raptors – Page 3 – Mary Ann Steggles

First egg for Gabby and Beau…late Sunday in Bird World

23 November 2025

Good evening Everyone,

I am too excited and couldn’t wait til tomorrow to share the fantastic news. Gabby and Beau have their first egg at the NE Florida American Eagle Foundation nest! That egg arrived around 18:33. What a way to start the week!

I hope you had a remarkable weekend and spent some time outside, enjoying the crisp air of late autumn/early winter and getting those legs moving! Don went with Anne to the nature centre for a walk in the golden sunlight and to see if there are any geese on Friday. Toby and I have come in from our walk, and all the Girls, including Calico, are napping. Calico is doing well. Thank you for your kind notes. She is a very special girl to me, and I was so afraid we would lose her!

It has been quite warm. 8 or 9 degrees C on Sunday! We had such a lovely walk. The children were outside playing with only light jackets. We could tell which houses had birdfeeders by the song from their gardens, and many were taking the opportunity to put up fairy lights on a day when their fingers wouldn’t freeze. The time is speeding by. It was a blink, and a week disappeared.

Toby is getting his photo taken with Santa on the 29th. I will post it for you. I can’t imagine taking The Girls to the pet store to get their photo taken although it would be so cute and it is an excellent fundraising idea.

As I mentioned in earlier blogs, the raptors are still in Manitoba, along with hundreds of Canada Geese. It is hard to believe. What else is hard to believe is that for the past couple of weeks, we have seen Christmas trees decorated inside the homes as we go for our evening walk. The lights are gorgeous – I do appreciate them – but when did we start getting ready for the holidays (no matter which one/s you celebrate) right after Halloween?

Look what arrived in the post! (Our postal workers are on rotating strikes, and to receive any mail is rather remarkable.) I am so delighted. The Dyfi calendar is full of beautiful images and historical facts and those beanies will come in handy when winter does arrive.

I want to wish all of our readers who will be celebrating Thanksgiving this week a very special day to enjoy good food and the companionship of friends and family.

SK Hideaways Videos, week of 16 November 2025

Channel Island Bald Eagles
Sauces Bald Eagles, Santa Cruz Island, CA: Jak & Audacity’s Stunning Habitat plus Roosting On the Night Perch (2025 Nov 21)
Cam ops treated us to spectacular views of Santa Cruz Island before panning to the night perch, where Jak and Audacity roosted for the night.
Video: https://youtu.be/G4Wa_vOuuYQ
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies, explore.org
Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnTsOesC6hE

West End Eagles: Haku Scarfs Lunch ~ Meets Akecheta on Tor + Night Perch Rendezvous (2025 Nov 18)
After cam ops gave us a glorious tour of the area from the HD camera, they caught Haku devouring a nice, big vermilion rockfish on the nest before setting off to Wray’s Rock and then the far tor, where Akecheta met her. As evening approached, they rendezvoused on the night perch, much to the delight of fans. They don’t tend to spend the night on this perch and this night was no exception. But they did seem to spend much of the day together, and most likely roosted together out of prying camera eyes.
Video https://youtu.be/dLIlDCq_DO0

West End Eagles: Akecheta on Sentry & Haku on Fish + Island Fox ~ HD Cam New Position (2025 Nov 16)
The IWS re-positioned the West End low cam for better visibility of the nest (no more secret hideout), but it also provides excellent views of the tors. Here we see both Akecheta and Haku from the re-positioned vantage point. As a bonus, an island fox makes a cameo appearance. Seeing Haku devour a fish on the nest gave us the view we needed to get our bearings of the re-positioned camera. The cherry on top was seeing Akecheta and Haku meet up on the far tor, this time on the original West End camera (not HD, but a wonderful scene nonetheless). (2025 Nov 16; 7:12-15:02)
Video: https://youtu.be/ILrE2CbmkoI
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org
Nest Low Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfuqjSNXZ14
Other Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmmAzrAkKqI
Overlook Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kad6O4nF6bg

FalconCam Project Peregrine Falcons
Courtesy FalconCam Project, Charles Sturt University NSW (http://www.csu.edu.au/special/falconcam/)
Box Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv2RtoIMNzA
Ledge Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuZaWzhXSAI
Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj1Y6ydRl1c
Tower Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFAsJvGPd00

Girri Burrows into Diamond for Cute Cuddles (2025 Nov 18)
Girri got the cuddles they were craving from super mum Diamond. A mother-child connection at its sweetest.
Video: https://youtu.be/aHzjeTDcHcY

Girri Tries to Teach Gimbir to Brood ~ Detente is Achieved (2025 Nov 17)
12-day old Girri still likes to be under a parent, where it’s nice and warm. Gimbir, however, hasn’t yet learned how to brood. Despite Girri’s efforts to wedge under Gimbir, it is not to be. A side-by-side arrangement has, however, been achieved. Not to Girri’s full satisfaction, but it’s working.
Video: https://youtu.be/vWzj5tnUWOs

FOBBV Eagles, Big Bear Valley, CA
Jackie & Shadow Herald the Start of Stick Season ~ with Raven Cameo (2025 Nov 20)
It was a 9 stick day in what might have been the beginning of stick season. Jackie and Shadow came and went from the nest throughout the morning with Jackie making a final visit just before dusk. It was all about delivery, but little placement. There’s plenty of time. During the day, Jackie and Shadow rested on Split Pine, a raven visited the nest, and there was a sprinkling of snow at day’s end.
Video: https://youtu.be/GNMyJtB-Zbc
Courtesy FOBBVCAM | Friends of Big Bear Valley
Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE
Wide View Cam (Cam 2): https://youtube.com/live/LCGYWfbyBWc
LIVE Recap & Observations https://bit.ly/3Md8TSz

Redding Bald Eagles
Liberty & Guardian Have Some Branch Management Issues (2025 Nov 19)
Liberty and Guardian performed some serious nestorations, some of which involved tricky branch placement. They each had a troublesome branch that we think will require ongoing tweaking before they’re content. Their new nest is coming along beautifully and will be ready for breeding time whenever they are.
Video: https://youtu.be/5cl-uDFTq0I
Courtesy of Friends of the Redding Eagles, Redding, California
Livestream page: https://www.youtube.com/@FriendsoftheReddingEagles/streams

Sydney White-Bellied Sea Eagles
Courtesy Sea-EagleCAM@BirdLife Australia Discovery Centre, Sydney Olympic Park (https://www.sea-eaglecam.org/video.html)
Nest cam also at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcKLMh-MGEE

SE35 Attacks Camera Parts ~ Tired of Paparazzi (2025 Nov 22)
SE35 has had an ongoing rivalry with the nest camera that we fans cling to, day in and day out. With SE36 out exploring, SE35 has been the sole star of the show. On this day, SE35 put their talon down and went after the camera equipment, tired of being in the spotlight. They succeeded in pausing its operation for about 10 minutes, but when operation resumed, we were right there watching. SE35 has since realized that being the object of so many fans’ affections is really not so bad after all.
Video: https://youtu.be/_U_eFdYLgec

SE35’s Quandary ~ Self-Feeding or Being Fed ~ Tricky Fish Skin/Bones (2025 Nov 21)
When Dad delivered a fish, SE35 was somewhat conflicted between independence and the comfort of being nurtured. It was a pretty gnarly fish from a skin and bones perspective. Lady knew just what to do. She let SE35 stand on part of the fish while feeding the other part. Then she stood back and watched as SE35 practiced self-feeding before helping again. It was a very long meal with lessons learned along the way.
Video: https://youtu.be/h0y6JphCKDY

Thank you, SK Hideaways!

Windows to Wildlife has updated its cameras. Have a listen to what Connor has to say! https://youtu.be/PHDDXUkIKio?

The Tweed Valley Osprey Project has reason to celebrate and so should we. Blue 722.

The Raptor Resource Project wonders which eagles you are watching at Decorah?

Beautiful condors in heraldic pose captured by Tim Huntington.

Speaking of condors, did you catch the Condor chat with Kelly Sorenson and his team at the Ventana Wildlife Society? If you missed it, here is the link and as always, you will learn so much! https://www.youtube.com/live/XBZIu2i9l5s?

Here is the population update and, of course, it is only one page in the presentation. Please do check this presentation out!

‘A’ sends us her commentary on the Australian nests with a nod to Beau and Gabby:

“Just WONDERFUL news about Wisdom. You know my soft spot for albies – I’ve been watching the returnees at Taiaroa Head finding each other and laying eggs. The announcement of the Royal Cam family for this season is coming any minute now – literally. I will let you know when I hear. The educated money is on LGK and LGL, who are experienced parents and previous Royal Cam parents with a fertile egg this year.

Meanwhile, the WBSE story continues to be a happy one, with the eaglets doing fabulously well. They continue to sleep in or near the nest, with their parents nearby, and they continue to return to the nest to wait for food deliveries or follow their parents in to the nest when they see them returning from a successful hunting trip. Each day, they are bigger and stronger and more confident. We can only hope they are following their parents down to the Parramatta River – they have been spotted near River Roost – and learning to fish for themselves. But at least they are getting that chance this year. What was it, I wonder, that so convinced me that this would be the year? As you will recall, I have been saying this since they were far too young for it to be even an educated guess. This was just a ‘feeling’, a premonition if you like. But I did feel it, and you are my proof! I am SO happy to be right about this. There are no words. There has been so much hope with such beautiful eaglets in previous seasons, only for them to come to a tragic end or disappear altogether. But this is so special and so beautiful to watch. They are operating as a family group, and this is the secret to the success of this year’s fledglings.

Meanwhile, I have no news to report on the Collins Street fledglings, and this is good news. My sister tells me that there have been no fledglings brought into care so far – if there are, her husband will know because he will be the person they are likely to be brought to. So the absence of any word is wonderful. I spoke with her this afternoon, just to check, and so far, so good. I am annoyed that Mirvac turned off the cameras on 16 November, so we have no idea whether the chicks are returning to the ledge for food. I am hopeful that they may be, based on what we saw before the cameras went off. The parents both visited the ledge on that final day of footage – I told you about the behaviour in the scrapes – but we also know that all three did return to the ledge on the day of or the day after fledging, and the returnees foraged for leftovers and self-fed in the gutter. So I remain hopeful that they may be continuing to do so.

At Orange, Gimbir is really taking to the role of dad enthusiastically, but it is also true that the little one adores its dad. Watching it trying to get Gimbir to brood made me laugh so much, because of course despite the best efforts of father and chick, nothing was going to make Gimbir large enough to cover the fluffball. Still, both tried hard. Girri was SO determined. The wee one has also followed dad to the ledge more than once – heart in the mouth stuff – and on one occasion, nipped at his tail and wing feathers (playfully or perhaps thoughtfully might be a better description). But it really does seem like dad is a bit of a favourite with Girri.

As you might remember, I was a huge fan of Beau when he was V3 (I believe there were a total of 13 suitors for Gabby when Samson disappeared), and where all the others were pushy, V3 was quiet and loyal and took his time to respect Gabby’s grieving process and the time she needed to bond to a new male. I was always fond of the way he did his courting (yes, anthropomorphising to the max here but he really was the quiet devoted type when all his rivals were the exact opposite). It felt like Gabby needed to take whatever time it took her to process the loss of a long-term partner, and V3 was the only visiting male to recognise that. But whether or not that was the case, Beau certainly had staying power, and he is certainly doing his job with gusto this season. Just take a look at this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITiCBZwVQys&list=TLPQMjExMTIwMjVp9OEdcQ6I4Q&index=11. What a man!

Update from WBSE:

November 21: Early to wake and away from the nest before 6am. Dad brought a good-sized fish at 8:35, with SE35 in quickly to claim it. Lady followed soon after with the remains of a gull. SE35 was quick to grab that, a little tussle, Lady fed a little, then SE35 self-fed well, Dad calling in for the tail. Then, it was fairly quiet until mid-afternoon, when one eaglet was close by, with currawong swoopers close too, swooping enthusiastically. Late in the afternoon, the parents were seen down on the river. Then at 7pm, just one was there and one eaglet came in to the nest, hoping, and finding a little scrap. At 7:30pm, Lady and one eaglet were above the nest. The other adult joined them shortly after. The second eaglet was not to be seen. A late duet then. Now all settled?

November 22: Early duets and SE35 came to the nest. At 5:30am, Dad flew in apparently with a small fish which SE35 ate on the nest. Both adults were seen on River Roost. Meanwhile our other eaglet was heard and then seen closer to the river, but in the Armory area. Swoopers were chasing it, ravens and currawongs. SE36 was flying strongly and seen in a tree. Has it been fed during the past day or two when not seen? At 11:20am, SE36 was seen again being chased across parklands – both adults were on River Roost. SE35 was seen below the camera at 13:40, still near home.

So one of our eaglets, SE36, is being chased and harrassed but is apparently flying strongly and could, we know, return to the nest if it wanted to do so. Perhaps it is exploring the Armory area and the Parramatta River, watching its parents fish. It is healthy and strong, so we continue to hope both are doing well even if we don’t see both every day – the BOTG at this nest provide wonderful information for us all. As I type, SE35 is playing with the twine holding the microphone above the nest, having finished eating the fish that Lady brought in.

More when there is news at Taiaroa Head.

Much love to you (and a special chin scratch for Calico)”

And more from ‘A’ on Sunday: “There are some concerns about SE36. Last night, SE35 slept in the nest tree, but I saw no sign of SE36. This morning, SE35 was where it had slept, in the branches of the nest tree, and waiting for breakfast. Around 06:28, a parent flew in to the nest with a piece of leftover fish, and SE35 hurried down the branch, squeeing with excitement, to self-feed. Happy eaglet noises! The juvenile seemed to be begging to be fed but Lady (I think it was mum) was having none of that. You’re a grown-up eaglet now! Feed yourself! Eventually, SE35 settled down to eat very proficiently, gripping the chunk of fish tightly in its left talon. The currawongs were swooping but SE35 seemed unconcerned. The parent remained on a branch above the nest while SE35 ate breakfast. The rain was falling and the wind gusted up and Lady flew higher in the nest tree. SE35 responded by doing a bit of flapping of its own, whether to get the water off its wings or whether a burst of energy suddenly overcame the fledgling, I have no idea. But there was jumping and flapping in the rain. At one stage, SE35 took the chunk of fish halfway up the perch branch, where it ate the remainder of its breakfast, still gripping its fish tightly in its left talon. Very well done SE35. But there was no sign of SE36.

It is noteworthy that only one parent slept in the nest tree last night from what I could see. So the other parent could be with SE36. And it is worth remembering that the BOTG have heard SE36 and spotted it in the Armory area. I think it has also been seen and heard around River Roost. The question is whether SE36 is being fed. When it has been spotted, it has been flying strongly.but it has also been pursued by currawongs. So it is not being harrassed to the point that previous fledglings from this nest have been. However, it is critical that SE36 gets fed, wherever it is at the moment, and I have to wonder why it was not sleeping in the nest tree lasts night, if only because the nest and the nest tree have proved to be a reliable family-run restaurant for both juveniles since fledging. So it follows that if SE36 is healthy and hungry, it should be at or near the nest tree. The only reasons for this not being the case would be that it is injured or exhausted or that it is being fed elsewhere. We have to believe that the BOTG will report some sighting or audio of SE36 today (it is a Sunday in Australia so there should be people out there looking for these two today – and yesterday) and remember that when last spotted, SE36 was in good shape.

