As we prepare for the arrival of Toby, my time is running out. Anything that could fit into a small mouth must go into hiding along with ‘precious’ rugs, shoes, etc. Cords must be taped to the wall so they cannot be seen. It is a big learning curve from having cats! As a result, my blog will be brief for the next several days. I will try to catch the latest news and follow up on the White Rock and Trempealeau eagle nests and any happenings in the UK.
Cornell Red-tail Hawks: On Thursday, Big Red and Arthur have their first pip of the 2025 season.
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: ‘MP’ alerts us to a new couple on the nest. “I don’t know if you are aware of this nest having 2 new osprey residents. A new male and female. The nest looks amazing compared to the other resident’s nests.”
‘AR’ sent me a great good news story to share with you! One lucky Eagle.
White Rock, BC Bald Eagle nest. Read this carefully – the female incubated the eggs alone for 42 days. She might be fine if the males would stop stealing the food. Then there is the issue of the heat. This nest needs a sunshade! They are the sweetest little eaglets and well, I do not believe this is going to end well. Maybe all these eagles should take a page out of the osprey playbook from Threave!
The latest post on the White Rock eaglets from Terry Anita:
5/2/25 This is the White Rock, BC, Canada post for today. Please comment here. I’ll be updating & adding screenshots & info throughout the day. Eagles Mom (Dad missing) 2 eaglets. Hatched 4/30/25.
Screenshot 1: The male with the missing feathers above the right eye visits the nest. #2: Mom and male fly out. #3 Eaglets looking good this morning. Mom returns with no food. Male returns, digs in the nest for leftovers, then leaves.
These are believed to be Moms 25th and 26th eaglets. She has a lot of experience. But the circumstances are so difficult. She just spent 42 days incubating alone. And if it wasn’t for the males stealing all the food she brought in. She’d be in a better position, with left overs in the pantry. Local residents have left out grasses for her, to line the nest. But she hasn’t taken them. She’s doing the very best she can. The eaglets are also left alone in full sun on that nest. And are way too young to be able to regulate their temperature. All we can do is keep positive vibes going. This is a very big uphill battle for Mom.
There are other nests in close proximity. And many bald eagles in the area. There have been several males vying for Mom since Dad went missing. However most of the males seem more intent on taking food from the nest, than anything else. Mom has been tolerant of a few of these males and mated with more than one of them. The area gets a lot of eagles visiting when the herring run takes place. The White Rock, BC herring run typically happens in spring, with the most intense activity usually occurring in early to mid-March. The exact timing is unpredictable, but it generally begins in late February or early March and can continue into April.
We are watching nature unscripted. Should it become distressing to watch. Please step away & take a break.. Please do not try and compare this situation with other nests. No two nests, eagles or circumstances are the same.
Backstory. Mom is not a first time Mom. She’s been in the area for several years. And is believed to have had around 26 hatches, including this seasons eaglets. The male (Dad) went missing shortly after the first egg was laid. That egg was left unattended for over 11 hours and deemed non viable. The second egg was laid. But with her mate missing the female had to incubate the eggs alone. She was obviously gone for long periods of time, multiple times. As she has to find food for herself. The male visitors weren’t bringing her food and had no interest in the eggs. The eggs hatched on 4/30/25.
***Several males have been around, trying to win Mom over.
You might see any one of these males on the nest, usually stealing food. It’s very difficult to distinguish one male from another… A young male “Smudge” with dark feathers on his head just above the beak is one that can be easily recognized.. Smudge has been a frequent visitor… He’s been seen for about the last month and a half, on and off. But had stayed for the past few weeks.. Smudge seemed to be invested and even brought a fish in on 4/30/25.
Update. Smudge was in a fight with another male on the evening of 4/30/25. We are waiting to see if he’ll return. Or if the male he fought with has taken his place.”
Hellgate Canyon: Iris laid the second egg on Thursday 1 May. Poor darling. I would give almost anything to see Finnegan fly onto that nest right now.
Kent Island (Chesapeake Conservancy): There’s a new Audrey in town. ‘Fair Lady’ beat out a couple other females and won over Tom, and she laid her first egg on 5/1 at around 11:10. Meet Audrey4, aka simply ‘Audrey’.
