Category Archives: NE Florida Eagle Nest

Saturday in Bird World

14 December 2024

Good Morning,

Waiting to pop the cork….will have hatch today at SW Florida we anticipate.

First, I want to shout out to Bird World friend and reader Lisa Ferguson, who received the Volunteer of the Year award at the Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey in Maitland, Florida. The following PDF provides an overview of Lisa’s work and highlights Audubon’s year in Raptors. On a personal note, Lisa designs educational and enrichment materials for many celebrity birds at Audubon. She is devoted to the birds at Maitland, and you can find her there daily, helping to improve their lives and educating us about the challenges they face.

Raptor News Year in Review Celebrating Volunteers Holiday Hours and moreDownload

In the UK, Osprey expert, Tim Mackrill is being honoured for the volunteer work he continues to conduct alongside Rutland Water despite his work as the Director of the Roy Dennis Foundation. Tim’s thesis focused on migration and that information is in his latest book, The Osprey, along with everything you might want to know about Ospreys. I am particularly fond of his edition for the RSPB- it is perfect if you don’t want the detailed science in The Osprey, but you do want to know much about ospreys for a ‘kind’ price at the till.

Hatch continues for E24 at SW Florida for M15 and F23. This is their second breeding season together. Last year they had one chick (E23) hatch and what a remarkable eaglet it was. Fledge went well!

Eagle Goddess caught a shift change and a peek at the eggs. https://youtu.be/D_HBsL37-Xw?

Dave Wetherall has been taking some remarkable images of the osprey fledglings at the other South Australia nests. I hope he doesn’t mind my posting these – they show these amazing fledglings soaking their feet in the water at the shore.

I am re-posting the images of Mum, Dad, Kasse, and Wilko from yesterday in case you missed them. These fledglings are sure giving everyone a great time as they venture out from the nest so close to fledge!

If there are images from Saturday I will include them below these.

I have been worried about Diane at the Achieva Osprey Nest. I know that she leaves the nest area after June . In past years, we have had hatch in early March (or thereabouts). Which means we need to be seeing her in January at the latest. ‘MP’ noted Diane was last seen on the nest the third week in June, the 21st. Today, Jack was at the nest with Crows digging in the old nesting material. Jack flapped at them, one noticed and flew off but the others remained.

This was the report from Port Lincoln with a rare second Fish Fairy delivery. Thank you fairies. You are trying to make certain that both fledglings have food and survive!

Fri 13 Dec 2024 video archive

Age (chicks): Wilko : 68 days, Kasse : 65 days
Fish count: Mum: 0, Dad: 0, Sup. Fish: 6
Fish times: 11:52, 15:05Feed times:

00:21wilko tucks in her beak in her feathers..
05:57Wilko lands on Mum… she leaves
06:27:19osprey flying by
06:28Wilko back on the nest
07:14Kasse behind the old barge on the ropes(?)
07:17She is now out on top the barge
07:18:21More flying / hopping on the deck
07:28Wilko joins Mum and Kasse on the old barge
07:36Dad is on the old barge too, now all four are there
08:06:01Mum leaves the old barge
08:12Mum and Wilko back on the barge
08:49:50wilko back on the old barge
11:04:50Checking the Old Barge for the Osprey. Two are there.
11:13:54Looks like Mum on the right ropes. Dad then would be on the Old Barge set off to the right.
11:19:35Close-up of Mum on the rope.
11:52Unannounced Fish Fairy deliveries! 3 fish. 2 small, 1 medium. Kasse on top of the camera on the home barge. Wilko small fish, Dad snatches 1 small fish for himself and Mum with the medium. Kasse isn’t moving.Sup. Fish (S,Whole)
11:52 1Mum’s on the nest with a fish! Wilko snatches it. Mum’s off the nest quickly. Wilko mantles it. Wilko finishes it.
11:57 2Mum’s on the ropes between the 2 branches with the 2nd supplemental fish! A medium one.
12:05 Mum’s to the nest with her fish.
12:11 Wilko snatches Mum’s fish. Mum leaves. No more eating with Wilko for Mum any more.
This one’s for him too.
13:08Finally Kasse makes an appearance on the barge! She’s on the right, far branch briefly. Then she’s in the nest with Wilko. No fighting.
15:05Rare 2nd Fish Fairy delivery! Unknown number of fish.Sup. Fish (M,Whole)
15:05 3Mum’s on the right ropes with a fish. She goes into the nest. Camera pans to Kasse having it. Mum leaves the nest.
15:07 Wilko tried for a steal! Kasse walks away! Wilko tries again! Kasse defends it! Wilko backs off.
15:19 4Mum’s into the nest with a 2nd supplemental fish. She had it since 15:14. Wilko snatches it.
15:22 5Mum’s into the nest to eat a 3rd supplemental fish!
15:23 Kasse joins Mum.
15:27 Now Wilko joins Kasse and Mum.
Wilko snatches the fish tail.

Feeding Times

StartFinishDurationFed Chick
   WilkoKasse
1: 11:52 12:11 19 minMX
2: 11:57 12:22 25 minMX
3: 15:05 15:23 18 minXM
4: 15:19 15:26 7 minSX
5: 15:22 15:30 8 minSM

There have been no deliveries for Saturday the 14th yet and there are reports that Wilko had a bath. Planned or not.

The final tally was 5 fish from Mum and 1 from Dad.

Kasse and Wilko on the nest with Mum.

Dad has brought in some fish – Mum is there to try and control things so everyone gets to eat. It is the first fish of the day. I hope it is a big one!

Gabby and Beau continue to incubate. Beau is bringing in more Spanish Moss and he seems to be doing quite a remarkable job this year. Fantastic.

Beau has been so attentive this season. He is always on alert ready to protect the nest, and comes constantly when she calls. I am amazed at the change in Beau since last year. Let us all hope he is a good provider when the eaglets hatch!

The Black-winged kite female has growing chicks to feed. Just look at them enjoying a nice juicy rat! Remember, Raptors are the solution to Rats – not Rodenticide!!!!!!!!! https://youtu.be/Cce4-yQKUHA?

Do you know someone who is boating in this area? Please ask them to heed the warnings about the presence of Right Whales.

Calico’s Tip for the Day: If you are concerned about Avian Flu and the songbirds (and others) that come to your feeders or bird baths, here is an excellent, easy to understand article on feeder and bird bath hygiene with ratios for three different cleaning products (bleach, borax, vinegar):

Bird Bath & Feeder HygieneDownload

I never like to close on a sad note but as I always believe, we must educate ourselves. ‘SP’ sent me the following article about the perils of the warming oceans – we have seen this in Montana when the streams were so warm that the trout died. The impact is real on the birds that depend on fish to survive – and it is a domino effect. I also believe we cannot give up – we must fight for our precious resources and the wildlife that we so love.

Ocean Heat Killed Half the Common Murres Around Alaska – The New York TimesDownload

There are people going to great lengths and taking financial chances to rewild, to create a landscape full of biodiversity, and to reverse species extinction. One of those is Isabella Tree and Charlie B at Knepp Farm in the south of England. I am including two or possibly three of their latest blog reports. One is on the arrival of large numbers of Hawkfinches this year.

The year of the hawfinch? – KneppDownload
(c)Ignacio”Hawfinch” by Ignacio Ferre is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.Ferre

Hawkfinches are approximately 18 cm or 9 inches in length. They live in both woodlands and urban areas. The image above is the male hawfinch whereas the one on the Knepp blog is a female. Look at the two so that you can see the subtle differences that differentiate the genders. Notice the pink legs. What colour is the male’s beak? and the female? Which one has more rust colour?

These beautiful songbirds are on British Ornithological Trust’s Red List of Birds. They are Internationally Threatened.

The hawkfinch has a very strong jaw and the BTO book on the Red List birds says it can exert the pressure of 50 kg. This allows them to eat cherry stones in the winter while they favour insects and caterpillars in the summer. Habitat loss, the use of pesticides, nest predation, lack of food are part of the drivers to the rapid decline of the Hawkfinch.

Here is a good article on understanding why this bird is in decline.

Understanding hawfinch declines – Saving Nature With Science – Our work – The RSPB CommunityDownload

The controversial introduction of beavers to the property is having a huge success.

Beavers at Knepp – KneppDownload

Thank you so much for being with us as we wait for the hatch of E24. Incubation is long and tedious and the first pip brings anxiety and hope. Hopefully on Saturday there will be a little eaglet for this wonderful family. Take care of yourselves. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, videos, articles and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘J, MP, SP’, Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey, SW Florida Eagle Cam, Eagle Goddess, Achieva Credit Union, Dave Wetherall and Friends of Osprey Sth Aus, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Bart M and the PLO, UK Osprey Information and Jeff Kear, Tim Mackrill, NEFL-AEF, Review Bird Nest, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries, Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Center, The New York Times, Knepp Farm, OpenVerse, RSPB

Friday in Bird World

13 December 2024

Hello Everyone,

The inbox lit up. Everyone is excited. She did it. There are now two eggs for Beau and Gabby at around 1824. Thanks, ‘A and J and everyone else that came after’!

The event is captured on video by SK Hideaways! https://youtu.be/VR_3G2ReIoo?

Beau arrives to aerate the nest and roll the two eggs. Thanks, ‘J’

Hugo Yugo has her dental surgery scheduled for Monday due to a cancellation at the veterinary clinic. I am so happy. She will not have to suffer waiting til the first week in January. HY will go in for her blood work this afternoon. As I write this, Brock is eating, which always brings a smile to my face. I’m not sure how he manages to survive temperatures below -30°C, but he looks good this morning with no frostbite on his ears.

HY. What a little sweetie.

Hugo Yugo’s sidekick, Missey, has been busy checking out the animals on their little woodland tree. Last year, with her brother Lewis, Missey almost destroyed this tiny tree!!!!!!!! She was eating the flocking off the branches. it is a wonder there wasn’t a huge vet bill. This year her focus is on removing the animals, and the other three think are cat toys. Ugh. Can you hear me growling?

I cannot imagine a world without birds singing and, yet, in my own neighbourhood, it is our garden where the song is happening. No where else. Plug your ears and image not a single bird singing – ever again. Let’s do something about it before that happens!

Why are birds important? and their song? “But does the silencing of our soundscapes matter to us? The short answer is yes. There is growing evidence about the health benefits of spending time in nature, including reducing risks of heart disease, diabetes and anxiety. Yet while the general benefits of being outside in nature may seem intuitive, the contributions of natural sounds to this are less understood.”

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/12/why-birdsong-matters-more-than-you-think?CMP=share_btn_url

Help create a time of giving and caring instead of consumerism.

Beau and Gabby have been incubating like synchronised swimmers. It has been a joy to watch them this season. As I write this, there is still only one egg. If there is to be only one, then goodness, I hope it is fertile, hatches, is healthy, and fledges. I cannot imagine another disappointment for her. She, of course, will take it all in stride and not be openly bothered. We have so much to learn from the raptors.

Beau on the nest incubating. The couple have been on and off all day.

We have a real treat from SK Hideaways. No more murmurations where they live so they went to find them! https://youtu.be/WVeEWdDAO7A?

This is also wonderful. A young person who is so creative. Look at the detail in the bird cards – a large % going to the Sussex Wildlife Trust!

Sussex nature illustrated cards by Benjamin Fallow | Sussex Wildlife TrustDownload

A long time Bald Eagle ambassador at the Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey, Paige, has died.

It appears that they are looking for Kasse. Isn’t the tracker working? I hope that Kasse has followed Mum to go fishing. Bart is waiting for Fran to wake up to see if she has the tracking for the kids.

One osprey on the barge.

All four were found on the old barge. There has been no breakfast.

Tracking from earlier:

Kasse’s adventure on video: https://youtu.be/0BRA6ZASb2s?

More news:

Catching up with Judy Harrington’s news:

At the Loch Arkaig, Geemeff has found some visitors. Ospreys not expected for 100 days or so! “Sparrowhawk on Nest Two and a Raven on Nest One. They visited within an hour of each other after weeks of no activity. Mind you, the nest cams have been down quite a bit due to lack of solar power, so who knows what we might have missed.”  https://youtu.be/2VYIExWjaig

Winston, the Black Bear Cub rescue in Manitoba, is thriving.

I need to check the comments on time. ‘AE and MP’ note that Jack was on the Achieva Credit Union nest on the 7th of December. Thank you!

Jack is one of the male ospreys that I have not kept an adequate file on his head marks. I wonder if this is him? What has happened to Diane?

I did not see anyone in the scrape at the Campanile.

There is someone at the San Jose City Hall!

Thunder and Akecheta were at the West End nest.

I haven’t seen anyone at Two Harbours recently. If you have, please let me know!

Pip watch continues at SW Florida! Did I put my vote in for Saturday? A sub-adult landed on the rails and F23 valiantly defended the nest and eggs.

It is highlights at Fraser Point. Go and have a look. Take a tissue – so many images of little eaglets that we loved so much.

Calico loves Junior the Squirrel:

Calico is finalising her favourite books. It is a bit of a laugh because she has slipped in a few from earlier—her all-time favourites!

Calico’s Tip of the Day comes with an image from Happy Kitty FB. It is winter, and in Manitoba it has been -40 C. The temperatures are going to get warmer for a few days, but the animals that live outside are hungry. Rapid habitat loss has brought them into urban spaces looking for food in Mexico, in Canada, in various other parts of North America. Please help if you can!

Please forgive all typos. I still have my cold, but it has been an unlucky day for accidents. I slipped on the ice and injured my left wrist and then I cut the middle finger of my left hand rather deeply. Like the thumb, it is incredible how much you use that finger. My keyboarding was kind of pecking tonight…so typos and grammar – look the other way, please! I should be back to normal soon.

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, AE, Geemeff, J, MP’ NEFL-AEF, The Guardian, SKHideaways, Sussex Wildlife Trust, Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Heidi Mc, Judy Harrington, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Black Bear Rescue Manitoba, Achieva Credit Union, Cal Falcons, SJ City Hall Falcons, IWS/Explore.org, Gracie Shepherd, Walmer the Rescued Squirrel, Happy Kitty FB

Thursday in Bird World

12 December 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

If you receive my newsletter on FB, please subscribe as FB is not working at the moment for me!

News is coming in Thursday morning from Wales: The nest tree of Dylan and Blue 5F Seren has been completely destroyed in a storm that has hit Wales. Will there be time to put up a platform for them? This is very sad news for one of our favourite Osprey couples.

I still have no news as to a second egg for Gabby…I hope I have just missed the announcement.

Oh, goodness. It is -40 C with bright blue skies on the Canadian Prairies. By evening it will have warmed up to -34 C. Winter has really come with lots of snow and now the blistering cold. It even feels cold in the house despite the heat and triple pane windows.

Brock made it out for his food Wednesday morning. I am so glad The Girls are inside and safe. Brock has a warm space under the deck. I hope he is using it.

My report is short. The very cold weather seems to have brought on a cold. I will be fine, but I rested and didn’t check on many nests on Wednesday. There is also little activity.

I do have an update from a friend about the state of peregrine falcons in the downtown Melbourne area. “In the last few weeks from all over Melbourne, including some celebrity birds from Collins Street and the airport. (The vet) has successfully fixed all of them – three have been released, three are still in hospital. The Collins Street one will be released on Thursday [today – it is now 12.37pm on Thursday – so it will probably be on the news if it’s a slow news day.”

One of the Collins Street triplets died on the 28th floor from a collision and, another has been in care. Is there another in care? The life of urban raptors can be very precarious and short-lived. We are thankful to all the wildlife rehabbers and vets that put them back together and release them.

Victor Hugo spoke on radio about the Collins Street falcons and falcons in general. I am not sure you can access this link that ‘A’ sent to us. It is a good interview.

. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/melbourne-afternoons/collins-street-peregrine-falcon-chicks-fly-the-coop/104601396 

Speaking of falcons and urban ones, too, Monty and Hartley have been at the scrape! https://youtu.be/FjV_44ZbihQ?

At Orange, Xavier and Diamond are having cicada wars. https://youtu.be/lj394K91vzA?

There are many books on Peregrine Falcons. They range from simple guides, interesting children’s books, to more detailed and more academic oriented tomes.

For everything about Falcons, you cannot beat Richard Sale’s hefty well-researched book on falcons (covers 4 species of falcons including the Peregrine).

The other is J.A. Baker’s small volume. Excellent.

For children, these are really good books to get them interested in the world’s fastest bird.

An exceptional book about the work being done in Idaho.

A book that examines the challenges of an urban falcon. One of my favourites along with Maggie!

San Jose City Hall has announced that they will be upgrading the camera for Monty and Hartley. Isn’t that fantastic news? Thanks, ‘J and SK Hideaways’.

Both Wilko and Kasse have fledged. Kasse did slip out of the nest, but she recovered brilliantly to land on a nearby sailboat. Congratulations Port Lincoln! What a great year it was. We will look forward to seeing these two fighting for fish on the nest, wrecking talons, and getting their wings stronger.

Here is Port Lincoln’s video of that flight: https://youtu.be/nK95SW6Y94E?

This is the summary for part of Thursday. Kasse has no fish yet, not even supplementary fish. They were hoping she would come home.

I did some cutting and pasting. I hope that what I am seeing is Kasse getting some fish. Wilko has tried to keep her away but it appears she has eaten. He gets on their backs including Mum’s!!!!!!! Yes, Kasse gets some fish.


12:38 2		Mum’s into the nest with the 2nd supplemental fish! Mum feeds Wilko. Kasse is still on the anchor rope.
12:43 All Wilko time stamps for now. He’s away to feak and look around.
12:53 Mum’s off of the nest with the 2nd supplemental fish tail. Feeding interupted.
12:57Camera pans out and we see Kasse has disappeared from the anchor rope! Camera pans to her all the way up on a boat mast now!
13:07 3Camera pans and we see Mum’s back on the nest with a supplemental fish. Wilko’s in for some more dining with Mum.
13:15 Wilko feels the urge to feak so he engages it!
Mum finishes it.
13:26Kasse flew above the nest and behind the camera!
13:31Mum’s on the nest with a large fish!Mum (L,Whole)
13:31 4Wilko, once again, joins Mum. Kasse is on the barge. But she’s up on top of the ship.
13:34 Kasse can be seen flying from the ship hood. And she’s just gonna circle over the nest and trying to figure out how to land. Meanwhile Wilko defends the nest, feaks his beak and Mum just eats away at the fish.
13:41 Kasse is finally back in the nest! Wilk pushes at her. She stays in the nest. Wilko attacks Kasse once again! Kasse fights back! Kasse is finally with Mum eating her share of fish.
Kasse gets the fish tail.
14:53Wilko hops from the close branch onto Mum’s back for a second! He then goes onto his sister! Mum’s out.  lol

Overhead cam is working at SW Florida. We will be on pip watch this weekend.

I am looking for that second egg at NE Florida with Gabby and Beau. The day began dry and then got a little wet in the afternoon.

Will we be in for a very long night waiting for this second egg? Maybe.

It’s midnight and there is no second egg at NE Florida yet.

Beau has been incubating since 0647.

At SW Florida, we are now officially on hatch watch as the first egg is 36 days old. I am guessing Friday.

Androcat has the precious eggs and some images: https://youtu.be/eb4VsqInroc?

There is trouble at Eagle Country as Blaze has to battle another eagle! https://youtu.be/At035GK-BdE?

I did not see any eagles at the NCTC nest where fog and damp seemed to be the order of the day. It looks wintery!

It’s raining at Port Tobacco.

It’s winter at the Trempealeau Bald Eagle Nest in Michigan.

Lady returned to check on her nest in the Sydney Olympic Forest. https://youtu.be/17qzyZFKDu8?si=LQw2Yon27-zlDtX1

Meanwhile, Eagle-eye Cathy Cook spotted SE33 flying around the River and the Discovery Centre to land by the roost of the parents. This is wonderful news. I got locked out of FB and thankfully ‘J’ sent me the image that Gracie Shepherd reposted of Cathy Cook’s on the Sea Eagle Cam.

Isn’t it glorious to see SE33 flying free?

‘A’ gives us an update about a visitor to the Royal Albatross colony: “I wanted to give you a cute piece of albatross information. A youngish male who has been visiting the albatross colony has leg bands indicating he hatched in the Chatham Islands between 2011 and 2019. His ID is A11 (black band equals male, metal band on the left leg with coloured band on the right equals Chatham Islands, the ‘A’ denotes a 2011 to 2019 hatch). Anyway, on 8 December, he visited RLK, who was on the nest incubating his egg, and gently preened him. Then, on 11 December, A11 was back, and he did the same, this time preening GLG, who was on her nest. A friendly young chap, obviously, making social bonds? 

But these albatrosses are the sweetest and gentlest of birds. Imagine quite randomly going up to males and females alike as they are incubating their eggs and gently preening them. Isn’t that just beautiful? And so loving towards birds who are presumably strangers to them, at least initially. It was the sweetest interaction. 

GLG and RLK are a tightly bonded pair, and their skycall greetings and allopreening at the incubation changeovers are just adorable. TOO endearing. If this is not love and devotion, then I have never seen it. The sweetness of these precious interactions brings tears to my eyes (although of course it is an emotional night for me). Once their egg is laid, the only time they get to spend together is at these changeovers, and the precious time they spend with each other is so very short in comparison to all those months and years alone at sea. “

‘J’ brings us updates on Rita the Eagle:

It continues to be dangers near the grouse moors for our beloved feathered friends. Why would anyone enjoy killing a gorgeous free flying bird?

Raven found shot dead next to grouse moor in notorious Peak District raptor persecution hotspot – RaDownload

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Heidi, J’, SK Hideaways, Nesting Bird Life and More, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Bart M and PLO, NEFL-AEF, SW Florida Eagle Cam, Androcat, NCTC Eagle Cam, Eagle Country, Port Tobacco Eagle Cam, Trempealeau Bald Eagle Cam, Gracie Shepherd and Bald Eagles 101 and thanks to Cathy Cook!, Raptor Persecution UK, abcnet, Rita the Eagle, SJ City Hall

Wednesday in Bird World

11 December 2024

Hello Everyone,

Update: Kasse!

Kasse on the sailboat. Just hanging out like nothing is up! Flew at 63 days.

Heidi caught it. https://youtu.be/UgIHyZ7IePM?

The fish fairy came in celebration with 4 fish when Kasse returned to the nest at 1444! Well done.

A big fish on the nest and Mum is feeding it to Wilko.

We just dug out of the last big snow dump and it started snowing and blowing again on Tuesday. From the look of the garden, we have now had at least another 10 cm or more (3 inches or more). It is still coming down. The day was full of adventures with the birds. Both of the Blue Jays came together to get peanuts so confirmation that both are alive. Little Woodpecker was here along with a single Dark-eyed Junco amidst 100 or more Sparrows and 19 European Starlings. On top of this, the Crows came, an Owl appeared, and a hawk flew in and took one of the songbirds for its lunch. We haven’t had this much action in a long time!

The table was cleaned off between snow. Now look. It is my way of keeping track of how much snow falls. No more in the forecast but a huge cold front has arrived and the warmer temperatures that gave us the snow have turned into frigid levels of -21 C. Ouch.

Tuesday is my life day in the afternoon so there is not much to report in the way of happenings. At the time of this writing there were no new Bald Eagle eggs.

The Royal Albatross couple has changed incubation duties. So both are safe and sound. I cannot help but tear up when I see one of them come through the grass waddling. It echoes OGK coming to the nest when he had a limp to feed Pippa Atawhai after being MIA for 40 days. https://youtu.be/bnwgjQVUZqg?

Handsome Wilko is on the perch, and the golden rays of the morning sun are coming down. Mum had a small fish that she ate on the ropes earlier on Wednesday morning. No fish so far and it is 1130.

Kasse on the nest. Kasse really wants to fly!

Incubation continues at SW Florida where we will be on pip watch shortly. https://youtu.be/Dejp60MB95E?

So far, so good at the NE Florida Bald Eagle nest of Gabby and Beau.

We are coming up to pip watch in SW Florida. How close? Mark your calendars for day 35 – Egg 1 will be 35 days old on the 13th and Egg 2 on the 16th.

As we approach hatch, reviewing the stages of eagle development is a good idea. They grow so fast and it is easy to forget from year to year.

Eaglet Biology | Audubon Center for Birds of PreyDownload
EAGLET GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT | Bald EaglesDownload

Majestics continue to work on nest.

Eagles are at Decorah North.

They are resting after a full day of wrangling sticks.

There are so many videos of F23 or M15 having a bath, but, look. An eagle at Redding having a lovely bath!

Jackie and Shadow are up to their old stick play! https://youtu.be/J971v2m1I2c?

Osprey at Achieva.

Wish we could give them that beautiful nest at Captiva.

The latest migration counts from Hawk Mountain.

If you have considered donating to the Ventana Wildlife Society, your donation will earn more right now. MC is Monterey County.

We rescue Black Bears in Manitoba. Look at this tiny little cutie.

A fundraiser with some more Iris and Finnegan sticks to help a good cause.

One of the most gorgeous ducks I have ever seen…

Country diary: A local rarity, a mug of hot chocolate in bird form | Birds | The GuardianDownload

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, images, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: Cornell Lab Bird Cams, Port Lincoln Osprey Cams, wskrsnwings, NEFL-AEF, Southwest Florida Eagle Cam, Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, Elfruler, Denton Homes, Raptor Resource Project/Explore.org, FORE, SK Hideaways, Achieva Credit Union, Window to Wildlife, Hawk Mountain Migration Count, Ventana Wildlife Society, Black Bear Rescue Manitoba, Montana Osprey Cam, The Guardian

Tuesday Morning in Bird World

10 December 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

Morning Update: Sad news coming from Melbourne. One of the CBD fledglings was found deceased on the 28th floor of a nearby building in Melbourne. Thank you, Heidi.

From Death’s Door to Life in the City: The Urban Peregrine Falcon, by Lucy M. Rowland : Articles : TDownload

Challenges for urban falcons:

Peregrine falcon fledglings face many challenges in urban environments, including:

  • Flying into buildings: Fledglings can collide with large, glass buildings, especially if they’re inexperienced. 
  • Falling from ledges: Fledglings can fall off ledges and get injured, killed, or lost.Their parents may not be able to hear them in the city. 
  • Predators: Fledglings on the ground are vulnerable to predators like dogs, people, and cars. 
  • Starvation and dehydration: Fledglings can starve or become dehydrated. 
  • Wind gusts: Fledglings can get caught in wind gusts. 
  • Pesticides and chemicals: Fledglings can be harmed by ingesting prey contaminated with pesticides or by exposure to flame retardants. 
  • Avian flu: Fledglings can contract avian flu. 
  • Competition: Fledglings face competition with other falcons. 

Peregrine falcons are natural cliff-dwellers, but tall buildings in urban areas can simulate the rock ledges they prefer.However, urban environments can be dangerous for these birds.  (AI generated answer to question)

Oh, the snow came down Sunday, covering everything. The garden received between 25-30 cm. Most of us have forgotten when we last had this amount of snow. Thankfully, a lovely young man will be here Monday evening or Tuesday morning to shovel for us. He came and now it is Tuesday morning and it is snowing again!

The snow did not daunt the garden birds and animals. Brock came at 1720 for his dinner – thankfully, we cleared the area where he eats earlier. My heart aches for all the domestic pets dumped, just like this snow! More and more reports come in daily in our city about abandoned pets. If you know anyone considering getting a ‘pet’, whether a dog, cat, rabbit, parrot, budgie, hamster, etc, help them understand that the vet and food bills are high. Pets are not just fun; they are a responsibility for life – to care for and love.

The Guardian is publishing an article on Monday about the trafficking of exotic animals including these two gorgeous toucans. The horrific things that humans do to animals to make a profit. If you see exotic animals posted on social media sites for sale, please take the time to phone the authorities and alert them. You can save the life of one or more wild animals that did not ask to be stuffed in a box or a suitcase without food or water to be sold to someone so that they can have ‘something unique’. This practice reminds me of the egg and animal collectors who set up private zoos and curiosity areas eons ago.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/09/inside-the-illegal-wildlife-trade-booming-on-social-media-aoe?CMP=share_btn_url

The big news continues to be the arrival of the first egg for Gabby and Beau on Sunday. Beau saw his egg and then did his turn at incubation. Oh, we have to hope that this year he will be the perfect mate and care for these precious eggs. Gabby has been waiting since Samson disappeared to be a Mum again.

Beau on incubation duty!

Gracie Shepherd gave a great overview of the events!

Beau sees their egg for the first time. https://youtu.be/MwtLmgHhPu4?

Let us all send good positive energy so that all goes well at this nest.

Tonya Irwin posted an image of Anna who laid her first egg at the Kistachie Forest nest with her mate Louis a year ago. We lost both eagles in 2024 – what a sad year it was.

The Majestics continue the work on their nest in Decorah, Iowa. https://youtu.be/MwtLmgHhPu4?

Harvie and Ellie were at their nest on the property of Farmer Derek in Kansas.

Thunder at the West End on Monday.

Jackie and Shadow continue playing with sticks at their nest! https://youtu.be/PI42-LsoJsQ?

Two fish come into Port Lincoln early. One from Mum and the second from Dad. Kasse took the first fish and didn’t share a pinch of it. Wilko gets the second. Mum needs some fish!

I hope the fairies come. It is a gusty day and Mum and Dad need to eat. Indeed, the family needs a good chow down.

Kasse with her fish.

Wilko with his fish.

Dad comes in with a partial fish at 1030 and Kasse takes it! Let’s hope that there are many more fish today.

The day at Port Lincoln ended well with everyone having a good feed before lights out. Kasse is exceptional at holding on to fish and not letting Wilko get them!

Another posting from South Australia. This time I am including this posting because of the fish. Look at the size. Massive fish.

Kielder Ospreys has some exciting news coming form Jean-marie Depart in Senegal.

‘B’ has sent us a lovely article that appeared about Annie and her falcon family. I know you will enjoy it. Thank you, ‘B’.

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/california-live/meet-the-peregrine-falcons-that-have-made-uc-berkeley-their-home/3578431/?fbclid=IwY2xjawHET-ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHaqT1LeRvXg8ZIa-9nsD7Pwn29VR54wb1U0ZHSz-q9FQoXrZcawEMAgIow_aem_ERqZjovti5-Fbyx8uGvzpA

Sunnie Day posts images of the new platform at the Venice Golf and Country Club.

Looks finished! The cam is up and running. All we need are ospreys.

Continued use of rodenticides in Scotland is causing uneasy question periods.

Inadequate response by Scottish Minister Jim Fairlie to parliamentary question on use & abuse of rodDownload

Bird World continues to be rather quiet. We wait for Kasse to fledge and for some more eagle eggs.

Calico’s First Tip of the Day. Calico knows what it is like to have a loving family and be dumped. We are so grateful that she and Baby Hope are living with us, that they are safe, warm, and with full tummies when they go to sleep at night. Each of us wishes that all kitties could be so fortunate. Calico wishes it more than anyone as she knows what it is to be hungry and cold.

Calico’s Second Tip of the Day. So many issues for outdoor animals. Spread the word in how to care for them in the winter if you find one in need of help.

Calico’s Third Tip for the Day is about feeding birds in the winter!

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘B, Heidi’, Peregrine Falcons Melbourne, Lucy M Rowland, The Guardian, NEFL-AEF, AEF Nest Cam Highlights, Gracie Shepherd, Denton Homes, Farmer Derek and Kansas Bald Eagle Cam, IWS/Explore.org, SK Hideaways, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Bart M and the PLO, Peter Zach, Kielder Ospreys, nbclosangeles.com, Sunnie Day, VGCCO, Raptor Persecution UK, Hungry and Homeless Cat Rescue, Lo Thomas, Tamarack Wildlife Centre

NE30 has arrived…late Sunday in Bird World

8 December 2024

Hello Everyone!

Update: Tears. Tears. And more tears. Gabby laid her first egg at 5:56 as called by the American Eagle Foundation. Thank you, Heidi!

There it is!

Welcome to the start of the week. Snow is gently falling in the garden. Once it gets deep enough to be beautiful, there will be some photos!

Waiting for Brock to come for his meal as the gentle flakes get deeper. Perhaps he will stay curled up in his home?? (I gauge the depth by the snow that falls on top of the little table). The forecast says that we will have snow until 0200. It is now 1620.

Do you happen to know what ‘anting’ is? I didn’t.

I wonder if the Crows visiting the garden ever do this?

At the Eagle Country nest of Blaze and Skye, a stunning sub-adult visited on Sunday. What a gorgeous eagle.

Combativeness in the woods over prey. Golden Eagle and Eurasian Eagle Owl. https://youtu.be/_6R6TURUeaY?

At the Port Lincoln Osprey Barge, Mum, Wilko, and Kasse are hungry and they are fish calling very loudly Monday morning!

Still waiting.

This was the final tally for Sunday. What in the world happens to Dad at this nest?

Wilko is going to really jump at this fish as he missed out on some meals on Sunday.

Dad came in with a very small fish and as predicted, Wilko who was very hungry, grabbed it. Please check the Port Lincoln Obs board for the rest of Monday’s activities.

Gabby is nothing short of gorgeous. Beau is in and out of the nest. No eggs yet at NE Florida.

Eagles are home at Decorah.

Someone is at the NCTC nest.

Jackie and Shadow were at the Big Bear nest on Sunday. Gosh they are looking good! I keep wondering if this could be their year again.

FOBBV have a new book on the history of the nest from 2015 to the present. They are still accepting holiday orders.

Liberty and Guardian have been working hard. They were at the nest in Redding, California on Sunday.

Fran Solly posted some information on the Gleesons nest that has Marie, a foster, there. Friends of Osprey Sth Australia have been busy putting on trackers this season. Thank you everyone!

They have also put up a platform at Sleaford and this couple seems to be considering a lease. That would be grand.

GHOs Bonnie and Clyde have been visiting their nest on Farmer Derek’s property in Kansas after 1700. I hope to catch them today!

Has anyone seen Jack at the Achieva Credit Union nest recently?

Beautiful nest with a great camera at Captiva waiting for an Osprey family.

Calico is putting together her favourite bird books for the year. We hope to have her list finished and polished by next weekend! This girl should get some gold stars. She loves story time! We are working our way through several books at the moment.

With the great news about Gabby, I am once again posting early and I will see you on Tuesday morning unless we have another major event such as Kasse fledgling or more eagle eggs. Take care everyone. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Heidi, J’, NE Florida Bald Eagle Cam and the AEF, Sandra Turner and National Geographic, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Bart M and the PLO, Raptor Resource Project/Explore.org, NCTC, FOBBV, FORE, Fran Solly, Farmer Derek GHO Cam, Achieva Credit Union, Window to Wildlife

Sunday in Bird World

8 December 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

Our thoughts are with all the humans and non-humans living along the coast of California and Oregon where a 7.4 earthquake has hit. For my readers and their families, we are thinking of you and wish everyone to be safe.

In the movie, Seven Years in Tibet, there is a scene where they are building the movie theatre for the Dalai Lama. The Tibetans are anguished about the killing of the worms. The Dalai Lama suggests to Heinrich Harrer that he is very clever and he can find a way to construct the building without killing. He explained to the Austrian that all life is sacred and should be respected. I wish a wave would pass around the world where everyone would treat all living beings with great compassion.

It is +4 C in Winnipeg. The snow that fell is all melting. Any ice build up is also melted or melting. It is 1400 and we will have sunlight for another hour and a half. The birds are busy eating. What is worrying me for the last few days is that I have only seen one Blue Jay. Did one decide to migrate late? or did something happen? or are they just coming at different times and I think it is one but it is two? I would like to see them together.

The Girls are enjoying the warm sunshine today. Calico is on the table by my side. She loves being super warm and does not complain when I wrap her up in the duvet at night.

Some of you have asked about the fate of the Canada Goose. As I understand, all of the geese rescued from the wildlife centre are safe along with the one that we saved yesterday. They will spend their winter here in a warm environment with plenty of food and medical care if necessary.

We have cleared the way to set up the Reolink camera and found the perfect spot to install the solar panel. Then we both realised that the camera only operates at -10 C. While it is warm today, in a few days, the reading will have dropped substantially. We are going to set the camera up to see if it works and maybe keep it outside until the temperature dips to -27 C mid-week. It will be a way to test it and give us something to look forward to in the spring.

It seems that we are now in a snowfall warning for Sunday and could get up to 10-20 cm or 4-8 inches. That wasn’t on my phone! Will see if it happens. That camera might have to wait.

‘B’ sent me an article about the geneticists at Stanford solving the mystery of ‘orange’ cats. Of course, both of us wonder why Hugo Yugo is orange after reading it. I wrote my son to see if he could help us. Here is the article, any thoughts?

https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/stanford-scientists-crack-mystery-orange-cats-19962652.php

I wonder if Kasse is going to fledge. She really got some good lift after Wilko took his first flight. Heidi caught it in video and while most people were watching Wilko, it was Kasse that caught my attention.

Here are two videos of the fledge: https://youtu.be/FUlN6W7W1-4?

And Heidi’s which shows a lot of other action: https://youtu.be/pL5NHQ9rJgI?

Yesterday Dad brought in one fish and there were two supplementary fish. Today, Mum brought in a fish early, 0721. Wilko wanted it, but Mum prevailed. It was small and each got a meal. I hope Mum got some, too. Wilko got the tail!

This is what happened today. Mum, you are amazing! And so are you Fish Fairies.

The only surviving chick out of three at the Osprey House Environment Centre in Australia is Marina. She has caught her first fish! Marina fledged on the 29th of September.

There was another good mating at the NE Florida Bald Eagle nest. Will this be the one that gives us that first egg? We wait. https://youtu.be/CedSKh1oIZA?

At SW Florida, M15 knows the way to getting incubation time! A fish gift! Smart lad. https://youtu.be/FV3OEOnS9Ow?

At the West End, Akecheta is protecting the territory against ravens! https://youtu.be/4ET64zP5Frk?

Tonya Irwin brings us up to date on nest E-1 in the Kistachie National Forest.

Here is that video: https://youtu.be/SdCgIy2QADU?

Xavier and Diamond have been in and out of the scrape. My heart breaks for them.

Is it possible to get a dedicated group of BOGs to be there when the chicks fledge so that they can check all the trees and know where the fledglings are if they are injured, help can come quickly.

An announcement from Window to Wildlife regarding the Captiva Osprey Cam:

Some cute little Eurasian Hobbys to keep you entranced – it part of a series from the 2024 nesting period. https://youtu.be/TLOLFuMo-40?

No eagles but a squirrel did visit the MN-DNR Bald Eagle nest on Saturday.

Harry and Harriet are building their nest and – wait – is that snow?! It is Michigan, it is winter! https://youtu.be/pYWYnmfyiWA?

Ferris Akel tours the area around Ithaca on Saturday. He did not find Big Red and Arthur, but there was an impressive number of waterfowl on Cayuga Lake.

Calico was watching Ferris.

Coots.

American Black Ducks and several species of swans.

I like checking in with Ferris who catches the changing seasons in the Ithaca and bird arrivals and departures. I also like to check in with Bruce Yolton who chases down raptors in New York City.

Yolton captured a gorgeous Great Horned Owl in the City a couple of days ago. The GHO was interested in the rodents below on a branch. Great little video! You can find his blog at urbanhawks.com https://youtu.be/ghU7O15gOBQ?

Some stunning photo contest winners!

https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2024/dec/07/the-2024-nature-conservancy-oceania-nature-photo-contest-winners-in-pictures?CMP=share_btn_link

I love Puffins. Doesn’t everyone? Can we end them starving?

“BirdLife, the RSPB, 31 NGOs and the wind sector sent letters to the Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans and asked him to be the champion for the ocean he promised to be. Can he turn the tide for starving Puffins?”

-https://www.birdlife.org/news/2024/12/04/commissioner-kadis-end-puffin-starvation-now/

There are so many talented wildlife photographers who read my blog in the UK. Please send your photos to the RSPB – be part of their cover story!

Finally, the Grouse hunting estates in Scotland are under pressure to change their ways – and they don’t even recognise that they need to stop killing raptors illegally.

Grouse shooting industry under pressure in Scotland – Raptor Persecution UKDownload

Every National Park – every area where there is a high concentration of wildlife – should be making it safer for them to cross the roads!

The Christmas Bird Counts are huge events internationally. Please check with your local birding associations and see how you can take part.

So far, it is quiet, which is a good thing in Bird World. Soon, we will have some eaglets in SW Florida, and by the end of the month, all of the eagle nests will have at least one egg (we hope). We look forward to Kasse fledging, which will happen anytime. She is ready. I was happy to see supplementary fish still being provided. Thank you, fish fairies. These fledglings use much energy and have yet to catch their food. In fact, Marina took over two months to catch her own fish after fledging at Osprey House Environmental Centre.

This afternoon Missey and Baby Hope posed for new photos.

Meanwhile, one of Dyson’s kits was outside enjoying peanuts. The three kits chased one another all over the garden. They were so happy to have a warm day and lots and lots of peanuts!

Their baskets for the winter solstice are being prepared. We have various types of prepared bird seed, hazelnuts, Butter Bark, suet balls, pieces of pear and apple to be prepared on the day. Looking for more ideas! It is our way of thanking them for being such a huge part of our lives!

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘B, Heidi, J’, sfgate.com, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Heidi McGrue, Osprey House Environment Centre, American Eagle Nest Cam Highlights, SK Hideaways, BVS Girl, Tonya Irwin and Kisatachie National Forest Eagle Cam Fans FB, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, Window to Wildlife, Marek Palicka, MN-DNR Eagle Cam, Wings of Whimsy, Ferris Akel Tours, Bruce Yolton, The Guardian, Birdlife International. RSPB England, Raptor Persecution UK, Parks Canada, Missey and Baby Hope

Saturday in Bird World

7 December 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

Oh, it is so nice to have you with us! I am going to post this on Friday evening instead of Saturday morning because of Wilko’s fledge. We will see you again on Sunday.

First up. Wilko fledges at 1325!!!!!!!!!!!!! 62 days old. Wilko returns safely to the nest. (This would have been the title but FB would have refused to post this blog on their site so sorry, Wilko!)

Will the fairies return now that one of the chicks has fledged? We wait to see. I hope they come in with a big fish meal as congratulations.

First up. Well, it was going to be first, but Wilko’s flight preempted Wisdom making the international news. This is grand. The world should be more interested in wildlife.

World’s oldest-known wild bird lays egg in Hawaii at age 74https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/06/worlds-oldest-known-wild-bird-lays-egg-wisdom-albatross?CMP=share_btn_url

Oh, it was -4 C on Friday in Winnipeg. I couldn’t wait to get outside for a long walk at the nature centre. First thing, we found a Canada Goose. You might remember the other day there were five geese eating snow. They were taken to Wildlife Haven, our rescue centre. This one is heading there, too. It felt super to help this one. No one knew it was there as we were the only people on the trails, it seems. This seemed so odd as it was such a fantastic day, but we were glad to be there and to help.

This goose should not be here. It is the only one around. It is different in the spring. Some arrive early when there is still snow so they can get the best nesting spots. This one was destined to starve to death if not freeze. So why is it here? Is it injured? They will find out.

There were deer all over the forest. We tiptoed in our boots so as not to disturb them. I only had my phone and the photos are not great. The one on the right knew I was there. The Chickadees were singing while flitting about while the squirrels were trying their luck at getting peanuts out of the feeders.

It is 1636. The sky is a white-grey with a rose gold tinge. The outdoor lights are glowing bright, and I am waiting for Brock to arrive (he doesn’t). We have figured out what needs to be fixed with all the feral cat houses – only one opening. They feel trapped – so two openings! We will work on that tomorrow. It is still supposed to be warm. We will also start installing the Reolink camera.

Let’s start with the sad news in Bird World first. Cilla Kinross said that Yira is no longer with us. It had been over a week since she thought she had spotted her. I feel so badly for Xavier and Diamond, who work hard all season to raise healthy chicks to have one deformed and euthanised and the other killed.

I have long suspected Yira was not with us. She has been on the Memorial Wall for a couple of weeks now. We never saw the behaviour that Diamond and Xavier would have exerted if they were providing prey for a fledgling. So, soar high, little one. We hope that next season will turn out differently for these beloved parents.

The good news. Just the best. SE33’s release images. Soar high, live long, find a good mate, raise lots of babies, always have a full crop!

If you missed it, images of SE33 being ringed and getting ready to fly.

At the WRDC nest, Rose laid her second egg. Heidi wrote: “
Rose laid egg #2 12/6, at 18:08, approximately 75.5 hours after she laid egg #1.  Rose had been a 4-day layer the past two seasons, and she has just become a 3-day layer.”

At Hilton Head, the Bald Eagles are bringing in the pine boughs readying for that first egg. I wonder if they told the GHOs? https://youtu.be/kobHTx-ALSU?

Saving an Eagle! https://youtu.be/QS_8YOcL0M0?

You might have heard about the earthquake that hit parts of northern California. The nest at Redding, home to Liberty and Guardian, felt the impact. They say the nest is fine. https://youtu.be/Oyocy3zNY8c?

Oh, goodness, the wait for eggs at the nest of Gabby and Beau is like taking fingernails to a chalkboard.

Another wait is fledge. Wilko really wants to fly. Kasse is trying her wings, too. It is quite breezy at Port Lincoln, but they aren’t quite ready yet. Soon, too soon, you two! Settle down and let us enjoy you for a long, long time.

Waiting for fish. Ospreys are always waiting for their fish dinner everywhere. Last night Dad brought in a late fish. I did not see what happened. This came in on chat from Gtr: “20;34 Dad w fish to nest, Kasse gets the fish, 20:35 & 20:37 Wilko tries to steal it but no luck, 20:44 Kasse eats the tail.” Wow. Isn’t that wonderful for Kasse?!

With no fish arriving by 1227, Mum takes off on a blustery Saturday in Port Lincoln to try and feed her family. (I wonder what she thinks about Dad these days.)

Iris and Finnegan’s Owl Pole is now officially replaced.

Thunder and Akecheta sleeping near their nest in the Channel Islands Friday evening.

The Majestics were home, too.

Raven visits Jackie and Shadow’s nest! https://youtu.be/heltAD5mZ84?

Bad weather is hitting the UK. I am glad the ospreys are in their winter homes, but for the rest, stay safe everyone!

I wonder when the Governor of Virginia will understand that there will be no more Menhaden if Omega is allowed to strip the Bay of every last one. Does he think they fall from the sky into the water each spring?

If you happened to miss it, Nox died of a bacterial infection and pneumonia.

Nox the falcon died of pneumonia, says UC Davis veterinary pathology report – Berkeley NewsDownload

Saving the old and wise could help. Phoebe Watson says, “t’s not just humans who get wiser as they age – animals do too, according to a growing body of research. The bigmouth buffalo fish can reach 127 years old, the Greenland shark 392, and some sponges can live for 10,000 years or more. And age is not just a number: as animals get older they behave differently depending on their life experiences, gain richer knowledge of their environment, and often pass it on to younger members of their group, researchers say.

The problem is, we are killing off these older creatures. “Earth’s old animals are in decline,” researchers warned in a paper published in Science last month, which analysed more than 9,000 peer-reviewed papers. Few animals make it to old age, and the ones that do are vulnerable to being hunted or harvested by humans, because they are the biggest or have, for example, the largest antlers, horns or tusks.”

Saving ‘old and wise’ animals vital for species’ survival, say scientistshttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/06/saving-old-and-wise-animals-vital-for-species-survival-say-scientists-longevity-conservation?CMP=share_btn_url

In Hawaii, they are working to reintroduce the Crow. “The Hawaiian crows, or alala, were last found on Hawaii’s Big Island, but they went extinct in the wild in 2002, officials with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance said in a statement. The birds, described as intelligent and charismatic, are the last survivors of all the Hawaiian crow species. Habitat loss, predation and disease by introduced species are threats, among other factors.

“The translocation of alala to Maui is a monumental step forward in conserving the species and a testament to the importance of partnership in reversing biodiversity loss,” said Megan Owen, vice-president of conservation science at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.”

Hawaiian crow that went extinct in the wild decades ago released on Mauihttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/05/hawaiian-crows-alala-maui?CMP=share_btn_url

To our knowledge, at the time of writing, there are no new Bald Eagle eggs except for the second egg at WRDC. Incubation is going well at nests with eggs.

Calico wishes each of you the very best weekend. She has some exciting news coming in the new year!

Thank you for being with us today. Please take good care of yourself. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, images, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Heidi, SP’, The Guardian, Holly Parsons, Sea Eagle Cam, WRDC, Hilton Head Land Trust, EaGal Vicki, NEFL-AEF, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Montana Osprey Cams, IWS/Explore.org, Denton Homes, SK Hideaways, UK Osprey Information and Jeff Kear, Brian Collins and Menhaden- Little Fish, Big Deal, UC Berkeley News

Thursday in Bird World

5 December 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

First – just look at SE33 ready to take on the world! Just about.

SE33 is just gorgeous. Look at the amazing plumage pattern on those underwings! I wish this incredible eagle a long, long life, full of prey items, a wonderful mate, and lots of little eaglets. Do it for SE34, too – SE33, you have to live life to the fullest for both of you.

There will be some small squeeze treats for The Girls today to celebrate the anniversary of Hugo Yugo’s arrival. Was it as cold last year as it is this morning, -15 C. The sky is the most transparent, brightest blue we have seen for some time. There are sun dogs on either side, iridescent like someone sprayed gold and bronze paint on them. Sundogs are atmospheric optical phenomena that appear as bright light spots on either side of the sun at about 22 degrees. They are red on the inside and white on the outside. The sundog varies in shape and size of the ice crystals that create them. They appear when the sun or moon shines through a thin cirrus cloud of hexagonal ice crystals. The ice crystals then refract the light causing the sundogs to appear. Living in Winnipeg, you know it is very cold if you see them.

The snow that has fallen the past couple of days makes the outdoors seem even brighter. There are no girls in the conservatory. They had their breakfast and opted for the sitting room where it is warmer to their paws. I close off the conservatory at night, something that I did not do last year. I want to see if there is any savings. It might just equal out by having to heat it right up every morning.

In the garden, there are a few Sparrows, a single Red Squirrel and a dozen Starlings wanting breakfast. Someone ate all the cat kibble so that has been replaced in case Brock shows up. He seems to not like snow or cold weather. I do not blame him!

Oh, Dyson’s kits have shown up!

The wind is picking up. Both Crows have now arrived for peanuts so all we are missing in the garden count are the two Blue Jays.

I forgot to leave the kibble for the Starlings so out I go!

With the arrival of the egg for Ron and Rita at the WRDC, it is only a matter of days before we start seeing eggs in the other nests, I hope. Will Gabby and Beau be next?

Beau has been checking out the nest bowl all morning at NE Florida. He also brought Gabby a fish gift – an improvement on last year! Will Gabby get to be a Mum again? It has been some time. Beau has protected the nest and kept off any attempts at a takeover. He is a great protector. Last year, he didn’t know what to do. Let’s see what happens this year. I am just grateful that those eggs did not hatch last year.

AEF captures food gift for Gabby: https://youtu.be/S_On1yAzTFA?

All is well at SW Florida and Captiva. Incubation continues at both nests. We are now less than a fortnight away from hatch for M15 and F23 in Fort Myers, Florida.

The nest bowl at Captiva is soooo deep.

Liberty and Guardian have been at the nest and goodness. Let’s get these eaglets hatched and up and flying before the real heat arrives.

Skye and Blaze were both hit hard by a GHO during the night at Eagle Country. Both eagles returned to the nest in the morning. The presence of GHOs is becoming even more alarming this year as storms and fires have destroyed good nesting spots.

36 million years of discord between owls and eagles. https://youtu.be/wUgwRkXxTDA?

61 and 57 days old, Wilko and Kasse are waiting for breakfast at Port Lincoln.

Black winged Kite has 7 chicks to feed. Gorgeous. https://youtu.be/S_On1yAzTFA?

Adult Black-winged kites are about the size of small falcons. They are the softest light grey underneath with a steel blue grey plumage above, black shoulders and wing coverts that give them their name. They have bright yellow legs and distinctive red eyes. They live near farming lands with woods, semi-desert areas, and open savannahs. They are versatile in their hunting styles – hovering like kestrels or gliding low over the fields like a harrier. Their geographical location is Western Europe, SE Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and the coast of Africa.

“Black-winged kite (Elanus caeruleus) Photograph by Shantanu Kuveskar” by Shantanu Kuveskar is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

The New York Times published an article about Bird Flu. We cannot dismiss it and West Nile Virus as contributing factors to raptor mortality this year, along with lead and rodenticide poisoning, loss of habitat, and direct human interaction such as shooting.

The Morning Bird flu explainedDownload

Following the Molis. Today it is Kalama.

Tagging of Royal Cam parents to take place.

Do you know about the blue socks helping the Blue Booty? And the two brothers that are helping? Will and Matty? Socks are $16 US and shipping is free in the US. $5 internationally. —— Young people doing something wonderful for the world and especially if it involves feathers really warms my heart!

All About Birds Cool Facts about Blue-footed Booby:

  • Cool Facts
    • To stay cool in very hot environments, Blue-footed Boobies sometimes defecate on their feet (a behavior called urohydrosis). They also flutter the skin of their throats (the gular pouch) by rapidly vibrating bones in their throat, which creates evaporative cooling through the open mouth.
    • The blue color of Blue-footed Booby’s feet varies in its intensity. Boobies with bluer feet appear to have more success in finding a mate than birds with duller blue feet. One study looked at foot color in relation to the health of young chicks and found that healthiest chicks tended to have fathers with intensely blue feet—possibly an indication of the father’s ability to keep himself well fed. Although the famous mating display might seem comical to humans, the display of foot color provides critical information on a bird’s health and ability to provide for young.
    • The Blue-footed Booby makes no nest, but lays its eggs on bare ground. The incubating birds defecate while on the nest, and the eggs become surrounded by a circular wall of excrement.

Dead birds causing concern in South Australia.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/dec/05/native-birds-flying-foxes-lead-port-pirie-south-australia-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url

Calico’s Tip for the Day for those that have feral cat shelters and live in snowy areas:

It is hard to imagine, but an osprey was photographed in Cork, Ireland yesterday. It has not migrated. I wonder how many are still in England?

In 2024, the death rate for osprey chicks internationally was super high. It was 26.6%. These are clearly documented instances. We know of many other deaths related to starvation along the Chesapeake Bay, but we do not have enough detailed information on the nests to post the information on the data forms. The mortality figures would have been considerably higher.

As it stands, this is 6% higher than in 2023.

‘J’ sends the Rita the Eagle Update:

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘J, RP’, Judy Harrington, NEFL-AEF, SW Florida Eagle Cam, AEF, Window to Wildlife, FORE, Eagle Country, WATOP. Port Lincoln Ospreys, Review Bird Nest, The New York Times, Hob Osterlund, Sharon Dunne, Will and Matty, Cornell All About Birds, The Guardian, Winnipeg Missing and Found Cat Watch, International Osprey Data Project, Rita the Eagle and Marathon

Wednesday in Bird World

4 December 2024

Hello Everyone,

First thing. There is an egg for Ron and Rose at the WRDC nest near Miami in Dade County. 14:34 according to Heidi on Tuesday. Congratulations! Everything looks alright with that egg.

The video: https://youtu.be/sb71R6oInuQ?

In one day, we will celebrate the arrival of Hugo Yugo to our lives. We adopted her on the 5th of December believing that she was a male as we had been told (and requested). The vet would laughingly inform us that we had one of a handful of Ginger Girls. Her name became Hugo Yugo, and it took her nearly nine months to start growing. We would not have given her back for a New York minute.

Wrapped in her blanket, at 11 weeks old, she was all ears. And she was sick. Poor thing. Dr Green quickly put that to rights.

My pal and faithful osprey data collector, Heidi, is worried that I will compromise ‘The Girls’ by bringing Brock into the house. She knows that these four girls are ‘everything’ to me. Brock would need to be ‘caged’ (I have one), and he would need to go to the vet for testing before he could be cleared to come into the house. I do not believe this will ever happen. Brock is too ‘feral’. So, we provide him with high-quality food, water, and 2 warm and safe places to sleep that are dry if he should choose to use them. My Girls are the rocks in my life. They give me the same joy that walking in the forest does. I will do anything and everything to protect them just as if they were my human children.

Hugo Yugo is at the vet’s last year, the morning after we picked her up from her foster family. She was dreadfully ill.

It was terrible. We ached for this little one. A week later, she was still sick, but she was showing some signs of improvement. She loved cuddling in a pink baby blanket. I would wrap her tight like a tortilla and place her in the curve of my left arm to stay warm. That is where she still sleeps today, sans a blanket.

All well at the vet’s on the 18th! She is playing and the vet tells us she will survive.

By the 28th of December (23 days later), Hugo Yugo was ruling the cat tree. We never looked back. She continues to be the boss of the house. The respite worker commented today on how HY chased Calico back into the back corner of the conservatory from the living room. This little Ginger is fearless.

At the vet last week still getting into trouble. It is a small sink but Hugo Yugo did grow, finally.

Tuesday was Gifting Tuesday. This year was Calico’s turn the local charity that would get our funds and any other selections related to that institution. Last year, Missey had this privilege. Local wildlife rehab facilities, feral cat groups, nature centres, you name it, were there for the picking. The one that Calico put her paw on first was the choice. It was Wildlife Haven this year! Then, she had to select the ambassador to be adopted. She put her paw on the printout of Gus, the Turkey Vulture! There you go. Looks like a carrion eater is our adoptee this year! It is pretty fun. We had several others this year. Giving Tuesday is great if there is someone or some institution that will double the donations. It can have a huge impact.

Gabby and Beau spent almost all day at the nest on Tuesday. Thinking eggs? Oh, please!

She looks like she is thinking about it or geez, is this Beau? My old eyes are so bad.

‘J’ reports that an owl struck Gabby during the night but she is OK. Oh, these owls!

It is windy at Port Lincoln and the family is waiting for the first fish of the day.

Noon. No fish yet. Looks like a day when we will be wishing the fairy would appear.

Now that I have gotten it out of head that Kasse has the pink ring, here she is with her bright red ring doing some nice wingers.

Well, it is afternoon. Dad is in the man cave, and he appears to not be interested in fishing. Mum is off the nest. I wonder if she has gone to find fish for her and the two osplets.

Mum did bring in that fish. Then the fish fairy came with 6 fish and Dad rounded up the day with two after 4pm! What a day at Port Lincoln.

Royal Cam Dad RLK is home safely and ready to incubate his egg! Oh, isn’t it a relief when they return after foraging?

One of the eagles was seen on Tuesday.

Giliath!

Thunder and Akecheta spent the night at the West End nest and were there in the early morning.

Hey look who is at Fraser Point! Andor and Cruz.

I did not see anyone at the Two Harbours nest of Chase and Cholyn.

It was a gorgeous day at Decorah in Iowa!

One eagle at the NCTC nest and then two. Bella and Scout visit the old nest.https://youtu.be/F6ZwZg36Vtc?

Looks like the Eagles have the Hilton Head nest! Yeah, George and Gracie. https://youtu.be/kQnHDQbI7KM?

But wait a minute! Bailey the GHO is working on the nest after the Eagle leaves. This is not so good! https://youtu.be/sb71R6oInuQ?

In past instances, the GHOs have taken the nest from the eagles. Think Bonnie and Clyde at Farmer Derek’s. They are not cute and fluffy. GHOs are Apex Raptors, Predators of the highest level.

Bonnie and Clyde paid a visit to the Cardinal Land Conservancy nest on Tuesday.

Hawk Mountain migration update. There are some real concerning numbers there and there are some surprises. See if you can find the raptors that gained in numbers and then which one lost the most?

22 year old Red tail Hawk rescued!

‘J’ sends me a note that had me shaking my head: “I told you I had bought Geo Magazine from April 1978 because it had a long article in it about kakapo. It was a harsh read. Starts with quotes from people in the 1800s – I now know the best way to cook a kakapo, you never know when that might come in handy.  When the author went over there were only 12 (!!!) kakapo left as far as anyone knew, and all of them were males. There were 24 humans watching and protecting them 24/7 and basically everyone was waiting for the species to die out. One, a 24 year old student fell down a cliff and died. But after the author came back home he got the call that 30 more kakapo had been found, so at least it ended with a positive note, everyone hoping that at least one of the 30 would be a female.”

Today, people are still working around the clock to care for these amazing birds. As of November 2024, there are 244 kākāpō alive. They are critically endangered. Fun Facts: The population has actually doubled since 2016. The programme to save the Kakapo was started by the New Zealand Government and the Maori tribe, Ngai Tahu. Conservation efforts include artificial insemination, supplementary feeding, and transmitters to help the staff locate the birds for their annual checks.

New Zealand’s quirky kākāpō are pulled back from the edge of extinction | Natural History MuseumDownload

‘J’ sends us Rita the Eagle’s History Monday:

The visitor to the Achieva Credit Union osprey platform looks down and says, “What the heck is this mess?! And they want me to lay eggs, where?” Thanks, MP for the capture.

Tuesday is always a long day for me. Today was snow and really brisk winds. The roads were terrible. Calico has a project and I had to pick it up at our local photo store – which happened to be about 24 minutes across town on slick roads. I was not impressed with the way our winter is starting. Hopefully I didn’t miss too many events in Bird World!

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, notes of concern, videos, articles, images, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Heidi, J, MP’, WRDC, Heidi McGrue, Hugo Yugo and the Anderson Animal Wellness Centre in Winnipeg, NEFL-AEF, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Sharon Dunne, Judy Harrington, IWS/Explore.org, Raptor Resource Project, NCTC, Deb Stecyk, Hilton Head Land Trust, Hawk Mountain, A Place Called Hope, Natural History Museum, Rita the Eagle, Achieva Credit Union