We know little or nothing about the dispersal of fledgling sea eagles in this area because there really hasn’t been any recorded, thanks to the damned currawongs. And we have no idea of the genders of these two. So we don’t know whether one or both of the fledglings will instinctively move to establish a territory away from the nest area, though I would be surprised if either has learned to hunt independently as yet. So there remains a concern that if SE36 is not returning to the nest tree, things are not proceeding as smoothly as they have been. I will of course get today’s ranger report to you asap. It should be posted in the next couple of hours, but with daylight savings, it could be as late as 8pm (it’s 5.22pm now and I would expect it by 6.30).

After breakfast, SE35 hung around in the nest tree, drying out its wings once the rain stopped, and occasionally vocalising when a currawong came too close. It was obvious that a number of them were above SE35 in the nest tree, but SE35 seemed confident that it was the boss. SE35 is the most exquisite creature, looking absolutely beautiful with its wings outstretched and the glint of the early morning sunlight on its plumage. After foraging around in the nest for any scraps, SE35 flew off the nest at 08:27.

Shortly after 3:05pm, an eaglet landed on the nest. I am not sure which one but I think it may have been SE36. They’re very hard to tell apart when they’re not together, and I could easily be wrong because the pics of SE35 from this morning were in quite heavy rain and its plumage was therefore looking different. This afternoon visitor was getting dive-bombed by currawongs, swooping low over the nest, and it stood in the centre of the nest, looking up at the currawongs and vocalising as they swooped past. It was definitely an aggressive response, not one of fear and intimidation. But the currawongs are certainly as relentless as they have been in every previous season. Certainly, this prolonged dive-bombing did not occur this morning when SE35 was on the nest, so I wonder whether that also suggests that this afternoon eaglet is SE36. If so, the currawongs are attacking it far more fiercely than they did SE35 this morning, which is concerning, but SE36 (if it is 36) is giving back as much as it can muster and is refusing to be cowed. No parent arrived with food, though the eaglet continued to hang around in the nest tree.

So SE36 has not been seen at the nest for the past two days, so we are starting to worry. SE35 is doing wonderfully well but I am concerned about SE36. “

“There was no ranger’s report for WBSE yesterday, which is why I didn’t send it to you, but I was hoping it would go up later. Not so. I fear they may have decided the season is over and ceased doing daily reports, which is frustrating because now is when we really need them. There has been no sign of SE36 at or near the nest for two days and two nights now, which is very worrying because it represents a sudden change from the routine the fledglings had established since leaving the nest. I can only hope for the best, and rely on the parents to do their job. At least SE35 is doing well and standing its ground against the currawongs. But I am very worried for SE36.

News from Taiaroa Head is that the RoyalCam couple for this year is BOK and WYL, who raised a chick in 2024 at Top Flat Track. These are experienced parents and are incubating a fertile egg.”

Thanks, ‘A’ – so glad there is no news to report on the Collins Street kids. It is as they say: No news is good news!

We are all concerned about what is happening to the osprey and other species due to industrial fishing in the Chesapeake Bay region – I say region because Omega goes out from the Bay since they have taken all of its Menhaden. Heidi found a really informative article from The Washington Post for us on this very subject. Please lobby to protect the ospreys!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1A3tkCy8Cw

Red Kites are one of the most magnificent raptors. The RSPB describes them thus: “This magnificently graceful bird of prey is unmistakable with its reddish-brown body, angled wings and deeply forked tail. It was saved from national extinction by one of the world’s longest-running protection programmes. It has now been successfully re-introduced to England and Scotland. Red Kites are listed under Schedule 1 of The Wildlife and Countryside Act.” In terms of their conservation status, the RSPB states: “Back in Shakespeare’s day, Red Kites were really common, even in cities, where they acted as clean-up crews, catching rodents and scavenging on the scraps of meat that littered the streets. But attitudes changed and Red Kites became the victims of intense persecution. By the end of the 19th century, they were extinct in Scotland, England and Ireland, and just a few pairs were clinging on in Wales.

Thanks to reintroduction projects led by the RSPB and other organisations, Red Kites have made an astonishing comeback in the UK, with numbers increasing by 2,464% between 1995 and 2023. The UK is now home to about 17% of the world’s population.”

Beautiful images from OpenVerse:

“Red Kite” by Michael Brace is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Just look at that beautiul face and the plumage – how could anyone set out to kill them?

“Standing red kite” by Tambako the Jaguar is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.Picture by Tambako the Jaguar

At last someone has been arrested for poisoning them in Essex – but what about all of the others around the UK that have done the same?

Man arrested after five Red Kites found poisoned in Essex – Raptor Persecution UK Download

The study intended to shed light on the release of non-native gamebirds in the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland, which is proving problematic. Thank you, Raptor Persecution UK.

New report on gamebird releases in Cairngorms National Park doesn’t tell even half the story – Rapto Download

What a stunning image by one of our Manitoba photographers of a Northern Harrier.

Mark Avery brings us up to date in his 21 November blog on Bird Flu in the UK:

“Bird flu: Defra’s most recent update seems to cover the period up to 16 November and has a lot of positive records, especially of wildfowl, with Black Swan, four new duck species and Woodpigeon added to the 2025 list of affected species bringing the total to 52: Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Bewick’s Swan, Black Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Pink-footed Goose, Barnacle Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Gadwall, Wigeon, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Eider, White-tailed Eagle, Red Kite, Buzzard, Goshawk, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Kestrel, Curlew, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Kittiwake, Little Gull, Sandwich Tern, Arctic Tern, Common Tern, Roseate Tern, Gannet, Fulmar, Manx Shearwater, Cormorant, Razorbill, Guillemot, Puffin, Black Guillemot, Barn Owl, Long-eared Owl, Tawny Owl, Grey Heron, Pheasant,Woodpigeon, Greenfinch and Starling. The flaws in the ‘surveillance’ scheme mean that it is difficult to know what this species list means in terms of species affected – click here.

Notice, Woodpigeon is on the list. Maybe it would be helpful to know a bit more about those Woodpigeon movements at this time of year.

In Germany (1000+ birds) and France (maybe 10,000 birds) very large numbers of migrating European Cranes have died of bird flu. “

It’s not a bird or a plane, but just a bit of fun with fashionable dogs and a cat in Country Life! (I do think Toby fits the Spaniel – his ability to track the cats that come to the garden is undeniable!)

Haute dogs: How fashion’s finest would dress 11 dogs and one very spoilt cat if only they had the ch Download

Toby has more winter outfits than I do! He loves his red turtleneck.

Adorable friends.

Dear Calico.

Toby and Hugo Yugo caught horsing around.

Thank you so much for being with us today! We hope that you have a marvellous week with lots of birdsong and fresh air – please do get outside if you can! It really does raise your spirits. We look forward to having you with us again next week.

I want to thank SK Hideaways and ‘A’ for their generous contributions to my blog. SK Hideaways’s videos are first-rate and I am so grateful that they create them out of love for the birds and not for subscription numbers. That said, please give them a like and share them with friends and family. I also want to thank ‘A’ for their lively commentary and observations of the Australian raptor families. To the owners of the streaming cams, the blogs and the FB groups that are indicated in bold throughout my blog, my post would not be the same without you, too. I am grateful to all of you!

The little fluff ball has a name…Monday in Bird World

17 November 2025

Hello Everyone,

It is a beautiful Saturday on the Canadian Prairies. On Friday, many towns in and around Winnipeg reached a high of 16.7 degrees C, the highest temperature recorded in Canada that day. It was truly uncharacteristically warm, and thus worrisome.

I am actually sending this post out Sunday evening instead of Monday morning. I hope this is not too confusing! Monday morning is going to be very hectic. Toby has an organized dog walk with Ellen and then we are going to fetch our friend Ruth who is coming for lunch with a pop in visit by our daughter. Enjoy!

Oh, how nice it is to have you with us today. I hope that everyone has been watching that cute little fluff ball of Gimbir and Diamond. He or she now has a name – Girri – and thankfully it is one of two syllables that is easy to pronounce!

Cilla Kinross broke down the votes – but look at the number of votes. That is a fantastic response!

I have the listing from SK Hideaways of her weekly videos but this one is particularly cute. Can we truly take our eyes off little Gimbir, first-time dad, and his little baby!?? https://youtu.be/SyatpPaTnJU?

Is it my imagination, or is Gimbir getting much more time with his chick than Diamond allowed Xavier? Gimbir even tries to brood the baby! Or is Diamond just away a little longer and doesn’t see the interactions?

There was lots of activity and SK Hideaways has caught it on video:

skh_videos_wo_110925 Download

We love that little fluffball of Gimbir and Diamond. Can you imagine someone stealing it to sell for profit? Well, Raptor Persecution UK is following a court case for someone who does just that!

Worcestershire man faces 21 charges in relation to possessing & trading wild Peregrines – Raptor Per Download

Some of the cute stills of Gimbir feeding the little one for the first time. This is precious.

Look how big Diamond is compared to Gimbir in the image right above.

Just imagine Gimbir and Diamond arriving at the scrape with that precious baby gone?

Raptor Persecution UK continues to follow the plight of the Hen Harriers especially those found dead in and around the large hunting estates. You might recall that I reported on five little Hen Harrier chicks stomped to death several years ago. Their mother has now been found dead, and once again we are made starkly aware of how dangerous the lives of these amazing birds are!

Hen Harrier ‘Susie’, whose chicks were stamped to death in 2022, has been found dead on a North Penn Download

The American Bird Conservancy’s Bird of the Week is the Lewis Woodpecker. How much do you know about this bird of least concern?

Lewis’s Woodpecker – American Bird Conservancy Download

We have, just on time, the second egg for M15 and F23 at Southwest Florida.

Rose and Ron have their second egg at the WRDC nest. Heidi gives us the details: #1 laid 11/12 @ 14.49, Egg #2 11/15 @15.08

Connie and Clive have their first egg on Sunday, the 16th, at the Captiva Bald Eagle nest by Windows to Wildlife on Sanibel Island, Florida.

Looking for eggs for Gabby and Beau at NE Florida Bald Eagle Cam (AEF) by next Monday. Fingers crossed.

Haku and Akecheta were on and off the top of Tor looking out at the pelicans.

There is a new camera for the West End nest. Check it out – what a view! Thank you, IWS.

Sometimes highlights are being played. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/live/wfuqjSNXZ14?

Snow on the nest of Jackie and Shadow at Big Bear Valley on Sunday.

Both eagles at US Steel.

Both eagles at Cardinal Land Conservancy. Will there be an egg soon?

On a sad note, Blaze has not been seen at the Eagle Country nest for eleven days now.

I am enchanted with what is happening at the Sydney Sea Eagle nest this year. Lady and Dad arrive at the nest in the early morning with prey and no sea eaglets. They begin to defeather, looking around, and then both eaglets fly to the nest! In all the years I have watched this nest, this has never happened (at least to my memory). Does anyone else remember a year where the fledglings could fly freely around the forest returning to be fed? Please let me know!

This just brings tears to my eyes and I hope yours, too. These two eaglets from the Olympic Forest in Sydney will surely survive. They will get strong, learn how to hunt and beat those darn Currawong!

Just over the moon – almost beyond giddy. How long have the supporters of this nest have waited for a season like this one?

‘A’ has sent in a lot of commentary, and I need to post it, as I have been sending out little blurbs when an event has happened without a comprehensive narrative. I know how many of you enjoy their ‘take’ on what is happening in and around Australia, so here we go – albeit some out of order. Enjoy.

“It is nearly 8pm in eastern Australia and starting to get darker (it won’t be dark for a while yet with daylight savings) and both our eaglets are settling for the night on the branches above the nest. Lady is also perched nearby, in the nest tree. As I said, this is a family unit, working together. It is wonderful to watch, and the eaglets are gaining in confidence by the day. I have not seen this before. I hardly dare to hope that this really is the season they will succeed but I have felt that all along, as you know, and it is beyond thrilling to see the eaglets flying with confidence, returning to the nest for food and rest, and refusing to be cowed by those damned currawongs. “

“The upshot is that all three chicks have fledged and that one of those three has successfully returned to the ledge. Mum brought a snack too, which is encouraging – I am hoping we see all three return to the ledge. As I said, I’m hoping no news will be good news in terms of their welfare and whereabouts.

I will keep an eye on the cameras to see if we get any returnees but you would be best keeping an eye on the Facebook group – I am not a member of Facebook and refuse to become one at this late stage, but it might be worth it at this stage of events for the Collins Street group. It is exciting news that all three have fledged successfully and each one of the three appeared to fledge strongly and confidently. It terrifies me to even think about how difficult it is for young falcons to learn the intensely dangerous skills involved in their hunting technique, but I suppose this is where the parents play yet another critical role. I have been tremendously impressed by these parents, and the moment the crash landing back into the gutter occurred, a parent (probably mum) was immediately in the frame, doing a fly down (probably following the chick) to check that the chick was okay, indicating that the parent in question had been very close by during that fledge and obviously supervising everything that was going on. I do hope that indicates that these parents are going to be good teachers of their chicks. So many times during this season, I have been astounded at the size of the prey items brought to the ledge. These parents are very good hunters – let’s hope they’re great teachers as well. I suspect they might be. How wonderful would that be? There must be room for at least one more pair of peregrines in the CBD area. I’m still wondering where there are suitable nesting areas near Melbourne Airport. I must ask my sister that question again.

It will be raining in Melbourne over the next couple of days – not good flying weather for new fledglings. I do hope they return to the ledge for shelter, rest and food. There is plenty of time to learn all the skills they will need to survive alone out there.”

“Superdad M15. My favourite bald eagle male of all time. He is amazing. We will never forget his efforts the season he reared two eaglets alone. I think Mrs T might be in front in the female version of that award. And I noted from your blog that Mr T is up to his old tricks yet again. Leave the woman alone, you cad! What’s the betting he leaves her incubating a fertile egg and then takes off for the girlfriend’s island nest? I have no trust in him, I’m afraid. Once a cheat, always a cheat.

Oh, the joy of watching WBSE post-fledge. I never thought I’d type that! What a happy mutually supportive family they are this year. That nest makes me so happy at the moment.

Meanwhile, at Collins Street, two fledglings are on the ledge. The little male who returned after fledging yesterday spent the night on the ledge and in the scrape, and one of his sisters joined him around lunchtime. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYQ2f7XnC8I&list=TLPQMTMxMTIwMjUIejz-QtbpwA&index=6. Wonderful! The returnee’s first priority is a little self-feeding in the gutter. Excellent. Let’s imprint that return to the ledge for food behaviour. The control she showed flying onto the ledge was impressive, don’t you think? Strong and balanced.

All three of the Collins Street fledglings returned to the ledge yesterday – the little male was still there from his fledge and immediate return the day before, but both his sisters joined him there during the day (how cute were the beakie kisses when the first sister returned and they lay side by side on the ledge? Just too adorable. I hope they can help and support each other just as the sea eaglets are doing. I’m sure it helps. Meanwhile, at Orange, our darling dad in training is progressing with determination. “

This is just glorious footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyatpPaTnJU&list=TLPQMTQxMTIwMjWz-0PE_-fnEA&index=4

Thanks, A!

The Melbourne fledglings made The Guardian!

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/nov/16/we-have-lift-off-melbournes-skyscraper-peregrine-chicks-take-to-the-sky?CMP=share_btn_url

The Friends of Osprey South Australia and Port Lincoln have announced that, due to the failure of the trackers that have been placed on the osplets, they will now only be banding the little raptors.

Our local wildlife rehabilitation clinic, Wildlife Haven, is helping a Red-tail Hawk!

It is that time of year when people start thinking about the upcoming holidays. No matter what religious persuasion you are (or maybe not any), gifts find their way into the celebrations. Why not do something to help wildlife? One year, our family adopted the hawks, the Crow, and some of the other raptors at Wildlife Haven instead of buying ‘stuff’. Indeed, I do not need anything, having spent the last year trying to rid myself of the many things accumulated over a lifetime. Instead, we now gift small, locally made consumables. We will also reach out to local clinics in various ways. We have two large, used once dog carriers that are way too big for Toby. They will be donated along with a pet crate and various items on the wish list. I hope our family approves! Over the holidays, we will have a four-legged visitor to join our gang – Nellie, a very large British White Retriever. She is Toby’s bestie. The plan is to invite another four-legged friend and provide treats for the cats and dogs, along with some delicious shortbread for the adults.

There continue to be an enormous number of Canada Geese in and around Winnipeg along with Bald Eagles at every turn. Many of the geese have turned into lunch or those eagles. Great image by Kevin Eisler.

We still have osprey in Manitoba, too – the water is still open and fish and prey are readily available for the raptors. Migration times are extended!

Hawk Mountain’s latest migration chart for the week of 12 November. Those osprey numbers are not good.

Please continue to spread the word: Good Wolf reminds us that balloons have no place in celebrations in 2025. We know that they harm wildlife – it isn’t speculation. There are many other ways to decorate that are safe for our raptors and other wildlife.

Thank you so much for being with us. Please take care of yourself. We look forward to having you back with us for our next Bird World post which should be on Monday 24 November. See you soon!

Thank you so much to SK Hideaways, Heidi, and ‘A’ for their videos, notices, and commentary and to the owners of the streaming cams and FB groups who keep us informed, and The Guardian -I am in your debt. I am grateful to everyone behind Raptor Persecution UK who are working hard to bring justice for our raptors and to all who work hard to protect our precious feathered friends.

Last two fledge off Melbourne CBD ledge!

13 November 2025

Hi Everyone,

We hope that you had a terrific day. It was glorious weather, again, on the Canadian Prairies and due to be +12 C tomorrow – unthinkable but welcome.

The male fledged at Melbourne followed by the last female. Here are the details from Victor Hurley. Please note that the live stream will be turned off almost immediately.

Off the goes:

The return – thank goodness he wasn’t injured.

More images from today:

We will miss them! People working in the offices have confirmed sightings of the first female that fledged afterwards with her flying brilliantly. My contributor ‘A’ has a direct line to the rehabber that will care for any of the trio should they get injured and will alert us.

Congratulations to everyone at Melbourne, and a big thank you to Victor Hurley and Mirvac for the two streaming cams that allowed us into the special world of peregrine falcons.

In another note, Rose and Ron have their first egg at the WRDC nest in Florida. Thanks, Heidi! Rose laid this egg 21 days earlier than the first eggs in previous years.

Name the chick! …Monday in Bird World

10 November 2025

Hello Everyone,

It says Monday, but it is actually late Sunday night.

I hope each of you had a lovely weekend. We had snow and ice, and it wasn’t all that wonderful, but it warmed up today to 1°C, so some of that treacherous ice has melted. Thank goodness! The garden animals have been very busy, and on Saturday, there were so many European Starlings that it was completely impossible to count them. Oh, they are lovely birds. Our friend Geemeff was here to see them, and they noticed that our Blue Jays are much brighter in colour than those in the UK.

Heidi has sent me the most informative presentation on the issue of the ospreys in the Chesapeake. It is worth sharing with everyone who cares about the destiny of our fish hawks in that region.

Heidi writes: “This was a very informative presentation about the decline of ospreys around the Chesapeake Bay region. It includes some general osprey educational information, then at around the 49 minute mark, they start to talk more about the decline of ospreys, and specifically as it relates to industrial fishing of menhaden. It is a long video (2 hours), but I watched it in 15-20 minute increments over a couple of days.”

https://www.youtube.com/live/GZ8LEu4D4IM

SK Hideaways Videos for the Week of 2 November 2025

All my videos stem from my love of raptors. My mission is to inform, educate, and entertain viewers. I have never and will never monetize my videos. They are purely a labor of love that give me great joy to share with anyone kind enough to view them. Much gratitude to Mary Ann Steggles for bringing my videos to you.

367 Collins St. Falcons, Mum F24, Dad M24, and 3 chicks

Courtesy 367 Collins St. Falcon Cam

South Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oibsohQ14cY

North Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNKk0ivuWe4

Morning Shenanigans More Vigorous & Daring. NEW ~ Louvre Perching (2025 Nov 7)

As fledge nears, the chicks are more active and even a little twitchy, especially first thing in the morning. Their wing exercises are more vigorous, their gutter stomping louder and bouncier, and all of this happening more often on the ledge. Today, one sister made it to the louvre ~ another milestone.

Video: https://youtu.be/7ZxZtiwNMNo

Chicks Take Self-Feeding Seriously ~ Give Mum the Boot (or Beak) (2025 Nov 7)

The chicks were all over mum F24 when she delivered breakfast a little later than they would have liked. They needed no help devouring every last morsel and then gave mum the heave-ho when she stopped by for leftovers.

Video: https://youtu.be/80HsbSvINCc

Sydney White-Bellied Sea Eagles, Lady, Dad, and 2 eaglets

Courtesy Sea-EagleCAM@BirdLife Australia Discovery Centre, Sydney Olympic Park

(https://www.sea-eaglecam.org/video.html)

Nest cam also at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcKLMh-MGEE

SE35 & SE36 Discover They Now Have a Gigantic Playground (2025 Nov 8, 5:43-12:55)

The day after SE36’s fledge, both eaglets were up and out to their now favorite perch in the wee hours. SE35 flew first with SE36 not far behind.

SE35 became curious about the various bits of equipment on the tree, plucking it like prey! So if the cam goes out, we’ll know why!

They were out and back several times ~ a great sign of their flying progress and a sound way for them to hone those skills.

Video: https://youtu.be/IPzgtwAHqWc

SE36 FLEDGES✈️ Follows SE35 to Dad’s Perch🌲 and Back Again🎉 (2025 Nov 7)

SE36 had a beautiful fledge, flying to Dad’s perch tree to meet SE35, who flew moments before. The eaglets were frisky and lively all afternoon ~ seemed like they were planning SE36’s fledge along. After an exhausting day, the siblings pancaked in the nest overnight.

Video: https://youtu.be/1X2xSXtak2o

SE35 Leaves Nest for 2-Hour Exploration ~ SE36 Remains on Sentry Duty (2025 Nov 6)

SE35 took to the forest for a 2-hour exploration of the habitat. SE36 was content to keep an eye on things and simply look stunning. When SE35 returned, all was well between the eaglets and they simply got on with their day.

Video: https://youtu.be/ti9wc6SnVXI

FalconCam Project, Diamond, Gimbir, and 1 chick

Courtesy FalconCam Project, Charles Sturt University NSW (http://www.csu.edu.au/special/falconcam/)

Box Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv2RtoIMNzA

Ledge Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuZaWzhXSAI

Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj1Y6ydRl1c

Tower Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFAsJvGPd00

Gimbir Watches Diamond Feed Chick #1 from Cilla Stones 🥰 (2025 Nov 7)

Gimbir continued his on-the-job training after delivering one of many meals. While he typically flees after deliveries, this time he perched himself on the Cilla stones and watched Diamond feed his first born. It was one of the most heartwarming displays I’ve ever seen.

Video: https://youtu.be/rd9q2EL5GxM

Gimbir Brings 3 Starlings in 9 Minutes ~ Chicks Gets First Meal (2025 Nov 6, 6:01-6:29)

Gimbir showed his paternal chops, delivering a significant bounty to the nest for the 17-hour-old chick and Diamond. His 9-minute hunt reaped 3 starlings. Wonder if Diamond was impressed as we were.

Video: https://youtu.be/mynzf-kkOQQ

Gimbir Meets His Very First Chick ~ Moments of Puzzlement Ensues (2025 Nov 5)

Gimbir seemed somewhat perplexed to see a fluff ball where there used to be an egg. While he hasn’t yet learned the subtleties of fatherhood – or even the not-so-subtleties, he will do so in time. Here we look at his first two visits with his very first chick.

Video: https://youtu.be/6UR71MPV3Dw

FIRST HATCH for Diamond & Gimbir ~ From Pip to Hatch in 7 HOURS (2025 Nov 5)

Diamond increased moving and shaking of the eggs as she likely detected a pip and heard at least one chick. Chick #1 was motivated to see the world! The video shows progress from pip to hatch over 7 hours

Video: https://youtu.be/Uaz0j6B6um8

FOBBV Eagles, Jackie & Shadow

Courtesy FOBBVCAM | Friends of Big Bear Valley

Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE

Wide View Cam (Cam 2): https://youtube.com/live/LCGYWfbyBWc

LIVE Recap & Observations https://bit.ly/3Md8TSz

Shadow then Jackie Make Pre-Season Nest Visits🪹Rendezvous on Roost Tree🌲 (2025 Nov 3)

Adult visits to the Lookout Snag and Basement were gifts enough. But then, Shadow and then Jackie each visited the nest. Shadow brought 2 sticks with Jackie following a bit later to inspect the still messy nest. It’s pre-season time, so every visit is an extra special gift. The cherry on top was Jackie and Shadow’s rendezvous on the Roost Tree.

Video: https://youtu.be/nS3L24OBpYo

Two Harbors Eagles, Cholyn & Chase

Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Two Harbors Cam Ops

Eagle Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5T2eHM8tcI

Overlook Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yx7RKxpyzQ

Cholyn & Chase Do Major Nestorations with Massive Sticks (2025 Nov 3)

Cholyn and Chase continue shoring up the rails of the original nest, bringing in massive branch after massive branch plus soft material from the fluff factory. Typical disagreements about what furniture should go where are quickly resolved. They depart the nest at the end of the video, flying away to their secret hideaway. Listen for the beautiful chortles.

Video: https://youtu.be/-SeV6GpIbv0

Thanks, Heidi and SK!!!

It continues to be possible that the falcons Gimbir and Diamond at the Charles Sturt Falcon scrape in Orange will only have one eyas to care for and what a lucky little fluffy white ball this one is if that is the case!

This little one is seriously adorable.

Cilla Kinross wants to name this little cutie pie. Here is the information – please vote noting that you can select up to three names but no more or your vote will be discarded!

These are the choices. The link to vote is below:

Nestling needs a name

While the little one at Orange has not even had its beak change colour, the trio at Melbourne’s CBD falcon scrape at 367 Collins Street are preparing to fly. Almost all of the dandelions have disappeared and they are enjoying watching their parents fly through the CBD luring them into a life away from the scrape. Soon! Too soon, of course.

Every year we wring our hands with worry around the fledging of the sea eaglets at Sydney. It is the Currawongs. Despite those pesky birds attacking our fledglings, Lady and Dad are persisting in feeding the eaglets on the nest and today on the branches of nest tree – Ranger Judy Harrington says this is a great milestone. In all the years I have watched this nest, the adults only fed at the nest or down by the River Roost. No doubt these feedings will keep the fledglings strong, strong enough to beat those pesky birds so that they can learn to hunt from Lady and Dad and live a marvellous independent life – both of them. No more starving sea eaglets on the pavement by the Discovery Centre taken into care — let’s hope! So happy.

‘A’ sends us their commentary from Melbourne: “Dear Mary Ann,

I presume you have seen this footage, but in case you hadn’t, I thought I’d send it to you:

It’s almost as if the two eaglets following each other and appearing to play together is giving the younger sibling confidence. It certainly looks like that (okay, I’m anthropomorphising but you have to admit, it does appear that way.)

Let’s hope this year will be different. Certainly, the pre- and post-fledge behaviours have been somewhat different this year, and the confidence of both eaglets may be greater when it comes to insisting on their right to exist in that forest. I have a lot of confidence that this is going to be the year that the eaglets manage to thrive despite the currawongs. If they work to some extent as a team, they will surely have a better chance. Let’s hope my completely irrational belief is based on something real.

The three at Collins Street are such a noisy and energetic rabble that the parents just dump food and flee. Meanwhile at Orange, Gimbir continues to observe and learn. He still has not done a feeding but I’m sure he will try soon. Meanwhile, I believe I was right about the egg that hatched being the last one laid. Certainly, it was the one with the least colour. But whether or not I am right about that, I don’t think either of the two remaining eggs is going to hatch. At this stage, I have enough confidence in Gimbir’s hunting to have stop fearing a second or third hatch, but I don’t think we’re going to have one.”

M15 is undoubtedly a handsome eagle, and he is working hard with F23 to prepare their SW Florida nest for eggs. Mulhady and Pepe already have three at Central Florida – they always seem to be the first!

I have a soft spot for the NE Florida Bald Eagle nest of Gabby. Like so many of you, I adored Samson, but it appears that Beau is rising to the occasion, and let us hope that they have another fledgling this year! They are sure working on that nest.

Eagles at the US Steel nest.

They are working on the Decorah North nest in Iowa!

And at many other nests including Fraser Point on the Channel Islands.

There are ospreys visiting the Captiva Osprey nest on Sanibel Island! They came and went before I checked on the nest. The chat is very informative and Window to Wildlife has a daily log – the link to it is in the chat. This is a new osprey couple it appears.

Jack and Jill have been at the Achieva Credit Union nest in St Petersburg, Florida. Concerns persist regarding the structure, with worry that eggs and/or chicks may fall through.

The environment remains on all of our minds. As much as we try to avoid plastic, it is almost impossible to do so. What a mess we have made of things! The Guardian brings us up to date on just one of the major disasters brought on by plastic.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/nov/08/environmental-catastrophe-fears-as-millions-of-plastic-beads-wash-up-on-camber-sands?CMP=share_btn_url

Enjoy some great wildlife pictures. Calico just knows that you will enjoy them.

Is that a goose on your head? Earth’s most spectacular inhabitants – in pictureshttps://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2025/nov/04/cristina-mittermeier-earth-most-spectacular-inhabitants-in-pictures?CMP=share_btn_url

Our local wildlie rehabilitation centre, Wildlife Haven is really busy. Lumi the rare lynx cub is now doing much better after refusing to eat. Now they have a Bald Eagle in their care.

Anyone reading my blog is aware of the dangers posed by lead to our beloved raptors. We must continue our fight to halt the production of lead ammunition, as well as lead in all types of fishing gear. Please raise your voice to ban this deadly substance any time you can.

How much do you know about Great Grey Owls? There are some lovely close ups of nestlings in this documentary by Our World. https://youtu.be/OVE3UzyvEIc?

From everyone in my family to yours, we hope you have a truly wonderful week. We look forward to you being with us again next Monday. Here are some recent photos of Toby and his sisters and a few of the garden animals that add so much joy to my life. Indeed, I cannot imagine a day without them despite all the work they create.

Toby is modelling his new turtleneck sweater. Toby is going to need a miniature closet soon.

Hugo Yugo looking beautiful in the golden light of sunset.

Baby Hope – the sweetest and most shy of the bunch.

The mysterious Missey.

Lovable Calico.

Mr Crow waiting his turn in line to get a peanut.

Brock trying to hurry and eat his roast chicken and ham before Toby finds out he is outside! As everyone knows, Brock is a true survivor. He has lived for five years outside on his own. He won’t come in the house and is very weary of being ‘trapped’ in fancy heated houses for winter. So, we simply love him, respect what life has thrown at him and what he is used to, and make sure he gets at least three large tins of food and fresh water every day.

One of five grey squirrels.

Do you know what the national bird of Canada is? Have a good read and celebrate the American Bird Conservancy’s Bird of the Week!!

Canada Jay Whiskyjack Download

Take care. See you soon.

Thank you to A, Heidi and SK Hideaways, to all the owners of the streaming cams that give us a glimpse – a great privilege – into the lives of our favourite raptors, to the authors of Facebook posts that keep us up to date on the nest happenings, and to papers such as The Guardian that continue to carry the environmental story. My blog would never be the same without their contributions. I am very grateful!

Sea Eaglet fledges…late Saturday in Bird World

25 October 2025

Good Evening Everyone!

Late Breaking News: A couple of hours ago, the oldest of Mum and Dad’s sea eaglets attempted to fly up to the branch to be with Lady and did not make it. The sea eaglet is on the floor of the Olympic forest and is being monitored by WIRES. Deborah Victoriana gives us the news in her FB post:

We had our first really hard frost during the wee hours of Wednesday, the 22nd of October and another the following night. Not wanting to pound the point too hard about how much our climate has changed, but when I moved to Canada, we often anticipated that the first frost in August would kill the garden flowers. Even so, you might get sick of me saying how much I am dreading winter this year. Is it because I am a year older? Or is it because there is a growing puppy that is now—gosh, time does melt—getting on to nine months old and needs to be outside walking several times a day? I used to love bundling up and trudging through the nature centre in the dead of winter. Now all I want to do is bundle up with the log burning, warming the snug, reading a good book with Toby cuddled up next to me.

The garden is busier than ever in the morning. It is comforting to sip tea after breakfast while counting the squirrels, the Crows, and the Blue Jays, realising that everyone is present and accounted for. The Starlings come around 3:30 to eat dog and cat kibble, and dear Brock shows up at least twice, if not three times, during the day, all the while trying to keep out of Toby’s sight. Life is good despite my grumbling…it is, as many of you would say, all first-world problems. I have a comfortable home; it is warm, there is food, and I can go to the doctor whenever needed without fear of a bill showing up in the post! I am lucky to be able to afford to feed all the animals in the garden, along with Toby and The Girls. Many just dream of being able to afford a pet, while some have had to give theirs up due to rising costs. Grateful is the word. The joy in life is not about money or buying ‘stuff’ (oh, to have finally almost decluttered everything) but in the small, simple joys of everyday life.

I read a very interesting blog post on the growing interest in hobbies and it reminded me of the ‘Back to the Land Movement’ (in part) of my generation. You might enjoy reading about the resurgence of hobbies like knitting and embroidery and the move to get away from social media. I found it fascinating. Perhaps you will, too.

the grandma hobby renaissance Download

Before we check in on the nests, the Bald Eagles continue to gather in one of my favourite spots, Hecla Island. Oh, I wish I were up there to see them hanging around the Marina.

So, let’s check in on our favourite raptors!

Most of the chatter is about the Bald Eagle nests coming on line or the raptor couples working away for their future getting those nests just perfect for little ones.

There has been concern about one of Jackie’s eyes and the folks in Big Bear Valley have been keeping good track of her and any issues. The latest post gives much clarity and relief as it appears that her eye might be improving according to Big Bear Lake Bald Eagles FB.

Our dear Shadow! Then and now.

In the mailbox was this from ‘B’. I knew that you would be as excited to check out that video – which I had seen years ago but not recently – of a young, a very young, Akecheta!

‘B’ writes: “In the West End chat today there was mention of a video of the banding of Akecheta in 2016. The video shows Dr. Sharpe fetching Akecheta from the Los Pinos nest and attaching his band and wing tags. Not all that exciting, but I just had to watch to see our handsome Akecheta in his youth. You might be interested in taking a peek if you haven’t seen it. I had to watch the whole thing (!!!), but just seeing the opening retrieval and glancing at him being held for banding and then returned to the nest would be more than enough for most people!

Elsewhere, I found a Facebook discussion from 2018 by watchers who were saddened by the disappearance of Superman from West End and the appearance of this young upstart Akecheta wooing Thunder. Not that different from us, sad that Thunder is missing, and yet somewhat reluctantly pleased that someone (Haku) is there in her place for Akecheta. The cycle of nest life goes on. https://youtu.be/VJctnVtsq-4?

Trempealeau is online, and everyone would love for TE3 to fly into camera view. The Raptor Resource Project tells us all about what is happening in that area of Wisconsin.

The latest migration statistics from Hawk Mountain in PA, USA are in. Could you take a look at the Broad Wing Hawks? Goodness.

Beautiful Big Red. So grateful to Suzanne Arnold Horning for her ‘hawk eye’ in catching up with our favourite Red-tail Hawk.

In the mailbox – oh, I do so love the questions that show up once in a while. Heidi wonders if Mum caused the eggs to be unviable by stopping incubation, or if the eggs were already non-viable, which is why she stopped incubation. What a great question.

The analysis done at Adelaide indicated that the eggs were fertile but that the osplets had stopped developing.

So we are still back to this: It appears to be one of those six of one and half a dozen of another events. Heidi confirms that Dad has brought in the same number of fish pre-hatch as he did in 2024. That means one or two a day. Females incubating do not use much energy, and that is sufficient. Many raptors continue to incubate even when the eggs are not viable. Shadow insisted on staying on the eggs for sixty days a year. We have seen this behaviour in various raptor nests. Mum should have been hearing the chicks because hatch was approaching. So my question is this: Did Mum hear them, then didn’t, and then stopped incubation? And if this was the case, and it wasn’t her stopping incubation that caused this, then what did?

The late Laura Culley would tell you that Mum knew precisely what she was doing and that her babies, which she is devoted to, were not alive when she stopped incubation. I hope that Port Lincoln will discover what happened. It could be a while.

What are you thinking?

Giliath and a fantastic fish, demonstrating that he is doing very well after hatching from Mum and Dad’s nest on the barge in Port Lincoln in 2023, along with Bradley.

The Currawongs in the Olympic Park are very brave in their attacks on the little sea eaglets. Nesting Bird Life and More has that attack on video. https://youtu.be/X_z3cZk1v6w?

The oldest sea eaglet has now jumped up to the second branch! https://youtu.be/Jiaalbsqfm4?

SK Hideaways has the most recent video on the Melbourne 367 Collins Street Falcon scrape: https://youtu.be/vDS7DxjwH8A?

Incubation continues at Orange. Are you getting anxious for hatch and to see how Gimbir will do as a first-time dad?! So am I.

California Condors are or have been released. I am looking forward to Ventana Wildlife Society’s release on Saturday the 25th but here is some information on other releases by the Yurok Tribe. You might find this interesting if you love these very endangered birds as much as I do!

Some of the most beautiful birds can be found in Asia. Thank you, BaoWan, for posting this beautiful image of White-naped Cranes.

I am a huge fan of our local wildlife rehabilitation centre, Wildlife Haven. Most of our donations support the fantastic work they do, persevering under sometimes dire conditions to ensure wildlife returns to the world they love. Everyone has been eagerly awaiting news of the rare lynx that came into care, and I am delighted to report that, although it will not be released back into the wild, it will be a permanent resident at our Assiniboine Park Zoo, where it will have a spacious and suitable home. Read all about that and more in the centre’s latest newsletter. These are inspiring, dedicated individuals! They give me hope, as do so many other centres.

Fall Newsletter Download

The lynx is making the local news, too. Quite the celebrity! https://youtu.be/No1qBUS6sZE?

Book Alert: For those just joining our community, every evening after Toby’s walk, it is story time. This began when I was trying to coax Calico into trusting me and then, later, when she came into the house. Calico is interesting. She loves story time, but lately the books have not been exciting enough for her to stick around! So today, I have one for you. It is titled Life Changing: Cley and Salthouse Marshes by David North. It is one of many recent publications that are journals examining life on the marshy coast of north Norfolk through a single year. This one weaves the months of the marshes into a beautiful narrative illustrated by nearly thirty excellent artists. The woodblock prints and water colours are worth the price! Of course, I was first drawn to it because of the many entries about geese, but there are frogs, bitterns, all manner of geese and ducks, Avocets, and others, including owls, drawn to the site. It is a place I hope to travel to —near where I lived in Lincolnshire —but you don’t need to live in the UK to appreciate the excellent writing and those gorgeous images!

A lovely little 350 word opinion piece in The Guardian’s Country Diary on Canada Geese! How grand.

Country diary: A lesson in rest from the Canada geese | Josie Georgehttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/24/country-diary-a-lesson-in-rest-from-the-canada-geese?CMP=share_btn_url

Thank you so much for being with us and being part of our Bird World community. Please take care. Enjoy the outdoors if the weather permits (and bundle up and get out anyway, even if it doesn’t!). We have to keep these legs moving! Will see you on Monday with a short posting and update on SE35.

I want to extend special thanks to SK Hideaways for their videos. Thank you to ‘B’ for that link to the fabulous video of Akecheta being ringed. Thank you to the individuals and owners of streaming cams, as well as those posting for various FB groups listed in Bold. The Guardian continues to publish informed articles on wildlife and the environment as do many of the authors such as David North. In our chaotic world, it is refreshing to be amongst people who love nature and want to protect its inhabitants.

Will wildlife exist for our grandchildren? Monday in Bird World

20 October 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

It is so nice to have you with us today. Everyone sends you a big hello and a wish for a good start to the week.

Part of the week was spent packing away the summer linens for the fall and winter wool. It has rained – and then it rained some more. This is fantastic for the trees and shrubs and will help them during the dry cold of the upcoming months. The Girls continue to enjoy the conservatory, where, when the sun does shine, it is hot. Toby will soon give up his raincoat for winter boots held up by suspenders, along with a padded puffer jacket, hat, and jacket! He is quite the fashion aficionado! The neighbours must be chattering away behind their curtains about this very spoiled little pooch. They must think we have gone daft!

Brock continues to amaze me. Toby sends him scattering under the deck where he waits for me to get Toby inside and call ‘kitty kitty’. He then scampers out to eat his meal returning at least twice more during the day. I caught him sitting down a bit on the fence. Brock is looking pretty good these days.

The Girls are good. I will get some good images of them this week for you. We are all doing well. There are long walks with Toby around the neighbourhood and to several of our favourite parks. We are starting our third year with Anne and our fifth year of living with dementia. Either I am so used to the situation or things really are better than they were a year ago – I am not sure, but I am thankful for our days, which aren’t full of the kind of excitement some dream of, but they really are nice and comforting.

We woke up to yet another day of rain. Toby and I bundled up and cleaned out the bird feeders. The tray feeders now only hold corn kernels or peanuts as the moisture does not cause them to go off so quickly. All other seed is now in either covered feeders or in those cylindrical tube feeders. New suet out for the woodpeckers! Oh, I wish there were places to walk dogs inside when it is pitching down rain!!!!!!!!!!

A sadness fell over Bird World this week as it was acknowledged that there would be no little osplets on the Port Lincoln barge for Mum and Dad this year. The eggs were removed by Bazz Hockaday and sent to Adelaide for inspection to determine the cause of the nest failure. The eggs were fertile. There were little osplets, but for some reason, Mum determined that their lives were not viable and stopped incubation. In a post, Tiger Mozone, thought it was odd that incubation was stopped as some stay on eggs, hoping for 70 days!

The barge nest looks lonely.

This is the latest post from Port Lincoln Osprey:

What was curious to me was that later Ervie chose to visit the barge for one of the first times in ever so long. Will Ervie take over the nest one day?

Everything you ever wanted to know about osprey eggs and more:

An Eggstraordinary Journey | Scottish Wildlife Trust Download

There are many myths and scientific explanations when events don’t work out as anticipated. In this case, ‘everyone knew’ that rain would cause eggs to fail. But, does it? Not for this clutch in Maryland:

Rain, Rain, Go AWAY | Osprey Camera Blog Download

You might think ospreys would not lay eggs if their nest is disturbed or removed. But think again.

Eggs laid despite nest removal Download

SK Hideaways Videos for the week of 12 October 2025

Introduction: I first fell in love with raptors in 2019 ~ Annie & Grinnell, the CalFalcons, at the UC Berkeley Campanile. All the videos I’ve created since that time stem from that love and my desire to learn all I can about these and other raptors. My mission is to inform, educate, and entertain viewers. I have never and will never monetize my videos. They are purely a labor of love that give me great joy to share with anyone kind enough to view them.

Two Harbors Eagles: Cholyn & Chase Perch on Favorite “Thrones” ~ Spend Day on Cam (2025 Oct 19)

Chase was spotted just after sunrise on the cactus perch. Later, Cholyn was on her low ocean view perch, where Chase joined her ~ a special treat for fans ~ as they chortled and spent time together. In the afternoon, a visitor, possibly a juvenile bald eagle, was chased around the territory, but soon all was calm. The late afternoon found Cholyn on another ocean view perch, where she watched the world go by till dusk and beyond. Catalina Island, California.

Video: https://youtu.be/tpBHvj1M6hc

Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies, explore.org, Two Harbors Eagles Cam Ops

West End Eagles ~ Akecheta & Haku VERY Cozy on Tor in AM🌅Back Together at Dusk🏜️(2025 Oct 18)

Akecheta and Haku met on the far tor in the morning, sitting close as they observed their habitat. They spent the day (on camera) apart, both visiting the nest at separate times. Then, as dusk approached, they came back together on the night perch. While they didn’t remain there ~ owing to human disturbances off shore ~ it is likely they either reunited elsewhere for the night or will come back together in the morning.

Video: https://youtu.be/fcqFxHeft_4

Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org

West End ~ Catalina Island, CA ~ Akecheta & Haku (2025 Oct 17)

Akecheta and Haku roosted together on the same perch overnight for the first time. They greeted the dawn with long, glorious chortles and then settled atop the far TOR (top of rock) on a sparkling blue sky, blue sea morning.

Video: https://youtu.be/Linoj1-qkYE

Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org

FalconCam Project ~ Diamond & Gimbir (2025 Oct 17)

Gimbir made an early wake-up visit. When Diamond’s initial breakfast order went unheeded, she went out and gave him a few minutes of egg time. He came through later with breakfast, only he dashed out with Diamond, so she stashed the gift and returned. Finally, Gimbir gave her a longer break and she was able to get her breakfast.

Video: https://youtu.be/ws5pv5K34Lg

Courtesy FalconCam Project, Charles Sturt University NSW Australia

367 Collins St. Falcons🪽Wee Chick Gets Private Feeding 🍽️ Big Chicks Want Their Share🐥🐥(2025 Oct 20, 6:14-10:36)

The smallest chick ~ presumed male ~ has been unable to scale the nest since entering the gutter a few days back. This “limitation” has gotten him private attention from Mum F24 ~ including brooding and feeding. The two bigger chicks ~ presumed female ~ decided they’d had enough and barged in on a feeding. The little one was unfazed, remaining steadfast at Mum’s beak. In the end, everyone got their fill.

Video: https://youtu.be/kGmGAtLA8kg

Courtesy 367 Collins St. Falcon Cam

367 Collins St. Falcons: Chicks’ Morning Shenanigans ~ Wingers and Gutter Stomping Practice (2025 Oct 16)

Video: https://youtu.be/m4OPMsfrGrg

Courtesy 367 Collins St. Falcon Cam

367 Collins Street Falcons: F24, M24, 3 eyases (15 Oct 2025, 11:26+)

As is true every year, the chicks get fed up with the morning sun and venture towards the shade. Mum F24 is never ready for this transition, doing her best to corral the chicks and keep them in the nest. This hasn’t worked in the past and didn’t work today. There was a frantic hour or so with Mum trying to brood the chicks still in the nest and those who’d escaped. Eventually she accepted the inevitable and relaxed. We were also treated to a camera adjustment, which allowed us to see the three toddler chicks sleeping peacefully in the shaded gutter. (15 Oct 2025, 11:26+)

Video: https://youtu.be/ENBYHEEkjTg

Courtesy 367 Collins St. Falcon Cam

South Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oibsohQ14cY

North Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNKk0ivuWe4

367 Collins Street Falcons: F24, M24, 3 eyases (14 Oct/17:39+)

When Mum F24 brought yet another large meal, the chicks’ crops were already bulging. But F24 was determined to feed them, regardless of how many times they fell into food comas.

Video: https://youtu.be/x_L57QAqFvY

Courtesy 367 Collins St. Falcon Cam

Sydney WB Sea Eagles: Lady, Dad, Eaglets SE35 & SE36 (2025 Oct 15)

Yesterday was a day of special moments for the memory treasure chest. SE35 and SE36 are quite inseparable these days. They perched on the nest rim and SE36 “hugged” SE35 while they cuddled in the nest. SE36 also performed a spectacular horaltic pose. The family came together in the evening for a meal and just to hang out.

Video: https://youtu.be/ER17Mt44mfA

Courtesy Sea-EagleCAM@BirdLife Australia Discovery Centre, Sydney Olympic Park (https://www.sea-eaglecam.org/video.html)

Nest cam also at https://www.youtube.com/@SeaEagleCAM4/streams

It is a concern that should be on all our minds: what will the world be like for our grandchildren? One photographer “Margot Raggett has spent the past decade raising money for conservation efforts around the world but now she feels nervous about the future. “It does feel like we’ve taken a backward step,” she said.

The wildlife photographer has raised £1.2m for the cause in the past 10 years through her Remembering Wildlife series, an annual, not-for-profit picture book featuring images of animals from the world’s top nature photographers. The first edition was published in 2015, when the Paris climate agreement was being drafted but, in the years since, efforts to tackle the climate crisis have been rolled back.”…..”“Compared to a few years ago, there was a desire for renewables instead of drilling for oil across the world. I think the importance of nature is something for us all to cling on to,” said Raggett.

Despite this, she has some hope. “I’m nervous but equally I’m encouraged by the fact that there are so many people that do seem to still care. I’ll do everything I can to keep my end of the bargain and keep fighting. And I know there’s lots of other people who feel the same, so time will tell, but we certainly can’t be complacent.”

In a timely reminder of how fraught the outlook is for wildlife at the moment, this year’s release, titled Ten Years of Remembering Wildlife, is being published alongside original and altered images of animals including polar bears, cheetahs and pangolins living in, and then scrubbed out of, their natural habitats.”

The images are intentionally meant to provoke us into thinking what life would be like if there were no animals, no birds. Can you imagine it? The book is a massive picture book which will be released on 11 November in North America at a cost of $100 CDN.

World’s landscapes may soon be ‘devoid of wild animals’, says nature photographer | Climate crisis |Download

In another article, The Guardian looks at the peregrine falcons that have taken over an industrial site in the UK. I love these 350 word Country diary stories! And, of course, we all love the falcons.

Country diary: Racing peregrines among the rusting mills | Bradford | The Guardian Download

Good news is that one of my favourite books by David Gessner is out in a 25th anniversary edition, Return of the Osprey. A Season of Flight and Wonder. Helen MacDonald, author of H is for Hawk (amongst others), has written a powerful foreword to the release that you will enjoy. If you have read this book years ago, it may be time for a reread! And when you finish, I suggest returning to Soaring with Fidel, too. MacDonald describes Gessner’s odyssey with the ospreys, “Perhaps all this makes Gessner’s quest sound dry. it is not. It is a gloriously gonzo, whole-souled pursuit. He wrenches at raw fish with pliers to see what it might feel like to feed like an osprey, leaps into water to try and catch herring in a manner as much like an osprey a human can manage. There is a transporting lyricism in this book’s pages, along with passages of raw horror and moments of glorious weirdness, as when Gessner imagines the female osprey delicately feeding torn pages of his writing notebook to her young” (xi).

The release gave me the nudge to write to David Gessner to alert him about the situation in the Chesapeake Bay region and osprey starvation. This was his response:

“Mary Ann,

Thank you. I’m on it! Three weeks or so I got back from a trip up the East Coast where I saw some of the usual osprey suspects including Bryan Watts, P. Spitzer, Joannie in Colonial beach, Ben Wurst and of course Alan. Like you, I’ve got menhaden on the mind. I’ve been swallowed up by school but am heading up to Cape Cod the last week of this month and plan on finishing a longform piece then. The folks at the Atlantic said they would take a look so that’s my first stop for the essay.

All Best, David”

I am really hoping that someone like Gessner can get the kind of attention needed to stop Omega from killing off the entire ecosystem – if it is not too late already for our ospreys. I need the hope of ten Jane Goodalls. Politics should not be a part of protecting our environment. Humans must recognise the damage we are doing and work mightily hard to correct it.

How much do you know about Chimney Swifts? Charles Brown has just finished a 45-year study and has done a video presentation on YouTube on that very subject: https://youtu.be/VnnPOaf1Dpc?

Things appear to be going very well for Gimbir and Diamond at the Charles Sturt Falcon scrape in Orange, Australia. Incubation continues without issue.

Gimbir is adorable and rather brave not bringing in the entire Eastern Rosella. Diamond and all of us – while clearly missing and never forgetting dear Xavier – are appreciating this young falcon and his food gifts for Diamond. Cilla Kinross gives us the latest…notice that nice crop of our little man.

F23 takes extraordinary care of her trio at the Melbourne CBD falcon scrape! I am more and more impressed with her. The chicks have now moved themselves to the opposite end from where they hatched, keeping out of the sun and the deadly heat of Melbourne.

‘A’ comments: “Oh they are the sweetest family. Little dad is adorable – he works so hard at bringing plenty of food for those ravenous babies. And mum is very efficient at keeping the littles warm and dry and fed and generally safe. My goodness, they gave her a run for her money once they discovered the gutter, didn’t they? Poor mum. She couldn’t work out what to do. And I loved dad’s solution. He just took one look at the chaos and got the hell out of Dodge. It was hysterically funny. Which of course is why I sent it to you. Those moments are just too precious – the way the birds think is on display, and it is truly fascinating. They DO think, and you can see them logically eliminating alternatives and coming up with new ones, then being forced to prioritise, which is always absorbing. For people like us, trying to understand the thoughts and emotions of their world is absolutely fascinating. While we may run the risk of anthropomorphising a little too much, at the same time it is obvious that birds definitely do have emotions.”

At the Olympic Park WBSE nest, we have branching! The currawongs have been relentless this season in their attack on the nest. There are days that I wish the WBSE would eat all of them!!!!!!

Lots of wingersizing!

These eaglets are so gorgeous. It is difficult to tell them apart, and it is getting to be that ‘sad time’ when they will make their way out into the world. We can only hope that they survive the Currawong attacks and make their way to the river roost of their parents, where they can be fed and learn to hunt.

Screen capture of the eaglets by SK Hideaways in their video.

It has not only been the currawongs that are causing mischief but also owls.

At the West End nest, Haku and Akecheta are getting accustomed to one another.

Akecheta watching Haku soar above the nest.

Oh, I have such a fondness for Akecheta. The year that he took such gallant care of the triplets just warmed my heart beyond belief.

There are, of course, so many others – M15 raising his two eaglets alone after Harriet disappeared, every one of Annie’s mates, dear little Xavier…I could go on and on. They really are special – our raptors. It breaks my heart that our environment is changing so quickly that many of them might not be able to adapt (of course, along with humans, too).

Chase and Cholyn are at home at Two Harbours in the Channel Islands.

Big Red has been spotted at some of her favourite spots on the Cornell Campus. Suzanne Arnold Horning knows our Queen of the Red-tail Hawks very well! Thank you, Suzanne, for always keeping us informed.

There is a tragedy underway in the area of the Panama Canal. The first-ever failure of the 2025 seasonal upwelling has occurred. This is critical for fisheries and coral reefs; widespread plastic pollution; and the ecological disruption of the Panama Canal, which is allowing marine species to invade freshwater ecosystems. These problems are impacting coastal communities and local livelihoods– and will ultimately impact seabirds.

Failure of seasonal upwelling

What it is: The seasonal upwelling is a natural process where trade winds push warm surface water away from the coast, allowing cool, nutrient-rich deep water to rise. This is vital for the marine food web in the Gulf of Panama.
The issue: For the first time in at least 40 years, the upwelling did not occur in 2025. Scientists suspect this is due to weakened trade winds linked to climate disruption.
Consequences: The lack of nutrient-rich water is stressing fisheries and could harm coral reefs. This event highlights how climate change can disrupt long-standing ocean systems.

Plastic pollution

The scale: Panama faces a major plastic pollution crisis, generating over 380,000 tons of municipal plastic waste in 2022.
Waste management: More than 88% of this plastic is not properly managed, with large amounts ending up in landfills, being burned, or polluting the environment.
Consequences: This pollution threatens marine ecosystems, wildlife, public health, and the local economy.

Panama Canal ecological disruption

The issue: The 2016 expansion of the Panama Canal has allowed saltwater to enter the freshwater Lake Gatun and facilitated the movement of marine species inland.
Consequences: Ocean species like snooks and lionfish are entering freshwater ecosystems, displacing native species and disrupting the food web. This also introduces new challenges for local fishermen who rely on the freshwater ecosystem for their livelihoods.
Other impacts: The expansion has also contributed to saltwater intrusion into the canal’s freshwater supply, which is a source of drinking water for a large portion of the population.

Mongabay explains further:

Panama upwelling fails in 2025, threatening marine ecosystems Download

More by La Ravi:

Panama’s vital ocean route vanishes for the first time in decades – Le Ravi Download

Billionaires Africa notes that one of their own donates funds to try and save the Wandering Albatross on Marion Island from the ravenous mice!

https://www.billionaires.africa/2025/10/18/south-african-billionaire-mark-shuttleworth-donates-1-million-to-save-the-worlds-largest-flying-bird

It is time to think of the birds that visit our gardens as winter approaches. Lesley the Bird Nerd tells us how to care for them properly in her video: https://youtu.be/Zi6iIGUGxpo?

Oh, I do love the Blue Jays in our garden. Junior and the Mrs and three of their fledglings are here all day long, and if the peanut tray is empty, you can hear them easily. Two Crows visit daily along with all the squirrels, red and grey, and an army of sparrows, a few black-capped chickadees, and some woodpeckers. The Starlings continue to visit around 1530 for puppy chow!

There are osprey nests that we can begin watching in the US that will have eggs after the new year. They include Achieva in St Petersburg, Florida, where Jill has been captured sitting on the perch, along with Captiva on Sanibel Island, Florida, Moorings Park, and Frenchman’s Creek – notice, all are in Florida, where the ospreys do not necessarily migrate and where there is the warmth and fish for them earlier than in the north.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care of yourself. There is a very nasty cold going around that is making people extremely tired. We will look forward to having you with us again next Monday!

I want to extend special thanks to SK Hideaways for their videos and for caring so much about our raptors and to ‘A’ for her commentary on the Australian raptor nests. Thank you to the individuals and owners of streaming cams, as well as those posting for various FB groups listed in Bold. The Guardian continues to publish informed articles on wildlife and the environment, as well as several others listed in bold. There is no way that a single individual can monitor all of the nests and keep up to the minute. I am grateful to all those who post in the various FB groups. These individuals so generously send me precious notes about their favourite birds to the authors of books that educate and inspire us, like David Gessner.

Concerns at Port Lincoln? Monday in Bird World

13 October 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

It is Thanksgiving Day in Canada, and I have so much to be thankful for, including all of you. Over the years, I have appreciated your letters, your support, the stories about your pets and the wildlife that come to your gardens. You give me hope, and as Jane Goodall says, we need hope to do our part in making this planet better. We cannot rely on anything or anyone other than ourselves. Just imagine if every person on this planet cleaned up their own patch and took care of the wildlife in their surrounding area – well, imagine. We would have wetlands, no one would be shooting raptors, injured birds would be taken to get help, songbirds would be fed, and there would be large green spaces that could connect, providing the wildlife with a greater area. We would stop eating tuna and any fish caught by long lines that decapitate albatross! Plastic – gosh, darn it is so hard to get away from it – would not have a place in our lives. I know I am speaking to the choir – but we need to do everything we can to help from putting out water bowls, fixing windows so that birds do not collide with them in private homes and in high rise real estate, to collecting old towels and sheets, to making sure that unused pet carriers make their way to wildlife rehabilitation centres, and fundraising. Let’s get started!

We should start with a big smile – aren’t we all Birdwatchers? We are optimistic, joyful, passionate- all because of the birds. I certainly don’t mind being called eccentric, but is that the wrong picture? Let’s check this Guardian article.

Here’s to the birdwatchers! Optimistic, slightly eccentric custodians of wonder and joy and passion and lovehttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/12/birdwatching-australia-binoculars-going-birding-life?CMP=share_btn_url

SK Hideaways has been incredibly busy creating videos for us about our favourite nests! Please watch them. It takes hours to put these together, especially when commentary is added! If you click on the YouTube icon they will get credit for you watching and be sure to add a ‘like’!

SYDNEY WHITE-BELLIED SEA EAGLES

Sydney WB Sea Eagles: Lady, Dad, SE35 & SE36 (2025 Oct 13)

At just over 8 weeks old, SE35 and SE36 are active, curious, and hungry. They began their wingercise in the wee hours before Lady and Dad arrived to lead the family in not one, but two quartets. Dad brought two fish breakfasts in the span of two hours, which Lady doled out to the waiting beaks. They get more beautiful every day!

Video: https://youtu.be/vWxGyBoETnY

Courtesy Sea-EagleCAM@BirdLife Australia Discovery Centre, Sydney Olympic Park

367 COLLINS STREET FALCONS

367 Collins Street Falcons: Mum F24 and Dad M24 (2025 Oct 12)

At 10, 11, and 12 days old, the chicks are grabbing for food with more gusto and trying to do a little self-feeding. In 2 weeks time, F24 and M24 will be challenged to hold onto the prey long enough to feed them.

Video: https://youtu.be/4TkoOF41_kg

Courtesy 367 Collins St. Falcon Cam

South Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oibsohQ14cY

North Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNKk0ivuWe4

367 Collins Street Falcons ~ F24 and M24

One chick snoozed a little too close to the edge of the nest and slipped into the gutter. While the chick didn’t mind its new location, Mum F24 certainly did upon her return. As she has done in previous years, she gently grabbed the wayward chick by the scruff of the neck and returned it to the nest, where she promptly brooded all three growing chicks (2025 Oct 9, 12:45).

Video: https://youtu.be/Mfqd-5dHEGg

Courtesy 367 Collins St. Falcon Cam

FOBBV EAGLES

FOBBVCAM Eagles: Jackie & Shadow Melodies and Visit Herald a Stunning Sunrise (2025 Oct 10)

Jackie and Shadow chortle-snortled the dawn away to greet a stunning sunrise, which they enjoyed from their Lookout Snag. During their first song, a mouse explored the nest, and in their finale, they invited a Steller’s Jay to join (though his tone wasn’t quite as melodic as Jackie and Shadows, in our opinion).

Video: https://youtu.be/QcL4uQGAEWI

Courtesy FOBBVCAM | Friends of Big Bear Valley, California

Resident Bald Eagle male: Shadow (unbanded) since May 2018. Estimated hatch year: 2014

Resident Bald Eagle female: Jackie (unbanded) since September 2016. Estimated hatch year: 2012

🔗Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE

🔗Wide View Cam (Cam 2): https://youtube.com/live/LCGYWfbyBWc

🔴LIVE Recap & Observations https://bit.ly/3Md8TSz

🔠Eagle Glossary + Acronyms +Useful Links: https://bit.ly/2Ln0GAN

📖Big Bear Eagle History: https://www.friendsofbigbearvalley.org/eagle-history/

FOBBVCAM Eagles: Jackie & Shadow Visit 3 Favorite Perches for Date Night (2025 Oct 4)

Jackie and Shadow are enjoying their pre-season bonding activities. Tonight’s “date” took them to the Lookout Snag, the nest, and their Roost Tree. Lucky for us, they let us come along for the ride.

Video: https://youtu.be/3TCViBtBQCk

Courtesy FOBBVCAM, Friends of Big Bear Valley

SAN JOSE CITY HALL FALCONS

San Jose City Hall Peregrine Falcons: Hartley & Monty (2025 Oct 6)

Hartley and Monty met up for some early morning bonding, which included scraping in the nest box, a short bowing session, and preening their mid-molt feathers. Grateful they hang around all year long.

Video: https://youtu.be/Xs_N9J2ePHU

Courtesy San Jose City Hall Peregrine Falcon Cam

Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBSxPjy5sow

Ledge Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pp9TisLmLU

Roof Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQLhmV6bP6o

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SanJoseCityHallFalcons/
Wiki https://sanjoseperegrines.editme.com/

CHANNEL ISLANDS

West End Eagles 🦅 Akecheta Visits Nest AND Night Perch ~ Haku Joins Him (2025 Oct 10)

We were grateful enough to witness Akecheta’s return to the West End territory on 24 September, having not seen him since the previous January after a vicious territorial dispute. But today, for the first time, he visited the nest he and Thunder tended and shared with their eaglets. He then retired to his old night perch – causing fans far and wide to reach for their tissue boxes. The bittersweet frosting on top was when Haku joined him on the night perch, though she did decide to take the lower bunk in the end. It was a heartwarming few hours here at West End.

Video: https://youtu.be/IQ1oVrZMbXc

Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies, explore.org

West End Eagles: Haku, Bob AND Akecheta Have Perch Party ~ Ravens Ride the Wind (2025 Oct 8)

Haku, Bob, AND Akecheta all gathered together to perch atop the West End overlook. They departed in order of age – Bob, then Haku, then Akecheta – but Haku and Akecheta met up later for a beautiful soaring display in the late afternoon. The ravens struggled with the wind gusts as they tried to land on the hilltop.

Video: https://youtu.be/56eLBHJbkGs

Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies, explore.org

West End Eagles ~ Haku and Bob (today anyway) ( 2025 Oct 7)

Bob really seems to want to be Haku’s BFF, so he performed showy aerial displays and perched as near to her as he dared ~ 3 times. She seemed to respect his efforts and let him sit nearby, except once when she wing slapped him away. Bob is too young to be looking for a mate, so it will be interesting to see how this friendship plays out.

Video: https://youtu.be/jn1cWdZhwHk

Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies, explore.org

West End Eagles: 2-Year Old Bob from Twin Rock Returns After 3-month Absence (2025 Oct 6)

Keeping up with the saga that is the West End in 2025 is nearly impossible, but here’s the story on Bob:

~ Bob is a 2-year-old sub-adult, who hatched at the Twin Rock nest in 2023

~ He originally came to the West End on June 5, 2025, 2 days after Makaio disappeared

~ It is thought that Bob was escorted from the area by the male known as MV on June 23rd

This is the first sighting of Bob since that time.

Video: https://youtu.be/Hlct5mJkthw

Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies, explore.org

Nest Low Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfuqjSNXZ14

Other Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmmAzrAkKqI

Overlook Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kad6O4nF6bg

The big story at the moment is the concern at Port Lincoln that there could be issues. Fran Solly reported that Mum was off the eggs for many periods of time in excess of 45 minutes. Dad had not brought in fish – and then he did. Are we worried about Dad? Yes, of course. He is not a youngster and he has had visual seizures on the nest. He is not always getting fish to the nest but it is unclear what the issues are – is he losing his catches to other raptors or gulls? Possibly. Are there other problems? We can thank Fran Solly, Bazz Halliday and Janet Forster for lobbying the South Australian government to get permission to supplement the fish brought to the nest, if necessary. This is the reason for the survival of the chicks over the past what? Three years? (or is it four – time flies too fast).

To put this in perspective, we are nearing hatch. The temperatures were around 17 degrees C. Mum should be hearing the chicks. A few years ago, Milda, the White-tailed Eagle whose nest is in Durbe County, Latvia, left her eggs to go and get food for more than five hours. The temperature was 7 degrees C. To everyone’s shock, the two eggs hatched. The chicks did not survive because the male failed to provide food for Milda and them. But they did hatch!

Mum is tight on the eggs.

Helen Matcham caught some great screen captures of the 367 Collins Street Melbourne trio, who are now getting lots of pin feathers! These triplets have the best Mum who actively keeps them safe.

And more of the trio from SK Hideaways: https://youtu.be/4TkoOF41_kg?

‘A’ sends us her commentary on what is happening in the Australian nests: “There appears to be a female intruder at Orange – she is large (as tall as Diamond), with long legs and not much orange on her beak or feet. Gimbir and Diamond should be able to defend their territory, but we all know this is not what is needed at this scrape (although it is possible that this could bond Diamond and Gimbir tightly and quickly, as the ‘you and I against the world’ scenario can tend to do in humans and in animals/birds).

In good news at Orange, Gimbir is learning to deliver prey to Diamond. This of course is hugely important to the potential success of this scrape this season, as we all know. So today was an action-packed day for our falcons, despite their apparently idyllic surroundings. Some time stamps from today: 10 Oct BONDING 06.07.48, 09.06.24 Gimbir incubates 08.56.24, 09.51.46, 13.28.05, 17:06:03 PREY 09.51.26 G in, D takes, 13.20.06 G in, D takes WATCH 14.12.59 Intruder. Note that Gimbir brings prey to the scrape for Diamond TWICE today. This is a great improvement. We do know that he is trying to please her. And we also know she is not at all reticent about giving instruction. So we have to hope he listens, understands and obeys.

At Collins Street, there was a rumour yesterday after dad disappearing, but he brought in a very large prey item (?pigeon) late yesterday and mum fed the trio a huge dinner. I haven’t personally seen him today but then I didn’t watch the entire day so would not have heard any offscreen vocals from dad. Mum twice went to the pantry and brought back large chunks of food for the littles – the three are all eating well and appear to be getting plenty. No chick is missing out and all three crops are filled several times a day. But I cannot say I saw or heard dad on camera today.

The midday sun is starting to get really hot – yesterday, one of the chicks managed to scramble along the edge between the scrape and the window and then fall/slither into the gutter while mum was away, and when she returned, she was not pleased and tried to grab the little adventurer first by the crop (at which the chick protested loudly) and eventually by the back of the neck, hauling the escapee back into the scrape without incident.

As I suspected, she has an excellent technique for sheltering all three from the sun, when she is there. However, she has been leaving the trio in the noon sun quite a bit, though she presumably knows what she is doing. The breeze may be enough – temperatures are in the low 20s so far, so hopefully by the time things get really hot, they will be able to head off to the shaded end of the gutter under their own steam. Ah, how I miss the patter of tiny feet gutter-stomping at Collins Street.

At WBSE, the adults have resumed morning mating. Why, I wonder. Are they considering a second clutch? Feeling a bit of empty-nest syndrome as fledge approaches? Or just feeling friendly and frisky? (Do birds mate for enjoyment or for bonding or only when they’re fertile, so just for procreation?)

Here is today’s ranger summary, with Al’s edits and additions (look at how very grown-up the littles are in the photo- you can see what a glorious day it was today on the southeast coast of Australia, though down in Melbourne, that sun was a reminder that mum laid at the wrong end of that ledge – again):

October 10: The whole family welcomed the day with a morning chorus – adults mating and then heading off. Both eaglets were self-grooming and stretching after the night on the nest. Just after 8am, Lady brought in a very long stick, nearly knocking SE35 off the rim. She then struggled to place it just so. Mid-morning on a lovely day and Lady was sitting nearby – waiting. She brought leaves – then flew off. By 3pm, the eaglets were still waiting for food, with SE35 passing the time by flapping somewhat alarmingly on the front rail. At 3:15pm, a currawong was swooping the pair on the nest. They’re not even waiting for fledge this season and are beginning to attack the eaglets early. The wind increased in the mid-afternoon, but just before 5:30pm, one of the adults was seen down on the river. Lady came in at last with a bird – both eaglets were fed, then they both self-fed on scraps in the nest, including the bony bits. Lady took some off herself to feed on as well.

So it was a very lean day for the eaglets, with just one meal for the day, and that one piece of prey was also shared with mum. I was also disheartened by the boldness of those currawongs, who aren’t even waiting for the eaglets to fledge to attack them as they do every year. If you listen carefully to their vocals, it almost sounds like they are squawking “currawong, currawong” (or is that just me).

Tonight, they are snuggled on the nest, side by side, like a couple of loaves of bread. The wind has eased since this afternoon, and the nest seems almost still in the tree branches. I cannot see an adult on the perch branch but I’m sure one or both parents will be somewhere close by.

At Port Lincoln, dad brought mum a headless fish just before 1.30pm and a whole fish at 7:52pm (it’s daylight saving in Australia, so it’s not dark at that time even though it should be). The three eggs are being well cared for, and with 38 days the average incubation period for ospreys in South Australia, we have to be expecting a hatch in about two or three days, assuming the darkest-looking egg is fertile.

I am often surprised that people are unaware of how to tell which egg was laid first and which was last – as I’m sure you know, the colour is ‘added’ as the egg is laid, and there is less and less colouration with each subsequent egg. So the first egg laid will be the darkest or have the darkest patterns, the next egg progressively lighter colouration and the third egg the lightest of the three in colour. Meaning the darkest of the three eggs was the first one laid and, if fertile, should be the first egg to hatch. Exciting times. You must be thrilled to be so close to hatch watch – within a week, you could have three osplets learn how to bonk each other at Port Lincoln. Oh joy! “

Thanks, A.

We are falling in love with Gimbir. He is the cutest little falcon – and he is learning about his new mate, Diamond, who doesn’t like Starlings and who doesn’t give incubation time up freely!

At the WBSE nest in the Olympic Park in Sydney, SE35 and 36 are really winging it.

We love Akecheta. We worried he would get injured again, but it appears that he has consolidated his territorial reign and is back on the West End nest with Haku (sadly not Thunder) in the Channel Islands. SK Hideaways has it on video: https://youtu.be/IQ1oVrZMbXc?

Androcat caught F23 testing out the nest bowl at the Southwest Florida Bald eagle nest in Fort Myers. https://youtu.be/NQ8TErSndlE?

Beau and Gabby have been building up the rails at the NE Florida Bald Eagle nest south of Jacksonville. Just look at them working together so well.

It is the middle of October. Will we have eggs in a month at one of the nests? All of the eagles are returning and working on their nests including Ron and Rose at the WRDC in Dade County, Florida.

At least one osprey has been seen on the Captiva Osprey Platform on Sanibel Island, Florida. Window to Wildlife has both streaming cams up and running, so check in on Clive and Connie and the ospreys thinking about that nest. Perhaps this year we will have osprey chicks again.

The Trempeauleau Wisconsin Bald Eagle nest is streaming again after the magnificent year with Mum raising TE3 alone! Thank you Ai Ryn.

Raptors need our help – saving their habitat so they have food and much more, including rodenticides and window collisions. What can you do around your home and neighbourhood to make sure that birds are safe?

Ever heard of a Lava Gull? If not, check this out as it is the American Bird Conservancy Bird of the Week!

Lava Gull Rarest of Its Kind Download

Cornell Bird Lab wants us to know more about American Robins in this video: https://youtu.be/bUgWy741Nhc?

Smile. The 2024 fledgling, Marina, is still on the nest with Mum hope and her two siblings (now fledglings) from 2025. George is out fishing!

If you are asked if fledglings from a previous year can help their parents raise a clutch, the answer is yes, and the proof is the 2025 brood at Osprey House Environment Centre, Australia. This was a great educational experience and solidifies my belief that if raptors cooperate, everyone wins.

I am thankful for all of the animals in my life and all of the garden birds that come each and every day in search of food. It is no secret that my Dad was a huge influence on me. He loved animals – cats, dogs, and the birds that came to our garden to eat out of his hand when I was a child. We had a three-legged dog – Trixie did everything any other dog could do. My father believed that animals were capable of almost anything and they brought him great consolation as mine do for me. I had many ‘farm’ animals on my small holding but as far as pets it was always cats. The Girls, the four of them, were here long before Toby. I certainly never want to dismiss their presence and the gifts they give to me – sitting patiently during story time every evening with Calico ‘walking out’ if the book is boring. Yes, she still does that and much of the latest pile has been ‘boring’. Toby has a huge basket of toys. Many of them belonged to The Girls. He has ones that we play fetch, ones that squeak, and the ever present tug-o-war ones with long ropes. He barks with the dogs on the telly or in the neighbourhood and goes wild if he thinks Brock is anywhere in the garden! Many of you are pet owners and you might find this article interesting:

Dogs name toys while elephants name each other. Animal language is more complex than we imagine | He Download

There is at least one reported Osprey in Nova Scotia, Canada. Not ready to migrate yet – .

It must be love – Hugo Yugo and Toby.

A typical evening with Toby and Hugo Yugo before they fall asleep.

Thank you so very, very much for being with us today. From The Girls, Toby, the garden animals and birds, Brock, Don and me – we wish you a lovely ‘Thanksgiving’ even if you are not Canadian! Take a pause, close your eyes, and think of all the joy and those you are thankful for – and tell them! Don’t wait. We will look forward to having you with us again either next Monday or when there is hatch at Port Lincoln!

I want to extend special thanks to SK Hideaways for their videos and to ‘A’ for their insightful commentary on the Australian birds they love so much. Thank you to the individuals and owners of streaming cams, as well as those posting for various FB groups listed in Bold. The Guardian continues to publish informed articles on wildlife and the environment.

Today is an excellent opportunity to give them a big round of applause for keeping us informed. It is impossible for me (or anyone) to keep on top of what is happening at each of the individual nests, and I know that my blog would not be the same without their incredible talents. The fact that they share these with me so I can pass them along to you warms my heart and tells me immediately that there are more ‘good’ and ‘caring’ people in the world than not. So, thank you.

Understanding the osprey family tree…the last hatches of Mrs G and Aran at Glaslyn

8 October 2025

Good Morning,

Tuesday was a beautiful day in the Canadian prairies. Oh, you cannot know how grateful I am. We have been planning to take Anne to Bird’s Hill Park to hand-feed the Black-capped Chickadees. She has heard us talk about our walks there and how the wee songbirds land on your hands to take the Black oilseed. It is a pre-Thanksgiving ‘thank you’ to Anne. I could not survive without her help and support.

It was so warm that we had a wee picnic of sorts at Pineridge Hollow. Toby was so good, and I am certain that The Girls were happy to have a wee break from their brother for the afternoon. It was just a perfect day. Walking the trails among the tall pine trees was renewing!

The little birds did not disappoint!

It was a wonderful surprise Tuesday evening to see that the Dark-eyed Juncos have returned from the north and have stopped over in the garden to fatten up for migration! There were at least two dozen of them pecking away at the seed on the deck. I hope to get some decent images of them for the next blog. They are so cute!

Several have asked about Brock. He is still here despite Toby. Toby seems to know when Brock is around. So Brock and I have developed a method of getting his food to him without Toby knowing. Brock comes to the door and lets me know he is waiting for food. Once I see him, he goes under the deck and waits. I take out the food, sometimes with Toby, and then as I close the door and secure Toby inside, I call ‘kitty kitty’. Brock will come out to eat within five minutes.

Migration count is underway in West Africa, posted by Mary Cheadle:

Dyfi have posted a wonderful blog, and I urge each of you to read it. Mrs G is the ‘UK Iris’ equivalent who bred at Glaslyn. Her last mate was the adorable Aran, who was usurped this year by Teifi. Perhaps Aran will return and take his nest with Elen in 2026, as the nest failed this year due to all the drama. We will wait. Aran will need to return early and work to win Elen’s heart. Elen might be smart to breed with Aran again because his chicks (along with Mrs G’s great DNA) are returning!

Mrs G’s Boys – Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn Wildlife Download

Blue 497 -talk about a handsome bird!!!!!!!!! Just look at him. The first Glaslyn male known to be breeding in Wales. Two chicks this year, but one possibly fell out of the nest at 5 weeks, and the other disappeared at 7 weeks, possibly predated by a goshawk.

The cameras at Captiva’s Window to Wildlife Bald Eagle and Osprey nests are going live today.

Ashley Wilson continues to find Newmann and Elaine at the scrape at Spirit Bluff. They will migrate soon.

The fledgling at the Selati Black Eagle nest has brought its first caught prey to the nest!

Meanwhile, like other Bald Eagles, Jackie and Shadow are returning to their nest to kick start the 2025-26 season at Big Bear Lake.

At the West End, the juvenile Bob returned to spend some time with Haku. https://youtu.be/Hlct5mJkthw? SK Hideaways caught it!

Gorgeous Haku on Tor:

Beau and Gabby are ready for a very successful season at the NE Florida Bald Eagle nest.

The Majestics are working on their Denton Homes nest.

Andor with his blue wing tag at the Fraser Point nest on the Channel Islands. Cruz flew in, too.

The IWS is having its annual fall fundraiser. You could be a winner! At least one of my readers has named one of the eaglets at the West End nest (Treasure), and I was selected to name one of the other eaglets – Phoenix – at one of the other nests without a streaming cam. Many have won beautiful photographs and kit. We are eternally grateful to Dr Sharpe and his team for all the work they did to restore the Bald Eagle population to the islands after the DDT debacle.

There is much discussion over the female (or perhaps both) eagles at the John Bunker Sands Wetlands nest. Is this Mum? Or is it a new female? Is this even Dad??? Without definitive markings (the mark on the head could be an injury, prey blood, etc), it is impossible to know without Darvic Rings.

Checking on the Australian nests –

The 367 Collins Street adults are doing an incredible job feeding and taking care of their triplets in Melbourne.

Dad took over incubation so Mum could have his breakfast. She returned with a really full crop. Oh, hatch is coming so soon – seriously, I cannot wait to see a baby osprey. It seems like forever.

There have been at least nine different species of prey delivered to the kiddos at the 367 Collins Street falcon scrape in Melbourne since they hatched. Nothing short of adorable with their pink beaks and feet but now their eyes appear to be open (normally after five days).

ABC Science discusses the life of urban birds in Melbourne. Have a watch and a listen. They even mention the falcons! https://youtu.be/0EA3VNP2vJM?

Oh, how I love the Sydney sea eaglets. Lady and Dad are doing a magnificent job bringing in prey. Their plumage is stunning. About this time in their development, my stomach gets a little queasy. The mobbing of the eaglets as they fledge, causing them to bolt out of the forest, on occasion, or to be injured and hanging around the Discovery Centre, sends me running for the Gaviscon.

Calico urges you to help her and her feathered friends. Educate those you know who might be opting to get their lawns ‘greener’. The toxins kill the ‘food chain’.

‘PB’ asked me when I plan to publish the results of this year’s Osprey data. I hope to have finished entering my data by the end of October. Heidi is finished! I have the following to enter: 35 nests in Nova Scotia, 18 nests in Italy, and 15 failed nests from Maryland. There are, of course, hundreds and hundreds, if not thousands, of failed nests in Virginia and the surrounding area that will not be in the forms, sadly. We do not have enough information other than that there were no Menhaden for the adults, and the nests failed, resulting in no eggs, eggs being abandoned, or chicks starving to death on the nest.

The report from William & Mary University is below and paints the stark picture that Heidi and I have seen and predicted for a couple of years. I am embarrassed that this is a Canadian Company that is killing the entire ecosystem. It makes me so angry.

Deficit in breeding performance expands for Chesapeake Bay ospreys – The Center for Conservation Biology Download

Could the Tawny Frogmouth be Australia’s Bird of the Year?

Tawny frogmouths take patience to appreciate. They will reward you with insights into their remarkable lives | Stephanie Converyhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/08/tawny-frogmouths-take-patience-to-appreciate-but-they-will-reward-you-with-insights-into-their-remarkable-lives?CMP=share_btn_url

I think they are utterly adorable!

Bush Heritage Australia tells us more about these little sweethearts:

Tawny Frogmouth | Bush Heritage Australia Download

If the waters of New Zealand are warming up faster than we can blink, when will the impact hit the various seabird colonies? This article in The Guardian discusses the warming seas.

New Zealand oceans warming 34% faster than global average, putting homes and industry at risk, report findshttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/08/new-zealand-oceans-warming-34-per-cent-faster-than-global-average?CMP=share_btn_url

It is always good to be thankful for all the good news we can get in Bird World and the latest newsletter from Poole Harbour in the UK does just that.

Exciting Project Updates Conservation Career Talks and Upcoming Events Download

There is other good news – not just for us but for the birds. I am forever an optimist that we can change the way we live and, in turn, create better spaces for wildlife, including our feathered friends. For the first time, considering the international scene, renewable energy is powering homes and industries instead of fossil fuels. PRC is leading this change. China is rapidly expanding its solar and wind energy capacity, surpassing the total of the rest of the world combined. India has turned to renewables and is lessening their need for coal. Solar power is gaining momentum in Pakistan and various African countries, including Nigeria, Algeria, and Zambia. In fact, solar power provides more than 80% of the new energy.

It’s migration season. Some tips on when to help a bird from Wild Birds Unlimited.

Thank you so much for being with us today! Please take care of yourself. We will see you next Monday if not before! Looking for a hatch at Port Lincoln. Wonder when it will come?

Thank you to the individuals and owners of streaming cams and individuals posting for various FB groups listed in Bold. You keep us informed. A particular shout-out to SK Hideaways for their videos. The Guardian and Bush Heritage Australia continue to publish great articles on wildlife and the environment. We are grateful.

The Melbourne Cuties…Monday in Bird World

6 October 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

The leaves on the trees in the garden are primarily on the ground. We can now see into the previously hidden back area that was obscured during the summer. Brock continues to sun himself on the farthest woodshed. He is cautious now to let me see him when he comes to the deck for food, preferring to grab my attention and hide under the highest decking, waiting to be sure that Toby is not about. Toby ‘guards’ the territory. It is unclear whether he believes he is a cat, like The Girls, but he decidedly does not like any other animals in the garden, including Mr Crow and Mr Blue Jay. Of course, they pay him no mind. Tonight, Hugo Yugo and Toby are curled up in the small dog bed with HY holding Toby’s head firm and washing and washing his neck. I do think they ‘love’ one another in only a way that they understand.

We have experienced torrential rain and storms, primarily characterised by heavy rain and strong winds. This summer, the province posted that we had only 1/3 the average rainfall – hence, all the wildfires. That has corrected itself. This is good news for all the trees and shrubs that require a lot of moisture before winter arrives. All of the trees and shrubs we planted this year are doing very well. The new Amur Cherry stands tall in the front garden while the Wisteria has wound itself around the stairs and is beginning to climb the side of the porch. I hope to post images of huge clumps of beautiful purple flowers one day. The debate is whether or not to bring the Jasmine plant inside. The problem lies with the aphids, and whether they will also infest the inside plants despite the cleansing and soil changes. The Coral Hibiscus (image near the bottom of the blog) is beautiful, but its flowers are toxic to pets. Although it will not be available for purchase, it can be given to someone who can care for it without harming any cats or dogs. Sometimes the first frost comes and surprises me, and that ends all the debate!

Next Monday is Canadian Thanksgiving. It is timed with the harvest and has nothing in common with the underlying motives for the American Thanksgiving in late November. Ours is more simple – a people grateful for the harvest. We will have guests that otherwise would not be with anyone that day. The Girls and Toby will be delighted for the attention.

We hope that you have been having marvellous times watching that terrific trio of fluff balls in Melbourne at the 367 Collins Street falcon scrape. What cuties they are. The female, F23, looks formidable. I would not want to mix it up with her.

Suzanne Arnold Horning caught Big Red on the Cornell Campus today, and it is always a pleasure and a relief.

The videos by SK Hideaways for the last few days with some new offerings:

Diamond & Gimbir Welcome Their Second Egg (1 Oct 2025)

Diamond laid her and Gimbir’s second egg 59-1/2 hours after the first. Her typical laying interval is between 50 and 60 hours. Congrats, Diamond and Gimbir!

Video: https://youtu.be/_D6z7QcqpRE

Courtesy FalconCam Project, Charles Sturt University NSW

Gimbir Meets and Nibbles First Egg (2025 Sep 30)

In his first inspection of his and Diamond’s first egg, Gimbir did a good amount of nibbling of the shell during each of his 3-4 inspections. There was no obvious harm done, but Gimbir clearly needs a little daddy training, which is no surprise given his young age. He has performed well in all his other lessons, so we have high hopes for his paternal capabilities.

Video: https://youtu.be/tB6F3H_dYWM

Courtesy FalconCam Project, Charles Sturt University NSW

Channel Island Eagles, California

West End Bald Eagles🦅Akecheta and Haku Sit Not Quite Side-by-Side on Tor (2025 Oct 2)

After Akecheta’s first visit a week earlier, it was unclear whether he was still in the area. Today’s visit left no doubt when he was positively ID’d sitting near Haku on the middle tor. While not behaving like good friends, Akecheta and Haku did seem comfortable in each other’s company. Only time will tell where this fascinating story goes from here.

Video: https://youtu.be/k8TpDZyhrAw

Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies, explore.org

Nest Low Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfuqjSNXZ14

Other Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmmAzrAkKqI

Overlook Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kad6O4nF6bg

Two Harbors Eagles🦅Cholyn & Chase Greet Day in Song🎶22 Years Wedded Bliss (2025 Sep 30)

Cholyn and Chase came together to watch the sunrise and greet the day with their melodious chortles. We never tire of watching this couple’s glorious splendor.

Video: https://youtu.be/zK7vqAPboh0

Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies, explore.org, Two Harbors Eagles Cam Ops

Eagle Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5T2eHM8tcI

Overlook Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yx7RKxpyzQ

367 Collins St. Falcons ~ F24 & M24

Dad Tries to Feed 5- and 2-Day Old Chicks Whole Prey (2025 Oct 5, 8:22:50)

When Dad M24 arrived with yet another meal for his family, Mum F24 was out. So he did what any super responsible dad would do ~ he tried to feed his chicks. Trouble is, the prey was bigger than the chicks. F24 returned and straightened him out, surely knowing he meant well. (2025 Oct 5, 8:22:50)

Video: https://youtu.be/02vbdny7Bo0

Courtesy 367 Collins St. Falcon Cam

South Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oibsohQ14cY

North Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNKk0ivuWe4

Chick #3 Peeks Out at Dusk ~ Makes Grand Appearance in Daylight (2025 Oct 2-3)

Chick #3 peeked out of its shell 2 days after its siblings, hatching in a fashionably late manner. Here we see its arrival at dusk and then its grand appearance the next morning.

Video: https://youtu.be/M52OhfOL1Ks

Courtesy 367 Collins St. Falcon Cam

Chick #2 Hatches ~ #1 Rolls Out of Nest with Excitement (1 Oct 2025)

Chick #2 snuck out in the dark of night, but dawn provided a grand entrance for the wee one. Chick #1 was so excited they rolled right out of the nest box. Mum F24 eventually rolled them back in. Another celebratory day for the Collins Street falcon family.

Video: https://youtu.be/eSNAH1mUR1s

Courtesy 367 Collins St. Falcon Cam

Mum F24 and Dad M24 Welcome 1st Chick! (2025 Sep 30)

Mum F24 was on incubation duty when chick #1 appeared from under her. Dad arrived 90 minutes later, seeming slightly perplexed about what to do now that one of his beloved eggs had become a squirming chick. After a bit of revelry, Mum and Dad got back to incubating #2 and #3.

Video: https://youtu.be/k0_PnyHUZ4U

Courtesy 367 Collins St. Falcon Cam

‘A’ sends her commentary on the Australian nests!

“Forgot to send you this – it’s only about ten seconds but it is a fabulous illustration of (a) how these birds work as a team and (b) how incredible peregrine falcons really are – you must put it into the blog (I’m certain readers would be as impressed by it as I was): https://www.youtube.com/shorts/B8xQJaPB4tw.

Meanwhile, that pigeon Dad brought to the Collins Street ledge early this morning was humongous. Mum was already feeding the littles yesterday’s gigantic pigeon, which she had stashed in the pantry, so Dad dragged his new offering into the gutter and subsequently took it off, presumably to the pantry, which is on a floor (or the roof) above the scrape. Rain is forecast for this afternoon, which will bring Mum’s garage door technique into its own, as none of these chicks is yet able to thermoregulate (they have only natal down at this stage) I have zero concerns in that regard, as Mum is just magnificent at using her wings to shelter her chicks. The best I have ever seen in fact. I love this couple. Could you guess?

At 10.38, Dad brings in yet another pigeon (not as large as the last but definitely a decent piece of prey). This Dad is taking his new parental responsibilities extremely seriously. I don’t think these chicks are going to go hungry at this scrape. Ever. Good on you little Dad. What a partner he’s been for Mum this season.

At WBSE, SE35 is picking at leftovers while SE36 stretches its wings by practising this flapping business their parents seem to utilise to great effect. It’s being very energetic! Go SE36! Oh these two are growing up SO fast. The thought of losing them to their annual battle with the currawongs is worrying me more with every passing day. Lady and Dad have done their usual magnificent job of raising two gorgeous, healthy eaglets, only to have to abandon them to their fate and cross their talons, as it were. And yet they try again each season. I do wish we could get a GPS tracker on these fledglings to see whether any do disperse to an area where they can survive and hopefully breed. As it is, we can only guess (and hope).

At Orange, the ultimate cougar peregrine (Diamond) is incubating her two eggs. Gimbir has done some incubating this morning – he is learning by the day. Here is the summary of the falcons’ activities so far this morning (the time stamps refer to the box cam rather than the nest cam or the tower cam): 3 Oct BONDING 4.47.57, 05.29.55, 05.53.51 (Incubation G 5.05.19, 06:26:19, 7.19.40, 8.30.49)

I think Diamond will whip him into shape very quickly – it’s fascinating to see what instinct drives him to do. He seems to have a very good idea of what he needs to do with these strange things in his scrape but he understands their importance and may even be getting some idea of what’s inside them. But of course we can’t know that. Suffice it to say that Diamond is acting as a strict teacher and Gimbir seems to be an eager student and a quick learner. He is very sweet (like all male peregrines). It will be a real treat to watch him come into his own as a father in front of our eyes. By his second incubating effort of the day (at 06:26:19) he seems to have worked it all out. He knows that if he comes into the scrape and finds the eggs unattended, it is his job to keep them warm and safe. He has also perfected his enfluffling technique and does it perfectly. I am SO proud of our very precocious little man. It’s hard to believe that a year ago,.he was just leaving his own natal nest. And as I said the other day, he has taken on a real challenge in Madame Diamond! (I have to say – and this is NOT for the blog – that he reminds me of my husband when we first met. I was 37 and he had just turned 20 (literally the week before we met). I am a somewhat formidable female but he had no fear of taking that on. Enough said. We had a wonderful ten years. “

From the videos and ‘A’s’ commentary, you can see that all is going well in the Australian nests currently as I wait – rather impatiently – for the hatches at Port Lincoln!!!!!!!

There are still ospreys in the UK who have not left on their migration. This Tweed Valley fledgling is one of them! Thanks, Mary Cheadle!

Want to learn more about White-tail Eagles? You cannot go wrong by listening to this podcast by Dr Tim Mackrill sponsored by the Osprey Leadership Foundation.

At the West End nest (IWS/Explore), Haku has been having trouble with a juvenile coming to the nest! Nestflix Memories caught the battle for the fish on video: https://youtu.be/9rUwR30TjyI?

Do you know what Gabby and Beau are up to at the NE Florida nest? Wings of Whimsy checks up on what has happened during the last week. https://youtu.be/1eSGYv-KPrc?

At Pix Cams US Steel nest, Irvin is really showing off for his lady! https://youtu.be/W5_3bxogDJs?

Time to vote for the Australian Bird of the Year! Remember, New Zealand recently voted the Peregrine Falcon as its Bird of the Year. Maybe we can do this for Australia, too! The Guardian gives us more information.

The image below is the poster and here is the link that will tell you how to vote:

2025 Australian bird of the year voting is open! Here’s how to vote – videohttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2025/oct/06/2025-australian-bird-of-the-year-voting-is-open-heres-how-to-vote-video?CMP=share_btn_url

You might think that these contests are frivolous. Have a read and reset your ideas.

Australian bird of the year: An Avian Popularity Contest with a deeper purposehttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/06/australian-bird-of-the-year-deeper-purpose?CMP=share_btn_url

“It wasn’t until I was in my 20s that I realised birds could have a powerful significance even for people who weren’t bird-nerds like me….One day I got a lift with a friend who was really struggling. As she sped through inner city streets sobbing uncontrollably, things started resembling that scene from Vanilla Sky when Cameron Diaz drives Tom Cruise off a bridge. I persuaded her to pull over, and we parked beneath some trees. As I sat, clueless about how to ease her distress, a white-plumed honeyeater flitted down and started hopping around in front of us, searching for insects.

Watching that sweet little bird go about its business was the circuit-breaker we needed. Completely indifferent to our troubles, it connected us to something bigger, putting our issues into perspective and brought a magic sense of wonder at simply being alive. I’m not so woo-woo as to claim that the appearance of a single bird was an instant cure-all, but its presence brought a moment of peace and grace to what had been distraught hopelessness.

Recent studies have shown that this experience is not unique. Playing birdsong in hospital has been shown to reduce levels of both reported pain and anxiety in patients as well as reducing the average time spent before discharge from the ward. A 2020 European study showed that having 14 extra bird species in your neighbourhood raised general happiness levels equivalent to the same boost people would get if they started earning $150 a week more.”

I know that these articles and the importance of birds to our lives is ‘preaching to the choir’ as all os us understand fully the mystical quality that they have over our lives. Each week I get one or two letters from people, mostly strangers, who stop and send me a note telling me how much the birds on the streaming cams have done for their lives. Many have terminal illnesses and their love for the bird families has helped them through great trauma.

Today, I often advise people not to listen to the news, but to go outside instead. Alternatively, consider getting a small bird feeder and placing it so you can watch it from a window. Put out a bird bath and cheer along all the fun the birds have when they are bathing! I promise that even the most dismal moments — and I am certainly no stranger to those – will melt away.

Calico has a couple of book recommendations – not for the fun of reading aloud to four cats and a dog, but rather for those who might feel like they have lost control of their lives. It reminds us not to be so ‘goal-oriented’, making endless lists so that we are productive and feel good about ourselves. She speaks of restorative time – very important! Not just relaxing but restoring. Finding Focus has, on every other page, advice about putting your devices away and finding time to be outside. There is another chapter on eating well. In the past year, I have witnessed friends whose lives have been shattered by sudden deaths in their family and how that has impacted them. To be mentally alert, you must feed your body well. Not with cookies and processed cakes but whole foods. Every since Don was diagnosed with dementia, probably even before, we have practiced eating the ‘rainbow’ – making sure that our plate had all the colours as best we could. Now it is a game to ensure that we have that and are not eating food that has come from a factory. Dear Toby even eats eggs from hens that run free on a farm. We see them living life to the full every week when we pick up our eggs and vegetables. I want each of you to take care of yourself. Life is extremely stressful for many right now.

I mentioned not watching the news. We turned off the television component years ago and now only have a couple of streaming channels so that we can watch several British series. I do not miss not reading the news or listening to commentary that may or may not be informed. We try to focus on the local and take care and make better, if we can, the lives around us. It really does good for your mental health.

The other book is The Almanac. A Seasonal Guide to 2026 is a real gem for those living in the UK. It is a fantastic almanack focusing on the natural world month by month, featuring planting guides, moon cycles, and a genuine focus on the woods and trees. Beautifully presented along with folklore and even recipes!

Raptor Persecution UK researches the killing and disappearance of raptors in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

29 ‘missing’ Hen Harriers & nearly 40 birds of prey poisoned, trapped or shot in Yorkshire Dales Nat Download

Calico also wants to send you some images from the garden from the last few days when it was 27 °C. There are many more, but I am just learning about this camera and finally found a setting that works for me.

The coral Hibiscus continues to bloom.

One of Dyson’s kits from this past summer.

The European Starlings returned and really have been enjoying a great bath.

Baby Hope is feeling much better after her injury. She is watching one of the Crows cawing on the fence outside the conservatory.

Thank you so much for being with us today. This is going to be a busy week for me, as we had heavy rain for several days during the past week, and there is still much to do to ready the garden for winter. Although we experienced temperatures reaching 28 °C last week, the weather has become considerably cooler. It is now time for warmer coats and toques when we watch Toby – we learned that this evening! Soon, we will be pulling out the winter boots. My point is that all the nests are doing very well. We anxiously await the first hatch with some trepidation at Port Lincoln – we worry every year whether there will be enough fish to sustain the chicks until they fledge. I will post again on Monday, the 13th, our Canadian Thanksgiving, unless we have a hatch or something really significant happens in Bird World. Please take care of yourself. Go outside and enjoy the wonders that fall has to offer – the crunch of leaves beneath your feet and that distinctive autumn ‘aroma’.

Thank you to the individuals and owners of streaming cams and individuals posting for various FB groups listed in Bold. You keep us informed. A particular shout-out to SK Hideaways for their videos and to ‘A’ today for her keen observations on the Australian nests. The Guardian continues to publish great articles on wildlife and the environment, and Raptor Persecution UK keeps reminding us how unsafe it is for raptors in the UK and why. We are grateful.

Diamond lays third egg!

4 October 2025

Hello Everyone,

Fall has truly arrived on the Canadian prairies. Late Friday night we had a terrific thunderstorm. Lightning lit up the sky for more than an hour and there were rainfall warnings. The only ‘pet’ not frightened was Baby Hope who spent her entire time watching the lightning flashes in the conservatory! What a brave girl she is. Toby was hiding under one of my grandmother’s quilts.

Big news in Bird World comes from the Charles Sturt Falcon Cam in Orange, Australia. Diamond has laid her third egg, Gimbir has brought prey to Diamond, and is getting better at incubating those eggs! SK Hideaways has that third egg’s arrival on video: https://youtu.be/Xj1qrMMy0hk?

I bet Gimbir hopes that there won’t be a fourth!!!!!!!

‘A’ sends us their commentary on what is happening at the Australian nests:

“The trio at Collins Street are just adorable. Just a giant fluff ball with three perpetually open beaks. The little squeaks demanding food and the parental encouragement at meal times literally fill me with joy. My Collins Street tab is permanently open (ditto the tabs for the sea eaglets at Olympic Park and the scrape at Orange). Soon, Port Lincoln will be added to that list.

Little Dad at Collins Street is really impressing me. This morning, he did the early feeding at about 06:10. And he has done another feeding already today as well. So not only is he continuing to bring in gigantic pigeons that he can hardly lug up to the ledge but he also did his share of incubating the eggs and is now doing feedings while mum is off taking breaks. The littles are being left alone for periods of time, and in this weather (25C is forecast for today) they are certainly not going to get cold.

The youngest is having a little trouble getting fed because it is a full head shorter than its older siblings so the parents have to reach down a lot further to reach its little beak, which seems to be permanently open. Fortunately, it is a strong little chick, so is able to hold its head up for very long periods of time, which is essential if it is to be there when its turn finally arrives. I am a little bit concerned about whether it is getting its share but I am hoping that once it is a few days older, it will do better.

Certainly, there is no shortage of food at this scrape and it is really lovely to see the teamwork between these two parents. I did note this during the incubation period but now the chicks have hatched, dad has stepped it up another notch and is contributing even more to the parenting of the fluff balls. The chicks are beyond adorable and the parents are fantastic. This is a lovely scrape to watch. Highly recommended. And with the Melbourne CBD largely back to normal after COVID-19, the city workers are maintaining a massive number of pigeons destined for the table on the Collins Street ledge.

The sea eaglets at Olympic Park are both up off their tarsi and onto their feet, standing tall and looking increasingly grown-up. It is really sad to see them so rapidly approaching fledge day when we know what is inevitably going to happen.

We are no more than a week away from hatch watch at Port Lincoln and I am convinced we are going to need the Fish Fairy this year if those eggs all hatch. There have been quite a few days when not a single fish has been brought to the barge for mum, so I fear the outcome if this remains the case once we have three osplets in this nest. I presume the Fish Fairy will step in if needed but of course I have no idea whether that is the case.

Orange remains a complete surprise to most of us. Gimbir, surely, is too young to be a father, and yet we wait to see what is in those eggs. They may of course be Dudleys but if they are fertile eggs, then Gimbir is going to have to do a lot more hunting. At least he is learning to incubate – if he can keep chicks warm, at least It will free Diamond to hunt for herself and the chicks. But Gimbir does need to realise that it is now his role to deliver (a lot of) food to the scrape. It’s a steep learning curve for him but so far, he has (as it were) risen to each occasion. We hope he can rise to this new challenge once the eggs hatch. “

Thank you, ‘A’.

It is late spring in Australia and my granddaughter has been in her new home for a week. She is delighted.

We will all cheer Gimbir to reach new heights in prey delivery and incubation. He is so tiny that those three big eggs could be quite a challenge. Diamond is so much larger. As for Fish Fairies, I am sure that Port Lincoln has this well in hand. I know there are many of us lined up to the ready in terms of donating for fish to feed those osplets, should it be necessary.

Ferris Akel located Big Red on the campus of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York today. It is always a blessing and a relief to see her. She was twenty-two this year! The Queen of the Raptors is still going strong. Thanks, Marlene Harris for posting this great image of Big Red.

The Black Eagle juvenile At the Selati Eagle nest is alive and well. https://youtu.be/sUge_YHwVOA?

This is a quick check-in. All of the nests are doing quite well. There are still ospreys at various locations in the south of England waiting to depart.

Thank you so much for being with us today. We will see you again on Monday! Please take care.

Thank you to the individuals and owners of streaming cams listed in Bold. A particular shout-out to ‘A’ today for her keen observations on the Australian nests.

Category Archives: raptors

First egg for Gabby and Beau…late Sunday in Bird World

Like this:

The little fluff ball has a name…Monday in Bird World

Like this:

Last two fledge off Melbourne CBD ledge!

Like this:

Name the chick! …Monday in Bird World

Like this:

Sea Eaglet fledges…late Saturday in Bird World

Like this:

Will wildlife exist for our grandchildren? Monday in Bird World

Like this:

Concerns at Port Lincoln? Monday in Bird World

Like this:

Understanding the osprey family tree…the last hatches of Mrs G and Aran at Glaslyn

Like this:

The Melbourne Cuties…Monday in Bird World

Like this:

Diamond lays third egg!

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: