Category Archives: Captiva Bald Eagles

Friday in Bird World

24 January 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

Morning Update: First egg for Boone and Jolene at Johnson City. https://youtu.be/MIejfqZA-5k?

Thank you to everyone who has sent and continues to send me updates about the images in my posts. The images should correctly accompany the story! I understand that there are now images, but they are often unrelated to the topic. If you see this, please let me know if you have the time. Include what search engine and device type you use and what is happening. Thank you so much. I appreciate your help. Everything looks ‘fine’ on my end, but it isn’t for you. This needs to be fixed.

I also want to welcome all the new subscribers to Bird World. Our readers come from around the world and are the most amazing people. I am grateful for their empathy towards all living things.

We are each privileged to share the lives of the avian families. What a time to live! From preparing the nests, laying the eggs, feeding, and fledging, we get a front-row seat. Can you imagine not getting to see little 31 grow up? And how lucky we are to witness Jackie lay her first egg of the season? Or Wilko and Kasse dust it up over a fish.

Thursday was a little warmer in Winnipeg. It was a lovely day to be out of the house. We headed out of town for a nice lunch with my bestie to see how the animals were doing and unwind from the noise of the city.

The sheep, goats, and the donkey ran to the fence thinking we had food even though they had just gotten their regular feed. The restaurant will give people carrots and other vegetables to feed them; they must have thought we were holding out on them.

This sheep reminds me of Calico.

The little cutie had the bluest eyes and the loudest ‘maa’. Made us jump.

The Aspen trees had a little snow resting on their branches. There was no sun and everything was grey and brown, but it was wonderfully quiet. Time changes when you are in the forest. Sometimes, it is like you just stop. The smells, the sounds, everything is different and, all of a sudden, before you notice, you are calm.

So many of you have asked about ‘The Girls’. During the coldest days last week, when it got down to -32 or more with the wind chill factored in, they were not allowed to go out in the conservatory. (It is very expensive to keep it warm during those frigid times). Missey would stand at the door looking out the glass to her favourite spot to watch birds and then she would look up at me. I felt so guilty. Then Calico would join her and soon, all four would be there pleading. It is supposed to be much nicer tomorrow and they will get their wish! That room is like being outside walking the trails through the woods. It is so calming. It is also like a hide. We can sit and watch everything that is happening in the garden without scaring away the birds and animals.

I am a broken record when it comes to Baby Hope’s eyes. They are piercing. Nothing like the others with that deep celadon colour.

Sadly, Hugo Yugo did grow. She was soooooo tiny for so long, and then, like the eaglets, she doubled in length almost overnight. She will always be the baby, nonetheless. She sleeps cuddled in the fold of my left arm and has to have the pillow with the silk cover – none of the cotton pillowcases will do.

They have noticed the suitcases. They have a great cat sitter. Fingers crossed. Four days before departure and those suitcases need packing.

Hundreds of letters have come in full of worry and grief for Akecheta. Dr Sharpe is busy installing a camera at another eagle nest in Humboldt. So many wish he were pouring over the terrain at the West End. I wish we could clone him. He has given decades of his life to building up the population of Bald Eagles on the Channel Islands. One of the problems when there are more than a handful of eagles is territorial disputes – and fights over mates. It is breeding season and hormones are running high for some. On Thursday, the Lucy Franco tub boat intentionally went to the West End where Thunder and Akecheta have their nest. Those on board used their binoculars, scouring both sides of the island to no avail. No one spotted the blue wing tag of Akecheta. Indeed, it appears that they also did not see Thunder. So we wait and we continue to hope for the best.

We have the second hatch at John Bunker Sands Wetlands.

Lori Covert and Window to Wildlife have announced the names for CE12 and CE13 – Dasher and Dancer, respectively. Someone was thinking Christmas!

With all the snow in the Southern US, you might be wondering how Bald Eagles stay warm. ‘EJ’ sends this from Louisiana where there was 8-10 inches of snow.

Raptor Resource Project: Bald Eagle and Bird of Prey CamsDownload

Hatching has begun for the Royal Cam chick on Taiaroa Head, New Zealand. https://youtu.be/sVuZ9zHjzac?

It isn’t just raptors eggs that are smuggled. It is parrot eggs.

All is well with 31! What a proud Beau and Gabby.

At Port Lincoln, Wilko and Kasse have each had a fish on Friday. This is the tally for Thursday.

The final tally for Friday for Kasse and Wilko:

Reminds me of Murphy and his rock!

Have you ever seen a Red Goshawk? The people in Central Australia were certainly surprised.

‘A hugely significant sighting’: red goshawk photographed for first time in central Australiahttps://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jan/24/endangered-red-goshawk-photographed-central-australia?CMP=share_btn_url

Thank you so much for being with us today. Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘EJ, J’, Baiba, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Lori Covert and Window to Wildlife, The Raptor Resource Project, The Oasis Sanctuary, NEFL-AEF, Port Lincoln Osprey, Bart M and the PLO, Hob Osterlund, The Guardian

Wednesday in Bird World

15 January 2024

Hello Everyone!

