Category Archives: Florida wildlife

Welcome to the world E21!…and other news in Bird World for Thursday

5 January 2022

Good Morning Everyone!

As I begin writing this blog, there is a fuzzy ball under the front of Harriet. The time is 2034 on the 4th of January. More than two thousand persons are watching the streaming cam hoping for a first glimpse of this little fuzzy ball. Harriet and M15 are probably the ‘most popular’ Bald Eagles in the world and everyone wishes them well as they begin a new year. We can look forward to E22 hatching – and I hope he isn’t too far behind! This couple produces strong scrappy eaglets.

But before we go there, Geemeff sent me a video this morning. I laughed and laughed and perhaps, before you begin reading this you could use a big giggle. It is Alia – one of my all time favourite female ospreys and her three in 2020. Hang on to the end. Do not take your eyes off Captain, JJ7. Thank you Geemeff. I needed this more than anything. Your timing was perfect.

Here is the progress during the early evening of 4 January to the hatch:

Hey, Little One…I’m M15, your daddy! Just look at M15. He has done a fantastic job incubating the eggs (or trying to get Harriet up off them so she could). He knows that there will be a new little eaglet soon…he looks down with adoring eyes. All those foot kicks from Harriet seemed to work.

Working away…pecking with that egg tooth to get that hard shell to crack open. Gosh, just look at that…I bet that crack goes all the way around.

At 1834, the egg shell was fully cracked and much of it was in bits and pieces.

At 2034 a little fluff ball appears. How exciting! Welcome to the world E21.

At 2137 some egg shells are pushed away, out from under the eaglet in the nest.

At 202308, we get to see the little one.

‘J’ wrote first thing that she is ‘in love’ with E21. And she sent several photos of this cutie. Thanks, ‘J’. E21 is adorable and look at those cutie pie pink tootsies.

Oh, you already look like you have attitude! I sure hope E22 hatches fast!!!!!!!

At the KNF nest E1 of Anna and Louis, the chat moderator Tonya Irwin said this evening that the pip that they thought they had seen Wednesday morning – day 35 of the incubation – was just wishful thinking. They did not see it again during the day.

It is often very difficult to tell if there is a pip or a crack. Nesting materials can trick us all the time!

At the E-3 nest, Andria is doing an amazing job feeding the two eaglets. As many of you have noticed, 01 is pretty ‘chill’ until 02 gives it a poke and then 01 does one back to show who is boss. Most of that seems to be calming down (or I have just missed it). When it looks like they might both be full, Andria holds the bite of fish in between the two and waits to see if either will take it. Then she might press it closer. Both are doing extremely well. There is plenty of fish and no worries at this nest that I can see.

I wish the hatches would slow down. It is nice to get to watch a nest for a few days without rushing off to check on another. These two at E3 are adorable. Look carefully. You can see 01’s tail feathers just sprouting and a few black specks. Time passes too quickly.

Over the course of 2022, I posted numerous instances where raptors were killed on estates and/or by gamekeepers. Just yesterday I questioned whether or not there was some collusion between the authorities since it appears that charges are slow to be laid with penalties often small. Well, there is good news. A gamekeeper has pleaded guilty with sentencing to follow. I really hope he gets the most extreme sentence since he violated every law regarding raptors, firearms, and pesticides. Please go to the Raptor Persecution UK blog for all the details.

But why did I say collusion? and why did I ask about ties that bind people together causing them to overlook illegal activities when they are paid to do the opposite? This is why:

By keeping these horrific acts in the public eye, a few individuals have even risked their own lives to ensure that the restoration of these endangered raptors can move ahead hopefully without them being shot quicker than they can hatch and fledge!

I noticed that someone made a comment that they thought gamekeepers were employed to protect the wildlife. That is a misunderstanding. Games keepers are hired by the grouse hunting estates. They manage the wildlife that is ‘shot’ by people coming for shooting weekends. They are not hired to protect the raptors that might want to have a Red Grouse or a Pheasant for a meal. This is the full job description by one agency:

Gamekeepers look after game, including pheasants, partridges and grouse, as well as animals such as ducks, deer and fish. You’ll care for and protect the animals, and also the areas where they live. Gamekeepers organise the events where people shoot game.

That bad weather that was supposed to hit a little earlier is now causing snow and wind in Minnesota at the MN-DNR nest of Nancy and her new mate.

There was some snow earlier in Decorah, Iowa and as of this evening, it appears to have turned to rain which could produce quite icy conditions.

These same weather conditions were at the nest of Mr North and Mrs DNF.

It appears dry in South Bend, Indiana this evening, home to the ND-LEEF Bald Eagles – OR do we just call it Little Bit ND17’s natal nest? I sure wonder where he is and how he is doing after going into rehab at death’s door and coming out in such fine shape, flying and learning to catch prey with his parents and siblings. What a joyous ending that was! The adults have done a fantastic job – just look at those chair rails on this nest. You might remember that there was literally only a tiny piece of the original nest left. Eagles are dedicated. It is amazing how quickly they can put a nest back together! I just wish this one had a little larger area for the eaglets. But, oh, well…

As the sun set at Captiva, I did not see any Ospreys at the platform nest today.

There is another week before we will be looking for a pip at the Captiva Bald Eagle nest of Connie and Clive. Really wish them well. Connie and Joe’s two eaglets died of secondary rodenticide poisoning in 2020. The grief drove Joe from the nest. There were no eaglets last year so, there is much hope for this couple for 2023.

Rose was in the nest checking it out today and then Ron came along and they were both at the WRDC Bald Eagle nest in Miami.

My friend ‘A’ is astonished at the size of the oldest eaglet at Superbeaks. She mentions this all the time. PePe has made sure there is tonnes of food on this nest and Muhlady has fed those eaglets, stuffing the oldest one to the brim and then feeding the second. What you bet this big one is a large female? Look at that crop! Goodness. Muhlady feeds them until there are no more fish cries. It doesn’t matter if it takes 30 or 45 minutes. What a great Mum!

If playing footsie on a branch close to one another is the image everyone has been wanting, we have had several of Gabby and V3 yesterday and today. It is also readily apparent that V3 is going to be the ‘defender of the realm’ that we all had hoped he would be. He looks to be in good shape.

Of course, we have a problem. V3 flew in with a squirrel at 1003 and Gabby was on the branch. She was so excited and made such a racket that it scared him and he flew off with the squirrel. “V3 this is not how it is done…”.

It looks to be mostly highlights at the Channel Island Bald Eagle nests. It is a perfect time to go back and see the ‘Three Amigos’ from 2022 at the West End.

It is one thing to read about Bird Flu. It is another to see the impact of this deadly virus. Here is another good read from The Guardian in which one witness said: ““Most died out at sea and had been swept in to shore. Some would simply stand, comatose, oblivious to my presence. I would find them lifeless the next morning in the same spot I left them,” he says. “What struck me was that the vast majority of the dead birds I encountered had been fine, healthy creatures in excellent condition. They were not emaciated or undernourished.”

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/04/guardian-readers-describe-impact-of-bird-flu-aoe?CMP=share_btn_link

Just devastating and, of course, there are real fears for 2023 as Avian Flu seems to be staying, not leaving.

Let’s pop in and see what is happening with Zoe. On the 5th of January, in Australia, Zoe was 109 days old. Dad brought in 2 fish and Mum brought Zoe 1. I wonder what will happen today? Zoe will be 110 days old. She is nearing the average of 112 for leaving the nest but, will she? I don’t think so. She seems very comfortable.

And from ‘H’ a photo to help me with my Port Lincoln Nesting diaries seems appropriate here, too. A rather rotund Zoe!

Elain’s video of Indigo’s visit to the box on 4 January:

Thank you for being with me today. Some of you have asked for pictures in the garden and others of Lewis and Missy. The garden animals are not all that cooperative these days. Dyson & Company have been staying in the lilacs. I have not seen Little Red or the Crows in our yard for a few days and the Blue Jay has stayed in the lilacs as well. It appears to be the hawk who has begun hiding in the wood box and the neighbouring cats let out to ‘do their business’ which means coming in my yard to try and catch a bird. Of course, they all have collars and are well fed! It upsets me that people let them out. We have bylaws and in fact, the cats will have better health if they stay inside and won’t get hit by foolish fast drivers taking a short cut through our neighbourhood. Oh, ….they make me mad. Those people with those cats. Lewis and Missy will never taste a song bird. They can look and enjoy them!

These are not great images. The kittens are either playing full tilt – which means running and sliding and getting into all manner of mischief OR their battery is completely worn down and they are sleeping. Louis’s hidden-hole has been found. He has been going into a Chinese dresser from the back in a small opening. I pulled out a drawer and was shocked to find him the other day. Missy likes to sleep on top of a basket or a blanket on the table.

The tuffs at the tips of Missy’s ears are growing out. She has to be brushed every day and her tail is turning into something you could use to dust all the furniture. That is the Maine Coon in her.

She is looking down at Lewis – one or the other will jump on the other and then they will run all over the house. They certainly get good exercise.

Individuals in our community make blankets for each kitten that is adopted. This is the most beautiful granny square little blanket any kitten could ever hope to have! And what a generous and wonderful idea.

Missy likes to pretend she is ‘in the jungle’ when she stalks the birds outside from the conservatory.

Take care everyone. We will see you soon!

Thank you to the following for their posts, videos, blogs, and streaming cams where I took my screen captures: ‘A’, ‘Geemeff and Friends of Locks Arkaig, Woodland Trust, and People’s Post Code Lottery’, ‘J’, and ‘H’, SWFL Bald Eagles and the D Pritchett Family, KNF-E1 and E-3, Raptor Persecution UK, MN-DNR, Raptor Resource Project and Explore.org, ND-LEEF, Window to Wildlife, WRDC, Superbeaks, NEFL-AEF, ‘G’ video and NEFL-AEF, The Guardian, Port Lincoln Ospreys, and Elain and Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross.

Pip for Anna and Louis, hatching at SWFlorida…Wednesday in Bird World

4 January 2022

Good Morning Everyone!

The excitement has been growing with more than 2528 persons watching Harriet and M15 at the SWFlorida Nest as their first hatch of the 2022-23 season is trying to make its way into the world. It is now 1000 Wednesday morning. The little one has been working away for 26 hours and there could be much time to go. It is hard trying to get through those hard shells and often the wee babes are exhausted when they have finished hammering away with their egg tooth. It can take from 24-72 hours. Jackie is not giving away any peeks. There is a pip for Anna and Louis in Louisiana also. Things are beginning to happen….and they will begin to happen fast it seems.

On Everyone’s Mind:

At just after 0800 on Tuesday 3 January, SWFlorida announced that the pip on one of Harriet and M15’s eggs was official.

From pip to hatch can be 24-72 hours.

By mid-afternoon, the little beak could be seen moving inside the small hole. There are now cracks appearing that will radiate out from the pip hole.

Gracie Shepherd caught that little beak working on that shell.

No announcement of a hatch yet this morning.

Making News:

There is a pip for Anna and Louis at the Kistanchie National Forest E-1 nest this morning.

What does politics, friendships, old school ties, and hush ups have to do with the persecution of raptors and the use of illegal poisons in the UK to kill Corvids and other birds and wildlife? It would appear a lot! Despicable.

Check out the latest blog at raptor persecution.uk.org

To counter these horrific deaths in the UK, there is good news coming out of Minnesota. Remember the 10 eagles that survived (3 died) that had eaten euthanised pets at a landfill? Well, they are well enough to be released back into the wild. Well done Raptor Centre! What a great story for the new year.

Another good news story of a sub-adult eagle being rescued and then found to be suffering from some rodenticide poisoning. Thank goodness for the wildlife rehabbers that spotted the thinness and took blood tests and treated this beautiful boy.

No news on any charges being laid for those that dumped the dead euthanised pets.

The raptors have such a difficult time because of humans. Two of the leading causes of their misery can be eliminated easily: ban the use and use of rodenticides with heavy prosecution for any found using these designer poisons and ban the sale and use of lead ammunition and fishing equipment. Every wildlife rehabber in the world will be grateful.

Loving the Kakapo? and thrilled that there more living than ever before they were almost made extinct? The new ones are going to get names! Congratulations everyone. It has been a good year – a real indication of the efforts being made to keep the islands disease and pest free.

Let’s educate ourselves. The Audubon Society has put out a really informative article about feeding birds. It is not just about the food but how our actions can actually harm our feathered friends. Many of you wrote to tell me that you had Scrub Jays in your area but, have never seen a Blue Jay like Junior and Mr Blue Jay. Scrub Jays are a species under threat; they are on the IUCN Red List for endangered birds. How do you help?

Bird lovers quickly realized that Florida Scrub-Jays will come readily to the hand for peanuts. Unfortunately, studies have shown that jays fed by humans reproduce earlier in the year than those that are not. As a result, their fledglings hatch before the caterpillars they rely on for nutrition are available, leading to malnourishment and starvation. People also feed jays near roads, and collision with vehicles is a major cause of their death. Thus, it’s now illegal to feed Florida Scrub-Jays unless you have a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  

The Audubon Society, ‘When It’s Okay (or Not) to Feed Birds

Here is the entire article. It isn’t long but it is packed with good information.

https://www.audubon.org/news/when-its-okay-or-not-feed-birds

Nest News:

It was soggy in Louisiana as that weather system moved through the area. Andria was wet. The winds are quiet but there is a 95% chance of continued rain the area. It is 77 degrees F.

Andria took advantage of a dry moment to feed the two eaglets.

The eagles at Kincaid Lake are so lucky – a huge stocked area for them to get their prey. The eagles at Decorah, Iowa are lucky, too. A trout farm right across the road!

Images of Gabby at NEFlorida’s Bald Eagle nest at The Hamlet on 3 January. She is beautiful. Where is V3? At 1745 V3 is on the branch, he jumps into the nest alerting and flies off to the right alerting.

V3 is a very good defender of the realm. Some think he has new battle scars on his talons. Probably. He is wet but has a big crop. Been fishing?

V3 does have some cuts on his talons but the blood could also be from the prey that he ate. It does not have to be a battle wound with blood.

Before he takes off, we get a really good look at his crop. This eagle is a good hunter. He is quick to protect the territory keeping all intruders away. Just what Gabby needs.

Those darn mosquitoes and other bugs are not bothering Gabby and V3 as much tonight and both are on the nest. Probably guarding it, too.

Rose and Ron were working on their nest today. Gee, I wonder if we will have eggs there this year?? Apparently Ron and Rose had a visitor to the nest – V1, the first female to try and win Ron’s affections. And who says Eagles do not hold grudges and do silly things in revenge??? Apparently V1 did a ‘ps’ right in the nest bowl where Ron rests today!

Ron and Rose are a beautiful couple. They posed for the camera after the restorations.

Things are still going well at the Superbeaks Eagle nest in Central Florida. It is frustrating trying to get to see the eagles. Without a time stamp I cannot tell you when to rewind but, if you do rewind, you can catch glimpses as the sunlight on the camera lens changes throughout the day. A worrisome hole or a nest collapse where the rim meets the branch on the left has appeared. I hope PePe or Muhlady will bring in sticks to close it up!

It is wet in Louisiana and snow fell on the MN-DNR nest of Nancy and her new mate but, it is unclear how the weather forecasts for ice and snow played out (or will) in the US.

It is snowing and the wind is blowing hard at the nest of Jackie and Samson in Big Bear.

Guess who shows up even with the snow? Time 0644 for Jackie!

Baiba did a winter wonderland video of the visit of the Big Bear eagles today.

The camera operator found Thunder looking out over the water from her perch near her West End nest in the Channel Islands. Time 1518.

It’s raining in Pittsburg. At the US Steel nest, one of the eagles is perched watching the traffic below.

One of the hardest nests to watch in 2020 was the Achieva Osprey nest. The third hatch, called Tumbles by the chatters, was much loved and so very, very tiny. That little one had a will to live like no other osplet I have ever seen – before or after. Everyone counted the bites it got, sat up thinking tonight was the night Tumbles would die (at least 3 times). Adding up all the time in 6 weeks that Tumbles did not get any food equalled 12 days. 72 hours in one stretch was the most.

Well, Mum started catching her famous catfish and she realised that that this third hatch wanted to live and she fed it – sometimes in the dark after the others were full. Tiny Tot Tumbles began to thrive. Tiny Tot became dominant and stayed on the nest after fledge defending it against even adult ospreys. Sadly, today, Tiny Tot’s Mum is injured. It is possible that her leg is fractured. She still comes to the nest. Dad tried to mate but she cannot carry his weight. What will happen to her? Can she be retrieved (the nest is in St Petersburgh, Florida)? and taken into rehab? In the image below, she is calling when she sees Dad arriving with fish for her. He is taking care of her. Anyone reading this know a wildlife rehab in the area that can be asked what might be done? or should be?

The average for Bald Eagles is 35 days. Harriet and M15 are right on the dot. Is the first egg at Metro Aviation not viable? 39 days today. We know that eggs in the southern states where it is warmer generally hatch earlier than those laid in the north.

Everything you wanted to know about Bald Eagles and their eggs is in this simple one page read by AvianReport:

bald-eagle-eggs-appearance-egg-laying-incubation-and-egg-hatching-avian-reportDownload

Elain provides a great video of Indigo bringing his prey into the scrape. Always turn the sound up to get the full effect of this darling falcon!

This image came up on a feed. It is such an incredible photograph that it caught my eye. I want to send it out to all our friends in Japan who know there are osprey there but, might not have seen any. Isn’t this a gorgeous image? To get a shot like this you would be in a hide level with the water. There are actually sites that will sell you time to try and get your perfect image!

We are going to close today with an article in The Guardian on the dangers of fireworks to animals. Those reading my blog know this – but, now you have information that you can use to try and get others to cancel any loud fireworks displays.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/dec/30/do-fireworks-harm-animals-we-ask-an-expert?CMP=share_btn_link

Thank you so much for being with me today. We could have a couple of hatchings the next time we meet! Take care. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their posts, videos, and streaming cams where I took my screen captures: Gracie Shepard and SWFLorida Eagle Cam, SWFL and the D Pritchett Family, KNF-E1, Raptor Persecution UK, Lolo Williams Twitter Feed, The Raptor Centre, Terry Carman and Bald Eagles live Nest and Cams, Kakapo Recovery, KNF-E3, Raptor Resource Project and Explore.org, NEFL-AEF, WRDC, Superbeaks, MN-DNR, FOBBV, IWS and Explore.org, US Steel Eagle Cam, Achieva ospreys, Metro Aviation, Avian Report, Elain and Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, Birds of Prey, and The Guardian.

Blue 497 in Senegal, adult osprey released after 53 days in care…it is Tuesday in Bird World

3 January 2022

Good Morning Everyone,

I hope everyone is well and that the start of the week got off to a good beginning for 2023. It is a warmer day here, -8, and there are lots of sparrows along with Dyson and her gang and the European Starlings at the feeders. It is always good to see them and my heart skipped a little when my granddaughter said she could hear the birds singing as she approached the house on New Year’s Day. Just lovely. What would the world be without our feathered friends singing?

I want to start my blog today with two ‘good news’ osprey stories because, Ospreys are really the raptors that I know best, they make my heart beat just that much faster. The first one is a remarkable sighting because we all know that the majority of the first year fledglings simply do not ‘make it’. The second one is dear to my heart and it is about an adult male osprey taken into care by CROW and released 53 days after being admitted! Remember: Too many people sing the mantra of ‘Ospreys do not do well in care’. This simply does not seem to be borne out by the evidence.

I am super excited. Two Glaslyn Ospreys have been spotted in Senegal. KC4 has been seen previously but it is the youngster, 497, a 2022 fledgling that has me jumping up and down. 497 made the cover of the Glaslyn calendar this year! 497 hatched on May 26 and was last seen at Glaslyn on 13 September 2022. Many of you watched these chicks at Glaslyn grow from egg to fledge. Now Blue 497 is successfully in Senegal. Fantastic. Tears of joy.

What a handsome osprey! The best of Aran and Mrs G in one fish eating bird of prey. Oh, my goodness what a beautiful bird – with great DNA. Can you tell how excited I am?

KC4 is a 2020 fledgling seen in this image before fledging with the entire family. She has been sighted in Senegal various times since she fledged. As I said about 497 – these chicks of Mrs G and Aran have really great DNA. Good DNA and luck – the two things that help the young fledglings. That and experience later. Their Mum, Mrs G, is the oldest Osprey in the UK.

Many of you will recognise the name CROW. They are the wildlife rehabbers located on Captiva Island. Their facilities were hit by Hurricane Ian but many were standing. They have a good news story about an adult male Osprey. Remember this when anyone tells you that Ospreys do not do well in care. We now have a growing file of evidence from chicks to adults that they do well in care – if the wildlife rehabbers know what they are doing and care!

That is simply incredible news.

To the shock of everyone, there is a new little osplet in a nest on the NW coast of Kangaroo Island. Kangaroo Island lies off the coast of South Australia and is Australia’s third largest island.

Xavier and Diamond get to bond without an interruption by Indigo! Can you believe it? Me, neither!

It is so difficult seeing the two eaglets – Pearl and Tito -at Superbeaks. It seems there is more ps on the camera lens. It didn’t stop us getting sight of the largest of the two (I presume) standing up and walking a couple of steps. Can you believe it?

Standing tall!

Then a feeding and both were there. Oh, they are sweet. Looks like a big sister and a little brother to me…but who knows. Or does this camera really distort the size difference? Whatever. Both look great as the sun begins to set on the nest.

Ron and Rose were at their nest today. Rose is a young sweetie. Next year the brown will be gone in her white head. Look closely. Find anything distinguishing. Ron has been working on that nest probably hoping for eggs this year. Will there be any? Perhaps not but who knows. That is the reason that it will be good to try and identify any special features of Rose for next year.

Ron has really made a very nice nest.

The lovely couple.

‘HeidiMc’ did a fantastic clip of Ron and Rose yesterday – a fish delivery, footsie, and bonding! Thanks, ‘H’.

Some people have been very disappointed that there will be a black out of news about Rita and her whereabouts. There is a very good reason for this. WRDC was rehabbing another eagle and people attempted to steal that eagle. That is why the precise locations of nests and now Rita’s future home will not be disclosed. It makes perfect sense. This is precisely the reason that the location of many nests is not published for the safety of the birds. Can you imagine someone trying to steal Gabby?

I did not see a lot of activity at the NEFlorida nest of Gabby and V3. Gabby was prominent on one of the branches around 0948 but after there it appears little presence by either eagle.

Jerinelle Wray posted a video on FB of all the bugs that made V3 move to another branch last night. I took a capture from her video to show you. As she says, “this could be the reason that the eagles are not sleeping on the nest tonight”. You may recall that some cams are now turning off the light at night that attracts insects to the nests and scrapes. It just reminds me that while some will dismiss the bother of the insects, we know that three peregrine falcon eyases at Spirit Bluff jumped to their death because of so many black flies.

The two little eaglets at the KNF-E3 nest are just fine. The oldest one will eat more food because its crop is larger and can hold more. Today, seemed relatively peaceful in the nest to me. Andria has been feeding them American Coot and then switched to one of the two Sunfish on the nest.

02 had a crop and both are sleeping sound in a food coma.

Both Alex and Andria have been doing tandem feedings – a good way to get both chicks full without any beaking. It is a great help and I have always cheered those males that step in – including many of the male UK Ospreys who help out like Louis did with Dorcha when they had JJ5, JJ6, and JJ7 in 2020. Still, Tonya Irwin, the moderator and FB admin for the Kistachie Eagle Cams has placed an announcement on FB today:

I really wondered if Mum and Dad at the ND-LEEF nest would rebuild in the same tree but, like the other eagles who rebuilt after Hurricane Ian (if the tree was still standing), the pair remained faithful to their old home. This is the Bald Eagle nest in St Patrick’s Park in South Bend, Indiana – home of Little Bit ND17. Mum and Dad have done it and the chair rails are going up nicely.

Gosh, I wish that Humane Indiana had gotten Little Bit banded. Wouldn’t you love to know where our ‘survivor’ is?

Andor and Cruz were at the Fraser Point Bald Eagle nest working a bit. — If you go to that cam, be careful. It seems that all of the Channel Islands streaming cams are putting in Highlights now and again. It is easy to be fooled into thinking that what you are seeing is current.

The eagles look to be in very good condition nothing their chrome yellow beaks and feet along with what appears to be good plumage .

Chase and Cholyn visited the Two Harbours nest, too, but I did not see either Thunder or Akecheta at the West End nest today.

Jackie was at the Big Bear Valley nest despite the snow.

There are still some pip watches ongoing or coming up: SWFlorida, Captiva, Berry College, and Metro Aviation to name four. Here is one of the pip watch announcements.

In California, people are flocking to see a rare sight – a Snowy Owl. Here in Manitoba, the Owls literally love our snow. But what is one doing in the heat of the western US?

I have mentioned Cockatoos several times in relation to calls for assistance by one US sanctuary. The real issue is that Cockatoos should not be exported for pets to anywhere. If you have heard them at the White-bellied Sea Eagle nest, their cry sounds like someone being murdered. It is not that nice. They are also pesky toddlers as my friend ‘J’ continues to tell me. Remember the one throwing pots from a second story balcony. Now, seriously why would you want one for a pet? There is an article in The Guardian today showing just how clever these birds are, too.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/23/cockatoos-in-sydney-learning-from-each-other-to-bin-dive-for-food-study-finds?CMP=share_btn_link

Let’s end with a good news story just the way we began. There are a lot of kind people who are looking out at the ice patches floating on rivers around the world. This morning there are several stories of Bald Eagles being rescued who are found sitting on tiny pieces of ice. Most are juveniles.

https://www.fox32chicago.com/…/bald-eagle-rescued…

Thank you so very much for being with me today. I hope that you have a wonderful Tuesday. Tomorrow a look at the anger around illegal poisons killing Ravens in the UK and investigations into raptor deaths that seem to be going no where. Stay safe. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their posts, videos, announcements, and streaming cams that make up my screen captures: Brewed Gwyllt Glaslyn, CROW, RAD KI, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, Elain and Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, Superbeaks, WRDC, NEFL-AEF, Jerinelle Wray and the NEFL and SWFL Eagle Cam Watchers Club FB, HeidiMc, KNF-E3, Tonya Irwin and the Kistachie National Forest Eagle Cam Fans, IWS and Explore.org, FOBBV, CBS, Sharon Dunne and the NEFL and SWFL Eagle Cam Watchers Club FB, FOX32Chicago, and The Guardian.