Category Archives: Hurricane Hillary and Bald Eagles

Banff has a great day…Tuesday in Bird World

22 August 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

I hope that you are all well.

It was a grey drizzly day on the Canadian Prairies. All of the garden animals are present and accounted for. None of the Blue Jays appear to be thinking about leaving on migration. The Chickadees have been out in force and as I am writing, Little Red is busy stocking away all the peanuts he can get his little hands on and the duvet is out – signalling that it is beginning to feel a little hippy in the evenings now. There is a tinge to the top of the trees, just a hint of chartreuse with a soft yellow in places that signals a change of season is on us..

For all those wondering…I found Calico’s hiding spot with her kitten or kittens. Ironically it was the first spot where I believed she was- it was ideal – lots of piled up things and a huge deck that was difficult for anyone to get under – including any dogs or foxes (yes, there is a fox that lives in a garden of Tiger Lilies in the summer near to where Calico is hiding). A neighbour had informed me that a raccoon was living under that deck, but that was untrue. It was Calico! The young man who owns the house has given me full permission to come and go in his garden. Sadly, I cannot get under the low part of the deck to get to her, and there is no access to the higher part without cutting into the structure. So we wait to try and lure this kitten out. It will not be for lack of trying, but one day that kitten will play with the laser pointer, see the fluffy feather toy, smell the sardines and come walking out. It is certainly in a safe place – and I am no longer worried except for car traffic. Calico comes to eat and scurries back – quick as a wink she is away. Patience and more cunning than her mother will be required…and I am not sure the latter is possible. Calico is one smart Mama. The score is now Calico 10- Mary Ann 2.

The storm in California has passed. Checked on four nests. Just because I did not see the eagles on the streaming cam does not mean there is a problem. I have not seen eagles often at the West End or recently at Fraser Point. The amount of rain and flooding has been considerable, but the nests and the trees appear to have survived fine. I hope that is the case and that they have not been weakened.

Jackie and Shadow are safe.

Chase & Cholyn are alright.

Did not see Andor or Cruz.

The West End Cam at the ‘old’ nest is now up and running. Did not see Akecheta or Thunder.

Did not see anyone at Sauces.

Beautiful Mini. She was not bothered when Three (Sneezy) joined her on the nest except when Sneezy was trying to rearrange ‘Mini’s nest and move her cardboard. Mini did give her sibling ‘the look’ a few times. Mum even stopped in. We have not seen her for a bit. Did she come to check on Mini and say goodbye as she leaves on migration?

Mini had at least three fish on Monday and when my friend ‘R’ writes that he is now ‘cautiously optimistic’ about Mini, the smile goes across my face from one ear to another. Like many of us, he has noted that Mini is using her right foot to hold down the fish and eat them quickly, a tool she will need to survive in the wild. No more fiddling around the nest. I love the term ‘R’ used – ‘she was able to rip through them’. ‘R’ also noticed that the swelling in the left knee is “diminishing, and at times she even bears weight on it” adding that the rest on the nest has meant that she has been caring for her leg very well. We hope that this young lady is one of the luckiest osplets in the world. She is certainly one of the most strong-willed ones I have met. ‘R’ says it is too early for any prognosis but she appears to be healing. — What a wonderful note to wake up to. Thanks ‘R’ for keeping an eye on our gal.

Mini had a bit of a crop and one good ‘ps’ was observed.

Mini had a good breakfast and was flexing that left talon this morning. Keep sending your good wishes. As I finish writing this, two fish have been delivered by Dad!

The fledgling at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is doing very well. Flying around, returning to the nest to rest and eat.

Dyfi Osprey Project: Telyn has not been seen since Saturday. She ‘might’ have started her migration. Sometimes she takes some time and returns to the nest before departure. We wait to see. Lots of nice fish coming for the fledglings -Seiont & Cennen. Idris is doing a fine job fishing.

Glaslyn: OH1 and OH2 have been on the perch and in the nest eating fish from Dad Aran. The weather is raining and it is thought that Elen might have started her migration Monday morning. We wait to see.

Poole Harbour: CJ7 and Blue 022 are still home and providing for all three fledglings who also remain – coming and going off the nest for fish. What a great year it has been at Poole!

Rutland: Blue 33 found himself defending the nest against intruders and Maya was on the nest too – at times – helping. .

