As most of you know, I write my blog the afternoon and evening prior to the morning I publish it. I have had countless letters and notes today and a couple of comments wondering why isn’t anyone searching for Harriet. I do not know who began spreading the idea that there was no one looking for Harriet. Harriet is one of the most famous Bald Eagles in the world. She is beloved by the Pritchett family and thousands and thousands of watchers. She is known throughout Fort Myers. All of the news media – papers, radio, and TV news have covered the story of Harriet missing. People have been out searching. Here is one story that is carried about those searches.
Saturday was one of the most heart-wrenching days I have spent monitoring a single nest while trying to keep up with some of the others. We are all sad. You are, I am, the Pritchett’s are. My thoughts have gone to M15 who is actively grieving for his mate and yet, has the responsibility for their last two eaglets. He brought in a fish big enough for all three to eat well this morning but, as we all know, 22 ate it all. 21 got little as I document below. It pulls at our heart. M15 will look after these children as best he can. He has other responsibilities too – while not knowing what has happened to Harriet. It is a very different situation to Gabby who had no eaglets on the nest. We do not know what will happen if 21 continues to keep 22 from eating. There are many scenarios at play with lots of people behind the scenes trying to figure out what is the best thing to do. All I know is that the Pritchett family cares deeply for its eagles. They have a stocked pond for them. They got help for 17 and 18’s eyes immediately. Those eagles are part of their extended family. If anyone can pull a Rabbit out of a Hat, the Pritchett’s can working together with CROW and the USFWS. The best place for the eaglets is on the nest with their dad, M15. I hope that there is a sudden change in 21 because 22 needs food and it is scared of its stronger and larger sibling. At the same time, M15 will, as eagles do, feed the beak that is at the table. I live in the hope that something good will happen.
I spent my Saturday on and off the SWFlorida Eagle Cam. All of the other nests appear to be fine. It is agonising to watch 22 being so hungry, digging through the nest for scraps when 21 has been fed well and has kept its little sibling from being fed by M15. 22 was able to get enough off the bones and fish by itself to get a small crop. I want 22 is a survivor like Tiny Tot Tumbles and Blue 464. Certainly 22 is as afraid of eating as TTT was…we just have to hope. The good news and celebration is down in Miami with Rose and Ron. And well, the fact that everyone else is doing well including Zoe who has a perch above a creek makes everyone happy. The first part of my blog is a long overview of SWFlorida today. Then I move into the other nests and all the great news happening elsewhere.
The temperatures are climbing on the Canadian Prairies with the Polar Vortex moving away. There is little wind. The squirrels were out in the garden enjoying a good feed.
You can see some of the snow falling. Dyson is on top heading for a solid seed cylinder while one of her babies is enjoying Black Oil Seed and some Butter Bark Bites.
M15 flew in with a large fish with its head on at 12:15:04 on Saturday. E21 was first up and did not hold back keeping its younger sibling in submission. As it ate and ate, E22 sort of shifted, keeping its head down, hoping there might be some fish left. E21 as I write has been feeding for a long time. M15 constantly looking around, keeping what is going on in the surrounding environment in his head. 21 is getting some huge bites. If you were watching – and thousands are – you will see that 22 finally moved up and got a bite – before 21 reached out to peck it. M15 left the nest and the rest of the fish.
E21 has been eating for at least 30 minutes and has a huge crop. M15 does a good job feeding his eaglet amidst all the other worries he has.
M15 waited for 22 to come over. 21 is stuffed and appears to be ready to go into food coma. 22 is looking.
The famous two bites of fish for 22.
At 13:03, just as 22 was set to eat, 21 goes on the attack.
M15 flies off. He is very preoccupied with the intruders into his territory. Don’t blame him! It is difficult to care for the eaglets, secure food, and secure the air space around the nest.
n the midst of his own personal grieving, M15 is taking care of his eaglets and his territory. He is an extraordinary dad and he will do the best he can BUT he cannot pull 22 up to the table to eat. There might be some tactics he could use but he has a lot on his plate and has no mate to help him.
The story continues with E22 finding fur and an old fish tail in the nest and self-feeding. Now get over to the new fish, 22. You got this!
E21 is aroused and is practically sleeping on the fresh fish..
22 creeps over with the fish tail towards the fresh fish and 21 strikes. This reminds me of Tiny Tot Tumbles. TTT ate the old food on the nest and survived until a time when the parent fed her secretly after dark when the other two slept. Fingers crossed that 22 can get a piece of that fish…there are two sections, the body and tail and the head. Plenty for both eaglets. A22 is desperately trying to self-feed. He just doesn’t have the technique down…hold it down with your talons and pull hard, 22!
E21 went back and 22 continued to work on the fish tail. He has gotten some fish off it – even a few bites helps. Every bite helps.
Then 21 took the fish tail. That was a moment when I felt someone had just hit me in the gut. How could he deny 22 that small morsel of fish? He took it and then just left it.
22 finally got over to the fresh fish and began picking at the head – not the open part – without success.
Then M15 flew to the nest at 14:18:39. I wonder if he saw 22 at the fish wanting food? But leave it to 21 – who is still bursting – to go up and begin pecking 22. Sad. Will 22 get some food?
It is possible we need another fish on this nest…22 is still not getting any and 21 is bursting at the crop. Sometimes if another fish comes on in rapid succession and if the parent won’t give up, the second submissive eaglet gets to eat. You have seen this at other nests. M15 doesn’t have the time to get out and get another fish. We are fortunate he was able to catch that big one this morning.
M15 flew off the nest at 14:49. 21 is in food coma (thank goodness). 22 moves over to self-feed. He found some scraps and is working on a piece. This is good. If M15 flew down now would 21 wake up? or would 22 get fed? We don’t know the answer to that but 22 is getting some flakes of fish. As I said earlier, even small amounts of fish help and we know that 22 ate some of the old fur and dried up rabbit. Bald Eagles eat anything and everything. As an adult, they will eat fur and bones and hard pieces of food to survive if they need to. IF 22 survives, he has been learning some good lessons on this nest for his future. I do hope he does but, it is not a given based on what is happening.
22 pecks and finds some bites until 21 wakes up and comes to investigate at 14:57 when it beaks little sib. 21’s crop is huge.
At 15:39 E22 broke into an area of the fish with flakes…can he get enough to fill up?
At 15:46, E22 could be heard singing, “I Did It My Way” as the little sibling had found enough scraps on the nest and the fish – he is really not that good at self-feeding but 22 worked at it – and he had a small crop. A round of applause. This is the face of a survivor.
It is 18:08, M15 is guarding the territory. He has brought in one large fish and did 3 feedings. Or was it 4? 21 got all of the them but a couple of bites while 22 ate scraps on the nest.
We must prepare ourselves. It is possible that only one eaglet will survive with Harriet’s absence. It is difficult raising eaglets – this size – alone – and I also believe we must accept that Harriet is not returning. If 21 were willing to let 22 get a good feed, I might feel different. But 21 is not willing to share. We wait. We Hope. There is absolutely nothing else we can do as we have no idea what discussions are taking place in the quiet corners of the Pritchett Farm, CROW offices, and USFWS. We know the situation is being monitored and we know that there is a search for Harriet.
Making News:
PG&E backs down from cutting down old pine with a nest to a pair of Bald Eagles. Thank goodness the eagles returned to the nest when they did or the outcome would have been different!
Oh, I wish I lived in Iowa! Do you know anyone who might be interested?
If this doesn’t turn someone’s stomach. What was practised in the UK’s historical past has met up with a society that no longer finds this acceptable. When will the enforcers step up and do what is right? Raptor Persecution UK reports on this tragedy:
The rotting carcasses of shot pheasants, ducks and geese have been found today, dumped on the Otley Wetlands Nature Reserve in West Yorkshire.
Morgan Caygill (@atypicalbirder) posted the following on Twitter this afternoon:
From the grisly photograph it’s clear that at least some of these birds have been ‘breasted’ (i.e. the breast meat has been removed, presumably for consumption).
It’s not clear whether the birds were all shot on the nature reserve or whether they had been shot elsewhere and just dumped on the reserve. It seems unlikely that bird shooting would be permitted on this award-winning reserve as it’s previously been celebrated as a ‘safe haven for wildlife’ (here).
Even if shooting is permitted here, however, the dumping of shot bird corpses would not be permitted. It’s an especially stupid and reckless thing to do given the ongoing concerns about the spread of avian flu.
Regular blog readers will know that the dumping of shot gamebirds is not a new phenomenon, it’s been happening up and down the country for years, prior to this latest outbreak of avian flu: e.g. in Cheshire, Scottish borders (here), Norfolk (here), Perthshire (here), Berkshire (here), North York Moors National Park (here) and some more in North York Moors National Park (here) and even more in North Yorkshire (here), Co. Derry (here), West Yorkshire (here), and again in West Yorkshire (here), N Wales (here), mid-Wales (here), Leicestershire (here), Lincolnshire (here), Somerset (here), Derbyshire’s Peak District National Park (here), Suffolk (here), Leicestershire again (here), Somerset again (here), Liverpool (here), even more in North Wales (here) even more in Wales, again (here), in Wiltshire (here) in Angus (here), in Somerset again (here) and once again in North Yorkshire (here).
‘Shoot managers must ensure they have appropriate arrangements in place for the sale or consumption of the anticipated bag in advance of all shoot days‘.
