Category Archives: Iowa

Tuesday in Bird World

6 June 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

The humidex in Winnipeg, Manitoba was 38 degrees C. The temperature on the deck was 39 C at one time in the afternoon – not sure what that does to the figures the weather station is releasing. It is simply hot. There is little movement in the garden – some sparrows flitting in and out to get in the shade and eat some seed. No squirrels. No Blue Jays. No Crows. Not even a single feral cat. It is clearly not the time of day – afternoon – to be going out to check on ducklings and goslings. Someone sent me this photo. Sadly I do not know who took it but it is supposed to be goslings in our City crossing the asphalt. My gosh…those poor feet. Asphalt gets super hot in this heat.

Around 1900 a much anticipated five-minute downpour will make everything more humid, but it was so heavy the plants will appreciate the moisture!

The garden has been virtually empty. A few House Sparrows, a couple of squirrels came out around 1700 and a single Blue Jay. The heat impacts all of us even if there is fresh water and food waiting.

I am finishing off the newsletter for Tuesday late Monday but will check through my mail for any news and on a few of the nests…it is convocation for the granddaughter tomorrow morning. A nice day to celebrate and take the gang for a lunch before our lives return to normal.

On the radar! I am astounded when anyone takes a saw to a tree during breeding season. Every country should regulate the cutting down of trees and that means small ones, too that have nests of song birds. Mr Woodpecker no longer comes to the feeder because my neighbour cut down the ‘dead tree’. Gracious. It could have waited. Woodpeckers love dead trees – and this person even feeds the birds.

Oh, don’t we love those times when the Eagles take the little RTHs for lunch and wind up raising them as their own. I am sure you have all seen the nest that is now raising two RT hawklets. Precious. Look at its big sibling! Bald Eagle parents are doing well with these two…so interesting.

I have been watching the Patchogue nest closely as well as Loch of the Lowes. Laddie LM12 has not been seen since he brought in a small goldfish Sunday evening. The chicks are hungry and I am wondering if Blue NC0 will go and fish. She is a good fisher but her hormones are still in the brooding stage. Something has been going sideways at this nest and it could be intruders. No fish all day on Monday. Send your warm wishes.

Here is the weekly report from The Scottish Wildlife Trust on LOTL. Gives some good insight into how well the nest was doing and now another hiccup.

Osprey-Diary-at-Loch-of-the-Lowes-Week-11-Scottish-Wildlife-TrustDownload

At the Glacier Gardens nest of Liberty and Freedom, little Hope is growing.

There is growing concern that the male, A59, at the Duke Farms Bald Eagle nest is missing and presumed injured or deceased. He was banded in NJ in 2000 making him 23 years old.

That sweet little eaglet at the Decorah Hatchery nest in Iowa is grown into a beautiful eaglet waiting for its turn to fly.

The Patchogue Osprey platform sponsored by PSEG on Long Island continues to astound me. That said, I want to say that this nest could turn. Mini was shut out of the last two feedings on Monday evening – at 1801 and 2022 because Big attacked.

Mini was eating at 0900, eating again at 1106 and had an enormous crop from a fish delivered around noon – which he was fed for approximately 30 minutes! When you have a male that delivers fish almost every 2 hours that are a good size with no visible intruders – wow…even a tiny fourth hatch has hope. And so should we even if Big, on occasion, rears its head.

1230. Most of the fish remains – Mini has a huge -huge -crop and Mum will get some nice fish, too.

Siesta time.

Right now Mini is doing just fine. The Dad is a Daddy Door Dash with those fish. Mini had several private feedings once the big ones were full. Around 1426 one of the Big ones ‘looked’ at Mini and I wondered but Mini stayed fixed by the fish. It was mostly gone when it was his turn but he did get some and then at 15:17ish Dad hauls in another big one. Mini is eating at 1542 and has a crop, still fish…what a nest!

Mini is going to look ‘thin’ – he is eating. It is the stage of development the little one is in. He is growing like a bad weed, thankfully. Those wings are more than twice the size they were a week ago. Still tiny compared to the big siblings but if these parents can keep this up – well, Mini…you just might helicopter and fly!

1425:

1428:

1542

Big intimidating Mini. He has to walk over…this is not good. The rule is: Never look the older sibling directly in the eyes. It sets them off. You can see that Mini has a crop from the earlier feedings. Right now, all is good. He has eaten, and crop dropped and eaten some more—one day on this nest, one day at a time.

Middle was having a rough time of it at the Severna Osprey nest on Monday. Big reminds me of Zoe because she can just consume fish like she is Dyson the squirrel sucking it up and never getting full. Middle finally did get some morsels around 1504. If another fish would come on quickly, a big one, he could get some more food…this nest is like night and day to Patchogue where the osplets top eating when they re full and the others can get some fish.

‘H’ notes that Middle got a few bites at another feeding. Middle will be very hungry today. let us hope that the fish start returning to this nest.

Things are just fine at the Outerbanks 24/7 nest. Everyone gets fed.

Still looking alright at Cowlitz PUD.

It is hard to say what is happening at Oyster Bay PSEG because Mum loves to block the view when a fish is delivered. Babies are tiny and she gets back to brooding them right away. Temperature at the nest is 65 F.

The two tiny osplets at Seaside appear to be doing alright. Lots of heat shimmer coming on that camera.

All appears well with Duke and Daisy at Barnegat Light in NJ.

‘R’ sent me the forecast for Florida and there is no rain predicted for the St Petersburg and the Achieva Nest. It has to be dire there with the drought. Big and Middle waiting on the nest for a delivery…waiting and waiting. Will the osprey have to migrate north if the droughts in Florida continue along the SW coast?

Blue 022 watches his chicks as CJ7 feeds them.

Lots of fish and fat little Bobs at the Dyfi Osprey nest in Wales of Idris and Telyn.

Aran is an excellent provider. The two little Bobs are doing well for his first season with new mate, Elen.

Louis has been breaking all manner of breakfast fish arrival records for Dorcha and their Only Bob at Loch Arkaig.

As the sun sets in western Scotland, Louis has another fish on the nest just in case anyone is famished.

Dorcha was hit by the Tawny owl last night. The osplet is alright! Thanks Geemeff.

We always need a giggle…this time it is thanks to Richmond at the SF Whirley crane nest he shares with Rosie.

Blinked and the Llyn Clywedog Bobs grew up! What a beautiful place to hatch and a reservoir that gets stocked with 40,000 fish every year.

Lou and Annie tried to have some private time but…they got interrupted.

Both Hartley and Monty delivered prey to a very loud eyas! What a crop. Now smile. This scrape has had a complete turnaround. That is Monty’s shadow with Hartley feeding the chick.

If someone tells me that they are absolutely 100% certain that the third hatch at the Evergy Topeka Falcon Cam is ‘healthy’, I will scream.

The feather development is entirely delayed. Will the feathers coming in caught in the sheaths ever break loose? Will the eyas get help if they don’t.

Lots of chatter about who is feeding Dale Hollow 17. It does look like a male that showed up after Obey disappeared has been providing fish. At the end of the day, it is just good that this eaglet is eating well. Hopefully River will have another mate. Maybe she will rebuild this nest, maybe not. DH17 looks good.

Black storks growing big and strong.

The Dulles-Greenway Bald Eagle nest of Martin and Rosa has completely collapsed. It fell down completely during a food delivery to Flora who slipped and fell and took it down with her. She could be heard. Parents are calling her. She has fledged. Send good wishes.

The Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey continues to take in raptors caught in glue traps. This post explains what must be done to release the poor birds caught in these traps – the behind-the-scenes work that the rehabbers do—thinking of a donation? How about a case of Dawn?

Ospreys like nests with a clear view – on top of dead trees, on power poles, on light stands. They have adapted to humans taking over their territory. Sunnie Day posted a great article on a solution to the issue of nests on lighting platforms. Have a look! I think a lot of places and, in particular, ball parks and university athletic fields, could learn from this story.

Supporting-the-Citys-Osprey-Nests-ParkwaysDownload

Thank you so much for being with me today. Take care all – continue to send your best wishes off to all the birds. Nests are like being on a carnival ride this year – joy, fear, up and down and sideways. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, videos, posts, and streaming cams that helped to make up my newsletter today: ‘H’,Geemeff, ‘R’, ‘SP’, Sydney Wells and Bald Eagles 101, Nick Beres NC5, LOTL, The Scottish Wildlife Trust, Glacier Gardens, Raptor Resource Project and Explore.org, PSEG, Severna Ospreys, Outerbanks 24/7, Cowlitz PUD, Seaside ospreys, Barnegat Light and Conservancy Wildlife of NJ, Tampa Bay 168 Hour Forecast, Achieva Credit Union, Poole Harbour Ospreys, Dyfi Osprey Project, Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn, Friends of Loch Arkaig and the Woodland Trust, Geemeff and Friends of Lock Arkaig and the Woodland Trust, SF Bay Ospreys, CarnyXWild, SK Hideaways and Cal Falcons, SK Hideaways and San Jose City Hall Falcons, DHEC, Maria Marika and Black Stork Ciconia Nigra FB, Dulles-Greenway Bald Eagle Nest, Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey, and Seattle Parks and Recreation.

Pale Male dies…Wednesday in Bird World

17 May 2023

Hello Everyone,

It was gorgeous weather on the Canadian Prairies yesterday, Tuesday, the 16th of May. That meant it was neither rainy, windy, or too hot. That called for a trip to Oak Hammock Marsh, the wetlands jointly managed by the Province of Manitoba and Ducks Unlimited. I have my qualms with DU – guns and shooting ducks, but they have played a considerable role in creating a network of wetlands that are home to so many migrating geese and ducks with trails surrounded by shrubs that are home to all manner of songbirds. Yesterday was no exception.

Just before arriving at the site, there was water still standing in the fields from the spring flooding. Talk about ducks – I had to take photos to remember all of them!

A male Northern Shoveler taking off in the centre. Below a Red-winged Blackbird. The water was full of Shovelers! Along with Pintails, a few Mallards, some Gadwalls. It was a surprise to see so many ducks on this one field. Grateful for spring flooding!

It is an enormous area.

The great stand off. The Red-winged Blackbird taunted the Canada Goose who was protecting its mate and their nest all afternoon.

Tree Swallows are the most common of the North American Swallows. They have this stunning iridescent blue-green upper parts – head, neck, wings, back with a spotless white underbelly, throat, etc. Two-toned! The lack of trees and woodpecker holes means that these birds are entirely dependent on nesting boxes for their breeding.

Oh, what damage we have done to the habitat of so many birds.

Purple Martins are the largest swallow found in North America. They used to build their nests and live in abandoned woodpecker holes but now, in the wetlands, and across the Prairies, they rely entirely on the goodness of humans to build them birdhouses so they can breed.

A pair of Brown-headed Cowbirds. Oh, I wish the light was better. They have a beautiful sepia-coloured head on an iridescent-green black body. These two had a nest in this tree and they were diligently keeping four Grackles at a distance.

A male Redhead. Easy to spot with that gorgeous and rather trendy brick-red upper neck and head! They are diving ducks and you will only find them in North America. Redheads like to lay their eggs in other ducks nests, more than any other duck, according to The Pocket Birds of Canada, 2nd edition (23).

Then when I walked the trails, it was a blessing that there were benches every 10 metres or so. Not because I was tired but overwhelmed and trying to identify all of the birds. Thank goodness for Merlin Sound ID and the Notes app on my phone!

It was a lovely time. Nothing was rushed…the stopping all around the trails allowed me to simply savour all those beautiful sounds and the smell of the marsh. There were children in the distance getting ready to go out in canoes and kayaks..they were laughing. Priceless.

As I write, Dyson and Scraggles are on the deck after peanuts, Little Red is going after the table feeder, Mr Crow is flying in and out, telling them the peanuts are his! What a blessed life. I cannot imagine, for a second, not having the sound of birds around me.

The big news of the morning is that Pale Male, the legendary Red-tail Hawk of Central Park has died. What a way to wake up! Thanks, ‘H’. He was called ‘Pale’ Male because of his light plumage. He was notorious for having his nest on one of the most expensive buildings around the Park and was the focus of the movie, The Legend of Pale Male. It is free online and if you haven’t seen it – or if you have – and want to honour this amazing raptor, have another look-

https://www.thelegendofpalemale.net

He was rescued by Bobby Horvath of WINORR.

At the WRDC Bald Eagle nest in Miami-Dade, Ron and Rita’s R5 fell out of the nest and has been taken for evaluation. He appears to be fine but whether or not he will be returned to the nest is another story since R4 could bolt.

‘T’ reports that the rescue of getting the nylon wrapped around one of the storkelets in Lindheim, Germany was a success.

The Loch of the Lowes nest is not strictly out of the ‘woods’ yet. The fish are not coming on the nest like they are at Rutland but, fish is coming. Continue to send your warmest and most positive wishes. Just look at those two sweet little babies.

Laddie brings a flapping fit to the nest at 1330 on the 16th.

These will be the only two hatches for Laddie and Blue NC0 this year. The first hatch was the second egg….and, as my grandmother always reminded me, things do work out. We might not always know the reason but, they do. In this instance, Blue NC0 has always struck me as a female osprey who can deal with, at most, two in the nest unlike Maya who has easily handled four three times. It has been a rough start and two healthy little ones is better than three sick and starving.

The Woodland Trust has put out a statement about the nest and the events of the last week.

An-update-from-the-osprey-nest-Scottish-Wildlife-TrustDownload

These two are seriously cute…let us hope that Laddie can keep up the fishing.

Laddie had only delivered on fish on Tuesday and then, right before 2100, he came in with a nice big one. Everyone went to bed with full tummies.

The wildfires in Canada are having a huge impact on the air quality not only for humans but for wildlife. This is the Fortis Exshaw osprey platform near Canmore, Alberta. The smoke is coming from fires at a distance. There are currently at least 81 fires burning in that province of Canada.

Oh, it would be nice if the pouring rain in Tennessee was in Alberta getting rid of the smoke. As I am writing Angel is keeping RTH5 snug and dry as the drops come down through the leaves and branches of the nest tree. There was snake on the menu today along with some of the usuals. RTH5 is growing, getting feathers, and is nothing short of adorable.

Tom’s deliveries to Angel and RTH5 caught on video by Arlene Beech.

Continued positive wishes for Lake Murray Ospreys. All their efforts on the night of Monday the 15th paid off – the GHO did not get C2 Monday night and let us all jointly send energy that it never does. Wish them well.

Thankfully C2 is cleverly camouflaged on that nest! Still, the GHO knows that it is there.

Lake Murray Osprey has put in more strobe lights, moved the mannequins around, put out some more bicycles – all in an effort to deter the GHO.

Big Red in all her glory! The Ms are growing and Arthur simply cannot stop hunting.

The little baby at Decorah hatchery is anything but a baby. It is walking stronger and flapping those beautiful wings as more and more juvenile feathers come in.

There are many advantages to being the only baby in the nest. Look at those legs and that fat bottom. Incredible.

All is well at Achieva Credit Union in St Petersburg. A really nice big fish came late in the afternoon. I am not sure about prior deliveries. Big is so busy working those wings while Middle is enjoying that fish.

Oh, and then another big whopper came on the nest! Everyone at Achieva had a good fish day.

My goodness Blue 33 is a good provider! I lost count and couldn’t even go back before noon…fish after fish. Big ones for Maya and the kids – not little twiddlers. I cannot see a pip in either of the other two eggs. That does not mean it isn’t there, though.

These two have been together and raised so many osplets. They are like a very expensive Swiss watch in terms of their coordination and timing.

Oh, my goodness. The eyases are outside screaming when Lou lands on the ledge with lunch! They are so loud.

E22 is still on the nest and might have caught its first fish on Tuesday. It is, however, unclear if the fish was provided and brought to the nest by M15 or, after all the work that E22 has been doing trying to catch a fish at the pond, she finally got one. What is good is that E22 is still at home, still learning, gaining new skills, and of course, growing in confidence and strength. All of that will help ensure a long and prosperous life. Oh, don’t you wonder what has happened to E21?

Vija caught the event on video. Oh, that squeeeeee of 22’s.

For those watching the Golden Eaglet in Japan, Nina, she is growing fast and the parents have been delivering pheasant and deer for their little one! These are such beautiful eagles!

This is very worrisome. Only two more mutations required before it spreads quickly through humans. If you can help prevent bird flu by funding clean up activities, by volunteering, or even cleaning your bird feeders, please do. We have no concerns in Manitoba and no one is telling us to take down feeders. H5N1 has been moving to the West in North America but it is still spreading amongst waterfowl in the UK where this article was written.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/may/16/research-bird-flu-humans-prepare-now?CMP=share_btn_link

That is a quick check on some news and events we have been following. Thank you so much for being with me today. Take care, everyone. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, updates, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped to make up my blog today: ‘A’, ‘H’, ‘T’, WINORR, Storch Lindheim, LOTL, Scottish Woodland Trust, Fortis Exshaw, Window to Wildlife, Arlene Beech and Window to Wildlife, LMO, Cornell RTH, Raptor Resource Project/Explore, Achieva Credit Union, LRWT, Cal Falcons, SK Hideaways and Cal Falcons, Vija and SW Florida Eagle Cam, and The Guardian.

Angel’s nest normalises…Thursday in Bird World

11 May 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

Oh, it was a scorcher on the Canadian Prairies on Wednesday and we are set for 28 degrees C in a few days as the heat dome moves towards us fromm the West coast. All I can say is it is hot!

It is now 1839 Wednesday evening. Hail is coming down so intense that it is covering the ground like it is snow. It is about the size of marbles pelting. I can only imagine the horror at the Fort St Vrain Bald Eagle nest and the other nests in the area of that storm that went through Colorado. I wonder where all the garden critters are. Some will have gone into the small shelters for the chopped wood.

Relief. As soon as the storm passed, everyone was back in the garden.

Your giggle for the day comes from SK Hideaways and Cal Falcons! Red steals the food but doesn’t know what to do with it! She will learn soon enough! Mum Annie has a lot of patience but does the siblings who are hungry for breakfast?

A first for me. Two storklets with a snake on a nest in Germany could have gotten tangled. The Fire Brigade came to the rescue and saved the day. How do you say enlightened in bold letters?

‘T’ sent me the following information – check out the age of the male. “After the long-standing breeding stork Anna died in the 2021 breeding season, we will accompany Gerome (25 years) and his new breeding partner Frieda (17 years) from the Hessian nature reserve Bingenheimer Ried in the Wetterau in the 2023 breeding season. Up to and including the 2021 breeding season, Gerome had bred 14 times very successfully with the long-standing breeding stork Anna. During this time, Anna laid 71 eggs, from which 65 stork chicks hatched and from these a total of 47 young storks fledged.”

‘T’ reports that this is the same nest of Anna, the female Stork who broke her leg and the community helped to feed her and her babies. This is Anna’s former mate, Gerome, with his new female of two years. What an enlightened and caring community!

Another timely rescue this time of little Red-tail hawk lets in Austin, Texas. Smile every time you see humans helping our wildlife and reach out and thank them!

There has been, apparently, a lot of concern expressed about how Murphy’s baby will learn to hunt and live in the wild. World Bird Sanctuary shared their strategy with us on FB.

Bravo! E22 caught its first fish…little one dropped it but, gosh, this is progress. Well done, E22. Thanks, Gracie Shepherd. It is so good to see how well 22 is doing.

One day E22 will be catching whoppers like Aran does in the Glaslyn Valley of Wales, we hope. Just look at the size of that fish that landed on that nest! Elen has no idea how lucky she is that she found this nest and stayed….

There has been some concern about M1 taking a peck at M2 at Big Red and Arthur’s nest. This is perfectly normal behaviour and absolutely nothing to get worried over. It is very different from the dangerous level of aggression we have seen on osprey and eagle’s nests where siblicide has occurred due to food insecurity. I do not expect this level of rivalry to continue, and Arthur never lets the pantry dry up. Last year you might recall, everyone worried about little L4. Well, that last hatch climbed over all the others and was the first to catch its prey, becoming the first real juvenile after fledging. L4 is still around the campus – as far as I know.

I would loved to have seen Big Red when she was young and had her first brood. Just look at those tired feet. So grateful Arthur is such a good provider.

Big Red and one of her famous feeding sessions filling up those crops.

Birds, rats, mammals were all part of the feast at the nest of Angel and Tom in Tennessee today. Wow! So happy this little one survived those first days when food was so terribly scarce and Dad wasn’t sure how to help.

At 1841 the little one is getting another meal!

Everyone was elated when Rose returned to the WRDC nest – to Ron and R4 and R5. She appears to be fine.

Kathryn reports that Lucy has brought in the only fish at Lake Murray Ospreys on Wednesday. She also notes that Mum consumed C3. This nest really needs fish! What is going on with Ricky? Kathryn recalls six fish being delivered on Tuesday. Ricky has only been heard and not at the nest at all on Tuesday as of night fall. Intruders?

In addition to losing C3 on the 9th of May, we also lost the second hatch, Golden Eaglet, at Bucovina in Romania, the second hatch at Fort St Vrain, Colorado in a tragic hail storm. One of the little hatchings at Utica Peregrine scrape in NY was stuck to Mum Ares’ wing when she flew out. It fell and did not survive. So sad. Condolences to all those nests.

‘H’ reports that we have some osprey eggs that continue to be laid. Skiff and Dory – they raised three adorable osplets last year – have their third egg as of 10 May. This nest, as ‘H’ aptly notes could be problematic. She observes, “8 days between egg 1 and egg 3, with 5 days egg 1 to egg 2.  Intermittent incubation for only about a day. (I may be wrong about that, we’ll know if they hatch closer together.)”. Last year we delighted in these two raising those feisty three. Let us hope that the outcome is equally as good this year but that is a huge difference -.

S Cape May Meadows in New Jersey has a second egg for Zeus and Hera on the 10th. Lots of eggs are going to be hatching at once! I have never watched the South Cape May osprey platform – let’s see how it goes. Are any of you avid fans?

Not clear how many fish came to the Achieva Osprey nest on Wednesday but, it looks as if it could have been two. Middle did get some fish around 1500 or a little after.

That cute little Decorah eaglet is huge. It looks like it is going to be a really big female! Look at the size of those legs and feet next to Dad. Wow, Hatchery Chick. Seriously, we blinked, and this happened. That cute baby turned into a Hulk?!

Chase and Cholyn’s eaglet is growing, too, but does not appear to be as ‘huge’ as DH2!

Iris has been fighting off female intruders and today a banded Montana intruder. She also accepted the reality of that egg and went off to feed herself. The Raven took the egg on the morning of 10 May. Iris will no doubt lay another and another and the Raven will also have those for breakfast.

As far as I know, at the time of writing, Victor has not taken his first flight. Abby flew for the first time on the 8th of May. Victor is working his wings.

Two beautiful ospreys…Sally and Harry were remarkable. With the heat domes, the impact of urban expansion, places could take a look at Moorings Park and start stocking the ponds for the ospreys! It is going to become more and more important as we create growing challenges for them.

Warblers and Baltimore Orioles are arriving in Manitoba along with White-throated Sparrows. In the UK, the Warblers are singing, too. Remember – sit outside, go for a walk, let the sun warm your face. It will make everything seem a whole lot better! Stay in the moment. We cannot bring back the feathered friends we have lost but we can enjoy the ones that are with us – live or virtually.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/may/10/birdwatch-the-erling-haaland-of-warblers-turns-up-the-volume-to-11?CMP=share_btn_link

The goal of 1500 GBP has almost been met with a fortnight to go. Thank you to all of the donors. Conservation without Borders is working hard to keep HPAI from killing more birds – and I am thinking of late summer/fall return down the flyway.

Thank you so very much for being with me today. The sun is out Thursday morning and we are looking forward to some pips and hatches at a couple of the UK Osprey nests. Take care all. See you soon and remember…13 May is Big Bird Count! More on that tomorrow.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped to make up my blog today: ‘T’, ‘A’, ‘H’, ‘S’, Kathryn, SK Hideaways and Cal Falcons, Starch Hochstadt, Candy Smith and Cornell Hawk Cam Chatters, World Bird Sanctuary, Gracie Shepherd and SW Florida, Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn, Cornell RTH, Window to Wildlife, WRDC, Lake Murray Ospreys, Audubon/Explore, Nature Conservancy in New Jersey, Achieva Credit Union, Raptor Resource/Explore, IWS/Explore, Montana Osprey Project, Moorings Park Ospreys, The Guardian, and Crowdfunder.

Death by micro plastics, M2 is here…Monday in Bird World

8 May 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

Sunday was an overcast day with the feeling that rain could start anytime. It didn’t. The garden feeders were busy! Unfortunately, the squirrels have figured out two different ways to get on the table feeder, causing issues with the birds. Still, they waited and watched. Mr Crow is also afraid of the feral cat that visits and, as a result, has not been quick enough to feed well today. Silly boy. Today they also marked the first day for the White-throated Sparrows to be in the garden this season. In a few days, there could be fifty or sixty of them. If all goes to plan after they arrive, the Orioles will eat oranges and Grape Jelly and pay no mind to Dyson and her gang.

So proud of itself!

Mr Blue Jay watched and waited til he could get a turn at the feeding table.

Your smile for the day…

So far it has been a good Sunday at the nest of Angel and the Baby. This was the posting of the prey delivery and feeding. It is windy and the weather could turn stormy. As I am writing this there has been a feeding at 12:53 with a partial piece of rabbit that Tom delivered. A second feeding began at 2:07:40. ‘A’ has sent me the entire time stamps for the action at the nest. Here they are: “Time stamps for today (7 May) at Angel’s nest. Spoiler alert: Tom brought in some food around lunchtime, which was enough to feed the hawklet three times. Okay, time stamps: 07 02 45 Angel up, wing stretch,head scratch,BJS buzzing her. 08 32 31 Angel up and spots something. And the BJs spot her. 08 39 44 She leaves. 08 41 01 She returns. 10 05 59 After a big wing stretch Angel leaves.10 15 42 PTZ camera Angel flies by on her way back to the nest. 11 46 25 Angel aerating the nest and some preening. 12 52 15 Tom in with part rabbit?. 12 53 30 PTZ feed starts. Some leftovers for later. 2:06:50 RTH5 falls over, gets up after a struggle. 2 07 40 PTZ Second feed starts. 12 51 Angel up.big wing and leg stretch and preening. RTH5 Preening itself. 3 22 00 PTZ Start of third feed. 3 41 44 Angel swallows a lump of fur/skin. 6 06 55 One For the PS fans. This chick is the most adorable little thing ever. The way Angel looks down at it with sheer unadulterated adoration is just precious. I love this chick way too much!”

Thank goodness for small miracles. Angel sure can use them. Let us hope that the storms and potential winds and tornadoes do not hit this nest. This couple needs to find prey and keep it coming so that the baby can develop properly. It sure looks like a hardy little one.

There is something magical about the way that Red-tail Hawks look at their chicks. Big Red is the same. You simply melt at the love in those eyes.

Arlene Beech caught the prey delivery for us.

The weather turned with heavy rain and thunderstorms. Angel is keeping her baby snug and dry.

The situation is also good at Achieva where Jack brought in two fish almost at once. Big Bob ate its own fish while Mum fed Middle. Smiling. Both osplets are safe and find and it is probably that the Bald Eagle wanted the fish and not the osplet! If it had been younger, yes.

Barbara Snyder reports on FB that Mum brought in one of her big catfish and Dad brought in another fish – so another double delivery – Sunday evening that is keeping this nest happy. This is wonderful news for Achieva. These two have their juvenile feathers and well, we don’t want to lose either one of them!

Sadly, the first delivery at Lake Murray did not come until late in the afternoon. Kathryn observed that Mum went out to possibly find fish several times but returned empty handed. Little Peanut did not get any food and this osplet does not look well to me. As Kathryn notes it is also not being clever. I think we should brace ourselves for a sad ending for this very tiny third hatch.

No food for Peanut this morning. It is so very slow and sad to see a sweet baby die of starvation. Only a miracle will help this wee one.

I will add a few articles, once in a while, or postings that discuss siblicide so that we educate ourselves. In 2012, Dr Erick Greene, the Professor at the University of Montana associated with the Osprey Research Project and Iris’s Nest, wrote this post for Montana Ospreys FB Group. It focuses on the amount of food brought to the nest. Other research studies suggest that the oldest or most dominant (usually the same) are getting the majority of food, so siblicide makes no sense. Hopefully, you will enjoy and learn from the articles coming up, and they will provide much to think about as you watch the nests that are getting ready for osprey hatches.

Siblicide – part IV

Siblicide occurs in MANY species of birds and other animals, including all hawks and owls, egrets and herons, kingfishers, pelicans, boobies, cranes and some others. Although it may seem cruel, it is an adaptation that allows the parents to raise the maximum number of healthy and vigorous young under fluctuating and unpredictable food supplies. When there is enough food to go around, all the chicks thrive; when food is limited, only the number of chicks that can be supported survive. So siblicide is a self-adjusting mechanism that matches the number of chicks with the available food.

This is what siblicide is and why it occurs. It is a completely natural part of Osprey biology (and the biology of many other species). However, this does not mean it is easy to watch – it is quite disturbing to watch a chick kill its sibling. Last year fishing was so tough that about 95% of the Osprey chicks starved to death around Missoula. While we were saddened and disturbed to watch the two chicks in the Hellgate nest die last year, we rejoiced that Iris and her old mate were able to raise one very robust and healthy chick in such difficult circumstances. This is something not many Osprey pairs were able to do. If there was not siblicide, all three chicks would have starved to death last year. Nature can be “red in tooth and claw,” even within a family. Even though siblicide may seem cruel to you, there is some sort of comfort in a system that allows the Osprey parents to raise healthy chicks even when times are tough. This is part of the reason we still have thriving Osprey populations.

Some of you may wonder why we don’t take the smallest chick from this nest and put it in the Dunrovin nest. We are not allowed to interfere with this natural part of the Osprey cycle. Our research permits and animal care permits (that are very strictly regulated) would not allow us to do this.

We are giving you this information to let you know about a natural and expected part of Osprey biology, and prepare you in case the smallest chick does not make it. So what can we expect at the Hellgate nest this year? The third chick is definitely running from the back of the pack, but the new male is a fantastic provider! I just watched carefully and saw the smallest chick get absolutely stuffed with part of the large trout the male brought in (Tuesday, 26 June 2012 about 1115). This is a good sign, and if the male continues to be such a good provider all three chicks may make it! Think pure thoughts.

Erick Greene of Project Osprey

That was 2012 and much has been learned since then. I hope to enlighten us more in the coming weeks.

Oh, I wish I could wiggle my nose and transport Peanut to the Moorings Park Osprey platform after Abby and Victor fledge…those two are helicoptering. Fledge (their first flight) could happen at any time!

Moorings Park has gone all out with good cameras and a split screen so we can see all the action.

Jackie and Shadow were bringing in sticks and working on their nest in Big Bear Valley on Sunday.

A little windy up at the Glacier Gardens Bald Eagle nest where eggs are being incubated. Looks like some branches have been trimmed so that the camera view of the new nest (as of 2022) is much better. Thanks, Glacier Gardens.

Adults with nice crops keeping a watchful eye over the energetic Cal falcons. That big female sure likes to be out of the scrape. I do not envy Lou and Annie when these three start running around!

Annie has been chasing them about to feed them. SK Hideaways caught it for us.

The Decorah eaglet was really hot today, using panting to help stay cool. Little sweetheart. Doesn’t look like they have had any of those bad storms (yet). Hopefully not.

Whenever you see a nest with three equally healthy raptors on it, just smile. As you are all aware it is not easy. The three at Denton Homes are thriving.

The three at Dulles-Greenway are equally doing well. It is difficult to see if the river is flooding and hard for Martin to get fish but there does not appear to be a shortage of prey. There is also not a shortage of plastic bags! The one black one on the side fooled me one day…at first glance I thought it was one of the eaglets hanging on for dear life!

We have a reminder from Liz Bracken. You will recall that Blue NC0 and Laddie LM12 laid the first egg with Blue 33 and Maya quick on their talons. Well, we will be on hatch watch for both of those nests starting on the 11th…yes, that is 3 days a way.

Blue 33 keeping Maya’s he3ad dry in the drizzle.

It is my favourite nest and it always will be. Steady and reliable. Big Red and Arthur, the Red-tail Hawks calling the Cornell campus in Ithaca, New York their territory.

M2 working its way out of that shell.

If Big Red and Arthur’s kids go hungry there is something very wrong in the world.

Big Red tucking M1 in and we can see M2’s egg tooth working away.

Cuteness!

It started raining at the nest of Big Red and Arthur Sunday evening. Big Red seems to always know and she gets her chick/s fed to the brim and then plunks down on them so they are dry and warm.

M2 is here and already being fed! It is sitting in its shell!

Lots of baby falcons about these days….tis the season!

It is just a gorgeous landscape at the Charlo Montana Osprey platform of Charlie and Charlotte. One egg as of yesterday. Thanks, Loretta!

‘H’ reports sad news coming from Hob Osterlund in Kauai. Not large pieces of plastic, tiny micro plastic that will impact all the seabirds including the Royal Albatross, too…what a shame we cannot get a handle on this nasty stuff that is everywhere.

Murphy’s baby is continuing to do very, very well.

Chase and Cholyn’s eaglet at Two Harbours was so full today from eating half a considerable fish that it could hardly walk on the nest. Check out the last image of the three; Mum had a huge crop, too! It was a fish fest day!

‘H’ reports that there is a second egg at Kent Island Ospreys this morning. ‘H’ and I are keeping our eyes on the ospreys at Osoyoos in the hope of identifying them to see if it is Soo and/or Olsen or a new pair.

This sub-adult eagle got a second chance at life because of a rehabber!

For everyone who reached out to help on the Dale Eagle chat and felt shunned and ‘well, abused’, there are some changes coming.

Thank you so much for being with me this morning. Take care. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, tweets, videos, and streaming cams that helped to make my blog today: ‘A’, ‘H’, Loretta, Kathryn, Terry Tempest Williams, Window to Wildlife, Arlene Beech and Window to Wildlife, Achieva Credit Union, Lake Murray Ospreys, Moorings Park Ospreys, FOBBV, Glacier Gardens Eagle Cam, Cal Falcons, SK Hideaways and Cal Falcons, Raptor Resource Project and Explore.org, Denton Homes, Dulles-Greenway, Liz Bracken and Friends of Loch Arkaig FB, LRWT, Cornell RTH, Manchester NH Falcon Fans, Charlo Montana, Hob Osterlund, World Bird Sanctuary, IWS and Explore.org, and Terry Carman and Live Nests and News.

M1 hatches, Eagle threatens Achieva…Sunday in Bird World

7 May 2023

Oh, goodness. It was just a gorgeous day on the Canadian Prairies. A little coolish for some but delightful. It was a good day to start on the planting boxes and it seemed it was none too soon to get the Vermillionaires for the hummingbirds. Only 12 plants left at the nursery. Gracious…it is only 6 May. Normally we do not plant until Victoria Day weekend, the third Monday in May, for fear of frost.

Before we go any further, our first giggle of the day.

And then..cuteness. More to come on M1 but just look at this cutie only 2 hours old.

As the hummingbirds are arriving from their migration (depending on where you live), it is imperative that if you provide the sugar water for them that you do so safely. Make it at home, do not purchase it at shops as it could harm them. Here is the recipe that is going wild over the Internet.

It is impossible to say how delighted I am to see Angel’s little one RT5 is so strong! That chick did not eat for over 30 hours…talk about some good DNA brewing in there.

Tom brought in some prey for Mum and the baby on Saturday. Progress. This along with the groundhog on the nest should keep them for a day or two. Had slipped out to the garden centre and returned to see this – thanks SK Hideaways! This made my day so much happier.

Angel’s baby had a nice big crop before going to sleep again tonight. Oh, how grand. Continue to send this nest your most positive wishes, please. Angel will need food tomorrow unless that Groundhog is still lurking about in the egg cup! I would like to hope that the visit by Tom with prey today was an indication that he will provide for his family but, that remains to be seen.

No food left on Sunday so Angel will have to go hunting if Tom doesn’t deliver. The Blue Jays are continuing to dive bomb.

‘H’ reports that a Bald Eagle was at the Achieva nest. Did it want to take Middle or was it after the fish Diane had? Diane flew off in pursuit, and both chicks are fine now. I am thinking it might have just wanted that big fish- regardless of what the motive is with a drought and fish scarcity, fish is needed and, of course, we want Middle safe. Gracious. Just when you think you can relax! This is all this nest needs and it could be Jack and Diane have been dealing with this predator for some time.

Loretta reports that the first egg of the season has been laid at the Charlo Montana nest of Charlie and Charlotte on Saturday at 14:30. The weather has been nasty up in Montana. The rivers are flooding and the ospreys are having to find places where the water is lower with fish so they can eat. I had so hoped this egg would wait..but, the osprey are never on our schedules.

Despite the flooding where Iris usually fishes on the Clark Fork River, she has definitely found a spot. She arrived at her nest in Missoula’s Hellgate Canyon with a large crop Saturday evening.

Iris has been on her nest – and please take a look at this nest as it is the finest osprey nest I have ever seen – and she is due to lay eggs shortly. The fence has been put around her platform in the parking lot to protect her. We all know how this will turn out, so take a deep breath, let it happen, and then wish our lovely Iris, the oldest living osprey in the world, a lovely summer fishing for herself and having a relaxing time. Star and Louis can be chasing after fish and chicks!

Kathryn reports that even though Peanut had a good feeding today at the Lake Murray Osprey platform, there is strife there since the older sibling began getting its Reptilian plumage. She reports, “Yes I was shocked to see this today because every feeding I’ve seen has usually just been mild but today the big one was really poking Little’s head multiple times. Every time little picked his head up, big struck him back down. Almost made me nauseous to watch.  Middle stayed away mostly and towards the end middle was picking on little as well. It looked like little had a crop and the parents are good at providing food. So hopefully this doesn’t continue.”

The Osprey nests are unpredictable. If there is going to be anxiety, it almost starts with the change of plumage at 8 or 9 days. Peanut is so tiny. We just have to take this nest a day at a time and hope.

Big Bob at Lake Murray reminds me a bit of Zoe. She is so large and is quite the dominant female. Just take deep breaths. She will always eat first. She will always have the most significant crop, and she will not care who else eats. She is the boss. Just look at her, and you will understand the problem entirely on this nest.

It looked as if Peanut might have had an eye injury yesterday. If he makes it he will sure be one tough character. Just look at her.

At 1333, this was the progress of the hatch for Big Red and Arthur.

All dry and ready to say hi to the world. Welcome M1!

Hello Mama!

There are three eggs at Cowlitz PUD in Washington State. The utility company put in metal bars to protect the osplets this year from the Bald Eagle. Maybe Achieva will need to do something, too! Last year all three of the healthy – and I want to say thriving babies – were taken within a 48 hour period by a Bald Eagle.

Everything is fine at the Moorings Park Osprey Platform in Naples, Florida. Both Abby and Victor are self-feeding as well as being fed by Sally. There is the split screen in preparation for fledging!

At the Dahlgren Osprey nest, Jack has brought in another large toy but I did not see any fish brought in for Harriet on Saturday. Do they also have a problem with flooding and intruders or murky water? Anyone know?

The golden glow of the sun on Audrey at Kent Island or Chesapeake Conservancy osprey Platform and her two eggs. Will the new ‘Tom’ turn out to be a good provider? We wait.

The little baby eaglet at Decorah is 29 days old today. It has its pin feathers coming in and is far from that fluffy bundle I was cooing about a few days ago. They grow so very fast.

Martin and Rosa’s triplets are simply adorable in their juvenile plumage. That ebony-espresso colour is divine.

We are going to be very busy when fledge watch arrives as Pittsburgh-Hayes is about the same age as Dulles-Greenway.

US Steel eaglet is so cute with its precious dandelion mohawk.

Megan McCubbin’s first book is getting ready to be released. There is an interesting conversation with her that forms an article for The Guardian, posted below. I have ordered the book and will keep you posted!

‘I-love-misunderstood-creatures-Megan-McCubbin-on-20-species-we-must-save-–-including-humans-WilDownload

I positively love Hen Harriers and could give a toss about a few people going out in the country with rifles grouse hunting – until they start having the gamekeepers of these hunting estates killing off the Hen Harriers. This makes me absolutely ill. It is, of course, highly illegal but the UK has to get ‘real’ about the fines and jail time if it is to have any impact.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to help clean up the HPAI outbreak in The Gambia. Total funds raised are 1050 GBP out of the desired 1500.

I wanted to have a blog that focused on many things wildlife rehabbers do today using technology. Due to using the computer for a limited time (I have another week to go to please my ophthalmologist), I am behind, but I will get there!

Thank you for being with me today. Send positive wishes to all the nests! And take care of yourself. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, tweets, and streaming cams that helped to make up my blog today: ‘H’, Loretta, Kathryn, Ali TD and Friends of Dyfi Osprey Project, Hummingbird Whisperer, Window to Wildlife, SK Hideaways and Window to Wildlife, Achieva Credit Union, Owl Research Institute and Explore.org, Montana Osprey Project, Lake Murray Ospreys, Cornell RTH, Moorings Park Ospreys, Dahlgren Ospreys, Raptor Resource Project and Explore.org, The Guardian, Dulles-Greenway Eagle Cam, PIX Cams, and UK Raptor Persecution.

Cal Falcons getting banded, update on SE30…Friday in Bird World

5 May 2023

Good Morning Everyone!

Wednesday was a tough one. Thursday was better, but there are still two worrisome nests – Achieva’s and Angel’s. When it gets too much – and it does for everyone, we need to step back and change what we are doing. There has been no food for the little one at Angel’s for a day, and the little one has only had a few bites. I do not expect it to survive and, as of this morning, I, too, will step back.

It is true – go out and spend some time in nature, go for a walk, say hello to people you don’t know…at the end of all, you feel better. That is precisely what I did – a spin or two around the pond, stopping to chat with everyone along the way. The Wood Ducks are back.

Not in any great numbers, about five males and a couple of those sweet little females. There were a handful of Mallards and several hundred Canada Geese. It was sunny and dry, and everyone was happy to be outside.

There is green grass coming and some vegetation growing quickly so they can feed.

In the garden, Dyson sees me. She knows that I am taking her photo. Isn’t she lovely?

The table feeder is becoming more popular as the birds get used to seeing it in the garden.

While Dyson and the Starlings were eating peanuts, the Crows were assembling in the big tree in front of my house. It was planted in 1902 so 121 years old. I will not start about our City’s tree trimming policies! Normally when the Crows gather they are here to escort the GHO out of their neighbourhood!

Specific events tell me spring is here, and hopefully, there will not be any more snow. The first is the arrival of the Canada Geese, then the Dark-eyed Juncos and Blue Jays. The second is the opening of the local farmer’s market. There are a few ingenious farmers who have built greenhouses, not to grow flowers like the Dutch arrivals in our area in the 1950s but, to grow – strawberries. The farmer’s market opened yesterday, and those berries had not only the aroma of a ripened berry in a field but the most delicious flavour. Well done to those trying to figure out how to grow things locally that might be otherwise flown in from thousands of miles away – and have no taste and be polluting the planet. The third is the arrival of all the annual flowers and herbs to be planted in flower boxes or gardens. Today was a celebration of all of those – the geese at the pond, a trip to the farmer’s market and a box full of herbs and, instead of a hanging basket of flowers, a Tiny Tom Hanging Tomato vine. How will it do? All of this helped to wash away the anger and some of the sadness over the death of DH18.

In celebration of these spring rituals, the kittens and I will enjoy a lovely little Japanese sponge cake with strawberry buttercream filling.

Do you know Aldo Leopold? He was talking about biodiversity and stewardship of land before any of the more recent environmental movements. He died in a fire in Wisconsin helping a neighbour in 1948. He was a professor at the University of Wisconsin but loved escaping to his weekend refuge without modernisation. I love his sense of humour. One time during a flood – and you have to understand that his cabin is the family escape from the world of humans, Leopold writes, “There are degrees and kinds of solitude. A n island in a lake has one kind; but lakes have boats, and there is always the chance that one might land to pay you a visit..I know of no solitude so secure as one guarded by a spring flood; nor do the geese, who have seen more kinds and degrees of aloneness than I have. ..So we sit on our hill beside a new-blown pasque and watch the geese go by. I see our road dipping gently into the waters, and I conclude with inner glee that the question of traffic, in or out, is for this day at least, debatable only among carp.” (27)

Leopold observes, “Conservation is getting nowhere because it is incompatible with out Abrahamic concept of land. We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” (xviii) I highly recommend his little book, A Sand County Almanac. Essays on Conservation from Round River. Written like a diary, Leopold says of March, “One swallow does not make a summer, but one skein of geese, cleaving the murk of a March thaw, is the spring.” (19) Leopold takes you through the months, and he loves his spring geese. It is more than just Leopold’s close observation and love of all things wild. He stops to make us think about the value of our land and why some, like trophy hunters, will never be able to understand those of us in the minority who see the word of living things connected and sacred. “…our bigger-and-better society is now like a hypochondriac, so obsessed with its own economic health as to have lost the capacity to remain healthy. The whole world is so greedy for more bathtubs that it has lost the stability necessary to build them, or even to turn off the tap…Perhaps a shift of values can be achieved by reappraising things unnatural, time, and confined in terms of things natural, wild, and free”. That was written on the 4th of March 1948 right before his death. It could have been written yesterday. Today, the situation with DH18 continues to weigh heavy on my mind and I would substitute in much of the quotes of Leopold the term wildlife instead of land…we think we own it, it is a commodity that we can abuse…that kind of thinking has to stop.

Our smile for the morning comes from the Cal Falcons and the food tug-o-war caught by SK Hideaways. Then marvel at how well falcons tend to feeding three chicks! Most of the time (Angel and Tom excluded) falcon and hawk nests are incredibly energetic and full of laughs.

Right now we need all these precious joyful moments that we can garner. It has been a ‘depleting week emotionally’ for all of us.

Check your clocks. Banding is taking place at Cal Falcons between 0830-0900 Pacific Time. The cameras will be off during the banding. A video of the event will be uploaded after. There will also be the annual Q & A session with Sean and Lynne (see further down for details) tomorrow.

The Australian Raptor Care and Conservancy has provided an update on SE30! Oh, she is doing well. This is the kind of news we want and need. Thanks, ‘H’.

George Smith gives us an update on the Rutland Ospreys. Quite a good read and happy to see that Maya and Blue 33 are attempting to raise their fourth set of four osplets. Wrap your head around that one. Some nests cannot manage even two! But four sets of four. Super couple! Some of their fledglings are out chasing down nests and mates. Have a read!

Great-Egg-Spectations-Leicestershire-and-Rutland-Wildlife-TrustDownload

Thanks for posting some successful rescues. We all know about Dr Sharpe but there are also other rescues for monofilament line as well as non-human caused issues. CROW was at Captiva last year with the Osplets. CROW intervened when E17 and E18 at SW Florida had conjunctivitis. There are so many more. In the incident below, the eaglet appeared to have half its body ‘stuck’ to the nest. It was removed because it was weak..information below. It was successfully released after this 4 May 2012 intervention. Thanks, Deb.

M15 still gets my vote for ‘Dad of the Year’ for Raptors. E22 knows precisely when there is a food delivery and is on it!

There are a lot of Peregrine Falcons hatching in the world and the first one at Cromer Peregrine Falcons is here.

You can watch this white little fuzzy with its pink beak and toes here.

Today is banding day at Cal Falcons. There is a Q & A scheduled. You can go to YouTube and search for Cal Falcons 2023 Banding Q&A. You can get a notification to watch it live and they always archive the event if you miss it. For me, it looks like it is at 1300 but if you live in California, I bet that time is 1100.

We are all aching for Angel and her baby. Tom has not provided any prey today. He has not been seen. Angel has left the little one for long periods of time – once an hour – to go hunting but came back to the nest empty taloned. Whether or not Tom is still around or if the prey in the area is so limited is unclear. The little one cannot thermoregulate its temperature, and it should be fed much more often than is happening. At the same time, Angel is also hungry. The chick’s last meal was Thursday morning.

It is dusk and Angel has left the baby again to go hunting. I hope she finds some food for them. The possums and other creatures often come out at dusk. Oh, I hope she finds some food. Remember, I told you that this situation is very dire and it is. Unless Tom steps up and begins to deliver prey regularly it will be difficult, if not impossible, for Angel to feed the two of them and provide security and warmth. The area is obviously not prey rich like that of Big Red and Arthur. It is heartbreaking.

Angel did not have any food when she returned. Many believe Angel is at a disadvantage as the prey can see her coming since she is leucistic rather than camouflaged. This creates a huge problem if that is the case. Tom is not helping. Please send your good wishes…I wish some food would drop from the sky. The forecast does not look good. Rain for 5 days in a row at the nest…we could easily lose this baby. Personally, if I owned the land this nest is on, I would put out a prey table now!

If this year has already been too much for you, you might want to step away from this nest. Come back on Monday and see how things are going.

We are really waiting for a pip and a hatch at Big Red and Arthur’s nest on the Cornell campus. The changeovers have been swift. These two work like a well-oiled and cared for machine. There is little time to even get a glimpse of those eggs.

When Big Red lost her mate Ezra, everyone thought she was ‘nuts’ picking such a young mate as Arthur. Well, she wasn’t. He is an uber hunter and wooed her with the number of squirrels he could catch! I know there is a lot of chatter about how young Angel’s mate Tom is but, I just don’t think it is that. There is either hardly any prey to be had in the area, he is not the father of the chick so really has not much interest, or he is just a dud.

Cute little Arthur.

Big Red.

You may recall that a group at Cornell University worked diligently to get the windows on campus fitted so that bird strikes do not happen. Several of Big Red’s fledglings have been injured or died. Now there is movement in other places to ensure that birds are safe. Thanks, ‘S’ for sending me the latest news on what is happening in Washington, DC. This needs to go international.

Washington, D.C. Passes Bird-Friendly Building Act

This is the weather at Big Bear Valley today for Jackie and Shadow.

The eagles did a nest check.

Looking for a US Osprey nest to watch? You cannot get any better than Moorings Park. Victor and Abby still have up to seven fish meals a day. Neither has fledged although they are spreading their wings!

Achieva is a tough Osprey nest in the US to watch. It is on my list of not recommended nests. At the present time, food is also scarce and Big Bob, number 1 is acting like Zoe at Port Lincoln. Jack delivers the fish, Big takes it and neither Diane or Middle get anything to eat. As we know, there is a drought in the area that is causing canals to dry up and fears of wildfires. This means that all those Ospreys are fighting for little fish.

These beautiful osplets have their juvenile feathers and they need more fish. It is always a problematic nest but with climate change and so many ospreys in the St Petersburgh area, the competition for fish could become ruthless and many ospreys might not survive. They might have to move further north. Let us hope that both survive to fledge.

Little Decorah Hatch – DH2 – is doing fantastic. What a crop…the joys of being an only nestling.

The crop on Chase & Cholyn’s only eaglet is equally as large at Two Harbours. And check out those thighs!!!!!!!!

Precious trio to Martin and Rosa continue to thrive at Dulles-Greenway.

There is good news coming out of SF Bay Ospreys!

The winds at Loch Arkaig were so intense on Thursday that Louis was literally blown off the nest while incubating. Thankfully, he returned, unharmed. Geemeff caught it on video:

There is some concern and a little bewilderment at the Osoyoos Osprey platform in British Columbia. The nest was that of Soo and Olsen. ‘H’ sent the history of the nest in terms of egg laying: “Egg laying history for Osoyoos Osprey Cam: 2016- Apr26. 2017- May 14 (late because they had to wait for Canada Geese goslings to exit the nest) 2018- Apr 28. 2019- May 5. 2020- May 2. 2021- Apr 29. 2022- May 6.” No one knows for certain if the male at the nest is actually Olsen. Some believe it is a new male. It is now 4 May and I actually wondered, last season, if Soo and Olsen might lay their eggs earlier to try and avoid the sheer magnitude of the heat in the area. That is certainly not the case and, as of this evening, the nest is not ready.

Fellow Canadian, Deb Stecyk who administers the Bald Eagles 101 FB Page has posted the following call for action following the death of DH18. Many of you will recognise our request for simple emergency numbers under the streaming cams. Some of you will recall the sheer panic two years ago when the foster osplet fell off the Patuxent River Park platform. ‘S’ and I phoned – her halfway around the world to try and get help. The park office was closed but thankfully a staff member checked and returned with a canoe – just in time as the tide was going to start to go out. Deb’s is a good plan and a good protocol. We need to work towards finding a rapid response for all the raptors that are on streaming cams now – and it needs to be universal.

One of the two eaglets at Duke Farms has ‘officially’ branched on Thursday. Congratulations! They have both done so well this season.

Tom and Audrey at the Chesapeake Conservancy Nest have their second egg. It was laid 74 hours after egg 1.

As the coronation of King Charles III approaches, Australia’s gift is a donation of 10,000$ to help save a beloved parrot of South Australia. “The government has pledged $10,000 to help conserve the critically endangered “shy and rarely seen” species in honour of the monarch, on behalf of the people of Australia.” Will the king’s views on conservation influence any changes towards wildlife, biodiversity, land management, etc in the UK? We wait.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/may/03/australias-coronation-gift-to-king-charles-is-10000-donation-for-wa-endangered-parrot?CMP=share_btn_link

There is lots of good news out there in Bird World. I am getting so excited to see the Cal Falcons banded and to see the list of names the children select so we a vote. Of course, waiting for Big Red and Arthur’s first hatch of 2023 is agonising. So, all of the nests are doing well but Angel’s and Achieva where Middle really needs some fish and so does Mum, Diane. Again, Angel’s baby needed feedings every few hours, not a few bites in a day. Angel is extremely hungry as well. Send her your love.

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

Thank you so much for their notes, posts, tweets, videos, and streaming cams that helped to make up my blog today: ‘S’, ‘H’, ‘A’, Geemeff, Cal Falcons, SK Hideaways and Cal Falcons, George Smith and the LRWT, Deb Stecyk, MN Bound Eagle Family, Gracie Shepherd and SW Florida Eagle Cam, Cromer Peregrine Falcons, Window to Wildlife, Cornell Bird Lab RTH, American Bird Conservancy, FOBBV, Moorings Park Ospreys, Achieva Credit Union, Raptor Resource Project and Explore.org, IWS and Explore.org, Dulles-Greenway, SF Bay Ospreys, Geemeff and Loch Arkaig, People’s Postcode Lottery, and the Woodland Trust, Duke Farms, The Guardian, and the Australian Raptor Care and Conservancy.

Pip for Big Red and Arthur?… DH18 fights infection…Wednesday in Bird World

3 May 2023

Good Morning to Everyone,

I hope that the week has started off well for each of you…that the old saying, ‘April showers brings May flowers’ has given you sunshine and some time to be outside appreciating the beauty around you.

I picked up the book Slow Birding again yesterday to try and locate the research materials on how many nests had been discovered to have chicks raised by a male, not the biological dad. That book, plus the two on the geese – that migrate from the Siberian Tundra and Iceland/Greenland to the UK – continue to press that we need to look at what is close at hand, what we might take for granted that is so beautiful, just outside our windows. In The Meaning of Geese, Nick Acheson says, “Wild geese were simply always there, the sound and spectacle of my winters…” Then he moved away to South America and got caught up in the beauty of the Amazonia, and “I was so enraptured by it all that geese slipped into the background of my mind.” Acheson returned to the UK and found a project. He would “follow Norfolk’s geese all winter, I would write about them, and the many people whose lives they touched.” The book is a diary of how the geese impacted Acheson’s life, but it is also a reminder that each of us, everyone reading my blog, is part of an annual renewal. It is spring, and the birds are building nests and raising chicks (depending on where you live), and the grass and trees are waking up. In summer, those chicks will strengthen their wings and fly away. The geese that arrived a month ago will depart in the fall, and the trees will go dormant…winter will come, and then the cycle will repeat itself. There is something so reassuring about the seasons coming and going no matter what happens in our human lives.

We do not have exotic geese where I live. Canada Geese are everywhere and because of that, I want them to be special. So this spring and summer, you are going to hear an awful lot about the geese where I live. Hold on! I want to learn everything I can about them and share it with you.

This goose has chosen not to make her nest in one of the baskets provided but, rather, on a small island in the pond. Is this safe? If we get a lot of rain, it will flood and the eggs will ruin.

This male was doing ‘his job’ – keeping anyone and everyone away from the nest he and his mate have established.

Today was a good day in the garden. A problem was solved…not the one I was trying to resolve but another I had set aside. Mr Crow is having a difficult time with the squirrels. So, a table feeder was set up, especially for him. He looked at it when he came for his cheesy dogs and thought differently. Then…around 1800, the Chickadees appeared, and they headed straight for the table feeder filling their beaks! Nine of them came to feed over a half hour – waiting for their turns in the lilacs (which is how I got to count them). Nine. The entire gang lives in the Blue Spruce tree across the road.

It is almost possible to set my watch on the arrival of the birds in the garden. If they do not appear, I wait and worry like a parent when their teenager has taken the car out for the evening for the first time. The joys they have brought over the years is boundless.

Every year the Grackles have a nest in the garden. Mr Crow took the chicks one year but another year, the Grackles had a fledge. The entire Grackle community came – I am sure I have told you this story before – to celebrate the fledge. Fingers crossed, we have success this year with chicks. Mr Grackle is on guard! Here he is getting some food during his break from sentry duty.

Dyson’s gang are getting pesky and right now they are loving chasing the birds from the lilac branches. Silly little ones.

So I have decided to keep a diary this year beginning this week, showing how the ordinary can be the most extraordinary. Why don’t you join me with observations from your walks, garden observations, trips to the nature centre or places more exotic? Let’s do it for a year. If you can draw – I can’t! – even better. Feel free to share with me what you have learned!

We are now only two days away from the banding at Cal Falcons! It will fly by in a wink!

DH18 is stable after his procedure on Monday. Stable is good. We wait to hear if his infection clears up. Waiting is hard.

Are you a teacher? a leader of a youth group? We need inspiring ways to get children involved in learning about our feathered friends in order to be the stewards of their future. These lucky children got to name the Manchester peregrine falcons!

CIEL has posted images of the nests with the eaglets on them for comparison.

That egg continued to bother Hartley. I wonder how long they have been thinking about it? Well, today, Hartley moved that egg from last year into her clutch of four eggs! SK Hideaways caught this precious gesture for us. The wonders of nature never cease to amaze us.

There is still concern for Angel and her eaglet. The situation remains precarious. Tom was on a branch being bombarded by Blue Jays and did not bring any prey to the nest on Tuesday. The eaglet ate leftovers from Monday Tuesday morning but as far as I know, had nothing the rest of the day. Tom was only there at 1415. He arrived and was off again. Angel left, presumably to have a break and try and find food.

This nest will need food tomorrow…for sure for the little one. 24 hours between meals is not good. Let us hope the weather is good. Angel cannot hunt and leave the chick as it cannot regulate its temperature. It is very tense. Let us all take a deep breath and send good wishes.

Oh, thank goodness. Tom brought a mouse! Angel fed most of it to the baby but ‘A’ notes there was a little left for Mum. More prey needed!

Ondabebe caught that mouse delivery and what happened….Thanks ‘A’.

So far no pip for Big Red and Arthur. The target date is 4 May.

Is there a bit of a crack or pip in one of the eggs Wednesday morning for Big Red and Arthur? We wait to see if that is it in the back egg to the right.

Tuesday was a good day at Achieva Credit Union’s Osprey platform in St Petersburg. Six fish!

Abby and Victor are still at the Moorings Park Osprey platform in Naples, Florida. Sally doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to have her babies fledge. She just keeps filling them up with fish!

The third hatch at Lake Murray is still with us! My goodness that osplet is tiny compared to those big sibs that are now getting their reptilian plumage. Let’s collectively hope that their tempers stay muted.

We are so fortunate to still have E22 at home. He was in and out of the nest, up and down on the branches, and sure hoping that Dad would bring in a whopper on Tuesday.

If there was anything left on that old catfish head, E22 would find it. He was ravenous. I wonder if M15 is hoping he will go down and try some fishing?

‘H’ reports that the WRDC nest is doing well. She says, “Dade County is wonderful, there is no longer any aggression from R4 toward R5 during meals, which is quite a relief.  A parents can actually feed the eaglets with them standing side-by-side.  On occasion R5 still has a pre-conditioned knee-jerk reaction to be submissive briefly, even though there is no threat from R4.  But R5 behaving like that is becoming less often as s/he is becoming more relaxed with the ‘new and improved R4’.  Speaking of feeding, R5 does not need to be fed at all, just drop a (preferably unzipped) fish on the nest and R5 will consume it.  The eaglets are becoming huge, and there is some dueling hop-flapping going on.  We are waiting for the results of testing to determine R5’s gender.”

The two GH owlets of Bonnie and Clyde are flying from branch to branch but still being fed by Mum at times. So cute…

Decorah eaglet is not a baby anymore! Clown feet and pin feathers coming in. What happened to that cute little fluffy eaglet of a couple days ago?

The three eaglets at Denton Homes in Decorah, Iowa are doing great as well.

The trio at Dulles-Greenway have their juvenile plumage and, at least one, is standing on the rim of the nest. Did you know that the parents, Martin and Rosa, are named after Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks? ‘A’ reminded me that she didn’t know the other day and I wonder how many others do. This is a good Bald Eagle nest to watch. Put it on your list for next season if you haven’t got it there already.

The two eaglets at the Pittsburgh-Hayes Eagle nest are doing really well. Large fish have been brought to the nest for the past couple of days.

At the White-tailed Eagle nest in the Tucholskie Forest in Poland, there are two eaglets. The eldest is the most dominant and demands to eat first. when its crop is about to pop, the second cautiously makes its way up to the beak to be fed. Hopeful for both to fledge.

Murphy worked on the nest a few days ago. On Tuesday, the not-so-little-eaglet began rearranging the sticks. This is precisely why it is so good that Murphy got to have a ‘real baby’. (sorry the screen capture is terrible- the eaglet is in the nest raising up a large stick) Learning through observation.

A reminder of the absolute vandalism that happened at the Llyn Brenig nest in Wales in 2021. A good interview with Lolo Williams and a discussion about the importance of Ospreys – a rare bird in the UK. The perpetrators were never found but it could have been someone upset about the platforms in North Wales. — The pair did not return to lay another egg. there is now a protected nest at the site. Thanks, Geemeff, for this historic reminder of this tragedy.

At the Glaslyn nest of Aran and Elen, Aran waits for Elen to want her break so he can take over incubation. What I wouldn’t give if our dear Angel, the RTH, had a mate like Aran! There are two eggs this year for this newly bonded couple. Fingers crossed for good weather and lots of fish with no injuries.

I love the new split screen at the Dyfi nest of Idris and Telyn. Here we can see Idris incubating while Telyn is enjoying her nice fish – at least for a few moments. It is, sadly, going to slide off and land on the ground where it will stay.

It was a close call the other day when Blue 33 got a stick stuck in his BTO leg band. He managed to get it out but no before we all had a huge lump in our throats with Maya incubating four eggs. It all ended well, thankfully.

It’s 0513 and Dorcha is waiting for Louis to come and relieve her and bring her a nice breakfast fish.

Connor from Window to Wildlife discusses what a crazy year it has been at Captiva. Have a listen! Thanks, ‘H’.

There have been a lot of events since the beginning of the year with many donations being requested by various rehabilitation centres. As one of you said, they felt a bit ‘bird poor’. It can indeed happen. I certainly know the feeling. My goodness, I have to sit back, and it is hard to imagine that Connick was one of the first who needed help this year, with DH18 being the last. Today, I will challenge everyone who belongs to an organisation associated with birds in the UK to give Sasha Dench and Conservation without Borders the cost of a coffee – through a Twitter Feed. Give up the coffee for one day. 810 GBP out of 1500 GBP has been raised to help clean up the HPAI outbreak in The Gambia. Going through the UN will take too long…in late August and September, the UK Ospreys will be heading back to The Gambia and other parts of West Africa to their winter homes. The dead and dying birds need to be cleared! Do people think 2 GBP is too little? I sure hope not! Wish us luck!

Geemeff just posted a thank you from the people of The Gambia doing the clean up.

Thank you for being with me today. Please continue to send your good wishes to DH18 who is fighting for its life and to Angel and her chick – that Tom will be an uber food delivery dad. Take care everyone. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, tweets, videos, and streaming cams that helped to make up my blog this morning: ‘H’, ‘A’, Geemeff, Cal Falcons, AEF, Anne Pardo and the Manchester NH Falcon Fans, Jann Gallivan and CIEL, SK Hideaways and San Jose City Hall, Window to Wildlife, Cornell RTH, Achieva Credit Union, Moorings Park Osprey, Lake Murray Ospreys, SW Florida Eagle Cam, WRDC, Farmer Derek, Raptor Resource Project and Explore.org, Denton Homes, Dulles Greenaway, PIX Cams, Tucholskie Forest WTE, Llyn Brenig Ospreys, BBC, Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn, Dyfi Osprey Project, LRWT, and Friends of Loch Arkaig, People’s PostCode Lottery, and the Woodland Trust, Geemeff and Conservation without Borders.

Monday in Bird World

1 May 2022

Good Morning Everyone,

Sunday was a beautiful day on the Canadian Prairies albeit quite windy. It was quiet in the garden this morning but the action picked up as 1700 approached. Thank goodness. I simply cannot imagine a world without birdsong. I wouldn’t want to live in it!

It has also been a very stressful weekend because of the events at the nest of Angel and Tom in Tennessee. Angel is the Leucistic Red Tail Hawk with a new mate, a young male, Tom. The first chick that hatched was unattended by Angel and Tom mistook it for something on the nest and killed it. That is the only explanation I can find, and then, of course, he realised what he had done. He has now been missing for some 36 hours. I believe that the sheer magnitude of what he did is keeping him from the nest, but that does not help Angel, who now has their second hatch to raise. That is nearly impossible. We are also waiting for news of DH18; since there was no update on Sunday, we can assume that DH18 is stable in its subsequent surgery today. This gives me hope. Thank you to everyone who donated to the AEF to help with DH18’s medical treatment. The sheer volume of funds is an excellent indication of the public support for intervention. We need to care and show it sometimes with our wallets or actions – your phone calls, e-mails and screams for someone to help these two eaglets.

We are awaiting word on the condition of DH18. He will have additional surgery today but, it appears that his condition remained stable over the weekend as there were no further communiques from the AEF.

Looking to do some good in the world? Where you donation fully supports the operation? Then look no further than helping the folks in West African clean up the birds that are dying of HPAI. If you go to the crowd funding site and cannot find this project, please go to Sacha Dench’s Twitter feed, find this and click on the image. Anything helps…5 GBP or 24 GBP for a boat to help move the cleaners and the dead birds.

Sasha Dench tells us why it is vital that we chip in now…I can add another one. Even though HPAI is around lurking and can rear its ugly head, this outbreak in West Africa needs to be curtailed well before the Ospreys and other birds return in September. That seems like a long time away. It isn’t. This affects everyone. It is not just Gambia’s problem.

‘A’ writes: “We have a hatch at 1:22:43pm. There’s a good view of the chick at 3:15:59.. Still no sign of Tom. He has not been seen since 3.24 yesterday afternoon. Will he return? Or did Angel’s anger with him when he killed the chick so extreme that he is scared to return? We wait.” This is extremely unfortunate and it may mean the demise of this relationship and nest as Angel cannot take care of herself and protect and feed the little one…well, that is what we would think. We wait as ‘A’ suggests but it is not looking good. The baby cannot thermoregulate and unless it is really warm in Tennessee, which it could be, leaving it would be problematic. ‘A’ notes that it is very out of character for Tom who was there to incubate within a few seconds of when Angel needed a break. So what is going on? Does he feel so guilty about the death of the other baby? In his grief for his actions he chose to leave? or did something happen to him? Let us hope he returns.

Typically, RTH nests are easy to watch but, sadly, this is simply making me ‘ill’.

Lady Hawk captured the hatch on video for us.

By night fall, Tom has not appeared. Angel was said to have dropped her crop. She will be hungry. The little one will need to eat Monday morning.

On Monday morning Angel went to find food, Tom returned and saw the chick. Then Angel appeared quickly..so far. Tom seems not to know what the chick is. Will he realise when Angel feeds the baby? We wait.

Arlene Beech caught Tom’s first sight of the second chick when Angel was away. Tom needs to delivery prey to this nest. Angel is brooding the little one and it does not appear injured by the encounter with Tom.

Arthur was young, like Tom, at the Cornell nest of Big Red when he fathered their first clutch but, that went smoothly as have all the other clutches in subsequent years.

Heavy rain began on Sunday at the Cornell Campus. Big Red was soaked.

The rain got heavier. We should be keeping a close eye on this nest.

SK Hideaways gives us some great close ups of Big Red and Arthur as we are now on pip watch.

So far there does not appear to have been a fledge at Moorings Park. It was windy on Sunday and I thought there might be some good hovering but there was some wing flapping.

Cute little Decorah hatchery eagle has quite the crop.

We worried at times but the trio at Dulles-Greenway are getting the final bits of their juvenile plumage. They are doing some self-feeding. Martin and Rosa did great.

The two at Pittsburgh-Hayes are fine also. They are a little soggy this morning.

USS6 is wet too!

We haven’t checked in on them for some time but the two eaglets at Duke Farms are now standing on the rim of the nest and at least one, if not both, are up around the base of the branches.

‘R’ reports that Bob 2 at Achieva ate fine earlier in the day but only had a few bites later and then got a good throttling from Bob 1 just because she felt like it. Both have been pecking around the nest for food and both are getting more steady on their feet even on that twiggy nest. Bob 2 or Middle had a ps at 18:10. Not a great one but alright. — ‘R’ reports that despite all of the attacks on Middle, Diane did get a reasonably good feed into Middle later. ‘R’ also confirms that there is a significant drought going on in the St Petersburgh area and there is fear for wild fires there. I had heard that the canals where the ospreys fish are drying up and this would be a major contribution to the lack of fish on this nest this year. Hopefully Diane’s place for catfish is alright.

Jack has delivered two fish in a row Monday morning – at 0855 and at 1013. Bob 1 controlled the food. Middle needs to figure out how to get around to the other side and eat but it is very frightened from the beatings it took yesterday.

SP chick at Taiaroa Head had two feedings. One was by Mum L who had been away for a fortnight. This is fantastic.

This is the latest update on Connie and Clive’s little eaglet, Connick, that fell out of the tree on Captiva Island. Connick is in really good hands down at the Audubon Centre for Prey.

It is hard to imagine but World Bird Sanctuary is showing us Murphy’s baby then and now. Way to go Murphy! Again, thank you to everyone who reached out to help World Bird Sanctuary.

B16 with his parents, Pa and Missy Berry. What a gorgeous juvenile she is! Always so grateful to all the BOGS on the ground for their images and videos…the things we miss that never make it on the streaming cams.

The two surviving eaglets from the Bartlesville, Oklahoma Eagle nest are doing great. They are about 28 days old today.

Keeping an eye on Lake Murray…

Kathryn has introduced me to a new nest – a pair of challenged Griffon Vultures who get to act as foster parents every year! She adds, “Both of these vultures were born with rickets and they have their own accessible nesting box. They do lay their own eggs but they have so far been infertile. They do a great job of raising chicks though. They are locally endangered there and they have two additional cameras on their feeding stations (where a lot of vultures go) so they can have food that is free of any poisoning.” I wonder how many others are fostering little ones. How grand!

They feed the chicks by regurgitation just like the Albatross.

As we prepare for big Bird Day on May 13th, there are other bird counts going on around the world. Here is a chart by The Bird Nature guide showing how bird sightings are going around the world.

There is a big celebration going on in Finland this year and other areas might want to copy what they are doing. It is BirdLife Finland’s 50th anniversary. Reports indicate “that almost half of Finlands needing species are nationally Red Listed, with significant declines occurring across nearly all of the country’s habitats, owing to various threats, including intensification of agriculture and forestry, eutrophication of its wetlands and peatland drainage.” (BirdLife International April-June 2023, 58) In order to help half this, Birdlife Finland set about to install a passion and connection amongst the people. They had birdwatching trips, bird ringing days, and grew their membership to 27,000 members. One of the most interesting things, however, began in 2017 to mark the 100th anniversary of Finland’s independence. The government encouraged people to celebrate the year by recording 100 birds. Today, thousands of people take part in this traditional exercise noting that it has caused “growing public support for habitat protection in recent years”. We should all try this!

There is a man going to prison for killing a Bald Eagle. His sentence is two years.

Perhaps the UK Raptor Persecution groups should cite this when individuals who have killed many more raptors get off with a slap on the wrist! Just a thought.

One of the most exciting things this week is the hatch of Big Red and Arthur’s three eggs. I cannot tell you how much I look forward to this annual event. My goodness, we sure do need some joy in Bird World – and I hope it comes in the form of three healthy hatches and the news from the AEF that DH18 is going to make a full recovery! Mark on your calendars the 5th of May. That is the banding day for the Cal Falcons! We will find out their gender, there will be some name contests, and we will see the kids with their bling. Loretta is watching Charlo Montana for us for eggs. that might happen as well. Then there must be a fledge coming up at Moorings Park this week. So lots of exciting things coming our way. Send your positive wishes to Angel that her mate Tom returns to help her and please spread the word about Sasha Dench’s appeal for funds to help fight HPAI in the Gambia (watch her short video and educate yourself).

Thank you for being with me. I hope to have some images of the kittens this week. It is nearly 2300 Sunday evening and they are “just waking up”. Nocturnal. Eat and sleep all day! Take care everyone. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, tweets, posts, videos, and streaming cams that help to make up my blog this morning: ‘A’, Kathryn, ‘R’, AEF, Sasha Dench, Window to Wildlife, Cornell RTH, SK Hideaways and Cornell RTH, Moorings Park Ospreys, Raptor Resource Project, Dulles-Greenway, PIX Cams, Achieva Credit Union, NZ DOC, Gracie Shepherd and Raptors of the World, World Bird Sanctuary, Bill Cameron and B3 Branch Buddies Berry College Eagles, Sutton Centre, Lake Murray Ospreys, The British Nature Guide, Live Griffon, and Terry Carman.

DH18 is stable, E21 farewell?…Sunday in Bird World

30 April 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

It was an overcast Saturday on the Canadian Prairies with a few raindrops. Everyone is itching to get out and clean up their gardens, but it is best to wait another couple of weeks to benefit the insects and birds. Instead, the conservatory got its windows cleaned to the delight of Missy and Lewis who seemed to think they could vaporise through the panes of glass and be outside with the birds!

Missy gets the award for being naughty. Oh, if she only knew how much trouble my friend in British Columbia went to sending me her dried hydrangeas! In the post no doubt. Missy!!!!!!!!!

There are still thirty-five or forty Dark-eyed Juncos in the garden and now a couple of Brown Thrashers kicking up everything looking for insects. The Starlings have been in, 23 of them, and out throughout the day, but there is a noticeable decrease in the number of House Sparrows. I hope that they are feeding elsewhere. Mr Woodpecker came around his usual time and if everything is alright with the world, the other two Downeys along with the Chickadee will appear within the hour. Ah, no sooner than I said it, the Chickadee appeared. Then the Downys and along came a Hairy who arrived with a single Grackle.

One of a handful of House Sparrows in the garden. They are so loud. I miss their songs.

I could almost set a watch by the woodpeckers. They come to eat suet every six hours during the day. Today, there were five different woodpeckers in the garden. I could hear a sixth, the Pileated, in the distance.

The female Downy waits at the tree til the male is finished before going to the suet log. If he returns, she flies away immediately.

The second male arrives when the female leaves. This male is a Hairy Woodpecker, larger than the Downy. You can see how much of the log its body covers compared to the little Downys.

The Starlings are gorgeous. These are full breeding colours. Notice how the white spots on the breast are almost entirely gone.

Dyson is enjoying the fresh water in the bird bath. Water is so essential and the birds and mammals eat the snow during the winter but there is nothing like a big drink!

It is really important that we take are of our environment beginning right at home and then moving out into the greater community. This article on these Blackbird chicks states, “To have been born at all in this place at this time when so many millions of birds perish through casual ecocide is miraculous. Environmental justice is not just about the survival of species, it’s about care for these birds, right here and now, and to see them is such a privilege.”

Here is this short article. I imagine each of you could watch and write your own story! The joy the birds bring cannot be denied. So many of you write and tell me that you have found new life in the lives of the birds, both on the streaming cams, and outside in your garden and at the parks. Many of us find being with the birds often more productive and calmer than being with humans!

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/apr/29/country-diary-the-blackbird-chicks-are-out-and-up-against-it?CMP=share_btn_link

On Saturday, at 1319, E21 took flight and left the nest area and has not returned. It is ‘assumed’ that s/he has started on their life of independence. E22 spent the first night alone in the nest with a major thunderstorm raging. Vija caught it for us.

Earlier, E22 had spent time down at the pond – gosh, this eaglet loves that pond and chasing dad with a fish dinner. Thanks, Lady Hawk.

We have seen a similar photo before of Ervie and Mum and Dad on the pine tree at Port Lincoln. This one was taken on Sunday. I find it so interesting how they hang out together. We know, for sure, that two of the PLO fledglings have survived – Calypso (2019) and Ervie (2021). Both have stayed reasonably close to Port Lincoln instead of venturing out at a distance.

There is a pip at the nest of Angel and Tom and let us all send the best wishes that the second baby thrives. The trauma of Tom not recognising his own chick and killing it must have been horrific for both him, when he realised, and Angel.

Status of the pip at 1924. You can see the egg tooth. Oh, please…let this little one survive.