Category Archives: Channel Islands Eagles

Heat hitting US Osprey Nests…Tuesday in Bird World

9 July 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

‘The Girls’ bring me so much comfort when the days are sad and long. I cannot imagine a world without them or Mr Crow screaming at me or the little squirrels running around the deck and the feeders. They help to bring a sense of calm when things just seem chaotic and well, bloody terrible.

Mr Crow knows precisely where to position himself above the conservatory to see if I am home! Then he begins cawing like I am pulling his tail feathers out for cheesy dogs. I know know that he also knows my car and starts calling the minute I get home if his dish is empty.

Look at Calico’s ears and expression. She is on the foot stool. She knows that Baby Hope is going to pounce any moment! Can anyone find Hugo Yugo?

A year ago, Calico’s kittens were one week old. She was scurrying back and forth from eating at our house to caring from them about a block away under a person’s deck. Only one survived, Baby Hope. I have no idea how many were born as it was impossible to get under the deck. We had to wait til they were older. It was a challenge to socialise Baby Hope but she is now the sweetest thing.

Calico watching the baby birds outside.

The Girls want to send each of you a flower. Our Hibiscus plant is bursting with gorgeous pink.

I am going to start with something to put a smile on our faces – a gregarious third hatch that survived with two brothers, Bazza and Falkey, on the Port Lincoln Nest – because, as chicks, they cooperated. As fledglings, never when it came to fish, but while they were on the nest they were sweet and considerate. It is Ervie. Dear Ervie.

There has been no sighting of Bazza since he left the nest (red band), and Falky was seen some 350 miles north (yellow) which always made me think Falky might have been a female. Other than the one sighting there has never been another word about Falky. We have, however, gotten great joy out of Ervie fishing with Dad at Delamere, sitting on top of the pine tree, and flying back and forth to various other areas around the Port Lincoln barge including his own nest. Thank you for staying so we could see you, Ervie – or being within sight of a photographer! You are adored.

And another happy moment. It is so wonderful to hear that Nox is doing well. Isn’t he cute?

There has been tremendous sadness within the Osprey populations this season, in the same way, that the Eagles had a very bad year. On Monday, I received word of Darling dying, and then one of my researchers, ‘VV’, who monitors 17 nests in Maryland, reported that the season was over. Every chick had died, or the nest had failed. The losses are attributed to a lack of essential fish and very hot weather. And predation or intrusion in one. We are also wondering about other underlying causes. Of those nests, the geese broke the eggs in one; in another, the eggs rolled out. Neither couple laid a second clutch. Only five nests had chicks this year, within those, nine known osplets have perished. The other nests failed completely. 

Many of us are just worn out and wish the end of Osprey season would come so that we could control our emotions. I thought last year was bad in the NE United States but I fear that this year will be far worse along with other nests in the NW.

One has to imagine that so many nests are unmonitored and the losses are there, we just do not see them. The area that suffered the Nor’easter last June is set to have as many deaths this year from the extreme heat and lack of food for the Ospreys. I will include all reports from the area as they come in – probably nearer to the end of August.

Hearing this news just makes it more important that the Menhaden that the Ospreys (amongst others) depend on for the primary food source is protected not depleted by the Canadian company, Omega! Or any other company from any other country. The fishing of Menhaden must stop. How we gather ourselves together to start a movement like Rachel Carson did for DDT I am not sure – it is all politics – but we need a united voice, every little group and each person – to try and provoke change.

They have basically cleared out the lower Chesapeake where so many nests are. So when I report on these little fish and the movement of the ships we need to realise that our ospreys need only approximately 500 fish for a family of three chicks and two adults (figured out by John Williams at the llyn Clywedog nest doing counts of Dylan’s deliveries). These ships take 112M tonnes.

The deaths that you will read about below are attributed to a lack of fish which is hydration for the chicks and then the heat kills the babies off. Think about it. Write to all your representatives…it is an election year in the US.

William Dunn posted the net set. Here it is enlarged – near Tangier Island.

The states that have coastal waters where the Menhaden are being decimated and the wildlife, not just ospreys, dying because of it should get together. New Jersey you should be joining Virginia and so should you Delaware, it seems. And Maryland! Make some noise. Get a different angle on this and embarrass these companies and those people funding and supporting them.

Beaumont brought in a huge fish. Hope ate. I watched. She did not feed the little ones lined up wanting some breakfast.

Sweet little babies with a piece of fish in the nest needing shade and food.

The kids were fed at around 1220.

The chicks at Llyn Brenig in Wales have been ringed, one male and one female.

Chicks ringed at Foulshaw Moss, too, if you missed it.

More great news. As you know, I am a great fan of Isabella Tree and the Rewilding Project at Knepp Farm. She has been the inspiration behind our ‘wild’ urban garden that is full of hundreds of birds, some rabbits, Red and Grey squirrels, along with a few feral cats and a raccoon. Knepp Farm had tremendous success reintroducing White Storks to the south of England after a 600 year absence.

There has been tremendous sadness within the Osprey populations this season, in the same way, that the Eagles had a very bad year. On Monday, I received word of Darling dying, and then one of my researchers, ‘VV’, who monitors 17 nests in Maryland, reported that the season was over. Every chick had died, or the nest had failed. The losses are attributed to a lack of essential fish and very hot weather. And predation or intrusion in one. We are also wondering about other underlying causes. Of those nests, the geese broke the eggs in one; in another, the eggs rolled out. Neither couple laid a second clutch. Only five nests had chicks this year, within those, nine known osplets have perished. The other nests failed completely. 

I am going to literally run through some of the nests that we are primarily concerned about because of the heat today or past performance. Heidi will report on Osoyoos.

Port Ridgefield: ‘BHA’ reports that the Only Bob and adults were alright Monday morning. The cam has been off for the most part so there is no record of fish deliveries or images.

Cowlitz: ‘PB’ has reported to me for the entire day and Dad is keeping up with the fishing despite the extreme heat. Little has had some good feeds and a big crop. Despite the 98 degree temperatures, Dad has been bringing fish to the nest and Little has had a nice crop.

‘PB’ reports that a nice fish came on the nest early Tuesday morning and Little had about 60 bites. Thanks so much ‘PB’. This is a nest that is of real concern in this heat.

Clark PUD: Dad has brought in at least 3 fish during the day. Could not determine size. Only Bob was fed and also did some self-feeding and wingersizing.

Steelscape: Dad was busy bringing in fish while the temperatures were in the high 60s. Those times were 0622, 0843, and 1022. The 0843 was a nice sized fish. The Osplets appear to be alright. Mum was rather frantic looking for dad in the hot winds to deliver fish. After it hit 90, no fish came to the nest. ‘PB’ reports a fish at 1711. All three fighting for bites and Mum, too.

McEuan Park: We have lost another of the original four osplets due to heat and lack of food. Only two oldest left now. Please send positive energy to all of these nests.

Seaside: Bruce has been bringing in nice fish. The kids had a trout and another big flat fish, both in the afternoon. I didn’t check the morning. The nest looks good. It is 93 F at Seaside and Sand Point.

Sand Point: Offline.

Minnesota Landscape Arobretum: Dad is such a good provider. Mum loves her fish but she also fed her only Bob and they did fine on Monday. It was 79 F with 6 mph winds. Oh, many nests would love that! Rains came in the afternoon.

Charlo Montana: Lola is an excellent mother and Charlie has done well to get fish on the nest. Big Bob has been intimidating Little Bob at times but the baby managed to get a crop a couple of times. It is 93 degrees with a heat advisory that extends to Friday. Lola has worked hard to keep her babies shaded.

Loveland:

Colonial Beach: Betty and David doing a good job keeping those two osplets hydrated and full!

Hellgate Canyon: Iris worked overtime to keep her two babies cool on a hot day. Finn brought in fish – not as many during the high temperatures, but nice big fish. The nest is under a heat advisory with temperatures rising to 101 F. Send Iris all your love.

‘H’ report:

7/8 Osoyoos osprey nest:  There were six fish brought to the nest.  The first fish at 0441 was tiny and it was only a 3-minute meal, Little was fed, but I could not see how much.  At 0502 Olsen delivered another whole tiny fish that allowed for a 4-minute feeding, and Little ate 11 bites of fish.  0717 was another 4-minute fish meal, and while Little was not beaked, there was simply no room at the table.  The fourth fish at 0750 was larger, and Soo fed Big and Middle for 10 minutes.  Little was beaked by both siblings a few times, and did not eat.  More than 11 hours passed before Olsen delivered the fifth fish at 1922.  It had been a very hot and sunny day with the osplets just trying to stay in Mom’s shade.  The temperature at 1500 was 101F/38C.  The fish at 1922 was a small headless fish that Soo fed for 7 minutes.  Little was prevented from eating.  

What happened next still boggles my mind, and I am still shaking my head.  Olsen delivered the sixth fish at 2015.  It was headless, but it was the largest fish of the day.  Soo started feeding, and Little was beaked.  At 2020 there may have been an intruder issue and Soo left.  She returned at 2021, but did not resume the feeding.  At 2023 Soo left the nest again.  She returned at 2026 and resumed the feeding.  At 2027 Little appeared to be getting some bites of fish on the opposite side of Soo, but I could not tell how much.  Soo stopped feeding at 2028 and flew off again.  Little and a sibling were trying to nibble on the fish.  Soo returned to the nest at 2037 with a lovely bunch of green and orange leaves.  How nice.  Little had a pretty good PS at 2038.  There was still quite a large piece of fish remaining at the 12-o’clock position on the sticks.  Soo resumed feeding at 2040, Little was beaked.  Soo stopped feeding Big and Middle at 2043, and she left the nest at 2047.  As darkness started to fall, there was still lots of fish remaining.  Little again tried to self-feed on the fish, but was incapable of doing so.  Soo and Olsen both arrived at the nest at 2131, and Olsen had something in his talons, but I could not really see what it was.  No one acted like Dad had just delivered a meal, so he must have brought some nesting material.  A big piece of fish is exactly what was needed for Little to have a chance to eat.  But, it just didn’t work out.  Still shaking my head.  High temperature predicted on 7/9 for Osoyoos is 104F/40C.  It will be sunny with light winds.

7/8 Patuxent River nest:  The big news of the day… Chick #2 ‘Middle’, became the first osplet at this nest to fledge, at 0824.  She made a nice landing back on the nest at 1043. Congratulations Middle.



7/8 Captiva:  Ding ate her two small needlefish on 7/7, and she made several additional attempts to catch a fish that day.  This morning, at 0957, Ding dove into the water below the nest, and she did not return all day.  Perhaps she is exploring, and seeking a better spot to fish.  Ding knows that she is on her own now.  You can do this, Ding.  You are a strong and capable young osprey.  You will find your fish.

Geemeff’s Summary for Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust:

Daily summary Monday 8th July 2024

Another day with no fish, and no sighting of Louis on the nest, although he was heard nearby, and seen occasionally by LizB. Dorcha spent a great deal of the day on the nest, fish-calling loudly and getting no response. An intruder was seen circling around in the foreground while Dorcha mantled and alarm-called on the nest – Louis was heard alarm-chipping but wasn’t seen flying after the intruder. Something is still not right with him.  Dorcha paid a visit at sunset looking very damp as if she’d been fishing, but stayed on her perch and it was difficult to see if she’d been successful. She returned unexpectedly even later, and this time she was fish calling but got no response and soon quietened down. She flew off after 11.30pm. No activity on Nest One other than a quick visit by some songbirds. Weather was mostly dry today with a few light rain showers, tonight’s forecast is a clear sky and light winds, with light rain and a gentle breeze tomorrow day time changing to a weather warning for heavy rain in the evening.

00.45 Neither cam has switched over yet. (day cam): Nest One (02.52.46); Nest Two (03.20.53)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/dabgX9wS5JE  N1 Three little birds singing sweetly 07.37.40

https://youtu.be/d_21ncEqyMU N2 Dorcha on the nest and Louis nearby deal with an intruder 11.13.20

https://youtu.be/FcIBmfScUJ8  N2 Still no fish from Louis: Dorcha gives up calling and departs 13.49.28

https://youtu.be/VfO3nAk5XNQ  N2 Dorcha pays a sunset visit looking wet – been fishing? 22.13.28 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/Z37mRFWwIW0 N2 Dorcha unexpectedly returns and she’s fish calling 23.08.43

Watch the Loch Arkaig Osprey livestream 24/7 and join in the conversation here:

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

Betsy and Frederick’s osplets are looking really, really good at the Outerbanks Nest.

Missing Thunder and Akecheta’s eaglets. Oh, they look good. What a wonderful place to be an eagle – even with the DDT. You can get a glimpse here in Lady Hawk’s video:

Archie is getting some rest! Way to go Archie. You were amazing.

Second hatch at Dorset Hobby Nest!

Thank you so much for being with us. Please stay cool, please take care. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their reports, notes, announcements, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘BHA, Geemeff, H, J, PB, VV’, Port Lincoln, California Raptor Centre, William Dunn, Newfoundland Power, Brenig Osprey Project, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, White Stork Project, Cowlitz PUD, Clark PUD, Steelscape, McEuan Park, Seaside Osprey Cam, MN Landscape Arboretum, Charlo Montana, Pam Breci, Colonial Beach, Hellgate Canyon, Osoyoos, Patuxent River Park, Window to Wildlife, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, OBX Osprey Cam, Lady Hawk, SK Hideaways, and Dorset Hobby Cam.

Chicks arrived safely…Tuesday in Bird World

2 July 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

It is Monday evening. Thank you for your notes. My DIL is safe as is the Island of Grenada. The small island of Carriacou was almost destroyed. It is a beautiful little place reached by boat from Grenada that holiday makers particularly enjoy. I am hoping that no one was killed.

It was rather appropriate that the rain was pouring down all morning in Winnipeg. The sky was a heavy grey and, that is pretty much how I felt. Sad. It wasn’t that I disagreed with the actions that The Woodland Trust and the Roy Dennis Foundation took, I did. It was just the ‘weight of the situation’ that got me down. Everyone hopes that they got it right. We must believe they did. I wish that Louis had rallied; he didn’t. The chicks needed to be saved before one or both starved. It still hits you hard seeing Louis bring in a fish to Dorcha and the chicks and the chicks not being there.

Those that have loved Louis and his mates for all these years will be processing this slow. We might not see Dorcha or Louis at the nest very much, if at all. All we can do is hope that Louis rests, eats and his health or whatever is bothering him dissipates and he becomes his old wonderful self. We wish Dorcha a recovery from caring for her babies. The females lose weight and she always fed her chicks before herself.

All went smoothly at Loch Arkaig and Louis and Dorcha’s two chicks have arrived safely at Inverness.

Geemeff sent her Loch Arkaig summary:

Daily summary Monday 1st July 2024

The 8th season for the Arkaig Ospreys effectively ended today with the removal of the two chicks from the nest to join a translocation programme which will see them go to Spain. Louis brought an early fish this morning which gave the family their final opportunity to be together, and this season’s tally ends at two hundred and fifty five fish. Woodland Trust Scotland spokesman George says: All went well this morning and the chicks are now with the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation.  More information on the reasons behind the removal can be read here:  https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/?ht-comment-id=15225467.  LizB provided another one of her valuable off-nest reports to inform us that Louis & Dorcha were perched together while the raptor team were doing their work. The removal of the chicks is such an unprecedented event that it made the STV evening news, and there was much lively debate on the forum. Dorcha returned to the nest several hours after the team left, but only stayed long enough to grab some of the extra fish the team had placed there, and to see off the Hoodies who were also interested in grabbing some free fish. Although Louis returned this evening with a fish for Dorcha, that and subsequent fish will not be included in the count. Steve Q says: there is no value in the data of any fish brought to the nest post removal of the young. Garry LV0 paid a visit to Nest One bringing moss but spent his half hour there just perching quietly. It rained during the morning and cleared up in the afternoon, tonight’s forecast of light cloud and light winds suggests it should remain dry tonight.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 00.15.26 (03.29.30); Nest Two 23.57.38 (04.03.48)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/Q_HakxODigs N2 Final family gathering for the 2024 Arkaig Ospreys 04.53.34 (freezeframe)

https://youtu.be/OX4_U4q4U4U N2 Dorcha returns to the nest after the chicks have been taken away 15.11.38

https://youtu.be/7EOiOedhNo0 N2 The chicks star on STV news 19.30

https://youtu.be/12Pe__3E3eo N1 Garry LV0 arrives bringing moss19.56.59

https://youtu.be/y2RIy-5tqEQ  N2 Louis brings a fish but only Dorcha is there 20.00.44

https://youtu.be/0v65YxWPJvw N2 Two Hoodies appear and steal fish from the empty nest 20.04.34

Bonus read – the removal of the chicks makes the news:

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scots-osprey-chicks-bound-spain-33146033

Watch the Loch Arkaig Osprey livestream 24/7 and join in the conversation here:

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

Two questions in the mailbox that you might also be wondering about. Thanks, ‘EJ’. Question 1: “Although I am sorry Louis seems to not be well, I am happy for the chicks going to Spain. How cool is that? So do they put them in a nest there? How do they find their way around? Will they migrate back to Spain or try to go home?”