First up: Nothing new to report at NE Florida. Some sad and glad news at the end of today’s post.

A great news story comes to us from one of our readers ‘EJ’. I think we all need to start off feeling good about the world! The eagle was frozen in the snow at the airport – check it out!

Frozen bald eagle in Alaska saved in heartwarming rescue with ‘best ending ever’ | Fox WeatherDownload

Good Morning. We hope that the week has been treating you well. The temperature warmed up on Tuesday to -14 C, but, gosh golly, it felt cold walking into a wind that cut right to the bone! We are expecting an Alberta Clipper to hit our province starting on Thursday. We will see how much snow and winds it will bring, but then….hold on. The wind chill factor for Saturday is set to be -40 or -45 C. We plan to stay home and ride our bicycle that day.

‘The Girls’ have no idea how blustery it is outside. Meanwhile my heart pangs for those poor dears living rough. There were four at the feeder today: Brock, Star, Squishy (one ear frozen and permanently folded down) and that little black cat from the fall. I haven’t seen that one for a bit.

Calico joined Baby Hope watching the squirrels run around the garden.

Last night I started reading Bob the Robin out loud. It is part of my ongoing attempts to find ways to engage Don in the daily activities of the house. Calico loves story time and she was right there. Gosh, I adore this cat.

As I write, The Girls are playing with a tiny stuffed mouse in the Conservatory. Baby Hope is the champion of picking it up and running away then, dropping it to see who will come and play with her. You would be right if you guessed it might be Hugo Yugo. These two love to play!!!!!!!!

I must say that I pace when I think of Gabby and Beau and their eggs. The AEF will be the official pip callers. They have lots of folks with eyes on those eggs 24/7. Gabby is not giving anything away.

Beau wanted to take over incubation and Gabby said a definitive ‘no’. I am hoping that means that one of those eaglets is working to get out of that shell!

The Es got a rabbit for breakfast – oh, goodness. Poor thing did not make it across the road. I wish these eagles would stay away from the areas where there is traffic. Maybe some good soul moved that rabbit to a safe place for them. That is what each of us should be doing. https://youtu.be/JnAejA5XU7o?

At Redding, Liberty is on the nest. Can we expect eggs soon? We wait to see.

Oh, those two at the WRDC nest of Ron and Rose. R7 and R8 lock beaks as fish is ready to be served!

The kids at the Captiva nest are changing quickly. Today you can see that dark charcoal thermal down that will help them regulate their own temperatures. Their pin feathers are coming in. That cuteness of a day ago is giving way to the ‘lanky’ look of a tall teenager (sorry for the stereotype).

They are also interested in pecking at the prey.

Eagle on the snowy ND-LEEF nest in South Bend Indiana.

Well, he is cute. His (or her) name is Skylar and he is the first hatch at the Dataw Eagle nest! https://youtu.be/wSZTtabDA5Y?

A visiting albatross got a sky call out of RLK at the Royal Albatross colony. The visitor wandered close to the nest with nothing happening and then smiled in the camera.

I love seeing RLK on the nest. OGK was my all-time favourite male in the colony. No one comes close to his endearing behaviour, sitting so long beside his daughter, Miss Pippa Atawhai. Gosh, I wonder how she is doing. At any rate, if you missed it, RLK is OGK’s son.

GLG has returned after 12 days of foraging to incubate their egg. RLK raises his head as he hears her. They will share time together and he will return to the sea hopefully to return safely.

Here is Cornell’s video of the visit. https://youtu.be/XverqezfBxI?

At the Port Lincoln barge, it is windy Wednesday morning. Both fledglings on the nest hoping for some fish.

This was Tuesday’s tally. Kasse got more – unless Wilko is off fishing. Maybe he has found a treasure trove of puffers!!!!!!!

Politics has no place when it comes to trying to protect our planet. And yet, politics is the biggest driver to either progress or hindrance. Unbelievable. I doubt if anyone working on behalf of creating wetlands ever thought that beavers were so controversial.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/14/no-10-blocks-beaver-release-plan-tory-legacy?CMP=share_btn_url

Wildlife adapting to what we have done to the planet?

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/06/evolution-species-adapt-response-humanity-tuskless-elephants-natural-world-wildlife-aoe?CMP=share_btn_url

We always need a smile and when I saw this posting I knew it had to go here today. Shadow.

Calico’s Tip for the Day: You can Save a Life. Please make this a habit. Snip all of these kinds of closures including those white tabs that come on some loaves of bread, the plastic that connects soda bottles, etc. So many birds feed at the landfill sites and they can die from our negligence. Please be pro-active!

Heidi is sending tragic news:
“We had been told a few weeks ago that there had been a GHO at the osprey nest this past fall.  At 21:25 on 1/14, an owl dragged F1 off the nest while she was incubating two eggs.  We can still see one egg, and it is believed that the other egg is under some nesting.  As of 03:00 on 1/15, F1 has still not returned to the nest.  I worry for the future chicks at this nest.”

