Category Archives: California Eagles

Thursday in Bird World

15 May 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

Morning Update: It is raining hard as I finish up the blog this morning. Oh, I hope that this will help the wildfires raging throughout my province – and, hence, save the lives of the wildlife and people.

Toby is sleeping on his little pink blankie next to me. He has had his pain medication and his ear drops but, honestly, I do not know if he is any better. I hope so.

I dipped his pain pill in peanut butter and he opened his mouth wide. Then gave him 80 ml of water with a syringe. After the pain medication took effect, he ate his kibble and played some. It was nice to see. Tomorrow I will get another two days of pain pills and have them check that ear. It is so tender – more than it was! Gosh, it just breaks our hearts when one of our pets (or one of the raptors on the screen) is unwell.

He is just not his sweet little energetic self – please send your good wishes for him to get well.

The very hot weather broke and you can feel the cold wind pouring down – a wind that is going to drop temperatures from 38 C to 3 C. All of our plants must come inside. The conservatory will be full of tomatoes and peppers. The delicate herbs are already on the kitchen counter.

There are new birds arriving daily. Yesterday we watched three Blue Jays and today the Crows are arriving for their cheesy dogs. If there are not little ones in the nest, they will be there soon. The Chickadees are coming to a new tiny feeder and the various sparrow species are pecking about. The lilacs are blooming somewhat early and the beautiful crabapple tree that we planted in memory of our Blue Abyssinian cat, Abigale, is full of the most gorgeous pink blossoms. Brock even had a nap under it today!

Migration is in full swing!

Take all the precautions that you can: turn out the lights, encourage others to turn out the lights including your town and city, leave out water, and if you can supply some food. Water is life-saving and shallow bowls can save many, many lives. I love ‘The Girls’ but it is time to keep the cats indoors!

Heidi’s osprey news:

South Cape May Meadows, 5/14: Hera and Zeus have been caring for three eggs.  Zeus hasn’t been seen since 5/11.  Hera finally left the nest a couple of times today to take care of herself.  And, at 18:24 she left the nest to roost.  It is looking like Hera will not have any fledglings for the fifth straight year.

Dewey beach Lions Club: Their first baby hatched on 5/14.

‘VV’ brings us the report for some undisclosed location nests near the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland:

“The good news:  Ethel, that trollop of the neighborhood, finally settled back down into her original 2020 nest (N1) with her original partner (M1) – after they’ve spent the past 3 years and start of this one fighting & teasing one another. She’s incubating in N1 for the first time since 2021 and M1 has been feeding her for what I think is the first time ever. He was a very poor mate and dad in ’21.

Across the creek, in Nest 9 – a tall box nest on the shore, Aunt Suzanne and Uncle Roland are still incubating and the same for Nest 16, on a much lower piling in the creek bed.

From what I can tell that’s it. Even Nest 5 with it’s accurately named Mr. & Mrs. Perfect, who have been incubating since late April abandoned their eggs in advance of the rains early in this week. This appears true of all the other nests I can observe on Island Creek,  except possibly #12, which is difficult to judge

Now what would have that many nests abandoning incubation around the same time?

In Nest 5, the Perfects have nested there easily for a decade,  with one successful male replacement. She has sat through terrific storms and hatched chicks, she has incubated way beyond hatch dates not giving up despite ultimate failure. She is an excruciatingly pragmatic mom.  So WHAT moved her, and other experienced females off their eggs it would seem within the same week?

In Nest 5 I watched a gull eat the eggs – the gull would repeatedly lift one whole egg aloft in his beak – it was so shiny I would have said it was wet. But each time he put it down and then lifted it again it was still shining. He also held aloft a broken egg shell, and maybe it was just a very slimy nest by then – but even the broken shell looked shinier than I’ve ever seen an egg on the cams.

We  have not had the intruders of past years – we had the one new pair ultimately settle, but they stopped mating perhaps a half-week or so before N5 abandoned their eggs. [I think I’d seen both at N5 the day before.] 

Also of note: 2 unattached males with nests attracted no females while females at Nest 5 a few years ago and Nest 11 this year replaced males within the season of their previous mates’ disappearances. These 2 unattached males left the neighborhood shortly after the new pair stopped mating and the same week N5 was abandoned. Neither Mr. or Mrs. Perfect have been back to the nest. Some of the other nests still have osprey occasionally perched on their edges.”

Sadly, the two eaglets at the Surrey Reserve Eagle nest in British Columbia, SR10 and SR11, have died. It is possible that since this happened so suddenly that it is HPAI.

The two eaglets at the White Rock Bald Eagle nest in British Columbia, being cared for by the single Mum, appear to be doing well. They had a nice fish dinner on Wednesday!

Trempeauleau Bald Eagles: Mum caught a single fish and the male took half of it off the nest. Looks like she flew in with a bigger fish later.

FOBBV: A reminder of the importance of writing to get changes to the Migratory Bird Act changed.

“We are requesting public assistance & asking you to comment on the proposal that aims to nullify the Endangered Species ACT (ESA) & remove habitat protections from it: https://bit.ly/4dhLsWT“

Sunny and Gizmo are so anxious to fly and we are so anxious for them to stay.

Duke Farms: The trio are ready to take to the skies, too!

In Wales at the Glaslyn nest, it appears that Aran has lost his nest and mate, Elen, to Teifi KC6.

Kielder Forest: The most recent news release.

Egg 2 for Nest 5A _ Kielder OspreysDownload

Birds of Poole Harbour: Incubation continues. Blue 022 and CJ7 have been putting up with an intruder at the nest. Send positive energy. We do not need either of these incredible adults injured.

Dyfi: Telyn has been leaving fish at the cot rails of the nest. We are expecting pips in the next days. Egg 1 will be 37 days old on Friday. I cannot wait. Idris and Telyn are incredible parents.

Foulshaw Moss: We are expecting the first hatch for White YW and Blue 35 this coming weekend!

San Jose Falcons: SK Hideaways has the banding video for us! https://youtu.be/D1RlvHE804o?

Remembering Annie at Cal Falcons. Such a touching tribute. We miss you so much, Annie.

I have wondered what has happened to Annie and Grinnell’s offspring, Lawrentium, who was raising eyases on Alcatraz. This is what I have been able to determine in my search for answers about the impact of HPAI in the San Francisco Bay area. HPAI has had a significant effect on falcons in the Bay Area. We are aware of Annie, but recent studies indicate that 40% of the peregrine territories in the area are unoccupied. This includes Annie and Grinnell’s offspring on Alcatraz, Lawrentium, whose scrape Cormorants are now using.

Bird Flu Flocked Into The Bay! This is How it’s Affecting The Region – The PioneerDownload

Worcester Cathedral Falcons: More saddness. It almost feels like the falcon population is being wiped out everywhere. The latest post reads:

“We have made the decision to shut down the Livestream, not a fault this time. As many have noticed the chick has not been fed today, this is a deliberate act by the adults. From 5am it became clear the chick was not well, not calling for food & acting lethargically, the adults know this & will not normally attempt to feed ill chicks. Avian Flu could be a cause here as the chick has exhibited 3 or 4 symptoms. 10 minutes ago, no interest was shown when the female landed with prey & proceeded to eat it the box. This would also explain why the chick stumbled backwards onto the ledge yesterday. If by any chance there is a recovery we will restart but highly unlikely. A sad end to this year’s season but looking for positive results next year. We will post another update when events here become clearer.”

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 14th May 2025 

Intruders caused Louis to fly off and defend the nest but they were only seen in the far distance, while the intruders who actually landed on the nest were much smaller and less of a threat – a Jay intruded on Dorcha, a Tawny Owl and a Great Spotted Woodpecker paid a visit to Nest One. Aurora did a little gentle nest prep while waiting for Garry to bring fish, he obliged twice, and his tally rises to fifty three. Louis skipped breakfast and brought Dorcha elevenses instead, but made up for it with a further two deliveries – those three fish take his tally to eighty eight. As predicted, the weather was settled and sunny today, tonight’s forecast is clear skies with a gentle breeze and sunny tomorrow with a high of 23°C.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.10.05 (03.50.42); Nest Two 23.34.36 (04.17.09)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/o_ES4CRH3LM N1 A male Tawny Owl visits 01.16.22

https://youtu.be/xZrjpYMESsU N2 A Jay (Garrulus Glandarius) pays a visit to Dorcha 07.14.10 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/KdoqMsKxDfY N2 Breakfast’s late but very fresh: a lively flapper 11.51.34 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/lzo2elmyrE8 N1 A Great Spotted Woodpecker pays a flying visit 12.02.36 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/46A6Z1S0HfQ N1 Aurora grabs Garry’s fish, nibbles it, takes it away 13.48.48   

https://youtu.be/dFz4DDAOzOY N2 Louis arrives with a second fish 14.52.25

https://youtu.be/x8Eyx_HduCo N1 Aurora does nest prep while waiting for Garry with fish two 18.02.38 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/VGy_u8YhYXQ N2 Dorcha’s delighted to see a third fish arriving for her 18.30.12

Bonus – first watch, then take action and join Woodland Trust’s call to Restore Our Forgotten Forests:

https://campaigns.woodlandtrust.org.uk/page/166361

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/FlMmlJjYav0  N1 Aila’s attacked again by an owl 2019

https://youtu.be/a82-7I-dU0A  N1 Musical nests: Aila & Louis hop on and off the nest 2020

https://youtu.be/d-HM-pAELtE  N1 Sleepy Aila manages an afternoon nap 2020

https://youtu.be/SbgWzXqVX2g  N1 Ghostly apparition? 2020

https://youtu.be/UQsvtAT9sAI  N1 Blue 152 pays a dawn visit to the nest 2021

https://youtu.be/V1vbOK3ewwc  N1 The Newsome Twosome are getting better at it! 2021

https://youtu.be/zsPVChFoZ88  N2 Dorcha and the big stick 2023

https://youtu.be/j4RTRS0Yni8  N2 Intruder Blue PU0 invades Nest Two 2023

https://youtu.be/bSxkqptK4Eg  N1 Louis mantles at an unseen intruder 2023

https://youtu.be/B_R0BHuZaZg  N1 Is it a Tree Pipit dashing across the cam view 2024

https://youtu.be/WPtsG8MRD6k  N2 Does an egg move by itself? 2024 

https://youtu.be/r6nJXvhKANo  N2 What time do you call this? 2024

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

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

It is very easy to get very sad (or worse) when our raptor families are sick, missing, or dying. They are like family to so many. We have known them for years and shared their hopes and dreams. Sometimes we need to find other outlets and have a break. One of our readers has done just that and they sent some good news, “There are three sites that I still check daily, because they usually make me smile: – Follow The Feathers: the cutest parrot flock around, with Bruce in the berry dome and Chester the budgie with the big hairdo and Sonny the elderly Amazon and the other cuties- The Cascadia pet shop with Paula the 65 year old stripper (Cockatoo)- Wild Heart Ranch. The good news story is that Skylar the bald eagle has been released!!!

https://www.facebook.com/WildHeartRanch/videos/1206311474323270

Skylar was the one that started my Wild Heart Ranch journey, the one that got the boots fitted and was expected to become an ambassador, you might remember the video of Annette losing her cool when she saw that Skylar could live normally. Skylar is back in the wild, hurray!!!”

Hellgate Canyon: A note from Dr Greene: ” Hello everyone, We would like to remind folks that nest cameras allow us an intimate view of the lives of wild creatures – with all the trials and tribulations they face. Just because what we are lucky enough to watch is on a small screen, it does not mean that these are “feel good” movies. These wild creatures are doing their best to thrive, and they are operating according to their own rules.

Although it may be worrying, scary and frustrating to watch, these wild creatures are not operating according to human etiquette, and we should not project our values on them.

We all may have strong feelings and responses to what we are seeing, but PLEASE refrain from attacking each other, and attacking the behavior of the ospreys. Instead we urge you to appreciate and marvel at the difficulties and challenges that Iris and other ospreys face, and their resilience to keep on keeping on!

Sincerely, Erick Greene and the Montana Osprey Team”

Let’s close with a look at Big Red and Arthur’s two fluffy little chicks at the Fernow Tower nest on the Cornell Campus in Ithaca, New York.