Answer: ‘Hacking’ is the term often used for translocation. The chicks are fed and collected before they reach the fledging age, typically about six weeks or 42 days. They are placed in crates and carefully taken to a holding area. They will be thoroughly checked over, weighed, and recorded, and they will be fed very well. In the past, these compartments were in Roy Dennis’s garage near Inverness, Scotland. Once they have the total number of chicks – twelve (12)- preparations will be underway for them to be flown to Spain. There, they will be fed, checked over, and they will fledge from the chosen site. They will be satellite tagged and will have Spanish ring numbers but all their forms will say they hatched in Scotland. Ospreys ‘imprint’ on the area where they fledge which is why the timing is crucial. These chicks will imprint on this place in Spain. This ensures that they will return to this location when they are old enough to breed, not their natal nest in Scotland.

EJ’s second question: What happened to the male osprey who had the spine thingie in his leg and his leg was all swollen?

Answer to Question 2: EJ is referring to Jack at Captiva. According to the log kept by Windows to Wildlife, Jack has not been seen on the nest since 11:05 on the 29th of June. Edie has been bringing in fish and intruders have been around attacking the chicks, according to the same log. I have seen no information on the current status of Jack. I would not like to speculate at this time.

To keep my mind off Hurricane Beryl (everything is fine in Grenada, thank goodness), The Girls had their birthday party. Missey is now 2 and Hope is 1. Birthday parties are chaotic events. Their favourite treats are tossed all over the table along with some new toys, brushes, and scratching blocks. They seem to have a good time. Next party is September for Hugo Yugo who will be a year old; Calico will be two in November.

To put a smile on your face. Little Cowlitz 3 had a private feeding, and the result was a huge crop. Sometimes I am afraid to check, but Monday was good. Thanks, ‘PB’.

Only Bob at Clark PUD is feathered and beautiful.

Boulder’s Only Bob is doing great, too.

Bruce and Naha’s two chicks, Tsee and Toketee, are really enjoying some nice fish including a trout on Monday.

It is always feeding time at the nest of Iris and Finnegan. Not only Iris feeds the kids, but dear, darling Finnegan steps in, too. What a guy! He is feeding the oldest while Iris keeps the baby warm and dry in the rain. Talk about cooperation. Reminds me of Blue 022 and CJ7 this year at Poole Harbour. It is wonderful to watch this nest. I just wish I could read Iris’s mind!

A comments on the top image: “The rain set in at Hellgate by 17:20. After the feeding, Finn not only listened to Iris, but came back with another fish around 17:28, which he then fed Big Bob while Iris watched and kept Little Bob warm (his crop ended up larger than his older sibling’s – not unusually). Unfortunately, Iris did not get any of this second headless fish, She is the only one who hasn’t really eaten enough, but she has a larger crop, which was well filled this morning and is still visible. I loved the way Finn fed Big Bob in the pouring rain rather than get Iris up. He is looking after her as well as he possibly can. He is a gem. “

‘A’ writes: “Darling Finn brought in one of his traditional giant fish for Iris and the kids just before 05:52. She is pleased. The kids line up nicely at the table and wait for mum to wrangle the fish. Finn ate a few bites of the head end while waiting for Iris to get up (he was moving the fish around to a position from which he could feed her when she decided she needed to feed the kids). 

Interestingly, as it’s raining, Big Bob does his usual bend and flap stretch, flapping the water off his wings, and in the process, bonks Little Bob with one wing. Little Bob totally ignores it. Had he ever been bullied, he would definitely have instantly ‘flinched’ at this. 

Mum is taking a bit of time to get the fish to the kids – she too is flapping water off her wings (and she has a lot to get rid of!) and Little sees Dad moving around the nest towards the perch. Keeping his eyes on dad, he turns to face him. What’s he doing? Ah!! Clever dad. Remember that leftover fish I said must still be on the nest somewhere? (I saw it left there last night and did not see Finn leave the perch during the night or Iris having or feeding the chicks a nighttime snack.) Well, clever Finn knows exactly where it is. 

Finn heads straight for the place mum left the fish last night (on the edge of the nest, near the perch) and uncovers what reveals itself in daylight to be almost all of a giant fish (just like the one he has just brought in this morning). I am a little concerned Iris didn’t remember it between 5am when she started pestering Finn for food and 05:52 when breakfast arrived. Maybe she’s a sushi girl and only likes her fish fresh. Finn takes his breakfast to the perch. 

Little has turned back to the actual feeding adult and both chicks are getting an excellent breakfast. Oh they are just so exquisite, and their size and development gap makes it even more interesting in the sense that it appears there are actually two different species of creature on that nest (neither really bird-like, in all honesty). 

By 6am the rain is teeming down again and Little Bob takes shelter beneath Big Bob’s crop!! Mum reaches to feed Big Bob. Little Bob backs up towards the camera and does a large PS. My goodness that is one very very plump osplet. Little decides he’d rather have shelter than food right now and huddles under Big Bob again, this time beneath his left wing. (I’m assuming Big is male, despite his size, based entirely on his behaviour, which just isn’t aggressive enough to be that of a female.) TOO cute. 

But even from beneath Big Bob, Little is still fish crying, and eventually has to decide how badly he wants that fish. Yes, badly enough to turn around to face mum and stick his little head out from under Big Bob to ask Iris for a bite. His decision, though, comes just a few seconds too late, as the rain is heavier and soon after 06:01, Iris decides the chicks need to be kept dry more than they need more food at the moment. There is plenty of fish for everyone (Finn is still working on the giant fish on the perch – there is no way he can eat all of it and still be able to polish off the leftovers on the nest). Iris has left at least two-thirds (probably more) of the fish Finn brought in at 05:52. 

This is an amazing family and Finn is the best ever mate and parent. He is a natural (or has experience) and he is devoted to his family. He has learned he needs to make more deliveries. He has learned how to feed the osplets with confidence. Some of the other stuff – feeding Iris, sleeping on the perch – is obviously just him. He may have had another mate (and perhaps chicks) or he may just be the paternal type (full of the right hormones, I presume, which is far less romantic). “

Cute little babies at Charlo Montana have fat healthy little bottoms. They are turning into Reptiles.

Alma and Lucia horsing around in San Jose.

Eastern Imperial Eaglets in RU are doing very well. They are getting stronger and standing, walking around, and pecking at their food.

Latvia’s osplets in the Kurzeme area are growing and growing!

Just look at those two Golden Eaglets in Estonia with their juvenile feathers growing. I blinked. They were white with those gorgeous deep chocolate brown feathers and now it is the opposite! Their ‘ps’ all over that branch tell me these two should be healthy despite the second one looking rather thin. Fingers crossed I am not fooling myself. I often wonder how cameras can distort things – eaglets look healthy like Meadow and turn out to be thin and dehydrated and full of mites and parasites.

Lady is in full incubation mode in the Sydney Olympic Forest now that her and Dad have their two eggs. I can’t wait!

The two Decorah North fledglings that lost their nest when it collapsed cannot stay away from that nest tree. ‘Home is where your heart is’ and it is that old broken tree for this family.

One of Thunder and Akecheta’s fledglings returns to the natal nest on Monday.

The Fab Four at Poole Harbour were ringed. The ring numbers are 5RO (1), 5R1 (3), 5R2 (2), and 5H6 (4). Tim Mackrill has advised Poole Harbour that the Roy Dennis Foundation believes these are four well-fed males. That indeed, would account for the civility on this nest!!!!!!!!!! I await for some more clarification as there were earlier reports of a mixed-gender nest.

‘H’ reports:


7/1 Captiva ospreys:  Wow, what a day!  Darling did not have any food yesterday (except a fish tail).  On 6/30 Edie delivered three fish to the nest, but one of the fish went overboard during the melee between the sibs fighting over the fish, and Ding ate the other two fish.  This morning, Darling woke up ‘hangry’, and was quite aggressive toward Ding.  Darling attacked Ding in the nest and chased her off the nest many times.  But, the young fledglings were soon having issues with an intruder, an osprey that was believed to be male.  The intruder was buzzing the nest, and flying toward the nest with talons extended.  It was also in pursuit of Ding several times when Ding flew from the nest.  Almost every time Ding returned to the nest, she was attacked by Darling, and many times Darling pushed her off the nest.  Darling also prevented Ding from landing in the nest several times.  At 0852 Darling was attempting to force Ding off the nest, and the intruder landed on Darling, and forced Darling off the nest!  At 0925 Darling was attacked again by the intruder.  Finally, at 1053 Edie showed up with a large fish, and Ding got it.  The intruder landed on the right perch and Edie chased it off and flew in  pursuit of the intruder.  At 1208 Edie delivered a large partial fish and Darling got that one (the viewing crowd went wild!).  It was Darling’s first meal in about 42 hours.  Chow down, Darling!  Edie brought a fish at 1544, and that one also went to Darling.  At 1801 Edie delivered a partial fish that went to Ding, so each osplet had two fish for the day.  It was quite an educational day for the young ospreys.  It was good for Darling to be assertive, and good for Ding to experience the new and improved Darling.  And, Ding and Darling had their first significant encounter with an intruder.  They will learn from all of these experiences to help prepare them to face the world on their own.   

7/1 Fortis Exshaw osprey nest:  There have been a couple of rare occasions of Big beaking Little, but not at meals.  Everyone gets to eat at the feedings, and Little is often front and center at Mom’s beak.  The kids are looking good and getting big.

7/2 Colonial Beach osprey nest:  David and Betty are doing a nice job of parenting, and their 7 and 8-day-old nestlings are doing well.

7/2 Osoyoos osprey nest:  The live stream has been offline since Saturday afternoon.

Thanks so much, ‘H’.

This is a beautiful view of the Glaslyn Valley in Wales. It is home of Aran and Elen and their chicks are being ringed at the moment.

Beaumont and Hope welcomed the arrival of their second chick, from egg 3 ( egg 2 DNH) on Monday. Beaumont is bringing in lots of fish and Hope is feeding the chicks well. Fingers crossed!

Have you checked on those two beautiful osplets at the Patchogue nest on Long Island lately?

You might want to watch Blue 1RO at Rutland Water. Maya and Blue 33’s Only Bob will be fledging soon! What a gorgeous bird.

The latest edition of Cornell’s Living Birds is out and there is a nice article on how to bring birds to your garden.

To-Bring-Birds-to-Your-Garden-Grow-Native-Plants_-Heres-How-to-Get-Started-_-All-About-Birds-All-About-BirdsDownload

Some of you will have read the news that a male Bald Eagle, a few miles out of the territory of M15 and F23, was hit by a vehicle while on the road. It was NOT M15. Please relax if you were worried, but also tell people to slow down. Animals are killed every day by the hundreds because of speeding motorists.

You will have noted through Heidi’s reports that the nest at Forsythe New Jersey of Opal and Oscar never has enough fish. Here is the map of the huge trawlers (I am embarrassed Omega is a Canadian registered company) leaving the waters of Virginia and heading to the NJ area. Want to know why there is not fish for the Ospreys? This is your answer! The ships need to be banned. I understand that this is also the nursery of the East Coast Striped Bass and Rockfish and they are being wiped out.

There are elections coming up in some of these areas. If you live here, talk to the candidates. Try and get this stopped before it is too late.

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

Thank you to the following for their questions, comments, notes, announcements, postings, images, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, C, EJ, Geemeff, H, J, PB’, WX Chasing, The Woodland Trust, Geemeff and the Woodland Trust, Mary Cheadle, Cowlitz PUD, Clark PUD, Boulder County, Seaside Ospreys, Montana Osprey Project, Charlo Montana, SK Hideaways, Eastern Imperial Eagles RU, LDG, Eagle Club of Estonia, Sydney Sea Eagle Cam, Raptor Resource Project/Explore, IWS/Explore, BoPH, Window to Wildlife, Fortis Exshaw, Colonial Beach, Newfoundland Power, PSEG, LRWT, SWFlorida Eagle Cam, William Dunn -Menhaden- Little Fish, Big Deal FB, and Cornell’s Living Bird.

Wednesday in Bird World

26 June 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

I hope that the first half of the week has treated you well. Thank you so much for your notes and the news that you sent that arrived in my Inbox this morning (Wednesday). I will put those great items in for tomorrow! So appreciated.

I could not believe the number of Blue Jays in the garden Tuesday afternoon. A pest control person would say we have an ‘infestation’ of Blue Jays – there were 16 in the garden at once. No, not some flying in and out and being counted twice, but sixteen! What an amazing feeling to see so many. Ever since I was luring Calico into the house and met people from another street near where I live, I realised that many people were feeding the birds and the feral cats. It has helped to increase the population numbers.

Below are some lousy images taken through the conservatory windows with the iPhone.

Too many choices!

This one loved digging in the plant pot.

This Blue Jay really wanted a peanut, but one of Dyson’s kits was on the table feeder. This one is also moulting but have a look at those beautiful markings especially around the eye. Looks like it has been practising the latest look with the kohl markers.

The markings around the eye are entirely different on this one. Gosh, I love Blue Jays. These images will go in the file form last summer to see if I can identify any of the birds.

Hope is almost ready for her first birthday and she has the most beautiful eyes. She has only to stare at me and I melt – not beautiful Baby Blues but Baby Greens.

Hugo Yugo has the most beautiful tail. It is as big as she is!

While Omega is taking record catches of Menhaden (its quota), the Ospreys in the Bay area are noted to be having difficulty finding food. This is the saddest thing I can think of. The ASMFC makes the quota and every state is represented. IF we want our ospreys to have food and not have their population completely decimated then the people that make quota decisions need to understand that commercial fishing of Menhaden needs to stop and stop now. The list of those decision-makers is below.

I also learned this: “The Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay are two separate ecosystems.Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) uses ocean only survey data from NOAA on Menhaden to set an Ocean and Bay quota. No wonder the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem is on the verge of collapse – the 112M lb Bay quota is set by throwing darts.” (Brain Collins, Menhaden – Little Fish, Big Deal FB).

Commissioners-Atlantic-States-Marine-Fisheries-CommissionDownload

‘EJ’ sent me some great news about the intentional release of balloons. In Florida, it is now against the law. You can still have balloons, you just cannot intentionally let them fly free. But what about those accidents? Now can we get an all out ban on the use of balloons for anything? Just ban them. People who leave them tied to the gate posts on their drive cause as much trouble as those who release them into the air. They still get into the environment. Just take the big step and ban them.

DeSantis-signs-law-banning-intentional-release-of-balloons-Fox-NewsDownload

A Himalyan Vulture has been photographed in Armenia for the first time.

Western-Palearctics-first-Himalayan-Vulture-photographed-in-Armenia-BirdGuidesDownload

England is getting another protected area in Cumbria. It may be baby steps to some but any success is worth the effort!!!!!

Englands-largest-rainforest-becomes-protected-reserve-BirdGuidesDownload

Waiting for hatch at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.

All is well with CJ7 and Blue 022 at Poole Harbour and their four osplets. One is wanting to nibble and get that fish away from Dad!

The two Golden Eaglets at Estonian nest 2 Kaljukotkas are the sweetest things. Yes, you read that right! Prey was brought in and older sibling left some for the younger. Seriously it doesn’t get much better than that!

Aran and Elen’s trio at Glaslyn are marvellous. I can’t wait til they are ringed. What an idyllic spot to hatch! The sound of cows and sheep, the beautiful green of the Welsh countryside. They will be ringed shortly.

The two surviving chicks at Maryland’s Western Shore nest are really wanting to self feed. Mum still likes to control those fish!

They are very loud – oh, that beautiful sound of an osplet fish crying. And they are the size of their parents.

Nox and Annie – you might want to turn down the volume!

‘PB’ reports that in the late afternoon the third hatch at Steelscape finally had a crop! The little one has had trouble getting any food. We are concerned.

The baby had a tough time at Cowlitz PUD today, too, but ‘PB’ counted 50 nice sized bites of fish at the last feeding. That is not good but might be survivable providing more fish comes in early on Wednesday. A confirmed late evening large fish has arrived. The two older chicks ate their fill. Little three had nothing.

Marders Only Bob is doing very well.

I have to remind myself that those tiny third hatches can survive when I look at Blackbush. I am thinking of Tiny Little Blue 464 at Foulshaw Moss, Tiny Little at Achieva in 2021, Little Mini aka Tiny Dancer at Patchogue…but they have to have spunk and a bit of creativity to get to that fish.

Looking at the two osplets at Bridge Golf Course you might not notice that there is concern for the leg of the second hatch.

