When we left Canada, it looked like this at the Montreal airport. There was heavy snow in the area that hit both Ottawa and Montreal. We wondered if we would take off. Thankfully, we did!
The learning curve upon arrival in Guadeloupe was high. I have to admit that my French is not that good! Renting a car might take only minutes in North America, but after a long day, it was a three-hour wait in 28-degree heat. Then, it was an arduous drive up and around the mountains to our cottage on the grounds of the Old Botanical Garden near Deschaines. The anxiety was worth it!
This is the view off the terrace of the cottage.
Complete with a dog that adopted the owners of the property – a Guadeloupe rescue. She is sweet. They even have cats!!!!!!! Who said we would be homesick?
It is Paradise. We are way up on the mountains in the rain forest and while it is 28 C, the breeze is vibrant, and we are not hot. Today was a wee trip into the small village to pick up a baguette and acquaint ourselves with what is available here. The nearest large supermarket is in Sainte-Rose. That is about 11 km away on a very winding road up and down and around the mountain. We opted to stay local. Tomorrow we will venture out to find one of the many restaurants that our host has recommended.
Now, skipping briefly to Bird World News:
The news has come that both E24 and E25 tested positive for HPAI. I do not know the strain but there is a new one in California, H5N9. I was also sent this information from my sidekick: “To the best of my knowledge… no one (bog’s) has reported seeing M15 today. F23 was recently seen at the pond, and looked okay. I’ll let you know anything I can find out. Crow made an announcement at the nest tree, and the vet said we should possibly be concerned about the parents for up to two weeks. They also said that HPAI is relatively new to the SWFL region.”
Please send this amazing couple your best wishes. It is not easy seeing the two children you cared for so much die before you and you are helpless. I still remember Joe (Connie’s former mate at Captiva) mourning over the loss of Peace and Hope (rodenticide poisoning several years ago). It haunts me – that figure of him looking down as the last one, apparently healthy, broke a blood feather and bled to death.
Barb Henry posted a screen capture of F23 down at the pond.
Wings of Whimsy’s tribute to the SW Florida Eagle family and to E24 and E25. Get the tissues. https://youtu.be/YcEUG9mZJKI?
We have the first egg at Moorings Park Osprey nest for Harry and Sally.
Jackie and Shadow have surprised us with three eggs. My goodness if this is a year for a miracle at their nest, is this an extra one for luck? What if all three hatch? Shadow will be busy!!!!!!
All is well at the nest of Gabby and Beau. Beau loves being a Dad!!!!!! He has really picked up on feeding NE31. Gabby joins him in this video: https://youtu.be/_rpYDa8AW6w?
OGK’s son, RLK, got to meet his newly hatched chick at the Royal Albatross Colony in New Zealand.
NZ DOC image shared by Sharon Dunne on the FB group:
There are some wonderful events to celebrate. Please send all of the nests your most positive wishes for success. They have many, many challenges to over come – both the wee ones and the parents.
Thank you for being with us for this brief recap of what has been happening. There is lots more news out in Bird World. We will be back with you later on Saturday from what can only be called ‘Paradise’ – Guadeloupe. Take care everyone.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, images, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write this post today: ‘H, J, PB’, CROW, Barb Henry and the NEFL and EFL Eaglecam Watchers, Wings of Whimsy, Moorings Park, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, NZ DOC, Sharon Dunne
The blizzard, being noted as a historic one for parts of my province, blew and blew in the early hours of Friday morning. I do not know how much snow came with it. There were gusts when I was out feeding the birds, and the neighbour’s house was sometimes invisible. It is now late afternoon. The sky is a beautiful transparent Wedgwood Blue as the sun sets, casting a golden glow over the Japanese garden area. The Starlings are still here, along with several dozen sparrows. Little Red and a couple of grey squirrels have been gathering peanuts all day. Mr Blue Jay – yes, Junior is in the garden – was here at noon. Even the Crows came to criticize the food that was left by the time they arrived! I did not run out of cheesy dogs since I had none! They had quit eating them and only wanted peanuts for so long. Now I wonder what they are craving.
Tiny fawn arriving to go around the side of the house to the garden.
These are European Starling prints leading to the cat dish with kibble.
Oh, goodness. Brock is here eating! I have not seen him for four days. Talk about anxiety. That coupled with Beau and Gabby kept me awake at times when I should have been sleeping. I wonder if he were locked in somewhere? We try to take a digital image of every cat that we see eating at the feeders each day. We can also track them if they come in through the front and the video camera catches them and says ‘pet’. I can then check and take a screen capture. Well, this is a relief. Now maybe that second egg for Gabby will begin to pip!!!!!!!!!!!
This was the word from the moderator at NE Florida Friday afternoon: “Today is day 40 for egg 1 and day 36 for egg 2. With delayed incubation, if egg 1 doesn’t pip by tomorrow it likely won’t. We still have 3 days for egg 2.”
Later Friday afternoon:
I have had more than a couple of dozen e-mails with a similar question: If Gabby’s eggs do not hatch, will she take another mate? The answer is ‘yes’. Eagles are known to mate for life. If their partner dies, they take another mate. We have seen this over and over again. F23 is the new mate of M15 at SW Florida, for example. Yes, if there is a period of unsuccessful breeding, they might take another mate. Still, Jackie and Shadow stay together and Gabby has hung in there with Beau. We will have to wait and see what happens.
Only the eagles know if there are any little cheeps in those eggs. Egg 2 is 36 days old as I write. There is still hope for it and I am sending out tonnes of energy on Friday to them, good energy.
At Pine Island, the GHO is very bold. Not only knocking off the resident ospreys, but sitting on the perch staring at the three eggs! There are also Bald Eagles in the area. I am more than concerned for this nest. I won’t mention it again, but the presence of such a bold owl eyeing three eggs and thinking future fat chicks just makes me ill. Reminds me of several nests from 2024 including the Boat House, Lake Murray, and Cowlitz (eagle) amongst others.
In our data forms for 2024, owls accounted for the loss of 13 chicks, while Bald Eagles killed 5.
They are so cute. What is that song about ‘I can’t take my eyes off of you?’
Eggs coming soon at the Redding nest of Liberty and Guardian?
At Port Lincoln, Mum should receive some type of citation for really providing the food this year. She has completely surpassed Dad in terms of her abilities and the light on the barge significantly helped her earlier in the season when she could dive and bring a fish to the nest quickly. Kasse and Wilko owe their lives to her efforts. Of course, we cannot forget the Fish Fairies whose dedication to this nest has ensured fledglings over the past several years.
This was the tally for Friday in South Australia.
Jack has been working hard on that nest at Achieva. I wish that someone would reach out and fix those drain holes so that the eggs and/or chicks would not fall through them to the ground below.
Sally and Harry were at the nest before the rains came to Moorings Park.
Do you think we will have a family at the osprey platform at Captiva this year?
The view at Boulder. We will soon be counting down the days til the Ospreys arrive. It is less than two months for some hope for the really early birds in the UK but more like 2.5 months.
Both Eagles are working on their nest at Ft St Vrain, Colorado.
Thunder and Akecheta early Friday morning.
Beautiful family at SW Florida. M15 sitting on the perch being vigilant to protect his family. Look at those sweet babies. Tears. M15 certainly got a good mate to replace the much loved Harriet.
New from Kelly Sorenson on the remarkable year for the California Condors in 2024. They continue to treat the Condors for lead poisoning despite their efforts to provide free non-lead ammunition. Iniko 1035 was just released into the wild after being treated for lead toxicity at the LA Zoo.
There is outstanding news in the first paragraph. Congratulations to everyone at the VWS! They have worked harder and harder to achieve those figures. Let us all hope that the growth in fledgling chicks and their survival continues.
While I am not happy with GHOs, it appears eggs are being incubated at the Owl Cam! I know that some of you love them. Here is the link to that streaming cam: https://www.youtube.com/live/pxMQgmeROEM?
The winds have stopped gusting Friday evening and tomorrow I hope to get out and get some deer pellets. They have much more nutrition than the vegetables, fruit, and peanuts I have been leaving out for the deer. It is supposed to be super cold with a Polar Vortex visiting us. Send positive wishes to Brock, Star, and all of the garden animals as they navigate winter!
Calico also has some good news. She has developed a line of cards featuring the birds visiting the garden and our province’s nature areas. She has partnered with one local group that helps feral cats and their kittens to raise funds to buy food for them. This local fundraiser will be taking place in February. More news to follow!
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me write my post today: ‘EJ, Geemeff. Heidi, J’, NEFL-AEF, SW Florida Pine Island Osprey Cam, Window to Wildlife, FORE, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Bart M and the PLO, Achieva Credit Union, Moorings Park Osprey Cam, Boulder County Osprey Cam, Fort St Vrain Bald Eagle Cam, IWS/Explore, Androcat, Kistachie National Forest Eagle Cams, Raptor Resource Project/explore.org, The Two River Times, MN-DNR, Kelly Sorenson and the Ventana Wildlife Society, The Owl Cam, The Dodo, ABC4, Florida Keys Weekly,
First up: Nothing new to report at NE Florida. Some sad and glad news at the end of today’s post.
A great news story comes to us from one of our readers ‘EJ’. I think we all need to start off feeling good about the world! The eagle was frozen in the snow at the airport – check it out!
Good Morning. We hope that the week has been treating you well. The temperature warmed up on Tuesday to -14 C, but, gosh golly, it felt cold walking into a wind that cut right to the bone! We are expecting an Alberta Clipper to hit our province starting on Thursday. We will see how much snow and winds it will bring, but then….hold on. The wind chill factor for Saturday is set to be -40 or -45 C. We plan to stay home and ride our bicycle that day.
‘The Girls’ have no idea how blustery it is outside. Meanwhile my heart pangs for those poor dears living rough. There were four at the feeder today: Brock, Star, Squishy (one ear frozen and permanently folded down) and that little black cat from the fall. I haven’t seen that one for a bit.
Calico joined Baby Hope watching the squirrels run around the garden.
Last night I started reading Bob the Robin out loud. It is part of my ongoing attempts to find ways to engage Don in the daily activities of the house. Calico loves story time and she was right there. Gosh, I adore this cat.
As I write, The Girls are playing with a tiny stuffed mouse in the Conservatory. Baby Hope is the champion of picking it up and running away then, dropping it to see who will come and play with her. You would be right if you guessed it might be Hugo Yugo. These two love to play!!!!!!!!
I must say that I pace when I think of Gabby and Beau and their eggs. The AEF will be the official pip callers. They have lots of folks with eyes on those eggs 24/7. Gabby is not giving anything away.
Beau wanted to take over incubation and Gabby said a definitive ‘no’. I am hoping that means that one of those eaglets is working to get out of that shell!
The Es got a rabbit for breakfast – oh, goodness. Poor thing did not make it across the road. I wish these eagles would stay away from the areas where there is traffic. Maybe some good soul moved that rabbit to a safe place for them. That is what each of us should be doing. https://youtu.be/JnAejA5XU7o?
At Redding, Liberty is on the nest. Can we expect eggs soon? We wait to see.
Oh, those two at the WRDC nest of Ron and Rose. R7 and R8 lock beaks as fish is ready to be served!
The kids at the Captiva nest are changing quickly. Today you can see that dark charcoal thermal down that will help them regulate their own temperatures. Their pin feathers are coming in. That cuteness of a day ago is giving way to the ‘lanky’ look of a tall teenager (sorry for the stereotype).
They are also interested in pecking at the prey.
Eagle on the snowy ND-LEEF nest in South Bend Indiana.
Well, he is cute. His (or her) name is Skylar and he is the first hatch at the Dataw Eagle nest! https://youtu.be/wSZTtabDA5Y?
A visiting albatross got a sky call out of RLK at the Royal Albatross colony. The visitor wandered close to the nest with nothing happening and then smiled in the camera.
I love seeing RLK on the nest. OGK was my all-time favourite male in the colony. No one comes close to his endearing behaviour, sitting so long beside his daughter, Miss Pippa Atawhai. Gosh, I wonder how she is doing. At any rate, if you missed it, RLK is OGK’s son.
GLG has returned after 12 days of foraging to incubate their egg. RLK raises his head as he hears her. They will share time together and he will return to the sea hopefully to return safely.
At the Port Lincoln barge, it is windy Wednesday morning. Both fledglings on the nest hoping for some fish.
This was Tuesday’s tally. Kasse got more – unless Wilko is off fishing. Maybe he has found a treasure trove of puffers!!!!!!!
Politics has no place when it comes to trying to protect our planet. And yet, politics is the biggest driver to either progress or hindrance. Unbelievable. I doubt if anyone working on behalf of creating wetlands ever thought that beavers were so controversial.
We always need a smile and when I saw this posting I knew it had to go here today. Shadow.
Calico’s Tip for the Day: You can Save a Life. Please make this a habit. Snip all of these kinds of closures including those white tabs that come on some loaves of bread, the plastic that connects soda bottles, etc. So many birds feed at the landfill sites and they can die from our negligence. Please be pro-active!
Heidi is sending tragic news: “We had been told a few weeks ago that there had been a GHO at the osprey nest this past fall. At 21:25 on 1/14, an owl dragged F1 off the nest while she was incubating two eggs. We can still see one egg, and it is believed that the other egg is under some nesting. As of 03:00 on 1/15, F1 has still not returned to the nest. I worry for the future chicks at this nest.”
This is not a good start to the osprey season in North America.
There is good news coming out of West Africa for the Rutland Ospreys.
Thanks so much for being with us today. Please take care. We hope to see you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Heidi, J’, NEFL-AEF, FORE, wskrsnwngs, WRDC, Window to Wildlife, ND-LEEF, HDonTap, NZ DOC, Cornell Bird Lab, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Bart M and the PLO, The Guardian, Neil Laferty and FOBBV, Rutland Osprey Project
The Girls are the sunshine that brightens my day, that makes my heart beat a little faster, their presence helps me get through the day.
I was extremely happy to see that Persephone Books (Bath, UK) included mention of Raising Hare. Despite the fact that the focus was not on a bird, it was for me as well the most inspiring book – and the most well written and readable – of 2024.
You can change the subject and have Dani Connor Wild care for three Swedish red squirrel babies or someone else nurture little songbirds. The story is about caring and how nature gives it back to us triple-fold if we open our hearts.
Monday was day 36. Gabby’s gestation period ranges from 36.5-38 days with Samson. We are all very anxious.
Is there a tiny pip?
Still waiting very anxiously at NE Florida.
One of my oldest and closest friends lives in New Zealand. I was told that Christchurch is culling 1000 Canada Geese. It is a nice name for killing them. How angry am I? And now Geemeff sends me this:
“Fined $6,000 NZ (£2,700 GBP) ($3,350 USD) for destroying an entire colony of supposedly protected birds. He repeatedly drove a digger through the colony, killing chicks, destroying eggs and nests leading to the adults abandoning the area. No custodial sentence, and only a derisory fine. Come on New Zealand, you can do better than that – otherwise your so-called species protection is worth nothing.
Boy, do I agree with that sentiment BUT we must all get better. I don’t want my heart to break as Claudio, my partner on the International Data Osprey Project, recently told me was going to happen. More birds, more wildlife are going to die. It is getting hotter, water, food, land – it is all diminishing.
They are the cutest little eaglets. Clive and Connie, you make gorgeous babies.
What a darling.
Full crops at SW Florida, too!
E24 has walked across the nest. What a milestone!
Oh, but we cannot forget what is happening at the WRDC nest…welcome you two cutie pies. https://youtu.be/H8yEaO_lhe4?
At Port Lincoln, Mum has consistently stepped up to feed her kids this year. Yesterday, she brought two fish to the nest, one for Wilko and one for Kasse.
Both had some fish! Yeah.
There is live streaming for Golden Eagles in Japan and the birds are coming to a snowy nest.
Jackie and Shadow have been adding soft materials for the egg cup in their nest. Can we send so much positive energy to this amazing couple in the hope that they have an eaglet to raise this year? https://youtu.be/dBqYv6Or7m4?
If there is anything I have learned from the raptors, it is that they ‘just get on with it.’ Adversity does not hold them up. Right now, it is easy to despair and feel huge eco-anxiety while we watch California burn. It leaves us feeling helpless. I like the spirit in this next article and I hope that it speaks to some of you. We do just need to get out there and do something! Who knows what might happen.
Calico’s Tip for the Day: Join with Language Nerds and their poster and learn a new vocabulary this week related to birds. How many did you already know?
A reminder:
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, articles, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, H, J’, Persephone Books, NEFL-AEF, Birdguides.com, Window to Wildlife, SW Florida Eagle Cam, The Guardian, Heidi Mc, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Bart M and the PLO, Eagle Cam, SK Hideaway, OpenVerse, Bird Kingdom, Language of Birds, Earthables
Morning Update: R8 still hatching at Dade. R7 is a day old. Thanks for the great capture Heidi!
We woke up to the softest white snow Saturday morning. It was -14 C, which is lovely—cool but not freezing. The sun was out, the sky was a pearl grey-white.
We had an ‘interesting’ drive through the park Saturday afternoon. We love seeing the deer, but today was anxiety-provoking. A man with a dog on lead was provoking the deer. We drove slowly, parked behind the incident and didn’t leave. I always wonder why humans feel that they can threaten or hurt wild animals.
The garden is honoured by the continuing presence of a rabbit, one of a long line of rabbits to visit us. The video camera at the front of the house also recorded three deer visits, none of them the buck with the single antler from the other evening. My heart burns a little warmer.
Closer to home The Girl’s got two new toys. A tunnel with a mesh where they can see their sibling and a tiny rocking dome with some wiggly toys. Hugo Yugo and Baby Hope checked it out.
It is day 34 for egg 1 at NE Florida. If we think of the ‘average’ hatch between 36-38.5 days, we have two to four days to go until this little one hatches. It is getting excited.
What I can tell you is that the eggs at NE Florida are getting rolled and Gabby is being extremely vigilant in her duties. No pip as of Saturday afternoon that I am aware.
Those eaglets of Ron and Rose are really strong! This one hatched at 1016 Saturday. There is a tiny bit of shell stuck to its wing. Oh, my. What a little sweetheart. OK. Maybe to us. I bet its sibling might think otherwise!!!!!
Heidi sends word that there is indeed a pip for R8. Wow. These two will hatch close together and from the looks of it, this is a good thing. R7 is a really strong eaglet. So happy. We need good DNA, great parenting, lots of prey, and blessings as Avian Flu roars its ugly head around the world for the winter (again).
Chase brought Cholyn a fish Saturday morning and got his foot caught on the nest. He managed OK! Thank goodness. Chase and Cholyn are one of the oldest bonded couples in the Bald Eagle community. https://youtu.be/6b4Nsskhzzk?
Here is a very thoughtful video on the illegal release of the lynx. What we need to understand about the illegal releases, why a balanced landscape is important, and the history of the animals that used to live in the area. Why did the lynx go extinct? https://youtu.be/teu8i5vlUWo?
Bird flu – HPAI and H5N1 – are spreading around the world during the winter. I worry for each of our families and, of course, all species. They have enough challenges already.
Calico’s Tip for the Day: Make Time for Story Time even if you are a teenager, an adult, or someone living alone (read to a friend). Reading to Calico with the soft sounds of the words got her to trust me and, as we now know, that trust grew into her joining us in our home. An article in The New York Times speaks to how reading aloud to someone can create intimacy. Calico adds that it is also ‘together time’ ‘analog time’ – and it can be very meaningful and supportive. Why not join us in story time? Make it a part of your life’s routine.
There are Beautiful Trumpeter Swans in Yellowstone. We have a pair that live in Manitoba—remember, we can be colder than Mars—at an Artesian spring north of our City.
Calico ordered three new books from me that she thinks might be good for our family story time. Here they are, and I will keep you posted once we have read them.
Polly Atkin loves owls. They are neighbours to the 17th century property she lives in at Grasmere in the Lake District. Her early observations led her to research the owls. Ms Atkin has a chronic illness and these owls are now her intimate friends and companions. Many of us can relate to these relationships.
This is another book about how a Robin became an intimate friend year after year. A description on the Internet lead me to believe that this book is one that we would enjoy.
A description in New River Books intrigued me. “Each month in The Blackbird’s Song, Miles Richardson delves into the science and mythology behind our relationship with nature, exploring everything from our kinship with plants to the way in which nature influences our moods. Along the way, he offers a range of activities to help us access the benefits of the natural world. Whether it be ‘joy-watching’ birds, rediscovering wonder, foraging for Christmas crafts or going on an urban safari, this book contains all the tools and inspiration you need to unlock the transformative power of nature and find real meaning in your life.”
This reminds me slightly of the new book by Margaret Renkl which is the journal included in my listing of books from 2024.
Pets being rescued in southern California. Thinking about the wildlife…
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please check on all those eagle nests as the chicks have hatched at various dates and are at different developmental stages. At Superbeaks, Barron is eating and finding ways around Keke to get his food. At Captiva and SW Florida there is so much food there has not been an issue around the amount of prey one chick gets over the other. Behaviour can be observed and watching these eaglets is a good way to learn about how they change as they grow – wings, feet, plumage, bills, etc. The only osprey nests have fledglings. There is some interest in bonding and mating at some of the Florida osprey nests, but as far as I know there are no eggs yet. Take care of yourself. We will see you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, questions, posts, images, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, J, MP’, NEFL-AEF, WRDC, BVSgirl, FORE, Androcat, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Bart M and the PLO, Ferris Akel Tour, The New York Times, Raptor Persecution UK, Leave Curious, Channel 5 Belize, Yellowstone National Park, New River Books, Amazon, Chief Miller, International Bird Rescue, UKOsprey Information
Very sad news has come forward late Sunday. I have decided to publish this posting tonight and not Monday morning. I know that each of you will feel as gutted as I do now. Dear SE33 is the first raptor on the Memorial Wall for 2025.
It breaks my heart to bring you this news. SE 33 was euthanised. This beautiful White-bellied Sea Eagle fledgling was found injured.
Brock is eating his lunch and Star has already visited the outdoor feeder so all is right with the feral cat community. There really are only two – the others are domestic pets let out by their owners to roam. They are kept inside when the temperature hits -25 C as it did this morning. I continue to hope that Star and Brock have homes in the spring – whether it is inside with us or with another loving family.
The cold weather continues. It is also icy and it was nice to get the thumbs up from my daughter about the exercise bike. In the warmer weather we certainly build up our leg muscles. It is frightening how quickly that muscle can go. Or as my mother’s hip surgeon said to me after he had operated and she was refusing to walk – “If you don’t use it, you will lose it!” That thought has stuck in my mind.
There are not nearly as many birds coming to the feeders. That may change if it warms up some, but where do they go? And what do they eat? Or do they eat what they need and then return to whatever warm spot they have found? I don’t know.
‘J’ has asked me not to identify the eagle nesting table as theirs. Apologies. They simply sent the work of Eagle Nest Date Charts so that we would all be aware of the upcoming events; there was no intention to claim it as their own as I might have implied. Thank you to Eagle Nest Date Charts – your work really helps us keep focused.
My inbox is always packed with questions about donations. I feel awkward advising individuals about particular institutions, streaming cams, etc., but I will tell you how I decide, and then you can test that yourself. I donate locally first. Why? Because I can check on their work and see if it is something I value. For example, the new vet at Wildlife Haven is incredible. I met her during the fall Open House. Dr Tess is from Arizona, and she has been here for at least a year. She is the one who said that we do not know enough about wildlife and what they can do. So why not a three-legged deer? She is working on a Snapping Turtle and has built a little device to raise its shell back into the correct shape. (Shells are to be hard, but due to poor quality food, this turtle’s shell is soft). I avoid large charities where the CEO makes millions that should go to the wildlife in the agency’s care. For streaming cams, which ones get out and help the birds? I know that you can answer this one yourself!!!!!!!!! I mean helping them when they need help and working hard to get a permit. Let’s see, we recently saw the removal of twine at Captiva. Then there is our superhero out on the Channel Islands, Dr Sharpe, who cannot retire because no one can replace him, and he is too dedicated to the eagles. That is the Institute of Wildlife Studies. Port Lincoln Osprey and Friends of Osprey South Australia do a bang-up job with your $20 enrollments and funds for the fish fairies. You have to look at the platforms they are installing. So, there you go. That is my list and why these particular places are unique to me. You will have your list, but think hard before you give away your dollars, Euros, or yen.
The necroscopy for Lucina, the female Golden Eagle at Bucovina in Romania has been released. She was healthy, showed no signs of outward harm. Lucina died of rodenticide poisoning. Human caused. Such a loss. Lady Hawk covered news of this nest after contacting the owner several years ago. She published the findings along with some beautiful footage of this gorgeous eagle: https://youtu.be/UDQg1UkTy28?
The Golden Eagle in Romania. It is one of the rarest birds. I don’t think anyone suspected rodenticide poisoning when Lucina was found dead. This is a huge tragedy and individuals in this area need to stop using rodenticide and let the owls and other raptors do their jobs catching vermin. Raptors really are the solution.
Our hearts go out to all those who loved this beautiful Golden Eagle. We lost so many in 2024.
I am very nervous about the upcoming hatch at NE Florida because I do not know how Beau is going to react to the hatchlings or if he will bring sufficient food for them and Gabby. The bottle of Gaviscon is out on the counter along with the worry beads.
At Port Lincoln, Kasse cleaned up on the fish on Sunday! They are still waiting for fish on Monday as I write this.
All is well at the Captiva Bald Eagle nest of Connie and Clive. The eaglets are growing and growing. No shortage of prey.
It is similarly good at the SW Florida Bald Eagle nest of M15 and F23.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. See you on Tuesday!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, images, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post this evening: ‘Geemeff, J, MP’, Eagle Cam, Lady Hawk, Romania.Insider, Milvus Group, NEFL-AEF, Bart M and the PLO, Window to Wildlife, SW Florida Eagle Cam, The Real Saunders Photography, SK Hideaways
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
Oh, how lovely for you to be here with us. I know that many are busy preparing for the holidays, as Christmas and Hanukkah fall on the 25th of December this year. It can be the most hectic and wondrous of times. So, thank you.
We had a joyful day with our granddaughter. It is always so nice to see her. She is heading off to Australia in a few days to visit a lad. I am thinking it is serious! Time will tell.
The Crows were quick to tell me that they were wanting more cheesy dogs this morning. Gosh, they can be louder than an alarm clock! It doesn’t matter. Both were here along with everyone else. The heated food and water dish is working so well. I highly recommend it to anyone in a cold climate like ours who is feeding outdoor cats (or other animals – the squirrels are enjoying the water, too).
I had a very welcome letter from David Hancock. He is busy writing a book and part of it will include musings about the Eagle Man, Charles Broley. Some of you will recall that I wrote about Broley a few years ago. Broley was the manager of a bank not far from where I live in Winnipeg. On his retirement, he began watching birds. More important, he became ‘THE’ authority on Bald Eagles travelling to Florida where he banded 2000 eaglets. His writings helped others understand these amazing birds.
As it happens, I have been given photographs of Broley, a signed copy of his book Eagle Man, and some eagle feathers from one of the nests where he ringed the birds. I can help David this way – and it is a great honour. While Broley is Hancock’s hero, Hancock has made such a massive difference to Bald Eagles in Canada that he deserves a similar title. One of his latest ventures has been to build shades for the eagle nests in British Columbia, recognising that the climate is getting very hot in that region and that heat is jeopardising their lives.
There were no bucket trucks in the 1940s and 50s to get Broley to the top of the trees to ring those eaglets and check on the nests. He had to climb them often using a makeshift ladder.
We are beginning Bald Eagle season, and it is a good time to think about Charles Broley and what he taught us about these amazing raptors. I am attaching a report he wrote that changed how individuals understood Bald Eagle migration. It is informative and still applicable today.
There are continued worries about Gabby’s behaviour. Gabby is wise. Some think she is ill but I think the fish she brought to the nest was a reminder to Beau that you don’t just incubate you have to bring lots of prey to the nest. Gabby knows best – I hope she isn’t sick, but that she would rather let the eaglets not hatch as starve if Beau isn’t ready.
Earlier Gabby flew into the nest with a fish scaring Beau who has been valiant in his efforts at incubating the eggs. https://youtu.be/Ja6jHVpMha4?
Gabby eats the fish but does not incubate the eggs.
Gabby was high up in the tree and not incubating Sunday night. Will the eggs be abandoned? https://youtu.be/nEt5bU7_TsQ?
In the Big Bear Valley, one of the most beloved couples (if not the most loved) has been caught on camera mating. Positive wishes for this to be their year to raise another eaglet! https://youtu.be/acHqB32wqkM?
The Ventana Wildlife Society works hard to provide non-lead ammunition and still the Condors suffer from lead poisoning. All hunting, fishing, and military equipment should be lead-free. It is not rocket science. Just do it! Where is the compassion for all carrion eaters that will end the manufacture of this deadly ammunition?
Cal Falcons has upgraded its camera.
All is well at the SW Florida Eagle nest of M15 and F23 while eggs are incubating elsewhere. They had an intruder earlier, but it had left. The wee ones are full and doing well.
M15 and F23 are remarkable parents. I have said this many times. They are like the best synchronized swimmers. They work together to feed the eaglets, M15 provides lots of prey, and F23 is diligent in her care. You never get an uneasy feeling.
At Hilton Head the GHOs appear to have abandoned their idea of occupying the eagle nest. Gracie and George are very busy getting that nest whipped into shake for breeding season. https://youtu.be/mNNTjwsL75E?
Liberty and Guardian are working just as hard trying to get a new nest ready in time for their eggs after their other nest tree finally collapsed.
There were fish enough on Sunday at Port Lincoln and it looks as though Kasse and Wilko had about equal meals. Thank goodness for Mum who has proved herself more than worthy of all honours for ‘Mum of the Year’.
It looks as though Kasse has found leftovers on the nest.
I hope that many more fish come to this nest on Monday.
Thank you so much for being with me today. Please take care. We hope to see you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, images, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘J, KM’, The Wilson Bulletin, NEFL-AEF, Deb Stecyk, The Ventana Wildlife Society, SK Hideaways, Cal Falcons, SW Florida Eagle Cam, Hilton Head Land Trust, FORE, Bart M and the PLO, Port Lincoln Ospreys
I hope this posting finds all of you well and happy.
We are getting so excited. Solstice arrives on Sat, Dec 21, 2024, 3:19 a.m. on the Canadian Prairies. The animals will get all of their gifts. Our offerings to the Garden Animals will be finished Friday morning. So grateful that Brock’s heated food dishes have arrived! What a relief. Let us hope that it works in this dreadful cold. The Girls and Brock will have a roast chicken dinner to fill them to their whiskers.
Cookies and cakes are at hand. Food and snacks are ready for Saturday. Then on Sunday our granddaughter will be here with us. She is heading to Australia to see a lovely lad she met in Paris who has been to Winnipeg already. It must be serious.
Brock’s heated bowls.
Hugo Yugo has taken her last pain treatment, is eating well, resting, and playing. She did well thanks to all of your good wishes!
News is scant in Bird World with only one eagle nest with eaglets and all others either incubating or bare of eggs still. The North American Osprey season begins in Florida, but not yet and the European and UK birds are still wintering as are those from North America that do not migrate. The Australian osplets have fledged and it is not hawk and falcon season yet as winter hangs upon us still.
I continue to be completely dismayed that our beautiful raptors continue to be killed over Scotland when it is highly illegal to do so. Precisely why do the Legislators and Judges permit this to continue?
Liberty and Guardian love pre-dawn bonding. The collapse of their long time nest did not deter them from moving on. Lessons that we should learn. https://youtu.be/lIuiKfq-dkU?
Mum, Wilko, and Kasse on the nest at Port Lincoln waiting for fish.
Supplementary fish were delivered on Friday. Each chick had some food. Yes!
Kasse and Wilko on the nest on a blustery Saturday morning. Before the winds got up, Wilko tried catching a fish. Incredible. Wonder if both fledglings watched Mum fish successfully from the nest?
Fish fairy delivery came early on Saturday.
Requests continue to go out for any sighting of the female from the South Australian Coobowie Osprey nest.
The SW Florida nest is full of pieces of huge fish. These two little ones, E24 and E25 will never starve as long as M15 is around.
I love ‘A’s narratives: “F23 is not as diligent with E25 as M15 is, but dad is making sure the younger hatch is eating well. The little one is three and a half days younger than E24, which is a really significant gap for it to make up, but the size gap is not significant. Indeed, there are times when their egg teeth offer the easiest way to tell them apart! At other times, the development of thermal down is more evident on E24, while E25 is still covered in baby fluff. But the baby is feisty, starting some of the rumbles itself and standing up for itself during others. It does not seem to me that E25 is being prevented from eating by E24, though F23 does sometimes take the easier path and concentrates on the nearest beak, usually E24’s. Certainly, there are plenty of feedings (approximately 10 today) and both parents are involved in feeding duties (fortunately for E25). Our hero M15 is as always taking care of his younger hatch, and I continue to have confidence in him. “
Let us hope that Beau turns out to be as good at providing family meals as he is currently at incubating. That would be grand. Meanwhile, Gabby has had to protect her eggs against a squirrel.
‘A’ is thinking the same as I am: “At NEFL, Gabby has allowed Beau to incubate since soon after 3pm. At 3am, he is still on the nest, doing overnight incubation duties for the very first time. Gabby is sleeping soundly on Wallenda, very nearby of course but trusting Beau to care for the precious eggs. She is giving him increasing responsibility in that regard, presumably preparing him for the chicks to come. It is lovely to watch the bond growing between this pair, whose romance has been a slow-burning affair that is finally coming to fruition this season. We have such high hopes for this nest. “
Gorgeous female at John Bunker Sands has her two eggs to incubate. Thanks ‘MP’ for the screen capture.
The scene at the Midway Atoll where the Laysan Albatross are looking for their mate.
Have you ever seen a budgie have a shower? Did you know how much they loved it? Compliments of ‘J’.
Thank you so much for being with us today. 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, J, MP’, Raptor Persecution UK, SK Hideaways, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Bart M and the PLO, Friends of Osprey Sth Aus, SW Florida Eagle Cam, NEFL-AEF, Friends of Midway Atoll Wildlife Refuge, John Bunker Sands Wetlands Eagle Cam, Robert Fuller, The Guardian
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
