Iowa Wildlife – Page 7 – Mary Ann Steggles

Too many deaths…Monday in Bird World

8 July 2024

Good Morning!

Oh, Sunday was a joyful and a tearful day. My superb neighbours have moved. To their little daughter, I was the ‘Tomato Fairie’. She loved the little grape tomatoes and paper baskets of them appearing regularly on her front porch. I shall miss them terribly. Friends visited, and later, we took the grandson, who works too hard and who we don’t see so often, for dinner and then picked up his sister to go for ice cream. We found a new little ice cream shop – they are popping up everywhere. It was delicious. Then we went for a walk to check out the river, which has flooded the walks and bike paths down to The Forks. We spotted a family of ducks who seemed fine.

It was a good day to be outside and to be with friends and family. The killing of the second Golden Eaglet by the first, followed by the little Dunrovin chick falling off the nest to its death, and the discovery that all three Redding osplets were dead in the nest —–well, it was a difficult day. These deaths should always remind us to hold those alive close and to celebrate those who survived this year. So many didn’t. As one of my friends told me today, please don’t wait for the politicians and policymakers to do anything to improve the lives of our wildlife and environment. If we each do something good positive, however small, our planet will be a better place.

My posting may meander a little today. Several people are monitoring nests, especially for fish drops in this heat so there might be some later inclusions.

Was it true or is it just a rumour? I am still trying to figure this out. It was reported that the second hatch, Raider, at the Patchogue nest on Long Island fledged at 0511 with a successful return to the nest. Patches was flapping and Raider joined in hopping and flapping and away it went!

Not true.

Raider fludged later. See post below by Heidi.

Check out the look on Raidier’s face as he slides down the perch. Patches is paying no mind. That fish is good!

Also from Patchogue, ‘MP’ says “Chickie takes dad’s toe almost off thinking it’s a fish. Fish under green line.”

We have been worried about Blue at the Hancock Boundary Bay Nest. Deb Stecyk gives us an uplifting video showing Blue’s crop and a good ps. Relief.

At the Snow Lane nest in Newfoundland, Beaumont often brings fish to the nest and then flies to the camera pole to have a wee bit of a dinner for his efforts and returns the fish to the nest for Hope to feed their two chicks. She is doing much better than in previous years. Feeling hopeful.

Plenty of food continues to arrive on the Golden Eagle nest #2 after the eldest killed the youngest on the 7th of July. At one time, I hoped there was a shortage of prey. I even rationalised this to myself but, then, when the prey came on the nest, item after item, after the eldest had killed the youngest, it just confirmed that it was a strategy to get the one to kill the other. That second hatch survived the first attempt at killing it. Why not feed them both so close to fledge and see which one survives in the wild? Well, we will never know.

Great Bay nest is doing well. Osplets are really perfecting their self-feeding. I cannot confirm how much fish came on this nest on Sunday.

The males in areas where the extreme is going to be a factor appear to be going out fishing early and later in the day with success. Today’s high at Charlo, Montana will be 97 with 4 mph winds. It is forecast to be 99 on Wednesday. Let’s hope that the fishing continues to be good despite the heat.

This is Charlo Montana very early Sunday morning.

Finnegan also brought in an early fish at 0556.

In past summers, Iris would be in the shade catching her own fish. She is now trying to keep her two chicks cool while they wait for Finnegan to bring in another fish.

If Finnegan thought he was going to have some fish, Iris might have had another thought for him. She stuffed those two osplets to their little tiny talons and then back to the top of their heads. She knows it is hot. She knows they need hydration. Finnegan is making sure his family does not go without.

Just look at that crop!!!!!

The little one raises its neck and stands up and looks at the older sibling. It was hilarious.

Date Night on the Perch with Iris and Finnegan! (Thanks PB for alerting me to where they were!)

I did not see an early fish on the nest at Dunrovin but I might have missed it. The pair are enjoying a late breakfast or early lunch around 1130 on Sunday. This nest might miss much of the heat that other areas are getting. And then…the most horrific sadness hits the nest. The young one fell off the nest over the railing. Such a loss. A beautiful healthy osplet on a nest with food. Soar high, little one.

Note to self: I love how some nests are annual inspected and repaired by the owners of the property and the streaming cam. Glaslyn (if I remember correctly) checks the woven railing and rewires it if required when they do their annual renovations. Many nests could use nesting material, too. Thinking of MN LA. What if we helped the Ospreys this way? Could save a life or two.

Melbourne police rescue an osprey! Thanks, Geemeff. We need a good news story.

Melbourne Police Officer Helps Rescue Injured Osprey Friday Night

Steelscape is one of the nests in the high heat area.

‘PB’ watches Cowlitz PUD and despite the heat it was a good day.

There is no end to sad news and I thought June was the worst month. The Osprey family whose chicks survived the fireworks in Redding have died.

Fireworks are not the only stressors. Humans around nests trying to take photographs, dogs, motorised vehicles, etc. have been known to cause great stress. I am sure there is a list as long as my arm.

Geemeff’s Daily Summary for Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust:

Daily summary Sunday 7th July 2024
There was an intruder but no fish today – Louis teased Dorcha again by appearing several times without fish and staying nearby within sight so she kept calling to no avail. The nest was overflown by an intruder who returned and landed on the nest next to Louis and was seen to be a dark female with striking markings, possibly the same one who intruded in 2021, see bonus video. Dorcha arrived and chased her off, all the way past Nest One where Dorcha dropped in briefly for her first ever visit to that nest. Weather was settled today, tonight’s forecast is partly cloudy and light winds, but rain is due again tomorrow.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.51.05 (03.18.25); Nest Two 23.54.50 (03.27.43)Today’s videos:
https://youtu.be/FrXbbUeLP1k N2 Louis arrives without fish – Dorcha yells at him 13.01.45
https://youtu.be/2OI2t67rNhU N2 Intruder overflies Dorcha on the nest 13.35.35
https://youtu.be/rzFuxemIvPE N2 Unringed intruder female lands next to Louis 13.55.40
https://youtu.be/LwP5OtDRWKY N1 Dorcha’s first ever visit to Nest One! 15.06.42
https://youtu.be/AX4rxHJaSWoN2 Louis arrives and coy mantles but no fish for Dorcha 15:21:08

Bonus video – compare and contrast today’s dark intruder with the very dark one seen once only on 27 May 2021, is it the same bird?:

Watch the Loch Arkaig Osprey livestream 24/7 and join in the conversation here:

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

Tuffy landed on the nest with a nice-sized fish he had caught. What a joy to see him. The camera will be turned off today. It could be already by the time you read this. At one point, we did not think Tuffy would survive Ruffie. Well, he did. Please notice the distinctive head marking. You will always know that it is Tuffy. There is a dark patch at the back of the head, too. Their heads and underwing markings never change in an osprey. So even without rings on their legs, if you know these, you can tell which osprey is which.

Tuffy is one of the good survival stories of the 2024 breeding season and we will always remember him (or her). What a great nest. Camera will be turned back on when Sally and Harry return to the nest.

See Heidi’s report below.

For the Decorah North eagle family, there is no place like home even if it is a dead tree without a nest. They are all fine. What a joy it is to see them, too.

Fish are coming in at Boulder. It is 46 F and 1 mph winds. The high this week will be 80 at the nest.

It is a lot hotter at the Seaside nest of Bruce and Naha. Bruce flew in with a really big Red-tail for Naha and the kids at 1649. This will keep them nicely. Temperature is expected to be 90 degrees F with 14 mph winds on Monday.

‘PB’ reports that a nice late fish came into Steelscape. They are in the hot zone, too.

Cowlitz has fish, too. The Dads on that Columbia River are really working hard to get fish to their nests in this heat.

‘H’ reports:

7/7 Osoyoos osprey nest: It was a sunny day, and the temperature reached 100 F/38 C yesterday afternoon. Olsen brought eight fish to the nest, but most of them were quite small. When the ‘kids’ were little, that would have been ample, but now it may be only half (or less) of what they need. Five of the fish were delivered before 0900, while the sixth fish was delivered at 1657. Meal duration times were: 5, 7, 4, 3, 18, 5, 8, 5 minutes. Our views of the feedings were partially blocked at times, making it difficult to determine how much Little was eating. There was no aggression at the first three meals, and Little seemed to eat some fish at each of those meals. Big beaked Little at the third meal, which consisted of a tiny fish, and Little ate one bite of fish. The fifth fish, at 0849, was the largest. Little was beaked, but managed to start receiving some bites on the other side of Soo at 0855 for a couple of minutes. I could not tell how much Little was able to eat. When we say the osplets are ‘at the table’ or ‘at the chow line’, we are referring to them being in a position to receive bites of fish offered by the parent. When the ‘kids’ were little, the ‘table’ was small. They could all fit side-by-side compactly in a small area, easily within reach of Soo’s beak. But, at the current size of the chicks, the ‘table’ is wide. There was no aggression at the sixth feeding, at 1657. Little was skittish, and waited a couple of minutes before approaching. When Little was ‘at the table’, s/he was positioned closer to Soo’s tail. It was only a 5-minute feeding, and I did not see Soo reach back and offer a bite to Little. There was an 8-minute feeding at 2058, and once again, Little hesitated to approach. But when s/he did get to the table at 2103, he ate two bites, then was beaked. The last meal of the day was at 2122, and lasted five minutes. Little was beaked, and was not able to eat. Little’s crop was noticeably hollow. Unfortunately, Little did not eat much today, which is all the more serious due to the extreme heat which can hasten dehydration. Little’s last good meal was around 11:00 on 7/6. Middle was not prevented from eating today. It’s going to be another hot sunny day on 7/8, with the high temperature predicted to hit at least 102F/39C. Winds will be 14-22 mph. Wouldn’t it be nice if Olsen could find a big whopper of a fish? Surely, Little would then get a good meal. Good luck out there Olsen…we know that you are doing your best.

7/7 Patuxent River Park: The osplets are 57, 60, and 61 days old. A few days ago, Big and Middle were making some progress with wingersizing and managing some brief hovers. But, over the last couple of days, their activity has been reduced, possibly due to the extreme heat and calm winds. The temperatures have been in the upper 90’s.

7/7 Captiva osprey nest: Ding is 75 days old, and fledged 15 days ago. On 7/6, Ding caught her first fish, and it was a needlefish. This morning, on just her third fishing attempt of the day, Ding caught another needlefish! After she finished her breakfast, she resumed diving for fish. On her sixth fishing attempt of the day, Ding caught another needlefish, just 32 minutes after her last successful catch. You go girl! Ding may be known by some viewers as the ‘Needlefish Kid’. Ding made numerous attempts at fishing over the next six hours. Edie was not seen on 7/7. Ding is expending a lot of energy with her fishing. It would be wonderful if Edie would drop off a fish for Ding in the morning.

7/7 Moorings Park osprey nest: Monday morning at 0900 the camera will be turned off for the season. Tuffy treated viewers to some extended appearances today. At 11:29 we witnessed Tuffy dive into the water to try to catch a fish. He didn’t appear to come away with a fish on that attempt. About an hour later, Tuffy flew to the nest carrying a tilapia. Tuffy was wet, and shaking off water. He took a long time to eat that tilapia. How wonderful that we got to witness those events on the last day of the live stream. We have been blessed to witness your life thus far, Tuffy… through all your struggles and your victories. You are a survivor. We wish you a long and prosperous life.

Studies identifying the extent of the bycatch problem and our beloved birds like those cute little Royal Cam chicks. We do not want them, their parents, or any of the colony ending up like the ones below. Those trawlers gather the fish to provide feed for salmon and chickens. Want to save our seabirds? Stop eating farmed fish and industrially grown chickens.

New study shows the real scale of seabird bycatch in European waters.-https://www.birdlife.org/news/2024/07/03/bycatch-tragedy-we-are-losing-200000-seabirds-annually/

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, H, MP, PB, TU’, PSEG, Heidi McGrue, Deb Stecyk, Newfoundland Power, Eagle Club of Estonia, Great Bay Ospreys, Charlo Montana Osprey Cam, Montana Osprey Project, Dunrovin Ranch, Space Coast Daily, Pam Breci, FORE, Geemeff and the Woodland Trust, Moorings Park, Raptor Resource Project/Explore.org, Boulder County, Seaside Ospreys, Steelscape, Cowlitz PUD, Birdlife International, Osoyoos, Patuxent River Park, and Window to Wildlife.

Chicks arrived safely…Tuesday in Bird World

2 July 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

It is Monday evening. Thank you for your notes. My DIL is safe as is the Island of Grenada. The small island of Carriacou was almost destroyed. It is a beautiful little place reached by boat from Grenada that holiday makers particularly enjoy. I am hoping that no one was killed.

It was rather appropriate that the rain was pouring down all morning in Winnipeg. The sky was a heavy grey and, that is pretty much how I felt. Sad. It wasn’t that I disagreed with the actions that The Woodland Trust and the Roy Dennis Foundation took, I did. It was just the ‘weight of the situation’ that got me down. Everyone hopes that they got it right. We must believe they did. I wish that Louis had rallied; he didn’t. The chicks needed to be saved before one or both starved. It still hits you hard seeing Louis bring in a fish to Dorcha and the chicks and the chicks not being there.

Those that have loved Louis and his mates for all these years will be processing this slow. We might not see Dorcha or Louis at the nest very much, if at all. All we can do is hope that Louis rests, eats and his health or whatever is bothering him dissipates and he becomes his old wonderful self. We wish Dorcha a recovery from caring for her babies. The females lose weight and she always fed her chicks before herself.

All went smoothly at Loch Arkaig and Louis and Dorcha’s two chicks have arrived safely at Inverness.

