Update: Sadly the little eaglet at Decorah North with the crushed egg that fought valiantly to get out for more than 4 days has sadly died. The second pip is still in progress at DN. Andor and Cruz have their second hatch at Fraser Point. Chase and Cholyn were seen mating near their old nest.
Monday was glorious. The sky is blue with a few fluffy white clouds coming in from the West around 1633. We were outside for awhile. Geese are landing on the local soccer fields and flying overhead while the Crows are making a racket wanting more food. The two of them are quite loud. So glad that the weather is warming up and the animals are coming back to the garden daily.
At the time I am writing this there is not a lot of news – other than to say that the eaglets on all the nests seem to be doing alright today.
I missed it on Monday. Scout and Bella now have triplets and Blue 372, the female at Lyn Brenig in Wales has returned at 15:54 on Monday. At the Decorah North nest, the chick is still moving inside the egg after 4 days of trying to hatch on Monday. I hope by the time you read this that little one is safe and out of its shell – finally. Another eaglet at Decorah is also hatching as of Monday.
Gracie Shepherd posted Terry Anita’s message on FB:
The mystery of why the adults at the KNF-E3 nest did not feed their second hatch and did not bring in much food for four days remains. ‘MP’ reports that one of the Rangers (Steve) said plenty of Coots were in the lake for prey. Others cite recent chats where intruders were blamed and earlier claims of the eagles’ inexperience. Whatever the cause, watching the KNF E3 nest compared to the nest of Beau and Gabby at NEFlorida should give us all pause to reflect on whether it is better to resort to competition or cooperation. [Thank you to everyone who sent in comments and copies of chats regarding the KNF nest].
Gabby came in with a fish. Bodie was waiting on the nest and VJ flew in for a family meal. Gabby fed Bodie and VJ together Monday afternoon! Cooperation. Both eaglets thriving.
An unringed female has visited Tweed Valley Nest 2 on Monday.
Moorings Park: The Only Bob is entering the Reptilian Phase. Notice the copper-red feathers coming in at the back of the head and the nape of the neck. In a couple of days, this cute little bobble head will look like it dipped its head in dark black oil.
Manton Bay: Blue 33 delivering fish and helping Maya work on the nest. Guesses as to when the first egg will be laid were seen on the chat. I always lose, but it is fun to take part. My guess was 31 March. We will see how far off I am!
Loch of the Lowes: Blue NC0 continues to fish and to work on her nest while she waits the arrival of a male partner after the loss of LM12 Laddie last season.
Llyn Clywedog: Reports that two ospreys were seen flying over the reservoir and one landed on the nest of Dylan and Seren. The streaming cam is not yet operational. John Williams hopes to have it up and running today. Williams reports damage to nest 2 stating the couple will nee to work to get it in shape. Last year Dylan and Seren arrived on the 28th of March.
Bald Eagle News:
Sauces Canyon: Isn’t this just the most beautiful sight? A healthy full to the brim eaglet with a parent that tried so hard for this moment? I sure hope they get some more cot rails on this nest!!!!!!!!! That little one is scooting around like it has wheels on those talons.
Fraser Point: One eaglet and a second egg is pipping on Monday. Cruz and Andor do not like to show off their eaglet!
NCTC: Then there were three. Send this nest the most positive wishes that you can.
Big Bear: Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets are moving about and flapping those sweet wings. Their thermal down is coming in and look closely for feathers.
The largest was walking across the nest on Monday using its wing for balance.
It is no wonder these two are growing like bad weeds. They had 11 meals on Monday. Jackie and Shadow are going to make sure that these precious gifts are never hungry. I don’t know about you but just knowing that Jackie and Shadow and Jak and Audacity finally got to be parents again has really made the pain of this breeding season tolerable. Here is that last feeding caught on video by SK Hideaways: https://youtu.be/HAVcM_3_XiI?
Bluff City-ETSU: Squirrel and fish were on the menu Monday.
Johnson City-ETSU: The only eaglet is growing like a wild weed. Look at the little dandelion mohawk!
‘PB’ sent me great news. The ducks are coming, the ducks are coming!!!!!!!
Thank you for being with us. It is spring. We hope you can get outside and smell the freshness of the air. It is such a nice change from being inside for the winter so much. And smile. We are so lucky to spend time with these wonderful Raptor families. I am looking forward to the arrival of the ducks, many more Canada Geese, and the Pelicans! Take care of yourself. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, articles and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘H, J, L, MP, PB’, Gracie Shepherd and Terri Anita, NEFL-AEF, Kielder Forest, IWS/Explore, Osprey InfoUK, East Ayshire Trust, LRWT, Woodland Trust (LOTL), The Clywedog Osprey Group, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, Duke Farms, NCTC, Bluff-City ETSU, Johnson City-ETSU, SPO, Nonsuch Expeditions, Cohen Wildlife
It is 0 degrees on the Canadian prairies. The sky is blue and peppered with a few wee cottontail clouds. We spent part of the day outside of the City watching geese fly overhead and deer near the woods. It felt so good.
The two Crows have been visiting the feeder. This morning they had a treat – pizza! There have been regular visits from the two Blue Jays along with the Red Squirrels, the Starlings, a few grey squirrels, and some sparrows. Several male House Finches have been visiting, too.
I am so grateful to see the Crows returning to the garden and the Blue Jays. Long-time readers will remember that these couples bring their babies to the garden when they fledge. It is quite entertaining especially the baby Crows who peck on the conservatory’s roof demanding more ‘cheesy dogs’!
Baby Hope relaxing in the sunshine in the conservatory. She was less interested in the birds than having a nap.
Hugo Yugo had other ideas – like leaping down to play fight with Hope.
They are certainly enjoying the warm weather!
About a week ago, some quotes from Jack Turner’s book, The Abstract Wild, were included in my blog. They focused on our lack of connection to nature and how we must regain a true and deep empathy and connection in order to truly help the wildlife.
One of our readers chronicled an event after reading those quotes that touched my heart. They wrote, “Deep connection with animals. That reminds me that I have a great little story for you. After months, I finally went to the cemetery on Monday. Only a short walk, but I was outside and it was sunny. On the way back to the bus station I passed a caterpillar crawling on the pavement. After a few more meters, it clicked, I sighed and walked back. Found some leaves to put him on and put him in a garden. I walked on and a lady was standing at a bus stop (not the one I needed) and asked me what I had just picked up. So I told her. She said she had thought something like that and that I am like her. She said something similar to your quote, people lost their connection to nature. We continued talking and agreed on every topic we discussed until her bus came, and we hugged goodbye!”
It reminded me of a period when I stayed in Udaipur, India. Many of my friends were Jain and are always careful not to harm anything in their path. Gentle souls, I recall.
After several days of tenseness on the nests – the fishing line and hook at Big Bear, SC1 almost killed by the sea pup corpse, and the death of KNF-E04 – we need a break. There are good things happening and it is so nice to read about them.
Ever wondered how the birds migrate from their winter homes to their spring and summer? And land on the same branch? Sometimes we can’t do it with the apps on our phone! Quantum Mechanics is the answer.
‘L’ sent me a note: “Isaac has spotted the osprey couple at Patchogue on their new nest!” Fantastic. Hopefully Isaac will provide frequent updates so we know when the osplets hatch and how this family, so dear to all of us, is fairing. (There is no camera as PSEG took down the old nest and did not install a new one on the new nest).
‘J’ sent a post from naturechat about the age of the juvenile visitor at NEFlorida with Bodie.
Sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis) are magnificent birds! They have inspired people from various cultures worldwide, including scientists, conservationists, and nature writers such as Aldo Leopold. Sandhill cranes are an ancient species, with the oldest fossil estimated to be 2.5 million years old. Their rich natural history includes spiritual and cultural significance.
One endearing aspect of Sandhill Cranes is that they are long-lived and mate for life, with pairs remaining together year-round for two decades or more. The oldest Sandhill Crane on record was at least thirty-seven years and three months old. This fact plays a vital role in our patient’s story.
In mid-December, The REGI clinic received several calls about a solitary Sandhill Crane near McDill Pond in Stevens Point. Sandhill Cranes in the area have migrated south by that date. This crane was languishing on a property. It had not been flying for weeks. It was hiding under a resident’s porch. The reports were concerning indicators that the bird may have a wing injury or lead or another type of poisoning. We suggested the crane be captured and transported to Raptor Education Group Inc. (REGI) for care. The property owner was due to be away; she alerted a UWSP natural resources college student to the crane’s dilemma. On December 21st, in below-zero temperatures, UWSP student Kayla Allred gathered a group of friends and family members and captured the crane. REGI volunteer transporters Randy and Anne Orlikowski transported the crane to REGI in Antigo.
