climate change and birds – Mary Ann Steggles

Blue KW0, 3 eaglets for Martin and Rosa…Tuesday in Bird World

21 March 2022

Good Morning Everyone,

The first spring day saw the first Peregrine Falcon return to Winnipeg from its winter migration! On top of that, an e-Bird submitter apparently ran into 150 Mallards at one of our parks yesterday. Let the fun begin.

Well, Michael St John and I are inching our way to discovering how the mystery Osprey, Blue KW0, came to be in Barbados! First, I want to thank everyone who reads my blog and to all the folks who don’t but who answered our calls to find out about this stunning bird. Today, I decided to write to John Williams. Many of you will know of John and his work in Wales for Llyn Clywedog. Why did I decide to write to John? Well, first of all he is curious. Second, he is tenacious. He once set out to figure where Dylan was getting his Brown Trout. Talk about a spy operation! So, it cost me an e-mail and did I learn some valuable information.

John Williams (Llyn Clywedog) says the K rings were only used in 2018/19. Great information. If this turns out to be accurate, this would make Blue KW0 five years old. Secondly, John said that Dylan was ten days late returning to Clywedog last year because “Last year around this time we in Britain had quite strong storm force winds from the northeast, in a south-westerly direction. Many birds were delayed or lost, including Dylan, who was 10 days later than the previous year. I wonder if KW0 was blown off course and out to sea and found a passing ship.” So grateful; thank you, John! I also learned that the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation gives out the Scottish bands, so Tim – who did not work for them then – should be able to discover the bander and location when he has time.

Of course, Blue KW0 may, sadly, spend his life as a bachelor (or her) on Barbados. Should we put an ad in the papers for a mate? Like they did with the domestic goose in the Iowa cemetery? Just kidding. There are plenty of Ospreys on Barbados for KW0 to find a mate and he is young.

I did not look at many of the nests in depth on Monday. Sometimes it is good to take a little break, and re-stocking the kitten’s pantry was a priority today! That said, I did check on little Victor; he was my priority. The news is good. No, the beaking has not stopped, and no, Victor has not learned to stop provoking Abby, but Victor ate well and is up at the table, as you can see in the images below. On occasion, Abby is in a food coma, and Victor gets an excellent private feeding. As long as Victor is eating, I am not concerned. It is worrying when the eldest sibling can prevent the younger ones from eating. Sally is an excellent Mum – quite amazing for this being her first year to raise osplets. She appears to be negotiating this well.

Sally fed both Victor and Abby at least once during the night and finished off the fish early in the morning. Too sleepy to fight in the early hours?

There were periods when Victor went into submission, but there were good feeds, too.

At 13:35, Sally is between us and the chicks. It is impossible to tell who gets what when she blocks the view.

At 15:54, both are up at the table and both have crops.

At 17:31, Sally is between the osplets feeding them. Victor got a really nice feeding this meal.

Victor having a private feeding at 20:51.

Victor is still eating at 21:06 and has a very nice crop! This is what we want to see. Victor had fish first thing in the morning, at least one very good feeding during the day (if not more), and he is eating again at the end of the day, getting his entire tank filled. It is all good.

Sally is feeding them again at 10:55. That is Victor eating!

Congratulations Lisa and Oliver on the first hatch of the 2023 season at PA Farm Country. The couple has four eggs again this year! This lucky first hatch on the first day of spring is getting a tandem feeding from these two delighted parents.

At SW Florida, M15 keeps up his campaign to feed the Es well and have two fabulous fledges. We have seen E21 branch but not 22 and even 21 is not doing a lot of branching. One answer was provided by one of the FB groups – the rebuilding of the nest resulted in a deeper cup, farther away from the branches! Great explanation.

They may love one another but not when a fish is concerned.

The two eaglets at the Duke Farms nest continue to do fine.

There continues to be ample food on the nest of Ron and Rose in Miami but, there is something wrong with the camera or is at the time I am writing this.

‘H’ reports that the eaglets at WRDC were fed ten times on Monday. Out of the ten, Rose only fed the eaglets four times. I am thankful that Ron is feeding his babies. He is much better at caring for them. Is this because Rose is so young?

Martin and Rosa have three eaglets to look after at the Dulles-Greenway nest. They are adorable.

Today, ‘L’ asked me if I ever checked in on the First Utility District Osprey cam. I didn’t even know this nest. Thanks, ‘L’. It looks like they have two eggs for the first day of spring, and what a gorgeous location.

Here is the information about their platform from the information below the streaming cam: “These Osprey built their nest on a dangerous power line in 2018. In response, First These Osprey built their nest on a dangerous power line in 2018. In response, First Utility District operations staff built a nesting platform for the Osprey. The Osprey relocated to their new home within 24 hours, and we have enjoyed their presence ever since. They return yearly to nest. Intermittent breaks in broadcast may occur due to weather conditions. The camera is solar powered and depends on good weather for a successful charge.”

Here is a link to Ricky and Lucy’s streaming cam:

https://www.youtube.com/live/hqmP06kJ3F4?feature=share

The 7th and only egg in the nest of Jak and Audacity is holding firm at Sauces Canyon. Fingers and toes crossed.

‘H’ sent me a note confirming that Daisy arrived at the Barnegat Light osprey platform in New Jersey on the 19th at 14:44. Now we wait for Duke!

Peregrine Falcon lover? There are now lots of streaming cams. One of those is at Salisbury Cathedral in the UK. There are now two eggs!

Meanwhile, Annie and Lou continue incubating their four eggs at The Campanile. Hatch watch beings on the 11th of April.

I don’t always report on them, but this is for ‘A’ since I have been more than neglectful – the three surviving GHOs at the Corona California basket nest are doing fantastic. They are filling up the space.

Their names are Pip, Tootsie, and Hoot.

I am a huge fan of Knepp Farm who chose to step outside the box and rewind their property in the south of England. Those courageous efforts are paying off!

If you want to read more about the history of Knepp Farm, the issues related to traditional agricultural practices and biodiversity in the UK, and the moment that a decision was made to rewind the land, pick up a copy of Wilding. The Return of Nature to a British Farm by Isabella Tree. If you are in the UK or visit the area, go over, show your support, take a tour!

Darling Big Red and Arthur continue to work on their nest…

It is certainly looking like it is ready for eggs!

If you are wondering about Bird Flu, it remains within the environment and things are not looking well. Here is the report from the UK that indicates that 18 different species have tested positive so far.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1142730/ai-findings-2023.csv/preview

Thank you so much for being with me as we did a quick spin around some of the nests. The storks are arriving in Europe so there should be much to report just like the ospreys over the next week. Take care everyone. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, tweets, videos, and streaming cams that help make up my blog today: ‘H’, ‘L’, John Williams, Manitoba Birding – Bird and Wildlife Photography, Michael St John, Moorings Park Ospreys, PA Farm Country, SW Florida Eagle Cam and D Pritchett, Duke Farms, WRDC, Dulles-Greenway, Sunnie Day, First Utility District, IWS and Explore.org, Barnegat Light and the Nature Conservancy, Salisbury Cathedral and Peregrine Falcon Group, Cal Falcons, Corona California owls, @Knepp Wilding, Cornell Bird Lab RTH, gov.uk.

1 owlet for Bonnie and Clyde, Intruder at SW Florida, Beaking at Duke Farms…Tuesday in Bird World

7 March 2022

Good Morning Everyone,

I hope that the beginning of the week started well for you. We are so happy to have you with us today. There is just too much going on at the nests! Osprey cams are coming online because the ospreys are arriving in the US! The eagles have returned to their nest in Glacier Gardens in Alaska, eggs are being laid, and it is getting hard to remember everything that is going on. And, yes, the beaking has started at Duke Farms for no reason other than dominance. This behaviour will probably start at Moorings Park, too. Just hold your breath.

Monday was an interesting one with the kittens. Missy and Lewis have shown that they have a keen interest in ‘things’ in packets. Missy loves savoury Japanese snacks. Lewis will eat anything, and I mean anything, but he is especially fond of sweet things such as Japanese strawberry-filled crepes. Lewis will carry the little packets away while Missy is the ‘opener’. She would be great at unzipping fish for the Es. Today, a small pack of Madelines was on the island. Madeleines are delicate cakes that are the size of a cookie and in the shape of a shell. The French bakeries in my City make delicious ones. They were meant to go with Monday night’s after-dinner coffee. At 1900 the Madelines were nowhere to be found. Did I put them up, and did I forget? A thorough look in all of the drawers and cupboards turned up nothing.

Missey: ‘I didn’t take the cookies!’ [Any Mum who believes that has her head stuck in the sand!!!!!!]. Just look at that sweet face.

Lewis is now in a ‘cookie coma’.

It took ages to find the cookie packet! With Lewis practising opening doors, it seems the only safe place for any bags of treats – human or feline – is up high under lock and key!

Lewis did get another cupboard door open, too. Inside was a small vase with a handful of Canada Geese feathers picked up at the park over the summer when the geese were moulting. He was running all over the house and having such a time! Sort of playing ‘hockey’ with that feather batting it around. Such energy and agility.

Oops!

Next to boxes with paper wrapping or paper bags (cut the handles), the feathers proved to be great toys.

Lewis is often a very bad influence on Missy! He is not afraid of anything, and his battery never dies. Some of the cell phone companies should find out what his secret is! (He seriously makes me tired just watching him most days).

Missy waits for Lewis to get the paper out of the box. They will play with it for hours.

What joy these two rescue babies have brought. I cannot imagine life without them!

In the Mailbox:

‘N’ writes: Are ospreys born blind? I just saw this on a chat.

Oh, thanks, ‘N’ for sending in that question. Ironically, I saw that and a few other statements on a streaming chat today, too, and was puzzled by it. The leading authority on Ospreys in the US is Alan Poole.

The chicks are born with a furry down that is tan in colour with the distinctive black stripe down the back and the dark eye line to help them with the glare. This is not down as we think of it but it is “actually made up of feathers, simple unbranched feathers” (Poole, 97) – forming what looks like a fuzzy appearance. This helps them regulate their temperature. Now this is the important part to the answer of your question and I want to quote Poole. “Osprey hatchlings are known as ‘semi-precocial’ which means they are a step back in the development from the precocial young of chickens or ducks” (98). “Osprey hatchlings are a step ahead of their altricial young of songbirds, which are born largely naked and barely able to move much of anything beyond their heads or necks to beg for food.”

