Category Archives: raptors

Friday in Bird World

20 June 2025

Happy Summer Solstice to Everyone! It occurs at 2242 EDT.

Today would be my grandmother’s birthday. She was such a special person to me. I miss her every single day, even though she died ever so long ago. I have said several times that my mother was a ‘Tiger Mum’. That was when I didn’t even know what that meant but she could put any contemporary Tiger Mum to shame. There were reasons for this. She had three university scholarships to study nursing. Her father was a very traditional German-Swiss individual. He didn’t believe in girls having an education and a profession. So he said ‘no’. That ‘no’ coloured her entire life. I was to do what she had not been able to do. There is no question that I would attend university. Her plan for me was to attend law school. No pressure, right? She worked and was extremely independent. I came along after she had been married eleven years. Lucky for me, my grandmother did not mind, in her old age, taking care of me. My grandmother’s gentleness has changed my life in ways I’m not even aware of: so happy birthday, Maude Bruesch, daughter of Simeon and Louisa from Jenins, Switzerland. Your love is the life in my blood.

Off to the birds….

It is Monday afternoon. The little one at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is still alive to the shock of many. Mum and even Dad have tried to feed it. Everyone wonders what is wrong. Is there a problem with their eye sight they ask?

On the chat at Barnegat Light, the discussion starting at 1503 on Monday was all about the Canadian company, Omega, moving its ships up the NJ and Delaware coasts to try and find the last of the Menhaden. Meanwhile, the ospreys have abandoned their nests, giving up on raising families. Some didn’t even breed. While many hope that it will be better next year, it will not be until the stocks of Menhaden are significantly built up. Even then, there have been few chicks to replace the adults over the past two years. ———Of course, this is deplorable.

‘B’ sends us a link to an article about the Campanile and the sighting of a few falcons passing through, and what this might mean for the future. I still miss Annie.

Falcons have been spotted at UC Berkeley. Is there hope for Campanile chicks again?

Charlo Montana: Look at that trio—sweet little osplets.

Poole Harbour: CJ7 and Blue 022 have a nest full of osprey chicks! They will be ringed around the beginning of July.

Rutland Manton Bay: It is hard to find any real estate left on that nest for mum, Maya, and dad, Blue 33.

One of the many fish that Blue 33 brought in on Monday. The four will be ringed this week – Maya and Blue did it again! One Super Osprey Couple. Maya and Blue 33 have successfully fledged 26 chicks at Rutland Water. This includes the chicks they raised together since 2015. In addition, Maya had 11 successful juveniles with her previous partner, 5R, between 2010 and 2013. This will be their third set of four chicks to fledge!!!!!!!!

The chicks were ringed on Wednesday – 2 little boys and 2 little girls. The posting below was incorrect. The first two hatches were determined to be female, while the last two are believed to be male.

San Jose Falcons: SK Hideaways brings us up to date on their antics. https://youtu.be/uFwydPjHY28?

Dunrovin Ranch Osprey Nest: Third hatch on Wednesday, the 18th. There is another egg. Oh, please do not let it hatch! It is difficult to feed three, and it’s even harder to feed four. Let’s watch though. The nests on the interior of the US will be better than those on the NE coast of the US around the Chesapeake.

You are going to be hearing a lot about the destruction of the osprey population in the NE United States in the States that adjoin around the Chesapeake Bay areas. Heidi posted this today:

https://ccbbirds.org/…/osprey-population-along-the…/…

There are people working hard to bring attention to the alarming decline of ospreys in this region. I will post ways you can help them in the next couple of posts.

It is not just in the NE, however. I received the following note from ‘MP’ regarding some recent comments by wildlife photographer,Ron Dudley: “I know you are aware of this guy Ron Dudley. He took a trip to Montana to take photos. I was taken back by his comment about what he’s seeing. Here it is: “My first night here, it got down to 35 degrees, which was refreshing but I’m sure glad my furnace worked. Most birds I expected to see have been plentiful, except for the surprising scarcity of large raptors.” 

Treasure the ones that live. Mourn those who die, but do something about it. Ospreys are the canaries in the cold mine, just as they were with DDT.

I have not yet caught up on the 2025 Memorial Wall, but I am posting it live today with the hope that you will send me names and/or images of our feathered friends that I am missing. I know there are many. I was behind and then as I was trying to catch up, more osplets began to die.

Heidi’s Osprey notes:
Great Bay osprey nest:  The first 10 days of little chick3’s life were great.  He was right up front with his two older and much larger siblings at most meals.  On 6/17 a switch was flipped, and chick1 became very aggressive.  Since then, it has been quite difficult for chick3 to eat even a few bites of fish.  Dad has delivered fish fairly regularly, but it simply has not been enough to satisfy the appetites of the two older, rapidly growing kids.  On 6/19 Dad had delivered 8 fish by 16:30.  Chick1 had been satisfied enough at a couple of the later meals that chick3 was able to eat.  Way to go, Dad.

Thanks, Heidi!

Sometimes people wonder if they should build an osprey platform. Would the birds come? Well, look at this news from the Norfolk Wildlife Trust!

There is more exciting news coming out of the UK. CJ7 and Blue 022 were the first pair of Ospreys to breed in the south of England. Now there are two pair! One is a ‘child’ of Blue 33 and Maya from Rutland Water’s Manton Bay.

Angel and Frankie’s chicks at Loch Doon will be ringed on 25 June.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 19th June 2025

A quiet day apart from some shenanigans with sticks and adults’ big feet accidentally trampling the chicks who grow by the hour and are starting to test their wings as their eyes turn amber. Steve Q published his weekly fish stats and Louis is on track compared to previous years, however the report states he’ll need to step up the deliveries as the chicks move towards the next stage of their development. His four fish today, including the season’s first mackerel, take his tally to two hundred and five. There wasn’t much activity on Nest One, Aurora 536 waited and was eventually rewarded with a single fish from Garry LV0, taking his tally to ninety four. The weather was settled but a little too warm for the chicks who were gular fluttering to cool down, they’ll need this new skill as the heat continues tomorrow with a forecasted temperature of 26°C, sunny with light winds, and an overnight low of 14°C.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 00.23.46 (02.26.32); Nest Two 23.27.49 (03.17.48)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/QFYkZGDPphA N2 Magical camera effects seem to bathe the family in circles of light 00.22.47

https://youtu.be/NMfV5G0GsO4 N2 Another early breakfast – fish number one 04.34.57

https://youtu.be/cP48q5C0zo4 N2 Sticks, moss and parents’ big feet! 06.20.23

https://youtu.be/Xzllqmlw4No N2 Second breakfast arrives, but chick1 is still full from the first fish 07.16.20

https://youtu.be/grG9K_5hNHU N2 Lunch arrives, fish three is the season’s first mackerel 13.22.49

https://youtu.be/H7lUluc0cVk N1 A fish supper arrives for Aurora 19.44.34

https://youtu.be/_gT1KvU5KwY N2 In the purple glow before sunset, Louis delivers a fish snack 20.33.39

Bonus read – London Assembly calls for protection for ancient trees following the illegal cutting down of the White Webbs Oak despite being listed on Woodland Trust’s ancient tree inventory:

https://www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/what-london-assembly-does/london-assembly-press-releases/government-must-protect-londons-historic-trees

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

The legendary queen of the mountain gave us an unforgettable moment on this day in 2020: Aila has a brain fade and decides to move an awkwardly shaped stick from one side of the nest to the other, apparently oblivious to the presence of her chicks. They duck this way and that trying to keep out of her destructive path, and when Aila finally leaves the nest, one of them delivers a parting shot with perfect emphasis.

https://youtu.be/g-T2vcO-j0s  N1 In the Hall of the Mountain Queen 2020 (Classic Ospreys – Grieg, quicktime)

https://youtu.be/Gvtujmp8Z5I  N1 Table manners: dad supervises family dinner 2020

https://youtu.be/46LzIoZ9sfg  N1 Form an orderly queue 2020

https://youtu.be/JKhdYLILIj4   N2 Battling bobs 2022

https://youtu.be/-ZAKaO0NYqch N2 Bigger chick begins testing its little wings 2022

https://youtu.be/4kYvsDSTsNg  N2 Chick2 foolishly has a pop at Chick1 and pays the price 2022

https://youtu.be/CkbXfiqihFM  N2 Hello world! The chicks admire the view from their nest 2022

https://youtu.be/VYAZoG6rG9A  N2 Louis broods home alone chick 2023

https://youtu.be/r7Bem4gmjSA  N1 Affric expected fish but LV0 had other ideas 2023

https://youtu.be/Q0EGdJY0uLw  N2 Fish number two, another small whole trout: 7 mins 12 secs N2N between F1&2! 2024 

https://youtu.be/RruBa6SD1qs  N2 Fish number four, large whole trout, flapping: 8 mins 19 secs N2N between F3&4! 2024

https://youtu.be/FRf9mHWRQ7Y  N2 Fish number six, headless trout – lovely calm feeding 2024

https://youtu.be/RbzwLU7h1H8  N1 Garry LV0 flies in from Pole Tree for a quick visit 2024

https://youtu.be/FTgfA522SzI N2 Fish number seven arrives, but everyone’s too full 2024

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 18th June 2025

A reasonably calm day today with the main drama being caused by parents Louis and Dorcha, who stood on the chicks, nearly speared them with pointy sticks, and threw fish and sticks over them, all in an effort to protect them and feed them! Fortunately they’re old enough and big enough at 25 and 24 days old respectively to withstand a little rough treatment, and Louis keeps them very well fed. His three fish today took him past the milestone of two hundred for the season, and his tally now stands at two hundred and one. On Nest One Aurora 536 had to wait a long time and did eventually get a fish from Garry LV0 but not until suppertime. That fish takes his tally to ninety three. The weather was reasonably settled, and the overnight forecast for tonight is light cloud and light winds and a low of 10°C continuing through tomorrow with a positively tropical high of 22°C.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One (03.12.17); Nest Two 23.20.59 (03.39.12)
Today’s videos: 

https://youtu.be/rwoTuzh9Aro N2 Louis brings a large whole trout for breakfast 06.06.55 

https://youtu.be/YpRqUE9EAuI N2 Fish number two today and number 200 for the season  08.26.34 

https://youtu.be/ed1lX2w6-2Y N2 Dorcha brings sticks to protect the chicks but causes havoc instead 12.26.13

https://youtu.be/2U05loAGa8o N2 More chaos! Chicks, beware of your parents! Fish number three arrives 17.46.24

https://youtu.be/DfVKPb3vxz0 N1 Finally! Garry brings a fish for Aurora 19.27.04
Bonus info – 

https://www.dyfiospreyproject.com/blog/karis-mwt/feathers

https://www.dyfiospreyproject.com/blog/emyr-mwt/rapid-growth-phase-young-osprey-chicks

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/dqD0YjQdGnk  N1 Oh poo! Bob2 trips and decorates mum 2019

https://youtu.be/AZo3XgM86bU N1 Legendary Louis and the Ninth Fish 2020

Many years from now, as the wind howls down the Glen, and the rain lashes the loch, young osplets will courie doon beneath their mother, and cheep softly to her as they fight off sleep: “Tell us again. Tell us about Legendary Louis and the Day of the Nine Fish!”

https://youtu.be/NqQihIn10z0  N1 Home alone Osplets get a little feathered visitor 2020

https://youtu.be/4hKdWDbY68U  N2 Bye bye little bob3, gone but not forgotten.. Dorcha removes the body 2022

https://youtu.be/Fo44bLpKmJY  N2 Unknown Osprey does a flyby of the nest chased by Dorcha 2022 (slo-mo zoom)

https://youtu.be/Dsm140K88FI  N2 Bob2 demands and gets a good share of fish 2022

https://youtu.be/hHpfXZ1JPvI  N1 Who arrives very early? 2023 (slo-mo zoom)

https://youtu.be/ygRI-WCBv_k N2 Chick left home alone does a bit of tidying up 2023

https://youtu.be/J3_v5KrrZPw  N1 LV0 brings moss but accidentally takes it away Nest One 2023

https://youtu.be/nlvB92hYk6w  N2 Chick tries a hop but faceplants instead 2023 (zoom)  

https://youtu.be/bB9Dwon2I3o N2 Fish number two, C1 attacks C2 2024   

https://youtu.be/tZeYWxBU94U N2 ..But cunning C2 waits, and gets an exclusive feed  2024

https://youtu.be/tGKhmichhqo N1 Garry LV0 visits with nesting materials and does housework 2024  

https://youtu.be/U-tu9Y00WH0  N2 The chicks attack each other, ignoring the sad remains of Chick3 2024Why not come and join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 17th June 2025
Another routine day except for Louis chasing an intruder Osprey away from the nest, caught on camera as they flew across the view. Speculation is it might have been Aurora 536, zooming in didn’t help to establish an ID, and the threat didn’t last long. Nest Two is now a sea of yellow from the moss Dorcha has been bringing in and although there aren’t any chicks on Nest One, Garry did a little nest cupping anyway. He brought Aurora one fish taking his tally to ninety two, while Louis’ four fish take his to one hundred and ninety eight. The forecasted rain did materialise, but there was a fair amount of sunshine today too, and with luck tomorrow’s forecast of light rain and light winds with a low of 11°C and a high of 16°C will allow for some patches of sunshine too.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.56.59 (03.25.21); Nest Two 23.12.13 (03.55.07)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/tmK2xFUG0_M N2 Breakfast arrives, a large whole trout 06.51.56

https://youtu.be/Qx9BQDctUko N1 Aurora departs with her fish while Garry tidies the nest 08.32.27

https://youtu.be/803xwji4Crk N2 Dorcha brings a huge clump of moss 11.11.14

https://youtu.be/2CcATo64zh8 N2 Dorcha receives a second fish and the chicks tuck in 14.23.04

https://youtu.be/FJpn9_ndmF4 N2 Louis brings a third fish then flies off to repel an intruder 18.20.19

https://youtu.be/5BhsOw2gMkg N2 Louis brings a late night fish snack 22.51.32

Bonus read – World Economic Forum quotes Woodland Trust on why ancient forests matter:

https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/06/forests-old-growth-trees-protection

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/I_GsmuqoYpk  N1 Little stirrer! Bob2 instigates a fight 2020

https://youtu.be/kb2CDBYN45g N1 That tiddler won’t feed four! 2020

https://youtu.be/LETGGTIp7Rg  N1 Clown feet on show as the chicks wingercise 2020

https://youtu.be/Z1uCptJNQOQ N1 Look closely – it’s a deer 2020

https://youtu.be/Dx2ivqwDc7k  N2 Dorcha protects the chicks from flying debris 2022

https://youtu.be/JMnUa4lbLBg  N2 Bob2 pushes forward demanding a share of fish 2022

https://youtu.be/A-ooBwiJ2bM N1 Affric rejects LV0 again 2023

https://youtu.be/EPcA-_axV7c  N2 Stickgate! Chick reacts to another bashing 2023

https://youtu.be/T0geg92yWd8  N1 LV0 teases Affric with a fish, makes her wait 2023

https://youtu.be/IVqA6qiQegI  N2 Fish number two, small whole trout, arrives <10 mins Nest-to-Nest time!  2024

https://youtu.be/vxpIhe93244  N2 Chick1 pecks at Chick3’s body, Dorcha deals with intruders 2024 

https://youtu.be/UVmvmdGrrgo N2 Chick2 finally makes an attempt at standing up to C1 2024

Why not come and join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 16th June 2025

Despite today’s wet weather, Louis was in excellent fishing form, delivering four fish for his family on their sodden nest, including a colourful Arctic Charr. The wriggly chicks were kept as dry as possible by Dorcha although they’re getting too big to fit under her, and today being mumbrella meant holding her wings slightly out at an angle to keep them covered. With mum protecting them from the elements and dad keeping their crops stuffed full, things are looking good for the family. Over on Nest One, Garry LV0 brought one fish for Aurora 536 – she constantly calls for more but one fish daily seems to be sufficient to keep her looking in great condition, and there’s always the possibility she’s receiving the odd fish off-nest. Following the recent power outage, Steve Q has adjusted the fish stats, see bonus section for details, and including today’s fish, Louis’ tally now stands at one hundred and ninety four and Garry’s at ninety one. The heavy rain forecast for tonight has already started as at the time of filing this report (midnight) and the Met Office’s ‘gentle breeze’ will seem stronger at the top of the nest tree. An overnight low of 13°C is forecast, with the rain changing to light showers tomorrow with more of those ‘gentle breezes’ and a high of 17°C.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.45.11 (03.17.57); Nest Two 22.56.15 (03.45.06)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/6eOX_WogW7g N2 Dorcha does a one-legged wing stretch 01.43.12

https://youtu.be/ILECTrEaTRA  N2 Fish number one is so tiny it’s gone in 3 minutes 06.57.43 

https://youtu.be/YewpBUD7GAA  N1 Aurora departs with her fish as soon as Garry delivers it 11.44.58

https://youtu.be/4MlsHqblp5Q N2 Louis stays to watch as Dorcha tears into fish number two 13.43.46

https://youtu.be/rnwKbg6Mnoc N2 Louis does a bit of nest tidying after delivering fish number three 17.45.42

https://youtu.be/dN5JWow-fsA N2 Fish number four is a colourful Arctic Charr 19.52.40 (zoom)

Bonus info – Steve Quinn details his adjustment of the fish stats following the recent power outage:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/?ht-comment-id=25861665

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/j-HqamLScX0 N1 Little pecker! Smaller bob self-feeds 2019

https://youtu.be/lBL0ZY0zLz0  N1 Aila does acrobatics – then bashes the bobs! 2019

https://youtu.be/zkzuLYbE89k  N1 Super dad Louis feeds his chicks on Father’s Day 2019

https://youtu.be/-Ep_ilklVuU  N1 Chick3 unwisely has a go at Chick1 2020

https://youtu.be/KeHg7Lno7oM  N2 Louis & Dorcha share a fish tail 2022

https://youtu.be/L0pZJ2eOy10  N2 Two week-old younger chick tries self-feeding 2022

https://youtu.be/MqQJ4H1VJdc  N2 Despite atrocious weather, wonderbird Louis brings fish 2022

https://youtu.be/BUyPxmdAnHo  N1 LV0 arrives unusually early 2023

https://youtu.be/tSvC6FgxQoQ  N2 Chick disliked being swiped by Louis’ stick 2023

https://youtu.be/zyP2_vlmHpo  N1 Affric receives a fish from LV0 2023

https://youtu.be/hlazHmk6Q64  N2 Fish number two, headless large trout – C3 gets a few bites  2024   

https://youtu.be/n7QT7THpK3M N2 Fish number four, whopper headless trout – has C3 lost its fight?  2024   

https://youtu.be/zW4F9G1h224 N1 A little songbird visits  2024  (zoom)

https://youtu.be/zN-GUwN08iM  N2 RIP Little bob3: the last day of Chick Three (05.54 – 19.02) 2024

Independence, Oregon: Home to River and Laurel. The first of large prepped fish arrives at 0542. There are osplets in this deep nest but how many – well, that will be answered in about a week when we might finally be able to see their heads!

Norway: Herr and Frau Rauer and their two osplets and a delicious fish delivery. Look at that water! What a wonderful place for a nest.

Cornell Red-tail Hawks: In these images, you not only see how much the hawklets have grown, but also the construction that is right up by the nest. It did not deter Big Red and Arthur from choosing this nest again this year.

Llyn Brenig: Great news coming in from Jeff Kear on the UK Osprey Information FB page for this nest.

Alyth SS: The camera has been down for some time. Thanks to BOGS, we know that there are at least two osprey chicks on the nest of Harry and Flora.

Glaslyn: It is the first time in 22 years that osprey chicks have not hatched on the nest. For those of you that might not have followed this nest, Aran, who had been the mate of Mrs G, became the mate of Elen a couple of years ago when Mrs G did not return from migration. This year, one of Idris and Telyn’s sons landed on the Glaslyn nest and provided fish for Elen. Aran arrived late. Elen laid eggs. They were dispersed from the egg cup. The younger Teifi and the slightly older Aran did attempt to settle the situation. Aran lost his nest. Aran is very much loved, and thankfully, individuals living near the area have kept a good eye on him, providing photographs that are shown on the UK Osprey Information FB page. Elen and Teifi remain around the nest.

Gilestone/USK Valley, Wales: Hot. Fish arrival to provide the hydration the Only Bob and the adults require.

Dyfi Osprey Project: A family portrait of Idris, Telyn, and the two kiddos.

Maryland Western Shore: Two chicks lost. Only Bob is doing well. Large fish are arriving at the nest on Monday.

Dyfi Osprey Project, Wales: Idris has been delivering fish all day and comes in with a Flounder for the last late-night snack for Telyn and the kiddos.

Boulder County, Colorado: It was hot. Mum became a mumbrella. This nest still makes me uneasy. Please don’t ask me why. I will be glad when the little one is a bit larger!

Denton Homes: Three beauties are still at home.

Saaksilvie #4: Oh, that sweet little 3. You can really see the difference.

Taipalsaari, Finland: Fish arrive regularly for Mum and the two osplets.

Pitkin County: Emma, Charlie, and two osplets. Little two got fed first at one of the feedings on Monday! Yippee.

Sauces Canyon: Betty Lou treated everyone by flying to the nest with a fish in her talons on Monday!

Seaside: Bruce and Naha are doing a great job with their trio in Oregon. I was very pleased to receive notes from many of you saying you just found the Seaside nest. It is a good one to watch!

Jann Gallavan and the IWS give us the history of Princess Cruz, current mate of Andor, at the Fraser Point nest.

The raptors are having challenges enough. They don’t need to be shot when they are hunting for food and don’t recognise the territories of various estates. Stop driven grouse shooting! What an archaic practice!

More reasons to ban driven grouse shooting evidence from the Peak District National Park guest blog by Bob BerzinsDownloa

I was so mad this evening when we took Toby for his late walk. Big sign on a small property – I do mean small. Let’s think 4 feet by 22 feet at best. The sign said that pesticides had been applied, so do not walk pets on the lawn. I took a deep breath and decided to gather information on the damages and leave it for them in their mailbox.

Calico wants to remind everyone that balloons are not fun. They are unnecessary to having a celebration, and they go up, come down, and harm wildlife. Please find and suggest alternative ways to decorate and celebrate that are environmentally friendly. Dry leaf confetti is great. Get some small hole punches, a basket of leaves, and bowls, and take the children outside. They will be busy for some time, and they can toss them around without worrying about damage.

Calico’s Tip for the Day: Become a birder and save your life. Stop staring at screens all day and night and get out and see ‘real’ birds in your neighbourhood. Connect with nature. Discover how you can contribute to restoring habitat to help them. Imagine people around the world doing this and connecting!

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jun/19/how-to-become-a-birder-10-easy-ways-to-start-this-life-changing-hobby?CMP=share_btn_url

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care of yourselves. We look forward to having you again with us on Monday.

Thank you to the following for their notes and comments: ‘A, B, Geemeff, Heidi, MP, PB, TU’, to those who created videos, including SK Hideaways, and to the owners of the streaming cams and FB pages whose names are in bold throughout my post today. Also, Raptor Persecution UK, Mrs Gardenette Cultivation Plant Vlog, MARS Wildlife Rescue Centre, The Guardian, and the UK Osprey Information FB page and Jeff Kear

Monday in Bird World

16 June 2025

Hello Everyone!

Late news: Fortis Exshaw had their third osplet hatch!

We are creeping closer and closer to the first day of summer. It is marvellous to have the sun up early in the morning and light still in the garden at 2200. Winter will be here all too soon, and it will then be dark by 1630. These days we have the summer warmth with temperatures ranging during the day from 24-29 C. Coffee in the morning along with breakfast and lingering hours in the evening with our tea and Toby by our side are so enjoyable. It is a little too hot during the early afternoon.

This evening, we sat and watched the Starling parents feed their fledglings. All seven have survived, with another family of five arriving in the garden today. We have gone through so much kibble! They will begin to disperse in a fortnight, and I will miss them so much.

While the Blue Jay babies and the little Crows have yet to arrive, the behavior of the adult birds indicates that there are hungry mouths to feed in their nests. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness these birds flourishing and not having to compete for food. However, I can’t shake the desire to find a solution to bring fish back to the areas where many nests are faltering this year.

I have been working on this post on and off and I know that I have mentioned a few nests twice. Just consider it Double Happiness.

Today, ‘VV’ confirmed the disappointing news that no osprey chicks hatched on St. George’s Island, Maryland, this year, resulting in a staggering fifteen failed nests! The adults abandoned their nests with eggs in two weeks. A few of the adults have returned, but everyone is very disillusioned with no movement in Virginia to halt the overfishing of the Menhaden, which is essential for the lives of our ospreys.

I am deeply ashamed that a Canadian company is on the verge of driving ospreys to extinction in this region of the United States. The nationality of the company shouldn’t be a factor; what troubles me is the lack of a viable solution. Despite the hard work of many advocates raising awareness about this critical issue, Virginia politicians continue to turn a blind eye. Is it true that money can buy favours? Absolutely—short-term financial gain seems to overshadow the urgent need for environmental stewardship. We must demand better from our leaders!

At home, there is no shortage of food and love for all the animals, feathered or furred. Toby and Hugo Yugo are the closest of friends, even when it comes to sifting the cheese out of Toby’s kibble. (Don was a little enthusiastic about the amount and size! My son thought they were eating nachos.)

Back to the birds…

We have been discussing some questions that might arise if you have been watching a lot of the osprey nests this year.

  1. When do we start counting the age of the egg? The minute it is laid! When it emerges from the cloaca. There is no scientific basis for subtracting days, etc. due to delayed incubation. The age of the egg is from the minute it is laid.
  2. Can the second egg hatch before the first egg? Yes. Sometimes it isn’t easy to know which egg is which. In other cases, it is not. The markings on the osprey eggs can be quite distinctive, helping the observer recognise eggs 1, 2, and 3 easily from one another. The data that Heidi and I have kept indicate the following days related to hatch:

2023: This is the data for 342 eggs. If you can’t see it easily, the average time for hatch for the first egg laid is 38.8 days while that for egg 2 laid is 36.9 while egg 3 is 36.4 days.

2024: This is the data for 351 eggs. If you can’t see it easily, the average time for hatch for the first egg is 39.4 days, egg 2 is 37.4 days, and egg 3 is 36.1 with egg 4 at 36.0 days.

3. If the second egg hatches first, do you still call it ‘chick one’? Yes. The first chick to hatch, regardless of egg order, is chick one or the first hatch. This has happened at several nests, including the 2011 Dyfi Osprey Project nest. This is the chart from Tiger Mozone’s log for that season at Dyfi (imagicats):

Many of you know that I have a fondness for Blue 33. I also admire many of the male ospreys in the UK. One way to determine if an osprey pair is considered ‘successful’ is not only by the number of chicks they raise but also by the rate of second-year returnees. For example, Aran at Glaslyn, who was usurped this year by one of Idris’s sons, Teifi, has had three of his sons return to Wales this year. This is a remarkable achievement, and we should keep in mind that these are only the birds that have been seen on camera or photographed, as that’s the only evidence that counts for proving their existence.

There were lots of tributes to the great osprey dads!

Idris and Telyn’s chicks will be ringed this week and we will find out their names.

Latest news from the Cumbrian Wildlife Trust – home to the Foulshaw Moss ospreys.

Meet the neighbours_ our #FoulshawOspreys have company _ Cumbria Wildlife TrustDownload

Knepp Farm News!

News from KneppDownload

Been wondering what happened to the only GHO hatch for Bonnie and Clyde at Farmer Derek’s? Androcat caught up with Starri. https://youtu.be/B261Hw7-sic?

At Farmer Derek’s Bald Eagle Nest, Kanza returned home after fledging to a double fish meal. https://youtu.be/x-HOBz9SFIw?

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Nest: ‘MP’ sent shock waves through me when they wrote that the third egg had hatched at this nest. The chick has not been fed since it hatched (24 hours thus far). Attempts but Mum and chick are having trouble connecting. Fingers crossed.

Wetlands, NJ: Second hatch has died due to siblicide/starvation.

The trio at Saaksilvie #1 are doing great. They are in that terrible Reptilian phase. Hoping for three fledges!

At Saaksilvie #4, the trio are in the Reptilian phase. They seem to be doing well.

Saaksilvie nests 2 and 3 are vacant.

Taipalsaavi Osprey Platform, Finland: Two of the cutest fattest little bottom osplets.

We haven’t checked on the Royal Albatross chick for a long time. Baby fluff is disappearing. There are still 9-10 weeks before fledge. Here is the most recent weight check. https://youtu.be/y6XB3zjflNc?

Charlo Montana: A nice big fish came in for those babies.

Rutland Manton Bay: It is a nest full of osplets!

Dunrovin: ‘PB’ brings us the latest news.

I am sending some ‘old’ news. Heidi sent this for Thursday, and I missed it. The ages of the osplets will be wrong, but I want you to see her news, and we have sadly lost the Only Bob at Dahlgren as of Saturday. My apologies for missing this news. I love how Heidi puts the narrative in the image. She will also have a new report for today.

Heidi’s Report for Sunday, 15 June:

Two notes, one video link to Mispillion Harbor video, and six photos.

Dahlgren osprey nest:  On 6/14, both Helen and Doug were away from the nest leaving their only chick unprotected.  Sadly, the little 4-day-old baby was predated by a crow.

Happy Father’s Day to all the devoted osprey dads, especially to Warren at Mispillion Harbor.  Watch Warren doing his thing, feeding and protecting his family.  Here is “The Warren Waltz”  https://youtu.be/jToQbVm3838

Goitzsche-Wildnis, Germany: The Only Bob that survived the Red Kite attacks has grown big and strong. It is big enough that I believe the Red Kite cannot take it! Fingers crossed no one else comes calling. This is a beautiful osplet for Zeus and Fjona.

Eschenbach, Germany: Two lovely osplets.

Dunrovin Ranch: ‘PB’ reports that Winnie and Swoopie have their second hatch as of Sunday evening. Congratulations.

Charlo Montana: There are three. I really, really hope that Charlie gets a lot of fish on this nest!

Boulder County Fairgrounds: Two remaining Bobs with full crops on Saturday.

Trempeauleau Eagles: T3 is self-feeding and has a stash under the base of the tree. Smart eaglet!

Blithfield Reservoir, UK: Jeff Kear announced in UK Osprey Info FB that they have had a reliable source confirm three little osplets in the nest.

Clark PUD: Both Bobs appear to be in a food coma.

Pitkin County: The images speak for themselves. The largest chick eats first and the smaller goes into submission. Viewers were delighted on Saturday when the little one had a nice crop! The weather is very hot – approaching 90 F.

City of Independence: There are two Bobs in this nest. We can see their little heads pop up at 0842 for a feeding on Saturday. Soon they will be bigger and easier to view!

Gilestone Ospreys Usk Valley: Cogwyn doesn’t have to wait long for her mate Syfaddan to get a fish to their nest to feed their Only Bob. This chick is the first to hatch in 250 years in this Welsh Valley.

Santiam Canyon, Oregon: There are three Bobs. They have made it through the Reptilian Phase and are now getting those gorgeous juvenile feathers. The Santiam Canyon ospreys are located at the Santiam Canyon School District in Oregon. Specifically, they have nested in a football field light for the past two years and now have a permanent nesting platform nearby. This new platform was built in partnership with Pacific Power and other organizations to provide the ospreys with a safer home.

Salt Point: Orpheus and Ursula receive high praise for the care they give their three osplets.

Great Bay: Three osplets. The images show the difference in size and age. I get nervous. Fingers crossed.

VIMS, VA Institute of Marine Science: This says it all. No food. Menhaden taken for years by the Canadian company, Omega, out of Reedsville, VA. Virginia is the only state around the waters that does not have the three-mile protection limit. As a result, no food for the ospreys who have abandoned their nests along with fish hawks in neighbouring states.

WDNU: Female caught feeding the recently hatched chick on 1 June 2025. Two osprey chicks hatched on the WNDU studio tower in 2025. However, both chicks sadly passed away shortly after hatching. The osprey pair had laid three eggs, and two successfully hatched. 

This is a very unlucky nest. It is unclear why the chicks die each year shortly after hatching. The only chick to fledge in three years was Huey in 2023.

FOBBV: On Saturday, the entire family was at the nest. Sunny and Gizmo ate and spent time together. This miracle keeps on giving. Treasure it – when you feel low, remember that this year there were miracles. You are looking at them below. Jackie and Shadow make sure that their babies are fed in the nest or the pine. It is beautiful.

Denton Homes: They survived all the storms, the wind, the threat of tornadoes, the cold and sometimes the lack of food due to the weather. Just look at the trio.

San Jose City Hall Falcons: SK Hideaways checks in to see who is home. https://youtu.be/MjXHLrLbqEg?

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 15th June 2025
Another day where Louis delivered several fish, a contrast to this day last year when he was told off by Dorcha for arriving without fish and showing no inclination to go fishing. 

The start of his illness, although we didn’t know it at the time.. He brought four fish to the nest, all a good size, big and beefy, and candidates to be considered Silver Tourists rather than Brown Trout. In fact one of the fish contained a big surprise – a belly full of little fish! This bonus was snapped up by Dorcha as the chicks didn’t seem to be too keen, and their hugely distended crops shows how well they’ve been eating. Louis’ tally rises to one hundred and eighty eight, while over on Nest One, Garry LV0 brought one fish for Aurora 536, taking his tally to eighty nine. Although there were dry spells today, the weather forecast is for more rain and wind overnight with a low of 12

°C, continuing through tomorrow with a high of 16°C.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.37.08 (03.32.25); Nest Two 23.09.52 (03.51.37)
Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/XLkxcMgnrLU N2 Fish number one is a big silvery headless trout 05.56.58https://youtu.be/qKGEv6WQ4tQ N2 Louis delivers a second big silvery fish 13.26.31https://youtu.be/1uHKMsVgfjk N1 Garry LV0 finally delivers a fish for Aurora 14.28.29

https://youtu.be/UVotIUbtzMg N2 Louis delivers a monster fish and it has a bellyful of tiny fish! 17.50.51https://youtu.be/bB4kvztpDKM N2 Dorcha’s still busy with fish three so Louis takes fish four away 20.48.02 

Bonus blast from the past: Today’s fish full of fish is not the first time this has been caught on nest cam – thanks to PaulineC for finding Doddie JJ6 eating a fish, with a belly full of fish, in my archive:

https://youtu.be/wzmzLuDZqh8  21 July 2020

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/ntv71sF-N_s  N1 Simultaneous feeding – mum and dad each feed a bob! 2019

https://youtu.be/1RzPgaEWMr0  N1 Limbo dancing 2020

https://youtu.be/PvklkJGfZIc  N1 Home alone chicks amuse themselves 2020

https://youtu.be/J8geReKxLxc  N1 Mumbrella Aila does her best to shelter the chicks 2020

https://youtu.be/FJYbKk1hA-4  N1 A Jay visits the empty nest 2021

https://youtu.be/tsAAz0z9Ac8  N2 Hooded Crow intrudes and perches on the nest 2022

https://youtu.be/k6W6PKYMMYQ  N2 Chicks battle it out as soon as mum leaves 2022

https://youtu.be/LTMLWBLOZnY  N1 LV0 just won’t get the message 2023

https://youtu.be/hFbYpDjHeyI  N1 Affric reaffirms her bond with Prince 2023

https://youtu.be/yvMLAjhrNaA  N2 Hangry chick attacks Dorcha 2023 (quick-time)

https://youtu.be/2hIydufKS3I Fish number one, headless trout, C1 gets it all 2024

https://youtu.be/FlvoO8n_ZAk  Dorcha: from menace with a stick to brilliant mumbrella 2024

https://youtu.be/OiKvZO7vkTU Louis finally arrives but he’s fishless! Dorcha can’t believe it 2024

Why not come and join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 14th June 2025

Plenty of fish again today, Louis brought four fish including a late night fish which he had to take away again as his family were too full to bother with it, and his tally rises to one hundred and eighty four. Over on Nest One, Garry LV0 brought two fish for Aurora 536, taking his tally to eighty eight, but disappointed her tonight when he arrived with a piece of bark instead of a third fish. Dorcha was startled by a songbird, the size difference is striking, and the Great Tit was equally startled by big Dorcha and left very quickly. All was peaceful today and there wasn’t any fighting between the chicks, and they did a little nest tidying and experimental nibbling at fish while mum was dishing out. The weather was mainly settled today with some rain but there’ll be more rain and wind overnight with a low of 11°C, continuing through tomorrow, with the possibility of sunny intervals and a high of 16°C.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.49.37 (02.44.46); Nest Two 23.10.14 (04.02.00)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/LptdCIh0i2Y N2 Louis delivers a very early fish with night cam still on 03.38.39

https://youtu.be/Yi4Nj3KMsb8 N2 Dorcha is startled by a songbird: the size difference is striking 06.22.59 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/0LhS8ZtGAak N2 The chicks help mum with nest tidying, one does a spot of whittling 09.41.58

https://youtu.be/jhmn2mfnPUY N1 Aurora jumps down from her perch ready to grab the first fish 10.49.23

https://youtu.be/8QUMSzhLiO4 N2 A huge second fish arrives – the chicks have a nibble 11.55.01

https://youtu.be/yeKK1a8IFBA N1 Garry brings a second fish for Aurora and stays to tidy the nest 17.38.31

https://youtu.be/XQ_1oY9y0Lg N2 Although the chicks have bulging crops they tuck in to the third fish 18.53.12

https://youtu.be/QpFug8PNXJA N1 Garry and Aurora spent a little time on the nest but she wants fish 21.51.19

https://youtu.be/8wE4v6xm67E N2 Louis brings a late 4th fish: no one wants it so he takes it away 22.49.34 (zoom)

Bonus guide to Osprey eyesight (thanks Dyfi and LizB):

https://www.dyfiospreyproject.com/facts-about-osprey-eyes

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/Exn19098zow N1 First self-feeding – big bob helps herself 2019

https://youtu.be/vat-pks8C0o N1 Good luck getting those growing bobs settled for the night! 2020

https://youtu.be/Er_He7M1Z_s  N1 Tawny Owl returns and strikes Aila 2020 (slo-mo)

https://youtu.be/KaaAklC7VMY  N2 When mum’s away, the chicks do play – not very nicely! 2022

https://youtu.be/owboya14Psw  N2 Bob2 gets a really good dinner as Bob1 is finally full! 2022

https://youtu.be/FreDgrNdCn4  N2 Bob1 dominates bob2 when Dorcha goes flyabout 2022

https://youtu.be/bony4Vt5TEw  N2 Little bird visits, so tiny Dorcha doesn’t notice 2023 (slo-mo zoom)

https://youtu.be/BecclFVDPAw  N2 Fish number one, chick has a go at self-feeding 2023

https://youtu.be/tOd-hoc2Cxo  N1 High drama: rivals Prince & LVO both bring gifts 2023 (slo-mo zoom)

https://youtu.be/R-32UJt7tBY  N2 Dorcha takes a direct hit! 2023 (Classic Ospreys: Tchaikovsky)

https://youtu.be/cgcWVSNAr4k N2 Dad’s turn to get hit! Equal opportunity squirter 2023

https://youtu.be/xL0saakThcE N2 Fish number two today, number 200 for the season! 2024

https://youtu.be/7J_4iIlHbGE  N2 Fish number three, chicks are calm and queue up with no aggro 12024

https://youtu.be/pDQXzJzcvDw  N2 Oops! Dorcha gets decorated 2024

Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 13th June 2025
Plenty of fish today, with Garry LV0 bringing two for Aurora 536, and Louis delivering three for Dorcha and the two chicks. Their respective tallies rise to eighty six (Garry) and one hundred and eighty (Louis), although as the missing footage during yesterday’s outage wasn’t retrievable as hoped, their tallies are probably higher. Aurora decided to pay a visit to the Nest Two area, and was chased away by Louis, who kept hold of the fish in his talons throughout the chase and brought it to the nest shortly afterwards. Dorcha decided to do some decorating with moss and sticks, but instead of decorating the nest, she decorated the chicks instead. Both of the two 

surviving chicks are developing nicely and both have well-filled crops. The forecast is 

partly cloudy and light winds overnight with a low of 10°C, continuing tomorrow with light rain, light winds and a high of 16

°C.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 00.43.32 (03.17.31); Nest Two 23.25.19 (04.05.13)Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/8ygNdz9hreQ N2 Fish number one, whole medium trout 06.39.21 

https://youtu.be/1th9_-SSf6M N1  Fish number one, headless trout 07.56.54

https://youtu.be/9txqWmPu9OA N2 Two Ospreys do a flyby of the nest, Dorcha is furious 09.19.28 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/SUB7zBX8NsA N2 Fish number two, headless trout 09.52.07 

https://youtu.be/j5WGjP4SooA N1 Fish number two, headless trout 14.36.30

https://youtu.be/6UHho_Lwt5k N2 Dorcha decorates the chicks 14.41.20 (quick-time)

https://youtu.be/IY1_t_Wf3yA N2 Fish number three, whole Silver Tourist 19.37.58 

Bonus read – Riverscapes Partnership, of which Woodland Trust is a member, advocates developing a countrywide waterway system: 

Making Space for Rivers calls for national river corridor network

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/Oec9yfsqzI8  N1 Dad breaks up a fight (2019)

https://youtu.be/7h8o4P1BjOc  N1 Toy-like deer graze near the nest (2020)

https://youtu.be/CmnoKwCdweU  N1 Crashing and bashing: mum creates chaos (2020)

https://youtu.be/RownqjRW6Hg N2 First fish arrives in the dark (2022)

https://youtu.be/qmnWqyl9Nrw  N2 The two surviving chicks enjoy a good feed (2022)

https://youtu.be/sgCSDSOspIs  N2 Chicks take lumps out of each other until mum returns with a stick (2022)

https://youtu.be/QNDrgxWxl6M  N1 LV0 attempts mating and is rejected again Nest One 2023

https://youtu.be/BnWHTwPBiX4  N2 Chick helps sort out the cot rails 2023

https://youtu.be/xCx56MCLBJw N2 Crash bang wallop! Dorcha lands on the chick 2023

https://youtu.be/n0Ev_HsN01M N1 More rejected mating attempts 2023

https://youtu.be/ijeXkzHe_Ew N2 Tawny Owl attack 2024 (super slo-mo)

https://youtu.be/jppiOHQt_ZI  N2 Louis sticks around doing housework after delivering fish two 2024

https://youtu.be/Xvulvoc7oZU N1 A pair of Redpolls (Carduelis Flammea) flit around 2024

https://youtu.be/l2NfkpeONbw N1 Garry LV0 pops in for a quick visit 2024

https://youtu.be/-KeC7f16UvI N2 Fish number five, whole trout, C3 asserts itself and gets some 2024

Why not come and join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

Dyfi Osprey Project: It is terrific to see Telyn waiting and trusting Idris to get those fish on the nest for the trio. Idris never fails!

Birds of Poole Harbour: Blue 022 keeps the fish coming for the four on the Poole Harbour nest. CJ7 waits in anticipation just like Telyn! Tiny Little Bob, #4, is doing fantastic. He has a fat little bottom. There he is sleeping at the feet of Mum, CJ7.

Llyn Clywedog: It was not a good Saturday at the nest of Dylan and Seren. The rain came down. Seren kept the big Bobs as dry as she could. Dylan came in with a small Brown Trout around 1504. The chicks could be heard calling for food earlier. It looks like Dylan is feeding Seren so she can feed each Bob.

Glaslyn: So sad to see the nest without chicks this year.

Rutland Manton Bay: Maya is waiting for Blue 33. He doesn’t fail to deliver! All four chicks are doing very well, even with a delivery of a floppy fish!

Kurzeme Osprey Nest of Selga and Svings, Latvia: We have one osplet. Eggs were laid on April 23, 26, and 29. One egg was broken when an intruder came to the nest on 24 May. The Only Bob hatched on June 1. They are doing fine.

Wondering what that Stellar’s Sea Eagle has been up to?

A new osprey nest for you with three babies: Orihula, Wisconsin about 20 miles from Oshkosh or Freemont. There are three and there is an age difference. I want to be hopeful that little three will survive. It does get bonked so watch with some caution. Here is the nest information followed by the link to the streaming cam.

“The Orihula Osprey started in Orihula in 2016 when two osprey built a nest on a power pole nearby. The nest got knocked down and a nesting pole was then installed for them to lay eggs and raise baby chicks on. Since then they have been coming back every year. The names Cliff and Judy were picked for the birds this year to honor the legacy of Cliff and Judy Hahn as they were very well known and loved in the Orihula community. The male bird has a neck with more yellow feathers on it and band that has the number f24. He was banded in 2016 a few miles away in Weyauwega as a chick that year. We are not sure where the female is from but her neck is completely white and has no bands. Typically the birds come back around the first week of April and lay eggs middle to the end of April. Once the eggs are laid the mother or father will stay there 24/7 until the eggs have hatched in late May/early June. The chicks will continue to grow very rapidly from their parents feeding them from the Ospey’s fish diet. Cliff will bring fish back to the nest for Judy to feed and Cliff will then sit on the eggs until she is finished. He will also bring back fish for the chicks and Judy will then feed it to the chicks in pieces. Currently there is one egg that was laid around 5:30 a.m. April 20th, an Easter egg surprise! Egg number 2 was laid Wednesday April 23rd at 12:30 am, and Egg number 3 was laid Friday April 25th at 5:59 pm. Updates will continue to be posted with egg count and when they have hatched. You are able to zoom in on the live stream to better see the birds or eggs as well. Feel free to comment any suggestions or any other cool things that you may see while watching!”

https://www.youtube.com/live/JgPN0nlj-QA?si=NvG5wP80v8gQ_8xk

‘TU’ sends us news that Urmas is busy with the fish baskets for Kergu and his Blackstork Mate in Estonia. They write, “Urmas helps Kergu and Kerli to feed their chicks. ESTONIA nest in Pärnu County #Kerli + #Kergu + 3 chicks “A fish basket was installed on 07.june to the place where Kerli was caught last year. Next day she was already feeding there.” – info shared by our Madli Allsoo 🌹

‘A’ writes with some news on the upcoming Australian season and other things: “Thanks to you, I have discovered Bruce and Naha and their three osplets at Seaside in Florida, and what an adorable family they are. Bruce is a great fisher and all-round good dad – he and Naha did a dual feeding on Sunday afternoon. Too cute. No bonking amongst the siblings and Little Bob has no fear of its larger siblings (known as ‘the twins’). Naha is, like most female ospreys, extremely vocal when it comes to demanding fish. Poor Bruce is nagged off the nest – he dives a metre underwater to shut out the sound of Naha’s shrill fish-calling. Catching a fish down there is just a bonus!

But the three osplets are such cuties. I have to say I have only forced myself to watch ospreys because of you and your passion for them. It has taken me some time to truly warm to the species, but I think I am there now. Of course Iris had a lot to do with winning me over. It’s hard not to be won over by Iris, and of course Finnegan was SUCH a darling. I am sad to think of what has happened to Finn. I am probably anthropomorphising here, but I believe that he would have returned to Iris had he been able to do so. The fact that he didn’t leads me to the awful conclusion that he ran afoul of the bird gods on his migration. But I won’t stop hoping that he may return next season. We never know. It is amazing that Iris is again being courted by a much younger bird. Our queen really does have a very attractive piece of territory and I suspect she could probably hang onto it by herself if she had to, but at nearly 30, we don’t want her to have to, so it’s nice that she has suitors to keep Louis at bay and an eye on Iris. 

The Australian season approacheth and we are watching Diamond and Xavier courting. TThe bringing of food gifts is a year-round ritual at Orange. Madame Diamond is a demanding lady. Of course Collins Street is an annual source of frustration, with no cameras until we have at least an egg or two in the scrape. We have no idea whether or not a pair is even using the scrape this season, and if so, whether or not they are the same birds as last year and which end of the ledge they are using. We will have to wait to find out any of those things. 

Port Lincoln, of course, has become a much less stressful watch since the advent of the fish fairy. It is a strange nest, with uncertainty regarding dad’s identity and the possibility of some sort of neurological disorder with whichever dad owned the nest the season before last. It’s like a new adventure at that nest every year.

We have had some hopeful sightings on the Parramatta River over the past couple of months, with a juvenile WBSE sighted catching fish around the island. We have to at least consider the possibility that this is a past fledgling from the Olympic Park nest. Oh how I hope so. This is yet another circumstance in which we wish they had some sort of tracker or at least a Darvic ring or something to give us an idea of the longer-term survival rate and dispersal range of these sea eaglets. I wish I knew why it wasn’t being done. With any of our Australian raptors apart from the Port Lincoln osprey fledglings. And of course the same applies to the falcons. “

Closing with one of the most wonderful raptor nests – Cornell’s Fernow Tower Red-tail Hawk nest of Big Red and Arthur! Just look at the Os – . Big Red still feeds them even though they can self-feed, and they are exploring the flight landing for fledgling. It will come sooner than we want. Count the dark lines on the tails. We would like to have 6 (but often they fly with 5).

I am counting four dark bands. We have some more time with these two cuties.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Your presence and insights are always invaluable. I sincerely apologise for my delayed responses. The garden is flourishing, but it requires far more time and attention than I ever expected. Sadly, the osplets are dying in so many nests, and I find it increasingly challenging to keep pace with the overwhelming situation. I am actively seeking a prominent figure to help raise awareness about the extinction of these magnificent birds in the Chesapeake Bay area. It’s truly devastating. They are in serious decline.

Everyone at our home and in our garden wishes you and yours a lovely week, full of happy birdsong.

Thank you to the great folks that send me nest summaries or news – ‘A, Geemeff, Heidi, MP, PB, Tiger Mozone, TU, VV’. I also want to thank those who created the videos included in this posting: SK Hideaways, Cornell Bird Lab, and all the owners of the streaming cams indicated in bold. I would also like to thank the English Forum on Looduskalender for their news on the Latvian Osprey nest and Bruce Mactavish for his post on the Steller’s Eagle in Newfoundland as well as Jeff Kear and the UK Osprey Information FB Group! All of these wonderful people are brilliant and generously share any osprey news they find.

Friday in Bird World

13 June 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

It is so nice to have you with us today! There is even some sunshine peeking through the haze.

Late News: Foulshaw Moss nest 2 has 2 Bobs! Congratulations.

T3 at the Trempeauleau Bald Eagle nest is 9 weeks old today.

Thank you to everyone for your good wishes for Hugo Yugo. She is a strong-willed, ginger female, and she is fine. She woke up her old self, ready to romp and jump with Toby on Thursday morning. It was beautiful to witness.

After the rains, the temperature cooled. We took Toby for a walk on Wednesday evening and needed a light jacket and socks. What a change!

On the way to take Hugo Yugo to the vet Wednesday morning for her dental surgery, we spotted a Crow on the street. There was one of the grey squirrels that had been hit by a car. As I walked home to get a shovel, I kept hoping that the squirrel that had been killed was not Dyson. Thankfully, it wasn’t, but it was one of the kits that came to the garden. The squirrels now have to take the road to cross the street (I keep telling them there is no reason to go over there, but they don’t listen) because the trees are gone. They used to climb up on one side, cross over the huge branches that overlaid one another to form a magnificent canopy. Yes, some fell, but it was much safer for them than it is now. I know animals die, but I don’t like it when it can be avoided. If there is a silver lining at all, it would have been quick compared to being poisoned. Rodenticide should be outlawed, confiscated, and destroyed. Employ all those owls that take the osplets off the nets to be the rat hunters!

Hugo Yugo’s appointment was a fantastic success, surpassing all our expectations. Her teeth were thoroughly cleaned, and all the gingivitis was completely eliminated. Even better, there was no need for any extractions—such a wonderful relief! We could hardly believe our luck. She will be back in six months for another cleaning to maintain her healthy smile. As for Toby, he’s set for his final vaccinations next Wednesday, and he will be neutered in early September. We’re confident this will set him up for a happier and healthier life!

‘B’ and ‘D’ let me know that the link that ‘A’ sent did not work. ‘D’ wrote: “The long link you posted with T3, Betty Lou, and Blue and Kai didn’t lead anywhere for me, but I found this Explore eagle nest update which has these moments https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XngiaRqFxcw

It was a better week in Osprey World – thank goodness.

Charlie and Lola have triplets at Charlo Montana!

Two lovely osprey chicks for Herr and Frau Rauer in Norway.

Alukin shows us the kindness shown to the storks in Poland. I wish we saw more of this at the osprey nests in the NE USA. https://youtu.be/aKO4NblRq0o?

They are all cute but Willow tried to push it to new heights at the San Jose City Hall falcon scrape. https://youtu.be/yMLyhXcabrc?

Fort St Vrain, Colorado: Fort St. Vrain, Colorado: One eaglet left to fledge! These two were the survivors of that heat spell, and many of us worried ourselves sick when they got stuck in the stick rails.

Trempeauleau: T3 is gorgeous.

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: The ospreys have not given up on the one egg – yet.

Blue fludges. https://youtu.be/Nz9lsIsfjfo?

Hellgate Canyon: It was too late for New Guy2 and Iris to have chicks but he has been attentive bringing our Queen fish, helping with nest renovations, and spending a lot of time with our gal. Let us hope, beyond any kind of hope we can imagine, that both of them return to raise a family next year when Iris is what? 30?

Dyfi Osprey Project’s Telyn and Idris are working overtime to keep the three osplets fed as they grow their juvenile feathers!

Boulder County Fair Grounds: Two chicks. I don’t know if they both look ‘good’. Keeping an eye on that second hatch. There were four original eggs. One chick died of hypothermia, and the other did not hatch.

Seaside: Three osplets are lanky and emerging from that Reptilian phase. They are looking good. Bruce and Naha doing well.

Cowlitz: The only feathered friend at home is a House Sparrow (male). Maybe they are taking over Electra’s nest.

Carthage: Dad came in with a large fish, and Mum and Only Bob were excited.

Finland # 4: The chicks range from a cute, fuzzy head to an oily, reptilian one, but Nuppu seems to be doing a fine job of keeping the three fed.

Pitkin County: The third hatch has died. Cause unknown.

At Rutland Manton Bay, Blue 33 stepped in late on Wednesday to give Maya a break. It is a colossal job feeding four osplets! Tiring.

CJ7 and Blue 022 at Poole Harbour know precisely the issues of having to keep four full of fish, too!

Usk Valley, Wales: This is the first time in 250 years that ospreys have hatched in the Usk Valley. Eggs were laid on April 24, 27, and 30. Only the first egg has hatched.

Balgavies Loch: There are two osplets.

Rutland Water: You will have heard that only 30% of first year osprey fledglings survive. Well, Rutland Water popped the corks because all of the 2023 fledglings have been seen and photographed. Unbelievable.

Llyn Brenig:

Loch Doon: Two extremely healthy and strong osplets for Angel and Frankie.

Kielder Forest Update:

Nest 2 update and other news _ Kielder OspreysDownload

Taipalsaari, Finland: Two of the cutest little osplets.

How do you spell cute? Big Red and Arthur’s Os on the Cornell Campus?

Cornell Bird Lab caught Arthur delivering prey! https://youtu.be/hOe3UFe4NvQ?

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 12th June 2025
With the livestream being down between 8am and 5pm (GMT+1) due to essential maintenance by the local wifi provider, and the server not yet rebooted, a full report of today’s events will be made later. One fish each was delivered by Louis and Garry LV0 before the livestream outage, taking their respective tallies to one hundred and seventy seven, and eighty four. Steve Q posted his weekly fish stats showing Louis is consistent with previous years, full details here: 

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/?ht-comment-id=25766428. The weather was settled today, but the overnight forecast is for light rain and light winds with a low of 13

°C, changing to drizzle and a gentle breeze tomorrow with a possibility of sunny intervals in the afternoon, and a high of 21°C.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.42.14 (03.10.05); Nest Two 23.14.17 (03.44.09)

Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/GZ2WrSR3VfI N2 Another early breakfast arrives for Dorcha and the chicks 04.41.26

https://youtu.be/UhaVxXOlh2U N1 Aurora 536’s calls are answered when Garry brings an early fish 07.15.14
Bonus read – article about Captain Knight, the eccentric falconer and former WW1 sniper who attempted to reintroduce ospreys to Loch Arkaig in the 1920s: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/?ht-comment-id=25768953

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/t5fExtS-g24  N1 Louis is in charge and causes chaos 2020

https://youtu.be/5v3mXd8jiP0  N1 Middle chick syndrome? Bob2 pecks mum 2020

https://youtu.be/CJZtoG43aOQ  N1 A Jay (Garrulus glandarius) pays a visit 2021

https://youtu.be/VtqM02uMCck  N2 Careful with that ax, Eugenie 2022

https://youtu.be/0x2UY3d9nEs  N2 OMG littlest chick is in big trouble 2022

https://youtu.be/ZKENudlj1gI  N2 RIP little bob3 15.44 – 19.22 (full version, edited, zoomed) 2022

https://youtu.be/3Tb7ULBiY-w  N2 Are the parents reacting to the loss of their chick? 2022

https://youtu.be/kkV6jT1ddEA N2 Mum keeps watch as chick wanders by the edge 2023

https://youtu.be/XC_XytW-0IA  N1 LV0 yo-yos on and off 2023

https://youtu.be/_FvG707X7z0  N2 Bob’s all alone in a violent rainstorm 2023

https://youtu.be/gYHA-fUukN0  N1 LV0 won’t give Affric his fish and departs with it 2023

https://youtu.be/X670uBiI8vg  N2 Fish number two, whole trout, C1 attacks the others to get all the food 2024

 https://youtu.be/1OrPesmMXjQ  N2 Fish number three, nice big trout, C2 & C3 manage to get some 2024

https://youtu.be/hhe82fYjd5Q  N1 A pair of Redpolls visit 2024 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/6-jk8QhKxbI  N2 Fish number five, huge headless trout, but C1 wants it all 2024

Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 11th June 2025
Another day where there was no drama and the main event was the steady supply of fish. Garry LV0 brought three fish for Aurora, taking his tally to eighty three, but she only got two of them as she was absent when he delivered the third. Over on Nest Two, the chicks started and ended the day with hugely distended crops from Louis’ delivery of a constant supply of fish. He brought five today and his tally rises to one hundred and seventy six. The weather was settled and continues that way with clear skies and light winds overnight – owl weather – and a low of 11°C, and sunny intervals and gentle breezes tomorrow with a high of 22°C.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 00.03.24 (03.11.40); Nest Two 23.22.54 (03.52.11)
Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/6Th1vJv_J_o N2 Louis brings breakfast and leaves 17 seconds later 04.02.15

https://youtu.be/KIt0sZpMeAI N2 Only 23 minutes after the first, Louis brings a second fish   04.25.31https://youtu.be/jYAuAHj0QDE N1 Garry LV0 brings the first fish of the day for Aurora10.20.53 

https://youtu.be/RmV11t5lv_Y N2 Louis brings a third fish and stays to do some housework 11.52.52

https://youtu.be/DTMcyJm41ew N1 Aurora seizes the second fish from Garry and they both leave 15.04.49

https://youtu.be/062cWZOy6po N2 Dorcha receives a nice big whole trout, fourth fish today 16.47.47https://youtu.be/TOESTSDJ1ZM N1 Garry LV0 brings a third fish but Aurora’s not there 17.16.38 https://youtu.be/CwYJ_9St9Cw N2 Late night fish supper is eagerly received 22.48.24
Bonus read – Woodland Trust update The State of Woods and Trees report

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/state-of-uk-woods-and-trees

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/tegK6JTrCqE  N1 Louis brings a log and promptly loses it overboard (2019)

https://youtu.be/I40hGDuk6ow  N1 Aila leaves and the bobs take lumps out of each other (2019)

https://youtu.be/G5ccJ8SQQZU  N1 Feisty bob3 gives bigger sibling what for (2020)

https://youtu.be/nRL8UTESZPU N1 Pecking order: bob1 takes on the younger two (2020)

https://youtu.be/vrFI8LKkzXg  N1 Louis has a little chat with Aila (2020)

https://youtu.be/z_4B96iW9Q8  N2 Breakfast for the bobs, little bob gets a share (2022)

https://youtu.be/lPoCS6I2HjA  N2 Bob3 faces the wrong way again but eventually gets fed (2022)

https://youtu.be/dP2-EKmSSGY  N2 Dorcha clouts the chick with a stick then stands on it! 2023

https://youtu.be/XKmwGghcGkQ  N1 Affric rejects LV0 and sends him for fish 2023

https://youtu.be/NWUgq_YJ63s  N2 Fish number three, season’s first mackerel 2023

https://youtu.be/HiKXdWuQ6Vs  N2 Fish number one, and a fight breaks out 2024

https://youtu.be/qnuJM6ufSEY N2 Chicks do housework while Dorcha preens 2024

https://youtu.be/w_n5eC7_3Fo N2 Hello Louis – where’s our fish? 2024

https://youtu.be/DMs71z6YJYE  N2 C2 attacks the other two while Dorcha screams at Louis 2024

https://youtu.be/O_dw1p-GGTE  N2 Louis departs after being told off 2024

https://youtu.be/npYHeJjqMRs N2 Full unedited sequence 21.25 – 21.41 from Louis’ arrival to his departure 2024

Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig  Tuesday 10th June 2025  

The weather was mainly settled today, but there were several intruder alerts causing alarm, although only on one occasion was a culprit seen on camera in the distance. Dorcha carefully removed the body of little chick3 from the nest, having a good nibble on it before she did so, and presumably the rest of it made a good meal for other forest denizens. After a busy morning repelling intruders, Louis delivered three fish taking his tally to one hundred and seventy one, while Dorcha delivered chaos by bringing various unsuitable and / or pointy sticks to the nest, and her day ended with being decorated by one of the chicks. It was calmer over on Nest One, Garry LV0 brought two fish for Aurora, taking his tally to eighty, but she still urges him to leave her alone to eat in peace. Tonight’s forecast is dry with light cloud and light winds and a low of 9°C, and the dry weather continues tomorrow with sunny intervals, gentle breezes, and a high of 21°C.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.50.11 (03.21.09) ; Nest Two  23.12.15 (03.55.50)
Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/59sdGTP1GyM N2 Graphic warning: Dorcha nibbles the body of chick3 before removing it 05.13.00

https://youtu.be/h0-_12kbYtM N2 Breakfast is a little late as Louis has been chasing intruders 09.11.35https://youtu.be/9Nn6Fcg-nGw N2 Compilation clip of three nest furnishing incidents! 11.57;15.33; 17.23https://youtu.be/KQqxltNVaQc N2 Louis delivers a big trout for lunch, second fish today 12.22.22   

https://youtu.be/tIpNLQPY30g N1 Garry brings a fish for Aurora then stays despite her shouts 14.05.04

https://youtu.be/oDHpn2dYK7U N1 Garry LV0 brings an early fish supper 18.49.51

https://youtu.be/ekh1Ru4dsMs N2 Louis delivers a fish supper and stays to watch it being eaten 21.20.57

https://youtu.be/cGmrsfunqfc N2 Mum takes no notice of being decorated by one of the chicks 23.57.25

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/y6Xv5QjmtT4  N1 Eeek! Aila nearly throws bob3 out of the nest 2020 (slo-mo)

https://youtu.be/Er2bFIWVR3E  N1 Aila only just avoids bashing the bobs with huge logs 2020

https://youtu.be/eBk3mIRU_bc  N1 Bob3 rides the slippery slope of the fish to get a mouthful or two 2020

https://youtu.be/te0rHGZfiWo  N2 Pesky crow harasses Dorcha 2022

https://youtu.be/zEmjQK41hzI  N2 Sudden gust forces Dorcha to do an involuntary headstand 2022

https://youtu.be/5i2j1JmAauY  N2 Little bob3 finally gets a bit of fish 2022

https://youtu.be/5-rYbkudNYU N2 Size matters –  little bird visits Dorcha 2023

https://youtu.be/aFW075n_WWQ  N1 LV0 brings Affric a fish 2023

https://youtu.be/7W_NxX2pt0I  N1 Affric doesn’t want to mate with LV0 and leaves quickly 2023 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/Z-iI78_2FH4   N2 Louis helps sort out the cot rails now that the chick is more active 2023

https://youtu.be/x-dM1-WszI0  N2 Tempers fray as the chicks have to wait for the first fish 2024

https://youtu.be/QVM9Tn8MxMo N2 Big chick attacks C3 during feeding 2024

https://youtu.be/teeOKym65Nw N2 Fish number two, flatfish, everyone queues up nicely, no fighting 2024

Big Bear Eagles: SK Hideaways caught the entire family having dinner together! https://youtu.be/iJatrHcq8Cw?

Heidi’s Osprey News!

Curlews eavesdrop on prairie dogs. Really?

Crafty curlews: birds eavesdrop on prairie dog calls to evade predatorshttps://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/jun/12/prairie-dog-calls-curlews-predators?CMP=share_btn_url

I want to end with a big smile – Bradley, Kasse, and yes, our dear Ervie with a puffer fish from Port Lincoln!!!!!!!!!!

The American Bird Conservancy’s Bird of the Week is the Black-crested Titmouse. Learn more here.

Black-crested Titmouse – American Bird ConservancyDownload

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. We hope you have a lovely weekend and we will look forward to having you with us on Monday.

I would like to express my gratitude to Geemeff, Heidi, and PB for their notes and comments, as well as their daily and weekly reports, which greatly assisted me in writing my post. I also want to thank the owners of the streaming cameras for the nests mentioned in bold. It is truly amazing to witness their lives, with all the highs and lows. I am thankful to those who take the time to create videos for us to enjoy, including Cornell Bird Lab, SK Hideaways and Geemeff. If I have overlooked anyone, I apologize. Additionally, I would like to thank The Guardian for its excellent wildlife reporting and the American Bird Conservancy.

Friday in Bird World

6 June 2025

Hello Everyone!

On Wednesday afternoon, we looked up and saw blue skies – a first in days where the sun was masked by heavy heavy haze from the wildfires. All of the citizens from at least two communities have been evacuated and any animals left behind are being fed and evacuated if they are fit enough. Many groups are stepping up to help those who have lost everything but a suitcase of items and maybe a dear pet. Hockey arenas have been taken over and community centers to house and exercise the pets. This is a blessing. Our City is rallying and collecting clothes and toiletries and pet food. It is making me proud.

The fires continue to grow. CBC News: https://youtu.be/dV9fEjyDKq4?

In our garden, six baby European Starlings have fledged. The adults were feeding them, and tonight they had them at the big table feeder, eating various items – small bits of cheesy dog treats, chopped peanuts, cat and dog kibble, as well as various seeds.

This photo was taken with an iphone through 3 panes of dirty glass. Those babies are cute! They are growing so fast and eating lots of finely chopped cheesy dogs and kibble – the bowls get filled at least 4 times a day!

You can see four – three at the table and one in the tree to the right. There are two more on the wire above the feeder so all six made it through the first days! So happy.

Toby is very tired. We bought a small 14″ push mower and Toby was just so excited! We cleared off the only spot of grass in the back in order to fix him a little pen so he can be smelling and moving and not on a lead when we are weeding and watering. I could fix the holes in the old fence but it would mean that Brock could not get into the garden so this is a good alternative.

Toby with his favourite stick. He loves to play fetch and there is a long area in the house that is perfect for this!

Hugo Yugo will be having her dental surgery on Wednesday the 11th. It already makes my mouth hurt! Poor little girl.

Hope is sound asleep in the small enclosed space at the base of the cat tree while Hugo Yugo is at the top. It is hard to see her. Maybe she is hiding from Toby!

It is another mixed bag of news in Bird World.

The only surviving osplet of the Red Kite attack in Germany is alive. Zeus and Fjona at Goitzsche-Wildnis are very diligent about keeping this one as safe as they can.

At Sauces, Betty Lou has been coming home and enjoying many big fish dinners. She can mantle spreading across that entire nest to protect her snack!

Please note that the IWS still has its Adoption Challenge going and I am ever so happy that last year one of my long-time readers on Bird World got to name one of Thunder and Akecheta’s eaglets! It could be you this year.

Gizmo has still not fledged but was so delighted when Sunny returned to the nest tree at Big Bear Valley. A few of the news agencies that carried this fledge at Big Bear! The fledglings are international stars now, too. Not just Jackie and Shadow.

ABC news has this return to the nest: https://youtu.be/cRHjmQq76aA?

Fly High Eagles got that reunion on video: https://youtu.be/tXG_5e3N_cc?

The first fledge, Sunny taking to the skies, continues to make the news. Here is FOX News 5: https://youtu.be/C75RVfJTX30?

NBCLA’s coverage: https://youtu.be/qmflp4BEO1k?

Some sad news coming from the UK:

At the Dyfi Osprey Project, Idris brought in a huge mullet for the family. They are doing well – Idris is an amazing provider and Telyn is just like her mother, Maya, fantastic.

Idris continues with his delivery of hugh fish for Telyn and the trio.

All four osplets of CJ7 and Blue 022 are alive and doing well at Poole Harbour.

 Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 5th June 2025

Once again Aurora 536 spent many hours on Nest One, waiting quietly, and her patience was rewarded when Garry LV0 brought her a fish. That fish takes his tally to seventy one. On Nest Two Louis just kept bringing fish, five today, and the fifth one takes his tally to one hundred and fifty for the season. The smallest chick seems to have worked out strategies for feeding times, and was front and centre during several feedings. All three chicks ended the day with bulging golf ball crops, but that didn’t stop chick1 suddenly attacking chick2, and later chick 2 unwisely retaliated and paid the price. Chick3 very wisely ducked down and let them get on with it, as did Dorcha, who watched but didn’t intervene. She was busy bringing cot rails including one with a sharply pointed end and had some difficulty choosing a suitable place to put it. She succeeded only for Louis to come along later and move it! It rained during the night and earlier today but not as much as forecast. Light rain and light winds are forecast for tomorrow and overnight tonight, with a low of 7°C and a high of 15°C. 
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.50.46 (03.23.17); Nest Two 23.06.45 (04.01.17)
Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/b_Djl6ySh8w N2 Chick3 moves in front of chicks 1&2 to get a good feed 06.39.56https://youtu.be/7rxHzjOTrWw N2 Chick3 moves around and gets a good share of the second fish 10.36.10https://youtu.be/ok_po0c7qNs N2 Chick2 unwisely retaliates and picks a fight with dino chick1 12.35.17https://youtu.be/58FdzKDL7Tc N2 Dorcha brings an unwieldy pointy stick 16.23.36https://youtu.be/rZnavAZfoA4 N1 Aurora’s calls are answered when Garry brings a fish 17.09.05https://youtu.be/__WBMKkPcMM N2 Louis arrives blood stained but it’s only fish3’s blood 18.21.53https://youtu.be/ktznutwuAms N2 Late night snack arrives – fish number four 22.04.00

https://youtu.be/rLDro-_QC_8 N2  Fish number five and 150 for the season 22.26.39

Bonus volunteering opportunity – Woodland Trust needs you! See all available opportunities:

https://volunteer.woodlandtrust.org.uk/opportunities

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/rlUnUXa24BU  N1 Aila feeds her two hungry Osplets 2019

https://youtu.be/Jgv4_LgJacE  N1 Aila tenderly removes her dead chick 2019

https://youtu.be/UvBT6LNkeqk  N1 Louis manages to hang on to a huge flapping fish 2020

https://youtu.be/tm_Fd4XZmNQ  N1 Media darlings: the nest stars on BBC Springwatch 2020 

https://youtu.be/rNKS4HKn524 N2 NEWS! The third chick has hatched! 2022

https://youtu.be/wOLzeoXHIPI  N2 Oh no! Newest chick falls over and struggles to right itself 2022 (zoom) 

https://youtu.be/gqBX67I9MVs  N2 Concern grows as newest chick falls over again 2022

https://youtu.be/ynl9WmokWA8 N2 Louis brings season’s early breakfast with night cam still on 2023

https://youtu.be/SgfJ6WGRqU4   N1 Prince brings a fish but Affric loses it 2023 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/Jj95e3kdzgc   N1 LV0 and Affric getting cosy nestorising and preening 2023

https://youtu.be/xY5Gz9y9pNo N2 Dorcha takes a comfort break while Louis waits with fish number one 2024

https://youtu.be/NTrbIIoS2sY  N2 Chicks 1 & 2 fight, C3 ducks, mum watches 2024

https://youtu.be/Swd_38z9Td4  N1 Garry LV0 pays a late evening visit 2024 (zoom)

You’re invited to join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 4th June 2025

Business as usual today – Aurora 536 spent a lot of time on Nest One and Garry LV0 brought her a fish. Later he swooped past carrying a second fish but kept going leaving Aurora calling in vain. His tally rises by one to seventy. The family on Nest Two are all doing very well, Louis brought two fish raising his tally to one hundred and forty five and Dorcha shared them out leaving the chicks ending the day with golf ball size stuffed crops. The wind wasn’t as strong as predicted for today and is forecast to remain light until Sunday. It will be wet overnight with a low of 6°C and wet throughout tomorrow with a high of 13°C, in fact rain is forecast for the next week. 
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.25.30 (03.20.47); Nest Two 22.54.18 (03.57.46)
Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/MceHgqGGgUc N2 Littlest bob gets a good feed from the first fish 06.16.09https://youtu.be/LhJ1YYzvrDA  N1 Garry brings Aurora a well-munched trout 10.29.37 https://youtu.be/hedalV1YC1c N1 Aurora wants Garry’s fish but he swoops past and keeps going 14.25.34 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/T8W1JqTjix8 N2 The chicks line up in size order when fish two arrives 17.06.28

Bonus read – Osprey v Eagle digestive systems:

Digestive Anatomy

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/19Gf0Iu9Xzo  N1 Feeding time and all three bobs get a share 2020

https://youtu.be/zMbgjWURVL4  N1 Littlest bob gets an exclusive feed 2020

https://youtu.be/BklMKNWOzVY  N1 Sneaky Louis steals Aila’s stash 2020

https://youtu.be/N8ToynUSt60  N1 Aila is surprised by a Willow Warbler 2020 (slo-mo)

https://youtu.be/V72CuYsuVEI  N2 Dorcha does DIY thanks to Louis 2022

https://youtu.be/7HQERAee5ew N2 Is the third chick on the way? 2022

https://youtu.be/zdGmzi6KXmQ  N1 Affric & Prince visit  2023

https://youtu.be/3c3p3n4sfTo  N2 Second fish is the first pike 2023

https://youtu.be/C7KLxQlvvZE  N1 Prince brings Affric a pike 2023

https://youtu.be/uoZxHqusZ3Y  N1 Unringed intruders divebomb Affric  2023

https://youtu.be/gSOp_1UMHEY N2 Weather’s still bad but Louis brings fish number two 10.01.37 

https://youtu.be/t-i9WHKicEA  N2 Bob3 wisely ducks down and lets the older two get on with it, Mum just watches 2024

Why not come and join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 3rd June 2025
Apart from some noisy gusts of wind and the odd non-threatening intruder alert, today was fairly routine. Everybody got fed – four fish for Dorcha on Nest Two and one fish for Aurora 536 on Nest One – and the chicks ended the day with bulging golf ball crops. Garry LV0’s tally rises to sixty nine, and Louis’ to one hundred  and forty three. The weather was wet and windy as forecast, changing to drizzle and a gentle breeze overnight with a low of 

5°C, and light rain showers and a moderate breeze tomorrow with a high of 11 °C.Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.52.43 (03.21.04); Nest Two 22.50.40 (04.00.58)
Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/W6s8zOwX7-k   N2 Home alone chicks in quicktime 02.53 – 03.00 https://youtu.be/–NG_Z6RU-M  N2 Season’s earliest breakfast arrives 03.39.15 https://youtu.be/Z7MgJ2PDjgQ  N2 Second breakfast arrives and Louis sticks around while the chicks are fed 08.48.29 

https://youtu.be/zFtBedllEzE  N1 Aurora grabs the fish and tells Garry to leave 08.58.46https://youtu.be/wRnQq_QXtR8  N2 The gusting wind doesn’t stop fish number three being fed to the chicks 19.53.35  https://youtu.be/vnYqbvwP4QE  N2 Littlest chick makes sure of a good share of fish number four 21.33.56 Bonus watch – all the highlights of the season to date on Woodland Trust’s YouTube channel

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/YCIj4Favinc  N1 Chick Chick Chick! Third Osplet hatches! 2020

https://youtu.be/b1KUQjFXyZw  N1 A good look at all three chicks 2020

https://youtu.be/-LyppnxdIvo  N1 Simultaneous feeding of the chicks by both parents 2020

https://youtu.be/j3jA0FV2U9E  N1 The family stars on BBC Breakfast 2020

https://youtu.be/R7HdSkERuGU  N1 Louis drops a stick on Aila 2020

https://youtu.be/VOt1I51zEv0  N1 Aila shows off her impressive ballet moves 2020

https://youtu.be/zSitgPiYMKE  N2 Littlest chick falls over and struggles to right itself 2022 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/cxivipxUDHQ  N2 Louis bashes Dorcha with a wet fish 2022 (slo-mo)

https://youtu.be/r5yWobFb6Ts  N2 Prelude to sunset 2022 (timelapse Classic Ospreys: Bach)

https://youtu.be/PZqOjIYBNr8  N2 Another owl attack on Dorcha 2022 (slo-mo)

https://youtu.be/aMpRdGWmD64  N2 First fish returns and bob gets another feed 2023

https://youtu.be/N3wO7-U4rz4  N2 Is that the egg or chick making a noise? 2023

https://youtu.be/IFhzO5KsdL8 N2 Littlest chick refuses to be bullied 2024

https://youtu.be/Doxi8HRjEro  N1 RAF jets overfly the nests – Dorcha notes but stays put 2024 (zoom) 

https://youtu.be/BDO2TT57j_8  N2 Fish number two, whole colourful trout 2024

https://youtu.be/2YM6p3Jri_E  N1 Garry LV0 drops in 2024Why not come and join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s 

friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

The news from Tweed Valley is not good, if you missed it. The nest 2 had Mrs O, an experienced female osprey, and another female and a male named New Guy. New Guy went MIA from the nest and the new female did bring in a single fish as their four eggs hatched. The first three were Mrs O’s and the last the new female. Sadly, all of the osplets died when mothering behaviour did not lead to fishing behaviour.

At Glaslyn, it seems Teifi is finding all the good fishing spots. Let’s hope he turns out to be a good provider for Elen next year.

Rutland’s Manton Bay: All four chicks are doing well. Little four got some fish. Dad came in with another big one but Maya had the kids already quiet and in bed.

Llyn Brenig: The second chick has hatched!

Foulshaw Moss: Some bonking is taking place.

Kielder Forest: A returnee to their natal nest. Wow. They used the word amazing. With only a small percentage of the osplets that fledge returning as two years old, this is something to celebrate.

One of the blog chatters says, “I never cease to be amazed by the inherent navigation skills of wild creatures. Not only did IB7 find his own way to West Africa, with no parental help, but two years on he returns to the very nest where he hatched. And most human beings cannot reach an address a few miles away, without satnav!”

Just amazing! _ Kielder OspreysDownload

Moorings Park: Fledgling Ozzie comes in and gets a late dinner on Thursday.

Trio at Pitkin County. Look at that sweet little third hatch getting right up there for some fish.

San Jose City Hall: ‘PB’ sends some images and a note: “Chico and Emma being playful on the roof tonight. Look at the size difference and colors. Chico smaller and darker compared to Emma.”

Chichester Peregrines: The two little eyases were ringed on 2nd of June and determined to be female!

Chichester Peregrines Newsletter No6Download

I wrote to the Greens Ledge Light Preservation Society about their ospreys. I received this response: “We just saw the first hatching this morning – at least 2. There were 3 eggs in total. The late-May Noreaster brought some wave action into the nest briefly during the worst of it, but avoided major impacts. The upgraded nest (as of last season) held it all together. We were very happy to see the little heads poking out this morning. The nest live camera isn’t optimally perfectly – the eggs have been just out of frame – but we’ll see more action shortly as the babies emerge and start walking around the nest. https://savegreensledge.org/osprey-cam“.

Steelscape Ospreys:

Charlo Montana: Pip Watch is coming soon.

Hellgate Canyon: Iris was on the nest on Wednesday. She looks great! The New Guy has been bringing her fish. I hope both return next year, and New Guy keeps Louis away so there can be other osplets on this nest!

Lots of in and outs on Thursday, too. New Guy will fly in with his fish gift and Iris will remove it to eat it.

Boulder Fair Grounds: A cold front appeared to come through the area on Wednesday evening and the third hatch was exposed and not under Mum and perished. All had been well fed. There are two surviving chicks.

The weather on late Thursday is wet and cooler again. Poor babies. I hope these two survive.

Longmont, Colorado: The third hatch died Wednesday night of hypothermia.

Allin’s Cove East: There is at least one little osplet that has hatched. You can barely see it on the left of this short video: https://youtu.be/0O7AQ_MnPjc?

Wolf Bay, Alabama: ​​The trio are growing. They have beautiful juvenile plumage. The oldest is 45 days, the middle is 44, and the third is 42. This nest has done well this year! There is still some time before fledge!

Cornell Red-tail Hawks, Ithaca: Big Red and Arthur’s O’s are working their legs walking around that nest, which must be very difficult. They are starting to flap their wings, too! These two are so cute.

Big Red sleeping and protecting her babies.

Look at the beautiful ‘peach’ on the breasts of these Os and their lovely feathers that are coming in. These two images show you the difference in size.

Cornell Bird Lab caught the flapping: https://youtu.be/Yjr5hDrrlgw?

Saaksilvie #1: Can you find the newly hatched osplet?

Saaksilvie #3: Incubation and egg rolling. Hatch expected soon.

Saaksilvie #4: Two of the three eggs of Nuppu have hatched so far! This nest was the home of the first osprey to hatch in Finland for the 2025 season on 1 June. Here it is on Nesting Bird Life and More’s video: https://youtu.be/yDF4ZYsy-Uc?

And now there are three osplets!

Saaksilvie #5: No one is home.

Janakkalan: Incubation continues. The egg cup is so deep that it is impossible to see the number of eggs or any piping.

Paltamo: Three eggs are being incubated. Dad brings in a nice fish for Mum so she can have a break after a long incubation period.

Muonio: Eggs being incubated. Again, it is so difficult to see how many are in the nest.

Norway: Two really healthy osplets! They hatched on May 31 and June 2. Their Mum is Fru Rauer.

Carthage Ospreys: The only surviving osplet on the nest is doing well. At least three fish of various sizes came in on Thursday.

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: Only one egg left in the nest. ‘MP’ tells me that the cold wet weather of a week ago, caused one egg to get kicked to the side of the nest with a second sticking to the breast feathers of Mum. It rolled back to the egg cup and was buried.

Mlade Buky: Bety, Bukachec and two storklets.

Trempeauleau Eagles: Mum did it. Look at T3. Surely nothing can stop this amazing little miracle from fledging.

Denton Homes: All three still on the nest.

Sad news accompanied by the warmth of human kindness at a stork nest: “OUR WONDERFUL KROPECZKA UNFORTUNATELY PASSED AWAY … 💔 The wonderful hostess of the main nest in Klekusiów, the most wonderful stork mother and perfect partner, had an accident and despite the best care of specialist doctors, our Beloved Kropeczka unfortunately passed away! 😭 Kleks was left alone, taking care of three tiny chicks, but we believe that with the help of a very good Guardian – the Host of Klekusiów, he will manage to raise all three and at the end of the season the youngsters will go to the wintering grounds! 💖👍

Alukin’s video of the nest: https://youtu.be/n5j5NiFLrC4?

Milda and Zorro’s White-tail Eagle nest, Latvia: The two chicks are almost ready for fledge and neither is hesitant to fight over prey deliveries! https://youtu.be/n5j5NiFLrC4?

Golden Eagles in Estonia: Liznm brings us up to date (the date of the banding was 4 June): “The eaglet was banded yesterday . Since then, Helju has stayed away Kalju takes care of the eaglet. He brought a small bird. The eaglet pulled another prey from under the hay! A furry animal.it managed to eat some of it. it looks like a part of a fox puppy – the back part with legs and tail.” https://youtu.be/bCf0pQo5z8g?

Golden Eagle in Latvia: Spilve feeding her surviving chick in the rain.

Black Storks, Lodz, Poland: Doing well!

Lovely video by B Isia: https://youtu.be/l_rQAyn-6oU?

Over the years, you have likely heard me express my frustration with the attitude of humans towards wildlife more than once. Well, who in the world believes that poison of any kind is a good thing? Sticking paper? Seriously. Well, it now appears that the oldest breeding White-tailed Eagle in Ireland has been poisoned! Since raptors don’t produce poison or put it out to kill animals, then it had to be some mean two-legged idiot!

Ireland’s oldest breeding white-tailed eagle feared poisoned – Raptor Persecution UKDownload

We continue to have wildfires. The Narwhal looked at what caused them.

What causes wildfires in Canada? | The NarwhalDownload

Many of written to find out if ‘The Girls’ are still getting their story time. Yes, they are. It has taken me some time to find quality books on birds that I wanted to purchase this year. In past years, we have had stacks of books to read. We have gone back and read some old favourites. Now I can tell you that our reader ‘J’ from Germany suggested a wonderful book, BirdNote. Chirps, Quirks, and Stories of 100 Birds from the Popular Public Radio Show. It arrived yesterday and we will have a review for you in next Friday’s post! I can already tell you that Calico quite likes it!!!!!!!! Thanks, ‘J’ for this great recommendation.

Thank you so very much for being with us today. We are delighted that you are here and that you care so much about our feathered friends! Take care. We hope that you can be with us on Monday when the next blog will be posted.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, articles, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, J, J, MP, PB’, CBC, Goitzsche-Wildnis, IWS/Explore, ABC, Fly High Eagles, Fox News 5, NBCLA, RSPB Scotland, Dyfi Osprey Project, BoPH, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Jeff Kear, UK Osprey Info and Tweed Valley Ospreys, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, LRWT, Llyn Brenig, Kielder Ospreys, Moorings Park Ospreys, Pitkin County Ospreys, San Jose Falcons, Janet Shaw and chichester Falcons, Greens Ledge Light Preservation Society, Pam Breci, Joy of Ospreys, Steelscape Ospreys, Raptor Research Institute, Montana Osprey Project, Boulder Fair Grounds, Anderson Moor and Longmont, Colorado ospreys, Allins Cove East Ospreys, Cornell Bird Lab Cams RTH, Saaksilvie 1, 4, and 5 osprey nests, Finnish Osprey Foundation, DDTC, MN Landscape Arboretum Ospreys, Mlade Buky Capi, Trempeauleau Eagle Cam, Alukin, LDF, Liznm, Lodz Black Storks, B Isia, Raptor Persecution UK, The Narwal, Cumbria Wildlife Trust

Monday in Bird World

2 June 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

I have added the latest news that I have received at the top. It’s great to be back with you. I trust that you have been keeping up with your favourite nests and have an eye on Sunny and Gizmo. They are going to fly this week.

I have received staggering news from our monitor VV living in Maryland. They have 15 osprey nests within sight of their porch. This is yesterday’s report. When you finish reading it, I want you to educate yourselves. Join the good folks at Menhaden- Little Fish, Big Deal FB page and find out why ospreys are starving in the Chesapeake. Then I want you to write everyone you know to stop the industrial fishing of Menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay. It could be too late. For several years, the osplets have been dying. There is no one to replace the adults once they die or leave the area. They are going extinct, faster than DDT killed them, due to one company – Omega and that company is Canadian. It makes me furious as a Canadian.

VV writes: ” I wish I had a shred of good osprey news for you. But I have not. Many nests were incubating but nearly simultaneously nests were abandoned, some osprey have returned after gulls and crows cleaned out their eggs.  Some have not returned. Two unpaired males I know by name abandoned their nests a good week before the pairs left. Those without eggs quit mating and they, too, left their nests. I guess a food issue, males no longer able to provide and females having to fish for themselves to survive.

It all happened within a matter of a week, a week and a half. It happened last year after chicks hatched but all died in early July. A second year of no fledglings.

Another observer on the island continues to see eagles stealing ospreys’ food. And the osprey behavior toward eagles is muted to non-existent this year. As little as two years back the entire creek full of osprey would leave their nests to chase an eagle passing overhead. Osprey ignore them entirely this year. The osprey grow silent when the eagles fly across the creek.”

This was the largest area for Osprey. Heidi and I have seen a steady decline and I believe a few years ago I predicted that there would be no osprey in the area in 3-4 years. I am beyond sad. I am angry that humans take money and profit takes over the quality of life for everyone on our planet. What happens in the Bay impacts all of us.

The UK and the Roy Dennis Foundation know what extinction of raptors looks like. In comparison to what is happening in Maryland and the neighbouring states of the Chesapeake Bay, the very first osprey has hatched in the USK Valley (think south Wales) in 250 years! Congratulations.

A HISTORIC FIRST HATCHING — Usk Valley OspreysDownload

Llyn Brenig did have its hatch!

It is also expected to start raining on Monday morning in Winnipeg. Outside, it smells like a campfire. The fires continue to rage, people are being evacuated, and there are areas where only a helicopter can access. There are so many fires burning that there are not enough helicopters. I hope private companies are helping.

I am starting to write Friday evening. We have just finished watering the garden plants. The air is acrid. The sky is hazy. You might think you were in the middle of hundreds of car tyres burning. I cannot even imagine what it is like for those on the front lines fighting the fires in northern and eastern Manitoba (or other parts of Canada). It is 29 C.

While others are caring for the people in the towns and villages under threat, there is the wildlife that makes their late spring and summer homes in our province. Imagine hundreds of raptor nests with chicks and the fires burning. The adults can fly if they do not get ‘smoke inhalation’ and hopefully get to safety. Those chicks cannot fly. There are still many issues trying to rescue more than 17,000 people. They are leaving with nothing. If they are lucky they can bring their pets. One of the problems when they get to my city with those beloved pets is that the hotels are not allowing them inside! I find that incredibly ‘mean’. We are fortunate to have a few agencies that are rescuing the dogs and cats that had to be turned out on the streets. They will provide care and food for them and return them to their owners when it is convenient for the owners. I hope they can find the owners. So many of the pets might not be tattooed or have a microchip. Many of us are busy collecting toiletries and clothes as well as pet food for these unfortunate people. Can you imagine losing absolutely everything?While many are dedicated to helping the people in towns and villages facing danger, we must not forget the wildlife that calls our province home during late spring and summer. Picture this: hundreds of raptor nests filled with helpless chicks, surrounded by raging fires. The adult birds may be able to escape if they avoid smoke inhalation, but the chicks are unable to fly.

Simultaneously, we are confronted with the daunting task of rescuing over 17,000 individuals who are fleeing with nothing but the clothes on their backs. If they are fortunate, some can bring their cherished pets along. Yet, upon arriving in my city, they face a heartbreaking reality—many hotels refuse to accept pets. This is utterly unjust.

Thankfully, a handful of compassionate agencies are stepping up to rescue the dogs and cats abandoned in the streets. They are providing much-needed care and food for these animals, with the hope of reuniting them with their owners when the time is right. However, many pets lack identification tattoos or microchips, complicating the rescue efforts.

In the meantime, many of us are rallying together to gather toiletries, clothing, and pet food for these displaced individuals. Can you imagine what it feels like to lose absolutely everything? We must come together to support them in their time of need.

Menhaden overfishing has significantly disrupted the ecosystem in the Chesapeake Bay, leading tof whales and dolphins several years ago. Additionally, striped bass are starving and turning to crabs for food, leaving ospreys without the necessary sustenance. I have mentioned this to you before: overfishing causes widespread disruptions. In Ireland, for example, similar overfishing issues are driving whales and dolphins away. I wonder what the long-term outlook is for the ospreys that are beginning to breed there.

‘Nothing left’: Irish whale-watching company closes amid ‘overfishing’https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/30/irish-whale-watching-company-ends-tours-on-south-atlantic-coast-and-blames-overfishing?CMP=share_btn_url

Other news comes from Arctic research showing that birds lived with the polar bears in an area of Alaska more than 74 million years ago. “Researchers believe their discovery of more than 50 bird fossils from the Prince Creek formation in Alaska is the oldest evidence of birds nesting in polar regions, pushing back the date by more than 25m years.”

Birds were nesting in the Arctic during age of dinosaurs, scientists discoverhttps://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/may/29/birds-were-nesting-in-the-arctic-during-age-of-dinosaurs-scientists-discover?CMP=share_btn_url

Heidi has a good report for us on the US osprey nests she is monitoring:

Osoyoos:  Soo and Olsen bonded after their return from migration, however after some battles at the end of April, a new male took over. Two of their three eggs were laid after Olsen was no longer seen, but the new male destroyed all three of those eggs.  A new egg was laid on 5/30.  I believe the female is Soo.  Comparing photos, she looks like the same female for the past 4 seasons, but some believe it is a new female.  The new male is a big fellow, and he has a very large dark crown mark and a necklace.  This new clutch may not be a good thing.  In the past, the ospreys have had difficulty finding fish during the heat, and now they may be trying to raise chicks a month later than previous years.

Patuxent River Park Nest 2:  After the cam was offline for 9 days, two of the three osplets were missing.  It appeared as though the oldest one was the only chick in the nest.  We have been told that the other two chicks blew off the nest during a storm. But, I suspect that the park staff may not really know what happened to those two chicks, and we can’t rule out the possibility predation.

Dewey Beach Lions Club osprey nest:  Things were going very well for this family of two osplets… until a few days of wind and rain spoiled the fishing. Then chick 1 became aggressive. When the weather improved, Mom supplemented Dad’s fish, and even the past 2 days when there were 9 fish, and 6 fish, chick 1 would not let chick 2 eat.  The fish Mom and Dad were catching were on the small side.  They never caught that really big fish that would have allowed chick 2 a chance to have a good meal.  Little 2 died on 6/1, at 16 days of age.

Thanks, Heidi!

The news that has come to my inbox is mixed – osplets dying by the nestfuls while others are thriving. Betty Lou has fledged and returned to the nest, where she was rewarded with a giant fish. Jak and Audacity know how to raise ‘children’. Let us hope that the circumstances come together so that they can do this again in 2026!

BUNDGoitzsche-Wildnis: “Red kites are fast and skilled hunters. When an attack occurs very suddenly, the adults often have only a fraction of a second to react. Furthermore, wild animals instinctively weigh up whether a defense could endanger their own life or the remaining clutch of eggs. We suspect that the adults were taken by surprise and didn’t recognize the danger. They have been breeding successfully on this eyrie for so many years now, although they have never been threatened by red kites before; perhaps there is simply no strategy for dealing with it.

June 1, 2025: A red kite takes a second chick from the nest.

May 26, 2025: Drama for the ospreys: a red kite comes while the chicks are being fed and steals a chick from the nest. The attack lasts only seconds.”

White Rock Eagles: It appears that the male may be providing some assistance. The two eaglets, Miracle and Phenom, are doing well. Their crops are about to pop. Sweet little babies. Another miracle and a fish fairy. Love it! https://youtu.be/BvEHLnh-Wh4?

Dyfi Osprey Project: Telyn and Idris are doing a fine job with their triplets. They are kept warm and nicely fed.

Rutland Manton Bay: The fourth hatch is tiny. We wait to see if it will survive. Blue 33 has fish in the largest freshwater lake in Europe at Rutland Water and he is an excellent fisher and provider. The pair have raised several clutches of four. Fingers crossed. Blue 33 spent a lot of time on Sunday on the nest with Maya and the four kiddos.

Foulshaw Moss: Little Three gets right up there to eat. White YW and Blue 35 have raised nests where there were two quite larger chicks and a tiny one and all three fledged. Indeed, the third hatch in 2021 became the dominant on the nest!

Birds of Poole Harbour: Blue 022 and CJ7 raised four to fledge in 2024, to the shock of everyone. Looks like they are going to do it again this year. I wonder if they might become another ‘Super’ Couple like Blue 33 and Maya at Rutland? Or maybe this pair could beat Rutland’s record!

Family Portrait.

Llyn Brenig: We’re on hatch watch week!

Llyn Clywedog: Dylan is keeping the fish coming in despite some inclement weather. The chicks are doing well and Seren is being the perfect Mum.

Tweed Valley: The two females now have four osplets to raise between them. The male, New Guy, has not been around and it is understood that he is not assisting the ‘women’ in any way. The first three eggs to hatch belonged to Mrs O, an experienced female, while the fourth hatch belongs to the new female at the nest. The females do not seem to care whose is whose – they are happy to bring in fish to share between them. An incredible display of cooperation and another one of those miracles from this year that we must enjoy.

Glaslyn: Everyone loves Aran. He was not seen for the past five days. The weather in Wales was horrible. Well, to the delight of everyone, Aran came out and was seen on Sunday. Fabulous. He was enjoying the sunshine that finally came out.

Loch of the Lowes: Raining on Saturday. The female incubates the remaining egg for this new couple, taking the place of Laddie LM12 and Blue NC0.

Alyth: The camera is down, but there is evidence that Harry and Flora are feeding at least one chick on the nest. Thanks, Jeff Kear, UK Osprey Info, and VG for checking and reporting.

West Midlands Ringing Group:

MNSA Oceanside Ospreys: Three chicks on the nest. Cold weather event occured on the 23/24 of May. Little three could not fit under Mum and died of hypothermia. The feeding on the 24th without little 3: https://youtu.be/RGwYSUptOqA?

Loch Arkaig:

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 1st June 2025

Today saw the return of Garry LV0 to Nest One, although to Aurora’s disappointment, he arrived with empty talons. Later when Aurora was alone on the nest, she was disturbed by a Raven’s kronking as it did a fly-by, and flew off to chase it away. Over on Nest Two, Louis continues to provide plenty of fish – four today, taking his tally to one hundred and thirty six. The second fish was a little tiddler that vanished in three minutes, and Louis was instructed to get more, if that’s how we can interpret Dorcha’s reaction. He returned an hour later with a fish so massive, it travelled on and off the nest providing several meals as it went. He is very strong to be able to lift such a big fish out of the water which bodes well for the continued well-being of the chicks who were stuffed full today so much so that one chick did a comical faceplant during feeding time, as if its bulging crop was too heavy to keep it upright. It rained throughout the night and sporadically throughout the day but a dry night with light winds is forecast for tonight with a low of 7°C, continuing dry through tomorrow with a high of 15°C.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 00.01.18 (02.50.57); Nest Two 22.56.00 (04.01.47)
Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/WJsJLdNJmqM  N2 Bobs 2&3 have a tug of war over a piece of fish one!  07.07.28

https://youtu.be/ao-Up4L7NyA N1 Aurora’s hopes are dashed when Garry arrives empty-taloned 11.14.04https://youtu.be/oyh7O2O8gvM N2 Snack-sized fish two lasts three minutes – Dorcha calls for more 12.03.13https://youtu.be/sIJtlrxOrzs  N2 Louis does as requested, brings a third fish and it is absolutely massive 13.12.42https://youtu.be/It7wP0qWVvE N1 A Raven disturbs Aurora and she chases after it 14.38.46https://youtu.be/ojNzSKAINIE N2 Louis takes the big piece of fish away – Dorcha is not amused 15.28.37https://youtu.be/FO5EiELibIg N2 One of the chicks is so full from fish number four it does a faceplant! 21.25.07  

Bonus guide to rapid growth in Osprey chicks:

https://www.dyfiospreyproject.com/blog/emyr-mwt/rapid-growth-phase-young-osprey-chicks

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/i–2XW43oXM N1 Second Osplet has hatched! 2020

https://youtu.be/XbNjpDD3WlQ N1 The family star on BBC Breakfast 2020

https://youtu.be/q4H8zoxABb4 N1 Four birds, one egg and a stick 2020

https://youtu.be/b2IqFZAEsCQ  N2 Bob’s in a food coma after a big feed 2022

https://youtu.be/BzFjPMkQWNI  N2 Little bob decorates the nest 2022 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/8iA7u9vco48  N2 Aerial acrobatics as Louis chases crows 2022 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/uIyRLn_uEjY  N2 Breakfast for day-old bob 2023

https://youtu.be/ARLjY1fBI2E  N1 Prince brings moss, a little bird scares Affric 2023

https://youtu.be/p1dSf6D594s  N1 Male LV0 intrudes on Prince & Affric 2023 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/Knfn8T1p3lI  N1 Mating attempts 2023

https://youtu.be/vWefra79niY N2 Fish number one 04.16.11; Two 04.24.22 ; Three 04.39.24 A new record! 2024

https://youtu.be/P5M_NMUdDGM N1 Garry LV0 pays a fleeting visit 2024 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/IP8sJBIGe5A N2 Fish number six – bob begs from dad in error 2024

Why not come and join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 31st May 2025

Not much happened today on either nest, Aurora 536 did a bit of perching and preening on Nest One but again there was no sign of Garry LV0, and over on Nest Two all was routine which is what’s needed as the chicks enter their rapid development phase. Expert fisherbird Louis delivered six fish, taking his tally to one hundred and thirty two, and Dorcha ensured all three chicks got plenty to eat. It was wet and windy today and more of the same is expected tonight with heavy rain and a gentle breeze with a low of 8°C, with the rain lessening a little to light rain with a high of 14°C tomorrow.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.21.00 (03.33.01); Nest Two 22.50.14 (04.05.20)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/MoB_uBBdzZ0 N2 First fish arrives and all three get a share 06.17.35

https://youtu.be/BO61UB4BaI4 N2 Bob1 has eaten so much of fish two it collapses into a food coma 07.08.41 

https://youtu.be/hcJWbIkLMBw N2 All tree chicks get a good feed from fish three 12.07.14

https://youtu.be/VSTpfQH7Iu4 N2 An early fish supper arrives, fish four 18.03.39

https://youtu.be/9q579fFqWpA N2 Yet another fish arrives, number five today 20.25.43

https://youtu.be/___SuiP3geQ N2 Dorcha carefully shares out fish six 21.51.05  

https://youtu.be/JHwjovpitoA N1 Aurora gives up and leaves for the night 22.02.09

Bonus action – People’s Postcode Lottery helped Woodland Trust buy Arkaig Forest, fund its on-going restoration, and support the Osprey cams giving us our 24/7 livestreaming joy. If you’re a social media user, could you please thank them when posting Loch Arkaig content:

https://www.postcodelottery.co.uk/good-causes/charities/woodland-trust

Blast from the past, this day in previous years: 

https://youtu.be/iwfBMeFYino  N1 Record fast fish arrives: 5 mins 23 secs! 2020 

https://youtu.be/svRZ4AJ3C4M  N1 Sleepy bob uses the other eggs as a pillow 2020 

https://youtu.be/MWwaGMTjPek N1 Osprey with blue ring intrudes on Aila & Louis 2020 (slo-mo) 

https://youtu.be/E_JOPZSi0nQ N2 Egg 2 sings sweetly preparing to hatch 2022 

https://youtu.be/VqQDp44UxTg N2 First chick has hatched! 2022 

https://youtu.be/14S1RC_H0IE N2 Chick’s big day: meeting mum and dad 2022

https://youtu.be/84WJZxukT5c  N2 Louis reacts to the chupping 2023 

https://youtu.be/-bKcyAe1lwQ  N1 Affric & Prince fend off an intruder 2023 

https://youtu.be/btm-8Qg6e0o  N2 Little bob hatches! 2023 (zoom) 

https://youtu.be/udB7LRh6zMs N2 Proud parents and a good look at little bob 2023 (zoom) 

https://youtu.be/3AEkinUe5Io   N1 Prince brings fish for Affric 2023 

https://youtu.be/OpIOpWqfB0A   N2 Disco divas are Staying Alive, Staying Alive 2024 (Artistic Ospreys)

https://youtu.be/grQeBqx-770  N2 The bobs squabble when Dorcha leaves and stop when she returns with a stick 2024

Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

Thanks, Geemeff! And thanks, Mary.

Report from Jane Goodall brings hope!

Protecting chimpanzees and building community resilience to climate change in Senegal – Jane GoodallDownload

Sauces Canyon: Sauces Canyon: Jak and Audacity are amazing parents. Not only did they reward their young daughter, Betty Lou, with a big fish to encourage her to return to the nest, but they have also sat with her in the pine tree and delivered food to her there! Thanks to ‘PB’ for the wonderful report on Saturday!

Fraser Point: Mama Cruz has been missing for almost a day. When she returned to the nest, it was clear that she had been fighting an intruder. I am just holding my breath.

FOBBV: Jackie and Shadow adore their two eaglets, Sunny and Gizmo. I cannot imagine what is going through their heads as these two darlings ready to take to the sky. Jackie is feeding them on Saturday!

KTLA captured Sunny’s flight to the branch! https://youtu.be/Zw9yJUNAN9k?

So what will Jackie and Shadow do after Sunny and Gizmo fledge? What do you think? Have a look: https://youtu.be/8lXgCfA4xys?

Kansas City Eagles (Farmer Derek): Fish delivery after fish delivery. https://youtu.be/oH4im5vikqA?

San Jose Falcons: Dinner time! https://youtu.be/G6120p0G_Ko?

Hartley’s Missed Prey Drop?? Check it out! https://youtu.be/q-UHk-SNCyQ?

Trempeauleau Eagles: T3 doing fantastic. Mum brought in at least three fish on Friday.

Duke Farms: All three fledglings on the nest wanting some dinner! I did not see any prey delivered. Maybe you did.

Boulder County Fairgrounds: Three osplets with the fourth egg pipping on Saturday. Experienced Mum and new dad are going to be busy keeping these crops full.

OPPD Fort Calhoun: The triplets are so close in age. It appears everything is going very, very well. So tiny. They blend in to the point that if your eyes are tired, you really have to look close or hope they move!!!!!!!!

Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home: The only surviving eaglet is doing well. Thanks, ‘PB’ for posting this message on FB.

Pitkin County: Three little heads peek up out of the deep nest cup when it is dinner time. Two hatched on the 27th, with the third on the 28th. Fantastic, they are so close in age.

Cornell Red-tail Hawk Cam: The Os are walking around and pecking at prey. Arthur has the nest looking like a massacre. No one ever goes hungry on Big Red’s nest. Never.

Hellgate Canyon: Iris was on and off the nest on Sunday. She is looking good.

Charlo, Montana: Incubation continues.

City of Independence, Oregon: Female looking down. I did not see an indication of a hatch or feeding. Incubation continues.

Latvian Goshawk Cam: Beautiful chicks get a feeding. https://youtu.be/qMX_CVCZkRo?

Knepp Farm: Purple Emperors are about to hatch!

News from KneppDownload

Snowy Egrets. Want to learn more about them? There is other great information in this newsletter from the American Bird Conservancy including this announcement: :Lake County, Illinois Rules That Homes Must Prevent Bird Collisions – A National First“.

Snowy Egret Golden SlippersDownload

Love across species. https://youtu.be/OX1_OiR1j0E?

They fought to protect the Ground Squirrels in my City and they won! Thanking my daughter, Jaine, for sending this to me.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-ground-squirrel-sulfur-gas-application-rejected-1.7549220

I am delighted that you could join us today. Everyone in the family is doing fine. We hope that you are happy and well and getting outside whenever you can.

Calico and Baby Hope on the table watching Toby but not having their tails bitten!

Toby can climb up the cat tree!

Hugo Yugo loves to sleep on the top of the small cat tree. She will have her next dental cleaning and surgery on 11 June.

Missey in Toby’s toy box!

Brock waits and sleeps on a deck chair for when we get up and he gets some fresh food.

Calico is sending everyone a smile – look at the cute cygnets! https://youtu.be/9CJ1HM5WhWo?

Thank you to the following for their letters, notes, comments, posts, videos, articles, images, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, J, PB, VV’, The Guardian, Osoyoos Town Council Osprey Cam, Patuxent River Park, Dewey Beach Lion’s Club, Crooked Lake, Seaside Ospreys, Colonial Beach Ospreys, PSEG Oyster Bay, Brevard County, Moraine State Park, BUNDGoitzsche-Wildnis, Hancock Wildlife Foundation White Rock Eagle Cam, LRWT Manton Bay Ospreys, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, BoPH, Llyn Clywedog, Tweed Valley Osprey Project, Scottish Wildlife Trust (LOTL Ospreys), West Midlands Ringing Group, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Mary Cheadle and Friends of Loch Arkaig FB, Jane Goodall Foundation, IWS/Explore, CIEL and Barbara Wolfsong, FOBBV, KTLA, San Jose City Hall and SK Hideaways, Trempeauleau Eagle Cam, Duke Farms, Boulder County, OPPD, Cornell Bird Cam Red Tail Hawk Cam, Cornell Bird Cam Hellgate Canyon, Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home, Oregon Public Broadcasting, CBC Manitoba, Robert Fuller, Farmer Derek, Discover Outdoors, Nesting Bird Life and More and the LDF, Raptor Resource Project/Explore, Usk Valley Ospreys, Jeff Kear and UK Osprey Info and Llyn Brenig

Betty Lou Fledges…Friday in Bird World

30 May 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

The highlight of Thursday was the fledge of Betty Lou, chick of Jak and Audacity, at 76 days. Oh, she had been doing some incredible hovering on Wednesday.

Nestflix Memories caught that fledge! (I wonder if Jak and/or Audacity saw their miracle chick fly for the first time?). https://youtu.be/k1egvndhupg?s

Betty Lou likes the pine tree branches!

She returned to the nest and grateful parents Jak and Audacity presented their fledgling with a whole fish, which she devoured! There was a lot of squeeing…check it out on the live webcam.

If that wasn’t enough, ‘PB’ sent me the message by Pat Burke that all three of the Duke Farm’s eaglets fledged one after the other on Thursday. Amazing!

We are just waiting for Sunny and Gizmo and the San Jose Falcons and we are just sitting on pins and needles.

One of the incredible stories of this year has been the Tweed Valley nest where two females with a single male laid their eggs. All along the two females have supported themselves, sharing fish, and tending to the eggs. The male hasn’t been around the nest for many days (but seen in the area). The females have taken turns fishing and sharing their fish. They have each cared for and fed, together or separately, the two chicks that have hatched.

You will need to join their FB group to see the video but here is a screen capture.

This may well be the year that we see females rise to the occasion and raise chicks alone – White Rock, Tempeauleau, and Tweed are three that come to mind. Can you think of others?

The garden has been busy! The Baltimore Orioles have arrived along with a host of different Warblers, to the garden! The birdsong is phenomenal. We have made a little nook to sit with Toby, and it is like being in the middle of a jungle surrounded by birds.

I sincerely appreciate your understanding and the wonderfully supportive letters I have received. Choosing to reduce the frequency of my posts from Bird World was a tough decision, but it is essential for my family’s well-being at this time. I am committed to creating Bird World updates that not only educate and inform but also keep you connected to the happenings in the nests. I truly hope you find the content I share valuable and enjoyable!

The weather in Winnipeg has been warm and sunny. In the north and east of my province, large wildfires are raging. The Province has declared a province-wide emergency. People from larger towns that are threatened with being burned to the ground are being evacuated to Winnipeg. The smoke has coloured the sky, and many people are having health difficulties due to it.

Just one image of hundreds showing Flin Flon, Manitoba. The entire town has been evacuated. (Someone flew a drone and the water cannon aircraft could not fly setting off this catastrophe!).

IIn Norway House, the only highway access in or out is on fire. This is just one of the many fires burning in the northern and eastern parts of my province. We are okay for now, aside from the smoke. Our thoughts are with everyone affected, including all the wildlife in the forests that were once their home but are now ablaze.n Norway House, the only highway access in or out is on fire. These are only two of the numerous fires burning in the north and east of my province. We are alright except for the smoke. Our thoughts are of course with every breathing soul including all of the wildlife in the forests that was once their home and is now blazing.

This is the current fire danger map for Canada. We need some of that rain that has been plaguing our raptor nests.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who reached out to check on us after hearing about the wildfire conditions in our area. Your concern means the world to me and truly showcases the strength of our community. The dry conditions are quite alarming, but there’s hope on the horizon as the forecast indicates a couple of days of rain next week.

In the meantime, I’m grateful to have Toby and Don by my side, helping to keep the garden containers watered. Our dried peas and beans are beginning to sprout, which is an exciting sign! We experimented with cayenne pepper around each planter box, but the squirrels have completely ignored it in search of cozy spots to stash their peanuts. Dyson and I definitely need to have a chat about their antics!

I’m optimistic that in a few weeks, I’ll have some stunning photos to share of our thriving climbing peas and beans, so let’s keep our fingers crossed! Meanwhile, the lilacs continue to bloom magnificently. We’ve discovered a charming, shady spot for a couple of chairs and a small table, the perfect setting to enjoy our coffee with Toby. It’s such a joy that he is now trained to go outside. Sitting there, listening to the cheerful birdsong and surrounded by the delightful fragrance of blooming flowers, truly elevates our moment of tranquillity together.

The view of some of the lilacs, the crabapple tree, and the trees at the back from inside the sitting room. This entire space is full of birds singing. It is wild. Nothing controlled by humans here, just the way the birds like it! And the rabbits, the raccoon, and the squirrels. What about those deer that visit?

One type is so gorgeous.

I’m truly relishing every moment spent outdoors. Tonight we played a captivating game of ‘Miss Marple.’ After finishing his late meal, Brock piqued our curiosity, prompting us to follow him and, perhaps, uncover his current living situation. To our surprise, he appears to be residing under the deck of a house just half a block away. This could be an ideal shelter for him, except for one drawback: he must cross the street to access our feeder.

I hope you’ve had some time to reflect on the incredible rescue at the osprey nest in Western Maryland Shore Old Town Home. How many times did we urge people to remove some of the osplets from nests around the Chesapeake Bay when food was scarce in 2024 due to the overfishing of Menhaden, the primary food of ospreys, in the Chesapeake Bay by a Canadian company, Omega? Many of you yelled at your screens when help did not come to the osplet at Colonial Bay. Of course, there were at least another hundred nests in the same situation.

It is unclear whether or not the rehabilitation of the third hatch at Old Town Home will be successful. These are some things to consider:

Young ospreys in rehabilitation have variable outcomes, depending on the severity and nature of their injuries or circumstances, as well as the quality of rehabilitation provided. While some ospreys, such as those with leg injuries, can recover and return to the wild, others may face challenges with feeding and development, which can impact their long-term survival. 

Factors Influencing Osprey Rehabilitation Success:

  • Injury or Condition:The type and severity of the injury or condition will significantly influence the likelihood of successful rehabilitation. 
  • Age and Developmental Stage:Young ospreys are particularly vulnerable and rely heavily on parental care for essential skills like hunting and flying. 
  • Access to Food and Water:Providing the right diet and ensuring proper hydration is crucial, especially for young ospreys who may not eat well in captivity. 
  • Rehabilitation Techniques:Some rehabilitation centers use innovative approaches like introducing juvenile ospreys to the concept of fish from the water through supervised practice. 
  • Release Strategies:Successful release often requires careful planning, considering factors like the bird’s physical condition and the availability of suitable habitat. 

Examples of Successful Rehabilitation:

  • Ospreys with leg injuries that regain function and are successfully released back into the wild. 
  • Young ospreys rescued from entanglements that are rehabilitated and released.
  • Ospreys that are re-nested in new nests after being rescued. 

Challenges in Osprey Rehabilitation:

  • Difficulty with Feeding:Ospreys can be notoriously difficult to feed in captivity, and some may not eat at all, making it challenging to rehabilitate and release them. 
  • Developmental Delays:If young ospreys are not properly cared for and lack parental guidance, they may develop delayed or incomplete hunting skills. 
  • Entanglements and Other Threats:Ospreys can be entangled in fishing nets, twine, and other materials, potentially leading to injuries or death. 

The third hatch at Maryland Western Shore was quite tiny and young. It had a head injury and could have had other internal injuries caused by the male stepping on its body. It was also denied food but had a large crop when removed from the nest. Looking forward to updates with the hope that this little one is another miracle of 2025.

Sadly, on Wednesday, there was some concern for the middle hatch at Maryland’s Western Shore. It has died of hypothermia. Thanks, ‘PB’, for keeping me informed of the situation.

Weather and lack of fish have plagued the osprey nests in the Chesapeake Bay area for the past few years. It is taking its toll this year. I wonder how many osprey nests will fledge their own clutch this year?

Some interesting spring migration counts and news is coming out of Hawk Mountain in Pennsylvania. “Count coordinator David Barber summed the season up as follows: The count ended on a low note with three days of fog and rain. The last official migrant of the 2025 count was an unidentified raptor on the afternoon of May 12. Trainees, staff, and volunteers counted 220 hours over 38 days. The total count of 1,271 birds was 30% above the 10-year average of 980 and was the fourth highest spring count recorded at Hawk Mountain. The high day was April 18 with 581 birds including 2 turkey vultures, 6 ospreys, 3 bald eagles, 6 northern harriers, 1 sharp-shinned hawk, 12 Cooper’s hawks, a season high 542 broad-winged hawks, 5 red-tailed hawks, 3 American kestrels, and 1 merlin. The broad-winged hawks count of 885 was 71% above the 10-year average and a new record high! The count of 33 northern harriers was 61% above average and the highest count since 2013. Counts of Cooper’s hawks, American goshawk, and American kestrels also were above average, whereas counts of black vultures, turkey vultures, ospreys, sharp-shinned hawks, red-shouldered hawks, and red-tailed hawks were below average. All other species had average counts this year.”

Migration eUpdate Spring 2025 Wrap UpDownload

White Rock, British Columbia: The single Mum, together with a generous fish fairy, is keeping the two eaglets alive. I don’t think anyone would have believed that these two would live to get their thermal down, and if you look closely, you will see some feathers coming through!

Kielder Forest: The first hatch at nest 1A for parents W6 and KF13. The latest post from KF also reads, “The weather has been very poor since Saturday with strong winds and rain at times. The parents on Nest 7 have been doing a wonderful job balancing sheltering with feeding their three chicks.

Although there is rain in the forecast for Kielder Forest it should be mainly just showers with less wind and warmer temperatures.”

Well, by Thursday all three eggs had hatched at Kielder Forest. Congratulations!

FOBBV: By the time this is posted, I expect that both Sunny and Gizmo will have fledged. (more below)

Sauces Canyon: Betty Lou is ready to take to the skies, too. And as reported above, she did just that! https://youtu.be/8bsdSUkulpY?

White Rock Eagles: The two raised by the single Mum are doing fine. Thanks, fish fairy, for lending a hand and some fish!

Ely Cathedral Falcon scrape: Two eyasses this year as one of the eggs did not hatch.

Birds of Poole Harbour: An update by BoPH for us on this year’s happenings. (more below)

Osprey Webcam 2025 Update – Birds of Poole HarbourDownload

Glaslyn: It appears that it is now official. Five-year-old Teifi, the son of Idris and Telyn from the Dyfi platform, has now taken over the lead male role at Glaslyn. Aran continues to be seen in the region.

Dyfi: Idris and Telyn feeding their clutch as high winds make their way through the valley. Check out the cows below.

Birds of Poole Harbour: CJ7 and Blue 022 now have four osplets in the nest as of Thursday. The 4th hatch has already had its first fish meal.

Llyn Clywedog: The miserable weather has the two hatches of Dylan and Seren beaking one another. Let’s hope that cold and wet clears up.

Foulshaw Moss: White YW and Blue 35 are doing a good job with their three.

Trempeauleau: Mum doing a great job – all alone!

Denton Homes: The nest has dried out and we are just waiting for these three beauties to branch.

Little Miami Conservancy: Two beauties. Like the others getting ready to branch.

Cardinal Land Conservancy: These two are so ready to fly.

Cornell Red Tail Hawks: O1 and O2 are standing, walking around, and getting their beautiful juvenile feathers. Both are doing exceptionally well as we would expect with parents Big Red and Arthur. Big Red is still staying with her babies at night.

Hellgate Canyon: NG has been fighting intruders at the nest over the last days. Iris has also been coming around.

San Jose City Hall: They are ready to go. Will they take off at the same time? Like Duke Farms? (Thanks, PB, for the screen capture.)

Big Bear Valley: Jackie, Shadow, Sunny, and Gizmo were all together on the nest Thursday evening. What a beautiful family. This could be one of the last images of the four on the nest, as fledging can happen at any second.

SK Hideaways caught some of the action at Big Bear: https://youtu.be/io-MSVvvUWQ?

Patuxent River Park 2: All three chicks have perished while the camera was down for a week. Cause unknown.

Moraine State Park:

Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home: The only surviving chick of three with a big crop on Thursday.

Loch Arkaig: The latest from Geemeff on what is happening at Loch Arkaig!

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 29th May 2025
Today was all about fish – plenty on Nest Two but none on Nest One. Garry LV0 did turn up where Aurora 536 had been waiting for hours – she wanted fish, he wanted to mate, and neither got their wish. This is day six of thirteen without fish, his tally is becoming slightly meaningless and remains at sixty six. Louis on the other hand is performing magnificently and delivered another five today, and as Steve’s stats show, he’s Mr Consistency as it was the same as this day last year. His tally shoots up to one hundred and twenty two. Although it appeared bob3 didn’t have much, it must be remembered that being so much smaller than the other two means needing less food, and Dorcha did take care to include all three chicks when sharing out the food. It rained today as forecast but there were breaks in the weather. The forecast is light rain showers and light winds with a low of 11°C  tonight, and light rain showers and a gentle breeze tomorrow morning, clearing in the afternoon with a high of 17°C.Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.33.57 (03.40.51); Nest Two 22.43.36 (04.03.43)
Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/1gX2u2eGvIE N2 A chick nutmegs Dorcha with a squirt! 10.00.58https://youtu.be/yZEt_-fipSU  N2 Breakfast is very late because dad’s eaten most of it! 10.09.55https://youtu.be/uJJIn3vt96o  N2 All three chicks get some of fish two 15.43.44https://youtu.be/wsqyBae4VAo N1 Aurora wants fish, Garry wants to mate, neither succeeds 16.43.03https://youtu.be/M7avkNa__fw  N2 Fish number three is finished quickly but bob3 does get some 18.53.49https://youtu.be/za_qjIHMpaU N2 Dorcha blocks the view of fish four being shared out 21.07.49  https://youtu.be/GMtWeYvN1_4  N2 Fish number five arrives – will there be another today?  22.14.10
Bonus guide – when is a wood not a wood? When it is a forest!http://woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2024/12/difference-between-wood-and-forest/

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/JrHUpXY-a7c  N1 First chick has arrived! Happy birthday Doddie-to-be 2020

https://youtu.be/gOLg_bK_xP0  N1 First look at his chick for Louis 2020

https://youtu.be/8s40lObbaYA  N1 First really good look, and a magic moment with mum 2020

https://youtu.be/oMbnjRm-XpA  N1 First squirt just misses Aila’s fish supper 2020

https://youtu.be/OmRsqDDynoY N2 Dorcha goes for a quick comfort break, no pip visible 2022

https://youtu.be/7BLSruxJFzE   N1 Affric (Blue 152) and Prince? on Nest One 2023 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/KBZ2QR7ya5Q  N1 Louis does a bit of nestorising 2023

https://youtu.be/wKZuLPNZEOI  N2 A close up look at the eggs – is that a pip? 2023 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/3PgLtnW4E7I N2 Rock chick song and dance 2024 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/XQA-9K4Tu90  N2 Fish number two, small whole trout, all the bobs get some 2024

https://youtu.be/UJaqA0uIc_I  N2 Louis and Dorcha have a chat 2024

https://youtu.be/RSx0V5DBRHA  N2 Bob3 starts a fight then leaves bobs1&2 to get on with it 2024

https://youtu.be/VrWzAVSrBHw  N2 Lovebirds – Dorcha gives Louis a hug 2024

https://youtu.be/38GAjtlL70M  N2 Fish number five arrives in a sunset glow 2024

Why not come and join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

‘A’ shares a few of her thoughts: “Did you see Mrs T brought in a huge bouquet of flowers to the Trempeauleau Eagles nest this afternoon (29 May)? I’ve never seen that before. T3 had a bit of a nibble. Mr T hasn’t stolen a fish from this nest for several days now – we hope his other nest is doing as well as this one is. 

And the hawklets at Cornell are doing well, although the younger one is still much smaller than its sibling. Plus, I thought you might like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yxbrs5MplyA

Isn’t Mama kestrel gorgeous? And those hungry chicks! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGPOAL5fUZU

And Betty Lou is a wonderful outcome for a nest that has seen so much heartbreaking disappointment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbNysUP8how Such a happy family. Well done Jaks and Audacity. Perseverance pays off for darling Audacity, whose determination has made her one of my favourites as you know! I do hope her bone density is not compromised by all those fragile eggs she kept laying. 

And Jackie and Shadow are watching their pair preparing to leave the nest. Both Sunny and Gizmo are looking fabulous. It really has been a mixed season – great success for some nests and tragedy for others, including the RTHs at Cornell, usually a nest that never loses a chick.”

And than you to ‘L’ who had a Cooper’s Hawk visit their birdbath in South Carolina reminding all of us that water is essential for the birds – please put out some bowls!

Calico’s Tip for the Week: Get your legs moving! You don’t need to hit the daunting target of 10,000 steps every day; studies have shown that just 4,000 steps can keep you healthy and active. It’s crucial to maintain strength and muscle in our legs. As a wise surgeon once told my mother after her hip replacement, “If you don’t use them, you will lose them.”

This past winter, we relied on a stationary bike because the icy sidewalks made walking outside too risky. To avoid falls, we opted to stay indoors, venturing out only for short walks at places like The Leaf and IKEA.

Now that summer is here, we’re excited to take Toby out in his stroller for our walks. In just five weeks, once Toby has completed his vaccination series, we’ll be ready to let him explore on his leash, helping him maintain his fit and energetic puppy figure. Let’s stay active and enjoy the great outdoors!

The New York Times has some ideas on how to get walking.

Well 4 ways to trick yourself into taking a walkDownload

Thank you so much for being with us today. We will see you on Monday. Take care.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘A, Geemeff, L, PB’, Nestflix Memories, Pat Burke, Tweed Valley Osprey Project, Streetheart, Chesapeake Mermaid, Maryland Western Shore, Hawk Mountain, White Rock Eagles Community FB, Birds of Poole Harbour, Gywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Dyfi Osprey Project, Llyn Clywedog, Geemeff and the Woodland Trust, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Trempeauleau Eagle Cam, Denton Homes, Little Miami Conservancy, Cardinal Land Conservancy, Cornell Bird Lab Red-tail Hawk Cam and Hellgate Canyon, Big Bear Valley, Popular Science, IWS/Explore, Accuweather, Moraine State Park, Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home, SK Hideaways, The New York Times, Laura Rose and Trempeauleau Eagles, UK Osprey Info FB

Tuesday in Bird World

27 May 2025

Good Morning,

Update: Third chick just hatched at Loch Arkaig for Louis and Dorcha. Oh, I was hoping that this one would stay in the egg as the others are so big. But, no. They have three!

Hatch at Boulder County Fairgrounds.

Hello, everyone. It is nice to be back with you after being away for a week. The hours and days flew by and it was a week that was anything but uneventful! Let’s see if I can remember a few of the highlights:

-Toby’s ear infection got worse. Then he started clawing at his left ear, and went back to the vet. This time, they realised that putting drops into Toby’s ear wasn’t working for Toby, me, or the infection. They gave him a treatment that was to last a fortnight. Hopefully that will do the trick! A snood has been ordered. A scrunchie ties these floppy ears back with a covering for the ears themselves. I will send photos when it arrives. To make my life easier, Toby is sleeping through the night. He has learned to go potty outside. This is a big deal and I am shocked at how smart he is. Does every puppy parent say that? The issue is you cannot do something once and think you won’t have to repeat it so it takes thinking at every turn not to be caught into creating a bad behaviour. Toby loves to play fetch, and he drops his little lamb at my feet so I will toss it again. That poor lamb. Toby shakes it and shakes it. I am told it goes back to when Spaniels were ‘helping with the hunt’ and would subdue the prey. Today, it is often a way of getting rid of some energy, thank goodness. Toby has lots of energy and continues to be either in ‘off’ or ‘on’ mode. There is no middle ground. Toby loves Hugo Yugo, and they often play chase! Initially, I wondered if I had made a mistake getting a puppy. It was ‘my’ first dog. My father always had dogs, but they were under his care, and I loved the cats at our house. So Toby has been a new experience. It is getting easier and I adore him.

-I lost my credit card. Anyone who has lost a card will understand the frustration this causes.

-Garden planting. We have all the containers on the deck planted with pollinator-friendly plants, herbs, or a combination of three types of beans and peas. The Kentucky Wonder beans have already sprouted! There are cherry tomatoes and peppers in patio pots, and we picked up some bright red Salvia today for the hummingbirds when they arrive. The new hose is heavy. The new brass nozzle is divine. We also planted four hydrangeas, and to our delight, the three peonies we planted last year are coming up nicely.

-Little trips. We helped with my bestie’s Golden Retriever while she was away – a walk and a small feeding at noon. Then we headed out on various trips, including Baby Days at the wildlife rehabilitation centre, the opening of Oak Hammock Marsh, and a couple of trips to Pineridge, where the antique shop held a yard sale. We found two lovely French terracotta jardinieres, as well as another on a stand. The plan is to create a focal point on the deck. We have been able to visit with some friends during all of this, which was delightful. Today, at Pineridge, we ran into our granddaughter, who was there with a friend checking out its potential as a wedding venue for June 2027.

-Nice things that happened. I have desperately been trying to make my life easier. Three areas that require attention when one has a puppy is grocery shopping, hair cuts, and doctor’s appointments. We were able to solve the hair cuts by getting an appointment with one of our City’s most respected mobile salons. Will keep you posted. We ordinarily do not go to malls or large grocery stores and Toby is welcome in the Farmer’s Kitchen at Pineridge and St Leon’s Market, thankfully. That is perfect for us. Now just to figure out what to do about the doctor’s appointments or treatments. If I know that they are on prone to be on time, it is not a problem. We are trying not to be away longer than 1.5 hours due to the issues related to ‘withdrawal/separation anxiety’ within this breed.

So the week was a balance of the good and the bad. Thankfully, there was ‘no ugly’.

What I realised during this time away from writing the blog is that our summers are very short. This past winter was not conducive to being outside often due to the ice on the trails. One of the things I want to do is spend much more time in the garden with Don and Toby, as well as friends and family. Simple meals and laughter, hopefully with few wasps! (The feral feeder is being relocated to help with that.)

I have consistently emphasised the importance of spending time outdoors in nature and finding a balance in our busy lives as crucial for prioritising self-care. I often remind myself to secure my oxygen mask before assisting others. As Don’s dementia evolves—albeit subtly—he continues to help with many things around the house, which allows him to feel valued. Yet, sometimes I find it challenging to discreetly untangle his assistance without him noticing. Communication is growing more difficult, but there are moments of striking clarity that leave me almost speechless.

This summer, my intention is to dedicate more quality time to him, fostering patience, fun, and cherished memories that will sustain us during tougher times. With all this in mind, I’ve made the difficult decision to shift my blog schedule. Difficult? I have made so many long-time friends through the blog that not reaching out to you every day has caused me some anxiety. I need to slow down, and I know you understand. Rather than daily posts, I will share updates twice a week—on Mondays and Fridays.

I intend to summarise all the weekend happenings on Mondays, while Fridays reflect the week’s events. I aim to revamp the format to better engage with you by addressing your questions from the mailbox, spotlighting key happenings at the nests, and featuring one educational topic of current interest related to nest activities. I appreciate your understanding as I navigate these changes.

I also want to thank all those wonderful people who continually support me by sending me news from the nests. You have no idea how helpful that is.

Australian Bird news: Alison gives us a run down on what has been going on ‘down under’:

“In bird world, Diamond and Xavier are well. Diamond regularly has a giant crop – she was crop dropping this morning, twice actually, so she has plenty of room for a largish lunch. Xavier is such a darling. He is very fond of Diamond, though he is twinkle-toed when it comes to bonding sessions, when he darts out of the box as if afraid he’ll get squashed. 

At Port Lincoln, mum and dad were both on the barge this morning, Mum on the nest and Dad in the mancave. Both are looking well and seem to like their renovated nest. 

At Collins Street, there is no activity, and won’t be until eggs are due to hatch (assuming we get eggs this season). 

At Olympic Park, Mum and Dad have been working on the nest, bringing sticks and nesting material around lunchtime yesterday. They went fishing in the afternoon, then settled near the nest overnight. 

At Taiaroa Head, SS Trig chick is on her nest this morning, looking absolutely gorgeous as usual. It is so lovely to see that snowy-white plumage unblemished by any incidents of spilling. This is plumage that indicates a childhood totally free of bullying! She is exquisite, she really is. Mum came in yesterday at breakfast time to feed her chick and the little one was given a supplementary feeding two days ago (24 May). We’ll see what her weight is like tomorrow (Tuesday 27 May), which is weekly weighing day. SS Trig chick has fairly consistently been on the skinny side, with her parents seemingly unable to find enough food for her. Thank heavens we have the rangers – the squid smoothie fairies. These gorgeous birds really are given the very best of care. It’s astonishing how far these rangers go to ensure their safety and to assist them to breed successfully. A wonderful example to the world. 

Winter is quickly approaching in Melbourne, with icy mornings but sunny days.”

Stork Intervention is not new to the European Union.

‘PB’ reports: “Watching white stork cam in Hungary and they rescued baby #5. They said its taken to a rehab where they later release it. So happy they saved it before parents threw it over.”

So, just why do people help the storks?

People in Europe help storks due to a combination of cultural beliefs, environmental concerns, and the birds’ role as a symbol of positive aspects like good luck, new beginnings, and family life. Storks have been associated with good fortune, and their presence on rooftops was believed to bring harmony and even protect against fires.


Here’s a more detailed look at the reasons:
Cultural and Symbolic Reasons:
Good Luck and Fertility:
Storks are widely believed to bring good luck, and in many regions, they are associated with fertility and the arrival of babies.
Family Harmony:
In Central and Eastern Europe, storks are believed to bring harmony to families on whose property they nest.
Symbol of New Life:
The storks’ tendency to nest on rooftops is seen as a symbol of the arrival of new life, contributing to the belief that they bring babies.
Protection Against Fire:
In some regions, storks’ nests on houses were believed to offer protection against fires, further enhancing their revered status.
Conservation and Environmental Efforts:
Habitat Protection:
Storks are highly dependent on wetlands and other natural habitats. People in Europe are actively involved in protecting and restoring these habitats to ensure the continued survival of stork populations.
Awareness and Education:
Programs like the “Stork Route” in Brandenburg and initiatives like the European Stork Villages network help raise awareness about storks and their conservation needs.
Public Relations:
Festivals and events celebrating storks, photography contests, and other public relations initiatives help foster a positive relationship between humans and storks.
Stork Villages:
The European Stork Villages Network encourages communities to embrace storks as part of their natural and cultural heritage, fostering a sense of responsibility for their well-being.

As an advocate for intervention, I find the actions of individuals helping storks to be noble and I wish these attitudes would translate themselves to the eagles and ospreys that need help throughout the world.

One significant relationship that became internationally famous was that of a Polish man and a female white stork who could not fly and her mate. If you do not know this story then please watch this video that captures the extraordinary measures that were taken to care for this female and to ensure that each year she could spend the summer with her mate raising storklets.

Her name was Malena. https://youtu.be/sXMfbY8CawY?

Another video by Unity: https://youtu.be/b3Sb3-u4vAk?

Bonus: You might also recall when Urmas rescued the surviving storklets of Jan and Janikka after Jan disappeared on June 1, 2022. It is believed that he was probably electrocuted. The storklets were taken to the veterinary clinic on June 5, and there, along with Dr Madis, they were first raised by humans and mechanical storks before being placed into nests. Bonus was adopted by my favourite Black Stork of all time, Karl II and his mate, Kaia on 30 June. Bonus was fitted with a transmitter. We know from a sighting that the transmitter was down when he was alive and well on August 3, 2024, at Turov, Belarus.

Video of Urmas removing the storklets: https://youtu.be/oCJd5RLfN6M?

Video of storklets being fed by by humans and mechanical storks: https://youtu.be/3-Jf2gTlvbQ?

Video of Urmas placing Bonus on the nest of Karl II and Kaia: https://youtu.be/UrFLFPbDGZk?

Video of Karl II feeding his storklets and Bonus: https://youtu.be/JKU6H1NH85E?

Mlade Buky, Czech Republic: Community comes together to feed the stork nest when parent is dead. Caught on video by Tomas Borbely: https://youtu.be/nm5wTNjWfC4?

There are many more examples of human kindness towards storks. I encourage you to find them; they will warm your heart.

I want to publicly thank the individuals at Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home Osprey nest and streaming cam for rescuing baby three on Monday, the 26th of May. Owl Moon Raptor Centre will be trying to save this little one. It is one of the youngest, if not the youngest, osplets I have seen go into care. I know they will try their best to help this baby. It had been pecked and had a bloody head, had been denied food, and on Monday morning, Dad stepped on its head and stood there for some time. The little one was rescued and taken into care. It is unknown whether it is too small or ill to survive at the time of this writing, but I am grateful for the kindness shown. It is time for all interventions to occur. Fish are in short supply, and fish fairies are needed! As are rescues.

What has been happening in the UK Osprey nests (and the few North American ones) while I was away the last week?

Rutland Manton Bay: Blue 33 and Maya have four osplets this season. It is not the first time. Sadly, the last time there were four, tiny little Bob perished. Blue 33 is hauling in lots and lots of fish and all four are doing well. The tiny little Bob is quite the character and gets itself up there for the feedings!

Birds of Poole Harbour: Blue 022 and CJ7 have three beautiful and healthy chicks! Chick 4 is emerging from the egg.

Loch Doon: Frankie and Angel have sadly lost their little third hatch. It is quite cool at the nest and the older two got under Angel after a feeding, but little three didn’t. It perished very quickly being unable to thermoregulate.

Llyn Clywedog: Miserable damp cold weather here, too. Seren Blue 5F is keeping her two Bobs fed and warm. Unclear about the third egg.

Glaslyn: First up. The good news is that Aran has been seen after being MIA for a number of days. People were getting concerned. Thankfully the BOGS have been keeping a good eye and saw him!

Elen and Teifi are sheltering in the trees.

Dyfi: The weather is miserable and Idris was trying to feed them a very tough flounder this morning. Idris and Telyn have had their three eggs hatch! Dates were:

🐣 17th May at 16:22 (38.1 days)

🐣🐣  18th May at 13:15 (36.0 days)

🐣🐣🐣 21st May at 15:29 (36.0 days)

Three Chicks Hatch – Including Bobby Bach (Eventually) _ Dyfi Osprey ProjectDownload

Foulshaw Moss: All three eggs of White YW and Blue 35 have successfully hatched.

Kielder Forest:

Nest 7: KX7 and KM18 have three successful hatches.

Tweed Valley: This is the latest news, and it’s a week old. I hope the weather has improved and more fish have come for the two females – eggs should have hatched or be hatching soon!

Loch Arkaig 1 and Loch Arkaig 2: See Geemeff’s daily summary below.

Hellgate Canyon: Iris and the ‘New Guy’ are still together! She often gives him a right ear full. It is too funny. No more eggs this year, just take the time to enjoy every moment with this amazing osprey! The new guy shares some of his fish. What a couple.

Charlo Montana: Pip Watch is coming soon! Coyotes were observed on the streaming cam going across the valley.

Golden Gate Audubon: Richmond and Rosie have one chick this year, which hatched on either the 10th or 11th of May. (I have no knowledge of another hatch, but please correct me!)

Snow Lane, Newfoundland: Beaumont and the New Female have been sighted around the nest. No eggs yet. Maybe not this year.

Russell Lake, Nova Scotia: The unseasonal weather has stopped. Oscar and Ethel are incubating eggs, but only for another 7 or 8 days.

Trempeauleau Eagles: The success of this single-parent nest (male has another nest) is outstanding. Just look at T3 all kitted out with its juvenile feathers.

FOBBV: Sunny and Gizmo are getting great height as they prepare for fledging.

Sauces Canyon: Betty Lou has also been getting some amazing air. What a miracle child for Jak and Audacity. So thankful that they were able to be parents this year after so many tragic attempts.

Fraser Point: Kaimana and Blue Day are 65 and 63 days old. Adorable eaglets! Andor and Cruz are great parents.

Denton Homes: The trio are really getting into jumping on that nest. They have survived storms and what a relief it is to see that nest held during some dramatic weather. It will not be long.

Kansas City Eagles: Kanza is 9 weeks old and getting some air. Ellie, Harvey and Kanza have suffered through some rough weather like The Majestics.

Latvian Golden Eagle Nest: Spilve, Grislis, and Meldrs. Food has not been plentiful. Grislis finally brought a squirrel! https://youtu.be/7uXlT8ve3bk?

Fort St Vrain Eagle Cam: We worried they would get caught in the sticks and could not escape. We feared they would fall over the edge. Could you look at the two surviving eaglets on this nest?

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 26th May 2025

A slow day on Nest One, Aurora 536 spent time perching and waiting, then Garry LV0 arrived but without any fish. He had other ideas and mounted her successfully but it’s probably too little too late for eggs this year. His tally remains at sixty six. Over on Nest Two, Louis brought a big breakfast in the form of a massive trout from which the bobs had plenty of feeds. He’d eaten the head but still seemed hungry and returned for a mid morning raid, discovering the fish tucked under Dorcha’s feathers and foiling her attempts to stop him taking it by pulling her across the nest until she let go. He did return the fish a little later, however the fish’s travels weren’t over as he took it away again with Dorcha in hot pursuit until he returned it for the bobs’ next feed. Later Dorcha’s attention was on a distant aerial chase as two Ospreys pursued each other, too far away to confirm ID but one was probably Louis. The day’s action ended with Louis bringing a small fish supper so fresh it was still flapping, and he remained on the nest watching Dorcha feed the eager chicks. At the time of posting this report (midnight) some watchers think the third egg has pipped but the view hasn’t been clear enough to confirm it. Perhaps those who watch through the night and submit their excellent reports will have exciting news for us tomorrow morning. It was a wet and windy day today just as forecasted, and the rain’s expected to continue overnight with a low of 6°C but with the possibility of sunny intervals tomorrow and a high of 13°C.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One (03.50.35E); Nest Two 22.35.27 (04.04.54)
Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/Tz7Y_155TwI N2 Dorcha tucks into breakfast, Louis covers the chicks 07.30.55

https://youtu.be/Rb60Etc3cw0 N1 Aurora calls for fish but Garry has other ideas! 10.25.19https://youtu.be/nC9LVBEwMcg N2 Dorcha tries and fails to stop Louis taking a fish 11.40.42

https://youtu.be/43o1eD2kI3I  N2 Louis steals the fish but Dorcha makes him return it 13.57.46

https://youtu.be/2FqE3EXsIwY N2 Dorcha watches as two Ospreys chase each other 14.41.05 (zoom / slo-mo repeat)

https://youtu.be/QrzNvjRaZWU N2 Louis delivers a fresh flapping fish supper 19.44.59

Bonus – fancy solving a puzzle? Loch Arkaig jigsaw puzzle featuring Louis & Dorcha is on sale:

https://shop.woodlandtrust.org.uk/woodland-trust-loch-arkaig-osprey-jigsaw

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/j2zFGdLHFfI  N1 What spooks Aila? 2019

https://youtu.be/OtayWPtR_fo N1 Aila repels an intruder Osprey 2020 (real-time)

https://youtu.be/Ocm48b6Os7s N1 Same intrusion in slo-mo 2020

https://youtu.be/dedcBVUI0dQ N1 Tug of fish: Let go, Louis! 2020

https://youtu.be/AYQ–hL3MLU N1 A Jay visits 2023

https://youtu.be/EJXmdCL0D2g N2 Dorcha has breakfast while Louis does the housework 2023https://youtu.be/qgZZjeA6M5U   N2 Fish number three, headless trout – bobs are home alone 2024https://youtu.be/CMBJis-X6UQ  N2 No one wants fish number four so Louis takes it away 2024

Everyone’s welcome to join the community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and friendly:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 25th May 2025

A soggy night and wet for a good part of the day too, but that didn’t prevent the second chick hatching. Pipping was seen yesterday  around 10pm, and tucked away warm and dry under Dorcha, bob2 allowed brief glimpses from time to time as it made its way out of the shell, emerging fully by 3am. By 5am bob2 had had a first feed from Louis’ first fish delivery, and things are looking good for these two. The third egg is a few days away from hatching and will need to be strong and determined to compete with this pair. Louis delivered a second fish and his tally rises to one hundred and eight. Unusually when returning the second fish to Dorcha, he sat on top of the chicks and wouldn’t let her feed them, prompting a discussion about his usual lack of enthusiasm for chick-sitting as opposed to his extreme enthusiasm for egg-sitting. Over on Nest One, Garry LV0 put in an appearance after not being seen yesterday, and rewarded Aurora’s patience with a fish. His tally rises to sixty six but Aurora would probably prefer it rises a bit faster as she sat patiently perching for many hours waiting in vain for him to return with more fish. Dorcha’s mumbrella skills will be needed as more rain is forecast throughout the night with a low of 6°C, and thundery showers and a moderate breeze with a high of 11°C tomorrow.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.08.17 (

03.51.04); Nest Two 22.39.52 (04.10.50)
Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/NyeaPABkHboN2 Welcome little bob2 – second chick is here! 02.58.07

https://youtu.be/Oij43i5RvqQN2 Fish number one – bob2’s first feed 04.56.58

https://youtu.be/Nsf3B2QYrC8 N1 After yesterday’s no-show, Aurora’s glad to see Garry with fish 

09.35.23

https://youtu.be/Lr0bAPHnRHY N2 Dad brings a second fish and mum feeds the bobs 13.00.47

https://youtu.be/f2aHh2WdLOA N2 Dorcha would like to feed the chicks but unusually Louis is sitting on them ! 15.19.36

Bonus advice – George WTS’ 2024 post on how to survive the highs & lows of nest cam watching:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/?ht-comment-id=14839719

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/8FYcojpPJQc  N1 Louis brings a v-shaped stick 2020

https://youtu.be/5f4o-219oIs  N1 What time do you call this? 2020

https://youtu.be/DKhP0pbVLbQ  N1 Louis is given his marching orders 2020

https://youtu.be/if-vCqrqRLI  N2 Unusually persistent Hoodie annoys Dorcha 2022

https://youtu.be/Isc_NPFqB4M  N1 Louis visits again 2023

https://youtu.be/rLwmdraNUD4  N2 Dorcha’s branching out 2023

https://youtu.be/4pTHER9sy-w  N2 Bob1 has a go at self-feeding!!!!! 2024

https://youtu.be/GRCzf9FTFRo  N2 Olympic hero! Louis pole-vaults in  2024    

https://youtu.be/vZcMnDPsX-s  N2 Fish number three, first flatfish of the season 

https://youtu.be/EpDxudcMp6Q  N2 Tough as old boots – Dorcha and the fish skin 2024 

https://youtu.be/P_1jqw2RRf8  N2 Purple haze: Louis & Dorcha caught in the glow of sunset 2024

Why not come and join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

Big Red and Arthur and O1 and O2. The hawlets are getting their feathers! What a beautiful nest! Everything continues to go smoothly with Big Red in her element as Queen Mum.

Latvian Goshawk: The eyasses were ringed. Here is the video! https://youtu.be/sHUHLcDdJwM?

San Jose Falcons: Oh, they are mischievous! SK Hideaways catches them in the act. https://youtu.be/uhz-X5Mg4hU?

Looking for Loons? The cams are back up!

2025 Loon Cams are LiveDownload

Wildfires continue to burn in our province. Grave concerns for wildlife – not only the mammals but also the migrant raptors and songbirds that come to Manitoba in the late spring to raise their young. Send positive wishes.

A beautiful story of people working together to transform sheep fells for birds. “A groundbreaking tree-planting programme is uniting farmers and rewilders, as portions of common ground in the Yorkshire Dales national park are being restored to their ancient glory.” Why can’t this be happening everywhere?

Bringing back the birds: the ‘ghost woodlands’ transforming England’s barren sheep fells https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/may/26/ghost-woodlands-rewilding-sheep-fells-yorkshire-uk-aoe?CMP=share_btn_url

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

Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, posts, messages, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, PB’, Eagle Goddess, The Dodo, Liznm, Unity, Tomas Borbely, Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home, LRWT, Birds of Pool Harbour, Loch Doon, Llyn Clywedog, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Dyfi Osprey Project, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Kielder Forest, Tweed Valley Osprey Project, Montana Osprey Project, Charlo Montana, Golden Gate Audubon, Snow Lane Osprey Cam/Newfoundland Power, Nova Scotia Ospreys/Connie and Don Dennis, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Cornell Bird Lab Red-tail Hawk Cam, Trempeauleau Eagle Cam, FOBBV, Sauces Canyon/IWS and Explore, Fraser Point/IWS and Explore, Denton Homes, LDF, Xcel Energy, The Weather Centre of Manitoba, LDF/Verotaja, San Jose City Hall, SK Hideaways, The Guardian, Loon Preservation Society, Farmer Derek

Wednesday in Bird World

21 May 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

Tuesday was my respite day. I cannot tell you – well, I do, over and over – how grateful I am to have Anne helping me. Her love of animals and gentle nature spills over into everything she does, including teaching me how to administer medication to Toby properly. The cats love her, and today we delighted in watching Toby and Hugo Yugo play hide-and-seek and chase. What fun they had!

It is 16 degrees C. With all the rain the garden is turning emerald green before our eyes. The conifers are looking much better with new growth evident. If only the sun would come out! Some of our nests will be hoping for that as well. One of those is Trempeauleau.

PB’ reports that Mum has just brought in a fish and is feeding T3. Very wet there. ‘PB’ also asks: Did you know that the camera at Trempeauleau has a wiper? I did not!

A great Audubon article on internationally famous Iris! It is a good read – please celebrate our Queen! “At 29, Iris the Osprey has outlived the odds to become a cherished internet star whose brood of offspring is helping track river health in Montana.” “Researchers have tracked Iris, named for the unique inflections in her eye, since she started nesting along Missoula’s Clark Fork River in 1999. Because Ospreys start breeding around 3 years, experts who monitor her estimate that she is an extraordinary 28 or 29 years old—far outlasting the average Osprey lifespan of about 15 to 20 years. “

The World’s Oldest Known Osprey Is an Online Sensation—and a Living Indicator of Watershed Health _ AudubonDownload

Heidi’s Osprey Notes:

Smallwood osprey cam: Mom and Dad are great parents, and the fish is plentiful.  There have been a few scuffles between the chicks, some started by Little, but so far no significant problems at chow time.  The chicks are 15, 13, and 10 days old.

Dewey Beach:  Life is good for this family with two babies, ages 7 and 5 days old.  It is looking like the third egg will not hatch.

Geemeff’s  Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 20th May 2025

Garry LV0 and Aurora 536 spent a little time on Nest one, bringing nesting materials (him), perching and preening (her) and in between Garry found time to deliver two fish for her, taking his tally to sixty. He delivered them directly without any tricksy showing them off then departing with them before returning them later half-eaten as he’s done a few times recently, but Aurora took no chances and made off with the fish as soon as she seized them from him. Over on Nest Two, after an early morning visit from a Jay with a Tawny Owl hooting unseen in the background, Louis also delivered two fish, taking his tally to ninety nine. Both were a decent size to make up for the single tiddler delivered late yesterday, and he had no problem handing them over to Dorcha immediately in order to settle down to his favourite occupation of egg-sitting. The settled weather continues through to Friday, with clear skies tonight and a high of 22°C.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.22.39 (03.14.06); Nest Two 23.57.23 (03.38.38) 

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/4FEYkjXc1fQ  N2 An Owl hoots nearby and a Jay visits when Dorcha returns from flyabout 07.14.44

https://youtu.be/4eNP2JsrD9A N2 Dorcha gets a big breakfast 09.34.28

https://youtu.be/cWw_YGFdmmc  N1 Aurora’s patience is rewarded when Garry brings her a fish 10.26.59

https://youtu.be/1uwGM0wUba0  N1 Garry brings a second fish for Aurora 15.51.45

https://youtu.be/BQADE2-A0yU N2 Dorcha wastes no time seizing fish number two 20.23.13

Bonus read – all about the hatching process:

https://www.fayrehalefarm.com/wp-content/uploads/Hatch-1157697_432879363493726_407957231_n.jpg

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/I6EiEJdBMEk N1 Aila’s misty morning flypast 2020 (slo-mo)

https://youtu.be/GYmMQvGGdbE N1 The eggs are bugged! 2020

https://youtu.be/56srG8Li0pY N1 Two mating attempts by The Stranger and Blue 152 2021

https://youtu.be/Gki0u5vCQg4 N1 Blown away! Comical failed mating attempt 2021

https://youtu.be/eY3vcsWUfmk N2 Very early breakfast for Dorcha 2022

https://youtu.be/XZMfSUpsMc4 N2 Little bird singing away on the high perch 2023

https://youtu.be/sTZm9BK7okg N1 Affric 152 and LV0’s visit Nest One! 2023

https://youtu.be/ROkPADnW6JI N1 Louis brings a fish to Nest One 2023

https://youtu.be/i9K2-HCbD-o   N1 An unexpected visitor arrives – it’s Affric 152! 2024

https://youtu.be/Nrr-H6eK0m4  N2 Pip pip hooray – cam’s been zoomed! 2024

https://youtu.be/P81chr8zJFs   N2 Louis bring another fish for Dorcha 2024

https://youtu.be/5fl9uzsupuY N1 A Jay (Garrulus glandarius) perches on the centre perch 2024

Why not come and join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:  

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

Snow Lane Osprey Platform, Newfoundland: The Snow Lane Osprey Nest, with the Beaumont and Hope FB group, has compiled a nest history from 2016 to 2024 in their files. What a great way to educate viewers now and in decades to come. Every nest should have historical information readily available online. Thank you to everyone who contributed.

Loch of the Lowes: Sadly, one of the two remaining eggs was broken. One egg left. Perhaps this is a blessing in disguise for our new couple who are, we believe, first time parents.

Big Bear Valley: Sunny has branched! SK Hideaways has it on video as this gorgeous juvenile makes it to the Front Porch. https://youtu.be/bizDGFI0HMc?

San Jose Falcons: What’s this about drains? https://youtu.be/BXNcoTMi1wA?

Johnson City ETSU: We have a fledge! Baiba catches JC25’s flight for us: https://youtu.be/gHpuRq8Cj5k?

Bluff City ETSU: Two beautiful eaglets are ready to fledge, and thankfully, neither of the Tennessee nests has been damaged by the many storms moving through this region.

Denton Homes: The wind is blowing and hopefully drying out the eaglets and the nest from the downpours and huge storm of Monday.

Wild Bucovina, Romania, Golden Eagle nest 2: Pausa is a lovely little eaglet.

White Rock, BC Eagles: Terry Anita’s latest post: “White Rock, BC. Eagles Mom (Dad missing) Eaglets Miracle and Phenomenon. Hatched 4/30/25
Although they missed out on the baby crow. Mom flies out and back, in seconds, with a fish from the fairy. 🐠🧚‍♀️Only one eaglet ate..
The eaglet are 20 days old today. Their thermal down is in and they’re progressing well. What a season 2025 miracle these two eaglets are..
Live cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYpwF0hteVA&#8221;

Dyfi: Bob 3 was almost out of the egg – beak peeking out in the wee hours today.

Rutland Manton Bay: All four are up and ready for fish early this morning!

Poole Harbour: No visible pips yet!

Llyn Clywedog: Recently hatched Big Bob waiting for Seren Blue 5F to feed him/her their fish dinner!

Black Stork Nest, Lodz, Poland: Aren’t they darlings? They are being fed a goldfish dinner! https://youtu.be/mTDMp143khA?

Taja International Black Storks:

Mlade Buky: Bety and Bukachek have two little storklets recently hatched!

Mark Avery lists the species currently impacted by HPAI in the UK: “Bird flu: the list of affected bird species has reached 36 for the UK in 2025 with two additions in the last month: Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Bewick’s Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Pink-footed Goose, Barnacle Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Eider, White-tailed Eagle, Red Kite, Buzzard, Goshawk, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Kestrel, Curlew, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Little Gull, Sandwich Tern, Gannet, Cormorant, Razorbill, Guillemot, Barn Owl, Long-eared Owl, Tawny Owl, Grey Heron, Pheasant 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.”

I want to remind everyone about the changes to the Migratory Bird Act in the US. As one of our readers, ‘TC’ notes: “— Keep the ESA intact,AS-IS. This proposed change could prove to be one of the most harmful things we have done to nature in the last fifty years.
— NO TO nullifying the ESA passed by the U.S. Congress in 1973. The proposal is counter to the purpose of the ESA to protect imperiled species and the ecosystems upon which they depend.
— We cannot protect the species without protecting their habitats. Without the habitats, wildlife would go extinct.
— We are all connected—humans, animals, and the natural world. To ensure a thriving planet, we must protect all wildlife and the habitats they depend on.”

You should not have to be a US citizen to comment on the changes made to the law that are not productive to having a healthy world shared with our non-human friends.

All comments are considered public and will be posted online once the Interior Department has reviewed them. You can view alternative ways to comment or you may also comment via Regulations.gov at https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/FWS-HQ-MB-2024-0127-0055.

With the ospreys hatching and eaglets fledging, it is not an opportune time for me to take a break from writing the blog, but I need to step away for a few days. Toby’s ear infection has kept me busy and very tired, as he hasn’t been sleeping well. My garden desperately needs attention, and the work needs to be done immediately. We will return with all the news on Tuesday, May 27th. See you then. In the meantime, please take care!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff, Heidi, PB’, Raptor Resource Project, Audubon, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Snow Lane Osprey Nest, with the Beaumont and Hope FB group, LOTL, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, Baiba, Bluff City ETSU, Denton Homes, Wild Bucovina, Dyfi, LRWT, Llyn Clywedog, Terry Anita and Hancock Wildlife Foundation, Mark Avery’s 21 May Newsblast, Bozena Isla, Taja International, Mlade Buky, Smallwood, Dewey Beach

Tuesday in Bird World

20 May 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

The Victoria long weekend is over. People have gone to the greenhouses and planted their annual flowers and herbs. We now live in the hope that frost does not return!

Toby is doing much better. His switch is either on or off. There is nothing in the middle! Today Toby discovered The Girl’s water fountain. He loves drinking out of it instead of his dish. Yes! That makes my life much easier. And he even got to go on an adventure. Toby went in his pram to the greenhouse so we could pick up some red and purple fuchsia for the hummingbirds and some bright red Salvia. Once home we planted three different types of peas/beans: Latvian Soup Peas, Osayo Endo Pea, and a Kentucky Wonder Climbing bean. The cherry tomatoes are in big pots with frames along with the peppers. Dill and Rosemary are planted and all we need are to move the Hibiscus outside and plant some Japanese eggplant, English cucumbers, and maybe some of the small watermelons. Hopefully the weather will cooperate. I bought a new watering hose last fall and the hope is that it does not tangle around itself – it is not supposed to!

I should say that Toby was an angel both in the car and in the pram moving around the greenhouse. What a wonderful little traveller. Today I knocked on wood because he also doesn’t bark or whine. If he is on the sofa and needs to get down, he makes two faint little barks and I do mean faint. I could not ask for anything more – he loves his cheese and peanut butter, eats his kibble, and is about 97% accurate when hitting the bull’s eye on the puppy pads. Our friend ‘AK’ sent us an ad for scrunchies to hold back the ears. These should really help as his ears and legs seem to grow over night. I am hoping that they will help prevent water getting in the ear when he is drinking and maybe help with infections! So cute.

The Girls are doing very well. Do you remember when Hugo Yugo was small? It seemed that she was destined to stay small. Well, something happened. Overnight, she seemed to grow, and I do mean grow. She is long and tall, and I believe it is bigger than Calico overall!!!!!! I hope to take some better photos in the next few days, so you can see what I’m talking about. It is a shock. She is still the lovable baby of the group, regardless.

The relief in hearing about Akecheta’s survival has filled my inbox. Monday morning there were over 1900 letters with more than 1000 of them overflowing with love for A61, blue wing tag, male resident at the West End nest. Each and everyone of us hopes, beyond hope, that Thunder is with him. I will continue to ask: Why not? The experts didn’t think Akecheta would be near Ojai, California so why not have Thunder with him? She left her eggs (almost unthinkable for an eagle mother) and was not seen at the West End after the 28th of February. That was approximately six weeks after Akecheta’s injury on the 19th of January. It makes sense to me. Everyone wishes Thunder had a wing tag, too! But maybe someone will capture more images of Akecheta with a female and we can see if it might be Thunder.

Coupled with this unbelievable miracle was the sadness at the Golden Eagle nest of Spilve and Grislis. It is a rare exception that the second eaglet survives. Knowing that this is practically inevitable in this species, it is much better if the little one goes quickly right after hatch. We have, in the past, witnessed the second eaglet survive to the point they were getting juvenile feathers and then get starved or killed or both in that order.

If you watch, there is often a pattern. The adults will withhold food. Once the second eaglet is no longer, food arrives, like a reward.

More information: In golden eagles, siblicide – the killing of a sibling – is a well-known phenomenon, particularly when there is a difference in size or strength between the nestlings. The older, larger chick may aggressively attack the younger, smaller sibling, leading to its death through physical injury or starvation. This behavior is often referred to as “bill-stabbing,” where the older chick jabs its younger sibling. 

Here’s a more detailed look at siblicide in golden eagles:

  • Asynchronous Hatching:Golden eagles often lay two eggs, and the first-hatched chick is usually larger and stronger. 
  • Size and Strength:The larger chick may start aggressively attacking its smaller sibling soon after hatching, leading to its death. 
  • “Bill-stabbing”:A common method of killing involves the older chick stabbing the younger one around the neck or body. 
  • Obligate Siblicide:In some cases, siblicide can be obligate, meaning that the younger chick almost always dies. 
  • Survival:The larger chick’s survival is often favored due to the potential for more efficient resource allocation and a better chance of fledging
Wilson- Golden EaglesDownload

Many theorise that the siblicide in Golden Eagles is based on the gender of the first hatchling.

Breeding – Golden Eagle – Aquila chrysaetos – Birds of the WorldDownload

We have certainly noticed the difference in ospreys. There is a higher likelihood of siblicide if the first hatch is a female and is much larger and older than the third hatch. All we have to do is think of Solly or Zoe at Port Lincoln to understand this. There is, of course, the all-time issue of enough food for all the chicks and the ability of the female to manage the feeding of all.

Border Osprey News:

Border Osprey NewsDownload

Glaslyn: It would appear that Aran has, indeed, relinquished his nest to Elen and Teifi. I am glad that he is alright. Many times these raptors will fight to the near-death or death for their territory.

Llyn Brenig: We have sat mesmerised by the ringing of the chicks on all of the nests, whether it be an osprey, an eagle, or a hawk. Chicks are weighed, measurements are taken, and identification rings applied along with satellite trackers (sometimes). Genders are announced based on the measurements at the time. A colleague once told me “Don’t argue with the ringers!” They do not always get that gender correct. Olwen is a good example!

Hellgate Canyon Ospreys:

Union County Falcon chicks are ringed! Watch Sylvia’s video for all the action: https://youtu.be/JMxgasJZLT4? She comments: “It’s banding day for the 4 eyasses of Union County. The chicks are taken out one by one, put in a tote bag and taken downstairs where they will be banded and examined out of view. The inside cam is wiped clean and the igloo gets some new gravel inside. The torn greenery is also replaced. The crew returns with 3 females and 1 male. Unfortunately there was a big glitch in the stream and time gap. Three are already inside and the 4th comes out of the bag. They have a lot to say but eventually they calm down and recover from their field trip”

White Rock Eagles: The two eaglets being raised by the single mother are still thriving! Sandy Jo captured a recent feeding. It does include a live bird as prey so exercise caution if you might find this disturbing. https://youtu.be/fxTg8DNHXPU?

Trempeauleau Eagles: Another eaglet being raised by a single Mum. T3 is doing very, very well. There is a big fish waiting for dinner!

‘PB’ reports that it is going to be a wet day for this nest.

Denton Homes and OPPD Fort Calhoun Ospreys are in the line of a huge storm that is approaching as I write this (1900 Monday the 19th of May). The winds are really picking up. ‘PB’ advises that the storm chasers are in the area as the line of tornadoes approaches.

At 1930 the winds are really picking up at Denton Homes. You cannot see the swaying unfortunately. Mum is on the nest with the babies.

By 1955, the winds were roaring, and the sway of the tree could make even a sailor seasick. Hang on, Majestics. This is a bad storm. We need this nest to hold. Remember, Clive rode out Hurricane Milton by hunkering down in the nest. Many people are sending prayers and positive wishes to the Majestics.

Mum and chicks are shaking off the rain while it and the wind continue. The nest is soaked to its core. I hope the weight of it is not a problem.

‘PB’ says the rain should stop for both nests around 0300 – that is six more hours.

The nest held!

Foulshaw Moss: The second chick has arrived for White YW and Blue 35.

Heidi’s Nest Note:

Brevard County: The eldest chick is practicing self-feeding and doing some wingers.  The chicks are 41 and 40 days old. There is no doubt in my mind, chick 2 has thrived because of Mom catching those huge fish at least once a day.  That has made all the difference at this nest.

Heidi is absolutely correct. Many of the females resort to adding to the pantry and in almost every instance it has meant that a smaller chick has survived to fledge!

Geemeff Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 19th May 2025

Daily summary Monday 19th May 2025

As I was preparing this report stating no fish today, Louis turned up with an unusually late first fish – just a tiddler, but Dorcha tore into it and polished it off on the nest while Louis stood next to her, not moving towards the eggs, and he departed soon after she’d swallowed the tail. His tally rises to ninety seven. On Nest One, Aurora paid a visit in the morning but Garry didn’t come to the nest today, although an Osprey was seen via LizB’s telescope eating fish in a tree near the nest, with another Osprey perched nearby. As only fish delivered to the nest are included in the fish stats, his tally remains at fifty eight. The weather was settled again and will stay that way until the weekend. If the forecast is correct, hatching could take place in the rain, but Dorcha is a very good mumbrella and should keep the the tiny chicks warm and dry.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.27.00 (03.14.45); Nest Two 23.50.27 (03.45.19)

Today’s videos: https://youtu.be/p8Yth43EMw8 N2 Sunset delivery of fish number one and only 22.32.21
Bonus history – how much do you know about the remarkable Kenneth Watkins who founded Woodland Trust in 1972?https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/about-us/working-with-us/our-people/our-founder/

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/4gYRLpvvSRs  N1 What startles Aila? 2020 (slo-mo)

https://youtu.be/rZ424IJOGjg  N1 Aila chases an intruder Osprey 2020

https://youtu.be/hgdwz6wYRbU  N1 A tiny toy deer grazes by the nest 2020 (slo-mo)

https://youtu.be/haFOLmUsLbQ  N1 Has Aila swallowed a fly? 2020

https://youtu.be/bcSQSQaeRGE  N2 Dorcha is disturbed by an intruder Osprey 2022

https://youtu.be/Ts2KcLv9_YQ  N2 Previous day’s unringed intruder female is back 2023

https://youtu.be/T7OstzxP05A  N1 Little songbird serenades as dusk falls 2023

https://youtu.be/7VpUP7pU9LU  N1 Who’s causing Garry LV0 alarm? 2024

https://youtu.be/73Bvt21AH5k N1 Garry LV0 returns bringing moss 2024 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/LLle366zcQg N2 Louis brings Dorcha a second fish 2024

https://youtu.be/dX1RADsAqbs N1 Garry LV0 returns a third time, brings more moss 2024 (zoom)

Latvian White Tail Eagles, Durbe County: Milda and Zorro’s chicks have names -Leo and Neo -and are going to fight over prey! https://youtu.be/XzgP_axFDsE?

Cornell Red-tail Hawks: O1 and O2 are the cutest little things. They are getting big and often peek out from under Big Red.

Everyone’s welcome to join the community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and friendly:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

I would like to take a moment to acknowledge that Kelly Sorenson is celebrating thirty years with the Ventana Wildlife Society. Congratulations!

Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. We hope to see you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘AK, Geemeff, Heidi, PB’, Wilson Bulletin, Cornell Bird Lab Birds of the World, Rosie Shields and Border Ospreys, Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn, Llyn Brenig, Montana Osprey Cams, Sylvia, Sandy Jo, Trempeauleau Eagles, Denton Homes, OPPD Fort Calhoun Ospreys, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Lizmn, Brevard County, Foulshaw Moss/Cumbria Wildlife Trust

Sunday in Bird World

18 May 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

Morning Updates:

Dyfi: Second osplet hatches for Idris and Telyn.

Foulshaw Moss: First hatch.

Latvian Golden Eagle: Both chicks of Spilve alive.

The cooler weather, 3 C, continues on the Canadian prairies. It is so wet and so cold. I feel for any little birds in the nest. It reminds me of when the osprey nests (or eagles) get damp and cold.

Missey and Calico are even friendly when it is chilly. I have the tiny space heater plugged in and both found the precise spot where the heat dispersed the best and shared! My goodness what is the world coming to – Calico and Missey sharing?

Little Toby is doing better. He is not scratching his ear nearly as often and he does not yelp when I put the medication in. He does love his little pill dipped in peanut butter and thinks if we head for the fridge it is ‘cheese time’. I don’t fall for it every time. He isn’t going to train me this young!!!!!!

We left Toby home and made a quick trip to the greenhouse. This is the long weekend of May commonly known as Queen Victoria’s Birthday weekend. Gardeners call it ‘Greenhouse Weekend’. It is the time when normally we would not fear a frost and all plants could go into the ground. They had been holding a jasmine plant for me and the woman had a new climber, Butterfly Blue. You make tea out of the blue flowers and it is supposed to help with cognition and stress. It is, “Butterfly pea (clitoria ternatea) is a flowering plant also known as Asian pigeonwings, blue butterfly pea or blue ternate flower. It is a type of pea, but its flowers are more famous than its fruit. The purple blooms have been used for centuries as a natural food dye.” A tea shops says, “These flowers have the power to delight, changing colour from blue to purple to pink, depending on what they’re mixed with. They have been used to add colour to celebratory drinks in various locales around the world since forever. 

Butterfly Pea Flower is perfect for making exotic tea-infused cocktails, unicorn lattes or just for a little fun in your cup.

Blue butterfly pea is also rich in antioxidants. It can slow down the skin aging process, prevent premature aging, and improve overall skin tone and texture.”

I will be excited to try it.

It is the weekend and we have some hatches starting in the UK.

Dyfi Osprey Project: The first hatch for Idris and Telyn! Idris has a good look. We can count on lots of Mullet for the family. Idris is an incredible provider.

Poole Harbour: Soon!

Storm took down their nest but one eagle was saved! How wonderful.

Loch of the Lowes: The new male has been filmed fishing at the loch. He is going to be a good provider for the new female and their family. https://youtu.be/g8XmC9Afok4?

Duke Farms: Sylvia catches the first fledge on video. https://youtu.be/dM8vQNEk9VA?

Boulder County: Those pesky little birds would like to get Mum off those eggs. They think they might make a tasty dinner.

Wolf Bay: By 1636, there had been six feedings for the osprey trio.

Rutland Manton Bay: Maya has been feeding all four of the chicks. Send good wishes. Their hatch dates are spread and the last two are tiny. If any couple can pull this off, Maya and Blue 33 can.

Finnish Nests: Incubation continues on all nests.

LVM Klinšu ērglis (Latvian Golden Eagle nest of Spilve and Grislis): The eldest eaglet survives. There has been lots of food. The small one was being fed, but the older one continually bonks it and it is not popping its head up to eat. Sadly, as we know, there is the imperative of the oldest to kill the second hatch. The oldest golden eagle hatchling may start acting aggressively to its younger sibling(s) as soon as it or they hatch. Within the first two days, this often escalates into “bill-stabbing” wherein the younger sibling is jabbed around their neck or the middle of their body until a gaping, fatal wound is created.

Silve is feeding the second hatch. In instances where there is lots of food and good parenting, there is an opportunity for the second eaglet to survive.

Geemeff Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 17th May 2025

The day started with an early visit from an inquisitive Buzzard who checked out the nest even to lifting bits of bark to look underneath, and returned a second time to preen and shed a few little feathers. Later in the day an unseen intruder near Nest Two caused Dorcha to flee the nest and not return for five minutes, while on Nest One Garry LV0 made some alarm calls and shortly afterwards both he and Aurora fled the nest and didn’t return for three hours. However when they did return, Garry brought a fish for Aurora, and less than three hours later, delivered a second, which takes his tally to fifty six. Louis made Dorcha wait for a meal today and delivered only a single fish but that fish was a whopper and made for a substantial meal. His tally now stands at ninety four. Today’s weather continued the pattern of clear sky overnight and sunshine during the day, and that should continue tonight, with sunshine and a high of 22°C tomorrow.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.17.16 (03.17.06); Nest Two 23.45.07 (03.39.18)

Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/ErDsAnWi3-E N1 A Buzzard pokes about inquisitively 06.36.32

https://youtu.be/JvJOyJzMabg N1 The Buzzard returns and does some preening 06.42.37 (zoom) 

https://youtu.be/U2G-xjJBEKs  N1 Aurora waits for Garry then grabs the fish and goes 13.26.06

https://youtu.be/OFrj8CuZmPQ N1 Another fish for Aurora not long after the first 16.15.11https://youtu.be/prod5jXGvEU  N2 Nearly 24 hours after the last one, a fish finally arrives – it’s huge! 18.50.12 
Bonus advice – what to do if you find a chick out of the nest:https://www.popsci.com/environment/what-to-do-if-you-find-a-baby-bird/

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/2xr0kHFi4BE  N1 Aila brings a new Louis-removal device 2019

https://youtu.be/2SeN0J1rxOg  N1 Close encounters of the bird kind 2020 (slo-mo)

https://youtu.be/Rh1aeXJkWng  N1 Co-ordinated stick work by Louis & Aila 2020

https://youtu.be/IW7bBXUG7QM  N1 Woohoo! Successful mating by the Newsome Twosome 2021

https://youtu.be/aip-ZV4vZ4g  N1 First fish delivered to Blue 152 by The Stranger 2021

https://youtu.be/akMXEPJOQIo  N2 Dorcha sees off intruder Osprey Blue PU0 2023

https://youtu.be/miF-Q3_MxDg  N2 Intruder Blue PU0 returns and very nearly lands on Dorcha 2023

https://youtu.be/9aC3rufAdio  N2 Dorcha uses her ‘scare crow’ voice 2023

https://youtu.be/5cCaq5kTqkI N2 First fish is number 100 and also season’s earliest! 2024

https://youtu.be/ebw5Gj3hh4A N2 Louis arrives with an unsuitable stick 2024

Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

‘AR’ sends us some of the latest information on mapping the evolution of our feathered friends!

Researchers Have Mapped the Evolution of Every Known Bird Species

Heidi sent this video discussion to me and I would like to share it with you. Perhaps you have seen it, I haven’t. It is a discussion of the owl attack on Dory, the female osprey, at the Audubon Boathouse.I don’t know if you’ve seen this: A video collaboration from Explore.org and Audubon Seabird Institute

Heidi says, “I thought this video was well done.  Dory was an excellent mom and mate and we loved her.  Dory was a predator, but she was not at the top of the food chain.  Dory became prey. Warning: briefly graphic.”

Also a nest note from Heidi that is truly a miracle: “
5/17 – Havre de Grace osprey nest:  The babies hatched on 5/12 and 5/13.  A very inexperienced Mom did not feed them for nearly two days… she did not know how.  At first she just ate and made no attempt to feed them, despite their apparent readiness to receive fish bits.  Later she would lean toward them from about 2 feet away to offer them bites… like ‘come and get it’.  I thought for sure those babies were going to die.  But her instincts kicked it, Mom learned, and now she’s doing very well… and so are the kids!  I was relieved that Mom suddenly seemed to get the hang of it.  There is not a lot of time at that stage for a long-duration learning curve.”

‘EJ’ sent me a note about a rehabilitation officer that might interest all of you. They write, “I wanted to bring your attention to the Southwest Wildlife Foundation of Utah, run by a man named Martin Tyner, who has cared for raptors, mainly Golden Eagles, his entire life. He has lots of YouTube videos which you will love, especially the release of rehabbed raptors.” Oh, it is always a delight when our raptors have been healed and can go back and live in the wild. Check out his channel!

‘EJ’ also sent a cute video. Do you think owls like baths? https://www.thedodo.com/daily-dodo/she-was-miserable-and-trapped-in-manure-now-shes-unrecognizable

I could not leave without checking on Big Red, Arthur, and O1 and O2. The chicks are getting some pin feathers. There are clown feet. Life is looking good and the sun is shining in Ithaca!

I want to thank everyone who has sent a list – short or long – to help me with the Memorial Wall. Please keep them coming! I know that I am missing eaglets that have died. Any information is appreciated.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. We hope to have you with us again soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, comments, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘AR, EJ, Geemeff, Heidi, PR’, Dyfi Osprey Project, Birds of Poole Harbour, TA Montague and Bald Eagles 101, LOTL, Sylvia and Duke Farms, Boulder County, Wolf Bay, LRWT, Saaksilvie, LDF Golden Eagle Nest, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, SciTechDaily, Explore.org, the dodo.com, Cornell Red-tail Hawk Cam, Havre de Grace