Category Archives: Manitoba wildlife

Saturday in Bird World

8 July 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

Gosh, it is Friday and right now it is a few minutes before Saturday. The day flew by! Too many things to do and not enough hours in the day. I imagine all of you know that feeling. On Wednesday I was given a large basket of freshly picked strawberries and today – finally – they were made into David Leibowitz’s Parisian Strawberry Jam. There is no pectin although you can grate apples with the berries – they thicken it like pectin. I wanted that lovely slightly runny jam that isn’t too sweet that can go on scones, ice cream, or puddings. Tomorrow will be scone making! Need I say that Lewis and Missey both love scones. Bless their hearts. We are also getting ready for kitty birthdays. Missey will be a year the middle of July and Lewis a year the middle of August…wonder what special meal they will want?

Missey always poses.

Dyson is looking very healthy. She is at the feeders several times a day and often suns herself on the deck.

The babies are doing well. This one stayed long enough for me to focus the camera!

My neighbour informed me that there was an ‘explosion’ of Blue Jays this year – yes, there was! Six babies. There are also a similar number of baby Crows. Two Crow families came to get peanuts, cheesy dogs, and eggs again this evening.

Several years ago I did extensive research on the cost to the environment of the mega-dams that were constructed in the north of my province beginning in 1969. I learned that the lakes, the water, and the land remain toxic from the mercury dredged up by the construction of the Churchill-Nelson project by Manitoba Hydro. Then I began to think about Hope at the Newfoundland Power Osprey nest. Newfoundland Power has also built mega dams. Is it possible that Hope suffers from neurological damage caused by methyl mercury toxicity in the water and fish? Surely we can all agree that the behaviour of this female Osprey is not seen often.

This is a short portion of a book chapter about ceramics that includes mention of my research in Manitoba:

In Manitoba, a Crown-owned public utility produces hydropower for domestic consumption and export. This hydroelectric energy originates with the waters of northern Manitoba.  It is then carried south to markets beyond provincial boundaries via a vast and intricate transmission network.  In the 1960s, the provincial and federal governments built generating stations, powerhouse structures, control dams, and transmission lines on the Churchill and Nelson Rivers and their diversions to produce the electricity we use and sell.  But what was the cost to the people who had lived on the land for generations?  
The damming of the rivers in Treaty 5 Territory caused flooding on an unparalleled scale to the homes, the traditional hunting grounds, and the burial sites of Indigenous people. Extensive documentation details the social ramifications of these actions.  Ramona Neckoway, a member of the Nisichawayasihk Cree nation impacted by the mega-dam states:
Manitoba Hydro’s vast and impressive network, including the labyrinth of transmission lines, affected and continue to impact entire generations of indigenous peoples in Manitoba. My grandparents’ generation, my parents’ generation, my generation, my children’s generation and their children’s generation, have borne witness to and experienced a kind of cultural genocide resulting from Hydro’s generation in Manitoba; these experience to varying degrees and severity are akin, in some ways, to the residential school era that devastated many Aboriginal communities, children, parents and grandparents.  


The impact of these mega-dam projects is not limited to the province of Manitoba.  In November 2019, people from around the world met in Winnipeg, Manitoba, for a conference organised by the Wa Ni Tan, a group trying to stop the building of mega-dams worldwide.  People came from as far away as Brazil and Panama to mobilise against these hydroelectric projects’ social and environmental damage.  Underlying their concern were the pronounced changes to their communities since the construction of the dams.  These include “significant social disorder, the abuse of drugs and alcohol, racial discrimination and the destruction of ancestral hunting, trapping, fishing, and gathering practices. “ The people used to drink the water from the river eat the fish they caught or the game they killed. Today, all of the animals, the fish, and the people have been poisoned by methyl mercury developed in the reservoirs upstream. The result of the mercury poisoning is that many indigenous people living near the mega-dams have had to abandon their fisheries and their traditional diets resulting in an elevated increase of diabetes amongst the population.  

Sadly, despite all of the harm done to the land, the people, nature, and all living creatures, it is also known that these hydro dams are incredibly inefficient.  The effectiveness even of the newest turbines is only around 60%, meaning that 40% of the primary energy is wasted. 

Can Ceramics Ever be a Sustainable Cultural Practice? University of Nantes, 2021.

I intend to research the situation at the Snow Lane nest further. Their nest is far from the Muskrat Falls plant discussed in the article below. I also hope to hear from wildlife specialists in the area I have written to in order to establish if my theory has any weight.

Muskrat-Falls-hydroelectric-project-poses-risks-for-Canada-that-are-being-ignoredDownload

Everyone commented on how tranquil the nest of CJ7 and Blue 022 was at Poole Harbour this season. Well, guess what? They ringed the three osplets on Friday and believe the first two hatches are males and the third is a female. That is a great solution to the beaking that often comes when the female is the first hatch and the wee lad is the third. Well done, CJ7 and 022!

Gosh, I remember when I thought CJ7 might never find a mate and then that you man flew to the perch of her nest two years ago. They made history and continue to do so. So happy for this family.

The two surviving chicks were ringed at Llyn Brenig today as well – two girls. The first hatch is Blue 7B5 weighing 1775 grams, and the second is 7B6 weighing 1730 grams. Aren’t they gorgeous?

Just a quick run through some of the nests:

Alyth: The chicks are loud and getting bigger by the day.

Aran and Elen and their two sons are doing really well at Glaslyn. Elen proved to be a superb mother in her first year raising chicks! Great choice, Aran.

Idris delivered a double-header for the kids at the Dyfi nest that he shares with his mate, Telyn.

The Only Bob of Louis and Dorcha at Loch Arkaig is massive and it has these incredible ‘snake eyes’. Reminds me of Iris and Mrs G sometimes. The ringing should take place shortly and my bet is on a female! Or one of those males that simply breaks all records like Only Bob did at Clywedog a couple of years ago.

The ring number is LY7 but no release of gender yet.

Geemeff writes that the cam is down and the chick is being ringed! Here is some of its big wing flapping early on Saturday. Look at those wings!

There is an expected fledge today coming out of Loch of the Lowes. PF4 is really getting some height to that hovering!

The Only Bob at the Cowlitz PUD appears to be doing well.

Equally everything appears fine at Collins Marsh.

Everyone is preening at Oyster Bay. The nest is good.

The trio at the Pitkin County Open Trails Osprey Nest in Colorado are doing well. Mum was busy shading them from the heat on Friday.

The MNSA Jay Koolpix ospreys in Oceanside, NY are doing great, too.

Things appear to be going smoothly at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum nest. There is a bit more nesting material and a few more sticks and the wee one is able to eat larger pieces of fish that Mum is feeding. Feeling hopeful.

This new Mum is learning and if the winds would cooperate and not take off all their efforts in getting material to the nest, this could become a very comfy place to brood this chick.

A quick check on the two remaining osplets at the Bridges Golf Osprey platform seem to indicate that this nest is doing alright. Fingers crossed for this family.

Is there is a potential problem brewing at nest #4 in Finland? The first hatch is not allowing the third hatch up to get fish. The third hatch is looking very thin. It has been raining but ‘T’ confirms that the third hatch got some fish. Hoping that this is just a one off.

There is also a potential problem unfolding at the FortisExshaw nest near Canmore, Alberta. Jasper has not been seen for nearly 24 hours. ‘H’ reported Big beaking Little and keeping it from eating. This is the last fish that Jasper delivered around 0930 on Friday. ‘H’ reports that

Feeding 0559 to 0608 –  Louise blocked the view again, lol.  I think Little may have been fed a couple of bites, but at 0601, Little tried to ‘exit stage left’, and s/he ran out of real estate in the nest cup. I believe Little had most likely been bonked.  0924 to 0958 – Ah, a different set-up. . Mom in the centre, Middle and Little on one side, Big on the other side.  Louise fed to her right, exclusively feeding Middle and Little.  Big kept peeking around the corner “hey, what about me?”  Eventually, Big figured it out and moved to the right side of Mom.  The two big kids squeezed Little against the cup wall and at 0934 Little backed out, and moved away.  At 0942 Little tried to return to the feeding, but was beaked by Big.  Big quit the feeding at 0951, and Middle quit shortly thereafter.  At that point Little received a long private feeding.  Little ate at least 81 bites.There were no other fish deliveries on 7/7.”

‘H’s other reports. Thank you:

Severna Park – “Chick #1 may be a large gal, and has yet to fledge at 60 days old.  I wonder if the slightly smaller chick #2 (59 days old) will fledge first.

Kent Island – Tom is such a great provider.  He delivered at least 5 big fish for his family, there may have been an early delivery that I missed, but the lighting was such that it was very difficult to view the nest in the morning.  Tom and Audrey’s chick is 26 days old.

Forsythe – Well, thank heavens, Opal must have shown Oscar where she catches those huge fish!  Opal brought in a big one, and Oscar delivered four very large fish.  The kids are 47 and 46 days old.

Barnegat Light – Other than Daisy being dive bombed by the Red-winged Blackbird, life is good on the bay for Duke, Daisy, and their 38 day old youngster.

Boathouse – Dory and Skiff continue to dote over their cherished offspring.  Little Skipper is 28 days old.

Dahlgren – At 51 and 47 days old, Harriet and Jack’s kids are growing up fast.  They were both taking advantage of a breezy day and working those wings.  And, one of them managed to get quite a bit of lift!

Osoyoos – Soo and Olsen’s 11 and 12 day old kids are simply thriving!

Patuxent Nest 1 – ‘Foster’ decided to take a quick spin around the marsh for her second flight from the nest.  She landed on the nearby perch, just as pretty as you please!

Until the magistrates impose proper fines and penalties, the estates will continue to get away with murder.

The Hobby Falcons are busy feeding their chicks! This family is seriously adorable. Highly recommend you check out the streaming cam on YouTube: Dorset Hobby Falcons.

Before I get on my soap box about people shooting Red Listed birds, there is sad news coming out of Kielder Forest this morning. A chick has been predated. This is nest 5A home to Mr and Mrs UV.

UK Raptor Persecution has released the following information about the recent confirmed shooting of at least two red kites (with a third one suspected) near Westerdale in the North York Moors National Park (see here). The North York Moors Park Authority has issued the following statement:

I am absolutely outraged, along with you in the UK and elsewhere, that the legal system is punishing those responsible in a manner that is fitting and proper…meaning high fines, loss of licenses, custodial sentences. Is that what it takes to stop people having fun shooting birds? The real other enemy is that it is the ultra-wealthy who are doing the shooting. They have ‘friends in high places’. Indeed, some of them are the ‘friends in a high place.’

Murphy’s Eaglet was released today. Here are some images and the press release from World Bird Sanctuary.

Plastic. BirdLife International research is showing the extent to which this deplorable material that we cannot seem to get out of our daily lives is destroying the oceans and harming wildlife. The project has identified the most vulnerable sites and maybe there is something we can do to help.

New-research-highlights-where-threatened-seabirds-are-most-exposed-to-marine-plastics-BirdLife-IntDownload

Always gives us a smile – Annie and Lou – who are enjoying their time without the constant challenge of caring for eyases.

Last but never least, Little Mini. Mini had a nice breakfast this morning and it appears that the larger of the two are more interested in being on the perch!

Thank you so much for being with me today. Have a lovely Saturday! 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, Geemeff, H, T’, Google Maps, Poole Harbour Ospreys, Llyn Brenig Ospreys, Alyth Ospreys, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Dyfi Osprey Project, Friends of Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust, Geemeff and Friends of Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust, Friends of Loch of the Lowes and Scottish Wildlife Trust, Cowlitz PUD, Collins Marsh, PSEG, Pitkin County Open Trails, MNSA Jay Koolpix Osprey Cam, MN Landscape Arboretum, Bridges Golf Club Ospreys, Finnish Osprey Foundation, Jackie Morris and Friends of Dyfi osprey Project, Dorset Hobby Falcons, Fortis Exshaw, Severna Park, Kent Island Ospreys, Forsythe Ospreys, Conserve Wildlife of NJ, Dahlgren Ospreys, Boathouse Ospreys, Osoyoos, Patuxent River Park 1, Kielder Forest, UK Raptor Persecution, World Bird Sanctuary, BirdLife International and SK Hideaways and Cal Falcons, and PSEG.

Tiny Little works its wings…Thursday in Bird World

6 July 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

I went out in nature again today to clear my head about the Newfoundland Nest. The second chick has died, and Hope is brooding it tonight the DNH egg ton. Hope became the resident female in 2019, for those who do not know. Before this time, this nest had fledged many osplets. In 2019, Hope demonstrated that she rarely fed her chicks, forcing them to crawl to the edge to get fed. Two died of starvation; one fledged that year. None of the chicks survived in 2020, 2021, 2022, and now again in 2023. This year Hope showed a little more instinct to care for the chicks than in previous years. It is just extremely sad and now this season is over for the ‘Last Hope’ nest and we must move forward because many things are happening.

I do want to start with a positive note from the FortisExShaw nest as I know it has been difficult lately with all the tragedy. ‘H’ notes that Louise, the female at the FortisExshaw nest, did a really clever thing yesterday. She fed the two big ones til they passed out but had fish remaining. Then she stopped the feeding and did some nest work. Once the big ones were sound asleep, she fed Little. Brilliant! Now this has been seen at other nests where the third hatch was having problems – Tiny Tot Tumbles at Achieva in 2021 and Foulshaw Moss in 2021. Great strategies and both of those tow chicks survived to become the dominant bird on the nest.

My blog is short this morning. Instead, I will also have an update on some of the nests I monitor and those of ‘H’ in the early evening on the 6th. Then things will be back to normal!

These are a few of the birds from the Oak Hammock Marsh from the morning of 5 July. The Red-tailed hawk soared in the thermals above me for about 20 minutes. I left and it was still up in the clouds. What an incredible sight – so peaceful.

A Killdeer.

There was an explosion of Barn Swallows around the pavilion. Are they curious about humans? They are such cuties and look, it is banded.

A Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk who was loving flying.

The oldest sibling at the Outerbanks 24/7 fledged on the 4th of July. It returned to the nest, so all is well, but there were fireworks near the nest on the 4th. Everyone reading my blog knows that fireworks are dangerous to our domesticated pets. Imagine the raptors – all the birds and wildlife- living in the urban centres. Why should they be subjected to this trauma? It is a lot of money just for a little bit of satisfaction when so many other causes could use those funds for the long-term benefit of many. While we work on our less use and purchasing of plastic, we can write to those individuals in our communities that plan events and ask them not to use fireworks or balloons or anything that could harm our precious animals. People do have power and we can guide positive change but we have to let the right people know that these events are no longer acceptable.

Here is an informative article for the CBC in Calgary, Alberta, that addresses the issue of harm to humans and animals froj fireworks. This will help you get started on the logical argument and the science of why we should now stop these loud displays, including the debris left for animals to get entangled, birds abandoning their nests, anxiety, and loss of hearing..There are many similar articles on the Internet also.

How-fireworks-can-affect-your-health-and-the-ecosystem-CBC-NewsDownload

At Patchogue today, one of the two oldest siblings hovered magnificently and flew to the perch at 12:26. It flew to the opposite side of the nest at 16:53. For Eagles, we would call this branching so I am not officially saying this osplet fledged but we are ever so close.

One, Two, and Little Mini were all at the rim flapping like crazy today! Maybe they are all males and the Three that pecked at Mini is a female. We will never know! The females tend to fledge after the males but there are always exceptions. Mini has eaten well today even snapping fish bites away from Big at the 18:10 feeding.

You know those lumps in your throat you get…well, Mini is just too curious about this flying business and I thought goodness, this osplet is going to fledge soon. I am not ready for Little Mini to fly! And it looks like she is missing a vital feathery her right wing tip, one of the primaries (it looks like with this image).

Here is an image illustrating the feathers of an osprey that was supplied by Dr Erick Greene of the University of Montana at Missoula several years ago.

Can you pick Tiny Little out of the chicks below? She appears to have surpassed Three in size…Three with is great necklace! So in order from left to right – Big, Third, Tiny Little, Second. Incredible.

This nest is amazing.

There are only 7 breeding pairs of ospreys in Denmark. Today marks a very historic event – the ringing of the first osplets in Danish history. The trio were from the Grim Skive nest wish is the 4th largest forest in Denmark in Northern Zealand. The nest is in a beautiful live tree. The link to the camera is below. Go and check this out!

https://naturstyrelsen.webstream.dk/?fbclid=IwAR3qzWDwCtYshOd5UtY-QLdy9rkzPntbUNDQFw8C-f2jWGuvVtpkxzkLxDg

You might be aware that there are growing concerns with the food supply for the Bald Eagles, which is normally Chum Salmon (the Salmon who have spawned and then die). Here is a good article and it shows us how the Eagles and farmers are adapting in Washington State – something that could be a solution elsewhere if the trend continues with the salmon.

The article comes from the last Living Bird Magazine from Cornell Bird Lab.

In-A-Climate-Change-Shift-Dairy-Farmers-In-Washington-State-Welcome-Eagles-All-About-Birds-All-AbDownload

Oh, Ervie, it is so nice to see you! Our 2021 third hatch from the Port Lincoln Osprey barge is looking good. I wonder if he is still fishing with Dad at Delamere sometimes? It will not be long til we will be checking on that Port Lincoln nest for eggs as the Australian season begins!

I love the fact that they mention Ernie’s necklace — do not ever judge a bird to be a male or female by its necklace alone!!!!!!!

Checking on another Australian male that we love – Xavier – he brought a grebe as a gift to Diamond on the morning of July 6 and she accepted it! For those of you who do not know this darling falcon couple in Orange, Australia, Diamond is very particular about her prey and she does not like Starlings! A Grebe or parrots are tasty treats.

These lovely images of the Ms out and about on the Cornell campus were taken by Suzanne Arnold Horning on 5 July. They all seem to be doing very well as they navigate trees, buildings, birds, and squirrels. Thank you Suzanne for allowing me to share your wonderful images.

A new nest recommendation for all my falcon and hawk lovers – The Dorest Hobby Falcons is highly recommended by my colleague SP! Their first hatch with two more, hopefully, soon. Have a look at this incredible manmade nest – modelled after that of a crow – and these parents feeding this just-hatched chick.

They are correctly called Eurasian Hobby. They are a small raptor, like a kestrel. You might look at them first and think of a Peregrine Falcon. They eat insects and small birds often caught in flight by the talons and then transferred to the beak. They are capable of very sophisticated “high-speed aerial manoeuvres”, according to the RSPB.

We try to do what we can for our beloved feathered friends. That help takes many forms, from donations to bird feeding stations, bowls or bird baths holding water, volunteering for bird counts, and lobbying our politicians to improve their lives. Sometimes there are also simple fixes that we can make in our homes and gardens. Many are urging that all new buildings be bird-friendly. This includes collision-proof glass or Swift bricks in the UK.

Brick-by-brick-the-British-manufacturers-building-a-better-future-for-birds-Birds-The-GuardianDownload

Thank you so much for being with me. Take care, everyone! Check back later for the nest round-up with me and ‘H’.

Thank you so much to the following for their notes, videos, photographs, and streaming cams that helped me write my blog for this morning: ‘SP, T’, CBC Calgary, PSEG, Erick Greene, Naturstyrelsen DK, Cornell Bird Lab, Buxx Hockaday The Guardian, Wildlife Windows, and Friends of Osprey Sth Aus.

A Goose Convention…Bird World for Wednesday

5 July 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

Tuesday required a walk in the park, and I am so glad I picked St Vital. The adult Canada Geese had brought all the goslings up from the Red River to the park to feed on new grass and rest. I have never seen so many goslings in one spot in my life!

There were more goslings and ducklings around the pond, but, it was only when I was in the car leaving, that I saw this group that excited me so much. There were literally hundreds of them. I slowed right down in sheer wonder at what I was seeing but, I did not stop to take a photograph. For fear of disturbing them and sending stress through the entire group, I continued on. Some were in the flower garden eating plants! There were also Wood Duck babies – I only saw the Mums – and Pintail babies along with Mallards and goslings. It was a grand morning.

Just to let you know, early counting at the park indicated a lower number than in previous years. The hundreds of goslings came from nests along and around the river and not the park but to my sheer joy, there were lots of babies hatched from nests on the island in the pond. Some are only a few days old; others are nearing six weeks. It certainly raised my level of joie.

At the beginning of the season, there were so many male Wood ducks and only a couple of females at this pond that it was curious. Now there is not a male Wood duck in sight. Are they on the island in the shade while the females are out on the pond with the wee ones foraging?

More ducklings, Mallards.

This gosling has its beautiful juvenile feathers coming in on its back as that soft natal down just seems to be peeling away and falling off. I was shocked at the size of this one who came right to 3 metres of me and my camera without any fear. Look at those huge muscular legs.

The ones in the image below are all starting to get their wing and tail feathers. Like the other one above you can see the back juvenile plumage already in place.

Weeding the flower beds?

Adults trying to herd the youngsters across the road so that they can all go back to the river.

The newly hatched. It is hard to believe but all of these will be ready for their migration flight which will take place from September to the end of October.

As is typical, I want to bring the sad news first so that we can end on a ‘high’ note. The Newfoundland Power nest brings me to tears. Things are much better at the MN Landscape Arboretum nest, but I will remain cautious. While ‘MP’ finds joy in the sparrows living in the nest under the Patchogue osplets, my joy is walking in the trees and listening to the birds. I am so grateful that I was out today, for when I returned, ‘T’ sent me news of the death in Finland – another siblicide at the Janakkalan nest and then the death of the last surviving falcon at the University of Montreal. Tomorrow, I expect to add #105, the other osplet from the Newfoundland nest unless Hope continues to feed it and it somehow frees itself from that mud. 105. We are only beginning July. ——- Still, we must rejoice in all the ones that survive and, of course, one of those is our own Little Mini from Patchogue.

Dad brings in a fish to Mum and the two surviving osplets at Janakkalan.

Hope continues to brood and feed the chick that is alive and stuck in the mud of the nest. This is beyond sad. Will the chick get strong to free itself? is it injured? Why doesn’t someone climb the ladder and help? Bring some grasses, assess the chick and then decide what to do. Even bring a fish or two! It could help and it sure wouldn’t hurt. A great big show of human empathy is what is needed here!!!!

The second chick at Newfoundland is free from the mud but, is dying. Two very healthy babies. Sad beyond belief. There has been no shortage of fish. I wonder what this male thinks when his chicks die year after year after year.

Dad looking down at his dying chick. Poor thing is crying and raising its head.

‘H’ reports that with even five fish delivered yesterday the first hatch or in this case also the Alpha chick on the Fortis Exshaw nest is continually beaking the little one – not just at meals, all the time. We are now watching this nest for siblicide.

At the Minnesota Arboretum nest, the Mum has tried to create a little nest…if the wind would cooperate and leave the grasses alone. She is also continuing to feed the chick who is right at the table when fish is brought in when it is hungry. Things are looking good here. But like the Newfoundland nest there is a lot of sticky gumbo and these couples need nesting materials.

Will this osplet chick grow up not knowing that a nest needs lots of bedding? Instinct? Observed and learned?

The single surviving osplet is entering the Reptile phase. Send positive wishes…we are not out of the woods until this one has a successful fledge and returns to the nest.

Just look at the Clark PUD nest in comparison. The two chicks are doing well. (I worry if there are rains that the Minnesota chick will also get stuck in mud.)

I no longer count the bites of fish Mini gets (if I can see to do this). Mum is feeding her and she is also self-feeding. This chick is strong and resilient. She is also a beauty! Some images from the Patchogue nest today where hovering is reaching new heights! We are into fledge season for many!

Please look at these four beautiful osplets. Did you ever think that Mini would catch up with Third Hatch? I suspect but, will never know, that Big, Two, and Mini are females and Three is a male. Why? Little Mini’s growth continues while Three has stopped. Three’s legs are long and skinny. We can now see the size of Mini’s wings in comparison to Three which is right beside her.

Can you see the tail of Big? Hovering is off the scale on Tuesday. Fledge is near.

Look at Little Mini’s expression to the sibling hovering.

Gorgeous Little Mini.

Mini self-feeding.

The Patchogue nest was on high alert with Mum mantling at 10:11. No fledges yet but more wing flapping including our Little Mini! Yes, that is Mini with its wings spread. Smile everyone.

One of the chicks, perhaps, Big is dangling just like Big at Patchogue. Getting lots of air. ‘H’ reports, “The community held its July 4th parade, and the parade route traveled right in front of the nest.  So, there was a slight bit of a disturbance.  Otherwise, there may very well have been a fledge on 7/4.  ‘Big’ (I assume) did some decent hovering.  See the feet dangling in one of the attached pics.”

‘H’ reports that the Forsythe nest continues to do well. “There has been a heat wave along the coast, with temps in the low to mid 90’s for a few days.  The heat may be responsible for a reduced amount of fish being delivered to the Forsythe nest.  There were only four fish brought to the nest on 7/4, although two of them were pretty big.  Opal delivered the two large fish herself.  Big took the first small fish to self feed, then Middle stole the tail!  Cool Osprey stuff.  Even with the reduced amount of fish, ‘Big’ maintained his ‘composure’ (lol) . . no aggressive behavior.  (ages 44, 43 days on 7/5)”

The osplets at the Boulder County Fair Grounds wished they were a little smaller so they could fit underneath Mum during the rain.

The two surviving osplets at Collins Marsh appear to be thriving. Just look at that beautiful nest their parents have made for them.

The foster chick at the Patuxent River Park 1 nest fledged yesterday — and to the relief of all, returned to the nest 27.5 hours later! Look at the smile on that chick’s face. Great flying. I bet she is glad to be home. Thanks ‘H’ for the great news.

‘H’ adds “At 1319 Dad delivered a large fish to the nest, and in contrast to her usual demeanor, ‘Foster’ grabbed the fish from Dad.  Mom wanted the fish and a brief tug of war ensued, but Mom got the message, and ‘Foster’ won.  Foster’s crop was hollow, and she ate ravenously.  When she was full, there was still plenty of that fish left for Mom to feed to her foster siblings.  Dad delivered large fish two more times, and ‘Foster’ was back to being her normal reserved self, standing by until Mom had fed her offspring, and ‘Foster’ was then fed by her foster Mom.  (the siblings are 50 and 49 days old)”.

Blue 33 always makes me smile…On Tuesday, he delivered three fish to the nest in less than an hour! He’s got fledglings to feed. Blue 3H3 took off today and 3H5 is really doing fantastic at hovering.

As was mentioned in my blog yesterday, many of the females are out fishing to supplement the fish from the males. This has been a year of injuries and intruders that have caused all the Daddy Door Dashes to wish they had a cell phone and a credit card to the nearest live fish market.

Laddie was back delivering fish to the nest of Blue NC0 and the two kids today, thankfully.

I promised an update on the Australian nests and I keep forgetting. ‘A’ sent this to me after I hit ‘send’ on my Tuesday morning blog.

Sydney Sea Eagles: :A wet day, with Lady spending much longer on the eggs – 8.5 hours – and as usual only leaving them uncovered for short times. Dad brought in bird prey at 9:16am – a coot again – the cameras were down for some time. Lady took it off to eat, but Dad had a full crop too. I am wondering where he is catching the coots – I would expect people to see him hunting in the wetlands the coots are found in. Coots have very distinctive lobed feet. After a damp day, both eagles settled again as usual at dusk.”

Orange Falcons: “Xavier spent some time hanging out in the nest box today, doing some scraping. There were a couple of bonding sessions, with a two-minute chat and bonding at 17:48:40. Diamond then went to the Cilla Stones. She is sleeping on the Stones again tonight. Both appear well.”

Speaking of falcons, Annie and Lou are enjoying some peace and quiet after the 2023 season. I wonder if the fireworks bothered them? Or maybe SF didn’t have any loud light displays. — There were fireworks in the Channel Islands on the night of the 3rd and ‘B’ tells me that Thomas slept through them. Oh, that is wonderful. We worried about the impact on all the eaglets.

CBD Falcons: “At Collins Street, they will not turn on the cameras until about 10 or 12 days before the first hatch is due. Maybe a few days earlier than that but not much. So I will keep an eye on the local news for any sign of the first egg being laid. Of course, it is still several weeks away. August is usual, I believe.”

Royal Albatross: “In New Zealand, Manaaki had a very rare night-time feeding when a parent (identify impossible to discern in the darkness) arrived to feed him at 2.40am!!!”

‘A’ comments on what is happening at the Bald Eagle nest that adopted the little Red-tailed Hawk named Tuffy, “Meanwhile, I was disturbed to hear that the eagles who are fostering a red-tailed hawklet are starting to attack the chick and dropped it off the nest the other day. Poor little thing must be awfully confused by the schizoid behaviour of its foster parents, but I hope it wakes up to the danger in time to depart before it becomes a snack. What interests me is the number of these cases that are now becoming apparent. It suggests, of course, that this situation is way more common than we realised before the era of streaming cams – we are now seeing something we previously did not have an opportunity to observe for ourselves, and in the process we are finding that these ‘strange’ things are not as rare as we perhaps thought. The fact that the hawklets are faster-maturing than the bald eaglets and are confident little chicks who are not used to bonking on their natal nest and therefore confidently beg for food. I believe it is at that moment that the eagle parents recognise the hawklet as a baby chick rather than as prey. If the hawklet does not beg, it becomes lunch. If it does, it turns into a chick in the eyes of the eagles. The situation is obviously unstable, and if there are food shortages, the hawklet may be in serious danger. But many of these hawklets do seem to fledge and survive, albeit with a weird taste for fish!” 

In the UK, raptors are continuing to be openly shot on the wealthy estates. This one is Westerdale in North Yorkshire. When will the shooting and gaming community come together, buy some extra grouse – I understand there are often many left after the shooting parties, and let the wild birds live their lives.

2nd-red-kite-found-shot-nr-Westerdale-in-North-York-Moors-National-Park-in-recent-weeks-with-suspicDownload

There are young osprey chicks in Canada and ones getting ready to fledge. There is banding going on in the UK and other parts of Europe. Some of the Mums will begin to feed themselves to regain their lost weight, raising their chicks and preparing for their migration to Africa. It is hard to imagine, but in 3 weeks, females like Blue NC0 could leave their nests for their long journey. It is typical for the females to leave the nest first. The male stays and brings fish to the fledglings until they leave. He may remain and eat up before flying off – generally in September. I hope to have some news for us on the status of HPAI in West Africa as that is the winter home to many of the UK Ospreys. We also need to check and see what is happening with Avian Flu in South America, as it is the winter home to most of the North American ospreys.

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

I am grateful to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘A, B, H’, Finnish Osprey Foundation, Newfoundland Power, MN-Landscape Arboretum, Clark PUD, Boulder County Fair Grounds, Collins Marsh, PSEG, Patuxent River Park, LRWT, Friends of Loch of the Lowes and the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Sydney Sea Eagles, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, SK Hideaways and Cal Falcons, Severna Park, Fortis Exshaw, Patuxent River Park, Raptor Persecution UK, and the NZ DOC.

Mini Picks Fights, M3 fledges…Friday in Bird World

30 June 2023

Good Morning Everyone!

I got up early – it was cool for a change and not so humid and headed to Fort Whyte Alive. It has been a few days since I walked around that trail checking on the little ones and oh, was it good, to get out and get some exercise. What is that phrase? “Use it or lose it!” I remember a surgeon telling my mother that after she had broken her hip and it was all pinned…she did not want to get up. Well, she did when she realised that laying there might mean spending her entire life like that. Thank goodness.

The cutest Little Red wasn’t afraid of anyone walking by.

There were little ones around. Here are some images of them..and their proud parents. There are not many families and it was such a delight to turn a corner and encounter a family out foraging.

Hooded Merganser chicks! There were 18 of them at the final count.

The Canada Goose family with four chicks is doing fine. The males always follow behind, keeping the little ones in line! The rain has provided much-wanted new grass for everyone! And no worries, that chick is wet from the recent rain – is not ill!

The giggle for your morning continues to come from the Loch Arkaig nest. Gosh that chick is a character. Thanks, Geemeff.

Mini missed out on breakfast which must have caused her to be a little grumpy. Then she had a nice feed of fish around 11:42 before the Bigs came over and Mini moved away…she would definitely have linked more fish. Our girl is so skinny. She really needs to bulk up with the weight but it is difficult with the three Bigs. Well, Mini started staring at Three after puffing herself up…and then…

Despite having some fish, Mini’s crop is hollow and it is very hungry. This chick – as I will keep saying – needs fish to ‘bulk up’ for migration. Note the ‘thick’ legs and toes.

‘R’ reports that Mini picked another fight in the afternoon. Mini is hungry! Watch the video again and see how she puffs herself up to look bigger—perhaps sizing out the siblings. She needs to eat…and today, like other days, has been slim pickings. At 20:32, Mini finally – in desperation – grabs a bite meant for a larger chick. That bite was all Mini got. The fish was gone. This nest desperately needs more fish so that Mini can get a nice big crop…she is so thin.

When Ferris Akel was on the Cornell Campus Thursday evening, M3, the third hatch of Big Red and Arthur for the 2023 season fledged from the light tower to Rice to join the two other siblings who had previously fledged. Congratulations. Stay safe, sweetie.

The little one at the MN Landscape Arboretum nest had a few feedings on Thursday. Not much fish and adult female eating often and not offering, often off the nest for long periods not protecting the chick from the weather…makes me ache.

A nice fish came on the Collins Marsh nest and both chicks and Mum ate well. Nice.

Only Bob at Cowlitz PUD had a nice fish feed before tuck in Thursday night! In fact, this little one had several nice fish dinners on Thursday…and just look at it grow.

Oyster Bay continues to flourish.

The camera pixellation is not so defined as others but it is easy to see that both of the chicks – Kewok and Naika -on the Seaside osprey nest in Oregon are thriving this year.

It has been a good day at the Boulder County Fairgrounds Osprey platform and oh, Little is getting a private feed right before dinner. I so wish this was Little Mini eating…

Massive chicks – three of them at Carova Beach North in the Outerbanks.

The trio at Wolf Bay in Alabama are bigger than Mum…

In Finland, you will remember that the female went missing on nest #3. The father continued to bring fish filling the nest but the chicks were too young to self feed. One died and two were taken into care. There is now good news on two fronts. The two chicks taken into care are doing so well that they will be placed as fosters in other nests. And the Dad did a 30 minute sky dance for a new female and has even delivered fish to her. She could not find a better mate than Tuulos.

There are two chicks for Beau and Hope at Newfoundland Power – Snow Lane Platform.

Several fish for the duo at the Clark PUD nest in Washington.

Blue 022 comes in and checks out the supplies at Poole Harbour and returns with a nice fish and then another one so the chicks have a big tea before bed.

The ringing of the two osplets of Idris and Telyn is available on YouTube: (414) RINGING 2023-YouTube. For some reason it will not allow me to embed it for you. Those chicks were a female weighting 1920 with Darvic ring 7B3 and a male at 1515 arms with ring 7B4.

Everything is fine at the Llyn Brenig.

Laddie makes sure everyone is fed before they are tucked in for the night – and now, they are waiting for the breakfast fish!

One of the Great Spirit Bluff fledgling Peregrine Falcons was killed by an owl on the 22 June. That was Alice P58. All of the others, Thomas B59, Kami P59, and Jaycee P60 are still alive (do not believe the rumours they have all died).

‘H’ found some worrisome news about WBSE 30.

There are now three chicks at the Patuxent nest..if you go your eyes do not need to go to the doctor! There is a foster placement at the nest.

‘H’ checked on two other nests on Thursday – Fosythe and Kent Island.

Forsythe had already had three fish in the afternoon, with a feeding at 1412.  “I decided to observe their behavior to determine how well the chicks had been fed throughout the day.  They both waddled up to Opal, and ate peacefully side by side.  No sign of aggression.  Verdict: they had plenty of fish throughout the day.  ‘Big’ obviously had that feeling of ‘food security’, as you say.”

Kent Island: “I am aware of at least 4 large fish brought to the nest by Tom.  The fourth delivery was at 1522.  The chick was well fed.”

‘H’ also recommends a season tribute to the SW Florida Eagle Cam by LizM- again I am getting blocked but the title is (414) A Season to Remember Season 11-You Tube. It sure was a bittersweet year at SW Florida!

Mini is not the only one wanting fish. Soledad has been waiting for a prey delivery for over a day!

I need to go and check on Mini before I post this. I am so worried about Mini. She needs fish – a really good feed. My concern is that the big ones just take the fish now and leave nothing.

Well. Mini is being brilliant and staying close to the right side of Mum so that whenever a fish comes in, she is at the ‘good eating spot’. The others appear to be more interested in wing-flapping this morning, which is good. Mini ate from 0625-0636, then pulled at the leftovers on a bone at 0757. She eats again from 0853-0906. There appears to be not a lot of fish on those bones – Mum and Mini cleaned them up quickly. Hopefully, Mum is also feeding Mini faster, so it gets more before the others come around. Please wish for fish for Mini today!

Telling Mum she wants fish!

Eating.

Pulling on that bone.

Thank you so much for being with me today. Wish for fish! And take care of yourself if you are out in the heat. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, videos, and postings that helped me to create my blog today: ‘H, Geemeff, R, T’, Geemeff and the Woodland Trust, Ferris Akel, MN Landscape Arboretum, Collins Marsh, Cowlitz PUD, Seaside, Boulder County FG, Outerbanks, Wolf Island, Finnish Osprey Foundation, Newfoundland Power, Clark PUD, Poole Harbour, Dyfi Ospreys, Llyn Brenig, LOTL and The Wildlife Trust, Australian Raptor Care and Conservation Inc, Patuxent, Forsythe, Kent Island and Explore, SK Hideaways and SJCH Falcons.

Sydney Sea Eagle ‘Dad’ feared injured has returned…Thursday in Bird World

29 June 2023

Good Morning Everyone!

Did you miss June? It seems to have flown by. In Canada, school holidays are beginning. The nature centres will be full of young people learning about their environment, kayaking and canoeing, and, of course, the dreaded ‘fishing’. Still, we want them outside appreciating what Mother Nature offers and learning how to be good stewards of the land. If fishing increases the need for stocked ponds albeit with cleaning up line and hooks and using non-lead equipment or if duck hunting helps create more wetlands and places for the waterfowl, then I can live with that…not my best option but better than the alternative.

It is hot and humid and there is going to be rain today. That is grand. We need it. The rivers in the city are very low. There could even be a thunderstorm which means that Lewis will be quite anxious. And guess what? They were right. We had dark swirling clouds and a heavy and longish downpour. The garden turned even more emerald green than it was and the flowers perked up. The squirrels and Blue Jays have planted sunflowers everywhere. I had no idea that they could root in almost no soil…I will get some photos for you. Last year there were a few and in the fall the birds ate the seeds! Oh, it was magnificent. I love my ‘Gone to the Birds’ garden.

Missey and Lewis have been helping with the flower arrangement. They seem to prefer the asymmetrical look.

Of course, when I came to check they were snuggled up in the chair together not saying who did what! Precious rescue kittens. We are starting our 9th month together. According to Missey’s file, she will be a year old around the middle of July while Lewis will be a year old the following month.

One of Dyson’s babies. Isn’t it sweet?

Everyone was busy eating before and after the storm.

I am having a fun dinner party for an old friend that I have not seen in so many years…so I am starting early on Thursday and today’s blog will be much shorter than normal.

Let’s get started with Little . Of the four chick nests, there are now only a couple that still have four chicks and I want to be confident in Mini fledgling. It is looking better every day. Did Mini get the breakfast fish? That has to be the question for every day. The answer is YES! Mini ate for ten minutes from 0521-31 until Big took the fish. Mini was pecking at the leftovers at 0646. Another fish lands on that nest at 0825, and Little Mini is being fed until at least 0839 – Mini is sleeping with the bones at 0902, no doubt concealing that precious fish from the big siblings. Another giant fish lands on the nest at 0954. A Big Sib is trying to self-feed but is not having much luck unzipping that hard-headed fish…I have no worries that Mini will find a way to get some fish, even if it is scraps from that fish.

Loving how Mini is looking so healthy and standing up strong. Mini can move around the nest really quick too especially if there is fish.

Mini found scraps. Mini can self-feed better than Big!

Mini being fed from the 0825 fish. Chick 1 is really an enormous female. Just look at the size of that bird. We have to be thankful that Dad really kept the fish coming on the nest so the chicks never felt that there was a severe issue with food, Mum looks out for Mini. Wondered about that for a couple of days but, yes, Mini gets its fish. The big first hatch is a gentle soul. We have fretted over Mini but for a nest with four chicks in an urban area this has been an incredible experience.

If there is fish around, Mini is lurking or standing right up front. I don’t know how many scraps Mini got of the 0954 fish, but he was right up front when the 1137 fish landed. The kid ate, ate, and wound up with a nice big crop that could still be seen at 1346. Now Mini is funny. There was some leftover fish, and at 1250, Mini decided to cover it up under him! Clever. Love this little osplet…let us continue to hope that he survives (this has to be the world’s tiniest female or a tiny, tiny male).

1147: Mini having a great big feed. Way to go Mum!

1220: Mini ‘sniffing out’ the fish that one of the Bigs has. Mini will later hide that fish.

“If I just get up close and slide my wing over this piece of fish those big siblings will never miss it!”

“Fish? What fish?”

Look at Mini sitting up tall with its big clown feet. That sure does look like some necklace developing on Mini!

20:43. Mini is eating scraps off the nest…did we say ‘SURVIVOR’? This is from the 2018 fish…it is raining.

Our beautiful Mini with the skinny neck tonight…watch this one change. The chick behind Mini to the right has long legs like a male. Looks like 3. The other one to the left has thick stocky legs like a female.

Mini’s tail is growing.

Thursday morning did not start well for Mini. It missed the breakfast fish which was taken by one of the Bigs (#2). Mini found some old fish skin and was pulling on it. His crop is sunken…let us wish for a lot of fish today.

There is growing concern over the fate of the 21 year old male White-Bellied Sea Eagle, Dad, from the Sydney Olympic Park nest. He had two falls and has not been seen in more than 22 hours. Lady is incubating two eggs.

The latest reports on Dad are: “12:45pm BOTH eagles have been seen and heard – flying and duet. Ground obs have not been able to get a good look at Dad, other than he is flying ok. He had been high up in a tree not too far from nest when they started looking.” THEN: “1:30pm – Dad returned to nest, he is currently incubating. He doesn’t seem himself. While he remains in the treetops there is nothing we can do but monitor.” Gosh, isn’t this a relief! I hope Lady gets some much needed food.

More dual feedings at the Boulder County Fair Grounds – thank you, Dad. This nest is doing well because these two adults work so well together to make sure all three – including that little third – get fed. It reminds me of some of the UK nests in that regard. Lots of fish came on this nest today and everyone ate very well.

Deyani is growing up and she brought prey to her nest – and Tom and Angel’s – on the 27th. Growing up successfully!

Mum at Mn Landscape Arboretum fed the chick at 0551 and 0956. Much of the time Mum stands at the edge and eats – seemingly waiting for the wee one to come over. I was glad to see that twice Mum went to the chick. Maybe. Hard to hope.

‘M’ has noticed a ring on the male at this nest. If you are watching, keep an eye and please let me know if you get all the numbers. We know there is an MS or M5. Thank you. This pair have tried to bring in sticks and the minute they get on the nest, they fly off. I hope they bring some more fish. This wee one needs to be shaded and brooded! It does not have its thermal down so it can regulate its temperature…asking for small miracles.

From the observers of the MN LA nest:

The camera remains offline at Bridges Golf. This image is from Tuesday.

Lots of fish coming to the Boulder County Fair Grounds nest today. Everyone is eating well!

Slow fish delivery at Cowlitz PUD but…the little one got a good feed.

The chick, however, continues to have a hollow crop meaning it is hungry. Dad brought in a little mud puppy, but Mum is so hungry she might eat it all – her crop is hollow, too. It is regrettable…I wonder how many eagles are in the area taking Dad’s fish.

Boy, if we could only FedEx some of that nice fish at Seaside up to Cowlitz. Goodness.

Oyster Bay is great.

There had been some concern for Tom as in Tom and Audrey on Kent Island but ‘H’ reports that “Tom arrived with a large fish around 0630, some 20 hours after the last fish.  Our view of the actual feeding was blocked, but you can see that the chick’s crop after the meal was much improved.  Audrey and her baby polished off that entire fish!” That is excellent news.

At the Patuxent 1 nest, ‘H’ reports: “We will never know why the chicks appeared so starved the other day when the live stream returned.  It was days after the stormy weather had passed.  But all is well at this nest.  There were 5 large fish delivered that I saw.”

At FortisExshaw, the report is good. ” Jasper delivered 5 good sized fish that I saw.  And there were also feedings from leftovers.  The kids do not seem to mind eating leftovers, lol.”

Everything’s settling down at Forsythe! Thank goodness. ‘H’ counted ten feedings with Middle sometimes getting to eat alone! What a turn around. Food security is back.

‘H’ has also been monitoring the Osoyoos nest and says no pip seen in the third egg and the other two chicks are doing well.

All of the other nests -Severna Park, Dahlgren, Boathouse, and Barnegat Light-are reported by ‘H’ as doing well.   

A 19 year old male Osprey is getting much needed help at A Place Called Hope, one of my favourite rehab centres in Connecticut. Send all your positive energy his way! He has a family somewhere…let us hope his mate can care for the kids and that those osplets are old enough to leave so she can go fishing.

The ‘Grey’ Storklets are thriving in Germany.

M3 is still in the nest at Cornell and has not fledged yet. Big Red brought meals for M3. Meanwhile, Big Red and Arthur are making food drops and feeding M1 and M2 over on Rice.

Ferris Akel is on the Cornell Campus with Big Red and family on the day that M1 fledged, a week ago:

‘A’ reports on Diamond and Xavier’s scrape in Orange: “At Orange, there is a lot of bonding behaviour occurring, with Xavier bringing prey for Diamond (whether or not she ends up eating it is another question – her crop was HUGE this morning when she arrived in the scrape) and the pair of them having undisturbed bonding in the scrape twice today. Xavier is looking particularly healthy this season. Diamond is SO much larger than Xavier. She does look like a grand dame.  I do hope they don’t have more than two chicks this year, and a spoiled only chick is quite okay with us. Diamond is getting older and we don’t want to see her overly stressed by parenting. She is a gorgeous bird and many people love her dearly. She is definitely approaching old age in wild peregrine terms, so we do worry about her. At least, I do.”

 Things are so much better at the nest of Karl II and Kaia. The storklets are big and healthy with all the good little fish and frogs that are coming in.

The White Storks in Tukums, Latvia are also doing so well. What a relief for everyone.

We should all be concerned about the ocean and its fish and the need for their protection for all of the wildlife that depend on the seas. Birdlife International discusses this and the need for protections – as well as the UK and the EU working together.

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The wildfires from Canada that have been spreading acrid smoke have cost the environment.

Did you know that British Columbia has more Bald Eagles than anywhere else? Yes, that American symbol loves living in Canada – for the salmon! Hancock Wildlife has a couple of new eaglets with names. They have not fledged yet. Check out their camera and all the timely things that Hancock is doing – including building eagle nests with shade features and fighting the removal of eagle nests from parking lots.

Please remember to put out water for the birds and wildlife. You never know who might come to thank you.

Ringing continues to take place on the UK nests. I’ll let you know more about that as information comes in. BTW. How are you doing trying to cut plastic out of your life? It isn’t easy…I hope you won’t give up.

Thank you so much for being with me today as I touched on just a few nests that ‘H’ and I have been monitoring. Please take care! See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, tweets, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to create the content for my blog today: ‘A, H’, PSEG, Se McGregor and the Sydney Sea Eagle Cam, Boulder County Fair Grounds Osprey, Lady Hawk and Window to Wildlife, MN Landscape Arboretum, Twin Cities Metro Osprey Watch, Bridge Golf Course Ospreys, Cowlitz PUD, Seaside Ospreys, Kent Island, Patuxent River Park, Osoyoos, Forsythe, A Place Called Hope, @CornellHawks, @ProfBillMcGuire, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, The Eagle Club of Estonia, Liznm and Must-Toonekurg, Latvian Fund for Nature, The Guardian, Ferris Akel, Hancock Wildlife Foundation, Janice Betts and UK Bird Lovers, BirdLife International, and Frank Neufang.

Beautiful Mini…Wednesday in Bird World

28 June 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

Gosh, it was rainy and cool and just a lovely day. The vines that grow every year increasing the depth over the woodboxes, are having a tremendous growth spurt. The heat, humidity, and recent rains have contributed nicely. These are also where the birds have their nests, hide from predators, and escape from the rain and snow. Right now, the depth is about 45 cm or 18 inches – reminds me of the Sparrows living in the base of Mini’s nest at Patchogue.

Thought for the Day:

First up there are heat waves everywhere but the southern US is getting hit hard. Please leave out water for all the animals and birds and remember to change it and add fresh cool water often! Please feed the birds if you can.

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Today was a better day for the nests on the streaming cams. Because of that, I include other news of birds that we might have forgotten with all the recent trauma.

We have an excellent update on Connick, who is in care at the Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey in Maitland, Florida. Just look at this handsome boy. Thank you, Audubon, for taking such good care of Connick and feeding him those tasty non-fish meals he loves so much! Just think…an eagle in Florida that doesn’t like fish. That is too funny.

Oh, it is always good to have some interesting news in Bird World and today’s news comes from ‘T’ about a pair of storks in Germany. “When the white stork Heinrich and his new partner, a black stork, moved into the nest on a meadow belonging to Wolfgang Schulze in Lüder two months ago, an ornithological sensation was in the offing. In the meantime, this has become a joyful certainty. About a month ago, two young storks were born, and now an expert has ringed the animals, which could symbolically be called “grey storks”.”

Speaking of storks, there is a stork in a location that is entirely unexpected.

More good news from that Eagle nest in Redding, California that has the foster Red-tail Hawk. The female had been a little aggressive towards Tuffy and there was fear that Tuffy might become the next meal. Well, things are fine! Here is the latest report:

I honestly don’t know if it is good news or not…The female at the MN Landscape Arboretum nest has fed her only surviving osplet Tuesday morning. Poor little thing. What a horrible nest and a parent that appears young and so inexperienced.

Another feeding later. Do we dare hope?

Little Mini at Patchogue got some early fish and then was shut out. It has been going around the nest finding scraps and eating. It found an old piece, not too bad, at 1335 and yanked it out of the nest material and ate it. Our baby is very hungry but it reminds me of Tiny Tot Tumbles at Achieva in 2021. That chick ate old bones – anything it could find – and she survived. So send good thoughts to our dear Mini.

Well, Mini was determined to eat and wasn’t going to let anyone stop her. The fish arrived at 1555 and she was fed until 1648! She ate the entire fish…the others had scraps from earlier fish they were feeding on or just not interested. Tears of joy!

Mini sees the fish.

Mini moves to the other side.

Our beautiful Mini.

Two osplets, nice and healthy hatches, from the Belleville, Ohio Osprey platform that was predated on the 24th of June and the second taken on the 25th of June. So sad.

I have missed telling you about Osoyoos. ‘H’ reported the first hatch to me yesterday (2 days + today) and now we have the second. Soo is an excellent experienced Mum and that second hatch was eating not long out of the shell! Let us all wish them cooler weather and more and bigger fish this year.

The three osplets at Boulder are hot but are getting fed nicely. Little is doing OK.

The two surviving osplets at the Bridges Golf Club are hungry.

Rain at Outerbanks but it doesn’t stop the fish coming to the nest.

Seaside is doing great!

Being an Only Bob can be a very good thing. The little one at Sandpoint is getting all the fish!

There are still two growing osplets at Collins Marsh in Wisconsin.

Great Bay is following its name – the chicks are doing ‘great’.

Patuxent 1 news from ‘H’: “The live stream came back online around 10:15 am, after being down for four days.  The first fish came at 1458, a large whole fish.  The Osplets both had hollow crops going into that feeding.  Both chicks were very hungry, and Big displayed some dominance.  There was nothing severe, but many times Big would stand tall and give Middle ‘the look’, and Middle would step aside.  The feeding lasted from 1458 to 1542, and Middle only had a small crop after the meal. The next fish and feed 1627 to 1706.  More dominance displays from Big.  When Big finally quit eating at 1654, Middle had a decent meal.  View was blocked, but I’m sure Middle’s crop was much bigger after that meal.” (There is later news below).

‘H’ is still watching the Forsythe situation carefully as Big is continuing aggression towards Middle. “Oscar was MIA for awhile and Opal brought in 2 fish on Tuesday.”

At Barnegat Light, ‘H’ reports: “Daisy managed to remove Middle’s body yesterday.  We did not actually witness her doing so, the cam was focused on a close up of the chick at the time.  When the cam zoomed back out, the body was not there, and Daisy was seen on the beach.  Banding took place this morning at 0745.  Red band 09/N on right leg.  Ben (Conserve Wildlife NJ) also installed a new perch for the adults.  Ben will come up with a name for the chick later today.”

‘H’ reports that both of the chicks at Severna Park are now self-feeding.

At Patuxent 1, ‘H’ says “Update from yesterday.  After the cam came back on yesterday from being offline for 4 days, the chicks looked starved with hollow crops.  I already reported on two fish seen yesterday.  There was a later fish at 1830, a large partial fish brought by Dad.  Dad waited a bit for Mom to return, but he eventually fed the two chicks.  There was no aggression, although Big ate first.  Both chicks had a nice meal. Mom returned later.  And, Dad also delivered a huge headless fish at 2041 and again, both chicks were stuffed.”

At FortisExshaw, ‘H’ notes that “There were at least four large fish delivered that I saw, and at least three feedings from leftovers.”

All is well at the Boathouse…don’t we just love Little Skipper? Only Bob, healthy Bob. Thanks, ‘H’ for keeping an eye.

Blue NC0 sees Laddie flying in with the evening tea fish and she is calling and calling. The chicks are older and so excited and calling with Mum. All is good on the nest since the ringing.

Bonus and Waba are on the move and that direction is ‘North’! Just look at those Black Storks – just one year old – fly!

Our Manitoba Peregrine Falcon family has its Darvic rings.

We are so used to seeing human-made platforms for Ospreys that we forget what an osprey nest in the wild might look like. So here is the nest of Samson at the Borders in the UK.

The weather has not be conducive to getting lots of fish on the nest. Rosie Shields has some excellent images in her latest newsletter. Sadly, the weather has turned and Samson is having some difficulties getting fish on the nest resulting in some pecking by the older chick to the younger and some apprehension of the little one to get up and eat. Samson is working hard but there is also an intruder…oh, what a year this has been. Send this nest your good wishes.

The Borders nest reminds me of Iris’s Owl Pole. She has been having a rough time with all the intruders. Stay safe, Iris! On the 26th with one of her big catches. Dear Lady, we love you…

When we get down, remember that there are good people everywhere helping the raptors when they can.

Thank goodness, the Duke Farms nest collapsed after the two eaglets had fledged! There have been a number of nest collapses this breeding season. Goodness.

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Big Red continues to bring prey to the nest for M3. Wondering what the ‘M’ is all about? In 2012 when the cam was installed, Big Red had already had a couple of successful years that were known. (She hatched in 2003 and has probably had chicks since 2005 or 2006). So they began with the letter ‘C’. We are now up to M for this season. Chicks are not named.

If you are a long-time reader of my blog, you will recall that I am highly interested in how ospreys do when admitted to care. There is a belief which seems erroneous that they do not do well. Last year in June, the female at the Emma Lake Pitkin County Open Space and Trails nest accidentally pulled the two chicks off. One died. One went into care.

This is the latest news I have seen on that chick that survived and went into care.

This year there are three osplets on that nest and they are doing fantastic.

Ron and Rose are still at the nest with their eaglets R4 and R5. Here is a glimpse of one interaction.

The membership fees for the Friends of Osprey (South Australia) are going to erect platforms all over the region. Several have gone up in the past month. Here is another. Many have had to rear their young on nests on the ground, which is highly susceptible to predation.

Newfoundland Power has two osplets! Send them your best wishes.

The Clark PUD chicks are entering the Reptile phase.

The third hatch at the Evergy Topeka Falcon scrape is making great progress in getting feathered. Adults are leaving prey items.

Six fish were delivered to the Crooked Lake Osprey nest today. Chicks are really looking good with those juvenile feathers.

The camera at Charlo Montana was hit by lightning but I can now report that there are two osplets. It appears that the hatch dates were the 14 and 16 of June.

Those two beautiful Glaslyn chicks of Aran and Elen have been ringed and have names. The first hatch is a big female at 1910 grams. She is Blue 7B3 and is named Cennen. The second hatch is a male weighing 1515 grams and is named Seiont.

Thank you so much for being with me today. So many nests, never enough time! Take care of yourself…see you soon! And remember – head outside and listen for the birds.

Thank you to the following for their notes, videos, posts, and streaming cams that helped to make up my blog today: ‘H, T’, Anthony Douglas Williams, The Guardian, Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey, Maria Marika FB, Michael Winger and Polar Educators International, Doug Gillard and Nor Cal Birding, MN Landscape Arboretum, PSEG, Osoyoos Ospreys, Boulder Fair Grounds ospreys, Bridge Golf Club, Outerbanks 24/7, Seaside Ospreys, Sandpoint ospreys, Great Bay Ospreys, Patuxent River Park 1, Forsythe Ospreys, Conserve Wildlife of NJ, Severna Park, Patuxent River Park, Fortis Exshaw, Audubon Boathouse, Loch of the Lowes and the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Dennis Swayze and MB Birding, Rosie Shields and The Borders, Montana Osprey Project, Celia Aliengirl and Bald Eagles Live Nest Cams and News, The Patch, Cornell RTH, Pitkin County Open Space and Trails, Heidi McGrue and the WRDC, Colin Phil Cook and Friends of ospreys Sth Bus, Newfoundland Power, Clark PUD, Evergy Topeka, Crooked Lake Ospreys, and Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn.

Some good news…Monday in Bird World

26 June 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

Thank you for your wonderful notes and your cheerful suggestions on what you do when you feel stressed. Gosh, what a wonderful ‘Bird Family’ I have! so caring and compassionate. ‘M’, I will watch those sparrows netting under the Ospreys at Patchogue! Every time I get mad at Big for raising its head when Mini has a chance to eat I promise I will seek those birds out!

There is some good news coming in from Sunday. I have already posted it but everyone is so thrilled that Duke has returned to Daisy at Barnegat Light. Gone a little over 72 hours. Not sure if he has eaten. Duke looks thin and was interested in Daisy’s fish. Daisy has done magnificently as a single Mum for a few days despite losing two of three chicks…she could ahve lost them all. It is sad to see a big healthy Middle, a fat little osplet, on the nest dead. What a few days it has been in osprey World.

Happiness is a walk around a duck pond or through the forest when the sun is warm on your face and at every turn there is a new surprise. Today it was in the form of little ducklings and goslings and all the birds enjoying the bird bath or the fledgling Blue Jays trying to crack a peanut so that it is the right size to eat.

The Canada Geese or moulting. There will be feathers all over the area around the pond for the next 4-6 weeks. T hey undergo an entire moult and cannot fly during this time.

This lucky family had five goslings. Dad was behind being security guard.

A juvenile Mallard.

Proud Mum had several of those little fuzzy duckling juveniles.

Coming home, the fledgling blue Jays were having a wonderful time in the bird bath!

Our top tip of the day comes form Amy Tan and it is great advice – costing around $1-$5 – to keep birds from colliding with windows and being injured or dying.

Now see the spider webs.

For the first time, Ospreys are breeding in an area of Germany where there were none! The ringing of the beautiful osplets today. Talk about happiness.

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It is only 1515 at the Barnegat Light nest of Daisy and Big Bob. Daisy has already brought in four fish on Sunday. Big is eating well and Daisy is eating, too. They will be fine unless another catastrophic event happens. Daisy adjusted quickly to being a single Mum providing for the nest – the weather did not cooperate but she will get to raise one healthy chick to fledge, hopefully.

Daisy protecting her only surviving osplet. Big is 26 days old today.

Well, of course, the good news is that Duke has returned to Daisy and their nest. He looks thin. He was gone over 72 hours.

‘H’ notes that Daisy hid the body of Middle on Duke’s arrival. Poor Mum. She did her best and we have no idea what Dad went through…just glad they are together with one chick. ‘H’ also confirms that Duke did steal the fish that Daisy had but went fishing and brought another one in for the family. Poor guy. He was so hungry. Wonder where he had been?

The other great news is that Little Mini at Patchogue lucked out and had two good meals so far on Sunday. The first was at the crack of dawn at 0500 and the second came at 13:28. Little Mini ate the entire fish! No one else was interested. This is what will save our Mini…and it is Sunday. So good going!

Oh, thank goodness. Mini got a little more fish from the 1707 delivery. How much before the big ones come to the table…well, unknown. Mini is so hungry it is not leaving the table but is increasingly intimidated by the bigger siblings.

Mini stays and starts getting fed again at 1812. What a relief. Nope. The Bigs come back! Mini needs to grab that fish. Mum offers and he keeps his head down.

Mini has a tiny mini crop.

Mini did really well Monday morning. Right up there with Three eating! This is a really good break through for our wee one who is getting so many feathers it is hard to tell 4 from 3.

Thanks Stephen for this great photo of another survivor at South Bend.

Continuing to be grateful to the Finnish Osprey Foundation for removing the surviving chicks from nest 3 for care.

At the Forsythe Nest, ‘H’ confirms that Oscar brought in 13 fish on Sunday. Big was extremely aggressive and almost pushed Middle over the edge. That aggression died down a bit and Middle did eat. Let us hope that this all stops. Big is 34 days old and Middle is 33.

Osoyoos: ‘H’ was then that called the pip! Sunday 23:21. Oh, I hope this nest has a good year without the heat domes of past.

Boulder County Fair Grounds is sometimes not an easy nest to watch. There is plenty of fish but Little sometimes appears to get shut out. It had a couple of reasonable feeds by 1600 on Sunday.

Cowlitz PUD: Did not see any fish deliveries up to and including 1330 nest time. Where are the fish?

Seaside: Those two chicks are really growing! Would love to ship the Cowlitz baby over to them some days!

RVA Ospreys, James River: Two Ospreys on the nest on Sunday. No clutch this year. Maybe next.

Great Bay Ospreys: LOTS of fish. Some dominance issues with the Big sibling but the second hatch got some fish!

Moraine Preservation Fund: Trio are doing well and this is a nest where the Dad steps up to feed the chicks! We need more of that wired into their system!

Outerbanks 24/7: Chicks are well fed. Betsy flew off with a fish at 1431 when kayakers came too close to the nest. The osplets pancaked. There need to be barriers around the nests and notices to people in boats, motorised or not.

Oyster Bay: Everything is good.

Maryland Western Shore for Old Town: Fantastic day!

The Bridge Golf Club Ospreys, Noyack, NY: Trio on the nest. Larger two siblings will not let the very tiny third hatch eat. To be fair, the second hatch is quite thin and the little one is so tiny and so hungry. This nest is not thriving.

Sandpoint: Chick hatched on 22 June. Eating well.

Cape Henlopen: No ospreys and the Black Vultures have come to use it as a spot to rest and scope out the area.

White Stork Nest, Tukums, Latvia: Since the rain this nest has been doing fantastic. Storklets growing and appear to be very healthy.

The construction of the new nest for Martin and Rose is now finished. Thank you Window to Wildlife. Pi and Pat were apparently watching from a distance. It is approximately 6 ‘ x 3’.

‘A’ is worried about some events at the nest of Angel and Tom and Deyani. She writes, “at Angel’s nest, there was no food brought to Deyani today (Sunday). She visited the nest several times during the day, attacked the nest a little, pancaked for an afternoon rest for a while, but left late in the afternoon and did not return. There were early evening storms in the area, and about an hour ago, there was very heavy rain and thunder. Then, about 15 or 20 minutes ago, and once more as I type this, there were several shots fired. They were about 30 seconds or so apart and there were three or four of them. Then, as I said, about a minute ago, another shot rang out. It was pitch dark when the first shot was heard. They were fairly close to the microphone (which is in a tree at least 100 metres from the nest). I have no idea what anyone would be shooting at out there in the dark, but I sure hope it’s not Angel. The others would not be visible to a shooter. I am presuming all is okay, but it’s always worrying. Deyani is unlikely to be starving, and could easily have been fed off-nest today, but we will see what happens tomorrow. She is a strong flyer and seems able to manoeuvre around the trees well, so I am fairly confident she will be fine.” Lamping is the term for hunting at night with lights. I really hope that nothing untoward has happened to anyone in our hawk family. This is one reason the location of nests is often not disclosed. — Angel is sleeping on a branch Sunday night so is OK.

Window to Wildlife has a fundraiser to upgrade Angel’s camera for next year. Information is under the streaming cam above the live chat. There are lots of worthy fundraisers out there….

In the mailbox: ‘D’ shares a photo from her holidays. An osprey nest above a Go-Kart track in a busy shopping mall in North Carolina. She was surprised that the ospreys were not bothered by all the humans and the noise and adds that when asked the people at the mall and track said that the osprey return every year.

Ospreys have had to adapt based on humans taking over their natural habitats and cutting down dead trees. Ospreys prefer the top of a dead tree with a clear view in every direction. This differs from eagles that like to build their nest on the tops of conifer trees. Both have suffered good nesting sites due to our increasing demand for land, and artificial nests and platforms are being constructed in almost every country. Living around humans is a high cost compared to a nice site near a lake. “The Ospreys’ ability to adapt to and prosper within urban and suburban areas, combined with their recent reproductive success and thriving populations, has resulted in conflicts between Ospreys and the electric utility, communication, and transportation (e.g., aviation) industries. Human–Osprey conflicts vary widely in scope and scale, ranging from minor conflicts, such as an individual Osprey nest built on a human-made structure (e.g., cellular tower), to major problems, such as local populations of Ospreys directly or indirectly impacting human safety near civilian airports and military airfields through nesting and movement activities. Creative, mutually beneficial management and mitigation practices for both people and Ospreys are needed to allow for the successful coexistence of Ospreys and humans, especially in landscapes highly altered by humans.” Here is the full article from the Journal of Raptor Research:

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Thank you so much for being with me. I hope to cover more of the international Osprey nests tomorrow and in particular, the UK ones where ringing is taking place. Take care all. See you soon.

Thank you to everyone that sent notes, videos, tweets, posts, and operated streaming cams that helped to make up my blog today: ‘A, D, H, M, T’, Amy Tan and Nor Cal Birding, Gregarious Joris Toonen and Ospreys, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, PSEG, Stephen M Basly, Finnish Osprey Foundation, Boulder County Fairgrounds, Cowlitz PUD, Seaside Ospreys, RVa Ospreys, Great Bay Ospreys, Moraine Preservation Fund, Outerbanks 24/7, Maryland Western Shore for Old Town Home, Bridge Golf Club, Sandpoint Ospreys, Cape Henlopen State Park, Latvian Fund for Nature, Window to Wildlife, Forsythe Ospreys, Osoyoos Ospreys, and the RRP.

Utter heartache as osprey chicks die…Friday in Bird World

23 June 2023

Good Morning Everyone!

I don’t know how many tuned in to the Zoom chat about birding with Amy Tan and Christian Cooper, sponsored by The New York Times, but it was a great discussion about how people get interested in birding. Cooper has a new book out and Tan is writing a book about her backyard birding experiences for release next year. Can’t wait to read both of them. If you missed it, here it is recorded on YouTube:

Lewis did not feel the anxiety that I was having checking on the osprey nests today. Instead, he decided to sleep right in front of me as I watched the Blue Jays so that he could get some good scratches now and again.

It was quite the morning in the garden. There are at least six fledgling Blue Jays – not just the one sitting in the rock bird nest. They have delighted for hours. Some know how to get a peanut open, others don’t. All know that cats are a ‘danger’ and one even flew directly at the window of the conservatory at Missey. I was shocked – so was the Blue Jay.

One of the recent fledglings. Just look at those feathers! They are incredible. They are getting their crests and Junior is losing his – he can now do his annual moult since the babies are now fledged. The patterning…stop, look. It is like a study for a design class using a limited palette.

Each of the fledglings has a ‘different’ pattern and ‘look’. You get to know them as individuals if you stop and watch for long periods of time. That was one of the takeaways from Amy Tan who does her birding mostly in her garden – she has learned the behaviour of her garden birds and their distinct personalities. It is precisely the same for many of us. The first birds we noticed and those that bring us joy every day are those that are in our garden or the local park we visit. They are family.

This is the little fledgling that was nestled with the clay birds on the deck. he is a good flyer and he can open peanuts (or maybe it is a she).

Notice the different pattern on this one to the one above.

The growing numbers in Junior’s family meant a trip to get shelled and unshelled peanuts and more Blue Jay mix. Watching these fledglings learn about the world brings such happiness and takes my mind off the weather and ultimately, the osplet deaths that may come from the Long Island and New Jersey coastal area nests.

I began writing this blog on Thursday watching and with great tears knowing that we were going to lose a lot of chicks. So, the narrative will change for a few of the nests as you read through. As you do read of all the sadness, pause for a moment and get a little angry. Do not let anyone tell you that the weather and the fires are ‘just nature’. Humans have destroyed nature. In the event that the males cannot fish due to these storms, it is now time for us who have destroyed their habitat, the climate, the water, to step up and provide food until the storm has passed. It can be done. We just have to take responsibility. I want to thank ‘H’ who has helped me for two years now observing nests. She chose many of those that have been hit the hardest and this morning she says she is ‘just crushed’. You get so attached to these little ones when you watch them for days – invested in their eating, mourning when they die. To have this one storm impact so many nests – and believe me, the wild nests are suffering the same heartache – is often just too much to take in.

It is not looking good for Hera at South Cape May Meadows. She will, ultimately, have to try and find some food for herself. It is doubtful the three osplets – only wee – will survive two days without food and cold damp weather. I am already grieving for her. She will keep them warm and dry as long as she can but, ultimately, she will have to leave the nest to fish. They cannot thermoregulate. It is not clear if Zeus is missing or simply cannot catch enough fish to feed the family and is not returning to the nest. The last time I checked the eldest could barely raise its head and fish cry.

The males have not been seen at the nests at Barnegat Light and Forsythe either although Duke has been caught on camera elsewhere. They know their family is hungry and their chicks are starving but there is nothing they can do. The weather – the rain and the heavy winds – have churned up the water so that they cannot see the fish. They must eat to be able to carry on as does the Mum.

At South Cape May, “Two of the babies died overnight.  The third will die soon if not fed.  Hera brooded all night.  No fish for 60 hours at 0700 on 6/23.  Zeus has not been seen since 6/20.  Surely Little died.  Big and Middle were close in age.  Ages on 6/22 were 7, 6, and 4 days old.”

My heart aches for Hera. They are showing season highlights. All chicks have passed.

Forsythe has had no fish either for more than two days. The chicks are older and can thermoregulate but the end result is, as ‘H’ reports, “Oscar delivered a very small whole fish at 0639, after 60 hours.  Little was too weak to approach the feeding.  Big beaked Middle.  Opal took one bite.  Big was the primary recipient of the fish.  Middle got 3 bites.  The fish lasted 2 1/2 minutes. Opal has left the nest a few times the last couple of days.  She must have eaten, I suspect.  But, she apparently was not able to catch fish for the kids.  Same with Oscar.  He would have had to have fed himself. This is just so sad on many levels.”

Barnegat Light is in the same situation. The weather is miserable and there was no fish for the second full day in a row. The dead and dying, ” Little died overnight at just under 19 days of age.  No fish since 1006 on 10/21, and I don’t think Little was able to eat much at those early 6/21 meals.  Duke has been seen the past couple of days, but not at the nest.  Ages on 6/23: 23, 22, 19 days.”

It was raining at Severna Park Maryland but fish were coming to the nest. It is unclear who got the lion’s share but Middle did get some as Mum was quick to feed him. H reports, “at least five fish were delivered to the nest by Olivia and Oscar.  ‘Big’ is self-feeding!  Ages 45, and 44 days on 6/22.”

Mum feeding Middle.

At Chesapeake Bay, Kent Island: “The weather was improving, and Tom brought three fish that I saw.  Audrey fed the little one at least 5 times. Things seem to be clicking better between Audrey and Tom, but they do seem to have an ongoing intruder issue.  The little nestling is 10 days old on 6/22.”

At Dahlgren: “The two siblings have always been quite civil to each other, but then they had a ‘big fight’ yesterday afternoon that was started by Middle.  Well, at the next feeding, at 1917, they were back to being besties, no aggression!  What a relief!  Ages 35 and 31 days old, and ‘Big’ is self-feeding.”

The weather is a bit miserable in Boulder as well but fish are arriving at the nest for all three chicks and Mum and Little is being fed. The male is very interesting. Big fish come on the nest and there is dominance – Little always has to wait as the rain began to fall later with the arrival of a fish, Dad stepped in and moved Mum and got the other’s attention away so she could feed Little. It was very interesting. He has also on occasion done dual feedings! Was this a small third hatch male ill-treated when he was in the nest?

Good night, Boulder.

The two surviving chicks at Collins Marsh are doing well. It is a ‘hot’ nest – constructed out of what appears to be a metal disk covered with twigs on top of a fire watch tower moved to the nature centre. The fish are not always plentiful despite there being a pond and wetlands. I would personally suggest that anyone associated with this centre or if you know someone who is – that they consider stocking the pond. It really helps!

Cowlitz can always use more fish – any fish. It is a blessing that there is only one osplet this year. It would cost so little to stock that water! At the Kisatchie National Forest, it is my understanding (please correct me) that the lake is stocked annually. Yes, for fishers but, it helps the wildlife, too.

Clark PUD in Vancouver, Washington. Does anyone know this nest. It looks hot! One chick is/or entering Reptile phase another with down and looks like a DNH. Let me know if you have any history of this nest. Thanks!

Audubon Boathouse: H reports: “Plentiful fish, and doting parents, what a lucky kid!  Age 12 days on 6/22.”

Fortis Exshaw: H reports, “Jasper delivered 4 fish that I saw, and Louise fed the babies at least 6 times.  Trying to ascertain if the youngest is getting fed is difficult.  There is a lot of bobbing and weaving in that deep nest cup at meal times.  At the 1636 feeding, I did count at least 18 bites for Little. Louise seems to ensure that all get fed.   Ages 4, 4, and 2 days on 6/22.”

At Patuxent, there are persistent problems with the park tour boat interfering with the nests. They are coming too close. It is too stressful for the birds. H reports on Patuxent I, ” Fish deliveries started to recover a bit on 6/22 after the worst of the stormy weather of the past couple of days.  They had at least two large fish.  The osplets are 22, 21, and 18 days old on 6/22.:

Patuxent II: H reports, “Also improved fish deliveries today, as the weather is improving.  Of note was a large live fish delivered at 1305.  As Mom was dragging the heavy fish into position, a park tour boat full of tourists steered very close to the nest to provide a better photo opportunity.  This human interference cause Mom to fly away with the fish.  She did return later with the fish after the tour boat had passed.  The osplets on 6/22 are 39, 37, and 33 days old, and they eat very nicely together.”

Here is that ‘tourist attraction’:

At the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, there are two new little osplets.

Patchogue: It is a good thing that Little Mini had some fish at the beginning of Thursday because the Bigs were sure hungry.

Mini workings its wings at 0617.

Mini having breakfast at 0659.

Mini having fish before bed at 1947:

The Big ones are increasingly heading up to eat first and Mini is having to wait. It has had some fish but not sure how much twice Friday morning.

Loch of the Lowes: The two chicks of Laddie and Blue NC0 were ringed on Friday.

Dyfi Ospreys: These two gorgeous osplets of Idris and Telyn will be ringed on the 27th. They will be given names that day as well – either rivers or mountains of Wales.

Glaslyn: Everything is good with Aran and Elan and the two bobs who will also be ringed but not for another 10 days and a bit!

Poole Harbour: The sun coming up over the horizon on CJ7 and her precious trio.

Loch Arkaig: Louis is such an amazing Dad. Poor Dorcha, she gets a lot of beaking from the wee one. Geemeff wonders if this is part of behavioural development if there is no sibling. I wonder. We certainly recall the Finnish osplet from 2022 who was quite aggressive towards Mum.

Good and bad news coming in from Kielder Forest:

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At the scrape of Monty and Hartley, Soledad is really flapping off any baby feathers that could be left – and screaming for food! Ah, Monty has to feed his baby. What a dad! She is so much bigger than he is!

Ferris Akel had a special tour to check on M1 after her brilliant first flight today at the nest on the Cornell Campus of Big Red and Arthur. She is certainly a beauty.

That fledge happened at 0600. traditionally raptor fledges happen in the morning or early evening – not at night and usually not in the heat of mid-day.

M2 and 3 on the nest thinking about flying.

Big Red keeping a good eye on all that is happening. S he knows precisely where each of her chicks are.

Thanks, Ferris for the tour. There will be another fledge soon!

Chase and Cholyn’s Anthony fledged and got a reward for returning to the nest.

It will continue to be a sad day on the NE coast of the US and their osprey nests. It is inevitable that all will be lost at South Cape May if not already and perhaps more at Forsythe and Barnegat Light. Our thoughts go out to these families. Thank you for being with me. Send positive wishes to all the nests that are struggling and those that are doing well. Events such as weather can change things overnight. Take care. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, videos, posts and streaming cams that helped to make up my blog this morning: – A big shout out to ‘H’. Also Geemeff and SP, the New York Times, SCMM, Forsythe, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, Severna Park, Chesapeake Conservancy, Dahlgren Ospreys, Boulder County FG Ospreys, Collins Marsh, Cowlitz, Clark PUD, PSEG, LOTL, Dyfi, Bwywd Gwyllt Glaslyn, Poole Harbour Ospreys, Geemeff and Friends of Loch Arkaig and the Woodland Trust, Sk Hideaways and the San Jose City Hall Falcons, Ferris Akel Tours, IWS, Audubon Boat House, Patuxent River Park, Heidi McGru and Patuxent River Park, Fortis Exshaw, MN Landscape Arboretum, and Kielder Forest.

American Eagle Day…Tuesday in Bird World

20 June 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

I am just starting my blog for tomorrow and the news on the TV is on – I don’t have TV at home (only the wifi cable) so sometimes it is a bit of a treat but this is all about weather – no BBC news. There is SNOW in British Columbia (Kelowna), flooding in Alberta, 20 tornadoes in Mississippi, and deadly storms moving from Texas to Florida. Of course, I am thinking about all the birds and wildlife – there are many others thinking about people! Please stay safe!

It is a beautiful day in Manitoba. The thunderstorms that were forecast have not happened. The breeze on the island is a nice change from the hot humid city.

A beautiful spot to have dinner while watching Barn Swallows and Dragonflies eat the mosquitoes and the huge horse flies!

Ringed-billed Gulls are one of the most common birds in North America. They are easily distinguished from other gulls by their mustard yellow bills and that thick black ring. But look at those eyes…in the 9th and 10th centuries, the Chinese perfected porcelain and high-fire glazes. One was celadon – designed to mimic jade. But the range of celadon hues went from light watery blues to olive green. That eye is also extraordinary with its kohl-like liner. Soft grey feathers on the back and wings and a black tail with white splotches complete its beautiful ‘costume’. Of course, the mustard yellow leggings match the bill!

It was difficult to tell the species of ducks…there were definitely Mallards and Green-winged Teals.

There were wee ones paddling about.

This is one of a pair of Tundra Swans at this pond, but at another, there were twelve. The Marina owner told me there were initially two, then six last year, and that number has now doubled. Everyone is delighted! We even had one lone Tundra Swan wintering over in a pond fed by an Artesian Well near Oak Hammock Marsh this past winter.

The roads were lined with Crows and Red-winged Blackbirds. There were hundreds of ducks and a Bald Eagle flew over the pond at dusk. Pelicans and gulls were flitting about along with a myriad of songbirds.

I learned two exciting things this evening. The first one is fascinating in light of changing climatic conditions. Bald Eagles are now at Hecla Island in January because there is ice fishing. Remember – migration is more about a constant food supply than it is about temperature. Eagles prefer cooler weather as opposed to the hot (sorry Florida!). The second is that American White Pelicans have breeding nests around Deer Island. I hope to go by boat before I head home.

I am hoping to see a few more Bald Eagles flying low on American Eagle Day!

Speaking of eagles, our dear Murphy is back in his own enclosure, free to have a nice bath in the pool and eat his food without his ‘little baby’ taking it! Murphy gave us all hope that the impossible could be made possible through love and compassion.

Thank you for all the notes about Little Mini at the Patchogue Nest. Sundays are always difficult with Dad not being able to bring in many fish. This generally translates into the big siblings being ravenous on Monday. Still, Mini seems to have eaten well enough.

‘L’ wrote that Little Mini had a nice late feeding! Well done, Mini.

Tiny Little not only had the private late feeding but everything is back to normal…he got the first fish while the others slept and preened. Way to go Tiny! You are not so tiny anymore…look at those lovely feathers coming!

The Marders have retrieved the two osplet bodies. Thank you ‘SW’ for sending me that message. I am so pleased that people want to follow up and find out what caused this tragedy, as it might lead us to understand what has happened at some of the other nests that lost osplets. The surviving chick appears to be doing better. Fingers crossed.

‘A’ has been anxiously awaiting two events – Deyani’s fledge and the second egg at the WBSE nest in Sydney. Here is her report:

“Lady did not leave the nest after she returned from her break this morning (as per my earlier email), but I note that she has a very healthy crop, so obviously had a nice breakfast during her short break this morning. Just before 11:31 she stands, stretches and reveals – ONE egg. Still no potential sibling. I repeat – if it is not laid in the next few hours, we will have a gap of more than 72 hours between eggs (it’s already closing in on 70 hours). That is Not A Good Thing. The only salvation will be a mixed-gender nest where the second hatch is female. Otherwise, I would be anxious for a second hatch.”

Lady laid her second egg today. It was visible at 0704. Hard incubation begins!

“As night fell, Deyani was glowing in the dark, just like her beautiful mum. Her chest is quite snowy-white and she looks almost ethereal. Oh how we will miss this energetic little ball of fun. She and her gorgeous parents have been an absolute joy this season, have they not? I am already looking forward to next year, with the hope that this time, the hawklet can have a sibling.”

It is a really good thing that Deyani has not fledged. It has rained – pouring down rain and that brings me to memories of Little Yurruga or Indigo as ‘A’ reminded me. Young fledges are just learning about wings. The weight of the water is terrible for them as can be the cold and damp.

Soaking.

Deyani has the most gorgeous blue-green-gray eyes.

The Barnegat Light nest is extremely unstable. ‘H’ reports that Little got 13 bites of fish today which is noting to sneeze at but the significant changes have been that Big is now beaking and intimidating Little along with Middle.

At the Boulder County Fairgrounds, Little seems to have had at least one great meal. Look at that bulging crop!

It is difficult to see how much Little is getting fed at the South Cape May Meadows nest. Zeus and Hera are good parents and there is fish – the big ones need more than Little. Send good wishes.

Cowlitz Only Bob had some fish…oh, I wish there were more. This nest can, at times, be hard to watch…hoping.

The Italians are rejoicing. The Osprey Re-introduction scheme appears to be taking off!

Storks make me happy. Karl II and Kaia with their surviving three. Rain is forecast to come on Thursday!

It has been an excellent – and tiring – day, and it is nearing midnight. The nests that we have been worried about are alright, including Little at Barnegat Light. There was enough food. We need to wait and hope the aggressive behaviour dissipates.

‘R’ introduced me to Temple Grandin. Do you know this amazing woman? If not, check her out. I brought with me a copy of her book, Animals Make Us Human. She is remarkable for her dedication to making the lives of animals and their emotions understood. Will write a good synopsis when I am finished. Good night, everyone!

Thank you for being with me today. Please take care of yourself. Do not go out in the storms and be safe if you are in their path. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, recommendations, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped to make up my blog today: “A, H, L, R, SW’, Google Maps, World Bird Sanctuary, PSEG, Marders, Sydney Eagle Cam, Window to Wildlife, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, Boulder County Fair Grounds osplets, SCMM, Cowlitz PUD, SK Hideaway and Cal Falcons, Gregarious J Toonen and Ospreys, Hawks Aloft Inc, and Loodeskalender Forum.

Both Minis Eat…Wednesday in Bird World

14 June 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

It is the middle of the week and it continues to be another heat wave on the Canadian Prairies – 30 C. There is also another problem – the smoke from the wildfires is set to envelop our City from 1600 Tuesday to 0700 on Wednesday. Right now, the garden ‘looks’ empty but in the midst of the thick lilac bushes, I can see Little Red eating on the solid suet cylinder along with various types of sparrows. A Black-capped Chickadee was sitting on the line for the cable company. On the deck, Calico has turned up again! She appeared, out of nowhere, around 1700 last evening and a big feed was put out for her. She was ravenous. Calico is a really gorgeous cat. She has been living under the deck since last fall. At times I wonder if she has an irresponsible owner. She has had her breakfast and lunch and is lounging in the darkest depths of the garden where it is cooler. She has an insulated house under the deck and food. She appears to have no interest in coming into the house and Lewis and Missey might not like that either.

The sky is now a light pink-grey colour. Solid. If I go outside, it is very smokey. You can smell the wildfires that are being fanned by the high winds. The smoke has driven the animals into the garden where they are eating frantically. All of the squirrels are here, more than 100 sparrows of various types.

In the middle of all this is a small fledgling Blue Jay. It had drinks from the low bird bath and then snuggled up with a pair of very old bird ornaments that my youngest son made eons ago. Then poof, it was gone. I put seed and a very shallow bowl of water down on the ground. Junior and Mrs. know their baby is in the garden. They survey the area from the hydro line and then fly into the garden. Now where is this little one? It was healthy and hopping. I did not see it fly but it had to get to the deck somehow.

They must be so frightened by the smell of the fire.

Oh, and I found the little one. In the corner eating peanuts before it hoped across the back lane and under its nest tree.

Let’s start with something a little fun. Geemeff made the cutest video of Aran feeding Elen and the chicks. Oh, I do adore this Glaslyn nest!

The other day ‘A’ gave us a wonderful narrative of Deyani with the pinecone. Lady Hawk made a video of those moments. Enjoy! Thanks, ‘M’ for sending me the link!

The good news is that Mini had one good feed. The bad news is that Mini was aggressively attacked several times. Mini did not give up though. He waited, listened, watched and tried to get food whenever he could.

On Tuesday morning, Little Mini had a bit of a feed off the 1019 fish. At 11:33 Mum found an old piece of fish tail and Little Mini horked it down. Thanks, Mum! She knew her baby was hungry.

At 1327 another fish comes to the nest. But will Little Mini get any fish? No.

At 13:48 Little Mini did a terrific PS! This tells me we are not dealing with hydration issues.

I have never figured out how to put in those arrows and circles. Apologies. But here is Little Mini’s PS falling…that swirling line attached to the longer straight line to the left over by the pole. Yeap. That is Little Mini’s PS falling down to the ground…wonder who or what might be under there. Now that is a healthy PS!

At 1403 Little Mini has a big crop and is hoping for some fish.

At 1610, Little Mini has a nice crop.

It is now 1720 and three little fish have landed on the nest…obviously intended for the three big siblings to each have their own and self-feed. Will Mini get anything? No. So why not bring in four fish? Or was it coincidence?

Mini is slowly dropping its crop. We need several big fish this evening. Fingers crossed.

Mini looks over longingly at 1736 when Dad comes in with another small goldfish—none for Mini. Maybe this was to be the fourth fish for Mini. Oh, those big siblings.

By 1806, Mini has completed dropping its crop.

Another fish came on the nest at 1819. Big attacks Mini and Mini does not get any of the fish. Will there be a late big fish and will Mini get some? There is another fish at 2023. Maybe Mini will get some. I really hope so.

At 20:37 Mini is at Mum’s beak screaming for fish. Mini gets fed. Mum has been feeding bony fish all day and she is still feeding Mini at 2109! There is no fish left. Well, tears and tears. One good and one great feeding for Tuesday.

‘L caught an early fish – at 0535 and there was our Mini right up there getting fed by Mum while the bigger sibs were ‘waking up’. There was another fish at 0848 and Mini had enough room left from the earlier feed to eat again. This is, indeed, a grand start to Wednesday for our Mini – a full crop Tuesday night, a fuller crop Wednesday morning. Now watch this little one grow before your eyes!

Mini is still eating at 0642.

0907

In his 1991 article, L Scott Forbes (Forbes, L.S. Hunger and food allocation among nestlings of facultatively siblicidal ospreys. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 29, 189–195 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00166400) states: “Previous studies of food allocation among nestlings of siblicidal birds have focussed on the proximate link between food and aggression. However, food sharing among sibs (and brood reduction) need not involve aggression. Here I examine the role of hunger (defined operationally in terms of the amount of food eaten recently) within the broader framework of passive and aggressive food-sharing among nestlings of facultatively siblicidal ospreys (Pandion haliaetus). Feeding among brood members was hierarchical; senior, dominant sibs ate more when hungry, leaving a smaller residual share of food for junior sibs. Senior sibs did not become more generous at large meals (i.e., the prospect of a large meal did not quell the selfish tendencies of senior sibs). That individuals ate more when hungry indicates a proximate link between food and the allocation of resources among siblings. Overall, aggression was infrequent and seemed to be used when junior sibs contested food allocation at meals. Aggression was diminished and food allocation was skewed toward the junior sib in broods with artificially exaggerated hatching intervals, suggesting that senior sibs were more generous when their dominant status was not threatened.” —–We have learned much since 1991 and aggression is not just about food but, at the Patchogue nest, it certainly began when the food supply began to diminish and now the senior siblings are flexing their dominance to eat. On a positive note, Mum has been much more receptive to finding food for Mini since Tuesday morning after a bit of a hiatus starting on Sudan.

AND…

‘H’ reports on Mini at the Forstythe Nest: “Feeding 1627 to 1705, large partial fish. Wasn’t it the old Timex commercials that said: “Takes a licking, and keeps on ticking” ?  Well, that’s Mini, for sure.  Same scenario, Mini takes punishment from Little, but keeps coming back to Mom whenever possible during a feeding.  And, a large fish will always increase the chances of Mini’s success.  Mini was at the table a few times during this feeding, including a long private feeding at the end.  Total bites for Mini = 59. Total for the day for Mini = at least 311 bites. Good fishing day for Oscar.” That is good news for our other Mini. (more on Forsythe below).

At the Pitkin County Open Spaces and Trails Osprey nest at Emma, Colorado there are three osplets. What a surprise…in the midst of watching so many nests sometimes certain ones get ‘lost/forgotten’ and certainly Emma did. There was concern that the eggs might not be viable and the last time I checked there were two eggs…now there are three chicks in the reptile phase!

The two oldest chicks hatched on 31 May and the third on 2 June. There has been periods of little fish as per a posting on FB.

Here they are today.

Mealtime was, however, pleasant!

The third hatch at the Boulder Colorado Fairgrounds Osprey platform got some fish. It stayed still – playing possum – until the two oldest ate and then went up and had some nice fish. Relief. It had been raining hard most of Tuesday morning.

‘H’ has been monitoring the Forsythe nest for me and this is her report for Tuesday up until the time indicated…just look at that last feeding for Mini. Wow.

Here goes:

Feeding 0733 to 0750, large whole fish – 

Little beaked Mini tight away.  At 0736 Little beaked Mini even though Mini was behind the line.  No opportunity for Mini to eat.  Bites for Mini = 0.

Feeding 0903 to 0910, small headless fish – 

Mini got 4 bites, then was beaked by Little.  At 0904 Little beaked Big, and Big retaliated, but this beaking frightened Mini who tucked.  Big sent Little into ‘timeout’.  So they were then positioned [4,1,2], and Mini ate.  At 0909 Little came up from behind and beaked Mini.  Mini tucked briefly, but did not move away, stood his ground, and continued to get bites!  At the end of the meal, Little beaked Mini.  Total bites for Mini = 36.

Feeding 1031 to 1043, large whole fish – 

Positioned[4,1,3,2].  Big beaked Little, so Little dropped back.  Mini ate.  By 1036 positioned [4.,1,2,3].  Mini ate.  At the end of the meal, Little beaked Mini.  Total bites for Mini = 52.

Feeding 1151 to 1158, small partial – 

Little beaked Mini right away away from the feeding line.  Mini stayed there.  When the feeding was over, Little beaked Mini.  Bites for Mini = 0.

Feeding from 1235 to 1415, huge whole fish (probably actually constituted 2-3 meals)

Well, rather than recite the play-by-play of who bonked who and how many times, suffice it to say that Little beaked Mini several times.  Big beaked at Little a couple of times, Big beaked Mini once, Middle beaked Mini once.  They each were fed to being full, left the table and came back to the table several times, including Mini.  Mini would always come back, and there were a couple times when Mini had a private feeding.  Total bites for Mini = 164, from that huge fish.

H, 13 June 2023

‘H’ reports that it was a beaking fest at the Barnegat Light Osprey Platform and that it was started by Little! Not very smart.

Tom and Audrey have one hatch at the Chesapeake Conservancy. This one came on the 12th. W ill there be others? Looks like there could be another pip.

Still three eggs at South Cape May. F or a moment – in my state of tiredness and bewilderment (at Patchogue), I thought I heard a chick.

Cowlitz PUD had a nice fish and one of those small goldfish, too…oh, sometimes the fish are so small. The chick seems to be fine and Electra is getting some fish, too…not huge amounts but they are eating.

Big was at the Achieva Nest hoping for some fish and looking to perch for the night. Last news was that Middle was doing well in care.

The camera is down this year at the DuPont Centre, Mispillion Harbour Ospreys. Someone just posted a short video clip showing the couple with three osplets. Oh, I would love to know if this is the same couple from last season. That Mum loved the colour yellow and would bring in all manner of decorations but only in yellow. t hanks, ‘H’ for your keen eye in finding this video.

Bety and Bukacek’s storklets get banded!

R4 and R5 are still hanging out together around the nest tree at the WRDC. Look at the tree between the nest and the house.

One of the fledglings from Thunder and Akecheta’s new nest has made its way to the old West End nest Tuesday afternoon.

Thunder keeping an eye.

Some of you have been concerned about the Surrey eaglet – part of the Dave Hancock Foundation nests. Here is a video update on the little one who appears to have some mobility issues. Great news.

“Recorded June 12 2023, 7:04 pm – as some of you know, younger eaglet SR8 at our Surrey Reserve bald eagle cam nest seems to be having some issues with his right leg, though it doesn’t usually keep him from getting to the food, or standing up to his slightly older and more than slightly larger sibling. We are hoping this spunky youngster will thrive, and I’m always happy when an expert has some promising comments. Please read the forum post that goes with this video – link is https://forum.hancockwildlife.org/vie… (Note – we don’t know the gender of either eaglet; I’m using “he” for simplicity, and because male eagles are normally smaller than female eagles, and SR8 is quite a bit smaller even though less than a day younger, and generally getting plenty of food.)” ~JudyB

Big Red’s Ms are fine after the intervention to clean out the 50 plus maggots out of their ears. They are hopping, flapping, and self feeding. They must feel a whole lot better. Thanks, Cornell!

There is a reason that Jackie and Shadow at the Big Bear Valley Bald Eagle nest are loved by more than 9000 people. Just look.

Does M15 have a potential new mate?

So sad…Savanna died protecting her four eyases from the GHO struck on the 12th. Thanks ‘SP’.

Newmann continually calls for her. Let us hope that he can raise these four to fledge.

Just look at this Cromer eyases! With hawks and falcons we blink and they are ready to fledge! And what an interesting place.

Do you follow the latest on the Chichester Falcons from the UK, too? Here is their latest newsletter. Thanks, Janet Shaw.

newsletter-5Download

At the Olympic Park in Sydney, we are waiting for eggs. ‘A’ reports: “

At Olympic Park, dark is falling at around 17:30 and dad is mating with Lady on the branch behind the nest. She really is not just receptive to but openly encouraging mating, obviously very keen to get some eggs laid in that nest. The pair is protecting the nest and nest area most of the time now, including one or both of them sleeping in the nest tree overnight. (Sometimes, dad will sleep in a tree nearby, but Lady’s early morning vocals bring him in very quickly for a bonding/mating/nest-checking session.) We all feel the heightened sense of expectation – eggs any day, perhaps any hour! As it nears 6pm, Lady is tucked and sleeping on the branch behind the nest. Dad is presumably somewhere very close by.”

Oh, there is so much going on. Soon we will be watching Diamond and Xavier and anticipating the camera coming back on for the CBD Falcons in Melbourne.

Thanks for being with me this morning. Fledge will be soon for Deyani and the Ms. Be sure to check in on their cameras. Take care. Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, newsletters, and streaming cams that help to make up my blog this morning: ‘A, H, Geemeff, JS, L, M, SP’, Geemeff and Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Lady Hawk and Window to Wildlife, PSEG, Pitkin County Open Spaces and Trails, Boulder County Fairgrounds ospreys, Forsythe Ospreys, Conservancy Wildlife of NJ, Cowlitz PUD, Achieva Credit Union, Mlady Buky Storks, Heidi McGru and the WRDC, IWS, Hancock Wildlife, Cornell RTH, FOBBV, Carol Shores Rifkin and the NEFL and SWFL Eagle Cam Club, Steven Smith and the Peregrine Falcons at Great Spirit Bluff, Sydney Sea Eagle Cam, Raptor Resource Project, SK Hideaways and Cromer Falcons, and the Chichester Newsletter.