Geemeff sends us the Loch Arkaig Daily Summary – thank you, Geemeff!

Daily summary Tuesday 25th June 2024

A day with few fish but plenty of good manners, and confirmation of two chicks on the Bunarkaig nest (thanks Chaddie), whose parents may or may not be Prince & Affric 152. Louis only delivered three fish today, none of them especially big, so Dorcha gave the two chicks, who queued up politely and took turns, most of the fish and only took a little for herself. Louis’ tally rises to two hundred and forty nine (249), although judging by his bulging crop, he may well have caught more than three today. Dorcha took out her hunger on some sticks and the chicks paid close attention making sure to keep out of her way. Garry LV0 paid several visits to Nest One, bringing nesting materials and doing housekeeping as well as perching quietly and preening. The weather was settled today, and more of the same tonight with a forecast of light clouds, light winds and a low of 12 °C.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 00.18.32 (03.29.13); Nest Two (04.08.47)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/K3WvjHDOV-M N2 Fish number one, not much left for Dorcha 09.29.00

https://youtu.be/Z_3zm3AQWgc N1 Garry LV0 brings bedding but only stays a short time 12.04.22

https://youtu.be/Y2Gv_Oh4iNk N1 Garry returns and does some nest prep 14.45.25 

https://youtu.be/dFLYF7Ayh0E  N2 Fish number two, chicks queue politely 16.44.47

https://youtu.be/ySDyxYVtZpw  N2 Personages with long sticks 17.17.01 (Classic Ospreys – Saint-Saëns)

https://youtu.be/4vw_4rNXK2g N2 Fish number three, small headless trout, Dorcha gets hardly any 20.02.23

Bonus shopping – bag a bargain in Woodland Trust’s sale – every purchase made from WT’s shop funds vital work to plant and protect trees and woods across the UK: https://shop.woodlandtrust.org.uk/summer-sale

Watch the Loch Arkaig Osprey livestream 24/7 and join in the conversation here:

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

Oh, look at my guy. Blue 33! He is delivering fish #10 at 20:18 for Maya to feed their Only Bob. Oh, there are nests that could only dream about this number and size of fish. So what is the difference? Rutland has a stocked pond.

Blue 1H0 has the same ‘snake eyes’ as Daddy Blue 33. Just gorgeous.

Oh, Iris. You are looking tired to me. But you are taking such good care of those babies.

On Tuesday, it appeared that Finn had trouble fishing with only this very early morning fish. Will there be another? What is the problem?

Darling Finn brought in the second fish of the day for Iris and their babies. Thanks, ‘PB’. Was he on security duty all day? or was fishing particularly difficult? That was a huge gap in time.

SF Bay Ospreys are giving us a 26 day report – that is the age of the oldest of the two chicks of Rosie and Richmond. It is now half way to fledge. Gosh, time passes so quickly.

Anna and Andrew’s Beautiful Lesser Spotted Eaglet at Zemgale, Latvia, Ieva. Several voles coming in for food. I wonder how many small mammals are available in the forest for food? Have the population of small mammals changed in the area?

Selgas and Svinga have at least one miracle little osplet in that nest in Latvia. I strained my eyes to try and see if there were two of them on Tuesday.

And yes, it was a second little head. Thanks, ‘J’.

In Newfoundland, the first egg has hatched at the nest of Hope and Beaumont in Snow Lane.

It’s raining and it is unclear to me if the baby has been fed.

‘A’ keeps us up to date on what is happening with Dad and Lady in the Sydney Olympic Forest: “Meanwhile, an egg is surely just around the corner at WBSE: June 25: After some time on the nest, standing and keeping us in suspense, Lady went to her sleeping branch and slept quietly for the rest of the night. Both woke early, with several early morning duets and finally mating at 6:25. Both were away just before 7am. Dad returned with a small bream, head eaten, and left it on the nest at 7:13. Both eagles were seen from the river at 7:50, one at River Roost, the other near Ironbark Roost in the forest. Dad returned and took the fish himself just after 9am. He brought a stick in just before 10am, followed by Lady, and left again after a little work. Both returned just before 11am, Dad with another stick. Both left again, no prey. Dad was back again an hour later, followed by Lady – no prey – and off again. Then he brought a leafy twig, again followed by Lady – then she was off again. Dad returned with a big whiting at 16:19, quickly claimed by Lady and taken off to eat at Ironbark Roost. She returned the last scrap to the nest at 16:48. Later, at last light, both were on the nest, then moved to nearby branches for the evening. Will tonight be the night?

Syracuse University confirms that Oren and Ruth’s two Red-tail Hawklets fledged.

‘H’ sends her great reports!

6/25 Colonial Beach Osprey nest: Yay!  Betty and David now have two lil’ babies.  Their second baby hatched at approximately 17:48.  One more egg to go.

6/25 Fortis Exshaw:  Things are going very well for this family…Harvie brings in so much fish, that there is no feeling of food insecurity by the osplets.  Two years ago, Louise and Jasper fledged three chicks.  Last year, Jasper disappeared early in the season, and Louise had a difficult time fishing for her three young kids, while at the same time dealing with some really mean intruders.  Louise had some assistance for a few weeks by another male, Mr. O.  He brought fish and helped with nest security, but I fear that Mr. O may have also been a victim of the intruders.  Only one osplet of three fledged.  That was Banff.  Fingers crossed for Louise and her new family this year.

6/25 Osoyoos osprey nest:  In my mind, fish size is relative to any given nest.  A ‘whopper’ at Osoyoos would be considered a medium sized fish at many other nests.  Olsen mostly brings tiny, small, and medium sized fish to the nest, and rarely is he able to catch a large fish.  There are variables such as: is the fish headless, is the fish thin or thick (fish mass)?  I like to judge by how long it takes Soo to feed her three kids from any given fish.  From my observations: A feeding from a tiny fish only takes Soo 3-4 minutes to feed, 5-7 minutes for a small fish, 8-10 minutes for a medium sized fish, and 11-15 minutes for a large fish.  This is not a perfect system by any means…a tough fish will take longer to feed, and if Soo becomes distracted for a bit, that will prolong a feeding.  There were ‘only’ five feedings for the osplets today, down from their average of 7-9 meals per day.  No aggression was observed during any of the feedings.  The meals lasted (in minutes of duration): 5, 11, 5, 8, and 15 minutes.   The chicks are growing rapidly, and their appetites are increasing.  Due to the size of the fish, Olsen needs to catch a whole lot of fish for this hungry brood in order to prevent any food insecurity.  Fingers crossed.

6/25 Forsythe osprey nest: The live stream had been down for 2.5 days, and upon return of the stream just before noon today, we saw one of the osplets self-feeding.  And, after a while, the other chick stole the fish and also self-fed.  The self-feeding is a new development.  The 35 and 34-day-old osplets are looking good.

6/25 Mispillion Harbor osprey nest:  Della and Warren are doing a great job, and this family is doing well.  The 29 and 28-day-old osplets are simply gorgeous (this is one of my home nests…so I’m a little biased, lol).

In Oklahoma, excessive heat is killing songbirds. Many Robins found dead. Some people are putting frozen gel packs in their water bowls and bird baths to help keep the water cool. Please put out water for all the feathered friends and critters! Shallow dishes with pebbles help. Food if you can, but water is so important. Thank you and thank you to everyone who sent me a note to say they are doing their part with providing water. You are saving lives. Smile. Every little bit helps.

It is about that time. 1 July in Canada and the 4th in the US. And I am sure there are celebrations elsewhere. I continue to imagine celebrations without things that harm the wildlife – like balloons and fireworks. Just think what the money spent on fireworks could do to help non-humans and humans.

Persuade your community that there are alternatives – that might even include a free picnic for everyone. Anything but fireworks and balloons.

Final note: The little one at Cowlitz had no fish from the first feed at Cowlitz PUD and the same at Steelscape. So sad.

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, posts, images, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: A, EJ, Geemeff, H, J, PB’, Brian Collins, ASMFC, FOX News, BirdGuides, Trent University, BoPH, Eagle Club of Estonia, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Maryland Western Shore for Old Town Home, SK Hideaways, Steelscape Osprey Cam, Cowlitz PUD, Marders, Blackbush, Bridge Golf, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, LRWT, Montana Osprey Project, SF Bay Ospreys, LDF, Newfoundland Power, Sea Eagle Cam, SU Hawk Nest Cam, Colonial Beach, Fortis-Exshaw, Osoyoos, Mispillion Harbour, Forsythe, and Spay-Neuter Coalition of NM,

2 kg female osplet ringed in Wales…Tuesday in Bird World

25 June 2024

Good Morning Everyone!

‘The Girls’ and I are sitting in the conservatory despite the high temperature. It is 29 C. We have gotten hotter in the summers, but everything feels strange – like a big storm coming. The trees are twirling around and the clouds are moving quickly covering up the sun and yet, there is no prediction of anything happening. Cold water has been put out for the birds and more food for the Corvids as they are feeding babies and fledglings are coming to the garden now. I hope to get some good images of them one day.

I am not complaining. I understand from ‘MM’ that it is 96 F with a heat index of 101 in North Carolina. This is why all those osprey babies (and eagles) should hatch in the winter. So much better!

The garden is a shady paradise in the lilacs and the tunnel created with the vines and other trees. There is also shade on the deck in the late afternoon. The birds come out to feed again after having a siesta.

Junior wants a peanut but Dyson is there.

So he decides to have a bath.

It is hot everywhere. Please remember to leave out shallow bowls of water for the animals. You will save their lives. Water is more important than food when the heat is so high. Even pie pans with water – put try and put them in the shade. Thank you.

This just puts a smile on my face. Someone doing something to help birds. Enter mosquitoes to the Hawaiian Islands.

Millions-of-mosquitoes-released-in-Hawaii-to-save-rare-birds-from-extinction-Hawaii-The-GuardianDownload

Idris and Telyn have set a record at the Dyfi nest in Wales. One of the females broke the weight record for a chick ringed in Wales. She came in over 2 kg. Here is the announcement with the names of the osplets!

That is incredible. ‘Daddy Longlegs’ Idris has really been hauling in the fish. Even that male has a nice healthy weight.

‘MM’ sends news that we have the first hatch at Colonial Beach. It is hot there. 31.3 C or 88 F. Chick has already had its first feeding! Well done, Betty and David. See also ‘H’s report below on this nest.

Iris’s oldest chick is rather precocious. It is already nibbling on the fish!

‘A’ comments on something magical: “Finn brought in a leftover chunk of fish at about 18:44 and just stands with it on the nest for about 25 minutes. Finally, he starts nibbling at it and Iris stands up, but Finn just keeps eating himself. Baby Bob spots who has the fish and is promptly over to dad, although both chicks already have good crops. It takes dad a while to stop feeding his face (and giving the odd bite to Iris) and start feeding Little Bob, and then he looks the wrong way when dad offers him fish, but around 19:16 a feeding of sorts begins. Soon, Big Bob sees what is happening and lumbers up behind Little Bob but does not interfere. Dad leans over to feed the older chick and at this point, he gives up on eating and starts feeding the two osplets in turn. It is wonderful to watch. This guy really is a keeper. He has a bit to learn about leaving leftovers on the nest and if he is only going to catch two or three whoppers a day, to bring them back more than once so they represent more than one feeding, but none of that will matter shortly, when they are big enough to handle fewer, larger feeds. 

Finn has been an amazing first-time dad, guarding his family and the territory with great dedication and bringing in enough fish to feed the family (albeit his delivery schedule needs a little adjustment – see above). He has fed Iris on several occasions when she is tired or when it is wet, and now, he is feeding the osplets as well. This is one fantastic dad in the making. And Iris has chosen well. “

‘B’ writes that we have fledges! “Fledges at both Fraser Point and Bald Canyon this morning — the second FP chick (usually referred to as Reign) at 8:32:09 and Selene at BC at 10:07:54.  Reign was back on an adjacent branch at 10:38:06 and on the nest proper within a minute…So all the Channel Islands eaglets that are on nest cams have now fledged.” Congratulations everyone. A wonderful year!

‘B’ also sent us a link to an article in The Washington Post. Do you think the Bald Eagle is the official bird of the United States? Have a read!

Opinion | You probably think this is our national bird. Think again.

‘TU’ has sent us some news. A pair of Egyptian Geese took over a stork nest. Their chicks took the leap this morning. Video below.

In Montreal, Peregrine Falcon chick Polo fledges! Beautiful flight. Oh, how I hate those windows.

Let’s catch up with the news from ‘H’:

6/24 Colonial Beach Virginia osprey nest:  Congratulations to Betty and David on the hatch of their first baby!

6/24 Barnegat Light osprey nest:  Even though Daisy and Duke did not have any eggs this season, they continue to hang out together in the bay area.  We are delighted when they grace us with their presence on camera.  Theirs is a love story.

6/24 The Osoyoos osprey nest had another nice day. They had nine feedings, and all three of the osplets had good crops.  Meal times remained peaceful, but I did catch a pretty good beaking battle in between meals, and that kerfuffle was started by Little!

6/24  Fenwick Island osprey nest (Capt Mac’s fish House):  Okay now…I am starting to be impressed.  June is keeping her leftover fish, saving it for more feedings, and she is feeding longer.  Just look at the crop on that lil’ 10-day-old osplet.  Now, that’s what I’m talking about!

6/24 Patuxent River Park osprey nest:  It was a veritable fish-feast-day.  There were a total of six long meals throughout the day .  Something really cool happened in the afternoon… At 1410 Mom brought a large fish to the nest (first fish for her this season), and two minutes later Dad landed in the nest with a large fish.  A dual feeding took place, with Dad primarily feeding the two older siblings for 1/2 hour before he left with half his fish.  And, Mom primarily fed Little.  She continued to feed everyone from her fish after Dad left, and her fish lasted an hour.  

6/24 Captiva ospreys:  The day started off with a surprise for Ding and Darling when they had a visitor in the middle of the night…a young heron landed in the nest for a short period of time.  The kids maintained their cool, but we’ve never seen their eyes so big!  Jack brought three fish to the nest today, and Darling had his very own hardhead catfish.  He was able to unzip it, and ate the whole fish.  Edie was last seen on cam on 6/23, but there have been sightings of an adult osprey landing in a nearby tree, and some believe that they have heard Edie.  It is believed that Edie is taking a short break, and that her absence from the nest has nothing to do with the fishing line incident of 6/21.  After the fishing line incident, Edie delivered fish to the nest on 6/21, 6/22, and 6/23, and she seemed just fine.

Thanks so much, ‘H’. That Fenwick Island baby is too cute – and oh, so full! Love it.

That little osplet in Kurzeme Latvia is also so cute. OK. They are all cute little dinosaurs.

Four hot ospreys at Field Farm. Little Mini is getting its feathers.

Birds of Poole Harbour Fab Four are deliriously wonderful. CJ7 and Blue 022. I can’t tell you how much I adore them.

And then there is Louis at Loch Arkaig that brought in a fish at midnight to Dorcha. Yes, midnight. Do ospreys hunt in the dark? how light was it in Scotland at midnight? Oh, I just wish I could send one of those fish over to Osoyoos.

Geemeff’s Daily Summary for Loch Arkaig: Monday 24th June 2024

The day started out a bit soggy but soon improved, and Louis had a bit of a lie-in after yesterday’s midnight fish, not turning up until lunchtime with today’s first fish. He followed it up with three more, taking his tally to two hundred and forty six. Dorcha had fun with a stick but was left hungry as the growing chicks devoured most of the fish, however the arrival of a large 11pm fish supper meant she didn’t end the day hungry. The nest seems to be getting a little crowded now that the chicks are mobile and stretching out their suddenly long wings, perhaps that’s why one chick took a pop at the other and a short sharp fight broke out. There was much discussion on the forum about which chick is which as it’s getting very difficult to tell them apart. Garry LV0 turned up on Nest One again today, bringing nesting materials and doing a bit of nest scraping. Is this a frustration eyrie? Whatever his motives, it’s good to see him. Tonight’s forecast is light rain and light winds, luckily although the chicks are too big to fit under Dorcha, their preen glands are coming through and they’re starting to get some waterproofing. 

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 00.15.51 (02.48.23); Nest Two (03.32.32)

Watch the livestream 24/7 and join in the conversation here:

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

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/Alfrd7novqE  N1 Garry LV0 arrives early and does some nest prep 06:15:01 

https://youtu.be/fs7pwvQ359g N2 Fish number one, small whole trout, chicks queue politely 12.45.07

https://youtu.be/iQA9jIPeDsE N2 Fight! Is the nest getting too crowed? Chicks have a pop 13.01

https://youtu.be/opTBHM-Q3jk N2 Dorcha brings a stick and hangs it round Chick1’s neck 14.28.44

https://youtu.be/ryxHF_M71io N2 Fish number two, big whole trout, Dorcha gets hardly any of it 15.30.25

https://youtu.be/45KVDHPY0x40 N2 Fish number three, headless small trout, soon finished, Dorcha’s still hungry 17.08.47 

https://youtu.be/Ijm7ts7aZGk N2 Fish number four, whole trout, Dorcha tucks in immediately 23.05.25

Bonus read – Flights, Camera, Action! Postcode Lottery discuss their sponsorship of the nest cam:

https://www.postcodelottery.co.uk/postcode-hub/news/flights-camera-action

Blackbush. Sometimes dual feedings. Sometimes Dad feeding Mum who feeds babies. Send this nest hope. We have seen these little ones before survive. Tiny Dancer. Tiny Little. Blue 464. It depends on the amount of prey and the willingness of the parents to work hard to keep all of them alive – just like CJ7 and Blue 022 are doing.

Beautiful fledglings back on the VIMS nest.

Once in awhile you will catch a fledgling on the Frenchman’s Creek nest. These kids are gorgeous. Look at that clean nest!

Looks like Tuffy had a couple of nice fish today on the Moorings Park nest. These kids of Harry and Sally are gorgeous.

It was 26 C in Osoyoos today. Tomorrow will be 27 – and believe me, it is hotter on the top of an osprey nest than it is at ground level. Then there is to be rain. Oh, please give these babies some fish – some big fish because Soo and Olsen have to eat, too!

My goodness. The plumage on that baby at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is dark. Very pretty little osplet. The image shows Mum feeding the little one from the whole fish that Dad brought in around 1400. There had at least been one earlier fish. It is hot on that nest!

Oh, look at those fat little bottoms at Charlo Montana!

Winnie and Swoop have their second baby at Dunrovin on the 24th.

It is hot in Colorado. Pitkin County Mum is the perfect mumbrella keeping her babies cool. She fluffs her own feathers to keep herself cool as well.

I sure would like to see more fish in the heat at Cowlitz PUD but there are still three osplets that appear to be alright.

Beautiful baby at Clark PUD.

Boulder County Mum keeping their Only Bob cool and fed!

No love lost when it comes to food amounts San Jose fledglings!

Many of us are hoping to find out what happened to Redwood Queen and Zenith’s chick in the Big Sur Redwood Forest. We are joining the Ventana Wildlife Society’s Condor Chat which is on the last Thursday of the month. Very informative.

Got to the Ventana Wildlife Society website to sign up. The Condor chats are also archived and you can view them on YouTube.

Educate yourself about California Condors and the acute challenges they face. The Ventana Wildlife Society led the way in giving their flock vaccines for HPAI. Now they are helping others.

We have another Condor baby. Fingers crossed.

Decorah North continues to thrive despite the nest collapse.

Gorgeous Black Storks in Portugal.

Beautiful Mum at Port Lincoln Barge on the nest and eating a fish she caught and brought back quickly.

‘PB’ has been keeping an eye on Cowlitz PUD and Steelscape. She writes, “I just checked both Cowlitz and Steelcase since they are both in the same area. Fish seems to be coming in slow and far apart, keeping #1 grouchy and getting most of the food. Steelcase is worrisome to me for #3. It’s is constantly bullied by #1 when food arrives. Even bullies away #2. #3 Steelcase could use more fish. #3 managed to bravely grab a few big pieces of the tail section on ladt fish but is hungry. Cowlitz little baby ate a good breakfast but not much after that. Last fish there was 4 hours ago. Still light out so hoping for a late fish but both places need larger fish to feed 3 mouths.”

Smile. Canada Geese enjoying the grass by an airport in Alabama. Thanks, ‘L’. It seems so odd seeing them with palm trees! Oh, I love the Canada Geese – and guess what? They are not the national bird of Canada. The Gray Jay is. Go figure.

And another smile. Ospreys rescued and in care. Thanks, ‘J’.

Menhaden are the primary fish of the Ospreys in the NE USA. If you want to know how bad the commercial fishing industry is impacting these life-giving little fish, you only have to go to the FB page – Menhaden – Little Fish, Big Deal. here is a post from this morning. This is seriously concerning and the commercial fishing needs to stop before the Osprey are completely wiped out. Of course Dophins and Whales eat Menhaden, too, and they are practically disappeared from the area.

Our friend Hob in Kauai sends us news of the first moli fledge for 2024. how wonderful!

Thank you so much for being with me today. Please take care. If it is super hot where you live, drink lots of fluids. Consider putting water out for the animals even if you can’t see them – we have visitors during the night that eat and drink. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, letters, comments, questions, videos, images, posts, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, B, Geemeff, H, J, L, MM, MP, PB, TU’, The Guardian, Dyfi Osprey Project, Colonial Beach Ospreys, Montana Osprey Project, Montana Osprey Cams, Pam Breci, The Washington Post, Fenwick Island, Patuxent River Park, Osoyoos, Wildlife Conserve of NJ (Barnegat Light), Window to Wildlife, HorstsHorst, Montreal Falcon Cam, LDF, BoPH, Geemeff, Blackbush, VIMS, Frenchman’s Creek, Moorings Park Ospreys, Osoyoos Ospreys, MN Landscape Arboretum, Charlo Montana, Ashley Wilson, Pitkin County Open Spaces and Trails, Clark PUD, Boulder County, SK Hideaways, Ventana Wildlife Society, Lady Hawk, Tajo International, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Polk County Animal Control, Menhaden-Little Fish, Big Deal FB, and Hob Osterlund.

Ding Fledges…Saturday in Bird World

22 June 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

I had a wonderful visit with my son. It was topped off with a great family lunch in my daughter’s garden on Friday before saying goodbye. So, this posting might be a little thin with my contributions. This post is going to be a little sobering because we, meaning all those studying osprey populations, are seeing how the 2024 season is unfolding. It is not pretty. Every single chick that survives and fledges should be wrapped in gold.

This has simply been a challenging year. One of the hardest things is watching little ones so eager for fish, their parents not finding enough to feed them, and then dying in the nest. Osoyoos is causing my stomach not to feel very well. Olsen tries. He can’t help it if there is nothing for his family. He brings home what he can find. It reminds me of stories from my mother of the shelves during The Depression.

We must begin immediately – well, we should have last year when the Nor’eastern wiped out almost every chick in every nest in the NE US. There is something happening in the lake at Osoyoos. So what is it? Lack of fish? heat? Why can’t someone stock it with fish? I will happily start a GoFundMe for Soo and Olsen (yes, his name is Olsen) to get fingerlings to go in there in the fall. I would do the same if someone would put fish in that nest. Where are the fish fairies in Osoyoos? Maybe we need to tell the authorities about Port Lincoln!!!!!!!!!!!! It is going to be too late if we fail to act for a couple more years. The laws need changing! NOW.

Look at the size of the fish that Louis brought to Loch Arkaig. Now I want you to imagine that this fish landed on the Osoyoos nest. It would feed all the family for two or three days – that is the difference in nutrition that is coming to the nests!

I also have concerns for Little Bob at Cowlitz today. It was always in the wrong place when a feeding was taking place. Too close to the beak, so not in eyeshot of Mum, or just shut out. Perhaps you saw something different. I am hoping for an early evening full crop. It needs it.

I am so very grateful for those who are watching and reporting on nests. Once I finish entering data into the forms, which will be this weekend now that my social life is quiet, we will be monitoring nearly 400 eggs. My fear is that the failure rate this year will hit over 30%. Survival in 2023 was 76%, or a failure rate of 24%. It is growing every year. 2022 was 18%.

The Memorial Wall is now at 82 and climbing. June is always a hard month. It just keeps giving out heart ache after heart ache. We lost so many Osprey hatchlings and so many near-or-fledged eagles, hawks, and falcons. Things will begin to quiet down but, oh, it has been a challenging and tearful year from the onset in the fall.

One of my citizen scientist observers monitors nests right up in the area that is being hit the hardest, the NE USA. For the safety of the Ospreys I am not giving detailed locations. ‘VV’ sends in her report. It is eye opening:

Here’s the brief update going into the upcoming extra hot temperatures:

Nest 4 – two hatches – 6/9 & 1

Nest 5 – hatch(es?) – 6/10 – can only today verify a head btwn twigs

Nest 10 – two (pretty sure) –  @ least 1st hatched by 6/6 – have seen 2 bobs since

Nest 11 – two (pretty sure) – @ least 1st hatched by 6/3 – have seen 2 bobs since

Nest 12 – hatch(es) – cannot see enough of this nest to always be able to see when both adults are in; have seen feeding behavior into nest. These could have hatched even earlier than 6/3, this pair only March return.

This looks to be the total hatches in the 19 nests I have been tracking. I only feel certain that 3 nests (of the 14 w/o hatches) did lay eggs.

Nest 2 (1st uneasy year w/ new female; egg(s?) laid; M stopped incubation, then F, then geese stomped

Nest 3 probably laid a clutch between  5/12-18, rolled out of nest..

Nest 9 (experienced pair) laid eggs no earlier than 5/4; many intruders; possible failed hatch around 6/10;  by 6/12 incubation sporadic; by 6/18-19 both away from nest for hours

Irregularly observed Nests 17, 18, & 19, (SMECO nests like 9, 10, 11, & 12); seems all pairs returned; N17 observed switching egg incubation duties. Nothing suggesting clutch on others; not obs indication of hatchlings on 17, 18, or 19.  

Nest 4 is the only one of the hatch nests I can monitor effectively at this stage – Big Mama brilliantly feeding both Big and Little, neither of whom have I seen today which is worrying me a bit. But I think the actual issue is a feud between M&F over her returning to fishing duties. He’s always been broody.

. Nest 5 I can finally confirm one hatching through movement between sticks. There could be two. Mrs. Perfect keeps a very, very deep nest, which is not a SMECO nest, in fact does not look deep at all. But the nest cup is deep and she keeps her chicks in it.

As I fret over Big Big and Little Big – I hope the osprey week looks up around the cams too. Our rains had been heavy but never to the scale other places are getting. And now there’s not a drop anywhere. Fishing had appeared very good – except for the windy days of course. But slowing down now. I imagine as the water warms up.

It doesn’t seem that Big Daddy is alone, a few of the males in the no-hatch nests are encouraging the females to fish for themselves.

I have been predicting a huge decline in osprey numbers for the past two years, signalling a further long-term decline. It is happening before our eyes. The numbers are now below what they were than when DDT was killing the Apex Raptors. That is a little hard to swallow but, yes. And it is again, our fault.

It is now time to face this reality and do something about it. It was Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring and a few others observing Ospreys on Long Island that first sounded the alarm of the declines due to DDT. Now, we have a collective voice and the numbers of ospreys is less than when the environmental issues of DDT practically wiped all of them out. We need to stop the Menhaden commercial fishing – period. End it. We need to stock ponds and we need to provide supplementary fish to nests that are struggling. We owe it to them for destroying their habitat. This might help until they can begin to adapt with the growing temperatures and storms by moving out of their normal habitats.

Now Menhaden are washing up dead on the coast. What is causing it?

‘H’ sent me the latest offering from the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ and they even say it is an ‘unusual’ year.

Unusual-Year-for-Breeding-Ospreys-in-New-Jersey-Conserve-Wildlife-Foundation-of-New-JerseyDownload

There is a pip at Dunrovin Friday afternoon.

There is a big crack in that egg Friday night.

Most of you had your heart in your throat Friday as Iris’s second chick went upside down twice. The first time Iris righted the little one but the second time, we held our breath. It got over.

I do not know about anyone else, but I would love to hear your thoughts. IMHO Iris is so happy being a Mum again. She is fortunate to have a great mate. Finnegan is right up there for me with Blue 33, Blue 022, Idris, Dylan, Aran, Louis. If this is Iris’s last year, I am glad she got to feel loved and to have the joy of raising chicks again. That is why this nest is so precious. Everyone wants those babies to thrive and fledge. I hope Dr Greene rings them!

Finnegan loves being with Iris when she feeds their two babies.

Cornell did a video of the kids before the feeding.

‘A’ recalls, “When Finn brought the fish back (10:55) mum fed both chicks to the tops of their crops. Baby Bob is so small. The size gap between them seems to have increased significantly since the second hatch but that’s probably just proportional. He has the cutest little round bottom. And mum fed both of them as much as they could eat before she even started to take bites herself. She also keeps a close eye on Big Bob during feedings, so that if she is giving Baby Bob several bites in a row, she knows just when Big Bob is reaching the limits of her patience and might be about to feel resentful. She checks to see that Big Bob is happy before downing a bite herself. It is almost as if she is supervising. But since that one occasion I documented a few days ago, I have seen nothing resembling aggression. No bonking. No attempt at intimidation. Nothing to try and stop the wee one from eating or from getting to the table. And Baby Bob is totally confident to sit up beside his sibling and open his tiny beak. He is still not that great with direction or with his balance. He fell over a few times during the feeding and turned the wrong way a couple of times too. 

Big Bob is getting woolly – she is a strong chick. I am actually wondering whether they may be both males. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? They do both seem very laid back. And even on that one occasion, as I mentioned it could easily have been more based in curiosity than in malice. What is this thing in the nest, I wonder? It seemed to lack any viciousness even at the time. Finn was obviously hungry this morning and had not eaten the head – in fact, he hadn’t touched a scale on it. I’m not sure whether he was showing it off to Iris or whether he thought he should eat first on the nest. But he was very aggressive in his attempts to pull it away from Iris – using his wings for additional leverage and really pulling hard, while Iris not only managed to retain the fish but continued feeding as she fought for it!! What a mum. It was as if she knew he would win eventually but she was going to get some bites into those babies before he did. And she managed that. Both chicks got at least a decent snack before dad removed the fish. When he brought it back, he had eaten at least half of it. I suspect he was eating the entire 55 minutes he was gone with it. Still a young male at heart. At least he brought Iris and the kids half a fish, at nearly 11am. He doesn’t understand that the kids need something early, even if it’s leftovers. But Iris did manage to at least ensure they got some sustenance and some liquid before he finally flew off with it. Iris got up several times during the 55 minutes to loudly let him know she thought he had eaten plenty and where was that fish! She is a powerfully devoted mother, as shown by her determination to ensure both her chicks were well-fed before she even thought about a bite for herself. Yes, she has the luxury of an adult-sized crop but even so, it was endearing to watch as she didn’t even have a nibble until she had taken care of the littles. “

The second hatch at Hellgate has been having trouble staying upright. Three times on its back on Friday. Is it the crowded egg cup, twigs, something wrong with the chick? Let’s hope it stays more upright. It would be the best to have two fledges for Iris and Finnegan.

‘H’ reports:

6/22 Captiva ospreys:  The eldest of the two siblings, Ding, fledged this morning at 60 days of age.  Congratulations to Ding, and the proud parents Jack, and Edie.

6/21 Dahlgren osprey nest:  Some sad news to report… The little osprey baby that was rescued six days ago after it was stuck in a hole in the nest…has died.  The 18-day-old osplet died in the morning, after having been lethargic for several hours.  The cause of death is unknown.

6/21 Patuxent osprey nest:  Things are still going well at this nest, and the 45, 44, and 41-day-old osplets are growing up…even Little!  Eight fish were delivered by Dad, and although there is still some occasional intimidation by Big toward Little, it is rare these days.  Crops were stuffed!

6/21 Captiva ospreys:  It was a slower fishing day, and there were only three fish brought to the nest, and Jack delivered two of them.  But, the major news of the day: We witnessed Edie dive for a fish and get caught in fishing line.  Then, she was dragged through the water behind a boat.  We worried all afternoon, and feared the worst.  Then, seven hours later Edie landed in the nest with a fish!  There was no sign of the fishing line.

Video Link: https://youtu.be/8wSwIuol7IU

6/21 Fortis Exshaw osprey nest:  All is well for this family.  The 9, 7. and 5-day-old osplets are well fed, and so far there is minimal sibling rivalry.

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

Daily summary Friday 21st June 2024

Today started with atrocious weather not matching the overnight forecast. The ‘light winds’ ended up blowing poor Dorcha completely over, showing off her underfluffies and giving her a bit of bother righting herself again, while the ‘light rain’ soaked the chicks too big to fit completely underneath her now. But things looked up when Louis arrived with a tiny breakfast and proceeded to feed one chick while Dorcha fed the other from last night’s remnant, giving a cosy scene of domestic harmony. After Louis had had a quick go at removing the remains of chick3, Dorcha succeeded, flying off with the sad bundle and disposing of it in the forest. Bye bye little bob3 – gone but not forgotten. Louis brought four fish to the nest, taking his tally to two hundred and thirty one. The Hooded Crows were interested in the nest but Dorcha scared them off with her special crow voice. No need to scare off the little Robin who visited Nest One today as there were no other vistors. Tonight’s forecast is light rain and a gentle breeze – let’s hope it turns out that way as the family could use an undisturbed night tonight with the prospect of disturbance by the Red Arrows doing a flypast tomorrow.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.47.27 (03.12.07); Nest Two 23.10.54 (03.55.16)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/WERbYCv-hTw  N2 A gust of wind blows Dorcha completely over 02.50.08

https://youtu.be/gXy_08Aum1E  N2 Fish number one, trout tail-end 05.36.12

https://youtu.be/hHXYtXsSXnQ  N2 Simultaneous feeding by both parents 05.44

https://youtu.be/oE5jRyFGIpg  N1 A cheeky Robin visits 05.47.13 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/DDlOGyMil1A  N2 Warning – graphic: Dorcha removes the dead body 08.50.30

https://youtu.be/DahvNKRdcZk  N2 Fish number two, large live trout – C1 refuses to be prevented getting a share! 14.48.00

https://youtu.be/QLyDm0Wwygw  N2 Fish number three, large headless trout, the chicks share happily 17.39.58

https://youtu.be/Gd2KYCoS5YY  N2 Dorcha uses her crow-voice on a nearby Hoodie 19.23.00 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/cuMv-BAPvxQ  N2 Fish number four, tiddler snack, Dorcha wolfs it in 4 minutes 19.55.54

Big Red’s N visits the natal nest looking over to the Rice Building where Big Red and Arthur often drop off prey items for their fledglings.

Want a smile? Well, go to the West End Bald Eagle nest of Akecheta and Thunder, and look at those magnificent fledglings. One of them has an enormous crop. I wish I could tell you which one.

Two of them together.

Both eaglets, Manini and Reign, are over on the Fraser Point nest of Andor and Mama Cruz waiting for dinner.

Mr and Mrs North and the two fledglings are all fine. What a wonderful family. Doing so well after the collapse of their nest.

Gorgeous babies at Radord University.

Four osplets at Field Farm are fine.

The Fab Four at Poole Harbour are fantastic, too. These nests are making me smile – big smiles.

Gorgeous falcons in San Jose.

Kakapo Adoption News!

Adopt-a-kakapo-Special-editionDownload

Thank you so much for being with us this morning. Congratulations to Captiva! What an amazing year they have had – full of challenges like a roller coaster but they will have two babies fly. Bravo! Take care everyone. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, photographs, videos, posts, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post this morning: ‘A, Geemeff, H, J, PB, VV’, Osoyoos, The Woodland Trust, Geemeff, Cowlitz PUD, Debbie Campbell, Marina Pierce, Conserve Wildlife Blog, Diana Lambertson, Montana Osprey Project, Cornell Bird Lab, Window to Wildlife, Mary Wenz, Patuxent River Park, Fortis Exshaw, Cornell RTH, IWS/Explore, Raptor Research Project/Explore, Radford University, Field Farm, BoPH, SK Hideaways, and Kakapo Recovery.

Tragedy at Crooked Lake…Sunday in Bird World

16 June 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

To all those wonderful men – human and not – for taking care of living breathing things, protecting them, feeding them, loving them – Happy Father’s Day. And to one special Osprey this morning who is injured with a spike in his leg – Jack at Captiva. You are amazing. Despite all, you are still helping feed your family this morning!

There is a lot going on in Bird World. Rescues, uprightings, sibling rivalry, hatches, GHO attacks, and death. You name it, it seems to be happening. The very beautiful and good is tinged with the sorrow and sadness. We just have to breathe and as someone said today, ‘life is very fragile, embrace someone and hold them tight, you don’t know what is coming next’. What a year it has been and we are only half way through. As one reader said to me, “The Memorial Page has exploded”. It has and I am still catching up! It is always sad to lose one of the birds and, please, take the time to check out the Memorial Page. If I am missing one of our feathered friends, please write and tell me so I can add them. I am still working on the European Storks that died so tragically from the horrific weather. And, another thing, the second hatch at Hellgate has not happened. I was sent incorrect information and the more I looked for a second head, I could not find it.

In all of this, Saturday was a gorgeous, hot windy day and we spent it at the duck pond watching the little ducklings and goslings, of all ages, flitter around the pond enjoying the shade and the cool water despite the build up of algae. People were happy being outside. There was a wedding reception in the garden area, and the ice cream man with his bell could be heard at a distance. Even deer were coming out to eat grass in the shade. Now the skies are pearl grey to dark charcoal and you can just feel a storm building up. Despite saying we would have no rain, we are now in an area of Extreme Weather with high winds, hail, and rain predicted. If this continues, we will need machetes for the garden instead of clippers and mower.

There were lots of ducks and geese on the islands in the pond which is shaded. The wind was keeping everyone cool despite the 27 C temperatures. Some of the geese had been in the water with their goslings. Some went in and out, in and out. Others foraged for little pebbles to aid their digestion. The goslings range in size from those that are about half as large as their parents to tiny wee ones that looked like they hatched only a couple of days ago. All of the adult geese are moulting. They will exchange all of their feathers. They will not be able to fly and leave the area until their full moult is complete. I don’t think anyone minds. Each trip I gather a handful of feathers for ‘The Girls’. They go crazy for them. Besides boxes and bags (without handles), these feathers are their next favourite toy. Their most favourite are the tunnels that they race in and out of late in the evening or early in the morning.

Baby Hope will be one year old on 2 July. As so many of you know, just thinking about her brings tears to my eyes. After Calico ‘decided’ that she was coming in the house on 28 August 2023, we thought we would never be able to find her only surviving kitten. (We could tell there was only one by the single teat being suckled). It appears that Calico might have lost ‘Hope’ and that was why she was ready to leave her life on the streets and come inside where she had lots of food, a safe place to sleep, comfy beds and toys and, of course, lots of love and stories. Five days later we looked out at the feral feeding station and there was a mini Calico. We knew it was her kitten. In three hours, Hope was inside suckling on Mum and life was good. We are trying to figure out precisely just what kind of party to have for her!

Hugo Yugo says that she thinks we need grilled cheese sandwiches along with ice cream for the party! What do you think?

Hugo Yugo is still tiny, a little peanut, but she remains the boss of all the others. Despite eating her food and theirs, she has hardly grown. She is a bundle of energy that never stops. She still sleeps draped around my neck at night. And she still begs for her pieces of cheese around 2100. I have been able to wean her off the kitten milk at the vet’s request. She is dynamite!

As I go to press, I am getting sad news. It appears that a GHO attack has taken all of the osplets from the Crooked Lake nest in Iowa. ‘H’ says, “This is without a doubt the most bold owl attack I have ever seen.  Just unbelievable. The owl stayed in the nest and killed all three osplets right in the nest in front of Mom, then flew off with one of them.’

Geemeff is also writing that C2 at Loch Arkaig is now dead or death is imminent. This is so sad and is due directly to siblicide by the ever aggressive C1. First time ever to happen at Loch Arkaig.

We will begin with news from ‘H’.

6/15 Forsythe osprey nest:  There were eight fish delivered to the nest by Oscar, and a few of them were fairly big.  How many times have we seen situations where the fish production at a nest increases after the starvation deaths of one or two of the osplets?  I know I’ve seen it happen a few times, and it just leaves me shaking my head.  After the siblicide/starvation deaths of Mini and Little, there is still some aggression from Big toward Middle.  But, Middle is managing to find ways to eat.  S/he most often squeezes around to the other side of Opal from Big, where there is just a small space between Opal and the outer rim of the nest.  Middle ate at least 345 bites of fish in eight meals.  I hope Oscar continues to have fishing success.  

6/15 Dahlgren osprey nest:  The baby named ‘Hope’ was stuck in a deep hole in the nest for about 1.5 days.  Dahlgren Osprey Cam arranged for a rescue by Tidewater Wildlife Rescue.  TWR performed the rescue this afternoon, and repaired the hole in the nest.  Little Hope is doing well, and we are so grateful.  Keep the fish coming in, Doug!

6/15 South Cape May Meadows osprey nest:  The two little bobs are doing very well.  Zeus has really stepped up, and he is providing lots of fish for his family.  We are so pleased!

6/16 Chesapeake, Kent Island osprey nest:  We wait to see if the first egg of the second clutch for Audrey and Tom will hatch.  The egg is 39 days old, but it was pecked by a crow on 5/16.  I hope there will be at least one 

6/16 Boathouse osprey nest:  The little osplet of Dory and Skiff is doing great.  Their second egg is 35 days old today.

6/15, Patuxent osprey nest:  Dad continues to deliver tons of fish, and many of the fish are huge.  He brought fish to the nest six times today, but we could tell that a few of them were the large leftovers he had previously removed from the nest.  All of the chicks were stuffed many times over.  There was very little aggression today, and Little was even seen eating at the ‘big kids table’!


6/15 Captiva ospreys:  There were 7 fish brought to the nest, four by Edie, and three by Jack.  There was a lot of eating going on…feedings and self-feedings.  Ding and Darling ate their fill.  And, at 53 days of age, Ding was hovering!  We are still worried about Jack.  He still has that foreign body ‘spike’ sticking through his leg.  But, he is able to fish and help take care of his family.  Bless his heart.

I want to thank Heidi – again and again. I could not keep up with the nests without her. So everyone, give her a loud shout out, please!

Those watching the Dahlgren nest and getting ever more anxious that the wee babe named Hope was stuck in a hole can now relax. It has been rescued and all the time it was there, dear Mum kept feeding it. Thank goodness. This is one of those really feel good moments that we need when tragedy seems to be lurking at many of our nests. Thank you to everyone who alerted the owners and to the rescue team that saved the wee one. Bless their hearts they filled in and repaired this nest with sticks, mud, and grasses/moss. Well done!

Tragedy may have been averted at the Wells Fargo Iowa DNR Osprey Platform. The little one with a full crop got on its back and could not right itself. It took the entire day. Will it be alright? We have to wait and see.

My favourite capture of Iris and Finnegan. I hope she lives many more years to enjoy this wonderful relationship.

Zoe fledges and Lucia returns flying strong several times.

Middle flew back to the osprey platform to be with Mum at Lake Murray after avoiding the GHO by flying. Magnificent. Fingers crossed everyone. This is such good news. Seriously this is incredible news. So happy happy.

Polo 7422 published a video of the hit by the GHO on Hope. (Have you noticed so many named Hope or Hugo??)

Going to check on some of the Finnish nests today! I had a lovely note from ‘SP’ today. I have been covering some of them as best I can but I also learned that some of my confusion with the numbering and names is because there are two separate organisations. That is why I cannot find 10 nests on this one site! ‘SP’ elaborates, “The link I gave in my previous male, Sääksikamerat (kaikki näkymät) | Sääksilive (saaksilive.fi), with 5 nests, and 2 views of the active nests (I follow mainly these):                     

Here nests 1, 3 and 4 are occupied. 

  • Number 4 has last year’s couple, 3 chicks, eating a lot, and the making heavy exercises (fighting) from the very beginning (genes from the female). A video in the web by a non-native follower:
    Brutal fight between two eaglets #ospreycam #ospreys #siblingfight #shorts (youtube.com)   
    Hope the fishing weather will be good in July … (Last year the yongest chick got fiercely killed by the sibling.)
  • Number 1 has an older, experienced couple, with so far 1 chick and 2 eggs left.
  • Number 3, with a first time mum (bride from last year) and last year’s male, has 1 chick, one to pop up soon (hole in the egg already). First chick died.

(Last year the female disappeared and the 3 chicks died.

Number 5: the last year’s couple arrived, but somehow they ”changed their mind” abt nesting. The two eggs, not taken care about, were taken by a raven. Very ”nicely”, indeed, both times:

The other robbery:  6.5.2024 – #5 – Korppi ryöstää Saran munan mukaansa – YouTube

This nest, number 5 was interesting last year: After the own 2 chicks had left, a foreign chick, from Sweden, landed on the nest, and stayed very long, for weeks, and got fed by the male.”

Number 1 – adults doing incubation. Waiting for pip/hatch watch.

Number 2 is a failed nest. No activity.

Number 3 has a beautiful osplet. Dad brings a huge fish!

Number 4 has three healthy osplets.

Number LS/5 is a failed nest. No activity.

From separate organisations:

Seilin in the West of Finland. Couple incubating eggs.

Janakkala in the North has three osplets.

Muonion, in the far north, is incubating eggs.

At Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Dad delivered no less than five fish, several large. There is also rain and Mum is keeping those babies warm and dry. Everyone ate.

‘L’ writes: “Dad stood near mom while she fed the babies at Minnesota. I think he is trying to teach her. She literally went over the head of the oldest one to feed the third one. ” It seems that the latter part of the day was not so good at this nest. We live and hope.

Olsen is doing the best that he can at the Osoyoos Osprey Platform. Most of the fish brought in were so small but he landed a whopper later in the afternoon and everyone did eat well.

It has been a miserable day across much of Wales. Telyn and Idris worked to feed their three chicks and to keep them dry even though they are getting their juvenile plumage and can thermoregulate.

Blue 022 is working hard to get lots of good fish to CJ7 so that their four Bobs will all be full and happy.

I know how sad everyone has been after the loss of Sol, so close to fledge, at the Redding nest of Liberty and Guardian. Everyone at FORE is simply heart broken, too.

Luna is alive and well and for this we must be very glad.

All three eggs have now hatched at Niagara Bee. They are all looking good.

I will now be carrying the daily summary by Geemeff that she publishes for the Woodland Trust. It is the happenings on the Loch Arkaig nest of Dorcha and Louis. Lots of good information and links to videos! Thank you, Geemeff, for allowing me to publish this information.

“Daily summary Saturday 15th June 2024

No action on Nest One, and very little on Nest Two. Louis only brought one fish mid-morning, and wasn’t seen again until suppertime when he caused consternation by arriving empty-taloned. Dorcha couldn’t believe it and gave him a right earful while he cleaned bits of fish off his beak. He’d obviously eaten recently and had a nicely rounded crop which added fuel to Dorcha’s ire. Earlier Dorcha had caused a bit of consternation herself when she arrived with an awkwardly shaped stick and proceeded to drag it through the huddle of chicks, although she quickly redeemed herself by being an excellent mumbrella and keeping her three big chicks warm and dry during a torrential downpour. As usual, chick2 got all the fish and beaked the other two to keep them away from the food, therefore it will be good if Louis arrives early tomorrow morning with a fish big enough that C1 & C3 get a share too. Statto Steve Q provided us with a thorough analysis of the fish stats to date – despite the odd blip, Louis’ current total of two hundred and two fish is pretty much comparable with previous years. The weather was very unsettled today with a misty start turning into a rainy day and more of the same forecast for tonight.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.36.53 (02.58.59); Nest Two 23.10.58 (03.27.50)

Watch the livestream 24/7:

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

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/2hIydufKS3I Fish number one and only, headless trout, C2 gets it all 10.17.28

https://youtu.be/FlvoO8n_ZAk  Dorcha: from menace with a stick to brilliant mumbrella 17.32

https://youtu.be/OiKvZO7vkTU Louis finally arrives but he’s fishless! Dorcha can’t believe it  20.13.30

Bonus info – Steve Quinn’s fish stats for week 11:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/?ht-comment-id=15060802

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/ntv71sF-N_s  N1 Simultaneous feeding – mum and dad each feed a bob! 2019

https://youtu.be/1RzPgaEWMr0  N1 Limbo dancing 2020

https://youtu.be/PvklkJGfZIc  N1 Home alone chicks amuse themselves 2020

https://youtu.be/J8geReKxLxc  N1 Mumbrella Aila does her best to shelter the chicks 2020

https://youtu.be/FJYbKk1hA-4  N1 A Jay visits the empty nest 2021

https://youtu.be/tsAAz0z9Ac8  N2 Hooded Crow intrudes and perches on the nest 2022

https://youtu.be/k6W6PKYMMYQ  N2 Chicks battle it out as soon as mum leaves 2022

https://youtu.be/LTMLWBLOZnY  N1 LV0 just won’t get the message 2023

https://youtu.be/hFbYpDjHeyI  N1 Affric reaffirms her bond with Prince 2023

https://youtu.be/yvMLAjhrNaA  N2 Hangry chick attacks Dorcha 2023 (quick-time)”

Looks like we have one hatch at the Green Ledge Light Preservation Society nest on Long Island.

There was a lot of discussion over which eaglet it was that fell from the Fraser Point nest of Andor and Cruz. It appears it was Manini and not Reign as I reported earlier. Congratulations on fledging!!!!! BVS Girl has that first flight on video.

The two Golden eaglets in Estonia nest 2 are plump and healthy. They are flapping their wings and walking.

This is the second hatch spreading its wings. Look at that fat bottom and those big strong legs. I am so happy for this nest. I hope the good fortune continues.

Fish dinner arriving at Cowlitz PUD and we have three hungry osplets.

