As we prepare for the arrival of Toby, my time is running out. Anything that could fit into a small mouth must go into hiding along with ‘precious’ rugs, shoes, etc. Cords must be taped to the wall so they cannot be seen. It is a big learning curve from having cats! As a result, my blog will be brief for the next several days. I will try to catch the latest news and follow up on the White Rock and Trempealeau eagle nests and any happenings in the UK.
Cornell Red-tail Hawks: On Thursday, Big Red and Arthur have their first pip of the 2025 season.
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: ‘MP’ alerts us to a new couple on the nest. “I don’t know if you are aware of this nest having 2 new osprey residents. A new male and female. The nest looks amazing compared to the other resident’s nests.”
‘AR’ sent me a great good news story to share with you! One lucky Eagle.
White Rock, BC Bald Eagle nest. Read this carefully – the female incubated the eggs alone for 42 days. She might be fine if the males would stop stealing the food. Then there is the issue of the heat. This nest needs a sunshade! They are the sweetest little eaglets and well, I do not believe this is going to end well. Maybe all these eagles should take a page out of the osprey playbook from Threave!
The latest post on the White Rock eaglets from Terry Anita:
5/2/25 This is the White Rock, BC, Canada post for today. Please comment here. I’ll be updating & adding screenshots & info throughout the day. Eagles Mom (Dad missing) 2 eaglets. Hatched 4/30/25.
Screenshot 1: The male with the missing feathers above the right eye visits the nest. #2: Mom and male fly out. #3 Eaglets looking good this morning. Mom returns with no food. Male returns, digs in the nest for leftovers, then leaves.
These are believed to be Moms 25th and 26th eaglets. She has a lot of experience. But the circumstances are so difficult. She just spent 42 days incubating alone. And if it wasn’t for the males stealing all the food she brought in. She’d be in a better position, with left overs in the pantry. Local residents have left out grasses for her, to line the nest. But she hasn’t taken them. She’s doing the very best she can. The eaglets are also left alone in full sun on that nest. And are way too young to be able to regulate their temperature. All we can do is keep positive vibes going. This is a very big uphill battle for Mom.
There are other nests in close proximity. And many bald eagles in the area. There have been several males vying for Mom since Dad went missing. However most of the males seem more intent on taking food from the nest, than anything else. Mom has been tolerant of a few of these males and mated with more than one of them. The area gets a lot of eagles visiting when the herring run takes place. The White Rock, BC herring run typically happens in spring, with the most intense activity usually occurring in early to mid-March. The exact timing is unpredictable, but it generally begins in late February or early March and can continue into April.
We are watching nature unscripted. Should it become distressing to watch. Please step away & take a break.. Please do not try and compare this situation with other nests. No two nests, eagles or circumstances are the same.
Backstory. Mom is not a first time Mom. She’s been in the area for several years. And is believed to have had around 26 hatches, including this seasons eaglets. The male (Dad) went missing shortly after the first egg was laid. That egg was left unattended for over 11 hours and deemed non viable. The second egg was laid. But with her mate missing the female had to incubate the eggs alone. She was obviously gone for long periods of time, multiple times. As she has to find food for herself. The male visitors weren’t bringing her food and had no interest in the eggs. The eggs hatched on 4/30/25.
***Several males have been around, trying to win Mom over.
You might see any one of these males on the nest, usually stealing food. It’s very difficult to distinguish one male from another… A young male “Smudge” with dark feathers on his head just above the beak is one that can be easily recognized.. Smudge has been a frequent visitor… He’s been seen for about the last month and a half, on and off. But had stayed for the past few weeks.. Smudge seemed to be invested and even brought a fish in on 4/30/25.
Update. Smudge was in a fight with another male on the evening of 4/30/25. We are waiting to see if he’ll return. Or if the male he fought with has taken his place.”
Hellgate Canyon: Iris laid the second egg on Thursday 1 May. Poor darling. I would give almost anything to see Finnegan fly onto that nest right now.
Kent Island (Chesapeake Conservancy): There’s a new Audrey in town. ‘Fair Lady’ beat out a couple other females and won over Tom, and she laid her first egg on 5/1 at around 11:10. Meet Audrey4, aka simply ‘Audrey’.
OBX (Outer Banks): Oh my, what an early rough start to the season it was for Betsy and Frederick. There were so many intruders and battles. But, finally things settled down and Betsy laid her first egg of the season on 5/1 at 14:07. This first egg is almost a month later than last season.
My inbox continues to be filled with the most devastating news for wildlife that I have witnessed in my lifetime.
Each of you should know the name ‘Wisdom’, the oldest ringed bird in the world, a Laysan Albatross, who nests on the Midway Atoll. So when you read the following, sent in by Geemeff, I want you to think about ‘Wisdom’ and I hope that this will cause you to act to fight against any policies that destroy the lives of those, like Wisdom, who cannot speak for themselves.
Now is Our time!
A Nai’a (Spinner Dolphin) springs forth on Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) 2025 Photo by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Volunteer Joe Owen
Supporters of Friends of Midway Atoll (FOMA) are needed now more than ever to be the voice for the public lands and waters known as Kuaihelani (the backbone of heaven), which is designated as a National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial within the larger Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument (PMNM). The Administration has reduced the federal workforce, is proposing new policies and rescinding long-standing environmental policies, all of which are negatively impacting the ability to conserve, honor and protect our Nation’s public lands and waters.
With these unprecedented challenges, the FOMA Board is committed to sharing specific requests and calls to action via this newsletter and our newly launched advocacy web pagehere.Addressing and finding solutions to the critical needs of wildlife and people on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge/Battle of Midway National Memorial has our sleeves rolled up. We are positioned to help but the need is greater than our current capacity.
One Way to Help
FOMA takes its responsibilities seriously by aligning your donations with priority conservation needs that cannot be met by the refuge. We promise to continue to direct our funds to projects that offer immediate support for wildlife, bridge the financial gaps needed to continue collecting one of the longest sets of seabird data on the planet, share the stories and magic of Midway, and supplement core volunteer functions lost to budget and personnel cuts. As an example, the current refuge volunteer coordinator position will be vacated and unfunded in May. However, your donations have enabled FOMA to fund a volunteer coordinator position to mentor, train, and lead a 4-person crew of 6-month volunteers to implement critical on-the-ground conservation work. This will allow critical work to continue without losing ground to protect species and their habitats.
We are exploring creative ways to support Midway, including directing FOMA funds to pay contractors who can continue to protect habitats from invasive species. After nearly 3 decades of continuous effort, the refuge is close to eradicating Verbesina encloides; and stepping back now is inconceivable. Additionally, we will ensure efforts continue to honor those who fought in the Battle of Midway. We also commit to building a relationship with the PMNM Culturally Working Group while illuminating the cultural significance of Kuaihelani by honoring native Hawaiian species and place names.
Heavy Hearted Farewells
As a result of recent actions by this Administration to reduce the federal workforce, Midway has lost critical operational and administrative staff capacity. In February 2025, Midway Atoll and its sister Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge lost their supply, shipping and travel logistics coordinator, Dan Link. This is a critical position given the logistics of supporting these remote refuges in Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. On Friday, April 17th Midway Atoll lost its full-time Budget Analyst who managed Midway Atoll’s budget including paying bills, making purchases and supporting large contracts.
Also on April 17th we bid a heavy-hearted farewell to an irreplaceable brain trust in the Pacific Islands Refuges and Monuments Office in Honolulu that provided direct support to Midway Atoll and the other refuges and monuments in the Pacific. We bid farewell to Science Manager for the Pacific Islands Climate Change Cooperative Jeff Burgett, Refuges and Monuments Area Supervisor Ric Lopez, Deputy Area Supervisor Susan White, Supervisory Wildlife Biologist Beth Flint, Biology Science Technician Anna Vallery, Administrative Officer Eloise Wong and Wildlife Biologist Megan Laut (pictured below).
Photo by: USFWS/Laura Beauregard
These individuals were the backbone of the support office for all the National Wildlife Refuges including the Battle of Midway National Memorial and the Marine National Monuments in the Pacific. Their cumulative time spent working at the field level for wildlife (and people too) along with upper level managerial and planning experience is measured in centuries of knowledge, passion, intellect and wisdom. Known throughout the Pacific for their expertise, these now former employees had to secure their files and walk out the door with only a few days’ notice.
The impact of this loss will be felt for decades and has crippled the ability of those remaining to protect Midway and meet the mission of the agency. Unfortunately, this is just the beginning as more staff cuts are anticipated as well as a possible Reduction in Force. Along with budget and staff reductions, Executive Orders to eliminate previous provisions to protect nature further threaten the ability to conserve fish and wildlife in these extraordinary and unparalleled environments.
Imminent Threats to Midway’s Wildlife and What You Can Do!
Unfortunately, these warp speed actions by the Administration are now producing major threats to wildlife and habitat through the dismantling of federal laws protecting the islands, reefs, and waters at PMNM and more urgently at Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument(PIHMNM). This monument encompasses 7 National Wildlife Refuges and protects wildlife that knows no ocean boundaries as they transit in the greater oceanic ecosystem.
Grey reef sharks and schools of anthias in the waters of Jarvis Island, Pacific Remote Island Areas Marine National Monument. President Biden has an opportunity to fully protect the area. (Kelvin Gorospe/NOAA/2017)
In an effort to create a collective strength in numbers, we will continue to highlight the most pressing threats and point to those non-profit organizations protecting these monuments. On our webpage you will find links to recent executive orders or actions that seek public comment. We will also provide clear guidance and helpful tips.
Now is our time to hoist the sails and voyage together. We feel honored to join you and look forward to speaking out together for what we deeply value as we malama (take care of) Kuaihelani.
I Mua!
In the Hawaiian language the words I Mua mean to “move forward” or “move ahead” towards a goal and can express a deep commitment to support a feeling, an idea, a person or a cause.
Mahalo for all your support, Your Friends of Midway Atoll
As many of you might recall, I have praised the wildlife vet, Dr Tess, that has spent the last year at our rehabilitation clinic, Wildlife Haven. She maintains that wildlife are more resilient and can survive with many physical challenges. What this means is that new wildlife vets like Dr Tess are reluctant to simpy euthanise wildlife simply because they are missing a limb or have an inconvenient broken bone. ‘MP’ sent me an example of another surviving nicely in the wild with one leg! They write, “This is an example of what you were talking about. Ron Dudley captured this photo of a Brewer’s Blackbird missing a foot but still able to go on. It didn’t stop her from gathering nesting materiel for her nest. She was just as efficient as the other females. Only the female builds the nest in this species, as you probably know. So, all the males around just sat back and watched. They appear to have big feet too. I thought you’d be interested in seeing it play out in real time.”
Border Ospreys: Samson and Augusta have their first egg of the season!
San Jose City Hall: There is joy to be found. Look at those crops. Thank you, ‘PB’.
A magnificent rescue!
Trempealeau Bald Eagle Nest: T3 is getting stuffed. Despite male taking food, the little one is doing well. Please send good positive energy.
How thoughtful.
Geemeff’s daily summary for Loch Akraig and The Woodland Trust:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 1st May 2025 After an absence of a few hours which had us feeling a little edgy in case Blue 536 was ‘doing an Aida’, she turned up on Nest One ready to accept fish and mating advances from Garry LV0, and succeeded in getting both. Just as well, as females need ongoing mating for egg production to be stimulated, and the male needs to deliver a steady supply of fish to keep the female’s interest. Bearing in mind that Aila & Louis met on 28th April, mated for the first time on 29th April and still managed to fledge a chick in time to migrate, this pair are in line with that schedule so there is still an outside chance of chicks on this nest this season. Garry’s three fish deliveries take his tally to thirty one, and over on Nest Two, Louis also delivered three fish to Dorcha, raising his tally to sixty three. There was a bit of rain today, but the Inver Mallie forecast for tonight and tomorrow is more settled, with light clouds and light breezes.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.08.23 (04.37.31); Nest Two 22.03.42 (04.43.17) Today’s videos:
Thank you so much for being with me today. Take care. We hope to see you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, posts, letters, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘AR, Geemeff, Heidi, MP, PB’, Cornell Red-tail Hawk Cam, Cornell Bird Lab, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Fox News, Hilton Head Eagles, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, Friends of Midway Atoll, Pukaha National Wildlife Centre, Farmer Derek Kansas City Bald Eagle Nest, San Jose City Hall, Deborah Victoriana Friends of Duke Farms, Raptor Resource Project, Kent Island, OBX, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust
It is a special day for Aran at Glaslyn today! They write, “Roll back to April 30 2015. On this day ten years ago Aran landed on the Glaslyn nest for the very first time, when the original male 11(98) failed to return. He arrived just in time and raised two chicks with Mrs G that year. Ten years on and the situation at the nest is no less dramatic!” Well, done Aran.
It feels like winter hit us again! The sky is blue and the sun is shining but it is cold. The central heating is back on and my friend, who was going to put the pump in her pond, has decided to wait til the end of May!
Still, we have wildfires, and this one does not please me. It is about 20 km north of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. I go to Delta Research to see the birds, and there is an eagle family that has their nest there, which would be close to where the fires are burning.
Some Ospreys continue to arrive in Canada. It feels late, but I am not certain that it is. Will have to check the forms one day.
Snow Lane, Newfoundland: Beaumont is home. We wait for Hope.
FOBBV: Beautiful video of Sunny and Gizmo. Please savour every second we have with them. Soon they will fly and while that is their destiny, what little miracles and what amazing joy they have brought to us, to their parents Jackie and Shadow, and to one another. https://youtu.be/I4WMS9H3HrQ?
‘TU’ sends us some news: “WTE couple from Tatarstan in Russia got their chick and we hope it will be a good season. Couple of booted eagles in the same region have 2 eggs, second appeared yesterday. But as we remember for booted eagles in Spain it was always bad story for the small eaglet.”
Sad news coming out of Hancock Wildlife White Rock Bald Eagle nest:
Why can’t these chicks be moved to another nest for fostering? Or can we have intervention in the form of supplementary fish until the eaglets are old enough for Mum to leave them to go hunting? Or, pray tell, why, knowing the situation, were the eggs not moved to another nest to be hatched and raised? If you haven’t guessed by now, I believe firmly in intervention when it can occur and when there is a chance of a better outcome than watching two little eaglets starve to death.
Hellgate Canyon. Don’t pass out. Iris needed a break and probably some fish and look who came to take care of the egg. Am I dreaming?
The egg was rained on and rolled by Louis and then the Raven took it.
Beautiful Iris and her whopper of a fish.
Charlo Montana: Charlie and Lola have their first egg of the season.
Salisbury Cathedral Falcons:
Cornell Red-tail Haw cam of Big Red and Arthur: We are on pip watch.
Most of us are aware that Murphy the Eagle died some time ago. I received today and I thought I would put all of the information that was sent to me with the question by the reader: “Tragedy struck on a stormy weekend. Violent weather swept through Missouri, and Murphy was found dead in his aviary. Authorities reported that the severe storms and tornadoes that passed near the area played a role in his untimely demise. As First Alert 4 reports, a full necropsy later revealed that he sustained significant head trauma. The sanctuary stated they could not determine if the trauma resulted from a fall or from the fierce winds and heavy precipitation. This uncertainty adds to the sorrow felt by wildlife lovers and local residents alike. Additional reports highlighted the unpredictability of nature. Officials explained that Murphy had weathered many storms during his long life. Yet this particular outbreak proved too much for him. KTVI reports that his death came as a shock not only to the staff at the sanctuary but also to a community that had followed his journey closely. The sanctuary confirmed that no other birds were injured during the incident. They stressed that their safety plans had prevented further harm, though Murphy’s case remained an unfortunate exception.”
So the question is: with the reasonable accurate weather forecasting, why are not raptors and other animals/birds moved inside until the storms have passed? Sadly, I do not know the answer to this question but with climate change the increasing frequency of severe weather, one would think, if funds and staff are available, that all animals would be removed to a safe place until the storm had passed. I think here of the evacuations that occur throughout Florida.
Achieva Credit Union: According to MP, Jack and Jill are being harassed by some very persistent Blue Jays. There it is up on the perch. That Blue Jay is lucky that ospreys only like fish!
Sydney Sea Eagles: Lady and Dad have been photographed.
Heidi’s Nest Notes (please note that she does not cover every nest in the US nor every nest daily, just highlights):
South Cape May Meadows osprey nest: The camera was down for the better part of a few days. It was live streaming again late afternoon of 4/27 for just a couple of hours, and there were no eggs seen. When the cam resumed again on the morning of 4/29 at 07:30, Hera was incubating one egg. So, the egg could have been laid as early as the evening of 4/27, or on 4/28, or overnight on 4/29. Just in case, we should be on egg watch for egg #2 by the afternoon or evening of 4/30.
While the live stream was down, a motion-sensing infrared night light was installed for the purpose of helping us see when there is activity in the dark. The GHO has had a significant presence at the nest all season so far. Please see the following chat posts from the Nature Conservancy of New Jersey, to explain what has been done to try to deter the owl:
_______________
Lake Murray ospreys: It looks as though Lucy will not have any chicks from this clutch of eggs. Lucy laid 3 eggs and one of them broke on 3/29 (not known which egg). Her mate, Kenny, was usurped by the current male on 3/27-3/28. The new male (named Newman) has been bringing Lucy fish, and he has also been doing some incubating. Even if we go out on a limb and say that the two remaining eggs are egg #2 and egg #3, they are ages 44 and 41 days on 4/30, and no sign of a pip.
4/30 – The Frenchman’s Creek chick fledged this morning at 57 days of age! That first flight happened at 09:50, and s/he returned to the nest in just over a minute.
At Syracuse University, two of the Red-tail Hawk eggs hatched on Monday.
Geemeff writes: “Every time I hear anything at all on the subject of hen harrier persecution, my teeth start to ache from being ground very hard. What is it about this amazing bird that causes the idiots with guns who like to kill for ‘fun’ to persecute it so relentlessly? Surely the bird can’t be taking more than one grouse per day in breeding season? Given that the sport shooting industry raise and release around fifty million game birds annually simply to be shot, the very low numbers of hen harriers in the UK can’t begin to make a dent in those numbers. Even if each hen harrier took two or even ten a day, it still wouldn’t affect the vast numbers of game birds reared merely to be killed and most often not even eaten as they’re riddled with toxic lead shot.
It makes me ashamed to have a government that protects the so called ‘sport’ shooting industry.”
Thank you, Geemeff. You are absolutely right. Anyone who wants to begin to understand just needs to read any of the many books on the topic, but I particularly like Bowland Beth.
And, sadly, it is not just your government. The cutting of funding to rangers, changes to the migratory bird act in the US, etc, make life for all wildlife very precarious. I am embarrassed and infuriated. We all should be.
Falcons and other birds need them to survive. Can we not figure out a way to get along with pigeons?
Calico’s Tip for Everyone: It’s Migration. Turn out the Lights. Ask your cities and towns to turn them off!
Trempeauleau: Mrs T at Trempeauleau Bald Eagle nest in Wisconsin is incredible. She is going to raise this little eaglet of hers to fledge. I can feel it. The baby is getting its thermal down, and there must be fish ready. Just about as soon as she catches one, or in this case, brings what appears to be a road kill possum and a fish, Mr T comes to get it to take it to the other nest. Regardless, things are going well for now. Let us all send positive wishes that they continue to do so. Is he lazy? Opportunistic? This is his eaglet, too!
Xcel Fort St Vrain: Two surviving babies are doing well.
Geemeff’s daily summary for The Woodland Trust and Loch Arkaig:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 29th Apr 2025An exciting day today on Nest One where it looks like Garry LV0 and Blue 536 have mated successfully, not once but at least three times today. Furthermore, as if to fully claim possession of the nest (and Garry!), Blue 536 brought a stick to add to the furnishings. He brought her two fish taking his tally to twenty six. We wait to see how things progress, but it’s looking very good for finally having a resident pair on Nest One
since she arrived on Friday 18th April. Over on Nest Two, Louis and Dorcha went about their usual business of giving and receiving fish and taking turns incubating the eggs, and Louis’ two fish deliveries take his tally to fifty seven. Tonight’s forecast is for clear skies and light winds, and a sunny day with gentle breezes tomorrow. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.10.49 (04.47.08); Nest Two 22.25.41 (04.52.28)
Dyfi: Mark the 17th of May for pip watch for Idris and Telyn.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. 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: ‘BHA, Geemeff, Heidi, PB, SB, TU’, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, SK Hideaways, Newfoundland Power, Terry Anita and Bald Eagles Live Nest News and Cams, Montana Osprey Project/Cornell Bird Lab, Raptor Resource Project, Salisbury Cathedral Falcons, Eagle Cam, Cornell Red Tail Hawk Cam, The Guardian, Raptor Persecution UK, Achieva Credit Union, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, Trempealeau Bald Eagles, Peace, Xcel Fort St Vrain, SCMM, Lake Murray Ospreys, Frenchman’s Creek, Dyfi Osprey Project
It was positively freezing on Monday. After sorting through the winter boots, coats, hats, and scarves from spring, we now find ourselves digging into the old closet to grab a jacket. Don had his phlebotomy appointment today. So, what is that? It means his body cannot eliminate iron properly. What’s particularly curious to us and his doctors is that the excess iron lodges in his brain. The nurses extract a litre of blood monthly to lower his iron levels. Additionally, I cannot use anything containing iron, such as cast iron pans or foods high in iron (those lovely grapes!). I’ve noticed that his thinking seems clearer afterwards. I have requested they review the literature to investigate any correlation between Hemochromatosis (excess iron in the blood) and Lewy Body Dementia. I even asked if they could flush the iron out of his brain.
Everyone is getting ready for Saturday when we will pick up the little puppy. I had considered naming him after my dad -Clyde. But, the more I look at him, the more he becomes a ‘Toby’. Something easy to say and hopefully easy to remember. Toby will be the size of the cats and smaller than Calico. Will they get along? Toby has grown up with other dogs, cats, and small children. So fingers crossed! Toby is not just a ‘pet’. He is a therapy dog for Don. Whether it is the walks in the woods, the feeding of the chickadees, the restrictions on daily activities, everything that I do for Don is to try and improve his life. Toby is just one more tool in that toolkit. Everyone is getting ready for Saturday when we will pick up the little puppy. I had initially considered naming him after my dad, Clyde. However, the more I look at him, the more he seems like a ‘Toby’ to me. It’s a name that is easy to say and hopefully easy to remember. Toby will be about the size of the cats and smaller than Calico. Will they get along?
Toby has been raised with other dogs, cats, and small children, so fingers crossed! Toby is not just a pet; he is a therapy dog for Don. Everything I do for Don—whether it’s taking walks in the woods, feeding the chickadees, or accommodating daily activity restrictions—is aimed at improving his quality of life. Toby is just one more tool in that toolkit.
The animals outside are doing well, but this morning I only counted four grey squirrels, which causes me some anxiety. Otherwise, there are two reds, one male Hairy Woodpecker, one male Downy Woodpecker, 9 Chickadees, 2 Crows, and 2 Blue Jays. Brock and Squishy come to the feral feeder daily. I saw Star once on the IR in the middle of the night several days ago.
I am so grateful that SK Hideaways put together a tribute to our dear Annie at The Campanile on the campus of University of California-Berkeley. Get some tissues!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you! https://youtu.be/BdaB7xKYCYc?
Hellgate Canyon: We anticipated this would happen. If the Ravens do their job, Iris’s hormones will soon settle down, allowing her to enjoy a relaxing spring and summer retreat before migrating south to her winter home. Without any chicks to raise, she will quickly regain her strength after laying those eggs. The time for the first was 10:36 on Tuesday.
I feel for her. No male to bring her a fish. No on there to cheer her on. And as Louis gets busy with Star, well, she won’t even have his daily visit. Indeed, Iris did not leave her precious egg once, not once, despite being hungry. Louis did nothing but come and mate right after she had laid that egg. How difficulty would it be for him to bring her a fish. It is afterall his chick!
At the same time, I am so very grateful to have seen her have a dutiful mate in Finnegan last year and raise two chicks to fledge. She was a superb Mum. It is something that I will never forget.
‘A’ writes: “Isn’t Iris exquisite? She spends her days lying on her nest unless she is off fishing. Speaking of which, her legs and feet look SO strong. I am sad that Finnegan has not returned, if only because it suggests something bad has happened to him. I suspect he would have returned to his Iris had he been able to do so. He seemed very attached to her last season and really looked after her. I remember him coming down to the nest in a rainstorm and trying to keep Iris and the osplets warm by covering her with one wing. He loved her. So it saddens me greatly to think of why he has not returned to Hellgate. How I wish they would band or even track some of these well-known birds – they have huge fan bases after all and doesn’t money talk in this world?”
Heidi’s Nest Notes of US Ospreys:
The Bridge Club osprey nest: Mom laid their third egg at 10:32 on 4/28. I’m not sure if this is the same female as last year, but last season Mom laid four eggs.
Cape Henlopen State Park osprey platform: This male is a rockstar! We don’t know his story, but in my opinion, he has done this before. There are no telltale signs of him being a young inexperienced male. He knows the ropes! Today M brought fish to F four times, he brought in nesting materials 8 times (4 sticks, 4 gobs of soft nesting), and they mated 7 times (not including 2 additional attempts). F is one lucky gal!
Trempealeau: Mr T came and took the food off the nest last night. Mrs T went and got two more fish for her and little T3 Monday morning.
Little T3 valiantly defended the nest against a squirrel while Mum was out fishing.
Tuesday morning, ‘PB’ reports that Mr T took both fish before Mum or T3 could eat! Sorry. Why couldn’t he have left one of them!!!!!!!!
Teweksbury Abbey Falcons: We are on Pip Watch.
Little Miami Conservancy: Eaglets going to bed with huge crops Monday night.
Still waiting for the goslings to hatch at the Decorah Goose Cam.
Ospreys at the nest at Salt Point. The water was a little rough – ospreys need really calm water in order to have success fishing – today.
At Rutland, folks are getting anxious. These are the dates for those four eggs: Today is day 27 since the first of 4 Osprey eggs were laid on the RutlandManton Bay nest – 2nd April, – 5th April, – 8th April, – 11th April.
Frenchman’s Creek: The Only Bob is certainly getting some height with its hovering!
Moorings Park: Ozzie hatched on the 9th of March and he is ready to soar into the skies! Harry and Sally raise the most beautiful chicks.
Wetlands: Diana Lambertson reports that the couple have three eggs.
Sandpoint: Will Keo and Keke retake their nest once the goslings jump?
From the peeps, it looks like they might have all hatched.
San Jose City Hall Scrape: Monty and Hartley’s babies are full and ever so cute.
Lodz: So windy the female falcon got blown off her eggs.
US Steel: USS8 has all its juvenile feathers and is doing well.
Loch of the Lowes: Looks like a failed nest for 2025. Eggs are normally laid by the end of April. Chicks generally hatch late May or early June. Chicks are sometimes ringed at approximately 5 weeks- early to mid July. Chicks fledge at about 7 weeks old- generally late July. It is just getting too late to hope.
Golden Gate Audubon: Richmond and Rosie have two eggs. The first egg was laid on April 21, and the second on April 18, 2025. A third egg may have been laid, but it’s not confirmed in all reports.
Collins Marsh: There appears to be no activity at the osprey platform.
Cardinal Land Conservancy: Growing and Growing.
RSPB Loch Garten: No Sign of Asha since the 25th. A new female is interested in the nest and it appears Brodie might be keen. We wait.
Glaslyn: The air is tense at the Glaslyn nest. Elen and Aran appear to not really be bonding in the way that they were last season. The single egg is still in the nest and most believe it is Teifi’s. Aran has not routed it. Aran needs to eat but if he goes fishing will Teifi come? Will he lose his nest? What a nest mess!
Glaslyn responds Tuesday: “It is now one week since Aran began the battle to regain the nest from KC6/Teifi. Teifi continues to intrude at the nest, but Elen now sees him as a threat to the nest rather than a potential mate and works with Aran to drive Teifi away from the nest.
The fourth egg is still being incubated by Elen, but is ignored by Aran. Elen is unlikely to be responsive to Aran’s attempts to mate her while the egg remains in the nest. At the moment there is still time for the pair to produce a second clutch of eggs. We can only continue to watch and learn.”
Duke Farms: Will they fledge on the same day?
Xcel Energy Fort St Vrain: Just look at these little babies. It was not that long ago that we worried we would lose them.
Denton Homes: There are storms all around the nest and the nest is rocking. Send good thoughts to this family.
OPPD Fort Calhoun: Weather has not hit the nest so far.
Worcester Peregrines: Second eyas has hatched and the third egg has a nice pip as of Tuesday.
Geemeff’s Daily Summary for the Woodland Trust and Loch Arkaig:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 28th April 2025
Another quiet day, on Nest Two Dorcha endured a wet and windy night and an equally wet day today, but was largely undisturbed although an intruder Osprey was seen in the distance when Louis delivered his only fish. His tally now stands at fifty five. Over on Nest One, Garry LV0 and Blue 536 spent a little time on the nest together, there were some mating attempts and a bit of nest tidying, and one fish was delivered taking Garry’s tally to twenty four. While we await information on Blue 536’s background, tonight’s bonus guide to aging Ospreys by their plumage might come in handy. The weather forecast is much brighter with light winds overnight and full sunshine tomorrow.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.00.00 (04.54.34); Nest Two 21.54.37 (05.01.37)
Conversations surrounding protecting and caring for our planet and its diverse life forms are undeniably political. As my premier and our soon-to-be prime minister champion the establishment of additional national and provincial parks to preserve our environment, another government is determined to dismantle the hard-won advances achieved over many decades. Understanding why logging and mining are strictly banned in national parks is vital—they are essential safeguards for our natural heritage and future. It is up to the people to cry out so loudly that the 9th of April declaration will also halt the shooting of migratory bird populations. As someone who treasures outdoor spaces and all the living creatures that live in them, who has fought for their protection here and elsewhere, I am simply ill.
I want to close with something that has worried and touched our hearts for many years – the Achieva Osprey Platform. One of my long time readers and a keen observer of this nest has worn their computer out writing to people to help. A recent letter was sent to Connor O’Brien with Window to Wildlife. This is part of that response. If you live in St Petersburg, why not take up the baton and with what Connor is saying get on the phone and try to get some help for these lovely ospreys!
This was Connor’s response:
“I’ve heard about this nest, and I’ve been advising a very passionate person on how to get state law enforcement involved. I’m hopeful that it will help. From my understanding, it seems to be a fairly easy fix.
Sadly, it’s not a nest we could afford to take over. If the company reached out to us to work on it, we could help or advise them. At the end of the day, this company should fix it and make it safe. The state government should enforce that as well, since it is a man-made nest.”
Connor is referring to Achieve Credit Union and I find it interesting that he also refers to law enforcement. Please help if you can by writing to anyone in the St Petersburg area.
Thank you so very much or being with us today. Please take care. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘A, Geemeff, Heidi, MP, PB’, SK Hideaways, Montana Osprey Project/Cornell Bird Lab, Raptor Resource Project/Cornell Bird Lab, Little Miami Conservancy, Salt Point Osprey Cam, Kielder Forest, LRWT, Frenchman’s Creek, Moorings Park Osprey, Wetlands, Sand Point, San Jose City Hall, Lodz, PixCams, Cardinal Land Conservancy, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Duke Farms, Geemeff and the Woodland Trust, Golden Gate Audubon, Collins Marsh, Raptor Persecution UK, Xcel Energy, Denton Homes, Denton Homes, OPPD Fort Calhoun, Worcester Peregrines, Teweksbury Falcons, IWS/Explore, Cape Henlopen State Park, RSPB Loch Garten
Unless you have been on an island somewhere, you probably know that Canada has a federal election today. Most voted early, and please, if you live and vote elsewhere, do not mail in your ballot. Go and vote in person. You want your ballot to count. Take an audio book or a magazine or something, even a bottle of water to help you stay in line so your voice is heard. There are people to help you get there. And by all means, go early and vote. We had a 450% rise in turnout for early voting at our polling station!!!!!!!!!
I have been looking at therapy dogs and have finally found one that will be picked up next Saturday. For over a year I considered a rescue dog but it appears they have more trauma than i can deal with at this point in my life. Most of the ones here are a Shepherd mix. Instead, we will see which one of the little boys in the picture below picks us. I am partial to the one with the wide white stripe on the left facing you.
Update: Second egg at USK this morning.
NEFlorida: Gabby has brought a fish for Bodie. Bodie did not get any prey yesterday. Beau has not been seen for four days.
Geemeff sends us the daily summary for Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 27th April 2025
Quiet today on both nests, just a routine day – both females called for fish and took them quickly away on delivery to their nests, and both males brought two fish each, taking their respective totals to 23 (Garry LV0) and 54 (Louis). The weather was wet and windy as forecast, and it’s raining as I file this report (22.15 GMT+1). The main difference between the nests is that one has a long established pair, currently incubating three eggs, while the other has a new couple in the early stages of pairbonding. Season Nine is off to a good start, fingers crossed it continues. The overnight forecast for the Inver Mallie area (https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2646094) is light rain and a gentle breeze continuing through tomorrow afternoon.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.44.03 (04.54.09); Nest Two 21.44.00 (05.00.50)
Bonus guide to ‘nature’s fireworks’ which are out early: George WTS advises where and how to visit Scotland’s best bluebell woods – but please don’t leave the path!
Venice Golf and Country Club Ospreys: Ildiko Pokk says they are doing great.
Longmont: Some snow but some pretty osprey eggs, too.
Decorah Goose Cam: Still waiting for hatch!
Xcel Energy: Fort St Vrain: All is well.
Denton Homes: Beautiful triplets. Bad, bad storms set to hit the area on Monday. Send positive wishes those tornadoes will go somewhere else.
OPPD Fort Calhoun is in line for the storms, too.
Trempealeau Eagle Nest: Is also in line with the heavy storms pushing through the Nebraska region. Mum has been doing a grand job feeding her only surviving eaglet alone.
I often wonder if Iris remembers Finnegan, Sum-eh and Antali?
Moorings Park: The expected date of Ozzie’s fledge if 4 May. That is this coming week.
Big Bear Valley: The snowstorm that hit thenearest area on Saturday has all but melted.
Farmer Derek Owl Cam: Starr goes up and down the 2 x 4 attached to the tree to go up and down easily from the nest to the ground.
West End Bald Eagle nest: Makaio eating prey on top of Tor.
Redding: Little darlings Liberty and Guardian continue to work on their new next with hope for next year.
Little Miami Conservancy: Flapping and hopping.
Sandpoint: Geese should hatch and jump today or Tuesday. Will this give Keo and Keke time to lay eggs?
Duke Farms: It appeared that the rabbit (or squirrel) was enough for all three eaglets to get some bites. ‘PB’ writes that a big fish came on the nest Monday morning and all ate well.
SW Florida:
Latvian Osperey Nest in the Kurzeme. Selma and Svings are here and we might have osplets again this year. Wish them luck! Thanks, Sassa Bird!
Sassa Bird sends us a history of this nest we are watching: “The nest we are observing is located in Kurzeme. According to the information available to Aigars Kalvāns, it has been known since 2004. The nest is built in the branches of a bent old pine tree. From 2007 to 2023, the nest has been inhabited every year, and only in 2007, 2010 and 2019 was nesting in it unsuccessful. In the remaining years, 1-3 young ospreys left the nest. In 2023, the male and female were without rings, so the origin of these birds is unknown to us. The camera system was created by Jānis Ķuze and Jānis Rudzītis. In 2024, a pair of ospreys Selga and Svings, both unringed, nested. Two chicks (Līga and Jancis) hatched and successfully fledged. Children’s ring No. 59T, 59V”.
Latvian Golden Eagle: This is Spilve’s nest. In 2020, her beautiful fully feathered chick, Klints, died of starvation when she lost her mate and could not find food. Golden Eagles will practice cainism and there are two eggs. It is extremely rare – and I do say extremely rare – that the second hatch would survive. Grislis is a good mate.
Geemef sends us another news item: “‘In Britain, we burn precious peatland for sport’ – article in Prospect magazine about the shameful practice of grouse moor burning:
‘EJ’ is right. I never thought I would see a reverse in the caring of our world but, I continue to believe that if we each take charge of where we are, we can make a positive impact.
Sent from my iPhone
Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘EJ, Geemeff, Heidi, SB, PB’, King Cavaliers, Cartwright, MB, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust and Loch Arkaig, Alaistair Cameron and Llyn Brenig Project FB, Ildiko Pokk and VGCCO, Pam Breci and Longmont, Raptor Resource Project, Xcel Energy Fort St Vrain, OPPD Fort Calhoun, Trempeauleau Bald Eagles, Montana Osprey Project/Cornell Bird Lab, FoBBV, Farmer Derek GHO Cam, Duke Farms, Redding, Sandpoint, Little Miami Conservancy, Karen Meadows, SW Florida, LDF, Raptor Persecution UK< UK Osprey Information
It was a gorgeous spring day on Friday the 25th of April on the Canadian prairies and it is just as nice today. We drove a friend to Wildlife Haven (our great rescue and rehabilitation clinic) to drop off donations of supplements, enrichment items, and clean sheets and towels. They are all intended for Baby Days celebration which happens on the 24th of May.
If you live in the area, here is the information:
Wildlife Haven in Ile des Chênes, MB, is hosting its third annual Wild Baby Shower on Saturday, May 24th, 2025, from 1 PM to 3 PM. The event aims to support the care of orphaned, sick, and injured wildlife during their peak baby season. Attendees can enjoy interactive games, prizes, and meet Wildlife Ambassadors. There will also be guided hospital tours, a baby-themed photo booth, and a gift table for wild babies.
The Wild Baby Shower is a chance to support Wildlife Haven’s mission of saving wild animals. Attendees can make a donation or bring a gift from the registry, which includes items like specialized food, warmth, and medical supplies, according to MyRegistry.com. Wildlife Haven anticipates admitting over 750 wild patients during their peak season, so any support is greatly appreciated.
I like to remind everyone that baby animals will be coming into care around the world in the northern hemisphere and if you have anything that can help, please donate.
I want to start with a very special nest – this nest could teach the world some good lessons! Then we will check on what is going on with Heidi and those osprey nests in the US.
Heidi’s US Osprey nest note:
Wolf Bay osprey platform: The third baby for Josie and Bert hatched on 4/25. The three cuties are only three days apart in age.
Geemeff reminds us of a special day – Mark Your Calendars!
“Sunday 4 May marks International Dawn Chorus Day 2025. Here’s the top tips from the RSPB for enjoying it.’
Names were given and a memorial planned for the three eaglets of Scout and Bella that died when their nest was tossed out of the tree by high winds this week.
Glaslyn News: “It has been a dramatic season so far with KC6/Teifi and Aran fighting for their place on the Glaslyn nest. On Tuesday it became clear that Aran had started his campaign in earnest to recover his nest. He began aggressively divebombing KC6/Teifi on the nest and chased him through the valley, leading to spectacular views for visitors and volunteers who watched them in the air from the Visitor Centre.
On Wednesday morning he brought a large Mullet to Elen before chasing Teifi out of his territory once again. He has been present on the nest today, and this evening returned with another fish for Elen. We have not seen Teifi on the nest camera since Wednesday morning.
Is this the beginning of a fresh start for Aran and Elen?”
Big Bear Valley: I don’t know about you but I really don’t want Sunny and Gizmo to fledge for a long, long time! https://youtu.be/EHzKcNE3WG4?
Trempealeau Bald Eagles: T3 is 15 days old today. Mum is working hard to provide for herself and her only surviving eaglet. She came in with the big fish and fed T3 twice, brooding her eaglet inbetween so it could not get a chill. What a great Mum. Dad showed up today to feed a few bites of fish to little T3 and then flew off taking the fish to his other nest and chicks. (Don’t get me started!)
Cal Falcons: Please read the post by Cal Falcons carefully. I hope you are as angry as I am at the changes that could make our beautiful raptors – endangered and extinct. What are you going to do to stop this
Due to the use of DDT and other pesticides, there were fewer than 100 Peregrine Falcons in the lower 48 United States in the 1970s. Bald Eagles had dropped to fewer than 1000 individuals across the same area. Thanks to the effects of science-based environmental regulations such as the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), and Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), there are currently ~5,000 Peregrine Falcons and ~300,000 Bald Eagles in the lower 48!
The recovery of these two species is due almost entirely to legislation that is scheduled to be officially “sunset” by Executive Order dated 9 April 2025 (“Zero-based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy). The damage that this could cause is immeasurable and could take decades of concerted effort to recover from. In some cases, the damage could be irreversible, as many endangered species could very quickly go extinct without protections.
Environmental regulations protect not only plant and animal species but every person on the planet through clean air and water, and it is estimated that the environment provides approximately 150 trillion dollars of economic benefit globally every year for free (Jiang et al. 2021). Recovery of the Peregrine Falcon and Bald Eagle are just two of many stories that demonstrate the power of regulation in conserving the natural world that we all live in, depend on, and enjoy.”
These orders impact birds in the United States and those that migrate to my country for their spring and summer breeding. They also impact the nests that we watch. We need help for our wildlife and the natural areas of our world, not hindrances and indifference.
Defenders of Wildlife, a US-based organization states, ““Rolling back these kinds of protections for migratory birds such as snowy owls, red-winged blackbirds, and white pelicans will undoubtedly result in the deaths of tens of thousands of birds,” said Daniel Moss, senior government relations representative at Defenders of Wildlife. “This action is particularly egregious as we approach the 15th anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon explosion which resulted in catastrophic mortality rates for sea birds. Only thanks to the MBTA, BP was forced to pay $100 million in fines. Weakening this law by giving businesses a free pass to do harm is the exact opposite of what our government should be doing.”
Geemeff’s Daily summary for Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 25th April 2025
This day in 2021 saw the first appearance of Affric 152 on Nest One, and this day in 2023 saw the first appearance of Garry LV0 on Nest One, although he’d first appeared in 2022, intruding on Nest Two. This year things are looking different on Nest One – Affric has been chased off back to her own nest at Bunarkaig with her mate Prince, and Garry has definitely claimed the nest as his own and is fighting off all comers, while his relationship with new female Blue 536 goes from strength to strength. With mating attempts not being rejected and plenty of fish being offered, we can be cautiously optimistic that we finally have a bonded pair on Nest One, with the slim possibility of chicks this year, although it’s more likely to be next year assuming the pair return together. Garry brought three fish to the nest including the season’s first flatfish, and his tally rises to eighteen. Things are very settled over on Nest Two, with Louis taking turns to incubate the three eggs while Dorcha goes off to eat the fish he brings her. His two deliveries today take his tally to fifty one. The weather was settled today with the forecasted drizzle staying away, but rain is due tonight and all day tomorrow.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.51.59 (04.29.33); Nest Two 21.45.59 (04.48.50)
If you missed the April Condor chat by the Ventana Wildlife Society, here it is: https://youtu.be/sCGnKrFcHcM? I highly recommend that you watch, and if you loved Iniko, there is a video of her journey over the five years, especially the time of the Dolan Fire of 2020 that killed her Dad, Kingpin.
Iniko (Born during Troubled Times) is getting some orange/red on her head! Remember, she rose from the ashes as they mention in the video blog.
The Ventana Wildlife Society continues to work hard to protect these amazing birds from HPAI.
All I can say is I am glad the individual was caught. Unbelievable.
Fraser Point: Both eaglets have names – Blue and Kaimani. Many of you have noticed the number of eels showing up at nests. Dr Sharpe was on the chat today and said this: “I wonder if wolf eels are especially susceptible to domoic acid poisoning. They must be turning up dead a lot along the western coast of Santa Cruz.” He went on to say, “We had two chicks die at the Pelican Harbor nest at about 1 week old one year. The red tide often seems to peak around the time the eagle chicks hatch.” “That’s probably what is killing the pelicans that are showing up at some nests. I saw a pelican spiral into the ocean and die a few weeks ago.” [Dr Sharpe is referring to Red Tide]. Dr Sharpe was asked about the Fraser Point eagles being older and would it impact them. He remarked, “Only if they eat a lot of fish and the red tide is still around. I’m in Colorado, so I don’t know the current conditions there.”
Decorah Goose Cam: Waiting for hatch!
Golden Eagle Cam in Romania: The new mother at this nest, Pausa, has never had eaglets before or so it appears. She has absolutely no idea what to do and when the eaglet hatched on day 43 she kept picking it up and moving it out of the egg bowl causing it to get cold. She stepped on it. Picked it up and moved it again. Eventually the poor little thing died. The third egg could hatch in 3-4 days time but I doubt if the eaglet will are any better than this one. Being parents is not always instinctual.
Cromer Falcons: Dad, Henry, watches Mum, Poppy, feed the chicks! They are such little darlings and such an attentive Dad!
It is free and it is fun. Guess the day of the first hatch at Rutland Water’s nest of Blue 33 and Maya at Manton Bay! Put your choice in the chat and Bart M will tabulate everything.
The Bald Eagle, Majestic, arrived at Wildlife Haven in 2014. She was dehydrated and emaciated and had an old wing injury that had did not heal properly. She is a great ambassador and loves her new cage. She did some loud chortles as we walked up to say hello.
So cute. Ducklingham Palace.
Fort St Vrain: Wet days and a damp nest. The eaglets have their thermal down and are looking good despite the weather. Keep sending this family good vibes.
Newfoundland Ospreys have returned. We wait for the Snow Lane camera to come live to see Beaumont and Hope.
Why on earth are koalas being culled? (I asked the same question when authorities in New Zealand were going to cull Canada Geese).
Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. We will see you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, PB’, Wolf Bay, RSPB, Deb Stecyk/NCTC Eagles, Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn, FOBBV, Trempealeau Eagle nest, Cal Falcons, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Ventana Wildlife Society, Raptor Persecution UK, IWS/Explore, Wild Bucovina Association, Cromer Falcons, Defenders of Wildlife, Wildlife Haven, LRWT and Bart M, Xcel Energy, The Guardian, Ian Winter and Snow Lane Osprey Nest with Beaumont and Hope
Yesterday was Earth Day. While we should, each day, try to protect our planet, did you do anything special? In Winnipeg, we will be having the opening of the new Buffalo Crossing at Fort Whyte on Sunday the 27th. It will mark the end of a week of events celebrating Earth Day. https://youtu.be/DQPIdqPi3TI?
Do you know the history of Earth Day? It is always on the 22nd of April.
Here’s are some facts:
1969:John McConnell proposed a day to honor the Earth and peace, later sanctioned by the United Nations.
1970:Senator Nelson organized the first Earth Day, focusing on the United States.
April 22, 1970:The first Earth Day took place, with an estimated 20 million Americans participating.
Late 1970:The Environmental Protection Agency was created, and other environmental laws like the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act were passed.
1990:Earth Day went global, with over 140 countries participating, significantly expanding its reach and influence.
Present:Earth Day continues to be an international event, advocating for a cleaner, more sustainable world.
Morning Update: Kielder Forest: At 11.40 today KF13 laid egg 3 in nest 1A.
It is a heavy overcast day on the Canadian prairies. The birds flit in and out of the garden while a gentle rain descends. It doesn’t feel like spring. Much more like the end of autumn, but we need some good rain, so let it pour! That will help everything turn green. Still, the heaviest snows seen all year are falling in parts of northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
There really is not a lot going on with the ospreys right now. Many are incubating while others are fighting off intruders and trying to hold on to their nests. Some have simply not returned.
Tweed Valley Osprey Project: Well, this is marvellous. I hoped we would have a trio – two females and a male. Wouldn’t this be nice for Iris?
It is that age-old question—do we cooperate and thrive or compete and fail? Unfortunately, failure seems to be the order of the day for 2025 breeding osprey nests that have intruders.
Iris, Hellgate Canyon: Some are starting to look at that osprey that delivered the fish as if it could have been Finnegan. There was a more than 90% chance that it was due to the plumage and the fish gift. Thankfully, there continues to be no egg in the nest. The most we can hope for is that Louis gets busy helping with Star and their chicks, that Finnegan returns if Louis disappears to the baseball park, or that Iris does not lay a single egg this year. It is hard on her body, and for what? For Crow food?
Poor Iris was fish calling and calling. When you read that raptors ‘bond’ for life, after this year, I hope you don’t believe it! Male arrives with a stick. It looks like Louis to me. Brings a stick, not a fish and then wants to mate.
Iris did quiet little cheeps looking over to the owl pole and flew off the nest late Tuesday afternoon.
Rumour has it that a male was sky dancing. I would love it to be Finn or another young one willing to tackle Louis.
Glaslyn: Aran continues to try for his nest, but Teifi is there or about, and, quite honestly, I think this much-loved older male osprey, mate of Mrs G and then Elen, is losing his hold.
Elen in the rain.
Duke Farms: I honestly did not believe all three would survive to fledge, but here they are. Just look at those beautiful juveniles.
Redding Eagles: On Tuesday, Liberty and Guardian were working on their new nest, bringing in soft grasses.
Eagle Country: Blaze and his new mate, Skye, did not have any eaglets this year, but the couple continue to come to the nest with prey items.
Little Miami Conservancy: LM 8 and LM 9 are getting their thick thermal down, and those pin feathers appear. Sadly, there are problems with not having enough food. LM 8 from a small fish, and LM 9 got some scraps.
USS Steel: USS8 has had nothing but big crops. There is something extraordinary about being an only eaglet.
Port Tobacco: Riley and Teo appear to be doing well.
Golden Eagle Cam, Romania: Pip Watch. If you are queasy and the second egg hatches, please be advised that golden eagles practice ‘Cainism’. The older will kill the younger unless there is an extraordinary amount of food, and even then, the life of the second is not guaranteed.
Denton Farms: ‘PB’ writes: “Denton Farms little one is too cute…look at that crop!”
Raptor Resource Project reports on our single Mum and the only surviving eaglet and ‘PB’ adds: “Trempealeau mom just had her huge fish stolen from Mr T…this mom is trying so hard. Good thing the baby ate well. Now she needs to fish tomorrow before the rain starts.”
‘PB’ reports that Mum was up early for food for the two of them. The little T3 has a nice crop. They also report that huge storms with tornades are moving into the central area of the US. Stay safe everyone.
Fort St Vrain: The two surviving eaglets are getting their thick thermal down. They remain way too curious about the outside world, and those crib rails could use some reinforcement: they appear to be doing well.
Saaksilivie #1, Finland: It is located on the edge of a swamp in Satakunta, in the top of a pine tree about eight meters high. It is the home of Eura and Eve who fledged two chicks in 2024, Lumme and Utu.
Saaksilvie Satakunna, #2, Finland: No information on any occupancy or hatches since 2019. It is currently empty.
Saaksilivie Satakunnan, #3, Finland (Wind and Magic): This is the nest of Tuulos and Taika. They had three eggs in 2024. One did not hatch, one chick died right after hatching, and another was taken by an Eagle Owl.
Information on Nest #3: Nest #3 is located in the Satakunta region in Western Finland. Ospreys have nested there in 1997 and from 2002 to 2009. The man-made nest was rebuilt in 2016 but it wasn’t until 2019 when the current male, Ahti, discovered the nest and was soon joined by a female who was called Helmi. The young pair spent the summer in the vicinity of the nest but Helmi didn’t lay any eggs. The following year the pair returned and in the spring of 2020 Helmi laid 3 eggs. The first successful nesting at the site in 11 years resulted in two fledglings. In the spring of 2021 Ahti returned but Helmi didn’t. By the time Ahti returned the nest had been taken over by a new pair, but Ahti reclaimed his nest site and the female eventually stayed with him. The new female, who was named Nuppu, had a ring on her right leg. She was ringed as a nestling in 2018. In 2022, Tuulos and Tiuku were a new pair. They were there in 2024.
Saaksilivie #4, Finland: This is the nest of Nemo and Nuppu. In 2024, they had three eggs hatch. Chicks were URA, USU, and UPU. Upu was taken from the nest by a White-tail Eagle. Ura escaped from the nest when the White-tail eagle tried to take it. Usu fell from the nest and was rescued. USU was taken to the Pyhtää Bird Sanctuary for care but died later.
Saaksilivie #5 LS nest in Southwest Finland: Home of Sara and Roni who laid two eggs in 2024. Both were taken from the nest by Ravens when the nest was empty. They had two chicks fledge in 2023.
Geemeff sends us the daily summary for all things Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 22nd April 2025 Plenty of excitement today after a quiet day yesterday! Dorcha laid her third and final egg this morning, and a few hours later was seeing off an intruder Osprey who buzzed her on the nest. Unfortunately the intruder didn’t allow us a proper look but s/he was wearing a Blue Darvic ring on the left leg, therefore a Scottish Osprey. Blue 536 and Garry LV0 are candidates, or it might have been an unknown newcomer to the area. It probably wasn’t
Affric 152, as Chaddie reports the Bunarkaig nest has a sitting Osprey on incubation duty, and we know that is Affric’s nest after LizB confirmed it via her long lens camera last year. Louis brought two fish to the nest, taking his tally to forty five. Over on Nest One, Garry LV0 brought Blue 536 an early afternoon fish but she wasn’t around when he brought a second fish at supper time. Perhaps he’s supplying her with fish off-nest, as their relationship seems to be building nicely. His fish tally rises to twelve. After a soggy night, today was dry and will remain so overnight and tomorrow morning, but rain is forecast for the afternoon. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.58.56 (05.03.55); Nest Two 22.17.01 (05.07.23)
Farmer Derek’s Owl Cam: Bonnie and Clyde’s Starr is growing and getting those gorgeous GHO feathers. Soon she will be hunting with her parents, practising on the ground. The adults will provide her with lots of food so she can thrive and teaching movements. Her initial hunting will be on the ground – after she fledges.
MN-DNR: Not an eagle! Look carefully and you will see the nesting duck.
Geemeff has found a new nest cam for a Great Gray Owl! “A new nest cam from explore.org: A Great Grey Owl
Geemeff has sent us some good information from Cornell’s Nestwatch about building bird houses and what to provide for birds when they are nesting. Enjoy!
Good night everyone! I moved the smaller light coloured cat tree into the conservatory. Hugo Yugo is the Queen of her castle!
Baby Hope likes the edge of the sofa. She has already created a bit of a dent!
Thank you so much for being with me. Please take care. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams: ‘Geemeff, PB’, Tweed Valley Osprey Project, Montana Osprey Project/Cornell Bird Lab, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Duke Farms, FORE, Eagle Country, Little Miami Conservancy, Pix Cams, Port Tobacco, Wild Bucovina Association, Denton Farms, SK Hideaways, Saaksilvie #1, Explore.org, Farmer Derek’s Owl Cam, Cornell Nestwatch, Xcel Energy, Saaksilivie Nesting Information, MN-DNR, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust
The recent collapse of the NCTC Bald Eagle nest belonging to Bella and Scout has left us all shaken. On that fateful day, both eagles were seen with full crops in the afternoon, seemingly captivated by something just beyond the nest. Scout truly stepped up, proving himself to be a devoted father, while Bella and he nurtured three healthy eaglets. These eaglets were nothing short of a miracle, yet they now stand as a poignant reminder of the heartbreaking tragedies that have unfolded and continue to unfold across so many nests this year.
E10, E11, and E12 with their thermal down and little dandelions. Pin feathers coming in. Happy Eaglets. Soar higher than high, you three.
Take a moment and send Bella and Scout some good positive energy. They spent the night together, chortling in the nest tree. Breaks our hearts. https://youtu.be/V2bvwO7otpI?
The last time the NCTC nest had eaglets fledge was 15 June 2023. The three eaglets hatched on March 20, 22, and 24, 2025, and would have been around 12 weeks old when they left the nest in June. The 2023 fledging was part of a nesting season where the first and second eaglet hatched on March 15 and March 20 respectively, followed by the third eaglet on March 24.
We never know when the last moment will be when we are with someone. Take the time today to tell someone how much they mean to you.
A Potential Crisis was averted at the USK Valley Osprey nest on Sunday. A piece of wood with a wire was taken to the nest and is now around the leg of one of the resident ospreys. The osprey managed to get that wire off and fly away free!
At Llyn Brenig, the second egg was evicted and was eaten by Blue 372. Both eggs are gone. Another unsettled year for this nest.
Hellgate Canyon: Iris. Most of us do not ‘love’ Louis and we wish he would stay over at the ballpark with Star. This year he is spending way too much time focused on Iris and her nest. Sometimes it is a good thing! There was a kerfuffel Sunday. Some said it was another male, some another female. If Iris does not have Finnegan, then Louis will help her to keep her nest that she has had since it was moved to the Riverview Health parking lot more than a decade ago.
Really good article written in 2023 about Queen Iris and her history.
Wolf Bay, Alabama: The third egg was laid on March 21st. Now, we are getting really close to pip watch for Josie and Elbert!
Charlo Montana: Charlie and Lola on Sunday.
Frenchman’s Creek Ospreys: Not a Baby Bob anymore! Look at those gorgeous juvenile feathers. Hatched on 5 March, this is the only osplet to survive the owl predation, which destroyed the two other eggs.
Sauces Canyon: Betty Lou showing off her crop and plumage.
Fraser Point: Gorgeous and growing.
Fort St Vrain: Both eaglets continue to do well, although I would like it if they didn’t sleep on those rails all the time. Lots of various prey in the nest, too.
Geemeff sends us the daily summary from The Woodland Trust and Loch Arkaig:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 20th April 2025 Another exciting day where once again the main action was on Nest One. Blue 536 arrived at sunrise and spent a great deal of time on the nest throughout the day. Garry brought three fish, taking his tally to nine, although he wouldn’t give the third fish to Blue 536 despite her calls. He also brought more bedding and sticks, and the nest is looking very ready for eggs although
there may not be any this year. Others also seem to have their eye on the nest – Affric 152 made a brief touchdown with an aerial battle going on around her seen in the distance involving several Ospreys. Louis may or may not have been one of those Ospreys but he did make time to deliver two fish to Dorcha, taking his tally to forty two, and take his turn on incubating duties. The weather was drier today and will continue dry overnight, but after a sunny start, the forecast calls for rain tomorrow afternoon. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.41.25 (05.15. 20); Nest Two 21.38.20 (05.19.03)Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/F2ypJD3KP48 N2 Dorcha gets a lively breakfast 05.48.11 https://youtu.be/DIzr6UZLn7E N1 Blue 536 arrives at sunrise 05.53.27 https://youtu.be/_U3zHvEiUHY N1 Garry brings breakfast for Blue 536 07.34.05
watch – context: In 2021 when Aila failed to return, Louis decamped to Nest Two which didn’t then have a camera. LizB who lives nearby kept us updated and took these long lens videos of Louis’ first chicks with Dorcha, males Aspen LW3 & Alder LW4:https://youtu.be/Efd8s1nkSz8 https://youtu.be/-AQUSjWRQYE
Parliamentary Debate in the UK set over driven grouse moor hunting! Finally, all of the groups got their 100,000 signatures, and this will cause politicians to be accountable. Geemeff says, “This is a huge result! Parliament is forced to debate this, and out in the open, there is no hiding in committee rooms. Now we’ll see who’s for wildlife and the environment, and who’s for needless slaughter and destruction for money.” Well done, everyone. I hope to never hear again of a Hen Harrier nest with five little chicks being stomped on, or our precious raptors being shot.
‘A’ like so many others is enraged that the term ‘harm’ is being defined and that Bald Eagles and other raptors might find themselves endangered or extinct because of that word. ‘A’ sends us a video to explain: https://youtu.be/UdynP7ssHxo?
Calico’s Tip of the Day: Watch Rachel Carson on streaming cam (Amazon Prime) if you can. ‘The Girls’ and I are watching Rachel Carson on one of the streaming channels. Carson did something to help wildlife – she wrote Silent Spring, which led to the banning of DDT.
While we may not rise to the status of Rachel Carson, we can make our concerns known, and we must not give up because the task is hard or people try to scare us. Some nests need repairs or replacing – speak up! Chicks and adults need protection against human debris that can harm them. Many issues need to be made public. Several of us are concerned about the platform that was installed at Florida-Gainesville. At the same time, good advice should have been sought about the camera. They could be persuaded to partner with Connor at Window to Wildlife. They would install and monitor the platform and camera. It would be a win for everyone. What you want to bet is that it might not cost anything for Florida-Gainsville Extension! Dani Connor lobbied for, crowd-funded, and purchased the Squirrel Forest to protect the animals from having all the trees cut down and their homes lost. Never assume that we cannot have an impact. Think outside the box. Don’t give up. Make your voices heard.
While we cannot do anything about winds of 70 or 90 mph from tearing up raptor nests or snapping the trees or poles, we might cause enough noise to get those individuals or companies operating streaming cams to inspect and repair/restore the nests during the off-season. If it saves one life, then it would be worth it!
Smile. Look at those cute little eyases of Monty and Hartley at the San Jose City Falcon scrape!
Check out SK Hideaways’ video of Sunday night’s feeding. I know—you have missed the sound of falcons. Enjoy this nest! https://youtu.be/qfqbrR4CGs0?
Thank you for being with me today. Please take care. 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: ‘Geemeff, J, PB’, Deb Stecyk, NCTC Bald Eagle Nest, Usk Valley Ospreys, Llyn Brenig Osprey Cam, montanakiman.com, Montana Osprey Project/Cornell Bird Lab, OPPD Fort Calhoun Ospreys, UdeM Falcons, Sodankyla Osprey Nest Finland, Wolf Bay Ospreys, Raptor Resource Project/Explore.org, Frenchman’s Creek Ospreys, IWS/Explore, Xcel Energy, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust and Loch Arkaig, Raptor Persecution UK, The Guardian, The Damage Report, Rachel Carson, SK Hideaway
Oh, Thursday was wonderful. We got to spend time with our granddaughter and her Australian boyfriend. We will have her in Winnipeg until the fall, and then she will be heading ‘Down Under’. Thursday has been busy and I did not check on many nests.
I am happy that we had ‘dinner and a show’. The deer came to the bird feeders while we had dinner in the conservatory. Josh so wanted to see a deer, and I had no idea that they were still coming to the garden. I have not seen them. It was magical. They stayed for about an hour and a half, eating birdseed.
Aren’t they adorable with the seed stuck to the end of their nose?
Iris caught herself one of those whoppers she is known for showing up with, to the envy of that male from the Baseball Park. No Finnegan. Ospreys are still arriving in Nova Scotia. I want to be hopeful for those heading to Montana.
Like you, tears will flow if this Finn returns to deliver a big fish to our Queen, Iris.
‘A’ comments: “Iris does appear to be searching for Finnegan. She is at least eating well – whenever I see her, she seems to have a large crop. But it is so sad that Finnegan has not returned to her. Is it Louis who is hanging around? Or is it some other osprey? Certainly, whoever it is is very persistent, as you say, and she is not happy about it. For that reason, I wonder whether it is in fact Louis, because surely she wouldn’t be so keen on protecting the nest from him. The fish, yes, obviously she doesn’t want him stealing that, but would she try driving him away? I’m sure if it is Louis, regular watchers of this nest would recognise him.
‘A’ notes on Friday: “This visiting osprey has brought Iris a nice fish (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcxvXwiAElI) but she is not interested and is obviously still waiting for Finnegan. And to me, that also suggests that this is not Louis, because Louis was a cad. He would have arrived empty-taloned and tried to mate with Iris. So at least this osprey is attempting to woo her, but still, she is not interested. At least, not yet. PLEASE come home Finn.”
Is Athena just the cutest thing? And aren’t her owlets just too adorable for words? I know they’re deadly enemies of our eaglets and osplets but they are truly the most exquisite creatures, are they not? And the little owlets are SO sweet. “
‘CG’ sends us news from Raptor Resource:
This year’s season of ‘The Falcon Bachelor’ flipped the script! As usual, Newman passed out roses – by which we mean food gifts – to a succession of female falcons. We spotted Julie 90/Z (a regular visitor), Kandiyohi H/34, Hope E/60, and Newman’s mate from last year, Elaine U/09! Elaine celebrated her second birthday and first year as an adult this spring, and we were excited to see a little less drama than we saw last year. Or so we thought!
Real Falcon Housewives of the Mississippi River
US Bank to GSB: Five miles as the falcon flies
We have a nest box at the US Bank Building in La Crosse, Wisconsin, roughly five miles SE of Great Spirit Bluff as the falcon flies. Male Ardy 06/D, a 2015 hatch from Ardent Milling in Lake City, MN, has nested there with Karen44/P, a 2016 hatch from MPL’s Clay Boswell plant in Cohasset, MN since at least 2021. We were quite surprised to see Elaine show up in Karen’s stead this spring. Or did she? For at least two weeks, Elaine flew back and forth between La Crosse and Great Spirit Bluff, chasing competitors away, receiving food gifts, and copulating with both males. Twice the courtships, twice the attention, and most importantly, twice the food gifts!
Elaine accepting food gift from Ardy
We’re usually wondering which falcon the irresistible Newman will end up with! But Elaine flipped the script by locking down two territories and two potential mates. Since she appeared to prefer Ardy – she certainly spent more time with him – we were wondering if Newman would end up with a mate at all. When Elaine laid an egg at US Bank La Crosse, we figured it was game over. Sorry, Newman! But Elaine confounded our expectations by laying her next four eggs at Great Spirit Bluff! As I write this…
Elaine and Newman are in full incubation at Great Spirit Bluff. We expect hatch on or around May 5.
Ardy is pursuing an unbanded two-year-old female. Addie isn’t caring for Elaine’s lone egg, but will probably lay her own.
Elaine dropped by to visit US Bank on April 7 while Newman was busy incubating the couple’s eggs. She tussled with Addie, briefly chasing her away. Is she still locking down the territory and/or copulating with Ardy? We’d love to see how closely related the GSB nestlings are to one another, since Newman might not have fathered all of them!
PS: In case you don’t know, mother Savanna was killed by a GHO June, 2023, while protecting her four eyases. No one replaced her in 2024. This scrape is worth a looksee. Great cameras with great views of the surrounding area from near the top of the bluff. I-90 and the Mississippi River below. Across the river is Wisconsin.
Mum and Dad were on the nest at the Sydney Olympic Park.
Geemeff sends us the daily summary for The Woodland Trust and Loch Arkaig:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 17th April 2025
After the excitement of the first egg arriving yesterday, today fell into a steady routine. Louis delivered two fish taking his tally to thirty seven, he and Dorcha spent time on the nest, sometimes together, sometimes taking turns off the nest. A Hooded Crow nearby, not seen on nest cam, made the pair startle and fly off the nest but not for long, and the egg, barely seen in its cocoon of moss, was mostly kept covered from the light rain. The second egg is due in three days, should be sometime on Saturday, but delayed incubation is being practised until it’s laid, and this egg won’t suffer from being left unbrooded for short periods. Over on Nest One, Garry LV0 returned with some bedding and spent some time doing nest prep and surveying his territory. The overnight forecast is for mist turning into light rain tomorrow but there should be some dry and sunny spells.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.37.43 (05.23.58); Nest Two 21.40.39 (05.29.07)
Bonus watch – the Beò Airceig initiative founded by Achnacarry Estate, Arkaig Community Forest, Forestry & Land Scotland and Woodland Trust Scotland to revitalise an area larger than Edinburgh:
We have teamed up with three other landowners at #LochArkaig to reawaken the landscape across an area of Lochaber that is larger than Edinburgh. The founding members of Beò Airceig are Achnacarry Estate, Arkaig Community Forest, Forestry and Land Scotland and Woodland Trust Scotland.🧵 1/4
“It’s difficult to give a precise number of poisoned mice an eagle needs to eat before succumbing to rodenticide poisoning. The exact amount of poison that will cause death in an eagle depends on factors like the type and concentration of rodenticide, the size and health of the eagle, and how much of the poisoned prey is consumed. However, it’s clear that eagles can be poisoned through secondary poisoning, meaning they can die from eating prey that has already ingested a lethal dose of rodenticide.
Here’s what the research shows:
The effects of rodenticides can persist:Even after an eagle has eaten poisoned prey, the effects of the rodenticide can last for several months.
Rodenticides are lethal to various animals, including eagles:When a rodent eats bait containing rodenticide, it can take days for the poison to take effect, causing internal bleeding and eventually death.
Eagles can be exposed to rodenticides through their prey:Eagles that eat poisoned mice or rats are at risk of secondary poisoning.
Exposure to rodenticides is widespread:Studies have shown that a significant percentage of eagles tested have anticoagulant rodenticides in their bodies, indicating widespread exposure.
Rodenticides can be a cause of death:While rodenticides aren’t always the direct cause of death in eagles, they have been confirmed as the cause of death in some cases.
The amount of rodenticide ingested is crucial:The lethal dose of rodenticide varies depending on the specific chemical, but it can be relatively small.
OPPD Fort Calhoun: First egg of the season!
Foulshaw Moss: Third egg for White YW and Blue 35.
SW Florida Bald Eagles: M15 and F23. Gorgeous couple. Offseason but thinking of the future. https://youtu.be/pvCpxYiIB_Q?
Latvian White-tail Eagle Nest, Durbe County: Milda and Zorro have two little eaglets! Liznm catches a feeding for us: https://youtu.be/uJUZL1D295g?
Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. 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: ‘A, CG, Geemeff, MP, PB’, Montana Osprey Project/Cornell Bird Lab, Cornell Bird Lab, Sydney Sea Eagles, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, OPPD Fort Calhoun, Cumbrian Wildlife Trust, FOBBV, Charlo Montana, Friends of Dillon Ranger District, Vija, Dyfi Osprey Project, Raptor Resource Project, Liznm
This morning marked the arrival of our first Brown Thrasher, energetically scratching in the soil, while several dozen Dark-eyed Juncos flitted about, along with our regular visitors, all eagerly waiting and searching as I savored my coffee before feeding them.
Anne made a generous donation of a large bag of hot dogs for the crows, and their delight was palpable! Additionally, a neighbor brought over a hefty 50-pound bag of kibble for our outdoor cats. It’s heartwarming to see ‘Squishy’—the beloved cat with one ear folded down—making a comeback at the feeder after a long absence.
Everyone has their favorite birds and animals, yet they’re unable to set up feeders of their own, making their contributions all the more meaningful. It’s truly wonderful to witness such kindness and community spirit.
Our rescue facilities are currently overflowing and desperately in need of supplies. One essential item that we often overlook is thin protection gloves. If you have any spare pairs at home, consider donating them to someone in your community—they can make a significant difference!
As we dive into spring cleaning, tidying up our gardens and swapping out winter clothes, let’s not forget the countless items that animal rescues and rehabilitation shelters desperately need. Before you throw anything away, take a moment to consider whether it could be of value to a local shelter.
Donating your unwanted items is not only an excellent way to declutter your home, but it also provides critical support to those caring for animals in need. It’s a powerful act of kindness that benefits both you and the animals—let’s make a positive impact together!
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The notice arrived in my inbox shortly after I published my post on Wednesday morning. I promised Geemeff that it would be prominently displayed today!
News! Egg – well done Dorcha!!! First glimpsed at 17.52.55
17.50 Dorcha is on the nest sitting down and making little squeaking noises. She’s getting ready to lay her first egg!
17.52.55 She gives a little wiggle and stands up and the egg can just be glimpsed. Congratulations Dorcha!
And Louis, not forgetting his 5-second contribution..
18.06.12 She stands up and as she does, she gives the egg a little push with her leg and we get a clearer view.
(zoomed)
Iris: Iris: There’s someone who’s been visiting Iris, trying time and again to steal her incredible fish. You know who I am talking about. His persistence drives me up the wall! However, I’ve taken a moment to reflect on the ‘good’ Louis brings to the nest. Take Blue NC0 at Loch of the Lowes, for instance—she lost her partner, Laddie LM12, in 2024. Last year, there was genuine hope for her to bond with the Dark Night this year. Sadly, without a male to defend her territory, Blue NC0 lost both her nest and her land. Louis is the one who now safeguards Iris’s territory (she was there before him!). Finn, the only young male bold enough to challenge Louis, managed to oust Louis and keep him away from Iris. Together, they raised two beautiful chicks last year. If, heaven forbid, Finn doesn’t return, I have faith that Iris will still hold on to her nest because Louis is so protective of ‘his’ territory. Iris absolutely deserves it! So, if there is any silver lining, that is it. Thin like aluminum foil, but a reality nonetheless.
Elen has laid yet another egg at the Glaslyn nest, and this one is likely Teifi’s. Aran, having taken possession of the nest he initially shared with Mrs G, faces a crucial decision. With uncertainty surrounding the paternity of this new egg, it seems almost inevitable that he will choose to remove it. After all, why would Aran invest time in raising a chick that could belong to another male, jeopardising his own genetic legacy? It’s a tough call, but the instinct to protect his own lineage is likely to prevail!
Pitching rain in Wales Wednesday afternoon.
In contrast to Glaslyn, at the Tweed Valley 2 nest, Mrs O and an unringed female seem to be inclined to share the single male at the nest! They only get disgruntled when a fish is delivered. Maybe he should try bringing in two at a time. We might have a Trio at Tweed!!!!!! That would be really interesting.
Sauces: Betty Lou has had the most amazing care an eaglet could ever dream about. Jak and Audacity have kept her full and safe and relished every second getting to be parents again. One of those miracle moments of this year that we must cherish.
Dyfi: Idris and Telyn have three eggs they are incubating. The wind is blowing like it is a gale over at Dyfi! They may get some of that rain, too. The skies over the distant hills certainly seem to imply that damp weather is descending on the Glaslyn valley.
Llyn Clywedog: Seren Blue 5F is getting soaked, too. Did you know that Aran from Glaslyn courted Seren while he was bonded with Mrs G? Seren luckily gave up on losing her eggs and flew north a bit and found Dylan. They have raised some wonderful chicks together. I believe they still hold the record for the largest male osplet ringed in Wales.
