Category Archives: birds

Sunday in Bird World

16 March 2025

Hello Everyone!

We hope that you have had a glorious weekend! While it was nice weather during the week the cold winds hit bringing in some freezing rain that is still lingering. Did you know that kitty litter is very good for melting ice?

I wonder which nests you have been watching?

Many of you have commented that watching what is happening at the nest of Gabby and Beau is causing you a lot of anxiety. The juvenile did return to the NEFL nest of Gabby, Beau, and Bodie. The fledgling from another nest – probably lost from their own nest and hungry – was ushered off unceremoniously several times by the adults.

It is a lot of drama and I know it is difficult to watch. Gabby’s fledgling was also lost one season and could not find her nest for a week or so and she was so exhausted that she stayed home for a month once she found her nest! I feel sorry for this one – hungry and lost. Life is confusing enough and these eaglet is young. Let us hope it finds its home – and I hope its parents are alive and have prey on the nest.

Of course, you could be watching the miracle child of Jak and Audacity. What an amazing ending after years of waiting. Audacity and Jak wanting a little eaglet so much! Well, here it is!

Jak is so excited. There is fish all over for this little blessing. They are also eating the placenta from the seals that are having pups in the harbour. This is really good food for that baby.

‘A’ writes on Sunday: “The new baby at Sauces is the sweetest fluffiest little person with the cutest wee face. It is strong and active and was eating eagerly when I watched it with Audacity at lunchtime today. I was concerned that the nest bowl was too deep but the chick seems to have no trouble peering above the rim, and given the current lack of baby rails (get moving, Jak, this nest requires some toddler-proofing), it’s a good thing that the bowl is deep! As long as no-one pulls a load of grass in there and buries the baby! Or tugs a fish on top of it and squashes it! So far, Audacity is being very careful with her pride and joy.  

Lunch today was some sort of rodent, and the little one ate eagerly, managing very large bites for what I believe was its first meal. The blood all over the nest comes from yesterday’s treat for the new mum – seal placenta apparently. It does look absolutely gruesome but is of course incredibly nutritious. I have no idea of its calcium value (god knows Audacity needs to replenish that, as her body has been cannibalising her own skeletal structure season after season as she has laid all those eggs). It looks well, despite its difficult hatch (it has managed to get every piece of shell off) and it seems healthy. I have high hopes for this little family. Jak stayed on the nest after delivering lunch and seemed to want to help with the feeding, leaning in to the chick on a couple of occasions  Audacity mixed in some seal placenta with the rodent, and I’m sure the level of nutrition from that placenta would be amazing for a newly hatched chick. “

At the nest of Jackie and Shadow, the two surviving chicks of that terrible winter storm appear to be alright. Please send them your good wishes because they, too, got cold and wet despite all the good care of Jackie and Shadow.

Fish are now on the menu at Big Bear along with a pile of Coot!

Shadow comes to say good night to Jackie and the kiddos. https://youtu.be/BtNhMzwjDqY?

Sunday breakfast and all looks good except the kids are alone and uncovered. I sure hope that sun is warm.

At Manton Bay, Blue 33 (11) continues to wait for Maya, his mate who is fifteen years old this spring.

Sisters Blue 24 and 25 have both visited the Manton Bay nest hoping that Blue 33 will bring more fish for them. I sure hope Maya gets home safely and if she doesn’t, I hope that Blue 33 gets a mate worthy of him!!!!!!!

Blue 33 is known, sometimes sadly, for bringing large live fish to the nest. He was caught on video by Geemeff battling one of those a couple of days ago! https://youtu.be/9a8cvy7GrJo?

On Sunday, Geemeff writes about the shenanigans at Rutland: “Fingers crossed that both Maya and Blue 11 return safely. Meantime, this looks like a successful mating between 33 and 25, judging by the way she shakes her tail feathers. Or at least, much better than his attempts earlier today.”

https://youtu.be/QhcMVRfb6kA

Two cutie pies at Port Tobacco!

There are now three at PA Farm Country!

A nice fish came on the Kisatchie E3 nest. The eldest ate first while the little one was submissive, almost hanging over the edge of the nest to its peril. but it clung on, listened, watched, and is getting good at the snatch and grab after the oldest one is full. Oh, help this nest. It needs more food and there are tornadoes in the area tonight (Saturday). It was two days ago – on Thursday that 04 had a really nice crop. He needs to not be so fearful and snatch and grab more. It is hard with such an aggressive older sibling. They sometimes go to bed very hungry. What is happening with deliveries and fish from the lake? Anyone know?

Beautiful little eaglet at the Johnson City nest of Boone and Jolene.

Two wee ones at Bluff City. Franklin and Frances each brought in fish and the kids ate well.

Tornadoes and big storms passing through parts of the US. Berry College seems to be right in the middle of it with rain and lighting at the old nest. Pa and Missey are using another nest so I have no news on eggs.

Oh, what a sweet little osplet at the Moorings Park nest. And it is going to be a healthy one, a fat little bottom full of fish!

Hard to see but that little one at Frenchman’s Creek seems to be doing well, too.

There were at least two fish deliveries at Duke Farms and all ate well and had crops. The little one even had a private feeding.

Are these the official names? If so, I missed it! Harpo, Meechi, Jupi???

Hartley and Monty now have three eggs at the San Jose City Hall scrape!!!!!!!!! https://youtu.be/BqfENvs4uec?

Now we can see those eggs at San Jose! https://youtu.be/jOnjWZ6PGjk?

The first egg for Frida at the Falcon Cam in New Jersey was laid on Saturday.

Gorgeous Milda incubating her two WTE eggs in Latvia.

Ever wonder what gulls eat besides fries at the sea side?

From profiteroles to moles: project uncovers gulls’ surprising diethttps://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/15/from-profiteroles-to-moles-project-uncovers-gulls-surprising-diet?CMP=share_btn_url

Calico wishes to thank everyone who helped with her fundraising. She is pleased to report that when all the funds are in by the end of March, she will donate $420 to two of the charities that care for feral mothers and their kittens, trying to find them homes and for abandoned pets. She is delighted. Thank you so much! Fundraising is over for this spring.

I cannot tell you how much I miss Akecheta and Thunder. We have had so many losses this year, but this one really gutted me and still does – along with Annie and Alden. I know. They all took a piece of us, some more than others.

This was posted and I wanted to share it so that you will go to the Channel Islans Eagle Lovers: CIEL Facebook group to see the entire video clip of Akecheta courting Thunder!

Thank you for joining us today. On Wednesday, we are going on a mini-break to Hecla Island. We hope the weather is not too frigid and that we will see more geese and even the arrival of some American White Pelicans. I will post on Wednesday, take a few days break, and return on Saturday. Take care of yourself during that time. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, images, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘A, Geemeff, Heidi, J’, NEFL-AEF, IWS/Explore (Sauces Canyon), FOBBV, LRWT, Geemeff, Port Tobacco Eagle Cam, Lori Staely and HDonTap, Kisatchie E3 Bald Eagle nest, Union County Falcon Cam, LDF, The Guardian, SK Hideaways and San Jose Falcons, Berry College Eagles, Moorings Park Ospreys, Frenchman’s Creek Ospreys, Stephanie Ross and CIEL, SK Hideaways and FOBBV, Geemeff

Tears. Baby for Jak and Audacity. Saturday in Bird World

15 March 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

Jak and Audacity’s baby worked its way, a long time, out of that crushed shell to the joy of everyone who has cheered and cried for this couple.

Just look!

It is cold to the bone on the Canadian Prairies despite the hint of spring arriving. There were two beautiful Blue Jays in the garden along with the two crows so it appears that all is well with part of the garden family. Brock is eating as I write. The Girls are resting – waiting for their late night snack.

I am certain that most of you have checked on several Bald Eagle nests today including that of Jackie and Shadow, Jak and Audacity, and Beau an Gabby. Maybe you even went to see if the eaglets at Kistachie E3 have been fed.

There were still two eaglets at the nest of Jackie and Shadow on Friday. More Coot has come to the nest supplementing the usual fish. The snow on the water must be keeping the fish at bay.

In the feeding below both are up. Earlier they appeared cold and worry set in. We do not know the fate of the the other eaglet (I am not saying it was the third hatch – it looked to be the second to me but the experts can confirm). It has made our hearts drop and feel ever so sad. But let us wish these two a long and healthy life.

I am worried that one of the eaglets does not appear as well as the other.

‘PB’ reports that both eaglets were fed well at 17:28. The feeding lasted approximately 10 minutes for the eaglets and another five for the adult. I wonder if the one is ‘sweaty’ from the warm brood patch or damp from the nest???

Feeding video by SK Hideaways: https://youtu.be/_SpuLJYXMh8?

Saturday morning and both eaglets are alive at Big Bear. We might never know which one perished.

Hatched! The last time I checked on Friday the eaglet at Sauces was still trying to break free of that membrane.

That eaglet is moving and moving and it looks like it is almost here. Pinch me please.

VH Hock caught it on video. This is a small capture form that FB video:

Dr Sharpe says:

So many are hoping so much, hoping beyond hope for this couple. Thanks, J.

The two eaglets at the Kisatchie E3 nest were fed yesterday and there was food on the nest today. Some relief there!

I believe you are looking at the only hatch at Moorings Park Osprey platform in Florida this season. The other eggs do not appear viable. Let us wish this one strength!

Was there a visitor at the nest of Gabby and Beau today? Or was i seeing double? Beau finally sent the visitor packing.

Milda and Zorro have two eggs in their White-tail Eagle nest in Durbe County, Latvia. Wonderful.

My heart leaps whenever it sees Blue 33. He has been flying around with fish hoping for his Maya to appear. We need her to come home healthy. She had a difficult year in 2024.

It happened last year. Everyone wants Blue 33! Geemeff writes, “Rutland Ospreys: resident male Blue 33 eventually gives intruder female Blue 25 his fish 

And since I recorded this, there have been mating attempts- hurry home Maya and Blue 11!”

I am waiting for Blue NC0 to land on the Loch of the Lowes nest as well as well as all of the other UK ospreys. Oh, let them have a good season.

We have an egg at Lake Murray. ‘H’ writes: :3/14 – Well, the Lake Murray Osprey nest of Kenny and Lucy really has an egg now.  We don’t know what to make of the fact that they have both been incubating an unseen egg for the past 6 days, which may or may not have been hidden inside of a glove, lol.  We are calling this egg #1, and it was laid on 3/14 at 10:59.”

We can just see a wee osplet from under Mum’s breast at Frenchman’s Creek.

Maintenance on Big Red and Arthur’s cam at Cornell University.

From the nest it appears that Angel and Tom have been working on their nest. There is even a pinecone in the centre!

The eaglets at Hilton Head are getting their juvenile feathers!

Egg at Wolf Bay.

‘J’ asked me if I have purchased or read any books on Flaco, the Eurasian owl that escaped from the Central Park Zoo. As it happens, I am reading the recently released book by David Gessner on Flaco. Half way finished. Will let you know the verdict soon!

Rescuers help birds caught in Cyclone Alfred.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/15/a-perfect-storm-the-dedicated-rescuers-caring-for-sodden-seabirds-blown-in-by-cyclone-alfred?CMP=share_btn_url

Thank you so much for being with us today. I need to take a wee bit of a breath so the postings for the next couple of days might be quite short while we wait to see what happens at Big Bear and Sauces. Surely there will be more osprey arrivals as well. Take care everyone. See you soon.

Thank you so much to the following for their notes, posts, images, conversations, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘Geemeff, H, J, PB’, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, IWS/Explore, VH Hock, Dr Sharpe, Kistachie National Forest E3, Moorings Park, NEFL-AEF, LDF, LRWT, Loch of the Lowes, Lake Murray Ospreys, Frenchman’s Creek Ospreys, Window to Wildlife, Hilton Head Island Trust, The Guardian, Wolf Bay Ospreys, Geemeff

Tragedy at Big Bear…Friday in Bird World

14 March 2025

Oh, my goodness. Is it possible that something has happened to one of the chicks at Big Bear? This video shows one caught on Shadow’s talon. There appear to be only two chicks in the nest eating later. The little one was last seen in the snow. I presumed it has passed. What a tragedy.

UPDATE: Peeps can be hear on the Sauces cam if you turn up the volume loud enough.

I had not expected to publish anything today, but, of course there are exciting things happening. As I write this Jak and Audacity’s baby is trying to get out of that membrane. Dr Sharpe says that a large part of the shell had pulled away from the egg on Thursday. The membrane will get brittle and easier for the wee one to break it with its egg tooth. I am so hoping. As I told one reader this will require a large magnum of champagne. We have so long wished for this couple to have an eaglet to raise. I hope it comes to pass.

Shadow wants brooding time. Some worry chick 3 isn’t getting enough food and is also cold and wet. We have to wait and see. https://youtu.be/Jiowi5MwKDU?

The first Osprey star has landed at Manton Bay and the first fish of the year was delivered to his nest by Blue 33 (10). Here is some more information about the Rutland Ospreys:

The first of our annual reports from ‘H’ is full of nest news from the US:

Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, 2024 Osprey Report from Ben Wurst: “Plentiful Fish and Calm Weather Give Ospreys a Boost in 2024”
https://conservewildlifenj.org/2025/03/12/plentiful-fish-and-calm-weather-give-ospreys-a-boost-in-2024/?fbclid=IwY2xjawI_jkBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHSGmHTB4RViiVDKCLLku5MwoVadkOxbQD8OsX3KTWwcqR5eaZxEZGiD20Q_aem_mfMa2GGBFnrvmtKh_bN9-w

There is an osprey nest cam in Havre de Grace, Maryland, that I have been watching for a couple of days.  It seems to have a bonded pair.  We have already seen fish gifts and mating.  It is located at the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum:  (photo of the male with a fish)

There is an osprey nest cam that went online two days ago in Dewey Beach, Delaware.  So far in two days, I have only seen a gorgeous female, and she has begun to refurbish the nest while she waits for her mate to return: (photo of the female)

Opal returned to her nest at Forsythe NJ on 3/12.  She awaits the return of her mate, Oscar.  Opal is a 4-egg-layer.  Oh, I dread that.  Last season, all four eggs hatched, and only the eldest fledged.  There never seems to be enough fish at that nest.  I am hoping that only two chicks will hatch this season.” Thanks, H!

