Category Archives: California

Mini is home…Tuesday in Bird World

12 September 2023

Good Morning,

First up. My e-mail and FB Messenger ‘lit up’. The messages were mostly ‘Mini is Alive’…’We knew Mini was a survivor’..’Mini wanted to show us that she is alive and doing well’. Gosh, she is a survivor and it is fitting that our dear fourth hatch came to the nest to show everyone who loves her that she is well and living her life and eating fish!

After being MIA for two days, Mini flew to the nest in Patchogue and spent a couple of hours showing us how good she had done since we last saw her. She stood well on her left leg, she played with her cardboard, and before she flew off, she did what all raptors do – a ‘ps’. This was a grand one – at 1929. She has been eating well. Mini is living the life of an osprey off the nest. Is this our last sighting? or will she come again? Whichever it is, treasure those images. She is well! She is beautiful! And she is eating.

Saying goodbye to ‘cardboard’?

That is a great ‘ps’ – one of the best I have seen. This girl has eaten fish!

Mini went from perch to perch but, at the time I am writing, has not settled on the nest to rest her leg.

Thank you for all your good wishes for Calico. We so appreciate them! She is, indeed, a very special presence and I am so happy she is part of my life.

Calico has her surgery today. She will be home around 1830 or 1900. Everyone is hoping that the lump that appeared on her side, which turned out to be mastitis, is gone (seems like it) and if that is the case, the surgery will be simpler with a much smaller incision. Tattooed, microchipped – hopefully never to be lost outside again – ever. While Calico is away having her luxury spa day (the vet gives them heated blankets), Hope will go through an intensive get-to-know-me routine that will ‘hopefully’ include more petting. She is soooooo fast and alert. The slightest movement in the wrong direction, and she bolts. A good nickname might be ‘Usain’ after Usain Bolt, the Jamaican 8-time Olympic Gold Medalist! She might challenge him for some of those 100 m times!!!!!!!!!! Hope has no idea how determined I am that she will not be ‘wild’. In fact, ‘wild’ is not an option. Do you hear that Hope?

Hope and Calico are so much alike. The tiny little black tears on their left eye, the liners of dark fur on their left sides, kohl-like eyeliner around their eyes. Hope does have a couple of differences. She is white in the front, her legs, chest, and throat. She has a tiny, white, almost graph-like line right between her eyes. She has a single white dot of fur on her back, and her head is a slightly different shape. Calico is ‘fine boned’ as my grandmother would say. Hope isn’t.

Hope often waits for Mamma to finish eating before she begins even though there are always two dishes.

The laundry has been going over time and the conservatory is going to have to be ‘aired’. It smells like sardines. Did I ever tell you that I dislike fish so much? Hope loves sardines. T hey got her into the little kitten trap and they are good for her. (There is little chance that she is a he – from all appearances – but when I get close enough to fully confirm will let you know).

Lewis continues to be slightly insecure and in his own Lewis way gets himself in trouble. Calico protects the space that Hope is in and she is not going to let anyone harm her kitten. While Calico is away, Lewis and Missey will get time in Hope’s company to ease the transition. They are all lovely kittens and each has their own story of being found under a deck with 5 siblings and a feral mother (Lewis) or Missey being found alone under a truck. They have much in common!

But look at Missey. Missey decided that she was going to try and open the door to the Conservatory! She seriously almost made it. I am going to have to lock that door. Cats are super intelligent.

Hope and Calico will be glad when the integration process is complete. Calico looks sad to me – wanting out but not wanting anyone to harm her baby she chooses to stay in the conservatory with Hope – their ‘safe’ place together.

Two days ago Hope was afraid to look through the glass of the Conservatory into the kitchen. Now she copies her Mamma only she gets closer! Soon, little sweetie. Not sure what it is about her but Hope just melts my heart like the first time I got to stroke her Mamma.

Photographs of our favourite Port Lincoln fledgling, Ervie, fishing. Remember when he lost a talon? When we thought he would have to survive on Puffers? Just look – great technique. Ervie, we adore you! This is why I support banding and satellite trackers. It is the joy when they survive. Like Mini, Ervie was a survivor.

It is bachelor days for Richmond – of Richmond and Rosie – at the Richmond Shipping Yards in California. Rosie appears to have departed for warmer climates on the 4th of September. Richmond prefers to spend the winters in the Bay Area.

‘H’ brings us up to date on Kent Island and Barnegat Light:


Kent Island – “Audrey had spent the night at the nest on 9/11 and she flew off the nest at 0625.  It was thought to be Audrey preening on a pole at a nearby dock at 0905.  There were no more sightings of ospreys until 1820, when an osprey landed in a tree. Some thought it was an adult osprey, but others thought they saw juvenile plumage.  It was difficult to say.  Unlike the previous four nights, Audrey did not spend the night at the nest on 9/12.  Molly was last seen on 9/5, and Tom last seen on 9/9.”

Barnegat Light – “As with the previous couple of days, the camera feed omitted several hours of time throughout the day due to buffering issues.  The technical issues are making it very difficult to chronicle Dorsett’s last few days before she leaves her natal area to begin her first long journey.  Dorsett was seen on the 24th Street pole with a fish tail at 0614.  At 0750 it was thought to be Dorsett on a boat mast.  That was the last time we were able to observe her on 9/11.  Dorsett is 104 days old, and she fledged six weeks ago.”

Pa Berry is home and starting to work on that nest at Berry College in Georgia.

KNF-E3: Alex and Andria working away.

Superbeaks: Pepe and Muhlady remind me so much of Jackie and Shadow. Big sticks come to the nest and the two have a lovely disagreement over placement!

Someone is supposed to be on holidays! It is incredible how these peregrine falcon families can draw you in…and don’t you love those Dads that try to feed their eggies?!

It looks like there are three eggs at Port Lincoln. Hiding in the midst of some moss, Mum laid another egg. The last. Hard incubation will begin now in earnest. Oh, please pinch me and tell me that this really is Dad2. No offence Dad1 but we worried about your health and we only want the chicks to thrive!

The Sea Eaglets are particularly beautiful…notice the ‘in style’ brick brown-rust colour and peach that is beginning to colour their plumage. Lady slept on the nest and at 0524 she found a piece of leftover fish (?). After the two got up for their morning stretch – hopefully more prey will arrive shortly.

‘A’ brings us up to date: “The day began at WBSE with an early (pre-6am) breakfast from the leftovers of the eel brought in late yesterday afternoon. SE32 had the better of the first breakfast, so when the next food was brought in around lunchtime, SE31 claimed the small-medium headless fish and ate most of it by herself. SE32 watched those last few mouthfuls carefully, and made a grab for the last bit of flesh and the tail. He had to grab four times to pull it out from under SE31 and the eaglets then had a tug-of-fish. SE32 eventually won the battle and horked down that tail piece in short order, flesh attached. Brave and determined. 

The next food item was another fish, and this one was fed to the eaglets and shared out fairly evenly between the two. It wasn’t long before another food item came in, this one feathered. SE32 got the majority of this rather large prey item and by the time he was finished, his crop was enormous. So when another chunk of prey (it looked like a part of the previous piece) arrived shortly afterwards, SE32 could not even be bothered getting out of the nest and allowed SE31 to sit and be fed 

Both eaglets went to bed with full crops, and the parents both ate well too. It was a good day at WBSE. “

At the Royal Albatross colony, Manaaki gives us a beautiful skycall while a beautiful Albie comes to visit.

‘A’ adds: “In New Zealand, nine of the 33 chicks are confirmed to have fledged. More may have left this afternoon and are yet to be confirmed. Manaaki is still on his nest. He was weighed around 11:30 this morning and weighed 9.2 kgs. He is readying for departure and has probably cast his pre-fledge bolus. UQ is still there, as we think is Quarry.”

At the WRDC nest in Miami, recent fledgling R5 returned for a quick visit around 0659 Monday. Wonder what he thought of the reinforced nest and its paint?

Quess what? There are eagles back on Farmer Derek’s land in Kansas!!!!!!!! You might recall that there was a young Bald Eagle pair on Farmer Derek’s property. Their nest got taken over by a pair of GHOs who raised a couple of clothes of cute little owls. This might be interesting.

Migration makes me nervous especially when it involves crossing through countries or resting. We anxiously await news of Karl II, the Super Dad from the Karula National Forest Black Stork Nest in Estonia.

I feel sick. At the same time I am hoping that this is only the same issue with cell coverage in some areas of Ukraine where Karl II likes to rest. Last year we held our breath also. I forget how many days it was.

Kaia:

Kalvi:

Bonus:

Waba:

Another reason to get rid of leaf blowers (besides the noise and the pollution) and allow the leaves to stay overwinter (until after May):

I am so happy to receive my Friends of Loch Arkaig Ospreys 2024 calendar! Thank you to Mary Cheadle for all the fundraising she does for the Woodland Trust so the streaming cam continues to operate at Loch Arkaig!

If you live in Winnipeg or Southern Manitoba, why not take in Wildlife Haven’s Annual Open House? Tickets are $10 for adults. You get to tour the facilities and meet the ambassadors and learn why they would love to have you grow some vegetables in your garden for their patients or what else is needed in terms of care such as clean old towels, sheets, hand tools, bleach, pet food. — So many of you live elsewhere – we are an international family – but, please check out your local wildlife rehabilitation centre and find out when they have their open house. It is always a day for learning and admiring the work these dedicated individuals undertake.

I will being you highlights of the tour on Sunday!

Thank you so very much for being with me today. Take care. See you soon!

Thank you to everyone who sent good wishes to Calico and to all who wrote to tell me Mini was on the nest! Thanks also to the following for their comments, notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today” ‘A, H’, PSEG, Julie Lovegrove and Friends of Osprey Sth Aus, Bay Ospreys by Golden Gate Audubon, Wildlife Conservation F of NJ, Kent Island, Gracie Shepherd and Raptors of the World, Superbeaks, 367 Collins Street by Mirvac, PLO, Sea Eagles, Lady Hawk and NZ DOC, WRDC, Trudi Kron and KNF-E3, Trudi Kron and Farmer Derek, Looduskalender, and Wildlife Haven.

It’s Melbourne 4 – Port Lincoln 2…Monday in Bird World

11 September 2023

Good Morning to all of you,

Sunday started off cool, and it warmed up but the day was mostly cloudy. So, to me, it felt cooler looking out than it actually was. Small raindrops have just started falling late in the evening. The Blue Jays are still coming to the garden for water and seeds as are the Sparrows. Migration is in full swing, and only time will tell if the Blue Jay family is staying for the winter or will leave for part or all of it. The six Crows in the Crow family are still here- they will probably remain all winter just like the Chickadees. Canada Geese continue to fly overhead as are the Pelicans – all of them leaving for parts warmer and in the South.

Audubon has a wonderful tool to learn about migration. Migration is remarkable and now that the birds are leaving I am already longing for their return next spring. Nature continues on despite all that is thrown at it.

Today was the day Hope came out of her shell. Geemeff suggested a feather teaser toy. Little Hope loves to play and right away she was in the middle of everything. I got a small stroke on her head! This kitten has the sweetest face. One miracle for the day. Next play time I will try to grab her with Geemeff’s instructions firmly in mind to let her loose so she isn’t frightened – and knows she can get away. Fingers crossed. Calico goes in for her surgery on Tuesday and I hope to have this little one all friendly by then.

Calico is very protective of Hope. While she weants to return to the main part of the house I have left the door open and Calico will not leave without the baby who remains, at this time, hesitant.

Little Mini-me. I continue to marvel at the miracle – the moment is so clear – when I looked out and saw this wee kitten eating at the feeding station. It was beyond my hope that these two would be reunited. No wonder Calico doesn’t want her out of her sight.

Lewis and Missey are much more used to the ‘smell of Calico and the presence of Hope – through glass. They are all fed at the same time and there has been lots of tasty meals to cement the idea that Calico and Hope bring ‘good things’ not bad ones! Constant companions. Constant washing and playing. Lewis and Missey are both now a year old.

Let’s start off with something fun – the season highlights from Loch Arkaig! Louis, Dorcha, Ludo and various visitors delighted us day in and day out throughout the 2023 breeding season in Scotland.

News has just come in from ‘H’ that there are now four eggs at Melbourne! Oh, little M22 has going to have his work cut out getting those big eggs under for incubation! Egg #4 laid at 07:48:52.

‘A’ gives us a prey update: “At about 09:09:48 M22 lands on the ledge with a small bird, calling F22 as he arrives. For a couple of minutes prior to this, we have watched small feathers floating up, from where M22 is obviously preparing the prey at a lower level. He chups and waits. When F22 does not appear, he plucks the bird a little more, then heads with it, still chupping, up to the scrape. He seems to want to feed his eggs! He plucks the bird a little more, and at 09:11:30 flies off with the prey, presumably to leave it in one of their stash spots for mum to retrieve. Dad returns to incubate at 09:13:39. He has a little difficulty settling down on four eggs but he manages. This pair is adorable.”

I went to check and Mum is home. No fear! After last year I worry all the time about this nest.

Liznm caught that fourth egg being laid at Melbourne for us.

Mini has not been seen at the nest since the morning of Saturday 9 September. Mum has appeared a few times (or it is believed to be Mum). I have an inbox full of concerned letters wanting help for Mini but, in truth, we do not know if Mini needs help. Wildlife rehab clinics do not have the resources to search Patchogue for Mini. Indeed, every clinic that I know relies heavily on volunteers. If someone were to find Mini and get her to a clinic – if that clinic knows her story and any in the area should – they would recognise her. But, for now, we only know that Mini is not coming to the nest. Dad has been seen on the antennae by the lake where he fishes and Mum might or might not have come to the nest once or twice. That would be typical osprey behaviour before departing for migration. The fact that Mini has not come to the nest does not mean she is grounded, nor is she dying and starving. The absence of evidence is not evidence.

