Tag Archives: Achieva Credit Union

Tough times at the Achieva Osprey platform …Late Saturday in Bird World

18 April 2026

Hello Everyone,

It is time for one of those ‘heart-to-heart’ chats with everyone who ‘only’ watches US Osprey nests. You have wrung your hands and cried when the baby died at Moorings Park. You have torn your insides out watching Achieva with the first baby dying, Jack not delivering enough fish, and now Mum having to fish because she is starving. Will Middle make it? We don’t know. It is difficult to watch osplets starve on a nest. Each of us wants every nest and every chick to thrive.

I study osprey mortality. The rate and cause of death vary from region to region. When I began my study, the top COD was siblicide – one sibling killing another. Normally, this is triggered by a lack of food, but there have been some exceptions due to food and dominance. I doubt if anyone watching the nest with Zoe at Port Lincoln (or Solly, also at Port Lincoln) will forget the eldest female eating and eating – much more than seemed possible and then killing her two siblings. Port Lincoln obtained permission to supplement the feed for the chicks on the nest in subsequent years. At Achieva, Mum is desperate. It is hot, and she leaves for only about ten minutes at a time to try her hand at fishing. She normally brings back a catfish, her legs wet. This is a huge risk for these young babies due to heat and predators, but when everyone is starving, what other choice does she have?

A close-up view of an osprey nest made of twigs and branches, located on a support structure surrounded by trees and a residential area in the background.

It is the last of the fish. Little will get nothing. Big got most of two fish.

View of an osprey nest atop a pole, surrounded by trees, with a residential area visible in the background.

Little had 64 bites of fish – Heidi is counting – . Still, Jill is fish-calling and fish-calling. She knows they are in danger of losing Little. She’s a good Mum.

We do not know why Jack does not deliver more fish. I have not kept up with the weather and drought conditions in the region this year. But heat and drought certainly impact fishing. Intruders taking fish from ospreys is another cause. Simple lack of fish is another – again, I wish I knew this area better. For years, there has been speculation that Jack might even have another family to feed. We simply don’t know, and speculating doesn’t change the situation.

Achieva has always been a nest where I remember the difficult year when Tumbles triumphed. Heidi and I sat up and each of us counted every bite that baby got. We monitored when Diane changed her mind and brought in a catfish at dark when the older two were sleeping and fed her baby. Tumbles was her nickname and she was feisty and smart. She ate off the old bones hidden deep in the nest. She scrambled around the rim to get to Mum’s beak to get some food. She squeezed into tight spaces to get bites so the older, much bigger siblings couldn’t get her. It was horrible to watch. At least five times, we thought Tumbles was a ‘goner’. Once, she had no fish for 79 hours. But she was a survivor. Out in the real world, ospreys cannot be timid. There is too much competition for so little in so many places in North America. So when you see a Tumbles, you always remember them – the drive to live was exceptional.

Each nest offers us a learning experience, whether it thrives or struggles. But often, our personal lives leave us emotionally worn out. We can’t stand to see another one starve to death, so below I have some recommendations for highly successful nests.

A young bird sitting in a large nest made of twigs and branches, located on a platform high above a green landscape with trees and a view of a road.

Nothing came.

A large bird's nest made of twigs is perched on a platform, with a bird resting inside the nest. In the background, trees and a street are visible, illuminated by ambient light.

In contrast, Sunnie Day reports on the Moorings Park chat: “8 fish today. 9:44, 10:38, 1:08, 2:42, 3:15, 4:19, 5:02,, and 6:31. All from Harry.” That is what needs to be happening when the chicks are bigger at Achieva. (And it won’t, believe me).

Four ospreys perched on a large nest near a body of water, with greenery in the background.

My recommendations: The first one is the Dyfi nest of Idris and Telyn in Wales. Idris is known as ‘Daddy Longlegs’. He delivers whoppers. He feeds Telyn. They are great parents. Then there is Dylan and Seren up at Lyn Clywedog. That reservoir is stocked annually with 45,000 fish (or so I was told several years ago). Then there is Poole Harbour, with CJ7 and Blue 022. They are going after some record for raising four osplets over and over again. There are others, including Rutland’s Maya and Blue 33, but there have been accidents with fish, and we have had a little one die now and then. They remain super parents still.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 17th April 2026

There is only one story of any note – the return of Louis, the dominant male of Loch Arkaig since 2017. As hopes started to fade due to his exceeding his previous latest arrival date by nearly a week, he arrived in a blaze of glory onto Nest Two at 17.57.42 this evening. Dorcha, his mate since 2021, wasn’t around and he landed without his usual soft chirrup so who’s to say they hadn’t already met up earlier in the day. We’ll never know but what is certain is that all of us watchers are thrilled, amazed and delighted to see Louis home safely and looking so well. In other news, the potential rival male JJ4 wasn’t seen today, and Garry LV0 was quickly sent packing when he intruded on Dorcha today. He returned to his own nest, Nest One, on a surfboard, and didn’t bring any fish for his mate Aurora 536 so his tally remains at fifteen fish to date. How quickly will Louis overtake that? It will be great fun to watch. Welcome home Louis! 

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/eYlsi09qH-w N2 Garry LV0 is sent packing when he intrudes on Dorcha 12.56.33

https://youtu.be/V1lhpRuez_4 N1 Surf’s up! Garry rides in on a surfboard 15.11.48   

https://youtu.be/MPRFalo0lZ0 N2 LOUIS! Welcome home! (short version) 18.57.42

https://youtu.be/eQjTgjzbehc N2 The triumphant return of Louis (long version) 18.57.42

https://youtu.be/oKMfFQfufoQ N2 Is Dorcha aware of Louis’ return? 19.33.07

Bonus watch – our last look at Louis before he left on migration 2025. Fortunately, not our final glimpse of him!

https://youtu.be/uxqhDYAhY-I 21 August 2025 (slo-mo zoom)

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/d3Y9CGoYsvY  N1 Bold Hoodie takes advantage of Aila’s absence 2020

https://youtu.be/UPtm4jmy9Zo  N1 Louis finally manages to subdue a tricky stick 2021

https://youtu.be/mZYG9XNCof8  N2 How to tell Louis & Dorcha apart 2022

https://youtu.be/NIeUiK4R_r8  N2 Noisy helicopter gets Louis & Dorcha’s attention 2023

https://youtu.be/GITGVoOkg2o N1 & 2 Hercules caught on both nest cams 2023 (split-screen zoom)

https://youtu.be/n974C1G3zig N2 Moody cloudy sunset 2023 (time lapse)

https://youtu.be/SGa5_hOLmmg  N2 The second egg arrives! 2024 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/oJc06aWLkAg  N1 Garry LV0 brings fish but no one comes for it 2024

https://youtu.be/DUPOg7KJH_U   N1 Affric calls for fish but Garry brings a branch 2024

https://youtu.be/94MaMt_CENM  N2 Dorcha carefully tends the egg 2025

https://youtu.be/CnwSIqV7HJ0  N2 Dorcha nibbles the first fish before leaving Louis to egg-sit 2025

https://youtu.be/d4JCzUL6RlA N1 Garry LV0 brings bedding and stays to survey his territory 2025 

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

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

Champagne corks popped around the world when Louis touched down. Louis has lost no time making up for being late. Fish and mating continue….eggs in a week?