I just caught sight of two ospreys on Maryland’s Western Shore for Old Town Home osprey nest!

Peregrine Falcon numbers are dropping. We understand that dear Annie and Alden might have succumb to HPAI. Is that the cause of this other sudden decline?

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/13/decades-after-peregrines-came-back-from-the-brink-a-new-threat-emerges-aoe?CMP=share_btn_url

“In North America, Skip Ambrose, a peregrine expert formerly with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, has been monitoring the falcons along Alaska’s Yukon River since 1973. He, too, has seen a sharp decline in numbers.

In the summer of 2023, Ambrose reported that 20 of 60 peregrine nesting sites were empty, with nearly a dozen more missing a parent. That is particularly notable because peregrines are generally loyal to both their nesting site and their partner….Curiously, the peregrine’s plight in North America seems most pronounced along the coasts. In New Jersey, for example, 22 of the 44 known nesting peregrines went missing during the last breeding season. In Virginia, local scientists recently noted that a dozen out of roughly 70 birds had vanished.

Peregrine nests in inland Washington state, near the Cascade mountains, seem stable, Anderson says, while those on the nearby San Juan Islands are struggling.

“It is interesting that coastal populations are showing impact while those in the middle of the continent, so far, do not,” says Patrick Redig, a veterinarian and president of the Midwest Peregrine Society, who helps track 200 nesting pairs across seven states.

Though scientists lack an official answer as to what is driving such sudden and far-reaching disappearances, many – including David Bird, who formerly led the Avian Science and Conservation Centre at Canada’s Montreal’s McGill University in Quebec – think highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) may be largely to blame.”

More tragedy. Seabirds are getting brain disorders like Alzheimer’s. What to blame? Microplastics?

Plastic pollution leaves seabirds with brain damage similar to Alzheimer’s, study showshttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/12/plastic-pollution-leaves-seabirds-chicks-with-brain-damage-similar-to-alzheimers-study-aoe?CMP=share_btn_url

Cholyn has laid her second egg!

Ospreys are starting to arrive in the UK as well as in the NE of the US.

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘H, J’, FOBBV, Channel Islands Eagle Lovers FB, SK Hideaways, Rutland Manton Bay, River Gwash Ospreys, Maryland Western Shore for Old Town Home, The Guardian

Thursday in Bird World

13 March 2025

Hello Everyone,

Update: Hartley lays second egg and at Port Tobacco the first and second eggs are pipping! Nothing at Sauces yet.

It is +2 and sunny and oh, my goodness, spring is really in the air. No doubt I will write about some huge snow storm hitting us mid-April as it often did on my eldest son’s birthday, but, for now, there is a lovely sound in the garden – bird song!

The deck and gardens are getting cleaned. As you can see there is still some snow and ice. These two wanted a wee bath! But, the water is now out an the bath turned upside down in anticipation of snow arriving Thursday morning.

Dr Sharpe’s talk on the Channel Islands Eagle Restoration! https://youtu.be/f2x_7KyTA90?

Thank you so much for archiving that talk! So much to learn.

At the nest of Jackie and Shadow, it is impossible not to melt when you see those little ones.

SK Hideaways caught this cuteness on video: https://youtu.be/1kiyqM1Y-t4?

‘B’ writes that the weather is turning again. Poor Jackie and Shadow have a nest full and can’t get a break with the weather!

“The weather at Big Bear is looking better today (Wednesday) than I had expected, given the previous forecasts.  But the bensweather.com prediction now shows the heaviest snow tomorrow (and snow continuing Friday), so still a good time to lay in supplies! ”

Bodie. Not so long ago, this magnificent juvenile eaglet was the size of those little bobbleheads. It is hard to remember. Bodie was our first miracle that gave us hope.

I have to admit that like many of you I have been so captivated by the triplets at Big Bear and Bodie that I have not checked on other nests today. This will be a short posting!

GLG has returned to the Royal Cam chick after foraging. What a gorgeous sky call. https://youtu.be/Nl3qnUZKGCo?

Meanwhile, on the Cornell Campus, Big Red and Arthur are busy working on their nest. We will have eggs in a fortnight! https://youtu.be/Ebb5ZPRcZTs?

White Storks are incubating eggs at Knepp Farm.

One egg has hatched at Moorings Park.

No eggs for Edie and Lloyd at Captiva yet. It is late. Maybe the nest will be empty this year.

Food is scarce or not existent at the Kistachie E3 nest. What in the world is wrong? Please send good wishes to them, please.

Important condor dies of lead poisoning. Please let us end this painful and needless way for our wildlife to die.

There is concern that the only surviving egg at Sauces is not viable. Still waiting at Port Tobacco and also for that second egg at the nest of Bonnie and Clyde. We had all hoped that Jak and Audacity would have a family this year. We will give it a couple more days.

‘L’ writes that the Bald Eagle Cam at the Sutton Centre in Bartlesville, Oklahoma is up and running with eagles on the nest.

‘J’ sent a note that Keke at Superbeaks had fledged and returned to the nest successfully.

The birds are migrating.

Howard was the Bald Eagle that the great folks at Wild Heart Ranch helped through a series of ‘boots’. Look at how well he is doing now.

Poachers being arrested that have been killing our beautiful storks. The Akkar region is in Lebanon.

The killing of migrant birds for fun in Lebanon (and other areas) has been of ongoing concern.

CyprianKozera-WhiteStorksKillingInLebanonDownload

Thank you for being with me today. I hope you can get outside and smell the freshness of spring. See you soon.

Thank you to the following fort their notes, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘B, J, L’, IWS, SK Hideaways, FOBBV, NEFL-AEF, Cornell Bird Lab, Knepp Farm, Moorings Park Osprey Cam, Window to Wildlife, Kistachie National Forest E3 Bald Eagle Nest, US Weather Service Hastings Nebraska, Wild Heart Ranch, Soraya Z Mouawad, Research Gate

Monday in Bird World

10 March 2025

Hello Everyone!

UPDATE: Chase and Cholyn have their first egg at Two Harbours.

It is +5 and it was a remarkable Sunday on the Canadian Prairies. There were eleven Canada Geese at the nature centre enjoying the open water while children tried their luck at ice fishing at the other end of the lake.

It is going to snow today with the temperatures dropping to -15 C. It felt like spring on Saturday and Sunday and this was remarkable in lifting our spirits. We were outside without heavy coats!!!!!!! The birds are singing, the squirrels are playing chase, and well, life feels so good. Winter is ending.

The arrival of the geese signal the arrival of spring.

‘PB’ sent me a post showing the Kearney Centre where they have never seen so many Cranes an snow geese at one time at the Nebraska site. Our feathered friends are on the move!

This is the image posted by Michelle Neville and sent to me by ‘PB’. Isn’t this amazing?

All of the staring at the Big Bear triplets caused me to miss the first hatch at Moorings Park. Apologies all around! Thank goodness it is a nest that ‘H’ is watching for the forms, and if anyone ever doubts her observations , well, don’t. Believe her regardless of what all the chatter is saying. She is persistent. She will stay up all night watching frame by frame to make certain she has it. So here is the report, “Moorings Park had its first hatch this morning at 0726, at 39.5 days if it was egg #1.  It could have been egg 2 at 36.5 days. This year, eggs 1 and 2 were very similar.  So, if there is a DNH (and I’m hoping there is), then I may go back in and modify the hatch order of the eggs.) [We first saw a small pip at 2357 on 3/8. I searched the entire evening, and could not see an earlier pip.  Last season at Moorings only two eggs hatched, and the experts on the chat said that egg #1 did not hatch. I think we have egg 3 as DNH in the forms, but I do recall them saying egg 1 didn’t hatch.”

Watching the baby at Big Bear. These triplets are so cute. That first hatch is a bit of a corker. Love this family!

‘B’ reports more weather coming to Big Bear: “More weather is forecast for Big Bear — snow predicted for Tues, Wed, Thurs. Fingers crossed — glad the chicks are still small.

https://www.bensweather.com

Glad that Shadow brought in 5 fish on Sunday.  Better keep busy today!  The feedings of the little ones are so cute, especially those tandem feedings.

The rays of the sun kissed those adorable babies.

Lots of food coming to the Big Bear nest! https://youtu.be/r2IjbNsj4Eo?

More than 31,000 souls watched this dual feeding!!!!!!!!!

SK Hideaways caught this dual feeding on video: https://youtu.be/VV9DnU30QAs?

The second hatch at the Kisatchie National Forest E3 Bald Eagle nest is really getting a raw deal from its older sibling. One would have thought that the dominance would have ended. Is there a problem with the amount of food being brought to the nest that is causing this type of bonking?

No food for the younger one this time round.

E04 will get some foo but the viscious attacks have really caused it to be hyper cautious and often not eat.

Andria II is very much aware of what is happening on the nest and made several attempts to ensure 04 had some food.

The Institute for Wildlife Studies has announced Dr Sharpe’s successor and the information for the Adoption Challenge for 2025. Here is the post. This is their big fundraiser and you could get a chance to name an eaglet! One of our readers did just that for one of Akecheta’s triplets. What an honour.

Bald Eagle chart, thank you for checking all those locations and sending this to us, ‘J’: (I cannot make it any larger). E is pip or hatch watch. F is the hatch date.

At the nest of Beau and Gabby, the adults have to watch their talons when they deliver food to Bodie. This big girl really loves her prey. She is gorgeous. It has really been a joy watching this new family raise its first eaglet (yes, I know Beau has been around for a few years, but this is the first year as a ‘family’).

Bodie is so good at the snatch and grab. Beau and Gabby are training their only youngster to survive in the world when it did not have the chance to scrap with siblings! Watch: https://youtu.be/orZm8josGhg?

Mum and Dad were very protective of their two beautiful eaglets during a recent storm in the Dallas area!

Certainly only eaglet at Johnson City is such a cutie and could well have a life of bliss like Bodie.

The triplets at Duke Farm seem to be doing fine. Life can change quickly.

‘J’ sends news that the Osprey ambassador Oliver at Marathon (home to Rita) has died.

It is not an osprey but a Sparrowhawk at Loch Arkaig. https://youtu.be/5eeCTuyXl-8

The loss of butterflies is catastrophic – a wake up call to us!

Butterfly population in US shrinking by 22% over last 20 years, study showshttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/06/declining-butterfly-populations?CMP=share_btn_url

Upcoming pip watches: Port Tobacco and Sauces starts and we wait for hatch for Bonnie an Clyde at the GHO nest on Farmer Derek’s Property in Kansas.

News from ‘A”: “Tom and Angel are spending time at the nest most days though not all. They are still bringing pine sprigs to the nest and doing a lot of nest cupping so they appear to have largely completed the early structural work (although more baby rails will no doubt be added once any hatchling/s start venturing out of the nest bowl) and are now perfecting the soft surface in the centre of the nest and trying to eject the pine cones that fall into it. There is still no guarantee that they have committed to a clutch at this location this season but we watch and hope. At least they both appear healthy and their pair bond remains strong. 

At Taiaroa Head, I’m not sure if you heard the news that the DNA results showed our chick to be a female. She is getting fed regularly and is rapidly becoming a gorgeous snowy-white fluffball. I love that her plumage is unstained by regurgitation, indicating that there has been no incident to cause her undue stress or fear during the post-guard period. She sure is an adventurous small person and has explored the vicinity of her nest, A rat was seen on the camera yesterday morning and ranger Sharyn advised that they have been catching a larger number of rats than usual at this time of year in the traps the rangers set. The albie chicks should be large enough to not be endangered by the rats but apparently they are a major hazard for the little blue penguins, who are only breeding successfully in areas where there is trapping. We need to be incredibly grateful for the work these rangers do to protect not just the albies but also the other native wildlife of this area. “

Thank you so much for being with me today. My goal is to post ‘some’ news each day. It will not be a full account of every nest! I do hope that you find something enjoyable and valuable. Take care everyone. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, articles, announcements, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, B, Geemeff, H, J, PB’, Michelle Neville, Moorings Park Ospreys, FOBBV, Ben’s Weather, SK Hideaways, Kistachie National Forest E3 Bald Eagle Cam, IWS, NEFL-AEF, AEF, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Johnson City ETSU, Duke Farms, Marathon Wildlife Centre, Geemeff, The Guardian

Sunday in Bird World

9 March 2025

Oh, my goodness. Hello from what feels like the arrival of spring on the Canadian Prairies. For days I have worried about Dyson, the matriarch of the Grey Squirrel family. The three kits have been out, but not Mum. Well, Saturday morning there she was perched above the brand new suet cylinder way back in the lilac branches. She looks good. She ate 1/3 of the cylinder. Good old Dyson!!!!!! Living up to her name. The sparrows are singing and the Starlings have come and gone removing every last meal worm while leaving the pieces of butter bark. Surely someone will want those.

I am spring cleaning. The feral feeding station has been cleared, cleaned and left in a smaller state with the hope that no huge snow storms arrive before I can rush out and put a cover over things. Brock has already checked it out and approved.

If the nest of Jackie and Shadow has preoccupied me, I do not apologize. Just the idea that our much loved couple could have three chicks to hatch is well, just beyond my wildest dreams. It is all I can think about. As I said in Saturday’s post, I am so grateful for Bodie (who is now six weeks old and as big as Gabby) and these triplets after losing the Es and well, having Thunder and Akecheta MIA along with Annie and Alden.

A reader asked me not to put them on the Memorial Board. They said, “Don’t put their names into the list of those who we know is lot alive for sure. And then we will be always in hope to see them again one day.” If you have checked there is no Memorial Board for 2025. I simply have been too overcome to compile it. There are certainly others. The Memorial Board is really a testament to their presence in our lives and eventually I will simply put them as Missing in Action. Because that really is all we know.

I am happy to attach the PDF of the Los Angeles Times article on Jackie and Shadow. Thank you to the reader who sent it! You don’t need to subscribe.

A pair of bald eagle hatchlings inspire hope in Big Bear – Los Angeles TimesDownload

As I am writing now, Junior is flying in and out getting peanuts an Dyson is back chomping on that cylinder. No one told her it should last a week!!!!!! The warm sunshine is so welcome here this year. My plan is to move the bird baths and fix the deck as a sanctuary for humans to bask in the sun as well. There will still be 3/4 of the garden devoted to things with wings or fur. :))))))))).

Everyone worried about the third hatch at Big Bear, but this little one is well, as big as the middle sibling and I am hoping that it is a really scrappy female like Jackie. It will do well on the nest with the two older siblings and I have a feeling that both Jackie and Shadow will be more than busy caring for these triplets.

Just look at that pantry.

One of the BB babies got caught and was dragged out of the nest cup. By a small miracle, it rolled off the snow and back into the nest. My heart stopped. https://youtu.be/n6lYn-zjdO4?

Some are concerned about what appears to be preferential feeding at the Duke Farms nest. Conserve Wildlife of NJ says that all the triplets are doing well.

‘A’ provides her observations, “At Duke Farms I am most heartened to see that the pantry is overflowing with fish (I can count seven) and mum is being very diligent about ensuring that all three of the littles get fed. The oldest got the best of one feeding, and at the next, mum circled around to the other side and concentrated on the younger two (the older one appeared to be in a food coma behind them). If dad keeps that pantry full and mum is patient enough to feed it to the chicks until there are no more begging beaks at the table, then these three have a very good chance at survival (assuming we don’t have a Zoe on the nest of course). We know that nests turn in an instant – the disappearance of a parent for example can change everything. But I still believe that the patience and dedication of the parent/s at feedings is the primary factor – can they be bothered with the hard work of carefully getting enough food into all those swaying little beaks? Some can’t, and only feed the closest ones. But the mum at Duke Farms appears to be patient and prepared to do her part in ensuring her chicks get fed. I hope this continues. They are SO cute at this age, before they decide to start bonking each other. I just love these first few days. Little masked bandits. They are certainly loud! “

The first sighting of an osprey in the UK – an so it begins. It is flying north! Wonder which one it is…Work continues on repairing nests

You might enjoy this talk from the Wildlife Trust at Rutland Osprey. George Smith is really knowledgable and I highly recommend this even if you live elsewhere. Lots of good information! https://youtu.be/7l6aOLlw0Vw?

In other news,

At the Captiva Bald Eagle Nest of Connie and Clive, Dancer has now branched. That was at 1508.

Nothing seems to be happening at Moorings Park Osprey platform yet.

Pip watch at Sauces starts on Monday! That egg is holding. Maybe there is something to having it wrapped with nesting material in a deep hole. The egg has been rolled an if it is fertile we just might have another miracle in California.

Bodie. What can I say? Our first miracle of the year. Looks like a big beautiful Gabby to me!

This may be the year for strange things happening. Take Lake Murray. Is it entirely possible that the egg of Kenny and Lucy has wound up in a glove? “The strangest thing… Lake Murray…

Lucy and Kenny have been obviously ‘incubating’ all day (I could not find egg lay time), but no one has seen an egg. There is a black glove in the bowl, and I had thought that the egg must be under the glove.  There has been the shape of an egg under the glove, and they have been ‘aerating’ the glove.  But, at 1719 Lucy picked up the glove and moved it, and the egg shape moved with it.  I now believe that the egg somehow ended up inside the glove. “

Ferris Akel caught both Big Red and Arthur on camera on Saturday. It is so very, very good to see them.

Just look at all these gorgeous birds. Now imagine taking them from the wild for falconry. The licenses in the UK might be canceled. This will, of course, be controversial. There are many falconers around the world, and as a teenager, I was involved in falconry in Oklahoma. My older self shakes my head. I firmly believe that raptors need to live freely in the world unless they absolutely cannot.

DEFRA endorses Natural England’s recommendations for a presumption AGAINST the issuing of licences fDownload

Beavers will be living free. News from Knepp Farm.

Licenced beaver reintroductions allowed – KneppDownload

Possible egg at the University of Florida-Gainesville platform.

We are awaiting our beloved geese. Some are also waiting for hummers. Here is a good timeline.

I hope to hear honking in the wind soon! After some more clearing tomorrow we will head out to Oak Hammock Marsh to check on any of those waddling poopers.

Calico’s Tip for the Day: It has nothing to do with a bird, but it could save someone’s life. Most, if not all of you, will have heard about the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife. Hackman had very advanced Alzheimers while his wife, thirty years younger, was in good health and had been his only (it appears) caregiver. It reminds me of my situation with my husband except for the age difference – I am ten years older. No one would have predicted that the younger healthier caregiver spouse would have died of a very rare mouse virus. But she did leaving Mr Hackman at home alone – probably not knowing anything. A maintenance worker came to their door weeks before their fate was revealed. ———— This could happen to any of us. Calico wants you to develop a plan with your neighbours, friends, and family so that this does not happen to you or your loved one. Do not rely on landline phones or watches that are supposed to alert the police or necklaces with a panic button. My husband would probably not be able to find the landline phone or remember how to use it or what number to call. My Apple phone is not reliable. It often thinks I fall when I don’t and when I do, well, it did nothing the other day. So – get something old fashioned in place. Text friends and family on specific days to let them know that you are OK. That is all you have to send is ‘I am OK’. Don’t wait. Please get the ducks in a row.

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, images, articles, streaming cams, etc that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, B, Geemeff, H, J’, The Los Angeles Times, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, Dfyi Osprey Project, Rutland Water (LRWT), Window to Wildlife, Moorings Park, IWS/Explore, NEFL-AEF, Lake Murray Ospreys, Raptor Persecution UK, Knepp Farm, AccuWeather, Ferris Akel Tours

Triplets at Big Bear…Saturday in Bird World

8 March 2025

Hello Everyone,

In the inbox this morning: “It’s a good morning indeed, Mary Anne!  I hope you have purchased that next small bottle of champagne (and maybe already consumed it?) to celebrate the arrival of #3.  Now my hope is that there are no big storms in a few weeks, when the three chicks are too big to all fit under mom Jackie at once.

The link below showed up in my google news summary on Friday.  It is just a couple of letters to the editor in the Los Angeles Times showing public reaction to the moving drama at Big Bear.  They certainly show how the story of Jackie and Shadow has inspired folks.  What I think about even more myself is what wonderful messages Jackie and Shadow are bringing to all the schoolkids whose teachers are sharing the webcam with their classes.”

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/story/2025-03-06/letters-to-the-editor-a-bit-of-hope-pecked-its-way-out-of-those-bald-eagle-eggs-in-big-bear

I could not agree with our reader more! That little bottle of champagne, the second one, will be with tonight’s dinner! I am personally over the moon. Elated beyond my dreams for Jackie and Shadow. The entire year could end now and it would be just fine. The happiness this nest has brought has washed away earlier tears. Now I just want Sauces to be as fortunate. Fingers crossed.

I sure hope this third hatch is a scrapper!!!!!!

ABC Chicago: https://youtu.be/6i3gstNb57M?

Just look at these little ones.

Despite all the food, be prepared for bonking.

Lots of food on that nest! Shadow is going to be very busy this year hunting and feeding. I bet he is over the moon with eagle happiness.

Elfruler sent out a post about saliva feeding in eagles. Have a read!

SALIVA | Bald EaglesDownload

Heidi reports that the ospreys have returned to the Colonial beach nest. I wish they hadn’t. Maybe it will be a different year but with the Menhaden being taken out of the Chesapeake by the millions of tonnes I doubt it.

Pip watch for Moorings Park.

Hartley and Monty are gearing up big for the 2025 breeding season with lots of amorous moments. https://youtu.be/L8teFCA-p2c?

Wisdom, her partner, and her latest chick are doing well on the Midway Atoll.

Wisdom’s previous fledges are also parents!

We will be back with short little posts. Nothing long and arduous until next week. The weather is grand and we need to be outside.

Thank you so much to FOBBV for their streaming cam, to Elfruler for their research, Heidi and Colonial Beach Ospreys, Moorings Park Osprey Cam, SK Hideaways, Mission Blue, Friends of Midway Atoll, ‘B’, The Los Angeles Times, ABC News

Friday in Bird World

7 March 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

I don’t know about you but the thought of Jackie and Shadow with three eaglets in a nest with a huge storm in the Big Bear Valley has been the most energizing event I could imagine. Has it been the same for you? There is some beautiful reaffirmation that everything really is going to be fine. I am sleeping better, the only thing we have been watching on that screen we have been watching are two of the sweetest, most loved little eaglets ever to hatch. Still can’t believe it.

A break in the winter storm allowed Jackie to feed the first two hatches at the nest and for everyone to get a glimpse at the pip in the third egg. Most of us did not believe our eyes. Could it be possible?

Many were determined not to watch the agony of Jackie and Shadow incubating eggs that would not hatch and now – to the utter amazement of everyone, it looks like there will be three!!!!!!!!!

SK Hideaways caught that feeding on video: https://youtu.be/e6d7ulhLbsY?

I wonder if Jackie and Shadow can believe their eyes, too? https://youtu.be/GBtcM_22HW8?s

Calico is one of the biggest fans of Big Bear and hasn’t been able to take her eyes off the nest all morning. There has never been triplets before. She worries like the rest of us, but when Shadow was calling Jackie and the babies….well, she is glued.

KTLA has some of the most recent news and Sandi Spears is on and she is so excited: https://youtu.be/0lhsIUyHT7c?

There will be a naming contest. Suggestions will go in. 35 names picked at random and the Big Bear Third Graders will get the final votes! And just think – it has been three years without naming eaglets. This is so exciting.

KCAL has news: https://youtu.be/opt9GYNXYzQ?

Bluff City has a pip in its second egg!

Just look at Bodie! I think Gabby got herself a girl this year.

We are on pip watch for the second egg at Johnson City.

Pip watch at Moorings Park is coming on Saturday.

Everything is fine with the triplets at Duke Farms. https://youtu.be/it5WznBEu00?

Gosh, I wish that Frenchman’s Creek camera was better. You can hardly see if those two chicks are alive!

Sadly, one has perished. ‘H’ writes:
3/6 –  At approximately 22:15 the GHO struck Mom who was brooding the 2.5 day old and 1.5 day old babies.  One of the babies was thrown to the rails at the bottom of the nest.  Mom returned to the nest after just a few minutes.  A couple minutes later, the baby on the rails sticks began to squirm, and then fell through the sticks.”

I cannot tell you how much I dislike the GHOs that strike these osprey nests.

‘A’ is worried that Jak and Audacity’s egg is buried too deep. ‘A’ is not alone. She remarks, “Have you seen the depth of the pit Jak and Audacity have excavated under and around that egg? Yes, it is likely to protect the egg from cracking because there won’t be any significant body weight on it from the incubating parents or indeed any weight at all, but I’m not even sure the brood patch can come into contact with the egg because of the depth it is at. And as Audacity pulls in the dry grass and tucks it tighter around her, it gradually works its way down towards the bottom of the pit until presumably it buries the egg. I think it is getting dug out again periodically but it is in my opinion in a precarious position. 

I greatly fear that Audacity may see one of her eggs survive to pip but the eaglet will be buried at the bottom of a deep pit with loose dry grass constantly piling up on top of it. How long before an external pip can Audacity (and Jak) hear the chick cheeping inside? And if they do, will they try to dig the egg up? And are they likely to succeed or will the dry grass they remove from the bottom simply slide back down the inside of the pit? At the moment, as I said, when Audacity is incubating, she pulls dried grass towards her and tucks it in around her body. Surely this will mean that every time she moves, more dry grass falls into the bottom of the pit and more deeply buries the egg.” 

Squirrel dinner from Alex II at Kistache E3: https://youtu.be/fTUtthkKReE?

Calico’s Wall of Shame: If you promise to stop using lead ammunition and you don’t, well bloody shame on you!!!!!!

UK gamebird shooting industry fails to meet voluntary pledge to stop using toxic lead ammunition – nDownload

Mind you, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I was scrolling around the telly. Please, please do not make the balloon arch on that new Netflix show with Meghan. I thought part of the idea was being kind to nature, being respectful for the environment. So then where did the balloons come from? No balloons, no balloon arches, and definitely not machines that blow balloons up. Kids do not need balloons. The environment does not need balloons. Wildlife die because of balloons. They go up, they come down. They burst. They have strings that bind little legs. Birds eat them. You just got added to Calico’s Wall of Shame.

Life is good. Smile. A big fish just came on the Big Bear Nest!

