olympic Sea eagles for the day: “At WBSE, Lady flew off the nest at 05:46:30. She was back in the nest tree, duetting with Dad, by 05:56 but no food is in sight. At 06:56 she is back on the nest, which excites SE34 enough for him to stand up as he comes to the table, flapping his cute growing wings. He is growing nicely now he is getting plenty of food and looking very similar in size to his sibling. His wing feathers are coming through too now, so both eaglets are itchy. SE34 sits up eagerly at the table, but unusually, there are no leftovers on the nest so breakfast is not forthcoming. 

By 7am, SE33 has joined SE34 at the table. Lady has left again, and the eaglets want breakfast. Mum is back again at 07:32 but still with empty talons. She is gone again by 07:39. The eaglets fall asleep waiting side by side at the table. It is nearly 08:23 before Lady returns but again she brings no breakfast. She leaves again almost immediately. When Dad arrives just after 10am, both eaglets eagerly line up in front of him, hoping he has brought food but yet again, they are disappointed. 

10:13:05 and a parent (Lady?) arrives with breakfast. It appears to be an eel. SE34, who happens to be closest, gets the first bites. When he gets a third bite in a row, SE33 loses patience and beaks him. He tucks his head down. With SE34 in submission, SE33 leans over him to take bites of eel. SE34 starts to lift his head around 10:24 but he is not in a position to eat again until after 10:26.As it nears 10:28, SE34 sidles closer. By 10:29:20 his head is up, which prompts SE33 to attempt (unsuccessfully) to beak him again, and he scrambles away from his sibling and goes back into submission. 

At 10:33, Lady is still feeding SE33 and SE34 is still in submission. There is not much of the eel left. SE34, his head still tucked, creeps closer and closer to mum, who continues feeding SE33. By 10:36, SE34’s head is up but Lady continues to ignore him. There is much honking at low-flying smaller birds towards the end of this feeding, as has often been the case this season. They are really bothering the parents in ways they have not done in previous years. Regardless, the meal ends without SE34 being fed. Still, he must be getting enough food because he is very close to SE33 in size and he is growing well. I continue to worry about his lack of survival skills and his unwillingness to ensure he gets fed. That really worries me.”

In Fort Myers, here is an update on M15 and F23 who can be seen in the video working on their nest!

Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care. Have a great week everybody! See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their posts, notes, images, articles, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, H’, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Montana Osprey Project, RSPB, Waternish, BirdGuides, Jeff Kear and UK Osprey Info, Balgavies Loch Ospreys, Connie Dennis and Ospreys of Nova Scotia, USK Valley Ospreys, Dyfi Osprey Project, Llyn Brenig, Newfoundland Power, Sandpoint Ospreys, Charlo Montana, Collins Marsh Ospreys, Blacbush at Old Tracedie, Fortis-Exshaw, PSEG, Boulder County, Pitkin County Open Spaces and Trails, Jeff Kear, Heidi McGrue and Joy of Ospreys, NEFL-AEF, Trudi Kron, Geemeff and the Woodland Trust, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, 367 Collins Street by Mirvac, Olympic Park Eagles, wskrsnwngs.

Saturday in Bird World

31 August 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

We went to the zoo today. The weather was a little cooler. What we did differently was we took the tram and had a great chat with the driver about how much the zoo has changed over the decades – from a zoo focused on the people visiting the animals to a focus solely on the welfare of the animals. Everyone used to love the petting zoo, but probably not the animals petted and pulled. Today, there are lots of goats doing silly goat things, a couple of llamas, and a pair of pigs. Our feathered friends are really no longer visible. Years ago the zoo was full of owls and peacocks – everywhere. Bird flu put an end to that. The geese and other waterfowl that had Avian Flu kept the birds inside and some could not be…I didn’t ask what happened to the, but I will. The birds were my favourite and I do miss them. Now, we rely on the polar bears and their antics. Most of the animals were outside today including the Tiger because of the cooler weather. More pictures next time!

Some of you will recall the Norwegian osplets that were translocated to Ireland. Well, guess what? A couple built a nest and fledged a chick this year! Bravo.

The oldest chick, a female, Glenwais, is still having Idris bring fish to the nest at Dyfi. She has not departed! Idris has been in Wales for 5 full months now. His talons must be itching to get to Africa!

Then she was seen soaring in the thermals at 11:16 Friday. It is believed it will be the last sighting and she is on her way South at the age of 102 days. Idris shows up with a fish waiting for a taker and no one is there.

Idris will feed up and leave. He will rejoin his mate Telyn at the nest late March or early April of 2025 if all goes well. What a wonderful year they had.

Blue 022 is still delivering to the nest at Poole Harbour. I checked late (so little rewind before dark) and caught him and one of the fledglings.

If you missed the August Condor chat of the Ventana Wildlife Society in California, which highlighted filmmaking and storytelling to get people interested in and concerned about the Condors, they have hired a staff member for videography, storytelling, and media. The full chat is in the link below. Meredith Evans is the new team member. Digital Communicator is the official title. Listen and see what they are doing! VWS Condors if their film channel on YouTube and they have a long range of videos including those about Red Wood Queen and at least two award winning films for you to watch. So check that out, too. This group is incredible and we need those condors!

https://youtu.be/PpkI6y-wpJs?

Geemeff sends her daily summary for Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust. Looking forward to her year summary which will be coming up!

Daily summary Friday 30th August 2024

Same as yesterday – wet and windy, no birds of any size or species. However, from Ian at the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation comes an update on our chick 1JW who’s in the care of Fundación Migres in Valencia: “The birds are all doing well. JW is still on the marsh with all the other chicks. They’ve settled into a routine now where they are feeding by taking fish from the feeding stations and flying off with it to eat on perches. They are starting to make longer flights and it won’t be too long before one of them leaves, but at the moment they all seem happy enough. Migration starts later in southern Europe so we would expect them to be around for a couple of weeks more.” Surprisingly, tonight’s weather forecast is clear skies and light winds, and sunny tomorrow with a high of

  20°C. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.31.39 (05.39.07); Nest Two 21.30.23 (05.44.50)
Today’s videos: none
Bonus watch – Woodland Trust’s vital work to provide habitat our wildlife needs to survive and thrive, and support some of our most vulnerable species, including bats:https://youtu.be/VKkrnBYRcQA   (watch to the end for the delightful bat soundscape)
Compare and contrast our two resident females past and current:
https://youtu.be/_23wRVnATc4 Golden goddess: Aila 2017 – 2020 (Classic Ospreys – Chopin)
https://youtu.be/1syQj_jjjxw Golden variation: Dorcha 2021 – (Classic Ospreys – Bach)

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

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

At the Olympic Park Sea Eagle nest, the camera operator gave us a good look at SE33. Notice the down away from the front top of the head and the pin feathers coming through. This eaglet is changing before our eyes! They are both growing. We need SE34 to just get a little braver.

SE34 got a good feeding right before bedtime! Yippee.

https://youtu.be/IML6YGxgCOk?

‘A’ comments on the action at the Olympic Sea Eagle nest: “This morning, it was a super early breakfast at WbSE, too early for SE33, which meant SE34, although initially nervous because he could feel SE33 moving against him (stretching and changing position and so forth), ended up being fed a personal breakfast. He was starting to feel more comfortable by the time Dad flew off the nest tree shortly before 6am. He is still eating at 06:07, his sibling lying beside him but facing in the opposite direction and looking around, alert and very interested in its surroundings. By 06:09 Lady is really having to coax SE34, with SE33 repeatedly moving beside him, standing up and stretching its wings. By 06:10, SE33’s preening is spooking SE34 somewhat but he is nevertheless continuing to eat. By 06:11, SE33 has flopped back down again, appearing to still have a crop from last night. Lady is being very patient indeed with SE34, who keeps eating. At 06:12, SE34 is having difficulty swallowing a previous bite, but eventually does so and accepts another. 