Two key terms are the thrust of the answer to the question. Precocial. The goslings and ducklings jump out of the nest after 24 hours and can care for themselves. They walk and feed. They turn to their parents for warmth and security. Altrial hatchlings are entirely dependent on their parents. So, what about Ospreys? Well, they are in the middle. They are not born blind like owlets. [A 2010 article from the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey says they are “born semi-altricial, or blind, feathered, and completely helpless.”] It does take a few days for their eyes to focus completely, but they are semi-Precocial, not semi-altricial. This is the bobblehead phase. They see a ‘beak’ and think of food. It could be their sibling!

Ospreys do not normally leave fish in the nest because it attracts predators or intruders. Normally the female will feed the begging chicks before she feeds herself. The new hatchlings can eat 10 small meals a day, the female taking the fish down to the open beak of the osplet.

Here is a good talk by Poole about Ospreys on YouTube. You can watch it in chunks:

If you are looking for a really good book with great images of the behaviours and development of Ospreys, I recommend Alan Poole’s book, Ospreys. The Revival of a Global Raptor. It also includes a section on threats and solutions. It is currently priced at $54 CDN or about $40 US on Amazon. You can also check any of the used book sellers, such as Abe Books or Thrift Books. I have this one and his earlier addition and both were purchased used.

There are many good volumes on Ospreys and over the course of the nest month I will be mentioning my favourites from the UK. Osprey season is starting – learn as much as you can!

At the Nests:

At the KNF-E3 nest, Nugget has branched at 67 days old! Congratulations everyone. Way to go Nugget.

At the nest of Connie and Clive, Connick is perching (standing on the rim of the nest like E21 and 22 at SW Florida).

I love the hatchling ospreys. However, those two little fluff balls at Duke Farms are adorable. However, the beaking has started. Thankfully, they are both about the same size, and hopefully, all of this will end soon.

Fan of Liberty and Freedom at Glacier Gardens in Alaska? Well, the streaming cam is back on early because the beloved couple was on the nest together on Monday.

Here is the link to their cam:

https://www.youtube.com/live/zukDc5a9_RE?feature=share

And guess what? the Ospreys are back at Dahlgren!!!!!! Oh, I wonder how many stuffies will land on the nest with Jack and Harriet this year?

Here is a video that HeidiMc did of the afternoon feedings at the Moorings Park Osprey nest. Sally sure does love her fish! Notice that the chicks are not yet screaming for food when she is eating! Their necks will get stronger, so they do not flop around. They need to hold their heads steady and have those beaks wide open. Otherwise, Mum does not think they are hungry!

The beak that is open is going to get the fish.

Wow, what a Dad. Harry brought in a late fish for Sally and the Bobs. Time 20:09. The Bobs were hungry. Just fantastic.

Turn around little ones!

The first GHO owlet hatched around 05:44 at the nest of Bonnie and Clyde on Farmer Derek’s property in Kansas. Apparently, the name already chosen is Butch Cassidy. After the event, Bonnie and Clyde were vocalising loudly, and Clyde flew to the nest tree.

Clyde is directly below Bonnie on another branch.

The voting has begun for the Corona Owlets of Owlvira and Hoots. If you go to the YouTube live cam page for the Corona Owls, click on the tab at the top to vote. The names have been organised in groups of four possible choices, with ‘Peanut’ appearing multiple times!

M15 brought in a squirrel and 2 fish to the SW Florida nest today despite the presence of a sub-adult at the nest tree. Doing good, Dad.

This was the 16:14 fish that M15 dropped and flew. Those eaglets are quick and it was a scramble. At one point, each appeared to have a piece of fish.

E21 and 22 are perching and working their wings (21 more than 22 with the wings).

M15 appears to have been alone all day. No sightings of R23-3. Everyone is wondering where she is. Does her absence have anything to do with the intruder? This morning, a posting from SW Florida indicated three eagles around the property yesterday. I presume it was M15; we know the sub-adult and, most likely, R23-3.

Good Night, Dad. You are amazing. Your kids are perching and flapping. Today 21 is 60 days old, and 22 is 58 days old. It is hard to imagine that they could take their first flights in less than three weeks. You have put us all to shame because we doubted you…no one will ever forget your great efforts. When someone asks: can a single parent Bald Eagle raise one-month-old eaglets on their own? The answer will be, ‘Of course, M15 did it!’ *

Question: Who (or what) is on the branch below towards the road?

The IR seems to be picking up two figures on the other cam. I do not believe it is R23-3. She would most likely be on the same branch close to M15.

Annie and Lou are taking turns incubating the eggs at The Campanile on the campus of UC-Berkeley. Looks like a bit of delayed incubation. Will we see a third egg on Wednesday?

At the nest of Big Red and Arthur, something caused Dad to work frantically on the nest today. Does he know something we don’t?

On March 4th at 19:15:49 that Jackie looked down at her eggs, reflecting on them before leaving them and the nest. Shadow was flying off, and she paused. A woman on FOBBV wrote that she believes eagles have feelings after seeing Jackie’s behaviour. Of course, they do. Of course. We collectively grieve with Jackie and Shadow as their hope for a family this year dissolved on a cold winter’s day in Big Bear Valley.

Making News:

Oh, I love this. We see so many lonely widowed Canada Geese in my city. These are domesticated geese, but how wonderful…a romance ad answered for a goose! Single mingles for Geese.

Widowed-cemetery-goose-finds-companionship-through-a-personal-ad-CBC-Radio Download

Speaking of geese…remember the Canada Goose couple that took over the old Decorah Bald Eagle nest last year and raised those goslings? They could be back!

This article came in the mailbox from Geemeff. It would be fantastic if every organisation controlling an area where our waterfowl breed would close the space off during breeding season. All too many – at least here in Winnipeg – chase the geese and ducks or send their dogs running. It is horrible treatment and causes great stress to the birds.

https://www.kpax.com/news/local-news/flathead-county/large-section-of-flathead-lake-north-shore-closed-for-seasonal-waterfowl-production

After at least eight years in the making, The High Seas Treaty has passed. This treaty will protect 30% of the high seas. While not everyone agrees about every point, most biologists believe this will go a long way to helping with climate change. It will also help our seabirds!

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/05/high-seas-treaty-agreement-to-protect-international-waters-finally-reached-at-un?CMP=share_btn_link

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

My sincere thanks to the following that sent me notes, posted announcements, videos, and stories or have streaming cams that formed part of my blog today: ‘L’, ‘A’, ‘N’, ‘H’, ‘Geemeff’, Alan Poole, Amazon.com, Rhonda A and the KNF-E3 Eagle nest, Window to Wildlife, Ondabebe and Window to Wildlife, Duke Farms, Glacier Gardens, Dahlgren Osprey Cam, Heidi Mc and Moorings Park Osprey, Moorings Park Osprey, Farmer Derek, Corona California Owls, SW Florida Eagle Cam and D Pritchett, Cal Falcons, Cornell RTH, FOBBV, CBC Radio, Laura Rose and the Decorah Eagles Love Nest, kpax.com, and The Guardian.

NOTE: A few single-parent bald eagles have successfully raised their entire clutch to fledge. I am thinking of Decorah, who had three eaglets in the nest. You might know of others. Let me know!

Tico returns to Superbeaks nest! Annie and Lou have the 2nd egg…Monday in Bird World

Good Morning Everyone,

Well, I am super excited. ‘A’ just sent me the best news coming out of Bird World today. Tico is home!

Many feared the worst after Tico was forced off the nest branch on Saturday when Pearl accidentally landed on or near him. He was seen upside down dangling in a bush across the road, and then he disappeared. BOGs searched. Muhlady and PePe called and tried to lure him back to the nest with food. Nothing happened. And then, at 17:35 Sunday afternoon, the 5th of March, Tico landed on the nest tree. Tears of joy.

This is LadyDeeagle55’s comment on the live chat: “17:35:07 Tico arrives home to attic branch then drops down to nest while Pearl is still way up on the left of nest tree.”

This is fantastic.

‘H’ sent me the link to the video capture of Tico coming home! She also added that they needed to know that Pearl was at the top of the tree to be sure it was Tico. Smart thinking!

When an eaglet (or osplet) does not return to the nest after fledging (or being forced fledged), there is a real fear for survival.

In the Mailbox:

‘J’ asks: “I was just wondering if you could talk about R23-3’s damaged talon. Do they heal? Will the actual nail fall off? Will it grow back?”

These are great questions; they have been on everyone’s mind since we first saw R23-3’s injured feet. First, let’s get to some facts in case some do not know. Those talons (and beaks) carry the eagle’s prey and nesting materials to the nest. They are also used to fight their enemies. Talons are essential for the eagle’s survival. Each foot has four talons, three in the front and one in the back, the hallux. The talons are made out of keratin. It is a protein. Human hair and nails are also made out of keratin.

So have a good look at the image below. Do you remember where the main injuries were on R23-3’s feet and talons? She appeared to have multiple marks and gouges, with one main injury on DIGIT IV, the Outer Talon. We saw it early as black, and I even called her ‘black taloned’. I feared that the injury was necrotic and would eventually kill her. There was no soft tissue swelling, just a deep gouge with a dark, dry scab. That scab eventually came off. The female adult appears to be eating and in good health. She enjoys her baths with M15 and socialising with him in the pond and on the branch. In other words, she is not lethargic.

That hallux is important because it digs into the prey items and allows the raptors to carry their food to where they will eat it or feed their young. The talons are grey in colour when the eaglets are in the nest and turn a shiny black as they age and fledge. They will remain that shiny black throughout their lives..

Now back to the question. The injuries on the female R23-3 appear to be healing. She has yet to lose her talon. If the entire talon were to be pulled out, growing a new one would be a very slow process. You might recall that Ervie, the third hatch Osprey at Port Lincoln in 2022, lost a talon. It was believed to be pulled out when he was fishing, but we do not know. It took nearly 8 months to see any growth in that talon.

We know that the female can bring carrion to the nest tree. We have seen her. She is also eating, arriving with a crop when she has yet to take a fish from the nest. We have yet to see the female actively hunting and carrying a large, heavy prey item to the nest tree. We, therefore, cannot make any observations on her ability or lack of ability to transport prey with that right foot.

If the foot continues to heal as it appears to, this female will be fine. Some eagles are flying and living with only one leg, as we have witnessed this year or managing with a leg with an old injury that did not heal properly, as Ma Berry did for years at Berry College. Feet get damaged regularly. V3’s feet are rough at the NEFl nest (with Gabby). Let us wait and watch to see how she does!

Hard to see the full extent of the injuries in the image below. We can, however, determine which is the most injured toe on the right foot.

We can also see some damage on the left foot.

It must be noted that Peregrine Falcons have been observed with talons with broken ends, which do not appear to grow back. In other words, the entire black talon needs to be pulled out and it is possible that it will regrow slowly.

In the News:

How might climate change impact the Northern Hemisphere’s sea birds? This is a great article coming out of Birdlife International on this topic. Have a read!

https://www.birdlife.org/news/2023/03/02/what-climate-change-looks-like-for-north-east-atlantic-seabirds/

Nest News:

Have you been missing Indigo? wondering if he was still around the scrape on the campus of Charles Sturt University in Orange, Australia? thinking that Diamond and Xavier might be having some peace and quiet? No. Indigo is still there! Elain caught him on video!

Jackie and Shadow are so loved. They get more visitors to their streaming cam in the Big Bear Valley east of Los Angeles than any other eagle family in the US. We are saddened by the non-viability of their first clutch of eggs in 2023. It is not clear whether or not they will lay more eggs. The couple has left these two and the wind and ice are pelting down. Love you, Jackie and Shadow! Today, they made the USToday News. Thanks, ‘B’, for letting me know!

https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/animalkind/2023/03/05/big-bear-bald-eagle-live-nest-cam/11377425002/

M15 is on top of his game. On Sunday, the single parent delivered 3 fish to the nest of E21 and 22 before noon! Way to go, Dad! There were a total of five for the entire day.

Gosh, these eaglets are gorgeous.

The tails indicate the difference. E22 on the left and E21 on the right. Otherwise it is really difficult to tell them apart.

Such beautiful and precious babies. E21 below panting to keep cool.

The end of the day posting from SW Florida Eagles:

I mentioned that Duke Farms’s male will be 23 this year. That hatch date is 11 March. He was taken in as a foster eaglet at Duke Farms when he was a fortnight old. His two recently hatched eaglets are growing and are ever so strong! Just fluffy little snow people…adorable.

The osplets at Moorings Park in Naples, Florida are doing great. No worries at this nest so far.

Monday morning there was some frustration on the osprey nest by the osplets. Sally was hungry and there was a lot of fish. Harry finally gave her a break so that she could eat. The little osplets sure wanted some fish! They were up and waiting as Mum ate. There is nothing to worry about. At this stage of their development, they will eat a little fish many times a day not a lot of fish a few times.

At the Achieva Osprey nest, Jack and Diane have been doing incubation rotations. There are still some days til pip watch for these two.

Big Red and Arthur continue to work on the nest and mate on the light stands. Eggs soon, please!

Big Red and Arthur’s 2022 hatch, L4, remains on the Cornell Campus. Bravo! They are paying her no mind and she is going on about her business hunting in a very prey rich territory.

Happy Hatch Day!

There are now four eggs at the Peregrine Falcon nest in Japan. Will there be a 5th?

Watching for the second egg to be laid at Cal Falcons. Annie has been in the scrape box most of the day.

At 14:51 there was still just one egg. Soon!

At 15:09, Lou is on incubation duties.

‘H’ sent me news that the second egg arrived around 0430 Monday 6 March. Thanks, ‘H’.

Lou is getting the hang of ‘enfluffeling’!

Connie and Clive’s only eaglet, Connick, is looking for roles in more superhero movies. Looks at those legs!!!!! Wow. This eaglet is big and strong.

Connick is a huge, beautiful, well-nourished eaglet! Sometimes there is no place to go when the sun is hot on the nest. Connick can regulate his temperature now.

Gabby and V3 are both at the nest tree today. V3 provided for Gabby the security she needed with so many intruders and hopeful suitors. This nest is pleasantly peaceful now. Have you noticed that it is the same at SW Florida except for the GHOs?

Thanks, ‘T’ for the head’s up. The West End streaming cam was panning around, and guess who the camera caught? Akecheta!!!!!! Oh, it would be grand if they could figure out how to get this camera to focus on the new nest of Thunder and Akecheta. The time is 13:13 Sunday, 5 March. Nice to see you, Dad.

We may not be able to get everyone to stop using rodenticide but each of us can start by remembering that ‘Raptors are the Solution.’ If you know of someone with rodent problems, discuss with them why you do not use these highly designed poisons. If they have domestic pets, it might help save their lives, too. My cat Duncan would still be alive if a neighbour had not used this terrible poison and if Duncan had not caught the mouse that ate it. We will simply not be able to convince everyone but it is worth a try.

I want to thank Dave Hancock and all the folks in British Columbia who work tirelessly to support the well-being of Bald Eagles. There are more Bald Eagles in British Columbia than anywhere in the world. Due to climate change and rising temperatures during breeding and nesting season, Dave Hancock has also been working on eagle nest shades. He is an amazing man who has spent his entire life trying to improve their lives. Some of you will be familiar with the nest cams in British Columbia. They also have a web site with lots of information on eagles.

At the Corona, California GHO nest, the four owlets appear to be very healthy. The fourth is tiny, but size does not mean it is not well. Owlvira seems to be able to manage to feed all of them quite well. Potential names have been posted on chat, and now those are being put into a list for voting.

You can see the size difference in the image below as all are snuggled upright to stay warm.

Thanks so much for being with me today. Take care of yourselves! See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, their posts, tweets, videos, and streaming cams that help make up my blog today: ‘B’, ‘H’, ‘A’, ‘J’, Superbeaks, Lady Deeagle55 and Superbeaks, Avianreport.com, SWFlorida Eagle Cam and D Pritchett, Birdlife.org, Elain and Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, SWEagleCam.com, Duke Farms, Moorings Park Ospreys, HeidiMc and Achieva Credit Union, Cornell RTH, @Cornellhawks, Kakapo Recovery, JPFalcon Cam, Cal Falcons, SKHideaways and Cal Falcons, Window to Wildlife, NEFL-AEF, IWS and Explore.org, Raptors are the Solution, Hancock Wildlife Foundation, and California Corona Owls.

Laysan Albatross, Eaglets Growing…Thursday in Bird World

2 February 2022

Good Morning Everyone!

Today some in North America will be checking out to see if there are shadows that scare the groundhogs back into their hole. It is Ground Hog Day! Did you know that this particular belief comes to us from a very old Pennsylvania Dutch notion that if a groundhog comes out of his burrow and sees its shadow, it will be frightened and go back in for another more six weeks. If, however, the groundhog does not see its shadow – spring will be early!

It has sort of ‘warmed up’ on the Canadian Prairies. It is now 2345 on Wednesday and it is -18 C outside with winds gusting to 26 km/h. That translates into an extreme cold warning with ‘Dangerous wind chill values below -40 C tonight’. In other words, the skin on your face could get wind burn if it was exposed for 30 seconds. Frost bite. Death from the cold. It is not good to be outside. Next Monday, things will be much nicer – with temperatures around -7 C. The Polar Vortex will have moved elsewhere. So wherever you are, stay warm, stay inside, prepare ahead. Do not go out if it is not necessary. And for those of you having extreme heat, you must stay hydrated and cool.

In the News:

The second Kakapo to hatch in 2022 has been named.

It feels so good to read about an eagle being released from rehab! Soar high!

Looking at ways to prevent bycatch can vary from area to area. BirdLife is examining the area around the Mediterranean Sea and, specifically Malta in this article. It is a good read and helps us to understand that everything has to be balanced. You cannot just remove all the turtles and hope that the eco system will survive.

Tori lines have proven to be helpful if the right line is used.

Tackling-accidental-fisheries-bycatch-A-win-win-operation-BirdLife-Malta Download

More eagles being admitted with lead poisoning. I wonder how many there are in a day across the US?

At the Nests:

Are you missing Mr President and Lotus? like me you haven’t seen them at the National Arboretum nest? There is an explanation. It looks like they might be moving house – er’ nest – just like Akecheta and Thunder.

No worries. Zoe and Indigo are still around. Indigo has not been seen in the scrape but …here he is! Screaming up a storm.

Indigo, you sure are handsome! Hi there. Nice to have you back in the scrape…we missed you.

Gabby and V3 were said to have a ‘dust up’ over a squirrel around 0730 on the morning of Wednesday, 1 February. Gabby got her talon stuck in the squirrel and could not get it out and V3 wasn’t letting go either. They are definitely back to loving one another!

They were back working on the nest afterwards. These images are from 0850.

In other areas, Wednesday was a soggy day. The eaglets in Louisiana have been fed but word is coming from Paul White that neither Ringo or Boots have been fed earlier today because of the hard rain. It has stopped and at 1055 there was a feeding. Ringo ate. Even got out of the egg cup to stretch its neck. Boots made no effort to eat but, as you will see from a later posting, Boots had already eaten. He did, however, have only one meal yesterday. It is amazing how well eaglets can cope on so little.

People reacted to the feeding and also to the possibility that Boots cannot free its right leg – it is stuck in the nest. Let us please hope that this little one can get free. Send all of your positive energy. In order to bed fed, this mother is wanting those chicks up at the table and out of the bowl so Boots has to engage. He has had some food as you can see in the image below he has a bit of a crop.

It has been cold in and around the Houston area just like it has been in Louisiana with rain. hanks, ‘J’ for drawing that to my attention. It will not begin warming up until Thursday but it isn’t going to be hot, hot then. So no issues with dehydration from the heat, just lack of food because it appears Boots has been stuck in the nest for some days. There are certainly discussions about getting someone to the nest to release little Boots because that is possibly fishing line around its leg. Send good energy.

