Category Archives: NE Florida Eagle Nest

Thursday in Bird World

13 February 2025

Hello Everyone,

First up, before I forget. The Great Back Yard Bird Count is taking place from tomorrow through the 17th. Here is all the information you need to participate with Cornell and Audubon.

Great Backyard Bird Count – Join us each February when the world comes together to watch, learn abouDownload

If you live in the UK, you need to submit by the 23rd of February. Here is the information for you:

Every survey counts. Tell us what you saw by 23 February.Download

The Girls have asked me to wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day. They want you to know they are grateful for your letters and how you care about them. Sadly, they cannot send you any candies! My best friend left a box for us, and I was going to share it with all of you. That beautiful little box was left on the dining table, lid secured. This morning, those little red balls of chocolate were all over the floor. They had a hockey game during the night!!!!!!!! I heard nothing. Thankfully, they did not eat any of the candy – it is, however, not in a state to share. I wonder which team won? Team Calico vs. Missey-HY.

The temperatures have been in the -32 C range. The sun has been out and strangely the conservatory has been warm. It is a joy to be out there watching all the animals who continue to grow in number as they discover that food is available once again. Their survival is phenomenal. Brock and Star were here today eating kibble under the feeder which was left for the Starlings along with their other food. Both seem to be doing alright despite the frigid weather. Still, it is hard not to ache for them and their circumstances.

Star is very pretty. She is on the bird feeder to get the sunshine and keep her feet warm. She was not interested in killing our feathered friends, thank goodness.

There has been one big worry in Bird World since my last post on Sunday. An owl (Barred?) visited the nest of Beau and Gabby, just like the visits at the SW Florida nest of M15 and F23. Gabby quickly flew down to the nest to protect 31. Still, this is not something that we even want to fathom.

While Ospreys are not a match for GHOs (their claws are meant for carrying fish and fighting with one another over fish), they are not meant for battling these larger raptors. The Eagles are another story. Even our local Crows gang up on the GHO that lives on the nearby golf course. They usher that owl right out of the neighbourhood. But, as you know, the owls are silent, and that little 31 sleeping alone in that big nest is problematic. Please send me some positive wishes.

This little 31 is a cutie with its dark charcoal thermal down and dandelion head. Look at the length of that beak!!!!!!! It was a magical moment when that egg hatched, and our joy just helped us get through the sadness at SW Florida.

Others shared my concern with the mailbox full of worry for 31. ‘A’ wrote: “Gabby returned to the nest soon after 4am – perhaps she realises that the pre-dawn is probably the most dangerous time of all, based on my observations of the GHO nests. They usually bring home something laor    rge shortly before dawn to feed their owlet/s. Or that’s what I have seen. So presumably Gabby is aware of that too. She was on the nest for that vital 90 minutes or so before dawn, which was interesting, and of course we still have our wee one. Mind you, it’s not so wee – if I hadn’t seen those GHOs knock the parents from their perches, I’d even wonder whether NE31 is too big to carry off now. But we know how strong those feet and legs are. They are phenomenal. Scary. So I will be watching with fear and trepidation for another week or two at least with that baby alone on that nest. It’s such an expanse too – like a damned football field – so that the owl would have plenty of room to swoop and then lift NE31 and spirit it away. There are no branches to interfere with its path or slow it down – it would have no obstacles at all. I hope I am worrying unnecessarily but seeing that GHO scoping things out was terrifying.”

That owl has returned and Beau and Gabby jumped into action. I just wish they would remain on the nest with 31 until it is large enough that the owl will go away and leave them in peace. https://youtu.be/ExITfywEw9M?

I am not as concerned if it is a Barred Owl and this is the reason: “Barred Owls are comparable in size to a Great Horned Owl (21″versus 22″) but their weight is considerably different as the average weight of a Barred Owl is 1.6 pounds, roughly half of the weight of a Great Horned Owl.” It would not have the flight capacity of the GHO.

‘A’ remarks: “Again this morning, Gabby has gone down to the nest shortly before 4am. The only explanation I think is that she is obviously aware that this pre-dawn period is the most dangerous time, so she is going to the nest early each morning. It does give me a little bit of comfort, though I still worry all day (I’m on the other side of the world, remember, so as it is 4:11am at NEFL it is 8:11pm here). Since lunch time, I have had the NEFL screen open and I check li’l nugget regularly – mainly to see whether that little lump of fluff is still on the nest or whether one time I will look in and see that nest empty. It is terrifying, especially with both the GHO and the barred owl aware of the nest and prepared to attack the adults let alone NE31. That is a very tempting meal, I suspect, well fattened, young and tender. Just right for a growing owlet or two. It terrifies me. Poor wee eaglet. It looks so helpless and alone. Gabby is there now, as I said, and baby has woken up for yet another preen. Beau is nearby, perched above the nest.”

We are all concerned about the levels of lead contamination in our raptors, and, in particular, carrion eaters such as Bald Eagles, Condors, and Vultures. There is currently a study in the UK to ban the use of lead ammunition. the following file has a video attached, ‘The Toxic Restaurant’ that is extremely enlightening.

“The Toxic Restaurant” – spoof video highlighting toxic lead ammunition sends BASC into meltdown – RDownload

News coming out of the other nests indicates that in about 36-38 days we are going to be particularly busy with hatches happening everywhere.

NCTC nest with Bella and Smitty: First egg laid in the original nest on Monday the 10th. Snow coming down Tuesday.

Redding Eagles with Liberty and Guardian: First egg of the season is expected any moment.

Kansas City Eagles Harvie and Ellie: First egg laid Tuesday.

Decorah North with Mr North and Mrs DNF: First egg laid on Tuesday. There it is!

Buddy’s Mom caught the action at Decorah North on video: https://youtu.be/NjVoqQTGJdw?

FOLFAN Eagles: First egg is believed to have been laid on Monday.

West End: Sadly, the image says it all. Still no sign of Akecheta or his tag anywhere.

Sauces: One egg of the three Audacity laid appears to be holding strong. Send good wishes! Could this be another miracle eaglet this year?

Duke Farms: We have seen this Mum completely buried with snow protecting her eggs. Snow again. Thankfully not so much.

Rita’s History Monday:

Birdlife Malta releases its year end report of the illegal killing of birds on or over its territory.

Hunting season ends as illegal killing of protected birds persists | BirdLife MaltaDownload

The latest from Port Lincoln:

Changeover at the Royal Albatross Colony. RLK returns to relieve GLG. https://youtu.be/I7rO2UK0WJc?

What a beautiful time this is when both parents can spend time with one another preening and bonding.

The cams are back up at Fraser’s Point and look – is it Cruz with that big crop?

A perfect read for lovers of West Africa and UK Ospreys!

My Seventh Day in the Gambia: Farewells and One More Blue Ring…Download

From the home of Murphy, news of their releases for this week.

This Weeks ReleaseDownload

At the Hilton Head Bald Eagle nest, George and Gracie now has two eaglets to feed!

The two eaglets at John Bunker Sands – JBS 22 and JBS 23 -are the sweetest little things.

As mentioned in my earlier post, it appears that F23 and M15 are going to be alright. It has been a fortnight and the two adult eagles have been seen at the pond and at the nest. I know that this is a huge relief for all of you.

The couple working on their nest on Wednesday.

It is certainly going to be easy to fall in love with these two little cuties at the Kisatchie National Forest nest of Alex and Adrian II. Just look.

R7 and R8 are growing like weeds at the WRDC nest of Ron and Rose.

Gosh, look at the size of Dasher and Dancer! Clive and Connie have been working so hard for these babies.

Angel and Tom have been working on their nest. Love the pine cone.

It was a duck dinner so very French at the nest of Michigan Bald Eagles, Harry and Harriet. https://youtu.be/Hch_Q9oZs6U?

In five weeks we will be watching Ospreys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot wait.

For now, you can also watch deer! ‘H’ reminds us of the Brownsville, Maine deer pantry – and, yes, I do love these folks. They have 12 acres and my goodness how kind they are.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care of yourself. We will be delighted to have you with us again on Monday.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, images, articles, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, H, J’, NEFL-AEF, NestFlix Memories, Raptor Persecution UK, NCTC, FORE, Farmer Derek, Raptor Research Project/Explore, Buddy’s Mom, FOLFAN, IWS/Explore, Duke Farms, Rita the Eagle FB, Birdlife Malta, Friends of Osprey Sth Aus, Cornell Bird Lab, Root and Wing, World Bird Sanctuary, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, SW Florida Eagle Cam, Kisatchie National Forest, Window to Wildlife, Great Lakes Bald Eagle Cam

Late Sunday in Bird World

9 February 2025

Hello Everyone,

Traveling is wonderful. It is the getting there and getting home that are not! The snow did not hinder our arrival late Thursday in Montreal and the young man who removes the snow around our property has already visited twice. Temperatures have even managed to warm up in Winnipeg.

It is now Saturday – late afternoon. Provisions for the birds and cats received attention today. Their pantry is stocked full. Saturday morning saw only one grey squirrel at the feeders. Now I am watching Dyson eating peanuts in the small feeder with little red hanging out at one of the newly replaced nut cylinders filling up. The Sparrows have returned and here comes another Grey. I want to see all four of them along with Mr Blue Jay and the woodpecker family and the chickadees today. Then I will feel like the garden is fine. Oh, it is doubly fine. There is another little Red!!!!! Oh, goodness me. The animals are a worry.

The Girls were fine. They are well looked after, but it does not replace the almost 24/7 attention they get when we are home. There is no Story time or pets that last hours. Hugo Yugo slept in my armpit for almost the entire night snuggled in very tight. Right now, they are all on the table with me as I write to you.

Sunday noon. The Starlings have returned to the garden along with TWO blue Jays. I teared up. I haven’t had time to check their tail feathers, but I want to be hopeful that Junior and Mrs. are both here. Star is eating at the feral feeder, and Brock was here earlier. As I said, life is beginning to return to normal. It feels good. We have visited our Bestie and a new episode of All Creatures Great and Small arrives this evening! No, we are not watching the Superbowl.

Sauces. Audacity laid three eggs. Egg one is still intact. Fingers crossed for it and that she doesn’t wear herself out laying eggs. One good one, one hard shell fertilised egg is all they need. https://youtu.be/q16DyG2BW5E?

Duke Farms has its Bald Eagle cam up and running for all fans. Mum is incubating three eggs! Three. Oh, dear.

Foggy morning on Friday at the West End nest of Thunder. (I am now throwing the towel in yet…)

This is the banding video for the male, Makaio, who appears to have displaced Akecheta. Displaced not injured. That was a male without any bands! https://youtu.be/XkXWRimCl3g?

I just want to go to the West End camera and see Akecheta on that nest. It has now been 22 days since we saw him injured.

Fish was not on the morning menu at Captiva for Dasher and Dancer. Every time I see a bird on any nest, I hold my breath.

There are new variants of bird flu spreading in different parts of the world. The dairy industry in the US is now monitoring their milk after an outbreak of variant D1..1. “Genome sequencing of milk from Nevada identified the different strain, known as the D1.1 genotype, in dairy cows for the first time, the USDA said. Previously, all 957 bird flu infections among dairy herds reported since last March had been caused by another strain, the B3.13 genotype, according to the agency.”

New avian influenza genotype found in dairy cattle | American Veterinary Medical AssociationDownload

Virologists tell us that it is only a matter of time for when another global pandemic strikes. Right now, our thoughts are with our feathered friends and the hope that they survive.

At the present time, I understand that the American Medical Association is monitoring the Bird Flu spread as the CDC is not reporting.

Beau brought in a baby shark for Gabby and 31.

Wings of Whimsy gives us some very cute moments on the NE Florida nest: https://youtu.be/pMgtM4FABVg?

Beau and 31 cannot get any cuter! https://youtu.be/hiPkrogFEHI?

The two little eaglets at John Bunker Sands are so sweet. They seem to be doing very well.

Bella and Scout have been at the old NCTC nest. I wonder if Scout is going to step up and be a great dad this year? We can only wait and see.

This nest is 21 years old. The newer one is about 15 feet or 4 metres below, according to Deb Stecyk.

Heidi reports that Port Lincoln’s Kasse caught a fish! We won’t know if it was her first, but it sure is a huge milestone to celebrate, regardless.

The people of Virginia and around the Chesapeake are fighting for the survival of the ospreys and other species due to the industrial harvesting of Menhaden – a fish critical to the osprey diet. Please lend them your voice. Write to the current governor, Senators, politcians and bloody well vote like you care in the next election!

Port Lincoln is reporting the tracking of its osplets. I am including Ervie here! Ervie has been going to Mundy Point where Kasse and Wilko go for their baths. Interesting.

What these two eagles can get up to with their sticks! https://youtu.be/-bP8GlQQnIQ?si

Wisdom, the at least 74-year-old Laysan Albatross, returned to her week-old chick. How incredible. I sure hope this image doesn’t get scrambled! Apparently, screen cams don’t get jostled but if I take something from another site, weird things can happen. So if there is a problem, please go to the Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge FB page!

Wisdom is now out foraging and her mate is feeding and brooding their little bundle of joy. Does he know how famous his partner is?

Hartley and Monty are getting a jump on spring! https://youtu.be/zmuhQouwdqo?

Richmond is expecting Rosie to return from her migration any day now. Think Valentine’s Day! He has been seen on all of the light poles, but was caught on the Whirley Crane, on all the lights, and today on the one they used for their nest in 2024.

Are you looking for a gold medal award winning osprey tour while visiting the UK (or while living there)? Look no further than the Birds of Poole Harbour! who have just won gold in Dorset.

Osprey cruises run by Birds of Poole Harbour charity win gold in Dorset Tourism Awards – Raptor PersDownload

Bonnie is incubating two eggs at the nest she shares with Clyde on Farmer Derek’s property.

There are eagles at the new MN-DNR nest in Minnesota.

I will probably mention it more than once, but it appears that F23 and M15 are doing rather well. Fish delivery at the nest. Both seen at the nest tree. It has been a fortnight since E24 passed. Let us hope that the adults are fine and will live long and productive – and healthy – lives. So happy.

Looking for something to watch? You might want to find out about this documentary that is winning awards: The Birdwatchers. 13.40 minutes long. https://youtu.be/z7xwv3twYDI?

If you missed the January 2025 Ventana wildlife Society Condor Chat, here it is archived! https://youtu.be/Oq1xfog0xmQ?

The triplets at the Abu Dhabi Osprey nest appear to be thriving. Their gorgeous juvenile plumage is coming in nicely!

Jack and the new female at the Achieva Credit Union nest appear to be getting on rather well.

Thank you for being with me today. We are still adjusting to being home. Right now, everything seems to be going reasonably well here and in Bird World and Osprey season is, thankfully, not really underway. In a month, there could be arrivals on the UK screens of your favourite families and, for sure, within six weeks we will be seeing ospreys everywhere. My plan is to post Bird World news twice a week for the next fortnight – on Mondays and Thursdays. We will resume daily posts at the end of February. We always look forward to having you with us. Take care!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff’, SK Hideaways, IWS/Explore.org, Window to Wildlife, AVMA, Window to Wildlife, NEFL-AEF, Wings of Whimsy, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Deb Stecyk, NCTC Bald Eagle Nest, Heidi McGrue, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Midway Atoll, SF Bay Ospreys, Raptor Persecution UK, Farmer Derek GHO Cam, MN-DNR, The Birdwatchers, Ventana Wildlife Society, Abu Dhabi Osprey Cam, Achieva Credit Union

Late Monday in Bird World

3 February 2024

Greetings Everyone,

Oh, I wish I could bottle up the warmth of this island and send it to all of you. The sun, the quiet, the clean air, the sounds of birds and amphibians, and all the local roosters just lift your spirits so much. One of the nicest things is eating outside! And not having to have a coat or boots on. I am feeling blessed.

Our breakfast guest was a Brown Trembler. She comes every morning and evening when we are outside. She must be related to puppy!

eBird describes thus: “A bright-eyed, hefty billed bird of forests and scrublands. Tends to hold its tail cocked up and wings drooped, especially when feeding. Typically appears almost entirely warm brown; dark above and paler below with some gray on head. Gray Trembler lacks the brown hues of Brown Trembler and has some degree of white below. White-breasted Thrasher has largely bright white underparts and a dark red eye (not yellow as in Brown Trembler). Song is a slow jumble of rich whistles and high-pitched sibilant notes. Calls include scattered whistles and harsh scolding notes.”

It is Monday and we head home on Thursday arriving on Friday. There is currently snow falling because the young man is going to go and shovel. Oh, I wish I could twitch my nose and fetch The Girls to Guadeloupe for the rest of the winter. The idea of going back to that cold is not appealing.

One of the best things about this holiday has been doing nothing. Everyone in the village is rushing around the large beach near town, Grand Anse. It is crawling with tourists. The parking lots are full. We came to be outside but have opted to stay away from the chaos. So far it has been the right decision. While I do not rush after a new bird to add to the Life List, it has happened with ease just walking through the garden here. In fact, there is a Guadeloupe Woodpecker visiting regularly. It is larger, I believe, than the Hairy Woodpeckers that visit my garden. The plumage is a glossy black with a shocking red iridescent breast.

“guadeloupe woodpecker” by abcdefgewing is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.

To some, it sounds odd to travel so far to do nothing, but nothing is perfect. As you might recall, our son lives on the island of Grenada and we always enjoy our trips there – the great food, the white sand beaches, and the birds. This trip is different. It feels good just to stop – to feel the wind and the sun on our faces and to listen to these some 290 species of birds. I just wish I could see them and that Merlin had them in their sound ID!!!!!!!!!!

Two lovely young ladies from Paris had grilled fish dinners with us sitting on the sandy beach! Talk about delicious. They even said that Donald was ‘cool’. That sure boosted his ego!!!!!!!!!!

The mantra everywhere is embrace ‘local’. The fish came with either white rice or rice and beans. The ladies have a set menu and the porc ragut and the creole poulet were already gone when we arrived. Just as well. I am not a fish lover and this fish was good!!!!!!!!

The camera is now up and running at the West End nest. Thunder is confirmed as being at the nest. There is another male eagle. Tonight I am waiting for any confirmation about Akecheta.

Visitor at the West End nest with Thunder??? It is very foggy – I can’t tell who is who. This male visitor has two silver bands, one on each leg. As the fog clears, the cam is getting some better images. It would appear that it is not our beloved Akecheta. https://youtu.be/KJN5edaYWXk?

Jak and Audacity have their first egg at Sauces laid on our anniversary 2/2.

Reminders around the Internet that Harriet disappeared two years ago today, too. 2/2/2023. M15 did such an amazing job raising E21 and E22 alone. We were so proud of him. And while we miss Harriet, F23 has proven to be an exceptional mother. We continue to send positive wishes to F23 and M15 as they recover from the loss of E24 and 25 to HPAI. May they live long and have many healthy eaglets in the years to come.

If you missed it, both eggs have now hatched at the E3 nest in the Kistachie National Forest of Alex II and Andria II.

Everything appears to be fabulous with Gabby, Beau, and NE31.

There appears to be a female interested in Jack’s outstanding nest at the Achieva Credit Union in St Petersburg, Florida. Way to woo them, Jack!

They look pretty happy. Lots of nice bark coming. Maybe this is the best nest this platform could ever wish for?????!!!!!!!!!!!

The Royal Cam chick has been switched out for another. RLK does not seem to have enough food for the wee one, so it has been placed with an adult who does. LGL is said to be some 500 km away from the nest, foraging. Send a big shout-out to the fantastic rangers in New Zealand who take such good care in monitoring the needs of these babies and act immediately when help is required. They are incredible.

And then they brought fed chick back to dad! Fantastic. I hope RLK gets to go and eat soon! https://youtu.be/Q85Zm_Iug6Y?

At Captiva on Sunday with Dasher and Dancer.

The GHO at the Pine Island Osprey nest attacked the female in the middle of the night and then stood over the eggs. It is not clear, but it would appear that the eggs are unharmed, but the female osprey might have been injured. I suggest not getting attached to this nest because of the GHO. Think Lake Murray! This owl is just waiting. That is very sad, but it is a reality. Brace yourself and hope for the best.

Harry and Harriet and eagle love in a snowy nest in Michigan. The couple had three eggs and fledged three eaglets in 2024. Looks like a good nest to watch!

You waited. We hoped that Angel and Tom were OK and here they are! The cam is back. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/live/rBhM-FCiw_4?

Why are birds dying in a rainforest?

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/30/birds-dying-pristine-amazon-climate-crisis-aoe?CMP=share_btn_url

Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. I do not plan to post again until very late Wednesday or Thursday before we fly out.

Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, posts, images, videos and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: eBird, OpenVerse, Wings of Whimsy, IWS/Explore, Kisatchie National Forest E3 Bald Eagle Cam, NZ DOC, limn, Window to Wildlife, Pine Island Osprey Cam, NEFL-AEF, Achieva Credit Union, Great Lakes Bald Eagle Cam, Window to Wildlife, The Guardian

Very late Saturday in Bird World

1 February 2025

Greetings Everyone!

It rained in a rain forest. No surprise there! We meandered into the small area of shops and found a lovely little restaurant overlooking the marina. The food was delicious. The coconut pie was out of this world – the best I have ever eaten and that is saying something coming from the southern US, originally.

Deshaies offers everything we wanted in a break from the Canadian winter. The hummingbirds fill the garden area flitting from flower to flower. There are three or four different types. Then there are Bandicoots, Red Jungle Roosters, hens, and chicks, and today we heard a woodpecker along with many others serenading us that we could not identify and neither could Merlin ID (only 65% of the birds on Guadeloupe are in their identification system). The National Forest is about 50 yards away on one side.

We are enjoying paradise.

The view to the marina.

Mostly fish items – freshly caught but also spaghetti and curry.

The finest coconut pie with homemade ice cream.

I had hoped for relaxation, and that is what we found. The puppy waits for us at the gate or comes running if she hears our voices wanting pets and more pets. Don’t tell The Girls! She has melted our hearts.

The trip is already more than I could ask for in a holiday. My dear husband has managed so well—often better than I did when things got anxious. He is excellent at spotting hummingbirds and helps watch for the roosters, hens, and their chicks on the road. They are everywhere. It almost seems like everyone has them for eggs. The weather has been warm; being outside in a forest melts any woes. It is forest bathing in a way so different from home – and we love it. I feel so privileged to travel and stay in such a serene place. Feeling grateful.

Checking on our bird friends…

There is now a second hatch for Alex II and Andria II at the Kistachie E3 nest in Louisiana. Oh, these bobbleheads are cute and strong! Go and check them out.

CROW has put out a statement answering some Questions and rumours that have been filtering through the airwaves. ( I hope this shows up in its entirety. Please search on CROW FB if it isn’t. Very informative information).

M15 and F23 have both been seen around the Pritchett Property.

The Royal Cam chick is doing quite well under the care of its father, RLK. Ranger Sharyn did a weight check. https://youtu.be/aU4-uKEgY4k?s

E31 is likely to be the most spoiled eaglet in the entire state of Florida this breeding season. Talk about a dad! Beau has embraced fatherhood like he read the manual from Shadow or M15. Gabby did really well. Oh, I know that we growled at Beau at times, but she kept the faith and for good reason.

Up at the food table. Can you see little 31?

Beau is feeding NE31 – again. Gosh, he loves taking care of this eaglet. https://youtu.be/EQapL5_-Z6M?

Kids climbing over one another to try to get priority at feeding at John Bunker Sands.

Three fish gifts for Jackie from Shadow – one for each egg? https://youtu.be/aTcHAYxfDRs?

Dasher and Dancer enjoying a nice meal.

Looked like a fish dinner for R7 and R8 and it also looked like R8 got its tank filled up! Nice.

More groups should band together to buy up huge tracts of land like the RSPB before developers get their hands on it and wildlife declines.

‘It’s incredible, the place just swarms with birdlife’: inside England’s biggest bird sanctuaryhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/01/its-incredible-the-place-just-swarms-with-birdlife-inside-englands-biggest-bird-sanctuary?CMP=share_btn_url

Two other news items. Tom and Angel have been seen at the nest and Window to Wildlife says that the cam will be turned on soon. Dr Sharpe is also planning to make a trip to the West End to see about the camera and hopefully to have some news of the eagles, Thunder and Akecheta for us.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care! See you in a few days – it could even be Tuesday or earlier if there is news.

Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, videos, images, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: Kistachie National Forest E3 nest, CROW, NZ DOC, Sharon Dunne, NEFL-AEF, AEF, John Bunker Sands, SK Hideaways, Window to Wildlife, WRDC, The Guardian

Late Friday in Bird World

31 January 2025

Hello Everyone,

It was a beautiful day in Guadeloupe. We spent it at the Botanical Gardens. If you are ever in this part of the world, I highly recommend a visit to this beautiful space. As you might recall, we are staying in a cottage on the grounds of the old Botanical Garden.

The new one began its current configuration in 2001. Scattered throughout the gardens are koi ponds, flamingos, Rainbow Lorikeets, and Parrots. The birds used to fly free in great numbers on the island. They are now extinct! Habitat destruction (deforestation) and hunting wiped them out. You can purchase food for the various fish and birds at the entrance gate. It is a great way to spend three or four hours.

The koi pond.

Lorikeets eat out of your hand.

The Panoramic Restaurant at the top of the water falls. Great local dishes but everything is on Caribbean time – allow at least 2.5 hours for a lingering lunch.

The sound of the water falling over the rocks. Click for the video. Oh, I hope it plays.

Looking at the Flamingos from the Panoramic Restaurant.

Look at the size of the tree compared to the humans below.

There are roosters, chickens, and chicks everywhere!!!! This is a Red Jungle Rooster. There were Crested Hummingbirds, Carib Grackles, Bandicoots around the garden.

Roger is having his lunch.

A beautiful day in paradise.

Now to check on our bird families…

Everyone in Bird World continues to mourn the loss of E24 and E25 with the SW Florida Bald Eagle family. We hope that F23 and M15 will be spared and return to the nest next season to once again raise a family. It has certainly been difficult not knowing how the adults are doing.

One of the most wonderful notices that I received was that M15 was seen at the pond on Friday. The individual told me he looked good. We need to allow for a fortnight from when the eaglets were sick and passed away for F23 and M15 to be ‘out of the woods’. Then they should have temporary immunity to this blessed curse that has hit the avian world. Here is the video link showing them: https://youtu.be/ZTANpuxjUNE?

While we wait for word from the West End nest of Thunder and Akecheta and more sightings of F23 and M15 that show that their health is good, we really must rejoice for those nests that are, at this time, doing very well. I cannot think of a better place to start than the Royal Albatross colony in New Zealand near Dunedin. There OGK’s son, RLK, is brooding their beautiful chick! The NZ DOC has put out the most precious video of RLK meeting that wee babe and reaching down to talk to it. OGK would be very proud! https://youtu.be/0uZs1z5msug?

Great close ups and a feeding! https://youtu.be/ZTANpuxjUNE?s

They are the gentle giants of the sea. They hunt over 6 million square miles of sea, mostly The Roaring Forties of the Southern Ocean, for food. It is a shame that as an international community we have not stopped the practices of the long-haul fishing trawlers (dropping their lines during the day) or have not come up with ways to rid the seas of plastics to save these beautiful creatures with their ten foot wingspans. They live in the winds lowering their heart rate to the same as when they are on their nests (80 beats per minute). They spend years foraging before returning with their wobbly legs to find a mate and then maybe, in years to come, to have a family. They should live to be as old or older than Wisdom, now in her 70s.

There are some things that we cannot control, that we cannot do anything about and then there are others that we can. With Avian Flu, demands must be placed at every level to curtail the disease including the factory chicken farms. Many would have them closed. We can certainly lobby environmental groups to help put into place best practices – demand that best practices be used – on those fishing trawlers such as loading lines at night and on the side of the boat, using safety protections on the hooks, etc. The list is not long and many agencies offer free devices for the ships. It is shameful that we cannot cause change in the industry to the extent that we no longer have to worry about an albatross being beheaded. Yes, that is what happens. It is horrendous. But eating plastic and thinking it is food and dying is horrific, too. While it is difficult to stop buying items that are made of plastic, we certainly should be trying our best. The other day, I realised that one of the biggest culprits is plastic medicine bottles! Why not put tablets in wax-lined paper envelopes? I plan to contact several of our local pharmacies when I return to Canada. We need to also support and call for funding for companies seeking to rid the ocean of consumer plastic waste.

We must smile when we look at Jack working so hard at Achieva Credit Union Osprey nest in St Petersburg. While we were trying to get help for that platform, Jack had other ideas. He started building a nest anyone would be proud of. Now ‘MP’ reports that he is bringing in fish to the nest and calling. Is he calling Diane? That is so sad. Maybe another female will want this beautiful nest and that fish!

Maybe Jack will attract a female! Someone arrived.

Tandem feeding for 31 – and, at the age of 10 days, 31 gets out of the nest bowl and up to the buffet to be fed by Dad. Fantastic! https://youtu.be/_rpYDa8AW6w?

Still waiting for the cams at the West End. Will we have eggs? Thunder usually lays them at the end of January or beginning of February – around our anniversary!

Congratulations to Alex II and Andria II at the E3 nest in the Kisatchie Forest on their first hatch of the 2025 breeding season! https://youtu.be/5iD4P2eY4z8?

The first egg is in the nest at PA County Farm! https://youtu.be/kRAOM-MS9nE?

Geemeff sends us this: How the Sport Shooting Industry is spreading HPAI and getting away with it! These poor animals are bred only to be shot, and not even for food which would allow some slight justification for their slaughter, then dumped illegally. Besides the potential spread of bird flu, scavengers of their carcasses are prone to getting lead poisoning from the lead shot used by the disgusting shooting industry.

Shot pheasants dumped in Lincolnshire during heightened risk of Avian Influenza

More Hen Harriers killed….when oh when will there be something done to stop this massacre?

133 hen harriers confirmed ‘missing’ or illegally killed in UK since 2018, most of them on or close to grouse moors

Storks arriving in Lindheim!

Good night Dasher and Dancer.

In a highly significant step forward for vulture conservation, India’s government has banned the use of Nimesulide – a widely used veterinary painkiller that’s highly toxic to these threatened birds.

https://www.birdlife.org/news/2025/01/10/vulture-conservation-in-india-boosted-by-additional-veterinary-drug-ban

Egg #2 for Sally and Harry arrived at Moorings Park on Friday.

Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. See you late Sunday or Monday.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, H, J, MP’, Jardin Botanique de Deshaies, NZ DOC and Cornell Bird Lab, Royal Cam Albatross, Lizmn, Whiskers and Wings, SW Florida Eagle Cam, Achieva Credit Union, Baiba, SK Hideaways, HDonTap, Raptor Persecution UK, GalS, Window to Wildlife, birdlife.org

Friday in Bird World

24 January 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

Morning Update: First egg for Boone and Jolene at Johnson City. https://youtu.be/MIejfqZA-5k?

Thank you to everyone who has sent and continues to send me updates about the images in my posts. The images should correctly accompany the story! I understand that there are now images, but they are often unrelated to the topic. If you see this, please let me know if you have the time. Include what search engine and device type you use and what is happening. Thank you so much. I appreciate your help. Everything looks ‘fine’ on my end, but it isn’t for you. This needs to be fixed.

I also want to welcome all the new subscribers to Bird World. Our readers come from around the world and are the most amazing people. I am grateful for their empathy towards all living things.

We are each privileged to share the lives of the avian families. What a time to live! From preparing the nests, laying the eggs, feeding, and fledging, we get a front-row seat. Can you imagine not getting to see little 31 grow up? And how lucky we are to witness Jackie lay her first egg of the season? Or Wilko and Kasse dust it up over a fish.

Thursday was a little warmer in Winnipeg. It was a lovely day to be out of the house. We headed out of town for a nice lunch with my bestie to see how the animals were doing and unwind from the noise of the city.

The sheep, goats, and the donkey ran to the fence thinking we had food even though they had just gotten their regular feed. The restaurant will give people carrots and other vegetables to feed them; they must have thought we were holding out on them.

This sheep reminds me of Calico.

The little cutie had the bluest eyes and the loudest ‘maa’. Made us jump.

The Aspen trees had a little snow resting on their branches. There was no sun and everything was grey and brown, but it was wonderfully quiet. Time changes when you are in the forest. Sometimes, it is like you just stop. The smells, the sounds, everything is different and, all of a sudden, before you notice, you are calm.

So many of you have asked about ‘The Girls’. During the coldest days last week, when it got down to -32 or more with the wind chill factored in, they were not allowed to go out in the conservatory. (It is very expensive to keep it warm during those frigid times). Missey would stand at the door looking out the glass to her favourite spot to watch birds and then she would look up at me. I felt so guilty. Then Calico would join her and soon, all four would be there pleading. It is supposed to be much nicer tomorrow and they will get their wish! That room is like being outside walking the trails through the woods. It is so calming. It is also like a hide. We can sit and watch everything that is happening in the garden without scaring away the birds and animals.

I am a broken record when it comes to Baby Hope’s eyes. They are piercing. Nothing like the others with that deep celadon colour.

Sadly, Hugo Yugo did grow. She was soooooo tiny for so long, and then, like the eaglets, she doubled in length almost overnight. She will always be the baby, nonetheless. She sleeps cuddled in the fold of my left arm and has to have the pillow with the silk cover – none of the cotton pillowcases will do.

They have noticed the suitcases. They have a great cat sitter. Fingers crossed. Four days before departure and those suitcases need packing.

Hundreds of letters have come in full of worry and grief for Akecheta. Dr Sharpe is busy installing a camera at another eagle nest in Humboldt. So many wish he were pouring over the terrain at the West End. I wish we could clone him. He has given decades of his life to building up the population of Bald Eagles on the Channel Islands. One of the problems when there are more than a handful of eagles is territorial disputes – and fights over mates. It is breeding season and hormones are running high for some. On Thursday, the Lucy Franco tub boat intentionally went to the West End where Thunder and Akecheta have their nest. Those on board used their binoculars, scouring both sides of the island to no avail. No one spotted the blue wing tag of Akecheta. Indeed, it appears that they also did not see Thunder. So we wait and we continue to hope for the best.

We have the second hatch at John Bunker Sands Wetlands.

Lori Covert and Window to Wildlife have announced the names for CE12 and CE13 – Dasher and Dancer, respectively. Someone was thinking Christmas!

With all the snow in the Southern US, you might be wondering how Bald Eagles stay warm. ‘EJ’ sends this from Louisiana where there was 8-10 inches of snow.

Raptor Resource Project: Bald Eagle and Bird of Prey CamsDownload

Hatching has begun for the Royal Cam chick on Taiaroa Head, New Zealand. https://youtu.be/sVuZ9zHjzac?

It isn’t just raptors eggs that are smuggled. It is parrot eggs.

All is well with 31! What a proud Beau and Gabby.

At Port Lincoln, Wilko and Kasse have each had a fish on Friday. This is the tally for Thursday.

The final tally for Friday for Kasse and Wilko:

Reminds me of Murphy and his rock!

Have you ever seen a Red Goshawk? The people in Central Australia were certainly surprised.

‘A hugely significant sighting’: red goshawk photographed for first time in central Australiahttps://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jan/24/endangered-red-goshawk-photographed-central-australia?CMP=share_btn_url

Thank you so much for being with us today. Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘EJ, J’, Baiba, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Lori Covert and Window to Wildlife, The Raptor Resource Project, The Oasis Sanctuary, NEFL-AEF, Port Lincoln Osprey, Bart M and the PLO, Hob Osterlund, The Guardian

Egg at Big Bear, Hatch at JBS, late Wednesday in Bird World

22 January 2024

Hello Everyone,

It has been a very emotional week with the arrival of Gabby’s first baby with Beau. Now, just what? 36 hours later or thereabouts we have the first egg for Jackie and Shadow. The news was too good not to share with you immediately. I am all teared up – again! These raptors are all part of the fabric of our daily lives. We share in their happiness and sadness.

Jackie and Shadow. Start sending all the love you can to them. This darling couple. And don’t stop sending it.

One reader wrote ‘Yay’ and another, “Please, any god that will listen, please give this eagle couple one strong healthy eaglet this year!”

Shadow was there!

SK Hideaways sent me the news right away and they immediately set about getting a video ready. Keep your eyes open for it.

I spent Wednesday afternoon doing what three Grey Squirrels are doing – hibernating! Despite warming to -17 C, it felt cold to the bone. The snow crunches underfoot. Even the cats didn’t care if they woke up for food. It was nice.

The first eaglet has hatched at the John Bunker Sands Wetlands nest near Dallas. Congratulations!

Here is the latest posting from the IWS. There will be, as far as I understand, no interference in whatever happened to Akecheta. We must wait til the camera feed returns and hope.

F23 at SW Florida has proven herself to be an amazing mother. https://youtu.be/62TJWWVM4Os?

E25 looks like s/he is self-feeding. https://youtu.be/d2Zub3m1SLg?s

At the NE Florida nest of Gabby and Beau, miracles continue to happen. A tandem feeding on Wednesday! Seriously. Beau is incredible.

Great video. Can we get enough of 31? https://youtu.be/dEgksFmx1v8?

Tomorrow we learn the names of C12 and C13, Connie and Clive’s little ones at the Captiva Eagle nest. Wasn’t it just yesterday they were tiny like 31?

Chase was observed flying close by the Two Harbours nest on Wednesday. With this cam running, I checked on the West End, but it is still down.

A surprise visitor to the UK in the winter – a chiffchaff.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/22/country-diary-a-chiffchaff-has-swapped-north-africa-for-this-icy-reedbed?CMP=share_btn_url

“Chiffchaff and berries” by Mibby23 is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.

The RSPB describes the Chiffchaff thusly: “The Chiffchaff is a small olive-brown warbler which flits through trees and shrubs, with a distinctive tail-wagging movement. Chiffchaffs usually (though not always) have dark legs and a pale eye stripe. They’re easily confused for the Willow Warbler which has pale legs and a yellow eye stripe. Listen for the song which gives it its name, no other warbler makes that chiff-chaffing tune. Chiffchaffs eat insects, either picking them out from trees or snapping them up in flight.”

At presentm the Chiffchaff is of Least Concern Environmentally.

The news is wonderful with the exception of concern for Akecheta. There is nothing we can do but send him love and good wishes. If he turns up well, this will be the most incredible week ever in Bird World.

Thank you so much for being with me for this short post. I will see you again on Friday. All the best to each of you. Stay warm, stay safe.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘J, SP’, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, NEFL-AEF, Saunders Real Photography, IWS, IWS/Explore, John Bunker Sands Wetlands Centre, Morningstar, The Guardian, OpenVerse, RSBP, Androcat

Wednesday in Bird World

22 January 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

We have had more snow and high winds, making it impossible to see more than a few meters on Tuesday afternoon and evening. I spent the time when Anne was with Don doing some errands, sitting blissfully having tea with my bestie and looking out her bay window. It was like being in the middle of a wintry holiday card. The snow was gently falling; people were walking their dogs while birds visited the feeders. These short breaks remind me that being with friends, watching wildlife, or going for a walk in the snow is something money cannot buy. It is rejuvenating.

Margaret Renkl has written several books that many of us have enjoyed, especially “The Company of Crows.” She recently wrote a thoughtful opinion piece for The New York Times. Here is an excerpt:

“A heavy snow 10 days ago brought birds out in huge numbers, often in whole flocks — bluebirds, robins, cedar waxwings, house finches, dark-eyed juncos and Carolina wrens, plus the usual mockingbirds and blue jays, tufted titmice and Carolina chickadees, every kind of sparrow and every kind of woodpecker. I kept the feeders filled. My husband spread a sheet on top of the snow and set out a mix of seeds and nuts and mealworms for the ground foragers.

This bounty also brought the mixed flock of black birds I always look for in snow — starlings and grackles and red-winged blackbirds — that compete for resources during the breeding seasons but band together in the cold. In such weather, they waste little energy in squabbling.”

Opinion | On a Cold, Dark Inauguration Day, a Message From the Birds – The New York TimesDownload

As we enjoyed our tea, deer came to graze on the shrubs in my friend’s garden. I wondered if they followed the river path that connects our neighbourhoods. Is it possible that the buck staring at me with a single antler is the same one that visits my garden? There he was with a group of six females of various ages. One was a small fawn. Was this also the same little fawn that had slept under my bird feeder a few days ago? I couldn’t be sure, but it felt like they were the same ones and it felt good to see them safe.

You don’t have to go outside. Sitting quietly can wash away all the ills of the day! For many of us, one of those questions has been what happened to Akecheta. For several days, there were intruder eagles and territorial skirmishes. All of us have seen the state that Akecheta was in, along with his opponent, in stills and videos. Our hearts wept. We adore him. Unfortunately, we will not have any news about Akecheta for a while—or, sadly, never. Explore has a serious issue with the transmission from the Channel Islands, and I understand that Dr. Sharpe is not available to check until next week. I hope he survived the intruder’s injuries and has his rightful place next to Thunder on their nest when we next have the live stream.

Update: A hatch is in progress at John Bunker Sands! https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1331165321340972

Thankfully, we have a diversion in the form of a tiny little eaglet, NE31. Most of you have already seen Beau trying to feed his baby. It was more than magical. Dad wanted a snack. Tiny NE31 kept poking up its head out of that deep bowl. ‘Feed me fish. I want fish’ was what that little one said with every bob. SK Hideaways caught this tender moment between this first-time day and his day old chick. Even if you have already seen it, watch again and marvel at how much Beau has grown in a few years. Gabby knew he would make a great dad! I laughed at how hard Beau worked with that one piece of fish. Thanks, SK for a great smile. https://youtu.be/G4zea3983tw?

Many of you have pondered what it is with the eaglets that have hatched this year. They are strong, holding their heads and necks up high in such a short time after hatch. NE31 is no exception – there s/he is commanding attention.

Rain came and Gabby made certain that 31 was warm and dry while Beau keeps a vigilant guard over his family.

The rain is also at SW Florida with the Es.

F23 made sure they were fed, but the kiddos with their juvenile tails growing in nicely (look at how those feathers are bursting out of the quills) are far too big to be under Mum. Their plumage insulates them. and they can now thermoregulate their temperature.

On Tuesday, the entire South will experience either snow or rain. ‘L’ writes that snow is falling in southern Alabama. They have topped up their feeders, like Renkl, with good seeds to help the birds through weather they are not accustomed to in that location.

In Tennessee, Boone and Jolene are busy, and I wonder how soon we will see an egg. It looks like it could be soon!

Thousands hope that this will be the year for Jackie and Shadow. You keep telling me that if it can happen for Gabby and Beau this season, then it can happen for this much-loved couple in Big Bear. I agree! We all want to see an eaglet in this nest.

Others are working hard to get their nests ready.

Liberty and Guardian are frantically working on their nest: https://youtu.be/I6zJOkgoJLQ?

What in the world is going on at the Kisatchie E-3 nest? https://youtu.be/Iln1CAkn1VU?

Incubation continues at John Bunker Sands. It is a beautiful day in Texas.

‘MP’ asked me if I had ever seen Jack build a nest like this one. I answered ‘no’, but you know what – he did a great job with that despicable mess. It doesn’t even look like the same platform. Jack had to have worked really hard. He is certainly trying to impress a new female.

I cannot tell 100% if this is Jack. That is the problem with not ringing birds. Ultimately, we want this family’s eggs and chicks to be safe from predators and those dreaded drain holes. Because it is now an active nest, the USFWS would not issue a permit for any alterations to the platform. So please send lots of good energy.

In Port Lincoln, Wilko and Kasse fight for every fish that lands on the nest if both are present. These skills will certainly help them when they leave the nest and find themselves competing with their older siblings, but it is hard to watch sometimes.

This was the tally for the pair for Wednesday.

In San Jose, Hartley and Monty are bonding. https://youtu.be/lVrvCUxM42A?

Find food? Ibises have special skills. “Hadedas are iridescent grey-brown ibises – jack russell-sized birds with long, curved bills and very small heads – found throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

They have a special skill called “remote touch”, which they use to find their worm, grub and snail prey. At the tip of their bills is an organ that, when they stick it into the soil, can sense the vibrations of their food nearby.”

A hadada: nothing can quite capture the sound of these birds, because it’s mainly just rude noise | Helen Sullivanhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/commentisfree/2025/jan/21/a-hadeda-nothing-can-quite-capture-the-sound-of-these-birds-because-its-mainly-just-rude-noise?CMP=share_btn_url

Next Tuesday, Don and I are going to try another holiday. This time we are heading south to find some warmth. We will stay on Basse Terre, one of the two main islands that make up Guadeloupe. We have rented a cottage adjacent to the National Park and hope to see some of the 290 species of birds that call this part of the Lesser Antilles home. I can’t wait! We will certainly take you with us. More on that later.

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, streaming cams, and articles that helped me to write my post today: ‘SK’, The New York Times, NEFlorida-AEF, SWFlorida, ETSU-Johnson City, FOBBV, Gary’s Eagle Videos, Tonya in NO, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, The Guardian, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Bart M and the PLO

Smile. Pip for Gabby and Beau

18 January 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

Well, I am exciting and that is why this blog is going out now. Will see you again either late Sunday or early Monday.

The AEF has gotten a good look at the eggs and there is a confirmed pip for Beau and Gabby. Send them the best wishes that you can -. It would be so wonderful for our beautiful Gabrielle to be a mother again. And then, Beau, needs to fill that nest with prey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

These three Bald Eagle nests are doing very well. We must always count the blessings before us not the ones we wish to happen.

Full crops all around at Captiva!

R7 and R8 are both being fed well by Rose and Ron at the WRDC nest. No need to worry about the little one. Lots and lots of meals and a nest full of food. Wee babes getting 11-12 tiny meals per day -. They are fine.

Varied prey at SW Florida. Looks like a large bird – Raven? Crow? not certain identity arrives for the Saturday afternoon meal for the Es.

No eggs at Redding yet.

Eagles working on their nest on the grounds of Farmer Derek’s property in Kansas. Burrrrrrr. It is cold.

Chandler and Hope are at their nest at Port Tobacco.

This is the history of egg laying at Port Tobacco for our couple. We might expect eggs in a fortnight.

Nest History 2024 – Eggs laid: 2/8, 2/11, 2/14; fledged 1 2023 – Eggs laid: 2/4, 2/7, 2/10; fledged 3 2022 – Eggs laid: 2/6, 2/9, 2/12; fledged 1 2021 – Eggs laid: 2/7, 2/10; fledged 0 2020 – Eggs laid: 2/3, 2/6, 2/9; fledged 2 2019 – Eggs laid: 1/31, 2/3, 2/6; fledged 2

Thunder is on Tor on Saturday at the West End.

Jackie and Shadow were at their nest in Big Bear.

Eagle Country on Saturday.

Based on the following chart, what age would you guess the sub-adult eagle is above?

Growing Population? Climate change? Hump back whales can be seen in the UK.

Humpback whales back in Britain, with rise in sightings from Kent to Isles of Scilly https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/18/humpback-whale-sightings-kent-isles-of-scilly?CMP=share_btn_url

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, H’, NEFL-AEF, Window to Wildlife, SW Florida Eagle Cam, WRDC, Farmer Derek, FORE, FOBBV, IWS/Explore.org, Eagle Country, The Guardian

Saturday in Bird World

18 January 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

The blizzard, being noted as a historic one for parts of my province, blew and blew in the early hours of Friday morning. I do not know how much snow came with it. There were gusts when I was out feeding the birds, and the neighbour’s house was sometimes invisible. It is now late afternoon. The sky is a beautiful transparent Wedgwood Blue as the sun sets, casting a golden glow over the Japanese garden area. The Starlings are still here, along with several dozen sparrows. Little Red and a couple of grey squirrels have been gathering peanuts all day. Mr Blue Jay – yes, Junior is in the garden – was here at noon. Even the Crows came to criticize the food that was left by the time they arrived! I did not run out of cheesy dogs since I had none! They had quit eating them and only wanted peanuts for so long. Now I wonder what they are craving.

Tiny fawn arriving to go around the side of the house to the garden.

These are European Starling prints leading to the cat dish with kibble.

Oh, goodness. Brock is here eating! I have not seen him for four days. Talk about anxiety. That coupled with Beau and Gabby kept me awake at times when I should have been sleeping. I wonder if he were locked in somewhere? We try to take a digital image of every cat that we see eating at the feeders each day. We can also track them if they come in through the front and the video camera catches them and says ‘pet’. I can then check and take a screen capture. Well, this is a relief. Now maybe that second egg for Gabby will begin to pip!!!!!!!!!!!

This was the word from the moderator at NE Florida Friday afternoon: “Today is day 40 for egg 1 and day 36 for egg 2. With delayed incubation, if egg 1 doesn’t pip by tomorrow it likely won’t. We still have 3 days for egg 2.”

Later Friday afternoon:

I have had more than a couple of dozen e-mails with a similar question: If Gabby’s eggs do not hatch, will she take another mate? The answer is ‘yes’. Eagles are known to mate for life. If their partner dies, they take another mate. We have seen this over and over again. F23 is the new mate of M15 at SW Florida, for example. Yes, if there is a period of unsuccessful breeding, they might take another mate. Still, Jackie and Shadow stay together and Gabby has hung in there with Beau. We will have to wait and see what happens.

Only the eagles know if there are any little cheeps in those eggs. Egg 2 is 36 days old as I write. There is still hope for it and I am sending out tonnes of energy on Friday to them, good energy.

At Pine Island, the GHO is very bold. Not only knocking off the resident ospreys, but sitting on the perch staring at the three eggs! There are also Bald Eagles in the area. I am more than concerned for this nest. I won’t mention it again, but the presence of such a bold owl eyeing three eggs and thinking future fat chicks just makes me ill. Reminds me of several nests from 2024 including the Boat House, Lake Murray, and Cowlitz (eagle) amongst others.

In our data forms for 2024, owls accounted for the loss of 13 chicks, while Bald Eagles killed 5.

They are so cute. What is that song about ‘I can’t take my eyes off of you?’

Eggs coming soon at the Redding nest of Liberty and Guardian?

At Port Lincoln, Mum should receive some type of citation for really providing the food this year. She has completely surpassed Dad in terms of her abilities and the light on the barge significantly helped her earlier in the season when she could dive and bring a fish to the nest quickly. Kasse and Wilko owe their lives to her efforts. Of course, we cannot forget the Fish Fairies whose dedication to this nest has ensured fledglings over the past several years.

This was the tally for Friday in South Australia.

Jack has been working hard on that nest at Achieva. I wish that someone would reach out and fix those drain holes so that the eggs and/or chicks would not fall through them to the ground below.

Sally and Harry were at the nest before the rains came to Moorings Park.

Do you think we will have a family at the osprey platform at Captiva this year?

The view at Boulder. We will soon be counting down the days til the Ospreys arrive. It is less than two months for some hope for the really early birds in the UK but more like 2.5 months.

Both Eagles are working on their nest at Ft St Vrain, Colorado.

Thunder and Akecheta early Friday morning.

Beautiful family at SW Florida. M15 sitting on the perch being vigilant to protect his family. Look at those sweet babies. Tears. M15 certainly got a good mate to replace the much loved Harriet.

E25 walks for bites of prey! https://youtu.be/2rTHwUQ99xg?

Alex and Andria II incubating eggs from a beautiful view of the lake at Kistachie National Forest E3 nest.

The Norths are working on their nest at Decorah.

Eagles at the new MN-DNR nest on Friday.

Drilling ban off the coast of New Jersey could significantly help wildlife.

Environmental Groups Praise Bird Delisting and Offshore Drilling Ban – Two River TimesDownload

New from Kelly Sorenson on the remarkable year for the California Condors in 2024. They continue to treat the Condors for lead poisoning despite their efforts to provide free non-lead ammunition. Iniko 1035 was just released into the wild after being treated for lead toxicity at the LA Zoo.

There is outstanding news in the first paragraph. Congratulations to everyone at the VWS! They have worked harder and harder to achieve those figures. Let us all hope that the growth in fledgling chicks and their survival continues.

While I am not happy with GHOs, it appears eggs are being incubated at the Owl Cam! I know that some of you love them. Here is the link to that streaming cam: https://www.youtube.com/live/pxMQgmeROEM?

Christian Sasse photographs thousands of eagles gathering! https://www.thedodo.com/daily-dodo/photographer-stumbles-upon-mysterious-gathering-of-1000-bald-eagles

News items from Geemeff:

Raptor monitoring volunteers needed:

https://www.abc4.com/news/everything-utah/calling-bird-enthusiasts-volunteers-needed-to-monitor-raptor-nests-in-utah

Good news for persecuted Hen Harriers – 2024 Christmas Satellite Tag Appeal smashes the target:

Hen Harrier Action 2024 Christmas Appeal Smashes Target Again

This Heron’s been fixed and is flying free again:

GREAT WHITE HERON FOUND FLOATING IN A CANAL SET FREE IN ISLAMORADA

The winds have stopped gusting Friday evening and tomorrow I hope to get out and get some deer pellets. They have much more nutrition than the vegetables, fruit, and peanuts I have been leaving out for the deer. It is supposed to be super cold with a Polar Vortex visiting us. Send positive wishes to Brock, Star, and all of the garden animals as they navigate winter!

Calico also has some good news. She has developed a line of cards featuring the birds visiting the garden and our province’s nature areas. She has partnered with one local group that helps feral cats and their kittens to raise funds to buy food for them. This local fundraiser will be taking place in February. More news to follow!

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me write my post today: ‘EJ, Geemeff. Heidi, J’, NEFL-AEF, SW Florida Pine Island Osprey Cam, Window to Wildlife, FORE, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Bart M and the PLO, Achieva Credit Union, Moorings Park Osprey Cam, Boulder County Osprey Cam, Fort St Vrain Bald Eagle Cam, IWS/Explore, Androcat, Kistachie National Forest Eagle Cams, Raptor Resource Project/explore.org, The Two River Times, MN-DNR, Kelly Sorenson and the Ventana Wildlife Society, The Owl Cam, The Dodo, ABC4, Florida Keys Weekly,