OBX (Outer Banks): Oh my, what an early rough start to the season it was for Betsy and Frederick. There were so many intruders and battles. But, finally things settled down and Betsy laid her first egg of the season on 5/1 at 14:07. This first egg is almost a month later than last season.
My inbox continues to be filled with the most devastating news for wildlife that I have witnessed in my lifetime.
Each of you should know the name ‘Wisdom’, the oldest ringed bird in the world, a Laysan Albatross, who nests on the Midway Atoll. So when you read the following, sent in by Geemeff, I want you to think about ‘Wisdom’ and I hope that this will cause you to act to fight against any policies that destroy the lives of those, like Wisdom, who cannot speak for themselves.
Now is Our time!
A Nai’a (Spinner Dolphin) springs forth on Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) 2025 Photo by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Volunteer Joe Owen
Supporters of Friends of Midway Atoll (FOMA) are needed now more than ever to be the voice for the public lands and waters known as Kuaihelani (the backbone of heaven), which is designated as a National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial within the larger Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument (PMNM). The Administration has reduced the federal workforce, is proposing new policies and rescinding long-standing environmental policies, all of which are negatively impacting the ability to conserve, honor and protect our Nation’s public lands and waters.
With these unprecedented challenges, the FOMA Board is committed to sharing specific requests and calls to action via this newsletter and our newly launched advocacy web pagehere.Addressing and finding solutions to the critical needs of wildlife and people on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge/Battle of Midway National Memorial has our sleeves rolled up. We are positioned to help but the need is greater than our current capacity.
One Way to Help
FOMA takes its responsibilities seriously by aligning your donations with priority conservation needs that cannot be met by the refuge. We promise to continue to direct our funds to projects that offer immediate support for wildlife, bridge the financial gaps needed to continue collecting one of the longest sets of seabird data on the planet, share the stories and magic of Midway, and supplement core volunteer functions lost to budget and personnel cuts. As an example, the current refuge volunteer coordinator position will be vacated and unfunded in May. However, your donations have enabled FOMA to fund a volunteer coordinator position to mentor, train, and lead a 4-person crew of 6-month volunteers to implement critical on-the-ground conservation work. This will allow critical work to continue without losing ground to protect species and their habitats.
We are exploring creative ways to support Midway, including directing FOMA funds to pay contractors who can continue to protect habitats from invasive species. After nearly 3 decades of continuous effort, the refuge is close to eradicating Verbesina encloides; and stepping back now is inconceivable. Additionally, we will ensure efforts continue to honor those who fought in the Battle of Midway. We also commit to building a relationship with the PMNM Culturally Working Group while illuminating the cultural significance of Kuaihelani by honoring native Hawaiian species and place names.
Heavy Hearted Farewells
As a result of recent actions by this Administration to reduce the federal workforce, Midway has lost critical operational and administrative staff capacity. In February 2025, Midway Atoll and its sister Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge lost their supply, shipping and travel logistics coordinator, Dan Link. This is a critical position given the logistics of supporting these remote refuges in Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. On Friday, April 17th Midway Atoll lost its full-time Budget Analyst who managed Midway Atoll’s budget including paying bills, making purchases and supporting large contracts.
Also on April 17th we bid a heavy-hearted farewell to an irreplaceable brain trust in the Pacific Islands Refuges and Monuments Office in Honolulu that provided direct support to Midway Atoll and the other refuges and monuments in the Pacific. We bid farewell to Science Manager for the Pacific Islands Climate Change Cooperative Jeff Burgett, Refuges and Monuments Area Supervisor Ric Lopez, Deputy Area Supervisor Susan White, Supervisory Wildlife Biologist Beth Flint, Biology Science Technician Anna Vallery, Administrative Officer Eloise Wong and Wildlife Biologist Megan Laut (pictured below).
Photo by: USFWS/Laura Beauregard
These individuals were the backbone of the support office for all the National Wildlife Refuges including the Battle of Midway National Memorial and the Marine National Monuments in the Pacific. Their cumulative time spent working at the field level for wildlife (and people too) along with upper level managerial and planning experience is measured in centuries of knowledge, passion, intellect and wisdom. Known throughout the Pacific for their expertise, these now former employees had to secure their files and walk out the door with only a few days’ notice.
The impact of this loss will be felt for decades and has crippled the ability of those remaining to protect Midway and meet the mission of the agency. Unfortunately, this is just the beginning as more staff cuts are anticipated as well as a possible Reduction in Force. Along with budget and staff reductions, Executive Orders to eliminate previous provisions to protect nature further threaten the ability to conserve fish and wildlife in these extraordinary and unparalleled environments.
Imminent Threats to Midway’s Wildlife and What You Can Do!
Unfortunately, these warp speed actions by the Administration are now producing major threats to wildlife and habitat through the dismantling of federal laws protecting the islands, reefs, and waters at PMNM and more urgently at Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument(PIHMNM). This monument encompasses 7 National Wildlife Refuges and protects wildlife that knows no ocean boundaries as they transit in the greater oceanic ecosystem.
Grey reef sharks and schools of anthias in the waters of Jarvis Island, Pacific Remote Island Areas Marine National Monument. President Biden has an opportunity to fully protect the area. (Kelvin Gorospe/NOAA/2017)
In an effort to create a collective strength in numbers, we will continue to highlight the most pressing threats and point to those non-profit organizations protecting these monuments. On our webpage you will find links to recent executive orders or actions that seek public comment. We will also provide clear guidance and helpful tips.
Now is our time to hoist the sails and voyage together. We feel honored to join you and look forward to speaking out together for what we deeply value as we malama (take care of) Kuaihelani.
I Mua!
In the Hawaiian language the words I Mua mean to “move forward” or “move ahead” towards a goal and can express a deep commitment to support a feeling, an idea, a person or a cause.
Mahalo for all your support, Your Friends of Midway Atoll
As many of you might recall, I have praised the wildlife vet, Dr Tess, that has spent the last year at our rehabilitation clinic, Wildlife Haven. She maintains that wildlife are more resilient and can survive with many physical challenges. What this means is that new wildlife vets like Dr Tess are reluctant to simpy euthanise wildlife simply because they are missing a limb or have an inconvenient broken bone. ‘MP’ sent me an example of another surviving nicely in the wild with one leg! They write, “This is an example of what you were talking about. Ron Dudley captured this photo of a Brewer’s Blackbird missing a foot but still able to go on. It didn’t stop her from gathering nesting materiel for her nest. She was just as efficient as the other females. Only the female builds the nest in this species, as you probably know. So, all the males around just sat back and watched. They appear to have big feet too. I thought you’d be interested in seeing it play out in real time.”
Border Ospreys: Samson and Augusta have their first egg of the season!
San Jose City Hall: There is joy to be found. Look at those crops. Thank you, ‘PB’.
A magnificent rescue!
Trempealeau Bald Eagle Nest: T3 is getting stuffed. Despite male taking food, the little one is doing well. Please send good positive energy.
How thoughtful.
Geemeff’s daily summary for Loch Akraig and The Woodland Trust:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 1st May 2025 After an absence of a few hours which had us feeling a little edgy in case Blue 536 was ‘doing an Aida’, she turned up on Nest One ready to accept fish and mating advances from Garry LV0, and succeeded in getting both. Just as well, as females need ongoing mating for egg production to be stimulated, and the male needs to deliver a steady supply of fish to keep the female’s interest. Bearing in mind that Aila & Louis met on 28th April, mated for the first time on 29th April and still managed to fledge a chick in time to migrate, this pair are in line with that schedule so there is still an outside chance of chicks on this nest this season. Garry’s three fish deliveries take his tally to thirty one, and over on Nest Two, Louis also delivered three fish to Dorcha, raising his tally to sixty three. There was a bit of rain today, but the Inver Mallie forecast for tonight and tomorrow is more settled, with light clouds and light breezes.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.08.23 (04.37.31); Nest Two 22.03.42 (04.43.17) Today’s videos:
Thank you so much for being with me today. Take care. We hope to see you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, posts, letters, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘AR, Geemeff, Heidi, MP, PB’, Cornell Red-tail Hawk Cam, Cornell Bird Lab, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Fox News, Hilton Head Eagles, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, Friends of Midway Atoll, Pukaha National Wildlife Centre, Farmer Derek Kansas City Bald Eagle Nest, San Jose City Hall, Deborah Victoriana Friends of Duke Farms, Raptor Resource Project, Kent Island, OBX, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust
Friday was the last full day of our time in Nova Scotia, and it turned out to be a blockbuster day. We arrived at Evangeline Beach in time for the Semipalmated Sandpiper murmurations! After arriving from Hudson Bay and the Arctic region, thousands of shorebirds feed on the mollusc. They will fill their bellies and get the much-needed fat on their bones in Nova Scotia before heading off for their flight to South America. It was one of the most magical moments I can remember.
I will post images from the long lens camera – thankfully I took the 600 mm. This is a poor video from my iPhone.
Turning left out of the beach road, a lone eagle was waiting for someone to toss out a dead chicken from one of the barns at a local farm.
There were eagles all along the road, sitting on hydro poles near the corn fields waiting for prey! I have images of them on my other camera and will post those for Monday. The day turned out to be really nice in terms of bird sightings.
The Eastern Kingbirds and Northern Mockingbirds have been around the animal sanctuary. The Mockingbirds particularly like the raspberries! The animals are positively charming. We respect what Jen and Will are trying to do here, taking in unwanted or abused farm animals – including a couple of feral cats. It is a lot of hard work, from dawn to dusk. I appreciate the cost of feeding and the vet care necessary for the animals, not to mention the upkeep of fencing! They sure don’t do it for the donations – it is sheer love.
This is Jen with Cece. A woman phoned at Christmas, wanting to know what to do with her newly born pot-bellied pigs. Could Jen help? At the end of it all, the baby piglets died all but one, and it was very tiny and sick when Jen finally was able to rescue it. Cece fit in the palm of Jen’s hand and had to be fed by a syringe. Cece lived to the surprise of many and thrived. Just look at her now! She is trained to live in a house but is learning to live with the other animals running free on the five-acre property.
There are too many wanting pot-bellied pigs for pets. They do grow, they need to be spayed or neutered and they need exercise. Many people do not understand how intelligent they are and are not equipped to take proper care of them. Jen now has eleven!
These two are below the apple tree. They love the apples and rolling in the mud in the little stream next to the tree.
The sheep are lovely. Not as trusting as some of the other animals. These two, mother and daughter, were quite abused and again, not expected to live. It is a testament to the knowledge and dedication — and love – that Jen gives to them. They are thriving like the donkey and the pony that are now nearly 30 years old.
The owner of the rooster had to move and could not keep him. They loved the rooster so much that they offered to help with its upkeep for as long as it lived. The rooster is thriving.
This turkey missed being someone’s dinner on Thanksgiving! It loves nothing more than a good dirt bath.
The sanctuary began with five goats that were not expected to survive. They did, and here they are now—adorable. They love people and want nothing more than to be petted.
Staying at the sanctuary enriched our holiday. I learned so much and am appalled at how harmful humans can be. It is unbelievable what we do to other living souls. It was a real joy to be in a place where life is respected.
Other adventures. included the wonderful surprises awaiting in the small town. Two decades ago, Canning was a small village that appeared destined to fold. Today, with the help of the local distilleries, wineries, tourists, and a group of young entrepreneurs, the town has taken on a new life.
The coffee was fantastic, too! The baking was delicious and is in high demand so you have to arrive early in the day to have good choices. Everything is gone around 1400 and the little shop closes at 1500. They seem to be doing well. They also sell some of the local coffee roasters beans along with pottery and art work including that of Will, one of the owners where we are staying.
The relaxed way of life, the charm of the small villages, and the friendliness of the people helped us enjoy every minute of the time we were visiting the Annapolis Valley. I look forward to returning!
Turning back to Bird World – Dr Green has found Antali. Everyone was quite worried. Antali is spending time with Dad, Finnegan, down river and is being fed well. Maybe Iris and Finnegan are dividing up the responsibilities for the two with Iris providing for Sum-eh???
‘PB’ sent me an image of Finnegan’s latest catch. My goodness. Him and Antali will be having a feast!
After spending so much time around tourists, beaches, and shorebirds, I completely understand the need to protect their nests!
The issue of the industrial fishing of the Menhaden is also harming the Striped Bass. It is the food chain. The commercial fishing needs to stop, not only in the Bay but also far enough away from the its mouth so that there might be some hope for the fish to recover in terms of populations, but this will not happen unless there is an immediate moratorium.
Geemeff’s summary for Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust:
Daily summary Friday 16th August 2024
Garry LV0 and Affric 152 spent hours on the nest again today. Although Affric gave Garry much vocal encouragement, he only brought moss to the nest, no fish. Fundación Migres provided more photos of the Scottish cohort including our chick 1JW, we’re not sure which photo he’s in but all the birds look in magnificent shape as they prepare for migration. Photos and tweets cobbled together into a video for those who don’t get on with TwiX. Weather-wise it was wet and windy as forecast, and more of the same tonight but with a possibility of dry spells tomorrow.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.56.53 (05.06.56); Nest Two 21.47.01 (05.13.30)
“At Taiaroa Head, TF chick is doing well, according to his latest weighing. He has been fed regularly by his parents over the past two weeks. The chicks are all starting to flap and hop, stretching their wings to feel the wind. It is so sad to think that when they go, they are leaving for up to five years, heading for South America (off the coast of Chile) and not returning to Taiaroa Head for four to five years, when they will return to their natal nesting area to find a mate. We have a long time to become deeply attached to these chicks, born in January and leaving us in September. That’s many months to fall in love with them, watch them, wait for their parents, and hope for their wellbeing. It is such a bittersweet moment, and I will never forget the look of sheer bliss on Lilibet’s face as she fledged into the storm. It was an amazing thing to watch live. I felt very privileged indeed.”
“Lady is doing a great job of feeding the eaglet, really stretching to reach it and giving it just the right sized pieces, and the chick in turn is a great little feeder. SE34 is hungry and is eager to reach out for the bites. I did notice a size difference between the chicks yesterday or the day before, but they are still relatively closely matched. Once or twice, when Lady goes to clean bits of fish off SE34’s face, the eaglet shrinks as if intimidated and on one occasion ducks and tucks, but in general, it seems confident when eating.
Just before 15:53, after SE34 really reaches to grab a big bite, Lady drags the fish closer to the chicks. Shortly before 15:54, SE33 wakes up. SE34 continues to accept the bites Lady offers. SE33 is sitting up and watching the feeding. It has a PS, but does not interfere as SE34 continues to eat, not appearing to be intimidated at all by its sibling.
The two eaglets were left alone on the nest for a lot of time today – it was a sunny spring day and I doubt they were cold, and I also presume there was a parent within eyeshot somewhere, though I didn’t see either.
At 15:55 SE34 is being very careful not to look SE33 directly in the eye, but is not scared to accept yet another bite of fish. SE33 does another (small) PS. Lady continues feeding SE34, who continues taking mouthfuls without hesitation. SE33 sits beside SE34 at the table but is not being offered food, so competes for a bite. Lady looks slightly startled.
At 15:56 Lady gives a bite to SE33. At 15:56:35 the next bite goes to SE34 and SE33 decides to take exception, beaking its sibling in the head. It grabs a beakful of head feathers and twists at the back of SE34’s head. No damage is being done but SE33 is definitely frustrated and continues its attack for a full 20 seconds before looking up at mum. SE34 stays down.
Lady offers SE33 a bite, then proceeds to clean up the table, have a few bites herself, and generally not feed SE33. She offers a bite around 15:58 but there is no interest. She offers another and SE33 accepts it. Lady gives SE33 a second bite, then a third, and SE34 lifts its head. Lady continues feeding SE33 (who has the remains of an earlier crop). SE34 is getting squashed by its sibling. 16:02 and the feeding of SE33 continues. SE34 watches but is not offered any bites, nor does it compete for any. On the other hand, SE34 is pretty full by now, with a very respectable crop, and is certainly not intimidated, with its head up. At 16:02:45 Lady offers a bite to SE34, who accepts it without hesitation. There is no reaction from SE33. So it appears the bonking that is occurring on this nest is not causing problems with SE34’s feeding. SE34 is not intimidated out of eating and Lady is keeping an eye on your younger hatch. So far, so good. But as we know, these nests are very volatile and the dynamics can change rapidly and dramatically. Talons crossed that Lady and Dad do their usual sterling job. “
Thank you so much for being with us today. There will not be a posting on Sunday as we arrive home late Saturday. I will look forward to sharing some of the images of the shorebirds and more eagles on Monday. In the meantime, take care of yourself. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for the posts, notes, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, BAH, Geemeff, H, PB’, Jen Lussing and Will Cooper and the animals at the LAILO Farm Sanctuary, Aspinall Pottery, The Village Coffee Shop, Montana Osprey Cam FB, Montana Osprey Project, BirdGuides, Menhaden- Little Fish, Big Deal, Maryland DNR, Geemeff and the Woodland Trust, NZ-DOC and Cornell Bird Lab, and Olympic Park Eagles.
Calico was her regular alarm clock self – my goodness. 0835. After their breakfast, the kittens – Hugo Yugo and Baby Hope – tore through the house. Then, there was a very loud crash. I wonder what happened?
Oh, dear. Who do you see?
Are these two the only culprits?
Calico was cautiously coming to see what happened from the other side of the house.
Baby Hope was relaxing on the top of a chair – she says she had ‘nothing to do with knocking the twinkle tree off the table’. Do you believe her?
No one is telling what happened…Baby Hugo decided to have a nap and poor Calico is just worn out from it all, too. I am left to wonder.
It is hard to believe, but they didn’t even wake up for lunch. Instead, all four crowded into the kitchen around 1800. Very strange, indeed.
The news from Bird World is really rather thin. We might think that the entire Bald Eagle season has mostly collapsed. There will be no chicks at Berry College or at NE Florida to look forward to – we have, on the streaming cams, two at Captiva, one at SW Florida, and one at Miami-Dade. We lost Anna and Andria at the KNF nests before the eggs hatched (thankfully). Superbeaks first clutch failed. Will we have any second clutches? Will any new couples lay a clutch in Louisiana? We wait and wonder why this is happening.
So, instead of falling into that deep dark hole, we need to rejoice in the four healthy eaglets that are currently on the nests in Florida at Captiva, WRDC, and at Fort Myers.
At Captiva, Lori Covert has named Connie and Clive’s eaglets – C10 is Lusa and C11 is Cal.
Look at how plump and healthy these two are with their full crops, fat little legs, and bottoms. Let us all wish them uneventful days until they fledge – and good feathers!
E23 is also plump and very healthy, spoiled only eaglet by M15 and F23. Pin feathers clearly seen on the wing tips.
R6 is a fuzzy little darling – the pride and joy of Ron and Rita at the WRDC nest. So, on streaming cams, we have 4 – only FOUR – eaglets to watch.
Gabby flew off the nest to join Beau at 12:13 and has not returned to the egg as I write – it is now 15:57. It is ONLY 6 degrees C or 42 degrees F at 16:01 on Sunday. This egg is looking less and less viable.
No one returned. So, there are two scenarios. Gabby and Beau figured that the egg was not viable and abandoned it. The second one I do not even wish to contemplate is that something happened to Gabby. I simply do not wish to think about that, but there were intruders about. Let’s think positive -Wherever they are Sunday night, I hope they are both safe—way too many intruders about. Gabby was last seen at noon and Beau around 1700 after he incubated the egg for a short time after 1630.
Beau was at the nest tree Monday morning, vocalising. There has been no sighting of Gabby, and I am beginning to really become concerned. Please let me be wrong – this is highly unusual behaviour for Gabby. Is she injured? or worse?
A drone, flying over the NCTC nest, almost hits Scout! It is illegal to fly drones over an active Bald Eagle nest – so will they catch the culprit? and what will happen to them?
Lisa and Oliver were in the nest in PA County. Oh, this is one that I know many of you are looking forward to watching.
Jackie and Shadow were at Big Bear. Shadow delivered a fish gift and then they flew of only with Shadow to return to move some sticks he noticed were out of place earlier. Bless his heart. Shadow cannot leave those sticks alone.
Pittsburgh-Hayes female comes to the nest on Sunday.
Gary has ceased covering the Redding Eagles – Liberty and her three mates, Patriot, Spirit, and Guardian, after fifteen years. he says he is going to work on features and examine current research on eagles. This is a thank you video with lots of historical images of Liberty and her mates and chicks. I cannot embed it – have no idea why but this is happening more often. Here is the title for you to search in YT.
Major Announcement Regarding Coverage of the Eagles
The weekly video summary of the happenings at Port Lincoln.
At the time of this writing, only one fish has come to the PLO barge. It is extremely windy and the water is choppy. Mum flew in at 1247 with the first meal and Bradley got it.
Beautiful Capture of the Golden Gate Audubon Osprey male, Richmond. It is the 21st of January. His mate, Rosie, returns around Valentine’s Day. Richmond will be checking in for her return as he does not migrate.
Ruby has been missing for more than a fortnight. There are now intruders buzzing and a female wanting Jack’s attention at Captiva. Let us hope things settle down so we can have an Osprey family here this year.
The cold weather has also hit Europe where the ground is frozen and people are calling for food for the storks that are trying to feed in the fields. Here 80 storks are being taken care of in Russia – incredible. What kindness.
A Peregrine Falcon has been shot in Essex….this follows the dumping of the Woodcocks in Cheshire. And, of course, other heinous deeds to wildlife. Unfortunately, we don’t have a watchdog like Raptor Persecution UK in the US and Canada.
The Royal Cam chick is making progress in its hatching! Thanks ‘A’.
The latest news on the attempts to re-introduce Kakapo to the New Zealand mainland and the trials and tribulations over these smart birds outwitting humans and a fence!
So much to be grateful for and SE31 is one of those things. The latest report from Chang-Le Dong and the WBSE:
Oh, I love Plovers and these nearly threatened shore birds had a fantastic year in New England in 2023.
Piping Plovers are one of the smallest of the species. Their colouring offers good camouflage against the beach sand where they nest and forage. These are unique to North America, although they do winter in Mexico. Their biggest threats are human disturbances, which are endangered or threatened in many areas.
Information is being compiled about Laura Culley with the goal of having a really good bio of her – pre-falconry and her falconry days -by an individual at Cornell. I will keep you posted as I am very hopeful that her manuscript about her life with Mariah will appear on those pages. In looking for information, I came across the following: ”Let me warn you–falconry is FAR more addictive than any drug. The sheer wonder that the bird CHOOSES to work with you it beyond my comprehension. It’s really not about food. That’s where you start to earn their trust, but after that, you’re always in the reality that they can fly. You can’t. There’s a wonderment when your bird (who is no more YOURS than the air you breathe) chooses to fly to your fist!!! Another reality is that you’re nothing more than their servant, and that’s a good thing. For me, it reconnected me to the natural world in ways that I can only describe a little bit. And you get to see who these birds are, sharing what they do and how they do it, and if that doesn’t regularly take your breath away, you need to check your pulse.”
Laura always said the hawk is the boss – we only serve them. She wondered at their abilities that we have lost, but most of all she was astonished, every day, by Mariah.
Thank you so much for being with me today. Please take care. We hope you can be back with us soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, videos, posts, articles, photographs, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ’A, Geemeff, J’, Window to Wildlife, SW Florida Eagle Cam, WRDC, NEFL, Deb Stecyk, Dana Anderson, FOBBV, PIX Cams, Gary and FORE, PLO, Pam Kruse, Diana Lambertson, Natalia Voss, Raptor Persecution UK, Aryana YT/FB, NZ DOC, Kakapo Recovery, Chang-Le Dong, BirdGuides, and Laura Culley.