This is not a good start to the osprey season in North America.

There is good news coming out of West Africa for the Rutland Ospreys.

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Heidi, J’, NEFL-AEF, FORE, wskrsnwngs, WRDC, Window to Wildlife, ND-LEEF, HDonTap, NZ DOC, Cornell Bird Lab, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Bart M and the PLO, The Guardian, Neil Laferty and FOBBV, Rutland Osprey Project

Thursday in Bird World

9 January 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

Wow. -14 C on Wednesday in Winnipeg. What a great mid-week temperature. The bird feeders were busy! We see the Crows flying in the distance, and the Starlings made certain that the big table feeder had sufficient cat kibble by coming up to the garden door and pounding away at the feral cat dish. It sure got my attention!

It will warm up overnight to -3 C. Do you know what this means? Tomorrow will be a good day to go for a walk in the forest. We hope to capture some images of deer and Black-capped Chickadees for you.

There is a new wildlife camera in Arizona’s desert that you might be interested in watching. Here is the latest on that venture:

Here is the YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/live/jrkzQTbONl4?

I caught some White-Crowned Sparrows getting a drink.

White-crowned Sparrows are located throughout North America at various times of the year. These 17 cm (7 inch)White-crowned Sparrows are found throughout North America at various times of the year. These birds are approximately 17 cm (7 inches) long. Adult White-crowned Sparrows have attractive black and white striped heads and an orange beak. Their necks and chests are a soft grey, while their wings display a mix of brown, grey, black, white, and rust. In contrast, younger birds are primarily grey and brown, featuring a pinkish-orange bill. They are characterized by their striking black eyes. White-crowned Sparrows visit our feeders during migration as they head north to breed in the Arctic. They typically nest in areas dense with bushes. The white-crowned sparrow is not currently considered to be in immediate danger. That said, there is some concern regarding the impact of climate change and habitat loss. High snow cover and low temperatures will impact their breeding areas, especially at the northern end of their range, the Arctic. Additionally, heat domes and/or increasing temperatures will impact the ability of young birds to survive.

There was a Northern Mockingbird. This feeder might be a great way to help you with your bird identification especially with those many species of Sparrow.

The Northern Mockingbird is a medium sized songbird that can be heard to sing up to 15 lines. Look at the bird on the edge of the water tank. Notice the dark eye-line with that soft, almost cashmere look to the grey breast. There are two white wing bars. They are 21-26 cm or 8-10 inches in length making them bigger than the White-Crowned Sparrow.

The Northern Mockingbird forages on lawns, fields, or other open ground, where it hops and runs along the ground after insects. They also can be seen eating various types of fruit.

Threats to Northern Mockingbirds include predation by raptors such as hawks and owls. Domestic cats and crows often prey on fledglings, while eggs and nestlings face dangers from cats, Blue Jays, crows, snakes, and squirrels. Additionally, their habitat is being destroyed while weather, including storms and heat, are having a strong impact on their survival. Human activities contribute to these challenges, including window collisions and the use of rodenticides. Some people also directly kill these birds because they feed on fruit from their trees.

They are rarely seen in southern Canada.

Jackie and Shadow played tug-o-war with a fish on the nest. Cute, so cute. You have to love and be inspired by these two. Nothing gets them down and out for long! https://youtu.be/AVMpPOYJgS8?

Another milestone at SW Florida. The Es are beginning to pick at prey and self-feed!

I don’t know about you, but I am getting ready to get my eyes glued to the NE Florida nest of Beau and Gabby. Pip watch begins on the 11th for both NE 30 and 31. That is SATURDAY!!!!!!!!!!! There are no words for the excitement that each of us is experiencing. Will this be this couple’s year?

The number of viewers are growing in anticipation.

Fires are raging in various areas of the US. Our thoughts and best wishes go to all living things in or near those fires, many of them being whipped about by growing winds. These situations can be deadly. Please keep them in your thoughts.

Calico’s Tip of the Day: Don’t Waste your time cleaning up your yard and plants in the fall. Close your ears to the neighbours talk and just think about the birds and insects that you are helping.

Now is also a good time to clean your windows and start putting up those collision strips. If you use decals remember they must be 2 inches apart! And you have to put them on the outside of your window not on the inside. The most efficient and reasonably priced method are the window paint markers. Crayola makes them. Scribble away – on the outside after cleaning.

Dr Green is giving a lecture – on insects!

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Her name, Skylar, means Little Warrior. Wild Heart Ranch Rehabilitation in Claremore, Oklahoma, has been working to open her locked talons. They gave it everything they can – and guess what? Their help is working! Look carefully at what they are doing to separate those talons.

