Morning Update: Big Red and Arthur’s first hatch, O1, passed last evening after being seen to be lethargic and taken to the wildlife care centre. Oh, how sad. Send positive wishes that O2 stays healthy!
Thank you for all the positive energy that you sent to Hugo Yugo. I can report that she is doing so well. She is eating on her own, and yes, she wants to play with Toby, but Toby needs to learn to be a little more gentle. Still, check out the second photo. I am so proud of Toby and how well he is doing! The Girls, as all of you know, are so important to me. I never knew a little puppy with curly ears would grab my heart and not let go of it. So, it is the five of them – everyone is included, so this is going to work. You better believe it.
The feeders were full of songbirds – warblers – and some very special sparrows – flying through from the north on their way to their winter homes. There are geese all over the golf courses, and it feels like it is at least a fortnight early for this great migration. Watch for the summaries from the nests in the UK. Those females will be on the move soon if they aren’t already!
Dog training. It’s not about training the dog. It is about getting control of ‘your’ life. I will continue to say this while Toby and I work through his issues with ‘chasing’ cats because maybe there is one of you that needs to hear that – I sure did. My life had taken over me – now I am taking control of it. Did you see that old movie Fried Green Tomatoes? There was a point where the Kathy Bates character broke – and she described the new her as ‘Towanda’. Well, welcome to Towanda Land!!!!!! Toby needs to be ‘nice and gentle to the cats’. Treats work. Tethering for calming also works. (I do not crate). Gosh, I learned so much! The day is managed so that I don’t lose my mind. So instead of having a hungry dog, four starving cats, Blue Jays and Crows screaming at me, Brock staring in the door, and a husband who wants his breakfast and coffee, the scrambled eggs for Toby are made the night before. Brock’s tin is in his dish, ready to be opened. Today, Don fixed his breakfast while I fed The Girls. I carried my coffee outside while Toby did his ‘business’ and I fed the birds. That was when I saw the Yellow Warblers. It was idyllic. It is only day 3, but quite honestly, my home is calm and so am I. How did I not know this? Well, because you get so busy taking care of everyone else that you forget to take care of yourself. You should always put your oxygen mask on first. I tell you that. I left mine in the cupboard. It is now on and turned on full!
So step back if you feel that things are not working and say it. It is OK. Because with all that peace and quiet you are going to create, you can spend more time thinking and helping birds.
So what are these birds doing?
Osprey chicks have fledged, and they are screaming for fish. Everyone is preparing for migration. Males are fattening up their fledglings so they are fit to make the very long journey south. In some instances, the females are also pitching in and helping. For example, Maya brought in three fish on Wednesday, and that was before evening! Blue 33 has been hauling in Roach. These chicks will have the best possible chance of survival any nest could have.
They are fish calling, flying on and off the nest, up at Llyn Clywedog.
CJ7 and Blue 022 have been busy feeding their four at Birds of Poole Harbour, too. These kids are really healthy!
White YW is really having to be busy at Foulshaw Moss with those three wanting fish all day long.
On the Cornell Campus, Big Red and Arthur’s first hatch, O1, has been taken into care. The red-tail hawk fledgling was noticed displaying ‘illness’ behaviours. Let us all send good positive energy in the hope that O1 overcomes whatever has caused her/him to be unwell.
Suzanne Arnold Horning and Woody keep track of Big Red, Arthur, and their family, and they caught 02 in a tree on Wednesday evening. What a beautiful fledgling! O2 hangs out with Arthur around the campus but is finding her/his way around the family territory. The fledglings typically disperse in August. Gosh, I wish they were banded and had a sat pack. It would be wonderful to know what happens to Big Red’s babies once they leave Ithaca. Or do they leave Ithaca? We don’t know. Mum stays for the winter! So does Dad. It is a prey-rich territory that they rule even in the cold of winter.
Pam Breci is keeping an eye on Swoop, who is busy at Dunrovin, too. – Every osprey male should be fishing and fishing, getting those osplets fattened up!
So what is happening at Loch Arkaig? And read on and find out if Dorcha is really still in Scotland!
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 7th August 2025Not many fish today, just two from Louis, taking the nest total to three hundred and ninety six, and none from Garry LV0, leaving his tally unchanged at one hundred and forty. Affric 152 spent a fair bit of time on Nest One with Garry but got no fish – is she getting fish from her own mate Prince, last seen a month ago near the Bunarkaig nest where they’ve made their home, or is she fishing for herself? With Aurora 536 not seen since 28th July and presumed on migration, it will be an interesting situation if all four return next year. As Dorcha hadn’t been seen for a few days, it was speculated she might have started her migration, leaving before Storm Floris hit, but she turned up this morning paying a visit to Nest Two. Both chicks were on the nest, hungry after a lean fish day yesterday, she didn’t have any fish so left quickly before they could mob her. Her visit was so fast it led to some confusion around ID but closer inspection in slow motion showed her unique underwing spot pattern, almost as good as a Darvic ring, and that together with the behaviour of the chicks – seeking fish rather than attacking in alarm – confirmed it was indeed Dorcha. Darach 7P0 got both fish today, he shared the first with Breac 7P7, but surprisingly left half of the second fish uneaten on the nest when he left for the night. Unlike his brother, he hasn’t yet achieved the essential survival milestone of flying with fish which might explain why he left it behind when he departed as darkness started falling. The Hoodies were all over the nest this morning, if neither chick claims the fish early tomorrow, their persistence will pay off with a nice free meal. After heavy rain last night, the weather today was mainly dry with some sunny intervals but both nests had rain tonight after night cam switched over, and the forecast is for light showers throughout the night with a low of 12
°C, getting heavier tomorrow with a high of 16°C. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.25.33 (04.40.56); Nest Two 22.14.28 (05.00.21) Today’s videos:
No videos on this day in 2024 – not so much as a songbird visited either nest!
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 6th August 2025 After overnight rain, the weather was more settled today but the chicks were as combative as yesterday and did their best to get hold of the three fish Louis brought. Breac 7P7 got the first and Darach 7P0 the third and a big fight ensued for the second. Breac won the battle but not before falling off the nest first, and in the confusion
Darach lunged at Louis. Still, Louis is an old hand at this, these two are his fourteenth and fifteenth chicks (counting only those who survived to be ringed) and he’s suffered worse attacks from ravenous chicks over the years. His tally rises to three hundred and ninety two (nest total 394) and fish counters are lining up to be the one to record the magic four hundred mark. Dorcha hasn’t been seen since Sunday morning and it’s speculated she may have gone south, like Aurora 536 (last seen 28th July), and Affric 152 has been taking advantage of Aurora’s absence to scrounge free fish from Garry LV0. However she was unlucky today as he brought no fish and attempted mating instead – Garry’s fish tally remains at one hundred and forty. More rain is expected tonight with a gentle breeze and a low of 13
°C, changing to light showers, a moderate breeze and sunny intervals with a high of 16°C tomorrow. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.14.56 (04.44.08); Nest Two 22.04.43 (04.51.13) Today’s videos:
https://youtu.be/VZ_5tmIihnU N1 Affric visits the nest but Garry’s not there and she departs 14.38.20https://youtu.be/hSlHeTBSUz4 N2 Fish number two causes a fight, Breac wins (slo-mo repeat) https://youtu.be/GZVF2KkaMOI N1 Affric 152 hopes for fish but Garry attempts mating instead 20.14.42 https://youtu.be/rmp6b-lgHi0 N2 When Louis brings the third fish, Darach pecks him! 21.34.17 Bonus watch – Woodland Trust clip of Darach v Storm Floris goes viral:
Our ospreys had quite a rough time during #StormFloris but thankfully all came through unscathed. We hope you did too.Here is Darach hinging on for dear life!😬 He is only ten weeks old.😲#ArkaigOspreys #Ospreycam #Floris #Storm
‘PS’ is keeping an eye on the osprey family in Seattle for us.
The Seattle Ospreys are continuing to do well! With both chicks fully fledged they are often though not always at the nest, often flying or perched nearby, and often calling for food. I’ve seen a couple fish deliveries from dad, as well as many practice flights involving dips into the water, sometimes over and over, presumably to get a feel for getting wet and taking off…not full on dive bombs like they will someday, more like controlled water landings and takeoffs. Fun to watch these two learn the ropes! It is strange to sometimes see the nest empty! But also a wonderfully necessary sign of a largely successful season! I will miss them as well as Harry and Sally when they depart in the next few weeks. Until then I will continue to check in…
I really love the images that ‘PS’ takes of this osprey family. They are so good. Please check out their Flickr account and see the entire story of the Seattle Ospreys.
‘J’ reminds us that if you live near Wildlife Haven in Manitoba, there is the annual Open House. You can meet the ambassadors, see the surgeries, and flight training enclosures, and find out how you can help.
Lots of news from Raptor Persecution UK. The Yorkshire Dales are not a safe place for raptors.
SK Hideaways caught a sub-adult trying to land on Lady and Dad’s nest in the Olympic Park in Sydney! https://youtu.be/BNcT5G0uaB0?
In New Zealand, the Royal Cam chick is growing and stretching its wings as it is preparing to fledge within the next 5-6 weeks. https://youtu.be/Q-ToBQWzxuo?
At the American Eagle Foundation’s nest in NE Florida, the cam is on as we await the arrival of Gabby and Beau.
News from the American Bird Conservancy. How does politics impact our feathered friends?
The Girls wanted you to have some pictures of our garden. Junior, the male Blue Jay, is moulting. We have a new baby House Sparrow at the feeder. There are hydrangeas – these are different as they are in a candle shape, which are toxic to animals, so I have put a fence around them so Toby cannot get to them (thanks, AK’s Mum), and a beautiful coral Hibiscus. Enjoy! I have sold all of my professional camera equipment and am learning to use the much lighter P1100, which is marvellous at only 3 lbs. I used to hold over 12 lbs. It is like a miracle. The images are getting better.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Remember to put out water for the birds and, if you are able, some food as they migrate through to their winter homes. It will help them as their habitat is being lost daily, as long as areas which would provide natural food for them. We look forward to having you with us on Monday! Enjoy the weekend.
I want to thank our notable contributors, ‘Geemeff, Heidi, J, PB, PS’, the owners of the streaming cams listed in bold, the individuals who take the time to create videos, including SK Hideaways, and the authors of posts such as Jeff Kear at UK Osprey Information, and all others, often too many to name. I am very grateful to you and to the newspapers and organizations that still cover environmental issues as they relate to our precious feathered friends. My blog would not be what it is without your input into the world of birding.
Heidi’s report first as it contains some late breaking news:
OBX (Outer Banks): ‘Latte’ (the younger sibling) fludge-fledged at slightly less than 52 days of age. At 10:22 on 8/2 Latte was getting into position to eat a fish, when s/he became unbalanced on the edge of the nest and fell. Latte was later seen on the ground, and was making low, short flights. Latte spent some time sitting on a sea wall, but around 4 p.m. s/he went out of camera view, and could not be located. On 8/3, there were a couple different occasions that led chatters to believe that Betsy was taking fish to Latte across the canal. Distant juvie calls could also be heard. Fingers crossed that Latte will soon be able to fly back home.
Kent Island, Chesapeake: On 8/1, Chick 2 ‘Yellow Band’ fledged at 52 days of age, while the cam was showing Highlights.
Meldrs, the eaglet of Latvian Golden Eagles, Spilve and Grislis, fledged at 89 days. Congratulations to everyone.
Sadly, the two recently fledged ospreys in Poland were predated by a hawk. More news on that later. Thanks, ‘AK’.
The Menhaden overfishing in Louisiana is finally getting some press. Commercial fishing along the Atlantic and Gulf will see the end of our beautiful ospreys – along with others that depend on Menhaden and similar fish for their food. Is there not anyone big enough to stop this?
It is the beginning of the first week in August. Where in the world did the summer go?
And what a week it has been. Hugo Yugo is unwell. It is not clear what is the issue. I am ‘feeding’ her every two hours – it is a long weekend in Canada (or a Bank Holiday in the UK) and this is the best we can do. Needless to say, my sweet little sick girl that came into our lives early last December after we lost Lewis is just causing me to weep and weep some more. She has lost a large amount of weight in a short amount of time. In a blink, actually. She began throwing up bile late yesterday and stopped eating today, wanting to be alone. There are no toxic plants in the house. She has not gotten into cleaning products, which are supposed to be pet safe. The only thing I have noticed is that she likes to eat Toby’s kibble when it has grated cheese with it. Is this the culprit? So, please send my little ginger sweetie good wishes as we push the ground-up kibble, kitten milk, and water into every 2 hours.
We spent four hours at the vet very late last night and came home. The triage system was busy! I forced Hugo Yugo to eat some sardines, and a little later, she was drinking water. She ate two little tins of food this morning. Hoorah.
There is lots of news. One recent event was an earthquake near the osprey nest of Louis and Dorcha in the Scottish Highlands.
Geemeff brings us up to date with the earthquake and Loch Arkaig:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 3rd August 2025 More fish and less confusion today – Louis delivered three fish to Nest Two, taking the nest tally to three hundred and eighty four, including Dorcha’s two deliveries. Dorcha got the first fish, Darach the second and Breac the third one. On Nest One, Affric 152 showed up for the third day in a row to receive a fish from Garry LV0, and his tally now stands at one hundred and thirty nine. Other birds visited the nests, a songbird and a Woodpecker on Nest One, and three Hooded Crows and a Sparrowhawk on Nest Two. These visitors will have the nests to themselves in a few weeks when the last of the Ospreys has left on migration. It rained heavily overnight but was dry during the day. However, Storm Floris is due to hit tomorrow bringing heavy rain and high winds and there’s a weather warning for the area and most of northern Scotland. Link to weather forecast for Inver Mallie, which covers the nest area, in the bonus section. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.25.35 (04.41.48); Nest Two 22.21.24 (04.53.00) Today’s videos:
https://youtu.be/JRgkQi5Vz10 N2 Breac’s waiting on the nest and gets the third fish 19.21.39Bonus link – weather forecast for the Inver Mallie area to track Storm Floris:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 2nd August 2025 A somewhat confusing day for the nest cam watchers with fish being lost, chicks tumbling off the nest, Hooded Crow invasions and mystery appearances. But sharp eyes managed to unpick it all – the mystery appearance was Dorcha making a ten second visit to Nest Two so she has not left on migration yet. The chicks were disturbed by the Hoodies when they invaded looking for any small scraps, but the crows weren’t around when Louis delivered his three fish, taking his tally to three hundred and seventy nine (nest total three hundred and eighty one). One of those fish was lost when Breac stole it from Darach and fled the nest, causing both chicks to look around as if it might reappear. Fortunately Darach had had a very good meal from it first, and doubtless some other forest dweller will be grateful for a free meal. For the second day in a row, Affric 152 made an appearance on Nest One and received a fish from Garry LV0 – his total rises to one hundred and thirty eight. With Aurora 536 not seen since the 28th, will Affric keep getting fish from Garry? Where is her mate Prince? No answers yet, as always, it’s wait and see. The weather was reasonably settled during the day but at the time of filing this report (02.00) heavy rain is falling as predicted, but tomorrow’s weather looks more promising with a forecast of sunny intervals, gentle breezes and a high of 18°C. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.30.32 (04.24.34); Nest Two 22.21.59 (04.27.03)
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 1st August 2025
An earthquake hit in the Loch Arkaig area today, not very big – 3.1 magnitude with the epicentre 7.5 miles from Loch Arkaig, in the Loch Garry area where Osprey Garry LV0 is from. It didn’t do any damage but both Louis and the chicks reacted, Louis by alarm calling for several minutes and the chicks stopping and looking around warily. It was registered by the British Geological Survey, more details here: https://earthquakes.bgs.ac.uk/earthquakes/recent_uk_events.html . Louis brought three fish to the nest, neatly shared out one each for Dorcha, Darach and Breac in that order, and the nest total now stands at three hundred and seventy eight including Dorcha’s two deliveries. Garry finally brought a fish to Nest One, raising his tally to one hundred and thirty seven – and guess who was there to take it? None other than Affric 152 from Bunarkaig, scrounging free fish as she prepares for migration! The weather was settled but is expected to turn misty overnight with a low of 9°C, changing to sunny intervals with a gentle breeze and a high of 18°C tomorrow.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.48.49 (04.28.25) Nest Two 22.38.06 (04.32.50) Today’s videos:
Allin’s Cove East: Three juveniles are waiting and fighting for fish.
Charlo, Montana: Two surviving osplets are doing well, and Charlie is busy delivering fish! The third hatch died on 15th of July from siblicide/starvation.
Hellgate Canyon: Iris made a quick visit to the nest on Friday afternoon.
