Category Archives: environmental activism

Waiting for Mother Goose, …Sunday in Bird World

23 April 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

I hope that each of you managed to get outside and really appreciate all the joy and wonder that nature provides us on Earth Day. For Bird World, it was a day of mixed blessings and sadness. But…the kittens are meowing to be first today! They always bring joy and ‘A’ continually reminds me of the health benefits of pets. It is true!

The kittens were positively delighted that Mr Crow paid a visit to the deck yesterday. They watched him for the longest time as he decided between his cheesy dogs and peanuts. The dogs won out because he likes to dip the peanuts in the bird bath and as you can see, the water is frozen again. you can also notice that there is not a leaf yet – we are so in need of ‘green’.

Lewis continues his spell of sleeping upside down and twisting all over the ‘Big Dog Bed’.

They have both grown so much, like all the falcons and eaglets, and can now take over that entire big bed they share! Since 2 November they have been inseparable. When they are sleeping they have to be touching one another. It reminds me of just how traumatic the lives of the rescue kittens can be and how these two immediately sought the comfort of one another.

I want to start with a precious little eaglet at Decorah. What a sweetheart. This one just melts my heart for some reason…more than the others which are equally adorable.

Open wide!

The giggle of the day comes from Cal Falcons:

R4 seems to be doing much better. ‘H’ writes: “Prey deliveries were down yesterday, and the parents ate a large portion of the fish that they brought to the nest!  R4 did not eat until late in the day, but ate quite enthusiastically.  S/he even managed to scarf up some big pieces.  At 18:25 R4 ate for approximately 9 minutes.  And at 19:41, R4 ate for about 12-13 minutes fed by Rose.  Rose and R4 ate that entire fish leaving nothing for R5.  R5 was shorted on food yesterday, and ate for a total of about 10 minutes from 3 feedings.  No worries though, R5 had eaten for about 61 minutes in 7 feedings on 4/21. I have one pic of R4 from 1833 near the end of the feeding from Ron.  R4 ate a lot more a little over an hour later fed by Rose, but R4 simply would not pose for a decent picture!” This is very good news, indeed. ‘H’ mentions that banding is coming up at WRDC and they will definitely give R4 a good check to see if anything is of concern at that time.

Florence returned to the Captiva Osprey platform after an absence of 25 hours but Angu was not about. River freed one talon of DH18 but not the other nor its wing and then the pair have since gotten tangled again or so it appears. One of the eaglets from the Bald Canyon is missing and is presumed to have fallen off the nest in the Channel Islands. The nest is not far off the ground. Hopefully parents providing some food. Eaglet is 3 weeks old.

It is like a roller coaster ride. Meanwhile, Annie and Lou’s little ones are all over the scrape and amazing each of us by their antics. That little one is such a cutie. We are also waiting for the Decorah Goose…this will be exciting.

We will never know what happened but Florence returned to her eggs after 25 hours. It is highly unlikely they are viable but I thought that about Milda’s eggs also and they hatched. We will wait and hope with Florence and Angus.

It is currently 1600 and Angus has not returned to the nest. Oh, dear.

Angus has not been seen since 0955 Saturday morning – nearly 12 hours as I am writing Saturday night. There are intruders in the area as Flo has been alerting. There is a hole in one of the eggs nearest the camera and that it is egg 2 leaving only egg 3, according to the hat. It could just be debris. Sadly a single osprey parent cannot take care of nestlings alone – it is just a fact – if Angus does not return and the eggs hatch.

The call to spread the word about DH18 in distress – tangled in all that fishing line and nesting material – and who will surely die if not untangled – is getting some traction in the news outlets in Tennessee. Will all this attention get help to DH18? Gosh, we would sure hope so! It is a human interest story with Obey disappearing, River having to defend the nest against intruders while trying to raise and feed DH17 and DH18 after DH19 died.

UPDATE: Around 1504 River was able to free DH18’s talon after the feeding. The wing is still tangled. As of Sunday morning it appears that the situation is more distressful as both eaglets are now entangled, again.

This was reported by Deb Stecyk for Bald Eagles 101 Saturday evening:

· “We continue to keep DH18 and the Dale Hollow eagle family in our prayers as DH18 leg remains tangled up in fishing line (and carcass), which appears to be affecting the circulation in that leg/foot. On a positive note, the eaglet is alert, and its appetite is not impaired 😊Some reports on FB indicate the AEF and FWS are watching this situation closely so hopefully help is on the way.”

Poor Mother Goose woke up to a windy Saturday with light snow flakes.

We wait, rather impatiently.

Eggs still in tact Saturday at 2100. Mother Goose takes a break.

After dusk. Mother Goose has been pulling down off her breast today to keep the eggs warm and covered when she leaves and to make sure there is not any drafts when she is incubating.

The Iowa DNR has published an article on 8 Cool Things about Geese!

8-cool-things-you-should-know-about-Canada-geese-DNR-News-ReleasesDownload

We are five days away from fledge watch at Moorings Park Osprey Park in Naples, Florida. Will it be Victor or Abby that flies first?

At 1658 Harry brought in the fourth fish of the day to Sally, Abby, and Victor. It was a Tilapia.

Wet eaglets at Pittsburgh-Hayes Saturday morning.

These two are getting their feathers now. Oh, they look like they are itchy.

It was a gorgeous sunny day on the Channel Islands Bald Eagle nests and we got a rare treat with Chase and Cholyn on the nest together with their little eaglet. Just imagine. They have been together for a long, long time – two decades!

Waiting for that second egg at Glacier Gardens for Liberty and Freedom.

Blue 33 and Maya have some lovely nesting material. Blue 33 has been cuddled up with his lady on and off during Saturday.

It is Saturday and that means that I am lurking while Ferris Akel is doing his live stream in upstate New York near Ithaca. He found five Mute Swans this morning. Gosh, they are beautiful.

There was also a Glossy Ibis at Montezuma as well. They are considered rare for the area and are gorgeous if you can catch the iridescence of their plumage.

There was a single Sandhill Crane in the area of the Glossy Ibis, also. Ferris told us that the red on the head of the Sandhill Crane is not feathers but skin. I had no idea. Thanks, Ferris!

In the fields they eat grain. Everyone, including Ferris, is wondering what they are foraging after here at Montezuma.

American Coots and Blue-winged Teals were paddling in the water.

A Shoveler.

I loved it when Ferris Akel said “Birds always have the right of way but, he wishes they would be more careful”. He also added that “at least they do not look at their phones when they cross the street”! Yeah, Ferris.

At the end of the evening, Ferris caught Arthur, all wet, up on Bradfield while Big Red keeps the eggs warm and dry on the nest. Dark and rainy.

Gracie Shepherd gives us a video of E21 and 22 soaring together in the thermals at Fort Myers. My goodness. It will not be long now til they soar. What a blessing this nest has been. The Es are 16 weeks old. They might be around for another week or a bit. What glorious eagles M15 raised.

The winds are really blowing at Ithaca. Big Red and Arthur are changing shifts and oh, goodness, they must have to hold on tight.

The heavy rain forecast for Ithaca began around 1630.

No worries for any of the Cal Falcons. That third hatch is a firecracker and it had a big crop today!

Iris blessed us by a visit to the Owl Pole today.

The falcons that use a nest instead of a scrape at the Baryczy Forest in Poland have three babies they feed. You can watch them in the video below.

Some great news coming out of Tampa.

A rescued eagle with a fish hook – so much fishing and so many lines and hooks and sinkers full of lead.

Sadly, as so many of you know, the fish have been on and off again at the Achieva Nest this week. There are either lots or few or none. The oldest is now gone into aggression mode again but, against Middle Bob now. Remember – there are always three difficult nests to watch: Achieva, Port Lincoln Ospreys, and Dale Hollow. Without exception. Every year unless it is a year of three males at PLO (2021).

The eaglets are 36 and 35 days old today.

My heart will hardly stay still. An enormous outbreak of Avian Flu is hitting The Gambia where many of European ospreys spend their winter and where the youngsters remain. This is tragic!

