Category Archives: Glaslyn and Aran

Understanding the osprey family tree…the last hatches of Mrs G and Aran at Glaslyn

8 October 2025

Good Morning,

Tuesday was a beautiful day in the Canadian prairies. Oh, you cannot know how grateful I am. We have been planning to take Anne to Bird’s Hill Park to hand-feed the Black-capped Chickadees. She has heard us talk about our walks there and how the wee songbirds land on your hands to take the Black oilseed. It is a pre-Thanksgiving ‘thank you’ to Anne. I could not survive without her help and support.

It was so warm that we had a wee picnic of sorts at Pineridge Hollow. Toby was so good, and I am certain that The Girls were happy to have a wee break from their brother for the afternoon. It was just a perfect day. Walking the trails among the tall pine trees was renewing!

The little birds did not disappoint!

It was a wonderful surprise Tuesday evening to see that the Dark-eyed Juncos have returned from the north and have stopped over in the garden to fatten up for migration! There were at least two dozen of them pecking away at the seed on the deck. I hope to get some decent images of them for the next blog. They are so cute!

Several have asked about Brock. He is still here despite Toby. Toby seems to know when Brock is around. So Brock and I have developed a method of getting his food to him without Toby knowing. Brock comes to the door and lets me know he is waiting for food. Once I see him, he goes under the deck and waits. I take out the food, sometimes with Toby, and then as I close the door and secure Toby inside, I call ‘kitty kitty’. Brock will come out to eat within five minutes.

Migration count is underway in West Africa, posted by Mary Cheadle:

Dyfi have posted a wonderful blog, and I urge each of you to read it. Mrs G is the ‘UK Iris’ equivalent who bred at Glaslyn. Her last mate was the adorable Aran, who was usurped this year by Teifi. Perhaps Aran will return and take his nest with Elen in 2026, as the nest failed this year due to all the drama. We will wait. Aran will need to return early and work to win Elen’s heart. Elen might be smart to breed with Aran again because his chicks (along with Mrs G’s great DNA) are returning!

Mrs G’s Boys – Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn WildlifeDownload

Blue 497 -talk about a handsome bird!!!!!!!!! Just look at him. The first Glaslyn male known to be breeding in Wales. Two chicks this year, but one possibly fell out of the nest at 5 weeks, and the other disappeared at 7 weeks, possibly predated by a goshawk.

The cameras at Captiva’s Window to Wildlife Bald Eagle and Osprey nests are going live today.

Ashley Wilson continues to find Newmann and Elaine at the scrape at Spirit Bluff. They will migrate soon.

The fledgling at the Selati Black Eagle nest has brought its first caught prey to the nest!

Meanwhile, like other Bald Eagles, Jackie and Shadow are returning to their nest to kick start the 2025-26 season at Big Bear Lake.

At the West End, the juvenile Bob returned to spend some time with Haku. https://youtu.be/Hlct5mJkthw? SK Hideaways caught it!

Gorgeous Haku on Tor:

Beau and Gabby are ready for a very successful season at the NE Florida Bald Eagle nest.

The Majestics are working on their Denton Homes nest.

Andor with his blue wing tag at the Fraser Point nest on the Channel Islands. Cruz flew in, too.

The IWS is having its annual fall fundraiser. You could be a winner! At least one of my readers has named one of the eaglets at the West End nest (Treasure), and I was selected to name one of the other eaglets – Phoenix – at one of the other nests without a streaming cam. Many have won beautiful photographs and kit. We are eternally grateful to Dr Sharpe and his team for all the work they did to restore the Bald Eagle population to the islands after the DDT debacle.

There is much discussion over the female (or perhaps both) eagles at the John Bunker Sands Wetlands nest. Is this Mum? Or is it a new female? Is this even Dad??? Without definitive markings (the mark on the head could be an injury, prey blood, etc), it is impossible to know without Darvic Rings.

Checking on the Australian nests –

The 367 Collins Street adults are doing an incredible job feeding and taking care of their triplets in Melbourne.

Dad took over incubation so Mum could have his breakfast. She returned with a really full crop. Oh, hatch is coming so soon – seriously, I cannot wait to see a baby osprey. It seems like forever.

There have been at least nine different species of prey delivered to the kiddos at the 367 Collins Street falcon scrape in Melbourne since they hatched. Nothing short of adorable with their pink beaks and feet but now their eyes appear to be open (normally after five days).

ABC Science discusses the life of urban birds in Melbourne. Have a watch and a listen. They even mention the falcons! https://youtu.be/0EA3VNP2vJM?

Oh, how I love the Sydney sea eaglets. Lady and Dad are doing a magnificent job bringing in prey. Their plumage is stunning. About this time in their development, my stomach gets a little queasy. The mobbing of the eaglets as they fledge, causing them to bolt out of the forest, on occasion, or to be injured and hanging around the Discovery Centre, sends me running for the Gaviscon.

Calico urges you to help her and her feathered friends. Educate those you know who might be opting to get their lawns ‘greener’. The toxins kill the ‘food chain’.

‘PB’ asked me when I plan to publish the results of this year’s Osprey data. I hope to have finished entering my data by the end of October. Heidi is finished! I have the following to enter: 35 nests in Nova Scotia, 18 nests in Italy, and 15 failed nests from Maryland. There are, of course, hundreds and hundreds, if not thousands, of failed nests in Virginia and the surrounding area that will not be in the forms, sadly. We do not have enough information other than that there were no Menhaden for the adults, and the nests failed, resulting in no eggs, eggs being abandoned, or chicks starving to death on the nest.

The report from William & Mary University is below and paints the stark picture that Heidi and I have seen and predicted for a couple of years. I am embarrassed that this is a Canadian Company that is killing the entire ecosystem. It makes me so angry.

Deficit in breeding performance expands for Chesapeake Bay ospreys – The Center for Conservation BiologyDownload

Could the Tawny Frogmouth be Australia’s Bird of the Year?

Tawny frogmouths take patience to appreciate. They will reward you with insights into their remarkable lives | Stephanie Converyhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/08/tawny-frogmouths-take-patience-to-appreciate-but-they-will-reward-you-with-insights-into-their-remarkable-lives?CMP=share_btn_url

I think they are utterly adorable!

Bush Heritage Australia tells us more about these little sweethearts:

Tawny Frogmouth | Bush Heritage AustraliaDownload

If the waters of New Zealand are warming up faster than we can blink, when will the impact hit the various seabird colonies? This article in The Guardian discusses the warming seas.

New Zealand oceans warming 34% faster than global average, putting homes and industry at risk, report findshttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/08/new-zealand-oceans-warming-34-per-cent-faster-than-global-average?CMP=share_btn_url

It is always good to be thankful for all the good news we can get in Bird World and the latest newsletter from Poole Harbour in the UK does just that.

