It was a bright, sunny drive to Hecla Island. Just as we parked, a Bald Eagle flew overhead, and I felt blessed. Snow started later in the evening. It is quite beautiful! This is such a welcome break for us – and especially for me. I am grateful for the opportunity to take time off from ordinary life to do nothing for a couple of days. Wishing the same for each and every one of you! We have to stop once in awhile. Hoping that the ice will be gone tomorrow so that a nice walk in the woods can be on the agenda. It is about 1km to our favourite restaurant and there are small songbirds in the trees and Crows everywhere.
Our premier has just announced that entry to all of Manitoba’s Provincial Parks will be free for the next year. Thanks, Wab!
I am not going to cover a lot of news but I wish I could drop a pile of fish on the Kistachie National Park E3 nest.
It is hard to believe that despite being beaten, dragged around the nest, and not fed that E04 at the Kisatchie National Park Bald Eagle nest is still alive. This poor baby certainly deserves a big fish – it has the ‘will to live’.
And believe it or not that baby got that fish – 04 did – and gulped it down! Bravo. It will live another day.
What a contrast to the NorthEast Florida nest of Gabby and Beau where ‘tolerance’ has become the word of the day after the intruding juvenile made itself at home for the past week. Bodie has learned to defend her food, Gabby has fed the eaglet and it will not die. I know that this sounds strange but both it and Bodie will thrive.
04 has the will to live. Send your love and positive wishes.
FOBBV have put out a statement that they believe it was the eldest chick that perished on the nest.
Pip watch begins at Decorah North today. The weather is horrible.
Additional pip watches for today include: Bella and Scout at the NCTC nest, Port Tobacco, and the Kansas City Eagles on Farmer Derek’s land.
Update: Pip at NCTC!
The first egg hatched at Kansas City on Wednesday named Kanza.
An unringed female is trying to attract Herbert at the Eschenbach nest in Germany in case his mate Hermine does not return from migration. Joan Castanyer has it on video: https://youtu.be/lcVRaxZbRg8?
FORE has announced that it is past the date that Liberty would be laying eggs and so egg watch for Liberty and Guardian is over for the 2025 season. This is their posting:
You could not have two more proud parents than Jak and Audacity that insist on dual feedings for their little SC1. Lucky is the person who signed in for the IWS Nest Adoption that gets to name this little sweetheart.
Jackie and Shadow are keeping the kidlet stuffed. Just stop for a second and look at the fish on that nest. These two are over the moon to have babies to feed! Just like Jak and Audacity. Isn’t it precious? https://youtu.be/rlp2cLqQmwI?
Only eaglet at Johnson City doing exceptionally well.
Both eaglets at Bluff City enjoyed full crops of squirrel on Wednesday.
Just look at the two beautiful eaglets on the John Bunker Sands Wetlands nest! What a delight these two have been this year.
Many are concerned about the Denton Homes nest. There are big storms going through the Nebraska area with some people, including my readers, having long power outages.
Lincolnshire man gets a fine and license revoke for harming raptors.
Geemeff writes: It’s Earth Hour this Saturday 22nd March.
Good for the City of London, I wish more would do this, and prevent bird strike deaths in peak migration times. The Audubon Society says up to 230 thousand birds are killed each year just in New York alone, from crashing into skyscrapers while disoriented by the lights and reflective surfaces. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that as many as 988 million birds die in building-glass collisions each year.
The camera is now on at Alyth SS and a Rutland bird, HJ8, has returned safely from migration.
Just a quick review. Send good wishes to all of the nests! Take care. See you on Saturday for sure.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, J’, Kistachie National Forest E3, FOBBV, Raptor Resource Project (Decorah North), Kansas City Bald Eagles, FORE, IWS/Explore, Johnson City-ETSU, Bluff City-ETSU, John Bunker Sands Wetlands Eagles, Denton Homes Eagle Cam, Raptor Persecution UK, Audubon, SK Hideaways
I am finishing reading David Gessner’s book, The Book of Flaco. The World’s Most Famous Bird. I have about a quarter more to go, and I will send a review. However, I have discovered another writer who brings up topics we should contemplate within this volume. The author is Jack Turner, and the excerpts from his book, The Abstract Wild, set me out to order a copy.
The thread that bonds ‘us’ is our deep love and caring for animals, whether real or virtual. I have found it as easy to care for the lives of Jak and Audacity and suffer through their struggles as I have with Hugo Yugo and her teeth. Now, seeing the second hatch on the Kistachie E3 nest being beaten to death and starving causes acute anxiety and tears. Gessner writes about Turner: “In his brilliant manifesto….Jack Turner mourns the loss of our deep connection with animals. Implied in this is our unwillingness to fight for wild animals.” He then quotes Turner: “To reverse this situation we must become so intimate with wild animals, with plants and places, that we answer to their destruction from the gut. Like when we discover the landlady strangling our cat.” (135)
We turn to nature, to the trails in the woods, to the open skies for relief from what is surely a deplorable state on our planet. Nature is healing. I can no longer read the news where country upon country is attacking others and killing ordinary people, destroying their lives and homes – and, of course, the pets and the wildlife alongside this. Or the news that truck loads of people have powerful rifles and are aiming at the skies in Lebanon to kill innocent storks – the ones who survived the winter and the long migration and are returning to breed. What makes us so unique to think we can do this? Thank goodness there are a few people willing to get out there and stand up to make sure those people leave.
Each of us needs to find a way to stand up and help. And it doesn’t have to be money because everyone is struggling in this current economy. We have discussed this before, but right now, your volunteering, those old clean sheets, that bottle of bleach or detergent, and a flat of cat or dog food are more needed than ever. Each day, more beautiful animals are being left tied to the doors of pet shelters, surrendered by families who can no longer afford to feed themselves, never mind a much-loved pet. Help if you can in whatever way you can. Time, money, making phone calls, helping with fundraising, whatever…please help. Even that single bowl of water refilled during the day for migrating birds is a huge help. Do not underestimate these small acts of kindness. They save lives. Show that humans do care about wildlife and domesticated pets. Stay positive! Look for the beauty. It is right there, and it might need your help.
Turning to something different, I am so happy today. In the very late fall, when snow and ice were at the nature centre, we found two Canada Geese. They were ‘stranded’ here, and it was too late to fly. We told the lovely girl at reception, and she phoned Wildlife Haven, and they picked them up to add to four others from the centre from the previous day. Today, all six were released to the lake to join hundreds of other geese that have arrived, marking spring in Manitoba.