A visitor at Cal Falcons.

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, images, and just all the stations, TV and radio or otherwise, that are covering Jackie and Shadow: ‘A, Geemeff, H, J’, SK Hideaways, FOBBV, KTLA, KCAL, Bluff City-ETSU, Moorings Park Osprey Platform, Duke Farms, Wings of Whimsy, Frenchman’s Creek, Nesting Birdlife and More, Raptor Persecution UK, Cal Falcons, NE Florida-AEF

Storming in Big Bear…Thursday in Bird World

6 March 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

Jackie and Shadow made the Top 7 in The Washington Post!

Celebrity bald eagles welcome two chicks after nearly three years – The Washington PostDownload

Send all your good energy. Those eaglets will need some fish! And all your love to our Big Bear Family as those tiniest eaglets ride out the storm.

I I didn’t plan to write another post until Friday, but the storm hitting Big Bear is on everyone’s mind. While there are thousands of feathers to keep the adults warm and a brood patch to transfer body warmth to the eaglets, we still have concerns. The forecast predicts 8 to 12 inches of snow will fall in Big Bear Valley. We worry there may be insufficient food in the nest and that the eaglets could get damp, leading to respiratory issues. In other words, like with out own human children, we are worrying about everything at this nest. It is our focus despite many other nests having little ones arriving daily. We dared to imagine that Jackie and Shadow might have eaglets and when the two hatches happened, we continued to pinch ourselves to check that reality. We love this family dearly and want nothing to happen at this nest if we could just put a protective dome around it!

Eaglets fed as the storm begins. https://youtu.be/pya2z6Uq3h8?

As you may have noticed, birds often anticipate changes in the weather that meteorologists predict later. For example, Shadow sensed the approaching storm and brought at least three fish back to the nest. While the chicks need frequent meals of small flakes of fish to thrive, the adult birds also require food. However, feeding the chicks becomes challenging when the weather worsens. As the winds and moisture intensified, Shadow decided to reduce the feeding of the eaglets. SKHideaways caught this behaviour on video: https://youtu.be/_65FdR8LblI?

At the Captiva Eagle Cam, Dasher and Dancer are doing very well. Connie and Clive have been, as nothing short of what expected, exceptional parents.

Everyone is printing stories. These eaglets are so loved. They have brought joy to so many. We wish them good health, big crops, and delighted parents.

Big Bear bald eagles Jackie and Shadow welcome two hatchlings – Los Angeles TimesDownload

At the West End, Makaio might not be happy with the female that has come to the nest. Still the pair are roosting in the tree. Of course, she is no match for our dear Thunder! We will wait to see what truly transpires at this nest, but my instinct tells me we will not see eaglets this year.

NE Florida‘s Bodie has been in ignored with all of the celebrations coming out of the Big Bear Valley. She is a big girl. (Not tested just my feeling). A squirrel was brought to the nest and Bodie quickly to it to her spot to try and feed. She is doing precisely what she will need to do in the wild! And what a gorgeous, gorgeous eaglet she is becoming with those shiny, slick ebony feathers. And look at that beak and jaw. She is quite incredible and we should never forget the great joy we felt when she hatched. Another moment that we had to pinch ourselves to know it was real.

Several precious feedings for the triplets at Duke Farms before the rain began to fall. Dad has lots of fish on that nest just in case there is considerable snow or rainfall. Well done, Dad.

Two beautiful eaglets at the John Bunker Sands Wetlands are doing quite fine. Almost every sign of any natal down is now gone. They eat, gain strength in their wings and legs all preparing them for a life off the nest.

At Johnson City, BC26 is a cutie pie.

Oh, goodness. They are all cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are each precious. They deserve a safe habitat and safe food.

Kisatchie National Forest E3: The two eaglets have their thermal down and are losing their baby plumage which will soon be placed by that gorgeous shiny black plumage of the juvenile. Continue to send good wishes to this family so that there are two eaglets safely fledged and healthy parents to bid them farewell.

Many are wagering on whether or not F23 and M15 are planning a second clutch. They have been back at the nest working hard.

What about second clutches? I decided to see what AI would say about it and this is what came up in terms of likely statistics:

  • In another study, 27.3% of failed first clutches resulted in a second clutch. 

When do second clutches occur?

  • Second clutches are more likely to occur if the first clutch is lost early in the nesting season. 
  • Eagles usually don’t lay a second clutch if they’ve incubated for more than about two weeks. 

Other factors 

  • A successful second clutch depends on the availability of enough food for both the chicks and the parents.
  • The gonads must not have completely regressed so that reproductive hormones can be released to enable ovulation and fertilization.

Examples of second clutches 

  • In 1997-98, the parents began a second breeding attempt in February 1999 that produced two nestlings.
  • From 2006-2019, streaming cams observed eight instances of double clutches.

Elfruler gives us some really good insights into second clutches:

SECOND CLUTCHES | Bald EaglesDownload

We need to continue to remind ourselves of the deadly effects of HPAI. The testing and disposal of the bodies is paramount of understanding what happened. Digging shallow graves to bury dead owlets, as in Florida, is not acceptable. Carrion eaters dig them up and then more are ill and die. We must be super careful and vigilant in order to try and half as much damage to our raptor population as possible.

Bird Flu Enters a New Phase, Scientists Say – The New York TimesDownload

Calico wants to thank everyone who purchased one of her cards. She believes that each of us can make a difference—no grand gestures required, just caring. Next Monday, Calico will send Darcy’s Arc a cheque for $325 to help feed feral mothers and their kittens. She could not have done this without your generosity. Thank you so much.

Darling Calico cuddled up with my night shirt. Precious, precious girl.

Brock comes to the window and taps to let me know if the food and water dishes are empty outside OR if he would prefer another flavour! Brock has developed a taste for the ‘better’ cat food. Seeing him trusting us enough to ask for a different meal or more water is sweet. He has now taken to relaxing on the deck after he eats, taking in the warmth from the sun. We adore him.

We have been going for drives, sometimes short and often accompanied by a walk or feeding the chickadees. It has been quite icy and this evening I am suffering from a wee tumble taken at the English Gardens a couple of days ago. There is nothing to replace being outside – the wide open spaces and the blue skies. The deer were everywhere.

While I wait for the geese to arrive in Manitoba – and we are heading out tomorrow to see if we can get a first glimpse – Geese are arriving in Decorah, Iowa and finding their nest!

At the Campanile, a peregrine falcon did land on the ledge to check things out. I miss Annie!

At Two Harbours,Chase and Cholyn, who are both 26-27 years old, have been breeding together for 22 years. Will they have an egg this year? and raise a chick? We wait. https://youtu.be/O03rYESEzl8?

We remember Kumi, one of those remarkable green flightless parrots, the Kakapo. The population is now down to 243 with his death.