Exciting Project Updates Conservation Career Talks and Upcoming EventsDownload

There is other good news – not just for us but for the birds. I am forever an optimist that we can change the way we live and, in turn, create better spaces for wildlife, including our feathered friends. For the first time, considering the international scene, renewable energy is powering homes and industries instead of fossil fuels. PRC is leading this change. China is rapidly expanding its solar and wind energy capacity, surpassing the total of the rest of the world combined. India has turned to renewables and is lessening their need for coal. Solar power is gaining momentum in Pakistan and various African countries, including Nigeria, Algeria, and Zambia. In fact, solar power provides more than 80% of the new energy.

It’s migration season. Some tips on when to help a bird from Wild Birds Unlimited.

Thank you so much for being with us today! Please take care of yourself. We will see you next Monday if not before! Looking for a hatch at Port Lincoln. Wonder when it will come?

Thank you to the individuals and owners of streaming cams and individuals posting for various FB groups listed in Bold. You keep us informed. A particular shout-out to SK Hideaways for their videos. The Guardian and Bush Heritage Australia continue to publish great articles on wildlife and the environment. We are grateful.

Who’s Home? …Monday in Bird World

8 September 2025

Hello Everyone,

Late Update

From ‘PS’ on the Seattle Osprey Platform:

Perhaps one final update from Seattle – 25B (as I have come to call the last-to-fledge) is still mostly hanging around the nest and as of yesterday, dad is still delivering fish (pictured). I have not seen 25A in over a week – perhaps he/she is in the area but fishing on their own already, maybe headed out to points south? I hope that B will start fishing on its own soon, too. 25A – one of the last times I saw it – was practicing on some land mammals (pictured) in a very cat like way, including losing interest once the mouse stopped moving. I also trust that dad knows what he’s doing – and isn’t waiting too long to head south. What a summer it’s been with these birds! Can’t wait to see them again next spring. https://www.flickr.com/gp/193514804@N08/xqa8vrBiT4

Teifi has been seen at the Glaslyn osprey nest and area on Monday. KL5 is still at Loch Garten. Female 1H1 from Poole Harbour nest 2 was seen catching fish on Sunday late.

Usk Valley sent a newsletter:

Clogwyn — Usk Valley OspreysDownload

Despite a couple of torrential downpours, the weekend was not ‘half bad’. We love fall and the energising winds that it brings. Summer clothes are being packed, with sweaters being made ready. Scarves, toques, gloves, and winter coats are at the ready. I really hope we do not need them for several more months!

As I write this, it’s a beautiful Friday evening, quintessentially fall, with a gentle breeze and golden light flooding the backyard. The birds have been eating and eating since early morning. Anne even had to put out more food mid-afternoon. So, today, they have had 9 gallons of seed. It is just after 1820, and almost all of it is gone. Even the Crows are coming in for nuts.

Saturday morning, the sky was out and there was a clear breeze. We had lots of migrating birds in the garden, heard by Merlin but mostly unseen. They included our usual Blue Jay family, the Crows, the House Sparrows along with American Goldfinch, Grey Catbirds, the Hairy Woodpecker, and House Finches! Merlin recorded a GHO, but I didn’t see it, so was it wrong or loud at a distance? We do have one that lives in the area. The squirrels were in abundance, and Toby enjoyed the idea of trying to catch a butterfly that was high above his head. It is a ‘crisp’ day, and in the oven is the last of the rhubarb in a crisp to be enjoyed with ice cream shortly. I love autumn. The cooler, clear air is refreshing from the heat and humidity, as well as the wildfires of summer. It gets down to 6 °C at night. Toby and I sleep under my grandmother’s quilts that she made as a young woman. The logs are stacked next to the log burner for use on a cool evening.

Sunday brings us the Blood Full Moon. Our day was up and down, no doubt thanks to the influence that it flexes.

‘PB‘ sent us the latest news on the necroscopy completed on MO, the Dunrovin first hatch that died recently.

Soar high, little one!

I haven’t switched from osprey season to eagle season in my mind so I more than likely will miss many arrivals. One of those was Rose at the WRDC nest. She and Ron are busy preparing the nest. It looked like they were putting up the rails on Friday.

The cam operator at the NE Florida Nest of Gabby and Beau gave us some fabulous close ups of our couple on Friday.

Eagles are coming to the Kisatchie National Forest nest in Louisiana! Hello Alex. Thanks Tonya Irvin.

Bella and Scout are at the NCTC nest. Thanks, Deb Stecyk, for the video: https://youtu.be/8YhYtp-1NNw?

Jackie and Shadow need your help to stop a development in Big Bear. Please read.

Haku and MV working on the West End nest in the Channel Islands.

At the Dyfi Osprey Platform in the UK, Brianne is now 112 days old and she is still home. Idris continues to deliver fish!

Idris and Brianne were still at Dyfi on Saturday.

Dyfi dates: Dyfi Osprey Project​​: Idris and Brianne both seen today 06/09. Telyn last seen 23/08. Cwellyn and Honddu last seen 21/08.

At Glaslyn, Aran was seen on Friday. It seems that no one was seen on Saturday. The winds might have been perfect for a departure.

It looks as if Harry and Forest have started their migration leaving the Alyth SS osprey platform. Marlow flew earlier and poor little Oakley soared high before all of them.

Kids are still at home in Finland’s Ilomantsi osprey nest.

At Rutland Water’s Manton Bay osprey platform, both Maya and 8 began their migration on Friday, 5 September. This leaves Blue 33 to eat some fish to help him fatten up for his journey. He was still at Rutland on Sunday eating a fish in a tree.

The winds must have been perfect. Harry and Forest appear to have left the Alyth SS Osprey platform in the UK on the same day as Maya and 8 – 5 September.

9K5 is still at the Usk Valley nest in Wales along with Dad. Seen on camera Friday evening. No action on the nest on Saturday and things were really quiet on Sunday.

Sad news, but hopeful for a recovery for these ospreys!

A feeding for the little sea eaglets posted by Nesting Bird Life and More.https://youtu.be/l6YJo-k-KiU?

Look at the migration map that Sunnie Day posted — get outside, yes, that is right. Go out and see them live!

Tiger Mozone recommends that everyone watch the 2004 film “Living the Dream” on YouTube. It is about the Loch Garten ospreys. Not giving anything else away. https://youtu.be/3JFZvHqM8po?

T3 is still around the vicinity of the nest in Trempeauleau, Wisconsin. Locals continue to take beautiful images of her sitting atop light poles, in trees, etc. Check out their FB page!

Heidi is reporting that Dad is still bringing fish to the two juveniles at Field Farm!

