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
Maya and Blue 33 have their fourth egg at Rutland’s Manton Bay. Geemeff writes: “Maya has laid a fourth egg at Manton Bay – it’s visible around 08.47.28”. If any couple can raise our, these two can. They have done it several times before. They are an Osprey Super couple in terms of producing chicks.
Sadness and Madness. Achieva Baby gone. For everyone that wrote to get help after the Baby and eggs went down the drain holes last year, it appears something has happened again this year. (Footage is being checked to see what happened).
Iris has been a busy lady. The Hellgate nest was completely flattened over the winter. When we went up to upgrade the camera system I was amazed and how shallow and flat the nest was.
But Iris has been busy bringing in sticks, grass and moss, and the edges of the nest are already considerably higher.
Come on Finnegan!!
Best, Erick Greene and The Montana Osprey Team”
Come on Finnegan is right.
I thought I was losing my mind. Turns out it isn’t me! It is WordPress. Heidi first warned me two days ago that images in my blog were getting switched. WP is scrambling pictures and videos faster than I can check them for the third time, so apologies. I keep saying I am switching to another platform, but that would cause a lot of chaos for all of you – and that is something that I do not wish to do. I don’t need that chaos and neither do you. The birds are to give us some calm in our lives, albeit they often send us to the tissue box. Still, we are privileged to share their lives, and I would not have it any other way. So I might start using less images – I know that many of you see these beautiful feathered friends on the streaming cams and in FB posts. To be continued….
As of this writing, neither Finnegan nor Aran has returned to their nests. Finnegan was first spotted on Iris’s nest on April 19th, but we’re unsure if he was present earlier. Aran typically returns between March 30th and April 4th, and I am worried about him. In the meantime, Louis has visited Iris on the nest again. Please come home soon, Finnegan! And I should note that other ospreys on UK streaming cams such as LJ2 at Llyn Brenig have just returned. Come on Aran.
My post is a bit all over the place today. Please bear with me. The research is not clear, but I can tell you, from my detailed notes, that the two days leading to the full moon and four days after, can be very difficult for those suffering from Lewy Body Dementia, like my husband (and others with mental health challenges). My posts will be as confused for a few more days! The Pink Full Moon is on Saturday.
That juvenile eaglet on the John Bunker Sands Wetlands Bald Eagle tower fooled me. I was certain that one of them had fledged. It seems that it was hiding in those metal supports. JBS had their first fledge on the 9th. This has been a great nest to watch this year!
Fort St. Vrain: The 4th egg has hatched. That sweet little baby. I hope that the parents can manage the hatch difference and four beaks to fill. And I hope that this 4th hatch is a ferocious girl so she can survive!
I am hearing a lot of worry from around the world about this nest. The weather is not looking good (will include below) and ‘PB’ writes: “I don’t know how Ma is going to keep 4 babies under her. I just read the nest history and there were a few seasons when the chicks passed due to exposure to rain , snow and hail. Storms seem to come around this time of month. Hope it stays dry for them.”
‘J’ writes: “In Dutch we say „ik hou mijn hart vast“, literally I hold on to my heart. Holding his heart is a proverb often used in a difficult situation where someone is afraid that things will not end well. The proverb “holding his heart” is symbolic and refers to the fact that one is so tense that one reaches for the heart and holds it from tension. “Peter held his heart when the results of the theory exam were announced.” In this example, Peter is the one who is “holding his heart” because he is in suspense for the results of his exam. Often this proverb is used in uncertain situations, this can be from serious to minor situations. The following examples indicate this. “After the car accident, Dora had to be freed from her car and her family members held their hearts.” This is an example of a life-threatening situation, but it can also be less serious : “Chris promised to finish his essay on time, I am holding my heart.” In this case, the proverb is used as a kind of joke to indicate that Chris thus never finished his essays on time and the person actually sees the storm coming.
The older two have eaten well, the third got some bites, and the fourth pushed itself up and then the parent took the bite. If you are queasy this is not the nest to watch for awhile til we see how things shape up.
‘PB’ sent the weather that so many of you are concerned about. It was not that many years ago that the little one at PA Country Farm was left out from being under Mum and died. Many of you recalled that tragedy.
Geemeff sends us her daily summary of the activities for The Woodland Trust:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 10th April 2025
Today saw the return of the ringed male intruder Osprey to Nest Two and managed to perch for a brief moment before being chased off the nest by Louis, who escorted him away from Dorcha and down towards the loch. Frustratingly we still didn’t get a good look at his Darvic ring, perhaps he’ll return or perhaps we’ll get a positive ID from the Roy Dennis Foundation. Louis delivered four fish today, taking his season’s tally to twenty. One of those fish spent quite a bit of time being taken on and off the nest before finally being eaten, and after another delivery Louis did such energetic nest-scraping that he needed a little lie down, affording us a comical view. Over on Nest One, Garry LV0 did a fair bit of nest prep too, bringing sticks and nest-scraping until Affric arrived to solicit fish. Unlike yesterday however, he didn’t oblige and she left fish-less, back to Bunarkaig to demand fish from her real mate Prince, perhaps. The wind picked up today but the forecast for tomorrow is sunny with a gentle breeze. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.26.55 (05.19.23); Nest Two 21.39.38 (05.34.33) Today’s videos:
Please do look at some of these wonderful videos. We now have Louis and Dorcha on Loch Arkaig nest 2 and Prince and Affric on Louis’s old nest, nest 1. For those you loved Louis and Aila, there is one with them, too. Lots of people are hoping that we might see some of those JJs at a nest or two.
Big Bear Valley: It is no wonder that Sunny and Gizmo are growing and growing. They are eating fish 8 and 9. I can think of a lot of eagle (or osprey) nests that would envy that amount of food coming to the nest. https://youtu.be/aHdBLEpS7VE?
Sauces: Betty Lou is just as fortunate. Jak and Audacity keep her crop full and bursting. They are such happy and proud parents. One of this year’s miracles, like Bodie, Sunny, and Gizmo.
NEFlorida: Bodie is still home but she is spending a lot of time up high on the branches. You best stop in to that cam because she could fly off any moment. Beau and Gabby did well even adopting another eagle that undoubtedly helped Bodie to learn more survival skills. A blessing. Bodie is 81 days old today.
Port Tobacco: Two eaglets have their beautiful wooly thermal down and their juvenile feathers are appearing. Both doing well.
US Steel: Wet day for Irvin, Stella, and baby USS8 (hatched on 27 March) who had a big crop. Fish pieces on the nest and Stella keeping that little one warm and dry.
Nest 4 Finland: Snow.
Nest 5 Finland: Osprey briefly landed on the nest on Friday.
Achieva Credit Union Ospreys: Only Bob of Jack and Jill is doing well. With the above announcement, this is so sad. My heart breaks for new Mum Jill and Jack. For those not familiar this happened last year. It was difficult to determine if a predator came or if the eggs and chick went down those big drain holes. Heidi is trying to determine what happened.
Salem Electric Ospreys, Oregon: A couple are on the nest and they have a lot of work to do. The link to their streaming cam is: https://www.youtube.com/live/a-G2qGiZdT0?
Eastern Curlew: They migrate 10,000 km and they are in trouble.
Funding for all kinds of research and help for wildlife is in jeopardy. The Narwal comes out of British Columbia with journalists in several Canadian provinces. It is supported by readers and has won numerous awards for independent journalism.
Whether it is in Australia, Canada, the US, Europe, or the UK, wildlife needs our help now more than ever. Lawlessness means that more and more raptors are being shot. Two ospreys last week. We don’t hear about most of them. These are just the tip of the iceberg in wildlife violence and we need to find a way to end it. If individuals harm animals, then they might also easily harm people. Where did empathy and love for animals go in some people?
Calico’s Tip for the Day: Make a few tweaks in your life and get rid of some anxiety. Calico loves ‘The To Do List’. Not. It never gets finished, there is always something to do. Many people think that they are ‘useless’ or ‘less worthy’ because they cannot get on top of their ‘bloody lists’. Others miss the beauty of the day by spending all their time trying to get ‘the list’ finished. The author of a new book, reviewed by The New York Times, agrees – the list is never finished. Here are some tips to help us enjoy life a bit more and quite stressing ourselves out needlessly! ——– Think like a cat, Calico says. And don’t feel guilty if you need ‘a cat nap’ during the day.
I have put into place two changes to the blog to try and help with my anxiety: 1) I realise that I will never catch up with every nest as there are thousands of them on streaming cams and I will always miss some late news. It cannot be helped. 2) Instead of rushing to get the blog out to you before a certain time, I get up and feed Brock who is nearly always waiting, feed The Girls and the garden animals, feed us and give out pills and then while sipping my morning brew, finish up the blog.
Calico hopes that you will find some ways to alleviate some of the anxiety that comes into your life. She loves this article and hopes that it helps in some way. Let her know!
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care of yourself. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, J, PB’, Montana Osprey Project, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Fort St Vrain, The Weather Channel, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, IWS/Explore, FOBBV, NEFL-AEF, Saaksilvie 4, The Guardian, OpenVerse, Australian Conservation Foundation, The Narwal, Owl Moon Raptor Centre, The New York Times, US Steel, Port Tobacco Eagle Cam
Dear Mary Ann, For every nasty human who crushes falcon eggs, there is one who rescues a baby GHO. At least, that is my hope. Have a great day. 🐦⬛ EJ”
‘EJ’: There are MORE beautiful helping people in the world than nasties. The nasties just get the headlines. This is why we should refuse to watch the YouTube videos that make so much money for people when they are showing ‘death or killing’ images. We should support those that don’t!
My offering today is mostly going to be limited to one main event (unless Aran shows up). HAS FINNEGAN RETURNED TO THE HELLGATE NEST THAT HE SHARES WITH QUEEN IRIS OR DID WE SEE LOUIS VISIT QUICKL?
Montana Hellgate:
Dr Green posted this:
It doesn’t look like totally dark markings on that left leg but if I look closely there is some dark so is the white covering up Louis’s dark line? There was no fish delivery and the behaviour was like Louis flying over from the baseball park where Star can’t see him and then leaving quickly. We cannot see the chest. Finnegan’s chest is pure white. I hope I am not missing something here. I want it to be Finnegan so much. I have not seen Iris with a male working on the nest so it makes me think it is Louis, sadly. And it feels like it is Louis – not a mate that cares!!!!! Get home soon, Finn.
Russell Lake, Nova Scotia: Oscar has been waiting for his Ethel. He has been through snowstorms and he waited. Ethel came home today! Seriously. Tears were flowing in Dartmouth and around the province and outside it – we love Oscar and Ethel.
I want everyone who posts events on FB. Please note that we have the name of the ospreys, the date, the name of the nest, and who took the photo. If EVERY individual putting announcements in FB groups would include this information it would go a long way to creating a detailed historical record of the nest. Thank you, Connie and Don Dennis!
Alyth SS: Flora has returned! She had to oust the visiting unringed female and Harry might have wondered what Flora was thinking. So glad another couple is reunited.
Now if we really had Finnegan this would be a great opening. If we had Aran at home, it would be off the charts.
Heidi’s Osprey News.
Apologies, yesterday I posted an old photo from Brevard County and attached it to the Dewey Beach nest note.
4/9 – Carthage osprey nest: Mom laid their second egg at 10:40. Congrats to Mom and Dad.
4/9 – Havre de Grace osprey nest: Egg #3 was laid in the early morning while the cam was down. Congrats to this pair.
4/9 – Mispillion Harbor: Congratulations to Della and Warren! Della laid her second egg at 13:02.