The only thing that could be done at this point is for a local search party to comb the area for Mini. That is a huge task but it would be worth it just to check and for everyone to know that she is not grounded.

Five fish were delivered to the Sandpoint Osprey Platform today. Coco was deliriously full of fish dinners!

‘H’ sends her report on Kent Island and Barnegat Light:

Kent Island – The fledgling, Molly, has not been seen for almost six days.  Audrey spent the night of 9/10 on the nest, and she flew off at 0630.  She was not seen on camera for the rest of the day, until she landed on the nest just before 10 pm.  Audrey spent the night of 9/11 at the nest.  Tom was not seen on camera on 9/10.

Barnegat Light – There was frequent and prolonged buffering of the live stream on 9/10.  But, we were able to observe a fish delivery from Duke to Dorsett at 0725, and we saw Dorsett on the nest with a partial fish at 1828.

Thanks, H’!

‘A’ sends her down under report from down under – thanks A:

Sydney Sea Eagles: “It is now nearly 12:30 and Lady and Dad have spent this morning bringing in more and more nesting material .Check out how much fresh greenery there is on that nest. And that’s not counting the two gigantic branches (one at the front, one at the back) that have been brought in and carefully arranged so far this morning. It is phenomenal. They are doing a total spruce-up and a little renovating – it is a DIY fest up there this morning. The eaglets, of course, would prefer some breakfast, but I think the parents are bringing in the extra cot rails for the reason discussed yesterday (two much more mobile chicks now up off their tarsi and motoring around that nest) and all the fresh greenery and talonfuls of dry leaf material are being brought in because of the day of rain they had there over the weekend (or was it Friday). Anyway, they’re freshening up and drying out the nest. They have both been aerating today and yesterday. So I’m pretty sure that’s the reason for this sudden obsession with bringing in nest materials. 

Hopefully, there will be some food soon, though I have reached a level of confidence about this nest that leaves me unconcerned about major problems even if food is late and/or short today. Obviously, we would prefer them to get two good meals a day but they do need to learn that life in the wild is not all home-delivered meals at the drop of a twig. So either way, I am sure all will work out fine and lunch will come soon.”

Xavier and Diamond: The intruder is still causing issues for the couple. Diamond had to leave the scrape to defend the territory. This is not a good thing.

Port Lincoln: Dad was on the nest with Mum. Oh, I hope these two only have two eggs!!!!!!!

Dad2 doing incubation duties. The chat group notes that the eggs were not incubated for 41 minutes which should not be an issue.

But ‘H’ has just sent me a giggle: Is this Dad 1 or is it Dad2? Fran Solly and Bazza are starting to think it is Dad1?!

‘A’ is missing our little prince and he isn’t gone yet! She writes, “

Omigod, talk about heart in my mouth. I checked the albatross cam and not only was Manaaki’s nest empty but the camera was giving us the view of the bay from his nest. For a moment there, I thought he had fledged. Then, I saw a little flash of white far down on the hillside and sure enough, up he came. He had had a practice flight down the hill and had to walk a lolng way back up. The wind has really picked up this afternoon (it is now nearly 4pm) and it is hovering and flapping time. Scary. Every time I watch this, I wonder if it is going to be the last time, as it was that day I watched QT in the storm. Sudden. And possibly permanent. Stay with us just a little longer sweet boy. Another week to get rid of that remaining fluff. Just one more week. 

Manaaki was fed about three hours ago (13:23). We think the parent had come in earlier and that this was the second feeding today. The weather really changed three or four hours ago. The rain started teeming down and the wind really picked up. It sounds like a gale on the tab now. We believe that in all the excitement this has caused, it is possible that Quarry has fledged. UQ has been hovering a lot this afternoon, and although he is still obviously carrying too much down and has not yet perfected his flying technique (paddles are still hanging down and he hasn’t worked out how to hold them up yet), there is a fear among chatters that he will leave today. If he does, there is the danger he will ditch in the bay and become waterlogged. I’m sure they keep a close eye out for chicks that do that – I have heard talk of them being rescued for a second fledge attempt. So we watch, we wait. The wind is encouraging all the chicks, but hopefully, Manaaki’s feedings today will keep him at home a little longer. As I type, both Manaaki and UQ are still at home, Manaaki on his nest and UQ a little downhill from Manaaki (where he has been for most of the day, rather than on his nest higher up the hill – he likes Manaaki).”

At SWFlorida, home to M15 and his new mate, bonding is happening! We have a fish offering.

In the letterbox: A few letters have arrived since the posting of the death of two of the fledglings – Stormy and Simba – from Big Bear Valley in previous years. It is hoped that FOBBV might be able to find out what happened to the two siblings. Readers have expressed concern over the deaths of the eaglets and the many non viable years for our beloved Jackie and Shadow. Every year we struggle with them and, of course, it was such a delight when Spirit fledged. The difficulties that Jackie and Shadow face in terms of eggshell hardness and viability of offspring in the nest might be directly related to the historical DDT that was intensely sprayed on Big Bear Lake. Of course we are aware of the issues in the Channel Islands.

The heartache that we feel for these two Bald Eagles and they are much loved by thousands and thousands, is directly due to human causes.

From a previous blog ‘Why Do Some Eagles Have Wing Bands’: “

It all goes back to DDT and the near extinction of the Ospreys, Bald Eagles, and other birds from the United States. Sea life has been impacted and so have humans. After World War II DDT was used to eradicate for mosquitoes in the US. Various areas received high amounts of this toxin. It wasn’t just the spraying but also the illegal dumping of hundreds of thousands of tonnes that has caused harm. Indeed, the waters off Catalina Island, for one, became a dumping ground for DDT. 

In 2020, an article appeared in the Los Angeles Times about the finding of the rusting barrels of toxins leaking near Catalina Island. (The scientists were looking for methane). The author says, “As many as half a million of these barrels could still be underwater right now, according to interviews and a Times review of historical records, manifests and undigitized research. From 1947 to 1982, the nation’s largest manufacturer of DDT — a pesticide so powerful that it poisoned birds and fish — was based in Los Angeles.”

“DDT is so stable it can take generations to break down. It doesn’t really dissolve in water but stores easily in fat. Compounding these problems is what scientists today call “biomagnification”: the toxin accumulating in the tissues of animals in greater and greater concentrations as it moves up the food chain.” The birds at the top of the food chain, often referred to as the canaries in the coal mine are the Ospreys who eat the fish and the Bald Eagles.

This is a fantastic read. I urge you to take the time so that when you hear about the impacts of DDT you will understand the history and the harm.

https://www.latimes.com/projects/la-coast-ddt-dumping-ground/

In 1980, there was a reintroduction programme of Bald Eagles into the Santa Catalina and San Clemente Islands. Even until 2001, the eggs were removed and fostered and the chicks banded. Between 1980-86, 33 Bald Eagles were released on Santa Catalina. These birds grew to adulthood even breeding but due to the DDE levels, the eggshell thickness was still compromised. You might recall that Jackie and Shadow at Big Bear have problems with thin eggshells today. Big Bear Lake was heavily sprayed with DDT and it is residual in the soil. The tagging program can be seen with the tags on Thunder and Akacheta. Their chicks, should they hatch and survive, will be banded as part of the continuing study. 

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/chil_eaglecam/wing-bling-reference-chart-santa-catalina-and-san–t11469.html

From the findings of scientists now, the number of barrels of DDT in the waters of this area rusting and leaking are growing. In April of 2021, more were found.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/29/californias-legacy-of-ddt-waste-underwater-dump-site-uncovers-a-toxic-history

For those who would like to go back to the 1970s when the alarms were being sounded by various individuals including Rachel Carson, a good read is The Silent Spring. I would hope that most local libraries would have copies. As you can see, the storage and long life of DDT and the fact that it does not break down in water, is a continuing concern for all the wildlife and humans around the Santa Catalina Island which is now controlled by the US Navy.

There continue to be warnings about humans eating the fish from Big Bear Lake:

bigbearlakeadvisoryreport013018Download

A long report by the US Department of the Interior on DDT and its impact on fish and wildlife.

Effects-of-DDT-on-Fish-and-WildlifeDownload

A group of concerned individuals is working towards a united presentation to see what can be done about the proposed battery storage facility at SSEN Alyth where Ospreys Harry and Flora have their nest. This is one of the revised plans for the site that shows the battery storage right up to the nest.

This is very discouraging. Flora has left the nest on previous occasions when there were disturbances.

Sue Wallbanks posted this article. It is a good read for anyone who wants to understand how disturbances can cause issues at raptor nests.

Disturbance-Distances-in-selected-Scottish-Bird-Species-–-NatureScot-Guidance-NatureScotDownload

The beautiful Black Eaglet had breakfast compliments of Dad. Lady Hawk comments: “The Selati eaglet has another good day of eating compliments of Dad bring in a Rock Hyrax! The eaglet is enjoying the morning sunlight and spreads out its wings as it lies on the nest sunning itself (and keeping cool) 🙂 Mom flies in right after Dad but the eaglet claims the prey and mantles it and will self feed on it for quite some time. Finally Mom takes over and finishes up the feeding and the eaglet gets to swallow the pelt down. i did edit out a lot of the feeding since it went on for so long. Great job! Mom will then fly off leaving a very contented chick.”

These Black Eagles live in the Slate Game Reserve which is part of the Greater Kruger National Park in South Africa. Their proper name is the Verreaux Eagle. Only one of two eggs hatched at this nest in 2023. This is the time line, and we expect this eaglet to hatch in less than 3 weeks.

  • First egg laid on 15 May 2023 🥚
  • Second egg laid on 19 May 2023 🥚🥚
  • Egg cracked by parent on 6 June 2023 ✖️
  • Chick hatched 29/30 June 2023 🐣
  • Fledgling flight expected from around end September 2023

Verreaux’s eagle is one of the larger eagles of Africa. It measures 75 to 96 cm (30 to 38 in) long with an average weight of 4.19 kg or 9.2 lb. Its wingspan is 1.81 to 2.3 m (5 ft 11 in to 7 ft 7 in). The Verreaux Eagles like others has reverse bisexual morphism – the female is larger than the male. The adults are the most gorgeous slate grey but some are the deepest ebony. Their cere is a remarkable yellow when they are healthy. There is also white plumage which is a great contrast and causes the birds in flight to stand out. That white is on their back, their rump and the upper-tail coverts as well as part of the scapular. The white can only be seen looking up when the birds are flying, not when they are perched. The legs are covered with deep black feathers. The juveniles appear as in the image above.

“Verreaux’s Eagle female” by Rainbirder is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

In the Kistachie National Forest near Alexandria, Louisiana, Louis and Anna from the E-1 nest are busy making nestorations!

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

I am very grateful to the following for their notes, comments, questions, letters, videos, posts, and streaming cams that help me to write my blog today: ‘A, Geemeff, H, L’, Audubon, Geemeff and the Woodland Trust, 367 Collins Street by Mirvac, Liznm and 367 Collins Street by Mirvac, PSEG, Sandpoint Ospreys, Kent Island, Wildlife Conserve F of NJ, Sydney Sea Eagles, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, PLO, NZ DOC, Real Saunders Photo, LA Times, Tapa Talk, The Guardian, Office of the EHHA, US Dept of the Interior, SSEN Alyth, Livia Armstrong and BESS Battery Storage, NatureScot, Lady Hawk and Selati Eagles, Open Verse, and the KNF Eagle Cam E-1.

Bon Voyage Mini…Sunday in Bird World

10 September 2023

Hello Everyone!

Saturday was the most gorgeous fall day. It was about 16 degrees C with a beautiful blue sky and some soft puffy white clouds as I travelled north from the City. You could see the geese overhead flying in their standard ‘V’ formation swirling around the fields that have been recently harvested – wheat and flax, mainly. There is something so magical about the rhythm of their lives. They come in late March or April and being heading to their winter homes in September-October. At one of the local nature centres, they fly in by the thousands at dusk (on a good day). Their black silhouettes filling the horizon as the sun begins to slowly set in the West.

One of the best places to see the geese in the afternoon is at Oak Hammock Marsh.

A lone American White Pelican and a Trumpeter Swan with all the geese landing at a small pond by the road.

On the way home there was a beautiful Red-tail Hawk hunting in one of the fields. What a magnificent raptor. No photo…just watched it for a bit and left quietly — we must always remind ourselves that their lives are overtly challenging and any opportunity for a meal should be respected and we should ‘disappear’.

Oak Hammock Marsh is run by Ducks Unlimited and the Province of Manitoba and is an extensive wetland. Being there reminded me that ‘R’ had sent me an article several weeks ago and our discussion about how we need cooperation to protect the birds. What he sent me was about the Excise Tax in NJ – how that comes from the sale of hunting equipment, firearms, permits, etc. goes to help with the conservation of the birds, such as our beloved Ospreys, in the state of New Jersey. We talked about how this could be a blueprint for the future if we want our birds to thrive – and as much as I hate killing of anything, it makes sense. Ducks Unlimited is working across Canada with various groups including some in the province of Alberta to purchase huge tracts of land to protect and restore for wildlife. It is something to think about. In NJ it is called the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program. Does your state or province promote such a scheme? If not, it might be worth a good conversation!