Time for ‘H’s reports –

Fortis Exshaw: “Oh, what a splendid day!  Banff woke up hungry, having only eaten a small part of a fish the previous day.  So, she did not take any long flights away from the nest in the morning, instead opting for a few quick out and back flights.  Banff did not want to take a chance on missing breakfast!  But, starting at 1021, it seemed as though Banff was on to something.  She was calling, she resumed taking several short flights from the nest, and she always flew off in the same direction.  At 1027 Louise landed with a large headless fish and Banff flew to the nest right on her tail!  Aha, Banff had known that her Mom was eating a fish, and Banff had been telling Mom to save some for her.  A very hungry Banff ate ravenously.  Throughout the afternoon Banff was quite vocal, calling for more fish, and she also seemed to be warning unseen intruders not to mess with her!  The ‘I’ word (intruder) was conspicuously absent from the chat . . no one wanted to jinx Banff.  At 1407 Louise delivered a medium-sized whole fish to the nest, and Banff grabbed Louise’s left foot with her beak, and would not let go.  So, Louise attempted to fly off, and in the process they were both dragged overboard, lol.  Within seconds, Banff circled around to the nest to claim what she had originally intended . . the fish.  After eating her second fish, and having an intruder-free day (thus far), Banff was feeling pretty good.  She seemed relaxed, bright, and ‘happy’ for a change (and the chatters were too!).  Liberated by an intruder-free day, Banff took several more short flights around her neighborhood.  And, again we learned that she had been keeping an eye on her Mom.  At 16:33 Banff flew to the nest just five seconds ahead of Louise who had a partial fish in her talons, “Thanks a lot, Mommy!”  Banff had a lovely evening, she took a couple more quick flights, and all was right with the world!!!  SOD’s, Banff.”

Osoyoos – “The Osoyoos chick fledged at 0624 on 8/21, at 56 days of age.  Congratulations to Junior, Soo and Olsen!  Junior returned to the nest at 1124, and she was hungry.  It would be a while before her first meal of the day however, so s/he took another short flight at 1344.  At 1439 Soo brought a very large fish to the nest, and Junior feasted!  A juvenile visitor landed on the nest at 1530, and Junior found it quite interesting.  Soo however, was less intrigued, and she gently persuaded the young fledgling to go home, lol.  It was a fine day, indeed.”

Barnegat Light – “Duke and Daisy both delivered fish for Dorsett.  Dorsett seems to always take her meals to her favorite utility pole to dine.”

Severna Park – “Oscar delivered a nice fish to the only fledgling that has been coming to the nest for several days.”

Gosh, those are good reports, ‘H’. Thank you so much!!!! It is nice to see these fledglings doing so well and no bad news.

Lou and Annie are bonding in the scrape. They are staying close to their home, The Campanile, on the grounds of U-California-Berkeley. It has been lovely to see them along with Monty and Hartley when they are not raising chicks.

Diamond and Xavier are also bonding at Orange and they fell asleep during an extremely long bonding session!

Karl II continues to bring fish and frogs for his three fledgling Black Storklets. What a devoted Dad. When he begins his migration, Karl II will eventually arrive at his destination near Chad where Kaia spends the winter.

Did you know there is a stork rehabilitation centre in Lublin in northeastern Poland? Look at the beautifully woven baskets for these sweet babies on top of the barn roof. Oh, these precious ones are treasured by so many people in Europe.

In many ancient traditions, when someone died their soul would go into a bird – most often a stork. The soul of the dead would travel for 40 days before it reached the underworld or paradise inside the stork. The birds would return in the spring when life was reborn. In other traditions, any home that had a stork nest on top of the house would have harmony and peace. Every type of calamity would beset someone who would deliberately harm the storms in any way.

“The stork rehabilitation center is run by the “Chance for Stork” Association in Kozubszczyzna near Lublin. Storks injured in various types of accidents find help here. They are treated, rehabilitated and released here. However, some storks, due to their injuries, are not able to get up in the air, so they stay in the Asylum until the end of their days. There are 14 such individuals here.”

Kate was at the nest of her parents, White-tailed Eagles Milda and Voldis, in Durbe County. Isn’t she beautiful? The couple fledged two this year – so over the moon happy for Milda!

There is good news about the Kakapo that were reintroduced on the mainland of New Zealand after being made extinct there. Before we arrived, Kakapo, these adorable green flightless parrots, were abundant across New Zealand. There are now only 248 birds living on four tiny NZ islands. The cause of their demise was hunting, predation, and loss of habitat. Today there are 248 Kakapo. The reintroduction project is the first to try and bring them back to the mainland. It took place in 2023. They are critically endangered.

At Port Lincoln, everyone has been watching the nest and wondering what is going. n. ‘A’ often comments to me that the mating has been sporadic and often not successful. Odd for an experienced male such as Dad. So is there a problem? or has the male been misidentified and this is a new one this year? PLO says it won’t be for lack of trying that there are no eggs! PLO has a fantastic obs board and chat under the streaming cam. ‘H’ sent me the following note from the chat last evening. Question: Has anyone seriously compared the head plumage of this male with the Dad from previous years? I have to admit that we were quite worried about him last year when he had what appeared to be seizures.

Checking on the Sydney Sea Eagles, ‘A’ reports: “Dad brought in a small whole fish (bream perhaps) at 15:46:09. Both eaglets sat up, but it was little SE32 who headed up to the table first. Dad had a couple of bites and then offered one to SE32, who took it. Instead of offering him another, Dad had the next bite himself, and before he could finish it and give a second bite to SE32, SE31 beaks her little brother in the back of the head and twists and pulls at the beakful of fluff. She puts him down but he is still between her and the fish so she repeats the dose. She then proceeds to eat the entire fish, with SE32 remaining in submission throughout (and for a while after Dad left). At one point, SE31 circled around SE32 and went right up to Dad, leaving separation between herself and SE32, but that didn’t help his confidence at all. He remained submissive and motionless. He is hungry, hence his dash for the table, which was a brave move from him and not one we would have seen two days ago. Yesterday was such a good day for the little one that he did actually gain some confidence from it but all it takes is one of SE31’s attacks (as opposed to the single beak to the back of the head, which he usually quickly brushes off) to restore his victim mentality. It is most discouraging. For his self-feeding abilities to help him, there need to be some leftovers on this nest. Apparently, there were some overnight but of course SE32 was not at all hungry and was not ferreting around on the nest looking for food overnight. Mum and Dad found all the nestovers on the WBSE nest while the IR lights were still on this morning and SE31 got them all. But SE32 did get the breakfish – nearly all of it – and has had a good crop all day. Hoping another fish (this time, a big one) comes onto the nest before nightfall.”

Sightings of M15 at the nest site are being reported in Fort Myers!

Thank you for being with me today. Please take care of yourself. Look up and listen for the birds!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to compose my blog this morning: “A, H, R’, FOBBV, IWS/Explore, PSEG, MN Landscape Arboretum, Dyfi Osprey Project, Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn, Poole Harbour Ospreys, LRWT, SK Hideaways and Cal Falcons, Eagle Club of Estonia, LizM, Fortis Exshaw, Osoyoos, Wildlife Conserve of NJ, Severna Park, Sydney Sea Eagles, PLO, Sydney Sea Eagles, SK Hideaways and Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, and the Kakapo Recovery.

SE 32 eats and eats…Monday in Bird World

21 August 2023

Good Morning Everyone!

Calico’s new world is waiting for her and any kitten/s that have survived. She has been so good to let me fiddle around with ‘training’ collars. Her GPS tracker arrived on Sunday and we spent considerable time together trying to get the kitten size to fit. Nope. Too big. She is the tiniest thing. So now I have a much smaller kitten collar for her. The debate is whether or not to fit her late this evening or wait til in the morning. I am thinking in the morning is better for me…wider awake to go digging around in hiding spots for the little one. We are almost there.

The Canadian Government is evacuating people from Yellowknife NWT. Fires are burning around BC, and I have friends now that I cannot get in touch with. I hope they are safe. The rain is pounding down in Big Bear Valley as an unprecedented hurricane hits the western coast of the US. In Bird World, our focus remains on three nests: Fortis Exshaw, Patchogue, and Sydney Sea Eagles – and our thoughts with all of the birds and wildlife being impacted by Hurricane Hillary.

We know that our feathered friends – M15 and Harriet – survived Hurricane Ian as did many of those on Captiva. Still, our thoughts are with those in the line of the storm including, as I was reminded, all those hummingbirds.

Heavy rain was hitting the Big Bear Valley when I last checked. At the time the wind seemed to have calmed.

We always start with Mini at Patchogue. Mini had two nice fish by the time 1630 rolled around on the clock. She managed to eat all of the first one in good time and worked hard on the second, flying away with the tail in her beak. Her fans cheered her on nothing how her eating is so improved now that she is holding down the fish with that right talon! Just see below our wonderful girl. She is a survivor!

Mini was back on the nest cleaning her beak with ‘someone’ on the perch.

Mini did a lot of talking to the bird on the perch. Mini loves her piece of cardboard that the Crows pulled out of the nest Sunday morning. She was using it as a pillow one time. Some of you might recall that a flip-flop or a sandal arrived on the nest, and she slept on it too. So precious.

Mini was also seen on camera scratching her head with her left foot.

I have just checked and Mini is eating a fish. Dad is taking good care of his girl. She is adapting to a situation that was beyond her control. An old falconer told me decades ago that the raptors live in the moment. At this moment, Mini is doing the best she can without help for her leg.

I know that there are individuals upset that Mini is not getting help. The rehabbers can’t help her unless she is down on the ground or low enough for them to get her without injuring her further.

This was the situation early Monday morning at Sydney Sea Eagles. WBSE 32 finally got some much-needed nourishment. ‘A’ reports: “SE32 has had a small fish for breakfast, without any interference from an already stuffed SE31 (who had just eaten someone else’s baby chick – perhaps half her age). The good news about this (as well as the eating, obviously) is that once he had eaten a couple of bites, SE32 began to eat with confidence and by the end he was eating greedily and without hesitation. That is excellent, though it will take more than one bonk-free feeding I fear to rebuild his carefree little spirit. The second and possibly more important thing was that SE31 was not interested in preventing SE32 from eating. On a couple of occasions, she got up, but only to change position and flop back down, duckling style, to rest her giant crop!”  Later, ‘A’ writes: “SO good that the little one got to eat as much as he needed without paying for it by being bonked and beaten. That is just wonderful, and it’s happened twice today. He is still fearful and cringing, from mum as well as from SE31, though his confidence builds as he eats more and doesn’t get bonked. But even during that eat-a-thon, he was nervy between bites. But he has eaten and he has eaten very, very well. Lady did a great job of managing that fish so that SE32 ate more than half of it. She has been working hard at dealing with this situation over the past couple of days. It may not look like it at times, but she really has been thinking about him and how to get enough food to him. That feed was a particularly good example of it, but what happened late yesterday was also something I’ve rarely seen – all those deliveries in such a short time and in an obvious effort to feed SE32. That gives me heart.”

Fortis Exshaw: ‘H’ has been my helper all season and we have both taken to the antacids on more than one occasion. She has lived with Fortis Exshaw and its tragedies. She writes a very moving report on Banff and Louis this morning: “

It can be very frustrating watching raptor nests.  Quite often, things simply do not follow our desired script.  On 8/19 Louise had treated Banff to a ‘whale’ fish that she worked on for most of the day, and later Mom brought Banff a smaller fish.  But by late afternoon, with parts of two fish still in the nest, the intruder had driven Banff from her nest, and she spent the night roosting elsewhere.  On 8/20 Banff flew to the nest at 0621, and we were very glad to see her.  She immediately picked up one of the leftover fish.  But, it was almost as if the intruder had been lying in wait.  Less than a minute after her arrival to the nest, the intruder began dive-bombing her, and at 0622 Banff was dragged off the nest (for the third time).  We were able to see that Banff had been released from the intruder’s grip.  Banff had a piece of fish in her talon as she went over the side.  Poor Banff simply cannot get a break.  We waited, and we worried.  At 0918 Banff flew back to the nest.  We do not know if Banff had been able to hold on to the fish she had in her grasp when she was dragged off the nest.  When she returned to the nest, her crop was rather flat, but three hours had passed.  Over the next few hours, Banff did not retrieve the other piece of fish from the nest, so it must have been dragged overboard during the earlier melee.  Poor Banff was almost constantly fish-calling to her Mom.  At 1323 Banff was twice buzzed by the intruder, and as the intruder approached for the third time, Banff flew off the nest and was then chased by the intruder.  At 1424 Louise landed with a whole medium-sized fish.  She waited for Banff to show, but Louise was hungry too, so she began to eat.  Banff finally flew to the nest at 1444 and grabbed the partial fish from her Mom.  Louise immediately flew off and we were sure that she would bring in another fish.  For most of the rest of the day Banff was alternately calling her Mom for more fish, or she was alerting when she would see a perceived ‘unfriendly’ bird in the sky.  No more fish came for Banff today.  Eventually Banff laid down in the nest and resigned herself to going to sleep hungry.  Banff is learning many lessons that will prepare her for her challenging life ahead.  Banff is a survivor.  NOTE: We don’t know what role the ‘stepdad’ O’Hara has at this point (if any).  O’Hara was instrumental in helping Louise flush out the intruder on 8/14, after the intruder dragged Banff off the nest for the first time.  O’Hara was last seen on camera on 8/17 when he stood on the nest for a while.  He has not delivered a fish to the nest for at least ten days.  While the intruder problem continues, we do not know how many intruders there are, and O’Hara may still be playing a role in keeping most of the intruders at bay.  Louise is likely dealing with intruders in the area as well, and we feel certain that she is doing the best she can for her only surviving ‘child’.  Banff fledged on 8/13, and Louise would normally be tapering off her ‘Mom’ duties to prepare herself for her long migration.  But, without a male to take over the support of Banff until she disperses, there has been a role-reversal for Louise.  While O’Hara was instrumental in ensuring the success of the family early on (and we will be forever grateful to him for that), Louise has essentially had to be both Mom and Dad ever since Jasper disappeared on 7/7.  We are observing a unique situation.  Will Louise continue to support Banff until Banff is ready to leave?  Will hunger encourage Banff to learn how to fish sooner rather than later?  Would the intruders even allow Banff to keep her hard-fought prey once in her talons?  We are filled with such love and empathy for this young osprey.”

‘H’ also checked on two other nests for us today.

Kent Island – We have not seen Molly fly to the nest carrying a fish, but we have seen her diving from the nest, possibly fishing.  Meanwhile she continues to be well fed by Mom and Dad. 


Osoyoos – There were only two small whole fish brought to the nest (that I saw), and both were delivered by Mom.  ‘Junior’ continued to practice wingercising, and at 56 days of age s/he is definitely on fledge watch.

Reports of a fledge at Osoyoos. Need confirmation from ‘H’.

Thank you ‘H’ as always.

Waiting for eggs at Port Lincoln and at Orange.

At Sandpoint, by 1626, there had been six fish delivered. I am not even certain that Coco is hungry!

At Minnesota, Mum is happily feeding her fledgling. It was a great fledge but coming back to an empty nest, Mum looked a little shocked by it all. Everything is fine.

Mum sure likes to feed on this same corner. 1245 and later, after 1700.

Hello Iris! You are gorgeous. No wonder you are getting so much attention. Wonder if it will be Bachelor Number 1, 2, or 3? I guess we will have to wait til spring to find out.

Two beautiful fledglings at Collins Marsh continue to return to the nest for fish. This has been a good season for this nest and what appears to be two new parents.

Boulder: Everything is just fine. Fledglings continue to come to the nest for fish like at most of the others. They all appear to be present in the last shot. Life is good in Colorado.

The eagles continue to be at Superbeaks!

Waiting for Gabby…

It’s a crazy busy morning. Calico has her tracker on – just – and the collar is still too big. As Geemeff says, ‘Kittens having kittens’. The tracker is stationary. I hope it has not fallen off. Wish us luck. I understand that there has also been a feeding at the Royal Cam Albatross colony of the little Manaaki. Yeah! Looks like both parents have been in recently. More news tomorrow.

I want to thank ‘H and A’ for their continuing reports and Geemeff along with all of the streaming cams and individuals who posted information that helped me write my blog today: Fortis Exshaw, Kent Island, Osoyoos, PSEG, Boulder County, Sydney Sea Eagles, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, IWS/Explore, AEF-NEFL, Collins Marsh, Superbeaks, Montana Osprey Project, MN Landscape Arboretum, and Sandpoint.

Hurricane Hillary impacting the Los Angeles and Catalina Island area…stay safe eagles!

20 August 2023

Please send your most positive wishes for our eagle families as Hurricane Hillary approaches their nesting areas.

The cam is down at the West End Eagle nest of Thunder and Akecheta and showing highlights. The area was told to evacuate late Saturday. There are reports that the stormy weather is hitting the Los Angeles as I write this. Please send your most positive thoughts to our bird families.

The camera at Big Bear- home to our beloved Jackie and Shadow – is really shaking and it might not be online for very long.

The scene at Two Harbours home to Cholyn & Chase.

Fraser Point home to Andor and Cruz.

Keep them all in your hearts. Hurricane Hillary is the first storm since 1939 when a tropical storm made landfall in Southern California. It is a cat 4, 145 mph. Let us hope that the cooler waters help to slow the storm.

Where-Hurricane-Hilary-will-hit-hardest-in-Southern-California-Los-Angeles-TimesDownload

Thanks to NOAA, The Los Angeles Times, and the IWS/Explore for their streaming cams and web site.