4/9 – Moraine Preservation osprey nest: Mom laid the first egg on 4/9 at 17:50
Geemeff’s daily summary for The Woodland Trust:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 9th April 2025
Another exciting day – today saw the return of Garry Blue LV0, effectively the resident male on Nest One, in a repeat of last year when he also returned on 9th April. And as with last year, it didn’t take long before Affric Blue 152 turned up soliciting fish from him, and he duly obliged. However, she has a mate, Prince, and they’ve fledged at least two chicks over at the Bunarkaig nest since they paired up in 2021, so it would be nice if she either pairs up with Garry full time and they raise chicks on Nest One, or she leaves him alone to find his own mate and the new pair become the rightful residents of Nest One. That nest had a fair bit of traffic today as a Buzzard also visited, skipping in quickly in between Garry LV0’s frequent appearances with nesting materials. Nest Two had its own excitement when a ringed Osprey, probably male, intruded on Dorcha. She got rid of him so quickly we didn’t have an opportunity to read the blue Darvic ring, worn on the left leg indicating this is a Scottish bird. Details have been sent to the Roy Dennis Foundation in hopes of making a positive ID. Louis delivered two fish to the nest taking his tally to sixteen, and with the forecast for the nest area of sunny weather with a gentle breeze and a high of 19°C, his fishing prospects look excellent. The day ended with Dorcha returning to the nest at 22.14, still there at the time of posting (midnight) looking like she might spend the night there – not long now for the first egg! However, the Tawny Owls aren’t far away, and Dorcha aborted her first landing attempt at 22.13, with owl calls heard in the background and something on the cam post. Hopefully she’ll have a peaceful night.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.27.27 (05.24.41); Nest Two 21.42.30 (05.39.53)
NCTC: A reader wrote and asked about the history of this nest. Let us say that Scout has grown up – really grown into a wonderful father this year with Bella. Their triplets are thriving under their good care. It is a wonderful nest to watch.
Great Lakes: Something is going on at Great Lakes. The tiny eaglets were left alone in the cold and damp for 2 hours. Where was Mum? And why did this happen? Will they survive? We wait. https://youtu.be/W-IamS7G6a0?
Harriet was away for 24 hours. Thanks, Harry, for stepping in and brooding and feeding the eaglets. Harriet appears wounded. Remember that the females will take on other female intruders, not the males. Males defend the nest from other males. Get well soon. Send positive wishes to this family with young babies in the nest. https://youtu.be/fw4vMOlOQbM?
Other News:
‘J’ sent me a detailed note following Wednesday morning’s posting:
“An error slipped into the blog, as I wrote, DH19 is the third chick for the Majestics. (Thanks, J)
Dr Sharpe deserves his retirement, and already put it off once, so good for him. But I think I speak for all when I say I feel like crying. He is our Channel Islands Hero. He will be sorely missed.
Spend more time outside.
Funny you mention that today, because today, I was out on the balcony until about half an hour ago. Not sitting or reading, not yet. I finished the clean up, and then redid the „decorating“ of the balcony. The icky mealworms are now farthest away from where I will be sitting. Bit sad, during the cleaning I found several dead bumble bees. I will put the bee house somewhere else next year, hopefully then it won’t happen, although I am not sure why it happened at all.
I planted a few plants – fingers crossed, because I am a serial plant killer. I don’t understand plants. I even managed to kill one of them immediately… Sigh.”
Is this a book you might like? I haven’t read it yet but I will try to get a copy – it will be released in Canada on 24 June 2025. The review reminds us of what Saint Francis Assisi proposed. Assisi loved animals, particularly birds. He wanted to see that a law was passed: a “that everyone who is able should scatter grain and seed on the streets, so that … there should be plenty for the birds, especially our sister larks”. Nicolson put up a hide and observed his precious garden birds, much as we do the animals in our garden. He built a hide so as not to disturb them. What a brilliant idea. And he watched, season after season.
Here is the review of Bird School by Adam Nicolson in The Guardian:
Glad to hear that you have been outside – balconies, gardens, front stoops, whatever we have access to. I went to see my doctor today and she noticed a difference in my entire demeanour since our weather is improving and I can now walk easier. Being outside is essential to our well-being. Essential. I hope no one gets tired of hearing me say it and turns me off…one thing I have learned since before covid, but even more now that dementia has hit my partner, we have to go outside. We need also to speak up for large parks in our cities and towns, the protection of wetlands, stopping the cutting of trees. Which reminds me. The City did cut down the trees on my street with their big orange circles. When I moved here 26 years ago, there was a huge canopy that went from one side to the other. The squirrels never had to run on the road; they could cross on the branches. The birds had wonderful places for their nests. There were even dead trees for the woodpeckers. It looks more and more like a moonscape. Just means we need to plant 3 trees that will grow strong and tall for the future animals.
Thank you for ssending me your notes and sharing your outdoor adventures with me. Please take care. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, J’, Montana Osprey Cams/Cornell Bird Lab, Ospreys of Nova Scotia/Connie and Don Dennis, Alyth SS, Rosie Shields and Border Ospreys, NCTC Bald Eagle Cam, Great Lakes Osprey Cam, The Guardian, Dyfi Osprey Project, Carthage, Havre de Grace, Mispillion Harbour, and Moraine State Park Ospreys, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Llyn Brenig
Thank you for being with us today. Many of you are experiencing cold, wintry weather, and I understand that those of you in the southeastern United States are particularly surprised by the chill! While we should be accustomed to the cold here, I must admit that I wish it would go away. We haven’t been able to spend as much time outdoors as we would like. We all need to engage with nature. It is so good for our mental health. Please be careful if it is snowy and there is ice. Nothing is important enough to fall and get injured.
While our friends in the UK hope spring might be just around the corner, we are still in an extreme cold warning on the Canadian Prairies. It is one of the most extended extreme cold spells I can remember in recent history. Thankfully, the triple pane windows also create heat, and ‘The Girls’ can pretend they are outside in the sun. Even the sun warms up the conservatory for about six hours, and then, as the sun begins to lower itself in the west, the cold sets in. They have to come into the main part of the house and not one of the four is happy about that. They love that glass box where it is like they are living outside, but are actually safe inside.
In this extreme cold, I am always fretting about the outdoor animals. One Crow has consistently come to the table feeder to eat nuts from the cylinder. You can see the sparrows all puffed up to keep warm. They love perching on the branches of the lilacs and getting warmth from the sunshine. They will leave the garden early as soon as they begin to go down. By 4:30 things are pretty quiet. I am, however, missing all the beautiful birdsong from the garden. The number of songbirds is in significant decline.
I am so glad that Calico and her kitten Baby Hope are inside and not out with Brock and Star. There appears to be nothing I can do to convince either of them to trust me despite Brock now sitting about 15 cm or 6 inches from me when I take out food. If there is any sudden movement, he is off. I do not want to stress them out, but something will be done come spring – it will be an enclosure with a heat lamp. (Right now, it is too much work and cold to begin dismantling the wood boxes…I wish I had done it earlier.) If Star has kittens, which I fear she might, we will trap them and make sure they have homes.
The mailbox brings me to the topic for this post: Darvic rings. A reader wrote, “I was wondering if you’d heard anything about the banding of the osprey at Abu Dhabi. I saw them being weighed, but they didn’t measure their wings. Yet they put blue bands on one of all of their legs. They put a silver band on the other leg of all of them too. Wouldn’t the blue band be for boys? Why put a blue band on at all?”
What are Darvic Rings? The Darvic rings are a plastic ring that is fitted to the Osprey’s leg. Normally you can see them from a distance with binoculars or a spotting scope. Different countries use different colours. In the United Kingdom, the bands are blue with white lettering. Scotland places the Darvic ring on the left leg while England and Wales put it on the right. In Spain the Darvic rings are yellow, in Germany they are Black, and in France they are orange. Over time the amount of numbers or letters has changed but there are registries of every bird that is ringed.
The birds are also fitted with a metal ring. It has a unique number and address and is more durable than the plastic ones which can, after several years, break.
Birds are ringed before they are 45 days old. The reason for this is so the specially trained banders do not frighten the birds and cause them to fledge prematurely. Also, the leg will have grown to its adult size. This prevents the ring from getting too tight and injuring the bird. Ringing often takes place when the Osprey chicks are in the 30s – such as 36 days old, etc. At the time of banding the chicks are weighed and measured. Indeed, everything about them is measured!
So for the United Arab Emirates where the Abu Dhabi nest is located this is the specific information on ring colour and placement. Nothing to do with gender:
There are online lists of the colours of the rings for each country. If you spot a bird with a Darvic ring, there are sites where you should submit that information. It is always good to be able to locate where the birds are and if they are alive.
Few ring the ospreys (or other raptors) in North America which is a real shame. The benefits of ringing the birds – whether they be a raptor or a songbird – are many. Here are only a few articles to help you understand why this process is important.
Captiva Eagle Cam: Dasher and Dancer are doing just fine.
Achieva Credit Union Osprey Platforms: No egg yet for Jack and his new mate. The chicks normally hatched the first week in March. It is getting late for a clutch. I worry about the heat of the summer just as I would if there was another clutch at SW Florida.
NCTC: Scout is getting into the action of incubation. Fingers crossed. The couple now have three eggs! https://youtu.be/SsMcuXsNUIE?
West End: In case you missed it, the first egg of Thunder and Makaio was taken by an opportunistic Raven. https://youtu.be/202j3SgZOwA?
Hilton Head: The two eaglets are doing well!
PA Country Farm: The male, Oliver, is showing signs of having HPAI. Please send your good wishes.
Little Miami Conservancy: The first egg is laid for eagle couple, Bette and Baxter, on Wednesday.
USS Steel: There is a three egg clutch for Irvine and his new mate, Stella, in 2025. She is a young mum, but Irv knows the ropes. It should be an exciting nest to watch this year. https://youtu.be/2mMml-j86cA?
Cornell Red Tail Hawk: Both Big Red and Arthur have been spotted on campus.
Moorings Park: Sally and Harry continue to incubate their three eggs.
Pine Island Ospreys:
Johnson City-ETSU: Eggs on January 23 and 26. Boone and Jolene should be expecting a pip by the end of February! Just think – 8 days.
There is also a new platform at Granville Island in Vancouver for eagles. It is a galvanized pole erected by one of my former students who was in charge of the rebuilding of the Market area. More information to follow.
Wildlife is truly under threat. Many of the nature centres and rehabilitation clinics are going to need your support and help. This is one of the latest postings.
Geemeff asks, “Stating the bleeding obvious- pesticides kill! Did we learn nothing from Rachel Carson? Silent Spring was written more than seventy years ago and sadly, not much has changed, if anything, things have got worse.” I agree. Humans have much to clean up and wildlife needs us more now than ever.
One of our next conversations is going to be about where your donation dollars do the most good. Many are abandoning the WWF because of this – and other large organizations where the staff take more of the donations than the wildlife!
.They are not birds, but at this stage, the balance and health of all wildlife has to be of our concern. That includes those adorable little European hedgehogs that populate the gardens. They were of least concern and now their existence is ‘threatened’. Habitat loss and pesticide use. It is a mantra that we are going to hear over and over again this year as animals die because of us. Please help them. No more green beautiful Home and Gardens lawns. Plant for pollinators without using pesticides. Urge your neighbours, your family, and your friends. ——– It looks like it is going to be up to use to take care of the areas around where we live. Imagine the power of the people of the world if we each dedicated our lives to making their lives better. Imagine.
I feel blessed to have so many talented and caring readers, many who are have become friends over the years. One is Juni Li, a New York artist, who has shared a drawing of Iris and Finnegan with us. Just imagine—within six weeks, Iris could be back with us. Wonder who will arrive first: Iris or Finnegan? Wish them good health, favorable winds, bountiful crops – and no interlopers.
I so wish Sum-eh and Antali had been ringed. Without Darvic rings, we will never know them if they return or if someone sees them in another area. We will also not know if they are found dead.
Iris always makes us smile and I hope this next story, sent to us by EJ, will, too.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care. We will see you again on Monday!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, articles, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘EJ, Geemeff, H, J, MP, SP’, Heidi Mc, Hawk Conservancy Trust, The Journal of Raptor Research, The Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, Kistachie E3 Bald Eagle Nest, Nesting Bird Life and More, Gary Eagle Videos (FORE), SK Hideaways, Deb Stecyk, Little Miami Conservancy, Hilton Head Land Conservancy, American Eagle Foundation, univerise.byu.edu, Bronx Times, The Guardian, Vija, Pix Cams, American Eagle Foundation, Friends of Osprey Sth Aus, Cornell Bird Lab, Juni Li, Yahoo News, Raptor Persecution UK, Achieva Credit Union, Heidi McGrue and Pine Island Ospreys (Joy of Ospreys FB)
Calico is such an intelligent cat, and she is working hard to figure out the best way to provide help for feral cats. I wonder if she remembers living in the cold. She has created a line of five blank note cards on premium card stock with envelopes using my images. Her goal is to sell 500 cards. We have decided to do this directly instead of selling them through shops (who take multiple percentages from 40-60). It will mean more work for all The Girls and us, but in the end, those funds will provide much-needed food and help with spaying and neutering within our community.
I will post a separate page with information on how you can help Calico meet her goal on Monday!
It is the start of the last week in August and today our temperature dropped to 28 C. It didn’t feel like the end of August of years gone by.
Some mark the end of summer at this time with children heading back to school. Others look to the calendar and notice that the fall equinox is on the 22nd of September, a Sunday beginning at 0743. I have yet to see any trees ‘turning’ where I live, but it often comes slowly, barely perceptible, going from deep emerald green through the greens to yellows and reds. What does this year have in store?
There are still hundreds and hundreds of birds in the garden – wrens, finches, sparrows, Blue Jays, Crows, woodpeckers, and the occasional ‘odd one out’. Dyson is here with her big kits, and all of them are starting to get their cold-weather fur. Dyson looks healthy and gorgeous. I hope to get a photo of her for you in the coming days. Little Red is busy, along with a few other little Reds. The Crows are still here, all from the one family across the lane. Everyone survived! Tonight, they were feasting on pizza. :))))))
Hugo Yugo and Baby Hope wish you a very good last week in August! We are going to have their parties on 2 September, Hugo Yugo’s birthday. We will also celebrate the arrival of Baby Hope a year ago and, of course, Calico. There will be dental treats – oh, don’t tell them they are healthy and keeping those teeth clean and gums nice with every crunch! A few new toys and another cardboard recliner scratcher. They have obliterated the one from Missey’s birthday already!!!!!!!!
If I am looking for Hugo Yugo, she will be in the cat tree – the large one in the conservatory. If she wants to find you, there will be the loudest yawl out of the smallest cat. Hugo Yugo has only one volume – extremely high! Calico never meows. Never. She doesn’t complain if I sleep in. All that is left to the little orange tabby that was supposed to be a male!!!!!!! LOL. I do adore her. Hugo Yugo is undoubtedly a character and lives up to her name. She is going to the vet the first week in September. I am concerned about her teeth, and then, of course, there is always the watery eye. I need help keeping up with the eye patch cleanings. She has gotten to the point that she runs if she sees me coming with the pad jar!
Baby Hope (aka Calico Kitty Kitty) is simply the perfect cat for someone who likes quiet. She never scratches the furniture. She never begs for food. She never gets into trouble knocking things over. She loves sleeping in the basket, looking out, and watching the squirrels, the Blue Jays, and the Crows wrestle for food near the Weeping Caragana. Her eyes don’t drool, and her teeth and gums are perfect. She is very strong and healthy (or that is how things appear).
I am so glad that we fed Calico as much as we did as long as we did once she began coming to the garden in the winter of 2022-23. Surely it helped Baby Hope have strong bones. Hugo Yugo’s mother did not have that advantage and I think he has severely compromised Hugo Yugo’s overall health. She was starving and taken in at the last minute before the seven kittens were born.
If you ever want to do the cat world a favour, adopt a rescue, and don’t buy a purebred. Donate food to a shelter, help raise funds through a yard sale or spread the word if there is one. Right now, in Winnipeg, one kitten adoption group has more than 240 kittens in its care, and we are just coming into the next kitten cycle. Advertisements are everywhere for beautiful senior cats whose owners have died and need a home. There are so many. The Girls have given me more joy and love than I will ever do for them. They are surely a cause for celebration when it comes to lowering stress.
The problem today is that you cannot have pets if you live in a 55+ or assisted living, normally. Many apartments do not allow pets. I looked at a condo overlooking Lake Winnipeg not long ago when caring for my husband, and the garden just seemed too much. The problem – they would only allow me two of the four girls. I couldn’t separate them! And, of course, the other problem was leaving the garden animals. — But, it occurred to me that there is a real problem with people being able to have pets live with them. Don’t these places know that pets can lengthen one’s life and add joy, aiding in pain relief and easing tension?
I want to start our day with something entirely different. It does involve feathers, though. I love getting letters and messages, and this story about MOMA moved me. It comes from a reader who rescues budgies. Many are elderly. MOMA was one of those lucky to find their way to this caring home. She didn’t live long, but she lived well and with love. I thought she deserved her own spot, but more news came pouring in, so here we go, first up – MOMA, the gorgeous blue and white budgie. Just look at her below.
These are the words of a lovely woman, ‘J’, who lives in Europe and rescues budgies. She currently cares for fifteen – the maximum she feels she can feed and provide veterinary care. There are hundreds, if not thousands, out there needing homes, found in deplorable conditions. She is contacted often to see if she can take any more. People need to realise the amount of care that is required, the cost of food, and veterinary costs. Even getting beaks trimmed costs at least 30 Euros. ‘J’ has always told me to tell everyone to please help stop the sale of pets at pet stores and their breeding. There are already too many wanting to find homes – sounds like our cat situation, too. So please keep that in mind.
Thanks ‘J’ for sharing Moma’s story with us. These are ‘J’s words:
Since the beginning after I read your bio I wanted to tell you about Momo. Because it involves pottery. In the year 2000 I did a course in pottery. Just a beginner, so I wasn’t very good, but I enjoyed it very much and made cups so small they’re only good for japanese tea ceremonies or such. One day though, my piece got higher and higher… My teacher came and put her hands over mine to stabilize them, and with her help I made a wonderful piece that I made into an oil therapy lamp. Years later, when the birds moved in, I couldn’t use it anymore, so I just put it on top of a cupboard.
Today, exactly four years ago, Mia and Momo moved in. On the same day, but from two different people. Mia came first and her bringer stayed quite a while, because they’re car broke down. Instead of waiting in the car she of course waited in my kitchen where Mia stood in a small cage. Then Momo was brought, and the moment her bringers left, Momo’s bringer said “WHAT is that?!”. Not very nice, but very understandable, because you had to look twice to say that the little bundle of eh what? was indeed a budgie. Or as I said to my vet: If she had been human I would have said Momo was a bag lady who had been living on the streets for many years. She was very small, and bent. Momo was found outside in such a bad state that her first avian vet was surprised she survived. Gotten to know her I’m not: Momo was a Tough Cookie!! Her age of course was unknown, but everyone agreed she had to be over 10 years of age.
Since she needed some peace and quiet now and then from the rest of the flock (the reason she moved into her own home in the first place) and also needed to be underneath the bird lamp, I put her in the big cage, lamp an all, which normally was left open so Momo could get visitors, but that I could close to give her some rest.
dig
I couldn’t leave her on the hard cold floor, because her feet/legs were badly (don’t know the correct word) “hurt” because she was laying on them all the time. You can see what she thought of my efforts. She kept shredding the kitchen paper and throwing it out.
I finally found a solution she accepted in a piece of synthetic cloth that came with one of my early mistakes (I bought a “hut” because it looked so cute). Well, she mostly accepted it…
dig
Even a bird as small as Momo does NOT fit in this lamp, often her tail stuck out through one of the star holes I made – hilarious. Her poor tail had looked poorly from the start, being in the lamp didn’t help. So I went out and bought five different houses with more room. Momo went into one, looked around, walked out and went back into the lamp and that was it.
Going to the vet was easy: why catch her, when I can just grab the lamp? Can you imagine the face of my vet, opening the box expecting a travel cage and instead looking at an oil therapy lamp??
Unfortunately, Momo didn’t get to stay long with us, she died only 7 months later. But what a 7 months they were. I am in awe of this little bird. She was so courageous, so tough and did things HER way. I was lucky to get to know her, she was one special Lady.
What a lovely story. The little bird had “Cataracts, arthritis, sores on legs, scrambled feet, bent back, and this tiny little bird lived the best life she could live.” A bit of a lesson to us all!
At Port Lincoln, the first egg of the season was laid early Monday morning. Congratulations! Mark your calendars for pip watch: 21-22nd of September.
At the NE Florida Bald Eagle nest, Beau continues to wait for Gabby’s arrival with fish on the nest! Typically, she does not return til September.
The Captiva Eagle cam is not streaming yet, but Clive is home! We have seen Jack earlier at the Osprey nest. Poor guy still has that spike in his leg, but he seems to be flying and feeding well.
My goodness C16 is a gorgeous osprey at Charlo! And look at that stunning background.
It looks like Iris and Antali at the Hellgate Canyon nest so far on Sunday (up to 1354).
Finn delivers a massive fish to Antali that will surely make him sleep well!
There have been juveniles at Blackbush at Old Tracadie Harbour osprey platform. Gosh, I wish chicks were banded in the US – at least the ones on streaming cams – so we could see who is still coming to the nest.
There is at least one juvenile coming to the Field Farm osprey platform for food while the nest cleaners wait to see what is left for them.
Juveniles continue to come to the Oyster Bay nest on Long Island.
No one appears to be home at PSEG’s other osprey platform in Patchogue – that is for the little sparrows who have their nest in the bottom of the osprey’s.
Keke is still with us at Sandpoint. She watches as River eats its morning fish.
Only Bob is still home at Boulder and still being fed.
I am seeing no action at the Cowlitz Osprey platform in Washington State. That doesn’t mean the ospreys are not around. I have just not caught them on the nest.
It appears that three ospreys – Louise, Harvie, and a juvenile were at the Fortis-Exshaw nest in Canmore, Alberta on Sunday.
Olsen is delivering fish to the Osoyoos nest. By 1331, he had delivered a goldfish, a twiddler, and another small fish to waiting juveniles. Soo is there too, she took a fish and Olsen worked on the egg cup.
Viki reports that all of the ospreys around Island Creek, except for Mr Bennett, have departed for their migrations. The Bald Eagles are currently returning to the area and that does seem to be the case elsewhere. I will be curious to see if the eagles lay their eggs earlier this year?
At Poole Harbour, one of the chatters (‘HW’) cited the fish deliveries at that nest in southern England: “Fish today – 12:25 (022 -> 5H6), 14:45 (022 -> 5R0), 14:55 (CJ7 -> Unclaimed), 16:00 (022 -> 5R2), 20:07 (CJ7 -> 5H6)”. It would then appear that the female CJ7 is still at the nest helping with deliveries and has not begun her migration.
