Category Archives: Manitoba wildlife

Sunday in Bird World

4 June 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

I want to thank everyone who has sent in names of nests with three or more osplets and to those who have helped to get each bird’s name on the Memorial Wall that we have lost this year. We are at #50. If you know of a nest or see I am missing a nest on a streaming cam that had a loss, including a parent, please let me know. You can e-mail me at maryannsteggles@icloud.com OR add a comment. Thank you! And thank you to ‘T’, who helped me with some of the Golden and Imperial eagle nests today.

It was hot and humid on the Canadian prairies and the storms that were brewing showed up in the late afternoon. The lilacs and the garden are the richest British Racing Green. Stunning. I did not do a comprehensive check of all the nests today. Sometimes we all need a break and it has been a tough week. Spending time with little ducklings sure helps the spirit! These little ones were running all over the place. Hard to count!

Someone at the park must have tossed birdseed (millet?) into the gravel by the pond’s edge. The ducklings are keen on finding it.

Andy N Condor always puts a smile on my face. Some great news – an adoption!

Please send all your positive wishes to Cal Falcons. We know what intruders can do and Annie appears to have had a fight with someone.

The IWS (Dr Sharpe and colleagues) have a dedicated page to the Bald Canyon eaglet that swallowed the fishing hook. Yes, if you do not know about this, it is terrible. Here is the story and the link for future updates. Thanks, ‘B’.

Please contribute to the rehabilitation of Eagle 45/D from the Bald Canyon eagle nest on San Clemente Island. He swallowed a fishing hook attached to a fish on 6/1/23. We rescued and transported him to a rehab facility near San Diego on 6/2/23. Donations made to IWS for 45/D’s care using the Donate button below will be forwarded directly to the rehab facility. We will provide updates below as we receive them.

Status Updates:

6/3/23: The fish hook is in the lower GI tract and “free-floating”. The veterinarian was unable to remove it endoscopically. A specialist will be examining 45/D on 6/4 and a plan will be developed for the hook removal.

https://www.iws.org/45d

There has been lots of wishful thinking that E22 might just stay at the Fort Myers nest. S/he certainly feels comfortable and has enjoyed the pond. Well, on Saturday, E22 catches its first fish on camera. Heidi McC shows it in real time and then in slow-mo. My goodness. Happiness.

The Pritchett Family website for the SW Florida cam has confirmed this…and I have seen the image blown up. It is not pond debris – it is a fish!

I sure would like to see Big and Middle over at the Achieva Osprey nest catching their own fish. Some chatters believe that Diane is back bringing in some fish after injuring a foot. That would be fantastic as the dust-ups are getting pretty rough. They remind me of Ervie and his sibling, Bazza, at Port Lincoln.

At 1625 both are eating fish but Big always seems to get the largest. Another fish comes in later and Big gets it as well. That time is 1937. It could be the last delivery from Jack of the day.

1627:

The 1937 delivery:

Send some good wishes for these two. They need some fish to get strong and then go on their own way. There will be no love lost between the two of them!

As I look at all of the struggling osprey nests, I often see the term ‘survival of the fittest’ in the chat comments. In his book, Reconnection. Fixing our Broken Relationship with Nature, Miles Richardson says that Charles Darwin in his Descent of Man regularly used the term ‘love’ instead of the survival of the fittest. He argues that Darwin moved away from the term stating that he was not referring to the “victory of one over the other”. Einstein suggests that we are all part of something larger, just a piece of nature where we all belong together and survive by cooperation – as many Eastern religions have stressed since their origins. Watching Big and Middle at Achieva it is hard to think about love and cooperation. Once animals became objects – for example, in modern farming – our connectedness to them ceased to exist. Richardson believes we need to get this back – to realise that it is not a competition but that we must cooperate for our planet’s survival. I wish to travel and return to a place pre-human, pre-industrial, to see our ospreys. They have been here for more than 60 million years.

At Patchogue, Mini has been eating but Big has also been beaking at times. Very unpleasant because that older sibling is just so much bigger. Mum is very much aware of her tiny baby though and makes sure it gets under her and I also believe that she makes certain it gets fed. We can only hope that the huge fish that are coming on this nest continue so that the three big ones are full and Mini gets fed and none of the others notices! or cares.

Where’s Mini? Big sibs are full. Three is eating. Is Mini on the other side?

Mum tucking in Mini carefully.

The last feeding of the day and Mini is up there having some good fish. After being fed for a bit, one of the bigger sibs seems to take exception but Mini went to bed after doing a full crop drop. No major aggression – the Big ones just have to stand tall and ‘look’.

1906: Really nice crop. Everyone else sleeping except for big whose head you can see above Mum’s. She wants some more fish but Mini has a nice crop.

We take this nest and be joyful – one day at a time. If Mini survives, I have a tiny bottle of champagne sitting and waiting.

Early Sunday morning, Mini waits and gets a private feeding. Do you get the distinct impression that this wonderful Mum keeps some food back form the Big ones for Mini? It sure seems like it!

Three preening after breakfast. Big goes up for more. So far so good. A day at a time.

The trio at the other PSEG nest at Oyster Bay seem to be doing alright as well. Gosh, they are so much closer in size.

At Severna Park, Middle waits and watches rather than engaging with Big. If there is fish left or Big is full, Middle eats. Middle has gone without on Saturday for all feedings. This is the 0807 feeding.

13:59. You will notice that the fish deliveries are down. Big got all of this fish, too.

1558 Feeding.  “Middle started out in submission, but worked his way around the other side of Olivia, and managed to get bites for 6 minutes, then Olivia moved!  So, big attacked.  Olivia pulled the fish to the other side of the nest and fed Big.  Middle snuck around and got a few more bites.  Ended up with a small crop.” Thanks, ‘H’.

‘H’ reports that the feeding at the Patuxent I Osprey platform was super. No aggression at the feeding observed and both ate well.

At the Patuxent II nest. “A slightly different story, there is aggression by Big.  At 1317 they all ate harmoniously for the first 10 minutes, then Big decided s/he wanted to dine alone, and beaked Middle and Little, so they were out.  After several minutes, Middle worked its way back to the table, but it took quite a while longer for Little to get back.  Big decided it was OK, and dropped out shortly thereafter anyway.  The net result is that all were well fed.  It was 40 minute feeding.”

As far as I am aware, the other nests are doing alright. We have no other deaths on Saturday.

Iris’s nest, full of leaves, tells it all but Iris is a survivor and amidst the floods and droughts, she knows where to find the fish. Here she is on Saturday with one of her ‘whopper’s on the Owl Pole. It is unfortunate that she did not have a reliable mate after Stanley. She certainly has good DNA on her side of the genetic markers – she knows how to build the best osprey nest I have seen and wow, can she fish…she is as good as it gets.

Just look at that fish!

At the UK nests, everything is going well for Idris and Telyn and their two Bobs at the Dyfi nest. Those kids have grown fast and as you can see, we are in the Reptile phase. They are 10 and 12 days old today.

Aran and his new mate Elen are keeping the two Bobs at Glaslyn well fed.

CJ7 and her mate Blue 022 have three beautiful and healthy osplets at Poole Harbour. No issues!

Condensation on the Manton Bay nest and the way that Maya stands to feed the Bobs tends to obscure what is happening. That said, there is nothing to worry about on this nest. The wee Bobs of a few weeks ago are now getting their juvenile plumage!

Loch Arkaig – the home of Louis and Dorcha – is doing just fine with its Onoy Bob. Louis is right there for a deliver for his mate and wee one.

Except for Llyn Brenig where the third hatch died, all of the other UK nests appear to be doing well.

The two Dulles-Greenway eaglets that fell from the collapsing nest of their parents, Martin and Rosa, are together again in rehab – . That is wonderful news. They can work those wings and get to be strong fliers.

Poor Flora. Earlier she was up on a high branch with one of the adults but tonight a strong wind is blowing and she is all alone and the branch is very thin. You can see that this eaglet is frightened in the storm.

I do not know if it is the same storm system or not but Daisy is holding on for dear life at the Barnegat Light osprey platform in New Jersey. She has two osplets under there that hatched on the 31 May and 1 June that can’t be fed due to the high winds. I do not know if Duke can even fish. there is a coastal flood advisory for Barnegat Light and the winds are blowing at 31 kph. ‘H’ reports that the third egg hatched at 05:13 for Daisy and Duke. Let us wish them good weather and calm winds.

All the nests along this coast will be impacted.

There is something to smile about. Look at this beautiful White-tailed eaglet that was banded on Saturday in Tatarstan region of Russia near the Volga River. Isn’t it adorable! Just look at that big beak! It is a boy! Thanks ‘T’ and thank you for letting me know that this area is rich in prey for the eagles. Let us hope that Sarpike moves her nest to this region!

As I say often, every nest can change on a ‘dime’. They need habitat, strong old trees, birds and mammals to eat, fish to catch, and clean water without toxins. Begin at home. Help when and where you can. Educate others. Build a web of caring people. Everything helps. If you see an animal in need, stop and observe. Have the number of the wildlife rehabber in your phone. Call them! You will feel better for every life you save.

And one more thought. Do you grow a garden? do you have extra produce? do you know someone who does? Our wildlife rehabber has just asked for donations of fresh veggies or for people to grow a row in their garden for the animals – kale, carrots, lettuces, beans….I suspect that every rehab centre needs fresh veggies. Check it out.

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

A special thanks to those who sent notes, created videos, wrote FB posts, articles, or run streaming cams that helped to create my blog this morning: ‘B’, ‘H’, ‘R’, ‘T’, Andy N Condor, Cal Falcons, IWS, Heidi MC and SWFlorida Eagle Cam, Achieva Credit Union, PSEG, Severna Ospreys, Patuxent River Park, Montana Osprey Project, Dyfi Osprey Project, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Poole Harbour Ospreys, LRWT, Geemeff and Loch Arkaig and the Woodland Trust, Loudontimes.com, Dulles-Greenway, Barnegat Light and NJ Conservancy, Tartasan WTE.

Friday in Bird World

2 June 2023

Good Morning Everyone!

It has been one of those weeks. Thankfully, it is ‘baby’ season and an excellent reason to get out amongst the ducks and the geese and count the newly hatched. Three duck mamas were quacking away, trying to keep the little ones together. It was hilarious. Those ducklings are so fast, darting hither and yon, enough that Mum just can’t keep track of them. It was adorable. I could see no goslings – yet. Not at this park, but there were 9 male Wood Ducks and not one female in sight. Perhaps they were on the island incubating eggs. At any rate, it was lovely. The day’s heat had cooled, people were smiling, and everyone seemed to want to chat.

As Father’s Day nears, I am eternally grateful that mine taught me the beauty of nature, the happiness of sitting quietly in the garden, that feeling of joy when a Cardinal lands on your upturned hand and takes a seed but, most of all, a responsibility to make the lives of animals and birds better, if I could. He helped me connect to nature and to something far bigger than myself.

‘H’ sent me a link to a TED talk this morning. She knows me well – I get very upset when humans on chats apologise for ‘anthropomorphising’ animal feelings. She knows I am a big follower of Marc Bekoff at the University of Colorado and Jane Goodall and their studies of animals and emotions. She knows that I watch adult raptors grieve when their children die. So she sent me a talk by Ron Magill. Some know Ron Magill as ‘the Eagle Guy’ from the Miami Zoo. The nest that Ron and Rose have was the brainchild of Magill. But, he is more than just eagles, and in this 18-minute talk (please listen to all of it as you will miss the best parts if you don’t!), he tells us the story of Quasi, an orphan lion cub at the Miami Zoo. Keep the link. When anyone on a chat tells you animals don’t have feelings – don’t get mad; educate them! Thanks, ‘H’.

How many Osprey nests had four eggs and four hatches? Blue 80 over at Threave Castle has four in the nest, too. It will be interesting to see how that plays out compared to the US nests. For awhile, the monitors of this nest (there is no streaming cam) thought there to be only three but up popped the fourth head. So far so good.

Yesterday, I said that “If there is a nest that gives me hope, it is Patchogue on Long Island.” Thursday was a pretty good day for Mini so let’s go through it.

This Mini-Bob has attitude! Please look at it below with those three enormous siblings lined up behind it. Mum looks down directly into its eyes. She is good to feed that baby if it gets its beak up close to hers. This Mini has to be a female…oh, how I wish we would know for sure.

Four osplets, one little Mini – and yet so civil. Fish come on the nest – nice ones – every couple of hours and the kids line up and eat if they are hungry. Mini was right up there at 1507 and was still going strong until he was so full – and hot – and got under Mum’s tail for shade at 1531.

I want to give a shout out to this great Dad who just keeps bringing in the fish! I did not count the number today but it certainly makes a difference when you have a nest with chicks spread like this one…just monster sized big siblings and there, in the centre of the nest, Mini – who is just starting to get into the Reptilian phase.

‘L’ writes that a delivery at 1600- a small gold fish – resulted in Little Bob being a little aggressive to Tiny – who did not get any food then.

Dad just delivers fishing – Daddy Door Dash Supreme. He should get some 5 star rating in TripAdvisor! A late fish came on the nest and I could not find Mini. Well, he was right up on the right side of Mum and he did get fed. Mini did not have a huge crop – or he did a crop drop which could have happened – but he did get fed for a period of time (about 15 minutes). I am astonished by this baby on this nest of ‘huge’ siblings.

At the 0930 delivery, Mini did not get any fish. And now I am beginning to worry about Mini’s survival. The big siblings are now bashing one another. Mini got up to the beak and could have eaten but was submissive. He should have snatched those few bites…they all add up. So this nest is far from being out of the woods. A s the three larger siblings grow and require more food, it might be impossible for Mini to get up there. Let us wait and see if he can figure this out.

At the Severna nest, a big fish came on the nest at 10:08:37. Big already had a huge crop from an earlier fish but, she still had to get up front. By 10:33 Middle is eating having previously moved up under Mum’s tail. Middle is still eating at 10:49!

At 16:31, a massive fish comes on the nest. It is big enough to feed both chicks and Mum to the brim!

Big will go first regardless of its already huge crop – Middle still has a crop from an earlier feed, too.

By 1654 Middle has positioned himself on the opposite of Mum and is getting fish. This chick has come a long way in figuring out how to survive on this nest! Bravo Middle.

At the Forsythe nest of Opal and Oscar, Oscar keeps bringing on the fish just like the male at Patchogue. Little Mini is right up there eating. All appears to be well with the world here with so many deliveries on Thursday.

This is Mini getting fed, not Little! Mini is stretching its neck to make it really long.

‘H’ notes the following times at Forsythe: “Forsythe:  1052 feeding, Mini in the back, got two bites (smallish fish).  No bonking.  1225 feeding, Mini worked its way up to the front and got at least 32 bites, again it was peaceful. There was a pretty significant beaking match between the two oldest at around 0929, but not at a feeding.”

No bullying at the Dahlgren Osprey nest. The two are both enjoying being side by side eating fish.

There are two osplets for Duke and Daisy at the Barnegat Light Osprey platform on Thursday! Thanks ‘H’.

So far the only Bob at Cowlitz PUD is doing fine…perhaps the other two eggs will be DNH.

The team at Patuxent River Park went to Nest 1 and removed the youngest osplet, and fostered it with another family. They did not, however, go to Patuxent II where it is believed that Mini died at least a day ago.

The eyas at the San Jose City Hall continues to do well. ‘M’ asked me about the shiny black area on the crop. This is nothing to worry about. The crop gets full, the chick goes into food coma and rolls on the stones/gravel of the nest rubbing the feathers off. Those will grow in and be beautiful before fledge!

The eyas at the Evergy Topeka Falcon Cam is getting some more feathers. Notice, however, that the wing and contour feathers have not broken out of the quills. ‘SP’ contacted the administrators of the nest about the condition of Little, and she was delighted with this response: “I have been in contact with our wildlife biologist . We’ll be banding the chicks on Friday and wildlife personnel will check on the viability of the smaller bird. If it needs to be rehabbed or needs any special attention, we’ll learn that on Friday and ensure that it gets the help it needs.” Now that is the kind of response we want from those in charge of these streaming cams. This is fantastic news.

Checking on some Canadian Osprey nests. There are three eggs at Newfoundland Power. If it is a typical year, there will be no fledges. I hope it isn’t for a change.

At Osoyoos, Soo and Olsen laid their eggs on the 21, 23, and 25th of May so we have a ways to go til fledge.

Fortis Exshaw has had to endure much smoke from the wildfires. Eggs laid on May 9, 12, and 15.

The Dulles-Greenway trio have been named!

At the UK, nests there is often all manner of information available. For example, look at this fish delivery table for Llyn Clywedog! Dylan does not quite double his deliveries from last year but, almost.

When asked where the fish came from, this was Alastair’s reply. Please note the amount of fish that are put in the Reservoir each year. Imagine how that might impact some of the US nests positively!

Alastair Cameron: “based on observations by John Williams the perch seem to come from the shallower “fingers” of the reservoir as it merges into smaller gulleys at the edge of the reservoir. Dylan certainly seems to go to perch when the weather is wet (perhaps easier to see when there is rain on the surface) or hot, when the trout are swimming deeper. John has also observed that at least some of the brown trout seem to come from another reservoir called Nant y Moch, a few kilometers away. Llyn Clywedog Trout fishery stock the reservoir with around 40,000 trout per year, mainly rainbows but some browns as well.”

It is difficult to image – my goodness do you ever wonder where time goes? – but the eldest osplet on the Dyfi nest of Idris and Telyn is now turning into a reptile. The soft downy is gone from the back of its head and that oil spot is starting to come!

Elen and Aran seem to be doing fine. the wee Bobs got covered with grasses and Aran spent some time uncovering them while Elen had her tea.

Louis and Dorcha’s only Bob having some fish supper before the sun goes down at Loch Arkaig. Some are ‘hearing’ chupping from the second egg. Could we really have another hatch? I doubt it.

CJ7 was busy feeding her two Bobs at Poole Harbour before dusk as well..fill them up and maybe they won’t wiggle all night! gosh, these Mums must get tired…and by morning, CJ7 and Blue 022 had their third!

Geemeff brings us Scottish Osprey nest real estate news. Louis’s old nest at Loch Arkaig is currently occupied by Affric & Prince. The couple keep returning to Nest One, and even had two mating attempts there last night. No idea why their own nest failed, but this one’s available and we’d love to have a resident pair again.” That is fantastic news. Louis is busy with Dorcha and the Only Bob at nest 2 so, perhaps, he will give this couple a lease!

There has also been a hatch at Kielder Forest, nest 5A. Mr and Mrs UV.

What about Angel and Tom’s little RTH5? ‘A’ gave me a big giggle – which one needs after some of the nest sadness, when she told me, “I woke up this morning (it is 9am) and immediately checked my darling Angel and RTH5 and suddenly, there was this strange hawk in the nest. It stands up all the time and looks upwards instead of down. It swallows voles, mice, birds, lizards and every other small thing that moves. It had six feedings before noon today, and then continued on eating in the late afternoon. It just eats and eats and eats. I had no idea a RTH could consume so much in such a short time. They are hunting and eating machines (or at least RTH5 is insatiable). She (I do think we may have a female here, though it is still too early to tell, and the hawklet is still way smaller than mum, but I wonder about the sturdy legs) is even more adorable.” 

