It is 1930 Tuesday evening and it is still light on the Canadian prairies. It will not be long til spring is officially here. It would be so nice if the weather were the same! It still feels like winter!!!!!!!!
It will not be long til ospreys are arriving in the UK just like the geese are returning to the spring and summer breeding grounds. Life in Bird World is going to get that much more exciting.
There is a hatch at the GHO nest of Bonnie and Clyde on Farmer Derek’s property.
The third hatch at Big Bear is a real character, a brave little soul. I am counting on this one being a female!
‘A’ comments: “I watched the 14:20 feeding at Big Bear today (10 March) and Jackie was being very diligent about feeding all three. The first two lined up at the table were fed, one then the other, then the first again – she was giving them pieces that seemed way too large but they ate valiantly. One eventually collapsed into a food coma, and the third chick got to the front. Jackie moved around a little to favour it more and then proceeded to feed the remaining chick along with the youngest, who continued to compete throughout the feeding and seemed to do pretty well out of the feeding. All three were fed adequately, and Jackie was very deliberate about it. This gives me a great deal of hope that these three do have a fighting chance to survive – there was no bonking whatsoever at this feeding, even though the youngest was in the front row and I kept expecting a beak to the back of its head. But no, all eyes were on mum and the food, with not a single incident of aggression. It was most heartening, though of course we take things a day at a time. Shadow as usual did his daddy duty whenever he got a chance and alerted Jackie whenever he needed a break;. These two are doing a great job and are sharing the chores between them, with both taking their turns at hunting, fishing, feeding and brooding. What a team. “
The first egg has hatched at PA Farm Country early Tuesday.
Screenshot
There was a Q & A session with Dr Sharpe. ‘J’ found some of the questions and answers for us.
Geemeff sends us news: James River Park is live:news item –
Bodie still takes our breath away. She is so beautiful.
‘A’ considers: “At NEFL, I agree with you that Bodie must be a big beautiful female like her mum. She is gigantic! I’m not sure she is particularly motivated to leave home just yet, having been so spoiled by Gabby and Beau. Tonight, Gabby is sleeping on the nest with her giant daughter, perhaps aware she won’t have her around for too much longer. What a wonderful season it has been for this couple. This nest has really lived up to all the hopes we had for it when Gabby first showed an interest in V3 all that time ago. To see their love story come to this is so wonderful, it brings tears to my eyes all over again. Darling Gabby really deserves a guy like Beau – he has turned out to be the mate we hoped he would be for her. And what a great dad he has been. “
Just look at gorgeous Iniko (1031), daughter of King Pin and Rewood Queen.
The Oregon Zoo has thirteen California Condor eggs this year!
Sun Coast Osprey Cam is up and running.
I always get the feeling that the E3 nest in the Kistachie Forest needs more food. I remember Louis bringing in piles an piles of fish to E1 – what is happening at E3 this year?
One tiny little osplet at Frenchman’s Creek.
Food is in very short supply – or appears to be – at the ETSU Bluff City nest.
Will Cholyn and Milda lay a second egg today?
Thank you so much for being with us today for this brief catch up with some of the nests. Take care everyone. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, posts, images, articles, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, J, SP’, Farmer Derek GHO Cam, SK Hideaways, FOBBV, HDonTap, Dr Sharpe an the IWS, James River Park, NEFL-AEF, Ventana Willife Society, Sun Coast Osprey and Lucille Powell, Kistachie National Forest, Frenchman’s Creek Ospreys, Bald Eagle Cams ETSU and Terry Anita
I don’t know about you but the thought of Jackie and Shadow with three eaglets in a nest with a huge storm in the Big Bear Valley has been the most energizing event I could imagine. Has it been the same for you? There is some beautiful reaffirmation that everything really is going to be fine. I am sleeping better, the only thing we have been watching on that screen we have been watching are two of the sweetest, most loved little eaglets ever to hatch. Still can’t believe it.
A break in the winter storm allowed Jackie to feed the first two hatches at the nest and for everyone to get a glimpse at the pip in the third egg. Most of us did not believe our eyes. Could it be possible?
Many were determined not to watch the agony of Jackie and Shadow incubating eggs that would not hatch and now – to the utter amazement of everyone, it looks like there will be three!!!!!!!!!
Calico is one of the biggest fans of Big Bear and hasn’t been able to take her eyes off the nest all morning. There has never been triplets before. She worries like the rest of us, but when Shadow was calling Jackie and the babies….well, she is glued.
There will be a naming contest. Suggestions will go in. 35 names picked at random and the Big Bear Third Graders will get the final votes! And just think – it has been three years without naming eaglets. This is so exciting.
Gosh, I wish that Frenchman’s Creek camera was better. You can hardly see if those two chicks are alive!
Sadly, one has perished. ‘H’ writes: 3/6 – At approximately 22:15 the GHO struck Mom who was brooding the 2.5 day old and 1.5 day old babies. One of the babies was thrown to the rails at the bottom of the nest. Mom returned to the nest after just a few minutes. A couple minutes later, the baby on the rails sticks began to squirm, and then fell through the sticks.”
I cannot tell you how much I dislike the GHOs that strike these osprey nests.
‘A’ is worried that Jak and Audacity’s egg is buried too deep. ‘A’ is not alone. She remarks, “Have you seen the depth of the pit Jak and Audacity have excavated under and around that egg? Yes, it is likely to protect the egg from cracking because there won’t be any significant body weight on it from the incubating parents or indeed any weight at all, but I’m not even sure the brood patch can come into contact with the egg because of the depth it is at. And as Audacity pulls in the dry grass and tucks it tighter around her, it gradually works its way down towards the bottom of the pit until presumably it buries the egg. I think it is getting dug out again periodically but it is in my opinion in a precarious position.
I greatly fear that Audacity may see one of her eggs survive to pip but the eaglet will be buried at the bottom of a deep pit with loose dry grass constantly piling up on top of it. How long before an external pip can Audacity (and Jak) hear the chick cheeping inside? And if they do, will they try to dig the egg up? And are they likely to succeed or will the dry grass they remove from the bottom simply slide back down the inside of the pit? At the moment, as I said, when Audacity is incubating, she pulls dried grass towards her and tucks it in around her body. Surely this will mean that every time she moves, more dry grass falls into the bottom of the pit and more deeply buries the egg.”
Mind you, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I was scrolling around the telly. Please, please do not make the balloon arch on that new Netflix show with Meghan. I thought part of the idea was being kind to nature, being respectful for the environment. So then where did the balloons come from? No balloons, no balloon arches, and definitely not machines that blow balloons up. Kids do not need balloons. The environment does not need balloons. Wildlife die because of balloons. They go up, they come down. They burst. They have strings that bind little legs. Birds eat them. You just got added to Calico’s Wall of Shame.
Life is good. Smile. A big fish just came on the Big Bear Nest!
A visitor at Cal Falcons.
Thank you for being with us today. Take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, images, and just all the stations, TV and radio or otherwise, that are covering Jackie and Shadow: ‘A, Geemeff, H, J’, SK Hideaways, FOBBV, KTLA, KCAL, Bluff City-ETSU, Moorings Park Osprey Platform, Duke Farms, Wings of Whimsy, Frenchman’s Creek, Nesting Birdlife and More, Raptor Persecution UK, Cal Falcons, NE Florida-AEF
Please note that Lori had an error and has updated the cost of the six pack cards for Calico’s Corner. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please see the posting Calico’s Corner for the update.
Before we begin with all the news, ‘EJ’ sent me a magnificent image of an osprey that flew over them in Alabama. We all need smiles right now and this is a beautiful healthy bird! (I am always so grateful for your images and your generosity in sharing with all of us!)
As I write this there are three ongoing matters in Bird World. The first is the missing Thunder from the West End nest. She left at 1430 on Friday, February 28 and has not been seen since. Makaio has gallantly incubated the eggs even bringing prey to eat on the nest while taking some short breaks. The second is the anxiousness surrounding the pip/hatch watches for both Big Bear and Sauces. I am always concerned about third hatch eaglets so I guess there are four items – that wee one at Duke Farms. I recall too many dying on that nest.
In the cast of Thunder, many speculate that she has gone off for a spa day like Gabby typically does. I am not convinced. There are several possibilities to consider: she might have been injured in a territorial fight, or worse, she could have been killed. Another concern is that she may have succumbed to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), though I hope that is not the case and I am unsure if it even exists on the islands. I tried to check and could find no conclusive information.
The romantic-comedy writer in me imagines a more whimsical scenario where she went to get prey, encountered Akecheta, and they flew off into the sunset together. Of course, this is just fanciful thinking and should be taken as such, but it would make for a marvelous ending.
If we do not see Thunder back on the nest by mid-afternoon on Monday, we must assume that she has been injured or killed.
It is the beginning of March and it is time to start watching for the arrival of Canada Geese on the Canadian Prairies as well as the return of the UK and European Ospreys. But for now, my friend ‘J’ reminds me that love, companionship, and joy wrapped up in a lot of hope for this year can be seen in 5 letters: Bodie!!!!!!!!!!
What a precious eaglet that is – and yes, Bodie is NOT small! If every nest could have one single eaglet as healthy as Bodie it would be fantastic. There is no need to cheer for three eggs or even two. Sadly, too many nests last year looked like they had two healthy eaglets when, in fact, they were not. Thing Eagle Country. One well fed eaglet. That is all we need. And it is certainly all the parents and the environment need.