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They described what they did to help her: “We use moldable plastic beads to make our Birdenstock shoes and the Birkenhawk shoes. We trace a template of the birds opened foot, or as far as we can open it. The moldable plastic beads are placed in hot, hot water to soften. They are removed and the beads are pressed into the shape of the template and the thickness we want. Once the shoe is the way we want it, it’s run under cold water to harden it into an unbreakable and squish-proof piece of plastic. The shoe is then placed inside the opened foot and taped onto the hawk, owl, or eagles foot. Enough tape is placed on the foot so the bird can’t undo the tape and get the shoe out of their foot. If the bird needs progressive bigger shoes and the foot tendons stretch out, the bird may get 2 or 3 different sizes of shoes before their treatment is completed on their foot. We save all the shoes to reuse if needed. The eagle’s left foot shoe is a shoe we used on a red tailed hawk. Below is a video of a RTH wearing its Birkenhawk shoes. Enjoy the video! -Volunteer Janice”

Incubation continues at several nests including John Bunker Sands Wetlands near Dallas, Texas.

Thunder and Akecheta are working on their nest in the Channel Islands. They are hunkered down roosting in the strong winds Wednesday night.

Look who’s home at Sauces!

Mr and Mrs North are at home in Iowa.

Snow on the nest at Kansas City.

In the UK, the RSPB stops the sale of table feeders because of a deadly finch disease. ““As a precautionary measure, whilst we await the findings of the review, we have suspended all our bird tables and related products, table mix and table mix extra, window feeders and feeder guardians with trays, from sale. This is because there is evidence to suggest that some birds, particularly finches, can be more exposed to disease when fed on flat surfaces like these.”

If you have finches visiting your garden and you have a table feeder, please read the following article and consider removing your table feeder.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/08/rspb-stops-selling-flat-bird-feeders-deadly-finch-trichomonosis-disease?CMP=share_btn_url

I do not have any finches, but I need to find out if there is any concern for the other species visiting my garden. I have tube feeders, cage feeders, and a small and medium size table feeder. I certainly don’t want to cause the death of any birds.

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, images, articles, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, J’, spo.com, SK Hideaways, NEFL-AEF, Carolina Birders, USFWS, Montana Osprey Cams, Wild Heart Ranch FB, JBS Wetlands, IWS/Explore.org, Raptor Resource Project, Farmer Derek, The Guardian

SE33 is dead…Monday in Bird World

6 January 2024

Good Morning Everyone!

Very sad news has come forward late Sunday. I have decided to publish this posting tonight and not Monday morning. I know that each of you will feel as gutted as I do now. Dear SE33 is the first raptor on the Memorial Wall for 2025.

It breaks my heart to bring you this news. SE 33 was euthanised. This beautiful White-bellied Sea Eagle fledgling was found injured.

Brock is eating his lunch and Star has already visited the outdoor feeder so all is right with the feral cat community. There really are only two – the others are domestic pets let out by their owners to roam. They are kept inside when the temperature hits -25 C as it did this morning. I continue to hope that Star and Brock have homes in the spring – whether it is inside with us or with another loving family.

The cold weather continues. It is also icy and it was nice to get the thumbs up from my daughter about the exercise bike. In the warmer weather we certainly build up our leg muscles. It is frightening how quickly that muscle can go. Or as my mother’s hip surgeon said to me after he had operated and she was refusing to walk – “If you don’t use it, you will lose it!” That thought has stuck in my mind.

There are not nearly as many birds coming to the feeders. That may change if it warms up some, but where do they go? And what do they eat? Or do they eat what they need and then return to whatever warm spot they have found? I don’t know.

‘J’ has asked me not to identify the eagle nesting table as theirs. Apologies. They simply sent the work of Eagle Nest Date Charts so that we would all be aware of the upcoming events; there was no intention to claim it as their own as I might have implied. Thank you to Eagle Nest Date Charts – your work really helps us keep focused.

My inbox is always packed with questions about donations. I feel awkward advising individuals about particular institutions, streaming cams, etc., but I will tell you how I decide, and then you can test that yourself. I donate locally first. Why? Because I can check on their work and see if it is something I value. For example, the new vet at Wildlife Haven is incredible. I met her during the fall Open House. Dr Tess is from Arizona, and she has been here for at least a year. She is the one who said that we do not know enough about wildlife and what they can do. So why not a three-legged deer? She is working on a Snapping Turtle and has built a little device to raise its shell back into the correct shape. (Shells are to be hard, but due to poor quality food, this turtle’s shell is soft). I avoid large charities where the CEO makes millions that should go to the wildlife in the agency’s care. For streaming cams, which ones get out and help the birds? I know that you can answer this one yourself!!!!!!!!! I mean helping them when they need help and working hard to get a permit. Let’s see, we recently saw the removal of twine at Captiva. Then there is our superhero out on the Channel Islands, Dr Sharpe, who cannot retire because no one can replace him, and he is too dedicated to the eagles. That is the Institute of Wildlife Studies. Port Lincoln Osprey and Friends of Osprey South Australia do a bang-up job with your $20 enrollments and funds for the fish fairies. You have to look at the platforms they are installing. So, there you go. That is my list and why these particular places are unique to me. You will have your list, but think hard before you give away your dollars, Euros, or yen.

The necroscopy for Lucina, the female Golden Eagle at Bucovina in Romania has been released. She was healthy, showed no signs of outward harm. Lucina died of rodenticide poisoning. Human caused. Such a loss. Lady Hawk covered news of this nest after contacting the owner several years ago. She published the findings along with some beautiful footage of this gorgeous eagle: https://youtu.be/UDQg1UkTy28?

The Golden Eagle in Romania. It is one of the rarest birds. I don’t think anyone suspected rodenticide poisoning when Lucina was found dead. This is a huge tragedy and individuals in this area need to stop using rodenticide and let the owls and other raptors do their jobs catching vermin. Raptors really are the solution.

Nature in Făgăraș Mountains: The golden eagle in Romania | Romania InsiderDownload

The Golden Eagle is one of the rarest birds in Romania.

Golden Eagle – Milvus GroupDownload

Our hearts go out to all those who loved this beautiful Golden Eagle. We lost so many in 2024.

I am very nervous about the upcoming hatch at NE Florida because I do not know how Beau is going to react to the hatchlings or if he will bring sufficient food for them and Gabby. The bottle of Gaviscon is out on the counter along with the worry beads.

At Port Lincoln, Kasse cleaned up on the fish on Sunday! They are still waiting for fish on Monday as I write this.

All is well at the Captiva Bald Eagle nest of Connie and Clive. The eaglets are growing and growing. No shortage of prey.

It is similarly good at the SW Florida Bald Eagle nest of M15 and F23.

M15 flying into the nest with a fish dinner for the family. https://youtu.be/MLpoREhjiq4?

Jackie and Shadow are singing away! https://youtu.be/kregqFGb_lU?

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, images, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post this evening: ‘Geemeff, J, MP’, Eagle Cam, Lady Hawk, Romania.Insider, Milvus Group, NEFL-AEF, Bart M and the PLO, Window to Wildlife, SW Florida Eagle Cam, The Real Saunders Photography, SK Hideaways

Monday in Bird World

30 December 2024

Good Morning,

Many of you have expressed feeling exhausted during the holiday season. This time of year is often filled with commitments to family, friends, and the community, which frequently involve longstanding traditions. While these gatherings bring joy and companionship, they can also have an impact on our well-being.

As the new year approaches, it’s a good time to reflect on what we can and cannot handle. Instead of taking on the entire task of preparing a holiday meal by yourself, consider inviting everyone to chip in next time! As a child, I always looked forward to potluck holiday dinners at my maternal grandmother’s house, especially when Aunt Helen would bring her homemade chocolate chip cookies filled with pecans and raisins. Letting others help with the cleanup can also lighten the load.

In the past, we often had a full house for Thanksgiving and Christmas. If the weather was nice in October, our gatherings would spread outside. I do miss those times when our grandchildren were young and our children close at hand. I learned, often at the expense of both of us, that my current situation does not allow for these events. This year was tranquil, and I appreciated that change. My husband remained calm, which meant that I was not anxious. We enjoyed being outside, seeing all the deer, and feeding the chickadees. We had several small dinners with individual guests and that was great fun. Today, our much-loved granddaughter is on a plane to Australia. I cannot wait to hear her stories when she returns. She has promised to take images of birds and kangaroos if the chance arrives so I can share them with you.

As the old year night approaches and the new year begins, try to relax and enjoy your life. Take a huge breath and be thankful for all the simple pleasures. Do not put huge demands on yourself or others. Simply breathe in the fresh air of the outdoors, try and find some birds or squirrels, pet your cat or dog. Be silly. There is nothing like a good laugh to lift one’s spirits.

As I see many trees slated for clearing, I am reminded that dear Mr and Mrs Downy live in the dead tree across my back lane, and the Grey Squirrels often make their homes in dead trees instead of dreys. This is good advice to protect their homes.

Checking on our favourite bird families:

Gabby and Beau continue to do synchronized incubation duties with Beau really doing his fair share. The question remains: will he deliver prey to the family? For that we will have to wait and see. https://youtu.be/ADldYopFSmQ?

Clive continues to get top marks in the ‘dad’ family. He rode out Hurricane Milton, protecting the nest, and he stayed with Connie during a huge storm that hit the Barrier Islands, helping to protect their two little ones yesterday. Gold Star, Clive! https://youtu.be/P_CsO_COexo?

It was a year ago that Clive and Connie were protecting the 2023 eaglets, C10 and C11. You might remember that nest full of fish! https://youtu.be/kegscWq9iB0?

Sweet little angels at SW Florida nest of M15 and F23.

Heidi brings us up to date with what is happening with Ron and Rose at the WRDC. Check the pip watch date and mark it on your calendars.

Thunder and Akecheta are thinking eggs! https://youtu.be/8jaG0c_hsK0?

It was a good year for osprey chicks in South Australia. Outside of Port Lincoln, I believe these are the stats as Fran Solley listed them in a comment on a FB post: “Also in terms of Osprey in other parts of SA it has been quite a good year for the natural nests on EP and the West Coast with 12 chicks from 14 Nests on the West Coast and good results on EP from both the longer term nest platforms and natural nests.”

Kasse has joined her brother Wilko is spreading her wings a little farther from the nest.

Wilko and Kasse are really enjoying their adventures to the beach. Heidi caught them on video. https://youtu.be/SxPWDfyyiJ0?

6000 wild bird eggs seized in major international crime ring:

6,000 wild birds’ eggs seized in UK as police bust open international wildlife crime network – RaptoDownload

The Sea Shepherd year end re-cap:

2024: A Year of Defending Marine Life — Sea Shepherd Conservation SocietyDownload

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: Association to Preserve Cape Cod, AEF Nest Cam Highlights, Baiba, Window to Wildlife, NEFL-AEF, SW Florida Eagle Cam, Heidi McGrue, SK Hideaways, Port Lincoln Osprey, Heidi McGrue, Raptor Persecution UK, Sea Shepherd

Wednesday in Bird World

25 December 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

Thank you for all of your holiday wishes. We appreciate them so much and, of course, you are always in our thoughts and we hope that whatever holiday you celebrate (or not), you find time to find comfort in nature.

The latest news on Gabby:

It was -1 C on the Canadian Prairies on Tuesday. Remarkable for a day of blue sky and a bright sun, but being warm! Nearer to the forest, it is foggy. It was quite eerie and yet beautiful.

Tuesday turned out to be a day Tuesday was a day filled with gratitude. Our respite caregiver, Anne, has been with us for almost a year and has quickly become a trusted member of our family. She wasn’t with us last week, and I felt anxious until today when she quietly knocked on our door. My greatest fear is losing her.

Not long after she arrived, Anne shared that she will be retiring on January 2nd. She also mentioned that she would continue to help me without any payment, which is something you rarely hear. I was overwhelmed with emotion and broke into tears. Although I wouldn’t allow her to do that, we will break away from the current system and hire her directly. This new arrangement excites me and brings a sense of relief for the future.

The traditional roast chicken is prepared and ready for the cats, both inside and outside. To encourage Hugo Yugo to drink more water, a small pink fountain is now available. Additionally, there is a box of squeezy treats (chicken and cheese) and a container of catnip for all of them tomorrow.

The birds and squirrels continue to enjoy the contents of the baskets. While outside this morning, I spotted ‘evidence’ that we now have a large rabbit coming to the feeders. This put a huge smile on our faces. There are many predators – we hope it stays safe.

Thanks to the help of my friend, ‘R’, the requirements of David Hancock are fulfilled. He has more than enough information, films, and images for his book (I hope). It feels good to help David and to find the documents and images he needed.

If we can get the house cleaned and find some Mochi, we will be ready for the new year to arrive! I also have to prepare that book list for you and so, to clean this house – four cats can cause a lot of fur to be hiding – and do that, I plan to take a few days off. I will be back with you on Sunday morning. In the meantime, continue to check out those beautiful bobbleheads at SW Florida, and by Sunday, there should be two at Captiva!

The Captiva eaglet has no idea how fortunate it is to have Clive and Connie for parents. There will never be an empty crop. Already Clive has enough fish for a dozen eaglets.

Fish juice from one end to the other. That is a beautiful sight.

Of course, the other very fortunate eaglets are at the nest of M15 and F23 at SW Florida. Look at those wee wings. They will be big and strong and trained well to face anything that might come to them. M15 and F23 will see to that!

‘A’ adds: “Ah, the parenting at SWFL is a joy to watch, is it not? And those two fluffy bobbleheads are still in their adorable white fluffy stage, although the relatively drab thermal down will soon overwhelm the exquisite downy baby feathers altogether. I do hope their current behaviour towards each other continues – feisty but non-aggressive – and I have a lot of confidence in their parents to ensure that all remains well at this nest.” 

The chat at NE Florida nest of Beau and Gabby will return Thursday. In the meantime it appears that Gabby still has not cast that pellet she has been trying to rid herself of for several days.

Continue to send this nest and all that have eggs and chicks the most positive energy. They have more challenges than you can imagine.

Why can’t eagles cast pellets? Those reading my blog will know that pellets are the indigestible. The pellets are formed in the gizzard and then cast out from the mouth. The only part of prey that they can’t digest with the very acidic stomachs raptors have is fur and feathers (and again some bones).

Eagles cannot cast a pellet if they have not eaten a prey that has feathers or fur. Is this why Gabby is having such trouble?

Beautiful female and egg at E-3 Kistachie National Forest.

Jackie and Shadow were at their nest on Tuesday in Big Bear.

We should never give up trying to improve the world for our environment and wildlife.

This is my understanding about how loud noise can impact raptors. How can the Australian government allow this when the Canadian Government would limit the noise. Yes, ospreys are not migratory birds in Australia but this nest must be protected.

Loud noises can harm ospreys in many ways, including:

  • Stress: Loud noises can cause birds to experience chronic stress, which can lead to a variety of health issues. 
  • Physical damage: Prolonged exposure to loud noises can cause temporary damage to a bird’s ears, and in some cases, long-term physical effects like feather loss and cardiovascular disease. 
  • Behavioral changes: Loud noises can cause birds to change their behavior, such as cowering, fleeing, or ceasing mating activities. 
  • Reduced communication: Noise can make it harder for birds to communicate with each other. 
  • Reduced reproductive success: Loud noises can negatively impact a bird’s ability to mate and raise young. 
  • Reduced foraging: Noise can make it harder for birds to find food. 

Canada recommends adjusting setback distances to avoid disturbing migratory birds with loud noises. Noise levels that exceed 10 decibels above the ambient noise level in the natural environment can be harmful.

What a welcome sight. Ervie.

Heidi reports on a new osprey nest.

No fish at Port Lincoln yet as it nears noon and then nears 1300.

Still no fish.

Wilko got a fish from Mum late in the day. I hope there were more fish and maybe the fairy will arrive on Boxing Day.

Geemeff has shared some wonderful news. Gary from the Loch Arkaig nest 1 (not Louis and Dorcha’s current nest but Louis’s earlier one) has been spotted in Senegal and photographed by Jean-marie Dupart. Geemeff is over the moon!

Bird flu is killing big cats in Washington Sanctuary.

20 Big Cats Die From Bird Flu at a Washington Sanctuary – The New York TimesDownload

Bird Flu is causing dire times for dairy farmers.

Bird Flu Has Hit California Dairies So Hard That They’re Calling It ‘Covid for Cows’ – The New YorkDownload

More and more Trusts are working to purchase land to protect wildlife. Why are more not doing this elsewhere? On the Canadian Prairies, Ducks Unlimited works with governments and other groups to buy vast tracts of land to protect wetlands. Yes, they hunt ducks. I can’t stand it, but sometimes, we must compromise for the betterment of many other waterfowl.

In the UK, the Shropshire Wildlife Trust is raising funds to buy 50-hectare nature-rich site: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/24/shropshire-wildlife-trust-raising-funds-to-buy-50-acre-nature-rich-site?CMP=share_btn_url

The Ground Dove babies are now out of the nest in Curacao where my son is visiting.

Geemeff sends us a good news story about Sammy the Parrot!

https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/sammie-the-parrot-rescued-after-two-cold-nights-outside-1.7156205?__vfz=medium%3Dsharebar

Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care. See you in a few days!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘CM, Geemeff, H, J’, Window to Wildlife, SW Florida Eagle Cam, NEFL-AEF, KNF-E3, FOBBV, Fran Solly, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Bart M and the PLO, Heidi McGrue, The New York Times, The Guardian, Atlantic CTV news, Geemeff and Jean-marie Dupart

Thursday in Bird World

19 December 2024

Hello Everyone,

It’s cold. The current temperature is -23 C, but it really feels much colder! Did I say I was already tired of winter? The garden animals are, too. Hugo Yugo is feeling quite herself. She and Baby Hope spent most of the day play fighting. Hope had the advantage today. She is much bigger and heavier than Hugo Yugo, but often Hugo Yugo wins because of her wit and lack of fear to do stunning manoeuvres.

I am always surprised at how rough they can get. Then after quite a few minutes they just walk away and go to sleep. Their sisters decided to simply stay away. I don’t blame them!

Missey insisted on being in the conservatory, pawing at the glass door til I gave in like a mother who spoils her children til they are rotten. You can see the sun shining bright behind her. It is most often that way on a cold, cold day here. The cloudy days are the warmest.

They are all good and I continue to be thankful for all your wonderful wishes for Hugo Yugo’s swift recovery.

It is hard to imagine a bird desiring only to fly free and have a meal and being shot dead by vast estate owners and their staff. Well, that is the plight of many Hen Harriers in Scotland despite the efforts to continue their population growth.

Two satellite-tagged hen harriers that disappeared from a winter roost both found dead with shotgunDownload

Hen Harriers are some of the most beautiful and graceful raptors on our planet. They raise their chicks in the heather on the ground. Their owl like face helps them to hunt birds on the ground. And that is the problem. They eat a few Red Grouse. Well, after reading how much these estates spend on deer management just to lose 3 million GBP annually, it seems to me they could spare a few of the over subscribed partridge or some of the Red Grouse the aristocrats hunt on a weekend. Quite honestly it makes me sick!

A big shout out to Port Lincoln Ospreys and The Friends of Osprey Sth Aus for realizing how important Ervie and all the chicks are to us and posting all of their tracking information. Thank you!

Marie the Foster Chick at Gleeson’s:

Gleeson’s male is on the move but staying close to the nest.

Gleeson’s female is not flying so far from home yet.

Fran says that Wilko is spending time going from perch to perch with one long flight.

Vincent at the Price Platform has fledged and doing well.

Fran says that “Kasse has cemented her position as the class clown” …but her flying is getting stronger every day.

I didn’t see anything for Ervie, Bradley, or Giliath. Hopefully soon!

Wednesday was a jam packed day at the Port Lincoln barge if you missed it.

No fish have come to the nest, but Wilko found one left over on the nest around 1033 and is still eating.

Kasse appears later to have a large crop. It is, perhaps, just the camera’s angle as no fish deliveries are recorded at the nest.

Fran Solly posted the information on the bands of the South Australia ospreys. If you missed it, I am posting it again.

‘A’ sends us a little more news of the Melbourne Falcons: “I had a long chat today about the peregrine juveniles… I told you they had six juvenile falcons admitted with various injuries (head, wing etc), all of which the vet (Peter) has managed to heal and nurse back to health and most of which have now been released. They were not noticeably hungry and certainly not emaciated, which was news I welcomed.”

Gracie Shepherd had a good post showing Connie incubating and the two eggs at Captiva.

Gorgeous images coming from SW Florida. M15 and F23 seem to have agreed – and M15 did feed both of the chicks – that keeping both of them full to the top of their little heads is the way to keep a quiet peaceful nest.

There has already been a beautiful dual feeding.

Nesting Bird Life and More shows us some more of the little eaglets. https://youtu.be/ewprFMnfTl8?

Guardian and Liberty seem to have accepted the nest built for them by the new camera last summer since their old nest collapsed. https://youtu.be/iXshKsQ3gpY?

It was a gorgeous day at the Eagle Country nest of Skye and Blaze. No eggs yet for this new couple.

We will be so delighted to see an egg (or two) hatch for Beau and Gabby.

‘MP’ writes that there is now a second egg at the John Bunker Sands Wetlands eagle nest. Congratulations!

I get such wonderful mail. ‘J’ wrote stating they knew they were ‘preaching to the choir’ by writing to me. She did not known who was the originator of the following posting, but it spoke to their heart. They felt that we need a reminder – and to softly remind others – of what it would mean to the wildlife rehabilitation clinics and all the volunteers if all the funds we spent on lavish and unnecessary gifts were instead donations to help the animals.

What It Really Means to Rescue:

There has been a lot of unnecessary and distracting drama in the rescue community lately. I wish that everyone could take a step back and consider what it actually means to run a rescue.

Every day, there are more in need than can be saved.

Every day, your doors are open 24/7 even when your bank account is in the red.

Every day, you spend hours coaching willing finders and would be fosters/adopters/ rescuers. You also spend hours begging finders to meet you half way. Put the bird in a box please. He won’t hurt you just pick him up. No I can’t dispatch someone to meet you immediately. Please walk the bird 3 blocks to the Humane Society so I don’t have to call on my friend to drive 30 minutes one way to do it for you (this actually happened to me and yes she did drive 30 mins to bring a bird 3 blocks.)
Every day you put patience and care at the forefront, even when you just want to rage at the world.

Every day you fund raise and write grants and pinch pennies and try not to have to say No. Every day, you ask “what is the price of a life (priceless) and how am I going to afford it?”

Rescue is also about loss. Not every animal you try to help can be saved. Not every animal, even ones found by caring people, lives in a place where the proper resources are available to treat them. We do what we can, always, but sometimes it isn’t enough. We grieve those losses and we remember them all. Every single one.

Every animal found/saved/loved/not saved that comes through a rescue is encased in a human and their feelings. Their joy is our joy and their grief is our grief. The finders, the fosters, the adopters – everyone who tried, everyone who cared is a part of that rescue story. These birds and these people live in our bones, forever. Success or failure, we must soldier on. We have to, because there are more waiting in the wings. Always more, waiting.

Rescue is as much about a network as it is about taking in animals. This work is impossible alone. To really help these beings, you must have a community: local, national and even abroad. Social media makes rescue easier and harder. Every amazing connection across the world equals more lives saved. And every moment of drama that isn’t actively helping an animal is taking time away from saving a life.

You are only one person and those in need are many. You have to be able to ask for help and to give help in return. You have to be kind even when you are exhausted. You have to find a way to accept defeat when your best isn’t enough and not let it crush you. Sadly, there will always be animal cruelty and exploitation. There will always be not enough money and not enough space. There will always be times when you are too late. But…if you keep going, your best will be enough for many, and for each of those animals, your best is EVERYTHING.

Thank you to all who help and care for these birds.

In Scotland, shenanigans are going on with the grouse moor licensing!

NatureScot is stalling on releasing overdue FoI documents relating to its grouse moor licensing shamDownload

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, H, J, MP’, Raptor Persecution UK, Friends of Osprey Sth Aus, Port Lincoln Osprey, Bart M and the PLO, Fran Solly, Gracie Shepherd, SW Florida Eagle Cam, Nesting Bird Life and More, Eagle Country, Raptor Persecution UK, Unknown author