If you see a banded bird, most people want to be able to find out where did this bird come from? When did it hatch? Who banded it? How old is it? Is it a male or a female?
Currently there is no public list of all the band colours and band numbers for Ospreys. You can write to Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation if you see a banded bird and Tim Mackrill will get back to you. In the US, you can submit a sighting to the ‘Report Bird Band’ of the USGS. How long it takes to get a response from the latter is unknown. Tim was fantastic in getting back to Michael St John when we were trying to confirm that Blue KWO was, indeed, a Scottish bird in Barbados.
This past weekend, Francisco Borja got in touch with me about an Osprey he had photographed eating a fish near the La Jolla High School in San Diego, California. Could I help him find out any information about ‘his’ bird.
I got busy. These are Miss Marple puzzles.
Many bands are blue. However, this band is interesting. It is a Black band on the left leg of the Osprey. It has a distinctive white line around the band on the left.
I wrote to individuals that might have information and the general consensus was to turn the information into Report a Banded Bird and wait. Well, I am not very good at waiting. Anyone that knows me would tell you that waiting weeks or a month to find out information about this bird would drive me nuts. I personally believe there should be a public directory. Many have told me that there are too many banded birds to create such a listing. Well, that just seems silly to me. So what do you? Well, if you see a banded bird, do report it. Then get yourself on the Internet.
This bird was seen in Southern California. Unless something happened, like that with Blue KWO, it is highly unlikely that the bird was an East Coast or Atlantic Coast osprey that hatched and got ringed. Might have been Montana. I wrote them. Nope. Not theirs. They use blue bands. Then I found a tribe in Colorado, the Southern Ute, with black bands but they have a ‘C’ with the numeric. Well…I am a little like Jackie and Shadow and I don’t wish to give up. So I kept punching all manner of questions into Google – all focused on ospreys being banded in Southern California. Then I found an article about Black 62 and 63 and the Morrocoast Audubon. Logically, we might wish to assume that Black 61 could have been a sibling of 62 and/or 63 OR the banded might have had consecutive numbered bands. That was my hope.
The hunch was right!
Black 61 is an Osprey banded by Pete Bloom by Bloom Biometrics, Inc. This is the information provided: “Black 61 was banded as a nestling at a Newport Beach nest (southern California) in 2018. There have been at least 36 additional resights of Black 61, which is one of the most frequently sighted and well-traveled OSPR banded in Pete’s southern CA research area. They showed up in San Luis Obispo County (CA) in September of 2018, and appeared to remain in the vicinity of Avila Beach through at least December of 2019. Then they reappeared in San Diego County in May of 2020, apparently staying in the La Jolla/Torrey Pines vicinity year round. The most recent sighting prior to the one reported by Mary was in July 2023, also in La Jolla. It’s good to hear Black 61 is still alive and well.”
The point of all of this is that you can find this information. You need to be tenacious and hopeful.
Thank you to Frank for seeking me out with this mystery to solve!
I am very grateful to everyone that answered my queries including Dr Peter Bloom, Nicollette Overby, Matthew Rogosky of Bloom Biometrics. Also to be thanked are Robert Domenech, Rob Bierregaard, and Steve Shubert from Morrocoast Audubon.
I did not go anywhere exotic. I rarely left my home and garden, and it was a joyful week – full of time with Hope trying to socialise this bundle of joy, calming and reassuring Lewis, petting and reading to Calico and Missey, and writing two articles. There was also time to do what was intended – begin writing up the report on the 2023 Osprey breeding season data forms, focusing on the deaths and why they occurred. I needed the cats to balance off the sadness. Sometimes, you can see the birds waiting for their mate to return, and they don’t. Or the babies starving on the nests because society has yet to understand our need to care for them. If we are to survive, the birds, the animals, and the insects need to as well. As I mentioned before the break, the cats have taught me to live in the moment, enjoy, be thankful, and not dwell on the past or the future so that it wrecks ‘the now’. Still, there is an obligation to do what can be done to make the lives of those around me – the neighbourhood community cats, the garden animals, or the birds – as good as possible. Having travelled the world many times, missing what is right at one’s doorstep is easy. For me – now – ‘there is no place like Home’. I am as joyful watching the Blue Jays flit into the little covered feeder for peanuts as I would be walking along the waterfront in Kuching or Penang.
There was also another cat tree to put together. Poor Missey has been looking out a small window with bins full of birdseed stacked one on the other and a wicker basket with a blanket at the top. But this cat tree is nothing like the solid one I have had for two decades. It was obnoxious to assemble with the holes and screws not always lining up easily. Tip: If you have the funds and know someone handy with wood, get them to build you a solid one out of good plywood. You can take it to a local upholster to get it covered. At the end of the day, Missey prefers the wicker basket on the bins. Of course. My house looks like I have opened a cat daycare centre at times. Too funny, but it is driving me a little nuts, so there will be some consolidation this week!
Before checking what happened while I was away, Geemeff sent me a link to the BBC1 programme on Birds of Prey. Ospreys are about halfway through the 57 minutes, and the couple is Brodie and Asha from Loch Garten. But don’t just skip ahead because you will miss the most beautiful landscapes, and the images of the raptors are extraordinary. Enjoy.
Saturday: Mini shows up at the nest and spends about an hour. She looks good. She is putting more weight on that leg. It was windy due to Hurricane Lee’s outer bands. She hung onto the nest tight. This image of Mini is going on a mug. I want to see this magnificent bird every morning and wish her well. Thanks, ‘H’ for the alert.
Mum L came to feed Manaaki. She looked for him twice. Bittersweet moments for these dear parents.
Upcoming announcement:
Sunday: It seems that a nest of Ospreys is causing trouble for some organisers of a Green Man Festival in Wales. Let us hope that this does not result in any harm to the platform or any birds.
Ervie travelled and might have met his sister, Calypso.
Ron and Rose began making changes to their refurbished and refortified nest in Miami-Dade County.
PG&E put up a new pole and nest for ospreys in the SF Bay Area. We need more of this!
Many Ospreys are still in Canada and have not started their migration. Lucky is well known in the Newfoundland Virginia Lake area.
Sea Eaglets enjoyed another ‘eel meal’.
Monday:
Mini visited the nest again Sunday evening at 2018 (17 September). It was already dark. Her leg looked to be bothering her. I wonder if the water has been rough and fishing hard? Mini will be 4 months old, 123 days.
My Mini mug arrived. She and I will have morning coffee together. The screen capture images work well for digital printing on items. The company I used said it was not a high enough resolution, but I told them to print it anyway. The image turned out lovely.
This will be the last sighting of our dear girl. She has come to the nest to say goodbye. Soar high for decades, dear one. May your crop always be full, may your leg heal, and may you thrive. You gave us such joy and showed us what determination can do.
Thunder and Akecheta were together at the West End.
Gabby arrived at the NE-Florida Nest early. She looks out on her territory and its uncertain future. V3 was last seen on the 16th of September. He has been missing for two days now.
Tuesday: Black Storks flying over the Straits of Gibraltar.
Hope is growing and changing. She is no longer ’round’.
Calico loves her cuddles and still wants a story whenever I am with them. It is such a great way to get them used to your voice.
Cuddle time with Mamma and Baby Hope.
How did Avian Flu or HPAI impact the breeding season? News from the BTO gives us insight.
Has HPAI impacted breeding raptors?
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been in the news because of its all too obvious impacts on our breeding seabird colonies and wintering goose populations. However, the disease has affected a wide range of bird species, including birds of prey. Because raptors tend to be more dispersed and often inhabit remote locations, there has been concern that the impact of HPAI on these species could have been underestimated.
BTO Scotland staff Mark Wilson, Anthony Wetherhill and Chris Wernham were commissioned by NatureScot to examine Scottish Raptor Monitoring Scheme (SRMS) data for any evidence of an impact. The team compared SRMS data from the 2022 breeding season with equivalent data from previous years, assessing whether there had been significant changes in reported numbers or breeding success of raptor pairs, and whether any of the changes detected were likely to be caused by the HPAI outbreak.
The analyses provided strong evidence for declines in breeding success consistent with impacts of HPAI on the productivity of Golden Eagle and White-tailed Eagle in 2022. These impacts were evident in most of the Scottish regions where these eagles breed but, for both species, they appear to have been greater in areas where pairs had access to coastal and marine habitats, indicating a possible link to predation and scavenging of infected seabirds and waterfowl.
Other factors that could explain the differences observed between 2022 and other years, particularly in breeding success, include variation in weather, prey availability and survey effort. Of these, the weather recorded in 2022 may have contributed to the observed differences but seems unlikely to entirely account for all of them.
The work, which has been published as a NatureScot report, highlights the valuable role played by coordinated monitoring of our raptor populations.
BTO, e-mail of 19 September 2023
And in Melbourne…
At Patchogue, a local enthusiast and lover of Mini, Isac, said on Tuesday when he went checking, “just saw an osprey crossing from the creek to the lake and have a fish in her talons. I think this our lil 4”.
Do you live in Alabama?
M15 and F1 are getting serious. Androcat brings us the action.
It is a beautiful poem to the Welsh Ospreys…completely written by AI.
Black Storks on the move. No data from Bonus and no new data from Karl II.
One of Atlantic Canada’s favourite male Ospreys, Lucky, is still providing fish to his chicks.
The fledgling from the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum nest was still home.
CORRECTION TO INFORMATION I WAS GIVEN: The male at the Arboretum nest is not 21 years old. Here is the correct information: “This male is G/B MS….a five year old that was hatched in 2018 on a nest in Carver Park.”
RUTLAND WATER, home to many ospreys but my fav male Blue 33 and Maya fledged their 250th Osprey chick in 2023. Congratulations. The event is being celebrated widely and there is even a BBC Radio Programme on the 22nd of September.
Mini has not returned to the nest since Sunday the 17th. That was three days ago. A local believes they saw Mini fishing.
SE 31 and 32 are getting more steady on their feet.
It’s scandalously hot on F22 at the 367 Collins Street nest. Question: Last year, we witnessed the effects of the hot sun and heat on the eyases. So why was the scrape not taken down in that area or, instead, why wasn’t a shade put on it like at the other end?
Thursday: Mark Avery gives us a brief update on Bird Flu in the UK.
“In 2023, up until 17 September, 46 species have tested positive. The last month has seen just one addition – 4 Pheasants in Moray. Here’s the list: Gannet, Cormorant, Shag, Fulmar, Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Greylag Goose, Barnacle Goose, Canada Goose,Mallard, Teal, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Kittiwake, Roseate Tern, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Sandwich Tern, Little Tern, Razorbill, Guillemot, Puffin, Curlew, Ringed Plover, unspecified heron (!), Grey Heron, dove/pigeon, Wood Pigeon, Pheasant, Red Grouse, Sparrowhawk, Goshawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Peregrine, Tawny Owl, Barn Owl, Reed Warbler and Carrion Crow.”
What is happening at the NEFlorida Bald Eagle nest of Gabby? V3 has not been seen in some days and I fear that the tragedy of Samson has beset a potential mate for Gabby. Will there be a clear partner before breeding season in 2023? or will all be lost due to territorial disputes?
Friday: New studies on migration with relation to Black-tailed Godwits and Red Knots reveals much about how young birds travel to their winter homes.
There has been chaos at the scrape of Diamond and Xavier due to the persistent presence of a young female falcon. Diamond has engaged with the female, and as of today, Friday, the nest is calm and back to normal. We need Diamond safe. She is not a youngster and she is incubating eggs.
Here is the video of that moment! This must be very unsettling for Diamond and Xavier.
Lotus and Mr President have been photographed together at the Washington Arboretum Bald Eagle nest.
Ervie is exploring more territory.
The Pritchetts are getting ready for a new season with M15 and his young and beautiful new mate. I hope that they have many successful years – even a decade – together raising little eaglets that spend time at the pond.
Saturday: Ervie is flying inland.
Gabby has been working on the nest with the new visitor. There has been no sightings of V3 and the AEF says they have not seen any fights on camera. There now could be two suitors. ‘As the Nest Turns’ has begun. Poor Gabby. The AEF is labelling them A1, A2, etc. Gabby prefers the smaller A1 and not A2. Hoping that V3 was just run out of the territory but, what a way to start the year.
