Thank you for your good wishes for Hugo Yugo. As I write this, she is pretty sick. She ate a little food on Saturday night and drank water on Sunday morning. She was able to keep it down. I am preparing to feed her with a syringe with ground-up kibble mixed with kitten milk to keep her going until she can see the vet on Wednesday. I will feed her every 1.5 hours. It is now late Sunday evening. Hugo Yugo had another feeding and instead of going straight to hide in my room on my pillow, she plunked herself down on the foot stool to watch her sisters. It feels like an improvement. And yes, we fed her with a syringe until nearly midnight when she ate on her own. Tears.
She is now cuddled with her Missey. This is fantastic.
I am really, really tired of hearing about our wildlife being killed unnecessarily. It has been a week that just keeps on giving!
New research shows that skyscrapers are killing millions of birds annually during migration. It doesn’t have to happen. What is wrong with people?
It just seems there have been so many deaths associated with humans where I live lately. There were the eight bald eagles in the field (COD pending), then the two local foxes whose den was destroyed at the site of new condos – the one being hit by a car on a busy street last night and the other on a busy bridge. My fear is that they were targeted – the driver of the vehicle either baiting them or driving around til they saw them out and speeding up. I am worried about Dyson and her kids who now run across a street that has nothing to slow down the would be Formula 3 drivers since their trees were cut down. We went to get Hugo Yugo more kitten milk and noticed the large tree at the intersection where the Blue Jays nest has a vast orange circle on it this morning, indicating it is now destined to be cut down. When they are finished, we will not have a tree anywhere in sight higher than a meter. Our street was fully canopied two years ago after the leaves came out. It was gorgeous. Looks like the barren moonscape now. The trees the City planted will take 25 years even to become a size for animals to use. The ones being cut down were planted in 1902. If I could scoop up all the garden animals and The Boyfriend and move them, I would leave.
Oh, enough of my rant. The animals are so used to me that I can now sit on the upper deck and photograph them while they forage.
Just look at Dyson. She is not young. She is a real Senior citizen in the squirrel community, but, more important, she is the matriarch.
It is not a great image, but look at that strong back leg of Dyson’s as she gets ready to jump down with her precious peanut.
One of Dyson’s three kits. Isn’t it cute?
And another kit. The three of them were running around the garden with their Mum. They don’t mind me at all. I feel so privileged – and, of course, these are the reasons that I could never leave here – just vacation elsewhere. There is no natural food or not much for them anymore. The Squirrels used to eat the ‘helicopters’ (the seeds) of the Maple Trees but there are no more Maples and no one had the foresight to plant Oak trees!!!!!!!!!!! So no acorns. I did catch Little Red at the very top of the crab apple tree getting the little apples, though. That is not enough to sustain even him, however.
This is how it starts out in the morning. Today, I discovered that the Blue Jays get busy pecking the peanuts and shooting the ones they don’t like off the feeding tray! Dyson & Co thank them for sure. Junior is also stuffing peanuts down its throat like Mr Crow – like a pouch as in pelican. :))
Both Crows visited today.
Oh, the joy they bring! Just look at that face on the Crow above. I cannot imagine anyone harming them.
Isn’t this a gorgeous image? Don Dennis photographed this Bald Eagle couple on Russell Lake, Nova Scotia on Saturday, 9 November 2024. Many more will be coming to our prey-rich Atlantic province for the winter! Don is an excellent photographer. It looks like these two were deep in conversation. I love the evergreens and then that touch of autumn foliage.
At Port Lincoln, breakfast came early. Kasse ate last, but the milestone reached was by Wilko who stood up to eat! He is becoming a ‘big boy’.
Wilko stands up tall part way through the feeding to eat! Way to go, Wilko.
Now it is Kasse’s turn for some fish!
At Collins Street, the parents want the triplets to fledge. They deliver prey and take it away flying by to tease them to use those wings and chase them! It is all coming far too soon for Melbourne and Orange. https://youtu.be/l-xDYFIszYQ?
Diamond and Xavier are not withholding prey!
No news really for the fledgling WBSE. It kind of worries me. The one was in the bushes the other day. Will someone check? I wonder. One had their wing caught eons ago in branches down low and couldn’t get away.
At Hilton Head Bald Eagle nest, we have a takeover (or potential take over bid) by the GHOs. The nest was battered by Hurricane Milton. Wonder where the eagles will nest? https://youtu.be/5WqBTRFWqZ4?
Meanwhile at NE Florida, Gabby and Beau worked tirelessly on Sunday getting that nest ready for those precious eggs (fingers crossed).
It rained in Iowa. I did not see any eagles working on the nest at Decorah North. Rain started later in the afternoon.
Eagles were present at Denton Homes.
Beautiful sunset over the Captiva Bald Eagle nest of Connie and Clive.
I hope they don’t mind. Karl II was the most amazing Black Stork father and he deserves to always be remembered on ‘Father’s Day in Estonia’ and every where around the world where he was loved.
The latest from Sharon Dunne on the Royal Albatross chicks and their flight to the waters off Chile.
Rita the Eagle Monday Facts.
Live in Vancouver? There is a fundraiser for The Nest Companion Bird Car & Rehabilitation Society.
There are still hundreds if not thousands of Canada Geese in Winnipeg who have not migrated. In SW Manitoba, the Sandhill Cranes are still flying south. It is the middle of November!
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, images, posts, videos, and streaming cams: ‘A, Connie and Don Dennis,H, J’, Heidi McGrue, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, 367 Collins Street by Mirvac, SK Hideaways, Judy Harrington, Hilton Head Land Trust, NEFL-AEF, Raptor Resource Project/explore.org, Denton Homes, Window to Wildlife, Heidi McGrue, SW Florida Eagle Cam, Cali Condor, ETSU-Bluff City, ETSU-Johnson City, Raptor Persecution UK, Madli Allsoo, Sharon Dunne, Rita the Eagle, The Nest Companion Bird Care & Rehabilitation Society
Bald Eagles are still abundant in Manitoba. The climate creates good conditions for prey as their territories move northward, so many will winter here. But what I woke up to on Saturday could have been better, much better.
I want to thank Ruth Hiebert for allowing images and a narrative of the horror she found in a field in southern Manitoba. She immediately contacted the Conservation Officer. She checked on Saturday, and the eagle carcasses were removed. She hopes to discover what happened to them, and I will pass on any news.
I am going to speculate, and yes, an egg could come on my face, but I haven’t seen eagles die of Avian Flu at the same time in the same place as this. I haven’t seen it with poisoning, either. Perhaps you have. I have, however, seen it when shooting is the issue. If that is the case, we should know soon. If it isn’t, it will be a while. So many dead in the same place is beyond sad.
That was the first news that I woke up to on Saturday morning. The only way to shake off something like that is to go out in nature, to feel the wind and the warmth of the sun, to hear the song of the birds, and that is precisely what we did. We walked the entire 4km trail and more with no less than a hundred Black-capped Chickadees taking seed from our hands! What a day. Little wind. Nice sky. 15 C – the middle of November. Everyone on the trails, most walking their dogs, was joyful to the extreme because of the weather.
The Chickadees were caching some of their Black Oil Seed in the crevices of the trees like this one.
The White-breasted Nuthatch would not take seed from our hand, but wanted it on the path.
At home, there was also a celebration. For the first time in a long, long time, I saw Dyson and her three kits in the garden together. They are all alive. In an urban environment, with their trees cut down, they have to run across busy streets; this is amazing. Tears. Tears and more tears. Dyson is the equivalent of a Senior Citizen in the Squirrel World. She has survived being poisoned, run over, or trapped and removed from the area. We are so pleased to see her and the three kids. Photos on Monday!
A remarks: “Fledge watch formally begins on 12 November at Orange, I believe, which is Tuesday. I think they are a little further behind the Collins Street three than that but time will tell. Garrama is having difficulty getting fed now that he has to fight his giant sister for every mouthful, usually without parental intervention. Xavier is so much smaller than Yira that he doesn’t dare interfere once she has claimed a piece of prey, while Diamond does sometimes assert maternal authority and feed the chicks herself, under which conditions Garrama gets at least some food. Otherwise, he is reduced to finding leftover scraps around the scrape, and I suspect he will be somewhat relieved when Yira fledges and he gets the food to himself for a few days before it’s his turn to take the plunge. “
No fish yet at Port Lincoln. Mum, Wilko, and Kasse are waiting to see if Dad returns with a good breakfast. Otherwise, I bet those fairies are waiting in the wings to help.
Dad came through with a partial ‘flat’? fish at 10:34. Notice how big Kasse is – larger than Wilko!
Kasse still has the white stripe on the back.
Big stretch as Mum toe dances and calls as Dad is arriving with the fish.
‘A’ gives us the day’s run down at PLO: “At Port Lincoln, our osplets are SO cute and they’ve had a pretty good day. Breakfast was a large whole fish that arrived courtesy of Dad at 10:34. At 13:55, he brought in a small tidbit in the form of a fish tail. At this point, Mum decided to get involved and brought in an extra-large whole fish at 14:49. Impressive work, Mum! The resulting feeding lasted for NEARLY AN HOUR. Both osplets got plenty to eat today, and there is still plenty of time for another fish to be brought in before dark (it’s only just after 4pm at Port Lincoln right now). “
There are still three eyases on the ledge at 367 Collins Street in the Central Business District of Melbourne as of 1017 Sunday morning.
