Tag Archives: activism

Seattle’s trio doing fantastic while other starving ospreys need our help…late Thursday in Bird World

30 July 2026

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday it was 45 C with the humidex. It was so hot and humid in the garden you could barely breathe. Even the birds had little interest in food. Toby and I kept filling up the bird baths so that they could wash and get drinks. Tolu noticed right away that there was only one Blue Jay, and I am concerned about them. I did just see one Blue Jay come to the table feeder from inside the lilac tunnel. Perhaps that’s where they are. There were three crows just here, so that is good.

As many of you know, there are fires burning everywhere, driven by the heat and an ongoing drought. This will have a serious impact on our ospreys, as they rely solely on water and fish for food and hydration.

Please send your good wishes to all of them, and thank you again to Wildlife Conserve of NJ for feeding Uno and setting a precedent. Now please go and feed all the others because all of this heat and lack of fish is a human-driven issue – it is not ‘nature’.

Also read the following carefully and respond appropriately, thank you:

Connecticut Osprey Group

Madeline Raleigh ·sopdetornSht2gl9a12187fm0i14i6im5l61mcgg0h6366l78t1h4ttcg104 ·

MENHADEN ARE DISAPPEARING AND OSPREY ARE DYING !

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP NOW –

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission ASMFC is meeting August 5 to consider the possible reduction of the menhaden fishing quota – hopefully by 50%. Last year ASMFC lost their nerve and only reduced the take by 20% or less.

Write to the commissioners from YOUR STATE of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission now. ASMFC is responsible for setting quotas along the U.S. East Coast and balancing commercial fishing with the ecosystem’s forage needs.

This is the most important actions you can do right now. Don’t let the industrial fishing harvesters deplete our osprey’s food source.

Urge your state commissioners to protect the osprey and menhaden populations by adopting substantially stronger, ecosystem-based management of menhaden. by adopting a 50% reduction in the industrial harvest, or by totally ending industrial menhaden reduction fishing along the East Coast or by closing the Chesapeake Bay to industrial harvesting until independent science demonstrates that the fishery is not harming the ecosystem.

Your six CT ASMFC commissioners are:

  1. Shanna Madsen Assistant Director, CT DEEP Fisheries Division, Shanna.Madsen@ct.gov
  2. Proxy: Matthew Gates, DEEP Fisheries Matthew.Gates@ct.gov (860)434-6043
  3. William Hyatt CT DEEP hyattwilliam01@gmail.com (860)402-6947
  4. Proxy: Robert Lafrance, Policy Director Audubon’s CT, Robert.Lafrance@Quinnipiac.Edu, (203)668-6685
  5. CT Representative Joseph P. Gresko, joseph.gresko@cga.ct.gov 860.240.0363
  6. Proxy: Craig Miner former state senator craigminer230@gmail.com (860)309-0485

    Write them all TODAY !

East cut & paste – Shanna.Madsen@ct.gov, Matthew.Gates@ct.gov, hyattwilliam01@gmail.com, Robert.Lafrance@Quinnipiac.Edu, joseph.gresko@cga.ct.gov, craigminer230@gmail.com

See the comments section for more information on the problem to help you write your comments to the commissioners.

Great news from Ping Shen in Seattle:

Quick visit today, found the three siblings looking good, mostly resting when I arrived, though one started some fairly vigorous warmups for life’s next stage, even managing a few jumps and momentary liftoffs in the process. Good to see them still doing well! Figure they are about ~6.5 weeks old give or take, so fledging may be around the corner…! Fingers crossed.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 29th July 2026

