Loch of the Lowes – Page 8 – Mary Ann Steggles

Osoyoos under evacuation alert, Dorsett and Huey fly..Sunday in Bird World

30 July 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

I have a huge tip for you today if you feed birds in your garden. The weather could not have been more grand. It was a good day to work in the garden. The humidity had dissipated, there was no hot sun, the wasps were visiting somewhere else and life felt good. I did not stare at the computer screen worrying. We have some troubling nests and must wait and see how things unfold.

M’ asked me about the window dots/the pink squares that I use for to prevent bird collisions. They are a brand called Feather Friendly, and a single roll does about 100 sq ft and costs about $25 at my nature centre. you can purchase them online at many places, but the key is the name Feather Friendly. Clean the windows and let them dry. Apply lots of pressure on the strips outside the windows, then pull the supporting strip off easily. They work, and I have tried everything. The single decals must be placed outside – anything to prevent bird strike -must be on the exterior.

Today I am experimenting with birdseed. It is expensive as you know. Someone told me to go to the feed and seed store. I wish I could remember who that was and thank them. So today I mixed up 1/3 chicken scratch with 1/3 birdseed and 1/3 black oil seed. It is undoubtedly Dyson approved. She scooped it up with her paws for several minutes. It thwarted Little Red, who only wanted peanuts! LOL.

The seed mixture is a winner! I pushed the chicken scratch even further at the late top up. It appears that I can do 50% chicken scratch, 25% black oil seed, and 25% birdseed and everyone continues to approve. There were 8 Blue Jays at one time vying for space on the square feeder. Some stayed on the telephone wires and others were on the ground. Wow.

‘The baby with the tail’ – the little one that is slightly more round is changing every day. It still loves to be in the bird bath splashing about and it also loved the new seed mixture. I cannot put out peanuts for them because Little Red and Little Red2 take them all. They are so fast!

The little one that lost its tail is flitting around everywhere with the bigger ones and seems to be so agile. I am so surprised. It has adapted, like all birds seem to do, to the challenges that are thrown at them.

Little Red yesterday quickly removing about 35 peanuts from the table one by one. He could win an Olympic medal.

Oh, good news is always so welcome. An 11-year-old Osprey has been saved from netting!

SP sent me a fantastic article about tenacity and commitment. 50 Years of working with Puffins…a jolly good read.

50-Years-of-Project-Puffin-An-Oral-History-of-An-Audacious-Idea-Audubon Download

Twirling around the nests:

We will start with ‘H’s reports this morning because two of the nests are under the radar for needing boxes of worry beads – Osoyoos and FortisExshaw, both in Canada.

Barnegat Light: “At 60 days of age, Dorsett opted for an early morning fledge on 7/30, at 06:09:10. She first flew north, then headed east toward the ocean, hung a right at the Atlantic, then flew south, made a right turn at 24th street, and made a perfect landing back onto the perch at her nest. Dorsett has since taken a couple of additional flights. Congratulations to Duke, Daisy, and Dorsett!”

FortisExshaw:

Fortis Exshaw: “It was a good day for Louise and her kids, with only a few indications of minor intruder issues. Louise brought three fish to the nest. The first fish at 1104 was so large, it resulted in a prolonged period of feeding that was the equivalent of three meals. Prior to Louise feeding, she allowed the chicks a chance to practice self-feeding from the headless fish for over an hour. Chick #1 has learned the advantages of holding the fish down with its talons, and s/he was able to tear small pieces from the fish. Chick #1 is now grabbing and mantling fish when Louise delivers. Even though they hatched less than 12 hours apart, chick #1 is more advanced in skills development. Mr.O was not seen on Saturday. I hope Mr.O was not injured during the altercation with the intruder on Friday.”

Forsythe – Oscar delivered three fish, and Opal delivered a fish after a few days’ absence. It was nice to see Opal. Owen was the recipient of three of the fish, Ollie just one. As with most nests during the post-fledge period, any given day may seem unfair in that one sibling gets the most fish. But, it does seem to even out in the long term. Ollie had eaten the majority of the fish the previous two days. Starting Sunday there will be a break in the heat wave, with cooler temps the next several days.

Osoyoos – There were four fish brought to the nest. Dad ate the first small fish at 1041. I’m sure he was very hungry, but perhaps he should have eaten it off the nest. Just the fish being brought to the nest caused #1 to attack #2. The fish at 1131 was very small, and chick #1 was fed a small meal. At 1237 Mom brought a partial fish. Chick #2 was beaked and bit by #1, and had no chance to eat. At 1531 a larger partial fish was delivered. Chick #1 wasted a full minute of feeding time attacking #2. Chick #2 later snuck up on the other side of Mom and grabbed a large piece of fish equivalent to about 6 bites of fish. It took a while, but #2 managed to swallow that whole piece of fish. Chick #2 has had 30 bites of fish to eat in the last three days. Note: There is a wildfire located SW of Osoyoos, which has been renamed the Eagle Bluff Wildfire (previously called the Lone Pine Creek fire). Parts of Osoyoos are under an evacuation alert, that currently does not include the area where the nest is located.

[‘H’ has just written that the nest area is, according to AMW not under an evacuation alert. Please send your best energy to Soo and Olsen. Just look at those two beautiful chicks. The camera feed could go down and we might not ever know what happens to these chicks if the fire does rage through. Our thoughts are with everyone…]

Dahlgren – Really big news . . the youngest of the two fledglings went diving! D12 dove from the nest platform four times, and did a little swimming and bathing. While she did not catch a fish, this was an important milestone.

Severna Park – Oscar continues to provide fish for his two fledglings at the nest. It’s always nice to see them.

Patuxent Nest 1 – The fledglings, Sibling-B and Foster, are frequently seen at the nest. But, it’s a good thing they no longer sleep there, because a Great Blue Heron has decided to make the nest its nighttime roosting spot. Last night the GBH found a welcome surprise . . a fish had been left on the nest, which he quickly gobbled up.

WDNU Tower, South Bend, Indiana: The only surviving osplet on the WDNU Tower, Baby Huey, endured a horrible storm and then took his first flight on Saturday the 29th. Amazing. Congratulations. It was a tough year on the nest. So pleased for everyone.

Pathogue: Every time I checked Mini had a fish. At least three on Saturday. Dad is obviously feeding the fledglings off the nest as we do not see the older siblings bombarding Mini for that fish like they are doing on some other nests. These parents really know how to keep the climate chill.

Charlo Montana: Those osplets are adorable.

Boulder County: All is good.

Dunrovin: Harriet and the three fledglings pose together.

Pitkin County Open Trails and Spaces: Both fledglings continue to return to the nest. Everything is excellent.

SSEN Alyth: When everyone is hungry and scrambling for fish, things happen. Mum came in with a fish at Alyth, it got caught on the talon of one of the chicks and they both went overboard….and the first then went to the third hatch! Some of the nest went down with them.

Well, the good news is that everyone is alright at the nest after this terrible entanglement and high tumble. Thank goodness.

Manton Bay: Blue 33 delivers fish and everyone goes crazy.

It may look rough on the nests but in the real world, the ability to eat is literally ‘life and death’ to our fledglings. They have to learn strategies, be quick – and be ruthless.

Loch of the Lowes:

Cowlitz: It is hot in the Pacific NW and the nests could be suffering. The fledgling at Cowlitz has rested on the nest and has had at least one fish on Saturday.

Sandpoint: At least two fish were delivered Saturday morning. I am not clear about deliveries the rest of the day.

Steelscape: I did not watch the nest closely enough to count deliveries but I do know that the third hatch had some fish on Saturday.

Minnesota Landscape: The weather has cooled down a bit and it makes for much better fishing. This one is doing well.

Maryland Old Town Home: The fledglings continue to come to the nest and like many of the others there is a lot of rivalry over fish deliveries.

Dfyi: All is good. Idris continues to bring in the fish! And Telyn loves to feed her ‘big and more independent every day’ babies.

Glaslyn: Aran is delivering lots of fish and the two fledglings are doing very well indeed.

Loch Arkaig: There were winds beginning to blow and rain starting late on Saturday at Loch Arkaig. Ludo is hoping for fish! Oh, by the way. The Crow that vacuums up the Loch Arkaig nest so well has been named Dyson!

Poole Harbour: It is all good.

Llyn Clywedog: Seren on the perch and beginning to get in form for migration. She will fly and will land on the same tree in the Tanji Reserve that she does every year. Meanwhile, the surviving fledgling of the goshawk attack has been photographed flying all over the area. So all is well.

Sydney Sea Eagles: Cuteness Overload. The pantry is stocked and Lady is joyful. 31 and 32 are delicate little snow people.

My friend ‘A’ lives in Australia and she loves the royal Albatross and most of the Australia nests and is happy to send us reports on recent events at those nests. A says: ” in Sydney, Dad brings in a lovely big fresh fish at 06:51:18. He heads off up the branch off the back porch and shakes himself off. He is still wet from catching that fish. He hasn’t even eaten the head. It’s been left on the nest for Lady and the chicks. He is a good provider. That should keep the family going for the rest of the day. Lady starts working on the head herself, and around 07:01 starts feeding the chicks. SE32 is ready to eat now, and the first bites go to the baby. It does really well, managing four or five consecutive mouthfuls without dropping them and without falling flat on its face. By now SE31 is awake too and ready for some more food. She feeds both chicks plenty of fresh fish, though concentrates on the younger one. These two are doing great.”

Orange Peregrine Falcons: “In Orange, Diamond spent the night perched on the ledge of the nest box, tucked and facing inwards as usual. Xavier arrived for an early morning bonding session at 06:28:24. These two are just beyond adorable. Xavier really is only half Diamond’s size. He is so svelte and handsome. She appears significantly older and lazier than Xavier. She watches the sunrise from her ledge and leaves the box at around 06:51. Both spend a few moments on top of the tower before Xavier heads off to get some breakfast..He arrives back at the box with prepared food at 07:37:05, with Diamond hot on his heels. He hardly has time to e-chup before Diamond has swooped in, grabbed the food and left again within three seconds! Xavier looks a little stunned. He glances down a couple of times at where the food was, as if wondering where it’s gone. Then he cleans a few feathers out of his talons. Oh but he is such a handsome falcon. Tiny but gorgeous.”

Collins Street: “At Collins Street, there was a short falcon visit about 9.30am – the falcon flew off the nest at 09:42. It doesn’t look as though any eggs have been laid but I note that the birds seem to be favouring the same nest box as last season. There has not been any shelter added at that end, which surprises me after what happened last year. (I’m sure you well remember the day mum went for a spa morning and returned to find two chicks in the gutter and two in the nest, all baking in the hot sun and looking as if they might be in serious danger. And mum pulled the smallest chick back into the box by lifting it with her beak! It was a very dramatic day.)”

Reports that a new camera is being installed at Port Lincoln and the stream will be back up sometime on Monday or Tuesday.

At the Royal Cam Albatross colony, ‘A’ notes: “I forgot to mention that on Friday (28 July), all 33 of the albatross chicks at the New Zealand colony received their permanent Darvic bands (no more coloured leg bands). Manaaki’s is black (for male) and his Darvic number is D36. They used Darvic bands last season but for some reason, this season’s are the first that are permanent and will last a lifetime. (And as we know, a lifetime can be 70+ years for an albatross!)”

Thanks, ‘A’! And thanks for giving me the head’s up that Ervie has been out fishing with Dad. Port Lincoln Ospreys posted these images of Ervie, and I knew you would love to see our favourite Eastern Osprey! —- Do you remember when we thought Ervie would eat Puffer Fish all his life? When he lost a talon, and we feared he would starve to death? Well, here we are. Ervie is almost two years old. I have not heard any news about Bazza or Falky, but Ervie, that little third hatch that didn’t take any gruff off Bazza, the first hatch, grew up big and strong and stayed near the natal nest – safe—still fishing with Dad. Do you recall those chin wags that Ervie had with Dad down in the cave? What a season that was! (I still want to forget last year…that was traumatic).

The Lesser Spotted Eaglet in Latvia is nothing short of adorable…and happily a small vole was brought in for food.

I think the eaglet has spotted the camera! Just look. Almost all of the natal down is gone revealing a soft brown plumage with stunning blue eyes.

The fledgling ospreys – three of them – return to the platform for some lovely fish meals at the German Goitzsche Wildness nest.

At the Finnish #1 nest, tummy and Usva took their first flights on 28 July. Only Roihu is left and that could be any moment. Beautiful healthy osplets!

Finnish #4. The two surviving chicks were younger when they were ringed and both are still on the nest. Neither has taken their first flight yet.

Whew…I hope I didn’t make you dizzy with that swing around the nests…in no particular order! Thank you so much for being with me today. Take care everyone. Have a great weekend. See you soon.