REGI staff were prepared and waiting for the crane’s arrival. The large male was lethargic; however, we saw no apparent signs of fractures or injuries during the initial physical. We tube-fed him a liquid diet, gave him fluids, and let him rest for a few hours to recover from his capture and transport. Radiographs and blood work were negative for injuries or toxins. His physical exam revealed no concerns. Our work with wildlife must include the whole bird, not only what clinical tests offer as a diagnosis. Every medical concern was checked. He had no medical issues that we could prove, but we remained faced with a very depressed, healthy adult male with no injuries or abnormalities. When a patient is admitted, we request a history from the person who reports the bird. That includes questions about the bird’s behavior when found. Were physical movements regular or odd for the species? Could the bird be threatened by a dog or other predator, or what changed in the surroundings to prompt unusual behavior? Everything is a clue to the patient’s condition. Our adult male sandhill crane patient was hiding under a porch! Not normal behavior. The one thing that changed was that there were two sandhill cranes, and now he was alone.
Wildlife rehabilitation is a complicated field that requires knowledge of each species’ natural history, dietary needs, habitat requirements, and medical aspects in our care. Understanding that sandhill cranes have a long lifespan, The oldest Sandhill Crane on record was at least thirty-seven years and 3 months old. Once paired, they are together for life, two decades or longer for these magnificent birds. Youngsters migrate with their parents. They stay together as a family for about 10 months after hatch.
We realized our handsome patient was grieving the loss of his long-time mate. He had no will to go on without her by his side. While we do not know what happened to her, she disappeared in late fall. According to the property owner, the pair had been on the same property for at least ten years or longer. (If anyone in Stevens Point near Mc Dill Pond does know what caused her demise, please let us know)
We gave this patient supportive care. In cases like this, we do whatever works to help our patients recover. Massages around his head, neck, and face made a difference and perked up his sensory system. He started eating again. We moved him from a small enclosure to successive larger areas to allow him to investigate his surroundings. Slowly, he recovered and began behaving in a typical fashion; however, he had not vocalized during the three months we had him in care. We had cameras on him in the flights, and while he was exercising his wings and jumping as cranes do, we could not document vertical flight, which was necessary for his successful release back to the wild.
Spring was approaching, and we expected our local sandhill cranes to arrive home at any time. On Tuesday of this week, we heard loud crane vocalizations. At first, we thought it was our wild resident cranes announcing their return home. To our surprise, it was our patient in the flight jumping, flapping, and calling out with great excitement to whoever would listen. The following day, we moved him into a large outdoor enclosure. The enclosure has 12 ft. tall sides but a mostly open top, as it usually houses our resident flightless bald eagles. He would have to have an excellent vertical flight capability to fly out of the compound, which was the one aspect we could not prove in the enclosed flight building. The crane showed great excitement being outdoors again. He began acting like any other wild crane, probing the soil, chasing mice, and investigating the enclosure. He vocalized all day. Soon, the resident pair joined his happy sounds. The following morning, he ate well and was filled with more excitement and enthusiasm than we had ever seen in him. At about noon, a staff member observed the crane testing his vertical flight abilities, and then, with one effortless jump, he was airborne and took flight, gaining altitude until he was a speck in the sky. The event occurred so quickly that our staff forgot to take photos. However, they got another chance as the crane returned and circled our facility a few times before he headed out!
We wish this handsome sandhill crane the best in his future. We hope he finds another mate, but that is not assured in their species. No matter what, we hope he lives happily ever after.
Birds amaze and teach us every day. It is an honor to work with them. Their lives are complicated and mirror our own in many ways. This is not our idea of how they live; it is not anthropomorphic information but biologically sound evidence.
Thank you to Sharon, the landowner, and UWSP student Kayla Allred and the capture team she gathered after noticing his odd behavior and giving this handsome crane a second chance at life just when he thought his reason for living was over. The capture occurred in below-zero temperatures, with wind chills reaching -35 below zero F.
If you want more information on Sandhill cranes, please find a link below.
A quick check on some of our nests- all mixed up with no order at all today.
Blue IHI, the Rutland 2022 hatch, landed on the Poole Harbour nest this morning. (The nest of Blue 022 and CJ7).
Pont Cresor: Z2 (Aeron) and Blue 014 are reported to be back on the nest.
Foulshaw Moss: White YW has arrived back at his nest!
Goitzsche Wildnis, Germany: Zeus returned to the nest on Sunday the 23rd. We are waiting for the arrival of his mate, Fjona.
Brevard Osprey Nest, Florida. Three eggs.
NEFlorida Bald Eagle nest of Gabby and Beau: Bodie is stealing food from JV. These two are so good together! https://youtu.be/6OxI8s55jGc?
Dahlgren Osprey Nest: Two ospreys on the nest Sunday afternoon. LO and MO1 as identified by the chat moderator.
Kansas Bald Eagles: Kanza is doing very well. Second egg has not hatched (yet).
Fraser Point Bald Eagles: Andor and Cruz have their first hatch. It is deep in that nest bowl.
NCTC Bald Eagle nest of Bella and Scout: Two eaglets are doing well. They are simply adorable.
Mispillion Harbour, Delaware: Della and Warren have returned!
RoundhouseLoch Doon: Resident female named Angel has arrived on Sunday the 23rd.
Big Bear Valley: All is well with Jackie and Shadow and the eaglets. Thank goodness.
Threave Valley Ospreys: Two Ospreys on the nest!
Achieva Credit Union: Jack delivered the first fish of the day on Sunday after 1700. Oh, my goodness. I hope these deliveries get better.
Two Harbours: The second egg broke on Sunday. No one knows precisely what happened. Chase and Cholyn will be fine. Dr Sharpe was interviewed and says there is plenty of time for a second clutch and we should be checking back around the end of April.
Eschenbach: Hermine has not returned. Joan Castanyer reports: “Herbert seems to have made a connection with the new female. Days pass and Hermine does not return, although there is still some hope. But the thousands of kilometers of migration must have a benefit and the option of mating with a female is the most reasonable. However, in the afternoon Herbert seemed melancholic in the nest without his Hermine 😥.”
Sauces Canyon: Jak and Audacity’s baby is growing and strong. So pleased it is alright.
Cornell Red Tail Hawk Cam: On goodness. Isn’t Big Red, at 22 years old, just the most beautiful Red-tail Hawk?
Decorah North: Windy and rain coming. Waiting for the first hatch.
Researchers have noted that the plumage of some birds is getting duller. But why? Have a read!
Mini-Book Review: David Gessner, The Book of Flaco: The World’s Most Famous Bird
I recently completed Gessner’s captivating book about Flaco, the Eurasian Owl who escaped from the Central Park Zoo in February 2023. Many of you likely followed his remarkable journey, either in person or through social media, as he adapted to life as a wild owl, skillfully expanding his territory throughout the year.
Gessner delves into the intense controversies that surrounded this extraordinary bird. For instance, the size of Flaco’s enclosure at the zoo, described as “the size of a department store window,” raised significant concerns. Questions erupted about whether more proactive measures should have been taken to recapture him and return him to the zoo. The debate over whether Flaco’s freedom outweighed the risks of safety was a poignant theme throughout his story, especially against the backdrop of the widespread use of rodenticides in the area.
Gessner compellingly introduces readers to notable figures who have delved into the concepts of ‘wild’ and ‘wilderness’, such as Jack Turner in his thought-provoking book, The Abstract Wild, and the writings of Henry David Thoreau. Despite living more than 150 years apart, Turner and Thoreau offer strikingly relevant insights into environmental and wildlife issues. It is refreshing to see how their perspectives resonate with contemporary challenges, bridging the gap between past and present. Gessner masterfully intertwines their observations with his own and the life of Flaco, raising profound and challenging questions about the impact of human activity on wildlife. His exploration urges readers to confront these critical issues with urgency and reflection.
I strongly recommend this book for its profound exploration of pressing wildlife issues. Gessner’s exceptional writing is truly captivating, making it nearly impossible to put it down. However, if you’re in search of a beautiful picture book about Flaco, you might want to look elsewhere. The book does feature a central section filled with coloured images of Flaco, captured by individuals whose lives were deeply touched by his presence, alongside dedicated photographers who meticulously documented his daily adventures.
