Category Archives: wildlife rehabilitation

OH1 at Glaslyn just took off…Thursday in Bird World

20 July 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

It has rained every day for ever so many days. The garden is emerald green. Without even looking at the forecast – the storm clouds roll in quickly – you can tell that something is going to happen by the frantic activity of everyone trying to eat!

One of Dyson’s kits got so excited and then lost its peanut over the edge of the feeder. Ahhhh….

The little sparrows lined up on the branch of Abigale’s tree hoping to get fed or get a turn at the feeder after the squirrel.

It was delightful to see Little Red at the feeders! He knew I was watching and thwarted my gaze.

Baby Blue Jay having a nap.

The little one only woke up when a sibling came to pester. There are five of the babies alive out of the original six…they were all in the garden on the feeders, having baths, and eating today. That is pretty good…they bring me such joy I cannot even describe it properly sometimes.

The baby on the left (above) is the one that slept with the little garden ornamental birds. Its crest finally has blue on it! But I can still tell which one this wee baby is from its behaviour. Adorable. Always loves a good long bath.

Lewis, of course, could care less. These days he is either sleeping or eating!

Oh, my goodness, the ospreys were fledging on Wednesday! I am going to lose count of all of them quickly! It took great effort to get all of the data in my forms along with the continued quest to find more French and German osprey nests.

And they were fledging on Thursday. OH1 just took off not long ago at the Glaslyn Nest! Congratulations! Time was 14:33.

‘D’ wrote and told me that it looks like it is possible all three on the Crooked Lake, Iowa osprey platform of parents Nobel and Whitley fledged on the 19th. Sunnie Day was going over to the footage to make sure that the first hatch CL16 also flew – and the verdict is ‘yes’ – all three flew today.

Take off and return for the first chick’s flight.

Siblings watching.

A great return.

‘H’ wrote and the second chick at Dahlgren flew!

Geemeff wrote that Ludo, the newly named osplet of Louis and Dorcha at Loch Arkaig, fledged before he got his official name. It was apparently the shortest trip ever from the nest take-off to the return landing.

Here is the video of that short flight:

Blue 5H3 took off at Poole Harbour at 1719 on the 19th.

These are exciting times for these young birds but, we have to remember that their journey is just beginning. Like many others less fortunate, these birds got to fly and we hope they will be safe.

The news coming out of the Chesapeake Bay Area that has been hit with storms and whose ospreys are starving to death underscores the coming challenges for the osprey population in the area.

“Williamsburg, VA – In 2023, The Center for Conservation Biology has documented the highest rate of osprey nest failure ever recorded within the lower Chesapeake Bay.  Only 17 of 167 nests monitored during the season produced any young.  The nesting population produced only 21 young resulting in a reproductive rate of 0.13 young per pair.  This rate is below that recorded during the height of the DDT era.  In order for the population to sustain itself, pairs should produce 1.15 young per pair.”

Here is the full report:

The-Center-for-Conservation-Biology-documents-unprecedented-osprey-nest-failures-within-the-lower-ChDownload

When a goshawk attacks a fledgling osplet on the nest while it is eating along with its sibling and Mum, my heart stops. Those are dangerous raptors and all of you know that predation by goshawks occurs throughout Europe and the UK. The loss of these chicks is personal to those who live and work around the nests – to whom the birds really are family. Have a read of John William’s poignant blog regarding the loss of the Llyn Clywedog fledgling on the 18th of July.

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Translocation projects continue.

Instead of chopping down the Osprey platform for the demolition, it will be left standing long after the osplets fledge! We needed a good news story like this one. Thanks, Geemeff – it is “one for the good guys” as you say.

Rare bird spotted in the UK. Accident? Intentional? Black winged Kites are a “Small and distinctive falconlike kite. Light underneath, blue-gray above with conspicuous black shoulders formed by black wing coverts. Juveniles have a scaly back and brownish-washed breast. Found in open savannah, semi-desert, and agricultural lands with scattered woods; frequently seen on exposed perches. Varied flight style, hovering like a kestrel or gliding like a harrier with deep wingbeats and raised wings.. ” (eBird).

Rare-black-winged-kite-spotted-in-Norfolk-Broads-BBC-NewsDownload

Time for a spin around some of the nests not covered above:

Boulder County Fair Grounds: A Fantastic news with diligent devoted adults and three very healthy nearly ready to fledge osplets.

MN Landscape Arboretum: It is all good. Lots of nice fish meals beginning very early. Our 21 year old Dad is doing fantastic.

Patchogue: Little Mini had a nice fish first thing as the sun was coming up.

The time was 0525 and Mini scrambled with that fish stuck on its foot!

Cowlitz PUD: All is well. Chick is eating, sleeping, and growing. And the metal grids are still holding out against the Bald Eagle predation. At the suggestion of ‘MB’, I wrote to Tweed Valley and Llyn Clywedog about the metal grids erected on the nest at Cowlitz to try and stop predation. It is something that the UK nests might have to consider if the goshawk threat to ospreys continues.

Oyster Bay: All present and accounted for.

Wolf Bay: Fledglings come to the nest hoping for a fish dinner.

Dunrovin: Everything is fantastic.

Poole Harbour: Getting lift and then gone. Blue 5H3 fledged at 1719 while its siblings watched.

Glaslyn: I thought it was the best screen capture I had seen of Aran’s new mate Elen and their two lads. Everything is fine. No fledges as yet. Soon.

‘H’ reports on the nests she is monitoring:

Fortis Exshaw: “Thankfully it was a mostly intruder-free day for this blended Osprey family.  There were a couple of minor intruder issues, with Mr. O quickly flying to the nest at 0624 and 0651 to assist with defense.  There were a total of 5 fish brought to the nest, one by Mr. O.  At 1249 Mr. O landed on the nest and got an earful from Louise.  She may have been telling him to go fishing, and even the two kids got involved and had a ‘talk’ with their stepdad, lol.  This went on for about three minutes, with poor Mr. O just standing there and responding with soft chirps.  It was comical.  He showed up later with a headless fish.  After Louise had brought the last fish of the day at 1951, Mr. O came to the nest and simply stood by for 27 minutes, while Louise fed the kids and enjoyed a meal for herself.  Very cool, Mr. O.”

Dahlgren – At 1246 D12 became a fledgling at 58 days of age, although it was unclear if that was her intention at the time.  She flew across the nest and may have intended to land on the other side, but miscalculated and tumbled over the edge.  There was the sound of sticks hitting the water, but no splash or ripples were seen.  Several seconds later, D12 was seen flying low past the nest toward a nearby dock.  D12 landed safely back on the nest 4 1/2 hours later.  Enjoy your new life as a flighted bird, D12! 

Kent Island – All is well on the Chesapeake for Audrey, Tom, and their 38 day old youngster.

Severna Park – Olivia and Oscar continue to provide for their two fledglings at the nest.

Forsythe –  At 57 days of age, Ollie jumped up, flapped three times and landed on the camera pole.  Then 52 minutes later she jumped back down to the nest.  Perhaps she will fly away from the nest and take a spin around the marsh today.

Boathouse –  At 40 days of age, Skipper has been taking wingercising very seriously.

Thanks so very much, ‘H’!

Dorset Hobby: Oh, my goodness gracious. These little Hobbies are adorable.

Port Lincoln: Mum and Dad seem to be staying more and more on the barge nest as egg-laying approaches in August. ‘A’ reports some failed mating attempts, and you might recall that there was some concern for Dad last season.

Sydney Sea Eagles: ‘A’ reports that the 19th was “another quiet night, possums passing a few times. Lady left for a short break just before 7am and back straight away. Dad brought part of a fish shortly after, which she took away to eat. Both were then in and out during the day though Lady spend more than 2 hours longer than Dad on the eggs today. In the whole incubation period to date both have spent an almost equal time on the eggs. At dusk, Lady was settled as usual for the night.”

Durbe County, Latvia: Milda and Voldis’s male eaglet returns to the nest looking for a meal. Isn’t he gorgeous?

The female fledgling also visited the nest! both are safe and flying well.

Lesser Spotted Eaglet Nest in Zemgale Latvia of Anna and Andris. the eaglet enjoyed having a vole and a frog for a meal. I wonder how scarce food is in the forest?

Three beautiful storklets at the nest of Karl II and Kai in Estonia.

Four beautiful storklets of Bety and Bukacek are superb.

Lady Hawk captures a feeding at the Selati Verreaux Black Eagle Nest in South Africa.

Black Eagles are large raptors that live in various parts of Africa. The pair will lay two eggs four days apart. Incubation is 40-45 days. If two eggs and both hatch, the oldest chick will kill the second one. There will be only one chick to raise and fledge. They eat mammals such as monkeys, small antelope, squirrels, and rabbits.

Thank you so much for being with me today. P lease take care. Have a good end of the week. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Thank you to the following for their alerts, notes, videos, posts, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘A, D, Geemeff, H, MB’, Timothy Dygert Live Street, Pool Harbour Ospreys, Friends of Loch Arkaig and the Woodland Trust, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, The Centre for Conservation Biology, John Williams Blog, Gregorious Joris Toonjen and Ospreys, CBS2, ITV News, BBC News, Boulder County Fair Grounds, MN Landscape Arboretum, Wolf Bay, Dunrovin Ranch, PSEG, Annie Roc and The Glaslyn Osprey Group, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Fortis Exshaw, Dahlgren Ospreys, Kent Island Ospreys, Severna Park, Forsythe Ospreys, Boathouse/Audubon, Dorset Hobby Nest, Pool Harbour Ospreys, Cowlitz PUD, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Sydney Sea Eagles, LizNM and the Latvian Fund for Nature, Latvian Fund for Nature, Eagle Club of Estonia, Mlade Buky Storks,Lady Hawk and Selati Verreaux Black Eagles.

The storm that just keeps giving…Monday in Bird World

17 July 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

It is 11 degrees C or 51.8 F. Chilly. The temperatures on the Canadian Prairies are like a roller-coaster these days. My tea is not cold this evening; it is hot!

Sunday was meant to be a quiet day, and, for the most part, it was. I do not know if I mentioned a young and very beautiful Calico cat that has been coming to my house since last fall. I feed her and call her ‘Calico’ (nothing creative in that). Now she will come and sit about 1.5 metres from me. If she is ‘starving’, she comes to the garden door and looks in. Thankfully I see her most often and take out food. She had kittens about two weeks ago (the problem with feral cats). This is her first litter. I have tried to find where she goes until this evening. She is very tricky. She had me going in the opposite direction. I now have it narrowed down to an old garage or a garden shed. The goal is to locate the kittens, see if the Humane Society can find homes for them, and see the status of Calico. The goal is to get the kittens into good homes ultimately. Calico is probably too old to be socialised but I am hoping to have her a heated home by fall.

Then ‘H’ warned me about an issue with a nest in Ocean City (later). Definitely did not end quietly!

What should you do when you believe a nest has a crisis? You’ll need to take notes and screen captures. Dates and times. What happened? Make sure it is a crisis. While doing that, find out the precise location of the nest. Google search for the wildlife rescue and rehab clinics for that specific location. Get their contact details. Once you are confident there is a problem, contact them! Don’t sit and discuss the sadness on chat – do something! This is especially important if there is no chat moderator. There are rules and guidelines to get permits. The nest in question at Ocean City has adults missing, one chick dead, and one alive. The question is: Can they intervene and foster the surviving chick before it dies? What is that old Nike saying? Just do It. It takes time to get permission; the sooner people know there is a problem, the quicker help can arrive. It could save a life. (It isn’t easy to know who is the precise authority over the particular nesting area so write to several agencies).

There was a surprise for me. An Osprey landed on the Seilli Osprey nest in the far north of Finland. The nest did not have a mated pair or chicks this year but maybe next year?

The two chicks at nest #5 in Finland were ringed on 13 July.

The chicks at the two German nests that we have been observing – Goitzsche-Wildnis and Eschenbach – have now fledged. All three on the Goitsche-Wildnis cam flew on the 13th of July.

The three flew and returned at Eschenbach safely.

At the Oceanside Marine Nature Study Centre, the first two hatches flew on the 12th of July while the third took off on the 13th. A fish came in but only one claimed it as the reward…more fish arriving later.

The osplets at Maryland Western Shore Old Town Home nest have fledged as well and I am searching for dates. If you know when those beauties flew, please let me know. (I have asked chat with no response).

All is well for the fledglings at Wolf Bay in Alabama.

Just returned.

Waiting for fish!

At Crooked Lake there is a whole lot of flapping going on. Fledge is so close it could happen this week. The chicks are 51, 50, and 48 days old. Average fledge range is 50-55 days.

Watching the Ferris State University nest for fledges, too.

‘H’ is also reporting a fledge today. It is the first fledge for the Forsythe nest and she says, “Forsythe fledgling has been identified as chick #1 (Owen).  I hope she was able to find a safe perch.  The storm started 20 minutes after she took off.” Send your best wishes. It is terrible for these birds when they have just flown and the heavy rains begin. I am haunted by the image of Yurruga on the little building at Orange to do this day.

At Llyn Brenig, it is reported that “LM6 and LJ2 both brought in a good size trout each to the girls. Both have a huge meal tonight”.

In other news,

The MN Arboretum Landscape osplet appears to be eating really well and amassed a huge crop on Sunday. ‘L’ caught a screen shot of its outstretched left wing for me and all looks alright. Hoping that is the case!

It was raining on Little Mini – as it was on many of the nests in the area. Some had huge storms hit Saturday night. In fact, Mini seemed to have a miserable Sunday with the big ones flying in and grabbing the fish.

One soaked Little Mini. Hopefully, Mum and Dad will come and feed their fourth hatch so she gets some good fish before night falls.

Mini eating a nice fish Monday morning. Thanks Mum and Dad!

Everything is fine at Dunrovin and the weather appears to be markedly nicer than that for the nests on the NE coast.

Everything is fine at the Boulder County Fair Grounds and, in fact, it is looking good for most of the nests despite the storms and torrential rains in the NE, so far.

That egg on the Loch Arkaig nest is finally smushed…..Just watch this chick flap and hop!

Congratulations to Victor at Moorings Park who was seen catching a fish on Saturday 15 July. It might well not be Victor’s first but we certainly know he has the skill set to get his own food. A tribute video was made in celebration of the event.

Just when you think it is a quiet Sunday, it isn’t. Both adults at the Ocean City OC nest in New Jersey are missing. Two chicks – one has died. The other is living. Folks are hoping for an intervention and a fostering situation.

UPDATE: The second chick fell off the nest into the marsh and died. The issue appears to be a die-off of fish from the storms that have hit this coast over the past month as well as the heat domes and the current issues with fewer fish in areas of salt water. What makes this so sad is that entire nests have died off this season and without trying to be too negative this could be a glimpse into the future for many of the nests. I wonder if any of the surviving parents will leave the area for elsewhere? There are other ospreys, adults, landing on this nest. It is really unclear if these are the parents of the two dead chicks but, personally, I do not believe so. Ospreys do not just abandon dying chicks (even this did not happen at either Carthage or Snow Lane).

‘H’s report on the other nests she is monitoring:

Osoyoos:  It is hot is Osoyoos and temperatures are predicted to be even warmer later in the week.  Dad has been delivering 7-8 fish per day.  Soo and Olsen’s 20 and 21 day old osplets are doing very well.

Forsythe:  Things are off to a pretty good start this morning.  Oscar delivered a partial fish at 0836, and Opal delivered a huge fish at 0853.  The beneficiary is chick #2 who had been shorted on fish the past few days when chick #1 was in the nest.  Opal will get a nice meal from that large fish as well. I hope that chick #1 is safe and will return to the nest soon.

Dahlgren:   D12, the younger sibling at 55 days of age, seemed so eager to fledge on 7/16.  There was a storm that went through, but after the weather cleared and his wings dried out, D12 stood at the edge of the nest for the longest time.  At one point he leaned into the wind, bobbed his head, spread his wings a little, and bobbed some more . . and all the viewers held their breath . . Ah, but he did not fly, and we eventually had to exhale, lol.  Fly when you are ready, little one.

‘Sibling B’ fledged at 1504 and made a nice return landing on the nest about 7 1/2 minutes later.  Foster, Sib B’s older foster sister, was waiting in the nest to congratulate him.  Nicely done, Sib B !


Louise delivered 8 fish to the nest at: 0604, 0640, 0807, 1234, 1400, 1804, 1945, 2058.  Her chicks were once again well fed.  Louise’s new friend, Mr. O, did not bring in a fish.  But he did land on the nest at 1214 and seemed to be fending off an intruder.  Louise landed on the nest right behind him, then Mr. O flew off after the intruder.  Mr. O also brought a nice stick to Louise at 1921, and surprisingly, she was satisfied with his initial placement of the stick, lol.

Thanks so much, ‘H’.

A real survivor! Lived to tell the tale of its nest collapsing and is now seen in Senegal by Jean-marie Depart. What a beautiful story.

If you are concerned about the amount of plastic in the oceans – and we should be because in several years, there will be more plastic than fish – here is an article titled, ‘Global assessment of marine plastic exposure risk for oceanic birds’. Please read and try as hard as possible to find alternatives to plastic in everything you use and purchase. The article was part of a package of materials from the British Trust for Ornithology and appeared in Nature.

Whenever you look at those cute little Albatross chicks (or Petrels), you need to realise that they are the most at risk. Let us all join together to do what we can to help them.

Global-assessment-of-the-impact-of-marine-plasticsDownload

Artist interpretations of our feathered friends opens at the Photographer’s Gallery. Have a look at some of the images.

Feather-report-artists-images-of-birds-–-in-pictures-Art-and-design-The-GuardianDownload

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

Thank you so much to the following for their notes, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘H’, Seilli Ospreys, Finnish Osprey Foundation, Eschenbach Ospreys, MNSA Osprey Cam, Maryland Western Shore Old Home town, Wolf Bay, Timothy Dygert Live Stream, Ferris State University, Llyn Brenig, MN Arboretum, PSEG, Dunrovin Ranch, Boulder County Fair Grounds, Geemeff and the Woodland Trust, Ej Ej and Moorings Park, OC Osprey Cam, Osoyoos, Forsythe, Dahlgren, Patuxent River Park, FortisExshaw, The Guardian, BTO and Nature, and Mary GK.

Thankfully -A quiet Sunday in Bird World

16 July 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

The weather was coolish on Saturday morning. I am sitting here with a heavy jumper on, deciding whether or not to go and find the wool socks. It would be a nice day if it were not for the ‘air quality advisories’. So we no longer have the heat but the smoke from the wildfires northwest of us. Not nice. So far, all of the animals have been to the garden today. I did not get a photo of Dyson, but that girl can suck in’ the peanuts. The Blue Jays decided it wasn’t safe to land to disturb her, so she sat in the middle of the feeder, eating a huge pile. She had to be hungry as she did not move to store any of the nuts. Then, while painting the front door, the Blue Jays decided to come and tell me all about Dyson eating the peanuts. It looks like the tray feeders may need to be really separated!

Dyson two days ago on the 13th of July. I am trying to figure out how old she is – she is not a youngster, for sure.

Oh, I finally caught her. Dyson on the 15th. Not a great image..she knew I was there.

I did not go out until the evening and oh, what a surprise there was in store. A week and a bit ago I saw hundreds of Canada Geese doing a ‘day care’. That day the little ones were on the grass and heading back down to the Red River. Today, they were in a ‘train’ – a Goose Day Care outing – to the pond! It was unbelievable. I had my long lens on and could not get a single view so here you go…what you are looking at are the older goslings getting their feathers. There is still baby down in places and the adult are in charge of this long line of youngsters.

‘A’ wonders if they fought – no they did not. All just kept following the lead adults!

They kept going. It was brilliant! The goslings are now so big that it is hard to tell them from the adults unless you look closely at their heads which still have some baby fuzz.

There were others about also. These five little tiny ones were separated from Mum and Dad. A gentle walk around got them back to the other side of the road where they should have been.

This remarkable time at the pond was marred by a small group of young people and a teenager who had some bread and were luring the goslings up on the bank and then kicking pebbles at them. I turned and spoke to them. Their parents did nothing…when I was across the pond, they started up their behaviour again. — We must educate the pre-schoolers on wildlife rights and how stressful their lives can be and their parents. This was completely unacceptable – it was ‘mean-spirited’. Perhaps, like the geese, ducks, and raptors, the children only copy the behaviour they see in the adults who are part of their lives. If so, what a sad world.

Now for some good news!

I mentioned this the other day. Everyone is still celebrating Nova Scotia Power’s rescue of the two osplets. Their parents built a nest on a power pole and then one day they brought in a stick that made the wrong connection causing the nest at Musquodoboit to catch on fire. The adults were frantic. The fire crew got there in time. The chicks were a little smokey but not injured. They were kept in rehab for a fortnight and then returned to a new nest on a new pole dedicated to them and their parents. The icing on the cake? the parents returned to care for their babies! Two weeks! Yes. Can you see my smile?

The nest is on fire.

Osplets in Rehab.

New nest.

New nest on a new pole close to the one on the power line but this one is safe! The parents return. Thanks CBC for the coverage!

Mini is still at home. The parents are still bring fish and Mini is getting much better at self-feeding as s/he grows and grows. Oh, I hope our little one is patient and enjoying life alone – or semi-alone.

Mini is really enjoying the fish that Dad brought.

Fire Island News has an article about the PSEG sponsored nests – at Patchogue (our little Mini) and Oyster Bay.

The-Ospreys-of-Long-Island-—-Fire-Island-NewsDownload

The heavy rains in parts of the UK on Saturday continued from Friday. Aran came in with fish for the two at Glaslyn – he is the king of fishing in the rain and appears to have broken some kind of record Sunday.

It was really blowing at Dyfi, the home of Idris and Telyn, on Saturday. That wind was a help to Cannon who fledged Sunday!

Those high winds and heavy rains were over in the Lake District impacting Foulshaw Moss.

Sunday morning and it is still wet in Alyth but let us hope that as the sun rises over the UK the Osprey nests will dry out.

Things are so much better in Poole Harbour Sunday morning. Blue 022 arrives with breakfast for CJ7 and the trio.

At Loch Arkaig, Only Bob is flapping those wings and looking around to see if Dorcha or Louis are bringing a breakfast fish.

Geemeff catches Louis bringing in a super fish for lunch at Loch Arkaig on Sunday.

Everyone is still home at Boulder County but for how long?

All is well at Collins Marsh.

Only Bob at Cowlitz PUD is self-feeding! If this osplet fledges, it will be the first time in many years this nest has had a fledge. All others died due to the heat domes and lack of food or predation by Bald Eagle. Keep your fingers crossed. Cowlitz PUD is counting on those wire grids protecting this family! If they do, let us put this design into use elsewhere. Lake Murray would be a good start!s

Lots of nice fish for the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum chick on Saturday.

This post showed up regarding some of the nests around Minneapolis. Please read. I commented that we have a lovely situation at the Fortis Exshaw nest with a wonderful step-dad osprey!

I wonder how common it is for Osprey males to step up and help with the fishing when a male goes missing? are there so many looking for mates and nests? It is all very interesting.

Louise and her two beautiful surviving ‘well fed’ and cared for osplets – the last of the line for her and Jasper.

‘H’ reports on FortisExshaw: “What a splendid day they had!  There were a total of 11 fish brought to the nest, including two by ‘Mr.O’.  Fish were delivered by Louise at: 0548, 0638, 0735, 0757, 0903, 1423, 1807, 2050, 2117.  Fish delivered by ‘Mr. O’: 0731 (but Louise was off nest, so he waited for 2 1/2 minutes then left with the fish), and 1244.  ‘Mr. O’ also brought sticks to the nest three times.  After his last stick delivery there was a brief period where Louise was helping ‘Mr. O’ move some sticks.  You know you have really made it to the big time when you and your potential new mate have engaged in mutual nestorations.  Nicely done, ‘Mr. O’!”

Audubon Boathouse:  Skipper claimed his first fish!  He took a couple of little nibbles, but then of course Mom, Dory, reclaimed the fish and fed her youngster.  Skipper is 36 days old.

Barnegat Light:  At 46 days old, Duke and Daisy’s youngster is doing great, S/he has been doing some impressive wingers.  Check out ’09’s impressive wing span.

Kent Island:  At 34 days of age, little ‘Junior’ has passed a couple of mini-milestones.  He stood up, took a couple of tiny steps, and did a mini-winger.  He also tried to move a stick.  But, the stick he chose to move was too big . . and he just happened to be standing on the end of the stick, lol.

Forsythe:  There were 3 fish delivered, two from Oscar, one from Opal.  The high temperatures are predicted to be slightly lower this week, with heavy rains and storms in the forecast for Sunday.  The 55 and 54 day old opletes are doing well.

Severna Park:  Both of the fledglings continue to come to the nest to eat, and occasionally to simply hang out.

‘A’ has been observing Diamond and Xavier nothing that Diamond spent much time in the scrape with a sunken crop: “Her crop appears unusually sunken. She nearly always sports a huge crop, so I am most unused to seeing her like that. She arrived at the nest box at 17:24:45, e-chupping. For some reason, she appeared fascinated by the ceiling – or something above and spends some time gazing up. She waits. At 17:45:23 we hear an e-chup from outside the box and she answers immediately. She then moves into the centre of the box, e-chupping and obviously expecting a bonding visit. After a minute or so, it becomes obvious he is not coming, but she stands expectantly in the centre of the nest box for several minutes, occasionally letting out an e-chup. At 18:05:28, she suddenly looks up and to her right again. I am sure Xavier is up there somewhere. She bobs her head, looks around, prepares for departure, and flies out of the scrape at 18:05:40.”

Diamond will be glad of the scrape and the rest. She fought off an intruder earlier in the day.

In Dorset, the Hobby Falcons are serving up ‘bat breakfast’. Oh, goodness, those chicks are the cutest.

In California, Annie is enjoying her Saturday! Lovely to see you Annie and hear all that e-chupping.

Studies are beginning to reveal that human disturbance can cause nest failure.

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-scotland-66200130?fbclid=IwAR2uxf2RW5St_IVvaQRcKf9w5njexQSFJessCHVHyzNV-PC_0RgwEJl-lvE

I do not have a bird feeder with a camera but many of you have written to me to know if I did or if I know anything about them. I do not know anything about them but Wired – part of The New Yorks Times – has an article devoted to the three best in their opinion bird feeders with built in cameras in case you are interested.

The-3-Best-Smart-Bird-Feeders-of-2023-Reviews-by-WirecutterDownload

Thank you so much for being with me today. it is a cool and damp morning again on the Canadian Prairies and it is time for me to fill the feeders! Take care. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog this morning: ‘A, H’, CBC, PSEG, Fire Island News, Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn, Dyfi Osprey News, Polly Turner and Friends of Loch Arkaig Ospreys, Alyth, Poole Hrbour Ospreys, Friends of Loch Arkaig and the Woodland Trust, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Boulder County Fair Grounds, Collins Marsh, Cowlitz PUD, MN Landscape Arboretum, Twin Cities metro Osprey Watch, Fortis Exshaw, Audubon Boathouse, Conserve Wildlife of NJ, Kent Island/Explore, Forstythe ospreys, Severna Park, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, Dorset Hobby Falcons, SK Hideaways and Cal Falcons, BBC, and The New York Times Wired.

Fortis Exshaw? …Wednesday in Bird World

12 July 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

Besides entering data in the forms, the day was spent making jam and gardening while running in to check on nests every 30 or 40 minutes. The Baby Blue Jays now know – just like last year – to come and peck on the window when the peanuts are all gone. They are adorable. The jam is just finishing up. It is the last of the strawberries. The heat of the early summer cooked the plants out in the local fields. So it was a short season. Hopefully, there will be some raspberries!

We need to start out with something wonderful and today that story comes from Nova Scotia, Canada – and it comes from Nova Scotia Power! By now everyone is aware of the deadly wildfires in that Atlantic Canadian province. These little osplets lost their nests and with the kindness of humans regained their lives with their parents.

‘L’ wrote to me yesterday to see if I knew about the chicks at The Wetlands Institute. I went to check, and sadly, one died on Monday of starvation, and the other died on Tuesday. It is hard to believe. They both hatched on the 28th of May, making them 43 days old. They were both fully feathered. Their cause of death was starvation. The nest is in the Stone Harbour area of New Jersey, and it is one of the nests in the region of that big storm that hit that caused so many nests to lose not only all the chicks but some of the males. Our hearts go out to all these osprey families.

The average age for fledging varies from 46-60 days giving some perspective on what a great loss these osplets are to the future population.

These big beautiful osplets should not be dying. They should be getting ringed and getting fat and strong for fledge and migration.

A tragedy also began on 7 July in the making at Fortis Exshaw when the male, Jasper, disappeared. ‘H’ has astutely noted that the nest is beginning to look like what happened at Cape Henlopen last season when intruders killed the male, then killed or injured the female leaving 3 healthy osplets on the nest – they starved to death on camera. It was horrific. Louise was last seen on the nest at 1337 on Tuesday when she chased intruders that had been landing. Louise did return to the nest and was noticeably tired. She checks on the chicks and ‘H’ reports that Louise provided five feedings for the two. So, please send continued positive wishes. We have help if it is required but it will also involve getting the community in the Canmore area involved.

‘H’ reports the following: “Feeding 0704 to 0714 – A brief bonking battle sent Middle to the side.  0708 Middle got a little closer, and ate its first bite at 0709.  Most of the feeding was blocked from view.Feeding 1100 to 1105 – This feeding was peaceful.Feeding 1109 to 1113 –  Louise quickly returned with another small fish.  The view of the feeding was partially blocked, but Middle initially spent some time off to the side, indicating that s/he had been intimidated.Feeding 1244 to 1250 – The view was partially blocked but it seemed that both chicks were eating peacefully side by side.Feeding 1328 to 1333 – Again the feeding was partially blocked from view, but it seemed peaceful with both eating.As you can tell by the length of feeding times, most of the fish Louise caught were on the small side.”

The AIWC in Calgary has told me they will take the orphaned osplets if – that is if they are orphaned – if they can be retrieved from the nest and transported to Calgary. If any of you live near the nest on the Bow River in Canmore, I would suggest reaching out to the Canmore Fire Department to try and coordinate an effort along with Fortis Exshaw. This was the response I received – please note that they did not understand that the osplets were in the nest (or their wording is a bit hazy on that). Permits might be required. If you do live in the area please send me a comment or e-mail and I will provide you with further details.

Hello Mary, I am so sorry to hear that these little ones might be orphaned. We appreciate everything you have done for them thus far, and for reaching out to us regarding their care. We are more than happy to take the orphaned osplets at our wildlife centre just north of Calgary. Unfortunately, we are short on resources at the moment, and therefore are not able to complete any pickups and/or rescues at this time. Our rescue program is volunteer-run, which sadly means that we are dependent on when drivers sign up for shifts. We are happy to send a call-out looking for volunteer drivers, however, I cannot guarantee that we would be able to send someone right away.
If yourself, a friend, or relative might feel comfortable containing the osplets, we would be more than happy to receive them at our centre, if someone is able to drop them off with us. 
Thank you again for your message today, and please do not hesitate to reach out to us if we are able to assist. 
Kind regards,The AIWC Team

Two little osplets calling for Mum so loud it breaks your heart.

Louise was back brooding the chicks as night fall begin to settle in.

Let us just bracket that sadness with something else wonderful and that are Big Red and Arthur’s Ms who are going strong, learning every day and getting those wings and hunting skills honed. Thanks to Suzanne Arnold Horning we have some great images of the hawks out and about on the Cornell Campus.

At the Balgavies Loch, three gorgeous osplets were ringed on the 11th of July. What wonderful news.

At Patchogue, everyone knows when Dad delivers a fish to the nest!

After Big, guess who is working on that big fish? None other than Little Mini. Sweet.

Mini is still working away at that fish – home alone, so not rush – an hour later.

‘L’ sent me a sweet screen capture of our Little Mini. What a great crop! Looks like she is full of fish up to her beak!

Moorings Park: Not sure about Victor. He slept on the Moorings Park nest and he was there all day waiting for a fish delivery from Harry.

Collins Marsh: Nice fish landed on the nest. The two osplets are feathered up, not quite completely but getting there, and doing well. Fingers crossed for this new couple to the nest in what looks like a very hot Wisconsin on Tuesday.

Oyster Bay: Now isn’t that the most beautiful image? Dad on the edge. Mum feeding those three gorgeous osplets.

Boulder County: Mum is working overtime to keep those three large osplets shaded form the hot sun!

Cowlitz PUD: That is one beautiful osplet! Cheeky one…doesn’t want us to see the amazing juvenile plumage…looks like a good hit on that camera lens.

Seaside: All is well.

Alyth: Raining. Big drops coming down. Three beauties. I hope there are no goshawks in this area.

Poole Harbour: Last year one of the chicks around fledging time was predated by a goshawk. So hoping that this does not happen this year.

Blue 022 in with a huge fish at 1738. CJ7 takes charge and that big fish is gone in a blink.

Loch Arkaig – nest 1 home of Affric and two potential mates:

Loch of the Lowes: Beautiful Blue NC0 and her two fledglings. All is well.

Llyn Brenig: All is well.

Llyn Clywedog: Dylan is such a good provider. When they wonder why osplets areople starving in the US, I remind pe that many of the ponds and lochs are stocked in the UK. The Clywedog Reservoir gets 40,000 fish annually deposited. Now think about that and then look at these two healthy chicks – and then look at Manton Bay which is also stocked. Why not push where you live for USFWS to provide fingerlings in all the lakes and ponds for the birds that rely on them? Why not! And maybe instead of increasing fish quotes let us just cut them entirely.

Dyfi: A whole lot of flapping going on. If you want to order any merchandise from Dyfi (or otherwise) and they do not take your postal code, contact them. Dyfi arranged for me to donate and shipped Emyr Evan’s book to me in Canada for a small additional postage charge. It was not much. (Their tote bags are great, too!)

Glaslyn: Lovely family portrait of Aran and Elen with their two sleeping babies in the nest. What a beautiful image…when I feel really ‘low’ over the deaths in North America, I just think of this nest with this new Mum who took Mrs G’s place and did an amazing job first time around.

Tweed Valley 2: the two chicks have been ringed and fitted with sat pads! Love the names.

‘H’ reports on the following:

Patuxent Nest 1 –  ‘Sibling A’ that fledged at 0745 on 7/11 has yet to return to the nest.  Sibling ‘B’ was doing some vigorous flapping and slight hovering, and may be ready to take his/her first flight.  Their older foster sibling spends most of her time hanging out on the perch where she can keep a lookout for incoming fish.  ‘Foster’ prefers to be in the nest before Dad lands with a fish, but as you can see in the attached photo, Foster arrived a little late from the perch for the last meal of the day.  Sibling ‘B’ took that fish, but Foster stole it!  Not to worry, sibling ‘B’ was able to eat a large portion after Foster ate her fill.

Audubon Boathouse –  My goodness, 32 day old Skipper is getting so big.  The proud parents, Dory and Skiff, are doing a great job.

Forsythe – Oscar is not ‘missing’.  There were six fish brought to the nest on 7/11.  Oscar delivered a fish at 0750, and Opal delivered the others.  Is there a ‘Manual for Osprey Life’ that dictates that the male must deliver most of the fish to the nest?  Perhaps Oscar has been busy keeping intruders out of the territory.  Opal and Oscar seem to have a great partnership.  Their kids are 51 and 50 days old.There was an epic tug of war for the fish that Oscar delivered.  The battle for the fish between the kids and their Mom went on for nearly a full minute.  In the end, one of the siblings won.

Barnegat Light – Daisy delivered a couple of live bluefish and the whole family feasted.  Duke and Daisy’s youngster is doing great, and at 42 days old, ’09/N’ has been doing some wingers.

‘A’ sent a note about the Royal Cam Chick: “Manaaki had a big day yesterday, with a visit from the rangers (for weighing day) and then a visit from mum for a feeding. Happy little man. Can’t wait till they fill in that weight chart. Here are the highlights of his day: https://www.youtube.com/watchv=ZOf5Smgt9kY&list=TLPQMTIwNzIwMjMLCopcQu6ATg&index=3 Listen to all that happy wheeing away when mum arrives. She is not giving him nearly as much food as dad GLY does at a feeding. In fact, she appears very reluctant to give up any of her stomach contents to Manaaki, and no wonder – he’s MUCH bigger than either of his parents (though some of that, of course, is due to his remaining fluff).”

Hartley and Monty have been bonding since Soledad fledged. Give this young couple a pat on the back! What a chick they raised in Soledad.

Thank you so much for being with me. Please send your positive wishes to our dear Louise at Fortis Exshaw and to all the nests. Take care. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, images, videos, posts, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘A, Geemeff, H, L, L’, Hope for Wildlife, Fortis Exshaw, Suzanne Arnold Horning, SL Security Pros, Moorings Park, Collins Marsh, PSEG, Boulder County Fair Grounds, Cowlitz PUD, Seaside Ospreys, Forsythe Ospreys, Conserve Wildlife F of NJ, Patuxent River Park, Alyth, Poole Harbour Ospreys, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, Friends of Loch of the Lowes and the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Llyn Brenig, CarnyXWild, Dyfi Osprey Project, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, NZ DOC, and SK Hideaways and SJCH Falcons.

Saturday in Bird World

8 July 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

Gosh, it is Friday and right now it is a few minutes before Saturday. The day flew by! Too many things to do and not enough hours in the day. I imagine all of you know that feeling. On Wednesday I was given a large basket of freshly picked strawberries and today – finally – they were made into David Leibowitz’s Parisian Strawberry Jam. There is no pectin although you can grate apples with the berries – they thicken it like pectin. I wanted that lovely slightly runny jam that isn’t too sweet that can go on scones, ice cream, or puddings. Tomorrow will be scone making! Need I say that Lewis and Missey both love scones. Bless their hearts. We are also getting ready for kitty birthdays. Missey will be a year the middle of July and Lewis a year the middle of August…wonder what special meal they will want?

Missey always poses.

Dyson is looking very healthy. She is at the feeders several times a day and often suns herself on the deck.

The babies are doing well. This one stayed long enough for me to focus the camera!

My neighbour informed me that there was an ‘explosion’ of Blue Jays this year – yes, there was! Six babies. There are also a similar number of baby Crows. Two Crow families came to get peanuts, cheesy dogs, and eggs again this evening.

Several years ago I did extensive research on the cost to the environment of the mega-dams that were constructed in the north of my province beginning in 1969. I learned that the lakes, the water, and the land remain toxic from the mercury dredged up by the construction of the Churchill-Nelson project by Manitoba Hydro. Then I began to think about Hope at the Newfoundland Power Osprey nest. Newfoundland Power has also built mega dams. Is it possible that Hope suffers from neurological damage caused by methyl mercury toxicity in the water and fish? Surely we can all agree that the behaviour of this female Osprey is not seen often.

This is a short portion of a book chapter about ceramics that includes mention of my research in Manitoba:

In Manitoba, a Crown-owned public utility produces hydropower for domestic consumption and export. This hydroelectric energy originates with the waters of northern Manitoba.  It is then carried south to markets beyond provincial boundaries via a vast and intricate transmission network.  In the 1960s, the provincial and federal governments built generating stations, powerhouse structures, control dams, and transmission lines on the Churchill and Nelson Rivers and their diversions to produce the electricity we use and sell.  But what was the cost to the people who had lived on the land for generations?  
The damming of the rivers in Treaty 5 Territory caused flooding on an unparalleled scale to the homes, the traditional hunting grounds, and the burial sites of Indigenous people. Extensive documentation details the social ramifications of these actions.  Ramona Neckoway, a member of the Nisichawayasihk Cree nation impacted by the mega-dam states:
Manitoba Hydro’s vast and impressive network, including the labyrinth of transmission lines, affected and continue to impact entire generations of indigenous peoples in Manitoba. My grandparents’ generation, my parents’ generation, my generation, my children’s generation and their children’s generation, have borne witness to and experienced a kind of cultural genocide resulting from Hydro’s generation in Manitoba; these experience to varying degrees and severity are akin, in some ways, to the residential school era that devastated many Aboriginal communities, children, parents and grandparents.  


The impact of these mega-dam projects is not limited to the province of Manitoba.  In November 2019, people from around the world met in Winnipeg, Manitoba, for a conference organised by the Wa Ni Tan, a group trying to stop the building of mega-dams worldwide.  People came from as far away as Brazil and Panama to mobilise against these hydroelectric projects’ social and environmental damage.  Underlying their concern were the pronounced changes to their communities since the construction of the dams.  These include “significant social disorder, the abuse of drugs and alcohol, racial discrimination and the destruction of ancestral hunting, trapping, fishing, and gathering practices. “ The people used to drink the water from the river eat the fish they caught or the game they killed. Today, all of the animals, the fish, and the people have been poisoned by methyl mercury developed in the reservoirs upstream. The result of the mercury poisoning is that many indigenous people living near the mega-dams have had to abandon their fisheries and their traditional diets resulting in an elevated increase of diabetes amongst the population.  

Sadly, despite all of the harm done to the land, the people, nature, and all living creatures, it is also known that these hydro dams are incredibly inefficient.  The effectiveness even of the newest turbines is only around 60%, meaning that 40% of the primary energy is wasted. 

Can Ceramics Ever be a Sustainable Cultural Practice? University of Nantes, 2021.

I intend to research the situation at the Snow Lane nest further. Their nest is far from the Muskrat Falls plant discussed in the article below. I also hope to hear from wildlife specialists in the area I have written to in order to establish if my theory has any weight.

Muskrat-Falls-hydroelectric-project-poses-risks-for-Canada-that-are-being-ignoredDownload

Everyone commented on how tranquil the nest of CJ7 and Blue 022 was at Poole Harbour this season. Well, guess what? They ringed the three osplets on Friday and believe the first two hatches are males and the third is a female. That is a great solution to the beaking that often comes when the female is the first hatch and the wee lad is the third. Well done, CJ7 and 022!

Gosh, I remember when I thought CJ7 might never find a mate and then that you man flew to the perch of her nest two years ago. They made history and continue to do so. So happy for this family.

The two surviving chicks were ringed at Llyn Brenig today as well – two girls. The first hatch is Blue 7B5 weighing 1775 grams, and the second is 7B6 weighing 1730 grams. Aren’t they gorgeous?

Just a quick run through some of the nests:

Alyth: The chicks are loud and getting bigger by the day.

Aran and Elen and their two sons are doing really well at Glaslyn. Elen proved to be a superb mother in her first year raising chicks! Great choice, Aran.

Idris delivered a double-header for the kids at the Dyfi nest that he shares with his mate, Telyn.

The Only Bob of Louis and Dorcha at Loch Arkaig is massive and it has these incredible ‘snake eyes’. Reminds me of Iris and Mrs G sometimes. The ringing should take place shortly and my bet is on a female! Or one of those males that simply breaks all records like Only Bob did at Clywedog a couple of years ago.

The ring number is LY7 but no release of gender yet.

Geemeff writes that the cam is down and the chick is being ringed! Here is some of its big wing flapping early on Saturday. Look at those wings!

There is an expected fledge today coming out of Loch of the Lowes. PF4 is really getting some height to that hovering!

The Only Bob at the Cowlitz PUD appears to be doing well.

Equally everything appears fine at Collins Marsh.

Everyone is preening at Oyster Bay. The nest is good.

The trio at the Pitkin County Open Trails Osprey Nest in Colorado are doing well. Mum was busy shading them from the heat on Friday.

The MNSA Jay Koolpix ospreys in Oceanside, NY are doing great, too.

Things appear to be going smoothly at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum nest. There is a bit more nesting material and a few more sticks and the wee one is able to eat larger pieces of fish that Mum is feeding. Feeling hopeful.

This new Mum is learning and if the winds would cooperate and not take off all their efforts in getting material to the nest, this could become a very comfy place to brood this chick.

A quick check on the two remaining osplets at the Bridges Golf Osprey platform seem to indicate that this nest is doing alright. Fingers crossed for this family.

Is there is a potential problem brewing at nest #4 in Finland? The first hatch is not allowing the third hatch up to get fish. The third hatch is looking very thin. It has been raining but ‘T’ confirms that the third hatch got some fish. Hoping that this is just a one off.

There is also a potential problem unfolding at the FortisExshaw nest near Canmore, Alberta. Jasper has not been seen for nearly 24 hours. ‘H’ reported Big beaking Little and keeping it from eating. This is the last fish that Jasper delivered around 0930 on Friday. ‘H’ reports that

Feeding 0559 to 0608 –  Louise blocked the view again, lol.  I think Little may have been fed a couple of bites, but at 0601, Little tried to ‘exit stage left’, and s/he ran out of real estate in the nest cup. I believe Little had most likely been bonked.  0924 to 0958 – Ah, a different set-up. . Mom in the centre, Middle and Little on one side, Big on the other side.  Louise fed to her right, exclusively feeding Middle and Little.  Big kept peeking around the corner “hey, what about me?”  Eventually, Big figured it out and moved to the right side of Mom.  The two big kids squeezed Little against the cup wall and at 0934 Little backed out, and moved away.  At 0942 Little tried to return to the feeding, but was beaked by Big.  Big quit the feeding at 0951, and Middle quit shortly thereafter.  At that point Little received a long private feeding.  Little ate at least 81 bites.There were no other fish deliveries on 7/7.”

‘H’s other reports. Thank you:

Severna Park – “Chick #1 may be a large gal, and has yet to fledge at 60 days old.  I wonder if the slightly smaller chick #2 (59 days old) will fledge first.

Kent Island – Tom is such a great provider.  He delivered at least 5 big fish for his family, there may have been an early delivery that I missed, but the lighting was such that it was very difficult to view the nest in the morning.  Tom and Audrey’s chick is 26 days old.

Forsythe – Well, thank heavens, Opal must have shown Oscar where she catches those huge fish!  Opal brought in a big one, and Oscar delivered four very large fish.  The kids are 47 and 46 days old.

Barnegat Light – Other than Daisy being dive bombed by the Red-winged Blackbird, life is good on the bay for Duke, Daisy, and their 38 day old youngster.

Boathouse – Dory and Skiff continue to dote over their cherished offspring.  Little Skipper is 28 days old.

Dahlgren – At 51 and 47 days old, Harriet and Jack’s kids are growing up fast.  They were both taking advantage of a breezy day and working those wings.  And, one of them managed to get quite a bit of lift!

Osoyoos – Soo and Olsen’s 11 and 12 day old kids are simply thriving!

Patuxent Nest 1 – ‘Foster’ decided to take a quick spin around the marsh for her second flight from the nest.  She landed on the nearby perch, just as pretty as you please!

Until the magistrates impose proper fines and penalties, the estates will continue to get away with murder.

The Hobby Falcons are busy feeding their chicks! This family is seriously adorable. Highly recommend you check out the streaming cam on YouTube: Dorset Hobby Falcons.

Before I get on my soap box about people shooting Red Listed birds, there is sad news coming out of Kielder Forest this morning. A chick has been predated. This is nest 5A home to Mr and Mrs UV.

UK Raptor Persecution has released the following information about the recent confirmed shooting of at least two red kites (with a third one suspected) near Westerdale in the North York Moors National Park (see here). The North York Moors Park Authority has issued the following statement:

I am absolutely outraged, along with you in the UK and elsewhere, that the legal system is punishing those responsible in a manner that is fitting and proper…meaning high fines, loss of licenses, custodial sentences. Is that what it takes to stop people having fun shooting birds? The real other enemy is that it is the ultra-wealthy who are doing the shooting. They have ‘friends in high places’. Indeed, some of them are the ‘friends in a high place.’

Murphy’s Eaglet was released today. Here are some images and the press release from World Bird Sanctuary.

Plastic. BirdLife International research is showing the extent to which this deplorable material that we cannot seem to get out of our daily lives is destroying the oceans and harming wildlife. The project has identified the most vulnerable sites and maybe there is something we can do to help.

New-research-highlights-where-threatened-seabirds-are-most-exposed-to-marine-plastics-BirdLife-IntDownload

Always gives us a smile – Annie and Lou – who are enjoying their time without the constant challenge of caring for eyases.

Last but never least, Little Mini. Mini had a nice breakfast this morning and it appears that the larger of the two are more interested in being on the perch!

Thank you so much for being with me today. Have a lovely Saturday! 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, T’, Google Maps, Poole Harbour Ospreys, Llyn Brenig Ospreys, Alyth Ospreys, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Dyfi Osprey Project, Friends of Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust, Geemeff and Friends of Loch Arkaig and The Woodland Trust, Friends of Loch of the Lowes and Scottish Wildlife Trust, Cowlitz PUD, Collins Marsh, PSEG, Pitkin County Open Trails, MNSA Jay Koolpix Osprey Cam, MN Landscape Arboretum, Bridges Golf Club Ospreys, Finnish Osprey Foundation, Jackie Morris and Friends of Dyfi osprey Project, Dorset Hobby Falcons, Fortis Exshaw, Severna Park, Kent Island Ospreys, Forsythe Ospreys, Conserve Wildlife of NJ, Dahlgren Ospreys, Boathouse Ospreys, Osoyoos, Patuxent River Park 1, Kielder Forest, UK Raptor Persecution, World Bird Sanctuary, BirdLife International and SK Hideaways and Cal Falcons, and PSEG.

Little Mini working on a Big Fish…Friday in Bird World

7 July 2023

Hello Everyone!

There is another big thunderstorm brewing. Without even checking the weather forecast you could feel the anxious energy as 13 crows came to eat peanuts, cheesy dogs, and eggs. The Blue Jays were flying in and out, having baths, and eating anything in sight as were the squirrels, the Grackles, and the Sparrows. Now it is only 1900 and the sky is dark, like this page. The thunder can be heard rolling in the distance and now there is lighting. Lewis is hiding. Our weather is quite crazy. It was 32 C a few days ago and then dropped to 14 C. Having been so hot for so long it felt like we needed to take out our woolen jumpers and socks. Hoping all the animals are safely tucked in their little dens and trees for the duration.

I have had several letters concerning the Newfoundland nest. Each writer wanted to know why the male at the Newfoundland nest doesn’t leave the female if all the chicks die. That is a very interesting question. Of course, I can only speculate, but contrary to the popular urban myth that raptors bond for life, many do ‘divorce’. In the case of this male, my only thoughts are he has no other available option. As we know, Osprey males return to the area of their natal nest while females, usually but not always, disperse. This could be his natal nest. Until the arrival of Hope, the nest had been successful. He is a very good provider, and there would appear to be ample fish. My guess is no other female in the area at this time, so his urge to breed takes over, and Hope is there.

In Latvia, the male Osprey has waited for a new female mate for years, and just recently, a single Black male stork has found a mate in Latvia. So, let us hope for Beau to find a great mate and for Hope to retire and live by the lake catching and eating her fish.

Checking in on those UK nests as promised:

Loch Arkaig: Dorcha is keeping her very large Only Bob dry during the rain in western Scotland. Geemeff writes, “Bit of a heart-stopping moment. Chick is 37 days today so at least two and a half weeks from fledging – we do not want a wind-assisted fludge! Chick would be injured or maybe not even survive!”

Only Bob is right in the range for getting ringed…will Only Bob be a boy or a girl?

Louis did not deliver the first fish of the day until around 1225. Intruders? Weather? Not like Louis to be so late.

Loch of the Lowes: The chicks are self-feeding. The fish have ranged from small to a good size and both seem to get something to eat although the wee brother would like to have some fish all the time. He is hoping there could be some left. At one point Blue NC0 brought in two fish – one she had caught and another that Laddie brought in.

Llyn Brenig: Everything is fine at Llyn Brenig. Like the other nests in Wales it was a bit windy and damp on Thursday at times.

Llyn Clywedog: Oh, it was sometimes windy at nest and at least one of the osplets loved it and was jumping up and down and hovering. Scared the wits end out of me – . All I could think of was the poor dear being caught up and being blown to Ireland!

Loch Garten: It is wet at this nest also at times on Thursday. Brodie has been getting some fish into the nest and, of course, Asha is one of the females not afraid to go out fishing. The chicks are doing well.

Glaslyn: It was a tad windy with some drizzle and Elen happily brooded her two little boys.

Dyfi: All is well. Idris is up on the perch and Telyn is in the nest feeding those two beautiful chicks, the female Cennan and the little boy, Seiont.

Poole Harbour: It is another successful year for CJ7 and Blue 022. Those three osplets are feathered and are just waiting to be ringed which could happen any day. This is so wonderful. Last year this couple made history by fledging the first osplet in more than 250 years in Poole Harbour.

Alyth: It has been a bit of a wet one at Alyth. The oldest chick is now 46 days old and the fledge window opens at 48 days in the UK. They hatched on May 21, 23, and 25. Their mother, Flora, hatched in 2014 so she is 9 years old this season. Aren’t they gorgeous. Just look at those feathers and wet crests!

The last chick at the Manton Bay nest of Blue 33 and Maya, 3H5, fledged on Thursday, 6 July. Congratulations for a successful season. All of the fledglings have returned to the nest.

Remember Murphy’s chick? That eaglet will be released today, Friday July 7 by the World Bird Sanctuary.

More places are giving up fireworks…remember. If you want to do something that will help the lives of so many, get together with your like-minded friends, family, colleagues and urge your city to ban fireworks and to use the funds that were spent for something to help.

I cannot tuck in until I check on Little Mini at Patchogue. The nest is really getting full of chicks and Mini just continues to grow. I did not get to watch her as closely today as I would have liked. I hope that any concerns today about her coughing were nothing. But we must be vigilant and continue to monitor her closely.

Mini really wanted some of that 19:31 fish that a big sibling had…in the end she gave up and had a snooze. Later Mini got the fish! Thank goodness. She was looking a bit peckish. (I like Mini with a nice big crop!)

Two did a lot of hovering and joined Big on the perch at 16:45. So Big has fledged and Two has ‘branched/perched’. Wonder who will be next. The worrisome part of Two’s branching is that its talons almost got caught in that black bin liner. Oh, human garbage…

Boulder County Fair Grounds continues to look good. Lots of good fish being brought in and the kids are quite civil at the table in the image below.

Collins Marsh: Two beautiful feathered osplets. I watched for a long time to try and see if there were many fish being delivered and during that time there were none. If you are watching this nest, do let me know about the fish deliveries. Thank you!

Because ‘H’ is worried about FortisExshaw, so am I. The first hatch is so much bigger than little 3. Big ate first, then Middle got to eat with Big, and I held my breath and then Mum fed the wee babe some fish. Thank goodness but under ‘H’s close ye, she notices that the beaking by Big is often and that the nest cup is deep and narrow in places causing Little to have trouble getting in the food line. Louise is good and ‘H’ notes she will take the fish to Little and feed it. “Little is managing to get fed, and I don’t feel that the situation with Big’s dominance and aggression toward Little is dire at this point.  Some feedings are not viewable.” Please send positive wishes. There are fish and two good parents just a huge difference in size between the first hatch and Little. This is a ‘Little’ that needs our good energy!

‘H’ reports on the Patuxent 1 nest: “There were five very large fish delivered to the nest by Dad.  All of the chicks are occasionally self feeding, but are also fed by Mom.  The fledgling ‘Foster’ is estimated to be about a week older than her foster siblings (ages 52 and 51 days), and she is the most adept at self feeding.  At 1514 Dad delivered a huge headless fish, and ‘Foster’ took the fish from Mom, without any resistance from Mom.  ‘Foster’ ate about a third of that fish, and then each of the siblings gave it a go.  There was still a large portion remaining and Mom fed everyone. You will recall that ‘Foster’ was placed in the nest as a rescue on 6/29, and she fledged on 7/3.  ‘Foster’ has not left the nest since she returned to the nest on 7/4 after fledging.  In all of the attached photos, ‘Foster’ is the one standing on the rim.”

‘H’ reports that all of the other nests are doing really well. Isn’t that wonderful?

‘A’ has been keeping an eye on what is happening in Australia and New Zealand. At the Royal Albatross Colony -“In New Zealand, the gale force winds of the past two weeks or so have finally died down. Those winds have been so incredibly strong, many parents have been unable to come in to feed the chicks. Still, of the 33 chicks at the colony this season, only three are requiring supplementary feeding, which is wonderful. This means that the other 30 are being adequately fed by their parents. Little UQ chick was supplementary fed again today (it was fed last Tuesday, though it was not weighed). Weighing was abandoned this week, due to the strength of the winds, so we will have to wait for next Tuesday’s weighing to see how Manaaki’s weight is coming along. He still has plenty of time to slim down, regurgitate his bolus and so on before fledging time – there’s about ten weeks to go now, I think.” “Here is a very short piece from yesterday, when Manaaki took the chance to have a good preen after having his plumage blown in all directions for the past couple of weeks. What a lovely juvenile he really is. Just gorgeous. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLXBhFj9vUw&t=24s. What a handsome albie. The chatters call him Prince Manaaki. He sure knows the Royal part of being a Northern Royal Albatross! And just for the memory, look at our little chick at about one month of age (he was born 27 January, I think) so this would be just before the post-guard phase. The last few days and nights of constant parental presence. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qw2r53APHGQ. Just look at that adorable little ball of fluff. And look at him now! A lot of squid has gone into that transformation.”

Charles Sturt Falcon Cam -“At Orange, Diamond is perched on the ledge, with a full crop, as darkness falls. She will no doubt spend the night in the nest box, probably on the Cilla Stones. It seems that Xavier needs to relearn the bit about handing over the prey all over again every season. He brought in what appeared to be a largish grebe at 14:25:23. Diamond arrived within eight seconds, but Xavier took the prey and left!! C’mon Xavier, not again. We discussed this last season. And the one before. Still, Diamond already had a large crop when she arrived, and she is sure not looking hungry this evening. She never does, come to think of it. At least it wasn’t a starling, which is progress. (As you no doubt recall, Diamond hates starlings.) “

Speaking of Falcons, here is the latest video by SK Hideaways on trying to find Soledad! It must be very difficult to keep up with a falcon but isn’t she the cutest thing? I cannot wait for Diamond and Xavier’s eggs to hatch – and they haven’t even

Ferris Akel did some highlights of the Ms and he caught one of the Ms going after a squirrel amongst other day events.

At 0702, Little Mini at Patchogue was working on a huge fish…Mum comes to the rescue. Those bony heads are difficult for chicks.

Thank you so much for being with me for this nest round up. Take care everyone. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their diligent monitoring, their notes, videos, and the streaming cams that helped me to write my blog this morning: ‘A, Geemeff, H’, Friends of Loch Arkaig and the Woodland Trust, Geemeff and the Woodland Trust, Friends of Loch of the Lowes and the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Llyn Brenig, CarnyXWild, RSPB Loch Garten, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Dyfi Osprey Project, Poole Harbour Ospreys, Althy, LRWT, World Bird Sanctuary, Celia Aliengirl and Bald Eagles Live Nest Cams and News, PSEG, Boulder County Fair Grounds Ospreys, Collins Marsh, Fortis Exshaw, Patuxent River Park, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam, SK Hideaways and San Jose City Hall Falcons, and Ferris Akel Live Stream.

Nest Round up. Late Thursday in Bird World

6 July 2023

Hello Everyone,

As promised, a quick round-up of what is happening at our nests today. I hope this finds you all well. It is nearly the end of the week and now it also is beginning to feel like July will fly by.

Cowlitz PUD: The fish are coming. I wish a few great big ones would land on this nest. The chick is growing like a bad weed and if you look carefully you can tell that this little one is nearly the size of Mum.

Collins Marsh: Everything is fine at Collins Marsh. Two nice growing osplets.

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: The chick has lost its fluff and that head is pure Reptilian. A nice early fish came in and Mum fed the wee one after it scrambled to get up to the rim of the nest. At first I thought, oh, no, she is going to eat it all and not feed the chick. Wrong.

Boulder County Fair Grounds: These two parents continue to work together to feed and shade their three growing chicks. What a great nest this has become after the initial sidelining of the third hatch.

Patchogue: Big was on the perch and it looks like everyone is doing alright. Mini has been eating and eating and doing some wing flapping along with the others. ‘M’ mentioned some concerns in chat that Mini was sneezing between 0757 and 0800 and was concerned if this was true. As it turns out Mini was being fed by Mum the entire time (and at least 15 minutes prior). Mini seemed to just eat and eat today. She is growing but needs that tail longer to fly and from the look in her eyes, she really wants to fly when she sees Big hover to the perch!

The Fabulous Four from Patchogue!

Sandpoint: The second egg did not hatch and the first is a right little reptile! Seems to be doing quite well.

Outerbanks: Doing great. Fledglings return to the nest. Just perfect! I was, however, horrified, when ‘A’ sent me an image from the 4th of July where fireworks went off near to the nest…on the water under??? I do not know anything about fireworks regulations but this should not be allowed. The area should be restricted so as not to disturb the nest.

On behalf of all of us, I will write to the individuals that run the camera and see what they know and if this behaviour can be stopped. I understand from ‘L’ that it is possible in the tourist areas along the coast to have fireworks once a week, not just on holidays. Can you see me shaking my head?

‘L’ asked me if there was a way to send donations from outside RU to Dmitri who rescued the little fifth stork and cared for it so that it is big and strong. As you might recall, Dmitri has prostrate cancer and is looking for assistance to get the surgery quickly. It is scheduled for 12 July. This is the link that I was given for donations to be sent: https://www.donationalerts.com/r/storks40

There is some more sadness. The last of the three osplets of the Great Bay nest has died. That storm just keeps on giving and it isn’t good.

But there is also good news elsewhere…after the third hatch died of siblicide at The Bridge Golf Club, the camera went offline. It was feared that the storms that caused such deaths at other nests such as Great Bay also impacted the two older chicks here. Well, guess what? Just look at those two older ones! Isn’t that wonderful? I can hardly believe my eyes.

Here are the nests that ‘H’ has been monitoring – thanks so much, H.

Dahlgren – Jack and Harriet’s kids are doing great.  There were at least 5 fish delivered by Jack on 7/5, and both chicks are doing some self feeding (49 and 45 days old)

Osoyoos – There is a good supply of fish coming to the nest, and the little ones are being well cared for by Mom and Dad (Soo and Olsen ?).  Ages 10 and 9 days old.

Forsythe – They had 11 fish delivered to the nest on 7/5, and Opal delivered 4 whoppers.  A little joke is that Oscar fishes from the ‘kiddie pool’, lol, but Oscar did deliver a pretty big fish at 1344.  The chicks are 45 and 44 days old.

Barnegat Light – Life is good for Duke, Daisy and 09/N.  Daisy brought a smooth dogfish shark to the nest, yummy!  We are still awaiting a name for their 36 day old youngster.

Kent Island – There were at least 6 fish delivered by Tom that I saw.  Audrey and Tom’s little kiddo is 24 days old, and would like to have a name!

Audubon Boathouse – The sun finally shone brightly at the nest of Skiff and Dory after several gloomy days.  At 26 days old, little Skipper is growing like a weed.

Severna Park – Olivia and Oscar sure did haul in some large fish on 7/5  Big did not fledge on 7/5, perhaps today is the day.  Ages of the sibs: 59 and 58 days old.

The UK nests are fine and I will look closer at them tomorrow. We will close with a video by Gracie Shepherd of Thunder, Akechets, Scout, and 39D soaring. Enjoy.

Thank you so much for being with me this evening for this quick check on some of the nests. Take care. See you soon!

I want to thank the following for their notes, videos, posts, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog this evening: ‘A, H, L, M, T’, Cowlitz PUD, Collins Marsh, MN Landscape Arboretum, Boulder County Fair Grounds Ospreys, PSEG, Sandpoint Ospreys, Outerbanks 24/7, Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Bridge Golf Club, Dahlgren Ospreys, Osoyoos, Forsythe, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, Kent Island, Audubon Boathouse.

Foster fledges…Monday in Bird World

3 July 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

I spent most of early Sunday doing some clerical work. The joy of finding new osprey nests with healthy chicks like Loch Don raises my spirits. Hopefully, by today I will have caught up with everything Claudio needs me to do. His programme for monitoring the nests for my research is exceptional, and I am so grateful to him and to ‘H’ for helping track quite many nests for me. Now it is time for me to get all the details of the nests I am following cleaned up and updated! As a result, this blog could be a mishmash. Still, there are always good things that come out of tidying.

My need for additional information allowed me to reconnect with Diane and others at the Tweed Valley Ospreys. Tweed Valley chicks will be ringed and fitted with satellite trackers soon. Last year they had three lovely males. Sadly, it appears that two perished, but Blue 708 Glen is still alive and loving his life in Morocco as of 14 June.

First up I reported that the osplet at Snow Lane in Newfoundland died on 1 July. That poor little one is still suffering and dying on the 2nd. Meanwhile Mum Hope is eating away and sometimes feeds the other chick. (Wishing someone would go up and retireve that baby and foster it).

The situation at the nest of Hope and Beau grows more dire as it appears that the healthy chick was injured with sticks being brought in on Sunday. The poor little one that was dying on 1 July does seem to have passed.

Did I say someone should have rescued this healthy first chick and fostered it? There is something ‘wrong’ with this female.

The second chick is lodged at an angle this morning in Newfoundland. Hope is feeding it but it appears to have been injured with those stick movements. This nest is so sad – it makes you wonder about the female’s presence of mind.

The Mum at MN-Landscape Arboretum sure likes to eat her fish, too. I wonder what that 21 year old male thinks??? The female is doing better and she is shading the chick much of the time as well as feeding. It is extremely hot in our region (32 C in Winnipeg and this nest is about 8 hours south of me). The wee two week old is losing its down and getting its black oily head and turning into a Reptile. Oh, I so hope this baby survives!

There is good news coming in my mailbox about Soledad from ‘SP’. “Soledad slept on the rotunda across from City Hall and then flew to the top of an apartment building this morning, where her parents met her for breakfast. By all counts, so far, she’s a strong flyer. Now talons crossed that she avoids all those mirrored buildings downtown.” ‘B’ reports that Soledad was brought back to the area around the natal nest and that it is quite hot in San Jose. After a bit of a loaf, she was running along the ledge and flying off. Hopefully, she saw one of the parents with prey! The latest report from ‘B’: “At 8:10:10 pm that Soledad took off.  About a minute and a half later, a falcon landed on the ledge where she took off, and I thought at first she was back — juvie coloring — but I think it was Monty, because I saw no bands.  He stood there for a few minutes, scanning about, then took off in the direction Soledad departed.”  Like ‘B’, I hope that there was prey being delivered by Hartley and that all three are together at night. Here is a video of Soledad’s adventures on Sunday.

‘SP’ and I have also been keeping a worried eye on the Evergy third hatch. It “hopped/flew to the roof above his perch. I did not see it happen, only the resulting move of the camera. I learned about his move when I inquired on their FB page. They said the camera angle was changed “in case he passes by the area”. What? I reviewed yesterday’s stream and just reviewed it again. I did not hear or see any sign of him.” ‘SP’ and I strongly felt that this chick should have been taken into care early on and wrote and wrote when the others fledged. No one seemed to care! How sad is that?

At the Patchogue nest on Sunday, Dad was fishing overtime. Lots of fish coming on the nest. Little Mini gets fed some and misses out on others but the nest is so civil! All four are doing well because these parents work so hard for them. Just look at the four today. It is worth noting that Little Mini is continuing to grow and with lots of fish she could easily be as big as 3 if she is not already. Having trouble recognising her? She is the third from the right, nearest the rim of the nest.

‘M’ writes that there was a milestone at the nest today. Big had a fish and walked away when it was full and Mini went over and ate the rest, self-feeding. Then Mum came and fed Mini a fish! Excellent news. Looks like we are going to have four fledges at this amazing nest. — Mini had lots of feedings on Sunday, too, including 0801.

Mini self feeding.

Mini on the far right but being fed some fish, too.

Mum feeding Mini.

There is so much fish and so much wing-flapping on the Patchogue nest on Sunday that it is hard to keep up!

At least two have fish, Mini look directly at us from the back.

Mini continued to get fed, continued to self-feed, and was finding scraps in the side of the nest. What a character – and a survivor. Always alert now for opportunities for fish in case she gets locked out from the Bigs.

Mini finds a fish tail in the rim of the nest.

Mum feeds Mini again.

Lots of flapping from the older siblings. Look at the wing span on this one and those long skinny legs…my bet would be a male despite the necklace (yes, some males do have necklaces) – and some females leave their nests and do not return when terrible things happen but are not dead – as my friend ‘T’ reminded me today. Think Florence at Captiva.

Mini self-feeding. Good night Mini…Your tail is getting longer. You are growing…we never thought we would see this day and that is why we are paying so much attention to you – a fourth hatch!

All three osplets at Boulder County Fair Grounds are getting their beautiful juvenile plumage. All three are thriving – and again we thank the wonderful work of these two adults. They have consistently made sure that the smaller third hatch was fed.

The fish are small and slow to arrive but the only chick at Cowlitz PUD is still doing alright.

The three osplets at Dunrovin Ranch are doing splendidly.

Betsy feeding her three ‘great big’ chicks at the Outerbanks 24/7 nest. She doesn’t mind and remember, it always allows the females to have some fish, too.

There are so many three chick nests this year! The ones at Alyth SSEN substation are starting to flap their wings and get some air. The nest is too high for ringing, sadly. These are sure beautiful birds.

Two beautiful big Bobs of Dylan and Seren. This is one of my favourite nests. I love how the Reservoir is stocked – yes, probably more those fishing but, I would like to think it is for the wildlife, too. Much ask John Williams unless someone knows.

Dylan and his first mate (he ousted the very popular Dai Dot), Delyth, from 2016-2020 have had 4 chicks return. They were KS7 and KS8 (both 2018) and KA6 and KA7 (both 2019). Dylan and Seren have been together for three years, 2020-23) and they have had 2 of their chicks return, 550 and 551 (both 2020). Of those six returns, four were male and two were female. Thanks, John Williams for your great blog and all those stats!

Idris and Telyn have two beautiful chicks at Dyfi, too – another favourite couple. Idris replaced Monty at Dyfi in 2020. There were sightings of his 2020 chick Teifi KC6 in Santander, Spain in 2022 but the chick has not been seen in Wales. This does not mean that others have not returned. They have to have verified sightings to be recorded. Many males do return to their natal nest.

That chick of Louis and Dorcha continues to amuse. What a feisty independent osplet!

It looks like ‘H’ has some good reports for the nests she is monitoring today!

“Barnegat Light – This little family of three is doing quite well.  There has not been a name announced as yet for 09/N, who is 33 days old on 7/3.”

“Audrey, Tom, and the Babe at Kent Island had a good day.  Tom delivered 5 fish that I saw.  I wonder if the youngster will be given a name?  Three weeks old on 7/3.”

“Severna Park – Life is good.  Oscar and Olivia are great providers for their two good looking kids, ages 56 and 55 days on 7/3.  There’s a lot of wingersizing taking place on that nest.”

H loves the foster at Patuxent! “I can’t say enough about this young foster Osplet.  She was placed in this nest by park personnel on 6/29.  Her behavior is unique to this viewer.  ‘Foster’ is so polite and reserved.  I would love to have known the dynamics between her and her siblings at her nest on the “tower” from which she was rescued.  Perhaps she was an only ‘child’.  Dad delivered a fish at 1828 on 7/2, and they had not eaten for about 5 hours.  ‘Foster’ looked just as eager as the others when the fish arrived, and for a brief second, it looked as though she might take the fish from Mom, but she didn’t.  We have seen her self-feed.  Instead, ‘Foster’ stood patiently and stoically on the rim and watched Mom feed her own two kids.  It’s almost as if ‘Foster’ wants to respect her hosts, by not being intrusive, but of course we cannot ascribe those thoughts to her.  Typically the fish brought to this nest are huge, but this fish wasn’t that large.  In the end, ‘Foster’ only received a few bites, and that was the last fish of the day.  I felt a little sorry for her, but she did eat two nice meals earlier in the day.’Foster’ often flaps and exercises her wings, and manages to get a little lift.  She is almost able to go from rim to rim.  But, ‘Foster’ is a big girl, and she has a lot of weight to lift.”

Foster fledged at 08:26:24! Congratulations!

“The Forsythe nest of Oscar, Opal, and their two surviving kids are doing great.  There were at least five fish that I saw.  Opal brought in a huge live fish at 0934 that lasted for three long meals.  What a Gal!  The kids are 42 and 41 days old.”

It was a rainy day at the Boathouse nest for Dory, Skiff, and little Skipper.  Skipper sought his/her Mom’s protection from the weather, but Dory can no longer cover her growing nestling.  Skipper is  23 days old on 7/3.” 

This year is particularly interesting at the nest of Big Red and Arthur. Normally, Big Red does not like to feed her fledglings at the natal nest. This year, with the construction across the street, she is delivering more prey there. The little one was on the nest when she arrived at 13:29:50 and mantled quickly but was accosted by what appears to be its oldest sibling. Big Red took note of who got the prey and quickly left the scene.

Maria Mariko reports that history has been made in Poland. Seven Black Storks have been ringed and fitted with trackers.

We always worry about fledglings. Always. We watch the eggs, we wait up for the hatch, we bite our nails when there are problems, we cry, we jump for joy, and then they fledge – and we often do not see the fledglings or hear them. Two other nests with recent fledges are the Decorah Hatchery and the Cornell RTHs, who we know are safe from the posting above.

DH2 has been located.

‘A’ reports on the Sydney Eagle nest of Dad and Lady: “Dad is presumably doing fine at this stage, as he is hunting normally and doing his incubation shifts. July 3; a few possum visits in the night, Lady up and down many times, but eggs uncovered for only short times. Early duet as usual & Dad relieved her at 6:40. After a flight away she finished off the fish leftover from last evening. During the day both were in and out a lot, but eggs only uncovered briefly. Dad brought in a coot just after 2pm, which he plucked & de-gutted away from the nest, ate most himself & brought her a few scraps. By dusk, both were settled for the night as usual. Today she spent slightly longer on the eggs than he did As per the report, Lady did longer on the nest than Dad today, which is unusual, but she is probably doing a bit of hunting for herself at this stage until Dad is 100% again. He can still do a perfectly good job of sitting on the eggs, even with an injured leg. I have not seen any signs of injury over the weekend, so let us hope that all is now well.”

Sadly, another bird with fishing line and hook. Do you ever just wonder how many there are that die with this situation – never seen? How sad that we cannot find a way to clean up the shores and all the dead trees in the water and rid the waterways of human debris.

Oh, my goodness, P20 shows up at the Pittsburgh-Hayes nest to get some food from Mum today!

The only surviving eaglet at the Fort Vrain Bald Eagle nest in Colorado fledged today. Congratulations!

Thank you so very much for being with me today. All of the UK nests are doing fantastic! While I continue to worry about Little Mini at Patchogue, I am much more optimistic that this survivor will fledge. The worrisome nests are Newfoundland Power and MN Landscape at the moment. So rest assured that the nests are doing well, some better than others. Having a good location is key. Having a good location with a stocked source of fish is paramount to success. So send your best wishes to all the nests. 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, B, Geemeff, H, SP, T’, Newfoundland Power, MN-Landscape, SK Hideaways and San Jose City Hall Ospreys, PSEG, Boulder County Fair Grounds, Cowlitz PUD, Dunrovin, Outerbanks 24/7, Alyth SSEN, CarnyXWild, John Williams, Dyfi, Geemeff and The Friends of Loch Arkaig and the Woodland Trust, Cornell RTH, Maria Marika, Laura Rose and Decorah Eagles love nest, Kathleen Moore and Nor Cal Birding, Pix Cams, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, Kent Island, Severna Park, Patuxent River Park I, Forsythe Ospreys, Explore/Audubon, Sydney Sea Eagles, and Fort St Vrain.

Saturday in Bird World

1 July 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

It is Canada Day.

Friday was tough. A GHO wiped out a nest of 37-34 day old osplets at Moraine Park, PA, beginning around 0135. What a tragedy. These three were doing fantastic. When the totals come in for the season, how high will the percentage be for predation by raptors? It hit me hard…because I enter those deaths three times: here in the blog, on the Memorial Wall, and in the data forms. I am ‘sick and tired’ of entering ‘Died’. To top it off, a feral cat took one of the baby Blue Jays that got too low…Not a good morning so I cannot promise you that this blog will be even intelligent today! Apologies beforehand.

Other good news…The Tom and Angel mugs arrived today and they are cute and super. Coffee in them tonight! Thanks Windows to Wildlife for the fundraiser to upgrade your camera for this beautiful RTH family in Tennessee. Tom brought Deyani a lovely meal today. She must perch and watch for the adults to fly in with prey. Deyani was hot on Dad’s heels.

The other good news is that two other things arrived in the post. One were some new window markers. With the fledgling Blue Jays it is not too soon- and all the fledgling sparrows and now little Crows – to redo all the squiggles. Remember to always put the decals and do the window painting on the OUTSIDE – not the inside of the windows. The other was David Gessner’s new book, A Traveler’s Guide to the End of the World. Gessner inspired me by his early books on Ospreys along the Cape and to travel to Cuba to see the Osprey migration over the mountains in September which I hope to do soon.

The really good news is that Mini did eat – and she is not being so aggressive today. Hunger can change a chick’s behaviour. If they think they are dying they have nothing to lose if they attack to test their chances. Mini even wound up with a crop today. That was a fantastic lift to the spirits!

‘R’ sent me a running list of events at Patchogue for which I am terribly grateful. It was a busy day today and I could not keep up. Please read this carefully there are a couple of surprises in there.

“Here is what has happened so far today. 0556 – Mini working on scrapes. 0627- 0638- Mum pulls out a large chunk of fish and feeds Mini over 100 bites! Nothing left for the Bigs. 0853-0857 – Mini and 3 are fed by Mum. Both get equal portions. 1201 – large fish delivered but Mum sits on perch while Bigs eat the whole fish.  Nothing for Mini. Despite this she has a nice crop in the afternoon. 1549 – Big stands up and has been laying on a large fish!  Can’t find when it was delivered, but Mini gets nothing, nor do 2 or 3.1606 – Bigs eating away. Mini watches. 1728 – Dad delivers another fish. Mini and 3 watching as 1 and 2 gorge themselves!” Now follow the images below and see what happens at 1741. Thanks so much, ‘R’ – so grateful for your eyes on this nest.

Mini has a crop at 0950.

1015. Mini eating. Mini is on the right side of Mum and had a good 14 minute feed.

1137: Nice crop.

1233. Big got the next fish. Mini did not get any.

‘3’ got the 1738ish fish. Mini would like some fish.

‘R’ reports: “1741.  Mini eating from tail of large fish while 2 eats from head. Still going strong at 1756!  Sneaky!” That is so brilliant of our Little Mini.

The other good news is that with the sibling rivalry happening in the Borders nest, Juno, the female, took matters into her own hands and went. fishing. Read this blog post. It will give you a smile because now there is hope that the third hatch will survive. Way to go Juno!

FAMINE-AND-FEAST-–-Border-OspreysDownload

Then Jackie and Shadow were up in Big Bear and that couple lives on hope..the failed seasons and then the beautiful eaglet, like Spirit. They make me happy and help the sad go away!!! This couple loses brood after brood to crows and DNH and yet they continue to love one another and are now at the nest waiting for the next season. Let us all hope it is a good one for them!

‘MP’ wrote to me about the MN Landscape Arboretum nest and the band on the male. We could tell a certain alphanumeric. ‘MP’ went on to find this information. “Black MS – was banded in 2002 at the nest off of Kings Point Road just north of HWY 7 and Carver Park Reserve in Hennepin County.” The only other possibilities were bands with combinations of green and black so it appears that the male at this nest is 21 years old. Is this a new female? I wish we knew more. As a male he would certainly know what to do after surviving for more than two decades —- that just makes me happy and washes some of the sadness of the day away. Thank you ‘MP’.

Mum has fed and shaded the little one better today. The grassy materials brought in are not flying away either but hardly any sticks are staying on the nest. This couple needs a pile of nesting material! But, just seeing this chick alive today is good. Very good.

Twin Cities Metro was really happy with the National Arboretum nest today too, so she went to check on another nest. Please read it all..you will recognise yourself in that post.

Our ‘not so little’ Cowlitz chick is doing well. Please, please let those metal grids hold so that this nest is not attacked by the eagles and this baby taken. If this works, every nest should put up similar grids. We would then not lose 3 precious babies to a GHO at Moraine, or at Lake Murray…well, I could go on and on.

Geemeff wonders if ospreys can have a brain freeze? Do birds go crazy? or have fogs? What is up with Elen when she repeatedly attacks Aran at Glaslyn? I am bewildered by it all. Aran was just sitting on the perch minding his own business.

I am so upset with Patuxent River Park that has the osprey nests. These are the reasons that I will not promote this nest at all in any of my blogs next year and I urge people to boycott their streaming cam.

First, Patuxent nest 2 was the site of tourist boat encroaching in the area of the nest that left the adult birds stressed and away from the chicks for several hours. Then the third hatch on Patuxent 1 was ill (lack of food?) and placed in another nest where it died the following day. Now why was this chick not taken to rehab and then returned to a nest – either its own or another? That was 1 June. The chick died on June 2.

But this is really getting to me. Yesterday, nest 1 received a foster chick from a nearby tower with its Darvic ring and metal band. Today, they ringed the two chicks from nest 1 – Big and Middle. The individuals retrieving the chicks out of the nest did not cover them with anything. Instead – well, you can see the images but because the chicks were stressed, their bodies were ‘yanked’. If the chicks had been covered with a cloth, they could have been removed easily. We have seen this many times – at Barnegat Light recently and at Dale Hollow when DH18 was rescued. Oh, but that wasn’t all – the bangers caused the forced fledge of the foster chick.

Removing second chick for ringing. Why not a towel to cover them so they are not frightened? And ouch! Geez. I don’t want anyone grabbing me like that.

At the end of the ringing, as is customary, no fish were placed on the nest. Seriously they can probably hear me screaming in Maryland.

Foster chick returned wet. I am sure that you can come to your own conclusions but I prefer slow, kind, and compassionate when dealing with our raptors.

The female at the Boulder County Fairgrounds Osprey platform is a sweetie.

The Outer Banks is doing great….I wonder how many of these amazing nests have GHOs around?

Oyster Bay continues to thrive.

The WDNU Tower camin South Bend, Indiana, is back on line. This is the nest where two chicks died on the 14th of June for unknown reasons. Then the camera was taken offline so viewers did not see the dead bodies…they are now more incorporated into the nest and the third chick is thriving. It is the oldest and has been named Huey. This is wonderful news.

The two chicks at Island Beach, NJ have been banded by Ben Wurst. They are Red 24N and Red 25N. They are part of the RedBand Project which is “A citizen-science based banding and re-sighting project on Barnegat Bay that is menat to engage locals and visitors to the New Jersey coast in osprey management and conservation.”

It is worth posting what NJ is doing and why this project is so important. Here is the information from the website so that you can see how funding cuts can lead to citizen science.

Ospreys have made a remarkable recovery in New Jersey. Over the past 40 years we have seen the population grow from only 53 pairs in 1973 to over 700 in 2022! Over that same time funding needed for their management has declined. Today their population is not in jeopardy of being extirpated as it was in the early 1970s. As funding is being directed towards species that are in decline, we move to utilize our citizen scientists and volunteers to help monitor and manage the population.

To help engage citizen scientists and for the first time in over 20 years, young ospreyshave been marked with an auxiliary band in New Jersey. The new band, which is a red anodized aluminum rivet band bears an alpha-numeric code. This allows birders, osprey watchers and wildlife photographers the ability to identify these individual birds by their bands — when they are alive!

This new project is being focused on ospreys that nest in the Barnegat Bay watershed from Point Pleasant south to Little Egg Harbor. The main goals of the project are to engage the public in osprey management and conservation along the Jersey Shore. At the same time, while collecting data from re-sightings, we will learn about their dispersal, foraging habits, site fidelity, migration routes, and their life span.

Project Redband

#4 Finland: All three accounted for – and doing well.

#3 Empty. Let us hope that there is a couple and chicks here in 2024.

#5 LS: Two chicks only. Doing fine.

Nest #3 in Finland appears so lonely after the Mum was killed and one chick died with the other two taken into care. Likewise South Cape May Meadows, lost the male and all three osplets during the extreme weather system that hung over the area. The camera is back on. No one home. No, I was wrong. ‘H’ tells me that Hera visited yesterday. It must be so sad for her – no mate, no chicks. Zeus has been missing since the storm and did not return like Duke at Barnegat Light.

‘H’ reports that all is well at FortisExshaw near Canmore, Alberta: “Another good day.  The older two chicks, (both aged 12 days on 6/30) have been climbing up to the edge of the nest cup and checking out the local landscape.  I observed two feedings.  Louise always makes sure that ‘Little’ gets fed (age 10 days).  There was a little bonking squabble between the three nestlings in the morning that appeared to have been started by Little.  There was no parent on the nest at the time.  When Louise landed, Little scooted right up to her and appeared to be explaining his innocence, lol.”

The following reports also come from ‘H’-

“Osoyoos:  The little chicks are doing well, ages 4 and 3 days on 6/30.  Egg #3 will be 37 days on 7/1.”

“Severna Park:  Lots of flapping going on, with a little lift!.  Ages 53 and 52 days on 6/30.”

“Dahlgren:  Those two Osplets are doing great, and they are practicing their wingers (especially ‘Big’).  Ages 43 and 39 days on 6/30”.

‘Forsythe:  Things have really settled down at this nest.  The fish are usually small, but they are plentiful.  There were 11 fish delivered to the nest.  The siblings are 39 and 38 days old on 6/30.”

“Barnegat Light:  Duke, Daisy, and their surviving chick are doing quite well.  I just can’t quite get some of the recent sadness out of my mind, and am still grateful that Duke was able to make it back after the storm.  We tend to take the adults for granted . . until one day they don’t return.  Oh, and Duke loves the new perch installed by Ben!  ‘Big’ is 30 days old on 6/30, and no name has been given to Big as yet.”

“Kent Island:  Tom continues to provide for his family and delivered five fish that I saw.  Tom and Audrey’s only chick is 18 days old, and lovin’ life on the Bay.”

“Audubon Boathouse:  Dory and Skiff’s 20 day old nestling is also lovin’ life on the Bay!”

Thanks, ‘H’. So grateful for your monitoring these nest and your daily reports!

Now what is happening in the world of storks?

The three storklets in the nest in Tukums, Latvia are growing so much they could become confused with the adults soon.

Karl II and Kaia are keeping close watch on their three storklets in Estonia.

The four storklets of Bety and Bukacek will definitely be ready for fledging and migration. They are big and strong.

Dmitri’s fostered storklet is doing wonderfully.

Checking on that nest of Imperial Eagles in Tartan Russia…both have survived, and they are getting so big.

There is so much prey on the nest of Golden eagles Lucina and Caliman in Romania. This chick is very lucky.

Ventana Wildlife has released the recording of the June 2023 Zoom chat on the state of California Condors. Have a listen.

Suzanne Arnold Horning found the Ms around the Cornell Campus Friday night. Gosh, she must have a ‘hawk eye’. They are doing fine and so very grateful for that protective curtain on that glass building and walkway that a few have hit and injured themselves or died. It is important that humans be pro-active in caring for our wildlife.

This is the latest update on the Sydney Sea Eagles from them but ‘A’ tells me that while Dad is flying he still seems to be unsteady on those legs:

There is also a worrisome update about Tuffy, the RTH in the Eagle’s nest. It sounds like the eagles are starting to think that Tuffy is prey.

The latest edition of the Journal of Raptor Research – volume 57, no 2, June 2023- is all about kestrels. I love them but know little about them. The stated fact is that there is a “widespread, long-term decline of American Kestrels that persists across North America” (152). The studies were attempting to discover the causes. They include an increase in Cooper’s Hawks, habitat loss, habit loss while nesting, the emergence of anthropods and grasshoppers, rodenticides, the use of neonicotinoids, and climate change. For my purposes, the study that Claudio and I and ‘H’ are conducting studies just Ospreys. The predation by other raptors is of real concern – more than twice the number of chicks killed by predators than siblicide. We will know after all the chicks have migrated, but it is becoming worrisome.

Want to see some nest repairs? Check out what is happening in the Kistachie Forest, home to the nest of Anna and Louis, Alex and Alexandria.

Thank you so much for being with me this morning. Today is Canada Day and the Fourth of July is coming up along with Bank Holidays and all other celebrations as summer begins so take care. I hope that you live in an enlightened community and are not having fireworks as they do so much damage and stress out the urban wildlife…See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, reports, posts, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog this morning: ‘A, H, Geemeff, MP, R’, Sunnie Day, Window to Wildlife, PSEG, Border Ospreys, FOBBV, MN Landscape Arboretum, Twin Cities Metro Osprey News, Cowlitz, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Patuxent River Part, Boulder County Fair Grounds, Outerbanks 24/7, WDNU, Island Beach, Project Redband, Finnish Osprey Foundation, Fortis Exshaw, Osoyoos, Severna Park, Dahlgren, Forsythe, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, Audubon/Explore, Latvian Fund for Nature, Eagle Club of Estonia, Mlady Buky, Dmitri Storks, Imperial Eagle Cam, Bocina Wildlife, Ventana Wildlife, Suzanne Arnold Horning, Sydney Eagle Cam, Nor Cal Birding, Tonya Irving and the US Forest Services, and JRR.

Sydney Sea Eagle ‘Dad’ feared injured has returned…Thursday in Bird World

29 June 2023

Good Morning Everyone!

Did you miss June? It seems to have flown by. In Canada, school holidays are beginning. The nature centres will be full of young people learning about their environment, kayaking and canoeing, and, of course, the dreaded ‘fishing’. Still, we want them outside appreciating what Mother Nature offers and learning how to be good stewards of the land. If fishing increases the need for stocked ponds albeit with cleaning up line and hooks and using non-lead equipment or if duck hunting helps create more wetlands and places for the waterfowl, then I can live with that…not my best option but better than the alternative.

It is hot and humid and there is going to be rain today. That is grand. We need it. The rivers in the city are very low. There could even be a thunderstorm which means that Lewis will be quite anxious. And guess what? They were right. We had dark swirling clouds and a heavy and longish downpour. The garden turned even more emerald green than it was and the flowers perked up. The squirrels and Blue Jays have planted sunflowers everywhere. I had no idea that they could root in almost no soil…I will get some photos for you. Last year there were a few and in the fall the birds ate the seeds! Oh, it was magnificent. I love my ‘Gone to the Birds’ garden.

Missey and Lewis have been helping with the flower arrangement. They seem to prefer the asymmetrical look.

Of course, when I came to check they were snuggled up in the chair together not saying who did what! Precious rescue kittens. We are starting our 9th month together. According to Missey’s file, she will be a year old around the middle of July while Lewis will be a year old the following month.

One of Dyson’s babies. Isn’t it sweet?

Everyone was busy eating before and after the storm.

I am having a fun dinner party for an old friend that I have not seen in so many years…so I am starting early on Thursday and today’s blog will be much shorter than normal.

Let’s get started with Little . Of the four chick nests, there are now only a couple that still have four chicks and I want to be confident in Mini fledgling. It is looking better every day. Did Mini get the breakfast fish? That has to be the question for every day. The answer is YES! Mini ate for ten minutes from 0521-31 until Big took the fish. Mini was pecking at the leftovers at 0646. Another fish lands on that nest at 0825, and Little Mini is being fed until at least 0839 – Mini is sleeping with the bones at 0902, no doubt concealing that precious fish from the big siblings. Another giant fish lands on the nest at 0954. A Big Sib is trying to self-feed but is not having much luck unzipping that hard-headed fish…I have no worries that Mini will find a way to get some fish, even if it is scraps from that fish.

Loving how Mini is looking so healthy and standing up strong. Mini can move around the nest really quick too especially if there is fish.

Mini found scraps. Mini can self-feed better than Big!

Mini being fed from the 0825 fish. Chick 1 is really an enormous female. Just look at the size of that bird. We have to be thankful that Dad really kept the fish coming on the nest so the chicks never felt that there was a severe issue with food, Mum looks out for Mini. Wondered about that for a couple of days but, yes, Mini gets its fish. The big first hatch is a gentle soul. We have fretted over Mini but for a nest with four chicks in an urban area this has been an incredible experience.

If there is fish around, Mini is lurking or standing right up front. I don’t know how many scraps Mini got of the 0954 fish, but he was right up front when the 1137 fish landed. The kid ate, ate, and wound up with a nice big crop that could still be seen at 1346. Now Mini is funny. There was some leftover fish, and at 1250, Mini decided to cover it up under him! Clever. Love this little osplet…let us continue to hope that he survives (this has to be the world’s tiniest female or a tiny, tiny male).

1147: Mini having a great big feed. Way to go Mum!

1220: Mini ‘sniffing out’ the fish that one of the Bigs has. Mini will later hide that fish.

“If I just get up close and slide my wing over this piece of fish those big siblings will never miss it!”

“Fish? What fish?”

Look at Mini sitting up tall with its big clown feet. That sure does look like some necklace developing on Mini!

20:43. Mini is eating scraps off the nest…did we say ‘SURVIVOR’? This is from the 2018 fish…it is raining.

Our beautiful Mini with the skinny neck tonight…watch this one change. The chick behind Mini to the right has long legs like a male. Looks like 3. The other one to the left has thick stocky legs like a female.

Mini’s tail is growing.

Thursday morning did not start well for Mini. It missed the breakfast fish which was taken by one of the Bigs (#2). Mini found some old fish skin and was pulling on it. His crop is sunken…let us wish for a lot of fish today.

There is growing concern over the fate of the 21 year old male White-Bellied Sea Eagle, Dad, from the Sydney Olympic Park nest. He had two falls and has not been seen in more than 22 hours. Lady is incubating two eggs.

The latest reports on Dad are: “12:45pm BOTH eagles have been seen and heard – flying and duet. Ground obs have not been able to get a good look at Dad, other than he is flying ok. He had been high up in a tree not too far from nest when they started looking.” THEN: “1:30pm – Dad returned to nest, he is currently incubating. He doesn’t seem himself. While he remains in the treetops there is nothing we can do but monitor.” Gosh, isn’t this a relief! I hope Lady gets some much needed food.

More dual feedings at the Boulder County Fair Grounds – thank you, Dad. This nest is doing well because these two adults work so well together to make sure all three – including that little third – get fed. It reminds me of some of the UK nests in that regard. Lots of fish came on this nest today and everyone ate very well.

Deyani is growing up and she brought prey to her nest – and Tom and Angel’s – on the 27th. Growing up successfully!

Mum at Mn Landscape Arboretum fed the chick at 0551 and 0956. Much of the time Mum stands at the edge and eats – seemingly waiting for the wee one to come over. I was glad to see that twice Mum went to the chick. Maybe. Hard to hope.

‘M’ has noticed a ring on the male at this nest. If you are watching, keep an eye and please let me know if you get all the numbers. We know there is an MS or M5. Thank you. This pair have tried to bring in sticks and the minute they get on the nest, they fly off. I hope they bring some more fish. This wee one needs to be shaded and brooded! It does not have its thermal down so it can regulate its temperature…asking for small miracles.

From the observers of the MN LA nest:

The camera remains offline at Bridges Golf. This image is from Tuesday.

Lots of fish coming to the Boulder County Fair Grounds nest today. Everyone is eating well!

Slow fish delivery at Cowlitz PUD but…the little one got a good feed.

The chick, however, continues to have a hollow crop meaning it is hungry. Dad brought in a little mud puppy, but Mum is so hungry she might eat it all – her crop is hollow, too. It is regrettable…I wonder how many eagles are in the area taking Dad’s fish.

Boy, if we could only FedEx some of that nice fish at Seaside up to Cowlitz. Goodness.

Oyster Bay is great.

There had been some concern for Tom as in Tom and Audrey on Kent Island but ‘H’ reports that “Tom arrived with a large fish around 0630, some 20 hours after the last fish.  Our view of the actual feeding was blocked, but you can see that the chick’s crop after the meal was much improved.  Audrey and her baby polished off that entire fish!” That is excellent news.

At the Patuxent 1 nest, ‘H’ reports: “We will never know why the chicks appeared so starved the other day when the live stream returned.  It was days after the stormy weather had passed.  But all is well at this nest.  There were 5 large fish delivered that I saw.”

At FortisExshaw, the report is good. ” Jasper delivered 5 good sized fish that I saw.  And there were also feedings from leftovers.  The kids do not seem to mind eating leftovers, lol.”

Everything’s settling down at Forsythe! Thank goodness. ‘H’ counted ten feedings with Middle sometimes getting to eat alone! What a turn around. Food security is back.

‘H’ has also been monitoring the Osoyoos nest and says no pip seen in the third egg and the other two chicks are doing well.

All of the other nests -Severna Park, Dahlgren, Boathouse, and Barnegat Light-are reported by ‘H’ as doing well.   

A 19 year old male Osprey is getting much needed help at A Place Called Hope, one of my favourite rehab centres in Connecticut. Send all your positive energy his way! He has a family somewhere…let us hope his mate can care for the kids and that those osplets are old enough to leave so she can go fishing.

The ‘Grey’ Storklets are thriving in Germany.

M3 is still in the nest at Cornell and has not fledged yet. Big Red brought meals for M3. Meanwhile, Big Red and Arthur are making food drops and feeding M1 and M2 over on Rice.

Ferris Akel is on the Cornell Campus with Big Red and family on the day that M1 fledged, a week ago:

‘A’ reports on Diamond and Xavier’s scrape in Orange: “At Orange, there is a lot of bonding behaviour occurring, with Xavier bringing prey for Diamond (whether or not she ends up eating it is another question – her crop was HUGE this morning when she arrived in the scrape) and the pair of them having undisturbed bonding in the scrape twice today. Xavier is looking particularly healthy this season. Diamond is SO much larger than Xavier. She does look like a grand dame.  I do hope they don’t have more than two chicks this year, and a spoiled only chick is quite okay with us. Diamond is getting older and we don’t want to see her overly stressed by parenting. She is a gorgeous bird and many people love her dearly. She is definitely approaching old age in wild peregrine terms, so we do worry about her. At least, I do.”

 Things are so much better at the nest of Karl II and Kaia. The storklets are big and healthy with all the good little fish and frogs that are coming in.

The White Storks in Tukums, Latvia are also doing so well. What a relief for everyone.

We should all be concerned about the ocean and its fish and the need for their protection for all of the wildlife that depend on the seas. Birdlife International discusses this and the need for protections – as well as the UK and the EU working together.

Safeguarding-the-lifeline-of-our-seas-A-call-for-urgent-and-coherent-action-to-protect-the-vital-foDownload

The wildfires from Canada that have been spreading acrid smoke have cost the environment.

Did you know that British Columbia has more Bald Eagles than anywhere else? Yes, that American symbol loves living in Canada – for the salmon! Hancock Wildlife has a couple of new eaglets with names. They have not fledged yet. Check out their camera and all the timely things that Hancock is doing – including building eagle nests with shade features and fighting the removal of eagle nests from parking lots.

Please remember to put out water for the birds and wildlife. You never know who might come to thank you.

Ringing continues to take place on the UK nests. I’ll let you know more about that as information comes in. BTW. How are you doing trying to cut plastic out of your life? It isn’t easy…I hope you won’t give up.

Thank you so much for being with me today as I touched on just a few nests that ‘H’ and I have been monitoring. Please take care! See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, tweets, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to create the content for my blog today: ‘A, H’, PSEG, Se McGregor and the Sydney Sea Eagle Cam, Boulder County Fair Grounds Osprey, Lady Hawk and Window to Wildlife, MN Landscape Arboretum, Twin Cities Metro Osprey Watch, Bridge Golf Course Ospreys, Cowlitz PUD, Seaside Ospreys, Kent Island, Patuxent River Park, Osoyoos, Forsythe, A Place Called Hope, @CornellHawks, @ProfBillMcGuire, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, The Eagle Club of Estonia, Liznm and Must-Toonekurg, Latvian Fund for Nature, The Guardian, Ferris Akel, Hancock Wildlife Foundation, Janice Betts and UK Bird Lovers, BirdLife International, and Frank Neufang.