A laptop displaying a wildlife cam feed of an eagle's nest next to a champagne bottle in an ice bucket and a glass of champagne on a wooden table.

SK Hideaways Videos, 10-16 April 2026

John Bunker Sands, Combine, TX

Courtesy John Bunker Sands Wetland Center Eagle Cam

Eagle Tower Camera 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wdo7BzUU_g

Eagle Tower Camera 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEDb2KqvvyQ

JBS24 Fledges ✈️ No Branching Required 🪾2026 Apr 16

Video: https://youtu.be/zTOaO_i_Pow

JBS24 Prepares to Fledge ✈️ Seems in No Rush 🐢 2026 Apr 11-12

Video: https://youtu.be/ajdSObK-Yl0 

Fraser Point Eagles, Santa Cruz Island, CA

Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Fraser Point Eagles Cam Ops

Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY4V_AppZ6s

Even when Sasha, Zuma & Ryder sport bulging crops, Cruz & Andor keep the snacks coming 😅 2026 Apr 15

Video: https://youtu.be/KG85oPVrqHI 

FOBBVCAM Eagles, Big Bear Valley, CA

Courtesy FOBBVCAM | Friends of Big Bear Valley

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

Wide View Cam (Cam 2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41eq4VzCYc4

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

Jackie & Shadow had their talons full with snow, predators, and 2 growing fluff balls ~ 2026 Apr 14

Video: https://youtu.be/as3C9WW-3ho 

Heads No Longer Bobbling 😵‍💫Chicks Mind Manners for Dad Shadow 🐥🐥 2026 Apr 10

Video: https://youtu.be/BcgiDxD_LZM

Two Harbors, Catalina Island, CA

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

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

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

Cholyn and Chase ~ Sole Soulmates 🥰 3-1/2 Minutes of Bliss ✨ 2026 April 11

Video:https://youtu.be/rNskNmlWX70

San Jose CH Falcons, San Jose, CA

Courtesy San Jose City Hall Peregrine Falcon Cam

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

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

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

Monty’s 3 a.m. visit bought him a 9-1/2-hour egg shift ⏰ 2026 Apr 10

Video: https://youtu.be/y6QpOcGr21Q

Third egg of the season for Wendy and Richmond came today! Here is the video: https://youtu.be/IxX39moYIYY?

A bird is sitting in a nest made of twigs and branches, partially covered, with a blurred background.

Oh, the comings and goings at Iris’s nest. I cannot keep up with it! Nor can I tell Louis from one of the visitors – or maybe it is just Louis every time I check!

An osprey perched on a large nest made of sticks, overlooking a parking lot and surrounding greenery.
An osprey perched on its nest made of sticks, overlooking a parking area and tree-lined surroundings.
Two ospreys perched on a nest made of sticks, overlooking a parking lot and surrounding greenery.
A post discussing the relationship development between two ospreys named Iris and NewGuy2, detailing their interactions and nesting activities.

So many things are happening. Pip watches here and there…Peanut is back on the nest, Lola has an injury on her wing from the owl, etc. It is hard to keep up! We have been cleaning out a room today and had a short, brisk walk. The temperature with the wind was -15 C. Not so nice. But it was a good day. And I can tell you that the alarms work! Don got up this morning and decided to go outside. The siren went off. Yes, it did give him a bit of a fright, which I think will make him think twice about touching that door!!!!!!!!! It is nice not to have to take keys any longer but my real hope is that spring arrives soon.

Take care everyone.

Thank you to everyone who has been writing to me about Achieva – ‘MP, PB’, to Heidi for keeping on top of the bite count there, to SK Hideaways for their videos, to Geemeff for the daily summary and to everyone who posted images and information on FB, gosh, I am grateful to you. Thank you so very much. As always, we are grateful to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to witness the lives of these raptor families.

Does Iris have a suitor?…late Friday in Bird World

10 April 2026

Hello Everyone,

I hope that the week has been good to you and that you are planning to be outside this weekend so that you can hear some birdsong. With migration well underway throughout the middle US, we are expecting more and more species to be arriving in Manitoba. Many ospreys are making their way home especially to the nests in Nova Scotia. We wait for the last of the streaming cam stars to arrive in the UK and northern Europe.

Thank you so much for your lovely notes. I really appreciate them, and this week they warmed my heart so much. I have been unwell, passing kidney stones the old-fashioned way. Life with Don did not permit me to be in the hospital taking advantage of modern methods of blasting these excruciatingly painful little blobs!!!!!!! I am, however, feeling much better as I write this. Don has been going to bed early for the past few nights, and this has given me a wee bit of time to sit and sip tea in the silence. Ironically, both Toby and Don ‘understood’ that I was ‘sick’ and each helped in their own way. I wish you could see my smile. It is also warming up and tomorrow Don and Ann will be out exploring and over the weekend, we should see temperatures around 10 C.

In terms of ‘escape proofing’ the house and property, the hardware is ready for installation next Thursday. The goal was to find a convenient time for them to come. The other day, I might have said that the locksmiths, the bathing lady, and her supervisor hit the front porch at precisely the same time. I don’t like ‘chaos’ anymore. One event per day is what Don’s doctor recommends, and I agree – it keeps my mind calm. The last things to do are to install a tall gate that can be locked at the front and a proper lock on the rear gate. So, I am getting there.

With spring arriving, all of us are starting to think about the garden. A young man has been hired to come and deal with all the birdseed remnants! It looks like there is about a ton of shells! I am serious. Some of it will be used to level off the back area – it would be grand if it all could be raked over. It does make the best compost. The plan is to toss in a lot of wildflower seeds. There will be a few plants specifically for the birds and the bees, including Don’s beloved hummingbirds. I have four trellis pyramids (not sure of their proper name) that will be devoted to climbing beans and tomatoes. Peony supports have been ordered – enough for the six plants put in last year. There are other plans – staining the old deck and building a bit of solid fence to meet up with the fence that was built a few years ago. That is to keep Toby’s eyes in the garden and passersby eyes on what they are doing.

Today, ‘pyjama day’ was very quiet, just as I planned for Thursdays (except or next week when PJ day becomes Monday). Few e-mails exchanged, no housework, etc. What we did do was put together a small indoor garden box with lights to grow salad fixings and herbs. At the current price in the shops, it will not take long to pay for it, and I don’t have to worry about running out of cilantro. So far, only Hugo Yugo has taken an interest. I hope she stays out of it! That little ginger cat can cause more trouble than a dozen other cats.

Now to the birds…

I am happy to say that the fortunes at both Brevard County and Achieva changed somewhat on Thursday with the arrival of several fish. I was afraid that if the poor weather at Brevard continued, all the chicks would be lost. As it was, Mum was just as starving. The little second hath at Achieva finally had a crop! I was happy to receive the following note from ‘MP’ who watches this nest with ‘eagle eyes’. “I’ve watched the Achieva nest continually, and I can say everyone needs more food in the raptor world. Jack has started to show the female how to feed the chicks as he has started feeding them with smaller bites than she gives. The female watched him intently. Jack did try to get her to letting him feed her, but she wouldn’t go for it. She just walked over and grabbed the fish he had. The younger osplet appears to be aggressive toward the older one. Just sayin.

I believe the female is a new mom. She appears to be more interested in her hunger pains. With Jack being a bird who likes stashing fish around whether he does it for safety or a penchant, he does bring in fish. It may be old and decomposing fish, but it does fill their stomachs. I would prefer fresh, since it has more moisture giving the osplets fluids. 

I think Jack could do better, but maybe he can’t. I only hope the chicks aren’t knocked down through the drain holes. You know better than I how quickly a nest can turn around. “

The other good news is that there is a male that has landed on Iris’s nest.

A series of images. At once when I saw the ‘snake eyes’ I really thought this male was Louis but I am told it is not. So we will see.

An osprey sitting in its nest made of branches, overlooking a parking lot with several parked vehicles in the background.
Two ospreys sitting on a nest made of sticks, with a parking lot and buildings in the background.
Close-up of an osprey perched on a branch with a parking lot in the background.
Osprey sitting on a nest made of sticks, with a parking lot in the background.
An osprey takes flight from its nest, which is built from twigs and branches, with a parking lot and trees visible in the background.

More hopeful signs early this morning. Now please bring Iris a nice big fish and treat her like the Queen she is!

Two ospreys sitting in a nest made of sticks, with a parking lot and greenery in the background. The time is displayed as 08:59, showing an observation related to their mating behavior.

There is a young male at the Charlo Montana nest. Lola is calling for fish and he is just leisurely munching away on the pole. I don’t think this behaviour is going to win any hearts and minds.

Two ospreys perched on a nest overlooking a scenic landscape with mountains in the background and a winding path through fields.
Two ospreys are perched on wooden posts in a grassy field, one facing down and the other looking to the side.

The first egg has been laid at the Bassenthwaite nest.

Osprey sitting on a nest with the first egg at Bassenthwaite Lake, surrounded by trees.

Herr Rauer returned to his nest in Norway on Thursday. Fru Rauer is on her way home, according to her satellite tracking.

An osprey stands on a nest near a river, with calm water and distant hills in the background.

Both ospreys are home at the Emma Osprey platform in the Pitkin County Trails, Colorado. They have been back for a little more than a fortnight. Wonder if we will have eggs soon?

Two ospreys perched on their nest made of twigs and branches, with a green, grassy landscape in the background.

There are reports that we also have a first egg at Port of Ridgefield yesterday! The first egg in 2025 was laid on the 26th of April – gosh, seventeen days early. I wonder if these ospreys are trying to beat the heat that might be coming.

Teifi is the male in charge of the Glaslyn nest. Aran appears to have retired to his patch that he enjoyed last summer after relinquishing his nest to Teifi and Elen (no chicks – it was chaotic). Elen has not been seen and her fate is unknown. It has been six days since she flew off the nest. I hope she found another one! She was a good Mum.

A post about the Glaslyn Ospreys, detailing the territory of KC6/Teifi, interactions with two females, and updates on other ospreys like Aran and Elen.
Two ospreys in a nest made of twigs and branches, with one bird appearing to dig in the nest.

Geemeff reminds me that Louis lands in the evening. I sure hope to see him tonight or tomorrow.

Everyone has Louis on their mind. That is because he is much loved.

A young osprey sitting in its nest surrounded by twigs and branches, with a scenic view of hills and forests in the background.

Latest news from Knepp Farm and its rewilding project. Will they finally be bringing bison back to the UK?

Knepp news bison on the horizon the Bird WhispererDownload

Birdlife Malta keeps us up to date on illegal trappings and declines in bird populations.

Spring is here but so are the challenges April NewsDownload

The latest from Geemeff and the Woodland Trust:

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 9th April 2026

Things were more settled on the nests today as the three key players, Dorcha, Garry LV0 and Aurora 536, stayed on their own nests, although Dorcha did mantle at an intruder Osprey who flew too close to her nest, but not close enough to see who it was.  Dorcha caught her own fish and attempted to eat it on Nest Two while the intruder was nearby, and Garry brought two fish to Nest One for Aurora which clearly convinced her he is mate material as she not only allowed him to mount her on several occasions, but also lifted her tail. Although early stages, it’s looking good for chicks on Nest One this season, which is ironic as Dorcha is still waiting for Louis, spending time on the nest looking around constantly, even arriving in darkness this morning and perching quietly for hours – will we have chicks on Nest Two this year? There is still time for Louis to return, he is 13 or 14 this year, having first turned up ten years ago in 2017 as a 3- or 4-year old, which makes him a mature but not an old Osprey.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/PGgwLnbf0iw N2 Dorcha arrives in darkness to wait for Louis 05.38.20

https://youtu.be/VgiPgyyZuTw N1 Aurora grabs her early lunch and flies off with it 11.51.18

https://youtu.be/lB3VOQO7NXE N2 Dorcha brings a fish but an intruder interrupts her 14.07.15 

https://youtu.be/YPJLLjcjL90 N1 Is this a successful mating for Garry & Aurora? 17.18.36 (zoom)

Bonus read: Garry the bachelor finally pulls a bird in his love nest (West Coast Today article*): 

https://www.westcoasttoday.co.uk/news/garry-the-bachelor-finally-pulls-a-bird-in-his-love-nest