It was so lovely to be there to witness their return! [Please note the pet carriers. All rehab centers need them to help transport animals. If you have some sitting around please do donate them!]
All of the preparations for the outside animals have been made along with The Girls or our mini-break to Hecla Island. We are not gone long, returning late on Friday. We have a new cat sitter, but a miracle has happened. I do not know why we are so blessed, but I will take it. Anne, who has been with us for 15 months, helping with respite care for Don and giving me a break, has offered to take care of the girls when we travel. The Girls love Anne, they know her well. They run to the door when she arrives. This is so much of a relief. I do not know how many longer trips there are in our future, but I know that I will be much more relaxed now!
Bald Eagle News:
NE Florida: Bodie is learning to live like an eagle and doing well. (more news below)
Kisatchie E3: Three fish came on the nest. The eldest got all of then while the youngest was both submissive and attacked vigorously by the oldest almost to the point of death. They are both starving. The oldest will live another day, but will the youngest. This nest needs food, more food so that the adult might ‘decide’ (she or he is ignoring it)* and intruders and owls are not helping. Send them positive wishes, please. (Warning or watching this nest).
*As we have often seen, adults do not respond to chicks that are submissive and hungry. This nest was going OK, not great but it had the potential to fledge two. Now that is in jeopardy.
West End: Makaio’s new mate FV at the West End nest has been chosen by a donor an winner in the nest challenge.
Sauces Canyon: Jak and Audacity do not wish for SC1 to go hungry. The nest is full of seal placenta, seabirds of some type, fish. The little one is so protected in that deep nest bowl. This family is simply delightful.
The first egg has been laid at the Surrey Bald Eagle nest of Brit and Rey in British Columbia, Canada.
‘J’ sends sad news from PA County Farm:
Osprey News:
Heidi’s News:
3/18 – Fenwick Island osprey nest (Delaware, Captain Mac’s Fish House) – Woohoo, Johnny arrived back at the nest a day after we first saw June. How wonderful! Happy to see this pair again. Last season, June and Johnny lost their first two eggs to crows… so “I would advise that you two be more diligent this season, okay?” lol.
3/18 – Wolf Bay osprey nest (Alabama) – Congratulations to Josie and Bert. Egg #2 was laid in the early morning hours today.
3/18 – South Cape May Meadows osprey nest (New Jersey) – We have been awaiting the return of Hera and Zeus from their migration. Last season their two very young babies were predated by a Great Horned Owl. Then this morning… We witnessed a GHO visit the nest, and our hearts sank.
Thank you, Heidi.
There has been no news of new arrivals in the UK or Europe at the time of this writing.
Eschenbach, Germany: “Herbert is already in nesting mode and has started working on the nest, carrying and moving branches. He is waiting for Hermine, of course, but if there are other candidates, the place must be attractive, not only for the capabilities of the titular male, but also for the comfort it offers. A long migration is well worth it!”
PARQUE NACIONAL MARÍTIMO-TERRESTRE DEL ARCHIPIÉLAGO DE CABRERA: Both adults have arrived at the nest and are refurbishing and mating. https://youtu.be/vEaRhXjFrkc?
Loch of the Lowes: Blue NC0 has begun refurbishing her nest waiting for the male who will be her new mate and provider.
Not only is Blue NC0 a good mother, she is also an amazing fisher. Look at that salmon!!!!!!!!
Guildford, Connecticut: Osprey on the nest!
Threave: Osprey has touched down. Believed to be a male. We are hoping it is Black 80.
Other Nest News:
At 4:51:54, Beau takes a fish from the juvenile intruder and gives it to Bodie who horks that fish down looking straight at the camera. While we might all have been ‘sick’ to see this intruder, it is possible that Bodie not having a sibling has learned many survival skills she will need in the wild by having this visitor.
They appear to be ‘friends’ now as long as it does not involve food. Bodie beaked and protected his food yesterday. This is a great learning experience. I think Gabby and Beau have decided that too.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care of yourself. Tomorrow we leave for Hecla Island. We will return on Friday after hopefully seeing American White Pelicans, Trumpeter Swans, and Geese that have arrived recently. I do not know if I will be sending out a blog during that time but I will be back with you for sure on Saturday.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, articles, images, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, J’, NEFL-AEF, Carol Shores Rifkin, Institute for Wildlife Studies, Fenwick Island, Wolf Bay, SCMM, Eschenbach Ospreys, PARQUE NACIONAL MARÍTIMO-TERRESTRE DEL ARCHIPIÉLAGO DE CABRERA, Loch of the Lowes, Guildford Connecticut Osprey Group, SK Hideaways, Knepp Farm and Torrington Storks, World Bird Sanctuary, Maria Marika, Elain, IWS/Explore, Kistachie National Forest E3, PA Country Farm
Thank you to ‘PB’ who sent me a CBS video of the Sandhill Cranes, thousands, hundreds of thousands? of them gathering in Grand Island, Nebraska. What a beautiful sight. I wish everyone would wake up this morning and see the beauty in wildlife and nature and become so empathetic – not separate – but together with nature to actually do something about making their lives and our planet a better place.
Not the same video but the event of a few years ago!
Well, osprey season is starting off with a flurry of arrivals. As you probably know, my first love was the Red-tail Hawks in my birthplace, Oklahoma. I then had an ‘experience’ with a very large female hawk in my garden, and so, the smaller raptors – the hawks and the falcons – have a special place in my heart. My knowledge is, however, about ospreys. I am, therefore, over the moon that so many are returning.
I have a tiny, but dedicated group of helpers. I have said, many times, that we monitored 502 osprey eggs last year. That is a phenomenal number. I could not do it without Heidi. We prop each other up emotionally when things go sideways, as they might well do again this year with poor little ones starving. But, I want to start the year off on a positive note in the hope that it will be different. I can personally use a break from what has been happening on the bald eagle nests especially Kistachie E3 where the adult seems to not respond to the two starving eaglets on the nest – with their full juvenile feathers. Andria had two owl strikes and there has been an intruder flying around the nest. Intruders steal prey intended for eaglets in the nest and the hits from the owl could have caused injuries.
As I was told many years ago by an eagle expert, the Bald Eagles will first defend their territory, then they will protect themselves and their mate, and the chicks/eggs, etc are last on the list. If Akecheta died, it was because he was protecting his territory. Even so, I find it utterly gut wrenching to watch babies die on a nest from lack of food – either because of intruders or a sick or missing parent. If these two are to pass, I hope that it is quick. They have no one giving them supplementary food like Brodie at the BBC nest last year.