I cannot tell you how much fish Little Mini got at Field Farm on Saturday. It is often difficult to tell, but the wee one is growing and had a sort of half crop in the morning.

Checking in on the San Jose Falcons.

For images of the Cal falcon fledglings, please go to the Instagram account of moon_rabbit_rising!

Suzanne Arnold Horning posted some lovely images of Big Red and Arthur’s Ns. They have fledged and were found in spots near to Fernow and Tower Road. Both fledglings are doing well.

Tweed Valley Osprey Project gives us an excellent view of Mrs O feeding her three osplets.

Thank you so much for being with me. Watch for that hatch of Iris and Finnegan from Sunday-Tuesday according to Dr Greene. Take care. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, observations, videos, images, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A’, Geemeff, H, L, MM, PB, SP’, Timothy Dygert Live Stream, The Woodland Trust, Forsythe Ospresy, Dalgren Ospreys, SCMM Kent Island, Boathouse Ospreys, Patuxent River Park, Window to Wildlife, Heidi McGrue, Sunnie Day, Montana Osprey Project, SK Hideaways, Lake Murray Ospreys, Polo 7422, Finnish Osprey Foundation, Nesting Bird Life and More, MN Landscape Arboretum, Osoyoos Osprey Cam, Dyfi Osprey Project, BoPH, FORE, Niagara Bee, Feemeff, Green Ledge Light Preservation Society, BVSGirl, Eagle Club of Estonia, Cowlitz PUD, moon_rabbit_rising, Suzanne Arnold Horning, and Tweed Valley Ospreys.

N1 and N2 fledge…Tuesday in Bird World

11 June 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

So far, the news is good, but I haven’t heard from ‘H’ yet, and I fear chicks in the NE at Forsythe unless a miracle happens on Monday. Several items have come in my inbox to share with all of you and we will look at them first. I had intended to share one reader’s trip to Manton Bay today, but I hope to add some more information and will include that either Wednesday or Thursday. I had some wonderful Ramen with my son today. It is nice to have him visiting. It has been a long time.

Letter 1: ‘M and F’ write: “Hello dear Mary Ann, we have just had an intruder at t the Sydney Sea Eagle nest, it arrived at 08:03 and stayed until about 08:40. Not sure what it is, but looking at its head I would say it was a Tina Turner Eagle.”

I ran and grabbed Penny Olsen’s book on Australian Birds of Prey and this is a Wedge-tailed Eagle. Isn’t it a beauty?

Letter 2: ‘J’ wonders: “Do you have the odds numbers for 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 chicks to compare? I probably am not the only one who would be really interested in that. I really want Tiny Field Farm to fledge, he’s so brave.”

Well, I didn’t, at first, think I had this. There are fewer four hatch nests so it is easier to calculate even manually, but, hey, it is in the forms. This is the information for 2023 for 340 eggs from around the world that we monitored. Our 4 egg nests had a slightly better survival rate than the US study that showed 1 out of 100 surviving. Ours was 50%. (I apologise that this is small. I hope you can blow it up on your screen. If you would like me to send it to you via e-mail, just send me a note: maryannsteggles@icloud.com).

Letter 3: EJ sent us a great article form Audubon on the challenges to our urban raptors.

City-Life-is-Hard-for-Raptors.-Can-Removing-Rat-Poison-Make-it-Easier-AudubonDownload

Letters 4 and more: Thank you so much. I am so glad that you enjoyed the picture of Missey and Hugo Yugo in the basket. Your support and good wishes for ‘The Girls’ warms my heart. I cannot imagine my world without them. Of course, I might treasure a little sleep. So far, there are three piled in. The only one not on the duvet making me scrunch up in configurations I never dreamed possible is Hope!

I wish I could take in more, but I can’t. People are losing their homes, their apartments and well, just having a really rough time of it here in Canada. I don’t know what it is like where you live, but our Humane Society finds dogs, cats, rats, and all other species left at night at their door. People are ashamed they can no longer care for their precious pets. It is very sad. We are now feeding the two Boyfriends, a Grey Tabby with only one ear, and 4 Gingers. There could be others. These are the ones that come during the day. I am glad to be able to help these. Wish I could do more but one has to be realistic.

The Gold Medal nest this week has to be Poole Harbour. There are so many good nests with the males working overtime to bring in huge fish in the UK that it feels awkward to sort out one, but it is because there are four osplets. Just look at them. CJ7 and Blue 022 have been working overtime to make certain that there is fish and tranquility. When they ring them, I wonder if they are all little boys. We will have to wait and see.

I love the golden glow of the sun streaming down on these babies and Little Mini looking out towards us. It is getting to eat first.

Blue 022 is great at helping CJ7 with these four and is happy to top up Little Mini. One has to wonder if the males that are so eager to make sure the little late hatches are fed were also little late hatches themselves. Blue 022 is just amazing. When he landed on CJ7s platform three years ago we had no idea what a great Dad he would be.

Thanks for all the alerts about Smallie. That little darling is back in the scrape! What a smart little fella to get itself back where food will come. And just look at the plumage. I am certain that those watching this Peregrine Falcon nest in Amersfoort Netherlands are feeling huge relief. What a character. Smallie pulls at all our hearts.

‘PB’ sent a video clip and I took some screen shots of Smallie figuring out how to get back up to the scrape.

On Tuesday morning, Smallie wakes up and is hungry and leaves the scrape box calling for food.

He is looking for the parents and siblings. Send positive wishes for food for this little one – and not big siblings doing a steal at the grate!

N2 was so excited. Both of the eyases had been flapping and jumping while watching the traffic. N2 flew first. A magnificent flight right across Tower Road to the trees in front of Fernow. In the image below you can see those legs leaving as it gets its wings going. N1 is curious and should fledge soon.

And then – N2 flies!

Some more tweets from Cornell showing the adventures of N1 and N2 after fledging.

And the concern for the new fledglings as they fly back and forth across Tower Road to the nest and trees.

Both ‘branched’ at the Syracuse University Red-tail Hawk cam of Ruth and Oren.

Not returns to the tower.

Moon_Rabbit_Rising has some images of the Cal Falcon fledglings!

Thunder and Akecheta’s three fledglings are well and being the juveniles that they are. Fighting for food!

I am so hopeful that Iris and Finnegan will have one healthy chick. Just hoping not two unviable eggs. Fingers crossed. Finnegan is a great mate and he will be a superior Dad! He has been feeding Iris, bringing in cot rails, and some greenery. (More below)

Little Mini right up there at the beak at Field Farm. They are all lined up – three to one side and one on the other at Field Farm later in the day.

The third chick at Island Beach State Park hatched on Tuesday.

Fingers crossed for the three at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Mum has been feeding, often with her back blocking the camera so it is hard to see if everyone is eating.

Dad watches over many of the feedings at the Landscape Arboretum nest. Hopefully he is helping Mum to understand that she can’t eat all the fish and not feed the babies!!!!!!!

The two hatches at Sandpoint seem to be alright.

The two older hatches at Bridge Golf are so much bigger than the wee one. Fingers crossed for another nest.

Three at Cowlitz PUD looking’ good.

Only Bob at Boulder County is changing! Fat little bottom on this reptile. You can see the pin feathers coming through, too. What a joy it is to see these healthy Only Bobs.

Two beautiful fledglings return to the Venice Golf Course nest wishing for fish! Oh, I keep missing seeing the three of the juveniles together. What a great season!

Leave it to Harry and Sally to ensure that both Tuffy and Ruffie have fish on the nest. Wow. Doesn’t this make you feel wonderful? No wonder the fledglings form this nest never want to leave. Poor Victor had to be chased off. He must have wondered what in the world was going on!

Both Golden Eaglets in Estonia being fed! This nest is such a surprise. Could we have two fledges? Oh, I am hoping so.

Edith P posted a video of this feeding. Gosh, I just want to be so hopeful.

White-tailed Eaglets in their nest in the Lower Kama National Park doing well.

The two Eastern Imperial Eaglets in the RU nest are well taken care of by the adults.

‘A’ comments on Lake Murray, Iris, and the WBSEs: “As night falls at Lake Murray and Surviving Bob settles down to sleep, duckling-style, on that nest on its own, I cannot help but take a deep breath and hope we make it safely to dawn. It is alert and looking around – I am certain it hears something nearby that is making it nervous. It stands up for a little crop drop. Lucy has a massive crop. She is preening and those lights are shining brightly on her. I only wish they lit up the nest itself a lot better. Surviving Bob is restless at Lake Murray. S/he is standing, preening, looking around. It has a gigantic crop to match Lucy’s. She is awake too, on the perch, where she is of no help whatsoever to Middle Bob. It is infuriating to me that she doesn’t stay on the nest, knowing she has now lost all but one osplet from two seasons. That really confuses me. “

Fish dinner at nest #4 in Finland.

It is almost unthinkable to see an older sibling attacking a younger one on the UK nests. Yes, there were problems at the Loch of the Lowes but that was because of intruders and a lack of fish and then Louis’s short disappearance one year (prior to this year when he was found dead). But to imagine that the oldest Bob would be attaching Little Bob at Loch Arkaig when there is clearly enough fish to feed the entire family and another one, well, it is unthinkable. And yet it is happening. Geemeff chronicles the issue:

“The tab is open, and I know that if I hear Lucy alerting, we’ve lost our remaining osplet. Problem of course is the Hellgate tab is also open, and it is two hours earlier in Montana, where it is still light. So a vocal exchange between Finn and Iris can cause a momentary panic.

Around 18:43, Finn flies to the perch post with a HUGE fish. He has eaten at least a quarter of it from the head end and has a good crop but what is remaining is a massive amount of fish. He brings it to the nest. Iris vocalises and shifts on the eggs, standing and rolling them but then settling back down. She is very vocal as Finn stumbles around the nest, doing a little aerating and nearly stepping on Iris’s head! It is hard not to get the impression that she is being extra protective of those eggs and does not want to leave them right now, even for a massive fish dinner. 

Around 18:47 Iris stands up again, vocalising continuously, and checks the eggs again. She is still reluctant to leave. Eventually, at 18:50:25 Iris flies off the nest, without the fish, and Finn inspects the eggs. He seems fascinated and carefully settles down to incubate.  Hmmmm. Suspicious? I fear Iris may be able to hear a chick inside that first egg (the one laid on 5 May).  could be pipping, or at least that Iris can hear the chick inside. I do hope not. If it hatches, we will have to wait in fear that a second chick may arrive a whole week after the first. That would be awful. Stressful in the extreme.

Iris is back at 19:58. Finn takes 30 seconds or so to move, then carefully stands up and allows Iris to inspect her eggs. She settles down and Finn takes the fish with him as he leaves. Iris does not have a crop and makes no objection when Finn grabs the fish. She is not interested in eating right now. That is not very Iris-like, is it? That was one of her favourite whoppers too, the type we so often see her eating on her favourite pole in her solo seasons. But she was not tempted. Why? “

“In Australia, it is 12.22 and both Dad and Lady have just arrived back on the nest at WBSE. They look extremely healthy this season. Their plumage is gorgeous and their crops are full. Dad is working hard on the outer kiddie rails. I cannot believe how close we are to egg watch here. It really could happen at any time now. Certainly, the bonding behaviour has given way to nesting behaviour over the past few days, with more time being spent at the nest, more food gifts, and more matings. Dad brought in a lovely fresh medium-sized fish to the nest soon after 07:35 this morning (7 June) and waited for Lady, looking around. She arrived a minute or so later to collect her breakfast, taking it up onto the branch behind the nest to eat it. At 08:16, a duet, then they headed off. They have now lined the nest bowl with fresh green leaves (just leaves, not twigs or sprigs). This nest is ready to receive two eggs, thank you. So, soon we will have eggs at WBSE.”

Someone left a fish on that nest!

At another nest in Australia, this time in Griffin, Queensland, George and Hope, have laid their second egg on the 10th of June. The first was laid on the 7th at the Osprey House Environmental Centre.

Wings of Whimsy gives us a video of the stunning fledglings form the West End Bald Eagle nest.

‘H’ reports on the nests she is monitoring and today we have the first sadness at Forsythe as her and I have been predicting.

“6/10 Forsythe osprey nest: There were six fish brought to the nest by Oscar, and none were very large.  Big1 controlled the scene at all of the meals…the gatekeeper as to who was allowed to eat.  Little3 beaked Mini4, Middle2 beaked Little3 and Mini4, and Big1 beaked everybody, including Mini4 at times.  Little3 was allowed to eat now and then, and she managed to eat 153 bites for the day.  Little3’s best meal was the third meal when she ate 95 bites of fish.  Big1 just sat there and watched as Little3 ate, and kept the other two away from Opal.  Mini4 tried many times, but could not get up to the table all day, and s/he had only eaten 36 bites of fish in over 48 hours.  Mini4 passed away late on 6/10 or early on 6/11 at 16 days of age.  S/he was a brave and strong-willed osplet, and we will miss him.

6/10 Captiva ospreys:  Jack, had not been seen at the nest since 6/7.  Edie had been doing a stellar job bringing fish to the nest to feed their two osplets.  Well…on 6/10 at 18:22, Jack flew in and landed on the nest.  He had an obvious wound to his left leg that did not appear to be fresh.  He was bearing weight on the leg okay, and he otherwise seemed in good health, albeit a bit slim perhaps.  His family was overjoyed to see him.  He only stayed a moment and flew off.  It seems as though Jack may have sustained an injury a few days ago, perhaps in a territorial battle.  We are so glad Jack is alive, and that he seems to be on the mend.

6/10 Osoyoos osprey nest:  There is a third baby at Osoyoos for Soo and Ollie.  Let’s hope fishing is good there this summer, so that all three youngsters will thrive.”


6/10 Patuxent River Park ospreys:  There were five fish and feedings for the day.  Little was shut out of the first meal.  For the second meal, Dad delivered a large whole fish at 1031.  By 1048 Big and Middle had already moved aside, and that allowed Little to have a 25 minute private feeding from Mom.  The third fish was smaller in size, and Little did not eat.  Meal #4 was a very large Koi fish delivered by Dad at 1627.  This fish fed everyone for nearly two hours.  Little had a private feeding from 1750 to 1818, then Big and Middle went back to be topped-off.  Little had the biggest crop of his young life!  A small fish was brought in at 2013…and Little didn’t even try to get to Mom for that one.

Thanks, ‘H’. It is tough to lose those little ones.

People see them. Those gorgeous green parakeets that call the streets of London their home.

How-parakeets-escaped-and-made-Britain-their-home-Birds-The-GuardianDownload

As I get ready to close, word has come from ‘BHA’ that Lucia was grounded again and returned to the scrape!

Thank you to everyone who sent in letters and thank you for being with us today. Please take care. Looking forward to having you with us again soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, queries, comments, videos, images, postings, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post this morning: ‘A, BHA, EJ, Geemeff, H, J, M & F, PB’, Audubon Magazine, BoPH, Amersfoort Falcon Cam, Cal Falcon Cam, Cornell RTH, Cornell Hawks, SU-RTH Cam, Lady Hawk, Montana Osprey Project, Field Farm, Island Beach State Park, Friends of Island Beach State Park, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Sandpoint Ospreys, Bridge Golf Club, Cowlitz PUD, Boulder County, VGCCO, Moorings Park, Geemeff, Eagle Club of Estonia, Edith P, White-Tail Eagle Cam of RU, Lake Murray Ospreys, WBSE, Osprey House Environmental Centre, Wings of Whimsy, Forsythe Ospreys, Window to Wildlife, Osoyoos Ospreys, Patuxent River Park, and The Guardian.

Monday in Bird World

10 June 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. (Thoreau, Walden, 58).

The Girls and I are revisiting Thoreau’s Walden – I learn something every time I read this book! Mostly, it cements in me how fortunate we are if we can spend time with the trees, the animals living in the wild, even nature in our own gardens.

I hope that you had a really good weekend and found some time to spend with friends, family, or outside—or all three! We worked in the garden and are sore from the tips of our toes to the top of our heads. The heat and rain have caused everything to grow out of control! So far there has been no rain so it was a good day since everything is drying out. I would love to send this rain to places that are running out of water. It is frightening because there are not only implications for humans but also wildlife.

Wheres-the-Water-CounterPunch.org_Download

Two things to put a smile on your face today. The first comes from ‘T’. Watch ‘the cobra’ attack the Imperial Eagle. Then laugh. (Valid made the video and Rinur posted it).

The second comes from Missey and Hugo Yugo, who adore one another. When Missey lost her best friend Lewis last year, she was the saddest cat. Then Hugo Yugo came into her life and she took over the motherly duties the little ginger cat was longing for. Like Calico and Hope, these two are inseparable.

TWO Great Questions from the InBox:

Question 1. ‘NF’ asks: “Have a question…we had eaglets double fledge 6/7 in Kansas. Do you have any knowledge of that happening before? Many questions about that. Thanks in advance & keep up the good work!!”

