Hellgate Canyon Ospreys – Page 4

Sunday in Bird World

13 April 2025

Hello Everyone,

Before we start with our feathered family, ‘The Girls’ think it is high time that they get to say hi to you, too. Hugo Yugo is doing well. We hoped she wouldn’t grow, but she has. She is still the smallest and she can hold her own with all of the others. She is due for more dental surgery in less than two months. She is sweet, energetic, and will always be the first to get into trouble.

The next one to get into mischief will be Missey and it is almost always because of a plant. When she was little (with Lewis), they would want to sleep in the freshly watered soil of the house plants. It was quite odd. Here she is checking out the water in the dish. Is she missing nutrients?

Hope is almost as big as Mamma Calico. I am always amazed. They are inseparable. I have to place their food dishes right next to one another. If I don’t, Hope will not eat. She always waits til Calico is finished and then eats what is left. They nap together, and at night, they wrap themselves around one another. Hope will be two years old on July 1.

They are the joys of my life – a lot of work, but worth every minute of it!

Now, let’s check on what is happening in Bird World.

I want to begin with something uplifting – miracles. Don’t forget them! Bodie! Betty Lou. https://youtu.be/NkRWApbNAVE

What a week! I know that your hearts have been broken just like mine. If your love could sustain them, every baby and adult on every nest would thrive. You have so much empathy for each – and from your notes and comments, I know that these bird families are so close to your hearts – they are family. If your ideas and willingness to help would save them, there would be no danger. I am so proud of each of you. To everyone who has taken photographs of the Achieva Credit Union Osprey nest, made phone calls, and contacted the local Audubon society, thank you. Being local is a big help. Clearwater Audubon installed the platform. It has withstood significant hurricanes better than many. Something has happened in the last couple of years to cause the loss of the chicks and the eggs. A very knowledgable individual needs to examine that nest from the top to the bottom, the environment around the nest, etc to try and determine what is causing this issue. No owl was seen in the footage or other large mammal like a raccoon getting up to the nest. The culprit was either too small to see, went under the nest (scaled the wooden pole and came up through one of the holes), or it is the holes themselves. The platforms MUST have drainage. Heavy rains would kill the babies just like those that killed the white storklets in Europe last year. The drain holes need non-rusting mesh applied to keep anything like an osplet or an egg from falling through them. There is lots to do and it is just the dedicated individuals working locally that might make this happen. You must get people to care and realise there is a problem. Two years in a row – . Sad.

As I write this, the second eaglet at Fort St Vrain has fallen off the rails – it could not have survived a fall from that height. We have lost the 4th and 1st hatches. The other two surviving eaglets are up under the rails. At 1709 nest time, the eaglets were still moving and appeared in food comas after being fed. Yes, the parents feed them, and there is food in the nest. The issue seems to be the heat. It is 28 C or 83 F and hotter in the nest area. Thankfully, it was cloudy today. I hope these two survive.

The eaglet on the top left of the nest is trying to get its talons from the branches. It might succeed.

Individuals below the nest can be heard but are they there to help? Who are these people? Might the adults not return? We wait. ‘PB’ has confirmed that temperatures will drop to 44 F. These two cannot thermoregulate as they are not old enough. It would be essential they both be under Mum to survive.

In terms of the temperature on the nest today, according to the local weather station, this is the hottest it has been in the area since they have been keeping records. That is 153 years! Please send them your best wishes. Temperatures are set to drop with rain on Sunday. These guys will need protection!

Mum is incredible. She fed the one eaglet and the other came out and now both are free. Tears and more tears of joy and relief.

‘PB’ sent me a note – both eaglets tucked under Mum safely!!!!!!!! What a relief for this family.

Wondering about the role of heat and how it is impacting these eaglets – as well as other species caught in these heat domes:

Extreme heat poses a significant threat to baby bald eagles (eaglets) as they lack the ability to thermoregulate effectively, particularly in the early stages of their development. Eaglets rely on their parents for warmth and protection from the sun, rain, and snow. When parents are forced to leave the nest for extended periods due to the heat, eaglets can be vulnerable to hypothermia or heat stress.

Here’s a more detailed look at how heat impacts eaglets:

1. Thermoregulation:

Eaglets cannot regulate their body temperature effectively until they develop down feathers, typically around 10-14 days of age.
Before this stage, they are entirely dependent on their parents to keep them warm and protect them from overheating.
Adult eagles can thermoregulate by panting and heat loss through their legs and feet, but eaglets lack these mechanisms.

2. Parental Dependence:

Parents play a crucial role in keeping eaglets safe from extreme temperatures.
They sit on the nestlings to provide warmth and insulation during cold weather and shade during hot weather.
When parents are forced to leave the nest for extended periods due to heat stress or other factors, eaglets are left vulnerable.

3. Vulnerability to Heat Stress and Hypothermia:

If eaglets are exposed to direct sunlight for too long, they can overheat.
If they are left in the cold without parental protection, they can become chilled.
Both heat stress and hypothermia can be fatal for eaglets.

4. Importance of Nest Protection:

Parents also protect their young from rain and snow.
They use their bodies to shield the eaglets from the elements, ensuring they stay dry and protected.
This protection is especially important during the first few weeks of life when eaglets are still developing their water-resistant feathers.

5. Environmental Factors:

Climate change is causing more frequent and intense heat waves, which can increase the risk of heat stress for eaglets.
Warmer springs can also negatively impact nest success, potentially reducing the number of eaglets that survive.
Changes in precipitation patterns can also affect the availability of food sources and create challenges for eagles raising their young.

Geemeff sends us the daily Loch Arkaig summary for The Woodland Trust:

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 12th April 2025
Another calm day today both weatherwise and at the nests, although the wind did pick up a bit. No intruders disturbed Louis and Dorcha at Nest Two, and no one turned up to visit Garry LV0 on Nest One, perhaps because he didn’t bring any fish. However Louis brought three fish to his nest, two small and one very nice trout, and his tally now stands at twentyseven. The Inver Mallie forecast, which includes the nest area, states light rain and gentle to moderate breezes tonight and tomorrow. Of course, with both nests exposed at the top of very tall trees, moderate breezes can still make the nests sway.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.13.13 (05.18.40); Nest Two 21.07.24 (05.30.05)
Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/8Dt5eUk016I N2 Fish number one, small half trout 06.37.58 https://youtu.be/k1Udox-wXjA N1 Garry LV0 arrives, does some prep, leaves 10.14.39https://youtu.be/WnBqnbmXPlM N2 Louis snaffles a piece of the small second fish before departing 15.08.41https://youtu.be/Jb_uOUGFJZw N2 Deliverlouis! A very fine trout is delivered 17.46.45Bonus look: PaulineC’s latest watercolour of Louis & Dorcha (thanks Pauline)

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:https://youtu.be/gHON30DPkRg N1 Nesting dance: Louis with pompoms 2021 (Classic Ospreys – Grieg)https://youtu.be/VQDncOOrCAA N2 Lovebirds: early morning mating 2022https://youtu.be/NrNcLnttpdc N1 Splitscreen – is this the same bird? 2022https://youtu.be/x_JJOmUeaF0 N2 Stunning sunset over Nest Two 2022 (time-lapse)https://youtu.be/yyMQbIUN3bI N2 Skydancing in the dark 2023https://youtu.be/UVrPq6MNPc0 N2 Mating on the high perch 2023https://youtu.be/t2R05W5xHZ8 N1 Affric 152 takes a fish from Garry LV0 2024https://youtu.be/ZjIl05N5jjA N1 Louis & Garry LV0 chase each other on and off the nest 2024https://youtu.be/cODGsUlHOns N2 Dorcha dines on the nest 2024

Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:

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

Kielder Forest Nest 7: First Egg!

Revised times _ Kielder Ospreys Download

Loch Garten: KX6 (Axel) is back on the nest!

Loch of the Lowes: Occupancy is being contested! Geemeff writes: “The complicated fight for Loch of the Lowes’ nest – there are SIX Ospreys in the battle!”

https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/2025/04/loch-of-the-lowes-osprey-update-8-april-2025/

Kisatchie National Forest: At 9:15:16, KNF E3 fludged. He was up on a high branch, perch 4, flapping and, like many others, just slipped and went. There was some chatter about the eaglet hopping about on the ground. Ranger Steve searched for an hour and could not see eaglet so it is either hiding in the spring foliage or flew off. Parents were heard.

Slipping down in the air between the branches.

Border Ospreys are relieved that Samson is home!

WHAT A RELIEF Download

Iris has her nest ready at Hellgate Canyon. Come on Finnegan!

Llyn Clywedog: Dylan and Seran, Blue 5F, have their season’s first egg!

On video: https://youtu.be/lbcC2XDKFBs?

Dyfi: Idris and Telyn have their second egg on Saturday at 1337! Almost three days to the minute after the first. Amazing.

Trempealeau Eagles Live Stream: Great close-up with clear camera. Beautiful eaglet.

Birds of Poole Harbour: Beautiful CJ7.

The Week in Wildlife includes the reuniting of Dorcha and Louis at Loch Arkaig!

Week in wildlife_ ospreys reunited, a monkey thief and a London fox cub _ Environment _ The Guardian Download

John Bunker Sands Wetlands: The oldest eaglet that fledged first has returned to the nest on Friday! Bravo! https://youtu.be/G_ls92wSBNU?

Just a note: Charlo Montana is still on Highlights.

Geemeff sends us: “A good news story – sort of, it’s a pity people have to clean up after others, but it’s very good that they do! Monofilament is a killer.

https://www.ktvh.com/news/discarded-fishing-line-is-proving-dangerous-to-birds-at-spring-meadow-lake

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, messages, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, J, PB, SP’, Fort St Vrain Eagle Cam/Excel Energy, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Rosie Shields and Border Ospreys, Kisatchie National Forest Eagle Cam, Montana Osprey Project/Cornell Bird Lab, The Guardian, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Birds of Poole Harbour, Explore.org, scyllabub, SK Hideaways, Kielder Forest

Saturday in Bird World

12 April 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

Late Breaking News:

Glaslyn: Aran arrived home safely today! Yes. Come on Finnegan. Geemeff sent this: Aran is finally back at Glaslyn. Elen has bonded with Teifi (hatched at Dyfi) so fun and games there today. She is confused and has flapped her wings at Aran. Aran has been defending his nest – and his Mrs! All quiet now, I think Aran is chasing Teifi away. Going to be fun there. The same thing happened at the Llyn Brenig nest and seemingly that hasn’t settled yet.

