Category Archives: Gabby and Beau

Sunday in Bird World

9 March 2025

Oh, my goodness. Hello from what feels like the arrival of spring on the Canadian Prairies. For days I have worried about Dyson, the matriarch of the Grey Squirrel family. The three kits have been out, but not Mum. Well, Saturday morning there she was perched above the brand new suet cylinder way back in the lilac branches. She looks good. She ate 1/3 of the cylinder. Good old Dyson!!!!!! Living up to her name. The sparrows are singing and the Starlings have come and gone removing every last meal worm while leaving the pieces of butter bark. Surely someone will want those.

I am spring cleaning. The feral feeding station has been cleared, cleaned and left in a smaller state with the hope that no huge snow storms arrive before I can rush out and put a cover over things. Brock has already checked it out and approved.

If the nest of Jackie and Shadow has preoccupied me, I do not apologize. Just the idea that our much loved couple could have three chicks to hatch is well, just beyond my wildest dreams. It is all I can think about. As I said in Saturday’s post, I am so grateful for Bodie (who is now six weeks old and as big as Gabby) and these triplets after losing the Es and well, having Thunder and Akecheta MIA along with Annie and Alden.

A reader asked me not to put them on the Memorial Board. They said, “Don’t put their names into the list of those who we know is lot alive for sure. And then we will be always in hope to see them again one day.” If you have checked there is no Memorial Board for 2025. I simply have been too overcome to compile it. There are certainly others. The Memorial Board is really a testament to their presence in our lives and eventually I will simply put them as Missing in Action. Because that really is all we know.

I am happy to attach the PDF of the Los Angeles Times article on Jackie and Shadow. Thank you to the reader who sent it! You don’t need to subscribe.

A pair of bald eagle hatchlings inspire hope in Big Bear – Los Angeles TimesDownload

As I am writing now, Junior is flying in and out getting peanuts an Dyson is back chomping on that cylinder. No one told her it should last a week!!!!!! The warm sunshine is so welcome here this year. My plan is to move the bird baths and fix the deck as a sanctuary for humans to bask in the sun as well. There will still be 3/4 of the garden devoted to things with wings or fur. :))))))))).

Everyone worried about the third hatch at Big Bear, but this little one is well, as big as the middle sibling and I am hoping that it is a really scrappy female like Jackie. It will do well on the nest with the two older siblings and I have a feeling that both Jackie and Shadow will be more than busy caring for these triplets.

Just look at that pantry.

One of the BB babies got caught and was dragged out of the nest cup. By a small miracle, it rolled off the snow and back into the nest. My heart stopped. https://youtu.be/n6lYn-zjdO4?

Some are concerned about what appears to be preferential feeding at the Duke Farms nest. Conserve Wildlife of NJ says that all the triplets are doing well.

‘A’ provides her observations, “At Duke Farms I am most heartened to see that the pantry is overflowing with fish (I can count seven) and mum is being very diligent about ensuring that all three of the littles get fed. The oldest got the best of one feeding, and at the next, mum circled around to the other side and concentrated on the younger two (the older one appeared to be in a food coma behind them). If dad keeps that pantry full and mum is patient enough to feed it to the chicks until there are no more begging beaks at the table, then these three have a very good chance at survival (assuming we don’t have a Zoe on the nest of course). We know that nests turn in an instant – the disappearance of a parent for example can change everything. But I still believe that the patience and dedication of the parent/s at feedings is the primary factor – can they be bothered with the hard work of carefully getting enough food into all those swaying little beaks? Some can’t, and only feed the closest ones. But the mum at Duke Farms appears to be patient and prepared to do her part in ensuring her chicks get fed. I hope this continues. They are SO cute at this age, before they decide to start bonking each other. I just love these first few days. Little masked bandits. They are certainly loud! “

The first sighting of an osprey in the UK – an so it begins. It is flying north! Wonder which one it is…Work continues on repairing nests

You might enjoy this talk from the Wildlife Trust at Rutland Osprey. George Smith is really knowledgable and I highly recommend this even if you live elsewhere. Lots of good information! https://youtu.be/7l6aOLlw0Vw?

In other news,

At the Captiva Bald Eagle Nest of Connie and Clive, Dancer has now branched. That was at 1508.

Nothing seems to be happening at Moorings Park Osprey platform yet.

Pip watch at Sauces starts on Monday! That egg is holding. Maybe there is something to having it wrapped with nesting material in a deep hole. The egg has been rolled an if it is fertile we just might have another miracle in California.

Bodie. What can I say? Our first miracle of the year. Looks like a big beautiful Gabby to me!

This may be the year for strange things happening. Take Lake Murray. Is it entirely possible that the egg of Kenny and Lucy has wound up in a glove? “The strangest thing… Lake Murray…

Lucy and Kenny have been obviously ‘incubating’ all day (I could not find egg lay time), but no one has seen an egg. There is a black glove in the bowl, and I had thought that the egg must be under the glove.  There has been the shape of an egg under the glove, and they have been ‘aerating’ the glove.  But, at 1719 Lucy picked up the glove and moved it, and the egg shape moved with it.  I now believe that the egg somehow ended up inside the glove. “

Ferris Akel caught both Big Red and Arthur on camera on Saturday. It is so very, very good to see them.

Just look at all these gorgeous birds. Now imagine taking them from the wild for falconry. The licenses in the UK might be canceled. This will, of course, be controversial. There are many falconers around the world, and as a teenager, I was involved in falconry in Oklahoma. My older self shakes my head. I firmly believe that raptors need to live freely in the world unless they absolutely cannot.

DEFRA endorses Natural England’s recommendations for a presumption AGAINST the issuing of licences fDownload

Beavers will be living free. News from Knepp Farm.

Licenced beaver reintroductions allowed – KneppDownload

Possible egg at the University of Florida-Gainesville platform.

We are awaiting our beloved geese. Some are also waiting for hummers. Here is a good timeline.

I hope to hear honking in the wind soon! After some more clearing tomorrow we will head out to Oak Hammock Marsh to check on any of those waddling poopers.

Calico’s Tip for the Day: It has nothing to do with a bird, but it could save someone’s life. Most, if not all of you, will have heard about the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife. Hackman had very advanced Alzheimers while his wife, thirty years younger, was in good health and had been his only (it appears) caregiver. It reminds me of my situation with my husband except for the age difference – I am ten years older. No one would have predicted that the younger healthier caregiver spouse would have died of a very rare mouse virus. But she did leaving Mr Hackman at home alone – probably not knowing anything. A maintenance worker came to their door weeks before their fate was revealed. ———— This could happen to any of us. Calico wants you to develop a plan with your neighbours, friends, and family so that this does not happen to you or your loved one. Do not rely on landline phones or watches that are supposed to alert the police or necklaces with a panic button. My husband would probably not be able to find the landline phone or remember how to use it or what number to call. My Apple phone is not reliable. It often thinks I fall when I don’t and when I do, well, it did nothing the other day. So – get something old fashioned in place. Text friends and family on specific days to let them know that you are OK. That is all you have to send is ‘I am OK’. Don’t wait. Please get the ducks in a row.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care of yourself. We hope to see you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, articles, streaming cams, etc that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, B, Geemeff, H, J’, The Los Angeles Times, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, Dfyi Osprey Project, Rutland Water (LRWT), Window to Wildlife, Moorings Park, IWS/Explore, NEFL-AEF, Lake Murray Ospreys, Raptor Persecution UK, Knepp Farm, AccuWeather, Ferris Akel Tours

Storming in Big Bear…Thursday in Bird World

6 March 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

Jackie and Shadow made the Top 7 in The Washington Post!

Celebrity bald eagles welcome two chicks after nearly three years – The Washington PostDownload

Send all your good energy. Those eaglets will need some fish! And all your love to our Big Bear Family as those tiniest eaglets ride out the storm.

I I didn’t plan to write another post until Friday, but the storm hitting Big Bear is on everyone’s mind. While there are thousands of feathers to keep the adults warm and a brood patch to transfer body warmth to the eaglets, we still have concerns. The forecast predicts 8 to 12 inches of snow will fall in Big Bear Valley. We worry there may be insufficient food in the nest and that the eaglets could get damp, leading to respiratory issues. In other words, like with out own human children, we are worrying about everything at this nest. It is our focus despite many other nests having little ones arriving daily. We dared to imagine that Jackie and Shadow might have eaglets and when the two hatches happened, we continued to pinch ourselves to check that reality. We love this family dearly and want nothing to happen at this nest if we could just put a protective dome around it!

Eaglets fed as the storm begins. https://youtu.be/pya2z6Uq3h8?

As you may have noticed, birds often anticipate changes in the weather that meteorologists predict later. For example, Shadow sensed the approaching storm and brought at least three fish back to the nest. While the chicks need frequent meals of small flakes of fish to thrive, the adult birds also require food. However, feeding the chicks becomes challenging when the weather worsens. As the winds and moisture intensified, Shadow decided to reduce the feeding of the eaglets. SKHideaways caught this behaviour on video: https://youtu.be/_65FdR8LblI?

At the Captiva Eagle Cam, Dasher and Dancer are doing very well. Connie and Clive have been, as nothing short of what expected, exceptional parents.

Everyone is printing stories. These eaglets are so loved. They have brought joy to so many. We wish them good health, big crops, and delighted parents.

Big Bear bald eagles Jackie and Shadow welcome two hatchlings – Los Angeles TimesDownload

At the West End, Makaio might not be happy with the female that has come to the nest. Still the pair are roosting in the tree. Of course, she is no match for our dear Thunder! We will wait to see what truly transpires at this nest, but my instinct tells me we will not see eaglets this year.

NE Florida‘s Bodie has been in ignored with all of the celebrations coming out of the Big Bear Valley. She is a big girl. (Not tested just my feeling). A squirrel was brought to the nest and Bodie quickly to it to her spot to try and feed. She is doing precisely what she will need to do in the wild! And what a gorgeous, gorgeous eaglet she is becoming with those shiny, slick ebony feathers. And look at that beak and jaw. She is quite incredible and we should never forget the great joy we felt when she hatched. Another moment that we had to pinch ourselves to know it was real.

Several precious feedings for the triplets at Duke Farms before the rain began to fall. Dad has lots of fish on that nest just in case there is considerable snow or rainfall. Well done, Dad.

Two beautiful eaglets at the John Bunker Sands Wetlands are doing quite fine. Almost every sign of any natal down is now gone. They eat, gain strength in their wings and legs all preparing them for a life off the nest.

At Johnson City, BC26 is a cutie pie.

Oh, goodness. They are all cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are each precious. They deserve a safe habitat and safe food.

Kisatchie National Forest E3: The two eaglets have their thermal down and are losing their baby plumage which will soon be placed by that gorgeous shiny black plumage of the juvenile. Continue to send good wishes to this family so that there are two eaglets safely fledged and healthy parents to bid them farewell.

Many are wagering on whether or not F23 and M15 are planning a second clutch. They have been back at the nest working hard.

What about second clutches? I decided to see what AI would say about it and this is what came up in terms of likely statistics:

  • In another study, 27.3% of failed first clutches resulted in a second clutch. 

When do second clutches occur?

  • Second clutches are more likely to occur if the first clutch is lost early in the nesting season. 
  • Eagles usually don’t lay a second clutch if they’ve incubated for more than about two weeks. 

Other factors 

  • A successful second clutch depends on the availability of enough food for both the chicks and the parents.
  • The gonads must not have completely regressed so that reproductive hormones can be released to enable ovulation and fertilization.

Examples of second clutches 

  • In 1997-98, the parents began a second breeding attempt in February 1999 that produced two nestlings.
  • From 2006-2019, streaming cams observed eight instances of double clutches.

Elfruler gives us some really good insights into second clutches:

SECOND CLUTCHES | Bald EaglesDownload

We need to continue to remind ourselves of the deadly effects of HPAI. The testing and disposal of the bodies is paramount of understanding what happened. Digging shallow graves to bury dead owlets, as in Florida, is not acceptable. Carrion eaters dig them up and then more are ill and die. We must be super careful and vigilant in order to try and half as much damage to our raptor population as possible.

Bird Flu Enters a New Phase, Scientists Say – The New York TimesDownload

Calico wants to thank everyone who purchased one of her cards. She believes that each of us can make a difference—no grand gestures required, just caring. Next Monday, Calico will send Darcy’s Arc a cheque for $325 to help feed feral mothers and their kittens. She could not have done this without your generosity. Thank you so much.

Darling Calico cuddled up with my night shirt. Precious, precious girl.

Brock comes to the window and taps to let me know if the food and water dishes are empty outside OR if he would prefer another flavour! Brock has developed a taste for the ‘better’ cat food. Seeing him trusting us enough to ask for a different meal or more water is sweet. He has now taken to relaxing on the deck after he eats, taking in the warmth from the sun. We adore him.

We have been going for drives, sometimes short and often accompanied by a walk or feeding the chickadees. It has been quite icy and this evening I am suffering from a wee tumble taken at the English Gardens a couple of days ago. There is nothing to replace being outside – the wide open spaces and the blue skies. The deer were everywhere.

While I wait for the geese to arrive in Manitoba – and we are heading out tomorrow to see if we can get a first glimpse – Geese are arriving in Decorah, Iowa and finding their nest!

At the Campanile, a peregrine falcon did land on the ledge to check things out. I miss Annie!

At Two Harbours,Chase and Cholyn, who are both 26-27 years old, have been breeding together for 22 years. Will they have an egg this year? and raise a chick? We wait. https://youtu.be/O03rYESEzl8?

We remember Kumi, one of those remarkable green flightless parrots, the Kakapo. The population is now down to 243 with his death.

Kākāpō Recovery says:

REMEMBERING KUMI: Kumi hatched on Whenua Hou/Codfish Island, 19 March 2005. His mother Margaret-Maree was discovered in 1985 is still alive. His father was Sass who died in 2010 after signs of old age, 30 years after he was discovered. At just five weeks old, Kumi was injured by another kākāpō. While receiving treatment he earned the nickname ‘puku nui’ (big belly) due to his size and appetite. Then, in 2019, he became the largest kākāpō on Pukenui/Anchor Island, topping the scales at 4kg (8.8lbs).  At this weight, male kākāpō in breeding condition become almost spherical in shape because of their fat reserves and large ‘boom sack’. Kumi was known as an excellent boomer and for making an immaculate bowl. His efforts were rewarded, and his bloodline will continue through his seven offspring. One of his chicks with Kuia is Marian, the first-hatched grandchild of the famous Fiordland bird Richard Henry. Marian was successful herself in the last breeding season, making Kumi a grandad to three.  Kumi would have turned 20-years-old on the 19th March. He was found deceased under a yellow silver pine, not far from his bowl. There were no obvious signs of injury or cause of death, but his age, location and the timing indicate it could have been the result of a fight with another male kākāpō. A level of mortality is to be expected in any wild population, but each loss is a reminder of the vulnerability of the critically endangered kākāpō. With the next breeding season predicted next year for the first time since 2022, we look forward supporting the growth of the population again soon. Until then, we will continue to monitor the manu [birds] through remote technologies and annual health checks. Thanks to our treaty partner Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and National Partner Meridian Energy for their ongoing support of our programme. Public donations and symbolic kākāpō adoptions via our website also contribute directly to the health and vitality (mauri ora) of this critically endangered species. Supporters with current Kumi adoptions were contacted via email yesterday – thank you for your support. 💚

Thank you so much for being with us and for caring so much for our wildlife. Please take care. We hope to see you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, streaming cams, and articles that helped me to write my post today: ‘B, J, H’, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, Window to Wildlife, Los Angeles Times, IWS/Explore, NEFL-AEF, Duke Farms, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Johnson City ETSU, Kistachie National Forest E3, Elfruler, The New York Times, Raptor Resource Project, Maria dk, Kakapo Recovery

Sunday in Bird World

2 March 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

Please note that Lori had an error and has updated the cost of the six pack cards for Calico’s Corner. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please see the posting Calico’s Corner for the update.

Before we begin with all the news, ‘EJ’ sent me a magnificent image of an osprey that flew over them in Alabama. We all need smiles right now and this is a beautiful healthy bird! (I am always so grateful for your images and your generosity in sharing with all of us!)

As I write this there are three ongoing matters in Bird World. The first is the missing Thunder from the West End nest. She left at 1430 on Friday, February 28 and has not been seen since. Makaio has gallantly incubated the eggs even bringing prey to eat on the nest while taking some short breaks. The second is the anxiousness surrounding the pip/hatch watches for both Big Bear and Sauces. I am always concerned about third hatch eaglets so I guess there are four items – that wee one at Duke Farms. I recall too many dying on that nest.

In the cast of Thunder, many speculate that she has gone off for a spa day like Gabby typically does. I am not convinced. There are several possibilities to consider: she might have been injured in a territorial fight, or worse, she could have been killed. Another concern is that she may have succumbed to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), though I hope that is not the case and I am unsure if it even exists on the islands. I tried to check and could find no conclusive information.

The romantic-comedy writer in me imagines a more whimsical scenario where she went to get prey, encountered Akecheta, and they flew off into the sunset together. Of course, this is just fanciful thinking and should be taken as such, but it would make for a marvelous ending.

If we do not see Thunder back on the nest by mid-afternoon on Monday, we must assume that she has been injured or killed.

It is the beginning of March and it is time to start watching for the arrival of Canada Geese on the Canadian Prairies as well as the return of the UK and European Ospreys. But for now, my friend ‘J’ reminds me that love, companionship, and joy wrapped up in a lot of hope for this year can be seen in 5 letters: Bodie!!!!!!!!!!

What a precious eaglet that is – and yes, Bodie is NOT small! If every nest could have one single eaglet as healthy as Bodie it would be fantastic. There is no need to cheer for three eggs or even two. Sadly, too many nests last year looked like they had two healthy eaglets when, in fact, they were not. Thing Eagle Country. One well fed eaglet. That is all we need. And it is certainly all the parents and the environment need.

Last year, Heidi and I monitored over 502 osprey eggs along with VV who kept an eye on an inordinate number of nests in Maryland right out their front door! Sadly, none of the chicks at Island Creek survived and most along the coast of the Chesapeake Bay also died. While many might wish to state categorically it was due to the heat dome, there is evidence from countries much hotter and for longer – that with sufficient fish providing hydration nests of 2 or 3 osplets can survive intense summer weather. I hold no hope for the nests again this year. There has been no change in making the Canadian company, Omega, accountable and no real science behind what is a sustainable catch limit. The people fighting this in the region are tireless but they are up against lobbyist and politicians. The dolphins and whales have already left. Would anyone in this lifetime ever have believed that this entire area could be without ospreys? Well, it can happen. What we need are fish fairies and large garden koi ponds. People who will take risks to help the ospreys.

It is now the end of February. I had intended to return to posting Bird World news every morning. The last full moon saw a marked decline in my husband’s cognitive powers and his behaviour. It has been overwhelming and my colleague ‘H’ says my ‘brain is fried’ from all of it. Thankfully, osprey season has really not started and ‘H’ has been handling 99.9% of the data entries so far. I will start with the UK nests, Rosie/Richmond, and Iris plus Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. I am hoping our dear friend VV will monitor those nests in Maryland in their front yard! We won’t get up to 502 but we will do our best to get accurate information so we can see what is causing mortalities in 2025. In 2024, it was weather/starvation as the main driver of deaths. But, back to the posting of news. I am keeping my head above water by posting two larger blogs twice a week. I hope the information is helpful. These will come on either Sunday or Monday and Thursday. Essential news items will come as they happen. I will also try to post at least one or two good news items each day by mid-afternoon. I miss all of you! And I miss being in contact with the birds in their nests like I was before…

So, let’s see what is happening!

Golden Gate Audubon: Rosie has returned to Richmond on the light stand in San Francisco Bay! March 1. I am so delighted. She landed and started calling for Richmond right away.

Port Lincoln Ospreys: I am so grateful to the folks at Port Lincoln Ospreys who are regularly posting the tracking of the ospreys in South Australia. Looks like Ervie is having a fun time hanging out with Giliath! They spend the night together. How cool is that. You can find all of the tracking on the Port Lincoln FB page. I am including the one for Ervie and Giliath here because Ervie still melts my heart.

Dale Hollow Eagle Cam: Thank you to ‘KR’ for alerting me to the two eggs at this nest. As many of you will remember, there were issues getting help for the eaglets when they were tangled in fishing line. I am only putting this notice now for those of you that wish to watch this nest. I will not be covering it.

Duke Farms: There are currently three eaglets with the last hatching on Saturday, March 1. ‘A’ comments: “Another feeding at Duke Farms about four hours after the last (no time stamp on the feed as far as I can see, which is irritating) and on this occasion, the older hatch did even better, grabbing big pieces. The younger hatch was at least facing the right way this time, and sat nicely beside its sibling at the table. However, mum only half-heartedly offered it a bite or two, it made no attempt to grab at them, although like its older sibling yesterday, it is VERY loud and persistent in its begging for food. Even so, mum is adept at ignoring all pleas and simply sitting on the noisy little bundles. Oh Mary Ann they are just ADORABLE. Aren’t they the sweetest things at this early stage (while any attempts at bonking are harmless because they can’t even see their target properly.”…”I fear I can see a definite pip on egg three, which is of concern to me for the reasons outlined yesterday. This nest is already problematic – it was with only one eaglet – so I hate to think of what will happen with three. The nest is covered in fish – dad is certainly doing his job – but whether that fish gets into those little beaks is another question altogether. Mum did give the first hatch a nice feed this morning and the wee one was doing really well, swallowing quite large pieces with relative ease. Hatch two was still fairly unsteady (and facing the wrong way) but I suspect it will be 24 hours before we need to start worrying about its food intake. It is very reassuring, though, that the older chick is eating well and mum is doing a good job of feeding it. “

Like so many nests this year, Duke Farms has three eggs. Personally I do not like three egg hatches unless the male digs right in there and helps like Akecheta did at the West End. It is difficult. Some have even raised four.

Sauces: The first egg laid by Jak and Audacity is holding! ‘A’ remarks “In wonderful news from Sauces, darling Audacity’s egg continues to hold – she has it buried fairly deep and safe in the nesting material but we still get a good look at it around 13:22. (Mind you, if Jak continues to mate with Audacity while she is incubating, there are no guarantees! Men!!) Assuming the egg doesn’t break, pip watch begins in 10 days. I think everyone is praying this egg is strong and that this poor long-suffering mum will finally get the precious eaglet she has sacrificed so much to give a chance at life. My heart goes out to this couple. Audacity is so brave and so determined. I do wonder whether the repeated calcium depletion year after year has had any long-term impacts on her bones. Certainly, she has given everything she has in her efforts to raise an eaglet. She deserves this more than anyone. It’s like Iris last year. Repeated loss finally followed by a miracle baby (or babies in Iris’s case.” 

Leucistic Red-tail Hawk Nest in TN: ‘A’ writes: “Meanwhile, Angel and Tom were at their nest again this morning. The nest looks absolutely ready for a couple of eggs and we are so hopeful this season that there will be eggs at this nest. Talons crossed (speaking of which, how gorgeous is Angel’s French polish?). There was even another afternoon check-in, and there have no blue jays in sight (or heard) today or yesterday, which ho-efully will persuade Angel and Tom that they can raise chicks without harassment at this nest. Still, after last season, I think we are all holding our breath every time they skip a day of nest work. 

I have not seen any mating on camera but if I remember rightly, that was the case in Deyani’s season too so we shouldn’t read anything into it. Tom managed two fertile eggs out of two (even though only one chick survived) so I see no reason for concern in that regard. Young he may be but I doubt that slows down a male of any species! Just saying.”

Falcon Cam Project: Xavier and Diamond have been bonding in the scrape. Oh, how nice it is to see you! https://youtu.be/4fmYvw-ZSWo?s

Florida Slub Jay Population: Attached is Audubon Florida’s annual report on Slub Jays.

jaywatchreport2025_v5_webDownload

Royal Albatross Colony, New Zealand: The Royal Cam chick is in the post-guard phase and is getting lots of good meals from the adults! https://youtu.be/5XgDs0L8A6A?

Big Bear Valley: 13,976 souls watching Jackie and Shadow as Jackie takes over the evening incubation shift. We are on pip watch at Big Bear Valley!

Both eagles protecting those precious eggs! How dare a sub-adult try and land on that nest during this crucial time!!!!!!!! https://youtu.be/bxQRZvfUftE?s

West End: Not sure how many eggs since the camera was down. Thunder and Makaio continue incubation and then Thunder disappears. Makaio was on incubation for over 24 hours. Is this a case of needing a spa day like Gabby or Gigi or has something more sinister happened to Thunder? We wait.

Makaio took several breaks on Saturday and even brought food to eat at the nest so he is doing fantastic. Let us hope Thunder returns safely.

Kansas City: Harvie and Ellie continue the incubation of their two eggs.

Achieva Credit Union: Jack and his new mate now have two eggs in that amazing nest that Jack built.

Moorings Park: Three eggs for Sally and Harry. Pip and hatch expected between March 8-12. Yes. We are that close. This is a very good nest to watch but will three be a challenge?

Frenchman’s Creek Ospreys: Continuous owl strikes.

Venice Golf and Country Club Ospreys:

Kisatchie E3 Bald Eagle Nest: Both eaglets are doing well. https://youtu.be/JOrFfsjn6ik?

John Bunker Sands Wetlands: Both eaglets are really losing the few remaining dandelions on the tops of their heads. What a wonderful nest this has been to watch this year!

Red Kite killed in the Cairngorms. ““The Park Authority condemns the illegal killing of raptors in the strongest possible terms. Raptor persecution has no place in 21st century Scotland but sadly incidents such as this are still taking place. It is an unacceptable crime that not only harms our raptor populations, but also damages the reputation of those land managers that act lawfully and work hard to care for wildlife.

“We are committed to working with partners to make sure the National Park is a safe haven for raptors and to establish the full circumstances of this incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0846 of Thursday 27 February. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously”.

Cairngorms National Park Authority condemns latest shooting of red kite – Raptor Persecution UKDownload

The issues with wind power and raptors are real. This article was contained in the most recent Raptor Resource Project Journal.

Wind power development affects entire raptor | EurekAlert!Download

Manitoba is home to Polar Bears! 27 February was International Polar Bear Day! We love our bears, but their lives are becoming more and more challenging. https://youtu.be/uDN3x4sMnjs? and https://youtu.be/nYY0k0O9g6I?

Did you miss Ventana Wildlife’s February Condor Chat? Well, never fear. Here is the archived talk! The next live event is 27 March. https://youtu.be/RATJ0DwkoQE?

Thank you to all those people who help all those rehabbers every day of the week. They would not be able to save our precious wildlife without your help.

Wondering about all those three egg Bald Eagle nests? THIRTEEN nests already with 3 eggs (incl. Sauces)…Bartlesville, Big Bear, Centerport, Duke Farms, FOLFAN, Fort St Vrain, Fraser Point,  NCTC, ND-Leef, PA Farm Country,Port Tobacco,Sauces 2 broke, and US Steel. Thanks, J.

A big shout out to all the teams in the UK who went out and cleaned up the osprey nests and refurbished them if needed! The raptors are on their way home and will arrive feeling most welcome. I wish every individual associated with a streaming cam (or not) would help our dear fish hawks (or others) with a cleaned out nest and new nesting material. It makes a difference. Just ask Hope and Beau at Snow Lane, Newfoundland.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care everyone. Go outside for a walk. Listen to the birds. Clean your feeders. Migration is coming! Turn off the news and feel the sunshine on your face. We hope to see you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, images, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, EJ, Geemeff, H, J’, NEFL-AEF, Golden Gate Audubon, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Dale Hollow Eagle Cam, Trudi Kron, Duke Farms, IWS/Explore, Falcon Cam Project, Florida Audubon, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, Farmer Derek Kansas City Eagles, Achieva Credit Union, Moorings Park, Frenchman’s Creek, Heidi McGrue, Kisatchie National Forest, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Raptor Persecution UK, EurekAlert, Polar Bears International, Ventana Wildlife Society, Hoo’s Woods Raptor Center

Thursday in Bird World

27 February 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

It is 2:35 in Big Bear Valley Wednesday afternoon and there are 12, 215 people watching Jackie and Shadow’s nest for any sign of a pip. Pip watch officially begins on March 1. Typically Jackie’s eggs hatch at 38-39 days.

‘B’ sends us all the latest on this internationally loved couple.

https://news.berkeley.edu/2025/02/24/uc-berkeley-falcons-annie-and-archie-are-missing-is-avian-flu-the-cause/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIqKDZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHTtCvx32k8LSdJ3MTbHsg_lHU6JKJyx1INQwi0Do4VkHBteyJxIn9EUT_w_aem_fnAyJqH9h1UdARKDxTmi6w

HPAI is a concern everyone including our garden. It has been +3 for the last few days. The snow is melting. There is standing water everywhere. The air is beginning to smell like spring. Most of the snow was cleared off the deck. All of the feeders were cleaned and disinfected. We will start a daily count to determine what is happening. When the European Starlings returned, there were 58 in the lilac bushes daily. There are now only 9. There were two Blue Jays, four Grey Squirrels, two Red Squirrels, and well, we were used to get at least 150 sparrows of various species. Might there be two dozen now? The Chickadees are here flitting, and there is a single female adult Downy Woodpecker. Two Crows. The loud songs from the birds in the garden could be heard more than half a city block away. There is still song, but it is so quiet.

It was extremely warm on Wednesday and we headed off to the zoo for a long and much needed walk before an Alberta Clipper is going to dump snow on us today. Five polar bears were sleeping on the snow! Just look at how clean its pads are!

I know that most of you are nervous about the upcoming breeding seasons whether it is the remaining eagles, the ospreys, or the hawks/falcons. I would also include the storks – oh, how I adore them! Throughout this posting and in many more to come, I want to encourage you to delight in the eaglets that have hatched and are healthy, for those eggs in nests, and for the storks and ospreys that are making their way home. Sending positive energy their way. In Manitoba, we are taking bets on the arrival of the first Canada Goose to the Oak Hammock Marsh. They could arrive within the week! I am so excited.

Let’s start with something nice and I cannot think of anything nicer than the miracle eaglet, Bodie, in Gabby and Beau’s nest.

NE Florida: That little cutie pie of Beau and Gabby’s now has a name! He is 5 weeks and 3 days old today.

I asked ‘AI’ to provide the meanings for the name Bodie:

The name Bodie has multiple meanings and origins: 

  • Enlightenment: A respelling of the Sanskrit word Bodhi, which means “enlightenment” or “wisdom” 
  • Messenger: From the German word bode or boden, which means “messenger” 
  • Large-bodied: From the Old English word bodig, which means “trunk” or “chest” 
  • Bold: From the French surname Beaudin, which is rooted in the old Germanic word bald 
  • Sheltered: From the Germanic and Scandinavian name Boden, which means “sheltered” 

Bodie is a gender-neutral name with origins in Sanskrit, German, French, Scandinavian, and Scottish. 

In ancient times, messengers were vital to society, carrying news and information between communities and individuals. People with the name Bodie were associated with this role, and were often respected members of society. 

Bodie has been on the rise in popularity in the United States, first entering the top 1,000 names in 2014. In 2022, it was ranked 484th in the top 500 names. 

A turkey vulture came and sat on the nest of Bodie on Wednesday but the real question remains: where are Gabby and Beau? They have not been seen at the nest on Wednesday. This is concerning. Bodie is not self feeding but he did go to the pantry and attempt to get a nibble or two of the prey.

Where are Beau and Gabby?

Cal Falcons: In my last post with the long listing of the nest happenings, I pondered what was going on at the Cal Falcon scrape on The Campanile. The following day a notice was posted. It made my heart sink to my toes and tears pour out of my eyes. HPAI is everywhere. I believe it is even accounting for the lack of songbirds in the garden this winter. Cal Falcons is warning us that this could be the reason that we are not seeing Annie or Archie.

More news agencies are picking up on the loss of dear Annie and her mate. My heart is feeling very empty about this and I am hoping for a miracle.

Famous falcon and mate missing from atop Berkeley’s Campanile TowerDownload

A pair of Red-shouldered Hawks are hoping to take over Annie’s territory. https://youtu.be/3xE8PX1ywjk?

We have to find hope and beauty in those birds that are surviving and those who are desperately trying to raise families in a very hostile environment. One of those is the new mate of Thunder, Makaio. He seems really good at caring for the eggs and protecting the nest. https://youtu.be/SexBFchvb-A?

Japanese Albatross Cam: There is a new Albatross streaming cam from Japan. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/live/QZbOtDedw-Y?

These are short-tailed Albatross. Information on the volcanic island where they live states: “The Izu-volcano on Tori-shima is one of a chain of small islands about 600 km south of Tokyo. The island is one for
the threatened albatross-birds, namely the short tailed albatross, and have been uninhabited by people since the Meteorological Institute drew back their scientists from an observatory in 1965, after a strong earthquake hit the area. About 30 people lived on the island before that, but they were evacuated after an eruption in 1939. In 1902 an eruption killed all the 125 people living on the island at that time.”

Located on Izu Island south of Tokyo and the main island of Honshu.

Here is a thorough article on the history of the short-tailed albatross in the area including ‘feather picking’.

Short-tailed Albatross | Yamashina Institute for OrnithologyDownload

Years ago we wondered what would happen to our much loved storks flying through war-torn Ukraine. Karl II had his favourite spots to stop and rest on the way to Africa. We always held our breath. Just how much wildlife has been impacted by this war?

‘We’ve lost some parts of nature for ever’: Ukraine war’s impact on environment – photo essay | UkraDownload

PSEG Patchogue Osprey Platform, Long Island: There will be no camera for the PSEG Patchogue nest. ‘MP’ sent me the response this morning when he noticed that there was no streaming cam: “Thank you for your online inquiry. I have heard back from our Wildlife department: Due to construction in the immediate vicinity of the Patchogue osprey platform, PSEG Long Island has relocated this platform to a nearby location away from construction activities and human interference. However, we were not able to reconnect the osprey camera at this new location. Therefore, the Patchogue osprey camera will no longer be available.” PSEG further added, “”The camera was removed in order to provide the ospreys with a calmer living environment, at this point there are no plans to reactivate the camera. The websiteOsprey Cams – PSEG Long Island will be updated if and when the camera comes back online.”

Of course, being a power company we both wondered why on earth they couldn’t rig up a solar panel or something or is it another issue? Like all of us calling them when the nest is dangerously dirty? Who knows. I assume PSEG wants a calmer life since the ospreys wouldn’t care one way or the other about the camera! Ridiculous.

Tartasan White-Tailed Eagle Cam: Chulman and Kama are at the nest https://youtu.be/QwegaOsW_lM?

Frenchman’s Creek: Heidi confirms that the second egg was laid on the 25th of February.

Pine Island Osprey Platform: Looks as if the eggs are not viable. This is truly a blessing with the GHO in waiting for chicks.

Achieva Credit Union Osprey Platform, St Petersburg, Florida: As of Wednesday afternoon there remains only one egg for Jack and his new mate.

We are sitting in the conservatory monitoring the birds at the feeder. This morning I put out 1/4 of the amount of peanuts, Black Oil Seed, along with a large helping of Bark Butter and Meal Works (directed at the Starlings). There are approximately nine or ten Starlings. Where have all the birds gone?

I will be tracking HPAI in our region, and elsewhere, during 2025 as it appears to be having a large impact on some bird counts.

Status of ongoing avian influenza response by province – inspection.canada.caDownload

Little Miami Conservancy: Two eggs. 19th and 22nd of February.

Duke Farms: Cute little first hatch and now it has a little brother or sister.

WRDC: Both R7 and R8 doing fantastic. Look at all the fish on that nest!

Captiva: Dasher sleeps like an adult and we have branching at the nest on Wednesday!

MN-DNR: Two eggs being incubated. Laid on the 14th and 17th of February.

FORE: Liberty and Guardian do not yet have eggs. Everyone is worried. Maybe they will not have eggs this year. Maybe they will. We wait. But it is getting late because of the heat. Both of their eaglets died last year. They know and they grieve. It is alright if they chose to skip this year. Last year Duke and Daisy chose not to raise a family. The previous year Duke was missing in the storm and we thought he was lost. Daisy lost two osplets but was able to fledge one. Life is challenging – and it is going to get worse. Send Liberty and Guardian your love and support.

Gary’s latest video on the Redding Eagles: https://youtu.be/kZOrkmcHcrk?

Kistachie National Forest E3: Just look at those amazing eaglets! https://youtu.be/7Ml9orXgPEI?s

Abu Dhabi Osprey Platform: The triplets appear to be doing well.

Royal Albatross Colony News:

Cornell Red Tail Hawks: The camera should be back in operation for Big Red and Arthur in a week! Thank goodness.

Can you lend a hand to Hob, her friends, and the Moli?

Rita the Eagle’s History Monday:

I am going to look forward to a day when I read about the growth of the Hen Harrier population and not that rising deaths near driven grouse moor estates in Scotland!

134 hen harriers confirmed ‘missing’ or illegally killed in UK since 2018, most of them on or closeDownload

Geemeff sends us some good news — remember, it is going to be up to us to do what is right for wildlife and that could include purchasing land, etc.

Happier news – the RSPB Geltsdale reserve is forging ahead after the successful land purchase. More funds needed of course, but as we all know, times are tough so people can support in ways other than donations eg by publicising on their social media feeds, buying from the online shop or better yet paying a visit to Geltsdale or any other RSPB reserve.

https://www.rspb.org.uk/donate/pennines-paradise

Thank you so much for being with today. We look forward to having you with us again soon! Take care of yourselves!

Thank you also for your patience with Calico’s cards. She had no idea what was entailed when she set out to help feral cats! The latest was securing proper mailing envelopes so the cards would not be bent when shipped! Those should arrive today or tomorrow. Then we can finalize the shipping! She told me she was glad we only do this twice a year. LOL.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, streaming cams, videos, and articles that helped me to write my post today: ‘B, EJ, Geemeff, Heidi, J, MP’, Berkeley News, American Eagle Foundation, Cal Falcons, KRON4, SK Hideaways, NEFL-AEF, SK Hideaways, IWS/Explore, Yamashina Institute for Ornithology, Japanese Albatross Cam, The Guardian, PSEG, Tartasan WTE Cam, Frenchman’s Creek, Heidi McGrue, Achieva Credit Union, Government of Canada, Little Miami Conservancy, Duke Farms, WRDC, Window to Wildlife, MN-DNR, Gary’s Eagle Videos, Nesting Bird Life and More, Abu Dhabi Osprey Platform, Sharon Dunne, Hob Osterlund, Rita the Eagle, RSPB, Raptor Persecution UK

Thursday in Bird World

20 February 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

Thank you for being with us today. Many of you are experiencing cold, wintry weather, and I understand that those of you in the southeastern United States are particularly surprised by the chill! While we should be accustomed to the cold here, I must admit that I wish it would go away. We haven’t been able to spend as much time outdoors as we would like. We all need to engage with nature. It is so good for our mental health. Please be careful if it is snowy and there is ice. Nothing is important enough to fall and get injured.

While our friends in the UK hope spring might be just around the corner, we are still in an extreme cold warning on the Canadian Prairies. It is one of the most extended extreme cold spells I can remember in recent history. Thankfully, the triple pane windows also create heat, and ‘The Girls’ can pretend they are outside in the sun. Even the sun warms up the conservatory for about six hours, and then, as the sun begins to lower itself in the west, the cold sets in. They have to come into the main part of the house and not one of the four is happy about that. They love that glass box where it is like they are living outside, but are actually safe inside.

In this extreme cold, I am always fretting about the outdoor animals. One Crow has consistently come to the table feeder to eat nuts from the cylinder. You can see the sparrows all puffed up to keep warm. They love perching on the branches of the lilacs and getting warmth from the sunshine. They will leave the garden early as soon as they begin to go down. By 4:30 things are pretty quiet. I am, however, missing all the beautiful birdsong from the garden. The number of songbirds is in significant decline.

I am so glad that Calico and her kitten Baby Hope are inside and not out with Brock and Star. There appears to be nothing I can do to convince either of them to trust me despite Brock now sitting about 15 cm or 6 inches from me when I take out food. If there is any sudden movement, he is off. I do not want to stress them out, but something will be done come spring – it will be an enclosure with a heat lamp. (Right now, it is too much work and cold to begin dismantling the wood boxes…I wish I had done it earlier.) If Star has kittens, which I fear she might, we will trap them and make sure they have homes.

The mailbox brings me to the topic for this post: Darvic rings. A reader wrote, “I was wondering if you’d heard anything about the banding of the osprey at Abu Dhabi. I saw them being weighed, but they didn’t measure their wings. Yet they put blue bands on one of all of their legs. They put a silver band on the other leg of all of them too. Wouldn’t the blue band be for boys? Why put a blue band on at all?”

Heidi did the video of the ringing of the triplets and I post it again here. https://youtu.be/ki2xKtFBF_Y?

What are Darvic Rings? The Darvic rings are a plastic ring that is fitted to the Osprey’s leg. Normally you can see them from a distance with binoculars or a spotting scope. Different countries use different colours. In the United Kingdom, the bands are blue with white lettering. Scotland places the Darvic ring on the left leg while England and Wales put it on the right. In Spain the Darvic rings are yellow, in Germany they are Black, and in France they are orange. Over time the amount of numbers or letters has changed but there are registries of every bird that is ringed. 

The birds are also fitted with a metal ring. It has a unique number and address and is more durable than the plastic ones which can, after several years, break. 

Birds are ringed before they are 45 days old. The reason for this is so the specially trained banders do not frighten the birds and cause them to fledge prematurely. Also, the leg will have grown to its adult size. This prevents the ring from getting too tight and injuring the bird. Ringing often takes place when the Osprey chicks are in the 30s – such as 36 days old, etc. At the time of banding the chicks are weighed and measured. Indeed, everything about them is measured!

So for the United Arab Emirates where the Abu Dhabi nest is located this is the specific information on ring colour and placement.  Nothing to do with gender:

TitleColour-ring type Soort Colour-ring colour Colour-ring code First letter Last letter Colour-ring position 
OspreysLegring : one, coded. Osprey Dark Blue [B] Three alpha-numeric code (3 letters/numbers). E Tarsus right.

 There are online lists of the colours of the rings for each country. If you spot a bird with a Darvic ring, there are sites where you should submit that information. It is always good to be able to locate where the birds are and if they are alive.

Few ring the ospreys (or other raptors) in North America which is a real shame. The benefits of ringing the birds – whether they be a raptor or a songbird – are many. Here are only a few articles to help you understand why this process is important.

Why do we put rings on birds? – Hawk Conservancy Trust – Hawk Conservancy TrustDownload
259.Reeves et al.Download
Colour Ringing – Roy Dennis Wildlife FoundationDownload

Checking on some of the nests:

Kistachie National Forest E3: The eaglets are getting frisky and playful. https://youtu.be/yUWLzSliOAA?

Redding Eagles: Will the heat impact any late eggs laid? https://youtu.be/yUWLzSliOAA?

Captiva Eagle Cam: Dasher and Dancer are doing just fine.

Achieva Credit Union Osprey Platforms: No egg yet for Jack and his new mate. The chicks normally hatched the first week in March. It is getting late for a clutch. I worry about the heat of the summer just as I would if there was another clutch at SW Florida.

NCTC: Scout is getting into the action of incubation. Fingers crossed. The couple now have three eggs! https://youtu.be/SsMcuXsNUIE?

Big Bear: Could you ignore Shadow’s charms? https://youtu.be/1ZAaKfrNXoE?

West End: In case you missed it, the first egg of Thunder and Makaio was taken by an opportunistic Raven. https://youtu.be/202j3SgZOwA?

Hilton Head: The two eaglets are doing well!

PA Country Farm: The male, Oliver, is showing signs of having HPAI. Please send your good wishes.

Little Miami Conservancy: The first egg is laid for eagle couple, Bette and Baxter, on Wednesday.

USS Steel: There is a three egg clutch for Irvine and his new mate, Stella, in 2025. She is a young mum, but Irv knows the ropes. It should be an exciting nest to watch this year. https://youtu.be/2mMml-j86cA?

Cornell Red Tail Hawk: Both Big Red and Arthur have been spotted on campus.

Moorings Park: Sally and Harry continue to incubate their three eggs.

Pine Island Ospreys:

Johnson City-ETSU: Eggs on January 23 and 26. Boone and Jolene should be expecting a pip by the end of February! Just think – 8 days.

Royal Albatross Colony: Adorable chick nestles next to its mother. https://youtu.be/Baq1kDo8k7Y?

SW Florida: M15 and F23 come to the nest. https://youtu.be/wFSLKTEhqq4?

NE Florida: For a $5 donation, you can help select one of four names for Beau and Gabby’s only eaglet in 2025.

Dale Hollow: Taylor and Franklin have their first egg.

Friends of South Australia Ospreys are concerned about Marie from Gleesons who has flown far from her nest.

News of new nest platforms comes from Geemeff:

New nest platforms in Utah:

https://universe.byu.edu/metro/provo-power-and-division-of-wildlife-resources-collaborate-to-build-osprey-nests

And in the Bronx:

New home for osprey birds being built in Eastchester Bay

There is also a new platform at Granville Island in Vancouver for eagles. It is a galvanized pole erected by one of my former students who was in charge of the rebuilding of the Market area. More information to follow.

There is a new FaceBook group organized by Trudi Kron for the Wolf Bay Osprey platform in Alabama. Here is the link to the group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1368435824519762

Here is the link for the camera. Sticks are already being delivered! https://youtu.be/3xUG9gpVzlY?

Wildlife is truly under threat. Many of the nature centres and rehabilitation clinics are going to need your support and help. This is one of the latest postings.

Geemeff asks, “Stating the bleeding obvious- pesticides kill! Did we learn nothing from Rachel Carson? Silent Spring was written more than seventy years ago and sadly, not much has changed, if anything, things have got worse.” I agree. Humans have much to clean up and wildlife needs us more now than ever.

https://www.birdguides.com/news/pesticides-a-major-contributor-to-global-biodiversity-crisis-says-stud

One of our next conversations is going to be about where your donation dollars do the most good. Many are abandoning the WWF because of this – and other large organizations where the staff take more of the donations than the wildlife!

WWF helping facilitate trade in polar bear fur, investigation reveals | WWF | The GuardianDownload

.They are not birds, but at this stage, the balance and health of all wildlife has to be of our concern. That includes those adorable little European hedgehogs that populate the gardens. They were of least concern and now their existence is ‘threatened’. Habitat loss and pesticide use. It is a mantra that we are going to hear over and over again this year as animals die because of us. Please help them. No more green beautiful Home and Gardens lawns. Plant for pollinators without using pesticides. Urge your neighbours, your family, and your friends. ——– It looks like it is going to be up to use to take care of the areas around where we live. Imagine the power of the people of the world if we each dedicated our lives to making their lives better. Imagine.

I feel blessed to have so many talented and caring readers, many who are have become friends over the years. One is Juni Li, a New York artist, who has shared a drawing of Iris and Finnegan with us. Just imagine—within six weeks, Iris could be back with us. Wonder who will arrive first: Iris or Finnegan? Wish them good health, favorable winds, bountiful crops – and no interlopers.

I so wish Sum-eh and Antali had been ringed. Without Darvic rings, we will never know them if they return or if someone sees them in another area. We will also not know if they are found dead.

Iris always makes us smile and I hope this next story, sent to us by EJ, will, too.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/experts-baffled-results-unlikely-solution-110014598.html

The Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group Conference is fast approaching. Hopefully they will provide us with archival talks and paper presentations.

Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group Conference, 22 February 2025 – booking open – Raptor PersecutionDownload

Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care. We will see you again on Monday!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, articles, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘EJ, Geemeff, H, J, MP, SP’, Heidi Mc, Hawk Conservancy Trust, The Journal of Raptor Research, The Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, Kistachie E3 Bald Eagle Nest, Nesting Bird Life and More, Gary Eagle Videos (FORE), SK Hideaways, Deb Stecyk, Little Miami Conservancy, Hilton Head Land Conservancy, American Eagle Foundation, univerise.byu.edu, Bronx Times, The Guardian, Vija, Pix Cams, American Eagle Foundation, Friends of Osprey Sth Aus, Cornell Bird Lab, Juni Li, Yahoo News, Raptor Persecution UK, Achieva Credit Union, Heidi McGrue and Pine Island Ospreys (Joy of Ospreys FB)

Calico is such an intelligent cat, and she is working hard to figure out the best way to provide help for feral cats. I wonder if she remembers living in the cold. She has created a line of five blank note cards on premium card stock with envelopes using my images. Her goal is to sell 500 cards. We have decided to do this directly instead of selling them through shops (who take multiple percentages from 40-60). It will mean more work for all The Girls and us, but in the end, those funds will provide much-needed food and help with spaying and neutering within our community.

I will post a separate page with information on how you can help Calico meet her goal on Monday!

Thursday in Bird World

6 February 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

Oh, it has been a glorious time in Guadeloupe. We hoped to see more hummingbirds and today what a shock we had. We walked through a treed area and there on a branch sleeping was a Purple throated hummer. It is large, much bigger than any of the hummingbirds that visit our garden in Canada and, indeed, larger than a sparrow! The images are not so good – I only had my phone and I was so surprised to see this gorgeous creature.

There was also a Green Heron fishing in the pond with the Flamingos. Each day, there are new surprises.

We are at the airport in Port a Pitre. It id a really hot day! The AC in the departures lounge is working over time. We had the most amazing trip. Small little coves, private beaches, the rainforest. Lots and lots of fresh fruit, but I am dying for a big salad and some vegetables! It is snowing and blowing in Winnipeg. We will be home tomorrow afternoon late and it should be clear. We hope that all of you have had a good ten days. This is a beautiful island to visit if you ever get the chance!

Oh, so many are worried about little NE31 sleeping alone in that big eagle nest. Beau and Gabby are up on the branches ready to protect 31 and, thankfully, there does not seem to be any predators, such as GHOs, in the area.

31 is hot in the Florida sun!

Thunder has been hanging out with the new young male at the West End. The last time Akecheta was on the screen was when he was injured on the 19th of January. We wait to see because we have no knowledge of what has transpired since the cams went down almost immediately. I recall incidents at the NCTC nest where Bella and/or Smitty were injured and they returned after a period of time, once it was 21 days, if I recall correctly.

SK Hideaways shows us how their relationship has progressed: https://youtu.be/xL9wUkje1Pw?

If anyone has been worried about R8, Rose fed the youngest one an entire fish or so it seemed. The kids are doing good and it doesn’t seem that there should be any cause for alarm.

There is some concern over Southwest Florida’s M15’s eyes. Conjunctivitis is a symptom of HPAI. You might recall that E17 and 18 were removed for treatment for Conjunctivitis several years ago and returned to the SW Florida nest. Now, F23 and M15 would have HPAI. They ate the food of the eaglets; they shared the nest. I believe this was covered in one or both of the CROW releases. The incubation period is a fortnight, two weeks. R25 passed on 26 January. We will be approaching the end of the two weeks at the weekend. F23 was seen bathing at the pond on Wednesday and drying her wings. — I think they both look good, and like everything else, let us appreciate these moments. Everything turns on a dime in Bird World. Who would ever have predicted that our dear Akecheta would lose his territory? I still can’t believe it.

Other news. Hope has laid her second egg at Tobacco Creek and we have the second egg for Jak and Audacity at Sauces. Sadly, at least one of Audacity’s eggs has broken. Our hearts break for this couple. Oh, how I wish someone would place a fertile hard-shelled egg in their nest!

Hope’s second egg:

There is good news coming out of the IWS and Dr Sharpe. ‘T’ writes that Sauce’s fledgling is ‘​​Kaiannika (hatched in Sauces in 2019). She is the current female at the Empire Nest!! She had an eaglet last year.” Let us hope that she is successful again this year! That is wonderful news.

“MP’ reports that everything is going well at the JB Sands Wetlands. “The eagles at this nest are doing exceptional. You’ll see this family having lunch and dinner together most days. It seemed to solve the bonking with dad feeding one or both chicks. Sometimes mom lets dad think he’s helping a lot, and he really is. He is probably the sole reason the bonking has stopped.”

 At the Achieva Osprey platform, Jack built a gorgeous nest trying to attract a new mate. The following screen captures show their interaction. It is sometimes very challenging!

Two females fighting over Jack’s nest! Gracious.

Jack scaring off one of the females.

The female ousting Jack off the nest!

That sweet little Royal Cam chick getting fed by Mum! Need a break from the woes of the world, just check these gentle giants out!!!!!! https://youtu.be/zMNQfoxmENg?

Bart Molenaar sent me a note wondering if I had ever seen an osprey nest with two males and one female caring for a family of three osplets. I have not. I have seen falcon nests with several parents but not an osprey nest that I can recall (will check my files when I am home). Most often we see those male ospreys kicking the eggs out that might belong to another male. We most recently saw this at Iris and Finnegan’s nest when Finnegan ousted what he believed to be a ‘Louis egg’. The nest that Bart is referring to is a new one that showed up on his YouTube feed and it is in Abu Dhabi. There were originally four little chicks, but the smallest just didn’t thrive. They look to be between three and four weeks old with those lovely juvenile feathers coming in.

Fish delivery times according to ella on the chat: ​​Fish deliveries = 07:02:23, 8:56:02, 10:17:27, 11:11:06, 13:53, 14:25:55, 14:48:08, 15:49:03, 16:28:17, 16:45:54, 18:06

When you have two active dads you don’t need any fish fairies it seems.

This is the link to the live stream: https://www.youtube.com/live/XQt1PwvYrJM?s

Geemeff sends us an article on the oldest known modern bird at 69 million years. Wow.

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2466965-ancient-relative-of-geese-is-the-earliest-known-modern-bird/

We also have news of Ervie. It is ALWAYS comforting to see his tracker working and to know that our favourite lad is doing well.

Thanks so much for being with me today. We have two full days of travel ahead and are watching a large storm that is brewing around Montreal. Hopeful that all the flights will go as planned. My next post will likely not be until Monday – giving me time to settle back at home and spend some hours with The Girls who will be demanding much attention. Take care all. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Bart M, Geemeff, J, MP, TU’, NEFL-AEF, IWS/Explore, SK Hideaways, Port Tobacco Eagle Cam, Achieva Osprey Platform, JBS Wetlands, NZ DOC, Abu Dhabi Live, newscientist.com, Port Lincoln Osprey

Late Friday in Bird World

31 January 2025

Hello Everyone,

It was a beautiful day in Guadeloupe. We spent it at the Botanical Gardens. If you are ever in this part of the world, I highly recommend a visit to this beautiful space. As you might recall, we are staying in a cottage on the grounds of the old Botanical Garden.

The new one began its current configuration in 2001. Scattered throughout the gardens are koi ponds, flamingos, Rainbow Lorikeets, and Parrots. The birds used to fly free in great numbers on the island. They are now extinct! Habitat destruction (deforestation) and hunting wiped them out. You can purchase food for the various fish and birds at the entrance gate. It is a great way to spend three or four hours.

The koi pond.

Lorikeets eat out of your hand.

The Panoramic Restaurant at the top of the water falls. Great local dishes but everything is on Caribbean time – allow at least 2.5 hours for a lingering lunch.

The sound of the water falling over the rocks. Click for the video. Oh, I hope it plays.

Looking at the Flamingos from the Panoramic Restaurant.

Look at the size of the tree compared to the humans below.

There are roosters, chickens, and chicks everywhere!!!! This is a Red Jungle Rooster. There were Crested Hummingbirds, Carib Grackles, Bandicoots around the garden.

Roger is having his lunch.

A beautiful day in paradise.

Now to check on our bird families…

Everyone in Bird World continues to mourn the loss of E24 and E25 with the SW Florida Bald Eagle family. We hope that F23 and M15 will be spared and return to the nest next season to once again raise a family. It has certainly been difficult not knowing how the adults are doing.

One of the most wonderful notices that I received was that M15 was seen at the pond on Friday. The individual told me he looked good. We need to allow for a fortnight from when the eaglets were sick and passed away for F23 and M15 to be ‘out of the woods’. Then they should have temporary immunity to this blessed curse that has hit the avian world. Here is the video link showing them: https://youtu.be/ZTANpuxjUNE?

While we wait for word from the West End nest of Thunder and Akecheta and more sightings of F23 and M15 that show that their health is good, we really must rejoice for those nests that are, at this time, doing very well. I cannot think of a better place to start than the Royal Albatross colony in New Zealand near Dunedin. There OGK’s son, RLK, is brooding their beautiful chick! The NZ DOC has put out the most precious video of RLK meeting that wee babe and reaching down to talk to it. OGK would be very proud! https://youtu.be/0uZs1z5msug?

Great close ups and a feeding! https://youtu.be/ZTANpuxjUNE?s

They are the gentle giants of the sea. They hunt over 6 million square miles of sea, mostly The Roaring Forties of the Southern Ocean, for food. It is a shame that as an international community we have not stopped the practices of the long-haul fishing trawlers (dropping their lines during the day) or have not come up with ways to rid the seas of plastics to save these beautiful creatures with their ten foot wingspans. They live in the winds lowering their heart rate to the same as when they are on their nests (80 beats per minute). They spend years foraging before returning with their wobbly legs to find a mate and then maybe, in years to come, to have a family. They should live to be as old or older than Wisdom, now in her 70s.

There are some things that we cannot control, that we cannot do anything about and then there are others that we can. With Avian Flu, demands must be placed at every level to curtail the disease including the factory chicken farms. Many would have them closed. We can certainly lobby environmental groups to help put into place best practices – demand that best practices be used – on those fishing trawlers such as loading lines at night and on the side of the boat, using safety protections on the hooks, etc. The list is not long and many agencies offer free devices for the ships. It is shameful that we cannot cause change in the industry to the extent that we no longer have to worry about an albatross being beheaded. Yes, that is what happens. It is horrendous. But eating plastic and thinking it is food and dying is horrific, too. While it is difficult to stop buying items that are made of plastic, we certainly should be trying our best. The other day, I realised that one of the biggest culprits is plastic medicine bottles! Why not put tablets in wax-lined paper envelopes? I plan to contact several of our local pharmacies when I return to Canada. We need to also support and call for funding for companies seeking to rid the ocean of consumer plastic waste.

We must smile when we look at Jack working so hard at Achieva Credit Union Osprey nest in St Petersburg. While we were trying to get help for that platform, Jack had other ideas. He started building a nest anyone would be proud of. Now ‘MP’ reports that he is bringing in fish to the nest and calling. Is he calling Diane? That is so sad. Maybe another female will want this beautiful nest and that fish!

Maybe Jack will attract a female! Someone arrived.

Tandem feeding for 31 – and, at the age of 10 days, 31 gets out of the nest bowl and up to the buffet to be fed by Dad. Fantastic! https://youtu.be/_rpYDa8AW6w?

Still waiting for the cams at the West End. Will we have eggs? Thunder usually lays them at the end of January or beginning of February – around our anniversary!

Congratulations to Alex II and Andria II at the E3 nest in the Kisatchie Forest on their first hatch of the 2025 breeding season! https://youtu.be/5iD4P2eY4z8?

The first egg is in the nest at PA County Farm! https://youtu.be/kRAOM-MS9nE?

Geemeff sends us this: How the Sport Shooting Industry is spreading HPAI and getting away with it! These poor animals are bred only to be shot, and not even for food which would allow some slight justification for their slaughter, then dumped illegally. Besides the potential spread of bird flu, scavengers of their carcasses are prone to getting lead poisoning from the lead shot used by the disgusting shooting industry.

Shot pheasants dumped in Lincolnshire during heightened risk of Avian Influenza

More Hen Harriers killed….when oh when will there be something done to stop this massacre?

133 hen harriers confirmed ‘missing’ or illegally killed in UK since 2018, most of them on or close to grouse moors

Storks arriving in Lindheim!

Good night Dasher and Dancer.

In a highly significant step forward for vulture conservation, India’s government has banned the use of Nimesulide – a widely used veterinary painkiller that’s highly toxic to these threatened birds.

https://www.birdlife.org/news/2025/01/10/vulture-conservation-in-india-boosted-by-additional-veterinary-drug-ban

Egg #2 for Sally and Harry arrived at Moorings Park on Friday.

Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. See you late Sunday or Monday.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, H, J, MP’, Jardin Botanique de Deshaies, NZ DOC and Cornell Bird Lab, Royal Cam Albatross, Lizmn, Whiskers and Wings, SW Florida Eagle Cam, Achieva Credit Union, Baiba, SK Hideaways, HDonTap, Raptor Persecution UK, GalS, Window to Wildlife, birdlife.org

Sunday in Bird World

26 January 2025

Good Morning All!

Update: Second egg for Jackie and Shadow!

So many of our friends in Bird World are beginning to prepare for or celebrate the Lunar New Year.

The Seattle Times had an informative article for those wanting to learn more about this important Asian tradition.

https://www.seattletimes.com/life/culture/what-to-know-about-lunar-new-year-traditions/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=article_inset_1.1

The Pine Island Ospreys incubating eggs have had an audacious GHO knock Mum off the nest several times and now there are Red-shouldered Hawks! https://youtu.be/YMVY4Ct7U0Q?

Life doesn’t get much better than the Bald Eagle nest at The Hamlet. Beau has observed Gabby, learning every step along the way. It was a huge learning curve for a first-time dad, and I did not know what to expect. Well, Beau continues to amaze me. 31 is strong, and it won’t be long til Gabby has it crawling out of that egg bowl to get its meals up in that corner that she likes to use for feedings.

The sun came up nice and bright over the nest.

Watching for that second egg at Big Bear as Jackie and Shadow look over their territory amid shift changes.

Waiting for that first egg at Redding.

There is a new Bald Eagle cam in Northern California at Humboldt Bay. Dr Sharpe was busy in installing it this past week. Here is the link – there are already eagles coming to the nest! It will officially be called the Faye Slough Eagle Cam.

https://www.youtube.com/live/bp2wEYiTYWQ?si=xHxdurUz6oYltJGa

This is a Bald Eagle nest near the Redwood Zoo. Did you know about it? Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/live/bp2wEYiTYWQ?

Saturday is Ferris Akel. With the construction near to Big Red and Arthur’s nest on Fernow Tower, I have not seen the Red-tail Hawk couple at the nest. This spring Big Red will be 22 years old; she was ringed in October 2003! On Saturday, Ferris caught both Big Red and Arthur along with a juvenile RTH.

It was so very nice to see them and that they were safe!

Big Red was on the scaffolding on the clock tower.

Arthur.

The juvenile with its Baby Blues.

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘J, L, SP’, SK Hideaways, Ferris Akel Tour, Seattle Times, Pine Island Ospreys, NEFL-AEF, FORE, Redwood Eagle Cam, Humboldt Valley Eagle Cam

Tuesday in Bird World

21 January 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

It was -32 with wind chills making it feel like -44 C on Monday. As I write this Monday night, it is now -29C. I worry about the outdoor animals. How their little bodies manage in this type of extreme cold is beyond me when humans would quickly die. Last night a deer slept in our garden. I wondered all day what the fawn had eaten and then I saw it – or, rather, I didn’t see it. The new seed cylinder with mealworms. It’s gone from the big table feeder. Mystery is solved. Tonight there is Alfalfa Hay and lots of fruits and veg along with peanuts for anyone who shows up. It is too cold to be hungry. Food helps fuel their warmth. The garden is protected from the wind, thankfully.

The little fawn coming to find some food without her mother. This is a problem. I have not seen Mum with the baby for a month. Has she been killed by coyotes? or hit by a car? The two deer that come to the garden regularly are the buck with one antler and this little one.

Will see if she likes the Alfalfa.

All eyes were on the NE Florida nest of Gabby and Beau on Monday. Beau is going to be an excellent dad. Good for Gabby keeping the faith. They finally have a family and this was one of the most anticipated hatches. Let us all hope that Jackie and Shadow have good luck this year, too.

Gabby flew in with a fish at 1157. Beau had arrived with one shortly after hatch, and then another appeared on the nest. This little one will be spoiled by love and protection.

I am so happy for Gabby. She is a Mum again!

Gabby is all fluffy.

Cute. That neck is pretty strong and you can clearly see the egg tooth that acted as a pick axe to get out of that shell.

No feeding yet, but at least three fish on the nest. Beau brought in a partial one when he flew in.

Bright eyed with his/her egg tooth and that hair style. We are all in love with NE31.

Baby’s first bite!

He or she is strong!!!!!!!!! That head is held up high waiting for some fish dinner.

Nearly a thousand people watched Gabby, Beau, and their baby. It is a miracle and goodness we need these amazing miracles. Guarding the nest and incubating baby.

Beau looks at his baby.

SKHideaways has it all on video: https://youtu.be/yM42fkDJ3WE?

While we celebrate the magic that has happened at the NE Florida Bald Eagle nest of Gabby and Beau, the tragedy that unfolded when an intruder (there appeared to be more than one) returned for several days in what appears to be a nest take over at the West End. We know both males were injured; Akecheta seemed to be more so than the intruder.

They are still showing Highlights on the IWS/Explore cams for Akecheta and Thunder’s nest and Tor. I do not think this is a coincidence. There is no news, and there is a chat if individuals are interested. You have to go to iws.org Then click on Live Cams and then you will find the link to the Live Chat.

I did not watch many other nests – NE Florida was enough. What a glorious day. There is news of incubation at Duke Farms. Hoping that camera will be back on line soon.

There is news about the Menhaden issue which is vital to our ospreys.

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

Thank you to the NE Florida Bald Eagle Cam and the AEF for their streaming cam where I took my screen captures and to SK Hideaways for their video, IWS/Explore and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Tears of Joy

18 January 2024

Everyone is celebrating. There are tears of relief and joy flowing around the world tonight as Beau and Gabby have a pip.

SK Hideaways did the cutest video. It is a good time to share it! Enjoy.

Thank you to all that are flooding my inbox with joy and to SK Hideaways for this video.

Hopefully by tomorrow – sometime – there will be an eaglet to welcome.