Dunrovin Ranch: The nest is full with four osplets wearing juvenile plumage flapping their wings. This nest needs more fish. Every nest with four needs more and more fish.
Eschenbach, Germany: Fish deliveries for our fledgling.
Olympic Park Sea Eagles: Incubation continues for Lady and Dad.
Muonio Osprey Platform, Finland: Ten fish were delivered to this nest in Finland on Friday. What a difference from starving ospreys in the US.
Ilomantsin sääkset #1: Three babies always wanting more and more fish!
Cumbria Wildlife Trust/Foulshaw Moss: All of the chicks are fledged. White YW is busy getting fish to the feisty three as they begin bulking up for their first migration.
Usk Valley, Wales: No sign of our Only Bob fledgling who made history for this area of Wales, but Mum, Chogwyn, shows up fish calling several times a day with her wishes fulfilled.
Llyn Clywedog, Wales: Two fledgling Bobs screaming for fish with full crops. Dylan is keeping the flyways busy with deliveries. Is Seren still home?
Baby Eagle captures the first branching of Spilve and Grislis’s Golden Eaglet! 87 days. https://youtu.be/IetmOKW6ZfI?
Thank you, ‘A’ – your words mean a lot to me: “Anyway, that’s my world at the moment…I love you, though, also with a passion. You opened up a whole new world for me. I now have a close relationship with Mr and Mrs Magpie, who sang beautifully for me this morning when I took out their breakfast. They eat out of my hand sometimes when they’re a bit impatient. (I walk past them as they perch on my air walker machine on the back landing and take their breakfast to the normal spot on the edge of the concrete. They don’t move at all, even though I walk within inches of them. I just talk quietly and gently to them and they know my voice and are scared of me at all. Sometimes, I offer them a piece of walnut or some other treat as I walk past them and they will take it right out of my hand. They are so sweet – they know how much I love their singing and they always sing to say thank you to me. Then I change the water bowls because Mr and Mrs Crow have usually had their breakfast bath and boy are they messy. They love their bath SO much. They immerse themselves totally and flap around to get really wet under their wings. When they’ve finished (and emptied four or five inches out of the deep water bowl) they perch on the clothes line and preen their feathers and feak their beaks. The small native mynahs are the only other birds that love the bath. They choose the shallower birdbath that’s on a stand and off the ground because they feel safer up there I think. But like the crows, they flap around to get themselves really wet. They perch around the rim, six or eight at a time, and take turns to flap from one side of the bath to the other. Too cute.
These birds are now part of my day in a way they never were before. And that’s entirely because of you. Your blog. Your menagerie. You inspired me to look closer to home. It’s one thing to watch Angel on a camera in Tennessee, and that is a wonderful privilege, but it should inspire rather than replace a more direct interaction with the birds immediately around us. You reminded me of that. And I’m sure you’ve done the same for many of the people who read your blog. You should be so proud of that. Making the world a better place and the people in it more understanding of their position as caretakers of the birds and animals and plants around us.”
‘A’ also adds: “In bird world, Lady and Dad are very devoted in tending their eggs. Lady does incredibly long incubation stints, some days taking no more than an hour in total off the nest. And she always takes the night shifts too. When he is able to talk her into leaving, Dad does his incubating duties without demur. Like most of the males, he loves his egg time. The nest is looking very strong and sturdy this year, which is excellent because those winds are really tossing the nest tree about tonight and we have had strong winds and some heavy rain over the past ten days or so along Australia’s east coast.
We have about 12 days or so until pip watch begins (the first egg was laid on 4 July and we have an incubation period of 40 to 42 days, with some delayed incubation early on). I do keep wondering about the advanced age of this pair and when it will begin impacting their fertility – so far, we are still getting two eggs every season but let’s hope both these eggs are fertile. Go Dad! He is a lovely mate. He tries hard to look after Lady and his eggs.”
I am so glad that ‘A’ mentioned the Olympic Park White bellied Sea Eagles. As you know, I have been decluttering and in that process, I found a book that was put together honouring WBSE 26 and one of the devoted chatters, Phyllis Robbins. Phyllis had a very aggressive cancer, and despite dire predictions, the WBSE kept Phyllis going for much longer than any doctor would have imagined. She loved ’26’ dearly as we all did.
‘PS’ catches us up on what is happening in the Seattle Washington Osprey Platform that they have been monitoring from the time love hit the air in April!
“The update from yesterday and today – both chicks have definitely fledged!! Attaching the photo with “proof” – one in the air and the other on the perch! Just a joy to watch them take their practice loops around the nest area. Such beautiful birds, hopefully they will lead long and healthy lives, and perhaps I will see them again in the area when they return (usually after a few years?)…
In for a penny, in for a pound, I suppose – I will continue to visit until they decamp for warmer climes, I guess. What a captivating summer it’s been – and already August!!”
Thank you so much for being with us. We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of ‘Blue 33’ as part of this amazing fundraiser for the Rutland Water Ospreys. Thank you Sarah for sharing your talents and your generosity.
I want to thank our notable contributors, ‘AK, Geemeff, Heidi, PS’, the owners of the streaming cams listed in bold, the individuals who take the time to create videos, including SK Hideaways, and the authors of posts such as Jeff Kear at UK Osprey Information, and all others, often too many to name. I am very grateful to you and to the newspapers that still cover environmental issues as they relate to our precious feathered friends. My blog would not be what it is without your input into the world of birding.
I can tell you that Pelican Lake is beautiful and that it is actually home to so many American White Pelicans. I can also tell you that Lewy Body Dementia is a challenging disease for both the person who bears the burden of it and for those trying to enrich their lives. We were at Pelican Lake precisely two hours before Don ‘lost me’. I will not bore you with the details of someone spiralling downwards, but suffice it to say I was happy to be able to administer his medication, repack the car (thank goodness we hadn’t really unpacked), and get him and Toby in the car and back home. No more holidays. I was beginning to wonder if the days of travelling were over several months ago. We will take our trips within the confines of the city, so that if something goes sideways, home is close at hand. I already have a list of parks that we haven’t yet visited – just imagine all the things we might have been missing!
Toby and I spent Thursday doing some projects. He now has a fully enclosed back garden where he can roam freely. We also played with a new camera. ‘AK’ knew that I was fed up with carrying heavy, long lenses and big medium-format cameras. That is the reason you have seen so few images of birds this year. The weight is phenomenal. The total weight of what I used was more than 12 lbs. So ‘AK’ recommended that I check out the P1000 with its fixed 3000mm zoom lens. I was only able to get the P1100, and at three pounds with a 3000 mm zoom and a ‘bird’ setting, Toby and I had a lot of fun testing it out on the birds at the feeder. The images are not great. This is my first hour using this camera, but I can tell you it feels like a winner in terms of what I need for my life at this moment. It sure was fun, even with squiggly Toby on my lap.
Notice the texture. This camera is not supposed to do well in low light – well, that squirrel is deep in the lilacs and it was dark with light just filtering in from the West!
And for anyone wondering, this is not just any squirrel. This is Dyson. Look at her large arms and long fingers. She is our matriarch.
Junior is moulting, so no crest. Those feathers, the layers and layers, are quite amazing. (I am roughly 16 metres from the bird feeder).`
Tiny little female house sparrow.`
Three baby crows with their velvet heads.
My sidekick, Toby. He is enjoying the freedom of the garden but also likes to lounge in the chair and always comes when I call. Kitties aren’t allowed outside in Winnipeg.
My first hydrangea bush! I have a friend who mailed me dried hydrangea blooms one year. They made it all the way from British Columbia! Now I have my own.
Please do not believe everything you read on a chat. In fact, it is almost the last place to find accurate information sometimes. The PSEG Oyster Bay osplet with the injured leg did NOT fledge, it was rescued and taken into rehab.
Here is Heidi’s Osprey report for the US:
Raptor Persecution UK confirms that there are some 143 Hen Harriers illegally killed or missing since 2018.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 24th July 2025 Today was all about fish – arriving, departing, returning, reappearing and causing confusion among the nest cam watchers until sharp eyes sorted out the details. Dorcha did not supply any new fish, all six deliveries to Nest Two were made by Louis, and his tally now rises to three hundred and forty four.
Dorcha found and ate the fish lost last night in the nest furnishings and today’s fresh fish were shared out between her and the two chicks, with Breac 7P7 getting the lion’s share. Darach 7P0 made sure he hung onto his share causing Breac to fall over the edge and hang upside down in an OMG moment. However Breac managed to untangle himself and fly away, returning unharmed to a chorus of relief on the forum, and later he achieved the milestone of flying with fish for the first time, another event noted by sharp eyed watchers. Steve Q crunched the numbers and posted last week’s fish stats, link in the bonus section, and although the fish counters noted Garry LV0’s one delivery to Aurora 536 today, taking his tally to one hundred and thirty five, it’s hoped that we will need Steve to include Nest One fish stats in future reports if Garry and Aurora produce the longed for chicks on that nest next year. The weather was settled but is expected to turn damp overnight and through tomorrow with light rain and light winds, a low of 13°C tonight and a high of 18°C tomorrow.Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.15.40 (03.51.48); Nest Two 23.00.46 (04.15.30) Today’s videos:
https://youtu.be/Jeo0-VlMQGg N2 Dorcha holds onto fish number six but feeds Breac 22.06.48 Bonus shopping opportunity – Woodland Trust shop summer sale now on:
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 23rd July 2025 Another slow day with not much action apart from the chicks Darach 7P0 and Breac 7P7 trying to get as much fish as possible when Louis made deliveries to the nest, and fighting anyone who got in their way. Louis brought four fish to the nest today, one of which Breac managed to lose in the muddle of sticks on the right hand side, with luck it will be found and consumed tomorrow. Louis’ tally now stands at three hundred and thirty eight, while Garry LV0’s rises to one hundred and thirty four following his single delivery to Aurora 536. The weather was settled today and set to continue with a forecast of light clouds and light winds overnight and tomorrow, with a temperature spread of 13 – 21°C, and the prospect of sunny intervals tomorrow afternoon. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.49.56 (04.09.34); Nest Two 23.04.31 (04.20.45) Today’s videos:
Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 22nd July 2025 It was a slow fish day today, Aurora 536 was disappointed when Garry arrived bearing nesting materials but no fish, so his tally remains at one hundred and thirty three, and Louis delivered three fish, raising his tally to three hundred and thirty four. Breac 7P7 is extremely dominant and got the first two fish, his older brother Darach 7P0 had to wait until he’d had enough before getting his own chance to eat. Louis brought the final fish after dark, giving Dorcha the opportunity to eat in peace before she returned the fish to the nest and handed it over to one of the chicks – Breac, of course. Nest cam watchers would like Darach to become more competitive. It rained through the night but the weather was reasonably settled during the day, however it’ll be damp again tonight as the overnight forecast is for drizzle and light winds with a low of 13
°C, improving tomorrow with light cloud, light winds and a few sunny spells with a high of 19°C. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.08.25 (04.09.55); Nest Two 22.59.28 (04.24.20) Today’s videos:
Ferris Akel found the Os today and the other evening, and Cornell released a video of Big Red feeding her babies a week ago. https://youtu.be/k-dHLxtlrOI?
Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. We will see you again on Monday!
I want to thank our notable contributors, ‘AK, Geemeff, Heidi’, the owners of the streaming cams listed in bold, the individuals who take the time to create videos, including SK Hideaways, and the authors of posts such as Jeff Kear at UK Osprey Information, and all others, often too many to name. I am very grateful to you and to the newspapers that still cover environmental issues as they relate to our precious feathered friends. My blog would not be what it is without your input into the world of birding.
I love storks – white, black or even rainbow coloured. Storks are wonderful and we are killing them along with other birds such as ospreys because of our general disregard for what plastic does to the world. “The chief culprit was baler twine, a plastic string used to secure hay bales: either the twine or its wrapping was responsible for almost all the entangled chicks. A few were caught up in domestic plastics such as bags or milk containers. The chicks died from strangulation, amputation and infected wounds.
“They roll and roll and they go around and it’s almost as if they tie the rope around their legs even harder as they move,” Franco says.
Acácio likes to talk about successful rescues, too. Once, she peered into a nest built on the stump of a cork oak tree to find two three-week-old siblings, their limbs coiled in spirals of blue baler twine.”
How many times has Dr Greene talked about the baling twine issues with ospreys in Montana? We need to find a solution for this plastic monster. It is more than sad.
Please read the article from The Guardian. It is enlightening.
A situation is developing at Osprey House Environment Centre in Australia. The female is feeding last year’s fledgling and her two young osplets! ‘MB’ sends us the FB link:
Whew! Welcome to the beginning of the week! We hope that each of you had a wonderful weekend.
The Girls enjoy watching the dozens of new baby birds in the garden. They come up close to the conservatory windows and cause quite a stir! Cute little wrens today. The baby Crows still arrive wanting their peanuts, and you can hear the Blue Jays two blocks away if the feeder is empty. It is a joy! Toby has had several walks. We have met many new neighbours and their puppies. He is growing leaps and bounds. I cannot quite believe it. His halter had to be loosened today, and I swear he is 15 cm or 6 inches longer. My new bed seems much smaller, and he really snores. We had a wonderful barbecue celebrating my daughter’s birthday. Everyone was there. It was fantastic. Even the wildfire smoke and wasps could not dampen anyone’s spirits.
I am now a member of the Virginia Wildlife FB group. (Thank you so much for letting me join – I really want to learn about the situation of all wildlife in Virginia.) First thing I noticed – images of Bald Eagles chasing Ospreys to get their precious fish! Check it out on their FB group. Ospreys have trouble with all manner of feathered ‘friends’ trying to get their fish. Gulls, eagles, even other ospreys.
Heidi’s Osprey Nest Notes:
Seaside osprey cam has had issues with their live stream all season, and it has been frustrating for viewers and the chat moderator, Jewel. There was a fledge the morning of 7/20 that occurred when the livestream was down, and reports came in from ‘boots on the ground’, John and August. With a brief nest view later.
Thank you, Heidi.
Gorgeous photograph of the three fledglings from the Centreport Bald Eagle Nest on Long Island, New York.
A good news story about wildlife is always welcome, and I received one last week from one of our regular readers, ‘MP’. I have tried to attach the images, but alas, I gave up. I know that you can imagine a barbed wire fence with large barbs and how, if an animal jumped over the fence, they could easily become injured.
“Hi, Mary Ann. All these photos and writings are from Ron Dudley. He’s showing a good side of ranchers and Nature Conservancy working together for nature. thought this to be a positive side.I thought you’d like to know.~M
Some ranchers in the valley have installed pronghorn-friendly barbed wire fences that have no barbs on the bottom wire. This fence is one of them.
And pronghorn-friendly fences aren’t the only example of ranchers trying to protect wildlife in the valley. Much of the huge valley is Sage Grouse country. When in flight, grouse have a hard time seeing barbed wire, so they often crash into it. When a 6+ lb. Sage Grouse crashes into barbed wire at speed, the results are predictably disastrous.
So some ranchers have allowed organizations like the Nature Conservancy to install bright white fence flags on their fences. The flags are easy to see and research has shown that they significantly reduce grouse/fence mayhem. I took this photo on June 19th in one of the more remote areas of the valley.
Not long after this photo was taken, I talked to a local rancher (Justin) about the fence flags. Here’s what he said (paraphrased) – “As long they (the Nature Conservancy and organisations like them) are willing to pay for them, and install them, I’m certainly willing to allow them to do so.”
Foulshaw Moss and Cumbrian Wildlife Trust:
All three at Foulshaw Moss have now fledged. Congratulations White YW and Blue 35 for another fantastic and very successful year.
Dyfi Osprey Project: Idris is one of my all-time favourite male ospreys. He is known as ‘Daddy Long Legs’, but he is a great fisher. Now he has broken another record. Watch the video to find out what that is: https://youtu.be/Y_GEb2QQapM?
Dunrovin Ranch Osprey Platform:
Allin’s Cove West: “A day in the life of the single parent offspring. Sleep, stretch, wing flat, call for food, and when none arrives, sleep some more.”https://youtu.be/cQx9eX2G31w?
Goitzsche-Wildnis with J Castyner: “Being an only child seems to have only advantages. Zeus and Fjona have focused on taking care of the boy, protecting him and feeding him in the best possible way. We can see it in the video. Mother and son are (I think) on the camera pole screaming to claim the teak, but when the father arrives alone the young man goes down to collect the piece: a beautiful headless fish, a luxurious fillet. For the boy, the best.” (The two older siblings were predated by a Red Kite). Other report below on this nest.
Two Harbours: Date night with long-time bonded mates, Chase and Cholyn by SK Hideaways. https://youtu.be/4PCwSnUvu2k?
West End Nest: Haku is on and off the nest. Makaio has not been seen for some weeks. Many believe he has left for migration since this is off-season. We must wait. It looks like Haku is warming up to the new visiting male.
I receive many questions about Akecheta since he was photographed on the mainland near Ojai. To my knowledge, no other photographs with his blue wing tag have been taken. I am sure he is alright. Is Thunder with him? Well, we haven’t seen her around the nest, and I just think she left eggs so abruptly that it is possible.
Haku and MV (male visitor) are a nice looking couple.
Coeur de’Alene, Idaho: The three surviving osplets are doing well. Mum has not removed the body of the fourth baby yet.
Fru Rauer: The Norwegian Osprey Project and Translocation of Norwegian birds to Ireland.
J Castnyer catches a fish delivery at the Goitzsche Wildnis Osprey nest in Germany. That fledgling was in there quick – ‘Mine and Mine Alone’ is the message. https://youtu.be/C7sh8ngNEVo?
And they give us an update at Eschenbach: “Despite the problems in broadcasting the live broadcast from the Eschenbach nest, I have uploaded this short video to confirm that everything is going well: Herbert has delivered a fish, Hermine is repeating the teak between the children and, most importantly, both are now flying. Normality is a gift from heaven.” https://youtu.be/yp5U1QXB_LQ?
Rutland Manton Bay: Will Maya stay home, postponing the start to her migration to help feed all those babies? We wait to see.
Birds of Poole Harbour: Everyone wants fish. Caught three on the nest.
Trempeauleau, WI: Mum is home, but where is T3? Well, that fledgling is never far away. Mum comes in with a fish and you can hear the sqeeing and then T3 is there to grab her dinner.
Talk about a loving and devoted mother. Mrs T sure is that and more. I get all weepy seeing the two of them together. It was such a challenging year for Mrs T raising this fledgling from hatch alone – and often, as I have said many times, without the help of Mr T, who was a hindrance stealing fish for his other nest with two youngsters from this one! But, nevermind, Mrs T did the unthinkable. She is amazing.
Tatarsan White-tail Eagles, RU: Fledgling visits nest, hoping for food.
Latvian Golden Eagles: Food delivery from Grislis. Spilve feeds – and it was a long feeding. https://youtu.be/-_HhGdK-pi8?
Menhaden-Little Fish, Big Deal: The entire article and the information on how to write is in my late Monday, 14 July blog. There is a big meeting on May 7. Don’t sit on this. Could you write to the Virginia Legislators? Cute and Paste – send it to all of them, demanding proper biodiversity and an end to commercial fishing in the Chesapeake and along the coasts of the Atlantic. We don’t want any more osplets to die, along with many other species.
If you love osprey, don’t sit on this. Get busy. Set aside two hours – that is all it would take to compose a letter – and send it out to every Virginia politician, along with the journalist who wrote the article, The New York Times, The Globe and Mail, etc. This is not the time to be silent.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 20th July 2025
The two chicks practised their flying and landing skills today, popping on and off the nest especially when Louis was around delivering fish. Breac got most of the two fish delivered by Louis, but Darach was determined and attacked both Dorcha and Breac to get a share. Both chicks were mantling and squawking over the fish so it appears hyperphagia (compulsion to eat) is setting in as migration looms in the not too distant future. Louis’ tally rises to three hundred and twenty eight, and Garry’s one fish delivery takes his tally to one hundred and thirty one, although it was such a small piece of fish, Aurora might not consider it worth counting. After staying dry most of today, the rain started this evening and scattered showers will probably continue through tonight with cloudy skies, light winds, and a low of 15°C causing muggy conditions. There’s a weather warning in place for the Highlands tomorrow of heavy showers and scattered thunderstorms causing localised flooding, and a high of 21°C in the Inver Mallie area.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.26.53 ( 03.50.00E); Nest Two 23.19.12 (03.57.54)
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 19th July 2025 Today was a day for celebration – not only did Breac 7P7 return safely after not returning to the nest after his maiden flight yesterday, but Darach 7P0 also fledged, and returned in time to be fed by his mum Dorcha. His fledge wasn’t the nonchalant take off his brother made – Darach did some flapping, hopping, and squeaking before launching himself off the right edge of the nest and out of sight. However, his return was pretty good, he made a smooth landing looking confident as if he’d been flying for a while. So that’s both chicks achieving this milestone, and while some on the forum express sadness at no longer having them around all the time, this is the major step in their development, their parents have been working towards. Many watchers are celebrating by making a donation towards the upkeep of their home in Arkaig Forest – there are many ways to donate, the easiest one is to use the yellow button on this page above ‘What’s been happening on the nest today?’ All donations of whatever size are gratefully received and will be put to good use. In other news, Louis delivered four fish to the nest today, one of which Breac tried to eat starting from the tail! But soon realised his mistake, flipped it around neatly, and started tearing into the head as Dorcha has shown them. Louis’ tally now stands at three hundred and twenty six, while Garry’s rises by one to one hundred and thirty following his delivery to Aurora today. The promised rain materialised and the chicks were just a damp huddle, the forecast calls for more rain overnight continuing tomorrow with thundery showers, with a low of 16°C tonight and a high of 21°C tomorrow.Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.43.27 (03.31.43); Nest Two 23.55.24 (04.00.52) Today’s videos:
https://youtu.be/tQMpMSjGkpo N2 He’s back! Darach returns and sticks the landing 17.31.27https://youtu.be/OAkKQWbpQRU N2 Two wet chicks greet Louis arriving with fish number three 18.31.50 Bonus watch – another brilliant video from Steve Quinn of the nest seen from a kilometre away:
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 18th July 2025
Today’s main story is Breac 7P7’s fledge. After doing a proper high helicopter off the screen in the morning, around lunchtime he casually had a quick preen, then without any fuss, spread his wings and launched himself out into the world. Older brother Darach 7P0 looked slightly bewildered but mum Dorcha flew off her perch to deal with the interloper, mistaking him for one of the intruders who’ve kept her and Louis busy today. He didn’t return to the nest, but thanks to LizB and her trusty scope, he’s been sighted perching on a tree behind the nest. Link in the bonus section to those trees via the drone flyover video. Despite intruder alarms, Louis delivered four fish to the nest, taking his tally to three hundred and twenty two. Nest One cam was up and running again this morning, allowing us to see Garry LV0 and Aurora 536 on the nest. He didn’t bring her any fish but they did have a successful mating, and when Affric 152 intruded and landed on the nest, they flew off together in the same direction showing their strong bond which bodes well for next year. His tally remains at one hundred and twenty nine. The weather was settled today, the thundery showers didn’t materialise but are forecast to show up tomorrow with a high of 22°C, but overnight it’s expected to be dry and partly cloudy with light winds, and a low of 14°C.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.41.29 (03.51.51E); Nest Two (04.08.30)
From the Ventana Wildlife Society. I am starting with a quote from the newsletter. The work that these remarkable individuals do should get the highest praise. There are few of them and they really live their lives caring for these amazing creatures.
“If you watched our wildlife documentary, Condor Canyon, you got to know Amigo (204) and his long-time mate, Kodama (646). Often the first condors seen by blossoming birders in Big Sur, CA, Amigo and Kodama were fixtures in their territory at Sea Lion Cove. They raised three biological chicks together playing a key role in the recovery of the species.
On December 13, 2024, Amigo was found deceased on the cliffs of his coastal territory. It is known that condors can live more than 5 decades, however, at the time of his death, Amigo was just 25 years old. Necropsy results confirmed his cause of death was lead poisoning. The lead bullet recovered from his digestive tract was consistent with a .22 caliber. While this caliber is legal in California, lead-based ammunition has been banned for hunting wildlife since 2019 due to its devastating effects on condors and other wildlife. Lead poisoning accounts for half of all known causes of death in condors and unfortunately for Amigo, his life was cut short.
However, this isn’t about blame, but rather, about solutions. Hunters and ranchers across California are following the law and doing their part to protect wildlife. Many responsible land stewards want to make the switch but still face limited availability of reliable non-lead options for smaller calibers like .22, which is America’s most popular rifle. Expanding access and awareness is key to protecting condors and supporting people whose livelihoods depend on working and living off the land.
Let’s honor Amigo’s legacy by advancing practical tools and partnerships that benefit both people and wildlife. If you or anyone you know hunts or has a ranch in central California, please pass along information about our Free Non-lead Ammunition Program. Click or tap the button below to get started.” That button is in the newsletter. If it doesn’t work, go to their website.
Lead toxicity impacts more than just condors. Many of the Bald Eagles taken into care have enormous amounts of lead, so don’t just do this for the condors, do it for all raptors. Call for a lead-free world in terms of ammunition (both recreational and military) as well as in fishing gear, etc. It is do dangerous!
I have received news from ‘TU’ that the mother stork hit by the car in the Czech Republic has died. Thankfully, her storklets are doing very well. Had their rescue taken any longer, it might have been a different story.
‘TU’ and I also discussed Bonus the much beloved Black Storklet that was orphaned, raised for a bit in a clinic with Urmas and Dr Madis, and then fostered by Karl II and Kaia. We all loved Bonus and followed ‘his’ journeys and then his satellite transmitter went dead and our hearts sank. Well, Bonus might not have a transmitter but SHE is very much alive and has been seen and photographed at many nests. Urmas also agrees that Bonus is a female. Yippee. I hope that Bonus finds a safe nest – many more are needed along with artificial ponds full of frogs and little fish – but that she lives long, raises many storklets, and carries on the DNA of her parents, Jan and Janika.
Grandaughter Elysha highly recommends David Attenborough’s Ocean. It is a documentary that raises the issue of overfishing in the ocean and sheds light on our beloved albatross. Please check out the official trailer and then find the documentary on your streaming channel: https://youtu.be/O7V8OuS2BMY?
A new FB group that also looks at Kakapo.
The Cornell Red Tail Hawks, Big Red, and Arthur’s Os are still enjoying their time around the Cornell Campus and having Mum and Dad provide them with meals!~
Thank you so very much for being with us. We are taking a brief retreat-type holiday this week. The forecast, however, is for rain both where we live and at our destination. It is easier to be home to care for Don and Toby, but we are going with open minds and eyes, knowing that home is only 2 hours and 20 minutes away! My Friday blog may be short.
Brock is waiting for food. Then the wasps came and he left. Thankfully, he returned and ate his entire meal. I felt relieved, as he doesn’t look so good these days.
I want to thank our notable contributors, ‘Geemeff, Heidi, PB, PS, TU’, the owners of the streaming cams listed in bold, the individuals who take the time to create videos, including SK Hideaways, and the authors of posts such as Jeff Kear at UK Osprey Information, and all those at Menhaden-Little Fish, Big Deal FB. I am very grateful to you and all the others and to the newspapers that still cover environmental issues as they relate to our precious feathered friends. My blog would not be what it is without your input into the world of birding.
We hope that the week was kinder to you than it was to the little osplets on the nests. Gosh, I hate to be a bearer of bad news. This year has really ‘gotten’ to me and Heidi. She said something very important on Tuesday and I hope she does not mind my repeating it since it was public. Heidi wrote, “I love them, and I want to be there for them… because it is happening to them whether we watch or not. If they can endure the pain, then so can I.” Precisely how I feel and I know from many of you who have written to me in the middle of the night that you sit up and virutally hold their little talons as they pass. Thank you for being there for them.
The plight is getting news coverage – keep up the pressure! Thanks, Heidi.
The book decluttering was quite the event. The final books went to the fire station thanks to my neighbour for their book drive. They were shocked to get thousands of almost new books! A great place for them. A win-win. The picnic table is assembled. The new beds are lovely and now, the last task is to pick a paint colour for the living room. It is the only room that I am going to refresh. Sometimes these things can become overwhelming so the goal is to stop before that becomes a reality.
In a week, we are going on a short holiday. Toby is going and The Girls are staying with Anne. On our return, Toby will begin his training. The trainer will come to our home. Looking forward.
There has been some sadness in the garden. We discovered that we had two baby Blue Jays. This evening when we took Toby on his walk, he wanted to go a different direction than normal. There in the back lane was one of the Baby Blue Jays. It had either hit one of the utility lines or landed on one and fell to its death. We scooped it up and brought it home burying it under the lime green hydrangea – a place where the little ones often flew. So sad. The adults work so hard to raise their young and in the end, so few survive those first months. There is also other sadness coming. For two nights Brock has not wanted to eat. He rests on the chairs on the deck and then goes back to the woodbox. Despite supplements, lots of good quality hard and wet food, dewormer, Brock is getting thinner and thinner. He does not run away from me but only allows me so close. I told him tonight how much his presence has meant to me and that I only wish he had trusted me enough to let me help him. He will be buried in the garden when he passes under the very large Crab Apple tree. I hope this time is not soon, but it feels as if it is. Send Brock your good wishes. All of this coloured what was to be a fun birthday party for Missey. So we will postpone that for a couple of days. The height of the party will be a small container of KFC. Missey loves KFC!!!!!!
‘PS’ report from Seattle Friday morning: “The two chicks continue to seem to do quite well, with multiple feedings witnessed, lots of flapping and hopping up and down on one leg, and some eating (though also a lot of still being fed by mom). I imagine, if all goes well, they will be fledging within the next 7-10 days? Can’t wait!
Mum has turned out to be a great fisher! It is so nice to see a nest doing well. They did lose one chick but these two are really flapping and getting strong. Thanks, ‘PS’
Some osprey nests have been neglected. As I race to try and decipher all my notes and get the data into the forms, it is time to start at the top and check to see what is happening. Before I do that, my inbox is full of great individuals wanting to help stop the commercial fishing that is taking all the Menhaden. Here is a new posting from Ben Wurtz and his team at Conserve Wildlife NJ.
First, pick a story to make the decline of ospreys ‘real’. Ask these lawmakers if they want to be the ones to go down in history as the killers of the Chesapeake and the cause of osprey genocide? Here is the individual listings of everyone in the Virginia House of Delegates and their e-mail addresses. Write to them. Make it clear what is at stake. Make it personal. Then sit down and write the radio, local television, local newspapers, anyone who will listen. We are gaining traction in our fight to get a moratorium. I want that and a clear 10 mile limit with no use of helicopters or spotter planes!
Allin’s Cove East: The trio are approximately six and a half weeks old. They will be thinking of fledging very soon.
Allin’s Cove West: One chick on the nest. It looks good.
City of Independence: The fishing seems to have slacked off a bit. River and Laurel have two osplets and there is a Bald Eagle nest right across the river! No doubt the eagles try and grab some of that fish that River catches for his family.
Charlo Montana: Mum and both osplets got lots of fish on Thursday evening. Delighted.
Dyfi: All fledglings are on the nest and accounted for Tuesday evening.
Thursday evening at Dunrovin. Little 4 figured out, after several attempts, how to get up and get some of that fish! Thank goodness.
Alyth SS: Flora is an incredible Mum. They lost one this year but two will fledge.
Birds of Poole Harbour: CJ7 and Blue 022 make beautiful babies. Blue has stepped up his fishing and everyone is full to the brim before light’s out.
Glaslyn: Elen continues to keep a careful watch over her nest,which appears she will share with Teifi if both safely return from migration nest season.
Foulshaw Moss 1: Home to White YW and Blue 35.
Steelscape: Two osplets were ringed on Wednesday the 16th!
Yorkshire Dales Castle Bolton Estate: Ringing of three osplets!
Cornell Red-tail Hawks and Ferris Akel: Ferris managed to catch up with the Os.
One or more of the Os have been sleeping in the natal nest on the Fernow Tower recently,
Bald Eagles on the mend at Hoo’s Woods:
Geemeff’sWoodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 17th July 2025
Nest One cam went down shortly after day cam switched over and is still down – technical issues mean it might be down for a while. Fortunately Nest Two cam is unaffected, as all eyes are on the nest awaiting the fledge of the two chicks, which didn’t happen today but is imminent. There were several intruder alerts causing Dorcha to alarm call but no intruders were seen. The chicks spent a great deal of time hopping, flapping, and getting quite high liftoff, and also spent a bit of time peering over the edge and triangulating, the process of determining distance or location which takes the form of rapid head bobbing by the chicks. Louis delivered four fish to the nest taking his tally to three hundred and eighteen. Due to the cam outage we have no idea if any fish were delivered to Nest One today, therefore Garry’s tally remains at one hundred and nine, however off-nest reports from LizB suggest both Nest One residents, Garry and Aurora, were in the area. The rain materialised later than forecast and is expected to last through the night with thundery showers, light winds, and a low of 16°C, and continue tomorrow with thundery showers, gentle breezes, a high of 21°C and a few sunny intervals.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One cam still down since 03.48.19 (03.05.51); Nest Two 22.57.45 (03.51.26)
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 16th July 2025 The weather was settled today and it looked a good day for first flights, but neither chick fledged. Perhaps the intruder alerts in the morning put them off as they spent a lot of time pancaked and didn’t make any helicopter attempts today. They did however do plenty of wingercising and bunny hops, including an amusing incident when Breac 7P7 did a flap and a hop from one side of the nest to the other and landed on Darach 7P0’s back in a flurry of wings then immediately hopped backwards again. Right before that they’d been perfectly in sync, both standing at the front of the nest turning in unison to watch something off-cam then checking out the view over the edge. Steve Quinn was also checking out the view from his vantage point a kilometre away and took some stunning long lens footage of the nest and its residents, link to his video in the bonus section. It was also a good day for fishing – Garry LV0 brought two fish for Aurora 536, and further strengthened their bond with what looked like a successful mating attempt. His tally now stands at one hundred and twenty nine fish. Louis brought five fish to the nest, taking his tally to three hundred and fourteen, but Dorcha didn’t get all of them as the chicks especially Breac are asserting themselves and taking fish directly from Louis as he lands. Tonight’s forecast is dry overnight with a clear sky, light winds and a low of 13
°C but it’ll change tomorrow to heavy rain, a gentle breeze and a high of 23°C. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.43.23 (02.56.41); Nest Two 23.39.24 (03.28.04)
https://youtu.be/3UCjzdxVnEc N2 Late night fish supper, fish five, arrives 22.43.22 Bonus watch – Steve Quinn’s amazing long lens video of the nest from a kilometre away:
Geemeff’sWoodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 15th July 2025 Intruder alerts and mini-helicopters were the order of the day but not much in the way of fish. Louis delivered only two fish today, a breakfast fish at 5am and a late night supper around 10.45 pm, taking his tally to three hundred and nine. However, an intruder Osprey was in the area causing multiple alarms and came close enough to be caught on camera on one occasion, which would have occupied Louis’ attention, and the second fish was a big lively trout, good for several dinners worth. The chicks’ energy levels are high enough for them to be preparing for fledging by flapping energetically, lifting off, and doing little hovers throughout the day when they weren’t pancaking because of the intruder alarms. Over on Nest One, Aurora 536 had a long wait before Garry LV0 finally brought her a fish at 8.15pm – was she the intruder at Nest Two, looking for free fish? The timings would work but the intruder wasn’t seen clearly – and his tally now stands at one hundred and twenty seven. The weather was mainly settled and set to continue with light clouds, light winds and a low of 12
°C overnight changing to sunny intervals and light winds with a high of 23°C tomorrow. Perfect for fledging? We shall have to wait and see!Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 00.07.30 (03.17.10); Nest Two 00.33.44 (03.34.57)
https://youtu.be/bn1_moU9mZ8n N2 Late night lively fish supper arrives, fish number two 22.46.14Bonus watch – with fledging imminent, here’s what our chicks will see when they find their wings:
Moraine State Park: First fledge Wednesday morning.
Tweed Valley:
Cornell Red-tail Hawks with N Sirohi:
Fish for all – just not industry. The petition on Change.org has gathered all the required signatures. Letters are going out to members of the Virginia Legislature. Keep sending them. I am reminding them that they could go down in history as the individuals who killed the Chesapeake Bay. Shame.
‘A’ brings us up to date with what is happening in Australia: “I have two major concerns about WBSE this year. First, the gap between the laying of the two eggs is huge – nearly 80 hours (17:50 on 4 July to 01:15 on 8 July) – although delayed incubation was practised until the second egg was laid. Already, I’m hoping that first hatch will be a male. Second, there have been a number of days when no prey has been brought to the nest at all and I am wondering why. Of course it’s not a major concern at the moment but when there are two fast-growing eaglets in that nest, it will matter a lot more than it currently does. Also, Lady and Dad are not the only white-bellied sea eagles on the block, with another adult eagle being spotted on the river a few days ago. That is wonderful of course but it also makes me a trifle nervous, for obvious reasons.
Dad has been doing his share of the incubating, with the pair splitting the nest-sitting duties fairly evenly on many days, though Lady always takes the night shifts. Dad has been sleeping close by and is very attentive. I love how keen the dads are for egg time (and later on, for chick time). These sea eagles really are exquisite birds. I love the delicacy of their heads.
At Orange, there is much bonding and mating occurring. Diamond and Xavier are adorable, and both are looking particularly healthy and well fed.
Eggs are still six weeks away at Port Lincoln and we have heard nothing about Collins Street so far this season.”
Many of you will recall that we had hoped to go and see Puffins this summer. It did not happen. Today an article appeared in The Guardian showing how climate change and the heating of our planet is impacting these precious little seabirds.
Missey, Calico, Baby Hope, Hugo Yugo, Toby and all the garden family including Brock wish you a very happy weekend.
Including Baby Blue Jay (the adults are moulting and have lost their crests).
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care everyone. See you on Monday!
I want to thank our notable contributors, ‘Geemeff, Heidi, PS’, the owners of the streaming cams listed in bold, the individuals who take the time to create videos, including SK Hideaways, and the authors of posts and articles, including The Guardian, Jeff Kear at UK Osprey Information, and all those at Menhaden-Little Fish, Big Deal FB. I am very grateful. My blog would not be what it is without your input into the world of birding.
Happy Monday! We hope that you had a great weekend.
The three Blue Jays living in the trees in my garden will wake you up! This is how they sound when I deliver a new pail of peanuts. They have lost all their trees but one, and I saw a new orange circle on it, which means it will be cut down, too. Thankfully, we have a home for them.
I want to start with some interesting news and a request for help. Two years ago, Michael St John from Barbados took some photos of an Osprey with a Blue Darvic Ring. That number was Blue KW0. It was unfamiliar. Where was it from? And how did it get to Barbados? Well, it was from the United Kingdom, and whether it was blown off course, got on a ship, one will never know, but it wound up in Barbados and was photographed by Michael. Now he has another quandrum that he is hoping we can help – especially if you are or know someone who is a specialist in Harriers.
There are several species of harriers, all belonging to the genus Circus. The most well-known include the Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus), the Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus), and the Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus). Other species include the Eastern Marsh Harrier, African Marsh Harrier, Swamp Harrier, Malagasy Harrier, Réunion Harrier, Long-winged Harrier, Spotted Harrier, Black Harrier, Cinereous Harrier, and Pallid Harrier. Some species, like the Papuan Harrier and Eyles’ Harrier, are also recognised. Here’s a more detailed breakdown: Northern Harrier: Found in North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, and they prefer open habitats like marshes and grasslands. Marsh Harrier: A group of harriers, including the Western Marsh Harrier, Eastern Marsh Harrier, and others, is often associated with marshland and reedbeds. Montagu’s Harrier: A migratory species, often confused with other harriers due to similar plumage. Other Species: The African Marsh Harrier, Swamp Harrier, Malagasy Harrier, Réunion Harrier, Long-winged Harrier, Spotted Harrier, Black Harrier, Cinereous Harrier, and Pallid Harrier each have unique geographic distributions and characteristics. Harriers – Raptor Identification – The complete raptors guide The classification of some harrier species, particularly within the marsh harrier group, is still being refined.
This is a young Reunion Harrier (Raptors are the Solution).
Michael St John has sought out the advice of many agencies and I was happy that one of them acknowledged that raptors (birds of all types) get off course.
Doing his own research, Michael has these findings:
“1/ Prominent white rump patch at base of tail
2/ Length of tail…its an obvious longer than normal tail
3/ Five fingers on the hand, makes it either a Northern or Hen, female. This Rules out Pallid and Montague, they have 4 fingers on the hand.
4/ Faint white ring around neck
5/ Wing Bars pattern
6/ Curve of the beak
7/ Yellowish legs
8/ Underbelly plumage: yellow/ ochre streaking
9/ I notice the curvature of the trailing edge of the secondaries in the Female Hen and not the Female Northern, the northern has straighter trailing edge secondaries. I haven’t seen this mentioned anywhere in the literature, I just see this feature popping out in the online photos.
After carefully reviewing Northern & Hen Pictures online I’ve ruled out Northern completely and the 5 photos below, in my opinion… are identical to Hen, female.
My call at this stage of research is Female Hen Harrier.”
These are the images. This is the type of detail you need if you are looking to properly identify a ‘vagrant’.
Still, Michael wants to be certain, and he is reaching out to anyone who is an expert to assist in this identification. Note that Barbados is far south and closer to South America. It is easy for birds from Central America and Africa to get off course and wind up in this region.
Thank you so much for any help. You can leave a comment or write to me at maryannsteggles@icloud.com
‘PS’ sends us the Seattle report for the weekend:
A good weekend for the nest! Numerous feeds (including one where Harry brought back the rear half of the largest fish I’ve seen on the nest this year!) seen on July 11, 12, and 13, and both chicks continue to do well and look good! They both continue to flex their wings a lot, with one jumping ever so slightly up on one leg yesterday. Also they are both trying to take bites out of food on their own, with the larger one actually feeding itself yesterday! Mom had brought back a Coho Salmon and was feeding one chick when the other started pecking at something – I couldn’t tell what. But when it turned sideways to me I could see it had another salmon in its beak! I guess there was a “spare” fish in the nest that it decided to try and eat. Mom and sibling took several funny looking glances at the youngster as it tried to rip pieces off the fish, but it did so many times so seemed to successfully (if inefficiently) feed itself. Several intercept missions by both mom and dad, and I spotted a group of 3 Osprey hanging out atop a nearby crane (that drew Sally off the nest). ~40 days old now, give or take – fingers remain crossed! Few pics here, many more up here (https://www.flickr.com/gp/193514804@N08/8459V5m6z6).
Check out Ping’s gorgeous images on his Flickr account. Link is in the information above!
Sharon Pollock sent the following video link to me remarking that I might cry my eyes out. I did. Get the tissues. It is the story of T3 from egg to fledge. Remarkably raised by a single Mum! https://youtu.be/xj8ZQw63Nzw?
Mrs T is a very remarkable eagle. I have seen others raise eaglets alone but never from the egg to fledge. Great video by Explore!
In the United States, several osprey nests have been attacked by individuals in boats. On Sunday, the three osplets at Smallwood were forced to fledge. They have not returned, and we do not know if they drowned or if they made it to a safe place. The individuals in the boat repeatedly returned to the nest.
So many other nests in the US struggling for food and with high heat or both.
Heidi’s Osprey Nest Reports for the US:
Chick 2’s passing at Cape Henlopen… I don’t intend to post a separate nest-news item regarding this.
We have sadness at the Osoyoos nest in British Columbia. The first hatch was stepped on and died. The second died. Ann-Marie Watson has created a flower garden in memory of all the osplets lost at this nest—poor little souls. I also want to add that she has returned to Osoyoos after working and heading home to retrieve the little bodies that fell off the nest to place them in a quiet, peaceful spot. Her actions always touched my heart – no one else in the town seemed to care! Many have passed away over the years, primarily due to heat domes affecting the region and the male Olsens’ struggles to provide for their family adequately.
Waiting for a food delivery while keeping her four osplets cool at Dunrovin Ranch in Colorado.
Swoop just flew in with a late Sunday evening fish. Thanks, ‘PB’.
Little 4 is full.
Charlo Montana – waiting for Charlie to finish with the fish!
It is hot in Idaho at Coeur de’Alene where the three osplets seem to be doing very well after the starvation of little four.
Birds of Poole Harbour: All four fledglings were back in the nest for night with fish arriving at the following times: 10:02, 16:14, 18:32, 19:29, 21:17. Big round of applause for CJ7 and Blue 022 – they raised four to fledge again.
Dyfi Osprey Project: All three back in the nest for an evening fish and a good sleep.
Everything to know about the fledging of Idris and Telyn’s trio:
Rutland Manton Bay: The three surviving osplets return on and off during the day for fish, which is continually provided!
Alyth SS: Sadly we lost Oakley to siblicide/starvation when they were fullty feathered. The two older osplets are doing well.
Llyn Clywedog 1: Seren and Dylan have had their first fledge since Friday.
Foulshaw Moss 1: White YW and Blue 35 have their first fledge.
At Finnish #3 nest, the Raven helps himself to the three osprey eggs.
At Wildnis-Goitzsche, Zeus delivers the last fish of the day as the sunset captures the reflections. The osplet has fledged. Thanks, Joan Castnyer. https://youtu.be/bdWWyZ_vFK4?
Other images form the live stream from Wildnis-Goitzsche:
Renee and Ricci doing very well at Eschenbach!
Up close and personal with Bety and Bukacek’s two storklets at Mlade Buky.
A nest full of storks in Trutnove in the Czech Republic.
Two Black Stork babies waiting for a food delivery in Bolewice, Poland.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 13th July 2025 Today was all about helicopters – both chicks spent considerable amounts of time practising lift off, and even getting quite high, but not the only-feet- visible-on-nest-cam sort of height for a true helicopter. However, practice makes perfect, and provided Dorcha doesn’t push them over the edge, as nearly happened to Darach 7P0 this evening, both chicks are on course to fledge this week. Louis delivered four fish to the nest, the second of which was his three hundredth for the season, but at times the chicks seemed more interested in bunny hopping and wingercising than eating, although Breac 7P7 did grab a fish directly from Louis, hold it away from Dorcha, and start having a munch on it. Louis’ tally now stands at three hundred and two. There were a couple of intruder alarms, but no one seen on nest cam, although over on Nest One, a shadow was seen briefly as Aurora 536 flapped her wings and squeaked before flying off. Garry LV0 brought her two fish – well, one and a half really, the second was just a small piece – and his tally rises to one hundred and twenty five. He also brought several sticks, one of which he actually rode in on and perched upon for a comedy moment. It was hot again today, at 29.7
°C slightly hotter than the forecasted 29°C, and the overnight conditions call for partly cloudy and light winds with a low of 16°C but the temperature is expected to drop tomorrow to a high of only 20°C, with thundery showers and a gentle breeze to cool things down.Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.51.42 (02.48.36); Nest Two 23.41.08 (03.13.59)
https://youtu.be/Y0dlcEBocmg N2 Danger! Dorcha nearly causes Darach to have an early fledge 21.59.39 (slo-mo zoom)Bonus action: voting now open for Woodland Trust’s Tree of the Year:
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch ArkaigSaturday 12th July 2025
On a hot day where temperatures soared to more than 33°C, the chicks didn’t seem to want extra fish, in fact, they appeared uninterested when the second and third fish arrived, preferring to wingercise and do the odd bunny hop. As seems to be the pattern now, Breac 7P7 acts keen on fledging first, flapping energetically and attempting lift off more than his older brother Darach 7P0. Louis brought three fish to the nest, taking his tally to two hundred and ninety eight, and despite appearances the chicks did eat enough to get the fuel they need at this stage of development. Dorcha had her fill of fish too, and spent time perching on the high perch or out of sight behind the nest on the cam post, relaxed despite being dive bombed by an intruder Osprey who buzzed the nest twice before leaving the area. Was it Aurora 536? The timings would work, but the intruder wasn’t seen clearly enough to notice if there was the blue flash of a Darvic ring. Garry LV0 brought two fish to Nest One but took the first away as the nest was empty. Aurora turned up too late shortly afterwards but was present when Garry delivered the second fish, and did her usual grab and mantle before leaving with it. Garry’s tally now stands at one hundred and twenty-three. Tonight’s overnight forecast is clear sky and light winds and a low of 15°C, continuing very hot tomorrow with sunshine, light winds and a high of 29°C.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 00.17.27 (02.42.05); Nest Two no switchover as at 00.45 (03.07.08)
There is so much news. The UK osplets are taking to the skies. All four of Blue 33 and Maya’s chicks have fledged. Sadly, we lost one who found himself in the water near the shore. A post-mortem is being conducted. Ringing has finished as far as I know. I wonder how many osplets over the entire UK were fitted with their Darvic rings and their BTO identification. I will try and find out.
Some include:
I am happy to report that the three osplets at the Green Ledge Light Preservation Society nest survived the storm and are now busy flapping their wings, preparing for fledge. Aren’t they beauties? No shortage of fish here! Long Island and New York have strict laws regarding the catching of Menhaden.
‘EJ’ thought we could use a hopeful Osprey article! I agree.
A heartwarming story about a rescue that refused to give up on this eagle: the images tell the entire story. Smile. Thanks, ‘J’.
World Bird Sanctuary adds:
“Happy 1 year intake anniversary to Bald Eagle 24-390!
While it seems strange to celebrate a patient having to be in our care for a whole year, it originally seemed unlikely that 390 would even survive the week. 390’s injuries were severe. He had gunshot injuries to both his left wing and his beak. with a significant portion of the middle of his beak missing due to the injury. Today we celebrate how far he’s come and the fact that his is still with us and progressing towards release!
There were many times, especially early in 390’s care, when we questioned whether it was time to give 390 the final gift we could, an end to his suffering through humane euthanasia. We diligently monitored his pain and stress levels and made adjustments to our treatment in order to keep him as comfortable as possible. At each turn we considered if his chance at recovery was worth everything we had to put him through.
But each time we considered calling it, 390 would take a step forward and show us that he was still fighting. He started taking his hand feeding without needing to be handled, was keeping down food, and started gaining weight again. His beak injury seemed less painful by the day as it started to heal and we reached the right balance of pain medications. His attitude and energy improved as he became feistier for care. All the while the beak was healing and enabled him to start eating on his own again.
It took 7 surgeries and countless wound cleanings over a period of 4 months to get 390’s beak to aligned and healing free of necrotic tissue. It required 8 1/2 months of healing before the gap in the bone finally finished closing. Now we are in the stage of keratin regrowth. 390 will need to grow an entirely new layer of keratin over his upper beak before we can consider him for release. This will likely take a full additional year of care. His beak will always be abnormally shaped due to his injury, but only time will tell if will regrow in a way that enables release.
Thank you to everyone who supports WBS and makes it possible for patients like 390 to have a fighting chance. A special thank you to our Rescuer’s Giving Club, whose monthly contributions go directly to our hospital and enable us to proved care to over 750 injured raptors each year. If you’re interested in getting more involved in supporting our patient’s journeys, you can learn more on our website.”
Another rescue. Father was missing. Mum tried to feed storklets. The fourth one passed. Then Mum was hit by a car. They were rescued. Here is Mum with her Babies. Czech Republic. Thanks, ‘TU’.
So glad to hear there could be two to fledge! This is a miracle in a very dire situation. Omega Protein Ocean Harvesters takes 112 metric tons, or roughly 230 million lbs, and it is based on science that measures the population in the ocean, not in the Bay.
Please sign the petition. I am Canadian and I don’t care what country you belong to – this needs to be stopped and I am embarrassed it is a Canadian company. The donations go to change.org. You do not need to donate but please share widely. We need this to stop.
Want to know ‘why’ politicians aren’t doing anything? What is the cost of the collapse of an eco-system and the deaths of thousands of ospreys? Well look below.
“Political contributions muddy waters
Reedville-based Omega Protein, which makes fish oil products, is the main beneficiary of menhaden fishing in Virginia, and it’s no stranger to politics.
The company has given $955,783 to Virginia political campaigns since 1996, according to the Virginia Public Access Project, a nonprofit that tracks money in politics.
That total includes money given to politicians on both sides of the aisle. The company, for example, has donated $38,000 to the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus over the years, and $34,500 to the Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus, according to VPAP.
Locally, Omega Protein has given $32,843 over the years to state Sen. Richard Stuart, a Westmoreland County Republican whose 25th District includes Caroline and King George counties.
And this year alone, the business has given $500 to Del. Joshua Cole (D-Stafford).
Milde, however, said he will not accept contributions from Omega Protein.”
Even with such a catastrophic year, there is a glimmer in some parts of New Jersey after months of bad reports.
Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. We will see you again on Friday.
Thank you so much for being with us today. I want to thank our notable contributors, ‘EJ, Geemeff, Heidi, Michael St John, PB, PS, TU’, the owners of the streaming cams listed in bold, the individuals who take the time to create videos, including SK Hideaways, and the authors of posts and articles, including Jeff Kear at UK Osprey Information. I am very grateful. My blog would not be what it is without your input into the world of birding.
First up. Calico has a question for you (answer at the bottom, don’t peek!)
What is this Blue Jay doing on our feeding table, and why is it doing this? If you are wondering about the weather, it is 31 degrees C, and this bird is in the direct line of the hot sun.
Just an update to start: FOBBV lost its bid to stop the fireworks in Big Bear Valley. I cannot imagine a more frivolous way to burn money and to harm wildlife and domestic pets. It is outrageous. And if anyone thinks Jackie and Shadow do not react, well, there is a video showing Jackie being frightened off the nest during fireworks at New Year’s (2025). The notes under the video read “Jackie and Shadow, two of the most famous bald eagles in the world, have returned to their nest in San Bernardino National Forest after a fireworks scare. The elegant eagles were startled during New Year’s celebrations. Jackie returned to the nest first, carrying a stick with her, calling out loudly to her mate to let him know where she was. “Even though eagles see very well in the day, they do not see well at night, so it can be dangerous for them to be flying around at night, especially in the panic of a crisis moment,” wrote the Friends of Big Bear Valley and Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam. “It’s great to have them back and know they are safe after they flew off their roost tree in the middle of New Year’s eve night.” Jackie and Shadow have become internet celebrities thanks to their ongoing love story and their fierce dedication to their eggs, especially through extreme weather, including intense snowstorms. 2022 was the parents’ most recent success story, with “Spirit” successfully leaving the nest in May of that year.”https://youtu.be/3cibe6R5IUA?
Loch Arkaig: Name the two male chicks. Go to the Woodland Trust Scotland FB page and put in your two selections. Be sure to give a reason for you choice!
Ventana Wildlife: Their film Condor Canyon is available for $20 US. Free shipping in the US. Visit the Ventana Wildlife Society website for more information.
Washington not on camera nest monitored by ‘PS’. Sadly, the third chick has not survived and passed sometime during the evening of 2 July and was removed from the nest by Mum. Two healthy chicks survive.
We will begin with Heidi’s Osprey notes. One of the nests will be a repeat- it is just too sad not to mention twice.
Dewey Beach: 6/26 was the last good day for this family with one surviving osplet. After that, Dad was not seen again for a few days, and we did not know if he was injured, or worse. Mom had already been fishing for several days to supplement Dad’s deliveries, but suddenly she was having difficulty catching fish. Mom was only able to bring in 1 fish on 6/27, 2 fish on 6/28 and 6/29. Mom arrived late on 6/30 with a fish, and she fed her baby. None of those fish had been very big, and since Mom was feeding the youngster, Mom ate some too. Then Mom stopped coming to the nest. Dad brought in 1 small fish on 7/1. The 48-day-old chick had very little self-feeding experience, and did not have any experience self-feeding from a whole fish, but by golly he got it done. He unzipped and ate that whole fish. Viewers had tears of joy. On 7/2 the chick was alone the entire day…neither parent came to the nest. On the morning of 7/3, the osplet died of starvation, at just under 50 days of age. That beautiful chick’s Dad and Mom had been having a hard time finding fish, even though the nest is situated between the ocean and a large bay. (note: Mom is okay, she has since been seen at the nest)
Cape Henlopen: Miles and Hennie have two chicks, that are 21 days old on 7/4. This nest has seen a few lean days recently. Hennie had been fishing and bringing in some fish. Miles was seen dealing with intruders at times so he had also been protecting the nest. The weather was generally very good. But, it did seem as though Miles and Hennie were having difficulty finding fish. There simply wasn’t enough fish to satisfy the oldest chick, so s/he became aggressive and made it very difficult for the youngest osplet to eat for a few days. On 7/3, Miles and Hennie brought 7 fish to the nest, and two of Miles’ fish were quite large. By the time the third fish arrived, Chick1 had already been stuffed, and didn’t even mind if Chick2 ate. Little2 had a full crop most of the day. Tears of Joy! There will be good days and bad days, for sure… but, we hope the good days far outweigh the bad ones.
Thank you, Heidi. It has been more than a rough year for the nests you are monitoring.
A sadness that is hard to bear will be here, and then we will proceed to the good news. I continue to call for everyone to tell anyone who will listen and can broadcast what is happening in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey to their osplets. Parents abandoning eggs, or in this instance, abandoning a fully feathered, almost ready-to-fledge osplet on the nest to starve. It is not their fault. Sadly, they should have been forewarned and not even bothered to lay eggs or abandon their eggs like the ospreys on St George’s Island. This is a true tragedy, worse than what was seen in the era of DDT. Please take a moment to consider what that means. All species in the Chesapeake Bay and its surrounding areas are dying and could become extinct in this region.
Of course, Heidi will also cover this tragedy. This chick, near to fledge, needs to be the poster boy of the tragedy that is taking over all the osprey nests. I cannot tell you that you need your voice heard. Don’t just sit there and say it’s so sad and turn off the camera – get mad. Do something. Find a politician who might listen, or even a radio host, a newspaper that has the backbone to cover this killing off of the fish hawk.
We have had a busy week, but we managed to get some fun in the midst of a massive declutter! The weather was very hot, reaching to 30 C, and there were many walks with Toby in the cool of the morning and evening. In the late afternoon we found shade and worked in the garden while Toby sniffed about trying to find hidden treasures in the soil. There was Baby Hope’s birthday party on Tuesday – she turned two and I still get weepy whenever I think of Calico being dumped, living outside in the winter, and then having only one of her kittens survive. Thankfully they are both safe inside now.
You will not see Baby Hope anywhere. She came to the table, noticed Anne was there and took off. She will not come out if anyone else is in the house. Oh, maybe one day.
There were walks in the English Gardens to see the beautiful flowers and Toby had his first doggie ice cream complete with bone on Wednesday!
Oh, the shade was so refreshing in the 30 C+ heat. This is what you get if you are a puppy! Toby said it was delicious.
Inside his pram, a wee bit of a mess but he licked it all clean.
Our garden is thriving. It’s hot and humid, and I could be fooled into thinking I was in the Southeastern US. My Latvian Dry Soup Peas have blossoms – pink with the most gorgeous burgundy centre. Whenever I see them growing so well, I think of Sassa Bird, a friend from Latvia, who used to post on FB. She sent me their traditional/national recipe for a dish using these dried peas.
The Snow Peas have white blossoms and the tomatoes and peppers are thriving.
Of course, I have excellent help with watering, thanks to Toby. Toby loves water, and his big floppy ears should not get wet. The other day, he ran right into the shower with me before I could get the door closed. Found a child’s swimming cap today for him. He can come in the shower anytime he likes now!
Confirmation has come from all the observers in the Big Bear Valley that Sunny and Gizmo have now left their parents’ territory. I am glad they do not have to endure the fireworks.
Today we are reaching the conclusion that most likely Sunny and Gizmo have left the Big Bear area of this mountain. We could be wrong, yet our history of sighting eagles in Big Bear indicates to us that they are no longer in this area. With the amount of solid hours we’ve dedicated daily to areas around the entire lake and to the areas we were observing Sunny and Gizmo in, there have been no solid confirmations using our photos (which we enlarged) or our binoculars since 6/27. The history of when Jackie and Shadow’s only other fledglings left the area also coincides with the timing of what we believe is the departure of Sunny and Gizmo from Big Bear. From our observations – Simba the eaglet from 2019 and Spirit the eaglet from 2022 each took 26 days to leave the area after fledging. On 6/27/25 it would be 25 days since Sunny fledged and 20 days since Gizmo fledged. When Owen had asked me before the two fledged how long I thought they would stick around Big Bear after fledging, I responded that I thought they may leave a bit sooner as they may depart together and they have each other so I didn’t think they would stay longer than a solo fledgling. That might be what has happened and if the two have left we should be glad that they had the solid foundation Jackie and Shadow gave them. There are many locations not that far from Big Bear that have lakes where plenty of food can be found. There have been at least four visiting younger eagles in the area this past month. It’s possible that Sunny and Gizmo followed one or more out of the area or they may have just left on their own. On 6/27 we observed the pair in flight going up quite high, most likely an altitude of 9,000 feet or more. They did come back down yet I said to Owen that I thought they were reaching a point that they may leave soon. We got our last photos of them right after we saw them doing higher altitude flight. We will still be doing eagle observations as usual and will definitely report any sightings we may have of Sunny or Gizmo. We’re at great peace knowing we witnessed them doing so very well on their own with flight, landings, take offs and having some stretches of time alone. Jackie and Shadow seem to also be indicating by our recent observations that the kids have gone on their longer distance journeys. We believe Sunny and Gizmo will revisit Big Bear yet it will be hard to know if it’s them once they have molted. Remember that young eagles are nomadic and they like to roam and travel in their first four to five years of life. Tourists are already arriving and we’re looking forward to a wonderful 4th of July holiday week here in the eagles neighborhood by Big Bear Lake. – Trish
P.S. More observations of a visiting eagle as well as more observations of Shadow and Jackie coming soon!”
Dunorvin Ranch had another rescue on Tuesday. Chicks 1 and 2 went off the edge and got stuck in the sticks. Out came the cherry picker and two great individuals who placed some wire garden fencing and worked on the twigs so that, hopefully, the osplets will now stay put! The osplets were continually misted. Two frozen fish were left. Swoop came and took one and returned it, headless. Winnie stepped up and ate and fed the chicks. Now, I want you to remember this. Ospreys will eat frozen fish. It is not required that the fish provided be fresh!!!!!!!! Myth busted right before our eyes.
Frau Rauer Osprey Platform in Norway: Mum and the two chicks excited about the arrival of Herr Rauer and a fish dinner
Contented chicks with their juvenile feathers being civil during the meal. So well behaved.
Plenty of fish for Mum to have a nice before bed dinner, too.
News from ‘PS’ on the Washington nest (no camera):.
“Thank you for the notes below – great to know about dads feeding the young! Perhaps Harry here just didn’t feel like it on that particular day…and also, makes sense that as the young grow mom may fish more just given the caloric need.
An update for July 1 – some worrisome and perhaps unfortunate news today (will try to confirm tomorrow). When I arrived there was a feeding just getting started, with mom clutching a pretty nice sized Starry Flounder. The two largest osplets were arranged around her being fed but I noticed that #3 was in the foreground of the nest (relative to me) in the usual submissive pose I’ve seen it get bullied into before. However…it didn’t budge from this pose/position during my entire visit, and I never saw it move. I was there ~45 minutes or so. Osplets 1 and 2 had plenty of food from that flounder but I worry that #3 might no longer be with us. I wish I could have stayed longer – perhaps it moved once the feeding was over…I will try to visit again tomorrow to get a better idea of things. At any rate, 2 osplets still seem to be doing relatively well – sunny, warm, and not too windy weather due over the next week so fishing should be good. Few new pics up on Flickr.”
I love the nests in the UK and Europe and today, Dunrovin made gold by rescuing the oldest osplet of Winnie and Swoop who backed up and got caught in the twings of the crib rails (well, not much there). The quick rescue, a fix of the rails, and some fish saved the day. But, the US osprey population is in trouble and particularly those nests impacted by the commercial overfishing of Menhaden.
Latest post from Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ:
There are individuals angry at Ben Wurst for not supplying fish to a nest where the third hatch died. This is the issue – there is no food. He said he could supply fish every day, but he would have to, because there would be no food for them if they fledged. Adults are dying. I continue to mention that they laid eggs and abandoned them. I wish that had happened at these other nests. Is it better to die at a young age than a fledgling?
Rutland Water Manton Bay: The first hatch of Maya and Blue 33, 3R5, fledges on 2 July! https://youtu.be/kII5xhl2Gwc?
Three of Maya and Blue 33’s chicks have now fledged as of 3 July 3:14 CDT. They are 3R5, 3R6, and 3R7.
Alyth SS: The three osplets were ringed and the nest cleaned on the 2nd of July. Two females and a male. My nickel is on Oakley being the male. I’ll be sure to follow the details and let you know.
Birds of Poole Harbour (if you missed it): Chicks were ringed on the 29th.
5R3 – 1.75kg – female
5R4 – 1.44kg – male
5R5 – 1.45kg – male
5R6 – 1.35kg – male
Foulshaw Moss/Cumbria Wildlife Trust: The osplets of White YW and Blue 35 have been ringed. They are believed to be a female, the first hatch, 7K1. Two males, 7K2 and 7K0.
LS Finnish Nest: Three gorgeous osplets. Video captured by Mie shows Dad bringing in a huge stick. https://youtu.be/2V-5l0Yh8I4?s
Taipalsaaren sääkset: Two of the three eggs hatched. The osplets are approximately three and a half weeks old.
#1 Saaksilvie: A miserable wet day at the nest! Eura delivered a headless fish at 22:24:35.
#4 Saaksilvie, Satakunnan: It is a wet day for the three osplets. Nupu is trying to keep their little heads dry. It was nice earlier. Nemo brought a whole fish at 23:16:38. The camera was off, and a huge fish was delivered. N1 threw up at the last delivery but had a large crop from the previous meal. Hoping nothing is wrong with the eldest chick at this nest.
Paltamont Osprey Platform, Finnish Osprey Foundation: Two gorgeous chicks.
Juurusvesi Osprey Platform, Finland: Fish deliveries at this nest were: 05:18, 11:49, 13:15, 16:26, 19:11, and 23:07. That is a nice delivery pattern for these three osplets. Note that the two older have their juvenile feathers while the last hatch still has its wide white stripe along its back and thermal down. All seem to be doing well.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 3rd July 2025 The day started with a celestial visitor which made its presence sufficiently felt that Dorcha noticed it from her high perch. A bright fireball made by a meteor entering Earth’s atmosphere caused the night sky to light up with bright flashes which the chicks slept through but the nest cams recorded. As did many people throughout Scotland, and the BBC featured the meteor on tonight’s Reporting Scotland and included clips of the event caught on the Osprey cam. Today we also received the information that both chicks have been assessed as male: chick1 Blue 7P0 weighed 1320g and chick2 Blue 7P7 weighed 1270g. Now the fun begins as George WTS has opened the naming contest, full details in the bonus section. Enter as many suggestions as you wish but get them in by noon on Sunday 6th. In other news, no intruders were seen today, and both males brought fish to their respective nests. Louis brought four fish for Dorcha taking his tally to two hundred and fifty seven, and Garry LV0 brought one fish for Aurora 536 taking his tally to one hundred and eleven. T
he weather was wet and windy but did perk up with some sunny intervals, however there aren’t any sunny spells forecast for tomorrow, just heavy rain and a moderate breeze with a high of 16°C following tonight’s heavy rain and a gentle breeze with a low of 12°C. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.42.30 (02.30.21); Nest Two 23.34.25 (03.16.01) Today’s videos:
https://youtu.be/GoGJEamzmMw N2 Name those chicks! Contest now open, closes noon Sunday 6th Bonus opportunity – naming contest for the chicks now open, full details:
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 2nd July 2025
Today was a significant one for the chicks – they were visited by the licensed raptor expert and ringed -their Darvic rings are Blue 7P0 and Blue 7P7, and in due course we’ll be given the rest of the information obtained today, including sex, weight, and measurements. Once that’s been received, George WTS will open the naming contest so if you’ve started thinking of names, please wait to post them until George gives the word. Unusually the chicks were removed from the nest and ringed on the ground as a safety measure due to the wind, then returned to the nest where they were seen pancaked when the nest cam was switched back on. Dorcha was perched nearby during the ringing process, Louis stayed away then turned up with a fish at 21.45 which the chicks were soon tucking into. Louis brought three fish to the nest, taking his tally to two hundred and fifty three, and the nest cam was zoomed out ready for watching the chicks swoop about once they’ve fledged, which could happen in as little as ten days time. Over on Nest One, Garry LV0 and Aurora 536 worked together to see off an intruder Osprey, after which he brought her three fish, and his tally now stands at one hundred and ten. The weather was settled today, and will continue overnight with light clouds, light winds and a low of 9°C, but changing tomorrow to light rain showers, with gentle breezes and a high of 15 °C. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 00.39.16 (03.02.08); Nest Two 00.36.39 (04.05.36) Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/REZhgRkSfXI N2 Fish number one, whole trout, still twitching 04.38.19https://youtu.be/lMDRnL3mKTM N1 Garry delivers a mid morning fish for Aurora 10.46.26https://youtu.be/UYMSGpVUQhY N2 One chick feeds the other prefers to preen when the second fish arrives 12.16.37 https://youtu.be/NASlzrW9tKc N1Garry stays and feaks his beak after Aurora leaves with the second fish 13.55.35https://youtu.be/vHsHP9HmhrI N1 Garry brings a fish, leaves and returns when Aurora’s there 16.39.29
https://youtu.be/gyZNAG8kjew N2 Meet 7P0 and 7P7 – the chicks have been ringed! 19.31.10 (zoom)https://youtu.be/TKGg7C2awVI N2 Dorcha looks a little wary, and keeps looking round while dishing up fish three 21.44.35 https://youtu.be/UTNch0cOXAk N2 The cam changes to the expanded view, ready to enjoy seeing the chicks flying about 22.32.29 Bonus info – interested in becoming a ringer? British Trust for Ornithology give the facts:
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 1st July 2025 Darkness falls to end a dramatic day, but different in fundamental ways from the very dramatic events which took place on this day last year when the chicks were removed from the nest to join the translocation programme, an event so unusual it made the STV evening news (see blast from the past section). Today’s dramas involved Osprey intrusions on both nests. On Nest One, Aurora 536 had three separate events first with an unringed male attempting to land, then an unexpected visit from Affric 152 who did manage to land but only for a few seconds before a furious Aurora got rid of her, and finally a third intruder who couldn’t be seen properly by the nest cam watchers although clearly Aurora thought they’d come too close for her liking. On Nest Two, Dorcha had several flybys by an unidentified intruder Osprey, which prompted chick1 to join her in defending the nest – instead of staying pancaked like chick2, chick1 actually stood up and alarm-called! The ringers are probably coming tomorrow due to the poor weather forecast for the end of the week, and chick1 seems to be demonstrating how grown up and ready for the next stage s/he is. Aurora received no fish on the nest today so Garry’s tally remains at one hundred and seven, but Louis delivered five fish, and that fifth fish is his two hundred and fiftieth for the season to date – well done Louis! Tonight’s forecast is misty and light winds with a low of 8
°C, changing to sunny intervals tomorrow morning then light rain showers and a gentle breeze in the afternoon and a high of 17°C. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 00.21.55 (02.36.10); Nest Two 23.31.54 (03.40.36)
https://youtu.be/7fAZDt8DN2I N2 Dorcha returns in time to get fish number five from Louis: fish number 250 for the season! 21.47.03 Bonus action – Woodland Trust urges anyone with a garden to put out a bucket of muddy water:
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 30th June 2025 On this day last year, the family were spending their final night together, although they didn’t know it – the following day the two chicks would be removed and placed on a translocation programme under the auspices of the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation and Fundación Migres in Spain. Woodland Trust Scotland’s statement on the translocation in the bonus section. Despite today’s wet weather, conditions are nothing like last year’s – Louis is healthy and providing plenty of fish, the chicks are developing on schedule, and all being well with both the weather and the ringers’ nest schedule, the chicks could be ringed on Friday 4th July. Despite the rain and the odd intruder alarm, Louis delivered four fish to Dorcha, taking his tally to two hundred and forty five, while over on Nest One Garry LV0 brought two fish for Aurora 536, smaller than she would have liked, and his tally now stands at one hundred and seven. Despite the overnight forecast stating partly cloudy and light winds with a low of 10°C, it is raining as I file this report (shortly after midnight) and Dorcha and the chicks are a huddle of damp plumage. Tomorrow’s forecast is for sunny intervals and light winds with a high of 19°C, fingers crossed it actually turns out that way. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.31.31 (03.16.30); Nest Two 23.02.15 (03.45.04)
And to Dr Tess, who spent a wonderful year at Wildlife Haven in Manitoba, a fond goodbye. You experimented with various apparatus to save the animals under your care. We wish you well in your new position in Florida.
Golden Eagle, Latvia: Spilve and Grislis have been taking turns providing prey for Meldrs.
Blue Jays flatten down, or “flop,” on the ground as a form of sunbathing, also known as “anting” or “sunning”. This behaviour helps them maintain their feather health and remove parasites. They might also open their beaks to pant, which allows them regulate their body temperature in the heat.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Sunbathing/Sunning:Birds, including Blue Jays, spread their wings and body on the ground to expose their feathers and skin to the sun.
Anting:This is a specific type of sunbathing where birds use ants to help clean their feathers.They might lie on the ground where ants are present or even pick up ants and rub them on their feathers.
Feather Maintenance:The sun’s heat helps to remove parasites and spread preening oils throughout the feathers, promoting overall feather health.
Temperature Regulation:In hot weather, Blue Jays might pant with their beaks open to help cool down.
Other Possible Reasons:While sunbathing and anting are the most common reasons, some research suggests it might also be related to other behaviors, such as a bird feeling dizzy from flying or potentially even self-stimulation.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care. We will see you again on Monday! For those celebrating the 4th, have a lovely, safe, happy day.
Thank you, as always, to those darling individuals who consistently send me great news items: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, PB, PS’. I am grateful, as it is so difficult to keep up with all the news! To those individuals who posted news on FB or websites and whose names are highlighted in bold, thank you so much. To the streaming cams highlighted, we are all grateful that you allow us the privilege of watching the lives of these amazing birds as they raise their families in the most difficult of times. Thank you to all, as my post would be nothing without you.
First up. Port Lincoln Ospreys posted a lot of flight paths of the ospreys, but one will interest all of you – Ervie. I put in the details of what this most loved fledgling from the barge has been up to.
To give everyone a smile. This has been a generally good weekend in the garden. The European Starling parents are ready for their fledglings to leave the nest and garden area and go and find their way. This is perfect for Mr Crow and his two fledglings, who started coming to the garden Saturday evening. The baby Crows are as big as their parents. They are easy to spot as they will land on the craziest of things and they can’t quite balance themselves on the wires. They also walk all over the roof of the conservatory! The cats were absolutely fascinated with them.
Hugo Yugo almost popped her eyes out!
Baby Hope seemed a little frightened with the scratchy noise on the glass.
Calico was simply fascinated.
Missey was no where to be found.
I write this blog with a continuing heavy heart. Baby osplets are dying everywhere in the area that Omega, the Canadian corporation, is doing its industrial/commercial Menhaden fishing. We know only of those nests on the streaming cam unless you start to read Menhaden-Little Fish, Big Deal FB where many have answered my posts with information. No surviving osplets around the Virginia coast. None on St. George’s Island, Maryland. Ben Wurtz of Conserve Wildlife tells us that there is no use putting fish on the nests in NJ because when the chicks fledge, there is no fish to eat! Remarkably, even the adults are surviving, so I tell you, be happy if any of those nests fledge one chick. Please don’t be hard on the male who is working his little tail off to find fish that aren’t there.
The fault lies with politicians taking donations from Omega and a three-mile fishing limit. We need a ten-mile safe space. That might do it, although I would be much happier with a complete moratorium on the fishing of Menhaden. There are petitions to sign. I will put them at the end of the blog. Please sign them, write people, write the newspapers, the radio stations, The New York Times, 60 Minutes…whatever. There must be someone out there who has the agency to get this topic of extinction on the airwaves and get more people lobbying to protect the osprey.
One of our long-time readers, ‘EJ’, sent this to me to share with you today. There is little mention of the lack of Menhaden, never mind the direct cause.
Terrapins are dying along with the Striped Bass and Blue Crabs. The whales and dolphins have left the area.
More sadness. Trolls are trying to blame this on Bald Eagles! Seriously. Omega Corporation (I am embarrassed that it is a Canadian company) takes 112 million pounds of adult Menhaden and perhaps even more when they are scouring the shores of New Jersey and Delaware. Ospreys need adult Menhaden to survive. That is it. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Please don’t skip the image below of a dead osplet. Perhaps I have said this twice. You are watching the extinction of a species in this area. It can be stopped, but no politician in the area seems to have the will to do anything for wildlife. Are they so afraid of the next election and those great big donations?
Instead of stop watching these nests where the babies are dying – watch and learn and then get mad and do something. Sit down and write 20 letters – cute and paste is easy. Get the information on the overfishing in the area by a commercial company, the need for a 10 mile limit instead of 3, and write and write. Get everyone you know who cares about wildlife to write. Send it to the papers, the radio stations, those who care about the environment. Write Corey Booker in NJ. Maybe he will help!
Today, we lost the second hatch at Island Beach State Park, NJ. Notice it is NJ. It isn’t just the Chesapeake Bay. Omega is fishing off the shores of NJ and Delaware, but the ospreys are impacted in all the states in the region, including Maryland. Strangely, we are now having some issues with the third hatch at the Great Bay Osprey Platform in New Hampshire. it might not survive the weekend. We wait to see. Little Peabody died Monday morning.
It is the last day of June. Where did the days go? Tomorrow is Baby Hope’s second birthday. It’s also Canada Day, so we’ll be having a big party! I am not going ‘crazy’. The world doesn’t need to manufacture any more stuff and my ‘fur babies’ do not need a thing. Baby Hope loves those squeezy treats and what my friend, Geemeff, knows as Dreamies in the UK. She also has a new toy. Anne will be with us, so it will be grand. I might even get some vanilla ice cream and share it with everyone!
Good news coming in from our reader ‘PS’ who is keeping a close eye on the osprey family in Washington with its three chicks. Just look at them. They have outgrown the Reptile stage and are developing juvenile feathers. Each has a nice crop.
‘PS’ reports: “Quick update for today, June-28…a very good day! The family was finishing up a meal when I arrived, and all crops were very full, even the littlest one. Which was good enough, and a delight to see, but then dad showed up with another fish (looked like some kind of flounder or sole) 20 minutes later! Nestlings were mostly sleeping and couldn’t even be bothered to get up, except for the littlest one who figured why not, and continued to eat more. Mom ate a lot of this one too, then took a quick break down to the shoreline, walked around a bit, dunked her head in the water, then flew back. Dad was mostly taking a break on a nearby lightpost. Seems like the eating was very good today (bright, sunny, warm, calm winds). So good to see!”
If you haven’t checked out ‘PS’s’ Flickr diary of this family, please do:
We also have a report from ‘PS’ for Monday morning: “Hope your weekend has been a good one – one update for you from today, June 29. Unfortunately it was a slow day from what I could see, at first – not only were the three nestlings not sporting bulging crops, but mom left the nest three times after I arrived, for up to ~12 minutes at a time, presumably to hunt on her own. No dad during this time. First two times she came back empty-taloned…then after she left a third time one of the parents returned, at last, with a fish! I thought it was odd, though, that this adult landed in the nest, looked a bit befuddled, left the fish, then decamped for the perch, without feeding the kids (in looking at my images later I realized that this was dad, but didn’t realize it at the time)…some ten minutes later, the other adult returned, this time with a pretty large southern Rock Sole (headless – fuel for the journey no doubt) which was immediately fed to the nestlings (this was mom, though at the time I was still somewhat confused as to who was who). Sadly, #3 was bullied out of the way by #2 (the size difference is enormous). I had to leave before the fish was finished, but hopefully everyone had enough and/or the parents were able to get more fish.
It was sunny today, but very windy, so perhaps challenging conditions…it was worrisome to see mom leaving so often, and coming back with nothing. Clearly she didn’t want to leave for so long, but felt she had to…”
While chicks have been lost on nest 2 at Foulshaw Moss in Cumbria, at nest 1, White YW and Blue 35 continue to raise their three chicks without issue! White YW brings in these huge fish, and Mum is excellent at getting the bites spread around despite having three ravenous beaks.
Notice the difference in plumage between the three chicks on the Washington nest and Foulshaw Moss 1. The most petite chick on the Foulshaw Moss nest still has ‘slight’ remnants of that big white wide stripe of its youth, while all the chicks at Washington are slightly younger and retain the white stripe on their back. Soon it will be covered with gorgeous, beautiful juvenile plumage!
At Rutland Manton Bay, the oldest chick is doing some amazing hovers. Landings on the nest are tricky with three large siblings! Watch for the first fledge of an osprey in the UK anytime!
Birds of Poole Harbour are celebrating the return of CJ7 and Blue 022’s of two-year-old Blur 5H3.
This year’s four will be ringed on Sunday morning the 29th so I will be able to report this today!
Here’s the video of the four pancaked and showing the Blue Darvic Ring 5R4 on the chick from Birds of Poole Harbour! https://youtu.be/eaxk967rTQI?
The cutoff for the weight for males usually is below 1600. Over is female, coupled, of course, with measurements to support that weight. In the end, though, only a DNA test can definitively provide the gender. (Sometimes the ringers are wrong.)
Here are the results:
Llyn Clywedog: Seren Blue 5F with her two gorgeous, big, healthy chicks. Unringed Dylan does a marvellous job of feeding his family. One year, he was tracked and timed by John Williams, revealing he flew 25 miles to chase an intruder away, returning with some lovely Brown Trout. (Trout was available at the nearby reservoir, but this fish did not come from there – he was watched closely.)
The Llyn Clywedog ospreys were ringed in 2025. Instagram reports that two chicks were safely ringed at the Llyn Clywedog nest as part of ongoing conservation efforts. The chicks were ringed with blue rings, and the specific numbers were not mentioned in the Instagram post.
Dyfi Osprey Project: Idris arrived with a fish on Saturday night around 2000. Look at the flurry. You can see some of the new bling on the chicks in the second image.
Loch Doon: Angel and Frankie’s two surviving osplets are now hovering!
Saaksilvie #4, Finland: Three healthy osplets, stretching and walking around the nest and one dirty camera lens!
Saaksilvie #2 LS: Three osplets finished their meal, and the fish left on the nest!
Couer de’Alene, Idaho: The four osplets are doing very well! No overfishing here that I am aware.
Smallwood: Look at these three beauties.
Boulder County: Family portrait.
Charlo, Montana: Someone is going to ‘yell’ at me and tell me I’m wrong, but right now, I have a little concern for the third hatch at this nest. The two larger earlier hatches are eating a lot of food, and the little one is in submission a lot. It is clever and finally sees an opportunity, getting on the opposite side of Mum to come away with a crop. That crop was not easy – it worked hard for it.
Dunrovin: Oh, that wee third hatch makes me ache. But, look, it is right up there – all three in a line being fed by Winnie. Dad Swoop up on the perch after flying in with the family fish meal.
Independence City: We can finally see that there are two beautiful chicks in this nest!
Heidi’s Osprey Report:
Great Bay: All the chicks survived the heat dome that lasted for a few days, but since the weather cooled, it seems that Dad just cannot deliver enough fish to the family. The chicks are 27, 26, and 23 days old on 6/30. The two older chicks have big appetites, and Little3 has not been able to eat much for a few days. Little3 may not make it. But, he has won the hearts of many people who are praying for him. Little3 is much loved.
Dewey Beach: Dad has not been seen since 6/26. Mom has been fishing for the osplet, in fact, she had already been fishing for several days prior to Dad’s disappearance. But, for some reason, fishing has been slow for a few days. Mom is catching fewer fish per day now, than when she was supplementing Dad’s fish deliveries. The osplet is 47 days old, and has been doing some flapping.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 29th June 2025 The weather was much more settled today and both males provided plenty of fish. Garry LV0 brought two fish for Aurora 536 taking his tally to one hundred and five, and Louis’ four fish deliveries saw his tally rise to two hundred and forty one. Chick2 is developing rapidly and not only downed a tail today, but also made off with a whole fish, taking it away from Dorcha who’d only just received it from Louis. But the chick wasn’t allowed to keep the prize for long, Dorcha reclaimed it and feeding commenced as usual. However chick1 also attempted to make off with a whole fish but Dorcha didn’t let go and the chick lost the tug of fish battle. The ringers are due in a few days time, a far cry from this time last year when a rescue mission was needed which saw the chicks getting their rings in Spain after joining a translocation programme, but this year everything is going well and both chicks are developing nicely. The overnight forecast for the Inver Mallie area which covers both nest is for light rain and light winds with a low of 17
°C, changing to heavy rain with a gentle breeze and a high of 18°C tomorrow. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.57.10 (03.07.04); Nest Two 23.19.26 (03.34.20)
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 28th June 2024 After a stormy night leaving the family wet and bedraggled, the weather brightened up somewhat, although at the time of filing this report (midnight) the rain has started again and the wind’s picked up. Dorcha’s plumage is pearled with raindrops as she does her best to shield the chicks who none the less remain partly exposed to the weather. Today was a very low fish day, only two from Louis and none from Garry, so their tallies stand at two hundred and thirty seven and one hundred and three respectively. There were some intruder alerts, none too close to the nest, and with the choppy conditions of the loch Louis might be forgiven for only delivering two fish. However, it does bring back memories of this time last year when he stopped delivering fish and licensed raptor experts had to be called in to save the chicks from the twin threat of hyperthermia and starvation. Fortunately this year’s weather is much better than last year’s and tonight’s forecast is light cloud and a gentle breeze with a low of 11°C followed by sunny intervals and a high of 19°C tomorrow. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 00.16.26 (03.23.11); Nest Two 23.18.10 (03.35.21) Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/sLFUneYm7DAN2 The family’s glad to see breakfast arrive after a wild wet night 07.22.01https://youtu.be/19TjA7ShPk0 N2 Everybody’s hungry and ready when fish number two finally arrives 18.21.22https://youtu.be/XTmA9TtWnGkN2 Up up and away! Louis makes a wind-assisted exit 18.26.43https://youtu.be/DfdspR4jUqM N2 Is moving sticks on a windy day a good idea?18.42.48 Bonus map – keep cool during the hot weather and go down to the woods, the updated Woodland Trust map will guide you:https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/woodland-trust-woods/
https://youtu.be/c2oZrwNXbvI N2 Dorcha and the two chicks huddle together on a dreich night 2024 Why not come and join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 27th June 2025
The weather was the main feature today, it rained almost continuously, with a few dry patches here and there, leaving the chicks frequently looking very wet and bedraggled, but Dorcha did her best to protect them although she’s no longer able to cover the big chicks fully. Louis kept the chicks and Dorcha fueled with three fish deliveries and his tally now rises to two hundred and thirty five. Despite the weather the chicks are developing nicely, and chick1 passed another milestone today by uttering alarm calls, to which Dorcha responded by flying off the nest to investigate. Over on Nest One, Garry LV0 brought Aurora 536 a single fish, taking his tally to one hundred and three. The weather forecast calls for overnight rain and a gentle breeze with a low of 13
°C but looks to improve by mid morning with sunny intervals and a fresh breeze, with a high of 17°C. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.44.36 (03.15.18); Nest Two 23.17.34 (03.53.44)
Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/5QGsGqpXlXM N2 Louis delivers the first fish and stays to do some feaking 07.59.09
Trempealeau Eagle Nest, Wisconsin: T3 has hatched but not fledged. Mum needs a gold medal. Her mate had two nests. He often took the fish she caught for her eaglet. She overcame the adversities. Just look at T3! Well done.
Denton Homes: They survived severe weather in their nest, which stayed in place. How lucky. So many worried! They have now fledged. Of course, the bad weather is still around. The camera has all these views, trying to keep up with those fledglings.
FOBBV:
San Jose City Hall: Chico keeps returning for food! No vacation yet for Monty and Hartley. SK Hideaways caught the last hatch, little Chico (everyone’s favourite) on the ledge with his distinctive red band. https://youtu.be/wi-93Aur43s?
Mlady Buky, Czechoslavkia: Bety and Bukachek’s two storklets have their bling! Aren’t they gorgeous?
Cornell Red-tail Hawks: The Os have fledged. The nest is empty and all the BOGs are getting great exercise chasing the fledglings around the Cornell campus trying to get a photo.
Nesting Bird Life and More video of Lesser Spotted Eaglet, Estonia: Mum feeds breakfast! https://youtu.be/XvS1kPgPwjM?
Golden Eagle, Latvia: Spilve has already delivered prey. Her baby is no longer a baby!
‘A’ sends us report for happenings down under: “The sea eagles at Olympic Park are mating constantly and sleeping in the nest tree. Lots of fish gifts are being brought to the nest for Lady. The nest itself could not be more prepared for eggs. They lined it perfectly last week. We are on tenterhooks awaiting the big day. Last year, their first egg was laid on 27 June so they’re running late. I’m expecting an egg this weekend.
The pair at Port Lincoln are so close, they even snuggle on the nest at night. I don’t recall this being the case last season so maybe it’s a different pair or maybe they are just more tightly bonded a year on. The first egg wasn’t laid at Port Lincoln until late August last year so there are still eight or nine weeks to go by that schedule. August 27 was the day the first egg was laid at Orange last year, so those two nests are on a similar schedule.
Our sweet albatross chick is the most beautiful creature. She is snowy, fluffy white, but her grown-up plumage is starting to show through in a major way now, so that she is rapidly beginning to resemble an albatross rather than a giant fairy floss. It is scary to think that when they take off, it will be years before they return, and they head off to fend for themselves with no training in flight or fishing, essentially alone, on a 6,000-mile journey. It’s incredible. And then, as if that were not miraculous enough, they return to within 50 metres of the nest in which they were raised. (Or is that just the males?) Every year, it amazes me anew. What incredible navigation systems they must have.”
Birdlife International has some great news including a link to the AviList – don’t know what that is? Well, check it out and discover something new.
Thank you for being with us today! Please take care. We look forward to having you back with us on Friday and pictures of Baby Hope’s second birthday party complete with ‘pet friendly cake’ and ice cream.
Thank you to the individuals who have sent me articles, information, observations and photographs, and news – you are amazing: ‘A, EJ, Geemeff, Heidi, PB, PS’, – thank you so much. Thank you to all the individuals whose names are in bold and who made videos from information on the streaming cams – and to all the owners of the streaming cams in bold, we are so appreciative as well as all the FB groups and individuals with their posts!
One of our dear readers from Japan suggested a ‘snood’ to help protect Toby’s ears. What do you think? It is excellent for baths! Those big curly floppy ears are prone to infections, and I cannot thank ‘AK’ enough. Toby is a little shy and asked that his sisters not see him!!!!!!!!
We continue to declutter, and thank you for all the letters sharing your efforts to reduce clutter in your life. I appreciate the fact that I have kick-started some activity. Today, we are hosting a book sale. I wish you lived close if you like fine art, craft, ceramics, Asian art, and cookbooks. They are in mint condition and going for $5. Donations will be made to local pet rescues, as well as supporting the food for the feral cats that visit our garden. It feels good to clean out these books, knowing that they will have new life in someone else’s home. My mind feels lighter with them gone — they are in boxes wrapped in plastic waiting for 1400 to arrive! Anne is going to take Don on an excursion, and my friend, Susan, is coming to help me and Toby. We will be exhausted at the end of the day.
The book sale has kept me from losing my mind over commercial fishing for Menhaden – the boats have set their nets outside the Bay because there are no more adult Menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay. Can you believe this! We are witnessing the decline and potential extinction of ospreys in this region.
As I sat listening to the birds in the garden and the distant sound of a Pileated Woodpecker working on one of the utility poles, I was drawn to a quote by Rachel Carson in her insightful volume, Silent Spring. I have substituted part of the paragraph, and the words that I have inserted are very apt for today. Carson would approve.
As man proceeds toward his announced goal of the conquest of nature, he has written a depressing record of destruction, directed not only against the earth he inhabits but against the life that shares it with him. The history of recent centuries has its black passages – the slaughter of the buffalo on the western plains, the massacre of the shorebirds by the market gunners, the near-extinction of the egrets for their plumage. Now, to these and others like them, we are adding a new chapter and a new kind of havoc – the direct indiscriminate killing by starvation of birds, mammals, fishes, and indeed other species by the commercial over fishing of Menhadenfuelled by greed and power. (85)
At Fenwick Island, on Tuesday afternoon late, the Only Bob suffers from heat exhaustion and what appears an inability to cast a pellet. On Tuesday, it was weak and refused to eat much fish. Mum tried to shade it and feed it so this is not a case of parental neglect nor siblicide, no siblings to harm it. Heidi and I have struggled. Does a physically weakened chick have a lesser ability to cast a pellet?
A fish did come to the nest later, and only Bob ate, but it did not matter. This feathered beautiful osplet perished. More is included in Heidi’s report, below.
Many people want to know how they can help halt industrial fishing. Do not think it might not happen in your state. It’s time to establish a ten-mile limit. That would help. They might also want to breed some Menhaden in fish ponds to place back in the Chesapeake Bay.
Heidi’s Osprey Report!
Fenwick Island osprey nest (Captain Mac’s Fish House): Johnny and June’s only surviving chick died on 6/25 at 38 days of age. The cause of death was most likely starvation/dehydration, but it was not for a lack of fish. Despite the heat in recent days, Johnny had delivered (starting with 6/19) 5, 5, 6, 6, 3, 5 fish for June and her chick. On 6/24, we noticed that the chick was not eating despite being offered fish many times. Once in a while June’s baby would attempt to eat, perhaps ate a few bites, but then would quit. The temperatures were in the mid to upper 90’s, so the chick was dehydrating rapidly. On the morning of 6/25 the chick was seen attempting to cast a pellet a couple of times, but was unsuccessful. At 08:03 on 6/25, June brought her first fish to the nest since she laid her eggs. She wanted to make sure her youngster had a good breakfast. The chick moved closer to Mom, and June attempted to feed her baby. The chick was obviously hungry, wanted to eat, and tried to eat, but simply was not able to. Perhaps it was the inability to expel a pellet that caused the youngster to not be able to eat.
In 2024, June was a first-time mom, and she obviously had a lot to learn. She did not protect her first two eggs that year, and they were predated by crows. She did not incubate egg #3 adequately, and it did not hatch. Her fourth egg produced her only osplet, named ‘Fen’, and he was her pride and joy. Johnny and June nurtured Fen, and Fen fledged.
I was watching June very closely this season to see what kind of mom she would be. I must say, I will give her an ‘A’. She did very well. It is unknown why baby #3 died this year at 10 days of age, but it was possibly weather related. Baby #2 died of siblicide/starvation on 6/6 at 18 days of age, after a few days of bad weather caused Johnny to have difficulty fishing. Now, my heart simply breaks watching June look down at the body of her last remaining chick. Take care, June… You and Johnny did your very best.
Mispillion Harbor has two cameras that show the osprey nest. However, the Nature Center cam is set on auto-tour, and shows different views of the harbor. Once in a while, I can manage to find one of our ospreys flying to or from the nest, and that’s pretty cool. But, yesterday, I was extremely lucky to actually see Warren catching a fish in the river! Very cool indeed! I recorded a video of the event.
And a late addition to put a smile on your face form Heidi! Cape Henlopen osprey nest: An intruder delivered a fish to Hennie! Miles soon arrived to take charge. The kids thought it was ‘Uncle Bob’ bringing a fishie to Mommy, lol.
Thank you, Heidi! Great report. Sure is wonderful to see some healthy chicks in Canada, too!
There was a great feeding for all three at Chesapeake Bay.
Smile. Big Bear. ‘PB’ sent a screen capture of Sunny and Gizmo together on a pine. When the nests in the NE get us so despondent, there were miracles this year that we did not think possible. Big Bear is one of them, and we should never forget these two amazing fledgling eagles. Brings tears to my eyes just thinking about them and seeing them together.
Please sign the petition to halt fireworks displays in the Big Bear Valley. Can you imagine the havoc this causes to wildlife including Jackie, Shadow, Sunny, and Gizmo!
There is other good news. A reader from the NW United States wrote to me. They have found an osprey nest and have been monitoring the progress of the couple, the eggs, and now the osplets. ‘PS’ is delighted to share the images with all of you. There are plenty of fish, and the nest is doing tremendously well. Have a look. You can see the timeline and follow the progress on PS’s Flickr account!
This should brighten your spirits. There is no commercial fishing in the area, which impacts the wildlife.
Rutland Manton Bay: The four youngsters have new bling on those legs! At least one is hovering!
Birds of Poole Harbour: Chicks to be ringed shortly – maybe before publishing time.
What a startling contrast. Rutland’s Manton Bay and the Birds of Poole Harbour easily (well, the parents worked hard) raised four osplets. Something truly needs to change in the United States regarding the overall affection and care for wildlife, our planet, and all living things. What the politicians are allowing to be done to the water and the fish that provide life for so many other species is beyond unthinkable.
A beautiful website with everything you wanted to know about the Llyn Brenig Ospreys and a link to their camera:
The Dyfi Osprey Project Family Tree with this year’s chicks! You will see that the ringers believe that the first chick is a female with two little brothers.
The latest news from the Usk Valley. The only osprey chick to hatch in this area of Wales for 250 years is now three weeks old. Brilliant.
Sending a big thanks to Geemeff for all her daily summaries for Loch Arkaig.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 26th June 2025 Today started out very wet and improved as the day wore on, allowing the chicks and Dorcha to dry out. The fish likewise improved, starting out with a couple of tiddlers which were devoured very quickly but ending with a sixth fish that was a very good size. Louis’ tally now stands at two hundred and thirty two, while over on Nest One, Aurora 536 waited in vain – Garry wasn’t seen today so his tally remains at one hundred and two. Back with Nest Two, there were several intruder alerts causing the adults to alarm-call while the chicks pancaked, but no intruder was seen on camera. In fact, the only hint of a threat came when a disgruntled chick nipped Dorcha but the brief display of aggro didn’t last long. Tonight’s forecast is for light rain and light winds with a low of 12
°C, getting wetter tomorrow with heavy rain and gentle breezes with a high of 18°C.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 00.01.50 (03.13.11); Nest Two 23.27.44 (03.52.07) Today’s videos https://youtu.be/UgED2vaVnqM N2 Tiny tiddler fish one disappears in 2 mins 44 secs! 06.01.22
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 25th June 2025
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 24th June 2025
Another routine day with plenty of fish, the only disturbance was both Louis and Dorcha being pecked by their chicks, angry at being trampled. However the pair are old hands at the business of raising chicks and don’t retaliate, they merely move away. Louis delivered four fish for the family including his first flatfish this season, and his tally rises to two hundred and twenty three. Over on Nest One, Garry LV0 brought two fish for Aurora 536, bringing his tally up to three figures with the second one being his hundredth fish. The weather was more settled than the forecast had suggested, and it’ll be a dry cloudy night tonight with a low of 11°C, staying cloudy with occasional showers tomorrow and a high of 18°C.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.52.42 (03.26.57); Nest Two 23.12.54 (03.52.33)
https://youtu.be/45KVDHPY0x40 N2 Fish number three, headless small trout, soon finished, Dorcha’s still hungry 2024
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 23rd June 2025
Another wet and windy day, dawn broke showing a very soggy nest. But Louis brought an early breakfast, the rain stopped, and the well-fed chicks soon dried out. It did rain again during the day and the wind picked up with gusts strong enough to overturn Dorcha and show off her underfluffies again, but the chicks were safely hunkered down and in no danger. Louis brought a total of four fish, taking his tally to two hundred and nineteen. The third of those fish was the 2000th fish counted and recorded by Steve Q and the fish counting team over the past five years – citizen science in action, well done team! Over on Nest One, Aurora 536 did eventually get a fish from Garry LV0, taking his tally to ninety eight, but first he decided to reaffirm their bond with what looked like a successful mating attempt, purely to strengthen their pairbond as it’s not possible to raise chicks now, however this behaviour bodes well for next year. Tonight’s overnight forecast is light rain and light winds with a low of 12°C, continuing through tomorrow with a high of 15°C. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 00.01.11 (03.19.14); Nest Two 23.08.33 (03.46.25)
https://youtu.be/35Zn71fWiCg N2 Fish number five breaks all-time latest delivery record! 2024You’re invited to join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s
Thank goodness for Suzanne Arnold Horning, who has a Miss Marple nose for tracking down Big Red, Arthur, and their fledglings. Otherwise, we would know nothing except for Ferris Akel and others who visit and post images. Thanks, Suzanne! If you want to see all the images, please join the Cornell Haw Cam Chatters FB group.
Norwegian Osplets at the Frau Rauer nest are doing fantastically. A video of a Gar fish delivery on the 21st and some images from today. Look at that beautiful plumage coming in. Gorgeous amber eyes, paired with a bold black band, will help them avoid glare when catching their fish. https://youtu.be/8JYzeY3e2gg?
News from Loch of the Lowes:
San Jose City Hall. SK Hideaways caught Monty and Hartley having some bonding time now that their four fledglings have flown the scrape! https://youtu.be/ZxdGDgrU7kE?
Charlo Montana: Mum and her three chicks! So far, Charlie is keeping the fish coming for his family. Cheer them on.
We were not sure that the female at the Trempeauleau Bald Eagle nest in Wisconsin could provide for her eaglet to fledge. Well, she did it! T3 is gorgeous! https://youtu.be/YjTK95bVETc?
Boulder County: Family portrait.
Saaksilvie #4: Three chicks are doing well.
Eschenbach, Germany Osprey Platform: Joan Castnyer reports: “This morning, early in the morning (07:23), the two young birds of this year were ringed in the Eschenbach nest. The operation was perfect and quick. Tomorrow (if the wind permits) the only chick from Goitzsche Wildnis is scheduled to be ringed. For reasons of protecting my own image, I have not published the specific moment, but when the ringer leaves and only the helmet is visible. I hope you understand.”
Golden Eagle Nest of Spilvie and Grislis, Latvia: Looks like our eaglet is fully feathered or nearly.
White Storks, Mlade Buky, Czechoslovakia: Bety and the two lovely storklets on the nest waiting for Bukacek to come with food.
I would like to see this kind of caring – and courage – in parts of the US. Just feed them! With all that is going on – seriously? Wildlife is suffering.
I was shocked to receive a note from ‘B’ in California appraising me of the removal of Peregrine Falcon eggs to be hatched away from their natural nest. ‘B’ writes: “Hi Mary Ann,
I wondered if you had seen this, that three Peregrine chicks have hatched at Ojai Raptor Center (ORC)? US Fish and Wildlife evidently reported that the adult Peregrines had established their nest in the middle of a nesting area for endangered and threatened species (California Least Terns and Western Snowy Plovers, respectively) and were preying on those species. USF&W removed eggs from the Peregrine nest and took them to ORC, where they have now hatched.
Gosh, it is hard to know what to think. It is sad that the Peregrine nest was removed, and I do worry for the outcome of these eyases, who will need to learn to hunt and live for themselves (apparently without the benefit of foster parents?) if they are to thrive. But one also needs to weigh the fate of the endangered and threatened species. In the discussion on the ORC facegook page (https://www.facebook.com/theojairaptorcenter/), ORC says USF&W planned to capture and relocate the parents, but that sounds difficult to accomplish.
I don’t know what the plan is for the coming months. Perhaps a falconer could help with the final steps of the pre-release process, as was done for Nox, one of Annie’s last chicks in Berkeley, after he was rescued injured from SF Bay. (Recall that Nox did pass away not long after release. I am not sure if I heard the cause.)
From what I read, it sounds like ORC was not involved in discussions and decisions that led up to them getting the eggs, so I do not want to criticize them for a difficult task they have inherited. I certainly wish them — and especially the eyases! — well in what sounds like a challenging process.”
‘A’ brings us her report for Australia. Can you believe that we are now anticipating an egg for the White-bellied Sea Eagles? Where did the time go?!!!!!!
“June 24: Lady stayed in the same place all night. Dad turned up at the nest around 7am – he must have been somewhere close last night. There were early duets and mating by the nest, off for a while, then another duet and mating. A windy morning, with more bonding heard. Rain started around 10am. Later the wind was really strong. Both eagles came to the nest – but no action. Dad returned alone around 2:30pm, off again then back with leaves. Lady must have been close, as there was a duet when he left. Then both returned with leaves – then away, with another duet close – and again. They have been very vocal today. Dad brought leaves at 4:20pm, followed by Lady with more. Then again a duet, leading to mating at the end of the day. They both went to the nest – is this it? Then to the branch again. Again lots of bonding behaviour today, with duets and mating. They settled for the night nearby – but we are still watching and waiting for her first egg.
Sea-Eagle Cam: Lady and Dad worked on their nest at the Sydney Olympic Forest.
In New Zealand, our princess continues to grow rapidly, preparing for her great adventure. Mum GLG came in yesterday to feed her baby, and happened to time it perfectly such that the wee one was weighed before and after the feeding. She gained 1.6kg!!! That’s a helluva lot of squid for one feeding. Good work, mum. The day approaches. Still a few weeks to go. September I think is usual. She really is exquisite.
At Orange, Diamond is sleeping on the Cilla Stones. She and Xavier are bonding, eating and waiting for eggs. It’s very windy there tonight, as it is in Olympic Forest. And wet. Diamond has a huge crop (courtesy of a large dinner presumably) as she always seems to do when I check in on her. Xavier is a very devoted mate (although Madame would prefer duckling to starling).
Finally, in South Australia, the ospreys are both asleep on the nest, tucked and puffed up against the cold wind. Earlier in the evening, dad was actually snuggled up against mum, sheltering her with his body and wing. Too sweet. She seems happy to have him there. Both appear to have full crops (although they are also puffed up against the weather).
As for the Collins Street falcons, you know the situation there. I will begin checking the site but the cameras won’t be switched on until there are eggs (they usually wait for two to be laid before they deign to let us in on the situation but we’ll see what they do this year. I do wish they would allow us to see the pair bonding and give us a chance to get to know the pair and establish whether it’s the same two as previously or a new pair or some combination of the two. It’s usually pretty hard to be sure at Collins Street so the more time we are given with them, the more chance we have of being sure of their identities, this year and subsequently.”
Thanks so much ‘A’.
We are also getting excited about the beginning of the Kakapo breeding season in New Zealand. Read all about it in the DOC’s Conservation Blog!’
Sad news coming in. You might recall that Keo and Keke were forced to make their nest on a light stand when the goose family took over the osprey platform. Now, tragedy has struck as a result of this. ‘PB’ writes: “Sandpoint Keo and Keke 3 babies fell from their nest. A stick was brought, and that side collapsed, and three babies didn’t make it.” This is the first time that Keke has had three babies. They were healthy and will be buried under the nest today, according to Robin on the chat.
Thank you so very much for being with us today. We hope to have you with us again on Monday! Take care.
Thank you to those amazing people who help me by sending raptor news – special thanks today to: ‘A’, ‘B’, Geemeff, Heidi, ‘PB’, and ‘PS’, to the owners of the streaming cams or photographers mentioned in today’s blog and whose names I hope to have highlighted in bold. To all of the writers of the articles, chat moderators, and blogs that are included today – I am grateful for your hard work! Thank you.
It has been extremely hot with heat warnings, and the haze from the wildfires continues to make it difficult for some to breathe or talk. You could easily smell the smoke in the garden despite the clear blue skies. We are scheduled to have thunderstorms and rain, which will be welcome.
We left Toby at home because of the heat and went to the Farmer’s Market at Pineridge Hollow. Near the Hollow is Oak Knoll Farm, a farm dedicated to free-range chickens, organic growing, and more, offering good, healthy food. We stopped and picked up some eggs from chickens that do get to run around outside, along with some very fresh mixed salad greens. Saturday night’s offering for dinner was an omelette with those eggs along with dill, cilantro, tiny little tomatoes (cut), sautéed red peppers, and cheese alongside a big salad. Oh, it was so delicious. We ate outside with Toby while the birds in the garden provided the music! Brock came after for some food – it was so nice to see him. He has not been around for a few days, and I worried that something had happened. We now have a group of us on a Facebook Messenger system, so I can check on him. Someone had seen him yesterday, so I knew he was alright.
The original plan had been to go to the Scottish Highland Games – think Outlander. Maybe tomorrow!
O1 fledged on Friday and it wasn’t long until 02 followed. One of Big Red and Arthur’s chicks has returned to the nest to have some dinner. I hope that both remain safe this year and we get to enjoy their antics through the dedicaton of individuals like Ferris Akel who check on them frequently.
My report begins with a tragedy – an extinction – that is unfolding right before our eyes, and not one Virginia politician will raise a finger to help. Indeed, it has sent my spirit into a spiral, leaving me to try and find a way to deal with what is happening to the Osprey in the Northeast US.
“Hi Mary Ann, thanks for reaching out. My email is ben.wurst@conservewildlifenj.org and my cell is 609-713-4464. I’ll be sharing more news soon but it is not good and this may end up being the worst year for ospreys in NJ in the history of their 50 year recovery project. I have heard from multiple volunteers of mine who survey parts of the state to say that nests are empty. Adult menhaden here are no where to be found. This was reported by commercial fisherman and reaffirmed by whale watch charter captains from Cape May. I’ll be talking with NJDEP Fish & Wildlife and Bureau of Marine Fisheries to give them an early season update. -Ben”
We know from our monitor friend Viki that all of the osprey platforms have failed on St George’s Island, Maryland. The adults laid their eggs and abandoned them within two weeks. The last surviving chick in The Wetlands died on Saturday, the 21st. Every osprey along the coast of Virginia has died or never hatched.
I have contacted Rachel Carson’s Foundation along with Conservation without Borders in the hope that some international organization will realise how serious this situation is and step up and help spred the word as they did with the DDT crisis.
The Dyfi Osprey Project has published a lovely little video of the ringing of Idris and Telyn’s three chicks:https://youtu.be/1YBQ-OMf_JE?
Birds of Poole Harbour: CJ7 spends all her time feeding the four osplets who are growing like crazy and filling up that nest!
Snow at Fortis Exshaw, Alberta (near Canmore). Harvie brought in a nice fish but it was cold and wet and the snow was coming down. Mum chose to keep those babies warm.
No snow at Oosoyoos, BC. Two eggs for Olsen and Soo.
Pitkin County, Colorado: Two osplets are looking good.
Charlo, Montana: The three appear to be doing well. And it is here that I will predict that the osprey nests away from areas of industrial fishing will do very well this year, despite the competition from eagles and predation by other raptors.
I want to check on some nests in Washington and South Idaho, in a moment. Here is an article based on an extensive study of migration patterns that may be of interest to this group.
Clark PUD: Soaking wet osplets, but they have their thermal down, thank goodness.
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho: Beautiful Mum and her four osplets anticipating the final fish delivery of the day.
Big healthy osplets at the nest of Fru and Herr Rauer in Norway! Ospreys do very well where there are plenty of resources for their survival.
An extremely interesting conversation with Sacha Dench about Fru Rauer. Her life, her partners, where she lives on a military base, her migration through windmills, and so on. She is a very intriguing osprey. Please take a moment to listen and learn: https://youtu.be/eed75LvN87k?
“The next few days are expected to be very hot in the Northeast US. A couple of the osprey nests I am most worried about are Great Bay and Cape Henlopen.
Little3 at Great Bay is hanging in there. At 17 days of age, he is so much smaller than his older siblings, but he has a strong will to survive. I hope Dad will be able to keep up with fish deliveries through the upcoming heat wave to give Little3 a chance.
I’ll give Miles and Hennie at the Cape Henlopen osprey nest an ‘A’ for their efforts as first-time parents. They are really giving it their all, and Miles has been a good provider. Their little 9-day-old babies looked stressed out in the heat today, and it is forecast to get even hotter. Good luck with your fishing, Miles… we’re all pulling for you.”
Foulshaw Moss/Cumbria Wildlife Trust:
Dunrovin Ranch, Colorado: Four to feed. More fish please – all day long.
Charlo Montana/Owl Resource Project: Raining. Waiting for a delivery for the trio.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 22nd June 2025 The weather was as wet and windy as forecasted, and not only did thunderstorms cause power outages to take down the livestreams on a couple of occasions, but Dorcha got blown upside down and showed off her underfluffies. Despite the unsettled weather, Louis delivered three fish to the family, taking his official tally to two hundred and fifteen, although with the power outages, his actual tally might be a little higher. Dorcha garnered a lot of attention today, first dealing with a persistent intruder Osprey and later, after her wind-blown
exposé, flew off and returned landing a stick on one chick and trampling the other. Fortunately, the chicks are getting used to avoiding parents with hazardous objects, and to give Dorcha her due, she was a fantastic mumbrella protecting the chicks during the torrential rain and thunderstorms. Nest One was very quiet today, Aurora 536 spent a bit of time perched there but there was no sign of Garry LV0, his tally remains at ninety seven. Tonight’s forecast is for light rain showers and light winds with a low of 10°C, continuing tomorrow with moderate breezes and a high of 15°C. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.50.38 (03.05.30); Nest Two 23.15.33 (04.45E)
https://youtu.be/AaIHBsHrc8c N2 Another milestone achieved as chick2 swallows the fish tail 16.07.54https://youtu.be/tQT015x3acU N2 Dorcha shows off her underfluffies then causes havoc with a stick 17.17.21 (slo-mo repeat)https://youtu.be/bTAW58GyD6E N2 Louis’ third fish vanishes in 9 mins 32 seconds 19.59.40 Bonus read – with the ringers due in a couple of weeks, this BTO article answers common questions about ringing birds:
Lesser Spotted Eagles: Madis and Milda in Estonia. Food seems to have been short at this nest for a bit. Milda was absolutely starving today. The second chick, as expected, died from siblicide on Saturday and was eaten. It was a sweet little thing – there with those eyes that look like they have goggles around them. Fly high little one.
Lesser Spotted Eagle, Latvia: Anna and Andris and their eaglet Reinis. Food is also scarce at this nest. Reinis cast a pellet and Anna ate part of it and then shared the remaining bit with Reinis.
A small bird is delivered, and the very hungry Reinis rushes to tug and try to get it. Anna feeds the little eaglet. Voles, a small rodent, follow during the day, along with a mouse.
Latvian Golden Eagle Nest of Spilve and Grislis: The chick is doing well. Prey items can be seen on the nest. Spilve is still feeding the eaglet small pieces of food. Look at the lovely juvenile feathers coming in and the quills where the tail feathers are breaking loose.
White Stork Nest, Mlade Buky, Czechoslovakia: Bety and Bukacek’s two storklets are getting their feathers and flapping their wings.
Black Stork Nest, Estonia: I understand that Urmas Sellis has set up a fish basket for helping feed the storks as he has done for many years now.
Trempeauleau Eagles: T3 is doing quite well, thank you!
Thank you so much for being with us today. Our peonies were beautiful. The wind and the rain would have ruined him so we picked all of you a bouquet! The Girls and Toby wish you a wonderful week of discovery and love.
Thank you to the great folks who send me information: Ben Wurtz, Geemeff, Heidi, PB, all the owners of the streaming cams listed in bold, the video makers at SK Hideaways, and the Cornell Bird Lab, along with the writers of the included articles and the English Forum at Looduskalender. I am deeply grateful for your work and for the opportunity to share it with others.