Dyfi: Idris and Telyn have their second egg of the season.

John Bunker Sands Wetlands: The second eagle fledged.

Bety and Bukachek are reunited at the Mlade Buky White Stork nest! Thank you PB.

15 degrees C. Feels like summer.

It just feels like spring is here on the Canadian prairies. The Dark-eyed Juncos are enjoying the White Millet that has been scattered on the deck and on a small piece of ice near the wood box. The central heating is turned off. Our heavy winter coats are in the closet. If a blizzard hits – and they have been known to – we can easily grab them. A replacement bird bath has been ordered and we are beginning to clean up the yard where we can. Some things are still frozen to the ground!

In anticipation of the arrival of our songbirds and raptors, I will remind everyone how to keep their feeders clean so as not to spread disease:

The National Audubon Society gives these tips to help stop the spread of bird diseases such as avian flu. Clean feeders and bird baths with a solution of nine parts water to one part bleach every two weeks. Use multiple feeders to make it easier for birds to feed at a distance from each other, and remove feces and seed casings from below feeders regularly.

On the way home, the Bald Eagle that has its nest between our nature centre and the dump, flew right in front of our moving car, and grabbed an enormous bunch of dried grass and lifted off. Majestic. Thank goodness I was not driving fast. This all happened in the blink of an eye. Huge talons full of dead grasses and a flurry to get off. Scared me. I cannot imagine hitting this beautiful creature. I cannot imagine anyone doing them (or any other wildlife) harm.

It was not a surprise. So many were hopeful. Still, the 4th eaglet did not survive at Fort St Vrain. Many of you wrote to say that you are glad that the little one went quickly.

A growing number of you, along with others we may not yet know, are passionately seeking support. Last year, ‘MP’ and I faced significant frustration as we encountered endless obstacles—it felt like we were stuck in a loop. It is essential that we find a dedicated individual in the area who is willing to champion this important initiative. Having high-quality photographs is vital; many potential supporters rely on current visuals, but the images available on Google Maps are often outdated. Let’s come together to ensure we capture the attention and resources needed to move this project forward. for the Achieva Osprey Platform.

Geemeff sends the daily summary for the Woodland Trust and Loch Arkaig:

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 11th April 2025Today was a bit calmer, no intruders on Nest Two, just plenty of fish deliveries from Louis giving Dorcha the luxury of refusing one or two of them. Louis brought four fish to the nest, taking his tally to twenty four, along with sticks and moss to prepare the nest ready for the arrival of the first egg. That could be as early as the 14th, just three days away – there will be many watchers looking out for that special event. Over on Nest One, the day started with an early morning visit from a Tawny Owl who only stayed for a few minutes, giving her distinctive call before flying away again. Garry LV0 brought a fish but had no takers as neither Affric 152 nor any unattached females were seen, and he took it away again. Perhaps the continuing good weather will bring some traffic to the area and give Garry the hope of finding a mate.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.31.23 (05.34.38); Nest Two 21.43.39 (05.40.16)Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/OEnaIWW4XeE N1 Tawny Owl visits 04.06.02https://youtu.be/2y8zxmxgX9M N2 Fish number one – early breakfast arrives 06.13.32

https://youtu.be/NdIgS1BEzmo N2 Louis brings fish number two and takes it away 07.00.16

https://youtu.be/Oza6XDYwP3E N2 Louis delivers fish three, Dorcha dines on the nest 11.03.16

https://youtu.be/dIQAIT_2a5o N1 No takers so Garry leaves with his fish 13.10.14

https://youtu.be/82LtHDs-JhA N2 Dorcha grabs and goes as soon as fish four arrives 18.22.47

Bonus look: Louis & Dorcha star in the Week in Wildlife (thanks Neil Macduff):

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2025/apr/11/week-in-wildlife-ospreys-reunited-monkey-thief-london-fox-cub

Blast from the past – this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/p_72D3H8lzc N1 Corvid not Covid! 2020
https://youtu.be/wYmwz8lUWsQ N1 The Stranger arrives with breakfast 2021

https://youtu.be/W8Bl6tCXYGsN1 Welcome home Louis 2021 (zoomed)

https://youtu.be/9p84l65VnYo N2 Louis & Dorcha reunited 2022

https://youtu.be/s_pTTmsBRdA N2 Aerial battles with Hoodies 2023 (zoomed)

https://youtu.be/N7ZGY4vmVeE N2 Successful mating and a flypast 2023

https://youtu.be/PCFbG-MfO84 N2 Dorcha scares off a Great Tit 2024

https://youtu.be/Frl2xush4Vs N2 Alien invasion of Nest Two! Or is it? 2024

‘J’ lets us know that the Trempealeau Eagles has its first hatch.

There are some concerns about the Sydney Sea Eagles and the development planned for the Sydney Olympic Park.

MP2050_Summary_web (1)Download

Can you imagine the killing of whales in US waters? Well, get ready unless you work hard to stop it! You don’t have long.

URGENT Whaling Could Return to US Waters Act by May 5 Download

The Bird of the Week from the American Bird Conservancy.

Its life is threatened by habitat loss due to logging and mining.

Many more are threatened by our lights. Turn them off during migration as ‘PB’ has done. They send us the latest migration map.

While we are sad when we lose a little one or the adults do not return, there are many to celebrate including USS8 who is being fed by his dad, Irv, at the US Steel Nest.. https://youtu.be/IswC6bNr6Nw?

Thankful for our miracle, Bodie.

For Sunny and Gizmo at Big Bear Valley:

For only amazing miracle eaglet, Betty Lou, at Sauces Canyon:

For Iris returning to us at Hellgate Canyon:

I have a deep appreciation for European Starlings and House Sparrows. It’s disheartening to see their numbers dwindling in my garden, and the decline of the Starling population in the UK is alarming. We must take action to protect our feathered friends. When you encounter a garden company claiming to rid your space of weeds without using any toxic chemicals, challenge their assertions—it’s simply misguided. Our environment and wildlife deserve better!

Starlings fall to record low in UK’s 2025 Big Garden Birdwatchhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/11/starlings-uk-2025-big-garden-birdwatch-rspb?CMP=share_btn_url

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write this short post today: ‘Geemeff, J, PB’, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Dyfi Osprey Project, JBSW, Mlade Buke White Stork News, The Audubon Society, Fort St Vrain, Achieva Credit Union, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Sydney Sea Eagle FB, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, American Bird Conservancy, USFWS Columbia Pacific, The Guardian

Iris is Home…Monday in Bird World

7 April 2025

Hello Everyone,

What a way to wake up on a Monday morning seeing the osprey, the oldest osprey in the world, land on her nest in Missoula Montana’s Hellgate Canyon. And, yes, it is OK to cry a bucket full of glad tears!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is the beginning of the week, and recent days have been challenging. I hope my blog and our beloved raptors’ lives bring some rays of sunshine into your life. Going for a walk or just sitting outside can help make worries melt away. So, I encourage anyone who needs it to do so! All of us, including The Girls, Brock, Dyson, Junior and the Mrs, Mr and Mrs Crow, Little Red and the Mrs, and all the others, send you much positive energy. Get out! Turn the news off for a day! Enjoy all that nature has to offer.

I am still waiting for some very important ospreys to land on their nests and in some cases sooner than later! Elen is already falling for Teifi’s fishing skills. Get home Aran! And, of course, today, I am going to be keeping an eye out for Iris. Charlo Montana still has highlights on its streaming cam so we wait.

But before we look at the nests, ‘PB’ has just sent me the following and I am in tears: “18:19 Shadow brought in fish and had fishing line stuck on his beak. He is trying to shake it off and flew off looking frustrated. You could see the Shiny clear line.”

This is worrisome. Looking for some news for FOBBV and hoping all is well.

Oprey News:

Heidi’s Osprey News:

4/6 – Mispillion Harbor osprey nest (Delaware): Congrats to Della and Warren on their first egg of the season. Della laid the egg at 14:15, and it was ten days earlier than the first egg last year.

4/6 – Carthage osprey nest (Tennessee): Congratulations to Mom and Dad on their first egg of the season, laid on the same date as in 2024. Mom and Dad lost their nest and only osplet last May during a strong storm. They have started to rebuild, and everyone is hoping these ospreys can fortify the nest to make it stronger. Best wishes for this lovely pair.

4/6 – Maryland Western Shore osprey nest: The live stream was down for nearly three days. When it resumed this evening, we saw that Marilyn and Arthur now have 3 eggs. Congratulations!

Thanks, Heidi!

Teifi has settled in, and there are many fish coming to the Glaslyn nest for Elen. Will Aran return? Will he have to fight for his territory against this younger male? Those fish were two flounder and two mullet.

‘L’ sent us Isac’s posting for the Patchogue Ospreys. You will recall that PSEG moved the nest. No sighting of the birds today. Thanks, L.

There is an osprey on another Long Island nest checked by Isac.

Pitkin County: Our osprey couple has returned! Vocoholic has the arrivals on video: https://www.youtube.com/live/ZLAKZwYtrVk?

Border Osprey Report:

WAITING PATIENTLY – Border Ospreys Download

RSPB Loch Garten: An osprey briefly landed on the nest. Some believe this might have been Asha. Waiting for confirmation.

Alyth SS: An unringed female, not the resident mate of Harry, Flora, has been on the nest. Two mating attempts on Sunday.

Balgavies Loch: There is an osprey at the loch on Sunday.

Tweed Valley Nest 1: Unringed female lands on the nest on Sunday.

Dyfi: Idris and Telyn. Beautiful. Waiting for that first egg.

Llyn Clywedog: Gorgeous Dylan and Seren!

Birds of Poole Harbour: Waiting for that first egg for CJ7 and Blue 022 any moment.

Green Ledge Light Preservation Society Ospreys, Long Island: Osprey arrived on 4 April. Waiting for the second and confirmation of who returned first.

Danish Osprey Cam: The male has returned. Waiting for his mate.

Achieva: Fish on the nest, family portrait, and a new baby that seems to be fine so far.