Thank you to absolutely everyone for their notes, comments, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘A, H, M, SP’, Audubon, Fortis Exshaw, Osoyoos, Patuxent River Park, Dahlgren, Conserve Wildlife of NJ, Forsythe Ospreys, Stephen Basly and WDNU, PSEG, Charlo Montana, Boulder County, T Barrington and Dunrovin Ranch, Pitkin County Osprey Cam, SSEN Alyth, LRWT, Loch of the Lowes, Cowlitz PUD, Sandpoint, Steelscape, MN Landscape Arboretum, Maryland Old Town Home, Dyfi Osprey Project, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, The Woodland Trust, Poole Harbour, CarnyXWild, Sydney Sea Eagle Cam, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, NZ DOC, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Latvian Fund for Nature, Fischandler Webcam, and the Finnish Osprey Foundation.

Fledges at Boulder and Seaside…Zeus Returns…Pip at Sea Eagles! Wednesday in Bird World

26 July 2023

Good Morning Everyone!

Every once in awhile there is a lull…a time when chicks are ready to fledge but haven’t quite yet. Others are eating fish and coming on and off the nest. It is a good thing. It has been a bittersweet year full of dramatic miracles like M15 raising the 2 Es, River getting a male partner to help with intruders and fish so that the only surviving eaglet at Dale Hollow could live, Mr O showing up right on time to help Louise at the Fortis Exshaw nest – and, of course, Little Mini living to fledge. She is a survivor.

At a time when many nests lots all their osplets, there is much to be thankful for – every time you look at an osplet surviving this year, smile. It has been a whirlwind of losses and tears due to weather, starvation, and predation. We must celebrate those that lived and continue to send positive energy to the nests that are struggling or that could potentially have issues with predation. The Osprey season is not over yet in the Northern Hemisphere until the last chick or adult has lifted its wings and started its long journey south. In Australia, the first osplet chicks are hatching! Soon we will turn our attention in that direction, but today, there is the pip in the first egg at the nest of Lady and Dad in the Sydney Olympic Forest, and everyone is cheering.

‘H’ and I are monitoring the life of 311 osprey eggs. So far 10.61% of those eggs did not hatch. 23.74% died meaning that 76.26% so far have lived. Starvation was the most common cause of death followed by predation by other raptors then siblicide.

Now, in the garden, because you have asked. The Little Blue Jay is doing well. I might have mentioned this – I meant to. The frightened Little Blue Jay lost its tail feathers so it would not die by cat predation. The month old fledgling met up with a tiny little Blue Jay who recently fledged from another nest who came to the garden. Its parents told it to sit and not move. The two were rather cute. Yesterday evening that little blue jay flew back with its parents to their nest at the corner of my street. Meanwhile, the older Blue Jay lacking a tail, joined its siblings, eating and flying around the garden. I am hopeful. It is sitting in the square feeder with a roof covering tonight.

Our weather has been nothing short of horrible. The clouds are holding the smoke from the wildfires in place. We had a thunderstorm that began Monday night around 2200 and lasted til the wee hours of the morning on Tuesday. Lightning and thunder kept me awake, along with Lewis and Missey, who hate the storms. Everything is humid and saturated, making it difficult to breathe. The plants and trees love it, though! The birds do not. Their seed was soaked and needed a thorough removal. Now, because of all the rain, seed will only be put out in small amounts and refilled…oh, does it ever get gross when it is wet and begins to ferment. Yuck!

So, let’s get checking on our nests:

Steelscape, Inc. This nest and Forsythe are right up there for continuing worries. There are intruders, and fish deliveries might not be plentiful. On Tuesday, keen-eyed fish bite counter ‘PB’ watched as the third hatch at Steelscape, Inc had two feedings before 1300 with 100 bites. That is fantastic. This osplet will not do much rushing around the nest, so don’t worry. It has to conserve its energy and make those bites of fish count. It is a survivor, and the Mum is fantastic, offering bites whenever that big sister allows. Another reader, ‘MP’ took a great screenshot of Third’s ‘ps’. It is good…a dehydrated chick would not be able to project its ps over the side of the nest like this… and then ‘PB’ watched Three was fed an entire fish. Life is good. Thanks, everyone! Our worries are not over but this fully feathered chick has not died and will definitely live to see another day.

Cowlitz: Fledgling continues to come to the nest! Excellent.

Clark PUD: Both surviving chicks are doing very well.

River Ospreys, Blackwater NWR: All three osplets have fledged and today a visiting juvenile came to the nest. This nest is located in Maryland and is one that survived the storms to raise three healthy birds.

Dunrovin: Pop fledges on Tuesday. Wasn’t interested in the fish, just flying!

Boulder County: The two oldest chicks fledged Wednesday morning! Way to go Boulder!

Patchogue: Little Mini got a great big fish for breakfast on Wednesday. All is well. Each of the four fledglings has been seen in the last 24 hours. Excellent news.

I did promise that we could check on the UK and European nests today and that is where we are heading.

Finnish Nest 1: Oh, my goodness. If I didn’t worry about goshawks I would smile every time I see this beautiful nest in the forest. The three osplets have been ringed – Yellow HKU a female named Usva, HXT a female named Tuomi, and HXR, a male named Roil. Usva is really flapping her wings and wanting to fly. Lots of nice fish coming to this nest. It is wonderful.

Finnish Nest 4: The is the nest of Nuppu and Nemo. They had three chicks. One died. Both survivors are females named Lumo, HWL and Apila, HXA.

Finnish Nest L-S5: Two surviving chicks of four eggs. The first egg was displaced by the male and never incubated and the fourth egg did not hatch. The two remaining osplets are Sade Yellow K1S a female and Slim K2S a little male. They were ringed on July 13. Both are doing very well.

Janakallan: Both osplets are doing well. I am looking for information regarding ringing and gender reveal.

Loch Arkaig: Louis and Dorcha’s fledgling, Ludo, is quite the pesky osplet!

Dyfi: Telyn watching over her chicks as they eat their fish.

Glaslyn: Aran makes sure that both of his boys have fish to eat as Elen looks on.

Loch of the Lowes: Laddie continues to deliver fish and this one is getting eaten in the rain. As far as I know there has been no sign of Blue NC0.

Rutland: Fussing over Fish Deliveries! Normal osprey behaviour after fledging. As long as they don’t kill one another.

Osprey House, Australia: Third egg hatched on Tuesday! Congratulations.

Time for ‘H’s reports:

Fortis Exshaw – This family had another nice day. The Stepdad, Mr. O, delivered one fish for the family and Louise brought 4 large fish. One of the fish caught by Louise was so big, it allowed for two meals. Mr. O also contributed a splendid stick, which Louise immediately took command of and deftly placed it exactly where she wanted it.

Forsythe – What a difference a day makes. Oscar and Opal delivered 8 fish to the nest for their two fledglings. After all the wrangling and stealing, it appeared that Owen and Ollie each had 4 fish. Fantastic!

Osoyoos – It was an atypical day, in that Olsen apparently had some difficulty fishing. There were only three fish brought to the nest where there are typically 6-9. At the last fish delivery of the day at 2029, there was some bonking of sib #2 by sib #1.

Kent Island – What a big surprise … Audrey and Tom’s 43 day old youngster was banded! And, there is currently a naming contest, so ‘Junior’ will soon have an official name.

Barnegat Light – The big news is that Dorsett managed to double the height of his/her brief hovers on 7/25. A day or two more until s/he fledges? Dorsett is 56 days old.

Severna Park – The two fledglings are often seen in the nest enjoying a fish. Oscar has been bringing them fish, and I’m not sure, but Olivia may be taking a break.

Audubon Boathouse – This is a photo of Dory on the nest at sunrise, a day after she lost her only baby to a predator. My heart breaks for Dory and Skiff.

South Cape May Meadows – Since the terrible 3-day storm in June resulted in the deaths of her three young nestlings, Hera can occasionally be seen at her nest, sometimes eating a fish. Her mate, Zeus, had not been seen since 6/20, and it was feared that he died in the storm. Well, Zeus was at the nest on 7/25 with Hera (confirmed by an ‘expert’). How wonderful that Zeus is still alive.

‘H’ also adds that the second osplet at Seaside, Naiku, fledged on Tuesday. Congratulations Seaside. Thank you, ‘H’! Your reports are always appreciated.

Dorset Hobby: My goodness, those little falcons are the cutest things and can they ever devour prey! They are seriously cute as Mum feeds them.

Lesser Spotted Eaglet, Zemgale, Latvia: Doing great. Should be branching in the nest week? Beautiful eaglet.

Eastern Imperial Eaglets, Tatarstan RU: Talk about beauties. These two – again defied the odds – and this nest will have two fledge. No Jainism here! These parents found lots of food for their two youngsters.

An osprey nest is saved! Thanks Sunnie Day.

Osprey-family-a-threatened-species-makes-a-home-at-Romeoville-plant-–-Shaw-Local Download

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

My special thanks to those that sent notes, screen captures, observed nests, made posts and who operated streaming cams that all helped me to write my blog today. Thanks to ‘H, MP, PB’, Se McGregor and Sydney Sea Eagle Cam, Steelscape Inc, Cowlitz PUD, Clark PUD, Dunrovin Ranch, River Ospreys, Finnish Osprey Foundation, Geemeff and the Woodland Trust, Dyfi Ospreys, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, LOTL, LRWT, Fortis Exshaw, Osoyoos, Wildlife Conserve F of NJ, Severna Park, Forsythe Ospreys, Cape May Meadows, Audubon Boathouse, Kent Island, Boulder County Fair Grounds, PSEG, SK Hideaways and the Dorset Hobby Falcons, Osprey House, LDF, Sunnie Day and Shaw Local, and RU Imperial Eagles.

Mini fledges! Cowlitz fledge? …Sunday in Bird World

23 June 2023

Hello Everyone!

Oh, tears….The big event begins on Saturday when ‘M’ alerts me to Mini’s amazing hover and ends with all of us rejoicing. Mini flew!

On Saturday, Mini did a great hover…a great hover…has been on the nest and has observed her siblings. She is going to do so great!

The tail on the ascent.

Landing after about 5 seconds of good hovering.

And PB wrote, “Mini at Patchogue branched on the perch 7:23am and fledged 8:26am….sooo happy and crying at same time. She did the impossible from being the runt and getting bullied and made it to fledge. So wish she was banded so when she ever returns we know it’s mini!” –Those banding sentiments are with so many of us…We want to know how she does. One way to tell one osprey from another is their head markings and Mini’s are distinctive. Take screen shots of her head from all angles, keep them. It is the only part of her that will not change!

Mini got her fish at 0856. What a fantastic reward – although it is unclear that Dad knows his little girl flew! Congratulations Mini. Stay safe out there. I think we all must have cried. Bittersweet moment.

The news is sad but the eagle that is being honoured was one of the first to be banded during the re-introduction of Bald Eagles into the US after the terrible decimation of our raptors from DDT.

An-Elegy-for-Americas-Oldest-Bald-Eagle-Audubon Download

There has been a rare bird sighting – a Switchable Black Kite – in Norfolk.

Speaking of kites and all other raptors in the UK – the Hen Harriers, the eagles…one utility company has said that it will not renew the licenses for grouse hunting on its land. As a colleague and friend pointed out, what is not known is how long those licenses can be used. When is the deadline? I hope that it is soon and that other utilities will follow suit. If the legal system cannot stop the grouse hunters from killing off all the raptors then preventing them from using the land is a brilliant alternative. Of course, the 21st century thing to do would be to stop this medieval tradition in its entirety!

Water-utility-company-United-Utilities-not-renewing-grouse-shoot-leases-across-northern-England-–-Ra-1 Download

There is sad news coming from OWL in British Columbia about Tyr, the eaglet on the Hancock Wildlife nest. Early concerns showed a possible issue with its leg.

If you are fans of Thunder and Akecheta at the West End Channel Islands nest, the 2023 fledglings often show up at the old nest site along with one or more of the parents.

Anthony is often on the Two Harbours nest along with parents Chase and Cholyn.

Now for some nest news:

MN Landscape Arboretum: Gosh, that little chick is getting its feathers and Mum is attentive. A real change from a month ago!

Boulder County: What a loving family. The five of them just make my heart beat. It is so interesting this year that the Ospreys living on nests in places other than in Florida and in the NE US are doing so very well. It is good to have their population growing and sadly, as hard as it is to say, to have some of the pressure off of the over saturated areas (like Florida and Chesapeake Bay).

These three at Boulder are real beauties. Mum does everything she can for them including being a huge umbrella when it is hot even if they are as big as her!

Charlo Montana: ‘L’ alerted me to the streaming cam being back on at Charlo Montana. The two chicks hatched in mid-June. They are 5 weeks old and doing well. And then the cam went down again! It is extremely hot in Montana. Mum is doing a fantastic job keeping the two cool. Bless her heart.

Loch of the Lowes: The Woodland Trust is more positive than I am that Blue NC0 will return. Laddie has his hands full and the chicks are hungry like those at Forsythe. Blue NC0 has been MIA for a week and this is really more than a spa break. She is a devoted mother and it has been a difficult year with little fish ——–how about stocking that loch like they do at Clywedog in Wales? That would solve this issue! Come on Woodland Trust – not just trees, fish! Here is the most recent report.

At the same time, I would like to call for a few more platform nests to be built for the growing population of ospreys.

Osprey-Diary-at-Loch-of-the-Lowes-Weeks-17-18-Scottish-Wildlife-Trust Download

Steelscape, Inc.: This Washington in Kalama had fallen off my radar until ‘PB’ wrote to me this evening about a real problem with fish deliveries for the three osplets. It is entirely possible that the third hatchling could be lost. Let us hope not. They have the same problem as Cowlitz it would appear – Eagles taking the fish from the Osprey, the heat, etc. But unlike Cowlitz, which has only one osplet to feed, this nest has three. Thank goodness the fourth egg did not hatch. Oh, goodness. Send it your very best wishes….and look. It is baking hot there, and these babies are feathered. We don’t want to lose another one – so many are starving this year.

Cowlitz: We now know that the wire mesh grids that Cowlitz PUD constructed to protect the osprey nest from Eagle predation have not hindered the ospreys. The only osplet has flapped and jumped and today, that sweet baby fledged (?) or did it branch to the top of the mesh? I think it is on top of the mesh but, if it did not fly – this one soon will!

Seaside: The two osplets, Kawok, the first hatch, and Naika, the second, are beautiful juveniles who are starting to feel their independence. They remind me a bit of Ervie and his brothers once they had fledged. Everyone was civil until then and then it was everyone lad for itself. There is a bit of an aggression showing up just like it is at other nests towards the adults especially if they do not show up with fish! No one is hungry, as far as I can tell, on this nest!

Alyth: The fledglings return to the nest for fish and rest. Flying is hard work. They did not sleep on the nest last night.

Poole Harbour: Oh, it was wet in Pool Harbour on Saturday! Miserable. Windy. The trio were busy preening and trying to dry off Sunday morning.

Glaslyn: OH2 has walked to the perch to with OH1 and Mum, Elen. Will he fly today? He sure is flapping those wings and looks strong and ready.

Dyfi: A bit of a lonely nest at times. One of the fledglings showed up Sunday morning. It looks a bit dreary and damp. Idris and Telyn will be doing a great job feeding their fledglings. Cennen has been flying for a week!

Time for ‘H’s reports:

Fortis Exshaw – Louise had some minor intruder issues, and she flushed an intruder off the tall perch and out of the area twice. She also delivered five fish to feed her chicks. The two 35-day-old osplets are thriving. Mr. O was not seen on camera Saturday.

Forsythe – There were four fish delivered to the nest, including one by Opal. The fledglings each had two fish. Even though the food had increased slightly on Saturday, there was still significant aggression, and the siblings were literally at each other’s throats. After a few days of very little food, the youngest sibling, Ollie, was the primary aggressor. The battle at 1438 was quite serious. I’m hoping the fish deliveries continue to increase so that these two juvies can relax.

Osoyoos – Dad continues to be a great provider for his family. The 26 and 27-day-old chicks are progressing normally.

Severna Park – Olivia and Oscar continue to deliver fish to the nest for their two fledglings. I have not seen anyone sleeping at the nest for the last two nights.

Barnegat Light – Oh my goodness, at 53 days of age, ‘Dorsett’ looks so grown up! Dorsett has been wingercising and practicing self feeding.

Patuxent Nest 1 – Foster and Sib-B are still hanging out and eating fish at the nest, but are sleeping elsewhere.

Patuxent Nest 2 – The livestream was down for 28 days, and finally returned full time on 7/20. By that time, all three of the chicks had already fledged. On 7/22 two of the fledglings were seen in the nest at the same time.

Thank you so much, ‘H’.

The FB posts in Manitoba are full of individuals finding baby birds in their yards. This is happening everywhere, not just near me. So what do you do? Review the chart below and make certain that you have your nearest wildlife rehab clinics on speed dial on the contact list of your cell phone, please.

Thank you so much for being with me today. Continue to send all that positive energy of yours to the nests including those that are struggling with starvation and nest aggression this season. Take care of yourself. I hope to see you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, their comments, postings, tweets, websites, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog this morning: ‘Geemeff, H, L, M, PB, PSEG, Audubon, Birdguides.com, Raptor Persecution UK, Deb Stecyk and Bald Eagles 101, IWS, MN Landscape Arboretum, Boulder County Fair Grounds Ospreys, Forsythe Ospreys, Charlo Montana and Owl Research Project, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Steelscape Inc, Cowlitz PUD, Seaside Ospreys, Alyth, Poole Harbour Ospreys, Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn, Dyfi Osprey Project, Fortis Exshaw, Forsythe, Osoyoos, Severna Park, Wildlife Conserve Foundation of NJ, Patuxent River Park, and Chirp Nature Centre.

WBSE30 is alive…Saturday in Bird World

22 July 2023

Good Morning All!

It was an exciting time in the garden today. The usual suspects were all here but there was a new addition! The European Starlings brought at least one of the juveniles to the garden. It ate in the square feeder, drank in the bird bath, and went into the lilacs to be fed by a parent. Warmed my heart because so many of the Avian families in my neighbourhood bring their babies to the garden to eat and to be safe.

It is very difficult to tell European Starling adults apart – the males and females – just like it is with Blue Jays. This juvenile Starling is gorgeous. The bird book says it is a ‘dull grey-brown’. Well, I don’t think there is anything ‘dull’ about this little beauty.

Just look at the plumage. Under the neck is a soft dark grey collar with a light dove grey trim. Think about the reticula lace ruffs of European royalty in the late 16th century! Not precisely, but think along those lines when you look at the plumage of birds.

So now look at that lovely collar.

Then skip over to the wings and the rump and you begin to get the darkest charcoal, nearly ebony in parts with thicker and more defined outlines on the feathers. This time they almost appear bronze. This is seriously a handsome juvenile.

You can see more of that golden bronze that breaks into a rust when the juvie leans over and the light hits those feathers.

My goodness – what an excellent combination for a fall wardrobe. I worked with a man once that collected all manner of natural objects – well, he collected lots, but he often told me that we have to look to nature for the colours and the patterns. He was right.

The adult trying to find the juvenile in all the thick lilac branches to feed it. This is why I fill those feeders up day in and day out…I could not be more happier to see the adults bringing their babies to the garden. It is a tough world in an urban environment for wildlife. I continue to say that and I hope you don’t get tone-deaf to hearing it. We have taken over their habitat and it is up to us to help them. On the hottest of days that means water – water is hopefully something everyone can spare. But the next time you are tossing food into the bin look and see what you are throwing away. Would a bird eat it?

How did you spend your Friday? I know that many were watching Little Mini to see if she would fledge. Let us hope that she is with us a few more days before flying but, she wants to. Remember. Mini was so tiny we could hardly find her in the nest amidst the big siblings. She appears to be a female which means she has 50% more growth to do than say Three who appears to be a male. Her wings are the span of the nest, she has her tail feathers, now for all of them just to be ‘perfect’ and then, her body will know when to fly. Unless someone knocks her out of the nest or she gets crazy listening to Three ‘fish cry’.

Mini had at least two nice fish and a glorious PS on Friday. The adults do not forget about the chicks on the nest.

Look out below!

As a result of Mini and doing a lot of clearing out, I did not watch the nests on Friday hardly at all. And that is sometimes a good thing. It was not a beautiful day – it was hot and very humid. I still need to get to the nature centre for my daily walk. Instead, I watched Little Red harass Dyson over peanuts. Red squirrels can be very aggressive. I was just screaming at that squirrel who was obviously stashing the peanuts in the wood pile while the others wanted to eat.

Many of you have written in to see what has happened with WBSE30 presumed to have died. Well, she is alive!

There is some nest news and let’s go and see what happened on Friday and early Saturday morning.

Glaslyn: OH2 has not yet fledged – at least not at the time I am writing but it is going to be soon. 0H1 has fledged – both are males.

It was a nasty day at Glaslyn and Saturday morning is even wetter. Happy that 0H2 decided to stay on the nest.

Dyfi: Home to Idris and Telyn. Everyone is soaking wet Saturday morning.

Llyn Clywedog: Every time I think of this nest, I tear up. Dylan and Seren had two beautiful healthy osplets. When I first saw the fish on the nest just there, no one about, my heart sank a bit. thankfully, our fledgling arrived to claim it.

Alyth: The weather is much better and there are three fledglings waiting for fish deliveries!

The last chick did not leave this nest until mid-September and It is confirmed that Dad remained there feeding it all the time. What a fantastic nest.

Loch of the Lowes: Blue NC0 has not been seen for a week. She has not started migration – it is just too early. There have been intruders all season at this nest. I do not believe she would leave two fledglings for this long. Something has sadly happened to her although I hope that she lands on the nest and makes a fool out of me. That would be brilliant and it would be welcoming. Laddie is trying to keep intruders away and be both Mum and Dad. The fledglings are both hungry——and I do mean hungry. Just like they were at Achieva or at Forsythe, currently. He is doing the best he can in circumstances he cannot control.

Blue NC0 and Laddie LM12.

Laddie delivering a fish and the male PF5 got it – he is so hungry having been pushed about by the sister PF4…Two fish so far today – I cannot completely confirm who got the second but I hope that each fledgling got a meal.

Poole Harbour: Food security is paramount for a civil nest. Just look at Poole Harbour!

It is now confirmed that Blue 5H4 did a two-part fledge at 17:13:13 on 21 July. Returned safely. All waiting for their breakfast fish with CJ7 looking on from the perch.

Fortis Exshaw had such a huge fish that I had to post it earlier than H’s report. This nest should simply put a smile on our faces – it and Little Mini and even the Third hatch at Boulder. They are survivors.

‘H’ writes: “Things seemed to have settled for this nest since Mr. O came along eight days ago to help Louise after the disappearance of her long-time mate, Jasper. Mr. O landed on the nest at 1205 to provide deterrence against an intruder, while Louise was out fishing. Louise brought four large fish to the nest, and Mr. O brought a few sticks throughout the day. At 1818 Louise assisted Mr. O with his stick placement. At least one of the chicks seems to be learning from his stepdad, and has been practicing moving sticks around.”

Forsythe: “Fishing must still be difficult for Oscar and Opal. There were only three fish delivered to the nest on 7/21, one by Opal, two by Oscar, and the fish were not very large. Owen, the oldest of the two fledglings, managed to acquire all three of the fish, with nothing left over for Ollie. Ollie last ate a small piece of fish at 0935 on 7/20. There has been an increase in aggression on the nest.”

Kent Island – “All is well for Audrey, Tom, and their 40 day old offspring. Some have been referring to the little one as ‘Junior’. Junior is simply cute as a button!”

Boathouse – “Life is good on Muscongus Bay for 42 day old Skipper. Skipper has been learning from his dad, and he is becoming quite adept at rearranging sticks.”

Dahlgren – “The fledglings D11 and D12 seem to be enjoying exploring their new world. They both return to the nest for meals, and to sleep. I am still amazed how peaceful this nest was all season, despite the siblings hatching four days apart.”

Thanks so much, ‘H’.

Tatarstan RU: Eastern Imperial Eagle nest of Altyn and Altnay. G osh those two little eaglets are growing and they are sporting some green bling!

Lesser Spotted Eagle nest of Anna and Andris in Zemgale, Latvia: What a gorgeous baby!

Karl II and Kaia Black Stork Nest, Karula National Forest, Estonia: Three gorgeous storklets waiting for fish in the morning sunlight. Thank you Urmas for ensuring this family has food in a year of drought and few fish or frogs.

News for Waba and Bonus, the two surviving fledglings from Karl and Kaia’s nest of 2022 (Bonus was a foster from the nest of Jan and Jannika):

Dorset Hobby Falcons: One is Self-feeding! That nest is getting smaller as these two fluff balls grow bigger and bigger.

There is growing concern over the kills by goshawks of ospreys. I am reposting a FB post so that you can see this fantastic image of an Osprey’s talons. Notice the curve and the reason for this – it is not for fighting. Ospreys cannot defend themselves with their talons like eagles and hawks can.

Puts a smile on your face. There are many kind people willing to drop everything and help our ospreys.

Sadly the osplets were lost. But like so many of you who saw this earlier and wrote to me – if it was such an iconic nest, why were these chicks not saved like the ones in Nova Scotia? Did the fire burn so quickly? Did no one not see the smoke and get help? Can you imagine those adult ospreys flying above the nest seeing their chicks burned alive? Will the power company put up a new safe platform on a pole nearby like in Nova Scotia?

I have been asked to spread the word about a beautiful white parrot that needs to be located. It belonged to an elderly woman who was ill and could no longer care for her beloved pet. She entrusted the bird to A Tropical Concept Exotic Bird Rescue, who then found an adoptive home. The individual who took the parrot was a ‘flipper’ – get the bird and resell. A Tropical Concept Exotic Bird Rescue wants to find Bella, the white Parrot. She is unusual in that the parrot will say, ‘Bella, Bella, Bella’. If you or someone you know might have seen or had contact with this parrot, there is a $3000 USD reward. It is believed the bird could be in Arizona but, as I know, birds are flown daily so she could be anywhere. They just want to know that she is well cared for. No questions asked. Here is the contact: https://www.facebook.com/atcbirdrescue

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog this morning: ‘A, Geemeff, H, J’, Wikipedia, the Spruce, PSEG, Linda McElroy and Raptors of the World, Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn, Dyfi Ospreys, CarnyXWild, Alyth, LOTL, Jannet King and Love for the Pool Harbour Ospreys, Poole Harbour Ospreys, Fortis Exshaw, Lisa Lavargna and Ospreys Only, Cherly Scott Trueblood and Birds of Prey, Forsythe, Kent Island, Dahlgren, Boathouse Ospreys, Tatarstan RU Eagle Cam, LDF, Eagle Club of Estonia, Looduskalender Forum, Dorset Hobby Falcons, and Sunnie Day.

Crash landings, itchy wings…Friday in Bird World

21 June 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

It is the end of the week. It is almost the end of July. We are less than a month away from some of the females in Europe and the UK preparing for and possibly leaving for their migration. Indeed, migration is on my mind and I have a book recommendation (below) for those that want to learn more of the history of how scientists discovered where our feathered friends go in the winter or spring/summer for breeding. I am also including a study on the impact of Avian Flu and some suggestions on what must be done to curtail it before populations are decimated. There will be continuing news about fledges and, of course, our Little Mini – not so little anymore – who is hoping to take those beautiful wings of hers and hit the skies.

In the meantime, there was a Crow funeral this morning. At first, I did not know what was happening as a dozen or more Crows gathered and flew in circles over the back lane and in front of the house behind me. I thought the GHO had come into the neighbourhood, and I knew the adults would not have that with their fledglings being out of the nest for less than a fortnight. So I investigated, and sadly, one of the fledglings was dead on the side of the street. They had all come to mourn and say goodbye. Usually, I would pick up the carcass and place it on the boulevard, but a wise and knowledgeable Corvid person once told me that the Crows do not like humans to touch their dead. So, I left the lovely one there. How sad.

One of the fledglings on my fence – along with four of its siblings – waiting for its scrambled eggs and cheesy dogs. Sadly taken through a screen of the conservatory so the image is soft and this is as light as I could push it. They are so beautiful. Their beaks are like highly polished ebony and those dark piercing eyes. They know precisely when I am cooking those eggs and arrive and wait so they can get to them before the Blue Jays. I adore them.

That one little Blue Jay is so funny. He likes to take his naps here and he loves to be in the bird bath. He went to sleep eating and kept his lids closed for over fifteen minutes. He was only woken when another sibling flew in to gnab a peanut. Looking over my photographs, there are more than 600 digital images of this one fledgling. Don’t tell my children!

Did you know it is impossible to tell a male blue Jay from a female one unless you see them during courtship or laying eggs? Blue Jays bond for life just like our raptors.

This little one does not mind sharing the table feeder with the Sparrows.

Take the time to observe the birds around you. They are precious. Listen to their songs. Focus on their behaviour and their markings. Soon you will get to know them and they will become ‘family’.

Speaking of family. Mini will never know all the people who have sent positive energy to the nest so that it might survive but, today, this wee fourth hatch has survived and is ready to leave the nest and become a bird.

Three is on the Patchogue fish calling, and Mini just dreams of flying. She has had two good fish from Dad today – perhaps even more I missed. One was at 0920 and the other at 1523. Nice fish, so Mini is not hungry. Gosh, I am going to miss her when she fledges. What a survivor…I hope all she learned on the nest and her fortitude carry her well through life.

Oh, Mini wants to fly. She is getting some height. 1918 Thursday night. Stay home Mini until Friday.

Good night, Mini.

‘L writes that Mini got a fish at 0740 on Friday and that Three had a fish shortly after, too. That is fantastic news!

Mini got the fish and that darn black bin liner. It continues to stick to Mini’s talons. I hope when she fledges she does not take it with her!

There are lots of fledges and some hard to keep up with. All of the three osplets at Alyth have fledged with the last one flying on the 18th of July, 9 days after the first. They are being fed on the nest by the parents although, like all nests, there is a bit of a scramble.

At the Loch of the Lowes, the scramble between the two siblings for fish is intense. It reminds me of Achieva when Big knocked Middle off – these chicks are hungry! Here is the latest posting about conditions on the nest and why they are what they are from The Loch of the Lowes:

What we want to see is all the fledglings return to the nest for a good month to get fed well, fattened up for migration, and get their flying skills in order and those wings strong for that 5000 km journey most will make starting in August – in a month.

Everyone is home at Rutland! These three are keeping the adults busy catching fish…soon Blue 33 will be the sole provider of fish and I can’t think of a better Dad to fatten up these three for their migration.

Another of the Kielder nest 7 chicks has fledged. This time Blue 2B0 Gilsland.

At the Borders nest, Blue 733 Jed flew on the 20th, Thursday. Time 1600. He was airborne for 3 minutes! Well done. Thanks Rosie Shields for that great blog…congratulations, Jed!

Landing back at the nest.

There are still three chicks on the Boulder County nest but not for long.

Pitkin Open Spaces and Trails: One of the osplets is getting a lot of height and is really working its wings today. Fledge is going to be soon – just like Mini, this one wants to go!

Three beauties at Poole Harbour. I want everyone to send positive energy to the nest of CJ7 and Blue 22 that the goshawk does not return to the nest this year and snatch one or more of these beautiful babies.

At Loch Arkaig, there was a bit of an issue with one of Ludo’s flights. Geemeff says, “Ludo LY7 had a bit of a day today – made his second flight with no problems, but got divebombed by his mum Dorcha on his third flight, and missed his landing, tumbling over the edge of the nest and landing in the branches. Fortunately not hurt, took a few minutes in the tree with a few squeaks, then flew off, did a circuit, and landed properly. Relief!” Here it is on video – thanks, Geemeff.

The chick at Cowlitz has really grown and is hopping and flapping. The metal protective grids are not a bother.

Some information on the translocation project for Ireland that involves removing osplets from Norway and transporting them to their new home. Ireland has no breeding pairs of ospreys at this time.

Time for the reports form ‘H’:

Fortis Exshaw: “It was a peaceful day for this osprey family. There were four fish brought to the nest, including one by stepdad, Mr. O. A couple of the fish were very large, including a monster fish delivered by Louise at 0604, and there were at least 6 feedings. No one went hungry.”

Patuxent Nest 1 – The fledglings were both seen partaking of fish at the nest.

Osoyoos – Dad delivered at least 7 fish on 7/20. The kiddos are 24 and 25 days old, and are doing very well.

Barnegat Light – Thanks to the efforts of Duke and Daisy, there is no shortage of fish at this nest. Little Dorsett is 51 days old, and is not so little any more.

Patuxent Nest 2 – One of the fledglings was seen on the nest enjoying a meal.

Suzanne Arnold Horning is diligent in finding the Ms after they have fledged their nest on the Cornell Campus – she spots Big Red and Arthur too. SAH has ‘hawk eyes’ – for sure! All of the family are safe and sound today.

I wanted to check in on the nest of Bald Eagles in Juneau. Look at beautiful Hope who is now self-feeding rather well.

‘A’ gives us a report on the Royal Cam Albatross: “

Later on 19 July, after GLY came in for that short breakfast feed, have a look at the late afternoon feeding on the same day. Those chunks of octopus or squid of some variety are MASSIVE. Well done dad! And then we had a feeding from mum L around 08.23 yesterday morning (20 July): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXxHaJngJXs (Notice L’s standing feeding position, different from GLY, who tends to get down really low, as he did when Manaaki was still a tiny chick. These little differences are what we rely on when it is impossible to discern leg bands, which is often the case in the half light or the long grass.) It’s a short feed and Manaaki continues to whee away as she leaves (‘Don’t go, mum!’), but then he did have two meals the previous day, including the giant chunks of squid the evening before this feed. He’s certainly not starving, our giant fluff ball. Manaaki was not weighed on Tuesday but we will see how his weight is going next Tuesday. With half the local cephalopod population being swallowed by Manaaki this week, there should be no problems in that department! What a gorgeous albie he really is. No wonder we all call him Prince Manaaki. He is just the most beautiful bird. So healthy and active and with such a curious personality. He loves to explore. We will all miss him a great deal when he does finally fledge. Day 240. It suddenly seems all too close – day 200 is looming.”

Worried about an animal in need that is not in a nest – phone the fire department! A feel-good moment.

Do you know about migration? There are several books on the subject, but Rebecca Heisman’s Flight Paths has been on my reading list. Migration is a topic that is coming up for almost all of our feathered friends. What I liked about the book is that it is full of science and what we have learned about migration through new methods using satellites, satellite tracking as well as boots on the ground, It is a page-turner—primarily black and white text with images in the middle. I didn’t miss seeing the images of birds. The writing is so good it draws you in. I was fascinated with the study of where birds go —so where precisely will the baby Blue Jays in my garden travel for winter? or the Rose-breasted Grosbeaks? What about the birds in the Himalayas that fly through really thin air to those tiny warblers that weigh no more than a ballpoint pin and travel three days over the ocean to get to their winter homes? This is exciting reading – well, to me it is – the history of migration, how humans discovered the amazing journeys our feathered friends take. This book will add much to your knowledge, deep appreciation, and respect for our feathered friends. It was $37 CDN for a hardback copy. Why not ask your local library to order a copy? Surely this is a subject that will interest many!

It isn’t about raptors but, it is about a natural solution to a problem – instead of using herbicides and pesticides. Just like raptors are the solution for rodents!

Canada is working to save the endangered Piping Plover- it is a good news story in amongst the bad – the BC Government allowed shooting and logging in the area of the endangered Spotted Owl – in fact, there is only one of them and there is shooting. Am I angry? You bet’cha. When will nature be a priority and not the economy? Without nature, there is no economy.

Record-number-of-piping-plovers-pair-up-across-Great-Lakes-The-Narwhal Download

B.C.-sanctions-shooting-logging-in-endangered-spotted-owl-habitat-The-Narwhal Download

Lots to read today but Birdlife International has published a report on Avian Flu and some possible solutions that must be taken if our feathered friends are to survive this global catastrophe. The report states, “Bird Flu has evolved to spread more rapidly and easily in wild bird populations. Previously, this disease spread significantly in farmed bird populations and it was quite rare for wild birds to catch it – when outbreaks did occur, they usually impacted a limited number of species and only lasted a few months. This is no longer the case. With birds under greater threat than ever before, this virulent strain of Bird Flu cannot be categorised as a natural process and left to wreak havoc.”

CMS-FAO-TF_avian_influenza_statement_July2023 Download

Lots more nests with fledges to come today. Little Mini is just itching to fly – so keep an eye! But if you feel low, think of Fortis Exshaw and how wonderful this season has been with Mr O. He is our Osprey Super Hero! Thank you for being with me. Take care all.

Thank you to the following for their notes, photographs, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog this morning: ‘A, Geemeff, H, L’, PSEG, Alyth, LOTL, LRWT, Rosie Shields, Boulder County FG, Pitkin County Open Trails and Spaces, Anne Ryc and Poole Harbour, Geemeff and the Woodland Trust, Cowlitz Pud, Gregarious Joris Toonen and Ospreys, Fortis Exshaw, Patient River Park, Osoyoos, Wildlife Conserve F of NJ, Suzanne Arnold Horning, Glacier Gardens, NZ DOC, KRCR News 7, Amazon, 27east, The Narwhal, and Birdlife International.

Good news at Fortis Exshaw…Friday in Bird World

14 July 2023

UPDATE: THE STORK NEST IS DIMITRI IN BELARUS NOT DMITRI IN RU. MY ERROR!

Good Morning Everyone,

It has been crazy weather with downpours and then suddenly the sun comes out. Great for the garden. The Blue Jays and Sparrows are good barometers of what is happening. They feed frantically before the black clouds and thunder roll in. Today, however, the Blue Jays frightened me – the new fledglings. They would simply not stop getting peanuts and flying despite the pouring rain. One sat on the neighbour’s roof and then flew – it was drenched and reminded me of Yurruga before it perished a year ago at Orange. I do wish they would just perch in the lilac bushes – and today, they could have waited with a Northern Cardinal! It was the first time I have seen a Cardinal in the garden – or, rather, the first time that I witnessed a Cardinal. The bushes are so thick it is impossible to see through them this time of year. My father used to call them ‘Red Birds’ and they would eat out of his hand – fascinated a young child.

In his new book, Reflections. What Wildlife Needs and How to Provide it, author Mark Avery, chooses to start with his back garden. Many of the most recent publications sitting on my desk or pre-ordered are written by well-known individuals who have specifically chosen to ponder the world’s fate through the lens of their own space and the birds they observe daily. Avery bemoans the loss of the Nightingale and its beautiful song at dusk or the Hedgehog while applauding the Red Kite reintroduction. It is a beautifully written book and every time I read someone else’s words about their own garden friends, I return to the view out of my conservatory that gives me so much joy. I hope that you do, too.

This image could be a better quality – apologies. It was starting to rain, and I had to try and miss those pink squares, but there is proof of the Cardinal in the lilacs – taking refuge there from the downpour. Cardinals are familiar birds in eastern and southeastern Canada, but they seem to visit central Canada more often, as the images posted on FB noted. I hope it is the new birdseed I am purchasing from a local farmer – it is all part of a plan to try and exist 90% local and without plastic.

You can see the big drops of water hanging from the branches. it really was a torrential downpour.

The Blue Jays are so fantastic. The little one that sat on the two garden ornaments and made a nest is distinctive and he loves to eat grain, not peanuts – and he loves to splash about in the bird bath. I adore him. Notice that his crest is black with a few light blue steel grey feathers in the front. I can spot him from the others instantly.

One of the adults moulting.

This one loves the peanuts and he is wet from the rain. They must have a spotting scope because the minute I put out fresh peanuts they are there!

This one was not happy with one of Dyson’s kits who wanted a peanut, too.

Recently fledged sparrows are everywhere. If ever there was an explosion of a species in the garden, it is them!

Besides spending much time just observing the behaviour of everyone in the garden and ticking off the list to make sure everyone was accounted for, I went off to the English Garden at our local zoo. The plan was to check on the local Cooper’s Hawk nest but there were so many people in the area that the hawks were silent.

That was not the case with the goslings that I had seen a couple of weeks ago. Someone had given them ‘bread’ despite the signs all over the area and they were fighting for it. Silly waterfowl.

The gosling day care still exists even though the goslings might think they are very independent.

Drying off after coming out of the water.

Then someone began to throw bread and the young ones immediately grabbed it and fled to the water chased by others.

It was quite the afternoon watching everyone.

I did not spend a lot of time watching the nests today. So my report is rather short but I want to start with one nest that both ‘H’ and I have been watching. The news is good this morning coming for Fortis Exshaw. ‘H’ writes, “

Louise brought fish to the nest at 0630, 0750, 0849, 1249, 1545, 1603, 1818, and 1958. Wow! In addition to that, a male Osprey gifted a partial fish at 0856, which Louise accepted. Wow! There was some minor intimidation from Big toward Middle at the early feeding, otherwise the feedings were tranquil, and both chicks’ crops were stuffed all day. I noticed something interesting regarding the issue of osplets having a feeling of ‘food security’ when adequate fish are brought to a nest, vs the awful aggression that is a manifestation of ‘food insecurity’ felt by the dominant osplet when food is scarce. When there is plenty of food for a couple of days, the dominant chick starts to relax. S/he no longer tries to eliminate a food competitor by prevent the sibling from eating, because it no longer feels that it may starve to death. But, what struck me watching the Exshaw nest yesterday was that the establishment of harmony at mealtimes may be a two-way street. The non-dominant chick also starts to relax, knowing that it will survive because of the ample availability of food. The non-dominant chick at Exshaw, ‘Middle’, simply started to hang back and wait at feedings, and let ‘Big’ eat first. Not only was Big more relaxed because of the amount of food available, but Middle was more relaxed as well. This enabled Middle to become more accepting of his hatch-assigned place in the pecking-order, and by not so much as even trying to get a bite of fish and potentially annoying ‘Big’ early in a feeding, Middle aided his own cause. It’s all about the food. But, we already knew that.It seems that Louise may have some help. A male osprey (that I believe was the same one she chased off the nest twice on 7/12), landed on the nest four times. At his first visit he gifted Louise a partial fish, and she accepted it. She fed some to the kids and ate some of it herself. Also at that first visit, the male moved a couple of sticks, and defended the nest. The male osprey also vocally defended the nest at a couple of his other brief visits to the nest. At his last visit he was even more vocal toward an unseen intruder, and he flew off chasing said intruder.”—————-

It sure seems like there could be a pot of gold at the end of Louis’s rainbow and for this nest. This is fantastic. I will suggest that Louise accepting the new male indicates that she was well aware – from the beginning – that Jasper is no longer with us.

For those wondering, the new male is not Jasper. The head markings are entirely different.

Both osplets fledged from the nest of Laddie LM12 and Blue NC0 at Loch of the Lowes Thursday morning. The little male flew first – gosh, what a joy that was – and the sister a little later.

I adore Mini. Mini gives me hope and every day that s/he self-feeds a little better gives joy. These days with her on the nest and adults making sure she is fed just is glorious. Today there was a goldfish just for Mini!

Trying to work those wings in a crowd.

Minnesota Landscape: I did not see a whole lot of fish being delivered but the little one is being fed. The rain came to the nest about the same time it began in Winnipeg!

Cowlitz PUD: My continued worry about this nest are the eagles in the area. I hope the protective guards work and that fish continue to come in. If you check on this nest, use the overhead cam view.

Boulder County: Doing Great.

The Bridge Golf Club: Both parents are now fishing and supplying the nest. There were 7 fish deliveries on Thursday. Both chicks doing well.

Charlo Montana: Continues to be offline.

First District Utility: Camera is frozen.

Collins Marsh: Everything is excellent.

Moorings Park: Victor went to bed without the usual fish form Harry. Several times today Victor was caught on camera diving trying to get a fish. Please send this wonderful fledgling all your good luck so that he can get his own fish! He needs to get this well in hand, and now is the time to be practising. Victor, you can do this! (I do wish someone would dump about 20,000 fish in that pond so he had some chance of success!)

Janakkalan: Both osplets doing well.

Dyfi: Both are flapping and hopping.

Glaslyn: Things look fine.

Alyth: Lots of good fish deliveries.

Now let’s get to those other reports by ‘H’:

Kent Island – “The big story is a new arrival to the nest. Audrey gifted her little chick a stuffed pink octopus! The nest owner has named the stuffie ‘Molly’.”

Barnegat Light – Daisy delivered one of her specialty bluefish, as hubby Duke was chillin’ out lying next to his kiddo. At 44 days of age, 09/N is growing up fast.

Severna Park – After #2 fledged in the morning, she skidded to a landing on the nest 5 1/2 hours later. Well done fledgling!

Forsythe – There were only two fish brought to the nest on 7/13, both by Opal. Oscar did not come to the nest. Opal came to the nest several other times throughout the day, but arrived empty taloned. There were also only two fish delivered on 7/12, one each by Opal and Oscar, but the first fish was so large that Opal made three feedings out of it. The mid-Atlantic area has been suffering from a heat wave for a few days, which may be making fishing more difficult as the fish seek cooler, deeper waters. The siblings are 52 and 53 days old.

Audubon Boathouse – Life is splendid at the Boathouse platform. Little Skipper is 34 days old.

‘H’ also checked in on McEuen Park in Idaho. Look at how big those three osplets are! Fantastic. Thanks so much, ‘H’.

Waiting word on Dmitri’s surgery. Before he went into hospital, he built a new place for the storklet that he rescued. Incredible man.

For our education – an article on the importance of water and agriculture to our planet and to our birds from the British Ornithological Trust. Indeed, one of the biggest detriments to the stability of our wildlife is the changing methods in agriculture over the past two centuries including deforestation and the use of pesticides and herbicides.

Agriculture-and-nature-inevitably-intertwined-BirdLife-International Download

Thank you so much for being with me today. Please take care of yourself. See you soon!

Thank you so much to ‘H’ for her continued monitoring and to the following for their posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog this morning: Fortis Exshaw, Mary Cheadle and Friends of Loch Arkaig Ospreys, PSEG, MN Landscape Arboretum, Cowlitz PUD, Boulder County Fair Grounds, The Bridge Golf Club, Collins Marsh, Moorings Park, Janakkalan and Finnish Osprey Foundation, Dyfi Osprey Project, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Alyth, Kent Island, Conserve Wildlife of New Jersey, Severna Park, Forsythe ospreys, Audubon Boathouse, McEuen Park, BTO, and Dmitri Storks.

Time to keep an eye on Mini! Thursday in Bird World

13 July 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

It is humid and sultry (but not hot and sultry) on the Canadian Prairies. The skies feel like they could unload a whole lot of rain if they ever decided to open. My phone says they won’t. Let’s wait and see.

Today saw the arrival of some Japanese snacks and the kittens go crazy. What is it about White Peach Mochi and those crispy melon wafer cookies that cause them to turn into something besides kittens?

Later, look who is in his sister’s basket?

First up, I want to thank Gayle at Fortis Exshaw and Robyn at AIWC and the Alberta Birds of Prey for their immediate responses to the call for help if Louise at the Fortis Exshaw Nest should become injured or killed and the osplets left abandoned. Everyone was ready to help if help was needed. Thankfully, Louise is alright and is doing a splendid jog.

The fish deliveries for Wednesday, according to ‘H’ were: “Fish deliveries: 07:18:09, 12:28:02, 12:59:13, 13:36:54, 17:09:03”. All is well.——— Gosh, it is windy there. Louise is a fantastic fisher. Oh, gosh. Another large fish came in at 18:16.

‘H’ notes that Big intimidated Middle throughout the day but that Middle did wind up with some nice crops. Louise is fantastic even flushing out intruders from the nest.

This is wonderful news – Louise is amazing. Continue to send your positive energy to this incredible female.

‘B’ sent me the most fascinating article. I am so grateful as these ospreys have not given me a chance to read the papers. The birds are smart, they are taking things meant to keep them off buildings and using them to fortify and protect their own nests. Have a read – and thanks ‘B’.

Birds-in-Europe-use-anti-bird-spikes-to-fortify-nests-researchers-say-The-Washington-Post Download

Our dear Mini is starting to really spread its wings and is watching the older siblings intently on what to do when you get the itch to fly. Everyone keep an eye on Mini – s/he could fly at any time it seems. Let me know if I miss it!

Mum feeding Mini a private meal.

We just need Dad at Patchogue. All three fledglings and Mini are home wishing for fish.

Beautiful or handsome Mini.

Minnesota Landscape: The chick is getting its pin feathers. It was hot in Minnesota today. Mum is not always the most devoted mumbrella but she is much better at feeding.

First District Utility: The streaming cam continues to be frozen.

Moorings Park: I have never seen a fledgling spend so much time on a nest waiting for a fish delivery as Victor.

Boulder County Fair Grounds: This nest is fabulous.

Collins Marsh: A wet day but all is well. Mum and Dad on the nest with the two surviving osplets.

Poole Harbour: Family image. Watch the chicks and CJ7 as they see Blue 22 arriving.

CJ7 stays on the nest at night. Last year she lost a chick to a goshawk. Goshawks do not normally hunt at night but there could be Tawny owls or other predators in the area. She is not taking any chances.

Glaslyn: Elen and the two beautiful osplets waiting for a fish delivery. Everything is fine. Aran continues to impress with the fish deliveries.

Dyfi: Another family portrait and all is well with Idris, Telyn, Seiont and Cennen.

Llyn Clywedog: At 20:31, Seren Blue 5F brought in a huge Rainbow Trout to the nest. This is significant. It is the first fish she has caught and brought to the nest since April. Dylan has been supplying all the fish. Seren will begin to build up her strength for her trip to Africa. She goes to the exact tree in The Tango Marsh in The Gambia every winter and has done now for 7 or 8 years.

Alyth: All appears to be well at Alyth substation. The nice day turned into a very wet late evening.

Loch Arkaig: Geemeff caught the osplet picking up and moving a fish and self-feeding. Fantastic. Another milestone.

But, hey. Geemeff caught our chick – gosh, let’s get it a good name – playing football? Trying out for the Premier League?

Loch of the Lowes: She is gorgeous – Blue NC0. She will be dreaming of Africa and migration having laid the first eggs of the season along with Maya at Manton Bay. Chicks are gorgeous. All is well.

We must all hope that the situation concerning Avian Flu in West Africa has dissolved by the time these beautiful birds reach their winter homes. (I must check on that situation).