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, J, VV’, Ross Ellett, SCMM, Dewey Beach, Undisclosed Maryland location, HWF, Trempeauleau Eagles, FOBBV, Duke Farms, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Kielder Forest, Dyfi Osprey Project, Birds of Poole Harbour, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Cal Falcons, The Pioneer, Worcester Cathedral, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Dr E Greene and the Montana Osprey Cam, SK Hideaways, Cornell Bird Lab

Wednesday in Bird World

14 May 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

Oh, it was a scorcher on the Canadian Prairies on Tuesday. 35 C. Wildfires burning. https://youtu.be/kbI5sjK7rHM?

Fire bans are in place. Wildlife is killed or displaced. It is way too hot for this time of year.

The lilacs that were planted some twenty-five years ago are blooming. This is about a fortnight early. The sky is filled with dust, and the goslings are hatching across the province. The urban raptors are seeking out water in places like my friend’s pond and at various bird feeders. Things just feel ‘weird’.

Check for shallow bowls, and please leave water out for all the animals. They need it desperately! It is life saving – more important than food!

Then we look at the weather forecast to come. What a roller coaster. Yes, did you spot it? Snow. Snow on the ‘long’ weekend -.

Tuesday took an unexpected turn. Toby had been scratching incessantly, and I initially believed it was a reaction to the shampoo. When I bathed him Tuesday morning – well, it was one of those spray foam baths for days when you don’t want to do the full meal bath deal – everything appeared normal with his ears. However, by Tuesday afternoon, it was clear that something was seriously wrong. Anne picked up on it right away as she has had Spaniels. Thankfully, when we phoned the vet’s office there had been a cancellation if we could get him right there. We grabbed everything and off we went in rush hour traffic with so many miserable souls because of the heat.

Oh, we love our vet. Everyone came out to see Toby. They are used to our Girls. They took swabs and ran tests, determining that Toby has a significant bacterial infection in his right ear, which the vet indicated is quite atypical for such a young dog. While he refrained from diagnosing Toby with allergies, he advised us to keep a close eye out for any recurring ear infections. That could indicate allergies.

Moreover, Toby will need regular monitoring for dental issues and any indications of a heart murmur. My heart goes out to this sweet bundle! These potential genetic concerns are alarming, but our love for him matches that for his sisters, and we are absolutely committed to ensuring he receives the best possible care. We will do everything in our power to support him through this.

Toby now weighs 2.0 kg.

In the image below he is NOT happy about having that sore ear poked and is ready to eat everyone alive.

Back home the pain killers have worked. He took the pills dipped in peanut butter. Go figure. And now, it is nearing 2300 and he is finally settling down for the second time. I might even get some sleep!

Back in Bird World…

‘PB’ kept me informed about the ringing at the San Jose City Hall Falcon scrape. Thank you!

Monty and Hartley were not one bit pleased about the presence of the humans with their babies.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 13th May 2025

Not much happened today on either nest – both males brought two fish to their mates, raising their respective tallies to fifty one (Garry LV0) and eighty five (Louis). There were some gusts of wind moving sticks around, Garry LV0 tangled with one on Nest One but wasn’t injured, and he and Aurora had to spread their wings at one stage to keep their balance while on Nest Two Louis merely looked puzzled when a stick went vertical on him. Dorcha appeared to be enveloped in a spider’s web overnight but that was just a trick of the camera. And that was it, with good weather today and same again expected tomorrow – the season is proceeding calmly, long may it continue.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.01.02 (03.41.33); Nest Two 23.09.36 (04.00.34)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/2me6yQ_9Z3U N2 Dorcha appears to be enveloped in a spider’s web 01.08.35

https://youtu.be/NPwEHFp2-Mk  N2 Very lively trout and another season’s earliest record-breaker 04.38.50 

https://youtu.be/-9fHSacHmV0 N1 Aurora grabs the first fish of the day as soon as it arrives 08.37.34  

https://youtu.be/gSjRMNLm5gw N1 Garry does a flyby then makes Aurora wait to get fish number two 14.50.40

https://youtu.be/KK6Os6NapSU N2 Louis’ second delivery is so big Dorcha can hardly lift it 16.10.02

https://youtu.be/p5BSaJvk1L0 N1 Flying sticks! A windy afternoon for Garry & Aurora 17.25.52

Bonus watch – Osprey-eye view of Loch Arkaig and surrounds, wind’s blowing, you might want to turn down the volume! (thanks LizB):

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/YlOAPDKh6W8  N1 Aila’s seen silhouetted in the distance 2020

https://youtu.be/pMiyJCRoAEQ  N1 Sleepy Aila nods off 2020

https://youtu.be/PuDXOSzgDgg  N1 Aila employs the kitchen sink approach to remove Louis 2020 

https://youtu.be/qC_j3fiHG6o  N1 Aila practises her head-bashing technique on Louis 2020 

https://youtu.be/FSF6fiwMDvs  N1 Slightly better mating attempt by the newsome twosome 2021

https://youtu.be/xcAoRU34zcg  N2 Duh! Dorcha drops her breakfast 2022

https://youtu.be/b_Zd5jXoyQA  N2 Louis makes an unorthodox exit 2022

https://youtu.be/LjPue1ITRe4  N2 Dorcha’s subtle nudge for Louis 2023

https://youtu.be/03Te8ZCOfEY N2 Dorcha shows off her huge wings 2024 (slo-mo)

https://youtu.be/ULnmZa5llbQ N2 Dorcha’s almost invisible unlike the swarm of insects 2024

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

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

Heidi’s Osprey Nest News:

Barnegat Light osprey nest:  This spring has been quite unsettled at the BL osprey nest platform after Daisy did not return from migration.  Many ospreys were interested in the nest and some were vying for Duke’s attention.  Things started to settle down, and it seemed that Duke had found a new mate.  But alas, the new gal left him for another guy, and she has been seen at the 20th street nest.  Poor Duke.  Along came a new gal, (temporarily named Miss Pretty), and they seemed to hit it off.  Well… Miss P laid an egg on 5/13, and Duke could not be happier!

Venice Golf Club osprey nest:  The three chicks had all been thriving. The second chick was seen trying to cast a pellet for a couple of days, and was unable to eat.  Sadly, the chick passed away on Tuesday, at 40 days of age.

Ferris Akel posted a video of the Red-tail Hawks near to his residence, Betty and Barney. It is always nice to see more hawks! https://youtu.be/BgHH-Kp5Eyk?

Norwich Cathedral: Two chicks remain after the sad loss of the third Peregrine chick at Norwich Cathedral, which had hatched on May 5th. The high temperatures may have contributed to the chick’s demise, as young peregrines struggle to regulate their body temperature during the early stages of life.

Great Spirit Bluff: Gorgeous eyases enjoying many meals!

Raptor Resource Project gives us information on the falcons and the nest at Great Spirit Bluff.

Raptor Resource Project_ Bald Eagle and Bird of Prey CamsDownload

FOBBV: Sunny is hovering higher and higher! https://youtu.be/pQbo4cOJ6ek?

No one wants them to take flight least of all their parents. Jackie slept so close to them on the nest last night. She knows. And these are such miracles. When there will next be little ones for her and Shadow on this nest is unknown based on all the challenges they face. They are showing us that we must savour every second of every day. You never know when you will say that last goodbye. KTLA 5 is anticipating that fledge. https://youtu.be/FOveSP9duOU?

Trempeauleau Bald Eagles, WI: T3 is beginning to take its first unsteady steps. Give that Mum a wonderful round of applause!

Explore discusses the situation at the Trempealeau Nest in this video: https://youtu.be/u8bp5-2zTv8?

Lincoln Cathedral: Dad feeding those lovely little fluff balls.

Chichester Peregrine News:

Chichester Newsletter 14th May 2025Download

Eschenbach Ospreys: Our couple has four eggs! Joan Castanyer caught the moment of the fourth egg on video. https://youtu.be/_vS4PajS0DU?

Dunrovin Ranch: Swoop and mate have three eggs!

Snow Lane, Newfoundland: Hope is waning that the long time female resident, Hope, will return. There is a new female and Beaumont attempted to mate with her this morning.

Ah, so much happening and so little time today to cover it all. Iris did return to the nest much to the delight of everyone who was worrying so much that they needed antacids.

Take care of yourselves. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for the posts, comments, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, PB’, San Jose City Hall Falcon Scrape, Geemeff and the Woodland Trust, Ferris Akel, Raptor Resource Project, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, Cali Condor, KTLA5, Lincoln Cathedral, Joan Castanyer, Dunrovin Ranch, VGCCO, Barnegat Light, Havre de Grace, Norwich Cathedral, Chichester Peregrine News, Snow Lane Newfoundland Ospreys Newfoundland Power

Tuesday in Bird World

13 May 2025

Good Morning,

Set your clocks if you can and watch Monty and Hartley’s chicks get their bling this morning!

San Jose City Hall: Chicks will be ringed live on streaming cam today!

Thanks ‘PB’ for sending the announcement:

Hi all,

Zeka Glucs from PBRG here with some more details on the San Jose City Hall Banding Day. We are looking forward to banding the four chicks and reporting back to this group on check sexes and overall health. They are looking quite active for their age (~20-21 days today) so I expect they are developing well.

Tomorrow morning we will likely arrive to the roof at around 10:30am and then rappel to the nest ledge soon after that. We will be keeping the cameras running during the nest entry and try to arrange ourselves so that you can see the process of measuring and banding the chicks. Each chick gets one metal identification band per leg: a black band with a large alphanumeric code and a silver US Geological Service band which we will cover with temporary colored tape for more identification ease in the nest and during fledge watch. Once they are measured and banded we will be able to discern if they are male and female. Then we collect a wing feather clipping for contaminant stable isotope analysis and three newly emerged body feathers for genetics before returning them to the nest. During the nest entry you may see and hear the parents defending the nest. This is normal and expected, and quite convincing in person! We will complete our work as quickly and safely as possible, then leave the chicks in the nest box for the parents to discover are all well and accounted for so they can know that they successfully chased us off and can resume their job of parenting the young.

Thank you all for your interest and investment in this peregrine family. If you miss the live banding there will be a recording of the nest entry posted on youtube at a later date as well for you to observe.

Zeka”

Today’s blog is relatively short. It is the Full Flower Moon, and any full moon means that my life, as well as Don’s, is turned upside down for about four days. This is despite the fact that this is the last micromoon of the year. The others will be larger and more, thus, more concerning. The lunacy of ‘luna’ is quite real. Be gentle with anyone with mental health issues during this time.

It is also stifling hot on the Canadian prairies, and any plants left outside yesterday were rushed in and placed in a tub, soaked. It is expected to be a hot and dry summer. A wildfire broke out in a northern part of Winnipeg, and fires are burning throughout our province. The fire ban continues. We brought the dill and rosemary plants into the house, where it is cool. I cannot imagine what it will be like this summer. Perhaps it is time to get one of those enormous umbrellas!

I keep reminding myself- and you – that we have had some miracles this year. Several continue to unfold and we need to remember and rejoice in their struggles and survival.

Against all the odds, the female at White Rock has incubated her eggs, alone, and raised two eaglets so far, alone. The two are doing well and there is fish on the nest.

This is an incredible story unfolding and if there is no other news today, well, this is gold! The one is at the White Rock Bald Eagle nest. I have no images and the other at Trempealeau.

Trempealeau Bald Eagle Mum is doing amazing, too. These two really deserve some kind of gold medal this year!

More Miracles. Sunny and Gizmo.

Jackie knows it isn’t long now. What a beautiful year it has been for her and Shadow to be parents again. Monday night she slept in the nest with the ‘babies’. https://youtu.be/ff5x80cJdJ0?

Sauces: Another Miracle. Betty Lou is preparing for ledge just like Sunny and Gizmo.

NEFlorida: Bodie fledged. The nest is pretty empty without that big presence of her and her adopted sibling, Juvie.

Bodie dancing before fledgling: https://youtu.be/uje9p0LAZoQ?

Fort St Vrain: It isn’t over til they fly off the edge of the nest, but it looks like the two surviving eagles at Fort St Vrain will do just that.

Cornell Red-tail Hawk: I thank all of the stars that Big Red is still with us. Here she is with her two surviving O1 and O2 from this year.

Hellgate Canyon: The male visited the nest. I did not see Iris. She is off somewhere in the hills fishing and enjoying her summer without the need for little ones. If she returns next year and forms a strong bond with this male, then we may see another family. For now, Iris is living the spa life and this fellow is wondering where she is.

Rutland Manton Bay: Both chicks doing well.

Latvian Golden Eagle Nest: Two days ago, Spilve was feeding two of the sweetest little eaglets. https://youtu.be/2ANQ-FoirgE?

