Category Archives: Diamond and Xavier

Monday in Bird World

24 February 2024

Greetings Everyone,

We hope that you have had a lovely weekend and got to spend some time with friends or outdoors in nature OR both. Sunshine, the sound of the birds, or the laughter of others can elevate a slow sad day to one full of light. Try it, please.

The days are growing longer on the Canadian Prairie, with daylight stretching until at least 6:00 PM! This is a thrilling reminder that spring is just 27 days away. Ospreys will soon be returning to the UK, and by now, many nests in the US will already have eggs. We are all wishing for their safe return.

The Girls have really been enjoying the warmer weather and longer daylight hours, too. I have noticed that they will only sleep on the back and arms of the sofa if there is a wee blanket.

This year, I am particularly invested in a few remarkable birds—after all, we all have our favourites. I am eagerly anticipating the return of Louis to Dorcha at Loch Arkaig, and I hope he arrives healthy and revitalized. Maya faced challenges in 2024, and I am determined to see her once again partner with Blue 33 to raise a family. Even though Laddie is sadly no longer with us, there is hope that Blue NC0 will find a new mate and create a family at Loch of the Lowes.

I am also excited to see CJ7 reunite with Blue 022. Their incredible bond has allowed them to raise four extraordinary osplets in 2024. Additionally, let’s not forget about Iris and Finnegan! Together, let’s energize the flyways between the southern coast of Texas and Montana to ensure Iris’s safe return, with Finnegan there to protect her and support her in raising another brood of chicks. Join me in sending our heartfelt good wishes! Join me in sending our heartfelt good wishes!

As we turn our attention to the present, the anticipation of this year’s hatchlings fills me with hope—true little miracles waiting to unfold. You may have your own favourites, but for me, the joy of seeing Jak and Audacity finally welcome an eaglet after so many years along with Jackie and Shadow, would make this season unforgettable just like it was with Iris and Finnegan last year or even Beau and Gabby this year. I can already envision myself sitting there, overwhelmed with tears of pure happiness and soggy popcorn.

It is going to be a great year. Can you feel it?

Last week, I shared an article from The Guardian that a reader sent me. The article highlighted the polar bear fur trade and mentioned that the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) was actively involved in or supporting it. The reader, who had donated decided to reach out to the WWF to inquire about their position on polar bear fur and the claims made in The Guardian article. I am pleased to share the response from the WWF that they received.

Thank you for reaching out and sharing your concerns regarding a recent article in The Guardian about WWF’s position on polar bear conservation. We believe the story mispresents our position and we are actively raising inaccuracies with the publication directly. To be clear, WWF does not support or promote the polar bear fur trade, as you can see in our response to the article (https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?13500441/Guardian-response-polar-bears).
 
WWF remains steadfast in our mission to conserve polar bears and their habitat, while respecting the rights of Indigenous communities. Our funds are directed toward scientific monitoring of polar bear subpopulations, developing non-intrusive tracking methods such as eDNA, supporting research on the impacts of climate change on polar bears, and advocating for the protection of vital polar bear habitats. This work is essential to the long-term survival of the species. 
 
We appreciate your passion for wildlife and for the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the conservation of polar bears and their habitat. 
 
Regards,
 
Nirilis
World Wildlife Fund

Donating is a very personal choice, and it can be disappointing when the values we care about conflict with the organizations we support. I’m glad to hear that our reader received a response to their inquiry clearing up the misinformation.

On another note, one of our readers has always dreamed of seeing polar bears in their natural habitat, and they are coming to Manitoba this November for that experience! That is so exciting.

Time to check on our nests. There is a lot happening! In fact, I will apologise for the long ‘list’ and I didn’t even begin to cover all of what is happening! Eggs are being laid everywhere. Just as soon as some of these eagle eggs begin to hatch, ospreys will be returning hoping to find their mates and get on with their breeding season.

I cannot find the live stream for Big Red and Arthur. Normally in the late fall they begin to check on their nest on the Fernow Light Stand. Is it the construction that is causing this? I must find out.

Cornell Red Tail Hawks: Ferris Akel caught Big Red on the scaffolding of the clock tower, one of her favourite spots on the Cornell Campus. It was 39 degrees F. Big Red will be 22 years old this year. She hatched 7 miles from the Cornell Campus in 2003 and was ringed that October. She has been raising chicks on the Cornell Campus for a long, long time. She was on streaming cam in 2012, but that is not to say that she did not start having chicks much earlier than that!

Ferris also found Arthur so all is well. Gosh, it is so good to see them.

Achieva Credit Union: Jack’s fancy nest attracted a new mate and their egg was laid Friday the 21st of February at 22:14. Congratulations!

Frenchman’s Creek: We have an egg! Now, it’s Sunday and we have two. Mum hit by a GHO over night. Can we send the owls on holiday this year?

Pine Island Ospreys: Egg 1 broke. Egg 2 is 40 days old. Looks like it is non-viable. With that audacious owl, I would be just as happy that those eggs simply break or turn into dried Dudleys.

Lake Murray: Resident pair have returned! Gosh, let us hope those strobe lights and mannequins do their job this year and are set up right when those eggs are laid to send a message to those owls.

Hilton Head Nature Conservancy: The two eaglets are doing very well.

Golden Gate Audubon: Richmond is looking for Rosie. She traditionally arrives between February 18 and March 9. Pray for her safe return.

Little Miami Conservancy: Betty laid her first egg with Baker coming to see on the 19th. Expecting egg 2 on Saturday. https://youtu.be/SuT8i49kEmo?

Sauces: The very first egg that Jak and Audacity is incubating is still holding. That egg was laid on our anniversary, the 2nd of the 2nd month. That means that today, that egg is 22 days old. We need another fortnight til pip watch. Oh, please make this their year!

NE Florida: 31 continues to be just the cutest little eaglet! https://youtu.be/6b25MPQhsus?

31 continues to melt my heart. As far as I am concerned, 31 was a miracle eaglet. Let’s see if we can have a couple more at Sauces and Big Bear. Wouldn’t that make this a fantastic year?!

Standing on those feet!!!!!!!!!

Beau turned out just to be the best Daddy 31 could ever have wished to have….

Leucistic Red-tail Hawk: Angel has visited the nest in Tennessee.

Fay Slough Eagle Nest: Has collapsed with all the rain. Dr Sharpe recently installed a camera there. No eggs. Eagles were working on the nest.

Captiva Eagle Nest: Dasher and Dancer are growing, self feeding and doing very well. https://www.youtube.com/live/ba3BD27eKRs?

John Bunker Sands Wetlands: Gosh, look at these two. They grew before our eyes. It has been a good year at this nest. https://www.youtube.com/live/ba3BD27eKRs?

Dataw Island Bald Eagle Nest: Skylar is doing well. Has been seen on camera really flapping its wings!

West End: Thunder and Makai have their second egg. It was laid on 20 February. A Raven took the first.

Durbe County nest of Milda: Milda, the White-tailed Eagle has been coming to the nest preparing for the next breeding season. Eggs should come in the next few weeks. Fantastic. https://youtu.be/YCxGI8aTJWA?

Gleeson’s South Australia Osprey Platform: Marie found herself inland and quite away any possible fish meals. The relief that spread through the Port Lincoln community when Marie turned and flew south to the coast could be felt in Canada. Even the fish fairies were ready with meals for Marie as she would have been super dehydrated.

Latvian Golden Eagles Spilve and Gristles: They are getting ready for an exciting breeding season. https://youtu.be/Faj0YrCBeOg?

University of Florida-Gainesville Osprey Platform: Stella has returned with a new mate. Talon disappeared with three osplets on the nest. Stella managed to keep one of them alive and Talon Jr fledged! Hoping for a better year for this new couple.

Big Bear Valley Eagle Cam: Already people from around the world are getting excited over the prospect of Jackie and Shadow having a wee eaglet this year. There are three eggs. https://youtu.be/u6LnJNYfmHc?

Jan 22, 25, and 28. Pip watch: 27/28th of February!!!!!!!! So what will you be doing on Thursday?????????????????????

Fraser Point: There are three eggs for Andor and Cruz, too! Eggs: 14, 17, and 20 on the Santa Cruz Island nest.

Bluff City ETSU: Franklin and Frances have two eggs being incubated. They were laid on the 26 and 29 of January. So let’s count. Egg 1 is 29 days old today. We should be expecting pip watch in a week – on 3 March. Mark your calendars.

Johnson City ETSU: Boone and Jolene’s first egg is three days older than that of Bluff City which means that we should be looking for a pip watch on the 28th of February or 1 March.

Port Tobacco: Chandler and Hope are another couple with a three egg clutch – 3, 5, and 9 of March! So many three egg clutches this year.

US Steel: Stella and Irvine again with three eggs. This is a first for this nest!!!!!!!!! February 13, 16, and 19.

PA County Farm: Oliver returned to the nest looking good. What a relief with growing concerns over HPAI.

Centreport Eagles: First egg on the 19th. Looking for the second on Saturday before posting this blog.

Notre Dame Eagles: Gigi and her new mate now have two eggs!

Duke Farms: Goodness me. Another three egg clutch. Is this an unusual year? Eggs laid on 17, 20, and 23 of January. Pip watch for the first egg is right now- Friday evening as I write this. Maybe by the time of posting we will have eaglets in New Jersey!

Decorah North: Mr North and Mrs DNF on the 11th and 14th of February.

Redding Eagles: Liberty and Guardian have no eggs yet in the new nest and many are concerned that the time envelope is running out due to the extreme heat of the spring.

Fort St Vrain, Colorado: No eggs yet.

Eagle Country: No eggs yet for Skye or Blaze.

San Jose Falcon Scrape: Monty and Hartley are pair bonding! https://youtu.be/KQhgeUzeU04?

EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT EAGLE EGGS AND MORE.

The first article comes from ‘EJ’ which fit perfectly with the ones I had gathered for us today. How long does it take to lay that egg?