Another amazing day – Juniper 8P7 achieved the ultimate milestone and fledged! Mind you, her maiden flight only lasted 31 seconds before she circled back and crash landed on the cam post, but she took off elegantly and confidently only an hour after doing her first proper off-the-screen helicopter, and made better landings on subsequent flights. Her helicopter and Dorcha’s stick antics were captured from a different perspective by LizB and her marvellous long lens a mile and a half away across the loch, links in the bonus section. Louis delivered four fish taking the Nest Two tally to three hundred and forty six, and Amber made sure she got her share, returning to the nest after spending time perched on the branches underneath the nest with just an occasional wingtip betraying her presence. Over on Nest One, Garry made up for the lack of fish over the last couple of days and brought two fish for Aurora, taking his tally to one hundred and eighty six. Aurora was so excited to see the first one that she managed to fly off without it and did a smart about turn to grab it properly the second time. After a soggy night, the weather was reasonably settled today and the pattern repeats with light rain, light winds and a low of 11°C overnight, continuing tomorrow with light rain showers, a moderate breeze, some sunny intervals and a high of 15°C.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/9WjpSagX9_M N2 Amber returns in time to share the first fish 08.41.24

https://youtu.be/Wsa96HmQXZo N2 Two raucous females fish calling – no Amber when fish two arrives 11.10.56

https://youtu.be/U-DSXQw-ao0 N2 Amber arrives before little fish three is finished 11.44.45

https://youtu.be/PA63agQu2Tk N2 Juniper does her first off-the-screen helicopter then does a second! 16.42.40

https://youtu.be/XIcPhsvbWXQ N2 FLEDGE! Juniper finds her wings and flies – for 31 seconds! 17.44.03

https://youtu.be/g9iAUy1ahKg N2 Poor Louis! Amber grabs his foot while Dorcha grabs fish four 17.48.31

https://youtu.be/qZFLrIYISCE N1 Aurora mantles over fish two and quickly departs with it 21.24.12


You’re invited to 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

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The plumbers continue to work. We were fortunate to get Toby out for a walk before the heat set in today. There was a huge thunderstorm at 11 pm last evening with winds of 100 km passing through our City. Lots of big trees down. The plumbers had put a heavy piece of granite on Toby’s clothes box, so he did not have his thunder jacket. I could not lift that 2-inch granite! I wrapped him up tight in a baby blanket, held him in bed, and sang to him until it passed. Poor guy.

The Girls were alright. Missey and Hugo Yugo were in bed with me and Toby. Calico and Hope were in with Don.

If you haven’t seen this documentary, I recommend it.

This link should take you there: edcoraluniverse.com/en/play/69e8c6d262897193d5221799?id=69e8c6d262897193d5221799&advs=true&fbclid=IwY2xjawTYcbJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE3SVhhS0M1NEhxOTh1NTA0c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHu2Ztmvw5jamfEB0iM6JAst2nVOORV2832Qm1z9VCHuTUSzJ71K2LuxBegQ4_aem_Ke9a929zbw8MzUF-9JTMSg

At Hellgate Canyon, Clark continues to deliver lovely fish to Iris and Wensi: https://youtu.be/JRcU6jY2QKQ?

This is one lucky little osprey.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Thank you to Ping Shen for the amazing photos of Sally and Harry and their trio, to those who posted information on FB with images, and to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to follow the lives of our birds. Thank you, Geemeff, for your videos and daily updates on all things Loch Arkaig.

Baby for Louis and Dorcha…Monday in Bird World

1 June 2026

Good Morning Everyone,

It is hazy and will be a little warm today, but not up in the high 30s. Melissa is to arrive in a few minutes, and my house can’t wait to get cleaned!!!!!! You might recall that I was sick for 5 or 6 days and well, there are a few more fingerprints on my espresso black cabinets than I would like but, as Melissa says, ‘If I didn’t have some places to clean, she wouldn’t have a job!’ True.

My son is on his way to Asia for a conference in Singapore. He will first land in Tokyo, and he tells me that there is a typhoon. I am sending positive thoughts to all our Bird World friends in Japan impacted by this big storm.

Map showing the projected path of a hurricane near Japan, with timing indicated for specific locations.

The big news is that the first hatch has taken place at the Loch Arkaig 2 nest of Louis and Dorcha. You could hear this strong chick before it even hatched!!!!!!!! Listen as it uses its egg tooth to pick through the shell.https://youtu.be/oNu1t9PXQlI?