Nizhnyaya Kama National Park in Tatarstan: Chulman feeds chick on the 11th! https://youtu.be/qYSslwIatZE?si=4sNVYvfnppXPzVyY

Black Stork Nest Jogdeva: The intruder ate the last two of the chicks (they were already dead as the female did not cover them). Sad ending what was hoped to be a return of the Black Storks to the area.

Worcester Cathedral: Due to the stress of losing two of their chicks this year, with one surviving, a decision has been taken not to ring the chicks as it could be too stressful.

Norwich Cathedral: Three beautiful little eyases.

Michigan State Spartan Scrape: Three eyases and one egg.

Salinas Falcon Cam makes the news: https://youtu.be/WlCr5g_hHO8?

Tweed Valley 2: This amazing threesome, two females and a single male, are doing fantastic. These chicks will be truly blessed.

Geemeff Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 12th May 2025

An interesting day, with two fish brought to each nest by the respective males. However, Garry LV0 made Aurora 536 wait for the first fish, by showing it to her then flying off with it and not returning for several minutes. He didn’t pull that stunt with the second fish, she moved in and took it as soon as he landed. His tally now stands at forty nine. Louis brought the season’s earliest breakfast for Dorcha, and followed it up with a trout for lunch, and his tally rises to eighty three. He and Dorcha joined forces to see off an intruder Osprey who buzzed the nest several times but wasn’t given an opportunity to land, and the eggs are safely making their way towards hatching, we’ll be on pip-watch in under two weeks. The weather was sunny and settled and is forecast to continue like that for the rest of the week. Fingers crossed tonight’s clear skies and light winds don’t attract the owls who’ve been heard nearby.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.53.24 (04.05.00); Nest Two 23.05.18 (04.11.38)
Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/ylEhZH07-eY N2 Season’s earliest breakfast for Dorcha 04.56.06

https://youtu.be/yVlU4fGjDEw N2 Dorcha leaves with lunch as soon as Louis delivers it 13.40.47https://youtu.be/AImTtGwHR64 N1 Aurora gets Garry’s fish the second time he brings it 14.38.05https://youtu.be/PwjwvCqeWYg N2 Louis & Dorcha join forces to see off an intruder overhead 16.48.40https://youtu.be/H1uWYmgtyhE N1 This time Garry doesn’t make Aurora wait for the fish 17.52.48

Bonus watch – how tough are Ospreys? Check out this valiant female across the pond on Mother’s Day: 

https://youtu.be/tziVm7AIHPY

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/BFfBZitcjv0    N1 Haven’t you forgotten something? 2020

https://youtu.be/_rGpAZaTjmQ N1 Oops! Where’s it gone? Aila loses her fish! 2020

https://youtu.be/7fjub6AqXts  N1 Stickgate! Louis lands a stick on top of Aila then perches on it! 2020

https://youtu.be/Ah7wghdmEsA   N1 Look who’s back bringing moss! 2021

https://youtu.be/x9ltb4rsX-w   N1 The Stranger nestorises while Blue 152 calls for fish 2021

https://youtu.be/Kdo-dxeZv3Y  N1 That technique needs work! Amusing mating incident 2021

https://youtu.be/Avbi8BbEvC4  N2 Intruder Osprey flyover 2023

https://youtu.be/bLMSoIgb1Yc   N2 Another year, another stickgate!! 2023

https://youtu.be/IR7bJxY7AsE  N2 Louis brings a fine flapping trout 2024

https://youtu.be/0bNLIxCelsw N1 Female Chaffinch visits 2024 (zoom)

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

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

Duke Farms: On Fledge Watch. Thanks, PB.

Oak Hammock Marsh: One of my favourite places to wander and look for birds of all species is set to reopen after an extensive refurbishment that has taken 2 years!

As I end this there is some concern that the second hatch at Venice Golf and Country Club is unwell. Heidi is keeping a watch. The symptoms sound an awful lot like Molate at the Golden Gate Audubon Nest of Richmond and Rosie. Molate did not receive a necroscopy so the cause of its death is unknown.

Eagle Country will be shutting down their cameras for maintenance very soon.

Thank you so much for being with me today. Please take care. If it is as hot where you are living as it is on the Canadian Prairies, please drink lots of water. Don’t go outside during the heat of the day and leave a bowl of water for the birds and animals outside. They will thank you for it. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their posts, notes, comments, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, PB’, White Rock (Hancock Foundation), Trempealeau Bald Eagles, WI, FOBBV, NE-Florida, Lady Hawk, IWS/Explore, Cornell Bird Lab Red Tail Hawk Cam, Montana Osprey Project, LRWT, LDF, Liznm, Nesting Bird Life and More, Looduskalender Forum, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Norwich Cathedral, Tweed Valley Osprey Project, Ashley Wilson Hawks and Falcons, Cali Condor, Oak Hammock Marsh, Eagle Country, Worcester Cathedral, SK Hideaways

Monday in Bird World

12 May 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

Sunday did not turn out as expected. We lost dear Dory at Audubon Boathouse*, and then I received word that the five Black Storklets in Jogdeva had been stomped, with at least two dying. My husband’s friend, who lost his wife, came to visit, and it was very emotional. Not the sunshine and laughter one might think of on Mother’s Day. Indeed, so many mothers are no longer with us that brings tears in itself — and I know that everyone would like to be with them just one more time to say everything that never got told, or to confirm their great love and bond. The lesson always is: never put off anything for a day if you can do it now. You might not have tomorrow.

*I am pretty bothered by this death. The boathouse underwent renovations/repairs. It has been known for aeons that the owls take the osplets and try to harm the parents. In this instance, it was a deadly attack on the female, rendering the eggs non-viable. While it is true that ospreys return over and over again to the same place to nest (it is their territory), it is equally valid that the new roof of the boathouse could have been fitted with red strobe lights at each corner. These are effective when used. The two organizations had the funds to accomplish this when the ospreys were migrating. At least they could have tried.

‘MP’ sent a screen capture of their favourite Mum – the female at the John Bunker Sands Wetlands near Dallas. Two beautiful fledges this season!

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am asking for your help. As you may be aware, I try to keep a Memorial Page of the raptors that died or who went MIA in a single year. We lost so many and then Akecheta and Thunder – well, I simply had to stop for awhile. Then we began to lose more and more. I do not wish to leave anyone off the list so this is what I would ask of you.

Please send me any information about any birds on streaming cams that either died or went MIA in 2025. I am including Annie, etc even though we do not know the precise date she went missing. Do not assume that I will have the name on my list. Your list could just read eaglets 1 and 2, Trempealeau Bald Eagle Nest, Wisconsin. If you have other information, please include it. Thank you so much! This will make a huge difference in me getting that Memorial Page as accurate and up to date as possible.

Heidi’s Osprey News:

Geemeff’s  Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 11th May 2025

A quiet day today, no intruders on either nest. The day started with a dawn tryst on Nest One, with Garry LV0 and Aurora 536 having two successful mating sessions. Possibly not enough mating activity to produce eggs this season and it is getting past the point of no return time-wise, but then again, the birds don’t read the manuals and may yet surprise us. In a repeat of yesterday Garry brought one fish today taking his tally to forty seven, and Louis brought two fish, taking his tally to eighty one. Dorcha’s first fish was a small lively flapper which she stayed on the nest to polish off before departing. The second, headless, fish was much bigger and she carried it off in a precarious beak hold, much as Aila did on this day in 2020 however Aila did an athletic mid-air transfer from beak to talons which we didn’t see Dorcha do, so hope she didn’t lose it as she flew off. Apart from some light overnight rain the weather was settled and sunny but more rain is forecast for tonight, with sunny intervals tomorrow. That’s still much better weather than Aila had to endure on this day in 2020 when she had to protect the three eggs which were the future famous lockdown Osplets from overnight snow flurries. Links to those events in the blast from the past section.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 20.40.14 (03.48.45); Nest Two 22.44.36 (04.12.36)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/L7wUZ2nkFqk  N1 Dawn tryst – successful mating for Garry and Aurora 04.44.29

https://youtu.be/L0KYI2VYpqw  N2 Lively small breakfast trout – Dorcha polishes it off on the nest 06.38.45

https://youtu.be/9mV9VDy0nXc N1 Elevenses arrive for Aurora, a good sized headless trout 11.35.18

https://youtu.be/XEuoQfpCuVM N2 Dorcha leaves with fish number two in a beak-hold  17.46.10

Bonus watch – A short video about wildlife crime detection dogs and how they’re trained (starts at 26:00)

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/IhjvqpMq1S4   N1 Intruder Osprey flies right over the nest 2020 (slo-mo)

https://youtu.be/WW7IBGOOjLU  N1 Preparing the nest ready for the first hatch 2020

https://youtu.be/-v6-w-_3oDM   N1 Aila does a mid air transfer 2020 (slo-mo)

https://youtu.be/BsF44kBqGG0  N1 A close shave for Louis – Aila nearly takes his head off! 2020

https://youtu.be/wqUvCjMwwio  N1 Mumbrella: Aila protects her eggs during snow flurries 2020

https://youtu.be/yZkcVaa9o-A   N1 Affric (Blue 152) and The Stranger return 2021

https://youtu.be/AGoiZjcwD3M  N2 First fish of the day arrives at lunchtime 2023

https://youtu.be/UiJihpt7uEs  N2 Dorcha ignores the second fish and leaves without it 2023

https://youtu.be/fwGRG7NNI4o  N1 A Jay visits 2024

https://youtu.be/_xdZMQaEYA4  N2 Very late breakfast – fish number one 2024

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

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

I was extremely upset by the situation at the Black Stork nest in Jogeva County in Estonia. There were five storklets and an intruder. The latest news on Looduskalendar English Forum is “Two chicks confirmed dead, two chicks confirmed alive. Another egg we don’t know about.

At least there’s still hope. And the parents are okay.

Now we’ll have to wait if the intruder can be kept away, and if the remaining storklets are well. “

The male had been missing since 5 May and there was a fight in the nest with some stomping on the storklets – intruding storks. Oh, please let two or perhaps three of them be alive! It also appears that the male might have returned. Perhaps he was only out of camera range trying to protect the territory.

To counter that, ‘TU’ reminds me: “There are lovely people who tries to make this world a bit better!!! In Makov, on station for rescued birds and animals they delivered 3 chicks and an egg to be adopted by couple of not releasable white storks Honzik and Johanka.” The foster parents are delighted! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J1utP1GG9s

Trempealeau Bald Eagles: T3 continues to do well.

Cornell Red-tail Hawks: O1 and O2 appear to be doing well. Big Red is loving every second of being a Mum.

Snow Lane Osprey Nest, Newfoundland: After raising two gorgeous fledges last year, Beaumont returned early and earnestly set about fixing up the nest he has shared for many, many years with his mate, Hope. Sadly, it now appears that Hope has failed to return from her migration this year.

This beautiful photograph of an osprey in flight was taken by Marc Lausier. Thank you, Marc, for letting me sharing this beauty with my readers. Please check out his website!

Muonio Nest, Finland: Both ospreys are on the nest. Waiting for eggs.

Janakkalan, Finland: Eggs are being incubated.

Paltamo, Finland: Eggs are being incubated.

Ylläslompolo, Finland: The nest appears unoccupied so far.

‘BAH’ sends us the latest from the Port of Ridgefield: “3rd egg laid at Ridgefield last Friday, but since then things have gone wrong on the nest, starting Tuesday when another couple raised heck for two days, fighting and dive bombing the couple on the nest. The female ended up with blood on her feathers. This continued through Wednesday, according to chatters. The eggs were not incubated through it all, and now chatterers say this is a different female on the nest. She doesn’t incubate and ignores the eggs thoroughly, but the male has started incubating again. But it’s no doubt in vain. Alas!”

Golden Gate Audubon Nest: Richmond and Rosie had their first hatch of the 2025 season late Sunday – Happy Mother’s Day, Rosie!

Did you know that incubation is the only time that adult ospreys will sleep lying down?

Baby Hope wishes everyone a terrific Monday!

Thank you so much for being with me. There is much more news. Also thank you for continuing to send in your Spark Birds. Your remarks are so welcome by all of my readers. So please do not be shy – and also, answer myt call for entries for the Memorial Wall. I need all the help you can provide. Thank you. 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: ‘BAH, Geemeff, Heidi, MP, PB, TU’, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Eagle Club of Estonia, Looduskalender Forum, csillagig65, Trempealeau Bald Eagle Cam, Cornell Red-tail Hawk Cam, Snow Lane Osprey Platform and Newfoundland Power, Marc Lausier and One-for-One Photography, Finnish Osprey Foundation, Port of Ridgefield, Colonial Beach, Smallwood Ospreys

Sunday in Bird World

11 May 2025

It is a very, very sad day in Bird World. Not the Happy Mother’s Day that I hoped for all these beautiful birds that have raised so many amazing chicks and brought us such happiness. This morning Dory (Audubon Boathouse) was savagely killed by a GHO. She had just laid her third egg.

Heidi writes, “I loved Dory.  Mom to Skipjack, Schooner, Sloop, Skipper, Harbor, and Grey.  Sadly, three of her offspring suffered the same fate.”

Is there ever a possibility that knowing the owls are there and will strike that those individuals or organizations owning streaming cams will work together to set up methods that would keep the GHOs from harming the Ospreys? The osprey do not kill the owl chicks and eat them. They are no threat to their food supply. If people can go for a space ride for millions of dollars, cannot we come up with even a simple earthly fix to help our fish eaters? In this instance, this has been a long standing known problem and there are people who should have worked on solutions including red strobe lights!

Soar High Dear Dory.

———————————————————————————-

Happy Mother’s Day to Anyone who has ever cared for another living, breathing being! And It doesn’t matter how many legs it has!!!!!!!!!

I was fortunate. My ‘mothers’ were fascinating people. My mother has always wanted to be a registered nurse. She was the Valedictorian of her high school class and won three scholarships to three excellent universities in Oklahoma to realise her dream. All her father had to do was provide funds for room and board and her books. Well, ‘no’. She was a girl. She was bitter all her life. I was born eleven years after she had worked for the US Navy during WWII in Long Beach, California. When I was eighteen months old, she was offered a position she could not refuse, and the most wonderful thing happened. There was no daycare. My maternal grandmother cared for me until my early teens, so my mother could work. (She continued to work for many decades; it was in her DNA). While my grandmother let me do everything my mother would not allow me to do including braiding my hair (can you imagine it might straighten the curls??) and gave me this easy going sense towards life and a love of gardening and chickens, my mother spent her life making certain that I had the very best education that I could have and that opportunities she only dreamed of I did. My PhD was, in part, her desire that every woman on the planet be able to care for themselves. She was a ‘Tiger Mum’ in a sense! I am full of love and grateful to them because they gave me balance.

No doubt each of you will have a raptor Mum that has touched your heart this year in a way that was not thought possible.

I want to remember an amazing raptor mother who is not with us this year. We will never know what happened to her, but she will live on in our hearts whenever we think of the University of California at Berkeley. The Campanile will never be the same. My first Mum of this year is Peregrine Falcon, Annie.

Big Red has always been on the top of my list because she is the raptor on streaming cams that first touched my heart. She hatched in the spring of 2003 in Brooktondale, New York, seven miles from her nest on the campus of Cornell University. She has had at least two mates – Ezra and now Arthur.

Finally some sun for Big Red, Arthur, and the Os.

‘B’ swept me away because they included some of the most miraculous mothers of this 2025 season! They wrote, “Special to me are three moms who are once again mothers this year after each has had difficult years: Jackie at Big Bear, Audacity at Sauces, and Gabby at NE Florida.  Also very special to me is Mrs. T at Trempealeau, who is working so hard (and doing so well) raising eaglet TE3 pretty much by herself.”

Here is ‘B’s list!!!!!!!

FOBBV: Mark your calendars fledge watch begins on 13 May or Sunny and Gizmo. Can you believe it?

A video with Mamma Jackie! https://youtu.be/_P7jg-nW_1A?

Fish delivery by Mamma Jackie! https://youtu.be/GAyUI5s-nVU?

Sauces: Betty Lou is the spitting image.

NEFlorida: Bodie leaves the nest and misses a fish delivery from Mamma Gabby: https://youtu.be/ph-qZGmAGR4?

Trempeauleau Eagles:

‘A’ has Mrs T as a hero. She writes: “Since your blog alerted me to the plight of Mrs T at Trempeauleau, I have been keeping an eye on that nest. So tragic that she had to leave her eaglets in freezing rain – she has been doing such an amazing job with her surviving first hatch. This morning she left just as the skies were starting to lighten – and she was back within 15 minutes with a fresh fish for the wee one’s breakfast. She fed little T3 a couple of times during the day and there was no sign of Mr T, although I have seen footage of him removing a fish from the nest and flying across the river to the island, where he obviously has another nest, to which he delivers the fish (www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bp-_oilfqc). There has been speculation on the chat that this phenomenon will become increasingly common because of the larger numbers of eagles sharing territories. It’s a double-edged sword – yes, we want more eagles but not if it means they are competing for territory to the point where they hurt each other and cause eaglets to starve. We need to provide habitat for the eagles, not just increase their numbers without thinking about how the additional eagles will live. 

But back to T3. It had a funny interaction with mum in the middle of the night last night – mum jumped down from the branch above the nest where she spends most nights and the eaglet went into nest defence mode like a little warrior. Stood up as tall as it could and pecked at mum!!! This interaction went on for several minutes – mum eventually bonked T3 back. T3 responded by pecking at mum’s breast feathers several times, still standing as tall as it could, flapping its wings occasionally for balance as it lunged forwards to peck its mum. That’s no way to treat your dedicated single parent mother on Mother’s Day T3! Especially when she’s come down to the nest for a snuggle on a windy night – she rarely joins T3 on the nest and the little eaglet, who has lost both its siblings to hypothermia, snuggles up to the trunk of the tree for warmth and comfort. Sometimes, it looks up at mum longingly – but when she did decide to come down, T3’s reaction made me wonder whether eaglets have far less acuity at night than adult eagles because it was as if T3 didn’t recognise Mrs T at all and was defending the nest against an intruder. It was very strange. Eventually, after a five or six-minute stand-off T3 snuggled down as if nothing had happened and Mrs T arranged some nesting material (she’d been bringing in fluff a lot during the day). Teenagers!! It’s a little delinquent. Here’s the footage. It’s just TOO funny: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnFmArd8jh0. “

‘VS’ said: “Love Naha at Seaside and Mum at Port Lincoln.”

Naha

Oh, yes, absolutely. Thank you.

Mum at Port Lincoln

Rutland Water: One of the finest osprey females, a super Mum, Maya, is right at the top of the list for more than two dozen people. Her and Blue 33 just had their second hatch of the season!

Heidi’s Osprey Report:

Everyone fledged at Smith Rock Park! https://youtu.be/Nt7nZI0sc4s?

This drives me crazy!

Geemeff Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 10th May 2025

Today on Nest One started with a visit from a male Tawny Owl, who perched and made an unusual call, perhaps trying to attract a mate. Later there was much excitement as Garry LV0 saw off a persistent intruder Osprey. The unringed female tried to land several times with Garry on the nest actively dissuading her, and then they had quite the aerial battle with much chasing and circling round both nearby and in the distance, all caught on nest cam. She did return and managed to land shortly after her epic encounter with Garry, but was very wary and then startled off the nest by a Jay rustling through the branches of the nest tree. Aurora 536 wasn’t around or at least not visible on nest cam during the female’s visit, but did turn up in the afternoon to get a large whole trout from Garry. That one fish took his tally to forty six, but he has a long way to go to catch up with Louis, whose two deliveries took his tally to seventy nine. The first fish he brought wasn’t much more than a tail end which explains Dorcha’s enthusiastic reception of the second, she even gulped a few mouthfuls on the nest before departing and leaving Louis to egg-sit. The weather was settled and sunny as promised, but in a change from the forecast, light rain is expected tomorrow.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.51.44 (03.45.47); Nest Two 23.08.52 (04.07.40)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/lz68zyEX6Uw  N1 A Tawny Owl perches, calls but no response 00.24.40 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/KQPgI_C2YfE  N2 Louis does a flyby before delivering fish one  05.13.15 

https://youtu.be/NKSslCjZ2AY  N1 Garry’s dramatic encounter with an unringed Osprey 11.19.56

https://youtu.be/yr5AUEabxDk   N1 Unringed intruder returns but is startled by a Jay 11.35.43

https://youtu.be/CnBTtPySvKM  N1 Aurora takes Garry’s fish immediately 15.31.44

https://youtu.be/DQBB7OIY92I  N2 Dorcha gulps a few mouthfuls before leaving with fish two 18.53.41

Bonus read – looking at those clouds of insects on the nests today, this study shows the amazing biodiversity of the Arkaig ancient Caledonian rainforest:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/press-centre/2023/08/loch-arkaig-invertebrate-survey

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/WRJVln57L5w  N1 Cheeky Tawny Owl perches next to Aila 2019 (slo-mo)

https://youtu.be/1IEDIyo9rCQ  N1 Louis adds to the chaos on a windy day 2020

https://youtu.be/zcl511TMr_0  N1 Louis resists Aila’s blandishments 2020

https://youtu.be/e_xzfE0KTlk  N1 Louis chases a pesky Hoodie 2020

https://youtu.be/iStLjLcvl2I  N1 Eurasian Wren pays a visit 2021

https://youtu.be/VPfvH9XEqzU  N2 Unringed female intruder steals Dorcha’s fish 2022 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/AM_UsK1riDg  N1 Juvenile Tawny Owl plays on the nest 2023

https://youtu.be/0Mbyxj-Wr90  N1 A handsome Jay visits 2023

https://youtu.be/Pe8lgQ2Pdbs  N2 Season’s earliest breakfast for Dorcha 2024

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

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

My top book recommendation for last year – and Calico’s too – was Raising Hare. ‘B’ sent along an article from The New York Times. Raising Hare was in their top 15 for 2025! Feeling delighted.

Just in case you didn’t see it, Raising Hare is on the NY Times list of the Best Books of the Year (So Far).  One of 15 books on the list.

The Best Books of 2025 (So Far) – The New York TimesDownload

Cumbria Wildlife Nest 2: Two eggs laid very late in the season for the new couple. Fingers crossed.

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

I am going to be doing a very abbreviated blog for the next week or so. It is gardening time and with Toby and The Girls, there isn’t enough hours in the day to keep up. Geemeff and Heidi will be with us when they have news and I will be covering the hatches in the UK.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, B, Geemeff, Heidi, PB, VS’, Cal Falcons, SK Hideaways, Cornell Red Tail Hawk, FOBBV, NEFL-AEF, Trempeauleau Bald Eagles, IWS/Explore, LL, Seaside Osprey Cam, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Smith Rock Park Eagles, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Maryland Western Shore, Fostythe, Fortis Exshaw, Audubon Boathouse, Rutland Water, Cumbria Wildlife Trust

Friday in Bird World

7 May 2025

Hello Everyone,

It has been one of the most roller-coaster years that I can remember in Bird World. Mates not returning. Mates arriving late only to find that younger birds have taken their place. Long standing residents have lost their nests. Single Mums struggle to tend their chicks. Today, for the very first time, Big Red’s third hatch O3 died shortly after hatch. In her history on camera, which began in 2012 (she probably began raising chicks in 2005-06), no chick has died on the nest. Every hatch has fledged except for one and that was K3 who had a problem with her jaw. She was rescued but had to be euthanised. I have to admit that I am heart broken. Like all other raptors, Big Red and Arthur have two other chicks to raise to fledge and then teach them the ways of the hawk so they can survive in the big world. Arthur has the nest full of food and the other two appear to be healthy. It has been the wettest season I can remember on this nest and I hate ‘wet’ nests. Many chicks of various species die from what harbours in that damp and with lung problems.

This made me feel very weepy. Friday and it is pitching down rain on Big Red and Ithaca. Send her good wishes, please.

Cornell’s official notification of the loss of O3.