Geemeff sent her Loch Arkaig summary:

Daily summary Monday 1st July 2024

The 8th season for the Arkaig Ospreys effectively ended today with the removal of the two chicks from the nest to join a translocation programme which will see them go to Spain. Louis brought an early fish this morning which gave the family their final opportunity to be together, and this season’s tally ends at two hundred and fifty five fish. Woodland Trust Scotland spokesman George says: All went well this morning and the chicks are now with the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation. More information on the reasons behind the removal can be read here: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/?ht-comment-id=15225467. LizB provided another one of her valuable off-nest reports to inform us that Louis & Dorcha were perched together while the raptor team were doing their work. The removal of the chicks is such an unprecedented event that it made the STV evening news, and there was much lively debate on the forum. Dorcha returned to the nest several hours after the team left, but only stayed long enough to grab some of the extra fish the team had placed there, and to see off the Hoodies who were also interested in grabbing some free fish. Although Louis returned this evening with a fish for Dorcha, that and subsequent fish will not be included in the count. Steve Q says: there is no value in the data of any fish brought to the nest post removal of the young. Garry LV0 paid a visit to Nest One bringing moss but spent his half hour there just perching quietly. It rained during the morning and cleared up in the afternoon, tonight’s forecast of light cloud and light winds suggests it should remain dry tonight.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 00.15.26 (03.29.30); Nest Two 23.57.38 (04.03.48)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/Q_HakxODigs N2 Final family gathering for the 2024 Arkaig Ospreys 04.53.34 (freezeframe)

https://youtu.be/OX4_U4q4U4U N2 Dorcha returns to the nest after the chicks have been taken away 15.11.38

https://youtu.be/7EOiOedhNo0 N2 The chicks star on STV news 19.30

https://youtu.be/12Pe__3E3eo N1 Garry LV0 arrives bringing moss19.56.59

https://youtu.be/y2RIy-5tqEQ N2 Louis brings a fish but only Dorcha is there 20.00.44

https://youtu.be/0v65YxWPJvw N2 Two Hoodies appear and steal fish from the empty nest 20.04.34

Bonus read – the removal of the chicks makes the news:

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scots-osprey-chicks-bound-spain-33146033

Watch the Loch Arkaig Osprey livestream 24/7 and join in the conversation here:

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

Two questions in the mailbox that you might also be wondering about. Thanks, ‘EJ’. Question 1: “Although I am sorry Louis seems to not be well, I am happy for the chicks going to Spain. How cool is that? So do they put them in a nest there? How do they find their way around? Will they migrate back to Spain or try to go home?”

Answer: ‘Hacking’ is the term often used for translocation. The chicks are fed and collected before they reach the fledging age, typically about six weeks or 42 days. They are placed in crates and carefully taken to a holding area. They will be thoroughly checked over, weighed, and recorded, and they will be fed very well. In the past, these compartments were in Roy Dennis’s garage near Inverness, Scotland. Once they have the total number of chicks – twelve (12)- preparations will be underway for them to be flown to Spain. There, they will be fed, checked over, and they will fledge from the chosen site. They will be satellite tagged and will have Spanish ring numbers but all their forms will say they hatched in Scotland. Ospreys ‘imprint’ on the area where they fledge which is why the timing is crucial. These chicks will imprint on this place in Spain. This ensures that they will return to this location when they are old enough to breed, not their natal nest in Scotland.

EJ’s second question: What happened to the male osprey who had the spine thingie in his leg and his leg was all swollen?

Answer to Question 2: EJ is referring to Jack at Captiva. According to the log kept by Windows to Wildlife, Jack has not been seen on the nest since 11:05 on the 29th of June. Edie has been bringing in fish and intruders have been around attacking the chicks, according to the same log. I have seen no information on the current status of Jack. I would not like to speculate at this time.

To keep my mind off Hurricane Beryl (everything is fine in Grenada, thank goodness), The Girls had their birthday party. Missey is now 2 and Hope is 1. Birthday parties are chaotic events. Their favourite treats are tossed all over the table along with some new toys, brushes, and scratching blocks. They seem to have a good time. Next party is September for Hugo Yugo who will be a year old; Calico will be two in November.

To put a smile on your face. Little Cowlitz 3 had a private feeding, and the result was a huge crop. Sometimes I am afraid to check, but Monday was good. Thanks, ‘PB’.

Only Bob at Clark PUD is feathered and beautiful.

Boulder’s Only Bob is doing great, too.

Bruce and Naha’s two chicks, Tsee and Toketee, are really enjoying some nice fish including a trout on Monday.

It is always feeding time at the nest of Iris and Finnegan. Not only Iris feeds the kids, but dear, darling Finnegan steps in, too. What a guy! He is feeding the oldest while Iris keeps the baby warm and dry in the rain. Talk about cooperation. Reminds me of Blue 022 and CJ7 this year at Poole Harbour. It is wonderful to watch this nest. I just wish I could read Iris’s mind!

A comments on the top image: “The rain set in at Hellgate by 17:20. After the feeding, Finn not only listened to Iris, but came back with another fish around 17:28, which he then fed Big Bob while Iris watched and kept Little Bob warm (his crop ended up larger than his older sibling’s – not unusually). Unfortunately, Iris did not get any of this second headless fish, She is the only one who hasn’t really eaten enough, but she has a larger crop, which was well filled this morning and is still visible. I loved the way Finn fed Big Bob in the pouring rain rather than get Iris up. He is looking after her as well as he possibly can. He is a gem. “

‘A’ writes: “Darling Finn brought in one of his traditional giant fish for Iris and the kids just before 05:52. She is pleased. The kids line up nicely at the table and wait for mum to wrangle the fish. Finn ate a few bites of the head end while waiting for Iris to get up (he was moving the fish around to a position from which he could feed her when she decided she needed to feed the kids).

Interestingly, as it’s raining, Big Bob does his usual bend and flap stretch, flapping the water off his wings, and in the process, bonks Little Bob with one wing. Little Bob totally ignores it. Had he ever been bullied, he would definitely have instantly ‘flinched’ at this.

Mum is taking a bit of time to get the fish to the kids – she too is flapping water off her wings (and she has a lot to get rid of!) and Little sees Dad moving around the nest towards the perch. Keeping his eyes on dad, he turns to face him. What’s he doing? Ah!! Clever dad. Remember that leftover fish I said must still be on the nest somewhere? (I saw it left there last night and did not see Finn leave the perch during the night or Iris having or feeding the chicks a nighttime snack.) Well, clever Finn knows exactly where it is.

Finn heads straight for the place mum left the fish last night (on the edge of the nest, near the perch) and uncovers what reveals itself in daylight to be almost all of a giant fish (just like the one he has just brought in this morning). I am a little concerned Iris didn’t remember it between 5am when she started pestering Finn for food and 05:52 when breakfast arrived. Maybe she’s a sushi girl and only likes her fish fresh. Finn takes his breakfast to the perch.

Little has turned back to the actual feeding adult and both chicks are getting an excellent breakfast. Oh they are just so exquisite, and their size and development gap makes it even more interesting in the sense that it appears there are actually two different species of creature on that nest (neither really bird-like, in all honesty).

By 6am the rain is teeming down again and Little Bob takes shelter beneath Big Bob’s crop!! Mum reaches to feed Big Bob. Little Bob backs up towards the camera and does a large PS. My goodness that is one very very plump osplet. Little decides he’d rather have shelter than food right now and huddles under Big Bob again, this time beneath his left wing. (I’m assuming Big is male, despite his size, based entirely on his behaviour, which just isn’t aggressive enough to be that of a female.) TOO cute.

But even from beneath Big Bob, Little is still fish crying, and eventually has to decide how badly he wants that fish. Yes, badly enough to turn around to face mum and stick his little head out from under Big Bob to ask Iris for a bite. His decision, though, comes just a few seconds too late, as the rain is heavier and soon after 06:01, Iris decides the chicks need to be kept dry more than they need more food at the moment. There is plenty of fish for everyone (Finn is still working on the giant fish on the perch – there is no way he can eat all of it and still be able to polish off the leftovers on the nest). Iris has left at least two-thirds (probably more) of the fish Finn brought in at 05:52.

This is an amazing family and Finn is the best ever mate and parent. He is a natural (or has experience) and he is devoted to his family. He has learned he needs to make more deliveries. He has learned how to feed the osplets with confidence. Some of the other stuff – feeding Iris, sleeping on the perch – is obviously just him. He may have had another mate (and perhaps chicks) or he may just be the paternal type (full of the right hormones, I presume, which is far less romantic). “

Cute little babies at Charlo Montana have fat healthy little bottoms. They are turning into Reptiles.

Alma and Lucia horsing around in San Jose.

Eastern Imperial Eaglets in RU are doing very well. They are getting stronger and standing, walking around, and pecking at their food.

Latvia’s osplets in the Kurzeme area are growing and growing!

Just look at those two Golden Eaglets in Estonia with their juvenile feathers growing. I blinked. They were white with those gorgeous deep chocolate brown feathers and now it is the opposite! Their ‘ps’ all over that branch tell me these two should be healthy despite the second one looking rather thin. Fingers crossed I am not fooling myself. I often wonder how cameras can distort things – eaglets look healthy like Meadow and turn out to be thin and dehydrated and full of mites and parasites.

Lady is in full incubation mode in the Sydney Olympic Forest now that her and Dad have their two eggs. I can’t wait!

The two Decorah North fledglings that lost their nest when it collapsed cannot stay away from that nest tree. ‘Home is where your heart is’ and it is that old broken tree for this family.

One of Thunder and Akecheta’s fledglings returns to the natal nest on Monday.

The Fab Four at Poole Harbour were ringed. The ring numbers are 5RO (1), 5R1 (3), 5R2 (2), and 5H6 (4). Tim Mackrill has advised Poole Harbour that the Roy Dennis Foundation believes these are four well-fed males. That indeed, would account for the civility on this nest!!!!!!!!!! I await for some more clarification as there were earlier reports of a mixed-gender nest.

‘H’ reports:

7/1 Captiva ospreys: Wow, what a day! Darling did not have any food yesterday (except a fish tail). On 6/30 Edie delivered three fish to the nest, but one of the fish went overboard during the melee between the sibs fighting over the fish, and Ding ate the other two fish. This morning, Darling woke up ‘hangry’, and was quite aggressive toward Ding. Darling attacked Ding in the nest and chased her off the nest many times. But, the young fledglings were soon having issues with an intruder, an osprey that was believed to be male. The intruder was buzzing the nest, and flying toward the nest with talons extended. It was also in pursuit of Ding several times when Ding flew from the nest. Almost every time Ding returned to the nest, she was attacked by Darling, and many times Darling pushed her off the nest. Darling also prevented Ding from landing in the nest several times. At 0852 Darling was attempting to force Ding off the nest, and the intruder landed on Darling, and forced Darling off the nest! At 0925 Darling was attacked again by the intruder. Finally, at 1053 Edie showed up with a large fish, and Ding got it. The intruder landed on the right perch and Edie chased it off and flew in pursuit of the intruder. At 1208 Edie delivered a large partial fish and Darling got that one (the viewing crowd went wild!). It was Darling’s first meal in about 42 hours. Chow down, Darling! Edie brought a fish at 1544, and that one also went to Darling. At 1801 Edie delivered a partial fish that went to Ding, so each osplet had two fish for the day. It was quite an educational day for the young ospreys. It was good for Darling to be assertive, and good for Ding to experience the new and improved Darling. And, Ding and Darling had their first significant encounter with an intruder. They will learn from all of these experiences to help prepare them to face the world on their own.

7/1 Fortis Exshaw osprey nest: There have been a couple of rare occasions of Big beaking Little, but not at meals. Everyone gets to eat at the feedings, and Little is often front and center at Mom’s beak. The kids are looking good and getting big.

7/2 Colonial Beach osprey nest: David and Betty are doing a nice job of parenting, and their 7 and 8-day-old nestlings are doing well.

7/2 Osoyoos osprey nest: The live stream has been offline since Saturday afternoon.

Thanks so much, ‘H’.

This is a beautiful view of the Glaslyn Valley in Wales. It is home of Aran and Elen and their chicks are being ringed at the moment.

Beaumont and Hope welcomed the arrival of their second chick, from egg 3 ( egg 2 DNH) on Monday. Beaumont is bringing in lots of fish and Hope is feeding the chicks well. Fingers crossed!

Have you checked on those two beautiful osplets at the Patchogue nest on Long Island lately?

You might want to watch Blue 1RO at Rutland Water. Maya and Blue 33’s Only Bob will be fledging soon! What a gorgeous bird.

The latest edition of Cornell’s Living Birds is out and there is a nice article on how to bring birds to your garden.

To-Bring-Birds-to-Your-Garden-Grow-Native-Plants_-Heres-How-to-Get-Started-_-All-About-Birds-All-About-Birds Download

Some of you will have read the news that a male Bald Eagle, a few miles out of the territory of M15 and F23, was hit by a vehicle while on the road. It was NOT M15. Please relax if you were worried, but also tell people to slow down. Animals are killed every day by the hundreds because of speeding motorists.

You will have noted through Heidi’s reports that the nest at Forsythe New Jersey of Opal and Oscar never has enough fish. Here is the map of the huge trawlers (I am embarrassed Omega is a Canadian registered company) leaving the waters of Virginia and heading to the NJ area. Want to know why there is not fish for the Ospreys? This is your answer! The ships need to be banned. I understand that this is also the nursery of the East Coast Striped Bass and Rockfish and they are being wiped out.

There are elections coming up in some of these areas. If you live here, talk to the candidates. Try and get this stopped before it is too late.

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

Thank you to the following for their questions, comments, notes, announcements, postings, images, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, C, EJ, Geemeff, H, J, PB’, WX Chasing, The Woodland Trust, Geemeff and the Woodland Trust, Mary Cheadle, Cowlitz PUD, Clark PUD, Boulder County, Seaside Ospreys, Montana Osprey Project, Charlo Montana, SK Hideaways, Eastern Imperial Eagles RU, LDG, Eagle Club of Estonia, Sydney Sea Eagle Cam, Raptor Resource Project/Explore, IWS/Explore, BoPH, Window to Wildlife, Fortis Exshaw, Colonial Beach, Newfoundland Power, PSEG, LRWT, SWFlorida Eagle Cam, William Dunn -Menhaden- Little Fish, Big Deal FB, and Cornell’s Living Bird.

Wednesday in Bird World

26 June 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

I hope that the first half of the week has treated you well. Thank you so much for your notes and the news that you sent that arrived in my Inbox this morning (Wednesday). I will put those great items in for tomorrow! So appreciated.

I could not believe the number of Blue Jays in the garden Tuesday afternoon. A pest control person would say we have an ‘infestation’ of Blue Jays – there were 16 in the garden at once. No, not some flying in and out and being counted twice, but sixteen! What an amazing feeling to see so many. Ever since I was luring Calico into the house and met people from another street near where I live, I realised that many people were feeding the birds and the feral cats. It has helped to increase the population numbers.

Below are some lousy images taken through the conservatory windows with the iPhone.

Too many choices!

This one loved digging in the plant pot.

This Blue Jay really wanted a peanut, but one of Dyson’s kits was on the table feeder. This one is also moulting but have a look at those beautiful markings especially around the eye. Looks like it has been practising the latest look with the kohl markers.

The markings around the eye are entirely different on this one. Gosh, I love Blue Jays. These images will go in the file form last summer to see if I can identify any of the birds.

Hope is almost ready for her first birthday and she has the most beautiful eyes. She has only to stare at me and I melt – not beautiful Baby Blues but Baby Greens.

Hugo Yugo has the most beautiful tail. It is as big as she is!

While Omega is taking record catches of Menhaden (its quota), the Ospreys in the Bay area are noted to be having difficulty finding food. This is the saddest thing I can think of. The ASMFC makes the quota and every state is represented. IF we want our ospreys to have food and not have their population completely decimated then the people that make quota decisions need to understand that commercial fishing of Menhaden needs to stop and stop now. The list of those decision-makers is below.

I also learned this: “The Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay are two separate ecosystems.Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) uses ocean only survey data from NOAA on Menhaden to set an Ocean and Bay quota. No wonder the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem is on the verge of collapse – the 112M lb Bay quota is set by throwing darts.” (Brain Collins, Menhaden – Little Fish, Big Deal FB).

Commissioners-Atlantic-States-Marine-Fisheries-Commission Download

‘EJ’ sent me some great news about the intentional release of balloons. In Florida, it is now against the law. You can still have balloons, you just cannot intentionally let them fly free. But what about those accidents? Now can we get an all out ban on the use of balloons for anything? Just ban them. People who leave them tied to the gate posts on their drive cause as much trouble as those who release them into the air. They still get into the environment. Just take the big step and ban them.

DeSantis-signs-law-banning-intentional-release-of-balloons-Fox-News Download

A Himalyan Vulture has been photographed in Armenia for the first time.

Western-Palearctics-first-Himalayan-Vulture-photographed-in-Armenia-BirdGuides Download

England is getting another protected area in Cumbria. It may be baby steps to some but any success is worth the effort!!!!!

Englands-largest-rainforest-becomes-protected-reserve-BirdGuides Download

Waiting for hatch at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.

All is well with CJ7 and Blue 022 at Poole Harbour and their four osplets. One is wanting to nibble and get that fish away from Dad!

The two Golden Eaglets at Estonian nest 2 Kaljukotkas are the sweetest things. Yes, you read that right! Prey was brought in and older sibling left some for the younger. Seriously it doesn’t get much better than that!

Aran and Elen’s trio at Glaslyn are marvellous. I can’t wait til they are ringed. What an idyllic spot to hatch! The sound of cows and sheep, the beautiful green of the Welsh countryside. They will be ringed shortly.

The two surviving chicks at Maryland’s Western Shore nest are really wanting to self feed. Mum still likes to control those fish!

They are very loud – oh, that beautiful sound of an osplet fish crying. And they are the size of their parents.

Nox and Annie – you might want to turn down the volume!

‘PB’ reports that in the late afternoon the third hatch at Steelscape finally had a crop! The little one has had trouble getting any food. We are concerned.

The baby had a tough time at Cowlitz PUD today, too, but ‘PB’ counted 50 nice sized bites of fish at the last feeding. That is not good but might be survivable providing more fish comes in early on Wednesday. A confirmed late evening large fish has arrived. The two older chicks ate their fill. Little three had nothing.

Marders Only Bob is doing very well.

I have to remind myself that those tiny third hatches can survive when I look at Blackbush. I am thinking of Tiny Little Blue 464 at Foulshaw Moss, Tiny Little at Achieva in 2021, Little Mini aka Tiny Dancer at Patchogue…but they have to have spunk and a bit of creativity to get to that fish.

Looking at the two osplets at Bridge Golf Course you might not notice that there is concern for the leg of the second hatch.

Geemeff sends us the Loch Arkaig Daily Summary – thank you, Geemeff!

Daily summary Tuesday 25th June 2024

A day with few fish but plenty of good manners, and confirmation of two chicks on the Bunarkaig nest (thanks Chaddie), whose parents may or may not be Prince & Affric 152. Louis only delivered three fish today, none of them especially big, so Dorcha gave the two chicks, who queued up politely and took turns, most of the fish and only took a little for herself. Louis’ tally rises to two hundred and forty nine (249), although judging by his bulging crop, he may well have caught more than three today. Dorcha took out her hunger on some sticks and the chicks paid close attention making sure to keep out of her way. Garry LV0 paid several visits to Nest One, bringing nesting materials and doing housekeeping as well as perching quietly and preening. The weather was settled today, and more of the same tonight with a forecast of light clouds, light winds and a low of 12 °C.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 00.18.32 (03.29.13); Nest Two (04.08.47)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/K3WvjHDOV-M N2 Fish number one, not much left for Dorcha 09.29.00

https://youtu.be/Z_3zm3AQWgc N1 Garry LV0 brings bedding but only stays a short time 12.04.22

https://youtu.be/Y2Gv_Oh4iNk N1 Garry returns and does some nest prep 14.45.25

https://youtu.be/dFLYF7Ayh0E N2 Fish number two, chicks queue politely 16.44.47

https://youtu.be/ySDyxYVtZpw N2 Personages with long sticks 17.17.01 (Classic Ospreys – Saint-Saëns)

https://youtu.be/4vw_4rNXK2g N2 Fish number three, small headless trout, Dorcha gets hardly any 20.02.23

Bonus shopping – bag a bargain in Woodland Trust’s sale – every purchase made from WT’s shop funds vital work to plant and protect trees and woods across the UK: https://shop.woodlandtrust.org.uk/summer-sale

Watch the Loch Arkaig Osprey livestream 24/7 and join in the conversation here:

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

Oh, look at my guy. Blue 33! He is delivering fish #10 at 20:18 for Maya to feed their Only Bob. Oh, there are nests that could only dream about this number and size of fish. So what is the difference? Rutland has a stocked pond.

Blue 1H0 has the same ‘snake eyes’ as Daddy Blue 33. Just gorgeous.

Oh, Iris. You are looking tired to me. But you are taking such good care of those babies.

On Tuesday, it appeared that Finn had trouble fishing with only this very early morning fish. Will there be another? What is the problem?

Darling Finn brought in the second fish of the day for Iris and their babies. Thanks, ‘PB’. Was he on security duty all day? or was fishing particularly difficult? That was a huge gap in time.

SF Bay Ospreys are giving us a 26 day report – that is the age of the oldest of the two chicks of Rosie and Richmond. It is now half way to fledge. Gosh, time passes so quickly.

Anna and Andrew’s Beautiful Lesser Spotted Eaglet at Zemgale, Latvia, Ieva. Several voles coming in for food. I wonder how many small mammals are available in the forest for food? Have the population of small mammals changed in the area?

Selgas and Svinga have at least one miracle little osplet in that nest in Latvia. I strained my eyes to try and see if there were two of them on Tuesday.

And yes, it was a second little head. Thanks, ‘J’.

In Newfoundland, the first egg has hatched at the nest of Hope and Beaumont in Snow Lane.

It’s raining and it is unclear to me if the baby has been fed.

‘A’ keeps us up to date on what is happening with Dad and Lady in the Sydney Olympic Forest: “Meanwhile, an egg is surely just around the corner at WBSE: June 25: After some time on the nest, standing and keeping us in suspense, Lady went to her sleeping branch and slept quietly for the rest of the night. Both woke early, with several early morning duets and finally mating at 6:25. Both were away just before 7am. Dad returned with a small bream, head eaten, and left it on the nest at 7:13. Both eagles were seen from the river at 7:50, one at River Roost, the other near Ironbark Roost in the forest. Dad returned and took the fish himself just after 9am. He brought a stick in just before 10am, followed by Lady, and left again after a little work. Both returned just before 11am, Dad with another stick. Both left again, no prey. Dad was back again an hour later, followed by Lady – no prey – and off again. Then he brought a leafy twig, again followed by Lady – then she was off again. Dad returned with a big whiting at 16:19, quickly claimed by Lady and taken off to eat at Ironbark Roost. She returned the last scrap to the nest at 16:48. Later, at last light, both were on the nest, then moved to nearby branches for the evening. Will tonight be the night?

Syracuse University confirms that Oren and Ruth’s two Red-tail Hawklets fledged.

‘H’ sends her great reports!

6/25 Colonial Beach Osprey nest: Yay! Betty and David now have two lil’ babies. Their second baby hatched at approximately 17:48. One more egg to go.

6/25 Fortis Exshaw: Things are going very well for this family…Harvie brings in so much fish, that there is no feeling of food insecurity by the osplets. Two years ago, Louise and Jasper fledged three chicks. Last year, Jasper disappeared early in the season, and Louise had a difficult time fishing for her three young kids, while at the same time dealing with some really mean intruders. Louise had some assistance for a few weeks by another male, Mr. O. He brought fish and helped with nest security, but I fear that Mr. O may have also been a victim of the intruders. Only one osplet of three fledged. That was Banff. Fingers crossed for Louise and her new family this year.

6/25 Osoyoos osprey nest: In my mind, fish size is relative to any given nest. A ‘whopper’ at Osoyoos would be considered a medium sized fish at many other nests. Olsen mostly brings tiny, small, and medium sized fish to the nest, and rarely is he able to catch a large fish. There are variables such as: is the fish headless, is the fish thin or thick (fish mass)? I like to judge by how long it takes Soo to feed her three kids from any given fish. From my observations: A feeding from a tiny fish only takes Soo 3-4 minutes to feed, 5-7 minutes for a small fish, 8-10 minutes for a medium sized fish, and 11-15 minutes for a large fish. This is not a perfect system by any means…a tough fish will take longer to feed, and if Soo becomes distracted for a bit, that will prolong a feeding. There were ‘only’ five feedings for the osplets today, down from their average of 7-9 meals per day. No aggression was observed during any of the feedings. The meals lasted (in minutes of duration): 5, 11, 5, 8, and 15 minutes. The chicks are growing rapidly, and their appetites are increasing. Due to the size of the fish, Olsen needs to catch a whole lot of fish for this hungry brood in order to prevent any food insecurity. Fingers crossed.

6/25 Forsythe osprey nest: The live stream had been down for 2.5 days, and upon return of the stream just before noon today, we saw one of the osplets self-feeding. And, after a while, the other chick stole the fish and also self-fed. The self-feeding is a new development. The 35 and 34-day-old osplets are looking good.

6/25 Mispillion Harbor osprey nest: Della and Warren are doing a great job, and this family is doing well. The 29 and 28-day-old osplets are simply gorgeous (this is one of my home nests…so I’m a little biased, lol).

In Oklahoma, excessive heat is killing songbirds. Many Robins found dead. Some people are putting frozen gel packs in their water bowls and bird baths to help keep the water cool. Please put out water for all the feathered friends and critters! Shallow dishes with pebbles help. Food if you can, but water is so important. Thank you and thank you to everyone who sent me a note to say they are doing their part with providing water. You are saving lives. Smile. Every little bit helps.

It is about that time. 1 July in Canada and the 4th in the US. And I am sure there are celebrations elsewhere. I continue to imagine celebrations without things that harm the wildlife – like balloons and fireworks. Just think what the money spent on fireworks could do to help non-humans and humans.

Persuade your community that there are alternatives – that might even include a free picnic for everyone. Anything but fireworks and balloons.

Final note: The little one at Cowlitz had no fish from the first feed at Cowlitz PUD and the same at Steelscape. So sad.

Thank you so much for being with me today. Please take care! See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, posts, images, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: A, EJ, Geemeff, H, J, PB’, Brian Collins, ASMFC, FOX News, BirdGuides, Trent University, BoPH, Eagle Club of Estonia, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Maryland Western Shore for Old Town Home, SK Hideaways, Steelscape Osprey Cam, Cowlitz PUD, Marders, Blackbush, Bridge Golf, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, LRWT, Montana Osprey Project, SF Bay Ospreys, LDF, Newfoundland Power, Sea Eagle Cam, SU Hawk Nest Cam, Colonial Beach, Fortis-Exshaw, Osoyoos, Mispillion Harbour, Forsythe, and Spay-Neuter Coalition of NM,

2 kg female osplet ringed in Wales…Tuesday in Bird World

25 June 2024

Good Morning Everyone!

‘The Girls’ and I are sitting in the conservatory despite the high temperature. It is 29 C. We have gotten hotter in the summers, but everything feels strange – like a big storm coming. The trees are twirling around and the clouds are moving quickly covering up the sun and yet, there is no prediction of anything happening. Cold water has been put out for the birds and more food for the Corvids as they are feeding babies and fledglings are coming to the garden now. I hope to get some good images of them one day.

I am not complaining. I understand from ‘MM’ that it is 96 F with a heat index of 101 in North Carolina. This is why all those osprey babies (and eagles) should hatch in the winter. So much better!

The garden is a shady paradise in the lilacs and the tunnel created with the vines and other trees. There is also shade on the deck in the late afternoon. The birds come out to feed again after having a siesta.

Junior wants a peanut but Dyson is there.

So he decides to have a bath.

It is hot everywhere. Please remember to leave out shallow bowls of water for the animals. You will save their lives. Water is more important than food when the heat is so high. Even pie pans with water – put try and put them in the shade. Thank you.

This just puts a smile on my face. Someone doing something to help birds. Enter mosquitoes to the Hawaiian Islands.

Millions-of-mosquitoes-released-in-Hawaii-to-save-rare-birds-from-extinction-Hawaii-The-Guardian Download

Idris and Telyn have set a record at the Dyfi nest in Wales. One of the females broke the weight record for a chick ringed in Wales. She came in over 2 kg. Here is the announcement with the names of the osplets!

That is incredible. ‘Daddy Longlegs’ Idris has really been hauling in the fish. Even that male has a nice healthy weight.

‘MM’ sends news that we have the first hatch at Colonial Beach. It is hot there. 31.3 C or 88 F. Chick has already had its first feeding! Well done, Betty and David. See also ‘H’s report below on this nest.

Iris’s oldest chick is rather precocious. It is already nibbling on the fish!

‘A’ comments on something magical: “Finn brought in a leftover chunk of fish at about 18:44 and just stands with it on the nest for about 25 minutes. Finally, he starts nibbling at it and Iris stands up, but Finn just keeps eating himself. Baby Bob spots who has the fish and is promptly over to dad, although both chicks already have good crops. It takes dad a while to stop feeding his face (and giving the odd bite to Iris) and start feeding Little Bob, and then he looks the wrong way when dad offers him fish, but around 19:16 a feeding of sorts begins. Soon, Big Bob sees what is happening and lumbers up behind Little Bob but does not interfere. Dad leans over to feed the older chick and at this point, he gives up on eating and starts feeding the two osplets in turn. It is wonderful to watch. This guy really is a keeper. He has a bit to learn about leaving leftovers on the nest and if he is only going to catch two or three whoppers a day, to bring them back more than once so they represent more than one feeding, but none of that will matter shortly, when they are big enough to handle fewer, larger feeds.

Finn has been an amazing first-time dad, guarding his family and the territory with great dedication and bringing in enough fish to feed the family (albeit his delivery schedule needs a little adjustment – see above). He has fed Iris on several occasions when she is tired or when it is wet, and now, he is feeding the osplets as well. This is one fantastic dad in the making. And Iris has chosen well. “

‘B’ writes that we have fledges! “Fledges at both Fraser Point and Bald Canyon this morning — the second FP chick (usually referred to as Reign) at 8:32:09 and Selene at BC at 10:07:54. Reign was back on an adjacent branch at 10:38:06 and on the nest proper within a minute…So all the Channel Islands eaglets that are on nest cams have now fledged.” Congratulations everyone. A wonderful year!

‘B’ also sent us a link to an article in The Washington Post. Do you think the Bald Eagle is the official bird of the United States? Have a read!

Opinion | You probably think this is our national bird. Think again.

‘TU’ has sent us some news. A pair of Egyptian Geese took over a stork nest. Their chicks took the leap this morning. Video below.

In Montreal, Peregrine Falcon chick Polo fledges! Beautiful flight. Oh, how I hate those windows.

Let’s catch up with the news from ‘H’:

6/24 Colonial Beach Virginia osprey nest: Congratulations to Betty and David on the hatch of their first baby!

6/24 Barnegat Light osprey nest: Even though Daisy and Duke did not have any eggs this season, they continue to hang out together in the bay area. We are delighted when they grace us with their presence on camera. Theirs is a love story.

6/24 The Osoyoos osprey nest had another nice day. They had nine feedings, and all three of the osplets had good crops. Meal times remained peaceful, but I did catch a pretty good beaking battle in between meals, and that kerfuffle was started by Little!

6/24 Fenwick Island osprey nest (Capt Mac’s fish House): Okay now…I am starting to be impressed. June is keeping her leftover fish, saving it for more feedings, and she is feeding longer. Just look at the crop on that lil’ 10-day-old osplet. Now, that’s what I’m talking about!

6/24 Patuxent River Park osprey nest: It was a veritable fish-feast-day. There were a total of six long meals throughout the day . Something really cool happened in the afternoon… At 1410 Mom brought a large fish to the nest (first fish for her this season), and two minutes later Dad landed in the nest with a large fish. A dual feeding took place, with Dad primarily feeding the two older siblings for 1/2 hour before he left with half his fish. And, Mom primarily fed Little. She continued to feed everyone from her fish after Dad left, and her fish lasted an hour.

6/24 Captiva ospreys: The day started off with a surprise for Ding and Darling when they had a visitor in the middle of the night…a young heron landed in the nest for a short period of time. The kids maintained their cool, but we’ve never seen their eyes so big! Jack brought three fish to the nest today, and Darling had his very own hardhead catfish. He was able to unzip it, and ate the whole fish. Edie was last seen on cam on 6/23, but there have been sightings of an adult osprey landing in a nearby tree, and some believe that they have heard Edie. It is believed that Edie is taking a short break, and that her absence from the nest has nothing to do with the fishing line incident of 6/21. After the fishing line incident, Edie delivered fish to the nest on 6/21, 6/22, and 6/23, and she seemed just fine.

Thanks so much, ‘H’. That Fenwick Island baby is too cute – and oh, so full! Love it.

That little osplet in Kurzeme Latvia is also so cute. OK. They are all cute little dinosaurs.

Four hot ospreys at Field Farm. Little Mini is getting its feathers.

Birds of Poole Harbour Fab Four are deliriously wonderful. CJ7 and Blue 022. I can’t tell you how much I adore them.

And then there is Louis at Loch Arkaig that brought in a fish at midnight to Dorcha. Yes, midnight. Do ospreys hunt in the dark? how light was it in Scotland at midnight? Oh, I just wish I could send one of those fish over to Osoyoos.

Geemeff’s Daily Summary for Loch Arkaig: Monday 24th June 2024

The day started out a bit soggy but soon improved, and Louis had a bit of a lie-in after yesterday’s midnight fish, not turning up until lunchtime with today’s first fish. He followed it up with three more, taking his tally to two hundred and forty six. Dorcha had fun with a stick but was left hungry as the growing chicks devoured most of the fish, however the arrival of a large 11pm fish supper meant she didn’t end the day hungry. The nest seems to be getting a little crowded now that the chicks are mobile and stretching out their suddenly long wings, perhaps that’s why one chick took a pop at the other and a short sharp fight broke out. There was much discussion on the forum about which chick is which as it’s getting very difficult to tell them apart. Garry LV0 turned up on Nest One again today, bringing nesting materials and doing a bit of nest scraping. Is this a frustration eyrie? Whatever his motives, it’s good to see him. Tonight’s forecast is light rain and light winds, luckily although the chicks are too big to fit under Dorcha, their preen glands are coming through and they’re starting to get some waterproofing.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 00.15.51 (02.48.23); Nest Two (03.32.32)

Watch the livestream 24/7 and join in the conversation here:

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

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/Alfrd7novqE N1 Garry LV0 arrives early and does some nest prep 06:15:01

https://youtu.be/fs7pwvQ359g N2 Fish number one, small whole trout, chicks queue politely 12.45.07

https://youtu.be/iQA9jIPeDsE N2 Fight! Is the nest getting too crowed? Chicks have a pop 13.01

https://youtu.be/opTBHM-Q3jk N2 Dorcha brings a stick and hangs it round Chick1’s neck 14.28.44

https://youtu.be/ryxHF_M71io N2 Fish number two, big whole trout, Dorcha gets hardly any of it 15.30.25

https://youtu.be/45KVDHPY0x40 N2 Fish number three, headless small trout, soon finished, Dorcha’s still hungry 17.08.47

https://youtu.be/Ijm7ts7aZGk N2 Fish number four, whole trout, Dorcha tucks in immediately 23.05.25

Bonus read – Flights, Camera, Action! Postcode Lottery discuss their sponsorship of the nest cam:

https://www.postcodelottery.co.uk/postcode-hub/news/flights-camera-action

Blackbush. Sometimes dual feedings. Sometimes Dad feeding Mum who feeds babies. Send this nest hope. We have seen these little ones before survive. Tiny Dancer. Tiny Little. Blue 464. It depends on the amount of prey and the willingness of the parents to work hard to keep all of them alive – just like CJ7 and Blue 022 are doing.

Beautiful fledglings back on the VIMS nest.

Once in awhile you will catch a fledgling on the Frenchman’s Creek nest. These kids are gorgeous. Look at that clean nest!

Looks like Tuffy had a couple of nice fish today on the Moorings Park nest. These kids of Harry and Sally are gorgeous.

It was 26 C in Osoyoos today. Tomorrow will be 27 – and believe me, it is hotter on the top of an osprey nest than it is at ground level. Then there is to be rain. Oh, please give these babies some fish – some big fish because Soo and Olsen have to eat, too!

My goodness. The plumage on that baby at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is dark. Very pretty little osplet. The image shows Mum feeding the little one from the whole fish that Dad brought in around 1400. There had at least been one earlier fish. It is hot on that nest!

Oh, look at those fat little bottoms at Charlo Montana!

Winnie and Swoop have their second baby at Dunrovin on the 24th.

It is hot in Colorado. Pitkin County Mum is the perfect mumbrella keeping her babies cool. She fluffs her own feathers to keep herself cool as well.

I sure would like to see more fish in the heat at Cowlitz PUD but there are still three osplets that appear to be alright.

Beautiful baby at Clark PUD.

Boulder County Mum keeping their Only Bob cool and fed!

No love lost when it comes to food amounts San Jose fledglings!

Many of us are hoping to find out what happened to Redwood Queen and Zenith’s chick in the Big Sur Redwood Forest. We are joining the Ventana Wildlife Society’s Condor Chat which is on the last Thursday of the month. Very informative.

Got to the Ventana Wildlife Society website to sign up. The Condor chats are also archived and you can view them on YouTube.

Educate yourself about California Condors and the acute challenges they face. The Ventana Wildlife Society led the way in giving their flock vaccines for HPAI. Now they are helping others.

We have another Condor baby. Fingers crossed.

Decorah North continues to thrive despite the nest collapse.

Gorgeous Black Storks in Portugal.

Beautiful Mum at Port Lincoln Barge on the nest and eating a fish she caught and brought back quickly.

‘PB’ has been keeping an eye on Cowlitz PUD and Steelscape. She writes, “I just checked both Cowlitz and Steelcase since they are both in the same area. Fish seems to be coming in slow and far apart, keeping #1 grouchy and getting most of the food. Steelcase is worrisome to me for #3. It’s is constantly bullied by #1 when food arrives. Even bullies away #2. #3 Steelcase could use more fish. #3 managed to bravely grab a few big pieces of the tail section on ladt fish but is hungry. Cowlitz little baby ate a good breakfast but not much after that. Last fish there was 4 hours ago. Still light out so hoping for a late fish but both places need larger fish to feed 3 mouths.”

Smile. Canada Geese enjoying the grass by an airport in Alabama. Thanks, ‘L’. It seems so odd seeing them with palm trees! Oh, I love the Canada Geese – and guess what? They are not the national bird of Canada. The Gray Jay is. Go figure.

And another smile. Ospreys rescued and in care. Thanks, ‘J’.

Menhaden are the primary fish of the Ospreys in the NE USA. If you want to know how bad the commercial fishing industry is impacting these life-giving little fish, you only have to go to the FB page – Menhaden – Little Fish, Big Deal. here is a post from this morning. This is seriously concerning and the commercial fishing needs to stop before the Osprey are completely wiped out. Of course Dophins and Whales eat Menhaden, too, and they are practically disappeared from the area.

Our friend Hob in Kauai sends us news of the first moli fledge for 2024. how wonderful!

Thank you so much for being with me today. Please take care. If it is super hot where you live, drink lots of fluids. Consider putting water out for the animals even if you can’t see them – we have visitors during the night that eat and drink. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, letters, comments, questions, videos, images, posts, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, B, Geemeff, H, J, L, MM, MP, PB, TU’, The Guardian, Dyfi Osprey Project, Colonial Beach Ospreys, Montana Osprey Project, Montana Osprey Cams, Pam Breci, The Washington Post, Fenwick Island, Patuxent River Park, Osoyoos, Wildlife Conserve of NJ (Barnegat Light), Window to Wildlife, HorstsHorst, Montreal Falcon Cam, LDF, BoPH, Geemeff, Blackbush, VIMS, Frenchman’s Creek, Moorings Park Ospreys, Osoyoos Ospreys, MN Landscape Arboretum, Charlo Montana, Ashley Wilson, Pitkin County Open Spaces and Trails, Clark PUD, Boulder County, SK Hideaways, Ventana Wildlife Society, Lady Hawk, Tajo International, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Polk County Animal Control, Menhaden-Little Fish, Big Deal FB, and Hob Osterlund.

Ding Fledges…Saturday in Bird World

22 June 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

I had a wonderful visit with my son. It was topped off with a great family lunch in my daughter’s garden on Friday before saying goodbye. So, this posting might be a little thin with my contributions. This post is going to be a little sobering because we, meaning all those studying osprey populations, are seeing how the 2024 season is unfolding. It is not pretty. Every single chick that survives and fledges should be wrapped in gold.

This has simply been a challenging year. One of the hardest things is watching little ones so eager for fish, their parents not finding enough to feed them, and then dying in the nest. Osoyoos is causing my stomach not to feel very well. Olsen tries. He can’t help it if there is nothing for his family. He brings home what he can find. It reminds me of stories from my mother of the shelves during The Depression.

We must begin immediately – well, we should have last year when the Nor’eastern wiped out almost every chick in every nest in the NE US. There is something happening in the lake at Osoyoos. So what is it? Lack of fish? heat? Why can’t someone stock it with fish? I will happily start a GoFundMe for Soo and Olsen (yes, his name is Olsen) to get fingerlings to go in there in the fall. I would do the same if someone would put fish in that nest. Where are the fish fairies in Osoyoos? Maybe we need to tell the authorities about Port Lincoln!!!!!!!!!!!! It is going to be too late if we fail to act for a couple more years. The laws need changing! NOW.

Look at the size of the fish that Louis brought to Loch Arkaig. Now I want you to imagine that this fish landed on the Osoyoos nest. It would feed all the family for two or three days – that is the difference in nutrition that is coming to the nests!

I also have concerns for Little Bob at Cowlitz today. It was always in the wrong place when a feeding was taking place. Too close to the beak, so not in eyeshot of Mum, or just shut out. Perhaps you saw something different. I am hoping for an early evening full crop. It needs it.

I am so very grateful for those who are watching and reporting on nests. Once I finish entering data into the forms, which will be this weekend now that my social life is quiet, we will be monitoring nearly 400 eggs. My fear is that the failure rate this year will hit over 30%. Survival in 2023 was 76%, or a failure rate of 24%. It is growing every year. 2022 was 18%.

The Memorial Wall is now at 82 and climbing. June is always a hard month. It just keeps giving out heart ache after heart ache. We lost so many Osprey hatchlings and so many near-or-fledged eagles, hawks, and falcons. Things will begin to quiet down but, oh, it has been a challenging and tearful year from the onset in the fall.

One of my citizen scientist observers monitors nests right up in the area that is being hit the hardest, the NE USA. For the safety of the Ospreys I am not giving detailed locations. ‘VV’ sends in her report. It is eye opening:

Here’s the brief update going into the upcoming extra hot temperatures:

Nest 4 – two hatches – 6/9 & 1

Nest 5 – hatch(es?) – 6/10 – can only today verify a head btwn twigs

Nest 10 – two (pretty sure) – @ least 1^st hatched by 6/6 – have seen 2 bobs since

Nest 11 – two (pretty sure) – @ least 1^st hatched by 6/3 – have seen 2 bobs since

Nest 12 – hatch(es) – cannot see enough of this nest to always be able to see when both adults are in; have seen feeding behavior into nest. These could have hatched even earlier than 6/3, this pair only March return.

This looks to be the total hatches in the 19 nests I have been tracking. I only feel certain that 3 nests (of the 14 w/o hatches) did lay eggs.

Nest 2 (1^st uneasy year w/ new female; egg(s?) laid; M stopped incubation, then F, then geese stomped

Nest 3 probably laid a clutch between 5/12-18, rolled out of nest..

Nest 9 (experienced pair) laid eggs no earlier than 5/4; many intruders; possible failed hatch around 6/10; by 6/12 incubation sporadic; by 6/18-19 both away from nest for hours

Irregularly observed Nests 17, 18, & 19, (SMECO nests like 9, 10, 11, & 12); seems all pairs returned; N17 observed switching egg incubation duties. Nothing suggesting clutch on others; not obs indication of hatchlings on 17, 18, or 19.

Nest 4 is the only one of the hatch nests I can monitor effectively at this stage – Big Mama brilliantly feeding both Big and Little, neither of whom have I seen today which is worrying me a bit. But I think the actual issue is a feud between M&F over her returning to fishing duties. He’s always been broody.

. Nest 5 I can finally confirm one hatching through movement between sticks. There could be two. Mrs. Perfect keeps a very, very deep nest, which is not a SMECO nest, in fact does not look deep at all. But the nest cup is deep and she keeps her chicks in it.

As I fret over Big Big and Little Big – I hope the osprey week looks up around the cams too. Our rains had been heavy but never to the scale other places are getting. And now there’s not a drop anywhere. Fishing had appeared very good – except for the windy days of course. But slowing down now. I imagine as the water warms up.

It doesn’t seem that Big Daddy is alone, a few of the males in the no-hatch nests are encouraging the females to fish for themselves.

I have been predicting a huge decline in osprey numbers for the past two years, signalling a further long-term decline. It is happening before our eyes. The numbers are now below what they were than when DDT was killing the Apex Raptors. That is a little hard to swallow but, yes. And it is again, our fault.

It is now time to face this reality and do something about it. It was Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring and a few others observing Ospreys on Long Island that first sounded the alarm of the declines due to DDT. Now, we have a collective voice and the numbers of ospreys is less than when the environmental issues of DDT practically wiped all of them out. We need to stop the Menhaden commercial fishing – period. End it. We need to stock ponds and we need to provide supplementary fish to nests that are struggling. We owe it to them for destroying their habitat. This might help until they can begin to adapt with the growing temperatures and storms by moving out of their normal habitats.

Now Menhaden are washing up dead on the coast. What is causing it?

‘H’ sent me the latest offering from the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ and they even say it is an ‘unusual’ year.

Unusual-Year-for-Breeding-Ospreys-in-New-Jersey-Conserve-Wildlife-Foundation-of-New-Jersey Download

There is a pip at Dunrovin Friday afternoon.

There is a big crack in that egg Friday night.

Most of you had your heart in your throat Friday as Iris’s second chick went upside down twice. The first time Iris righted the little one but the second time, we held our breath. It got over.

I do not know about anyone else, but I would love to hear your thoughts. IMHO Iris is so happy being a Mum again. She is fortunate to have a great mate. Finnegan is right up there for me with Blue 33, Blue 022, Idris, Dylan, Aran, Louis. If this is Iris’s last year, I am glad she got to feel loved and to have the joy of raising chicks again. That is why this nest is so precious. Everyone wants those babies to thrive and fledge. I hope Dr Greene rings them!

Finnegan loves being with Iris when she feeds their two babies.

Cornell did a video of the kids before the feeding.

‘A’ recalls, “When Finn brought the fish back (10:55) mum fed both chicks to the tops of their crops. Baby Bob is so small. The size gap between them seems to have increased significantly since the second hatch but that’s probably just proportional. He has the cutest little round bottom. And mum fed both of them as much as they could eat before she even started to take bites herself. She also keeps a close eye on Big Bob during feedings, so that if she is giving Baby Bob several bites in a row, she knows just when Big Bob is reaching the limits of her patience and might be about to feel resentful. She checks to see that Big Bob is happy before downing a bite herself. It is almost as if she is supervising. But since that one occasion I documented a few days ago, I have seen nothing resembling aggression. No bonking. No attempt at intimidation. Nothing to try and stop the wee one from eating or from getting to the table. And Baby Bob is totally confident to sit up beside his sibling and open his tiny beak. He is still not that great with direction or with his balance. He fell over a few times during the feeding and turned the wrong way a couple of times too.

Big Bob is getting woolly – she is a strong chick. I am actually wondering whether they may be both males. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? They do both seem very laid back. And even on that one occasion, as I mentioned it could easily have been more based in curiosity than in malice. What is this thing in the nest, I wonder? It seemed to lack any viciousness even at the time. Finn was obviously hungry this morning and had not eaten the head – in fact, he hadn’t touched a scale on it. I’m not sure whether he was showing it off to Iris or whether he thought he should eat first on the nest. But he was very aggressive in his attempts to pull it away from Iris – using his wings for additional leverage and really pulling hard, while Iris not only managed to retain the fish but continued feeding as she fought for it!! What a mum. It was as if she knew he would win eventually but she was going to get some bites into those babies before he did. And she managed that. Both chicks got at least a decent snack before dad removed the fish. When he brought it back, he had eaten at least half of it. I suspect he was eating the entire 55 minutes he was gone with it. Still a young male at heart. At least he brought Iris and the kids half a fish, at nearly 11am. He doesn’t understand that the kids need something early, even if it’s leftovers. But Iris did manage to at least ensure they got some sustenance and some liquid before he finally flew off with it. Iris got up several times during the 55 minutes to loudly let him know she thought he had eaten plenty and where was that fish! She is a powerfully devoted mother, as shown by her determination to ensure both her chicks were well-fed before she even thought about a bite for herself. Yes, she has the luxury of an adult-sized crop but even so, it was endearing to watch as she didn’t even have a nibble until she had taken care of the littles. “

The second hatch at Hellgate has been having trouble staying upright. Three times on its back on Friday. Is it the crowded egg cup, twigs, something wrong with the chick? Let’s hope it stays more upright. It would be the best to have two fledges for Iris and Finnegan.

‘H’ reports:

6/22 Captiva ospreys: The eldest of the two siblings, Ding, fledged this morning at 60 days of age. Congratulations to Ding, and the proud parents Jack, and Edie.

6/21 Dahlgren osprey nest: Some sad news to report… The little osprey baby that was rescued six days ago after it was stuck in a hole in the nest…has died. The 18-day-old osplet died in the morning, after having been lethargic for several hours. The cause of death is unknown.

6/21 Patuxent osprey nest: Things are still going well at this nest, and the 45, 44, and 41-day-old osplets are growing up…even Little! Eight fish were delivered by Dad, and although there is still some occasional intimidation by Big toward Little, it is rare these days. Crops were stuffed!

6/21 Captiva ospreys: It was a slower fishing day, and there were only three fish brought to the nest, and Jack delivered two of them. But, the major news of the day: We witnessed Edie dive for a fish and get caught in fishing line. Then, she was dragged through the water behind a boat. We worried all afternoon, and feared the worst. Then, seven hours later Edie landed in the nest with a fish! There was no sign of the fishing line.

Video Link: https://youtu.be/8wSwIuol7IU

6/21 Fortis Exshaw osprey nest: All is well for this family. The 9, 7. and 5-day-old osplets are well fed, and so far there is minimal sibling rivalry.

Geemeff’s daily summary for Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust:

Daily summary Friday 21st June 2024

Today started with atrocious weather not matching the overnight forecast. The ‘light winds’ ended up blowing poor Dorcha completely over, showing off her underfluffies and giving her a bit of bother righting herself again, while the ‘light rain’ soaked the chicks too big to fit completely underneath her now. But things looked up when Louis arrived with a tiny breakfast and proceeded to feed one chick while Dorcha fed the other from last night’s remnant, giving a cosy scene of domestic harmony. After Louis had had a quick go at removing the remains of chick3, Dorcha succeeded, flying off with the sad bundle and disposing of it in the forest. Bye bye little bob3 – gone but not forgotten. Louis brought four fish to the nest, taking his tally to two hundred and thirty one. The Hooded Crows were interested in the nest but Dorcha scared them off with her special crow voice. No need to scare off the little Robin who visited Nest One today as there were no other vistors. Tonight’s forecast is light rain and a gentle breeze – let’s hope it turns out that way as the family could use an undisturbed night tonight with the prospect of disturbance by the Red Arrows doing a flypast tomorrow.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.47.27 (03.12.07); Nest Two 23.10.54 (03.55.16)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/WERbYCv-hTw N2 A gust of wind blows Dorcha completely over 02.50.08

https://youtu.be/gXy_08Aum1E N2 Fish number one, trout tail-end 05.36.12

https://youtu.be/hHXYtXsSXnQ N2 Simultaneous feeding by both parents 05.44

https://youtu.be/oE5jRyFGIpg N1 A cheeky Robin visits 05.47.13 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/DDlOGyMil1A N2 Warning – graphic: Dorcha removes the dead body 08.50.30

https://youtu.be/DahvNKRdcZk N2 Fish number two, large live trout – C1 refuses to be prevented getting a share! 14.48.00

https://youtu.be/QLyDm0Wwygw N2 Fish number three, large headless trout, the chicks share happily 17.39.58

https://youtu.be/Gd2KYCoS5YY N2 Dorcha uses her crow-voice on a nearby Hoodie 19.23.00 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/cuMv-BAPvxQ N2 Fish number four, tiddler snack, Dorcha wolfs it in 4 minutes 19.55.54

Big Red’s N visits the natal nest looking over to the Rice Building where Big Red and Arthur often drop off prey items for their fledglings.

Want a smile? Well, go to the West End Bald Eagle nest of Akecheta and Thunder, and look at those magnificent fledglings. One of them has an enormous crop. I wish I could tell you which one.

Two of them together.

Both eaglets, Manini and Reign, are over on the Fraser Point nest of Andor and Mama Cruz waiting for dinner.

Mr and Mrs North and the two fledglings are all fine. What a wonderful family. Doing so well after the collapse of their nest.

Gorgeous babies at Radord University.

Four osplets at Field Farm are fine.

The Fab Four at Poole Harbour are fantastic, too. These nests are making me smile – big smiles.

Gorgeous falcons in San Jose.

Kakapo Adoption News!

Adopt-a-kakapo-Special-edition Download

Thank you so much for being with us this morning. Congratulations to Captiva! What an amazing year they have had – full of challenges like a roller coaster but they will have two babies fly. Bravo! Take care everyone. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, photographs, videos, posts, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post this morning: ‘A, Geemeff, H, J, PB, VV’, Osoyoos, The Woodland Trust, Geemeff, Cowlitz PUD, Debbie Campbell, Marina Pierce, Conserve Wildlife Blog, Diana Lambertson, Montana Osprey Project, Cornell Bird Lab, Window to Wildlife, Mary Wenz, Patuxent River Park, Fortis Exshaw, Cornell RTH, IWS/Explore, Raptor Research Project/Explore, Radford University, Field Farm, BoPH, SK Hideaways, and Kakapo Recovery.

Too many deaths…Wednesday in Bird World

19 June 2024

Hello Everyone,

As I wake up, sadness has just drifted over Bird World again. Dear Luna is gone and so are Zeus and Hera’s chicks. Bless his heart, our little sweet Smallie is gone, too.

It feels like a day for quiet reflection and to give thanks for those little ones that are surviving this year. They are VERY special!

I am writing this sitting at the nature centre eating a lunch-type breakfast and sipping Moroccan Tea. The Woodpeckers and the Red-wing Blackbirds are pecking away at the feeders. I find it interesting that the Blackbirds are not out foraging. Is it our horrific weather? It rains every day. I am surprised my house is not covered in mould and creepers! And then there is Steve, the resident Muskrat. Steve lives under the deck of the nature centre and loves eating bird seed~. The forecast is for yet another thunder storm this evening. This has been weeks with some breaks. The water in the river is very high making it difficult for the eagles and ospreys to fish. Our wildlife and raptors are suffering like they are elsewhere. We certainly needed the rain after our dry winter and it has stopped all of the wild fires but it is time to let somewhere else that needs the moisture have it. Famous last words. Our rain gauge can’t even keep up!

I am so glad that I have ‘The Girls’, the garden animals, and my walks. They help me to keep balanced in a Bird World that is decidedly unbalanced this year.

These two had been taking turns washing one another when they turned around and ‘sort of’ looked up.

Such an angel when she is sleeping.

Calico and Hope had been on the top snuggled together, too. Of course, I went to get the phone camera and look what happened.

Little Red was the first to find the new seed cylinder!

This is the season that just keeps on gifting – and the gifts are grief. Luna, the only surviving eaglet of Liberty and Guardian at the Redding nest in California on the Sacramento River, is dead. Her brother Sol died on the nest on 14 June.

Are these deaths related? or not? Is it possible that this is HPAI? Hopefully the necroscopy will tell those that need to know. Condolences to Liberty and Guardian who faced a challenging year with rising water and a nest tree that was very frail and to all the Friends of the Redding Eagles.

I will start with Heidi’s reports.

Last year, Hera lost her chicks to the weather We thought she had lost her mate, Zeus, too. This year dramatic sadness:
“6/19, South Cape May Meadows osprey nest of Hera and Zeus: There is no night light at the nest, and it was very dark. It sounded like a GHO knocked Hera off the nest at 0359. The GHO then landed on the perch, and went to the nest for a short time. The owl returned to the nest at 0420. There is no sign of the babies or Hera this morning. The osprey nestlings were 8 and 5 days of age.”

Hera came to the nest at 0906, she was dirty and disheveled, but she otherwise seemed (physically sic) okay.

6/18 Osoyoos osprey nest: There were six feedings that I saw from 5 fish. A few of the fish were medium in size, some smaller. All of the osplets ate well at each meal, except meal #5, during which Little decided he’d rather sleep! I did not see any aggression during the feedings. The osplets are looking good. The osplets are 11, 10, and 8 days of age.

6/18 Fenwick Island osprey nest (Captain Mac’s Fish House): Johnny and June have one baby this year (the remaining egg will not hatch). I’ve been concerned that the 4-day-old chick may not be getting enough to eat. I tried to follow their activities more closely today. There were five feedings that I saw, and the feedings seemed to go well between mom and baby. Usually the young osprey babies require small, but more frequent feedings. Johnny is not bringing fish to the nest very often, and he removes leftovers. The baby looks okay, though. I will continue to monitor.

6/18 Audubon Boathouse osprey nest: Congratulations to Dory and Skiff on the hatch of their second baby!

6/18 Forsythe osprey nest: Oscar brought six fish to the nest, all were at least medium sized, and a couple of them were quite large. The osplets both ate well, and there was no aggression. Very hot temperatures are predicted in the upcoming days, so keep plenty of fish coming in if you can Oscar.

6/18 Patuxent osprey nest: We saw the ‘return of the whopper’, and Little had a much better day today. The first meal was from a small whole fish, and Little didn’t get any of that. At 0730, Dad delivered a medium sized partial fish, and Little started to eat first. Dad turned right around and brought a medium whole fish at 0737, and a dual feeding took place, with Dad primarily feeding Big and Middle. Little had a mostly private meal and ate for 17 minutes. Little ate for a total of about 27 minutes at the following three meals. At 1659 Dad delivered the whopper.. a huge whole fish, that would feed the family for the next two hours! Each osplet had a few meals, and Little ate on and off for approximately 33 minutes. Dad showed up with a huge goldfish at 1806, and his family was still eating from the whopper fish, so he left with it. At 2020 Dad returned with the headless version of said goldfish, and he barely got a nod from anyone. They were all zonked out with their huge crops, so he left with the fish again.

6/18 Captiva osprey nest: Captiva had a wonderful day. Edie brought three fish to the nest, and Jack contributed one. Poor Jack was swarmed by Edie, Ding and Darling when he brought in his fish, and he could barely escape from the nest, lol. So, there was plenty of food to go around. The really big news of the day was the incredible hovering by Ding, as she took advantage of a brisk breeze. On one of her hovers in the morning s/he found herself hovering over the right perch, and landed on it. Ding enjoyed being on that perch so much that she landed on it a few more times throughout the day. Ding was on the perch at the time of one of Edie’s fish deliveries, and it took a while for Ding to gingerly make it back to the nest by shuffling her feet along the perch brace. The osplets are 56 and 55 days old.

Polo 7422 caught some wing action Hope was doing at Lake Murray. She is our fledgling, the Middle Chick, that survived the GHO attacks.

The female at MN Landscape drives me nuts. She now has only one chick to feed. The male is bringing in big fish. There is no excuse. She requires the chicks, little ones, to move to her wherever she decides to feed and she takes about 25 bites to their one. I hope this last one survives. It is damp and cold and it needs to be warm and well fed.

In comparison, you have several osprey families that are fantastic and can feed and care for four. Think Field Farm and Poole Harbour. I am holding my opinion of McEuan Park right now. I want to see how Little Mini does in a week.

So the question is this: Is it the female behaviour at Minnesota? The male is bringing big fish? or is it a lack of resources? weather?

Field Farm.

Poole Harbour.

McEuan Park also has four and the difference between Big and Little Mini is very noticeable. Let’s hope Little Mini can make it.

Janis Kruze rings the storklets. Liznm caught it.

At Loch Arkaig, C1 (I think he is a male) is starting to react to protect itself and eat.

Geemeff’s Daily summary from Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust:

Daily summary Tuesday 18th June 2024 Today was all about fish and the situation between submissive older chick C1 and dominant younger chick C2. Louis brought six fish to the nest including a late night snack-sized one, taking his tally to two hundred and sixteen. C1 is learning some strategies to deal with C2 including the odd lunge at its sibling then beating a hasty retreat to tuck down and await the swift retaliation, but the most successful one is waiting when fish arrives then sidling round the side of Dorcha and getting some mouthfuls from her – in one case, getting a ten minute exclusive feed from her while C2 was resting its bloated crop. C1 even took a cheeky nibble which is very encouraging – the sooner C1 starts self-feeding confidently, the better. As today ends, both chicks have full crops. On the anniversary of Dorcha removing the sad remains of 2022’s Bob3, body disposal was a topic of discussion on the forum as it was observed that dominant C2 attacked the body of C3 several times with some vigour. Was it just attacking, or attempting to feed? Will the body gradually be subsumed into the nest or will Dorcha remove it? Meantime, it is still clearly visible. In other news, Garry LV0 visited Nest One and stayed for over an hour, bringing nesting materials and doing some nest-scraping. What this means in terms of gaining residents remains to be seen, his visits are infrequent enough to assume he’s nesting somewhere in the area with a mate, but with Garry, nothing is certain. The weather was settled and set to continue tonight with a clear sky and light winds, and sunshine tomorrow.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 00.20.14 (03.16.26); Nest Two 23.34.57 (03.45.34)

Watch the livestream 24/7 and join in the conversation here:

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

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/WZyXxYRAsfo N2 Fish number one, C1 self-feeds 04.47.10

https://youtu.be/bB9Dwon2I3o N2 Fish number two, C2 attacks C1 09.30.47

https://youtu.be/Wxu_Vl1wvlw N2 Fish number three, C2 seems to have prevented C1 eating.. 10.50.06

https://youtu.be/tZeYWxBU94U N2 ..But cunning C1 waits, and gets an exclusive feed 11.11.54

https://youtu.be/tGKhmichhqo N1 Garry LV0 visits with nesting materials and does housework 11.50.26

https://youtu.be/U-tu9Y00WH0 N2 Fish number four, younger chick attacks older chick 13.47.43

https://youtu.be/JeleU0HE-Iw N2 Fish number five, headless trout, C1 sidles round and gets some 20.54.59

https://youtu.be/wYOfQq2c0dg N2 Fish number six, snack-size trout, C1 gets nothing 22.41.54

Bonus read – who knew you could put a backpack on a beetle? Woodland Trust, that’s who!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz55jm0m80ro

It will not be long til we have White-Bellied Sea Eagle eggs in the Sydney Olympic Forest!

The weather has been one of the leading causes of death of osplets. Today, it is pouring at the nest of Iris and Finnegan. Not good for newly hatched osplets or for feeding – they can’t thermoregulate yet – and for fishing.

‘A’ comments: “Iris has been trying to feed it but then clears up what look like the bites it was fed, so at yesterday’s feedings, I am not sure it actually ended up swallowing much at all. And the weather is not helping, with a very wet day. Iris is hunkered down on the kids, looking soaked. It is 17:31 and despite the rain, Finn has brought in a nice-sized fish. Iris is telling him that she wants the fish but it is too wet to feed the babies at this moment so he should leave the fish and she would grab the next break in the weather. (At least, that’s what I would be saying to Finn, and Iris is a girl of like mind.) She is VERY chatty. He as always just stands quietly, the strong silent type. She gets up though and dad hands over the fish.

Big Bob turns and watches dad, so Little Bob is the only one in the feeding line. Mum tries to feed him but dad’s tail keeps bonking him in the head! Nevertheless, he gets a bite and Iris tries with another. Another tail bonk! And again! But she finally manages to give him the second half of the bite. He takes it but it gets stuck on his beak! By now, Big Bob has worked out where mum and the food are and has turned around. Feeding Big Bob is much easier for Iris, who may be a little stiff and resents having to lean over and down to a young chick (she was like that when Big Bob first hatched too), so she feeds him. Little Bob is not offered food, as he is still not entirely sure which direction to face and is also getting an occasional tail bonk from dad, knocking him down onto the nest. He pops straight back up though – he is a lively little chick and seems healthy and active. Iris has obviously got some food into him. (At this stage, I am assuming Big Bob is a feisty girl and Little Bob is a younger brother, because that is the usual nest order apparently, but of course it could be the other way around, which would be wonderful.)

So far, things are going well in the sense that Finn is providing enough fish and the chicks are eating when they are given food. I am a little concerned that Iris seems tired, and perhaps even a little lazy. She is sometimes reluctant to feed for long enough and finds it hard to reach down to the little one. Only time will tell. At this stage, both are looking healthy and active and that is the best we can hope for. “

‘A’ continues, “Finn was in early as usual to say good morning to Iris. She packed him off to get breakfast around 7am, and was far from pleased when he arrived back nearly 45 minutes later with a giant stick but no fish! She has a great deal to say about it and she does NOT sound at all happy. She has two hungry osplets who are becoming slightly unruly beneath her, it’s nearly 8am and she has nothing to feed them. And Finn thinks it’s a good time to consider baby rails?

Now, as Finn continues rearranging the nest structure, Iris keeps nagging at him constantly. He does not appear to have a crop, though his underfluffies do appear to be wet. They could merely be a little messy. Finally, shortly before 07:47 he flies off again.

Iris is hunkered back down as if it was raining. She could simply be tired. She tends to lay her head down on the nest and literally pass out, rarely if ever sleeping tucked. She does seem to have been particularly tired for a couple of days following each hatch, which makes a lot of sense, as she got little or no sleep on those nights the chicks were hatching (two nights of disturbed sleep per chick, with a third night at the beginning when she was not so restless because she was not constantly moving but was aware of movement and peeping inside the egg, so was awake and listening to the chick the night before the outer pip was visible).

She is an elderly osprey, and it is lovely to see Finn doing things like feeding her on the nest. She had to work very hard yesterday afternoon to get the fish off the remaining skin (Finn had returned a fish that by then had largely been eaten and was feeding the last remnants to the younger chick, Big Bob having passed out in a food coma some time earlier). It was a shame really because it meant she fed very slowly, so that Big Bob eventually woke up and got food that should have gone to the little one.

So far, it seems to be growing well and eating enough. It had a dear little round crop yesterday afternoon – its first one (you know how when they’re really young, they don’t really eat enough at each feeding to get noticeable crops – they just don’t look sunken). Of course its older sibling had a very large one, as it usually does nowadays.

My heart sank yesterday when the older one started bonking the baby. The good part about it was that the little one had no real clue what was going on. It is not quite able to see properly (it’s still a little vague about where things are and who is what) and can’t really tell the difference between being bonked by dad’s tail feathers and being beaked by Big Bob, who is not at all vicious in his pecks. They’re tokenistic at this stage but definitely intended to make the pecking order clear to Little Bob.

So far, there has been no attempt to stop Little Bob from eating or from lining up for food. It was simply boredom, I think, and maybe a little frustration. There was no food involved. We will wait and see what happens today. I was pleased to see that Iris was making an obvious effort to feed Little Bob, both after she has filled up Big Bob and also when she gets the chance at a private feeding, such as when Finn returned the remnants of that fish when Big Bob was asleep.

So I remain hopeful that dad will bring enough fish of a really good size to ensure there is enough for everyone, though his tendency not to leave leftovers on the nest is a bit of a worry. He doesn’t seem to realise that these chicks need half a dozen feedings off that big fish he brings in for breakfast (remembering of course that he has usually eaten the head off this gigantic fish, so has had a seriously large amount of food himself). Both Finn and Iris have voracious appetites, and although Iris is definitely prepared to sacrifice some of her own share to her osplets, Finn takes any remaining fish off the nest with some alacrity, sometimes despite loud protestations from Iris.

At 08:03 she is still waiting for Finn and a fish.”

Not a bad day for Boulder County and its Only Bob.

The Decorah North eagle family is surviving without their beloved nest. They hang around the old nest and it is simply beautiful.

‘PB’ has been monitoring the Cowlitz PUD nest and shares concerns that Little Bob might not getting enough food and he is being bonked. Send positive wishes for them. This is a difficult area because of all the competition for food. The Eagles like to steal from the Ospreys.

Lucille Powell caught both of the osprey fledglings on their Sun Coast nest.

Look at Aurora!

Things are looking OK for the surviving fans at San Jose.

Beautiful Only Bob at Rutland is ringed. It is a boy!

We need a big smile and here it is – this is what happens when a community comes together and feeds the osplets on a nest so that they can grow and thrive. Thank you, Port Lincoln, you are a role model!

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, photos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, H, J, PB’, Toni Hoover and Amersfoort Falcons, FORE, SCMM, Forsythe Ospreys, Patuxent River Park, Osoyoos Ospreys, Audubon Boat House, Fenwick Island, Polo7422, MN Landscape Arboretum, Field Farm, BoPH, McEuan Park, Liznm, Geemeff, SK Hideaways, Montana Osprey Project, Boulder County, Raptor Resource Project/Explore, Pam Breci, Lucille Powell, SK Hideaways, Rutland Osprey Project, and Port Lincoln Osprey.