Now Anna has been injured. She returned to the KNF E-1 nest – limping with a head injury. None of this is good…. but let us hope it is all minor with Anna.
Jackie and Shadow have been seen together in the tree on cam 2. I still love the diamonds that appear on the nest when the sun is just rising at Big Bear.
SE31 and 32 have changed significantly over the past week. Just look at that plumage. My friend, the late Toni Castelli-Rosen, loved the plumage of the White-Bellied Sea Eaglets. The two are much more steady on their feet and they are flapping their wings. Beautiful eaglets.
Dad has been working on the ND-LEEF nest. The new female has also been present. (Home of ND17, that wonderful third hatch survivor that went into care at Humane Wildlife Indiana – finally!).
Eagles at Duke Farms.
Calico has come out of her operation in fine form. She has been playing like a kitten for the past 3 days, and Hope loves it. They both seem to have springs on the pads of their feet. What joy it is to see Mamma and Hope play together. After, they can often be found sleeping side by side on the top of their makeshift tent where they can look out at the garden animals.
The bells will be ringing in New Zealand as the first two Royal Albatross have returned for the 2023-24 breeding season!
This short article explains this much-anticipated event.
‘A’ is very excited and provides more details and a video explanation of the ringing. ” Meanwhile, the official ringing of the bells in nearby Dunedin to welcome the returning toroa will occur this Monday, 25 September, at 13:00 local time (in the US on Sunday 24 September at 3pm Hawaii time/6pm PST/9pm EST). Here is a brief explanation of this beautiful tradition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uanfnBN6OPI&t=36s. How adorable is the little girl?”
Sunday: Lady and Dad reinforce the side rails as SE31 and 32 become more active in the nest!
Ervie got home safely!
Speaking of getting home safely, V3 has returned to the NEFlorida Bald Eagle nest of Gabby. He is a little worse for wear in places. Will Gabby show up? Will V3 take the prize? We wait.
Pepe and Muhlady are working on their nest in Central Florida as are many other eagle couples throughout North America.
Akecheta was visiting the West End nest.
This is disgraceful! You can look no further than the driven grouse estates. This is precisely what Hamza was referring to when discussing the persecution of the Hen Harriers in Scotland!
Thank you so much for being with me this morning as I ate back into Bird World. I hope each of you had a good week and are enjoying the crisp autumn air. Take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my newsletter over the past week: ‘A, H, Geemeff, L’, Geemeff and BBC1, PSEG, Sharyn Broni, Conservation Without Borders, The Sunday Times, PLO, WRDC Pam Kruse and SF Osprey Cam with Rosie and Richmond, Ian Winter and Ospreys of Newfoundland and Labrado, Sydney Sea Eagles, IWS/Explore.com, NEFL-AEF, Birdlife, BTO, Karen Lang and Orange, Australia Peregrine Falcon, 367 Collins Street by Mirvac Alabama Coastal Briefest. Androcat and SW Florida Eagle Cam, Dyfi Osprey Project, SK Hideaways, Looduskalendar, Twin Cities Metro Osprey Watch, Mark Avery, Inatra Veidemane and Bald Eagles in the USA, Hakai Magazine, MI McGreer, Karen Long, Gracie Shepherd and Raptors of the World, Katie Phillips Conners, Tonya Irwin and KNF-E1, FOBBV, ND-LEEF, Duke Farms, The Royal Albatross Centre, Superbeaks, Sharon Dunne and Royal Cam Albatross Group NZ, and Raptor Persecution UK.
First up. My e-mail and FB Messenger ‘lit up’. The messages were mostly ‘Mini is Alive’…’We knew Mini was a survivor’..’Mini wanted to show us that she is alive and doing well’. Gosh, she is a survivor and it is fitting that our dear fourth hatch came to the nest to show everyone who loves her that she is well and living her life and eating fish!
After being MIA for two days, Mini flew to the nest in Patchogue and spent a couple of hours showing us how good she had done since we last saw her. She stood well on her left leg, she played with her cardboard, and before she flew off, she did what all raptors do – a ‘ps’. This was a grand one – at 1929. She has been eating well. Mini is living the life of an osprey off the nest. Is this our last sighting? or will she come again? Whichever it is, treasure those images. She is well! She is beautiful! And she is eating.
Saying goodbye to ‘cardboard’?
That is a great ‘ps’ – one of the best I have seen. This girl has eaten fish!
Mini went from perch to perch but, at the time I am writing, has not settled on the nest to rest her leg.
Thank you for all your good wishes for Calico. We so appreciate them! She is, indeed, a very special presence and I am so happy she is part of my life.
Calico has her surgery today. She will be home around 1830 or 1900. Everyone is hoping that the lump that appeared on her side, which turned out to be mastitis, is gone (seems like it) and if that is the case, the surgery will be simpler with a much smaller incision. Tattooed, microchipped – hopefully never to be lost outside again – ever. While Calico is away having her luxury spa day (the vet gives them heated blankets), Hope will go through an intensive get-to-know-me routine that will ‘hopefully’ include more petting. She is soooooo fast and alert. The slightest movement in the wrong direction, and she bolts. A good nickname might be ‘Usain’ after Usain Bolt, the Jamaican 8-time Olympic Gold Medalist! She might challenge him for some of those 100 m times!!!!!!!!!! Hope has no idea how determined I am that she will not be ‘wild’. In fact, ‘wild’ is not an option. Do you hear that Hope?
Hope and Calico are so much alike. The tiny little black tears on their left eye, the liners of dark fur on their left sides, kohl-like eyeliner around their eyes. Hope does have a couple of differences. She is white in the front, her legs, chest, and throat. She has a tiny, white, almost graph-like line right between her eyes. She has a single white dot of fur on her back, and her head is a slightly different shape. Calico is ‘fine boned’ as my grandmother would say. Hope isn’t.
Hope often waits for Mamma to finish eating before she begins even though there are always two dishes.
The laundry has been going over time and the conservatory is going to have to be ‘aired’. It smells like sardines. Did I ever tell you that I dislike fish so much? Hope loves sardines. T hey got her into the little kitten trap and they are good for her. (There is little chance that she is a he – from all appearances – but when I get close enough to fully confirm will let you know).
Lewis continues to be slightly insecure and in his own Lewis way gets himself in trouble. Calico protects the space that Hope is in and she is not going to let anyone harm her kitten. While Calico is away, Lewis and Missey will get time in Hope’s company to ease the transition. They are all lovely kittens and each has their own story of being found under a deck with 5 siblings and a feral mother (Lewis) or Missey being found alone under a truck. They have much in common!
But look at Missey. Missey decided that she was going to try and open the door to the Conservatory! She seriously almost made it. I am going to have to lock that door. Cats are super intelligent.
Hope and Calico will be glad when the integration process is complete. Calico looks sad to me – wanting out but not wanting anyone to harm her baby she chooses to stay in the conservatory with Hope – their ‘safe’ place together.
Two days ago Hope was afraid to look through the glass of the Conservatory into the kitchen. Now she copies her Mamma only she gets closer! Soon, little sweetie. Not sure what it is about her but Hope just melts my heart like the first time I got to stroke her Mamma.
Photographs of our favourite Port Lincoln fledgling, Ervie, fishing. Remember when he lost a talon? When we thought he would have to survive on Puffers? Just look – great technique. Ervie, we adore you! This is why I support banding and satellite trackers. It is the joy when they survive. Like Mini, Ervie was a survivor.
It is bachelor days for Richmond – of Richmond and Rosie – at the Richmond Shipping Yards in California. Rosie appears to have departed for warmer climates on the 4th of September. Richmond prefers to spend the winters in the Bay Area.
‘H’ brings us up to date on Kent Island and Barnegat Light:
Kent Island – “Audrey had spent the night at the nest on 9/11 and she flew off the nest at 0625. It was thought to be Audrey preening on a pole at a nearby dock at 0905. There were no more sightings of ospreys until 1820, when an osprey landed in a tree. Some thought it was an adult osprey, but others thought they saw juvenile plumage. It was difficult to say. Unlike the previous four nights, Audrey did not spend the night at the nest on 9/12. Molly was last seen on 9/5, and Tom last seen on 9/9.”
Barnegat Light – “As with the previous couple of days, the camera feed omitted several hours of time throughout the day due to buffering issues. The technical issues are making it very difficult to chronicle Dorsett’s last few days before she leaves her natal area to begin her first long journey. Dorsett was seen on the 24th Street pole with a fish tail at 0614. At 0750 it was thought to be Dorsett on a boat mast. That was the last time we were able to observe her on 9/11. Dorsett is 104 days old, and she fledged six weeks ago.”
Pa Berry is home and starting to work on that nest at Berry College in Georgia.
KNF-E3: Alex and Andria working away.
Superbeaks: Pepe and Muhlady remind me so much of Jackie and Shadow. Big sticks come to the nest and the two have a lovely disagreement over placement!
Someone is supposed to be on holidays! It is incredible how these peregrine falcon families can draw you in…and don’t you love those Dads that try to feed their eggies?!
It looks like there are three eggs at Port Lincoln. Hiding in the midst of some moss, Mum laid another egg. The last. Hard incubation will begin now in earnest. Oh, please pinch me and tell me that this really is Dad2. No offence Dad1 but we worried about your health and we only want the chicks to thrive!
The Sea Eaglets are particularly beautiful…notice the ‘in style’ brick brown-rust colour and peach that is beginning to colour their plumage. Lady slept on the nest and at 0524 she found a piece of leftover fish (?). After the two got up for their morning stretch – hopefully more prey will arrive shortly.
‘A’ brings us up to date: “The day began at WBSE with an early (pre-6am) breakfast from the leftovers of the eel brought in late yesterday afternoon. SE32 had the better of the first breakfast, so when the next food was brought in around lunchtime, SE31 claimed the small-medium headless fish and ate most of it by herself. SE32 watched those last few mouthfuls carefully, and made a grab for the last bit of flesh and the tail. He had to grab four times to pull it out from under SE31 and the eaglets then had a tug-of-fish. SE32 eventually won the battle and horked down that tail piece in short order, flesh attached. Brave and determined.
The next food item was another fish, and this one was fed to the eaglets and shared out fairly evenly between the two. It wasn’t long before another food item came in, this one feathered. SE32 got the majority of this rather large prey item and by the time he was finished, his crop was enormous. So when another chunk of prey (it looked like a part of the previous piece) arrived shortly afterwards, SE32 could not even be bothered getting out of the nest and allowed SE31 to sit and be fed
Both eaglets went to bed with full crops, and the parents both ate well too. It was a good day at WBSE. “
At the Royal Albatross colony, Manaaki gives us a beautiful skycall while a beautiful Albie comes to visit.
‘A’ adds: “In New Zealand, nine of the 33 chicks are confirmed to have fledged. More may have left this afternoon and are yet to be confirmed. Manaaki is still on his nest. He was weighed around 11:30 this morning and weighed 9.2 kgs. He is readying for departure and has probably cast his pre-fledge bolus. UQ is still there, as we think is Quarry.”
At the WRDC nest in Miami, recent fledgling R5 returned for a quick visit around 0659 Monday. Wonder what he thought of the reinforced nest and its paint?
Quess what? There are eagles back on Farmer Derek’s land in Kansas!!!!!!!! You might recall that there was a young Bald Eagle pair on Farmer Derek’s property. Their nest got taken over by a pair of GHOs who raised a couple of clothes of cute little owls. This might be interesting.
Migration makes me nervous especially when it involves crossing through countries or resting. We anxiously await news of Karl II, the Super Dad from the Karula National Forest Black Stork Nest in Estonia.
I feel sick. At the same time I am hoping that this is only the same issue with cell coverage in some areas of Ukraine where Karl II likes to rest. Last year we held our breath also. I forget how many days it was.
Kaia:
Kalvi:
Bonus:
Waba:
Another reason to get rid of leaf blowers (besides the noise and the pollution) and allow the leaves to stay overwinter (until after May):
I am so happy to receive my Friends of Loch Arkaig Ospreys 2024 calendar! Thank you to Mary Cheadle for all the fundraising she does for the Woodland Trust so the streaming cam continues to operate at Loch Arkaig!