We could say the same for Big Red and Arthur’s Ms…simply adorable. Walking eating cutie pie machines. The advantage that Big Red’s kids have is the long ‘runway’ for them to strengthen their legs and wings.

Wetlands are one of the most important aspects of biodiversity. We are seeing them destroyed around the world and yet, they might hold part of the secret for revitalising our planet. Around the world, these wetlands are under attack by industry wanting mining and now a huge area near Lake Victoria could fall to agricultural development. The area is the largest wetlands in Kenya, Yala Swamp. What are humans thinking? and why are there individuals who are not trying to fix our relationship with nature instead of harming it?

Irreplaceable-Kenyas-Yala-swamp-complex-BirdLife-InternationalDownload

Not a great image – really cropped – but look at Murphy’s Baby flapping its big wings! Smile. Murphy and Baby doing fine. Nest not so much!

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

I am very grateful to the following individuals and groups for their notes, posts, videos, tweets, and streaming cams that helped to make up the information in my blog today: ‘A’, ‘H’, Geemeff, ‘L’, ‘M’, ‘SP’, TED Talks, PSEG, Severna ospreys, Forsythe Ospreys, Dahlgren Ospreys, new Jersey Conservancy, Cowlitz PUD, Patuxent River Park, San Jose City Hall Falcons, Everay Topeka Falcon Cam, Newfoundland Power, Osoyoos, Fortis Exshaw, Dulles Greenway, Alastair Cameron and Llyn Clywedog Osprey Group, Window to Wildlife, Cornell RTH, Birdlife International, Dyfi Osprey Project, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Friends of Loch Arkaig and the Woodland Trust, Poole Harbour Ospreys, and World Bird Sanctuary.

DH River missing, hatches, branching, fledging, WBSE 30…Sunday in Bird World

21 May 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

It was a lovely hazy Saturday on the Canadian Prairies. The garden continues to be full of species returning from their migration, stopping over for a few days or a week, before flying further north. There have been so many Baltimore Orioles and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks this morning that I had to open the window. It as the ‘first’ time that Lewis and Missy had a chance to whiff the outside air and hear the birds. They were mesmerised.

The Baltimore Orioles were eating oranges and grape jelly safely in front of the kittens.

It is the first year that Rose-breasted Grosbeaks have been in the garden and today there were more than 30 that visited.

The males have the red bib. Both are equally beautiful.

As Dad and Lady prepare for the 2023 season in the Sydney Olympic Park, there is more news coming in about WBSE30 and it is all good! Thanks, ‘H’.

This is nothing short of heartbreaking. DH17 fledged to the cam tree on Saturday. S/he was 79 days old and extremely hungry. River has been absent for three days. DH17 was last seen eating on the 19th. On top of this, the nest is crumbling underneath DH17, just like last year at the Notre Dame nest in St Joseph’s Park in South Bend, Indiana. Send your most positive wishes.

Here is the branching and the flight for DH17 on Saturday. This means that no one would be able to get to DH17 unless it is grounded.

The other big news of the day is that R4 has branched at the WRDC nest of Rita and Ron in Miami.

There is concern that there is monofilament line on the Patchogue NY Osprey platform. Thanks, ‘M’ for reaching out to me. In order to get help, we have to be rather loud! Here is the number for one of the USFWS in the area of Patchogue: (631) 286-0485 and there is the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Centre and their hot line number is  Hotline: (631) 728-WILD (9453).

At the SW Florida nest of M15, E22 landed on the nest with a squirrel on Saturday caught by Vija.

There is an amazing series of photographs by Liz of SE22 around the Fort Myers nest. Check out her FB page for them!

https://www.facebook.com/lizgandphotos

Little RTH5 had a really nice feed and a big crop before the rain started. He is three weeks old Angel is trying the best she can to keep this baby dry.

Angel and Tom meet for a prey exchange. You can see them in the video by Arlene Beech – and then the feeding of RTH5.

‘A’ sent in all of the time stamps for Angel’s nest: “RTH5 Is 20 Days Old.06 47 44 Angel off the nest, onto a branch, and back with breakfast. A transfer from Tom. A young robin. 06 48 11 Tom arrives for a short visit. 06 52 35 first feed starts. 09 10 28 Angel up for her yoga exercise. 09 34 12 Angel leaves. 09 47 18 Tom and Angel land in a tree right of screen A prey transfer. 09 48 45 Tom leaves and returns a few seconds later and then enters the nest, RTH5 pecking at his talons again. 09 50 25 Angel leaves the tree. 09 51 10 Angel in with a rabbit Tom moves onto a branch and leaves 09 52 35 Second feed begins. Both feeds brought by Tom.1 20 28 Feed 3 starts the remains of the rabbit. 5 24 15 RTH5 up and wing flapping. 5 28 59 Angel leaves, spraying the camera with water off her wings. 5 40 14 A crop drop by RTH5. 5 53 45 A lot more crop dropping.5 20 36 Angel returns. chick pecking at her talons. 6 24 24 RTH5 stands up while mum preens it 7 31 10 RTH5 out from under mum. Very very close to the edge for a PS. Does a wing balance. 8:38 PM.///Twilight 9:07 PM.”

Oh, the three at the nest of Big Red and Arthur are certainly growing like wild weeds.

No more pink…they have eaten enough wild food to start getting their ‘yellow’ bits.

Iris was at her nest today watching the train. Oh, how comforting. At a time when we are losing some of our older raptors, it is such a privilege to be able to see what is believed to be the oldest Osprey in the world. Iris has been at this nest since 2012. She had earlier raised chicks with Stanley on a power pole.

The first hatch has had some fish at Dahlgren today. One delivery was larger than the twiddler that came in during the afternoon. I hope Harriet is getting some food, too – along with Jack.

Big has already fledged at the Achieva Osprey nest and has been doing regular fly in and outs returning to the nest for fish. All good with her. We are waiting for Middle. Both osplets seem thin to me as does Diane – but that is just me. Two nice sized fish came to the nest on Saturday. Hopefully more and hopefully Mum is eating off camera.

Later in the day at Achieva, Diane brings in a fish at 17:49 and Jack brings on in at 18:57. Everyone is eating! Thank goodness.

All continues to be going well for C2 and for Lucy at Lake Murray. Continued wishes that all of the things put into place to keep the GHO will work. Lucy is doing well at providing fish for her and her only surviving osplet for 2023.

Lucy is a great fisher. She flew out of the nest and into the water and plucked a big fish out for her and C2 and was back at the nest in less than a minute!

There she goes…on the right-hand side. To catch the fishing use cam 2.

At Moorings Park, Abby is still not letting Victor get any of that fish – at least not the mid-afternoon arrival! Victor has been hovering all day and that is good. It will help build up those wing muscles.

‘R’ asked me why I was calling Victor a female. Two reasons – the very late fledge because it takes females so much longer to get their body mass and feathers complete and also because of the short stocky legs. Many also add a note about ‘the necklace’ but there are some males that have far more prominent necklaces than many of the females that I have seen. I do not normally go by that but I sure look at the legs! We will never know for sure.

There is always a lot of fish at Manton Bay just like there has been at Moorings Park. Blue 33 is a great provider. Fingers crossed for Little Bob!

Hi, Dad!

Loch of the Lowes is looking good. Laddie brought in a really nice fish late on Saturday.

The first hatch at Llyn Clywedog was on Saturday and by 2100 it had already been fed four times!

There are several other nests in the UK that we are waiting on..including Glaslyn, Dyfi, Loch Arkaig, and Llyn Brenig. Elen still has the big board in her nest at Glaslyn – yes, she flew in with it!

At the Dyfi nest of Idris and Telyn, Telyn seems particularly uneasy – can she hear the chick? Isn’t she beautiful? Maya’s daughter!

All is well at Llyn Brenig.

‘H’ has reported that all is going well for Severna Park Ospreys: “I just watched another long feeding this afternoon.  It was entirely peaceful, not one single bonk.  Reminded me of Dory feeding Schooner, Skipjack, and Sloop when they were little.  And, although Peanut is small, I felt s/he received a decent amount of food for its size, and of course the other two ate more.  Peanut was in a food coma after 20 minutes.  To me, Peanut looks good.  S/he is a little bit pudgy, not skinny.  So, I certainly do not detect anything that makes me worry about Peanut at this point.  (hatch dates: 5/8, 5/9, 5/12)”.

They remind me of Bazza, Falky, and Ervie. Such civilised little osplets.

I am counting four little heads at Mlady Buky! This is the nest of Bety and Bukacek.

I am so waiting for Karl II and Kaia’s four eggs to hatch in Estonia!

I have suggested to Lake Murray that they get in contact with Cowlitz PUD. They installed two metal panels on either side of the nest to try and deter predation from the Bald Eagles. You might recall that all three osplets were taken within a two day period last year by an eagle at Cowlitz. It might be of benefit to Lucy at her nest but, we will need to see if it protects the chicks in Washington this year.

There is news that Steve and Callie are using the the alternative nest on Hog Island. They used the same nest and ‘H’ sent a photo from the Audubon Ranger of their alternate nest on Long Cove, Hog Island. It is unclear why the couple changed their nesting site. As we have seen with other ospreys and eagles they move nests for many reasons including chicks falling out of nests, a new mate, predation by larger raptors, and even human activity can sometimes cause them to move.

Great news is coming from the Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey in Maitland, Florida. Go, Connick, go!

Netting – in this case construction site material – but, it could have been netting to keep birds off plants (do not get me started), netting from produce, soccer ball nets, tennis court nets, fishing nets —- or it could have been monofilament line or baling twine. Thankfully a number of folks came together to save this fledgling osprey! Please read this story below…

‘SP’ says that she imagines my garden as beautiful. I am not sure that is what you would call it…I will post pictures during the lush of the summer! No, a landscape designer would say it has gone ‘to the birds’. Everything has been done to attract wildlife – the bunnies, the squirrels, Mr Crow, and, of course, all of the birds except for a small Japanese garden in its first year that is ‘mine’. That said I plan to put some Bee and butterfly-friendly plants in along the side!

As I was reading this short article about a couple in Sheffield trying to attract birds, I was reminded of the garden in the UK. It was beautiful – full of fruit trees – pears, plums, apples…and little hedgehogs everywhere! You had to be there – in the garden – to ‘see’ what was happening, which meant not much was happening. Sitting in the conservatory, I look out to the table feeder, about 4 metres away. The oranges and the grape jelly for the Orioles are about one metre. They are unaware of my presence…it is the best thing I ever did – for me. But for them, vines are growing in layers for years on top of the wood boxes. They can build nests like the birds in Iris’s Osprey nest, and no one is the wiser. They can build them inside the woodboxes…Trees and shrubs are constantly planted to create a tiny forest in the city. My point is that anyone can create a space for birds, and right now, water is one of the essential things for them. You need a bowl – shallow is best. I use stainless steel, and all the bird ‘things’ get run through the dishwasher separately at super hot temperatures.

See the hedge in the image below…they provide an excellent place to escape the heat and rain as well as a place for nests that are concealed from predators.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/may/20/young-country-diary-holding-out-for-the-blackbirds-steve-and-stevetta?CMP=share_btn_link

Oh, thank you so much for being with me today! Take care all. See you soon.

Thank you to everyone who sent notes, made videos, posted announcements and news, and to all those that provide streaming cams that helped to make up my blog today: ‘A’, ‘H’, ‘M’, ‘SP’, Australian Raptor Care and Conservation Inc, Dale Hollow Eagle Cam, Deb Stecyk and Dale Hollow Eagle Cam, WRDC, Vija and SW Florida Eagle Cam, Window to Wildlife, Arlene Beech and Window to Wildlife, Cornell RTH, Montana Osprey Project, Dahlgren Ospreys, LMO, Moorings Park Ospreys, LRWT, LOTL, CarnyXWild, Llyn Brenig, Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn, Severna Park Ospreys, Mlady Buky Storks, Eagle Club of Estonia, Cowlitz PUD, Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey, Audubon, Carol Craig and Osprey Friends, and The Guardian.

Pale Male dies…Wednesday in Bird World

17 May 2023

Hello Everyone,

It was gorgeous weather on the Canadian Prairies yesterday, Tuesday, the 16th of May. That meant it was neither rainy, windy, or too hot. That called for a trip to Oak Hammock Marsh, the wetlands jointly managed by the Province of Manitoba and Ducks Unlimited. I have my qualms with DU – guns and shooting ducks, but they have played a considerable role in creating a network of wetlands that are home to so many migrating geese and ducks with trails surrounded by shrubs that are home to all manner of songbirds. Yesterday was no exception.

Just before arriving at the site, there was water still standing in the fields from the spring flooding. Talk about ducks – I had to take photos to remember all of them!

A male Northern Shoveler taking off in the centre. Below a Red-winged Blackbird. The water was full of Shovelers! Along with Pintails, a few Mallards, some Gadwalls. It was a surprise to see so many ducks on this one field. Grateful for spring flooding!

It is an enormous area.

The great stand off. The Red-winged Blackbird taunted the Canada Goose who was protecting its mate and their nest all afternoon.

Tree Swallows are the most common of the North American Swallows. They have this stunning iridescent blue-green upper parts – head, neck, wings, back with a spotless white underbelly, throat, etc. Two-toned! The lack of trees and woodpecker holes means that these birds are entirely dependent on nesting boxes for their breeding.

Oh, what damage we have done to the habitat of so many birds.

Purple Martins are the largest swallow found in North America. They used to build their nests and live in abandoned woodpecker holes but now, in the wetlands, and across the Prairies, they rely entirely on the goodness of humans to build them birdhouses so they can breed.

A pair of Brown-headed Cowbirds. Oh, I wish the light was better. They have a beautiful sepia-coloured head on an iridescent-green black body. These two had a nest in this tree and they were diligently keeping four Grackles at a distance.

A male Redhead. Easy to spot with that gorgeous and rather trendy brick-red upper neck and head! They are diving ducks and you will only find them in North America. Redheads like to lay their eggs in other ducks nests, more than any other duck, according to The Pocket Birds of Canada, 2nd edition (23).

Then when I walked the trails, it was a blessing that there were benches every 10 metres or so. Not because I was tired but overwhelmed and trying to identify all of the birds. Thank goodness for Merlin Sound ID and the Notes app on my phone!

It was a lovely time. Nothing was rushed…the stopping all around the trails allowed me to simply savour all those beautiful sounds and the smell of the marsh. There were children in the distance getting ready to go out in canoes and kayaks..they were laughing. Priceless.

As I write, Dyson and Scraggles are on the deck after peanuts, Little Red is going after the table feeder, Mr Crow is flying in and out, telling them the peanuts are his! What a blessed life. I cannot imagine, for a second, not having the sound of birds around me.

The big news of the morning is that Pale Male, the legendary Red-tail Hawk of Central Park has died. What a way to wake up! Thanks, ‘H’. He was called ‘Pale’ Male because of his light plumage. He was notorious for having his nest on one of the most expensive buildings around the Park and was the focus of the movie, The Legend of Pale Male. It is free online and if you haven’t seen it – or if you have – and want to honour this amazing raptor, have another look-

https://www.thelegendofpalemale.net

He was rescued by Bobby Horvath of WINORR.

At the WRDC Bald Eagle nest in Miami-Dade, Ron and Rita’s R5 fell out of the nest and has been taken for evaluation. He appears to be fine but whether or not he will be returned to the nest is another story since R4 could bolt.

‘T’ reports that the rescue of getting the nylon wrapped around one of the storkelets in Lindheim, Germany was a success.

The Loch of the Lowes nest is not strictly out of the ‘woods’ yet. The fish are not coming on the nest like they are at Rutland but, fish is coming. Continue to send your warmest and most positive wishes. Just look at those two sweet little babies.

Laddie brings a flapping fit to the nest at 1330 on the 16th.

These will be the only two hatches for Laddie and Blue NC0 this year. The first hatch was the second egg….and, as my grandmother always reminded me, things do work out. We might not always know the reason but, they do. In this instance, Blue NC0 has always struck me as a female osprey who can deal with, at most, two in the nest unlike Maya who has easily handled four three times. It has been a rough start and two healthy little ones is better than three sick and starving.

The Woodland Trust has put out a statement about the nest and the events of the last week.

An-update-from-the-osprey-nest-Scottish-Wildlife-TrustDownload

These two are seriously cute…let us hope that Laddie can keep up the fishing.

Laddie had only delivered on fish on Tuesday and then, right before 2100, he came in with a nice big one. Everyone went to bed with full tummies.

The wildfires in Canada are having a huge impact on the air quality not only for humans but for wildlife. This is the Fortis Exshaw osprey platform near Canmore, Alberta. The smoke is coming from fires at a distance. There are currently at least 81 fires burning in that province of Canada.

Oh, it would be nice if the pouring rain in Tennessee was in Alberta getting rid of the smoke. As I am writing Angel is keeping RTH5 snug and dry as the drops come down through the leaves and branches of the nest tree. There was snake on the menu today along with some of the usuals. RTH5 is growing, getting feathers, and is nothing short of adorable.

Tom’s deliveries to Angel and RTH5 caught on video by Arlene Beech.

Continued positive wishes for Lake Murray Ospreys. All their efforts on the night of Monday the 15th paid off – the GHO did not get C2 Monday night and let us all jointly send energy that it never does. Wish them well.

Thankfully C2 is cleverly camouflaged on that nest! Still, the GHO knows that it is there.

Lake Murray Osprey has put in more strobe lights, moved the mannequins around, put out some more bicycles – all in an effort to deter the GHO.

Big Red in all her glory! The Ms are growing and Arthur simply cannot stop hunting.

The little baby at Decorah hatchery is anything but a baby. It is walking stronger and flapping those beautiful wings as more and more juvenile feathers come in.

There are many advantages to being the only baby in the nest. Look at those legs and that fat bottom. Incredible.

All is well at Achieva Credit Union in St Petersburg. A really nice big fish came late in the afternoon. I am not sure about prior deliveries. Big is so busy working those wings while Middle is enjoying that fish.

Oh, and then another big whopper came on the nest! Everyone at Achieva had a good fish day.

My goodness Blue 33 is a good provider! I lost count and couldn’t even go back before noon…fish after fish. Big ones for Maya and the kids – not little twiddlers. I cannot see a pip in either of the other two eggs. That does not mean it isn’t there, though.

These two have been together and raised so many osplets. They are like a very expensive Swiss watch in terms of their coordination and timing.

Oh, my goodness. The eyases are outside screaming when Lou lands on the ledge with lunch! They are so loud.

E22 is still on the nest and might have caught its first fish on Tuesday. It is, however, unclear if the fish was provided and brought to the nest by M15 or, after all the work that E22 has been doing trying to catch a fish at the pond, she finally got one. What is good is that E22 is still at home, still learning, gaining new skills, and of course, growing in confidence and strength. All of that will help ensure a long and prosperous life. Oh, don’t you wonder what has happened to E21?

Vija caught the event on video. Oh, that squeeeeee of 22’s.

For those watching the Golden Eaglet in Japan, Nina, she is growing fast and the parents have been delivering pheasant and deer for their little one! These are such beautiful eagles!

This is very worrisome. Only two more mutations required before it spreads quickly through humans. If you can help prevent bird flu by funding clean up activities, by volunteering, or even cleaning your bird feeders, please do. We have no concerns in Manitoba and no one is telling us to take down feeders. H5N1 has been moving to the West in North America but it is still spreading amongst waterfowl in the UK where this article was written.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/may/16/research-bird-flu-humans-prepare-now?CMP=share_btn_link

That is a quick check on some news and events we have been following. Thank you so much for being with me today. Take care, everyone. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, updates, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped to make up my blog today: ‘A’, ‘H’, ‘T’, WINORR, Storch Lindheim, LOTL, Scottish Woodland Trust, Fortis Exshaw, Window to Wildlife, Arlene Beech and Window to Wildlife, LMO, Cornell RTH, Raptor Resource Project/Explore, Achieva Credit Union, LRWT, Cal Falcons, SK Hideaways and Cal Falcons, Vija and SW Florida Eagle Cam, and The Guardian.

Fledge at Achieva, 2nd hatch at LOTL…Tuesday in Bird World

16 May 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

It was another hot day in the Canadian Prairies. The temperature shot up to 29 C before one even realised it was hot outside. It is late evening, and it is still 28 degrees. The birds in the garden have been spending much time getting drinks out of the bird bath, and the bowls are scattered around the deck between the plants. It is vital to put water out in shallow dishes for them when it is hot – even more important than supplying food is water! The garden plants will need water later tonight. There is no rain in sight. This kind of lazy day – a summer day when it is not officially summer – gave me a chance to look at a new arrival in the stack of books I want to read. This one is Two Lights. Walking through Landscapes of Loss and Life by James Roberts. His writing style and references to his great-grandfather, the Scottish naturalist George Seton, pulled me in immediately. He lives in Wales along the border with Herefordshire and writes, “The dawn begins with seabirds, with the first faint wash of rose-tinted light touching their feathers. There are crested auklets perched on lava flows and sea cliffs. They are here in their millions. The sounds they make, as their milk-pale eyes open, creak and grate, as if overnight the salt winds have penetrated their workings. In among them are tufted puffins, red-legged kittiwakes, short-tailed albatrosses. Their purrs and shrieks begin.” Roberts imagines all the birds waking up at dawn around the world – that line of light separating day and night as it moves around the globe. He appears to have a fascinating mind and I can’t wait to get the time to really read this book. He continues, “It’s our fate on this ocean-facing island, if our direction of travel as a culture continues, to face the rising waters, the ever-more frequently boiling rivers. We may continue to poison them, to carve, block, and silt them for a time, yet, believing as we do that they are simply our resources to be harnessed. But they will outlast us, and their waters will run clean, eventually. There will come a time when this stretch of river will flow wilder than it does now.” The Ospreys have been here for 60 million years. They will be here- enough to begin again-, long after us, to reclaim these clear waters and their fish.

So many things to do and so little time to do them.

Lewis and Missey are not particularly cooperating when it comes to photos. When they were younger they would pose. Today, as usual, they are stuck to one another firm as if one was not there, the other would evaporate. They are watching out the window. Mr Crow is standing on the rim of the bird bath. They are as interested in what is happening in the garden as I am. They were the first to see the Northern Flicker when he landed in the lilac bushes today. Their sounds made me look!

The whole gang was here including Mr Blue Jay and Little Red who was frustrated that the birds were getting all the goodies from the table feeder.

Fledge of the Day comes from Achieva! Wow..look at Big go! 08:20:07. (More information on the nest below). Congratulations Achieva!

Smile of the Day. No one could believe that first hatch at Loch of the Lowes (LOTL) could be alive Monday morning and yet it was. Tears.

What a precious little baby.

On Tuesday, Laddie and Blue NC0 welcomed their second hatch of the season. Will there only be two Bobs?

I have been torn as to whether or not comment on the situation at LOTL. As anyone reading my blog knows, I believe in intervention when it will help and not harm them. Could we sit and watch the osplets starve to death not knowing if Laddie was only injured slightly? A number, how many is unknown, called for a fish table, myself included. When Laddie landed on the nest with that huge fish, we were all so glad he was well enough to care for his family. Now, it appears that this might have been an intervention to save the nest. If it was, then a big round of applause for those that helped! Please keep it up until Laddie is healed!

So grateful for all those people to kick in to help our little feathered friends! This feel good story comes to us today from CROW.

Our hearts go out to the Lake Murray Ospreys community. Middle will now be the only Bob at Lake Murray unless the GHO returns in the night and snatches it from the nest. It has been a tough 6 days for Lucy. She has lost her mate and two babies – just like River. I cannot even imagine what that must feel like. Now the fear of losing another one. Oh, these owls. I am always reminded of how the Crows actually escort the owls out of our neighbourhood during the day – not the night. Let us all hope that Lucy will be able to fledge one osplet this year. Send your best wishes.

This was posted by the individual who cares for the platform. We must always be mindful that we do not know what goes on behind the scenes and they must be feeling terrible right now. No sought music will be blaring and mannequins will be everywhere to try and now protect Lucy and C1. Be kind everyone. Their hearts are broken, too.

‘T’ writes that Lake Murray try and keep C2 and Lucy safe from the GHO. They have added: “3 strobe lights and a radio, along with moving the golf car and 2 trucks in the area. One night at a time is all we can do. Just like last year. Prayers for C2 and Lucy!” Send them all the positive energy that you can.

Lucy will defend this baby to her detriment if she sees the danger. We must now hope that all the deterrents that Lake Murray has put in place will work and we will have one nice healthy fledgling for Lucy.

Breakfast at Great Spirit Bluff for the four little falcons.

Things are looking well at the Achieva Credit Union Osprey Platform in St Petersburg, Florida despite a terrible drought in the area.

It looks like a couple of fish came to the nest on Monday. The last one was at 1857 as I write this. It is an enormous fish and everyone will get to eat off it including Diane who will wind up with a nice crop as well.

Life continues for Angel and RTH5 and Tom at their nest on the farm in Tennessee. As we know, Tom has really stepped up to his role as Dad and is providing prey and also standing over the baby when the other songbirds are attacking.

Such a big yawn.

Dad being protective while Mum is out hunting.

Looks like Angel brought in a squirrel!

You can see the ear clearly. When the feathers grow, it will be concealed. Have you noticed how dark the baby’s eyes are and how much they look like Angel’s?

Hot on the nest today. Little one panting.

‘A’ sent in the time stamps for Angel and her nest. My goodness how this has turned around to the good! “It was another day of eating for RTH5, who is now gigantic for a chick just 15 days old. Here are the time stamps: 10:33:18 Angel looks to be off on a mission. 11:35:57 Chick does some cro dropping. 11:39:43 Crop drops. 12:02:32 Tom in and 12:47:27 He is off after 2 Jays. Back 12:04:55. 12:07:34 Off gain. 12:49:20 Back up for a PS. 1:40:08 Angel returned to nest. 1:42:32 A little stretch for chick. 1:43:53 Angel of nest. 1;44:17 See her fly on a hot mission through trees. 1:46:32 Tom on duty. 1:50:22 Angel back with a squirrel she may have received from Tom while out nearby, as he had blood on his face and the squirrel was prepared. 1:58:10 Feed1. 2:19:35 Chick has had enough! 2:25:18 Time to do a face clean. 4:53:35 Angel is in strike mode. 4:54:15 She is off. And the chick has a PS. 5:06:20 Angel below and to the nest 5:06:53 with a young meadowlark. 5:09:30 Feed2. 5:48:48 Angel does another preening. 5:53:37 Chick crop drops. 6:39:38 Another preening. 7:29:10 Feed3. 8:19:17 Another preen and face wash. And the squirrel is finished, I think!”

The Ms are growing so fast. Big Red feeds and preens while the eyases grow and sleep. Arthur loads the pantry!

Big Red so loves being a mother.

Waiting and watching for Victor to take his first flight at Moorings Park Ospreys. Not yet. Abby flew a week ago! They are both intent on seeing what is happening in the water today.

And, of course, Sally is always ready to feed her babies.

While we are all ready to see the babies on the West End nest of Thunder and Akecheta, Dr Sharpe has been busy elsewhere in the Channel Islands banding eaglets.

Banding right now.

At one time there were two eaglets spotted and that is precisely what Dr Sharpe and his team found when they got to the nest – two little boys for Thunder and Akecheta this year! I have to admit that the baby rails on that nest make me nervous just looking at them as I type these words.

If you are not aware, Dr Sharpe is retiring. Amber will be taking over in his place. If you are as grateful to him as I am consider sending him a quick note to tell him what his interventions and everything he did for the Channel Islands Eagles to be restored meant to you. I am sure he will print them and read the letters in time. His e-mail is: psharpe@iws.org

Osprey eggs being laid across Canada now as the Ospreys have returned from their migration. ‘H’ caught another egg at Fortis Exshaw today and now Newfoundland!

Both of the eaglets at Duke Farms have now branched.

Severna Park Ospreys at the Loudon Valley Osprey Centre have three osplets on the nest. Thankful to ‘H’ who is going to keep an eye on this family for me. It is always gratifying for three to survive and fledge but it is always a challenge for the parents to have food and security for five.

‘H’ spotted another egg being laid at Fortis Exshaw near Canmore, Alberta and also a feeding at Patuxent despite the egg cup being so deep all you can see are the feeding motions of the parents. There are osplets everywhere now and it is going to get busy as more begin to hatch.

Well, he is still my pick – Blue 33. There he was at 0434 with a fish for Maya and the babies just as the sun rose. Like the chapter ‘Chasing the Dawn’ in Roberts book, around the world, there are males bringing fish to their mates to start the morning off so that their babies are not hungry.

The camera was not zoomed in close enough to see if either of the other two eggs had a pip. Already these two are loving their fish. Nice big bites they were taking, too at Manton Bay. Such strong little osplets.

Others like Louis at Loch Arkaig will be bringing their mate a fish and letting them have a breakfast break from their all-night incubation. It is wonderful to check on these UK nests early…the songbirds are heralding in the dawn.

Telyn is also waiting for Idris to relieve her at the Dyfi nest in Wales. They must get so stiff!

Ah, Telyn couldn’t wait for that comfort break…gives us a chance to have a good look at those three eggs. She was gone for a minute and back on those eggs!

For all the newcomers, Telyn is the daughter of Maya at Rutland who has two little ones she is feeding and another two eggs she is incubating.

At Glaslyn, Aran slept on the perch while Elen incubated the eggs.

Ah, I often wonder what Murphy thinks about that little eaglet that grew up. Still doing well. What a lucky break for both of these guys.

Thankfully Bruce Yolton continues to track the raptors and birds around Central Park and he brings us news of Falco. He says, “It’s getting much harder to watch Flaco, the feral Eurasian Eagle-Owl that was released from the Central Park Zoo over three months ago. He’s not using the construction site as often, has gotten much quieter, and is less visible with the trees fully leafed out.”

Luckily, I did get to see him for about twenty minutes on Sunday night.

Wildlife Rehabilitation. I have been asked to write a blog on the new use of technology in helping our wildlife and every time I turn around there are old school methods being used. This one is perfect for keeping this Snowy Owl cool – an ice machine. If you have one and you are not using, take it out to your local wildlife rehab clinic. They might be able to put it to use!

A rescue is taking place at a stork nest in Germany today (Starch Lindheim) to remove a nylon stocking or strong brought to the nest. The fire brigade will do this today, not yesterday when it was discovered because there are too many straw bales at the site of the nest. It has worried some who think the adult might fly off with the nylon string attached and pull off a storklet.

Thank you so much for being with me this morning. A lot is going on, and this is just a glimpse into some of the nests we have been watching – particularly those that might have concerns. We send all good wishes to Lake Murray! Take care all. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, tweets, and streaming cams that helped to make up my blog today: ‘A’, Geemeff, ‘H’, Kathryn, ‘L’, ‘T’, LOTL, Geemeff and LOTL, Lake Murray Ospreys, Great Spirit Bluff Falcons, Barbara Snyder and Achieva Ospreys with Jack and Diane, Achieva Credit Union, Heidi McGru and Achieva, Window to Wildlife, Cornell RTH, Moorings Park Ospreys, IWS and Explore.org, Townsend Duong and CIEL, Lin Lawson and osprey Friends, Duke Farms, Severna Park Ospreys, LRWT, Loch Arkaig, Dyfi Osprey Project, Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn, World Bird Sanctuary, Bruce Bolton, Medina Raptor Centre, and Starch Lindheim.

Iris lays her first egg, C3 dies, Tom helps, Dorcha crashes…Tuesday in Bird World

9 May 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

As I write this, a gentle rain is falling on the garden. The Chickadees are at the tube and table feeders, the Starlings have been and gone, Mr Crow and Mr Blue Jay were here, and the Hairy Woodpecker. It is just turning 1330 on Monday. Life in the garden is good. The rhythm is so reassuring, knowing that everyone is here and safe. It is also my ‘go-to place’ when events on the nests get just too much. This has been a challenging year for many of our Raptor families. It is almost hard to imagine all that has happened.

Lewis and Missy continue to love the conservatory. Today, for whatever reason, they were not so interested in what was going outside.

The Starlings cooperated and ate together at the table once the squirrels had left. At one point there were five finding food.

Before we check in on all the action at the nests, two educational items in today’s blog: the first about monofilament line (with some images later from ‘B’) and the second about siblicide and the theories of why this happens.

First up, fishing line – any posting about this will be in tribute to DH18 whose life could have been spared had help been called immediately to come to the nest. All moderators of all chats must notify the proper authorities and local rehabbers immediately when a monofilament line or baling twine is seen on a nest. It is imperative, moving forward, no excuses.

It is not just Bald Eagles that get tangled…every kind of waterfowl has been seen dead or dying from this horrible stuff.

It appears that Iris has laid her first egg of the season. As I always say, we know how this will go so we should not fight it. At the same time, I would love her to feel the teamwork that Maya and Blue 33 have, to have Louis there with her with a celebratory fish and to have him help raise those chicks. Sadly, he cannot take care of two nests! So, Iris…lay the eggs, let the Crows get them, and spend your summer leisurely taking care of yourself.

The time was around 19:50-59.

Diane and her two surviving osplets from 2023 – Big and Middle. Aren’t they gorgeous? Everyone was so happy when Jack brought two fish to the nest. Let us hope that despite the drought, he and Diane will get enough fish to the nest for these two to fledge. They have gorgeous plumage, and they should have taken their first flights by June.

A short video clip posted by Heidi McGru on FB showed the Bald Eagle trying to snatch Middle at Achieva. I had wondered if it was after the fish but, no. He did not make it…I want to hope those osplets are too big. We wait. Everyone is now very vigilant on that nest.

Cowlitz PUD put up guards so the eagles cannot steal the osplets off the nest…maybe if this continues Achieva needs to think about that.

At the Moorings Park Osprey platform, the osplets are eating and they are helicoptering. We are right on the verge of fledge – it could come at any moment.

Our cuteness overload is coming from the nest of Big Red and Arthur. M2 hatched sometime around 0300 Monday. M1 is a strong feisty little hawk let, typical for Big Red’s chicks. Arthur has the pantry already full and we are already wondering if he will bring a nice Robin for Big Red for Mother’s Day. She loves Robins and will take them off the nest and eat them herself.

M1 is a very strong hawk let. It is already eating large morsels of prey. Look at that crop. Big Red has filled M1 up and will move to feed M2. Everyone at Big Red’s table gets fed if they want food and have that beak open. We have never lost a hawk let from siblicide or being hungry. Only one K2 had an issue with its beak and did not fledge…Big Red has been having chicks since probably 2005. That is an amazing record. She is 20 years old this spring.

Too Big!

There is a pip on that third egg…see image below the next one.

Early evening feeding…

There has been a significant change in the nest of Angel the Leucistic RTH and Tom in Tennessee. Monday morning, Tom gently preened the chick. He also brought in a lizard which Angel fed exclusively to the chick; she had previously delivered a nestling. Angel is more comfortable with Tom, and Tom is helping now with the nest by providing prey items. Progress.

At 10:17 Angel is feeding the nestling to her nestling.

Tom delivers lizard at 2:05:33.

At 2:05:42, the baby gets some lizard.

Beautiful Angel and her baby, the baby she is determined will live.

Big Red at Cal Falcons ran off with the breakfast prey this morning. It was finally retrieved and everyone ate but this gal is determined (and big).

With hawks and falcons, whose time in the nest is much shorter than eagles or ospreys, you can blink and they have gone from hatching to fledge!

Is Rose missing from the WRDC nest or is she just taking a break? The eaglets have not fledged! She was last seen at 0635 Sunday morning at the nest. If she has not returned by late Tuesday or Wednesday it is time to get really concerned.

Ron is bringing in fish to the two eaglets. Thankful they are older. This trend of single-parent nests this year is almost unnerving but Ron will manage as the eaglets are so much older than when M15 had to start caring for the Es.

There are three eggs for Tom and Audrey at Chesapeake Conservancy.

Idris has been working overtime with the fish coming to the nest for Telyn one after another!

Geemeff caught Dorcha crashing into the Loch Arkaig nest in the middle of the night…she is OK, thankfully.

Looks like Cape Henlopen has attracted some visitors but they are not Ospreys! They are Black Vultures. They feed almost exclusively on carrion but have a poorer sense of smell than the Turkey Vulture with its red head. You will often see Black Vultures following the Turkey Vultures to find prey. They roost in tall trees with unobstructed views…looks like this platform could be their roosting spot! ‘H’ writes that they are there every day. How lovely!

The tragedy with the three Osplets starving on camera when the male was killed and the female driven away (maybe injured) by a new couple was heartbreaking.

Zephyr and Bruce are at the Seaside Osprey nest near the Neawanna River in Seaside, Oregon.

Eggs being rolled at the nest of Jack and Harriet at Dahlgren.

Dad and Lady have been sleeping at the nest tree and they have also been working hard to repair the damage that the Ring-tailed Possums did to the nest. It is so lovely to see them! And to also know that both 27 and 30 are doing well in the wild after having been rescued and rehabilitated.

Thank you ‘B’ for sending me these images. More and more places are setting up containers for broken fishing line and hooks. Here is another example from the East Bay area near San Francisco. There should be educational programmes for children and adults on the dangers to encourage responsibility.

Much easier to see how big Murphy’s baby is…I wonder if Murphy will ever incubate another rock?

Look at those legs…wow. This baby is doing fantastic and thanks to Murphy, World Bird Sanctuary, and all the donors, Murphy’s baby will get to live wild. Please tell me that they are going to band this little one…er, big one.

World Bird Sanctuary has a Red-shouldered Hawk that is incredible in caring for more babies than you can imagine – and they are not hers! Some of the rehabs’ work is decidedly not high tech…here just gold old parenting skills. In others, the birds are enriched with paper flowers for their birthday to shred. I am trying to see if anything is being done with feathers other than having new feathers glued in place. Many wind up in care for at least a year until their new feathers grow in like the one below. We know this is the case with Connick from the Captiva Bald Eagle nest.

Before we move on to Lake Murray – which is, at present, one of two tense events (Rose missing being the other at WRDC), we need a bit of a laugh and it is thanks to Chase and Cholyn’s eaglet!

The weight of the size difference in the Osplets at Lake Murray is certainly worrisome. I have seen this once before and that was at the Foulshaw Moss nest of White YW and Blue 35 in Cumbria in 2021. That third hatch survived – for many reasons. Blue 464 was bloody clever and determined and Mum, Blue 35, made special attempts to make sure it was fed when the others were asleep. I have not seen that diligence at Lake Murray. Blue 35 actually flew away with prey and waited til the two big siblings were asleep and then feed 35. There was also not the level of aggression as is being shown at Lake Murray. I often wonder ‘why’ the UK Ospreys are so much more civil than the US ones?

I would like all of them to live but I am not hopeful. Just look at the difference in the first screen capture of the wing sizes.

C1 zealously attacked C3 most of Monday and unrelentingly close to 1700.

*distressing image*

C1 holds C3 down so that it cannot move at all…more or less suffocating its sibling. Then, by some miracle, C3 gets up and tries to get to Mum. The time is 19:27. C3 died on the 8th of May. It was 15 days old having hatched on the 23rd of April. Soar high little Peanut.

Another article on siblicide by Robert Simmons in Animal Behaviour.

siblicide-does-not-get-more-foodDownload

Kathryn has been helping me with the events on Lake Murray. She has found another article on siblicide. I will, as noted yesterday, continue to post several articles during the next week. We have lots of ospreys incubating eggs with many of those nests not practising delayed incubation. It is possible that there will be many more chicks die this year. We wait to see. In the meantime we can educate ourselves on all the ideas that scientists have.

Eldon-Greij-explains-why-some-birds-practice-siblicide-BirdWatchingDownload

In Canada, we have had ‘heat domes’ that have taken the lives of many raptors including the chicks at Osoyoos, others jumping out of their nests in the interior of British Columbia to get away from the heat…that was previous years. This is the lead up to what could be another tragic year in Canada. Send all those babies on nests in BC your most positive wishes along with all the other nests we are watching.

Thank you so much for being with me today. Please take care…we should have a hatch for Big Red by the end of the evening or early Wednesday morning. See you soon!

I want to thank Kathryn, who helped me with the siblicide at Lake Murray. It is not easy monitoring a nest where there is anxiety, where there is a ten-day difference between the age of the hatches (laying + hatch). She stayed right in there and provided me with valuable information. I also want to thank ‘H’ for sending me notes also. These are sad events that are very difficult to observe.

Thank you to the following for their notes, tweets, pots, videos, articles, and streaming cams where I took my screen captures that helped to make my blog today: ‘B’, ‘H’, ‘A’, Geemeff, Kathryn, PC Clavier and Bald Eagles Live Nest and Cams, Montana Osprey Project, Achieva Credit Union, Moorings Park Ospreys, Cornell RTH, Suzanne Arnold Horning and the Cornell Hawk Chatters, Window to Wildlife, Cal Falcons, SK Hideway and Cal Falcons, WRDC, Heidi McGru and Raptors of the World, Joan Brady and Friends of Dyfi Osprey Project, Geemeff and Friends of Loch Arkaig, people’s Postcode Lottery, and the Woodland Trust, Cape Henlopen State Park, Seaside Ospreys, Dahlgren Ospreys, Sydney Sea Eagles, East Bay Regional Park Department, World Bird Sanctuary, Jann Gallivan and CIEL, Lake Murray Ospreys, Animal Behaviour, Bird Watching, and @VladRadica.

Death by micro plastics, M2 is here…Monday in Bird World

8 May 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

Sunday was an overcast day with the feeling that rain could start anytime. It didn’t. The garden feeders were busy! Unfortunately, the squirrels have figured out two different ways to get on the table feeder, causing issues with the birds. Still, they waited and watched. Mr Crow is also afraid of the feral cat that visits and, as a result, has not been quick enough to feed well today. Silly boy. Today they also marked the first day for the White-throated Sparrows to be in the garden this season. In a few days, there could be fifty or sixty of them. If all goes to plan after they arrive, the Orioles will eat oranges and Grape Jelly and pay no mind to Dyson and her gang.

So proud of itself!

Mr Blue Jay watched and waited til he could get a turn at the feeding table.

Your smile for the day…

So far it has been a good Sunday at the nest of Angel and the Baby. This was the posting of the prey delivery and feeding. It is windy and the weather could turn stormy. As I am writing this there has been a feeding at 12:53 with a partial piece of rabbit that Tom delivered. A second feeding began at 2:07:40. ‘A’ has sent me the entire time stamps for the action at the nest. Here they are: “Time stamps for today (7 May) at Angel’s nest. Spoiler alert: Tom brought in some food around lunchtime, which was enough to feed the hawklet three times. Okay, time stamps: 07 02 45 Angel up, wing stretch,head scratch,BJS buzzing her. 08 32 31 Angel up and spots something. And the BJs spot her. 08 39 44 She leaves. 08 41 01 She returns. 10 05 59 After a big wing stretch Angel leaves.10 15 42 PTZ camera Angel flies by on her way back to the nest. 11 46 25 Angel aerating the nest and some preening. 12 52 15 Tom in with part rabbit?. 12 53 30 PTZ feed starts. Some leftovers for later. 2:06:50 RTH5 falls over, gets up after a struggle. 2 07 40 PTZ Second feed starts. 12 51 Angel up.big wing and leg stretch and preening. RTH5 Preening itself. 3 22 00 PTZ Start of third feed. 3 41 44 Angel swallows a lump of fur/skin. 6 06 55 One For the PS fans. This chick is the most adorable little thing ever. The way Angel looks down at it with sheer unadulterated adoration is just precious. I love this chick way too much!”

Thank goodness for small miracles. Angel sure can use them. Let us hope that the storms and potential winds and tornadoes do not hit this nest. This couple needs to find prey and keep it coming so that the baby can develop properly. It sure looks like a hardy little one.

There is something magical about the way that Red-tail Hawks look at their chicks. Big Red is the same. You simply melt at the love in those eyes.

Arlene Beech caught the prey delivery for us.

The weather turned with heavy rain and thunderstorms. Angel is keeping her baby snug and dry.

The situation is also good at Achieva where Jack brought in two fish almost at once. Big Bob ate its own fish while Mum fed Middle. Smiling. Both osplets are safe and find and it is probably that the Bald Eagle wanted the fish and not the osplet! If it had been younger, yes.

Barbara Snyder reports on FB that Mum brought in one of her big catfish and Dad brought in another fish – so another double delivery – Sunday evening that is keeping this nest happy. This is wonderful news for Achieva. These two have their juvenile feathers and well, we don’t want to lose either one of them!

Sadly, the first delivery at Lake Murray did not come until late in the afternoon. Kathryn observed that Mum went out to possibly find fish several times but returned empty handed. Little Peanut did not get any food and this osplet does not look well to me. As Kathryn notes it is also not being clever. I think we should brace ourselves for a sad ending for this very tiny third hatch.

No food for Peanut this morning. It is so very slow and sad to see a sweet baby die of starvation. Only a miracle will help this wee one.

I will add a few articles, once in a while, or postings that discuss siblicide so that we educate ourselves. In 2012, Dr Erick Greene, the Professor at the University of Montana associated with the Osprey Research Project and Iris’s Nest, wrote this post for Montana Ospreys FB Group. It focuses on the amount of food brought to the nest. Other research studies suggest that the oldest or most dominant (usually the same) are getting the majority of food, so siblicide makes no sense. Hopefully, you will enjoy and learn from the articles coming up, and they will provide much to think about as you watch the nests that are getting ready for osprey hatches.

Siblicide – part IV

Siblicide occurs in MANY species of birds and other animals, including all hawks and owls, egrets and herons, kingfishers, pelicans, boobies, cranes and some others. Although it may seem cruel, it is an adaptation that allows the parents to raise the maximum number of healthy and vigorous young under fluctuating and unpredictable food supplies. When there is enough food to go around, all the chicks thrive; when food is limited, only the number of chicks that can be supported survive. So siblicide is a self-adjusting mechanism that matches the number of chicks with the available food.

This is what siblicide is and why it occurs. It is a completely natural part of Osprey biology (and the biology of many other species). However, this does not mean it is easy to watch – it is quite disturbing to watch a chick kill its sibling. Last year fishing was so tough that about 95% of the Osprey chicks starved to death around Missoula. While we were saddened and disturbed to watch the two chicks in the Hellgate nest die last year, we rejoiced that Iris and her old mate were able to raise one very robust and healthy chick in such difficult circumstances. This is something not many Osprey pairs were able to do. If there was not siblicide, all three chicks would have starved to death last year. Nature can be “red in tooth and claw,” even within a family. Even though siblicide may seem cruel to you, there is some sort of comfort in a system that allows the Osprey parents to raise healthy chicks even when times are tough. This is part of the reason we still have thriving Osprey populations.

Some of you may wonder why we don’t take the smallest chick from this nest and put it in the Dunrovin nest. We are not allowed to interfere with this natural part of the Osprey cycle. Our research permits and animal care permits (that are very strictly regulated) would not allow us to do this.

We are giving you this information to let you know about a natural and expected part of Osprey biology, and prepare you in case the smallest chick does not make it. So what can we expect at the Hellgate nest this year? The third chick is definitely running from the back of the pack, but the new male is a fantastic provider! I just watched carefully and saw the smallest chick get absolutely stuffed with part of the large trout the male brought in (Tuesday, 26 June 2012 about 1115). This is a good sign, and if the male continues to be such a good provider all three chicks may make it! Think pure thoughts.

Erick Greene of Project Osprey

That was 2012 and much has been learned since then. I hope to enlighten us more in the coming weeks.

Oh, I wish I could wiggle my nose and transport Peanut to the Moorings Park Osprey platform after Abby and Victor fledge…those two are helicoptering. Fledge (their first flight) could happen at any time!

Moorings Park has gone all out with good cameras and a split screen so we can see all the action.

Jackie and Shadow were bringing in sticks and working on their nest in Big Bear Valley on Sunday.

A little windy up at the Glacier Gardens Bald Eagle nest where eggs are being incubated. Looks like some branches have been trimmed so that the camera view of the new nest (as of 2022) is much better. Thanks, Glacier Gardens.

Adults with nice crops keeping a watchful eye over the energetic Cal falcons. That big female sure likes to be out of the scrape. I do not envy Lou and Annie when these three start running around!

Annie has been chasing them about to feed them. SK Hideaways caught it for us.

The Decorah eaglet was really hot today, using panting to help stay cool. Little sweetheart. Doesn’t look like they have had any of those bad storms (yet). Hopefully not.

Whenever you see a nest with three equally healthy raptors on it, just smile. As you are all aware it is not easy. The three at Denton Homes are thriving.

The three at Dulles-Greenway are equally doing well. It is difficult to see if the river is flooding and hard for Martin to get fish but there does not appear to be a shortage of prey. There is also not a shortage of plastic bags! The one black one on the side fooled me one day…at first glance I thought it was one of the eaglets hanging on for dear life!

We have a reminder from Liz Bracken. You will recall that Blue NC0 and Laddie LM12 laid the first egg with Blue 33 and Maya quick on their talons. Well, we will be on hatch watch for both of those nests starting on the 11th…yes, that is 3 days a way.

Blue 33 keeping Maya’s he3ad dry in the drizzle.

It is my favourite nest and it always will be. Steady and reliable. Big Red and Arthur, the Red-tail Hawks calling the Cornell campus in Ithaca, New York their territory.

M2 working its way out of that shell.

If Big Red and Arthur’s kids go hungry there is something very wrong in the world.

Big Red tucking M1 in and we can see M2’s egg tooth working away.

Cuteness!

It started raining at the nest of Big Red and Arthur Sunday evening. Big Red seems to always know and she gets her chick/s fed to the brim and then plunks down on them so they are dry and warm.

M2 is here and already being fed! It is sitting in its shell!

Lots of baby falcons about these days….tis the season!

It is just a gorgeous landscape at the Charlo Montana Osprey platform of Charlie and Charlotte. One egg as of yesterday. Thanks, Loretta!

‘H’ reports sad news coming from Hob Osterlund in Kauai. Not large pieces of plastic, tiny micro plastic that will impact all the seabirds including the Royal Albatross, too…what a shame we cannot get a handle on this nasty stuff that is everywhere.

Murphy’s baby is continuing to do very, very well.

Chase and Cholyn’s eaglet at Two Harbours was so full today from eating half a considerable fish that it could hardly walk on the nest. Check out the last image of the three; Mum had a huge crop, too! It was a fish fest day!

‘H’ reports that there is a second egg at Kent Island Ospreys this morning. ‘H’ and I are keeping our eyes on the ospreys at Osoyoos in the hope of identifying them to see if it is Soo and/or Olsen or a new pair.

This sub-adult eagle got a second chance at life because of a rehabber!

For everyone who reached out to help on the Dale Eagle chat and felt shunned and ‘well, abused’, there are some changes coming.

Thank you so much for being with me this morning. Take care. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, tweets, videos, and streaming cams that helped to make my blog today: ‘A’, ‘H’, Loretta, Kathryn, Terry Tempest Williams, Window to Wildlife, Arlene Beech and Window to Wildlife, Achieva Credit Union, Lake Murray Ospreys, Moorings Park Ospreys, FOBBV, Glacier Gardens Eagle Cam, Cal Falcons, SK Hideaways and Cal Falcons, Raptor Resource Project and Explore.org, Denton Homes, Dulles-Greenway, Liz Bracken and Friends of Loch Arkaig FB, LRWT, Cornell RTH, Manchester NH Falcon Fans, Charlo Montana, Hob Osterlund, World Bird Sanctuary, IWS and Explore.org, and Terry Carman and Live Nests and News.

Cal Falcons getting banded, update on SE30…Friday in Bird World

5 May 2023

Good Morning Everyone!

Wednesday was a tough one. Thursday was better, but there are still two worrisome nests – Achieva’s and Angel’s. When it gets too much – and it does for everyone, we need to step back and change what we are doing. There has been no food for the little one at Angel’s for a day, and the little one has only had a few bites. I do not expect it to survive and, as of this morning, I, too, will step back.

It is true – go out and spend some time in nature, go for a walk, say hello to people you don’t know…at the end of all, you feel better. That is precisely what I did – a spin or two around the pond, stopping to chat with everyone along the way. The Wood Ducks are back.

Not in any great numbers, about five males and a couple of those sweet little females. There were a handful of Mallards and several hundred Canada Geese. It was sunny and dry, and everyone was happy to be outside.

There is green grass coming and some vegetation growing quickly so they can feed.

In the garden, Dyson sees me. She knows that I am taking her photo. Isn’t she lovely?

The table feeder is becoming more popular as the birds get used to seeing it in the garden.

While Dyson and the Starlings were eating peanuts, the Crows were assembling in the big tree in front of my house. It was planted in 1902 so 121 years old. I will not start about our City’s tree trimming policies! Normally when the Crows gather they are here to escort the GHO out of their neighbourhood!

Specific events tell me spring is here, and hopefully, there will not be any more snow. The first is the arrival of the Canada Geese, then the Dark-eyed Juncos and Blue Jays. The second is the opening of the local farmer’s market. There are a few ingenious farmers who have built greenhouses, not to grow flowers like the Dutch arrivals in our area in the 1950s but, to grow – strawberries. The farmer’s market opened yesterday, and those berries had not only the aroma of a ripened berry in a field but the most delicious flavour. Well done to those trying to figure out how to grow things locally that might be otherwise flown in from thousands of miles away – and have no taste and be polluting the planet. The third is the arrival of all the annual flowers and herbs to be planted in flower boxes or gardens. Today was a celebration of all of those – the geese at the pond, a trip to the farmer’s market and a box full of herbs and, instead of a hanging basket of flowers, a Tiny Tom Hanging Tomato vine. How will it do? All of this helped to wash away the anger and some of the sadness over the death of DH18.

In celebration of these spring rituals, the kittens and I will enjoy a lovely little Japanese sponge cake with strawberry buttercream filling.

Do you know Aldo Leopold? He was talking about biodiversity and stewardship of land before any of the more recent environmental movements. He died in a fire in Wisconsin helping a neighbour in 1948. He was a professor at the University of Wisconsin but loved escaping to his weekend refuge without modernisation. I love his sense of humour. One time during a flood – and you have to understand that his cabin is the family escape from the world of humans, Leopold writes, “There are degrees and kinds of solitude. A n island in a lake has one kind; but lakes have boats, and there is always the chance that one might land to pay you a visit..I know of no solitude so secure as one guarded by a spring flood; nor do the geese, who have seen more kinds and degrees of aloneness than I have. ..So we sit on our hill beside a new-blown pasque and watch the geese go by. I see our road dipping gently into the waters, and I conclude with inner glee that the question of traffic, in or out, is for this day at least, debatable only among carp.” (27)

Leopold observes, “Conservation is getting nowhere because it is incompatible with out Abrahamic concept of land. We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” (xviii) I highly recommend his little book, A Sand County Almanac. Essays on Conservation from Round River. Written like a diary, Leopold says of March, “One swallow does not make a summer, but one skein of geese, cleaving the murk of a March thaw, is the spring.” (19) Leopold takes you through the months, and he loves his spring geese. It is more than just Leopold’s close observation and love of all things wild. He stops to make us think about the value of our land and why some, like trophy hunters, will never be able to understand those of us in the minority who see the word of living things connected and sacred. “…our bigger-and-better society is now like a hypochondriac, so obsessed with its own economic health as to have lost the capacity to remain healthy. The whole world is so greedy for more bathtubs that it has lost the stability necessary to build them, or even to turn off the tap…Perhaps a shift of values can be achieved by reappraising things unnatural, time, and confined in terms of things natural, wild, and free”. That was written on the 4th of March 1948 right before his death. It could have been written yesterday. Today, the situation with DH18 continues to weigh heavy on my mind and I would substitute in much of the quotes of Leopold the term wildlife instead of land…we think we own it, it is a commodity that we can abuse…that kind of thinking has to stop.

Our smile for the morning comes from the Cal Falcons and the food tug-o-war caught by SK Hideaways. Then marvel at how well falcons tend to feeding three chicks! Most of the time (Angel and Tom excluded) falcon and hawk nests are incredibly energetic and full of laughs.