Bubba is ready to fledge…Monday in Bird World

11 November 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

Thank you for your good wishes for Hugo Yugo. As I write this, she is pretty sick. She ate a little food on Saturday night and drank water on Sunday morning. She was able to keep it down. I am preparing to feed her with a syringe with ground-up kibble mixed with kitten milk to keep her going until she can see the vet on Wednesday. I will feed her every 1.5 hours. It is now late Sunday evening. Hugo Yugo had another feeding and instead of going straight to hide in my room on my pillow, she plunked herself down on the foot stool to watch her sisters. It feels like an improvement. And yes, we fed her with a syringe until nearly midnight when she ate on her own. Tears.

She is now cuddled with her Missey. This is fantastic.

I am really, really tired of hearing about our wildlife being killed unnecessarily. It has been a week that just keeps on giving!

New research shows that skyscrapers are killing millions of birds annually during migration. It doesn’t have to happen. What is wrong with people?

Fears New York buildings’ deadly toll on migratory birds could be on the rise. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/10/birds-building-collisions-new-york-city?CMP=share_btn_url

It just seems there have been so many deaths associated with humans where I live lately. There were the eight bald eagles in the field (COD pending), then the two local foxes whose den was destroyed at the site of new condos – the one being hit by a car on a busy street last night and the other on a busy bridge. My fear is that they were targeted – the driver of the vehicle either baiting them or driving around til they saw them out and speeding up. I am worried about Dyson and her kids who now run across a street that has nothing to slow down the would be Formula 3 drivers since their trees were cut down. We went to get Hugo Yugo more kitten milk and noticed the large tree at the intersection where the Blue Jays nest has a vast orange circle on it this morning, indicating it is now destined to be cut down. When they are finished, we will not have a tree anywhere in sight higher than a meter. Our street was fully canopied two years ago after the leaves came out. It was gorgeous. Looks like the barren moonscape now. The trees the City planted will take 25 years even to become a size for animals to use. The ones being cut down were planted in 1902. If I could scoop up all the garden animals and The Boyfriend and move them, I would leave.

Oh, enough of my rant. The animals are so used to me that I can now sit on the upper deck and photograph them while they forage.

Just look at Dyson. She is not young. She is a real Senior citizen in the squirrel community, but, more important, she is the matriarch.

It is not a great image, but look at that strong back leg of Dyson’s as she gets ready to jump down with her precious peanut.

One of Dyson’s three kits. Isn’t it cute?

And another kit. The three of them were running around the garden with their Mum. They don’t mind me at all. I feel so privileged – and, of course, these are the reasons that I could never leave here – just vacation elsewhere. There is no natural food or not much for them anymore. The Squirrels used to eat the ‘helicopters’ (the seeds) of the Maple Trees but there are no more Maples and no one had the foresight to plant Oak trees!!!!!!!!!!! So no acorns. I did catch Little Red at the very top of the crab apple tree getting the little apples, though. That is not enough to sustain even him, however.

This is how it starts out in the morning. Today, I discovered that the Blue Jays get busy pecking the peanuts and shooting the ones they don’t like off the feeding tray! Dyson & Co thank them for sure. Junior is also stuffing peanuts down its throat like Mr Crow – like a pouch as in pelican. :))

Both Crows visited today.

Oh, the joy they bring! Just look at that face on the Crow above. I cannot imagine anyone harming them.

Isn’t this a gorgeous image? Don Dennis photographed this Bald Eagle couple on Russell Lake, Nova Scotia on Saturday, 9 November 2024. Many more will be coming to our prey-rich Atlantic province for the winter! Don is an excellent photographer. It looks like these two were deep in conversation. I love the evergreens and then that touch of autumn foliage.

Time to check on the birds on streaming cams.

Bubba is ready to fly! 56 days old. Heidi got all the hovering action on video! https://youtu.be/Hbi_1T2zyfc?

At Port Lincoln, breakfast came early. Kasse ate last, but the milestone reached was by Wilko who stood up to eat! He is becoming a ‘big boy’.

Wilko stands up tall part way through the feeding to eat! Way to go, Wilko.

Now it is Kasse’s turn for some fish!

At Collins Street, the parents want the triplets to fledge. They deliver prey and take it away flying by to tease them to use those wings and chase them! It is all coming far too soon for Melbourne and Orange. https://youtu.be/l-xDYFIszYQ?

Diamond and Xavier are not withholding prey!

No news really for the fledgling WBSE. It kind of worries me. The one was in the bushes the other day. Will someone check? I wonder. One had their wing caught eons ago in branches down low and couldn’t get away.

At Hilton Head Bald Eagle nest, we have a takeover (or potential take over bid) by the GHOs. The nest was battered by Hurricane Milton. Wonder where the eagles will nest? https://youtu.be/5WqBTRFWqZ4?

Meanwhile at NE Florida, Gabby and Beau worked tirelessly on Sunday getting that nest ready for those precious eggs (fingers crossed).

It rained in Iowa. I did not see any eagles working on the nest at Decorah North. Rain started later in the afternoon.

Eagles were present at Denton Homes.

Beautiful sunset over the Captiva Bald Eagle nest of Connie and Clive.

Where are the Ospreys at Captiva?

Jackie and Shadow make us all smile! They were at Big Bear on Sunday! https://youtu.be/QqiawH1-NpA?

Franklin was near the ETSU-Bluff City nest on Sunday.

And look who later joined him on the branch – Frances!

At the WRDC, Ron and Rose are getting cosy. https://youtu.be/g-bRObhrWfQ?

Incubation changes at SW Florida are smooth and routine.

Lots of work to do by Jolene and Boone at the ETSU-Johnson City nest destroyed by Milton. They got a kind helping hand on that rebuild.

Incorrigible. The Grouse Moor Licensing Scheme to protect raptors is already attacked by the estate owners! Unbelievable.

I hope they don’t mind. Karl II was the most amazing Black Stork father and he deserves to always be remembered on ‘Father’s Day in Estonia’ and every where around the world where he was loved.

Here is that video: https://youtu.be/ECHO4uUJrFQ?

The latest from Sharon Dunne on the Royal Albatross chicks and their flight to the waters off Chile.

Rita the Eagle Monday Facts.

Live in Vancouver? There is a fundraiser for The Nest Companion Bird Car & Rehabilitation Society.

There are still hundreds if not thousands of Canada Geese in Winnipeg who have not migrated. In SW Manitoba, the Sandhill Cranes are still flying south. It is the middle of November!

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, comments, images, posts, videos, and streaming cams: ‘A, Connie and Don Dennis,H, J’, Heidi McGrue, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, 367 Collins Street by Mirvac, SK Hideaways, Judy Harrington, Hilton Head Land Trust, NEFL-AEF, Raptor Resource Project/explore.org, Denton Homes, Window to Wildlife, Heidi McGrue, SW Florida Eagle Cam, Cali Condor, ETSU-Bluff City, ETSU-Johnson City, Raptor Persecution UK, Madli Allsoo, Sharon Dunne, Rita the Eagle, The Nest Companion Bird Care & Rehabilitation Society

Tuesday in Bird World

6 August 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

What a wonderful way to start the day!

This is part of a fabulous message from ‘B’: “Gosh, Mary Ann, Hellgate is breaking the smile-meter today.  Not only does Sum-eh “branch” to the perch at 6:53, but then s/he tires of the perch at 7:43 and takes off on a real fledge.  And without even seeing her, we can follow the whole flight by seeing Antali track the whole flight, right up to the landing a minute later.  At 8:00 Iris lands and begins calling for the celebratory fish, but she must already know it is on the way, because Finn arrives with fish at 8:00:54, and the whole family is on the nest to celebrate Sum-eh’s fledge.”

How many of us just had tears in our eyes when we saw Sum-eh fly? I keep thinking that this is the perfect Osprey family. Everything this year was as if it had been choreographed by someone directing a world-famous symphony or ballet company at the Hellgate nest of Iris and Finnegan. I want it to stay this perfect.

Iris and her family have energized me.

Information on Montana Ospreys and where they migrate and when:

Poor Iris.

Oh, it was not so hot today but that did not stop the Blue Jays dive bombing the Crow fledglings whenever they came to get cheesy dogs and kibble! The sounds of the fledglings alarming and wanting the parents to come and help was, at times, a bit eerie. And then a community cat came and that really got the Crows going!

The tree you can see is where the Blue Jays nest. They gather there and swoop at the fledgling Crows whenever they come for food. You will see that one of the Crows on the fence has a lighter chest (far right)—it is moulting and an adult.

BirdGuides Photo of the Week is an osprey diving for a fish. Several places in the UK offer hides for taking these amazing images – at a price. Most of all, it helps the ospreys because there is a healthy amount of fish available and, in all cases, as I understand it, the ‘farmers’ who monetised their ponds or fish tanks are making more money from folks like us who want to get that winning image. Note that I have been more than careful not to say ‘shot’ – as the ospreys steal fish at the commercial fish ponds in South America and do get shot. I wish those farmers would advertise hides for taking photographs. They might discover this win-win situation, too.

Geemeff’s daily summary for Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust:

Daily summary Monday 5th August 2024

Just a raft of Mistle Thrushes and a Woodpecker on Nest One today – no Ospreys, no other action on either nest, just plenty of rain. Filling in the gap a little, LizB posted more footage of the Bunarkaig nest showing Affric and her chick, links in the bonus section. The wet weather continues tonight and tomorrow, with the possibility of thundery showers in the late afternoon.

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.35.04 (04.41.35); Nest Two 22.46.59 (04.49.03)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/2VFRd-lLvn4 N1 Many Mistle Thrushes and a Woodpecker visit 13.12.59

Bonus videos – Another couple of bits of video footage from Bunarkaig (thanks LizB):

https://youtu.be/KZnXzJYpR6Q  The chick having a flap and a hop about on the nest with mum Affric

https://youtu.be/aFurmuMNz5E The chick taking flight

Watch the Loch Arkaig Osprey livestream 24/7 and join in the conversation here:

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

Concerns for USU at nest #4 Finland continues as migration approaches. Will someone take the osplet into rehab?

‘PB’ caught USU flapping!!!!!!!

We are going to have a fledge at Charlo soon!

The other nest to keep an eye on is Minesota Landscape Arboretum. Our only surviving chick is on the perch with Mum on Monday.

Dad continues to deliver nice fish meals to the Cowlitz PUD nest.

River has come a long way to getting very proficient at self-feeding. Mum Keke looks on at the Sandpoint nest.

All three on the nest at Blackbush at Old Tracadie Harbour.

Nice crops on Mum and the fledgling at Boulder County.

‘PB’ caught a great image of the McEuen fledgling – just look at that crop. Mum did well. Such a sad year for this nest but one osplet survived with Mum despite the heat and having a single parent nest.

Blue (HWF BBCentral nest) was doing some wingers and moving around the nest including standing on the rim.

From the Forum:

‘CG’ reports:

AP Hovasse was out taking videos this morning.  Believes Blue is ready to FLY!!  He will be out again tomorrow morning.  

Cams came back up at 1452 hours.

At 1715 hours, she pulled a plastic bag up out of the nest and proceeded to rip it up scattering it across the nest.

Aug5-Bag2.jpg

At 1750 hours, a parent delivered food, dropping it at the edge of the nest.  Blue grabbed it and mantled it.

She did her usual flapping and seems to have taken to sitting on the edge of the nest.  She also had three healthy looking PSs this afternoon.  

Aug5-Edge1.jpg

Close up of Blue.Aug5-Close4.jpg

By 2251 hours, she is lying down asleep.

Aug5-Nite1.jpg

Weather for Tuesday high of 73F, low 50F, sunny.  Temperature predicted to rise to the 80s Wednesday-Friday, then back down to the 70s with clouds for Saturday through the next week.”

Dad brought a really nice fish to Mum at the Port Lincoln Barge Tuesday morning! Oh, these two are getting me excited. Think the fish fairies will be around this year?

Small beak peeking out of the egg at the Olympic Sea Eagle nest in Sydney. The chick has made some progress during the night and Lady didn’t get much sleep. Let’s hope it is out today.

At Osprey House Environment Centre, the three osplets are little reptiles. I wonder if they will continue to play sweet. Let’s hope!

Where does Australia’s Painted Snipe go in the winter?

A reality TV show in Australia where the contestant ate a rare bird. I thought Geemeff was kidding me – not. Who are these idiots?

https://www.birdguides.com/news/reality-tv-contestant-killed-and-ate-protected-bird

And some better news!

https://www.birdguides.com/news/extinct-in-the-wild-guam-kingfisher-hatches-in-captivity

‘H’ reports:

8/6 Colonial Beach osprey nest:  By 0935 this morning, Betty will have been missing for three days.  Yesterday, David brought 43-day-old Cobey a large headless fish in the morning, and Cobey ate some of it a few times throughout the day.  Cobey is doing well with his self-feeding, but he is not strong enough to tear through much of the skin, especially as the fish dries out.  There was an interesting period of time when there was an intruder on the nest for about 1.5 hours.  Fortunately the intruder was not interested in Cobey, and he did not take the leftover fish.  The intruder simply looked around, and moved some sticks.  We were hoping that David would bring a fresh fish for supper, but he didn’t.  Cobey was noted to have a few good PS on 8/5, but s/he needs more fish than what he is getting.  Unfortunately, David does not do any feeding.  As a single dad, we are hoping that David will increase the amount of fresh fish that he provides for Cobey.  Today will be mostly cloudy, high temp 90, winds gusting to 17 mph.  Please come home, Mommy!

8/5 Osoyoos osprey nest:  They had a good day.  There were 7 fish brought to the nest, including 2 from Soo.  And, both Soo and Olsen delivered some whoppers.  Chick 2 is still not quite ready to take that maiden flight.  S/he did some wingers with slight lift, but no hovers that I have seen.  Weather for 8/6:  sunny, high temp 90F/32C, winds gusting to 13 mph.

An Osprey family living in the Turtle Mountains of Manitoba just west of where I live taken by Brenda Lyons two days ago!

In Estonia, three new Black Storks have been fitted with transmitters. Yeah! We wish them a long, long life. We hope that one of those, Kerli, which is believed to be Kergu’s sweetie pie, will return with him next year to breed.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. We hope to see you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, observations, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, B, CG, Geemeff, H, PB, RP, TU’, Montana Osprey Project, Montana Osprey Cams, mt.gov, McEuen Park, Hancock Wildlife Forum, HWF-BBCentral, BirdGuides, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Cathy Cohen, Osprey House Environment Centre, The Guardian, BirdGuides, Colonial Beach, Osoyoos Osprey Cam, Brenda Lyons, Ciconia Negro.