Sad News_ Red-tailed Hawk Chick _O3_ Dies Shortly After Hatching _ Cornell Lab Bird CamsDownload

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 8th May 2025

Today was mainly calm and routine – Garry LV0 delivered two fish for Aurora 536 but seems to have adopted a pattern of making her wait, by arriving on the nest with the fish then immediately taking it away, and returning a bit later to give it to her. No mating behaviour has been observed lately, but as they’re off-nest most of the time, we don’t know if it’s taking place elsewhere on one of the other vacant nests in the area, or not at all. The two fish take Garry’s tally to forty three, while Louis, who also brought two fish for Dorcha, raises his tally to seventy five. Steve Q posted his fish statistics for week five, summing up Louis’ output as “Remarkably consistent numbers over the last 3 seasons”. There weren’t any overnight owl visits, but something unseen scared Dorcha off the nest today, leaving the eggs unattended for about two and a half minutes. However, they came to no harm and we’re still on track for first hatch in just about two weeks time. The weather was settled again, another stunning sunset was seen from Nest Two, and the forecast is clear skies and light winds tonight, and a positively balmy 19°C and full sunshine tomorrow.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.39.20 (04.07.01); Nest Two 22.54.02 (04.12.47)
Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/Rq6jzQKsGi0 N2 Louis settles down to egg duty after delivering the first fish 06.09.05 (zoom)https://youtu.be/tS6l2Py6V74 N1 Yet again Garry makes Aurora wait to get the first fish 10.05.36 

https://youtu.be/Z29I7aHzXyoN1 Fish 2 is a repeat of fish one – taken away before Aurora can get it 16.03.12 

https://youtu.be/o2ZMRUIF0PQ N2 What makes Dorcha flee the nest? 17.43.47

https://youtu.be/3Ab39-Ps8TI N2 Dorcha’s still wary when fish number two arrives 17.53.59

Bonus action – Before vandals attack any more of our ancient trees, we can become citizen scientists, and help Woodland Trust record ancient trees:

https://ati.woodlandtrust.org.uk

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/hGuegL1duZM  N1 What scares Aila at midnight? 2020 (slo-mo)

https://youtu.be/fv2-S7IAT7g  N1 Aila employs a tried and tested Louis-removal technique 2020

https://youtu.be/RydYvBR0m5I  N1 Aila invents a new Louis-removal technique 2020

https://youtu.be/Ys65Fgfu9sM  N1 Unusual visitor – a Twite (Linaria flavirostris) visits 2021

https://youtu.be/oMCTfmauWKA N2 First Owl-strike on Dorcha 2022

https://youtu.be/meJb_ovW0V8  N2 Second Owl-strike on Dorcha 2022

https://youtu.be/ea0yqDp1ups  N2 Third Owl-strike on Dorcha 2022

https://youtu.be/uecjKN_3VQI  N2 Late night fish supper arrives for Dorcha 2023 

https://youtu.be/WD9vJ3lVeMk N1 Garry LV0 & Aida pay a flying visit 2024  

https://youtu.be/vXtY4BrntTM N1 Garry LV0 wrestles with a huge clump of moss 2024

https://youtu.be/ZrKyT_jo5DI  N2 Dorcha headbutts Louis to get him off the eggs 2024 (slo-mo repeat with zoom)

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

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

Life at home today was very interesting. The plan is to make certain that Toby loves to go in the car and behaves himself when we are out and about.

Many, many years ago when I travelled to Japan regularly, I loved watching the little puppies and dogs being pushed in the specially designed prams for them. I had never seen anything like it! Well, today, Toby got his very own little enclosed stroller so that we can literally take him almost everywhere.

Oh, but wait!!!!!!!! Who’s in the stroller?

Calico: ‘Can I go for a ride, too?’

We did have a delightful day. Toby got to take in all of the shops, see the animals, and even enjoy the sunshine while we had a picnic. No whining, no barking, just a quiet puppy playing with his toys in his carrier or sleeping. Did I tell you that I feel blessed?

Back at home, the energy came out and this old pair of shoes took a bit of a beating!

Being outside really helped to get over the loss at Cornell. Toby and The Girls help, too. As I told someone today, ‘Toby is my heart’. He is the most incredible little creature.

I checked on only a few other nests, but will try and catch up tomorrow. Sometimes it is just nice to ‘stop’ and reflect on how much these amazing birds mean to us.

Heidi’s Nest Notes:

You will be hearing about intruding ospreys – lots of them. Many are the two year olds returning after their first migration. Kielder Forest has some of those visitors.

Another ‘new to here’ intruder and Nest 5A update _ Kielder OspreysDownload

FOBBV: SK Hideaways caught our dear Gizmo and Sunny sleeping alone. Their time with us is getting shorter and shorter. Visit the cam as much as you can – you will not regret it. You will only regret it if you don’t. https://youtu.be/vnLAyVBKCPI?

Trempealeau Bald Eagles: Baby has a full crop!

Video of little T3 protecting the nest. https://youtu.be/tYbkLV7v-60?

Duke Farms: ‘PB’ writes: “Duke Farms. 6:31am…mom brings fish and feeds all 3 then dad brings large Eel and other 2 share a meal…all 3 having breakfast!”

Hellgate Canyon: Iris has a new male companion and he brings fish. What more can we ask? Oh, and he’s pretty cute.

Will there be more eggs?

If the first clutch is lost early in the season, they may attempt a second nesting attempt. A second clutch is likely if the eggs are lost early in the season, but the pair is less likely to breed again if the eggs are lost later in the season. 

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

  • Single Breeding Attempt: Ospreys generally have only one breeding attempt per year. 
  • Early Loss: If the first clutch of eggs is lost early in the breeding season (before the eggs hatch), the pair may attempt to lay a second clutch. 
  • Timeframe for Second Clutch: A second clutch is usually laid about three weeks after the failure of the first one. 
  • Late Season Loss: If the eggs are lost during the middle or later stages of the breeding season, the pair is more likely to skip breeding that year. 

Dr Greene has some thoughts for us:

“Hi everyone,

Sorry for the radio silence – I have been travelling and busy. At the start of the season, we cautioned you to buckle your seatbelts for the Hellgate Soap Opera! And our cautionary warning was warranted – there has certainly been a lot going on.

Finnegan did not return, and alas, we suspect that he might have died over the winter. He could have gone somewhere else, but with such a successful breeding season last year, if he was still alive he would have most likely returned to the Hellgate nest.

Louis visited Iris and mated repeatedly with her, and she laid three eggs (April 29, May 1 and May 4). Iris’ behavior is very interesting: without a dedicated mate, she has not been super attentive to her eggs. We suspect that from previous experience, she knows that without a partner bringing her food and helping to share incubation with her, the eggs won’t survive. So she has been flying off leaving them unguarded.

The astounding thing to us is that the half life of an untended osprey egg is measured in seconds or minutes!! Almost as soon as Iris leaves an egg untended, a raven swoops in and flies off with the egg. This demonstrates the need for the eggs and small chicks to be tended 24/7, and without a bonded pair bringing up young is not possible.

But a few days ago, NEW GUY 2 showed up, and Iris seems to be pairing with him! He has been bringing in fish and driving off Louis. This is exactly what happened last year, and so Iris may lay some more eggs. Stay tuned . . . .

I have posted a timeline that summarizes events from the 2024 breeding season (on the bottom half), and the 2025 events so far.

More later!

Think pure thoughts, Erick Greene and the Montana Osprey Team

More osprey news from Geemeff for us!

Ospreys will nest where they want to nest, whatever humans do! Let’s hope the landowner doesn’t kick this nest into the water again..https://www.easthamptonstar.com/villages/202558/ospreys-return-to-site-wrecked-nest

——————-

A migrating Osprey spotted at night!

https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/sefton-coast-natterjack-toad-song-an-experience-to-be-remembered

I will continue with the Spark Birds that inspired you. If you have a comment on a bird, please send it. Thank you!

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, comments, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, PB’, Cornell Bird Lab Red-tail Hawk Cam, Cornell Bird Lab, SK Hideaways, Trempeauleau Bald Eagle Cam, Montana Osprey Project/Cornell Bird Lab, Dr Greene, East Hampton Star, inyourarea.co.uk, Duke Farms, Colonial Beach. Osoyoos, Smallwood, Patuxent River Park Nests 1 and 2, Kielder Ospreys

Thursday in Bird World

8 May 2025

Hello!

Sssshhhhh. Toby is ‘not’ spoiled.

Toby has grown. He has legs! So far, he does not mind his collar and having his leash attached going about the house. He goes to his potty pads, twirling around like a ballerina, which is a good sign that something is about to happen. My son says I must teach him to sit and to behave on his lead. I do not doubt that this intelligent little man will be fine.

If I forgot to say, Hugo Yugo and Toby slept in the bend of my left arm Tuesday night. Calico was back on the conservatory table this morning and well, The Girls have settled into their ordinary routine and just don’t seem to be bothered by his presence this afternoon.

The weather continues to be ‘weird’. It is going to be 36 C next week. I have a serious problem with this because of the dryness and the fires. What about the birds? I have lived in Manitoba, on and off since I was a late teenager, and having a 36 degree C was something that was rare. Of course, that temperature has been more familiar the last four or five years but not until ‘summer’. Not the beginning of May. We will make certain there is plenty of water for all the outdoor animals.

Today, Mr and Mrs Crow began, in earnest, to eat the cheesy dogs, which tells me that they have either babies in the nest or are thinking about it! The Blue Jays are here in earnest, and Dyson took five peanuts this evening at one go! She has to be at least ten years old, and it is her.

My goodness. When ‘LS’ submitted her ‘Spark Bird’, I am not certain she realised how many people love Harriet and miss her so much. The fact that we will never know what happened to Harriet has left holes in so many hearts. People are pleased that M15 was able to raise their last two eaglets, E21 and E22, alone and that he was happy to find a new mate BUT everyone would like Harriet back! Thank you, ‘LS’ for taking us down memory lane – albeit full of tears.

Eleven people sent in the name Louis. You know who you are! No, not Iris’s Louis, but Louis from Loch Akraig, specifically Louis with his mate Aila, whom they met during the pandemic when the pair raised their triplets, JJ5, JJ6, and JJ7. 400,000 people are said to have watched the couple from the Loch Arkaig I nest that year. When Aila did not return, Louis moved the nest to nest 2, where he raised chicks with his current mate, Dorcha. I must admit that I was devastated when Aila did not return, and it did take me a while to warm up to Dorcha.

Louis and Aila feed the triplets. https://youtu.be/jBE6pWdWlgM?

News of a Norwegian osprey couple! What a gorgeous place for a nest! https://youtu.be/C8B9sYYWo58?

Big Red and Arthur: It appears that the last two eggs are pipping. O2 is taking some time and we have seen this many times this year. Wishing both those little ones a good hatch!

O2 has hatched!!!!!! Arthur has covered the nest with chipmunks and squirrels. O3 is on its way too and should arrive by today. What joy!

I love watching Big Red and Arthur raise their family. Arthur just fills up that nest with every kind of critter he can so that no one ever goes hungry. Big Red stuffs those babies and keeps them warm and cosy alternating brooding with Arthur. I cannot tell you how much I adore this Red-tail Hawk. She is, of all the birds on streaming cams, my ‘Spark’ Bird.

SK Hideaways has all the drama at Ithaca on video! https://youtu.be/yWjP7_1t5Os?

Cornell Bird Lab shows us that O3 is almost here! https://youtu.be/0WWZd7Gi0H0?

Someone commented about all the prey. Thank goodness for Arthur’s good hunting skills. The pantry is always full and in case of a bad weather day this is essential for these babies. Great parents.

Hellgate Canyon: The New Boy has finally brought Iris a fish!!!!!!!!!! Viewers around the world jumped up and down for joy and shed tears. It appears not to be Finnegan – I really hoped it was – but, a new male interested in our Queen and her nest.

Foulshaw Moss: White YW and Blue 35 incubating eggs. It won’t be long.

Agrippina & Antares Peregrine Falcons: https://youtu.be/kMtd_9UtYfE?

Jose City Hall Falcon Scrape: ‘PB’ sends us a screen capture of some very full crops! Monty and Hartley are taking superb care of these four. Brilliant.

Our favourite couple, Jackie and Shadow bonding at Big Bear: https://youtu.be/Ou9u3uMPdZ4?

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 7th May 2025

Today’s main story is all about Aurora 536 – we received word today that she was ringed in Loch Fleet in Sutherland in 2022. This means she’s a three year old, and a good match for five year old Garry LV0 who was ringed in Loch Garry in 2020. They’re both young and healthy, he’s an excellent fisherbird and has a good nest with a well stocked loch nearby, and she appears to have adopted him and his nest. So everything has aligned for them to be successful parents – fingers crossed it works out as hoped. The Tawny Owl who visited Nest One this morning might find surprise occupants next time if the young pair produce eggs this season! Garry brought two fish taking his tally to forty one, and over on Nest Two, Louis’ three deliveries for Dorcha take his tally to seventy three. The weather was settled and the day ended with a colourful sunset best seen from Nest Two, and the forecast promises more settled weather and sunny spells tomorrow.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.46.52 (04.23.21); Nest Two 22.56.24 (04.31.52)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/iZCtZxSvdtQ N1 A male Tawny Owl visits, calls but gets no reply 04.06.45

https://youtu.be/zoVG6Xtn21o N2 Dorcha has a quick nibble before departing with fish number one 05.54.01

https://youtu.be/9AUcpQbxfI4 N1 Lunch arrives for Aurora 13.21.08

https://youtu.be/ICUoOHx0qBg N2 Louis delivers a second fish for Dorcha 16.44.58 

https://youtu.be/qGapMARckT8 N1 Aurora gets the second fish when Garry brings it back again 18.22.50

https://youtu.be/AFxIoXOi7hU N2 Dorcha’s fish supper arrives against a colourful sunset sky 21.13.23 (quick time)

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/8OaqnwQiaBI  N1 Aila does a bit of Louis-bashing before he takes the hint 2020

https://youtu.be/2qFBiVop8DQ N1 Clumsy Louis clatters the camera! 2020

https://youtu.be/T8wmG4NbfIo  N1 Late night bat visits Aila 2020 (slo-mo)

https://youtu.be/VA8CwMT9qyA  N1 Eurasian Siskin and Crossbill visit 2021

https://youtu.be/0FlIlYJMsGQ  N2 Cheeky Tawny Owl perches on the nest 2022

https://youtu.be/LcPUWA3mWDo  N2 Tawny Owl strikes Dorcha then returns to perch on the nest 2022

https://youtu.be/kJIFH0RyeSk  N1 Louis pays a visit to his old nest 2023

https://youtu.be/6z_D0r_72h4  N1 A little songbird flits around for a while, then nudges a stick over the side 2024

https://youtu.be/1MzoKTgPm4w  N1 Aida lands on the perch, welcome back, we missed you 2024 

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

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

I am so angry. There are some of us that wish we lived in Virginia and could make an impact on these decisions. The ospreys and their chicks are dying. We saw this in earnest in 2024. Have a read!

“Menhaden – Little Fish, Big Deal!

Thomas Lilly  · nsdoorpetSccag140a5f51a25m8i0a227h3i9ca1ca8a66u1hch057g8ati3  · 

In case you haven’t heard the menhaden board met today at 1 PM to discuss area and seasonal protective options for Chesapeake Bay menhaden …the options the work group proposed concentrated on ospreys and their critical times for raising young for example May 1 through August 15 . Area restrictions were proposed by the WG for Chesapeake Bay and the mouth of Bay during the critical time periods.

Please be aware that Lynn Fegley, the director of DNR fisheries and Allison Colden , CBF’s chief scientist who was the Maryland representative on the work group sat in silence when the time came for them to make a persuasive presentation on the options that they favored, the benefits of the options and the benefits to Maryland. A few questions were directed to them about ospreys and striped bass and they gave very incomplete one might say incompetent answers. For example, they could not explain to the questioner the difference between the freshwater ospreys, successful breeding, and the saltwater ospreys that rely on menhaden to survive’s dismal breeding success. This is completely covered in Dr Bryan Watts’s scientific article titled a Tale of Two Bays , but they ignored these well-known sources or had never bothered to read them.

Lynn Fegley and Allison Colden are two very intelligent women who decided to sit mute during the  most important moment that we have ever had for Chesapeake Bay in so far as protecting its food supply. I am quite sure they had read all of the articles about ospreys and that they completely understand the ERP science it says when ospreys and striped bass are in poor condition it is menhaden over harvesting that is to blame. The ERP science was never mentioned. They both know completely, how our Maryland recreational, commercial and charter fishing for striped bass has collapsed but they did not discuss it. Their silence was deafening .

The question is why these two menhaden board leaders did not speak out to convince this board to adopt options to protect Maryland. When the time came for them to make a motion for the board to pass protective options to protect our bay’s food supply, they sat in silence. Because of the inaction of these two people today , there is nothing that is going to happen to prevent the starvation of thousands of osprey babies this season and nothing to prevent more of our charter fishing captains from going out of business and no hope for progress here to restore the bay’s food supply so millions our children could enjoy the bay the way it should be.

If you can find factual evidence as to why this disaster to Chesapeake Bay occurred I hope you will post it on this website so the public will know why this happened

By the way, the end result was this board abdicated its responsibility and kicked the matter back to “discuss” it again in August. You can be sure that in Virginia’s Pat Geer and his cohorts at Omega protein are celebrating victory, once again, tonight., I expect the advocates for menhaden reform are in shock over what happened today.”

Black Stork Nest in Poland: Two hatches on Wednesday!

Golden Eagle Nest in Latvia of Spilve and Gristlis: One egg has hatched. Still watching and waiting to see if the second egg will hatch.

Black Stork Nest of Kergu and Kerli: They are still incubating. The eggs were laid on: Looduskalender Forum listed when the eggs were laid:

1. egg on 21.4.2025, 00:06
2. egg on 22.4.2025, 23:35
3. egg on 24.4.2025, 22:41
4. egg on 27.4.2025, 02:02

Wild Bucovina Golden Eagle Nest 2: Eaglet was stuffed today!

Bety and Bukachek, Mlade Buky, Romania: Incubating two eggs (I think).

Glaslyn: Teifi and Elen have been at the nest. Individuals are observing Aran who is remaining in a familiar place and fishing for himself.

Ladies showing off their osprey eggs!!!!!!! Heidi’s Nest Notes are Visuals today! Love the labels – those really help. Enjoy!

Port Lincoln Ospreys: New has come in that Phantom is alive and well. Fran Solly writes,

“In what surely is the proverbial “needle in a haystack” search we were thrilled to find Phantom this afternoon and to see her with another bird. Phantom is the 2021 female bird from the Price Artificial Platform. She flew to Kangaroo Island shortly after fledge. In October 2024 her tracker stopped operating but locals reported sightings of her. Today we can confirm those sightings with these photos.”

Ospreys of Nova Scotia: Names have been chosen for Oscar and Ethel’s chicks by popular vote: Nova, Russell, and Sunny. Congratulations. Lovely names!

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

Thank you to the following for their posts, comments, notes, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, PB’, Liz Bracken, Norwegian Ospreys, Cornell Red-tail Hawk Cam, SK Hideaways, Montana Osprey Project/Cornell Bird Lab, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Agrippina & Antares Peregrine Falcons, San Jose City Hall Falcon Scrape, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Menhaden- Little Fish, Big Deal FB, Bociany Czame Online, LDF, Looduskalender Forum, Wild Bucovina, Mlade Buky Stork Cam, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Dahlgren, Forsythe, Kent Island, Fortis Exshaw, Maryland Western Shore, Cape Henlopen, Port Lincoln Ospreys,

Wednesday in Bird World

7 May 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

You are all truly amazing! I absolutely cherish your questions, and I want to apologise for not being able to respond to each one personally. Time often slips away from me, but please know that every letter and comment you send means the world to me. Keep those questions coming! I promise to do my utmost to address the latest inquiries before we shift our focus to our beautiful feathered friends.

Hugo Yugo’s Fan Club is eagerly awaiting updates on her upcoming surgery and her dental health. I truly appreciate all the love and concern you’ve shown! Hugo Yugo is set to undergo surgery and extraction on June 11, but to be honest, I’m uncertain about what will actually be done.

I’m thrilled to share that we’ve been diligent in brushing her teeth twice a day, sometimes even three times. Recently, we’ve noticed a positive change: Hugo Yugo has started eating kibble instead of her usual chicken and rice wet food. I believe this shift has been beneficial in helping to clean her teeth.

At the moment, I can only spot a very tiny red area, with no signs of extensive redness in her gums. I want to remain hopeful and cautious—so I’ll knock on wood that I’m seeing accurately and not just what I want to see. We have an important follow-up in five weeks, and I’m optimistic about what we’ll discover!

The second most frequently asked question is: How are The Girls adjusting to Toby? As of Tuesday evening, Toby has been with us for 72 hours, or three days. Initially, The Girls were filled with curiosity; they simply can’t comprehend what “a tiny bundle of energy” means. While Toby isn’t a cat, he has certainly intrigued them. There have been a few hisses as they navigate this new presence. Baby Hope, in particular, prefers to keep her distance from Toby. Meanwhile, Hugo Yugo is always on guard, closely observing him, while Calico has surprisingly become more focused on Toby and is leaving Missey undisturbed. Missey, for her part, quietly watches from a distance.

Despite these initial adjustments, The Girls gradually returned to their familiar routines. Hugo Yugo continues to demand food with his usual enthusiasm, and Calico was extra affectionate with Anne today, vying for her attention. Overall, they are settling back into their typical behaviours. We’ve devoted ample time to engaging with them in our usual activities, ensuring they feel cherished and not sidelined.

The third question everyone seems to be asking is: How is Toby doing? Anne had the pleasure of meeting Toby for the first time today, and she was thoroughly impressed—she gave him the thumbs-up! Toby’s role as a therapy dog is already taking shape, and while he will receive formal training soon, he is truly stepping into that role exceptionally well.

During a walk, Anne and Don expressed some concern about leaving Toby home alone. However, when they returned, they found him peacefully asleep in his little bed, completely undisturbed. It’s heartwarming to see how much joy he brings, especially as he energetically shakes his new toys like a bull in a ring. It’s amazing to think how strong a 1.5 kg puppy can be!

Toby is now sporting a brand-new collar; we had to hunt for an extra extra small size, but we finally found the perfect fit. Today was also a success because we discovered his ideal food at a charming family-owned shop that specializes solely in pet food—no beds or toys. The shop is just a few blocks away and offers free delivery, which will be incredibly convenient for me in the future. Toby is truly settling in wonderfully! I feel blessed and every day I am just so grateful. I feel surrounded by very supportive individuals, including yourselves. That means the world to me.

I have exciting news to share! The young man who provided invaluable help with snow shovelling this winter will now take on all our gardening responsibilities. I’ve come to a realisation about my capabilities and limitations, and my top priority is to ensure Don remains comfortable at home without completely depleting my energy.

While I’m still searching for someone to assist with house cleaning, my strategy is to save the funds I would have spent on a regular cleaner and hire a professional service for a comprehensive deep clean twice a year. Besides, the floors need cleaning once or twice a day with four cats and a puppy. How much fur (hair?) finds its way into the corners is amazing! This way, I can maintain a comfortable environment for Don while hopefully managing my well-being as effectively as possible.

Spring has arrived. Green is popping up everywhere. It was cooler today. 16 C instead of 28. What a change! We are now under a fire ban because it is so dry so no outdoor fire pits or barbecues. Plants ordered on a fundraiser for the feral kittens arrive next Saturday so we will begin to have some colour and there are plans for seven 8′ tall cedar trees (I think they look like Lebanon cedars- very upright). We have a pen to put together so Toby can be outside when we are working in the garden. Hopefully The Girls don’t decide they want to go out too! They can’t.

Toby plays really hard for about 30 minutes and then instantly goes to sleep for at least 2 hours. And I am sleeping well!!!!!! Can’t believe it.

The most fun is playing chase and soon, I think that The Girls will join in. For now they know to get up higher than the ‘little yapper’. Hugo Yugo watching Toby – will try to get a chase scene soon!

Well, a major break through. Both Toby and Hugo Yugo slept together in my left warm pit last night. Yippeeee.

I truly appreciate your kindness, and I think of you every day. I hope you’re in great health and making the most of the outdoors whenever possible. Getting outside is essential for our mental well-being and for keeping our bodies active for as long as we can! Even taking a moment to sit and listen to the birds can rejuvenate a tired spirit almost instantly.

Spark Bird: There is a lovely little book by a similar name about birds that inspired people to become involved in birding. For many of us, the birds that catapulted us into wanting to know more, to help preserve, and to educate ourselves came through the nests on the streaming cams. So many of you responded to ‘LS’s’ comments about Harriet being her spark bird, and it brought back tearful memories. Indeed, so many of our much-loved birds are no longer with us. Still, we need to keep them alive in our memories, and they are, of course, alive in the DNA of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, should they have been lucky enough to have survived those treacherous early years. Tens of thousands of people certainly loved Harriet – if not more.

For ‘CL’, a local bird sparked her love of everything with feathers. She writes: ‘I grew up on The Orkneys. At the weekend, my parents would take me and my brothers and sisters to the shore to tire us out looking for ‘pirate treasure’. I was captivated by the Purple Sandpipers that populated the shore especially when the tide went out.