Anna, sensing the weather, was up feeding E03 several times before the storms hit including first light.

It is also cold – 36 degrees F – and rain.

Alex brought in a fish to go with the Coot and Valentine and 02 were fed early, just like E03.

Little E03 can still fit under Anna but, Valentine and 02 are having issues trying to get under Andria.

Either Tico or Pearl sent off a ‘ps’ that has caused the camera to be coated again at Superbeaks. Oh, goodness. Let us collectively wish for rain to clean that lens so we can see these two fledge…it is awhile but…Thankfully the ps is at the side!

Connick is adorable. There was a time when I wondered if this little eaglet was going to make it to this stage…we can see his ears! Connick has a mohawk, his beak is shiny ebony at the tip, his eyes are clear, and he is eating well and moving too much on the nest for comfort.

The birds seem to be doing fine. There are eggs being laid, birds incubating, raptors thinking about eggs, the temperature of the South getting warmer as we move through February.

Holly Parsons is long associated with the Peregrine Falcons at Orange. She runs the FB group there and also runs the Albatross Lovers FB Group. I admire Holly. Look her up and read her bio. A film that she posted a link to today in her Albatross Lovers Group is one of the most beautiful documentaries on the Laysan Albatross. The images are amazing – so close up. The story is detailed and thought provoking. It is inspiring and bittersweet. The film is about an hour and a half long. You might want to watch it with your popcorn on a Friday night or watch it in sections or just sit quietly and see the whole thing. It is difficult seeing what all the plastic that we use does…but, we need to watch this. It is a beautiful wake up call. We will all thank Holly collectively. It is a really good look at the life of these amazing sea birds on the Midway Atoll —-and the challenges these birds face because of us.

http://www.albatrossthefilm.com

There is the trailer but on the right a tab says, Albatross the Film. That is what you are looking for.

Zoe is on the move again. She has been to an isolated bay where Osprey have been seen catching fish. Go girl! I hope our girl has turned out to be a good fisher.

Bonnie looks so pretty in that nest on the Kansas farm of Farmer Derek. After observing the GHOs run off the Bald Eagle couple, I found myself completely fascinated watching Clyde bring in rats and mice and other critters for Bonnie at dusk and dawn. And then the two owlets…so cute. So we will keep an eye on this GHO. (I have to admit that after causing such pain to Harriet and M15, I am not too thrilled about the relationship between the GHOs and the other raptors).

Thank you so much for being with me today. It is so nice to have you with us. This was a bit of a round up with some nests that are doing splendidly not mentioned. We will wait to see what will be the next Florida Osprey nest to have eggs – will it be Achieva or Captiva? Take care everyone! See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, their posts, announcements, videos, and streaming cams where I took my screen captures: Kakapo Recover, Tamarack Wildlife Centre, Birdlife Malta, Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey, AEF, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, Elain and Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, NEFl-AEF, Paul White and the Webster Texas Eagle Watchers, KNF-E3, KNF-E1, Superbeaks, Window to Wildlife, Port Lincoln Osprey, Farmer Derek, Holly Parsons and the Albatross Lovers Group plus The Midway Project film, The Albatross, by Chris Jordan.

News of SE30, Zoe is on the West Coast…Monday Morning in Bird World

30 January 2022

Good Morning Everyone,

I hope that you had a good weekend. Maybe you were able to go outside and see the birds. Perhaps you watched from your windows like I did with all our cold and wind. They bring us such joy and remember – if you are stressed out by anything just stop and visit with your local feathered friends or tune in to your favourite streaming cam.

It is pretty clear that Zoe has left Port Lincoln to start her independent life. WBSE30 is doing great in care, and there is a new Osprey streaming cam for you coming from Naples, Florida. So much happening and we are just getting ready to ramp up for eaglets fledging and osplets hatching! It will be a little crazy.

Making News:

Beautiful WBSE 30 is really thriving in rehab. Just look at how gorgeous she is (lighter bird in front). There are two separate and slightly different postings. Thanks, ‘H’ for alerting me to this!

There is a new Osprey nest!!!!!!!!!!

There is a new Osprey streaming cam in Naples, Florida. It is Harry and Sally and as of the 29th of January the couple have two eggs. Will there be a third tomorrow? The first was laid on the 24th at 0615 and the second on the 27th so tomorrow will be the day if there are to be three.

The EU Court has ruled that trapping finches in Malta is against the law and is not research. This is excellent news.

Did you know that until the middle of 2021 it was legal to trap songbirds in France with those inhumane sticky glue papers? This victory in France that made glue trapping illegal and the EU Court ruling on the Malta case is all good news. We cannot give up the fight to have our wildlife treated humanely. It takes time and effort but, they need us. And we need them!

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/28/french-court-outlaws-glue-trap-hunting-of-songbirds?CMP=share_btn_link

Many groups trying to increase biodiversity in the UK and various nature and birding groups in North America are working hard to protect wetlands and, in some cases, to increase the amount of and number of wetlands so that our waterfowl can live. It is, thus, with some sadness that some of the few wetlands in the Middle East are drying up. Specialists in California say that even with the recent torrential rains and flooding, it might well not be enough to overcome the drought that threatens that State. What does all this mean for our wildlife?

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/29/death-in-the-marshes-environmental-calamity-hits-iraqs-unique-wetlands?CMP=share_btn_link

How much do you know about feathers? Are you aware that many vets around the world have feather collections – especially if they work with many raptors. Those feathers are used to replace lost primary and secondary feathers (as well as others) to injured birds. Feathers are invaluable and having a library collection of them is one way of helping birds to return to the wild.

An Indian woman, Esha Munshi, has started a feather library in India. It is the first in the country and will be used as a resource, not as a site for replacement feathers. Read about why this feather library is important in a world when species are going extinct.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/24/feather-library-visual-a-to-z-india-birds-aoe?CMP=share_btn_link

It is a strange morning, this Sunday, 29 January on the Canadian Prairies. Not only is it desperately cold at -32 C but, I also find myself thinking about Zoe, the fledgling Osprey from Port Lincoln. Zoe is not without controversy. The siblicide of both Little and Middle polarised many viewers. As one reader put it, ‘She is living for three’. She certainly is. I have received more letters about this single Osprey than all of the other raptors put together. So, I will say what collectively those that sent e-mails or made comments have said – I want Zoe to not only be the largest female osprey ever ringed in South Australia but, for the sake of her siblings, I want her to become the longest living osprey in the history of Australia. I want her to raise many chicks to fledge. Then it would have been all worth it.

It is pretty clear that Zoe flew north yesterday at 07:55:34 and left Port Lincoln for good. What motivates these fledglings to leave when they do? and why head in the direction that she did? Was it the winds? The water appeared to be rather choppy yesterday. We are awaiting an update from her sat-pal when Australia wakes up in several hours.

The nest is empty at Port Lincoln and Dad is having some quiet time in the shed. I have not seen an update on Zoe but will check for tomorrow!

Zoe is definitely not returning to the natal nest at the barge in Port Lincoln. This is her latest tracking:

Zoe has crossed the Eyre Peninsula flying across the inland where there would have been little or no opportunities for food. Incredible…Perhaps she knows a secret and it is faster to get to Mount Hope this way??? She is now on the West Coast which is a good place for Ospreys. Eat well, Zoe!

This is the posting by Friends of Osprey:

Connick has had a wonderful Sunday. There has been lots of good fish and he or she went to bed with a crop the size of a large golf ball. Connie has really stepped up the feedings and the little one is no longer covered in sticky fish juice. Such a little sweetheart.

You can see Connick’s ear. That lighter round circle on the side of the head below the eye. This ear will be covered with feathers.

I did almost choke when I saw the ‘something’ wrapped around Connick’s wing. My palms began to sweat but…is it nesting material? It looks like string to me. Whatever it is, it is off Connick’s wing and I hope it does not return.

Connick is growing. I have said like a ‘bad weed’ for several blogs now but, it is true. Once Connie got on to the feeding and did so with gusto, the little one just sprouted.

Much of the soft natal feathers is disappearing. We can see that thick Matty thermal down coming in on Connick’s nest and chest. And just look at those beautiful eyes and beak. We have come a long way from the little chick we worried over with fish juice everywhere.

Can you see that golf ball size crop? Connick has sported one after every feeding today it seems.

It didn’t start off raining in Louisiana. It was rather a nice day with Valentine and 02. We can see the difference in the juvenile feathers coming in. These two are adorable. Life on the KNF E3 nest is good. Alex and Andria have proven to be capable parents.

By noon the drops were starting to fall and the rain just got heavier. At the KNF-E3 nest Andria tried her hardest to keep Valentine and 02 dry but, to no avail. They are simply too big to fit under Mum!

The rain didn’t stop Alex from bringing in a fish for the family. Well done, Alex!

Oh, the nest of Anna and Louis KNF-E1 got really soggy, too.

Sunday was a beautiful day in central Florida. Pearl and Tico are growing so fast. They really have their juvenile feathers now and even though they can feed themselves, one of the parents seems to also like to still be with their eaglets. It is not long until they will fledge – Pearl is 53 days old and Tico is 52 days old. The average fledge age for Florida eagles is 77 days. It is hoped that the pair will spend another month at the nest getting fed and learning to hunt prey and getting their wings strong.

They are seriously gorgeous siblings. They have beautiful shiny ebony beaks, nice yellow lip surrounds, bright black eyes, and gorgeous ebony-espresso juvenile feathers. They are healthy. And they sure look happy!

As the sun sets over the nest, everyone has eaten. It was a good day.

At the Captiva Osprey nest, Mabel and Angus were on alert today. It is prime real estate. Hopefully there are no territorial battles for this young couple. No eggs as the sun set on Sunday.

No eggs at the Achieva Credit Union osprey platform in St Petersburg either. Jack and Diane were on and off the nest and at one time it appeared an intruder might have landed when they were away.

There can sometimes be strange creatures on the Southwest Florida Eagle nest that will be lunch. As we all know, Eagles do not waste anything and they often bring carrion (dead animals) to the nest such as road kill. Once last year M15 brought in a domestic cat. I do not know what is on the nest today on the right side!

‘A’ was right…both Es are sporting Mohawks today! Thanks for the heads up, ‘A’.

Shadow decided enough was enough and he wanted some incubation time with the precious eggs. So what does Shadow do?

As the approaching storm begins to get closer and closer and the winds were gusting, Jackie and Shadow get ready to hang tight.

The little eaglet, Boots, at the Webster TX Bald Eagle nest did get some prey today. I was quite worried. It seemed that Ringo – who is MUCH bigger – was the only one getting fed and little Boots was hunkered down in the nest not eating. But, Boots did get fed! Fantastic.

What do we think? A BIG sister and a ‘tiny’ little brother? Lots of fish on the nest and part of a Coot.

Here is the link to the discussion and talks that took place on the 26th with the Ventana Wildlife Society and the Condor Crew. There are currently 93 California Condors free flying. There has been one death this year. 5 January 2023 was the date that Wassak died from lead poisoning. The Ventana Wildlife Society supplies free lead-free ammunition to farmers and ranches in the Condor areas of California. Why then do they die of lead poisoning? It has to be so frustrating. Funds have been received for VWS to hire a position to further push information and free ammunition to stop these horrific deaths.

All of the nests appear to be doing well. We have the first Osprey eggs in Florida at the new Moorings Park nest in Naples. We are waiting for eggs for Captiva and Achieva. The first one should be laid at Achieva this week. All of the eaglets on the nest are doing well including little Boots where the pecking and plucking has stopped. Boots has some catching up to do and I know that we will all send good wishes his way for just that! Join me also in wishing Zoe a good and long life. Mum and Dad will now be able to get a much needed break and get back in shape for August/September and eggs!

Thank you so very much for joining me today. Please take care of yourselves. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their tweets, posts, videos, and streaming cams that make up my screen captures and blog: ‘H’, Raptor Recovery Australia, Moorings Park Osprey Nest Naples, FL, @Birdlife_Malta, The Guardian, Friends of Osprey, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Window to Wildlife, KNF-E3, KNF-E1, Superbeaks, Achieva Credit Union, SWFL Bald Eagles and D Pritchett, FOBBV, SK Hideawys and FOBBV, Paul White and the Webster Texas Eagle Watchers, and The Ventana Wildlife Society.

Remembering Sue and Otto intruders everywhere…Thursday in Bird World

26 January 2022

Good Morning Everyone,

I hope that the ‘almost’ end of the week is looking good for all of you.

Thank you for your notes about the kittens. They are doing great. There are times I wonder if I will survive! My entire house looks like a kitten day care!!!!!! They prefer boxes and paper shopping bags to any kind of toy from the pet store. They want to sleep in baskets with soft blankets, on top of tables with soft blankets, and in drawers. I am trying to remember to cut all those handles – and you should, too. They can get their necks through them. They have been playing with this bag for a couple of weeks now. Taking turns being inside and out. It is just about torn to shreds! Lewis always appears to be chewing on something and Missey is always a darling – oh, no, she never causes any mischief! Never! LOL.

In the News:

Sue and Otto are remembered. It is a lovely article about this adored pair of Red-tail Hawks. In it, I also note that they are giving different days for the birds death. I will try and confirm which is correct.

https://news.syr.edu/blog/2023/01/25/remembering-su-sue-and-otto-syracuse-universitys-resident-hawk-pair/.

A Place called Hope – one of my all-time favourite wildlife rehabilitation centres – is asking for help. Unusual donations. They want more specimens of raptors killed by rodenticide and lead. They are gathering evidence so that a bill can be passed in Connecticut to stop the sale of both rodenticides and lead. Do you work at a centre that can help? And even if you don’t, read the request. It is shocking how many deaths there are so quickly….we need to stop this, we need to help our raptors.

The faces of some of those affected and some who have died due to rat poison and lead.

The joy I felt at seeing Cattle Egrets, in the pastures and small allotments in Grenada following the goats and cows, is hard to describe. Imagine being a farmer in the UK, changing your way of doings things to bring health to your land, and now you have cattle egrets! Just imagine how thrilling – a sign of a healthy space.

The article below gives a good history of the cattle egret. It is a really good read while demonstrating that biodiversity can work if we make the effort to change our practice. “Numbers of cattle egrets are booming in Britain, boosted by wildlife-friendly farming where cows are grazed on gentle rotations designed to improve soil quality and boost invertebrate populations.”

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/25/cattle-egrets-uk-wildlife-friendly-farms-have-had-a-few?CMP=share_btn_link

In Melbourne, scientists are wondering if a change in climate is the cause for the rise of the ‘devil bird’ in Melbourne’s suburbs. If you live in Melbourne, have you seen one of these?

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/26/unusual-sightings-of-devil-bird-across-melbourne-raise-migration-mysteries-for-researchers?CMP=share_btn_link

We don’t get to see the Layman Albatross nesting on Kauai, Hawaii on streaming cams, only through the postings of Hob Osterlund. Thank you, Holly Parsons, for this re-post on the hatch of the little Moli.

A Sanibel eaglet that fell out of its nest now has been adopted and has its forever home. Congratulations!

In the Nests:

Louis and Anna’s little chick is doing fantastic. Oh, they had a soggy start to Wednesday after the storms pushed through the area but, everyone is fine.

Cody got the camera up and running at the E3 nest. Thank you Cody! You can really tell the difference between E01 and E03 now. E01 being the one with the most juvenile feathers. It feels like it happened overnight!

Just look at how well those eaglets are camouflaged in that nest. Both have serious crops from being well fed.

Coot is still on the menu. There must be an absolute abundance of Coots on Kincaid Lake this time of year.

02 is stretching its wings much to the curiosity of big sibling. They both have fuzzy Mohawks and you can see the feathers coming in along with those huge feet!

There is information on the chat roll for both KNF-E1 and KNF-E3 about naming 01 which I am presuming can only be Alex and Andria’s 01 chick from the E3 nest. “We will have a 24hour poll to name O1 on Friday the 27th starting at noon and ending on Saturday the 28th at noon. 3 names will be selected by local Forest Service employees then voted on in the chat.” Send in a name…give that little eaglet something to wear proudly all its life. Mark your calendars..this Friday til noon Saturday to come up with a great name. Then the 3 finalists.

It really was a scary time. On the 24th of January the Ravens came to the nest of Jackie and Shadow. Shadow came to the rescue. How terrifying for Jackie! The Eagles have to be constantly vigilant against Ravens and like Harriet and M15, the GHOs. Those Ravens know that Jackie has two precious eggs and they want them!

Here is another view of the threat by the Ravens.

Ranger Sharyn comes by and does a weight check on Sweet Pea. That is one of the nicknames that the South Plateau chick has at the moment. There will be a naming contest after the middle of February when all of the eggs have hatched. I wonder what the name will be? Names become important – they often help us to remember the birds easier than if they have a number. Scientific studies have also shown that our attachment to the wildlife/raptors/sea birds is more intense if they have a name. I am all for whatever it takes to help people care – and to help others to understand how important it is to care for these beautiful birds – all of them – before it is too late.

I am reposting one of Sharon Dunne’s screen captures of L and GLY together during the changeover. Just a gorgeous couple. Thank you, Sharon.

‘A’ sent me the link to this video capturing the moment that GLY sees his chick for the first time. Thanks, A!

The feedings for CE9 continue to go well. The little eaglet has responded in kind by growing and growing! CE9 is sweetness in a tiny bundle. So glad this little one is thriving.

Oh, sweetness in a food coma.

At 12:47:21 Clive feeds Connie and Connie feeds CE9. Precious. CE9 just wants lunch not fooling around parents!!!!!! This little eaglet will have its name today!!!!!! Wonder what it will be?

The last meal of the day at Captiva as the sun sets.

You may have also noticed that Connie continues to bury the unviable egg in the nest now.

The weather forecasts do not look good. The winds are really starting to pick up at Pa Berry and Missy’s nest in Georgia. B16 remains a beautiful little energetic fluff ball. There is some speculation that B16 is actually the second egg hatching at 36 days. Second eggs tend to hatch earlier than first due to delayed incubation. Chatters note that this would be in line with hatching last year also. One wonderful eaglet is fine.

Missy is making sure that the hatches are tight so little B16 is warm and dry. I would love to see these eagle nests catch a break one year from the snow and ice…we will see what happens later today and tomorrow as that system sweeps through the US.

The ospreys at Achieva have been mating and alerting from the nest. Are we going to see eggs in the next week?

The cam operator gave us some very good close ups at the Superbeaks nest this morning. Pearl is 49 days old and Tico is 48 days old today.

Texas already had the storms and the tornadoes and thankfully, the Webster Bald Eagles are just fine! Ringo and Boots up and eating well. Thankful for small miracles as there were no less than 14 confirmed tornadoes in Texas on the 24th.

Nancy and her mate were at the MN-DNR nest working on getting things ready for eggs.

They were working on the rails today.

The predicted snow is starting to fall on the Mum at Duke Farms and her egg. Oh, this poor dear. I remember a couple of years ago her being buried under snow. They survive of course but, it is so hard to watch. We just want to help them and ease any misery and pain they might have.

The snow and winds have hit Iowa and the precipitation is accumulating on both the nests at Decorah.

So far, the snow has not reached Pittsburgh and the US Steel Bald Eagle nest.

There are a lot of intruders. Harriet has had to defend the nest and now Bella is having to defend the NCTC nest. Stay safe, Bella. We do not want a repeat of last year where you were injured and gone for nearly 3 weeks.

Heading to Australia to check to see if Zoe is on the barge nest and yes, there she is. Zoe is 131 days old on Thursday in Australia. Yesterday Mum brought her one fish. I wonder if there will be any deliveries today. It is 1500 and I see no deliveries yet – unless I missed something. Zoe looks remarkably well fed and in good health.

Diamond was in the scrape box on the waterpower of the Charles Sturt University in Orange. It is now 15:21 and Indigo has not been seen or heard so far today.

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, videos, announcements, and streaming cams that make up my screen captures: ‘A’, A Place Called Hope, The Guardian, Holly Parsons Albatross Lovers FB and Hob Osterlund, Terry carman and Bald Eagles Live Nest Cams and New and WAVY.COM KNF-E1 and E3, FOBBV, Lady Hawk and NZ DOC, Sharon Dunne and Royal Cam Albatross Group NZ and NZ DOC, Window to Wildlife, Berry College, Achieva Credit Union, Superbeaks, Paul White and the Webster TX Eagle Group, MN-DNR, Duke Farms, Raptor Resource Project and Explore.org, Pix Cams, Deb Stecyk and the NCTC, and Port Lincoln Ospreys.

If you would like to be a member of our bird loving family, we would love to have you join us. There is normally one posting per day unless there is some big excitement. I try hard not to load up your inbox. No ads, no fees. You can unsubscribe at any time.

CE9 at Captiva eating well, dual feeding at KNF-E3…Friday in Bird World

20 January 2022

Good Morning Everyone!

It is a good day or, rather, I should say, Thursday was a great day in Bird World.

Thursday turned out to be a fantastic day for a walk at the nature centre. It was only -8 degrees C with a wind of 8 km/h. Did the 5.65 km trail. It felt good to get out and breathe in some fresh air. There were even a few critters around.

This male Downy Woodpecker was having a real go at this pole.

Then he decided he would check out the Black Oil Seed feeder tube.

This little Red Squirrel has figured out how to get the peanuts out of the feeder. The sky was too bright behind and I cannot lighten the image any more but, I hope you can see him a bit. He was adorable.

His friend, on the ground, found some peanuts, too. The colour of their plumage is so beautiful. Love that red with the black tips on the fur of the tail.

The Black-capped Chicadees flitted in and out to the feeders when the others were not there.

The squirrels were everywhere!

There was a White-breasted Nuthatch on the square feeder when I turned the corner. We normally think of them feeding upside down on a tree or a tube feeder but, there it stood. Notice the long beak and then stop for a moment. Everyone knows that raptors have a back toe called a hallux. But did you know that the Nuthatch has one, too? The White-breasted nuthatch has three toes in front and the hallux or back toe which is long, behind. It helps them to grip tree trunks so that they can forage upside down!

Compare the length in the image below of the hallux and one of the front toes.

The Nuthatch sees me, gets its peanut and prepares to take off into the forest. It was a lovely day. Thankful to have real birds to see!

In the News:

Warming temperatures are causing fewer swans to winter in Britain. What if the tundra in Russia warms as well? I am very interested in the story of the swans. During the summer, there was a family of Tundra swans at one of the wetlands that I frequent. I took some poor photographs of them for you. As it happens, a Tundra Swan that should have migrated is wintering in Manitoba in the area north of me about an hour known as the Interlake. It has discovered an area of water fed by an Artesian well. Will it be able to get food? will we get really cold temperatures? or is Manitoba set for continuing warmer winters that might suit some swans? I wonder.

It appears that the warming climates in the UK might not be beneficial to the swans during the winter.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/19/bewicks-swan-population-vanishing-britain-climate-crisis?CMP=share_btn_link

Checking on the nests:

As it happens I was confused about the name of the eaglet at the Captiva Nest and had seen and been given different ones. then I confused all of you. Apologies all around! ‘F’ and ‘M’ wrote to confirm (thank you both) and I mention this below but, for everyone – it is Captiva Eaglet 9 or CE9. (LOL. I had CJ7 on my mind once – apologies. Thinking about Osprey!)

The worries at both the Captiva Bald Eagle nest and for any for the second eaglet at KNF-E3 clearly can take a back burner. Connie and CE9 are doing well. There is nothing wrong with the ability of the eaglet to open its beak and eat as seen in the second image below. The wee one has a full crop also.

That late feeding of Clive the other evening made all the difference in the world to this eaglet getting strong in order to hold that head up. Fantastic.

The eaglet is getting stronger. We can see this by how it moves around the egg cup and is holding up its head – not much bobbling. The eyes are clear and focused so none of that fish juice seems to have caused any issues. This will all help with the feedings. Sweet little one. So happy to see this. Such relief.

I am just so over the moon for the turn around on the Captiva nest that I don’t know what to do! The next couple of images are from later in the afternoon. Baby has a nice crop and less juice on the head. Magnificent.

A new Coot had been brought on the KNF-E3 nest and a nice large fish. The eaglets are pecking at the Coot and Andria gives them a good feed from the fish. E02 ate first and this time nothing E01 did deterred the little one from the table. It is amazing how seeing food on a nest can calm things down!

The pair had a good feeding with Mum at 16:16. You can see the crops. Oh, oh, and fat little bottoms with tails. 02 is getting its mohawk. Watch for their ‘lips’ to turn yellow!

Thanks to ‘A’, I did not miss the dual feeding for the last meal of the day. Alex flew down to the nest at 17:47 and joined Andria in feeding the eaglets. E02 was stuffed!!!!!!! It was a good day. Nice to see the babies going to bed full to the top of the crop. Alex brought that fish in at 17:46. A nice big half of one so lots of food for all.

At the KNF-E1 nest of Anna and Louis, Mum makes E03 stretch that neck (this is great for building good muscles) for its fish. Not a big crop from this feeding but fine.

If the eaglets at Superbeaks are not bursting at the crop, we might wonder what is wrong. They appear to be doing some self-feeding and some winger sizing. Towards the end of the day Muhlady lands on the nest to give the pair a feeding. Tico is eating first and getting some nice bites. Pearl is watching from behind. After awhile, Pearl decides she is ‘fed up’ with Tico’s grabbing all the prey and she becomes dominant. No worries. Sibling stuck at the back and wanting food. A series of images from Thursday so you could see how big these eaglets are. Another feeding followed. Muhlady likes to keep those babies full and happy.

Both eaglets still have a few dandelions on their heads. Pearl is darker overall as she has lost more of the dandelions on her body than Tico.

Wingersizing and self-feeding.

Big world out there for a 5 week old eaglet.

The eaglets are walking on the nest and are the size of a turkey about now. They have grow so well and Pepe and Muhlady have been amazing parents to these two. At 42 days or 6 weeks, the eaglets will be the size of their parents. Can you believe it? Look at how strong Pearl is and how steady she is on her legs now…improving every day.

Big world out there!

This is where I can identify the eaglets. Tico is nearest to us and Pearl is behind Mum. She waited and did not get a good location. Tico began eating first at the 16:04 feeding.

Tico got some really nice bites! Look at Pearl watching closely.

Tico gets more and more bites and Pearl is getting impatient. She wants to be fed by Mum, too.

Enough. Pearl wants some bites and she tells Tico.

You can see how dark Pearl’s head is and her body compared to Tico’s.

Pearl gets fed but Tico is a real good one at the snatch and grab. No one goes away hungry.

Meal is finished. Pearl is on the left and Tico is on the right. Now you can see their plumage differences better.

As the sun goes down, the pair are fed again just so they go to bed with a full tummy. What a fabulous nest. So lucky to be able to watch this family of four.

As many of you know, M15 dropped a fish on E22. There has been much concern over E22’s eye. E22 has been eating well and following with its eyes today (Thursday). This morning, Friday, E22’s eyes look much better. The Pritchetts have posted a bit of a long stating that E21 has been bit of a stinker this morning. See below with this morning’s images.

These details are form the Pritchett website.

“9:45a H still on the attic. E’s resting at the rails. 9:49a H flies to the drive snag. 9:50a M in with a squirrel. E’s move close to M , watch it being defurred. E21 warns E22 off, E22 submits. 9:57a M feeds E21, E22 moves away.”

Here is the link to their page. You will also notice that they state no intervention will take place. I find this interesting after E17 and E18 and their conjunctivitis. But…what is important is that E22’s eyes seem much better!

https://dickpritchettrealestate.com/southwest-florida…/

Wingersizes:

At Big Bear, Shadow brought in an American Coot yesterday. Jackie has been feeding off of it. For those that do not know, a Coot is not a duck. It is specifically a rail but, it swims in the water and forages in the ponds. It is black with a distinctive white beak and a brick-red cere. They are large and the eagles eat off of them for days!

Shadow is up to his old tricks to get Jackie off the eggs so he can have some incubation time — it is called ‘Let’s Move some Sticks’!

Notice that Jackie’s beak is clean when she leaves. It will have the marks of eating bloody prey when she returns.

You can get a good look at Shadow’s hallux (right foot) in the image below.

Here comes Daddy!

Jackie is back with a slightly bloody beak. She must have had a nice Coot lunch.

As evening arrived, the snow flakes began to fall on the nest of Jackie and Shadow at Big Bear.

Zoe is 124 days old. Dad delivered 1 fish for his girl on the 20th (Australian time/day). She is anxiously awaiting more deliveries today. The camera showed a view of the old barge ? with an Osprey on it. I could not see a tracker but it does not mean it wasn’t Zoe. It was 07:09. She has been flying more and PLO are wondering if she is following Mum and Dad to fish.

Osprey is almost in the centre. Head turned to the right, back towards us.

In Florida, Jack and Diane have done an amazing job transforming that Achieva Osprey nest. My goodness, it doesn’t look like the same place. Let us all continue to hope that the bark brought in will help with that hole that the Crows and squirrels made last year that cost this couple their clutch.

Adjustments being made at Captiva Osprey platform. MO and FO returned to the nest after. I am not thinking eggs in the immediate future. No soft materials in that nest and no defined egg cup.

But, of course, they will go ahead and lay the eggs tomorrow just to show me that there is an egg cup hiding there in the centre and we can’t see it!

Sadly, the reign of terror at the Bald Eagle nest in Webster, Texas continues. The little one is only safe from the beaking when it is under Mum. It has found a way to hide but, clearly this situation is painful. It is unclear ‘why’ the eldest sibling, at such a young age, has launched into such brutal attacks when there is plenty of food on the nest. Bobbleheads cannot focus and often have beaking sessions when they are young but, it is rare to see such frenzied attacks. It reminds me of DH14 towards DH16 last year at the Dale Hollow nest last year. So very sad. I hope the behaviour stops before the wee one dies.

Let’s leave on a good note. The ‘new guy’ at The Campanile has finally brought a prey gift to Annie!!!!!!!!!! Yipppppeeeeee.

There are major and wonderful gains at Captiva with CE9. There is fish and both eagles at KNF-E3 ate well. Jackie and Shadow are fine. Gabby and V3 are fine. Diane and Jack seem to be thinking of eggs and Diane’s leg is good…and I forgot to check at Berry College! Egg 1 is 36 days old and egg 2 is 33 days old. We are still a little shy of pip watch and it seems nothing has happened. Saturday maybe!

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, their posts, their videos, and streaming cams that make up my screen captures: ‘F and M’, ‘A’, The Guardian, Window to Wildlife, KNF-E3, Ron and Ruth Aguillard, KNF-E1, Superbeaks, SWFlorida Eagles and D Pritchett, Carol Shores Rifkin and the NEFL and SWFL Eaglecam Watercress Club, FOBBV, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Achieva Credit Union, SK Hideaway and Cal Falcons.

Rose and Ron bonding…Friday in Bird World

13 January 2022

Good Morning Everyone,

Here it is, Friday the 13th. I wonder how many people reading this are superstitious?

On Thursday afternoon, I put on the heavy coat and took out the camera and battery, warmest boots, scarf, toque and headed out to the nature centre. It was -12 degrees C with only a 4 kph wind and 84% humidity. Damp. It was a lovely day in the forest and a few friends were around the feeders.

Several Red Squirrels were running about enjoying the peanuts knocked down from the feeders by the birds or another squirrel ‘friend’.

‘Squirrel Friend’ in action!

A sweet little female Downy Woodpecker enjoying the suet. I love feeding suet in the winter because, unlike peanuts and Black Oil seed, have to be cleared up regularly.

The Black-capped Chickadees are simply precious. They flit about taking one seed, fly to a branch, open and eat it and fly back to get another – all day long.

What a treat it was to see a White-breasted Nuthatch.

Merlin Sound ID alerted me to a Yellow Flicker in the area but I did not see it. The deer were not around today near the hide.

Making News:

It is easy to worry about our favourite feathered families with the heavy rains and floods that have been happening in California (and at other places in the US and around the world). That makes it so much of a relief to see that Annie and her new male friend are at The Campanile and are safe.

They are putting sat pads on Ospreys in Senegal! It seems that the people in Africa are as curious about where their ospreys go to breed as we are to find out where they winter. This is just grand.

Creating new wetlands is a good thing.

If you missed The Flight of the Osprey presentations/shows/talks, Geemeff has reposted the links so that you can watch/hear:

The expectations are that Avian Flu will continue to kill domestic and wild birds. Are you noticing any shortage of eggs? Tests are going on now as duck hunting season is in full swing in places like California. The researcher in this article ” will deliver her samples to UC Davis, where lab personnel will test them first for avian flu in general and ultimately for the specific strain known as Goose/Guangdong (Gs/GD) lineage highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Gs/GD HPAI is the deadliest and most infectious bird flu ever to strike Europe or North America, according to wildlife epidemiologists. The strain ravages domestic poultry flocks and can sicken and kill more species of wild birds across a greater geographic area than any previous outbreak, leaving an unprecedented trail of death. So far, the virus has affected more than 52 million domestic poultry birds in the U.S. and has been tested for and confirmed in 4,362 wild birds across the country.”

this-bird-flu-pandemic-is-terrible-and-strange-bay-nature Download

The first eagle in SW Virgina confirmed to have bird flu. This year there could be some very serious hardships.

I was interviewed last week about the impact of war on wildlife. Today there is an article appearing in The Guardian about Hooded Crows around Babyn Yar near Kyiv. Keeping in mind that there has been so much destruction in Ukraine, it is a very interesting article to read.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/12/country-diary-the-silently-screaming-ravine-is-now-filled-with-bird-chatter?CMP=share_btn_link

In the mailbox:

‘L’ send me the latest Audubon news that shows their lobbying of the federal government has included many of their concerns about the environment and wildlife. Thanks, ‘L’. Have a read:

https://www.audubon.org/news/recently-passed-federal-funding-package-makes-investments-natural-climate

‘A’ has noticed that Clive is bringing a lot of trout to Connie and CJ7. Where is the trout coming from? That is such an interesting question. Thank you for asking it, ‘A’. I am reminded of when Dylan has brought Brown Trout into the nest at Llyn Clywedog that he shares with Serena Blue 5F. Dylan could get them from the local Reservoir but often humans are there fishing. I was so impressed with John Williams who tracked Dylan in a round about way and discovered that Dylan will escort intruders up to 25 miles away from the nest and it seems he stops along the way back home to fish! So now, where does Clive get those trout? Believe it or not, Captiva is well known for its winter fishing which includes Trout. Fresh Water Fishing Advice said this, “Spotted seatrout fishing is good in Captiva year-round. The season to fish for spotted seatrout in the region is high between January and October. The best time of the year to catch spotted seatrout in the area is between April and June.”

Checking the Nests:

The two eaglets at Superbeaks are growing and growing and then growing some more. It is difficult to get a screen capture of both of them together so I was pleased about the first image. It is early morning and Pearl and Tico are waiting for a fish delivery and breakfast. Their crops are empty!

Tico is 34 days old and Pearl is 35 days old today.

It is not long until fish arrive on the nest and these two get fed til they are full to the brim.

It is a wonder they can bend over. I am very impressed with these parents, PePe and Muhlady.

The two eaglets at the Kistachie National Forest E-2 nest of Alex and Andria are nothing short of precious. So civil to one another.

It is possible that KNF-E1-03 will be an only eaglet this year. In fact, this chick could be from the second egg. No matter. It will thrive under the watchful eye of Louis and Anna.

17:42. Probably the last meal of the day for the wee eaglet. Some people love the little pink feet but I love those little wings and the peek at the tail appearing.

Tonya Irwin gives us a short video of Louis taking care of E1-03 Thursday morning. Louis is such a proud daddy.

Shadow saw the precious egg that Jackie laid at 1600 on Wednesday early Thursday morning. Tine 07:06:22. After this, he flew out and returned with a nice fish for Jackie.

Jackie does not want to begin hard incubation until she is sure the second egg is in the nest. Otherwise the eaglets would be too different in birth times and this could cause severe rivalry. But, Jackie also knows that she cannot leave the egg alone or the Crows will get it. Little Fiona came to the nest but Fiona will not bother the egg.

One good way is for Jackie to perch near the egg – or Shadow – protecting the nest should a predator arrive.

What a sweet look – a marvel. Jackie looking at that egg she has laid. Oh, let us all hope that this is a good year for our Big Bear Valley couple. They deserve it. What fantastic parents they were to Spirit.

Notice how Jackie is sleeping over the egg to protect it from any predators but it is not yet hard incubating so if there is a second egg, the eaglets will hatch closer together. What a brilliant idea to keep the Crows at bay.

The California news is already celebrating Jackie and Shadow’s first egg! Oh, how wonderful.

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/the-scene/the-first-egg-of-2023-arrives-for-big-bears-beloved-bald-eagles/3071805/?_osource=db_npd_nbc_knbc_eml_shr

Connie and Clive’s little one had a nice big crop today. There are lots of fish on that nest! Some of them are hidden. The little one looks fine despite some concerns over Connie eating more than she is feeding the chick. It does not look like the second egg will hatch. Like the KNF-E1 nest, it is possible that this chick was actually from the second egg.

Gabby and V3 were working on the nest this morning. He is rather handsome. I know he is not Samson but there are things about him that remind me of Samson – like his tight ‘jeans’.

HeidiMc caught Ron and Rose bonding in the WRDC nest in Miami yesterday. They are such a funny eagle couple! I love how Rose nibbles on Ron’s feathers. Oh, so sweet.

The beaking at the Southwest Florida nest of E21 and E22, kidlets of Harriet and M15, is not that bad. The problem is E22 who does seem to stare E21 right in the eye and then aim at him/her with its beak and then E21 shows 22 who is boss.

Look carefully. You are going to see black dots. Those are not bugs. The plumage is beginning to change. Yes, already. You will see the thermal down but you will also begin to see tiny black dots where the shafts of the feathers are emerging. You will also notice that the egg tooth is disappearing.

E22 you should never look 21 in the eye. Never!

For now, 21 is the oldest and is the boss. Just leave things alone.

A short clip from SK Hideaways showing E21 and 22 eating a meal and rather behaving. They do not always. E22 can still get rough.

It is raining in Fort Myers and Harriet is keeping the two wiggle worms underneath her!!!!!! M15 has a big rabbit on deck for dinner when it stops.

Indigo the beetle-slayer! and Diamond chaser. Indigo is so proud of his beetles. Just imagine what it will be like when he gets his first ‘real’ prey!!!!!!!!!!!!

There is lots of news and things happening in the world. It is hard to keep track of everything and report on all the birds. All of the hatched eagles at every nest appear to be doing just fine. That is wonderful news. Diane at the Achieva Osprey nest appears to be so much better on her her injured leg. She even flew off with a fish in that leg’s talon today. I do not think we will see any more chicks at Captiva or KNF-01. Keep watching as we have Berry College Eagles coming up and for all of the Royal Albatross fans, the pip on the Royal cam chick is about a fortnight away?

Thank you so very much for being with me. Please take care of yourselves. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their questions, their tweets, their posts, videos, and streaming cams that make up my screen captures: ‘A’, ‘L’, Cal Falcons, SKHideaways and Cal Falcons, Project Tougoupeu FB, BBC Dorset, Geemeff, Bay Nature, L Doyle and Bald Eagles Live Nests and Cams, Audubon News, Superbeaks, KNF E3, KNF E1, Tonya Irwin and KNF-E1, FOBBV, NEFL-AEF, HeidiMc and SWFlorida Bald Eagles and D Pritchett, SWFlorida Bald Eagles and D Pritchett, SK Hideaway and SWFL Eagles and D Pritchett, and Elain and Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross.

Egg stealing, eaglets and more…Bird World for Wednesday

11 January 2022

Good Morning Everyone,

The month of January is flying by. My children are back in their classrooms teaching and I am enjoying the benefits of retirement – being here with you and the birds. I must begin with a request. If you have been writing to me at my outlook address (check your e-mail) and I have not responded, my apologies. Lewis finally chewed through the entire cord despite my putting electric tape all over it. He does not like the cord to the Mac Air – thank goodness. I will get a replacement but, I think moving forward please send letters to me at this address now that I have this other machine: maryannsteggles@icloud.com

Doesn’t he just look innocent? I blamed it on teething but I think Lewis is just ‘nuts’ about dangly things. In the image below, he has uncovered a window that was ‘wrapped’ so that he could not get to it. Surprise! The foamy stuff that has dried over the years caused me great anxiety. Of course – he found it! Terrible Mum put him in ‘time out’ until I could remove the window to the basement! You would have thought I was pulling his toe nails out. Poor thing. I wonder what he will think when I do trim those nails this evening?

Missy is a very big girl and she is not even six months old. That is the beautiful blanket that was given to her when she was adopted – I love the pastel granny squares. Perfect for such a sweet girl. The issue is her size! This is my grandmother’s old quarter-cut oak dining table. It is 50 inches in circumference (without the leaves) or 127 cm. Stretched out Missy is 38 inches or 96.52. How do you say Maine Coon? BTW. Yes, they have taken over the dining room table. They like the light on – like a heat lamp!!!!!!!

They are not fighting. Missy sleeps with her head on Lewis’s leg. Seriously. They are almost always inseparable. Never seen anything like it.

In the Mailbox:

Question: ‘A’ wonders if Indigo is capable of catching his own prey.

Answer: The majority of the resources that I read and have checked state that Peregrine Falcon Fledglings in North America can and do catch their own prey after about 4 weeks from leaving the scrape. So Indigo is certainly capable. He has been bringing in beetles which we all presume that he has caught. It reminds me of Izzi with his cicadas and then eating them like popsicles on the ledge of the scrape. If Indigo has not caught a bird yet, he is able to and should be doing so soon. I asked how much an adult peregrine needs to eat in a day and from several centres that do peregrine falcon recovery, the answer is approximately 70 grams of food a day is good for an adult – that is apparently equivalent to two Starlings or Blackbirds.

This video is actually from the 30th of December so it is now 12 days ago. Indigo arrives at the scrape with a large bug. He is so pleased with himself over these bug catches that it leads one to believe that they are his first successful hunting forays. Good protein in those bugs, too, for our young lad.

In the News:

Gemeff sent me this news item the other morning and it was too late to include in my blog for that day. You might think that egg collecting and putting feathers in ladies hats died out in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Turns out Scotland Yard has been working on Operation Easter Egg for 25 years. This is very sad, indeed. I am reminded of the four eggs stolen from Taiaroa Head where the Royal Albatross nest late in 2022. Despicable. You can find the entire story at Raptor Persecution UK.

‘A’ has written to me about the torrential rains and flooding that Melbourne has experienced. Have you ‘A’ or any of our other readers in Melbourne seen these floating platforms? and if so, are they working to help wildlife? I would love to have a personal account. They look brilliant and I am reminded of the floating loon nests that I just wrote about in my blog posted on 10 January.

Most of the people who read my blog know that helping wildlife makes you feel good. Many of us recognise the animals that come regularly to our gardens. An article appearing today in The Guardian carries the following message from the author:

Getting to know animals as individuals with varying personalities and behaviour grants them elevated importance. But be aware that it is likely to push you closer to vegetarianism and inspire you towards conservation. Because once you have a relationship and an attachment to another living creature, they become part of your sphere of compassion. And then there is no choice but to protect both the animal and its environment.
Kate Ahmad, The Guardian, Befriending a wild animal will make you a better human – here’s why

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jan/06/befriending-a-wild-animal-will-make-you-a-better-human-heres-why?CMP=share_btn_link

Ever wondered what it would be like to go to a Red Kite feeding station? I have and I would love to see these magnificent raptors. The Bellymack Hill Feeding Station is near Castle Douglas and the Galloway Red Kite Trail. This is a great little 10:04 minute video created by visitors to see the kites being fed. They also got to see other farm animals. At 1400 every day, food is put out for the raptors. They have hides where you can watch. Your admission helps buy the food. So, if you travel to anywhere in the UK, check and see if there is a Red Kite feeding station! Watch them for me! And if I get there first, I will publish lots of photos.

We all have dreams and like seeing Red Kites in the Wild come to feed, I really would like to see Ospreys migrating to their winter homes and then go on a trek to photograph and count them in those winter regions. Jean-Marie duPart goes up and down the Senegalese coast and into the parks and rivers in search of ospreys and he reports back. There seems to be more good news this year for various nests. You can catch his reports on FB by searching for his name: Jean-Marie Depart. He works for Nature et Oiseaux Sénégal .

The Nests We are Watching (some of them):

Connie and Clive’s first eaglet together is a cutie – CE9. So happy for this eagle couple after all they have been through.

Little eaglet is tuckered out. Hatching is hard work!

Some fish for the wee one? That first feeding will just be little bits and bobs and some fish juice and saliva. It is actually unclear whether the eaglet has been fed. Certainly Connie has eaten!!!!! Little one will be strong and hungry tomorrow morning screaming for fish.

Lady Hawk caught the hatch in a video. Dad Clive was on the nest when it hatched. The chick hatched at 11:22 on Tuesday. For whatever reason, Connie has yet to feed it despite fish on the nest.

Louis and Anna’s little eaglet is a chubby little one…so sweet. Anna is already covering up Louis’s fish – hoping that those nasty flies and mosquitoes will stay away. Maybe these nests need Zappers! I think the fact that the beautiful Spirit Bluff peregrine falcon chicks jumped to their death because of black flies has me on edge now when I see lots of insects. And, yes…we need insects. I am not proposing that we don’t have them. We need more actually but, maybe just not on smelly eagle nests when there are babies.

KNF E#-01 and 02 are doing well. Both have had big crops and there is no issue about an eaglet not being fed. Everything is going along fine.

It continues to look like Pearl is self feeding at the Superbeaks nest while Tico is being fed …that said, Muhlady also feeds Pearl but the oldest eaglet is trying. She is just over a month old.

At the Southwest Florida Bald Eagle nest, Harriet got a break around 0742 Tuesday morning. M15 took over the feeding and let Mum hang out having a break. M15 is fantastic. I love it when he feeds the eaglets because each gets to eat. He will also step in and feed the little one, this year little E22, if 21 is getting the majority. I often wonder if he came from a nest where he was the last hatch with a big sister? Things are fine at this nest!

These kids had a bunny breakfast. While eagles bring many things to their nests, some of the prey M15 delivers is road kill – bunnies, cats, etc. Bald Eagles eat almost anything – fish, ducks, Coots that they have caught, other mammals they have hunted, and carrion.

M15 and Harriet have given E22 several little private feedings. Fantastic.

The weather is nasty at the nest of Shadow and Jackie in Big Bear Valley today. Strong howling winds, blowing snow/ice. I really hope our gal doesn’t decide to lay her eggs during this period of bad weather. This storm caused power outages, etc even in San Jose where Sequoia has her scrape (an hour south approximately).

The winds have calmed down slightly.

They have calmed down for Sequoia, also.

It poured on the University of California-Berkeley campus. I hope that Annie is safe. So glad no chicks in the nest for Annie. Weather, wet weather, is difficult when there are new chicks. Many studies show that the decline in Peregrine Falcons in the far northern region is often due to rain – the damp cold and hunting for prey become issues for the adults.

The weather looks pretty good in Iowa. Both eagles were at the nest at Decorah, near the trout hatchery, at dawn. They later worked on the nest.

In Australia, Zoe was at the nest early hoping for a fish on the 11th. Before Dad arrived she turned and I would almost guess she had already had something to eat. Look at her profile. This is at 07:11. I think our girl is catching fish although it is a bit of a mystery. She did leave the nest between dawn and the time the fish was delivered. Was it enough? or did she get a fish drop off camera? I am so curious about this huge crop.

Dad obliged at 0714. Zoe is 116 days old today (115 when this fish was delivered in Australia).

For Achieva Osprey fans, Diane and Jack have both been at the nest today in St Petersburg, Florida. Jack brought Diane a fish and Diane was seen defending the nest. Her leg must be getting better. Such good news! Now if a fairy would repair the hole in the centre of that nest.

Thank you so much for being with me today. It is so exciting having a few more little eaglets to enjoy – and also to have a few nests with eaglets developing at different stages. It is a real way to visually see the changes from week to week at different nests. Somehow I always find I remember these developments easier if I can ‘see’ them rather than read about them. We should be watching for pips at both Captiva and KNF-E1. Pips will be coming up at Barry College in a week or so. Take care all. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their letters, tweets, announcements, blogs, and streaming cams that make up my screen captures today: ‘A’, Geemeff, Orange CSU Peregrine Falcons, Raptor Persecution UK, #BirdTheFeckAtHome, The Guardian, Red Kite Feeding YouTube Video, Window to Wildlife, Lady Hawk, KNF E1 and KNF E3, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Achieva Credit Union, Superbeaks, SWFL Eagles and D Pritchett, FOBBV, San Jose City Hall Falcons, Cal Falcons, Raptor Resource Project and Explore.org.

Category Archives: climate change and birds

Blue KW0, 3 eaglets for Martin and Rosa…Tuesday in Bird World

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1 owlet for Bonnie and Clyde, Intruder at SW Florida, Beaking at Duke Farms…Tuesday in Bird World

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Tico returns to Superbeaks nest! Annie and Lou have the 2nd egg…Monday in Bird World

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Laysan Albatross, Eaglets Growing…Thursday in Bird World

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News of SE30, Zoe is on the West Coast…Monday Morning in Bird World

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Remembering Sue and Otto intruders everywhere…Thursday in Bird World

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CE9 at Captiva eating well, dual feeding at KNF-E3…Friday in Bird World

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Rose and Ron bonding…Friday in Bird World

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Egg stealing, eaglets and more…Bird World for Wednesday

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A hatch for Connie and Clive…Tuesday in Bird World

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