Collins Marsh: New camera platform was going up on March 15 but things still seem to be wonky.

Great Bay Estuary: Two ospreys on the nest today.

Oceanside MNSA: Third egg laid on Saturday April 5.

Golden Gate Audubon: Richmond and Rosie have two eggs. Will there be a third laid today?

Geemeff sends us her daily summary for The Woodland Trust and Loch Arkaig. Thank you, Geemeff!

Woodland Trust Daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 6th April 2025

The glorious weather continued today, unlike this day last year when Storm Kathleen blew in and blew Dorcha off her perch. There was much merriment with sticks – again! We can expect more of these classic sticky situations as they prepare the nest ready for the eggs which could be less than two weeks away, especially after this morning’s marathon mating sessions. The only action on Nest One was when Dorcha turned up, possibly chasing an intruder out of her territory, but Louis confined himself to the loch and Nest Two, delivering four fish which takes his tally to ten. The weather forecast for Inver Mallie, which includes the nest area, is set fair for a few more days.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.19.38 (05.31.15); Nest Two 21.33.32 (05.44.58)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/fMzkjVtbH0I N2 Dorcha grabs the first fish of the day after a tussle 06.26.34

https://youtu.be/2TrKItSxR3o N1 Unringed Osprey visits – it’s Dorcha! 11.37.03

https://youtu.be/pVw-5InEmdM N2 Comings & goings: Dorcha finally gets fish number two 11.38.03

https://youtu.be/DEkObqLTA-g N2 Dorcha grabs fish number three immediately 18.11.52

https://youtu.be/gypEolHWuXg N2 The Sabre Dance as performed by Louis & Dorcha 19.33.24 (Classic Ospreys – Khachaturian)

https://youtu.be/RseZ58O–VI N2 Fish number four – Louis keeps hold of his fish supper 20.30.21

Bonus watch – WT’s virtual tour of Loch Arkaig:

https://arkaigtour.woodlandtrust.org.uk

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/OvVG5MBBjd4 N1 Welcome home – Aila announces her arrival! 2020

https://youtu.be/j_2zRRZeJQY N1 Together again: the reunion of Aila & Louis 2020

https://youtu.be/L68RvTIrm5o N1 Bonkers! Louis & Aila get down to business 2020

https://youtu.be/jNmLwYAdLsA N1 Who does a flypast? 2021 (Slo-mo zoom)

https://youtu.be/oGYDu5iSZUk N2 Louis brings his lunch and unusually stays to eat it 2023

https://youtu.be/jBls1Jwbkhw N2 Hooded Crow is chased away by Dorcha & Louis 2024

https://youtu.be/beIyi7Q9FIc N2 Fish number two, precarious handover in a gale 2024

https://youtu.be/Uz2YCaJzWLo N2 Poor Dorcha is blown off by the wind 2024

https://youtu.be/y8Jxs3sbhS4 N1 A Barn Owl visits 2024

Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:

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

Bald Eagles:

NE Florida: Brodie just goes higher and higher at the NE Florida nest of Beau and Gabby. Will it be true flight tomorrow? https://youtu.be/cYTuJVPT8K4?

Fort St Vrain: Third egg hatches. One to go.

HPAI – Avian Flu is not letting up. Thousands of game birds culled in North Yorkshire.

Thousands of gamebirds culled at breeding facility in N Yorkshire after bird flu outbreak – Raptor P Download

Thank you so much for being with us. Take care of yourself. Please go for a walk. Smell the spring air. We hope to see you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, J, L, PB’, Cornell Bird Lab/Montana Osprey Project, FOBBV, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, By the Patchogue Nest, Volcoholics and Pitkin County, Rosie Shields and The Border Ospreys, RSPB Loch Garten, Alyth SS, Balgavies Loch, Tweed Valley Ospreys, Dyfi Osprey Project, Llyn Clywedog, Birds of Poole Harbour, Green Ledge Light Preservation Society, Danish Osprey Cam, Achieva Credit Union, Collins Marsh, Great Bay Estuary, Oceanside MNSA, Golden Gate Audubon, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, NEFlorida-AEF and SK Hideaways, Fort St Vrain, Raptor Persecution UK< Mispillion Harbour, Carthage, Maryland Western Shore

Friday in Bird World

4 April 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

Thursday was a gorgeous day. +5 C. Sunny. We spent the day out in the country away from the city taking in the spring air.

Animals are really important to one’s well-being. My husband thrives around them. We brought carrots for the goats today. Isn’t this little one with its blue eyes just a darling? One of our favourites.

And we brought our own goose home! She will no longer lure ducks or geese to their peril and doesn’t need food!

At home, Calico spent the afternoon watching the birds fly in and out of the garden. We are so grateful she is inside with her daughter, Hope. My heart pangs thinking of her ever living outside in the harsh weather.

I always welcome your e-mails. Don’t stop sending them. It keeps me connected with people of like minds who love the birds and who cry with them throughout the joys and the sorrows.

‘JB’ writes: “I know you got hundreds of emails but I still wanted to add mine. When Dorcha arrived, I was happy for her, but it also low-key, unofficially confirmed in my mind that maybe Louis really was gone since he usually arrived first. But I was still planning to hold onto hope for one more day. Perhaps he was taking an extra rest, esp after last summer. But I still couldn’t shake off that realization that Dorcha arrived FIRST. I was riding the subway to work and was actually feeling really sad thinking that this world is without Louis and how strange it felt, when I saw someone post on the Woodland Trust chat about an osprey on the nest but not being sure who it was. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it on the livestream. It really is a miracle! The fact that any bird can keep coming back year after year is already a miracle, but especially Louis! So many of us, myself included, had doubts. But this shows to never count an osprey out!

And so now I wait with baited breath for Iris’s arrival. I created another drawing. It’s meant to be cheeky and silly, Iris looking at the calendar with anticipation and packing her best summer feathers, some fish jerky, and Finnegan’s love letter to her over the winter. Haha, it gives me a good chuckle.

Hooray for Louis and Dorcha!”

‘JB’s art to go with this letter!

We are all waiting while crossing toes, fingers, eyebrows, and hoping beyond hope to see our Queen land on her nest. Thank you, ‘JB’.

Geemeff sends us the news for today from The Woodland Trust:

Woodland Trust Daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 3rd April 2025:

The day started with owls hooting and the dawn chorus starting up before day cam switched over, but the best music was the sound of Louis skydancing. However when he landed on the nest at 06.22, he ignored Dorcha who had made herself available by raising her tail almost vertically. But it was only a short while later that he departed, circled round, and came back to the nest for a full-on mating with Dorcha at 06.48. The pair spent the rest of the day popping on and off the nest, mating, nestorising and generally showing typical behaviour of newly returned Ospreys. Louis brought the first fish of the season around 5pm but Dorcha wasn’t there to get it. When he returned with it later, she was on the nest and took it from him, however her nicely filled out crop suggests he’s either giving her fish off-nest, or she’s fishing for herself. That single fish kicks off the start of the daily fishing report, with Steve Q expertly crunching the numbers. New volunteers are encouraged to sign up, it’s easy and you don’t need to know much about fish species, so if you’d like your very own Fish Counter badge, please send Deb a message. In other news, a Buzzard touched down on Nest One. S/he mantled protectively on the nest but arrived with empty talons, and no other bird was seen, at least not on nest cam, so its behaviour was interesting. George WTS put on his Press Officer hat, and the return of our Ospreys made the news, link to one article in the bonus section.

Night cam switches on (day cam):

Nest One 21.10.23 (05.39.11); Nest Two 21.27.26 (05.53.18)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/j2Sum_Ko7Lc N2 Dorcha’s keen but Louis isn’t! 06.22.48

https://youtu.be/xMhCZ5qGTqQ N2 Finally – successful mating 06.48.31

https://youtu.be/hzODfj11JQ4 N1 A Buzzard visits mantling over its empty talons 15.32.48

https://youtu.be/zMMO3WcJR_Q N2 First fish of the season arrives but Dorcha’s not there 16.57.54

Bonus read – the return of the Arkaig Ospreys makes the news:

https://news.sky.com/story/famous-osprey-louis-returns-to-nest-in-scotland-after-illness-13340970

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/09TOby_yPfU N1 A Woodpecker visits 2021

https://youtu.be/-BwfbQolDAE N2 Aerial antics: ACrow chases a Buzzard near the nest 2022 (slo-mo zoom)

https://youtu.be/_Er_85c3FZU N2 Louis brings a fish supper but Dorcha’s not home yet 2023

https://youtu.be/XRUIQug73eo N1 Louis touches down briefly on his old nest 2024 (slo-mo repeat)

https://youtu.be/dZWAEwRxHGA N2 Dorcha accepts fish number three at the second offering 2024

https://youtu.be/NKWmX-eR-94 N2 Successful mating 2024

Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:

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

‘J’ sent us an interesting opportunity for someone who might want to visit Oklahoma.

Wild Heart Ranch

9h ·

Our spring tee shirt logo! I will have them on our store later today! We have youth sizes up to 3X!
That’s Raegan flying over Greg’s head!

The Wild Heart “Bed and Baby Experience”

It is PRIME CABIN STAY TIME! If you have ever wanted to spend a few days helping to feed the babies, but live too far away to volunteer, OR you live local enough to drive but don’t want to start out volunteering doing dishes, floors and laundry, NOW IS THE TIME TO BOOK A CABIN! The “Cabin experience”; 18 or older, all access to Wild Heart, you start out feeding whatever animals you would like to help with so long as it is safe for you and the animals. We invest one-on-one time teaching you to feed babies even though we may never see you again. (which isn’t often the case) In exchange for our time, your cabin rental helps fund our staff to care for the babies! Once you are experienced (with us) and do not require supervision, we give you winter rates for your stay! Our cabins are fully equipped, cozy, comfortable and convenient. They are small, but you won’t be spending a lot of time in them. You are here to experience the magic of Wild Heart and that lives in the clinic and on the land!

We have three cabins to choose from:
Raptor Cabin: Queen bed $350 for one night, then $300 for any additional nights
Retreat: (available Friday & Saturday nights) Twin bed+futon+loft, laundry, stove top and large shower $300 one night, then $200
Lodge: Full sized bed $250 one night then $200

All cabins have kitchenettes with fridge, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, all your linens, showers, TV, a place to sit and store your belongings. They are adorable and we are very proud of them.

Now is the BEST TIME EVER to rent a cabin because we have a larger staff so you can count on more attention and less chaos. We have recently invested in upgrading and renewing our cabins AND we have Dava assigned to tending our cabins so they are spotless and perfect for your stay. She misses NOTHING! Text Susan at 918)600-8237 and she will call you when she is back at her desk and get you booked! We book only to our Facebook followers and our monthly donors now get fall and winter rates YEAR ROUND! Raptor $250/200, Lodge $150/100, Retreat $200/150. COME SEE US!
Annette

Osprey News:

Loch Arkaig: I can’t stop smiling. Louis and Dorcha. Home.

Dyfi: Beautiful Idris and Telyn.

Llyn Clywedog: Stunning. Dylan and Seren are both home from migration.

Glaslyn: Elen waiting for Aran. Aran, come home!

Hellgate Canyon, Missoula:

Goitzsche Wildnis: J Castnyer comments on the day: “Zeus has done a great job rebuilding the nest from four badly placed sticks and, right now, what he is doing is providing a large amount of loose material not just to cover possible cracks, but to provide comfort to the nest and for Fjona to feel at ease. Males like Zeus are a treasure, on the level of the mythical Monty (Wales) and Teo (Latvia) or an Idris (Dyfi) or a Dylan (Llyn Clywedog).”

Zeus has done a great job rebuilding the nest from four badly placed sticks and, right now, what he is doing is providing a large amount of loose material not just to cover possible cracks, but to provide comfort to the nest and for Fjona to feel at ease. Males like Zeus are a treasure, on the level of the mythical Monty (Wales) and Teo (Latvia) or an Idris (Dyfi) or a Dylan (Llyn Clywedog).

Eschenbach: Concern expressed over the new female’s immaturity at the nest. Joan Castnyer: “We are not on the right track. The new female is strong and has character, yes, but at the same time she is (rather than young) quite immature. She does not spend much time in the nest and (what is more worrying) does not respond to Herbert’s attempts to mate, as you can see in the video. It is possible that this year no young chicks will fly from this nest and that moving Hermine will turn out to be a mistake. We will remain attentive and confident.”

Boulder County: No eggs yet for Mum and new Dad.

Rutland Manton Bay: Maya reveals egg as she gets up for early night stretch.

Birds of Poole Harbour: Beautiful CJ7 and a couple portrait with her mate, Blue 022.

AlythSS: Harry is home!

Kielder Forest Nest 7: Both ospreys back live! https://www.youtube.com/live/bJONIQs4Sfg?

Threave Ospreys: Egg on nest 1.

Farm Field: Not sure that Heidi will include this in her report:

From Heidi:

Achieva osprey nest: Jack has a new mate this year, named Jill. Jill laid two eggs, but egg 1 did not hatch. Egg 2 hatched overnight 4/4, and our first sighting of the little baby was at 07:08. Congratulations to Jack and Jill!

Bald Eagles:

‘J’ writes that we have new hatches!

Fort St Vrain: So far twins out of those four eggs! FSV52 and FSV53

Big Bear: Is Sunny practising for her maternal duties in the future? https://youtu.be/H6zU37pL8Kk?

Sunny and Gizmo are so adorable.

Fraser Point: Andor and Cruz’s two eaglets are adorable.

Sauces Canyon: Jak and Audacity could not be more proud of their little Betty Lou.

Kistachie National Forest E3: A nice fish on the nest for 03 who is looking good.

Big Red and Arthur, Cornell’s darling Red-tail Hawk couple make the news: https://youtu.be/3QjjH2DEh2E?

In Hertfordshire, a hawk was harrassing villagers. Now it has been caught.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/apr/03/flamstead-man-catches-hawk-that-had-been-attacking-villagers-for-weeks?CMP=share_btn_url

Geemeff sends us more news:

Good news for all UK wildlife – and us humans too. But a great pity the authorities not only failed to act to clean up our rivers, but appealed the decision when they lost to the charity Fish Legal who took them to court for failing in their duty. They lost – again! It’s cost us tax payers a fortune in court fees which would have been better spent starting the clean-up.

https://preview.mailerlite.io/emails/webview/510835/150736527066924323

A call to action:

Protections are being dismantled, but public lands and waters belong to you, whether it is a National Wildlife Refuge, National Park, Forest, Marine Sanctuary or Marine Monument. Your tax dollars provide a way for you to safely visit, hunt, fish, birdwatch, swim and hike. These lands and waters are where native wildlife have reared their young for millennium and are now protected in perpetuity for the specific purposes laid out by Congress in their establishment.

Call to Action!

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

Thank you to the following whose comments, notes, images, videos, articles, and streaming cams helped me to write my blog today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, J, JB’, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Wild Heart Ranch, The Woodland Trust and Loch Arkaig, Dyfi Osprey Project, Birds of Poole Harbour, Bywyd Gwllyd Glaslyn, LRWT, Llyn Clywedog Osprey Cam, Montana Osprey Cam, Joan Castnyer and Goitzsche Wildnis and Eschenbach Osprey Cams, Boulder County Fair Grouds Osprey Cam, Farm Field Ospreys, SK Hideaways, FOBBV, IWS/Explore, Kistachie National Forest, WENY TV News, The Guardian, Achieva Credit Union, Fort St Vrain, Alyth SS, Kielder Forest, Threave Castle, Jeff Kear and UK Osprey Info

Monday in Bird World

31 March 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

It was a bit of a cool Sunday on the Canadian Prairies, but we managed our first extensive walk at the nature centre of the spring. The trails were half snow and half ice with the geese gathering at Devonian Lake.

Goose prints on a small pond.

Nearer to home, there were ‘four’ grey squirrels announcing spring had arrived along with the two reds. Both Crows were present as were the Blue Jays. It felt good seeing them all in the garden filling themselves with cat kibble, peanuts, black oil seed, and cracked corn.

‘AM’ sent me this glorious image of spring’s arrival in Japan and graciously allowed me to share it with all of you. There is nothing more beautiful than the first blossoms of spring whether they are the cherry blossoms in Japan or the crocus popping its head up out of the snow in Manitoba. I cannot wait! Thank you so much, ‘AM’.

On the campus of Cornell University, Big Red laid her first egg of the 2025 season on the 27th of March and her second on on Sunday, the 30th. https://youtu.be/ZO-_WY0dmXA?

Arthur got to see that first egg. https://youtu.be/RCChvBTKMVs?

The second egg arrives. https://youtu.be/KdZvseg9-As?

SK Hideways has it for us, too! https://youtu.be/57OPmltd5b0?

Big Red hatched in Brooktondale, New York, a mere seven miles from the Cornell Campus in the spring of 2003. She was ringed in October of that same year. It is not clear how many eggs Big Red has laid or chicks that have fledged. She has been ‘on camera’ since 2012 but she would have been breeding well before that – in fact, probably seven years prior she would have had her first fledge.

Her current mate is Arthur. When Big Red bonded with Arthur, he did not even have his red tail, but he proved to be a great provided wooing her with his squirrel deliveries. Cornell All about Birds says, “The male, Arthur, was named in honor of the founder of the Cornell Lab, Arthur A. Allen. He was first spotted on Cornell University campus as a fledgling in 2016. He is unbanded and has a paler chest, head, and nape than Big Red. The pair first spent time together in April 2017, after Big Red’s previous mate, Ezra, had died. The hawks completed their first breeding season together in 2018.”

Her previous mate was Ezra.

Big Red is internationally known. She is so loved.

Bald Eagles:

Big Bear Valley: They could not be cuter even with their blood feathers growing in. Two little miracles. Look at that chrome yellow gape (the corner of the mouth). You want to see a bright yellow-orange known as chrome yellow. Look at the feet of the adults, too. The deeper in colour, the more healthy the eagles. These two have their thermal down with the cutest of hints at their nestling life in the form of the dandelions still remaining on the top of their heads.

Little Miami Conservancy: There are now two hatches with some bonking going on within the nest!

WRDC: R7 fledged Saturday. BOGS caught sight of him/her later perched on a nearby pine tree.

News has come to me that the Bald Eagles in Alaska are starting to nest. We will be keeping an eye on the Glacier Gardens nest.

‘J’ writes: “The first of the three Centerport chicks hatched on the 29th.

Osprey News:

Tweed Valley Nest 2: Mrs O has arrived home.

Loch of the Lowes: Blue NC0 might have a new mate. https://youtu.be/nizNtoTncDs?

Llyn Clywedog: Gorgeous Seren 5F sent Dylan into doing a loud sky dance on her arrival over the weekend. Geemeff comments, “Dylan arrived on the nest at 15.34, then must have seen Seren in the distance because he suddenly flew off and loud skydancing was heard nearby before she landed at 15.36.

Welcome home Seren!”

https://youtu.be/kOVwSEKRqY4

Hellgate Canyon: Waiting for Iris and Finnegan.

Boulder County Fairgrounds: Mum and new male are on the nest.

Moorings Park: Ozzie is one of the cutest and sweetest little osplets. Feathers coming in. Full crop!

MNSA Koolpix Osprey Nest: First egg of the 2025 season laid on Sunday.

Collins Marsh Osprey Cam: Their FB posting says: “Osprey cam update…yes this is the current view of the camera…the inside of the tower! This past week the camera was brought down for maintenance, and in the coming days a new mount will be installed to help us maintain it for years to come. The birds will be back soon, last year they arrived on April 6th, so keep watching!”

Osprey House Environmental Centre, Australia: Parents George and Hope and their 2024 fledgling Marina were on the nest on Sunday together.

Rocky Lake/Waverley, Nova Scotia: Both ospreys are back.

Severna Park: First egg of the 2025 breeding season has been laid.

Balgavies Loch: An osprey has arrived. No confirmation of identity.

Wensleydale Osprey Platform: An osprey is there!

Heidi reports:

3/31 – Barnegat Light osprey nest: Duke arrived at the nest this morning, on the same date that he returned last year. Hey there, Duke!