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/urAbbtSOcC8  N1 Fishy frolics and fumbles 2020

https://youtu.be/v-D7efdAnrQ  N1 The Stranger aka Young Pretender returns 2021

https://youtu.be/42CrOP5m8UE  N2 Night storm 2022 (Artistic Ospreys)

https://youtu.be/6R0DNlZfH9  N1 Chaffinch visits Nest One 2023

https://youtu.be/0kFa_ghXf7k  N2 Welcome home Dorcha! 2023

https://youtu.be/0iCP59ypmps  N2 Intruder Osprey does a flyby watched by Louis & Dorcha 2024 (slo-mo zoom) 

https://youtu.be/D02DTNcDNdM  N1 Welcome home Garry! LV0 arrives on Nest One 2024 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/0WR_9m9lGZY N2 Arkaig Ospreys: a sticky situation (quick-time Classic Ospreys: Saint-Saëns) 2024

https://youtu.be/sq0iW1T36zg N1 Welcome home Garry LV0! 2025

https://youtu.be/c7sOtUoE2Kc N2 Ringed male intrudes on Dorcha – who is it? 2025

https://youtu.be/lfaawh1jB7c N1 A Buzzard visits 2025

https://youtu.be/r6g_6__zaxs N1 Affric gets a fish from Garry LV0 2025

* Please note, this article is behind a paywall. However, you can register for free which gives you one free article per week.

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

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

Thank you so much for being with us. I will, of course, send out a note if Louis arrives! Take care. Get outside. That is where I am headed with Toby. Don is at the zoo with Ann. It is a beautiful +5 C day on the Canadian prairies – blue sky, sunshine and all.

Thank you to absolutely everyone for their articles, their posts, and their letters. I am grateful to ‘MP’ for their comment on Achieva. Heidi is monitoring that nest, and I peek in once in a while, but not as often as I should. Thank you to Geemeff and everyone else for their summaries, and to the owners of the streaming cams, we are always ever so grateful. Without you, we would have little idea of what is happening in Bird World.

Iris and Blue 35

6 April 2026

Hello Everyone!

It could be a very busy day at the UK nests and in the western part of the US as favourable winds are blowing in the ospreys.

It has been confirmed that our dear Iris is, indeed, the osprey that landed early this morning on the Hellgate Canyon nest. I hope everyone had a good cry – a joyful one. Now let’s get that young male osprey back that was courting her last season!

Louis and Starr are already back. Starr was the first to arrive in Missoula. Their nest is at the Baseball Park – and despite all we think, Louis is a good mate to Starr and they raise 2 or 3 chicks to fledge every year.

Gosh, Iris looks good.

An osprey with spread wings standing on a nest made of sticks, with a view of an empty parking lot in the background.
An osprey spreads its wings while standing on a nest made of sticks. The background shows a parking lot and lampposts.
A close-up view of an osprey nest made of branches, with an osprey perched nearby. The scene is set against a parking lot in black and white.

Blue 35 has returned to Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve in Cumbria and is reclaiming her nest after Blue 717 got a little friendly with White YW.

We are waiting the arrival of Louis at Loch Arkaig Nest 2 in Scotland. His mate Dorcha will be delighted to see him land with a nice big trout.

Busy day at the Glaslyn nests:

A social media post detailing an eventful day at Glaslyn Valley, highlighting the presence of ospreys at the Glaslyn nest, with mentions of various birds and activities throughout the day.
A close-up view of two ospreys in a nest made of twigs, with one osprey standing and another slightly turned. The nest contains some moss and dirt. In the lower corners, there are additional images of ospreys, one in flight and another perched.

Lots of action at Loch of the Lowes.

Ospreys at Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre engaging in territorial behavior as one female osprey defends her nest from another.
An osprey perched on a large nest made of twigs, surrounded by trees and a scenic lake in the background. Two smaller images show the osprey in flight.

Thanks, Alison Copland. BoPH have created a genealogy chart. The Carey nest is the one for CJ7 and Blue 022, and it has a streaming cam.

A flowchart detailing the breeding history of ospreys in Poole Harbour from 2022 to 2025, including nests and individual codes for each bird.

Latest arrival news from Kielder Forest:

More males, at last!

One of my favourite males, Tegid Z1, Monty’s son, who breeds on a private nest, has returned safely.

A screenshot of a Facebook post detailing the return of a BTO ringed male osprey at Glaslyn, alongside a female osprey, with information about their breeding history and nesting partners.

So the males are starting to show up in Wales, too. Come on Louis!!!!!!!!!

The feeding is going very well at the Achieva Osprey platform. My goodness, if I didn’t know better, I would think this was a new male. (Maybe it is – I am not trying to start rumours here, just pondering the fish deliveries. I was never that pleased with Jack’s deliveries for Diane and the kids. Has anyone truly identified head markings?)

A bird sitting in a nest made of twigs, with a second bird perched nearby on a wooden post. In the background, trees and residential buildings are visible.

Bella and Scout’s two eaglets are doing just fine although there was a choking concern for the baby earlier on Monday.

Two adult bald eagles are tending to three fuzzy chicks in a nest made of twigs and straw.

Nature chat’s banner:

Interloping Common Buzzard laid 2nd egg today at Lesser Spotted Eagle Cam, as usual LSE pair hasn’t arrived for the season yet.

Hatch occurred yesterday for 2nd egg at Fort St. Vrain Station Eagle Cam, and pip observed on 3rd egg.

Pip watch continues for 3rd egg at ND-LEEF Eagle Cam.

Peanut has branched at the Winter Park, Florida Bald Eagle nest. Best be watching this energetic second hatch. She is going to take off fast!

News about California Condors:

A California condor egg resting in a hollow cavity inside a towering redwood tree, surrounded by mist and foliage.
Text discussing the California condor's history and its relationship with ancient megafauna, highlighting its role in ecology and conservation.
An image depicting a California condor with a tracking device, alongside a nest containing an egg, set against a backdrop of a coastal redwood forest and ocean.

Stop over and see the two little cuties that Jackie and Shadow are feeding and brooding. They are two little round teddy bears! So very happy for our darling couple.

Take care everyone. Iris’s arrival has made this day much brighter! We are all delighted. If Louis returns, I will be posting again. Otherwise, I will see you later in the week.

Thank you to ‘PB’ for her messages, to the owners of the streaming cams for my screen captures and for allowing us to witness the life of these incredible birds. I am grateful to everyone who posts on FB with information. Without your eyes, we might miss something!