Raptor Resource Project: Bald Eagle and Bird of Prey CamsDownload

Bald Eagle Clutch Size:

This is a summary:

The average clutch size for bald eagles is two eggs, though they can lay up to four. 

Clutch size details 

  • The eggs are usually dull white and unmarked.
  • The incubation period is about 34–36 days.
  • The nestling period is about 56–98 days.
  • The eggs weigh about 110–130 grams.
  • The female incubates the eggs by sitting on the nest to keep them warm.
  • It usually takes her 3–6 days to complete her clutch.

Clutch success 

  • Three-egg nests produce a higher percentage of fledges than either 2-egg nests or 1-egg nests.
  • The number of eggs lost far exceeds the average in some years, while in other years few eggs remain unhatched.

Elfruler wrote an interesting article on breeding success. Note the words they use.

SUCCESS RATES OF CLUTCHES AND BROODS | Bald EaglesDownload

It seems that there are a larger than average number of nests with three egg clutches for the Bald Eagle nests on streaming cams in 2025. What is it that determines clutch size?

Factors that affect clutch size

  • Age: The age of the female bald eagle is related to the size of her clutch. 
  • Season: Cold weather and the time of season can affect clutch size.For example, clutches laid later in the breeding season may have fewer eggs. 
  • Resources: The availability of resources, such as prey, can affect clutch size. 
  • Contaminants: Legacy contaminants like DDT can suppress clutch size. 

Clutch size of bald eagles

  • The average clutch size of bald eagles is just under two eggs. 
  • Successful pairs of bald eagles usually raise one, two, or occasionally three young per nesting attempt. 
  • Bald eagles may lay a second clutch if the first set is lost. 

Other information about bald eagle clutches 

  • The complete breeding cycle from the time of arrival at a nest to the period of fledgling dependency is about six months.
  • Bald eagles may move south in the fall in response to changes in weather conditions and prey availability.

The Peregrine Falcons are starting to pay attention to their scrapes and mates. At Wilmington, Stewart is impressing Bridgette with a nice dressed pigeon!

At Orange, Xavier and Diamond have both been to the scrape. Diamond hid a grebe and well, guess who found it? Cutie pie Xavier!

Where are our Cal Falcons?

At least one falcon seen at Great Spirit Bluff.

We need hope right now and Knepp Farm is giving us a good dose of it!

Stories of hope from near & far – KneppDownload

My bucket list includes seeing Pink-footed geese in Norfolk. Might 2025 be the year?

“Pink foot geese” by grievemere is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/22/young-country-diary-a-sky-full-of-geese-is-an-awe-inspiring-sight?CMP=share_btn_url

Bird says of these lovely geese: “Relatively small and short-necked goose with contrasting dark brown head and neck, small black bill with pink band near tip, and pink legs. In flight shows extensively pale silvery upperwings. Breeds in Greenland, Iceland, and Spitsbergen; winters mainly in coastal lowlands with farmland and marshy grassland. In main areas, occurs in flocks of hundreds or even thousands; elsewhere, singles or family groups can be found among flocks of other geese. Rare but increasing winter visitor to northeastern North America, almost always with flocks of Canada Geese.”

Pink-footed geese breed in remote areas of Greenland, Iceland, and Svalbard during the Arctic summer. They nest on cliffs, rocky outcrops, and tundra hummocks.

Breeding grounds 

  • Greenland: Remote areas of eastern Greenland
  • Iceland: Remote areas of Iceland
  • Svalbard: Remote areas of Svalbard
  • Novaya Zemlya: The Arctic Russian archipelago of Novaya Zemlya

One huge issue for these geese is the thawing tundra. Will this mean that they will spend all year in Iceland, Greenland, and areas of the Russian archipelago?

There are also threats to beloved parrots. What are they? Birdlife International says:

From the humid rainforests of South America to the deserts of Australia, parrots are found on nearly every continent – adding colour and life to ecosystems globally.  

But, did you know that parrots are among the most threatened group of birds in the world?  

Human activities pose the biggest threats to these colourful birds:  

  • Agriculture is impacting 78 species like the near threatened Jonquil Parrot. 
  • Exploitation by the pet trade is affecting 75 species like the critically endangered near threatened Palm Cockatoo. 
  • Logging is affecting 62 species like the critically endangered Swift Parrot.
  • Climate change is affecting 32 species like the endangered Black-billed Amazon.

The count down clock to the arrival of the UK ospreys:

OspreyInformation.UKDownload

‘EJ’ sends a nice read: https://www.komu.com/news/midmissourinews/not-something-you-see-every-day-mu-raptor-rehabilitation-project-treats-rare-hawk/article_62d91008–f088–11ef–b40d–1f409f656370.html

Calico is checking shipping rates for her cards and will have her fundraising page up by Tuesday or Wednesday. She is looking for good shipping deals for those who have written to request cards from Europe and Asia! It is incredible how complicated sending items to others can be. Some couriers are keen competitors, and we hope to have this ready to launch by Wednesday. Thank you for being so patient. Calico is very grateful to all those who have sent notes wishing to support her fundraising.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care of yourself. Try to get outside. Read an uplifting book. Watch a silly romance-comedy. Whatever it takes. We look forward to having you with us again on Thursday.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, images, letters, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘EJ, Geemeff, H, J, SP’, WWF, Ferris Akel Tours, Achieva Credit Union, Frenchman’s Creek, Pine Island Ospreys, Lake Murray Ospreys, Golden Gate Audubon, Little Miami Conservancy, IWS/Explore, NEFL-AEF, Window to Wildlife, Fay Slough Eagle Cam, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Dataw Island, LDF, Fran Solly, University of Florida-Gainsville Osprey Cam, FOBBV, Bluff City-ETSU, Johnson City-ETSU, Port Tobacco Eagle Cam, PIX Cams, PA County Farms, Centreport Eagles, ND-LEEF, Duke Farms, Raptor Resource Project/Explore, FORE, SK Hideaways, Elfruler, Wilmington Falcons, Falcon Cam (Orange), Cal Falcons, Knepp Farm, Openverse, UK Osprey Information, komu news, HDonTap

Thursday in Bird World

12 December 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

If you receive my newsletter on FB, please subscribe as FB is not working at the moment for me!

News is coming in Thursday morning from Wales: The nest tree of Dylan and Blue 5F Seren has been completely destroyed in a storm that has hit Wales. Will there be time to put up a platform for them? This is very sad news for one of our favourite Osprey couples.

I still have no news as to a second egg for Gabby…I hope I have just missed the announcement.

Oh, goodness. It is -40 C with bright blue skies on the Canadian Prairies. By evening it will have warmed up to -34 C. Winter has really come with lots of snow and now the blistering cold. It even feels cold in the house despite the heat and triple pane windows.

Brock made it out for his food Wednesday morning. I am so glad The Girls are inside and safe. Brock has a warm space under the deck. I hope he is using it.

My report is short. The very cold weather seems to have brought on a cold. I will be fine, but I rested and didn’t check on many nests on Wednesday. There is also little activity.

I do have an update from a friend about the state of peregrine falcons in the downtown Melbourne area. “In the last few weeks from all over Melbourne, including some celebrity birds from Collins Street and the airport. (The vet) has successfully fixed all of them – three have been released, three are still in hospital. The Collins Street one will be released on Thursday [today – it is now 12.37pm on Thursday – so it will probably be on the news if it’s a slow news day.”

One of the Collins Street triplets died on the 28th floor from a collision and, another has been in care. Is there another in care? The life of urban raptors can be very precarious and short-lived. We are thankful to all the wildlife rehabbers and vets that put them back together and release them.

Victor Hugo spoke on radio about the Collins Street falcons and falcons in general. I am not sure you can access this link that ‘A’ sent to us. It is a good interview.

. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/melbourne-afternoons/collins-street-peregrine-falcon-chicks-fly-the-coop/104601396 

Speaking of falcons and urban ones, too, Monty and Hartley have been at the scrape! https://youtu.be/FjV_44ZbihQ?

At Orange, Xavier and Diamond are having cicada wars. https://youtu.be/lj394K91vzA?

There are many books on Peregrine Falcons. They range from simple guides, interesting children’s books, to more detailed and more academic oriented tomes.

For everything about Falcons, you cannot beat Richard Sale’s hefty well-researched book on falcons (covers 4 species of falcons including the Peregrine).

The other is J.A. Baker’s small volume. Excellent.

For children, these are really good books to get them interested in the world’s fastest bird.

An exceptional book about the work being done in Idaho.

A book that examines the challenges of an urban falcon. One of my favourites along with Maggie!

San Jose City Hall has announced that they will be upgrading the camera for Monty and Hartley. Isn’t that fantastic news? Thanks, ‘J and SK Hideaways’.

Both Wilko and Kasse have fledged. Kasse did slip out of the nest, but she recovered brilliantly to land on a nearby sailboat. Congratulations Port Lincoln! What a great year it was. We will look forward to seeing these two fighting for fish on the nest, wrecking talons, and getting their wings stronger.

Here is Port Lincoln’s video of that flight: https://youtu.be/nK95SW6Y94E?

This is the summary for part of Thursday. Kasse has no fish yet, not even supplementary fish. They were hoping she would come home.

I did some cutting and pasting. I hope that what I am seeing is Kasse getting some fish. Wilko has tried to keep her away but it appears she has eaten. He gets on their backs including Mum’s!!!!!!! Yes, Kasse gets some fish.