Other Birds:

The Black Storks are reaching their nests in Estonia – and I hope they will also be arriving safely in Latvia, soon. Kergu is due to arrive at his nest today! Looduskalender Forum gives us the following information on this magnificent Black Stork: “Kergu Black Stork nest was found in 2022, but it has been there for longer. Probably even fallen down, and rebuilt again on the branches of the same aspen tree. During installation of camera I noticed that nest is only partly supported by the branches, so added some kind well visible exoskeleton to keep it more stabile (perhaps). In the end of March 2024 it seems quite good, but still, not fully safe.

Nest site is situated in Pärnu county, near wind farm development area. That was the reason to track Kergu, male stork who nested here last year, as well as reason to install webcam. There are proposed some mitigation measures, like preparing better feeding conditions in other sectors of home range. Hopefully results of those measures will be visible also through webcam in time. The measures are at the moment in planning stage, yet. So if somebody has ideas for mitigation measures in that situation, those would be valuable to analyse in current situation.

Kergu has rings (incl. left leg 7047) since childhood, he has been ringed in 2011 as one of three chicks in nest situated about 10 km of current Kergu nest. Three chicks fledged in Kergu nest in 2022 and they were in good condition during ringing. Female in this nest we did not know, most probably she was without of rings. In 2023, here we did not see female in nest. Kergu refreshed nest properly, few times neighbour male Nurme visited the nest as well as not ringed immature individuals. But in general Kergu was in nest alone, listening neighbour bird species, like woodland owls, passerines, etc.”

The nest is waiting! Pictures by Urmas.

Latvian Golden Eagle: Spilve laid her second egg on Sunday.

Port Lincoln Ospreys: “Ervie has been checking out the northern end of Boston Island but always returns to the main wharf to sleep.”

“Giliath obviously loves the town life as he just doesn’t want to go anywhere else.”

“Kasse also loves the town life of Tumby Bay”

Wilko is MIA. They are hoping he will check in soon.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. We look forward to having you with us again soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, images, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘AM, Geemeff, H, J’, Cornell Bird Lab, SK Hideaways, FOBBV, Little Miami Conservancy, Tweed Valley, UKOsprey Info, Geemeff, Llyn Clywedog and CarnyXWild, Montana Osprey Project, Boulder County Fairgrounds, Moorings Park Osprey, Looduskalender Forum, LDF, MNSA Jay Koolpix Cam, Collins Marsh Osprey Cam, WRDC, Port Lincoln Ospreys

Saturday in Bird World

29 March 2025

Hello Everyone,

I really hope you enjoyed that video of the turtle escaping Liberty and Guardian’s nest in Redding, California that was in the post Friday morning. That was one lucky turtle!

It snowed in Winnipeg. Then it snowed some more! The measurement in the garden was 43 cm. Our young man was not around so we did the shoveling which really took a lot of time – and energy. It was also chicken Friday so ‘The Girls’ and Brock had their Friday chicken dinners.

‘J’ sent me some news that raises some interesting questions. A real mystery is happening at the Pittsburgh-Hays Bald Eagle nest. Long time ‘Dad’ disappeared last year and is in the Memorial Pages. A new male appeared. Now ‘Dad’ has returned after more than a year, according to reports!!!!!!!

Was he injured and in rehabilitation and released, returning home? How do we know he is the original ‘Dad’? There are no bands that I am aware. We have not been able to find out any further information.

Osprey News:

Russell Lake, Nova Scotia: Oscar has arrived safely home! YEAH.

Oak Tree Nest, Threave Ospreys: Both ospreys are on the nest and working hard!

Loch of the Lowes: Does Blue NC0 have a new mate?

Foulshaw Moss: White YW is very popular. His mate Blue35 has not yet returned, but there are two unringed unidentified females trying to get his affections! Thanks J Kear and UKOsprey Info for the post.

UPDATE: Blue 35 is back!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fort Calhoun: ‘PB’ is keeping a close eye and notes an arrival.

Hellgate Canyon: Iris and Finnegan will have a lot of work to do when they return to their nest in Missoula. Iris traditionally returns on the 8th of April.

Birds of Poole Harbour: No one is going to mess with CJ7 and ‘her’ nest!!!!!

Dyfi Osprey Project: Idris and Telyn enjoying being back together.

HEIDI’S OSPREY REPORT:

3/29 – Moorings Park: Sally was struck by a GHO at 01:10, but she was not knocked off the nest. To my knowledge, there has not been a GHO problem at that nest before. Fingers crossed that Ozzie will stay safe. Little Ozzie is only 20 days old.

Bald Eagle News:

NEFlorida: The juvenile visitor that has been adopted by Beau, Gabby, and Bodie has been officially named ‘Juvie’.

US Steel: Tiny little bobblehead.

Little Miami Conservancy: Hatch on Friday! https://youtu.be/wkamoBLssKQ?

The baby’s first meal: https://youtu.be/qge26cRb4fE?

Baby’s first day: https://youtu.be/uf8vF8EyVQw?

NCTC: A bold owl sat near the nest while a meteorite flew by! Bella and Scout kept that owl at bay. https://youtu.be/UFfi8QFlj94?

Kansas Bald Eagles: Kanza is still the Only Eaglet. That egg is non-viable. Lucky Kanza! All that good prey just for you.

Big Bear Valley: Full crops for Jackie and Shadow’s kiddos. They are adorable. Little miracles. The two were having quite the little spat. Almost like Baby Hope and Hugo Yugo play fighting. Well, Daddy Shadow was on the nest. It was obvious he got tired of it, didn’t like them fighting, and went over and put an end to it. Yes, eagle parents to intervene. Some actually just sit on the eaglets (or osplets) to stop fighting/bonking.

Sauces Canyon: Betty Lou is the sweetest little eaglet.

Kisatachie National Park E3: ‘MP’ sends us good news: “The parents on this nest had some good luck today. They brought in a small fish first thing which chick got to tear a part. The second fish was a big bloody one without the head which dad eat, the head that is. Mom came in behind him and took it to feed chick and herself. Then, a great big Catfish was on the menu for the day. Although, no one in chat knew what it was because the parents brought it in bit by bit or piece by piece. Then, at the end of the day, the great big head was brought in which no one knew until she turned it over and then we could all see it was Catfish head. The pieces brought in were theorized as chicken filets up until then. Even the rangers thought that they had stolen them from some camp site.

So all ate good today.”

This is great news, thank you.

If you missed the March Ventana Wildlife Society Condor chat, here it is: https://youtu.be/0dPEFVWD6Ak?

Wishing all of the new little bobbleheads full crops and a safe fledge.

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, news, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘H, J, MP, PB’, PIX Cams, Pittsburgh-Hayes Eagle Cam, UKOsprey Info, Woodland Trust (LOTL), Foulshaw Ospreys, OPPD Fort Calhoun, Osprey Research Project/Hellgate Canyon Ospreys, Birds of Poole Harbour, Dyfi Osprey Project, NEFL-AEF, Little Miami Conservancy, NCTC, Deb Stecyk, Kansas Bald Eagles, FOBBV, IWS/Explore, Kistachie Forest E3 Eagle Cam, PIX Cams, Ventana Wildlife Society, Moorings Park

Smooth sailing Iris and Finn, Sum-eh and Antali…Saturday in Bird World

21 September 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

Dr Greene just posted his fond farewells to Iris and family!

The garden feels intensely wet still. Hopefully today’s wind will help dry things up. Every tree and shrub got a good start to getting ready for their hibernation!

We have a full day on Friday. It started with a visit to the Japanese exhibition at The Leaf made possible by the local bonsai group. This was followed by a good old walk at the nature centre, and a birthday party for the oldest grandson. At the end of it all, life felt good. Still alive. Not ready to whither like the vines and leaves are doing.

The exact origin of torii is uncertain. “torii” means “bird sitting,” possibly referring to birds perching on the crossbeams. Torii gates are used to separate the ordinary world from the sacred, and they can be found at both Buddhist and Shinto sacred sites in Japan.

A Zen dry garden.

Cranes. Tsuru. Symbols of longevity and good luck. Thought to live 1000 years, the birds mate for life and also symbolize loyalty. They are a common motif in Japanese art.

By the time we got to the nature center, it was 21 C. There were some ducks on Devonian Lake and a few ducks at the other ponds. Songbirds included American Goldfinch, Black-capped Chickadees, and White-throated Sparrows. Geese were heard overhead.

Good News. Firefighters save Willow and Scout’s Bald Eagle nest from the Airport fire in California.

https://youtu.be/-5ZKEXpZuCk?

Niagara Bee looks sad and empty. This osprey platform needs a predator baffle—feel free to message them on FB! If a Raccoon killed that Osprey, as indicated by the camera footage, then this is a must, an absolute must.

The osprey on the perch at Charlo is eating a fish. It is either Charlie or C16. I cannot tell. C16 was 100 days old on 20 September.

Jack was on the perch at Achieva in St Petersburg.

Beaumont comes in with a magnificent fish for one of the fledglings.

And another delivery!

Deliveries still coming in Latvia.

Quiet at Hellgate Canyon.

Thanks, ‘PB’ for the latest update from Dr Greene:

The season is really coming to an end except for Australia and Florida.

Two difference choices of Spanish fledglings to get to Africa!

The Olympic Park Sea Eagles are doing really well. Just look at them lined up so nicely.

Waiting for breakfast at Port Lincoln.

Growing Home video about their Ospreys! https://youtu.be/VBZrz4EDdmY?

Want to know which branch Gabby is on? or the visitor? or Beau? NEFL-AEF posted us a nice graphic.

There is something very nice about watching Gabby with this male when they are working in the nest together.

Some action at the SW Florida Bald Eagle cam on Friday. https://youtu.be/ev4bTBpILAQ?

Were you watching the Royal Albatross in 2019? One has just been seen off the coast of South Africa!

You are probably sick of listening to me about the need to control the commercial fishing of Menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay if our Osprey are to survive. Please send your comments to the individual in the posting below before 2 October if you think that watching Osprey chicks starve to death because a Canadian company is taking every last one of the Menhaden is wrong. Thank you. Please do it for Cobey, the Colonial Beach Osplet who starved to death on his nest along with 99% of the other chicks in that area.