C20 and Charlie remain at the Charlo Montana nest on Saturday – Charlie came with a fish, and C20 has it at Roger’s Place. C19 was last seen on 1 September and assumed to have begun its journey. C20 was last seen on Saturday as was Charlie. Have they departed? The clean up crew is on the nest.

The baby is still at Dunrovin along with Swoop.

SK Hideaways sends us their video offerings:

Sydney WB Sea-Eagles: SE35 & SE36’s Tug-of-Scrap, Cuddles & Clown Feet Complications (2025 Sept 6)

After SE36 joined in Lady and Dad’s duet, the two eaglets had some time to themselves. They enjoyed a robust game of tug-of-scrap, worked on coordinating their balance in the face of giant clown feet, cuddled, and stretched their wings and talons. It was a serious cuteness overload morning.

See video description on YouTube to jump to these highlights, if you want:

00:00 SE36 joins Lady & Dad’s duet

01:15 Playing tug-of-scrap

06:10 Coordinating clown feet

07:05 Cuddling cuteness

07:50 Wing & talon stretches

Courtesy Sea-EagleCAM@BirdLife Australia Discovery Centre, Sydney Olympic Park (https://www.sea-eaglecam.org/video.html)

Nest cam also at https://www.youtube.com/@SeaEagleCAM4/streams

Diamond & Gimbir Mate Twice ~ Much Merriment Follows (7 Sept 2025)

Second year Gimbir (2024 hatch) and Diamond successfully mated twice. If completely successful, Diamond will lay eggs in the next few days. 

Courtesy FalconCam Project, Charles Sturt University N

Gimbir Cornered on Cilla Stones ~  Makes Great Escape ~ Brings Prey to Empty Nest (2025 Sep 8)

Diamond and Gimbir continue their courtship at full speed. During the day’s second pair-bonding, Gimbir got cornered on the Cilla Stones. When he got an opening, he exited the nest at full speed. Later, he brought prey, but Diamond was out. He waited a good long time before departing with the gift. Maybe he’ll try to gift it again later. 

Courtesy FalconCam Project, Charles Sturt University

Gimbir is ‘very cute’ and he is beginning to take good care of Diamond.

FalconCam Project, Orange NSW Gimbir Brings Diamond First Food Gift ~ It Wasn’t Starling (5 Sept 2025)

An important next step in Gimbir’s courtship of Diamond ~ a food gift. She happily accepted the offering.

Courtesy FalconCam Project, Charles Sturt University

Jenny Powell caught Iris at home at the Hellgate Canyon, Missoula on Saturday.

Iris came to her nest with a stick for the rails shortly after 7pm on Sunday! Hello, Iris. So good to see you.

Some falconry history from The Archives of Falconry:

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 7th September 2025
One little songbird and a lot of rain, with a goodly helping of wind too, was today’s action. However, there’s plenty of interesting content on the rest of Woodland Trust’s website, once you can tear yourself away from the Osprey FAQs and behind the scenes info, 

and it’s always worth a trawl around. On this day in 2017 Louis & Aila’s very first chick Lachlan JH4 was still around, and Louis & Dorcha’s fourth chick Sarafina LW6 likewise in 2022 – both were still coming to the nest and Louis was still bringing them fish, links in the blast from the past section.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 20.44.58 (

05.53.18); Nest Two 20.42.04 (

06.02.19)
Today’s videos: none

Bonus read – the vital role of managing the Woodland Trust’s estate for wildlife conservation: 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/vital-role-managing-woodland-trusts-estate-wildlife-sam-tarrant-z3spe

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/MLfW-peV_XQ  N1 Lachlan’s first landing 2017 (thanks Scylla)

https://youtu.be/I0uoAC0dlUQ  N1 Louis brings fish for Lachlan 2017 (thanks Scylla)

https://youtu.be/_FLrEFyGezQ  N1 They’re all gone: nest is empty except for a songbird 2020

https://youtu.be/aeXz-KzosR4  N2 Sarafina, Hoodies, Louis, a fish and a flypast 2022

https://youtu.be/MG1nx4CSbgE N2 Four types of little birds visit the empty nest 2022

https://youtu.be/o7A0pWVlZuk  N2 Louis brings Sarafina a mackerel 2022

https://youtu.be/z7eY4ch5_7g N2 Louis’ crop is full when he brings the first fish 2022 (slo-mo)

https://youtu.be/vp8aULxjQAY  N1 Great Tit (Parus major) investigates the empty nest 2023

https://youtu.be/39uwe2TbACQ  N1 Arachnophobes beware!  Spider gets up close and personal 2023

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 6th September 2025
A visit by a Tawny Owl to Nest One and a Robin visiting Nest Two was the extent of the action today but in previous years Louis and some of his female chicks were still around, links in the blast from the past section.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 20.56.10 (

05.50.12); Nest Two 20.47.50 (05.57.58)
Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/sCb2ipoH3K8 N1 Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) visits 02.22.09

https://youtu.be/VRxbEZsSP8Y N2 A Robin (Erithacus rubecula) visits 06.00.02Bonus read – are migration patterns for UK Ospreys changing?
https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/2023/09/osprey-shortened-migration/

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/Xl_8AxlIfkc  N1 Cheeky Hoodie invades the nest despite Rannoch nearby 2019

https://youtu.be/poMrwR2FX_w  N1 Confirmed: Final sighting of Rannoch on the nest 2019

https://youtu.be/hL6JazzmUEg  N1 Confirmed: Vera’s final visit to the nest (short version) 2020

https://youtu.be/I0aAo6YU6F8  N1 For fans of Vera: her final visit (long version) 2020

https://youtu.be/Y3XChI4pFV4 N1 Small raptor (Sparrowhawk?) visits the empty nest 2020

https://youtu.be/rkJolVwk_Y8 N2 Business as usual for Louis and Sarafina 2022

https://youtu.be/HHXIj2ufC50  N2 Hoodie alert! Sarafina exits hastily with her fish 2022

https://youtu.be/o5NcT2J4KTc  N2 A Hoodie targets Sarafina and her fish 2022

https://youtu.be/n85DjMBiPQY N1 September sunshine tempts a Coal Tit onto the nest 2024

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 5th September 2025
Breac’s sighting in Spain got an article in West Coast Today (

https://walkingwithdaddy.com/osprey/?ht-comment-id=27886985) and the usual handful of songbirds visited, otherwise no action on the nests today. But there’s plenty of action to look back on, all contained in Woodland Trust’s 2025 Osprey cam clips playlist: 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbKmvYI09ziwqjG5qfUnNdty4hB4uSFXT
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 20.57.26 (

05.45.31); Nest Two 20.50.26 (

05.49.33)
Today’s videos: none

Bonus recipe from our very own Woodland Trust Scotland George – make some bramble whisky!

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2019/08/bramble-whisky

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/LEMJm8XBfas  N1 Lachlan eats one fish, departs with another 2017 (thanks Scylla)

https://youtu.be/o-WY7x6x5Xc  N1 Whose nest is it anyway? Rannoch and a Hoodie 2019

https://youtu.be/VOXzZ-0vTSo  N1 Confirmed: final sighting of Louis 2019  

https://youtu.be/1310c1jFxaU  N1 Who’s on the nest before Vera gets breakfast from Louis? 2020 

https://youtu.be/7pj8uTDrCKc  N1 Confirmed: final sighting of Louis 2020

https://youtu.be/j4z65mVcjkI  N2 Sarafina departs and the Hoodies move in 2022

https://youtu.be/BV2mAedbJ9o  N2 Hoodies on the nest force Louis to abort landing with his fish 2022

https://youtu.be/vPO_llkryLo N2 Mobbed by crows, Sarafina loses her fish! 2022

https://youtu.be/4ekm0Uf7r7c  N1 Misty morning sunrise 2023 (Artistic Ospreys timelapse)

https://youtu.be/C5w-9s869M4  N2 Juvenile Sparrowhawk visits 2023 (zoom)

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

They are calling it a dry autumn in the UK. Something similar is happening in Manitoba despite the rain we have. It is still drier than normal in our province.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/sep/06/country-diary-the-river-runs-dry-in-this-false-autumn?CMP=share_btn_url

While we openly back protection for nature, things are not going as smoothly as they should – up in the NE of the US and other parts of the USA and now in Asia.

Public strongly backs aim of 30% of land and sea set aside for nature, poll findshttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/sep/05/30×30-biodiversity-target-protecting-nature-land-seas-survey-public-support-aoe?CMP=share_btn_url

If the bays, the oceans, and the seas are drained, there is no food for the seabirds, like the Albatross, that depend on these fish to survive. Please work to protect the water ways.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2025/sep/05/fishing-south-east-asia-in-pictures-thailand-philippines-indonesia?CMP=share_btn_link

The fledgling at the Black Eagle nest at Sellati flapped its wings and then hit the rock face before sliding off. Did it fly?

Mum arrives and the eaglet clamours to get back on the nest. It is fine!

Fledge could happen any time!

From the Norway Osprey nest – thank you Anna-Liisa Heleniemi:

We have our second leg for Mum and Dad at Port Lincoln barge in South Australia.

Giliath stays close to Port Lincoln like dear Ervie did for years.

But where is dear Ervie and did he find a mate? Well, it seems he is staying around Port Lincoln and the barge, too. No word of a mate. Do we need PL to translocate some Scottish lasses?

Have you seen how an Osprey catches its fish lunch? Cornell Bird Labs has a great little film for you – it is amazing! https://youtu.be/doYuBVUUXZg?

They are the most amazing raptors.

American Bird Conservatory’s Bird of the Week: The Double-Crested Cormorant.

Doublecrested Cormorant American ShagDownload

How can Puffins fly in the air and in the water? Want to find out? Cornell Bird Lab shows us: https://youtu.be/nz4kPuRjqOI?

Keeping an eye on the Hellgate Canyon nest of Iris. Iris had a fish early morning Sunday. Lucille Powell caught Iris for us:

9/7/25-08:02,08:13am MT- Owl Pole Cam- I am thinking this is Iris. She likes to perch on that branch of her favorite tree. If so,She had a lively fish that she enjoyed.❤️🥰. Good morning.❣️

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please enjoy your week! We will be back with you on Friday.

I want to thank our notable contributors, ‘Geemeff, PB, SK Hideaways, ‘, the owners of the streaming cams listed in bold, the individuals who take the time to create videos and the authors of posts such as Jeff Kear at UK Osprey Information, and all others, often too many to name but who I have tried to cite in bold. I am very grateful to you and to the newspapers that still cover environmental issues as they relate to our precious feathered friends. My blog would not be what it is without your input into the world of birding.

Sadness at Dunrovin…Friday in Bird World

29 August 2025

Hello Everyone,

It feels like summer again, but the tips of the trees tell me that it is decidedly pre-fall on the Canadian prairies. Migration is definitely underway. The ducks had left the pond at Assiniboine Park, while the Canada Geese are fattening up on the golf courses around the City. We continue to enjoy the fantastic weather and spend most of our time outside. The Girls (for the most part) and Toby are doing well, and I can tell you that a new sense of calm has come over the house. My husband is doing very well.

The only hiccup in the ointment is Baby Hope. Nine days ago, something happened. We do not know precisely what happened, so we cannot place blame. Baby Hope is injured. She had been play wrestling with her Mum, Calico. But then there is Toby. It appears that ‘something’ got caught in her fur and tore a slit through the fur about 7 cm or 3 inches long. Two days ago, it had healed, but today it is oozing again. The underlying issue is that Hope is partially feral. She will allow us to sit next to her and give the occasional strokes. I cannot put antibiotic ointment on the wound, but she allowed me to see it this evening. Tomorrow, I will see if any of the mobile vets have experience with ‘these cats’. Wish us luck. Hope never complains. I might never have known she was hurt if I hadn’t paid particular interest in her face that morning. She is eating and has never stopped. She loves flowers and always enjoys the ones I bring from the farm, which are pet-friendly. Send her some love.

And if Hope’s injury was not enough, then there is missing Xavier. My heart has sunk to great depths. It has been a wretched year. You might hear me saying that a lot.

At Orange, Australia, Peregrine Falcon Scrape, there is hope tinged with a hint of potential sadness. My heart sank when I saw this. I adore Xavier. His name means ‘Saviour’, and that is what he did – he saved Diamond’s clutch when her previous mate did not return after eggs were laid. Xavier took care of Diamond and the chicks, and she then bonded with this wonderful lad. Was that nine or ten years ago? This was posted on Thursday, and I know that you will be as concerned as I am for Xavier. Please send your good wishes to him!

In the wild, peregrine falcons typically live an average of four to five years, although they can live much longer, with some documented cases reaching 15 to 20 years or more. High mortality rates, particularly in their first year due to learning to fly and other factors, shorten the average lifespan, but survival improves for adults. The record for a banded peregrine falcon in North America is 19 years and 6 months. This fall, Diamond is at least 12 years old, and Xavier is at least 11 years old. Diamond arrived in Orange in 2015 and Xavier in 2016, and since peregrine falcons typically begin breeding at 2–3 years old, they would have been at least that age when they started their courtship at the Orange falcon scrape.

And then there was the missing MO from Dunrovin Ranch Osprey Nest, who was seen to have a very raspy voice. Sadly, she has been found dead. The other three have been returning to the nest. So sad. It has been a wretched year. Thank you ‘PB’.

‘A’ sends us the Ranger reports for the WBSE:

August 26: An early feed at 6am – both fed with no pecking, but SE35 had more. Then Lady settled again. Soon after another short feed. It was a sunny, warm morning. The nestlings were left uncovered in the morning for over six hours – parents often close by with duets and matings seen. Dad brought in a trevally (fish) after 12, and both ate more. Dad came in to the fishy remains later and fed them as well. Lady came with a really big fish after 3pm, and fed more. Seven good feeds today, and then last thing, Dad fed them a few extra mouthfuls. They were uncovered in the afternoon until Lady came in at last light. She was standing by them – will she cover them now?

August 27: Lady spent the main part of the night just covering the nestlings, rather than complete brooding. It was a milder night, and after an early morning duet, she fed them from the remaining tail end of the fish. Both ate, SE36 second. Later, SE35 was busy grooming its itchy down, with a very full crop. Dad came back with a bream just after 7am, grabbed by Lady and fed to the young. SE36 did very well. She then went to cover the chicks. After some time, Lady was up and eating some herself. She then fed them both well again – three feeds before 9am. Dad came in and ate some fish – the youngsters were full and not interested. Late in the afternoon, Dad bought in another two fish, and during the day there were a total of seven feeds. The day became cooler and Lady spent longer brooding than she did yesterday. At the end of the day, she was over the chicks, settled for the night.

August 28: Last night was colder and Lady slept over the chicks, only partly covering them as they get bigger. She left in the morning just after 6am. Dad brought leaves in early and later a big stick, dropped on the chicks and then moved by Lady. Both were bringing in more leaves – and the wind was becoming stronger. The chicks were huddled together in the nest bowl, uncovered all morning, though both eagles came in a few times – even the parents tossed by the wind. Of course the nest camera moving makes the wind seem stronger. Finally, Lady came to shelter the chicks at 1:14pm – covering them for some 90 minutes. Then she was up again, with the chicks cheeping for food. At 4pm, both parents were in but still no food. At 4:30pm, Lady settled on the youngsters again. Late in the afternoon, the wind eased a little – both parents were there, but still no prey. At dusk, Lady was settled over the hungry chicks, with a cooler night expected again.

‘A’ adds: “I did miss that crop on SE36. It’s a brave little eaglet. Such a cutie. When these two hatched, they were so similar in size it was very hard to tell them apart. Have a look at tiny little SE36 now. It’s half the size of its sibling. I can only hope it’s primarily a gender-based size discrepancy – otherwise, SE36 would have to be the smallest female I’ve seen on this nest. I wonder how many two-egg clutches have a female first hatch and a male second hatch and how many the other way around. Is it just my imagination or is a first male hatch with a second female hatch quite unusual? Perhaps we are very much aware of the large female first hatch dominating a smaller second male hatch because it leads to a lot of the bonking and siblicide problems we see on the nests, so it just seems that there are more of them. I would be very interested to know. 

It is SO windy at WBSE – that nest is tossing around and there are lots of fresh leaves on the nest, shaken loose by the winds and brought by the parents. Today, there has been no food whatsoever brought to the nest, so the chicks have not eaten. It is 6.45pm and there won’t be anything brought in tonight. This is not good. I’m not sure why Dad has failed to provide – he is usually able to bring in something regardless of the weather, even managing to fish successfully in the rain. But perhaps the wind made today’s hunting impossible for him. So we can only hope tomorrow is more productive. It is very cold at nights and the chicks will be using a lot of calories keeping themselves warm now they no longer fit properly underneath Lady (she does have an excellent method of covering them though, her wings spread wide, so she is doing her best to keep them cosy). 

I hate to imagine losing Lady or Dad. They are there on the Parramatta River all year round, and we love them dearly. But they are elderly – in their 20s, yes? And they are wild birds, living a difficult life. Two fledglings per year, none seemingly able to thrive in the wild, as far as we are aware. I wonder what happens to them once they do disappear from the area. I wish they would track the fledglings from this nest so we had some idea of their ultimate fate. It is so frustrating not to know. 

But back to SE36. The daily ranger reports are the best way to tell what is going on – I find it fairly hard to watch at the moment, although both parents are making an effort to make sure SE36 is getting fed. I don’t need the stress, and I hate watching a younger smaller chick being intimidated and scared away from food. It is just more stress than I need right now. But this is the only nest at the moment, so I have little choice, though I am keeping something of a distance from the nest to keep from obsessing. That’s not good for my blood pressure or my mental health. And days like today, with both chicks hungry and no food for either, are too hard to watch. 

At Taiaroa Head, the day draws nearer, and SSTrig chick continues to explore the headland and potential take-off points for her maiden voyage. Only a few weeks to go now – she’ll be gone in under a month. It’s so hard to think that after watching them for eight months, we are now going to have to wait several years before perhaps seeing them return to court and then to breed as adult birds. It never ceases to amaze me that they travel thousands of miles and return to within 50 metres of the nest where they hatched. It boggles the mind. And when they leave on that incredible voyage, they have never flown before, never fished before, never navigated before. It’s incredible. And yet these are the longest-living wild birds in the world, with Wisdom still breeding into her seventies. No wonder the albatross is the stuff seafaring legends are made of. No sailor would ever harm an albatross. “

SK Hideaways captures some of the rivalry between the SeaEaglets and news from other nests:

SE36 Bonks SE35🥊Chicks “Brood” Each Other🪆Lady & Dad’s Duets+Matings💞2025 Aug 26

Sydney White-Bellied Sea Eagles Lady & Dad

Lady and Dad started the day with a duet, followed by a peaceful feeding. SE36 worked on asserting itself with a couple pecks to SE35. The peck was returned each time, but the aggression was mild and brief. The finale brought some family time plus two more duets and two matings by Lady and Dad.

Courtesy Sea-EagleCAM@BirdLife Australia Discovery Centre, Sydney Olympic Park

🪽Mum & Dad Welcome Egg #2 🥚🥚 Dad Cheerleads Effort🎉 (2025 Aug 26)

367 Collins St. Falcons

Juvenile Overnights in Roost Tree 🌲 Visits Nest & Does Brief Clean-Up🥢2025 Aug 28

Big Bear Valley, CA, home of Jack & Shadow

What a beautiful and heartwarming surprise! A beautiful juvenile bald eagle spent the night in Jackie and Shadow’s regular roost tree while they were elsewhere. The nest visit took our break away. We cannot know if the visitor is Sunny or Gizmo, but it was a welcome visit nonetheless.

Courtesy FOBBVCAM, Friends of Big Bear Valley

🪽 Egg #3 Arrives🥚Dad Brings Breakfast🥓 Congrats, Mum & Dad🎉 2025 Aug 29

367 Collins St. Falcons, Melbourne 

Mum and Dad welcomed their third egg. Dad took on incubation duties and brought breakfast as well. Busy guy. 

Courtesy 367 Collins St. Falcon Cam 

South Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oibsohQ14cY

North Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNKk0ivuWe4

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 28th August 2025
The usual – no activity on the nests today, but there’s plenty of interesting material to peruse from Woodland Trust, including history of the nests, sightings away from the nest, how to ID males and females, and fascinating facts from behind the scenes. There are clickable links on the Osprey cam page, and here are some of the direct links:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/faqs

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2023/04/osprey-identification

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/behind-the-scenes

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/animals/birds/osprey/
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 

21.18.33 (

05.23.48); Nest Two  21.15.01 (05.33.41)
Today’s videos: none
Bonus watch – link to LizB’s YouTube channel for videos of Loch Arkaig, Nest Two in 2021, the Bunarkaig nest and more:

https://www.youtube.com/@lizbracken3674
Blast from the past, this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/fVMtG5F3ThI  N1 Jumping jellyfish! Rannoch’s sneezing panda moment 2019
https://youtu.be/1RMV5UfWHHE  N1 Give and take: Louis brings a fish and takes a stick 2019
https://youtu.be/pGXgK0GMNl8  N1 A bat visits the nest 2019 (slo-mo)
https://youtu.be/aGEs5Tpn7Ng  N1 Rainbow and flatfish for Vera 2020
https://youtu.be/guCEb2Gy-VY  N1 Fast food! Is this the last supper for Vera? 2020
https://youtu.be/2grUWl7Mdeo  N2 Holy mackerel! Another fish for Sarafina 2022
https://youtu.be/y1sRBxzlF8E  N2 Confirmed: last sighting of Willow 2022https://youtu.be/62dNfGk0AEc  N2 Dyson the Hoodie pays a visit 2023
https://youtu.be/pitvvk8HnhQ  N2 Dyson returns but no more fish til next year! 2023
https://youtu.be/Y4UJXG3BY40  N1 A pair of little birds visit 2023https://youtu.be/9raQZmSsDdE N1 By day and by night: Penelope the magic weaver 2024

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 27th August 2025

Today had the usual lack of action barring a few songbirds visiting, however we have plenty of interesting information from Steve and George to digest. Steve published stats with special reference to age of chicks at migration and the season duration of the adults, and George informed us of a new Nature Scot initiative called Nature30, with Loch Arkaig PIne Forest among the first four organisations, links here:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/?ht-comment-id=27669614  Steve’s migration age stats

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/?ht-comment-id=27669204  Steve’s season duration of adult stats

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/?ht-comment-id=27661789  George’s Nature30 links

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.35.46 (05.07.50); Nest Two 21.50.48 (05.30.51)

Today’s videos: none

Bonus read – minister Jim Fairlie visited Loch Arkaig Pine Forest to explore issues around sustainable deer management:

https://www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk/news/25418231.minister-gains-insight-sustainable-deer-management

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/OB6LtEsTwig N1 Is this it, dad? Rannoch gets a very small fish 2019

https://youtu.be/mOuak3yiihg N1 A fish arrives and departs under its own steam 2020

https://youtu.be/TT9PseXWqGM N1 Dangerous intruder: a Pine Marten visits! 2020

https://youtu.be/R-KhzHiFgLw N2 Willow’s wonderful wings 2022 (slo-mo with zoom)

https://youtu.be/KD-1nkX6pkc N2 Hoodie cleaning crew move in 2022

https://youtu.be/beaeal1Hayo N1 Colourful little Redstart visits 2022

https://youtu.be/KHoE1Rzw2T0 N2 Lightning fast handover from Louis to Sarafina 2022

https://youtu.be/hTR19iu3QpQ N2 Willow protects her fish and tries to prevent Sarafina landing 2022#

Hawk Mountain’s most recent migration news:

UK Juveniles have started making their way south to the West coast of Africa (or the Iberian Peninsula). The trio at the Foulshaw Moss Nest of White YW and Blue 35 left on the 13th and 14th of August. White YW remains in the area delivering fish to a fledgling from another nest!

Harry is still delivering fish to Forest at Alyth SS.

On Tuesday the 26th, there were four at Rutland including Mum, Maya!

Blue 3R7 is still at the Rutland Manton Bay nest along with Blue 33 on Thursday, the 28th. She is 110 days old today and is set to break a record for the longest fledgling to remain on the nest. Maya was there on Wednesday, but it appears she might have migrated. It is raining, and Blue 33 is delivering trout.

Brianne is still getting deliveries from Idris at the Dyfi Osprey Platform in Wales.

5R3 remains at Poole Harbour with fish deliveries coming in from Dad, Blue 022.

9K5 remains at the Usk Valley nest in Wales. Dad is busy! Mum has left for migration.

Loch of the Lowes sends their season summary. Will Blue NC0 return early and claim her nest? I am betting on it!

Season’s End with some Final Twists in the Tale! _ Scottish Wildlife TrustDownload

Glaslyn was a failed nest this year with Elen arriving and mating and bonding with Teifi while Aran arrived very late and eggs were destroyed. In the end, Teifi took over the nest. We hope that they both return safely and that Aran does as well and finds another mate and raises a family. Aran is an amazing Dad!

Looks deserted at Dylan and Seren’s nest at the Llyn Clywedog Reservoir in Wales.

Iris was still in Missoula on Wednesday the 27th of August. That nest that she has been working on with the new male will be ready for them in the spring of 2026.

C19 and C20 are still getting fish deliveries from Charlie at Charlo Montana.

In Nova Scotia, the Dads continue to deliver the fish. Nova and Russell, the fledglings of Oscar and Ethel at the Russell Lake Osprey Platform in Dartmouth are no exception!

The Eagles are returning to their nests for bonding before eggs being laid later in the year.

The Dulles-Greenway Bald Eagle nest is now live. https://www.youtube.com/live/guYNIOtN5EE?si=DuGCqKYQbu3geqyN

There is some question about the identity of the Bald Eagle that has been at the NE Florida nest of Beau and Gabby. Rain and hail on Thursday at the nest.

If you are a fan of TE3, she remains in the area of the nest at Trempeauleau, Wisconsin according to neighbours.

People continue to fight for the Menhaden! I wonder when the politicians of Virginia will wake up to the fact that having a thriving ecosystem – not a dead one – can only enhance tourism business and the joy and wealth of their State?

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. We look forward to having you with us on Monday!

I want to thank our notable contributors, ‘A, Geemeff, PB, and SK Hideaways’, the owners of the streaming cams listed in bold, the individuals who take the time to create videos ande post them on YouTube, and the administrators of FB groups such as Jeff Kear at UK Osprey Information, and all others, often too many to name. I am very grateful to you and to the newspapers that still cover environmental issues as they relate to our precious feathered friends and to the rehabilitation centres like Ojai Raptor that care enough to try hard to send their patients back into the wild. My blog would not be what it is without your input into the world of birding.

Want to help wildlife? Maybe there is only one change you need to do…Monday in Bird World

28 July 2025

Good Morning!

The neighbours were busy sending me texts. Guess where Brock was?

Brock had wandered into the back garden for his late dinner at 2000. He did not realise that we were sitting and having our tea with Toby on the top deck. Toby barked. Toby only barks at the Hoover. But he barked at Brock, and Brock took off. Well, As Geemeff says, he’s smart and safe from Toby!

Do you use wet wipes? Not just on yourself but also on your pets? Well, guess what? They have been discovered to be a major polluter. The study is in the UK but it would apply to anywhere else in the world.

Call to make wet wipe producers pay for polluting England’s waterways | Pollution | The GuardianDownload

Let’s make a determination, each of us, to help our waterways by ditching any use of any wet wipes – for pets, babies, and for our faces!!!!!!!!

It rained on Sunday. The rain poured and poured. There was thunder and lightning that scared Baby Hope. The trees will now have sufficient moisture, thank goodness. We also hope that this will help with the wildfires north of us.

Did I say that Toby and I secured the perimeter of the back garden so that he can roam and sniff to his heart’s desire while I sit and sip tea and read? The best thing that I have done this whole summer season. I can relax. What a concept.

The decluttering continues, and the ‘bug’ has caught on with many of you and some of my friends here in Winnipeg. It is unbelievable what we stuff in bin bags and hide the bags in the back of closets or in our basements and attics. Thank you to everyone who wrote and thanked me for the inspiration – my pleasure.

I am preparing for the painter who will be here on Tuesday. The old paint has been matched perfectly. The girl at the shop could not believe it! Neither did I. But all is well; four gallons are ready to go. The living room is going to undergo a dramatic change despite staying the same colour. Our favourite place to travel was Southeast Asia, and we returned to it time and again. The cabinets are full of treasures that are going to be sorted, with some coming out in the open to live with us. The feel of the room will hopefully be a blend of Indochina and Malaysia.

All the pictures are down, and the holes are filled. Furniture has been measured, and several changes are underway. There are two large and heavy tansu, or Japanese cupboards. The design is so interesting. The bottom section of each has drawers, and it is actually ‘separate’ or can be separated from the top – they stack! The bottom of one is going to become the stand for the telly. The individual who built the tansu also allowed that the top could sit independently and open. I am excited. It is always nice to have something to look forward to. Stay tuned!

The news in Osprey World is the last of the fledging and the return of the osplets to their nests screaming for fish. Some of the females will be eating ‘up’ to start their migration south while the males stay behind feeding their youngsters until they leave. I remember Aran was kept well into September one year by one of his chicks. These males are devoted – don’t ever think they aren’t!

While it is not unusual for fledgling ospreys to return to the nest screaming for fish, it is for Big Red’s chicks. Big Red generally likes her hawklets to get their prey on the tops of buildings or in the trees. On Saturday, however, one of the Os visited the nest to the surprise and delight of everyone – and then the other landed, so both fledglings were at home looking for food. Cornell Bird Lab caught that on video for us: https://youtu.be/aZx5W3IyfRg?

The UK Hobbies are getting their pin feathers, and there is a lot of competition for the tiny prey items that come to the nest. SK Hideaways caught some food fights for us! https://youtu.be/aZx5W3IyfRg?

There were at least five fish deliveries at the Fru Rauer osprey nest in Norway on Sunday. Oh, these fledglings are healthy. Beautiful long legs, lovely plumage.

Mantling helps protect this fish from incoming siblings!

At Loch Doon, Bonnie finally gets a fish. She works on it for at least half an hour until mum, Angel, comes in and takes it. (Bonnie needs to work on her unzipping). Everyone expects Angel to migrate by August 6th, so she needs all the fish she can get.

Fish deliveries at Poole Harbour on Sunday were: 08:45 (022), 11:15 (CJ7), 13:39 (022, escaped), 14:31 (022), 15:26 (CJ7), 16:30 (022), 17:22 (CJ7), 18:49 (022)

At Dyfi, Idris keeps up the deliveries for the boys.

Aran came to check out what was happening at his old nest at Glaslyn. I do wonder what will happen next season. Aran looks great!

At the Usk Valley, the first osprey chick to fledge in over 250 years is enjoying his fish! And we also get a nice family portrait with Only Bob and his parents, Syfaddan & Clogwyn.

Dylan and Seren Blue 5F are delivering lovely trout to their two fledglings at Llyn Clywedog. Look at those healthy Bobs.

Blue 33 continues to deliver fish to the screaming osplets – four of them – at Rutland Water’s Manton Bay. The last image is a huge fish left by one of the kids. Maya arrives, looks at it and thinks ‘Mine’!

West Midlands Ringing Group: Three chicks fledged! Brilliant.

At Loch Arkaig, the fish keep coming in, too! Lots on Sunday. Topping off these babies so that they are big and strong for their long migration.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 27th July 2025Today was an amazing fish day – one on Nest One, the first since the 23rd, and seven on Nest Two, including Dorcha’s second fish delivery, the most she’s ever brought in one season. While Garry LV0’s tally stagnates at one hundred and thirty five, Louis’ soars to three hundred and fifty six, and Dorcha doubles hers to two, with a nest total of three hundred and fifty eight. It may have seemed that Breac 7P7 got most of them – he was often the first to get to the fish – but even he couldn’t consume everything, and Darach 7P0 got a good share along with Dorcha. Both chicks are making steady progress towards being ready to migrate when the irresistible urge is felt. Intruders were around both nests but didn’t interrupt proceedings much, apart from Aurora 536 landing on Nest Two and being chased off by an indignant Breac. Although it rained overnight, the rain forecasted for today didn’t materialise and the weather was settled, drizzle is expected tonight with a low of 11°C, and a mainly dry day tomorrow with a high of 18°C.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.57.08 (04.27.13); Nest Two 23.02.01 (04.35.45)
Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/3Gn24PPg1q4N2 Fish one delivered by Louis 08.04.07  

https://youtu.be/UUm18nxN7zoN2 Fish two

 delivered by Dorcha 09.37.02

https://youtu.be/PxNKOsW743o N2 Aurora intrudes on her neighbours and is chased off by Breac 11.28.20 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/AHyCVZQVtlMN2 Fish three

 delivered by Louis 12.18.07

https://youtu.be/l-68y3DO5NE N2 Fish four delivered by Louis 13.15.13

https://youtu.be/b2A98606O2s N2 Fish five delivered by Louis 15.39.34 

https://youtu.be/YoJwI4TWukw N2 Fish six delivered by Louis 17.31.52 

https://youtu.be/4sQdqbxalvc N2 Fish seven delivered by Louis 19.42.55 https://youtu.be/PwWDqs3IxdE N1 Finally a fish for Aurora, first since 23rd 20.32.45
Bonus read – Ospreys are included in the Times list of endangered or extinct species now making a comeback:

https://www.thetimes.com/magazines/the-sunday-times-magazine/article/12-amazing-wild-animals-that-are-thriving-again-in-britain-h7rhzrxpq
Blast from the past, this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/_Z48xWVluSw  N1 Oi mum! Careful with that! 2019
https://youtu.be/1Y9dGaIFCAc N1 FLEDGE! Rannoch finds her wings 2019
https://youtu.be/TPzBKE5vAEU N1 Aila & Louis steal a moment alone together 2020
https://youtu.be/aBuSSB6OHM0 N1 Louis and the lively fish – everyone wants it 2020
https://youtu.be/dmO1Gqac36Q  N1 Affric nips Prince as he tries to steal her fish 2021
https://youtu.be/TbSOZNCrLNE  N2 Dorcha gets nipped when she tries to steal Willow’s fish 2022
https://youtu.be/PlVdlOWq8DE  N2 Dorcha gives Sarafina a bit of stick and gets a nip 2022
https://youtu.be/3-PXNmOwWMk N2 Ludo arrives squeaking, lands on the high perch 2023
https://youtu.be/z1_voshU-z8  N2 Flight of the Bumbling Hoodies (Classic Ospreys Rimsky-Korsakov) 2023 (quicktime)
https://youtu.be/HxQNOrkv2u8 N1 Garry brings moss and takes it away again 2023
https://youtu.be/J0o52mX6AAQ N2 Dorcha is intruded upon first by Ospreys then by Hoodies 2023 (zoom)https://youtu.be/OuuyJzYB3ZM N1 Garry LV0 brings a stick and does some nest prep 

2024
https://youtu.be/K3oYtZEf5MA N1 Dorcha visits Garry LV0 but another Osprey makes them flee 

2024
https://youtu.be/6FoEZpmrZks  N1 Dorcha pays another visit 

2024 (zoom)

Geemeff Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 26th July 2025Not a lot happened today, it was a very slow day all round. Garry and Aurora turned up on Nest One, she spent a lot of time there but when he turned up he didn’t bring any fish, he tried mating instead, and his tally remains at one hundred and thirty five. For a while it looked like there might not be any fish deliveries to Nest Two either, but Louis did eventually turn up with his latest ever first fish at 16.34, and followed it up with a second fish about two hours later. Breac got the lion’s share again but Darach got a good share also, and it was Dorcha and a persistent pair of Hoodies who lost out. Louis’ tally now stands at three hundred and fifty, with the nest total at three hundred and fifty one after Dorcha’s surprise delivery yesterday. It was damp from late afternoon on, the wind picked up and the forecast is for heavy rain overnight with a low of 13°C and light winds which of course are much stronger on the exposed nests. Light rain showers and gentle breezes are expected tomorrow with occasional sunny intervals and a high of 17°C.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.44.16 (04.12.32); Nest Two 22.32.13 (04.20.46)

Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/t9MiGMh0piI N2 Finally! The first fish arrives very late 16.34.32https://youtu.be/CT6jENLhsC8 N2 Hoodies harass Darach and peck his tail! 18.22.15https://youtu.be/BLknOJ9kXa4 N2 Dorcha gets the tiny second fish but lets Darach take it 21.21.43
Bonus read – article about benefits and problems with imported plants, Woodland Trust discuss ash diebackhttps://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-courier-advertiser-angus-and-the-mearns-edition/20250726/284013313167447

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/GrVXgF0XtTI  N1 Captain nips Louis’ leg 2020

https://youtu.be/LXVBy7anRo4 N1 Mum brings dinner: Aila delivers a whopper 2020

https://youtu.be/Lj4S0NPDbLM N1 Doddie and the flatfish 2020

https://youtu.be/p2y97A3kIv4  N1 Affric (Blue 152) calls for fish to no avail 2021

https://youtu.be/BBdVW_8z9rI N2 Meet Aspen (LW3) & Alder (LW4), Louis’ chicks with new mate Dorcha 2021 (thanks Lewis) 

https://youtu.be/7Yz_fuHpp8Q OMG! Tawny Owl pulls Willow off the nest! 2022 (slo-mo)

https://youtu.be/qYDQTkEH89o N2 Relief as Willow finally returns, is unhurt 2022

https://youtu.be/4plSH4d1ves  N1 &2 Flypast by USAF jets 2022

https://youtu.be/XP2ydlIOQkY  N1 Garry appears out of the mist bringing a big stick 2023

https://youtu.be/isjMxlmejNs  N1 One member of the threesome visits, no one else comes 2023

https://youtu.be/8-31dibUJCo  N2 Ludo flies with fish for the first time – accidentally! 2023

https://youtu.be/XROITiomjHE N2 Ludo achieves another milestone – flies with fish intentionally 2023

https://youtu.be/IQMVxtoxhek N1 Garry LV0 visits bringing moss 2024

https://youtu.be/TkmVmX5YaVA  N1 Dorcha spends time with Garry LV0 already there 2024

https://youtu.be/MRew3k_UKwA  N2 Dorcha isn’t amused when Affric 152 & Garry LV0 invade her nest 2024

At the West End Bald Eagle nest, formerly home to Thunder and Akecheta, Haku has been bonding with the new male. SK Hideaways caught their sky bonds on video for us. (Do I think Makaio is in the ‘picture’ – no. We might never know what happened to him and there has been no further photographs of Akecheta on the mainland. That, of course, does not mean that Akecheta is not there nor does a lack of Makaio mean that he is unwell – he could be on the mainland, too!) https://youtu.be/s87ziXROLwM?

Some images from our walk in the English Gardens on a very hot 30 C day.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care, everyone. We look forward to seeing you on Friday.

I want to thank our notable contributor, ‘Geemeff, the owners of the streaming cams listed in bold, the individuals who take the time to create videos, including SK Hideaways and the Cornell Bird Lab, and all others, often too many to name. I am very grateful to you and to newspapers like The Guardian, which still cover environmental issues as they relate to our precious feathered friends and to Jeff Kear and the UK Osprey Information FB. My blog would not be what it is without your input into the world of birding.