Category Archives: Channel Islands Eagles

Monday in Bird World

17 February 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

We hope that each of you has had a lovely week and an even nicer weekend if you are still out in the workforce. We are so happy that you can be with us today. It is -31 C, and we have been in another extreme cold warning area for several days. Fortunately, the conservatory is on the south of the house, and the sun heats it regardless. The Girls just have to be out there watching their garden friends! It is, however, difficult at times to get outside and we often find ourselves thinking of the warm sun and birds in Guadeloupe.

This is the last day for the Big Bird Count. You have until 1 March to get your submissions into Cornell. Our garden bird numbers were down due to the extreme cold.

The deer have been eating the twigs off the newly cut trees in the park. Wood twigs are definitely not full of nutrition. I have not seen any deer in our garden for a few weeks.

This tiny little one is such a sweetie.

The temperatures continue to be on the ‘cold’ side. We keep the conservatory open for The Girls so they can enjoy the squirrels and the birds – and us, too. It will be so nice when April arrives – two months to go – until we thaw out. Star and Brock continue to come to the feeder, but I have seen no other cats which is really a blessing.

Hope and Calico are never far from one another. It is so endearing.

Hugo Yugo was grumpy at me for waking her up to try and get a photo!

Missey was grouchy too!!!!!!!!

The Girls seem to have almost gone into hibernation preferring to sleep during the cold months instead of even eating. They play with one another starting around 2130, but during the day, it is strictly nap time. Oh, what a charmed life they lead.

We hope that the bi-weekly posting is working out for you. I want to try and pick a topic that brings some additional information – that is more educational – than just a listing of what is happening at the nests. This change is allowing me to do that!

So today, I want to look at the world’s most beloved Bald Eagle couple, Jackie and Shadow, whose nest at Big Bear and its elevation can be causing the issues relating to their eggs not hatching. In addition to the information below, I am also including some other information on the DDT that was sprayed in the area that might well be contributing to the thickness (or lack thereof) in some of their past egg shells. Even thought DDT spraying was outlawed decades ago, the soil remains contaminated and still impacts wildlife including Bald Eagles.

Jackie and Shadow have been braving the elements as snow transforms the Big Bear Valley in California. https://youtu.be/kJ6s66Baltg?

So why do Jackie and Shadow struggle with their eggs at such a high altitude? Their nest is 7000 feet above sea level and is known to be one of North America’s highest Bald Eagle nests. When I sought an answer, my computer came up with this one generated by AI. It looks reasonably thorough and should help us understand this couple’s difficulties in hatching eaglets. That said, we know that on occasion, they do have success. In 2023, more than 45 inches of snow fell on Jackie and Shadow’s nest due to the atmospheric rivers that year.

Eagles nesting at high altitudes can experience difficulties with fertility and egg hatching primarily due to the harsh environmental conditions at those elevations, including: lower oxygen levels, extreme temperature fluctuations, strong winds, and limited food availability, which can all negatively impact the development of the embryo within the egg and the overall health of the breeding pair. 

Key factors contributing to this issue:

  • Oxygen stress:Reduced oxygen levels at high altitudes can affect the egg development process, potentially hindering the embryo’s ability to properly grow and mature. 
  • Temperature extremes:High altitude environments can experience significant temperature swings, making it challenging for the female eagle to maintain a consistent incubation temperature needed for successful hatching. 
  • Weather challenges:High winds and storms at high altitudes can disrupt nesting activities, potentially damaging eggs or causing the adults to abandon the nest. 
  • Food scarcity:Finding enough food to sustain both the breeding pair and their chicks can be difficult in high altitude habitats, especially during harsh weather conditions, leading to malnutrition and impacting fertility. 
  • Hormonal disruptions:Environmental stress at high altitudes could potentially disrupt the hormonal balance of the eagles, affecting their reproductive capabilities. 

Here is more information on this nest:

The nest of Jackie and Shadow, the bald eagles in Big Bear Valley, California, is about 7,000 feet above sea level. The nest is located in a Jeffrey pine tree that’s 145 feet above the ground. 

Explanation

  • The nest is one of the highest known bald eagle nests in the United States. 
  • The nest is located in the San Bernardino National Forest. 
  • The nest is home to Jackie and Shadow, the only year-round resident bald eagles in Big Bear. 
  • The nest is monitored by a live-streaming camera operated by Friends of Big Bear Valley, a nonprofit environmental preservation group. 
  • The nest has grown to be over five feet wide and six feet deep. 
  • The nest was started near the top of the tree by the previous resident pair, Lucy and Ricky, in 2012. 

The nest is located on an undeveloped parcel of land on the north shore of Big Bear Lake. 

Did you know that Jackie is thought to be the offspring of Ricky and Lucy? That would mean that she is now thirteen years old in 2025. She is the first eaglet to have ever hatched at the Big Bear nest in 2012. In recent years, her and Shadow have laid at least fourteen eggs together with five of them hatching. Simba fledged in 2019 and Spirit fledged in 2022. I still remember that fantastic eaglet. I am sure you do, too. Other eaglets were ZJ1 (yes, he was banded) named Cookie, who died of hypothermia during a storm in 2019 and Stormy, who fledged in 2018. Now, what was the name of the other one? Would you happen to know?

There is nearly a 33% chance that an egg will hatch. So will one of the three eggs hatch this year? We must wait to see. Maybe all three will! Clearly Jackie and Shadow with their devotion and love for one another and the determination they have to raise an eaglet offers each of us hope and inspiration.

What students learn about DDT and its ban in the early 1970s and the eagles at Big Bear:

What Students Learn From Their Big Bear Bald Eagle (And Real Life) Teachers | LAistDownload

The effects of pesticides on Bald Eagle populations:

1882Download

Pip watch begins for Jackie and Shadow on 1 March – well now, let’s count the days from today: 12!!!!!!!! We will be on pins and needles with excitement.

The Ravens wished to give Jackie grief. She wasn’t having it.https://youtu.be/_-zcJ-1qwAk?

Looking at the other nests:

Kistachie National Forest, E3: They are the cuties little fat bottomed eaglets. Their Mum, Andria II, is doing a fantastic job keeping both eaglets well fed.

John Bunker Sands Wetlands: Dad brings in a whopper of a fish for Mum and the kids!!!!! (Thanks MP)

Fraser Point: Andor and Cruz have their first egg of the 2025 breeding season.

Abu Dhabi Osprey Nest: The triplets being raised by the lone female and two males were banded. Heidi caught the action on video.

The average temperature in Abu Dhabi is 25 degrees C. Last year it was 30 C. There is no temperature for the nest which is located on a huge mound of sticks on the desert. The chicks survived with lots of fish!

West End Nest: The camera was down on Friday for awhile due to a big storm that went through the area. They played highlights. Hearts were broken everywhere watching Akecheta feed his triplets.

Sauces: Jak and Audacity’s first egg is still holding! The other two have broken. Well, we only need one and this couple sure deserve it. Their issue is, of course, not the same as Jackie and Shadow and the higher elevation nest. Theirs is strictly due to the DDT in the area. Next posting will look at why some nests in the Channel Islands might be

Two Harbours: Chase and Cholyn are working on their nest. No eggs yet.

USS Steel: The first egg for Irv and his new mate, Stella, arrived and the second was laid on the 16th. Congratulations to Irvine and Stella. Missing Claire. https://youtu.be/hg37rCwNavc?

Decorah North: Second egg laid on Valentine’s Day. First egg laid on the 11th. (In 2024, the first egg was laid on the 15th of February). Oh, we are going to be busy in five weeks time with all these hatches!