Boulder County Fair Grounds: First egg arrives on Wednesday!
Loveland, Colorado: Two eggs as of Wednesday.
PSEG Oyster Bay: One egg as of Wednesday.
Xcel Energy Fort St Vrain Bald Eagles: Out of four, the two surviving eaglets appear to be doing quite well.
Charlo Montana: Lola is not too fond of the new male hanging around the nest. Charlie has yet to return and is very late.
Geemeff sends us the daily summary from Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 16th April 2025
Only one topic of conversation tonight – the arrival of the first egg! With a few squeaks, Dorcha produced the egg at 17.52.55 today and tonight there’s the welcome sight of her on the nest protecting the egg from the weather. Congratulations to Dorcha, and to Louis who did his usual classic double take at his first sight of the egg! Many on the forum are celebrating by making a donation to Woodland Trust: if you’re able to give, any amount is welcome, and the info is in the bonus section. Link to George WTS’ fundraising comment here: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/?ht-comment-id=24512818. In other news, no activity at Nest One today – we had reports of a third Osprey at Bunarkaig, which might explain Garry LV0’s absence, perhaps we’ll see him tomorrow. Louis delivered two fish today to take his tally to thirtyfive, Dorcha chased a Hoodie away, and the wet weather is due to continue overnight and through to Friday.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One (05.20.12); Nest Two 21.22.09 (05.26.09)
Bonus action – if you’re eggcited by the first egg, anticipating a second in three days, and have any spare funds… Woodland Trust will put them to good use protecting Louis & Dorcha’s home. Hit the yellow button on this page or use this link: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/support-us/give/donate
If you prefer to donate offline call WT’s friendly team on 0330 333 3300 between 8.30am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday
Sandpoint: Geese continue to incubate eggs while Keo and Keke attempt to build a nest on a light pole.
I have been worried sick about Finnegan. If I could these beautiful birds would have tracking devices – I know it is silly – so we would know where they are and what is happening with them. I needed a smile and after checking on Betty Lou and Sunny and Gizmo, I went to check on Big Red and Arthur. There was snow starting to fall. Arthur had arrived to give a shift change and with some prey for the Queen of the Red-tail Hawks.
They have been together for 8 seasons!
The first egg was laid on April 2. Incubation is typically 28-32 days, making pip watch set for April 30.
Adorable Arthur.
Smile. CROW rescues a pair of osplets.
Lastly. It is time to stand up for the nests. In off time, those running streaming cams should refurbish and restore their osprey platforms which should include building rails, making certain that the base can allow for the drainage of water but has SS mesh to keep from sticks, eggs, and chicks form falling through. Nesting material should be provided. It has been shown that a proper nest can encourage good care of osplets (Snow Lane, Newfoundland, 2024).
Salem Electric, the osprey family wanting to use this platform needs help. Get the bucket truck up there and help them! Get everything ready and let your crews do this quickly!
Kielder Forest: KF13 laid her and W6’s first egg of the season at 13.01 today at Nest 1A.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff’, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Bwywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Tweed Valley 2, IWS/Explore, Dyfi Osprey Project, Llyn Clywedog, Boulder County Fairground, Loveland Colorado Ospreys, PSEG, The Guardian, Xcel Energy Fort St Vrain, Cornell Bird Lab, CROW, Charlo Montana, Sandpoint, Salem Electric, Kielder Forest, Foulshaw Ospreys
I am growling. Can you hear me? I have lots of images in today’s blog, but Heidi tells me that they continue to be scrambled, sometimes being replaced with old images or the images are so cropped you cannot see them. When I look at my screen, everything is as it should be. I apologise. This is WordPress and I guess it is time to have another long chat or get a divorce with them!
After being outside on Sunday and proclaiming spring had arrived, we woke up to snow Monday morning. It is falling down fast (but will not accumulate, thankfully). Silly me. I jinxed it!
Despite this, the Dark-eyed Juncos showed up by the dozens to search for the new White Millet that had been scattered.
Today it is sunny and warm!
The latest from Glaslyn before we begin: “We have not seen Aran since 11:20 yesterday, but he was possibly one of three Ospreys we saw chasing one another over the valley yesterday afternoon. It was KC6/Teifi that returned to the nest yesterday evening and shared a Flounder with Elen. We do not currently know where Aran is.
This morning Teifi delivered a Flounder to Elen, but since then he has been in aerial combat with Blue 685 (Tweed Valley 2021) and the two males are chasing one another around the valley. We can only watch as the drama unfolds.”
On Monday, the Decorah N1 Geese ushered their six goslings to the leap of faith. Five made it. Sadly, one did not. ‘J’ says turn up the sound! Here is a video of that amazing event! https://youtu.be/rpwrXIqmTcw?
The Raptor Resource Project explains this incredible feat.
As I do the spring cleaning in the conservatory, I have Iris on the screen. She has been working on her nest and the horizon. I worried about Iris returning; I briefly considered the possibility that Finn might not return, but I couldn’t think about that. Migration is fraught with dangers. However, my primary concern is that our Queen awaits her Finnegan’s return. Send positive wishes, let’s get him home.
This is the way we want to see it. Bart M caught the mood on Manton Bay perfectly!
Dyfi: Idris and Telyn have their third egg.
Black Storks are arriving at their nests!
‘TU’ sends news: “9:48 AM Estonian black stork female KERLI arrived to KERGU who was already in the nest waiting )) 14.04.2025 They also posted photo of the male visitor in Karl’s nest in Karula And in Latvia black stork chose an empty nest and we could see him sleeping at nights – then the real owner lesser spotted eagle Anna appeared and they met today! What a Monday! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzo0fsqZuaI
It isn’t just the Loch of the Lowes that is confused, BHA brings us up to speed on the Port of Ridgefield Osprey nest: “No eggs on Ridgefield nest yet and today the activity has been confusing with three Osprey coming and going. (Similar to some of your own Osprey reports!) Not sure who was who but I think it was the female and a strange male on the nest, then a third Osprey flew in with fish and the female mantled and ate a little. She then took off with the fish leaving the two males. From there it got confusing as it appeared there was another fish on the other side of the nest which one started eating. (Maybe the 3rd Osprey was a female?) But then they started fighting and both went over the side of the nest. A few minutes later one returned and it appeared to be the interloper. It stayed awhile, then left. Nest is empty now. Guess it’s a good thing there are no eggs! (I left comments in chat, hoping one of the other 5 viewers might have some input, but no other comments yet.)
Geemeff sends us her daily summary for The Woodland Trust and Loch Arkaig:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 14th April 2025
A very wet day today, no intruders or visitors, and only two fish deliveries. Garry LV0 paid a long visit to Nest One, bringing moss instead of fish, and doing a fair bit of nest work before perching on the centre perch and looking around before departing. Over on Nest Two, Louis brought two fish today, taking his tally to thirty one, but the first fish only arrived well after 2pm, and when he delivered the second shortly after 4pm, Dorcha wasn’t there so Louis tucked into it himself. When she arrived back a little later, Louis picked up the remains of the fish and flew off with it. However as both he and Dorcha have nicely rounded full crops, neither one is going hungry. The weather forecast calls for more rain overnight and into tomorrow, but there is a prospect of a break from the rain in the afternoon. As of the time of filing this report (23.30) the nest is empty so it’s unlikely the first egg will arrive overnight.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.19.53 (05.31.04); Nest Two 21.12.25 (05.41.25)
Brevard, Florida: There were three fish deliveries on Monday: 15.30 Mom arrived with small fish, 5 min feeding, nothing for youngest; 15.57 Dad arrived with large partial, good meal for both chicks. Another large partial from Dad at 1820, both ate well. So, they ended up pretty well-fed today.
NCTC: Scout flew into the nest with blood all down the side of his neck on Monday. Was it a territorial battle?Or prey? All the kids were full to the brim and more. ‘J’ says they look like they ate ‘golfballs’! I agree.
Rita the Eagle: ‘J’ sends us Rita’s posting for Rita’s History Monday:
Captiva Eagle Nest: Both fledglings continue to visit the nest on occasion.
Big Bear: Fishing line appears to be on the nest again! Thanks, naturechat.org and ‘J’
‘J’ says she hates fishing line. Join the club! One of the most significant issues is even if humans clean up after themselves, which they don’t, lines can get broken and stay in a fish, get broken and hang around tree branches in lakes and get picked up. Oh, if we could dissolve the fishing line after so many minutes of exposure to water. I know, I know…It was seen at 0820. Jackie and Shadow are aware of it and hopefully they will be able to deal with it. (Yes, it is a human-made issue. Intervention in this situation and with Sunny and Gizmo this age could be highly dangerous for them even if someone could do it!)
Games keeper charged in the Yorkshire Dales for Hen Harrier killing.
NEFlorida: Bodie tucked into a nice big fish that Gabby delivered.
Hummingbird Migration Map:
Norwich Cathedral: Four eggs for the falcons!
Wells Fargo, West Des Moines, Iowa: First Osprey egg of the season on Monday!
Glaslyn: We do not know what will happen at Glaslyn. Aran hid Teifi’s egg under the nesting material, and he was not seen at the nest on Monday. Will Elen have more eggs? Will Teifi become her bonded partner beginning this year? Will Aran prevail? We wait.
‘PB’ sent a great image of the little third hatch at Duke Farms. It made it. We often wondered and look at how sweet it is.
Fraser Point Announcement:
Steelscape Osprey Platform: First egg of the season.
Latvian White-Tail Eagle nest at Durbe: Milda’s first egg has hatched!
Tonight, I am deeply troubled and appalled by the actions of some individuals in my province who should know better. The thought of shooting crows and magpies for fun is both outrageous and disturbing! In 2025, it’s unimaginable that some people remain unaware of the intelligence and emotional depth of non-human animals. We must urgently advocate for protections for all species to prevent the senseless mass killings that are happening. Our moral responsibility is to stand up for those who cannot defend themselves.
And if that is not enough, we litter our home with all our garbage and it can kill them. Think fishing line at Big Bear today or all those osprey nests littered with human junk.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, images, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘BHA, EJ, Geemeff, Heidi, J, PB, TU’, Raptor Resource Project, Montana Osprey Project/Cornell Bird Lab, Bart Molenaar, LDF, Eagle Club of Estonia, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Brevard Florida Ospreys, NCTC Bald Eagle Nest, Rita the Eagle FB, Window to Wildlife, FOBBV, Raptor Persecution UK, Cornell Bird Lab Owl Cam, Ryan Vaughn, Norwich Cathedral, Iown DNR, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Duke Farms, Steelscape, PETA, LDF, Dyfi Osprey Project
– 2nd April, 
