Category Archives: osprey starvation

Good news at Fortis Exshaw…Friday in Bird World

14 July 2023

UPDATE: THE STORK NEST IS DIMITRI IN BELARUS NOT DMITRI IN RU. MY ERROR!

Good Morning Everyone,

It has been crazy weather with downpours and then suddenly the sun comes out. Great for the garden. The Blue Jays and Sparrows are good barometers of what is happening. They feed frantically before the black clouds and thunder roll in. Today, however, the Blue Jays frightened me – the new fledglings. They would simply not stop getting peanuts and flying despite the pouring rain. One sat on the neighbour’s roof and then flew – it was drenched and reminded me of Yurruga before it perished a year ago at Orange. I do wish they would just perch in the lilac bushes – and today, they could have waited with a Northern Cardinal! It was the first time I have seen a Cardinal in the garden – or, rather, the first time that I witnessed a Cardinal. The bushes are so thick it is impossible to see through them this time of year. My father used to call them ‘Red Birds’ and they would eat out of his hand – fascinated a young child.

In his new book, Reflections. What Wildlife Needs and How to Provide it, author Mark Avery, chooses to start with his back garden. Many of the most recent publications sitting on my desk or pre-ordered are written by well-known individuals who have specifically chosen to ponder the world’s fate through the lens of their own space and the birds they observe daily. Avery bemoans the loss of the Nightingale and its beautiful song at dusk or the Hedgehog while applauding the Red Kite reintroduction. It is a beautifully written book and every time I read someone else’s words about their own garden friends, I return to the view out of my conservatory that gives me so much joy. I hope that you do, too.

This image could be a better quality – apologies. It was starting to rain, and I had to try and miss those pink squares, but there is proof of the Cardinal in the lilacs – taking refuge there from the downpour. Cardinals are familiar birds in eastern and southeastern Canada, but they seem to visit central Canada more often, as the images posted on FB noted. I hope it is the new birdseed I am purchasing from a local farmer – it is all part of a plan to try and exist 90% local and without plastic.

You can see the big drops of water hanging from the branches. it really was a torrential downpour.

The Blue Jays are so fantastic. The little one that sat on the two garden ornaments and made a nest is distinctive and he loves to eat grain, not peanuts – and he loves to splash about in the bird bath. I adore him. Notice that his crest is black with a few light blue steel grey feathers in the front. I can spot him from the others instantly.

One of the adults moulting.

This one loves the peanuts and he is wet from the rain. They must have a spotting scope because the minute I put out fresh peanuts they are there!

This one was not happy with one of Dyson’s kits who wanted a peanut, too.

Recently fledged sparrows are everywhere. If ever there was an explosion of a species in the garden, it is them!

Besides spending much time just observing the behaviour of everyone in the garden and ticking off the list to make sure everyone was accounted for, I went off to the English Garden at our local zoo. The plan was to check on the local Cooper’s Hawk nest but there were so many people in the area that the hawks were silent.

That was not the case with the goslings that I had seen a couple of weeks ago. Someone had given them ‘bread’ despite the signs all over the area and they were fighting for it. Silly waterfowl.

The gosling day care still exists even though the goslings might think they are very independent.

Drying off after coming out of the water.

Then someone began to throw bread and the young ones immediately grabbed it and fled to the water chased by others.

It was quite the afternoon watching everyone.

I did not spend a lot of time watching the nests today. So my report is rather short but I want to start with one nest that both ‘H’ and I have been watching. The news is good this morning coming for Fortis Exshaw. ‘H’ writes, “

Louise brought fish to the nest at 0630, 0750, 0849, 1249, 1545, 1603, 1818, and 1958.  Wow!  In addition to that, a male Osprey gifted a partial fish at 0856, which Louise accepted.  Wow!  There was some minor intimidation from Big toward Middle at the early feeding, otherwise the feedings were tranquil, and both chicks’ crops were stuffed all day.  I noticed something interesting regarding the issue of osplets having a feeling of ‘food security’ when adequate fish are brought to a nest, vs the awful aggression that is a manifestation of ‘food insecurity’ felt by the dominant osplet when food is scarce.  When there is plenty of food for a couple of days, the dominant chick starts to relax.  S/he no longer tries to eliminate a food competitor by prevent the sibling from eating, because it no longer feels that it may starve to death.  But, what struck me watching the Exshaw nest yesterday was that the establishment of harmony at mealtimes may be a two-way street.  The non-dominant chick also starts to relax, knowing that it will survive because of the ample availability of food.  The non-dominant chick at Exshaw, ‘Middle’, simply started to hang back and wait at feedings, and let ‘Big’ eat first.  Not only was Big more relaxed because of the amount of food available, but Middle was more relaxed as well.  This enabled Middle to become more accepting of his hatch-assigned place in the pecking-order, and by not so much as even trying to get a bite of fish and potentially annoying ‘Big’ early in a feeding, Middle aided his own cause.  It’s all about the food.  But, we already knew that.It seems that Louise may have some help.  A male osprey (that I believe was the same one she chased off the nest twice on 7/12), landed on the nest four times.  At his first visit he gifted Louise a partial fish, and she accepted it.  She fed some to the kids and ate some of it herself.  Also at that first visit, the male moved a couple of sticks, and defended the nest.  The male osprey also vocally defended the nest at a couple of his other brief visits to the nest.  At his last visit he was even more vocal toward an unseen intruder, and he flew off chasing said intruder.”—————-

It sure seems like there could be a pot of gold at the end of Louis’s rainbow and for this nest. This is fantastic. I will suggest that Louise accepting the new male indicates that she was well aware – from the beginning – that Jasper is no longer with us.

For those wondering, the new male is not Jasper. The head markings are entirely different.

Both osplets fledged from the nest of Laddie LM12 and Blue NC0 at Loch of the Lowes Thursday morning. The little male flew first – gosh, what a joy that was – and the sister a little later.

I adore Mini. Mini gives me hope and every day that s/he self-feeds a little better gives joy. These days with her on the nest and adults making sure she is fed just is glorious. Today there was a goldfish just for Mini!

Trying to work those wings in a crowd.

Minnesota Landscape: I did not see a whole lot of fish being delivered but the little one is being fed. The rain came to the nest about the same time it began in Winnipeg!

Cowlitz PUD: My continued worry about this nest are the eagles in the area. I hope the protective guards work and that fish continue to come in. If you check on this nest, use the overhead cam view.

Boulder County: Doing Great.

The Bridge Golf Club: Both parents are now fishing and supplying the nest. There were 7 fish deliveries on Thursday. Both chicks doing well.

Charlo Montana: Continues to be offline.

First District Utility: Camera is frozen.

Collins Marsh: Everything is excellent.

Moorings Park: Victor went to bed without the usual fish form Harry. Several times today Victor was caught on camera diving trying to get a fish. Please send this wonderful fledgling all your good luck so that he can get his own fish! He needs to get this well in hand, and now is the time to be practising. Victor, you can do this! (I do wish someone would dump about 20,000 fish in that pond so he had some chance of success!)

Janakkalan: Both osplets doing well.

Dyfi: Both are flapping and hopping.

Glaslyn: Things look fine.

Alyth: Lots of good fish deliveries.

Now let’s get to those other reports by ‘H’:

Kent Island – “The big story is a new arrival to the nest.  Audrey gifted her little chick a stuffed pink octopus!  The nest owner has named the stuffie ‘Molly’.”

Barnegat Light – Daisy delivered one of her specialty bluefish, as hubby Duke was chillin’ out lying next to his kiddo.  At 44 days of age, 09/N is growing up fast.

Severna Park – After #2 fledged in the morning, she skidded to a landing on the nest 5 1/2 hours later.  Well done fledgling! 

Forsythe – There were only two fish brought to the nest on 7/13, both by Opal.  Oscar did not come to the nest.  Opal came to the nest several other times throughout the day, but arrived empty taloned.  There were also only two fish delivered on 7/12, one each by Opal and Oscar, but the first fish was so large that Opal made three feedings out of it.  The mid-Atlantic area has been suffering from a heat wave for a few days, which may be making fishing more difficult as the fish seek cooler, deeper waters.  The siblings are 52 and 53 days old. 

Audubon Boathouse – Life is splendid at the Boathouse platform. Little Skipper is 34 days old.

‘H’ also checked in on McEuen Park in Idaho. Look at how big those three osplets are! Fantastic. Thanks so much, ‘H’.

Waiting word on Dmitri’s surgery. Before he went into hospital, he built a new place for the storklet that he rescued. Incredible man.

For our education – an article on the importance of water and agriculture to our planet and to our birds from the British Ornithological Trust. Indeed, one of the biggest detriments to the stability of our wildlife is the changing methods in agriculture over the past two centuries including deforestation and the use of pesticides and herbicides.

Agriculture-and-nature-inevitably-intertwined-BirdLife-InternationalDownload

Thank you so much for being with me today. Please take care of yourself. See you soon!

Thank you so much to ‘H’ for her continued monitoring and to the following for their posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog this morning: Fortis Exshaw, Mary Cheadle and Friends of Loch Arkaig Ospreys, PSEG, MN Landscape Arboretum, Cowlitz PUD, Boulder County Fair Grounds, The Bridge Golf Club, Collins Marsh, Moorings Park, Janakkalan and Finnish Osprey Foundation, Dyfi Osprey Project, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Alyth, Kent Island, Conserve Wildlife of New Jersey, Severna Park, Forsythe ospreys, Audubon Boathouse, McEuen Park, BTO, and Dmitri Storks.

Time to keep an eye on Mini! Thursday in Bird World

13 July 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

It is humid and sultry (but not hot and sultry) on the Canadian Prairies. The skies feel like they could unload a whole lot of rain if they ever decided to open. My phone says they won’t. Let’s wait and see.

Today saw the arrival of some Japanese snacks and the kittens go crazy. What is it about White Peach Mochi and those crispy melon wafer cookies that cause them to turn into something besides kittens?

Later, look who is in his sister’s basket?

First up, I want to thank Gayle at Fortis Exshaw and Robyn at AIWC and the Alberta Birds of Prey for their immediate responses to the call for help if Louise at the Fortis Exshaw Nest should become injured or killed and the osplets left abandoned. Everyone was ready to help if help was needed. Thankfully, Louise is alright and is doing a splendid jog.

The fish deliveries for Wednesday, according to ‘H’ were: “Fish deliveries: 07:18:09, 12:28:02, 12:59:13, 13:36:54, 17:09:03”. All is well.——— Gosh, it is windy there. Louise is a fantastic fisher. Oh, gosh. Another large fish came in at 18:16.

‘H’ notes that Big intimidated Middle throughout the day but that Middle did wind up with some nice crops. Louise is fantastic even flushing out intruders from the nest.

This is wonderful news – Louise is amazing. Continue to send your positive energy to this incredible female.

‘B’ sent me the most fascinating article. I am so grateful as these ospreys have not given me a chance to read the papers. The birds are smart, they are taking things meant to keep them off buildings and using them to fortify and protect their own nests. Have a read – and thanks ‘B’.

Birds-in-Europe-use-anti-bird-spikes-to-fortify-nests-researchers-say-The-Washington-PostDownload

Our dear Mini is starting to really spread its wings and is watching the older siblings intently on what to do when you get the itch to fly. Everyone keep an eye on Mini – s/he could fly at any time it seems. Let me know if I miss it!

Mum feeding Mini a private meal.

We just need Dad at Patchogue. All three fledglings and Mini are home wishing for fish.

Beautiful or handsome Mini.

Minnesota Landscape: The chick is getting its pin feathers. It was hot in Minnesota today. Mum is not always the most devoted mumbrella but she is much better at feeding.

First District Utility: The streaming cam continues to be frozen.

Moorings Park: I have never seen a fledgling spend so much time on a nest waiting for a fish delivery as Victor.

Boulder County Fair Grounds: This nest is fabulous.

Collins Marsh: A wet day but all is well. Mum and Dad on the nest with the two surviving osplets.

Poole Harbour: Family image. Watch the chicks and CJ7 as they see Blue 22 arriving.

CJ7 stays on the nest at night. Last year she lost a chick to a goshawk. Goshawks do not normally hunt at night but there could be Tawny owls or other predators in the area. She is not taking any chances.

Glaslyn: Elen and the two beautiful osplets waiting for a fish delivery. Everything is fine. Aran continues to impress with the fish deliveries.

Dyfi: Another family portrait and all is well with Idris, Telyn, Seiont and Cennen.

Llyn Clywedog: At 20:31, Seren Blue 5F brought in a huge Rainbow Trout to the nest. This is significant. It is the first fish she has caught and brought to the nest since April. Dylan has been supplying all the fish. Seren will begin to build up her strength for her trip to Africa. She goes to the exact tree in The Tango Marsh in The Gambia every winter and has done now for 7 or 8 years.

Alyth: All appears to be well at Alyth substation. The nice day turned into a very wet late evening.

Loch Arkaig: Geemeff caught the osplet picking up and moving a fish and self-feeding. Fantastic. Another milestone.

But, hey. Geemeff caught our chick – gosh, let’s get it a good name – playing football? Trying out for the Premier League?

Loch of the Lowes: She is gorgeous – Blue NC0. She will be dreaming of Africa and migration having laid the first eggs of the season along with Maya at Manton Bay. Chicks are gorgeous. All is well.

We must all hope that the situation concerning Avian Flu in West Africa has dissolved by the time these beautiful birds reach their winter homes. (I must check on that situation).

Loch Garten: I think this FB post says it all!

Foulshaw Moss: We have the first fledge of the 2023 season for White YW and Blue 35.

Tweed Valley: The two osplets were ringed, and their names are Sacha and Paul. Very appropriate for those great individuals behind Conservation Without Borders.

Finland #1. Everything is good.

Finland #4. It is often difficult to tell but it appears that things are alright on this nest.

‘H’s report on Patuxent 1: “Sibling ‘A’ that fledged on 7/11 at 0745, has not returned to the nest as yet.  Nor has s/he been seen on the perch.  The juvenile on the perch has always been identified as ‘Foster’.   I hope all is well with the fledgling, sibling ‘A’. Sibling ‘B’ was very close to fledging on 7/12.  You can just barely see its talons during a hover in one of the attached photos.”

Severna Park: “I’m pretty sure that Middle (chick #2) fledged at 0758 this morning at 65 days of age.  Chick #1 flew off the nest at 0657.”

Dahlgren – The eldest chick (D11) fledged on 7/12 at 1148, at 55 days of age.  S/he did not return to the nest on 7/12, but was seen resting on the nest owner’s boat with her dad, Jack.  At 5 pm it was reported that D11’s mom, Harriet was seen feeding her on the boat!

Kent Island – It was another wonderful day for Audrey, Tom, and their little 31 day old chick.  You will hardly ever find that youngster with a flat crop.

Osoyoos – After a couple days offline, the livestream resumed on 7/12.  Ample fish were brought to the nest to feed the 15 and 16 day old osplets.  Those kiddos are really looking good!

Why do ‘H’ and I make such a big deal about fledglings returning to the nest? Unless it is a case like Dahlgren where the chick is seen being fed by the parent nearby, fledglings return to the nest to be fed for about a month, sometimes much longer like Victor, while they learn to hunt and perfect their flying skills. If they do not return to the nest, something has happened to them.

Well, as ‘H’ watched, she is pleased to report, “Dahlgren D11 (chick #1) made a beautiful return landing on the nest this morning at 0744.”

At the nest of Big Red and Arthur: All of the Ms are fine and watching parents for prey deliveries!

Those Dorset Hobby Falcons are certainly cute! Who could resist watching them most of the day?

At the scrape of Xavier and Diamond – isn’t Xavier precious? Expect to see lots of bonding and Diamond trying to fatten up prior to egg laying next month.

‘A’ notes, “I need to mention sweet Xavier. He brought some breakfast to the nest box this morning at 07:37:38 and Diamond was into the box within seconds to claim it – but then realised it was a starling and jumped straight out of the box. Xavier looked a bit startled and somewhat nonplussed, and he hangs around for about four minutes, but then departs with his starling. An hour or so later (at 08:52:02) he tries again, and Diamond is more receptive to this offering. Well done, Xavier. This pair always seem to have crops – Madame Diamond is frequently too sleepy to take hers anywhere, so she rests on the ledge of her nest box for much of the afternoon. It’s a hard life for a peregrine at CSU in Orange!” 

We are more than half way through incubation at the Sydney Sea Eagles nest of Lady and Dad. Dad came in to give Lady a break so she could go and have her morning meal and stretch her legs after a long night of incubation.

‘A’ writes, “Meanwhile, the dedicated incubation continues in Sydney. These two have a good rhythm. Let’s hope they do their usual excellent job of raising two fledglings this season. Both varieties of Australian possum are potential predators for both the eggs and the newly hatched chicks, though the brushtails are larger and more dangerous. The ringtails will eat those eggs just as fast as a brushtail, and although both species are primarily vegetarian, they will eat small chicks if they come across them. It is unusual for either type of possum to eat the chicks, but it has definitely been witnessed from both ringtails and brushtails. (I watched a little ringtail with a baby on her back crossing my street last night, like a tightrope walker above the road, clinging to the electricity cabling that crosses the road from one pole to another. They don’t seem to slip off, though I have occasionally seen one hanging from the wire and pulling itself across. Most walk along the wire with amazing speed and balance. The baby clings to mum’s back, or sometimes to her tummy. They are a protected native species, which is more than a little annoying for suburban dwellers with trees in their garden. The sound of possums thundering across the roof (or, worse yet, peeing inside the roof, staining the ceiling from above) is enough to wake the dead at 2am. And the sounds they make, especially during courting and mating season (now), are other-worldly in a very scary way!” 

With all of the storklets killed and little Okrusezek fighting for his life as he lost it to the goshawk in Poland, I needed to check on a couple of the stork nests that we follow closely to make sure that all are home.

Mlade Buky: Everything is good with Bety and Bukacek’s beautiful storklets.

Karl II and Kaia, Karula National Forest: The storklets are losing the baby down and getting their feathers. They look good. Urmas continues to provide fish for the family in the fish baskets otherwise, we might not see these healthy ones. This is a man with a huge heart for storks just like Dmitri – and I checked. Dmitri was in the hospital awaiting his surgery Wednesday evening.

Tukums, Latvia: Everything appears to be good.

‘A’ loves the Royal Albatross. I do not report on them very often but as fledge is 6-8 weeks away, let us keep a closer check. ‘A’ reports: “In New Zealand, Prince Manaaki had a very busy day fixing up his nest, doing more excavations and heading off on some hill-climbing excursions. I can only suggest that you check today’s chat for some amazing pics of him (I particularly love the one where he is covered in nest material but the hill-climbing one is pretty cute too – let’s face it, he’s always adorable). https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/royal-cam-discussion/ Don’t you just love a nest where we get to watch a loving couple reuniting and courting, doting parents incubating their egg for over two months, and then a safe hatch in a supervised incubator followed by no sibling rivalry, just one absolutely gorgeous fluff ball that we get to watch for a whole 240 days? And all the time knowing that they will be kept cool, given hydration and supplementary feedings, weighed and health-checked weekly, and generally treated in the manner they deserve. What an incredible treat that albatross colony really is.”

A quick check and Mini is still with us on the nest!

I want to thank ‘J’ for helping me extend my data to include some of the German Osprey nests. In doing so, she sent me links to valuable information, including a 1996 study on the ospreys in Germany. It is a good read and sheds some light on what is helping Ospreys to thrive or not in a limited area of Germany. That area is home to many of my ceramic friends who still run potteries with wood-burning kilns in the Mecklenburg area north of Berlin.

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘A, B, Geemeff, H, J’, Fortis Exshaw, PSEG, MN Landscape Arboretum, Moorings Park, Boulder County Fair Grounds, Collins Marsh, Poole Harbour Ospreys, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Dyfi Osprey Project, CarnyXWild, Alyth, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, LOTL and the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Livia Armstrong and Friends of Loch Arkaig Ospreys, Polly turner and Friends of Loch Arkaig Ospreys, Jeff Kear and Ospreys, Severna Park, Kent Island, Osoyoos, Dahlgren Ospreys, Patuxent River Park, Finnish Osprey Foundation, Cornell Bird Lab, Dorset Hobby Falcons, Holly Parsons and Orange, Australia Peregrine Falcons, Sea Eagle Cam, Mlade Buky, Eagle Club of Estonia, Latvian Fund for Nature, NZ DOC, and Researchgate.

Fortis Exshaw? …Wednesday in Bird World

12 July 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

Besides entering data in the forms, the day was spent making jam and gardening while running in to check on nests every 30 or 40 minutes. The Baby Blue Jays now know – just like last year – to come and peck on the window when the peanuts are all gone. They are adorable. The jam is just finishing up. It is the last of the strawberries. The heat of the early summer cooked the plants out in the local fields. So it was a short season. Hopefully, there will be some raspberries!

We need to start out with something wonderful and today that story comes from Nova Scotia, Canada – and it comes from Nova Scotia Power! By now everyone is aware of the deadly wildfires in that Atlantic Canadian province. These little osplets lost their nests and with the kindness of humans regained their lives with their parents.

‘L’ wrote to me yesterday to see if I knew about the chicks at The Wetlands Institute. I went to check, and sadly, one died on Monday of starvation, and the other died on Tuesday. It is hard to believe. They both hatched on the 28th of May, making them 43 days old. They were both fully feathered. Their cause of death was starvation. The nest is in the Stone Harbour area of New Jersey, and it is one of the nests in the region of that big storm that hit that caused so many nests to lose not only all the chicks but some of the males. Our hearts go out to all these osprey families.

The average age for fledging varies from 46-60 days giving some perspective on what a great loss these osplets are to the future population.

These big beautiful osplets should not be dying. They should be getting ringed and getting fat and strong for fledge and migration.

A tragedy also began on 7 July in the making at Fortis Exshaw when the male, Jasper, disappeared. ‘H’ has astutely noted that the nest is beginning to look like what happened at Cape Henlopen last season when intruders killed the male, then killed or injured the female leaving 3 healthy osplets on the nest – they starved to death on camera. It was horrific. Louise was last seen on the nest at 1337 on Tuesday when she chased intruders that had been landing. Louise did return to the nest and was noticeably tired. She checks on the chicks and ‘H’ reports that Louise provided five feedings for the two. So, please send continued positive wishes. We have help if it is required but it will also involve getting the community in the Canmore area involved.

‘H’ reports the following: “Feeding 0704 to 0714 – A brief bonking battle sent Middle to the side.  0708 Middle got a little closer, and ate its first bite at 0709.  Most of the feeding was blocked from view.Feeding 1100 to 1105 – This feeding was peaceful.Feeding 1109 to 1113 –  Louise quickly returned with another small fish.  The view of the feeding was partially blocked, but Middle initially spent some time off to the side, indicating that s/he had been intimidated.Feeding 1244 to 1250 – The view was partially blocked but it seemed that both chicks were eating peacefully side by side.Feeding 1328 to 1333 – Again the feeding was partially blocked from view, but it seemed peaceful with both eating.As you can tell by the length of feeding times, most of the fish Louise caught were on the small side.”

The AIWC in Calgary has told me they will take the orphaned osplets if – that is if they are orphaned – if they can be retrieved from the nest and transported to Calgary. If any of you live near the nest on the Bow River in Canmore, I would suggest reaching out to the Canmore Fire Department to try and coordinate an effort along with Fortis Exshaw. This was the response I received – please note that they did not understand that the osplets were in the nest (or their wording is a bit hazy on that). Permits might be required. If you do live in the area please send me a comment or e-mail and I will provide you with further details.

Hello Mary, I am so sorry to hear that these little ones might be orphaned. We appreciate everything you have done for them thus far, and for reaching out to us regarding their care. We are more than happy to take the orphaned osplets at our wildlife centre just north of Calgary. Unfortunately, we are short on resources at the moment, and therefore are not able to complete any pickups and/or rescues at this time. Our rescue program is volunteer-run, which sadly means that we are dependent on when drivers sign up for shifts. We are happy to send a call-out looking for volunteer drivers, however, I cannot guarantee that we would be able to send someone right away.
If yourself, a friend, or relative might feel comfortable containing the osplets, we would be more than happy to receive them at our centre, if someone is able to drop them off with us. 
Thank you again for your message today, and please do not hesitate to reach out to us if we are able to assist. 
Kind regards,The AIWC Team

Two little osplets calling for Mum so loud it breaks your heart.

Louise was back brooding the chicks as night fall begin to settle in.

Let us just bracket that sadness with something else wonderful and that are Big Red and Arthur’s Ms who are going strong, learning every day and getting those wings and hunting skills honed. Thanks to Suzanne Arnold Horning we have some great images of the hawks out and about on the Cornell Campus.

At the Balgavies Loch, three gorgeous osplets were ringed on the 11th of July. What wonderful news.

At Patchogue, everyone knows when Dad delivers a fish to the nest!

After Big, guess who is working on that big fish? None other than Little Mini. Sweet.

Mini is still working away at that fish – home alone, so not rush – an hour later.

‘L’ sent me a sweet screen capture of our Little Mini. What a great crop! Looks like she is full of fish up to her beak!

Moorings Park: Not sure about Victor. He slept on the Moorings Park nest and he was there all day waiting for a fish delivery from Harry.

Collins Marsh: Nice fish landed on the nest. The two osplets are feathered up, not quite completely but getting there, and doing well. Fingers crossed for this new couple to the nest in what looks like a very hot Wisconsin on Tuesday.

Oyster Bay: Now isn’t that the most beautiful image? Dad on the edge. Mum feeding those three gorgeous osplets.

Boulder County: Mum is working overtime to keep those three large osplets shaded form the hot sun!

Cowlitz PUD: That is one beautiful osplet! Cheeky one…doesn’t want us to see the amazing juvenile plumage…looks like a good hit on that camera lens.

Seaside: All is well.

Alyth: Raining. Big drops coming down. Three beauties. I hope there are no goshawks in this area.

Poole Harbour: Last year one of the chicks around fledging time was predated by a goshawk. So hoping that this does not happen this year.

Blue 022 in with a huge fish at 1738. CJ7 takes charge and that big fish is gone in a blink.

Loch Arkaig – nest 1 home of Affric and two potential mates:

Loch of the Lowes: Beautiful Blue NC0 and her two fledglings. All is well.

Llyn Brenig: All is well.

Llyn Clywedog: Dylan is such a good provider. When they wonder why osplets areople starving in the US, I remind pe that many of the ponds and lochs are stocked in the UK. The Clywedog Reservoir gets 40,000 fish annually deposited. Now think about that and then look at these two healthy chicks – and then look at Manton Bay which is also stocked. Why not push where you live for USFWS to provide fingerlings in all the lakes and ponds for the birds that rely on them? Why not! And maybe instead of increasing fish quotes let us just cut them entirely.

Dyfi: A whole lot of flapping going on. If you want to order any merchandise from Dyfi (or otherwise) and they do not take your postal code, contact them. Dyfi arranged for me to donate and shipped Emyr Evan’s book to me in Canada for a small additional postage charge. It was not much. (Their tote bags are great, too!)

Glaslyn: Lovely family portrait of Aran and Elen with their two sleeping babies in the nest. What a beautiful image…when I feel really ‘low’ over the deaths in North America, I just think of this nest with this new Mum who took Mrs G’s place and did an amazing job first time around.

Tweed Valley 2: the two chicks have been ringed and fitted with sat pads! Love the names.

‘H’ reports on the following:

Patuxent Nest 1 –  ‘Sibling A’ that fledged at 0745 on 7/11 has yet to return to the nest.  Sibling ‘B’ was doing some vigorous flapping and slight hovering, and may be ready to take his/her first flight.  Their older foster sibling spends most of her time hanging out on the perch where she can keep a lookout for incoming fish.  ‘Foster’ prefers to be in the nest before Dad lands with a fish, but as you can see in the attached photo, Foster arrived a little late from the perch for the last meal of the day.  Sibling ‘B’ took that fish, but Foster stole it!  Not to worry, sibling ‘B’ was able to eat a large portion after Foster ate her fill.

Audubon Boathouse –  My goodness, 32 day old Skipper is getting so big.  The proud parents, Dory and Skiff, are doing a great job.

Forsythe – Oscar is not ‘missing’.  There were six fish brought to the nest on 7/11.  Oscar delivered a fish at 0750, and Opal delivered the others.  Is there a ‘Manual for Osprey Life’ that dictates that the male must deliver most of the fish to the nest?  Perhaps Oscar has been busy keeping intruders out of the territory.  Opal and Oscar seem to have a great partnership.  Their kids are 51 and 50 days old.There was an epic tug of war for the fish that Oscar delivered.  The battle for the fish between the kids and their Mom went on for nearly a full minute.  In the end, one of the siblings won.

Barnegat Light – Daisy delivered a couple of live bluefish and the whole family feasted.  Duke and Daisy’s youngster is doing great, and at 42 days old, ’09/N’ has been doing some wingers.

‘A’ sent a note about the Royal Cam Chick: “Manaaki had a big day yesterday, with a visit from the rangers (for weighing day) and then a visit from mum for a feeding. Happy little man. Can’t wait till they fill in that weight chart. Here are the highlights of his day: https://www.youtube.com/watchv=ZOf5Smgt9kY&list=TLPQMTIwNzIwMjMLCopcQu6ATg&index=3 Listen to all that happy wheeing away when mum arrives. She is not giving him nearly as much food as dad GLY does at a feeding. In fact, she appears very reluctant to give up any of her stomach contents to Manaaki, and no wonder – he’s MUCH bigger than either of his parents (though some of that, of course, is due to his remaining fluff).”

Hartley and Monty have been bonding since Soledad fledged. Give this young couple a pat on the back! What a chick they raised in Soledad.

Thank you so much for being with me. Please send your positive wishes to our dear Louise at Fortis Exshaw and to all the nests. Take care. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, images, videos, posts, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘A, Geemeff, H, L, L’, Hope for Wildlife, Fortis Exshaw, Suzanne Arnold Horning, SL Security Pros, Moorings Park, Collins Marsh, PSEG, Boulder County Fair Grounds, Cowlitz PUD, Seaside Ospreys, Forsythe Ospreys, Conserve Wildlife F of NJ, Patuxent River Park, Alyth, Poole Harbour Ospreys, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Friends of Loch of the Lowes and the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Llyn Brenig, CarnyXWild, Dyfi Osprey Project, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, NZ DOC, and SK Hideaways and SJCH Falcons.

A whole lot of flapping’ goin’ on, fledges, and predation…Tuesday in Bird World

11 July 2023

Good Morning,

If you watch long enough, you will begin to see flapping. Osplets so close and dreaming of flying. It is marvellous. They become what they are destined to be – beautiful feathered flyers. Such a bittersweet time for us.

It is hard for me to believe that the summer is just flying by as if someone or something switched gears and put us in supersonic mode. The females on the nests of the fledglings will begin to fish for themselves (while also bringing in fish for the chicks along with the male). The 30% of their body weight that they lost during the breeding season – laying eggs, tending to chicks, fighting off intruders, etc. – will be regained, hopefully, so that they can make their 5000 km migration in good health.

Meanwhile, the kittens remain together almost 90% of the time. They love watching the birds from their perch. Missey enjoys having her small round basket inside a taller rectangular one, while Lewis prefers a hard basket lid! Go figure. You cannot see the pink bird collision dots in the images. That is super.

She is sound asleep.

The sunflowers are compliments of all the garden animals who scattered seeds. Gos h, I wish I had a field for them to plant peanuts!

We will start with the sadness. As we know, Jasper, the mate of Louise at the FortisExshaw nest has been missing now for nearly four full days as I write this. Louise has been out fishing and has had to deal with intruders. ‘H’ has confirmed that the youngest of the three chicks has now died. She writes, “Chick #3 passed away at 20 days of age.  ‘Little’ was not seen at all on 7/10.  ‘H’ notes that there were at least four feedings with Big attempting to intimidate Middle by beaking. Middle prevailed and ate and in the end the three had some nice meals together. We can only wait and see what happens. Send this nest your most positive energy, please.

Louise managed to eat and fill her crop too. She will need all the energy she can gather to fight off intruders and be Mum at the same time.

There are many who wonder about the wiseness of reestablishing Ospreys while, at the same time, introducing Goshawks. Today there is more goshawk predation – again at Kielder Forest. Joanna Dailey writes, “The female goshawk returned to Nest 5A last night. Despite being mobbed, she predated 1B9/Greenlee.In the circumstances there won’t be a further post with ringing photos.Despite the establishment of a new wild nest, the lack of breeding on Nest 6 and Nest 1A, plus the loss of chicks, means that a maximum of eight youngsters can fledge from Kielder Forest. This is the poorest productivity since 2018. Let’s hope next year is an ‘up’ after the ‘downs’ of this season.” Later, Joanna writes, “A short time ago UV gave Mrs UV a large rainbow trout. It is encouraging to see their pair bond is holding.” You will often see the ospreys pair bonding or having fish exchanges after the death of a child. I equate it to humans giving one another a big hug and telling them they still love one another when an immense tragedy occurs like the death of a child.

Has anyone been following the Urdaibai nest closely? I am wondering about the fledge dates of the two? One appears to still be home.

The ringing of the two surviving osplets at Finnish nest #4 took place on 10 July 2023. Here is the video!

Missing the sound of starving falcon chicks? Well check out these four in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

The only serving Lesser Spotted Eaglet in Latvia is growing and is so gorgeous. Dad has just delivered a vole.

The two Imperial Eaglets of Allyn and Altynay in the Tatarstan nest in RU, have names. The oldest is Alma and the youngest is Batyr. Both are males. The third sibling died on 9 June from starvation due to bad weather.

Here is our spin around the Osprey nests:

Crooked Lake: If you have been wanting to check in on the three osplets of Whitley and Noble at Crooked Lake, here is the link. These three are doing fantastic and giving Dad some attitude when he delivers those fish.

Cowlitz PUD. A nice fish delivery caught on the overhead cam by the PUD company. The nest continues to do well.

Boulder County: This nest with three is doing fantastic! My goodness we worried for a bit about Little but all is well because these two parents worked together to make sure that wee one survived. Now look.

Seaside: All is well. The camera angle sometimes cuts off one of the osplets and today I took a deep breath thinking one had fledged. No there was its tail! Mum has been busy aerating that nest!

Moorings Park: Gosh, Victor is waiting and waiting for that fish before lights out.

Outerbanks: Everyone is eating. Two at home now and it seems that everything is going well for the three fledglings.

Oyster Bay: Gosh those are beautiful osplets…now look at the one whose face you can see…doesn’t that look like Little Mini from Patchogue?

Little Mini has a slightly distinctive profile. So does this chick.

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: This new Mum has caught on. The only surviving Bob out of the three had a nice meal and a big crop and spent time looking out over the landscape with Mum. Dad was not there watching either..fingers crossed. This little one is getting some fat reserves which is good. Notice also that it is losing the down on the back of its head as we enter the Reptile phase.

The Bridge Golf Club: Lots of good fish. Mum and the two surviving osplets are doing extremely well.

Clark PUD: Doing great. No worries.

Collins Marsh: Some nice fish landing on the nest. Fingers crossed!

Dyfi Osprey Project: It is windy in Wales late Monday and Tuesday is starting off a wee damp. The osplets are flapping those wings! Both are super. No problems here!

Glaslyn Valley: Windy and set and the camera got disconnected after 2100 Monday evening. Heather advises that it will be repaired and the Circle of Doom will be gone sometime Tuesday. Otherwise everything is fantastic.

RSPB Loch Garten: Wet and miserable. Everyone waiting for fish.

Llyn Brenig: Oh, the same weather pattern seems to be around most of Wales. It was very windy late Monday and now the rain is pitching down at Llyn Brenig. These kids know not to try fledging when they are soaking wet.

Loch Arkaig: Dorcha is taking no chances. S he is with her soon to be named little boy in the nest in case silent night callers come to visit.

Loch of the Lowes: The chicks had fish before night fall and then the rains came and they were soaked. Blue NC0, too. Gosh, the skies ahve cleared and they are fish calling. Seriously these two are so loud you could hear them in Stirling!

Alyth: Very windy at Alyth. Hopefully no one will do a lot of flapping and prematurely take off.

Poole Harbour: Those osplets of CJ7 and Blue 022 are so grown up. There was an intruder about and the three suddenly became as thin s pancakes. But later just look. They are so big and already wing flapping in the early morning before the breakfast fish. Parents must be thrilled – three healthy osplets soon to fledge.

Fischadler: The trio in Germany have been ringed. I am hoping to get details but that nest is getting awfully full. Aren’t they gorgeous?

‘H’s reports on the other nests she is monitoring:

Patuxent Nest 1 – Neither sibling fledged on 7/10, although the one that I refer to as ‘Chick A’, at  57 days of age, seems to be very close to becoming a flighted bird.  —And ‘H’ was right, she adds “I knew that it would be soon.  The chick that I refer to as sibling ‘A’ based on different markings, was very active with hovering this morning.  Sibling ‘A’ fledged at 0745.  I am not referring to the oldest sibling.  The siblings are 57 and 56 days old.  Now to keep track of all three juveniles to determine when the third chick fledges, lol.”

Without Darvic rings, it is nearly impossible unless there is a good differentiation in head markings.  

McEuen Park: Three beautiful osplets!

Forsythe – There were only two fish brought to the nest yesterday, at 1136 and 1754.  Both fish were delivered by Opal, and they were not very big.  Each of the siblings self-fed from parts of each fish. Oscar was not seen on 7/10.”

So I am now wondering if something has happened to Oscar and we have another instance of a single parent nest. This is really tragic.

Kent Island –  Ample fish were brought to the nest.  What a lovely Osprey family.  Gosh, I wish the nest owners would give Audrey and Tom’s little one a name.

Dahlgren – At 54 days of age, I think ‘Big’ is close to fledging.  Big can ‘fly’ from rim to rim and has been doing some mini-hovers.

Severna Park – At 62 days of age, chick #2 seemed to be seriously thinking about taking its first flight . . but was not quite ready.

‘H’ notes: “The Ospreys at Barnegat Light and Audubon Boathouse are doing well, I will cover them tomorrow.  The Osoyoos cam was offline on 7/10.”

‘A’ has been watching Lady and Dad at the Sydney Olympic Park. She writes, “At Sydney’s Olympic Park WBSE nest, the chilly morning starts as always with a vocal interchange around 06:33. At 06:34 she gets up, still vocalising, and backs slowly away from the eggs. She flies off just after 06:34:30 and Dad arrives on the branch behind the nest a couple of seconds later. By 06:35 he is arranging himself carefully on the eggs. Lady is only gone for a short while before returning and insisting on resuming her position on the nest. Lady and Dad have both been incubating this morning, taking turns. Each is reluctant to move when the other arrives. They are both very fond of incubating. As the morning progresses, a large crop appears first on one, then on the other, so I think they are both hunting for themselves at this stage. I have not seen very much food brought to the nest this week – several days go by with no sign of food at the nest but parents who are definitely not going hungry.”

This is a really good article on fish availability, the recovery or not of ospreys after DDT from The Center for Conservation Biology. It focuses on fish availability.

A-tale-of-two-bays-Osprey-fortunes-diverge-The-Center-for-Conservation-BiologyDownload

Never fear, Little Mini is here! Not to forget to include our miracle survivor of the Patchogue nest of four osplets who continues to dream of fish, being fed by Mum, and flying like its three older siblings.

Thank you so much for being with me today as we check on some of the nests we monitor. Except for Fortis Exshaw, the pulse is good. Of course, things can change momentarily for the worse, especially with intruders around and about. Send your most positive wishes to Louise. It is a difficult time for her. Take care of yourselves. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog this morning: ‘A, H – always grateful’, Fortis Alberta, Urdaibai Biosphere, Finnish Osprey Foundation, Cilla Kinross, Latvian Fund for Nature, Tatarstan Imperial Eagles, Timothy Dygert Live Stream, Cowlitz PUD, Boulder County Fair Grounds, Seaside Ospreys, Moorings Park, Outerbanks 24/7, PSEG, MN Landscape Arboretum, Bridge Golf Ospreys, Clark PUD, Collins Marsh, Dyfi Osprey Project, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, RSPB Loch Garten, Llyn Brenig, Friends of Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust, Friends of Loch of the Lowes and the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Alyth, Poole Harbour Ospreys, Fischadler Ospreys and Severna Park, Dahlgren Ospreys, Patuxent River Park, McEuen Park, Forsythe, Kent Island, Sydney Sea Eagles, and The Center for Conservation Biology.

Monday in Bird World

10 July 2023

Greetings Everyone,

I hope that you found time to be outside, to sit, and to just listen to the birds. What a lovely feeling it is. I spent part of Sunday searching for a gravestone. It was not to be found but the little cemetery sits on the bank of the Red River and the birds were singing. What a tranquil place. The benches were also lovely and I could imagine sitting there sipping tea and reading a book. Just might do that one day!

Across the road there was a fawn that had lost its mother and was in a right panic. By the time the Wildlife Reha number was dialled, it was gone – hopefully back with Mum.

It is always good to start with a wonderful Osprey nest and what better one than Moorings Park. Have you still been checking in? If you are then you know that Victor is at the nest fish calling. Did Harry think he would still be supplying Victor with fish in July? Who knows but – Harry is doing an excellent job and just look at what a beautiful bird Victor is!

If you are worried about Soledad, San Jose City Hall’s fledgling falcon, she is fine! Screaming for prey!!!!!!!!!!!

We have been distressed about the fireworks and the raptors. Friends of Big Bear Valley have noted the impact on our dear Jackie and Shadow, the Bald Eagles, that live in the Valley. They are hoping to gather enough evidence to stop the fireworks in that area. Please send them anything you have in terms of articles, and also, if you have images of instances of fireworks near raptors that caused them stress, please also send that. Here is the information that ‘B’ sent me today:

The latest post on the Friends of Big Bear Valley facebook (https://www.facebook.com/FOBBV/) from Sandy Steers. She talks of how Jackie and Shadow disappeared for three days after the Big Bear fireworks show, and how last year they disappeared for six days after the show.  Sandy closes with: For any of you who might be interested, we are gathering information on the intense and detrimental impact that fireworks have on wildlife, on the lake, on the environment in general and even on domestic animals and humans. If any of you have references to studies about any of this, please share them with us at fobbvinfo@gmail.com. Thank you!

I sent Sandy a number of articles and I am attaching a few of those here for you to read if you would like. Perhaps we need a movement that begins in the name of Jackie and Shadow and spreads across North America to stop fireworks out of respect for our non-human friends.

Fireworks-have-long-lasting-impacts-on-wildlife-•-Earth.com_Download
How-Do-Fireworks-Harm-Wild-BirdsDownload
Fireworks-BC-SPCADownload

Sandy also included a history of the eagles Jackie and Shadow. Enjoy!

Two Imperial Eaglets at the Tatarstan nest in Russia got their bling, and they are both girls! Anyone reading my blog for any time will know that female raptors are highly aggressive. Imperial Eagles are no exception. Rarely does the second hatch survive. Well, this nest is a bit of a miracle for having two eaglets survive, but never mind, they were both girls. There were plenty of small mammals, and the male just kept bringing in prey. There was never a feeling of food insecurity, so both survived. Beautiful.

The three osplets at the Dunrovin Ranch have been ringed and it looks like there are two males and a female! Congratulations. More information as it becomes available.

‘H’ is concentrating on the FortisExshaw nest as it appears tragedy is just brewing. She writes, “What a mess this feeding was . . from 0903 to about 1115 – 090253 Louise brought in a monster fish, and she began to feed.  Big beaked both its siblings right away.  Louise began to have intruder problems at 0909.  There was a pair of intruders, and the feeding was disturbed many times, as Louise defended and flew off after the intruders.  Each time she returned she would resume the feeding.  At one point, one of the intruders landed on the nest while Louise flew after the one on the perch.Long story short . . Over the course of more than two hours, Big and Middle each ate the equivalent of two or three meals.  Little never got a chance.  If it hadn’t been for those intruders, there would most likely have been a couple of opportunities for Little to get fed from that huge fish while the others were full and napping.  But, it just didn’t work out that way.  Total bummer.   In addition to Jasper being missing, Louise does not need intruders to interfere with her attempts to care for her three offspring.After that, Louise left the nest a few times throughout the day, and would usually return with nesting material.  But at 2032 she returned with a fish.  It was difficult to be certain due to the  raindrops on the camera, but the fish appeared to be partially eaten.  The feeding lasted until 2041.  At the beginning of the feeding, Big once again beaked both of its siblings.  Middle did get to eat however, while Little cowered and stayed tucked behind the feeding line.  At that point Little had not eaten for about 34 hours, and Little did not have very much to eat on 7/7 or 7/8.  Little seemed to be weak, with waning resolve.Jasper has been missing since 0930 on 7/7.  

The intruder on the nest at Fortis Exshaw. We may lose Little but please send this nest your most positive wishes. When Jasper disappeared these babies were so tiny. Most of the Mums do not go easily slip into getting fish for their chicks and it is going to be very difficult for Louise.

The two osplets have been ringed at the Borders nest and if you watched it is no surprise that the bigger and more aggressive second hatch is a female with the first hatch being a male. The male weighed 1480 grams and is Blue 733 and the female weighed in at a good 1720 grams and is Blue 732.

I still love how Dad likes to be on the nest ‘to see’ Mum feed the only surviving osplet at the MN Landscape Arboretum nest.

The little one got a late night feeding. Feeling optimistic.

Little Mini might have dreamed about being home alone and getting a huge fish delivery from Dad until it became a reality on Sunday at 12:41. Mini worked on that fish til 1330 when one of the Big siblings came home and took it. Oh, how I wish Mum had flown in and fed Mini.

There was so much left I wonder how much Mini was actually able to eat…I know she pulled really hard on the skin – you could see this on the streaming cam.

Mini got a late night feeding by Mum. These parents will not forget their fourth chick!

Awwwhhhh. After seeing fish on the nest and wishing, Mum feeds little Mini at 10:15 Monday morning. Mini I son Mum’s right.

So a spin through some of the nest that I have been monitoring:

Cowlitz PUD: Nice fish on the nest and it looks as if some was left so the Only Bob could practice self-feeding. Fantastic.

Collins Marsh: The two osplets were doing well on a rather misty/foggy Sunday. The fish cannot be huge or plentiful – or else that streaming cam goes through quickly. Still everyone seems to be alright.

Clark PUD: Sometimes the camera angle is so bad you cannot see a feeding! The only hint I have is that one of the osplets has a large crop and there was a fish left on the nest. Looks like the adults are teasing the waters of self-feeding at this nest, too.

Bridges Golf: Everything is fine.

Boulder County Fair Grounds: Lots of nice fish coming on to the nest. Sometimes Little tries to go under Mum to get some bites but, at the end of the day, Mum was hungry, too.

Island Beach: Beau and Bay and their lovely feathered osplets are doing fantastic. The kids are starting to try self-feeding.

Loch Arkaig: He is a beautiful little man who will soon have a name. Louis on top of his game with the fish deliveries on Sunday.

Llyn Clywedog: No place better than home!

Llyn Brenig: Everything is fantastic.

Loch of the Lowes: Blue NC0 did some feeding while one of the chicks delighted in having a piece on its own. Lots of wheeing…just like an eagle. Blue NC0 made sure that both were fed. Fantastic Mum.

Manton Bay: We get a glimpse of them now and then if we are lucky.

Dyfi: Two beautiful birds. Everything is good and better than good with Idris and Telyn and their two chicks. Fledging will be soon.

Glaslyn: Lots of nice fish coming in for these two. Elen and Aran made a great team and I think we have all fallen in love with the new Queen of Glaslyn.

Poole Harbour: Blue 022 made sure that CJ7 and the trio had a nice fish before bedtime!

Alyth: Lots of fish coming on the nest. The chicks give self-feeding a go but Mum comes in and makes sure that everyone gets some fish.

Finnish #1. A middle of the night feeding for what looks like Little.

Finnish #4. Now only two.

Finnish #5. Only two chicks to begin and now two as well. They appear to be alright and not suffering from bad weather or poor fish deliveries.

Moving over to ‘H’s’ reports- thank you ‘H’:

Kent Island – Despite some afternoon storms, all was good for this Osprey family on the bay.  I am so happy for Audrey that she has a little one to care for this year.  Tom and Audrey’s little kiddo is 28 days old.  

Barnegat Light – Duke brought a fluke for his family in the afternoon.  At 40 days old, 09/N was doing some wingers.


Severna Park – Chick #1 fledged on 7/9, at 62 days of age.  She made a nice return landing on the nest three hours later, and she enjoyed several more flights throughout the day.  Chick #2 is 62 days old on 7/10.


Forsythe – All is well for Opal, Oscar, and their two chicks aged 49 and 48 days. 

Osoyoos – The fish have been plentiful at the nest.  At 14 and 13 days old, those two kids are doing great.

South Cape May Meadows –  Hera was seen at her nest in the morning of 7/9, where her three babies died of starvation due to the prolonged storm in June.  Zeus has not been seen since the storm.  My heart aches for Hera.

Dahlgren – We could see chick #1 fledge this week.  The chicks are both doing well, and are 53 and 49 days of age.

Patuxent Nest 1 – There could be another fledge any day.  The two siblings are 56 and 55 days old, and I think I can tell them apart, lol, so hopefully we’ll know which one fledges next.  Foster loves that perch so much, she spent the night on it, with Mom back on the nest last night.

Audubon Boathouse – Dory and Skiff’s only chick is 30 days old already, and little Skipper is doing great!

It is always a joy to receive your e-mails, to read your comments, and to have you hear with us in Bird World. Take care. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘B, H, T’, Moorings Park Ospreys, SK Hideaways and SJCH Falcon Cam, Earth.com, Page, BC SPCA, FOBBV, Tatarstan Eagle Cam, Dunrovin Rach, Fortis Exshaw, Borders Ospreys, MN Landscape Arboretum, PSEG, Cowlitz PUD, Collins Marsh, Clark PUD, Bridges Golf, Boulder County Fair Grounds Ospreys, Island Beach State Park, Friends of Loch Arkaig and the Woodland Trust, Geemeff and the Woodland Trust, CarnyXWild, Llyn Brenig Ospreys, LOTL, LRWT, Dyfi Ospreys, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Poole Harbour Ospreys, Alyth, Kent Island, Severna Park, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, Forsythe Ospreys, Osoyoos, Audubon Boathouse, Patuxent River Park, DAhlgren Ospreys, and SCMM.

Fledge is the word of the day and Louis and Dorcha’s chick is a boy…Sunday in Bird World

9 July 2023

Good Morning Everyone!

All of the Corvid babies are coming to the feeders. This includes the six Blue Jays – easy to recognise from the adults because they have their crest – the adults are now moulting having fledged this large nest. then there are the baby Crows. They do not look so much like babies but the adults feed them on the top of my fence and it is so cute. Then now, this morning, we have the Grackles. Of course, in the mix, are the dozens and dozens of baby House Sparrows, and Dyson’s kids. The images are not great…it is very difficult with the iridescent black and the black eyes and beak to capture the Crows when they are in the south of the conservatory.

Of course, the peanut stock is being depleted regularly with all of these Corvids. The St Boniface. is near the shop to get the birdIndustrial Park . It has two larger ponds and a smaller one. I have not been there this year, and it was high time to check to see what was happening. First, there were no Canada Geese. Not one. Not even a feather from moulting. There were four Ring adult Ring-necked ducks, a pair of Mallards, a few Red-winged Blackbirds, Song and Savannah Sparrows, and a lone Robin pulling worms out of the moist soil. All this rain is helping the birds!

That said- the running around for seed (the shop is quite a distance from where I live) means that my blog today is not nearly as long as normal.

‘H’ sent me great news on Saturday, and if you did not see the posting, you will be thrilled to know that Rita, the former mate of Ron, from the WRDC Bald Eagle Nest, is splendid. While we would all want her living in the will with Ron, raising eaglets, it was not meant to be. She had to have part of a wing amputated and she was in guarded condition for some time. Here is the latest news from the Miami Zoo and it is good. Thanks, ‘H’,

Gosh, it’s nice to start off with good news and there is more.

Check out the growth of Dmitri’s storklet! This is from May to July, 2 months. I will put the link to today’s feeding below. Dmitri has been overwhelmed by the international response to his health condition. Enough funds have arrived for him to have the private surgery and not wait a long time in the queue at public hospitals. He has said that the storklet ‘saved his life’… The belief that storks bring individuals good luck if we care for them is shown clearly in this instance. This is a feel-good story, and so happy and grateful for this kind and generous ordinary person. If you wanted to donate, however small, to Dmitri, send me a note, and I will give you the address for the fund. He will need help and funds to feed the storklet and himself after the surgery. Donating was very easy.

The link to this feeding. There does not appear to be a streaming cam live but a camera has been provided to Dmitri so that he can make short clips of the storklet’s progress and post them.

Soledad is still yelling and screaming and the parents are furnishing her with breakfast and keeping track of their only eyas this year. Monty and Hartley you did well! It is sure nice to know that these babies that have fledged are safe.

The third hatch at Outerbanks 24/7 has fledged and like its two older siblings has already returned to the nest! Well done. Put this Osprey nest on your list to watch next season. They are all gone and then they are all on the nest. You can hear them fish calling on the cam!

There is a fledge at Llyn Clywedog. Dylan and Seren’s eldest boy, Blue 8B1, took to the skies, did a fantastic flight around and returned landing on the perch right next to Mum.

Dylan brought his young lad a nice Brown Trout as a reward.

Female chick PF4 has fledged at Loch of the Lowes! Oh, goodness they are all taking to the skies or thinking about it.

At the Dyfi nest of Idris and Telyn, the chicks are hovering.

The Finnish Osprey #4 nest was a concern. ‘A’ was correct to be concerned. The lack of fish and rain has prompted the first hatch to attack both Middle and Little. The female appears reluctant to feed the Little one and despite two large fish being brought to the nest one after another, the Big osplet has now killed the little one.” It was an outright attack according to my friend ‘T’.

Finnish #1 nest. Eine really loves to eat her fish and those chicks have to work hard to get fed. There could be a potential for problems. The Big one eats, then the second, and we hope there is enough for the third!

The Patchogue Osprey nest is doing fine. There is a lot of wing flapping. The two older osplets have fledged and returned to the nest. On Saturday, Three got up to the perch so it is only time til it flies officially. That left Mini on the nest and our deal little one looked so lonely. Little Mini had a couple of good crops on Saturday. Fully confident that this fantastic chick will fledge. Please continue to watch as we celebrate these amazing parents who raised four energetic and healthy osplets.

Mini keeping an eye on that fish that one of the older is eating. Mini is very smart and has proven itself a survivor. The only issue could be a nest accident but I didn’t say that! This is also a good nest to put on your list for viewing next year.

Mini alone -.

‘M’ got this nice screen capture of Mini alone today, too. The flying is going to cause the older ones to be hungry so no doubt the nest is going to be frantic when there are deliveries. Gos, this chick is gorgeous. Notice her nice necklace and those amazing eyes. You can always tell Mini by her head and neck form the others. And look at those thick ankles. Little tears of joy…I know many of us worried so much that we would lose Mini.

After some initial hiccups, Boulder County Fair Grounds Ospreys are doing fantastic.

Everything appears to be alright at Cowlitz PUD. This nest was fortunate – only one egg hatched and there is enough fish for three. If you have forgotten, the theory is that the Bald Eagles – which are plentiful in the area – steal the fish from the Ospreys.

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum nest is very interesting. It is thought that this is the first breeding season for the female. The male is 21 years old. He often stays in the nest and observes the female feeding the chick. Today is the first day I can say that this baby has ‘a fat little bottom’. Things have improved since the beginning of the season on this nest.

Clark PUD is alright. I keep thinking this nest could use some more fish as the osplets are growing rapidly and feathering.

The female at Collins Marsh is just a sweetie. The two chicks of this new couple are doing very well, indeed.

The three chicks at the Lipka Forest Osprey nest in Poland are doing super.

The ringing of osplets (or any raptor or bird) can cause upsets at the nest. After the initial delay of the parents returning to the nest on Saturday, Louis comes in with fish number two. On Sunday, it is confirmed that this big chick is a boy! The naming contest has begun. Geemeff sent the link, please scroll through the comments when you get to this site: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/

‘H’ continues to be concerned about the FortisExshaw nest. This is her report for the morning: “Their only feeding yesterday was from a large fish brought by Louise at 0934.  Since then, Louise has left the nest numerous times, and the longest she was away was 52 minutes.  She returned a few times with nesting material.  She was never seen with a large crop.  I have seen beaking of Little a few times.  I assume this beaking is probably taking place more often than I am finding it on rewind.  Jasper will have been missing 48 hours on 7/9 at 0930.  I hope Jasper returns.  This is really tough on Little.”

Louise alone wondering what happened to Jasper with three very young chicks to feed and protect – and brood.

Ferris Akel has been checking in on Big Red, Arthur and the Ms and on Saturday he found all of them. Those fledglings are doing great.

Suzanne Arnold Horning found the Ms as well. Gosh these are precious little ones.

A beautiful story coming to us from the Kakapo Recovery about Nora – and, yes, she is still alive. I have attached the article below so you can read about this remarkable female, the matriarch to the now 209 Kakapo in the world.

Celebrating-40-years-with-Nora-the-kakapo-Conservation-blogDownload

All of Heidi’s other Osprey nests are doing well so no individual reports on them.

Thank you for being with me today. Send your positive energy to those struggling nests, including Fortis Exshaw. Take care, everyone. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, videos, posts, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog this morning: ‘Geemeff, H, M, T’, Miami Zoo, Dmitri’s stork, SK Hideaways and the SJCH Falcon Cam, Outerbanks 24/7, CarnyXWild, George Green and the Clywedog Osprey Group, Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve, Dyfi Osprey Project, Finnish Osprey Foundation, PSEG, Boulder County Fair Grounds, MN Landscape Arboretum, Clark PUD, Collins Marsh, Lipka Forest, Friends of Loch Arkaig and the Woodland Trust, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Ferris Akel Live Stream, Suzanne Arnold Horning, and kakapo Recovery.

Saturday in Bird World

8 July 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

Gosh, it is Friday and right now it is a few minutes before Saturday. The day flew by! Too many things to do and not enough hours in the day. I imagine all of you know that feeling. On Wednesday I was given a large basket of freshly picked strawberries and today – finally – they were made into David Leibowitz’s Parisian Strawberry Jam. There is no pectin although you can grate apples with the berries – they thicken it like pectin. I wanted that lovely slightly runny jam that isn’t too sweet that can go on scones, ice cream, or puddings. Tomorrow will be scone making! Need I say that Lewis and Missey both love scones. Bless their hearts. We are also getting ready for kitty birthdays. Missey will be a year the middle of July and Lewis a year the middle of August…wonder what special meal they will want?

Missey always poses.

Dyson is looking very healthy. She is at the feeders several times a day and often suns herself on the deck.

The babies are doing well. This one stayed long enough for me to focus the camera!

My neighbour informed me that there was an ‘explosion’ of Blue Jays this year – yes, there was! Six babies. There are also a similar number of baby Crows. Two Crow families came to get peanuts, cheesy dogs, and eggs again this evening.

Several years ago I did extensive research on the cost to the environment of the mega-dams that were constructed in the north of my province beginning in 1969. I learned that the lakes, the water, and the land remain toxic from the mercury dredged up by the construction of the Churchill-Nelson project by Manitoba Hydro. Then I began to think about Hope at the Newfoundland Power Osprey nest. Newfoundland Power has also built mega dams. Is it possible that Hope suffers from neurological damage caused by methyl mercury toxicity in the water and fish? Surely we can all agree that the behaviour of this female Osprey is not seen often.

This is a short portion of a book chapter about ceramics that includes mention of my research in Manitoba:

In Manitoba, a Crown-owned public utility produces hydropower for domestic consumption and export. This hydroelectric energy originates with the waters of northern Manitoba.  It is then carried south to markets beyond provincial boundaries via a vast and intricate transmission network.  In the 1960s, the provincial and federal governments built generating stations, powerhouse structures, control dams, and transmission lines on the Churchill and Nelson Rivers and their diversions to produce the electricity we use and sell.  But what was the cost to the people who had lived on the land for generations?  
The damming of the rivers in Treaty 5 Territory caused flooding on an unparalleled scale to the homes, the traditional hunting grounds, and the burial sites of Indigenous people. Extensive documentation details the social ramifications of these actions.  Ramona Neckoway, a member of the Nisichawayasihk Cree nation impacted by the mega-dam states:
Manitoba Hydro’s vast and impressive network, including the labyrinth of transmission lines, affected and continue to impact entire generations of indigenous peoples in Manitoba. My grandparents’ generation, my parents’ generation, my generation, my children’s generation and their children’s generation, have borne witness to and experienced a kind of cultural genocide resulting from Hydro’s generation in Manitoba; these experience to varying degrees and severity are akin, in some ways, to the residential school era that devastated many Aboriginal communities, children, parents and grandparents.  


The impact of these mega-dam projects is not limited to the province of Manitoba.  In November 2019, people from around the world met in Winnipeg, Manitoba, for a conference organised by the Wa Ni Tan, a group trying to stop the building of mega-dams worldwide.  People came from as far away as Brazil and Panama to mobilise against these hydroelectric projects’ social and environmental damage.  Underlying their concern were the pronounced changes to their communities since the construction of the dams.  These include “significant social disorder, the abuse of drugs and alcohol, racial discrimination and the destruction of ancestral hunting, trapping, fishing, and gathering practices. “ The people used to drink the water from the river eat the fish they caught or the game they killed. Today, all of the animals, the fish, and the people have been poisoned by methyl mercury developed in the reservoirs upstream. The result of the mercury poisoning is that many indigenous people living near the mega-dams have had to abandon their fisheries and their traditional diets resulting in an elevated increase of diabetes amongst the population.  

Sadly, despite all of the harm done to the land, the people, nature, and all living creatures, it is also known that these hydro dams are incredibly inefficient.  The effectiveness even of the newest turbines is only around 60%, meaning that 40% of the primary energy is wasted. 

Can Ceramics Ever be a Sustainable Cultural Practice? University of Nantes, 2021.

I intend to research the situation at the Snow Lane nest further. Their nest is far from the Muskrat Falls plant discussed in the article below. I also hope to hear from wildlife specialists in the area I have written to in order to establish if my theory has any weight.

Muskrat-Falls-hydroelectric-project-poses-risks-for-Canada-that-are-being-ignoredDownload

Everyone commented on how tranquil the nest of CJ7 and Blue 022 was at Poole Harbour this season. Well, guess what? They ringed the three osplets on Friday and believe the first two hatches are males and the third is a female. That is a great solution to the beaking that often comes when the female is the first hatch and the wee lad is the third. Well done, CJ7 and 022!

Gosh, I remember when I thought CJ7 might never find a mate and then that you man flew to the perch of her nest two years ago. They made history and continue to do so. So happy for this family.

The two surviving chicks were ringed at Llyn Brenig today as well – two girls. The first hatch is Blue 7B5 weighing 1775 grams, and the second is 7B6 weighing 1730 grams. Aren’t they gorgeous?

Just a quick run through some of the nests:

Alyth: The chicks are loud and getting bigger by the day.

Aran and Elen and their two sons are doing really well at Glaslyn. Elen proved to be a superb mother in her first year raising chicks! Great choice, Aran.

Idris delivered a double-header for the kids at the Dyfi nest that he shares with his mate, Telyn.

The Only Bob of Louis and Dorcha at Loch Arkaig is massive and it has these incredible ‘snake eyes’. Reminds me of Iris and Mrs G sometimes. The ringing should take place shortly and my bet is on a female! Or one of those males that simply breaks all records like Only Bob did at Clywedog a couple of years ago.

The ring number is LY7 but no release of gender yet.

Geemeff writes that the cam is down and the chick is being ringed! Here is some of its big wing flapping early on Saturday. Look at those wings!

There is an expected fledge today coming out of Loch of the Lowes. PF4 is really getting some height to that hovering!

The Only Bob at the Cowlitz PUD appears to be doing well.

Equally everything appears fine at Collins Marsh.

Everyone is preening at Oyster Bay. The nest is good.

The trio at the Pitkin County Open Trails Osprey Nest in Colorado are doing well. Mum was busy shading them from the heat on Friday.

The MNSA Jay Koolpix ospreys in Oceanside, NY are doing great, too.

Things appear to be going smoothly at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum nest. There is a bit more nesting material and a few more sticks and the wee one is able to eat larger pieces of fish that Mum is feeding. Feeling hopeful.

This new Mum is learning and if the winds would cooperate and not take off all their efforts in getting material to the nest, this could become a very comfy place to brood this chick.

A quick check on the two remaining osplets at the Bridges Golf Osprey platform seem to indicate that this nest is doing alright. Fingers crossed for this family.

Is there is a potential problem brewing at nest #4 in Finland? The first hatch is not allowing the third hatch up to get fish. The third hatch is looking very thin. It has been raining but ‘T’ confirms that the third hatch got some fish. Hoping that this is just a one off.

There is also a potential problem unfolding at the FortisExshaw nest near Canmore, Alberta. Jasper has not been seen for nearly 24 hours. ‘H’ reported Big beaking Little and keeping it from eating. This is the last fish that Jasper delivered around 0930 on Friday. ‘H’ reports that

Feeding 0559 to 0608 –  Louise blocked the view again, lol.  I think Little may have been fed a couple of bites, but at 0601, Little tried to ‘exit stage left’, and s/he ran out of real estate in the nest cup. I believe Little had most likely been bonked.  0924 to 0958 – Ah, a different set-up. . Mom in the centre, Middle and Little on one side, Big on the other side.  Louise fed to her right, exclusively feeding Middle and Little.  Big kept peeking around the corner “hey, what about me?”  Eventually, Big figured it out and moved to the right side of Mom.  The two big kids squeezed Little against the cup wall and at 0934 Little backed out, and moved away.  At 0942 Little tried to return to the feeding, but was beaked by Big.  Big quit the feeding at 0951, and Middle quit shortly thereafter.  At that point Little received a long private feeding.  Little ate at least 81 bites.There were no other fish deliveries on 7/7.”

‘H’s other reports. Thank you:

Severna Park – “Chick #1 may be a large gal, and has yet to fledge at 60 days old.  I wonder if the slightly smaller chick #2 (59 days old) will fledge first.

Kent Island – Tom is such a great provider.  He delivered at least 5 big fish for his family, there may have been an early delivery that I missed, but the lighting was such that it was very difficult to view the nest in the morning.  Tom and Audrey’s chick is 26 days old.

Forsythe – Well, thank heavens, Opal must have shown Oscar where she catches those huge fish!  Opal brought in a big one, and Oscar delivered four very large fish.  The kids are 47 and 46 days old.

Barnegat Light – Other than Daisy being dive bombed by the Red-winged Blackbird, life is good on the bay for Duke, Daisy, and their 38 day old youngster.

Boathouse – Dory and Skiff continue to dote over their cherished offspring.  Little Skipper is 28 days old.

Dahlgren – At 51 and 47 days old, Harriet and Jack’s kids are growing up fast.  They were both taking advantage of a breezy day and working those wings.  And, one of them managed to get quite a bit of lift!

Osoyoos – Soo and Olsen’s 11 and 12 day old kids are simply thriving!

Patuxent Nest 1 – ‘Foster’ decided to take a quick spin around the marsh for her second flight from the nest.  She landed on the nearby perch, just as pretty as you please!

Until the magistrates impose proper fines and penalties, the estates will continue to get away with murder.

The Hobby Falcons are busy feeding their chicks! This family is seriously adorable. Highly recommend you check out the streaming cam on YouTube: Dorset Hobby Falcons.

Before I get on my soap box about people shooting Red Listed birds, there is sad news coming out of Kielder Forest this morning. A chick has been predated. This is nest 5A home to Mr and Mrs UV.

UK Raptor Persecution has released the following information about the recent confirmed shooting of at least two red kites (with a third one suspected) near Westerdale in the North York Moors National Park (see here). The North York Moors Park Authority has issued the following statement:

I am absolutely outraged, along with you in the UK and elsewhere, that the legal system is punishing those responsible in a manner that is fitting and proper…meaning high fines, loss of licenses, custodial sentences. Is that what it takes to stop people having fun shooting birds? The real other enemy is that it is the ultra-wealthy who are doing the shooting. They have ‘friends in high places’. Indeed, some of them are the ‘friends in a high place.’

Murphy’s Eaglet was released today. Here are some images and the press release from World Bird Sanctuary.

Plastic. BirdLife International research is showing the extent to which this deplorable material that we cannot seem to get out of our daily lives is destroying the oceans and harming wildlife. The project has identified the most vulnerable sites and maybe there is something we can do to help.

New-research-highlights-where-threatened-seabirds-are-most-exposed-to-marine-plastics-BirdLife-IntDownload

Always gives us a smile – Annie and Lou – who are enjoying their time without the constant challenge of caring for eyases.

Last but never least, Little Mini. Mini had a nice breakfast this morning and it appears that the larger of the two are more interested in being on the perch!

Thank you so much for being with me today. Have a lovely Saturday! See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘A, Geemeff, H, T’, Google Maps, Poole Harbour Ospreys, Llyn Brenig Ospreys, Alyth Ospreys, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Dyfi Osprey Project, Friends of Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust, Geemeff and Friends of Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust, Friends of Loch of the Lowes and Scottish Wildlife Trust, Cowlitz PUD, Collins Marsh, PSEG, Pitkin County Open Trails, MNSA Jay Koolpix Osprey Cam, MN Landscape Arboretum, Bridges Golf Club Ospreys, Finnish Osprey Foundation, Jackie Morris and Friends of Dyfi osprey Project, Dorset Hobby Falcons, Fortis Exshaw, Severna Park, Kent Island Ospreys, Forsythe Ospreys, Conserve Wildlife of NJ, Dahlgren Ospreys, Boathouse Ospreys, Osoyoos, Patuxent River Park 1, Kielder Forest, UK Raptor Persecution, World Bird Sanctuary, BirdLife International and SK Hideaways and Cal Falcons, and PSEG.

Little Mini working on a Big Fish…Friday in Bird World

7 July 2023

Hello Everyone!

There is another big thunderstorm brewing. Without even checking the weather forecast you could feel the anxious energy as 13 crows came to eat peanuts, cheesy dogs, and eggs. The Blue Jays were flying in and out, having baths, and eating anything in sight as were the squirrels, the Grackles, and the Sparrows. Now it is only 1900 and the sky is dark, like this page. The thunder can be heard rolling in the distance and now there is lighting. Lewis is hiding. Our weather is quite crazy. It was 32 C a few days ago and then dropped to 14 C. Having been so hot for so long it felt like we needed to take out our woolen jumpers and socks. Hoping all the animals are safely tucked in their little dens and trees for the duration.

I have had several letters concerning the Newfoundland nest. Each writer wanted to know why the male at the Newfoundland nest doesn’t leave the female if all the chicks die. That is a very interesting question. Of course, I can only speculate, but contrary to the popular urban myth that raptors bond for life, many do ‘divorce’. In the case of this male, my only thoughts are he has no other available option. As we know, Osprey males return to the area of their natal nest while females, usually but not always, disperse. This could be his natal nest. Until the arrival of Hope, the nest had been successful. He is a very good provider, and there would appear to be ample fish. My guess is no other female in the area at this time, so his urge to breed takes over, and Hope is there.

In Latvia, the male Osprey has waited for a new female mate for years, and just recently, a single Black male stork has found a mate in Latvia. So, let us hope for Beau to find a great mate and for Hope to retire and live by the lake catching and eating her fish.

Checking in on those UK nests as promised:

Loch Arkaig: Dorcha is keeping her very large Only Bob dry during the rain in western Scotland. Geemeff writes, “Bit of a heart-stopping moment. Chick is 37 days today so at least two and a half weeks from fledging – we do not want a wind-assisted fludge! Chick would be injured or maybe not even survive!”

Only Bob is right in the range for getting ringed…will Only Bob be a boy or a girl?

Louis did not deliver the first fish of the day until around 1225. Intruders? Weather? Not like Louis to be so late.

Loch of the Lowes: The chicks are self-feeding. The fish have ranged from small to a good size and both seem to get something to eat although the wee brother would like to have some fish all the time. He is hoping there could be some left. At one point Blue NC0 brought in two fish – one she had caught and another that Laddie brought in.

Llyn Brenig: Everything is fine at Llyn Brenig. Like the other nests in Wales it was a bit windy and damp on Thursday at times.

Llyn Clywedog: Oh, it was sometimes windy at nest and at least one of the osplets loved it and was jumping up and down and hovering. Scared the wits end out of me – . All I could think of was the poor dear being caught up and being blown to Ireland!

Loch Garten: It is wet at this nest also at times on Thursday. Brodie has been getting some fish into the nest and, of course, Asha is one of the females not afraid to go out fishing. The chicks are doing well.

Glaslyn: It was a tad windy with some drizzle and Elen happily brooded her two little boys.

Dyfi: All is well. Idris is up on the perch and Telyn is in the nest feeding those two beautiful chicks, the female Cennan and the little boy, Seiont.

Poole Harbour: It is another successful year for CJ7 and Blue 022. Those three osplets are feathered and are just waiting to be ringed which could happen any day. This is so wonderful. Last year this couple made history by fledging the first osplet in more than 250 years in Poole Harbour.

Alyth: It has been a bit of a wet one at Alyth. The oldest chick is now 46 days old and the fledge window opens at 48 days in the UK. They hatched on May 21, 23, and 25. Their mother, Flora, hatched in 2014 so she is 9 years old this season. Aren’t they gorgeous. Just look at those feathers and wet crests!

The last chick at the Manton Bay nest of Blue 33 and Maya, 3H5, fledged on Thursday, 6 July. Congratulations for a successful season. All of the fledglings have returned to the nest.

Remember Murphy’s chick? That eaglet will be released today, Friday July 7 by the World Bird Sanctuary.

More places are giving up fireworks…remember. If you want to do something that will help the lives of so many, get together with your like-minded friends, family, colleagues and urge your city to ban fireworks and to use the funds that were spent for something to help.

I cannot tuck in until I check on Little Mini at Patchogue. The nest is really getting full of chicks and Mini just continues to grow. I did not get to watch her as closely today as I would have liked. I hope that any concerns today about her coughing were nothing. But we must be vigilant and continue to monitor her closely.

Mini really wanted some of that 19:31 fish that a big sibling had…in the end she gave up and had a snooze. Later Mini got the fish! Thank goodness. She was looking a bit peckish. (I like Mini with a nice big crop!)

Two did a lot of hovering and joined Big on the perch at 16:45. So Big has fledged and Two has ‘branched/perched’. Wonder who will be next. The worrisome part of Two’s branching is that its talons almost got caught in that black bin liner. Oh, human garbage…

Boulder County Fair Grounds continues to look good. Lots of good fish being brought in and the kids are quite civil at the table in the image below.

Collins Marsh: Two beautiful feathered osplets. I watched for a long time to try and see if there were many fish being delivered and during that time there were none. If you are watching this nest, do let me know about the fish deliveries. Thank you!

Because ‘H’ is worried about FortisExshaw, so am I. The first hatch is so much bigger than little 3. Big ate first, then Middle got to eat with Big, and I held my breath and then Mum fed the wee babe some fish. Thank goodness but under ‘H’s close ye, she notices that the beaking by Big is often and that the nest cup is deep and narrow in places causing Little to have trouble getting in the food line. Louise is good and ‘H’ notes she will take the fish to Little and feed it. “Little is managing to get fed, and I don’t feel that the situation with Big’s dominance and aggression toward Little is dire at this point.  Some feedings are not viewable.” Please send positive wishes. There are fish and two good parents just a huge difference in size between the first hatch and Little. This is a ‘Little’ that needs our good energy!

‘H’ reports on the Patuxent 1 nest: “There were five very large fish delivered to the nest by Dad.  All of the chicks are occasionally self feeding, but are also fed by Mom.  The fledgling ‘Foster’ is estimated to be about a week older than her foster siblings (ages 52 and 51 days), and she is the most adept at self feeding.  At 1514 Dad delivered a huge headless fish, and ‘Foster’ took the fish from Mom, without any resistance from Mom.  ‘Foster’ ate about a third of that fish, and then each of the siblings gave it a go.  There was still a large portion remaining and Mom fed everyone. You will recall that ‘Foster’ was placed in the nest as a rescue on 6/29, and she fledged on 7/3.  ‘Foster’ has not left the nest since she returned to the nest on 7/4 after fledging.  In all of the attached photos, ‘Foster’ is the one standing on the rim.”

‘H’ reports that all of the other nests are doing really well. Isn’t that wonderful?

‘A’ has been keeping an eye on what is happening in Australia and New Zealand. At the Royal Albatross Colony -“In New Zealand, the gale force winds of the past two weeks or so have finally died down. Those winds have been so incredibly strong, many parents have been unable to come in to feed the chicks. Still, of the 33 chicks at the colony this season, only three are requiring supplementary feeding, which is wonderful. This means that the other 30 are being adequately fed by their parents. Little UQ chick was supplementary fed again today (it was fed last Tuesday, though it was not weighed). Weighing was abandoned this week, due to the strength of the winds, so we will have to wait for next Tuesday’s weighing to see how Manaaki’s weight is coming along. He still has plenty of time to slim down, regurgitate his bolus and so on before fledging time – there’s about ten weeks to go now, I think.” “Here is a very short piece from yesterday, when Manaaki took the chance to have a good preen after having his plumage blown in all directions for the past couple of weeks. What a lovely juvenile he really is. Just gorgeous. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLXBhFj9vUw&t=24s. What a handsome albie. The chatters call him Prince Manaaki. He sure knows the Royal part of being a Northern Royal Albatross! And just for the memory, look at our little chick at about one month of age (he was born 27 January, I think) so this would be just before the post-guard phase. The last few days and nights of constant parental presence. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qw2r53APHGQ. Just look at that adorable little ball of fluff. And look at him now! A lot of squid has gone into that transformation.”

Charles Sturt Falcon Cam -“At Orange, Diamond is perched on the ledge, with a full crop, as darkness falls. She will no doubt spend the night in the nest box, probably on the Cilla Stones. It seems that Xavier needs to relearn the bit about handing over the prey all over again every season. He brought in what appeared to be a largish grebe at 14:25:23. Diamond arrived within eight seconds, but Xavier took the prey and left!! C’mon Xavier, not again. We discussed this last season. And the one before. Still, Diamond already had a large crop when she arrived, and she is sure not looking hungry this evening. She never does, come to think of it. At least it wasn’t a starling, which is progress. (As you no doubt recall, Diamond hates starlings.) “

Speaking of Falcons, here is the latest video by SK Hideaways on trying to find Soledad! It must be very difficult to keep up with a falcon but isn’t she the cutest thing? I cannot wait for Diamond and Xavier’s eggs to hatch – and they haven’t even

Ferris Akel did some highlights of the Ms and he caught one of the Ms going after a squirrel amongst other day events.

At 0702, Little Mini at Patchogue was working on a huge fish…Mum comes to the rescue. Those bony heads are difficult for chicks.

Thank you so much for being with me for this nest round up. Take care everyone. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their diligent monitoring, their notes, videos, and the streaming cams that helped me to write my blog this morning: ‘A, Geemeff, H’, Friends of Loch Arkaig and the Woodland Trust, Geemeff and the Woodland Trust, Friends of Loch of the Lowes and the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Llyn Brenig, CarnyXWild, RSPB Loch Garten, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Dyfi Osprey Project, Poole Harbour Ospreys, Althy, LRWT, World Bird Sanctuary, Celia Aliengirl and Bald Eagles Live Nest Cams and News, PSEG, Boulder County Fair Grounds Ospreys, Collins Marsh, Fortis Exshaw, Patuxent River Park, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, SK Hideaways and San Jose City Hall Falcons, and Ferris Akel Live Stream.

Nest Round up. Late Thursday in Bird World

6 July 2023

Hello Everyone,

As promised, a quick round-up of what is happening at our nests today. I hope this finds you all well. It is nearly the end of the week and now it also is beginning to feel like July will fly by.

Cowlitz PUD: The fish are coming. I wish a few great big ones would land on this nest. The chick is growing like a bad weed and if you look carefully you can tell that this little one is nearly the size of Mum.

Collins Marsh: Everything is fine at Collins Marsh. Two nice growing osplets.

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: The chick has lost its fluff and that head is pure Reptilian. A nice early fish came in and Mum fed the wee one after it scrambled to get up to the rim of the nest. At first I thought, oh, no, she is going to eat it all and not feed the chick. Wrong.

Boulder County Fair Grounds: These two parents continue to work together to feed and shade their three growing chicks. What a great nest this has become after the initial sidelining of the third hatch.

Patchogue: Big was on the perch and it looks like everyone is doing alright. Mini has been eating and eating and doing some wing flapping along with the others. ‘M’ mentioned some concerns in chat that Mini was sneezing between 0757 and 0800 and was concerned if this was true. As it turns out Mini was being fed by Mum the entire time (and at least 15 minutes prior). Mini seemed to just eat and eat today. She is growing but needs that tail longer to fly and from the look in her eyes, she really wants to fly when she sees Big hover to the perch!

The Fabulous Four from Patchogue!

Sandpoint: The second egg did not hatch and the first is a right little reptile! Seems to be doing quite well.

Outerbanks: Doing great. Fledglings return to the nest. Just perfect! I was, however, horrified, when ‘A’ sent me an image from the 4th of July where fireworks went off near to the nest…on the water under??? I do not know anything about fireworks regulations but this should not be allowed. The area should be restricted so as not to disturb the nest.

On behalf of all of us, I will write to the individuals that run the camera and see what they know and if this behaviour can be stopped. I understand from ‘L’ that it is possible in the tourist areas along the coast to have fireworks once a week, not just on holidays. Can you see me shaking my head?

‘L’ asked me if there was a way to send donations from outside RU to Dmitri who rescued the little fifth stork and cared for it so that it is big and strong. As you might recall, Dmitri has prostrate cancer and is looking for assistance to get the surgery quickly. It is scheduled for 12 July. This is the link that I was given for donations to be sent: https://www.donationalerts.com/r/storks40

There is some more sadness. The last of the three osplets of the Great Bay nest has died. That storm just keeps on giving and it isn’t good.

But there is also good news elsewhere…after the third hatch died of siblicide at The Bridge Golf Club, the camera went offline. It was feared that the storms that caused such deaths at other nests such as Great Bay also impacted the two older chicks here. Well, guess what? Just look at those two older ones! Isn’t that wonderful? I can hardly believe my eyes.

Here are the nests that ‘H’ has been monitoring – thanks so much, H.

Dahlgren – Jack and Harriet’s kids are doing great.  There were at least 5 fish delivered by Jack on 7/5, and both chicks are doing some self feeding (49 and 45 days old)

Osoyoos – There is a good supply of fish coming to the nest, and the little ones are being well cared for by Mom and Dad (Soo and Olsen ?).  Ages 10 and 9 days old.

Forsythe – They had 11 fish delivered to the nest on 7/5, and Opal delivered 4 whoppers.  A little joke is that Oscar fishes from the ‘kiddie pool’, lol, but Oscar did deliver a pretty big fish at 1344.  The chicks are 45 and 44 days old.

Barnegat Light – Life is good for Duke, Daisy and 09/N.  Daisy brought a smooth dogfish shark to the nest, yummy!  We are still awaiting a name for their 36 day old youngster.

Kent Island – There were at least 6 fish delivered by Tom that I saw.  Audrey and Tom’s little kiddo is 24 days old, and would like to have a name!

Audubon Boathouse – The sun finally shone brightly at the nest of Skiff and Dory after several gloomy days.  At 26 days old, little Skipper is growing like a weed.

Severna Park – Olivia and Oscar sure did haul in some large fish on 7/5  Big did not fledge on 7/5, perhaps today is the day.  Ages of the sibs: 59 and 58 days old.

The UK nests are fine and I will look closer at them tomorrow. We will close with a video by Gracie Shepherd of Thunder, Akechets, Scout, and 39D soaring. Enjoy.

Thank you so much for being with me this evening for this quick check on some of the nests. Take care. See you soon!

I want to thank the following for their notes, videos, posts, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog this evening: ‘A, H, L, M, T’, Cowlitz PUD, Collins Marsh, MN Landscape Arboretum, Boulder County Fair Grounds Ospreys, PSEG, Sandpoint Ospreys, Outerbanks 24/7, Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Bridge Golf Club, Dahlgren Ospreys, Osoyoos, Forsythe, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, Kent Island, Audubon Boathouse.

Tiny Little works its wings…Thursday in Bird World

6 July 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

I went out in nature again today to clear my head about the Newfoundland Nest. The second chick has died, and Hope is brooding it tonight the DNH egg ton. Hope became the resident female in 2019, for those who do not know. Before this time, this nest had fledged many osplets. In 2019, Hope demonstrated that she rarely fed her chicks, forcing them to crawl to the edge to get fed. Two died of starvation; one fledged that year. None of the chicks survived in 2020, 2021, 2022, and now again in 2023. This year Hope showed a little more instinct to care for the chicks than in previous years. It is just extremely sad and now this season is over for the ‘Last Hope’ nest and we must move forward because many things are happening.

I do want to start with a positive note from the FortisExShaw nest as I know it has been difficult lately with all the tragedy. ‘H’ notes that Louise, the female at the FortisExshaw nest, did a really clever thing yesterday. She fed the two big ones til they passed out but had fish remaining. Then she stopped the feeding and did some nest work. Once the big ones were sound asleep, she fed Little. Brilliant! Now this has been seen at other nests where the third hatch was having problems – Tiny Tot Tumbles at Achieva in 2021 and Foulshaw Moss in 2021. Great strategies and both of those tow chicks survived to become the dominant bird on the nest.

My blog is short this morning. Instead, I will also have an update on some of the nests I monitor and those of ‘H’ in the early evening on the 6th. Then things will be back to normal!

These are a few of the birds from the Oak Hammock Marsh from the morning of 5 July. The Red-tailed hawk soared in the thermals above me for about 20 minutes. I left and it was still up in the clouds. What an incredible sight – so peaceful.

A Killdeer.

There was an explosion of Barn Swallows around the pavilion. Are they curious about humans? They are such cuties and look, it is banded.

A Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk who was loving flying.

The oldest sibling at the Outerbanks 24/7 fledged on the 4th of July. It returned to the nest, so all is well, but there were fireworks near the nest on the 4th. Everyone reading my blog knows that fireworks are dangerous to our domesticated pets. Imagine the raptors – all the birds and wildlife- living in the urban centres. Why should they be subjected to this trauma? It is a lot of money just for a little bit of satisfaction when so many other causes could use those funds for the long-term benefit of many. While we work on our less use and purchasing of plastic, we can write to those individuals in our communities that plan events and ask them not to use fireworks or balloons or anything that could harm our precious animals. People do have power and we can guide positive change but we have to let the right people know that these events are no longer acceptable.

Here is an informative article for the CBC in Calgary, Alberta, that addresses the issue of harm to humans and animals froj fireworks. This will help you get started on the logical argument and the science of why we should now stop these loud displays, including the debris left for animals to get entangled, birds abandoning their nests, anxiety, and loss of hearing..There are many similar articles on the Internet also.

How-fireworks-can-affect-your-health-and-the-ecosystem-CBC-NewsDownload

At Patchogue today, one of the two oldest siblings hovered magnificently and flew to the perch at 12:26. It flew to the opposite side of the nest at 16:53. For Eagles, we would call this branching so I am not officially saying this osplet fledged but we are ever so close.

One, Two, and Little Mini were all at the rim flapping like crazy today! Maybe they are all males and the Three that pecked at Mini is a female. We will never know! The females tend to fledge after the males but there are always exceptions. Mini has eaten well today even snapping fish bites away from Big at the 18:10 feeding.

You know those lumps in your throat you get…well, Mini is just too curious about this flying business and I thought goodness, this osplet is going to fledge soon. I am not ready for Little Mini to fly! And it looks like she is missing a vital feathery her right wing tip, one of the primaries (it looks like with this image).

Here is an image illustrating the feathers of an osprey that was supplied by Dr Erick Greene of the University of Montana at Missoula several years ago.

Can you pick Tiny Little out of the chicks below? She appears to have surpassed Three in size…Three with is great necklace! So in order from left to right – Big, Third, Tiny Little, Second. Incredible.

This nest is amazing.

There are only 7 breeding pairs of ospreys in Denmark. Today marks a very historic event – the ringing of the first osplets in Danish history. The trio were from the Grim Skive nest wish is the 4th largest forest in Denmark in Northern Zealand. The nest is in a beautiful live tree. The link to the camera is below. Go and check this out!

https://naturstyrelsen.webstream.dk/?fbclid=IwAR3qzWDwCtYshOd5UtY-QLdy9rkzPntbUNDQFw8C-f2jWGuvVtpkxzkLxDg

You might be aware that there are growing concerns with the food supply for the Bald Eagles, which is normally Chum Salmon (the Salmon who have spawned and then die). Here is a good article and it shows us how the Eagles and farmers are adapting in Washington State – something that could be a solution elsewhere if the trend continues with the salmon.

The article comes from the last Living Bird Magazine from Cornell Bird Lab.

In-A-Climate-Change-Shift-Dairy-Farmers-In-Washington-State-Welcome-Eagles-All-About-Birds-All-AbDownload

Oh, Ervie, it is so nice to see you! Our 2021 third hatch from the Port Lincoln Osprey barge is looking good. I wonder if he is still fishing with Dad at Delamere sometimes? It will not be long til we will be checking on that Port Lincoln nest for eggs as the Australian season begins!

I love the fact that they mention Ernie’s necklace — do not ever judge a bird to be a male or female by its necklace alone!!!!!!!

Checking on another Australian male that we love – Xavier – he brought a grebe as a gift to Diamond on the morning of July 6 and she accepted it! For those of you who do not know this darling falcon couple in Orange, Australia, Diamond is very particular about her prey and she does not like Starlings! A Grebe or parrots are tasty treats.

These lovely images of the Ms out and about on the Cornell campus were taken by Suzanne Arnold Horning on 5 July. They all seem to be doing very well as they navigate trees, buildings, birds, and squirrels. Thank you Suzanne for allowing me to share your wonderful images.

A new nest recommendation for all my falcon and hawk lovers – The Dorest Hobby Falcons is highly recommended by my colleague SP! Their first hatch with two more, hopefully, soon. Have a look at this incredible manmade nest – modelled after that of a crow – and these parents feeding this just-hatched chick.

They are correctly called Eurasian Hobby. They are a small raptor, like a kestrel. You might look at them first and think of a Peregrine Falcon. They eat insects and small birds often caught in flight by the talons and then transferred to the beak. They are capable of very sophisticated “high-speed aerial manoeuvres”, according to the RSPB.

We try to do what we can for our beloved feathered friends. That help takes many forms, from donations to bird feeding stations, bowls or bird baths holding water, volunteering for bird counts, and lobbying our politicians to improve their lives. Sometimes there are also simple fixes that we can make in our homes and gardens. Many are urging that all new buildings be bird-friendly. This includes collision-proof glass or Swift bricks in the UK.

Brick-by-brick-the-British-manufacturers-building-a-better-future-for-birds-Birds-The-GuardianDownload

Thank you so much for being with me. Take care, everyone! Check back later for the nest round-up with me and ‘H’.

Thank you so much to the following for their notes, videos, photographs, and streaming cams that helped me write my blog for this morning: ‘SP, T’, CBC Calgary, PSEG, Erick Greene, Naturstyrelsen DK, Cornell Bird Lab, Buxx Hockaday The Guardian, Wildlife Windows, and Friends of Osprey Sth Aus.