In the latest issue of The Journal of Raptor Research (vol. 58, no. 3, September 2024), an article looking at window strike had some interesting information:L. “Raptors occupying urban environments may be more vulnerable to window collisions than rural raptors because of the greater density of buildings in urban areas. Although large buildings such as skyscrapers cause the greatest number of bird collisions per building, the vast numbers of residential homes across urbanized landscapes collectively pose a far greater risk (399).” Please put up window collision stickers, use window paint markers, Feather Friendly strips, whatever it takes! Thank you.

Calico’s Tip of the Day: Dryer Balls. “Dryer balls are most commonly made of tightly compressed wool, but can also be made of plastic or rubber. They help prevent laundry from clumping together in the dryer by tumbling between layers and separating fabric. This action allows warm air to circulate better which can even help reduce drying time. (Maytag)”. We discovered that with an average load, using four dryer balls, the amount of drying time was cut in less half and at a lower temperature. All towels were fluffy.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care of yourself. Have a lovely weekend. 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: ‘PB, SP’, The Leaf, Ft Whyte Alive, CBS News Los Angeles, Niagara Bee, Charlo Montana, Achieva Credit Union, Newfoundland Power, Nesting Bird, LDF, @Hellgate Osprey, Progretto Falco piscatory, Gregorius Joris Toonen, Olympic Park Eagles, Growing Home Ospreys, Jerinelle Wray, NEFL-AEF, Androcat, Sharon Dunne, Thomas Lilly and Menhaden – Little Fish, Big Deal, and The Journal of Raptor Research.

Top Flat Chick fledges…Friday in Bird World

20 September 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

The rain has continued but without the forecast storms. It just feels cold to the bone and yet the temperature doesn’t indicate that. Strange. A deep damp. All of the girls are curled up sleeping. The only one that is missing is Baby Hope. She is in hiding.

We have had rain and more rain and after it was time for a nice walk. As a consequence, I have been listening to birds outside (highly recommended) instead of watching them on a screen. I do urge you strongly to listen to the presentation by Rob Domenech. Take an hour to learn much about migration and migration patterns and challenges. Executive director of Raptor View Research Institute. This man is passionate, and he knows about his Ospreys. If your time is short, skip over to about 30 minutes. Then go back when you have a chance. It is that good. Did I say that more than once? https://youtu.be/lFQUgAXcF88?

It is a fantastic presentation and if you are at all wondering about the mortality rates, the migration patterns of the young fledglings towards the older more experienced ospreys, then you must take the time and watch this! I promise you will be sorry – he even gives some of the best reasoning behind banding!

The latest from Dr Greene via ‘PB” – thanks!:

Iris and her family made the telly, ‘The remarkable summer of Iris the osprey comes to a close’. I don’t know about you, but the departure of our beloved miracle family has left me feeling bittersweet. https://youtu.be/iKSGv30eaDc?

Reminds me of the American painter, Edward Hopper’s 1920-40s paintings.

Just look at EquiNOX. What a handsome falcon and he has done so well – getting leaned up for flight. NOX sure looks all grown up in his helmet. My goodness, Annie and Archie will be proud of him as he trains for the skies.

The two juveniles and Beaumont were at the Snow Lane nest in Newfoundland on Thursday. Beaumont delivered a fish to both of them.

In the top image, it is raining. There is an osplet on the perch on the far right bottom eating a fish.

Charlie on the perch looking over his territory.

One fledgling at home in Latvia with Dad at the Kurzeme nest. https://youtu.be/zbbOuDfALIc?

News of the Wells-Fargo Osprey is contained in the post below from SOAR:

Some Bald Eagles are working on nests such as M15 and F23 SW Florida! What a team they are. https://youtu.be/lyX6U4F3pAc?

Others, like NE Florida, are giving people indigestion that had grown fond of Beau. Just because ‘the visitor’ is sitting next to Gabby does not mean that Gabby will pick this male at the end of the day. We simply will have to wait and trust her judgment.

This is Gabby and the Visitor. This male was at the nest for part of last year, confirmed by the AEF. They certainly look intent on cleaning this space up!

Thunder and Akecheta have been trying to make nestorations at their West End Bald Eagle nest in the Channel Islands. https://youtu.be/q3RKk3eEb2I?

I heard lots of waterfowl, but did not see Jackie or Shadow at the Big Bear nest on Thursday.

Claire and Irv have been at the USS Steel nest.

https://youtu.be/Gn0q-eoky7g?

If you were watching the Black Storks on the Lodz, Poland nesting site, here is the most recent information on their migration!

Puffin Numbers on the Farne Islands are doing much better than anticipated.

Puffin increases on Farne Islands – BirdGuides Download

In New Zealand at the Northern Albatross Colony, the Top Flat Chick has fledged! She took to the skies early on Friday the 19th of September.

It is also time to ‘Name that Chick’. Here is the information, please participate. Please check out the meanings of the names before you click.

Xavier brought Diamond a tiny prey item. https://youtu.be/q7KVZqmxF58?

Lady and her beautiful babies. Both sea eaglets are doing well. They are getting more steady on those feet walking across a stick nest.

M22 gives F23 a much needed morning break at the Melbourne scrape.

Bonnie and Clyde, the GHOs, arrive at Farmer Derek’s nest in Kansas. https://youtu.be/lRBnzDIJNtg?

‘Auntie R’ sent us a wonderful link, just to put a smile on your face!

The sweetest sound in the forest. 🐦 A wren's song is pure magic. #nature #birds pic.twitter.com/34EtrYTPpG
— Genius Technology (@Geniustechw) September 18, 2024

Calico’s Tip for the Day is a tip and an article. When it is really damp outside, you might want something warm and spicy to take that chill off. Calico suggests getting a large saucepan and fill it with cold water. Place 3-4 Orange Pekoe tea bags or 3-4 T of tea leaves in a tea ball into the pan. Bring to a simmer. Add cloves, a cinnamon stick, and some slices of orange, and sugar to taste. Let it simmer. Your house will have the aroma of fall and you will have a nice spiced tea. Sip the tea while reading the following article. The very first Wandering Albatross has been seen in Ireland. There was also a Black-browed. She thought it was interesting. How do these birds get off course? or does she think they are searching for new breeding and foraging grounds. Have a read and see what you think.

Birdwatch: strong winds bring Irish sea watchers the ultimate prize | Birdwatching | The Guardian Download

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post this morning: ‘PB’, HMANA, KPAX-TV, California Raptor Center, Newfoundland Power Snow Lane Ospreys, SOAR, Sharon Dunne, SK Hideaways, NEFL-AEF, Netflix Memories, FOBBV, PIX Cams, Marika Solo, BirdGuides, Nesting Bird Life & More, Olympic Sea Eagles, 367 Collins Street by Mirvac, Androcat, and The Guardian.

Thursday in Bird World

19 September 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

First, landmark EU ruling protecting songbirds migrating through Malta! Thanks, Geemeff.

“n a landmark ruling, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) today declared the trapping of seven finch species in Malta, to be illegal – a practice which has been criticised by Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) for years. According to the judges in Luxembourg, the practice clearly violates Article 9 of the EU Birds Directive and may no longer be authorised. The proceedings before the ECJ are the premature conclusion of a long-running dispute between bird conservationists and the Maltese Labour Government, which has repeatedly tried to circumvent the Birds Directive in recent years in order to secure the votes of bird trappers. Because finches are strictly protected under EU law, bird-trapping was officially relabelled as a “scientific research project” in 2020 and licenses were issued for more than 2,600 trapping sites. In recent years, official complaints by CABS have resulted in the confiscation of thousands of birds that were caught illegally under the guise of the alleged research project. It is still unclear whether the Maltese government will accept the verdict or appeal and allow the trappers to continue. CABS have already confirmed that we will be in Malta in October with several teams to monitor compliance with a possible ban on trapping.”

Full article here:

In a landmark ruling, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) today declared the trapping of seven finch species in Malta, to be illegal – a practice which has been criticised by Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) for years. According to the judges in Luxembourg, the practice clearly violates Article 9 of the EU Birds Directive and may no longer be authorised. The proceedings before the ECJ are the premature conclusion of a long-running dispute between bird conservationists and the Maltese Labour Government, which has repeatedly tried to circumvent the Birds Directive in recent years in order to secure the votes of bird trappers. Because finches are strictly protected under EU law, bird-trapping was officially relabelled as a “scientific research project” in 2020 and licenses were issued for more than 2,600 trapping sites. In recent years, official complaints by CABS have resulted in the confiscation of thousands of birds that were caught illegally under the guise of the alleged research project. It is still unclear whether the Maltese government will accept the verdict or appeal and allow the trappers to continue. CABS have already confirmed that we will be in Malta in October with several teams to monitor compliance with a possible ban on trapping.

The ruling shows that international law and cross border agreements can achieve huge benefits for protecting nature. The mills of the EU Commission and the ECJ may grind slowly, but in the end the directives – as in this case the EU Birds Directive adopted in 1979 – are enforced even in the unwilling member states!

Best regards,

Alexander Heyd and Lloyd Scott

Second up today before we even get to the garden animals…it isn’t the photographs (they are great) it is a statement in there about fish fairies!

We hope that your week has been going well for you! With all of the rain the past few days, we have taken to finishing up some of those odd little things around the house that are like monkeys on your back. The space behind my desk has now received its colour block to go with the feather images. The area around the tub has been painted a deep navy black. The storage room has been cleaned and decluttered, with much donated or put out for the free weekend. The kitchen drawers and utility room are now cleaned, cleared, and washed. The Girls were not that keen on all the mopping. They sure hate getting their feet wet! It feels so good to get things off lists, open a drawer, and find precisely what you need quickly. My life needs serenity and a deep, quiet calm now. My patient nature becomes overwhelmed unnecessarily over trivial things like a messy drawer where I cannot find a bottle opener when I want nothing more than one of the Mexican watermelon sodas whose lids require them.

We woke to a garden that was bursting with green – the deepest blue emerald – after the rain we had over the past three days. Today’s was a downpour. Speaking of green, another ‘Greene’ indicated that he saw an osprey that might be Sum-eh. Is the family fishing downriver? Is Iris still here? We are waiting for confirmation and an updated posting from Dr. Greene.

The Blue Jays are sweeping down to get peanuts. There are two of them this morning. It is Mr and Mrs Junior. I suspect that their fledglings have departed or, sadly, have been killed. You might recall that I counted eighteen Blue Jays in the garden after all of the close nests had fledged their young. Eighteen. It was wondrous. The neighbour saw the hawk take one. Survival rates in urban areas are low for all of our feathered friends. No one reported any other Blue Jays found dead. I hope they found other places to feed. The competition in the garden was keen at times. That said, food is scarce as habitat turns into concrete parking lots or new condos around me.

It is now 1200, and I have returned from a quick run to the shops so that Mr Crow and Mrs Crow and at least five fledglings can have their dogs along with some fruit today in the rain. Tomorrow is hard-boiled egg day. Question: How do you keep Crows healthy through food? I am confident they need a variety and must seek out this answer. Some days, they prefer pecking at the nut cylinder. Some days, they look at the fruit and veg, declaring that l am a monster: cheesy dogs? Where are our dogs!!!!!!!! Hopefully, the Crows amuse the neighbours with all their cawing and swooping about! Right now, one is cawing loudly. He alerts us that there is a cat in the garden. It is a poor grey tabby with a bent ear. His family lets it wander. This lovely lad really likes my neighbour, who also feeds the feral cats of the neighbour. He can feel her love.

Baby Hope did not appreciate the monsoon style rain.

You can hear the rain starting and getting heavier at the end of the video below. Baby Hope moves off the post and goes into her quiet spot out of the conservatory. It is where she feels safe.

Click on the image below to get the arrow to start the video.

Baby Hope listens as the rain begins and leaves when it is heavy! It was like a monsoon.

Geemeff sent us news from the Woodland Trust and Spain about the surviving osplet of Louis and Dorcha:

“We have had an update from Spain. 1JW has not been seen since last Tuesday and may be now on migration. Sometimes the birds disappear for a few days and come back so the team are going to wait until tomorrow to confirm. If he hasn’t reappeared in the district by then we will regard him as on migration.”

I wanted to check the nest of Hope and Beaumont in Newfoundland right away. Beaumont is still home delivering fish to one of the most beautiful ‘dark’ fledglings I have ever seen. I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to see Hope and Beaumont’s chicks survive and fledge. To see what they look like. My goodness. I never knew I loved dark osprey females until I set eyes on Louis’s Dorcha in 2022. Now they are fascinating. The two fledglings on the Snow Lane nest take after their Mum, Hope, who is exquisitely dark. There is no competition for this fish as expected if both juveniles were still home. We wait to see for sure. The other juvenile was seen on Tuesday the 17th.

Others in Canada are leaving. The Osoyoos’ nest appears to be empty. There continue to be reports of a few ospreys still in Nova Scotia. Those in Manitoba have headed south, and the Russell Lake group feels like empty nesters!

Fortis Exshaw at Canmore looks quiet.

I have seen no activity at the nest despite my desire for Iris and her mate to come and work on that nest for next season! That touch and go might have been her goodbye to all of us! If, however, Dr Greene has seen one osprey – if it happens to be Sum-eh – might indicate that the family is still in the area.

There is still one osprey at Charlo Montana.

At the Kurzeme nest in Latvia, the male is still home and at least one juvenile, Janice. Liznm has them on video. https://youtu.be/GK8gwFZGi18?

There are lots of nest round-ups or memory logs starting to take shape across Osprey Land. Dunrovin Ranch published theirs this morning. It is a beautiful read about Swoop and his new mate and little Junebug while, at the same time, remembering Harriet.

This ones all about the ospreys Download

Jeff Kear gathered information on all the UK Osprey nests and has added some more with a good view of all the nests. It is a reliable historical document. Please have a read.

https://ukospreyinformationcoukdatablogdomainonly.wordpre…

Geemeff – how do they do it? – also does summaries for some of the other nests including, of course, Loch Arkaig. These can prove useful and interesting to you.

https://community.rspb.org.uk/placestovisit/lochgartenospreys/f/loch-garten-ospreys/287633/loch-arkaig—the-woodland-trust—june-2024—february-2025

https://community.rspb.org.uk/placestovisit/lochgartenospreys/f/loch-garten-ospreys

It is a disappointment that the nests on streaming cams in the US and Canada do not have, for the most part (Bart is sure helping with information at some of those! Thank you, Bart), do not have detailed information on arrivals/departures, egg dates, hatch dates, and fledge dates and then the migration dates. As a researcher this is useful information. On the other hand, many of you now have good log books that would benefit from these summaries.

I need to catch up in entering data for the International Osprey Data Project. I know that I am because the starvation rate in the overall summary is not high enough. The Colonial Beach nests and 31 others from Virginia will change that dramatically, sadly, and for the worst.

More studies are linking the starvation of Ospreys to the lack of Menhaden. Now we know what is causing a lack of Menhaden —-Omega, a Canadian company that I am not proud of!!!!! I will continue to ask you to write your Senator and Congressional Representative – write anyone who has a vested interest in the upcoming election – and if you have the energy left, write to the culprits in Virginia politics including the two Senators and tell them they are starving ospreys out of existence in the Chesapeake Bay. All we need is one person with the will power like Rosalie Edge in the US to make a difference.

Study Links Menhaden Depletion to Osprey Chicks Starving in Nests | Chesapeake Bay Magazine Download

In New South Wales, Australia, the Avalon nest has a chick. I am waiting for permission to post the photo! Congratulations.

Judy Harrington brings us the latest news from her FB posting of the Olympic Park eaglets.

At the NE Florida nest, there is some confusion and it will not be settled until Gabby picks a mate. Beau was at the nest on Tuesday. Gabby was not there with him. She flew in with another male before midnight and was still there with the male in the morning. It is not time for eggs or working on the nest. I am hopeful that this will be sorted and Gabby will have baby eaglets this year with whatever male she picks.

The visitor flew off and Gabby remained. The visitor returned at 1331.

At SW Florida, M15 and F23 were on the nest on the 17th of September. https://youtu.be/2uuMhoiUky4?

Royal Cam chick gets a feeding with parent flying effortlessly off into the skies showing the chick precisely what to do!

https://youtu.be/DTbGZTu-JBQ?

Rolling the eggs at 367 Collins Street. Oh, it feels like agony waiting for eggs to hatch.

Darling Xavier only wants to incubate his eggs. This sweet little falcon tries and tries. Diamond is one formidable mate!!!!!!!!!!

Gorgeous Mum at Port Lincoln.

Estonian Black Stork Karl II’s son, Waba, has been in Ukraine for nine days in a restricted area. Feeding well, we hope. His father, Karl II, had his favourite spots to stop despite the war raging. Ironically, after spending so many weeks getting his strength up, it was to be a Turkish hydro pole that would kill this much-loved Black stork father. We continue to weep for him.

I am looking forward to taking you through the latest exhibition at The Leaf. I hope that happens next week. Here is the description: Yasuragi: Gardens of Japan. Yasuragi: Gardens of Japan, a serene journey into the heart of traditional Japanese garden design. The word Yasuragi translates to the deep, calming breath of relaxation, an invitation to slow down and immerse yourself in peaceful reflection. As you wander through this tranquil space, notice the subtle shifts in the atmosphere—vibrant pathways give way to serene, minimalist landscapes, guiding you into deeper mindfulness with each step. This display is a harmonious blend of nature, history, and artistry, featuring signature elements of Japanese garden design. Each detail, from the vibrant chrysanthemums to the contrasting green and red shades around the Torii gate, reflect a deep cultural heritage. You’ll also come across a bamboo gazebo, perfect for a moment of quiet reflection. At the center of the journey lies the Zen Garden, with its carefully placed boulders, sand, gravel, and rocks that mimic the patterns of nature. A tranquil dry river through the display is home to brass cranes that mirror the delicate 1,000 origami cranes suspended along the windows of Grande Allée.”

If you live in Winnipeg, take a look!

Calico’s Tips for the Day: This tip could save you, a friend, or a family member much money and a heck of a lot of anxiety. I am so surprised that Calico is so informed!!!

Are you feeling a little overwhelmed? Is cleaning your house getting to be too much? Have you decided to look into hiring a cleaning company? Calico wants you to be super smart and not be taken to the cleaners!!!!!! First, when things are quiet, make a list of what it is that is important to be clean? Is it your floors? Walls? Is it your windows? Your Bathroom? Kitchen? Fridge? Calico says make that list, set it aside, and then examine it again. Rank what is important. Then Calico wants you to interview the cleaning company before telling them what your priorities are. Ask them what they have trained their staff to clean first. Find out if they clean the floors last? Is fridge cleaning included if it is important to you? or is it extra? What is extra? What kind of cleaning products do they use? Are those products good for the environment? Now, did you watch the TV series House? Where he is constantly saying ‘everyone lies’? Keep that in mind? They will need to know the sq footage of your house or the number of rooms they are cleaning and what they are. You must get a quote in writing. If you don’t, well…..Calico will come back and give you a hefty tutorial!!!!!!

Let me give you an example of precisely why you need to do this. It is a true story and has happened to several people by the same company which is ‘highly rated’. The company does not do windows or fridges. Those are extra and the cost is specified. The company quoted for two girls for two hours to clean approximately 900 sq. feet for $259. The quote was in writing and it said that any time over had to be pre-approved. They gave everyone ‘a discount’ of $63 up front for being first time users of their service. After the two hours had passed and the two girls were into the third hour, each client mentioned this to the girls. They did not appear to speak good English. The clients contacted the service – now it is 3 hours. Now remember that they said that the additional hours had to be pre-approved. The clients felt their hands were tied. Each and every one of them allowed the service to continue cleaning because the essential things had not been done. Do you know what has been cleaned? Trophies in the back of a closet. All the bottles in the bathroom. All canisters, etc, on the kitchen counter. The track around the shower. The top of picture frames. No walls, not the front of the appliances, not the floors! I think you are getting the picture of what Calico is warning you about. Each client wound up with a bill of approximately $635. Floors were cleaned last as the girls crawled out the front door. Because they hurried, the floors were not that clean in some instances.

If that has happened to you, don’t feel guilty and not complain because it took so long for your house to be cleaned and you feel guilty that it was so dirty. That is what they would like you to feel. Complain vigorously on social media, BBB, to anyone who will listen.

You will notice that I mentioned hiring a cleaning service company. Hiring an individual is another species of fish. Calico will discuss that another day!

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post this morning: ‘Geemeff, H’, Geemeff, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Newfoundland Power, Connie Dennis and Ospreys of Nova Scotia FB, Fortis Exshaw, Montana Osprey Project, Owl Research Project, Days at Dunrovin, Jeff Kear and UK Osprey Information, Geemeff, Chesapeake Bay Magazine, Judy Harrington and the Sydney Sea Eagles FB, NEFL-AEF, Androcat, NZ DOC and Cornell Bird Labs, 367 Collins Street by Mirvac, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, Port Lincoln Ospreys, and Looduskalender.

Iris and Finnegan still home…Wednesday in Bird World

18 September 2024

Hello Everyone,

Ah, the ads continue to appear for some – my sincerest apologies. What a headache. I have done all I can, and WordPress is trying to block the third party. Today, I wanted to forget about them!

The garden has been a flurry of activity today after the heavy rains yesterday and overnight. Six Crows have been at the nut cylinder along with the squirrels, including Dyson shown below, and a pair of Blue Jays (Mr and Mrs Junior). Numerous species of Sparrows and Wrens are filling up with seed as the days get shorter.

Junior watches Mr Crow cautiously.

Another Crow decides fighting for the nut cylinder is too much bother and goes for the Cheesy Dogs.

Most of the birds in the garden will not migrate. As their habitat in our area of the City dwindles, more and more come to the feeders. I wonder what it will be like in the winter? I am contemplating building a very large covered feeding area so their seed does not get wet from the snow.

I normally call the Fifteenth of September the end of Osprey season. In the US and Canada, there are, however, still a few Dads hard at work feeding their hungry Juveniles! One of those is not Finnegan. Dr Greene has seen two ospreys in the area that he believes are Iris and Finnegan while he believes that Sum-eh and Antali have departed.

One Dad still feeding osplets is the one at Niagara Bee. There are two survivors. And goodness, gosh, there was some ‘confusion of a sorts’ over the death of the one on the nest. If an eagle had been the predator, it would have swooped down and taken the osplet off the nest and away. Think Cowlitz PUD for a good example. If it had been a GHO, well, they might have flown down and did a grab and go which is what they did at Lake Murray, but then that owl turned around and sat on the nest eating the poor chicks leaving one. So? One keen viewer caught the raccoon attaching the fledgling on the Niagara Bee nest so, it wasn’t an eagle as Niagara Bee had pronounced earlier.

Beaumont is still at Snow Lane with the fledgling? It looks like just one to me. There is no fight over the fish so I am making a presumption that Hope and one juvenile have left the area. Please correct me if I am in error!

Sandpoint is quiet.

Charlo is quiet. Junebug has not been seen since the 15 September.

Hawk Mountains migration count to date:

Of course, there are some lovely chicks and some eggs to hatch ‘down under’. Just look at how much that little White-tail Eaglet has grown in 30 days! It has such a nice crop.

Marrum and Partney at Tumby Island now have two more eggs. The first was predated by a Raven. Let us hope that they can change shifts quickly and never leave the nest alone or those Ravens, who are watching, will be quick to come to the nest. Thanks, PLO, for the image!

In Australia, surprise. Diamond welcomes Xavier’s prey gift! Look carefully. It is not a Starling! https://youtu.be/MbWuvrz2iOo?

Changeover at Melbourne, too. Don’t you love how these urban falcons have a stash of prey. Mum flies off, Dad comes to the eggs after she has accepted breakie off camera!

Every time you see a raptor. Be kind. As ‘H’ notes, we are losing them at an astonishing rate. This is truly sad.

https://www.audubon.org/magazine/why-are-peregrine-falcon-numbers-falling-united-states-again#:~:text=In%20a%20decline%20not%20seen,avian%20flu%20is%20to%20blame.&text=Building%20collisions%20kill%20300%20million,needless%20deaths%20can%20be%20prevented.

Looks like it is eel for breakfast for the White-Bellied Sea Eagles at the Olympic Park in Sydney. Thanks cam operator for those great close ups. How many of us would love to have that plumage?!

Fat little bottom on SE34.

It is time to name the chick at Taiaroa Head.

So a question in the mailbox from ‘BHA’ and I just bet that some of you are asking the same question. How do Ospreys Navigate? This is a great question and the Scottish Wildlife Trust supplies us with a great answer that is not lost in scientific jargon.

Numerous theories have been suggested, including the presence of a protein within osprey’s eyes which enables them to visualise the Earth’s magnetic field. This would be followed to warmer climates in the south, whilst hugging the coastline to stay within reach of feeding areas.

A process of ‘vector summation’ is also suggested, as a means of segmenting the journey into achievable distances. These segments are genetically inherent, meaning the knowledge of which direction to travel in during each flight step (and the number of steps) will be present since infanthood. This process is much more greatly relied on by juveniles taking their first migration, as they will not yet have the topographical memory needed to readjust their trajectory towards recognisable landmarks.

External factors such as wind drift can impact the orientation of ospreys, which can be detrimental to their success. Once off course it is not so simple to re-calibrate an internal GPS. Often osprey do not recover well from being blown off course. Depending on the direction of the wind they could end up over deserts – with no opportunities to find food and exposed to unexpected predators – or in vast expanses of ocean where the next land is nearer to South America than the fish abundant deltas of Senegal or The Gambia.

Even staying on course has its perils. For example crossing the Bay of Biscay, the massive gulf between France and Spain represents a great challenge. With favourable winds, this path can be taken in one long stint with the aim to continue down the Spanish coastline. But continuous flight across the Bay also runs the risk of draining energy levels, and being mobbed by seagulls along the way. This increases the risk of drowning before reaching the next resting place, and is an option better left to experienced birds.

We know that youngsters taking their first flight do not have the benefit of an experienced osprey like Iris who is now using landmarks to help her get to her winter home. I like to think that they have 62 million years of DNA and a built in GPS system. We have to use computer systems to help us navigate.

It is Eagle Time (except for the Southern Hemisphere), and I will bring you news on books to give you some insight into these magnificent birds.

At Dulles-Greenway a new couple have been checking out the nest. https://youtu.be/oib7NvIEnmk?s

Beau is resting in the NE Florida nest. I had not seen Gabby by 1700. Does Beau have an issue with his left foot? and is he resting on the nest because of it? I wonder.

As the eagles begin returning to their nests, I will post information on some books you might like. There are many books that describe the birds as well as websites, but I am looking for something more for you. The books I mention will be substantially different from those. Jack F Davis’ The Bald Eagle. The Improbably Journey of America’s Bird is full of information about the cultural history of this majestic bird. What strikes me is how many prejudices that have existed for centuries continue. For example, eagles steal children! At the time of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, “Raptors were excluded…Furthermore, a few out-of-touch ornithologists insisted that H. leucocephalus, the new scientific name given to the Bald Eagle, was a nonmigratory species. This erroneous claim influenced the thinking in government agencies and Congress.” Davis continues, “It was not a marketable good traded across the Canadian border, although it was killed on both sides of it. And it was not a game bird to be protected for the sporting crowd. It was a predator, an animalis non grata, an enemy of civilisation (226).” Davis documents how the eagle became a particularly precarious bird once the US purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867 and commercial fishing industries arrived there. Alaska set up a bounty on the birds! It had been 20 cents in 1806 and was increased to $1 for every pair of talons. People delivered them by the bucket load. It was not until Rosalie Edge bought up the area around Hawk Mountain and began to lobby for changes to the Migratory Bird Act that the eagles received protection. Her task was not easy.
Appearing before a meeting with Audubon, Edge was told that the public loathed the bald eagle and that the Alaska bounty should remain (237)! Edge argued that the symbol that had helped ‘win World War II’ would go extinct if something was not done (238). The argument to protect the Bald Eagle would continue well into the 1940s. Davis continues his book with the restoration of the Bald Eagle into the various states, beginning with an experimental plan at Patuxent. The book was published in 2022 and includes the challenges DDT raised about Bald Eagles, the cultural symbolism with Indigenous people, and the controversies surrounding the eagle. It is a good read, particularly if you love Bald Eagles. Indeed, it would be best if you educated yourself on their history so that you appreciate them even more today.

Why are 90% of Norways seabirds disappearing?

Stark before and after photographs reveal sharp decline of Norway’s seabirds | Birds | The Guardian Download

Jeff Kear has published the 2024 UK Season Data if you are interested. Please check it out:

2024 SEASON.

Want a feel good moment? What about a 52 year old parrot? It has been taken into care – palliative care. The caregiver spends their time on the floor with this lovely one! Thanks, ‘J’. Senior animals, whatever their species, need our devotion and love. They have certainly given it to us over the years.

There is a lesson in here. Don’t buy a parrot unless you have excellent DNA and intend to be around for about 80 years to care for them.

Calico’s Tip for the Day: Protect Yourself. Do you have a smoke alarm? a carbon monoxide detector? Then you should be going out and getting yourself one! She wants you to be safe. There are many different kinds from the standard one that uses batteries to ones connected to wifi that can alert you to hazards when you are away from home. In the end, you need one and Calico says you might get a discount on your home owner’s insurance. Best of all, they could save your life!

Calico found some information on hos those carbon monoxide detectors can be useful. Have a read. Calico suggests you read to your kitty!

carbon_mono Download

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, images, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post this morning: ‘BHA, Geemeff, H, J, Jeff Kear, PB’, Montana Osprey Project, Newfoundland Power, Sandpoint, Charlo Montana Ospreys, Hawk Mountain, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Nesting Bird Life & More, 367 Collins Street by Mirvac, ‘H’ and Audubon, Olympic Park Eagles, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Sharon Dunne and the Royal Cam Albatross Group New Zealand, NEFL-AEF, Dulles-Greenway Eagle Cam, Jack F Davis’ The Bald Eagle. The Improbably Journey of America’s Bird, The Guardian, Follow the Feathers, CPSC Documents,

Category Archives: Hellgate Canyon Ospreys

Sunday in Bird World

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Saturday in Bird World

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Iris is Home…Monday in Bird World

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Friday in Bird World

Wild Heart Ranch

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Monday in Bird World

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Saturday in Bird World

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Smooth sailing Iris and Finn, Sum-eh and Antali…Saturday in Bird World

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Top Flat Chick fledges…Friday in Bird World

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Thursday in Bird World

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Iris and Finnegan still home…Wednesday in Bird World

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