It was a nice day. The wind was a bit nippy, and I kept myself to the area around the duck pond at Assiniboine Park and The English Garden. It is just so lovely to get out in the winter. Lots of people were walking their puppies today. One was an 18-year-old terrier. His owners had a little pet stroller in case he got cold or tired. How sweet. I wonder what it would be like if governments cared that much about wildlife.
The paths were not groomed, but they were also not slippery. No blue sky, just everything shades of grey and brown! I will be so glad when spring is here.
Someone asked if Missey was still being Mama to Hugo Yugo. Yes, absolutely! This was Sunday afternoon. Here are a few images of the two of them after Hugo Yugo had pulled the camp blanket off the sofa and tossed it around. She is pretty strong to be so little!
Sorry, Bald Eagles. Sally and Harry laid their first egg of the season at 1718 Sunday – they really wanted to put a damper on Super Bowl viewing!
Good for Sally. She isn’t going to give that egg much incubation time. Delaying it will only mean less stress between hatchlings. Look for the second egg on Valentine’s Day.
The season’s second egg for the PA Farm Country eagles was also laid on Sunday. The Live Stream is at HDonTap, and there is no rewind! Many little birds nest below the main Eagle nest – it is an excellent place for them to raise their families. Reminds me of Patchogue. ’MP’ told me that he used to watch the Sparrows at Patchogue when Mini was doing poorly….it is the thing to do: watch the birds. It will take your mind off anything!
Hope and Chandler at Port Tobacco also have their second egg for the 2024 Bald Eagle season.
There were a lot of meals today for Swampy and Meadow at Eagle Country. It is too difficult to tell but Abby kept the fish flakes going down the nest bowl so, surely, Meadow had some.
The live cam of Stella and Talon is up and running at Florida-Gainesville. The students worked hard to get the funds for a new camera this year when the lights were replaced and the nest needed relocating. There is also no rewind like PA Farm Country.
Talon has been busy delivering fish to Stella on Sunday.
We are on egg watch at Pittsburgh-Hayes.
Here is the link to the streaming cam.
Jackie and Shadow are being so careful with those eggs. I wonder if it isn’t a real blessing – the snow – to help keep those eggs safe. Please don’t ask me why I think that, but it does have to do with them eating prey on the nest and moving about. With the snow, this is not happening, and it might keep those precious eggs from getting punctured accidentally. What do you think?
Shadow brings in a small twig. This time Jackie is ready to give up incubation and have a break!
Cali Condor caught Shadow arriving early to get a chance on his eggs!
Waiting for eggs from Bella and Scout. Deb Stecyk caught some images of Bella on Sunday – a few nice close-ups of her on the pole.
Chase & Cholyn were at Two Harbours today working on their nest. So nice to see them. I am getting Highlights for West End and Fraser Point today.
Mr North and Mrs DNF were on the nest today in Iowa without a speck of snow in sight. Gosh, they are gorgeous eagles.
Cal and Lusa are big with their juvenile plumage they are simply stunning. Just send very positive wishes that neither of these two has a problem with their plumage development like Connick. It doesn’t look like it, but then we wouldn’t have guessed about their older brother from last season either til it happened and he tumbled off the nest. Thankfully, he was rescued and will soon be an ambassador at the Smithsonian after a long rehabilitation at Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey in Maitland.
Lucille Powell provides us with the dates for Rosie’s return to the Whirley Crane and Richmond. Wonder what day she will arrive this year?
Valerie Webber gave these updates for the UK Osprey arrival times: ”So we have 34 days when Blue 25/10 touched down on the Rutland Manton Bay nest (14 March) (video of her arrival) then 36 days when Blue 33/11 Breeding male arrived Rutland Manton Bay (16 March) 37 days when Blue NC0 (2016) breeding female at Loch of Lowes arrived (17 March) 37 Days also for LM12 (Laddie) breeding male at Loch of the Lowes arrived (17 March) also Black 80 (Threave) (17th) – Yellow 30 (Rutland) (17th) – Maya (Rutland MB) (19th) and Blue KC (Threave) (19th) all arrived by the 19 March so within 39 days.”
Did I say it is getting exciting?
There is wonderful news coming out of the Laysan Albatross Colony on Kauai, Hawaii.
‘A’ brings us news of the Australian birds: ”At Olympic Park, SE31 has not been sighted since 6 February, although Lady and Dad have been spotted occasionally over the past week. I think our girl has dispersed, though we have thought that before and she has returned, so we will wait and see. At Taiaroa Head, mum LGL was back to relieve LGK again today – she really is incapable of staying away from her baby for more than about three days! She must have found a good foraging ground pretty close to home because TF chick is obviously maintaining a good weight – the weight chart has not been updated for eight days and although TFF chick was weighed today, I’m not sure that TF was. Hopefully, we will get a weight update tomorrow. At Port Lincoln, both boys ate well today, although Bradley had to wait until after 5pm for his fish. Giliath had a gigantic breakfast fish and another small fish late in the evening. Both are looking healthy and are doing a lot of exploring. I cannot wait to see one of them catch a fish, although I would not be at all surprised if they are already doing this out of camera view. They are certainly looking healthy and strong. What a lovely thought that Bradley may have been fishing with older brother Ervie.”
Flaco is still moving about Manhattan to the delight of his cult followers! Thanks, L!
At Rutland, the Egyptian Geese are getting too cosy on the nest of Blue 33 and Maya. Guess what?
Bird trapper finally caught in Italy! But how will they actually stop him if this is his fourth offence?
The public wants justice for wildlife and yet the prosecution against crimes that impact wildlife is more than extremely low.
Thank you so much for being with me today. Take care everyone. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, streaming cams, and articles that helped me to write my blog: ’A, H, J, L, SP’, Moorings Park, Elfruler, PA Farm Country, Port Tobacco, Eagle Country, UF-G, PIX Cams, FOBBV, Cali Condor, Deb Stecyk, IWS/Eplore.org, Raptor Resource Project/Explore.org, Lucille Powell, Valerie Webber, Holly Parsons, Manhattan Bird Alert, @Geemeff, Livia Armstrong, and Raptor Persecution UK.
We hope that Wednesday finds everyone well and happy!
It was a repeat for Queen of the Cat Tree on Tuesday, and this time, Baby Hope won! It changes constantly. You might recall that I did not know what having four female cats would be like. I had hoped to find another sweet little male like Lewis, but it was not to be. Hugo turned out to be a girl for those just joining us, and I would not part with her for anything!
On Tuesday, Baby Hope decided she wanted the top of the cat tree. The only thing to do, if you don’t bite and fight, is to try and shift Hugo Yugo off the top by pushing with your entire body! Baby Hope is very much like Missey, very chill.
Getting Hugo Yugo off the perch is not as easy as Baby Hope thinks it will be. In the end, they decide to share the view.
Then Hugo Yugo decides to be nice and go inside the little house and let Baby Hope have some time on top!
Then Baby Hope decided she didn’t want on top of the cat tree after all. “A Day in the Life of the Girls”.
The storm that has raged across California continues to wreck havoc with Jackie and Shadow at Big Bear. We know that Jackie last ate on the 4th and was crop dropping on the 5th. The snow is so bad that it is likely Shadow cannot find prey. Eagles can survive several days without food especially if they are not exerting so much energy – like Jackie is incubating those three precious eggs. Still, we all worry for them.
I am so thankful there are not eaglets in that nest.
A video of our dear Jackie.
Wednesday morning at Big Bear.
Cal and Lusa are enjoying some fresh fish and old bird for their meals today. Jackie would probably love to have a nice big fish right about now!
Rollin’ Rag, one of the moderators of the Eagle Country nest, notes that Meadow – despite being beaked – did not back down and got some of the duck that landed on the nest (live).
Swampy was wanting to chew on Blaze’s feathers!
Blaze has a lot of fish and other prey on the nest. Can see two beautiful little heads sticking up. Nice.
Heidi Mc gives us a week in the life of R6, including wingers, loving glances at her chick by Rose, and some nibbles on a fish by R6. That is a great record showing how quickly these little ones develop. Wow.
Eagles were at both nests in Decorah – North and the Hatchery. The pond at the Hatchery is has a number of Canada Geese.
It was a nice day in Texas. From what can be seen, the little eaglet at JB Sands Wetlands is doing alright. Looks like lots of prey brought in and the weather is so much better than elsewhere.
No egg yet for Rosa and her new mate at Dulles-Greenway.
The flooding near the nest at Redding did not stop Liberty and Guardian from working on it on Tuesday – and look, some nice close-ups of Liberty. They are finding lots of new sticks to build up this nest.
Gabby is incubating their egg, which is now 47 days old. There is a big battle going on between males for this territory. You might recall this one landed in the nest next to Gabby. He is quite injured trying to get this territory away from Beau to be with Gabby.
The nest is ready but so far, no egg at Moorings Park.
There are osplets at Pelican Bay. Another one of those deep nest boles…we will wait!
At Captiva, Jack might finally be in the mood to replace his former mate Ruby who has been missing for nearly a month now.
‘H’ reports: ”Things are looking up at Captiva! LO6, is the latest identifiable female that has been vying for Jack’s attention since Ruby disappeared on 1/11. Jack has chased off and tried to discourage all of the other females. LO6 was first seen a few days ago. LO4 was by far the most persistent of the females, but Jack never wanted to have anything to do with her. This morning Jack sky danced with a fish while LO6 was in the nest. He then delivered the fish to her, and she ate the fish at the nest. While she ate, Jack performed some minor nestorations and was nest-cupping. Later, they had displays of pair bonding (not mating) on two separate occasions. Fingers crossed for this pair!”
First bonding of Annie and new male in the scrape. Check out the size of Annie compared to the new male when they are in the scrape. Wonder how old he is.
Remembering Lou.
Monty and Hartley are like the old ? slogan of the US Post Office. Rain, snow, or sleet will not stop them…in this case …from bonding on the scrape. Way to go you two.
I wonder if either one is going to try and feed the egg/s this year.
I am starting to wonder if Bonnie didn’t lay her first egg just after 20:00 in the nest on Farmer Derek’s property. She was there all afternoon, left briefly, returned, and then was looking down and moving something in the nest (or so it appeared to me).
In Latvia, Milda has been visiting her nest with a new male. Like Annie, Milda has been through a number of partners. She normally lays her eggs at the end of March. I sure hope this male works out. Does anyone know what happened to Voldis?
‘A’ reports on the WBSE: ”February 6: Early rain meant a cooler start to the day. The adults spent the night at Goat Island and were still there this morning. Then just after 1pm, there was a possible sighting of SE31 along Haslams Creek, in the area near Wentworth Common (shown in picture below) . Later, at around 4pm, no eagles were sighted at the river. A cooler day and quite windy. Again, no eagles were seen at 5pm, though one osprey was seen catching a fish, then eating it on one of the electricity towers behind Mangrove Island.”
‘A’ also sends us comments on the Royal Cam chick: ”TF chick is growing SO fast at Taiaroa Head. Little TFF chick is such a sweetie and so much tinier. It’s amazing how much difference a week makes. It’s hard to imagine that TF was the same size just a week ago. Oh they are so sweet Mary Anne. Those little bills and those tiny paddles. Such fluffballs. And the way they turn around and head underneath mum or dad when they’re full or tired and want to be brooded. It’s adorable. These albatrosses allopreen their chicks like RTHs. They are the only other mums I’ve seen do so much preening of their chicks. Angel used to drive Deyani mad if you recall, constantly allopreening. I’m a big bird now, mum! STOP it! I loved watching her. And it’s the same here. This wonderful four-week period goes by so fast. Yes, we do have eight months to enjoy them before they fledge, but after the first four weeks, the interactions between the parents and the chick and, even more so, between the two parents are few. In fact, last season, I can’t remember the parents overlapping once after the post-guard period ended. So from the final changeover at about four weeks of age, they each came in periodically to feed their chick but never once were there at the same time. Their breeding season lasted for about two months of courting, nest-building and mating, followed by 11 weeks of relieving each other during incubation, and then a month of brooding the baby, after which they may not see each other again /for the best part of two years. It really does make those changeovers incredibly precious interactions that are to be treasured as the incredibly rare family moments they are.”
Unbelievably, the ability to stop these culprits has not taken hold. Killed so the wealthy can go out shooting grouse on a weekend?
I love Red Squirrels and that is how I found Dani Connor Wild. In the attached video, she takes a trip to an island in Norway at the Arctic Circle where there are Puffins! They are adorable – and there are also Arctic Hare. Enjoy.
I shouted out to Mary Cheadle for the fundraising for the binoculars for Jean-Marie Dupart and his team in Senegal, who count the UK and European Ospreys who winter there. Guess what? Enough funds were raised to purchase four pairs!!!!!! It is incredible what people can do – small donations add up and make a difference.
All you need to know to take part in the upcoming Great Bird Count. Get ready. We are only a few days away!
Thank you so much for being with me today. Please take care. I hope to see you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ’A, H, J, SP’, FOBBV, Window to Wildlife, Rollin’ Rag, Eagle Country, Heidi MC, WRDC, Raptor Resource Project/Explore.org, JB Sands Wetlands, Dulles-Greenway, FORE, NEFL-AEF, Carol Shores Rifkin, Moorings Park, Cal Falcons, Ildiko A Polk, SK Hideaways, Farmer Derek Owl Cam, LDF, NZ DOC, and Raptor Persecution UK.
As I was set to go and check the status of the youngest eaglet at JB Sands Wetlands, I checked on Jackie. She has laid egg 3! This is an absolute first for our gal. Congratulations!
There had been no hard incubation and everyone was wondering if there was going to be a third egg. We now have our answer. Hunker down, Jackie.
Well, it sure feels like spring. Another glorious day. At least +6 C with bright blue skies and no wind.
My love of fresh flowers has dwindled, thanks to Hugo Yugo. They are highly poisonous to cats (tulips even!) or the smell of the water causes her to knock down the vase, break off the bud, and run around the house. So, let’s see what she does with some silk peonies! They are not so interesting. One for Mum and 0 for Hugo Yugo.
I need your help! Osprey eggs are being laid in North America. Once again the International Osprey Data Project is collecting information on nests. Last year, ‘H’ and I observed over 300 osprey eggs. This year, we hope to compare the 2024 data with that from 2023. It is impossible to keep track of every nest. I know that there are currently some, such as Pelican Bay, that have eggs or chicks. This is what I need: the name of the nest, the link to the camera or website, the name of the parents, the date and time of each egg laid, and the date and time of hatch and fledge. If you are watching any nests, please send me this information. I may already have it, but I might not! The more eggs and nests that are observed, the more detailed the findings on the causes of death, including siblicide – and ultimately, the survival rate after two years of those that did manage not to be killed by their older siblings such as Mini at Patchogue! Thank you!
Abby and Blaze have their first hatch of the 2024 eagle season! Congratulations everyone at Eagle Country! The chick’s name is Swampy. (You can see the eaglet in the first few seconds only).
Swampy is so cute. Look at the way the light plays through that down. It really does look like a dandelion.
Blaze sure got excited! Or is there a weather system heading this way? Look at the fish on that nest. Wow.
From the multi-view camera:
Jack and Diane have their second egg of the 2024 osprey season in Florida. Tie was 1548. Jack and Diane will not listen to me, but they would be just as happy if they stopped right now. And so would we and so would that third hatch.
There has been a huge win for the sea birds including the Puffins in the UK. The government has finally, after a 25 year campaign, ended sand eel fishing. This is vital food for these extremely endangered sea birds.
The Puffins are like the canaries in the coal mine. Let us hope that this bill will have a positive impact on their numbers and quality of life. No more Puffins floating up on the shores of Scotland – dead from starvation.
The 2nd of February might be Ground Hog Day for some, but for Flaco it was his first day of freedom! Many questioned Flaco’s ability to live in the wild – now we know. Well done, you Eurasian Owl.
The Royal Cam chick is gaining weight! Looks like this baby has figured out how feeding works nicely. What a cutie pie.
Shadow is still playing with sticks and as of Wednesday evening, the two eggs are in tact. Everyone is happy.
Mum is getting plenty of food gifts from V at the Pittsburgh-Hays Bald Eagle nest.
Dad loves being at the nest with Mum and trying to feed the little eaglets at John Bunker Sands. Gosh, I wish this camera had a zoom!
Sadly, the smallest eaglet has died. It got on its back and tried to right itself for over 3 hours. It was not strong enough. Condolences to all. The chick was three days old.
No egg at Moorings Park.
On Wednesday, Cal was significantly darker on the head than Lusa. S/he is also walking much better on that nest today.
E23 had a huge drop all day long! No shortage of fish.
E23 is so full it will not take any more bites when offered.
Ah, they are a gorgeous couple and they have their first egg – Thunder and Akecheta.
At The Campanile, the new male stood out in the rain waiting for Annie. Thanks ‘B’ for alerting me to this!
This is a really good read and lead up to the return of the UK Ospreys. It was posted around several FB sites on Wednesday. Monty. If you do not know who Monty is – think the male founder of the Osprey dynasties in Wales at Dyfi. This is the story of one week in the life of Monty who had to choose a new mate in 2013 when his former mate, Nora, did not return. Below the story is the family tree at Dyfi showing the fruitful relationship that Monty had with Blue 12, Glesni.
Many consider Monty to be ‘the greatest’ UK male Osprey ever.
Thank you so much for being with me today. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, websites, streaming cams, and articles that helped me to write my blog today: ’A, B, Geemeff, H, J’, Eagle Country, Achieva Credit Union, RSPB, Philip Lymbery, The Herald, Big City Birder, Sharon Dunne, FOBBV, PIX Cams, JB Sands Wetlands, Mooring Park, Window to Wildlife, SW Florida Eagle Cam, IWS/Explore, Cal Falcons, and the Dyfi Osprey Project.
Missey and Hugo Yugo wish everyone the best day ever!
Ah, yes, and ‘The Boyfriend’. He is hard to resist but he is terrified of me. He will (or one of the pair) will come to the door if the food dish is empty, but otherwise, they scramble if they think I am coming out. For now, he has two warm cat shelters – one on the deck and one below – and he is getting food. I don’t want to frighten him. In the spring I will see if he might become friendly.
Oh, it was such a gorgeous day on Wednesday. It was snowing! Beautiful white fluffy snowflakes fell, kissing the branches of the trees. Marvellous. It was a brilliant day to walk around the nature centre. The trails had not been cleared, and hardly anyone was there. It was ‘still’ and so peaceful. You could stay there and soak in all the calm nature sometimes offers.
You can see how much snow fell directly from looking at the bird bath in the garden and the little feeder house.
Pip/hatch watch has started for Ron and Rita at the WRDC nest in Dade County, Florida. The eggs were laid four days apart. Rose practised good delayed incubation. Hopefully, they might hatch closer together so that we can avoid any beaking/bonking and a much smaller eaglet in the second hatch.
Pip/Hatch watch started for Berry Eagles, Pa and Missey, on Wednesday. ”1st laid on 12/8/23 and the 2nd on 12/11/23. It’s been about 34 days since the 1st egg was laid. Bald Eagle eggs hatch after 34-36 days on average.”
Wednesday.
E23 is a feisty strong eaglet. M15 and F23 can be very proud.
Beau is finding his way.
Beau was also incubating this morning. ’A’ sent a note: ”After Gabby flew to a branch beside the nest and exchanging vocals with Beau this morning, Beau flew down to the nest and around 6:55 began rolling and aerating before eventually settling onto the egg around 6:57. Happy that he is safely doing his job, Gabby flew off at 7am, hopefully to get herself something to eat, and Beau has been on the eggs for half an hour now. He looks like such a proud daddy. I do hope he gets this parenting thing mastered in time, but he is still missing an important element: bringing food.” Thanks to the others who sent notes, too. We had a big snow and I was out shovelling so I had missed this.
Xavier and Diamond’s Marri returned to the scrape box on the morning of Thursday the 11th (Wednesday in NA). Isn’t she a strong and beautiful falcon? What a good feeling to see her.
Holly Parsons captured this great image of Marri before she flew out.
Helen Matcham got some great shots of Marri flying to the scrape.
At Port Lincoln, Gil picked off the first beautiful fish of the day. There will be five more deliveries. Unbelievable.
SE 31 caught another fish! ”January 11: Very early, our juvenile was on the river with no adults in sight. There had been a late report of them both at Burns Bay last evening at 5:30pm, so we assume they were there for the night. Then just before 7:35am this morning, SE31 was seen catching a fish, which she took to Mangrove Island to eat. Later, at 10:30am, both parents were seen at Goat Island. It was high tide at 10am and SE31 was seen making several attempts at ‘catching’ floating debris in the river. All good practice for developing her skills. Later, the adults were seen still at Goat Island. Around 4:40pm, SE31was heard whining on the island, then flew towards River Roost, still whining, though the parents could not be seen.”
I love seeing stories of the intelligence of birds. Every day in the garden the Chickadees also use branches or stones to break their seeds open.
We are getting ready for the season to open in California and it isn’t just the Eagles…remember all those falcons!
I missed it. Wednesday was National Save the Eagle Day. A reminder these majestic birds of prey – and, of course, others, were extinct, in some instances while others were critically endangered due to the use of DDT in the US beginning in the 1940s.
The girls were watching their bird video. Then ‘something’ happened by accident. Did Hugo Yugo step on the remote? All of a sudden it was a documentary about a Danish photographer, Morton Hilmer, in Norway, searching for osprey – yes, osprey – to photography. It is called The Impossible Shot – Amazing Bird Photography in Norway – 14 Days. Yes, he did get the shots. They are towards the end…The scenery is incredible especially for someone who lives in such a flat place as Manitoba.
Thank you for being with me today. Take care! See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ’A, Geemeff, H, J’, WRDC, Baiba, Berry College Eagle Cam, SW Florida Eagle Cam, Ursula Picard, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, Holly Parsons, Helen Matcham, PLO, Bart M, Sea Eagle Cam, Leslie Westlake, The Guardian, Leanna Haboush, Jann Nichols, and Wildlife Photographer.
Before I begin, I am grateful that a miracle happened in the Kisatchie National Forest before midnight. I think it would have made the list. Send positive wishes to Anna so that she can be helped, if help is required.
It is that time of year when everyone is making resolutions – for me, though, I want to reach out and thank you for being a part of my life. My spirits are so uplifted just knowing that there is this huge ‘family’ scattered around the world that loves wildlife. Thank you for being compassionate, empathetic beings who are doing whatever you can to make this world a better place for all living beings. 2024 will be better because you are in it.
May our beloved feathered friends have their crops and pantries full of prey, may they soar and fly high in good health and may all the hatches fledge and thrive.
Happy New Year!
The girls want everyone to find the magic in the little things that are often overlooked.
Calico is grateful for a warm bed, lots of cuddles, and most of all, story time.
Baby Hope (yes, she does look so much like her Mamma) is so happy to have sisters to romp with – and she loves having some of Baby Hugo’s kitten milk!
Missey is enjoying the warm sunshine pouring in the catservatory. She is not so grateful for Calico but she sure loves Hope and Hugo.
Hugo (aka Handful) is happy there are no obstacles between the catservatory and the sitting room so she can run and slide. The most fun is chasing Missey’s tail, stealing Calico’s food, and playing chase on the cat tree with Baby Hope.
I wonder where Hugo could be?
Baby Hugo is grateful to have Missey as their Mamma.
Thank you to absolutely everyone who sent in their best moments (and some very sad ones) for the 2023 Bird World season. We received 401 moments. There were events that moved you to tears of joy while others brought us to our knees in agony. Two very special nests stood out to our Bird World community and they were SW Florida and Patchogue. Number 1 and 2 were almost tied in terms of numbers! Indeed, they were separated by only – and I do mean only – four mentions. (I am including a few comments – time just flew by and I did not get to include a quote form everyone and for this I apologise).
Ranking at the very top was SW Florida, Fort Myers, Florida, home at the beginning of 2023 to Harriet and her mate, M15. On the 2nd of February, Harriet disappeared. She did not return and is presumed deceased. It was what came after that was the miracle of the year that moved 97% of you.
“M15 stepping up to raise E21 & E22 as a single parent til fledge.” “Harriet & M15. Our Queen is gone. And while writing that I start crying again. She was the Queen of the Bald Eagles for me”. “I already adored M15 for the incredible bird he is, but he stepped up not just one notch, but a whole bunch of them. He is Super-Dad.” “That the amazing M15 was able to raise his last eaglets with Harriet to fledge all by himself, keeping them well-fed, all the while fighting off intruders.” And then taking M15 into the future, “The pairing of M15 and F23 (with grand hopes for a fruitful result and tears of joy).” ”M-15’s resilient and inspiring single parenthood of E-21 and E-22.”
On the 10th of October, M15 looks into the eyes of F23. They are now a bonded pair waiting to lay their eggs which are now hatching as I write this. Everyone agreed that M15 had ‘picked’ the right one! – The hatch of their first chick was right up there in terms of bringing us to our knees – in a joyful way! What a wonderful way to end a year that saw so much sadness.
“Oh, gosh, Mary Ann — it’s the last day of 2023 and right under the wire there is a new highlight of the year for me: the arrival of precious E23 and first-time mom (right?) F23 learning what to do! I swear, in watching the replay of the first that E23 was revealed, poor F23 just stared at it and I could see her thought bubble: “Now what do I do !??” They are so cute!”
Patchogue Ospreys, Patchogue, Long Island, New York came in second. It doesn’t matter what you called her – Little Bit, Little Mini, or Tiny Dancer’, the Patchogue 4th hatch almost tied with M15 for the top glorious most happy event of the 2023 season. The first thing this tiny little osplet did was to survive. Then she fledged and then, sadly, she injured her leg. We last saw her in September and I would like to believe that this tenacious strong unyielding fledgling is alive and catching fish somewhere. Her will to live was simply impressive.
“Lil’ Bit, the 4th hatch at the Patchogue Nest. Surviving against all odds, even with a bad leg and fledging.” “The survival to fledge of Mini at Patchogue, a tiny, tiny osplet who used every bit of his/her cleverness, resourcefulness, and tenacity to survive while facing competition and potential aggression from much larger siblings.” “No one believed that Little Mini had a hope in hell to survive.” “Tiny Dancer was an inspiration to all of us.” [More at the end].
“This is a good moment from Patchogue, NY nest on 7/26/23 with mom or dad, I can’t say which, bringing Mini a fish with a sibling coming in for a bite? This the life of birds going on all around us with most of us unaware. The sibling coming in reminds me of Wizard of Oz seen with the flying monkeys.”
“Patchogue, NY 5/26/23 Mom and dad feeding all the chicks. It’s unusual to see 4 hatched chicks and then to see both parents feeding together. This dad must be a real family dad.”
The Fish Fairies at Port Lincoln, South Australia came in third. The Port Lincoln has, historically, made everyone nervous who watched on the streaming cam. We celebrated the year that Bazza, Falkey, and Ervie lived and fledged and agonised over the deaths of the little ones such as Tapps as well as Little and Middle last year. What made the distinct difference this year was the hard work and persuasion of Janet Forster, Bazz Hockaday, and Fran Solly to feed these ospreys – to provide supplementary fish – until banding (and after if required) so that the chicks could thrive and fledge. Their good intentions worked out well as both Gil and Brad fledged and are now growing stronger and flying well. Mum and Dad have stepped up with the fish and everyone should be smiling.
“that the Port Lincoln Osprey nest was peaceful this year, thanks to the compatibility of the two boys — Gil and Brad — along with the generosity of the fish fairy.” “We need some happy news. Like your PLO ospreys! I couldn’t watch in the past, but this year, thanks to the fish fairies, it was a pleasure. (Another heartwarming situation for your list!!)” “Couldn’t watch this nest. That changed with the supplementary fish.” “It was a wonderful year at Port Lincoln barge thanks to those fish fairies.” ”The advent of “fish fairies” leading to the successful fledging at Port Lincoln.”
White Bellied Sea Eagle nest, Sydney Olympic Park, Australia came in fourth: Finally a fledge at the White-bellied Sea Eagle nest that survived to be raised and trained by Lady and Dad. How hard it has been to watch Lady and Dad work on the nest, care for the eggs, feed the chicks, only to have them chased out of the Sydney Olympic Forest by the Pied Currawongs. While we might not know what happened to WBSE 32 this year, we have been fortunate for the BOGs and their photographs to witness the development of SE31. It has brought tears to our eyes and smiles to our faces. Finally, just finally, Lady and Dad can actually finish the raising of their eaglet. Sheer joy. I only wish that our good friend, Phyllis, had lived long enough to see this season. She so loved these little sea eaglets.
“That SE31 is thriving and remaining close to home (for now) under the watchful eye of Lady and Dad, who have in past years not been able to train their young to be eagles.”
Barnegat Light Ospreys, New Jersey came in fifth: Return of Duke at Barnegat Light after the devastating storms in June along the coast. A severe storm hit the Chesapeake Bay region in June. Many nests lost their entire clutch. Several lost at least one adult. One of those hit was Barnegat Light, the home to Duke and Daisy and in 2023 their three chicks.
“Duke’s return to the nest after he went missing for several days during the June storm. We were so worried that he had died. During his absence, two of his offspring died from starvation. When Duke flew in and landed at the nest on 6/25, it was truly one of the happiest moments of the year, and brought tears to my eyes. I could ‘hear’ all of the viewers screaming and jumping up and down!”
Cornell University’s Big Red and Arthur came in sixth. Big Red hatched in 2003 seven miles from the Cornell Campus. Arthur is her second mate (Ezra was her first). It is believed that she has been raising little hawk lets since 2005. The streaming cam on the Cornell Campus has been active since 2012 documenting the life in her nest. She has fledged every hatch except for one, K2, who had a mouth injury/disease. That is a stunning record. She has raised in 2022 four chicks! Four.
“The 20 year old Red-tail Hawk at Cornell raising another clutch of eyases to fledge with her partner, Arthur, ranks right up there with jumping up and down joy.” “Big Red is like what the US Postal Service used to guarantee – delivery in any kind of weather. She is there caked in ice, drenched in pounding rain, caring for eggs and feeding her chicks. She has only had one chick not fledge in what? At least 19 years of breeding. She should get a medal.” “Big Red is my hero.”
Fortis Exshaw Nest, Alberta, Canada came in seventh: Banff, the incredibly strong fledgling from the FortisExshaw Nest near Canmore, Alberta. When the 2023 season started, there was wildfire smoke all over the region with hundreds of fires burning – many of those fires destroying raptor nests and sending eagles and ospreys into other territories as intruders. Near Canmore, Alberta was the nest of Louis and her mate, Jasper. Jasper went missing on the 7th of July after bringing a large fish to the nest. Louise was left to defend the nest while also being mother to the chicks.
“There was so much hardship and sorrow for the osprey family last season. The fledgling Banff overcame many obstacles, including her mom Louise being evicted from the nest, and a couple of intruders that literally tried to kill Banff several times. Despite all of the adversity, and with the help of her mom, Banff made it to migration. The last time we saw Banff on the T-perch before she flew out of our lives, I was crying tears of joy. Banff’s strength, fortitude and resilience brought many of us joy…and hope.”
“8/1/23 Fortis Alberta. Banff, and her sibling who perished from food starvation, where just 30 days later was the last time she was seen. Chat said they both hatched on the same day.”
Karula National Forest, Estonia: The home of Black Storks Karl II and Kaia and their originally four storklets came in eighth. ”The unselfish acts of Urmas and the fish baskets that saved this family touched me beyond belief. If all the world was so generous and kind there would not be catastrophic loses of wildlife.”
Glaslyn Osprey Nest came in ninth. “At the Glaslyn Osprey Nest, the pairing of Aran with Elen and the very successful raising of two feisty and healthy osplets to fledge after the death of Mrs G brought me to tears on my knees.”
Poole Harbour, the nest of Blue 22 and CJ7, came in tenth: ”The survival of three chicks and none succumbing to a goshawk was a real treat this year in southern England.” “We held our breath when anyone talked about the hawks being near the nest. We worried that there would be a repeat of 2022. When they all left safe we tried.”
The Lock Arkaig fan club kicked in and one ardent supporter included all the videos in chronological order for us. My goodness – Louis has always been one of my favourite male ospreys. I do miss Aila (but I am warming up to Dorcha). This year’s Ludo was quite the character (reminds me of Hugo – maybe names that rhyme like that should not be handed out!). So here goes, a year of joy and triumph from egg to fledge at Loch Arkaig which came in eleventh.
I’ve put them in chronological order rather than ranked by favourite.
2nd April: Just before 12.26.54, a familiar call was heard off camera, and then an Osprey landed on Nest Two – Louis is home! https://youtu.be/aVLR5ysKOJU
6th April: Louis is heard skydancing before arriving on the nest, what a joyous sound.
10th April: the reunion of Louis and Dorcha – Dorcha brings her one and only fish to the nest. For the rest of the season, only Louis provides. https://youtu.be/2I51i5kIVa0
22nd April: the stunning moment when a Golden Eagle visits the nest. First ever sighting although it’s know a pair nests in the Loch Arkaig area. https://youtu.be/iVpqJIxEVCE
23rd May: Dorcha valiantly fights off a persistent attack by a Tawny Owl. One of the eggs is lost over the side but she saves the other two. https://youtu.be/rvztzDEpikI
31st May: first feed and dad’s first look at the new chick
The WRDC nest of Ron and Rose, Miami came in twelfth: “On 5/7/23 Rose was relieved at the nest in the morning by Ron at 06:35. Rose and Ron were raising 54 and 52 day-old eaglets. Later, Rose failed to return. For over two days we waited, and we worried. OMG, did we ever worry! Rose is very much loved. She finally flew in to land on the selfie branch on 5/9 at 16:32, 58 hours after she had last been seen. She looked frantic, tired, hungry, and her face was very soiled. There are some who thought that Rose had gone off for some sort of a ‘spa vacation’. But, but not me… I never thought that. I believe that Rose had some sort of issue that had prevented her from returning. Of course, we will never know. Perhaps silly to say because they are ‘just birds’, but the sight of Rose landing on that branch was one of my happiest moments ever.”
Coming in at thirteen was the rescue of Middle at the Achieva Credit Union Osprey Nest in St. Petersburg, Florida. After many days and much worrying over whether or not Middle would succumb to starvation right on the nest after falling off a few times, Middle was grounded and picked up by Birds in Helping Hands. Middle made a full recovery and to my knowledge has been released back into the wild.
Rutland Manton Bay: Other worthwhile memories included: a’My moving memory is Rutland Osprey. # 4 died soon after, but when I heard about the 250 th chick fledge, I thought it was a great achievement.”
Some of the more heroic moments come from the rescues and I was touched when BG wrote that for them the glorious events of 2024 included: “All the heroes who find injured wild birds and decide to act on their behalf. All the rehab centers, professionals and kind folks who despite the challenges of wild life injuries and limited resources, and emotional toll, continue to save our precious wild life heritage.” I could not have put it better myself.
There were some incredibly sad moments in 2023. The Memorial Page lists them except for Smitty that I still need to add. It was a horrific year for Ospreys in the NE United States. Some of our favourite Bald Eagle families struggled with thin egg shells due to the persistence of DDT in the food chain and land. A few had a silver lining. They included – in no particular order:
Tom sadly killing his first hatchling and then becoming a good provider on “Angel the Leucistic Red-tailed hawk nest.”
MN DNR, Minnesota, USA. The nest collapse resulting in the sad loss of the eaglet.
Dale Hollow Bald Eagle Nest, Kentucky: DH18-The unnecessary and devastating death due to no help with the monofilament line wrapped around and cutting DH’s legs. 3 May 2023. The eaglet was rescued by the AEF and subsequently taken to the University of Tennessee where it underwent surgeries to try and heal the damaged tissue from monofilament line cutting through its legs on the Dale Hollow Bald Eagle Nest. The eaglet suffered from fast spreading necrotic infection and had to be euthanised. Parents were River and Obey. Obey disappeared and River had to try and raise her three eaglets on her own.
Karula National Forest Black Stork Nest, Estonia: Karl II dying during migration was also devastating. There are so many that touched me. Died 2 October 2023 from the electrocution on a power pole in Turkey after completing 3318 km of his migration to his winter home. Near to the Yazibelen Günes Enerji Santrali.
The death of all three osplets at Lake Murray due to predation.
The death of several male Bald eagles with established mates and nests: Martin, Duke Farms male, and Pittsburgh-Hayes male.
Sauces. Eight eggs laid and Jak and Audacity wanting so much to have a family.
The failure at Big Bear this year. My heart wrenches for Jackie and Shadow.
The predation of Sasha at Tweed Valley then no word of the sibling, Poul, after arriving in Africa.
The death of the RTH Pale Male on 17 May 2023. Severe Renal Failure due to old age, 33 years. Died in the arms of Bobby Horvath.
Mrs G not returning from migration to the Glaslyn nest.
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As ‘H’ so aptly reminded me, “Joy…amongst all of the incredible sadness. Of course there is joy whenever an osplet, eaglet, hawklet, or eyas fledges…”
‘H’ is so right. Just to reach fledge is a challenge. Then the first year is even more so. Let us all gather our collective energy and wish the best for those who survived in 2023 and for all those who will live to fledge in 2024 the very best.
‘MP’ adds: With the strength like these birds have shown what can’t we accomplish?
For us, let us resolve to treasure every moment that we have, to find the beauty in the most simple things, and to help our feathered friends in any way that we can. Just imagine if every single person took care of the area where they lived what a remarkable world we would create for all the wildlife. We would all sleep better and with a big smile on our face.
Happy New Year Everyone!
*******As I write this we are awaiting news on the eagle that has been retrieved from the Kisatchie National Forest. It is 20:39 CDT Sunday 31 December. This is the latest from ‘H’: ”About 173030, seen on canopy cam, an eagle flies low left to right, but intruder F was perched in the nest tree, and came down and swooped and hit the first eagle. The eagle hit some branches and lower brush and then was seen walking on the ground. Tonya, et al, thought the first eagle may have been Anna. So, Cody searched with the cam. He and Steve went out in the dark and found the eagle on the ground, ‘she’ ran from them, but had “some balance issues.” They got her, and Cody said it was Anna. More definitive ID will be done ASAP.
Send all your positive wishes for Anna. Cody and Steve will make sure she gets the best possible care.
We had a bit of a blizzard for a very short period on Sunday. It was quite beautiful – those big flakes dancing down through the branches of the lilacs landing on the ground, covering up all the unsightly shells of the Black-oil Seed. The squirrels were here to get some excellent peanuts, but I saw no Blue Jays. I have not seen Junior or the little one for at least a week. Did they finally leave? along with the last of the geese? The girls are doing splendidly. Their new interactive robot toy is such a hit that each one of them joins in playtime – even Calico! Most of all it is Hope and Hugo tearing around after the laser dot or the feather teaser. I cannot possibly express the joy I feel seeing these three enjoying one another’s company. I feel so blessed.
I have been told by more than four dozen individuals that there is an international party going on right now. Donations are flowing into the American Eagle Foundation, cigars are being bought, and champagne glasses are clinking – or maybe tea cups. So what is all the fuss about? V3. Yes, one might think that the first bobblehead of the Bald Eagle season would be celebration enough but Gabby and V3 got right down to business today on the streaming cam and the chat went wild.
They were working on the nest when everything went wild…this leads me to believe that those ruffled feathers on Gabby’s back the other day were from a successful mating, too.
Tails were swishing in the right direction and both eagles seemed pleased – especially Gabby. Eggs in a week?
Lady Hawk captured the moment everyone has been waiting to ‘see’. Gabby is much loved and let us now all hope for the healthiest eaglets for this new pair.
The new little bobblehead at Captiva is as cute as they come. It is too bad that you hatched on the same day as V3 getting his camera groove…you are a darling and we shall watch every bite of fish you eat as you grow into a magnificent eaglet.
Connie is making sure that it has some fish. Oh, my. How is your heart rate? The first little bobble of the year!
Feeding time at Captiva!
Brad is getting some real height to his hovering and we can expect a fledge from the second hatch at Port Lincoln any time!
‘A’ remarks: “Oh how much do we love Giliath and Bradley? They are still so civilised when mum is feeding them. Loving the aggression Brad is showing defending his food, and both kids were very vocal as they mantled their food to protect it from passing seagulls. Too adorable. I suspect this pair could end up rivalling Baz and Ervie when it comes to competing for fish on this nest – Brad sure won’t be backing down, he’s made that very clear. Mum does her best to maintain some sort of order but there are times when even she has no chance against Brad’s sheer determination. He’s one feisty second hatch that one. I suspect he would have survived with or without a fish fairy! “
‘A’ also reminds us, “At SWFL, the first egg was laid at 9pm on Friday 24 November, with a relatively lengthy gap to the second egg at about 1.45pm on Monday 27 November. I’m not sure when we are due to go on pip watch, but 35 days would make hatch day 29 December, although delayed incubation was practised here apparently, so perhaps 30 or even 31 December is more likely. Certainly, I would like a shorter gap between hatches than we saw between the eggs being laid! I think we all would. F23 was being very diligent about rolling the eggs before settling down last night. It is nearly daylight there now, just after 6am, and F23 has done the entirety of the night shift. She has been tucked and sleeping soundly. No overnight owl disturbances from what I could see. You have big shoes to fill, F23. So far, she is doing a great job. “
At the Kisatchie E3 nest, Alex is not on the eggs incubating them Sunday night. He was on and off during the day. It is very sad. We all hope that Alex will move on after Andria’s death and that we will discover what took his beloved mate from him.
Alex still has the female protecting him and the nest.
Remember that one of the simplest things that we can do to help wildlife is to give them water.
Thank you so much for being with me today. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, letters, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ’A, H, J’, NEFL-AEF, Lady Hawk, Window to Wildlife, Taylor Marcy Hardin, PLO, Brad M, KNF-E3, Sassa Bird, FORE, Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, Chang-le Dong, Eagle Cam, Bird Guides, and Birdlife Australia.
‘The Girls’ and I are thankful for your love and compassion and will be so ever grateful for your kindness and concern. The world is a much better place because you are in it.
We wish you a very peaceful day – full of love, laughter, reflection, companionship, and some loving memories being made.
Calico says that she hopes everyone gets to have a roast bird —- she would like some, too. Most of all, Calico is so happy to have her daughter home. These two are inseparable.
Each of us has many things to be thankful for – aren’t we lucky?
Hope looking out the conservatory window this morning feeling fantastic after her surgery.
Missey wishes everyone a nice warm bed, a lovely meal, and someone to brush your fur/hair.
I was over looking at those cute osplets at Port Lincoln and – Marri, the first hatch of the 2023 season for Diamond and Xavier flew.
The tine was 09:38:42! Thanks, ‘H’.
It was magnificent. Well over the trees with Barru watching. Surely he will follow soon. Diamond and Xavier are urging the kids to fly! Congratulations to Orange, Diamond and Xavier, and to Marri – I thought you would go second. Never ask me for tips on bets!