Latest sea eagle report:
‘
There are no other nests with eggs at the time of writing that I am aware.
Beau and Gabby were at the nest. Female eagles have three periods where they are fertile and will want to mate. Of course, Eagles bond at other times, but Saturday, Gabby was not in the mood. Sorry Beau!
That precious egg of M15 and F23’s is never left for very long without someone around.
Gracie Shepherd got the shift change! Watching the care and attention these eagles give to their first egg of the season is hugely moving. I cannot comprehend why anyone would ever wish to harm one of their species. They are parents who care and who are concerned for their young just like us.
Connick leaves the Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey and heads north to the Smithsonian. Connie and Clive’s little one, who fell from the nest and had feather development issues, will live an excellent life without the fear of being shot or poisoned. Let’s hope he can educate people to care for wildlife including these majestic birds.
Take a look at this!
More sadness near the grouse hunting estates in Perthshire, Scotland.
Now a smile. This Sharp-shinned Grouse has all the right moves, ladies.
Lady Hawk posted information about Lucina, the female at the Wild Bucovina Golden Eagle nest in Romania. Lady Hawk’s take from the information that is current is that Lucina died of either lead or rodenticide poisoning. The font is small so please refer to Lady Hawk’s FB page.
Audubon Florida’s Eagle Watch report looks at the challenges, some new, and the successes of the 2023-24 season. Those challenges include nest removal!
Last, a learning experience from the Toronto Field Naturalists on hawk migration and raptors. https://youtu.be/hrQk8Dg1Ebo?
Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, J, Ruth Hiebert’, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, 367 Collins Street by Mirvac, Port Lincoln Ospreys, NEFL-AEF, SW Florida Eagle Cam, Gracie Shepherd and SW Florida Eagle Cam, Window to Wildlife, Deb Stecyk, Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey, USFWS Columbia Pacific Northwest, USFWS, Lady Hawk FB, Audubon Florida, The Guardian, Toronto Field Naturalists.
It is 1 C with ‘grey wintery skies, not unlike the colour of baby Osprey down. We are now at the beginning of the brown and greys of late fall. Today is Halloween, and the plan is to do the 4k walk at Bird’s Hill Park while feeding chickadees. Today is also a discount day at the Pet Stores, so we will stock up on the month’s food and get the prezzies for Calico’s party. After taking stock of what Calico likes, I must order dental ropes from the online retailer and get some nice treats. The cats have all the perches in the world they need, more tunnels than they should have, and I refuse to buy any small plastic toys because they don’t play with them anymore, and it just adds to the heap of junk our planet needs to get rid of. So special food and treats for The Girls and The Boyfriend and dental toys! Sounds good to me. We need another low basket for the floor. Tonight, Baby Hope waited patiently for Missey to ‘get out of her basket!’ It was rather sweet. Real estate on the floor is in high demand, so no. They can share.
There will also be another storybook, as Calico truly loves our time reading in the evening. For those who do not know, Calico lived on the streets. She was fed and talked to and finally came into the house five days later to be accompanied by her only surviving kitten, Baby Hope. My old office was cleared, and a place was made for her to integrate quietly into the family. Whenever she was fed or I went in, I read to her. Gradually, she came and listened from my lap. Calico has her likes and dislikes when it comes to books. I cannot read her mind, but she will walk away if she doesn’t like the sound of the words. Let’s see what I can find. Yes, Sky Dancer! by Gill Lewis. Calico will have a good birthday on Saturday.
Goodness me. Hugo Yugo could have posed for these pictures!
This is what those dental rope sticks look like after The Girls are finished. I rewind and tie the cord again and again sneaking some catnip in there so they last a long time.
The furnace was on all night, and it went down to -4 C. It is now time for gloves, toques, winter coats, warm socks, and jumpers. There is no question about it. My Birkenstocks can go in the drawer until next spring.
Happily by 1100, the temperature was climbing and reached 6 C. There was not a lick of wind. We did the 2k (not the 4k) walk at Bird’s Hill Park feeding chickadees along the way. It was so beautiful neither of us wanted to return home!
The view from the lookout tower was not as grand as when we were in Nova Scotia with all the gorgeous rust, yellow, and red-coloured leaves, but it was nice nonetheless.
This view was created 11,000 years ago when the glaciers that covered our province began to melt. The hill we are standing on is about 30 metres higher than the surrounding area and is one of the highest points within a 30 km radius. In other words, it is quite flat in this area of Manitoba!
There are still lots of Canada Geese in Winnipeg. Hundreds were on the golf course near the zoo yesterday, and another 200 or so at the soccer pitch. Today, we saw them flying overhead into the City, and there were flocks of them scattered about as we drove out to the park. ‘PB’ tells me that Canada Geese are just now arriving in Omaha. All of this could be a clue to the low numbers of migrants at Hawk Mountain. We will have to wait and see. Food is certainly still available, and that is, as you know, the driving force for migration, not weather.
At 1743, approximately 200 Canada Geese flew over the conservatory! I stood in awe. They were flying in the direction of our two rivers that converge for the night. To me, they are majestic. It is such a privilege to watch them raise their young during the summer. Fly safe!
‘A’ sent me a report that did not get into yesterdays blog. I will include it today and any others that come after regarding the sea eaglets. “Meanwhile, here is tonight’s WBSE report, posted a couple of hours later than usual. October 31: Last evening, both eaglets were seen together in the wetlands. Early this morning, both parents were seen down on River Roost. Around 7:30am, ravens and currawongs were heard in the wetlands – maybe fledglings were still there? Then squonking was heard as well. Shortly after, both eaglets were spotted in a tree, hunched down to avoid the swoopers. Early afternoon, at 2:20pm, Dad was circling overhead, and shortly after, one youngster was airborne from the wetlands, circling, then headed towards the river. One eagle was at River Roost at 3pm, and a fledgling was possibly behind, in the mangroves. Later, an eaglet was seen opposite River Roost. No eagles have returned to the nest. At around 5pm, an adult was circling over Mangrove Island with a fish and a juvenile was heard from behind the island. Finally, the adult began eating the fish itself. The watcher was unable to see if any juvenile was there. One of the juveniles was seen in the river, though fortunately, it managed to lift off again – attempting to catch a fish maybe? Late in the afternoon, rain started – hopefully, all sheltered somewhere for the night, and watchers thought both fledglings were over the river.
The sight of the two eaglets flying together does make me smile.” The latest from A and the ranger report: “Finally, at WBSE, I have been waiting for today’s report, literally with bated breath. And finally here it is, posted literally two minutes ago (spoiler alert: a good report):
November 1: The adults were down on the river early, seen on Mangrove Island. One was seen with a fish – apparently a catfish –then one of the juveniles was seen eating there – a first definite sighting for us. At around 1pm, a juvenile was on Mangrove Island and the parents were aware. When Lady brought in a bird just after 1pm, the juvenile was ready and squeeing – and eventually got to eat it, after some time spent de-feathering it, first by the juvie and then by Lady. Then at 4:30, Lady brought in another bird. Again, the juvie finally ate. Just one juvenile appears to be there on the island, but we believe both are doing well.”
We wonder if both eaglets have been seen eating. I mean they must be, but…
At Port Lincoln, ‘A’ and I have both noticed that Dad has upped his game. Yesterday he brought in five fish. FIVE. Dad brought in them, not fairies. Gosh, goodness, is he taking health supplements this year? The osplets need that fish as they grow bigger and bigger. A really nice fish came in for breakfast on Friday. Yeah, Dad. Delivery time: 0749
Everyone is being nice. What a pleasure it has been this year to watch this nest. Just wonderful.
Both kiddos were stuffed. I sure hope Mum got some nice fish, too. She has done an incredible job this year.
‘A’ remarks on Port Lincoln: “The osplets ate and ate and ate today at Port Lincoln, as did mum. After five fish deliveries yesterday (31 October), another five fish were brought in today, one by mum and four by dad. The littles ate until they were bursting and then they ate some more. Mum seemed to be on a mission to stuff both of them to the brim, and they were literally moving to the other side of the nest to avoid food at one stage! Perhaps fishing conditions are excellent at the moment or perhaps dad is just aware that he needs to work progressively harder on fish deliveries as the osplets grow.
Whichever is it, there has been no need for the Fish Fairy apart from that one day several weeks ago. These two are very active and look healthy and alert. The bonking is rare and short-lived, with Kasse running away from Wilco rather than tucking and ducking or retaliation. The important thing is that he does not appear to be intimidated at all when it comes to eating, although he does defer to Wilco, allowing his older sibling to eat first. Mum tends to make sure Wilco gets the first half dozen bites or so, just to ensure that pecking order is respected and there are no bad manners at the table.”
It is all about eating and sleeping at Orange. Yira and Garramatta are being fed well! And those white soft little feathers are soon going to be filling the scrape box as if someone had a pillow fight.
More prey.
The Collins Street triplets are nothing short of chaos. Up and down the gutter they go! And then they fall asleep as quickly once their batteries have run down. It is 0950 and I have not seen a prey delivery but I surely could have missed a very early one.
So full. No rushing the parent when a partial pigeon is brought in.
Heidi brings us up to date with Bubba at Growing Home in Australia.
M15 and F23 spent Wednesday checking their nest, testing it to see if it was just right. Today is the first day of November. Looking for eggs here and at NE Florida by the end of the month.
‘J’ remarks: “It strikes me again and again, doesn’t matter how oft I’ve seen it, I just go slackjawed when I realise anew how BIG F23 is.” Yes, she is a big girl, ‘J’.
Gosh, golly. What a time to have cam problems. On the NEFL chat there was a thought that they might be able to switch to IR during important moments such as hatch, fledge, etc. They said: “RaptorLvr_AEFAgain – emphasizing this is something we MIGHT try – not a definite. I have been misquoted before so want to be sure this is clear!!!”
As we all watch the migratory bird counts, the number of shorebirds is plummeting. We need to be concerned about what is happening along all of the major flyways. It is essential that protections are put in place.
“‘The perilous declines of migratory birds are a sign that the integrity of flyways is deteriorating. Losing the network of habitats that migratory birds depend on to rest and feed during their long journeys could have severe consequences for the millions of people that rely on these sites, as well as the birds.’’
‘J’ sends us the latest on Rita (Ron’s former partner at WRDC) who had an injury and was found and taken into care.
Thank you so much for being with us this first day of November. Just two months until the end of the year. Just two months until there will be baby eaglets on the nests. How exciting is that?
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Heidi, J’, Sea Eagle Cam Daily Report, Port Lincoln Ospreys, 367 Collins Street by Mirvac, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, Heidi McGrue and The Joy of Ospreys, Growing Home, SW Florida Eagle Cam, NEFL-AEF, SK Hideaways, BirdLife International, Raptor Persecution UK, The John Muir Trust, Marathon Wild Bird Centre.
I had a lovely vacation, but it was so nice to be home and to wake up with Hugo Yugo cuddled under my chin Tuesday morning.
It is Wednesday morning now and Baby Hope is watching ‘The Boyfriend’ eat his breakfast. All is right with the world. It is 1 C.
Most of the leaves are gone on the trees at the back. The lilacs have some. The memorial tree to our cat Abigale is bare, and it feels like the end of fall with the temperatures plummeting at night. We have gathered up kindling and logs and will have some nice fires in the wood stove in the late afternoon. I might even bake some of that Nova Scotia Oatmeal Molasses bread this week. It looks like we are into comfort food weather!
When he is ready to leave, The Boyfriend always stops and looks in the house for about ten minutes before he leaves. We have put out the little container with straw, but I believe he sleeps under the deck of the house where Calico had her kittens.
Gosh, I really missed The Girls!
The biggest news that I read while I was away was that Nox was released into then wild….and then is back in care!
Nox has to be the cutest peregrine falcon in the world!
And they also are playful and want to escape her attentions! This poor Mum she has her hands full with this bunch! https://youtu.be/Igt2Dndy74c?
If you haven’t watched this peregrine family, you should. They are hilarious and it is even going to get more exciting as these chicks lose their down.
Bubba at Growing Home is working its wings and walking around the nest. 38 days old. Oh, the joys of being the Only Bob. Eating and eating without any anxiety or strife.
Wilko and Kasse are well into the reptile stage. Poor things. So many pin feathers coming out. So far two fish have been brought in at the time I am writing this. It is early in the day; hopefully there will be more.
After eating some of it on the ropes, Dad brought in a super fish right around 1800. Wilko and Kasse had a great dinner along with Mum!
They are beautiful and their interactions are so cute. They could fly any day and yet they are still with us – thankfully. Many believe (or hope) that SE33 and SE34 will remain on the nest observing their parents ignoring the Currawong and when they fly will head to the river. I hope for the same!
At 1102, the pair had full crops. They are both restless.
“Shocking to hear these gamekeepers plotting to kill Hen Harriers, and actually shooting one, not knowing the RSPB investigations team were filming them.” https://youtu.be/l4dRN1L_X6Y
One of my long time readers is really wanting people to understand ‘why’ people should not purchase budgies. I know that many of you could also talk about people not purchasing pure bred dogs or cats and, instead, taking rescues. I promised ‘J’ that I would alert all of you and I ask that if you know of anyone thinking about buying a budgie, please educate them! Share this information. Thank you.
‘J’ writes: Could you please put this in your blog and ask people to send it to anyone considering buying a budgie?
It’s a fantastic FREE ebook with everything a budgie caretaker should know and should read before taking a budgie into their home.
If only one person reads it before buying, it’s a win.
Had to check on Gabby and Beau. They have both been working on the nest
Hawk Mountain’s migration report. Those numbers for ospreys are truly troubling.
Thank you so much for being with me 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: ‘Geemeff, J’, UC Berkeley News, Cal Falcons, SK Hideaways, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, Liznm, 367 Collins Street by Mirvac, Growing Home, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Olympic Park Eagles, Nesting Bird Life and More, Raptor Persecution UK, The Guardian, Pamela Clark, NEFL-AEF, Hawk Mountain Migration Chart.
It started out really windy and then the rain came. Now there are big clouds and the sun is out, but the phone tells me that more rain is expected in 17 minutes. It rained so hard at Hall’s Harbour that the side of the hill turned into a waterfall and tore out the road, a huge shock to everyone who lives and works there. They are expecting 43 feet tides on Saturday, something that is unprecedented No one knows what to expect. Will there be floods? The Hunter’s Full Moon is today, October 17. Full moons impact the tides being higher.
The long unpainted board above the little tug to the left marks a 41 foot tide. The tide is set to be 39 feet tonight which is slightly above the dark water mark on the boards.
While this is fascinating to someone living on the Prairies, this is not a curiosity to those that live in the area who have faced the mudslides and rising water.
We are not staying at Hall’s Harbour. Decades ago, before the fancy new restaurant, it was a favourite haunt of ours.
Our little cottage is on an appropriately named little lane near Grand Pre!
There were four Bald Eagles hunting on the dykelands this morning along with Crows and Gulls. They sit so still, just like hawks waiting for the small mammals to surface from the big clumps of soil that have been recently plowed. No doubt those fields are full of tasty voles.
Merlin identifies this gull as an Iceland Gull, a sub-species, a non-breeding Thayer’s Gull.
Our ride to Hall’s Harbour revealed fields of pumpkins, small stands of delicious apples for sale, and gorgeous foliage.
They have been harvesting pumpkins and squash from these vast fields for weeks.
There are stands everywhere where the honour system is in place. Pick your produce and put your money in the tin! It is that simple.
‘PB’ alerted me to the cameras at Captiva – both osprey and eagle cams are up and running! Thank you.
The little cuties went to bed with a full tummy at the Port Lincoln osprey barge on Wednesday. This was a great feeding. Wilko and Kasse are doing so well.
‘A’ remarks: “Unfortunately, we saw some aggression from Wilco yesterday morning as it decided to enforce pecking order on the nest. Kasse was completely bewildered, not having encountered this until now, and didn’t really know how to handle it. At one stage, he literally headed for the hills, but Wilco grabbed him by the back and dragged him down again. Certainly, Kasse’s major response was confusion, and I don’t think it is going to result in its being intimidated. We will wait and see. When the fish delivery arrived a little later, the pair were exemplary in their table manners and all was well.
Both of yesterday’s fish were magpie perch – large, striped and very much alive in the first case at least. Flopping around and bonking the babies. It took some time to come under control but luckily the littles are not quite as fragile at this age. Even so, they were a little taken aback to be attacked by breakfast. (Another magpie perch was brought in at 07:55 this morning – 17 October.)”
Breakfast at 367 Collins Street! Everyone is always full. What a great family.
It is very foggy at Orange. Diamond, Yira and Garramma are waiting for Xavier to be able to catch breakfast prey.
The sea eaglets are learning how to defend themselves against the Currawong attacks on the nest! https://youtu.be/dDhYLRxO-5M?
Thank you for being with me today. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, images, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, J, PB’, Window to Wildlife, Judy Harrington and Sydney Sea Eagle Cam, Trudi Kron and JBS Sands Wetlands, NEFL-AEF, Gary’s Videos, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, 367 Collins Street by Mirvac, Raptor Persecution UK, SK Hideaways, The Guardian.
First up. I have had some questions about donations for the fish at Port Lincoln for Wilko and Kasse. Fran Solly answered me right away. The fish donations are being handled by Port Lincoln Osprey. There is a link on their FB page and on the live stream Obs board. It is PayPal and funds can be sent from anywhere in the world to South Australia. You can specify that they go for fish for the kiddos if you like in the square where it asks what the payment is for.
Wilko and Kasse wanting some fish.
I have just had some amazing news from Janette Forster (PLO): “We have just heard we have 4 chicks on a platform we installed on Yorke Peninsula – Coobowie – so that is exciting – never heard of 4 in Australia, usually it is 3 at the most.” I am hoping some of those chicks in South Australia will be females. Ervie needs a mate!
Gosh, wasn’t Wednesday tense? Milton making a night landfall kept everyone sitting at the edge of our chairs until late. So far, we know that M15 and F23 are fine. What a relief…indeed, the news has been rather good. The osprey platform that I complained about at Achieva held – so I won’t complain again except to ask that someone (Audubon at Clearwater) fix those drain holes so we don’t lose another chick or egg. The Osprey platform at Captiva held, but they lost their new camera. We are still holding our breath to find out if dear Clive, who tried to ride out Milton in the nest, survived. Oh, please, let him be sitting there! Let’s hope that the wildlife of Florida (and all the people) can relax and that there will not be any more storms or hurricanes for the rest of the year. They have so much cleanup to do.
We are officially beginning the long weekend for Canadian Thanksgiving. I will be leaving for our second trip to the Atlantic coast on Monday. My plan is for minimal postings from Wednesday the 16th. There will be no post on Tuesday, October 15. I am looking forward to the rolling hills and the beautiful landscape and getting away from a city that has been a construction site for too many years. The concrete and all the building are really getting to me despite my little piece of land being a haven. I need ‘the wild’ and the ocean’s roar for a week.
‘The Girls’ and ‘The Boyfriend’ had their organic chicken dinner early. Gosh, the feral cat is so cute. He waits and looks in the window and now only hides close to the door til he hears me close it and he feels safe to come out. He is very afraid of humans.
Tonight he got three small bowls of chicken. It turns out that Missey is the only one who wanted ‘real meat’! His fur is getting shinier and his patches of missing fur are now mostly filled in. He really is a sweetheart.
He always stops when he has finished eating and looks in the garden door at us. He will sit for a few minutes before moving on. I wish he would walk in the door! He is quite the handsome Tuxedo.
It will be a year on Saturday that we lost dear Lewis. I am so worried about the teeth and gums of the girls. Now Hugo Yugo is showing signs of gingivitis despite wiping teeth and gums with Vetradent, brushing, and having dental treats and food. Many of her adult teeth have failed to come in. I am hoping something can be done to help her and it is not the issues that Lewis had!
Hugo Yugo is just the sweetest little kitten. Technically, she is a cat, but she remains so tiny and kitten-like. It is marvellous to wake up with her snuggled under my chin in the morning.
Everyone else is fine. All of the garden animals are accounted for except we have noticed that one of the Red Squirrels has not been at the feeder. We will keep a good watch. Maybe we are just missing it. The cars drive so fast down the streets and the canopy that the squirrels used to cross over is gone now that so many trees have been cut down due to disease. The Reds often use the power lines but then they can also fall. So, we wait and hope.
Moving on to the birds…
Peregrine Falcons being killed on the grouse moor estates!
The Bald Eagle at the SW Florida nest has been confirmed to be F23 and M15 was there as well so both eagles seen, photographed and are alright. https://youtu.be/laT8TyVva14?
No one had seen an eagle ride out a storm in a nest like Clive at Captiva. We are hoping for our families at Captiva, Achieva in St Petersburg, and M15 to all be alright and return to their nests.
They are getting ready for Liberty and Guardian in Redding with a new camera. Let us hope they are both safe and sound.
Everyone at CROW is safe and awaiting the return to Sanibel.
We can now easily see the drain holes that need mesh so that the eggs and osplets do not fall down form the nest at Achieva and die as per last year. Please write to Audubon at Clearwater. We know everyone is busy but let’s get this nest in their sights. They built the original platform! And it has held, thankfully, including the perch that I often squawk about.
Here is news about NE Florida nest of Beau and Gabby.
Cuter than little buttons the Port Lincoln osplets.
Breakfast fish at the Olympic Sea Eagle nest in Sydney. ‘A’ is watching closely and worrying about fledging at the Olympic Sea Eagle nest. “Still two at WBSE at 10am, lying duckling style on their nest, side by side. They are SO sweet together and I do love the way they have been so friendly throughout their nestling period. I recall one minor incident of bonking and that was about it. SE34 did seem to show some level of deference to SE33 when they were younger, but even then, he was not intimidated, just waiting for his turn, and SE33 was not aggressive. Mum made sure she fed SE33 first most of the time, which also helped reinforce pecking order and avoid disputes. And of course Dad kept a good supply of prey coming to the nest so SE33 never got to experience real hunger. Well done Lady and Dad. Another season of getting two chicks ready to fledge. ” “We still have two eaglets at WBSE. This does not bother me in the slightest. The better prepared they are for their big adventure and the stronger they are, the better. It is going to be a huge challenge and I want them fed and healthy and strong.
October 11: b\Both eaglets spent part of the night standing. All were awake early, joining in a chorus and flapping about. Dad brought a good-sized mullet at 6;30 and Lady fed them. SE34 self-fed as well. Then they were alone for the morning. Late morning both eagles were still at River Roost. Currawong swooper was about the nest later. Eaglets were waiting, resting, and around 4pm enthusiastically flapping about the nest. They even squonked at a magpie calling above. After a lean day, Lady brought a bird in at 17:12, fed a little, then took it off to de-feather. She fed both, and then Dad brought a gull chick in. SE33 self-fed and Lady also fed them both. Plenty to eat at the end of day.”
Adorable. ‘A’ remarks: “At Collins Street, in a preview of what is to come, we are having a sunny day even though it is only 12C. Mum is standing with her wings outstretched, back to the street, shading the trio of sleeping eyases. She is SO good at this. The chicks are in complete shade, stretched out and growing as hard as they can. (I saw a comment once about chicks fast asleep, working as hard as they could to convert fish into eaglet, which I thought was just a magnificent turn of phrase. Well, that’s what these three are doing right now, although of course they are converting pigeon into falcon, watched over by their very conscientious mum.) This little family is wonderful to watch. I am hopeful that little dad will be able to provide for the five of them, with mum’s help a bit later on when those appetites are even larger than they are right now.
I have been amazed in the past couple of days at both Collins Street and Orange by the size of the prey these little males are able to catch and carry. Birds that appear to be more than half their size have been brought in at both scrapes this week – these falcons may be smaller and more delicate than the eagles but wow, are they stronger than they look. I’m very impressed. “
The same at Orange. Little falcons having their breakfast are nothing short of sweet and adorable even when their pin feathers are starting. ‘A’ sends us the short morning summary from Orange: “At Orange,Xavier has already brought in at least three prey items this morning, Here is the summary of the day so far:
11 Oct BOND 05.28.49; PREY 06.08 39 feeds; 07.59.26 takes; 09.32.02 takes; TOWER PREY STASH 06.55.16 on MW; 08.21.59 D eats MW stash; 08.01.14 at hatch”
Voting has ended. The names are Yira and Garrama. There is a crack in the third egg and we are thinking it could be egg damage. Surely to goodness we won’t have another chick, will we?
Thanks, ‘MM’ – A sad sight – lightening hits an eagle nest but – the amount of habitat being lost to wildlife is going to have devastating effects. https://youtu.be/udagWeaIw48?
It is always good to end with a smile. Does King Charles love ospreys as much as us? Just ordered. Review to come! Thanks ‘Tiger’ for the posting!
Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care all. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, images, tweets, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Fran Solly, H, J, Janette Forster, MM, PB’, Raptor Persecution UK, Deb Stecyk and the NCTC Bald Eagle Cam, D Morningstar and SW Florida Eagle Cam, Liz Wutschel, Window to Wildlife, Trudi Kron and Bald Eagles 101, CROW, Achieva Credit Union, SW Florida Eagle Cam, Liz Russo and NEFL Eagle Chat, 367 Collins Street by Mirvac, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Olympic Park Eagles, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, Cal Falcons, FOX 31 Denver, Maria Marika, People’s Trust for Endangered Species, Tiger Mozone and now King Charles III.
I am starting to put all of the things that excite me or late updates here at the top. On Friday evening 24E1 brought Gabby her first fish gift of the season. She devoured that fish. I know that many have been cheering for Beau. Beau is not at the nest. 24E1 is and Gabby appears to be more than happy with him. His toes are ‘not that bad’ and actually appear to be healing. He is perfectly capable of protecting the nest, taking care of Gabby, and we hope providing for her and their eaglets, if that happens.
Gabby was working on the nest. She knows he is coming. Look at the delight on 24E1’s face when Gabby accepts the fish!
Friday was the most glorious day. There was a clear blue sky. Not a hint of a cloud! There was a nice breeze and the temperature was 22 C. As I write, the European Starlings have come in to try and get as many meal worms out of the nut cylinder as they can. Little do they know that I ordered them 22 lbs of meal worms. They will be here on Sunday.
Mr Crow got into the action, too!
It was Open House at Wildlife Haven. The Director said they wondered if they were taking a huge risk having the event so late in the month, but, no. It was fabulous. Last year it was 15 September and wet and cold. The vet who is doing her internship for a year as part of a project through the University of Guelph was amazing. I learned so much! And I asked a lot of questions for all of us!!!!!!!!!
First up a little bragging. I never win anything. And today, by putting the feather to the raptor (12 different ones), I won the book prize. It is a marvelous volume that I will enjoy.
We got to visit with one of the GHO ambassadors. It was found at the bottom of the nest. The parents would not feed it and then it was discovered why. It was born with only one eye and its beak was crooked so it could not hunt or survive in the wild.
Isn’t this owl a sweetie?
The volunteer with the GHO sent me over to Rick who was hosting a display on Kestrels. He does videography as well as taxidermy. I learned so much about how long it will take to get my Cooper’s Hawk approved for ‘stuffing’.
That is the female Kestrel on the top. She is larger than the male. Rick has a blind and monitors a small population of these raptors. He says the females are ‘fierce’. The males not so much. Want the territory protected? Call the female!!!!!!
Patients are brought to Wildlife Haven by Conservation Officers, Volunteers, and the general public. At intake, they try to get as much information as possible so that the patient can be returned to its territory on release. The goal is always to get them back to the wild. Next is the examination room where there is a host of machines such as an x-ray to try and determine what is needed.
Tess said that the centre is lucky. It has all of the facilities needed including a surgical centre so that raptors with broken wings can be put on the mend and not euthanised.
There are oxygen rich incubators if needed.
Cages for animals awaiting diagnosis. They are using stuffies so that the real animals do not get stressed.
A stuffie stands in for the Bald Eagle who did have wing surgery and is in one of the larger areas awaiting transfer to the flight pens.
The sub-adult Bald Eagle that had the surgery.
You have all heard about imping. Replacing a missing feather with another which is glued in place. According to Tess, you can only imp 2-3 feathers if you want success. Most of the raptors have many more feathers missing either their primaries, tail feathers, or both. She did say that in Manitoba, most of the hydro poles are insulated so that the birds are not electrocuted. She has not seen an electrocution from a power pole.
As I walked around I took notice of all the things that are needed in case you are feeling like making a donation. Those clean old towels are needed all the time! Dawn detergent. Bleach. All manner of stainless steel or plastic container that could be used for feeding animals. Look on the shelves below! If you clean out a house for someone moving (or otherwise), please consider donating items to your local wildlife rehabilitation clinic. They go through gallons of bleach and Dawn!!!!!!
Those old clean towels and sheets are always needed. If you are feeling ‘flush’, a good laundry set is always wanted.
One thing we haven’t thought of – bees wax paper. They use it for bandages for turtles! You can put the beeswax paper on the incision or wound and it actually keeps it from getting infected. They can use these for a fortnight without changing them and they are removed easily with a tongue depressor.
There is a turtle in there with a beeswax bandage under that leaf.
Majestic, the Ambassador Bald Eagle.
It was a great event. The new vet tech is fantastic. I said that at least twice. Her goal is for every animal to live in the wild. She said that the area of wildlife rehabilitation veterinary science is relatively new compared to large animals or domestic pets. One aspect that she is keenly interested in is the resilience of the animals. Can a turtle live in the wild with only three legs? Why not try it? Monitor them. The answer is, ‘Yes, they can’. What about a raptor with one leg? It was not that long ago that the wildlife would be euthanised. Now, some wildlife vets are ‘sticking their necks out’ to see precisely who can live with what injuries and thrive. I highly recommend that you seek out your local clinic and find out when they have Open House!
‘MP’ suggests that it is the right time to get that platform at Achieva fixed before the new breeding season starts. I sent a note to the Tampa Bay Raptor Centre to see if they could help. It is possible that there are so many animals in need that this could still be low on the priority list. The platform needs a new perch if not two of them. The dish needs proper drainage but with the ability to not allow eggs or nestlings to fall down and die or break. Was the tree trimmed to stop raccoons? What about other predators?
Oh, goodness. Falcons are the cutest! Don’t you love how they talk to their eggs?!!!!!!! https://youtu.be/qjh2vn1-vh4?
The Royal Cam chick’s name is Kiwa. Just lovely and the meaning is perfect.
Gabby was in the nest on Friday.
No one at the Newfoundland Power nest…it seems they have all headed south.
‘J’ reports that both eagles have been seen at the John Bunker Sands Wetlands eagle nest.
The Bluff City Bald Eagle streaming cam is up and running. The nest appears alright.
The wind is still blowing reasonably strong at Pa and Missey Berry’s nest in NE Georgia.
If you missed the live Ventana Wildlife Chat live, here is the recording. https://youtu.be/yLBrKSws3Zg? This month focuses on “…the Condor Crew highlight the arrival of our condor “rookies” in San Simeon, while our new interns, Rachel and Griffin, offer a glimpse into the developing personalities of these young birds. We also share some exciting nesting and flock updates, including a video of wild-hatched condor chick 1315 being fed by his dad, and Bucky (1087)’s release date from Oakland Zoo.“
What an adorable family. The Olympic Park Eagles in Sydney.
You still have time to guess the day and time the first egg will hatch at Port Lincoln. Put it under the streaming cam in chat! A big thanks to Brad M for keeping us great historical records and organising all the information including the daily log of nest happenings. It is invaluable. The link is at the top of the chat.
‘PB’ reports that the Seaside Bird Sanctuary in Indian Shores, Florida, suffered substantial damage due to flooding.
Time for Fun Fact Friday! Enrichment for good health! It is very important for any facility that takes care of birds and other animals to provide an environment with lots of enrichment to help them thrive. For a raptor, like Rita, having various perches of different heights with different materials covering them helps to keep her feet healthy, and the wood provides a good surface for her to “feak” her beak to keep it clean and sharp. Being able to bath in her bath tub and having a water mister helps with feather conditioning. A variety of prey items, some of which can be placed in containers that require her to use her foraging skills, is very stimulating. A few examples that simulate foraging in the wild are to place prey items in a floating bowl in the bath tub to be “fished out” or to freeze the prey in ice blocks, or put it in egg cartons or cardboard boxes with holes cut out so the prey is still visible are all great ideas. This allows the eagle to “hunt” and tear at the container to get to the prey. Another idea was to provide a sisal rope toy that the eagle could flip around and stomp on like it would do with sticks or prey in the wild. There are lots of ideas for enrichment online. When researching ideas, I came across a YT video of an eagle that was given a carved out pumpkin! That’s a great idea since Halloween is coming up and the stores will have pumpkins! Those caregivers carved holes in it and stuffed it with prey items sticking out so the eagle could forage for its food. With that idea in mind, I brought a ball for Rita, and Kelly and Laura put fish in for her to pick out! She had such a funny expression when she first saw the ball. Kelly and her team are always striving to provide the best of care for Rita with enrichment in her environment and diet that can help her thrive. They are the bestn and your support can help provide some stimulating enrichment for Rita! Thank you! JK #ritathebaldeagle
The Hawk & Owl Trust withdraws from the Hen Harrier brooding scheme!
Friday evening we took a quick spin over to The Mint. On our way to Wildlife Haven, we noticed hundreds of geese feeding on the grass at The Mint. I wondered if they would return to the pond at night for its security.
That did not happen. There were a few geese in the pond along with some ducks, but not many.
Is it because of this?
Calico’s Tip for the Day comes from ‘Everything Gardening’. Get yourself a nice cuppa and sit back and leave the leaves alone.
Missey and Hugo Yugo wish you a fantastic weekend. They want you to take care of yourself. Get outside if you can. Listen for the birds. Pet a cat! And be back with us as soon as you can.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, announcements, images, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘J, MP, PB’, Wildlife Haven, SK Hideaways, NZ-DOC, NEFL-AEF, Newfoundland Power, Achieva Credit Union, Berry College Eagle Cam, ETSU Bluff City, Olympic Park Eagles, Raptor Persecution UK, The Canadian Mint, Winnipeg, and Everything Gardening.
If I had one wish, it would be for Jackie and Shadow to raise an eaglet this year to fledge. I am certain that you feel the same. Maybe we can send them the most positive energy. I cannot think of a more deserving couple – they are already working on that nest. They live in ‘hope’.
‘R’ wrote, concerned about me. It wasn’t me, it was one of my dear friends and reporters. I, on the other hand, worry that the albatross won’t survive the five to six years out on those rough seas with those long line factory ships. Or that the oceans, especially the Southern Ocean, are getting too acidic. I am far too cranky and will be cheering those albatross on and those ships to go extinct! Thanks, ‘R’ for worrying about me. And I am sorry if the cemetery plot got anyone weepy. It is a response to my best friend having to deal with all of the red tape attached to her husband’s death. I want things to be simple for my kids, like it was for me when my mother died. The real difficulty is which monument maker can create an osprey with a big fish? So don’t be sad. I will be kicking around for far more years than you might want!!!!!!!!!!!
Right now I am sitting over Devonian Lake. It is so quiet. The geese are out feeding. Only a few ducks and gulls remain on the lake. I did have a big of a giggle. One of the extraordinarily large homes had its drive way full of geese eating pebbles!!!!!!! Full. Packed in there like there was a Taylor Swift concert. It was a strange sight.
These moments have to be the most bittersweet in all of Bird World. The parent returns, waits and waits for the chick to feed them, and they are gone. They will never see one another again. The adults will not see one another again until they return to breed. What devotion. I wish their world is a safer place for them and for all our feathered friends so that these huge sea birds that can live longer than many humans return year after year to their mates to raise chicks.
‘A’ remarks: “Oh, our babies are gone. When I went onto automatic and checked the albatross tab, there were no chicks in camera view and TF’s nest and his play nest were both empty. I felt such a pang and tears prickled my eyes but I try to remind myself that he is on the adventure that is his lifetime and this was what he was born for. I just wish the human destruction of little TF’s world did not create so many hazards for our fledglings. And I also remind myself that darling YRK is home. The returning breeding birds are arriving steadily now, and it is wonderful to see them. These are our survivors.
Papa LGK came in to feed his son at lunchtime today (12:52:17) and called out for TF chick, just as mum LGL did when she came in yesterday after he fledged. We wish LGK a tummy full of squid and safe travels until his return. We hope to see him and LGL in about a year’s time. (Hopefully, their next egg will hatch in late January 2026 (one chick every second year).
You know that I love my Blue Jays! Now Mr and Mrs Junior are the only ones coming to the garden. Here are four things you might not know these things about Blue Jays! https://youtu.be/VndKdMKXY1c?
Junior does not migrate. Sometimes Mrs Junior does.
Speaking of migration, I think that you will like that book that Calico and I are digging into: Bird Migration. A New Understanding by J. H. Rappole. It is written in non-scientific language. Everything is crystal clear. I liked that the author went back and examined previous theories about migration. What he says will not be knew to you if you have been reading my blog. Birds migrate because of food – not weather! The Black-capped Chickadees live in my garden all winter as do the ones at Bird’s Hill Park – they have an abundance of food resources and do not require moving to a different geographical area. We have Bald Eagles that remain in Manitoba breaking open thin ice to catch fish. The Geese are migrating, following the harvest down to the US from Canada because there is a super abundance of food.
The error in past thinking is that it was weather than drove birds to migrate. Rappole talks about the innate clock, seasonal changes (such as the end of the growing season and harvest) that lead to migration. He discusses the fact that outside of their breeding grounds many of the migrants are highly vulnerable in territories occupied by other birds that are resident year round. You might want to order the book through your library – its price is $47 CDN from the on line retailers. If it were $20, I would say go for it, but this is for those really interested in the nuances of migration. For that reason, Calico gives it her 9 paw award.
Gabby and 24E1 were on the nest tree earlier on Tuesday. There is no way to know if Beau is in the area as the cameras, now only two of them, are focused on the nest tree.
There is flooding in areas north of the NE Florida Bald Eagle nest and the weather forecast is for bad weather in the area of the nest. The eagles will take cover during that tropical storm watch. At least six days of rain with thunderstorms are brewing for Gabby and 24E1.
Please note that I have cancelled out the city around the nest to avoid divulging its location.
There is an eagle at the NCTC nest.
Wings of Whimsy gives us the Bald Eagle nest round up for the week ending on the 22nd of September. Check it out to see who is at home and who isn’t. https://youtu.be/MFCzzzgMHoE?
Hawk Mountain’s count for the week in migration:
I was so happy to see so many of you talking about the sea eaglets and how cute these two are. They certainly are!
For those of you who remember Phyllis Robbins, she said she would appear as a ‘red leaf’. Look at that beautiful red leaf!
Incubation continues at Collins Street. ‘A’ writes: “Dear little dad at Collins Street is the funniest falcon. This morning around 11:09, mum got up and flew off the ledge. She was back after a mere minute, obviously aware that dad was nearby. He arrived on the ledge 15 seconds or so later with a scrap of food for mum. She grabbed it from him on the ledge and flew off to eat it. Dad hustled along to the scrape and settled on his eggs, chirping away to them as he did so. He has the cutest little chirps when he talks to the eggs. I love his chatting away to them. I’m sure those chicks will recognise dad as soon as they hatch. Such a cutie.
When mum returns at 11:27:34, Dad holds his ground and chirps for a little but his protests are short-lived. He soon gets up, and shortly before 11:28 he dives off the ledge and allows mum to resume incubation duties. “
Calypso, Ervie, Giliath, and Bradley are going to have some siblings soon. I wonder if we might get some females this year? Otherwise we might have to think about a translocation project to get these fellas a mate!
At the Growing Home osprey platform, a really nice fish dinner came in for that little one – and with both parents on the nest, they are keeping this baby ‘secret’ just like it was a famous film star’s children.
More on the topic of Menhaden and what must be done if we are to save the ospreys in the Chesapeake Bay. Brian Collins has really hit the proverbial nail on the head in this post. Please, please write your Senators and Congressional Representatives. Do it for Cobey, the Colonial Beach Osplet that starved to death before our very eyes.
Natural England’s report on Hen Harrier breeding across the UK:
Many of you enjoyed Margaret Renkl’s book, The Comfort of Crows. Renkl has published a hard copy journal for people to use as a weekly diary of what is happening in their own gardens. It is called Leaf, Cloud, and Crow. Lots of pages for writing, sketching and it all begins with the first week of winter in late December. It is a great follow up to The Comfort of Crows where we get a glimpse of how an accomplished author celebrates the ordinary which is extraordinary right outside her window. It is also a good follow-up to Amy Tan’s book The Backyard Bird Chronicles -Tan didn’t know how to draw and took classes. But who cares what your drawings look like? Do your own chronicles! Watch how the birds and animals, the foliage, changes from season to season. Then do it again the following year. By the time you start your third year, you will know instinctively when the Dark-eyed Juncos will arrive and you will have your bag of White Millet on hand.
I have been scribbling for years in my Manitoba Bird book, a gift from my grandson, Carter, eons ago. I think it is time to take it to the next level and record the daily happenings. Thinking about those new little instant cameras that print photos…that might be fun to add to the mix. I might have helped run a School of Art, but, I cannot draw! or paint. Photographs are good but increasingly I am getting frustrated with digital images. When you have 58,000 on your phone, how do you find the one you really want? Frustrating.
Our ordinary gardens then become extraordinary.
Calico’s Tip for the Day! It can save your life, and it comes from a former student.
Thank you so much for being with me today. Take care all. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, announcements, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, K, R’, FOBBV, Sharon Dunne and the Royal Cam Albatross FB group New Zealand, NEFL-AEF, Weather Channel, NCTC, Wings of Whimsy, Hawk Mountain, Olympic Park Eaglets, Nesting Bird Life & More, 367 Collins Street by Mirvac, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, Growing Home Ospreys, Brian Collins – Menhaden, Little Fish, Big Deal FB, Raptor Persecution UK, The Guardian, Margaret Renkl.
Gosh, it is the middle of the week! The days are getting shorter. I noticed this evening when, after celebrating the grandson’s 16th birthday, I started home just after 1930. It was already getting ‘dark’. By the time I was half way home, it was. What happened to those beautiful evenings when we still had light at 2200? And have you had an ice cream cake? I must be the only person in the world that hadn’t until last night. It was so delicious, but the best thing is spending time with almost the whole family. Treasured moments. Everyone is so busy. Some of you will remember Elysha, the granddaughter who came with her environmental checklist more than two decades ago and changed my world. She is heading off to Paris on a European tour in a couple of weeks. I am so proud and happy for her and all of them. The birthday kiddo is in all the school choirs – they are outstanding. I am looking forward to some beautiful concerts this year.
Tuesdays and Thursdays are the afternoons when I have ‘respite’ care come to my house. As a consequence, you might find that the posts are Wednesday and Friday are somewhat shorter. A big shout out to ‘A’ who covers the Australian birds for us!!!!! She is in Melbourne and has a particular interest in those CBD falcons. Today she is thinking about the available prey for them. So even thought it is shorter today, I hope that there is a smile and some valuable information in there somewhere!
At the feeder was Mrs Downy today. No photo, sorry. I am so glad I saw her along with the Blue Jays, Crows, and other songbirds. Fall migration is in full gear, and we will be heading north to the Icelandic River up near Arborg, Manitoba, to see the fall migration of waterfowl. We have several reservations for goose flights and will be helping out with the cleanup of the shore near Delta Marsh. It looks like the next three weeks are going to be quite busy – delightfully so.
Have you ever wondered about the cost of keeping animals in rehab? Each of you has seen the request for donations when a bird comes into care. Please have a look at what Raptors in Rehab posted in 2022. I would love to see an up-to-date cost breakdown as we all know – everything has increased by at least 25% since then.
The biggest question on most of your minds is: ‘Is Iris still in Hellgate Canyon or has she left on migration?’ Let’s check in and see what is happening there. Here is the latest posting from Dr Green who is keeping a close eye on our family at Missoula:
There is a second posting by Dr Greene that might get you really excited. As you read further down you will see mention of the ‘Iris’ pens. I have had mine for several years since the last time Sharon Leigh’s husband made them. It is wonderful. Could that have been 2020? 2021?
What we have to realise is that Iris is like Dr Greene’s daughter. I think Finnegan has moved into son space – he is so excited about the family this year that a new camera is going up in hopes we have a re-run next season.
Antali had fish deliveries at 0856 and 1013. He was on the nest crying for fish and expecting a delivery at 1413, but nothing came. Both deliveries were from Finnegan. And then Finnegan could not let his lad go to bed hungry, he brought another fish at 1936.
The Owl Cam is showing Antali at the nest or sitting on the nest perch.
The last delivery of the day. Can you just hear Antali fish calling – probably as far as the train tracks. That delivery was at 1936.
If you missed it, you really need to check out the most amazing colours in the sea eagles plumage! https://youtu.be/LRiIuOhlu9g?
From FOBBV, an update on Jackie and Shadow and the Line Fire that is raging through San Bernadino County, California. https://youtu.be/j-lRBiHko6M?s
C16 had a really nice fish delivery from Charlie! Looks like the day got hotter as C16 is panting. The temperature in the area was 27 C or 81 F. The hydration in that fish is essential as ospreys do not ‘drink’ water.
Gosh C16 is one beautiful juvenile.
Xavier and Diamond are the favourites of so many of you. Their antics can keep us laughing our heads off. Diamond doesn’t like Starling, and Xavier always wants more ‘eggie’ time. We all know that Diamond is the ‘boss’, but we always shout and cheer for that tiny little male falcon. For those of you who don’t know, Xavier is exceptional. His name means ‘Saviour’, and he saved Diamond and her chicks when her old mate did not return. Xavier brought food for Diamond and the hatchlings, ensuring they were well-fed and protected. That was eight years ago. The pair have been together ever since.
Diamond trying to get Xavier up off the eggs. Meanwhile, Xavier appears to be asking for extra time.
‘A’ remakes: “At Orange, Xavier has been sitting on the ledge, keeping the incubating Diamond company, for about 90 minutes now. (He came into the scrape at about 09:02.) As I have mentioned in previous emails, he really has been doing this quite regularly this year. It is so sweet, and he is the sweetest little male falcon of them all (okay, I may be biased, and some of Annie’s partners have been adorable, but Xavier has been there since about 2016, so he is a long-term resident of our hearts here in Australia, especially considering the circumstances in which he came into Diamond’s life, supporting her and her chicks after mate Bulla disappeared. (I was unaware until recently that Diamond was only in her second season here when that occurred, so she has been with Xavier for all but one of the many seasons she has lived at this scrape.)
Diamond and Xavier are very deeply bonded, and companionable behaviour like this is becoming more frequent each season, based on my observations. I honestly think these two get closer and closer – yes, they work well as a team when it comes to raising chicks, but it is more than that. Xavier simply keeping Diamond company is so very ‘human’, but what else could he be doing? Waiting for egg time? He knows that bringing in a nice pigeon or a plump duckling would give him far more chance of some incubation time than simply sitting there, so that surely cannot be the aim of this exercise. It seems to me that companionship is the only rational explanation for the behaviour. Thoughts? Am I anthropomorphising yet again? But oh how we love little Xavier. “
‘A’ brings up a very good point about the availability of prey in areas abandoned during the pandemic including the CBD in Melbourne: “Speaking of cute little male falcons, the way M22 sings to his eggs at Collins Street just makes me smile every time. He is such a sweetie, but again, as with all new couples, I would prefer that only two of those eggs hatch. Three is a big ask for a new couple, given how rapaciously hungry little falcon eyases are. Let’s hope this pair is up to the task of providing for three chicks. The same of course applies at Orange, where chatters are all hoping for two while you and I are deeply concerned about the welfare of a third hatch at this scrape. Diamond has been very lazy with her second hatches over the past couple of seasons and I cannot even imagine what she would be like with three. Xavier might be allowed to step up and doing some feedings, of course, but wow, he would be working pretty hard. Diamond has a huge appetite (the size of her crop yesterday after her lunch, probably of pigeon, had to be seen to be believed – it was so gigantic, it simply HAD to be uncomfortable, surely) and having to provide for her plus three chicks would really put Xavier to the test.
The Melbourne CBD has not recovered from COVID. Too many office workers got a taste of working from home, and the overseas students who lived in one-room apartments in the CBD (the only real resident community there – it’s otherwise offices and department stores) are only just starting to return in large numbers. My sister lives one suburb away from the CBD, in Fitzroy, and she said that since COVID, they (and other suburbs next to the CBD, such as Richmond) have had a major rat problem. Rats moved out of the CBD because without office workers and shoppers and residents providing rubbish for them to eat, they moved rather than starve. Now they are comfortably settled in Fitzroy and Richmond, of course, no-one has emailed them to tell them that people are back in the city and they can move back to their city digs so they have stayed where they are.
I presume a new generation of rats is growing up in the city, but my point is that the pigeons would also have depended for food on those visitors and residents, so they too would have moved into the parks and suburbs around the city, and would see no reason to move back now. (although they would be way more mobile than the rats and may be aware that the food supply has started to return to the CBD).
The COVID-related changes,though, are presumably going to radically affect the food supply for falcons in the CBD this year. I am very worried that it may be difficult to provision a scrape containing three eyases right now. Time will tell, but I haven’t seen/heard any prey deliveries to the ledge over recent days. It seems mum (whom they are finally correctly referring to as F24 – at least on the videos I have seen) is finding her own food, flying off for a break and being relieved on incubation duty by M22. He does love his eggs, and we love listening to him talking to them. His enfluffling technique is a good one, and three eggs is about perfect for him. Four would be a stretch. “
The University of Toledo says this about the amount of food a falcon requires per day: “How much does a peregrine falcon eat in a day? An adult peregrine will eat about 70 grams (2 1/2 ounces) of food per day. This is equal to about two blackbirds.”
And the Young People’s Trust for the Environment says – if you didn’t know: “Birds are the peregrine’s favourite prey, ranging from small meadow pipits to larger birds such as red grouse and pigeons, although birds as big as a Brent goose may be tackled. In winter, estuary birds are often preyed on, such as ducks, gulls and waders. The falcon may also hunt rabbits and bats. Most victims are caught in the air; the peregrine circles high in the air, keeping a sharp eye out for prey. It can spot prey on the ground from a height of 300 metres. When a victim is spotted, the hunter suddenly snaps back its wings and plunges down in a dramatic ‘stoop’. It can reach speeds of up to 180mph (290 km/h). If the attack is successful, a blow from the peregrine’s sharp talons breaks the neck or back of the flying prey.
Birds on the ground and in hedges may be flushed out as the falcon flies over vegetation, and then they are pounced on. The catch is immediately taken to a plucking post such as a tree branch or rocky crag, and the feathers are pulled out. The whole carcass is eaten and any indigestible material is regurgitated in the form of pellets, usually near the peregrine’s nest. A peregrine eats about 100g of food per day. “
That gives you some idea of what the birds eat in an ideal environment. Falcons like catching the birds in the air so I am not worried about the rats – leave those to the owls and the hawks!
‘A’s final report for the day, “Finally, an update on our albatross chicks. There is good news on the contents of TF’s bolus, expelled I believe on 6 September. It contained three small pieces of plastic, a bottle top, and nothing else but squid beaks and more squid beaks, plus a few extra squid beaks. I was SO happy to see that. Yes, three pieces of plastic and a bottle top, but they made up a tiny percentage of the total (it weighed 75 – about 2.5 ounces in imperial measurements I think). There is a photo of it on the site. https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/albatrosses/royal-albatross-toroa/royal-cam/royal-cam-discussion/
We are on fledge watch, I think. It will be a matter of when the winds are favourable and the mood takes them. Lilibet’s fledge was a bit of a shock, and I fear it may have been a fludge – she was one of the younger chicks in the colony but fledged very early, into a storm. I worried about her so much. But the look of intense joy on her face in those final seconds before she launched into the winds of that storm, I will never forget. This was a creature about to embark on the epic journey that was her destiny. It was a highly emotional moment, and yes, I sobbed like a baby. I hope this year, they wait until they are physically stronger than Lilibet, as Manaaki did last year. But we could have fledges any day now.
One of the reasons we are not getting weekly weigh-ins now is that the rangers are doing daily head counts so they know whether any chicks have left – the chicks will often move away from their natal nests to find a suitable launching place (based on the winds, obviously) for their fledge. Rangers keep a close eye out so that any chicks who don’t make it (ending up on a beach or ditching in the bay itself) can be rescued for a second attempt at fledging. “
I am posting it again if you did not see Geemeff’s season highlights video from Loch Arkaig. This year was sadly bittersweet with the death of Little Bob due to siblicide/starvation when food deliveries dropped and weather was bad. https://youtu.be/DO7XJOA6OEs?
This reminds me. If I am missing any bird from our streaming cams that died, let me know. Thanks so very much.
‘PB’ has been contacting Niagara Bee to no avail. They were to check the video feed and determine what killed one of the fledglings in the nest.
J’ sends news about the Duke Farms Bald Eagle nest:
The Bald Eagle nest that everyone is watching is NE Florida. The necrotic toe male was at the nest early Tuesday, cuddled up with Gabby on the branch. Beau was there later and appears to be keeping any other ‘intruders’ away.
The Osprey translocation project in Italy is doing well.
There must be a lot of exasperated people in the UK when it comes to the mysterious deaths of raptors. Laws do not seem to stop the shooters. The penalties when they go to court are laughable. What a sad situation and now eight more dead or missing – beautiful Hen Harriers.
These owl faced small raptors are one of my favourites. They live in the heather on the moorlands in Scotland and make their nests on the ground. They are one of the most endangered raptors in the UK. They feed on grouse and other small birds which puts them in peril near the grouse moor hunting estates. It is there they are shot or their innocent chicks trampled to death in the nest.
Last, but never least, checking in with Skylor in Nova Scotia’s Russell Lake area. If you haven’t seen this FB group, do. What a laugh. Connie and Don Dennis have managed to get everyone in Nova Scotia watching and reporting on their local nests. It is incredible. More than 30 of them! I bet camera and binoculars – oh, gosh, scope sales soared, too, like the ospreys.
Calico’s Tip for the Day: Leave the Leaves. Don’t Bag them. That could injure the insects. If you must, rake them carefully into a corner. Put away that noisy leaf blower. It is annoying to everyone that has sensitive ears. Just constrain yourselves. Leave the leaves alone. Take that time to read a good book or go for a walk OR pet a cat!
Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, articles, images, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, J, PB’, Raptors in Rehab, Montana Osprey Cams, Montana Osprey Project, SK Hideaways, FOBBV, Owl Research Project, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, 367 Collins Street by Mirvac, University of Toledo, YPET, NZ DOC, Geemeff and the Woodland Trust, Conserve Wildlife of NJ, NEFL-AEF, Gregorious Joris Toonen, Raptor Persecution UK, Open Verse, Ospreys of Nova Scotia, and Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.
There was no report of a storm coming to our area, but the garden animals behaved differently all day. The temperature was cooler, 22 C. Tomorrow it will be 28 C. There are storms to the south of us near Minneapolis. Still, the animals are exerting a rivalry for peanuts that I have not seen in quite some time. The Red Squirrels are harassing the Greys, the Greys are bothering the Blue Jays, and all are disturbing the Crows!
Dyson has been here and I finally was able to get a photo of her. She is so healthy! And so quick. Less than a blink and she is off the feeder with peanuts.
It is not a great shot – the iPhone and the Feather Friedly dots on the double glazing of the conservatory do not make for a good combination when trying to photography moving animals.
Dyson can sometimes get three peanuts in at once and away she goes. Just look at that beautiful tail.
Three of the juvenile crows keeping watch as two eat cheesy dogs. Oh, they are a noisy bunch. Our former neighbours stopped by for a visit today and it was so nice to hear that they missed the birds. There are some geese in the river near where they live, but no birds!
Meanwhile one Crow insists on walking all across the conservatory’s roof and then flying off to get a drink in the bird bath. It drives Calico crazy!
The images are a little too dark of Calico with the Crow on the ceiling but you can get the idea. My goodness Calico wanted that Crow.
They have the most gorgeous iridescent plumage. This one has a tattered tail. I am sure they have been in many skirmishes since they fledged the nest this summer.
Little Red ‘looks sweet’. The operative word is ‘looks’. I have discovered that animals with ginger fur cause the most chaos. Hugo Yugo is included! Have you noticed that, too?
Junior still looks ratty but that crest is coming in and soon he will look like his handsome self. Someone said this takes a week. I would say a good fortnight.
Even with the cooler temperatures, all the birds enjoy the birdbath, which is filled five times a day. The Blue Jay on the right was ill and had a twisted tail. The tail is still not straight, but s/he is flying and doing well.
One of the new babies waiting for its parents to tell it that it can fly back to the nest.
Sad. An Osprey, not a type of bird of prey that kills grouse, was shot to death at Angus Glens on the opening of the ‘Inglorious 12th’ of August. Oh, please find a way to end this medieval practice of shooting grouse!
‘PB’ caught Dad and the juvenile home at Cowlitz PUD! Yeah. Electra might have left on migration. We wait to see.
SK Hideaways has a video clip of our Collins Street falcons and their first egg of the season. Many are upset that the female laid the egg on the south end without the shade protection. Some of you will recall the small little falcons practically roasting one year on the ledge.
Deliveries at Hellgate Canyon! Iris is still home…
Finnegan brought Antali a whopper!!!!!! He was still eating two hours later.
C16 enjoys an early morning breakfast fish at Charlo.
Heidi McGrue caught Fen at Fenwick Island diving for his first fish. He might have even caught it.
The necroscopy from Elyse the falcon at the University of Montreal has been turned in.
‘A’ writes about Monday afternoon and the little sea eaglets. “Monday afternoon at 3.45pm and those sea eaglets have the most massive crops. They are sleeping in the warm spring sunshine, snuggled up in a giant fluffball. Dad was in with breakfast (a live medium-sized fish) at around 06:34, which Lady immediately commandeered. SE33 still had a crop! SE34 was closer to the table and facing the right way, so got the first of the food. He did not hesitate to take the bites he was offered and SE33, facing the other way, did not object. 06:37 and SE34 is spooked by SE33 moving behind him, making him nervous to eat. He does take a bite from mum but then turns his head away, obviously worried about SE33. Mum leans right over to offer him the next bite but he pulls away from her, his head still turned. Lady, watching SE34 and aware he is too scared to eat, does not feed SE33 but instead eats herself while she waits for SE34 to gain confidence.
Early Tuesday morning and both sea eaglets have crops.”
The sea eaglets appeared to be living a bit more harmoniously. They should grow out of this stage soon as their pin feathers are beginning to come through.
Speaking of large crops, Diamond and Xavier are both looking exceptionally well fed this afternoon. We just had the privilege (4.09pm) of watching one of their famous bonding sessions. Xavier likes to visit Diamond very early in the morning, while it’s still dark (she usually sleeps on the ledge of her scrape), and it’s not uncommon for one or both of them to fall asleep during a prolonged early morning bonding session. Just TOO funny. These two are adorable. Xavier is the cutest little peregrine. I just love him. He is the best mate and father, and we all know the story of how he came into Diamond’s life. What a guy. Eggs are less than a week away, judging by the bonding behaviours (though that rejected starling propped up in the front corner is really starting to get pretty rancid, I suspect – it’s been there for two and a half days, maybe more) and the frequency of matings (this pair generally get it right too – they know what they’re doing). I think Cilla said yesterday or the day before that there would be eggs within the week and she’s usually pretty accurate in her predictions here. So we wait. I would be surprised if there were more than two eggs. Diamond is not a young bird, though she does look healthy (Xavier looks after her well). “
They have been mating and mating at Orange. Xavier wants eggies. He loves being a day. Well, is he trying out to be Murphy?! Well, all of Xavier’s wishful thinking has paid off – Diamond laid the first egg of the season after he incubated the stone.
Do you ever look for stamps that are specific to our bird family?
Those two juveniles of Hope and Beaumont are gorgeous. They are stunners of the ‘dark’ side. Just look how wide those eye bands are, just like Mum. Beautiful thick necklaces. These two are lovely.
‘J’ did a tour of the eagle information and confirms the following sightings for us:
“18 august Harvey & Ellie visit nest Farmer Derek; 20 august Ron & Rose on nest Dade County; Aug Mr & Mrs Trempealeau on nest Trempealeau; August 1 adult on nest, fledglings still in the area Avon Lake ; Baker pops in Little Miami; 24 august Beau is back NEFL; 24 august M15 & F23 at the nest SWFL; 26 august Clive is back according to MAS Captiva; 26 august DNF has been seen by RRP, not visited new nest yet Decorah North / Raptor Resource Project; HD & HM seen around N1 Decorah / Raptor Resource Project”.
An update from Raptor Resource Project that runs the Decorah North, Spirit Bluff, and Mississippi Flyway cams:
These would make perfect bird baths!
Geemeff’s summary for Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust:
Daily summary Monday 26th August 2024
No activity at all again today on either nest, but from Police Scotland comes the disturbing account of an Osprey having been shot on the Inglorious Twelfth ie the traditional start date on 12th August of the grouse-shooting industry. The unfortunate Osprey had to be euthanised. All the big news outlets have taken up the story, and the link to the police appeal is in the bonus section. Weatherwise today had more dry patches than forecast, but heavy rain is expected tonight.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.21.13 (05.28.48); Nest Two 21.13.27 (05.37.43)
Today’s videos: none!
Bonus read – police appeal for info after the tragic death of an Osprey, shot on the Inglorious Twelfth:
Thank you so very much for being with us today. Please take care. Have a wonderful week. We hope to see you again soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, observations, comments, videos, images, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, H, J, PB’, Raptor Persecution UK, Pam Breci, SK Hideaways, Montana Osprey Project, Charlo Montana, Heidi McGrue, UdeMFalcons FB, Olympic Park Eagles, Falcon Project at Charles Sturt University, Holly Parsons, 367 Collins Street by Mirvac, BirdGuides, Newfoundland Power, Raptor Resource Project, The Waterfowl Sanctuary, Geemeff and the Woodland Trust, The Real Saunders Photography, and The Guardian.