I had never heard of a Purple Sandpiper so I had to look them up! This is the RSPB’s description: “The Purple Sandpiper is a medium-sized wading bird that is larger, stockier and darker than a Dunlin. It is mainly dark grey above and whitish below. It has a downcurved beak and bright orange legs. In flight, it shows a white wing-stripe. A couple of pairs nest in Scotland, but this species is mainly a winter visitor to almost any rocky coast in the UK. Most are found in Orkney, Shetland and along the east coast of Scotland and northern England – it is rare south of Yorkshire, except in Devon and Cornwall. The breeding areas in Scotland are kept secret to protect the birds from egg thieves and disturbance. It is listed on Schedule 1 of The Wildlife and Countryside Act.”

“Purple Sandpiper ( Calidris maritima ) … Filey Brig , Yorkshire (53266204391)” by peterichman is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Time to move on….I could ramble all day. Life is beautiful and being surrounded with kindness comforts me more than anyone could ever know. It is calming and reassuring. I am also grateful for many of you who are providing fish for the raptors. I know that several have created koi ponds near to the platforms while others are placing fish – these generous outpourings might prove to save chicks that otherwise might have succomb to heat and starvation. We have taken their land, their resources, and their food supplies. Giving back is a good thing.

Let’s start with Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 6th May 2025 

Louis started the day by bringing the earliest fish of the season at 5am, and followed it up with a second at tea time, taking his tally to seventy fish, not bad since his season only started on 2nd April. Apart from a few minor alarms, no low-flying owl or Osprey intruders bothered Dorcha or the eggs today, and steady progress is being made towards first hatch. Over on Nest One, the new Arkaig Osprey pair are also making steady progress. No intruders bothered them although Garry LV0 was scared off the nest by a piece of bark. He brought two fish for Aurora 536 which seems to have satisfied her as she didn’t appear when he brought a third fish, and his tally now stands at thirty nine. The promised sunny spells materialised, the weather was settled and due to stay that way with more sunny intervals due tomorrow.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.28.43 (03.50.45*); Nest Two 22.18.01 (04.19.19)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/Ap8s269oY3g N2 Season’s earliest fish 05.00.02

https://youtu.be/xG3Lh8YLrE8 N1 breakfast for Aurora and a bark surprise for Garry 09.23.59

https://youtu.be/oLDAq_ILX7Y N2 Dorcha’s calls finally quieten as fish number two arrives 15.15.09

https://youtu.be/gvIrP6Pu5Q4 N1 Garry brings a second fish and watches a jet go by 16.10.25

https://youtu.be/vtp8n5kldRU N1 Garry brings a third fish, Aurora’s not there so he has a nibble 18.36.00

Bonus read – the many facets of the strong partnership between WT and the People’s Postcode Lottery:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/partnerships/our-partners/peoples-postcode-lottery

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/rDDH4Z8zHEc  N1 Health and safety first, says Louis 2020

https://youtu.be/2ULJmAe1b5E  N1 Louis bashes Aila with a big stick 2020

https://youtu.be/B5w5Yemqvyo  N1 Social distancing is for the birds! 2020

https://youtu.be/hOnID1xMcys  N2 Coronation Day –  breakfast fit for a queen arrives 2023

https://youtu.be/usB2iBz2BQM  N2 Ringed Osprey visits 2023 (super slo-mo, zoom)

https://youtu.be/Dfmo_U46rCY  N2 Dorcha has a stretch and a squirt  2024

https://youtu.be/oI3R7TrjVHA  N1 A little Passerine visits 2024

https://youtu.be/sa-_Txps92s  N2 Throwing shapes – Louis and Dorcha are winging it 2024 

*day cam switched on during cam reset, mid point time used

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

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

Heidi’s Osprey News:

Smallwood State Park:  Their first baby hatched the evening of 5/6.  

Patuxent River Park (nest 1) –  Mom and Dad have their first hatch.  The hatchling was first seen the afternoon of 5/6.

Patuxent River Park (nest 2) – They also have their first baby, seen the evening of 5/6.  The egg cup is very deep and we have not been able to see any eggs.  We can just barely see the new baby’s head.  

OBX (Outer Banks):  Betsy laid her second egg early on 5/7.  It was laid almost 5.5 days after she laid egg #1.  

Audubon Boathouse at Hog Island:  5/7, Dory laid her second egg early this morning. 

Big Red and Arthur: Pip is getting bigger on O2. Just look at how many squirrels Arthur is already bringing to the nest – soon those babies will have a squirrel bed. https://youtu.be/gTDiCN_px-E?

Border Ospreys: Recent update on everything!

FULL SETDownload

Trempealeau Eagles: A beautiful scene – Mum guarding her only surviving baby who she is caring for alone.

Denton Homes: If the weather will continue to cooperate, this family will be just fine. Look at those gorgeous eaglets getting their juvenile feathers.

Kistachie National Forest E3: The surviving eaglet is gorgeous and returns to the nest for all to see how well s/he is doing.

Little Miami Conservancy: Two beautiful eaglets squeeing their heads off when food arrives.

Duke Farms: These three look ready to fly!

Fort St Vrain: Chucking down rain on the two surviving eaglets.

NEFlorida: Stunningly beautiful Bodie.

Big Bear Valley: Family Portrait.

Sauces: Betty Lou is gorgeous and much, much loved. She has been standing on the cot rails!

Fraser Point: Lovely.

Tweed Valley Ospreys:

Latest news from Tweed: On 6th May Newboy brought a good- sized fish back to nest 2 where Mrs O was sitting on eggs. She instantly stood up and pounced on the fish and took it in her talons. She began to eat at the nest but a hungry F2 returned and tried to grab the fish. When food is involved, it seems that this is the only time that any aggression between the birds is evident, Mrs O was fiercely holding on to the fish and had no intention of letting F2 take it. A slight squabble broke out and she then launched into the air taking the fish with her. F2 then settled on to the four eggs and the male took off from the nest too. Ten minutes later Mrs O returned to the nest with the remaining leftovers of the fish and she let F2 take it from her.

Loch of the Lowes: Second egg has arrived for the new couple

Loon Preservation Monthly News:

Loon Preservation Committee Month at a GlanceDownload

Hellgate Canyon: Louis is busy providing fish for Star as she incubates her eggs and there is now a persistent male visitor at Iris’s nest. There is considerable ‘wonderings’ if this is Finn. Did Finn return earlier and was chased away by Louis? Did Finn bring the fish earlier? Remember. I keep saying it. Tim Mackrill and Roy Dennis will tell you. The only two places on an osprey where the plumage pattern does not change is the top of the head and the underwing. It is extremely difficult to get good images of the underwing unless you are lucky enough to be directly under the bird in flight. Images have been posted of Iris and the new male and of Finn. ‘PB; sent me copies for your consideration (and my pondering).

I would like it to be Finn – I would liked it to have been Finn a month ago. I am not sure. It would be nice for Iris to be courted with fish- for her to feel special and I believe that these intelligent raptors know the difference. To Iris and all the love that might come her way still!

Port Lincoln Ospreys: Beautiful Mum was at the barge! Be sure to renew your membership. Every membership (very reasonable) goes to erect platforms for the growing osprey population in South Australia. The Friends of Osprey Sth Australia is incredible – what they do with the funds they have. They have motivated community members and in doing so, everyone protects these endangered raptors.

What cute faces! Monty and Hartley’s little ones lined up for breakfast.

Take care everyone. thank you for being with us today. 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: ‘CL, Geemeff, Heidi, PB’, RSPB, Openverse, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Cornell Bird Lab Red-tail Hawk Cam, Rosie Shields and Border Ospreys, Trempealeau Bald Eagles, Denton Homes, Kistachie National Forest E3, Little Miami Conservancy, Duke Farms, Xcel Energy, NEFL-AEF, FOBBV, IWS/Explore, Tweed Valley Osprey Project, Loon Preservation Society, Hellgate Osprtey Cam, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Smallwood Osprey Cam, Patuxent River Park, OBX, Audubon Boathouse, Loch of the Lowes, San Jose City Hall

Tuesday in Bird World

6 May 2025

Hello Everyone,

Morning Update: Hellgate Canyon. The timing could not be more perfect since Finnegan did not return (or did he?). Iris laid her three eggs and poof – Ravens took them. Starr, Louis’s mate, will have her eggs and Louis will be busy providing Starr with fish. The battle of the nest took place on Monday and early Tuesday morning, Iris and the victor sat on her nest together. We wait to see what happens.

[On an Osprey, the only two markings that never change yearly are the head markings and the underwing markings. Remember that. Everything else could vary.]

Big Red and Arthur: O2 making its way. O1 eating well and Arthur is stocking up the nest! It is a Hawk Delight buffet!

Another ‘summer’ day at the beginning of May on the Canadian Prairies. It was a perfect day. Toby’s ‘godmother’ visited with a toy basket full of everything a tiny dog would love to chew. Toby is really feeling at home. He likes to play tug of war with the hem of my long linen dress, growling and hopping around. He had his first bath today. Didn’t seem to mind and loved the drying off with the towel. I hope he sleeps well tonight!

The Girls are fine. They are curious but not intimidating. They keep their distance trying to figure out what this ball of energy that is either wide awake with great energy or sound asleep ‘is’. Not a cat. None of them have ever seen a dog before. It is quite interesting.

Hugo Yugo thinks it is just a great day to sleep in the conservatory where the temperature is in the 30s.

I really would like to hear from you about those birds on the streaming cams that sparked your interest. So send them in! I will try and include one a day for the next few weeks!

‘LS’ wrote: “What sparked me was when I saw Harriet and M15 profiled on the nightly news in 2018. It intrigued me to hear that a camera was installed so the public could watch an eagle’s nest. I would watch occasionally and was fascinated with learning things about eagles I never knew. It was 2020, the year E14, died that really grabbed my heart and attention. When Harriet and M15 reclutched I fell in love with E16 and then E15 who didn’t leave the area until early November. I still miss those 2 eaglets.” 

Thank you, ‘LS’.

The last time I checked there was a good size pip in O2’s egg at the Cornell Red-tail Hawk nest of Big Red and Arthur. Cornell Bird Lab has it on video: https://youtu.be/dJNVLRdb6Dc?

More activity at the Ithaca nest! https://youtu.be/Edn2Ayvrt5s?

Hellgate Canyon: There was a lot of activity going on at the nest of Iris today. The third egg was taken by the Raven on Sunday. Today another male took on Lewis and appeared to want to be friendly with Iris. The situation is ongoing.

Xcel Fort St Vrain: Those two surviving eaglets that we worried so much about seem to be doing just fine. Always a relief.

Trempealeau Bald Eagle Nest: Things are going well despite Mr T’s theft of fish. Eaglet has its blood feathers coming in!

White Rock Nest: ‘PB’ writes that the eaglets eat well Monday afternoon. A lovely fish fairy. 🙂

San Jose City Hall Falcon Scrape:

Golden Eagle Nest, Latvia, Spilve and Grislis: Hatch is underway!

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: First egg for the new couple. Thanks, ‘MP’.

Glacier Gardens Bald Eagles, Juneau, Alaska: Two eggs.

Glaslyn: I posted about Aran Monday morning. What a wonderful osprey he is.

West Point Eaglets: A storm took down the nest and the eaglets have perished just like Scout and Bella’s triplets at NCTC.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 5th May 2025

Today’s news is that Blue 536 has been given a name: Aurora. George WTS comments: Now that it looks like 536 is going to stick around we have decided to call her Aurora. This is a popular girl’s name in Scotland these days. Its root meaning is “dawn” which vibes well for her as a new beginning for Garry and Nest One. It is also a nod to the northern lights aka aurora borealis. Aurora strengthened her claim to Garry LV0 and his nest by bring some moss and a tiny twig and doing a little gentle nestoration. Garry on the other hand spent time mating but didn’t bring any fish, although we suspect he is providing fish to her away from the nest. His tally remains at thirty six. It was far busier on Nest Two, where Louis and Dorcha had at least two incursions by intruder Ospreys, and Louis spent much time fighting aerial battles. He still managed to find time to fish, and brought one fish to the nest, raising his tally to sixty eight. The overnight forecast is for a clear sky and light winds, and sunny intervals tomorrow. 