Loch Garten: I think this FB post says it all!

Foulshaw Moss: We have the first fledge of the 2023 season for White YW and Blue 35.

Tweed Valley: The two osplets were ringed, and their names are Sacha and Paul. Very appropriate for those great individuals behind Conservation Without Borders.

Finland #1. Everything is good.

Finland #4. It is often difficult to tell but it appears that things are alright on this nest.

‘H’s report on Patuxent 1: “Sibling ‘A’ that fledged on 7/11 at 0745, has not returned to the nest as yet. Nor has s/he been seen on the perch. The juvenile on the perch has always been identified as ‘Foster’. I hope all is well with the fledgling, sibling ‘A’. Sibling ‘B’ was very close to fledging on 7/12. You can just barely see its talons during a hover in one of the attached photos.”

Severna Park: “I’m pretty sure that Middle (chick #2) fledged at 0758 this morning at 65 days of age. Chick #1 flew off the nest at 0657.”

Dahlgren – The eldest chick (D11) fledged on 7/12 at 1148, at 55 days of age. S/he did not return to the nest on 7/12, but was seen resting on the nest owner’s boat with her dad, Jack. At 5 pm it was reported that D11’s mom, Harriet was seen feeding her on the boat!

Kent Island – It was another wonderful day for Audrey, Tom, and their little 31 day old chick. You will hardly ever find that youngster with a flat crop.

Osoyoos – After a couple days offline, the livestream resumed on 7/12. Ample fish were brought to the nest to feed the 15 and 16 day old osplets. Those kiddos are really looking good!

Why do ‘H’ and I make such a big deal about fledglings returning to the nest? Unless it is a case like Dahlgren where the chick is seen being fed by the parent nearby, fledglings return to the nest to be fed for about a month, sometimes much longer like Victor, while they learn to hunt and perfect their flying skills. If they do not return to the nest, something has happened to them.

Well, as ‘H’ watched, she is pleased to report, “Dahlgren D11 (chick #1) made a beautiful return landing on the nest this morning at 0744.”

At the nest of Big Red and Arthur: All of the Ms are fine and watching parents for prey deliveries!

Those Dorset Hobby Falcons are certainly cute! Who could resist watching them most of the day?

At the scrape of Xavier and Diamond – isn’t Xavier precious? Expect to see lots of bonding and Diamond trying to fatten up prior to egg laying next month.

‘A’ notes, “I need to mention sweet Xavier. He brought some breakfast to the nest box this morning at 07:37:38 and Diamond was into the box within seconds to claim it – but then realised it was a starling and jumped straight out of the box. Xavier looked a bit startled and somewhat nonplussed, and he hangs around for about four minutes, but then departs with his starling. An hour or so later (at 08:52:02) he tries again, and Diamond is more receptive to this offering. Well done, Xavier. This pair always seem to have crops – Madame Diamond is frequently too sleepy to take hers anywhere, so she rests on the ledge of her nest box for much of the afternoon. It’s a hard life for a peregrine at CSU in Orange!”

We are more than half way through incubation at the Sydney Sea Eagles nest of Lady and Dad. Dad came in to give Lady a break so she could go and have her morning meal and stretch her legs after a long night of incubation.

‘A’ writes, “Meanwhile, the dedicated incubation continues in Sydney. These two have a good rhythm. Let’s hope they do their usual excellent job of raising two fledglings this season. Both varieties of Australian possum are potential predators for both the eggs and the newly hatched chicks, though the brushtails are larger and more dangerous. The ringtails will eat those eggs just as fast as a brushtail, and although both species are primarily vegetarian, they will eat small chicks if they come across them. It is unusual for either type of possum to eat the chicks, but it has definitely been witnessed from both ringtails and brushtails. (I watched a little ringtail with a baby on her back crossing my street last night, like a tightrope walker above the road, clinging to the electricity cabling that crosses the road from one pole to another. They don’t seem to slip off, though I have occasionally seen one hanging from the wire and pulling itself across. Most walk along the wire with amazing speed and balance. The baby clings to mum’s back, or sometimes to her tummy. They are a protected native species, which is more than a little annoying for suburban dwellers with trees in their garden. The sound of possums thundering across the roof (or, worse yet, peeing inside the roof, staining the ceiling from above) is enough to wake the dead at 2am. And the sounds they make, especially during courting and mating season (now), are other-worldly in a very scary way!”

With all of the storklets killed and little Okrusezek fighting for his life as he lost it to the goshawk in Poland, I needed to check on a couple of the stork nests that we follow closely to make sure that all are home.

Mlade Buky: Everything is good with Bety and Bukacek’s beautiful storklets.

Karl II and Kaia, Karula National Forest: The storklets are losing the baby down and getting their feathers. They look good. Urmas continues to provide fish for the family in the fish baskets otherwise, we might not see these healthy ones. This is a man with a huge heart for storks just like Dmitri – and I checked. Dmitri was in the hospital awaiting his surgery Wednesday evening.

Tukums, Latvia: Everything appears to be good.

‘A’ loves the Royal Albatross. I do not report on them very often but as fledge is 6-8 weeks away, let us keep a closer check. ‘A’ reports: “In New Zealand, Prince Manaaki had a very busy day fixing up his nest, doing more excavations and heading off on some hill-climbing excursions. I can only suggest that you check today’s chat for some amazing pics of him (I particularly love the one where he is covered in nest material but the hill-climbing one is pretty cute too – let’s face it, he’s always adorable). https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/royal-cam-discussion/ Don’t you just love a nest where we get to watch a loving couple reuniting and courting, doting parents incubating their egg for over two months, and then a safe hatch in a supervised incubator followed by no sibling rivalry, just one absolutely gorgeous fluff ball that we get to watch for a whole 240 days? And all the time knowing that they will be kept cool, given hydration and supplementary feedings, weighed and health-checked weekly, and generally treated in the manner they deserve. What an incredible treat that albatross colony really is.”

A quick check and Mini is still with us on the nest!

I want to thank ‘J’ for helping me extend my data to include some of the German Osprey nests. In doing so, she sent me links to valuable information, including a 1996 study on the ospreys in Germany. It is a good read and sheds some light on what is helping Ospreys to thrive or not in a limited area of Germany. That area is home to many of my ceramic friends who still run potteries with wood-burning kilns in the Mecklenburg area north of Berlin.

OspreyCentralEurope Download

Thank you so very much for being with me today. Please take care. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘A, B, Geemeff, H, J’, Fortis Exshaw, PSEG, MN Landscape Arboretum, Moorings Park, Boulder County Fair Grounds, Collins Marsh, Poole Harbour Ospreys, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Dyfi Osprey Project, CarnyXWild, Alyth, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, LOTL and the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Livia Armstrong and Friends of Loch Arkaig Ospreys, Polly turner and Friends of Loch Arkaig Ospreys, Jeff Kear and Ospreys, Severna Park, Kent Island, Osoyoos, Dahlgren Ospreys, Patuxent River Park, Finnish Osprey Foundation, Cornell Bird Lab, Dorset Hobby Falcons, Holly Parsons and Orange, Australia Peregrine Falcons, Sea Eagle Cam, Mlade Buky, Eagle Club of Estonia, Latvian Fund for Nature, NZ DOC, and Researchgate.

Fortis Exshaw? …Wednesday in Bird World

12 July 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

Besides entering data in the forms, the day was spent making jam and gardening while running in to check on nests every 30 or 40 minutes. The Baby Blue Jays now know – just like last year – to come and peck on the window when the peanuts are all gone. They are adorable. The jam is just finishing up. It is the last of the strawberries. The heat of the early summer cooked the plants out in the local fields. So it was a short season. Hopefully, there will be some raspberries!

We need to start out with something wonderful and today that story comes from Nova Scotia, Canada – and it comes from Nova Scotia Power! By now everyone is aware of the deadly wildfires in that Atlantic Canadian province. These little osplets lost their nests and with the kindness of humans regained their lives with their parents.

‘L’ wrote to me yesterday to see if I knew about the chicks at The Wetlands Institute. I went to check, and sadly, one died on Monday of starvation, and the other died on Tuesday. It is hard to believe. They both hatched on the 28th of May, making them 43 days old. They were both fully feathered. Their cause of death was starvation. The nest is in the Stone Harbour area of New Jersey, and it is one of the nests in the region of that big storm that hit that caused so many nests to lose not only all the chicks but some of the males. Our hearts go out to all these osprey families.

The average age for fledging varies from 46-60 days giving some perspective on what a great loss these osplets are to the future population.

These big beautiful osplets should not be dying. They should be getting ringed and getting fat and strong for fledge and migration.

A tragedy also began on 7 July in the making at Fortis Exshaw when the male, Jasper, disappeared. ‘H’ has astutely noted that the nest is beginning to look like what happened at Cape Henlopen last season when intruders killed the male, then killed or injured the female leaving 3 healthy osplets on the nest – they starved to death on camera. It was horrific. Louise was last seen on the nest at 1337 on Tuesday when she chased intruders that had been landing. Louise did return to the nest and was noticeably tired. She checks on the chicks and ‘H’ reports that Louise provided five feedings for the two. So, please send continued positive wishes. We have help if it is required but it will also involve getting the community in the Canmore area involved.

‘H’ reports the following: “Feeding 0704 to 0714 – A brief bonking battle sent Middle to the side. 0708 Middle got a little closer, and ate its first bite at 0709. Most of the feeding was blocked from view.Feeding 1100 to 1105 – This feeding was peaceful.Feeding 1109 to 1113 – Louise quickly returned with another small fish. The view of the feeding was partially blocked, but Middle initially spent some time off to the side, indicating that s/he had been intimidated.Feeding 1244 to 1250 – The view was partially blocked but it seemed that both chicks were eating peacefully side by side.Feeding 1328 to 1333 – Again the feeding was partially blocked from view, but it seemed peaceful with both eating.As you can tell by the length of feeding times, most of the fish Louise caught were on the small side.”

The AIWC in Calgary has told me they will take the orphaned osplets if – that is if they are orphaned – if they can be retrieved from the nest and transported to Calgary. If any of you live near the nest on the Bow River in Canmore, I would suggest reaching out to the Canmore Fire Department to try and coordinate an effort along with Fortis Exshaw. This was the response I received – please note that they did not understand that the osplets were in the nest (or their wording is a bit hazy on that). Permits might be required. If you do live in the area please send me a comment or e-mail and I will provide you with further details.

Hello Mary, I am so sorry to hear that these little ones might be orphaned. We appreciate everything you have done for them thus far, and for reaching out to us regarding their care. We are more than happy to take the orphaned osplets at our wildlife centre just north of Calgary. Unfortunately, we are short on resources at the moment, and therefore are not able to complete any pickups and/or rescues at this time. Our rescue program is volunteer-run, which sadly means that we are dependent on when drivers sign up for shifts. We are happy to send a call-out looking for volunteer drivers, however, I cannot guarantee that we would be able to send someone right away.
If yourself, a friend, or relative might feel comfortable containing the osplets, we would be more than happy to receive them at our centre, if someone is able to drop them off with us.
Thank you again for your message today, and please do not hesitate to reach out to us if we are able to assist.
Kind regards,The AIWC Team

Two little osplets calling for Mum so loud it breaks your heart.

Louise was back brooding the chicks as night fall begin to settle in.

Let us just bracket that sadness with something else wonderful and that are Big Red and Arthur’s Ms who are going strong, learning every day and getting those wings and hunting skills honed. Thanks to Suzanne Arnold Horning we have some great images of the hawks out and about on the Cornell Campus.

At the Balgavies Loch, three gorgeous osplets were ringed on the 11th of July. What wonderful news.

At Patchogue, everyone knows when Dad delivers a fish to the nest!

After Big, guess who is working on that big fish? None other than Little Mini. Sweet.

Mini is still working away at that fish – home alone, so not rush – an hour later.

‘L’ sent me a sweet screen capture of our Little Mini. What a great crop! Looks like she is full of fish up to her beak!

Moorings Park: Not sure about Victor. He slept on the Moorings Park nest and he was there all day waiting for a fish delivery from Harry.

Collins Marsh: Nice fish landed on the nest. The two osplets are feathered up, not quite completely but getting there, and doing well. Fingers crossed for this new couple to the nest in what looks like a very hot Wisconsin on Tuesday.

Oyster Bay: Now isn’t that the most beautiful image? Dad on the edge. Mum feeding those three gorgeous osplets.

Boulder County: Mum is working overtime to keep those three large osplets shaded form the hot sun!

Cowlitz PUD: That is one beautiful osplet! Cheeky one…doesn’t want us to see the amazing juvenile plumage…looks like a good hit on that camera lens.

Seaside: All is well.

Alyth: Raining. Big drops coming down. Three beauties. I hope there are no goshawks in this area.

Poole Harbour: Last year one of the chicks around fledging time was predated by a goshawk. So hoping that this does not happen this year.

Blue 022 in with a huge fish at 1738. CJ7 takes charge and that big fish is gone in a blink.

Loch Arkaig – nest 1 home of Affric and two potential mates:

Loch of the Lowes: Beautiful Blue NC0 and her two fledglings. All is well.

Llyn Brenig: All is well.

Llyn Clywedog: Dylan is such a good provider. When they wonder why osplets areople starving in the US, I remind pe that many of the ponds and lochs are stocked in the UK. The Clywedog Reservoir gets 40,000 fish annually deposited. Now think about that and then look at these two healthy chicks – and then look at Manton Bay which is also stocked. Why not push where you live for USFWS to provide fingerlings in all the lakes and ponds for the birds that rely on them? Why not! And maybe instead of increasing fish quotes let us just cut them entirely.

Dyfi: A whole lot of flapping going on. If you want to order any merchandise from Dyfi (or otherwise) and they do not take your postal code, contact them. Dyfi arranged for me to donate and shipped Emyr Evan’s book to me in Canada for a small additional postage charge. It was not much. (Their tote bags are great, too!)

Glaslyn: Lovely family portrait of Aran and Elen with their two sleeping babies in the nest. What a beautiful image…when I feel really ‘low’ over the deaths in North America, I just think of this nest with this new Mum who took Mrs G’s place and did an amazing job first time around.

Tweed Valley 2: the two chicks have been ringed and fitted with sat pads! Love the names.

‘H’ reports on the following:

Patuxent Nest 1 – ‘Sibling A’ that fledged at 0745 on 7/11 has yet to return to the nest. Sibling ‘B’ was doing some vigorous flapping and slight hovering, and may be ready to take his/her first flight. Their older foster sibling spends most of her time hanging out on the perch where she can keep a lookout for incoming fish. ‘Foster’ prefers to be in the nest before Dad lands with a fish, but as you can see in the attached photo, Foster arrived a little late from the perch for the last meal of the day. Sibling ‘B’ took that fish, but Foster stole it! Not to worry, sibling ‘B’ was able to eat a large portion after Foster ate her fill.

Audubon Boathouse – My goodness, 32 day old Skipper is getting so big. The proud parents, Dory and Skiff, are doing a great job.

Forsythe – Oscar is not ‘missing’. There were six fish brought to the nest on 7/11. Oscar delivered a fish at 0750, and Opal delivered the others. Is there a ‘Manual for Osprey Life’ that dictates that the male must deliver most of the fish to the nest? Perhaps Oscar has been busy keeping intruders out of the territory. Opal and Oscar seem to have a great partnership. Their kids are 51 and 50 days old.There was an epic tug of war for the fish that Oscar delivered. The battle for the fish between the kids and their Mom went on for nearly a full minute. In the end, one of the siblings won.

Barnegat Light – Daisy delivered a couple of live bluefish and the whole family feasted. Duke and Daisy’s youngster is doing great, and at 42 days old, ’09/N’ has been doing some wingers.

‘A’ sent a note about the Royal Cam Chick: “Manaaki had a big day yesterday, with a visit from the rangers (for weighing day) and then a visit from mum for a feeding. Happy little man. Can’t wait till they fill in that weight chart. Here are the highlights of his day: https://www.youtube.com/watchv=ZOf5Smgt9kY&list=TLPQMTIwNzIwMjMLCopcQu6ATg&index=3 Listen to all that happy wheeing away when mum arrives. She is not giving him nearly as much food as dad GLY does at a feeding. In fact, she appears very reluctant to give up any of her stomach contents to Manaaki, and no wonder – he’s MUCH bigger than either of his parents (though some of that, of course, is due to his remaining fluff).”

Hartley and Monty have been bonding since Soledad fledged. Give this young couple a pat on the back! What a chick they raised in Soledad.

Thank you so much for being with me. Please send your positive wishes to our dear Louise at Fortis Exshaw and to all the nests. Take care. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, images, videos, posts, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘A, Geemeff, H, L, L’, Hope for Wildlife, Fortis Exshaw, Suzanne Arnold Horning, SL Security Pros, Moorings Park, Collins Marsh, PSEG, Boulder County Fair Grounds, Cowlitz PUD, Seaside Ospreys, Forsythe Ospreys, Conserve Wildlife F of NJ, Patuxent River Park, Alyth, Poole Harbour Ospreys, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Friends of Loch of the Lowes and the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Llyn Brenig, CarnyXWild, Dyfi Osprey Project, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, NZ DOC, and SK Hideaways and SJCH Falcons.

A whole lot of flapping’ goin’ on, fledges, and predation…Tuesday in Bird World

11 July 2023

Good Morning,

If you watch long enough, you will begin to see flapping. Osplets so close and dreaming of flying. It is marvellous. They become what they are destined to be – beautiful feathered flyers. Such a bittersweet time for us.

It is hard for me to believe that the summer is just flying by as if someone or something switched gears and put us in supersonic mode. The females on the nests of the fledglings will begin to fish for themselves (while also bringing in fish for the chicks along with the male). The 30% of their body weight that they lost during the breeding season – laying eggs, tending to chicks, fighting off intruders, etc. – will be regained, hopefully, so that they can make their 5000 km migration in good health.

Meanwhile, the kittens remain together almost 90% of the time. They love watching the birds from their perch. Missey enjoys having her small round basket inside a taller rectangular one, while Lewis prefers a hard basket lid! Go figure. You cannot see the pink bird collision dots in the images. That is super.

She is sound asleep.

The sunflowers are compliments of all the garden animals who scattered seeds. Gos h, I wish I had a field for them to plant peanuts!

We will start with the sadness. As we know, Jasper, the mate of Louise at the FortisExshaw nest has been missing now for nearly four full days as I write this. Louise has been out fishing and has had to deal with intruders. ‘H’ has confirmed that the youngest of the three chicks has now died. She writes, “Chick #3 passed away at 20 days of age. ‘Little’ was not seen at all on 7/10. ‘H’ notes that there were at least four feedings with Big attempting to intimidate Middle by beaking. Middle prevailed and ate and in the end the three had some nice meals together. We can only wait and see what happens. Send this nest your most positive energy, please.

Louise managed to eat and fill her crop too. She will need all the energy she can gather to fight off intruders and be Mum at the same time.

There are many who wonder about the wiseness of reestablishing Ospreys while, at the same time, introducing Goshawks. Today there is more goshawk predation – again at Kielder Forest. Joanna Dailey writes, “The female goshawk returned to Nest 5A last night. Despite being mobbed, she predated 1B9/Greenlee.In the circumstances there won’t be a further post with ringing photos.Despite the establishment of a new wild nest, the lack of breeding on Nest 6 and Nest 1A, plus the loss of chicks, means that a maximum of eight youngsters can fledge from Kielder Forest. This is the poorest productivity since 2018. Let’s hope next year is an ‘up’ after the ‘downs’ of this season.” Later, Joanna writes, “A short time ago UV gave Mrs UV a large rainbow trout. It is encouraging to see their pair bond is holding.” You will often see the ospreys pair bonding or having fish exchanges after the death of a child. I equate it to humans giving one another a big hug and telling them they still love one another when an immense tragedy occurs like the death of a child.

Has anyone been following the Urdaibai nest closely? I am wondering about the fledge dates of the two? One appears to still be home.

The ringing of the two surviving osplets at Finnish nest #4 took place on 10 July 2023. Here is the video!

Missing the sound of starving falcon chicks? Well check out these four in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

The only serving Lesser Spotted Eaglet in Latvia is growing and is so gorgeous. Dad has just delivered a vole.

The two Imperial Eaglets of Allyn and Altynay in the Tatarstan nest in RU, have names. The oldest is Alma and the youngest is Batyr. Both are males. The third sibling died on 9 June from starvation due to bad weather.

Here is our spin around the Osprey nests:

Crooked Lake: If you have been wanting to check in on the three osplets of Whitley and Noble at Crooked Lake, here is the link. These three are doing fantastic and giving Dad some attitude when he delivers those fish.

Cowlitz PUD. A nice fish delivery caught on the overhead cam by the PUD company. The nest continues to do well.

Boulder County: This nest with three is doing fantastic! My goodness we worried for a bit about Little but all is well because these two parents worked together to make sure that wee one survived. Now look.

Seaside: All is well. The camera angle sometimes cuts off one of the osplets and today I took a deep breath thinking one had fledged. No there was its tail! Mum has been busy aerating that nest!

Moorings Park: Gosh, Victor is waiting and waiting for that fish before lights out.

Outerbanks: Everyone is eating. Two at home now and it seems that everything is going well for the three fledglings.

Oyster Bay: Gosh those are beautiful osplets…now look at the one whose face you can see…doesn’t that look like Little Mini from Patchogue?

Little Mini has a slightly distinctive profile. So does this chick.

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: This new Mum has caught on. The only surviving Bob out of the three had a nice meal and a big crop and spent time looking out over the landscape with Mum. Dad was not there watching either..fingers crossed. This little one is getting some fat reserves which is good. Notice also that it is losing the down on the back of its head as we enter the Reptile phase.

The Bridge Golf Club: Lots of good fish. Mum and the two surviving osplets are doing extremely well.

Clark PUD: Doing great. No worries.

Collins Marsh: Some nice fish landing on the nest. Fingers crossed!

Dyfi Osprey Project: It is windy in Wales late Monday and Tuesday is starting off a wee damp. The osplets are flapping those wings! Both are super. No problems here!

Glaslyn Valley: Windy and set and the camera got disconnected after 2100 Monday evening. Heather advises that it will be repaired and the Circle of Doom will be gone sometime Tuesday. Otherwise everything is fantastic.

RSPB Loch Garten: Wet and miserable. Everyone waiting for fish.

Llyn Brenig: Oh, the same weather pattern seems to be around most of Wales. It was very windy late Monday and now the rain is pitching down at Llyn Brenig. These kids know not to try fledging when they are soaking wet.

Loch Arkaig: Dorcha is taking no chances. S he is with her soon to be named little boy in the nest in case silent night callers come to visit.

Loch of the Lowes: The chicks had fish before night fall and then the rains came and they were soaked. Blue NC0, too. Gosh, the skies ahve cleared and they are fish calling. Seriously these two are so loud you could hear them in Stirling!

Alyth: Very windy at Alyth. Hopefully no one will do a lot of flapping and prematurely take off.

Poole Harbour: Those osplets of CJ7 and Blue 022 are so grown up. There was an intruder about and the three suddenly became as thin s pancakes. But later just look. They are so big and already wing flapping in the early morning before the breakfast fish. Parents must be thrilled – three healthy osplets soon to fledge.

Fischadler: The trio in Germany have been ringed. I am hoping to get details but that nest is getting awfully full. Aren’t they gorgeous?

‘H’s reports on the other nests she is monitoring:

Patuxent Nest 1 – Neither sibling fledged on 7/10, although the one that I refer to as ‘Chick A’, at 57 days of age, seems to be very close to becoming a flighted bird. —And ‘H’ was right, she adds “I knew that it would be soon. The chick that I refer to as sibling ‘A’ based on different markings, was very active with hovering this morning. Sibling ‘A’ fledged at 0745. I am not referring to the oldest sibling. The siblings are 57 and 56 days old. Now to keep track of all three juveniles to determine when the third chick fledges, lol.”

Without Darvic rings, it is nearly impossible unless there is a good differentiation in head markings.

McEuen Park: Three beautiful osplets!

Forsythe – There were only two fish brought to the nest yesterday, at 1136 and 1754. Both fish were delivered by Opal, and they were not very big. Each of the siblings self-fed from parts of each fish. Oscar was not seen on 7/10.”

So I am now wondering if something has happened to Oscar and we have another instance of a single parent nest. This is really tragic.

Kent Island – Ample fish were brought to the nest. What a lovely Osprey family. Gosh, I wish the nest owners would give Audrey and Tom’s little one a name.

Dahlgren – At 54 days of age, I think ‘Big’ is close to fledging. Big can ‘fly’ from rim to rim and has been doing some mini-hovers.

Severna Park – At 62 days of age, chick #2 seemed to be seriously thinking about taking its first flight . . but was not quite ready.

‘H’ notes: “The Ospreys at Barnegat Light and Audubon Boathouse are doing well, I will cover them tomorrow. The Osoyoos cam was offline on 7/10.”

‘A’ has been watching Lady and Dad at the Sydney Olympic Park. She writes, “At Sydney’s Olympic Park WBSE nest, the chilly morning starts as always with a vocal interchange around 06:33. At 06:34 she gets up, still vocalising, and backs slowly away from the eggs. She flies off just after 06:34:30 and Dad arrives on the branch behind the nest a couple of seconds later. By 06:35 he is arranging himself carefully on the eggs. Lady is only gone for a short while before returning and insisting on resuming her position on the nest. Lady and Dad have both been incubating this morning, taking turns. Each is reluctant to move when the other arrives. They are both very fond of incubating. As the morning progresses, a large crop appears first on one, then on the other, so I think they are both hunting for themselves at this stage. I have not seen very much food brought to the nest this week – several days go by with no sign of food at the nest but parents who are definitely not going hungry.”

This is a really good article on fish availability, the recovery or not of ospreys after DDT from The Center for Conservation Biology. It focuses on fish availability.

A-tale-of-two-bays-Osprey-fortunes-diverge-The-Center-for-Conservation-Biology Download

Never fear, Little Mini is here! Not to forget to include our miracle survivor of the Patchogue nest of four osplets who continues to dream of fish, being fed by Mum, and flying like its three older siblings.

Thank you so much for being with me today as we check on some of the nests we monitor. Except for Fortis Exshaw, the pulse is good. Of course, things can change momentarily for the worse, especially with intruders around and about. Send your most positive wishes to Louise. It is a difficult time for her. Take care of yourselves. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog this morning: ‘A, H – always grateful’, Fortis Alberta, Urdaibai Biosphere, Finnish Osprey Foundation, Cilla Kinross, Latvian Fund for Nature, Tatarstan Imperial Eagles, Timothy Dygert Live Stream, Cowlitz PUD, Boulder County Fair Grounds, Seaside Ospreys, Moorings Park, Outerbanks 24/7, PSEG, MN Landscape Arboretum, Bridge Golf Ospreys, Clark PUD, Collins Marsh, Dyfi Osprey Project, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, RSPB Loch Garten, Llyn Brenig, Friends of Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust, Friends of Loch of the Lowes and the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Alyth, Poole Harbour Ospreys, Fischadler Ospreys and Severna Park, Dahlgren Ospreys, Patuxent River Park, McEuen Park, Forsythe, Kent Island, Sydney Sea Eagles, and The Center for Conservation Biology.

Monday in Bird World

10 July 2023

Greetings Everyone,

I hope that you found time to be outside, to sit, and to just listen to the birds. What a lovely feeling it is. I spent part of Sunday searching for a gravestone. It was not to be found but the little cemetery sits on the bank of the Red River and the birds were singing. What a tranquil place. The benches were also lovely and I could imagine sitting there sipping tea and reading a book. Just might do that one day!

Across the road there was a fawn that had lost its mother and was in a right panic. By the time the Wildlife Reha number was dialled, it was gone – hopefully back with Mum.

It is always good to start with a wonderful Osprey nest and what better one than Moorings Park. Have you still been checking in? If you are then you know that Victor is at the nest fish calling. Did Harry think he would still be supplying Victor with fish in July? Who knows but – Harry is doing an excellent job and just look at what a beautiful bird Victor is!

If you are worried about Soledad, San Jose City Hall’s fledgling falcon, she is fine! Screaming for prey!!!!!!!!!!!

We have been distressed about the fireworks and the raptors. Friends of Big Bear Valley have noted the impact on our dear Jackie and Shadow, the Bald Eagles, that live in the Valley. They are hoping to gather enough evidence to stop the fireworks in that area. Please send them anything you have in terms of articles, and also, if you have images of instances of fireworks near raptors that caused them stress, please also send that. Here is the information that ‘B’ sent me today:

The latest post on the Friends of Big Bear Valley facebook (https://www.facebook.com/FOBBV/) from Sandy Steers. She talks of how Jackie and Shadow disappeared for three days after the Big Bear fireworks show, and how last year they disappeared for six days after the show. Sandy closes with: For any of you who might be interested, we are gathering information on the intense and detrimental impact that fireworks have on wildlife, on the lake, on the environment in general and even on domestic animals and humans. If any of you have references to studies about any of this, please share them with us at fobbvinfo@gmail.com. Thank you!

I sent Sandy a number of articles and I am attaching a few of those here for you to read if you would like. Perhaps we need a movement that begins in the name of Jackie and Shadow and spreads across North America to stop fireworks out of respect for our non-human friends.

Fireworks-have-long-lasting-impacts-on-wildlife-•-Earth.com_Download

How-Do-Fireworks-Harm-Wild-Birds Download

Fireworks-BC-SPCA Download

Sandy also included a history of the eagles Jackie and Shadow. Enjoy!

Two Imperial Eaglets at the Tatarstan nest in Russia got their bling, and they are both girls! Anyone reading my blog for any time will know that female raptors are highly aggressive. Imperial Eagles are no exception. Rarely does the second hatch survive. Well, this nest is a bit of a miracle for having two eaglets survive, but never mind, they were both girls. There were plenty of small mammals, and the male just kept bringing in prey. There was never a feeling of food insecurity, so both survived. Beautiful.

The three osplets at the Dunrovin Ranch have been ringed and it looks like there are two males and a female! Congratulations. More information as it becomes available.

‘H’ is concentrating on the FortisExshaw nest as it appears tragedy is just brewing. She writes, “What a mess this feeding was . . from 0903 to about 1115 – 090253 Louise brought in a monster fish, and she began to feed. Big beaked both its siblings right away. Louise began to have intruder problems at 0909. There was a pair of intruders, and the feeding was disturbed many times, as Louise defended and flew off after the intruders. Each time she returned she would resume the feeding. At one point, one of the intruders landed on the nest while Louise flew after the one on the perch.Long story short . . Over the course of more than two hours, Big and Middle each ate the equivalent of two or three meals. Little never got a chance. If it hadn’t been for those intruders, there would most likely have been a couple of opportunities for Little to get fed from that huge fish while the others were full and napping. But, it just didn’t work out that way. Total bummer. In addition to Jasper being missing, Louise does not need intruders to interfere with her attempts to care for her three offspring.After that, Louise left the nest a few times throughout the day, and would usually return with nesting material. But at 2032 she returned with a fish. It was difficult to be certain due to the raindrops on the camera, but the fish appeared to be partially eaten. The feeding lasted until 2041. At the beginning of the feeding, Big once again beaked both of its siblings. Middle did get to eat however, while Little cowered and stayed tucked behind the feeding line. At that point Little had not eaten for about 34 hours, and Little did not have very much to eat on 7/7 or 7/8. Little seemed to be weak, with waning resolve.Jasper has been missing since 0930 on 7/7.

The intruder on the nest at Fortis Exshaw. We may lose Little but please send this nest your most positive wishes. When Jasper disappeared these babies were so tiny. Most of the Mums do not go easily slip into getting fish for their chicks and it is going to be very difficult for Louise.

The two osplets have been ringed at the Borders nest and if you watched it is no surprise that the bigger and more aggressive second hatch is a female with the first hatch being a male. The male weighed 1480 grams and is Blue 733 and the female weighed in at a good 1720 grams and is Blue 732.

I still love how Dad likes to be on the nest ‘to see’ Mum feed the only surviving osplet at the MN Landscape Arboretum nest.

The little one got a late night feeding. Feeling optimistic.

Little Mini might have dreamed about being home alone and getting a huge fish delivery from Dad until it became a reality on Sunday at 12:41. Mini worked on that fish til 1330 when one of the Big siblings came home and took it. Oh, how I wish Mum had flown in and fed Mini.

There was so much left I wonder how much Mini was actually able to eat…I know she pulled really hard on the skin – you could see this on the streaming cam.

Mini got a late night feeding by Mum. These parents will not forget their fourth chick!

Awwwhhhh. After seeing fish on the nest and wishing, Mum feeds little Mini at 10:15 Monday morning. Mini I son Mum’s right.

So a spin through some of the nest that I have been monitoring:

Cowlitz PUD: Nice fish on the nest and it looks as if some was left so the Only Bob could practice self-feeding. Fantastic.

Collins Marsh: The two osplets were doing well on a rather misty/foggy Sunday. The fish cannot be huge or plentiful – or else that streaming cam goes through quickly. Still everyone seems to be alright.

Clark PUD: Sometimes the camera angle is so bad you cannot see a feeding! The only hint I have is that one of the osplets has a large crop and there was a fish left on the nest. Looks like the adults are teasing the waters of self-feeding at this nest, too.

Bridges Golf: Everything is fine.

Boulder County Fair Grounds: Lots of nice fish coming on to the nest. Sometimes Little tries to go under Mum to get some bites but, at the end of the day, Mum was hungry, too.

Island Beach: Beau and Bay and their lovely feathered osplets are doing fantastic. The kids are starting to try self-feeding.

Loch Arkaig: He is a beautiful little man who will soon have a name. Louis on top of his game with the fish deliveries on Sunday.

Llyn Clywedog: No place better than home!

Llyn Brenig: Everything is fantastic.

Loch of the Lowes: Blue NC0 did some feeding while one of the chicks delighted in having a piece on its own. Lots of wheeing…just like an eagle. Blue NC0 made sure that both were fed. Fantastic Mum.

Manton Bay: We get a glimpse of them now and then if we are lucky.

Dyfi: Two beautiful birds. Everything is good and better than good with Idris and Telyn and their two chicks. Fledging will be soon.

Glaslyn: Lots of nice fish coming in for these two. Elen and Aran made a great team and I think we have all fallen in love with the new Queen of Glaslyn.

Poole Harbour: Blue 022 made sure that CJ7 and the trio had a nice fish before bedtime!

Alyth: Lots of fish coming on the nest. The chicks give self-feeding a go but Mum comes in and makes sure that everyone gets some fish.

Finnish #1. A middle of the night feeding for what looks like Little.

Finnish #4. Now only two.

Finnish #5. Only two chicks to begin and now two as well. They appear to be alright and not suffering from bad weather or poor fish deliveries.

Moving over to ‘H’s’ reports- thank you ‘H’:

Kent Island – Despite some afternoon storms, all was good for this Osprey family on the bay. I am so happy for Audrey that she has a little one to care for this year. Tom and Audrey’s little kiddo is 28 days old.

Barnegat Light – Duke brought a fluke for his family in the afternoon. At 40 days old, 09/N was doing some wingers.

Severna Park – Chick #1 fledged on 7/9, at 62 days of age. She made a nice return landing on the nest three hours later, and she enjoyed several more flights throughout the day. Chick #2 is 62 days old on 7/10.

Forsythe – All is well for Opal, Oscar, and their two chicks aged 49 and 48 days.

Osoyoos – The fish have been plentiful at the nest. At 14 and 13 days old, those two kids are doing great.

South Cape May Meadows – Hera was seen at her nest in the morning of 7/9, where her three babies died of starvation due to the prolonged storm in June. Zeus has not been seen since the storm. My heart aches for Hera.

Dahlgren – We could see chick #1 fledge this week. The chicks are both doing well, and are 53 and 49 days of age.

Patuxent Nest 1 – There could be another fledge any day. The two siblings are 56 and 55 days old, and I think I can tell them apart, lol, so hopefully we’ll know which one fledges next. Foster loves that perch so much, she spent the night on it, with Mom back on the nest last night.

Audubon Boathouse – Dory and Skiff’s only chick is 30 days old already, and little Skipper is doing great!

It is always a joy to receive your e-mails, to read your comments, and to have you hear with us in Bird World. Take care. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘B, H, T’, Moorings Park Ospreys, SK Hideaways and SJCH Falcon Cam, Earth.com, Page, BC SPCA, FOBBV, Tatarstan Eagle Cam, Dunrovin Rach, Fortis Exshaw, Borders Ospreys, MN Landscape Arboretum, PSEG, Cowlitz PUD, Collins Marsh, Clark PUD, Bridges Golf, Boulder County Fair Grounds Ospreys, Island Beach State Park, Friends of Loch Arkaig and the Woodland Trust, Geemeff and the Woodland Trust, CarnyXWild, Llyn Brenig Ospreys, LOTL, LRWT, Dyfi Ospreys, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Poole Harbour Ospreys, Alyth, Kent Island, Severna Park, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, Forsythe Ospreys, Osoyoos, Audubon Boathouse, Patuxent River Park, DAhlgren Ospreys, and SCMM.

Category Archives: Loch of the Lowes

Osoyoos under evacuation alert, Dorsett and Huey fly..Sunday in Bird World

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Fledges at Boulder and Seaside…Zeus Returns…Pip at Sea Eagles! Wednesday in Bird World

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Mini fledges! Cowlitz fledge? …Sunday in Bird World

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WBSE30 is alive…Saturday in Bird World

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Crash landings, itchy wings…Friday in Bird World

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Good news at Fortis Exshaw…Friday in Bird World

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Time to keep an eye on Mini! Thursday in Bird World

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Fortis Exshaw? …Wednesday in Bird World

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A whole lot of flapping’ goin’ on, fledges, and predation…Tuesday in Bird World

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Monday in Bird World

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