Lady is having a hard time getting bites off this carcass and at 06:13 gives a bite to SE33. And another. SE33 has clown feet and her head looks sleek without its fluff. Lady offers another bite to SE34, who accepts it. But that’s it. Breakfast is over, and by 06:14 Lady has flown off. Both eaglets have visible crops but SE34 did by far the best out of that feeding. He has a healthy crop and is looking very healthy. SE33 is sporting growing feathers along her wing. 

As I type, Lady and Dad are again dueting, although we all wish they wouldn’t. Another egg is expected at Orange tomorrow lunchtime, apparently (Sunday Australian time, so in about 22 hours). I do NOT want a third egg for Diamond. That would not be at all good. I don’t have to elaborate to you on my reasons for that opinion but I would be surprised if you did not agree. 

At 06:14:35, SE34 is sitting up, as is SE33, and the younger chick looks the older one in the eye. Oh dear. The resulting beak to the head is predictable, but SE34 quickly pops back up again.This annoys SE33, who repeats the beak to the back of his head, and gives him a third for good measure, leaving SE34 with his head tucked under. Lady flies down to check on the kids and ensure they are playing nice, but with nest hierarchy restored, things quickly return to normal, with both eaglets’ heads up and the pair interacting peacefully. She leaves them to it. 

At 06:20, Lady flies down to the nest with a tiny morsel of leftover something. This causes SE33 to beak SE34, who ducks down but is still beaked a second time, so stays there. Lady feeds the older eaglet the few bites she can get off this piece, with SE34 remaining cautiously tucked throughout. By 06:27 mum is gone and the mini-feeding is done. 

After this, the two eaglets were left alone for the rest of the morning and well into the afternoon (although with parental supervision from above for much of the time). At 14:57 Dad flew in with more nest material. The eaglets immediately line up at the table but there is nothing to eat. When Lady and Dad start dueting shortly after 13:00, SE34 appears to be attempting some sort of vocalisation to mimic his parents. Aw, too cute. 

I have no idea what they are discussing but it could be the need for a late lunch, as the littles have not been fed since before dawn and it is now after 3pm. It will be starting to get dark in about two hours, and will be completely dark by 6pm. So unless the eaglets are to go without a second meal today, one of the parents needs to go fishing. So I would suspect this is what their conversation is about. We shall see. The key thing here is that Lady is looking after SE34, coaxing him to eat and being very patient in ensuring that he does. This morning’s breakfast was a real demonstration of  that. Further, SE34 himself is taking more responsibility for getting himself fed. He was braver today and made efforts to ensure he was close to mum’s beak. He even grabbed a bite from in front of his sister at one stage, which was encouraging. Also, I notice that the size gap between these two, which shrank after they hatched and then blew out again over the past fortnight, again appears to have got a lot less noticeable. I am now starting to wonder once again whether we may in fact have two males on this nest. Certainly, SE33 does not have the full-on aggression we often see with females, though there has been some bonking in the interests of maintaining nest hierarchy, that has been all it is, with no unnecessary or prolonged acts of violence and no determination to prevent SE34 from eating. So It may well be that their similar sizes may indicate brothers, which could be a hopeful sign for the post-fledge period when we hope both will return to the nest to be fed. “

Gorgeous Mum at Port Lincoln incubating the two osprey eggs. Will there be a third?

Gorgeous Diamond doing the same. We have a few weeks to go – watching incubation is worse than watching paint dry. LOL.

Peregrine Falcon eggs are gorgeous. It is one of the problems. They were collected and that along with DDT drove the birds to the brink of extinction.

Diamond rejected the first Starling on Saturday morning but took the second then mated with Xavier on the roof of the tower.

Brink of Extinction: Climbers Help Bring Peregrine Falcons Back to El Capitan — Access FundDownload

There are three eggs in Melbourne at 367 Collins in the CBD.

If you missed it, Dad’s first look at the three eggs on the ledge of 367 Collins Street. https://youtu.be/GObVI1DHQ_A?

Also, you might have missed this article. The Collins Street falcons made The Guardian!

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/aug/27/melbourne-peregrine-falcons-collins-street-breeding-season-cameras?CMP=share_btn_url

The new dad at Collins Street loves to incubate, just like Xavier! SK Hideaways catches his enthusiasm!

https://youtu.be/ujt09ZzSEOw?

At Hellgate Canyon, Antali was waiting on the perch when he sighted Finnegan flying to the nest with a lovely fish.

Antali and Sum-eh both at Hellgate Canyon Friday.

And again after lunch! Finnegan is quite amazing. He is making sure that his kids are fed and fed well so they are fit for migration. Most people wonder why the osplets don’t catch their own fish. In fact, it is very rare for fledglings to catch their own fish before they leave for migration. 61 million years of DNA teaches them – their instincts – they know how to fish.

A wide shot of C16 eating at the platform with the adult on the perch.

Junebug sleeping on the perch at Dunrovin.

Both osplets on the Newfoundland Power platform at Snow Lane.

The Omega ships ran out of Menhaden to catch.

On Thursday, August 29, Maya was still in the nest at Manton Bay. I didn’t get an image, but one is on the Friends of Loch Arkaig Ospreys FB group.

Blythe’s Reed Warbler breeds in the UK for the very first time. https://youtu.be/IML6YGxgCOk?

Fishing line showing up again and again this year as one of the worst thing impacting the lives of our birds (besides domestic cats). You can help by spreading the word to people to clean up after themselves when they go out for the day. Recepticals can be found at many fishing places now, use them and why not set up a clean up the shore day?

Kingfisher found dead in fishing line – BirdGuidesDownload

If you live near Winnipeg, it is the fun and frolicking Open House at Wildlife Haven coming up! Great time to see all of the facilities and meet all the ambassadors including Majestic, the Bald Eagle.

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, articles, videos, and streaming cams: ‘A, Geemeff’, O Tuathall, Dyfi Osprey Project, Birds of Poole Harbour, Ventana Wildlife Society, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Olympic Park Eagles, Nesting Bird Life and More, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, Access Fund, 367 Collins Street Falcon Cam by Mirvac, SK Hideaways, The Guardian, Montana Osprey Project, Charlo Montana, Dunrovin Ranch, Newfoundland Power, Wm Dunn- Menhaden-Little Fish, Big Deal FB, and Wildlife Haven.

Birds of Poole Harbour Osprey Tour is deemed magnificent!

29 August 2024

Good Morning Again,

I am often asked by my readers in North America where to go and see ospreys in the UK. I suggest Rutland Water when Blue 33 and Maya are raising chicks and I always suggest Poole Harbour. Both have cruises on the water and readers have written back to tell me of their adventures. They were never disappointed. So, when you are planning a trip think migration season at Poole Harbour (or otherwise). Book into a nice hotel and take the tour that the Birds of Poole Harbour’s team offers.

Geemeff just returned and all I could see were a line of WOW, WOW, WOW! Here is what happened!

Poole Harbour cruise Wednesday 28th August – it was my first time visiting Poole Harbour, and we had the most extraordinary day with such miraculous timing for our cruise, witnessing an epic interspecies kleptoparasitism encounter. The Birds of Poole Harbour team were all animated and glowing, everyone aboard was thrilled to have seen the epic battle between the Osprey and the White-tailed Eagle. That was the highlight, of course, but we saw so much more! Within minutes of setting off, we’d seen about half a dozen Ospreys, and then spotted the WTE perched in a tree. We saw juvenile Ospreys trying and failing to catch fish, sometimes pulling out of their dives at the last minute, other times landing with a loud splash. The boat was reasonably comfortable, we all sat outside on the upper deck with plenty of room to check out the action on both sides, and the friendly and knowledgeable BoPH team kept us fully informed, taking pains to ensure even novice birders knew exactly where to look. The weather was perfect, neither hot nor cold, and partly cloudy which helped the team point out where the action was – eg left of the blue patch just above the treeline by the dead tree etc. Highly recommended! As Poole Harbour is such an important stopping point for migrants and an excellent place for juveniles to learn to fish, at this time of year and into September you’re guaranteed to see Ospreys as well as a chance of seeing the resident pair CJ7 & 022.

We saw a huge flock of Black-tailed Godwits and then a Peregrine appeared, in definite hunting mode. The Godwits rose up in a cloud and the chase was on. Imagine a murmuration of Starlings – the Godwits looked like a smaller version but moving in the same sort of way, with the bigger darker shape of the Peregrine underneath, chasing. Every now and then the cloud would break into two groups, and the confused falcon would take a few seconds to decide which group to pursue. It was ultimately unsuccessful, but provided a thrilling spectacle. We also saw a Marsh Harrier, hunting low over the reed islands, don’t think it got anything either.

Ospreys had mobbed the eagle in its tree, but it just sat there. Eventually they went back to fishing, and one was successful, pulling itself up out of the water with a big Grey Mullet – did you know they swim upside down? No, me neither! So when the Osprey flew off, it had the fish upside down in its talons. But not for long – the WTE left its tree in a hurry and started chasing. The Osprey was aware and held out for as long as possible, but with the huge WTE right on top of it, it dropped its fish, and the eagle immediately went after the fish. Gasps and whoops from all of us aboard! BoPH team said that Osprey was a migrant passing through, as the resident Ospreys CJ7 & 022 know where the eagles hang out and would out-fly them and keep their fish, as happened a couple of weeks ago, witnessed by that day’s cruise passengers.

Another WTE appeared and flew down to its mate but they weren’t allowed to feast on their stolen meal for long, as they were dive-bombed by several juvenile Ospreys. I was watching through binoculars, I didn’t even attempt to film it as I knew I couldn’t get any detail so I just enjoyed the action – but there were several proper photographers aboard with mile-long lenses and they got perfect shots. One of them was the award-winning wildlife photographer Robin Morrison, and below are his photos he tweeted afterwards, retweeted by BoPH and me too. The fine detail he got is unbelievable, I didn’t even get that much with my bins. I did get some 40x super slo-mo of an Osprey who flew almost overhead, and the Peregrine chasing the Godwits, and I’ll put those up on youtube and post the link when ready.

By the way, the White-tailed Eagles (also referred to as ‘flying barn doors’!) were the one-footed male G463 who’s had quite a few adventures since being sat tagged for another RDWF translocation programme, and his mate G466. More here:

A Who’s Who of White-tailed Eagles at Poole Harbour 

Aren’t Robin Morrison’s photos simply stunning? @robinmmorrison if you’re on TwiX

Link to my retweet and Robin’s gracious response saying he’s always happy to share his photos:

BoPH posted our cruise species observation list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S193045755

I note it says 65 people aboard, it certainly didn’t feel like that many people as there was plenty of space and three team members to point out the action plus the captain who went forwards, backwards and sideways to ensure we got the best possible views. As I said, highly recommended!

Osprey upside down mullet 28.8.2024 RobinM.png
WTE attacking Osprey for its fish 28.8.2024 RobinM.png
WTE going after stolen Osprey fish 28.8.2024 RobinM.png

Please note that the Robin Morrison photographs are magnificent and are copyrighted. Thank you. Please do not post elsewhere.

Links to contact Birds of Poole Harbour for their cruise:

Birds of Poole Harbour
Website: www.birdsofpooleharbourbookings.co.uk
Email: bookings@birdsofpooleharbour.co.uk
Phone: 01202 641003

Thank you, Geemeff, for sharing your osprey adventure with all of us!