Hatch at Achieva and E13 arrives for Bella and Scout at the NCTC…

28 March 2026

Oh, my goodness. I can’t keep up. Everyone knew this week was going to be a madhouse but we have osprey arrivals, eggs being laid, pip and hatch watches, hatches, fledges – and you name it. It is absolutely wonderful.

Jack and Jill have their first hatch at the Achieva Osprey platform in St Petersburg, Florida. Please send them extra love – they need it! There is a lot of competition for Jack’s fish from other species and that platform has not given us much confidence. I hope this year goes wonderfully well for this couple – send the love!

Thanks, MP, for alerting me and sending the images. Time: 15:46:41

A beautiful eaglet has arrived for Scout and Bella – E13. Deb Steyck has it on video: https://youtu.be/yiYJ0iIL0Ng?

If you have not watched Tim MacKrill’s presentation on osprey migration, I urge you to do so. You will learn so much! Then you can teach others. https://youtu.be/wlJoNyKapfc?

Dad might have brought in a huge male Tilapia to the Moorings Park nest, but these three are now well into the Reptilian Phase, and they are not having that feeling of ‘love’ with one another – at least not when it comes to food! You might see some unhappiness once in a while. Hopefully, this will all settle down once they get their juvenile feathers.

They can be nice.

Nice evening at Pitkin!

Heidi reports that both ospreys are at Seaside – Bruce and Naha. They have a chat and there is a great observation board to check out current and historical information.

Thanks for being with me. Please take care. See you on Monday if not before. Have a great weekend.

Thank you to ‘MP’ for the notice and images for Achieva, for Geemeff for reminding me about Tim Mackrill’s talk and now it is archived, to all who posted notices on FB, and the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to partake of the lives of these wonderful birds.

Kai fledges…Dark-eyed Juncos arrive in garden

25 March 2026

Good Afternoon,

Just a quick check in on some nests and the garden as spring arrives.

The first Dark-eyed Juncos of the season have arrived! Thank goodness the whole seed area is a mess and there is lots for them on the ground.

The big news (as far as I am concerned) is that Kai, Beau and Gabby’s baby, fledged about an hour and a half ago caught on video by Netflix Memories. https://youtu.be/VnmSSSODa6M?

Ospreys are arriving at the European nests including those in Germany.

Blue NCO calls for a mate from her nest at Loch of the Lowes.

She might be 23 years old but she is still gorgeous. Big Red.

Chichester’s Peregrine Falcon newsletter has arrived.

Chichester Newsletter no 3 250326Download

We have at least one osprey on the Pitkin County nest in Colorado.

On pip watch at Achieva. I hope that Jack steps up provisions. Many of you might wonder about the fish he brings in – this couple recycles fish just as Jack and Diane did. A fish comes in, part is eaten, it is taken away and. brought back. The ospreys have a place where, like the squirrels in my garden, that cache food. We saw this clearly at Captiva when there was a tree near to the platform that served this purpose.

So when you see a fish, don’t count them as individual fish – that is not the case. Jack will need to provide more. Diane supplemented the fish with her great catfish. Will this female have to pitch in for her babies to survive?

Thank you so much for being with us. Take care! See you soon.

Thank you to all the individuals who posted videos that I am sharing, information on FB, and to the owners of the streaming cams, we are all grateful to be able to watch our beautiful birds.

Wednesday in Bird World

18 March 2026

Hello Everyone,

We are in the midst of an unexpected blizzard, while thousands of miles to our southeast, it is green, and geese are enjoying the grass on a golf course. Thank you, ‘L’, for letting me share this lovely image of spring! We love our geese, but there is no place for them here, and yet, many arrived several weeks ago! The ponds have frozen, but there remains some open water in the two rivers that wind their way through our City. It is supposed to warm up beginning tomorrow, but I will believe it when I see it. We were not expecting this much snow today!

It doesn’t look like much, but the snow is blowing and accumulating so quickly! The lad who shovels or us thought snow was finished – he is going to get a real surprise! It is more than 30 cm deep on the walkway he cleared a few days ago, and is within 45 cm of covering the large bird table feeder. Unbelievable.

Toby loves it. He bounces through the snow if there is even a whiff of a ‘cat’ in the garden. My plan is to have a tall wooden fence built to match the one constructed a few years ago. I had not planned to put a fence on that part of the property, but the theft of dogs in our City has become quite troubling. Of course, ‘the cats’ – distinguished from ‘The Girls’ – come in from that back corner, so it is important to close it in. Toby loves his sisters, ‘The Girls’. He plays with them, but those that make their way into his outdoor territory will be ousted unless they are Brock (who now still spends 99% of his time at the neighbour down the street)!!!!!!!!!

I hope, after all these years, that each of you knows that I love all animals, but there is a special place in my heart for Big Red and Arthur, the late Annie at The Campanile, and ospreys. I have posted this song before, but I want you to get in the mood. Osprey season is starting in the UK – and has already begun in the US. Here are those wonderful school children with the Osprey Song (2011): https://youtu.be/KoOQK6ejuXY?

At the Lake Murray Osprey platform, Lucy has laid her second egg with a new mate. Please, please put up the owl defences for this family Lake Murray!

Company for Brutus. Storms are tearing down eagle and osprey nests around the US including an osprey nest that Penny Albright monitored near Sanibel that lost two chicks when the nest collapsed. These eaglets made it through…

Blue 25 has made another visit to Blue 33 and Maya’s nest at Manton Bay – Blue 33 normally arrives a few days prior to Maya, and Blue 25 enjoys his company! Geemeff caught her time on the nest: https://youtu.be/HU_XGU3NTro?

We have an osprey at the MNSA Osprey nest in Oceanside’s Jay Cool platform.

“WYL greets his chick upon returning to the nest in New Zealand. The adult male arrives from a foraging trip over the Pacific to feed his growing chick at the Plateau nest site. As the chick gets bigger, the parents will take longer foraging trips to collect enough food for both themselves and their chick.” (Cornell Bird Lab)

Peanut defended the Winter Park Florida nest against a RTH! Nestflix Memories (Gracie Shepherd) caught it on video: https://youtu.be/cQksMDubVEc?

Tonight, Wink is taking now chances. She is right in the nest with Peanut if that GHO returns – and, of course, it will – they never give up! Wink is an incredible mother – I am truly amazed and thankful for her diligence.

Gabby with her babies, Kai and Eve, at the NE Florida Bald Eagle nest in Florida. Best keep a close eye on these two – they could fledge before you blink.

At the Johnson City nest of Boone and Jolene in Tennessee, snow arrived. Jolene kept those two babies warm and tried to feed them at the same time. Like Wink, she is an experiened and an exceptional Mum.

Huge crop on JBS 24. Mum and Dad are delivering food and leaving it for self-feeding on occasion.

Harry and Sally are up there in my list of osprey parents. Three babies, three little fat bottoms. Large fish coming in and Harry on guard as it appeared there could have been an intruder around today during a fish delivery. If you haven’t been watching Moorings Park, then check out this osprey family. It is a success story – and believe me when I tell you that there will be few such stories in the NE USA this season unless a miracle happens.

Rutlands Lagoon 4 nest is trying to keep the Egyptian Geese from laying eggs while everyone waits for the ospreys to arrive. This is a second nest with a camera amongst several nests at Rutland Water. AI says: “Based on 2025/2026 sightings, the Lagoon 4 nest at Rutland Water is often occupied by male 359 (a 2021 Rutland-born osprey) and female 3H9 (a 2023 Rutland-born osprey). They have been observed investigating the nest and strengthening bonds. Note: 359 and 3H9 are a distinct pair from the main Manton Bay pair, Maya and 33(11).”

I am getting impatient – and it is a tad early – for Maya and Blue 33 to arrive at Manton Bay.

At the Whitley Crane nest known as the Golden Gate Audubon Osprey nest, Richmond has worked and worked. There is a new female at the nest with him. I do not believe Rosie will make an appearance. Why do I say this? Well, when Aila did not return, Louis moved his nest to another location when he bonded with Dorcha. We often think animals and birds are not intelligent. If I have said it once, I will say it again million times, my teacher about raptor behaviour, the late Laura Culley, taught me that they are smarter and use higher levels of intelligence and communication that humans have lost.

I noticed in one of the chats – it was the Winter Park Florida chat – that someone noted that ‘animals have feelings’. Dr Mark Beckoff and Dr Jane Goodall taught us this. There are several good books out there. I urge you or anyone who is interested in the behaviour of non-humans to read any or all of the following.

Saddness at the Two Harbours as Chase & Cholyn lose their last egg. SK Hideaways has it on video: https://youtu.be/8vmMpnkNsh4?

Big Red and Arthur have snow on their nest at Cornell University.

Suzanne Arnold Horning caught Big Red relaxing on the lights!

Cameras are now live at the Poole Harbour nest of CJ7 and Blue 022.

We have an osprey at Threave. Is it Black 80?

At Achieva the third egg was laid on the 25th of January. Can someone who is watching this nest tell me if Jack is delivering enough fish to his mate? I did not see deliveries today, but I might have missed something.

Dyfi is live! Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/live/tOS_34MKI5E?

In fact, start checking out all your favourite UK and European nests as the cameras are being turned on faster than I can keep a list.

The Pitkin County Osprey nest in Colorado is live.

I have such a soft spot for this White-tail eagle in Durbe County Latvia. Milda. Her current mate is Zorro. There was sorrow and now Zorro has proved to be a good mate and provider.

April 7. Hellgate Canyon. Iris’s favourite day to return to her nest in Missoula, Montana. Count the days – 20. Less than three weeks! The snow has melted.

There is evil in the world. I cannot imagine how anyone could harm an animal and yet, every day I find myself telling people not to give their kittens away to anyone. Russell Mason beat a Goshawk to death – how in the world can someone do this?

Large estates, with no eyes around in Scotland (and elsewhere), allow many horrific things to happen to our beautiful feathered friends. What can be done to stop this?

Scottish gamekeeper Russell Mason pleads guilty to battering a Goshawk to death on shooting estate iDownload

The Cornell Bird Lab gives us hope that people around the world are increasingly engaging with nature and birds. Yes, there are incredibly vicious people anywhere in the world that will harm birds and other animals, but there are more, I hope, that love and help them.

To put a smile on your face:

A total hoot! Beautiful birds – in pictures

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2026/mar/17/a-total-hoot-beautiful-birds-in-pictures-claire-rosen?CMP=share_btn_url

Thank you so much for being with me today and for your patience, as my posting is often irregular. I had hoped to keep to Fridays and Mondays til the UK osprey season began, but every day there is something new and exciting! I will continue to post at the oddest of times, sometimes two or three times a day as news comes in. As you can imagine, my life is anything but routine. We do have a schedule, but it all depends on my husband’s mood, which can vary. I am impatiently waiting for spring to arrive. What I miss most is reading. Yes, we have story time, but it isn’t the same as sitting quietly on a park bench with squirrels dashing around, the wind gently blowing, with a good book in my hand, reading in silence. So, no promises other than there will always be a Monday blog, often coming out late Sunday, until we have osprey chicks on the nests in the UK and Europe.

Thank you to everyone who created videos, wrote informative FB posts, to Raptor Persecution UK for keeping us informed, and to the Cornell Bird Lab for continuing to support education. I remain forever grateful to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to venture into the challenging lives of our feathered friends. To all my readers who are now long-time friends, I appreciate your support. Your letters and comments mean the world to me.

2nd egg at Achieva…Late Saturday in Bird World

21 February 2026

Good Evening Everyone,

I am starting to write my post Saturday evening. It is 1733 and the conservatory is filled with light. The days are much longer and that is truly welcome. Everyone feels good. The weather will, however, continue to get cooler until next weekend when they are predicting we will drop to -30 C.

Today, we put another area rug in the conservatory. There is a reason for these rugs – they are for Toby. He chases Hugo Yugo throughout the house or Hugo Yugo chases him. There is a real issue regarding the legs of these Cavaliers. Like Toby’s food, I am doing everything I can to protect his health and physical well being. This means there is one more rug to get for the library area. At the same time, these rugs must be secured so that Don doesn’t trip on them. Talk about a balancing act!

Hugo Yugo and Toby helped with the rug.

We need to send some good energy to Duke Farms. One of the three eggs broke Friday night. The other one appears to not be viable. There is, however, one little eaglet working hard to get out of the last egg!

The siblings at the Winter Park Florida Bald Eagle nest are doing fantastic.

Jazz is getting a private feeding. Things on this nest, the E3 at the Kisatchie National Forest have turned around just as everyone had hoped. Nola still has first rights, so to speak, but Jazz is eating well and there is plenty of food coming on the nest. The little one looks great.

So far the food deliveries on the E1 nest of Anna and Louis II have been low on Saturday.

There is a second egg for Jack and Jill at Achieva.

Decorah Mum protected her precious egg scovered in snow. There are two of them.

Owlvira and Hoots two of the four owlets that survived are doing fantastic.

Little Miami Conservancy now has three eggs.

There are now 10 Kakapo chicks. This is going to be a brilliant year! There was a daytime egg check a few minutes ago. Here it is on video: https://youtu.be/bkNQWALZ9mw?

Bella has laid the third egg for her and Scout. Wish them luck! Deb Stecyk has it on video: https://youtu.be/PCAOOIIyBVM?

SK Hideaways caught a beautiful kestrel bringing a mouse into the Sauces Canyon area! https://youtu.be/gkMOPrtpRz0?

Baby Hope wishes everyone a wonderul end to their weekend.

Missey hopes your weather is warmer than ours.

Brock had several meals and slept on my neighbour’s porch for about three hours. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

Thank you for a quick check in with some of our nests. We will be back again with you on Monday with more news about our wonderful feathered friends. Please take care. Enjoy the end of the weekend. Get outside if you can. It is revitalising!

Thank you to those who created videos, to the owners of the streaming cams who let us peek into the lives of our feathered friends, and to the authors of the FB posts who keep us informed of all the action! I am truly grateful.

Join the Big Bird Count!

9 February 2026

Good Afternoon,

I bet you didn’t expect to hear from me today. Geemeff reminded me that the Big Bird Count starts this coming Friday and I wanted everyone to be ready to do a count of the birds in their gardens. It adds to our knowledge of how our avian friends are doing – and where they are being challenged and where not.

Friday the 13th – make it a lucky day through the 16th. Please take part. Information below on the history and reason and the link to join in.

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), organised by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada, is an annual four-day event in February where volunteers worldwide count birds to track population trends. The 2025 event runs from February 14–17 and requires participants to count birds for at least 15 minutes.

Key Details for the Cornell/Audubon GBBC:


When: Annually, usually over President’s Day weekend in February (Feb 14-17, 2025).


How to Participate: Count birds anywhere for at least 15 minutes, once or multiple times, and report them via the eBird website or the Merlin Bird ID app.


Purpose: The data helps scientists understand global bird population changes and health.


Global Reach: In 2024, over 640,000 participants from over 200 countries identified 7,920 species.


Accessibility: Open to everyone, from beginners to experts.

Key Data & Findings:
The project, launched in 1998, was the first online, citizen-science project for collecting bird data.
It is a major source of data for understanding bird population declines, such as the loss of 3 billion birds, including common species like sparrows and juncos.


In 2025, the event recorded 8,078 species.

For more information, visit the official site at birdcount.org.

A four year old Golden Eagle has been found shot at the Scottish Borders.

Golden Eagle found shot in Scottish Borders – Police Scotland appeals for information – Raptor PerseDownload

‘MP’ sent me a note. It seems that Jack and Jill are trying to repair their own osprey platform at the Achieva Credit Union in St Petersburg, Florida. It has been the site of much sadness due to eggs and healthy chicks falling through holes in the platform in the past. Jack has been bringing in large pieces of bark. Brilliant idea. He needs something to hold them down as the wind blew off one of the first attempts. We wish him and his new lady well this season if there are eggs.

Thanks for dropping by. Please take part in the count!

Thank you to MP for their note, to the author of Raptor Persecution UK who keeps us informed of the dispicable acts to the raptors taking place, and to the owners of the streaming cams, like the Achieva Credit Union, that allow us to observe our beautiful birds.

Sunday in Bird World

25 January 2026

Good Morning Everyone,

It’s Sunday, not Monday. I have the week’s videos from SK Hideaways, and it is a wrap of a review of what is happening in Bird World.

We have been under an extreme cold warning for more than a week now. It is currently -35 (Saturday night). The vets have said that if it is too cold for humans then it is decidedly too cold for dogs to be outside. Their paws can freeze and crack! There is no evidence that frigid cold causes arthritis but dogs with arthritis suffer pain because of constrictions if they are out in this cold. Toby, hopefully, will never have arthritis, but his little incident the other day means he needs to stay inside. We have played a lot of fetch – he loves it – but he discovered that he also likes to play ‘fish’ with the Girls! We were decluttering the pantry as part of an overall downsizing of all our stuff and we found a fishing pole toy with feathered ends. Oh, all of them had such a good time. It was wonderful!

I have not spent as much time on the computer watching the nests as I did a year ago. This has not been a bad thing! In a recent blog, the lovely, talented cookbook author Mimi Thorisson said, “Over the years, living on this planet has taught me something important. It is imperative, from time to time, to detach slightly from the social world and enter a phase of semi-hibernation. It is healing. It is comforting. It brings you back to yourself.” I hope that each of us is taking time to watch the birds and animals outside – I often add that they are such an important part of my life that I have felt paralysed to move to a different house. Our day begins, as it always does, with breakfast in the conservatory and a ‘count’ of the visitors to the nest. Another count occurs around 1530, along with continuous checks on Brock’s dish. These birds and animals bring such joy to my life, along with The Girls and Toby, who have proven to be loyal companions. So, please, embrace the wildlife that is around you. Do what you can to improve their lives – a dish of water, some food. It all helps.

The second eaglet on the Winter Park nest in Florida has been receiving both food and attacks from its older sibling. The size and age difference along with food availability are key here.

Ondabebe caught the second eaglet with a full crop on Saturday. https://youtu.be/PUXtegsGAy0?

Send good positive energy for lots of prey – the parents have to eat, too!

Research indicates that siblicide on Bald Eagle nests is 5% or less – meaning that it is rare. (The osprey mortality rate is often higher than 17% in the nests we have monitored.)

Here is a good article on various Avian Siblicide to help you understand which raptors are more likely to have one nestling kill another. It is very informative.

Avian_SiblicideDownload

SK Hideaways sent their videos for the week of the 18th for your enjoyment.

Channel Island California Eagles
Livestreamed nests:
~ Fraser Point ~ Santa Cruz Island ~ Cruz & Andor
~ Sauces Canyon ~ Santa Cruz Island ~ Audacity & Jak
~ Two Harbors ~ Catalina Island ~ Cholyn & Chase
~ West End ~ Catalina Island ~Resident in flux

Two Harbors
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Two Harbors Eagles Cam Ops
Overlook Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yx7RKxpyzQ
Eagle Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5T2eHM8tcI

Cholyn & Chase Do Nesting Season with Class ~ Mating & Fish Gift (2026 Jan 23)
Chase has embraced nesting season with much enthusiasm as he continues to woo Cholyn with fish between mating activities. 22 years of “wedded” bliss and romance is still very much alive for this royal couple of Catalina Island. (2026 Jan 23)
Video: https://youtu.be/2OEWiuQ9ZxM

Chase Wants Eggs ~ Tests Nest Bowl as Cholyn Watches + Mating (2026 Jan 20)
Despite the fact that Chase “knows” that Cholyn almost always lays eggs at the end of February or early March, he’s trying to hurry her along by showing her how comfy the nest bowl is and frequent mating. Here, Chase lays in the nest bowl 3 times to Cholyn’s zero times. Cholyn seems to give him a “what’re you doing?” look, but in her typical Cholyn way, just goes with the flow. Always in sync even when it means humoring the other. 
Video: https://youtu.be/SZZAkQ0D9z8

Cholyn & Chase Nesting Season Kickoff ~ 2x Mating & Fish Gift (2026 Jan 18)
Cholyn and Chase had their official nesting season kickoff ~ at least from where we could see them. They mated in the morning, then Chase brought Cholyn a nice fish for lunch. They had long conversations off camera and then returned to the nest in the late afternoon to mate again. Here’s hoping for a fruitful season for this beloved couple and royalty of the Channel Islands.
Video: https://youtu.be/bNEHHlGDCQ4

West End
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | West End Eagles Cam Ops 
Nest Low Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfuqjSNXZ14
Other Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmmAzrAkKqI
Overlook Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kad6O4nF6bg

Couple ID Markers & More Mating ~ Need Nestorations to Seal Deal (2026 Jan 22)
The new West End couple (aka masked and unmasked; and VE1 (male visitor) and VE2 (female visitor)) continue to take steps towards being a bonded pair. While they have accomplished mating quite well (!), they have not embraced the nest repairs that would indicate their intentions to start a family this season. It’s early, though, and things can change (as they always do). (2026 Jan 22)
Video: https://youtu.be/acrvEOup90E

Masked Female & Unmasked Male Mate for 1st & 2nd Time on Camera (2026 Jan 21)
The visiting eagles have been at the West End for about 2 weeks and seen together most days. While mating sounds have been heard off camera, this was the first (and second) observed mating. So the bond is there, but will they remain here to lay eggs and raise chicks? Stay tuned for the next episode of As the West End Turns. 
Video: https://youtu.be/Z1z28PuQFTs

FOBBV Eagles ~ Big Bear, California ~ Jackie & Shadow
Courtesy FOBBVCAM | Friends of Big Bear Valley

ℹResident Bald Eagle male: Shadow (unbanded) since May 2018. Estimated hatch year: 2014
ℹResident Bald Eagle female: Jackie (unbanded) since September 2016. Estimated hatch year: 2012
🔗Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE
🔗Wide View Cam (Cam 2): https://youtube.com/live/LCGYWfbyBWc
🔴LIVE Recap & Observations https://bit.ly/3Md8TSz

Morning Chortle-Snortles & Shadow’s First Incubation Stint (2026 Jan 24)
Jackie laid her and Shadow’s first egg late the previous day, so this morning was Shadow’s first opportunity for some incubation time. From what we have observed, he really, really seems to enjoy this part of nesting. So much so that he took his time heeding Jackie’s fish calls.
Video: https://youtu.be/jcIPh9l19aQ

Shadow delivers FEEESH ~ Jackie Stumbles on Nest Rails Trying to Collect (2026 Jan 24)
When Jackie saw Shadow deliver a whole, big fish (aka feeesh) from her perch on the Cactus Snag, she squealed with glee and made a beeline for the nest. As it turns out, she and Shadow have constructed such a robust fortress, that Jackie stumbled trying to get in the front door. She, of course, did prevail and enjoyed her meal with gusto.
Video: https://youtu.be/nTcUFmY6Dxw

JACKIE & SHADOW WELCOME FIRST EGG OF SEASON! (2026 Jan 23)
A quick labor for Jackie as she laid the first egg of the season. Shadow quickly came to meet his egg and seemed pretty smitten already.

Video: https://youtu.be/n0-5Ko2AWYY

The Bald Eagle nest on Farmer Derek’s property in Kansas has its first egg.

Rose and Ron have two gorgeous eaglets with so much juvenile plumage!

Quinn is the cutest little eaglet over at the Captiva nest of Connie and Clive.

Girri is flying strong with Diamond and Gimbir. This is just incredible. How many years have we followed this nest, hoping for such an amazing outcome? This is wonderful – a strong, big female.

Duke Farms’ female looking at the trio of eggs she has laid.

SK Hideaways caught Shadow delivering a fish to Jackie as she has been incubating their first egg of the season. https://youtu.be/nTcUFmY6Dxw?

There are no concerns at the nest of Gabby and Beau. NE32 and 33 are growing strong with their thermal down and pin feathers. Lots of food and great parenting make a difference – Beau and Gabby are well-bonded, experienced, and work together like a nicely oiled machine. (Watch them using cam 2: https://www.youtube.com/live/hQrJv_Dt4tY?

At the SW Florida nest of M15 and F23, E26 is getting those gorgeous deep black juvenile feathers. Doing so well!

Anna II is a valiant mom in the cold and rain of Louisiana. Not much nourishment for everyone – let’s wish for a sunny day tomorrow.

Jack and Jill have been seen at the Achieva Credit Union osprey platform in St Petersburg, Florida.

Gimbir, that cute Dad that fathered the dynamic Girri, is getting his adult plumage!!!!!!!

My lad and lass – besties forever.

It’s 2:46 minutes long. There is a bit of a pause in the middle but stay to the end. I hope these two make you smile.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Thank you for your e-mails and your comments. It is so nice to know there are others out there who love our feathered friends and who will do anything to make their lives better! I am sorry if I am not able to answer the comments or your e-mails as quickly as I did in the past, but I do appreciate each and every one of them and will, I promise, get around to responding!

We will be back on Friday, if not before – depending on action in the nests.

Please take care of yourself. We look forward to having you with us again soon.

We all owe a great debt to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to monitor the lives of our raptor families. I am indebted to all those who create videos (which takes a lot of time), such as SK Hideaways, and to the authors of the FB posts and the articles that I have included in my blog. We learn from one another, and I hope we share what we know with others. Thank you all. My blog would not be the same without your contributions.

Middle Osplet at AchievaCredit Union platform is in good hands!

7 June 2023

I could not wait to tell you the good news. Yesterday, ‘RM’ sent me the phone number and contact information for Birds in Helping Hands, the local wildlife rehab in the area of the Achieva nest. ‘LK’ got on the phones, I got on the text and messages and well…today, Middle was rescued.

So very happy. This osplet will now be fed well and get healthy. It will not be returned to the nest.

Thank you to everyone at Birds in Helping Hands! Tears.

Middle in the carrier on the way to a second chance at life.