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/apr/22/bird-flu-outbreak-the-gambia-threat-poultry-uk-aoe?CMP=share_btn_link

Thank you so much for being with me this morning. I am investigating a report that the group at Dale Hollow have applied for a federal grant for a new marina at the Moody Boat Dock on Dale Hollow Lake. Take care all. Send all your wishes to our nests today – the news is like a roller coaster.

Thank you to the following for their notes, videos, posts, and streaming cams that helped make up my blog this morning: ‘H’, ‘A’ Raptor Resource Group and Explore.org, WRDC, Gracie Shepherd and Raptors of the World, Heidi MGrue and Raptors of the World, Window to Wildlife, Decorah Goose Cam, Iowa DNR, Moorings Park Ospreys, Pittsburg-Hayes and PIX Cams, IWS and Explore.org, Glacier Gardens, LRWT, Ferris Akel Live Tour, Gracie Shepherd and SW Florida Eagle Cam, Cornell RTH, Cal Falcons, Montana Osprey Project, Sokol-D Baryczy, 10 Tampa Bay, Sydney Wells and Bald Eagle Live Nests and Cams, Achieva Credit Union and The Guardian.

Can you help DH18? Sadness at Captiva…Saturday in Bird World

22 April 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

It is Earth Day, and the theme for this year is ‘Invest in our Planet’. Imagine if everyone invested what they could, how much better the planet would be for our feathered friends. As a start, I would like to thank all the wildlife rehabbers who have the challenging task of helping our feathered friends return to the wild after they have had a mishap or severe injury. They are our heroes, and every day, they invest in helping these beautiful creatures live the life they are supposed to. Secondly, I want to thank everyone for all you do to make this planet a better place for our feathered friends. Whether it is donating to your local clinic, educating students or new friends, to spreading the word about the dangers and how we can remediate them, you make a difference. Thank you!

The snow did not materialise but the wind sure did. Blowing up to 35 kph. We watched the Crows have some difficulty navigating their landings. Lucky for Missy two of them landed right on top of the conservatory. She was in awe! I did not get a photo but just imagine her excitement after watching the skies for days and having birds far away to have them just a metre from her. Goodness.

We will start with the sad news of the day so that we can move onward. Florence flew off of the Captiva Osprey nest at 1300 with a fish. She did not return after eating. Angus was incubating while she was away, but he flew off at 1455 when she had not returned. Angus returned in 1845 but did not go to incubate the eggs. It is 72 degrees F on Captiva, and as Renie, the moderator for the chat, has stated, “This is not good for the eggs.” At the time of my writing, 23:15, the eggs on the Captiva Osprey nest appear abandoned. With revised hatch dates, we were one week away from pip watch. Thanks, ‘H’, for continuing to moderate this situation for us.

‘H’ reports the following:

“Tentative ID, mods prefer to wait for daylight to be sure, but Osprey believed to be Angus returned to the nest at 03.07.18, and is incubating.  Looks like Angus to me.  

4/21, They were not having significant intruder issues at the time.  Flo was eating her fish on her palm branch (as seen on the PTZ cam), and when she was done at 13.27, Flo simply flew away from the tree.  She has not been seen since.  Jen, the PTZ cam op searched for her everywhere.”

Angus returned at 1845, but won’t sit on eggs, he seems to be looking for Flo. This is so very sad, and we might never know what has happened to Florence. The only consolation is that the eggs had not hatched. It would be virtually impossible for Angus to care for newly hatched osplets alone.

I am having trouble keeping up with my forms. As many of you know, Claudio Eduardo designed a particular programme to help me instantly determine the % of deaths in Ospreys from siblicide or other causes, along with eggs laid, hatching and fledging %. It means putting in the data, and right now, many of those UK nests are starting to get their first or second eggs. I get one form finished and discover another has laid an egg. It is so exciting.

Today Kielder Nest 7 got its second egg for KX7 and KM18. The nest everyone was anticipating was Poole Harbour. CJ7 laid her first egg of the 2023 season with mate Blue 022 at 19:12:47 Friday night. Earlier Louis and Dorcha had their first egg for 2023 at Loch Arkaig.

Richmond and Rosie, the Ospreys whose nest is on the Whirley Crane at the Richmond Shipping Yards in SF Bay, have their first egg. Time was 17:39 and Richmond was there with his lovely lady.

‘H’ reports that Duke and Daisy have their first egg at Barneyghat Light this morning at 05:15 in New Jersey with Seaside getting their second egg on the 21st.

Aran and that gorgeous unringed female continue to get to know one another. She has been at the nest mirroring Aran’s behaviour for a week now. Oh, I hope she stays and they have eggs this year. Aran is a great catch and the nest is fantastic albeit always visited by Monty’s kids!

Both were on the perch together in the wind.

It sure looks a lot warmer in Wales than it did in Missoula, Montana when Louis came to check on Iris.

We have another single parent household. This time it is the Peregrine Falcon scrape in Rome. The female is missing sadly. Alex is trying to feed the chicks. Send him your most positive wishes. They are adorable.

The eaglets in the US have either fledged are are small. B16 from the Berry College nest continues to return to get food from Pa and Missy. She is a beautiful big girl!

Smitty and Bella’s little one is now sporting a white fluffy mohawk and clown feet. Wasn’t this one about the size of Decorah eaglet a week ago? Not really but it sure feels like it! They grow in the blink of an eye. What a crop!

‘H’ sent in some great news. The sole hatch of Connie and Clive at the Captiva Bald Eagle nest, Connick, is being transferred to the Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey at Maitland, Florida where he will remain until all of his feathers grow in properly. He will receive flight and prey hunting training there along with enrichment. It will be a long haul but it is wonderful that the centre was willing to take him! Thank you Audubon!

Murphy continues to watch over the eaglet. He has never brooded the chick but is a keen protector and motivates the eaglet to eat.

The staff at Wild Bird Sanctuary are excited because it means that the eaglet will imprint on Murphy and not humans and will be free to be released when it can fly and hunt.

Everyone is waiting for the hatch at the Decorah Goose nest! Tomorrow is the day but we all know things could be early or a little late.

Down the road the Decorah Eagles at the Hatchery have so much nesting material for the little one that you can barely see the top of its head when they are feeding it!

Sweet little baby of Chase and Cholyn at Two Harbours is getting ready to be warmed by the sun.

Oh, that little one of Annie and Lou’s is quite the character. It is always hungry and just waiting for anyone to arrive with prey! Just look at that fade when an adult comes in with some prey. That little one is right up there in the front ready to be fed!

Cal Falcons will be banding these three on the 5th of May! Put it on your calendars and guess what…there will be the name the chick contest, too!

‘A’ comments, “Did you see how big the pieces that the youngest at Cal Falcons is swallowing without turning a hair (feather)? Of course it was essential for it to do so if it was going to eat early on, so it learned that one very quickly. It helps of course that Lou has become SO proficient at preparing prey. These chicks look like their meat has been trimmed by a professional butcher and bought at a gourmet supermarket! Lou is just fantastic.”

River continues to work on getting the tangled materials on the nest and the monofilament line off of DH18. There have been at least 2 fish today and both of the eaglets ate well – and, late in the day, River arrives with a huge bass and everyone has a big feast. Her fishing is great and the eaglets and her are eating well. Let us all be hopeful that she gets 18 untangled. She is completely aware of the situation and working on it. As an older eagle – in this nest – she has probably seen more than her share of fishing line and hooks. I remember last season she saw a hook and got it off the nest. She knows what they can do. So…let’s wish she gets this latest issue solved for 18.

Terry Carman wants to spread the word about DH18 and here is a list of contacts to help. Maybe if we have an Army we can get some help for this eaglet this year. Thank you, Terry for getting all these contacts together! This is a good way to try and get help on Earth Day for that little eaglet.

‘H’ reports that “R4 ate for approx. 14 minutes at 8 feedings (a couple of those feedings s/he sat out completely).  I only count the short periods of time when R4 gets into a groove where it is eating normally, and eagerly swallowing bites.  I do not count the periods of time when R4 is shaking its head and spitting out the bits.  R4’s best crop of the day was the one I already showed you from 07:35.  R4 had several good ps yesterday.  The one last night at 0021 was a little small.  (most of the time the ps are stated in the chat, that’s how I know to go look, unless I just happened to be watching).  R4 acted normally . . lots of standing, walking, wingers.  Hopefully R4 will eat more today, like s/he did on 4/19.”