Wildlife-and-Sport-Fish-Restoration-Program-Fish-Wildlife-Download

All of the kittens behaved themselves. Missey and Lewis continue to be in the main house and Calico and Hope in the conservatory annex. Hope has been enjoying her new rich foods a little too much or it is that plus the stress of coming inside…but the poor little darling is now on kaolin probiotic granules for running poop shots. Hoping she is over this very quickly…she was fine when she arrived! A few images from today…Hope insists on doing everything that Mamma does. She resisted her own little dish of organic chicken and sauce to try and eat with Calico, was on the cat tree and it seems that Calico is an excellent pillow.

Giggles all around today – the cats are eating well and their rooms are disinfected and cleaned twice a day – everything. Gosh, the laundry in making those tents…Calico is off for her surgery on Tuesday and Hope will be, by then, surely she will, friendly!

Thank you Jeff Kear – I had not heard about Alyth putting in battery storage units right under the nose of Harry’s Osprey Nest! Does the need to constrict the use of fossil fuels mean that we should not consider the environmental impact and the location? Was any study done? It is not clear when it comes to the ospreys or other wildlife.

Alyth-BESSDownload

‘A’ reports on what is happening ‘down under’ – that is where most of the action is currently!

Sydney Sea Eagles: “Dad brought in a very nice fish at 08:33:22 this morning and Lady was quickly shimmying down the perch branch to take control of it. Lady and Dad have a little chat and seem excited by the fish but the eaglets (especially SE32) are more interested in what’s going on in the tree around them this morning. SE31 is first to the table, while SE32 is looking up and around at everything in his expanding world. The view is somehow different from up on his feet perhaps! At 08:39 he finally moves up to the table and his sister courteously moves aside so her brother can have some breakfast! This is so civil, it’s ridiculous. Someone remind these kids they are apex predators! Just before 08:40 Dad flies in with a stick (the parents have been busy building another level of cot railing over the past five or six days, as the two get up onto their feet and start moving around the nest a lot more – now SE32 has joined his sister up off his tarsi). Dad is very engaged in his stick placement and spends considerable time perfecting the front of the nest. So cute. Lady continues feeding SE32, though SE31 is momentarily fascinated by Dad’s manoeuvrings.” 

Royal Albatross: “In New Zealand, Manaaki is on his nest and there is very little wind today, so I am not anticipating a fledge this morning. The wind may pick up during the afternoon. We will see.” 

This video is from the NZ DOC. It shows our young prime hovering nicely! This was three days ago.

Melbourne Peregrine Falcons: “At Collins Street, F22 takes a break shortly after 9am (that time stamp is SO hard to read) and little M22 is soon in to take over incubation. He settles down in his customary jerky manner and then finds he has a spare egg he has failed to cover. So he has to start his enfluffling all over again. Such a sweetie. I love these falcon dads.” 

Port Lincoln: “No third egg at Port Lincoln and I certainly hope there won’t be, given the gap between the first two eggs is 74 hours. A third egg could therefore be as far away as Tuesday. I do hope there isn’t another one. I’m not looking forward to the huge gap between the first two. A third hatch would be so nerve-wracking. We really don’t need that sort of stress.”

There are still only 2 eggs at Port Lincoln.

I certainly agree with ‘A’. A third hatch at Port Lincoln does not need that kind of stress! But then again, we have a new Dad and a new season and anything is possible.

Thanks, ‘A’.

Let us go and check on Diamond and Xavier – Xavier flew in with a nice prey for Diamond’s breakfast, and he then worked hard rolling the three big eggs and trying to fit them under him. He was successful, but gosh, it is a good thing there are not four of them.

‘A’ writes about the intruder that has been bothering Xavier and Diamond: “That intruder is still worrying at Orange, although Diamond and Xavier have things sorted. This morning, the intruder was spotted. Diamond called Xavier to come and mind the eggs. He arrived and took over incubation. Diamond dealt with the intruder (visible from tower cam) and returned to the nest box. All is well. I am SO glad they have this routine. Diamond is twice Xavier’s size and makes short work of an intruder. Any injury to Xavier at this point would be a disaster for the clutch. They know this. We are grateful. But I do wish this intruder would move on. I do keep wondering whether it is Izzi, as the males do tend to move no more than 50 km from their natal nest, from what I have read, whereas the female fledglings spread much further away. It is so funny that Indigo, too, proved impossible to persuade it was time to leave home, so that Diamond and Xavier had to physically bar him entry to the scrape! At least they got rid of him before the eggs were laid, which was only just the case the year Izzi was there. He was persistent in the extreme. I think it was early August before they gently told him “grow up and find your own territory, son!” and moved him on.”

So do we think that this might be Izzi? That would be interesting. (Note that raptors normally engage other raptors of the same gender).

‘H’ sent me a quote today from one of David Gessner’s books on Ospreys. It is so appropriate and she believes it is form the Return of the Osprey but neither of us had the time to dig through the book to find the right page:

  “To love the Osprey is to be constantly open to loss.” 

Mini was not seen at the Patchogue nest after she flew off in the early morning. It is now 2100 nest time, and she has not flown in. Mini, you taught us to persevere, not give up hope, be smart, and figure things out. Safe travels – good winds, a full crop, a good life.

‘H’ brings us up to date on the last two nests she has observed for me. She officially monitored ten nests, but it was always more than that. Over the course of osprey season, the number of eggs grew to over 350 that were monitored. I am very grateful for her help and keen eye and instincts – thank you, ‘H’. You came to Ospreys, naturally.

Kent Island – It seems that Molly may have already started on her journey.  September 9th was the fourth full day without a sighting of our precious Molly.  Both Tom and Audrey were seen in ‘Joe’s tree’ during the day.  At 1800 Audrey came to the nest for a while to dry off after her bath.  And, Audrey flew to the nest at 2300 to spend her third straight night on the nest.

Barnegat Light – There were intermittent periods of live stream buffering throughout the day.  We did not observe Duke delivering a fish to Dorsett at the nest, but Dorsett was seen a few times at the nest and on Duke’s perch.

Louise and Banff are no longer at the Fortis Exshaw Nest. As the sun sets Saturday evening near Canmore, Alberta, not far away from Lake Louise, they have had snow on the 6th! By vehicle, it is 5 hours through the mountains, according to Google. The girls will happen to be sunning themselves in the south.

The two surviving chicks at Osprey House in Brisbane, Australia are doing well.

There is extremely sad news coming out of Big Bear Valley today – confirming losses from several years ago.

I am attaching the article.

Color-Banded-Bald-Eagles-in-Southern-California-UPDATE-—-Bloom-Biological-IncDownload

How has the earthquake in Morocco impacted Ospreys migrating from Europe and the UK? Certainly transmissions might be garbled but what about the environment where they are fishing, living, or flying through?

Morocco-earthquake-at-least-2000-dead-and-thousands-more-injured-Earthquakes-The-GuardianDownload

A lovely Red-tail Hawk – juvenile – visited the WRDC nest of Rose and Ron yesterday. ‘H’ was the first to alert me and Pat Burke has posted an image.

That’s a wrap for Sunday, September 10. Thank you for being with us. Please take care. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for the notes, comments, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog this morning: ‘A, H, Jeff Kear’, Alyth, Sydney Sea Eagles, NZ DOC, 367 Collins Street by Mirvac, PLO, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, Kent Island, Wildlife Conserve F of NJ, PSEG, Snow Seekers, Osprey House, Tonya Irwin and Raptors of the World, Pat Burke and Eagle Nest Watchers, Bloom Biological, and The Guardian.

PLO has their first egg…Wednesday in Bird World

6 September 2023

Good Morning and what a grand morning it is!

I finished reading to the kittens – yes, did you know that reading aloud to your pets is also soothing for them? Calico’s kitten is now learning about ways to save our vanishing birds by listening to A Wing and a Prayer. The Race to Save our Vanishing Birds by Anders and Beverly Gyllenhaal. You can find time to squeeze in a good book by sharing with your pets!

The book is well written and insightful. I am learning so much. Did you know that more than 8,000 species of plants and flowers in the Americas depend on hummingbirds for pollination? Or that productivity in apple orchards goes up 66% if there are insects? The book is about finding ways to keep the birds alive because human life depends on that. In Kauai, there are only a few hundred Puaiohi Thrushes. These birds spread seeds around the island, creating the rainforest. “Without forests, we have no flood control. We have no drinking water.” (219) Baby Cal is learning what we all need to – first, how important our wildlife area to our existence, what problems we have created for them, what a lack of balance means to our existence and theirs, and how some talented individuals are figuring out ways to save some of these fragile creatures. So how will they save the Puaiohi Thrush? By releasing lab-bred mosquitoes. AI is being used in the Sierra Nevada to track and protect the Spotted Owl.

I had just finished a chapter when I noticed a note from ‘H’. Was I surprised? Then another note about Collins Street. Thanks so much, ‘H’

Port Lincoln has their first egg!!!!!!!! I am overjoyed and I am hopeful that we might see a big change in the behaviour of this nest unless, of course, the fish supply is limited. From Ernie’s recent catches that does not appear to be the case.

I am so happy for Mum. Nesting material had been brought in so this new couple had some idea that yesterday was the big day.

Dad was there by her side. I am going to like this guy if he is a good provider and there is no siblicide.

We are expecting an egg at 367 Collins Street and guess what? It arrives. We have lift-off in Australia!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spotting Ospreys: Blue 550 hatched at Llyn Clywedog in 2020 was seen and is believed to have a nest in mid-Wales. Fantastic.

Migration continues in the US. These are the latest numbers from Hawk Mountain.

Checking on some of the Osprey nests – who is home and who is not.

Patchogue: Mini is home and Dad has been seen down by the lake. Someone mentioned that Mom might still be around as several Ospreys were seen flying. Mini continues to adapt as she struggles with that left leg – often late in the day. She certainly does better after having a long rest on the nest! She is flying, she is eating – whether or not it is dad feeding her, Mini catching fish or both – she is eating. She is not lethargic. Mini is doing what this spunky independent determined fourth hatch always does – she gets on with it. She is living her life as a fledgling osprey the best she can with the issues that she has.

Mini landing at 1909.

Beautiful Iris is still home at her nest in Missoula Montana. Iris maintains one of the most splendid Osprey nests I have ever seen. Just like some of the others she is adding a few sticks to continue to lay claim to the nest. Soon, she will fly south – thought to be the oldest osprey in the world – we live in the hope that she will return in late March or early April and maybe, just maybe, have one of those young men waiting for her that she met this summer.

Iris demonstrated her great fishing skills even when there were flood waters. What marvellous fish she brought to the owl pole. The result, if you look carefully, is a fat little bottom. Eat up, Iris! We want you to make it to your winter home in southern Texas (??) safely and in good shape.

Of course, Iris is not ringed and no one knows for sure where she over winters but it is believed it could be the southern part of Texas and not further afield in Central America or Mexico.

Glaslyn: Aran is still home and so is 0H1 as of the time of this writing. OH1 is 98 days old. OH2 has not been seen since 4 September when he was 95 days old. That nest looks rather empty! Waiting to see if OH1 is still home on the 6th of September.

Harry is still delivering to Chirpy as of Tuesday. Chirpy was 103 days old. Both siblings and Mum have left on migration from Alyth.

Here comes Harry!

That amazing Dad is bringing fish to Mum on the nest at Boulder County Fairgrounds. What a loving couple and what better way to help your mate with a safe migration than to help her eat well after raising three strong osplets this season to fledge.

Snap and Crackle are both eating fish at the Dunrovin Osprey nest. T hanks, Swoop!

Fledgling fish calling at Collins Marsh – and still being fed! It was a really windy day in Wisconsin. You can’t tell the trees are blowing but look at the feathers of the juvenile. Fantastic.

‘H’ brings us up to date on Molly and Dorsett:

Kent Island 9/5 – Molly flew to the nest at 0625, fish-called a bit, then she flew away 20 minutes later.  That was the last time she was seen at the nest.  She was soon spotted on a nearby boat lift.  In the evening, the cam focused for a long time on an osprey in the distance on a pole, but it was unclear if it was Molly.

Barnegat Light 9/5 – At 0735 Duke delivered a fish to Dorsett at the nest, and she flew to Duke’s perch to eat her breakfast.  Dorsett did return to the nest a couple of times, but sightings of her were scant throughout the day.  Dorsett arrived back at the nest early to wait for her much anticipated 7 p.m. dinner fish, but her dinner never arrived.  As the sun was setting over the bay, Dorsett resigned herself to going to sleep hungry, and she spent the night perched on one of the camera braces.

Do you live near Cornell University at Ithaca NY? Have children aged 8-18? Check this out! What an amazing opportunity for young people. In the book, Lead! Finding your Voice a Chaotic World by Barry Dore, Tim Mackrill, talks about the opportunities he had as a young person to volunteer and learn about raptors. It changed his life and led him to create opportunities for young people through his charity Osprey Leadership Foundation.

This event at Cornell is another super opportunity to get young people involved who might become our future conservationists.

The seat eaglets were up for an early morning walk about and then back to the duckling resting position waiting for breakfast.

‘A’ comments on part of the day including the self-feeding of 31: “

At 15:38, as Lady is looking around in a very agitated manner at something near the nest tree, at about the same height as the nest, SE32 starts eating the food she has in her talons. He is giving this self-feeding thing a try, having closely watched his sister eating prey that looked the same as this (he was just TOO TOO funny – ducking down with his head under her tail to peer between her legs and watch her doing very well indeed at her first self-feeding). 

SE32 pecks at the food a few times but all he can reach is a leg, and no matter how many times he picks it up, he cannot work out how to eat it. So he moves closer. SE31 is paying close attention to this – she has reached out for the food once or twice herself but is not in as good a position now as SE32 is. Lady is very upset by something and paying no attention to the food or the chicks. SE32 has moved further forward. He is up on his feet now, self-feeding on the meaty bit. Lady resuming feeding him, even though she continues to be distracted by something. SE32 remains right up on his feet while he takes the bites. 

Shortly before 15:40 Lady resumes feeding SE31. SE32 turns and moves away from SE31 a little but then turns back to face the table and Lady. He just wanted space between himself and his sister. But he gets offered no bites. At 15:41:24 he tries unsuccessfully to steal a big bite, but overbalances and falls forward, correcting himself with his outstretched wings. Lady still feeds SE31. At 15:41:30, he tries to steal another bite. Again, he fails. The next bite, he grabs incredibly fast. No-one else had a chance. He got given the one after that, then his sister gets a bite. The one after that is a big piece and destined for SE32. He grabs it and works hard to swallow it. 

Lady is still very distracted. Periodically, she gives SE32 a bite. Both eaglets have good crops now. At 15:42:34, SE32 grabs a really big piece. He swallows it with relative ease, as Lady doesn’t even bother trying to retrieve it from him. There is still an amazing amount of meat on this carcass. The two have eaten well. Both have good crops but both are still keen to keep eating. SE32 is very brave, diving for every bite and winning most of them, especially all of the really big pieces. Lady occasionally gives a bite to SE31, but she is not competing with SE32 and is largely just watching him grab and swallow. 

At 15:44, SE32 grabs a large piece of meaty flesh with a longish leg and a foot attached!! He horked the lot with no trouble at all. By 15:44:30 he is back competing for and winning bites. Lady is feeding both eaglets plenty of food but overall, SE32 is getting the better of the feeding at this point. He is winning most of the bites that are competed for and Lady is offering him way more bites than she is SE31, who is sitting back a bit by now. 

At 15:46, SE32 swallows the second leg and foot, also with flesh attached, though not as much as was attached to the first leg. Still, he swallows it without difficulty. Within 10 seconds, he is taking the last few bites from Lady and cleaning the table of leftovers. The feeding is over by 15:48. Both chicks have very large crops, and SE32 has already done a couple of small crop drops during the feeding to fit in extra food. That second piece of prey had a really large amount of flesh on it. The head was gone, but the body provided a great deal of food. Both eaglets have had plenty to eat today. 

There may be more food – I will check. But they did well for the day – eventually – and both will go to bed with full crops. “

‘A’ reports on the Royal Albatross Chick, Manaaki: “GLY may have been in today to feed Manaaki off camera but we’re not sure. We know GLY has fed Manaaki behind the camera at least once recently. The chicks are a lot more mobile now and are doing a lot of exploring as they prepare to fledge. It is starting to get scary when Manaaki is off camera for six hours or more on occasion – we think he might have fledged and we missed it! He still has about a fortnight to go until he reaches 240 days, but of course at least four chicks have already fledged from the 33 at the colony and Manaaki is one of the oldest (and though he does have a lot of fluff remaining, QT did too). He has not done enough wingercising, in my opinion, and still needs to be doing a lot more practising. We need to see much better hovering, and face-planting is an undignified landing for an albatross. I think he has quite a lot of work to do before he is ready to fledge. Let’s hope he doesn’t leave before he is good and ready, but often, it is the winds that determine the timing. As with Lilibet (QT). “

Beautiful Gabby. What a lovely couple – I miss Samson. But life moves on and we have the most amazing memories of him. Gabby mourned last year and took her time selecting a new mate out of the many contenders. Let us hope that V3 is up to the task. He has big talons to fill.

Lady Hawk caught Gabby bringing in her breakfast.

No one is home. Louis, Dorcha, and Ludo are on their way with only Sparrowhawks visiting the nest. Look at this beautiful capture over the nest as the sun rises. Stunning.

Visiting Sparrowhawk.

We always need to be reminded, especially with there still being hot days in many parts of the world, of how we can help wildlife. Please read and keep them in mind. Water is essential. Water and some shade.

Let’s see how much you know about Condor numbers! (Answers below)

  1. How many California Condors were alive on 6 September 2023? a) 208; b) 91; c) 214; d) 345; or e) 559?
  2. How many California Condors live in the wild? a) 76; b) 345; c) 214; d) 93; or e) 54?
  3. How many California Condors live wild in Central California? a) 93; b) 65; c) 214; d) 23; or e) 75.

Do you want to know more about the efforts to protect and grow the California Condor community? In 2022, the Ventana Wildlife Society commissioned a documentary to be made to introduce people to the Condors of the Big Sur. They are working on another film in 2023 called Condor Canyon. It isn’t finished but, for now, why not check, out Part 1 of the 2022 film. You can find the other segments on YT by doing a search or checking on the side panel.

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: “A, Geemeff, H’, PLO, 367 Collins Street by Mirvac, John Williams and Clywedog Osprey Group, Hawk Mountain, PSEG, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Alyth, Boulder County Fair Grounds, Dunrovin Ranch, Collins Marsh, Kent Island, Conserve Wildlife F of NJ, Cornell University Bird Lab Raptor Program, Sydney Sea Eagles, NEFL-AEF, Lady Hawk and NEFL-AEF, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Ventana Wildlife Society, and Durham Wildlife Trust.

Answers to the three question Condor number quiz: 1. The answer is e. 559 total number of Condors. 2. The answer is b. 345 live in the wild. 3. The answer is a. 93 live in the wild in central California.

SE30 and Poul…Great News…Sunday in Bird World

3 September 2023

Good Morning Everyone!

There is so much good news and, of course, some worrisome – worrisome that appears to be unsolvable at the moment.

First, the kittens are fully integrated into the house. It was initially believed that Missey would be the dominant and could cause issues but, it turned out that Lewis was insecure. After spending time on the streets and being so little, Calico has some ‘smarts’, which include always being up higher and never responding to Lewis. It was brilliant! One more night separated and then we will see how they do together unsupervised during the ‘wild time’. I am just dizzily gleeful.

Calico has spent her day looking out the windows to the world where she used to live. Everyone has eaten together, separated by about 1.75 metres. Hopefully, like osplets and eaglets, there is enough space, love, attention, and food that they will each feel secure and thrive.

The stand off.

Calico’s fur is getting much better.

Watching.

Of course, it was too good to be true. Lewis decided to attack Calico at the end of the day. One hiccup – it was stopped before it started. Hoping Lewis has this anxiousness out of his system by Monday. Wish us luck~!

I had not seen it yet and ‘H’ sent me the good news first thing this morning from the Australian Raptor Care and Conservation!

It is gorgeous. These are a couple of images from VisitNSW.

Our hearts all sank. Mini arrived at the nest to everyone’s great delight at 17:44. But immediately thoughts went to her leg which she is really having trouble with – again, at the end of the day. It made us ache for her. At 18:42 she was seen to be hobbling. At the same time, she was actively fish calling. We have observed a good PS every day and her crop is still not appearing concave so we can deduce that she is either being fed or she is fishing and being lucky.

There appeared to be some green algae/plant material ?under her right wing and on her leg when she landed.

The bottom line is you are loved and everyone is worried about your quality of life, Mini.

I wish we could see who she is calling…hopefully, Mini will rest her leg at the nest tonight. She has more difficulty at the end of the day than at the beginning. She also has a somewhat rounded crop – it is not concave – she is being fed (said twice, but we need to remember that just because we do not see fish delivered to the nest does not mean any of the ospreys are not getting food).

Everyone wants Mini to be whole and perfect and live an extraordinary life. If we could have had that leg mended when the injury first occurred it would have been grand. We wish her the very best…she is showered with positive hope and love. Now we need some luck and ingenuity.

Let’s skip to ‘H’s reports for this morning:

Kent Island –  There was only one fish delivered to the nest.  Tom brought a whole menhaden to Molly for her supper.  And, while we haven’t seen Audrey at the nest since 8/29, it was reported that Audrey was seen on a neighbor’s dock on 9/2. 

Barnegat Light – Duke brought at least three fish to the nest for Dorsett.  Whether she is perched on her favorite utility pole, on top of a flag pole, or on her dad’s perch, Dorsett doesn’t miss a thing.  In the afternoon, Dorsett had been standing on Duke’s perch for a while, when she suddenly took off, flew in a big circle, and landed on the nest one second before Duke landed with a fish.  Nice timing!

Osoyoos – The Osoyoos osprey cam has been offline for four days.  The fledgling is 69 days old, and fledged on 8/21.

Thanks so much ‘H’.

The big news in migration comes from the sat-packed Tweed Valley youngster Poul who is now in Morocco! Congratulations Di Bennet and gang. It looks like he was fitted with a jet pack at the same time. What a good time to get to Africa.

Seiont hit the century and is still home-fed by Dad, Idris, or Daddy Longlegs. What a handsome osplet Seiont is. Will we see him in 2 years coming by the Dyfi nest to say hello? I sure hope so.

Meanwhile, Aran was finally getting to enjoy one of those lovely trout that he has been bringing in to the nest – alone, in quiet, on a branch. Elen is gone…both juveniles were still around – OH1 and OH2. One got to enjoy a Garfish on Saturday.

Maya was still at Rutland. I have not seen Blue 33 for a couple of days. it would be highly unusual for him to depart before Maya. I wonder if he is feeding kids off the nest and allowing Maya to have time to eat her big catches in peace?

Fledgling still at Alyth with Dad.

CJ7 and Blue 022 have both been seen at Poole on Saturday.

Sharon Leigh posted some super information on the migration patterns and the timing of migration for the US Ospreys from Montana.

At the Richmond Ship Yards, Rosie is still home. Richmond will remain for the winter near the nest while Rosie will go and have some fun in the sun.

Iris is still with us in Missoula!

The Bald Eagle couples are returning and working on their nests. Gosh, that just makes me get so excited. It is the worry of who will return and who won’t but right now we have —

M15 and his new lady holding the fort at Southwest Florida.

Louis and Anna at Kistachie Nest 1:

V3 and Gabby at NEFlorida. The AEF stated on FB “We believe that Gabby is about 9 years old based on her feather coloration and behavior when she first arrived at the nest in 2018/2019. V3 we believe is a mature eagle but probably young – maybe between 5 – 7 years old.”

Pepe and Muhlady are on and off the nest at Superbeaks. Look at that beautiful majestic eagle:

Shadow and Jackie are at Big Bear. Will be checking on the others as the end of osprey season progresses.

‘A’s reports from ‘down under’ – where spring is arriving!

“In Orange, both Xavier and Diamond appear to have eaten, and the two are spending a lot of time together. Xavier is once again sitting on the ledge, keeping her company, which he has been doing sometimes for hours at a time. It is so sweet. Sometimes, they chat quietly but usually they just sit together in silence.”

 At Sydney, “Still no breakfast at WBSE. It is after midday and the eaglets are waiting patiently and behaving nicely. SE32 has done a very healthy PS (haven’t seen SE31 do so yet but I’ve been busy this morning. Cats. The kitchen. You know the sort of thing. Lady has been on the nest a bit with the eaglets. She has been aerating the nest and generally spending time with her babies. Keeping them reassured. Both eaglets are now sleeping up at the table, ready for food to arrive.” 

It was nice to be watching and catch the arrival of a nice fish!

September 1.

A remarkable bird surviving on the Isle of Man away from the persecution of the driven grouse estates.

Country-diary-An-all-white-hen-harrier-ghosting-along-the-cliffs-Birds-The-GuardianDownload

Thank you so much for being with me today. Please send positive energy to dear Mini. See you soon – and stay safe out there.

Thank you to the following for their notes, videos, posts, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog this morning: ‘A, G, H’, Australian Raptor Care and Conservation, VisitNWS.com,PSEG, Kent Island, Osoyoos, Wildlife Conserve of NJ, Tweed Valley, Dyfi, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, LRWT, Alyth, Jeff Kear and UK Osprey Info, Sharon Leigh and Montana Osprey Cams, Pam Krute and SF Osprey Cam with Rosie and Richmond, Montana Osprey Project, Sydney Sea Eagles, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, Linda Russo and NEFL and SWFL Eagle Watchers Club, Tonya Irwin and KNF Eagle Cam Fans, the AEF, Superbeaks, J & R Aquatic Animal Rescue.

V3 arrives back at NEFlorida!…Friday in Bird World

1 September 2023

Good Morning,

Calico had her vet appointment and I cannot possibly describe the relief. No HIV, No Feline Leukaemia, her teeth and ears are perfect. She is between 8-10 months old so the vet let us choose a ‘birth’ date for her and we picked 2 November, the day Lewis and Missey arrived. Calico does have mastitis and is on an antibiotic and she will have ‘the’ operation and be microchipped on the 12th at 0800. Everything is good. She was cleared to join Missey and Lewis but she is so tired from it all that she is sleeping and sleeping. I have to add that while Lewis howls like you are pulling his toe nails out when he is in the car, Calico was polite and sweet during each and every event this morning. What a sweetie she is.

Lewis and Missey will get to meet their new sister tomorrow now that she is all clear for any issues – how lucky are we? No obvious fleas, ticks, parasites, etc. And all tests came back negative.

On the way to the vet.

Here are some interesting facts about Calico cats taken from the Website All about the Calico Personality:

  • Calicos are one of the subjects of “The Duel,” a popular children’s poem by Eugene Fields. The poem describes a fight between a “calico cat” and “gingham dog.”
  • Because of their rarity, Calico cats are considered lucky by many around the world. The Calico cat is thought to bring good luck and fortune to the homes and families that adopt them. They are also considered to be a little magical because of their three colors.
  • In the 1870s, Calico cats were named the official symbol of fortune in Japan. They’re sometimes called “money cats” here and elsewhere.
  • The Calico cat became the official cat of the state of Maryland in 2001. The Calico cat was chosen because the colors of its fur are similar to that of the Baltimore Oriole, which is the official state bird.
  • According to Irish folklore, if you have a wart that you want to get rid of, just rub it against a Calico cat’s tail.

You will recall that I have been feeding and cuddling with Calico for months and months outside. She was brought into the house at 1900 last Saturday, the 26th. After that, extensive effort was put in by the neighbourhood to find any kitten or kittens. One of the neighbours ran over to tell me that the kitten had been found late Thursday. Well, it turns out that ‘a kitten’ was found and turned in to the Humane Society. It was processed through their intake the morning of Friday, the 25th – thirty-four hours before Calico moved in. I am not convinced it is Calico’s kitten because the posting said 2 weeks old. But if it is, it is a beautiful white kitten that someone is going to love. Calico’s kittens would have been approximately 54-55 days old. Still, it tells me that people know what to do if they see a lost kitten! No other sightings that I am aware of currently.

‘H’ report at Fortis Exshaw is fantastic, “Overall, it was an extremely quiet day.  The female intruder flew to the nest alerting at 0646, and after twelve minutes she flew away.  We did not see her on cam the rest of the day.  The male intruder has not been seen since the afternoon of 8/30.  We would occasionally hear an osprey call, but not often.  The highlight of the day was a surprise visit by Banff.  At 1130, Banff casually flew in and landed on the right side of the T-perch.  We were absolutely delighted to see her.  She was calm.  The intruders were not around, and Banff knew that.  She exuded confidence and maturity.  She appeared regal.  She shifted her position once in a while.  She preened a bit.  She roused once.  She surveyed the entire area.  Was she reminiscing?  After all, she had spent her entire life there.  Of course, I know she wasn’t reminiscing, ospreys live in the moment.  But while I watched Banff on that perch, I was reminiscing.  Everything that had transpired over the past few months, good or bad, happy or sad, flashed before my eyes.  After twelve minutes, Banff gracefully and majestically flew away toward the river.  Was that ‘Goodbye’?  We did not see her or hear her for the rest of the day.  We will continue to look for her, just in case.  Banff has made it.  She is ready.  “Well done, Banff.”  

Thanks, ‘H’. You have done. great job reporting on this nest. It is so wonderful to see Banff thumb her nose at the intruders but, at the same time, allow all of us to see that she survived it – she survived it all. Go Banff!

Mini did a good PS at 0602 before flying off the perch at Patchogue. It is impossible to tell what happening with her left leg. She does not return to the nest during the day like she used to, and from the size of the PS she is being fed off-camera or catching her own – my bet is on the former.

I would give anything to have GPS tracking on Mini. After watching and worrying for so long, she has become so big a part of so many people’s lives it is difficult to let go and not know how her life is unfolding like we do that of Poul.

Tweed Valley’s sat packed fledgling, Poul, is in Spain. Great time!

The main camera has not returned to the Sydney Sea Eagles cam. ‘A’ has been watching: “Dad brought breakfast for the eaglets (I presume a fish) at around 07:37. Lady had flown in and taken control of it within 10 seconds. She is impressive. I can’t see any heads so I don’t know who is in front and whether both are being fed, but she is feeding eaglets, so based on yesterday and the four days before that, I am sure all is well.”

Update: “As of about ten minutes ago, the nest camera came back up at WBSE. The time stamp says 23.32:12 when the screen changes but the time just before the screen changed was 21:27:27 (which wasn’t the correct time either). It is currently 21:41 in Sydney (1 September). Lady is on the nest with the babies, who are sleeping peacefully. SE32 looks even bigger than last time I saw him! “

Mum and Dad2 at Port Lincoln. Still hoping.

Dad2 is a really good provider for Mum.

There was one super large fish that arrived on the Boulder County Fair Grounds nest. One happy osplet and one wishing and hoping some will be left!

At Sandpoint, Coco had at least one fish delivery part of which she left on the nest and there was also an intruder. Everything is fine. Coco is getting fed well.

There is at least one of the two fledglings coming to the nest at Collins Marsh. I did not see any fish deliveries to the nest on Thursday.

Gorgeous fledglings getting some nice fish at the Dunrovin Ranch Osprey Platform in Colorado.

These female Ospreys can fish. Just look at the catch Maya pulled on the nest! Now, where is Blue 33? He flew off on Wednesday. Was he checking the territory to make certain that the fledglings were all dispersed before he leaves? He is always there until they are gone and this year Maya is still there with him.

‘H’ other reports:

Barnegat Light – Dorsett is still enjoying her life at the bay, and her dad, Duke, continues to provide fish for his girl.

Kent Island – I didn’t see a single fish brought to the nest for Molly on 8/31, but perhaps she had a meal or two off the nest.  

Osoyoos – The livestream has been offline for the past two days.

Thanks, ‘H’.

The big news is that the AEF is 99% certain, based on physical markers, that V3 is back on the NEFlorida Bald Eagle Nest near Jacksonville on 31 August! We wait for the arrival of Gabby.

Muhlady and Pepe are both at Superbeaks!

The beautiful view of the Glacier Gardens Bald Eagle Nest.

David Abram writes what the salmon were like in 1988 – the eagles in Alaska have historically lived on salmon.

I got up and walked over to the water’s edge; the stream, I now saw was thick with salmon, boiling with salmon, all jostling and surging against the current in fits and starts – it was as though the stream was made of salmon! I gazed and gazed for a couple hours, then went back to my tent and tried to sleep, but couldn’t. So I hiked back into the middle of the night and stood staring into that moon-illumined river of fish, and then I waded out into that mass of sparkling, silvery muscles, all shoving and lunging against the water’s flow. In the middle of the stream, I was up to my knees in salmon, but they didn’t care – didn’t even notice; they bumped into my legs and then plunged on past with a single-minded determination I’d never encountered before, nosing aside their dying cousins who were floating back downstream on their sides, too exhausted to swim, with their mottled skin starting to peel off. Yet the vigorous salmon around me just nudged me out of the way, wholly intent on making their own way upstream to reach the remembered place of origin – their spawning place – so they might deposit their eggs, and fertilize those eggs, before they too began to fall apart and die.

D. Abram, ‘Creaturely Migrations on a Breathing Planet’, Emergence Magazine, vol. 4, pg. 146.

Pat, one of Martin and Rosa’s trio this year from the Dulles-Greenway Bald Eagle nest, has been released. How wonderful!

M15 and his lady seem to be quite the couple. So happy that he has kept his territory – M15 certainly deserves it after the stunning year he gave us following Harriet’s disappearance in early February.

How long will our changing climate support the Chum Salmon that eagles like Hope depend on for their food?

Xavier gets some precious egg time while Diamond takes her break.

A prey delivery at 12:31 (off camera) got Diamond off the eggs and Xavier some more incubation time. Oh, what a character he is!

At The Campanile, Lou and Annie are bonding – something they continue to do since the eyases fledged.

The Black Stork nest in the Karula National Forest in Estonia is quiet. All three fledglings of Karl II and Kaia have now left the natal nest and begun their journeys south towards Africa. Kalvi flew first and has the satellite tracker. This is the information at the time of my writing.

This is the area where Kalvi is foraging.

This short video shows the last time that the storklets of Karl II and Kaia were together.

The last data:

Thank you so much for being with me today. Please take care of yourself. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog this morning: ‘A, H, PB’, All About the Calico Personality, PSEG, Tweed Valley Osprey Project, Sydney Sea Eagles, PLO. Boulder County, Sandpoint, Collins Marsh, Dunrovin, LRWT, NEFL-AEF, Superbeaks, Glacier Gardens, Linda Russo and NEFL and SWFL Eagle Watcher’s Club, Emergence Magazine, Dulles-Greenway Eagles, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, SK Hideaway and Cal Falcons, Maria Marika, MadliaA, Fortis Exshaw, Wildlife Conserve of NJ, Kent Island, Looduskalender, and All About Black Storks.

Is Mini’s leg worse?…Thursday in Bird World

31 August 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

There is only a little action in Bird World. The Osprey nests in the Northern hemisphere are becoming rather quiet as they empty around the world and birds begin their journeys to their winter homes. As I write this, there are no eggs at Collins Street or Port Lincoln. A storm has taken out the main camera in Sydney. Diamond laid her third egg. Mini appeared to have more difficulties with her left leg on Wednesday. Those are a few nests that we are watching.

We will begin with ‘H’s report of Fortis Exshaw: “First an update to 8/28: Janet Preston, one of the local cam watchers, was at the nest in the evening and managed to find Banff standing on a log on a hillside.  Banff was safe, she looked good, and she had a crop!  This was particularly welcome information for us, on a day where Banff had been chased and attacked by the intruders a few times. Attached are a few of Janet’s photos from 8/28.   

8/30 – For the second consecutive day, Banff was not seen at the nest.  The intruder pair was in the nest briefly at times, just enough to remind other ospreys (and one young osprey in particular) that they still ruled the nest.  Tiina Moore, one of the local viewers stopped by the nest area at 1600, and she managed to find Banff sitting on a utility pole toward the east end of the pond.  Tiina stated that Banff was apparently fish-calling to an adult in a tree across the river (possibly Louise).  Banff stayed on the pole for about 45 minutes, then she flew over the river.  Thanks to Tiina’s efforts, we had been reassured that Banff was okay.  Later in the evening from 2009 to 2011, we heard Banff’s distinctive chatter, the call that she makes while flying.  She was very close to the nest and getting closer.  We were on the edge of our seats, hoping that Banff would not intend to land on the nest, because we knew what would happen to her if she did.  Banff, with her newfound wisdom, did not attempt to land.  Someone else was also hoping that Banff would not try to land on the nest, and that was the big ol’ female intruder.  The intruder landed on the nest at 2010 alerting, and for the next minute or so, her head was literally on a swivel, watching Banff showing off her courage in the face of the intruder.  Banff was flying high above the nest for a couple of minutes and she was saying: “You can have that old nest, I don’t need it any more, I am a big girl now, my name is Banff, and you did not defeat me !!!”   I believe that by staying away from the nest the past several days, Louise has taught her youngster another lesson: ‘Discretion is the better part of valor’.  (Attached is Tiina’s photo from 8/30)”

Mini is on the perch. It is impossible to see how she is clutching or if she is able to tighten her feet around the perch.

Her leg does not appear to be giving her much difficulty as she stands on the nest, but it will be apparent that there are some issues. Did she have a tug of war with a fish and someone? We may not see Dad on the nest, but he is feeding his girl. H er crop is not deeply concave.

Mini reminds me of Blue 33 and his ‘snake eye’ in the image below.

Everything looked OK with Mini until early evening. She landed on the nest at 1808. By 1943, Mini appeared to have trouble getting up from her duckling position due to the swelling in her left leg. It is worse by 2100. Thanks ‘L’ for alerting me to this issue.

Mini is not sleeping entirely duckling style but standing up on the nest slightly with her head tucked in her wing after midnight.

At 0449 Mini is on the perch before flying off.

The situation in terms of care remains the same. It is dangerous to try and catch a flying bird – dangerous to Mini. Traps do not normally work with Ospreys like they do with eagles, hawks, falcons, etc.

A ‘myth’ is spreading: ospreys do not do well in care. This is not true and it is troubling. Go to the Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey in Maitland, Florida. Visit them, write them. Read their reports. They cared for Smedley and Bailey, who thrived in their centre. Bailey is still there; Smedley sadly passed away last year. He was at least in his mid-twenties at the time. Audubon has had many other ospreys pass through the facility over the decades. They have had some miraculous clients, including one that was electrocuted. Indeed, they have – along with other centres on the East Coast – much more experience than the rest of the US put together simply because so many Ospreys live permanently in Florida. There are other centres, of course – the one in Colorado that cared for the Pitkin Country nestling that got pulled off the nest by its Mum with some nesting material (its sibling died). It is in flight school and has been in care since 27 June 2022. If Ospreys did not do well in care, this bird would have died long ago. That bird will be released soon if it hasn’t already been. There is much work being done with ospreys in Idaho as well – to name three places.

What is wrong with Mini’s leg or her long-term prognosis is unclear. That would require that she be in the care of a wildlife rehabilitation centre or a vet who could do x-rays, scans, or an ultrasound. The DEC office over the Patchogue Region has been clear – no help unless the bird is grounded. I had hoped that some local publicity would bring attention to Mini. Instead, the writer had a photo of Dad – not Mini – and did not address what such an injury would do to the quality of life for an osprey. It was disappointing because it did not get the audience overly sympathetic with our girl that I could tell.

So, back to the drawing board. Rehabbers need clear images of an injury. They need short video clips – the emphasis is on short – that demonstrate the issue the raptor is having. They do not have the time to weed through unnecessary material. Remember. Most people who help are volunteers – including many vets. They need the name of the nest and its exact location – even if you think they should know this. They need the name and phone number of who is in charge of the platform and the camera. Do not assume that they know this information. Always be polite and to the point. Get all the required information in a single-page document. If you saw what caused the injury, tell them. Include an image. Cut and paste this information into e-mails to all the nearby wildlife rehab centres, the local USFWS or the DEC, the platform owner, etc. To find the nearest clinic, go to : https://ahnow.org

Fledgling was still at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Nest on the 30th.

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All three continue to fish call at Boulder County.

Four fish for Coco arrived at the Sandpoint Nest on Wednesday. Gosh, this is wonderful.

At least one juvenile still at Oyster Bay came to the nest on Wednesday, hoping it just might get a fish delivery. Like other nests, the males are feeding the chicks mostly off the nest now, so it is rare to see them with fish where they hatched.

Hurricane Idalia did not weaken as some weather and news stations predicted, but she passed through Florida. Some raptors checked on their nests in Florida – and all is well. Dad reportedly did this at the Achieva Nest in St Petersburg.

Muhlady was at the Superbeaks nest in Central Florida on the 30th!

It was a beautiful sunset at Two Harbours, too. No Chase and Cholyn, however.

Thunder visited her old nest with Akecheta at the West End on Wednesday afternoon. What a stunning place to watch the sunset. Wouldn’t you love to be sitting there with her?

I did not see Jackie and Shadow on the nest on the 30th but they were spotted recently together in the tree.

Windy at the NE Florida nest of Gabby. No one home – yet.

There were reports of a big storm in the Sydney, Australia, area that could have impacted the nest of the WBSE in the Olympic Park. One of the cameras was on the flick, but we caught Lady feeding two little heads. What a relief! It looks like the only thing that was bothered was the camera. Relief. The main camera is out of action. Will we miss these eaglets growing up until they are big enough for us to see from this view?

A video of an eel being fed to SE32 during the storm (before the camera went down)!

Diamond is tired and for good reason. She laid the third egg in the wee hours of the morning. Get ready for over a month of incubation exchanges between her and Xavier!

Diamond has been the female at Orange since 2015. She is at least ten years old.

There is still no egg at Port Lincoln. With the main cam down at Sydney, and no eggs at Collins Street yet, I remain hopeful that we might have little osplets to watch even if they do fight over fish.

There is, however, hope for Port Lincoln. The first egg was laid at Turnby Island yesterday.

Thank you so much for being with me this morning. Stay safe wherever you are. Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog this morning: ‘A, H, L’, Fortis Exshaw, PSEG, MN Landscape Arboretum, Boulder County, Sandpoint, Barbara Snyder and Achieva Credit Union, Superbeaks, IWS/Explore, FOBBV, NEFL-AEF, Sydney Sea Eagles, Faxinating and Sydney Sea Eagles, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, Holly Parsons and Orange, Australia Peregrine Falcons, PLO, and Friends of Sth Australia Ospreys.

JJ Buried, Fledges, Migration…Monday in Bird World

28 August 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

It was another beautiful day – it is decidedly fall. I can look out the conservatory’s windows and see the sky between the branches of the 100+-year-old Maple trees a block away. They are so tall that they dominate everything. Thankfully, they are Maples as the old Elms are being cut down. On my walks, I cringe when I see the orange spray paint – a solid circle and a line underneath means the tree is diseased and is due to be cut down. All of the trees in front of my house that the squirrels used to leap to the ones on the other side (they formed a huge canopy) so they did not have to run across the pavement will be gone before winter. The Re-Leaf programme has already planted a Snowflake Hawthorn in place of one of them, and I am due two other trees in a few weeks to go on my property. A friend is also donating some small trees they thinned from their property. So the forest behind my house – the garden area – is growing and will continue to do so. The intent is to have it so thick that mowing is never required but, primarily, so the birds have a thick shelter, a sanctuary.

Calico is adapting wonderfully. We have played with toys, and had meals, she has slept on my lap while I was reading, and she is eating well. No one in the area has seen kittens or a kitten – during the day or at night. Everyone was asked when they were walking their dogs or working in their garden this evening. One lovely lady is leading the late-night search for them for another 5 or 6 days. Then we will all rest easy. They will continue to be vigilant. We all noticed that the food left under the deck – very smelly fish- had not been touched and a hungry kitten would have wolfed it down. Sad.

I suddenly discovered that I had a lot of time on my hands and could sit, sip tea, and read, sometimes with Calico and sometimes alone. Missey and Lewis – believe it or not – are not especially lap kitties. I am hoping they will change their ways. They adore being ‘together’ – that relationship is, for them, paramount. So far, everyone is happy, and this transition will be slow and steady…I am happy to have Calico safe with Lewis and Missey in the house. She is no longer hiding under her tent in my old offie but, is sleeping in the open on the large pet carrier with a soft blanket that my lovely neighbour made long ago for another rescue kitten, Duncan. Duncan loved watching Ladybirds and often had to be stopped from eating them! They dominate the pattern.

Thanks ‘JE’ for sending me the link to this rescue by PSEG Long Island.

We have this rescue but we also have trouble at Centrepoint. Can you help by writing in to help save the eagles of Centrepoint? Here is the information – thanks ‘J’ for sending this in:

18 August at 02:27  · “Last year we fought for the rights for the eagles to keep their territory as they found it. Today the Town of Huntington approved the beginning of construction of the first of many projects that are in direct view of their nest. I failed the people who adore both the eagles and the the town of Centerport. The Huntington Town Boards, Council, Zoning board and more including our elected officals failed us all. They promise it all before we vote, made by certain officals in the town, the inter-connections from the town officials for these construction projects is disgusting and wrong. The abuse of power must end. There I was thinking they were looking out forthe people who voted for them.. What a fool I was. Poor eagles…Didn’t sleep much last night knowing that these projects being SOO close to our eagles nest could spook the eagles from Centerport – so I compiled a list of Names and Phone numbers / email addresses of those you can contact…Let these caring individuals know what we think. If you send an email to ANY of these people be sure to “CC Andrew Raia” He is the town clerk and it forces the town to make your email part of the record. Please only like this post if you’re willing to send emails to these people. This way I know if 3 people or 300 people make the effort. Thanks all..”

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
100 MAIN STREET, HUNTINGTON, NY 11743
GENERAL SWITCH BOARD: 631 351-3000. HOURS: 8-4

EDMUND J. SMYTH, SUPERVISOR 631 351-3030ESMYTH@HUNTINGTONNY.GOV
DR. DAVE BENNARDO, COUNCILMAN 631 351-3172DBENNARDO@HUNTINGTONNY.GOV
JOAN CERGOL, COUNCILWOMAN 631 351-3173JCERGOL@HUNTINGTONNY.GOV
EUGENE COOK, COUNCILMAN 631 351-3174
ECOOK@HUNTINGTONNY.GOV
SALVATORE FERRO, COUNCILMAN 631 351-3175SFERRO@HUNTINGTONNY.GOV
ANDREW RAIA, TOWN CLERK 631 351-3206 ARAIA@HUNTINGOTONNY.GOV

Federal Government & StateSenator Kirsten Gillibrand 202 224-4451

SENATOR CHARLES SCHUMER 202 224-8542 
(WASHINGTON OFFICE) HTTPS://WWW.SHUMER.SENATE.GOV

KEITH BROWN, NY STATE ASSEMBLYMAN 12TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 
631 261-4151 (COMMACK OFFICE) BROWNK@NYASSEMBLY.GOV

————————————————————————————-

It was a very touching moment when Tina Moore retrieved the body of JJ, Jasper and Louise’s second hatch at Fortis Exshaw, and buried him by the big rock by the lake. What a kind and generous individual. RIP JJ – soar high in the thermals above the pond.

The intruders have been relentless.

Poul Blue 2E3 fledged from Tweed Valley. He was fitted with a tracker and this is his amazing journey so far. A goshawk killed his sister Sacha after she fledged. So, he is ever so important. He is doing so well….safe travels!

What a beautiful place for an Osprey nest – Charlo Montana. Fledglings still at home, still fish calling!

At the Glacier Gardens Bald Eagle nest, Hope flew off at 0659 this morning. She made several trips back and forth to the nest including eating some prey!

At 1106:

Final sighting of Dorcha at Loch Arkaig. 17 August.

Final sighting of Louis at Loch Arkaig. 24 August.

And when will the final sighting of Mini be at Patchogue? She was on the perch Sunday morning, the 27th of August, but as of 1437 Manitoba time, she has not reappeared.

‘R’ has been watching Mini since her injury – very closely – and he notes that she has been using her leg much more and putting weight on it and wonders if “she tore a ligament since her knee only appears to buckle in a single direction?” We won’t ever know, but it does appear that she will recover, and that is excellent news.

Mini returned to the nest perch at 16:26.

Mini flew back to the nest around 1700 and was, surprisingly, joined by Mum, who might be coming to check on her nest and say goodbye before migrating. Most females appear to stop – however briefly – at their nest before leaving, even if they have been out and about in the territory for several days or weeks before their departure.

Mini is doing very well. Mrs J Johnson on the chat reports that Mini has developed new skills including mashing the fish with her beak to eat it and now eating with both her right and left feet. We know she scratches her head with her left leg. She had a crop when she landed in the afternoon, so she is being fed off nest. I bet Dad would love it if all of them were down where he caught the fish to save him from flying through town.

Maya and Blue 33 were still home on Sunday. They had a juvenile intruder about. It seems none of the nests have been left undisturbed this year.

At the Fortis Exshaw nest, ‘H’ brings us the latest on the tragic events unfolding at this nest near Canmore, Alberta. “It was an emotionally stressful day for the viewers.  We heard Banff calling and approaching the nest at 0647.  She was being chased.  Banff landed at the far side of the nest, and planted her talons firmly on the back of JJ’s body, and she tucked a bit.  Banff knew that she was about to be struck.  And she was.  One second after Banff landed she took a hard hit on her back by the big female intruder.  The intruder held on to Banff as they went over the edge of the nest, and Banff briefly held on to JJ.  JJ’s body fell to the ground, and it appeared as though the intruder was still holding on to Banff as she flew over the pond.  For a short while, we heard Banff weakly calling in the distance.  Ugh, poor Banff.  We had previously witnessed the intruder pair attempting unsuccessfully to remove JJ from the nest on a few occasions.  Well, now JJ’s body was on the ground.  And, what about Banff?  Was she alright?  It was a very long day waiting for any sign of Banff.  Meanwhile the new ‘owners’ of the nest were frequently on and off the nest.  The female ate a fish on the t-perch, and was briefly joined on the perch by the male.  A viewer that lives nearby arrived at the nest shortly after 1000.  ‘TM’ was there to look for Banff, and to bury JJ’s body.  We all watched as TM buried JJ near the pond.  It was very moving.  Thank you, TM for your compassion, and for giving sweet JJ a proper burial.  While TM was at the nest area, she felt confident that she heard Banff’s unique voice coming from across the river.  She spotted an osprey in a tree, but wasn’t quite able to make it out to be a juvenile.  Before she left, TM again heard Banff calling.  Throughout the afternoon we thought we heard Banff calling in the distance.  And then . . at 1725 we heard Banff’s voice, and it was getting closer, and louder . . Oh please don’t land on the nest Banff!  The female intruder landed on the nest with her intruder alert . . yes, that’s right, Banff is now the intruder at her natal nest.  Then sweet Banff quickly flew by and buzzed the nest from behind the camera, and she was screaming at the female: “I am still alive you crazy bird!”  Haha!  The female intruder really did have a look of amazement on her face, lol.  We were thrilled and relieved to know for sure that Banff was alive and well.  Banff is an amazingly strong and resilient fledgling.  “It may not be possible for us to see you any more, Banff.  For your safety, you should not come back to the nest.” 

‘H’ also reports on Forsythe noting what I have – there is not much to report! “Oscar brought one fish to the nest for Ollie.  Ollie flew to the camera pole at 1033, and she was not seen the rest of the day.”

One of the fledglings was on the perch at Wolf Harbour in Alabama on Sunday afternoon.

Fledgling or fledglings going to the Seaside Osprey nest on Sunday also.

Dad continues to bring fish to the fledgling at the MN Landscape Arboretum nest.

At the Bridge Golf Club, both fledglings are still coming to the nest for fish. It is reported that there were four delivered on Friday and three on Saturday. So far, one fish has been delivered on Sunday that I have seen.

Harry continues delivering lots of fish to the third hatch at Alyth. Indeed, the most activity over the weekend is these incredible Dads flying back and forth from their fishing spots to the nest to fatten up their chicks so they can migrate. Then, the Dads will need a few days to care for themselves. They are real athletes. Those legs must be ever so strong and muscular.

There is a fledge at Sandpoint – and a return! Well done, Coco.

The goshawk is still about at Poole Harbour and it makes me nervous. One fledgling died last year when it was dragged off this nest by the hawk.

Sadly, there might not be any eggs this year at Port Lincoln. Mating attempts are not very productive. He is young! It might be good for Mum to have a year off – but there is still time for eggs. It is Australia, not North America and Eastern ospreys do not migrate.

Spoke too soon…maybe.

The three fledglings at Boulder County Fair Grounds spent the night together on the perch and were there at the nest during the day wishing for fish.

A giggle from the Dyfi nest today!

Have you wondered about Flaco, the Eurasian Owl that escaped from the Central Park Zoo? Robert Yolton catches us up on some of Flake’s latest comings and goings. I don’t always post on Flaco, so please go to Robert’s blog – you will learn much about urban hawks!

Andor visited after being in the water at the Fraser Point nest on the Channel Islands Sunday. He dried off quickly in that beautiful California sun.

Mum and Dad were on alert at the Sydney Sea Eagle nest in the Olympic Forest. Possums and other intruders kept them busy. SE31 and 32 are doing well. They are standing strong, their beautiful feathers are coming in, and they are delightful.

We are expecting the second egg for Diamond and Xavier today.

SK Hideaways caught that second egg! Congratulations Xavier and Diamond.

Please keep all of our friends – feathered or not – in your positive thoughts as Idalia heads for Florida.

Thank you so much for being with me today. Take care of yourself. Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, tweets, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog this morning: ‘A, Geemeff, H, J, JE, PB, R’, Fortis Exshaw, Forsythe, Geemeff and Tweed Valley, Charlo Montana, Glacier Gardens, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, PSEG, LRWT, Wolf Harbour, Seaside, MN Landscape Arboretum, Bridge Golf Club, Alyth, Pam Breci and The Joy of Ospreys, Anne Ryc and Love for Pool Harbour Ospreys, PLO, Boulder County, Marissa Windic and Friends of Dyfi Osprey Project, Sydney Sea Eagle Cam, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, SK Hideaways and Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, and Sunnie Day.

Fledge at Osoyoos…Sunday in Bird World

27 August 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

Saturday was a beautiful ‘fall’ day – yes, ‘fall’ day on the Canadian Prairies. The top of the trees have a kiss of gold and it was a perfect morning, after feeding Missey, Lewis, and Calico, to head and check on the American White Pelicans that spend their spring and summer near me breeding.

Oh, I am very blessed. Three amazing rescue kittens. So sweet and so gentle.

Calico has moved in to be part of the family. Early Saturday evening I went to feed her. She ate like she had not seen food before and she began to follow me home. At one point she rolled on her back and I sat on the sidewalk and rubbed her tummy. No milk. All dried up – not like on Thursday when there was some milk at one teat. No indication of anyone sucking. I carried her the full block home. No one growled – I guess I smelled of Calico for so long that Missey and Lewis just accepted her. Still, she has a special room with several baskets, a carrier, an open donut bed and anything she could want including a small area to hide behind a basket. I will sit and read to her and stroke her and we will take time integrating into the rest of the house.

Letters went into mailboxes for the area where Calico had her kittens. Posters have gone up. Sadly, if there were any surviving kittens, I do not know what they look like, but people around here are good, and they will bring any kittens to me if they see them on the streets – if they can catch them or let me know where they saw them. For now, Calico is safe. No more life on the streets – it is a new beginning for her and us! She is sleeping in a basket on top of a quilt made in the early 1800s by my great-great-great grandmother. I spent much time scratching her face and rubbing her. Not a burr in sight. Slee well, Calico!

At least a third of all North American White American Pelicans arrive in Manitoba in spring and depart late summer or early fall. They are truly a wonderful sight. Many grab a picnic lunch and sit on the shore of the Red River, watching them at a place called Lockport – there is a dam, and they catch the fish when they come over. There were a few Cormorants today.

On Thursday, I wrote to Michael St John in Barbados to see if there had been any further sightings of Blue KW0. Ah, he wrote back and sadly had not see the British osprey blown off course last year since March. Oh, but wait…Saturday afternoon I received a note – did I bring Michael some luck (he thinks so) – twice since our correspondence, he saw and photographed this famous osprey. Oh, fantastic!
I look forward to seeing Blue KW0 in person later this year and meeting Michael and everyone working so hard for wildlife on the island. Thanks for allowing me to share the photographs, Michael.

Speaking of famous Ospreys, Zoe is infamous for some reasons many do not like to discuss but, many of you might not know who she is. Fran Solly wrote Zoe’s Story back in August. I will post it here in case you do not know what could be the sad ending to the only surviving osplet from Port Lincoln in 2022.

Prior to her departure, Zoe was often characterised as a ‘fish eating machine’. Her two siblings perished due to siblicide in the nest…it was quite sad and there were times I found myself upset with Zoe especially when it was clear that Mum was so hungry. Middle was an especially sweet osprey, but food deliveries were down for a period, and many believed that Dad might have been having health problems.

Zoe’s sibling Ervie (2021) used to fish with Dad at Delamere. I wonder when they were last seen fishing together? Does anyone know?

Mum with her new mate. Remember, for identification, it is the markings on the head that never change from year to year. Take photographs and compare them from all angles. It is unclear whether or not the couple will successfully produce eggs in their first year together. Many do not. We wait. There is no urgency. The ospreys do not migrate, but the breeding season coincides with better weather and fish.

These special times of seeing Mini on the Patchogue nest could be drawing to a close. She arrived on the platform Saturday morning at 0855 with a chunk of fish. She worked down the last of it at 0901 and flew off. She has developed a good strategy for holding on to small pieces by using her beak. And we can get a good look at her leg. Yes, it is still a bit wonky.

Mini makes funny faces. I want to remember her like this – spunky and full of life. She did not let anything get her down and she delighted in the most curious of things – a sandal and a piece of cardboard.

Good night, Mini!

At Glaslyn, 0H2 had four fish deliveries…0H1 was nowhere to be seen. Thanks, Aran! The birds are moving south. Everyone feels a change of seasons.

Fish continue to arrive at the nest of Idris and Telyn at Dyfi in Wales.

Saturday morning, Maya was still enjoying being with Blue 33 for another day at least. These two are such a very special couple.

People often ask if the females deliver fish to the fledglings..yes, and often before they fledge! CJ7 has been busy delivering fish to 5H5 at Poole Harbour on Saturday.

There was also a goshawk that landed on the nest and Blue 022 drove it away. This is so scary. The couple lost a chick last year to a goshawk and we do not want anyone to get injured or worse now. It is migration time – even in Poole Harbour where thousands of birds on their way to Africa stop over to rest and feed before crossing the water to France.

‘H’ brings us up to date on what has been happening at Fortis Exshaw. “The intruder osprey pair that completed a nest takeover a few days ago was on and off the nest throughout the day.  Louise was last seen at the nest or perch three times on 8/24, and possibly once on the 25th.  On 8/26, Louise may have landed on the T-perch once and the tall pole once, but it was impossible to say.  There were quite a few times when we heard Banff either in the distance or closer to the nest, but for the most part, she stayed away from the nest.  Perhaps Banff had heeded our warnings!  At 0857 we heard Banff approaching, and the female intruder jumped up to intercept her.  We did not get a good look at Banff, but we knew it was her.  There were also other times when we knew the intruders flew off the nest to chase Banff, because we had heard her.  A couple of times when the intruder pair was on the nest, they alerted when an osprey flew close.  It could have been Louise, or another osprey, but Banff tends to announce her arrivals, lol.  Listening to Banff’s vocals at 1409 and also at 1757 was particularly notable, and enjoyable.  We could hear her chatter starting in the distance and progressively getting closer to the nest.  We did not see her (thankfully she did not land on the nest).  But what was utterly delightful was the ‘cheerfulness’ heard in her voice!  Banff actually sounded ‘happy’.  She was having fun.  You go girl!  I was grinning from ear to ear.  Banff was adjusting to her new life, out and about in the world without needing the nest-of-her-youth as her anchor.  Banff is technically still youthful, but after facing and surviving the many trials and challenges she has had to endure since she fledged, she is no doubt, wise and skilled way beyond her days.  So, to summarize, it was a relatively uneventful day . . oops, uh . . wait just a minute . . At 2049 Banff was heard calling, and she landed on the nest!  She may have been chased, and she immediately assumed a slightly submissive posture.  In less than twenty seconds, Banff was dive bombed and hit twice.  She then quickly flew off the nest.  It seems that the intruders constantly have the nest in their crosshairs and they are on Banff like ‘white on rice’.  Banff is still learning to accept that she is a defenseless ‘sitting duck’ on the nest, and she is not safe there.  Good night, Dear Banff, stay safe.  Good night, Dear Louise, and thanks for continuing to take such good care of your girl (our girl).”

Oh, what a terrible season Louise has had. Our hearts really go out to her and Banff. Thank you ‘H’ for your careful monitoring and concern for this family.

Here are the other four reports by ‘H’.

Kent Island – Tom brought four fish to his young lady, but Molly wanted more.  Molly stood on the nest in the afternoon, staring down at the water, contemplating and triangulating.  Then she plunged straight down toward the water.  We could hear a splash, and we had a brief glimpse of her emerging from the water empty taloned.  Nice try, kiddo!  Audrey was last seen on 8/24.

Osoyoos – There was an empty nest for a large part of the day, but Junior may be perching just out of our view.  I only saw two fish brought to the nest, but I might have missed one, and Junior may be eating off nest.  All seems to be well for this osprey family.

Barnegat Light – Duke delivered five fish for Dorsett.  Dorsett was still eating fish #4 on the utility pole when she saw her dad flying to the nest with another fish.  So she held onto her fish and flew back to grab fish #5.  Dorsett had two fish at once!

Thanks, Suzanne Arnold Horning, for chasing after any Ms still on the Cornell Campus. Your photos are always heartwarming. Nice to see one of the Ms!

Well, it was a grand day – full of prey – for the sea eagles! ‘A’ fills us in: “For the first time last night, Lady didn’t sleep with the eaglets. Soon after midnight, she went to the perch branch behind the nest, where she slept for the remainder of the night. She was keeping an eye on the youngsters, but they were alone on the nest. They are awake, waiting for breakfast, at 06:22…..”

“There is a chunk of that fish left at the back of the nest. It appears to be the tail and attached flesh and may represent a quarter of that large fish (I have no idea why Lady went to so much trouble to get the flesh off the bony parts of this fish while leaving this chunki at the back of the fish, I have no idea. She must have eaten it through the middle and then finished off the head end (which they seem to prefer starting with for some reason). SE32 has been aware of this for a while, and has even approached it to consider a nibble, but he is simply way too full. SE31, however, has a much smaller crop, and at 12:15, SE31 reaches out and grabs the open end of the fish tail, pulling it towards herself. Smart girl, SE31. She looks around, perhaps hoping a parent will come and help her. She then surveys the fish again. She is unable to work out the problem and resumes wingercising. The size discrepancy between the two eaglets, while still obvious, appears to have shrunk significantly over the past three days. SE31 was getting close to twice SE32’s size, but just have a look at them now! I am starting to believe in this nest turnaround. This is the third day of SE32 gaining confidence and eating plenty. While he began by retaining a little caution, he has now thrown that entirely to the winds and is acting as though he is the dominant chick on the nest. SE31 is deferring to him, reinforcing his belief that he is top eaglet. He is quite prepared to rear up and stare SE31 down on the rare occasions it is necessary, and the timid submissive little man we saw only four or five days ago is a thing of the past. This is an entirely new nest. What a joy it is. And the fishing has been excellent for the past few days as well. I do wonder what would happen if the fish suddenly disappeared for a day or two. Would things revert to an SE31-dominant situation? Or would the relationship that currently exists survive a food shortage? Let’s hope we do not have to find out. Just after 12:36, Lady arrives with a small-medium fish for lunch. SE32 is closer and sits up. SE31 remains in duckling position and watches. Lady is looking around, so SE32 sits down again. After a while, she starts feeding SE32 while SE31 watches. There really is a large chunk of leftover fish from this morning. It’s way bigger than I realised (it was hard to see initially) – it is significantly larger than this fresh fish, which itself is a reasonably sized fish of the same variety of the small fish that were being brought in earlier in the week. Still a nice fish, and SE32 is enjoying it, but that fish this morning was another monster and should feed the nest for the remainder of the day. It is the bottom third of the fish, so it is open at one end. I am wondering whether either chick will attempt it. SE32 is so full, I doubt he will be motivated to bother, but SE31 has not eaten enough yet today so she may well be hungry enough during the afternoon. We will see. For now, Lady is feeding SE32 again. Still. At 12:40:53, she gives a grateful SE31 a bite. SE32 pulls himself up and shuffles forward a little so that both eaglets are sitting up side by side at the table. SE32 gets the next bite but Lady then starts feeding SE31. It appears SE32 is a bit distracted and at 12:41:45, as he takes care of yet another PS, Lady offers another big bite to SE31, who is happy to take it. Around 12:42 Lady switches to the leftover chunk of fish. She feeds both eaglets a bite, then concentrates on feeding SE31, who eats big bites. She is hungry. SE32 sits beside her and watches her eating. Dad flies onto the nest at about 12:45. It’s hard to see if he has prey. It looks like a bunch of eucalypt leaves. Dad has a very large crop. Lady continues feeding SE31. Dad flies up onto a perch branch and Lady continues feeding SE31. Just before 12:34, SE31 gets up, turns around and walks away from the table to collapse on the front rails. Her crop now matches SE32’s. Lady proceeds to start feeding SE32, in case he can fit any more, and he does his best to oblige. He keeps eating steadily until just after 13:00, at which point he too stops. It is 13:04:15. He looks like a Thanksgiving turkey!! He turns away from the table, despite Lady’s best efforts at coaxing him to see whether an eaglet can physically burst through eating. (Spoiler alert: Apparently not. Probably …. )”

“Today was the third consecutive day and this nest has turned around. Today, SE32 occasionally pecked at his sister (just gently), such as when her wingercising hit him by mistake, and he was first up to each feeding (unless he was in a food coma, in which case SE31 would get fed). He is so confident that the casual viewer would assume him to be the dominant chick on the nest. Both are happy, very very full, and playing together so nicely. They will both sleep well tonight. The fishing is extraordinary, with plentiful fish being brought in (two of the biggest fish I’ve ever seen have come in over the last three days, along with additional smaller fish). Both parents are also eating heartily. The nest is humming along, which of course makes one fear it is all about to come crashing down. But let’s remain positive and just enjoy these two beautiful siblings growing up together happily and peacefully. It is just lovely.” 

This video clip by Gracie Shepherd was too cute to leave out…32 honking at 31! Just smile. 32 is getting its mojo.

Darling Xavier and the first time with his egg captured in video by Elain. Oh, Xavier is such a darling. Goodness…

And I love this post! Have a laugh!!!!!!

Annie and Lou have been pair bonding again..don’t you love peregrine falcons?

Ah, the air is still crisp. In Manitoba, it is time for local corn and apples. Even though it is not yet September, it feels like fall is officially arriving. It is a beautiful time of year. The wasps will leave. Hopefully, the heat and humidity will be gone, and walks will be done with a little quicker step. The Canada Geese will begin arriving at the nature centre from up north. They will take a break and spend a few days with us. By the middle of September, hundreds and hundreds, if not thousands, will arrive just after dusk. It is my favourite time of year…there is something about the scent of fallen leaves, just slightly damp, the tussle of the ones that have dried, the squirrels working hard for winter. It is lovely!

But for now, I will sleep so well – Calico is home. She is off the streets and safe. No more worries about her being hit by a car. The challenge is to continue to get her fur in good order, get her health checked and everything that goes along with that…. it is time for Missey and Lewis (almost) to have their annual check-up! They have been spreading their joy for almost a year. Life is good.

Calico slept in the basket on the antique quilt waking up to breakfast without wasps attacking her. She has not cried or growled or scratched or tried to leave her space. Missey and lewis are curious – but no growling. They saw one another for the first time this morning. The trio will be eased into one another’s lives slowly. For now, though, it is really blissful.

The kittens ask that you remember their friends outside!

Thank you for being with me this morning. It is time to feed the garden animals. I will be counting Blue Jays wondering if they will migrate or if they will stay over for the winter. Their ‘blue’ is gorgeous when it is snowing! Take care all. See you soon.

Thank you to ‘A and H’ for their wonderful reports, to MSJ and SAH for allowing me to use their photographs, Fran Solly, PLO, PSEG, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Dyfi Ospreys, LRWT, Poole Harbour ospreys, Fortis Exshaw, Kent Island, Osoyoos, Wildlife Conserve of NJ, Sydney Sea Eagles, Sk Hideaways and Sydney sea Eagles, Gracie Shepherd and Sydney Sea EAgles, Elain and Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, Karen Leng and Orange Australia Peregrine Falcons, and SK Hideaways and Cal Falcons.

The curious happenings at Fortis Exshaw…Wednesday in Bird World

23 August 2022

Good Morning to each of you!

It was a drizzly sort of day in the garden. The sun never came out and everything felt cold and damp. Everyone was here, at one time or another, including one of the Crows. Calico had her tracker on during the day. In the early afternoon, she was here, and when I went outside to freshen up the table feeder, she lept to the deck. It startled me as I am so used to her meandering in from the back of the lilacs. She ate her food, chased a moth, and then had a siesta under the lilacs. It was different behaviour, but in a bit, she went back to the place where she has her kitts. She returned at her usual time in the evening, and while she ate, I removed her tracker for charging. Once in a while, I will check to ensure she has not moved the Kitts.

Dyson was here chasing peanuts and trying to get as many or more than Little Red.

Dyson was smart. She had dumped the covered feeder and then when the drizzle began she decided to go inside the feeder!

This is one way to get a drink!

In the frenzy between Little Red and Dyson, the Black-capped Chickadee swooped in and occasionally grabbed a seed!

There is some celebrating going on!

Jane Dell posted (on a couple if FB websites) a really good document on Western Osprey identification. This will be a very helpful resource – maybe put it in a file with useful articles, etc. for when the time comes.

Western-Osprey-–-Raptor-Identification-–-The-complete-raptors-guideDownload

‘H’ has one report for us today and that is about the intrusions that continue at the Fortis Exshaw nest in Alberta, Canada.

8/21 had been an unusually tranquil day for the fledgling Banff.  The first half of the day was also very peaceful on 8/22.  Banff took a couple of early morning flights, and she was out when Louise delivered the first fish.  Banff flew in quickly at 0715 to claim the large whole fish.  At 0729 Louise delivered a tiny whole fish to Banff.  Banff managed to swallow the last half of the fish in one big gulp!  For the next three hours Banff enjoyed numerous out-and-back flights and spent some time on the big T-perch and the nest perches.  At 1032 Louise brought the third fish of the day, a medium sized whole fish.  After she ate that one, Banff resumed her brief fly-abouts.  Fish #4 from Louise at 1155 was a huge live fish.  Louise wanted to keep the fish, and there was a brief tug-o-fish, but Louise gave in.  Banff was eating intermittently, and had eaten about 1/3 of the large fish, when, at 1313 a female intruder landed on the nest.  At 1316 the intruder made a move for the fish, but Banff fended her off.  Then there was a long standoff.  At 1334, the intruder moved aggressively to take the fish.  There was a struggle as Banff tried to hold on to her fish.  Both birds ended up going overboard, and it looked like the intruder had the fish in her left talon.  At 1335 Banff flew back to the nest, and was almost immediately dive bombed three times by the intruder (apparently the intruder had dropped the fish).  Banff flew off the nest.  An aerial chase between ospreys could be seen at 1409, but we don’t know who was involved.  At 1438 Louise landed with a partial fish, but Banff was still off the nest.  Within seconds, a different intruder landed on the nest.  Some thought it was O’Hara, but the markings didn’t seem quite right.  Louise was not happy at all, and at one point she flapped at the intruder, but that had no effect.  Louse flew off with the fish at 1447.  The intruder starting moving some sticks around, and that really confused us!  At 1458, as Banff flew toward the nest, the intruder flew off, but it immediately circled back and dive bombed Banff a couple of times.  Louise immediately returned with the partial fish and Banff grabbed it.  The intruder dive bombed Banff three more times while Louise was on the nest.  That was a first.  No intruder had ever attacked while Louise was on the nest.  We were dismayed that the intruder had become more brazen and had elevated its aggressiveness to a higher level.  Banff flew off the nest at 1459, leaving the fish behind.  Louise waited for Banff to return, but she flew off with the fish at 1545.  At 1553, the intruder brought a stick to the nest, and left.  That was so bizarre, and so confusing for the viewers, who were trying to make some sense out of everything.  Louise landed on the nest with a different headless fish at 1655 (fish #6).  Banff quickly flew to the nest to claim it and Louise departed.  Banff was nervous, and mantled the fish, scanning the sky.  At 1702 the intruder buzzed and dive bombed Banff at least six times, and at 1703 Banff hurriedly flew off, leaving the fish on the nest.  The intruder departed.  Banff flew back to the nest at 1734, and grabbed her fish.  This time, she got down to business and ate without hesitating.  The latter part of the evening was intruder-free.  Banff took a couple of short flights, and she landed on the T-perch at 2026.  Dear, sweet Banff elected to roost on the T-perch overnight.  It had been a very complex, and stressful day for Banff, but she was well fed.  Onward, Banff.

Thanks so much ‘H’.

As of Tuesday, Elen was still at Glaslyn and Aran had delivered a double-header at 1735 – there were more fish during the day despite some windy periods. Aran you are amazing. Everyone is home and safe, eating well thanks to this amazing dad – and well, what a great year with new Mum, Elen. So happy for Glaslyn!

Elen eating a flounder Aran brought for her. She will be gone very soon. are travels, return to us!

Maya and Blue 33 were still on the nest on Tuesday 22 August. You can always tell Blue from that look in his eyes before you see the Blue Darvic band.

That is one brave Hoodie going after Ludo! Good thing Ludo is an osprey and not an eagle.

What is happening with Bird Flu? It was big news and then something else takes over and the impact of this deadly disease is put aside. What is going on and what is happening in Africa where our beloved European and UK birds will spend their winter. Mark Avery brings us some of the latest data to his blog on Monday, 21 August. “In 2023, up until 14 August, 45 species have tested positive. The last month has seen a bunch of colonial seabirds adding their names to this year’s casualties. Here’s the list (with additions in bold): Gannet, Cormorant, Shag, Fulmar, Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Greylag Goose, Barnacle Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Teal, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Kittiwake, Roseate Tern, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Sandwich Tern, Little Tern, Razorbill, Guillemot, Puffin, Curlew, Ringed Plover, unspecified heron (!), Grey Heron, dove/pigeon, Wood Pigeon, Red Grouse, Sparrowhawk, Goshawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Peregrine, Tawny Owl, Barn Owl, Reed Warbler and Carrion Crow.  Last year will be remembered as the first year when impacts on seabirds in the breeding season were noticed. This year the disease spread to many colonial gulls, in particular Black-headed Gulls, all over the UK.”

Mini has been eating well, resting her leg, and using the right foot more.

Early morning.

0815. Beautiful. I think this one will deserve a spot on the bulletin board. She is so lovely.

1605. Looking up and expecting a delivery?

She was slightly wonky on that leg with that 1609 fish.

1908

Mini flew into the nest with a huge drop around 1957! Gracious. It looks like our girl had a nice fish meal off-camera.

At Dunrovin, Harriet is still home and there was at least one chick at the nest today – possibly all, I did not watch or rewind. This nest of Swoop and Harriet has done well this season! So happy for them.

Boulder County: Throughout the day I only saw two fledglings at the nest at any one time. It is impossible to know if they are the same two each time.

At Orange, Xavier came in with a Starling for Diamond. What a guy. She doesn’t always want them! Eggs should be coming before the end of the month. But then later Xavier comes in with a Red-Rumped Parrot (thanks ‘A’) to the delight of Diamond who is looking a little eggy these days.  

In California, Annie and Lou continue to come to the scrape in The Campanile. They also bond in the scrape but we won’t be seeing any eggs until spring of 2024. Stay safe you two!

It is sometimes painful to watch the early feedings at the Sydney Sea Eagles. Even after 31 was full and 32 had finally gotten itself up to Lady’s beak, Lady had to try and try to get this very intimidated little man to eat. ‘A’ provides a complete narrative for us: “The little one gets up to the table by about 06:45 but he cowers away from Lady’s beak when she tries to feed him. She keeps feeding SE31, even though SE32 is right up to the table – she tries periodically to coax SE32 to eat but he just won’t accept the food, no matter how patient mum is. He finally takes a bite at around 06:50:45, just before dad arrives at 06:50:50 with yet more food. Surely there wasn’t another nestling in that nest. It is a fourth! At 06:54 mum finally manages to get him to start eating, albeit very gingerly. He is so nervous that even though SE31 is full and nowhere near him, he is still not confident about taking a bite from Lady, who is only inches from him. He is facing her, watching the food, but still cringes each time she tries to feed him. It is SO frustrating to watch. But there are still at least two nestlings on that nest and SE31 is full, so surely SE32 will get a decent breakfast. Lady is doing everything she can but she cannot force-feed SE32! She is certainly being as patient as she can. By 06:56 he is eating with a bit more confidence but SE31 is moving back towards the table, considering a second helping. She stays back for now. SE32 continues to eat, very nervously. Lady is now feeding them alternate bites. SE32 grabs at each mouthful, turning away as he does so. He is SO scared, even though he has not been bonked at all during this feeding and SE31 is sitting back, not leaning over him or making any contact with him. He should be gaining confidence and eating faster but he is still cringing with each bite. Lady returns to feeding SE31, offering SE32 a single bite for every four or five she gives his big sister, whose crop is now huge. Around 07:05, she returns to feeding SE32 bite after bite. This is fresh juicy red meat and should be very nutritious for SE32, who is slowly developing a crop. And surely, out of four nestlings, there is enough food for both to eat plenty. Lady is also eating. Dad is the only one who seems to have missed out on breakfast, so I would suggest he is currently out fishing. Mum was certainly not letting him take any of the four chicks he brought in for his own chicks to eat! She made that very clear, physically and verbally, when he delivered the fourth. At 07:08 she is still feeding SE32 bite after bite, some of them extremely large. He is eating everything he is offered, no longer turning away from Lady but confidently staying at her beak at last. He has a good crop and has eaten a lot of food quite quickly (he is grabbing huge chunks and swallowing them all). At 07:10 she gives SE31 a few bites, then returns to feeding SE32, whose crop is still only half the size of his sister’s. At 07:20, she is still feeding SE32 the last remnants of the nestlings. He now has a very large crop, though nowhere near the size of his sister’s, which is so huge that she actually refused a mouthful a few seconds ago.”

 

Another prey delivery and ‘A’ notes: “Dad brought in a small whole fish just before 08:38 but by the time the little one got up to the table, the fish was all gone. He is still SO nervous, he cannot eat, even with a full crop and SE31 not being aggressive. He did take one small mouthful and was beaked in the head (just once) for doing so, which of course sent him straight into submission for the remainder of the feeding. This attitude is so worrying, but then occasionally, when he is hungry enough, he suddenly finds some courage and stands up for himself and his food.”

Port Lincoln: Mating but no eggs yet.

Taiaroa Head: ‘A’ reports: “In New Zealand, there was no weighing of Manaaki yesterday, but he has had six or seven parental feedings since last week’s 9.8 kg so is no doubt at a healthy weight! Mum arrived around 09:54 this morning to feed her little man yet again, leaving again at 10:01. It’s great to see you, mama. We missed you so much. We adore Manaaki. He is such a special little person, very laid back but also very confident, having spent his childhood living on a crowded street corner. He has been the most entertaining chick to watch, excavating and gardening as he engages in his endless nest-building, as well as exploring his surrounds and visiting his many neighbours. We will miss you, Manaaki. We have another fortnight or so with him, but that fluff is fast disappearing, and he will fledge in the not-too-distant future.”

He found the camera!

 

Karl II’s mate, Kaia, who had not been at the nest since 23 July but had been out foraging to regain her strength for her long travels, came to the nest to say goodbye on 15 August and began her migration on the 22nd. Thanks, ‘PB’ for the confirmation. Here is the information from Looduskalender.

Maria Marika reports that Timmy has also begun its migration. Soon they will all be on their way and we will be fingering our worry beads until we know that they are safe and sound in their winter homes.

Karl II continues to feed the three fledglings at the nest. All three were present on the night of 22 August. They, too, will begin their migration shortly.

Thank you so much for being with me today. Take care. Hope to see you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, posts, articles, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to compose my blog this morning: ‘A, H, PB’, Megan McCubbin, Jane Dell, Fortis Exshaw, Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn, LRWT, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Mark Avery, PSEG, Dunrovin Ranch, Boulder County, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, Cal Falcons, Sydney Sea Eagles, Lady Hawk and NZ DOC, Looduskalender, Maria Marika, LizM and the Eagle Club of Estonia.