You can order the book through your local lending library (since it is recently released it could take some time to receive a copy) or purchase it for $24.95.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care everyone. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, articles, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, H, J, L’, The Guardian, ABC7, nature chat, Raptor Education Group, Inc, all about birds, Goitzsche Wildnis, Brevard Osprey Platform, NEFL-AEF, Dahlgren Ospreys, Kansas Bald Eagles, IWS/Explore, NCTC Bald Eagle Nest, Heidi McGrue and Mispillion Harbour, Roundhouse Loch Doon, FOBBV, Jeff Kear and UK Osprey Info (Threave Valley, Achieva Credit Union, IWS/Explore, Joan Castanyer an Eschenbach Ospreys, Cornell Red Tail Hawk Cam, Raptor Resource Project/Explore, The New York Times
There was quite the scare at Sauces Canyon Friday when a huge placenta was brought in that covered most of SC1. The wee one was shivering. The camera operator stayed and caught Audacity doing everything she could to save her little one. She was moving and shuffling and removing matter to free SC1. It took two hours. Everyone was holding their breath.
Meanwhile the nest is simply full of food including a dead seal pup and a lot of Mackerel.
SC1 standing up for a meal after its arduous ordeal. Another miracle. Poor little thing could use a bit of a wipe. But who cares – SC1 looks fine.
In other Eagle news, Bodie and the visitor at NE Florida are quite settled in with one another. Gabby even fed the other juvenile – and, of course, Bodie got fed as well. Many are hoping that the American Eagle Foundation will give the adopted eaglet a name.
Bodie did not go hungry! Look at this crop. It is a wonder she can stand upright.
The two at Big Bear Valley are doing so well. Look closely, the pin feathers are coming in. The little one is scampering around that egg cup wanting ‘out’. They are flapping their little wings and growing fast.
The eaglets at John Bunker Sands Wetlands are gorgeous.
The triplets at Duke Farms are doing well. Their mum was heroic in keeping them as dry as she could during the recent storm. They have their dark thermal down coming in which allows them to regulate their temperatures but, oh, what a lovely sight she was tucking them in as best she could. Just look today.
At the NCTC nest, Bella and Scout’s little one had its first feeding. It is fine. Scout was there to see it hatch and has brooded the wee one. This is good news. https://youtu.be/0aPqI9_OW5c?
Mr North and Mrs DNF have a hatch in progress or two at the Decorah North nest in Iowa.
Hancock Wildlife Foundation announced today that their Surrey nest of Brit and Rey has their second egg of the season.
We are keeping eyes on several other nests for pips that include Harvey and Ellie at the Kansas Eagle Cam on Farmer Derek’s land, the other egg for Bella and Scout at the NCTC nest, and US Steel.
Osprey News:
Dyfi Osprey Project: Idris has arrived home. They just turned the camera on and as if by magic, there he was. So happy to see him home. It is nine days earlier than his usual arrival date of March 30th. Now let’s get his mate Telyn home soon – and safe.
Known as ‘Daddy Longlegs’, Idris is an excellent fisher. He must have been hungry. Look at those whoppers at the nest.
Kielder Nest 7: Female KX7 arrives! This is the earliest arrival ever of an osprey back at Kielder Forest. Her mate is KM18, yet to arrive.
Threave Castle: Blue KC has arrived on the nest to join her mate Black 80 on the 20th of March.
Birds of Poole Harbour: Blue 022 that helped raise our fine osplets to fledge with its mate CJ7 has arrived home safely! He wasted no time in starting to work on their nest.
Glaslyn: Elen, Aran’s mate, arrived back on the Glaslyn nest this morning and then flew over to the PC nest which interestingly has a camera this year. Wonder who will get to watch it?
Meigs Point, Connecticut: The unringed male has returned on the 19th of March. He immediately began to work on the nest – cleaning out that egg cup.
Eschenbach: Hermine has not returned yet. The visiting female is getting more comfortable. Joan Castanyer writes: “Herbert follows the courtship rituals with the female, from gifts in the form of fish to displays of submission. In the video we can see him with his back to her, flapping his wings. Meanwhile, the female complains because he, instead of fish, has brought material for the nest. The candidacy of the new partner is strengthened, although there is still time for Hermine.”
Mark Avery has an update on Bird Flu in his latest news blast. I am cutting and pasting here for all of you. This is going to be a potentially catastrophic year for our feathered friends.
Bird flu 1: there are currently many UK cases of bird flu and the list of affected bird species has reached 31 for 2025: Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Bewick’s Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Pink-footed Goose, Barnacle Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, White-tailed Eagle, Red Kite, Buzzard, Goshawk, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Kestrel, Curlew, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Little Gull, Cormorant, Razorbill, Barn Owl, Long-eared Owl, Tawny Owl, Grey Heron, Pheasant and Starling. It might look as if gulls, wildfowl and raptors are particularly affected, and it’s possible that’s the case, but the flaws in the ‘surveillance’ scheme (negative tests not publicly reported, limited numbers tested, no systematic testing) mean that it is difficult to know what this species list means in terms of species affected – click here. An interesting gull list and just one passerine in the list!
Bird flu2: wintering Sandhill Cranes have been dying of bird flu in Indiana – 1500+ of them (click here). This link – click here – provides information from the USA on detections in wild birds but also in dairy cows (quite a lot) and there are some human cases including one death, it seems. Robert F. Kennedy, who was put in charge of health matters by Trump, has suggested letting the disease rip in order to find the resistant birds that could form the basis for building a resistant stock. Something similar was considered as a covid response in the UK. US scientists are quoted as opposing Kennedy’s suggestion because intensively-farmed chickens and turkeys are killed so quickly that they never (?) produce antibodies to the disease. I wonder what the death rate is in Wild Turkeys in the USA?
Bird flu3: a paper in British Birds (by Tim Birkhead and Ben Hatchwell) assesses the impacts of bird flu on the Guillemot colony on Skomer which has been studied for five decades. The 2023 outbreak of bird flu led to a higher-than-usual number of recoveries of (dead) ringed Guillemots that July and August and counts of ringed birds in 2024 suggested that about a quarter of the colony had been lost the year before. There were impacts on nesting success too which will take some years to work their way through. For a not very relevant comparison (perhaps), UK human covid deaths in 2020 numbered around 72,000, or 1 in 1000 of the population, or 0.1%.
In Manitoba, the Assembly of First Nations has issued a statement on Bird Flu. As you can see, the concern is world-wide. Please help by keeping your feeders and bird baths clean and follow any directives that you are given. So far no one is asking for songbird feeders to be taken down. The fear is for the migratory birds that are coming to their spring and summer breeding grounds.
‘PB’ loved Smallie like all of us. She sends news that there are three falcon eggs at Amersfoort. How grand!
At Robert Fuller’s kestrel nest, the couple, Apollo and Athena, are fighting to protect their eggs. https://youtu.be/qFeLnxjXT24?
The’ quiet’ was one of the best things about being on Hecla Island during the winter. (The hardest was being away from The Girls). Hardly anyone was there except for those ice fishing and the odd tourists. The snow was pure white – not dirty with salt and sand like the City. You could see the deer in the woods, the Crows and Eagles flying overhead, and some small birds murmuring. A few gulls were sitting on the top of the lighthouse and, of course, at least one very large grey wolf. Without the foliage, it was also easy to spot Crow nests, a few eagle nests and one osprey, one near Winnipeg Beach. It felt so good. As most of you know, I am not fond of the City. While I have dreamed of moving to ‘the middle of nowhere’, my heart is also with the animals that occupy our garden. So this summer, we must plant even more trees to enclose us; perhaps, it will be a buffer for noise and other humans. Yellow Warblers on the Galapagos Islands feel the same as I do about traffic noise!
Closing on a really upbeat note – Cornell’s Red Tail Hawk Big Red has been working on that egg cup on Friday. We could have eggs soon!
Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care. We hope to have you with us again soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, images, articles, posts, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, J, PB’, IWS/Explore, NEFL-AEF, FOBBV, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Duke Farms, NCTC, Deb Stecyk, Raptor Resource Project/Explore, Dyfi Osprey Project, Kielder Forest Ospreys, Threave Castle, Meigs Point Ospreys, Eschenbach Ospreys, Joanna Castanyer, Woodland Trust (LOTL), Lynn Cracknell, Knepp Farm White Storks, Cultured Northeast, First Alert 6, Mark Avery, Robert Fuller, Town of Amersfoort Falcons, The Guardian, LRWT, Cornell Red Tail Hawk Cam, Hancock Wildlife Foundation, Manitoba Assembly of First Nations, Osp, Birds of Poole Harbour, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn
I always start my blog early in the day and add to it. As I ready for bed Thursday night it is with a very heavy heart that I tell you that KNF E3-04 passed Thursday evening after having only a few bites of food and the tiniest – one gulp – of fish on Wednesday – since Sunday. The eaglet was, as you know, battered by its older sibling. This nest began very hopeful with two beautiful eaglets, and ‘something’ changed that. Was it the adult’s inexperience, as the Rangers believe? Is there such a shortage of food? Why did things begin to go ‘sideways’ for this family last weekend? These eaglets were fully feathered? If the parents were inexperiened might not this have shown up much earlier with the eaglets dying before getting their juvenile feathers? It just feels odd. Kincaid Lake should be full of fish as it is stocked (or was) annually for the people who come for recreational fishing, so why isn’t this nest full? Ale II hasn’t been seen for a day and a half because there is no reason for him to come to the nest if he has no food to bring. We will never know the circumstance or the combination of circumstances that caused such a dramatic change on this nest, but let us now hope that the older sibling will have food and survive to fledge. It would be a tragedy to lose both and it could easily happen. (More later in the blog).
Just a note. I will be sending this out very late or early on Friday morning and I could miss news of hatches or osprey arrivals. If so, I will include them for Saturday.
Happier Times for the eaglets:
Yesterday was the spring equinox and our feathered friends are on the move. But how is a changing climate impacting some of them?
There is more sadness with the return of migrating birds in North America. ‘PB’ reports that numerous Canada Geese are dying of HPAI in Nebraska on their way to Canada. This horrible disease is spreading and spreading and no doubt we will lose many in various species as it continues to wreck havoc.
Heidi’s Osprey Report:
3/20 – Carthage osprey nest (Tennessee): Mom and Dad are back together! Dad arrived about 11 days ago and another female has had her sights set on him. Finally Mom arrived a couple days ago and had a serious talk with the ‘other woman’, lol.
3/20 – Lake Murray osprey nest (South Carolina): Congrats to Kenny and Lucy… Lucy laid their third egg early this morning.
Thanks, Heidi!
There are ospreys flying over every area of the UK, it seems.
Argathy Red Kites found themselves in need of a quick fix to their osprey nest that was destroyed in a recent storm.
“Crisis averted! Yesterday we headed to our osprey nest tree planning to quickly install a new camera before the birds return… unfortunately we swiftly discovered that recent storms had destroyed our old nest platform. Our legendary tree climber Keith had a mammoth job but built a beautiful new platform and got the camera installed. Now the long wait for the birds begins!”
River Gwash – Rutland female reaches age of 20 and is still returning to breed:
Dyfi: The camera will be live by the time you read this!
Balgavies Loch: Three ospreys, yet to be identified, have been seen flying over the loch.
Thanks Jeff Kear and UK Osprey Information or posting these news items.
Loch of the Lowes: Blue NC0 is bringing in moss in anticipation of eggs and having a marvellously soft nest for them and the osplets.
Bald Eagle Nests:
Pips at Decorah North! Yes, both eggs have pips.
NCTC Nest: Scout and Bella have their first hatch of the 2025 season at NCTC. The egg shell is the proof!!!!!!!
WARNING: THE FOLLOWING ENTRY ON KISTACHIE E3 IS DISTURBING AND HAS DISTURBING IMAGES.
Kistachie E3: The younger eaglet, 04 has been beaten and was down in the centre of the nest bowl most of the day. It had one small fish. I was hoping for a miracle, but it appears the wee one is near death or has died as of 1828 there was no more movement Thursday evening. I am grateful if its suffering is ended quickly. This has been quite the nest to watch. At one point in time if you had asked me, I would have said it was like a Black or Golden Eagle’s nest where the death of the second hatch is enshrined in the DNA of the species. But this was a Bald Eagle’s nest. The real question is what went wrong to cause such a blatant siblicide?
To those on the chat who wanted an intervention, the Migratory Bird Act does not allow it unless there is a clear human-caused issue. Even then with another fully feathered eaglet on the nest, permissions would not be given (if there is staff to provide them with) because it could cause a premature fledge of 03 and its possible death.
Soar high and free little one.
Food must be very scarce as Andria II plucked 04 preparing it for dinner for 03 and then flew off. Why are they not bringing fish from Kincaid Lake?
I was asked if I am working on a Memorial Wall for 2025. Yes, I am. I had to stop with Akecheta and Thunder and just take a break. It was getting to be too much. And the deaths have continued. I hope to have the wall up honouring those souls by the end of March. If you know of a feathered friend to include, please remind me so I do not fail to include them. Thank you.
I do not want to end on a sad note. There is so much to be thankful for and so I am including our miracles!
A deep egg cup to keep a wee much loved and longed for eaglet safe and contained at Sauces.
The love and struggles of a mother desperately trying to keep her three eaglets dry during a bad storm in New Jersey at Duke Farms.
What might have been a problem is proving that eagles, too, can adopt! Check out Bodie with VJ.
Thank you for being with me. We have had a lovely time on Hecla Island, but are looking forward to being home with ‘The Girls’ tomorrow and will set up early. Take care. See you soon.
Thank you to Heidi for the images of the E3 eaglets in a better time and to ‘PB’ for the news from Nebraska, The Guardian, Jeff Kear and UK Osprey Info FB, Argathy Red Kites, River Gwash Ospreys, Raptor Resource Project/Explore, NCTC Nest, Kistachie National Forest E3 Bald Eagle Nest, FOBBV, IWS/Explore, Duke Farms, NEFL-AEF,
It was a bright, sunny drive to Hecla Island. Just as we parked, a Bald Eagle flew overhead, and I felt blessed. Snow started later in the evening. It is quite beautiful! This is such a welcome break for us – and especially for me. I am grateful for the opportunity to take time off from ordinary life to do nothing for a couple of days. Wishing the same for each and every one of you! We have to stop once in awhile. Hoping that the ice will be gone tomorrow so that a nice walk in the woods can be on the agenda. It is about 1km to our favourite restaurant and there are small songbirds in the trees and Crows everywhere.
Our premier has just announced that entry to all of Manitoba’s Provincial Parks will be free for the next year. Thanks, Wab!
I am not going to cover a lot of news but I wish I could drop a pile of fish on the Kistachie National Park E3 nest.
It is hard to believe that despite being beaten, dragged around the nest, and not fed that E04 at the Kisatchie National Park Bald Eagle nest is still alive. This poor baby certainly deserves a big fish – it has the ‘will to live’.
And believe it or not that baby got that fish – 04 did – and gulped it down! Bravo. It will live another day.
What a contrast to the NorthEast Florida nest of Gabby and Beau where ‘tolerance’ has become the word of the day after the intruding juvenile made itself at home for the past week. Bodie has learned to defend her food, Gabby has fed the eaglet and it will not die. I know that this sounds strange but both it and Bodie will thrive.
04 has the will to live. Send your love and positive wishes.
FOBBV have put out a statement that they believe it was the eldest chick that perished on the nest.
Pip watch begins at Decorah North today. The weather is horrible.
Additional pip watches for today include: Bella and Scout at the NCTC nest, Port Tobacco, and the Kansas City Eagles on Farmer Derek’s land.
Update: Pip at NCTC!
The first egg hatched at Kansas City on Wednesday named Kanza.
An unringed female is trying to attract Herbert at the Eschenbach nest in Germany in case his mate Hermine does not return from migration. Joan Castanyer has it on video: https://youtu.be/lcVRaxZbRg8?
FORE has announced that it is past the date that Liberty would be laying eggs and so egg watch for Liberty and Guardian is over for the 2025 season. This is their posting:
You could not have two more proud parents than Jak and Audacity that insist on dual feedings for their little SC1. Lucky is the person who signed in for the IWS Nest Adoption that gets to name this little sweetheart.
Jackie and Shadow are keeping the kidlet stuffed. Just stop for a second and look at the fish on that nest. These two are over the moon to have babies to feed! Just like Jak and Audacity. Isn’t it precious? https://youtu.be/rlp2cLqQmwI?
Only eaglet at Johnson City doing exceptionally well.
Both eaglets at Bluff City enjoyed full crops of squirrel on Wednesday.
Just look at the two beautiful eaglets on the John Bunker Sands Wetlands nest! What a delight these two have been this year.
Many are concerned about the Denton Homes nest. There are big storms going through the Nebraska area with some people, including my readers, having long power outages.
Lincolnshire man gets a fine and license revoke for harming raptors.
Geemeff writes: It’s Earth Hour this Saturday 22nd March.
Good for the City of London, I wish more would do this, and prevent bird strike deaths in peak migration times. The Audubon Society says up to 230 thousand birds are killed each year just in New York alone, from crashing into skyscrapers while disoriented by the lights and reflective surfaces. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that as many as 988 million birds die in building-glass collisions each year.
The camera is now on at Alyth SS and a Rutland bird, HJ8, has returned safely from migration.
Just a quick review. Send good wishes to all of the nests! Take care. See you on Saturday for sure.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, J’, Kistachie National Forest E3, FOBBV, Raptor Resource Project (Decorah North), Kansas City Bald Eagles, FORE, IWS/Explore, Johnson City-ETSU, Bluff City-ETSU, John Bunker Sands Wetlands Eagles, Denton Homes Eagle Cam, Raptor Persecution UK, Audubon, SK Hideaways
I am finishing reading David Gessner’s book, The Book of Flaco. The World’s Most Famous Bird. I have about a quarter more to go, and I will send a review. However, I have discovered another writer who brings up topics we should contemplate within this volume. The author is Jack Turner, and the excerpts from his book, The Abstract Wild, set me out to order a copy.
The thread that bonds ‘us’ is our deep love and caring for animals, whether real or virtual. I have found it as easy to care for the lives of Jak and Audacity and suffer through their struggles as I have with Hugo Yugo and her teeth. Now, seeing the second hatch on the Kistachie E3 nest being beaten to death and starving causes acute anxiety and tears. Gessner writes about Turner: “In his brilliant manifesto….Jack Turner mourns the loss of our deep connection with animals. Implied in this is our unwillingness to fight for wild animals.” He then quotes Turner: “To reverse this situation we must become so intimate with wild animals, with plants and places, that we answer to their destruction from the gut. Like when we discover the landlady strangling our cat.” (135)
We turn to nature, to the trails in the woods, to the open skies for relief from what is surely a deplorable state on our planet. Nature is healing. I can no longer read the news where country upon country is attacking others and killing ordinary people, destroying their lives and homes – and, of course, the pets and the wildlife alongside this. Or the news that truck loads of people have powerful rifles and are aiming at the skies in Lebanon to kill innocent storks – the ones who survived the winter and the long migration and are returning to breed. What makes us so unique to think we can do this? Thank goodness there are a few people willing to get out there and stand up to make sure those people leave.
Each of us needs to find a way to stand up and help. And it doesn’t have to be money because everyone is struggling in this current economy. We have discussed this before, but right now, your volunteering, those old clean sheets, that bottle of bleach or detergent, and a flat of cat or dog food are more needed than ever. Each day, more beautiful animals are being left tied to the doors of pet shelters, surrendered by families who can no longer afford to feed themselves, never mind a much-loved pet. Help if you can in whatever way you can. Time, money, making phone calls, helping with fundraising, whatever…please help. Even that single bowl of water refilled during the day for migrating birds is a huge help. Do not underestimate these small acts of kindness. They save lives. Show that humans do care about wildlife and domesticated pets. Stay positive! Look for the beauty. It is right there, and it might need your help.
Turning to something different, I am so happy today. In the very late fall, when snow and ice were at the nature centre, we found two Canada Geese. They were ‘stranded’ here, and it was too late to fly. We told the lovely girl at reception, and she phoned Wildlife Haven, and they picked them up to add to four others from the centre from the previous day. Today, all six were released to the lake to join hundreds of other geese that have arrived, marking spring in Manitoba.
It was so lovely to be there to witness their return! [Please note the pet carriers. All rehab centers need them to help transport animals. If you have some sitting around please do donate them!]
All of the preparations for the outside animals have been made along with The Girls or our mini-break to Hecla Island. We are not gone long, returning late on Friday. We have a new cat sitter, but a miracle has happened. I do not know why we are so blessed, but I will take it. Anne, who has been with us for 15 months, helping with respite care for Don and giving me a break, has offered to take care of the girls when we travel. The Girls love Anne, they know her well. They run to the door when she arrives. This is so much of a relief. I do not know how many longer trips there are in our future, but I know that I will be much more relaxed now!
Bald Eagle News:
NE Florida: Bodie is learning to live like an eagle and doing well. (more news below)
Kisatchie E3: Three fish came on the nest. The eldest got all of then while the youngest was both submissive and attacked vigorously by the oldest almost to the point of death. They are both starving. The oldest will live another day, but will the youngest. This nest needs food, more food so that the adult might ‘decide’ (she or he is ignoring it)* and intruders and owls are not helping. Send them positive wishes, please. (Warning or watching this nest).
*As we have often seen, adults do not respond to chicks that are submissive and hungry. This nest was going OK, not great but it had the potential to fledge two. Now that is in jeopardy.
West End: Makaio’s new mate FV at the West End nest has been chosen by a donor an winner in the nest challenge.
Sauces Canyon: Jak and Audacity do not wish for SC1 to go hungry. The nest is full of seal placenta, seabirds of some type, fish. The little one is so protected in that deep nest bowl. This family is simply delightful.
The first egg has been laid at the Surrey Bald Eagle nest of Brit and Rey in British Columbia, Canada.
‘J’ sends sad news from PA County Farm:
Osprey News:
Heidi’s News:
3/18 – Fenwick Island osprey nest (Delaware, Captain Mac’s Fish House) – Woohoo, Johnny arrived back at the nest a day after we first saw June. How wonderful! Happy to see this pair again. Last season, June and Johnny lost their first two eggs to crows… so “I would advise that you two be more diligent this season, okay?” lol.
3/18 – Wolf Bay osprey nest (Alabama) – Congratulations to Josie and Bert. Egg #2 was laid in the early morning hours today.
3/18 – South Cape May Meadows osprey nest (New Jersey) – We have been awaiting the return of Hera and Zeus from their migration. Last season their two very young babies were predated by a Great Horned Owl. Then this morning… We witnessed a GHO visit the nest, and our hearts sank.
Thank you, Heidi.
There has been no news of new arrivals in the UK or Europe at the time of this writing.
Eschenbach, Germany: “Herbert is already in nesting mode and has started working on the nest, carrying and moving branches. He is waiting for Hermine, of course, but if there are other candidates, the place must be attractive, not only for the capabilities of the titular male, but also for the comfort it offers. A long migration is well worth it!”
PARQUE NACIONAL MARÍTIMO-TERRESTRE DEL ARCHIPIÉLAGO DE CABRERA: Both adults have arrived at the nest and are refurbishing and mating. https://youtu.be/vEaRhXjFrkc?
Loch of the Lowes: Blue NC0 has begun refurbishing her nest waiting for the male who will be her new mate and provider.
Not only is Blue NC0 a good mother, she is also an amazing fisher. Look at that salmon!!!!!!!!
Guildford, Connecticut: Osprey on the nest!
Threave: Osprey has touched down. Believed to be a male. We are hoping it is Black 80.
Other Nest News:
At 4:51:54, Beau takes a fish from the juvenile intruder and gives it to Bodie who horks that fish down looking straight at the camera. While we might all have been ‘sick’ to see this intruder, it is possible that Bodie not having a sibling has learned many survival skills she will need in the wild by having this visitor.
They appear to be ‘friends’ now as long as it does not involve food. Bodie beaked and protected his food yesterday. This is a great learning experience. I think Gabby and Beau have decided that too.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care of yourself. Tomorrow we leave for Hecla Island. We will return on Friday after hopefully seeing American White Pelicans, Trumpeter Swans, and Geese that have arrived recently. I do not know if I will be sending out a blog during that time but I will be back with you for sure on Saturday.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, articles, images, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, J’, NEFL-AEF, Carol Shores Rifkin, Institute for Wildlife Studies, Fenwick Island, Wolf Bay, SCMM, Eschenbach Ospreys, PARQUE NACIONAL MARÍTIMO-TERRESTRE DEL ARCHIPIÉLAGO DE CABRERA, Loch of the Lowes, Guildford Connecticut Osprey Group, SK Hideaways, Knepp Farm and Torrington Storks, World Bird Sanctuary, Maria Marika, Elain, IWS/Explore, Kistachie National Forest E3, PA Country Farm
Thank you to ‘PB’ who sent me a CBS video of the Sandhill Cranes, thousands, hundreds of thousands? of them gathering in Grand Island, Nebraska. What a beautiful sight. I wish everyone would wake up this morning and see the beauty in wildlife and nature and become so empathetic – not separate – but together with nature to actually do something about making their lives and our planet a better place.
Not the same video but the event of a few years ago!
Well, osprey season is starting off with a flurry of arrivals. As you probably know, my first love was the Red-tail Hawks in my birthplace, Oklahoma. I then had an ‘experience’ with a very large female hawk in my garden, and so, the smaller raptors – the hawks and the falcons – have a special place in my heart. My knowledge is, however, about ospreys. I am, therefore, over the moon that so many are returning.
I have a tiny, but dedicated group of helpers. I have said, many times, that we monitored 502 osprey eggs last year. That is a phenomenal number. I could not do it without Heidi. We prop each other up emotionally when things go sideways, as they might well do again this year with poor little ones starving. But, I want to start the year off on a positive note in the hope that it will be different. I can personally use a break from what has been happening on the bald eagle nests especially Kistachie E3 where the adult seems to not respond to the two starving eaglets on the nest – with their full juvenile feathers. Andria had two owl strikes and there has been an intruder flying around the nest. Intruders steal prey intended for eaglets in the nest and the hits from the owl could have caused injuries.
As I was told many years ago by an eagle expert, the Bald Eagles will first defend their territory, then they will protect themselves and their mate, and the chicks/eggs, etc are last on the list. If Akecheta died, it was because he was protecting his territory. Even so, I find it utterly gut wrenching to watch babies die on a nest from lack of food – either because of intruders or a sick or missing parent. If these two are to pass, I hope that it is quick. They have no one giving them supplementary food like Brodie at the BBC nest last year.
Meanwhile, Gabby has decided to feed the intruding juvenile at the NE Florida nest to the dismay of many onlookers. I have mentioned her own fledgling getting lost and going from nest to nest in the area (BOGs watched and reported) trying to find food. Then I remembered that a couple of Richmond and Rosie’s fledglings from the Golden Gate Audubon Osprey platform also left their nest, went for food elsewhere, and were fed. Bodie has no siblings and while this has been ‘tough’, Bodie has to be a fighter in the real world of eagles. No one is going to cut her a break. Gabby and Beau have enough food for both of the juveniles. Gabby knows what she is doing by feeding the intruder. Yes, it will return for food. Hopefully Bodie and it will both have good crops. Bodie can learn from watching the intruder and if it is fed, maybe it will be nicer. We do not know what we would do if we were starving.
The warm sun has melted the snow, or most of it, in the nest of Jackie and Shadow. Shadow has been doing some really good work as daddy and it turns out he is a great feeder. Those two little ones were stuffed to the top of their heads and quickly into a food coma!
The Only Eaglet at Sauces, SC1, is the sweetest luckiest little eaglet in the Channel Islands.
But back to the ospreys. I am returning to the format that I used where I include Heidi’s reports and mine daily under our names. If I miss something, it is entirely my fault. I wish that we could aim for as comprehensive a study this year as we did last year, but my life is more challenging than I ever imagined, so if we get half the number of eggs watched and all the data recorded, that would be just fine. (I have hired a Girl Friday to help with other things so I have Friday afternoons free to work on all things osprey).
If you wish to add to our knowledge and data bank, we welcome your input. We need the name of the nest, its location, the link to the streaming cam if there is one, the names or ID numbers of the adults, the dates of their arrival and departure, the dates of eggs laid, hatch dates, fledge dates, and death dates and causes.
Please note that this might not be a comprehensive listing of every osprey nest. Rather, it will include significant milestones.
Heidi’s Osprey News:
Fenwick Island: 3/17 – Fenwick Island, Delaware (Captain Mac’s Fish House): June arrived back home to her nest in the early evening! June is the ‘queen of the striped bass’… she caught so many of those large fish last season to feed her only osplet ‘Fen’.
Lake Murray, South Carolina: 3/17 Congrats to Kenny and Lucy. Lucy laid egg #2 at 10:16.
Dewey Beach, Delaware: 3/17 – The female of the pair arrived on 3/12, and today at 08:30 her mate finally arrived. It was immediately apparent that this is a bonded pair, and they fell right in step with fixing up the nest. Best wishes for their success this season.
(Gosh those two are a handsome pair)
Mary Ann’s Osprey News:
Maya arrived at Rutland and Blue NC0 at Loch of the Lowes on the 17th.
Blue NC0 sleeping on the perch branch protecting her nest. Come on Dark Knight!
Eschenbach Osprey Platform, Germany: The news under the streaming cam is: Herbert arrived on the 16th of March. “We are waiting for Hermine to arrive, but the activity in the nest does not stop. Other females are present: some claim the place, others are passing by and take advantage of the male’s generosity. Today Herbert appeared accompanied by an unringed female. A very demanding girl who has demanded (and obtained) several deliveries of fish. What will happen? We will wait to see the events of the next few days.”
Last year Herbert arrived on April 4.
Birds of Poole Harbour:
Who will return to Loch Arkaig?
RSPB Loch Garten has had its share of drama.
Many more ospreys will be arriving in the next fortnight. At some of the US nests there are little bobs and only bobs. May each and every one flourish.
Moorings Park: Beautiful Only Bob.
Frenchman’s Creek: Only Bob doing well also!
Venice Golf and Country Club are incubating.
Incubation at Brevard, Florida:
Oceanside MNSA Osprey Nest: Blondie returns on the 13th of March.
News from Others (various birds):
Geemeff sends lots of news items including this one about Wisdom!
Worcester Cathedral Falcon Scrape has its first egg of the breeding season.
Lead can and is being replaced by other materials. Lead is toxic and deadly to our raptors. Why do the governments that make up the UK miss deadlines to stop its use? Why do people no longer care about the suffering the wildlife experience?
Pip watch for Bella and Scout at the NCTC nest begins today.
‘A’ brings news of Angel and Tom: “Again, Angel spent more time at the nest this morning than Tom did – and again, she is doing a lot of nestcupping, as if making final preparations to lay in this nest. I do hope so. In 2023, she laid her first egg on 24 March, which is under a week away, so I am hoping we see two eggs, as we did in 2023, rather than what happened in 2024, when they simply disappeared before Angel laid any eggs at this site. We have no idea whether she laid elsewhere, though I still think the landowner would have spotted Angel at least if she had still been nearby last season. We will never know of course and their whereabouts last season will forever remain a mystery. But ol course they may do the same thing this year and simply stop showing up at the nest.
But I am still determined to be hopeful – after all, we have seen joyous outcomes for Iris and her Finnegan, Gabby and her Beau, and now Jak and darling determined Audacity. If this is to be a year for miracle chicks, then please let Angel and Tom’s be among them. “
Thank you for being with me today. We are always delighted to hear your news and have you with us. Take care in the times we are in. Look for the positive and the good. Take care of your neighbours, your friends, and your family – even if it is only a smile you have to offer or a hello in an e-mail.
Migrating Birds are passing through. Protect them from your windows. Put out high-energy food if you can and water. Water is good!
We were so happy to see Star back at the feeder today.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, articles, images, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, Heidi, J, MP, PB’, Rhoda A, American Eagle Foundation, NEFL-AEF, FOBBV, IWS/Explore.org, Fenwick Island, Lake Murray, Dewey Beach, Geemeff and Loch of the Lowes, Eschenbach Ospreys, Birds of Poole Harbour, The Woodland Trust, RSPB Loch Garten, Moorings Park, Frenchman’s Creek, Breward Ospreys, VGCCO, The Guardian, RSPB, Cassandra McClurkin, Chichester Peregrines, Worcester Cathedral, Raptor Persecution UK, The Guardian, OpenVerse, South Australia Department for the Environment and Water, Guinness World Records, Rita the Eagle FB, Visit Kearney Nebraska
Best news of the morning! Geemeff writes” 09.51 Intruder Blue 25 is on the nest when resident male Blue 33 lands, looking agitated. Suddenly a third Osprey appears and lands at 09.52.26 – it’s Maya! There is much display of wings from all three but not much sound, then Blue 25 takes herself off as the rightful female has returned. Welcome home Maya!”
‘The Girls’ informed me that they have been ignored. So I tried to take some photos of them relaxing in the sitting room this morning.
Who could resist those eyes? They are like celadon or beautiful green glass. Baby Hope is the sweetest, most quiet, peaceful young lady.
Her mother is equally beautiful, but not ‘so sweet’. Calico wants to be the ‘boss’. At the same time, she wants to be held and cuddled ever so tightly. Calico has gorgeous eyes, too but there is something about the placement and/or the shape of Baby Hope’s that just shock you into stillness.
Missey prefers spending her time sunning herself on the wickers. She is so wooly!!!!!!
The angle makes her look a little ‘plump’. Hugo Yugo isn’t but she is a real character always getting into trouble and it is possible to hear her crying a block away. Her teeth are bothering her. It is such a shame.
At the nest of Jackie and Shadow in Big Bear, Jackie removed the deceased eaglet from the nest and flew away with it. Sometimes the dead chicks become part of the nest, sometimes they are taken a distance from the nest, and sometimes they are eaten. This is all normal behaviour. Research on ospreys has shown that they often take the little chicks a distance of about 100 metres.
The other two chicks have eaten well. The nest is full of prey items and one even has enough energy to start bonking the other. It feels good! I was quite worried that they would get a chill.
Jak and Audacity are overjoyed to have a baby. The number of dual feedings is substantial. They are such proud parents!
The little one at Moorings Park is doing very well, indeed.
So far there is not an egg at the nest of Liberty and Guardian. Information provided says, “Liberty has not laid her 1st egg yet & she is now past her latest egg laying date ever including a 2nd Clutch in 2017 where she laid an egg on 3/10 & 3/13. This is uncharted waters for Liberty who has laid eggs every season for the last 19 years with her 3 different mates. It is also uncharted waters for all of us who love & follow them. We don’t always know why things like this happen but we do know that we need to continue to TRUST THE EAGLES! Everything happens for a reason even though we may not always know what that reason is. So let’s sit back & enjoy watching Liberty & Guardian as their beautiful bond continues to deepen day by day.”
Is there hope? Liberty continues to stay on the nest in the rain Sunday evening.
The American Eagle Foundation captured the antics of the visiting juvenile to Gabby, Beau, and Bodie’s nest: https://youtu.be/vn9M7Es8HFU?s
Is there a tragedy brewing for the two fully feathered juveniles on Kisatchie Forest’s E3 nest? An adult arrives at 19:19:40 empty taloned and is attacked by the starving eaglet.
The eaglets have been searching for anything on the nest to eat and resting. There is a lake you can see that is stocked each year with fish. What in the world is going on at this nest. Is this a repeat of what happened at Boundary Bay in BC?
The adult fed the oldest one a bite of something, nothing really, and the little one went into submission. Adult went to branch. Are the adults ill? Are there intruders? Where on earth is the fish from that lake?
Even first time parents – here I am thinking of Louis and Anna at the E1 nest – filled their pantry with fish. 20 one day! There is something incredibly wrong. It is a shame to sit and see these beautiful babies starve to death.
What a challenging year it has been, starting with the deaths of E24 and E25 of HPAI at SW Florida. As one reader said today, there is so much more of the season to go and so far it has been devastating. Another said that, to add insult to injury, pigeons are now roosting on The Campanile as we mourn the possible loss of Annie and Archie.
A research project is focusing on Annie and her impact on our lives. They are requesting anecdotal stories. Please do consider contributing. I could not imagine a world without Annie and Grinnell and now to have lost so many other mates and possibly Annie now is beyond thinking.
“What have Berkeley’s falcons meant to you? Gretchen Kell from UC Berkeley’s news office is looking for personal anecdotes with specific examples of how Annie and company have impacted your life/health/awareness, during the pandemic or any time Email her at gkell@berkeley.edu.
The trio appear to be all over the nest at Duke Farms and they seem to be doing alright.
A Harris Hawk threatens the people of a UK village!
Harris’s Hawks face challenges like habitat loss from urbanization and oil/gas development, electrocution on power lines, poisoning, and vehicle collisions, which are common threats to birds of prey.
Here’s a more detailed look at the challenges:
Habitat Loss:
Urbanization and oil/gas development reduce habitat quality and prey availability.
Loss of natural perches and nesting sites can lead to hawks perching on power poles, increasing the risk of electrocution.
Harris’s hawks are known to live in sparse woodland, semi-desert, and marshes, so habitat destruction in these areas poses a significant threat.
Human-Related Threats:
Electrocution: Perching on power poles, which are often unshielded, can lead to electrocution and death.
Poisoning: Poisoning from pesticides or other toxins can affect Harris’s hawks.
Vehicle Collisions: Collisions with vehicles can cause injury or death.
Killing by Humans: While not as common, some hawks are killed by humans.
Natural Challenges:
Drought: Droughts can reduce prey availability and impact nesting success.
Fire Weather: Droughts and fire weather can lead to habitat loss and increased risks for hawks and their nests.
Spring Heat Waves: Spring heat waves can endanger young birds in the nest.
Captive Breeding Challenges:
Isolation: Harris’s hawks are social animals, and isolation can lead to behavioral problems like thigh-plucking, aggression, and mis-imprinting.
Overdependence on Falconer: Overdependence on the falconer, often promoted by food association, can create problems with captive-bred hawks.
Other birds are facing challenges – indeed, all of them. Birds Canada gives an interesting webinar on what our forest birds are finding difficult in our world today. Notice that I said, ‘our world’. Birds around the world are facing the same challenges. https://youtu.be/_vX4K3HO7IM?
At the time of this writing, the fledglings, Dasher and Dancer, had not returned to the nest at Captiva.
Snow in Michigan. Traverse Eagles trying to keep their eggs warm and dry.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please send all your good wishes to all of the nests. It is an unusual year and they need all the help we can send them. Take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, pictures, streaming cams, videos, and articles that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, H, J, MP, SP’, SK Hideaways, FOBBV, IWS/Explore, Moorings Park Ospreys, FORE, Gary’s Eagle Videos, American Eagle Foundation, Kisatchie National Forest E3 Bald Eagle Nest, Cal Falcons, Duke Farms, The Guardian, Open Verse, Birds Canada, Traverse City Bald Eagles
We hope that you have had a glorious weekend! While it was nice weather during the week the cold winds hit bringing in some freezing rain that is still lingering. Did you know that kitty litter is very good for melting ice?
I wonder which nests you have been watching?
Many of you have commented that watching what is happening at the nest of Gabby and Beau is causing you a lot of anxiety. The juvenile did return to the NEFL nest of Gabby, Beau, and Bodie. The fledgling from another nest – probably lost from their own nest and hungry – was ushered off unceremoniously several times by the adults.
It is a lot of drama and I know it is difficult to watch. Gabby’s fledgling was also lost one season and could not find her nest for a week or so and she was so exhausted that she stayed home for a month once she found her nest! I feel sorry for this one – hungry and lost. Life is confusing enough and these eaglet is young. Let us hope it finds its home – and I hope its parents are alive and have prey on the nest.
Of course, you could be watching the miracle child of Jak and Audacity. What an amazing ending after years of waiting. Audacity and Jak wanting a little eaglet so much! Well, here it is!
Jak is so excited. There is fish all over for this little blessing. They are also eating the placenta from the seals that are having pups in the harbour. This is really good food for that baby.
‘A’ writes on Sunday: “The new baby at Sauces is the sweetest fluffiest little person with the cutest wee face. It is strong and active and was eating eagerly when I watched it with Audacity at lunchtime today. I was concerned that the nest bowl was too deep but the chick seems to have no trouble peering above the rim, and given the current lack of baby rails (get moving, Jak, this nest requires some toddler-proofing), it’s a good thing that the bowl is deep! As long as no-one pulls a load of grass in there and buries the baby! Or tugs a fish on top of it and squashes it! So far, Audacity is being very careful with her pride and joy.
Lunch today was some sort of rodent, and the little one ate eagerly, managing very large bites for what I believe was its first meal. The blood all over the nest comes from yesterday’s treat for the new mum – seal placenta apparently. It does look absolutely gruesome but is of course incredibly nutritious. I have no idea of its calcium value (god knows Audacity needs to replenish that, as her body has been cannibalising her own skeletal structure season after season as she has laid all those eggs). It looks well, despite its difficult hatch (it has managed to get every piece of shell off) and it seems healthy. I have high hopes for this little family. Jak stayed on the nest after delivering lunch and seemed to want to help with the feeding, leaning in to the chick on a couple of occasions Audacity mixed in some seal placenta with the rodent, and I’m sure the level of nutrition from that placenta would be amazing for a newly hatched chick. “
At the nest of Jackie and Shadow, the two surviving chicks of that terrible winter storm appear to be alright. Please send them your good wishes because they, too, got cold and wet despite all the good care of Jackie and Shadow.
Fish are now on the menu at Big Bear along with a pile of Coot!
Sunday breakfast and all looks good except the kids are alone and uncovered. I sure hope that sun is warm.
At Manton Bay, Blue 33 (11) continues to wait for Maya, his mate who is fifteen years old this spring.
Sisters Blue 24 and 25 have both visited the Manton Bay nest hoping that Blue 33 will bring more fish for them. I sure hope Maya gets home safely and if she doesn’t, I hope that Blue 33 gets a mate worthy of him!!!!!!!
Blue 33 is known, sometimes sadly, for bringing large live fish to the nest. He was caught on video by Geemeff battling one of those a couple of days ago! https://youtu.be/9a8cvy7GrJo?
On Sunday, Geemeff writes about the shenanigans at Rutland: “Fingers crossed that both Maya and Blue 11 return safely. Meantime, this looks like a successful mating between 33 and 25, judging by the way she shakes her tail feathers. Or at least, much better than his attempts earlier today.”
A nice fish came on the Kisatchie E3 nest. The eldest ate first while the little one was submissive, almost hanging over the edge of the nest to its peril. but it clung on, listened, watched, and is getting good at the snatch and grab after the oldest one is full. Oh, help this nest. It needs more food and there are tornadoes in the area tonight (Saturday). It was two days ago – on Thursday that 04 had a really nice crop. He needs to not be so fearful and snatch and grab more. It is hard with such an aggressive older sibling. They sometimes go to bed very hungry. What is happening with deliveries and fish from the lake? Anyone know?
Beautiful little eaglet at the Johnson City nest of Boone and Jolene.
Two wee ones at Bluff City. Franklin and Frances each brought in fish and the kids ate well.
Tornadoes and big storms passing through parts of the US. Berry College seems to be right in the middle of it with rain and lighting at the old nest. Pa and Missey are using another nest so I have no news on eggs.
Oh, what a sweet little osplet at the Moorings Park nest. And it is going to be a healthy one, a fat little bottom full of fish!
Hard to see but that little one at Frenchman’s Creek seems to be doing well, too.
There were at least two fish deliveries at Duke Farms and all ate well and had crops. The little one even had a private feeding.
Calico wishes to thank everyone who helped with her fundraising. She is pleased to report that when all the funds are in by the end of March, she will donate $420 to two of the charities that care for feral mothers and their kittens, trying to find them homes and for abandoned pets. She is delighted. Thank you so much! Fundraising is over for this spring.
I cannot tell you how much I miss Akecheta and Thunder. We have had so many losses this year, but this one really gutted me and still does – along with Annie and Alden. I know. They all took a piece of us, some more than others.
This was posted and I wanted to share it so that you will go to the Channel Islans Eagle Lovers: CIEL Facebook group to see the entire video clip of Akecheta courting Thunder!
Thank you for joining us today. On Wednesday, we are going on a mini-break to Hecla Island. We hope the weather is not too frigid and that we will see more geese and even the arrival of some American White Pelicans. I will post on Wednesday, take a few days break, and return on Saturday. Take care of yourself during that time. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, images, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘A, Geemeff, Heidi, J’, NEFL-AEF, IWS/Explore (Sauces Canyon), FOBBV, LRWT, Geemeff, Port Tobacco Eagle Cam, Lori Staely and HDonTap, Kisatchie E3 Bald Eagle nest, Union County Falcon Cam, LDF, The Guardian, SK Hideaways and San Jose Falcons, Berry College Eagles, Moorings Park Ospreys, Frenchman’s Creek Ospreys, Stephanie Ross and CIEL, SK Hideaways and FOBBV, Geemeff
Jak and Audacity’s baby worked its way, a long time, out of that crushed shell to the joy of everyone who has cheered and cried for this couple.
Just look!
It is cold to the bone on the Canadian Prairies despite the hint of spring arriving. There were two beautiful Blue Jays in the garden along with the two crows so it appears that all is well with part of the garden family. Brock is eating as I write. The Girls are resting – waiting for their late night snack.
I am certain that most of you have checked on several Bald Eagle nests today including that of Jackie and Shadow, Jak and Audacity, and Beau an Gabby. Maybe you even went to see if the eaglets at Kistachie E3 have been fed.
There were still two eaglets at the nest of Jackie and Shadow on Friday. More Coot has come to the nest supplementing the usual fish. The snow on the water must be keeping the fish at bay.
In the feeding below both are up. Earlier they appeared cold and worry set in. We do not know the fate of the the other eaglet (I am not saying it was the third hatch – it looked to be the second to me but the experts can confirm). It has made our hearts drop and feel ever so sad. But let us wish these two a long and healthy life.
I am worried that one of the eaglets does not appear as well as the other.
‘PB’ reports that both eaglets were fed well at 17:28. The feeding lasted approximately 10 minutes for the eaglets and another five for the adult. I wonder if the one is ‘sweaty’ from the warm brood patch or damp from the nest???
Saturday morning and both eaglets are alive at Big Bear. We might never know which one perished.
Hatched! The last time I checked on Friday the eaglet at Sauces was still trying to break free of that membrane.
That eaglet is moving and moving and it looks like it is almost here. Pinch me please.
VH Hock caught it on video. This is a small capture form that FB video:
Dr Sharpe says:
So many are hoping so much, hoping beyond hope for this couple. Thanks, J.
The two eaglets at the Kisatchie E3 nest were fed yesterday and there was food on the nest today. Some relief there!
I believe you are looking at the only hatch at Moorings Park Osprey platform in Florida this season. The other eggs do not appear viable. Let us wish this one strength!
Was there a visitor at the nest of Gabby and Beau today? Or was i seeing double? Beau finally sent the visitor packing.
Milda and Zorro have two eggs in their White-tail Eagle nest in Durbe County, Latvia. Wonderful.
My heart leaps whenever it sees Blue 33. He has been flying around with fish hoping for his Maya to appear. We need her to come home healthy. She had a difficult year in 2024.
It happened last year. Everyone wants Blue 33! Geemeff writes, “Rutland Ospreys: resident male Blue 33 eventually gives intruder female Blue 25 his fish
And since I recorded this, there have been mating attempts- hurry home Maya and Blue 11!”
I am waiting for Blue NC0 to land on the Loch of the Lowes nest as well as well as all of the other UK ospreys. Oh, let them have a good season.
We have an egg at Lake Murray. ‘H’ writes: :3/14 – Well, the Lake Murray Osprey nest of Kenny and Lucy really has an egg now. We don’t know what to make of the fact that they have both been incubating an unseen egg for the past 6 days, which may or may not have been hidden inside of a glove, lol. We are calling this egg #1, and it was laid on 3/14 at 10:59.”
We can just see a wee osplet from under Mum’s breast at Frenchman’s Creek.
Maintenance on Big Red and Arthur’s cam at Cornell University.
From the nest it appears that Angel and Tom have been working on their nest. There is even a pinecone in the centre!
The eaglets at Hilton Head are getting their juvenile feathers!
Egg at Wolf Bay.
‘J’ asked me if I have purchased or read any books on Flaco, the Eurasian owl that escaped from the Central Park Zoo. As it happens, I am reading the recently released book by David Gessner on Flaco. Half way finished. Will let you know the verdict soon!
Thank you so much for being with us today. I need to take a wee bit of a breath so the postings for the next couple of days might be quite short while we wait to see what happens at Big Bear and Sauces. Surely there will be more osprey arrivals as well. Take care everyone. See you soon.
Thank you so much to the following for their notes, posts, images, conversations, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘Geemeff, H, J, PB’, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, IWS/Explore, VH Hock, Dr Sharpe, Kistachie National Forest E3, Moorings Park, NEFL-AEF, LDF, LRWT, Loch of the Lowes, Lake Murray Ospreys, Frenchman’s Creek Ospreys, Window to Wildlife, Hilton Head Island Trust, The Guardian, Wolf Bay Ospreys, Geemeff