Much of the time our wildlife winds up in wildlife rehabilitation clinics because of humans. There are many ways to get rid of mice and rats that do not involve rodenticide. In fact, a former student living in northern Manitoba, has voles now. Guess who showed up to clear them up? A kestrel! Hopefully no one has put out rodenticide in that northern city of ours. This owl was not so lucky. Educate people. Talk to your local pest control about alternatives.

I am pleased to tell you that the Cowlitz PUD – a utility company in Washington State – has been proactive in trying to help Electra and her mate. Last year the Ospreys lost their three healthy osplets to Bald Eagles, who removed them from the nest over two days. The company has not placed protective guards for the ospreys. This is just wonderful news. Electra has now laid two eggs.

It is a busy time for wildlife rehab clinics around the world right now as chicks of all species are coming in – lost parents, blown out of nests – you name it. This little osprey was in the water about to be washed out to sea.

Not only is it Earth Day tomorrow, but it is also our local wildlife rehabbers ‘Baby Shower’ – a fundraiser in anticipation of all the nestlings and fledglings that will be in rehab sooner than we can imagine with the wind and the snowflakes still around on the Canadian Prairies. It is a good time for everyone nearby to drop in and say hello and take them things they will need or send them an online donation. Does your local wildlife rehab centre have baby shower days? I will also be keeping an eye on Mother Goose. Seriously who doesn’t love a ‘Mother Goose’?

Our condolences go out to Lori Covert and all the folks at Window to Wildlife and Angus. We will never know what happened to Florence. She would not have abandoned her eggs. It has been such a sad year for Captiva especially after the miraculous rebuilding there after Hurricane Ian. Keep sending all the nests your most positive wishes!

Thank you for being with me today. I am so fortunate to be in such wonderful company as all of you. Every day I wake up with a smile knowing that so many caring people are out there in the world making a difference. Take care. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, tweets, announcements, videos, and streaming cams that helped to make up my blog this morning: ‘A’, ‘H’, Window to Wildlife, Kielder, C Marguilis and SF Osprey Cam with Rosie and Richmond, Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn, Montana Osprey Project, Gris Adriana and orange, Australia Peregrine Falcons, Berry College Eagle Cam, NCTC, Wild Bird Sanctuary, Raptor Resource Project and Explore.org, IWS and Explore.org, Cal Falcons, Dale Hollow Eagle Cam, Keisha Howell and DHEC, WRDC, Nine Sirous and Cornell Haw Cam Chatters, Cowlitz PUD, Barbara Walker and Osprey Friends and Terry Carman Bald Eagles Live Nest and Cams.

Intruder takes leftovers at SW Florida, Nugget and Valentine on the ground?…Saturday in Bird World

11 March 2022

Good Morning Everyone!

Greetings from Toronto – where, on my arrival yesterday, there was a winter storm! It is, of course, nice in Winnipeg. You can’t win them all. I am, however, looking forward to seeing ducks as the temperatures are relatively mild, and there is open water most everywhere. Let’s see if I can get some good images for all of us.

‘H’ sent me a note to tell me that the two osplets at Moorings Park in Naples, Florida, have been named. It is a bit of a giggle. So many nests try for gender-neutral names because no one knows if the chicks are males or females. It doesn’t matter. The eldest at Moorings Park is Abby, and the youngest is Victor. What matters most is that two beautiful little osplets – and these two are – with amazing parents and plenty of fish – fledge and live long and productive lives. That is ‘the’ most important thing. So far, this osprey platform has been calm this season.

I have mentioned how much I adore Harry. He is right in there – feeding, bringing in lovely fish, and watching his babies being fed by Sally. Harry is nothing short of amazing. Many Osprey males deliver the fish and get out of the nest! Of course, there are exceptions, several of whom are in the UK. I am thinking of Idris, Blue 33, and Louis, but there are others.

It is a damp day in Hillsborough, New Jersey. I believe they are getting part of the weather system that is hitting Toronto.

At the Southwest Florida Eagle nest, E21 is 65 days old on Saturday, and 22 is 63 days old. On Friday, there were at least two prey deliveries. I could not determine the nature of the first one, but the second was a very nice fish. Intense mantling by both eaglets. It appears that 22 got the first delivery at 10:56:24, with 21 getting the fish delivery at 10:02. As you are probably aware, M15 has had issues with prey deliveries due to ongoing disturbances by new female intruders.

22 was hungry and looking for ways to steal that first delivery from 21. Good for Dad getting another meal on the nest quickly.

The 10:56 delivery. Just look at 22 mantle that prey.

SW Florida Eagle Cam caught the 10:56 delivery and 22’s amazing mantling!

On the rails, 16:42. Time to really get the worry beads out!

Lady Hawk captured the two feedings for us on video.

One of the intruders flew into the nest and took all of the leftovers. Some of the folks at SW Florida believe that this is 23-1, the other female with the injured foot. She was sure fast taking that fish tail and the Es were not impressed!

It is wet at the SWFlorida nest Saturday morning. Let’s hope Dad can get some good fish for the kids without being antagonised by this female.

Valentine and Nugget are causing everyone to be anxious. Valentine is jumping to the branch above the cam, and Nugget has jumped to the branch below the cam. Some news is that Alex and Andria have been down to the ground. Is one eaglet there? Are they delivering prey? Is one of the eaglets grounded? We wait to find out.

Rhonda shows us the action.

Here is the latest news from Rhonda. Please send your most positive wishes to Nugget getting home to the nest.

Another posting for the KNF-E3 nest.

Big Red and Arthur are getting the same heavy wet snow falling in Greater Toronto.

There is pip watch for two nests this weekend that we have been watching – the WRDC nest of Ron and Rose in Miami and the nest of Martin and Rosa in Virginia, Dulles-Greenway.

Ron and his new mate, Rose, have two eggs. This is a very late clutch. We will have to wait and see how the eaglets do in the extreme heat of south Florida.

Word has come that the eggs at WRDC have been left for three hours. We wait and watch to see if they are viable.

Ron is back on the eggs.

There is some rain falling at Dulles-Greenway as we await pip!

If Annie is going to lay four eggs, which she could do, that last one will come around midnight scrape time, Friday night/Saturday morning.

Cal Falcons has designated the 11th of April as pip watch for her and Lou’s eggs. Also, check out their fundraiser. Sean Peterson’s partner, Lynn Scofield did the design for this year’s t-shirt.

Do you love California Condors? Do you want to learn more about this extremely endangered species and what is being done? I would like you to attend the live online chats every month. They are so informative. Often there are videos of the Condors and releases. They also do an archival posting on YouTube the following day for those unable to attend live.

‘H’ and ‘A’ sent me news. It is a map showing the cell coverage area of the Eyre Peninsula. It is believed that Zoe is in the white area on the bottom left where there is no coverage but excellent feeding for Ospreys. Fingers crossed everyone.

Do you watch David Attenborough’s programmes? If so, you might be outraged to discover that the BBC has cancelled one of the episodes of his last series. What we do not need are more lies about the state of our planet. We need the facts and the areas where we can make positive changes. We certainly don’t need a cover-up of information!!!!!!!

There is a lot going on. Please send your positive wishes to Nugget and Valentine! Take care everyone. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, tweets, videos and streaming cams that help make up my news today: ‘H’, ‘A’, Moorings Park Ospreys, Duke Farms, SWFlorida Eagle Cam and D Pritchett, Lady Hawk and SWFlorida Eagle Cam and D Pritchett, Rhonda A and KNF-E3, Cornell RTHs, WRDC, Terry Carman and Bald Eagle Live Nest and News, Cal Falcons, Ventana Wildlife Society, Port Lincoln Ospreys, and @MarkAvery.

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

7 March 2022

Good Morning Everyone,

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

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

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

Lewis is now in a ‘cookie coma’.

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

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

Oops!

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

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

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

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

In the Mailbox:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

At the Nests:

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

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

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

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

Here is the link to their cam:

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

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

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

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

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

Turn around little ones!

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

Clyde is directly below Bonnie on another branch.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Making News:

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

Widowed-cemetery-goose-finds-companionship-through-a-personal-ad-CBC-RadioDownload

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Human with flash frightens M15…Saturday in Bird World

11 February 2022

Good Morning Everyone..

Gosh, it is almost summer here on the Canadian Prairies. 0 C. We are supposed to get up to +2 today. Everything is melting and soon that white snow will be ugly and brown and melting. If the wind is not too bad today, I really want to get out and check out some birds. The numbers in the garden have been dwindling as the temperatures have risen over the past couple of days. I miss those Starlings! And only about half the number of Sparrows are about…of course, Dyson and her gang are here!

The kittens think I have been neglecting them too! So here are some recent photos. Missy is now – hold on – over 8 lbs and she is just 6 months old. It is the Maine Coon that is driving her growth and weight. Lewis is about a kilo or 2.2 lbs lighter.

What a great distraction they are when things go sideways in Bird World.

Having ignored most of the other nests completely, it was time to go and check on them and see how the naming of Anna and Louis’s eaglet is going. If you have not voted, please go and do so – if it is not too late by the time you read this. The voting ends at noon on Saturday and according to the forestry officer, Cody, this will be the last eaglet at KNF to be named. From now on, they will be numbers. So join in the fun! Go to the KNF-E1 streaming cam and click on the name of your choice. (Many of those that volunteer with some aspects of this nest would like to have a name that is associated with the area – a clear name like Evangeline. Not included. The only name that is linked to the nest is West and that has to do with the West Harbour Boat launch according to Tonya, the chat moderator).

Louis brought in a pile of fish after that Egret yesterday. According to chat monitor, Tonya, those fish were: Not sure, Gizzard Shad (GS), Bass, GS, Redear Sunfish (RES), GS, RES, GS, GS, RES, Black Crappie, RES, and GS. That was a total of thirteen fish! I do have to hand it to Louis for hauling in the most fish on any nest I have ever seen – ever!

KNF-E1 O3 looks like she swallowed a beach ball. Now why did I saw she? Well, a lot of people are looking at this eaglet and the size of its feet in comparison to Kisatchie and Kincaid and noticing the tremendous size difference. So just look above…I am in total agreement! Finally a female for Anna.

There are so many fish it is hard to decide what to eat and what to feed but one thing is for sure, no one is going hungry on Louis’s watch.

In the image below, just look at the size of 03 compared to Mum.

At the KNF-E3 nest of Alex and Andria, Valentine rushed up to claim a fish. Rhonda A caught it on video. Great mantling job. As many of you are aware, Nugget seems to have incurred an injury to its leg and talon. According to Tonya, the moderator on the KNF chat on Friday, that leg and talon are improving. Great news.

Now back to M15. How do the eyes of a frightened eagle look? one under stress? Gracie Shepherd caught the intruder at the SWFlorida Eagle nest. Sadly, this needs to stop. Will someone have to protect the property? and the natal nest? This is one reason that many nests do not give out their locations.

Do you remember the two white mice that came on the nest? ‘A’ and I wondered where these came from. They are not field mice. I thought of lab mice but you can also buy them at pet stores. Apparently some kind soul bought them and released them for M15 to catch and feed to the kids. All was done with a sense of wanting to help but, sometimes we need to trust. M15 is doing simply a fantastic job.

The police have been alerted. To be clear, this is extremely dangerous behaviour and could have meant the lives of the eaglets. People need to stay home and this person needs to be fined or go to jail. Anyone who wishes this family well will not be around this nest!

Baiba caught that great big catfish that M15 delivered on the 9th on video. Have a look:

Connick is eating, sleeping, and growing at the Captiva nest.

Connie looking down at her chick.

Good Night, Captiva!

Just down the road at the Captiva Osprey nest, Angus and Mabel spent time at the nest today, as usual. No eggs yet but just look at how inviting that egg cup looks!

For some time, Diane had some moss from the nest tangled around her legs. That appears to be gone but it did cause some worry with the Achieva Osprey platform watchers today. Things seem to be fine now.

Thank you ‘H’ for the news and photo. Diane laid her second egg at around 03:16:27 on the 11th, today.

Rose and Ron are doing a very good job incubating their eggs. If there is to be a third egg, it should arrive tomorrow. Personally, I hope not. Two is good, one healthy eaglet is great.

At the Webster, Texas Bald Eagle nest, Ringo is eating, sleeping, and growing just like Connick and E1-03 and Valentine and Nugget.

At the Superbeaks nest of PePe and Muhlady, Pearl and Tico, Pearl has branched. She managed this great achievement a couple of days ago when I was completely concentrating on SWFlorida. Congratulations Pearl. It has also been announced that Superbeaks will be back next year for another season. Fantastic!

A cute look at ‘the New Guy’ at Cal Falcons with a delivery for Annie? Where should I go he ponders. Remember. On Valentine’s Day, Cal Falcons will open a naming contest for the ‘new guy’. Names must be associated with UC-Berkeley.

Before I go, I need to tell you about a new owl streaming cam to watch that ‘A’ just alerted me to. It is GHOs Owlvira and Hoots at the Corona, California nest. That nest is 40′ high and it is 24″ round x 19″ deep (60 cm x 46 cm deep). It is constructed of wicker and is lined with coco core. There is one more egg to hatch. The first little one has just hatched on Friday evening around 19:48.

This is the link to that streaming cam:

https://www.youtube.com/live/xqvrR6dkWeg?feature=share

Making News:

A rare Northern European wading bird is in Herefordshire, UK.

Birdwatchers-flock-to-Welwyn-to-see-rare-jack-snipe-sighting-BBC-NewsDownload

Two more of the 55 Kakapo chicks that hatched in 2022 are receiving names on their first hatch day. Congratulations!

I want to thank you so much for being with me today. This is a hop and a skip over the nests. So much happening now at all the nests. Eggs being laid and incubation. Thank goodness for incubation! It gives us a chance to slow down. It is 4 days until pip watch at Big Bear Valley for Jackie and Shadow. It is 4 days until we begin to watch for Rosie to return to Richmond at the Osprey nest on the Whirley Gig in SF Bay. We are about 35 days from the first egg at the Cornell RTH nest of Big Red and Arthur….lots to look forward to. For now, keep M15 and the two eaglets in your thoughts. We never expected Harriet to disappear and not return. The fate of a nest can turn on a dime. Right now it is just magnificent – except for humans. What an amazing father M15 is to these two Es. Now take care of yourself. We will see you soon!

If you would like to receive the Bird World blog in your inbox, please do subscribe and join an amazing group of people from around the world who love raptors and who want to step up to the challenges to make their lives better. You can unsubscribe at any time. We would love to have you with us.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, tweets, videos, and streaming cams that make up my screen captures and blog today: ‘H’, ‘A’, ‘J’, KNF E-1 and KNF E-3, SWFlorida Eagles and D Pritchett, Baibai and SWFL Eagles and D Pritchett, Window to Wildlife, Achieva Credit Union, WRDC, Paul White and the Webster Eagle Watchers, Superbeaks, SK Hideaway and cal Falcons, Live Owl Cam, BBC, and Kakapo Recovery.

Jackie screams at Ravens, Saving Albatross…Friday in Bird World

10 February 2022

Good Morning Everyone!

It is hard to turn on the SWFlorida streaming cam and not see M15 there with a big fish feeding the Es. So far on Thursday there were 4 feedings and M15 has already fed both eaglets breakfast Friday morning. When 22 slid right in by 21, I almost fell out of my desk chair. The environment on this nest has changed so much since our worries of a week ago. The food security that M15 has established is really working wonders, bringing a normalcy back to this beautiful eagle nest. When do you remember 21 giving 22 a thorough going over? Many thought 22 might not live – including me. Well, I am sure happy to have to eat those words! Life is good. In fact, even the GHOs are cooperating. Their owlets, there are two of them, will fledge and be away from the natal nest before the Es even branch! That in itself is a miracle and will stop a lot of potential problems. M15 and the eaglets are very blessed.

Those four feedings were 09:18:14, 10:10:28, 14:43:40 (a massive catfish), and 15:58:25 with another big fish. Here are a few images from those feedings.

09:18:20. 21 is going to eat first. Notice those beautiful feathers coming in on the back of 21. The eagles are losing their fluffy white natal down, they have grown their thermal down, and now the feathers that will mark them as juveniles are growing in. The eaglets are healthy, they are developing as they should, and I noticed that 22 is even standing on its feet.

09:19. E21 is really enjoying this nice breakfast.

09:34. E22 did not mess out. Look, E22 has a really nice crop.

M15 hangs in there, surveys what is happening and manages by moving the prey and himself to make sure both of his children get fed. Lovely. It is almost impossible to hold back the tears of joy just looking at how well this family is doing. I think it gives us hope for other nests that find themselves missing an adult at a crucial time.

10:10. 22 is there for some bites. You can really tell the two apart now. Glance at the image above. It is like someone took a crochet hook and tied in some feathers to the down and made a gorgeous cape for 21 with some black fringe at the terminal end of the tail. Beautiful.

14:44. Huge catfish lands on the nest. This is really a nice one and it is going to feed everyone. I know that some of you are now beginning to worry that M15 is taking such good care of the eaglets that he is neglecting himself. Let us hope not. He has to take care so that he can be all things to these two babies. There is still a long way to go before they fly the coop er’ tree.

This is the image that really brought tears to my eyes today. It is 14:52. Both of the eaglets have crops, they are side by side, they are facing dad. 22 looks as if he is smiling. There is no tension or fear in this image. Instead, it is two eaglets and their dad in the sunshine enjoying a catfish meal together.

When I captured this screen image, it was almost one week since Harriet went missing. M15 is doing her proud. Notice also how heavy 21’s wings are now. They are drooping just like they are supposed to. Also notice the size of the feet.

No animosity between the eaglets although 22 remains careful and quick to duck if he thinks 21 might beak. Actually smart. It will help him later when he is around lots of birds that want to take his food.

22 really does like to peck at the nest overs. A survivor.

15:10 and the rest of that catfish belongs to 22 and Dad.

You are amazing M15!

As the eaglets try and sleep, rain is beginning to fall on them. I wonder if M15 will go down to the nest? No, he did not. He is doing sentry duty on the branch. Let us hope that the GHOs are so busy feeding themselves and the two owlets at night that they do not have any time to go fly into M15.

The Friday morning first feeding was around 0800. 21 ate and then 22. A distraction for Dad in-between. Both eaglets are quite fine. My friend ‘A’ wrote that it was the first time she didn’t check on the SWFlorida Nest first. Gosh, that is the most wonderful thing to say.

21 at 0805.

22 eating at 0826.

You can Make a Difference:

Do you eat tuna? swordfish? Do you know someone who does? Do you know how it is caught? is it by pole? or is it by long-line trawler? The problem right now is one of trust. What certification can we trust? Here is an article from the BBC. There are many more, some supported by the long line fishing industry to make you think that line fishing is sustainable. It is not. There are ways that long line trawlers can make fishing safe. Some groups and countries will even provide free sparkly lines or the boat crews can bait the lines at night or put them over the side BUT are those ships churning fish into the bellies of boats 24/7 really doing the right thing for the environment? for the birds? I have stopped eating fish altogether – it is one way to be sure. 90% of the ocean’s fish, since the end of the nineteenth century, are gone. Feeding humans is causing the birds that rely on the fish from the sea to starve. Do you really need that can of tuna?

Can-eating-fish-ever-be-sustainable-BBC-FutureDownload

There is a battle going on right now to save the Albatross – all of them but, especially the Antipodean Albatross. Since 2005, their population number has decreased by 60%. In 20 years, if we do not dramatically change the way tuna and swordfish are caught, these gentle sentinels will be extinct. Someone I know -and I am sure you have seen her name if you are part of the Orange Peregrine Falcon FB group- Holly Parsons, reached out to me. She is on a campaign to stop people from eating tuna and swordfish and to do something about the deaths that are occurring due to long line fishing. This is, of course, something very dear to my heart and to another friend, ‘R’.

A beautiful video – so well made – and short. Please watch and then share it! The more people that understand the issues and step forward to end long line fishing trawlers, the better the world will be. Thank you! Thanks Holly for reaching out.

In the News:

Falco, the Eurasian Owl that escaped when vandals cut its cage at the New York City Zoo, has been delighting viewers around Central Park. But can the owl survive in the wild? Many are afraid that it cannot.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/feb/09/flaco-owl-central-park-zoo-new-york-bergdorfs?CMP=share_btn_link

Two female bald Eagles fighting in Nova Scotia, Canada get so enraged with one another over a territory or prey defence – and so tangled – that both ended up in rehab. Great little video (note: there is a cruise ad at the beginning – just bear with it to get to the story).

https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2623341&jwsource=cl

https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/talon-locked-bald-eagles-treated-at-nova-scotia-s-hope-for-wildlife-1.6261910?utm_campaign=trueAnthem: New Content (Feed)

What an idea. Train a team of Spaniels to sniff out and kill rodents to save the lives of birds – it is a Welsh trial but, I am wondering if a team of these dogs would not work to aid those islands with Albatross that are getting bitten and killed by rats??? What do you think?

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/feb/08/meet-jinx-the-dog-on-a-mission-to-protect-welsh-bird-colonies-from-rats?CMP=share_btn_link

Germany is taking the injury and/or killing of raptors seriously. Let’s see this happen with those that keep getting their sentencing postponed in the UK. It is time to stand up for wildlife and the environment – no matter where we live. The raptors cannot go to court and speak for themselves, neither can the Buzzards, the White-tail Eagles, the Storks – all of them. They need our help since we are, in fact, the ones that took away their pristine environment, turned them into hats and fancy dress, and put their eggs in cases while poisoning the water and land where they get their food.

‘H’ and I have been making lists of what kills ospreys for almost a year now, going back and forth. Conservation without Borders posted a list of 37 items that need tackling to make the world safe. Have a read – lots we haven’t even considered! What can each of us do to help?

Do not dye birds for fun! It kills them. I want to ask: what idiot would think this is a good idea? Once again, you can help. If you hear of anyone – or any civic project – that is going to release artificially coloured birds – you try and stop them. Reason with them, phone the news stations, whatever it takes to peacefully stop a potential death sentence.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/07/new-york-pink-pigeon-flamingo-gender-reveal-party?CMP=share_btn_link

Big Red and Arthur’s fourth hatch in 2022, L4, is still on the Cornell campus. There is also what seems to be a light coloured Red-tailed male around. Here is Cornell’s tweet:

OK. They are not raptors – not by a long shot but, I do dearly love these flightless parrots of New Zealand – the Kakapo. The Recovery project is continuing with naming the 55 that survived to be a year old from the 2022 hatch! What an incredible number of survivors. Aren’t they adorable?

In the Nests:

The ‘New Guy’ at Cal Falcons and Annie have been eating and mating on the ledge. Sharon Pollock captured the action for us. Will we have some eggs in that scrape at The Campanile soon?

There is an injury to the talon of HD at Decorah. How will he fare?

We saw Diamond soaking wet and in much need of a trip to the salon yesterday. I didn’t have images of Indigo. Elain has caught that wee fledgling! So happy Indigo made it to the scrape.

Angus brought a live Sheepshead fish to Mabel at the Captiva Nest – and she dropped it when flying off. So sad for her. The video capture by HeidiMc is quick. Don’t look away!

Connick, the only eaglet of Clive and Connie, seems to eat and be in a perpetual food coma. He is growing and growing. Really strong thick legs and such beautiful thermal down. Cute little tail that he seems to like to wiggle. Just look at Connick’s mohawk…too funny. He still has his light grey mouth…watch as it will turn to yellow.

Connick, that crop is so big. Can you even lift yourself up?

As we get closer and closer to pip watch for Jackie and Shadow, the Ravens are being relentless in their harassment, flying all about the tree. Thursday morning Jackie went flat to protect the eggs. Then she began doing several alarm vocalisations. We are 5 days away from pip watch. Jackie and Shadow are being extremely vigilant. After the eaglet/s hatch, they will need to continue this high level of security. The eaglets will not be safe from predation until they are about a month old.

I have not checked on all the nests today. Jak and Audacity at Sauces Canyon do have a third egg. Typically the shell of the third can be thinner than the others. Let us all collectively hope that this one egg might make it to hatch!

I did check on the Black Storks, Waba and Udu. Waba is the 2022 hatch of Karl and Kaia and Udu is a 2021 hatch from the Karula National Forest nest in Estonia. Waba continues to fish in the Sudan.

Udu is in Turkey but not around the earthquake area.

There has not been tracking information for Kaia since she landed in Chad, from Karl when he would be flying to his wintering home form the Nile, or from Bonus who was last heard from when he was in the Western Desert. We hope that when spring migration begins, their transmitters will start to send signals. Zoe has not sent a transmission for 36 hours. Friends of Osprey are not worried as she is in the area where there was no cell coverage before. Send everyone your positive and good energy. ‘H’ just wrote to me and said that Zoe has now missed another tracking notice. Please send good wishes that she is simply out of range.

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, their posts, their tweets, videos, and their streaming cams that make up my screen captures and blog: ‘A’, ‘H’, Holly Parsons, Southwest Florida Bald Eagles and D Pritchett, CTV News Atlantic, The Guardian, CABS, The BBC, Live Ocean, Conservation without Borders, @Cornell Hawks, Kakapo Recovery, Sharon Pollock and Cal Falcons, Raptor Resource Project, Elain and Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, Window to Wildlife, Heidi Mc and Window to Wildlife, FOBBV, and Looduskalender English Forum.

Laysan Albatross, Eaglets Growing…Thursday in Bird World

2 February 2022

Good Morning Everyone!

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

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

In the News:

The second Kakapo to hatch in 2022 has been named.

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

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

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

Tackling-accidental-fisheries-bycatch-A-win-win-operation-BirdLife-MaltaDownload

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

At the Nests:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

http://www.albatrossthefilm.com

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

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

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

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

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

Sue and Otto died of Avian Flu, Zoe leaves barge?…Sunday in Bird World

29 January 2022

Good Morning Everyone,

There are two big news items this morning. The test results on Sue and Otto, the beloved Syracuse University Red-tail Hawks and Zoe, the Port Lincoln 2022 Osprey fledgling.

Sadly, it was no coincidence. Testing reveals that Sue and Otto, the long time resident Red Tail Hawks at Syracuse University, had Avian Flu. There are still tests pending. How did they catch it? They either ate infected prey, came into contact with the saliva of an infected bird or the feces of an infected bird. We know that Avian Flu is around. We read about it several times in a fortnight and yet, when it hits home to two much beloved Red-tail Hawks, it becomes more real. Our condolences go out to everyone.

This is a very frightening situation with regard to birds and waterfowl in the area. It is a distance of 59 miles from Syracuse to Cornell which is at at the southern end of Cayuga Lake.

Sue and Otta together in a much happier time. They raised 28 eyases to fledge.

Here is the announcement:

In other news:

People can make a difference. We do not have to sit back and let developers and governments allow sacred woodlands to be destroyed. Have a read!

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/28/brockley-residents-raise-100000-to-save-patch-of-ancient-london-woodland?CMP=share_btn_link

On Ferris Akel’s Saturday tour to the wildlife areas around Ithaca, New York, there were lots of ducks – Red Heads and Canvas Backs – Canada Geese and Tundra Swans along with Mallards and Mergansers. Oh, I do miss the waterfowl and can’t wait for April when they start returning to Manitoba to breed.

The waterfowl in the images below, captured during Ferris Akel’s tour, is at the northern end of Cayuga Lake. Please look at the map I posted above to locate Cayuga Lake, Syracuse, and then Cornell so you know where Sue and Otto had their nest and where Ferris takes his tours (he does not go to Syracuse on Saturdays).

A Common Merganser.

An adult Tundra Swan and below it a juvenile.

Note the grey head and the bill which is not solid black – the indications of a juvenile Tundra Swan.

A group of 3 adults and a single juvenile Tundra Swan preparing to land on Cayuga Lake.

A Mute Swan. Note the different bill.

Notice the orange bill and the bulging nodule above the bill plus the black patch from the eye to the bill. A Mute Swan. Mute Swans are larger than Tundra Swans. The Tundra Swans have a black bill and black legs.

A good comparison of the Mute Swan and the Juvenile Tundra. Despite the Mute being farther behind, you can see how much larger these swans are than the Tundra.

A pair of Mute Swans.

Bald Eagles on a partially frozen pond – both adults and juveniles.

Always nice to lurk and listen to Ferris’s tours and then jump up to look if he finds Big Red, Arthur, and any of the kids on the Cornell Campus. No hawks today!

Nest News:

I have to start with Zoe who is 134 days old today. Yesterday (Sunday in Australia) she left the barge and flew to White Flats where there is a River and a Reservoir. Dad brought her one fish on Saturday; it is not known if she caught any fish herself . She remained on the barge in the rain Saturday evening. What ever possessed our girl to fly off and head inland instead of staying by the water is beyond me but, if you recall, Solly also travelled inland at times surprising everyone. Has our girl left her natal nest for good? I feel a little overwhelmed with Zoe leaving. She was always there, screaming for fish. I imagined she would be there much longer.

She flew off the nest at 07:55:43. It was windy and the water was choppy.

Zoe prepares for her take off.

Zoe has been gone for almost four hours at the time I am writing this. Will she return to the barge? Or will these beautiful tail feathers be our last sighting of her at Port Lincoln? It is always a bittersweet moment. We want the fledglings to have their freedom and we want them safe at home.

If this is the last we see of you, Zoe, other than photographs and sat pak tracking, live a long life. Life it fully, have many chicks, stay safe, always have a full crop.

It has been a rough year at the Port Lincoln nest losing Little and Middle Bobs. Mum and Dad were brilliant throughout it all. They will be eating fish alone in peace without a screaming Zoe. They will be building up their strength again before it is August – and if time flies as fast as it has, we will just be seeing the UK Ospreys leaving for migration when Mum and Dad think of eggs again at Port Lincoln.

Parent enjoying a fish meal in peace without Zoe screaming wanting it. The time is 12:18.

There were 277 votes cast in the naming contest for the oldest eaglet at Kistachie National Forest (KNF) E3 nest. Hello Valentine. Votes for naming Valentine’s younger sibling will start next Friday at noon nest time. Then it will be the turn of Anna and Louis’s little one to get its name. We will vote on one out of three pre-selected names.

Valentine got to the table first but, 02 was not long in getting up there to enjoy some nice fresh fish.

Gabby and V3 were together at their nest early in the morning near Jacksonville. This is V3. Note the nick under the nostril on the right side.

This amazing new couple. V3 in the back, Gabby in the front.

Can you find Connick?

That little eaglet of Connie and Clive’s is changing rapidly!

Connick loves the freshest fish on the nest…don’t blame him/her. The old fish must be dry and a little hard.

The sun is setting on the Captiva Bald Eagle nest of Connie and Clive and little Connick is cheeping and wanting some last fish – he is watching Connie eat. Don’t blame him! “Fill me up Mum!” Connie finished the fish and I did not see the wee one get any before fed. Connick was full already. He just wanted a topper. It is a long time til breakfast. At least 12 hours if not a little more.

Everything seems to be going fine at the nest of Ringo and Boots in Webster, Texas. Isn’t this wonderful? You might recall that little Boots had literally been plucked (back of head, nape, and upper back) of feathers. But, Boots wants to live and that is precisely what is happening – and the beaking has stopped. Wish we knew what started those frenzied attacks when the eaglets were so young but, at the same time, it is just nice it is over. So grateful for Paul White’s videos and updates.

It is little Boots time for some food.

If you are US Steel eagle fans, the eagles are working on the nest!!!!!

Nancy and her mate were also busy in Minnesota.

It is always a winter wonderland scene in Decorah, Iowa when the snow falls. Isn’t that just beautiful? What a gorgeous view for the eagles.

Nest restorations include new corn husks. Have you noticed all the different materials the eagles use for the interior of their nests depending on where they live?

This is the scene at Decorah North. I did not see anyone there today.

Jackie is gorgeous in the morning light coming from the sun rising over Big Bear Lake in California.

Jackie was quite alert today. The Ravens/Crows were around making noises at 0933 and I heard them again when I checked back at 1058. I wish they would go away and not want those eggs!

Everyone is doing fine at Superbeaks. They are working those wings. Pearl is 51 days old today and Tico is 50 days old. The next couple of weeks will speed by in a flash…and then we are into fledge watch around 77 days for Florida Bald Eagles.

What an amazing nest this has been to watch this year. I thank everyone who recommended it to me. Pearl and Tico are so healthy and PePe and Muhlady were amazing parents. There appeared to be not a hungry moment on this nest.

It is hard to spot any remaining dandelions. There are just gorgeous espresso juvenile feathers. Beautiful dark eyes and of course the beak is dark black and grey almost ombre style.

At the opposite end is our little butterball cutie pie, B16 at Berry College. Before we blink, B16 will be standing and walking just like Tico and Pearl.

Dad came in with a huge rabbit. B16 was really hoping that Mum might give some of that for lunch but, no, she went and dug in the pantry til she found something nice and ripe!

Ron and Rose can just crack you up! Heidi Mc caught an unusual moment from today for us.

Jack continues to deliver fish to Diane at the nest in St Petersburg. Eggs should be laid if Diane is on her normal schedule this coming week.

Mabel and Angus have been hanging out today at the Captiva Osprey nest. No eggs yet either! Soon maybe. Or not.

It looks like there is some question about whether or not the nest rails are high enough. No, they are not!

Last but never least. Annie and the New Guy caught on streaming cam. Thanks SK Hideaways.

I am so very sorry to have brought you the news about Sue and Otto. Avian Flu is deadly and it can spread like a wildfire. It has not dissipated during the winter months in North America as some might have hoped. Please keep all the birds and wildlife in your most positive thoughts.

Thank you so much for being with me. The nests are all in good form. No worries at all. Looking forward to seeing you soon! Take care of yourself.

Thank you to the following for the announcements, videos, and streaming cams where I took my screen captures: Red-tailed Hawk Tales, The Guardian, Ferris Akel Tours, Friends of Osprey, Port Lincoln Osprey, KNF-E3, NEFL-AEF, Window to Wildlife, Paul White and the Webster Eagle Watchers, Pix Cams, MN-DNR, Raptor Resource Project and Explore.org, FOBBV, Superbeaks, Berry College Eagle Cam, Heidi Mc and the WRDC, SK Hideaways and Cal Falcons, and Achieva Credit Union.

If you would like to subscribe so that the blog comes to your inbox daily, just fill in the information below. There is normally only one posting per day. On occasion two. I do not want to fill your e-mail. there are no ads nor are there any fees – just a large group of people from around the world joining together who love raptors.

Ervie enjoys a festival, Annie gets treats…Friday in Bird World

27 January 2022

Good Morning Everyone,

It is late Thursday and snow is falling gently in the garden. Everyone on the Canadian Prairies is preparing themselves for the Polar Vortex that is set to arrive sometime Friday evening. It will keep us in very frigid temperatures for about a fortnight. So tonight it is -7 but it will be dipping down to -24 C tomorrow with strong winds, then into the -30s. I will be fine but this has to be a shock to the birds outside. There were more than 40 Starlings today at the feeders along with about 60 or more Sparrows. The squirrels were out as well eating as much as they could. It has to be so difficult for them.

The kittens are, of course, fine. Lewis likes to snuggle in with all the textiles in a drawer and Missy is drawn to sleeping in large plant pots. At times these are the strangest kittens I have ever had the privilege to share my life with. They are adorable characters!

In the Mailbox:

A request has come in to remind everyone that if they have Dark-Eyed Juncos visiting their gardens to please put seed, particularly Millet, on the ground for them. They are ground feeders! Thank you.

Making News:

There is news coming of Ervie from Fran Solly and Friends of Osprey. I haven’t seen a tracking for Ervie for awhile so this was such a treat. There is apparently a big festival with helicopter rides where he normally fishes so he went some where else to get his meals but, Fran notes that he also hung around to watch some of the people at the festivities. Relief.

Some people are just discovering how beneficial birdwatching is to human health!

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/27/birdsong-boosts-mental-wellbeing-for-90-of-people-uk-poll-finds?CMP=share_btn_link

Great news coming out of University of California at Berkeley. Drones are banned from the campus area where Annie raises her family. Thank you so much!

Denial, watering-down terms to make horrific acts like stomping five Goshawk chicks to death palatable. When will it stop? When will people come to their senses that the persecution of raptors is not OK.

Hen harrier chicks stamped to death in nest: how the shooting industry manipulated the narrative

Kakapo that went into care have responded positively and will soon be returning home. Great news.

The tiny eaglet that was found with some puncture wounds at the base of its nest tree has responded well to the treatment given by CROW. The sad news is that the nest where it was to be returned has been taken over by GHOs. (Did those owls attack other nestlings? the parents? Did I say I am not a fan of GHOs after Harriet and M15’s ongoing issues). Poor baby will be raised by loving hands. And will probably never be able to be released. So little. Just look at the egg tooth. This eaglet is going to take considerable resources. If you can, think of sending a small donation for its care – you can specify that it goes to this baby’s care. Someone will be feeding it non-stop during the day just like its parents would. Sweetness.

At the nests:

If you missed it, CE9 has been named Connick after Connor and Nick at Window to Wildlife. They did all the work getting the cams and platforms back up for the eagles enabling all of us to be able to watch the Captiva Eagles, Connie and Clive, and the Ospreys, Mabel and Angus. Great choice!

The feeding that started in the image above resulted in a huge crop for Connick.

The snow that was falling last evening at the MN-DNR (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources) Bald Eagle nest has melted. When the camera was running this morning I could hear ducks and geese. Then the camera rotated and showed us a great place for the eagles to get their prey – absolutely close to the nest!

Both Nancy and her mate were at the nest doing some work.

The snow was also gone at the Berry College nest of Pa and Missy. That little B16 is such a cutie and it is working those wings to balance itself trying to get out of the nest cup already! This little one is strong and is going to be a handful. The other egg is not viable. There is rabbit, squirrel, and fish on the menu thanks to Pa’s great hunting.

The snow is also gone from Duke Farms in Hillsborough, NJ. Mum is rolling the two eggs.

Jack and Diane continue to visit the Achieva Osprey nest in St Petersburg. No eggs yet. Soon.

All of those nests are great. I just about had a heart attack today when I saw Pearl at the Superbeaks nest back up to ‘ps’ and she just about slipped off the edge. It was a hold your breath moment. The railings are gone around that left branch – or so it seems. I cannot see. Pearl immediately got her grip and moved forward.

It is hard to imagine but little B16 will be this size in 35 days!

The wings are being exercised.

Pearl is gorgeous.

Alex delivered a fish and Andria went to help defend him and the nest against an intruder! There are so many intruders I am surprised that the males ever make it to the nests with prey for their families.

Things settled down. E01 and E02 are growing and growing like bad weeds. Remember to go on chat tomorrow at noon CT and put in a name suggestion for 01. It might make it to the finals.

Right now it is easy to tell the two eaglets apart. 01 has many more dark juvenile feathers.

02 has a nice crop that was revealed after that stretch. Looks like a real butterball sitting there.

The little one at the KNF E1 nest benefits from being an only eaglet. No one to share that fish with but Mum!!!!!! And Anna does love her fish dinners.

Anna loves to make sure that 03 has its crop full to the brim. Just one last bite, sweetie.

Gabby and V3 were in and out of the nest on Thursday. These screen captures were taken around noon.

SK Hideaways caught the new guy bringing Annie a gift! Oh, thank you, new guy!!!!!! It’s a Starling and Annie doesn’t flinch…she doesn’t mind Starlngs. Only a brief tug-o-war. Remember…Diamond hates them. So hopeful for about three eggs in Annie’s scrape and three very active eyases. That will keep the ‘new guy’ busy.

Remember to go on chat at the KNF E3 nest tomorrow, Friday until noon on Saturday to propose a name for 01. The rangers will take the entries down to 3 and have a public vote. I missed the Ventana Wildlife chat today about the condors because I could not sign on to their Zoom. The link will be posted sometime on Friday to the archived event and I will include it in Saturday’s blog. Those are always informative sessions. We wait for Osprey eggs.