Trempealeau Bald Eagle Nest: There is some concern that Mr T has not been seen at the nest since the 11th of February.

FOLFAN: Second egg laid on the 13th of February.

Hilton Head Bald Eagles: George and Gracie’s oldest gets out of the egg cup! https://youtu.be/2zmRnrAIbfw?

NE Florida: NE 31 stood on its feet, flatly on the nest, on Saturday the 15th for the first time. A milestone. What a great eaglet. Huge crop. Devoted parents. Melts your heart just watching Gabby and Beau care for this precious one.

‘A’ comments: “The chatters are calling it NE31’s stick fort, but as I described yesterday I think it was, there are some very thick kiddy rails on the side of the nest opposite the dining table. NE31 has been sleeping so that one of those large sticks is across his back, so that I am hoping his stick fort might make it hard for an owl to get a grip on him and extract him from under his stick. Again tonight, alone on the nest, he was sleeping in his stick fort when Gabby came down to the nest around 1.42am. She aerates the nest, in the process extricating NE31 from beneath his stick, and NE31 stands up tall and eyeballs mum, then tries to burrow back under the stick fort. 

Gabby has some difficulty brooding NE31 because of the stick but eventually the eaglet snuggles down in front of her breast feathers and goes back to sleep. Mum leaves again at 01:55. Little now can no longer get under its stick fort. The stick has been broken and displaced so that it no longer affords the protection it has done to the point. Unfortunate. 

Beau arrives on the nest to check on NE31 at 03:03:35 and does some aerating of the nest. This eventually disturbs the sleeping NE31, who stands up tall and bonks dad! (TS 03:12:25). TOO funny. It’s hard to see how effectively the stick fort now protects NE31 – it may represent some form of obstacle still, though not as useful a barrier as it was two nights ago, before it got broken. 

It is reassuring to me to see Beau on the nest tonight. It is a little early – I hope he remains until daylight because we know how that hour or 90 minutes before the sky begins to lighten is very much the favourite time for owls to hunt – or so I have observed when watching GHO cams. “

SW Florida: M15 is thinking he would like another chance at raising eaglets this year. How is F23 feeling about that? https://youtu.be/ol57dhBfdbg?

NCTC Nest: Scout is delivering fish dinners and grasses to Bella. https://youtu.be/MBaiPt014YU?

No wonder. Bella laid her third egg!!!!!!! Scout is really going to be a busy lad if these three eggs hatch. https://youtu.be/S4DH20KLU30?

Cardinal Land Conservancy: Bonnie and Clyde have their first egg and by the time you read this they should have their second.

Dade County home to Ron and Rose saw the ringing of R7 and R8.

Captiva: Connie and Clive’s Dasher and Dancer work their wings on the nest hoping to fly like Mum and Dad. https://youtu.be/-h0DY3y8MoA?

Centreport: Waiting for the first egg.

Moorings Park: Harry and Sally are incubating three eggs!

Achieva Credit Union: Jack and a new mate ??? – no eggs yet.

Kauai Moli:

Royal Cam Chick Royal Albatross Colony, NZ: Some really cute close ups. https://youtu.be/NVeCGfehAfo?

Leucistic Red Tail Hawk Nest: ‘A’ notes with concern: “The last visit to the nest was on 2 December – I think there is an entry in the log noting that Angel had flown under the nest (twice) about a week ago, but it is starting to look like this season will be much like last. We may not see them again this year. It is a mystery – where are they going? What are they doing? And why?”

The hawks might have relocated like they did last year, but we know that they are fine.

World Bird Sanctuary. This falls in line with the story below about the turtle where wildlife manage to survive under very challenging conditions. This one with a severe beak injury.

Wildlife Haven, Manitoba, Canada: Dr Tess designed a ‘contraption’ to help a turtle whose shell was soft and sunken in the hope of giving it a second chance at life. I love this vet and wish she would be here forever. She doesn’t give up and as I have said several times, she has no trouble believing a three legged deer can survive or a one legged eagle. Bravo, Dr Tess!

Calico’s Tip for the Day: If we want to help wildlife, modify the amount of beef, palm oil (please do check your labels), and timber. Trees are cut down for these crops and there are clear alternatives!!!!!!!!! Calico also recognises that birds flourish when coffee is grown in the shade. Why not reduce the amount of coffee you drink in order to help wildlife? Look for the certified Birds and Beans coffee!!!!!!!! Accept no substitute. Indeed, I can tell you that having one good cup of coffee that I know did not cause a tree to be cut is much better than drinking 3 or 4. Try it.

Richest nations ‘exporting extinction’ with demand for beef, palm oil and timberhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/14/richest-nations-exporting-extinction-with-demand-for-beef-palm-oil-and-timber-aoe?CMP=share_btn_url

A good read. Hummingbirds discovered living in a hive in a cave in Ecuador.

Hummingbirds Living in a Hive Found for the First Time – The New York TimesDownload

For your watching pleasure: A documentary on the return of the Storks to Alsatia. Enjoy! https://youtu.be/1KyhelY3FyI?

Killed for sport and dumped. It is time to end this archaic practice in the UK.

Shot gamebirds geese dumped in NottinghamshireDownload

Thank you so much for being with me. Please take care. See you on Thursday. Have a great week everyone. Sending you good positive energy.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, images, articles, information, and streaming cams that helped me to write this post: ‘A, Geemeff, H, J, MP’, SK Hideaways, FOBBV, LAist, Fish and Wildlife Services, Kistachie National Forest E3, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, IWS/Explore, Heidi McGrue, USS Steel, Sylvia, Raptor Resource Project/Explore, Trempealeau Bald Eagle Nest, FOLFAN, Hilton Head Island Trust, NEFL-AEF, SK Hideaways, Deb Stecyk, NCTC Bald Eagle Nest, Cardinal Land Conservancy, WRDC Bald Eagle Nest, Window to Wildlife, Centreport Eagles, Moorings Park Osprey, Achieva Credit Union, Hob Osterlund, liznm, Window to Wildlife, World Bird Sanctuary, Wildlife Haven, The Guardian, The New York Times, Animaux du monde, Raptor Persecution UK

Thursday in Bird World

13 February 2025

Hello Everyone,

First up, before I forget. The Great Back Yard Bird Count is taking place from tomorrow through the 17th. Here is all the information you need to participate with Cornell and Audubon.

Great Backyard Bird Count – Join us each February when the world comes together to watch, learn abouDownload

If you live in the UK, you need to submit by the 23rd of February. Here is the information for you:

Every survey counts. Tell us what you saw by 23 February.Download

The Girls have asked me to wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day. They want you to know they are grateful for your letters and how you care about them. Sadly, they cannot send you any candies! My best friend left a box for us, and I was going to share it with all of you. That beautiful little box was left on the dining table, lid secured. This morning, those little red balls of chocolate were all over the floor. They had a hockey game during the night!!!!!!!! I heard nothing. Thankfully, they did not eat any of the candy – it is, however, not in a state to share. I wonder which team won? Team Calico vs. Missey-HY.

The temperatures have been in the -32 C range. The sun has been out and strangely the conservatory has been warm. It is a joy to be out there watching all the animals who continue to grow in number as they discover that food is available once again. Their survival is phenomenal. Brock and Star were here today eating kibble under the feeder which was left for the Starlings along with their other food. Both seem to be doing alright despite the frigid weather. Still, it is hard not to ache for them and their circumstances.

Star is very pretty. She is on the bird feeder to get the sunshine and keep her feet warm. She was not interested in killing our feathered friends, thank goodness.