Louis was on hand for the hatch. He is an exceptional dad, and I hope that his health holds out this season.

Geemeff was so excited. They could hardly sleep! Here is their video of this wonderful event: https://youtu.be/5Xt0TjsAeZA?

Look at their faces as they see their little one all curled up.

A pair of ospreys stands on a nest with eggs in a natural environment, surrounded by trees and misty hills.

Still an Only Bob at Ranworth.

An osprey is feeding its chick in a nest surrounded by lush greenery at Ranworth, with a serene morning atmosphere.

I do love this. Three generations all have chicks on live-streamed nests in the UK. Maya is a grandmother!!!!!!!!!! (more than once). There is really good DNA coming out of that Rutland nest. Ah, but now Maya is a great grandmother – Teifi has chicks.

Tiger Mozone always says it is DNA plus luck that gives them longevity and endurance.

Three images of osprey nests featuring adult ospreys feeding their chicks, highlighting three generations of the same family.

In the US Bridge Club has their first hatch reported on FB by Heidi.

Virginia Osprey Foundation has its first chick.

Ospreys in a nest, with one chick hatching, showcasing the moment on June 1, 2026.

Eaglets die in Minnesota. Why?

The cause of death for the baby birds in the post isn’t definitively known yet. However, considering they were panting hard to cool down before passing away, it’s possible that heat stress or heatstroke contributed to their deaths, especially during a stretch of high temperatures. Other potential causes of bird deaths in general include ¹:

  • Common Causes of Bird Deaths:
  • Habitat Loss: Destruction or fragmentation of natural landscapes, which can lead to food scarcity and increased predation.
  • Collisions: Impacts with buildings, windows, vehicles, and power lines.
  • Predation: Hunting by domestic and feral cats, as well as natural predators.
  • Poisoning: Exposure to pesticides, lead, and other toxins.
  • Climate Change: Shifting habitats, extreme weather, and disrupted timing.
  • Disease: Infections and parasitic infestations.

It’s worth noting that Avian Flu was mentioned in one of the comments, but without further information, it’s impossible to say if this was the cause. The Department of Natural Resources visited the scene, so they may have more information on the cause of death once their investigation is complete

Two young birds in a nest, panting in the heat, with a focus on their facial features and surroundings.

Hatching is underway in two of the eggs at Loch of the Lowes.

An osprey sitting on a nest with several eggs, one of which is visibly cracked while another chick's beak can be seen breaking through the shell.

DH23 (Dale Hollow) eaglet, which fell off the nest on Sunday during a prey delivery, has now fledged from the branch where it landed. Congratulations and relief.

A feel good moment.

A close-up of a peregrine falcon standing in a nesting box filled with gravel, with a coastal view in the background.
Screenshot

So how is New Guy2 getting fish for Iris? Here is your answer.

A post discussing the fishing habits of Ospreys near Missoula, highlighting their preference for clearer waters in Rattlesnake Creek and mentioning ancient beach lines on Mount Jumbo formed during the last Ice Age.
Aerial view of Missoula, Montana, highlighting significant geographical features including Rattlesnake Creek, Clark Fork River, beach lines on Mount Jumbo from the last Ice Age, and Hellgate Osprey Nest.
3D aerial view of the Clark Fork River area, highlighting Rattlesnake Creek, Clark Fork River, and the Hellgate Osprey Nest.

At the Achieva nest, Big caught its own fish and brought it back to the nest! Wow. 15:48:15. Thanks, ‘PB’.

A view of an osprey nest located in a tree, with two young osprey chicks visible on the nest. One parent bird is flying nearby, while a street and houses can be seen in the background.
A young osprey standing in a nest made of twigs, with an adult osprey nearby. The background features greenery.

Heavy rains in the Glaslyn Valley have meant tricky fishing and mums needing to keep youngsters dry.

An eagle is feeding its chicks in a nest made of twigs, with a lush green landscape and misty mountains in the background.
A pair of ospreys are in their nest, one is holding a fish while the other is near their chicks, which are visible at the bottom of the nest.

At the Dyfi nest, Telyn is struggling to keep the chicks dry during the heavy rain.

An osprey resting on its nest, surrounded by twigs and grass, with a green blurred background.

It is the same story for Seren at llyn Clywedog.

A bird resting in its nest made of sticks and moss, surrounded by a lush green forest landscape in the background.

So how is it in the Usk Valley? Heavy rain.

A bird standing on a nest made of twigs and branches, with a chick visible inside the nest. The background features green fields and trees.

Chucking down rain at Llyn Brenig.

A blurry live feed image of an osprey nest with one adult osprey sitting on the nest and another standing nearby, taken at night.

Poole Harbour with its four chicks under CJ7 is also getting a large amount of rain!

Close-up view of a bird's back feathers, resting on a nest with twigs and pine needles.

Maya is drenched too – but the rains began to let up at Rutland later in the night.

An osprey resting on a nest made of sticks and branches, with a fish laying beside it, near a body of water.

I wonder what Geemeff will report about Loch Arkaig? The weather is certainly better!

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 1st June 2026

No surprise about today’s main event – the first chick has hatched! After pipping last night and chupping ever more strongly, the little scrap of life made its way out of the eggshell at 12.40.39 and despite falling over backwards and taking a while to right itself, is looking in great shape. Surprisingly, it was Louis on duty at the moment of hatching – he shot upright when he must have felt the chick suddenly emerge from the shell, one of many endearing moments today which included Dorcha trying to feed Louis. All the action was on Nest Two today, except for Garry LV0 delivering one fish for Aurora 536 which takes his tally to ninety one. Louis delivered three fish to Dorcha and the Nest Two tally now stands at one hundred. It was a damp day which will continue with light rain showers, light winds and an overnight low of 12°C and more light rain, light winds and a high of 17°C tomorrow.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/PCJX4mMm3EI N2 Dorcha’s in mum mode and tries to feed Louis 05.17.53https://youtu.be/HwDwVw2WvbA BBC Radio 4 Today Programme: Arkaig Forest item 07.24 https://youtu.be/e24C9E4S7kQ N1 Aurora gets a huge fish from Garry 09.37.45https://youtu.be/oNu1t9PXQlI N2 Listen to the chick chupping as it breaks the eggshell 10.22.15 (zoom)https://youtu.be/5Xt0TjsAeZA N2 News news news – first chick has hatched! 12.40.39https://youtu.be/tgRdu3_mmY0 N2 Louis brings fish and covers the chick as Dorcha eats fish 16.24.21https://youtu.be/v456qULiigg N2 Oops! Chick falls over backwards 18.52.22https://youtu.be/XC3x1LnO9Lk N2 Louis delivers fish number one hundred for the season! 22.34.46

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

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

A pair of birds of prey in a nest, one standing with wings partially spread, while the other is sitting calmly. The nest is built among sticks and moss, and the background features a lush, green landscape.

Sad news from the UK. Another White-tailed Eagle disappears from a shooting estate! When will this stop? Only when the penalties are such that the extremely wealthy consider the fine and/or jail time ‘too much’.

Young White-tailed Eagle ‘disappears’ from grouse shooting estate in North York Moors National ParkDownload

I like to end with good news.

A peregrine falcon in a nesting box, surrounded by gravel, with a view of a coastal area in the background.
Screenshot

Calico wishes everyone a great beginning to the week.

A calico cat with green eyes lounging on a soft surface near a window, surrounded by greenery.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Wish all of the nests, no matter where they are, better weather and lots of fish tomorrow! Take care. See you soon.

Thank you to everyone. ‘PB’ that is a great image of Big at Achieva! Fantastic news. To all who posted on FB and to Jeff Kear and the UK Osprey Info FB page – I am always grateful. Thank you to Geemeff and to all the owners of the streaming cams and individuals who post information – we appreciate your extraordinary efforts.