Thursday in Bird World

17 April 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

This morning marked the arrival of our first Brown Thrasher, energetically scratching in the soil, while several dozen Dark-eyed Juncos flitted about, along with our regular visitors, all eagerly waiting and searching as I savored my coffee before feeding them.

Anne made a generous donation of a large bag of hot dogs for the crows, and their delight was palpable! Additionally, a neighbor brought over a hefty 50-pound bag of kibble for our outdoor cats. It’s heartwarming to see ‘Squishy’—the beloved cat with one ear folded down—making a comeback at the feeder after a long absence.

Everyone has their favorite birds and animals, yet they’re unable to set up feeders of their own, making their contributions all the more meaningful. It’s truly wonderful to witness such kindness and community spirit.

Our rescue facilities are currently overflowing and desperately in need of supplies. One essential item that we often overlook is thin protection gloves. If you have any spare pairs at home, consider donating them to someone in your community—they can make a significant difference!

As we dive into spring cleaning, tidying up our gardens and swapping out winter clothes, let’s not forget the countless items that animal rescues and rehabilitation shelters desperately need. Before you throw anything away, take a moment to consider whether it could be of value to a local shelter.

Donating your unwanted items is not only an excellent way to declutter your home, but it also provides critical support to those caring for animals in need. It’s a powerful act of kindness that benefits both you and the animals—let’s make a positive impact together!

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The notice arrived in my inbox shortly after I published my post on Wednesday morning. I promised Geemeff that it would be prominently displayed today!

News! Egg – well done Dorcha!!! First glimpsed at 17.52.55

17.50 Dorcha is on the nest sitting down and making little squeaking noises. She’s getting ready to lay her first egg!

17.52.55 She gives a little wiggle and stands up and the egg can just be glimpsed. Congratulations Dorcha!

And Louis, not forgetting his 5-second contribution..

18.06.12 She stands up and as she does, she gives the egg a little push with her leg and we get a clearer view.

(zoomed)

Iris: Iris: There’s someone who’s been visiting Iris, trying time and again to steal her incredible fish. You know who I am talking about. His persistence drives me up the wall! However, I’ve taken a moment to reflect on the ‘good’ Louis brings to the nest. Take Blue NC0 at Loch of the Lowes, for instance—she lost her partner, Laddie LM12, in 2024. Last year, there was genuine hope for her to bond with the Dark Night this year. Sadly, without a male to defend her territory, Blue NC0 lost both her nest and her land. Louis is the one who now safeguards Iris’s territory (she was there before him!). Finn, the only young male bold enough to challenge Louis, managed to oust Louis and keep him away from Iris. Together, they raised two beautiful chicks last year. If, heaven forbid, Finn doesn’t return, I have faith that Iris will still hold on to her nest because Louis is so protective of ‘his’ territory. Iris absolutely deserves it! So, if there is any silver lining, that is it. Thin like aluminum foil, but a reality nonetheless.

Elen has laid yet another egg at the Glaslyn nest, and this one is likely Teifi’s. Aran, having taken possession of the nest he initially shared with Mrs G, faces a crucial decision. With uncertainty surrounding the paternity of this new egg, it seems almost inevitable that he will choose to remove it. After all, why would Aran invest time in raising a chick that could belong to another male, jeopardising his own genetic legacy? It’s a tough call, but the instinct to protect his own lineage is likely to prevail!

Pitching rain in Wales Wednesday afternoon.

In contrast to Glaslyn, at the Tweed Valley 2 nest, Mrs O and an unringed female seem to be inclined to share the single male at the nest! They only get disgruntled when a fish is delivered. Maybe he should try bringing in two at a time. We might have a Trio at Tweed!!!!!! That would be really interesting.

Sauces: Betty Lou has had the most amazing care an eaglet could ever dream about. Jak and Audacity have kept her full and safe and relished every second getting to be parents again. One of those miracle moments of this year that we must cherish.

Dyfi: Idris and Telyn have three eggs they are incubating. The wind is blowing like it is a gale over at Dyfi! They may get some of that rain, too. The skies over the distant hills certainly seem to imply that damp weather is descending on the Glaslyn valley.

Llyn Clywedog: Seren Blue 5F is getting soaked, too. Did you know that Aran from Glaslyn courted Seren while he was bonded with Mrs G? Seren luckily gave up on losing her eggs and flew north a bit and found Dylan. They have raised some wonderful chicks together. I believe they still hold the record for the largest male osplet ringed in Wales.

Boulder County Fair Grounds: First egg arrives on Wednesday!

Loveland, Colorado: Two eggs as of Wednesday.

PSEG Oyster Bay: One egg as of Wednesday.

Xcel Energy Fort St Vrain Bald Eagles: Out of four, the two surviving eaglets appear to be doing quite well.

Charlo Montana: Lola is not too fond of the new male hanging around the nest. Charlie has yet to return and is very late.

Geemeff sends us the daily summary from Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust:

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 16th April 2025

Only one topic of conversation tonight – the arrival of the first egg! With a few squeaks, Dorcha produced the egg at 17.52.55 today and tonight there’s the welcome sight of her on the nest protecting the egg from the weather. Congratulations to Dorcha, and to Louis who did his usual classic double take at his first sight of the egg! Many on the forum are celebrating by making a donation to Woodland Trust: if you’re able to give, any amount is welcome, and the info is in the bonus section. Link to George WTS’ fundraising comment here: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/?ht-comment-id=24512818. In other news, no activity at Nest One today  – we had reports of a third Osprey at Bunarkaig, which might explain Garry LV0’s absence, perhaps we’ll see him tomorrow. Louis delivered two fish today to take his tally to thirtyfive, Dorcha chased a Hoodie away, and the wet weather is due to continue overnight and through to Friday.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One (05.20.12); Nest Two 21.22.09 (05.26.09)

Today’s videos: 

https://youtu.be/s_kzQzXLhzM N2 Dorcha uses her crow voice to scare off a Hoodie 10.58.30

https://youtu.be/ps0VU6SZ-F4 N2 Elevenses for Dorcha when fish number one arrives 11.46.13 

https://youtu.be/BKHSD1BymP0 N2 Dorcha quickly returns when Louis brings a second fish 16.41.45 

https://youtu.be/yMqIGkUXvnc  N2 First EGG! Congratulations Dorcha! 17.52.55 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/WJOWeX-Hxd8 N2 Louis’ first look at the egg 19.04.11

Bonus action – if you’re eggcited by the first egg, anticipating a second in three days, and have any spare funds… Woodland Trust will put them to good use protecting Louis & Dorcha’s home. Hit the yellow button on this page or use this link: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/support-us/give/donate  

If you prefer to donate offline call WT’s friendly team on 0330 333 3300 between 8.30am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday 

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/I-VmcgzVveY  N1 Aila watches a Red Deer near the nest 2020

https://youtu.be/7_XmXGafimM N1 Lonely Louis skydances in vain 2021

https://youtu.be/CJl9LiQ23eQ N1 Louis is vertically challenged 2021

https://youtu.be/XNiNQjkUSBs N1 Louis does his demented penguin impression 2022

https://youtu.be/3g5njmmeykE  N1 Comedy as Louis forgets he’s got a fish and tries mating! 2022

https://youtu.be/mJrYkJieaSo  N1 A Robin sings in the dark 2023

https://youtu.be/krmpSP7wVU0  N1 Louis does a flypast with fish number two 2023

https://youtu.be/qYLZK_Iym44  N1 A Barn Owl visits 2024

https://youtu.be/g4S95JxjN_k  N1 Interesting triangular encounter – with a new player! 2024

https://youtu.be/GH6XNHVJR1M N2 Dorcha didn’t take long to sort out Louis’ awkward stick! 2024

https://youtu.be/OI9pOORSzXA  N2 Nest One A Hoodie lands, interrupting Garry’s nest prep 2024

Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:

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

What can we do to help our garden birds?

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/16/garden-birds-need-a-hedge-against-decline?CMP=share_btn_url

Sandpoint: Geese continue to incubate eggs while Keo and Keke attempt to build a nest on a light pole.

I have been worried sick about Finnegan. If I could these beautiful birds would have tracking devices – I know it is silly – so we would know where they are and what is happening with them. I needed a smile and after checking on Betty Lou and Sunny and Gizmo, I went to check on Big Red and Arthur. There was snow starting to fall. Arthur had arrived to give a shift change and with some prey for the Queen of the Red-tail Hawks.

They have been together for 8 seasons!

The first egg was laid on April 2. Incubation is typically 28-32 days, making pip watch set for April 30.

Adorable Arthur.

Smile. CROW rescues a pair of osplets.

Lastly. It is time to stand up for the nests. In off time, those running streaming cams should refurbish and restore their osprey platforms which should include building rails, making certain that the base can allow for the drainage of water but has SS mesh to keep from sticks, eggs, and chicks form falling through. Nesting material should be provided. It has been shown that a proper nest can encourage good care of osplets (Snow Lane, Newfoundland, 2024).

Salem Electric, the osprey family wanting to use this platform needs help. Get the bucket truck up there and help them! Get everything ready and let your crews do this quickly!

Kielder Forest: KF13 laid her and W6’s first egg of the season at 13.01 today at Nest 1A.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. 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’, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Bwywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Tweed Valley 2, IWS/Explore, Dyfi Osprey Project, Llyn Clywedog, Boulder County Fairground, Loveland Colorado Ospreys, PSEG, The Guardian, Xcel Energy Fort St Vrain, Cornell Bird Lab, CROW, Charlo Montana, Sandpoint, Salem Electric, Kielder Forest, Foulshaw Ospreys

Monday in Bird World

14 April 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

It was a bit nippy on Sunday, but spring is definitely here. It was time to shake off the winter and get back to walking 4 or 5 times a week. Our first trip was around St Vital Park and then over to the duck pond. There were approximately 85 Canada Geese there along with 5 male Wood Ducks and 2 females, and a couple pair of Mallards along with 3 Ring-billed Gulls. There is still some ice on the pond. It was nice to see families with proper seed feeding them as we wait for the grass to turn green and grow.

You have no idea how happy I am that the walkways are free of ice. This winter has been long because of this. I so enjoyed all the walking that we have done in previous years. Oh, this is wonderful!

Moving on to our feathered friends…

Eggs are starting to land in those osprey nests! Eaglets are growing or fledging or halfway there.

Birds of Poole Harbour: CJ7 laid the season’s first egg for her and mate, Blue 022, on Sunday.

Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home: There are now three eggs in this osprey nest.

Glaslyn: Ospreys can count and they ‘know’. Aran arrived on Saturday and Elen laid her first egg on Sunday the 13th. It would have been KC1’s, Teifi’s. Aran tried to evict it and then when that did not work, he buried it. Aran might have trouble holding on to the nest he shared with Mrs G and then Elen when Mrs G did not return from migration. We wait to see how this works out.

So why did Aran (and other males at different nests at different times) try to eject and then bury the egg?

Male ospreys eject eggs from their nest if they suspect they didn’t fertilise the eggs. We quickly learn that ospreys can count! This behaviour is a strategy to ensure their offspring survive, as they may eject eggs from the nest that they don’t believe to be their own. Ospreys are generally monogamous and mate for life, but if a male suspects infidelity, he may eject eggs to remove potential competitors. 

  • Ensuring their own genetic line: Male ospreys are motivated to ensure their offspring survive. They may eject eggs if they believe they are not their own, as they are essentially removing potential competitors. 
  • Guardianship of the nest: Ospreys fiercely protect their nests and mates. If another male is suspected of mating with the female, the male may eject eggs to ensure his own paternity. 
  • Courtship and Mating: Male ospreys engage in frequent courtship displays and mating behaviours, which can increase the likelihood of fertilisation by their partner. If they witness a female with another male, they may attempt to eject the eggs to ensure their genetic line is the only one present. 
  • Territoriality:Male ospreys are territorial and will defend their nest and mate from other males. This can extend to ejecting eggs if they suspect other males have been involved in mating with the female. 

In summary, the ejection of eggs is a behaviour driven by the male osprey’s instinct to protect his mate and ensure his genetic line continues. It’s a natural defence mechanism against potential rivals and a strategy to maintain the success of his breeding effort. 

Film showing a bathing osprey. It is delightful. https://youtu.be/rev2Y0sbFhk?

Oh, what a worry KNF-E3 O3 was to everyone. Steve looked. Cody helped. And on Sunday that fledgling flew up to the nest like a pro wanting fish. Mum and Dad did not disappoint. Isn’t this wonderful? We will count every one of these moments as gold.

Little Miami Conservancy: These two are doing well but cannot yet thermoregulate their temperature.

Foulshaw Moss: White YW and Blue 35 have their second egg on Sunday. at 1308.

Fort St. Vrain: Less drama today at the nest. Both eaglets fine.

Fat little bottom. Cute.

NCTC: The trio of Scott and Bella are doing extraordinarily well. Little angels.

Port Tobacco: All is well.

Johnson City ETSU: I blinked and that little fluffy chick now has juvenile feathers!

Bluff City ETSU: And just look at these two!

Duke Farms: Then there is this trio. All doing well.

US Steel: Only Bob is doing well. Getting his pin feathers.

Sauces: Betty Lou. Look at those feathers coming in!

Fraser Point: Two adorable babies being well cared for by Andor and Cruz.

Big Bear Valley: Is it possible they will be too full to fly? We would love to keep them on the nest.

Geemeff’s Daily Summary for Loch Arkaig. Just look at the number of fish that Louis has brought in. Now he started out, as Geemeff reminded me, like this last year. But bad weather and an illness and/or injury turned the tide on the nest and the two osplets were translocated. One survived. One did not.

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 13th April 2025

Another calm day without intruders, Affric 152 or Prince dropping in. And sadly, no unattached female visitors for Garry LV0 despite his bringing a fish and making Nest One very cosy with sticks and bedding. Garry’s fish tally rises by a whopping 50% up to a total of three since he arrived on 9th April, fingers crossed that this will be the season he finds a mate. Louis on the other hand is providing so well for Dorcha that she initially refused the second of his two fish deliveries today, and his tally now stands at twentynine since they returned on 2nd April. At the time of filing this report (23.45) Nest Two is empty – will Dorcha return and spend the night as she did last night, will she lay the first egg tomorrow? We must wait and see. The weather forecast is light rain and light winds overnight and into tomorrow, not the best weather for eggs but Dorcha will cope.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.31.19 (05.28.03); Nest Two 21.29.45 (05.32.34)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/cJRzg3GKcZw  N1 Garry LV0 brings a fish but takes it away seconds later 07.58.17

https://youtu.be/tJxdXWMuArw N2 Louis brings a late breakfast 09.02.07

https://youtu.be/2sWdD3SyZQI N1 Garry LV0 stays a little longer on his second visit 08.56.47

https://youtu.be/8_TK0aK9cus N1 Garry pole-vaults in for a third visit 09.33.50

https://youtu.be/Y2Zr8mmDBxA N2 Dorcha doesn’t want the second fish 20.19.17 

Bonus guide to Osprey egg production:

https://kielderospreys.wpcomstaging.com/2013/05/04/copulation-and-laying-eggs-a-bit-of-a-biology-lessonBlast from the past, this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/S79vEf6sTV0  N2 Louis chases an intruder 2020 (Slo-mo)
https://youtu.be/aw9gnUSlGO0  N1 Late night drama as Louis chases another intruder 2020
https://youtu.be/6yGNxv2KqNQ  N2 Misty morning mating 2022 (x-rated!!)
https://youtu.be/P60wseTCepU  N1 Louis brings a fish to his old nest 2022
https://youtu.be/NmUONfZzPeI  N2 Louis loses a stick and nearly gets lucky 2023
https://youtu.be/9dNWnjbzqEY  N2 Dorcha sees off a Hoodie 2023https://youtu.be/NHDU63bbEag  N1 Garry LV0 brings another fish 2024 (zoom)
https://youtu.be/G1l5YJriSt8   N1 Garry LV0 startles a little songbird 2024 (slo-mo zoom)
https://youtu.be/9MU4DHe21Ak  N2 No egg tonight: both depart 2024

Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:

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

Loch of the Lowes: News from The Woodland Trust:· 

“Over the last 5 days, things appeared to have settled into a fairly relaxed routine for LM24 (The Dark Intruder) and his new mate the Unringed Female. The pair have been spending more time on and around the nest, often appearing at first light, indicating they are likely to be roosting nearby. Mating has been regular, though the male is still sometimes getting himself back to front, but he has also busied himself with bringing material into the nest, skydancing and bringing in fish to his mate – everything you would expect a breeding male to do.

Throughout the week there had been little in the way of intruders, with only a fleeting incursion on the 9th April, which the Unringed Female easily defended against. Not content with LM24’s offerings, she brought in a huge trout yesterday, which unusually she caught on the Loch where it is usually more common to see pike and perch.

This morning it was only LM24 who appeared on the nest at dawn, and it remained quiet for much of the day, with no sign of the Unringed Female. Ospreys can be a little bit like buses, with not much happening and then everything happening all at once! True to form it all kicked off mid-afternoon with the arrival of yet another new intruding bird (another unringed female) who was very ‘hangry’!

This female wasted no time in demanding food from LM24, who although initially reluctant, passed his half eaten pike to her, before trying to attempt to mate. The female, with very striking markings (a large triangle on the back of her head, dark chest and a white gap between her eyes) was not keen to reciprocate, but quickly began rearranging the furniture. This female behaved in a way that was very confident and suggested that she may be a little older and more experienced than both LM24 and his Unringed Female partner.

The ‘hangry’ female (who devoured her fish) very vocally began demanding more food from the male, who was keeping a close and perhaps rather confused eye on the things from the top of the camera. After several more failed mating attempts, he finally managed to encourage the female to lift her tail and mate successfully, before……enter stage left; LM24’s mate, the Unringed Female landed on the nest, flapping her wings and mantling, clearly unhappy with proceedings!! She was closely followed by LM24, who briefly touched down before being chased off by the ‘hangry’ intruder!

All three osprey then took to the skies in a spectacular display of flying, diving and shouting, before the Unringed Female returned to the nest. Her respite was short lived however, with the other female returning to launch another furious attack! Once again the birds took off in a flurry of talons and wings, before order finally seemed to be restored 5 minutes later with both LM24 and his mate the Unringed Female settling back onto the nest together.

Things appear to have settled down and order for now seems to have been restored, but for how long?

Follow the webcam for all the action, or come and visit the centre, open 10:30am – 5pm each day”

https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/…/loch-of-the…

Hellgate Canyon: Gorgeous Iris. Still waiting for Finnegan. He was there on the 14th last year. Fingers crossed he arrives today!!!!!!! Oh, tears will flow around the world. Please let this miracle happen again…

Salem Electric: Lots of work to do on this nest. I sure wish that humans in the US would follow some of the UK’s practices where the nest is refurbished each year while the ospreys are on migration!

Clark PUD: Both ospreys are on the nest. Lovely.

Port of Ridgefield: Both home.

Seaside: Bruce has been supplying Naha with some really nice fish since their return. Sunday was no exception with a Redtail Surf Perch and two trout.

Niagara Bee Ospreys: No eggs but a Canada Goose is visiting the nest.

Farmer Derek’s Owl Nest: Bonnie and Clive have one owlet this year, Starr. She is a beauty.

Russell Lake, Nova Scotia: Oscar arrived so early. It seems that he was so happy to have Ethel return that he has been out looking for any kind of gift to brighten her day! OK, Oscar. You can stop now. Those eggs and chicks don’t want to get mixed up with human litter!

Coeur de’Alene, Idaho: No ospreys in sight. Canada Goose nesting on the north platform.

In 2024, with four osplets on the nest and everyone hoping for them, the male disappeared during a heat dome. Mum tried but it is difficult to raise four even if both parents are fishing. Three of the chicks died of siblicide/starvation. One fledged.

Update from Fort St Vrain:

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, and articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post: ‘Geemeff’, Birds of Poole Harbour, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home, RAKPhotographic, Kistachie National Forest, Little Miami Conservancy, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Fort St Vrain, NCTC, Port Tobacco, Johnson City ETSU, Bluff City ETSU, Pix Cams, Duke Farms, IWS/Explore, FOBBV, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, The Scottish Wildlife Trust, Montana Osprey Project/Cornell Bird Lab, Salem Electric, Clark PUD, Port of Ridgefield, Seaside Ospreys, Niagara Bee Ospreys, Farmer Derek, Ospreys of Nova Scotia, City of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, The Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Loch of the Lowes Visitor’s Centre, Fort St Vrain/Excel Energy

Saturday in Bird World

12 April 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

Late Breaking News:

Glaslyn: Aran arrived home safely today! Yes. Come on Finnegan. Geemeff sent this: Aran is finally back at Glaslyn. Elen has bonded with Teifi (hatched at Dyfi) so fun and games there today. She is confused and has flapped her wings at Aran. Aran has been defending his nest – and his Mrs!  All quiet now, I think Aran is chasing Teifi away. Going to be fun there. The same thing happened at the Llyn Brenig nest and seemingly that hasn’t settled yet.

Dyfi: Idris and Telyn have their second egg of the season.

John Bunker Sands Wetlands: The second eagle fledged.

Bety and Bukachek are reunited at the Mlade Buky White Stork nest! Thank you PB.

15 degrees C. Feels like summer.

It just feels like spring is here on the Canadian prairies. The Dark-eyed Juncos are enjoying the White Millet that has been scattered on the deck and on a small piece of ice near the wood box. The central heating is turned off. Our heavy winter coats are in the closet. If a blizzard hits – and they have been known to – we can easily grab them. A replacement bird bath has been ordered and we are beginning to clean up the yard where we can. Some things are still frozen to the ground!

In anticipation of the arrival of our songbirds and raptors, I will remind everyone how to keep their feeders clean so as not to spread disease:

The National Audubon Society gives these tips to help stop the spread of bird diseases such as avian flu. Clean feeders and bird baths with a solution of nine parts water to one part bleach every two weeks. Use multiple feeders to make it easier for birds to feed at a distance from each other, and remove feces and seed casings from below feeders regularly.

On the way home, the Bald Eagle that has its nest between our nature centre and the dump, flew right in front of our moving car, and grabbed an enormous bunch of dried grass and lifted off. Majestic. Thank goodness I was not driving fast. This all happened in the blink of an eye. Huge talons full of dead grasses and a flurry to get off. Scared me. I cannot imagine hitting this beautiful creature. I cannot imagine anyone doing them (or any other wildlife) harm.

It was not a surprise. So many were hopeful. Still, the 4th eaglet did not survive at Fort St Vrain. Many of you wrote to say that you are glad that the little one went quickly.

A growing number of you, along with others we may not yet know, are passionately seeking support. Last year, ‘MP’ and I faced significant frustration as we encountered endless obstacles—it felt like we were stuck in a loop. It is essential that we find a dedicated individual in the area who is willing to champion this important initiative. Having high-quality photographs is vital; many potential supporters rely on current visuals, but the images available on Google Maps are often outdated. Let’s come together to ensure we capture the attention and resources needed to move this project forward. for the Achieva Osprey Platform.

Geemeff sends the daily summary for the Woodland Trust and Loch Arkaig:

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 11th April 2025Today was a bit calmer, no intruders on Nest Two, just plenty of fish deliveries from Louis giving Dorcha the luxury of refusing one or two of them. Louis brought four fish to the nest, taking his tally to twenty four, along with sticks and moss to prepare the nest ready for the arrival of the first egg. That could be as early as the 14th, just three days away – there will be many watchers looking out for that special event. Over on Nest One, the day started with an early morning visit from a Tawny Owl who only stayed for a few minutes, giving her distinctive call before flying away again. Garry LV0 brought a fish but had no takers as neither Affric 152 nor any unattached females were seen, and he took it away again. Perhaps the continuing good weather will bring some traffic to the area and give Garry the hope of finding a mate.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.31.23 (05.34.38); Nest Two 21.43.39 (05.40.16)Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/OEnaIWW4XeE  N1 Tawny Owl visits 04.06.02https://youtu.be/2y8zxmxgX9M  N2 Fish number one – early breakfast arrives 06.13.32 

https://youtu.be/NdIgS1BEzmo  N2 Louis brings fish number two and takes it away 07.00.16

https://youtu.be/Oza6XDYwP3E  N2 Louis delivers fish three, Dorcha dines on the nest 11.03.16

https://youtu.be/dIQAIT_2a5o  N1 No takers so Garry leaves with his fish 13.10.14

https://youtu.be/82LtHDs-JhA  N2 Dorcha grabs and goes as soon as fish four arrives 18.22.47

Bonus look: Louis & Dorcha star in the Week in Wildlife (thanks Neil Macduff):

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2025/apr/11/week-in-wildlife-ospreys-reunited-monkey-thief-london-fox-cub

Blast from the past – this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/p_72D3H8lzc N1 Corvid not Covid! 2020
https://youtu.be/wYmwz8lUWsQ N1 The Stranger arrives with breakfast 2021

https://youtu.be/W8Bl6tCXYGsN1 Welcome home Louis 2021 (zoomed)

https://youtu.be/9p84l65VnYo N2 Louis & Dorcha reunited 2022

https://youtu.be/s_pTTmsBRdA N2 Aerial battles with Hoodies 2023 (zoomed)

https://youtu.be/N7ZGY4vmVeE  N2 Successful mating and a flypast 2023

https://youtu.be/PCFbG-MfO84  N2 Dorcha scares off a Great Tit 2024

https://youtu.be/Frl2xush4Vs  N2 Alien invasion of Nest Two! Or is it? 2024

‘J’ lets us know that the Trempealeau Eagles has its first hatch.

There are some concerns about the Sydney Sea Eagles and the development planned for the Sydney Olympic Park.

Can you imagine the killing of whales in US waters? Well, get ready unless you work hard to stop it! You don’t have long.

The Bird of the Week from the American Bird Conservancy.

Its life is threatened by habitat loss due to logging and mining.

Many more are threatened by our lights. Turn them off during migration as ‘PB’ has done. They send us the latest migration map.

While we are sad when we lose a little one or the adults do not return, there are many to celebrate including USS8 who is being fed by his dad, Irv, at the US Steel Nest.. https://youtu.be/IswC6bNr6Nw?

Thankful for our miracle, Bodie.

For Sunny and Gizmo at Big Bear Valley:

For only amazing miracle eaglet, Betty Lou, at Sauces Canyon:

For Iris returning to us at Hellgate Canyon:

I have a deep appreciation for European Starlings and House Sparrows. It’s disheartening to see their numbers dwindling in my garden, and the decline of the Starling population in the UK is alarming. We must take action to protect our feathered friends. When you encounter a garden company claiming to rid your space of weeds without using any toxic chemicals, challenge their assertions—it’s simply misguided. Our environment and wildlife deserve better!

Starlings fall to record low in UK’s 2025 Big Garden Birdwatchhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/11/starlings-uk-2025-big-garden-birdwatch-rspb?CMP=share_btn_url

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write this short post today: ‘Geemeff, J, PB’, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Dyfi Osprey Project, JBSW, Mlade Buke White Stork News, The Audubon Society, Fort St Vrain, Achieva Credit Union, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Sydney Sea Eagle FB, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, American Bird Conservancy, USFWS Columbia Pacific, The Guardian

Friday in Bird Word

11 April 2025

Hello Everyone,

Morning Update:

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: Montana Osprey Cams

Sorestonpd45h3277if02mgttu5iahiit47m8u2a12cgiifchimft91123h0  · 

“Hi everyone!

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:

https://youtu.be/j1DxPFlrGu4 N2 Louis won’t give Dorcha the first fish 06.15.18

https://youtu.be/B0LdP-qTXW4 N2 The ringed intruder returns 08.03.30

https://youtu.be/bstQ7gOgnqA N1 Affric and Garry have an encounter 08.53.04 

https://youtu.be/7IDTQEDXPtE N2 Louis has a little lie down after delivering fish number two 12.33.55https://youtu.be/DpBbCdymmCY N2 Dorcha doesn’t want the third fish so Louis takes it away 15.02.23 https://youtu.be/0S3tAvALOmM N2 Dorcha grabs the fourth fish as soon as it arrives 20.32.25

Bonus watch –   the importance of the UK’s temperate rainforests, like Loch Arkaig:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/habitats/temperate-rainforest/explore-britains-rainforests-film/
Blast from the past – this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/LbWEdz9F-qg N1 Aila & Louis share a love nest 2020
https://youtu.be/G-3kBllTF-8 N1 Louis’ enthusiastic fine-tuning 2020
https://youtu.be/0Qy8OO9mY30 N1 Tricky stick for the Stranger 2021
https://youtu.be/i71cxxtGq2w N1 No takers for the Stranger’s fish 2021
https://youtu.be/Z1AU-Q7nx9o N2 Three little visitors 2023
https://youtu.be/2I51i5kIVa0 N2  Together again: Louis & Dorcha are reunited 2023

https://youtu.be/LPHhs_3oFQU N1 Welcome home Affric 2024 (zoom)
https://youtu.be/TDenxxKhpYw Fish number one, headless BT 2024

https://youtu.be/l1HpuYtiBnE Fish number two, large headless BT 2024

Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:

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

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.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/08/a-high-flying-visitor-the-wondrous-far-eastern-curlew-faces-fresh-threat-in-nt-wetlands-haven?CMP=share_btn_url

Eastern Curlew” by 0ystercatcher is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

It is up to people to help this beautiful, long flyer.

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

Friday in Bird World

4 April 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

Thursday was a gorgeous day. +5 C. Sunny. We spent the day out in the country away from the city taking in the spring air.

Animals are really important to one’s well-being. My husband thrives around them. We brought carrots for the goats today. Isn’t this little one with its blue eyes just a darling? One of our favourites.

And we brought our own goose home! She will no longer lure ducks or geese to their peril and doesn’t need food!

At home, Calico spent the afternoon watching the birds fly in and out of the garden. We are so grateful she is inside with her daughter, Hope. My heart pangs thinking of her ever living outside in the harsh weather.

I always welcome your e-mails. Don’t stop sending them. It keeps me connected with people of like minds who love the birds and who cry with them throughout the joys and the sorrows.

‘JB’ writes: “I know you got hundreds of emails but I still wanted to add mine. When Dorcha arrived, I was happy for her, but it also low-key, unofficially confirmed in my mind that maybe Louis really was gone since he usually arrived first. But I was still planning to hold onto hope for one more day. Perhaps he was taking an extra rest, esp after last summer. But I still couldn’t shake off that realization that Dorcha arrived FIRST. I was riding the subway to work and was actually feeling really sad thinking that this world is without Louis and how strange it felt, when I saw someone post on the Woodland Trust chat about an osprey on the nest but not being sure who it was. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it on the livestream. It really is a miracle! The fact that any bird can keep coming back year after year is already a miracle, but especially Louis! So many of us, myself included, had doubts. But this shows to never count an osprey out!

And so now I wait with baited breath for Iris’s arrival. I created another drawing. It’s meant to be cheeky and silly, Iris looking at the calendar with anticipation and packing her best summer feathers, some fish jerky, and Finnegan’s love letter to her over the winter. Haha, it gives me a good chuckle.

Hooray for Louis and Dorcha!”

‘JB’s art to go with this letter!

We are all waiting while crossing toes, fingers, eyebrows, and hoping beyond hope to see our Queen land on her nest. Thank you, ‘JB’.

Geemeff sends us the news for today from The Woodland Trust:

Woodland Trust Daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 3rd April 2025:

The day started with owls hooting and the dawn chorus starting up before day cam switched over, but the best music was the sound of Louis skydancing. However when he landed on the nest at 06.22, he ignored Dorcha who had made herself available by raising her tail almost vertically. But it was only a short while later that he departed, circled round, and came back to the nest for a full-on mating with Dorcha at 06.48. The pair spent the rest of the day popping on and off the nest, mating, nestorising and generally showing typical behaviour of newly returned Ospreys. Louis brought the first fish of the season around 5pm but Dorcha wasn’t there to get it. When he returned with it later, she was on the nest and took it from him, however her nicely filled out crop suggests he’s either giving her fish off-nest, or she’s fishing for herself. That single fish kicks off the start of the daily fishing report, with Steve Q expertly crunching the numbers. New volunteers are encouraged to sign up, it’s easy and you don’t need to know much about fish species, so if you’d like your very own Fish Counter badge, please send Deb a message. In other news, a Buzzard touched down on Nest One. S/he mantled protectively on the nest but arrived with empty talons, and no other bird was seen, at least not on nest cam, so its behaviour was interesting. George WTS put on his Press Officer hat, and the return of our Ospreys made the news, link to one article in the bonus section.

Night cam switches on (day cam):

Nest One 21.10.23 (05.39.11); Nest Two 21.27.26 (05.53.18)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/j2Sum_Ko7Lc N2 Dorcha’s keen but Louis isn’t! 06.22.48

https://youtu.be/xMhCZ5qGTqQ N2 Finally – successful mating 06.48.31

https://youtu.be/hzODfj11JQ4 N1 A Buzzard visits mantling over its empty talons 15.32.48

https://youtu.be/zMMO3WcJR_Q N2 First fish of the season arrives but Dorcha’s not there 16.57.54

Bonus read – the return of the Arkaig Ospreys makes the news:

https://news.sky.com/story/famous-osprey-louis-returns-to-nest-in-scotland-after-illness-13340970

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/09TOby_yPfU  N1 A Woodpecker visits 2021

https://youtu.be/-BwfbQolDAE  N2 Aerial antics: ACrow chases a Buzzard near the nest 2022 (slo-mo zoom)

https://youtu.be/_Er_85c3FZU  N2 Louis brings a fish supper but Dorcha’s not home yet 2023

https://youtu.be/XRUIQug73eo N1 Louis touches down briefly on his old nest 2024 (slo-mo repeat)

https://youtu.be/dZWAEwRxHGA N2 Dorcha accepts fish number three at the second offering 2024

https://youtu.be/NKWmX-eR-94  N2 Successful mating 2024

Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:

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

‘J’ sent us an interesting opportunity for someone who might want to visit Oklahoma.

Wild Heart Ranch

9h  · 

Our spring tee shirt logo! I will have them on our store later today! We have youth sizes up to 3X!
That’s Raegan flying over Greg’s head! 😃

The Wild Heart “Bed and Baby Experience”

It is PRIME CABIN STAY TIME! If you have ever wanted to spend a few days helping to feed the babies, but live too far away to volunteer, OR you live local enough to drive but don’t want to start out volunteering doing dishes, floors and laundry, NOW IS THE TIME TO BOOK A CABIN!  The “Cabin experience”; 18 or older, all access to Wild Heart, you start out feeding whatever animals you would like to help with so long as it is safe for you and the animals. We invest one-on-one time teaching you to feed babies even though we may never see you again. (which isn’t often the case) In exchange for our time, your cabin rental helps fund our staff to care for the babies! Once you are experienced (with us) and do not require supervision, we give you winter rates for your stay!  Our cabins are fully equipped, cozy, comfortable and convenient. They are small, but you won’t be spending a lot of time in them. You are here to experience the magic of Wild Heart and that lives in the clinic and on the land! 😃

We have three cabins to choose from:
Raptor Cabin: Queen bed $350 for one night, then $300 for any additional nights
Retreat: (available Friday & Saturday nights) Twin bed+futon+loft, laundry, stove top and large shower $300 one night, then $200
Lodge: Full sized bed $250 one night then $200

All cabins have kitchenettes with fridge, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, all your linens, showers, TV, a place to sit and store your belongings. They are adorable and we are very proud of them. 

Now is the BEST TIME EVER to rent a cabin because we have a larger staff so you can count on more attention and less chaos. We have recently invested in upgrading and renewing our cabins AND we have Dava assigned to tending our cabins so they are spotless and perfect for your stay. She misses NOTHING!  Text Susan at 918)600-8237 and she will call you when she is back at her desk and get you booked! We book only to our Facebook followers and our monthly donors now get fall and winter rates YEAR ROUND! Raptor $250/200, Lodge $150/100, Retreat $200/150. COME SEE US!
Annette

Osprey News:

Loch Arkaig: I can’t stop smiling. Louis and Dorcha. Home.

Dyfi: Beautiful Idris and Telyn.

Llyn Clywedog: Stunning. Dylan and Seren are both home from migration.

Glaslyn: Elen waiting for Aran. Aran, come home!

Hellgate Canyon, Missoula:

Goitzsche Wildnis: J Castnyer comments on the day: “Zeus has done a great job rebuilding the nest from four badly placed sticks and, right now, what he is doing is providing a large amount of loose material not just to cover possible cracks, but to provide comfort to the nest and for Fjona to feel at ease. Males like Zeus are a treasure, on the level of the mythical Monty (Wales) and Teo (Latvia) or an Idris (Dyfi) or a Dylan (Llyn Clywedog).”

Zeus has done a great job rebuilding the nest from four badly placed sticks and, right now, what he is doing is providing a large amount of loose material not just to cover possible cracks, but to provide comfort to the nest and for Fjona to feel at ease. Males like Zeus are a treasure, on the level of the mythical Monty (Wales) and Teo (Latvia) or an Idris (Dyfi) or a Dylan (Llyn Clywedog).

Eschenbach: Concern expressed over the new female’s immaturity at the nest. Joan Castnyer: “We are not on the right track. The new female is strong and has character, yes, but at the same time she is (rather than young) quite immature. She does not spend much time in the nest and (what is more worrying) does not respond to Herbert’s attempts to mate, as you can see in the video. It is possible that this year no young chicks will fly from this nest and that moving Hermine will turn out to be a mistake. We will remain attentive and confident.”

Boulder County: No eggs yet for Mum and new Dad.

Rutland Manton Bay: Maya reveals egg as she gets up for early night stretch.

Birds of Poole Harbour: Beautiful CJ7 and a couple portrait with her mate, Blue 022.

AlythSS: Harry is home!

Kielder Forest Nest 7: Both ospreys back live! https://www.youtube.com/live/bJONIQs4Sfg?

Threave Ospreys: Egg on nest 1.

Farm Field: Not sure that Heidi will include this in her report:

From Heidi:

Achieva osprey nest:  Jack has a new mate this year, named Jill.  Jill laid two eggs, but egg 1 did not hatch.  Egg 2 hatched overnight 4/4, and our first sighting of the little baby was at 07:08.  Congratulations to Jack and Jill!

Bald Eagles:

‘J’ writes that we have new hatches!

Fort St Vrain: So far twins out of those four eggs! FSV52 and FSV53

Big Bear: Is Sunny practising for her maternal duties in the future? https://youtu.be/H6zU37pL8Kk?

Sunny and Gizmo are so adorable.

Fraser Point: Andor and Cruz’s two eaglets are adorable.

Sauces Canyon: Jak and Audacity could not be more proud of their little Betty Lou.

Kistachie National Forest E3: A nice fish on the nest for 03 who is looking good.

Big Red and Arthur, Cornell’s darling Red-tail Hawk couple make the news: https://youtu.be/3QjjH2DEh2E?

In Hertfordshire, a hawk was harrassing villagers. Now it has been caught.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/apr/03/flamstead-man-catches-hawk-that-had-been-attacking-villagers-for-weeks?CMP=share_btn_url

Geemeff sends us more news:

Good news for all UK wildlife – and us humans too. But a great pity the authorities not only failed to act to clean up our rivers, but appealed the decision when they lost to the charity Fish Legal who took them to court for failing in their duty. They lost – again! It’s cost us tax payers a fortune in court fees which would have been better spent starting the clean-up.

https://preview.mailerlite.io/emails/webview/510835/150736527066924323

A call to action:

Protections are being dismantled, but public lands and waters belong to you, whether it is a National Wildlife Refuge, National Park, Forest, Marine Sanctuary or Marine Monument. Your tax dollars provide a way for you to safely visit, hunt, fish, birdwatch, swim and hike. These lands and waters are where native wildlife have reared their young for millennium and are now protected in perpetuity for the specific purposes laid out by Congress in their establishment.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care everyone. We hope to see you again soon.

Thank you to the following whose comments, notes, images, videos, articles, and streaming cams helped me to write my blog today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, J, JB’, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Wild Heart Ranch, The Woodland Trust and Loch Arkaig, Dyfi Osprey Project, Birds of Poole Harbour, Bywyd Gwllyd Glaslyn, LRWT, Llyn Clywedog Osprey Cam, Montana Osprey Cam, Joan Castnyer and Goitzsche Wildnis and Eschenbach Osprey Cams, Boulder County Fair Grouds Osprey Cam, Farm Field Ospreys, SK Hideaways, FOBBV, IWS/Explore, Kistachie National Forest, WENY TV News, The Guardian, Achieva Credit Union, Fort St Vrain, Alyth SS, Kielder Forest, Threave Castle, Jeff Kear and UK Osprey Info

Sunday in Bird World

30 March 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

Thank you so much for being with us today. Our thoughts were with the people of Myanmar today as they dig their friends, family members, and even strangers out of the rubble of the 7.7 earthquake with their bare hands and any tools they can find. At last count more than 1600 people were declared dead. My son and I have friends there and in Bangkok – our condolences to all who lost a loved one.

If you are in the UK, Happy Mother’s Day! And to all our feathered friends there – to you as well!

Saturday was breezy and a bit chilly, but it turned out to be a day for restocking the cupboards. Before we left, Brock came to the garden door requesting another dish of roast chicken! He sure loves his roast chicken.

He is getting less frightened of me. I tap on the glass twice. That alerts Brock that I am coming outside with additional food for him. A year ago he would have run under the deck and waited for me to return to the house locking the door. Now he will sit about 30-45 cm away (12-15 inches) waiting. He suns himself on the rug and never rushes to leave. He is more comfortable. Brock has been coming to the garden since 2022 with Calico. His life is not easy but he is fed and now, thanks to a reminder by Geemeff, he is getting his de-worming treatment.

The Crows have been coming to the big table feeder for cat kibble. They are here every day. Soon I will need to make sure that there is ‘meat’ available for them as there will be babies to feed. [Taken through the conservatory window with the iPhone].

Just a warning. Today’s post will be shorter than normal. I had trouble with Meta (Facebook) and the posting of Saturday’s blog. I suggest that you subscribe so as not to miss any news. The blog is free and will always be free. I do not send any ads, and I will never ask for any subscription fees. You can cancel anytime. Usually, there is one post per day.

Geemeff sends us news:

Set backs and successes of raptor re-introduction in Northern Ireland:

https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/uknews/the-revival-of-ireland-s-birds-of-prey-and-the-flight-from-conflict-to-conservation/ar-AA1BT9aV

How many dead Ospreys is OK?

https://www.pressreader.com/uk/western-mail/20250328/281968908489499

Geemeff also sends us the arrival dates for dear Louis at Loch Arkaig and comments on the current state of UK ospreys;

“Speaking of arrivals, Dylan is missing Seren, and Elen is missing Aran. And we’re missing Louis & Dorcha. They arrived last year on the 28th and 30th March respectively, but that was the first time in March. All previous years have been April arrivals. I wish they’d hurry up and arrive, Maya is looking very eggy, any day now she’ll produce the UK’s first egg and we don’t even have either bird back, or even Garry LV0.

Here’s Louis’ dates:

 2017 10 April  

 2018 6 April    

 2019 4 April   

2020 5 April  

2021 11 April  

2022 11 April  

2023 2 April 

2024 28 March”

We wait in anticipation.

Osprey News:

Russell Lake, Nova Scotia: Oscar returned Saturday morning. He has already been fishing and being watched closely by Don and Connie Dennis!

Baseball Park Ospreys, Missoula, Montana: Star, the mate of Louis, has arrived.

Steelscape, Washington: Both adults are back on the nest.

Seaside, Oregon: Bruce and Naha have both returned on the 24th and 26th.

Smallwood: The first egg was laid Sunday morning.

Cowlitz: Osprey was on the nest on Saturday.

Lake Murray: Lucy and Kenny. There were originally three eggs and now there are only two. ‘H’ adds: ” It was noticed 3/29 at 00.45 an egg looked like it had a big dent, and Lucy moved the egg with her beak.”

Western Maryland Shore for Old Town Home: Marilyn laid her first egg on Saturday.

Llyn Clywedog: Seren Blue 5F has joined Dylan at their nest in Wales. Welcome home lovely girl. Dylan did a sky dance on her arrival. Oh, this couple is wonderful.

Achieva: Jack has disappointed me in his fish deliveries for his new female mate. Diane, his former mate, had to supplement the fish for the chicks and well, the eggs haven’t even hatched. There is a lot of competition and no doubt Jack has problems with gulls, other ospreys, and eagles for whatever he catches.

Baseball Park, Missoula, Montana (yes, again): Louis has now arrived and so both Star and Louis are on the nest! Thanks, Dr Greene!

Boulder County Fairgrounds: Dad has been missing. Mum has a new mate, it appears, who has brought her a fish and then there is an intruder. Thank you Noland MacDonald!

Dyfi: The DOP says, “Dyfi Osprey Project

odspSoertn8hc7cm27ul26gm7tc917h0li5gum9al04fc46a9fhc8cig4i94  · 

Happy Mothers Day to Telyn today – and indeed all mothers.

Telyn will be 12-years old in a few weeks and has bred successfully at the Dyfi nest since 2018, raising 18 youngsters to migration age in that time.

​​That’s a 2.6 average offspring to migration age per year – twice the UK average.

Telyn is the daughter of Maya who is still breeding at Rutland Water and is cousins with Glesni and Blue 24.”

Bald Eagles:

FOBBV: Shots were heard and startled the family. https://youtu.be/GtNy3chinF0?

There were reports, perhaps over a week ago, of lights seen and shots heard by individuals watching the John Bunker Sands Wetlands Bald Eagle nest near Dallas. This is a very frightening thought.

Other Birds:

Despite a high number of deaths, there were still record numbers of Sandhill Cranes in Nebraska. Thanks, ‘PB’ for the article.

 – https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/record-high-736000-sandhill-cranes-flock-to-nebraska-during-spring-migration-peak-with-no-signs-of-bird-flu-despite-concerns-180986317/

‘J’ sends me the post of our local wildlife rehabilitation centre, Wildlife Haven. (It is one of Calico’s favourites because of Dr Tess who is helping that turtle with its soft shell and her confidence in wildlife to adjust to their own physical challenges).

Thank you so much to all those that contributed to help my blog to be even better than it could be by my hand alone: ‘Geemeff, H, J, PB’, msn.com, pressreader.com, Connie Dennis and Ospreys of Nova Scotia FB, Montana Osprey Cams, Pam Breci and Steelscape Ospreys, Seaside Ospreys, Lake Murray Ospreys, The Smithsonian Magazine, FOBBV, Wildlife Haven, Nolan MacDonald and Boulder County Fairgrounds, Dyfi Osprey Project, Llyn Clywedog and CarnyXWild, Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home

Saturday in Bird World

29 March 2025

Hello Everyone,

I really hope you enjoyed that video of the turtle escaping Liberty and Guardian’s nest in Redding, California that was in the post Friday morning. That was one lucky turtle!

It snowed in Winnipeg. Then it snowed some more! The measurement in the garden was 43 cm. Our young man was not around so we did the shoveling which really took a lot of time – and energy. It was also chicken Friday so ‘The Girls’ and Brock had their Friday chicken dinners.

‘J’ sent me some news that raises some interesting questions. A real mystery is happening at the Pittsburgh-Hays Bald Eagle nest. Long time ‘Dad’ disappeared last year and is in the Memorial Pages. A new male appeared. Now ‘Dad’ has returned after more than a year, according to reports!!!!!!!

Was he injured and in rehabilitation and released, returning home? How do we know he is the original ‘Dad’? There are no bands that I am aware. We have not been able to find out any further information.

Osprey News:

Russell Lake, Nova Scotia: Oscar has arrived safely home! YEAH.

Oak Tree Nest, Threave Ospreys: Both ospreys are on the nest and working hard!

Loch of the Lowes: Does Blue NC0 have a new mate?

Foulshaw Moss: White YW is very popular. His mate Blue35 has not yet returned, but there are two unringed unidentified females trying to get his affections! Thanks J Kear and UKOsprey Info for the post.

UPDATE: Blue 35 is back!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fort Calhoun: ‘PB’ is keeping a close eye and notes an arrival.

Hellgate Canyon: Iris and Finnegan will have a lot of work to do when they return to their nest in Missoula. Iris traditionally returns on the 8th of April.

Birds of Poole Harbour: No one is going to mess with CJ7 and ‘her’ nest!!!!!

Dyfi Osprey Project: Idris and Telyn enjoying being back together.

HEIDI’S OSPREY REPORT:


3/29 – Moorings Park: Sally was struck by a GHO at 01:10, but she was not knocked off the nest.  To my knowledge, there has not been a GHO problem at that nest before.  Fingers crossed that Ozzie will stay safe.  Little Ozzie is only 20 days old.


Bald Eagle News:

NEFlorida: The juvenile visitor that has been adopted by Beau, Gabby, and Bodie has been officially named ‘Juvie’.

US Steel: Tiny little bobblehead.

Little Miami Conservancy: Hatch on Friday! https://youtu.be/wkamoBLssKQ?

The baby’s first meal: https://youtu.be/qge26cRb4fE?

Baby’s first day: https://youtu.be/uf8vF8EyVQw?

NCTC: A bold owl sat near the nest while a meteorite flew by! Bella and Scout kept that owl at bay. https://youtu.be/UFfi8QFlj94?

Kansas Bald Eagles: Kanza is still the Only Eaglet. That egg is non-viable. Lucky Kanza! All that good prey just for you.

Big Bear Valley: Full crops for Jackie and Shadow’s kiddos. They are adorable. Little miracles. The two were having quite the little spat. Almost like Baby Hope and Hugo Yugo play fighting. Well, Daddy Shadow was on the nest. It was obvious he got tired of it, didn’t like them fighting, and went over and put an end to it. Yes, eagle parents to intervene. Some actually just sit on the eaglets (or osplets) to stop fighting/bonking.

Sauces Canyon: Betty Lou is the sweetest little eaglet.

Kisatachie National Park E3: ‘MP’ sends us good news: “The parents on this nest had some good luck today. They brought in a small fish first thing which chick got to tear a part. The second fish was a big bloody one without the head which dad eat, the head that is. Mom came in behind him and took it to feed chick and herself. Then, a great big Catfish was on the menu for the day. Although, no one in chat knew what it was because the parents brought it in bit by bit or piece by piece. Then, at the end of the day, the great big head was brought in which no one knew until she turned it over and then we could all see it was Catfish head. The pieces brought in were theorized as chicken filets up until then. Even the rangers thought that they had stolen them from some camp site.

So all ate good today.”

This is great news, thank you.

If you missed the March Ventana Wildlife Society Condor chat, here it is: https://youtu.be/0dPEFVWD6Ak?

Wishing all of the new little bobbleheads full crops and a safe fledge.

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, news, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘H, J, MP, PB’, PIX Cams, Pittsburgh-Hayes Eagle Cam, UKOsprey Info, Woodland Trust (LOTL), Foulshaw Ospreys, OPPD Fort Calhoun, Osprey Research Project/Hellgate Canyon Ospreys, Birds of Poole Harbour, Dyfi Osprey Project, NEFL-AEF, Little Miami Conservancy, NCTC, Deb Stecyk, Kansas Bald Eagles, FOBBV, IWS/Explore, Kistachie Forest E3 Eagle Cam, PIX Cams, Ventana Wildlife Society, Moorings Park

Friday in Bird World

28 March 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

The predicted snow storm to bring 25 cm to our region began about ten minutes ago at 1616 on Thursday. Big flakes are blowing in the garden. The grey squirrels are still gathering peanuts and the Starlings are eating. The Crows, Jays, and a female Downy Woodpecker were here earlier along with Little Red – who has just appeared again – and the Sparrows.

At the end of the day, the ruler tells me that more than 35 cm of snow fell in the garden. We need the moisture and it is so beautiful and white!

Cornell Red-tail Hawk Cam: Great News. Twenty-two year old Big Red, Cornell’s Iconic Red-tail Hawk, has laid her first egg of the season on Thursday.https://youtu.be/RCChvBTKMVs?

Osprey News:

Birds of Poole Harbour: National UK news reported on the presence of Maya’s daughter, 1H1 (2022) at the nest of CJ7 and Blue022. (Posted on UKOsprey Information)

Kielder Forest: Blue K13. She landed briefly on another nest. Hers is nest 6. All of her three chicks were sadly lost, along with so many other nests, to the unseasonal weather in 2024.

Loch of the Lowes: A male visits the nest of Blue NC0.

Geemeff comments: “NC0’s potential suitor is interesting – he’s not the Dark Intruder, but is he the Pale Male, or a new one? The action took place over 55 minutes, I condensed it into a 4 minute clip. This is what SWT says:

A male landed on the nest next to NC0 at 13:44 this afternoon, and spent around 55 minutes quietly sitting alongside her. After engaging in a spot of ‘nestorating’ and a failed mating attempt he flew off, leaving her alone to enjoy last night’s fish supper on the ‘Split Birch’. Weather conditions are making it hard to make positive comparisons with footage of various males from last year, however this bird does not look to be the osprey known as the ‘Dark Intruder’ who defended the territory last season after the death of her long term mate, LM12. It could be possible that it might be the ‘Pale Male’ who destroyed the eggs and tried to claim the territory as his own, or another male entirely- at this stage we can’t be sure and will need to watch to see how things play out. One things for sure, things are about to get exciting!

https://youtu.be/H6yHEn2CaH8

Boulder County Fairgrounds: The female has arrived home to the nest!

Dyfi Osprey Nest: Telyn has arrived home to her Idris! Geemeff says: “Idris was so happy to see Telyn, he brought her a fish and then mated with her while she was eating it 😃

In this heavily edited clip shortened from 53 minutes down to one minute: Telyn Blue 3J arrives at 12.40, looking in very good shape. Her mate Idris arrives with a fish at 13.15, and she grabs it eagerly. Idris leaves shortly thereafter, and Telyn takes her fish and flies up to the high perch. 13.33 Idris returns and flies up to join Telyn where she’s eating her fish on the high perch. But instead of joining her, he proceeds to mate with her! The cam operator zooms in and we see Telyn is clutching her fish determinedly while Idris goes to work. He flies away leaving her to her meal. Welcome home Telyn!”

https://youtu.be/2EzHbkMtcug

Goitzsche Wildnis: JC comments: “Zeus is still waiting for his Fjona. He looks restless, scanning the horizon, as if his gaze were guiding his partner to reach the nest. There is a touch of melancholy and sadness in this solitude of Zeus. No other female has passed by the nest looking for an opportunity to nest. Hopefully this situation has its hours numbered. We’ll see how the day presents itself tomorrow 😀.”

Bald Eagle News:

NEFlorida: Bodie has learned so much from his nestmate. He has learned to steal food, to share food, and to let the juvie enjoy his own prey. He is now jumping up and down and flapping and soon Bodie will be flying with JV.

Big Bear Valley: https://youtu.be/Sezx1r9w-yo?

Update and naming contest: https://youtu.be/VCNErs_fqkU?

NCTC: There was almost another potentially harmful accident today. Thankfully, all is well. https://youtu.be/YdEb8VmmCMs?

US Steel: First hatch on Thursday.

Little Miami Conservancy: Hatch in progress on Thursday. https://youtu.be/C-rRpAd1WWc?

Kisatchie National Forest E3: E03 has officially branched.

Other Avian News:

White-Tailed Eagle in Nizhnyaya Kama National Park Russia: We are awaiting the laying of the second egg on Thursday.

San Jose City Hall Falcon Scrape: Tensions rise at the scrape. https://youtu.be/dG–zX15XAM?

This should make us want to find ways to do better!

Biodiversity loss in all species and every ecosystem linked to humans – report
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/26/human-link-biodiversity-loss-species-ecosystems-climate-pollution-eawag-study-nature-aoe?CMP=share_btn_url

‘EJ’ says ‘run turtle run!’

https://www.thedodo.com/daily-dodo/tiny-animal-accidentally-ends-up-in-eagles-nest-and-plans-a-great-escape

Thank you so much for being with us today. We love having you with us. Take care of yourself. Go outside and smell the spring air, listen for birds and geese, walk through the trees, and just sit still. We need to take care of ourselves, one another, and our wildlife.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: “EJ, Geemeff’, Cornell Red Tail Hawk Cam, Birds of Poole Harbour, Kielder Forest, Woodland Trust (LOTL) and Geemeff, Boulder County Fairgrounds, Dyfi Osprey Project, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, KCAL, NCTC, Deb Stecyk, PIX Cam, Little Miami Conservancy, White-Tailed Eagle in Nizhnyaya Kama National Park Russia, San Jose City Hall Falcon Scrape, The Guardian, Joan Castyner, Kistachie E3 Bald Eagle Cam, The Dodo

Thursday in Bird World

27 March 2022

Hello Everyone,

Thank you to everyone for sending in news items. It is much appreciated and it is all too easy for me to miss something which is important. So, we are going to put the news items in my inbox up front today.

‘J’ let me know that the much loved Latvian Golden Eagle Spilve, mother of the late Klints, has laid an egg. In 2020, Spilve laid her first egg on 29 March. It is believed that she has not been breeding since then – at least not at this nest. https://youtu.be/DOj7tYjk1j0?

“EJ’ sent me a wonderful news article. Imagine gold fish ponds everywhere ——–imagine ponds and large holding tanks, no deeper than 3 feet – full of koi. That sure would put an end to hunger on some of those osprey nests! I remember marveling at the adults at Collins Marsh one year. The normal fish were small and one day the adults found a koi pond. I wondered if it was a garden centre or a home. Their babies ate well then.

https://www.fox5vegas.com/2025/03/26/goldfish-dumped-henderson-pond-attracting-birds-prey-bird-enthusiasts

Port of Ridgefield, WA: ‘BHA’ writes: “Sorry the photo isn’t very good  – this is on my t.v. New camera is great, complete with date and time this year (which doesn’t show in this picture). As you can see it’s a beautiful day here in the Pacific Northwest. 🌞”. The couple laid three eggs last year with only one chick reaching fledge (2 DNH).

I think that image is very good and we so appreciate your sharing it with us. What a nice day for this couple to be home!

‘PB’ sent us the 2025 US State of the Bird Report and it shows numbers os birds are dropping significantly.

Osprey Nest News:

Heidi’s News:

Patuxent River Park osprey nest (MD) – 3/26 the cam went live for the season, and I was delighted to see the same ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’ at the nest.  It’s good to see they both made it back.

Seaside osprey nest (OR) – Bruce returned on 3/24, and Naha arrived on 3/26. It’s always wonderful when a beloved pair are reunited after a long migration.

Crooked Lake osprey nest (IN) –  An osprey pair is at the nest.  The chat is referring to the male as Noble, and is referring to the female as ‘Mom’ (rather than Whitley), but I think it is the same female.

Moorings Park osprey nest (FL) –  The chatters were fond of calling Sally and Harry’s only osplet ‘Solo’.  But, on 3/26 the community bird club officially named the 17-day-old youngster “Ozzie.”

Other Osprey news:

Bassenthwaite/Blackgate Farm Ospreys: J Kear reports that both ospreys have returned to their nest.

Llyn Brenig: Blue 372 is eating a lot of fish and restoring her strength and health in time for breeding season.

Dyfi Osprey Project: Perhaps Idris is trying out for the Olympic pole vaulting team! Idris worked hard on that nest and now he can celebrate with his mate Telyn who returned today.

Yeah, Telyn is home!

Kielder Forest Nest 4: Mrs 69 is home!

Roudsea Wood: Both adults are back at the nest.

Birds of Poole Harbour: CJ7 got down to business and got rid of Maya’s 2022 daughter, Blue 1H1, and has been getting nicely reacquainted with her mate, Blue 022. These two raised four osplets to fledge – the little one won everyone’s heart for its tenacity!

Loch of the Lowes: Blue NC0 is some great fisher. She is going to be incredible shape.

Colonial Beach Ospreys: A mystery female appeared on the nest on Wednesday.

Sun Coast Ospreys: Sara and Sota have their second hatch.

Lake Murray: At least two attacks on the nest by other ospreys yesterday. Hoping resident ospreys, Kenny and Lucy, are safe.

Blithfield Reserve, UK: Male has returned to the nest.

Bald Eagle News from the Nests:

US Steel: The first hatch is here!

NCTC: Bella had to defend her three eaglets against an intruder. https://youtu.be/Tj64Q6HSD74?

It is possible that one of Bella and Scout’s eaglets is injured. Deb Stecyk reports that it could be puncture wounds. Please send good wishes. https://youtu.be/8KsYYqn5qOU?

Big Bear Valley: The two eaglets are thriving.

Jackie and Shadow brought in 8 fish deliveries. https://youtu.be/UUNNWIsz24k?

Decorah North: Mr and Mrs DNF have a failed season. Their first eaglet tried for five days to free itself of a crushed shell before dying. The second egg is 41 days old today and deemed unviable.

Duke Farms: The triplets still doing very, very well.

Sauces Canyon Eagles: Betty Lou is growing and growing!

West End: The blood from the encounter off camera to save territory is drying on Haku as she stands proudly by Maiko.

Hilton Head Island Trust Eagle Nest: The two eaglets are doing fantastic. https://youtu.be/DOj7tYjk1j0?

Sutton Centre Eagles: They have their second hatch of the season.

Glacier Gardens: The male died last year. Mum was seen ‘eyeing’ a potential new mate in late December. Mum was at the nest on Wednesday.

Kistachie National Forest E3: E03 had at least one prey delivery today. I rewinded late in the day, but the eaglet did appear to have a crop earlier, too. 03 appears to have branched, slightly.

The nest appearance was an empty taloned adult.

Birds and their eggs were rescued from the California wild fires – what a nice ending for today!

Dozens of bird eggs and chicks rescued from collapsing tree in Californiahttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/25/birds-rescued-california?CMP=share_btn_url

Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care. See you soon.

Thank you to those who sent news, for comments, videos, articles, images, posts, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘BHA, EJ, Geemeff, H, JK, LDF Golden Eagle Cam, Fox5Vegas, Port of Ridgefield, Birds & Blooms, OspreyInfoUK, Dyfi Osprey Project, Birds of Poole Harbour, Woodland Trust (LOTL), Colonial Beach Ospreys, Moorings Park Ospreys, Sun Coast Ospreys, NCTC, Deb Stecyk, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, Raptor Resource Project/Explore, Duke Farms, IWS/Explore, Hilton Head Island Trust, Sutton Centre, Bartlesville, OK, Patuxent River Park, The Guardian, Crooked Lake, Seaside, Patuxent River Park, Lake Murray ospreys, Kielder Forest

Tuesday in Bird World

25 March 2025

Hello Everyone,

Update: Sadly the little eaglet at Decorah North with the crushed egg that fought valiantly to get out for more than 4 days has sadly died. The second pip is still in progress at DN. Andor and Cruz have their second hatch at Fraser Point. Chase and Cholyn were seen mating near their old nest.

Monday was glorious. The sky is blue with a few fluffy white clouds coming in from the West around 1633. We were outside for awhile. Geese are landing on the local soccer fields and flying overhead while the Crows are making a racket wanting more food. The two of them are quite loud. So glad that the weather is warming up and the animals are coming back to the garden daily.

At the time I am writing this there is not a lot of news – other than to say that the eaglets on all the nests seem to be doing alright today.

I missed it on Monday. Scout and Bella now have triplets and Blue 372, the female at Lyn Brenig in Wales has returned at 15:54 on Monday. At the Decorah North nest, the chick is still moving inside the egg after 4 days of trying to hatch on Monday. I hope by the time you read this that little one is safe and out of its shell – finally. Another eaglet at Decorah is also hatching as of Monday.

Gracie Shepherd posted Terry Anita’s message on FB:

The mystery of why the adults at the KNF-E3 nest did not feed their second hatch and did not bring in much food for four days remains. ‘MP’ reports that one of the Rangers (Steve) said plenty of Coots were in the lake for prey. Others cite recent chats where intruders were blamed and earlier claims of the eagles’ inexperience. Whatever the cause, watching the KNF E3 nest compared to the nest of Beau and Gabby at NEFlorida should give us all pause to reflect on whether it is better to resort to competition or cooperation. [Thank you to everyone who sent in comments and copies of chats regarding the KNF nest].

Gabby came in with a fish. Bodie was waiting on the nest and VJ flew in for a family meal. Gabby fed Bodie and VJ together Monday afternoon! Cooperation. Both eaglets thriving.

Osprey News:

The latest news from Kielder Forest:

Both Frankie and Angel are at the Roundhouse Loch Doon Osprey platform. Here is the East Ayshire’s newsletter and a link to the streaming cam.

The streaming cam for the Usk Valley Gilestone Osprey nest is up and running: https://www.youtube.com/live/72okzyhWy80?s

An unringed female has visited Tweed Valley Nest 2 on Monday.

Moorings Park: The Only Bob is entering the Reptilian Phase. Notice the copper-red feathers coming in at the back of the head and the nape of the neck. In a couple of days, this cute little bobble head will look like it dipped its head in dark black oil.

Manton Bay: Blue 33 delivering fish and helping Maya work on the nest. Guesses as to when the first egg will be laid were seen on the chat. I always lose, but it is fun to take part. My guess was 31 March. We will see how far off I am!

Loch of the Lowes: Blue NC0 continues to fish and to work on her nest while she waits the arrival of a male partner after the loss of LM12 Laddie last season.

Llyn Clywedog: Reports that two ospreys were seen flying over the reservoir and one landed on the nest of Dylan and Seren. The streaming cam is not yet operational. John Williams hopes to have it up and running today. Williams reports damage to nest 2 stating the couple will nee to work to get it in shape. Last year Dylan and Seren arrived on the 28th of March.

Bald Eagle News:

Sauces Canyon: Isn’t this just the most beautiful sight? A healthy full to the brim eaglet with a parent that tried so hard for this moment? I sure hope they get some more cot rails on this nest!!!!!!!!! That little one is scooting around like it has wheels on those talons.

Fraser Point: One eaglet and a second egg is pipping on Monday. Cruz and Andor do not like to show off their eaglet!

NCTC: Then there were three. Send this nest the most positive wishes that you can.

Big Bear: Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets are moving about and flapping those sweet wings. Their thermal down is coming in and look closely for feathers.

The largest was walking across the nest on Monday using its wing for balance.

It is no wonder these two are growing like bad weeds. They had 11 meals on Monday. Jackie and Shadow are going to make sure that these precious gifts are never hungry. I don’t know about you but just knowing that Jackie and Shadow and Jak and Audacity finally got to be parents again has really made the pain of this breeding season tolerable. Here is that last feeding caught on video by SK Hideaways: https://youtu.be/HAVcM_3_XiI?

Bluff City-ETSU: Squirrel and fish were on the menu Monday.

Johnson City-ETSU: The only eaglet is growing like a wild weed. Look at the little dandelion mohawk!

Duke Farms: The triplets are doing very well.

Other Bird News:

Updates on the goose cam at Deccorah:

Individual rushes out to save Cahow chick from a nest invasion!

‘PB’ sent me great news. The ducks are coming, the ducks are coming!!!!!!!

Thank you for being with us. It is spring. We hope you can get outside and smell the freshness of the air. It is such a nice change from being inside for the winter so much. And smile. We are so lucky to spend time with these wonderful Raptor families. I am looking forward to the arrival of the ducks, many more Canada Geese, and the Pelicans! Take care of yourself. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, articles and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘H, J, L, MP, PB’, Gracie Shepherd and Terri Anita, NEFL-AEF, Kielder Forest, IWS/Explore, Osprey InfoUK, East Ayshire Trust, LRWT, Woodland Trust (LOTL), The Clywedog Osprey Group, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, Duke Farms, NCTC, Bluff-City ETSU, Johnson City-ETSU, SPO, Nonsuch Expeditions, Cohen Wildlife