12:38 2		Mum’s into the nest with the 2nd supplemental fish! Mum feeds Wilko. Kasse is still on the anchor rope.
12:43 All Wilko time stamps for now. He’s away to feak and look around.
12:53 Mum’s off of the nest with the 2nd supplemental fish tail. Feeding interupted.
12:57Camera pans out and we see Kasse has disappeared from the anchor rope! Camera pans to her all the way up on a boat mast now!
13:07 3Camera pans and we see Mum’s back on the nest with a supplemental fish. Wilko’s in for some more dining with Mum.
13:15 Wilko feels the urge to feak so he engages it!
Mum finishes it.
13:26Kasse flew above the nest and behind the camera!
13:31Mum’s on the nest with a large fish!Mum (L,Whole)
13:31 4Wilko, once again, joins Mum. Kasse is on the barge. But she’s up on top of the ship.
13:34 Kasse can be seen flying from the ship hood. And she’s just gonna circle over the nest and trying to figure out how to land. Meanwhile Wilko defends the nest, feaks his beak and Mum just eats away at the fish.
13:41 Kasse is finally back in the nest! Wilk pushes at her. She stays in the nest. Wilko attacks Kasse once again! Kasse fights back! Kasse is finally with Mum eating her share of fish.
Kasse gets the fish tail.
14:53Wilko hops from the close branch onto Mum’s back for a second! He then goes onto his sister! Mum’s out.  lol

Overhead cam is working at SW Florida. We will be on pip watch this weekend.

I am looking for that second egg at NE Florida with Gabby and Beau. The day began dry and then got a little wet in the afternoon.

Will we be in for a very long night waiting for this second egg? Maybe.

It’s midnight and there is no second egg at NE Florida yet.

Beau has been incubating since 0647.

At SW Florida, we are now officially on hatch watch as the first egg is 36 days old. I am guessing Friday.

Androcat has the precious eggs and some images: https://youtu.be/eb4VsqInroc?

There is trouble at Eagle Country as Blaze has to battle another eagle! https://youtu.be/At035GK-BdE?

I did not see any eagles at the NCTC nest where fog and damp seemed to be the order of the day. It looks wintery!

It’s raining at Port Tobacco.

It’s winter at the Trempealeau Bald Eagle Nest in Michigan.

Lady returned to check on her nest in the Sydney Olympic Forest. https://youtu.be/17qzyZFKDu8?si=LQw2Yon27-zlDtX1

Meanwhile, Eagle-eye Cathy Cook spotted SE33 flying around the River and the Discovery Centre to land by the roost of the parents. This is wonderful news. I got locked out of FB and thankfully ‘J’ sent me the image that Gracie Shepherd reposted of Cathy Cook’s on the Sea Eagle Cam.

Isn’t it glorious to see SE33 flying free?

‘A’ gives us an update about a visitor to the Royal Albatross colony: “I wanted to give you a cute piece of albatross information. A youngish male who has been visiting the albatross colony has leg bands indicating he hatched in the Chatham Islands between 2011 and 2019. His ID is A11 (black band equals male, metal band on the left leg with coloured band on the right equals Chatham Islands, the ‘A’ denotes a 2011 to 2019 hatch). Anyway, on 8 December, he visited RLK, who was on the nest incubating his egg, and gently preened him. Then, on 11 December, A11 was back, and he did the same, this time preening GLG, who was on her nest. A friendly young chap, obviously, making social bonds? 

But these albatrosses are the sweetest and gentlest of birds. Imagine quite randomly going up to males and females alike as they are incubating their eggs and gently preening them. Isn’t that just beautiful? And so loving towards birds who are presumably strangers to them, at least initially. It was the sweetest interaction. 

GLG and RLK are a tightly bonded pair, and their skycall greetings and allopreening at the incubation changeovers are just adorable. TOO endearing. If this is not love and devotion, then I have never seen it. The sweetness of these precious interactions brings tears to my eyes (although of course it is an emotional night for me). Once their egg is laid, the only time they get to spend together is at these changeovers, and the precious time they spend with each other is so very short in comparison to all those months and years alone at sea. “

‘J’ brings us updates on Rita the Eagle:

It continues to be dangers near the grouse moors for our beloved feathered friends. Why would anyone enjoy killing a gorgeous free flying bird?

Raven found shot dead next to grouse moor in notorious Peak District raptor persecution hotspot – RaDownload

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Heidi, J’, SK Hideaways, Nesting Bird Life and More, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Bart M and PLO, NEFL-AEF, SW Florida Eagle Cam, Androcat, NCTC Eagle Cam, Eagle Country, Port Tobacco Eagle Cam, Trempealeau Bald Eagle Cam, Gracie Shepherd and Bald Eagles 101 and thanks to Cathy Cook!, Raptor Persecution UK, abcnet, Rita the Eagle, SJ City Hall

Sunday in Bird World

8 December 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

Our thoughts are with all the humans and non-humans living along the coast of California and Oregon where a 7.4 earthquake has hit. For my readers and their families, we are thinking of you and wish everyone to be safe.

In the movie, Seven Years in Tibet, there is a scene where they are building the movie theatre for the Dalai Lama. The Tibetans are anguished about the killing of the worms. The Dalai Lama suggests to Heinrich Harrer that he is very clever and he can find a way to construct the building without killing. He explained to the Austrian that all life is sacred and should be respected. I wish a wave would pass around the world where everyone would treat all living beings with great compassion.

It is +4 C in Winnipeg. The snow that fell is all melting. Any ice build up is also melted or melting. It is 1400 and we will have sunlight for another hour and a half. The birds are busy eating. What is worrying me for the last few days is that I have only seen one Blue Jay. Did one decide to migrate late? or did something happen? or are they just coming at different times and I think it is one but it is two? I would like to see them together.

The Girls are enjoying the warm sunshine today. Calico is on the table by my side. She loves being super warm and does not complain when I wrap her up in the duvet at night.

Some of you have asked about the fate of the Canada Goose. As I understand, all of the geese rescued from the wildlife centre are safe along with the one that we saved yesterday. They will spend their winter here in a warm environment with plenty of food and medical care if necessary.

We have cleared the way to set up the Reolink camera and found the perfect spot to install the solar panel. Then we both realised that the camera only operates at -10 C. While it is warm today, in a few days, the reading will have dropped substantially. We are going to set the camera up to see if it works and maybe keep it outside until the temperature dips to -27 C mid-week. It will be a way to test it and give us something to look forward to in the spring.

It seems that we are now in a snowfall warning for Sunday and could get up to 10-20 cm or 4-8 inches. That wasn’t on my phone! Will see if it happens. That camera might have to wait.

‘B’ sent me an article about the geneticists at Stanford solving the mystery of ‘orange’ cats. Of course, both of us wonder why Hugo Yugo is orange after reading it. I wrote my son to see if he could help us. Here is the article, any thoughts?

https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/stanford-scientists-crack-mystery-orange-cats-19962652.php

I wonder if Kasse is going to fledge. She really got some good lift after Wilko took his first flight. Heidi caught it in video and while most people were watching Wilko, it was Kasse that caught my attention.

Here are two videos of the fledge: https://youtu.be/FUlN6W7W1-4?

And Heidi’s which shows a lot of other action: https://youtu.be/pL5NHQ9rJgI?

Yesterday Dad brought in one fish and there were two supplementary fish. Today, Mum brought in a fish early, 0721. Wilko wanted it, but Mum prevailed. It was small and each got a meal. I hope Mum got some, too. Wilko got the tail!

This is what happened today. Mum, you are amazing! And so are you Fish Fairies.

The only surviving chick out of three at the Osprey House Environment Centre in Australia is Marina. She has caught her first fish! Marina fledged on the 29th of September.

There was another good mating at the NE Florida Bald Eagle nest. Will this be the one that gives us that first egg? We wait. https://youtu.be/CedSKh1oIZA?

At SW Florida, M15 knows the way to getting incubation time! A fish gift! Smart lad. https://youtu.be/FV3OEOnS9Ow?

At the West End, Akecheta is protecting the territory against ravens! https://youtu.be/4ET64zP5Frk?

Tonya Irwin brings us up to date on nest E-1 in the Kistachie National Forest.

Here is that video: https://youtu.be/SdCgIy2QADU?

Xavier and Diamond have been in and out of the scrape. My heart breaks for them.

Is it possible to get a dedicated group of BOGs to be there when the chicks fledge so that they can check all the trees and know where the fledglings are if they are injured, help can come quickly.

An announcement from Window to Wildlife regarding the Captiva Osprey Cam:

Some cute little Eurasian Hobbys to keep you entranced – it part of a series from the 2024 nesting period. https://youtu.be/TLOLFuMo-40?

No eagles but a squirrel did visit the MN-DNR Bald Eagle nest on Saturday.

Harry and Harriet are building their nest and – wait – is that snow?! It is Michigan, it is winter! https://youtu.be/pYWYnmfyiWA?

Ferris Akel tours the area around Ithaca on Saturday. He did not find Big Red and Arthur, but there was an impressive number of waterfowl on Cayuga Lake.

Calico was watching Ferris.

Coots.

American Black Ducks and several species of swans.

I like checking in with Ferris who catches the changing seasons in the Ithaca and bird arrivals and departures. I also like to check in with Bruce Yolton who chases down raptors in New York City.

Yolton captured a gorgeous Great Horned Owl in the City a couple of days ago. The GHO was interested in the rodents below on a branch. Great little video! You can find his blog at urbanhawks.com https://youtu.be/ghU7O15gOBQ?

Some stunning photo contest winners!

https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2024/dec/07/the-2024-nature-conservancy-oceania-nature-photo-contest-winners-in-pictures?CMP=share_btn_link

I love Puffins. Doesn’t everyone? Can we end them starving?

“BirdLife, the RSPB, 31 NGOs and the wind sector sent letters to the Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans and asked him to be the champion for the ocean he promised to be. Can he turn the tide for starving Puffins?”

-https://www.birdlife.org/news/2024/12/04/commissioner-kadis-end-puffin-starvation-now/

There are so many talented wildlife photographers who read my blog in the UK. Please send your photos to the RSPB – be part of their cover story!

Finally, the Grouse hunting estates in Scotland are under pressure to change their ways – and they don’t even recognise that they need to stop killing raptors illegally.

Grouse shooting industry under pressure in Scotland – Raptor Persecution UKDownload

Every National Park – every area where there is a high concentration of wildlife – should be making it safer for them to cross the roads!

The Christmas Bird Counts are huge events internationally. Please check with your local birding associations and see how you can take part.

So far, it is quiet, which is a good thing in Bird World. Soon, we will have some eaglets in SW Florida, and by the end of the month, all of the eagle nests will have at least one egg (we hope). We look forward to Kasse fledging, which will happen anytime. She is ready. I was happy to see supplementary fish still being provided. Thank you, fish fairies. These fledglings use much energy and have yet to catch their food. In fact, Marina took over two months to catch her own fish after fledging at Osprey House Environmental Centre.

This afternoon Missey and Baby Hope posed for new photos.

Meanwhile, one of Dyson’s kits was outside enjoying peanuts. The three kits chased one another all over the garden. They were so happy to have a warm day and lots and lots of peanuts!

Their baskets for the winter solstice are being prepared. We have various types of prepared bird seed, hazelnuts, Butter Bark, suet balls, pieces of pear and apple to be prepared on the day. Looking for more ideas! It is our way of thanking them for being such a huge part of our lives!

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘B, Heidi, J’, sfgate.com, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Heidi McGrue, Osprey House Environment Centre, American Eagle Nest Cam Highlights, SK Hideaways, BVS Girl, Tonya Irwin and Kisatachie National Forest Eagle Cam Fans FB, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, Window to Wildlife, Marek Palicka, MN-DNR Eagle Cam, Wings of Whimsy, Ferris Akel Tours, Bruce Yolton, The Guardian, Birdlife International. RSPB England, Raptor Persecution UK, Parks Canada, Missey and Baby Hope

Saturday in Bird World

7 December 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

Oh, it is so nice to have you with us! I am going to post this on Friday evening instead of Saturday morning because of Wilko’s fledge. We will see you again on Sunday.

First up. Wilko fledges at 1325!!!!!!!!!!!!! 62 days old. Wilko returns safely to the nest. (This would have been the title but FB would have refused to post this blog on their site so sorry, Wilko!)

Will the fairies return now that one of the chicks has fledged? We wait to see. I hope they come in with a big fish meal as congratulations.

First up. Well, it was going to be first, but Wilko’s flight preempted Wisdom making the international news. This is grand. The world should be more interested in wildlife.

World’s oldest-known wild bird lays egg in Hawaii at age 74https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/06/worlds-oldest-known-wild-bird-lays-egg-wisdom-albatross?CMP=share_btn_url

Oh, it was -4 C on Friday in Winnipeg. I couldn’t wait to get outside for a long walk at the nature centre. First thing, we found a Canada Goose. You might remember the other day there were five geese eating snow. They were taken to Wildlife Haven, our rescue centre. This one is heading there, too. It felt super to help this one. No one knew it was there as we were the only people on the trails, it seems. This seemed so odd as it was such a fantastic day, but we were glad to be there and to help.

This goose should not be here. It is the only one around. It is different in the spring. Some arrive early when there is still snow so they can get the best nesting spots. This one was destined to starve to death if not freeze. So why is it here? Is it injured? They will find out.

There were deer all over the forest. We tiptoed in our boots so as not to disturb them. I only had my phone and the photos are not great. The one on the right knew I was there. The Chickadees were singing while flitting about while the squirrels were trying their luck at getting peanuts out of the feeders.

It is 1636. The sky is a white-grey with a rose gold tinge. The outdoor lights are glowing bright, and I am waiting for Brock to arrive (he doesn’t). We have figured out what needs to be fixed with all the feral cat houses – only one opening. They feel trapped – so two openings! We will work on that tomorrow. It is still supposed to be warm. We will also start installing the Reolink camera.

Let’s start with the sad news in Bird World first. Cilla Kinross said that Yira is no longer with us. It had been over a week since she thought she had spotted her. I feel so badly for Xavier and Diamond, who work hard all season to raise healthy chicks to have one deformed and euthanised and the other killed.

I have long suspected Yira was not with us. She has been on the Memorial Wall for a couple of weeks now. We never saw the behaviour that Diamond and Xavier would have exerted if they were providing prey for a fledgling. So, soar high, little one. We hope that next season will turn out differently for these beloved parents.

The good news. Just the best. SE33’s release images. Soar high, live long, find a good mate, raise lots of babies, always have a full crop!

If you missed it, images of SE33 being ringed and getting ready to fly.

At the WRDC nest, Rose laid her second egg. Heidi wrote: “
Rose laid egg #2 12/6, at 18:08, approximately 75.5 hours after she laid egg #1.  Rose had been a 4-day layer the past two seasons, and she has just become a 3-day layer.”

At Hilton Head, the Bald Eagles are bringing in the pine boughs readying for that first egg. I wonder if they told the GHOs? https://youtu.be/kobHTx-ALSU?

Saving an Eagle! https://youtu.be/QS_8YOcL0M0?

You might have heard about the earthquake that hit parts of northern California. The nest at Redding, home to Liberty and Guardian, felt the impact. They say the nest is fine. https://youtu.be/Oyocy3zNY8c?

Oh, goodness, the wait for eggs at the nest of Gabby and Beau is like taking fingernails to a chalkboard.

Another wait is fledge. Wilko really wants to fly. Kasse is trying her wings, too. It is quite breezy at Port Lincoln, but they aren’t quite ready yet. Soon, too soon, you two! Settle down and let us enjoy you for a long, long time.

Waiting for fish. Ospreys are always waiting for their fish dinner everywhere. Last night Dad brought in a late fish. I did not see what happened. This came in on chat from Gtr: “20;34 Dad w fish to nest, Kasse gets the fish, 20:35 & 20:37 Wilko tries to steal it but no luck, 20:44 Kasse eats the tail.” Wow. Isn’t that wonderful for Kasse?!

With no fish arriving by 1227, Mum takes off on a blustery Saturday in Port Lincoln to try and feed her family. (I wonder what she thinks about Dad these days.)

Iris and Finnegan’s Owl Pole is now officially replaced.

Thunder and Akecheta sleeping near their nest in the Channel Islands Friday evening.

The Majestics were home, too.

Raven visits Jackie and Shadow’s nest! https://youtu.be/heltAD5mZ84?

Bad weather is hitting the UK. I am glad the ospreys are in their winter homes, but for the rest, stay safe everyone!

I wonder when the Governor of Virginia will understand that there will be no more Menhaden if Omega is allowed to strip the Bay of every last one. Does he think they fall from the sky into the water each spring?

If you happened to miss it, Nox died of a bacterial infection and pneumonia.

Nox the falcon died of pneumonia, says UC Davis veterinary pathology report – Berkeley NewsDownload

Saving the old and wise could help. Phoebe Watson says, “t’s not just humans who get wiser as they age – animals do too, according to a growing body of research. The bigmouth buffalo fish can reach 127 years old, the Greenland shark 392, and some sponges can live for 10,000 years or more. And age is not just a number: as animals get older they behave differently depending on their life experiences, gain richer knowledge of their environment, and often pass it on to younger members of their group, researchers say.

The problem is, we are killing off these older creatures. “Earth’s old animals are in decline,” researchers warned in a paper published in Science last month, which analysed more than 9,000 peer-reviewed papers. Few animals make it to old age, and the ones that do are vulnerable to being hunted or harvested by humans, because they are the biggest or have, for example, the largest antlers, horns or tusks.”

Saving ‘old and wise’ animals vital for species’ survival, say scientistshttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/06/saving-old-and-wise-animals-vital-for-species-survival-say-scientists-longevity-conservation?CMP=share_btn_url

In Hawaii, they are working to reintroduce the Crow. “The Hawaiian crows, or alala, were last found on Hawaii’s Big Island, but they went extinct in the wild in 2002, officials with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance said in a statement. The birds, described as intelligent and charismatic, are the last survivors of all the Hawaiian crow species. Habitat loss, predation and disease by introduced species are threats, among other factors.

“The translocation of alala to Maui is a monumental step forward in conserving the species and a testament to the importance of partnership in reversing biodiversity loss,” said Megan Owen, vice-president of conservation science at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.”

Hawaiian crow that went extinct in the wild decades ago released on Mauihttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/05/hawaiian-crows-alala-maui?CMP=share_btn_url

To our knowledge, at the time of writing, there are no new Bald Eagle eggs except for the second egg at WRDC. Incubation is going well at nests with eggs.

Calico wishes each of you the very best weekend. She has some exciting news coming in the new year!

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, images, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Heidi, SP’, The Guardian, Holly Parsons, Sea Eagle Cam, WRDC, Hilton Head Land Trust, EaGal Vicki, NEFL-AEF, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Montana Osprey Cams, IWS/Explore.org, Denton Homes, SK Hideaways, UK Osprey Information and Jeff Kear, Brian Collins and Menhaden- Little Fish, Big Deal, UC Berkeley News

Thursday in Bird World

5 December 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

First – just look at SE33 ready to take on the world! Just about.

SE33 is just gorgeous. Look at the amazing plumage pattern on those underwings! I wish this incredible eagle a long, long life, full of prey items, a wonderful mate, and lots of little eaglets. Do it for SE34, too – SE33, you have to live life to the fullest for both of you.

There will be some small squeeze treats for The Girls today to celebrate the anniversary of Hugo Yugo’s arrival. Was it as cold last year as it is this morning, -15 C. The sky is the most transparent, brightest blue we have seen for some time. There are sun dogs on either side, iridescent like someone sprayed gold and bronze paint on them. Sundogs are atmospheric optical phenomena that appear as bright light spots on either side of the sun at about 22 degrees. They are red on the inside and white on the outside. The sundog varies in shape and size of the ice crystals that create them. They appear when the sun or moon shines through a thin cirrus cloud of hexagonal ice crystals. The ice crystals then refract the light causing the sundogs to appear. Living in Winnipeg, you know it is very cold if you see them.

The snow that has fallen the past couple of days makes the outdoors seem even brighter. There are no girls in the conservatory. They had their breakfast and opted for the sitting room where it is warmer to their paws. I close off the conservatory at night, something that I did not do last year. I want to see if there is any savings. It might just equal out by having to heat it right up every morning.

In the garden, there are a few Sparrows, a single Red Squirrel and a dozen Starlings wanting breakfast. Someone ate all the cat kibble so that has been replaced in case Brock shows up. He seems to not like snow or cold weather. I do not blame him!

Oh, Dyson’s kits have shown up!

The wind is picking up. Both Crows have now arrived for peanuts so all we are missing in the garden count are the two Blue Jays.

I forgot to leave the kibble for the Starlings so out I go!

With the arrival of the egg for Ron and Rita at the WRDC, it is only a matter of days before we start seeing eggs in the other nests, I hope. Will Gabby and Beau be next?

Beau has been checking out the nest bowl all morning at NE Florida. He also brought Gabby a fish gift – an improvement on last year! Will Gabby get to be a Mum again? It has been some time. Beau has protected the nest and kept off any attempts at a takeover. He is a great protector. Last year, he didn’t know what to do. Let’s see what happens this year. I am just grateful that those eggs did not hatch last year.

AEF captures food gift for Gabby: https://youtu.be/S_On1yAzTFA?

All is well at SW Florida and Captiva. Incubation continues at both nests. We are now less than a fortnight away from hatch for M15 and F23 in Fort Myers, Florida.

The nest bowl at Captiva is soooo deep.

Liberty and Guardian have been at the nest and goodness. Let’s get these eaglets hatched and up and flying before the real heat arrives.

Skye and Blaze were both hit hard by a GHO during the night at Eagle Country. Both eagles returned to the nest in the morning. The presence of GHOs is becoming even more alarming this year as storms and fires have destroyed good nesting spots.

36 million years of discord between owls and eagles. https://youtu.be/wUgwRkXxTDA?

61 and 57 days old, Wilko and Kasse are waiting for breakfast at Port Lincoln.

Black winged Kite has 7 chicks to feed. Gorgeous. https://youtu.be/S_On1yAzTFA?

Adult Black-winged kites are about the size of small falcons. They are the softest light grey underneath with a steel blue grey plumage above, black shoulders and wing coverts that give them their name. They have bright yellow legs and distinctive red eyes. They live near farming lands with woods, semi-desert areas, and open savannahs. They are versatile in their hunting styles – hovering like kestrels or gliding low over the fields like a harrier. Their geographical location is Western Europe, SE Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and the coast of Africa.

“Black-winged kite (Elanus caeruleus) Photograph by Shantanu Kuveskar” by Shantanu Kuveskar is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

The New York Times published an article about Bird Flu. We cannot dismiss it and West Nile Virus as contributing factors to raptor mortality this year, along with lead and rodenticide poisoning, loss of habitat, and direct human interaction such as shooting.

The Morning Bird flu explainedDownload

Following the Molis. Today it is Kalama.

Tagging of Royal Cam parents to take place.

Do you know about the blue socks helping the Blue Booty? And the two brothers that are helping? Will and Matty? Socks are $16 US and shipping is free in the US. $5 internationally. —— Young people doing something wonderful for the world and especially if it involves feathers really warms my heart!

All About Birds Cool Facts about Blue-footed Booby:

  • Cool Facts
    • To stay cool in very hot environments, Blue-footed Boobies sometimes defecate on their feet (a behavior called urohydrosis). They also flutter the skin of their throats (the gular pouch) by rapidly vibrating bones in their throat, which creates evaporative cooling through the open mouth.
    • The blue color of Blue-footed Booby’s feet varies in its intensity. Boobies with bluer feet appear to have more success in finding a mate than birds with duller blue feet. One study looked at foot color in relation to the health of young chicks and found that healthiest chicks tended to have fathers with intensely blue feet—possibly an indication of the father’s ability to keep himself well fed. Although the famous mating display might seem comical to humans, the display of foot color provides critical information on a bird’s health and ability to provide for young.
    • The Blue-footed Booby makes no nest, but lays its eggs on bare ground. The incubating birds defecate while on the nest, and the eggs become surrounded by a circular wall of excrement.

Dead birds causing concern in South Australia.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/dec/05/native-birds-flying-foxes-lead-port-pirie-south-australia-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url

Calico’s Tip for the Day for those that have feral cat shelters and live in snowy areas:

It is hard to imagine, but an osprey was photographed in Cork, Ireland yesterday. It has not migrated. I wonder how many are still in England?

In 2024, the death rate for osprey chicks internationally was super high. It was 26.6%. These are clearly documented instances. We know of many other deaths related to starvation along the Chesapeake Bay, but we do not have enough detailed information on the nests to post the information on the data forms. The mortality figures would have been considerably higher.

As it stands, this is 6% higher than in 2023.

‘J’ sends the Rita the Eagle Update:

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘J, RP’, Judy Harrington, NEFL-AEF, SW Florida Eagle Cam, AEF, Window to Wildlife, FORE, Eagle Country, WATOP. Port Lincoln Ospreys, Review Bird Nest, The New York Times, Hob Osterlund, Sharon Dunne, Will and Matty, Cornell All About Birds, The Guardian, Winnipeg Missing and Found Cat Watch, International Osprey Data Project, Rita the Eagle and Marathon

Tuesday in Bird World

3 December 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

Well, goodness me. It is Wilko with the pink and green ring! I thought it was Kasse- thinking female here. Apologies. Kasse is red and white. So it was Wilko, not Kasse being bold as it normally was. Thanks, Heidi! I should also add that Heidi mentioned she did not get some posts since she usually catches the blog on FB. FB does not like my titles and I had PLO has a boy and a girl. FB removed that post. I am on Bluesky, too. They do not do that! Thank goodness.

Gosh, hasn’t the year flown by? It feels like yesterday we were watching M15 and F23 raise their first eaglet together, and now we are waiting for their two eggs to hatch in 2024. Time flies.

The garden animals enjoy a few treats as the days get shorter and colder. There are new nut cylinders with mealworms, and I have added some cat kibble to the Black Oil Seed supply. We are in the process of gathering up special nuts and seeds, along with some cubed pears and apples. We will be making the birds and squirrels a basket for the solstice. I suspect we will need two – one for the Crows and Jays and another for the squirrels and smaller songbirds. We want to capture some special moments with them on a Reolink Wildlife camera. The thing to remember is that I need to be IT savvy and I am not very so fingers and toes crossed. We will see if this is as easy to install and operate as they say the camera is! We can get colour images day and night without disturbing the animals and birds to show you. Of course, the feral cats will have treats, too. Today, they dental kibble and enjoyed it on top of their wet food and water. It is incredible how thirsty the feral cats can be – so please leave out water if you can. It is life-saving!

Mr Crow was pounding away on the suet today and ignoring the peanuts. The fat in the suet really helps the birds to stay warm on the cold days – and when it is sunny, the temperature is usually colder.

Brock has been around twice today and just left. It is 1536, and the sun is getting low on the horizon. It is -11. The temperature is warming, and we will have snow on Tuesday and Wednesday. I lucked into finding someone reliable who does a great job clearing our snow this year. I am so thankful.

I continue to be thankful for my beautiful life – for the joy these fantastic animals and birds bring to us, the cats, our friends and family, and you. We need a few material things, but we certainly need love and community and the hope that as we move forward, we can, in each of our ways, make a difference, whether it is that clean used towel to the rehabber, a bowl of water for a feral cat or the birds, or a donation. Together, we can move mountains.

Now let us get on to these birds and other news items that are happening.

Breaking News: YRK, the mate of the late OGK, has a new mate and a fertilized egg! Oh, my goodness. This is wonderful news.

‘MP’ has sent news that Jack was on the Achieva nest on Monday. He had been MIA for several days, and that caused considerable concern among viewers of the nest. Another osprey was there in the morning and is seen below. It wasn’t Jack or Diane. I had hoped that it was Tumbles all grown up, but the marking on her head was not the same as hers. This adult looked down at the mess on that nest – it was a mess!

Jackie and Shadow always amaze us with their hope. They never give up, and as Hob Osterlund points out, neither do these two female Laysan Albatross.

Oh, this is a huge milestone! Congratulations.

Smile. Black bears enjoying watermelon.

Wilko is 59 days old today, and Kasse is 56 days old. They are incredibly gorgeous osplets. I’m so glad that they are ringed and both have trackers.

Many of you have written to find out about the other fledglings at the PLO nest and especially Ervie. My goodness, Ervie must be one of the most beloved osprey fledglings ever. I have sent Bart a note to see if the tracking for Ervie, Bradley, and Giliath might be posted weekly. Bart is looking into it with no promises. Another firm handles the monitoring and PLO doesn’t have direct access. I have no doubt Bart will try as hard as he can. He knows how much we love those birds!

Oh, gosh, it is nearly 11 and no fish yet. After a lot of hovering, Wilko is getting peckish.

The fish fairy arrives to save the day!

Wilko did more hovering! Remember, Wilko is a male and would naturally fledge first.

It was a beautiful morning at the NE Florida nest of Gabby and Beau. Waiting for that first egg – rather impatiently as I assume everyone is!

Hello Annie!

F23 calls as she sees M15 arriving with a nice fish for her! Best to turn the volume down. https://youtu.be/vUqFK4wehI8?

Jackie and Shadow were busy having a detailed conversation! https://youtu.be/pTOkP3aWC9Q?

Fran Solly just posted a recap of Roy Dennis’s time in Port Lincoln. What a treat for everyone who was able to have dinner with this dedicated individual.

In Estonia, there was a juvenile White-tail eagle that came to visit the nest of Milda and Zorro in Durbe County. Gorgeous bird. https://youtu.be/gEv2-TERZ3c?

The Glen Turret Estate is giving up bean Grouse Shooting in favour of a dramatic ecological restoration of the land. This is part of this report:

“Regular blog readers will know that Strathbraan is dominated by a number of estates with driven grouse moors and the area has been identified in a Government-commissioned report as being a hotspot for raptor persecution. It’s also the area where NatureScot (formerly SNH) licensed a controversial raven cull in 2018 (see here) but then came under fire from its own scientific advisory committee who stated the scientific rigour of the licence was “completely inadequate“. 

Glen Turret Estate has been at the centre of police investigations into alleged wildlife crime over a period of many years (no prosecutions or General Licence restrictions, natch) so the news that it is under new management and no longer operating as a driven grouse moor is very welcome indeed.

This should mean an end to the use of things like crow-cage traps, commonly deployed [legally!] on grouse moors in all seasons, where non-target species like this Long-eared owl can no longer be caught and held for over 24 hrs in appalling weather conditions (photo by RSPB).”

Glen Turret Estate under new management – ecological restoration is in, grouse shooting is out – RapDownload

WIRES reports the miraculous save of a tiny Flying female pup (Australia). WIRES does some amazing things including providing vet care for sea eagles!

Did you know that Wood Ducks like acorns? Just look what happened at Port Louisa Wildlife Refuge in Wapello, Iowa. I wonder if some of those migrating Wood Ducks didn’t come from Manitoba.

Male (brighter with hood) and female (white teardrop behind eye) Wood Ducks at our local duck pond.

As climate change impacts the planet, there are opportunities for conservation and a cranberry farm in Massachusetts is being returned to the wetlands it once was with ducks! quacking wildly!

Cranberry farmers are now turning their bogs into wetlands – The Washington PostDownload

Benedict Cumberbatch gives us a 2 minute BBC presentation on the Kakapo! https://youtu.be/E3a88_SjJR0?

Calico’s Tip of the Day: For those celebrating Christmas and putting up a real tree, do want to keep it fresh? or do you want dry needles sticking in everyone’s socks? Well, follow these simple instructions to keep that tree fresh: Do not water your tree! First, bring the water to a boil. Then let it stand for 5 minutes, and fill the container for the trunk. This will stop the sap from getting hard and allow the water to go up the trunk. If you use cold water, it will clog the openings, and the tree will die quickly!

Smile! Baby Hope pretends she is Mamma Calico, stopping the invaders from pulling the duvet off!

‘J’ reports that the Loon Preservation Society reported no mortalities or rescues during November. That is fantastic.

Another possible sighting of Yira around the tower, but no positive confirmation as there are other birds in the area. Where is she being fed if this is her?

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘J, MP’, Sharon Dunne, Achieva Credit Union, Hob Osterlund, Kartong Bird Observatory, Bear with Us Center for Bears, Port Lincoln Osprey, NEFL-AEF, Cal Falcons, Androcat, SK Hideaways, Fran Solly, Friends of Osprey Sth Aus, liznm, The Washington Post, Raptor Persecution UK, Port Louisa Wildlife Refuge, BBC

Monday in Bird World

2 December 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

It has been snowing gently all day in Winnipeg. We did something entirely unusual: We went to a carolling event in the forest. It was a refreshing change for two people who cannot sing a note! As I write now, Brock is having his dinner. He comes between 1500 and 1600 on snowy days and probably cuddles up warm in his dark, dry space the rest of the time. I never see him wandering on the sidewalk. I wish he would take two steps, cross the threshold, and come inside with The Girls.

Winter is a time for slowing down, just like the animals. Tonight sipping spiced Christmas tea and eating shortbread is a wonderful treat. It is so bright outside with the lights reflecting off the new snow. It is gorgeous. I wish you could sit here with me. I am also watching for a rabbit. Last night one appeared under the bird feeders. It was digging around the snow searching for seed kicked out by the birds. Oh, what big smiles we had. Every year we have had at least one rabbit going back to 2014 when the first ‘Hedwig’ appeared in the garden. Hedwig was a White-tailed Rabbit whose nest was under our Peony plant. She came to the garden for three years. Others came after and one spring we saw several dozen rabbits during mating season. That was really something. They can jump so high!

We have the appropriate dress for walking in -40 C and will do. Our granddaughter went to the forest and fed the chickadees two days ago. She said there were so many, more than the last time she was at Bird’s Hill Park. I cannot wait to return; it would be nice if that happened today! It will depend if my donation bags are ready. This is the time of year when the less fortunate need coats, sweaters, scarves, toques, gloves, warm socks, and boots.

There has been little news in the world of birds, and I believe that’s a positive development. I won’t overwhelm you at the beginning of the week with countless stories about Bald Eagles rearranging sticks, as they are all preparing for the breeding season and the arrival of eggs. The real question is: who will be next? Hatch is not expected at SW Florida for M15 and F23 for a fortnight, then Superbeaks, and Captiva.

Cilla Kinross reports she is concerned about Yira since she has not been seen in a week. Sadly, she cannot be on campus until Thursday or Friday.

CK has posted this video of a bird, possibly Yira, flying by tower. Diamond and Xavier were accounted for so it wasn’t them. Could be wishful thinking. I would love to see Yira in the scrape – it is certainly long enough that she is able to fly this high – or the parents dropping food to her. https://youtu.be/dfuPoztS1Ww?

Sylvia has done a season recap of Diamond and Xavier’s 2024 season at Orange with Yira and Garramma. https://youtu.be/sVgiHH607Kc?

News from the Parramatta River with Judy Harrington:

Gabby had fish in the nest. Oh, I can’t wait for her and Beau to have eggs and please, Beau, do not bury any of them. Please. https://youtu.be/tbJserd7F7o?

Both eagles were at the nest on Sunday.

There is no question that Gabby is entirely smitten by Beau. She made her choice and let us hope these two are successful this year in raising at least one little eaglet to fledge. https://youtu.be/eB5uY9NiKJU?

An egg in the nest in a week?

Peregrine Falcons working a neighborhood near Duurstede in The Netherlands. https://youtu.be/k8m4JaMmZWI?

Kids at Port Lincoln work their wings while waiting for fish to come to the nest.

Dad is over on the old barge and the fish fairy came. Kasse is self-feeding and all is good.

I want you to notice something. Who is standing up tall on Sunday morning staring down the fish fairy? It isn’t Wilko. It is Kasse! She is going to be one fierce mamma.

Putting that bling on Kasse just seemed to empower her! Lovin’ it.

This osprey nest looks dismal, forlorn, abandoned. How long has it been since Jack has been seen? Some are worried.

Gigi and the new male have been at the ND-LEEF nest despite the snow in South Bend, Indiana.

So thankful for Hob Osterlund who keeps us well informed about the Laysan Albatross colony on Kauai.

What are the current threats to these gentle seabirds?

Laysan Albatross (Mōlī) – American Bird ConservancyDownload
Facing Into the Wind: The Complicated Fate of the Laysan Albatross | Living Bird | All About BirdsDownload

I must find out how this is working out.

A Single Mexican Island May Be Our Best Hope for Saving Black-footed Albatrosses | AudubonDownload

The Kakapo Recovery use its funds to care for these very endangered flightless parrots.

Current conservation: Kākāpō RecoveryDownload

Video in two parts on the efforts to save the Kakapo.

Holly Parsons posted a video with Wisdom and her new mate on the Midway Atoll. Their response to one another is heart-warming.

We might think that the stealing of bird’s eggs for collectors ended in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Well, we would be wrong. More and more people are been charged with the illegal collection and sale of eggs – including those of our beloved and endangered raptors.

Another man arrested in coordinated police investigation into illegal trading of wild birds’ eggs –Download

Why do they do it?

Inside the Bizarre, Secretive World of Obsessive Egg Thieves | AudubonDownload

Judy Harrington’s latest report:

The nature centre had its annual ‘big’ sale, and we hope to have enough goodies to create a few holiday baskets for the garden animals. And, if everything works as planned, we plan to show you their response in a video. Stay tuned.

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, images, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘SP’, Cilla Kinross, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, Sylvia, Judy Harrington, American Eagle Federation, NEFL-AEF, Yvonne M, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Bart M and PLO, Achieva Credit Union, ND-LEEF, Hob Osterlund, American Bird Conservancy, Cornell All About Birds, Kakapo Recovery, NZ-DOC, Holly Parsons and Friends of Midway Atoll, Raptor Persecution UK, Audubon, Judy Harrington

Tuesday in Bird World

26 November 2024

Good Morning,

It snowed on and off all day. This morning there were five grey squirrels at the feeders – five in sight, altogether. Dyson, the three kits, and another one. Is it Dyson’s mate?

A cutie.

Then these four. Each appears to be healthy. They have their heavy winter coats and are so beautiful against the snow.

Starlings came. So did the Blue Jays, Crows, and Sparrows. Everyone was hungry. They are working away at the suet cylinder. Calico and I hope to get into the kitchen and make some suet cookies to hang throughout the lilacs. Where does the time go? How did I ever teach, assist in running a school of art, and take care of a home?

Oh, it is always so lovely to see them. However, Brock (aka The Boyfriend) did not come at his usual time. It worried me. Several hours later, Calico came in and kept patting me and meowing. Brock was here! Communication. Brock prefers wet food, but it freezes, and it is so hard to watch for him when we have busy days. This was amazing.

A shout out to ‘H’ and ‘J’ for some news you will all want to hear.

Sadly, I have added Bald Eagle Abby and mate of Blaze at Eagle Country to our Memorial Wall. She has been MIA long enough for Eagle Country to declare her deceased. A new female is now at the nest with Blaze.

This is the new female Skye.

Link to all of the Eagle Country cams – and they have a lot of them on this nest!

https://www.youtube.com/@EagleCountry/streams

Blaze at the nest as the sun begins to set. Beautiful sunset.

The video of the install of the new camera for the MN-DNR Bald Eagles. https://youtu.be/EWZF56NcxyA?

Mark your calendars. ‘H’ informs me: “Banding for Wilko and Kasse at PLO:  Weather permitting, Saturday 11/30.  Alternate dates 12/1 or 12/2.” It makes me sad. They will soon fledge after this and I find myself hoping that they are male so they hang around, but we need some females down there for Ervie!!!!!!! I sure hope Wilko doesn’t fledge or the ringing will be canceled.

SK Hideaways has posted a video showing what appears to be one of the adults in flight traning with another bird. Is this training with Yira? or is this Diamond and Xavier flying together? passing prey? I want to believe it is Yira.

Oh, it is a bright morning at Port Lincoln. We have lots of wingers going on! Everyone is anticipating the arrival of the morning fish.

The Fish Fairy arrived at mid-morning much to the delight of Mum, Wilko, and Kasse. Just look at all the nice fish! They were hungry. This is so good.

They will sure make quick work of those fish! Seven were delivered. Wilko was unafraid!

Dad came and took one of the fish for himself leaving Mum and the kids six. Wilko is trying to unzip one.

Look at the time. Almost all of the fish are gone.

Wind and rain came later to Port Lincoln.

‘A’ writes: “I see on the Port Lincoln chat that you have nominated Kasse as female and Wilko as male, and based on relative size and their behaviours, I absolutely agree with you. I initially thought they might both be male, because they got along so well, but at this stage, Kasse is absolutely huge, so large that she really must be a female. Wilko is a cute and brave little man. How much did he make you laugh today, standing up to defend the nest against the potentially dangerous Hat? And as for Kasse, she pancaked beautifully at the approach of the Fish Fairy’s vessel and stayed flat to the nest, her eyes wide in amazement as the Hat deposited a veritable fish-shop display window onto the nest right in front of her. In fact, she remained pancaked for about five minutes, until Mum literally landed on her head! I also admit to laughing uncontrollably at the sight of Kasse literally being stood on her head overbalancing while grabbing a bite just after 10:25. TOO funny. She did eventually manage to regain her footing but it took her quite a while. 

These two are adorable. Kasse has absolutely no fear of her older sibling, and I do think their behaviour definitely supports your opinion. The older they have got, the more obvious those genders have been, with lots of small interactions suggesting that Wilko is indeed the older brother, with Kasse the younger sister. I always think that for stress-free viewing, this is by far the best option (apart from two males on the nest). If we are going to have a behaviourally dominant female on a nest, it is best that she be the youngest, as it gives her a bit of spunk to survive being bottom of the pecking order and means her older sibling is not too aggressive. That of course is what has happened here in my opinion. But they are both gorgeous, very healthy and have a magnificent mum. I could not agree more with your assessment of this osprey mum. She has been incredible this season, including taking over fishing duties whenever it has been necessary. Just a really special bird. “

Gabby and Beau are diligently working on their nest in NE Florida. They seem to do this early in the morning when it is cooler.

A gorgeous day at the Captiva Bald Eagle cam.

‘J’ copied Rita’s History Monday for us: “It’s time for Rita’s History Monday! Now that Rita’s offspring, #98, was off on her eagle adventure, attention once again focused on the fallen nest. Year after year it fell apart, and as Lloyd Brown of Wildlife Rescue and Ron Magill of Zoo Miami examined the condition of what little was left, they felt that it would be in the best interest of the eagles to install a more secure platform in a more stable spot in the tree. It is said that Bald Eagles mate for life, and they also have nest fidelity, so they return to the same nest tree each year. The remnants of the old nest were 95 feet high, up in a spindly part of a Casaurina (Australian) Pine. There was concern that if the eagles returned and tried to rebuild in that unstable spot, the nest would likely fail again. With approval from US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), they researched the best type of platform that could be used in that type of tree. So, in preparation for Season 2022, a new nest platform was installed! The platform is made of a 5 foot wide wooden papasan chair that was lined with plastic mesh to provide drainage and airflow. This type of nest has been successfully used for other Bald Eagle nest platforms. They carefully secured it in the tree and partially filled it with small sticks and pine needles to make it more inviting. We waited and hoped that the eagles would return. But, that’s not all folks! The community was also in for a great surprise! Stay tuned for more exciting news and thank you for liking and sharing the history of Rita.”

Xavier is arriving with cicadas. Does anyone remember Izzi eating all those cicadas like they were ice lollies? Oh, how I miss that lovely boy. https://youtu.be/ayiv0X4Z9Sg?

The Peregrines Zen and Zara – SK Hideways shows us their ‘need for speed when a Merlin is concerned! https://youtu.be/-wfh2voivv0?

The Girls and I have been reading books. We have a small stack to get through but we have finished reading Serviceberries. I will talk about that on Thanksgiving Day. The book that Calico really wants me to mention is certainly an exceptional book for young people, but Heidi is going to tell me it is equally terrific for adults, and she would be right. The book is An Anthology of Exquisite Birds by Ben Hoare. This weighty volume has been reviewed, and its gorgeous drawings have received critical acclaim. It is full of fun facts and information in a way that it is different from your normal field guide. It keeps you engaged. I wanted to know more about these exotic birds – well, at least exotic to me! One of my favourite illustrations was the Superb Fairywren.

There are 224 pages, including an entry on my beloved House Sparrows. They noted that thousands of years ago, ‘house sparrows lived only in Europe and Western Asia.’ (189). Today, they are located on every continent except Antarctica. Many loathe having them at their feeders along with European Starlings, and yet, for the decades that birds have been coming to the garden, I cannot honestly cite either one as bullies. Everyone seems to have a turn. One day, after observing the Starlings for several hours, they actually ‘lined up’ to get to the feeder, flying from the neighbour’s tall tree to those at the back of the garden. Then, a few would fly to Abigail’s tree, waiting their turn in line for the big tray feeder. It looked exceptionally well organized. For the life of me, I simply cannot abide by those that go to the end of the earth to find ways to stop these two species from getting seed at their feeders. If a human or non human is hungry, then why not feed it? Does it really matter what feather pattern the birds have? At some time in the future, perhaps sooner than they might realize, the sparrow’s song might be the only one in the garden. At the same time, their numbers are declining. Research indicates that sparrow numbers are declining worldwide. The North American Breeding Bird Survey estimates that the total numbers of sparrows declined by 80% between 1966 and 2019. In Europe, numbers are down by approximately 60%.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/16/house-sparrow-population-in-europe-drops-by-247m?CMP=share_btn_url

Please spread the news that these little birds deserve food and water, too!

Where Have All the House Sparrows Gone?Download

This is the list of birds included in this beautiful encyclopedia of sorts that also includes information on feathers, nests, beaks, etc.

I didn’t ask permission to post these page images, but I hope the publisher will realize that Calico’s Ten Golden Paw Award is, precisely, a golden recommendation! If you have someone struggling to find a birthday gift or a holiday present, this could solve your struggles. It is $21.40 US from the online retailers. It’s a perfect price point, too. It is an excellent book to hold and read. Good paper, gold tipped pages matching the amazing cover, below.

Did you miss Ventana Wildlife’s November Condor Chat? Here it is archived! https://youtu.be/1JWS76hlPG8?

In Scotland, a Golden Eagle dies at a wind turbine farm.

Golden eagle dies in rare collision with wind turbine in south Scotland – Raptor Persecution UKDownload

Be careful for the deer. The four deer were running around trying to find food this morning. We had a huge box of apples, carrots, cabbage, etc and could not find them despite the fact they had been near to our house 45 minutes prior. Tomorrow we will leave the food at the park. There were City workers doing something to the road next to where they stay so no one saw them there.

You can see the snow that fell on our garden by looking at the top of the table. The tracks belong to Brock who has chosen to come and go to a place where he feels safe. Oh, maybe one day he will trust us enough to just step inside. For now, we hope he is warm. It is -5 C and feels like -10.

How do birds stay warm in this kind of cold?

How do birds keep warm in the winter? | U.S. Fish & Wildlife ServiceDownload

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, images, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, H, J’, Eagle Country, MN-DNR, SK Hideaways, Port Lincoln Ospreys, NEFL-AEF, Window to Wildlife, Rita the Eagle FB, Nesting Birdlife and More, SK Hideaways, An Anthology of Exquisite Birds by Ben Hoare, The Guardian, The Cornell Bird Lab, Ventana Wildlife Society, John Debacker, USFWS

Monday in Bird World

25 November 2024

Hello Everyone,

GREAT NEWS: Morning update on WBSE33.

Judy Harrington reports that WBSE 33 has been cleared by the vets and is fit and ready to go to a rehabilitation facility. There he will gain strength and more experience before release.

Isn’t this wonderful news!

And I want to thank our friend, ‘H’ in Florida for going to take a photo of the Achieva Osprey nest. She says, “I happened to be in the area last week but it was at night and somewhat well lit. The base of the nest sits on a solid wood utility pole that is fully upright and when standing below, it appears the base of the nest is level on the post. You can definitely see the holes in the base of the nest.” Thank you so very, very much. That clears up a lot of questions. Here are the images that ‘H’ took:

Sunday was another grey sky day with some blowing snow. As I write this, the weather app on my phone tells me it will be -9 C. When we go out, we need our warm boots, toques, mitts, and heavier coats. Outside, it felt colder than it was. Even the conservatory feels like it is -20 C, and it isn’t. It is now -5 C and for the first time I have closed the door. The girls are not happy. We will see what is wrong with the heating tomorrow. Maybe just the fact it was cloudy with no sun made it cooler. Just the thought of winter sends shivers down my back, literally.

Near the quarries, Magpies were swooping across the road and a Bald Eagle on top of a pole. More and more Bald Eagles are choosing to stay in Manitoba during the winter. These quarries are perfect places for them to hunt rabbits, squirrels, and voles.

One of the abandoned quarries where there are often waterfowl and deer. The Bald Eagle was very close to this site. I wonder when the water will freeze. This is a vast unused pit that is just full of various wildlife at different times of the year.

Nearer to home was something I didn’t want to see – a deer family at a small park one block square with lots of traffic roaring around on all sides. People walk their dogs (thankfully, they keep them on the lead), but will those dogs cause the deer to bolt? Someone has left pumpkin, and tomorrow, we will take apples and pears for them.

I posted it in our local community news. Most people are very caring. One lady lets them eat all the pumpkins in her garden. How kind. It warmed my heart to see who many who care for this deer family in one way or another.

The territory that the deer once inhabited has been disrupted and transformed into rapid transit routes with dedicated bus lanes and condominiums. It’s truly disheartening to think about how the deer will navigate across four lanes of heavily congested traffic to reach the larger park area if they decide to go there. They face the same challenges that other wildlife do in an urban setting that is nothing more than a building site – predators, cars, habitat loss, and food shortage. Again, thankfully people are providing what they can which included potato peels from one lady today!

Early fish have come to Wilko and Kasse. Mum was obviously very hungry as she held her fish back as Dad came in with a larger fish five minutes later.

This obs board has been updated and what is missing from the one that follows is the mention that Mum has brought in a fish and Kasse will be able to get some nice fish. Mum has really proven herself this year. Incredible. I keep saying that about her and I mean it. If we took away the fish fairies, the only thing that is keeping Wilko and Kasse alive is Mum and her fishing. Sorry Dad. I would scream at you, too.

It is after 1400 and still nothing save for the mornings offerings of fish at Port Lincoln.

The fishing got better at Port Lincoln as the day progressed. Kasse got to eat well at the end.

At NE Florida, Gabby and Beau continue to work on the nest in the early morning.

Incubation continues at SW Florida where M15 and F23 will welcome their eaglet/s earlier than Superbeaks and Captiva.

Thunder and Akecheta are busy working on their nest at the West End in the Channel Islands.

Liberty and Guardian kicking sticks around. https://youtu.be/U6n6tdpAvig?

Gigi and the new male are also working on their nest, the ND-LEEF, in the cooler area of southern Indiana.

A stunning sub-adult is at the US Steel nest.

Bonnie and Clyde were at their nest working diligently.

No further news on WBSE33.

There has been no sighting of Yira. Holly Parsons posts the latest update from Cilla Kinross.

I am skeptical. I have said this many times. I want to see Yira fly past the nest box and grab prey from Xavier’s talons when he drops it. Yira should be begging loudly for prey from the parents. She should be perched on buildings so loud as to get the parent’s attention and anyone passing by. So why have we not heard or seen her? Please, do not get me wrong. I want her to be alive and well and getting prey, but this just doesn’t feel right. With no evidence, I do not know why one would assume that all is well. Or is it, ‘no news is good news?’

Sunnie Day reports that the osprey platform at the Venice Golf and Country Club is being replaced. Way to go

Deb Stecyk caught Bella and Scout at their NCTC nest. https://youtu.be/TZ3pvvhr4Bs?

Thank you so much for being with us today. As you can see, I am feeling a little better. That allowed us to go for a nice outing today. Thank goodness. I am really, really dreading winter arriving this year. There I have said that twice. The snow doesn’t even look beautiful to me this year!

Take care all. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, images, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘H’, Ranger Judy Harrington, Port Lincoln Osprey, Bart M and PLO, NEFL-AEF, SW Florida Eagle Cam, IWS/Explore.org, SK Hideaways, ND-LEEF, Pix Cams, Cardinal Land Conservancy, Judy Harrington, Deb Stecyk. Sunnie Day,

Thursday in Bird World

21 November 2024

Good Morning,

Is it Thanksgiving in the US? I think so. So for all of you celebrating, have a wonderful, wonderful day.

We had snow on Tuesday night that started at midnight. Hugo Yugo and I were up watching the delicate flakes fall, but then the rain came. On Wednesday morning, the sky was icy gray and gloomy. Three girls were watching the squirrels scurry about outside waiting for me to dispense the peanuts.

Over coffee, I re-arranged my list of things to do citing the most important at the top going down to the least. There was another section of things to do for fun when life gets overwhelming.

On Wednesday, we set about getting Don a new ID (he can no longer drive so has no license) and passport pictures, as his passport needs to be renewed. Those were the two most critical items on the list. Then, it was time for some fun, so we went to find some things to decorate the window by my grandmother’s dining room table.

My grandmother was the most special person in my life next to my father. I don’t need her table or her quilts or her needlework to remind me of her. She is always present. Her family was from Switzerland where her grandfather was the Regierungsratspräsident or local government council president of Chur, a canton in the northeast. His job was to preside over meetings – not nearly as glamorous as it might sound! We have travelled to see the family home – a traditional house with an attached barn with the vineyards behind the house going up the mountain. It was incredibly beautiful. I am often asked why my great-grandfather left. It was very simple. Simeon was not the first son; Johannes was. All of the other boys would need to find their way as the oldest would inherit everything. So, at the age of fifteen, Simeon crossed the Atlantic alone, first settling in Virginia and then taking a wagon train to West Texas before finally settling in Oklahoma. He had intended to set himself up as a watchmaker, but all of his tools were stolen on that fateful journey to Texas. Instead, he became a cattle rancher.

The table originally belonged to Simeon and my great-grandmother, Caroline. It is unclear when and where they acquired the quarter-cut oak table with its heavy pedestal. At one point, it had several leaves that could be added or removed depending on the number of people dining. I found it buried in a blackberry patch, where it had been for who knows how long, and it only had two leaves left. For more than half a century, this table has accompanied my family, adding to its rich history. If only tables could talk!

We are creating a little woodland scene on that table. Right now, the focus is on placing little felt birds around the pine cones and candle. No telling what it will look like at the end of the week.

Our fun today was attaching little lights that hung down all across the window along with glittery paper snowflakes. Hopefully, Hugo Yugo will not chew on the little lights of the felt birds.

Missy moved in to watch from the sitting area.

Later, Hugo Yugo plunked herself down in front of the wood stove where she refused to move. (It is 0 C outside, but inside the register is reading 25 C – toasty!)

We now have story time before the fire, and everyone agrees that Olivia Laing’s book, In Search of a Common Paradise. The Garden Against Time is not too bad. I’ll let you know more about those later.

Bazz Hockaday has confirmed that the light installed on the barge has allowed Mum to see and catch the fish in the water just below the nest. She did not fish in past years and this is the reason for the change this year. Wilko, Kasse, and Mum enjoying a very early morning snack.

Just a beautiful osprey family. Chicks self-feeding.

So far…

Precious Mum having a nap. She has brought in all three fish on Thursday at the barge and it is now 1330 nest time. Help us out Dad or fairies…Mum is more than pulling her weight. Gosh, golly. She is gold.

When asked about Yira, Cilla Kinross replied on the chat: “I have seen her once in the field (no photos) and several probable sightings via ledge and tower cam. Some videos available on the Youtube channel FalconCam Project.”

The photograph of this bird has been making the rounds. I am unclear now who took it, but it was taken in Puerto Rico. A dark green band could be an osprey ringed in either France (Corsica) or Portugal. Enquiries have been sent out. It reminds me of Blue KW0 discovered in Barbados two years ago. I will let you know what I discover. spotted in Barbados who was a UK osprey. They do sometimes get ‘carried away’ by the winds.

No further news on SE33.

Two couples wanting the Little Miami Conservancy Bald Eagle nest? https://youtu.be/4MzB3SGpiMc?

At the NE Florida nest of Gabby and Beau, the couple were working on the nest. Later in the day a sub-adult comes visiting.

The day started with rain at Captiva. It cleared. No worries for that egg. Connie and Clive will keep it safe and warm – iguanas included!

I wonder if any ospreys will be interested in the Captiva Osprey platform? There sure are some beautiful sunsets!

Thunder and Akecheta at the West End nest.

Those sweethearts, Jackie and Shadow, were working on that nest today!

They had a little visitor.

Beaky kisses with our lovely couple! https://youtu.be/bevGnWpWOag?

Eagles at Denton Homes working on that new nest!

I love owls, but not when they bother osprey chicks (or any other chicks for that matter). Please eat the mice! There are plenty of them. Barn owls are particularly gorgeous.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/20/country-diary-flushing-out-barn-owls-with-an-explosive-sneeze?CMP=share_btn_url

All About Birds says: “Ghostly pale and normally strictly nocturnal, American Barn Owls are silent predators of the night world. Lanky, with a whitish face, chest, and belly, and buffy upperparts, this owl roosts in hidden, quiet places during the day. By night, they hunt on buoyant wing beats in open fields and meadows. You can find them by listening for their eerie, raspy calls, quite unlike the hoots of other owls.”

Their call sounds like they have a sore throat and need a lozenge. I mostly see GHOs and Snowy Owls. The Snowys are starting to arrive for the winter in Manitoba and can be seen sitting on poles or hay bales in the empty fields.

“Female Snowy Owl Portrait” by Charles Patrick Ewing is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Speaking of owls, I don’t know if it was Owlvira or Hoots that visited the nest on Wednesday, but one of the owls made a brief stop.

Lukin, the WTE chick in a nest on a crane near Sydney, took its first short flight to the top of the crane.

What is it like being a wildlife vet? https://youtu.be/C4g2v08D2gY?

Research indicates that wildflower gardens planted in urban settings is as beneficial to insects as wildflower fields in rural areas.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/20/patches-of-wildflowers-in-cities-can-be-just-as-good-for-insects-as-natural-meadows-study-aoe?CMP=share_btn_url

Checking in on the Black Stork migration. This was the last news. Gosh, I hope Waba kept on going!

Ducks Unlimited Canada is partnering with an Adjunct Professor and others to determine what is happening to the Eider population. One discovery is that their traditional breeding grounds, the Gulf of Maine, is warming and warming. It is one of the fastest warming places on the planet. Where are they going? What is happening?

Where have all the eiders gone_ — Ducks Unlimited CanadaDownload

A beautiful person sent me this. If you can, please feed the birds this winter.

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, images, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: Bazz Hockaday, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Bart M and PLO Obs Board, Ospreys FB, Little Miami Conservancy, NEFL-AEF, Window to Wildlife, IWS/Explore.org, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, Denton Homes, Toronto Wildlife Centre, The Guardian, Live Owl Cam, All About Birds, Openverse, Looduskalender