Last year, Heidi and I monitored over 502 osprey eggs along with VV who kept an eye on an inordinate number of nests in Maryland right out their front door! Sadly, none of the chicks at Island Creek survived and most along the coast of the Chesapeake Bay also died. While many might wish to state categorically it was due to the heat dome, there is evidence from countries much hotter and for longer – that with sufficient fish providing hydration nests of 2 or 3 osplets can survive intense summer weather. I hold no hope for the nests again this year. There has been no change in making the Canadian company, Omega, accountable and no real science behind what is a sustainable catch limit. The people fighting this in the region are tireless but they are up against lobbyist and politicians. The dolphins and whales have already left. Would anyone in this lifetime ever have believed that this entire area could be without ospreys? Well, it can happen. What we need are fish fairies and large garden koi ponds. People who will take risks to help the ospreys.
It is now the end of February. I had intended to return to posting Bird World news every morning. The last full moon saw a marked decline in my husband’s cognitive powers and his behaviour. It has been overwhelming and my colleague ‘H’ says my ‘brain is fried’ from all of it. Thankfully, osprey season has really not started and ‘H’ has been handling 99.9% of the data entries so far. I will start with the UK nests, Rosie/Richmond, and Iris plus Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. I am hoping our dear friend VV will monitor those nests in Maryland in their front yard! We won’t get up to 502 but we will do our best to get accurate information so we can see what is causing mortalities in 2025. In 2024, it was weather/starvation as the main driver of deaths. But, back to the posting of news. I am keeping my head above water by posting two larger blogs twice a week. I hope the information is helpful. These will come on either Sunday or Monday and Thursday. Essential news items will come as they happen. I will also try to post at least one or two good news items each day by mid-afternoon. I miss all of you! And I miss being in contact with the birds in their nests like I was before…
So, let’s see what is happening!
Golden Gate Audubon: Rosie has returned to Richmond on the light stand in San Francisco Bay! March 1. I am so delighted. She landed and started calling for Richmond right away.
Port Lincoln Ospreys: I am so grateful to the folks at Port Lincoln Ospreys who are regularly posting the tracking of the ospreys in South Australia. Looks like Ervie is having a fun time hanging out with Giliath! They spend the night together. How cool is that. You can find all of the tracking on the Port Lincoln FB page. I am including the one for Ervie and Giliath here because Ervie still melts my heart.
Dale Hollow Eagle Cam: Thank you to ‘KR’ for alerting me to the two eggs at this nest. As many of you will remember, there were issues getting help for the eaglets when they were tangled in fishing line. I am only putting this notice now for those of you that wish to watch this nest. I will not be covering it.
Duke Farms: There are currently three eaglets with the last hatching on Saturday, March 1. ‘A’ comments: “Another feeding at Duke Farms about four hours after the last (no time stamp on the feed as far as I can see, which is irritating) and on this occasion, the older hatch did even better, grabbing big pieces. The younger hatch was at least facing the right way this time, and sat nicely beside its sibling at the table. However, mum only half-heartedly offered it a bite or two, it made no attempt to grab at them, although like its older sibling yesterday, it is VERY loud and persistent in its begging for food. Even so, mum is adept at ignoring all pleas and simply sitting on the noisy little bundles. Oh Mary Ann they are just ADORABLE. Aren’t they the sweetest things at this early stage (while any attempts at bonking are harmless because they can’t even see their target properly.”…”I fear I can see a definite pip on egg three, which is of concern to me for the reasons outlined yesterday. This nest is already problematic – it was with only one eaglet – so I hate to think of what will happen with three. The nest is covered in fish – dad is certainly doing his job – but whether that fish gets into those little beaks is another question altogether. Mum did give the first hatch a nice feed this morning and the wee one was doing really well, swallowing quite large pieces with relative ease. Hatch two was still fairly unsteady (and facing the wrong way) but I suspect it will be 24 hours before we need to start worrying about its food intake. It is very reassuring, though, that the older chick is eating well and mum is doing a good job of feeding it. “
Like so many nests this year, Duke Farms has three eggs. Personally I do not like three egg hatches unless the male digs right in there and helps like Akecheta did at the West End. It is difficult. Some have even raised four.
Sauces: The first egg laid by Jak and Audacity is holding! ‘A’ remarks “In wonderful news from Sauces, darling Audacity’s egg continues to hold – she has it buried fairly deep and safe in the nesting material but we still get a good look at it around 13:22. (Mind you, if Jak continues to mate with Audacity while she is incubating, there are no guarantees! Men!!) Assuming the egg doesn’t break, pip watch begins in 10 days. I think everyone is praying this egg is strong and that this poor long-suffering mum will finally get the precious eaglet she has sacrificed so much to give a chance at life. My heart goes out to this couple. Audacity is so brave and so determined. I do wonder whether the repeated calcium depletion year after year has had any long-term impacts on her bones. Certainly, she has given everything she has in her efforts to raise an eaglet. She deserves this more than anyone. It’s like Iris last year. Repeated loss finally followed by a miracle baby (or babies in Iris’s case.”
Leucistic Red-tail Hawk Nest in TN: ‘A’ writes: “Meanwhile, Angel and Tom were at their nest again this morning. The nest looks absolutely ready for a couple of eggs and we are so hopeful this season that there will be eggs at this nest. Talons crossed (speaking of which, how gorgeous is Angel’s French polish?). There was even another afternoon check-in, and there have no blue jays in sight (or heard) today or yesterday, which ho-efully will persuade Angel and Tom that they can raise chicks without harassment at this nest. Still, after last season, I think we are all holding our breath every time they skip a day of nest work.
I have not seen any mating on camera but if I remember rightly, that was the case in Deyani’s season too so we shouldn’t read anything into it. Tom managed two fertile eggs out of two (even though only one chick survived) so I see no reason for concern in that regard. Young he may be but I doubt that slows down a male of any species! Just saying.”
Falcon Cam Project: Xavier and Diamond have been bonding in the scrape. Oh, how nice it is to see you! https://youtu.be/4fmYvw-ZSWo?s
Florida Slub Jay Population: Attached is Audubon Florida’s annual report on Slub Jays.
Royal Albatross Colony, New Zealand: The Royal Cam chick is in the post-guard phase and is getting lots of good meals from the adults! https://youtu.be/5XgDs0L8A6A?
Big Bear Valley: 13,976 souls watching Jackie and Shadow as Jackie takes over the evening incubation shift. We are on pip watch at Big Bear Valley!
Both eagles protecting those precious eggs! How dare a sub-adult try and land on that nest during this crucial time!!!!!!!! https://youtu.be/bxQRZvfUftE?s
West End: Not sure how many eggs since the camera was down. Thunder and Makaio continue incubation and then Thunder disappears. Makaio was on incubation for over 24 hours. Is this a case of needing a spa day like Gabby or Gigi or has something more sinister happened to Thunder? We wait.
Makaio took several breaks on Saturday and even brought food to eat at the nest so he is doing fantastic. Let us hope Thunder returns safely.
Kansas City: Harvie and Ellie continue the incubation of their two eggs.
Achieva Credit Union: Jack and his new mate now have two eggs in that amazing nest that Jack built.
Moorings Park: Three eggs for Sally and Harry. Pip and hatch expected between March 8-12. Yes. We are that close. This is a very good nest to watch but will three be a challenge?
Frenchman’s Creek Ospreys: Continuous owl strikes.
John Bunker Sands Wetlands: Both eaglets are really losing the few remaining dandelions on the tops of their heads. What a wonderful nest this has been to watch this year!
Red Kite killed in the Cairngorms. ““The Park Authority condemns the illegal killing of raptors in the strongest possible terms. Raptor persecution has no place in 21st century Scotland but sadly incidents such as this are still taking place. It is an unacceptable crime that not only harms our raptor populations, but also damages the reputation of those land managers that act lawfully and work hard to care for wildlife.
“We are committed to working with partners to make sure the National Park is a safe haven for raptors and to establish the full circumstances of this incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0846 of Thursday 27 February. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously”.
Did you miss Ventana Wildlife’s February Condor Chat? Well, never fear. Here is the archived talk! The next live event is 27 March. https://youtu.be/RATJ0DwkoQE?
Thank you to all those people who help all those rehabbers every day of the week. They would not be able to save our precious wildlife without your help.
Wondering about all those three egg Bald Eagle nests? THIRTEEN nests already with 3 eggs (incl. Sauces)…Bartlesville, Big Bear, Centerport, Duke Farms, FOLFAN, Fort St Vrain, Fraser Point, NCTC, ND-Leef, PA Farm Country,Port Tobacco,Sauces 2 broke, and US Steel. Thanks, J.
A big shout out to all the teams in the UK who went out and cleaned up the osprey nests and refurbished them if needed! The raptors are on their way home and will arrive feeling most welcome. I wish every individual associated with a streaming cam (or not) would help our dear fish hawks (or others) with a cleaned out nest and new nesting material. It makes a difference. Just ask Hope and Beau at Snow Lane, Newfoundland.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care everyone. Go outside for a walk. Listen to the birds. Clean your feeders. Migration is coming! Turn off the news and feel the sunshine on your face. We hope to see you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, images, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, EJ, Geemeff, H, J’, NEFL-AEF, Golden Gate Audubon, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Dale Hollow Eagle Cam, Trudi Kron, Duke Farms, IWS/Explore, Falcon Cam Project, Florida Audubon, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, Farmer Derek Kansas City Eagles, Achieva Credit Union, Moorings Park, Frenchman’s Creek, Heidi McGrue, Kisatchie National Forest, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Raptor Persecution UK, EurekAlert, Polar Bears International, Ventana Wildlife Society, Hoo’s Woods Raptor Center
We hope that you have had a lovely weekend and got to spend some time with friends or outdoors in nature OR both. Sunshine, the sound of the birds, or the laughter of others can elevate a slow sad day to one full of light. Try it, please.
The days are growing longer on the Canadian Prairie, with daylight stretching until at least 6:00 PM! This is a thrilling reminder that spring is just 27 days away. Ospreys will soon be returning to the UK, and by now, many nests in the US will already have eggs. We are all wishing for their safe return.
The Girls have really been enjoying the warmer weather and longer daylight hours, too. I have noticed that they will only sleep on the back and arms of the sofa if there is a wee blanket.
This year, I am particularly invested in a few remarkable birds—after all, we all have our favourites. I am eagerly anticipating the return of Louis to Dorcha at Loch Arkaig, and I hope he arrives healthy and revitalized. Maya faced challenges in 2024, and I am determined to see her once again partner with Blue 33 to raise a family. Even though Laddie is sadly no longer with us, there is hope that Blue NC0 will find a new mate and create a family at Loch of the Lowes.
I am also excited to see CJ7 reunite with Blue 022. Their incredible bond has allowed them to raise four extraordinary osplets in 2024. Additionally, let’s not forget about Iris and Finnegan! Together, let’s energize the flyways between the southern coast of Texas and Montana to ensure Iris’s safe return, with Finnegan there to protect her and support her in raising another brood of chicks. Join me in sending our heartfelt good wishes! Join me in sending our heartfelt good wishes!
As we turn our attention to the present, the anticipation of this year’s hatchlings fills me with hope—true little miracles waiting to unfold. You may have your own favourites, but for me, the joy of seeing Jak and Audacity finally welcome an eaglet after so many years along with Jackie and Shadow, would make this season unforgettable just like it was with Iris and Finnegan last year or even Beau and Gabby this year. I can already envision myself sitting there, overwhelmed with tears of pure happiness and soggy popcorn.
It is going to be a great year. Can you feel it?
Last week, I shared an article from The Guardian that a reader sent me. The article highlighted the polar bear fur trade and mentioned that the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) was actively involved in or supporting it. The reader, who had donated decided to reach out to the WWF to inquire about their position on polar bear fur and the claims made in The Guardian article. I am pleased to share the response from the WWF that they received.
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your concerns regarding a recent article in The Guardian about WWF’s position on polar bear conservation. We believe the story mispresents our position and we are actively raising inaccuracies with the publication directly. To be clear, WWF does not support or promote the polar bear fur trade, as you can see in our response to the article (https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?13500441/Guardian-response-polar-bears).
WWF remains steadfast in our mission to conserve polar bears and their habitat, while respecting the rights of Indigenous communities. Our funds are directed toward scientific monitoring of polar bear subpopulations, developing non-intrusive tracking methods such as eDNA, supporting research on the impacts of climate change on polar bears, and advocating for the protection of vital polar bear habitats. This work is essential to the long-term survival of the species.
We appreciate your passion for wildlife and for the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the conservation of polar bears and their habitat.
Regards,
Nirilis World Wildlife Fund
Donating is a very personal choice, and it can be disappointing when the values we care about conflict with the organizations we support. I’m glad to hear that our reader received a response to their inquiry clearing up the misinformation.
On another note, one of our readers has always dreamed of seeing polar bears in their natural habitat, and they are coming to Manitoba this November for that experience! That is so exciting.
Time to check on our nests. There is a lot happening! In fact, I will apologise for the long ‘list’ and I didn’t even begin to cover all of what is happening! Eggs are being laid everywhere. Just as soon as some of these eagle eggs begin to hatch, ospreys will be returning hoping to find their mates and get on with their breeding season.
I cannot find the live stream for Big Red and Arthur. Normally in the late fall they begin to check on their nest on the Fernow Light Stand. Is it the construction that is causing this? I must find out.
Cornell Red Tail Hawks: Ferris Akel caught Big Red on the scaffolding of the clock tower, one of her favourite spots on the Cornell Campus. It was 39 degrees F. Big Red will be 22 years old this year. She hatched 7 miles from the Cornell Campus in 2003 and was ringed that October. She has been raising chicks on the Cornell Campus for a long, long time. She was on streaming cam in 2012, but that is not to say that she did not start having chicks much earlier than that!
Ferris also found Arthur so all is well. Gosh, it is so good to see them.
Achieva Credit Union: Jack’s fancy nest attracted a new mate and their egg was laid Friday the 21st of February at 22:14. Congratulations!
Frenchman’s Creek: We have an egg! Now, it’s Sunday and we have two. Mum hit by a GHO over night. Can we send the owls on holiday this year?
Pine Island Ospreys: Egg 1 broke. Egg 2 is 40 days old. Looks like it is non-viable. With that audacious owl, I would be just as happy that those eggs simply break or turn into dried Dudleys.
Lake Murray: Resident pair have returned! Gosh, let us hope those strobe lights and mannequins do their job this year and are set up right when those eggs are laid to send a message to those owls.
Hilton Head Nature Conservancy: The two eaglets are doing very well.
Golden Gate Audubon: Richmond is looking for Rosie. She traditionally arrives between February 18 and March 9. Pray for her safe return.
Little Miami Conservancy: Betty laid her first egg with Baker coming to see on the 19th. Expecting egg 2 on Saturday. https://youtu.be/SuT8i49kEmo?
Sauces: The very first egg that Jak and Audacity is incubating is still holding. That egg was laid on our anniversary, the 2nd of the 2nd month. That means that today, that egg is 22 days old. We need another fortnight til pip watch. Oh, please make this their year!
31 continues to melt my heart. As far as I am concerned, 31 was a miracle eaglet. Let’s see if we can have a couple more at Sauces and Big Bear. Wouldn’t that make this a fantastic year?!
Standing on those feet!!!!!!!!!
Beau turned out just to be the best Daddy 31 could ever have wished to have….
Leucistic Red-tail Hawk: Angel has visited the nest in Tennessee.
Fay Slough Eagle Nest: Has collapsed with all the rain. Dr Sharpe recently installed a camera there. No eggs. Eagles were working on the nest.
Dataw Island Bald Eagle Nest: Skylar is doing well. Has been seen on camera really flapping its wings!
West End: Thunder and Makai have their second egg. It was laid on 20 February. A Raven took the first.
Durbe County nest of Milda: Milda, the White-tailed Eagle has been coming to the nest preparing for the next breeding season. Eggs should come in the next few weeks. Fantastic. https://youtu.be/YCxGI8aTJWA?
Gleeson’s South Australia Osprey Platform: Marie found herself inland and quite away any possible fish meals. The relief that spread through the Port Lincoln community when Marie turned and flew south to the coast could be felt in Canada. Even the fish fairies were ready with meals for Marie as she would have been super dehydrated.
Latvian Golden Eagles Spilve and Gristles: They are getting ready for an exciting breeding season. https://youtu.be/Faj0YrCBeOg?
University of Florida-Gainesville Osprey Platform: Stella has returned with a new mate. Talon disappeared with three osplets on the nest. Stella managed to keep one of them alive and Talon Jr fledged! Hoping for a better year for this new couple.
Big Bear Valley Eagle Cam: Already people from around the world are getting excited over the prospect of Jackie and Shadow having a wee eaglet this year. There are three eggs. https://youtu.be/u6LnJNYfmHc?
Jan 22, 25, and 28. Pip watch: 27/28th of February!!!!!!!! So what will you be doing on Thursday?????????????????????
Fraser Point: There are three eggs for Andor and Cruz, too! Eggs: 14, 17, and 20 on the Santa Cruz Island nest.
Bluff City ETSU: Franklin and Frances have two eggs being incubated. They were laid on the 26 and 29 of January. So let’s count. Egg 1 is 29 days old today. We should be expecting pip watch in a week – on 3 March. Mark your calendars.
Johnson City ETSU: Boone and Jolene’s first egg is three days older than that of Bluff City which means that we should be looking for a pip watch on the 28th of February or 1 March.
Port Tobacco: Chandler and Hope are another couple with a three egg clutch – 3, 5, and 9 of March! So many three egg clutches this year.
US Steel: Stella and Irvine again with three eggs. This is a first for this nest!!!!!!!!! February 13, 16, and 19.
PA County Farm: Oliver returned to the nest looking good. What a relief with growing concerns over HPAI.
Centreport Eagles: First egg on the 19th. Looking for the second on Saturday before posting this blog.
Notre Dame Eagles: Gigi and her new mate now have two eggs!
Duke Farms: Goodness me. Another three egg clutch. Is this an unusual year? Eggs laid on 17, 20, and 23 of January. Pip watch for the first egg is right now- Friday evening as I write this. Maybe by the time of posting we will have eaglets in New Jersey!
Decorah North: Mr North and Mrs DNF on the 11th and 14th of February.
Redding Eagles: Liberty and Guardian have no eggs yet in the new nest and many are concerned that the time envelope is running out due to the extreme heat of the spring.
It seems that there are a larger than average number of nests with three egg clutches for the Bald Eagle nests on streaming cams in 2025. What is it that determines clutch size?
Factors that affect clutch size
Age: The age of the female bald eagle is related to the size of her clutch.
Season: Cold weather and the time of season can affect clutch size.For example, clutches laid later in the breeding season may have fewer eggs.
Resources: The availability of resources, such as prey, can affect clutch size.
Contaminants: Legacy contaminants like DDT can suppress clutch size.
Clutch size of bald eagles
The average clutch size of bald eagles is just under two eggs.
Successful pairs of bald eagles usually raise one, two, or occasionally three young per nesting attempt.
Bald eagles may lay a second clutch if the first set is lost.
Other information about bald eagle clutches
The complete breeding cycle from the time of arrival at a nest to the period of fledgling dependency is about six months.
Bald eagles may move south in the fall in response to changes in weather conditions and prey availability.
The Peregrine Falcons are starting to pay attention to their scrapes and mates. At Wilmington, Stewart is impressing Bridgette with a nice dressed pigeon!
At Orange, Xavier and Diamond have both been to the scrape. Diamond hid a grebe and well, guess who found it? Cutie pie Xavier!
Where are our Cal Falcons?
At least one falcon seen at Great Spirit Bluff.
We need hope right now and Knepp Farm is giving us a good dose of it!
Bird says of these lovely geese: “Relatively small and short-necked goose with contrasting dark brown head and neck, small black bill with pink band near tip, and pink legs. In flight shows extensively pale silvery upperwings. Breeds in Greenland, Iceland, and Spitsbergen; winters mainly in coastal lowlands with farmland and marshy grassland. In main areas, occurs in flocks of hundreds or even thousands; elsewhere, singles or family groups can be found among flocks of other geese. Rare but increasing winter visitor to northeastern North America, almost always with flocks of Canada Geese.”
Pink-footed geese breed in remote areas of Greenland, Iceland, and Svalbard during the Arctic summer. They nest on cliffs, rocky outcrops, and tundra hummocks.
Breeding grounds
Greenland: Remote areas of eastern Greenland
Iceland: Remote areas of Iceland
Svalbard: Remote areas of Svalbard
Novaya Zemlya: The Arctic Russian archipelago of Novaya Zemlya
One huge issue for these geese is the thawing tundra. Will this mean that they will spend all year in Iceland, Greenland, and areas of the Russian archipelago?
There are also threats to beloved parrots. What are they? Birdlife International says:
From the humid rainforests of South America to the deserts of Australia, parrots are found on nearly every continent – adding colour and life to ecosystems globally.
But, did you know that parrots are among the most threatened group of birds in the world?
Human activities pose the biggest threats to these colourful birds:
Agriculture is impacting 78 species like the near threatened Jonquil Parrot.
Exploitation by the pet trade is affecting 75 species like the critically endangered near threatened Palm Cockatoo.
Logging is affecting 62 species like the critically endangered Swift Parrot.
Climate change is affecting 32 species like the endangered Black-billed Amazon.
The count down clock to the arrival of the UK ospreys:
Calico is checking shipping rates for her cards and will have her fundraising page up by Tuesday or Wednesday. She is looking for good shipping deals for those who have written to request cards from Europe and Asia! It is incredible how complicated sending items to others can be. Some couriers are keen competitors, and we hope to have this ready to launch by Wednesday. Thank you for being so patient. Calico is very grateful to all those who have sent notes wishing to support her fundraising.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care of yourself. Try to get outside. Read an uplifting book. Watch a silly romance-comedy. Whatever it takes. We look forward to having you with us again on Thursday.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, images, letters, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘EJ, Geemeff, H, J, SP’, WWF, Ferris Akel Tours, Achieva Credit Union, Frenchman’s Creek, Pine Island Ospreys, Lake Murray Ospreys, Golden Gate Audubon, Little Miami Conservancy, IWS/Explore, NEFL-AEF, Window to Wildlife, Fay Slough Eagle Cam, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Dataw Island, LDF, Fran Solly, University of Florida-Gainsville Osprey Cam, FOBBV, Bluff City-ETSU, Johnson City-ETSU, Port Tobacco Eagle Cam, PIX Cams, PA County Farms, Centreport Eagles, ND-LEEF, Duke Farms, Raptor Resource Project/Explore, FORE, SK Hideaways, Elfruler, Wilmington Falcons, Falcon Cam (Orange), Cal Falcons, Knepp Farm, Openverse, UK Osprey Information, komu news, HDonTap
It’s a new year! ‘The Girls’ have been up to lots of mischief and they have given us much fun and some very loving moments as one year ends and another begins.
Who would have thought? Hugo Yugo has taken to washing Calico! Notice that HY does a great ‘bug-eyed look’ while trying to clean that ear. Calico looks like she doesn’t mind!
The European Starlings rush to eat the cat kibble if I don’t get out with the birdseed soon enough. Before they do, they hang off the vines above the door, and it drives the cats crazy. Calico and HY are being teased by them in some of the images below.
It also looks like Calico has been into holiday shortbread. Her annual check-up is on the 6th. I wonder if Dr. Green thinks she should try that diet again. (My neighbour said she is beginning to look like a Corgi!)
Baby Hope remains one of the most beautiful cats I’ve ever had the pleasure of sharing my home with. Her temperament is just the same – sweet and gentle, quiet. A little shy. Never into trouble. I cannot say that about the other three!!!!!!!!!
Missey always gets the ‘sweetness’ award despite the fact that she looks like she can eat you alive.
Clive continues to win high marks. Not only did he ride out Hurricane Milton in the nest, but he recently got in with Connie to help protect the eaglets during the latest storm – and to reassure the family that it really wasn’t all that bad! Today it looked like he was going to get the angler’s award, too. That nest is full of fish. No one is going hungry on Clive’s watch. Connie picked well.
‘A’ sends her remarks: “It’s raining again at Captiva tonight but it looked to me as though lots and lots of dry grasses were brought in during the morning – by afternoon, the nest looked to have a thick dry layer on top. The littles are so cute and I am worried about the dampness on this nest, especially with more rain at the moment. It is nothing like the other night but the nest is still not dry from the storm. The parents have obviously worked hard to get a thick dry layer on top but I hope it is enough. Clive has been doing a lot of aerating too. He’s such a good dad – he does a lot of feedings too, making sure he takes care of both eaglets. He often feeds one and then the other (you will notice that on the logs). I am so impressed by him.
But then, the more you watch these birds, the more impressive you realise many of them really are. I haven’t had time this season to have much of a look at Thunder and Akecheta, but any couple that routinely fledges three has to be doing something very right indeed. So that is a pair I would like to get to know a lot better. Their nests are not only successful but largely peaceful from what I have observed. I have not seen any bonking problems at West End and nothing that would ever make one worry about siblicide. That doesn’t happen by accident. And of course Ron and Rose are becoming an old married couple by now, gaining in experience and becoming better parents by the season. I am so hopeful for Gabby and Beau but it will be an interesting season, assuming these eggs are viable. Beau has good protective instincts and he is obedient to Gabby, which is a good start. I am keeping my fingers crossed that he also becomes a great provider, but that is the big unanswered question, isn’t it?
I am still concerned at SWFL. I fear we may have a tragedy at this nest. I cannot believe that a bird with the experience of M15 is not making it clear to F23 that this is not safe practice here, and certainly not this year after what we saw pre-laying. Both adults were knocked from their perches by the GHOs at least twice, and surely that is enough to warn them. After all, these owls are their major predators. I really find it very difficult to understand. What are your ideas on this? Why are they leaving the eaglets totally unprotected and in such danger?”
To answer ‘A’, everyone continues to worry about Beau’s ability to provide for Gabby and the eaglets post-hatch. Now, of course, there is the chance that the pair will change roles with Gabby procuring the food for the family and Beau brooding the eaglets. It doesn’t sound like a real possibility, but the eagles always surprise me. I just hope that we do not have a situation here like we had last year at two of the nests when the new male did not realize the hatchlings were to be fed, not eaten. We are just going to have to wait and see and that day is fast approaching. As for M15 and F23 leaving the eaglets, I am a little suprised because of the presence and tenacity of that GHO. Perhaps the eagles know something that I do not. Certianly if the adult eagles are asleep, they might not hear the GHO approaching in time. Again, we will just have to wait and see how this season transpires and hope beyond hope that the motto, ‘Trust the Eagles’ prevails in a good way.
Beau decided to burn one of the eggs this year like he did last year. Gabby wasn’t having it and she uncovered that precious one. https://youtu.be/SAvMuo-jEPY?
Some people spent New Year’s counting albatross on nests. How lovely.
Liberty and Guardian spent their time working on that new nest after their nest tree finally collapsed a few weeks ago. https://youtu.be/iZ1Hq9z4veM?
Wilko and Kasse each have a fish so far on Thursday. Mum and Dad are doing well.
And Mum did much better:
Gorgeous Kasse.
On Friday both kids waiting for fish.
There are no eaglets in nests except in Florida at the moment. It won’t be long until there are eaglets everywhere and like this one in Alaska that was rescued earlier in the year, the wildlife rehabilitation centres will be bursting at the seams.
I love the stuffy.
Remember the clinics always need our help. Clean sheets, towels, bleach, laundry soap, tools, pet carriers, stuffys, and monetary donations. You could also volunteer your time!
Input is being sought on the release of White-tailed Eagles in the UK – with several groups taking on projects after the success of the Roy Dennis Foundation on the Isle of Wight.
There is a new female at the Achieva Credit Union nest and I wish there was a younger male, too, but it appears that Jack is there. I am 90% certain that the female bird on this nest is the female fledgling of 2020 who defended this nest against adults when she had barely fledged (June) and who stayed around and returned several times later. She has a heart on the top of her head in espresso black. She went 79 hours without food. Was given up for dead several times as a wee, wee one. Was saved because her Mum brought those big catfish on that nest and fed her privately once Diane realised that this third hatch wasn’t going anywhere. Well, I believe this female is Tiny Tot Tumbles. Thanks, MP for that head shot!
I wish I were younger! Just look at this great opportunity. If you know of anyone that might be eligible and would be interested, please pass this information on to them. A fully funded PhD – that is what I had to the University of Leicester – and it is worth a truck full of gold and more. Pass the information along, please.
‘A’ is only one of hundreds who have written to me about Angel, the Leucistic Red Tail Hawk who had her nest in Tennessee. What happened to her? No one knows. ‘A’ writes: “ill searching for any word on the fate of Angel and Tom. There is none, though I am not the only person looking for news. I get such a bad feeling when I think about what has happened. We would not recognise Tom in the absence of Angel – if someone were to see him, the ID could not be certain. So it is her that we would recognise and the fact that she has not been seen is very worrying indeed. Not a body either, so she hasn’t had a flying accident or caught bird flu. The landowner has kept an eye out for them I am sure – I know that was the case back when they first disappeared and I imagine that would continue in the course of the day-to-day operations on the property. So we would probably know if she had been killed or had died within or near her territory.
I do suspect she has been trapped by someone and is imprisoned in a cage somewhere or even dead. I suppose I would prefer that she be dead than locked up for life in a cage. Birds bred in captivity are one thing (and not a nice one) but those who have lived a wild and natural life like Angel would suffer dreadfully from being restrained. It makes me want to cry. Not a week passes that I don’t search the web for some news of her. “
One of the biggest problems with the streaming cams is this. No one wants anyone to know where the nest is unless it is made public. I won’t go into how people can find nests because I don’t want to add any more stress to our raptors and I don’t want to give away methods and secrets. Despite the claims to try and hide the locations, many of the chat moderators give away far too much information. It makes me really upset. The nest of Angel was one of those – too much information. We already know that there are international crime circuits that collect eggs and birds. Wonder how much a pure white Red-tail Hawk was worth? She definitely could have been trapped. She could have died of Avain Flu. She could have died of West Nile Virus. She could have been shot. She could have died of natural causes. Anyone that is on a chat – whether they are a moderator or a chatter – should never ever mention anything about where they live especially if they live in close proximity and check on nests. Criminals are clever. Nothing should be mentioned. Not even the weather! And those cameras should be careful what they show in the background. Believe me people can put the pieces together if they are intent on doing harm and making money.
Gabby and Beau continue incubation. It won’t be long now – a little over a week til we will be waiting for hatch at the NE Florida nest.
Clive continues to prove himself, over and over. Those little eaglets are the cutest things – even with fish juice all over them.
There is worry for F23 leaving those eaglets alone on the nest with that GHO about. But look at those little cutie pies with their dark thermal down coming in and their pin feathers.
Look at the body shape of the SW Florida eaglets compared to Captiva. This will give you an idea of the growth that happens in just a couple of weeks.
Look at that fluffy white mohawk.
I wish Mum would stay in that nest all night tonight!
The image below comes from the following publication: tps://www.researchgate.net/publication/313384900_Monitoring_Bald_Eagles_in_Southwest_Alaska_Network_Parks_Standard_Operating_Procedures_Version_10?enrichId=rgreq-410614b7533b2248c3f0ad792f63b549-XXX&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzMxMzM4NDkwMDtBUzo0NTg4NTI4NjE3Nzk5NzBAMTQ4NjQxMDQ1NTgxMA%3D%3D&el=1_x_3&_esc=publicationCoverPdf
Look at the image above and then look at the screen captures from the SW Florida nest to see the age and development of the plumage of the eaglets.
This poster was created by the Southwestern Bald Eagle Management Committee. Look carefully. It will not be long that M15 and F23’s eaglets will be moving quickly to image C.
Peregrine Falcons are amazing. 42 days. An incredible journey.
What an amazing osprey nest in South Australia.
If anyone ever tells you that our raptors and other mammals (non-humans) do not have emotions and do not grieve, please share this tragic story with them.
The increasing tragedy of bird migration when cities will not turn their lights off. It is so simple and yet few have had the tenacity to flip the switch. It angers me just like my city does when it decides to shoot the deer and the coyotes and not question its planning model.
Sasha Dench and Conservation without Borders are trying to save ospreys from power line deaths. https://youtu.be/jlkw1cGA8aI?
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, J, MP’, SK Hideaways, Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Preserve, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Bart M and the PLO, Alaska Raptor Centre, Raptor Persecution UK, NEFL-AEF, Window to Wildlife, SW Florida Eagle Cam, Researchgate, Southwestern Bald Eagle Management, Sandeepa Imasha Punsara, Fran Solly, The Guardian, Achieva Credit Union, Conservation without Borders
On Friday, it was 0°C. Our snow is melting, and it was damp, grey, and not very cheerful until Saturday when there was a clear blue sky with sun. It was so beautiful. We have spent a lot of time outside. There are lots of deer in the areas where we walk. If you are quiet, you can see them without them running away. Sunday is a clear blue sky day and we will be outside again before the weather turns colder the end of the week. Robins have been spotted in various parts of my city and the eagles are out flying in the country. I can see the grey squirrels running about this morning waiting for their peanuts.
We are all doing fine except for my left thumb, which is now taped to the index finger with another wrap around my wrist, so I won’t use it! I never knew how much I used that thumb. Hugo Yugo is completely healed. She was spotted shoveling small kibble from the food bowl Saturday morning. This is a major step. And all of them are now using the new water fountain. It seemed a bit of a shame to get Brock a heated bowl for his food and water ignoring The Girls. So they had squeezy treats and a pink automatic water fountain.
The book list is coming. I have struggled with that list. I hope to have it finished before the end of the year.
Get the tissues and turn the volume up. You might be missing Antali’s very loud fish cry! Cornell Bird Lab put together a wonderful 2024 Highlights of Iris and Finnegan’s first breeding season together. Sum-eh and Antali are beautiful! https://youtu.be/r4lYy8i9ZhY?
A few screen captures – lots more happened at this nest.
As we wait for Iris and Finnegan to return to Missoula, send positive wishes their way.
The second eaglet has hatched at Captiva for Connie and Clive. Here is C13 clamouring out of that shell as fast as it could. https://youtu.be/fLvM-Y-in3A?
Thunder and Akecheta look over the vast waters that surround their West End nest in the Channel Islands early on the 25th of December. It is a glorious site, the two of them perched together.
F23 brings in a large whole fish for the eaglets.
Incubation continues midst the rain at the John Bunker Sands Wetlands nest.
Cold weather at the Trempealeau Bald Eagle nest in Michigan.
Liberty and Guardian continue to work on their new nest at Redding.
If you missed my posting, the Bald Eagle is now officially the ‘bird’ of the United States. You might have thought it was all along. Many think that the Canada Goose is our country’s symbol, but it is not. It is the Canada Jay.
GLG comes in from foraging to relieve RLK who had been satellite tagged the week prior. The sky calls are just beautiful. Can you imagine a world without Albatross? Without the DOC NZ Rangers supplementary feedings for the chicks? Neither can I. It is time to stop commercial fishing in the Roaring 40s – allow the fish stocks to return if they will. And if the boats persist in fishing then they must take steps to prevent the deaths of the albatross because of their long lines. https://youtu.be/gct5lXjZGlc?
Alex II and Andria II have egg number two at the Kistachie National Forest nest E-3. Many hopes for this new couple. https://youtu.be/AttSQFgEC3A?
Really raining at the NE Florida nest of Gabby and Beau where we should be expecting eaglets prior to mid-January. Beau is really getting to incubate those eggs!
Beau sure is taking good care of those eggs!
Jackie and Shadow showed up for a bit on Sunday.
Raining late Sunday at the Captiva nest of Clive and Connie. Little ones so sweet. They are C12 and C13.
Eagles at Decorah North. Precipitation started late Sunday night.
The Majestics were at their nest.
Kasse is now trying to catch fish off the barge nest,
Some more action at Port Lincoln. This is Mum delivering fish and Kasse gets it!
On Sunday some close ups. No one seems to know who is who!
Kasse on the nest. I am going to presume it is Wilko on the ropes.
Fran Solly posted many of the satellite tracked ospreys. I am going to include Ervie and Giliath for you.
Calico’s Tip for the Day: Don’t Let yourself Get Burned Out
This time of year can be overwhelming, with holidays, visitors, and demands coming from every direction. You’re not alone in feeling this way. It’s a good opportunity to reflect on what truly matters. Calico suggests taking a moment to relax, whether that means spending time petting a dog or a cat, or having a conversation with a bird.
Check out the Starling murmurations. Oh, I would love to see this! — And so far, we have counted 48 Starlings at our feeder. Maybe a mini- murmuration? This is written from the vantage point of a 12 year old.
In the UK, the first osprey to return in 2024 was Scottish Blue NC0 at Loch of the Lowes. Sadly we lost dear Laddie LM12 of what turned out to be natural causes (thank goodness he was not shot as earlier believed), but Blue NC0 might have a new mate ‘the darker one’. We will wait to see. March 8 will be here before we blink.
“Actually all wildlife needs our help during winter – please help if you can, there are very simple steps you can take which will make a huge difference to our wildlife.”
I completely agree. The four deer remain in our neighbourhood because it was their home – destroyed for low-rise housing that should be rethought. Whoever is directing the planning in our city is not thinking about livability but only revenue. For decades and decades, a group of architects and city planners have called for making the downtown area ‘dense’. No more single-story buildings but tall ones, allowing for the creation of large parks – wildlife require fewer large areas, not lots of small ones. I fear the future is ‘dead’ – for animals and the spirit that resides inside us as humans. I so long to leave and build in a forest area and yet I would not leave Brock and the other animals. So we just need to keep adding trees.
The Cromer Peregrine Falcons have upgraded their camera. Check out the new amazing images! https://youtu.be/mW0V_vKoKsc?
Jack at Achieva. Still no sign of Diane that I am aware. It looks like she might not be with us this year.
In Latvia, Zorro has been delivering to sticks to his nest with Milda in Durbe County.
‘J’ sends us the graph of the Bald Eagle eggs and the hatch dates (far right). Ron and Rose at the WRDC nest are next. Mark your calendars.
Some places feed wildlife. Others believe we can take all of their habitat and that our lives will still be magnificent without any wildlife anywhere. Which do you prefer? The Deer Pantry feeds oats, acorns, apples, and ground sweet feed. https://www.youtube.com/live/ASu9sqOT_Xk?si=QkTNjcQ-rnus0Pdo
Thank you for being with us today. Take care. Stay safe.
Thank you to the following for your notes, pots, videos, images, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, Heidi, J’, Cornell Lab Bird Cam, SK Hideaways, IWS/Explore.org, SW Florida Eagle Cam, JBS Wetlands, Trempealeau Eagle Cam, FORE, The New York Times, Elain, WingsofWhimsy, NEFL-AEF, FOBBV, Window to Wildlife, Raptor Resource Project/Explore.org, Denton Homes, Heidi Mc and The Joy of Ospreys, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Bart M and the PLO, Fran Solly, The Guardian, Hawk Mountain, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, Wandsworth Guardian UK, Achieva Credit Union, LDF, Brownsville Food Pantry for Deer
We hope the weekend has been good for you and everyone you love.
Saturday was a wonderful day on the Canadian Prairies. It was warmer, -7 C , but a little windy. No snow!
The birds and squirrels enjoyed the contents of the basket, just without the basket! Both Crows came to feed along with more than fifty Starlings, more Sparrows than I could count, a Little Woodpecker (Mrs Downy), and ALL of the squirrels, including dear Dyson. There was, sadly, only one Blue Jay. I have not gotten close enough to tell if Mr or Mrs Junior is missing. It just saddens me. Brock had his meal. So, for the most part, all is good with the world in the garden.
The deer were across from the park near me when we left them a large bag of apples, sweet potatoes, and carrots Saturday afternoon. The conservation officers disapprove. Four of us feed them because there is no food except the shrubs and Brandon Cedars planted in people’s front gardens for them since their forest area was cleared.
There were deer at another park. It is such a pleasure to see them. It is a large area with lots of bush. They appeared healthy and people driving through were very cautious of their presence. What a change from those near to where I live that drive way too fast.
It was a lovely day. Good food, many laughs, and time outside.
I did little checking on the birds. Let’s see what is happening with a few of them.
SK Hideaways gives us Hartley and Monty with a brand new brilliant camera at San Jose. Gosh, aren’t they adorable?! I love peregrine falcons except for the anxiety and challenges they face living in an urban environment like these two. https://youtu.be/cKE8Habt8BU?
At Port Lincoln yesterday. No fish have been delivered yet on Sunday.
Mum brought in a massive fish on Sunday at 1122, and it looks like Wilko claimed it.
The cuteness factor is in the nest of M15 and F23. No other place! Well, not yet.
‘J’ writes: “I think both of the E’s are going to be mighty survivors, both feisty as can be! F23 must also be a buddha reincarnation. She takes M15’s shenanigans in stride and now completely ignores her kids pulling her feathers.” We all agree!
The rebuilding at Johnson City ETSU has begun. Jolene and Boone will make quick work of all that is required.
‘I did not catch Jackie or Shadow at the nest in Big Bear Valley.
There has been some concern for what is happening at the NE Florida nest of Gabby and Beau. Some chatters are worried that something is the matter. Gabby is giving Beau much more incubation time than she did last year. Last year, Beau wasn’t ready. this year it appears he is and he is happily looking after those eggs. Gabby appears to be fine but leaving the eggs which seems odd. Send good energy please just in case.
Ban one and keep another. Killing any bees is not good for the planet.
The recent outbreaks at several poultry operations in northwest Iowa are connected to a virus circulating in wild birds. A different strain infected 13 dairies and 3 poultry operations in late May and June.
Looking to help. Donate produce to your local wildlife rehab clinic! Leave food for squirrels, not just birds!
Recent research shows that 40% of the food in North America is wasted. Calico’s Tip for the Day: Buy Less, Use it All, Never throw anything away!
My son is visiting Curacao for a wee holiday. He posted a beautiful photo of a Common Ground Dove on her nest. Isn’t she gorgeous? This is the tinest dove living in the Caribbean. It grows only to a length of 16 cm or a fraction over 6 inches.
I am used to seeing the Zenaida or Eared Dove. I could tell this one by the yellow on its beak. The Audubon Field Guide describes its habitat thus: “Farms, orchards, wood edges, roadsides. Mostly in semi-open habitats with low brush and grass. In the southeast, found mostly in brushy fields, understory of open pine woods, forest edges. In southwest, occurs in similar habitats including orchards, ranch yards, mesquite thickets along streams.”
All About Birds describes its feeding habits, “Common Ground Doves make their living by gleaning small seeds from wild grasses and weeds. They are also common visitors to bird feeders. They may specialize on certain seeds during the summer, when food is abundant, but eat a variety of seeds during winter. Ground doves also feed on small berries and insects. In spring and summer they may eat snail shells, possibly to replenish the calcium devoted to eggs and crop-milk during nesting.”
Their challenges are habitat loss, including areas where they can nest, cat predation or accidentally by people, and car collisions. They are currently of low concern in terms of conservation.
Hugo Yugo wishes everyone sweet dreams.
Thank you for being with us today. Please take care of yourself. It is very busy everywhere, and people are not watching or taking care on the roads. Most of all, breathe. Take time to enjoy the very simple pleasures. Take a walk. Listen to the birds. Watch them. Take any loads off your shoulders. Be kind. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write this post today: ‘A, CM, J’, SK Hideaways, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Bart M and the PLO, SW Florida Eagle Cam, Lady Hawk, ETSU-Johnson City, FOBBV, NEFL-AEF, The Guardian, National Geographic, Wild Souls Wildlife Rescue and Rehab, Iowa Public Radio, Audubon Field Guide, Cornell Bird Lab All About Birds
It’s cold. The current temperature is -23 C, but it really feels much colder! Did I say I was already tired of winter? The garden animals are, too. Hugo Yugo is feeling quite herself. She and Baby Hope spent most of the day play fighting. Hope had the advantage today. She is much bigger and heavier than Hugo Yugo, but often Hugo Yugo wins because of her wit and lack of fear to do stunning manoeuvres.
I am always surprised at how rough they can get. Then after quite a few minutes they just walk away and go to sleep. Their sisters decided to simply stay away. I don’t blame them!
Missey insisted on being in the conservatory, pawing at the glass door til I gave in like a mother who spoils her children til they are rotten. You can see the sun shining bright behind her. It is most often that way on a cold, cold day here. The cloudy days are the warmest.
They are all good and I continue to be thankful for all your wonderful wishes for Hugo Yugo’s swift recovery.
It is hard to imagine a bird desiring only to fly free and have a meal and being shot dead by vast estate owners and their staff. Well, that is the plight of many Hen Harriers in Scotland despite the efforts to continue their population growth.
Hen Harriers are some of the most beautiful and graceful raptors on our planet. They raise their chicks in the heather on the ground. Their owl like face helps them to hunt birds on the ground. And that is the problem. They eat a few Red Grouse. Well, after reading how much these estates spend on deer management just to lose 3 million GBP annually, it seems to me they could spare a few of the over subscribed partridge or some of the Red Grouse the aristocrats hunt on a weekend. Quite honestly it makes me sick!
A big shout out to Port Lincoln Ospreys and The Friends of Osprey Sth Aus for realizing how important Ervie and all the chicks are to us and posting all of their tracking information. Thank you!
Marie the Foster Chick at Gleeson’s:
Gleeson’s male is on the move but staying close to the nest.
Gleeson’s female is not flying so far from home yet.
Fran says that Wilko is spending time going from perch to perch with one long flight.
Vincent at the Price Platform has fledged and doing well.
Fran says that “Kasse has cemented her position as the class clown” …but her flying is getting stronger every day.
I didn’t see anything for Ervie, Bradley, or Giliath. Hopefully soon!
Wednesday was a jam packed day at the Port Lincoln barge if you missed it.
No fish have come to the nest, but Wilko found one left over on the nest around 1033 and is still eating.
Kasse appears later to have a large crop. It is, perhaps, just the camera’s angle as no fish deliveries are recorded at the nest.
Fran Solly posted the information on the bands of the South Australia ospreys. If you missed it, I am posting it again.
‘A’ sends us a little more news of the Melbourne Falcons: “I had a long chat today about the peregrine juveniles… I told you they had six juvenile falcons admitted with various injuries (head, wing etc), all of which the vet (Peter) has managed to heal and nurse back to health and most of which have now been released. They were not noticeably hungry and certainly not emaciated, which was news I welcomed.”
Gracie Shepherd had a good post showing Connie incubating and the two eggs at Captiva.
Gorgeous images coming from SW Florida. M15 and F23 seem to have agreed – and M15 did feed both of the chicks – that keeping both of them full to the top of their little heads is the way to keep a quiet peaceful nest.
Guardian and Liberty seem to have accepted the nest built for them by the new camera last summer since their old nest collapsed. https://youtu.be/iXshKsQ3gpY?
It was a gorgeous day at the Eagle Country nest of Skye and Blaze. No eggs yet for this new couple.
We will be so delighted to see an egg (or two) hatch for Beau and Gabby.
‘MP’ writes that there is now a second egg at the John Bunker Sands Wetlands eagle nest. Congratulations!
I get such wonderful mail. ‘J’ wrote stating they knew they were ‘preaching to the choir’ by writing to me. She did not known who was the originator of the following posting, but it spoke to their heart. They felt that we need a reminder – and to softly remind others – of what it would mean to the wildlife rehabilitation clinics and all the volunteers if all the funds we spent on lavish and unnecessary gifts were instead donations to help the animals.
What It Really Means to Rescue:
There has been a lot of unnecessary and distracting drama in the rescue community lately. I wish that everyone could take a step back and consider what it actually means to run a rescue.
Every day, there are more in need than can be saved.
Every day, your doors are open 24/7 even when your bank account is in the red.
Every day, you spend hours coaching willing finders and would be fosters/adopters/ rescuers. You also spend hours begging finders to meet you half way. Put the bird in a box please. He won’t hurt you just pick him up. No I can’t dispatch someone to meet you immediately. Please walk the bird 3 blocks to the Humane Society so I don’t have to call on my friend to drive 30 minutes one way to do it for you (this actually happened to me and yes she did drive 30 mins to bring a bird 3 blocks.) Every day you put patience and care at the forefront, even when you just want to rage at the world.
Every day you fund raise and write grants and pinch pennies and try not to have to say No. Every day, you ask “what is the price of a life (priceless) and how am I going to afford it?”
Rescue is also about loss. Not every animal you try to help can be saved. Not every animal, even ones found by caring people, lives in a place where the proper resources are available to treat them. We do what we can, always, but sometimes it isn’t enough. We grieve those losses and we remember them all. Every single one.
Every animal found/saved/loved/not saved that comes through a rescue is encased in a human and their feelings. Their joy is our joy and their grief is our grief. The finders, the fosters, the adopters – everyone who tried, everyone who cared is a part of that rescue story. These birds and these people live in our bones, forever. Success or failure, we must soldier on. We have to, because there are more waiting in the wings. Always more, waiting.
Rescue is as much about a network as it is about taking in animals. This work is impossible alone. To really help these beings, you must have a community: local, national and even abroad. Social media makes rescue easier and harder. Every amazing connection across the world equals more lives saved. And every moment of drama that isn’t actively helping an animal is taking time away from saving a life.
You are only one person and those in need are many. You have to be able to ask for help and to give help in return. You have to be kind even when you are exhausted. You have to find a way to accept defeat when your best isn’t enough and not let it crush you. Sadly, there will always be animal cruelty and exploitation. There will always be not enough money and not enough space. There will always be times when you are too late. But…if you keep going, your best will be enough for many, and for each of those animals, your best is EVERYTHING.
Thank you to all who help and care for these birds.
In Scotland, shenanigans are going on with the grouse moor licensing!
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, H, J, MP’, Raptor Persecution UK, Friends of Osprey Sth Aus, Port Lincoln Osprey, Bart M and the PLO, Fran Solly, Gracie Shepherd, SW Florida Eagle Cam, Nesting Bird Life and More, Eagle Country, Raptor Persecution UK, Unknown author
It is so nice to have you with us as we begin the final preparation of the solstice baskets for the garden animals. We should have a photo before they go out to the garden Thursday! I am hoping Brock’s arrives in time! It is a heated double bowl set that will solve water and wet food issues. If the snow cooperates, we will also be able to get across the City to fetch a bag of butter bark as the last ingredient to make those baskets a buffet for all the garden birds.
Our celebrations will be simple. A huge salad to accompany some homemade naan and a cashew and chickpea curry with lots of cilantro. It adds a freshness that tastes like a blend of pepper and yuzu. If you have never tried it chopped up in a salad, please do, stems and all. What to have for dessert when we have had far too many shortbread cookies and mince tarts already? So, the indulgence was two bars of the best chocolate, one a creamy Irish Cream and the other a Salted Caramel to go with a small basket of pears. There will be a warm fire for ‘The Girls’ and some special food for them. This year has been a time of discovering simple pleasures. The Solstice evening will be one of those.
Some news is coming in from Bird World while several eagle nests continue incubating.
‘PB’ writes that there is an osprey near Omaha, Nebraska. While the cold will not impact the raptors we have to remember that ospreys require fish and the water would have to be open. We had about 50 ducks fly over us the other day. They live on one of our rivers where the water is discharged back into the river and it stays open.
The New York Times has a very worrying article on climate coming from the Arctic. Its words ring true to those living in Manitoba and traveling north to see the polar bears or going there for work. The permafrost has been melting and falling into the sea! Please read. The impact is already impacting wildlife in the northern part of Manitoba and the Arctic. It will begin to impact our birds that we love so much and as the article says, “What happens in the Arctic does not stay in the Arctic.” Warming seas are going to have a huge impact on our birds as the fish die off. It is already happening in places.
It is past midnight on the Canadian prairies and is already Wednesday. I am reading a book, Feral, by George Monbiot. Bear with me as I copy a few paragraphs from this important book. I hope that those who are fighting the commercial fishing in the Chesapeake Bay are reading the post today! The subject is the introduction of wildlife and the economy.
“It took as its case study the country of Sutherland, a wide territory in the gar north of Scotland, covering 5200 square kilometres. Of this, the report reveals, 4000 square kilometres are in the hands of estates, which number just eight-one. In other words, three-quarters of one of the largest counties in Britain is owned by eighty-one families, or by their secretive trusts in tax havens. Across the ten it sampled, covering 780 square kilometres, it found 112 people in full time equivalent employment. Tat means that just one person is employed by the dominant industry for every seven square kilometres, an area five times the size of Hyde Park. The association’s figures suggest to me that the absentee owners and their monocultures of deer prevent not only the ecological regeneration of the region but also the economic regeneration. The report also revealed that the income generated by stalking on the estates throughout Sutherland is 1.6 million GBP. This is a tiny sum which spread across 4000 square kilometres. Their expenditure on deer management is 4.7 million GBP. In other words, stalking can be sustained there only because the bankers or oil sheikhs or mining magnates who own the land burn money on their expensive pastime. Even the tiny numbers of people employed by deer stalking are reliant on the irrational spending of absentee landlords, which could be terminated at any time. Compare these figures with a study from the Isle of Mull, which discovered that colonization by white-tailed eagles has brought 5 million GBP a year into its economy and supports 110 full time jobs. Thousands of people now travel to the island to watch the chicks hatching and fledging from the eagle hide at Glen Seilisdeir or to take an eagle cruise on Loch Shiel. The eagles now account for half the enquiries at the visitor desk at the island’s main ferry terminal. A study commissioned by the Scottish Government calculates that wildlife tourism in Scotland is already worth 276 GBP a year. Rewinding and the reintroduction of other missing species could greatly enhance this figure, generating many more jobs than deer-stalking does today.” (Feral, 102)
Why should we allow a foreign company to deplete the Menhaden population, which is contributing to the decline of whales and dolphins, the depletion of Striped Bass, and the starvation of Osprey chicks? Just imagine if the Chesapeake Bay were a thriving ecosystem. I wonder how much income and employment opportunities related to wildlife could be generated in that scenario.
The Cornell Bird Lab and Wild Birds Unlimited have a photo contest. I know that so many of you are very talented. Please check out the information below – I want to see your names for those winning prizes!
A week or so ago I mentioned to you that one of the Melbourne fledgling CBD falcons had been in care and was being prepared for release. That information came from someone close to the individual whose care the falcon was in. ‘J’ has just sent me a posting by Victor Hurley that gives us some additional information:
Now what is happening to those two little bobble heads at SW Florida?
Images from Tuesday. I hope that E25 gets strong fast as E24 is quite the strong older sibling.
You are going to need your worry beads. I don’t think this is because I am concerned. M15 always steps in to help the underdog eaglet! Or he has in the past. This nest has never lost an eaglet to siblicide. What you will see are two eaglets fighting it out for dominance. 24 began it began the minute 25 hatched. They will bonk and twist one another, and you will want to turn the screen off. — To my knowledge, 25 has not eaten since it hatched. I am worrying.
Age (chicks): Wilko : 73 days, Kasse : 70 days (10 weeks) Fish count: Mum: 0, Dad: 1 Fish times: 07:07Feed times:
06:02
Wilko messing with his sister in the early morning sun rise.
07:07
Dad’s in with a headless, breakfast fish.
Dad (M,Part)
07:07 1
Wilko gets the 1st fish as usual. Mum was hovering over the nest but decides to fly away instead. It was already grabbed. Kasse manages to get a bite for herself when she latches onto the fish in his talons! Wilko will finish the fish tail.
08:31
wilko and mum on the old barge
Feeding Times
Start
Finish
Duration
Fed Chick
Wilko
Kasse
1: 07:07
07:45
38 min
L
S
Another fish was delivered and it appears that Wilko got it as well.
The fish dinners improved at Port Lincoln Ospreys.
The worry about the Mum from Coobowsie who has been missing for several days continues.
Supplementary fish cannot be provided because of gulls and pelicans at Tumby Island.
Geemeff wonders if she can hijack my blog to ask for help for the Highland Tiger. Of course, you can! We are concerned mostly about ospreys but that season is not here save for South Australia so yes! Please help. They are an integral part to getting the Highlands back to the biodiversity there once was in that beautiful landscape.
Geemeff reminds us that saving the Highland Tigers also helps to save and protect the birds. Please read and write to the company Vattenfalls.
Judy Harrington brings news of the Olympic Park Sea Eagles. She speaks of the heat. The forecast is for 32 C at the Park by the weekend.
We have news from the Ventana Wildlife Society:
Calico’s Tip for the Day comes to us at one of the most intensive spending times of the year:
Thank you so much for being with us today. I hope that you are enjoying time with friends and family. Take care. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, J’ The New York Times, Raptor Persecution UK, lamarinaalta. Cornell Bird Lab and Wild Birds Unlimited, SK Hideaways, SW Florida Eagle Cam, Bart M and the PLO, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Dave Wetherall, Cornell Lab Bird Cams, Judy Harrington, Ventana Wildlife Society, 1 Million Women FB and Mari Copeny
Waiting to pop the cork….will have hatch today at SW Florida we anticipate.
First, I want to shout out to Bird World friend and reader Lisa Ferguson, who received the Volunteer of the Year award at the Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey in Maitland, Florida. The following PDF provides an overview of Lisa’s work and highlights Audubon’s year in Raptors. On a personal note, Lisa designs educational and enrichment materials for many celebrity birds at Audubon. She is devoted to the birds at Maitland, and you can find her there daily, helping to improve their lives and educating us about the challenges they face.
In the UK, Osprey expert, Tim Mackrill is being honoured for the volunteer work he continues to conduct alongside Rutland Water despite his work as the Director of the Roy Dennis Foundation. Tim’s thesis focused on migration and that information is in his latest book, The Osprey, along with everything you might want to know about Ospreys. I am particularly fond of his edition for the RSPB- it is perfect if you don’t want the detailed science in The Osprey, but you do want to know much about ospreys for a ‘kind’ price at the till.
Hatch continues for E24 at SW Florida for M15 and F23. This is their second breeding season together. Last year they had one chick (E23) hatch and what a remarkable eaglet it was. Fledge went well!
Dave Wetherall has been taking some remarkable images of the osprey fledglings at the other South Australia nests. I hope he doesn’t mind my posting these – they show these amazing fledglings soaking their feet in the water at the shore.
I am re-posting the images of Mum, Dad, Kasse, and Wilko from yesterday in case you missed them. These fledglings are sure giving everyone a great time as they venture out from the nest so close to fledge!
If there are images from Saturday I will include them below these.
I have been worried about Diane at the Achieva Osprey Nest. I know that she leaves the nest area after June . In past years, we have had hatch in early March (or thereabouts). Which means we need to be seeing her in January at the latest. ‘MP’ noted Diane was last seen on the nest the third week in June, the 21st. Today, Jack was at the nest with Crows digging in the old nesting material. Jack flapped at them, one noticed and flew off but the others remained.
This was the report from Port Lincoln with a rare second Fish Fairy delivery. Thank you fairies. You are trying to make certain that both fledglings have food and survive!
Age (chicks): Wilko : 68 days, Kasse : 65 days Fish count: Mum: 0, Dad: 0, Sup. Fish: 6 Fish times: 11:52, 15:05Feed times:
00:21
wilko tucks in her beak in her feathers..
05:57
Wilko lands on Mum… she leaves
06:27:19
osprey flying by
06:28
Wilko back on the nest
07:14
Kasse behind the old barge on the ropes(?)
07:17
She is now out on top the barge
07:18:21
More flying / hopping on the deck
07:28
Wilko joins Mum and Kasse on the old barge
07:36
Dad is on the old barge too, now all four are there
08:06:01
Mum leaves the old barge
08:12
Mum and Wilko back on the barge
08:49:50
wilko back on the old barge
11:04:50
Checking the Old Barge for the Osprey. Two are there.
11:13:54
Looks like Mum on the right ropes. Dad then would be on the Old Barge set off to the right.
11:19:35
Close-up of Mum on the rope.
11:52
Unannounced Fish Fairy deliveries! 3 fish. 2 small, 1 medium. Kasse on top of the camera on the home barge. Wilko small fish, Dad snatches 1 small fish for himself and Mum with the medium. Kasse isn’t moving.
Sup. Fish (S,Whole)
11:52 1
Mum’s on the nest with a fish! Wilko snatches it. Mum’s off the nest quickly. Wilko mantles it. Wilko finishes it.
11:57 2
Mum’s on the ropes between the 2 branches with the 2nd supplemental fish! A medium one. 12:05 Mum’s to the nest with her fish. 12:11 Wilko snatches Mum’s fish. Mum leaves. No more eating with Wilko for Mum any more. This one’s for him too.
13:08
Finally Kasse makes an appearance on the barge! She’s on the right, far branch briefly. Then she’s in the nest with Wilko. No fighting.
15:05
Rare 2nd Fish Fairy delivery! Unknown number of fish.
Sup. Fish (M,Whole)
15:05 3
Mum’s on the right ropes with a fish. She goes into the nest. Camera pans to Kasse having it. Mum leaves the nest. 15:07 Wilko tried for a steal! Kasse walks away! Wilko tries again! Kasse defends it! Wilko backs off.
15:19 4
Mum’s into the nest with a 2nd supplemental fish. She had it since 15:14. Wilko snatches it.
15:22 5
Mum’s into the nest to eat a 3rd supplemental fish! 15:23 Kasse joins Mum. 15:27 Now Wilko joins Kasse and Mum. Wilko snatches the fish tail.
Feeding Times
Start
Finish
Duration
Fed Chick
Wilko
Kasse
1: 11:52
12:11
19 min
M
X
2: 11:57
12:22
25 min
M
X
3: 15:05
15:23
18 min
X
M
4: 15:19
15:26
7 min
S
X
5: 15:22
15:30
8 min
S
M
There have been no deliveries for Saturday the 14th yet and there are reports that Wilko had a bath. Planned or not.
The final tally was 5 fish from Mum and 1 from Dad.
Kasse and Wilko on the nest with Mum.
Dad has brought in some fish – Mum is there to try and control things so everyone gets to eat. It is the first fish of the day. I hope it is a big one!
Gabby and Beau continue to incubate. Beau is bringing in more Spanish Moss and he seems to be doing quite a remarkable job this year. Fantastic.
Beau has been so attentive this season. He is always on alert ready to protect the nest, and comes constantly when she calls. I am amazed at the change in Beau since last year. Let us all hope he is a good provider when the eaglets hatch!
The Black-winged kite female has growing chicks to feed. Just look at them enjoying a nice juicy rat! Remember, Raptors are the solution to Rats – not Rodenticide!!!!!!!!! https://youtu.be/Cce4-yQKUHA?
Do you know someone who is boating in this area? Please ask them to heed the warnings about the presence of Right Whales.
Calico’s Tip for the Day: If you are concerned about Avian Flu and the songbirds (and others) that come to your feeders or bird baths, here is an excellent, easy to understand article on feeder and bird bath hygiene with ratios for three different cleaning products (bleach, borax, vinegar):
I never like to close on a sad note but as I always believe, we must educate ourselves. ‘SP’ sent me the following article about the perils of the warming oceans – we have seen this in Montana when the streams were so warm that the trout died. The impact is real on the birds that depend on fish to survive – and it is a domino effect. I also believe we cannot give up – we must fight for our precious resources and the wildlife that we so love.
There are people going to great lengths and taking financial chances to rewild, to create a landscape full of biodiversity, and to reverse species extinction. One of those is Isabella Tree and Charlie B at Knepp Farm in the south of England. I am including two or possibly three of their latest blog reports. One is on the arrival of large numbers of Hawkfinches this year.
Hawkfinches are approximately 18 cm or 9 inches in length. They live in both woodlands and urban areas. The image above is the male hawfinch whereas the one on the Knepp blog is a female. Look at the two so that you can see the subtle differences that differentiate the genders. Notice the pink legs. What colour is the male’s beak? and the female? Which one has more rust colour?
These beautiful songbirds are on British Ornithological Trust’s Red List of Birds. They are Internationally Threatened.
The hawkfinch has a very strong jaw and the BTO book on the Red List birds says it can exert the pressure of 50 kg. This allows them to eat cherry stones in the winter while they favour insects and caterpillars in the summer. Habitat loss, the use of pesticides, nest predation, lack of food are part of the drivers to the rapid decline of the Hawkfinch.
Here is a good article on understanding why this bird is in decline.
Thank you so much for being with us as we wait for the hatch of E24. Incubation is long and tedious and the first pip brings anxiety and hope. Hopefully on Saturday there will be a little eaglet for this wonderful family. Take care of yourselves. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, videos, articles and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘J, MP, SP’, Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey, SW Florida Eagle Cam, Eagle Goddess, Achieva Credit Union, Dave Wetherall and Friends of Osprey Sth Aus, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Bart M and the PLO, UK Osprey Information and Jeff Kear, Tim Mackrill, NEFL-AEF, Review Bird Nest, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries, Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Center, The New York Times, Knepp Farm, OpenVerse, RSPB