Meanwhile, Gabby has decided to feed the intruding juvenile at the NE Florida nest to the dismay of many onlookers. I have mentioned her own fledgling getting lost and going from nest to nest in the area (BOGs watched and reported) trying to find food. Then I remembered that a couple of Richmond and Rosie’s fledglings from the Golden Gate Audubon Osprey platform also left their nest, went for food elsewhere, and were fed. Bodie has no siblings and while this has been ‘tough’, Bodie has to be a fighter in the real world of eagles. No one is going to cut her a break. Gabby and Beau have enough food for both of the juveniles. Gabby knows what she is doing by feeding the intruder. Yes, it will return for food. Hopefully Bodie and it will both have good crops. Bodie can learn from watching the intruder and if it is fed, maybe it will be nicer. We do not know what we would do if we were starving.
The warm sun has melted the snow, or most of it, in the nest of Jackie and Shadow. Shadow has been doing some really good work as daddy and it turns out he is a great feeder. Those two little ones were stuffed to the top of their heads and quickly into a food coma!
The Only Eaglet at Sauces, SC1, is the sweetest luckiest little eaglet in the Channel Islands.
But back to the ospreys. I am returning to the format that I used where I include Heidi’s reports and mine daily under our names. If I miss something, it is entirely my fault. I wish that we could aim for as comprehensive a study this year as we did last year, but my life is more challenging than I ever imagined, so if we get half the number of eggs watched and all the data recorded, that would be just fine. (I have hired a Girl Friday to help with other things so I have Friday afternoons free to work on all things osprey).
If you wish to add to our knowledge and data bank, we welcome your input. We need the name of the nest, its location, the link to the streaming cam if there is one, the names or ID numbers of the adults, the dates of their arrival and departure, the dates of eggs laid, hatch dates, fledge dates, and death dates and causes.
Please note that this might not be a comprehensive listing of every osprey nest. Rather, it will include significant milestones.
Heidi’s Osprey News:
Fenwick Island: 3/17 – Fenwick Island, Delaware (Captain Mac’s Fish House): June arrived back home to her nest in the early evening! June is the ‘queen of the striped bass’… she caught so many of those large fish last season to feed her only osplet ‘Fen’.
Lake Murray, South Carolina: 3/17 Congrats to Kenny and Lucy. Lucy laid egg #2 at 10:16.
Dewey Beach, Delaware: 3/17 – The female of the pair arrived on 3/12, and today at 08:30 her mate finally arrived. It was immediately apparent that this is a bonded pair, and they fell right in step with fixing up the nest. Best wishes for their success this season.
(Gosh those two are a handsome pair)
Mary Ann’s Osprey News:
Maya arrived at Rutland and Blue NC0 at Loch of the Lowes on the 17th.
Blue NC0 sleeping on the perch branch protecting her nest. Come on Dark Knight!
Eschenbach Osprey Platform, Germany: The news under the streaming cam is: Herbert arrived on the 16th of March. “We are waiting for Hermine to arrive, but the activity in the nest does not stop. Other females are present: some claim the place, others are passing by and take advantage of the male’s generosity. Today Herbert appeared accompanied by an unringed female. A very demanding girl who has demanded (and obtained) several deliveries of fish. What will happen? We will wait to see the events of the next few days.”
Last year Herbert arrived on April 4.
Birds of Poole Harbour:
Who will return to Loch Arkaig?
RSPB Loch Garten has had its share of drama.
Many more ospreys will be arriving in the next fortnight. At some of the US nests there are little bobs and only bobs. May each and every one flourish.
Moorings Park: Beautiful Only Bob.
Frenchman’s Creek: Only Bob doing well also!
Venice Golf and Country Club are incubating.
Incubation at Brevard, Florida:
Oceanside MNSA Osprey Nest: Blondie returns on the 13th of March.
News from Others (various birds):
Geemeff sends lots of news items including this one about Wisdom!
Worcester Cathedral Falcon Scrape has its first egg of the breeding season.
Lead can and is being replaced by other materials. Lead is toxic and deadly to our raptors. Why do the governments that make up the UK miss deadlines to stop its use? Why do people no longer care about the suffering the wildlife experience?
Pip watch for Bella and Scout at the NCTC nest begins today.
‘A’ brings news of Angel and Tom: “Again, Angel spent more time at the nest this morning than Tom did – and again, she is doing a lot of nestcupping, as if making final preparations to lay in this nest. I do hope so. In 2023, she laid her first egg on 24 March, which is under a week away, so I am hoping we see two eggs, as we did in 2023, rather than what happened in 2024, when they simply disappeared before Angel laid any eggs at this site. We have no idea whether she laid elsewhere, though I still think the landowner would have spotted Angel at least if she had still been nearby last season. We will never know of course and their whereabouts last season will forever remain a mystery. But ol course they may do the same thing this year and simply stop showing up at the nest.
But I am still determined to be hopeful – after all, we have seen joyous outcomes for Iris and her Finnegan, Gabby and her Beau, and now Jak and darling determined Audacity. If this is to be a year for miracle chicks, then please let Angel and Tom’s be among them. “
Thank you for being with me today. We are always delighted to hear your news and have you with us. Take care in the times we are in. Look for the positive and the good. Take care of your neighbours, your friends, and your family – even if it is only a smile you have to offer or a hello in an e-mail.
Migrating Birds are passing through. Protect them from your windows. Put out high-energy food if you can and water. Water is good!
We were so happy to see Star back at the feeder today.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, articles, images, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, Heidi, J, MP, PB’, Rhoda A, American Eagle Foundation, NEFL-AEF, FOBBV, IWS/Explore.org, Fenwick Island, Lake Murray, Dewey Beach, Geemeff and Loch of the Lowes, Eschenbach Ospreys, Birds of Poole Harbour, The Woodland Trust, RSPB Loch Garten, Moorings Park, Frenchman’s Creek, Breward Ospreys, VGCCO, The Guardian, RSPB, Cassandra McClurkin, Chichester Peregrines, Worcester Cathedral, Raptor Persecution UK, The Guardian, OpenVerse, South Australia Department for the Environment and Water, Guinness World Records, Rita the Eagle FB, Visit Kearney Nebraska
Best news of the morning! Geemeff writes” 09.51 Intruder Blue 25 is on the nest when resident male Blue 33 lands, looking agitated. Suddenly a third Osprey appears and lands at 09.52.26 – it’s Maya! There is much display of wings from all three but not much sound, then Blue 25 takes herself off as the rightful female has returned. Welcome home Maya!”