Three of the four had fish at the nest with the youngest one 5H6 winning two deliveries including a royal battle with the 2007 delivery by CJ7.
Poor Dad. He needs to get out of their quick. Talons are snapping. This is one huge dust up!!!!!!!!!!!
The baby wins the fish.
Key dates for this breeding season and it is 5R1 that we have not seen at the nest on Sunday. CJ7 migrated on 2 September last year after fledglings migrated on the 27th and 29th of August. CJ7 hatched at Rutland in 2015. She is 9 years old. Blue 022 was translocated to Poole Harbour in 2019. He is 5 years old.
Two beautiful juveniles at Hope and Beaumont’s nest in Newfoundland. What a great year they had too!
There is more news coming from Captiva with Window to Wildlife:
Please remind everyone! The stores are now full of Halloween decorations – tell friends, family, and neighbours.
Geemeff’s daily summary for Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust.
Daily summary Sunday 25th August 2024 Another day with no activity, unless you count the spiders – both nests now have a resident spider who looks spectacular on night cam, appearing huge and spinning a gigantic web. It was as wet and windy as forecast with just the odd moment here and there of sunshine stealing through, no change expected tomorrow. This time last year we saw Ludo LY7 for the last time on nest cam, and off-nest reports from LizB informed us she’d sighted an Osprey with fish in Louis’ perch tree for several hours in the late afternoon which was probably Louis sticking around, but of course, there’s no need for him to do so this year, and he hasn’t been seen since 30th July. I
t would be lovely if Garry LV0, last seen a few days ago on the 22nd, popped in if he’s still around. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.26.30 (05.26.20); Nest Two 21.24.45 (05.35.29) Today’s videos: none! Bonus reintroduction projects – a David Attenborough video explaining the highly successful Rutland translocation, and a news item about the new Irish Osprey project:https://youtu.be/BR2M1Jgvess https://belfastmedia.com/dulra-let-s-make-the-osprey-a-symbol-of-the-lough https://youtu.be/pRLsj6nkSzM N2 Farewell to Ludo – final visit to the nest in 2023
Watch the Loch Arkaig Osprey livestream 24/7 and join in the conversation here:
I missed ‘A’s post for Sunday at the Olympic Sea Eagle nest. Here it is, “This morning there was a big fish on the nest when Lady decided to have a nibble herself and then, soon after 06:01, start feeding SE33, who seems hungry and is eager to eat. SE34 slumbers on, his back to the table. He wakes up and stretches a little just before 06:02 but immediately pushed the snooze button. Just before 06:11, he wakes up properly and lifts his head to survey the scene. He is still facing the wrong way. He’s in no hurry, lying there just looking around. SUCH a cutie. He is adorable. Soon after 06:16, he finally gets up and turns to face Lady. He is much closer to her than is SE33, and when she offers SE34 his first mouthful of the day, at 06:16:41, he readily takes it. Lady tucks into the fish herself, and while he’s waiting, SE34 edges closer. SE33 is also sitting up at the table, and when Lady finally offers a bite to the eaglets, it is to SE33. Lady returns to eating. The next bite, at 06:18:10, goes to SE33. At 06:18:21, Lady gives a bite to SE34. When he takes it, SE33 immediately beaks him. He lays his head down on the nest, while Lady immediately distracts SE33 with a bite of food. She then feeds SE33 for some time. It is 06:23 before SE34 again lifts his head. But he refuses a bite at 06:23:09 and another 12 seconds later, with SE33 leaning in his direction. Lady feeds SE33. SE34’s head is down on the nest. Lady picks up a dropped piece from next to SE34, who lies still, his head down. SE33 has a huge crop at this stage. There is still plenty of fish, and somehow, SE33 is finding space to eat more of it. 06:25 and Lady is unsure of what to do. She steps back, some fish in her beak, and surveys the eaglets. She eats the bite herself. She walks over to the two, wondering whether to brood them, but with Dad waiting behind the nest on the perch branch, his eyes on the two-thirds of a large fish still on the nest, Lady turns back and grabs the fish, pulling it closer to the eaglets and further from Dad. 06:27 and SE33 surely must be full. It feels so good, it stands tall and flaps its little wings. 06:27:20, Lady reaches out to offer fish to SE34, who refuses it, pulling away and putting his head back down onto the nest. Lady eats it herself, and the next bite. SE34 stretches his little wings, standing up a little and leaning forwards. He looks at Lady, but when she offers him food, he is too scared to take it. Just before 06:28, she again tries to get SE34 to eat but he is again too scared to reach for the bite. He puts his head back down on the nest while Lady offers the bite to SE33.
SE34’s head is up and he is watching Lady as she offers him another bite at 06:28:41 but he pulls away. Lady returns to eating herself, occasionally offering a bite to SE33. Dad has retreated up the branch and has turned his back on the nest, giving up on the idea of removing the fish – at least for now. 06:19:15 and SE34’s head is up. It is 06:28 and mum is still feeding SE33, with SE34 too scared to eat. His head is up and he is watching everything but he stays down. He recoils when Lady offers him a bite. 06:29 and Lady, eating quite a bit herself, is still feeding SE33. 06:29:25 and SE33 finally stands up and waddles away from the table, turning around (carefully, with an enormous crop). At last, at 06:29:39, SE34 accepts a bite of food from Lady without hesitation. He is still nervous when she picks up a dropped piece from near him, which she feeds to SE33, and SE34 pulls away slightly. 06:30 and Lady is cleaning all the dropped pieces from the table and feeding them to SE33. Lady returns to the fish, where she eats several bites herself before offering one to SE34. He is reluctant, and she is very patient and persistent with him, to no avail. At 06:31 she gives up and eats it herself. 06:31:31, it is as if SE34 has suddenly made a decision. He lifts his head and looks at mum. He shuffles forward. SE33 has left the table, but is behind SE34.
However, SE34 is still too nervous to accept the bite he is offered. 06:31:39. At 06:31:47, he finally accepts a small piece. And another 15 seconds later. And a third, larger piece just after 06:32. And another. And another. Lady is eating a lot herself, but every 10 seconds or so, she gives a bite to SE34, who is now taking them all. There is a gap between two of the bites, and when Lady offers the next one, SE34 pulls away sharply, as if startled and fearful. Lady rips the skin off the fish and eats it, leaving the juicy fleshy part of the fish, now easy to get at. SE34 is watching her closely. When she offers him a big bite at 06:33:30, he accepts it readily. Lady has to offer him the next bite three times, however, before he has the courage to grab it. SE33 has sat up now, which has perhaps made him nervous. Still, he is less scared in taking a big bite at 06:34. But in doing so, he becomes aware of the proximity of SE33 and is very nervous about accepting another bite. Probably, SE33’s huge crop brushed him as it turned away, and SE34 takes the next bite. And the next, and the next. SE34 is now eating with more confidence and SE33, full and content, is resting its giant crop, lying behind SE34 and surveying its forest world, having a yawn. Oh, butter wouldn’t melt in that sweet beak. Surely it would never bonk a younger sibling! It’s angelic.
06:35 and finally, SE34 is getting fed some breakfast. SE33 surveys the canopy above, gazing around its nest. It turns to check out the ongoing feeding of SE34 but soon returns to its fascination with its surroundings. 06:36 and SE34 is eating really well. Lady is feeding fast, and giving him big bites, but SE34 is managing them well. He is hungry and eager to eat. Lady occasionally takes a couple of bites herself. 06:37 and SE34 is suddenly in need of a break. He pauses, perhaps dealing with previous bites. He has eaten a large amount of fish in a relatively short period of time, and seems full at 06:37:24, but Lady coaxes him and he takes another bite. And another at 06:37:30. He has his second wind and continues to eat. He is still nervous, though, and when he drops a bite and Lady retrieves it from beneath him, he cringes and refuses the resulting bite. Lady pauses for a short snack, then offers SE34 a bite at 06:38:36. He is ready to take it. Lady continues feeding SE34, now offering him smaller bites. He eats manfully on, 06:40 and Lady is still feeding SE34, who is eating confidently.
This feeding was both reassuring and worrying. SE34 is obviously not confident when eating. Lady is persisting, and there is plenty of fish on the nest, so I remain confident that the outcome will be positive. But the process may be a nervous watch, with SE34 periodically missing out on meals and being fairly randomly bonked by SE33. I think the random nature of the attacks are part of the problem. Sometimes, SE33 is laidback and has no objection to her little brother’s participation in a meal. At other times, she is positively Zoe-like, intolerant of SE34 getting a single bite even when her own crop is absolutely massive. And there is little or no effort from SE34 to ensure he gets himself fed. It is entirely dependent on Lady’s patience and persistence. If she does not ensure that SE34 eats, there is every likelihood that he won’t. This does not bode well for his future survival prospects. If he lacks the drive to ensure its own survival in a relatively friendly nest environment with a helpful and experienced parent, I hate to think of its chances when it comes to seeing off those pesky birds that we know will shadow his every move once he fledges. I hate to say that, but in order to survive, these sea eaglets need some spunk. They need spirit and the drive to survive. I am not seeing that in SE34, which I find disturbing and concerning.
But it’s not meant to be a depressing post – SE34 had a full tummy to start the day, as did SE33, and with plentiful sushi on offer on the nest at most times of the day, let’s hope things continue to work out for SE34. If his size relative to SE33 is anything to go by, he has caught up a little bit in the past week, so the parents must be successfully getting enough food into the little man. I do hope he gains in confidence, which is such an essential quality for a successful future as an eaglet fledging into this forest. He won’t stand a chance against that army of pestering small birds if he can’t stand up for himself against imaginary threats like mum moving too close. Nor has he shown any ingenuity when it comes to getting fed. He has not moved away from SE33 or tried to skirt around it to ensure a better feeding position. He worries me in that respect. But please prove me wrong, SE34. Lady and Dad are certainly doing their best. Even mum is bringing in fish, of which there appears to be no current shortage in their favourite fishing areas.”
Today’s report from A on the sea eaglets and weather: “At 06:42, the eaglets are sitting up at the table side by side, looking adorable, but Lady is only feeding SE33. She sees that SE34 is not confident enough to take a bite. But SE33 soon decided it could no longer fit fish into its giant crop, and turned away from the table 06:42:20. S/he then lay down behind SE34. When he took a bite from mum and was not beaked for it, SE34 was emboldened to take another bite and another. Mum then proceeded to feed SE34 the remainder of the fish. He ignored SE33, who in turn was more interested in playing with nest material than bonking her little brother.
06:42:42 and SE34 is STILL pulling away from Lady offering a bite of fish. SE33 is not interested and SE34 can see that as he looks over his shoulder, but he still cringes away from the next bite offered, just before 06:43 and the next. Mum is patient, offering the bite a third time at 06:43:10 but again it is refused. But six seconds later, SE34 takes the bite and nothing happens. But as Lady offers the next bite, SE33 sits up again and SE34 turns his head away. Lady offers SE33 the bite but s/he isn’t interested and moves away. This gives SE34 the courage to take the bite offered at 06:43:45 and another five seconds later. SE34 turns away from the next bite but Lady is patient, offering it to him again, waiting, offering it again. Finally, it is taken.
Lady keeps offering bites and SE34 cringes away, feeling SE33 moving behind him. Eventually though, he accepts a bite, but cringes away again from the next, even though Lady patiently offers it to him several times. His head is turned away from Lady. After much coaxing, he accepts a bite at 06:45:45 and another ten seconds later. And another two in the ten seconds after that.
From this point, Lady feeds SE34 the rest of the fish. SE34 gets to eat a large amount of very fresh fish and by 06:57, he has a crop that rivals SE33’s. Just LOOK at it at 06:57:15-20!!!! Just look at those bright little eyes and that shiny little black beak. Is that not just absolutely adorable? And that’s a nice way to start the day – both eaglets with giant crops before 7am, and a nice feed for Lady as well. Fabulous.
We are expecting gale force winds over the next 36 hours and I think Orange may be affected. Sydney is on the fringes of the impacted area but should be okay. Melbourne shouldn’t be hit. “
‘A’ reports on the Royal Cam chick: “He is magnificent. It literally brings tears to my eyes, emphasising as it does how very little time we have left with these gorgeous chicks. As I was saying the other day, we are spoiled in the sense that it is a very very long season, with a long incubation period and a long pre-fledging period. But that does have the effect of giving us a very long time to fall deeply in love with these beautiful creatures. Seven or eight months is a very long time to watch them prepare for the flight of their lives. Or, rather, the flight that is their lives. They’ve never even practised fishing and off they go, heading for the coast of Chile, completely alone in the world and without any skills at all. There are no training wheels for albatross chicks.
We will miss you little man. You are gorgeous. Both parents have been in to feed TF in the past few days, so at least we know that they’re okay. It is always a worry for me, waiting for a parent to return and counting the days. “
Scientists are asking us to help them find species of rare birds. Can you help?
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, stories, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today. ‘A, Geemeff, J, VV’, Moma, Melbourne Falcon Cam, Port Lincoln Ospreys, NEFL_AEF, Jenny Peckham, Charlo Montana, Montana Osprey Project, Blackbush at Old Tracedie Harbour, Field Farm, PSEG, Sandpoint, Boulder County, Cowlitz PUD, Fortis-Exshaw (Canmore and Osoyoos), BoPH, Newfoundland Power, Window to Wildlife, and Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Olympic Park Eagles, SK Hideaways, Lady Hawk, and The New York Times.
Friday was the last full day of our time in Nova Scotia, and it turned out to be a blockbuster day. We arrived at Evangeline Beach in time for the Semipalmated Sandpiper murmurations! After arriving from Hudson Bay and the Arctic region, thousands of shorebirds feed on the mollusc. They will fill their bellies and get the much-needed fat on their bones in Nova Scotia before heading off for their flight to South America. It was one of the most magical moments I can remember.
I will post images from the long lens camera – thankfully I took the 600 mm. This is a poor video from my iPhone.
Turning left out of the beach road, a lone eagle was waiting for someone to toss out a dead chicken from one of the barns at a local farm.
There were eagles all along the road, sitting on hydro poles near the corn fields waiting for prey! I have images of them on my other camera and will post those for Monday. The day turned out to be really nice in terms of bird sightings.
The Eastern Kingbirds and Northern Mockingbirds have been around the animal sanctuary. The Mockingbirds particularly like the raspberries! The animals are positively charming. We respect what Jen and Will are trying to do here, taking in unwanted or abused farm animals – including a couple of feral cats. It is a lot of hard work, from dawn to dusk. I appreciate the cost of feeding and the vet care necessary for the animals, not to mention the upkeep of fencing! They sure don’t do it for the donations – it is sheer love.
This is Jen with Cece. A woman phoned at Christmas, wanting to know what to do with her newly born pot-bellied pigs. Could Jen help? At the end of it all, the baby piglets died all but one, and it was very tiny and sick when Jen finally was able to rescue it. Cece fit in the palm of Jen’s hand and had to be fed by a syringe. Cece lived to the surprise of many and thrived. Just look at her now! She is trained to live in a house but is learning to live with the other animals running free on the five-acre property.
There are too many wanting pot-bellied pigs for pets. They do grow, they need to be spayed or neutered and they need exercise. Many people do not understand how intelligent they are and are not equipped to take proper care of them. Jen now has eleven!
These two are below the apple tree. They love the apples and rolling in the mud in the little stream next to the tree.
The sheep are lovely. Not as trusting as some of the other animals. These two, mother and daughter, were quite abused and again, not expected to live. It is a testament to the knowledge and dedication — and love – that Jen gives to them. They are thriving like the donkey and the pony that are now nearly 30 years old.
The owner of the rooster had to move and could not keep him. They loved the rooster so much that they offered to help with its upkeep for as long as it lived. The rooster is thriving.
This turkey missed being someone’s dinner on Thanksgiving! It loves nothing more than a good dirt bath.
The sanctuary began with five goats that were not expected to survive. They did, and here they are now—adorable. They love people and want nothing more than to be petted.
Staying at the sanctuary enriched our holiday. I learned so much and am appalled at how harmful humans can be. It is unbelievable what we do to other living souls. It was a real joy to be in a place where life is respected.
Other adventures. included the wonderful surprises awaiting in the small town. Two decades ago, Canning was a small village that appeared destined to fold. Today, with the help of the local distilleries, wineries, tourists, and a group of young entrepreneurs, the town has taken on a new life.
The coffee was fantastic, too! The baking was delicious and is in high demand so you have to arrive early in the day to have good choices. Everything is gone around 1400 and the little shop closes at 1500. They seem to be doing well. They also sell some of the local coffee roasters beans along with pottery and art work including that of Will, one of the owners where we are staying.
The relaxed way of life, the charm of the small villages, and the friendliness of the people helped us enjoy every minute of the time we were visiting the Annapolis Valley. I look forward to returning!
Turning back to Bird World – Dr Green has found Antali. Everyone was quite worried. Antali is spending time with Dad, Finnegan, down river and is being fed well. Maybe Iris and Finnegan are dividing up the responsibilities for the two with Iris providing for Sum-eh???
‘PB’ sent me an image of Finnegan’s latest catch. My goodness. Him and Antali will be having a feast!
After spending so much time around tourists, beaches, and shorebirds, I completely understand the need to protect their nests!
The issue of the industrial fishing of the Menhaden is also harming the Striped Bass. It is the food chain. The commercial fishing needs to stop, not only in the Bay but also far enough away from the its mouth so that there might be some hope for the fish to recover in terms of populations, but this will not happen unless there is an immediate moratorium.
Geemeff’s summary for Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust:
Daily summary Friday 16th August 2024
Garry LV0 and Affric 152 spent hours on the nest again today. Although Affric gave Garry much vocal encouragement, he only brought moss to the nest, no fish. Fundación Migres provided more photos of the Scottish cohort including our chick 1JW, we’re not sure which photo he’s in but all the birds look in magnificent shape as they prepare for migration. Photos and tweets cobbled together into a video for those who don’t get on with TwiX. Weather-wise it was wet and windy as forecast, and more of the same tonight but with a possibility of dry spells tomorrow.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.56.53 (05.06.56); Nest Two 21.47.01 (05.13.30)
“At Taiaroa Head, TF chick is doing well, according to his latest weighing. He has been fed regularly by his parents over the past two weeks. The chicks are all starting to flap and hop, stretching their wings to feel the wind. It is so sad to think that when they go, they are leaving for up to five years, heading for South America (off the coast of Chile) and not returning to Taiaroa Head for four to five years, when they will return to their natal nesting area to find a mate. We have a long time to become deeply attached to these chicks, born in January and leaving us in September. That’s many months to fall in love with them, watch them, wait for their parents, and hope for their wellbeing. It is such a bittersweet moment, and I will never forget the look of sheer bliss on Lilibet’s face as she fledged into the storm. It was an amazing thing to watch live. I felt very privileged indeed.”
“Lady is doing a great job of feeding the eaglet, really stretching to reach it and giving it just the right sized pieces, and the chick in turn is a great little feeder. SE34 is hungry and is eager to reach out for the bites. I did notice a size difference between the chicks yesterday or the day before, but they are still relatively closely matched. Once or twice, when Lady goes to clean bits of fish off SE34’s face, the eaglet shrinks as if intimidated and on one occasion ducks and tucks, but in general, it seems confident when eating.
Just before 15:53, after SE34 really reaches to grab a big bite, Lady drags the fish closer to the chicks. Shortly before 15:54, SE33 wakes up. SE34 continues to accept the bites Lady offers. SE33 is sitting up and watching the feeding. It has a PS, but does not interfere as SE34 continues to eat, not appearing to be intimidated at all by its sibling.
The two eaglets were left alone on the nest for a lot of time today – it was a sunny spring day and I doubt they were cold, and I also presume there was a parent within eyeshot somewhere, though I didn’t see either.
At 15:55 SE34 is being very careful not to look SE33 directly in the eye, but is not scared to accept yet another bite of fish. SE33 does another (small) PS. Lady continues feeding SE34, who continues taking mouthfuls without hesitation. SE33 sits beside SE34 at the table but is not being offered food, so competes for a bite. Lady looks slightly startled.
At 15:56 Lady gives a bite to SE33. At 15:56:35 the next bite goes to SE34 and SE33 decides to take exception, beaking its sibling in the head. It grabs a beakful of head feathers and twists at the back of SE34’s head. No damage is being done but SE33 is definitely frustrated and continues its attack for a full 20 seconds before looking up at mum. SE34 stays down.
Lady offers SE33 a bite, then proceeds to clean up the table, have a few bites herself, and generally not feed SE33. She offers a bite around 15:58 but there is no interest. She offers another and SE33 accepts it. Lady gives SE33 a second bite, then a third, and SE34 lifts its head. Lady continues feeding SE33 (who has the remains of an earlier crop). SE34 is getting squashed by its sibling. 16:02 and the feeding of SE33 continues. SE34 watches but is not offered any bites, nor does it compete for any. On the other hand, SE34 is pretty full by now, with a very respectable crop, and is certainly not intimidated, with its head up. At 16:02:45 Lady offers a bite to SE34, who accepts it without hesitation. There is no reaction from SE33. So it appears the bonking that is occurring on this nest is not causing problems with SE34’s feeding. SE34 is not intimidated out of eating and Lady is keeping an eye on your younger hatch. So far, so good. But as we know, these nests are very volatile and the dynamics can change rapidly and dramatically. Talons crossed that Lady and Dad do their usual sterling job. “
Thank you so much for being with us today. There will not be a posting on Sunday as we arrive home late Saturday. I will look forward to sharing some of the images of the shorebirds and more eagles on Monday. In the meantime, take care of yourself. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for the posts, notes, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, BAH, Geemeff, H, PB’, Jen Lussing and Will Cooper and the animals at the LAILO Farm Sanctuary, Aspinall Pottery, The Village Coffee Shop, Montana Osprey Cam FB, Montana Osprey Project, BirdGuides, Menhaden- Little Fish, Big Deal, Maryland DNR, Geemeff and the Woodland Trust, NZ-DOC and Cornell Bird Lab, and Olympic Park Eagles.
Hello from the Annapolis Valley where it is now day 4 of the holiday and today will see some ‘birding’. Yesterday was tourist time and today, with the fog rolling off the hills as the sun comes up, it will be a little more quiet. I am sitting here eating thick slices of a type of brown oatmeal bread laced with molasses that is popular in the area. It is delicious. The farmer’s markets are full of corn, strawberries, peaches, cantaloupes, and blackberries – all from the surrounding fields. Yesterday, driving down the highway we spotted a canal full of Cormorants. I have not seen a single Eagle! or Osprey. Maybe we can remedy that in the next couple of days. We are also checking out one of the best hidden gems in terms of restaurants – The Noodle Guy in Port Williams today.
I hope that all of you are having a good week.
The big news in Bird World when I returned to the animal sanctuary was that Antali had fledged. Thanks ‘B’ and Geemeff. I was out, I missed it, and what joy it was to see those subject lines. Iris and Finnegan now will train their two wonderful kids to live in the world safely. So happy. Just in tears.
Antali on the pole. The cam operator does a fantastic job looking over the landscape for the ospreys. And chicks landing on the nest and taking off again wanting fish.
A comments: “At 16:39 one of the osplets landed back on the Hellgate nest and although it looked a lot like Sumeh, the way it immediately flopped down onto the nest, duckling style, was more reminiscent of Antali. Sumeh rarely rests in that position. Antali usually does. Whichever it was, there was much calling for fish (in vain). Finn arrived soon after 17:00 with empty talons. Soon after 17:18 he flies off, presumably to acquire some fish. Soon after 17:28, our fledgling flies off the nest. At 18:56 the fledgling is back – the legs look like Sumeh but I honestly find these two increasingly difficult to distinguish in recent weeks, and when they’re not side by side, I’m useless and end up relying on behavioural cues. But the flying to and from the nest is more what one would expect of Antali today. He only fledged today, and he is probably hoping for a celebratory snack. “
Wednesday was a lot of driving. Manitoba is flat. Nova Scotia is hilly with winding roads, up and down. It seems to take longer to get anywhere. That said, I had to keep reminding myself that it is summer and people are on holidays and they love Nova Scotia with its rich history.
My first stop was Annapolis Royal. Annapolis Royal is one of the most interesting places for history buffs. Originally inhabited by the Mi’kmag, the area became increasingly important to European powers vying for positions in North America. The French arrived in 1605 to be followed by the English and Scots. The guidebooks like to remind visitors that Port Royal (what Annapolis Royal was called prior to 1710) has a longer history than any of the settlements in the Eastern US such as Plymouth and Jamestown and Quebec.
Fort Anne. Part of what remains of the first French fort.
The history of the Fort and the Europeans in the area. (It was too hard for me to condense all of this rich culture!)
All around the region, there are dykes like the ones below.
Port Royal was the capital of the Arcadian region – the name later dropped the ‘r’ and it became Acadian. The British wanted the rich farming land and when they took control of the region and shipped the Acadians ‘out’. Do you know the term Cajun? in Louisiana? They came from this region of Nova Scotia – from Port Royal to Grand Pre. They were magnificent farmers using the sod-covered earth dykes to keep out the very high tidal waters. They harvested the mud/rich soil left when the tides receded. Their crops flourished.
For humans to enter but not for animals (really?).
Garrison House. The brochure says, “Originally constructed in 1854 as “The Temperance Hotel,” Garrison House Inn occupies a land with a legacy that dates back to Annapolis Royal’s time as the capital of Nova Scotia from 1621 to 1749. Over the years, our inn has evolved, expanding in the 1880s to include a summer wing and spacious walk-in dormer windows on the third floor. This transformation earned it the new name of “The American House,” solidifying its reputation among the notable inns in Annapolis Royal NS. As the era of sail gave way to a new chapter, Garrison House Inn embarked on a unique journey. It became the cherished residence and medical practice for a visionary doctor and his prodigious family, breathing new life into the historic rooms until 1971. Later, a passionate hotelier took the reins, renaming the inn “The Garrison House” in honor of its illustrious neighbor, Fort Anne National Historic Site. This connection to the center of military conflicts between France and England in the 17th and 18th centuries adds to the allure of staying at one of the finest places to stay in Annapolis Royal.
Today, Garrison House Inn stands as a testament to the rich heritage and warm hospitality of Annapolis Royal. “
One of the most popular lunches in Nova Scotia in the summer, particularly in this corn growing area, is corn chowder. Corn chowder, scones, and a lemon tart. Perfect.
After lunch it was off to try and find out a little more about the folk artist, Maud Lewis.
This is the site of the original house she shared with Everett. The original frame house is in the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. The house was 160 sq ft with a tiny loft that held the bed.
A welded steel building fabricated to the exact specifications of the original house.
People leave toys and painted rocks in tribute to Maud Lewis.
The house is now in the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in Halifax.
A replica was built by the couple’s friend, Murray Ross, on his property, about 8km from the original site. There is also a shed behind the house like the one Everett had for his wood shop and storage area. Today, it is a gift shop, and one of the most popular and often sold-out items is a birdhouse designed after the house and painted like it.
Murray makes tourist items such as the ‘bank’ below or bird houses, tulips on wooden dowels, and painted scallops, and has laminated images of Maud’s work. In her lifetime, Maud sold her paintings for $5 or $6. Today, at auction, they are worth tens of thousands if not more, depending on the subject.
There are hidden little gems around each corner and old memories. Where we get our ice cream, you can go for a walk around a pond with ducks, visit the bunnies, and there is a playground around the second pond. I do love the lazy days of summer chatting to the goats, too. I wish they were wandering free like the ones at the sanctuary (or relatively free in big spaces).
Tourism and keeping local clients is key to the businesses in the area.
There is some news in Bird World besides Antali…
Chick #2 at Osoyoos (Middle, I believe) fledged on the 14th, too!
Jusr look at the wing span on the oldest of Beaumont and Hope’s osplets on the Snow Lane nest in Newfoundland. Hovering is going to come soon – and then fledge. We are a few days away. The second hatch is five days younger – the same spacing as Antali and Sum-eh.
Family portrait at Snow Lane. This is truly a miracle year for these two.
Fish dinner for River at Sandpoint?
Lots of waiting for fish deliveries! Lola and C16 at the Charlo Montana nest.
Second hatch at the Olympic Eagle nest is getting fiesty and giving back what it has gotten! Nothing but a bonk fest with these two well-suited chicks.
‘TU’ sent us a ‘lucky break’. This Magpie lands right by the Imperial Eagle on its nest. My goodness, it could have been lunch!
Nox is healing! What great news.
That despicable person who dumped dead raptors and bunnies (hares) – around a community shop has been identified and charged. I am waiting to see if the sentence will be worthy of 50 species and the horror it caused.
Geemeff’s summary for Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust:
Daily summary Wednesday 14th August 2024
The promised sunny intervals put in a brief appearance this afternoon but it was mainly damp and windy. Putting in a longer appearance was Garry LV0, who spent some time on Nest One. He was joined by Affric bringing a half-eaten fish which she’d probably got from Garry off-nest. An unidentified bird flew across the cam view in the distance, and that was the end of the action on Nest One, with no action again on Nest Two. Tonight’s forecast for the Inver Mallie area is heavy rain, continuing for the next week.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.50.07 (04.49.23); Nest Two 21.44.15 (05.06.49)
Blast from the past – this day in 2022 gave us these delightful mindfulness moments beginning with a stunning sunrise on Nest One and ending with a gloriously colourful sunset seen from Nest Two. I recorded them in time-lapse and set to music, part of my Classic Ospreys series :
N1 Sunrise time lapse (Classic Ospreys – Schubert) 2022
N2 Sunset time lapse (Classic Ospreys – Bach) 2022
Annie and Archie are enjoying some time together and like all the other raptors, they are also molting.
Thank you for being with us today for this brief glimpse at a very joyful holiday and a few happenings in Bird World. Take care. Tomorrow I am heading to an old haunt, Hall’s Harbour and then to Grand Pre to look at more of the history of the Acadians. Friday will be along the South Shore in search of osprey platforms. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, B, Geemeff, PR, TU’, Hellgate Osprey, Montana Osprey Project, Murray Ross, Heidi McGrue, Newfoundland Power, Sandpoint Ospreys, Charlo Montana, Bird Life & More, @ewako252, California Raptor Centre, Raptor Persecution UK, The Guardian, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, SK Hideaways.
Gosh, it is almost the middle of August, and the French are well into their annual August vacation. The entire month is taken off with businesses in Paris closing and everyone (owners and staff) heading off to enjoy the countryside, time with their family and friends, and good food. I was fortunate to spend an entire month a few years ago in a pottery village (Le Borne) and it was there that the French taught me ‘really’ how to slow down and chase after the joy of life – finding a balance and not letting work take over everything. Sitting and tasting the best bread with a good cup of coffee in the morning in a garden could not have been matched by anything. Lunch with vegetables, local bread, and goat cheese could have come from a Michelin-star restaurant – it was that good. Walking through the forest, time to smell the wood burning in the kilns and touching centuries-old ceramics were simple but profound joys. Those memories and the people who I met have never left me. Calico suggests that everyone stop and smell the roses, turn off their cell phones, grab a good book, and pet a cat!
Hugo Yugo is precious. She continues to sleep under my chin during the night. She has grown some, but, in comparison to the others, she remains rather small.
Hugo Yugo and Baby Hope continue to play fight all day long. They keep their nice figures due to all the exercise. Hugo Yugo will have her first birthday on 2 September. Baby Hope came to live in the house on the 4th so we shall have a nice party to celebrate both.
Missey just loves parties. She wants lots of squeezy treats while Hope has ordered 5-grain bread with peanut butter, and Hugo Yugo wants a grilled cheese sandwich! Baby Hope will run you down for peanut butter. It makes me think that while she and Calico were living ‘wild,’ someone fed them bread and PB. Hugo Yugo loves cheese and every evening has to play ‘hockey’ with small pieces of a nice old cheddar. She knocks the piece off the countertop onto the floor and then knocks it about before eating it. I have always believed she needs calcium.
Yesterday I had images and for some strange reason, no text from ‘H’ despite her sending it in the same e-mail. It was like half of it was cut off on my computer and then, this afternoon there were 2 more e-mails with all the information. I am including the text now. It will give you good background on what is happening at the Fortis-Exshaw nest – which appears to be a repeat of last season’s dramatic and devastating year. ‘H’ did a great job in her report – apologies it is late.
“8/9 Fortis Exshaw osprey nest: There have been some intruder issues the past few days, but today was the worst so far. At 0700 Harvie delivered a fish and one of the three juveniles grabbed it. The female intruder showed up early. Initially she was passive, but by 0800 she started attacking the chicks. Over the next couple of hours the intruder dive-bombed the chicks at least 30 times. Sometimes she made significant contact with her talons, and a few times she was able to flip the chicks onto their backs. She landed in the nest several times, and would jump on the chicks. Only the two oldest osplets have fledged. Nakoda has yet to fly, and we were worried that Nakoda was going to get pushed off the nest. At 0851 the intruder flushed one of the fledglings off the nest and she gave chase. The intruder was establishing control. The two remaining chicks in the nest stayed tucked in submission. Any time they would so much as move a wing, the intruder would flap her wings at them. At 1003 Harvie brought another fish and the intruder grabbed it. Harvie jumped on her, the intruder flew out with the fish, and Harvie followed. After eating her fish, the intruder returned. She was in and out of the nest a few times, and jumped on the chicks a few times. At 1050 Harvie delivered another fish, a chick grabbed it, the intruder fought the chick for the fish, Harvie jumped on the intruder, Harvie left the nest and the intruder chased him. The intruder returned and took the fish.
At 1142 the intruder saw Louise approaching the nest and she immediately flew away. Louise is the only deterrent for this female intruder. Louse had brought a fish for the chicks. Louise stayed for about 10 minutes, and then she left. At 1154, the fledgling that had been flushed from the nest earlier returned to the nest. For the next few hours the family had some peace. Nakoda was practicing wingers, and getting some nice wind-assisted lift, and was even hovering. The intruder returned at 1524, and started doing her usual thing… dive-bombing, jumping on chicks, and flapping at the chicks. Harvie delivered a fish at 1621 and the intruder took it. Harvie dropped off more fish at 1700, 1720, and 1817, and thankfully the osplets were able to eat those. At 1843 the intruder was back, jumped on the chicks, and may have left with a piece of leftover fish. With the glare of the afternoon and evening sun, it became increasingly more difficult to see because of the dirt on the camera. At 1931 the intruder was back, and she appeared to arrive empty taloned. But, she soon started to eat. She must have found some more leftovers in the nest. While she was eating, she was intermittently flapping at the kids. Harvie brought another fish at 2006, and one of the chicks grabbed it. Harvie and the intruder stared at each other for a while, then Harvie left. The intruder continued to harass the chicks, but finally at 2127 she left for the night.
What a terrible day this family had. Louise’s presence is needed to keep this female intruder away. But, we only saw Louise once today. Is it possible that Louise is already curtailing her involvement with her family to begin her rest and recovery phase? Would she do that before they all have fledged? Well, we certainly hope to see more of Louise tomorrow. “Your kids still need you, Mom.”
8/9 Osoyoos osprey nest: Chick 2 was doing some nice wingers early in the morning, including some flap-hops going about 3/4 of the diameter of the nest. The first fish I saw was brought by Olsen at 1505. It was a large partial fish, and Chick 2 acquired it first and ate for about 4 minutes before Chick 1 took it from him. Chick 1 had the fish for a long time, finally leaving it at 1628. There was still a good size piece remaining, and Chick 2 started to work on it. By 1727, Chick 2 had accomplished all he could, because the remainder had a lot of dangling tough skin. Soo took over and fed both of her juvies. But, even Soo had a difficult time with the skin. At 1927 Olsen dropped off a small whole fish. Chick 2 grabbed the fish, and mantled strongly. Chick 2 ate the fish, and was able to rebuff Chick 1 each and every time Chick 1 tried to steal the fish. Nice moxie, Chick 2 ! “
Today’s post from ‘H’:
8/10 Fortis Exshaw osprey nest: The intruder was still around today, but she wasn’t nearly as aggressive toward the chicks as she was yesterday. She spent a few long periods of time at the nest. She would flap at the kids now and again, but there were only a few times that I saw the intruder jump on them. And, the intruder did not do all that dive-bombing like she did yesterday. I have 6 pages of notes on the day’s events, and I will summarize to spare you the minutiae. Harvie brought 9 fish to the nest, and the intruder managed to acquire 3 of them. The chicks didn’t make it easy for her, they fought the intruder for those fish. There were a couple of times when the intruder did not make a grab for the fish. She would simply ‘let’ them have it, and then she would just stand there and stare at them while they ate. Strange. But, it seems that poor Harvie is fishing for four. Sometimes when Harvie would make a delivery with the intruder on the nest, they would have a staring contest, and then Harvie would flap his wings at her, but he always flew away. One time, Harvie buzzed the intruder on his way out and made her duck. Harvie knows that he cannot afford to get hurt fighting her. The fact that we saw the intruder less often today may mean that Louise is helping to monitor the airspace in their territory. And, we did see Louise today. At 1211, an adult carrying a fish landed on the t-perch beside one of the fledglings that was believed to be Peyto. Then, the adult provided a nice long feeding to the juvie on the t-perch. It had to be Louise. The youngest chick, Nakoda, ate two whole fish today. Nakoda is no push-over when it comes to battles for the fish.
Nakoda branched today! At 1003 Nakoda flew up to the nest perch…wow! At 1040, after figuring out how to turn around on the perch, s/he hopped back down to the nest. Later on in the afternoon, Nakoda did several hovers that were out of our view lasting several seconds each time. Yesterday, those hovers by Nakoda were 90% due to the wind, but today the height and hang-time was 90% due to Nakoda’s skill. Prediction: Nakoda will fledge on 8/11, at 56 days of age. The three siblings are very difficult to differentiate by their appearance. We will do our best to determine when Nakoda fledges and when s/he returns to the nest.
In my opinion, it does not seem that this intruder wants to take over the nest. She is hungry, and wants some easy meals. Last year it was Louise against a male/female pair of intruders, and they definitely wanted to take over the nest. This year, it is Louise and Harvie against one intruder. Perhaps the intruder will decide to move along soon.
8/10 Osoyoos osprey nest: The live stream was frozen for about three hours today. But, we did see plenty of fish at the nest, including some really big ones. Some of the fish were obviously recycled… that is, they had previously been removed after everyone was full, and those same fish made return appearances. There were lots of feedings and self-feedings. A couple of times this morning, Chick 2 was seen doing some flap-hops all the way across the nest, from rim to rim… that’s progress! Unless I’ve missed it due to recent cam issues, I have not seen Chick 2 perform hovers with decent hang-times. Chick 2 is 64 days old on 8/11. Weather forecast for 8/11: partly cloudy with smoky air, high temp 90F/32C, winds gusting to 11 mph.
8/10 Fenwick Island osprey nest (Captain Mac’s Fish House): Johnny delivered two good sized fish today, and June did not disappoint when she caught her daily striped bass. ‘Fen’ ‘branched’ to the perch this morning, and hopped back down to the nest after about an hour. Fen will be 58 days old on 8/11, and I think he is ready to fly!
More than a few letters have come to the inbox about donations. We cheer, clap our hands, wish hard, pray, and jump up and down in support of our birds, especially those in distress. It is natural to want to rush and help fund their care and food. It just makes you the wonderful people who you are! This also happened after Meadow went into care and subsequently died. To begin, wildlife rehabilitation centres rely on donations. I know this because of our local rehabilitation centre, Wildlife Haven. They depend on volunteers and donations of all things, from bleach to large buildings, for flight training. But when to donate and what? This is going to depend on your personal circumstances. Having had many of you pour your hearts out after Meadow and Cobey passed, I think I have come up with a simple suggestion. If you wish to donate following a rescue, you might want to wait 48-72 hours. The wait period would allow insight into whether the bird might survive. Remember that anything can happen anytime – a bird looking as if it is improving might suddenly pass. We don’t have crystal balls. You might also want to save up and give to a rescue/rehabilitation centre at the end of the year. I like to watch what these centres are doing all year and like to help those that rise to the occasion to try and do anything to save the birds.
Speaking of rescues and rehabilitation, the Denton Homes fledglings are in flight training. Isn’t this marvellous. All survived. Thanks, ‘PB’.
The two osplets from the Green Ledge Light Preservation Society were holding on tight as the remnants of Debby hit Connecticut! I am waiting a post to see how they fared during that violent storm.
Geemeff’s summary for Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust:
Daily summary Saturday 10th August 2024
Both nest cam livestreams were restored by 09.30 this morning after yesterday’s shutdown which was due to the internet connection for the local area going down. Actually, in such a remote area where it’s very challenging to provide services, being able to watch the nest cams is a bit of a miracle. Therefore tonight’s bonus is about how the nest cams work with no wifi and no electrical plug points nearby. Today was wet and windy again with no sign of any Ospreys, but Nest Two did get some colourful visitors in the form of a pair of Crossbills. More rain is forecast for tonight, but there is the prospect of sunny intervals tomorrow.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.30.33 (04.45.22); Nest Two 22.23.05 (04.52.51)
A gorgeous image of Lady feeding her babies from the Olympic Park Eagle Cam:
As is typical, these little bobbleheads have begun to do some bonking. It will stop! It always does.
The Australian Museum describes the White-bellied Sea Eagle and how these fluffy little white nestlings will change: “The White-bellied Sea-Eagle has white on the head, rump and underparts and dark grey on the back and wings. In flight the black flight feathers on the wings are easily seen when the bird is viewed from below. The large, hooked bill is grey with a darker tip, and the eye is dark brown. The legs and feet are cream-white, with long black talons (claws). The sexes are similar. As in other raptors (birds of prey), Males (2.5 kg – 3.7 kg) are slightly smaller than females (2.8 kg – 4.2 kg).The wingspan is about 1.8 m – 2 m. Young Sea-Eagles are brown as juveniles than slowly become to resemble adults in a patchwork manner, acquiring the complete adult plumage by their fourth year.”
Iris, Sum-eh, and yet-to-fledge Antali.
Finnegan is very busy catching and delivering fish – Uber Dad!
‘A’ remarks: “Little Bro is getting lonesome on his own on that nest, but it so far has not prompted him to copy big sister Sumeh, who has been flying confidently for nearly a week now. C’mon Antali, you can do it! He’s having a pleasant nap in the late afternoon sun. Around 19:32 he begins looking around, and at 19:32:45 Finn arrives with a nice fresh fish, Sumeh hot on his tail.
Antali is fish begging and considering self-feeding but dad keeps moving the fish. He is looking around for Iris. Antali already has a noticeable crop and Sumeh is not asking for fish, so dad eats a bite or two himself. By 19:35, however, he has started feeding Antali. Sumeh just watches the feeding. She is very used to watching Antalia being fed, after all! He has always been completely confident about getting to the table and accepting bites of fish. I have never seen him intimidated at a feeding. Sumeh has been an amazing older sister. She is very laid-back indeed. Around 19:38 she begins to show some interest in the fish, but still waits to be offered a bite.
Finn begins feeding Sumeh and Antali stands up as tall as he can, turning away from the table. He has very long legs, which is the most obvious proof that he is a male. He is too cute. It’s Sumeh’s turn. Antali has a good crop.”
It is mid-afternoon Saturday at Charlo Montana and C16 could fly at any moment. Got so much height on its hover you couldn’t see it on camera!
C16 has not fledged as I write this Saturday evening but he could still fly as there is some time difference. Charlie delivered a fish and C16 had a nice fish dinner.
It was painful. The wind was gusting around the tree below the nest and C16 kept hovering. The sticks in the nest aren’t helping the matter. C16, you are going to fly soon – probably today or Sunday morning.
River and Keke continue to return to the nest waiting for some fish – just like nests all around the world. Chicks wait and watch for Dad flying in with a fish and they have a singular focus – nevermind who gets in the way! In that instance, being an Only Bob has an advantage.
The fledgling comes and goes from the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum nest wanting a fish dinner, too.
On the eve of the Inglorious 12th, there are more and more calls for regulations and the policing of the Red Grouse Moor shoots.
Pam Breci brings us up to date on the Fort Calhoun osprey family:
It is always reassuring that fledglings returning to the nest to get their fish. The Fab Four at Poole Harbour keep Blue 022 very busy! CJ7 is also delivering fish and some are being fed off nest because they show up on cam with a huge crop but have not been seen eating on camera.
Osplets fledge, on average, at 55-56 days after they hatch. They should return to the nest over and over again as they remain dependent on Mum and Dad until they migrate. Many say they stay until they can fish for themselves, but much research in the UK indicates that they actually don’t normally (there is always an exception) catch their first fish until they are on their way which is generally in September. The Mum will migrate first leaving the Dad behind to do the fishing for the chicks. In one year, I forget which one, Monty (Dyfi Ospreys) remained until the 20th of September til his chick fledged! The Dads and fledglings generally leave 2-3 weeks after Mum.
Please remind everyone you know that fish to please try their best not to leave lines and hooks. I know that lines break and there are snags on trees on the shore – if that is the case then everyone should pitch in to do bi-annual clean ups to protect the birds.
White Storks continue to move south throughout Europe feeding on the seeds left after harvest in places such as Lithuania and Croatia. Some have already made it to Europe. Black Storks are moving as well. Waba continues to feed in Ukraine near the Moldova border.
‘A’ reminds us that Xavier is getting excited for the possibility of eggs at the Charles Sturt Falcon scrape in Orange: “We are getting ready for egg watch at Orange. Certainly, Diamond and Xavier are in parental mode, with Xavier bringing food gifts, and the pair doing lots of bonding and mating frequently. The first egg was laid on 26 August last year, so we still have over a fortnight to go. We would be very happy with just the one, Diamond. I don’t want this pair worn out – they are not young falcons. Xavier has just come into the scrape, chupping away. There is no sign of Diamond, who is no doubt perched on the microwave or along the roof. Xavier is looking his usual handsome self. Adorable little falcon that he is. What a man. Remember his first season? Saviour, he most definitely was. “
Xavier brings breakfast and it is not a Starling to Diamond’s delight.
The Dorsett Hobby branched Saturday afternoon but did not fledge. Look to the top left. That is coming swiftly. Such a strong, beautiful little Hobby! (see further below)
Fish deliveries at the Muonio Osprey nest in Finland.
Did you know that Rita has her own FB page? Rita of Ron and Rita and the WRDC Eagle nest? Thanks, ‘J’.
There are no reported sightings of Blue at HWF-BBCentral area. We hope that s/he has found fish and will be heading north to Alaska to enjoy the salmon.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care of yourself!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, questions, videos, articles, images, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, H, J, PB’, Fortis Exshaw-Osoyoos, Fenwick Island, Fortis-Exshaw, SOAR, Greens Ledge Light Society, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Sea Eagle Cam, Australian Museum, Montana Osprey Project, Charlo Montana, Sandpoint Osprey Platform, MN-LA Ospreys, The Guardian, Pam Breci, Animal Welfare League of Arlington, Looduskalender, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam Project, Nesting Bird Life and More, Osp, Rita the Eagle FB, Dorsett Hobby Cam.
It is getting to the time when you need to be getting your ‘miracles’ of the year in! Deadline: Wednesday, the 7th of August, so Tuesday evening CDT is the deadline—about 2000. Even a single sentence! Let me know what made you happy this year. I won’t spoil it, but there is already a clear winner for the top miracle of the year. Can you guess what that was?
It is cooler on the Canadian Prairies. Imagine extreme heat (32 for us) and then waking up and thinking you need a jumper! That was what it was like Sunday morning. The garden animals are loving it!
I did have a bit of a scare this evening. All the Crows were about and two of them were ragged and had white on their breasts. Took a deep breath. It is Junior and his mate and they are molting. Poor things. Junior stays but she heads south in the fall. I hope one or two of the youngsters will be around with us for fall and winter. They have been busy tonight protecting their territory. Urban crows live in family groups taking over a specific area and making sure that other groups of crows don’t enter! That said, when the GHO arrives, everyone comes to help usher it out of the space.
The blog is a little all over the place today. Osprey nests are winding down with fledglings returning for fish and awaiting the time to depart for migration. People are starting to stop and look at the state of the eagle nests and – we are on pip watch for the Olympic Park White-Bellied Sea Eagles in Sydney!
Update: Confirmed pip for SE33!
The three osprey chicks at the Osprey House Environment Centre are doing very well. Three weeks old!
In Port Lincoln, Mum is resting on the barge nest. Yes, yes, it is all beginning to happen ‘down under’.
Xavier is delivering prey to Diamond in the scrape at Orange, Australia. Now all we need is the Melbourne CBD Falcon cam to come on line. Typically that is after the eggs are laid.
If this is your first time to watch ospreys, you might want to find out about their migration – as most (save for Florida and some Gulf areas, the Caribbean, and Austral-Asia) fly to winter homes.
Many of you will remember the Red-tail Hawk raised by the Eagles on Gabriola Island in British Columbia. You will also recall that the eaglet that shared the nest, Junior, was electrocuted. We all cried. It is too common an occurence. We lost one of two gorgeous osplets raised by Oscar and Ethel at the Russell Lake Osprey nest in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. It was discovered that it was Heidi. She had fledged the day prior. These events are so very sad.
If you recall the discussion with Dr Christian Sasse and Dave Hancock on how to mitigate against electrocution using simple methods and know that YouTube video, let me know. I am looking forward to sharing it with our friends in Nova Scotia. I have written to the HWF but have not heard back from them.
‘H’ reports:
8/4 Osoyoos osprey nest: There were nine fish delivered to the nest, including one from Soo. Olsen had tapped into a good location to catch those small green-colored fish, so his offerings consisted of those fish. Soo brought a large headless fish at 1251 that actually resulted in two separate long feedings. It was interesting to note, with 5 of the 8 fish delivered by Olsen, chick 1 rather easily took the fish from chick 2, after chick 2 had initial possession of it. Chick 2 still displays some residual effects of the psychological conditioning that took place during all those weeks when chick 1 had been very aggressive toward him, and he learned to submit. Chick 2 needs to get over that, and try to hold on to his food! Chick 1 did not eat all of those fish he acquired, and he left a couple of good sized chunks on the nest for chick 2. Everyone had plenty to eat today. Chick 1 took a few flights off the nest throughout the day. And, chick 2 managed to get several inches of lift off the nest during his evening wingercizing! Weather forecast for 8/5: Sunny, high temp 94 F, light winds. There is a chance of strong thunderstorms in the afternoon.
8/4-8/5 Colonial Beach: Betty has not been seen since 0935 on 8/3. Last night, 42-day-old Cobey spent his second night alone on the nest. Cobey did not have anything to eat on Friday. On Saturday, David dropped off a headless fish, Cobey self-fed for the first time, and was able to eat most of that fish. On Sunday, David provided Cobey with a headless fish at 0724. Once again, Cobey did a great job with his self-feeding. His technique is not perfect, but he does amazingly well. He ate the fish off and on for several hours, and picked it clean. At 1828 David brought a live fish to the nest. The fish was not very lively, but it took Cobey a while to figure out how to unzip the fish. Cobey managed to do it, and ate the head! Then he reached in and pulled out a lot of the center of the fish, avoiding the tough skin. This morning 8/5, Cobey has already tackled the leftover piece of fish, and managed to pull off a few bites, but it is dry and tough. Hopefully David will bring Cobey a fresh fish this morning. And, we are praying for Betty to come home. Weather forecast for 8/5: Sunny, high 90, light winds. The forecast for the rest of the week may include periods of very heavy rain and some wind, as the remnants of ‘Debby’ moves up the coast. Cobey will need some protection from all that bad weather, and David doesn’t seem to like that kind of Dad. Please come home, Mom.
I am so looking forward to seeing these beautiful Nova Scotian ospreys in real life. Take off in a week! Will be announcing a wee break in normal posting – I will be sending out special Nova Scotia episodes while I am away so you can learn about one of our beautiful Atlantic provinces. It is famous for birdwatching – I am so excited.
Flipping over to Wales. Dylan has been busy delivering his famous Brown Trout to the Llyn Clywedog nest in Wales that he shares with his mate, Seren. The kids are there wanting fish! And if one is eating the other is fish calling very loudly!
Aran is busy at Glaslyn fishing for his and Elen’s kids, too. Everyone wants and needs to eat before migration.
In the south of England, the kiddos are waiting at Poole Harbour, too – and Blue 022 has four to feed!!!!!!!
At the nest of Iris and Finnegan, Sum-eh is getting restless to fly.
She is getting more height by the hover. Could today be the day she flies?
Our friend ‘A’ comments: “I’m hoping that her bond with Finnegan will bring her home. Certainly, she has something to come home to, which has not been the case before now. I know they’re territorial, and she returns to her nest, but now that nest has someone waiting on the perch, she may have an even stronger urge to be back. If indeed the older chick is female, then it is an incredible testament to the mothering skills of Iris, who has raised these two to be as close as any siblings I’ve seen on a nest. Never a hint of aggression or intimidation. They love to snuggle. Little Bob is usually fed first, but regardless of feeding order, they wait their turn. Sometimes, they compete for bites or even eat from each other’s overflowing beaks but never with violence attached. And if indeed Iris has achieved that outcome with a huge female hatched a week before her younger brother, we are definitely in the presence of a super mum. I love the way she has abandoned the nest to the kids, watching from the perch. She does always look to have a good crop, so at least Finn is keeping the family well fed. Perhaps too well fed. Why would these kids bother to leave home? This generation doesn’t, apparently. I do need to remember their names!!
This morning, big sister did a big and healthy PS, which pleased her so much that she had a hover. She is getting very good at her hovering. Oh Mary Ann she is magnificent. Such a beautiful osplet. She is gorgeous. (Little Bro is not yet interested in leaving his version of terra firma.) Iris immediately rises as if in an invisible lift, and she is out of there. Let hovering practice take place without her!! She can supervise from the perch. There is much fish calling (it’s 06:53). Little Bro is fascinated by his sister’s hovering (or perhaps he is just worried she’s about to land on his head)! But certainly, he is keeping his eyes on her. She is really getting some strength as she flaps. She is holding herself aloft for longer and longer, sometimes landing on an outer kiddie rail (is that technically branching or does she have to reach the perch?) and she is really enjoying the sense of wind beneath her wings. Those talons already look pretty deadly to me! “
At nest #3 in Finland, Tuulos and Taika have a fish and mate in the nest.
They are rebuilding at Decorah North!
Only one left to fledge at Blackbush – the other two that are flying continue to return to the nest for fish. Everyone is so well fed that on Sunday even Mum had some time to have a nice fish meal to herself.
In Newfoundland, Canada, Hope and Beaumont’s oldest is starting to work its wings. The chicks are 42 and 37 days old. We could have fledge in a little over a week for the oldest. Fledge dates average around 55 days. (some say 50-55)
Little Eurasian Hobby doing well eating dragonflies brought to the nest. As a fledgling, it will glide over the water catching dragonflies and other bugs for its meals along with small birds.
Everything you wanted to know about the Eurasian Hobby and more:
Geemeff’s Summary for Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust:
Daily summary Sunday 4th August 2024
A dreich day with no sign of Louis or Dorcha, it’s starting to feel like they’ve headed south to warmer climes as Dorcha was last seen eight days ago on the 27th, and Louis last seen five days ago on the 30th. Of course, those are the dates they were last seen on nest cam so there’s the possibility they are still in the area. Affric 152 and Garry LV0 are definitely still around and both came to Nest One today. Affric looked hollow-cropped and asked Garry for fish but he didn’t have any for her. It’s her mate Prince who should be providing fish for her back on the Bunarkaig nest where their newly fledged chick is probably still returning to, but like last season, there’s a complex relationship with that pair and Garry LV0 which seems to be ongoing. The forecast for tonight and tomorrow is heavy rain with a gentle breeze, and light rain for the rest of the week too.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.29.01 (04.37.17); Nest Two 22.21.56 (04.44.16)
Worries continue for USU’s wing at nest #1 in Finland against growing concerns that Nuppu (Mum) will depart the area. At the moment fish continues to be brought to the nest for the youngsters.
And back in California, Hartley and Monty are bonding after a great season!
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Thank you to the following who sent in notes, posts, comments, videos, articles, and the streaming cams that helped me to write my post this morning: ‘A, Connie and Don Dennis, CG, Geemeff, H, J, RP’, Hellgate Osprey X, Becky R, Olympic Park Eagle Cam, Osprey House Environment Centre, PLO, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, Avian Report, Purpleshrub.com, Audubon, Ospreys of Nova Scotia FB, Osoyoos, Colonial Beach, Llyn Clywedog, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, BoPH, Montana Osprey Project, Saaksilvie, Raptor Research Project, Blackbush, Newfoundland Power, Wildlife Window, The Peregrine Fund, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, CNN Weather, The Guardian, whec.com, obawebsite.com, diesachen.de, Heidi McGrue, John Williams, and SK Hideaways.