The Code of Good Shooting Practice is, however, in effect, just advice. It has no legal standing and is unenforceable. It’s handy for the shooting industry to point to it as ‘evidence’ that the industry is capable of self-regulation but it’s not really worth the paper it’s written on if shoot managers can breach it without consequence, as they so often do.
Last year, almost a year to the day, after yet another episode of dumped shot game birds, there was an exchange in the House of Lords where game bird shooter and DEFRA Minister Lord Benyon denied that there was evidence of shot gamebirds being dumped (I know!) and Lord Newby, having seen the evidence provided by this blog, stated he would pursue Benyon to find out what plans the Government had for dealing with it (see here). Unfortunately nothing ever came of that but in December 2022 Green Peer Natalie Bennett said she’d chase it up with Benyon.
Raptor Persecution UK Blog, 4 February 2023
At our nests:
Well, everyone was waiting and most people thought it wouldn’t happen but Rose laid her first egg at the WRDC nest with her new mate, Ron. Congratulations to everyone at WRDC and thanks to ‘H’ who warned me that Rose might be in labour. While I will question the wisdom of raising eaglets so late in the season with the heat, the saying ‘Eagles know best’ is appropriate here. Time: 18:22:10.
Ron has not seen his egg as I finish writing this (2300 Saturday evening). He will, no doubt, be elated in the morning!
HeidiM caught the action on video for us. Thanks ‘H’. Does anyone think Rose looks like she is in shock? Remember this will be the first egg she has ever laid…and her very first chick. Ron is experienced…so happy for him. The pair were so cute working on the nest – all that effort is now paying off.
Pardon me for being me…but I hope that they have one healthy little eaglet to care for this first year – not two or three, just one super healthy chick.
Baiba caught Ron’s reaction! Thanks, ‘H’ for telling me about this video.
Little B16 celebrates its two week old hatch! What a little sweet butterball of a baby.
Pa Berry feeds his baby some squirrel. Two weeks. Notice those black spots…thermal down is coming and our soft little butterball of a baby is going to change.
Connick had a good day. That eaglet is a little butterball like B16. Some people would say he looks like a Buddha sitting there. Notice that gorgeous wooly charcoal thermal down and the way the dandelions form almost a hooded cape over the little fellow. I keep saying….there is something nice about one eaglet on a nest!
Rhona A did an amazing little video clip of Alex bringing in the 15 fish yesterday – I missed the last one. 15. No worries about anyone going hungry on this nest. Lots of fish for self-feeding. Would love to send one or two of these over to SWFlorida or to Zoe.
Valentine and Nugget (yes, that is the official name for 02) are great. There is so much fish on that nest no one knows where to start eating and feeding. Did I saw I wish we could dump about 5 of them on the nest at SWFlorida? That would stop all the food insecurity for 21!
Next Friday, voting will begin for Anna and Louis’s third hatch in their three years together. Be sure to stop in and vote! Give this little one a super name.
Oh, if you are wondering what 03 is doing – well, it is incubating Dudley. 03 often sits on Dudley and we might need a backpack for 03 to fledge with Dudley if the affection continues. If you watch this nest, keep an even on 03’s behaviour. Sometimes Dudley is between his legs when he is being fed. So cute.
And there are no worries about Indigo. Indigo is still in Diamond and Xavier’s territory and was in the scrape screaming in Elain’s highlights for 4 February.
For all you Redding Eagle fans, there is some action at the nest caught by SK Hideaways.
Zoe is apparently fine. She is alive and this is the latest announcement by Fran Solly of Friends of Osprey. Thanks, ‘H’ for the tip that the tracking had come in!
Fran Solly says that Zoe has a perch over the water. Smart girl our Zoe.
The latest news shows images of where Zoe has been fishing. You know, she is a smart girl! Here is the announcement and one of the images. Sure makes you feel better. I wonder if these creeks aren’t full due to the flooding???? Anyone know?
What I would really like right now is an update on Ervie. Let me go and check to see if there is one and, yes, one from a couple of days ago. Ervie is still hanging around Port Lincoln!
Everything is fine at Superbeaks. The eaglets are self-feeding and being fed by Mum and Dad.
Jackie and Shadow are good except for the Ravens/Crows that you can hear at various times when you are watching the streaming cam. We are now 10 days away from pip watch for Jackie and Shadow. I am so glad these eagles have spaced out their eggs and hatch days a bit! Then we can enjoy the little ones at each nest a little longer. What a switch from the heat in Miami to the cool mountains of California with snow.
Do you watch the Bluff City, Tennessee Bald Eagle Nest? Frances laid her first egg of the season with her new mate on the 2nd of February. If there is a second egg, it should arrive today. Her new mate brings her a huge fish to celebrate —– gosh, Ron, did you hear that? Will you bring Rose a big fish, too?
Here is the link to this Eastern Tennessee University eagle cam:
It has been a long and tiring day for everyone. Last year was an exceptionally difficult one and this year has started off no different with the loss of Samson and Alden right at the end of 2022. I cannot imagine Harriet returning to the nest. ‘Something’ has happened to her and we might never know what that was. She was a devoted mother. She was much loved and no doubt we will mourn her later but, for now, it is that helpless feeling. Send positive wishes to the SWFlorida Eagle nest – M15 and 21 and 22 and the Pritchett Family. It is a difficult time for all of them.
Thank you so much for being with me today. Take care. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, their announcements, tweets, posts, videos, and streaming cams: ‘H’, SWFlorida Eagle Cam and D Pritchett, Terry Carman and Bald Eagles Live Nest Cams and News, Raptor Persecution UK, WRDC, Heidi Mc and the WRDC, Baiba and the WRDC, Berry College Eagle Cam, Window to Wildlife, KNF-E3, KNF-E1, Elain and Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, SK Hideaways and the Redding Eagles, Fran Solly and Friends of Osprey, Port Lincoln Osprey, Superbeaks, FOBBV, and ETSM and BTES.
Friday was a long and horrible day with Little Boots passing and all the unknowns about Harriet. More than 2400 were watching for any news of Harriet as M15 was defending his chicks against the intruder. This is a very difficult situation because our much loved Harriet has not been home for over 40 hours. My stomach is wrenching and my concentration is not always focused. The cries of M15 just are eating at me. As I write this, I have to be honest. I do not believe that Harriet is just off on a spin. I believe that something has happened to her – either injured or dead, she is not returning to her eaglets and M15. I do not believe that any female, as experienced as Harriet is, leaves their eaglets at this stage of their development voluntarily – spa days or not. And I want to be very, very wrong – the kind of wrong where someone would throttle me with a pile of rotten tomatoes.
Many of you have written wondering if there is an organised search party. Harriet’s status as missing has made all of the news outlets and is being broadcast widely. If she is injured or seen, surely we will find out something later on Saturday bearing in mind that it is a large area and nothing has been seen of Samson yet. Harriet is a Fort Myers celebrity and I can only image ‘everyone’ that knows the situation is looking for here every minute they are outside.
M15 up on the branch. His calls for Harriet really pull at our hearts. His mate of 8 years, raising beautiful eaglets together.
M15 fed both the eaglets from the rabbit in the morning. E21 ate first and, as is happening, 22 went into submission. After 21 went into food coma, M15 fed E22 and it wound up with a nice crop, too. So both eaglets had enough food for a crop and during the day slept and were oblivious to everything we are worrying about.
At one point, M15 flew down and mantled the eaglets protecting them from the intruder. That intruder stayed up high on the tree for several areas.
It appears more likely that M15 will have to do everything – and we must remember, M15 is hungry, too. He is now prey provider, nest security, eaglet feeder – and all the other things that two parents divide. It is not easy. It is especially not easy if there is an intruder about. Thankfully 21 and 22 are not wee babes.
E22 practising some self feeding after being fed some of the rabbit that M15 brought to the nest. The question in my mind is: can M15 be everything to these eaglets that they need if there is an intruder about? Can he not only provide security but, what about hunting for prey? Could carrion be left at the pond or somewhere as my friend ‘A’ suggested to me earlier this evening. We will simply have to wait and see. I cannot think of anything more extraordinary than waking up Saturday morning with Harriet on the nest. We just need a miracle. As I noted at the start, many will disagree with me because they believe that Harriet is just away for a day or two. This just seems so unlikely to me but, I will accept miracles and I hope she is on the nest in the morning when I wake up. Then you can start throwing virtual rotten tomatoes at me. I would love that.
M15 spent time sleeping with E21 and 22 before going up to the branch.
The official tweets:
M15 has only been away to look for Harriet and has not gone hunting as yet. Babies are not fighting. No food yet. We wait and hope, sending positive energy to this beloved eagle family.
Other Nest News:
The first of the Channel Islands Bald Eagles to have an egg for the 2023 season appear to be Jak and Audacity. Congratulations Sauces Canyon!
While people were voting on the name for Valentine’s younger sibling, 02, at the KNF E3 nest, Alex was busy bringing in fish – fish after fish after fish. More than 14 were delivered in a very short period of time. Andria often just stood staring at all of them! It really was a Friday night Fish Fest. I wish we could courier some of those fish over to M15 and the Es.
E02 is really, really good at the old snatch and grab. These two are so equal. At times it seems that 02 is actually bigger than Valentine. And gosh, nearing midnight, it seems that 02 will be named Nugget from the votes already submitted.
Just when you think there are too many..Alex delivers yet another fish.
It was a beautiful day over at the nest of Anna and Louis, too. Louis – where is your pile of fish? Alex thinks there is a fishing derby going on at Kincaid Lake. You better check and join in.
When you are watching the KNF-E1 nest, notice how 03 incubates Dudley and scoots it around. Dudley is in between 03’s talons while it is being fed by Anna.
Connick is doing great – just like the eaglets in Louisiana. Gosh, we sure did worry about this eaglet!
Clive is all wet. She has just delivered another fish for Connie and Connick. Connick is never hungry these days. Look at that nice crop.
Everyone saw the devastation that happened when Hurricane Ian made landfall on Captiva/Santibel. We worried out Connie and Clive and about Andy and Lena. Now that things have settled down, there is some good news — and gosh, could we use some good news.
Ringo at the Webster, Texas Bald Eagle nest continues to do well as we would have expected. It is extremely sad to have lost little Boots but, let us hope that this eaglet thrives and fledges. There is no reason to think otherwise. Paul White comments that Ringo is now picking up food bites that fall on the nest…great news and a move towards self-feeding eventually.
There is worrying news everywhere. Zoe has really taken a tour inland and she has been fishing at a creek. Now, there are streams or creeks in the UK that are stocked for osprey with hides for paying clients to take photographs of the ospreys fishing. With the recent floods it also seems that there could be fish in that stream. What we know is that Zoe needs to have some fish to eat.
The third Kakapo to hatch in 2022 has now been given its official name on its first hatch day celebrations. Welcome, Kawa.
Right now I can use all the good news that can come my way…This next announcement comes from Hob Osterlund on Kauai.
Things are just about perfect over at The Campanile. The prey deliveries are now the way they should be and Annie is very appreciative of ‘the new guy’ as SK Hideaways shows us:
Window decals to prevent bird strike. Do you put them on the inside of the window? I bet you do! I do. But that is going to change tomorrow morning.Indeed, almost everyone I know places them inside and we continue to complain of window strikes. New research shows we must put them on the outside of the windows if we want them to work!!!!!!! So remember that and fix the ones you have. Migratory season is especially bad for bird strikes.
It has been a particularly difficult and long day for everyone. There are many more nests with eggs that are being incubated, parents mating, work going on getting nests ready. Ospreys in Africa are fattening up for their long journey home. None of those are forgotten in the midst of the worry and sadness of today. We must continue to send the SWFlorida Eagle nest of M15 and Harriet strong positive wishes – great energy – as we do to all of the nests.
Thank you for being with me this morning. Please take care. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their tweets, notes, announcements, postings, videos, and streaming cams where I took my screen captures: ‘A’, FOX13 News, SWFL Eagles and D Pritchett, @SWFL Eagle Cam, Gracie Shepard and Raptors of the World, KNF-E3, KNF-E1, Window to Wildlife, Darleen Harris and Captiva Island Eagles and ospreys, Captivasanibel.com, Paul White and the Webster Texas Eagle Watchers, Fran Solly and Friends of Osprey, Kakapo Recovery, Hob Osterlund, SK Hideaways and Cal Falcons, and The New York Times.
Remember to head over to the streaming cam of Kistachie National Forest Bald Eagle Nest E3 to vote on 02’s name! Here are the choices…let’s make sure little one gets a great name!
I saw this and simply had to share it with everyone. Or maybe it isn’t that funny. I do love Condor humour!
Making News:
Little Boots is 20 days old today. He looks so young. With good care and good food, he will catch up we hope.
Just look at that sweet face. Little Boots is in care. As everyone noticed, he was extremely weak in the nest. Let us hope that he can be stabilised and that apparent feet and leg deformities can be repaired by the loving folks down in Houston at the Wildlife Center of Texas.
Here is the posting. I would like to draw your attention to “nest cam footage showed him to be struggling to sit up and move around in the nest, impairing his chances for survival.” There is the perfect wording to get help for an eagle on a nest that is not thriving. I am impressed. Nothing caused by a human just good old compassion and perhaps some monofilament line in that egg cup.
If you are interesting in donating for little Boots care, please do so. Here is the information. I went on line and went to their website: Wildlife Centre of Texas. It was quick and easy. Go Boots!
A British Columbia juvenile Bald Eagle got itself into some mischief and is being flown to OWL.
Continuing with the issues raised in the movie The Albatross, young people are doing amazing drawings. Will this make them better environmental citizens? How many of us can take a pledge to stop using plastic? Let’s try it. Maybe it will catch on like a bad cold.
‘A’ wondered what it would take to get rid of those plastic gyros in the oceans. Certainly people have tried various methods. And we know from The Flight of the Osprey that countries are having a hard time dealing with plastic…so, let’s just not buy anything with plastic. Do it a day at a time. It is frightening what we have done with our oceans. I remember when I first moved to Southern Manitoba eons ago and I wanted to purchase a cream separator. People laughed. They were hard to clean and they just shoved them down the river bank. I kid you not. Out of sight, out of mind — like the oceans.
In my province, groups are joining forces around Brandon to build nesting boxes for Bluebirds! Wow. What a great idea.
Some of you will remember that the adult Ospreys were chased off their platform at the Cape Henlopen State Park last year. The male was killed. The female appears, from the announcement, to be alive. The three osplets starved to death on the nest in front of viewers and were carried off by the intruders. It was a tragedy that tore our hearts out. Well, there is a new platform going up!
And yet another story about lead poisoning. Seriously lead is something that could happen rather quickly if there was a will. Continue to lobby everyone you can. Take 15 minutes or 30 minutes one day and send an e-mail to your elected officials. Get others to join in. Tell them no more lead. And how about adding plastic to that, too?
Now something to give us hope. A good news story about a Bald Eagle in rehab for 6 months being released. YES!
Zoe continues to explore the area around Mt Hope. She has also started heading south…will she return to the barge? That would be a bit crazy. Let us all hope she is finding her wings and some fish!
Checking on the nests:
I do not see any Osprey eggs at either Achieva or Captiva on Thursday.
At the Captiva Eagle nest, little Connick is such a darling.
Oh, just look at these later images. Connick really likes to spread out and sleep….and two proud parents!
What a great image of the three – Clive, Connie, and Connick.
At 16:55 Connick had a huge crop!
It looks like the parents are smiling at Connick with his almost ready to pop crop. Their baby has grown and thrived.
There must be a fishing contest at the lake near Superbeaks. It is only mid-afternoon and PePe has brought in 8 fish! Yes, you read that correctly. 8 fish to the nest for Pearl and Tico (and of course, the rest of the family, Mum Muhlady). PePe you better eat some of these fish if you aren’t eating the heads!
It’s a gorgeous day out in California at Jackie and Shadow’s nest. The question of the day was: What was the name of Jackie’s former mate? Do you know? It was Mr B. Shadow landed on the nest and wanted the nest and Jackie and wouldn’t leave — Shadow got them both! That was 2018 after Jackie and Mr B’s fledgling, Stormy, had flown. The three of them could not persuade Shadow to leave…oh, you gotta love this guy.
Do you realise that pip watch will begin on 15 February? That is only 12 days away!!!!!!!!!!!
Are Harriet and M15 moving E21 and 22 into another phase of training to be an independent eagle? No good food left on the nest just what looks to be pieces of a dried up catfish. 22 was pecking on that. Then sadly, 22 got up to the table first with 21 moving up and 22 went into submission. Things seem terribly wrong on this nest but, it is Harriet and M15. They are pros and they want their eaglets to thrive. So are we to think of this lack of food and little pieces as a teaching moment? Not every day will see a full crop. But, let’s do keep an eye. It is worrying a lot of people.
You can see the primary feathers coming in on that outstretched wing. Note the milky transparent tube – the quill – that holds the blood feather. One of the reasons that eaglets preen so much is to release the feather from that transparent quill.
Now we all know that 22 is a bit of a stinker…let’s watch and see what Harriet and M15 do tomorrow. Certainly no peace today and 22 was crying for food and hoping to get some that M15 brought in. In fact, every time that 22 even tried to eat that old dried fish, 21 started beaking its younger sibling. 22 is quick to go into submission. So what has set 21 off? Is it the lack of food on the nest? Again, let us see what tomorrow brings. Harriet has never lost an eaglet. Never. In fact, there could be a windfall of food on the nest tomorrow – just like there is in the wild – some days there is too much food and for many others, nothing.
Ah, there is food this morning, Friday. Both Es have a crop. 21 ate first with 22 in submission and then 22 was fed and had a nice crop. Let us all take a big sigh of relief.
Lady Hawk caught 22 walking Thursday – hey, a giant step!
Gabby and V3 are a gorgeous couple. 18:24 Thursday evening on the nest together.
And last another Canadian story but not about Bluebirds this time…it is from David Hancock and the Surrey Bald Eagle Nest. Two new bonded eagles working with a meal and a stick. Have another laugh as we wait to hear how Boots is doing.
Thank you so much for being with me today. Take care everyone. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, tweets, announcements, videos, and streaming cams that make up my screen captures: ‘A’ Sherri van Syckel and California Condor Recovery Group, KNF, Wildlife Centre of Texas, Heather Simms and the Webster Texas Eagle Watchers, Terry Carman and the Bald Eagle Live Nest Cams and News, Joyce Hartmann and the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatross and Petrels, Brandon Sun, Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park, MLive.com, JET/FOX/YourErie, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Achieva Credit Union, Window to Wildlife, Superbeaks, FOBBV, SWFL Eagles and D Pritchett, Lady Hawk and SWFL Eagles and D Pritchett, NEFL Bald Eagles and the AEF, and the Dave Hancock Wildlife Foundation.
Little Boots at the Webster Texas Bald Eagle nest is in care!
Paul White worked with the USFWS to get the permits to go up and release the eaglet from being stuck – in the nest, monofilament line, etc. Boots was freed but had other issues and is going into care. This is a bit of a sigh of relief for everyone including Paul White who has also been worried. Boots will be well fed and cared for. Ringo will thrive. It looks like it could be a win-win. If there are too many issues with Boots, then we will be wait and see. We would not want the wee one to suffer.
The bucket going up to free Boots and then take him into care.
Thank you to everyone. We will look forward to progress reports in due time. Thanks Paul White for your FB postings and images that make up this blog today.
Today some in North America will be checking out to see if there are shadows that scare the groundhogs back into their hole. It is Ground Hog Day! Did you know that this particular belief comes to us from a very old Pennsylvania Dutch notion that if a groundhog comes out of his burrow and sees its shadow, it will be frightened and go back in for another more six weeks. If, however, the groundhog does not see its shadow – spring will be early!
It has sort of ‘warmed up’ on the Canadian Prairies. It is now 2345 on Wednesday and it is -18 C outside with winds gusting to 26 km/h. That translates into an extreme cold warning with ‘Dangerous wind chill values below -40 C tonight’. In other words, the skin on your face could get wind burn if it was exposed for 30 seconds. Frost bite. Death from the cold. It is not good to be outside. Next Monday, things will be much nicer – with temperatures around -7 C. The Polar Vortex will have moved elsewhere. So wherever you are, stay warm, stay inside, prepare ahead. Do not go out if it is not necessary. And for those of you having extreme heat, you must stay hydrated and cool.
In the News:
The second Kakapo to hatch in 2022 has been named.
It feels so good to read about an eagle being released from rehab! Soar high!
Looking at ways to prevent bycatch can vary from area to area. BirdLife is examining the area around the Mediterranean Sea and, specifically Malta in this article. It is a good read and helps us to understand that everything has to be balanced. You cannot just remove all the turtles and hope that the eco system will survive.
Tori lines have proven to be helpful if the right line is used.
More eagles being admitted with lead poisoning. I wonder how many there are in a day across the US?
At the Nests:
Are you missing Mr President and Lotus? like me you haven’t seen them at the National Arboretum nest? There is an explanation. It looks like they might be moving house – er’ nest – just like Akecheta and Thunder.
No worries. Zoe and Indigo are still around. Indigo has not been seen in the scrape but …here he is! Screaming up a storm.
Indigo, you sure are handsome! Hi there. Nice to have you back in the scrape…we missed you.
Gabby and V3 were said to have a ‘dust up’ over a squirrel around 0730 on the morning of Wednesday, 1 February. Gabby got her talon stuck in the squirrel and could not get it out and V3 wasn’t letting go either. They are definitely back to loving one another!
They were back working on the nest afterwards. These images are from 0850.
In other areas, Wednesday was a soggy day. The eaglets in Louisiana have been fed but word is coming from Paul White that neither Ringo or Boots have been fed earlier today because of the hard rain. It has stopped and at 1055 there was a feeding. Ringo ate. Even got out of the egg cup to stretch its neck. Boots made no effort to eat but, as you will see from a later posting, Boots had already eaten. He did, however, have only one meal yesterday. It is amazing how well eaglets can cope on so little.
People reacted to the feeding and also to the possibility that Boots cannot free its right leg – it is stuck in the nest. Let us please hope that this little one can get free. Send all of your positive energy. In order to bed fed, this mother is wanting those chicks up at the table and out of the bowl so Boots has to engage. He has had some food as you can see in the image below he has a bit of a crop.
It has been cold in and around the Houston area just like it has been in Louisiana with rain. hanks, ‘J’ for drawing that to my attention. It will not begin warming up until Thursday but it isn’t going to be hot, hot then. So no issues with dehydration from the heat, just lack of food because it appears Boots has been stuck in the nest for some days. There are certainly discussions about getting someone to the nest to release little Boots because that is possibly fishing line around its leg. Send good energy.
Anna, sensing the weather, was up feeding E03 several times before the storms hit including first light.
It is also cold – 36 degrees F – and rain.
Alex brought in a fish to go with the Coot and Valentine and 02 were fed early, just like E03.
Little E03 can still fit under Anna but, Valentine and 02 are having issues trying to get under Andria.
Either Tico or Pearl sent off a ‘ps’ that has caused the camera to be coated again at Superbeaks. Oh, goodness. Let us collectively wish for rain to clean that lens so we can see these two fledge…it is awhile but…Thankfully the ps is at the side!
Connick is adorable. There was a time when I wondered if this little eaglet was going to make it to this stage…we can see his ears! Connick has a mohawk, his beak is shiny ebony at the tip, his eyes are clear, and he is eating well and moving too much on the nest for comfort.
The birds seem to be doing fine. There are eggs being laid, birds incubating, raptors thinking about eggs, the temperature of the South getting warmer as we move through February.
Holly Parsons is long associated with the Peregrine Falcons at Orange. She runs the FB group there and also runs the Albatross Lovers FB Group. I admire Holly. Look her up and read her bio. A film that she posted a link to today in her Albatross Lovers Group is one of the most beautiful documentaries on the Laysan Albatross. The images are amazing – so close up. The story is detailed and thought provoking. It is inspiring and bittersweet. The film is about an hour and a half long. You might want to watch it with your popcorn on a Friday night or watch it in sections or just sit quietly and see the whole thing. It is difficult seeing what all the plastic that we use does…but, we need to watch this. It is a beautiful wake up call. We will all thank Holly collectively. It is a really good look at the life of these amazing sea birds on the Midway Atoll —-and the challenges these birds face because of us.
There is the trailer but on the right a tab says, Albatross the Film. That is what you are looking for.
Zoe is on the move again. She has been to an isolated bay where Osprey have been seen catching fish. Go girl! I hope our girl has turned out to be a good fisher.
Bonnie looks so pretty in that nest on the Kansas farm of Farmer Derek. After observing the GHOs run off the Bald Eagle couple, I found myself completely fascinated watching Clyde bring in rats and mice and other critters for Bonnie at dusk and dawn. And then the two owlets…so cute. So we will keep an eye on this GHO. (I have to admit that after causing such pain to Harriet and M15, I am not too thrilled about the relationship between the GHOs and the other raptors).
Thank you so much for being with me today. It is so nice to have you with us. This was a bit of a round up with some nests that are doing splendidly not mentioned. We will wait to see what will be the next Florida Osprey nest to have eggs – will it be Achieva or Captiva? Take care everyone! See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, their posts, announcements, videos, and streaming cams where I took my screen captures: Kakapo Recover, Tamarack Wildlife Centre, Birdlife Malta, Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey, AEF, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, Elain and Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, NEFl-AEF, Paul White and the Webster Texas Eagle Watchers, KNF-E3, KNF-E1, Superbeaks, Window to Wildlife, Port Lincoln Osprey, Farmer Derek, Holly Parsons and the Albatross Lovers Group plus The Midway Project film, The Albatross, by Chris Jordan.
It is a new month and the shortest one of the year! It is -28 C in Winnipeg. The kittens spent some time enjoying the sunshine in the conservatory watching the birds today. Oh, what joy they bring — and of course, the birds and the squirrels.
Missy is the alpha cat – the boss. She gets the little house on the cat tree.
Lewis thinks he is ‘Kingpin’ on the top. Too funny. Missy looks sweet. She could make mincemeat out of Lewis at any time of day — if her gentle nature got stressed. So far, so good. She has even taken over his drawer in the console cabinet once or twice this week.
Lots of things starting to happen…the GHO couple that stole the Bald Eagle nest in 2021, skipped 2022, and are back this year with their first egg laid on Tuesday 31 January. A White-tail eagle lives a year successfully with only one along…wow.
In the Mailbox and Making News:
Geemeff sent me the link to this amazing story. Thank you, Geemeff! Before you go to the blog of Tim Mackrill and I do recommend reading it for the full story – stop for a moment and consider that this White-tailed Eagle has been living for at least a year without a foot.
If you work at a wildlife rehab facility, I urge you to print this up or send the link to the vets. Maybe it is time – in memory of our dear WBSE 26 – and all the others – that life can be full with one talon and the birds should be given a chance! Not a needle.
Copy and paste the link into your browser to read the blog if it doesn’t open up for you.
Birding. Often if you want to see birds, you wind up going to places you never dreamed…sewage treatment plants, industrial estates, garbage dumps and landfills. You may recall the stories and my blog about the Adjutant General in Assam or tales of the storks in Portugal or Spain. Well, here in Winnipeg, the Bald Eagles that have their nest at our nature centre frequent ‘the dump’ just a mile away.
EJ sent this link if you live around Boston’s Logan landfill:
I was very interested in a local mail out from our wildlife rehabber. For the first time, they have included ‘dogs’ in the pie chart of the causes of injuries to wildlife. It is more than cats! Indeed, dogs are the highest for our local wildlife. Wonder what it is where you live?
A bird charity in the UK has been locked out of its accounts. The bird is the Woodcock. Go figure.
The use of AI is causing problems on numerous social media outlets. Everyone is complaining. Isn’t that just the cutest little bird?
The US EPA has vetoed the proposed Pebble mine in Bristol Bay Alaska that would have the potential of polluting the pristine waters that the Alaskan salmon enjoy. Ironically, I do not connect – in my head – the Alaskan Salmon with people’s meals but, with the Bald Eagles who thrive on it.
That said, if all of the agencies, around the world, were to enforce all clean air and water laws the world would be a better place for all of us – our feathered friends included. Today, for example, you cannot go and see wildlife at the Barbados Wildlife Reserve because raw sewage has been allowed to be dumped by neighbours to the sanctuary and it has created a biohazard area in the Mangroves.
Reports of raw sewage being poured into the water around the world is, sadly, becoming more and more of an occurrence. Band together with local groups and have a win like they did in Alaska — there will be no Pebble Mine!
‘L’ sent a link to a wonderful article about the decorative birdhouses in Turkey. She has seen them on her travels. Perhaps you have, too. The rest of us can enjoy the beautiful images in the following article. Thanks, ‘L’.
Audubon has launched its bird migration explorer so you can follow species as they begin their trips from their winter homes to their spring and summer breeding grounds.
First up. Remember the GHO pair that fought for and won the Bald Eagle nest on Farmer Derek’s property in Kansas? Well, guess who is back incubating the egg she laid this morning? Oh, yes, none other than Bonnie!
Oh, Sally and Harry have only two eggs at the Moorings Osprey nest. Can you see me jumping up and down for joy? Can you imagine if every nest only had 2 eggs??????? I would have nothing to do and that would be just fine.
Want to have a nervous breakdown quickly? because of a raptor? Just go over to visit Connick at the Captiva Bald Eagle nest! Connick had more of his body over the edge than inside. Sound asleep. Not a care in the world.
Adults working away on the nest burying that egg.
Connie managed to lure Connick back into the nest with some fish! Thank goodness. If that eaglet had wiggled the wrong way… OK. Everything is fine. Let’s not go there.
Connick is shaded by Mum Connie. By 1400 it is really hot on the nest.
It was a beautiful morning over at Superbeaks. The eagles were up early doing some self-feeding and then the adults begin to come in with some fresh prey. They still love feeding their babies…ha, ha. Babies. Big turkeys now. Pearl is 54 days old and Tico is 53.
The Superbeaks kids have been hot, little Connick was just panting and panting to stay cool and then getting cool with the aid of Mum. Imagine then what would it be like in Miami if Ron and Rose had chicks this late. Well, they have to lay the eggs first and then it is 35 days… I wonder? They are still working on that nest.
It is certainly a nice nest..my goodness, one of the nicest I have seen. Not many thought Ron Magill’s Papadum Chair nest would be accepted and ‘work’ for an eagle family but it proved itself last year. And, of course, there are three 2 week fertile periods so there is still a chance for eggs. Surely the eagles know better than I do whether to have eggs or not. Just seems like it would be awfully hot.
It is certainly not clear about the two eaglets at Webster Texas – Ringo, the eldest, and Boots, the tiny second hatch. Yesterday, Ringo got all the food til later in the day and finally, when I thought little Boots was too weak (it has been hot there) to eat, it got a full feeding and a full crop. Relief of sorts. It is hot. Did I say that several times. Boots has to be hydrated. Should be getting food every couple of hours he is so tiny, not once a day. But he ate. Send positive wishes to our little one.
Ringo with a huge crop. Mum reaches down to start feeding Boots.
Rhonda A caught the two eaglets of Alex and Andria working those wings yesterday after the rain and during the drizzle. Go Valentine! Go 02!
More flapping by Valentine!
Jackie and Shadow are really having to be careful during Tuesday. The Ravens are about. Shadow stays on the nest for some time while they each get a turn to eat some of the fish that Shadow brought in earlier on Monday.
At the nest of Gabby and V3 near St Petersburg, V3 was at the nest but as of 1600 Tuesday, Gabby has not been there today. Don’t think these two will be raising eaglets this year. Gabby might decide it is a good time to head on vacation when it starts getting really hot! Will V3 be the male of choice next year? We simply have to wait and see.
Gracie Shepherd caught E21, Harriet and M15’s oldest eagle this year standing up and walking – and using its wings for balance. Gosh, lots of eaglets working those legs these days (Alex and Andria’s, too and, of course, Tico and Pearl).
Zoe. I have to admit that I am quite nervous about our girl. This was the posting the 31st in Australia and they were hoping for a 2100 check in last night. Nothing so far. There is always the possibility of being out of phone range or the transmitter not working which would be a real issue if you want to track your recent fledgling. I wonder if anyone has gone to check the last transmission point? It is now after 1500 on 1 February in Port Lincoln and still no posting of a transmission for Zoe. I hope there are boots on the ground searching for our girl.
Thank you so much for being with me today. This has been a spin around the nests with a few twists. Take care everyone. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, their posts, their videos, announcements, tweets, and streaming cams where I took my screen captures for this blog: Geemeff, ‘EJ’, Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, KBZK, Wildlife Haven, BBC, HCN, Amusing Planet, Audubon, Farmer Derek, Moorings Park Ospreys, Window to Wildlife, Superbeaks, WRDC, Paul White and the Wester Eagle Watchers, Rhonda A and KNF-E3, FOBBV, NEFL-AEF, Gracie Shepherd and SWFL Eagles and D Pritchett, and the Port Lincoln Ospreys and Friends of Osprey.
There are two big news items this morning. The test results on Sue and Otto, the beloved Syracuse University Red-tail Hawks and Zoe, the Port Lincoln 2022 Osprey fledgling.
Sadly, it was no coincidence. Testing reveals that Sue and Otto, the long time resident Red Tail Hawks at Syracuse University, had Avian Flu. There are still tests pending. How did they catch it? They either ate infected prey, came into contact with the saliva of an infected bird or the feces of an infected bird. We know that Avian Flu is around. We read about it several times in a fortnight and yet, when it hits home to two much beloved Red-tail Hawks, it becomes more real. Our condolences go out to everyone.
This is a very frightening situation with regard to birds and waterfowl in the area. It is a distance of 59 miles from Syracuse to Cornell which is at at the southern end of Cayuga Lake.
Sue and Otta together in a much happier time. They raised 28 eyases to fledge.
Here is the announcement:
In other news:
People can make a difference. We do not have to sit back and let developers and governments allow sacred woodlands to be destroyed. Have a read!
On Ferris Akel’s Saturday tour to the wildlife areas around Ithaca, New York, there were lots of ducks – Red Heads and Canvas Backs – Canada Geese and Tundra Swans along with Mallards and Mergansers. Oh, I do miss the waterfowl and can’t wait for April when they start returning to Manitoba to breed.
The waterfowl in the images below, captured during Ferris Akel’s tour, is at the northern end of Cayuga Lake. Please look at the map I posted above to locate Cayuga Lake, Syracuse, and then Cornell so you know where Sue and Otto had their nest and where Ferris takes his tours (he does not go to Syracuse on Saturdays).
A Common Merganser.
An adult Tundra Swan and below it a juvenile.
Note the grey head and the bill which is not solid black – the indications of a juvenile Tundra Swan.
A group of 3 adults and a single juvenile Tundra Swan preparing to land on Cayuga Lake.
A Mute Swan. Note the different bill.
Notice the orange bill and the bulging nodule above the bill plus the black patch from the eye to the bill. A Mute Swan. Mute Swans are larger than Tundra Swans. The Tundra Swans have a black bill and black legs.
A good comparison of the Mute Swan and the Juvenile Tundra. Despite the Mute being farther behind, you can see how much larger these swans are than the Tundra.
A pair of Mute Swans.
Bald Eagles on a partially frozen pond – both adults and juveniles.
Always nice to lurk and listen to Ferris’s tours and then jump up to look if he finds Big Red, Arthur, and any of the kids on the Cornell Campus. No hawks today!
Nest News:
I have to start with Zoe who is 134 days old today. Yesterday (Sunday in Australia) she left the barge and flew to White Flats where there is a River and a Reservoir. Dad brought her one fish on Saturday; it is not known if she caught any fish herself . She remained on the barge in the rain Saturday evening. What ever possessed our girl to fly off and head inland instead of staying by the water is beyond me but, if you recall, Solly also travelled inland at times surprising everyone. Has our girl left her natal nest for good? I feel a little overwhelmed with Zoe leaving. She was always there, screaming for fish. I imagined she would be there much longer.
She flew off the nest at 07:55:43. It was windy and the water was choppy.
Zoe prepares for her take off.
Zoe has been gone for almost four hours at the time I am writing this. Will she return to the barge? Or will these beautiful tail feathers be our last sighting of her at Port Lincoln? It is always a bittersweet moment. We want the fledglings to have their freedom and we want them safe at home.
If this is the last we see of you, Zoe, other than photographs and sat pak tracking, live a long life. Life it fully, have many chicks, stay safe, always have a full crop.
It has been a rough year at the Port Lincoln nest losing Little and Middle Bobs. Mum and Dad were brilliant throughout it all. They will be eating fish alone in peace without a screaming Zoe. They will be building up their strength again before it is August – and if time flies as fast as it has, we will just be seeing the UK Ospreys leaving for migration when Mum and Dad think of eggs again at Port Lincoln.
Parent enjoying a fish meal in peace without Zoe screaming wanting it. The time is 12:18.
There were 277 votes cast in the naming contest for the oldest eaglet at Kistachie National Forest (KNF) E3 nest. Hello Valentine. Votes for naming Valentine’s younger sibling will start next Friday at noon nest time. Then it will be the turn of Anna and Louis’s little one to get its name. We will vote on one out of three pre-selected names.
Valentine got to the table first but, 02 was not long in getting up there to enjoy some nice fresh fish.
Gabby and V3 were together at their nest early in the morning near Jacksonville. This is V3. Note the nick under the nostril on the right side.
This amazing new couple. V3 in the back, Gabby in the front.
Can you find Connick?
That little eaglet of Connie and Clive’s is changing rapidly!
Connick loves the freshest fish on the nest…don’t blame him/her. The old fish must be dry and a little hard.
The sun is setting on the Captiva Bald Eagle nest of Connie and Clive and little Connick is cheeping and wanting some last fish – he is watching Connie eat. Don’t blame him! “Fill me up Mum!” Connie finished the fish and I did not see the wee one get any before fed. Connick was full already. He just wanted a topper. It is a long time til breakfast. At least 12 hours if not a little more.
Everything seems to be going fine at the nest of Ringo and Boots in Webster, Texas. Isn’t this wonderful? You might recall that little Boots had literally been plucked (back of head, nape, and upper back) of feathers. But, Boots wants to live and that is precisely what is happening – and the beaking has stopped. Wish we knew what started those frenzied attacks when the eaglets were so young but, at the same time, it is just nice it is over. So grateful for Paul White’s videos and updates.
It is little Boots time for some food.
If you are US Steel eagle fans, the eagles are working on the nest!!!!!
Nancy and her mate were also busy in Minnesota.
It is always a winter wonderland scene in Decorah, Iowa when the snow falls. Isn’t that just beautiful? What a gorgeous view for the eagles.
Nest restorations include new corn husks. Have you noticed all the different materials the eagles use for the interior of their nests depending on where they live?
This is the scene at Decorah North. I did not see anyone there today.
Jackie is gorgeous in the morning light coming from the sun rising over Big Bear Lake in California.
Jackie was quite alert today. The Ravens/Crows were around making noises at 0933 and I heard them again when I checked back at 1058. I wish they would go away and not want those eggs!
Everyone is doing fine at Superbeaks. They are working those wings. Pearl is 51 days old today and Tico is 50 days old. The next couple of weeks will speed by in a flash…and then we are into fledge watch around 77 days for Florida Bald Eagles.
What an amazing nest this has been to watch this year. I thank everyone who recommended it to me. Pearl and Tico are so healthy and PePe and Muhlady were amazing parents. There appeared to be not a hungry moment on this nest.
It is hard to spot any remaining dandelions. There are just gorgeous espresso juvenile feathers. Beautiful dark eyes and of course the beak is dark black and grey almost ombre style.
At the opposite end is our little butterball cutie pie, B16 at Berry College. Before we blink, B16 will be standing and walking just like Tico and Pearl.
Dad came in with a huge rabbit. B16 was really hoping that Mum might give some of that for lunch but, no, she went and dug in the pantry til she found something nice and ripe!
Ron and Rose can just crack you up! Heidi Mc caught an unusual moment from today for us.
Jack continues to deliver fish to Diane at the nest in St Petersburg. Eggs should be laid if Diane is on her normal schedule this coming week.
Mabel and Angus have been hanging out today at the Captiva Osprey nest. No eggs yet either! Soon maybe. Or not.
It looks like there is some question about whether or not the nest rails are high enough. No, they are not!
Last but never least. Annie and the New Guy caught on streaming cam. Thanks SK Hideaways.
I am so very sorry to have brought you the news about Sue and Otto. Avian Flu is deadly and it can spread like a wildfire. It has not dissipated during the winter months in North America as some might have hoped. Please keep all the birds and wildlife in your most positive thoughts.
Thank you so much for being with me. The nests are all in good form. No worries at all. Looking forward to seeing you soon! Take care of yourself.
Thank you to the following for the announcements, videos, and streaming cams where I took my screen captures: Red-tailed Hawk Tales, The Guardian, Ferris Akel Tours, Friends of Osprey, Port Lincoln Osprey, KNF-E3, NEFL-AEF, Window to Wildlife, Paul White and the Webster Eagle Watchers, Pix Cams, MN-DNR, Raptor Resource Project and Explore.org, FOBBV, Superbeaks, Berry College Eagle Cam, Heidi Mc and the WRDC, SK Hideaways and Cal Falcons, and Achieva Credit Union.
If you would like to subscribe so that the blog comes to your inbox daily, just fill in the information below. There is normally only one posting per day. On occasion two. I do not want to fill your e-mail. there are no ads nor are there any fees – just a large group of people from around the world joining together who love raptors.
It is 2230 on a Friday night on the Canadian Prairies and it is -24 C with a wind speed of 13 kph. A little breezy. Temperatures are set to fall to -30 Saturday with an extreme cold warning due to wind chills which will go below -40. They are warning us not to be outside if it is not absolutely necessary. Many of you, especially in Australia, are at the opposite end with high heat. Everyone, please take care, wherever you are.
As of Saturday morning at 10:33, 230 votes have been cast for little KNF-E3 01. Of those 49% favour Valentine and 39% voted for Trey. There is still time but it looks like this baby could be Valentine.
A Trip down Memory Lane:
Every once in awhile I like to mix things up and a video posted today on FB reminded me of a very special Osprey, Blue 5F Seren. We are still in Bald Eagle season in the US waiting for the two Osprey nests in Florida – Achieva and Captiva – to have eggs. The Ospreys will be packing their bags in Africa soon to return to the UK and Europe. Some are not as familiar with the UK Osprey nests so I thought, before the season starts, that it would be good to introduce you to the nests and the adults that we expect will be returning in late March or early April. I hope to dig into the archives on Saturday and again on a weekday. I hope that you are amused and learn something. I will work my way through four nests that are on streaming cams in Wales: Llyn Clywedog, Glaslyn, Dfyi, and Llyn Brenig – in no particular order. There are now 7 ‘known’ pairs of Ospreys breeding in Wales. In 2022 they produced 17 chicks. If you take the 14 adults and the 17 chicks, that means 31 Ospreys of ‘known’ origins in Wales. There are others, unringed. It is not certain how many of these unattached birds there are OR unknown nests. What is known that at least 5 of the chicks fledged from Llyn Clywedog have returned. They are KS7 (2018), KS8 (2018), KA7 (2019), 550 (2020), and 551 (2020). That is marvellous. All of those returnees are Dylan’s chicks either with Delete his mate from 2016 through 2019 or with 5F Seren.
Here is the hatching chart for Llyn Clywedog thanks to John Williams.
We are going to start with a hilarious video from the nest Llyn Clywedog in the Hafren Forest off. Blue 5F Seren’s first chick is hatching. Seren was not young when she bonded with Dylan. She hatched in Rutland in 2012, making her 8 years old. She had spent some time at the Pont Cresor platoform where she was courted by Aran, had a nest, laid eggs and then Aran would go back to Mrs G. This is how John William’s puts it in his blog about the ospreys of Llyn Clywedog:
In 2018 she formed a polygamous pairing with the male from the Glaslyn nest Aran. She laid 3 eggs in the Pont Croeso nest unfortunately the male concentrated his efforts on providing for his main nest and didn’t feed 5F at all. So she had to hunt for her self which left her eggs exposed to predators, and the elements. Unfortunately these eggs failed to hatch. Last year she spent a lot of time with the young Dyfi male Tegid (ZI) also at the Pont Croeso (near Glaslyn) nest. It was thought that they may of returned there in 2020 and attempt to breed there. But 5F had other plans.
Some say Mrs G sent her packing in 2020. Others see it as a big relief when she left the Glaslyn/Pont Cresor nests and made her way to Llyn Clywedog and Dylan. I adore her. Dylan is unringed. He ousted the much loved Dai Dot to take over as the male at the Llyn Clywedog nest in 2016. Dai Dot was extremely popular and it was unclear if Dylan would be popular but, he has turned out to be a very interesting male chasing intruders off as far as 25 miles and then stopping to fish for Brown Trout to take back to the nest (figured out by John Williams over the last few years by driving and watching).
Seren Blue 5F was seen yesterday in her usual spot, in nice form, in The Gambia, eating a fish. Indeed, she has been photographed most of the winter. She leaves Wales and lands on her favourite tree in Africa. How marvellous is that. We will look forward to her return. She is a much loved Welsh female who has now raised 7 chicks in three years.
When you watch the video imagine that Seren has laid eggs but, of course, they never hatched. Here is that video:
In this next video, Dylan will arrive with a fish after seeing his first chick for the first time. Strong little one. Ready to eat. Did I saw that all three of these chicks will fledge. Quite an accomplishment!
All three hatched and Dylan and Seren are tandem feeding. Three osplets is a handful. They were all males: 550 weighed 1250 grams at ringing; 551 weighed 1350 grams and 552 weighed 1450 grams. All fledged.
In 2021 only one of three eggs hatched. It was a male, Blue 496 (quite the character) weighing 1400 grams at ringing. Also fledged. In 2022, Seren and Dylan further fledged three very healthy chicks. This is the information on their numbers, gender, and weight: 553 Is female weighing 1710g at 40 days old; 554 is Male weighing 1485g (40 days old); and 555 is also male weighing 1410g (37 days old).
Oh, it will not be long until all of the Ospreys begin their migration from Africa and the Iberian peninsula to the UK and Europe. I cannot wait! Now that I have said that at least twice today, I know you know I am excited. Here is a beautiful sunset from Friday at the Chesapeake Osprey Conservancy in the US.
In the Mail:
‘L’ sent another news story about the adoption of Sanibel on US National Save the Eagles Day. Thank you ‘L’. It is always wonderful to hear good news and an eagle who cannot be released getting a special home.
The eaglets at the KNF-E3 nest of Alex and Andria are adorable. Alex flew in with a fish around noon and 02 got the first bites. 01 already had a big crop and hung back. 02 remains the ‘king’ of snatch and grab and got those first bites that 01 thought were theirs.
Voting for KNF-E3 01’s name is ongoing until noon Saturday. Three choices are Valentine for the Valentine Lake Trail, Trey who is the husband of Lucy Lewis, the Forestry Supervisor since 2017, and I am not sure about the connection of Tercel to the area. I associate Tercel with falcons or third hatches. There must be a local connection! I will continue exploring. Valentine is currently in the lead. We will know tomorrow at noon. Next week there will be the naming of 02. It really is exciting to be part of chasing what they will be called. I would love to be a little fly on the wall listening as to how they come up with the 3 choices.
Alex arrived with a fish and fed the eaglets til they just about popped.
At the end of Alex’s feeding, both eaglets are so full that they can hardly move.
Food coma!!!!!!!
Adorable.
All is well over at the nest of Anna and Louis where there is a single little butterball growing and growing and growing.
Did something happen at the Captiva Bald Eagle nest? Just look at the clown feet on Connick! No, no, no. There are hardly any fuzzy little eaglets left!!!!!!
Natal down is coming in and there is a cute little tail. If you look carefully, the beginnings of the feathers. I know…it seems like Connick just hatched yesterday!
Oh, that little Berry College eaglet of Pa and Missy is the cutest thing. Still soft and fuzzy. They have to develop quickly but it just seems like it is overnight and the wee ones are getting feathers.
Ron and Rose are the cutest eagle couple. Ron came in with a nice headless fish for Rose…they are so sweet together. It is so funny to see Ron in the nest cup all the time.
Ron always looks like he is smiling!
HeidiMc caught Ron and Rose with a bit of a controversy over stick placement. Too funny. Reminds me of Shadow with his sticks and the SWFlorida nest from M15 wants Harriet to shift.
It is a beautiful day today at the Achieva Osprey nest in St Petersburg. Both of the ospreys have been around. No eggs yet.
That early morning sun is just gorgeous. It paints the nest a perfect rose gold. Diane is beautiful.
In Australia, Indigo is still around. He has been heard in the evening and morning but has not been to the scrape. Indigo is likely catching his own prey now. Mum and Dad enjoying some quiet moments together.
After the attacks by the Corvids, Jackie and Shadow are taking no chances. Check out this perfect swap over caught by SK Hideaways.
A quiet moment looking at the precious eggs.
Shadow has been doing a great job relieving Jackie so she can have a break. Sometimes Jackie just doesn’t want to get up and go! Having seen raptors do amazing stretches after incubating or brooding for long periods of time, they must get stiff just like we do.
Both eaglets at Superbeaks are flapping their wings and self-feeding. The adults continue to feed them as well and no one is going hungry, not even for a second on this nest in Central Florida.
There are very few natal down dandelions left on the eaglets. They are almost completely covered with beautiful ebony/espresso juvenile feathers.
Another feeding after the IR camera clicks in.
And last here is a link to the page that will take you to January’s Monthly Condor Zoom Chat by the Ventana Wildlife Society.
Thank you so very much for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, videos, posts, announcements, and streaming cams that make up my screen captures: ‘L’, Llyn Clywedog and John Williams, CarnyxWild, Chesapeake Conservancy and Explore.org, Virginia Zoo, KNF-E3, KNF-E1, Window To Wildlife, Berry College Bald Eagle Cam, WRDC, HeidiMc and the WRDC, Achieva Credit Union, Elain and Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, SK Hideaways and FOBBV, FOBBV, Superbeaks, and Ventana Wildlife Society.
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It is late Thursday and snow is falling gently in the garden. Everyone on the Canadian Prairies is preparing themselves for the Polar Vortex that is set to arrive sometime Friday evening. It will keep us in very frigid temperatures for about a fortnight. So tonight it is -7 but it will be dipping down to -24 C tomorrow with strong winds, then into the -30s. I will be fine but this has to be a shock to the birds outside. There were more than 40 Starlings today at the feeders along with about 60 or more Sparrows. The squirrels were out as well eating as much as they could. It has to be so difficult for them.
The kittens are, of course, fine. Lewis likes to snuggle in with all the textiles in a drawer and Missy is drawn to sleeping in large plant pots. At times these are the strangest kittens I have ever had the privilege to share my life with. They are adorable characters!
In the Mailbox:
A request has come in to remind everyone that if they have Dark-Eyed Juncos visiting their gardens to please put seed, particularly Millet, on the ground for them. They are ground feeders! Thank you.
Making News:
There is news coming of Ervie from Fran Solly and Friends of Osprey. I haven’t seen a tracking for Ervie for awhile so this was such a treat. There is apparently a big festival with helicopter rides where he normally fishes so he went some where else to get his meals but, Fran notes that he also hung around to watch some of the people at the festivities. Relief.
Some people are just discovering how beneficial birdwatching is to human health!
Great news coming out of University of California at Berkeley. Drones are banned from the campus area where Annie raises her family. Thank you so much!
Denial, watering-down terms to make horrific acts like stomping five Goshawk chicks to death palatable. When will it stop? When will people come to their senses that the persecution of raptors is not OK.
Kakapo that went into care have responded positively and will soon be returning home. Great news.
The tiny eaglet that was found with some puncture wounds at the base of its nest tree has responded well to the treatment given by CROW. The sad news is that the nest where it was to be returned has been taken over by GHOs. (Did those owls attack other nestlings? the parents? Did I say I am not a fan of GHOs after Harriet and M15’s ongoing issues). Poor baby will be raised by loving hands. And will probably never be able to be released. So little. Just look at the egg tooth. This eaglet is going to take considerable resources. If you can, think of sending a small donation for its care – you can specify that it goes to this baby’s care. Someone will be feeding it non-stop during the day just like its parents would. Sweetness.
At the nests:
If you missed it, CE9 has been named Connick after Connor and Nick at Window to Wildlife. They did all the work getting the cams and platforms back up for the eagles enabling all of us to be able to watch the Captiva Eagles, Connie and Clive, and the Ospreys, Mabel and Angus. Great choice!
The feeding that started in the image above resulted in a huge crop for Connick.
The snow that was falling last evening at the MN-DNR (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources) Bald Eagle nest has melted. When the camera was running this morning I could hear ducks and geese. Then the camera rotated and showed us a great place for the eagles to get their prey – absolutely close to the nest!
Both Nancy and her mate were at the nest doing some work.
The snow was also gone at the Berry College nest of Pa and Missy. That little B16 is such a cutie and it is working those wings to balance itself trying to get out of the nest cup already! This little one is strong and is going to be a handful. The other egg is not viable. There is rabbit, squirrel, and fish on the menu thanks to Pa’s great hunting.
The snow is also gone from Duke Farms in Hillsborough, NJ. Mum is rolling the two eggs.
Jack and Diane continue to visit the Achieva Osprey nest in St Petersburg. No eggs yet. Soon.
All of those nests are great. I just about had a heart attack today when I saw Pearl at the Superbeaks nest back up to ‘ps’ and she just about slipped off the edge. It was a hold your breath moment. The railings are gone around that left branch – or so it seems. I cannot see. Pearl immediately got her grip and moved forward.
It is hard to imagine but little B16 will be this size in 35 days!
The wings are being exercised.
Pearl is gorgeous.
Alex delivered a fish and Andria went to help defend him and the nest against an intruder! There are so many intruders I am surprised that the males ever make it to the nests with prey for their families.
Things settled down. E01 and E02 are growing and growing like bad weeds. Remember to go on chat tomorrow at noon CT and put in a name suggestion for 01. It might make it to the finals.
Right now it is easy to tell the two eaglets apart. 01 has many more dark juvenile feathers.
02 has a nice crop that was revealed after that stretch. Looks like a real butterball sitting there.
The little one at the KNF E1 nest benefits from being an only eaglet. No one to share that fish with but Mum!!!!!! And Anna does love her fish dinners.
Anna loves to make sure that 03 has its crop full to the brim. Just one last bite, sweetie.
Gabby and V3 were in and out of the nest on Thursday. These screen captures were taken around noon.
SK Hideaways caught the new guy bringing Annie a gift! Oh, thank you, new guy!!!!!! It’s a Starling and Annie doesn’t flinch…she doesn’t mind Starlngs. Only a brief tug-o-war. Remember…Diamond hates them. So hopeful for about three eggs in Annie’s scrape and three very active eyases. That will keep the ‘new guy’ busy.
Remember to go on chat at the KNF E3 nest tomorrow, Friday until noon on Saturday to propose a name for 01. The rangers will take the entries down to 3 and have a public vote. I missed the Ventana Wildlife chat today about the condors because I could not sign on to their Zoom. The link will be posted sometime on Friday to the archived event and I will include it in Saturday’s blog. Those are always informative sessions. We wait for Osprey eggs.
Thank you so much for joining me today. Please take care of yourself. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, announcements, posts, tweets, videos, and streaming cams where I took my screen captures: Fran Solly and Friends of Osprey, The Guardian, Cal Falcons, Raptor Persecution UK, Kakapo Recover and the Wildlife Hospital – Dunedin, CROW, Window to Wildlife, MN-DNR, Berry College, Duke Farms, Achieva Credit Union, Superbeaks, KNF-E3, KNF-E1, NEFL-AEF, and SK Hideaways and Cal Falcons.
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I hope that the ‘almost’ end of the week is looking good for all of you.
Thank you for your notes about the kittens. They are doing great. There are times I wonder if I will survive! My entire house looks like a kitten day care!!!!!! They prefer boxes and paper shopping bags to any kind of toy from the pet store. They want to sleep in baskets with soft blankets, on top of tables with soft blankets, and in drawers. I am trying to remember to cut all those handles – and you should, too. They can get their necks through them. They have been playing with this bag for a couple of weeks now. Taking turns being inside and out. It is just about torn to shreds! Lewis always appears to be chewing on something and Missey is always a darling – oh, no, she never causes any mischief! Never! LOL.
In the News:
Sue and Otto are remembered. It is a lovely article about this adored pair of Red-tail Hawks. In it, I also note that they are giving different days for the birds death. I will try and confirm which is correct.
A Place called Hope – one of my all-time favourite wildlife rehabilitation centres – is asking for help. Unusual donations. They want more specimens of raptors killed by rodenticide and lead. They are gathering evidence so that a bill can be passed in Connecticut to stop the sale of both rodenticides and lead. Do you work at a centre that can help? And even if you don’t, read the request. It is shocking how many deaths there are so quickly….we need to stop this, we need to help our raptors.
The faces of some of those affected and some who have died due to rat poison and lead.
The joy I felt at seeing Cattle Egrets, in the pastures and small allotments in Grenada following the goats and cows, is hard to describe. Imagine being a farmer in the UK, changing your way of doings things to bring health to your land, and now you have cattle egrets! Just imagine how thrilling – a sign of a healthy space.
The article below gives a good history of the cattle egret. It is a really good read while demonstrating that biodiversity can work if we make the effort to change our practice. “Numbers of cattle egrets are booming in Britain, boosted by wildlife-friendly farming where cows are grazed on gentle rotations designed to improve soil quality and boost invertebrate populations.”
In Melbourne, scientists are wondering if a change in climate is the cause for the rise of the ‘devil bird’ in Melbourne’s suburbs. If you live in Melbourne, have you seen one of these?
We don’t get to see the Layman Albatross nesting on Kauai, Hawaii on streaming cams, only through the postings of Hob Osterlund. Thank you, Holly Parsons, for this re-post on the hatch of the little Moli.
A Sanibel eaglet that fell out of its nest now has been adopted and has its forever home. Congratulations!
In the Nests:
Louis and Anna’s little chick is doing fantastic. Oh, they had a soggy start to Wednesday after the storms pushed through the area but, everyone is fine.
Cody got the camera up and running at the E3 nest. Thank you Cody! You can really tell the difference between E01 and E03 now. E01 being the one with the most juvenile feathers. It feels like it happened overnight!
Just look at how well those eaglets are camouflaged in that nest. Both have serious crops from being well fed.
Coot is still on the menu. There must be an absolute abundance of Coots on Kincaid Lake this time of year.
02 is stretching its wings much to the curiosity of big sibling. They both have fuzzy Mohawks and you can see the feathers coming in along with those huge feet!
There is information on the chat roll for both KNF-E1 and KNF-E3 about naming 01 which I am presuming can only be Alex and Andria’s 01 chick from the E3 nest. “We will have a 24hour poll to name O1 on Friday the 27th starting at noon and ending on Saturday the 28th at noon. 3 names will be selected by local Forest Service employees then voted on in the chat.” Send in a name…give that little eaglet something to wear proudly all its life. Mark your calendars..this Friday til noon Saturday to come up with a great name. Then the 3 finalists.
It really was a scary time. On the 24th of January the Ravens came to the nest of Jackie and Shadow. Shadow came to the rescue. How terrifying for Jackie! The Eagles have to be constantly vigilant against Ravens and like Harriet and M15, the GHOs. Those Ravens know that Jackie has two precious eggs and they want them!
Here is another view of the threat by the Ravens.
Ranger Sharyn comes by and does a weight check on Sweet Pea. That is one of the nicknames that the South Plateau chick has at the moment. There will be a naming contest after the middle of February when all of the eggs have hatched. I wonder what the name will be? Names become important – they often help us to remember the birds easier than if they have a number. Scientific studies have also shown that our attachment to the wildlife/raptors/sea birds is more intense if they have a name. I am all for whatever it takes to help people care – and to help others to understand how important it is to care for these beautiful birds – all of them – before it is too late.
I am reposting one of Sharon Dunne’s screen captures of L and GLY together during the changeover. Just a gorgeous couple. Thank you, Sharon.
‘A’ sent me the link to this video capturing the moment that GLY sees his chick for the first time. Thanks, A!
The feedings for CE9 continue to go well. The little eaglet has responded in kind by growing and growing! CE9 is sweetness in a tiny bundle. So glad this little one is thriving.
Oh, sweetness in a food coma.
At 12:47:21 Clive feeds Connie and Connie feeds CE9. Precious. CE9 just wants lunch not fooling around parents!!!!!! This little eaglet will have its name today!!!!!! Wonder what it will be?
The last meal of the day at Captiva as the sun sets.
You may have also noticed that Connie continues to bury the unviable egg in the nest now.
The weather forecasts do not look good. The winds are really starting to pick up at Pa Berry and Missy’s nest in Georgia. B16 remains a beautiful little energetic fluff ball. There is some speculation that B16 is actually the second egg hatching at 36 days. Second eggs tend to hatch earlier than first due to delayed incubation. Chatters note that this would be in line with hatching last year also. One wonderful eaglet is fine.
Missy is making sure that the hatches are tight so little B16 is warm and dry. I would love to see these eagle nests catch a break one year from the snow and ice…we will see what happens later today and tomorrow as that system sweeps through the US.
The ospreys at Achieva have been mating and alerting from the nest. Are we going to see eggs in the next week?
The cam operator gave us some very good close ups at the Superbeaks nest this morning. Pearl is 49 days old and Tico is 48 days old today.
Texas already had the storms and the tornadoes and thankfully, the Webster Bald Eagles are just fine! Ringo and Boots up and eating well. Thankful for small miracles as there were no less than 14 confirmed tornadoes in Texas on the 24th.
Nancy and her mate were at the MN-DNR nest working on getting things ready for eggs.
They were working on the rails today.
The predicted snow is starting to fall on the Mum at Duke Farms and her egg. Oh, this poor dear. I remember a couple of years ago her being buried under snow. They survive of course but, it is so hard to watch. We just want to help them and ease any misery and pain they might have.
The snow and winds have hit Iowa and the precipitation is accumulating on both the nests at Decorah.
So far, the snow has not reached Pittsburgh and the US Steel Bald Eagle nest.
There are a lot of intruders. Harriet has had to defend the nest and now Bella is having to defend the NCTC nest. Stay safe, Bella. We do not want a repeat of last year where you were injured and gone for nearly 3 weeks.
Heading to Australia to check to see if Zoe is on the barge nest and yes, there she is. Zoe is 131 days old on Thursday in Australia. Yesterday Mum brought her one fish. I wonder if there will be any deliveries today. It is 1500 and I see no deliveries yet – unless I missed something. Zoe looks remarkably well fed and in good health.
Diamond was in the scrape box on the waterpower of the Charles Sturt University in Orange. It is now 15:21 and Indigo has not been seen or heard so far today.
Thank you so very much for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, videos, announcements, and streaming cams that make up my screen captures: ‘A’, A Place Called Hope, The Guardian, Holly Parsons Albatross Lovers FB and Hob Osterlund, Terry carman and Bald Eagles Live Nest Cams and New and WAVY.COM KNF-E1 and E3, FOBBV, Lady Hawk and NZ DOC, Sharon Dunne and Royal Cam Albatross Group NZ and NZ DOC, Window to Wildlife, Berry College, Achieva Credit Union, Superbeaks, Paul White and the Webster TX Eagle Group, MN-DNR, Duke Farms, Raptor Resource Project and Explore.org, Pix Cams, Deb Stecyk and the NCTC, and Port Lincoln Ospreys.
If you would like to be a member of our bird loving family, we would love to have you join us. There is normally one posting per day unless there is some big excitement. I try hard not to load up your inbox. No ads, no fees. You can unsubscribe at any time.
