I am so happy that Toby and Hugo Yugo’s little kissing/licking fest touched your hearts. It is really easy to see why they bring such joy to our lives! SP wrote, “Mary Ann, you are my Santa! The Toby-HY love fest… I’ve only watched it three times… so far. xoxo”
Brock reminded me today that it is ‘essential’ to find a way to have water for the outdoor animals that we feed. This is easy if you live in an area where it never gets below freezing. Here, it can be problematic. You MUST be careful so as not to cause the little birds to freeze their feet and feathers. Because of these issues, I am reluctant to use a heater in the bird baths if there is any chance their little feet will stick and be pulled off! Luckily for Brock, there are two dishes in his heated feeding station – one for wet food and the other for water. He had several long drinks today!
The small sparrows and Starlings were busy eating snow. They don’t get as much as they would if there were a bird bath for them, but they do get some hydration, which is really important if you are feeding them.
I hope you did not worry about Gabby being away from her nest and leaving Beau to incubate for approximately 24 hours. This is ‘Gabby’s Way’. Every year, she takes a break before the eggs hatch. The first time I saw this panic set in, I thought she had died, leaving Samson to care for their family, but no. Gabby was having a ‘spa time’ – I liked to call it. Gabby is now home, and Beau was so happy to get off those eggs, he flew off the nest when he caught her flying in!
Beautiful Gabby back in the nest.
I decided to take a sheet out of Gabby’s playbook today while Anne was caring for Don, Toby, and The Girls.
You probably know someone who was or is a caregiver to another individual – their partner, a parent, another family member, or a friend. It is stressful. There is no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Caregivers are often ‘tired beyond belief’ and rarely take time for themselves. You might know someone who cared for another person and actually died before them. It happens more often than you might think. As Don’s illness progresses, I am trying hard to make sure that my life is a bit more balanced. So, going back to Gabby…I gave myself a ‘treat’ today. I spent the afternoon at the Dior counter today getting a ‘refresh’ from a wonderful woman who has worked for this French cosmetics company for 35 years. It was fun – and a reminder that each of us needs to create time to relax and laugh!
Moving back to our birds. As you know, Heidi and I have been monitoring osprey nests for mortality numbers and causes. Heidi sent this to me today and I thought that you might be interested, too.
“This was the presentation held yesterday on Virginia Eastern Shore by Dr. Watts and Ben Wurst. The presentation itself is only about 67 minutes long, and is very informative.https://youtu.be/bR8byYABd8s?s
A lot of takeaways. VV’s nests all had abandoned eggs. But, Watts’ data indicated the majority of nest failures were from brood reduction due to a lack of menhaden. Most of the eggs hatched, but most chicks didn’t survive. Interesting.”
Overfishing has led to the death of 60,000 penguins! The Guardian gives us the details. “More sustainable fisheries management could improve the penguins’ chances of survival. Conservationists are taking action on the ground, by building artificial nests to shelter chicks, managing predators and hand-rearing adults and chicks who need rescuing. Commercial purse-seine fishing, which involves encircling a school of fish with a large net and then trapping them by closing the bottom, has been banned around the six largest penguin-breeding colonies in South Africa.
It is hoped this will “increase access to prey for penguins at critical parts of their life cycle”, said the study co-author Dr Azwianewi Makhado, from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment in South Africa.”
I don’t know about you, but my calendar is counting down to the arrival of the ospreys in the UK! Of course, there is a big gold star at the beginning of April to remind me to be on the lookout for Iris’s return to Missoula, Montana.
Lots of couples are incubating. Eagles and Albatross.
You can watch the Royal Albatross Royal Cam Pair, BOK and WYL, in New Zealand. If you are not aware, the letters relate to the coloured identification bands on their legs. BOK (female) is Blue-Orange-Black with ‘K’ being for Black. WYL (male) is White-Yellow-Lime.
Today, the couple were reunited as they switched incubation duties. The note under the video reads: “WYL returns to the Plateau nest site to give his mate BOK a well-earned break from incubation. Watch him enter from the left of the frame to greet her, and after a brief reunion, BOK lifts off and hands over nest duties. Following a few vocal exchanges with the neighbors, she heads back out to sea. Join us live as we follow their journey through the 2025–26 breeding season! RoyalCam was set up in January 2016 by the Department of Conservation and the Cornell Lab has been collaborating with DOC since 2019 to bring the cam to life. To learn more while watching, view the cam at https://www.doc.govt.nz/royalcam“
At Port Lincoln, Dad was on the barge during the early morning hours having a nap. The camera panned to the old barge but no ospreys were visible.
Girri is such a character. She has even been incubating the remaining egg in the scrape on and off!
Just look at those juvenile feathers coming in!
Girri is a BIG girl.
There has been no news of any peregrine falcons from the CBD of Melbourne coming into care. This is great news!
Liberty and Guardian have been at the Redding Eagles nest.
More eagle news on Monday!
Signing off with Hawk Mountain’s migratory count for the week of 3 December. Osprey count way down. Bald Eagles up. Sharp-shinned Hawks down along with many others. My goodness…but a growth in Broad-winged haws.
It isn’t just at Hawk Mountain that some species numbers are beginning to plummet. In the UK, recognizing this horrific act, people are opting to name streets after our amazing birds in order that they not be forgotten.
I don’t need to tell you that Toby and The Girls make my life worth living.
After a day of frolicking in the snow, there is nothing nicer than napping on a toy duck.
Thank you so much for being with us today. We hope to have you with us again tomorrow!
Thank you to Heidi for sending us the link to that presentation on the Ospreys with Dr Watts and to SP for allowing me to quote them. I am also grateful to the owners of the streaming cams – Charles Sturt University, Port Lincoln Osprey, American Eagle Foundation, and NZ Dept of Conservation/Cornell Bird Lab – where I took my screen captures today and to the authors of the articles on providing water for wildlife in winter, The Guardian for covering the death of the African Penguins or OpenVerse for the image of the African Penguins.
I have added the latest news that I have received at the top. It’s great to be back with you. I trust that you have been keeping up with your favourite nests and have an eye on Sunny and Gizmo. They are going to fly this week.
I have received staggering news from our monitor VV living in Maryland. They have 15 osprey nests within sight of their porch. This is yesterday’s report. When you finish reading it, I want you to educate yourselves. Join the good folks at Menhaden- Little Fish, Big Deal FB page and find out why ospreys are starving in the Chesapeake. Then I want you to write everyone you know to stop the industrial fishing of Menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay. It could be too late. For several years, the osplets have been dying. There is no one to replace the adults once they die or leave the area. They are going extinct, faster than DDT killed them, due to one company – Omega and that company is Canadian. It makes me furious as a Canadian.
VV writes: ” I wish I had a shred of good osprey news for you. But I have not. Many nests were incubating but nearly simultaneously nests were abandoned, some osprey have returned after gulls and crows cleaned out their eggs. Some have not returned. Two unpaired males I know by name abandoned their nests a good week before the pairs left. Those without eggs quit mating and they, too, left their nests. I guess a food issue, males no longer able to provide and females having to fish for themselves to survive.
It all happened within a matter of a week, a week and a half. It happened last year after chicks hatched but all died in early July. A second year of no fledglings.
Another observer on the island continues to see eagles stealing ospreys’ food. And the osprey behavior toward eagles is muted to non-existent this year. As little as two years back the entire creek full of osprey would leave their nests to chase an eagle passing overhead. Osprey ignore them entirely this year. The osprey grow silent when the eagles fly across the creek.”
This was the largest area for Osprey. Heidi and I have seen a steady decline and I believe a few years ago I predicted that there would be no osprey in the area in 3-4 years. I am beyond sad. I am angry that humans take money and profit takes over the quality of life for everyone on our planet. What happens in the Bay impacts all of us.
The UK and the Roy Dennis Foundation know what extinction of raptors looks like. In comparison to what is happening in Maryland and the neighbouring states of the Chesapeake Bay, the very first osprey has hatched in the USK Valley (think south Wales) in 250 years! Congratulations.
It is also expected to start raining on Monday morning in Winnipeg. Outside, it smells like a campfire. The fires continue to rage, people are being evacuated, and there are areas where only a helicopter can access. There are so many fires burning that there are not enough helicopters. I hope private companies are helping.
I am starting to write Friday evening. We have just finished watering the garden plants. The air is acrid. The sky is hazy. You might think you were in the middle of hundreds of car tyres burning. I cannot even imagine what it is like for those on the front lines fighting the fires in northern and eastern Manitoba (or other parts of Canada). It is 29 C.
While others are caring for the people in the towns and villages under threat, there is the wildlife that makes their late spring and summer homes in our province. Imagine hundreds of raptor nests with chicks and the fires burning. The adults can fly if they do not get ‘smoke inhalation’ and hopefully get to safety. Those chicks cannot fly. There are still many issues trying to rescue more than 17,000 people. They are leaving with nothing. If they are lucky they can bring their pets. One of the problems when they get to my city with those beloved pets is that the hotels are not allowing them inside! I find that incredibly ‘mean’. We are fortunate to have a few agencies that are rescuing the dogs and cats that had to be turned out on the streets. They will provide care and food for them and return them to their owners when it is convenient for the owners. I hope they can find the owners. So many of the pets might not be tattooed or have a microchip. Many of us are busy collecting toiletries and clothes as well as pet food for these unfortunate people. Can you imagine losing absolutely everything?While many are dedicated to helping the people in towns and villages facing danger, we must not forget the wildlife that calls our province home during late spring and summer. Picture this: hundreds of raptor nests filled with helpless chicks, surrounded by raging fires. The adult birds may be able to escape if they avoid smoke inhalation, but the chicks are unable to fly.
Simultaneously, we are confronted with the daunting task of rescuing over 17,000 individuals who are fleeing with nothing but the clothes on their backs. If they are fortunate, some can bring their cherished pets along. Yet, upon arriving in my city, they face a heartbreaking reality—many hotels refuse to accept pets. This is utterly unjust.
Thankfully, a handful of compassionate agencies are stepping up to rescue the dogs and cats abandoned in the streets. They are providing much-needed care and food for these animals, with the hope of reuniting them with their owners when the time is right. However, many pets lack identification tattoos or microchips, complicating the rescue efforts.
In the meantime, many of us are rallying together to gather toiletries, clothing, and pet food for these displaced individuals. Can you imagine what it feels like to lose absolutely everything? We must come together to support them in their time of need.
Menhaden overfishing has significantly disrupted the ecosystem in the Chesapeake Bay, leading tof whales and dolphins several years ago. Additionally, striped bass are starving and turning to crabs for food, leaving ospreys without the necessary sustenance. I have mentioned this to you before: overfishing causes widespread disruptions. In Ireland, for example, similar overfishing issues are driving whales and dolphins away. I wonder what the long-term outlook is for the ospreys that are beginning to breed there.
Other news comes from Arctic research showing that birds lived with the polar bears in an area of Alaska more than 74 million years ago. “Researchers believe their discovery of more than 50 bird fossils from the Prince Creek formation in Alaska is the oldest evidence of birds nesting in polar regions, pushing back the date by more than 25m years.”
Heidi has a good report for us on the US osprey nests she is monitoring:
Osoyoos: Soo and Olsen bonded after their return from migration, however after some battles at the end of April, a new male took over. Two of their three eggs were laid after Olsen was no longer seen, but the new male destroyed all three of those eggs. A new egg was laid on 5/30. I believe the female is Soo. Comparing photos, she looks like the same female for the past 4 seasons, but some believe it is a new female. The new male is a big fellow, and he has a very large dark crown mark and a necklace. This new clutch may not be a good thing. In the past, the ospreys have had difficulty finding fish during the heat, and now they may be trying to raise chicks a month later than previous years.
Patuxent River Park Nest 2: After the cam was offline for 9 days, two of the three osplets were missing. It appeared as though the oldest one was the only chick in the nest. We have been told that the other two chicks blew off the nest during a storm. But, I suspect that the park staff may not really know what happened to those two chicks, and we can’t rule out the possibility predation.
Dewey Beach Lions Club osprey nest: Things were going very well for this family of two osplets… until a few days of wind and rain spoiled the fishing. Then chick 1 became aggressive. When the weather improved, Mom supplemented Dad’s fish, and even the past 2 days when there were 9 fish, and 6 fish, chick 1 would not let chick 2 eat. The fish Mom and Dad were catching were on the small side. They never caught that really big fish that would have allowed chick 2 a chance to have a good meal. Little 2 died on 6/1, at 16 days of age.
Thanks, Heidi!
The news that has come to my inbox is mixed – osplets dying by the nestfuls while others are thriving. Betty Lou has fledged and returned to the nest, where she was rewarded with a giant fish. Jak and Audacity know how to raise ‘children’. Let us hope that the circumstances come together so that they can do this again in 2026!
BUNDGoitzsche-Wildnis: “Red kites are fast and skilled hunters. When an attack occurs very suddenly, the adults often have only a fraction of a second to react. Furthermore, wild animals instinctively weigh up whether a defense could endanger their own life or the remaining clutch of eggs. We suspect that the adults were taken by surprise and didn’t recognize the danger. They have been breeding successfully on this eyrie for so many years now, although they have never been threatened by red kites before; perhaps there is simply no strategy for dealing with it.
June 1, 2025: A red kite takes a second chick from the nest.
May 26, 2025: Drama for the ospreys: a red kite comes while the chicks are being fed and steals a chick from the nest. The attack lasts only seconds.”
White Rock Eagles: It appears that the male may be providing some assistance. The two eaglets, Miracle and Phenom, are doing well. Their crops are about to pop. Sweet little babies. Another miracle and a fish fairy. Love it! https://youtu.be/BvEHLnh-Wh4?
Dyfi Osprey Project: Telyn and Idris are doing a fine job with their triplets. They are kept warm and nicely fed.
Rutland Manton Bay: The fourth hatch is tiny. We wait to see if it will survive. Blue 33 has fish in the largest freshwater lake in Europe at Rutland Water and he is an excellent fisher and provider. The pair have raised several clutches of four. Fingers crossed. Blue 33 spent a lot of time on Sunday on the nest with Maya and the four kiddos.
Foulshaw Moss: Little Three gets right up there to eat. White YW and Blue 35 have raised nests where there were two quite larger chicks and a tiny one and all three fledged. Indeed, the third hatch in 2021 became the dominant on the nest!
Birds of Poole Harbour: Blue 022 and CJ7 raised four to fledge in 2024, to the shock of everyone. Looks like they are going to do it again this year. I wonder if they might become another ‘Super’ Couple like Blue 33 and Maya at Rutland? Or maybe this pair could beat Rutland’s record!
Family Portrait.
Llyn Brenig: We’re on hatch watch week!
Llyn Clywedog: Dylan is keeping the fish coming in despite some inclement weather. The chicks are doing well and Seren is being the perfect Mum.
Tweed Valley: The two females now have four osplets to raise between them. The male, New Guy, has not been around and it is understood that he is not assisting the ‘women’ in any way. The first three eggs to hatch belonged to Mrs O, an experienced female, while the fourth hatch belongs to the new female at the nest. The females do not seem to care whose is whose – they are happy to bring in fish to share between them. An incredible display of cooperation and another one of those miracles from this year that we must enjoy.
Glaslyn: Everyone loves Aran. He was not seen for the past five days. The weather in Wales was horrible. Well, to the delight of everyone, Aran came out and was seen on Sunday. Fabulous. He was enjoying the sunshine that finally came out.
Loch of the Lowes: Raining on Saturday. The female incubates the remaining egg for this new couple, taking the place of Laddie LM12 and Blue NC0.
Alyth: The camera is down, but there is evidence that Harry and Flora are feeding at least one chick on the nest. Thanks, Jeff Kear, UK Osprey Info, and VG for checking and reporting.
West Midlands Ringing Group:
MNSA Oceanside Ospreys: Three chicks on the nest. Cold weather event occured on the 23/24 of May. Little three could not fit under Mum and died of hypothermia. The feeding on the 24th without little 3: https://youtu.be/RGwYSUptOqA?
Loch Arkaig:
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 1st June 2025
Today saw the return of Garry LV0 to Nest One, although to Aurora’s disappointment, he arrived with empty talons. Later when Aurora was alone on the nest, she was disturbed by a Raven’s kronking as it did a fly-by, and flew off to chase it away. Over on Nest Two, Louis continues to provide plenty of fish – four today, taking his tally to one hundred and thirty six. The second fish was a little tiddler that vanished in three minutes, and Louis was instructed to get more, if that’s how we can interpret Dorcha’s reaction. He returned an hour later with a fish so massive, it travelled on and off the nest providing several meals as it went. He is very strong to be able to lift such a big fish out of the water which bodes well for the continued well-being of the chicks who were stuffed full today so much so that one chick did a comical faceplant during feeding time, as if its bulging crop was too heavy to keep it upright. It rained throughout the night and sporadically throughout the day but a dry night with light winds is forecast for tonight with a low of 7°C, continuing dry through tomorrow with a high of 15°C. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 00.01.18 (02.50.57); Nest Two 22.56.00 (04.01.47) Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/WJsJLdNJmqM N2 Bobs 2&3 have a tug of war over a piece of fish one! 07.07.28
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 31st May 2025
Not much happened today on either nest, Aurora 536 did a bit of perching and preening on Nest One but again there was no sign of Garry LV0, and over on Nest Two all was routine which is what’s needed as the chicks enter their rapid development phase. Expert fisherbird Louis delivered six fish, taking his tally to one hundred and thirty two, and Dorcha ensured all three chicks got plenty to eat. It was wet and windy today and more of the same is expected tonight with heavy rain and a gentle breeze with a low of 8°C, with the rain lessening a little to light rain with a high of 14°C tomorrow.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.21.00 (03.33.01); Nest Two 22.50.14 (04.05.20)
Bonus action – People’s Postcode Lottery helped Woodland Trust buy Arkaig Forest, fund its on-going restoration, and support the Osprey cams giving us our 24/7 livestreaming joy. If you’re a social media user, could you please thank them when posting Loch Arkaig content:
Sauces Canyon: Sauces Canyon: Jak and Audacity are amazing parents. Not only did they reward their young daughter, Betty Lou, with a big fish to encourage her to return to the nest, but they have also sat with her in the pine tree and delivered food to her there! Thanks to ‘PB’ for the wonderful report on Saturday!
Fraser Point: Mama Cruz has been missing for almost a day. When she returned to the nest, it was clear that she had been fighting an intruder. I am just holding my breath.
FOBBV: Jackie and Shadow adore their two eaglets, Sunny and Gizmo. I cannot imagine what is going through their heads as these two darlings ready to take to the sky. Jackie is feeding them on Saturday!
Trempeauleau Eagles: T3 doing fantastic. Mum brought in at least three fish on Friday.
Duke Farms: All three fledglings on the nest wanting some dinner! I did not see any prey delivered. Maybe you did.
Boulder County Fairgrounds: Three osplets with the fourth egg pipping on Saturday. Experienced Mum and new dad are going to be busy keeping these crops full.
OPPD Fort Calhoun: The triplets are so close in age. It appears everything is going very, very well. So tiny. They blend in to the point that if your eyes are tired, you really have to look close or hope they move!!!!!!!!
Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home: The only surviving eaglet is doing well. Thanks, ‘PB’ for posting this message on FB.
Pitkin County: Three little heads peek up out of the deep nest cup when it is dinner time. Two hatched on the 27th, with the third on the 28th. Fantastic, they are so close in age.
Cornell Red-tail Hawk Cam: The Os are walking around and pecking at prey. Arthur has the nest looking like a massacre. No one ever goes hungry on Big Red’s nest. Never.
Hellgate Canyon: Iris was on and off the nest on Sunday. She is looking good.
Charlo, Montana: Incubation continues.
City of Independence, Oregon: Female looking down. I did not see an indication of a hatch or feeding. Incubation continues.
I am delighted that you could join us today. Everyone in the family is doing fine. We hope that you are happy and well and getting outside whenever you can.
Calico and Baby Hope on the table watching Toby but not having their tails bitten!
Toby can climb up the cat tree!
Hugo Yugo loves to sleep on the top of the small cat tree. She will have her next dental cleaning and surgery on 11 June.
Missey in Toby’s toy box!
Brock waits and sleeps on a deck chair for when we get up and he gets some fresh food.
Thank you to the following for their letters, notes, comments, posts, videos, articles, images, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, J, PB, VV’, The Guardian, Osoyoos Town Council Osprey Cam, Patuxent River Park, Dewey Beach Lion’s Club, Crooked Lake, Seaside Ospreys, Colonial Beach Ospreys, PSEG Oyster Bay, Brevard County, Moraine State Park, BUNDGoitzsche-Wildnis, Hancock Wildlife Foundation White Rock Eagle Cam, LRWT Manton Bay Ospreys, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, BoPH, Llyn Clywedog, Tweed Valley Osprey Project, Scottish Wildlife Trust (LOTL Ospreys), West Midlands Ringing Group, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Mary Cheadle and Friends of Loch Arkaig FB, Jane Goodall Foundation, IWS/Explore, CIEL and Barbara Wolfsong, FOBBV, KTLA, San Jose City Hall and SK Hideaways, Trempeauleau Eagle Cam, Duke Farms, Boulder County, OPPD, Cornell Bird Cam Red Tail Hawk Cam, Cornell Bird Cam Hellgate Canyon, Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home, Oregon Public Broadcasting, CBC Manitoba, Robert Fuller, Farmer Derek, Discover Outdoors, Nesting Bird Life and More and the LDF, Raptor Resource Project/Explore, Usk Valley Ospreys, Jeff Kear and UK Osprey Info and Llyn Brenig
The highlight of Thursday was the fledge of Betty Lou, chick of Jak and Audacity, at 76 days. Oh, she had been doing some incredible hovering on Wednesday.
Nestflix Memories caught that fledge! (I wonder if Jak and/or Audacity saw their miracle chick fly for the first time?). https://youtu.be/k1egvndhupg?s
Betty Lou likes the pine tree branches!
She returned to the nest and grateful parents Jak and Audacity presented their fledgling with a whole fish, which she devoured! There was a lot of squeeing…check it out on the live webcam.
If that wasn’t enough, ‘PB’ sent me the message by Pat Burke that all three of the Duke Farm’s eaglets fledged one after the other on Thursday. Amazing!
We are just waiting for Sunny and Gizmo and the San Jose Falcons and we are just sitting on pins and needles.
One of the incredible stories of this year has been the Tweed Valley nest where two females with a single male laid their eggs. All along the two females have supported themselves, sharing fish, and tending to the eggs. The male hasn’t been around the nest for many days (but seen in the area). The females have taken turns fishing and sharing their fish. They have each cared for and fed, together or separately, the two chicks that have hatched.
You will need to join their FB group to see the video but here is a screen capture.
This may well be the year that we see females rise to the occasion and raise chicks alone – White Rock, Tempeauleau, and Tweed are three that come to mind. Can you think of others?
The garden has been busy! The Baltimore Orioles have arrived along with a host of different Warblers, to the garden! The birdsong is phenomenal. We have made a little nook to sit with Toby, and it is like being in the middle of a jungle surrounded by birds.
I sincerely appreciate your understanding and the wonderfully supportive letters I have received. Choosing to reduce the frequency of my posts from Bird World was a tough decision, but it is essential for my family’s well-being at this time. I am committed to creating Bird World updates that not only educate and inform but also keep you connected to the happenings in the nests. I truly hope you find the content I share valuable and enjoyable!
The weather in Winnipeg has been warm and sunny. In the north and east of my province, large wildfires are raging. The Province has declared a province-wide emergency. People from larger towns that are threatened with being burned to the ground are being evacuated to Winnipeg. The smoke has coloured the sky, and many people are having health difficulties due to it.
Just one image of hundreds showing Flin Flon, Manitoba. The entire town has been evacuated. (Someone flew a drone and the water cannon aircraft could not fly setting off this catastrophe!).
IIn Norway House, the only highway access in or out is on fire. This is just one of the many fires burning in the northern and eastern parts of my province. We are okay for now, aside from the smoke. Our thoughts are with everyone affected, including all the wildlife in the forests that were once their home but are now ablaze.n Norway House, the only highway access in or out is on fire. These are only two of the numerous fires burning in the north and east of my province. We are alright except for the smoke. Our thoughts are of course with every breathing soul including all of the wildlife in the forests that was once their home and is now blazing.
This is the current fire danger map for Canada. We need some of that rain that has been plaguing our raptor nests.
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who reached out to check on us after hearing about the wildfire conditions in our area. Your concern means the world to me and truly showcases the strength of our community. The dry conditions are quite alarming, but there’s hope on the horizon as the forecast indicates a couple of days of rain next week.
In the meantime, I’m grateful to have Toby and Don by my side, helping to keep the garden containers watered. Our dried peas and beans are beginning to sprout, which is an exciting sign! We experimented with cayenne pepper around each planter box, but the squirrels have completely ignored it in search of cozy spots to stash their peanuts. Dyson and I definitely need to have a chat about their antics!
I’m optimistic that in a few weeks, I’ll have some stunning photos to share of our thriving climbing peas and beans, so let’s keep our fingers crossed! Meanwhile, the lilacs continue to bloom magnificently. We’ve discovered a charming, shady spot for a couple of chairs and a small table, the perfect setting to enjoy our coffee with Toby. It’s such a joy that he is now trained to go outside. Sitting there, listening to the cheerful birdsong and surrounded by the delightful fragrance of blooming flowers, truly elevates our moment of tranquillity together.
The view of some of the lilacs, the crabapple tree, and the trees at the back from inside the sitting room. This entire space is full of birds singing. It is wild. Nothing controlled by humans here, just the way the birds like it! And the rabbits, the raccoon, and the squirrels. What about those deer that visit?
One type is so gorgeous.
I’m truly relishing every moment spent outdoors. Tonight we played a captivating game of ‘Miss Marple.’ After finishing his late meal, Brock piqued our curiosity, prompting us to follow him and, perhaps, uncover his current living situation. To our surprise, he appears to be residing under the deck of a house just half a block away. This could be an ideal shelter for him, except for one drawback: he must cross the street to access our feeder.
I hope you’ve had some time to reflect on the incredible rescue at the osprey nest in Western Maryland Shore Old Town Home. How many times did we urge people to remove some of the osplets from nests around the Chesapeake Bay when food was scarce in 2024 due to the overfishing of Menhaden, the primary food of ospreys, in the Chesapeake Bay by a Canadian company, Omega? Many of you yelled at your screens when help did not come to the osplet at Colonial Bay. Of course, there were at least another hundred nests in the same situation.
It is unclear whether or not the rehabilitation of the third hatch at Old Town Home will be successful. These are some things to consider:
Young ospreys in rehabilitation have variable outcomes, depending on the severity and nature of their injuries or circumstances, as well as the quality of rehabilitation provided. While some ospreys, such as those with leg injuries, can recover and return to the wild, others may face challenges with feeding and development, which can impact their long-term survival.
Injury or Condition:The type and severity of the injury or condition will significantly influence the likelihood of successful rehabilitation.
Age and Developmental Stage:Young ospreys are particularly vulnerable and rely heavily on parental care for essential skills like hunting and flying.
Access to Food and Water:Providing the right diet and ensuring proper hydration is crucial, especially for young ospreys who may not eat well in captivity.
Rehabilitation Techniques:Some rehabilitation centers use innovative approaches like introducing juvenile ospreys to the concept of fish from the water through supervised practice.
Release Strategies:Successful release often requires careful planning, considering factors like the bird’s physical condition and the availability of suitable habitat.
Examples of Successful Rehabilitation:
Ospreys with leg injuries that regain function and are successfully released back into the wild.
Young ospreys rescued from entanglements that are rehabilitated and released.
Ospreys that are re-nested in new nests after being rescued.
Challenges in Osprey Rehabilitation:
Difficulty with Feeding:Ospreys can be notoriously difficult to feed in captivity, and some may not eat at all, making it challenging to rehabilitate and release them.
Developmental Delays:If young ospreys are not properly cared for and lack parental guidance, they may develop delayed or incomplete hunting skills.
Entanglements and Other Threats:Ospreys can be entangled in fishing nets, twine, and other materials, potentially leading to injuries or death.
The third hatch at Maryland Western Shore was quite tiny and young. It had a head injury and could have had other internal injuries caused by the male stepping on its body. It was also denied food but had a large crop when removed from the nest. Looking forward to updates with the hope that this little one is another miracle of 2025.
Sadly, on Wednesday, there was some concern for the middle hatch at Maryland’s Western Shore. It has died of hypothermia. Thanks, ‘PB’, for keeping me informed of the situation.
Weather and lack of fish have plagued the osprey nests in the Chesapeake Bay area for the past few years. It is taking its toll this year. I wonder how many osprey nests will fledge their own clutch this year?
Some interesting spring migration counts and news is coming out of Hawk Mountain in Pennsylvania. “Count coordinator David Barber summed the season up as follows: The count ended on a low note with three days of fog and rain. The last official migrant of the 2025 count was an unidentified raptor on the afternoon of May 12. Trainees, staff, and volunteers counted 220 hours over 38 days. The total count of 1,271 birds was 30% above the 10-year average of 980 and was the fourth highest spring count recorded at Hawk Mountain. The high day was April 18 with 581 birds including 2 turkey vultures, 6 ospreys, 3 bald eagles, 6 northern harriers, 1 sharp-shinned hawk, 12 Cooper’s hawks, a season high 542 broad-winged hawks, 5 red-tailed hawks, 3 American kestrels, and 1 merlin. The broad-winged hawks count of 885 was 71% above the 10-year average and a new record high! The count of 33 northern harriers was 61% above average and the highest count since 2013. Counts of Cooper’s hawks, American goshawk, and American kestrels also were above average, whereas counts of black vultures, turkey vultures, ospreys, sharp-shinned hawks, red-shouldered hawks, and red-tailed hawks were below average. All other species had average counts this year.”
White Rock, British Columbia: The single Mum, together with a generous fish fairy, is keeping the two eaglets alive. I don’t think anyone would have believed that these two would live to get their thermal down, and if you look closely, you will see some feathers coming through!
Kielder Forest: The first hatch at nest 1A for parents W6 and KF13. The latest post from KF also reads, “The weather has been very poor since Saturday with strong winds and rain at times. The parents on Nest 7 have been doing a wonderful job balancing sheltering with feeding their three chicks.
Although there is rain in the forecast for Kielder Forest it should be mainly just showers with less wind and warmer temperatures.”
Well, by Thursday all three eggs had hatched at Kielder Forest. Congratulations!
FOBBV: By the time this is posted, I expect that both Sunny and Gizmo will have fledged. (more below)
Sauces Canyon: Betty Lou is ready to take to the skies, too. And as reported above, she did just that! https://youtu.be/8bsdSUkulpY?
White Rock Eagles: The two raised by the single Mum are doing fine. Thanks, fish fairy, for lending a hand and some fish!
Ely Cathedral Falcon scrape: Two eyasses this year as one of the eggs did not hatch.
Birds of Poole Harbour: An update by BoPH for us on this year’s happenings. (more below)
Glaslyn: It appears that it is now official. Five-year-old Teifi, the son of Idris and Telyn from the Dyfi platform, has now taken over the lead male role at Glaslyn. Aran continues to be seen in the region.
Dyfi: Idris and Telyn feeding their clutch as high winds make their way through the valley. Check out the cows below.
Birds of Poole Harbour: CJ7 and Blue 022 now have four osplets in the nest as of Thursday. The 4th hatch has already had its first fish meal.
Llyn Clywedog: The miserable weather has the two hatches of Dylan and Seren beaking one another. Let’s hope that cold and wet clears up.
Foulshaw Moss: White YW and Blue 35 are doing a good job with their three.
Trempeauleau: Mum doing a great job – all alone!
Denton Homes: The nest has dried out and we are just waiting for these three beauties to branch.
Little Miami Conservancy: Two beauties. Like the others getting ready to branch.
Cardinal Land Conservancy: These two are so ready to fly.
Cornell Red Tail Hawks: O1 and O2 are standing, walking around, and getting their beautiful juvenile feathers. Both are doing exceptionally well as we would expect with parents Big Red and Arthur. Big Red is still staying with her babies at night.
Hellgate Canyon: NG has been fighting intruders at the nest over the last days. Iris has also been coming around.
San Jose City Hall: They are ready to go. Will they take off at the same time? Like Duke Farms? (Thanks, PB, for the screen capture.)
Big Bear Valley: Jackie, Shadow, Sunny, and Gizmo were all together on the nest Thursday evening. What a beautiful family. This could be one of the last images of the four on the nest, as fledging can happen at any second.
Patuxent River Park 2: All three chicks have perished while the camera was down for a week. Cause unknown.
Moraine State Park:
Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home: The only surviving chick of three with a big crop on Thursday.
Loch Arkaig: The latest from Geemeff on what is happening at Loch Arkaig!
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 29th May 2025 Today was all about fish – plenty on Nest Two but none on Nest One. Garry LV0 did turn up where Aurora 536 had been waiting for hours – she wanted fish, he wanted to mate, and neither got their wish. This is day six of thirteen without fish, his tally is becoming slightly meaningless and remains at sixty six. Louis on the other hand is performing magnificently and delivered another five today, and as Steve’s stats show, he’s Mr Consistency as it was the same as this day last year. His tally shoots up to one hundred and twenty two. Although it appeared bob3 didn’t have much, it must be remembered that being so much smaller than the other two means needing less food, and Dorcha did take care to include all three chicks when sharing out the food. It rained today as forecast but there were breaks in the weather. The forecast is light rain showers and light winds with a low of 11°C tonight, and light rain showers and a gentle breeze tomorrow morning, clearing in the afternoon with a high of 17°C.Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.33.57 (03.40.51); Nest Two 22.43.36 (04.03.43) Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/1gX2u2eGvIE N2 A chick nutmegs Dorcha with a squirt! 10.00.58https://youtu.be/yZEt_-fipSU N2 Breakfast is very late because dad’s eaten most of it! 10.09.55https://youtu.be/uJJIn3vt96o N2 All three chicks get some of fish two 15.43.44https://youtu.be/wsqyBae4VAo N1 Aurora wants fish, Garry wants to mate, neither succeeds 16.43.03https://youtu.be/M7avkNa__fw N2 Fish number three is finished quickly but bob3 does get some 18.53.49https://youtu.be/za_qjIHMpaU N2 Dorcha blocks the view of fish four being shared out 21.07.49 https://youtu.be/GMtWeYvN1_4 N2 Fish number five arrives – will there be another today? 22.14.10 Bonus guide – when is a wood not a wood? When it is a forest!http://woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2024/12/difference-between-wood-and-forest/
‘A’ shares a few of her thoughts: “Did you see Mrs T brought in a huge bouquet of flowers to the Trempeauleau Eagles nest this afternoon (29 May)? I’ve never seen that before. T3 had a bit of a nibble. Mr T hasn’t stolen a fish from this nest for several days now – we hope his other nest is doing as well as this one is.
And the hawklets at Cornell are doing well, although the younger one is still much smaller than its sibling. Plus, I thought you might like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yxbrs5MplyA
And Betty Lou is a wonderful outcome for a nest that has seen so much heartbreaking disappointment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbNysUP8how Such a happy family. Well done Jaks and Audacity. Perseverance pays off for darling Audacity, whose determination has made her one of my favourites as you know! I do hope her bone density is not compromised by all those fragile eggs she kept laying.
And Jackie and Shadow are watching their pair preparing to leave the nest. Both Sunny and Gizmo are looking fabulous. It really has been a mixed season – great success for some nests and tragedy for others, including the RTHs at Cornell, usually a nest that never loses a chick.”
And than you to ‘L’ who had a Cooper’s Hawk visit their birdbath in South Carolina reminding all of us that water is essential for the birds – please put out some bowls!
Calico’s Tip for the Week: Get your legs moving! You don’t need to hit the daunting target of 10,000 steps every day; studies have shown that just 4,000 steps can keep you healthy and active. It’s crucial to maintain strength and muscle in our legs. As a wise surgeon once told my mother after her hip replacement, “If you don’t use them, you will lose them.”
This past winter, we relied on a stationary bike because the icy sidewalks made walking outside too risky. To avoid falls, we opted to stay indoors, venturing out only for short walks at places like The Leaf and IKEA.
Now that summer is here, we’re excited to take Toby out in his stroller for our walks. In just five weeks, once Toby has completed his vaccination series, we’ll be ready to let him explore on his leash, helping him maintain his fit and energetic puppy figure. Let’s stay active and enjoy the great outdoors!
The New York Times has some ideas on how to get walking.
Thank you so much for being with us today. We will see you on Monday. Take care.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘A, Geemeff, L, PB’, Nestflix Memories, Pat Burke, Tweed Valley Osprey Project, Streetheart, Chesapeake Mermaid, Maryland Western Shore, Hawk Mountain, White Rock Eagles Community FB, Birds of Poole Harbour, Gywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Dyfi Osprey Project, Llyn Clywedog, Geemeff and the Woodland Trust, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Trempeauleau Eagle Cam, Denton Homes, Little Miami Conservancy, Cardinal Land Conservancy, Cornell Bird Lab Red-tail Hawk Cam and Hellgate Canyon, Big Bear Valley, Popular Science, IWS/Explore, Accuweather, Moraine State Park, Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home, SK Hideaways, The New York Times, Laura Rose and Trempeauleau Eagles, UK Osprey Info FB
Toby has grown. He has legs! So far, he does not mind his collar and having his leash attached going about the house. He goes to his potty pads, twirling around like a ballerina, which is a good sign that something is about to happen. My son says I must teach him to sit and to behave on his lead. I do not doubt that this intelligent little man will be fine.
If I forgot to say, Hugo Yugo and Toby slept in the bend of my left arm Tuesday night. Calico was back on the conservatory table this morning and well, The Girls have settled into their ordinary routine and just don’t seem to be bothered by his presence this afternoon.
The weather continues to be ‘weird’. It is going to be 36 C next week. I have a serious problem with this because of the dryness and the fires. What about the birds? I have lived in Manitoba, on and off since I was a late teenager, and having a 36 degree C was something that was rare. Of course, that temperature has been more familiar the last four or five years but not until ‘summer’. Not the beginning of May. We will make certain there is plenty of water for all the outdoor animals.
Today, Mr and Mrs Crow began, in earnest, to eat the cheesy dogs, which tells me that they have either babies in the nest or are thinking about it! The Blue Jays are here in earnest, and Dyson took five peanuts this evening at one go! She has to be at least ten years old, and it is her.
My goodness. When ‘LS’ submitted her ‘Spark Bird’, I am not certain she realised how many people love Harriet and miss her so much. The fact that we will never know what happened to Harriet has left holes in so many hearts. People are pleased that M15 was able to raise their last two eaglets, E21 and E22, alone and that he was happy to find a new mate BUT everyone would like Harriet back! Thank you, ‘LS’ for taking us down memory lane – albeit full of tears.
Eleven people sent in the name Louis. You know who you are! No, not Iris’s Louis, but Louis from Loch Akraig, specifically Louis with his mate Aila, whom they met during the pandemic when the pair raised their triplets, JJ5, JJ6, and JJ7. 400,000 people are said to have watched the couple from the Loch Arkaig I nest that year. When Aila did not return, Louis moved the nest to nest 2, where he raised chicks with his current mate, Dorcha. I must admit that I was devastated when Aila did not return, and it did take me a while to warm up to Dorcha.
Big Red and Arthur: It appears that the last two eggs are pipping. O2 is taking some time and we have seen this many times this year. Wishing both those little ones a good hatch!
O2 has hatched!!!!!! Arthur has covered the nest with chipmunks and squirrels. O3 is on its way too and should arrive by today. What joy!
I love watching Big Red and Arthur raise their family. Arthur just fills up that nest with every kind of critter he can so that no one ever goes hungry. Big Red stuffs those babies and keeps them warm and cosy alternating brooding with Arthur. I cannot tell you how much I adore this Red-tail Hawk. She is, of all the birds on streaming cams, my ‘Spark’ Bird.
Someone commented about all the prey. Thank goodness for Arthur’s good hunting skills. The pantry is always full and in case of a bad weather day this is essential for these babies. Great parents.
Hellgate Canyon: The New Boy has finally brought Iris a fish!!!!!!!!!! Viewers around the world jumped up and down for joy and shed tears. It appears not to be Finnegan – I really hoped it was – but, a new male interested in our Queen and her nest.
Foulshaw Moss: White YW and Blue 35 incubating eggs. It won’t be long.
Jose City Hall Falcon Scrape: ‘PB’ sends us a screen capture of some very full crops! Monty and Hartley are taking superb care of these four. Brilliant.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 7th May 2025
Today’s main story is all about Aurora 536 – we received word today that she was ringed in Loch Fleet in Sutherland in 2022. This means she’s a three year old, and a good match for five year old Garry LV0 who was ringed in Loch Garry in 2020. They’re both young and healthy, he’s an excellent fisherbird and has a good nest with a well stocked loch nearby, and she appears to have adopted him and his nest. So everything has aligned for them to be successful parents – fingers crossed it works out as hoped. The Tawny Owl who visited Nest One this morning might find surprise occupants next time if the young pair produce eggs this season! Garry brought two fish taking his tally to forty one, and over on Nest Two, Louis’ three deliveries for Dorcha take his tally to seventy three. The weather was settled and the day ended with a colourful sunset best seen from Nest Two, and the forecast promises more settled weather and sunny spells tomorrow.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.46.52 (04.23.21); Nest Two 22.56.24 (04.31.52)
I am so angry. There are some of us that wish we lived in Virginia and could make an impact on these decisions. The ospreys and their chicks are dying. We saw this in earnest in 2024. Have a read!
In case you haven’t heard the menhaden board met today at 1 PM to discuss area and seasonal protective options for Chesapeake Bay menhaden …the options the work group proposed concentrated on ospreys and their critical times for raising young for example May 1 through August 15 . Area restrictions were proposed by the WG for Chesapeake Bay and the mouth of Bay during the critical time periods.
Please be aware that Lynn Fegley, the director of DNR fisheries and Allison Colden , CBF’s chief scientist who was the Maryland representative on the work group sat in silence when the time came for them to make a persuasive presentation on the options that they favored, the benefits of the options and the benefits to Maryland. A few questions were directed to them about ospreys and striped bass and they gave very incomplete one might say incompetent answers. For example, they could not explain to the questioner the difference between the freshwater ospreys, successful breeding, and the saltwater ospreys that rely on menhaden to survive’s dismal breeding success. This is completely covered in Dr Bryan Watts’s scientific article titled a Tale of Two Bays , but they ignored these well-known sources or had never bothered to read them.
Lynn Fegley and Allison Colden are two very intelligent women who decided to sit mute during the  most important moment that we have ever had for Chesapeake Bay in so far as protecting its food supply. I am quite sure they had read all of the articles about ospreys and that they completely understand the ERP science it says when ospreys and striped bass are in poor condition it is menhaden over harvesting that is to blame. The ERP science was never mentioned. They both know completely, how our Maryland recreational, commercial and charter fishing for striped bass has collapsed but they did not discuss it. Their silence was deafening .
The question is why these two menhaden board leaders did not speak out to convince this board to adopt options to protect Maryland. When the time came for them to make a motion for the board to pass protective options to protect our bay’s food supply, they sat in silence. Because of the inaction of these two people today , there is nothing that is going to happen to prevent the starvation of thousands of osprey babies this season and nothing to prevent more of our charter fishing captains from going out of business and no hope for progress here to restore the bay’s food supply so millions our children could enjoy the bay the way it should be.
If you can find factual evidence as to why this disaster to Chesapeake Bay occurred I hope you will post it on this website so the public will know why this happened
By the way, the end result was this board abdicated its responsibility and kicked the matter back to “discuss” it again in August. You can be sure that in Virginia’s Pat Geer and his cohorts at Omega protein are celebrating victory, once again, tonight., I expect the advocates for menhaden reform are in shock over what happened today.”
Black Stork Nest in Poland: Two hatches on Wednesday!
Golden Eagle Nest in Latvia of Spilve and Gristlis: One egg has hatched. Still watching and waiting to see if the second egg will hatch.
Black Stork Nest of Kergu and Kerli: They are still incubating. The eggs were laid on: Looduskalender Forum listed when the eggs were laid:
1. egg on 21.4.2025, 00:06 2. egg on 22.4.2025, 23:35 3. egg on 24.4.2025, 22:41 4. egg on 27.4.2025, 02:02
Wild Bucovina Golden Eagle Nest 2: Eaglet was stuffed today!
Bety and Bukachek, Mlade Buky, Romania: Incubating two eggs (I think).
Glaslyn: Teifi and Elen have been at the nest. Individuals are observing Aran who is remaining in a familiar place and fishing for himself.
Ladies showing off their osprey eggs!!!!!!! Heidi’s Nest Notes are Visuals today! Love the labels – those really help. Enjoy!
Port Lincoln Ospreys: New has come in that Phantom is alive and well. Fran Solly writes,
“In what surely is the proverbial “needle in a haystack” search we were thrilled to find Phantom this afternoon and to see her with another bird. Phantom is the 2021 female bird from the Price Artificial Platform. She flew to Kangaroo Island shortly after fledge. In October 2024 her tracker stopped operating but locals reported sightings of her. Today we can confirm those sightings with these photos.”
Ospreys of Nova Scotia: Names have been chosen for Oscar and Ethel’s chicks by popular vote: Nova, Russell, and Sunny. Congratulations. Lovely names!
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their posts, comments, notes, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, PB’, Liz Bracken, Norwegian Ospreys, Cornell Red-tail Hawk Cam, SK Hideaways, Montana Osprey Project/Cornell Bird Lab, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Agrippina & Antares Peregrine Falcons, San Jose City Hall Falcon Scrape, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Menhaden- Little Fish, Big Deal FB, Bociany Czame Online, LDF, Looduskalender Forum, Wild Bucovina, Mlade Buky Stork Cam, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Dahlgren, Forsythe, Kent Island, Fortis Exshaw, Maryland Western Shore, Cape Henlopen, Port Lincoln Ospreys,
We have now had Toby at home for 24 hours (when writing this). I am shocked at how ‘chill’ this little bundle of joy is. He was only placed on his potty pads once, and he uses them all the time. He is eating and drinking well. I can hardly believe it. Toby thinks Hugo Yugo’s beautiful, thick tail is a toy. So far, only a hiss from Baby Hope once.
It is a lot of work; I will not make this sound easy. I have many ‘babies’ to care for now, but having these lovely souls surrounding me is also bliss. I cannot imagine little Toby anywhere else, not for a second. The Girls got on with their own lives later and were less curious.
I am looking forward to Toby being able to walk – short ones. Tomorrow we will try him in his backpack!
It is summer on the Canadian prairies. Today, it was 28 degrees C. Lilac buds are bursting open, and the grass is turning green before our eyes. We are now in a high fire warning because everything is so dry. We could use some of the rain that fell in some of the southern US.
We have done a little checking on some nests for you!
Loch of the Lowes: This is the first egg for the new resident pair, replacing Blue NC0 and Laddie. The female is LF25.
Our friends, Friends of the Ospreys have sent us some great news regarding Roli KA5 2019 born Llyn Brenig. Diolch yn fawr!!!
Update on the Chris Wood nest
The last couple of weeks this pair have been defending the nest, they’ve established a territory keeping other ospreys away, the first few days they had a male Osprey from a nest not far away visiting and making a nuisance of himself, but all that looks to be settled now, they’ve built up the nest with lots of nesting material and everything is looking really promising for a successful season. Male KA5 2019 from the Llyn Brenig nest, an offspring of Blue 24 and Blue HR7 and female 7C1 2022 from a private nest in the Lake District, offspring from male 9C 2014 who’s an offspring of 11/98 and Mrs G from the Glaslyn nest.”
Hellgate Canyon: A wet day for Iris and for the third egg. She looked down at her egg for a few seconds and flew off the nest. The Raven came and took the egg immediately. Iris is intelligent as are all raptors. She knows what happens. I am sad for her that Finnegan did not return – he would most certainly have if he could. No doubt he succomb to something and died or is injured and in care somewhere. Without Darvic rings we do not know.
I am also glad that Iris had a wonderful year in 2024. It was such a privilege to share her joy at having a mate that helped her raise two wonderful chicks, Sum-eh and Antali. That precious year lives on in them.
Send Iris positive energy. Raptors have feelings and I do ache for this wonderful gal, in the same way as I agonise for those females that find themselves sharing nests for whatever reason this happens, we do not know.
Trempealeau Bald Eagle Nest: Despite what I just said, so far this little one appears to be doing alright.
Glaslyn: Aran was photographed in the area. He has not been at the nest for a few days but has been seen chasing intruders. Teifi came to the nest and was on the perch with Elen. It could be the end of an era and the beginning of a new partnership.
To be clear, I adore Aran. He returned very late this year, and Teifi had already settled in. I am glad that neither has fought to the death. Aran has raised a total of 26 chicks at the Glaslyn ospreys’ nest. He has successfully raised two chicks with Elen in their first year together, and three chicks last year. Previously, Aran raised 18 chicks with Mrs. G.
This is the history of Aran at Glaslyn from the Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn website:
Mrs G was first discovered breeding in the Glaslyn nest in 2004. It is also possible that she was the female osprey that a male was seen displaying to in 2003. It was mid-summer, the time we would expect to see two and three year old ospreys prospecting for partners.
Sadly she failed to return in 2023 for what would remarkably have been her 20th season breeding in the Glaslyn Valley.
How old was she? As she was not ringed we did not know her exact age and previous history, but we do have a few clues that might indicate her possible age. It is known that three-year old birds tend to arrive during April and two-year old birds tend to arrive from late May onwards. We know the exact date the chicks were killed in 2004 and can estimate their approximate age from their plumage. By working the dates back we can guess that Mrs G would have arrived approximately around the 20th April that year. Spot on for a three-year old bird. We know for certain Mrs G arrived on 22nd April in 2005, further supporting the case that she was a probably a young female. Inexperienced younger females also tend to have smaller broods, there were only two chicks in 2004 and only two eggs hatched in 2005, although three eggs were laid. We can therefore guess that Mrs G was probably hatched in 2000 or 2001, making her around 22 years old the last time we saw her in 2022.
How many eggs did she lay? At least 60 – we will never know how many she laid in 2004, but we do know there were at least two. 32 eggs with 11(98) and 23 eggs with Aran. The first five eggs in 2015 were either infertile or father unknown.
Breeding Years
2004 to 2022
Number of chicks produced
52 hatched 44 fledged
Apart from the two chicks that were killed in 2004, she also lost a chick in 2006 (the eldest, shortly before fledging) and 2007 (the middle chick at 16 days old – it had been knocked across the nest by a very lively mullet a couple of days before, maybe this was connected). In 2019 the middle chick died at 19 days old. A post mortem revealed that the cause of death appeared to be pneumonia and lung haemorrhage associated with lungworm infestation, together with acute blood loss anaemia. The report also indicated that the middle chick was likely to have been a female.
During 2021, Aran was injured during a storm just days after the first two chicks had hatched and as the third chick was hatching. He was unable to provide fish during this critical early period in their lives and tragically all three chicks died within a week of being hatched.
Mrs G returned in 2022 for her 19th breeding season in the Glaslyn Valley and following an early season ‘brief encounter’ with Z2 / ”Aeron” on the FotO Pont Croesor Nest, she was reunited with Aran to successfully raise a family on the Glaslyn nest for what was to be the last time.
Grand-chicks
130 that we currently know about!
Great grand-chicks
13 so far.
11 (98)
Ochre 11 was hatched at a nest near Aviemore in 1998, before being taken to Rutland Water in July that year as part of the ongoing translocation project. At Rutland he was a fairly dominant youngster, frequently taking fish from other birds in his holding pen. He was released on 7th August and took an hour to leave the pen. Surprisingly given his subsequent history, he spent several weeks around the vicinity of the reservoir. He was never spotted at Rutland Water as an adult.
In the mid-summer of 2003 local birdwatchers were sure they had seen a male osprey displaying and it was believed that a second osprey was around. It was too late in the season for breeding, but it was hoped that there was a prospecting pair present. In 2004 11(98) was discovered breeding at the Glaslyn nest with Mrs G, although the pair lost their two chicks when the nest slipped during an unseasonal storm. It is very likely that 11(98) was the male osprey that had been seen displaying to a female in 2003.
He wore his ochre plastic darvic ring with the number 11 until 2007, when he confused everyone by arriving back without it. He did not appear to like flounder and was never seen to bring one back to the nest. His favourite fish were mullet and trout and he could often be spotted fishing at Pwll McAlpine, along the Porthmadog Cob. He was a very distinctive osprey and it was always a welcome sight when he was spotted fishing from the cob.
He was last seen on 4th September 2014 when he was 16 years old.
Breeding Years
2004 to 2014
Number of chicks produced
30 hatched 26 fledged
Unringed male, arrived at Glaslyn on 30th April 2015. Given the name Aran because when he first arrived, looking from the Visitor Centre, he kept flying in the direction Nantmor and appeared to be flying towards Yr Aran, the mountain peak south of Snowdon. It was also an easy name for to pronounce for non-Welsh speakers.
Aran arrived at the time we would expect to see prospecting two or three-year old ospreys. His behaviour during his first breeding year suggested that he was not an experienced male and his plumage was not what we would expect from a more mature male. Matings were less frequent than we had seen with the old pairing and he appeared rather unsure of how to behave when left alone with the young chicks. For instance, when the chicks were around two weeks old, he made no attempt to feed them when Mrs G was absent for several hours chasing away intruding ospreys, even though they were food soliciting for the fish he had bought to the nest. He is a great provider of fish however, bringing back a large variety of marine species, such as garfish, flounder and sea bass, as well as trout and mullet. He proved to be more experienced in the mating stakes during his second breeding year, as he was also spotted mating with Blue 5F. In June 2016 he demonstrated that he was more confident with the chicks, by feeding them himself for the first time.
During a raging storm on the evening of 20 May 2021, Aran left the nest to fish for his growing family. We did not see him again until the middle of the following afternoon, when the storm was finally calming down. Aran did not have a fish and it was clear from his demeanour that something was not right. Mrs G had fed the remaining scraps of the previous days fish to the chicks during the morning and the very young chicks needed feeding urgently. We realised that Aran had sustained an injury to his right wing and he was clearly fatigued.
After seeking expert advice, we decided to provide supplementary fish near to the nest, in an attempt to give the young family a chance of survival. Sadly, our efforts were not successful and the three chicks died over the course of the following few days. However, the fish we provided gave Aran the opportunity to rest and recover and within two weeks he was catching small fish and another two weeks later he was able to catch reasonably sized fish once again. It was too late in the season for a second breeding attempt, but Aran and Mrs G remained together defending their nest from intruding ospreys. By the end of the season, we were confident that Aran had made a full recovery.
Although he was later returning in Spring 2022 compared to more recent years, he arrived back on the Glaslyn nest on 10 April and soon was re-joined by Mrs G for another successful breeding season.
Number of chicks produced
26 hatched 22 fledged
Geemef’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 4th May 2025
Today was all about poor Dorcha being bombarded with intruders on Nest Two. Following on from the quick hard Tawny Owl strike last night around 11pm, she then suffered three more strikes in the midnight hour in quick succession, in fact in under eight minutes. She handled it well and neither she nor the eggs appeared to be harmed, but then mid morning the nest was invaded by an unringed Osprey who practically landed on her back before she got rid of it. By the time Louis brought her a lunchtime fish, she must have been ready for a break. Louis only brought that one fish, taking his tally to sixty seven. Over on Nest One, Garry LV0 also brought only one fish which despite making several appearances on the nest only raised his tally by one to thirty six. Nest One also had visits from Tawny Owls but as it doesn’t have eggs needing protection, the visits are merely interesting interludes for the nest cam watchers. The weather was settled today with an owl-friendly overnight forecast of clear skies and light winds and full sunshine tomorrow.
Night cam switchover (day cam): Nest One 22.30.49 (04.23.57); Nest Two 22.56.59 (04.30.39)
It was a very busy day in my corner of osprey world… seven eggs and a fledge:
South Cape May Meadows: 5/4, Congratulations to Hera and Zeus on their third egg.
Dahlgren: Congrats to Helen and Doug on their first egg of the season, laid on 5/4. This nest was quite unsettled for a long time this spring, and the first egg is about two weeks later than last year.
The Boathouse at Hog Island: The first egg for Dory and Skiff was laid on 5/4. Best wishes for them.
Kent Island, Chesapeake: Audrey laid her second egg on 5/4. Hoping for a better outcome this season for Tom and (new) Audrey.
Forsythe: Opal and Oscar have been in town for about six weeks. Their season has progressed very slowly and I’m not quite sure why… it wasn’t weather or intruders. Opal laid her first egg on 5/4, more than three weeks later than last year.
Fortis Exshaw: Congratulations to Louise and Harvie on their first egg of the season. Louise laid the egg on 5/4 at 20:21.
Moorings Park: Ozzie, the only chick of Harry and Sally this year, fledged at 56 days of age. It was a strong and beautiful flight. It took her nearly 11 hours to make it back to her nest, and she looked exhausted. Some of us were beginning to worry about her. Congratulations Ozzie, well done! Here is a video of Ozzie’s fledge and return to the nest:
Cape Henlopen State Park: The new nest platform was installed over two years ago, but there has not been an osprey pair until this season. Congratulations to ‘Miles’ and ‘Hennie’ on their first egg, laid on 5/4 at 17:50. Everyone is thrilled!
[ FYI, please see my post in the Cape Henlopen Osprey Nest FB group, regarding the names for the Cape Henlopen osprey pair]
Thanks, Heidi, for that great report. Looks like things are beginning to happen!
‘PB’ sends us a fantastic image of the Fab Four at San Jose City Hall!
And of the White Rock BC Mum feeding her two eaglets. If this female could be left alone, she just might make Bald Eagle award lists for incubating alone and brooding, feeding, and hunting. Gosh, she deserves all our good wishes.
Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, PB’, LOTL, Cornell Red Tail Hawk Cam, Kielder Forest, Llyn Brenig, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Trempealeau Bald Eagles, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, SCMM, Dalhgren, Boathouse at Hog Island, Kent Island, Fortis Exshaw, Moorings Park, Cape Henlopen State Park, San Jose City Hall, White Rock BC D Hancock Wildlife Foundation
As we prepare for the arrival of Toby, my time is running out. Anything that could fit into a small mouth must go into hiding along with ‘precious’ rugs, shoes, etc. Cords must be taped to the wall so they cannot be seen. It is a big learning curve from having cats! As a result, my blog will be brief for the next several days. I will try to catch the latest news and follow up on the White Rock and Trempealeau eagle nests and any happenings in the UK.
Cornell Red-tail Hawks: On Thursday, Big Red and Arthur have their first pip of the 2025 season.
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: ‘MP’ alerts us to a new couple on the nest. “I don’t know if you are aware of this nest having 2 new osprey residents. A new male and female. The nest looks amazing compared to the other resident’s nests.”
‘AR’ sent me a great good news story to share with you! One lucky Eagle.
White Rock, BC Bald Eagle nest. Read this carefully – the female incubated the eggs alone for 42 days. She might be fine if the males would stop stealing the food. Then there is the issue of the heat. This nest needs a sunshade! They are the sweetest little eaglets and well, I do not believe this is going to end well. Maybe all these eagles should take a page out of the osprey playbook from Threave!
The latest post on the White Rock eaglets from Terry Anita:
5/2/25 This is the White Rock, BC, Canada post for today. Please comment here. I’ll be updating & adding screenshots & info throughout the day. Eagles Mom (Dad missing) 2 eaglets. Hatched 4/30/25.
Screenshot 1: The male with the missing feathers above the right eye visits the nest. #2: Mom and male fly out. #3 Eaglets looking good this morning. Mom returns with no food. Male returns, digs in the nest for leftovers, then leaves.
These are believed to be Moms 25th and 26th eaglets. She has a lot of experience. But the circumstances are so difficult. She just spent 42 days incubating alone. And if it wasn’t for the males stealing all the food she brought in. She’d be in a better position, with left overs in the pantry. Local residents have left out grasses for her, to line the nest. But she hasn’t taken them. She’s doing the very best she can. The eaglets are also left alone in full sun on that nest. And are way too young to be able to regulate their temperature. All we can do is keep positive vibes going. This is a very big uphill battle for Mom.
There are other nests in close proximity. And many bald eagles in the area. There have been several males vying for Mom since Dad went missing. However most of the males seem more intent on taking food from the nest, than anything else. Mom has been tolerant of a few of these males and mated with more than one of them. The area gets a lot of eagles visiting when the herring run takes place. The White Rock, BC herring run typically happens in spring, with the most intense activity usually occurring in early to mid-March. The exact timing is unpredictable, but it generally begins in late February or early March and can continue into April.
We are watching nature unscripted. Should it become distressing to watch. Please step away & take a break.. Please do not try and compare this situation with other nests. No two nests, eagles or circumstances are the same.
Backstory. Mom is not a first time Mom. She’s been in the area for several years. And is believed to have had around 26 hatches, including this seasons eaglets. The male (Dad) went missing shortly after the first egg was laid. That egg was left unattended for over 11 hours and deemed non viable. The second egg was laid. But with her mate missing the female had to incubate the eggs alone. She was obviously gone for long periods of time, multiple times. As she has to find food for herself. The male visitors weren’t bringing her food and had no interest in the eggs. The eggs hatched on 4/30/25.
***Several males have been around, trying to win Mom over.
You might see any one of these males on the nest, usually stealing food. It’s very difficult to distinguish one male from another… A young male “Smudge” with dark feathers on his head just above the beak is one that can be easily recognized.. Smudge has been a frequent visitor… He’s been seen for about the last month and a half, on and off. But had stayed for the past few weeks.. Smudge seemed to be invested and even brought a fish in on 4/30/25.
Update. Smudge was in a fight with another male on the evening of 4/30/25. We are waiting to see if he’ll return. Or if the male he fought with has taken his place.”
Hellgate Canyon: Iris laid the second egg on Thursday 1 May. Poor darling. I would give almost anything to see Finnegan fly onto that nest right now.
Kent Island (Chesapeake Conservancy): There’s a new Audrey in town. ‘Fair Lady’ beat out a couple other females and won over Tom, and she laid her first egg on 5/1 at around 11:10. Meet Audrey4, aka simply ‘Audrey’.
OBX (Outer Banks): Oh my, what an early rough start to the season it was for Betsy and Frederick. There were so many intruders and battles. But, finally things settled down and Betsy laid her first egg of the season on 5/1 at 14:07. This first egg is almost a month later than last season.
My inbox continues to be filled with the most devastating news for wildlife that I have witnessed in my lifetime.
Each of you should know the name ‘Wisdom’, the oldest ringed bird in the world, a Laysan Albatross, who nests on the Midway Atoll. So when you read the following, sent in by Geemeff, I want you to think about ‘Wisdom’ and I hope that this will cause you to act to fight against any policies that destroy the lives of those, like Wisdom, who cannot speak for themselves.
Now is Our time!
A Nai’a (Spinner Dolphin) springs forth on Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) 2025 Photo by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Volunteer Joe Owen
Supporters of Friends of Midway Atoll (FOMA) are needed now more than ever to be the voice for the public lands and waters known as Kuaihelani (the backbone of heaven), which is designated as a National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial within the larger Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument (PMNM). The Administration has reduced the federal workforce, is proposing new policies and rescinding long-standing environmental policies, all of which are negatively impacting the ability to conserve, honor and protect our Nation’s public lands and waters.
With these unprecedented challenges, the FOMA Board is committed to sharing specific requests and calls to action via this newsletter and our newly launched advocacy web pagehere.Addressing and finding solutions to the critical needs of wildlife and people on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge/Battle of Midway National Memorial has our sleeves rolled up. We are positioned to help but the need is greater than our current capacity.
One Way to Help
FOMA takes its responsibilities seriously by aligning your donations with priority conservation needs that cannot be met by the refuge. We promise to continue to direct our funds to projects that offer immediate support for wildlife, bridge the financial gaps needed to continue collecting one of the longest sets of seabird data on the planet, share the stories and magic of Midway, and supplement core volunteer functions lost to budget and personnel cuts. As an example, the current refuge volunteer coordinator position will be vacated and unfunded in May. However, your donations have enabled FOMA to fund a volunteer coordinator position to mentor, train, and lead a 4-person crew of 6-month volunteers to implement critical on-the-ground conservation work. This will allow critical work to continue without losing ground to protect species and their habitats.
We are exploring creative ways to support Midway, including directing FOMA funds to pay contractors who can continue to protect habitats from invasive species. After nearly 3 decades of continuous effort, the refuge is close to eradicating Verbesina encloides; and stepping back now is inconceivable. Additionally, we will ensure efforts continue to honor those who fought in the Battle of Midway. We also commit to building a relationship with the PMNM Culturally Working Group while illuminating the cultural significance of Kuaihelani by honoring native Hawaiian species and place names.
Heavy Hearted Farewells
As a result of recent actions by this Administration to reduce the federal workforce, Midway has lost critical operational and administrative staff capacity. In February 2025, Midway Atoll and its sister Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge lost their supply, shipping and travel logistics coordinator, Dan Link. This is a critical position given the logistics of supporting these remote refuges in Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. On Friday, April 17th Midway Atoll lost its full-time Budget Analyst who managed Midway Atoll’s budget including paying bills, making purchases and supporting large contracts.
Also on April 17th we bid a heavy-hearted farewell to an irreplaceable brain trust in the Pacific Islands Refuges and Monuments Office in Honolulu that provided direct support to Midway Atoll and the other refuges and monuments in the Pacific. We bid farewell to Science Manager for the Pacific Islands Climate Change Cooperative Jeff Burgett, Refuges and Monuments Area Supervisor Ric Lopez, Deputy Area Supervisor Susan White, Supervisory Wildlife Biologist Beth Flint, Biology Science Technician Anna Vallery, Administrative Officer Eloise Wong and Wildlife Biologist Megan Laut (pictured below).
Photo by: USFWS/Laura Beauregard
These individuals were the backbone of the support office for all the National Wildlife Refuges including the Battle of Midway National Memorial and the Marine National Monuments in the Pacific. Their cumulative time spent working at the field level for wildlife (and people too) along with upper level managerial and planning experience is measured in centuries of knowledge, passion, intellect and wisdom. Known throughout the Pacific for their expertise, these now former employees had to secure their files and walk out the door with only a few days’ notice.
The impact of this loss will be felt for decades and has crippled the ability of those remaining to protect Midway and meet the mission of the agency. Unfortunately, this is just the beginning as more staff cuts are anticipated as well as a possible Reduction in Force. Along with budget and staff reductions, Executive Orders to eliminate previous provisions to protect nature further threaten the ability to conserve fish and wildlife in these extraordinary and unparalleled environments.
Imminent Threats to Midway’s Wildlife and What You Can Do!
Unfortunately, these warp speed actions by the Administration are now producing major threats to wildlife and habitat through the dismantling of federal laws protecting the islands, reefs, and waters at PMNM and more urgently at Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument(PIHMNM). This monument encompasses 7 National Wildlife Refuges and protects wildlife that knows no ocean boundaries as they transit in the greater oceanic ecosystem.
Grey reef sharks and schools of anthias in the waters of Jarvis Island, Pacific Remote Island Areas Marine National Monument. President Biden has an opportunity to fully protect the area. (Kelvin Gorospe/NOAA/2017)
In an effort to create a collective strength in numbers, we will continue to highlight the most pressing threats and point to those non-profit organizations protecting these monuments. On our webpage you will find links to recent executive orders or actions that seek public comment. We will also provide clear guidance and helpful tips.
Now is our time to hoist the sails and voyage together. We feel honored to join you and look forward to speaking out together for what we deeply value as we malama (take care of) Kuaihelani.
I Mua!
In the Hawaiian language the words I Mua mean to “move forward” or “move ahead” towards a goal and can express a deep commitment to support a feeling, an idea, a person or a cause.
Mahalo for all your support, Your Friends of Midway Atoll
As many of you might recall, I have praised the wildlife vet, Dr Tess, that has spent the last year at our rehabilitation clinic, Wildlife Haven. She maintains that wildlife are more resilient and can survive with many physical challenges. What this means is that new wildlife vets like Dr Tess are reluctant to simpy euthanise wildlife simply because they are missing a limb or have an inconvenient broken bone. ‘MP’ sent me an example of another surviving nicely in the wild with one leg! They write, “This is an example of what you were talking about. Ron Dudley captured this photo of a Brewer’s Blackbird missing a foot but still able to go on. It didn’t stop her from gathering nesting materiel for her nest. She was just as efficient as the other females. Only the female builds the nest in this species, as you probably know. So, all the males around just sat back and watched. They appear to have big feet too. I thought you’d be interested in seeing it play out in real time.”
Border Ospreys: Samson and Augusta have their first egg of the season!
San Jose City Hall: There is joy to be found. Look at those crops. Thank you, ‘PB’.
A magnificent rescue!
Trempealeau Bald Eagle Nest: T3 is getting stuffed. Despite male taking food, the little one is doing well. Please send good positive energy.
How thoughtful.
Geemeff’s daily summary for Loch Akraig and The Woodland Trust:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 1st May 2025 After an absence of a few hours which had us feeling a little edgy in case Blue 536 was ‘doing an Aida’, she turned up on Nest One ready to accept fish and mating advances from Garry LV0, and succeeded in getting both. Just as well, as females need ongoing mating for egg production to be stimulated, and the male needs to deliver a steady supply of fish to keep the female’s interest. Bearing in mind that Aila & Louis met on 28th April, mated for the first time on 29th April and still managed to fledge a chick in time to migrate, this pair are in line with that schedule so there is still an outside chance of chicks on this nest this season. Garry’s three fish deliveries take his tally to thirty one, and over on Nest Two, Louis also delivered three fish to Dorcha, raising his tally to sixty three. There was a bit of rain today, but the Inver Mallie forecast for tonight and tomorrow is more settled, with light clouds and light breezes.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.08.23 (04.37.31); Nest Two 22.03.42 (04.43.17) Today’s videos:
Thank you so much for being with me today. Take care. We hope to see you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, posts, letters, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘AR, Geemeff, Heidi, MP, PB’, Cornell Red-tail Hawk Cam, Cornell Bird Lab, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Fox News, Hilton Head Eagles, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, Friends of Midway Atoll, Pukaha National Wildlife Centre, Farmer Derek Kansas City Bald Eagle Nest, San Jose City Hall, Deborah Victoriana Friends of Duke Farms, Raptor Resource Project, Kent Island, OBX, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust
It is a special day for Aran at Glaslyn today! They write, “Roll back to April 30 2015. On this day ten years ago Aran landed on the Glaslyn nest for the very first time, when the original male 11(98) failed to return. He arrived just in time and raised two chicks with Mrs G that year. Ten years on and the situation at the nest is no less dramatic!” Well, done Aran.
It feels like winter hit us again! The sky is blue and the sun is shining but it is cold. The central heating is back on and my friend, who was going to put the pump in her pond, has decided to wait til the end of May!
Still, we have wildfires, and this one does not please me. It is about 20 km north of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. I go to Delta Research to see the birds, and there is an eagle family that has their nest there, which would be close to where the fires are burning.
Some Ospreys continue to arrive in Canada. It feels late, but I am not certain that it is. Will have to check the forms one day.
Snow Lane, Newfoundland: Beaumont is home. We wait for Hope.
FOBBV: Beautiful video of Sunny and Gizmo. Please savour every second we have with them. Soon they will fly and while that is their destiny, what little miracles and what amazing joy they have brought to us, to their parents Jackie and Shadow, and to one another. https://youtu.be/I4WMS9H3HrQ?
‘TU’ sends us some news: “WTE couple from Tatarstan in Russia got their chick and we hope it will be a good season. Couple of booted eagles in the same region have 2 eggs, second appeared yesterday. But as we remember for booted eagles in Spain it was always bad story for the small eaglet.”
Sad news coming out of Hancock Wildlife White Rock Bald Eagle nest:
Why can’t these chicks be moved to another nest for fostering? Or can we have intervention in the form of supplementary fish until the eaglets are old enough for Mum to leave them to go hunting? Or, pray tell, why, knowing the situation, were the eggs not moved to another nest to be hatched and raised? If you haven’t guessed by now, I believe firmly in intervention when it can occur and when there is a chance of a better outcome than watching two little eaglets starve to death.
Hellgate Canyon. Don’t pass out. Iris needed a break and probably some fish and look who came to take care of the egg. Am I dreaming?
The egg was rained on and rolled by Louis and then the Raven took it.
Beautiful Iris and her whopper of a fish.
Charlo Montana: Charlie and Lola have their first egg of the season.
Salisbury Cathedral Falcons:
Cornell Red-tail Haw cam of Big Red and Arthur: We are on pip watch.
Most of us are aware that Murphy the Eagle died some time ago. I received today and I thought I would put all of the information that was sent to me with the question by the reader: “Tragedy struck on a stormy weekend. Violent weather swept through Missouri, and Murphy was found dead in his aviary. Authorities reported that the severe storms and tornadoes that passed near the area played a role in his untimely demise. As First Alert 4 reports, a full necropsy later revealed that he sustained significant head trauma. The sanctuary stated they could not determine if the trauma resulted from a fall or from the fierce winds and heavy precipitation. This uncertainty adds to the sorrow felt by wildlife lovers and local residents alike. Additional reports highlighted the unpredictability of nature. Officials explained that Murphy had weathered many storms during his long life. Yet this particular outbreak proved too much for him. KTVI reports that his death came as a shock not only to the staff at the sanctuary but also to a community that had followed his journey closely. The sanctuary confirmed that no other birds were injured during the incident. They stressed that their safety plans had prevented further harm, though Murphy’s case remained an unfortunate exception.”
So the question is: with the reasonable accurate weather forecasting, why are not raptors and other animals/birds moved inside until the storms have passed? Sadly, I do not know the answer to this question but with climate change the increasing frequency of severe weather, one would think, if funds and staff are available, that all animals would be removed to a safe place until the storm had passed. I think here of the evacuations that occur throughout Florida.
Achieva Credit Union: According to MP, Jack and Jill are being harassed by some very persistent Blue Jays. There it is up on the perch. That Blue Jay is lucky that ospreys only like fish!
Sydney Sea Eagles: Lady and Dad have been photographed.
Heidi’s Nest Notes (please note that she does not cover every nest in the US nor every nest daily, just highlights):
South Cape May Meadows osprey nest: The camera was down for the better part of a few days. It was live streaming again late afternoon of 4/27 for just a couple of hours, and there were no eggs seen. When the cam resumed again on the morning of 4/29 at 07:30, Hera was incubating one egg. So, the egg could have been laid as early as the evening of 4/27, or on 4/28, or overnight on 4/29. Just in case, we should be on egg watch for egg #2 by the afternoon or evening of 4/30.
While the live stream was down, a motion-sensing infrared night light was installed for the purpose of helping us see when there is activity in the dark. The GHO has had a significant presence at the nest all season so far. Please see the following chat posts from the Nature Conservancy of New Jersey, to explain what has been done to try to deter the owl:
_______________
Lake Murray ospreys: It looks as though Lucy will not have any chicks from this clutch of eggs. Lucy laid 3 eggs and one of them broke on 3/29 (not known which egg). Her mate, Kenny, was usurped by the current male on 3/27-3/28. The new male (named Newman) has been bringing Lucy fish, and he has also been doing some incubating. Even if we go out on a limb and say that the two remaining eggs are egg #2 and egg #3, they are ages 44 and 41 days on 4/30, and no sign of a pip.
4/30 – The Frenchman’s Creek chick fledged this morning at 57 days of age! That first flight happened at 09:50, and s/he returned to the nest in just over a minute.
At Syracuse University, two of the Red-tail Hawk eggs hatched on Monday.
Geemeff writes: “Every time I hear anything at all on the subject of hen harrier persecution, my teeth start to ache from being ground very hard. What is it about this amazing bird that causes the idiots with guns who like to kill for ‘fun’ to persecute it so relentlessly? Surely the bird can’t be taking more than one grouse per day in breeding season? Given that the sport shooting industry raise and release around fifty million game birds annually simply to be shot, the very low numbers of hen harriers in the UK can’t begin to make a dent in those numbers. Even if each hen harrier took two or even ten a day, it still wouldn’t affect the vast numbers of game birds reared merely to be killed and most often not even eaten as they’re riddled with toxic lead shot.
It makes me ashamed to have a government that protects the so called ‘sport’ shooting industry.”
Thank you, Geemeff. You are absolutely right. Anyone who wants to begin to understand just needs to read any of the many books on the topic, but I particularly like Bowland Beth.
And, sadly, it is not just your government. The cutting of funding to rangers, changes to the migratory bird act in the US, etc, make life for all wildlife very precarious. I am embarrassed and infuriated. We all should be.
Falcons and other birds need them to survive. Can we not figure out a way to get along with pigeons?
Calico’s Tip for Everyone: It’s Migration. Turn out the Lights. Ask your cities and towns to turn them off!
Trempeauleau: Mrs T at Trempeauleau Bald Eagle nest in Wisconsin is incredible. She is going to raise this little eaglet of hers to fledge. I can feel it. The baby is getting its thermal down, and there must be fish ready. Just about as soon as she catches one, or in this case, brings what appears to be a road kill possum and a fish, Mr T comes to get it to take it to the other nest. Regardless, things are going well for now. Let us all send positive wishes that they continue to do so. Is he lazy? Opportunistic? This is his eaglet, too!
Xcel Fort St Vrain: Two surviving babies are doing well.
Geemeff’s daily summary for The Woodland Trust and Loch Arkaig:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 29th Apr 2025An exciting day today on Nest One where it looks like Garry LV0 and Blue 536 have mated successfully, not once but at least three times today. Furthermore, as if to fully claim possession of the nest (and Garry!), Blue 536 brought a stick to add to the furnishings. He brought her two fish taking his tally to twenty six. We wait to see how things progress, but it’s looking very good for finally having a resident pair on Nest One
since she arrived on Friday 18th April. Over on Nest Two, Louis and Dorcha went about their usual business of giving and receiving fish and taking turns incubating the eggs, and Louis’ two fish deliveries take his tally to fifty seven. Tonight’s forecast is for clear skies and light winds, and a sunny day with gentle breezes tomorrow. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.10.49 (04.47.08); Nest Two 22.25.41 (04.52.28)
Dyfi: Mark the 17th of May for pip watch for Idris and Telyn.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘BHA, Geemeff, Heidi, PB, SB, TU’, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, SK Hideaways, Newfoundland Power, Terry Anita and Bald Eagles Live Nest News and Cams, Montana Osprey Project/Cornell Bird Lab, Raptor Resource Project, Salisbury Cathedral Falcons, Eagle Cam, Cornell Red Tail Hawk Cam, The Guardian, Raptor Persecution UK, Achieva Credit Union, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, Trempealeau Bald Eagles, Peace, Xcel Fort St Vrain, SCMM, Lake Murray Ospreys, Frenchman’s Creek, Dyfi Osprey Project
I am going to go out on a limb here and you can get ready to hit me with tomatoes or eggs if I am wrong!
Iris began a little toe dance and cheeping and at 11:34 a male flew in with a fish for her which she accepted readily. That male has long white legs. I believe Finnegan has arrived.
Iris accepts the fish cheeping and cheeping. The male flies away.
Do I dare think that Finnegan arrived and went fishing for his Iris? and then flew off for himself?
This is not ‘Louis behaviour’. And the cheeping by Iris is not what she does with Louis when he flies in for his daily ‘stop’.
Waiting for confirmation.
Thank you to the Montana Osprey Project and Cornell Bird Lab for their streaming cam.
Glaslyn: Aran spent the night with Elen on the perch. They mated twice. Cross your fingers the drama is over and Teifi will find himself a lovely mate elsewhere!
Llyn Brenig: Egg number 1 laid at 23:13:48 15/04/2025, well done 372.
Kielder Nest 7: KX7 laid her second egg at about 15.45 Tuesday.
Tweed Valley Nest 2: “A rather bizarre set up has emerged in the absence of FK0. At the nest there is Mrs O, another BTO ringed female and a BTO ringed male. None of these three birds have the coloured alpha numeric darvics, so we know nothing of their background. The male appears inexperienced and is perhaps young. The two females are surprisingly tolerant of each other. The only aggression witnessed so far has been on arrival of fish delivery from the male as the two females both try to grab it. Mrs O usually wins the fish and flies off to feed but has been seen to return with a portion remaining and letting the other female have it. If FK0 eventually turns up things could get very complicated. The male bird and Mrs O have started mating and maybe if she lays an egg, the couple may settle.”
Thank you to Geemeff for reminding me that I hadn’t sent out Tuesday’s blog—it was Tuesday, but not the 14th! Grrrrr. Tuesdays are always hectic for me because Anne arrives, and before that, the animals seem to demand a lot of attention. Sometimes, I feel like I need two of myself!
There is hardly any news. Ospreys are, for the most part, home. Charlie is not at Charlo Montana. They believe he is MIA. The Memorial List is getting longer. Aran is still trying to keep his nest. He was there after 1700 at Glaslyn, but did not bring Elen a fish. Teifi has been doing that. Finnegan is not home. My question: Could Charlie and Finnegan winter in the same location and both are late? Is Finnegan late? Gosh, it feels late. Llyn Brenig is still not settled.
Iris waits.
‘J’ wants to know where the first confirmed news of Finnegan’s return will be posted. Dr Greene posts on Montana Osprey Cam’s FB page. I know that my inbox will light up if that white-breasted, long-legged male gets on that nest, and you will also know this by his behaviour towards Iris. (Don’t even get me started on Louis!)
This year, Heidi is monitoring a whack of many US Osprey nests, and I am focusing on the UK and Europe along with Iris. We will be bringing you more news once we have hatchlings.
So I am thankful for Blue 33 and Maya, CJ7 and Blue 022, Dylan and Seren, Idris and Telyn, and Louis and Dorcha who are giving us some stability in the UK nests.
Geemeff sends us the daily summary from The Woodland Trust and Loch Arkaig:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 15th April 2025 An interesting day on Nest One where Garry LV0 brought bedding but no fish, then saw a perceived threat in the distance, flew off the nest in a hurry, and a long aerial battle ensued with both birds flying back and forth across the cam view. The fight was too distant to make out who Garry was seeing off his territory, but there was no doubt about the invader later on – a Buzzard, different to previous visiting Buzzards, looked to be on a nest scouting expedition, but it’s highly unlikely Garry would tolerate further intrusion. Louis and Dorcha continued their usual routine of mating and nest prepping, with two fish handovers today taking
Louis’ tally to thirty three, but no sign of the much anticipated first egg yet, and as of the time of filing this report (23.15) the nest is empty. It rained on and off today, the forecast is for a dry night tonight but more rain tomorrow. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.31.46 (05.17.42); Nest Two 21.45.22 (05.29.22) Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/A_RZD0tcTvQ N2 Louis arrives with a lively flapping trout 06.07.41
Durbe County White-tail Eagle Cam: Milda and Zorro have the cutest baby!
City of Independence Osprey Platform: Believe it or not a couple of ospreys checked out this nest on Tuesday!
FOBBV: Shadow brought in 11 fish. These two will be too large to fly. LOL. I bet that is what Shadow is hoping. Keep Sunny and Gizmo home for a long, long time. Little miracles. https://youtu.be/LddQtD0iZ0Q?s
At the Finnish Osprey Nests:
Nest 1 Satakunnan: Beautiful ospreys Eve and Eura return.
Janakkala: Resident female Yellow XKT, Cara, has been chasing a female intruder over the nest. Mate, AKE, is also home!
The ospreys are beginning to arrive in Nova Scotia. Quite a few nests are now occupied. Bravo! Always nice to see them home safely.
Good night, Iris. We are all hoping that your Finn will arrive tomorrow. You deserve the best and we will know when it is really him because you will stop looking to the sky and wishing with us! You will be eating a big fish! And it won’t have been caught by you.
Thank you for being with us. Take care all. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, J, PB’, Montana Osprey Project, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust and Loch Arkaig, Window to Wildlife, NCTC Bald Eagle nest, Chichester Peregrines, IWS, Looduskalender Forum, Satakunnan Nest 1 Finland, City of Independence Ospreys, Ospreys of Nova Scotia, SK Hideaways, Janakkala Osprey platform, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Tweed Valley Osprey Project, SK Hideaways, BoPH, Kielder Forest
I am growling. Can you hear me? I have lots of images in today’s blog, but Heidi tells me that they continue to be scrambled, sometimes being replaced with old images or the images are so cropped you cannot see them. When I look at my screen, everything is as it should be. I apologise. This is WordPress and I guess it is time to have another long chat or get a divorce with them!
After being outside on Sunday and proclaiming spring had arrived, we woke up to snow Monday morning. It is falling down fast (but will not accumulate, thankfully). Silly me. I jinxed it!
Despite this, the Dark-eyed Juncos showed up by the dozens to search for the new White Millet that had been scattered.
Today it is sunny and warm!
The latest from Glaslyn before we begin: “We have not seen Aran since 11:20 yesterday, but he was possibly one of three Ospreys we saw chasing one another over the valley yesterday afternoon. It was KC6/Teifi that returned to the nest yesterday evening and shared a Flounder with Elen. We do not currently know where Aran is.
This morning Teifi delivered a Flounder to Elen, but since then he has been in aerial combat with Blue 685 (Tweed Valley 2021) and the two males are chasing one another around the valley. We can only watch as the drama unfolds.”
On Monday, the Decorah N1 Geese ushered their six goslings to the leap of faith. Five made it. Sadly, one did not. ‘J’ says turn up the sound! Here is a video of that amazing event! https://youtu.be/rpwrXIqmTcw?
The Raptor Resource Project explains this incredible feat.
As I do the spring cleaning in the conservatory, I have Iris on the screen. She has been working on her nest and the horizon. I worried about Iris returning; I briefly considered the possibility that Finn might not return, but I couldn’t think about that. Migration is fraught with dangers. However, my primary concern is that our Queen awaits her Finnegan’s return. Send positive wishes, let’s get him home.
This is the way we want to see it. Bart M caught the mood on Manton Bay perfectly!
Dyfi: Idris and Telyn have their third egg.
Black Storks are arriving at their nests!
‘TU’ sends news: “9:48 AM Estonian black stork female KERLI arrived to KERGU who was already in the nest waiting )) 14.04.2025 They also posted photo of the male visitor in Karl’s nest in Karula And in Latvia black stork chose an empty nest and we could see him sleeping at nights – then the real owner lesser spotted eagle Anna appeared and they met today! What a Monday! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzo0fsqZuaI
It isn’t just the Loch of the Lowes that is confused, BHA brings us up to speed on the Port of Ridgefield Osprey nest: “No eggs on Ridgefield nest yet and today the activity has been confusing with three Osprey coming and going. (Similar to some of your own Osprey reports!) Not sure who was who but I think it was the female and a strange male on the nest, then a third Osprey flew in with fish and the female mantled and ate a little. She then took off with the fish leaving the two males. From there it got confusing as it appeared there was another fish on the other side of the nest which one started eating. (Maybe the 3rd Osprey was a female?) But then they started fighting and both went over the side of the nest. A few minutes later one returned and it appeared to be the interloper. It stayed awhile, then left. Nest is empty now. Guess it’s a good thing there are no eggs! (I left comments in chat, hoping one of the other 5 viewers might have some input, but no other comments yet.)
Geemeff sends us her daily summary for The Woodland Trust and Loch Arkaig:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 14th April 2025
A very wet day today, no intruders or visitors, and only two fish deliveries. Garry LV0 paid a long visit to Nest One, bringing moss instead of fish, and doing a fair bit of nest work before perching on the centre perch and looking around before departing. Over on Nest Two, Louis brought two fish today, taking his tally to thirty one, but the first fish only arrived well after 2pm, and when he delivered the second shortly after 4pm, Dorcha wasn’t there so Louis tucked into it himself. When she arrived back a little later, Louis picked up the remains of the fish and flew off with it. However as both he and Dorcha have nicely rounded full crops, neither one is going hungry. The weather forecast calls for more rain overnight and into tomorrow, but there is a prospect of a break from the rain in the afternoon. As of the time of filing this report (23.30) the nest is empty so it’s unlikely the first egg will arrive overnight.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.19.53 (05.31.04); Nest Two 21.12.25 (05.41.25)
Brevard, Florida: There were three fish deliveries on Monday: 15.30 Mom arrived with small fish, 5 min feeding, nothing for youngest; 15.57 Dad arrived with large partial, good meal for both chicks. Another large partial from Dad at 1820, both ate well. So, they ended up pretty well-fed today.
NCTC: Scout flew into the nest with blood all down the side of his neck on Monday. Was it a territorial battle?Or prey? All the kids were full to the brim and more. ‘J’ says they look like they ate ‘golfballs’! I agree.
Rita the Eagle: ‘J’ sends us Rita’s posting for Rita’s History Monday:
Captiva Eagle Nest: Both fledglings continue to visit the nest on occasion.
Big Bear: Fishing line appears to be on the nest again! Thanks, naturechat.org and ‘J’
‘J’ says she hates fishing line. Join the club! One of the most significant issues is even if humans clean up after themselves, which they don’t, lines can get broken and stay in a fish, get broken and hang around tree branches in lakes and get picked up. Oh, if we could dissolve the fishing line after so many minutes of exposure to water. I know, I know…It was seen at 0820. Jackie and Shadow are aware of it and hopefully they will be able to deal with it. (Yes, it is a human-made issue. Intervention in this situation and with Sunny and Gizmo this age could be highly dangerous for them even if someone could do it!)
Games keeper charged in the Yorkshire Dales for Hen Harrier killing.
NEFlorida: Bodie tucked into a nice big fish that Gabby delivered.
Hummingbird Migration Map:
Norwich Cathedral: Four eggs for the falcons!
Wells Fargo, West Des Moines, Iowa: First Osprey egg of the season on Monday!
Glaslyn: We do not know what will happen at Glaslyn. Aran hid Teifi’s egg under the nesting material, and he was not seen at the nest on Monday. Will Elen have more eggs? Will Teifi become her bonded partner beginning this year? Will Aran prevail? We wait.
‘PB’ sent a great image of the little third hatch at Duke Farms. It made it. We often wondered and look at how sweet it is.
Fraser Point Announcement:
Steelscape Osprey Platform: First egg of the season.
Latvian White-Tail Eagle nest at Durbe: Milda’s first egg has hatched!
Tonight, I am deeply troubled and appalled by the actions of some individuals in my province who should know better. The thought of shooting crows and magpies for fun is both outrageous and disturbing! In 2025, it’s unimaginable that some people remain unaware of the intelligence and emotional depth of non-human animals. We must urgently advocate for protections for all species to prevent the senseless mass killings that are happening. Our moral responsibility is to stand up for those who cannot defend themselves.
And if that is not enough, we litter our home with all our garbage and it can kill them. Think fishing line at Big Bear today or all those osprey nests littered with human junk.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, images, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘BHA, EJ, Geemeff, Heidi, J, PB, TU’, Raptor Resource Project, Montana Osprey Project/Cornell Bird Lab, Bart Molenaar, LDF, Eagle Club of Estonia, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Brevard Florida Ospreys, NCTC Bald Eagle Nest, Rita the Eagle FB, Window to Wildlife, FOBBV, Raptor Persecution UK, Cornell Bird Lab Owl Cam, Ryan Vaughn, Norwich Cathedral, Iown DNR, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Duke Farms, Steelscape, PETA, LDF, Dyfi Osprey Project