Decorah North nest collapses

16 June 2024

The Decorah North Bald Eagle nest collapsed. It was raining at the time and it is presumed that the nest was too heavy for the support to hold it.

D17 was on a branch and flew to an adjoining tree while D18 was on the edge of the nest when it fell. Both appear to fly but D18 is on the ground but its condition is unknown. Hopefully someone will go out and rescue this little one as it is difficult to fly up, there are predators on the ground, and it could be injured. Please don’t wait – we all recall Meadow.

Thank you to the Raptor Resource Centre and Explore.org and to ‘PB’ for alerting me to this tragedy.

Bobbleheads everywhere…Thursday in Bird World

23 May 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

I want to thank everyone that send a note to Lake Murray. They have installed some strobe lights and will turn on music. I hope it works but I would encourage Lake Murray and all nests that have the chance of predation by eagles or owls to look to Cowlitz PUD for the solution – cost effective fish grates on poles positioned on opposite sides of the platform. It is so cheap. They are permanently positioned. No energy is used. The larger raptors cannot swoop to get the chicks!

Your kindness and caring mean so much!

Two beautiful babies. I hope they are not ‘sitting ducks’ tonight.

Lake Murray has the strobe lights on! Lucy is on the perch not in the nest.

Tears. There are two ospreys at Lake Murray this morning. The strobes worked!

Two other females on eggs being attacked regularly by GHOs need strobe lights installed now – Moraine Park where hatch is imminent and Iris at Montana.

I took time on Wednesday to decompress from the predation of Little at Lake Murray. That brave little soul. Sometimes we just have to go out into nature and that is what I did to rebalance myself. It has been a staggering year. Today’s post is going to be rather short. I hope that you will go outside and listen to the birds, stroke your favourite pet or pets, and marvel at the good in the world – it is out there. Sometimes we have to look hard to find it.

‘A’ writes, “I could not stop crying after watching that footage. Did you notice that Baby Bob seemed to have some kind of instinctive warning of the impending attack. He stirred and woke up, moved, snuggled back down, looked up again, and then swoop. Mum immediately woke and alerted, but all too late. Why weren’t the strobes on LAST NIGHT? Why have they not been used since the evening Lucy decided to sleep on the perch instead of on the nest with the osplets? And of course Baby Bob was still alive when taken, and I’m not sure how (or if) the owls really kill their prey or just ‘inhale’ it like a snake. I do love GHOs and their owlets are just the cutest things, so I tried to remind myself that mama and papa owl are only trying to feed their own baby (or babies), but it didn’t help much because I adored that osplet. From the moment he hatched, his courage and determination won my heart. He was a darling little man and I remain convinced he would have had the skills needed to have a great wild life as a fledgling. RIP Baby Bob. Another for the 2024 rainbow bridge memorial wall. Brutal.”

There is so much news in Bird World and today, we will look at a few nests.

First hatch at Poole Harbour for CJ7 and Blue 022. Congratulations.

Dylan and Seren welcomed Bob Two at Llyn Clywedog and Dylan made sure they had a nice trout dinner. Precious little ones. These are great parents with a good return rate and, sadly, a goshawk that lives in the forest who is brave.

In Scotland, Louis and Dorcha welcomed their second hatch! Bobbleheads everywhere! Now if we can keep the predators away from them that would be wonderful.

Thie was Big Bob’s first dinner at Loch Arkaig.

It is snowing in Montana. Poor Iris.

Colonial Beach have their third egg.

Forsythe have their third hatch. This nest was hit badly last year with lack of food during the June storm.

Smallie remains outside the scrape at Amersfoort. Adults place food inside scrape for food tug-o-war by oldest. Will they feed Smallie?

Oh, my goodness. This little one is determined to live. Smallie jumped back in. Now let’s get this baby some food.

Smallie was rewarded! We can all sleep a little better tonight.

Smallie in the corner sleeping with its siblings.

‘PB’ sends us an image of Smallie’s crop today! Lovely.

At Cal Falcons, Little got the prize.

Fledge at Duke Farms on Wednesday. It was Snickers!

All eyes at Denton Homes as we await the return of the eaglets. Was informed by gr8lakes that all three are good. One might have a sore leg. If that is the case then this was a real miracle. So grateful for the quick action by Denton Homes.

One great family taking care of another that could not care for themselves. The nest was checked for structural soundness and comfort. Hats off to Denton Homes! Babies returned and waiting for Mum and Dad to come to the nest. The goodness of these people brings the most joyful tears to my eyes. Send them a thank you in their comments if you have not done so!

One adult has been on the tree but none have returned to the nest. There were storms all over the area last night with the possibility of many other nests being lost.

‘JH’ sends us news about the Peregrine Falcon family in Harrisburg, PA – thanks ‘J’.

Falcon-Wire Download

If you follow the Grand Lake Ospreys, their first egg was laid today.

Does anyone follow the Blackbush at Old Tracadia Harbour Osprey nest?

https://www.youtube.com/live/_5Oyw-Za2xg?si=g7By8APN9C6RTIHP

Gorgeous Ruffie (fledged) and Tuffy (yet to fledge) at Moorings Park. Life is good for them. Wonderful parents.

What is happening at Patuxent nest 1? ‘H’ tells us, “5/22 – Patuxent River Park (nest one): The three osplets are 15, 14, and 11 days old. The oldest chick, ‘Big’ is very dominant, and aggressively beaks both of its siblings during feedings. ‘Middle’ does manage to eat at most meals, but there are many meals where ‘Little’ does not get fed. The days where Dad is able to catch at least one of his specialty giant goldfish, Little and Middle are both able to eat well. There were 7 feedings on 5/22, and Little was observed to eat at least 69 bites of fish. The latter part of meal #5 was blocked from our view, but it appeared that Little was eating. When Little came into view, it was evident by his small crop that he indeed had eaten some fish.”

All three on the nest at Venice. Yes! We know they are safe and sound and are now fighting over fish deliveries. Excellent news.

We are on pip watch at Seaside!

Three sweeties at Maryland’s Western Shore Old Town Home are still alright.

The trio at Goitsche-Wildnis appear to be fine also.

‘H’ reports on Captiva: “5/22 – Captiva ospreys: CO7 is 29 days old, and CO8 is 28 days old. They are only 36 hours apart in age, but CO7 has always been the dominant one. Today wasn’t quite as good a day as yesterday for the youngest osplet, but there were 7 feedings, and CO8 still managed to eat quite a lot of fish. Thanks to Edie and Jack (Mom and Dad), their two chicks are doing very well.”

I sometimes give shout outs to organisations that are fundraising. Today I want to draw your attention to the Friends of South Australia. That is that wonderful group that provided the fish for the osplets at the Port Lincoln barge – the fairies that saved the lives of the babies in 2023-24. They build platforms, put lights under the water at Port Lincoln so that the adults can fish at night. They put trackers on the osplets like Ervie, Giliath, and Bradley. For $20 AUS you can help them continue their good work.

Thank you so much for being with me. It is 2200 in Winnipeg on a Wednesday night and I hope to wake up in the morning and see two osplets on the nest at Lake Murray. If so, then the lights worked. Now leave them on Lake Murray! You cannot – until they disperse -turn them off. We know this from the predation of goshawks against fledged osplets in the UK (Poole Harbour). Take care all. See you soon!

Thank you so much to the following for the notes, posts, images, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, H, JH, PB’, Lake Murray Ospresy, Poole Harbour Ospreys, Llyn Clywedog Ospreys, Geemeff, Montana Osprey Project, Heidi McGrue, Amersfoort Falcons, SK Hideaways, Duke Farms, Denton Homes, Falcom Cam news, Diane Lamberson, Moorings Park, Patuxent River Park nest 1, VGCCO, Pam Breci, Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home, Goitsfche-Wildnis, and Fran Solly.

Hatches, eggs, and full crops…Monday in Bird World

13 May 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

Lots of things happening on Sunday. If you missed it – I sure did – Mum and Dad had their first hatch of the season at the PSEG Osprey platform in Patchogue on Long Island early Sunday morning. Thanks, ‘MP’.

Oh, that baby is so tiny!

And now it is Monday morning and we have hatch two at Patchogue – I didn’t miss this one! Dad was right there with a big fish for Mum and both of the babies.

Farther north, Dory and Skiff laid their second egg at the Audubon Boathouse.

Iris laid her third egg (the first one got kicked out of the nest) on Sunday. Iris and New Guy are incubating two eggs now.

Iris is happy. She is getting 2 or 3 nice fish a day! Glad to see this guy is keeping up with his end of the bargain and you-know-who seems to be staying home.

After the loss of Laddie and her eggs, Blue NCO returns to her nest at Loch of the Lowes on Sunday. Geemeff adds, “Approx 18.30 Calls are heard off camera, then NC0 appears. She’s been absent for a few days, staying away more frequently since dear Laddie’s untimely death and the destruction of their eggs by the Pale Male on 7th May. She flies onto the nest and perches, moves onto the nest, calling. Then a male appears, not the Pale Male but the new Dark Male who’s also been hanging around. He doesn’t have any fish so she quickly gets rid of him, and departs herself around 7pm.”

On Sunday, the first fish came early and good thing. It was hot and I have not seen another for a number of hours. ‘H’ and I both watched that 0607 feeding. ‘H’s notes: “I counted bites, but as it turned out, I did not need to. Little ate first, and one of the older ones joined in several minutes later. There was no beaking. The third sibling joined in later, and again no beaking. Little was sort of crowded out, but not pushed out. Later, Little pushed his way back to the feeding line and the three osplets ate peacefully side by side. Unbelievable! There was still a little bit of fish remaining at 0641, but Lucy had no takers, as everyone was full. (if you’re counting…Little ate 114 bites of fish).” That is a good start to what looks like a hot, hot Sunday.

I just feel very unsettled about Lake Murray and the third hatch. I want to be proven wrong.

Ah, it is the end of the day at Lake Murray. Kenny brought in a big fish. Just look at three’s crop. A good start to the day, a not so good at all middle, and a good ending for our little one.

‘H’ agrees! “Lake Murray ended on a high note, 183 bites for Little at the last meal.” And this is her full report for the day: “

5/12 Lake Murray osprey nest: Little (C3) has a very difficult life. His/her two older siblings (C1, C2) are so much bigger, stronger, and dominant. They are 21, 19, and 16 days old on 5/12. Big and Middle both pick on Little, but I think Big is responsible for most of the attacks on Little.

The first meal of the day, at 0607, was a complete surprise… in that it was peaceful! Go figure. Little ate first and had a long private feeding before the other two sleepyheads even got ‘out of bed’. After a long while, Big and Middle joined in the feeding and there was harmony! I was in shock… I couldn’t believe Little’s good fortune. Thank goodness for small miracles. Little ate 114 bites of fish at this meal. After that, the day went downhill quickly for Little. Kenny would bring 5 more fish to the nest that day. At the first four of those meals, Big and Middle were merciless… attacking Little multiple times to keep him from eating. Some of the attacks were quite brutal. At meals two through five, Little ate 0, 2, 6, and 1 bite of fish. Then, at 1800, the last fish of the day… Kenny delivered a large whole fish. I knew that the size of the fish, especially late in the day after Big and Middle had been stuffed all day… would significantly improve Little’s chances for a good meal. Little did not get to eat right away. He was beaked and kept from participating in the meal. At one point both of the larger siblings went after Little simultaneously. At 1816 Lucy did something very cool… she moved the fish all the way across the nest to where Little was, and Little was fed 14 bites before he was attacked. It was not until 1832 that Little ate his next bite of fish, in fact he managed to eat 12 more bites before he was savagely attacked by Big. Slowly but surely, the two older chicks were getting full. Little would sneak up to Lucy and get a few bites of fish here and there whenever he could. By 1850 Little was receiving a mostly private feeding. Lucy was feeding as quickly as she could, and Little was often seen crop-dropping. Little ate until 1906, and had eaten approximately 183 bites of fish at this meal.

I really like this ‘kid’. Little has a determined nature about him, and it seemed that he was always scheming to find a way to get back to Lucy to be fed. Little reminds me of Tuffy at Moorings Park. One big difference is, Tuffy only had one older dominant sibling to contend with, while Little has two.”

Sure nice to see that top on Three. Thank goodness for those late day big catches.

I keep saying that Harry and Sally have the most beautiful osplets. It is the richness of those deep espresso-black feathers set against that gorgeous landscape. Tuffy survived Ruffie. Sometimes you have to look several times to tell which one is which now.

‘H’ reports on Captiva: “5/12, Captiva osprey nest: The siblings are 19 and 17 days old on 5/12. There is no question that CO7 is dominant, and behaves aggressively toward its younger sibling, generally making life quite difficult at times for CO8. Many times CO7 gets quite a bit more to eat at a meal than CO8. But, by the end of the day CO8 will usually have his/her crop filled a few times. CO7 seems to calm down a bit by the afternoon, and that improves CO8’s chances for a good meal. Yesterday evening however, CO8 took advantage of CO7’s improved demeanor and CO8 started a fight! Those fights never turn out well for CO8…s/he will learn, lol!

First-time parents, Edie and Jack, have proven to be wonderful parents. Jack is a good provider, supplying the nest with ample fish. And, Jack often participates in the feeding of his offspring. On 5/11 there was a long dual feeding, where Edie fed CO7, and Jack fed CO8. On 5/12 Jack fed CO8 a long private feeding from 17:03 to 17:21, until CO7 (displaying his Dr. Jekyll persona) sidled-on-up beside CO8, and the two temporary besties ate side by side, fed by Papa Jack. Both osplets ended up with good crops.

This nest is doing well, although there are times when I’m sure CO8 would beg to differ!”

We now have a full clutch for the Seili Osprey nest in Finland. Way to go Hildur.

There is at least one egg at the Juurusvesi nest also with Ania and Bartek.

The third egg hatched at Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home Ospreys on Sunday.

The first hatch happened at the Outerbanks nest some time over night.

Hatch at Carthage!

There is still no sign of a pip in the second egg at Rutland’s Manton Bay nest of Blue 33 and Maya.

Dorcha shows off her gorgeous plumage and wings while she waits for the eggs to hatch at Loch Arkaig.

At Frenchman’s Creek, an adult was on the nest feeding one of the fledglings. Later a fledgling was on the nest alone. It is impossible to know if it is the same fledgling or if both juveniles were at the nest on Sunday.

The Venice Golf and Country Club Osprey cam was offline on Sunday every time I checked. The same was true for the University of Florida-Gainesville Osprey cam. Very disappointing. They got a new camera this year and it is terrible.

Big Red is always a pick of one of my favourite raptor mothers. She is just in her glory when there are chicks in the nest.

The nest of Ruth and Oren looks so tiny to me compared to the sq footage of Big Red’s penthouse. You can see the ‘ear’ of the hawks. Look below the eye in the top image at the little black circle. It will be covered with feathers.

Did you know about this Red-tail Hawk nest at Wake Forest? Look at the different ages of the three in terms of their feather development.

The only word is ‘adorable’.

Oh, goodness. They are self-feeding!

‘A’ loves these little ones: “The 11:31am feeding at Cal Falcons this morning (12 May) was yet another of Annie’s perfectly shared efforts. As always, the chicks got to the table in their own time and order, with the youngest taking a while to wake up (at which point it immediately grabbed centre front position and began eating voraciously, as always) and one of the older chicks didn’t join in until last of the four. But despite this, Annie managed, as always, to share the food with such perfection that the four ended up with crops of almost identical size after the feeding. All were bulging in that rather ugly manner, where there are not enough feathers to cover the large bulge, and Annie’s job was done for another few hours. They are eating less often, as I mentioned, but are polishing off entire birds at a meal now instead of having leftovers. There is rarely anything remaining. This time, though, when the meal ends just before 11:43, there are a couple of bones left on the scrape, a little bit of juicy-looking flesh attached, presumably for the chicks to begin nibbling on themselves. Chick number three has a go, and the youngest, behind it, is fascinated by the sight, peering over to watch closely what its sibling is doing.It’s easy to see who is the smartest eyas in this scrape. (To be honest, it’s been obvious from the beginning – this little one has been a dynamo since day one.) These four are doing superbly well. They spend most of their day growing with all their might, but they are starting to get more curious about the world beyond the scrape. Those feathers are coming in nicely, and they are starting to stand up and attempt to walk a few steps on their feet before reverting to their tarsi. I just cannot believe they will be banded in only three days.”

Larry’s chicks benefit from Larry having learned how to be a great Mum from Annie.

If you need to understand the words ‘hope’ and ‘resilience’, look no further than Jak and Audacity at the Sauces Canyon Bald Eagle nest.

The adults at Decorah North are showing the eaglets where to go to branch. It will not be long!

Reign and Manini are looking really good at the Fraser Point nest of Andor and Cruz.

The baby at Little Miami Conservancy ended the day with a really nice crop.

The trio at the West End nest of Thunder and Akeheta are eating well. Check out this ‘ps’.

I ‘think’ this darling is little Treasure.

Look who is on the JB Sands Wetlands eagle nest on Mother’s Day! So nice to see you JBS20. Aren’t you lucky? Someone brought you lunch!

Precious storklet of Bety and Bukacek.

There are four storklets on the streaming cam at Knepp Farm in the UK. In 2020 the first white storklets from the rewinding programme hatched at Knepp Farm. They were the first wild chicks hatched in Britain in 600 years! The last nesting pair were seen in Edinburgh in 1416. No one knows for certain why they completely disappeared but they were on medieval menus, they were killed for food, and what about their feathers? Maybe egg collectors, too.

The adults, Anna and Bartek, stay in the nest at night together with their storklets.

Things are getting busy at Sydney. ‘A’ reports:

“May 12: The eagles appeared to have been at Goat Island last night, and were heard duetting early, at 7:15am. They were seen leaving at 10:30am and were seen shortly after at Burns Bay and then heard duetting. Mid-afternoon, at 2pm, Dad showed up at the nest, followed shortly after by Lady. They flew off and then returned just after 5pm. Both were then at home for the night.”

Oh, how I do love Swifts.

Birdwatch-the-invincible-swift-effortless-master-of-the-air-Environment-The-Guardian Download

Last year our hearts broke for Little Mini at Patchogue. She had survived being the tiniest little fourth hatch and then she injured her leg. Many knew the story of Ma Berry and we have seen other raptors that have survived with disabilities. ‘Geemeff’ sent me the following article. We really need to think inclusion not euthanasia. This is the story of a shorebird, a wading bird, with only one leg that is doing just fine, thank you.

Rare-wading-bird-with-one-leg-spotted-at-Northumberland-nature-reserve Download

Good Night Gabby and Beau wherever you are.

Thank you so very much for being with me today. Take care everyone. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, H, MP’, Birdy Isac NY, Audubon/Explore, Montana Osprey Project, Geemeff, Lake Murray Ospreys, Moorings Park Ospreys, Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home Ospreys, LRWT, Frenchman’s Creek, Cornell RTH, Syracuse U-RTH Cam, Amy Bonis, Cal Falcons, SK Hideaways, Parks Conservancy, IWS/Explore, Raptor Research Project/Explore, Little Miami Conservancy, JB Sands Wetlands, The Guardian, Chronicle Live, Knepp Farm, Window to Wildlife, Sydney Sea Eagle Cam, Outerbanks Ospreys, Finnish Osprey Foundation, and NEF-AEF.

*Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to thank those who supplied information, images, etc, for my post this morning. If there is an error or omission, please let me know!*

Monday in Bird World

29 April 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

I am finishing this posting late Sunday evening as I must leave the house early Monday morning. So, whatever happens between midnight CDT and Monday morning will be covered on Tuesday. It is also going to be cooler tomorrow. 2 C. We were 24 C last week. I do not know about the birds and animals in the garden, but it has been quite the past few months with the weather fluctuating daily.

Hugo Yugo and Missey want to wish everyone a great start to their week. These two are inseparable, just like Calico and Baby Hope. It is not just Missey that washes Hugo Yugo – that little ginger gives Missey a good going over. It is so precious.

Beautiful chortling from Jackie and Shadow to start your day.

I spent Sunday with my daughter and her three children to celebrate the granddaughter’s birthday. You will recall that this young woman is quite an inspiration to me and others. She has the most empathy and is a social worker helping those who struggle to live independently due to long-term abuse and addiction. She is also Vegan and has been for seven years. Her commitment to the welfare of animals and people warms my heart.

There are some sad and horrifying things happening in Bird World and I would like to dispense with them right away and get on to some of the more positive events that happened in our nests on Sunday.

I have great concerns for the second hatch at the UFlorida-Gainesville Osprey nest. ‘R’ did a great job monitoring the nest and confirmed my fears. He writes, “At 0647 a fish was brought in. It looks like Stella as only one Osprey came into the nest. At 1247 Stella again brought in a fish. She is gone most of the time so I suspect she is doing the fishing. After this feeding both osplets had decent crops. At 1247 Stella fed part of a fish that was laying in the nest (catfish). At 1447 Talon brings in a fish. This is the only time he is in the nest for 12H. This is also the last feeding for the 12H period. Stella spends most of her time off the nest and occasionally brings in nesting material.

The birds must be getting very hungry as #1 (my numbering for the biggest and aggressive osplet) occasionally attacks #2 even when there is no feeding going on. #2 is getting very little food. Very strange and hard to follow with such a poor arrangement of the camera.”

The image below is well after ‘R’s’ reporting. Sibling 1 has been eating all the fish and has a huge crop and is attacking the middle sibling. The third hatch died of a very vicious siblicide.

Tragedy was brewing Sunday afternoon when both Claire and USS7 got caught in fishing line on the US Steel Bald Eagle nest. In an incredible effort, Claire got that line off herself and her chick. She then gathered it up and flew off the nest! Well done – an experienced Mum working to save her little one.

‘H’ reports that the two eggs laid at the Fenwicke Island Osprey nest in Delaware have been eaten by Crows. Both adults were off the nest!

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum ospreys are being rained on. The first egg which had been left in the pouring rain is now well hidden under nesting material. The second egg was laid on Sunday and it has been walked on and rained on…It could well be a blessing if it does not hatch.

Good news coming from Decorah North. NC18 no longer has fishing line hanging from its beak. It appears it has been cleared as per Raptor Resource Project.

‘B’ writes: “I couldn’t believe it! Archie snuck in there at 8:38:45 while Annie was away and began feeding the chicks. He must have had that TINY bit of prey stashed somewhere, just waiting for his opportunity. It only lasted a minute, because Annie returned at 8:39:45 and snatched it from him, also having a couple of words with him. Way to go, Archie!”

Cal Falcons caught this magical moment.

Sometimes it is hard to tell how much fish Tuffy gets, but he is being fed well and his feathers are continuing to grow and the nest appears peaceful.

Keo and Keke surprised everyone with their first egg laid late on the 27th or the wee hours of the 28th (?) at the Sandpoint Nest.

On Sunday that egg at Sandpoint had some drizzle on it.

‘PB’ found a nest in Canada in the Niagara on the Lake area. It is the Niagara Bee Group Ospreys and they already have two eggs!

Some rain got on the two eggs Sunday afternoon. It is not clear if they will be viable or not.

This is the link to their streaming cam:

Ollie and his mate have returned to the Greens Ledge Light Preservation Society on Long Island. There is a new camera and the nest has been secured from a storm last year that wiped it out. Ollie returned on the 30th of March and his mate arrived a few days later. They now have one egg according to the wonderful moderator of their FB messaging who answered me promptly.

More and more fish deliveries at Frenchman’s Creek. Reflecting on this nest and the Mum who is obviously ill/injured makes me wonder how these two surviving osplets will behave as adults with their own chicks. For example, at the Hopeless Nest in Newfoundland, the female does not feed the chicks. Both died last year and I believe in all the time only one chick has survived and that was in 2019 (please feel free to correct me). Will these two not feed their chicks? if they are female? Or will their instincts or memories drive them to be good parents?

Dad continues to bring fish – thankfully he eats the head so the chicks can eat the fish easier. He is also still spending time feeding his two big babies. I think they are going to be alright. People should not worry about the fish piling up unless it compromises the nest structure. The carrion eaters will arrive and have it cleaned up in no time!

The weather is improving in Finland and the ospreys are busy mating, fixing nests, or laying eggs. There are two eggs at Satakunnan.

There is a new female this year at Juurusvesi. She is Yellow M76822 and was ringed in 2020 at a nest precisely 100 km away at Viitasaaki.

Did not see an osprey on the nest at Paltamon where there is still snow on the ground, but there was a Peregrine Falcon!

Both have returned to Janakkala – obviously eating well. No egg yet.

The male in Germany is feeding the female who is incubating their eggs a fish meal. How cute.

Louis must have been dealing with intruders. She finally got a fish and it was after 1500 – that is decidedly not the Louis we know.

There is a new couple with three eggs on the Estonian Osprey nest in Tartu County. (It is not believed that this is either the former male Ivo or his mate). This is wonderful news for a country where the osprey population is low. In 2018, 210 pairs.

No one will ever go hungry if Arthur is around. The nest of Big Red and N1 and N2 is now lined with squirrel. Do not despair of you see these two beaking away at one another. It will stop. Their eyes cannot focus properly – just like the falcons. Give them 4 or 5 days. Their heads are not steady and any beak is a potential meal! They will get rough – in this instance, it is play fighting unlike what is happening at University of Florida-Gainesville.

Buky and Bette still have two eggs at their nest in Mlady Buky.

Geemeff brings us up to date on the comings and goings of nest 1 at Loch Arkaig. “An unringed female came to Nest One and got two fish from Garry LV0! She spent a lot of time there, fingers crossed she returns tomorrow. Affric 152 hasn’t been seen since the 24th, and the unidentified pair at Bunarkaig are definitely now incubating eggs so it does look like that is her on that nest. So with luck she’ll stay away and Garry will have the time and space to woo this female and they form a bond. There is still time – just – for eggs this year but just seeing him with a mate would make me very happy.”

Geemeff has it all on video.

And then a second fish. This looks promising. There has not been a family of osplets on this nest since Louis moved to nest 2 with Dorcha after Aila did not return.

Swampy had a meal and slept like an adult perched with a parent on the natal tree.

‘H’ reports that Severna Park finally has its first egg – a fortnight later than last year. 17:26:55.

Deb Stecyk did a really nice tribute to Bella. Poor eagle…what a terrible year she had with her new mate, Scout.

When the young woman posted her linocut of Flaco on FB, I could not resist. It arrived and went off to the framers. I forgot to request non-reflective glass. Said with a loud sigh, as it was difficult to get a half-decent image without reflections for her to use on her Instagram page. I thought it came out rather well – the print with the matting and framing. It’s hard to tell the colours, but the largest matt is a deep grey-blue-black, with the little interior section the colour of a deep rust brick.

Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. We will look forward to seeing you again on Tuesday!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, screen captures, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, B, Geemeff, H, MP, PB, R’, SK Hideaways, Baiba, Fenwicke Island, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Raptor Resource Project/Explore, Cal Falcons, Moorings Park ospreys, Sandpoint Ospreys, Niagara Bee Group, Greens Ledge Light Preservation Society, Frenchman’s Creek, Finnish Osprey Foundation, Fischadlercam, Geemeff, Eagle Club of Estonia, Cornell RTH, Mlady Buky Stork Cam, Eagle Country, Severna Park, Deb Stecyk, and DirtGirl Designs.

*Disclaimer: I make every effort to identify and thank those who have provided information. If I have made an error or omission, please let me know so I can rectify it. Thank you.*

Category Archives: Iowa Wildlife

Too many deaths…Monday in Bird World

Like this:

Chicks arrived safely…Tuesday in Bird World

Like this:

Wednesday in Bird World

Like this:

2 kg female osplet ringed in Wales…Tuesday in Bird World

Like this:

Ding Fledges…Saturday in Bird World

Like this:

Too many deaths…Wednesday in Bird World

Like this:

Decorah North nest collapses

Like this:

Bobbleheads everywhere…Thursday in Bird World

Like this:

Hatches, eggs, and full crops…Monday in Bird World

Like this:

Monday in Bird World

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: