Osoyoos Ospreys – Mary Ann Steggles

Monday in Bird World

14 July 2025

Happy Monday! We hope that you had a great weekend.

The three Blue Jays living in the trees in my garden will wake you up! This is how they sound when I deliver a new pail of peanuts. They have lost all their trees but one, and I saw a new orange circle on it, which means it will be cut down, too. Thankfully, we have a home for them.

I want to start with some interesting news and a request for help. Two years ago, Michael St John from Barbados took some photos of an Osprey with a Blue Darvic Ring. That number was Blue KW0. It was unfamiliar. Where was it from? And how did it get to Barbados? Well, it was from the United Kingdom, and whether it was blown off course, got on a ship, one will never know, but it wound up in Barbados and was photographed by Michael. Now he has another quandrum that he is hoping we can help – especially if you are or know someone who is a specialist in Harriers.

There are several species of harriers, all belonging to the genus Circus. The most well-known include the Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus), the Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus), and the Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus). Other species include the Eastern Marsh Harrier, African Marsh Harrier, Swamp Harrier, Malagasy Harrier, Réunion Harrier, Long-winged Harrier, Spotted Harrier, Black Harrier, Cinereous Harrier, and Pallid Harrier. Some species, like the Papuan Harrier and Eyles’ Harrier, are also recognised.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Northern Harrier:
Found in North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, and they prefer open habitats like marshes and grasslands.
Marsh Harrier:
A group of harriers, including the Western Marsh Harrier, Eastern Marsh Harrier, and others, is often associated with marshland and reedbeds.
Montagu’s Harrier:
A migratory species, often confused with other harriers due to similar plumage.
Other Species:
The African Marsh Harrier, Swamp Harrier, Malagasy Harrier, Réunion Harrier, Long-winged Harrier, Spotted Harrier, Black Harrier, Cinereous Harrier, and Pallid Harrier each have unique geographic distributions and characteristics.
Harriers – Raptor Identification – The complete raptors guide
The classification of some harrier species, particularly within the marsh harrier group, is still being refined.

This is a young Reunion Harrier (Raptors are the Solution).

Michael St John has sought out the advice of many agencies and I was happy that one of them acknowledged that raptors (birds of all types) get off course.

Doing his own research, Michael has these findings:

“1/ Prominent white rump patch at base of tail

2/ Length of tail…its an obvious longer than normal tail

3/ Five fingers on the hand, makes it either a Northern or Hen, female. This Rules out Pallid and Montague, they have 4 fingers on the hand.

4/ Faint white ring around neck

5/ Wing Bars pattern

6/ Curve of the beak

7/ Yellowish legs

8/ Underbelly plumage: yellow/ ochre streaking

9/ I notice the curvature of the trailing edge of the secondaries in the Female Hen and not the Female Northern, the northern has straighter trailing edge secondaries. I haven’t seen this mentioned anywhere in the literature, I just see this feature popping out in the online photos.

After carefully reviewing Northern & Hen Pictures online I’ve ruled out Northern completely and the 5 photos below, in my opinion… are identical to Hen, female.

My call at this stage of research is Female Hen Harrier.”

These are the images. This is the type of detail you need if you are looking to properly identify a ‘vagrant’.

Still, Michael wants to be certain, and he is reaching out to anyone who is an expert to assist in this identification. Note that Barbados is far south and closer to South America. It is easy for birds from Central America and Africa to get off course and wind up in this region.

Thank you so much for any help. You can leave a comment or write to me at maryannsteggles@icloud.com

‘PS’ sends us the Seattle report for the weekend:

A good weekend for the nest! Numerous feeds (including one where Harry brought back the rear half of the largest fish I’ve seen on the nest this year!) seen on July 11, 12, and 13, and both chicks continue to do well and look good! They both continue to flex their wings a lot, with one jumping ever so slightly up on one leg yesterday. Also they are both trying to take bites out of food on their own, with the larger one actually feeding itself yesterday! Mom had brought back a Coho Salmon and was feeding one chick when the other started pecking at something – I couldn’t tell what. But when it turned sideways to me I could see it had another salmon in its beak! I guess there was a “spare” fish in the nest that it decided to try and eat. Mom and sibling took several funny looking glances at the youngster as it tried to rip pieces off the fish, but it did so many times so seemed to successfully (if inefficiently) feed itself. Several intercept missions by both mom and dad, and I spotted a group of 3 Osprey hanging out atop a nearby crane (that drew Sally off the nest). ~40 days old now, give or take – fingers remain crossed! Few pics here, many more up here (https://www.flickr.com/gp/193514804@N08/8459V5m6z6).

Check out Ping’s gorgeous images on his Flickr account. Link is in the information above!

Sharon Pollock sent the following video link to me remarking that I might cry my eyes out. I did. Get the tissues. It is the story of T3 from egg to fledge. Remarkably raised by a single Mum! https://youtu.be/xj8ZQw63Nzw?

Mrs T is a very remarkable eagle. I have seen others raise eaglets alone but never from the egg to fledge. Great video by Explore!

In the United States, several osprey nests have been attacked by individuals in boats. On Sunday, the three osplets at Smallwood were forced to fledge. They have not returned, and we do not know if they drowned or if they made it to a safe place. The individuals in the boat repeatedly returned to the nest.

So many other nests in the US struggling for food and with high heat or both.

Heidi’s Osprey Nest Reports for the US:

Chick 2’s passing at Cape Henlopen… I don’t intend to post a separate nest-news item regarding this.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15stgoZpQ9

Thank you, Heidi.

We have sadness at the Osoyoos nest in British Columbia. The first hatch was stepped on and died. The second died. Ann-Marie Watson has created a flower garden in memory of all the osplets lost at this nest—poor little souls. I also want to add that she has returned to Osoyoos after working and heading home to retrieve the little bodies that fell off the nest to place them in a quiet, peaceful spot. Her actions always touched my heart – no one else in the town seemed to care! Many have passed away over the years, primarily due to heat domes affecting the region and the male Olsens’ struggles to provide for their family adequately.

Waiting for a food delivery while keeping her four osplets cool at Dunrovin Ranch in Colorado.

Swoop just flew in with a late Sunday evening fish. Thanks, ‘PB’.

Little 4 is full.

Charlo Montana – waiting for Charlie to finish with the fish!

It is hot in Idaho at Coeur de’Alene where the three osplets seem to be doing very well after the starvation of little four.

Birds of Poole Harbour: All four fledglings were back in the nest for night with fish arriving at the following times: 10:02, 16:14, 18:32, 19:29, 21:17. Big round of applause for CJ7 and Blue 022 – they raised four to fledge again.

Dyfi Osprey Project: All three back in the nest for an evening fish and a good sleep.

Everything to know about the fledging of Idris and Telyn’s trio:

All Three Chicks Fledge 2025 _ Dyfi Osprey Project Download

Rutland Manton Bay: The three surviving osplets return on and off during the day for fish, which is continually provided!

Alyth SS: Sadly we lost Oakley to siblicide/starvation when they were fullty feathered. The two older osplets are doing well.

Llyn Clywedog 1: Seren and Dylan have had their first fledge since Friday.

Foulshaw Moss 1: White YW and Blue 35 have their first fledge.

At Finnish #3 nest, the Raven helps himself to the three osprey eggs.

At Wildnis-Goitzsche, Zeus delivers the last fish of the day as the sunset captures the reflections. The osplet has fledged. Thanks, Joan Castnyer. https://youtu.be/bdWWyZ_vFK4?

Other images form the live stream from Wildnis-Goitzsche:

Renee and Ricci doing very well at Eschenbach!

Up close and personal with Bety and Bukacek’s two storklets at Mlade Buky.

A nest full of storks in Trutnove in the Czech Republic.

Two Black Stork babies waiting for a food delivery in Bolewice, Poland.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 13th July 2025
Today was all about helicopters – both chicks spent considerable amounts of time practising lift off, and even getting quite high, but not the only-feet- visible-on-nest-cam sort of height for a true helicopter. However, practice makes perfect, and provided Dorcha doesn’t push them over the edge, as nearly happened to Darach 7P0 this evening, both chicks are on course to fledge this week. Louis delivered four fish to the nest, the second of which was his three hundredth for the season, but at times the chicks seemed more interested in bunny hopping and wingercising than eating, although Breac 7P7 did grab a fish directly from Louis, hold it away from Dorcha, and start having a munch on it. Louis’ tally now stands at three hundred and two. There were a couple of intruder alarms, but no one seen on nest cam, although over on Nest One, a shadow was seen briefly as Aurora 536 flapped her wings and squeaked before flying off. Garry LV0 brought her two fish – well, one and a half really, the second was just a small piece – and his tally rises to one hundred and twenty five. He also brought several sticks, one of which he actually rode in on and perched upon for a comedy moment. It was hot again today, at 29.7

°C slightly hotter than the forecasted 29°C, and the overnight conditions call for partly cloudy and light winds with a low of 16°C but the temperature is expected to drop tomorrow to a high of only 20°C, with thundery showers and a gentle breeze to cool things down.Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.51.42 (02.48.36); Nest Two 23.41.08 (03.13.59)

Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/kIin3dspeg8 N2 Dorcha returns one second after Louis brings breakfast 04.32.09https://youtu.be/-TCD6tobTbw N1 As the sun rises, Garry brings a fish for Aurora 05.21.12https://youtu.be/sZJGRtOX3CM N2 Today’s second fish is also season’s number 300! 07.16.54https://youtu.be/qc9jnAuqO6o N1 Garry shows off his pole vaulting skills but Aurora wants fish 11.21.51

https://youtu.be/G2Kg57yBQIE N2 Breac 7P7 takes fish three from Louis 13.54.20

https://youtu.be/Lvw0yyPQVY4 N2 Both chicks practise helicopters until Dorcha returns to dish up fish 14.11.36

https://youtu.be/v0e4qbX8bmA N1 Aurora receives half a trout from Garry, second fish today 15.37.39

https://youtu.be/7x9lw0-yZmg N2 When Louis delivers a fourth fish neither chick seems interested 16.18.36

https://youtu.be/Y0dlcEBocmg N2 Danger! Dorcha nearly causes Darach to have an early fledge 21.59.39 (slo-mo zoom)Bonus action: voting now open for Woodland Trust’s Tree of the Year:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jul/11/beatles-virginia-woolf-uk-tree-of-the-year-shortlist-culture

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/0Cl8FINNtoo N1 Ouch! Ungrateful chick! (2019)

https://youtu.be/ffII5_YiOdg N1 The chicks’ names are revealed on BBC Breakfast (2020)

https://youtu.be/GP_us9LEcMw N1 Doddie JJ6 tackles nest furnishings (2020)

https://youtu.be/CGdPBqFGdz8 N2 Dorcha brings a very big stick (2022)

https://youtu.be/bN7HPh85yqs N2 Takes two to tangle! The girls are hooked! (2022)

https://youtu.be/UcwVIYkX9kc Ospreys and wildlife disturbances: BBC Breakfast 2023

https://youtu.be/LOk6dL2laVY N2 LY7 kicks the egg and gets in a flap preparing for lift off 2023

https://youtu.be/S68l64FV5oQ N1 Affric departs chased by another bird 2023 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/f4cyHgyr1-c N2 Louis is heard skydancing before landing 2024

https://youtu.be/39BScubJvE0 N2 Louis affirms his bond with Dorcha with a mating attempt 2024

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 12th July 2025

On a hot day where temperatures soared to more than 33°C, the chicks didn’t seem to want extra fish, in fact, they appeared uninterested when the second and third fish arrived, preferring to wingercise and do the odd bunny hop. As seems to be the pattern now, Breac 7P7 acts keen on fledging first, flapping energetically and attempting lift off more than his older brother Darach 7P0. Louis brought three fish to the nest, taking his tally to two hundred and ninety eight, and despite appearances the chicks did eat enough to get the fuel they need at this stage of development. Dorcha had her fill of fish too, and spent time perching on the high perch or out of sight behind the nest on the cam post, relaxed despite being dive bombed by an intruder Osprey who buzzed the nest twice before leaving the area. Was it Aurora 536? The timings would work, but the intruder wasn’t seen clearly enough to notice if there was the blue flash of a Darvic ring. Garry LV0 brought two fish to Nest One but took the first away as the nest was empty. Aurora turned up too late shortly afterwards but was present when Garry delivered the second fish, and did her usual grab and mantle before leaving with it. Garry’s tally now stands at one hundred and twenty-three. Tonight’s overnight forecast is clear sky and light winds and a low of 15°C, continuing very hot tomorrow with sunshine, light winds and a high of 29°C.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 00.17.27 (02.42.05); Nest Two no switchover as at 00.45 (03.07.08)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/Xo_q03kNy3M N2 Louis arrives with a not so early breakfast 07.56.37

https://youtu.be/v8IwCZVzsIE N1 Garry takes fish one away as Aurora’s not there 08.51.08

https://youtu.be/sjjZaaIqymE N2 Dorcha is divebombed by an intruder Osprey 15.22.31

https://youtu.be/FiGyxf_ToX8 N1 Louis brings a second fish but the chicks don’t seem interested 17.29.18

https://youtu.be/Ki-EokaeiA8 N1 Aurora’s there this time to take the second fish 18.09.46

https://youtu.be/201ZoZUQV58 N2 Third fish arrives but Breac’s busy flapping and trying to get airborne 21.15.40

Bonus look – in case you missed Jelf’s artwork yesterday, here’s her fabulous drawing of our family:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/o6r9cg4s5wtvfaj3tcx28/ospreys-at-arkaig.jpg?rlkey=2m1969sw0xgmzsnye3dch4cha&st=rjo91bu5&dl=0

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/7TuZUUU01Zk N1 Fish arrives but Aila is reacting to an intruder 2020

https://youtu.be/Wikzl0L2al0 N1 The chicks are too big for mumbrella 2020

https://youtu.be/y9bWx04ZpDs N1 Silver tourist arrives but Aila keeps calling 2020

https://youtu.be/j9Q-6R_wTsA N2 Dorcha in hi-def close up 2022

https://youtu.be/gQtZdZ87KiY N1 Is that Louis chasing away visitors? 2022

https://youtu.be/mVPRbvjXYak N2 Meet LW5 and LW6: now we await the gender info 2022

https://youtu.be/qVf3XW17uNY N2 Chick self feeds, moves around the nest holding a fish 2023

https://youtu.be/s9fhcpnTL90 N2 Chick plays football with the egg 2023

https://youtu.be/Iq1v2o1P-Yo N1 Late night mating attempt but no fish 2023

https://youtu.be/Nb4V8EKa_os WTS tweets and footage of our chick 1JR in the Spanish aviary 2024

https://youtu.be/Zv55S0PD-T0 N2 Dorcha arrives fish-calling, Louis arrives but brings no fish 2024

https://youtu.be/WnoPi5nkNGY N1 Garry LV0 brings nesting materials and keeps a lonely vigil 2024

There is so much news. The UK osplets are taking to the skies. All four of Blue 33 and Maya’s chicks have fledged. Sadly, we lost one who found himself in the water near the shore. A post-mortem is being conducted. Ringing has finished as far as I know. I wonder how many osplets over the entire UK were fitted with their Darvic rings and their BTO identification. I will try and find out.

Some include:

I am happy to report that the three osplets at the Green Ledge Light Preservation Society nest survived the storm and are now busy flapping their wings, preparing for fledge. Aren’t they beauties? No shortage of fish here! Long Island and New York have strict laws regarding the catching of Menhaden.

‘EJ’ thought we could use a hopeful Osprey article! I agree.

Marais d’Orx: a wetland with a rich history, diverse nature and birds of prey | Euronews
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/07/07/marais-dorx-a-wetland-with-a-rich-history-diverse-nature-and-birds-of-prey

Good morning! Have a look at this, it’s so wonderful!
I thought we could each use a hopeful, uplifting osprey article.

It has been crazy hot. How do animals keep cool?

Panting, gular fluttering and sploots: how Britain’s animals try to keep coolhttps://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/jul/11/panting-gular-fluttering-sploots-how-britain-animals-try-keep-cool-heatwaves?CMP=share_btn_url

A heartwarming story about a rescue that refused to give up on this eagle: the images tell the entire story. Smile. Thanks, ‘J’.

World Bird Sanctuary adds:

“Happy 1 year intake anniversary to Bald Eagle 24-390!

While it seems strange to celebrate a patient having to be in our care for a whole year, it originally seemed unlikely that 390 would even survive the week. 390’s injuries were severe. He had gunshot injuries to both his left wing and his beak. with a significant portion of the middle of his beak missing due to the injury. Today we celebrate how far he’s come and the fact that his is still with us and progressing towards release!

There were many times, especially early in 390’s care, when we questioned whether it was time to give 390 the final gift we could, an end to his suffering through humane euthanasia. We diligently monitored his pain and stress levels and made adjustments to our treatment in order to keep him as comfortable as possible. At each turn we considered if his chance at recovery was worth everything we had to put him through.

But each time we considered calling it, 390 would take a step forward and show us that he was still fighting. He started taking his hand feeding without needing to be handled, was keeping down food, and started gaining weight again. His beak injury seemed less painful by the day as it started to heal and we reached the right balance of pain medications. His attitude and energy improved as he became feistier for care. All the while the beak was healing and enabled him to start eating on his own again.

It took 7 surgeries and countless wound cleanings over a period of 4 months to get 390’s beak to aligned and healing free of necrotic tissue. It required 8 1/2 months of healing before the gap in the bone finally finished closing. Now we are in the stage of keratin regrowth. 390 will need to grow an entirely new layer of keratin over his upper beak before we can consider him for release. This will likely take a full additional year of care. His beak will always be abnormally shaped due to his injury, but only time will tell if will regrow in a way that enables release.

Thank you to everyone who supports WBS and makes it possible for patients like 390 to have a fighting chance. A special thank you to our Rescuer’s Giving Club, whose monthly contributions go directly to our hospital and enable us to proved care to over 750 injured raptors each year. If you’re interested in getting more involved in supporting our patient’s journeys, you can learn more on our website.”

Another rescue. Father was missing. Mum tried to feed storklets. The fourth one passed. Then Mum was hit by a car. They were rescued. Here is Mum with her Babies. Czech Republic. Thanks, ‘TU’.

Here is the video of Mother and storklets having rest after all stress. They are all together. Mama got a name Freya, goddess of love ) https://www.facebook.com/1073024352/videos/738388092008980?idorvanity=830475097910416

We continue to monitor what is happening with the Ospreys in the US. Thanks, ‘EJ’.

Osprey came back from the brink once. Now chicks are dying in nests, and some blame overfishing
https://www.yahoo.com/news/osprey-came-back-brink-once-112937843.html

So glad to hear there could be two to fledge! This is a miracle in a very dire situation. Omega Protein Ocean Harvesters takes 112 metric tons, or roughly 230 million lbs, and it is based on science that measures the population in the ocean, not in the Bay.

Please sign the petition. I am Canadian and I don’t care what country you belong to – this needs to be stopped and I am embarrassed it is a Canadian company. The donations go to change.org. You do not need to donate but please share widely. We need this to stop.

https://www.change.org/p/stop-industrial-fishing-kick-canada-out-of-the-chesapeake-bay-and-virginia-waters

Also read this article and support the actions of this singular politician who wants to help.

No-fish story_ Milde afraid that lack of menhaden is dooming osprey – Fredericksburg Free Press Download

Want to know ‘why’ politicians aren’t doing anything? What is the cost of the collapse of an eco-system and the deaths of thousands of ospreys? Well look below.

“Political contributions muddy waters

Reedville-based Omega Protein, which makes fish oil products, is the main beneficiary of menhaden fishing in Virginia, and it’s no stranger to politics.

The company has given $955,783 to Virginia political campaigns since 1996, according to the Virginia Public Access Project, a nonprofit that tracks money in politics.

That total includes money given to politicians on both sides of the aisle. The company, for example, has donated $38,000 to the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus over the years, and $34,500 to the Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus, according to VPAP.

Locally, Omega Protein has given $32,843 over the years to state Sen. Richard Stuart, a Westmoreland County Republican whose 25th District includes Caroline and King George counties.

And this year alone, the business has given $500 to Del. Joshua Cole (D-Stafford).

Milde, however, said he will not accept contributions from Omega Protein.”

Even with such a catastrophic year, there is a glimmer in some parts of New Jersey after months of bad reports.

In Orange, Australia, Diamond and Xavier are bonding. Seriously, the time is passing so quickly! Thanks, SK Hideaways. The WBSE have their eggs. Collins Street will have eggs soon. Diamond and Xavier will have eggs and geez…I feel like it is still March. https://youtu.be/NK2lhcIPD2w?

Lady and Dad at the Olympic Park WBSE nest.

The latest rewilding success news from Knepp Farm:

Knepp news record butterflies market garden bounty tomato tasting Download

Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. We will see you again on Friday.

Thank you so much for being with us today. I want to thank our notable contributors, ‘EJ, Geemeff, Heidi, Michael St John, PB, PS, TU’, the owners of the streaming cams listed in bold, the individuals who take the time to create videos, including SK Hideaways, and the authors of posts and articles, including Jeff Kear at UK Osprey Information. I am very grateful. My blog would not be what it is without your input into the world of birding.

Monday in Bird World

2 June 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

I have added the latest news that I have received at the top. It’s great to be back with you. I trust that you have been keeping up with your favourite nests and have an eye on Sunny and Gizmo. They are going to fly this week.

I have received staggering news from our monitor VV living in Maryland. They have 15 osprey nests within sight of their porch. This is yesterday’s report. When you finish reading it, I want you to educate yourselves. Join the good folks at Menhaden- Little Fish, Big Deal FB page and find out why ospreys are starving in the Chesapeake. Then I want you to write everyone you know to stop the industrial fishing of Menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay. It could be too late. For several years, the osplets have been dying. There is no one to replace the adults once they die or leave the area. They are going extinct, faster than DDT killed them, due to one company – Omega and that company is Canadian. It makes me furious as a Canadian.

VV writes: ” I wish I had a shred of good osprey news for you. But I have not. Many nests were incubating but nearly simultaneously nests were abandoned, some osprey have returned after gulls and crows cleaned out their eggs. Some have not returned. Two unpaired males I know by name abandoned their nests a good week before the pairs left. Those without eggs quit mating and they, too, left their nests. I guess a food issue, males no longer able to provide and females having to fish for themselves to survive.

It all happened within a matter of a week, a week and a half. It happened last year after chicks hatched but all died in early July. A second year of no fledglings.

Another observer on the island continues to see eagles stealing ospreys’ food. And the osprey behavior toward eagles is muted to non-existent this year. As little as two years back the entire creek full of osprey would leave their nests to chase an eagle passing overhead. Osprey ignore them entirely this year. The osprey grow silent when the eagles fly across the creek.”

This was the largest area for Osprey. Heidi and I have seen a steady decline and I believe a few years ago I predicted that there would be no osprey in the area in 3-4 years. I am beyond sad. I am angry that humans take money and profit takes over the quality of life for everyone on our planet. What happens in the Bay impacts all of us.

The UK and the Roy Dennis Foundation know what extinction of raptors looks like. In comparison to what is happening in Maryland and the neighbouring states of the Chesapeake Bay, the very first osprey has hatched in the USK Valley (think south Wales) in 250 years! Congratulations.

A HISTORIC FIRST HATCHING — Usk Valley Ospreys Download

Llyn Brenig did have its hatch!

It is also expected to start raining on Monday morning in Winnipeg. Outside, it smells like a campfire. The fires continue to rage, people are being evacuated, and there are areas where only a helicopter can access. There are so many fires burning that there are not enough helicopters. I hope private companies are helping.

I am starting to write Friday evening. We have just finished watering the garden plants. The air is acrid. The sky is hazy. You might think you were in the middle of hundreds of car tyres burning. I cannot even imagine what it is like for those on the front lines fighting the fires in northern and eastern Manitoba (or other parts of Canada). It is 29 C.

While others are caring for the people in the towns and villages under threat, there is the wildlife that makes their late spring and summer homes in our province. Imagine hundreds of raptor nests with chicks and the fires burning. The adults can fly if they do not get ‘smoke inhalation’ and hopefully get to safety. Those chicks cannot fly. There are still many issues trying to rescue more than 17,000 people. They are leaving with nothing. If they are lucky they can bring their pets. One of the problems when they get to my city with those beloved pets is that the hotels are not allowing them inside! I find that incredibly ‘mean’. We are fortunate to have a few agencies that are rescuing the dogs and cats that had to be turned out on the streets. They will provide care and food for them and return them to their owners when it is convenient for the owners. I hope they can find the owners. So many of the pets might not be tattooed or have a microchip. Many of us are busy collecting toiletries and clothes as well as pet food for these unfortunate people. Can you imagine losing absolutely everything?While many are dedicated to helping the people in towns and villages facing danger, we must not forget the wildlife that calls our province home during late spring and summer. Picture this: hundreds of raptor nests filled with helpless chicks, surrounded by raging fires. The adult birds may be able to escape if they avoid smoke inhalation, but the chicks are unable to fly.

Simultaneously, we are confronted with the daunting task of rescuing over 17,000 individuals who are fleeing with nothing but the clothes on their backs. If they are fortunate, some can bring their cherished pets along. Yet, upon arriving in my city, they face a heartbreaking reality—many hotels refuse to accept pets. This is utterly unjust.

Thankfully, a handful of compassionate agencies are stepping up to rescue the dogs and cats abandoned in the streets. They are providing much-needed care and food for these animals, with the hope of reuniting them with their owners when the time is right. However, many pets lack identification tattoos or microchips, complicating the rescue efforts.

In the meantime, many of us are rallying together to gather toiletries, clothing, and pet food for these displaced individuals. Can you imagine what it feels like to lose absolutely everything? We must come together to support them in their time of need.

Menhaden overfishing has significantly disrupted the ecosystem in the Chesapeake Bay, leading tof whales and dolphins several years ago. Additionally, striped bass are starving and turning to crabs for food, leaving ospreys without the necessary sustenance. I have mentioned this to you before: overfishing causes widespread disruptions. In Ireland, for example, similar overfishing issues are driving whales and dolphins away. I wonder what the long-term outlook is for the ospreys that are beginning to breed there.

‘Nothing left’: Irish whale-watching company closes amid ‘overfishing’https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/30/irish-whale-watching-company-ends-tours-on-south-atlantic-coast-and-blames-overfishing?CMP=share_btn_url

Other news comes from Arctic research showing that birds lived with the polar bears in an area of Alaska more than 74 million years ago. “Researchers believe their discovery of more than 50 bird fossils from the Prince Creek formation in Alaska is the oldest evidence of birds nesting in polar regions, pushing back the date by more than 25m years.”

Birds were nesting in the Arctic during age of dinosaurs, scientists discoverhttps://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/may/29/birds-were-nesting-in-the-arctic-during-age-of-dinosaurs-scientists-discover?CMP=share_btn_url

Heidi has a good report for us on the US osprey nests she is monitoring:

Osoyoos: Soo and Olsen bonded after their return from migration, however after some battles at the end of April, a new male took over. Two of their three eggs were laid after Olsen was no longer seen, but the new male destroyed all three of those eggs. A new egg was laid on 5/30. I believe the female is Soo. Comparing photos, she looks like the same female for the past 4 seasons, but some believe it is a new female. The new male is a big fellow, and he has a very large dark crown mark and a necklace. This new clutch may not be a good thing. In the past, the ospreys have had difficulty finding fish during the heat, and now they may be trying to raise chicks a month later than previous years.

Patuxent River Park Nest 2: After the cam was offline for 9 days, two of the three osplets were missing. It appeared as though the oldest one was the only chick in the nest. We have been told that the other two chicks blew off the nest during a storm. But, I suspect that the park staff may not really know what happened to those two chicks, and we can’t rule out the possibility predation.

Dewey Beach Lions Club osprey nest: Things were going very well for this family of two osplets… until a few days of wind and rain spoiled the fishing. Then chick 1 became aggressive. When the weather improved, Mom supplemented Dad’s fish, and even the past 2 days when there were 9 fish, and 6 fish, chick 1 would not let chick 2 eat. The fish Mom and Dad were catching were on the small side. They never caught that really big fish that would have allowed chick 2 a chance to have a good meal. Little 2 died on 6/1, at 16 days of age.

Thanks, Heidi!

The news that has come to my inbox is mixed – osplets dying by the nestfuls while others are thriving. Betty Lou has fledged and returned to the nest, where she was rewarded with a giant fish. Jak and Audacity know how to raise ‘children’. Let us hope that the circumstances come together so that they can do this again in 2026!

BUNDGoitzsche-Wildnis: “Red kites are fast and skilled hunters. When an attack occurs very suddenly, the adults often have only a fraction of a second to react. Furthermore, wild animals instinctively weigh up whether a defense could endanger their own life or the remaining clutch of eggs. We suspect that the adults were taken by surprise and didn’t recognize the danger. They have been breeding successfully on this eyrie for so many years now, although they have never been threatened by red kites before; perhaps there is simply no strategy for dealing with it.

June 1, 2025: A red kite takes a second chick from the nest.

May 26, 2025: Drama for the ospreys: a red kite comes while the chicks are being fed and steals a chick from the nest. The attack lasts only seconds.”

White Rock Eagles: It appears that the male may be providing some assistance. The two eaglets, Miracle and Phenom, are doing well. Their crops are about to pop. Sweet little babies. Another miracle and a fish fairy. Love it! https://youtu.be/BvEHLnh-Wh4?

Dyfi Osprey Project: Telyn and Idris are doing a fine job with their triplets. They are kept warm and nicely fed.

Rutland Manton Bay: The fourth hatch is tiny. We wait to see if it will survive. Blue 33 has fish in the largest freshwater lake in Europe at Rutland Water and he is an excellent fisher and provider. The pair have raised several clutches of four. Fingers crossed. Blue 33 spent a lot of time on Sunday on the nest with Maya and the four kiddos.

Foulshaw Moss: Little Three gets right up there to eat. White YW and Blue 35 have raised nests where there were two quite larger chicks and a tiny one and all three fledged. Indeed, the third hatch in 2021 became the dominant on the nest!

Birds of Poole Harbour: Blue 022 and CJ7 raised four to fledge in 2024, to the shock of everyone. Looks like they are going to do it again this year. I wonder if they might become another ‘Super’ Couple like Blue 33 and Maya at Rutland? Or maybe this pair could beat Rutland’s record!

Family Portrait.

Llyn Brenig: We’re on hatch watch week!

Llyn Clywedog: Dylan is keeping the fish coming in despite some inclement weather. The chicks are doing well and Seren is being the perfect Mum.

Tweed Valley: The two females now have four osplets to raise between them. The male, New Guy, has not been around and it is understood that he is not assisting the ‘women’ in any way. The first three eggs to hatch belonged to Mrs O, an experienced female, while the fourth hatch belongs to the new female at the nest. The females do not seem to care whose is whose – they are happy to bring in fish to share between them. An incredible display of cooperation and another one of those miracles from this year that we must enjoy.

Glaslyn: Everyone loves Aran. He was not seen for the past five days. The weather in Wales was horrible. Well, to the delight of everyone, Aran came out and was seen on Sunday. Fabulous. He was enjoying the sunshine that finally came out.

Loch of the Lowes: Raining on Saturday. The female incubates the remaining egg for this new couple, taking the place of Laddie LM12 and Blue NC0.

Alyth: The camera is down, but there is evidence that Harry and Flora are feeding at least one chick on the nest. Thanks, Jeff Kear, UK Osprey Info, and VG for checking and reporting.

West Midlands Ringing Group:

MNSA Oceanside Ospreys: Three chicks on the nest. Cold weather event occured on the 23/24 of May. Little three could not fit under Mum and died of hypothermia. The feeding on the 24th without little 3: https://youtu.be/RGwYSUptOqA?

Loch Arkaig:

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 1st June 2025

Today saw the return of Garry LV0 to Nest One, although to Aurora’s disappointment, he arrived with empty talons. Later when Aurora was alone on the nest, she was disturbed by a Raven’s kronking as it did a fly-by, and flew off to chase it away. Over on Nest Two, Louis continues to provide plenty of fish – four today, taking his tally to one hundred and thirty six. The second fish was a little tiddler that vanished in three minutes, and Louis was instructed to get more, if that’s how we can interpret Dorcha’s reaction. He returned an hour later with a fish so massive, it travelled on and off the nest providing several meals as it went. He is very strong to be able to lift such a big fish out of the water which bodes well for the continued well-being of the chicks who were stuffed full today so much so that one chick did a comical faceplant during feeding time, as if its bulging crop was too heavy to keep it upright. It rained throughout the night and sporadically throughout the day but a dry night with light winds is forecast for tonight with a low of 7°C, continuing dry through tomorrow with a high of 15°C.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 00.01.18 (02.50.57); Nest Two 22.56.00 (04.01.47)
Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/WJsJLdNJmqM N2 Bobs 2&3 have a tug of war over a piece of fish one! 07.07.28

https://youtu.be/ao-Up4L7NyA N1 Aurora’s hopes are dashed when Garry arrives empty-taloned 11.14.04https://youtu.be/oyh7O2O8gvM N2 Snack-sized fish two lasts three minutes – Dorcha calls for more 12.03.13https://youtu.be/sIJtlrxOrzs N2 Louis does as requested, brings a third fish and it is absolutely massive 13.12.42https://youtu.be/It7wP0qWVvE N1 A Raven disturbs Aurora and she chases after it 14.38.46https://youtu.be/ojNzSKAINIE N2 Louis takes the big piece of fish away – Dorcha is not amused 15.28.37https://youtu.be/FO5EiELibIg N2 One of the chicks is so full from fish number four it does a faceplant! 21.25.07

Bonus guide to rapid growth in Osprey chicks:

https://www.dyfiospreyproject.com/blog/emyr-mwt/rapid-growth-phase-young-osprey-chicks

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/i–2XW43oXM N1 Second Osplet has hatched! 2020

https://youtu.be/XbNjpDD3WlQ N1 The family star on BBC Breakfast 2020

https://youtu.be/q4H8zoxABb4 N1 Four birds, one egg and a stick 2020

https://youtu.be/b2IqFZAEsCQ N2 Bob’s in a food coma after a big feed 2022

https://youtu.be/BzFjPMkQWNI N2 Little bob decorates the nest 2022 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/8iA7u9vco48 N2 Aerial acrobatics as Louis chases crows 2022 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/uIyRLn_uEjY N2 Breakfast for day-old bob 2023

https://youtu.be/ARLjY1fBI2E N1 Prince brings moss, a little bird scares Affric 2023

https://youtu.be/p1dSf6D594s N1 Male LV0 intrudes on Prince & Affric 2023 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/Knfn8T1p3lI N1 Mating attempts 2023

https://youtu.be/vWefra79niY N2 Fish number one 04.16.11; Two 04.24.22 ; Three 04.39.24 A new record! 2024

https://youtu.be/P5M_NMUdDGM N1 Garry LV0 pays a fleeting visit 2024 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/IP8sJBIGe5A N2 Fish number six – bob begs from dad in error 2024

Why not come and join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 31st May 2025

Not much happened today on either nest, Aurora 536 did a bit of perching and preening on Nest One but again there was no sign of Garry LV0, and over on Nest Two all was routine which is what’s needed as the chicks enter their rapid development phase. Expert fisherbird Louis delivered six fish, taking his tally to one hundred and thirty two, and Dorcha ensured all three chicks got plenty to eat. It was wet and windy today and more of the same is expected tonight with heavy rain and a gentle breeze with a low of 8°C, with the rain lessening a little to light rain with a high of 14°C tomorrow.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.21.00 (03.33.01); Nest Two 22.50.14 (04.05.20)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/MoB_uBBdzZ0 N2 First fish arrives and all three get a share 06.17.35

https://youtu.be/BO61UB4BaI4 N2 Bob1 has eaten so much of fish two it collapses into a food coma 07.08.41

https://youtu.be/hcJWbIkLMBw N2 All tree chicks get a good feed from fish three 12.07.14

https://youtu.be/VSTpfQH7Iu4 N2 An early fish supper arrives, fish four 18.03.39

https://youtu.be/9q579fFqWpA N2 Yet another fish arrives, number five today 20.25.43

https://youtu.be/___SuiP3geQ N2 Dorcha carefully shares out fish six 21.51.05

https://youtu.be/JHwjovpitoA N1 Aurora gives up and leaves for the night 22.02.09

Bonus action – People’s Postcode Lottery helped Woodland Trust buy Arkaig Forest, fund its on-going restoration, and support the Osprey cams giving us our 24/7 livestreaming joy. If you’re a social media user, could you please thank them when posting Loch Arkaig content:

https://www.postcodelottery.co.uk/good-causes/charities/woodland-trust

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/iwfBMeFYino N1 Record fast fish arrives: 5 mins 23 secs! 2020

https://youtu.be/svRZ4AJ3C4M N1 Sleepy bob uses the other eggs as a pillow 2020

https://youtu.be/MWwaGMTjPek N1 Osprey with blue ring intrudes on Aila & Louis 2020 (slo-mo)

https://youtu.be/E_JOPZSi0nQ N2 Egg 2 sings sweetly preparing to hatch 2022

https://youtu.be/VqQDp44UxTg N2 First chick has hatched! 2022

https://youtu.be/14S1RC_H0IE N2 Chick’s big day: meeting mum and dad 2022

https://youtu.be/84WJZxukT5c N2 Louis reacts to the chupping 2023

https://youtu.be/-bKcyAe1lwQ N1 Affric & Prince fend off an intruder 2023

https://youtu.be/btm-8Qg6e0o N2 Little bob hatches! 2023 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/udB7LRh6zMs N2 Proud parents and a good look at little bob 2023 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/3AEkinUe5Io N1 Prince brings fish for Affric 2023

https://youtu.be/OpIOpWqfB0A N2 Disco divas are Staying Alive, Staying Alive 2024 (Artistic Ospreys)

https://youtu.be/grQeBqx-770 N2 The bobs squabble when Dorcha leaves and stop when she returns with a stick 2024

Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

Thanks, Geemeff! And thanks, Mary.

Report from Jane Goodall brings hope!

Protecting chimpanzees and building community resilience to climate change in Senegal – Jane Goodall Download

Sauces Canyon: Sauces Canyon: Jak and Audacity are amazing parents. Not only did they reward their young daughter, Betty Lou, with a big fish to encourage her to return to the nest, but they have also sat with her in the pine tree and delivered food to her there! Thanks to ‘PB’ for the wonderful report on Saturday!

Fraser Point: Mama Cruz has been missing for almost a day. When she returned to the nest, it was clear that she had been fighting an intruder. I am just holding my breath.

FOBBV: Jackie and Shadow adore their two eaglets, Sunny and Gizmo. I cannot imagine what is going through their heads as these two darlings ready to take to the sky. Jackie is feeding them on Saturday!

KTLA captured Sunny’s flight to the branch! https://youtu.be/Zw9yJUNAN9k?

So what will Jackie and Shadow do after Sunny and Gizmo fledge? What do you think? Have a look: https://youtu.be/8lXgCfA4xys?

Kansas City Eagles (Farmer Derek): Fish delivery after fish delivery. https://youtu.be/oH4im5vikqA?

San Jose Falcons: Dinner time! https://youtu.be/G6120p0G_Ko?

Hartley’s Missed Prey Drop?? Check it out! https://youtu.be/q-UHk-SNCyQ?

Trempeauleau Eagles: T3 doing fantastic. Mum brought in at least three fish on Friday.

Duke Farms: All three fledglings on the nest wanting some dinner! I did not see any prey delivered. Maybe you did.

Boulder County Fairgrounds: Three osplets with the fourth egg pipping on Saturday. Experienced Mum and new dad are going to be busy keeping these crops full.

OPPD Fort Calhoun: The triplets are so close in age. It appears everything is going very, very well. So tiny. They blend in to the point that if your eyes are tired, you really have to look close or hope they move!!!!!!!!

Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home: The only surviving eaglet is doing well. Thanks, ‘PB’ for posting this message on FB.

Pitkin County: Three little heads peek up out of the deep nest cup when it is dinner time. Two hatched on the 27th, with the third on the 28th. Fantastic, they are so close in age.

Cornell Red-tail Hawk Cam: The Os are walking around and pecking at prey. Arthur has the nest looking like a massacre. No one ever goes hungry on Big Red’s nest. Never.

Hellgate Canyon: Iris was on and off the nest on Sunday. She is looking good.

Charlo, Montana: Incubation continues.

City of Independence, Oregon: Female looking down. I did not see an indication of a hatch or feeding. Incubation continues.

Latvian Goshawk Cam: Beautiful chicks get a feeding. https://youtu.be/qMX_CVCZkRo?

Knepp Farm: Purple Emperors are about to hatch!

News from Knepp Download

Snowy Egrets. Want to learn more about them? There is other great information in this newsletter from the American Bird Conservancy including this announcement: :Lake County, Illinois Rules That Homes Must Prevent Bird Collisions – A National First“.

Snowy Egret Golden Slippers Download

Love across species. https://youtu.be/OX1_OiR1j0E?

They fought to protect the Ground Squirrels in my City and they won! Thanking my daughter, Jaine, for sending this to me.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-ground-squirrel-sulfur-gas-application-rejected-1.7549220

I am delighted that you could join us today. Everyone in the family is doing fine. We hope that you are happy and well and getting outside whenever you can.

Calico and Baby Hope on the table watching Toby but not having their tails bitten!

Toby can climb up the cat tree!

Hugo Yugo loves to sleep on the top of the small cat tree. She will have her next dental cleaning and surgery on 11 June.

Missey in Toby’s toy box!

Brock waits and sleeps on a deck chair for when we get up and he gets some fresh food.

Calico is sending everyone a smile – look at the cute cygnets! https://youtu.be/9CJ1HM5WhWo?

Thank you to the following for their letters, notes, comments, posts, videos, articles, images, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, J, PB, VV’, The Guardian, Osoyoos Town Council Osprey Cam, Patuxent River Park, Dewey Beach Lion’s Club, Crooked Lake, Seaside Ospreys, Colonial Beach Ospreys, PSEG Oyster Bay, Brevard County, Moraine State Park, BUNDGoitzsche-Wildnis, Hancock Wildlife Foundation White Rock Eagle Cam, LRWT Manton Bay Ospreys, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, BoPH, Llyn Clywedog, Tweed Valley Osprey Project, Scottish Wildlife Trust (LOTL Ospreys), West Midlands Ringing Group, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Mary Cheadle and Friends of Loch Arkaig FB, Jane Goodall Foundation, IWS/Explore, CIEL and Barbara Wolfsong, FOBBV, KTLA, San Jose City Hall and SK Hideaways, Trempeauleau Eagle Cam, Duke Farms, Boulder County, OPPD, Cornell Bird Cam Red Tail Hawk Cam, Cornell Bird Cam Hellgate Canyon, Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home, Oregon Public Broadcasting, CBC Manitoba, Robert Fuller, Farmer Derek, Discover Outdoors, Nesting Bird Life and More and the LDF, Raptor Resource Project/Explore, Usk Valley Ospreys, Jeff Kear and UK Osprey Info and Llyn Brenig

Sunday in Bird World

11 May 2025

It is a very, very sad day in Bird World. Not the Happy Mother’s Day that I hoped for all these beautiful birds that have raised so many amazing chicks and brought us such happiness. This morning Dory (Audubon Boathouse) was savagely killed by a GHO. She had just laid her third egg.

Heidi writes, “I loved Dory. Mom to Skipjack, Schooner, Sloop, Skipper, Harbor, and Grey. Sadly, three of her offspring suffered the same fate.”

Is there ever a possibility that knowing the owls are there and will strike that those individuals or organizations owning streaming cams will work together to set up methods that would keep the GHOs from harming the Ospreys? The osprey do not kill the owl chicks and eat them. They are no threat to their food supply. If people can go for a space ride for millions of dollars, cannot we come up with even a simple earthly fix to help our fish eaters? In this instance, this has been a long standing known problem and there are people who should have worked on solutions including red strobe lights!

Soar High Dear Dory.

———————————————————————————-

Happy Mother’s Day to Anyone who has ever cared for another living, breathing being! And It doesn’t matter how many legs it has!!!!!!!!!

I was fortunate. My ‘mothers’ were fascinating people. My mother has always wanted to be a registered nurse. She was the Valedictorian of her high school class and won three scholarships to three excellent universities in Oklahoma to realise her dream. All her father had to do was provide funds for room and board and her books. Well, ‘no’. She was a girl. She was bitter all her life. I was born eleven years after she had worked for the US Navy during WWII in Long Beach, California. When I was eighteen months old, she was offered a position she could not refuse, and the most wonderful thing happened. There was no daycare. My maternal grandmother cared for me until my early teens, so my mother could work. (She continued to work for many decades; it was in her DNA). While my grandmother let me do everything my mother would not allow me to do including braiding my hair (can you imagine it might straighten the curls??) and gave me this easy going sense towards life and a love of gardening and chickens, my mother spent her life making certain that I had the very best education that I could have and that opportunities she only dreamed of I did. My PhD was, in part, her desire that every woman on the planet be able to care for themselves. She was a ‘Tiger Mum’ in a sense! I am full of love and grateful to them because they gave me balance.

No doubt each of you will have a raptor Mum that has touched your heart this year in a way that was not thought possible.

I want to remember an amazing raptor mother who is not with us this year. We will never know what happened to her, but she will live on in our hearts whenever we think of the University of California at Berkeley. The Campanile will never be the same. My first Mum of this year is Peregrine Falcon, Annie.

Big Red has always been on the top of my list because she is the raptor on streaming cams that first touched my heart. She hatched in the spring of 2003 in Brooktondale, New York, seven miles from her nest on the campus of Cornell University. She has had at least two mates – Ezra and now Arthur.

Finally some sun for Big Red, Arthur, and the Os.

‘B’ swept me away because they included some of the most miraculous mothers of this 2025 season! They wrote, “Special to me are three moms who are once again mothers this year after each has had difficult years: Jackie at Big Bear, Audacity at Sauces, and Gabby at NE Florida. Also very special to me is Mrs. T at Trempealeau, who is working so hard (and doing so well) raising eaglet TE3 pretty much by herself.”

Here is ‘B’s list!!!!!!!

FOBBV: Mark your calendars fledge watch begins on 13 May or Sunny and Gizmo. Can you believe it?

A video with Mamma Jackie! https://youtu.be/_P7jg-nW_1A?

Fish delivery by Mamma Jackie! https://youtu.be/GAyUI5s-nVU?

Sauces: Betty Lou is the spitting image.

NEFlorida: Bodie leaves the nest and misses a fish delivery from Mamma Gabby: https://youtu.be/ph-qZGmAGR4?

Trempeauleau Eagles:

‘A’ has Mrs T as a hero. She writes: “Since your blog alerted me to the plight of Mrs T at Trempeauleau, I have been keeping an eye on that nest. So tragic that she had to leave her eaglets in freezing rain – she has been doing such an amazing job with her surviving first hatch. This morning she left just as the skies were starting to lighten – and she was back within 15 minutes with a fresh fish for the wee one’s breakfast. She fed little T3 a couple of times during the day and there was no sign of Mr T, although I have seen footage of him removing a fish from the nest and flying across the river to the island, where he obviously has another nest, to which he delivers the fish (www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bp-_oilfqc). There has been speculation on the chat that this phenomenon will become increasingly common because of the larger numbers of eagles sharing territories. It’s a double-edged sword – yes, we want more eagles but not if it means they are competing for territory to the point where they hurt each other and cause eaglets to starve. We need to provide habitat for the eagles, not just increase their numbers without thinking about how the additional eagles will live.

But back to T3. It had a funny interaction with mum in the middle of the night last night – mum jumped down from the branch above the nest where she spends most nights and the eaglet went into nest defence mode like a little warrior. Stood up as tall as it could and pecked at mum!!! This interaction went on for several minutes – mum eventually bonked T3 back. T3 responded by pecking at mum’s breast feathers several times, still standing as tall as it could, flapping its wings occasionally for balance as it lunged forwards to peck its mum. That’s no way to treat your dedicated single parent mother on Mother’s Day T3! Especially when she’s come down to the nest for a snuggle on a windy night – she rarely joins T3 on the nest and the little eaglet, who has lost both its siblings to hypothermia, snuggles up to the trunk of the tree for warmth and comfort. Sometimes, it looks up at mum longingly – but when she did decide to come down, T3’s reaction made me wonder whether eaglets have far less acuity at night than adult eagles because it was as if T3 didn’t recognise Mrs T at all and was defending the nest against an intruder. It was very strange. Eventually, after a five or six-minute stand-off T3 snuggled down as if nothing had happened and Mrs T arranged some nesting material (she’d been bringing in fluff a lot during the day). Teenagers!! It’s a little delinquent. Here’s the footage. It’s just TOO funny: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnFmArd8jh0. “

‘VS’ said: “Love Naha at Seaside and Mum at Port Lincoln.”

Naha

Oh, yes, absolutely. Thank you.

Mum at Port Lincoln

Rutland Water: One of the finest osprey females, a super Mum, Maya, is right at the top of the list for more than two dozen people. Her and Blue 33 just had their second hatch of the season!

Heidi’s Osprey Report:

Everyone fledged at Smith Rock Park! https://youtu.be/Nt7nZI0sc4s?

This drives me crazy!

Geemeff Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 10th May 2025

Today on Nest One started with a visit from a male Tawny Owl, who perched and made an unusual call, perhaps trying to attract a mate. Later there was much excitement as Garry LV0 saw off a persistent intruder Osprey. The unringed female tried to land several times with Garry on the nest actively dissuading her, and then they had quite the aerial battle with much chasing and circling round both nearby and in the distance, all caught on nest cam. She did return and managed to land shortly after her epic encounter with Garry, but was very wary and then startled off the nest by a Jay rustling through the branches of the nest tree. Aurora 536 wasn’t around or at least not visible on nest cam during the female’s visit, but did turn up in the afternoon to get a large whole trout from Garry. That one fish took his tally to forty six, but he has a long way to go to catch up with Louis, whose two deliveries took his tally to seventy nine. The first fish he brought wasn’t much more than a tail end which explains Dorcha’s enthusiastic reception of the second, she even gulped a few mouthfuls on the nest before departing and leaving Louis to egg-sit. The weather was settled and sunny as promised, but in a change from the forecast, light rain is expected tomorrow.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.51.44 (03.45.47); Nest Two 23.08.52 (04.07.40)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/lz68zyEX6Uw N1 A Tawny Owl perches, calls but no response 00.24.40 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/KQPgI_C2YfE N2 Louis does a flyby before delivering fish one 05.13.15

https://youtu.be/NKSslCjZ2AY N1 Garry’s dramatic encounter with an unringed Osprey 11.19.56

https://youtu.be/yr5AUEabxDk N1 Unringed intruder returns but is startled by a Jay 11.35.43

https://youtu.be/CnBTtPySvKM N1 Aurora takes Garry’s fish immediately 15.31.44

https://youtu.be/DQBB7OIY92I N2 Dorcha gulps a few mouthfuls before leaving with fish two 18.53.41

Bonus read – looking at those clouds of insects on the nests today, this study shows the amazing biodiversity of the Arkaig ancient Caledonian rainforest:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/press-centre/2023/08/loch-arkaig-invertebrate-survey

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/WRJVln57L5w N1 Cheeky Tawny Owl perches next to Aila 2019 (slo-mo)

https://youtu.be/1IEDIyo9rCQ N1 Louis adds to the chaos on a windy day 2020

https://youtu.be/zcl511TMr_0 N1 Louis resists Aila’s blandishments 2020

https://youtu.be/e_xzfE0KTlk N1 Louis chases a pesky Hoodie 2020

https://youtu.be/iStLjLcvl2I N1 Eurasian Wren pays a visit 2021

https://youtu.be/VPfvH9XEqzU N2 Unringed female intruder steals Dorcha’s fish 2022 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/AM_UsK1riDg N1 Juvenile Tawny Owl plays on the nest 2023

https://youtu.be/0Mbyxj-Wr90 N1 A handsome Jay visits 2023

https://youtu.be/Pe8lgQ2Pdbs N2 Season’s earliest breakfast for Dorcha 2024

Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

My top book recommendation for last year – and Calico’s too – was Raising Hare. ‘B’ sent along an article from The New York Times. Raising Hare was in their top 15 for 2025! Feeling delighted.

Just in case you didn’t see it, Raising Hare is on the NY Times list of the Best Books of the Year (So Far). One of 15 books on the list.

The Best Books of 2025 (So Far) – The New York Times Download

Cumbria Wildlife Nest 2: Two eggs laid very late in the season for the new couple. Fingers crossed.

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

I am going to be doing a very abbreviated blog for the next week or so. It is gardening time and with Toby and The Girls, there isn’t enough hours in the day to keep up. Geemeff and Heidi will be with us when they have news and I will be covering the hatches in the UK.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, B, Geemeff, Heidi, PB, VS’, Cal Falcons, SK Hideaways, Cornell Red Tail Hawk, FOBBV, NEFL-AEF, Trempeauleau Bald Eagles, IWS/Explore, LL, Seaside Osprey Cam, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Smith Rock Park Eagles, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Maryland Western Shore, Fostythe, Fortis Exshaw, Audubon Boathouse, Rutland Water, Cumbria Wildlife Trust

Saturday in Bird World

14 September 2024

Hello Everyone,

The weather is still warm and will continue to be. The air was heavy Friday morning. We headed out to the nature centre to see how many geese were on the lake and check on the Mallard family with the two small ducklings. The sky was black, and it looked like rain could start any minute. In the forest, we could hear the Black-capped Chickadees and the American Goldfinch. The Goldfinches migrate, but the Chickadees stay all winter!

We found the Mallard family, but we could only see one duckling. I hope the other one was hiding in the reeds. The tiny duckling has grown but is still not large enough to migrate. Our weather is supposed to stay warm through October, so it should be fine to take off then.

At the hide, a female Downy Woodpecker was at the peanut feeder while another Mallard looked for seed in the grasses. Honking was constant overhead as the winds grew stronger, and the dark clouds gathered.

Even with the impending rain, it was a good morning to be outside for a walk. Always makes our day!

I was just so happy to see Annie! Annie is loafing!!!!!! Oh, it is so good to see you, Annie. https://youtu.be/3Vcnr3Fg9yU?

In Bird World, Hartley and Monty are back at the scrape in San Jose, too!

https://youtu.be/bg-SeoBSjDc?

Please tell everyone to please store their sports nets (of any kind) but especially soccer when they are not in use. Look what happened to this owl!

West Nile Virus killed the only surviving, of two, hawlets of Big Red and Arthur this year. It is also having an impact on all of our feathered friends including ospreys.

What is West Nile Virus and how is it impacting birds? Sadly, the most common in Canada are my beloved Crows and Blue Jays.

West Nile and Dead Birds | West Nile Virus | CDC Download

“As of September 2003, West Nile Virus has been identified in 11 Page 2 species of native owls, 4 species of falcons, and 15 native species of diurnal raptors, including osprey, vultures, and bald and golden eagles.”

This document from the Cascade Raptor Centre is particularly good:

West-Nile-virus Download

Heidi reports that Harvie and the two juveniles at Fortis Exshaw Canmore Osprey Platform are still home. You can see the wildfire smoke spreading through the valley behind the nest. Yesterday, Heidi saw five fish delivered in a short period of time to the fledglings at the nest after a period of rain.

Heidi checked on Fenwick Island and Johnny is still bringing Fen fish.

At the Hellgate Canyon nest, Antali had a very late night fish. I can’t rewind but he is holding it at 22:46 and is till eating in the wee hours of the morning. Antali has an enormous crop. It seems Finnegan wants to fill his fledgling up and hopefully get him on his way south.

Antali’s crop was still huge at 0741 when he was fish-calling. No delivery. Antali flew off after Dad (or so it would seem).

Finn sits on the nest with a lunch fish looking around and Antali comes flying in! He is not going to miss that fish dinner.

Finnegan takes good care of his boy. Another headless fish is delivered at 1644. Antalia has not had a sunken crop all day!

Now I love geese and on my ‘Bucket List’ has been a trip to see the Pinkfooted Geese that breed in Iceland and Greenland and then travel with their fledglings to the UK to winter arriving sometime after September 1. In the 1880s, the birds did not come to the UK til the last week of October. Now, to the astonishment of all, a pair of Pink-footed Geese have bred in Lancashire!

The concern was with climate change and the melting tundra that the Pinkfoots might not migrate to the UK. So this is very interesting.

Look at the image below. The heads are the colour of a cafe lait. This dark to medium brown head fades into a boey that is blue grey. The lowest part of the neck is pink! The goose has fluffy white underparts. The legs are, of course, pink matching the lower neck which gives these geese their name.

The female lays a clutch of 3-5 eggs. It takes 26 or 27 days for the wee ones to hatch. At that moment, both the male and the female will lead the clutch to wetlands to feed. In Iceland, they also eat crowberries, which makes their ‘ps’ pink!!!!! Their main enemies in Iceland are foxes and gyrfalcons.

“Pink-footed Geese” by naturalengland is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Pink-footed Goose pair breeds in Lancashire – BirdGuides Download

Some absolutely gorgeous closeups on this video by Cornell Bird Labs of the Royal Albatross chick. https://youtu.be/PsUNmjyrOFU?

The area of Shadow and Jackie’s nest is under voluntary evacuation for the Line Fire that is scorching parts of San Bernadino County. Shadow was spotted at the Snag and Roost Tree despite the wind and smoke by Eagle22 on the 12th of September. https://youtu.be/VNOQ7VrBTXc?

They say Jackie and Shadow are safe from the Line Fire (as of 9 September).

Are eagles Jackie and Shadow safe amid California fires? | Raleigh News & Observer Download

Connie Dennis reports that Oscar is still feeding Skylor at the Russell Lake nest in Nova Scotia. So no migration other than Mum, Ethel, so far.

Skylor you crack me up!

Dad is still providing fish at Niagara Bee.

Charlie is still supplying fish to C16 at Charlo. Interesting that it is the males staying behind at the nest and having Dad fish and fish and fish!

No love is lost at the Newfoundland nest of Hope and Beaumont between fledglings when a much-desired fish dinner arrives at the nest. That was the only delivery I saw at the nest – fish could be provided elsewhere, I do not know.

Juveniles in Latvia fight over dinner! https://youtu.be/eh85H6lpaW8?

A juvenile at the Kurzeme Osprey nest in Latvia gets a goldfish dinner. https://youtu.be/E-Bm_C8mv4E?

There was an odd break in the transmission from Sandpoint. Keke is still delivering fish. River was on the perch and then mysteriously on the nest with a nice fish. It was the camera. River is not catching fish – as far as I know, none of the males at these nests are getting their own food. Gorgeous wingspan on this fledgling.

At Orange, a Willy Wagtail comes to visit Diamond.

https://youtu.be/fl7TSd-6KiU?

Incubation continues at 367 Collins Street.

Still no breakfast at the Olympic Sea Eagle nest by 1130. Lady found a few scraps in the nest.

Do you love seabirds and Puffins? Dani Connor Wild has some amazing images in her recent video. https://youtu.be/IJi4vnEk1do?

Calico’s Tip for the Day: When the sisal on the scratch post cylinders is ragged, and you are ready to toss the entire thing in the garbage, don’t. First, could you check your online retailers for replacement sisal disks? They are about half the price of a replacement post where I live. The package we ordered also contained new hardware and an Allen key. Calico knows that I am the least ‘handy person’ in the neighbourhood, so if I can do this, so can you!

The Girls had really scratched up that sisal!

New cylinders to compare. Note the small bag with the hardware and Allen Key. We used our handy dandy cat fur remover and tried to get the old scratch post in near new condition.

What do you think? You can see that we got it all finished. Make sure that the Allen Key has everything secure. Gosh, I even amazed Calico and she gave the new sisal cylinders her Golden Paw Award – because they had a small bag of hardware with the Allen Key so I didn’t have to go rummaging around trying to find one!

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care of yourselves. We hope to have you with us soon!

Thank you to the following for their posts, notes, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: SK Hideaways, Farmer’s Way, Diana Lambertson and The Joy of Ospreys, the CDC West Nile Virus, Cascade Raptor Centre, Fortis Exshaw Canmore, Heidi McGrue and The Joy of Ospreys, Montana Osprey Project, Openverse, BirdGuides, Cornell Bird Lab, Eagle 22, News & Observer, Connie Dennis and Ospreys of Nova Scotia, Pam Breci and The Joy of Ospreys, Charlo Montana, Newfoundland Power, Sandpoint Ospreys, Liznm, Holly Parsons, 367 Collins Street by Mirvac,

Thursday in Bird World

12 September 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

We hope that your week has been going well.

The City of Winnipeg continues under an extreme weather warning. It is air quality – the problem is the wildfires burning in northern Saskatchewan, the province to the west of us. This is one of the predictions from the CBC: “The long-range forecast calls for a drawn-out summer with above-normal temperatures extending patio season well into October. But in the more immediate present, people are being encouraged to limit their time outdoors due to heavy wildfire smoke in the air.” We did not follow their instructions and went to the nature centre and the farmer’s market. It is late in the farmer’s market year, and the crowd there in late July has dwindled. One of the highlights was the local honey – hives from St Boniface and downtown Winnipeg. We bought little bottles of each to try before a big commitment next week – honey to last us over the winter. The late-night snack was a mug of hot chocolate (it got cool in the evening, but it will be 30 C tomorrow) with a slice of toast slathered with butter and honey. Delicious. Oh, there is something wonderful about the nip in the fall air — but sadly, our forecast is for the high temperatures to continue.

If I had been Jack in the Beanstalk, I could have touched the Canada Geese, forming their wedges and flying off Devonian Lake at Ft Whyte at noon on Wednesday. We had just exited the car when the first skein flew over us. There were about 500 on the lake resting and gathering strength to begin their migration further south. It is so amazing to see them. Of course, we did not have the camera, and my phone was charging at home for some silly reason. We will get other chances, but this morning’s flight were magical because they flew so low over the parking lot. Our dates to go and see the Goose Flights at the Ft Whyte Alive Nature Centre are ten days away and at the marsh for two and a half weeks. How many geese will there be, then?

All About Birds shows the areas for Canadian geese. When they arrive in your area, be kind. Try to get people to slow down when they are driving. Geese bond with a partner. They have emotions. When one dies, the grieving is intense. There is stress when one is taken into care, and the other does not know where their mate is.

Please stand up for the Geese. This article in Psychology Today shows how killing them (culling) is wrong! Our cities have taken their habitat. We should seriously be able to work ourselves around their poop. It astonishes me how privileged humans have become.

Why Geese Matter | Psychology Today Canada Download

The Hidden Lives of Ducks and Geese | PETA Download

Everything you ever wanted to know about our beloved Canadian geese: if the font size is too small on the device you view my blog, please click the link below. It should lead you to the original publication.

Canada Geese Download

In Iceland, Greenland, and Siberia, the Pink-footed geese, Russian Whitefronts, Barnacle Geese, Brent Geese, and Graylags to areas of the UK, mainly Norfolk. In his book The Meaning of Geese. A Thousand miles in search of home, Nick Acheson gives up a life of flying around the world. He wants to study the geese first-hand at his home in Norfolk. He rides a bicycle. I have read this book to The Girls three times, and we are starting it again. Acheson knows that with our warming planet and the tundra melting, the winter visits of these geese to the UK will stop. Precisely when that will happen is anyone’s guess. I, too, want to see them, and if you fancy geese like I do and live near the UK, you can see them from early October through the winter months. There are even some rare Red-breasted Geese that find themselves in Norfolk. They will be gone by January. Think about November! It is the best month, according to Acheson’s diary. And, if you are looking for an excellent book to read right now, The Meaning of Geese is it. You will fall in love with honkers. It gets Calico’s Golden Paw Award.

A more scientific book on migration is Flight Paths by Rebecca Heismann. This book charts the earliest research to understand migration and the people behind the research on the annual movement of our feathered friends. I find it to be a good reference book.

Let’s check and see if we can figure out which of our feathered friends are still home.

Oscar and Skylor are still at Russell Lake, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Avian behaviour dictates that Oscar remain until Skylor leaves—even if it is an hour! Typically, the males ensure all fledglings are gone before departing. I remember Blue 33 waiting several days at Rutland just to be sure.

To my knowledge, all UK Ospreys on streaming cams have departed. If I am in error, please don’t hesitate to send me a comment correcting this.

Don Dennis has done a fantastic job chasing Skylor and family around Russell Lake for everyone. Thank you!

Richmond and Tully could still be at the light stand nest in SF Bay. This recent video seems to indicate just that. https://youtu.be/hCv1bEtKTn0?

Richmond is very handsome! He does not migrate. He stays around the SF Bay for the winter while Rosie goes somewhere south? Perhaps the Baja Peninsula??

Finnegan and Antali were at the nest at 09:27 and 11:45. I bet Antali’s fish screams can be heard over the sound of the passing trains. What a character! Finnegan is keeping him fed, and the morning’s fish were caught close together. He wants Antali to be well-fed and ready for the journey south! Finnegan delivers again at 17:54. Iris has an amazing partner. What a glorious year it has been. The biggest question is: is Iris still in the area? I am hoping we will get some confirmation of her presence or absence of Iris from Dr Greene soon.

The latest from Dr Erick Greene. If you are thinking about making a donation, please read this post carefully.

C16 is at the Charlo Montana nest. The cam went back and forth to Highlights, so it is unclear whether there are any fish deliveries.

Is C16 looking down at the water and thinking of trying his luck at fishing?

I think all four ospreys are still home at Newfoundland Power’s Snow Lane nest of Beaumont and Hope. My goodness. One of those youngsters is so dark – the thickest dark 90% chocolate eyeband. Wow.

At the Sandpoint nest, River is wishing he had that double-header breakfast that Antali had at Hellgate Canyon. I have seen no deliveries by noon Wednesday.

‘PB’ has had a response from Niagara Bee. They said the osplet on the nest was killed by an eagle in the area they think is looking for a nest for next year. They are planning on fundraising to raise more platforms. I find this quite odd. Did they re-wind the video footage and see an eagle kill the osplet and leave the body on the nest? Eagles are not known for hunting at night. They hunt from dawn to dusk. We have seen them swoop over a nest and take the osplet with their talons flying off. Think of Cowlitz PUD in 2024. Owls hunt silently at night. They sometimes eat their prey, sometimes only eat the head, and they are even known for killing and leaving prey. The perfect example this year is Lake Murray’s osprey platform. One osplet survived. The obvious predator at Niagara Bee should be an owl. I would really like to see a screen capture showing the eagle at Niagara Bee.

The surviving juveniles at Niagara Bee continue to come to the nest for fish. Dad is busy providing for them!

It looks like two different juveniles are visiting the Blackbush nest, but I witnessed no deliveries at the nest. ‘MP’ identifies the fledgling in the top screen capture as the third hatch, a female who bossed her older siblings about!

Junebug is on the perch at Dunrovin while the a Magpie cleans the nest.

The Osoyoos camera was not frozen on Wednesday. One juvenile was seen at the nest early in the day. I did not see a fish delivery; however, I did not check back late in the day so perhaps some of you saw something? Let me know.

Quiet at Cowlitz PUD.

Please remember to write to your Senators and Congress representatives if you live in the US. Demand a moratorium on Menhaden fishing in Chesapeake Bay.

‘PB’ sends us the latest on the Denton triplets from SOAR:

It was raining at The Hamlet. Looks like Beau and Gabby at the nest tree. Gabby flew off early leaving Beau to protect the tree. He stayed til the rain got heavy.

I thought I had heard everything, but there is a rumour going around that the eagle visiting the nest with the necrotic feet is Romeo, Samson’s father, last seen in 2017. If you want to know the truth about who is or is not on the NorthEast Florida nest, please go directly to the American Eagle Foundation website. Click on the NE Florida nest camera and check on the chat there and check on their FB page. Please do not fall for gossip by chatters or even some that have their own FB pages.

Quiet at Chase & Cholyn’s Two Harbours nest. Will these 25 or is it 26 year old eagles breed again this year? We wait to see.

I did not see anyone at the Fraser Point nest of Andor and Cruz.

We had an extreme weather warning for the City of Winnipeg on Wednesday. It was for wildfire smoke. Speaking of wildfires, everyone’s eyes are on that Line Fire in San Bernardino County, California that is well – making us nervous about Jackie and Shadow despite the reassurances. I did not see them at the nest in the early part of the day Wednesday.

The Line Fire is one of the largest ever wildfires in the US.

FOBBV shows us the smoky valley: https://youtu.be/j-lRBiHko6M?

It is gorgeous at the Duke Farms Bald Eagle nest. Pretty quiet, too.

Pretty quiet at the WRDC nest of Ron and Rose.

If you have been missing M15 and F23, here they are getting that nest ready for a great season. Think we might have two eaglets this year? https://youtu.be/xVa-G_NzXis?

There is some action—maybe not so good—at the eagle nests in the Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana. I hope they are all safe as Hurricane Francine hits southern Louisiana as a category 2. https://youtu.be/DNIIxYXSfz8?

Audubon Florida tells us that Eagle season is beginning.

Bald Eagle Nesting Season Starts October 1The official Bald Eagle nesting season in Florida runs from October 1 through May 15, but birds don’t use calendars! We’re already seeing eagles return to their nesting sites to prepare for the season ahead.

Florida hosts an estimated 1,500 nesting pairs; one of the highest concentrations of nesting Bald Eagles in the lower 48 states. Audubon’s EagleWatch program monitors more than 1,200 pairs in Florida, covering 55 counties. This growing community science program documents, monitors, and protects nesting eagles in Florida.

Eagles continue to face increasing pressures from Florida’s ever-growing human population and land development. Habitat loss due to this development, car strikes, electrocutions, and environmental toxins all threaten the health of the eagle population. EagleWatch volunteers collect critical nest data, which is shared with state and federal agencies to investigate new conservation challenges, including the movement of Bald Eagles into urban areas and the increasing use of artificial structures for nest sites. This community of volunteers ensures that eagles continue to thrive in our state.

Did you Know?

Cute little penguin escaped and is found in Japan. http://‘Miracle’ penguin found two weeks after escaping captivity in Japan https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/11/miracle-penguin-found-two-weeks-after-escaping-captivity-in-japan?CMP=share_btn_url

‘A’ brings us up to date with the Olympic Park Sea Eagles: “The littles ate a good breakfast this morning and then a good lunch. Both eaglets ate and there was no bonking or intimidation.

Dad brought in a small/medium fresh fish for breakfast shortly after 07:46. Lady was at the ready for the feeding job, but the littles were still lying duckling style on their nest, side by side, and apparently fascinated by something on the perch branch (Dad?) and didn’t get up to come to the table. By 07:55 SE34 is up on his feet and eating, leaning across SE33’s tail to take the food. At 07:56:45, SE33 stands up and, being closer to mum, is immediately in prime position. Lady starts feeding SE33, who is now in front of SE34.

By 07:58, SE34 is moving forwards towards Lady. He does a little wingercising in slow motion, which somewhat takes SE33 aback, as SE34’s wings hit SE33. By 07:59, the pair are side by side at the table, looking as if butter wouldn’t melt. SO sweet. They are so cute. Mum is taking her time, eating some bites herself, and the chicks wait patiently, behaving like perfect little angels.

SE34 keeps shuffling forwards, and just before 8am, he is rewarded with his first bite of breakfast fish. He gets three bites before Lady begins feeding the two alternate bites. Their table manners are impeccable. Lady feeds half a dozen consecutive mouthfuls to SE34, without objection from SE33, who does some stretching while waiting its turn. By 08:01 she is feeding only SE34. Again, there is no protest from SE33.

Lady soon resumes alternating bites, and both eaglets are eating well, getting their share of the fish. The feeding ends at 08:16 when Lady swallows the last of the fish and leaves the nest. For once, SE33 looks larger than SE34 as they sit side by side after breakfast. SE34’s juvenile plumage is rapidly developing, and the caramel streaks are starting to appear on the breasts of both chicks. They are exquisitely beautifully designed. Sheer perfection.

Dad arrives just before 09:18 with more food. It appears to be feathered. He waits for Lady, who arrives a minute or so later. The eaglets are snuggled up together, and SE33 gently nuzzles SE34’s cheek with its beak. They are SO adorable. More food, and again both eaglets eat. These are big juicy bites of red meat, and after their second breakfast, both must be stuffed.

They eat again later, in the early afternoon, and in general had a peaceful day. It was lovely to watch them together. “

And the other Australia or NZ nests: “AtOrange, the bonding session was again extremely early this morning (04:04:17). Xavier brought Diamond two prey items, and she is currently doing night duties on the eggs. Xavier had another run-in with the black-shouldered kite, who is still obviously in the area. When Xavier arrived for a brief (20-minute) stint on the eggs in the late afternoon, he had a crop Diamond would be proud of, so both ate well today.

At Lonsdale Street, I could not see a changeover this afternoon – it appeared that dad did a long incubation stint. F24 flew up to the ledge momentarily, to be greeted by M22’s chirps, and then immediately turned and flew off again. When darkness fell, it appeared there had still been no changeover, and I saw no food deliveries to the ledge (at either end). So I am presuming food is being eaten off camera, possibly from a stash. It is a very difficult nest to monitor.

SK Hideaways caught the gusts at Collins Street that flipped MUM!

https://youtu.be/CRJSQNiNVe8?

“At Port Lincoln, Dad brought in a headless fish for breakfast at 08:26, but apart from a small snack (small partial fish) that he delivered late in the afternoon (18:14) that was the only food for mum today.

Both TF and TFT were fed by both parents today, so the chicks had an excellent day. They are wingercising and preparing to fledge. Isn’t it amazing that after five years or so, these male chicks will return to nest within 40 metres of the nest from which they were fledged, while the female chicks will nest, on average, about 80 metres from the site of their natal nest. That they can travel so far and for so long, returning to where they fledged from years later, is simply incredible. These chicks are carrying data collection devices that will not transmit but will collect three years of data, to which researchers will gain access when they return in five or six years’ time. “

Calico’s Tip of the Day: Are you worried about your cat’s teeth? That happens to be one of the biggest expenses. I remember when it was $395 for a cleaning. My vet shocked me when she told me that the cleanings begin at $1300 and could go up if extractions needed to be done. With four cats, I cringe at that thought – it is precisely why we do not have five! Calico’s Golden Paw Award goes to Greenies. She likes the salmon flavour, Baby Hope likes the Catnip, and Hugo Yugo eats anything. Our bags are empty! It looks like I will be shopping.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. We hope to have you with us again, soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, images, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today, ‘A, MP, PB’, All About Birds, Psychology Today, PETA, Canada Geese, Ospreys of Nova Scotia and Connie Dennis, Golden Gate Audubon SF Osprey Cam, Montana Osprey Cam, Montana Osprey Project, Owl Research Project, Dunrovin Ranch, Sandpoint Osprey Cam, Newfoundland Power Snow Valley Osprey nest, Niagara Bee, Blackbush at Tracerdie Osprey Platform, Fortis Exshaw Osoyoos Platform, COWLITZ PUD, Menhaden- Little Fish, Big Deal FB, SOAR, NEFL-AEF, IWS/Explore.org, FOBBV, Duke Farms, WRDC, Wsprynwngs, Tonya in NO and Kisatchie National Forest, Tonya Irwin and Raptors of the World, Audubon Florida, Loon Preservation Society, SK Hideaways, and The Guardian

Tuesday in Bird World

10 September 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

It is a scorcher, but thankfully, there is a good breeze. Clear blue sky, sun beating down, 30 C. We have filled the bird baths twice, and they require more water. It is 1341. Most of the little songbirds stay in the shade of the lilacs and that deep tunnel we created between them and the trees at the back. Two Blue Jays are getting peanuts off the big table feeder. I have yet to see the squirrels.

We had a bit of a fright Monday morning. All of the doors were locked and secured. Like many of you, I have a particular alarm if those doors are opened. It did not go off. Baby Hope did not come for breakfast. She always comes, but she never eats wet food. She did not come. I know precisely how quickly one can go from calm to hysterical – about 15 seconds! The storage room was emptied, and all appliances, cupboards, etc. were checked. No Hope. Eventually, she was found ‘terrified’ under the sitting room sofa. We had checked, and she wasn’t there, but she was this time. She was very skittery. She came out after four hours and nosed Calico, and they had a bit of a tumble. She is not herself. Quite frightened. I cannot imagine what has scared her so much. I wait in the hope that she will be herself soon. And, by 1600 she was fine. Very strange. It did force me to clean the storage room, though. Lots of things on the boulevard that others might want or need!

In Bird World, Antali and Finnegan are at the Hellgate nest. The image below is Iris who is also still home and who visited the nest shortly after noon on Monday. Iris has a necklace and Finnegan is white breasted like Antali. She needs a fish!

It will not be long til Antali is prepared to take flight and then Finnegan will probably eat up for a day and take off. In normal circumstances, the male will never leave a fledgling. They do not normally catch their own fish until they are on their way away from the nest, although some have been known to be precocious and do fish.

Antali was on and off the nest and the perch. Finnegan brought him a headless fish at 1240.

And away Finnegan goes!

At Charlo Montana, C16 is on the nest wanting fish. His chest is quite sunken – the kiddo needs a fish. It is very windy there. C16 got some fish!!!!!

The nest cleaners – European Starlings – were at Dunrovin.

‘H’ tells me that this camera at Osoyoos has been frozen for a number of days. It came back on Monday morning. ‘H’ identifies this juvenile as #2 or Middle. Soo delivers a fish on Monday, too. Mum is still home.

At Newfoundland Power Snow Lane’s nest, Beaumont and Hope are both home along with at least one juvenile. I did not see a fight for fish which makes me wonder if one of the fledglings has left the area.

Keo is still delivering fish to River at the Sandpoint Osprey platform.

Harvie is delivering fish to the Fortis-Exshaw nest also.

There is at least one juvenile hanging around the Blackbush at Old Tracadie Harbour osprey platform hoping for some fish. I did not see a delivery and I cannot tell you if it is a single osplet coming and going or more than one. No one is banded! And I have not studied the head patterns of the chicks at this nest.

I did not see any Ospreys at the Cowlitz PUD nest on Monday.

Some may be concerned about the Line Fire in San Bernardino County and Jackie and Shadow. Sharon Pollock posted news from Big Bear:

Jackie and Shadow are very experienced and they can fly and we must presume they will do so to get out of harm’s way should the fire spread to the area of their territory in Big Bear Valley.

Didn’t see any eagles at the WRDC nest when I checked. It is the home to Ron and Rose.

The latest migrator bird count as posted on the Loch Arkaig FB page! Only 36 ospreys so far.

This is Geemeff’s closing daily summary for Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust. Enjoy! She will be back with us in the spring after our osprey family arrives.

Final daily summary Monday 9th September 2024

Quoting WTS George: As the dried up flounder tail of time finally descends into the expectant crop of autumn, I notice it’s nearly the end of our season… I’m sorry I haven’t an Osprey, but here’s one I prepared earlier: A rollercoaster season in 2024: triumph, tragedy, and plenty more! Season’s highlights captured from Nest Cam Two, I’ll be doing a separate highlights video for Nest One in due course which will be on my YouTube channel and I’ll also post it on Adam’s site,

https://walkingwithdaddy.com/osprey/ To keep in touch over winter, Adam welcomes everyone to his site, it also uses Hyvor, and for those on Facebook there is the Friends of Loch Arkaig. It has been an eventful season, all part of nature in the raw, and it will be interesting to see what next year brings. Hoping for two resident families next year.

Many thanks to everyone for their company during the season, special thanks to George for this forum, and Woodland Trust for allowing me to clip bits off their livestreams for my own amusement, Steve Q for the fish stats, Liz B for the wonderful off-nest reports, Beverley for the overnight reports, and Postcode Lottery for funding the nest cams. Extra special thanks to Brenda J for keeping me up to date when I’m away by sending me frequent fishmails, much appreciated.

I look forward to Spring 2025 and Season Nine for the Loch Arkaig Ospreys.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 20.39.55 (05.57.58); Nest Two 20.35.01 (06.05.38)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/DO7XJOA6OEs A rollercoaster season in 2024: triumph, tragedy, and plenty more! Season’s highlights 2024

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/XUYF6OEpQ88 N2 Sarafina does a fly-by before landing 2022

https://youtu.be/sUpzBM54QHY N2 Thief! A Raven arrives and steals a stick 2022

https://youtu.be/PLOmU0AJ8nM N2 Several little birds come and go on the empty nest 2022

https://youtu.be/BQC_B1pN3tk N2 Lights at night near the nest – deer management team 2022

https://youtu.be/5LK7YZ2CtZ8 N2 Confirmed – final sighting of Sarafina LW6 2022

https://youtu.be/6h4T2QWS_68 N2 Three Bullfinches (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) visit 2023

Watch the Loch Arkaig Osprey livestream 24/7 and join in the conversation here:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

The White-tailed eagle at Port Lincoln is growing. There were high winds the other day and some were concerned. It is still there – that little white bundle in the straw.

Tweed Valley’s Teddy (oh, just adorable as a youngster in the nest) is in Portugal. He made it!!!!!!!!!!

At Nova Scotia’s Russell Lake osprey nest, Oscar and Sylor are still home.

Beautiful close-ups of the Olympic Park sea eagles. The gorgeous rust is coming in at the tip of the espresso-black juvenile feathers. My goodness talk about gorgeous on that snow white! https://youtu.be/LRiIuOhlu9g?

‘A’ remarks, “Just TOO cute this morning was SE33, who tried to join in when Dad and Lady were doing their 05:39 morning duet. The tiny little honks were the most adorable thing I’ve heard in days. I couldn’t quite believe my ears, so I rewound and could see SE33’s little body vibrating with the honking it was doing.

SE34 is growing very nicely and looking active and healthy. SE33 is fed first at most feedings, by mutual agreement, but SE34 is almost always able to eat enough once SE33 has eaten enough. And of course Lady is keeping an eye on him.

The eaglets did a lot of preening while waiting for their meal this morning. They must both be itchy, with feathers emerging everywhere! SE33’s tail feathers are becoming visible now too. Breakfast arrived courtesy of Dad shortly before 06:25. Again, it was young and feathered. SE33 was closest to the table and as usual was fed first. (SE34 still appeared to have a reasonable crop from the night before!)

Shortly before 06:29, SE34 shuffles forward so that the two eaglets are side by side. He is rewarded with his first bite of breakfast. SE33 is unbothered until Lady goes to give SE34 a second consecutive bite, at which point SE33 leans in front of SE34 and steals the bite from Lady’s beak. Remember the pecking order, mum! Lady gives SE34 the next bite, and again there is no objection from SE33 until mum goes to give SE34 a second bite, and again, SE33 leans in to take what it believes to be rightfully its mouthful.

Lady resumes feeding SE33 only, with SE34 a step further back from the table, waiting his turn. SE34 definitely appears larger than its older sibling as they sit side by side at this morning’s feeding. It may be extra fluff, but it may also be because SE34 is female or because SE34 has been getting the better of the feedings over the last few days (which I don’t think is the case – at least not on a regular basis). So I will be fascinated to know (if we ever do find out) what gender these two are. I do so wish they would band and sex these nestlings. It would really help SO much in establishing where they are dispersing to and whether they are breeding successfully in their new territories. That surely would be worth knowing. But obviously not. “

At Port Lincoln, Heidi caught Dad delivering the morning fish.

.’A’ brings us up to date on Xavier and Diamond, “At Orange, Xavier had nearly two hours of egg time this afternoon, though Diamond has now resumed her rightful position as incubator in chief. Diamond was swooped four times in the middle of this afternoon by a black-shouldered kite but sustained no damage. All is well between them of course, with bonding early this morning and Xavier spending quite a bit of time just standing next to Diamond as she incubates the eggs. He is such a darling. He adores Diamond…..Diamond and Xavier had a particularly early bonding session in the scrape this morning (04:36:50), after which Xavier remained in the nest box for about an hour, just hanging about and keeping Diamond company. He has been doing this quite a lot over recent days. He is just SO sweet and he really does adore Diamond. She is doing most of the incubating, but Xavier did get a half-hour of egg time shortly after 11am (Diamond has just resumed her position on the eggs). These two are just SO endearing, and we have watched them together for several years now, 24/7 all year round, so they are like family to us and we know their little habits and routines so well. Of course it makes us all experts! We like to think we understand these two, but of course we don’t. We only get a glimpse of their lives. We’ll never know what it feels like to go into a stoop at 100 miles an hour for example. We see only one part of their lives really – their relationship with each other and with their chicks. But I sometimes wish they could equip a falcon with a tiny camera that gave us a vicarious version of their true lives… At Orange, a persistent visitor today was a willy wagtail, who repeatedly landed confidently on the ledge. Such cute little birds, so well known in the Australian bush. Very brave and determined little creatures. Xavier bought himself some egg time when Diamond headed off for lunch, returning with an absolute monster of a crop. The general consensus was that it contained a luncheon pigeon and would sustain her until morning. It was so gigantic that it appeared almost as large as Xavier. All of him. He took one look at the gigantic Diamond on the ledge and made no protest at all – left the eggs and the scrape in double quick time for him. These two really make me laugh. They are so ‘human’ in their interactions, or perhaps they just make it easy for us to anthropomorphise. Hatch watch begins some time in the first week of October. I really hope there are only two hatches and that they are not too far apart. And a Dudley to lean on or to use as a pillow is always useful for the younger chick when trying to reach Diamond’s beak. Many chatters are hoping for three chicks but I don’t think they’ve watched Diamond closely enough! We both know how lazy she can be, even with two, and the younger chick in her scrape really has to work hard for its food. Mind you, it does usually end up pretty proficient at getting fed, like darling Rufus. Such a sweet little falcon. I loved him dearly. He was such a personality for one so small, and so very determ”

There is sad news coming out of Kakapo Recovery. Thank you, ‘J’ – Ranger was my adopted Kakapo!

‘A’ sends news of the Royal Cam chick: “We are getting so close to fledge at Taiaroa Head, where TF chick was 231 days old today and TFT chick about a week younger. Neither was weighed today, as the rangers are concentrating on chicks requiring supplementary feeding (one is being fed five days a week, which is most unusual). Last week, TF chick weighed 9.7kg (average for male chicks of that age at this colony) and he has been fed by both parents in the week since. He produced a bolus on 6 September, so was obviously ready to fledge, and has been really working his wings over the past couple of days. Probably all it will take are favourable winds to launch him on the lonely journey that will be his life. When I switched on the albatross tab for a quick chick check tonight and could see no signs of TF sleeping on his nest, my heart literally skipped a beat. Is he gone? No-one on the chat is indicating that there has been a fledge but I cannot see either of the chicks (TF or TFT) right now. (It is a particularly dark night and TF’s new nest is not in the circle of light provided by the IR light on the camera.) But both chicks were still on the headland late this afternoon (around 17:30), so I doubt they have departed quite yet. I am unsure whether TFT has produced a bolus as yet, but TF has been fed by both parents since producing his on 6 September so will probably produce another before fledging. I have read nothing about the contents of the bolus he has expelled.”

Calico wants to give everyone some ways to make their phone last longer. Our reading time Monday night was an article in The New York Times. She was surprised when we read that you should not plug your phone in and charge it overnight every night – that you should check your settings and only charge your phone to 80%. The battery will last longer! There are other tips and she hopes that they will help you. Calico wants you to use Merlin when you go for a walk or go to the park and check for birds!

Wirecutter: You Don’t Need a New Phone. Here’s How to Make the One You Have Last Longer.

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/how-to-make-your-phone-last-longer

One of our heroes is Bob Horvath and this year the Centreport Eagle family is donating all of the proceeds of their 2025 calendar to WINORR – Horvath’s organization that rescues and rehabilitates raptors including many of our beloved ospreys. Here is the information:

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, streaming cams, annual summaries and daily synopsis: ‘Geemeff, H, J’, Montana Osprey Project, Owl Research Project/Explore, Fortis-Exshaw Osoyoos Osprey Platform, Newfoundland Power, Fortis-Exshaw Canmore Osprey Cam, Sandpoint Osprey Platform, Blackbush, Cowlitz PUD, Sharon Pollock, FOBBV, WRDC, Loch Arkaig FB Page, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Connie Dennis and Ospreys of Nova Scotia FB, Tweed Valley Osprey Project, and Heidi McGrue and Port Lincoln Ospreys, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, Kakapo Recovery, and The New York Times.

Sad news from Niagara Bee…Saturday in Bird World

7 September 2024

Hello Everyone!

I have put a warning in one group of images and the report from Niagara Bee. I did not believe we could lose another osprey this late in the season and, yet, it has happened. So be mindful when you get to that spot if you are sensitive and move down to the next news item.

I can confirm that Cobey, the Colonial Beach osplet on the streaming cam, was not one of the three ospreys from the area that had a necroscopy. I can, however, confirm that Cobey was noticeably ‘malnourished’ when his body was examined. That will not be a surprise to anyone. Individuals from the area are speaking up to stop the commercial fishing for Menhaden that has impacted hundreds of osprey nests in the area.

It really does feel as if fall has come to Manitoba. The leaves are changing before my eyes, the squirrels and Blue Jays are busy storing peanuts for the winter, and the Crows are getting fat. How many will remain here during the winter? Junior finally has his crest, and he is back to his handsome self. He wouldn’t smile at me but there he is on the left, crest flattened, but there! It took more than two weeks to grow in.

This is one of the little Red Squirrels born in our wood shed in the summer. It has a lot of white and is simply tiny and adorable.

Hugo Yugo has a fascination with dry flowers! These came from our local market, but I am drying herbs in the utility room, and she would love to be taller!

Last evening, Hugo Yugo must have felt the chill of the changing seasons, and I found her cuddled under two duvets. She loves her creature comforts and still sleeps with her head draped over my left arm on my pillow. She prefers the satin pillowcase. What a girl.

We are all having withdrawals or are starting to fret and worry about our dear Ospreys – particularly Iris and her entire family, as they prepare for migration. My inbox contains letters from you sitting and wringing your hands and toes. We know that Iris has survived for nearly 30 years in the wild. She is eating well. Finnegan is helping with Antali, and it appears that Sum-eh might have departed. Of course, she could be somewhere along the Clarke-Fork River eating some enormous fish and not revealing her quite perky and independent self. These two fledglings have good DNA. Tiger Mozone told me once they need two things: good DNA and good luck. So, we know that they have great genes. Just look at Iris and how long she has lived. She has also had the best of luck (OK, maybe not with Louis) during her migration. Let us hope that she has given clear and concise instructions to her two juveniles, Antali and Sum-eh, so they have long and productive lives carrying on her gene pool when they are ready to start their own families.

Antali is undoubtedly handsome. He would like Dad to get a big fishie on that nest. Iris is still home and delivered a whopper this morning. Thanks, ‘PB”.

When I speak about luck, I mean staying away from the harm that much of modern human life causes. The Global Odyssey of Migratory Birds by Scott Weidensaul describes many of those. One of the most formidable is ‘light’. “Ornithologists have known for generations that artificial light disorients birds; as far back as the 1800s, lighthouse keepers described huge bird kills on foggy nights, when migrating songbirds battered themselves against the glass” (144). Weidensaul continues, “Lighted skyscrapers remain a major cause of mortality during migration so much so that campaigns have been launched in many cities to convince building managers to turn off lights during the peak of migration…some 90,000 birds a year die from building collisions in New York City alone.” Weidensaul notes that the lights that are set up for the memorial to the 9/11 victims is in peak migration period. “Some years the heaviest flights have occurred on the same night as the tribute…Radar studies have shown that the twin beams concentrate migrants at 150 times the normal rate”. (144). Since 2005, if the migration detectors notice 1000 songbirds whirling in dismay in the lights, they are now automatically turned off to save the birds and allow them to get on their way without harm” (144).

The route that Iris and her family, along with other Montana birds, take when they migrate might not take them through large cities with tall skyscrapers. It depends on where they go and below is the map constructed by the Montana Osprey Project with the birds that have been tracked.

The odd bird seems to have had trouble and went north and then to Florida, but you will notice that the concentrated stream takes them over Colorado into Texas, Mexico, and Central America. Many believe that Iris winters in south Texas but with no tracker or distinctive Darvic Ring we will never know for certain.

I am reposting an article from one of the Hellgate Osprey groups on FB by ‘CW’ that you might find of interest. ‘Osprey Migration Explained’.

Osprey Migration Explained – Avian Report Download

Autumn migration news from Knepp Farm in Sussex, UK.

The Great Autumn Migration – Knepp Download

At Llyn Brenig, Bethan 8B9 was last seen Friday morning and is believed to have departed for her migration. LJ2 was at the nest in the evening.

News from Tweed Valley.

I caught ‘someone’ at the NE Florida nest on the branch but cannot confirm if it is Gabby or Beau. They were photographed in the LY tree together around 10:00 am. Thanks, ‘J’.

It is difficult to see eagles with injured talons. This particular one with its necrotic talons came and went and spent some time on the NE Florida nest. It has been identified as the same eagle that intruded on the nest last year. Oh, please leave Gabby and Beau alone! https://youtu.be/Pg8g_M3wrWc?

WingsofWhimspy notations sent by ‘J’ as the eagles return:

We know that Jackie and Shadow, Beau and Gabby, and M15 and F23 are here! (listed above, too)

Well, this is where we will be on the 22nd and then rushing back for the Goose Flights at the nature centre.

How clean energy can help save our birds. Audubon has some ideas.

How Clean Energy Can Benefit Climate, Communities, And Conservation _ Audubon Download

It is hard to imagine how quickly our little ones grow and they are on their way to independence and trying to survive on their own. Dyfi reminds us!

Just look at those little faces wanting fish. That is why I love this species so much.

WARNING. DISTURBING NEWS AND IMAGE IN THIS REPORT FROM NIAGRA BEE. Before I check the nests, news has come in late Friday from ‘PB’ that something there is a dead osplet on the Niagara Bee nest. It’s body was there in the early morning. Was it killed? and if so, why was the prey that was hunted left? or did it die of a disease? In either case, the remaining two fledglings are in danger. (If it was a predator during the night I could not rewind enough to confirm it was an owl. Eagles hunt during the day.)

At 0802 one of the fledglings looks down to see its dead sibling.

Nestled by its sibling.

The body of the osplet was eaten by a raccoon that came to the nest after dusk.

At the Snow Lane nest in Newfoundland, Beaumont is still delivering amazing fish to the two fledgings. He arrived Friday afternoon with a nice crop after finishing the head. Both juveniles are still home. I cannot confirm if Hope is still in the area.

Look at the size of the wings on that fledgling. I ‘think’ it is the second hatch. The other has a really lovely crop so both are getting fed well. Yeah to Beaumont and Hope for a great year. Hope delivered a big fish to the nest on Friday and was hungry herself but the kiddos got it. Beaumont was delivering on Thursday. He could have been on Friday, too – it is hard to catch them they are trying to get off the nest without having their talons torn off. Who would have thought we would be witnessing this?! It is special. A miracle nest.

River at the Sandpoint osprey platform wanting fish. No deliveries by mid-Friday afternoon that I could see.

Juvenile on the nest at Cowlitz PUD wanting fish.

At Fortis-Exshaw, Harvie delivered a fish Friday morning and both juveniles were at the nest wanting it.

I did not see anyone for ever so long, but Heidi caught Soo delivering a fish on Friday. There were some leftovers and a juvenile, cannot tell which one, came in later and ate it.

There is at least one juvenile at home at Collins Marsh Osprey Platform receiving fish from Dad.

‘PB’ reports that the OPPD ospreys have left the Fort Calhoun nest near Omaha, Nebraska, USA.

‘PB’ also sent me the latest notice. I am thrilled that people are speaking up against the Canadian company, Omega, for wiping out the Menhaden fish stocks that the ospreys (and others) depend on for their survival. Please, regardless, of where you live, write your Senator if you feel strongly about this issue. Other States who have bordering the Chesapeake Bay have restrictions against this industrial fishing — all but Virginia. Do it for Cobey!!!!!!

Geemeff’s daily summary for Loch Arkaig and the Woodland Trust:

Daily summary Friday 6th September 2024

The promised sunshine materialised and tempted a Coal Tit out onto Nest One for a few moments. Another sunny day is forecast for tomorrow but then it’s back to cool and damp for the rest of the week.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.00.28 (05.32.42); Nest Two 21.07.49 (05.44.10)
Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/n85DjMBiPQY The unusual sunshine tempts a Coal Tit out onto the nest 17.12.42

Bonus read – are migration patterns for UK Ospreys changing?
https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/2023/09/osprey-shortened-migration/

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/Xl_8AxlIfkc N1 Cheeky Hoodie invades the nest despite Rannoch nearby 2019
https://youtu.be/poMrwR2FX_w N1 Confirmed: Final sighting of Rannoch on the nest 2019
https://youtu.be/hL6JazzmUEg N1 Confirmed: Vera’s final visit to the nest 2020
https://youtu.be/Y3XChI4pFV4 N1 Small raptor (Sparrowhawk?) visits the empty nest 2020https://youtu.be/rkJolVwk_Y8 N2 Business as usual for Louis and Sarafina 2022
https://youtu.be/HHXIj2ufC50 N2 Hoodie alert! Sarafina exits hastily with her fish 2022
https://youtu.be/o5NcT2J4KTc N2 Is Sarafina feeding fish to the crows? 2022

Watch the Loch Arkaig Osprey livestream 24/7 and join in the conversation here:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

Our cute pie Cal Falcons Annie and Archie are pair bonding! https://youtu.be/mv2yafsUozM?

Morning changeover at 367 Collins Street. ‘A’ comments: “I understand that Victor has identified the male as the same male we had here last year (M22) and the female as a new bird (neither F22, who was probably killed by an intruder last season, nor the intruder). So she is being called F23 (though surely it should be F24 – the whole thing is confusing me greatly). At both scrapes, hard incubation is well underway, with Xavier doing his usual adorable chatting to his eggs (though I have not yet seen him attempt to feed them so far this season – there’s plenty of time of course for him to do something typical of this cutest of falcons).”

I note that someone whom I trust explicitly and has detailed images of head patterns, etc. does not believe that this is M22, but a new male despite Victor Hurley’s statement that it is. Without Darvic rings, it is incredibly difficult to identify birds unless there is a peculiar identifying mark.

At the Sea Eagles cam, SE34 is still shy of 33. There is a quiet jerk, and the stance of his body indicates that the youngest hatchling always keeps a keen eye on him in case 33 is going to reach over and beak him. SE33 ate first, and even when 34 moved up to the beak, Lady kept feeding 33 for a bit.

This feeding was caught by Nesting Bird Life and More: https://youtu.be/1cB4L9Xz1Nw?

‘A’ comments: “The more I watch WBSE, the more I wonder whether the temperaments of these two, combined with the lack of an obvious size difference, suggest that we may indeed have two boys on this nest. SE33, though the first hatch and therefore top of the ‘pecking order’, is certainly not a vicious chick in the manner of a killer like Zoe.

But SE34 definitely remains very intimidated at feedings, despite the excellent fraternal relationship the two nestlings seem to have the rest of the time. Usually, SE33 doesn’t even need to beak SE34, who cowers away at the slightest hint that SE33 is even considering moving in his direction. About ten minutes into the breakfast feeding, SE34 shuffled forward to get closer to the food, and for the next ten minutes or so, Lady seemed to concentrate on feeding him, so that he got the vast majority of the bites, just as SE33 had done early in the feeding.

After flying off this morning, Dad returned very quickly with breakfast, and Lady quickly took control of what looked like something furred, though it could have just as easily been slightly feathered (it was definitely red meat and looked very nutritious – probably someone else’s half-grown chick. As the feeding progressed, and each chick had been fed for about 10 minutes, Lady fed them both alternately for a while. SE34 appeared slightly wary but was relatively confident, even competing with SE33 for bites (and winning). At all times, though, SE34 was aware of SE33 and was monitoring its movements carefully, while still participating in the feeding.

It was a very lengthy feeding, and by its end (around 07:17), both eaglets had very healthy crops. Their exquisite white fluff is now decorated with rows of shiny blue-black feathers growing through, making the chicks look spectacularly beautiful (as opposed to the cutest little fluff balls). These sea eaglets really are exquisite as their juvenile plumage develops – and the camouflage it provides is extremely impressive (like red-tailed hawklets, these sea eaglets grow the most wonderfully effective camouflage). “

At the Charles Sturt Falcon Cam in Orange, Xavier is getting a lot of eggie time Saturday morning.

Xavier on the eggs.

Mum and Dad at the nest on the Port Lincoln barge.

Remember Ervie and then Bradley with their Puffer Fish? ‘L’ sent us a posting of another osprey enjoying that particular delicacy. It feels like that old saying ‘Shooting Fish in a Barrel’. These Puffers must be easy to catch!

Mark it on your calender. Cornell’s Big Bird Day (counting birds) is 12 October. Please register to participate. I will send reminders and links closer to the date!

Conservation without Borders with Sacha Dench is Crowdfunding for The Flight of the Vulture. Here is some information and below it is the e-mail about contributing to the Crowdfunder.

Flight of The Vulture Download

Exciting News Flight of the Vultures is Live Heres How to Double Your Impact Download

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

Thank you so much to the following for their notes, comments, posts, tweets, images, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, H, J, L, PB’, Niagara Bee, Cornell Bird Lab, Thinura Nisal Bandara, Port Lincoln Osprey, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, 367 Collis Street by Mirvac, Olympic Park Eagle Cam, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Virginia Osprey Foundation, Collins Marsh Ospreys, Fortis Exshaw Osoyoos, Fortis Exshaw Canmore, Cowlitz PUD, Newfoundland Power Snow Lane Osprey Cam, Sandpoint Osprey Cam, Dyfi Osprey Project, Audubon, MB IBA, Wings of Whimsy, NEFL-AEF, Tweed Valley Osprey Project, Knepp Farm, Llyn Brenig Ospreys, Avian Report, Montana Osprey Project, The Global Odyssey of Migrating Birds, and Conservation without Borders.

Some ospreys are still home…Friday in Bird World

6 September 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

I hope the week has been good for you and that you have some plans to be outside this weekend. We will be off searching for cranes and watching for geese landing at night.

Do you put off things? I have and it was time that I did something about a few extraordinary things waiting for attention. Sitting safely in a fireproof box were several beautiful letters by ‘KM’. They include stories of birding decades ago when she was a child. Eagleman Charles Broley would visit their house.

Broley was a bank manager for RBC in Winnipeg, where I live. The branch was on Corydon Avenue. Broley is also more well-known for being a bander of eagles and more. The Lower Beverley Lake website, where Broley also lived, states:

Eagle Platform, Location: Blue Heron Point

Many prominent people have resided on Lower Beverley Lake, and Charles Broley was one of them. It can actually be said that he “soared with the eagles”! The Broley family lived at one end of Whiskey Island where we can still see the white cottage Charles Broley acquired in 1913 when he was a banker in Delta. Following his retirement in 1939, Charles Broley became widely known in Canada and the United States as the “Eagle Man” when he began to band and study bald eagles: by the age of 80 he had banded over 1000 of these birds, climbing by rope ladder up lofty trees to reach their nests, It was he who first sounded the alarm about DDT, realizing that this widely used pesticide was responsible for the increasing sterility of the mature birds. Most of his work was done in Florida, but he also dealt with several eyries in the Lower Beverley Lake area. Life Magazine ran a full photo feature on Charles Broley and the National Geographic produced a documentary on his impressive work with eagles. His wife, Myrtle, was a well-known author and his daughter, Jeanne Broley Patric, still summers on the lake and publishes stories and poems.

Why am I mentioning Broley today (I have previously posted about him)? Several reasons. The first is that we are now in the ‘between’ season. Most ospreys have begun their migration. Most, not all. A few dads or wanna-be mates in the UK are still providing fish; it appears that the entire family of Iris are still in Missoula. Dr Green saw four ospreys soaring together – Iris, Finnegan, Antalia, and Sum-eh. So, the oldest had not begun her flight south; she was getting fish elsewhere or fishing for herself. What a joy to see them all. The eagles return to check on their nests and make some restorations, clearly marking their nest in their territory for any would-be takers. The only active nest with chicks right now is the Olympic Park Eagles. Diamond and Xavier are incubating eggs with Mum and Dad at Port Lincoln and M22 and F23 at 367 Collins Street. The long and short of it is that this is a good season for reading!

I highly recommend Eagle Man. It gives such good insights into the life of eagles. You can only purchase it used. This is the cover for one advertised on ABE books.

Amazon does not have any copies, but this is a reasonable synopsis of the book’s contents.

Check your library and all the used book sellers if you want a copy.

I was honoured to receive a photograph of Charles Broley in the garden of the head of Michigan’s Audubon Society in the 1950s and an eagle feather. The framer did a wonderful job. I asked for a thick envelope attached at the back to include letters and articles about Broley.

The frame is a beautiful walnut – the image wasn’t straight, so it appears cropped. Our Eagleman Broley has his hat of the day and overcoat. My husband looked down and thought it was my Dad. Yes, they sure do look alike! My Dad loved birds and was the first to introduce them to me, but his life was with other things with wings (planes), and he was not a birder. Oh, how I wish he had been.

Could you look closely at the colours in the feather? I apologise for the strange green reflection from the ceiling! There is a beautiful shimmer of a pinky apricot in that feather that is hard to see. Perhaps it is better in the image above. The apricot kisses the white and charcoal feathering on both edges. So kind of ‘KM’ to think of me.

The eagle feather will hang next to a very special Osprey feather, from a juvenile that got to fly, but sadly not for long. She was electrocuted. Thank you, ‘CD’.

Again, I want you to notice the colours. The walnut frame was picked specifically because of the tip of Heidi’s feather. The deepest black espresso bleeds into a marvellous orange, then ochre and cream at the tip.

The two birds were very special, and I hope that by framing them and including all of the documents associated with them, someone will appreciate them after I have spread my wings and flown.

‘SP’ sent us a link to an article on the research on wind turbines by Audubon. They categorically note that painting one blade black, something that has been known for some time, will save the lives of our feathered friends. It is simple. The real question is why don’t these companies do the right thing and fix the issue? We have, for example, wind turbines in Manitoba right in one of the major migration routes for raptors. You would be sick if you visited that place because of all the beheaded eagles. No one has done anything and I suspect the company doesn’t care!!!!!!!! It is a huge issue because these enormous turbines – and they are enormous – are getting installed everywhere. I have yet to see a black blade on one of them.

https://www.audubon.org/magazine/surprisingly-simple-solution-protect-birds-wind-turbines-gets-its-biggest-test-yet

At the Hellgate Canyon nest, Antali was persistent in coming to the nest in hope of fish. It paid off. Poor Finnegan could lose his talons.

Johnny is still at the Fenwick Island nest feeding his juvenile!

There is at least one fledgling getting fish at the Newfoundland Power nest of Beaumont and Hope. I cannot confirm the presence of the other fledgling or adult. Some of you might know.

C16 is still getting fish deliveries at Charlo Montana. Yum, yum.

The fledgling at Cowlitz is 100 days old on 5 September (or as I write this). We know from the Dyfi Osprey Project that the longest a fledgling has stayed at the nest was 109 days. That was Padarn in 2022. Hopefully, this miracle youngster, who the Bald Eagle did not take as itsre, two siblings we will flourish – and it looks like it could be well prepared for migration just like Beaumont and Hope’s two kiddos.

I did not see any activity at the Fortis Exshaw’s Osoyoos nest on Thursday.

Harvie is busy delivering fish at Fortis Exshaw’s osprey platform near Canmore Alberta. It appears that both fledglings are still in town.

At the Sandpoint nest, River is still home. River flies off with fish from perch. Cannot confirm if Keke is still present. Keo is delivering.

It looks like CJ7 and Blue 022’s family might have finally departed for migration. What a wonderful year it has been with that little 4th – 5H6 – turning out to be such a formidable sibling on that nest. That tiny, tiny little thing not only survived amongst much bigger siblings, but thrived. I really look forward to seeing him return in 2026!

There are still two juveniles from the Kurzeme nest in Lativia at home! Both are wearing Red Darvic rings – difficult to read the numbers. They have survived any other larger raptors living in the forest.

We are all fascinated when Bald Eagles raise Red-tail Hawklets as their own. This is the story of a 14 year old California youth that photographed a family of eagles raising a hawklet. A lovely read! And, yes, you ,ight have guessed – this is the story of Tuffy2 (not Tuffy from 2019).

This Teen Photographer Captured a Raptor Rarity: Bald Eagles Raising a Red-tailed Hawk Chick | Audub Download

If every monument, every building in every city would turn off their lights during migration, the lives of billions of birds would be saved. Imagine. Thanks, ‘PB’ for spotting this. Gosh…imagine. Contact your City Hall and make them aware of this important undertaking, your Councillor or anyone who will listen. You CAN make a difference!

Geemeff’s Daily Summary for Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust:

Daily summary Thursday 5th September 2024

No avian activity as is the norm now, but the weather has perked up and blazing sunshine with positively tropical highs of 25°C is forecast for the next two days. A pity our family didn’t get to enjoy similar weather before the chicks had to be removed in order to save them via a translocation programme – Louis was able to bring a final fish for breakfast which Dorcha served up on that last morning together before the chicks left the nest on 1st July, link to that video: https://youtu.be/Q_HakxODigs

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 20.53.24 (05.35.20); Nest Two 20.50.26 (05.44.14)

Today’s videos: none

Bonus recipe from our very own Woodland Trust Scotland George – make some bramble whisky!

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2019/08/bramble-whisky

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/LEMJm8XBfas N1 Lachlan eats one fish, departs with another 2017 (thanks Scylla)

https://youtu.be/o-WY7x6x5Xc N1 Whose nest is it anyway? Rannoch and a Hoodie 2019

https://youtu.be/VOXzZ-0vTSo N1 Confirmed: final sighting of Louis 2019

https://youtu.be/1310c1jFxaU N1 Who’s on the nest before Vera gets breakfast from Louis? 2020

https://youtu.be/7pj8uTDrCKc N1 Confirmed: final sighting of Louis 2020

https://youtu.be/j4z65mVcjkI N2 Sarafina departs and the Hoodies move in 2022

https://youtu.be/BV2mAedbJ9o N2 Hoodies on the nest force Louis to abort landing with his fish 2022

https://youtu.be/vPO_llkryLo N2 Mobbed by Hoodies, Sarafina loses her fish! 2022

https://youtu.be/4ekm0Uf7r7c N1 Misty morning sunrise 2023 (timelapse)

https://youtu.be/C5w-9s869M4 N2 Juvenile Sparrowhawk visits 2023 (zoom)

Watch the Loch Arkaig Osprey livestream 24/7 and join in the conversation here:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

And some other interesting stories that caught Geemeff’s eye to share with us. Was it humans that took that nest??????? My money is on the power company coming to change the light bulbs. We have seen this before. Remember when the men put the two chicks in the woodchopper? It was sickening. They could have waited a month. This is very disturbing.

Partnership working for the benefit of Ospreys:
https://m.fairfaxconnection.com/news/2024/sep/04/dominion-energy-park-authority-connect-to-help-ospreys/

And a mystery – where’s the nest gone? If weather, there should be evidence of the nest remains at the base of the pole. The two fledglings sitting on top of the pole are probably fish-calling rather than distress calls, I would imagine:

https://eastgreenwichnews.com/mystery-of-missing-osprey-nest

After this female was shot (!) the chicks were taken into care. One didn’t make it, but the other was returned to his natal area:

https://wchstv.com/community/wild-appalachia/wild-appalachia-young-osprey-release

Waba, the Black Stork, son of Karl II, is feeding in a beautiful area as he makes his way to Africa for migration.

When I travel to visit my son in Grenada, the mangroves are places of peace and tranquilty. They are home to many species of birds including our beloved ospreys. Like wetlands, they are important habitat. El Salvador could be losing some of theirs.

The vanishing mangroves of El Salvador: ‘All our efforts may only slow the destruction’ https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/article/2024/sep/05/mangroves-el-salvador-forests?CMP=share_btn_url

Gorgeous Gabby. Will she finally have chicks again with Beau after her beloved Samson disappeared?

Those cute little falcons in Orange. Diamond wants food, Xavier wants to cuddle with his ‘eggies’. Adorable. https://youtu.be/Kvf6sYH-qnM?

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care! We hope to have you with us again soon.

Thank you so much to the following whose notes, posts, images, articles, videos, and streaming cams helped me to write my post this morning: ‘CD, Geemeff, KM, PB, SP’, NEFL-AEF, The Guardian, Montana Osprey Project, @Hellgate Osprey, Heidi McGrue, Looduskalender, fairfaxconnection.com, eastgreenwichnews.com, wchstv.com, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Audubon, Gateway Arch FB, LDF, BoPH, Sandpoint Osprey Cam, Fortis Exshaw Canmore, Alberta, Fortis Exshaw Osoyoos, Cowlitz PUD, Newfoundland Power, Charlo Montana, Audubon.org, Lower Beverley Lake News, Amazon, ABE Books, SK Hideaways, Save our Menhaden.

Monday in Bird World

2 September 2024

Good Morning,

For many around the world, today is a holiday. I hope that you are enjoying this long weekend, that the weather was good, and that you made some fantastic memories.

It is a beautiful day – Sunday, as I write this. It must be about 24 C. I have not looked, but it is comfortable, and the sun is out. The Crows are pulling worms and insects from the ground around the neighbourhood and pecking at the wooden bark that the City put around the newly planted trees. I have two now in the front to replace the 122-year-olds that had to be cut down due to disease.
We look forward to planting five more trees during the local fall Re-Leaf campaign. That should make the garden area a complete forest, but it will take some time for them to get big enough to be of benefit. I wonder why more aren’t planting large shade trees with summer heating up?

Today will the party for all the girls – Calico’s arrival into the house a year ago, Baby Hope’s coming into the house, and Hugo Yugo’s first birthday this evening. I will take photos. They only needed a new scratch post and we picked up some Halloween toys and treats. They are incredibly spoiled. I tell everyone the four of them have given to me much more than I can ever do for them. Last evening we had a fright. The garden door was closed but I guess not all the way and the wind whipped it open. Three girls flew out – Calico, Hugo Yugo, and Baby Hope. I ran out to the deck and Baby Hope and Hugo Yugo flew back in the house. Calico didn’t. She went under the deck. My fear was she would leave the garden area. I sat and read to her and took out food just like I did when I was wooing her last summer to come into our house. She would stick her head out. She was terrified of the outdoors – not curious or happy to be out, but terrified. Eventually, I put three girls in the conservatory, opened the garden door, called her and she flew into the house. She went to sleep on the reclining scratching post and didn’t wake up for three hours!!!!!!!! I cannot tell you how relieved I am.

There are now three eggs (as reported in my last post) at the Port Lincoln Osprey platform in Australia. Oh, I hope the fish faeries are getting ready to get permits for delivering supplementary dinners!!!!

Iris wanted a fish delivery, too. She landed on the nest fish calling and in came Finnegan with a nice lunch. What a guy. Does he get the ‘New Dad of the Year’ Award? Surely, he would!

At 1221 Iris flew away with the headless fish. (Finnegan had a nice crop so he is feeding himself as well – thank goodness). Now where did she eat it?

Iris on the Owl Pole later. Was it here? Cannot tell from the camera footage. Or did she hand that fish off to a fledgling?

The Corncrake population is increasing in Ireland again.

RSPB describes them thus: “Corncrakes are related to waterbirds Moorhens, Coots and Water Rails but, unlike their family members, they live on dry land. Corncrakes are surprisingly small – only a little bigger than a Blackbird. This Schedule 1 species is very secretive, spending most of its time hidden in tall grass or reedbeds, you’ll probably hear its rasping call before you see it.”

Waternish has a good description of everything one might need or want to know about Corncrakes:

Corncrakes – Visit Waternish Download

Irish Corncrakes increase again – BirdGuides Download

It is clear that something must be done to the type of material that the Blue Darvic Rings are made of. Blue NC0 lost hers and now a broken one has been found – thankfully the osprey is alive!

Skylor, the surviving juvenile of Oscar and Ethel at the Marshall Lake osprey nest in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, is still with us. Mum Ethel is migrating or has reached her winter spot and sadly, sister Heidi died from being electrocuted. Oscar and Skylor should be on their way south soon. Good to see you Skylor!

Fast action the part of Nova Scotia Power who have put up a ‘Yellow thing’ to protect the ospreys (and other raptors) from being electrocuted. They should be proactive and put these on other commonly used nests. The people who monitor those nests in Nova Scotia know which poles those are – it would surely help save lives in the future. So sorry that beautiful Heidi was lost – what a healthy osplet she was!

USK Valley gives us a delightful view of osprey behaviour. It is a good read.

KEEPING WATCHFUL EYES — Usk Valley Ospreys Download

Power to the Glaslyn osprey nest is down. It is possible the cable might have been damaged by agricultural equipment. It is unclear when it will be restored.

I did not get a screen capture but Blue 022 did bring a fish to Blue B52 at the Poole Harbour nest on Sunday. So both were still home then. Birds of Poole Harbour also confirmed with a sighting turned in by a local.

No confirmed sighting of Idris at Dyfi on Sunday.

At Llyn Brenig, Fledglings Blue 8B8 and 8B9 were home on Sunday with Blue 372 busy delivering fish to both of them.

In the top image, notice the osprey on the tree in the distance eating a fish. The juvenile is waiting for Dad to finish his meal and bring the leftovers – which Dad does!

Both juveniles are still at home at the Newfoundland Power osprey nest at Snow Lane. Fish deliveries are being made. I cannot confirm if Hope is still present. (If you have news, please send me a note). These youngsters are gorgeous. They are dark just like Mum. And notice the difference in size. There is, I believe, the female as the oldest and the younger male.

Keo at Sandpoint delivering a fish to River on the platform. On the chat, “Dorothy Auld: Keke was last seen on cam on 28th, cam was down on 29th and part of 30th but Keke was seen on 1 of those days. She was not seen yesterday.”

At Charlo, C16 and Charlie are still there. I cannot confirm Lola. If anyone has seen her at the nest, please let me know.

The Collins Marsh Osprey platform in Wisconsin fledged three osplets this season. I can confirm that there is at least one juvenile still at the nest receiving fish from Dad.

At Blackbush at Old Tracadie Harbour, again, there is at least one juvenile at the nest wanting fish. I did not see a delivery. Without Darvic rings it is impossible to tell them apart without a close analysis of their head markings. It appears to be the same fledgling.

At Osoyoos, Olsen is on a fishing frenzy bringing in some huge fish for a change. Gosh, I wish we had this size of fish when the chicks were small. We might not have lost Little. Weather in various parts of Canada has cooled down a bit for the weekend making fishing much better for the raptors. Heidi has confirmed that Mum Soo is still in town and delivered a fish to fledgling 2. Well done.

Juveniles so full there is a large piece of fish left on the nest.

At Oyster Bay PSEG nest at least one juvenile is there. I cannot confirm that this is one of the fledglings. It could be an osprey passing through on its migration. I did not see a fish delivery and the osprey has a really nice crop.

No one sighted at the Boulder County nest so far on Sunday. It is awfully quiet there!

There is at least one juvenile at the Pitkin County Open Spaces and Trails osprey platform in Colorado – on the nest calling for fish. I did not see a delivery there during the time I watched and in rewind.

White YW and one fledgling are still at Foulshaw Moss in Cumbria.

There are Dads working hard for their fledglings!

Gabby, get home quick! Beau is waiting for you.

A post by Trudi Kron concerning the Minnesota Bald Eagle cam (DNR nest).

Geemeff sends us the daily summary for Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust:

Daily summary Sunday 1st September 2024

Another dry sunny day brought more visitors – Nest One was visited by a pair of Ravens. One settled on the centre perch while the other flew over to Stick Tree and was joined by a third bird. It’s back to rain in the Inver Mallie area tonight however, and heavy rain is forecast for tomorrow. Osprey sightings are being reported down the length of the country as most of the UK Ospreys are now on the move southwards – fingers crossed for safe passage for all migratory birds.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.16.55 (05.15.36); Nest Two 21.08.34 (05.33.20)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/6hi6ZJAJNpQ N1 A Raven perches on the nest, a second perches in Stick Tree and a third flies in the distance 19.04.19 (zoom)

Bonus read – how Woodland Trust is saving the rare and internationally important Celtic Rainforest:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/about-us/where-we-work/scotland/saving-scotlands-rainforest

Watch the Loch Arkaig Osprey livestream 24/7 and join in the conversation here:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

I was so very happy to be the donor of a new book to the Friends of Loch Arkaig FB group’s grand fundraiser organised by Mary Cheadle. Mary does an incredible job raising funds for the Woodland Trust. This one netted GBP 610.47. Well done, Mary Cheadle!

Xavier might be wanting some eggie time. Diamond is now in hard incubation with three eggs!

‘A’ reports: “Xavier arrived early in the scrape this morning (06:50) to spend a little time with Diamond (he didn’t bring any breakfast though, which was very remiss of him). When he left (07:10), Diamond followed him, presumably with food on her mind, and Xavier took his opportunity to sneak back into the scrape and get some egg time (07:11:12). He was, as is his wont, chatting to his eggs, which is just the cutest thing ever. He is having some difficulty covering all three eggs, as he is even by falcon standards a very tiny little male, but he persisted until he managed to do so. Oh he is SO adorable.

Diamond was back at 07:14:33 and after a short conversation, Xavier got up off the eggs and left the scrape via a classic GCW leap (07:15:10). Diamond settled back down on the eggs, where she has remained, dozing, ever since. Hard incubation is underway here at Orange, and also at Collins Street, where the eggs are rarely unattended and then only for short periods. I haven’t seen food brought to the ledge this morning, though mum has been out herself and perhaps organised something to eat. “

Good Morning Melbourne!

‘H’ sends us Victor Hurley’s fact sheet! All you wanted to know about eggs and more – that is falcon eggs.

FFS 03-24 Egg incubation requirements (2)Download

Good Morning Mum and Dad at Port Lincoln!

For those who live in Australia, you will understand the joke. I often comment on the fat little bottoms and legs of the falcons and the sea eagles. This sends some Aussies into hysterics? Why? It appears that the largest chicken producer in the country is called Steggles! Seriously I am not scouting them out for human consumption, I promise!

SE 33 and 34 have definite fat little bottoms.

‘A’ reports on her thoughts about the Olympic Sea eagles for the day: “At WBSE, Lady flew off the nest at 05:46:30. She was back in the nest tree, duetting with Dad, by 05:56 but no food is in sight. At 06:56 she is back on the nest, which excites SE34 enough for him to stand up as he comes to the table, flapping his cute growing wings. He is growing nicely now he is getting plenty of food and looking very similar in size to his sibling. His wing feathers are coming through too now, so both eaglets are itchy. SE34 sits up eagerly at the table, but unusually, there are no leftovers on the nest so breakfast is not forthcoming.

By 7am, SE33 has joined SE34 at the table. Lady has left again, and the eaglets want breakfast. Mum is back again at 07:32 but still with empty talons. She is gone again by 07:39. The eaglets fall asleep waiting side by side at the table. It is nearly 08:23 before Lady returns but again she brings no breakfast. She leaves again almost immediately. When Dad arrives just after 10am, both eaglets eagerly line up in front of him, hoping he has brought food but yet again, they are disappointed.

10:13:05 and a parent (Lady?) arrives with breakfast. It appears to be an eel. SE34, who happens to be closest, gets the first bites. When he gets a third bite in a row, SE33 loses patience and beaks him. He tucks his head down. With SE34 in submission, SE33 leans over him to take bites of eel. SE34 starts to lift his head around 10:24 but he is not in a position to eat again until after 10:26.As it nears 10:28, SE34 sidles closer. By 10:29:20 his head is up, which prompts SE33 to attempt (unsuccessfully) to beak him again, and he scrambles away from his sibling and goes back into submission.

At 10:33, Lady is still feeding SE33 and SE34 is still in submission. There is not much of the eel left. SE34, his head still tucked, creeps closer and closer to mum, who continues feeding SE33. By 10:36, SE34’s head is up but Lady continues to ignore him. There is much honking at low-flying smaller birds towards the end of this feeding, as has often been the case this season. They are really bothering the parents in ways they have not done in previous years. Regardless, the meal ends without SE34 being fed. Still, he must be getting enough food because he is very close to SE33 in size and he is growing well. I continue to worry about his lack of survival skills and his unwillingness to ensure he gets fed. That really worries me.”

In Fort Myers, here is an update on M15 and F23 who can be seen in the video working on their nest!

Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care. Have a great week everybody! See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their posts, notes, images, articles, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, H’, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Montana Osprey Project, RSPB, Waternish, BirdGuides, Jeff Kear and UK Osprey Info, Balgavies Loch Ospreys, Connie Dennis and Ospreys of Nova Scotia, USK Valley Ospreys, Dyfi Osprey Project, Llyn Brenig, Newfoundland Power, Sandpoint Ospreys, Charlo Montana, Collins Marsh Ospreys, Blacbush at Old Tracedie, Fortis-Exshaw, PSEG, Boulder County, Pitkin County Open Spaces and Trails, Jeff Kear, Heidi McGrue and Joy of Ospreys, NEFL-AEF, Trudi Kron, Geemeff and the Woodland Trust, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, 367 Collins Street by Mirvac, Olympic Park Eagles, wskrsnwngs.

Sunday in Bird World

1 September 2024

Hello Everyone,

It was a gorgeous albeit windy 22 C on the Canadian Prairies for the Labour Day long weekend. The sky is a beautiful blue with a few fluffy clouds. It was a good day for a walk and lunch by the lake at the nature centre. Lots of children trying their luck at getting tadpoles and little frogs jumping all around on the paths. There were several species of ducks, some Canada Geese, various species of woodpeckers, American Goldfinches, squirrels, etc. Missing were the calls of the Red-wing Blackbird which is striking in its absence.

My sanctuary at the nature centre. The wind was rather silent and the songbirds were singing their hearts out.

Well, we had a bit of a scare last evening. The garden door appeared closed when doing the final bits and bobs with the outdoor animals at 1800 but it was windy. A gust caught it and it went open and in seconds four cats on the deck! I know. Holding my breath and hollering, three ran into the house. Only Calico remained. She is actually ‘terrified’ of the outdoors – as a community cat she knows its perils. She hid under the deck for two hours. Finally, the other three were secured in the conservatory and the garden door opened. Calling and Calico ran in! I had read on the step like I did when she lived outside and she would stick her head out. Poor thing. All is well this morning, thank goodness – and a new lock will be fixed to that door after our long weekend.

We have new eggs at Port Lincoln and at Charles Sturt Falcon scrape, home to Xavier and Diamond on Saturday. Congratulations everyone! Surely we will now be in hard incubation mode.

35-40 days folks for all.

Video of Diamond laying the third egg: https://youtu.be/BgHpmXzRZzc?

And there are the three beautiful osprey eggs at Port Lincoln:

With the departure of Glenwais at the ripe age of 102 days at Dyfi, it is believed that Idris – not having any takers for his fish now – will begin his own migration either Sunday or today. I will keep you posted. What an amazing dad he is and like all others, we want him to eat well, rest up during the winter, and return to Wales healthy in the spring! Idris was last seen on the 30th of August at 19:53.

The empty nest. Idris has indeed departed for Africa. Idris has been breeding at Dyfi for five years, taking over for the iconic and much-loved Monty, who was here for nearly 12 years.

I wish that every streaming cam, no matter their location, would keep records and post them for the public such as those kept and published by the Dyfi Osprey Project. Their website is wonderful. Here is the information for this year. Imagine finding this at other sites!

More data to help us try and understand the return rate of the juveniles.

All four at home on Saturday at Llyn Brenig in Wales.

It was a fabulous year for Knepp Farm and their translocation project of the White Stork. They introduced injured birds from Poland. We watched them on the streaming cam and now that they are migrating, that will pause according to their FB posting.

This is why this project is so important as discussed on this BBC programme: https://youtu.be/dku18keuWUE?

I am pretty excited about the wetlands that are being created at Knepp Farm by a pair of beavers. This video shows what they have been doing, but beyond that, remember that wetlands are wonderful places for many species of birds!

https://youtu.be/2Ski21XVuR4?si=jKnUVA4cIwWUmhW2

At Poole Harbour, Blue 5R2 appears to be the only fledgling left at the nest. Blue 022 is delivering fish. Blue 5H6, the fourth hatch, migrated on the 30th of August. CJ7 and the others left earlier.

Just look at how healthy this chick is – its crop is full and its body has the kind of fat on it needed for migration. Despite having four to feed, Blue 022 and CJ7 did just that and had four really healthy fledglings this year. Bravo.

R52 would have liked another fish but Dad did not oblige at Poole Harbour.

Blue KL5 is still at RSPB Abernathy. Eating fish and getting ready for his long migration.

It looks like everyone has departed from Llyn Clywedog. Blue 5F Seren might already be in her winter spot in The Gambia. She has the same post every year and many travel to see her there. They are an amazing couple always raising big healthy chicks. Stay safe Dylan and Seren!

I missed him but Blue 33 was on the Manton Bay nest Saturday morning at 0611 for four minutes. Maya was seen on the nest on Friday at 1869. Blue 1R0, their only fledgling this year, has left on migration. They will both be leaving soon. Maya might have already departed. We wait to see for sure for a couple of days.

Bart M has done an amazing job giving us a detailed observation board and a list of key events at Manton Bay. Oh, I sure wish more nests would do this! There is a video archive, photographs, a nest history and more for anyone interested. Just go to the streaming cam and click the link to the obs board. For example, you will learn that Maya has been at this nest since 2010. Blue 33 took the nest and Maya in 2014 – he really wanted both of them! And the history of their nest and all the chicks they raised is there.

There is even a fish chart!

Finnegan delivered two fish to Antali on the nest. There might have been others at a different location. I have not seen Iris at the nest on Saturday but she was eating a fish on the Owl Pole on Friday at 1906. She could be fattening up and letting Finnegan take care of Antali and Sum-eh if she is still around.

A juvenile osprey was observed on the Osoyoos nest Saturday afternoon. I could not see what happened prior to that time and I did not see a fish delivery. Someone else might have – please let me know if you did.

At the other Fortis Exshaw nest in Canmore Alberta, both juveniles were seen on the nest wrestling for a fish from Harvie at 1534. It is presumed that Louise has left on her migration. The oldest won the prize with the smaller fledgling having to wait for another delivery. That delivery came sixteen minutes later! According to the chatters, there was a fish delivery at 0703 and 1005 also. Harvie is really working to get these two fit for flying. So it looks to me like two juveniles and Harvey with Louise and one juvenile away. Feel free to correct me!

Juvenile on post at Fortis at 1602 with adult on nest with another partial fish at Fortis. Wow.

Fish deliveries continue to come to the Newfoundland Power nest at Snow Lane. Both juveniles accounted for. Beaumont is delivering lots of fish. I cannot confidently confirm Hope’s presence but I also cannot confirm that she has departed. She did an amazing job feeding her two chicks this year and it was a happy surprise to see these two take their first flights. One of the really wonderful events of the 2024 season that will not be forgotten soon. Previously, the nest failed for four years in a row.

Heidi posted the link for the new 4K camera of Window to Wildlife at Captiva. They are doing tests.

https://www.youtube.com/live/H3Lpm6jNRXk?

Sharon Pollock catches us up with the Crawley Falcons:

Congratulations to Connie Dennis and Hope for Wildlife on a successful fundraising.

It is one of the reasons our zoo does not have many feathered ambassadors – when Avian Flu H5N1 hit, all of the birds had to be kept indoors for two years.

‘A’ comments on the Royal Cam chick: “at Taiaroa, the chicks are practising whenever there is enough wind, hopping and using their wings to get some air. No real hovering yet but we have had both paddles in the air. I love the way TF has built himself another nest this season. The chicks often build ‘play nests’ but they usually don’t move into them. One of the viewers noted mum sniffing at TF’s play nest yesterday and was wondering whether there was a bolus there. We await a response from the rangers to that question, as there was something white in the nest but it was blurry when you tried to zoom in on it. If it is a bolus, it would be interesting to know its contents, though of course I hope it’s not because that would suggest TF is only a day or so away from fledging. September is the month when we lose them, but not quite yet! It is the first day of spring here in the southern hemisphere, although the weather has been very vernal for weeks now. “

That lucky chick got a feeding, too!

and on the WBSE: “At WBSE, Dad was honking at 05:45, so Lady got up at about 05:50 began feeding leftover fish to SE33. She ignored SE34, who was facing the table side by side with SE33 but further from mum’s beak. After a few minutes, SE34 shuffled closer to mum, and from )5:53, she fed him exclusively, and because it was nearing the end of the fish, he got the larger bites, nearly all of which he managed. He has nearly caught up to his older sibling in size, though SE33 is still larger. Certainly, he got the better of the breakfast feeding today. There has not yet been fresh food delivered to the nest today and the pair are as usual lying in their cuddle puddle, sleeping and growing. Feathers are starting to show along SE34’s wing and both chicks are presumably itchy, as they are doing a lot of preening.

There are baby rails being brought in and positioned, and the eaglets assisted in arranging some of the smaller pieces of nest material. Too cute. There are SO many fresh green leaves on that nest. They have so far been used primarily as a table, as well as to line the nest bowl area. I believe the eucalyptus would be good at minimising bacteria and discouraging insects, as eucalyptus oils have those qualities. The pair are looking active and healthy and are getting along fine today. There was no antagonism at the breakfast table, even when Lady began feeding SE34 only for a good two minutes, his sibling right beside him. There was no intimidation from SE33 and no fear shown by SE34. So that was progress. It still seems like SE34’s head look larger than his sibling’s, probably because he retains a lot of fluff atop his head while SE33’s head appears quite sleek. Otherwise, they are easily distinguished by the feather growth on the wings. The littles are really starting to move around, validating the baby rails decision. At the moment, they have snuggled up on the green leafy dinner table, up the back of the nest. They have moved from further towards the front, where they have been for their life so far. ”

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, H’, Falcon Cam Project at Charles Sturt University, SK Hideaways, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Dyfi Osprey Project, Brenig Osprey Project, Knepp White Stork Project, Birds of Poole Harbour, RSPB Abernathy, Llyn Clywedog, LRWT Manton Bay, Montana Osprey Project, Fortis-Exshaw Osoyoos and Canmore, Newfoundland Power, Heidi and Window to Wildlife, Sharon Pollock, Connie Dennis and Ospreys of Nova Scotia, RSPCA Stapeley Grange, NZ DOC, and Olympic Sea Eagle Cam.

Category Archives: Osoyoos Ospreys

Monday in Bird World

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Thursday in Bird World

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Tuesday in Bird World

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Sad news from Niagara Bee…Saturday in Bird World

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Some ospreys are still home…Friday in Bird World

Eagle Platform, Location: Blue Heron Point

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Monday in Bird World

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Sunday in Bird World

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Eagle Platform, Location: Blue Heron Point

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