‘The Girls’ informed me that they have been ignored. So I tried to take some photos of them relaxing in the sitting room this morning.
Who could resist those eyes? They are like celadon or beautiful green glass. Baby Hope is the sweetest, most quiet, peaceful young lady.
Her mother is equally beautiful, but not ‘so sweet’. Calico wants to be the ‘boss’. At the same time, she wants to be held and cuddled ever so tightly. Calico has gorgeous eyes, too but there is something about the placement and/or the shape of Baby Hope’s that just shock you into stillness.
Missey prefers spending her time sunning herself on the wickers. She is so wooly!!!!!!
The angle makes her look a little ‘plump’. Hugo Yugo isn’t but she is a real character always getting into trouble and it is possible to hear her crying a block away. Her teeth are bothering her. It is such a shame.
At the nest of Jackie and Shadow in Big Bear, Jackie removed the deceased eaglet from the nest and flew away with it. Sometimes the dead chicks become part of the nest, sometimes they are taken a distance from the nest, and sometimes they are eaten. This is all normal behaviour. Research on ospreys has shown that they often take the little chicks a distance of about 100 metres.
The other two chicks have eaten well. The nest is full of prey items and one even has enough energy to start bonking the other. It feels good! I was quite worried that they would get a chill.
Jak and Audacity are overjoyed to have a baby. The number of dual feedings is substantial. They are such proud parents!
The little one at Moorings Park is doing very well, indeed.
So far there is not an egg at the nest of Liberty and Guardian. Information provided says, “Liberty has not laid her 1st egg yet & she is now past her latest egg laying date ever including a 2nd Clutch in 2017 where she laid an egg on 3/10 & 3/13. This is uncharted waters for Liberty who has laid eggs every season for the last 19 years with her 3 different mates. It is also uncharted waters for all of us who love & follow them. We don’t always know why things like this happen but we do know that we need to continue to TRUST THE EAGLES! Everything happens for a reason even though we may not always know what that reason is. So let’s sit back & enjoy watching Liberty & Guardian as their beautiful bond continues to deepen day by day.”
Is there hope? Liberty continues to stay on the nest in the rain Sunday evening.
The American Eagle Foundation captured the antics of the visiting juvenile to Gabby, Beau, and Bodie’s nest: https://youtu.be/vn9M7Es8HFU?s
Is there a tragedy brewing for the two fully feathered juveniles on Kisatchie Forest’s E3 nest? An adult arrives at 19:19:40 empty taloned and is attacked by the starving eaglet.
The eaglets have been searching for anything on the nest to eat and resting. There is a lake you can see that is stocked each year with fish. What in the world is going on at this nest. Is this a repeat of what happened at Boundary Bay in BC?
The adult fed the oldest one a bite of something, nothing really, and the little one went into submission. Adult went to branch. Are the adults ill? Are there intruders? Where on earth is the fish from that lake?
Even first time parents – here I am thinking of Louis and Anna at the E1 nest – filled their pantry with fish. 20 one day! There is something incredibly wrong. It is a shame to sit and see these beautiful babies starve to death.
What a challenging year it has been, starting with the deaths of E24 and E25 of HPAI at SW Florida. As one reader said today, there is so much more of the season to go and so far it has been devastating. Another said that, to add insult to injury, pigeons are now roosting on The Campanile as we mourn the possible loss of Annie and Archie.
A research project is focusing on Annie and her impact on our lives. They are requesting anecdotal stories. Please do consider contributing. I could not imagine a world without Annie and Grinnell and now to have lost so many other mates and possibly Annie now is beyond thinking.
“What have Berkeley’s falcons meant to you? Gretchen Kell from UC Berkeley’s news office is looking for personal anecdotes with specific examples of how Annie and company have impacted your life/health/awareness, during the pandemic or any time Email her at gkell@berkeley.edu.
The trio appear to be all over the nest at Duke Farms and they seem to be doing alright.
A Harris Hawk threatens the people of a UK village!
Harris’s Hawks face challenges like habitat loss from urbanization and oil/gas development, electrocution on power lines, poisoning, and vehicle collisions, which are common threats to birds of prey.
Here’s a more detailed look at the challenges:
Habitat Loss:
Urbanization and oil/gas development reduce habitat quality and prey availability.
Loss of natural perches and nesting sites can lead to hawks perching on power poles, increasing the risk of electrocution.
Harris’s hawks are known to live in sparse woodland, semi-desert, and marshes, so habitat destruction in these areas poses a significant threat.
Human-Related Threats:
Electrocution: Perching on power poles, which are often unshielded, can lead to electrocution and death.
Poisoning: Poisoning from pesticides or other toxins can affect Harris’s hawks.
Vehicle Collisions: Collisions with vehicles can cause injury or death.
Killing by Humans: While not as common, some hawks are killed by humans.
Natural Challenges:
Drought: Droughts can reduce prey availability and impact nesting success.
Fire Weather: Droughts and fire weather can lead to habitat loss and increased risks for hawks and their nests.
Spring Heat Waves: Spring heat waves can endanger young birds in the nest.
Captive Breeding Challenges:
Isolation: Harris’s hawks are social animals, and isolation can lead to behavioral problems like thigh-plucking, aggression, and mis-imprinting.
Overdependence on Falconer: Overdependence on the falconer, often promoted by food association, can create problems with captive-bred hawks.
Other birds are facing challenges – indeed, all of them. Birds Canada gives an interesting webinar on what our forest birds are finding difficult in our world today. Notice that I said, ‘our world’. Birds around the world are facing the same challenges. https://youtu.be/_vX4K3HO7IM?
At the time of this writing, the fledglings, Dasher and Dancer, had not returned to the nest at Captiva.
Snow in Michigan. Traverse Eagles trying to keep their eggs warm and dry.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please send all your good wishes to all of the nests. It is an unusual year and they need all the help we can send them. Take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, pictures, streaming cams, videos, and articles that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, H, J, MP, SP’, SK Hideaways, FOBBV, IWS/Explore, Moorings Park Ospreys, FORE, Gary’s Eagle Videos, American Eagle Foundation, Kisatchie National Forest E3 Bald Eagle Nest, Cal Falcons, Duke Farms, The Guardian, Open Verse, Birds Canada, Traverse City Bald Eagles
We hope that you have had a glorious weekend! While it was nice weather during the week the cold winds hit bringing in some freezing rain that is still lingering. Did you know that kitty litter is very good for melting ice?