If you live in Winnipeg or Southern Manitoba, why not take in Wildlife Haven’s Annual Open House? Tickets are $10 for adults. You get to tour the facilities and meet the ambassadors and learn why they would love to have you grow some vegetables in your garden for their patients or what else is needed in terms of care such as clean old towels, sheets, hand tools, bleach, pet food. — So many of you live elsewhere – we are an international family – but, please check out your local wildlife rehabilitation centre and find out when they have their open house. It is always a day for learning and admiring the work these dedicated individuals undertake.
I will being you highlights of the tour on Sunday!
Thank you so very much for being with me today. Take care. See you soon!
Thank you to everyone who sent good wishes to Calico and to all who wrote to tell me Mini was on the nest! Thanks also to the following for their comments, notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today” ‘A, H’, PSEG, Julie Lovegrove and Friends of Osprey Sth Aus, Bay Ospreys by Golden Gate Audubon, Wildlife Conservation F of NJ, Kent Island, Gracie Shepherd and Raptors of the World, Superbeaks, 367 Collins Street by Mirvac, PLO, Sea Eagles, Lady Hawk and NZ DOC, WRDC, Trudi Kron and KNF-E3, Trudi Kron and Farmer Derek, Looduskalender, and Wildlife Haven.
As I sit and write this, six Blue Jays are getting peanuts in the garden and drinking from the fountain. The sky is black and we have both air quality warnings and wind warnings of 80 kph. The birds are frantic. One even hid in a red plant when the gusts got high. (Fast speed so nothing looks like it is moving but it was!)
The cutest thing was when the ‘baby’ slept in the bird bath. Oh, this little one delights me many times a day. Such a cutie pie.
Bliss. Soaking your feet on a hot day in water with the sun pouring down warming your feathers.
A sibling decided they liked the cleaner water in the taller bird bath for his bath! These Blue Jays are the cutest things this year. They spend the entire day in the garden. So grateful that they do not like little grape tomatoes! They seem to eat everything else in sight.
Missey watched it all from her perch inside the sitting room.
The only nest that I checked on throughout the day was Patchogue. I knew others were watching Fortis closely and Mini is quite dear to my heart.
At 0951 Mini is on the nest screaming. She sees Dad!
I know that I call her Mini and at one time it was Little Mini. Some call her Tiny Dancer. But I want you to look at the span of the wings right now…not little anymore.
Her left leg is not straight. My friend ‘R’, who is qualified (I am not) to discuss physical issues more than anyone I know, believes the trouble is at the knee. The problem with getting Mini help is that she is flying, her parents are still feeding her, she is not grounded. There is just no way to do that at this point. She is wild.
Indeed, it is appropriate to bring in today’s experience with Calico -the stray that I hope to get vaccinated and fixed. She is in heat. The vet told me that she would not be around for two days, but, like clockwork, she arrived at 1901 (instead of 1900) for her dinner. I fed her a bit on the deck, picked her up, and took her into the conservatory. Well, now. She bolted and climbed the glass walls to the roof, sliding down. I felt horrible. The terror that she was experiencing sent me back to the drawing board on how best to care for her and any kittens. So the goal is still to find the kitten/s – to get them adopted or keep the only surviving one if possible and get Calico fixed and all vaccinated. If she chooses to live outside she will have a heated house if she wants to live in it. There will always be food. Tomorrow when she is not traumatised by being inside a house, I will fit the collar on if I can find one that closes with Velcro. There was no way I could hold her and buckle the collar I had prepared with the tracker. I must remember that she is a wild soul and be patient.
Mini is also wild and she will not fit into the story that I (or anyone else) has written for her – either.
The last fish was a rather large goldfish. She ate some on the nest and flew off with the rest in her beak. Everyone watching held their breath when she was feeding near the rim, fearful she would drop her dinner over the edge. Hopefully, Mini has found a flat room in her time of adaptation where she can eat in peace without the fear of losing the fish.
The best-case scenario for Mini is a miraculous healing. Second, she is grounded and rescued. We must realise that she would have to stay in care until spring when the ospreys return from migration. She could not be released before then (it would be winter). That is why the local publicity and her story are important and, perhaps, a GoFundMe to help with her expenses should she go into rehab. I have a feeling our gal would eat a lot of fish if she got the chance!
This afternoon Banff flew on to the nest at Fortis Exshaw and was once again repeatedly attacked and taken off the nest by another Osprey – an adult. I have asked ‘H’ for clarification because it looked like it might have been an adult this time. A local resident, Tina Moore, noted (on the chat) there was an aerial fight between four ospreys. It is a very unstable situation. Will Banff figure out to stay in the trees and hope she gets fish fed there? How many fish does Louise lose trying to feed herself and Banff? Where is Mr O? I presume he is also fighting intruders. Someone told me once that the raptors protect their territory first, themselves second, and the chicks third.
‘H’ gives us the most remarkable account of these events – with an ending that defies logic as we still see JJ’s body – a result of starvation.
“Fortis Exshaw – Ya’ just can’t make this stuff up. We don’t believe Banff had any food on 8/14 after she was dragged off the nest by an intruder, but we cannot rule out that she may have been fed while in hiding. Banff only had one fish to eat on 8/15 at 0639. 8/16 started out to be a peaceful day. Banff went on a few short flights, but starting at 0855 she was dive bombed 8 times while on the nest by an intruder. Banff eventually flew off the nest while being chased. At 1111, Banff flew to the nest perch and was buzzed by the intruder, so she took off. She was chased back to the nest and was dive bombed two more times, so Banff flew away. A local live stream viewer, TM, went to the nest and reported that she saw a couple of adult ospreys helping to chase the intruder away from Banff (she thought them to be Louise and O’Hara). We next saw Banff at 1304 when she landed on the nest, and she was dive bombed three more times. At 1305, the intruder approached from behind, grabbed Banff on her back with its talons and dragged her off the nest! Starting at 1545 Louise hovered over the nest dangling a fish and flew off. Then she came back and landed with the fish, but took off with the fish again after a minute. She came back with the fish and hovered and flew away. Then she landed with the fish and flew off. Louise was looking for Banff, and trying to attract Banff. At 1548 Louise again landed with the fish . .and we thought we heard Banff calling, and Louise heard the calls too . . Louise immediately looked north and seemed to be laser-focused on a specific spot, and she flew off with the fish. We think she may have taken the fish to Banff. If so, it would have been Banff’s first meal in 33 hours. Banff landed on the nest at 1922. She appeared to have a slight crop. Louise knew where her girl was, and she was on the case! Louise proceeded to deliver seven whole fish to Banff from 2020 to 2123! Now, that is the kind of fishing success Louise was having just a few weeks ago. The first fish was at 2020. Banff had not quite finished fish-1 when Louise arrived with fish-2 at 2035, and Banff started eating fish-2. At 2041 Banff dropped fish-2 and started eating fish-3. Banff finished fish-3 and resumed eating fish-2. At 2105 Louise brought live fish-4, Banff drops fish-2 and starts to eat fish-4. At 2110 Louise arrived with fish-5, an even larger live fish. Banff had not eaten much of fish-4 when she grabbed fish-5. By then, Banff had a huge crop, and she really wasn’t hungry. She stood holding fish-4 in her left talon, and a still flopping fish-5 in her right talon. Louise arrived with whole fish-6 at 2115. Banff let go of fish-4, and started eating fish-6 (fish-5 was still alive). Banff periodically took bites from fish-5. She soon switched her main focus to the frisky fish-5, and periodically took bites from fish-6. Finally . . at 2123 Louise delivered fish-7. Through all of this time Louise’s crop had been flat each time we saw her. Satisfied that she had provided enough fish for her kid, Louise picked up a nearly-whole fish-4 and ate it. You go girl! You deserve it, Louise. The entire time Louise was eating, Banff was simply standing there with a fish in each talon, but not eating. She was talking up a storm, telling Mom all about the terrible time she had been chased, dive bombed, and dragged off the nest by that awful mean bird. Only fish-1,3,and4 were eaten in their entirety. Pieces of fish-2,5,and 6 remain in the nest. Fish-7 remained a whole fish. Banff will have the strength to fight another day. Banff slept on the nest, and Mom spent the night on the T-perch. (It is such a shame that fishing became so difficult for several days, and JJ could not get enough to eat. Now JJ’s body is surrounded by fish)”
I want to thank the folks at Cowlitz because of their progressive thinking on stopping the predation of their osplets. Many nests could benefit from the grids that Cowlitz PUD put up to protect their ospreys. Maybe Fortis Exshaw should be first in line – along with Lake Murray -to get those plans.
At 2245, I got a note that Banff was on the nest and had a huge crop thanks to a fish Louise delivered. Thanks ‘PB’. One thing is certain: Louise appreciates what has happened to her daughter – and Banff is getting real-world experience that will give her an edge out in the world off the nest! She is one tough cookie.
Tears.
How many raptors were displaced because of the fires throughout Canada will never be known. You can see the fires still burning behind the nest in the mountains beyond. They would have lost some or all of their nests, mates, and chicks. A few nests, like one in Nova Scotia, made the news because two chicks were rescued from the wildfire, and a new nest was put up after they had been in rehab for a fortnight. The parents returned to care for them. Many, many more were not so fortunate.
Dyfi: A beautiful capture of Cennen.
Glaslyn: Aran’s fish dinner. Where is everyone?
Manton Bay: My favourite Osprey Dad in the World (sorry Louis). Blue 33 has made quite the nest and is doing repairs so that when him and Maya return in March it will be ready! What a wonderful provider!
Osprey season is over at Dahlgren and the cam will be shut off until next spring. Good luck. Safe travels everyone!
‘H’ reports on Osoyoos: “Osoyoos – The heat wave continues in the region, and the air remains smoky. But despite the heat and smoke, Olsen delivered a large headless, and Soo brought two nice-sized fish to the nest. There was a long tug-o-fish between Soo and Junior for the second fish, but Soo kept the fish and fed Junior. At 1941 ‘Junior’ grabbed fish #3 from Soo and ate the whole thing! “
Alyth: The camera has been down for several days. Last time we saw the youngsters there were fish squabbles but all were well.
Ever wonder why ospreys might benefit from being banded? Here is the latest report From Diane Bennett at Tweed Valley about an osprey caught in netting. Have a read – it is very informative.
Jeff Kear gives us the round-up of who is where in UK Osprey Land.
Darling Xavier. Sometimes Diamond is so picky. I hope he had a nice breakfast. How dould you not love this tiny male…oh, Xavier, you are a doll.
Port Lincoln: Dad dutifully takes a fish to Mum, which she flies over to the ropes to eat. Mum is still spending time on the nest, and the couple are still mating. We wait for eggs.
Sydney Sea Eagles: Little 32 is shy even when 31 is not doing anything and often goes into a submissive mode. Some worry about why this little one is not more spunky. ‘A’ writes, “Around 10.22 dad brought in what looks like an eel. Little SE32 has a nice crop from his breakfast and is looking perky. He has front position for this feeding, at least as mum takes control of the food, but we will see what happens once the eating begins. There should be plenty of meat on this eel to feed both eaglets, so all SE32 has to do is wait until SE31 is full and all should be well. Fingers crossed.”
And that is precisely what happened!
Just a correction. KL5 has been at the Loch Garten nest causing havoc. All of the information that I saw posted on FB stated that he fledged from the Loch Garten Nest in 2020. ‘D’ says that it was actually at Loch Ness. Thanks, ‘D’.
Thank you so very much for being with me today. Please take care. I look forward to seeing you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, videos, posts, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘A, D, H, PB, R’, PSEG, Fortis Exshaw, Dyfi Osprey Project, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Jane Dell and LRWT, Bridgette Schwurack and Dahlgren Osprey Cam, Osoyoos, Alyth, Diane Bennett, Border Ospreys, Jeff Kear and Friends of Loch Arkaig Ospreys, Cilia Kinross and Orange Australia Peregrine Falcons, PLO, and Sydney Sea Eagles.
We are supposed to have rain over the next week. Everyone knows this and was in a bit of a panic to get outside and be in the nature centre today before it rains for 6 or 7 days. Of course, it never rains all day long. It is like Asia when it looks like the forecast is 100% for all day, but the rains begin, on time, at 1600 and are downpours and then stop. That said, it has been raining for the past four hours…Little Red, the Blue Jays, and all the sparrows continue to eat regardless. I am putting a bit of food out every hour so that it does not get wet for them. They also have seed cylinders, the solid ones inside the lilac bushes.
Calico has a covered area where she can eat (along with a few of her friends if they stop by). She comes on the dot just about every 3 hours. Her fur looks better since the worm and flea/tick treatment. I was reminded by ‘RP’ today that often kittens will follow their mother to find food. Maybe a kitten or two or three will show up! I live in hope because Calico surely has them hidden well.
The new wetlands area begins at the lake. The water is pumped to another pond where it flows downwards, filling all of the pool areas in the park. (All photos taken with iPhone).
I went to count goslings. There were only 14 visible but mostly there were mature Mallards, a few American Goldfinches, Red-breasted Nuthatches, and Black-capped Chickadees. The animals and birds were quiet. Humans were loud. It was nice to have the nature centre garden market open – lots of freshly picked veggies, the profits going to a good cause.
The day continues to be consumed with Mini and her left leg. There are visible two puncture wounds above the ankle and before the knee of the left leg. Did Mini injure her leg stretching it and having someone’s talons caught in hers? A fish fight? We don’t know.
Indeed, any observer knows very little. We can deduce that she is keeping her balance with her wings. She appears to be in some pain. She is still flying and she is hungry. She is not – and I want to repeat this – she is not lethargic. She is not grounded. My friend ‘R’ and I know that if it is a sprain it will heal. If it is a break, it will heal – maybe not the precise way that it would if set in a cast but there is no guarantee that a wildlife rehabber would —- OK and this is harsh — put Mini’s leg in a cast and keep her in residence til late next spring when she could be released. She would not be ready for this year’s migration. This is something that has to be considered. I know that it is hard to watch her but she is alive, eating, flying, screaming for fish.
My reaction to Mini comes out of remembering many others, like Mini, that did not get a second chance. The first one that comes to mind is WBSE 26. We need to take a deep breath, send positive wishes, and not panic but observe.
1530: Fighting with one of those hard to eat fish unless the head has been taken off…it is good practice for our girl to try and open up these fish, though. No matter how frustrating it is to watch. She will have to do it soon enough in the real world without parents.
The two puncture marks above the left ankle before the knee. Two spaced black dots the distance of talons. We do not want these to get infected. (Mini could we ask that you go and stand in some salt water and soak that leg? Salt water aids healing).
You can see the punctures better here.
Mini has been on and off the nest. She has been fish-calling. Flying down from the perch. It was not a bad landing.
Our beautiful survivor.
Gone.
Bobby Horvath has a practice on Long Island. He rescued Pale Male (the 31-year-old celebrity Red-tail Hawk with its nest on one of the most expensive properties in Central Park) and held him as Pale Male was dying. Horvath is willing to come out to help Mini if she is lethargic. Here is the note that he sent ‘L’ and the phone number. Write it down! Bobby might be our best hope that she would get good care instead of being euthanised. But he is busy – like everyone, and please note that he is stressing weak or lethargic – low or on the ground – not on the nest. Please don’t call him otherwise. All the rehabbers are busy. There are strict laws – and we don’t want anyone to get tired of hearing about Mini. We want them to respond when it is necessary. At least one local individual is making trips to check around the nesting area if Mini were to get grounded.
One diagnosis from a trained reader ‘MP’ suggests that this could be a lunated patella (a dislocation). I found an academic paper on this orthopaedic problem.
Steelscape: The third hatch has a huge crop today. And wait…more news. The third hatch had 3 fish today…and one of the older siblings had a huge crop. All is fine. We can relax. Thanks so much for the images and the report ‘PB’.
Fortis: ‘PB gave me the head’s up early that we would be getting a very good report from ‘H’. There were two whoppers brought on to the nest!
‘H’ writes: “It turned out to be a very good day. The youngest osplet, JJ, had not had very much to eat for the previous three days. The viewers were all extremely worried for him. The day started out with Louise delivering a headless fish, which JJ initially acquired. JJ had the fish for a couple of minutes and managed to pull off a few bites before big sis, Banff, took it away. Banff ate that entire fish, but JJ managed to grab the tail. For JJ’s sake, we knew there had to be another fish delivered soon while Banff was still full, but the next fish did not arrive for four hours. At 1215, Louise delivered the largest fish to date this season. It was massive. Louise initially wanted to hold on to the fish to feed, but Banff took it. It was a tough fish and Banff had not made much headway, when JJ managed to drag the huge fish from Banff at 1242. They traded possession of the fish a couple more times before Louise returned to the nest at 1355. She confiscated the fish and fed JJ! That’s what we were all hoping she would do. JJ was fed for 10 minutes before he got the boot from Banff, and then Louise fed Banff. By 1422 Louise was clearly distracted by something and she stopped feeding. She was on alert. At least 1/2 of that huge fish was left, and JJ tried to pull off a few more bites. Louise flew off the nest at 1456 taking the rest of the fish with her! She returned at 1535, with the same fish. There was still about 1/2 of the fish remaining, it did not appear as though Louise had eaten any of it. Banff claimed the fish at that point and ate until 1608. JJ then fed for an hour before Banff reclaimed the fish at 1707. When Banff quit eating again, JJ ate from 1730 to 1808. Then Banff ate some more, and finally downed the tail of that massive fish at 1821. That had been a 6-hour fish! So, there were only two fish delivered to the nest, but the monster fish had provided at least six or seven meals each for JJ and Banff. JJ had his largest crop in days. The siblings are 54 days old. Banff has managed to increase her lift off the nest during her wingers, but has not hovered as yet. JJ has only achieved a few inches of lift off the nest while wingercising. During the night of 8/11, the siblings both slept upright and tucked for the very first time.”
Those are two North American nests I have been concerned about in addition to Mini. The other nest is PSPB Loch Garten and the attacks on the two male juveniles by a male fledgling from that same nest in 2020. Remember the males return to their natal nest area and things are getting crowded in parts of Scotland.
There remain intruders including an unringed female at Loch Garten. The injured chick 2C4’s wing has stopped bleeding. Hopeful he will be fine.
Sadly, the 2020 fledgling KL5 is back again this morning at the nest.
Thankfully all is well at the nest of Louis and Dorcha at Loch Arkaig – and Ludo is as noisy as ever.
Suzanne Arnold Horning found all of the hawks on the Cornell Campus Thursday. So grateful for her diligence and kindness in sharing her images of Big Red and Arthur’s family.
‘A’ reports on the Australian and NZ nests:
Sydney Sea Eaglets: “This morning’s breakfast had to wait for Dad to bring in a fish. Eventually, just before 09:20, he came in with a whole fresh small-medium fish, which Lady fed to the chicks and ate herself. After the breakfish was consumed, Lady headed off. Dad brought in part of a fish (slightly less than half – he had eaten the head and then kept going for a bit longer). He stood there for some time, waiting for Lady to arrive and feed the eaglets, but she never came and the chicks were obviously begging him for food, sitting up at the table and trying to move closer to him and the fish. Eventually, he decided to feed them, and both got quite a few bites before Dad downed the tail, fed the kids a few more bites, then took the remaining morsel to the perch branch to eat himself. So now the nest is again devoid of food and we do need a good feeding day today. I was happy to see that both chicks waking up hungry and waiting for a later-than-usual breakfast did not precipitate bonking behaviour. Both were peaceful while they waited for food to arrive and once it did, there was negligible bonking. SE32 has taken to pushing itself forward, in front of SE31, to ensure it gets fed, and SE31 is allowing it to eat without interference most of the time. SE32 is still wary, and ducks for cover if SE31 does beak it, but the shaking by the back of the neck has largely ceased.”
Royal Cam Albatross: “We are hoping that Manaaki gets his supplementary feeding today – he looks literally flattened as he lies in his nest and seems to be low on energy (or just conserving it). He had built up significant reserves, according to the rangers, and is not on the high priority list but is still scheduled to be fed by today. As every day passes, I worry more and more about his parents.”
I just noted before I closed the blog this morning that the supplementary feeding was given to the Royal Cam chick. This is a great relief to everyone who sat and worried about this little bundle of joy.
Collins Street: “Cameras won’t be back up at Collins Street until the first egg is laid (last year, that was 25 August, so some time in the next two weeks is likely).”
Port Lincoln: “At Port Lincoln, they are on egg watch. To be honest, every time I watch and see mum sitting on the nest, I wonder whether she is laying that first egg. She is in that position now and I am wondering if this is the big moment. Surely, there will be at least one egg on that barge before the weekend is over.”
Orange Falcons: “Orange is as it always is – Diamond with a full crop, Xavier dancing about looking handsome. It’s just after 1pm in eastern Australia. A lovely day in Sydney, Orange and Melbourne, though they are expecting rain in Port Lincoln.”
Wondering about Dmitri and his stork? Excellent post on Thursday from Karla Pilz!
At the nest of Karl II, the three fledglings slept on the nest and then were there for the morning and flew off.
‘H’s other reports!
Kent Island – This Chesapeake osprey family is doing very well, and dear Mollie seems to be very close to fledging. She hovered high out of sight for several seconds, and for a while we didn’t know if she had fledged. Audrey and Tom’s youngster is 60 days old.
Barnegat Light – Life is grand for the fledgling, Dorsett. And, she has shown a definite preference for eating her meals on the utility pole. Dorsett is 72 days old, and fledged 12 days ago.
The Osoyoos osprey cam was offline for the second straight day. We miss the ‘O’s and we are anxious to see how they are doing. The young nestling is 46 days old.
Thanks ‘H’.
Skipping to a couple of other nests before I close for the morning.
Boulder County: All three fledglings were perched for the night and off the nest in the morning. They are being fed off cam it appears and all is well for this family as it prepares to migrate.
At the Dyfi Osprey Centre, they are remembering Monty. Monty was the male at Dyfi from 2011-19. He had three mates – Nora, Glesni, and Telyn. Of their children, 8 have returned as two year olds. A remarkable number and his DNA continues throughout the area….his perch is inside the new Centre.
The Dyfi website adds: “Monty was the breeding male at the Dyfi from 2011 to 2019 and he is arguably the most famous, and loved, osprey in the world! Monty was unringed so we never knew exactly how old he was or where he came from. We know that he has been around on the Dyfi since at least 2008 and probably 2007, so his year of birth has to be 2005 or earlier…Monty was a fantastic fisherman whose fishing habits have been closely studied. Two separate scientific studies conducted in 2013 and 2015 have concluded that there is no correlation between the fish species that Monty catches and environmental factors such as tidal phase, temperature, time of day etc. It seemed he was able to catch a fish whenever he (or his family) was hungry and did not need to link his fishing trips to any other factor. Monty’s typical catch was grey mullet but he has been known to bring home some more unusual fish including a long eel-like garfish, a poisonous greater weaver fish and the occasional twait shad!”
The other nest I want to mention is Iris. She is still with us in Missoula and she has not been visited by Louis as much this year (it seems) as in years past. Pe chaps it is the weather and the challenge of feeding the trio and Starr. Iris has had a persistent visitor, a ringed male and here is some information posted on him this morning. Iris is, by the way, not chasing him off.
Thank you for being with me today…please send good wishes to Mini. Take care. See you soon!
I am so grateful to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog this morning: “A, H, L, MP, PB, RM, RP’, PSEG, Steelscape, Veterinary Quarterly, Fortis Exshaw, RSPB Loch Garten, Sue Wallbanks and Friends of Loch Arkaig Ospreys, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Suzanne Arnold Horning, SK Hideaways and Sydney Sea Eagles, NZ DOC, Lady Hawk and NZ DOC, PLO, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, Karla Pilz and Stork 40, Eagle Club of Estonia, Kent Island, Conserve Wildlife of NJ, Dyfi Osprey Project, and Mary Anne Miller and Montana Ospreys at Hellgate.
I have a huge tip for you today if you feed birds in your garden. The weather could not have been more grand. It was a good day to work in the garden. The humidity had dissipated, there was no hot sun, the wasps were visiting somewhere else and life felt good. I did not stare at the computer screen worrying. We have some troubling nests and must wait and see how things unfold.
M’ asked me about the window dots/the pink squares that I use for to prevent bird collisions. They are a brand called Feather Friendly, and a single roll does about 100 sq ft and costs about $25 at my nature centre. you can purchase them online at many places, but the key is the name Feather Friendly. Clean the windows and let them dry. Apply lots of pressure on the strips outside the windows, then pull the supporting strip off easily. They work, and I have tried everything. The single decals must be placed outside – anything to prevent bird strike -must be on the exterior.
Today I am experimenting with birdseed. It is expensive as you know. Someone told me to go to the feed and seed store. I wish I could remember who that was and thank them. So today I mixed up 1/3 chicken scratch with 1/3 birdseed and 1/3 black oil seed. It is undoubtedly Dyson approved. She scooped it up with her paws for several minutes. It thwarted Little Red, who only wanted peanuts! LOL.
The seed mixture is a winner! I pushed the chicken scratch even further at the late top up. It appears that I can do 50% chicken scratch, 25% black oil seed, and 25% birdseed and everyone continues to approve. There were 8 Blue Jays at one time vying for space on the square feeder. Some stayed on the telephone wires and others were on the ground. Wow.
‘The baby with the tail’ – the little one that is slightly more round is changing every day. It still loves to be in the bird bath splashing about and it also loved the new seed mixture. I cannot put out peanuts for them because Little Red and Little Red2 take them all. They are so fast!
The little one that lost its tail is flitting around everywhere with the bigger ones and seems to be so agile. I am so surprised. It has adapted, like all birds seem to do, to the challenges that are thrown at them.
Little Red yesterday quickly removing about 35 peanuts from the table one by one. He could win an Olympic medal.
Oh, good news is always so welcome. An 11-year-old Osprey has been saved from netting!
SP sent me a fantastic article about tenacity and commitment. 50 Years of working with Puffins…a jolly good read.
We will start with ‘H’s reports this morning because two of the nests are under the radar for needing boxes of worry beads – Osoyoos and FortisExshaw, both in Canada.
Barnegat Light: “At 60 days of age, Dorsett opted for an early morning fledge on 7/30, at 06:09:10. She first flew north, then headed east toward the ocean, hung a right at the Atlantic, then flew south, made a right turn at 24th street, and made a perfect landing back onto the perch at her nest. Dorsett has since taken a couple of additional flights. Congratulations to Duke, Daisy, and Dorsett!”
FortisExshaw:
Fortis Exshaw: “It was a good day for Louise and her kids, with only a few indications of minor intruder issues. Louise brought three fish to the nest. The first fish at 1104 was so large, it resulted in a prolonged period of feeding that was the equivalent of three meals. Prior to Louise feeding, she allowed the chicks a chance to practice self-feeding from the headless fish for over an hour. Chick #1 has learned the advantages of holding the fish down with its talons, and s/he was able to tear small pieces from the fish. Chick #1 is now grabbing and mantling fish when Louise delivers. Even though they hatched less than 12 hours apart, chick #1 is more advanced in skills development. Mr.O was not seen on Saturday. I hope Mr.O was not injured during the altercation with the intruder on Friday.”
Forsythe – Oscar delivered three fish, and Opal delivered a fish after a few days’ absence. It was nice to see Opal. Owen was the recipient of three of the fish, Ollie just one. As with most nests during the post-fledge period, any given day may seem unfair in that one sibling gets the most fish. But, it does seem to even out in the long term. Ollie had eaten the majority of the fish the previous two days. Starting Sunday there will be a break in the heat wave, with cooler temps the next several days.
Osoyoos – There were four fish brought to the nest. Dad ate the first small fish at 1041. I’m sure he was very hungry, but perhaps he should have eaten it off the nest. Just the fish being brought to the nest caused #1 to attack #2. The fish at 1131 was very small, and chick #1 was fed a small meal. At 1237 Mom brought a partial fish. Chick #2 was beaked and bit by #1, and had no chance to eat. At 1531 a larger partial fish was delivered. Chick #1 wasted a full minute of feeding time attacking #2. Chick #2 later snuck up on the other side of Mom and grabbed a large piece of fish equivalent to about 6 bites of fish. It took a while, but #2 managed to swallow that whole piece of fish. Chick #2 has had 30 bites of fish to eat in the last three days. Note: There is a wildfire located SW of Osoyoos, which has been renamed the Eagle Bluff Wildfire (previously called the Lone Pine Creek fire). Parts of Osoyoos are under an evacuation alert, that currently does not include the area where the nest is located.
[‘H’ has just written that the nest area is, according to AMW not under an evacuation alert. Please send your best energy to Soo and Olsen. Just look at those two beautiful chicks. The camera feed could go down and we might not ever know what happens to these chicks if the fire does rage through. Our thoughts are with everyone…]
Dahlgren – Really big news . . the youngest of the two fledglings went diving! D12 dove from the nest platform four times, and did a little swimming and bathing. While she did not catch a fish, this was an important milestone.
Severna Park – Oscar continues to provide fish for his two fledglings at the nest. It’s always nice to see them.
Patuxent Nest 1 – The fledglings, Sibling-B and Foster, are frequently seen at the nest. But, it’s a good thing they no longer sleep there, because a Great Blue Heron has decided to make the nest its nighttime roosting spot. Last night the GBH found a welcome surprise . . a fish had been left on the nest, which he quickly gobbled up.
WDNU Tower, South Bend, Indiana: The only surviving osplet on the WDNU Tower, Baby Huey, endured a horrible storm and then took his first flight on Saturday the 29th. Amazing. Congratulations. It was a tough year on the nest. So pleased for everyone.
Pathogue: Every time I checked Mini had a fish. At least three on Saturday. Dad is obviously feeding the fledglings off the nest as we do not see the older siblings bombarding Mini for that fish like they are doing on some other nests. These parents really know how to keep the climate chill.
Charlo Montana: Those osplets are adorable.
Boulder County: All is good.
Dunrovin: Harriet and the three fledglings pose together.
Pitkin County Open Trails and Spaces: Both fledglings continue to return to the nest. Everything is excellent.
SSEN Alyth: When everyone is hungry and scrambling for fish, things happen. Mum came in with a fish at Alyth, it got caught on the talon of one of the chicks and they both went overboard….and the first then went to the third hatch! Some of the nest went down with them.
Well, the good news is that everyone is alright at the nest after this terrible entanglement and high tumble. Thank goodness.
Manton Bay: Blue 33 delivers fish and everyone goes crazy.
It may look rough on the nests but in the real world, the ability to eat is literally ‘life and death’ to our fledglings. They have to learn strategies, be quick – and be ruthless.
Loch of the Lowes:
Cowlitz: It is hot in the Pacific NW and the nests could be suffering. The fledgling at Cowlitz has rested on the nest and has had at least one fish on Saturday.
Sandpoint: At least two fish were delivered Saturday morning. I am not clear about deliveries the rest of the day.
Steelscape: I did not watch the nest closely enough to count deliveries but I do know that the third hatch had some fish on Saturday.
Minnesota Landscape: The weather has cooled down a bit and it makes for much better fishing. This one is doing well.
Maryland Old Town Home: The fledglings continue to come to the nest and like many of the others there is a lot of rivalry over fish deliveries.
Dfyi: All is good. Idris continues to bring in the fish! And Telyn loves to feed her ‘big and more independent every day’ babies.
Glaslyn: Aran is delivering lots of fish and the two fledglings are doing very well indeed.
Loch Arkaig: There were winds beginning to blow and rain starting late on Saturday at Loch Arkaig. Ludo is hoping for fish! Oh, by the way. The Crow that vacuums up the Loch Arkaig nest so well has been named Dyson!
Poole Harbour: It is all good.
Llyn Clywedog: Seren on the perch and beginning to get in form for migration. She will fly and will land on the same tree in the Tanji Reserve that she does every year. Meanwhile, the surviving fledgling of the goshawk attack has been photographed flying all over the area. So all is well.
Sydney Sea Eagles: Cuteness Overload. The pantry is stocked and Lady is joyful. 31 and 32 are delicate little snow people.
My friend ‘A’ lives in Australia and she loves the royal Albatross and most of the Australia nests and is happy to send us reports on recent events at those nests. A says: ” in Sydney, Dad brings in a lovely big fresh fish at 06:51:18. He heads off up the branch off the back porch and shakes himself off. He is still wet from catching that fish. He hasn’t even eaten the head. It’s been left on the nest for Lady and the chicks. He is a good provider. That should keep the family going for the rest of the day. Lady starts working on the head herself, and around 07:01 starts feeding the chicks. SE32 is ready to eat now, and the first bites go to the baby. It does really well, managing four or five consecutive mouthfuls without dropping them and without falling flat on its face. By now SE31 is awake too and ready for some more food. She feeds both chicks plenty of fresh fish, though concentrates on the younger one. These two are doing great.”
Orange Peregrine Falcons: “In Orange, Diamond spent the night perched on the ledge of the nest box, tucked and facing inwards as usual. Xavier arrived for an early morning bonding session at 06:28:24. These two are just beyond adorable. Xavier really is only half Diamond’s size. He is so svelte and handsome. She appears significantly older and lazier than Xavier. She watches the sunrise from her ledge and leaves the box at around 06:51. Both spend a few moments on top of the tower before Xavier heads off to get some breakfast..He arrives back at the box with prepared food at 07:37:05, with Diamond hot on his heels. He hardly has time to e-chup before Diamond has swooped in, grabbed the food and left again within three seconds! Xavier looks a little stunned. He glances down a couple of times at where the food was, as if wondering where it’s gone. Then he cleans a few feathers out of his talons. Oh but he is such a handsome falcon. Tiny but gorgeous.”
Collins Street: “At Collins Street, there was a short falcon visit about 9.30am – the falcon flew off the nest at 09:42. It doesn’t look as though any eggs have been laid but I note that the birds seem to be favouring the same nest box as last season. There has not been any shelter added at that end, which surprises me after what happened last year. (I’m sure you well remember the day mum went for a spa morning and returned to find two chicks in the gutter and two in the nest, all baking in the hot sun and looking as if they might be in serious danger. And mum pulled the smallest chick back into the box by lifting it with her beak! It was a very dramatic day.)”
Reports that a new camera is being installed at Port Lincoln and the stream will be back up sometime on Monday or Tuesday.
At the Royal Cam Albatross colony, ‘A’ notes: “I forgot to mention that on Friday (28 July), all 33 of the albatross chicks at the New Zealand colony received their permanent Darvic bands (no more coloured leg bands). Manaaki’s is black (for male) and his Darvic number is D36. They used Darvic bands last season but for some reason, this season’s are the first that are permanent and will last a lifetime. (And as we know, a lifetime can be 70+ years for an albatross!)”
Thanks, ‘A’! And thanks for giving me the head’s up that Ervie has been out fishing with Dad. Port Lincoln Ospreys posted these images of Ervie, and I knew you would love to see our favourite Eastern Osprey! —- Do you remember when we thought Ervie would eat Puffer Fish all his life? When he lost a talon, and we feared he would starve to death? Well, here we are. Ervie is almost two years old. I have not heard any news about Bazza or Falky, but Ervie, that little third hatch that didn’t take any gruff off Bazza, the first hatch, grew up big and strong and stayed near the natal nest – safe—still fishing with Dad. Do you recall those chin wags that Ervie had with Dad down in the cave? What a season that was! (I still want to forget last year…that was traumatic).
The Lesser Spotted Eaglet in Latvia is nothing short of adorable…and happily a small vole was brought in for food.
I think the eaglet has spotted the camera! Just look. Almost all of the natal down is gone revealing a soft brown plumage with stunning blue eyes.
The fledgling ospreys – three of them – return to the platform for some lovely fish meals at the German Goitzsche Wildness nest.
At the Finnish #1 nest, tummy and Usva took their first flights on 28 July. Only Roihu is left and that could be any moment. Beautiful healthy osplets!
Finnish #4. The two surviving chicks were younger when they were ringed and both are still on the nest. Neither has taken their first flight yet.
Whew…I hope I didn’t make you dizzy with that swing around the nests…in no particular order! Thank you so much for being with me today. Take care everyone. Have a great weekend. See you soon.
Thank you to absolutely everyone for their notes, comments, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘A, H, M, SP’, Audubon, Fortis Exshaw, Osoyoos, Patuxent River Park, Dahlgren, Conserve Wildlife of NJ, Forsythe Ospreys, Stephen Basly and WDNU, PSEG, Charlo Montana, Boulder County, T Barrington and Dunrovin Ranch, Pitkin County Osprey Cam, SSEN Alyth, LRWT, Loch of the Lowes, Cowlitz PUD, Sandpoint, Steelscape, MN Landscape Arboretum, Maryland Old Town Home, Dyfi Osprey Project, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, The Woodland Trust, Poole Harbour, CarnyXWild, Sydney Sea Eagle Cam, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, NZ DOC, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Latvian Fund for Nature, Fischandler Webcam, and the Finnish Osprey Foundation.
Gosh, not only is it the end of the week but it is also the end of July. The beautiful osplets from Norway are now in Ireland and all is well. All three chicks at Dunrovin have fledged along with probably many more today. It cooled down a bit on the Canadian Prairies and thankfully, I did not get the storms that some did on Wednesday evening. I would be fine but, of course, my concerns are always with those that come and go from the garden. Right now Mr Crow is yelling his head off demanding cheesy dogs, Junior wants more peanuts, and Little Red is sitting in the lilacs waiting in case I change my mind and put out more of those tasty nuts. Missey and Lewis have been relatively quiet all day which means that they will be tearing around all night. Bird seed and cat food are now stocked for next month and life is good.
Oh, we always need some great news. There are such wonderful people out there…Man swims 70′ in Idaho to save Osprey! “Ten days of fluids, antibiotics and a diet of fish helped the 2-and-a-half-pound adult male osprey heal from soft-tissue injuries, but no fractures.“The geese beat him up pretty bad,’ said Birds of Prey Northwest Founding Director Jane Veltkamp.”
More good news is coming from South Australia where the water company has agreed to remove the spikes from his pipes! Congratulations! This is the way that it should always be!
The hottest recorded July in history. Sadly the heat that is driving severe weather, low fish counts and drought is not going away. Just how long can those that have the power to do something continue to deny the need is not urgent?
The Norwegian osplets have arrived in Ireland in a private jet and are now safely in their new cages. Not sure what their parents thought about this…perhaps I am not supposed to mention something like that.
The Grey storklets have received names!
When I grew up, everyone wanted manicured lawns, beautiful flower beds, patios and porches with climbing roses on trellis. The magazines pushed our control over nature – just like those very managed French gardens of the 19th century. When I returned to Manitoba, one of my neighbours was a graduate in math from Cornell. A brilliant man but life had thrown some wrenches at him. He let his garden go. People talked about him as if he was a freak. Of course, ‘J’ was ahead of the times. Now people seek him out for his advice.
Please share with your friends, family, and neighbours:
We finally have the date when the grouse hunting licenses on United Utilities land will not be renewed – 2027 and the hunting groups are in meltdown…I am over the moon that this onslaught on wildlife will be stopped. Let us hope more join in!
Little Mini, our amazing fledgling from Patchogue, eating a fish Thursday afternoon. Time 1424 when Mini grabbed that fish.
Mini wants a fish and is watching. Is Dad feeding off nest? I wonder.
Steelscape: ‘PB’ sent a great screen capture of the third hatch and what a crop. Dad delivered a number of fish and this one that has been pecked and pulled ate well.
Dunrovin: All three – Snap, Crackle, and Pop – have now fledged!
Glaslyn: All is well. Look at the size of that Mullet!
Loch Arkaig: Is Dorcha getting tired of visitors?
Boulder County: Everyone is home. All are being fed well. What an amazing family.
The Bridges Golf: Nice fish delivery before time to tuck it all in. These two look ready to fledge. I have failed to check on them for a few days. Please correct me if they have already taken to the skies. Nice to see two survive after a really poor start during that heat.
Cowlitz PUD: Fledgling and adults continue to return to the nest. All is good.
Clark PUD: Everything is fantastic.
Sandpoint: Both of the osplets – Keke and Coco – were well fed on Thursday.
MN Landscape Arboretum: Everything appears to be alright. I did not see a lot of fish deliveries on Thursday but I might have missed them. It has been really hot near the nest – 29 C. They have had the same heat that we have had in Winnipeg. This is impacting all the nests and their ability to fish.
Loch of the Lowes: Laddie will continue to deliver. PF4 grabbed the fish and Dad this morning while PF5 dreams of fish. There has been no sign of Blue NC0 for nearly a fortnight.
Sydney Sea Eagles: ‘A’ is so excited. She reports, “At 7am 28 July, we can see a large hole in the second egg and movement inside. Dad has just brought in a lovely headless fresh fish for breakfast for SE31’s first feeding. It’s good at holding its head up but it’s not great at the food transfer bit so it’s dropping most of its bites. Mum is being so patient with the sweet little one. It did not end up getting much food and I think it was still hungry afterwards, but it did get a couple of small bites. Meanwhile, SE32 is making good progress, and as we watch the feeding we can see the hole enlarge as a flap starts to open next to it. I think the second chick will be out within 36 hours of SE31’s hatch, which is a pretty good result considering the 75-hour gap between the laying of the eggs and the fact that Dad was so impatient with the incubation that I worried about whether that first egg would even hatch! There will hopefully be two fluffy little balls under mum by tonight.” Then minutes later she writes again…”
The hole is bigger at 07:54 and we can see the chick working away inside the second egg. That shell really is incredibly thick. It can’t be easy for the tiny chicks trying to break free of that calcium tomb. I always hope they have the strength to make it out. When you consider that they are already 24 hours into their escape effort by the time we see that first pip, it really is a pretty impressive achievement for such tiny youngsters. Life gets really hard really fast for them. And it doesn’t really get that much easier. I suppose the weeks in their nest are the best of their lives, in the sense that they are largely fed and protected by doting parents. Life in the wild will be so challenging, and the preparation time is so short. How adorable they are at this age. Still unable to bonk each other. Just lovely. Let’s hope we have a peaceful nest, that the family stays safe, and that all goes well this season.”
Isn’t this little one just precious. This family really deserves a break. They raise such beautiful babies to fledge…send positive, positive wishes for the very best for them.
Se31’s first feeding:
And then….SE32 hatched! Get ready for cuteness overload as the Australian raptor season beings.
Royal Cam Albatross: Prince Minaaki has been ringed! It is possible that this wonderful Albie will have fledged in six weeks. So do your thing and help make the seas safe for the Albatross — don’t look that can of tuna in the eye!
Cornell Red-tail Hawks: Suzanne Arnold Horning found Big Red and Arthur,.
Time for ‘H’s reports!
Fortis Exshaw: There were three large fish delivered to the nest, with Mr. O contributing the first one. There was also a meal from a leftover fish from the previous evening. The chicks are now 40 days old, and both have been active with wingercising. And, at the second fish delivery, one of the chicks took the whole fish from Louise and mantled it, wow! Of course, Louise retrieved the fish, lol. Mr. O once again was instrumental in providing protection for the nest. At 1023 Mr. O urgently flew to the nest, was very vocal and demonstrated his most fearsome body language directed at an unseen intruder. Louise followed him to the nest 20 seconds later. For the next four minutes they collaborated in warding off the intruder.”
Forsythe – There were three fish delivered to the nest, and all were delivered by Oscar. Opal was last seen on 7/25. Ollie was the only fledgling at the nest for the first two deliveries at 0625 and 1222, and Owen didn’t even fly to the nest to make a bid. So, I assumed that Owen may have been served a fish at another location. At 1825, both siblings were at the nest when Oscar delivered a large headless fish. There was a battle for the fish, with Ollie coming away victorious. There was also a brutal and prolonged battle between the two siblings at 1311. They are hungry. I hope Oscar will have more success fishing on Friday, but unfortunately it will be another extremely hot day. The high temperature is predicted to be 96-97 degrees.
Thanks so very much ‘H’ and thanks to all of you for being with me today. Take care of yourself! See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, videos, postings, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog this morning: ‘A, H, PB’, CDA.org Press, Fan Solly ad Friends of Osprey St Australia, The Guardian, Gregorius Joris Toonen and Ospreys, Arne Torkler, Raptor Persecution UK, PSEG, Steelscape, Dunrovin Ospreys, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, The Woodland Trust, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Boulder County Ospreys, Bridges Golf Ospreys, Cowlitz PUD, Clark PUD, Sandpoint Ospreys, MN Landscape Arboretum, The Scottish Wildlife Trust, Sydney Sea Eagles, Gracie Shepherd and Sydney Sea Eagles, Sharon Dunne and Royal Cam Albatross Group NZ, Fortis Exshaw, Forsythe, and Suzanne Arnold Horning.
Oh, tears….The big event begins on Saturday when ‘M’ alerts me to Mini’s amazing hover and ends with all of us rejoicing. Mini flew!
On Saturday, Mini did a great hover…a great hover…has been on the nest and has observed her siblings. She is going to do so great!
The tail on the ascent.
Landing after about 5 seconds of good hovering.
And PB wrote, “Mini at Patchogue branched on the perch 7:23am and fledged 8:26am….sooo happy and crying at same time. She did the impossible from being the runt and getting bullied and made it to fledge. So wish she was banded so when she ever returns we know it’s mini!” –Those banding sentiments are with so many of us…We want to know how she does. One way to tell one osprey from another is their head markings and Mini’s are distinctive. Take screen shots of her head from all angles, keep them. It is the only part of her that will not change!
Mini got her fish at 0856. What a fantastic reward – although it is unclear that Dad knows his little girl flew! Congratulations Mini. Stay safe out there. I think we all must have cried. Bittersweet moment.
The news is sad but the eagle that is being honoured was one of the first to be banded during the re-introduction of Bald Eagles into the US after the terrible decimation of our raptors from DDT.
There has been a rare bird sighting – a Switchable Black Kite – in Norfolk.
Speaking of kites and all other raptors in the UK – the Hen Harriers, the eagles…one utility company has said that it will not renew the licenses for grouse hunting on its land. As a colleague and friend pointed out, what is not known is how long those licenses can be used. When is the deadline? I hope that it is soon and that other utilities will follow suit. If the legal system cannot stop the grouse hunters from killing off all the raptors then preventing them from using the land is a brilliant alternative. Of course, the 21st century thing to do would be to stop this medieval tradition in its entirety!
There is sad news coming from OWL in British Columbia about Tyr, the eaglet on the Hancock Wildlife nest. Early concerns showed a possible issue with its leg.
If you are fans of Thunder and Akecheta at the West End Channel Islands nest, the 2023 fledglings often show up at the old nest site along with one or more of the parents.
Anthony is often on the Two Harbours nest along with parents Chase and Cholyn.
Now for some nest news:
MN Landscape Arboretum: Gosh, that little chick is getting its feathers and Mum is attentive. A real change from a month ago!
Boulder County: What a loving family. The five of them just make my heart beat. It is so interesting this year that the Ospreys living on nests in places other than in Florida and in the NE US are doing so very well. It is good to have their population growing and sadly, as hard as it is to say, to have some of the pressure off of the over saturated areas (like Florida and Chesapeake Bay).
These three at Boulder are real beauties. Mum does everything she can for them including being a huge umbrella when it is hot even if they are as big as her!
Charlo Montana: ‘L’ alerted me to the streaming cam being back on at Charlo Montana. The two chicks hatched in mid-June. They are 5 weeks old and doing well. And then the cam went down again! It is extremely hot in Montana. Mum is doing a fantastic job keeping the two cool. Bless her heart.
Loch of the Lowes: The Woodland Trust is more positive than I am that Blue NC0 will return. Laddie has his hands full and the chicks are hungry like those at Forsythe. Blue NC0 has been MIA for a week and this is really more than a spa break. She is a devoted mother and it has been a difficult year with little fish ——–how about stocking that loch like they do at Clywedog in Wales? That would solve this issue! Come on Woodland Trust – not just trees, fish! Here is the most recent report.
At the same time, I would like to call for a few more platform nests to be built for the growing population of ospreys.
Steelscape, Inc.: This Washington in Kalama had fallen off my radar until ‘PB’ wrote to me this evening about a real problem with fish deliveries for the three osplets. It is entirely possible that the third hatchling could be lost. Let us hope not. They have the same problem as Cowlitz it would appear – Eagles taking the fish from the Osprey, the heat, etc. But unlike Cowlitz, which has only one osplet to feed, this nest has three. Thank goodness the fourth egg did not hatch. Oh, goodness. Send it your very best wishes….and look. It is baking hot there, and these babies are feathered. We don’t want to lose another one – so many are starving this year.
Cowlitz: We now know that the wire mesh grids that Cowlitz PUD constructed to protect the osprey nest from Eagle predation have not hindered the ospreys. The only osplet has flapped and jumped and today, that sweet baby fledged (?) or did it branch to the top of the mesh? I think it is on top of the mesh but, if it did not fly – this one soon will!
Seaside: The two osplets, Kawok, the first hatch, and Naika, the second, are beautiful juveniles who are starting to feel their independence. They remind me a bit of Ervie and his brothers once they had fledged. Everyone was civil until then and then it was everyone lad for itself. There is a bit of an aggression showing up just like it is at other nests towards the adults especially if they do not show up with fish! No one is hungry, as far as I can tell, on this nest!
Alyth: The fledglings return to the nest for fish and rest. Flying is hard work. They did not sleep on the nest last night.
Poole Harbour: Oh, it was wet in Pool Harbour on Saturday! Miserable. Windy. The trio were busy preening and trying to dry off Sunday morning.
Glaslyn: OH2 has walked to the perch to with OH1 and Mum, Elen. Will he fly today? He sure is flapping those wings and looks strong and ready.
Dyfi: A bit of a lonely nest at times. One of the fledglings showed up Sunday morning. It looks a bit dreary and damp. Idris and Telyn will be doing a great job feeding their fledglings. Cennen has been flying for a week!
Time for ‘H’s reports:
Fortis Exshaw – Louise had some minor intruder issues, and she flushed an intruder off the tall perch and out of the area twice. She also delivered five fish to feed her chicks. The two 35-day-old osplets are thriving. Mr. O was not seen on camera Saturday.
Forsythe – There were four fish delivered to the nest, including one by Opal. The fledglings each had two fish. Even though the food had increased slightly on Saturday, there was still significant aggression, and the siblings were literally at each other’s throats. After a few days of very little food, the youngest sibling, Ollie, was the primary aggressor. The battle at 1438 was quite serious. I’m hoping the fish deliveries continue to increase so that these two juvies can relax.
Osoyoos – Dad continues to be a great provider for his family. The 26 and 27-day-old chicks are progressing normally.
Severna Park – Olivia and Oscar continue to deliver fish to the nest for their two fledglings. I have not seen anyone sleeping at the nest for the last two nights.
Barnegat Light – Oh my goodness, at 53 days of age, ‘Dorsett’ looks so grown up! Dorsett has been wingercising and practicing self feeding.
Patuxent Nest 1 – Foster and Sib-B are still hanging out and eating fish at the nest, but are sleeping elsewhere.
Patuxent Nest 2 – The livestream was down for 28 days, and finally returned full time on 7/20. By that time, all three of the chicks had already fledged. On 7/22 two of the fledglings were seen in the nest at the same time.
Thank you so much, ‘H’.
The FB posts in Manitoba are full of individuals finding baby birds in their yards. This is happening everywhere, not just near me. So what do you do? Review the chart below and make certain that you have your nearest wildlife rehab clinics on speed dial on the contact list of your cell phone, please.
Thank you so much for being with me today. Continue to send all that positive energy of yours to the nests including those that are struggling with starvation and nest aggression this season. Take care of yourself. I hope to see you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, their comments, postings, tweets, websites, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog this morning: ‘Geemeff, H, L, M, PB, PSEG, Audubon, Birdguides.com, Raptor Persecution UK, Deb Stecyk and Bald Eagles 101, IWS, MN Landscape Arboretum, Boulder County Fair Grounds Ospreys, Forsythe Ospreys, Charlo Montana and Owl Research Project, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Steelscape Inc, Cowlitz PUD, Seaside Ospreys, Alyth, Poole Harbour Ospreys, Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn, Dyfi Osprey Project, Fortis Exshaw, Forsythe, Osoyoos, Severna Park, Wildlife Conserve Foundation of NJ, Patuxent River Park, and Chirp Nature Centre.
It is humid and sultry (but not hot and sultry) on the Canadian Prairies. The skies feel like they could unload a whole lot of rain if they ever decided to open. My phone says they won’t. Let’s wait and see.
Today saw the arrival of some Japanese snacks and the kittens go crazy. What is it about White Peach Mochi and those crispy melon wafer cookies that cause them to turn into something besides kittens?
Later, look who is in his sister’s basket?
First up, I want to thank Gayle at Fortis Exshaw and Robyn at AIWC and the Alberta Birds of Prey for their immediate responses to the call for help if Louise at the Fortis Exshaw Nest should become injured or killed and the osplets left abandoned. Everyone was ready to help if help was needed. Thankfully, Louise is alright and is doing a splendid jog.
The fish deliveries for Wednesday, according to ‘H’ were: “Fish deliveries: 07:18:09, 12:28:02, 12:59:13, 13:36:54, 17:09:03”. All is well.——— Gosh, it is windy there. Louise is a fantastic fisher. Oh, gosh. Another large fish came in at 18:16.
‘H’ notes that Big intimidated Middle throughout the day but that Middle did wind up with some nice crops. Louise is fantastic even flushing out intruders from the nest.
This is wonderful news – Louise is amazing. Continue to send your positive energy to this incredible female.
‘B’ sent me the most fascinating article. I am so grateful as these ospreys have not given me a chance to read the papers. The birds are smart, they are taking things meant to keep them off buildings and using them to fortify and protect their own nests. Have a read – and thanks ‘B’.
Our dear Mini is starting to really spread its wings and is watching the older siblings intently on what to do when you get the itch to fly. Everyone keep an eye on Mini – s/he could fly at any time it seems. Let me know if I miss it!
Mum feeding Mini a private meal.
We just need Dad at Patchogue. All three fledglings and Mini are home wishing for fish.
Beautiful or handsome Mini.
Minnesota Landscape: The chick is getting its pin feathers. It was hot in Minnesota today. Mum is not always the most devoted mumbrella but she is much better at feeding.
First District Utility: The streaming cam continues to be frozen.
Moorings Park: I have never seen a fledgling spend so much time on a nest waiting for a fish delivery as Victor.
Boulder County Fair Grounds: This nest is fabulous.
Collins Marsh: A wet day but all is well. Mum and Dad on the nest with the two surviving osplets.
Poole Harbour: Family image. Watch the chicks and CJ7 as they see Blue 22 arriving.
CJ7 stays on the nest at night. Last year she lost a chick to a goshawk. Goshawks do not normally hunt at night but there could be Tawny owls or other predators in the area. She is not taking any chances.
Glaslyn: Elen and the two beautiful osplets waiting for a fish delivery. Everything is fine. Aran continues to impress with the fish deliveries.
Dyfi: Another family portrait and all is well with Idris, Telyn, Seiont and Cennen.
Llyn Clywedog: At 20:31, Seren Blue 5F brought in a huge Rainbow Trout to the nest. This is significant. It is the first fish she has caught and brought to the nest since April. Dylan has been supplying all the fish. Seren will begin to build up her strength for her trip to Africa. She goes to the exact tree in The Tango Marsh in The Gambia every winter and has done now for 7 or 8 years.
Alyth: All appears to be well at Alyth substation. The nice day turned into a very wet late evening.
Loch Arkaig: Geemeff caught the osplet picking up and moving a fish and self-feeding. Fantastic. Another milestone.
But, hey. Geemeff caught our chick – gosh, let’s get it a good name – playing football? Trying out for the Premier League?
Loch of the Lowes: She is gorgeous – Blue NC0. She will be dreaming of Africa and migration having laid the first eggs of the season along with Maya at Manton Bay. Chicks are gorgeous. All is well.
We must all hope that the situation concerning Avian Flu in West Africa has dissolved by the time these beautiful birds reach their winter homes. (I must check on that situation).
Loch Garten: I think this FB post says it all!
Foulshaw Moss: We have the first fledge of the 2023 season for White YW and Blue 35.
Tweed Valley: The two osplets were ringed, and their names are Sacha and Paul. Very appropriate for those great individuals behind Conservation Without Borders.
Finland #1. Everything is good.
Finland #4. It is often difficult to tell but it appears that things are alright on this nest.
‘H’s report on Patuxent 1: “Sibling ‘A’ that fledged on 7/11 at 0745, has not returned to the nest as yet. Nor has s/he been seen on the perch. The juvenile on the perch has always been identified as ‘Foster’. I hope all is well with the fledgling, sibling ‘A’. Sibling ‘B’ was very close to fledging on 7/12. You can just barely see its talons during a hover in one of the attached photos.”
Severna Park: “I’m pretty sure that Middle (chick #2) fledged at 0758 this morning at 65 days of age. Chick #1 flew off the nest at 0657.”
Dahlgren – The eldest chick (D11) fledged on 7/12 at 1148, at 55 days of age. S/he did not return to the nest on 7/12, but was seen resting on the nest owner’s boat with her dad, Jack. At 5 pm it was reported that D11’s mom, Harriet was seen feeding her on the boat!
Kent Island – It was another wonderful day for Audrey, Tom, and their little 31 day old chick. You will hardly ever find that youngster with a flat crop.
Osoyoos – After a couple days offline, the livestream resumed on 7/12. Ample fish were brought to the nest to feed the 15 and 16 day old osplets. Those kiddos are really looking good!
Why do ‘H’ and I make such a big deal about fledglings returning to the nest? Unless it is a case like Dahlgren where the chick is seen being fed by the parent nearby, fledglings return to the nest to be fed for about a month, sometimes much longer like Victor, while they learn to hunt and perfect their flying skills. If they do not return to the nest, something has happened to them.
Well, as ‘H’ watched, she is pleased to report, “Dahlgren D11 (chick #1) made a beautiful return landing on the nest this morning at 0744.”
At the nest of Big Red and Arthur: All of the Ms are fine and watching parents for prey deliveries!
Those Dorset Hobby Falcons are certainly cute! Who could resist watching them most of the day?
At the scrape of Xavier and Diamond – isn’t Xavier precious? Expect to see lots of bonding and Diamond trying to fatten up prior to egg laying next month.
‘A’ notes, “I need to mention sweet Xavier. He brought some breakfast to the nest box this morning at 07:37:38 and Diamond was into the box within seconds to claim it – but then realised it was a starling and jumped straight out of the box. Xavier looked a bit startled and somewhat nonplussed, and he hangs around for about four minutes, but then departs with his starling. An hour or so later (at 08:52:02) he tries again, and Diamond is more receptive to this offering. Well done, Xavier. This pair always seem to have crops – Madame Diamond is frequently too sleepy to take hers anywhere, so she rests on the ledge of her nest box for much of the afternoon. It’s a hard life for a peregrine at CSU in Orange!”
We are more than half way through incubation at the Sydney Sea Eagles nest of Lady and Dad. Dad came in to give Lady a break so she could go and have her morning meal and stretch her legs after a long night of incubation.
‘A’ writes, “Meanwhile, the dedicated incubation continues in Sydney. These two have a good rhythm. Let’s hope they do their usual excellent job of raising two fledglings this season. Both varieties of Australian possum are potential predators for both the eggs and the newly hatched chicks, though the brushtails are larger and more dangerous. The ringtails will eat those eggs just as fast as a brushtail, and although both species are primarily vegetarian, they will eat small chicks if they come across them. It is unusual for either type of possum to eat the chicks, but it has definitely been witnessed from both ringtails and brushtails. (I watched a little ringtail with a baby on her back crossing my street last night, like a tightrope walker above the road, clinging to the electricity cabling that crosses the road from one pole to another. They don’t seem to slip off, though I have occasionally seen one hanging from the wire and pulling itself across. Most walk along the wire with amazing speed and balance. The baby clings to mum’s back, or sometimes to her tummy. They are a protected native species, which is more than a little annoying for suburban dwellers with trees in their garden. The sound of possums thundering across the roof (or, worse yet, peeing inside the roof, staining the ceiling from above) is enough to wake the dead at 2am. And the sounds they make, especially during courting and mating season (now), are other-worldly in a very scary way!”
With all of the storklets killed and little Okrusezek fighting for his life as he lost it to the goshawk in Poland, I needed to check on a couple of the stork nests that we follow closely to make sure that all are home.
Mlade Buky: Everything is good with Bety and Bukacek’s beautiful storklets.
Karl II and Kaia, Karula National Forest: The storklets are losing the baby down and getting their feathers. They look good. Urmas continues to provide fish for the family in the fish baskets otherwise, we might not see these healthy ones. This is a man with a huge heart for storks just like Dmitri – and I checked. Dmitri was in the hospital awaiting his surgery Wednesday evening.
Tukums, Latvia: Everything appears to be good.
‘A’ loves the Royal Albatross. I do not report on them very often but as fledge is 6-8 weeks away, let us keep a closer check. ‘A’ reports: “In New Zealand, Prince Manaaki had a very busy day fixing up his nest, doing more excavations and heading off on some hill-climbing excursions. I can only suggest that you check today’s chat for some amazing pics of him (I particularly love the one where he is covered in nest material but the hill-climbing one is pretty cute too – let’s face it, he’s always adorable). https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/royal-cam-discussion/ Don’t you just love a nest where we get to watch a loving couple reuniting and courting, doting parents incubating their egg for over two months, and then a safe hatch in a supervised incubator followed by no sibling rivalry, just one absolutely gorgeous fluff ball that we get to watch for a whole 240 days? And all the time knowing that they will be kept cool, given hydration and supplementary feedings, weighed and health-checked weekly, and generally treated in the manner they deserve. What an incredible treat that albatross colony really is.”
A quick check and Mini is still with us on the nest!
I want to thank ‘J’ for helping me extend my data to include some of the German Osprey nests. In doing so, she sent me links to valuable information, including a 1996 study on the ospreys in Germany. It is a good read and sheds some light on what is helping Ospreys to thrive or not in a limited area of Germany. That area is home to many of my ceramic friends who still run potteries with wood-burning kilns in the Mecklenburg area north of Berlin.
Thank you so very much for being with me today. Please take care. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘A, B, Geemeff, H, J’, Fortis Exshaw, PSEG, MN Landscape Arboretum, Moorings Park, Boulder County Fair Grounds, Collins Marsh, Poole Harbour Ospreys, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Dyfi Osprey Project, CarnyXWild, Alyth, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, LOTL and the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Livia Armstrong and Friends of Loch Arkaig Ospreys, Polly turner and Friends of Loch Arkaig Ospreys, Jeff Kear and Ospreys, Severna Park, Kent Island, Osoyoos, Dahlgren Ospreys, Patuxent River Park, Finnish Osprey Foundation, Cornell Bird Lab, Dorset Hobby Falcons, Holly Parsons and Orange, Australia Peregrine Falcons, Sea Eagle Cam, Mlade Buky, Eagle Club of Estonia, Latvian Fund for Nature, NZ DOC, and Researchgate.
I hope that you found time to be outside, to sit, and to just listen to the birds. What a lovely feeling it is. I spent part of Sunday searching for a gravestone. It was not to be found but the little cemetery sits on the bank of the Red River and the birds were singing. What a tranquil place. The benches were also lovely and I could imagine sitting there sipping tea and reading a book. Just might do that one day!
Across the road there was a fawn that had lost its mother and was in a right panic. By the time the Wildlife Reha number was dialled, it was gone – hopefully back with Mum.
It is always good to start with a wonderful Osprey nest and what better one than Moorings Park. Have you still been checking in? If you are then you know that Victor is at the nest fish calling. Did Harry think he would still be supplying Victor with fish in July? Who knows but – Harry is doing an excellent job and just look at what a beautiful bird Victor is!
If you are worried about Soledad, San Jose City Hall’s fledgling falcon, she is fine! Screaming for prey!!!!!!!!!!!
We have been distressed about the fireworks and the raptors. Friends of Big Bear Valley have noted the impact on our dear Jackie and Shadow, the Bald Eagles, that live in the Valley. They are hoping to gather enough evidence to stop the fireworks in that area. Please send them anything you have in terms of articles, and also, if you have images of instances of fireworks near raptors that caused them stress, please also send that. Here is the information that ‘B’ sent me today:
The latest post on the Friends of Big Bear Valley facebook (https://www.facebook.com/FOBBV/) from Sandy Steers. She talks of how Jackie and Shadow disappeared for three days after the Big Bear fireworks show, and how last year they disappeared for six days after the show. Sandy closes with: For any of you who might be interested, we are gathering information on the intense and detrimental impact that fireworks have on wildlife, on the lake, on the environment in general and even on domestic animals and humans. If any of you have references to studies about any of this, please share them with us at fobbvinfo@gmail.com. Thank you!
I sent Sandy a number of articles and I am attaching a few of those here for you to read if you would like. Perhaps we need a movement that begins in the name of Jackie and Shadow and spreads across North America to stop fireworks out of respect for our non-human friends.
Sandy also included a history of the eagles Jackie and Shadow. Enjoy!
Two Imperial Eaglets at the Tatarstan nest in Russia got their bling, and they are both girls! Anyone reading my blog for any time will know that female raptors are highly aggressive. Imperial Eagles are no exception. Rarely does the second hatch survive. Well, this nest is a bit of a miracle for having two eaglets survive, but never mind, they were both girls. There were plenty of small mammals, and the male just kept bringing in prey. There was never a feeling of food insecurity, so both survived. Beautiful.
The three osplets at the Dunrovin Ranch have been ringed and it looks like there are two males and a female! Congratulations. More information as it becomes available.
‘H’ is concentrating on the FortisExshaw nest as it appears tragedy is just brewing. She writes, “What a mess this feeding was . . from 0903 to about 1115 – 090253 Louise brought in a monster fish, and she began to feed. Big beaked both its siblings right away. Louise began to have intruder problems at 0909. There was a pair of intruders, and the feeding was disturbed many times, as Louise defended and flew off after the intruders. Each time she returned she would resume the feeding. At one point, one of the intruders landed on the nest while Louise flew after the one on the perch.Long story short . . Over the course of more than two hours, Big and Middle each ate the equivalent of two or three meals. Little never got a chance. If it hadn’t been for those intruders, there would most likely have been a couple of opportunities for Little to get fed from that huge fish while the others were full and napping. But, it just didn’t work out that way. Total bummer. In addition to Jasper being missing, Louise does not need intruders to interfere with her attempts to care for her three offspring.After that, Louise left the nest a few times throughout the day, and would usually return with nesting material. But at 2032 she returned with a fish. It was difficult to be certain due to the raindrops on the camera, but the fish appeared to be partially eaten. The feeding lasted until 2041. At the beginning of the feeding, Big once again beaked both of its siblings. Middle did get to eat however, while Little cowered and stayed tucked behind the feeding line. At that point Little had not eaten for about 34 hours, and Little did not have very much to eat on 7/7 or 7/8. Little seemed to be weak, with waning resolve.Jasper has been missing since 0930 on 7/7.
The intruder on the nest at Fortis Exshaw. We may lose Little but please send this nest your most positive wishes. When Jasper disappeared these babies were so tiny. Most of the Mums do not go easily slip into getting fish for their chicks and it is going to be very difficult for Louise.
The two osplets have been ringed at the Borders nest and if you watched it is no surprise that the bigger and more aggressive second hatch is a female with the first hatch being a male. The male weighed 1480 grams and is Blue 733 and the female weighed in at a good 1720 grams and is Blue 732.
I still love how Dad likes to be on the nest ‘to see’ Mum feed the only surviving osplet at the MN Landscape Arboretum nest.
The little one got a late night feeding. Feeling optimistic.
Little Mini might have dreamed about being home alone and getting a huge fish delivery from Dad until it became a reality on Sunday at 12:41. Mini worked on that fish til 1330 when one of the Big siblings came home and took it. Oh, how I wish Mum had flown in and fed Mini.
There was so much left I wonder how much Mini was actually able to eat…I know she pulled really hard on the skin – you could see this on the streaming cam.
Mini got a late night feeding by Mum. These parents will not forget their fourth chick!
Awwwhhhh. After seeing fish on the nest and wishing, Mum feeds little Mini at 10:15 Monday morning. Mini I son Mum’s right.
So a spin through some of the nest that I have been monitoring:
Cowlitz PUD: Nice fish on the nest and it looks as if some was left so the Only Bob could practice self-feeding. Fantastic.
Collins Marsh: The two osplets were doing well on a rather misty/foggy Sunday. The fish cannot be huge or plentiful – or else that streaming cam goes through quickly. Still everyone seems to be alright.
Clark PUD: Sometimes the camera angle is so bad you cannot see a feeding! The only hint I have is that one of the osplets has a large crop and there was a fish left on the nest. Looks like the adults are teasing the waters of self-feeding at this nest, too.
Bridges Golf: Everything is fine.
Boulder County Fair Grounds: Lots of nice fish coming on to the nest. Sometimes Little tries to go under Mum to get some bites but, at the end of the day, Mum was hungry, too.
Island Beach: Beau and Bay and their lovely feathered osplets are doing fantastic. The kids are starting to try self-feeding.
Loch Arkaig: He is a beautiful little man who will soon have a name. Louis on top of his game with the fish deliveries on Sunday.
Llyn Clywedog: No place better than home!
Llyn Brenig: Everything is fantastic.
Loch of the Lowes: Blue NC0 did some feeding while one of the chicks delighted in having a piece on its own. Lots of wheeing…just like an eagle. Blue NC0 made sure that both were fed. Fantastic Mum.
Manton Bay: We get a glimpse of them now and then if we are lucky.
Dyfi: Two beautiful birds. Everything is good and better than good with Idris and Telyn and their two chicks. Fledging will be soon.
Glaslyn: Lots of nice fish coming in for these two. Elen and Aran made a great team and I think we have all fallen in love with the new Queen of Glaslyn.
Poole Harbour: Blue 022 made sure that CJ7 and the trio had a nice fish before bedtime!
Alyth: Lots of fish coming on the nest. The chicks give self-feeding a go but Mum comes in and makes sure that everyone gets some fish.
Finnish #1. A middle of the night feeding for what looks like Little.
Finnish #4. Now only two.
Finnish #5. Only two chicks to begin and now two as well. They appear to be alright and not suffering from bad weather or poor fish deliveries.
Moving over to ‘H’s’ reports- thank you ‘H’:
Kent Island – Despite some afternoon storms, all was good for this Osprey family on the bay. I am so happy for Audrey that she has a little one to care for this year. Tom and Audrey’s little kiddo is 28 days old.
Barnegat Light – Duke brought a fluke for his family in the afternoon. At 40 days old, 09/N was doing some wingers.
Severna Park – Chick #1 fledged on 7/9, at 62 days of age. She made a nice return landing on the nest three hours later, and she enjoyed several more flights throughout the day. Chick #2 is 62 days old on 7/10.
Forsythe – All is well for Opal, Oscar, and their two chicks aged 49 and 48 days.
Osoyoos – The fish have been plentiful at the nest. At 14 and 13 days old, those two kids are doing great.
South Cape May Meadows – Hera was seen at her nest in the morning of 7/9, where her three babies died of starvation due to the prolonged storm in June. Zeus has not been seen since the storm. My heart aches for Hera.
Dahlgren – We could see chick #1 fledge this week. The chicks are both doing well, and are 53 and 49 days of age.
Patuxent Nest 1 – There could be another fledge any day. The two siblings are 56 and 55 days old, and I think I can tell them apart, lol, so hopefully we’ll know which one fledges next. Foster loves that perch so much, she spent the night on it, with Mom back on the nest last night.
Audubon Boathouse – Dory and Skiff’s only chick is 30 days old already, and little Skipper is doing great!
It is always a joy to receive your e-mails, to read your comments, and to have you hear with us in Bird World. Take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘B, H, T’, Moorings Park Ospreys, SK Hideaways and SJCH Falcon Cam, Earth.com, Page, BC SPCA, FOBBV, Tatarstan Eagle Cam, Dunrovin Rach, Fortis Exshaw, Borders Ospreys, MN Landscape Arboretum, PSEG, Cowlitz PUD, Collins Marsh, Clark PUD, Bridges Golf, Boulder County Fair Grounds Ospreys, Island Beach State Park, Friends of Loch Arkaig and the Woodland Trust, Geemeff and the Woodland Trust, CarnyXWild, Llyn Brenig Ospreys, LOTL, LRWT, Dyfi Ospreys, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Poole Harbour Ospreys, Alyth, Kent Island, Severna Park, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, Forsythe Ospreys, Osoyoos, Audubon Boathouse, Patuxent River Park, DAhlgren Ospreys, and SCMM.