Sadly, my data forms are for Ospreys but I could recall instances of eagles fledging close together, but not specifics. Thankfully, Elfruler came through and ‘NF’ sent me their response. I thought some of you might also be wondering. “Hi, Nina, it was fun watching your 2 juveniles take off yesterday!  Yes, there are several records of 2 juveniles fledging on the same day.  In recent years:

Maryland Port Tobacco, 6/4/23, three eaglets fledged on June 4, the first at 6:18, the second shortly after that (cam down, time uncertain), the third accidentally fell at 7:09.

Ohio Avon Lake, 7/7/22, one at about 6:22, the other at about 7:21.

Oklahoma Bartlesville 6/10/22, one at about 15:21, the other at 15:28.

Pittsburg Hays 6/10/22, one at 7:20, the other at 7:50.

Ohio Ashtabula, 6/24/20, one at 6:43, the other at 12:43.

British Columbia Surrey Reserve, 6/28/20, one at 8:15, the other at 10:18.

There are more in my spreadsheets, I’ve just searched the last few years, but from these you can see that it does happen.

Best to you,

-elf”

Question 2. From ‘PB”. “I saw your update on Seaside and #3 passed due to a wind/hail storm…but I watched their in memoriam video of #3 and they showed the storm so how did the little baby pass when under mom? Was it more lack of food?”

Yes, the little one was well protected by Mum. The death was not caused by anything human or by siblicide but was starvation and/or illness caused by a weather-related event. The storm was a mitigating factor in the chick not having enough food and also they get these terrible respiratory illnesses from the cold and damp. We won’t know precisely which it was.

If you missed it, Treasure at the West End nest of Akecheta and Thunder fledged on Saturday. Lady Hawks’ video shows the whole event clearing up many questions. Treasure is on a steep hill and has not been seen eating. Is this a place where the eaglet can get its footing to fly off? More questions than answers. The latest information is that Treasure is on a cliff face near the old nest.

‘B’ reports that Sterling has fledged on Sunday so all three of Akecheta and Thunder’s eaglets this year have taken their first flights.

Hats off to Dylan at Llyn Clywedog – he brought two HUGE trout (along with other fish) to the nest for Seren and chicks on Sunday. My goodness, gracious. Dylan does love his trout and if you don’t know, they stock the Clywedog Reservoir with 45,000 fish annually!

Dr Green just posted the following information as we are now on pip/hatch watch for the first egg at Iris and Finnegan’s nest.

I don’t know about you, but I am sitting on the edge of my chair in anticipation. I never thought Iris would have another devoted mate like Stanley.

Port Lincoln reports that Calypso and his new mate are checking out the Tulsa Platform. Could Mum and Dad be grandparents this year??? Things are beginning to heat up in Australia!

Little Mini right up at the beak for that fish dinner at Field Farm. One determined little osplet. This will certainly help with its survival. Don’t you just love these vivacious fourth hatches? They have to be clever and determined. Remember: It is only about 1 out of 100 fourth hatches that survive. Looks like Field Farm and Poole Harbour are going to be survivors if things continue as they are. Other nests are in trouble.

It rained some more. Each time there was a feeding Little Mini is there. No problems that I can see other than its size. The other three are rather ‘chill’ compared to many nests.

At Poole Harbour, Little Mini is right there. Sadly, Blue 022 has a love for black bin liners. I wish he didn’t bring them to the nest.

Two chicks for the WDNU Tower in 2024.

Two surviving chicks at Seaside.

The trio at the Salt Point Osprey Platform are all thriving. Do you know this nest at Cayuga Lake in Upstate New York? It is the home of Orpheus and Ursula. Here is some information provided by the Lansing Parks and Recreation Department.

“This nest was built by Orpheus in 2013, and with his two mates Ophelia (2013–2022) and Ursula (2022–current), they have reared many healthy fledglings over the years. The nest is ideally located within the Salt Point Natural Area in Lansing, NY, at the confluence of Salmon Creek, a fast-flowing trout stream, and fish-rich Cayuga Lake. Orpheus and his mate continually tend their nest built atop a 55′ dedicated nesting platform with a spectacular 360º view—and protection against marauding great-horned owls. This nest camera is a solar-powered camera operating in one of the cloudiest areas in the USA. After a streak of consecutive overcast or stormy days, the batteries drain and the recording may stop. After a few hours of sunshine, all will return to normal. High winds may also cause noise from the camera housing.”

Here is the link to their streaming cam. These chicks are doing fantastic.

Three at Pitkin County Open Trails and Spaces are doing well. We can just see the tops of their heads!

‘H’ sends in the reports for the nests she is monitoring:

“6/9, Forsythe NJ osprey nest:  This nest has become very unsettled and dangerous.  The nest dynamics continue to evolve for the worse.  The oldest of the four osplets, Big1, has become very aggressive and controlling.  Before today, Little3 was the primary aggressor, and would take out its hunger-frustration on Mini4.  Today, Big1 was beaking all of its siblings.  Every time LIttle3 would beak Mini4, Big1 would beak Little3.  But, several times at each meal, Big1 would beak all of them, including Middle2, so that Big1 would be the only one eating.  Quite often that would set off Middle2, and Middle2 would beak everyone.  There were six meals today.  Middle2 managed to make out okay simply because of its size.  Middle2 was able to position itself further away from Big1 at feedings, and still be able to reach Opal’s beak.  Neither Mini4 nor Little3 had very much to eat yesterday, as Little3 would keep Mini4 from eating, and Big1 would keep Little3 from eating.  Today, I counted fish bites for both Little3 and Mini4.  Mini4 ate a total of 36 bites of fish today, and Little3 ate a total of 17 bites of fish.  There is not enough fish being brought to this nest for three osplets undergoing a growth spurt, much less four osplets.  It’s going to take  A LOT MORE FISH.  This is very sad.”

6/9, Patuxent River Park osprey nest:  It was a good day for this nest.  There were “only” three fish and feedings, but a couple of the meals lasted so long, they should be counted as two meals.  The first fish at 0749 was a large live catfish, and that fish flipped and flopped all over the place.  No one was hurt, and I think the kids were mildly entertained, lol.  That meal lasted for 95 minutes.  Little still does get beaked and intimidated once in a while, but Little has learned to mitigate those occurrences.  S/he simply stays away from Mom in the early phase of a meal, so as not to incur the wrath of Big.  Little waited until about 0830 and then worked his way to the other side of Mom and she began to include her youngest in the feeding.  After a while Little had a bit of a private feeding, and had eaten a total of 80 bites of fish.  When Mom had given up on picking at the catfish skull, Dad moved on over, picked up the skull and pulled off 30 additional bits of meat for Little.  What a cool Dad.  The fish at 1118 was a small headless fish, and the meal lasted 10 minutes.  Big and Middle were not very hungry, and Little ate 55 bites of fish.  The last fish of the day at 1458 was a huge whole fish, that provided for another 95 minute feeding.  Little had a few separate private feedings and ate for a total of 30 minutes. 

Dahlgren osprey nest:  Being first-time parents, the new couple, Helen and Doug, continue to work out some issues with parenting.  There is a learning curve of course, and they are getting better.  Their single osplet is 8 days old, and is looking good…nice and plump!

Fortis Exshaw osprey nest:  Louise and her new mate Harvie are expecting their first baby at any time.  Louise laid three eggs, but we’ve never seen three eggs at one time in that deep egg cup.  All the best to them!

South Cape May Meadows osprey nest:  On 6/8 a crow destroyed one egg, and pecked at another.  We believe that there is still at least one viable egg remaining.  From the nature of the contents of the destroyed egg, we believe that egg was definitely not egg #1, and was more likely egg #3 (not positive, though).  Eggs #1 and 2 would be 38 and 35 days on 6/10.  We are hoping for a hatch for Hera and Zeus.

Fenwick Island, Delaware osprey nest, at Captain Mac’s Fish House:  Johnny and June’s first two eggs were destroyed by crows.  Eggs 3 and 4 remain, and we are on pip watch!

Osoyoos osprey nest:  Soo and Ollie’s two little bobs are doing great.  The third egg is 36 days old on 6/10.

McEuen Park osprey nest: They have three little hatchlings that hatched sometime between 6/4 and 6/8, with one egg remaining.  There is no rewind for that cam, so it was difficult to find a view when the parents were not ‘incu-brooding’.

If you were following Chance, the Red-tailed Hawk that went to an eagle’s nest for dinner and got adopted, you might know that it fell from the nest. Chance is near-fledging. Chance was rescued and is in a wildlife facility. This is the latest from the photographer covering the story, Jann Nichols.

‘PB’ writes that Smallie has been seen and photographed – see image below – but there is no confirmation that the eyas has had any food since being returned after its fall.

Big siblings on the grate.

One of the chicks, the eldest, wasn’t looking good to me at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. It seems to have rallied a bit. I do wish this Mum would spend less time eating fish and more time feeding her chicks. That is precisely how we lost the chicks last year! Send good energy to this nest!

‘MP’ has been watching and counting. He says, “I counted her eating five bites to one she attempts to give one chick but if they don’t take it immediately she retreats with it and eats it herself. One chick keeps rolling on their back.” MP continues, “The male appears to be bringing bigger fish maybe so she will have enough for her and the chicks? He does stand there and watch which I’ve never seen other males intently watch the feeding. My take is he’s seeing if she feeds them at all. It is hard to watch not knowing if you are watching the makings of mental illness on a nest of innocent babies leading to their death.”

This is the oldest chick that keeps going over. I fear that the babies are dehydrated. Mum leaves them exposed and the little things cannot regulate their temperature. It is very hot at times and they need many feedings, lots of little bites throughout the day to keep them healthy. So very, very sad. We have seen this same behaviour in Hope at the Snow Lane nest consistently. I once queried an old hand at osprey behaviour about mental illness and our discussions wound up around the theme of how chicks learn. We know that they have instincts and we also know that they copy parental behaviour. That is how they learn. We know that some osprey nests are simply better than others. The environment is richer with fish. The parents are more attentive. Did this female as well as Hope come from nests where the female neglected her chicks? or where there was a drought and the chicks suffered? We will never know the answer to that question because the birds are not ringed and we cannot track their history.

Let us hope that this nest has a turn around.

This was earlier.

Later:

Three eggs visible at the nest of Hope and Beau in Newfoundland at Snow Lane.

Two cutie pies at the Sandpoint Osprey platform. Looks like we have one egg that could be a DNH. We wait. These two are only two days old.

Trio at Great Bay doing fantastic, too. Is it my imagination or are the inland nests doing better this year in terms of survival rates? In my data forms, we have regions such as North America, UK, Europe, etc but we do not have North America divided up by regions. That might prove helpful in the future.

Patchogue osplets are doing very well despite the nest being full of garbage – the plague of being a nest in an urban environment.

Three beautiful babies at the Dyfi nest in Wales enjoying a fish dinner in the drizzle.

Three little ones at Bridge Golf being fed. Fingers crossed.

Two eaglets – still – at the Eastern Imperial Eagle nest in RU.

Still seeing two at the Estonian Golden Eagle nest.

Fledge feels eminent at the Cornell RTH nest of the Ns – two hawlets of Big Red and Arthur. Both have been flapping and jumping from one end of the nest to the other. Arthur has been busy bringing in prey close together to try and stop them from flying today.

Oren and Ruth’s two hawklets (one died) are preparing to fledge form their nest at Syracuse University, too.

Cal Falcon fledglings visiting the tower.

Many of you are travelling to see osprey. For the next couple of days I will be including images. Today is from Mobile Bay and tomorrow will be Rutland. ‘L’ had a lovely tour of the Alabama and Florida coasts and sent some images of Ospreys on their platforms and fishing that she saw and took with her phone for us. Thanks, ‘L’.

Some great news coming in late. One of two chicks fathered by 4K at Belvoir Castle near where I lived in the UK has been photographed in the UK on his return as a two-year-old. 4K was the subject of a book, If You Build It, He Will Come. He was also the focal osprey for Sacha Dench’s first round of Flight of the Osprey. Blue 4K is a mature male Osprey from Belvoir Castle, Rutland, hatched in 2013 and satellite-tagged in 2018. I wondered how he had died and Geemeff gave me the following information months ago, “Blue 4K’s tracker showed him in Guinea setting off north, then stopped transmitting. The tracker was fitted in 2018 so was coming to the end of its service anyway, therefore we just expected to see him back at his nest a month or so later. But after weeks went by, it was clear he wouldn’t be returning, and Simon has assumed he died in Guinea when the transmissions stopped. But of course, we don’t know.”

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, questions, photographs, comments, videos, articles, tweets, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, B, Geemeff, H, J, L, MP, NF, PB, TU’, Thoreau, CounterPunch, Elfruler, Lady Hawk, Llyn Clywedog Osprey Cam, Montana Osprey Project, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Field Farm, BoPH, WDNU, Seaside Ospresy, Salt Point Ospreys, Pitkin County, Jann Nichols Photography, isamersfoort.pl, MN Landscape Arboretum, Newfoundland Power, Great Bay Ospreys, PSEG, Dyfi Osprey Project, Bridge Golf Club, Imperial Eagle RU, Eagle Club of Estonia, Forsythe Ospreys, Patuxent River Park, Fortis Exshaw, Dahlgren Ospreys, SCMM, McEuen Park, Osoyoos Osprey Cam, and Fenwick Park Ospreys, Cornell RTH Cam, SU-RTH Cam, and Cal Falcon Cam.

Tragedy strikes at Carthage! Friday in Bird World

23 May 2024

Good Afternoon Everyone,

It was a gorgeous sunny day and I set out to check the number of ducklings and goslings at our local pond. Little did I know the tragedy that was brewing in Tennessee with the recent thunder storms. I am glad that I got out in nature for awhile. To my surprise there was a Greater White-fronted Goose in the pond just paddling about. I was completely taken by surprise by this medium sized goose with its distinctive white face patch and light pink bill. It was a medium ash brown splotched. When it was paddling I noticed its very bright orange legs.

Not a great image. I have not colour corrected. It is migrating through on its way to the tundra in the Arctic region in the far north of our province.

There was a single female Mallard with 9 babies, lots of wood ducks but I did not see any ducklings. I counted a total of 65 Canada Goslings and approximately 250 adult Canada Geese.

They were so cute! The numbers are extremely good compared to previous years!

A new reader asked me why I felt that people needed to intervene to stop the GHOs from taking the Osprey chicks as prey. They reminded me that GHOs need to eat, too, and that this is nature, not a zoo.

My long answer: For me, Ospreys are treasures. They have been on this planet since the Palaeocene Era approximately 65 million years ago, just like the owls. Unlike the other raptors that eat all manner of prey and even carrion, Ospreys eat exclusively fish. There has been the rare occasion when fish stocks were not available and they have been seen to eat birds. Perhaps twice that I am aware of in decades. Osprey talons are made for catching fish, not other types of prey. They do not attack and take the chicks of the eagles and the other raptors. They leave them alone. Have you ever seen an Osprey knock an eagle or eaglet or an owl off its perch or in the nest? In addition, the extreme curved nature of their talons makes them poor fighters against eagles, goshawks, and large owls. Despite the siblicide, they are gentle creatures going on about their business hoping that humans stop overfishing and, of course, they will shortly begin to notice our impact on the climate if they haven’t already. GHOs can live on other prey. In fact, if we would change our agricultural practices and, not use pesticides and herbicides, and stop poisoning rats and pigeons, the owls would help us get rid of those and be quite well-fed and healthy. They do not need to eat Osprey chicks – and if my research is correct, in 2-3 years time, there will be an alarm sounded for a decline in the osprey populations. We will want every chick to survive!

I am a great supporter for intervention in all manner of raptor situations. Not just ospreys. Humans have ‘messed’ with nature so much that the old saying ‘let nature takes its course’ seems wildly inappropriate in the face of great habitat loss, warming seas and dying fish, overfishing to the point that more than 90% of the fish since the beginning of the twentieth century are gone. Because of what humans have done to the planet (our manipulation and control of nature) – including leaving our garbage everywhere – we have a responsibility to all wildlife, and that includes owls, to take care of them and in some instances, that also includes GHOs – but not if they are harvesting osplets.

But, specific to now. ‘H’ and I are intimate with the Raptor families (almost exclusively Ospreys) we monitor for our data information project. I am in my 8th year, and ‘H’ has been with me for nearly three years. The osprey families are a part of us. We understand and recognise their behaviours and can tell when ‘something is up’. We are probably closer to the ospreys we watch than to many members of our own family. Indeed, I can predict the behaviour of many osprey families better than I might my own kids. We sit with them when they are laying eggs, monitor their labour, cheer their hatches, and cry when other osprey intruders attack, such as at Fortis Exshaw last year, and they lose chicks. They are such a huge part of our lives. A piece of us disappears each time one of them dies. We might be accused of caring too much – not being too cold and ‘scientific’. We understand that Ospreys have emotions just like humans do (so do the other raptors/animals). We empathise with them. So, knowing that Lake Murray Mum lost all three of her chicks ast year and seeing how well she and Dad have provided for the trio this year – well, to lose one because the strobe lights or the fish grate protectors were not in place early enough knowing the GHO was there – makes me sad, disappointed, and angry. These osplets are their children like we have children. Do we want someone to steal them and eat them in front of us? That is what the GHO did to Lucy with dear Little.

I hope that answers your question.

The storms going through the central US (or is it the Midwest or both? I forget) have caused havoc for the raptors on the streaming cams and off. We will never know the full extension of the destruction and deaths. In Europe, the gorgeous little storklets, so healthy and happy, have drowned in their nests due to torrential rains. Any that survive are precious and need to be protected.

As all of you know the Denton Homes Bald Eagle nest collapsed. It was rebuilt by the company about 8 feet off the ground, similar to the nest at Fraser Point. The trio of eagles were in care and returned. At least two of the eaglets are observed to have trouble standing or walking. The male came to the tree but did not come down and feed the eaglets. They are now in care. We will never know why the adult eagles rejected the nest and/or their chicks. Human speculation is useless in these situations.

On Friday, storms pounded Tennessee. The Mum at Carthage was doing the best to protect her Only Bob when the nest collapsed with her own it. From the looks of the scene it was not a proper platform but something more makeshift on top of a pole. My breaks for this Osprey family that had done so well this year.

I want to show you images of the Only Bob who could not have survived this tragedy from earlier in the day. ‘H’ has a done a video of the collapse.

It is obvious that all osprey platforms in areas impacted by heavy storms such as the Central and Midwest US should have category 5 hurricane platforms. If anyone wants those specifications, talk to Connor at Window to Wildlife. Poor Mum was holding on tight when the nest just flipped. Additionally, these nests need to be inspected annually and rebuilt, if required.

This is news from Iowa but it might represent many other regions like Tennessee.

Things appear safe at the Johnson City ETSU Bald Eagle nest.

Little Miami Conservancy is OK.

Bluff City is offline and I am concerned as that fast moving storm that hit Carthage is heading right towards the Bluff City-ETSU nest.

One of the eggs at The Port of Ridgefield Osprey Platform has broken and was eaten by the male later on Thursday.

Thank you Lake Murray for keeping those strobes going! It could save their lives.

Strobe lights might help Iris. They could be set up in the parking lot. Too late to install the wonderful fish grates of Cowlitz PUD.

Hatch watch at Cowlitz PUD.

Few Bald Eagles in the Channel Island this year. That baby below is precious.

Gracie Shepherd caught up with the Trio at the West End – my goodness. They really messed with the stats in the Channel Islands because it looks like they are going to fledge three healthy eaglets. Look at that hover!

I was caught off guard. They ringed Monty and Hartley’s Fab Four on Thursday – FOUR GIRLS! Monty must be run off his feet. No wonder feedings are a frenzy!

There is good news out there. And we have to celebrate all these little miracles.

Banding Day Highlights.

‘H’ and I are both worn out from the recent tragedies. Her report for Captiva and Patuxent are below. They are short and this newsletter will probably be short also.

I think I missed a feeding later at Patuxent, but from what I had seen earlier, Little was beaked now and then, but had eaten 243 bites of fish in the first 4 meals.

Captiva: I missed the last two meals, but CO8 was very well fed today; had a bigger crop than CO7 at times.

Louis and Dorcha appear to have another precocious and quite lively Big Bob on their hands this year.

The two osplets of Betsy and Frederick are doing fine.

It is a good thing that Idris and Telyn are very experienced parents and that there is plenty of fish at Dyfi – Big and Middle Bob are already going at it. I hope it is just because their eyes are not focused yet and any beak represents potential fish! And guess what? Three hatched early Saturday morning. Bring in the fish Idris!!!!!!!

And now there are three at Dyfi.

Waiting to see if there is another hatch at Poole Harbour. There was a second pip noticed.

Flora and Harry now have two Bobs at Alyth!

Please note the following fundraising from Dr Sharpe and the IWS team:

Want to save birds and do something really beneficial, then get people to either stop using sticky tape on trees or cut it off!!!!!!!!!

Thank you so much for being with me today. If you are in the area of storms, please take extra precautions to stay safe. We hope to have you here with us again soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, images, announcements, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘BHA, Geemeff, H, J, PB’, Denton Homes, DTC-Carthage, Heidi McGrue, 9ABC News Iowa, Johnson City-ETSU, Little Miami Conservancy, Bluff City-ETSU, Port of Ridgefield, Pam Breci, IWS/Explore, Gracie Shepherd, SK Hideaways, Patuxent River Park, Window to Wildlife, Geemeff, OBX Cam, Dyfi Osprey Project, Birds of Poole Harbour, IWS, and Wild Mountain Birds.

Hatches, eggs, and full crops…Monday in Bird World

13 May 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

Lots of things happening on Sunday. If you missed it – I sure did – Mum and Dad had their first hatch of the season at the PSEG Osprey platform in Patchogue on Long Island early Sunday morning. Thanks, ‘MP’.

Oh, that baby is so tiny!

And now it is Monday morning and we have hatch two at Patchogue – I didn’t miss this one! Dad was right there with a big fish for Mum and both of the babies.

Farther north, Dory and Skiff laid their second egg at the Audubon Boathouse.

Iris laid her third egg (the first one got kicked out of the nest) on Sunday. Iris and New Guy are incubating two eggs now.

Iris is happy. She is getting 2 or 3 nice fish a day! Glad to see this guy is keeping up with his end of the bargain and you-know-who seems to be staying home.

After the loss of Laddie and her eggs, Blue NCO returns to her nest at Loch of the Lowes on Sunday. Geemeff adds, “Approx 18.30 Calls are heard off camera, then NC0 appears. She’s been absent for a few days, staying away more frequently since dear Laddie’s untimely death and the destruction of their eggs by the Pale Male on 7th May. She flies onto the nest and perches, moves onto the nest, calling. Then a male appears, not the Pale Male but the new Dark Male who’s also been hanging around. He doesn’t have any fish so she quickly gets rid of him, and departs herself around 7pm.”

On Sunday, the first fish came early and good thing. It was hot and I have not seen another for a number of hours. ‘H’ and I both watched that 0607 feeding. ‘H’s notes: “I counted bites, but as it turned out, I did not need to.  Little ate first, and one of the older ones joined in several minutes later.  There was no beaking.  The third sibling joined in later, and again no beaking.  Little was sort of crowded out, but not pushed out.  Later, Little pushed his way back to the feeding line and the three osplets ate peacefully side by side.  Unbelievable!  There was still a little bit of fish remaining at 0641, but Lucy had no takers, as everyone was full.  (if you’re counting…Little ate 114 bites of fish).” That is a good start to what looks like a hot, hot Sunday.

I just feel very unsettled about Lake Murray and the third hatch. I want to be proven wrong.

Ah, it is the end of the day at Lake Murray. Kenny brought in a big fish. Just look at three’s crop. A good start to the day, a not so good at all middle, and a good ending for our little one.

‘H’ agrees! “Lake Murray ended on a high note, 183 bites for Little at the last meal.”  And this is her full report for the day: “

5/12 Lake Murray osprey nest:  Little (C3) has a very difficult life.  His/her two older siblings (C1, C2) are so much bigger, stronger, and dominant.  They are 21, 19, and 16 days old on 5/12.  Big and Middle both pick on Little, but I think Big is responsible for most of the attacks on Little. 

The first meal of the day, at 0607, was a complete surprise… in that it was peaceful!  Go figure.  Little ate first and had a long private feeding before the other two sleepyheads even got ‘out of bed’.  After a long while, Big and Middle joined in the feeding and there was harmony!  I was in shock… I couldn’t believe Little’s good fortune.  Thank goodness for small miracles.  Little ate 114 bites of fish at this meal.  After that, the day went downhill quickly for Little.  Kenny would bring 5 more fish to the nest that day.  At the first four of those meals, Big and Middle were merciless… attacking Little multiple times to keep him from eating.  Some of the attacks were quite brutal.  At meals two through five, Little ate 0, 2, 6, and 1 bite of fish.  Then, at 1800, the last fish of the day… Kenny delivered a large whole fish.  I knew that the size of the fish, especially late in the day after Big and Middle had been stuffed all day… would significantly improve Little’s chances for a good meal.  Little did not get to eat right away.  He was beaked and kept from participating in the meal.  At one point both of the larger siblings went after Little simultaneously.  At 1816 Lucy did something very cool… she moved the fish all the way across the nest to where Little was, and Little was fed 14 bites before he was attacked.  It was not until 1832 that Little ate his next bite of fish, in fact he managed to eat 12 more bites before he was savagely attacked by Big.  Slowly but surely, the two older chicks were getting full.  Little would sneak up to Lucy and get a few bites of fish here and there whenever he could.  By 1850 Little was receiving a mostly private feeding.  Lucy was feeding as quickly as she could, and Little was often seen crop-dropping.  Little ate until 1906, and had eaten approximately 183 bites of fish at this meal. 

I really like this ‘kid’.  Little has a determined nature about him, and it seemed that he was always scheming to find a way to get back to Lucy to be fed.  Little reminds me of Tuffy at Moorings Park.  One big difference is, Tuffy only had one older dominant sibling to contend with, while Little has two.”

Sure nice to see that top on Three. Thank goodness for those late day big catches.

I keep saying that Harry and Sally have the most beautiful osplets. It is the richness of those deep espresso-black feathers set against that gorgeous landscape. Tuffy survived Ruffie. Sometimes you have to look several times to tell which one is which now.

‘H’ reports on Captiva: “5/12, Captiva osprey nest: The siblings are 19 and 17 days old on 5/12.  There is no question that CO7 is dominant, and behaves aggressively toward its younger sibling, generally making life quite difficult at times for CO8.  Many times CO7 gets quite a bit more to eat at a meal than CO8.  But, by the end of the day CO8 will usually have his/her crop filled a few times.  CO7 seems to calm down a bit by the afternoon, and that improves CO8’s chances for a good meal.  Yesterday evening however, CO8 took advantage of CO7’s improved demeanor and CO8 started a fight!  Those fights never turn out well for CO8…s/he will learn, lol!

First-time parents, Edie and Jack, have proven to be wonderful parents.  Jack is a good provider, supplying the nest with ample fish.  And, Jack often participates in the feeding of his offspring.  On 5/11 there was a long dual feeding, where Edie fed CO7, and Jack fed CO8.  On 5/12 Jack fed CO8 a long private feeding from 17:03 to 17:21, until CO7 (displaying his Dr. Jekyll persona) sidled-on-up beside CO8, and the two temporary besties ate side by side, fed by Papa Jack.  Both osplets ended up with good crops.

This nest is doing well, although there are times when I’m sure CO8 would beg to differ!”

We now have a full clutch for the Seili Osprey nest in Finland. Way to go Hildur.

There is at least one egg at the Juurusvesi nest also with Ania and Bartek.

The third egg hatched at Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home Ospreys on Sunday.

The first hatch happened at the Outerbanks nest some time over night.

Hatch at Carthage!

There is still no sign of a pip in the second egg at Rutland’s Manton Bay nest of Blue 33 and Maya.

Dorcha shows off her gorgeous plumage and wings while she waits for the eggs to hatch at Loch Arkaig.

At Frenchman’s Creek, an adult was on the nest feeding one of the fledglings. Later a fledgling was on the nest alone. It is impossible to know if it is the same fledgling or if both juveniles were at the nest on Sunday.

The Venice Golf and Country Club Osprey cam was offline on Sunday every time I checked. The same was true for the University of Florida-Gainesville Osprey cam. Very disappointing. They got a new camera this year and it is terrible.

Big Red is always a pick of one of my favourite raptor mothers. She is just in her glory when there are chicks in the nest.

The nest of Ruth and Oren looks so tiny to me compared to the sq footage of Big Red’s penthouse. You can see the ‘ear’ of the hawks. Look below the eye in the top image at the little black circle. It will be covered with feathers.

Did you know about this Red-tail Hawk nest at Wake Forest? Look at the different ages of the three in terms of their feather development.

The only word is ‘adorable’.

Oh, goodness. They are self-feeding!

‘A’ loves these little ones: “The 11:31am feeding at Cal Falcons this morning (12 May) was yet another of Annie’s perfectly shared efforts. As always, the chicks got to the table in their own time and order, with the youngest taking a while to wake up (at which point it immediately grabbed centre front position and began eating voraciously, as always) and one of the older chicks didn’t join in until last of the four. But despite this, Annie managed, as always, to share the food with such perfection that the four ended up with crops of almost identical size after the feeding. All were bulging in that rather ugly manner, where there are not enough feathers to cover the large bulge, and Annie’s job was done for another few hours. They are eating less often, as I mentioned, but are polishing off entire birds at a meal now instead of having leftovers. There is rarely anything remaining. This time, though, when the meal ends just before 11:43, there are a couple of bones left on the scrape, a little bit of juicy-looking flesh attached, presumably for the chicks to begin nibbling on themselves. Chick number three has a go, and the youngest, behind it, is fascinated by the sight, peering over to watch closely what its sibling is doing.It’s easy to see who is the smartest eyas in this scrape. (To be honest, it’s been obvious from the beginning – this little one has been a dynamo since day one.)  These four are doing superbly well. They spend most of their day growing with all their might, but they are starting to get more curious about the world beyond the scrape. Those feathers are coming in nicely, and they are starting to stand up and attempt to walk a few steps on their feet before reverting to their tarsi. I just cannot believe they will be banded in only three days.”

Larry’s chicks benefit from Larry having learned how to be a great Mum from Annie.

If you need to understand the words ‘hope’ and ‘resilience’, look no further than Jak and Audacity at the Sauces Canyon Bald Eagle nest.

The adults at Decorah North are showing the eaglets where to go to branch. It will not be long!

Reign and Manini are looking really good at the Fraser Point nest of Andor and Cruz.

The baby at Little Miami Conservancy ended the day with a really nice crop.

The trio at the West End nest of Thunder and Akeheta are eating well. Check out this ‘ps’.

I ‘think’ this darling is little Treasure.

Look who is on the JB Sands Wetlands eagle nest on Mother’s Day! So nice to see you JBS20. Aren’t you lucky? Someone brought you lunch!

Precious storklet of Bety and Bukacek.

There are four storklets on the streaming cam at Knepp Farm in the UK. In 2020 the first white storklets from the rewinding programme hatched at Knepp Farm. They were the first wild chicks hatched in Britain in 600 years! The last nesting pair were seen in Edinburgh in 1416. No one knows for certain why they completely disappeared but they were on medieval menus, they were killed for food, and what about their feathers? Maybe egg collectors, too.

The adults, Anna and Bartek, stay in the nest at night together with their storklets.

Things are getting busy at Sydney. ‘A’ reports:

“May 12: The eagles appeared to have been at Goat Island last night, and were heard duetting early, at 7:15am. They were seen leaving at 10:30am and were seen shortly after at Burns Bay and then heard duetting. Mid-afternoon, at 2pm, Dad showed up at the nest, followed shortly after by Lady. They flew off and then returned just after 5pm. Both were then at home for the night.”

Oh, how I do love Swifts.

Birdwatch-the-invincible-swift-effortless-master-of-the-air-Environment-The-GuardianDownload

Last year our hearts broke for Little Mini at Patchogue. She had survived being the tiniest little fourth hatch and then she injured her leg. Many knew the story of Ma Berry and we have seen other raptors that have survived with disabilities. ‘Geemeff’ sent me the following article. We really need to think inclusion not euthanasia. This is the story of a shorebird, a wading bird, with only one leg that is doing just fine, thank you.

Rare-wading-bird-with-one-leg-spotted-at-Northumberland-nature-reserveDownload

Good Night Gabby and Beau wherever you are.

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, H, MP’, Birdy Isac NY, Audubon/Explore, Montana Osprey Project, Geemeff, Lake Murray Ospreys, Moorings Park Ospreys, Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home Ospreys, LRWT, Frenchman’s Creek, Cornell RTH, Syracuse U-RTH Cam, Amy Bonis, Cal Falcons, SK Hideaways, Parks Conservancy, IWS/Explore, Raptor Research Project/Explore, Little Miami Conservancy, JB Sands Wetlands, The Guardian, Chronicle Live, Knepp Farm, Window to Wildlife, Sydney Sea Eagle Cam, Outerbanks Ospreys, Finnish Osprey Foundation, and NEF-AEF.

*Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to thank those who supplied information, images, etc, for my post this morning. If there is an error or omission, please let me know!*