There has been one big worry in Bird World since my last post on Sunday. An owl (Barred?) visited the nest of Beau and Gabby, just like the visits at the SW Florida nest of M15 and F23. Gabby quickly flew down to the nest to protect 31. Still, this is not something that we even want to fathom.

While Ospreys are not a match for GHOs (their claws are meant for carrying fish and fighting with one another over fish), they are not meant for battling these larger raptors. The Eagles are another story. Even our local Crows gang up on the GHO that lives on the nearby golf course. They usher that owl right out of the neighbourhood. But, as you know, the owls are silent, and that little 31 sleeping alone in that big nest is problematic. Please send me some positive wishes.

This little 31 is a cutie with its dark charcoal thermal down and dandelion head. Look at the length of that beak!!!!!!! It was a magical moment when that egg hatched, and our joy just helped us get through the sadness at SW Florida.

Others shared my concern with the mailbox full of worry for 31. ‘A’ wrote: “Gabby returned to the nest soon after 4am – perhaps she realises that the pre-dawn is probably the most dangerous time of all, based on my observations of the GHO nests. They usually bring home something laor    rge shortly before dawn to feed their owlet/s. Or that’s what I have seen. So presumably Gabby is aware of that too. She was on the nest for that vital 90 minutes or so before dawn, which was interesting, and of course we still have our wee one. Mind you, it’s not so wee – if I hadn’t seen those GHOs knock the parents from their perches, I’d even wonder whether NE31 is too big to carry off now. But we know how strong those feet and legs are. They are phenomenal. Scary. So I will be watching with fear and trepidation for another week or two at least with that baby alone on that nest. It’s such an expanse too – like a damned football field – so that the owl would have plenty of room to swoop and then lift NE31 and spirit it away. There are no branches to interfere with its path or slow it down – it would have no obstacles at all. I hope I am worrying unnecessarily but seeing that GHO scoping things out was terrifying.”

That owl has returned and Beau and Gabby jumped into action. I just wish they would remain on the nest with 31 until it is large enough that the owl will go away and leave them in peace. https://youtu.be/ExITfywEw9M?

I am not as concerned if it is a Barred Owl and this is the reason: “Barred Owls are comparable in size to a Great Horned Owl (21″versus 22″) but their weight is considerably different as the average weight of a Barred Owl is 1.6 pounds, roughly half of the weight of a Great Horned Owl.” It would not have the flight capacity of the GHO.

‘A’ remarks: “Again this morning, Gabby has gone down to the nest shortly before 4am. The only explanation I think is that she is obviously aware that this pre-dawn period is the most dangerous time, so she is going to the nest early each morning. It does give me a little bit of comfort, though I still worry all day (I’m on the other side of the world, remember, so as it is 4:11am at NEFL it is 8:11pm here). Since lunch time, I have had the NEFL screen open and I check li’l nugget regularly – mainly to see whether that little lump of fluff is still on the nest or whether one time I will look in and see that nest empty. It is terrifying, especially with both the GHO and the barred owl aware of the nest and prepared to attack the adults let alone NE31. That is a very tempting meal, I suspect, well fattened, young and tender. Just right for a growing owlet or two. It terrifies me. Poor wee eaglet. It looks so helpless and alone. Gabby is there now, as I said, and baby has woken up for yet another preen. Beau is nearby, perched above the nest.”

We are all concerned about the levels of lead contamination in our raptors, and, in particular, carrion eaters such as Bald Eagles, Condors, and Vultures. There is currently a study in the UK to ban the use of lead ammunition. the following file has a video attached, ‘The Toxic Restaurant’ that is extremely enlightening.

“The Toxic Restaurant” – spoof video highlighting toxic lead ammunition sends BASC into meltdown – RDownload

News coming out of the other nests indicates that in about 36-38 days we are going to be particularly busy with hatches happening everywhere.

NCTC nest with Bella and Smitty: First egg laid in the original nest on Monday the 10th. Snow coming down Tuesday.

Redding Eagles with Liberty and Guardian: First egg of the season is expected any moment.

Kansas City Eagles Harvie and Ellie: First egg laid Tuesday.

Decorah North with Mr North and Mrs DNF: First egg laid on Tuesday. There it is!

Buddy’s Mom caught the action at Decorah North on video: https://youtu.be/NjVoqQTGJdw?

FOLFAN Eagles: First egg is believed to have been laid on Monday.

West End: Sadly, the image says it all. Still no sign of Akecheta or his tag anywhere.

Sauces: One egg of the three Audacity laid appears to be holding strong. Send good wishes! Could this be another miracle eaglet this year?

Duke Farms: We have seen this Mum completely buried with snow protecting her eggs. Snow again. Thankfully not so much.

Rita’s History Monday:

Birdlife Malta releases its year end report of the illegal killing of birds on or over its territory.

Hunting season ends as illegal killing of protected birds persists | BirdLife MaltaDownload

The latest from Port Lincoln:

Changeover at the Royal Albatross Colony. RLK returns to relieve GLG. https://youtu.be/I7rO2UK0WJc?

What a beautiful time this is when both parents can spend time with one another preening and bonding.

The cams are back up at Fraser’s Point and look – is it Cruz with that big crop?

A perfect read for lovers of West Africa and UK Ospreys!

My Seventh Day in the Gambia: Farewells and One More Blue Ring…Download

From the home of Murphy, news of their releases for this week.

This Weeks ReleaseDownload

At the Hilton Head Bald Eagle nest, George and Gracie now has two eaglets to feed!

The two eaglets at John Bunker Sands – JBS 22 and JBS 23 -are the sweetest little things.

As mentioned in my earlier post, it appears that F23 and M15 are going to be alright. It has been a fortnight and the two adult eagles have been seen at the pond and at the nest. I know that this is a huge relief for all of you.

The couple working on their nest on Wednesday.

It is certainly going to be easy to fall in love with these two little cuties at the Kisatchie National Forest nest of Alex and Adrian II. Just look.

R7 and R8 are growing like weeds at the WRDC nest of Ron and Rose.

Gosh, look at the size of Dasher and Dancer! Clive and Connie have been working so hard for these babies.

Angel and Tom have been working on their nest. Love the pine cone.

It was a duck dinner so very French at the nest of Michigan Bald Eagles, Harry and Harriet. https://youtu.be/Hch_Q9oZs6U?

In five weeks we will be watching Ospreys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot wait.

For now, you can also watch deer! ‘H’ reminds us of the Brownsville, Maine deer pantry – and, yes, I do love these folks. They have 12 acres and my goodness how kind they are.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care of yourself. We will be delighted to have you with us again on Monday.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, images, articles, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, H, J’, NEFL-AEF, NestFlix Memories, Raptor Persecution UK, NCTC, FORE, Farmer Derek, Raptor Research Project/Explore, Buddy’s Mom, FOLFAN, IWS/Explore, Duke Farms, Rita the Eagle FB, Birdlife Malta, Friends of Osprey Sth Aus, Cornell Bird Lab, Root and Wing, World Bird Sanctuary, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, SW Florida Eagle Cam, Kisatchie National Forest, Window to Wildlife, Great Lakes Bald Eagle Cam

Late Sunday in Bird World

9 February 2025

Hello Everyone,

Traveling is wonderful. It is the getting there and getting home that are not! The snow did not hinder our arrival late Thursday in Montreal and the young man who removes the snow around our property has already visited twice. Temperatures have even managed to warm up in Winnipeg.

It is now Saturday – late afternoon. Provisions for the birds and cats received attention today. Their pantry is stocked full. Saturday morning saw only one grey squirrel at the feeders. Now I am watching Dyson eating peanuts in the small feeder with little red hanging out at one of the newly replaced nut cylinders filling up. The Sparrows have returned and here comes another Grey. I want to see all four of them along with Mr Blue Jay and the woodpecker family and the chickadees today. Then I will feel like the garden is fine. Oh, it is doubly fine. There is another little Red!!!!! Oh, goodness me. The animals are a worry.

The Girls were fine. They are well looked after, but it does not replace the almost 24/7 attention they get when we are home. There is no Story time or pets that last hours. Hugo Yugo slept in my armpit for almost the entire night snuggled in very tight. Right now, they are all on the table with me as I write to you.

Sunday noon. The Starlings have returned to the garden along with TWO blue Jays. I teared up. I haven’t had time to check their tail feathers, but I want to be hopeful that Junior and Mrs. are both here. Star is eating at the feral feeder, and Brock was here earlier. As I said, life is beginning to return to normal. It feels good. We have visited our Bestie and a new episode of All Creatures Great and Small arrives this evening! No, we are not watching the Superbowl.

Sauces. Audacity laid three eggs. Egg one is still intact. Fingers crossed for it and that she doesn’t wear herself out laying eggs. One good one, one hard shell fertilised egg is all they need. https://youtu.be/q16DyG2BW5E?

Duke Farms has its Bald Eagle cam up and running for all fans. Mum is incubating three eggs! Three. Oh, dear.

Foggy morning on Friday at the West End nest of Thunder. (I am now throwing the towel in yet…)

This is the banding video for the male, Makaio, who appears to have displaced Akecheta. Displaced not injured. That was a male without any bands! https://youtu.be/XkXWRimCl3g?

I just want to go to the West End camera and see Akecheta on that nest. It has now been 22 days since we saw him injured.

Fish was not on the morning menu at Captiva for Dasher and Dancer. Every time I see a bird on any nest, I hold my breath.

There are new variants of bird flu spreading in different parts of the world. The dairy industry in the US is now monitoring their milk after an outbreak of variant D1..1. “Genome sequencing of milk from Nevada identified the different strain, known as the D1.1 genotype, in dairy cows for the first time, the USDA said. Previously, all 957 bird flu infections among dairy herds reported since last March had been caused by another strain, the B3.13 genotype, according to the agency.”

New avian influenza genotype found in dairy cattle | American Veterinary Medical AssociationDownload

Virologists tell us that it is only a matter of time for when another global pandemic strikes. Right now, our thoughts are with our feathered friends and the hope that they survive.

At the present time, I understand that the American Medical Association is monitoring the Bird Flu spread as the CDC is not reporting.

Beau brought in a baby shark for Gabby and 31.

Wings of Whimsy gives us some very cute moments on the NE Florida nest: https://youtu.be/pMgtM4FABVg?

Beau and 31 cannot get any cuter! https://youtu.be/hiPkrogFEHI?

The two little eaglets at John Bunker Sands are so sweet. They seem to be doing very well.

Bella and Scout have been at the old NCTC nest. I wonder if Scout is going to step up and be a great dad this year? We can only wait and see.

This nest is 21 years old. The newer one is about 15 feet or 4 metres below, according to Deb Stecyk.

Heidi reports that Port Lincoln’s Kasse caught a fish! We won’t know if it was her first, but it sure is a huge milestone to celebrate, regardless.

The people of Virginia and around the Chesapeake are fighting for the survival of the ospreys and other species due to the industrial harvesting of Menhaden – a fish critical to the osprey diet. Please lend them your voice. Write to the current governor, Senators, politcians and bloody well vote like you care in the next election!

Port Lincoln is reporting the tracking of its osplets. I am including Ervie here! Ervie has been going to Mundy Point where Kasse and Wilko go for their baths. Interesting.

What these two eagles can get up to with their sticks! https://youtu.be/-bP8GlQQnIQ?si

Wisdom, the at least 74-year-old Laysan Albatross, returned to her week-old chick. How incredible. I sure hope this image doesn’t get scrambled! Apparently, screen cams don’t get jostled but if I take something from another site, weird things can happen. So if there is a problem, please go to the Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge FB page!

Wisdom is now out foraging and her mate is feeding and brooding their little bundle of joy. Does he know how famous his partner is?

Hartley and Monty are getting a jump on spring! https://youtu.be/zmuhQouwdqo?

Richmond is expecting Rosie to return from her migration any day now. Think Valentine’s Day! He has been seen on all of the light poles, but was caught on the Whirley Crane, on all the lights, and today on the one they used for their nest in 2024.

Are you looking for a gold medal award winning osprey tour while visiting the UK (or while living there)? Look no further than the Birds of Poole Harbour! who have just won gold in Dorset.

Osprey cruises run by Birds of Poole Harbour charity win gold in Dorset Tourism Awards – Raptor PersDownload

Bonnie is incubating two eggs at the nest she shares with Clyde on Farmer Derek’s property.

There are eagles at the new MN-DNR nest in Minnesota.

I will probably mention it more than once, but it appears that F23 and M15 are doing rather well. Fish delivery at the nest. Both seen at the nest tree. It has been a fortnight since E24 passed. Let us hope that the adults are fine and will live long and productive – and healthy – lives. So happy.

Looking for something to watch? You might want to find out about this documentary that is winning awards: The Birdwatchers. 13.40 minutes long. https://youtu.be/z7xwv3twYDI?

If you missed the January 2025 Ventana wildlife Society Condor Chat, here it is archived! https://youtu.be/Oq1xfog0xmQ?

The triplets at the Abu Dhabi Osprey nest appear to be thriving. Their gorgeous juvenile plumage is coming in nicely!

Jack and the new female at the Achieva Credit Union nest appear to be getting on rather well.

Thank you for being with me today. We are still adjusting to being home. Right now, everything seems to be going reasonably well here and in Bird World and Osprey season is, thankfully, not really underway. In a month, there could be arrivals on the UK screens of your favourite families and, for sure, within six weeks we will be seeing ospreys everywhere. My plan is to post Bird World news twice a week for the next fortnight – on Mondays and Thursdays. We will resume daily posts at the end of February. We always look forward to having you with us. Take care!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff’, SK Hideaways, IWS/Explore.org, Window to Wildlife, AVMA, Window to Wildlife, NEFL-AEF, Wings of Whimsy, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Deb Stecyk, NCTC Bald Eagle Nest, Heidi McGrue, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Midway Atoll, SF Bay Ospreys, Raptor Persecution UK, Farmer Derek GHO Cam, MN-DNR, The Birdwatchers, Ventana Wildlife Society, Abu Dhabi Osprey Cam, Achieva Credit Union

Thursday in Bird World

6 February 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

Oh, it has been a glorious time in Guadeloupe. We hoped to see more hummingbirds and today what a shock we had. We walked through a treed area and there on a branch sleeping was a Purple throated hummer. It is large, much bigger than any of the hummingbirds that visit our garden in Canada and, indeed, larger than a sparrow! The images are not so good – I only had my phone and I was so surprised to see this gorgeous creature.

There was also a Green Heron fishing in the pond with the Flamingos. Each day, there are new surprises.

We are at the airport in Port a Pitre. It id a really hot day! The AC in the departures lounge is working over time. We had the most amazing trip. Small little coves, private beaches, the rainforest. Lots and lots of fresh fruit, but I am dying for a big salad and some vegetables! It is snowing and blowing in Winnipeg. We will be home tomorrow afternoon late and it should be clear. We hope that all of you have had a good ten days. This is a beautiful island to visit if you ever get the chance!

Oh, so many are worried about little NE31 sleeping alone in that big eagle nest. Beau and Gabby are up on the branches ready to protect 31 and, thankfully, there does not seem to be any predators, such as GHOs, in the area.

31 is hot in the Florida sun!

Thunder has been hanging out with the new young male at the West End. The last time Akecheta was on the screen was when he was injured on the 19th of January. We wait to see because we have no knowledge of what has transpired since the cams went down almost immediately. I recall incidents at the NCTC nest where Bella and/or Smitty were injured and they returned after a period of time, once it was 21 days, if I recall correctly.

SK Hideaways shows us how their relationship has progressed: https://youtu.be/xL9wUkje1Pw?

If anyone has been worried about R8, Rose fed the youngest one an entire fish or so it seemed. The kids are doing good and it doesn’t seem that there should be any cause for alarm.

There is some concern over Southwest Florida’s M15’s eyes. Conjunctivitis is a symptom of HPAI. You might recall that E17 and 18 were removed for treatment for Conjunctivitis several years ago and returned to the SW Florida nest. Now, F23 and M15 would have HPAI. They ate the food of the eaglets; they shared the nest. I believe this was covered in one or both of the CROW releases. The incubation period is a fortnight, two weeks. R25 passed on 26 January. We will be approaching the end of the two weeks at the weekend. F23 was seen bathing at the pond on Wednesday and drying her wings. — I think they both look good, and like everything else, let us appreciate these moments. Everything turns on a dime in Bird World. Who would ever have predicted that our dear Akecheta would lose his territory? I still can’t believe it.

Other news. Hope has laid her second egg at Tobacco Creek and we have the second egg for Jak and Audacity at Sauces. Sadly, at least one of Audacity’s eggs has broken. Our hearts break for this couple. Oh, how I wish someone would place a fertile hard-shelled egg in their nest!

Hope’s second egg:

There is good news coming out of the IWS and Dr Sharpe. ‘T’ writes that Sauce’s fledgling is ‘​​Kaiannika (hatched in Sauces in 2019). She is the current female at the Empire Nest!! She had an eaglet last year.” Let us hope that she is successful again this year! That is wonderful news.

“MP’ reports that everything is going well at the JB Sands Wetlands. “The eagles at this nest are doing exceptional. You’ll see this family having lunch and dinner together most days. It seemed to solve the bonking with dad feeding one or both chicks. Sometimes mom lets dad think he’s helping a lot, and he really is. He is probably the sole reason the bonking has stopped.”

 At the Achieva Osprey platform, Jack built a gorgeous nest trying to attract a new mate. The following screen captures show their interaction. It is sometimes very challenging!

Two females fighting over Jack’s nest! Gracious.

Jack scaring off one of the females.

The female ousting Jack off the nest!

That sweet little Royal Cam chick getting fed by Mum! Need a break from the woes of the world, just check these gentle giants out!!!!!! https://youtu.be/zMNQfoxmENg?

Bart Molenaar sent me a note wondering if I had ever seen an osprey nest with two males and one female caring for a family of three osplets. I have not. I have seen falcon nests with several parents but not an osprey nest that I can recall (will check my files when I am home). Most often we see those male ospreys kicking the eggs out that might belong to another male. We most recently saw this at Iris and Finnegan’s nest when Finnegan ousted what he believed to be a ‘Louis egg’. The nest that Bart is referring to is a new one that showed up on his YouTube feed and it is in Abu Dhabi. There were originally four little chicks, but the smallest just didn’t thrive. They look to be between three and four weeks old with those lovely juvenile feathers coming in.

Fish delivery times according to ella on the chat: ​​Fish deliveries = 07:02:23, 8:56:02, 10:17:27, 11:11:06, 13:53, 14:25:55, 14:48:08, 15:49:03, 16:28:17, 16:45:54, 18:06

When you have two active dads you don’t need any fish fairies it seems.

This is the link to the live stream: https://www.youtube.com/live/XQt1PwvYrJM?s

Geemeff sends us an article on the oldest known modern bird at 69 million years. Wow.

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2466965-ancient-relative-of-geese-is-the-earliest-known-modern-bird/

We also have news of Ervie. It is ALWAYS comforting to see his tracker working and to know that our favourite lad is doing well.

Thanks so much for being with me today. We have two full days of travel ahead and are watching a large storm that is brewing around Montreal. Hopeful that all the flights will go as planned. My next post will likely not be until Monday – giving me time to settle back at home and spend some hours with The Girls who will be demanding much attention. Take care all. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Bart M, Geemeff, J, MP, TU’, NEFL-AEF, IWS/Explore, SK Hideaways, Port Tobacco Eagle Cam, Achieva Osprey Platform, JBS Wetlands, NZ DOC, Abu Dhabi Live, newscientist.com, Port Lincoln Osprey

Very late Saturday in Bird World

1 February 2025

Greetings Everyone!

It rained in a rain forest. No surprise there! We meandered into the small area of shops and found a lovely little restaurant overlooking the marina. The food was delicious. The coconut pie was out of this world – the best I have ever eaten and that is saying something coming from the southern US, originally.

Deshaies offers everything we wanted in a break from the Canadian winter. The hummingbirds fill the garden area flitting from flower to flower. There are three or four different types. Then there are Bandicoots, Red Jungle Roosters, hens, and chicks, and today we heard a woodpecker along with many others serenading us that we could not identify and neither could Merlin ID (only 65% of the birds on Guadeloupe are in their identification system). The National Forest is about 50 yards away on one side.

We are enjoying paradise.

The view to the marina.

Mostly fish items – freshly caught but also spaghetti and curry.

The finest coconut pie with homemade ice cream.

I had hoped for relaxation, and that is what we found. The puppy waits for us at the gate or comes running if she hears our voices wanting pets and more pets. Don’t tell The Girls! She has melted our hearts.

The trip is already more than I could ask for in a holiday. My dear husband has managed so well—often better than I did when things got anxious. He is excellent at spotting hummingbirds and helps watch for the roosters, hens, and their chicks on the road. They are everywhere. It almost seems like everyone has them for eggs. The weather has been warm; being outside in a forest melts any woes. It is forest bathing in a way so different from home – and we love it. I feel so privileged to travel and stay in such a serene place. Feeling grateful.

Checking on our bird friends…

There is now a second hatch for Alex II and Andria II at the Kistachie E3 nest in Louisiana. Oh, these bobbleheads are cute and strong! Go and check them out.

CROW has put out a statement answering some Questions and rumours that have been filtering through the airwaves. ( I hope this shows up in its entirety. Please search on CROW FB if it isn’t. Very informative information).

M15 and F23 have both been seen around the Pritchett Property.

The Royal Cam chick is doing quite well under the care of its father, RLK. Ranger Sharyn did a weight check. https://youtu.be/aU4-uKEgY4k?s

E31 is likely to be the most spoiled eaglet in the entire state of Florida this breeding season. Talk about a dad! Beau has embraced fatherhood like he read the manual from Shadow or M15. Gabby did really well. Oh, I know that we growled at Beau at times, but she kept the faith and for good reason.

Up at the food table. Can you see little 31?

Beau is feeding NE31 – again. Gosh, he loves taking care of this eaglet. https://youtu.be/EQapL5_-Z6M?

Kids climbing over one another to try to get priority at feeding at John Bunker Sands.

Three fish gifts for Jackie from Shadow – one for each egg? https://youtu.be/aTcHAYxfDRs?

Dasher and Dancer enjoying a nice meal.

Looked like a fish dinner for R7 and R8 and it also looked like R8 got its tank filled up! Nice.

More groups should band together to buy up huge tracts of land like the RSPB before developers get their hands on it and wildlife declines.

‘It’s incredible, the place just swarms with birdlife’: inside England’s biggest bird sanctuaryhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/01/its-incredible-the-place-just-swarms-with-birdlife-inside-englands-biggest-bird-sanctuary?CMP=share_btn_url

Two other news items. Tom and Angel have been seen at the nest and Window to Wildlife says that the cam will be turned on soon. Dr Sharpe is also planning to make a trip to the West End to see about the camera and hopefully to have some news of the eagles, Thunder and Akecheta for us.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care! See you in a few days – it could even be Tuesday or earlier if there is news.

Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, videos, images, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: Kistachie National Forest E3 nest, CROW, NZ DOC, Sharon Dunne, NEFL-AEF, AEF, John Bunker Sands, SK Hideaways, Window to Wildlife, WRDC, The Guardian

Monday in Bird World

27 January 2025

Hello Everyone,

Fortunately, there were some beautiful moments on Sunday that helped ease the sorrow of losing E24 at the SW Florida Bald Eagle nest, as well as the ongoing concern for dear Akecheta. As one of the chatters pointed out, his name means ‘fighter.’ We can only hope that he was able to utilize all the skills at his disposal so that when the cameras return, he will be there beside Thunder.

In fact, the Es were doing so well – meeting every milestone – and being so loved by M15 and F23 – that we were paying most of our attention to NE31 and to Jackie and Shadow. We never thought something would come out of ‘left field’ at M15 and F23’s nest. It reminds us never to take anything for granted!

E25 looks reasonably alert.

I will not be able to answer all of your letters today and I apologize as I know that everyone is grieving and is concerned by the odd behaviour of M15 and F23. Neither returned to the nest after E24 passed on Sunday. Heidi writes that F23 brought a fish to the nest this morning and E25 took a few bites. E25 should have been ravenous. I want us to prepare ourselves for the worst while hoping for the best.

I will not speculate as to what caused E24’s passing. The little one had a seizure prior to its collapse at 1841. It had been lethargic for a few hours.

Bird Flu is always one of the tragic diseases that comes to mind – and, again, I am not stating this is Bird Flu. HPAI is highly contagious and we should review aspects of it because it could impact our beloved raptor families this year. Almost exactly three years ago, I wrote about Avian Flu and a case that had hit Estonia in the spring of 2021. That was the very first time that the Virologist, Thijs Kuiken, knew of HPAI happening outside the normal time of autumn.

The excerpts below were written on the 18th of January 2022. Even if this is not Bird Flu at SW Florida, it is good to remind ourselves that this deadly disease is still ravaging the avian populations around the world.

On 6 January, the CBC announced that hundreds of birds in Newfoundland, Canada had contracted the H5N1 strain of avian flu. 

What is extraordinary about this is that it is the same ‘highly pathogenic’ (HPAI) avian flu strain that killed the two White-tailed Eaglets in the Balkans last spring. The male had brought a stork or a crane onto the Estonian nest and the two chicks died as a result of eating it according to the autopsy conducted by Madis Leivits. Thijs Kuiken, Virologist from Erasmus University, Rotterdam said to me in an e-mail, ‘HPAI outbreaks in wildlife were restricted to autumn and winter, and had stopped altogether or were at low levels by the time spring arrived’. Kuiken notes that the incidence of HPAI is overlapping with the breading season of many wild animals that could have been impacted. Many chicks could have died. 

Going back to the Newfoundland issue, the question is: how did it cross the Atlantic? Kuiken is working with the Newfoundland Government to discover how this might have happened. 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/avian-flu-newfoundland-labrador-1.6304817

Today it was announced that this same Avian Flu is responsible for the culling of swans in the UK including those that belong to the Queen.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-berkshire-60025956

Of further interest is the fact that the same HPAI strain was discovered The in a bird shot in South Carolina in late December 2021. No region appears to be untouched. 

If you are interested in learning more about Avian flu and its impact, please read the following article by Dr Kuiken. It is very informative and can be understood easily without great scientific knowledge. 

https://thecorrespondent.com/831/the-next-pandemic-is-being-hatched-in-industrial-poultry-farms/1080687412200-1dda10f4

How will this impact the health of all wild birds in Europe and North America? What can be done? Some answers are in the article above. Perhaps it is time to really look at the factory farming of animals carefully and deliberately to a view of becoming more local.

Geemeff also sent me this very clear graphic that outlines how HPAI spreads.

It is hard to move on. There have been some shocking events already in Bald Eagle World that have hit us to our core. It is hard to put them in a box and celebrate the good, but we must do that. There are ways to halt the spread of Avian Flu and Thijs Kuiken writes about that in his articles. For now, though, I ask you to rejoice in the lives of the eagles that are with us, celebrate them, do not close your eyes because it is hard. To grive for these families – for Thunder as she might be mourning Akecheta – for F23 and M15 who have lost one of their children – is to show that you care. Cry. Kick the fridge if you must. It isn’t fair. Do whatever it is that shows your remarkable humanity. That is what makes the Bird World community special. We share in the triumphs and the losses day in and day out. I am so grateful for all of you because you care in a world that seems to be spinning crazily in the other direction. Hold on to that empathy. Send your love out. Mourn with these families.

NE31 is a darling. https://youtu.be/cIroMsxUKjs? The American Eagle Foundation has certainly been busy catching some of the sweetest moments at this nest.

Calico has been unwell and I found that 31 brought me a lot of comfort. There is something so special about new life and the hope that it brings to all of us, especially an eaglet that we so anxiously awaited to see for over two years!

Just look at those strong wings and fat little bottom. 31 has shown how strong it is from the moment it hatched and held its head up pretty high.

On Monday, NE31 was working its wings and pulling itself up higher in the egg bowl as Gabby was getting some fish for its snack. It will not be long until this one is clamouring out of that cup and up to the pantry! You will recall that Gabby gets them moving and up to the table as soon as she can. Food is a great motivator.

Right now, Gabby is on the big screen in our sitting room. She is looking up while 31 peeks out of her breast feathers. Relish ever precious moment.

Heidi reports that the deliveries at the WRDC nest of Ron and Rose have stepped up! Excellent news. There are lots of fish dinners for the family.

It was a very welcome sight at the Captiva nest when a very large fish came. And then, the eaglet stood and walked over and went – ‘hey, I can feed myself!”

Each nest is passing milestone after milestone daily. Dasher and Dancer are working their wings and getting those Hulk leg muscles stronger and stronger as the dandelion mohawks disappear.

It can’t be easy walking around on that nest. But to stand and flap wings using the tips for balance is a real achievement. Both eaglets are doing this.

Dasher is determined to get some fish flakes off that head.

Fish at John Bunker Sands, too!

I am grateful that Ospreys only (well 99.9% of the time) eat fish. (Mind you I know all the issues, as do you, about fish, but…). Wilko who is 114 days old is enjoying a fish. Kasse is 111 days old today.

On Monday, Mum brought in 2 fish and Dad delivered 1. Kasse had two meals and Wilko had a single dinner – at least that is what we can see on camera. No doubt these two fledglings are following their parents and others to the fishing grounds as they get older.

Jack continues to work on his nest. And what an amazing nest he has made! Bless his heart. The bark is coming in to line the area for eggs.

At the Royal Albatross colony, the Royal Cam chick had made 3 star like pips on the egg and is making good progress towards hatch. The first pip was spotted on the 23rd of January, and the egg was removed to prevent a fly strike. A warmed dummy egg was placed with the Royal Cam chick’s egg in an incubator. Fly strike spray was used on the nest to prevent any harm to the chick once it is returned upon hatch.

It is a white grey day in Winnipeg. It feels like it could rain. New suet cylinders are scattered throughout the lilac bushes that extend about 10 metres along the east side of the garden. The tube feeders are full of black oil seed while peanuts slide off the table feeders. There is Alfalfa for the deer and this evening, I will literally dump a huge bag of Black Oil Seed and half a huge bag of peanuts. This should last the birds and squirrels til we return home. The Cat Sitter, Gary, will make certain that The Girls are fed and have plenty of play time. He also takes care of Brock, Star, and the two other cats that come to the feral feeder. That heated double bowl for wet food and water has been such a blessing for the outdoor cats this year. If all goes to plan, they will have a small shed with heat lamps and straw for next winter.

On Tuesday we fly to Montreal. Keeping with our motto of ‘Stay Calm’, we will spend the night there before getting on the flight to Guadeloupe. We arrive there late afternoon on Wednesday. Can you tell we are not rushing anything? My plan is to have a post for you for Thursday evening unless there are some significant occurrences in Bird World. Until then, be easy on yourself. Grieve and then celebrate. We are so privileged to get to know these raptor families. They touch us in ways that one never expects.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, graphics, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post this afternoon: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, SP’, IWS/Explore, NEFL-AEF, SW Florida Eagle Cam, CBC, BBC, The Correspondent, Window to Wildlife, WRDC, Achieva Credit Union, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Port Lincoln Ospreys, NZ DOC and Cornell Bird Lab

Saturday in Bird World

25 January 2024

Hello Everyone,

It was a gorgeous day for a walk in the forest. -3C. The deer were out and the chickadees were flitting from feeder to feeder. It is still two months til spring is officially here but it felt hopeful. It is these warmer breaks that help Canadians make it through the winter!

There were deer at the feeders at Fort Whyte.

There were deer in the park on the way home.

The one above looks like the female that ate for three hours at our feeders last night. I wonder. I know they move really fast!

Today, we tried to cram in last-minute errands with that lovely walk. When we got home, Brock was sitting on the deck waiting for us. The dish was empty! Poor thing. I wondered how long he had been there.

Baby Hope watching Brock eat. I placed the dish right at the edge of the garden door and not with the ones at the feral feeder.

Brock after licking his lips. His ears have some strange slots in them. I wonder if that really extreme cold caused that.

We have several eaglet nests to watch and at each and every one, the babies are of different ages and their plumage is at various stages. What a wonderful education.

Readers continue to respond to how amazing Beau has wrapped himself around fatherhood and what an incredible mate he is to Gabby. His desire to incubate, brood, feed, protect is top of the charts. This is one lucky eaglet!

I hope this beautiful couple have a long and productive life together.

Frances and Franklin laid their first egg in 2024 at Bluff City- ETSU on the 18th of January. There should be an egg shortly!

Liberty and Guardian were caught mating on the nest. SK Hideaways has it on video! https://youtu.be/OrkXrrC3Xus?

There is sure a lot of prey on the nest of the Es! M15 and F23 are working overtime to keep it smelling quite ‘ripe’.

Dasher and Dancer are going to need harnesses to hold up their crops if Connie and Clive don’t stop filling them to the top of the crop.

There are two little eaglets at John Bunker Sands and it is just as hard to see if both get fed as it was last season!

I wish that Jackie and Shadow had some of that moss from the NE Florida nest for that precious egg of theirs.

I seem to be having trouble getting the feed from the WRDC nest of Ron and Rose.

We all hope to see Akecheta back on that nest with Thunder and eaglets there instead of highlights. Continue to send incredible positive energy. Just maybe!

You can find photos of Rita the Eagle, Ron’s former mate at the WRDC here: https://www.facebook.com/people/Rita-the-Bald-Eagle/61562017139998/

Sometimes we need to see positive stories about wildlife. These come from Knepp Farm and others through the Knepp Farm newsletter.

Stories of hope from near & far – KneppDownload

An iceberg is moving dangerously close to the breeding grounds of seals and penguins.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/24/iceberg-threatens-remote-island-penguins-seals?CMP=share_btn_url

Good news. Dangerous pesticide being banned – finally.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/23/government-decision-not-to-authorise-pesticide-is-sweet-as-honey-for-pollinators?CMP=share_btn_url

It has been somewhat of a difficult day. Our neighbour came running out when we came home from our walk and errands. He had found two individuals in their car, one dead and another almost dead. They lived in a small apartment block nearby. They had backed up in their car and had gotten stuck. The exhaust came into the car, and without them knowing it impacted them. It was a freak accident, but it has affected all of us. If you live in a place with snow, please advise people that they should not leave the engine on if they get stuck in a snow bank. They must roll down their windows. It could save lives.

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write this brief post today: ‘J, SP’, NEFL-AEF, Bluff City-ETSU, SK Hideaways, SWFlorida, Window to Wildlife, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, FOBBV, IWS/Explore.org, Rita the Eagle FB, Knepp Farm, The Guardian

Friday in Bird World

24 January 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

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

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

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

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

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

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

This sheep reminds me of Calico.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We have the second hatch at John Bunker Sands Wetlands.

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

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

Raptor Resource Project: Bald Eagle and Bird of Prey CamsDownload

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

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

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

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

The final tally for Friday for Kasse and Wilko:

Reminds me of Murphy and his rock!

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

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

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

Egg at Big Bear, Hatch at JBS, late Wednesday in Bird World

22 January 2024

Hello Everyone,

It has been a very emotional week with the arrival of Gabby’s first baby with Beau. Now, just what? 36 hours later or thereabouts we have the first egg for Jackie and Shadow. The news was too good not to share with you immediately. I am all teared up – again! These raptors are all part of the fabric of our daily lives. We share in their happiness and sadness.

Jackie and Shadow. Start sending all the love you can to them. This darling couple. And don’t stop sending it.

One reader wrote ‘Yay’ and another, “Please, any god that will listen, please give this eagle couple one strong healthy eaglet this year!”

Shadow was there!

SK Hideaways sent me the news right away and they immediately set about getting a video ready. Keep your eyes open for it.

I spent Wednesday afternoon doing what three Grey Squirrels are doing – hibernating! Despite warming to -17 C, it felt cold to the bone. The snow crunches underfoot. Even the cats didn’t care if they woke up for food. It was nice.

The first eaglet has hatched at the John Bunker Sands Wetlands nest near Dallas. Congratulations!

Here is the latest posting from the IWS. There will be, as far as I understand, no interference in whatever happened to Akecheta. We must wait til the camera feed returns and hope.

F23 at SW Florida has proven herself to be an amazing mother. https://youtu.be/62TJWWVM4Os?

E25 looks like s/he is self-feeding. https://youtu.be/d2Zub3m1SLg?s

At the NE Florida nest of Gabby and Beau, miracles continue to happen. A tandem feeding on Wednesday! Seriously. Beau is incredible.

Great video. Can we get enough of 31? https://youtu.be/dEgksFmx1v8?

Tomorrow we learn the names of C12 and C13, Connie and Clive’s little ones at the Captiva Eagle nest. Wasn’t it just yesterday they were tiny like 31?

Chase was observed flying close by the Two Harbours nest on Wednesday. With this cam running, I checked on the West End, but it is still down.

A surprise visitor to the UK in the winter – a chiffchaff.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/22/country-diary-a-chiffchaff-has-swapped-north-africa-for-this-icy-reedbed?CMP=share_btn_url

“Chiffchaff and berries” by Mibby23 is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.

The RSPB describes the Chiffchaff thusly: “The Chiffchaff is a small olive-brown warbler which flits through trees and shrubs, with a distinctive tail-wagging movement. Chiffchaffs usually (though not always) have dark legs and a pale eye stripe. They’re easily confused for the Willow Warbler which has pale legs and a yellow eye stripe. Listen for the song which gives it its name, no other warbler makes that chiff-chaffing tune. Chiffchaffs eat insects, either picking them out from trees or snapping them up in flight.”

At presentm the Chiffchaff is of Least Concern Environmentally.

The news is wonderful with the exception of concern for Akecheta. There is nothing we can do but send him love and good wishes. If he turns up well, this will be the most incredible week ever in Bird World.

Thank you so much for being with me for this short post. I will see you again on Friday. All the best to each of you. Stay warm, stay safe.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘J, SP’, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, NEFL-AEF, Saunders Real Photography, IWS, IWS/Explore, John Bunker Sands Wetlands Centre, Morningstar, The Guardian, OpenVerse, RSBP, Androcat

Wednesday in Bird World

22 January 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

We have had more snow and high winds, making it impossible to see more than a few meters on Tuesday afternoon and evening. I spent the time when Anne was with Don doing some errands, sitting blissfully having tea with my bestie and looking out her bay window. It was like being in the middle of a wintry holiday card. The snow was gently falling; people were walking their dogs while birds visited the feeders. These short breaks remind me that being with friends, watching wildlife, or going for a walk in the snow is something money cannot buy. It is rejuvenating.

Margaret Renkl has written several books that many of us have enjoyed, especially “The Company of Crows.” She recently wrote a thoughtful opinion piece for The New York Times. Here is an excerpt:

“A heavy snow 10 days ago brought birds out in huge numbers, often in whole flocks — bluebirds, robins, cedar waxwings, house finches, dark-eyed juncos and Carolina wrens, plus the usual mockingbirds and blue jays, tufted titmice and Carolina chickadees, every kind of sparrow and every kind of woodpecker. I kept the feeders filled. My husband spread a sheet on top of the snow and set out a mix of seeds and nuts and mealworms for the ground foragers.

This bounty also brought the mixed flock of black birds I always look for in snow — starlings and grackles and red-winged blackbirds — that compete for resources during the breeding seasons but band together in the cold. In such weather, they waste little energy in squabbling.”

Opinion | On a Cold, Dark Inauguration Day, a Message From the Birds – The New York TimesDownload

As we enjoyed our tea, deer came to graze on the shrubs in my friend’s garden. I wondered if they followed the river path that connects our neighbourhoods. Is it possible that the buck staring at me with a single antler is the same one that visits my garden? There he was with a group of six females of various ages. One was a small fawn. Was this also the same little fawn that had slept under my bird feeder a few days ago? I couldn’t be sure, but it felt like they were the same ones and it felt good to see them safe.

You don’t have to go outside. Sitting quietly can wash away all the ills of the day! For many of us, one of those questions has been what happened to Akecheta. For several days, there were intruder eagles and territorial skirmishes. All of us have seen the state that Akecheta was in, along with his opponent, in stills and videos. Our hearts wept. We adore him. Unfortunately, we will not have any news about Akecheta for a while—or, sadly, never. Explore has a serious issue with the transmission from the Channel Islands, and I understand that Dr. Sharpe is not available to check until next week. I hope he survived the intruder’s injuries and has his rightful place next to Thunder on their nest when we next have the live stream.

Update: A hatch is in progress at John Bunker Sands! https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1331165321340972

Thankfully, we have a diversion in the form of a tiny little eaglet, NE31. Most of you have already seen Beau trying to feed his baby. It was more than magical. Dad wanted a snack. Tiny NE31 kept poking up its head out of that deep bowl. ‘Feed me fish. I want fish’ was what that little one said with every bob. SK Hideaways caught this tender moment between this first-time day and his day old chick. Even if you have already seen it, watch again and marvel at how much Beau has grown in a few years. Gabby knew he would make a great dad! I laughed at how hard Beau worked with that one piece of fish. Thanks, SK for a great smile. https://youtu.be/G4zea3983tw?

Many of you have pondered what it is with the eaglets that have hatched this year. They are strong, holding their heads and necks up high in such a short time after hatch. NE31 is no exception – there s/he is commanding attention.

Rain came and Gabby made certain that 31 was warm and dry while Beau keeps a vigilant guard over his family.

The rain is also at SW Florida with the Es.

F23 made sure they were fed, but the kiddos with their juvenile tails growing in nicely (look at how those feathers are bursting out of the quills) are far too big to be under Mum. Their plumage insulates them. and they can now thermoregulate their temperature.

On Tuesday, the entire South will experience either snow or rain. ‘L’ writes that snow is falling in southern Alabama. They have topped up their feeders, like Renkl, with good seeds to help the birds through weather they are not accustomed to in that location.

In Tennessee, Boone and Jolene are busy, and I wonder how soon we will see an egg. It looks like it could be soon!

Thousands hope that this will be the year for Jackie and Shadow. You keep telling me that if it can happen for Gabby and Beau this season, then it can happen for this much-loved couple in Big Bear. I agree! We all want to see an eaglet in this nest.

Others are working hard to get their nests ready.

Liberty and Guardian are frantically working on their nest: https://youtu.be/I6zJOkgoJLQ?

What in the world is going on at the Kisatchie E-3 nest? https://youtu.be/Iln1CAkn1VU?

Incubation continues at John Bunker Sands. It is a beautiful day in Texas.

‘MP’ asked me if I had ever seen Jack build a nest like this one. I answered ‘no’, but you know what – he did a great job with that despicable mess. It doesn’t even look like the same platform. Jack had to have worked really hard. He is certainly trying to impress a new female.

I cannot tell 100% if this is Jack. That is the problem with not ringing birds. Ultimately, we want this family’s eggs and chicks to be safe from predators and those dreaded drain holes. Because it is now an active nest, the USFWS would not issue a permit for any alterations to the platform. So please send lots of good energy.

In Port Lincoln, Wilko and Kasse fight for every fish that lands on the nest if both are present. These skills will certainly help them when they leave the nest and find themselves competing with their older siblings, but it is hard to watch sometimes.

This was the tally for the pair for Wednesday.

In San Jose, Hartley and Monty are bonding. https://youtu.be/lVrvCUxM42A?

Find food? Ibises have special skills. “Hadedas are iridescent grey-brown ibises – jack russell-sized birds with long, curved bills and very small heads – found throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

They have a special skill called “remote touch”, which they use to find their worm, grub and snail prey. At the tip of their bills is an organ that, when they stick it into the soil, can sense the vibrations of their food nearby.”

A hadada: nothing can quite capture the sound of these birds, because it’s mainly just rude noise | Helen Sullivanhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/commentisfree/2025/jan/21/a-hadeda-nothing-can-quite-capture-the-sound-of-these-birds-because-its-mainly-just-rude-noise?CMP=share_btn_url

Next Tuesday, Don and I are going to try another holiday. This time we are heading south to find some warmth. We will stay on Basse Terre, one of the two main islands that make up Guadeloupe. We have rented a cottage adjacent to the National Park and hope to see some of the 290 species of birds that call this part of the Lesser Antilles home. I can’t wait! We will certainly take you with us. More on that later.

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, streaming cams, and articles that helped me to write my post today: ‘SK’, The New York Times, NEFlorida-AEF, SWFlorida, ETSU-Johnson City, FOBBV, Gary’s Eagle Videos, Tonya in NO, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, The Guardian, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Bart M and the PLO