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.39.32 (04:10.24); Nest Two 22.57.08 (04.21.44)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/VvL_ZaQsu7s N1 Woodland Trust have given Blue 536 a name – hello Aurora! 06.10.22

https://youtu.be/PNRVXZc0NDU N2 Louis alarm calls as an intruder Osprey flies overhead 08.10.56

https://youtu.be/GVFzskmn1_s N2 Dorcha’s fish number one and only finally arrives 16.16.04

https://youtu.be/SYZq9BrLbWs N2 An unringed Osprey intrudes on Louis who gives chase 16.28.58

Bonus read – plan to connect rainforest habitat from Cornwall to Scotland

https://www.scotsman.com/hays-way/scotland-included-in-ps40m-project-to-connect-rainforest-habitat-along-uk-coastline-5112723

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/vi57aF6RvWs  N1 Aila suffers an owl strike 2019 (slo-mo)

https://youtu.be/50n9gpytiy4   N1 A typical night on the nest for Aila 2020

https://youtu.be/fCzbYErsSgA  N1 Persistent Hoodie won’t leave Aila alone 2020 (Slo-mo)

https://youtu.be/pBzJsBFIzek  N1 Strange Osprey lands on the empty nest 2023

https://youtu.be/Rg-hxBiPEPM  N2 Louis has an aerial encounter with an intruder 2023 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/4KzkpgYcDBc  N1 Aida arrives fish calling, Garry LV0 arrives with moss but ignores her 2024

https://youtu.be/eX9kUX1m6QM N1 Aida wants fish, Garry wants to mate and gets rejected 2024

https://youtu.be/J0T2g4AjXv0 N2 Finally – Louis delivers the first fish to Dorcha 2024

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

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

Geemeff sends us a good news story about Laysan Albatross, Wisdom!

74 years old, she is a marvel, has a chick this year: https://friendsofmidway.org/the-wisdom-ohana-family/

Yes, we get attached to them!!!!!!!!!!! Citizens in Wales love their ospreys.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/may/03/nesting-ospreys-villagers-excited-wales-usk-valley?CMP=share_btn_url

Why should wildlife ever lose out? But especially when there is criminal activity underway?

Why should wildlife lose to businesses underpinned by criminal activity Mark Carwardine on driven grouse shooting BBC Wildlife MagazineDownload

If you are a member of Ospreys of Nova Scotia, voting is now underway for three names for Ethel and Oscar’s 2025 chicks! Great names suggested! And voting made easy. Just click on the name.

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, MP, PB’, Cornell Bird Lab Red-tail Hawk, Montana Osprey Project/Cornell Bird Cam, Trempeauleau Bald Eagle Cam, White Rock Eagles/D Hancock Foundation, LDF, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Ospreys, Glacier Gardens Eagles, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, West Point Eagle Nest, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Xcel Energy, Friends of Midway, The Guardian, Raptor Persecution UK

Saturday in Bird World

3 May 2025

Good Morning All,

Morning Update: The first hatch of Big Red and Arthur comes in some pouring rain – last I checked the little one is almost free of the egg. BR is keeping it dry!

My Friday newsletter was hacked. Ads originating with Facebook appeared where the information images and posts from the White Rock Eagles should have been. I have sent this to WordPress. At the same time, I am so sorry. I will be removing all information other than my own wording about White Rock today in the event that their posting is ‘infected’ as WP thinks it could be. Please let me know if you see other ads. They should not appear. Thank you, Geemeff and Heidi, for calling this to my attention.

Calico and Hugo Yugo are helping me write to you today. Calico is a typical toddler – the minute their parent gets on the telephone, they want attention and will do anything for it including walking all over the keyboard! Hugo Y is more interested in a large basket that has appeared in the conservatory and Missey has decided, along with Baby Hope, that the best thing to do today is have a nap. The sitting room is clean enough a baby could eat off the floor. There is positively nothing that could go into a puppy’s mouth including the much loved peants in the shell that the girls like to use for hockey late in the day. The deck has been cleared and the feral feeder has been moved. No need for heated bowls anywhere but water will be very welcome as it is to be – yes, hold it, 25 degrees C tomorrow when we pick up Toby. He might need a cooling pad even with the AC in the car. Unbelievable. Winter to what would have been the very heat of summer and it is just May. I fear for our birds this year.

The biggest news of the day is that Bodie flew. Our first miracle of the year has flown. Friday morning. Bodie just up and flew off the nest like a professional.

As I write this, the bird that I love the most, Big Red, the Cornell 22 year old Red-tail Hawk, has her first hatch of the 2025 season underway.

It started raining in Ithaca. I ‘hate’ rain and hatchlings. Yes, to be sure, Big Red and Arthur are perfectly capable of keeping the eggs warm and dry and any hatchling the same. What I dislike is when the cold and the damp set in and take over the next and little ones die of what we might simply call a ‘cold’. It is harder to feed them when it is pitching rain and prey scrambles to keep itself dry, too, so might not be as abundant. Let us hope that the rain subsides.

What was your ‘Spark’ Bird when you first started watching the streaming cams? If you are inclined, I would love to include your initials and your comments in my blog.

‘PB’ wrote that she is enamoured with the little eyases at the San Jose City Hall falcon cam.

What about the little falcons at Lincoln Cathedral? They are darlings!

Most of what I hear, over and over again and in my own head, is the silence at The Campanile and the difficulty in realising that Annie is gone. Those were such beautiful years that she gave us with her mates always raising beautiful fledglings. DDT took them and now it appears HPAI is destroying the remaining numbers.

Will my grandchildren even get to hear the beautiful songs of birds? I wonder.

We have falcons in Canada, too!

There are four little falcons at Union County now! https://youtu.be/Bw1fUWiVJOc?

Salisbury Cathedral:

Tewkesbury: So cute. It has been a very rough year for the eagle families, and the ospreys will have a difficult time. Is it time for us to step up and watch the smaller raptors – the hawks and the falcons?

Duke Farms: Just look at them looking out to their world.

Xcel Energy, Fort St Vrain: Eaglets in heraldic pose. Tried to shade under Mum today. Appear to be doing well.

Two other miracles at the Big Bear Valley nest of Jackie and Shadow are preparing to fly.

Sauces: Betty Lou is one ‘big’ gal! She has done so well and is another of the miracles from 2025 that we should never forget.

Farmer Derek GHO nest of Bonnie, Clyde, and Starr: As you will remember, Starr fludged unexpectedly. She returned to the nest. Androcat has it all on video in case you missed it earlier. https://youtu.be/7A4kOTOF1kg?

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

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 2nd May 2025  

Today was mainly quiet apart from Louis & Dorcha being buzzed by a low-flying intruder Osprey. The ringed intruder didn’t land nor did s/he give us a good look at its blue Darvic ring but as it was worn on the left leg, we know it’s a Scottish Osprey. Louis brought two fish to the nest taking his tally to sixty five, and two fish were brought to Nest One taking that tally to thirty three. However, the second fish unusually arrived carried in by Blue 536 rather than by Garry, although it’s suspected he handed it to her off-nest. The weather forecast states light rain and light winds overnight, but keep in mind the nests are exposed at the tops of tall trees so the conditions might not be that light. However the forecast for tomorrow is brighter and drier with light clouds, a gentle breeze, and a few sunny spells.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.08.52 (04.39.22); Nest Two 22.02.14 (04.44.57)
Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/J5_6QOg7l8I N2 Sweet birdsong greets fish number one  05.23.07

https://youtu.be/WLLCALZOinI N1 Blue 536 gets the first fish from Garry LV0 the second times 05.34 20

https://youtu.be/Cp3WkBSAZ_I N2 Intruder Osprey buzzes Louis & Dorcha10.05.54 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/oKoy1bMp2AY N2 10-second handover for fish number two 15.00.36

https://youtu.be/vF0HagQMSb8  N1 fish number two but it’s B536 who brings it! 16.336.56

Bonus read – what do Rhizocore, Woodland Trust and magic mushrooms have in common?https://www.rhizocore.com/blog-3-1/500000-rhizopellets-planted

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/0Rw_H0C8-SE  N1 Owl strike on unsuspecting Aila 2020 (Slo-Mo)

https://youtu.be/JJRPS8QYvpY  N1 Lockdown Ospreys star on BBC Breakfast 2020

https://youtu.be/rwa2_9rR24Q  N1 WT’s Dr Jessica Maxwell discusses the nest on BBC Breakfast 2020

https://youtu.be/1syQj_jjjxw  N2 Golden variation: Dorcha is bathed in the setting sun 2022 (Classic Ospreys Bach)

https://youtu.be/efwVjBqAYpA  N2 Gerroff and go fishing! 2023

https://youtu.be/bdcOT9JEGB8 N1: Garry LV0 brings moss, flies to Pole Tree then away 2024 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/GioCl06202I N2: Fish number one and only for Dorcha 2024

https://youtu.be/EKAjiNbY3A0 N2 Shadows seen near the nest at the time of the Eagle encounter 2024 (zoom)

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

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

White Rock, BC. It is a wonder the two little sweeties are still alive. When food is present, they fight and don’t eat getting only a few bites and then one of the intruding males takes the food. ‘PB’ writes of an incident Saturday evening: “WR 20:18-20:22 the male was on the nest moving material on top of the babies and was pecking them. He did this several times, and on his last peck on the baby’s head, mom yelled at him, and he backed off and then flew away. I’m scared this guy will kill the babies.”

Rutland Manton Bay: We will be on pip watch by the end of the week.

One of the things I am learning about having a puppy is precisely how much I do not know. At the same time, as I read Louise Glazebrooks’s book, One of the most eye-opening experiences of having a puppy is realizing just how much I have yet to learn. As I delve into Louise Glazebrook’s insightful book, “Everything Your Puppy Wants You to Know,” I can’t help but draw parallels to my husband’s journey with dementia.

Here are some essential insights that have significantly shaped my approach:

  • Never allow people to jump or lean into the carrier with the puppy—it’s crucial for their safety and comfort.
  • Ensure a calm environment for your puppy; a tranquil setting fosters a happier pet.
  • Establish a consistent routine; this creates a sense of security for your new furry friend.
  • Refrain from scolding for accidents; instead, offer praise for good behavior to encourage positive habits.
  • Invest in high-quality food for your puppies; nutrition is key to their development and health.
  • Pay close attention to your puppy’s cues—understanding their needs strengthens your bond.
  • Always ensure they go to the bathroom before breakfast; a simple step that can make a big difference in your day.
  • Be prepared to sacrifice some sleep; the rewards of companionship and unconditional love are worth it.

These lessons not only enhance my understanding as a pet owner but also serve as reminders of patience, care, and the importance of nurturing relationships.Everything your puppy wants you to know‘, I am reminded of my husband with dementia. Don’t let people jump and lean into them in a carrier. Keep the puppy calm. Establish a routine. Do not scould for accidents. Give praise for things well done. Feed the puppies good food. Listen to what your puppy is saying. Make sure they go to the bathroom before breakfast! Be prepared to lose sleep.

I am smiling. My father always had a dog. Surely I have told you this many, many times. The first was, of course, the three-legged terrier, Trixie. Then there was a Manchester Terrier. Somewhere in the mix was a poodle that my dad just knew I would love. His last dog came from a family that dumped three Doberman puppies next to our fence in a box. People knew my dad would feed any animal or person – he could not stand for anyone to be hungry. Besides the dogs we also had cats. He stayed home from his position at Tinker Airforce Base to help with one female have her kittens. She would press her back legs against the palm of his hands. He would make sure that they were all well and that the garage was secure so the males could not come in and kill the kittens. It was a different time. No one took dogs and cats to the vet to be spayed or neutered. Later, of course, he did. The Doberman’s name was Daisy and she was the most gentle dog I ever met. She rode in the passenger seat of his car and they were never separated until he broke his hip and had to go into hospital. Daisy would have killed anyone who tried to harm my father. Thankfully no one ever did. I tear up just thinking about the two of them together. They were so peaceful, calm, and quiet together. Daisy would sit right next to my dad as he handed the Cardinals and Eastern Bluebirds in his garden. Which reminds me why I started on this – puppies, I now understand, as well as people with demential, also require lots of calm quiet time. No drama. Well, as it turns out nesting birds also need the same!

Country diary: Capercaillies need peace to survive, let’s give it to them | Amanda Thomsonhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/may/02/country-diary-capercaillies-need-peace-to-survive-lets-give-it-to-them?CMP=share_btn_url

I hope that Toby is as happy with our family as Daisy was with my father.

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, messages, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, PB’, NEFL-AEF, Cornell Bird Lab Red-tail Hawk Cam, San Jose City Hall, Lincoln Cathedral, Canadian Raptor Conservancy, UCFC, Peace, Roger Smith and Salisbury Cathedral, Teweksbury Abby Peregrine Falcons, Duke Farms, Xcel Energy Fort St Vrain Eagles, FOBBV, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust and Loch Arkaig, IWS/Explore, The Guardian, Farmer Derek Owl Cam