Kākāpō Recovery says:

REMEMBERING KUMI: Kumi hatched on Whenua Hou/Codfish Island, 19 March 2005. His mother Margaret-Maree was discovered in 1985 is still alive. His father was Sass who died in 2010 after signs of old age, 30 years after he was discovered. At just five weeks old, Kumi was injured by another kākāpō. While receiving treatment he earned the nickname ‘puku nui’ (big belly) due to his size and appetite. Then, in 2019, he became the largest kākāpō on Pukenui/Anchor Island, topping the scales at 4kg (8.8lbs).  At this weight, male kākāpō in breeding condition become almost spherical in shape because of their fat reserves and large ‘boom sack’. Kumi was known as an excellent boomer and for making an immaculate bowl. His efforts were rewarded, and his bloodline will continue through his seven offspring. One of his chicks with Kuia is Marian, the first-hatched grandchild of the famous Fiordland bird Richard Henry. Marian was successful herself in the last breeding season, making Kumi a grandad to three.  Kumi would have turned 20-years-old on the 19th March. He was found deceased under a yellow silver pine, not far from his bowl. There were no obvious signs of injury or cause of death, but his age, location and the timing indicate it could have been the result of a fight with another male kākāpō. A level of mortality is to be expected in any wild population, but each loss is a reminder of the vulnerability of the critically endangered kākāpō. With the next breeding season predicted next year for the first time since 2022, we look forward supporting the growth of the population again soon. Until then, we will continue to monitor the manu [birds] through remote technologies and annual health checks. Thanks to our treaty partner Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and National Partner Meridian Energy for their ongoing support of our programme. Public donations and symbolic kākāpō adoptions via our website also contribute directly to the health and vitality (mauri ora) of this critically endangered species. Supporters with current Kumi adoptions were contacted via email yesterday – thank you for your support. 💚

Thank you so much for being with us and for caring so much for our wildlife. Please take care. We hope to see you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, streaming cams, and articles that helped me to write my post today: ‘B, J, H’, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, Window to Wildlife, Los Angeles Times, IWS/Explore, NEFL-AEF, Duke Farms, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Johnson City ETSU, Kistachie National Forest E3, Elfruler, The New York Times, Raptor Resource Project, Maria dk, Kakapo Recovery

Storm heading to Big Bear…Late Wednesday in Bird World

5 March 2025

Hello Everyone,

I am sending this out because of the storm heading to Big Bear. There will likely not be a long post on Thursday. Shadow – get some more fish on that nest!

My inbox is full of people so elated over Jackie and Shadow’s little bundles. So am I. Buckets of good tears.

One note caught my eye and hence this posting now.

The first note comes from ‘B’ who writes: “You know how popular Jackie and Shadow are when the press is even publishing the storm warnings for them. Here’s a storm alert for Big Bear. Hope Shadow gets some fish laid in the fridge.”

https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/storm-big-bear-bald-eagle-chicks

They are the cutest little eaglets. Others agree! https://youtu.be/ZSL3GfBMEyg?

Big Red and Arthur, the Red-tail Hawks on the Cornell Campus now have a live camera! Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/live/afsaYKQ3vac?

Big Red and Arthur have been visiting the nest. They were there on Wednesday the 5th and on the 3rd doing nestorations. https://youtu.be/_65FdR8LblI?

Oh, I dislike that camera at Frenchman’s Creek. The resolution is so poor it is hard to tell if there is one osplet, two, or three. There has been a lot of speculation, but I trust Heidi – she is always spot on! This is her report an it is what is going in our data forms for the 2025 osprey breeding season.

“3/5 Second hatch … Mom seen removing half shell around 0525, so I’ll call that hatch time.  

So, most likely scenario is: “Egg 1 hatched on 3/4 at 38 days, and Egg 2 hatched on 3/5 at 36 days, and egg 3 was the egg that had been ejected from the nest.”

At Fort St Vrain, a fourth bald eagle egg was late on March 5. This is a first for the nest. Normally Bald Eagles lay between 1-3 eggs. Four is very rare.

Bluff City has its hatch – BC26! https://youtu.be/HvbmHgXd7y8?

Pip watch continues for the second egg at Johnson City ETSU.

Severna Park Osprey platform cam is live: https://www.youtube.com/live/RuLQ2C6J094?

Florida Owl Cam: Both of the owlets are believed to have died. A loyal reader who has observed this nest saw the youngest owlet (20 days old) begin to tremor and fell off the nest. Was ‘shoveled’ back and fell and then put in a bucket without holes attacked to the pole below the nest. Then the camera is off again today. It is presumed the second owlet has died. While this is sad, there reader made a very interesting statement that I want to share. “I didn’t know this sort of thing happened with people who put up cameras. They are so expensive to set up. I really thought they would be educated people and know what to do if an animal fell from at least 20 ft. Animals who aren’t built for it, like owls. We will never know what made them ill, and that’s a real shame for the rest of the animals around there.”

To my knowledge, anyone can set up a nest and a camera on their property. There are no regulations that I am aware which means that the individual that runs the camera doesn’t have to be either educated or care about animals. Seriously. I had a chat years ago with Tiger Mozone who believes that putting streaming cams on wildlife platforms should not be done. Many put up the cameras simply to make money. Others use them for research. Some are purely entertainment. You do not necessarily know which one you are watching.

How do people make money off of streaming cams?

“A wildlife streaming camera, depending on its setup and popularity, can generate income ranging from a few dollars per month to several hundred dollars per month through various monetization methods like advertising, sponsorships, or viewer donations on platforms like YouTube or dedicated wildlife streaming services; however, the exact amount can vary greatly based on factors like viewership, content quality, and the platform used. 

Key factors affecting income:

  • Viewership:The more viewers a camera has, the more potential for ad revenue and sponsorships.
  • Content quality:High-quality, engaging wildlife footage will attract more viewers and potentially higher paying sponsors.
  • Platform used:Different platforms have different monetization options and reach.
  • Camera location:A camera positioned in a unique or interesting wildlife habitat can draw more viewers. 

Monetization methods:

Subscription fees: Some wildlife streaming services may offer paid subscription tiers with additional features. 

Advertising: Platforms like YouTube can generate ad revenue based on views.

Sponsorships: Companies may sponsor a camera in exchange for exposure on the stream.

Viewer donations: Some platforms allow viewers to directly donate to the camera operator.”

I do not believe that individuals should make money off of wildlife. I also believe that anyone running a streaming cam that is viewed by the public has an obligation of care to the wildlife that they are using to make money. This includes calling the wildlife rehabilitation clinic the minute there is a sign of illness, if the bird falls off the nest, etc. One good example is SW Florida that works closely with CROW. If you are going to watch a streaming cam then make sure that you are helping those that help the animals!

Thank you for being with me today. Please take care. We hope to see you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams: ‘B, Heidi, MP’, FOBBV, laist.com, Cornell Red Tail Hawks, Fort St Vrain Bald Eagle Cam, Frenchman’s Creek, Sara A, Severn Park Ospreys