Oh, it is pitching down rain in Winnipeg. We had such a lovely sunny warm day yesterday. So glad I did not stay inside! The rule should be: Never put anything off. If it is a nice day, get outside and enjoy nature because you never know what is coming tomorrow. The Grackles, the Starlings, and the Crows are still trying to get cheesy dogs regardless. Their babies need to eat! Calico is on the top of the cat tree watching them.
Lake Murray is going all out with the lights to try and keep the GHO from taking the last osplet.
We still have a chick at Lake Murray. I really hope it is the lights and not the fact that the owl is so full form eating Big the other day.
Something to celebrate! World Parrot Day (a day behind, apologies). All the good work by the great folks at Kakapo Recovery have really increased the numbers of these gorgeous green flightless NZ parrots in two decades.
‘B’ sent a link to a great video on Peregrine Falcons with Sean and Lynn. Thanks, ‘B’. Really enjoyed that. We are sharing it with you.
CJ7 removes the last of the eggshell from chick 4 at Poole Harbour at 0113 Friday the 31st of May.
The second egg for Elen and Aran hatched at Glaslyn.
West Des Moines Iowa had two hatches.
First hatch for Mrs O and FKO at Tweed Valley.
Still one osplet at Clark PUD.
There are at least two osplets in the nest at Oyster Bay.
Beautiful Only Bob at Boulder County. Other two eggs presumed non-viable.
Some nice fish on the nest at Radford University Osprey platform. All had crops!
I have not seen Jack on the nest, but I could have mixed him up with Diane. ‘MP’ reports that “Jack is in the nest and has been every day. They are both thin…I don’t know if it is because of age, parasites or lack of food availability or all of them. There’s a new female spending time in nest. It’s the same female that came a month or so ago. Jack wasn’t very hostile to her a month ago either. They both just shooed her away then. It is true though that Jack is looking really bad. He left this day at dusk. Diane is furiously defending her eggs and still on them at night.”
Last year, the St Petersburg area of Florida suffered extreme drought conditions. I have not heard any news this year but it is quite warm. It would be a real shame for these eggs to hatch. These parents need some fish. We now that ospreys often have trouble with other raptors stealing their fish, too. Send them good thoughts.
Big Red and Arthur’s two hawklets are entering the month of June when they will fledge. They are learning about stealing prey and self-feeding under the watchful eye of Mum and Dad. When they fledge, Arthur and Big Red will take turns teaching them to hunt.
At Amersfoort Falcon scrape, Smallie has a nice crop. Thanks ‘PB’ for the image.
Louis has been delivering some very fine trout to Dorcha and the trio.
Cara, Yellow XKT, has a new mate, AKE, at the Janakkala nest in Finland this year. Her former mate Red CCL did not return from migration. The couple have three eggs laid between 5 May and 10 May.
An Osprey on the nest, but no eggs at Paltamo.
Very lonely nest at YLLÄSLOMPOLO.
Three beautiful eggs at Muonio.
So hard to see those babies at the Bridge Golf Club. So many couples this year opted for very deep egg cups.
I am so happy that Blue NCO has a new partner – young and enthusiastic! I was so afraid she was going to lose her beautiful nest at Loch of the Lowes but it appears that just might not be the case! (Video below)
Keep sending good positive energy to Lake Murray. Let us hope that this only surviving osplet gets so fat it can hardly fly – that would put that GHO off, too!!!!!!
There are three at Cowlitz PUD. Electra gave us a good look today.
Two fledglings – each with a nice fish – at the Venice Golf and Country Club.
Still two babies at the Imperial Eagle cam in RU.
‘H’ reports on Patuxent – all other nests doing great so how did they do? “5/30 Patuxent Nest-1: The ages of the osplets were 24, 23, and 20 days. There were 8 feedings from 5 fish. A few of the fish were quite big, and Dad would remove a large leftover, and return later with a large fish tail. Fish deliveries close together really helped little to be fed while the older siblings were still full. And the very large fish were very helpful, as Little was fed after Big and Middle were sated. One of the largest fish of the day was a huge headless fish delivered at 1745. Little was able to eat for 13 minutes and ate 80 bites of fish. Dad removed a large leftover, returned at 1933 with the fish tail, and Little ate 35 bites at that feeding. Little ate at least 206 bites of fish today. Go Dad! Go Little!”
‘A’ brings us reports from ‘Down Under’: “At Olympic Park, the cold wet weather may have reminded Dad and Lady that spring is still a long way off. But no, apparently not. Things are instead heating up. I am giving you three days of reports because of the amount of nest-related activity now occurring.
May 29: The eagles shared an early duet and matings – then off. Dad was back with the first stick around 7am. At 8:33am, Dad returned with a headless bream, which he left on the nest. Lady brought another bream herself at 8:50am but didn’t eat. Dad returned and ate one of the fish, then left at 8:12am, so one fish was still on the nest. Both brought in a few sticks and leafy branches, then flew off. Dad returned at 12:14 and sat for ages near the nest. He finally left at 14:21. He returned with a stick at 15:37 and took the remaining fish, eating on the branch. Where has Lady been since just after 11am? Dad returned the fish to the nest after a while. Then, there was a report of Lady near Ironbark Roost, soon returning to the nest beside Dad at 15:53. She still didn’t eat, and they duetted and mated. She appeared to have eaten elsewhere? Dad finally ate the second fish himself. He brought in a late stick just before 5pm and they moved things around on the nest, then settled nearby.
May 30: Both eagles were near the nest last night. They were awake early, and both brought in sticks and leaves. Before 9am they had brought eight deliveries. More sticks were brought in after a while, and they mated at 10:16am. Dad brought in half a large mullet at 12:40pm, which Lady claimed and ate shortly after. A few more sticks were brought, then both were away from 1:30pm. They returned just before 5pm with a couple of sticks, then shared a duet and mating at around 5:15pm, before settling close by for the night.
May 31: There was camera work being done on the nest cam in the morning. Our eagles were awake very early, with a clumsy mating attempt, but had more success a little while later, at 6:22am. Dad brought a couple of early sticks, then a headless fish at 7:32am. The cameras were not streaming then but Lady did not seem to get the chance to eat it. One eagle was spotted at Goat Island at 10:27am. The eagles were away all day, with one returning to the nest at 17:22. At dark though, it seemed only one eagle was home – and fish was still on the nest.”
‘A’ also reports on Smallie: “Smallie got some food at this morning’s early feedings, leaning out of the scrape for some bites too at one point. Then, when a parent brought food around 10:10 Smallie was competing for bites but eventually ended up jumping out of the scrape, where around 10:14 he is either being fed or is self-feeding or both. Certainly, he has had a relatively good morning, with quite a decent amount of food. When he’d had what was on offer outside, he jumped straight back into the scrape without difficulty.
So far, I have not seen any of his siblings leave the scrape, while our wee Smallie is jumping in and out at will now. I am hoping this will represent a turning point for his feeding – if he does what he did this morning again, he may get a day or two before his siblings join him out there. At least one of the floofs (the oldest) is looking oh so ready to fledge, with virtually all her fluff gone and vigorous wingercising all over the scrape, which nearly knocks her fellow eyases off their feet at times in that restricted area. How lucky are the chicks at Cal Falcons, with unlimited room to flap and run?
Mum is definitely not ignoring Smallie or refusing to feed him, as some chatters continue to suggest. She fed him while he was in the doorway of the scrape this morning, and then later on fed him outside the scrape in something of a private feeding (see above). Obviously, it is flat enough outside for mum to prepare food and feed the chicks from there, and Smallie had no problems out there both being fed and self-feeding. So I am surprised that the others are not yet exploring beyond that doorway. Still, it is a temporary advantage Smallie may be able to take advantage of today. “
Thank you so much for being with us today. We hope that your week has been a good one and that you will have some time to get outside over the weekend and listen, we hope, to some songbirds. Take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, letters, posts, images, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog this morning: ‘A, B, Geemeff, H, J, MP, PB’, Lake Murray Ospreys, Kakapo Recovery, Cal Falcons, BoPH, Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn, Tweed Valley, Clark PUD, PSEG, Boulder County, Radford University, Achieva Credit Union, Cornell RTH, Amersfoort Falcons, Geemeff, Finnish Osprey Foundation, Bridge Golf Club Ospreys, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Cowlitz PUD, VGCCO, Imperial Eagle Cam RU, Patuxent River Park, and Sydney Sea Eagle Cam.
Remember that I mentioned those two year old returnees are coming! In the regions where banding is not done, you can never get as excited as those platforms that know their chicks have survived. Another one of Dylan and Seren’s fledglings has returned this year. Blue 555 from 2024 landed on Telyn who is incubating eggs at Dyfi a few miles away from his natal nest at Clywedog Reservoir.
Here is the sequence. Telyn hears/sees another osprey approaching. Blue 555 lands. Blue 555 is sent off by our excited mom-to-be. Idris arrives to save the day – all within about half a minute or less.
Telyn looks up.
Here comes 555.
Here comes Idris. No one is going to mess with his Telyn!
Did you see this? Murphy is a foster again!
At Captiva, Jack is keeping the fish coming and it was a good day for the little one. ‘H’ reports: ” CO8 did okay today, and basically I would have the same summary as yesterday. S/he takes a beating from CO7 at times, but it’s too soon to worry. CO8 may not get as much to eat as CO7, but he did have a good crop a few times today. Jack even fed CO8 for 8 minutes at meal #4. ” And then…”Jack delivered a large partial fish at 1907, that provided a long feeding for both of the siblings. They ate side by side without any aggression, and both of them ended up stuffed.”
At Loch Arkaig, Louis has been busy and it was a late fish delivery for Dorcha.
Gosh, Louis is such an attentive mate. Some hardly bring the males any fish. I wonder what those new males will be like when chicks arrive?
Tuffy has grown into an exceptional osplet. Oh, how worried we were.
It appears that one or both of the osplets at Frenchman’s Creek have ‘branched’ to the camera pole OR the camera cannot get sight of one area of the nest. The shadows change and you can see the wings flapping.
The streaming cam at Redding is back up and running. Everyone is OK.
Mason is way up high in the natal tree at Superbeaks. Dixie looks out to the world beyond from the rails. These two will be flying soon. They are very active!
‘H’ reports on Lake Murray: “C3- ‘Little’ at Lake Murray is doing OK. There is some aggression toward C3 by both older siblings, but there was only one meal on 5/7 where Little was shut out from the feeding. Kenny is supplying lots of fish.”
‘A’ sent in a long report on several nests that she is tracking:
“I can hear Iris on an open tab – she is very chatty with her new man. He seems very proud of their eggs (they must be his and not Louis’ or he would doubtless have got rid of them by now). And – omigod, he’s brought in a tree now!!!! Sorry. I just turned over to Iris’ tab and what do I see? The most massive branch that resembles a small tree without leaves has been brought to the nest. I told you that yesterday he was bringing in some large, awkwardly shaped branches, but this one takes the cake. I wonder if he intends to plant a small forest around the outside of that nest. Or perhaps he too is worried about the dangers of an osplet being blown off that platform by that extra strong wind. But seriously, have a look at that tree! Talk about a laugh for the morning.”
Now, let us think about a time for us to begin to watch for these eggs to hatch of Iris and New Guy: 11 June? Pip watch?
Cal appears to have dispersed. Today he is 140 days (exactly 20 weeks) old and it will be the seventh day since he was seen at or near the nest, though of course Connie and Clive are maintaining their territory. So the general consensus is that he has left to find his own mate and territory. Godspeed little one. You will always own a tiny piece of my heart. And remember, you fly for two, as you will also carry Lusa with you in your travels. How sad it is when we say goodbye to them, knowing their chances at reaching their first birthday are relatively low. All we can hope is that Cal learned well on the nest, with that bossy older sister, and has had the very best parental preparation for adulthood. He has great genes and we can only hope he gets the chance to pass them on.
In Tennessee, Angel was last seen briefly (for just two minutes) early on the morning of 3 May, while Tom was there very briefly the following morning. There have been heavy thunderstorms in the area over the past couple of days, and they usually fail to appear on very wet days, but I think we have to admit now that the window is closing fast and that there will be no eggs for Angel and Tom this season. Now, we wish them a safe year until we see them next. Angel is such a rare beautiful creature, and I know her survival is far from assured. To add to the natural hazards they all face, she of course is unable to camouflage herself and even has to worry about unscrupulous individuals who have offered large sums of money to anyone prepared to divulge her whereabouts so she can be captured or killed as a trophy. I find it appalling that Connor has been offered tens of thousands of dollars for that information, though sadly it does not surprise any of us.
At Taiaroa Head, our gorgeous boy was 7.9 kgs yesterday (7 May) at 105 days of age (the average for males of that age at this colony is 7.8 kg) – the same weight as the week before (when he had been fed by both mum and dad just before the weighing). Over the past week, he has had frequent feedings, with both parents visiting more than once, some feeds quite small and others larger. There had not been a feeding for a couple of days before this latest weighing, though, which accounts for his weight remaining the same as the week before. Mum came in yesterday afternoon and fed him around 4.15pm, and both our on-camera chicks have been fed this morning (8 May), with mum LGL feeding TF chick at 7.17am and dad BOK coming in to feed TFT chick shortly before 10am. He is doing well, as are both his parents. Every time they leave on a foraging trip, we worry about when and whether they will return. Of course OGK never did. He has now, finally, been officially declared deceased at this point, as he would have returned to breed this season had he been capable of doing so. Sad news, but this year’s beautiful Royal Cam chick cannot but bring a smile to your face. His gorgeous plumage is pristine, revealing that he has lived his first 105 days of life without an incident of fear that has caused him to ‘spill’. So those snowy-white feathers are, in a sense, the sign of an stress-free childhood (or a very brave little chick or both). Whenever you need a smile, just turn to the albatross chicks on Taiaroa Head, where the rangers are constant and devoted guardians and we get to love our chicks for seven months or more. New Zealand truly is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. “
Those Cal Falcon chicks of Annie and Archie can put a smile on your day, too.
Annie and Grinnell’s grandchildren are ahead in development (they are obviously older). Look at their tail feathers and they are walking around the scrape. Larry (Annie and Grinnell’s daughter) and his mate are doing fantastic. What a treat to have a camera at their Alcatraz scrape!
Speaking of falcons, a wonderful soul posted an image of the screen at the CBD in Melbourne on FB and the falcons are there on the ledge! Maybe there will be chicks this year. I knew you would be excited.
Oh, I am getting excited that they might turn that Melbourne Live Stream on early. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they left it on all year?
The chat for the Cornell RTH is on the livestream and is open in the mornings. Check the time. Arthur had just brought in a nice little chippy for N1 and N2 when I tuned in.
Gosh those kids are cute. It won’t be long til they are pecking away at those chippies.
Watching for Rutland. The two eggs deemed unviable by Maya could have been the first ones that were laid so, it could be a few more days. Good news at LOTL. The new male has removed all the eggs from the egg bowl and maybe Blue NCO will start thinking he could be a ‘catch’. I am hoping so!
Thank you so much for being with me today. I am feeling better in the mornings and pretty horrible in the evenings still. The sun is out and it will be a good day for a walk, regardless. I am wondering if we have more little goslings hatching? Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you as always to those great people that send me news of the nests they are monitoring – I am calling them the Fabulous Four: ‘A, Geemeff, H, and SP’ along with all the others, the cams, the postings, the videos that helped me to write my post this morning including the Fab 4 and Dyfi Osprey Project, PBS, Window to Wildlife, Geemeff, Moorings Park, Frenchman’s Creek, FORE, Superbeaks, Lake Murray, Montana Osprey Project, NZ DOC, Cal Falcons, Parks Conservancy, Maya Rowe, and Cornell RTH.
Thank you to everyone for your continued good wishes. I am very, very slowly feeling a wee bit better. A good friend dropped off two different types of Covid tests, just in case. Both were negative. So, not Covid. Whatever this is – well, I continue to say I do not wish it on anyone! Keep sending those positive vibes!!!!!!!!!
There is a rhythm to the events in the garden. The Juncos return first, then the White-throated Sparrow, and by then it is time for Mr and Mrs Crow to begin to bug me to fill up their food bowls. I have seen them during the winter but, for some reason, they return at the beginning of breeding season to remind me of their presence. I put out whatever I can gather from the fridge and from neighbours along with their usual cheesy dogs and hard boiled eggs along with cat kibble. This year events are earlier by about 14-16 days, but they are, nonetheless, happening in the same way. After spending the winter ignoring me, the first Crow has returned yesterday. In June, the little crows will come to get peanuts and to learn to dip them in the water. It is something that I look forward to with great delight.
The Crow first checked for peanuts and then went to chip away at one of the solid seed cylinders with large nuts and mealworms. It had previously been on the roof of the conservatory demanding treats! They watched as I filled the bowl with cheesy dogs, some cooked food from a neighbour including carrots….their favourite. (During the winter I have a secret feeding station for them).
The Baltimore Orioles will be here shortly. No matter what happens, the wildlife carry on, perhaps a little earlier, but what fun it will be to look forward to those little Crows splashing about, the baby Sparrows all puffed up sitting quietly waiting for the adults to tell them they can move, and the arrival of the Hummingbirds.
Calico talked to the Crow while it was coming and going during the day. Others slept.
We are now entering the period when the two year old returnees are causing havoc at the established nests – some of them their natal nests. We get a brief look at how this is impacting Kielder Forest, but it is happening everywhere.
There is no new news on the killing of LM12 Laddie near Loch of the Lowes. Scottish Wildlife Trust posted the following information on this amazing osprey.
Our hearts continue to break over this ‘murder’. Blue NCO continues to fish call and incubate the eggs although she is having to leave to try and feed herself.
There is always concern when there are three osplets and Lake Murray is no exception. ‘H’ is keeping a close watch.
The little one is trying. Just look at the size difference. Oh, I hope this sweet baby makes it. Fingers crossed.
The 1610 feeding – ‘H’ reports that all ate and there was no bonking. Yippee.
Wish that little one had some of the fish that landed at the Venice Golf Club. Mum might have even brought in two big fish. Wow.
Despite the mess, the two at Frenchman’s Creek are fine.
Both are eating at Captiva but there is still some unrest and bonking by the oldest.
Amongst the Ospreys there have been several nests that have had eggs out of sync. Today, ‘H’ notes that ” The Fenwick Island nest of Johnny and June: June laid eggs on 4/25 and 4/28, and both eggs were predated by a pair of crows on 4/28. June’s third egg would have been due on 5/1.” ‘H’ notes that that egg did not arrive. We both wonder if this third egg that was laid on the 5th of May belongs to a first clutch or a new one. At Achieva, the egg dates were ‘off’ as well (normally every 72 hours). They were “1/28, 1/31, and 2/8”. (The last one could have been very, very late on the 7th but was not seen until the morning of the 8th).
We are wondering if these could be four egg clutches with the third egg laid somewhere else accidentally. It happens.
Tuffy still likes to be fed. Just look. Sally and Harry have the prettiest babies.
N1 and N2 could not be cuter. Look at the size of the crop on that little one.
Everyone loves Iris and each of us is worried, on the one hand, that raising a clutch of chicks might shorten her life or excited at the potential of the world’s oldest osprey getting to raise her first chick since 2018. I am just like all of you. I have been thrilled when Iris and Louis’s eggs have been taken by the Ravens and Iris has had a gentle summer fishing. Now that she has an attentive mate – and gosh, golly, Louis isn’t doing much about it – bringing her fish, I am getting rather excited and torn. I guess we wait and see what happens. Whatever it is, isn’t it nice seeing our Queen being treated well? Getting fish delivered to her for a change!
Here he is at 1640 bringing her another fish. I love this ‘Snake eyed guy’.
Iris flies off and takes it to the owl pole to eat.
There is something magical going on. Maybe it would always be Iris’s last year and maybe this is an extraordinary year for her. I watch with wonder.
Second egg expected. It was raining and I did not see anything. Iris not on the nest.
The New Guy is incubating the egg while Iris is off eating breakfast. Iris tells us ‘I will do it my way’.
The GH owlet at Wolf Bay is doing fine. Look at those legs!
Lady Hawk’s last coverage of E23, the darling of the SW Florida nest of M15 and his new mate, F23. Why oh why doesn’t someone band these hatches?
They are getting a little itchy at Cal Falcon scrape with all those pin feathers coming in.
If you need contentment:
‘PB’ reports that the second egg at Charlo Montana was laid on Sunday. It looks like her name is Lola.
‘H’ sent news that we have another egg at Cape May Meadows for Hera and Zeus. “5/6, The South Cape May Meadows osprey nest of Hera and Zeus: Hera laid egg #2 at 06:29.”
Louis continues to take good care of Dorcha at Loch Arkaig. The killing of Laddie at Loch of the Lowes had made everyone nervous. So good to see the others at their nests as we wait for the first hatch at Rutland.
Adorable baby eaglet that fell out of the nest has a foster!
The eaglets at the Bald Canyon nest have names and both are happy that they are in the nest together! Another great rescue.
Muhlady and Pepe continue to provide prey on the nest for Dixie (fledged) and Mason (still at home). There are continual prey wars when there is a delivery. Both look to be doing very well.
Full crops for the two eaglets of Dad and Gigi at the ND-LEEF nest.
Those two will soon be as big as Jersey and Leaper at Duke Farms who are anxiously awaiting their first flight.
For the two eaglets of Liberty and Guardian at the Redding nest, the votes are now being submitted for the final round in naming. Make sure you vote! The deadline is 7 May – that is Tuesday!
‘A’ sends us the latest from the Sydney Olympic Forest: “
May 5: Both eagles were at home last night and woke early, well before 6am, with duets and mating. They both left by 6:19am, and over the next hour or so, more duets could be heard. Mid-morning at 10:15am, neither could be seen at the river but were spotted at Goat Island. Mid-afternoon, both eagles were still there, and at 16:45pm, one was noted flying off to the west. Both turned up at the nest around 17:16pm – one may have brought a stick – then mating nearby. A duet, and mating again at 5:42pm, with Lady bowing her head to indicate she was ready and willing to mate. Both then settled by the nest for the night. There was rain on and off today.
May 6: There was lots of rain overnight, with both eagles close by. They were awake early, with mating, then both flew off and one returned with a stick. Then both were off again before 6:30am. At 9am, both were seen at the very muddy river , landing on River Roost. Shortly after, there was a duet at 9:15am, and then both were seen flying together, heading north and further. The rain had stopped by then, but it was very windy. There have been issues with the cameras today, with livestream not available for most of the day. One eagle was seen flying over the forest at around 3pm. Just after 4pm, it seemed that two eagles were at Goat Island. Neither was reported at the river at 4:30pm. Then we were able to see the adjacent camera live and saw Lady come home late. She seemed to have just eaten, wiping her bill. She then settled.
This is interesting, especially with Lady initiating mating. But is it really early for Lady and Dad or is it their normal pattern of behaviour? They presumably regularly engage year-round in various forms of bonding behaviours, including mating, to maintain the strength of their pair bond. Yes? So maybe it’s not at all early for them to engage in the early phases of nest-building. “This is interesting, especially with Lady initiating mating. But is it early for Lady and Dad or is it their normal pattern of behaviour? They presumably regularly engage year-round in various forms of bonding behaviours, including mating, to maintain the strength of their pair bond. Yes? So maybe it’s not at all early for them to be engaging in the early phases of nest-building. “
LGK comes in for a feeding for TF chick! Always good to put a smile on your face. TF is so fluffy – like a soft cloud floating around the hill.
There is a lot going on at the nests. I hope to be able to provide some news each day until such time as I am back 100%. We are waiting for hatch watch at Rutland! Take care. We hope to see you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, H, PB’, Kielder Ospreys, Jeff Kear and SWT, Lake Murray Ospreys, VGCCO, Frenchman’s Creek, Window to Wildlife, Fenwick Island, Moorings Park, Cornell RTH, Montana Osprey Project, Wolf Bay, Lady Hawk, Cal Falcons, Charlo Montana, SK Hideaways, SCMM, Jann Nichols, Gracie Shepherd, Superheats, Geemeff, ND-LEEF, Duke Farms, FORE, Sea Eagle Cam.
Thursday and Friday were difficult days. Jackie and Shadow said goodbye to their eggs after one cracked, with Jackie covering them later. The miracle babies hatched at the NTCT nest of Bella and were killed and eaten by the male, Scout. Audacity surprised everyone with another egg, but it broke Friday morning. Little B17 died and Meadow is ill. It felt a little bit like a roller coaster of emotions. Others call it ‘hope fatigue’. These events take their toll and sometimes we need to go outside and listen to the birds or sit and stroke a beloved pet. Then we need to stop and be very thankful for those that survive – they are very precious.
Bella feeds her second little eaglet before flying off to find food. She returns, looks around the nest, cannot find the baby while Scout is on the perch, then Bella flies off saying goodbye. It would have been difficult, if not impossible or Bella with the attitude that Scout was exhibiting. Many wondered if this was not a blessing in disguise.
The empty nest says it all.
The Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey is expressing concern over Meadow’s condition on Friday. Send your positive energy to this eaglet.
So what is giving us hope?
Iris returned to her nest at 20:51:22 Friday night. She looked like she had a full crop. So the Matriarch is fine! She stayed til after 0633 Saturday morning. Perhaps she didn’t want Louis to see her!
Annie and Archie. We are 11 days away from hatch watch. ‘A’ is getting excited. “Annie is looking particularly lovely this evening – she really is an exquisite specimen of a bird. Just beautiful. I cannot wait to see four little fluffy eyases lined up with their beaks open in that scrape. Poor little Archie is going to be run off his talons. And if he thinks it’s difficult to incubate four eggs, wait until he tries brooding four chicks. That should take some serious enfluffling.”
Tuffy is getting smarter and is sometimes braver. This nest gives me hope because of “H’s great observations.
‘H’ reports on how Friday morning began well for Tuffy: “At 0728 Harry arrived with a large live tilapia. Sally started to eat, and for once Sally was positioned near the rail facing outward. Her positioning would afford Tuffy an opportunity to position himself on the other side of her from Ruffie. Tuffy was on Sally’s right, and Ruffie hung back a bit. Tuffy received 5-6 bites of fish before Ruffie reached over and beaked him. So much for Sally’s new positioning. Tuffy scooted away and tucked. At 0728 Tuffy was trying to move around to the other side of Sally, but Ruffie saw him and cut him off at the pass. At 0750 Tuffy was getting a little too close to Sally for Ruffie’s liking, so she beaked him. By 0753 Ruffie moved away from the feeding, but still kept an eye on Tuffy and was giving him a warning look. Soon, Ruffie started to eat some more. At 0803, brave lil’ Tuffy decided to go for it, and shuffled right up to Sally in front of Ruffie, and started to get some bites. Ruffie turned away for a PS, and she then stayed away. Good. By 0813, Tuffy had eaten approximately 100 bites of fish. The view was partially blocked and I was not able to see if bites were dropped. I just had to count when Sally leaned toward Tuffy, and he leaned toward her. At that point Ruffie returned to the table to eat some more, and she beaked Tuffy. Ruffie was finished, this time for good, at 0816…Tuffy untucked and resumed eating his breakfast. Tuffy took a break for about a minute at 0822, then resumed eating. At 0831 Tuffy simply couldn’t eat any more and shuffled away from Sally sporting a very large crop. Sally finished the fish. Tuffy ate an estimated 180 bites of fish. Great way to start the day!”
Look at Tuffy’s crop!
“… At 1128 Harry brought a nearly whole tilapia. Ruffie was fed, and Tuffy remained on the sidelines. Harry stayed in the nest for a while, so Tuffy gradually moved to get into Dad’s shade. Even after Harry left, Tuffy stayed away from the feeding line. At 1207 Tuffy moved to be closer to Sally, and was beaked by Ruffie. By 1214, Ruffie had moved aside slightly, Tuffy moved in, and it appeared that Sally was feeding Tuffy (view was blocked). Sally did move a little bit and we were able to see that Tuffy was eating. By 1218 Tuffy had eaten 40 bites of fish before being intimidated by Ruffie, and he shuffled away. Ruffie continued to eat, and around 1222, Sally reached over to Tuffy to give him some bites, before Ruffie again banished Tuffy to the sidelines at 1224. At 1227 Tuffy was again reaching to Sally to receive fish bits. Ruffie simply did not want little brother to eat, so at 1228 she made a big physical display of dominance and Lil’ Tuffy scurried away. At 1234 Ruffie seemed to be finished eating, and our view was partially blocked, but it was obvious that Sally was feeding Tuffy. The meal was over by 1248 save for a few scraps. Tuffy ate at least 78 bites of fish.”
.”..Harry delivered the third fish of the day at 1705, a headless tilapia. It was a smaller piece of fish, which did not bode well for Tuffy’s chances for a nice meal. Ruffie approached Sally, Tuffy moved further away from Sally. I noted that Tuffy’s crop was flat at that time. Ruffie was giving warning glances to Tuffy as Ruffie was fed. However, Sally managed to periodically sneak a bite to her little one who was standing off to the side. Many of those quick bites to Tuffy went under Ruffie’s radar, but some did not. When Ruffie would notice Tuffy getting a bite she leaned toward Tuffy to intimidate him. So, Tuffy would move a little further away, but would then slowly inch closer to Mom as he dared. By 1731 Tuffy had eaten 14 bites of fish by Sally quickly sneaking bits to him. Then he received 5 bites in quick succession while Ruffie was trying to eat a big piece of skin. Ruffie was not able to eat the skin, so she dropped it, but seemed irritated that Tuffy had eaten those bites…so she charged Tuffy who went to the rails. Ruffie then wedged herself in between Sally and Tuffy. Finally, at 1743, Ruffie was full and moved across the nest and laid down. Tuffy made a beeline to Sally, but unfortunately there wasn’t much fish left. Tuffy ate, and some bites were a pretty good size. Sally did her best to pull every last bit of meat from that fish tail, then she offered the tail several times to Tuffy, who simply could not do anything with it. Total bites for Tuffy at this meal = 46, and he had a small crop. Total for Tuffy so far today = 304 bites of fish.”
Sally was calling for fish at 1957.
The three osplets of Talon and Stella at the Florida-Gainesville campus continue to do well. This is excellent news. They are all lined up like the three lads at Port Lincoln in 2022. You can see the size difference now between the first hatch in the centre and the baby on the right. At one time, they were almost all the same having hatched within a 36 hour window.
‘H’ reports that the Canada Geese and the Ospreys have switched nests at McEuen Park in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. Grateful for Geese and not owls!
In the UK, Idris and Telyn have their first egg of the Osprey season on Friday at the Dyfi Nest in Wales.
Waiting for Seren and Dylan at Llyn Clywedog to have their first egg of the season. Seren was not impressed with the food gift o a frog that Dylan brought to her and when he wasn’t looking, she dropped it overboard.
Intruders have been bothering Aran and Elen at Glaslyn. It was sent packing over to the Pont Cresor Nest of Aeron Z2 and Blue 014.
Louis fishes in the worst weather and delivers beautiful fish to Dorcha.
I am grateful that Laddie LM12 made it home safe this year to Blue NCO. No eggs at Loch of the Lowes yet.
Blue 33 guards Maya. He has been bringing in gold fish – beautiful bright orange-gold Koi. Someone’s pond is getting raided. He must like the colour!
Bradley makes me smile and it is fantastic that Port Lincoln continues to post videos of him bringing his fish to the barge. It is heartwarming when these fledglings thrive. A still form that video. Check out what is happening at Port Lincoln by going to their FB group.
And there are these various stages of some of the bobbleheads that are doing well:
US Steel 7: It is pitching down rain but Irvin has the nest full of fish and Claire is trying to keep the wee one dry while keeping it fed.
Little Miami:
Johnson City-ETSU:
Superbeaks, Dixie and Mason:
Kansas City, Cheyenne and Wichita:
Duke Farms, Jasper and Leaper who will be ringed on Monday:
ND-LEEF – Dad’s new mate Gigi appears to be doing well:
Eagle Country – Swampy in the nest and Meadow in care. Hoping dear Swampy is not sick, too:
Denton Homes – three Majestic babies:
Decorah North:
Redding with Liberty and Guardia:
Port Tobacco:
Bluff City and Viper:
Fort St Vrain. Two little bobbles doing well.
West End. Aklecheta and Thunder showed us how to deal with three healthy energetic eaglets this year:
Fraser Point, two adorable eaglets for Andor and Cruz:
PA Country Farm – a family who can consistently raise three:
Dade County, R6 has fledged and returns to the nest:
SW Florida, E23- so grateful that M15 had a new family this year after the sorrow of losing Harriet and the joy of raising E21 and 22 to fledge by himself:
Poor E23 has had to defend its nest!
JB Sands Wetlands, JBS20. We lost JBS21. Please keep Mum in your thoughts because of her injury:
Trudi Kron captures JBS20 getting ready to fly.
It isn’t all of them, but count these as blessings. In a year when many nests did not have a single hatch, we can be grateful. There is no news on Meadow Saturday morning form the Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey.
Jackie and Shadow start over. What an amazing pair of eagles these are! ‘A’ writes: “Meanwhile, the sadness at Big Bear is felt by thousands of BB viewers. Jackie and Shadow are much loved by so many. This video really broke my heart. They take it in their stride and carry on, together. While they have each other, there is always next year. Spirit was such a miracle. It was a joy watching that couple caring for their precious eaglet. They were so devoted. That little one sure was spoiled for love. And fish, obviously.”
The Royal Albatross are always bittersweet. Little fluff ball TopFlat Chick, the Royal Cam chick, waits for food deliveries. LGK Lew in on Friday to feed the little one who can be heard squeeing. At the end, you see TF flap its little wings copying the adults.
The top bird sightings in the UK. Please note the huge decline in House Sparrows since 1979 and the growth of some others. House Sparrows live amongst humans that is why they are seen so often and we are destroying their habitat which is why the huge decline. Feed them. Be joyful when you hear their song. Just imagine if they were not there.
Thank you for being with me. Step outside. Celebrate spring, listen to the birds that live around you. Smile. There are things in the world that we have no control over. We change what we can, when we can doing the best we can. We mourn the little ones that are lost, but remain joyful and hopeful for those thriving on the nests.
*Disclaimer: Every effort is made to credit individuals who send me information, those who take screen captures, create videos or posts, those who write articles, and those who operate streaming cams. If I miss acknowledging someone’s contribution, please let me know so I can rectify that omission. Thank you.*
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, streaming cams, videos, and articles that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, J, H, PB, SK, TK’, NCTC Eagle Cam, Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey, Cal Alcons, Moorings Park ospreys, Florida-Gainesville, McEuen Park, Dyfi Osprey Project, Llyn Clywedog and CarnyXWild, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, The Woodland Trust (Loch Arkaig), Geemef, The Scottish Wildlife Trust (LOTL), LRWT, Port Lincoln Ospreys, US Steel Eagle Cam, Little Miami Conservancy, Johnson City-ETSU, Superbeaks, FARMER DEREK, Duke Farms, ND-LEEF, Eagle Country, Denton Homes, Raptor Research Project, FORE, Port Tobacco Eagle Cam, Bluff City-ETSU, Fort St Vrain, IWS/Explore, PA Country Farms, WRDC, SW Florida Eagle Cam, SK Hideaways, JB Sands Wetlands, Trudi Kron, Lady Hawk and The Guardian.
My plans for Friday and Saturday have altered. There will be blog posts but they will be briefer than normal for those two days.
It is Wednesday evening. The second egg at the NCTC nest of Bella and Scout is hatching. The chick can be heard on the microphone. Thanks ‘T’ or your keen eye! Send the most positive energy to this nest so that Scout does not kill this second miracle chick! Perhaps Bella will feed the little one when he is there so he can understand that it is not a prey item.
For dear Bella, I hope, like each of you, that this little one fledges and thrives.
Scout has been acting ‘odd’ again. We will just have to wait and see what happens.
It was another gorgeous day on the Canadian Prairies. 14 degrees C. There was a cool breeze blowing off the lake at the nature centre that made it feel much chillier. The geese and the ducks arriving did not mind! Everyone walking on the trails was happy and one of the rangers remarked that the muskrat had been seen in the swamp. There were Saw-whet Owls, a Blue Heron heard but not seen, woodpeckers, geese, ducks, Red-wing Blackbirds and the Song and Fox Sparrows have returned from their migration.
I heard the Saw-whet Owl but did not see it and this is not unusual for these nocturnal birds.
Cornell Bird Lab gives us some cool facts about these smallest of owls.
The Northern Saw-whet Owl may have been named for giving a call that sounds like a saw being sharpened on a whetting stone, but there is no consensus as to which of its several calls gave rise to the name.
The main prey items of the Northern Saw-whet Owl are mice, and especially deer mice of the genus Peromyscus. Saw-whets usually eat adult mice in pieces, over the course of two meals.
The female Northern Saw-whet Owl does all of the incubation and brooding, while the male does the hunting. When the youngest nestling is about 18 days old, the female leaves the nest to roost elsewhere. The male continues bringing food, which the older nestlings may help feed to their younger siblings.
The female saw-whet keeps the nest very clean, but a mess starts to accumulate when she leaves. By the time the young owls leave the nest, 10 days to 2 weeks later, the nest cavity has a thick layer of feces, pellets, and rotting prey parts.
Migration in saw-whets has historically been poorly understood, because of their nocturnal, reclusive behavior. In the 1990s researchers began Project Owlnet, a collaboration that now consists of more than 100 owl migration banding sites. Researchers use the too-too-too call to lure owls in to mist nets, and band thousands of saw-whets every fall.
Migrating Northern Saw-whet Owls can cross the Great Lakes or other large bodies of water. In October of 1999, one landed on a fishing vessel 70 miles from shore in the Atlantic Ocean near Montauk, New York.
The oldest Northern Saw-whet Owl on record was at least 9 years, 5 months old when it was captured and released by a Minnesota bird bander in 2007. It was originally banded in Ontario in 1999.
In the urban area where I live, habitat loss is one of the primary reasons for wildlife decline. My goal over the past decade has been to create a corridor or the birds – an area populated by bird feeders, bird houses, bee houses, and, ironically, safe places for the feral cats to feed, drink, and sleep. (I have discovered that the feral cats do not bother the birds at the feeders. It is the domestic pets that do!) Cornell Bird Lab is reaching out and asking that each of us do something to provide habitat for the birds.
Make a Difference for Birds Facing Habitat Loss “As I was setting up the nest boxes, I saw my first Tree Swallow of the season and had a pair of bluebirds checking out the boxes right after I put them up—looks like the boxes are bluebird approved!”—Kim Savides, Ithaca, NY Experiences like this are more common than you might think! Creating a nesting space for birds helps replace missing habitat elements and alleviate competition for good nest sites. Cavity-nesting birds like bluebirds, chickadees, swallows, and titmice will appreciate the additional space, while you get to enjoy the magic of witnessing nature close to home. You can get personalized guidance on which nest boxes to install for your region and habitat—along with free construction plans—on the NestWatch website. Don’t have space for a nest box? Create other nesting opportunities by hanging flower boxes or adding potted plants to your outdoor space. Just don’t wait too long; birds are looking for the ideal nesting spot right now!
I promised you some images of ‘The Girls’. Missey and Hugo Yugo have been getting into far too much mischief. They have their own ‘feather’ collection, which consists of a vase full of Canada goose feathers, which they can play with at any time. Ah, but since one feather looks like the other, they have also been into my Pheasant and Peacock feathers vase. The Peacock feathers are quite old. My grandmother’s younger sister raised peacocks on her farm in Oklahoma. I remember their tails fanned out in the front garden as a child.
I there is trouble or anything ‘going on’ you can count on Hugo Yugo being involved. Dear Hope was sitting minding her own business when Hugo Yugo decided it was time to play!
Remember. Hugo Yugo is very, very tiny for her age. She easily fits into that shoe box with room left over. She plays like a kitten and continues to be the size of one even though she is seven months old.
Hope loves to watch the squirrels out of the window and is very curious about the ‘outdoor’ cats. Here she is sitting minding her own business.
Hugo Yugo has spotted Hope and is ready to play!
Hope has so much patience – like the others because of Hugo Yugo’s size.
Hugo Yugo never seems to get tired of play fighting.
She easily pushes Baby Hope over on her back.
Finally, after about twenty minutes, Baby Hope gets some peace. Hugo Yugo’s battery is out of juice.
The sweetest cat…Calico.
‘J’ sends us the latest update on Meadow:
Mid-week Meadow update: We sent the DNA sample to the lab on Monday, so we expect results back sometime in the next couple of weeks. Meadow is eating well from tongs in the kennel — and all that food gets pretty expensive! Meadow is fed four times a day, as eagles grow incredibly fast in order to leave the nest at 12-14 weeks. The average Bald Eagle rehabilitation costs our Center more than $5,000 including medical care, housing, and food. To support Meadow’s care, please contribute at https://act.audubon.org/onlineact…/ar8crC6bIUGX9UsdFBWdnw2
‘H’ brings us the fully daily report from Moorings Park:
“Harry brought a small whole fish at 0711. Tuffy received one bite and was beaked by Ruffie. Tuffy moved away and Ruffie ate. At 0716 Tuffy was beaked again even though he was not in a position to eat. The fish was gone by 0722. One bite for Tuffy.
At 0920 Harry delivered a large live fish. There was no initial aggression toward Tuffy other than ‘the look’, which was enough to keep Tuffy from the table. At 0928 Tuffy got one bite and was beaked and driven away. One more bite for Tuffy at 0934, and he was beaked. Tuffy ate another bite of fish at 0937 and was severely beaked by Ruffie. By 0940, Ruffie quit the feeding, but she blocked Tuffy from Sally. There was still a fair amount of fish remaining. Sally ate some, and at 0945 Ruffie ate some more. At 0946 Tuffie started to make his move to get around to the other side of Sally, but by the time he got there, Ruffie was finished eating and moved away. At that point Tuffy was fed a nice breakfast. Tuffy was seen crop dropping a few times to make more room. The fish was gone by 0959, and Sally found a few scraps off the nest to offer Tuffy as well. Tuffy ate at least 63 bites of fish.”
… At 1131 Harry brought a headless fish. Tuffy moved away as he has been conditioned to do. Ruffie was fed. Ruffie wasn’t very hungry and moved across the nest at 1135. Tuffy could not believe his luck! Tuffy had Sally and the fish all to himself, and he ate at least 98 bites of fish by 1147, at which time he walked away from Sally. Then, Ruffie ate again for a few minutes, and Sally finished the fish tail.
…At 1519 Harry delivered a fairly large headless fish, four hours after the last fish. Tuffy stayed near the front, but turned away from Ruffie, and Ruffie was fed. At 1521 Tuffy received one bite, then was intimidated by Ruffie with ‘the look’. The video live stream froze at 1524, and resumed at 1536. So, while we have no idea what transpired in those 12 minutes, we found the siblings eating side by side. The meal was over by 1539. Tuffy had a huge crop…enough said!
‘H’ caught Harry coming in with two fish! A double-header.
“Master-fisher, Harry, delivered two whole fish at 1655, a medium-sized one and a large one. Harry flew off with the larger fish. Ruffie ate while Tuffy stayed back. Tuffy still had a decent sized crop from the 1519 meal, and he did not seem hungry. Sally and Ruffie ate all of the fish by 1703.
… At 1703 Harry returned with the headless one.”
Everyone loves Tuffy and MM caught this great image! It sure looks like Tuffy is giving Ruffy an earful. ‘MM’ says that Ruffy did not retaliate. Yeah for Tuffy.
This image of Tuffy telling Ruffy the what for touched so many hearts. After I saw MM’s image and H’s little video for me, The Tuffy Fan Club lit up my inbox. If only this little osprey knew what a cheering section it has – my goodness. This is a memorable moment. This is what it is all about—watching the very difficult times and seeing some of these little ones come out fighting and surviving. You never forget them.
‘H’ captured the moment in the video, making my day. I love it when these little beaten ones turn around to their perpetrator. You know that this nest is turning around.
And then, there was a late delivery. ‘H’ writes: “Harry dropped off a small partial fish at 2150. Sally ate, and she had a difficult time connecting with little beaks due to the darkness. It was peaceful, but Ruffie got the most simply because she could reach out further to Tuffy. Tuffy ate 5-6 bites.”
Thursday morning report at Moorings Park from ‘H’: ‘At 0759 Harry arrived with a very large headless fish (possibly catfish). Ruffie beaked Tuffy immediately, setting the tone. Tuffy tucked. At 0808 and 0810 Tuffy tried to approach Sally, but he was intimidated by Ruffie, so he moved further to the sidelines. Tuffy remained tucked at the sidelines for a very long time. Ruffie was not being fed that entire time, but she kept an eye on Tuffy. The fish was very tough, and it was slow-going for Sally. At 0825, Tuffy started to slowly inch closer to Sally, and by 0826 he was at her right side letting her know that he was ready to eat…but, Ruffy was obviously ready to pounce. Sure enough, at 0826 Sally offered Tuffy a bite, and he was immediately beaked by Ruffie. At 0832 Tuffy scooted even further away from the feeding line, but Ruffy followed him. At 0835 Ruffie saw that Tuffy was trying to sneak around to the other side of Sally and she moved across the nest and beaked him. By 0849 Tuffy was still tucked at the far rail, and Ruffie was getting bites of fish whenever she could as Saly continued to struggle with the tough fish. It’s Interesting to note, that since Ruffie has grown so much, she can reach Sally’s beak from almost across the nest, so at 0850, Ruffie was still getting a few bites from Sally all the way across the nest. This increased range of Ruffie seemed to greatly reduce Tuffy’s ability to sneak around to get into a better position. Slowly, Ruffie seemed to be relaxing as she got full, and Tuffy was once again near Sally at 0852. Tuffy ate 6 bites of fish and was beaked. Ruffie soon moved away from Sally, and by 0855 Tuffy was finally being fed. Ruffie laid down across the nest and Tuffy had a private feeding. Tuffy ate at least 102 bites of that tough catfish! This feeding of Tuffy was made possible because of the large size of the fish Harry brought. For survival of the non-dominant osplet.. size matters.”
‘H’ said that right! You can count fish, but you need regular deliveries of large fish to prevent siblicide. The delivery of 8 small fish does not help! Catfish also seem to help. The head is tough going and slows down the feeding. The oldest gets full and goes away leaving fish for the little one. Diane’s catfish at Achieva certainly pulled that nest through tough times.
‘H’ also caught the second egg at Carthage – four days after the first and Mum has been doing hard incubation since the first one was laid. Can I say, oh, dear before they have even hatched? All chicks were lost on this nest last year.
‘H’ reports that “First egg at Forsythe today, 20.10.02.” Opal is the same Mum from last year but this is a new Oscar.
Like so many others in the area, this nest was hit hard by the Nor’easter in June and then the overfishing of the Menhaden.
The weather is horrible at Loch Arkaig’s nest 2 with Louis and Dorcha. Dorcha is there in the middle of the wind and snow and it appears she could be laying her first egg.
‘J’ sends us Karen Mott’s photo of the three eaglets at Centreport on Long Island. What a surprise when their heads all pop up!
Unless you are an expert on California Condors, I really suggest you grab a cuppa’ and watch this 24 minute film. It’s new. It is by Tim Huntington and the cinematography is gorgeous.
It feels like video day! Dani Connor Wild gives us her last instalment of her trip to Antarctica with leopard Seals, more Penguins, and story after story.
JBS20 continues to make his fan club nervous as he continues to explore the tower that would be a tree. Fledging within the week probably.
Despite the miserable wet weather, Bonnie and Clyde keep their eaglets fed and warm.
The weather is wet and miserable for the Little Miami Conservancy eagle family, too. Bette is doing a great job as Umbrella while Baker is keeping food on the nest.
The ND-LEEF babies of Dad and Gigi appear to be doing fine.
USS7 – Claire and Irvin’s little one – is super! We can certainly be thankful for these little ones with their soft downy heads and little wings and feet.
Ellie and Harvey filled up Cheyenne and Wichita on Wednesday.
I know that the prey deliveries get fewer as the eaglets get older, but after hearing about Meadow being emaciated, it would be so nice if the parents could keep up the deliveries like they did when the eaglets are in their growth period. The Dukies would have liked some more today I am certain.
Hearts continue to break for Jackie and Shadow and their dream of a family.
Port Tobacco’s ‘Only Eaglet’ is certainly benefitting from all that food brought to the nest and not having to share but Chandler, the Dad, is missing.
Update: B17 has died. Please send your good wishes to Ma and Missey at the Berry College Bald Eagle nest in Georgia. Their only eaglet B17 appears to be unwell. Did it get sick from the damp weather? This photo is from Tuesday.
This is the today’s state of affairs at the eagle nests from ‘J’:
New eaglets: Bald Canyon 2 Folfan 3 Avon Lake 2
Eaglet died: Berry College
MIA: Chandler, the male, at Port Tobacco. Not seen at the nest since 9 April. Intruders about.
‘J’
The eaglets at Decorah North must bring us some happiness. They are lovely.
We have a Finnish Osprey at home. Cara arrives at the Janakkala Nest on Tuesday the 9th!
Then, almost simultaneously, Stefu arrives at the Seili Nest! They are coming home.
Falcons hatching in Eindhoven and in Japan!
At Port Lincoln, Bradley loves to show off his fish!
‘A’ brings us news of the Mums at Taiaroa Head Albatross Colony: “The mums are obviously foraging closer to home than the males in the Royal Cam families, with both BOK (arrived 12:46) and LGL (13:04) coming in to feed their boys some lunch today (11 April). I thought you might be interested in this footage, not for general consumption because it is a bit long (18 minutes) but it is the beginning that was fascinating to me. The story here is that BOK returned when she was ready to find a mate (so probably aged about four) and this bird, at the time known as Red, was her preferred suitor. This was the footage of the day Red was banded and became WYL, father of TFT chick with his mate, BOK. The thing that interested me the most was that this is a mature bird, ready to court and find a mate. They don’t return to Taiaroa Head until then. So Red must have been at least three and probably four or even five years old. And he allowed the rangers to approach him, extend an arm (for self-protection) and pick him up while holding his bill closed. There is no attempt to flee, struggle or engage in self-defence. He just quietly submits to the rangers’ tender care, while they equip him with the White, Yellow and Lime banding that identifies him as WYL. Imagine doing that to an eagle at the same age! You’d lose a limb. And an eye or three. The stately gentle beauty of these amazing birds never ceases to take my breath away. Looking at those adorable little snowmen with their tiny little fluffy wings that will soon become like the wings of a glider plane, steering their direction as they ride the thermals. These are wings designed not to flap, which would be pretty much impossible given their enormous spread, but to surf the wind currents. Truly amazing birds. So very precious. A haven such as Taiaroa Head shows human beings at our best. Those rangers (and the NZ government that finances their work) dedicate themselves to the wellbeing of the toroa, which are particularly special to the Indigenous people of NZ (the Maoris). How wonderful is it to know that these chicks are hatched in an incubator to protect them from fly strike, and are then weighed weekly, supplementary fed if necessary, and generally given optimal care throughout their prefledge period? Or knowing that the adults, too, will receive supplementary feeding and/or hydration as required, such as if one parent does not return to relieve its mate for an over-long period of time? Or that the sprinkler system will be turned on to keep the chicks and adults on the nests cool on days where heat stress might otherwise impact them? What a joy.
Small colony of Dorset Puffins on the brink of extinction.
Thank you so much for being with me today. Please take care and feel free to send me any bird news that you see!
Thank you to the following for their notes, photographs, screen captures, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, AE, Geemeff, J, H, MM, T’, Deb Stecyk, NTCT Eagle Cam, Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey, Moorings Park Ospreys, Carthage – DTC, Forsythe Osprey Cam, The Woodland Trust, Karen Mott-Centreport Eagles, Ventana Wildlife Society, DaniConnorWild, JB Sands Wetlands, Cardinal Land, Duke Farms, SK Hideaways, Port Tobacco, Little Miami Conservancy, Kansas City Eagles, ND-LEEF, Pix Cams, Berry College Eagle Cam, Finnish Osprey Foundation, Yvonne M, Japanese Falcon Cam, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Lady Hawk, and BirdGuides.
I had to check first thing. More below. But isn’t a day-old osplet adorable? I wish every osplet could hatch into a wonderful nest like Sally and Harry’s.
Happy Saturday everyone – from all of us. Hugo Yugo is well and there are so many pips and hatches going to happen our heads will be spinning by next week!
I haven’t been staying up as late as I used to. Last year I was still watching the cams at 0100 and back up again before 0700. This year, I am being gentle until the ospreys start hatching all over the place so, sometimes I miss things. That is what happened with the hatch at Moorings yesterday. So grateful for ‘H’ – she fills in my gaps. Thursday night was also a difficult evening when I added up how many hours little Willow had not had any food on the Bluff City nest and observed the battering that Oliver was giving it. Food shortages cause many things for both raptors and humans. Sadly, Willow was too weak to eat on Friday and Oliver continued to thrash her about. It reminded me too much of Zoe. Sometimes we all need just to step back and breathe. Life is often extremely difficult and in instances like this, we feel very helpless.
Hugo Yugo is positively fine. The onesie went into the ether somewhere and the incision is fantastic, regardless. Thank you for all your get well wishes and positive energy.
It has been an excruciatingly painful year with the Bald Eagle nests that all of us have watched. We are only beginning to have the little osplets in the nest. Indeed, the majority of the adults have yet to return from migration. We can only hope that the weather and the quantity and quality of fish will be such that the chicks can survive to fledge – and then, we must hope that the larger raptors do not predate them. It is time to show we care, not just talk about it.
I intend to observe those nests that have had predation and send the owners all the information about the proactive folks at Cowlitz PUD. Yes, that is a public utility company in Washington State that cared enough about its ospreys to put up fish grates to protect the babies from the Bald Eagles. Last year, the family lost all three of their beautiful osplets to an eagle. We have seen other nests that could have benefited and outfitted their platforms before their resident ospreys returned this year. If I seem overly critical, well, I am. The ospreys put so much energy into the eggs, incubation, and feeding that to lose the chicks, often right before or right after fledging, is devastating, especially when mitigation might have altered the outcome.
I reported below that there was to be a walk around the Achieva Credit Union nest. This was posted within the last five minutes – so at 2100 Florida time Friday night. So, please send your concerns to the St Petersburg Audubon Society quickly and coherently.
Good news. The Achieva Osprey nest will have individuals looking at it and around the area as well as trimming the tree near the platform.
Thank you Barbara Walker. This is what she found when they looked around the Achieva nest at the base:
Mother Goose at Decorah has laid another egg – the third. Don’t you love seeing those day old goslings take that leap of faith?
The John Bunker Sands surviving eaglet is doing fantastic. Self-feeding and a lot of flapping and jumping are the order of the day. Mum appears to be improving slowly. I have to imagine that standing on the metal, especially on a hot day, does nothing but put stress on that foot/talon at times. Thankfully, and regardless, the eaglet has not suffered. Dad stepped in to help both and did a fantastic job.
There is a hatch – second egg, one eaglet in nest – in progress at the Cardinal Land Conservancy.
Pip watch began at the Redding Bald Eagle nest of Liberty and Guardian on Thursday. Please let them have one successful hatch! The weather is miserable.
We are on hatch watch at Berry College. This is Pa and Missey’s second clutch. The egg is 35 days old today. Wishing both Pa and Missey luck.
Both Ospreys have arrived safe and sound at the Bridge Golf Club Osprey Nest.
At Port Lincoln, Bradley continues to show us that he can catch puffers and fish! I am so glad that he chooses to catch them on the ropes of the old Natal Nest and then barge them so we can see how well he is doing.
Bradley and Dad have been spending time at Dad’s favourite fishing spot, Delamere. You might recall that Dad and Ervie spent much time there also – as do the whole family now.
I am not sure which bird it is but Threave have one on a nest in the UK! Most will return in a week (based on historical records).
There is a new Red-tail Hawk cam at Syracuse University. The residents are Oren and Ruth and they already have two eggs. Check it out!
Here is the link:
Big Red and Arthur continue to take turns. Big Red has been busy finding bark Friday afternoon.
Arthur returns, not Big Red.
Here comes Mama with more bark.
Snow began to fall gently on Big Red, her nest and the two eggs Friday evening.
The little osplet at Moorings Park is hatched and so cute. Sally has been busy having many small fish meals for her first hatch in 2024. At one time the remaining half shell from the hatch got slipped over the ‘orange’ egg (the one closest to you), but, thankfully, it later came off. Is there a pip in one of the other eggs? We wait to see. Hopefully they will all hatch quickly! Harry is such an amazing fisher and Sally an incredible Mum, they can handle three.
‘AE’ sent this adorable screen capture. Don’t newly hatched osplets melt your heart?
We have some tracking news about Ervie.
Food was scarce, and Oliver at Bluff City realised there was currently not enough, even with a rabbit coming into the nest. S/he has continually beaten little Willow, who has not eaten. The parent will not feed a chick they perceive as dying because it is a ‘waste of food’. Willow must be strong enough to get up and open its beak. Sadly, Oliver isn’t allowing this. This is a typical example of siblicide. And it is horrible to watch. Please note that Oliver has an enormous crop when he is beating Willow. You might recall Zoe at Port Lincoln. This will not end well, and I wish the little one speed in its release.
AE reports Willow had only 2 bites of food. Poor thing.
Poor little Willow. It is raining and she is still alive this morning. I feel so sorry for this family with so little food.
It is an entirely different story at Johnson City where there is plenty of fish. Both eaglets are thriving.
Sometimes I wish the other eggs on the nest would not hatch. Ellie and Harvey’s first eaglet on Farmer Derek’s property is a cutie pie.
The first hatch at Decorah North is on its way! We are going to have so many eaglets by next week!
It appears that Archie won the lottery – Annie and him have four eggs. Wonder if she will go for five?!
Archie incubates!!!!! Those four must be awfully uncomfortable for such a little falcon.
Looks like Lisa has returned to the Spirit Bluff scrape and is bonding with Newman. (I suspect she was injured and healed and has now returned to take her place). Exciting news.
As many of you are aware, I have ranted about humans providing fish for the ospreys in times of immediate need. I wrote the following to Geemeff in a big rant, “So I continue to ask myself – what would it hurt us to put up fish ponds near the raptor platforms? I mean John Williams has figured out the number and type of fish that come on to Llyn Clywedog – and if I recall, it is about 450-500 fish for a great feed for a family of 4-5. Would it really break the bank to ensure fish were there? When the rivers and streams in places such as the NE US have nothing? Humans did, after all, scoop all the surface swimming fish for the ospreys.” Geemeff reminded me of the following: ” I like your rant, and remind you of Horn Mill trout farm in Rutland. They estimate they were losing about £60k in fish stocks annually to the Ospreys, and netted all their ponds. Then someone had the genius idea to un-net the biggest pond and install a hide nearby. Now they make more in photographer fees than they lose to the Ospreys. Win-win! Why don’t others do similar?” Geemeff is absolutely right. There is at least one or two other hides making a good income from people wanting to photograph ospreys catching fish. Mention this to anyone you know. All those golf clubs that have osprey nests where there is a dwindling amount of fish could cash in!
At Louis’s original nest at Loch Arkaig, the buzzards fighting for the rights to nest there have locked talons and fallen over the side in this thirty second clip by Geemeff.
Happy Birthday Super Star Kakapo Sirocco!
For the love of the Eider Duck – a Norwegian community and how it protects this precious waterfowl. Who are the Eider Keepers?
Thank you so very much for being with me today. Please take care. We look forward to having you with us again very soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, screen captures, conversations, articles, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, AE, BA, Geemeff, H, MP’, Achieva Osprey Cam, Barbara Walker, Raptor Resource Project/Explore.org, JB Sands Wetlands, Cardinal Land Conservancy, FORE, Berry College Eagle Cam, Bridge Golf Course Ospreys, PLO, thrive Ospreys NTS, Red-tail Hawk Cam SU, Cornell RTH Cam, Moorings Park Ospreys, Bluff City-ETSU, Johnson City-ETSU, SK Hideaways, Ashley Wilson, Geemeff, Kakapo Recover, Hakai Magazine, Raptor Persecution UK, and BirdLife International.
Sunday was just the most gorgeous day. Blue sky and a warm +5. Great to get outside as much of that ice is now gone.
It was a great day to go for a walk, weather-wise. When we got to our destination, there were approximately nine deer, several of them quite young, in front of us. Then, an individual with a Golden Doodle let their dog off the lead, instructing them to chase the deer. The dog began barking loudly and running at the wildlife, at which time I stood and spread my arms, and told it to go back. This was not before the deer were quite frightened and began to run across a road in the park that was rather busy today. Now, why on earth would someone do this?
The feeders were busy. There were a couple of Pine Siskins and a Dark-eyed Junco, along with the normal group of sparrows, the two Blue Jays, and a female Downy Woodpecker. The Crows could be heard but not seen. Little Red and more Little Reds were eating peanuts along with Dyson. It is always so good too see her.
Dyson looks good!
Sunday’s news is that Jack and Edie have their first Osprey egg together at Captiva. That egg and all that bark have caused a bit of an issue.
‘H’ reports: “Well, at 14.49.39 both Jack and Edie left urgently due to an intruder, and Edie accidentally kicked the egg out of the bowl when she flew off (that’s exactly what Flo did to egg #1 last season). Jack had been trying to roll the egg back to the center for a while, and finally had to move some bark, then rolled the egg toward the center by 17.08.38, but the egg was still on top of palm fiber. Jack sat on the egg to incubate at 17.10. Then a short while later Jack stood to move a bothersome stick, and since the egg was on the fiber, it rolled outward again.”
The egg rolled out again and ‘H’ reports that Edie is incubating palm fibre with the egg being covered by the material to her right. If they could get that egg under Edie by the time she gets to hard incubation of her other eggs, I wonder if it would be viable.
The saga of the egg continued during the night as Edie and Jack tried desperately to get it back to the middle of the nest. ‘H’ reports that the wind finally took the covering off. Now the egg is free! Wonder what will happen now.
We have a first egg at the Decorah Goose Cam!
Thunder and Akecheta welcomed their second hatch. This makes my heart beat a little lighter. Of all the Channel Islands eagles, these two have the best luck with eggs and raising chicks. They will need it this year. These two are already bonking furiously. Thunder appeared to get fed up with this and went back to brooding the pair.
Thunder makes sure they both get fed. Gosh, these two produce feisty chicks. It is a bonk fest.
Everyone continues to root for Jak and Audacity and Jackie and Shadow. The positive energy and love going their way is tremendous. If only it could produce eaglets.
Audacity.
Jackie.
‘A’ reports on Tom and Angel: “That nest of Angel and Tom’s looks very much ready to receive a brace of eggs (not three yet Angel – Tom is a bit inexperienced still to feed a family of five, I fear).”
The battle for the nest at Dulles-Greenway continues. Rosa’s mate, Martin, disappeared in December. They had raised three eaglets – Pi, Pat, and Flora in 2023 to fledge and the nest collapsed. It was rebuilt. Rosa’s new mate, Lewis, did not help and she quit incubating the two eggs she had laid on the 23rd of February, 9 days after she laid the first egg. Did she just leave? was she killed by another female wanting the nest? Currently, Lewis is on the nest with a new female according to the latest reports. I have now placed Rosa on the Memorial Page for 2024.
It looks like Swampy and Meadow have a possum to practice their self-feeding. Later, a parent helps them. They are now in training! These two just about gave me a heart attack today when they were both leaning way over the edge of the nest!
E23 wants to fly and is doing really high hover moves.
More fish stacked at the Duke Farms nest. This new dad is fantastic! There has been some concern about Jersey, the smaller eaglet. Leaper is the oldest. Comments on the chat seem to indicate that Jersey has had some good feedings on Sunday.
Very windy at the nest of Jolene and Boone in Johnson City, TN on Sunday. Eaglets are Little John and JC. I have had some concerns here, but that little one came back to eat after some pretty good bonks.
It is not clear how much food the second hatch is getting at Bluff City yet. Yesterday, Franklin made sure that BC 25 was fed. The chicks are Oliver, the oldest, and Willow, the youngest. Their parents are Franklin and Frances.
Isn’t this Osprey beautiful? Frank Borja took it while watching a Saturday track and field meet in San Diego. We are looking for more information. Osprey has a blue colour band on the left leg, with a numeric, either 61 or 19, depending on which way it is to be read. Do you know this osprey number? We are searching and have sent a query to USFWS and reported the band sighting. The osprey looks to be in very good condition with a nice fish dinner.
‘J’ sent news that Ojai is banning glue traps! This is great news if the stops and on line retailers will stop selling them! Despite a ban in my city, I continued to find these for sale in big retail chains.
Sharon Dunne reporting on the TF chick and its visit with Mum.
Love TF chick? His parents? All the other albatross and seabirds? PLEASE stop using plastic. It is bad for humans (you can find endless articles about forever toxins used in plastic), and it is deadly for Royal Albatross chicks whose parents forage in the sea and fill their babies with plastic! What a garbage dump we have created on our planet. It is time to do something about this. Refrain from purchasing plastic items. Do not use plastic in your microwave. Tell your shops to stop buying cheap imported plastic items that are thrown away. Start investing in buying less but better. The world will thank you.
Milda and Mr H are working fast and hard to get that nest ready for eggs! I am thinking around the 25th.
I honestly cannot get enough of the Port Lincoln Lads hanging out together. This is pretty awesome.
Arthur was working on the Cornell nest for a few minutes before the snow started Sunday evening.
Off he goes over Tower Road.
We love seeing our falcons out and about the urban areas staying safe.
Olivia and Oscar are now both back at Severna Park’s Osprey Platform.
Dr Sharpe has cancelled his retirement. Please note his comment about the build-up of DDT in the older eagles in the Channel Islands – and this would apply to other areas such as Big Bear Lake where DDT was sprayed extensively.
As many as half a million barrels of DDT were discovered leaking in the Channel Islands in 2020. Leaking. Hidden at a depth of 3000 feet so that no one could discover them – the ocean and inlets are garbage dumps used by humans. Out of sight but not out of mind and certainly harming the wildlife.
We love Jackie and Shadow. Everyone sat and hoped that with three eggs one of them would be viable. As we close in on the final days that egg #3 might be, let us all applaud this couple who have laid 14 eggs together with 5 of those eggs hatching. It is known that 2 or 3 of that 5 have survived into adulthood. One of those most of you will remember as Spirit from two years ago. I hope that Jackie and Shadow will have another opportunity to raise an eaglet, but if they don’t, they can sure teach us much about getting on with life in the face of adversity. Send them your love!
Thank you so much for being with me today. Take care everyone. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, photographs, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, FB, H, J’, Window to Wildlife, Decorah Goose Cam, IWS/Explore.org, FOBBV, Dulles-Greenway Eagle Cam, Loudoun Times-Mirror, Eagle Country, Lady Hawk, Duke Farms, Sylvia, Johnson City-ETSU, Bluff City-ETSU, Rollin’ Rog, Frank Borja, Ojai Raptor Center, Sharon Dunne, NZ DOC, National Geographic, Open Verse, Biruta Lapa, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Cornell RTH, Linda McIlroy, Lucille Powell, Dr Sharpe, and The Los Angeles Times.
Goodness me. Things are starting to heat up. By next week, our heads will be spinning. The voting for which streaming cam osprey in the UK would arrive first is now over. The leader was Maya. She was beaten out by the arrival of Blue NCO at Loch of the Lowes. Blue NCO is the mate of Laddie LM12, and I, amongst others, feared that her early departure on July 15th last year meant she was no longer with us. There had been a lot of intruders around the loch. Well, here she is! Not dead but looking really good, back home and ready to begin another season. (Note: Last year she arrived on the 17th of March.)
Laddie cared for the remaining fledgling while having untold issues with intruders last year after NCO’s departure. He seemed exhausted at the end of the season. I hope he makes it back safely.
The video of this happy arrival captured by Geemeff. She looks around to see if Laddie has arrived.
Blue 5F, or Seren, is not on her usual perch in West Africa. She has not been seen for a few days. It is assumed that she is on her way home to Llyn Clywedog to be reunited with Dylan when he arrives.
Mid-afternoon Friday. A hatch is in progress at the West End nest of Akecheta and Thunder! Oh, my gosh. Do you think they will have three eaglets again this year? Something to look forward to after what looks like sadness at BB.
Thunder and Akecheta are hilarious.
They were feeding a chick Saturday morning. Congratulations.
More than 32,000 people were watching Jackie right after 0900 on Friday, hoping, like the rest of us, that one of those last two eggs is viable.
Jak and Audacity’s egg has held. It is 36 days today. Can we start dreaming of a pip?
Just look at how deep that egg cup is at Sauces. I wonder if this is why the egg has stayed intact this year.
New bark at the Achieva Credit Union Osprey platform. No sign of a chick, but Diane isn’t showing us much either!
No sign of a pip later on Friday at Achieva.
As Bella incubates, Scout has proven himself to be a fantastic new mate. He not only incubates and provides food, but he also had to protect Bella from a GHO attack.
Lewis is actively courting the new female at the Dulles-Greenway nest.
Dr Andrew Digby is an expert on Kakapo. He has done several podcasts and this one is really interesting. Have a listen!
If you missed it, both of the Royal Cam chicks are males.
If you miss see Brad and Gil on the Port Lincoln Osprey barge, rest assured that they are both fine. They are hanging out with Mum and Dad and enjoying learning to fish!
Look are out swimming together – Ervie and Giliath. Just think. All boys. Ervie, Brad, and Gil. They could all hang around Port Lincoln. Wouldn’t that be awesome. Best be finding places for platforms!
I mentioned several days ago that the GHOs had taken over the Wolf Bay Osprey Platform in Alabama. Today, they have two eggs in the nest.
Rosie Shields posted the story from Bird Life South Africa of a phenomenal migration by an Osprey.
I am wondering how extensive and detailed these daily cam updates will be.
The US Ospreys are arriving faster than I can enter all of the data into my research forms. Lucy arrived at Lake Murray on the 25th of February, Frederick arrived at Carova Beach on 1 March with his mate Betsie arriving on Friday the 8th. Jack appears to gotten to his Dahlgren Nest on Friday the 8th while the couple at Danville arrived on the 7th.
Jack at Dahlgren. Just wonder what toys he will bring to Harriet this year. I really hope none. Those poor eggs that have gotten lost in that nest and the potential for chicks to get entangled in those ‘stuffies’ drives me daffy.
I expect more flurries of arrivals in the US, UK, and Europe this coming week. If you are watching an Osprey nest and see birds arriving, please write to me and let me know so I can put in the correct data in the ongoing International Osprey Data Bank Project. Feel free to add this as a comment (I am behind in answering and apologise) or send me an e-mail at maryannsteggles@icloud.com. I appreciate all of the information sent to me. Anyone who watches a specific nest – one of your favourites – consistently, please alert me to hatches, fledges, and any possible siblicide. Again, I am very thankful for all of your ‘Osprey eyes’. ‘H’ and I could not complete this ongoing and extensive research project on siblicide and, now, more generally, causes of death on Osprey nests without your help. Thank you.
Have you ever heard a million cranes gathered during migration?
Turning back to the eagles for a minute. Swampy has that Buddha-like stance today. Few dandelions left on the top of his/her head. Gosh, these eaglets of Abby and Blaze are big.
Quite the expressions.
The Dukies seem to be doing fine. Nice big chunks of fish on that nest at Duke Farms.
Things seem to be alright at Johnson City with Jolene and Boone and their two eaglets.
There are two at Bluff City, and they are cute and tiny. Congratulations, Franklin and Frances, on your second successful hatch for 2024.
At Captiva, Cal wasn’t going to let Clive (I think it’s Clive) steal his fish. Oh, no! Any pretence of aerating the nest to get closer to that fish caused Cal to grab it and take it to the rails for a meal. — It is hard to train a single eaglet to protect their food. As we all know, it is very different when two eaglets are on the nest the age of Cal and a fish arrives. They fight for it like they will have to do in the wild. So we have all these single eaglets this year needing parents to get ‘tough’.
Look how Dad creeps up on Cal…
‘H’ reports that Ron and Rose are working on R6’s self feeding. “R6 had a very good experience self-feeding on 3/8. He had nothing to eat all day except a few bites of a leftover squirrel, then at 1805 Ron delivered a headless bluegill. R6 grabbed the fish and mantled, so Ron left him to it. R6 was doing a much better job of pulling and tearing off pieces of fish. Then, as a test, Ron returned at 1817 and tried to steal R6’s fish. Ron briefly had the fish but R6 put up a good fight. He bit his Dad on the talon, took the fish back and dragged it over to the other side of the nest where he continued to eat. He couldn’t finish it all, so he still had some fish saved for breakfast. R6 woke up in the middle of the night (0230ish) and began to eat from the fish piece again!”
JBS20 has been pecking at the nest as if looking for leftover fish. Mum was on the nest with her eaglet and Dad was seen there, too. I am unclear who did the feeding at 1700.
Gabby and Beau are protecting their nest. They were caught mating on another tree today. How nice it is to see them together after their clutch failed this year. We have something to look forward to for next year.
Tula, the White-tailed Polish Eagle, has laid her first egg for the 2024 season.
Gorgeous sunset over the Sandpoint Osprey platform.
Thank you so much for being with me today. Tomorrow, Saturday the 9th, promises to be another day for Osprey arrivals! We will also have some new eaglets in the US. We might even have an osplet at Achieva. Time will tell. Take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, screen captures, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post: ‘EJ, Geemeff, H, J’, Scottish Wildlife Trust (LOTL), Mary Kerr, Geemeff, John Williams, IWS/Explore.org, Tonya in N.O., FOBBV, Achieva Credit Union, Deb Stecyk, Dulles-Greenway Eagle Cam, Sharon Dunne, Bazz Hockaday, PLO, Wolf Bay, Rosie Shields, All About Birds, Dahlgren Osprey Cam, Explore, Eagle Country, Duke Farms, Rollin’ Rog, Johnson City-ETSU, Bluff City-ETSU, Window to Wildlife, WRDC, JB Sands Wetlands, NEFL-AEF, Wildcat Creek Wildlife Centre, SPO, and Sandpoint Ospreys.
It is 1747 on the Canadian Prairies and we have been in the midst of a blizzard for five hours now. We got all of the donations to the kitten charity and rushed home. Thank you so much for your wishes on bountiful donations. People are generous and it is a good time since many are doing some spring cleaning. I feel so sorry for those people who cannot keep their pets because they cannot afford to feed them.
The wind was really gusting. The snow had piled in where ‘The Boyfriend’ and other feral find their food. There were no birds in the garden and the squirrels had completely disappeared to their dreys or tree homes.
The girls were all asleep. As for me, I was glad to get off the City streets as they got slicker and the wind picked up to the point that in places you could not see. As Dorothy says, ‘There is no place like home!’ When I did look at the kitties, I was drawn to Calico who, this time last year, would have endured several big storms. I am so glad this gentle soul (she is except for the ongoing snit with Missey) is inside this year, safe and warm.
There is no news coming out of Big Bear Valley about a pip that I have seen. Indeed, despite the good response to the auction, I have been rather muted and sad today. It is unrealistic, but I wish an ‘Eagle Egg Fairy’ existed. Or someone who had an orphan eagle that needed two great parents. If they could drop that little one into the Big Bear nest, Jackie and Shadow would be elated. That eaglet, like Calico, would have won the ‘so-called lottery’ – a home with loving parents and food. On the other hand, I would love it if that third egg would hatch for Jackie and Shadow. I feel like I am losing hope. The impact of DDT has been horrific on wildlife decades later.
The camera isn’t even going in close. Feeling gutted for them. Egg 1 is 42 days old and I presume it to be non-viable. Egg 2 is 39 days old. Has it begun pipping? No visible pips seen. Egg 3 is 36 days old. Please send positive wishes for that egg to be viable for these two so hopeful eagles.
Jak and Audacity’s single egg clutch looks good. But will that egg be fertile? Oh, please.
Still waiting at Achieva, also.
No eggs, but Milda and her new mate are working on their nest in Latvia. I am expecting eggs right before the end of March.
Red Wing captures all the drama at the Spirit Bluff Peregrine Falcon scrape – who will Newman choose?
It is always a relief when a mate returns from migration. It is always a heart ache when they do not.
Rosie has been home for a few days and Richmond is bringing in the fish gifts.
Annie and Archie are fine. Starling is on the menu.
We are on a countdown for the UK returnees as well as those in Europe – all of the migrating birds, including the storks and ospreys.
Observers of the JB Sands Wetlands Bald Eagle nest report that Mum’s leg appears to be slowly healing. She is not missing. She was on top of the tower and flew down and took a fish from Dad and even fed the eaglet. Dad fed the eaglet as well. It was quite the scene with the live fish. thank you ‘MP’ for this encouraging report! That eaglet is big and is really feeling its wings, too!
Rainy at Duke Farms. Mum fed the eaglets, but less close in feedings than you might have seen at some of the other eagle nests with little ones. It seems to have gotten wetter throughout the day.
The Duckies seem fine.
My dear friend, the late Phyllis Robbins, who loved the Sea Eagles in Sydney also loved Eagle Country. I have to say that at the beginning of this season I really worried for Meadow. Well, just look at Swampy and Meadow today. Abby and Blaze are incredible parents. Despite their age and size, those two eaglets are being constantly fed. They are so well provided for that this eagle nest has quickly become one of my favourites, too.
As the rain came, Swampy and Meadow got a little wet. No problem. They have their thick thermal down and their juvenile feathers are coming in. The little ones like those at Duke Farms must stay dry.
The little ones of Jolene and Boone at Johnson City-ETSU did get wet on Wednesday. I really hope that they do not get a chill. They have to eat and it is difficult for the adults to feed them without them getting some rain.
Close by at the other ETSU Bald Eagle nest at Bluff City, Franklin and Frances have a pip, and it is raining.
And they have a hatch! It is BC24.
At Ron and Rose’s WRDC nest, R6 attempted to eat some fish that Rose had left on the nest. He did manage to get some of it. Unlike Cal, R6 seems to be behind in his self-feeding.
At the ND-LEEF nest in South Bend, Indiana, Dad’s new mate has been named Gigi.
While all the attention was the on the death of Flaco, another owl, this time an Eastern Screech Owl, died. The little one had been an ambassador for 15 years at the Raptor Centre in St. Paul, Minnesota. Unlike Flaco, who could fly and hunt, Warner suffered from lack of vision caused by an early head trauma. She spent 15 years educating people about owls.
This is news from the 5th of March. Sorry for the delay in birthday greetings to two very special Kakapo.
Nothing needs to be said anymore about the trauma and death caused by fishing line. We need to clean up our act if we fish.
I never saw one when I was growing up in Oklahoma, but these lucky birders were so fortunate to see this leucitic Red-tail Hawk there! She is even whiter than Angel.
Over 400,000 songbirds were trapped in Cyprus so people could eat a delicacy. This really makes me ill. Can it be stopped? And in what other countries is this happening?
There are many birds that actually winter in the UK. They are now preparing to migrate back to their spring and summer breeding grounds in the far north. Let us all hope that they are not trapped somewhere, but make it home safely.
Your feel good moment. An osprey in care for 10 days for a soft tissue injury is freed! Remember – some people said ospreys do not do well in care. Others said not to supplement their feeding and look what happened positively at Port Lincoln! So smile…they do well in care most of the time like any animal.
Thank you so much for being with me today as we sit on our hands waiting for several pips or hatches. It’s not easy, especially when they are Jackie, Shadow, Jak, and Audacity.
Thank you to the following for their notes, observations, screen captures, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘J, MP’, FOBBV, IWS/Explore.org, Achieva Credit Union, Heidi McGrue, Latvian Fund for Nature, Raptor Resource Project/Explore.org, SK Hideaways, Lucille Powell, JB Sands Wetlands, Duke Farms, Eagle Country, Johnson City-ETSU, Bluff City-ETSU, WRDC, ND-LEEF, The Raptor Centre, Kakapo Recovery, Lin Lawson, The Red-tailed Hawk Project, The Guardian, and Wild Florida Rescue.
Monday was a busy day for me and I had little time to check the nests. That said, I did continue to monitor Jackie and Shadow and to check with some keen viewers of the JB Sands Wetlands nest as to the situation there. We are expecting pip at Achieva Osprey nest any time. And for those of you thinking about Jak and Audacity, the egg is holding and hatch watch begins shortly.
Hugo Yugo now has her pink onesie and it fits. Not the most glamorous of costumes but it will keep her and Missey from licking her incision. That surgery is ten days away. This onsie is perfect. It has some stretch, the legs fit and she has the ability to go to the litter box unencumbered. There is a velcro closure on the back. It is a good design. She will not be able to lick that incision. Thanks, Auntie ‘J’ for the recommendation.
So, Big Bear Valley. It is just mid-afternoon on Monday. At one time there were more than 34,000 people watching the nest. Amazing.
Most of us are driving ourselves crazy by not being able to get a clear view of the eggs in their entirety. Yes, we can see one side, but what is happening on the other? We don’t know, and, as yet, FOBBV has yet to call a pip. I do not think they will until they are 100% certain; in reality, none of us can say that. But putting my neck on there chopping board, it sure looks like it.
So – images from Monday. Dirt? Pip? Crack? Nesting Material?
Then Shadow arrived and we are still wondering.
It is that right egg and that hole that makes me believe there is a beak the past, working on that spot…but, in things have happened, so deep breath. Fingers crossed. We wait. Jackie and Shadow will know if there is a little one wanting out and I wish to goodness there is.
Someone agrees with me.
The other nest that I made queries about is the JB Sands Wetlands Bald Eagle nest in Texas. Keen observers noticed Mum had injured her leg over a week ago. She had been missing for a few days or so, it seemed. According to the site administrators, She was up on top of the tower. Dad is now feeding the eaglet. Mum comes to the nest and eats. She was there last night, according to ‘MP’. I am very grateful to him for monitoring the situation along with ‘AE’. So, the eaglet is old enough to be left alone. One parent can take care of it – M15 is our guide, along with others like River last year at the Dale Hollow nest. We are sending good energy to Mum for her healing. She is eating, and that is a good thing. Her leg may heal wonky like Ma Berry or Mini at Patchogue. We will just have to wait and see. Right now, she is probably in a lot of pain, but I am thrilled she is eating, and Dad is helping by taking care of the baby! Well, not such a baby anymore. JBS20 hatched on the 26th of January, so it is -if we count hatch day- 39 days old. Nine days older than when E21 and E22 lost their mother, Harriet, and M15 took over.
The screen capture is of Dad delivering a fish Sunday evening by ‘MP’. Mum is on the nest. She is sitting on a fish and another prey item. She does not feed the chick. She will snatch that fish from Dad and later, Dad will feed the baby. So please send good wishes to this eagle family. Dad is working very hard to feed all three of them and get his baby to fledge.
Trudi Kron got a video of JBS20 a couple of days ago. Mum is in the nest.
Meadow and Swampy are doing fine. Abby and Blaze are incredible parents, and despite some hiccups with that bonking, these two are developing nicely. Meadow is considerably smaller than Swampy, and from their behaviour, we might suspect that Swampy is a female and Meadow is a male.
Cal is working on a fish and we are on fledge watch for the Captiva Eagle nest of Connie and Clive.
That Johnson City ETSU nest of Jolene and Boone is stacked with fish dinners. Those little bobbleheads are so cute. Growing like bad weeds.
Cute little babies at Duke Farms. Mum is very attentive and both seem to be doing alright.
Looks like one cam is on the blink at Superbeaks! Cannot see how the eaglets are doing.
Is it an injury from a territorial dispute, blood from prey, or a fish hook and line. It was unclear when Scout came to relieve Bella of incubation duties on Monday what had happened to the right side of his neck.
Deb Stecyk believes that there is a fish hook and possibly some line that is embedded in that neck causing issues for Scout. If that is the case, let us hope that it comes out without further injury.
The good news is – there seems to be no cause for worry and look, a third egg! What is it with these three egg clutches this year?
Commentary from Wings of Whimsy on the Dulles-Greenway nest and their observations, “Lewis and his new lady return to the nest at 8:47 am. They mate on the Cam perch at 9:00 am and Lewis delivers three sticks by 9:20 am. An eagle flying by gets them a bit excited just after the third stick delivery but the eagle doesn’t stop by to say hello. Smart eagle. Lewis’s new lady moves back to the nest and covers the egg with bedding after Lewis moves to the Cam perch at 9:24 am. Lewis and his lady fly down the creek and appear to chase off an eagle at 9:30 am.One of Rosa and Lewis’ eggs are uncovered when Lewis returns to the nest at 6:49 am. A sad reminder of what could have been. Lewis aerates the bedding around it and moves a stick or two before he moves to the Cam perch at 6:52 am. He flies off from the Cam perch at 7:05 am but returns at 7:06 am. Lewis works on a stick before he flies off again at 7:08 am. Vocals are heard just after he departs.
Lewis and his new lady visited the nest several times yesterday. Lewis delivered leaves and grasses and they mated twice. What will happen in the future is anyone’s guess but for now It appears that these two are setting up housekeeping or “nestkeeping” in this case. Lewis’ lady arrives in the nest just after midnight for a sleepover. She aerates the bedding and moves to the Cam perch at 12:12 am. She hops down from the Cam perch when Lewis arrives in the nest at 5:58 am. Lewis steps over to help her aerate the bedding but gets a few pecks for his trouble. This female is more assertive than Rosa. She pecks and pulls on Lewis more than Rosa ever did, one of the differences that I mentioned yesterday. Rosa and Lewis got along quite well when working in the nest with nary a disagreement between them. The behavior with this female is much different. Lewis’ lady poops in the nest at 6:02 am, something Rosa would never do. Bald eagles do not go to the bathroom in their own nest. As soon as they’re old enough to move around, eaglets will shoot their poop off the side of the nest as well. Lewis joins his lady after she moves to the Cam perch at 6:02 am. They fly off together at 6:10 am.”
Tom and Angel are working fast on their nest. Isn’t it gorgeous?
It is always touching when both Royal Albatross parents show up at the nest site. That is what happened with LGL and LGK on 3 March. What a nice surprise for the Royal Cam chick.
Please make sure your windows are prepared for spring migration so that no injuries or deaths will occur. Again, Feather Friendly tape is excellent and will last many years making the initial cost much lower. The most reasonable and fun – if you have any artistic talent – are the Window Writers. Markers. It comes of with White Vinegar. We put up too elaborate of a design. There were no injuries or fatalities but we did cut the light from spring and summer with the writers so we are getting more of the Feather Friendly tape for the sitting room windows this year.
Many of you will have noticed the gorgeous linocut that went along with the research on Eurasian Owls and the article by Suburban Birds that I posted on Sunday. I hope you read it – it was very enlightening and disturbing. No doubt you would not wish any animal to be in a cage if it could be helped. I loved the image. Many in the Flaco FB group wondered if it was for sale as a print. I wrote to the writer/artist, and she set up a site to sell prints of the image on good-quality matte paper. They are available in various sizes at a reasonable price. I ordered a 12 x 12 because I have the perfect spot for that size. To me, Flaco the Owl was more than an escapee. He was an inspiration. He showed the world that he could survive when many doubted him, and he did it with a presence that captivated all. I want to remember him and that spirit – a spirit that loved life.
The pricing. There are four sizes. The 20 x 20 inch is $36, and the 12 x 12 is $22. I think this is great value. The information for ordering is below- and, as always, no profits for me in this just the joy of sharing what looks like a wonderful raptor print. I will let you know when I receive mine.
The Farne Islands are reopening after having been closed a full two years because of HPAI.
The Farne Islands are just southeast of Berwick-upon-Tweed, off the coast of North Humberland. The seabirds in this area of England were devastated by Bird Flu.
A 47 year old man was quickly charged after killing a goshawk in Scotland. This feels like a first. Let us hope that the penalty is high enough and not the joke that some others have had – demonstrated by their laughing when they left court. It really is time that the courts took these offences seriously – if they do then we might see a slow down in the deliberate killing of the beautiful raptors that fly the skies of the Highlands.
Pip/hatch watch for Diane and Jack at Achieva Credit Union Osprey platform in St Petersburg, Florida.
The average time for Diane’s eggs to hatch is 36 days. These are the dates and times from last year and the dates of eggs laid for this year at Achieva.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, screen captures, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘AE, B, H, J, MP’, FOBBV, Rollin’ Dog, JBSands Wetlands, Trudi Kron, Eagle Country, NCTC, Deb Stecyk, Wings of Whimsy, Dulles-Greenway Eagle Cam, Johnson City-ETSU, Duke Farms, Superbeaks, Window to Wildlife, Sharon Dunne, NYC Audubon, Suburban Birds, BirdGuides, Google Maps, The Guardian, Raptor Persecution UK, Achieva Credit Union, and International Osprey Data Bank.