I wonder which nests you have been watching?
Many of you have commented that watching what is happening at the nest of Gabby and Beau is causing you a lot of anxiety. The juvenile did return to the NEFL nest of Gabby, Beau, and Bodie. The fledgling from another nest – probably lost from their own nest and hungry – was ushered off unceremoniously several times by the adults.
It is a lot of drama and I know it is difficult to watch. Gabby’s fledgling was also lost one season and could not find her nest for a week or so and she was so exhausted that she stayed home for a month once she found her nest! I feel sorry for this one – hungry and lost. Life is confusing enough and these eaglet is young. Let us hope it finds its home – and I hope its parents are alive and have prey on the nest.
Of course, you could be watching the miracle child of Jak and Audacity. What an amazing ending after years of waiting. Audacity and Jak wanting a little eaglet so much! Well, here it is!
Jak is so excited. There is fish all over for this little blessing. They are also eating the placenta from the seals that are having pups in the harbour. This is really good food for that baby.
‘A’ writes on Sunday: “The new baby at Sauces is the sweetest fluffiest little person with the cutest wee face. It is strong and active and was eating eagerly when I watched it with Audacity at lunchtime today. I was concerned that the nest bowl was too deep but the chick seems to have no trouble peering above the rim, and given the current lack of baby rails (get moving, Jak, this nest requires some toddler-proofing), it’s a good thing that the bowl is deep! As long as no-one pulls a load of grass in there and buries the baby! Or tugs a fish on top of it and squashes it! So far, Audacity is being very careful with her pride and joy.
Lunch today was some sort of rodent, and the little one ate eagerly, managing very large bites for what I believe was its first meal. The blood all over the nest comes from yesterday’s treat for the new mum – seal placenta apparently. It does look absolutely gruesome but is of course incredibly nutritious. I have no idea of its calcium value (god knows Audacity needs to replenish that, as her body has been cannibalising her own skeletal structure season after season as she has laid all those eggs). It looks well, despite its difficult hatch (it has managed to get every piece of shell off) and it seems healthy. I have high hopes for this little family. Jak stayed on the nest after delivering lunch and seemed to want to help with the feeding, leaning in to the chick on a couple of occasions Audacity mixed in some seal placenta with the rodent, and I’m sure the level of nutrition from that placenta would be amazing for a newly hatched chick. “
At the nest of Jackie and Shadow, the two surviving chicks of that terrible winter storm appear to be alright. Please send them your good wishes because they, too, got cold and wet despite all the good care of Jackie and Shadow.
Fish are now on the menu at Big Bear along with a pile of Coot!
Sunday breakfast and all looks good except the kids are alone and uncovered. I sure hope that sun is warm.
At Manton Bay, Blue 33 (11) continues to wait for Maya, his mate who is fifteen years old this spring.
Sisters Blue 24 and 25 have both visited the Manton Bay nest hoping that Blue 33 will bring more fish for them. I sure hope Maya gets home safely and if she doesn’t, I hope that Blue 33 gets a mate worthy of him!!!!!!!
Blue 33 is known, sometimes sadly, for bringing large live fish to the nest. He was caught on video by Geemeff battling one of those a couple of days ago! https://youtu.be/9a8cvy7GrJo?
On Sunday, Geemeff writes about the shenanigans at Rutland: “Fingers crossed that both Maya and Blue 11 return safely. Meantime, this looks like a successful mating between 33 and 25, judging by the way she shakes her tail feathers. Or at least, much better than his attempts earlier today.”
A nice fish came on the Kisatchie E3 nest. The eldest ate first while the little one was submissive, almost hanging over the edge of the nest to its peril. but it clung on, listened, watched, and is getting good at the snatch and grab after the oldest one is full. Oh, help this nest. It needs more food and there are tornadoes in the area tonight (Saturday). It was two days ago – on Thursday that 04 had a really nice crop. He needs to not be so fearful and snatch and grab more. It is hard with such an aggressive older sibling. They sometimes go to bed very hungry. What is happening with deliveries and fish from the lake? Anyone know?
Beautiful little eaglet at the Johnson City nest of Boone and Jolene.
Two wee ones at Bluff City. Franklin and Frances each brought in fish and the kids ate well.
Tornadoes and big storms passing through parts of the US. Berry College seems to be right in the middle of it with rain and lighting at the old nest. Pa and Missey are using another nest so I have no news on eggs.
Oh, what a sweet little osplet at the Moorings Park nest. And it is going to be a healthy one, a fat little bottom full of fish!
Hard to see but that little one at Frenchman’s Creek seems to be doing well, too.
There were at least two fish deliveries at Duke Farms and all ate well and had crops. The little one even had a private feeding.
Calico wishes to thank everyone who helped with her fundraising. She is pleased to report that when all the funds are in by the end of March, she will donate $420 to two of the charities that care for feral mothers and their kittens, trying to find them homes and for abandoned pets. She is delighted. Thank you so much! Fundraising is over for this spring.
I cannot tell you how much I miss Akecheta and Thunder. We have had so many losses this year, but this one really gutted me and still does – along with Annie and Alden. I know. They all took a piece of us, some more than others.
This was posted and I wanted to share it so that you will go to the Channel Islans Eagle Lovers: CIEL Facebook group to see the entire video clip of Akecheta courting Thunder!
Thank you for joining us today. On Wednesday, we are going on a mini-break to Hecla Island. We hope the weather is not too frigid and that we will see more geese and even the arrival of some American White Pelicans. I will post on Wednesday, take a few days break, and return on Saturday. Take care of yourself during that time. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, images, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘A, Geemeff, Heidi, J’, NEFL-AEF, IWS/Explore (Sauces Canyon), FOBBV, LRWT, Geemeff, Port Tobacco Eagle Cam, Lori Staely and HDonTap, Kisatchie E3 Bald Eagle nest, Union County Falcon Cam, LDF, The Guardian, SK Hideaways and San Jose Falcons, Berry College Eagles, Moorings Park Ospreys, Frenchman’s Creek Ospreys, Stephanie Ross and CIEL, SK Hideaways and FOBBV, Geemeff
Update: Hartley lays second egg and at Port Tobacco the first and second eggs are pipping! Nothing at Sauces yet.
It is +2 and sunny and oh, my goodness, spring is really in the air. No doubt I will write about some huge snow storm hitting us mid-April as it often did on my eldest son’s birthday, but, for now, there is a lovely sound in the garden – bird song!
The deck and gardens are getting cleaned. As you can see there is still some snow and ice. These two wanted a wee bath! But, the water is now out an the bath turned upside down in anticipation of snow arriving Thursday morning.
‘B’ writes that the weather is turning again. Poor Jackie and Shadow have a nest full and can’t get a break with the weather!
“The weather at Big Bear is looking better today (Wednesday) than I had expected, given the previous forecasts. But the bensweather.com prediction now shows the heaviest snow tomorrow (and snow continuing Friday), so still a good time to lay in supplies! ”
Bodie. Not so long ago, this magnificent juvenile eaglet was the size of those little bobbleheads. It is hard to remember. Bodie was our first miracle that gave us hope.
I have to admit that like many of you I have been so captivated by the triplets at Big Bear and Bodie that I have not checked on other nests today. This will be a short posting!
Meanwhile, on the Cornell Campus, Big Red and Arthur are busy working on their nest. We will have eggs in a fortnight! https://youtu.be/Ebb5ZPRcZTs?
White Storks are incubating eggs at Knepp Farm.
One egg has hatched at Moorings Park.
No eggs for Edie and Lloyd at Captiva yet. It is late. Maybe the nest will be empty this year.
Food is scarce or not existent at the Kistachie E3 nest. What in the world is wrong? Please send good wishes to them, please.
Important condor dies of lead poisoning. Please let us end this painful and needless way for our wildlife to die.
There is concern that the only surviving egg at Sauces is not viable. Still waiting at Port Tobacco and also for that second egg at the nest of Bonnie and Clyde. We had all hoped that Jak and Audacity would have a family this year. We will give it a couple more days.
‘L’ writes that the Bald Eagle Cam at the Sutton Centre in Bartlesville, Oklahoma is up and running with eagles on the nest.
‘J’ sent a note that Keke at Superbeaks had fledged and returned to the nest successfully.
The birds are migrating.
Howard was the Bald Eagle that the great folks at Wild Heart Ranch helped through a series of ‘boots’. Look at how well he is doing now.
Poachers being arrested that have been killing our beautiful storks. The Akkar region is in Lebanon.
The killing of migrant birds for fun in Lebanon (and other areas) has been of ongoing concern.
Thank you for being with me today. I hope you can get outside and smell the freshness of spring. See you soon.
Thank you to the following fort their notes, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘B, J, L’, IWS, SK Hideaways, FOBBV, NEFL-AEF, Cornell Bird Lab, Knepp Farm, Moorings Park Osprey Cam, Window to Wildlife, Kistachie National Forest E3 Bald Eagle Nest, US Weather Service Hastings Nebraska, Wild Heart Ranch, Soraya Z Mouawad, Research Gate
It is 1930 Tuesday evening and it is still light on the Canadian prairies. It will not be long til spring is officially here. It would be so nice if the weather were the same! It still feels like winter!!!!!!!!
It will not be long til ospreys are arriving in the UK just like the geese are returning to the spring and summer breeding grounds. Life in Bird World is going to get that much more exciting.
There is a hatch at the GHO nest of Bonnie and Clyde on Farmer Derek’s property.
The third hatch at Big Bear is a real character, a brave little soul. I am counting on this one being a female!
‘A’ comments: “I watched the 14:20 feeding at Big Bear today (10 March) and Jackie was being very diligent about feeding all three. The first two lined up at the table were fed, one then the other, then the first again – she was giving them pieces that seemed way too large but they ate valiantly. One eventually collapsed into a food coma, and the third chick got to the front. Jackie moved around a little to favour it more and then proceeded to feed the remaining chick along with the youngest, who continued to compete throughout the feeding and seemed to do pretty well out of the feeding. All three were fed adequately, and Jackie was very deliberate about it. This gives me a great deal of hope that these three do have a fighting chance to survive – there was no bonking whatsoever at this feeding, even though the youngest was in the front row and I kept expecting a beak to the back of its head. But no, all eyes were on mum and the food, with not a single incident of aggression. It was most heartening, though of course we take things a day at a time. Shadow as usual did his daddy duty whenever he got a chance and alerted Jackie whenever he needed a break;. These two are doing a great job and are sharing the chores between them, with both taking their turns at hunting, fishing, feeding and brooding. What a team. “
The first egg has hatched at PA Farm Country early Tuesday.
Screenshot
There was a Q & A session with Dr Sharpe. ‘J’ found some of the questions and answers for us.
Geemeff sends us news: James River Park is live:news item –
Bodie still takes our breath away. She is so beautiful.
‘A’ considers: “At NEFL, I agree with you that Bodie must be a big beautiful female like her mum. She is gigantic! I’m not sure she is particularly motivated to leave home just yet, having been so spoiled by Gabby and Beau. Tonight, Gabby is sleeping on the nest with her giant daughter, perhaps aware she won’t have her around for too much longer. What a wonderful season it has been for this couple. This nest has really lived up to all the hopes we had for it when Gabby first showed an interest in V3 all that time ago. To see their love story come to this is so wonderful, it brings tears to my eyes all over again. Darling Gabby really deserves a guy like Beau – he has turned out to be the mate we hoped he would be for her. And what a great dad he has been. “
Just look at gorgeous Iniko (1031), daughter of King Pin and Rewood Queen.
The Oregon Zoo has thirteen California Condor eggs this year!
Sun Coast Osprey Cam is up and running.
I always get the feeling that the E3 nest in the Kistachie Forest needs more food. I remember Louis bringing in piles an piles of fish to E1 – what is happening at E3 this year?
One tiny little osplet at Frenchman’s Creek.
Food is in very short supply – or appears to be – at the ETSU Bluff City nest.
Will Cholyn and Milda lay a second egg today?
Thank you so much for being with us today for this brief catch up with some of the nests. Take care everyone. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, posts, images, articles, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, J, SP’, Farmer Derek GHO Cam, SK Hideaways, FOBBV, HDonTap, Dr Sharpe an the IWS, James River Park, NEFL-AEF, Ventana Willife Society, Sun Coast Osprey and Lucille Powell, Kistachie National Forest, Frenchman’s Creek Ospreys, Bald Eagle Cams ETSU and Terry Anita
Oh, my goodness. Hello from what feels like the arrival of spring on the Canadian Prairies. For days I have worried about Dyson, the matriarch of the Grey Squirrel family. The three kits have been out, but not Mum. Well, Saturday morning there she was perched above the brand new suet cylinder way back in the lilac branches. She looks good. She ate 1/3 of the cylinder. Good old Dyson!!!!!! Living up to her name. The sparrows are singing and the Starlings have come and gone removing every last meal worm while leaving the pieces of butter bark. Surely someone will want those.
I am spring cleaning. The feral feeding station has been cleared, cleaned and left in a smaller state with the hope that no huge snow storms arrive before I can rush out and put a cover over things. Brock has already checked it out and approved.
If the nest of Jackie and Shadow has preoccupied me, I do not apologize. Just the idea that our much loved couple could have three chicks to hatch is well, just beyond my wildest dreams. It is all I can think about. As I said in Saturday’s post, I am so grateful for Bodie (who is now six weeks old and as big as Gabby) and these triplets after losing the Es and well, having Thunder and Akecheta MIA along with Annie and Alden.
A reader asked me not to put them on the Memorial Board. They said, “Don’t put their names into the list of those who we know is lot alive for sure. And then we will be always in hope to see them again one day.” If you have checked there is no Memorial Board for 2025. I simply have been too overcome to compile it. There are certainly others. The Memorial Board is really a testament to their presence in our lives and eventually I will simply put them as Missing in Action. Because that really is all we know.
I am happy to attach the PDF of the Los Angeles Times article on Jackie and Shadow. Thank you to the reader who sent it! You don’t need to subscribe.
As I am writing now, Junior is flying in and out getting peanuts an Dyson is back chomping on that cylinder. No one told her it should last a week!!!!!! The warm sunshine is so welcome here this year. My plan is to move the bird baths and fix the deck as a sanctuary for humans to bask in the sun as well. There will still be 3/4 of the garden devoted to things with wings or fur. :))))))))).
Everyone worried about the third hatch at Big Bear, but this little one is well, as big as the middle sibling and I am hoping that it is a really scrappy female like Jackie. It will do well on the nest with the two older siblings and I have a feeling that both Jackie and Shadow will be more than busy caring for these triplets.
Just look at that pantry.
One of the BB babies got caught and was dragged out of the nest cup. By a small miracle, it rolled off the snow and back into the nest. My heart stopped. https://youtu.be/n6lYn-zjdO4?
Some are concerned about what appears to be preferential feeding at the Duke Farms nest. Conserve Wildlife of NJ says that all the triplets are doing well.
‘A’ provides her observations, “At Duke Farms I am most heartened to see that the pantry is overflowing with fish (I can count seven) and mum is being very diligent about ensuring that all three of the littles get fed. The oldest got the best of one feeding, and at the next, mum circled around to the other side and concentrated on the younger two (the older one appeared to be in a food coma behind them). If dad keeps that pantry full and mum is patient enough to feed it to the chicks until there are no more begging beaks at the table, then these three have a very good chance at survival (assuming we don’t have a Zoe on the nest of course). We know that nests turn in an instant – the disappearance of a parent for example can change everything. But I still believe that the patience and dedication of the parent/s at feedings is the primary factor – can they be bothered with the hard work of carefully getting enough food into all those swaying little beaks? Some can’t, and only feed the closest ones. But the mum at Duke Farms appears to be patient and prepared to do her part in ensuring her chicks get fed. I hope this continues. They are SO cute at this age, before they decide to start bonking each other. I just love these first few days. Little masked bandits. They are certainly loud! “
The first sighting of an osprey in the UK – an so it begins. It is flying north! Wonder which one it is…Work continues on repairing nests
You might enjoy this talk from the Wildlife Trust at Rutland Osprey. George Smith is really knowledgable and I highly recommend this even if you live elsewhere. Lots of good information! https://youtu.be/7l6aOLlw0Vw?
In other news,
At the Captiva Bald Eagle Nest of Connie and Clive, Dancer has now branched. That was at 1508.
Nothing seems to be happening at Moorings Park Osprey platform yet.
Pip watch at Sauces starts on Monday! That egg is holding. Maybe there is something to having it wrapped with nesting material in a deep hole. The egg has been rolled an if it is fertile we just might have another miracle in California.
Bodie. What can I say? Our first miracle of the year. Looks like a big beautiful Gabby to me!
This may be the year for strange things happening. Take Lake Murray. Is it entirely possible that the egg of Kenny and Lucy has wound up in a glove? “The strangest thing… Lake Murray…
Lucy and Kenny have been obviously ‘incubating’ all day (I could not find egg lay time), but no one has seen an egg. There is a black glove in the bowl, and I had thought that the egg must be under the glove. There has been the shape of an egg under the glove, and they have been ‘aerating’ the glove. But, at 1719 Lucy picked up the glove and moved it, and the egg shape moved with it. I now believe that the egg somehow ended up inside the glove. “
Ferris Akel caught both Big Red and Arthur on camera on Saturday. It is so very, very good to see them.
Just look at all these gorgeous birds. Now imagine taking them from the wild for falconry. The licenses in the UK might be canceled. This will, of course, be controversial. There are many falconers around the world, and as a teenager, I was involved in falconry in Oklahoma. My older self shakes my head. I firmly believe that raptors need to live freely in the world unless they absolutely cannot.
Possible egg at the University of Florida-Gainesville platform.
We are awaiting our beloved geese. Some are also waiting for hummers. Here is a good timeline.
I hope to hear honking in the wind soon! After some more clearing tomorrow we will head out to Oak Hammock Marsh to check on any of those waddling poopers.
Calico’s Tip for the Day: It has nothing to do with a bird, but it could save someone’s life. Most, if not all of you, will have heard about the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife. Hackman had very advanced Alzheimers while his wife, thirty years younger, was in good health and had been his only (it appears) caregiver. It reminds me of my situation with my husband except for the age difference – I am ten years older. No one would have predicted that the younger healthier caregiver spouse would have died of a very rare mouse virus. But she did leaving Mr Hackman at home alone – probably not knowing anything. A maintenance worker came to their door weeks before their fate was revealed. ———— This could happen to any of us. Calico wants you to develop a plan with your neighbours, friends, and family so that this does not happen to you or your loved one. Do not rely on landline phones or watches that are supposed to alert the police or necklaces with a panic button. My husband would probably not be able to find the landline phone or remember how to use it or what number to call. My Apple phone is not reliable. It often thinks I fall when I don’t and when I do, well, it did nothing the other day. So – get something old fashioned in place. Text friends and family on specific days to let them know that you are OK. That is all you have to send is ‘I am OK’. Don’t wait. Please get the ducks in a row.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care of yourself. We hope to see you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, articles, streaming cams, etc that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, B, Geemeff, H, J’, The Los Angeles Times, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, Dfyi Osprey Project, Rutland Water (LRWT), Window to Wildlife, Moorings Park, IWS/Explore, NEFL-AEF, Lake Murray Ospreys, Raptor Persecution UK, Knepp Farm, AccuWeather, Ferris Akel Tours
In the inbox this morning: “It’s a good morning indeed, Mary Anne! I hope you have purchased that next small bottle of champagne (and maybe already consumed it?) to celebrate the arrival of #3. Now my hope is that there are no big storms in a few weeks, when the three chicks are too big to all fit under mom Jackie at once.
The link below showed up in my google news summary on Friday. It is just a couple of letters to the editor in the Los Angeles Times showing public reaction to the moving drama at Big Bear. They certainly show how the story of Jackie and Shadow has inspired folks. What I think about even more myself is what wonderful messages Jackie and Shadow are bringing to all the schoolkids whose teachers are sharing the webcam with their classes.”
I could not agree with our reader more! That little bottle of champagne, the second one, will be with tonight’s dinner! I am personally over the moon. Elated beyond my dreams for Jackie and Shadow. The entire year could end now and it would be just fine. The happiness this nest has brought has washed away earlier tears. Now I just want Sauces to be as fortunate. Fingers crossed.
Heidi reports that the ospreys have returned to the Colonial beach nest. I wish they hadn’t. Maybe it will be a different year but with the Menhaden being taken out of the Chesapeake by the millions of tonnes I doubt it.
Pip watch for Moorings Park.
Hartley and Monty are gearing up big for the 2025 breeding season with lots of amorous moments. https://youtu.be/L8teFCA-p2c?
Wisdom, her partner, and her latest chick are doing well on the Midway Atoll.
Wisdom’s previous fledges are also parents!
We will be back with short little posts. Nothing long and arduous until next week. The weather is grand and we need to be outside.
Thank you so much to FOBBV for their streaming cam, to Elfruler for their research, Heidi and Colonial Beach Ospreys, Moorings Park Osprey Cam, SK Hideaways, Mission Blue, Friends of Midway Atoll, ‘B’, The Los Angeles Times, ABC News
I don’t know about you but the thought of Jackie and Shadow with three eaglets in a nest with a huge storm in the Big Bear Valley has been the most energizing event I could imagine. Has it been the same for you? There is some beautiful reaffirmation that everything really is going to be fine. I am sleeping better, the only thing we have been watching on that screen we have been watching are two of the sweetest, most loved little eaglets ever to hatch. Still can’t believe it.
A break in the winter storm allowed Jackie to feed the first two hatches at the nest and for everyone to get a glimpse at the pip in the third egg. Most of us did not believe our eyes. Could it be possible?
Many were determined not to watch the agony of Jackie and Shadow incubating eggs that would not hatch and now – to the utter amazement of everyone, it looks like there will be three!!!!!!!!!
Calico is one of the biggest fans of Big Bear and hasn’t been able to take her eyes off the nest all morning. There has never been triplets before. She worries like the rest of us, but when Shadow was calling Jackie and the babies….well, she is glued.
There will be a naming contest. Suggestions will go in. 35 names picked at random and the Big Bear Third Graders will get the final votes! And just think – it has been three years without naming eaglets. This is so exciting.
Gosh, I wish that Frenchman’s Creek camera was better. You can hardly see if those two chicks are alive!
Sadly, one has perished. ‘H’ writes: 3/6 – At approximately 22:15 the GHO struck Mom who was brooding the 2.5 day old and 1.5 day old babies. One of the babies was thrown to the rails at the bottom of the nest. Mom returned to the nest after just a few minutes. A couple minutes later, the baby on the rails sticks began to squirm, and then fell through the sticks.”
I cannot tell you how much I dislike the GHOs that strike these osprey nests.
‘A’ is worried that Jak and Audacity’s egg is buried too deep. ‘A’ is not alone. She remarks, “Have you seen the depth of the pit Jak and Audacity have excavated under and around that egg? Yes, it is likely to protect the egg from cracking because there won’t be any significant body weight on it from the incubating parents or indeed any weight at all, but I’m not even sure the brood patch can come into contact with the egg because of the depth it is at. And as Audacity pulls in the dry grass and tucks it tighter around her, it gradually works its way down towards the bottom of the pit until presumably it buries the egg. I think it is getting dug out again periodically but it is in my opinion in a precarious position.
I greatly fear that Audacity may see one of her eggs survive to pip but the eaglet will be buried at the bottom of a deep pit with loose dry grass constantly piling up on top of it. How long before an external pip can Audacity (and Jak) hear the chick cheeping inside? And if they do, will they try to dig the egg up? And are they likely to succeed or will the dry grass they remove from the bottom simply slide back down the inside of the pit? At the moment, as I said, when Audacity is incubating, she pulls dried grass towards her and tucks it in around her body. Surely this will mean that every time she moves, more dry grass falls into the bottom of the pit and more deeply buries the egg.”
Mind you, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I was scrolling around the telly. Please, please do not make the balloon arch on that new Netflix show with Meghan. I thought part of the idea was being kind to nature, being respectful for the environment. So then where did the balloons come from? No balloons, no balloon arches, and definitely not machines that blow balloons up. Kids do not need balloons. The environment does not need balloons. Wildlife die because of balloons. They go up, they come down. They burst. They have strings that bind little legs. Birds eat them. You just got added to Calico’s Wall of Shame.
Life is good. Smile. A big fish just came on the Big Bear Nest!
A visitor at Cal Falcons.
Thank you for being with us today. Take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, images, and just all the stations, TV and radio or otherwise, that are covering Jackie and Shadow: ‘A, Geemeff, H, J’, SK Hideaways, FOBBV, KTLA, KCAL, Bluff City-ETSU, Moorings Park Osprey Platform, Duke Farms, Wings of Whimsy, Frenchman’s Creek, Nesting Birdlife and More, Raptor Persecution UK, Cal Falcons, NE Florida-AEF