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, announcements, posts, tweets, videos, and streaming cams where I took my screen captures: Fran Solly and Friends of Osprey, The Guardian, Cal Falcons, Raptor Persecution UK, Kakapo Recover and the Wildlife Hospital – Dunedin, CROW, Window to Wildlife, MN-DNR, Berry College, Duke Farms, Achieva Credit Union, Superbeaks, KNF-E3, KNF-E1, NEFL-AEF, and SK Hideaways and Cal Falcons.

If you would like to receive a copy of my daily blog, please feel free to sign up. We would love to have you as one of our feathered family. I try to send one blog per day so as not to overload your inbox. Sometimes there are two if something is happening. There are no ads, no fees. You can unsubscribe at any time.

It’s 2 eggs for Jackie and Shadow, 2016 Royal Cam chick returns…Sunday in Bird World

15 January 2022

Good Morning Everyone,

Oh, what a lovely weekend we are having on the Canadian Prairies. It is currently -5 C with a 4 km/h wind. It is lovely. Just lovely except that it is ‘grey’. No blue sky. No sun. Looking forward to a walk in the forest today! Will keep you posted on what I see. I hope the weekend has been kind.

Making News:

Eagle Nest Removal. One of our blog family did some additional research on the removal of the nest on that cell tower that I mentioned a day or two ago. ‘B’ located a news article from South Carolina with information including the e-mail address to write if you are concerned by these actions. As we are all too aware, nests are being cut down and blown down by weather and it is breeding season. You should read the article carefully. The eagles were present and around – this was NOT a disused nest! Indeed, it is outrageous that it was removed.

I will include a link to the article. ‘B’ draws our attention to a final paragraph. If you wish to voice your concerns about this incident – please use the e-mail below. The link to the article is below the quote and above the albatross image. Thank you for taking the time to speak up for our raptors who cannot speak for themselves!

“The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources responded to reports of the removal of a large raptor nest in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service has initiated an investigation regarding the removal, and inquiries concerning this incident should be directed to Office of Communications, United States Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Regional Office at fw4_comms@fws.gov .”

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2890157123613/fed-investigating-removal-of-mt-pleasant-eagle-s-nest

The 2016 Royal Cam chick, Moana, has been confirmed to have arrived at Taiaroa Head after 7 years at sea. Talk about incredible. Just think about that. She is very steady on her feet and Ranger Sharyn wonders if she didn’t arrive earlier and wasn’t spotted. She settled down by her half-brother GLY for a bit. Oh, my goodness. This is fantastic news.

“American Golden-Plover with Yellowlegs” by Dendroica cerulea is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

Have you ever seen a Golden Plover? We do not, as far as I know, attract them to Manitoba but, oh, they are so gorgeous. I can only imagine them at sunset!

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/14/country-diary-a-golden-glint-in-the-gwynt?CMP=share_btn_link

More lead poisoning. I was going to try and put together a form letter for everyone to send to their various agencies but, the laws regarding lead vary from State to State and Country to Country. If this is an issue where you live – and it certainly is in the US and Canada – find out what the laws are. We know that some states have partial led bans. Get informed. Then use some of the information from posts such as the one below to write to your state and federal agencies asking them to ban lead from fishing and hunting equipment. Your letter should not be longer than a page and it should get to the point with facts.

Lincolnshire detectives warn that the poisoning of raptors could lead to human death. “The RSPB has described Lincolnshire as “a national hotspot” for the persecution of birds of prey”. How sad. Why do people believe they have a right to kill or severely injure animals or birds?

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-64225792

The AEF has made a memorial video of Samson. It shows some beautiful close ups of him, images of him and Gabby, and their kids. Get a tissue. I assume that they have now determined that something fatal has happened. So very sorry and sad. He was a magnificent partner and dad and I will just never forget the tender care he gave to Legacy and Jasper and Rocket. I did not watch this nest the year of Jules and Romeo).

There has been some discussion about physically challenged raptors. Here is another example of an eagle with one leg that landed on the Fort St Vrain nest in Colorado. Wonder when it lost its leg? and how it hunts its prey? There are places where challenged raptors can live out their lives; ‘L’ send me some information on them but, what about in the wild? Is it a case for not euthanising raptors if they have a single leg injury? I am, of course, thinking of our beloved WBSE26 right off the top but, there are others. I don’t know the answer. I am thinking out loud. Is it inhumane to even think that eagles could be freed with one leg? It is curious.

Checking on the nests:

Jackie laid her first egg on 11 January at 15:58. It is a horrible day in Big Bear Valley. It started out rather nice and quickly changed into high winds with pelting hail/rain/snow. Jackie will be laying egg 2 on this miserable day. Shadow has taken turns incubating and the pair have been on and off and always one of them around the nest at Big Bear.

At 12:28, there was still only one egg. The weather has changed the hour prior and is starting to get quite nasty for our darling Jackie.

Gabby at 13:54 Saturday. The cameras went out shortly after.

The second egg was laid before 17:11 on Saturday the 14th. In miserable weather. Poor Jackie. She must be hungry, too. Let us all hope tomorrow is a better day.

It looks like it is a much nicer day in central Florida for Superbeaks.

The first image is an unusual one. I am posting it here so you will see the blood feathers coming in on Pearl’s wing.

Connie and Clive’s little eaglet has fish juice on its feathers. It cannot be helped. Poor thing. Connie definitely likes to eat and I have yelled at her a few times to feed the baby! There is fish on the nest. Once Connie gets started and is not distracted, the eaglet normally winds up with a crop. Poor little one is also learning how to handle those huge bites…hence all the fish juice everywhere.

Anna is a bit like Connie. She sure likes her fish! Anna is making KNF E1-03 really stretch its neck to get any food. I must admit to getting irritated at both Anna and Connie. I want to see them feeding that wee babe til it can’t move and then having a big lunch themselves! Oh, well…they are never going to listen to me.

At the KNF E3 nest of Alex and Andria, E01 and 02 are doing fantastic. They look like two old wooly grey carpets. There is always an adult around but both can regulate their temperature now and it is a lovely day near Kincaid Lake in Louisiana.

Lots of good feedings and M15 and Harriet together in the later afternoon. These two are such sweethearts. I wonder if they are both male?

Ron and Rose were working on their nest on Saturday. That Rose is certainly a sweetheart. She is so smitten with her man.

MO and FO have both been at the Captiva Osprey platform nest on Saturday. (This is the same osprey).

Jack and Diane have been at the nest on the parking lot of the Achieva Credit Union in St Petersburg. They seem to be vigilantly watching for intruders instead of actually working on any aspect of the nest. Diane’s leg looks like it is almost entirely healed. Wonderful news.

Jack went fishing and came in with a nice fish breakfast for Diane at 07:52.

In Australia, Zoe had no fish deliveries on the 14th and nothing so far (noon) on the 15th none. The waters are very choppy. She is 119 days old. Mum and Dad could have trouble getting their own fish. Mum delivered one fish on the 13th. It looks as if Zoe is hunting around in the nest for leftovers, even dried fish. Is she catching her own? I don’t know but Mum and Dad fish at Delamere where Ervie does and Zoe might have followed them. Surely the parents are encouraging our girl to become independent and move out of the nest. She isn’t fish screaming either but that could be because Mum and Dad are not visible.

Nearly 1600 on Sunday for Zoe and no fish deliveries for more than 48 hours. She is either extremely hungry or she is fishing and eating off cam.

We will end in Australia with Elain’s nest highlights from Orange and the family of Diamond, Xavier, and Indigo.

Beautiful Diamond.

Save for poor Moana and Jackie, it has been a very quiet day. Pip watch soon for Berry College!

Thank you for being with me today. Take care everyone. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their posts, videos, and streaming cams where I took my screen captures: Sharon Dunne and Royal Cam Albatross Group NZ, Openverse, The Guardian, Terry Carman and Bald Eagles Live Nest Cams and News, BBC, AEF, FOBBV, Superbeaks, Window to Wildlife, KNF-E1, KNF-E3, SWFL and D Pritchett, WRDC, Achieva Credit Union, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, and Elain and Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross.