Tag Archives: Australia

Norfolk welcomes thousands of Northern Nutcrackers…Late Sunday in Bird World

1 November 2026

Hello Everyone,

Gosh, the week flew by. In some parts of the world, the time changed, but here in Manitoba, we stayed the same. This year, we did not ‘fall back’. A vote was taken, and there will be no more Daylight Saving Time. I wonder how this will impact people’s lives – or not. We wait to see.

Gorgeous birds at the feeders all week. Those Starlings sure love the cat and dog kibble.

Close-up of a colorful starling perched near a water source, displaying iridescent plumage with speckles.

Mr Crow isn’t all black – check out those gorgeous iridescent feathers!

A close-up side profile of a dark-colored bird with glossy feathers, perched on a branch among green foliage.

We could not forget about Junior. We continue to have seven Blue Jays at the feeder the instant the peanuts are put out. It is fantastic to wake up to their presence and their song throughout the day.

A close-up image of a blue jay perched on a branch, displaying its vibrant blue and gray feathers.
A group of birds gathering on a bird feeder filled with sunflower seeds, featuring a starling and a sparrow in flight.

You probably wonder about the Calicos – Calico and her baby, Hope. They tend to keep to themselves while these three hang out together all day long.

A cozy scene featuring a dog and three cats resting together on a couch adorned with a textured pillow. The animals are comfortably nestled against each other in warm sunlight.

Again, thank you for your wonderful letters of support. I won’t lie. Am I doing OK? Not really, but we are doing the best we can in a horrible situation, just like millions of other families are right now. I am so grateful for the support I have and the small team that makes sure Don has someone visit him each day. It makes a difference to me. Does it mean something to Donald? I sure hope so, as it is an effort for everyone, and I am so grateful. It gives me a chance to recharge my batteries a bit, so to speak, and to clear my head.

I am hoping to get everyone who visits to get someone to take a photo with them and Donald and then I am going to have those images printed for a book and a tiny blanket. Perhaps it will help him to remember.

Did you have little ones for Halloween? Toby dressed up like a lizard and helped me deliver goodie bags to the five children on our block and one special adult. A nearby street has their annual block party for Halloween, and there are about thirty other children who come trick-or-treating- the weather was grand.

This is the latest from Judy Harrington re the WBSE:

A nesting area with two juvenile birds, one partially visible, and an adult bird in flight above them, surrounded by green foliage and tree branches.
A close-up of a bird's nest containing two birds, one perched on the nest and another flying above it. The nest is made of twigs and placed among green foliage.

November 1: Rain in the night, with the eaglets flapping -then it eased and all settled again. Early start to the day then both were seen down on the river, one appeared to be eating. Lady arrived at the nest at 7:21, closely followed by Dad with an eel. Eaglets were quick to react – as was Lady, claiming the prey. She fed 37 then both ate. Before that just before 6am SE37 branched -at last official. And again at 6:37. More prey at 9:40 when Dad came with a fish, quickly grabbed by 38 -eating until 37 took over. 38 moved to PB beside Dad. 37 self-fed very well, finishing the rest. Then they rested and waited. Late afternoon both parents were down on River Roost, with a duet. Late afternoon, Lady brought a gull nestling in and again fed them both. Satisfied eaglets at end of day.

With no little chicks this year for Gimbir and Diamond, Holly Parsons has been posting memories along with other ‘Diamond Fans’. Here is a YouTube compilation of Gizmo and Pluto from 2019 by Holly: https://youtu.be/VJvrY7Jbhsw?

The trio at 367 Collins Street are growing right before our eyes. The oldest is a real corker – loving to hang out on the ledge and give us all indigestion with worry.

SK Hideaways has the mischief on video: https://youtu.be/fPE_FIXZFqQ?

A close-up view of a nest on a ledge, with a small bird standing among debris and feathers, accompanied by humorous text about causing heart failure.

In the US, nest prep continues for the Bald Eagles:

A pair of Bald Eagles, Wink and Atlas, are seen aerating their nest in Winter Park, FL. The image captures them working together in a leafy tree setting.

Narasu and HG at the West End nest in the Channel Islands today:

Two bald eagles are seen near their nest on a rocky ledge, surrounded by greenery. One eagle appears to be picking at something on the nest while the other stands nearby, facing the camera.

Gabby and Beau at the NE Florida Bald Eagle nest near Palm Court, Florida:

Two bald eagles are sitting in their nest, surrounded by branches and greenery in the background.

Nothing on the SW Florida cam, and, of course, the Captiva Bald Eagle cam is no longer operational as Lori Covert has sold the property.

Ospreys continue to visit (Jack and Jill, it is believed) the Achieva Osprey nest in St. Petersburg, Florida.

An osprey perched on a post above a large nest in a residential area, with trees and houses in the background.

Birdlife International discusses the four flyways and why they are essential to migration:

Global Flyways: New digital series spotlights global effort to protect migratory birds – BirdLife InDownload

In the UK, the arrival of many Siberian nutcrackers has excited birdwatchers.

Influx of Nutcrackers a sweet treat for birdwatchers!Download

e-Bird states a Northern Nutcracker is a : “Large, distinctive corvid, roughly the size of a Eurasian Jay. Note the long and heavy bill, white-flecked face, and black cap. Note white-spotted dark brown back and sides. Short tail, white vent, and white tail markings evident during undulating, woodpecker-like flight. Inhabits coniferous and mixed forests, from lowlands up into high montane forests. Often stores nuts for the winter. Mostly resident but large numbers may irrupt periodically out of the normal range in response to food shortages. Gives a variety of calls, especially during the breeding season, including harsh grating rasps, as well as quieter “mumbling” calls and mimicry. Formerly grouped with Southern Nutcracker under the more generic “Eurasian Nutcracker.”

When asked about the challenges that the Northern Nutcracker faces, we get the following:

The primary environmental challenges for the northern nutcracker are centered around climate change, indirect habitat degradation, and volatile food supply failures:

  1. Indirect Climate Change Impacts on Seed Sources

The northern nutcracker is a dietary specialist that relies heavily on a co-dependent, mutualistic relationship with specific trees. In Europe, its primary winter food comes from the seeds of the Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra) and the common hazel (Corylus avellana), while its Siberian counterpart (N. c. macrorhynchos) relies on the Siberian pine.

  • Alpine Habitat Contraction: Climate warming alters subalpine and mountain ecotones. While nutcrackers assist trees in colonizing higher altitudes by caching seeds at upper treelines, long-term modeling indicates that alpine and montane habitats are at severe risk of extensive species contraction due to rising temperatures.
  1. Severe Food Failures and “Irruptions”

When localized ecosystems experience consecutive years of optimal weather, nutcracker populations experience a breeding boom. However, if these boom cycles are immediately followed by widespread pine seed crop failures, the birds suffer catastrophic food shortages.

  • Mass Displacement: Extreme resource scarcity forces the birds into massive, desperate migratory events called irruptions. During these periods, tens of thousands of nutcrackers are forced out of their native habitats—Siberian nutcrackers, for example, have been pushed thousands of miles across Scandinavia, the Netherlands, and into the UK in search of basic sustenance.
  1. High Boreal Forest Dependency

According to data tracked by the BirdLife International DataZone, the northern nutcracker possesses a high forest dependency rating. This makes them acutely vulnerable to any disruptions in contiguous old-growth coniferous and mixed forests. Widespread logging, clear-cutting for infrastructure, and extreme, climate-driven boreal wildfires heavily compromise the specific stands of trees they need to harvest and cache up to 100,000 seeds annually per bird.

The end of the season update from Rutland Water on the Ospreys with a YouTube video link:

“As all three got more confident in their flying abilities, 8R7(26) caused a bit of concern on 22nd July. Seen leaving the nest just after 6am, he was absent for a large portion of the day, but returned to the nest just after 4pm, having not been seen at any of his usual spots during that time at all.

It was then 8R5(26)’s turn to disappear, spending extended periods off the nest and then, on 31st July, we saw him for the final time this year, flying off the poplar branch after a large breakfast, off round the back of the poplar trees and away. At the time, he was 80 days old, so rather young for migration, but he had proven to be a strong chick during his 29 days since fledging. Hopefully, we’ll see him again in two years.

Seemingly inspired by her male siblings, 8R6(26) then had a period of disappearing from the nest for more than a day at a time but, after a week of this, then stayed around the nest. However, on the morning of Friday 21st August, both 8R6(26) (99 days old) and 8R7(26) (96 days) were seen spiralling up on thermals over Manton Bay, led by 33(11), a short while after 10:15am. Neither of the chicks were then seen on or near the nest, so had obviously started to make their way south. It’s interesting that they chose to go together. The winds were favourable that day, blowing from the north west, so we hope they both made swift, and safe, progress.

Meanwhile, over on our previously unoccupied nest this season, at Lagoon 4 on the reserve at Egleton, we suddenly had a regular visitor. We were able to see this close up thanks to the two cameras now installed at the nest. Identified as 9R0(26), one of the chicks from Site B, she was being visited by her male parent, 359(21), who would bring fish and sticks. This went on for a few weeks.

The sharp-eyed of you might remember the number 359(21) as he was one of the pair that spent a lot of time at Lagoon 4 last year, but he and 3H9(23) went their separate ways when they returned this year, taking up spaces on nests where experienced parents didn’t return. 359(21) took over from 30(10) at Site B, pairing with HJ8(14), and they had two chicks – 8R9(26) and 9R0(26). According to Tim Mackrill, HJ8(14) looked like she had already migrated and 359(21) was left feeding the two chicks, with 8R9(26) staying at Site B and 9R0(26) moving to Lagoon 4. Interesting behaviour and possibly shedding some light on the off-nest time of our Manton Bay chicks…

For the full end-of-season nest recap for Blue 33 and Maya, here it is: https://youtu.be/WG3D1VpRpHo?

Thank you so much for being with us today. I will be posting one or two times per week for the next little while. I find that The Girls and Toby are quite needy, in addition to my regular every-other-day hospital visits. Keep us in your thoughts. We are hanging in there, and I hope that you are, too, no matter what is thrown at you. We can’t change what happens to us, but we can change how we react. Right now, Don is much more content, and that helps me. We have picnics, listen to John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Double Fantasy album, and dance in the dayroom with the help of a wheelchair. It makes us smile.

Thank you to all who created videos today – Rutland Water, SK Hideaways, Holly Parsons amongst others. To those who posted information and images, we are always grateful and to the owners of the streaming cams – thank you more than you will ever know!

Last osplet at Osprey House Environment Centre dies

14 Septmeber 2026

It is with profound saddness that I report that the last surviving osplet, of three, died of starvation at the Osprey House Environment Centre in Australia today.

Hope had been bringing in fish for her only surviving chick but her mate, George, would fight her for the fish and take most of them. On occasion one would slip by and she could feed herself and the baby. It was not enough. The little one perished of starvation.

It is not clear to the precise reason for George’s behaviour but I suspect he has injured one or both eyes or has an eye disease and cannot fish for himself.

Here is the announcement from 22 minutes ago:

t is with great sadness that we share that our last remaining chick has passed away.

We know many members of our community have been following this nest closely and will be upset and disappointed by this news.

We understand that events like this can be difficult to witness and often raise questions about whether intervention is possible. While we appreciate the concern and care people have for these birds, wildlife management agencies and nest monitoring programs generally follow a non-intervention approach with wild osprey nests. This means that, except in very specific circumstances involving human-caused threats or immediate risks to public safety, natural processes are allowed to occur without interference.

Ospreys face many challenges throughout the breeding season, and not all chicks survive to fledging. While this can be confronting to observe, chick mortality is a natural part of the life cycle of wild birds and contributes to the balance of healthy wild populations.

Our role is to monitor and share information about the nest while minimising disturbance to the birds. Intervening in natural nesting events can cause additional stress to the adult birds, disrupt nesting behaviour, and may not improve outcomes for the remaining chicks.

We have also received many comments about one of the adult ospreys, with some community members concerned that George may be unwell. While we understand these concerns, there is currently no clear evidence that capturing him would improve outcomes. Capturing and handling wild raptors can cause significant stress. For this reason, intervention is only considered in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear need and a reasonable likelihood of a positive outcome.

We thank our community for the care and interest shown in this osprey family throughout the season. We will continue to monitor the nest and provide updates on Hope and George.

❤️Thank you for helping us appreciate and respect wildlife by allowing nature to take its course.

Late Sunday in Bird World

23 August 2026

Hello Everyone,

It is a gorgeous Sunday afternoon on the Canadian prairies. The sky is a clear blue and there is a breeze making the 25 C temperatures seem slightly cooler. It was a lovely day for walks with Toby and, because Don slept last night, I woke up feeling like a new person. It is amazing how a good night’s sleep makes all the difference to our lives!!!!!!! Don has been waking up every hour and a half. Normally he is ‘very quiet ‘, but for the past week, he has come to my room and turned on the light, waking up Hugo Yugo, Toby, and me. Of course, he was simply confused about where his room is, but he had also been making a bit of a mess in the kitchen. Last night, I decided to try and tire him out, so he was given the job of sweeping the deck and helping me break up the old cedar feeders. We put them in the thick forest area of the back garden where they will decompose and provide places for insects that the birds enjoy so much. I love that area of the garden. It is completely ‘wild’ – not touched by a human hand except for us placing this wood there. It is full of birds and squirrels enjoying life in the middle of a big Canadian city. It just makes me so happy to provide them with a safe place to rest and eat. In addition to helping with the deck, we gave Toby an ‘extra’ walk and I made certain that Don did not fall asleep until 2100. he woke up once at 2300 and then slept until 0715. (I have cameras watching his every move). He got dressed, got a drink and quietly dosed on and off on the sofa until Toby and I got up at 0900. Magnificent.

As a result, we have rearranged the living room and cleaned it a bit, cleaned out the fridge, and had a couple of walks with Toby, but the real treat was having fresh blueberries in pancakes for breakfast with our local maple syrup. It was delicious and something I rarely get to, since I am usually too tired to be bothered. Don loves pancakes, and he ate them, smiling with every bite. I was so happy.

It is fairly quiet with all of the birds. Fish are (or not) being delivered in preparation for migration which has started. Many of the UK females left at the beginning of August. Blue 35 from Foulshaw Moss left on the 9th of August followed by Blue 717 from another Foulshaw Moss nest on the 14th. Aurora departed and has been photographed fishing at Lytchett Bay, Poole Harbour. Geemeff sent me a great photograph of her. – and credits are given in Geemeff’s summary below but this is about Darvic rings.

How would we know that this is Aurora? Well, only by her underwing pattern or the pattern on top of her head. Of course, the Darvic ring on her left leg tells us its distinct number. I am a strong proponent for ringing the osplets in the nest. I am so very grateful that this is common practice in the UK. Some states research osprey, but every day I hope someone has ringed Wensi or the Ps to learn about their dispersal. Of course, I really want every surviving osprey and eaglet to be ringed around age 35 days (or at the appropriate time per species).

We held our breath as it was reported that a fishing line was attached to the back of little SE37 at the Sydney Olympic Park WBSE nest. It was horrible to see – just like the little fluffy ball had been caught by someone fishing, but through the back. Thankfully, a miracle happened, and the hook fell off into the nesting material. Of course, it is still an issue because it’s still there, but let us hope the adults’ experience means they will make sure it is worked into the nest or removed.

All I could think when I heard about the hook was my goodness what else can happen this year?

Locals have an eye on Beau at the NE Florida nest where he has been seen perched a short distance from the nest. Gabby will be arriving soon!

Everyone is still home at Hellgate Canyon. Wensi on the nest fish calling. Clarke arrives with a huge headless fish and then, to our surprise, Iris photobombs!

Sleepy Wensi on the nest hoping for a breakfast fish.

Clarke does a quick drop trying to protect his talons and flies off.

Here comes Mum Iris to check on things.

Iris reminded me of the pilots learning to take off and land – she literally touched the nest and took off again. I hope she found a big fish. Like you, I worry about Iris – she is so loved, and I want to see her often before she departs. We do not know what the next migration will bring, but I hope the winds of late March and April return our beloved Iris to us as well as Clarke.

Wensi had trouble eating the head of the fish and he flew off with it. Did he go to the Owl Pole? Does he need Mum to help? Will he lose his big fish to an intruder?

Not on the Owl Pole.

It is raining at Blackbush Beach Resort in PEI, Canada. No one seen at the nest.

The two fledglings at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum are doing so well – fish are being delivered to the nest and they look to be in good condition.

There have been a few updates about Sol, the osplet from the Fru Rauer nest, which was taken in for care and then placed in a foster nest. According to the chat, Sol was seen on the ground and then flew off over the treetops when she noticed humans. It is unknown whether the foster male is feeding her off the nest.

White 63L was on the Fru Rauer nest today.

Another angle. Beautiful osplet.

And then two waiting for fish.

Maya and Blue 33 at Rutland Water today. What a gorgeous couple. They finally get to spend some time together before Maya departs on her migration.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 22nd August 2026

Today’s big news is the sighting of Aurora 536 at Lytchett Bay in Poole Harbour a week after her last appearance on nest cam on the 14th. This is the second year running she’s been sighted there by the photographer Mark Wright, she was seen last year on 18-19th August so this is obviously a familiar route for her and a known place to stock up on food before making the crossing over to Europe and then across to Africa. Link to Mark’s photos in the bonus section. Louis and Juniper are the only family members still around, he brought her three fish today, taking the Nest Two tally to four hundred and fifty three. Steve Quinn published his usual thorough analysis of the fishing stats today, a search for Nest 2 fish summary to week 18 will bring up his post. There was an interesting discussion aroundLizB ‘s theory that Amber’s early departure at a very young age might mean she could be male, and could be Chick One rather than Chick Two. Both are possible but as always, we can only speculate and hope to see or hear of Amber as an adult and perhaps answer one of those questions. The weather was settled, cloudy and cool today, and should continue overnight with a low of 11°C, a chance of light rain showers tomorrow morning then cloudy and dry with a high of 15°C.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/r4tOzShipbY N2 Juniper takes her breakfast fish with a lot of noise 06.15.55https://youtu.be/6g-Kz9WCG9Y N2 Coal Tits and Blue Tits flit around the nest 12.08.52https://youtu.be/1f_iytCua-I N2 Louis brings a flatfish for Juniper 19.07.25https://youtu.be/3ARP09vhi0g N2 Fish number three is gone in three minutes 19.42.34
Bonus photos – Aurora 536 spotted in Poole Harbour by Mark Wright  – she was seen there 18-19 August last year, so she’s taking a familiar route south:

Osprey 536 aka Aurora from Nest 1 at Loch Arkaig, ScotlandSeen today in Lytchett Bay, Dorset, England@harbourbirds.bsky.social @ukoi.bsky.social

— (@markwright12002.bsky.social) 2026-08-22T14:37:02.052Z

Everyone’s invited to join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and you’re all welcome:

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

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Thank you so much for being with us today. It is mid-afternoon. Time for tea and some shortbread and then to discover what I can find to keep Don tired tonight! Wish me luck.

Have a good end to your week, everyone. Take care of yourselves. If you feel overwhelmed, please just stop and take a deep breath. If you can, go for a walk or sit quietly, even for a few minutes, and listen to songbirds. It is easy to reach burnout. It is easy to become so anxious. I suggest stopping watching the news altogether. We do, and while a little filters through with e-mail, most of the time I am oblivious to what is happening outside my little world. It gives me peace. Sometimes that is what we really need. Peace and quiet.

Thank you to Geemeff for those wonderful images, videos, and the summary; to everyone who posts on FB and includes images; and to the owners of the streaming cams who let us share in the good and the bad that happens at the nests!

Amber fledges at Loch Arkaig amongst others…late Tuesday in Bird World

28 July 2026

Hello Everyone,

My life has always been made richer by the people who are part of it, and that includes all of you. I appreciate your notes, your quiet recommendations on the best stain cleaner, thunder jacket, vaccinations – what a caring community. You let me know about any news I might have missed and your wishes for me when I am sick and very tired are so appreciated. I am blessed. I am also fortunate to have readers/followers/Bird World friends who either volunteer or work at many of the rehabilitation centres where our raptors wind up staying and getting help.

I know that everyone is anxiously watching for updates on Jackie. I have also been annoyed by those who are impatient and rude. I am sure you have seen their comments. I know that our local wildlife rehabilitation centre is now taking in twice as many patients as it did before the other facility in our province closed. So what I am asking you to do is simply sit back and wait. Imagine a few people trying to create miracles with new patients coming in and the world watching them. Can you imagine if that patient was our dear Jackie, the most famous bald eagle female in the world, perhaps?

Most wildlife rehabilitation centres work on a shoe string. They do incredible things with very little, to the astonishment of everyone. I still recall E17 and the flight area at Humane Indiana. They didn’t need a fancy enclosure to get that eaglet back into shape – they just needed dedicated staff and volunteers who refused to give up. E17 was returned near the nest in South Bend. It was remarkable.

Jackie is in the best place she can be. I know that the Ojai Raptor Centre has received numerous donations to help with her care. But let us not forget that every test for an exotic toxin, every IV bag, every transfusion – it all comes at a great cost. Just the testing for lead is so expensive, never mind everything else. So if you are still considering donating, please do and label it for Jackie’s care.

The Ojai Raptor Center has very humble beginnings. The Founder, Kim Stroud, who retired in January, started taking care of sick/hurt birds in her backyard and in a wood shop behind her place of business in 2000. In 2010, Kim was able to move her operations to the Ojai Honor Farm; four acres on a former minimum security honor farm facility. With the help of generous donations, they were able to transform some buildings into a medical hospital and added a number of flight cages.

In 2023, ORC brought on board Dr Kat (as she is called), who brought her own specialised training to the centre, including infectious disease management. With a small full-time staff and a host of volunteers, they focus on the care and treatment of all winged birds.

Like all non-profits, ORC struggles with the costs of running a full-scale wildlife hospital and depends on local support to maintain operations. In 2024, ORC was in deficit because they needed to replace flight netting and repair water lines. And today, more and more patients are coming into care as rivers and lakes dry up, habitats are lost, or accidents occur.

So please help, if you can. [I know that everyone and every organisation is struggling, but I mention this because Ojai is an exceptional centre. It is where Dr Sharpe took Victor!

But please wait for updates. Limited staff and volunteers are needed to help clients/patients and are not answering phones. We know that Jackie had a blood transfusion and that she improved and then had a setback. They are working tirelessly to determine the cause of her anaemia, but she is beginning to eat independently, which is a big plus. Send Jackie all the best wishes that you can.

CBS LA gives us the latest: https://youtu.be/-0XUI4plX-8?

Louis and Dorcha’s second hatch, Amber, Blue 8P6, fledged today. It was a magnificent flight. Amber stood on the edge of the nest looking towards the loch and began flapping her wings. She flew like a pro to a nearby pine tree – seen in the distance in the video. The landing appeared to be perfect as well.

Geemeff has the video of the flight: https://youtu.be/_D4wW_-SVS0?

Amber returned to the nest just like a pro – what a strong chick! Geemeff has that landing: https://youtu.be/9BQRF4ykYeI?

At the Pont Cresor nest, Aeron Z2 is proving that he is quite the fisher. He once again brought in two fish at a time! There is clearly not a problem with food in Wales for the ospreys.

It is quite a different story in the US, where females abandon their chicks in the nest before fledging to find food to build up their bodies for migration, before they starve. At South Cape Meadows, Hera was last seen more than two weeks ago. Zeus was delivering fish to the single surviving osplet, Uno, but has not been seen in two days. The situation is dire, as the organs of the osplet are already beginning to shut down. If the food isn’t delivered today, this chick will starve in place. I cannot tell you how much that breaks my heart.

I am afraid that if I lived there, I would load a backpack with ice and fish and deliver it to the nest. Then I would argue in court that the human cause of this great disaster besetting this region of the US and its ospreys.

They have turned the camera off on Uno at the nest of Zeus and Hera. The chick will starve without any help. Why not feed it? They know the cause. The fault lies with the State of Virginia, which takes political donations and a handful of jobs over the entire region’s ecosystem and its other employment – ospreys die. The whales and dolphins have left. This is simply more than tragic.

Despite the high temperatures, the two osplets at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum are doing well because the amount of fish is keeping them hydrated.

A fish for the only surviving osplet at Cowlitz PUD.

All of the osplets have fledged at Clark PUD in Washington State.

An adult arrives to help with the fish and another fledgling shows up at Clark.

The surviving two have fledged at Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, also. Well done!

Mum came and took the leftover fish.

All is well at Blackbush and I believe that is Tiny 4 flapping its wings.

At Oyster Bay, there is a lot of fish calling while one fledgling enjoys a fish.

I wonder if the fishing is hard near Charlo. Charlie really needs to get a fish on the nest for Winnie and C22.

There was a bit of a fish fight over a small one at the Poole Harbour nest of CJ7 and Blue 022.

I love the look of Dad in the background. It looks like 6T7 has it for sure but…wait..

6T9 ultimately keeps the fish.

At Upper Newport Bay, Ripple arrives and Dad delivers a breakfast fish.

At Salmon, Idaho, Dad delivered a nice fish and everyone was able to get a share.

At the Usk Valley in Wales, the second chick that had often been aggressively treated by its older sibling took flight today at 53 days! Congratulations 0U1. The older sibling, 0U0, fledged on the 19th of July at 53 days.

I want to close with some more happiness. At the Osprey House Environmental Centre in Griffin, Australia, two little osplets hatched to George and Hope. I understand that big sister, Maria, who helped last year, has dispersed.

UTU has fledged at Seili in Finland! Congratulations. https://youtu.be/PzDWEAGh7Zg?

And, last, Geemeff brings us the exciting news from Loch Arkaig today!

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 28th July 2026

Amber did it – she fledged today! With a quick check of her wings, Loch Arkaig Osprey chick 8P6, AKA Amber, opened her wings fully and launched off into the big wide world. She made a perfect landing on the Scots Pine tree, stayed there for a few minutes, then took off again and didn’t return for five hours. Her return was as elegant as her departure, she landed smoothly from a hover over the nest and then walked forward and cuddled up to her sister Juniper 8P7. Louis brought three fish today, taking the Nest Two tally to three hundred and forty two, and Dorcha and Juniper shared two of those while Amber was away enjoying her new found freedom but she’d had a good meal from the first fish. Aurora 536 on the other hand got no fish at all from Garry LV0 despite calling loud and long, but each time he turned up, his talons were empty and she eventually departed. A year ago today was her last appearance on nest cam in Season Nine – it will be interesting to see if she turns up tomorrow. Garry’s total remains at one hundred and eighty four. It started raining this evening before night cam came on, and the forecast is for heavy rain and a gentle breeze with a low of 13°C overnight, changing to light rain with a high of 17°C tomorrow.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/wp0EydNwzCo N2 Louis delivers breakfast and stays despite Dorcha’s displeasure 05.05.40

https://youtu.be/8MYq1V7Hfu8 N2 Only Juniper and Dorcha are there to share fish two 16.42.30

https://youtu.be/PYcuxxSKZNQ N2 Louis brings a third fish and Amber’s still not back 17.31.41

https://youtu.be/9BQRF4ykYeI N2 Amber’s triumphant – and elegant – return 18.16.46

https://youtu.be/dGhvVpbhgWU N1 Garry arrives but still no fish so Aurora departs 19.10.51


You’re invited to join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum – all levels of knowledge welcome!

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

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Thank you for being with us today! Take care – and remember, please put out water for wildlife. See our little visitor looking for food who had a drink from the birdbath last night!

Thank you to Geemeff, the wonderful folks at Ojai Raptor Centre, everyone who posted on FB with information and images, and the owners of the streaming cams.

I just wish everyone was as brave as Viki and a few others who are out there providing fish because they understand that the lack of food is human-caused.

Hatch watch for Sally and Harry plus is F23 missing (again?)…

2 March 2026

Good Evening Everyone,

The collective trauma of our neighbourhood over the death of a very long time resident in a house fire continues to rock each of us as the house continues to be demolished. I have had little time to focus on the birds in our nests choosing instead to walk with Toby and Don in the warm sunshine of a -5 C Monday.

The sky is blue. The birds were singing. The Girls do not know what has happened, but Toby is acutely aware that something is wrong. I find myself continually fascinated by a canine’s ability to ‘read a situation’. There is an acrid smell in the air even though the plumes of smoke have now dissipated. Toby could tell I was ‘upset’. It reminded me of a show I saw once where a blind lady was buying a new house and the final decision belonged to her service dog who happily approved one house – tail wagging happily – while running in circles in and out to remove stress at another.

So I am still not 100%. My issue was that it brought back the death of our dear friends across the street in their house fire. Both houses were story-and-a-half, timber-framed, built in 1902. The residents at both houses were friends; the latest victim was the best man at Bert and Joanne’s wedding. So there is a lot of history and everyone who loved plants and gardening got advice from Jim. There is a spot between my house and the lovely young woman next door on the boulevard. A tree in the summer ‘Jim’s tree’ will be planted there. She also created a neighbourhood emergency contact form so that no one ever has to search again for contact information in case of an emergency!

The big news of the day is that it appears F23 is missing. I ask, is this again? Barb Henry posted images of F23 the other day when people thought M15’s partner was missing, but, as I understand it, Barb Henry and others have been unable to locate F26’s mum today. M15 is doing a magnificent job of bringing prey to the nest and sometimes being allowed to feed his only eaglet, who has now branched to the Attic. Flight is nearing! M15 can handle this, as you all know. Some might say this is ‘a piece of cake’ after raising month-old eaglets to fledge when Harriet disappeared. If I hear anything, I will let you know.

As you know, my granddaughter now lives north of Sydney, Australia, and it is hot in Australia. The summer was a scorcher. The Guardian writes about how this is impacting wildlife.

A scorching summer has left Australian wildlife on the brink, but it doesn’t have to be this way | Euan Ritchie and Jess Harwoodhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/01/a-scorching-summer-has-left-australian-wildlife-on-the-brink-but-it-doesnt-have-to-be-this-way?CMP=share_btn_url

Boone and Jolene welcomed their second chick, JC27, Monday morning. Congratulations! Boone is a great provider.

All is well at the Winter Park Bald Eagle nest of Brutus and Peanut.

It was gulped rodent and leftovers for the owlets of Owlvira and Hoots Monday morning.

Eaglets at Dade County Bald Eagle nest of Ron and Rose continue to explore branches of the nest. They are also observing plucking!

Duke Farm’s only is a sweetie!

And the countdown to osprey return begins. It is approximately 37 days until Iris is expected to land on her nest on the parking lot in Missoula, Montana’s Hellgate Canyon area.

I am expecting many ospreys to land in the UK at the end of March. We wish for everyone to return safely.

Big Red and Arthur continue to work diligently on the next. Eggs in the next fortnight possible!

Pip watch at Moorings Park osprey nest of Harry and Sally. Keep your eyes on that camera! Don’t you love the sound of an osprey thanking her mate for bringing her a fish?

Sally is acting like something is happening. She keeps talking to Harry!

Toby says there is nothing like tearing up Mum’s dish towels on a sunny afternoon!

Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. We will see you soon.

Thank you to The Guardian for its reporting and to the owners of the streaming cams who allow us to look into the lives of our favourite raptor families.

All is well in Bird World

8 January 2025

Hello Everyone,

Gosh, it is going to warm up to 0 C. The ice build up that was causing so many people issues, including myself despite heating tape, etc., is melting! The sun is shining and the sky is a light baby blue. Toby is off on his walk with Ellen and right now our world feels calm. Cardamon buns are rising in the kitchen in preparation for a visit from Don’s cousin.

In Bird World, there is no news of Akecheta. I never give up on him. I like to think he is off looking for Thunder and didn’t take too much to Haku, preferring to keep his life and limbs intact rather than fighting all out.

The baby eaglets are growing like bad weeds – most of them do not have to share food, which is only a plus. Only Ron, Rose, Gabby, and Beau have to contend with the bonking sessions. I do love Gabby. When she gets fed up with the pair of them, she just sits on them. Mind you, they are pretty evenly matched, and from watching the cats in the house, it is good to get some ‘play fighting’ in before one gets lost in the world without the safety of the nest.

​​NE32 hatched at 1:00 am on December 31st 2025, NE33 hatched at 7:54am on January 1, 2026 according to the bot on chat.

Girri is doing just fine -. I don’t know about you but this is the happiest I have felt about the fledglings at the Orange scrape in years. Girri is going to triumph.

Well, the news coming out of the UK on the illegal sale of peregrine falcons to the Middle East should get everyone in an uproar.

‘Hundreds’ of UK Peregrines targeted for illegal falconry trade in Middle East – Raptor PersecutionDownload

‘A’ sends their commentary from the heat of Melbourne: “https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn6uMhgdwro&list=TLPQMDUwMTIwMjZJCtxYfy21yQ&index=2

He is panting heavily when he brings this monstrous catch up to the tower scrape. Darling Gimbir. He is such a sweetie. Look at those eyes. Diamond really does seem to attract some special males, doesn’t she? I do miss our precious Xavier a great deal, but I am very happy that Diamond has a devoted and very young mate. It shows that somewhere relatively nearby (presumably within 50km), there is a scrape successfully fledging young peregrines. Now that is a lovely thought, is it not?

Meanwhile, that pair at NEFL are outrageous. Lots of exercise at least. Poor Gabby and Beau – getting bonked by their own offspring. Feisty is the appropriate word at this age I suppose. But I really do hope they cut it out pretty soon and settle down.

At Chez A in Melbourne, it is 39C today and the temperature still climbing at 2.30pm (the forecast is for 42C) and it’s as much as anyone can manage. I do worry about the garden birds on days like this. I tell everyone that the best thing they can do for the birds (apart from growing trees and also nectar-producing shrubs for all our honeyeaters and parrots and so on) is provide them with fresh water in summer. When days are above 40C, everything in the garden needs water, including all the pollinators and other insects. It’s not just the birds and the cats. We’re all praying that no-one throws a cigarette butt out of a car window anywhere rural today – the fire danger is rated extreme. We lost over 100 people in a single day on the last really bad bushfire day.”

Big Red spotted. It is always a good day. She hatched in 2003 seven miles from her nest at Ithaca. She was ringed in October of 2003. She will be 23 years old this year.

A good news story.

The Royal Albatross are partying like it’s no tomorrow at Taiaroa Head in New Zealand! They are looking for future mates, dancing, and sky calling. It is fantastic. https://youtu.be/P5SyyM-f6rs?

All other eaglets that have hatched are doing well. No problems that I am aware.

Thank you for being with us today. We are doing exceptionally well. The sunshine brings both happiness and hope! Take care of yourself. I will be back with you probably on Saturday.

Thank you to those individuals who created videos or took photos and posted them online so that I might share them with you on my blog. Thanks, ‘A’, for your comments – stay cool! Thank you Raptor Persecution UK for bringing us the news uncensored when it concerns our raptors.

Monday in Bird World

5 January 2026

Hello Everyone,

Yes, did you notice? Two Mondays in Bird World. Alas, it has been a tiring week!

Don is home from the hospital, missing his brand new SuperPuff long coat, glasses, and runners. What does one say and do? You file a form and hope that they turn up! In the meantime, you carry on and try to find replacements! Don was safe, but no tests were conducted in eleven days, just assumptions made. Please don’t hesitate to ask me if I am happy. I am decidedly not. I need an ultrasound to determine if this is a prostate issue or something else. If it is a prostate problem, then what is it? Thankfully, they won’t be sending me a bill!!!!!!! And I won’t have to mortgage my house to pay for his care.

Toby was relieved that Don was home.

I will be calmer when the issue at hand is resolved as you can imagine.

SK Hideaways videos week of 12/28


AEF-NEFL EAGLES: Nest of Gabby, Beau, NE32, and NE33
Courtesy American Eagle Foundation/NEFL Eagle CamOps https://nefleaglecam.org/
Nest Cam 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouWBQoVFegI
Nest Cam 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQrJv_Dt4tY
Cam 3 (Approach view) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImHK7o8UHXE
Nest Cam 4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gkln9bA4CwE

Mom Tricks ~ Gabby Stops NE32 & NE33’s Fighting by Brooding Them (2026 Jan 2)
NE32 is 2 days old, NE33 1 day.  They have already found the boxing gloves, but their closeness in age makes it a fair fight. When Gabby ‘s food distraction didn’t stop the mayhem, she simply brooded them ~ putting an instant stop to the fight. Just six minutes later and a couple half-hearted punches, they sat like little angels and took food from Gabby. Her maternal experience worked it’s magic. 
Video: https://youtu.be/uEn8H53cEwg

Beau Meets Super Bobblehead NE33 and Feeds Super Snacker NE32 (2026 Jan 1)
Gabby made Beau wait a while before letting him meet NE33, but when she finally did, it was a sight to behold. Beau was immediately smitten with his third offspring (his first being Bodie in 2025) and settled in to brood both NE32 and NE33. A short while later, NE32 let Beau know it was snack time and dad was happy to oblige. While NE33 was still tuckered out from hatching, the smell of fish did cause the little one to stir. The stirring too the form of much wobbling and falling from side-to-side ~ seeing as that big head isn’t quite yet cooperating. We’re sure they’ll both be super snackers by tomorrow. 
Video: https://youtu.be/DZBMVvi5tp8

NE32 HATCHES! 12-Hour Lead-Up ~ Congrats Gabby & Beau!  (2025 Dec 31)
NE32 arrived after working to escape its shell for about 36 hours. We summarized the 12 hours that led up to NE32’s arrival. Congratulations to Gabby and Beau, and welcome to the world NE32!
Video: https://youtu.be/i4lIg-u3yIc

FALCONCAM PROJECT: Nest of  Diamond, Gimbir, and Girri
Girri Flight Training with Dad ~ 2 Days, 3 Cameras (2025 28-30 Dec)
As mum Diamond watched, Girri soared around the tower and beyond with dad Gimbir. We think this big, strong female has aced flight training and is ready to move on to hunting.
Video: https://youtu.be/m1LEx9dQ_pQ
Courtesy FalconCam Project, Charles Sturt University NSW (http://www.csu.edu.au/special/falconcam/)
Box Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv2RtoIMNzA
Ledge Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuZaWzhXSAI
Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KCFRoO6URs
Tower Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQxrTGgNu4M


TWO HARBORS EAGLES: Nest of Cholyn & Chase
Cholyn & Chase at 27-years ~ Morning Check-in, Brunch on Nest (2025 Dec 30)
At 27 ~ almost 28 ~ years old, Cholyn and Chase are still the lovebirds they were when they first paired up 22 years ago. They checked on their nest this morning, which is already in good shape for eggs, should they grace us with them next year. Later, Cholyn returned with a nice fish, which she took her time to enjoy. Every moment with this special pair is a precious gift. 
Video: https://youtu.be/GOApBZhGIb8
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Two Harbors Eagles Cam Ops 
Eagle Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5T2eHM8tcI
Overlook Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yx7RKxpyzQ

There is sad news coming out of FOLFAN. The ten-year-old nest tree collapsed during a storm. Oh, if only there were the resources to help support these old nests!

Incubation continues at the new Window to Wildlife Winter Park, Florida Bald Eagle nest and cam. The female is blind in one eye. Link in post.

The two surviving eaglets at Superbeaks are doing very well indeed and now have their fluffy white down Mohawks.

Gabby and Beau continue to do a magnificent job at NE Florida.

I wanted to get those videos of SK Hideaways off to you before the end of Monday. Please take care. My posts will be short – I have to be caregiver and nurse and we are still monitoring Toby for any issues. Send us good energy as we move forward.

Thank you to SK Hideaways, those who post on FB, particularly Bald Eagles 101, and the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to participate virtually in the lives of our beloved eagles.

Girri soars high!

3 January 2025

Hello Everyone,

It is a full moon night on the Canadian prairies with a temperature of -16 C. Tobby and Hugo Yugo are curled up beside me on the sofa along with a couple of ‘Little Lambs’, Toby’s favourite toy. Ann spent the morning with Toby while I went to the hospital to see how Don was doing.

I felt really ‘proud’ and happy when the nurse sat me down, hugged me, and told me how well I was taking care of Don. You don’t think it – or I didn’t – his clothes are always clean, and so he is. I feed him, for the most part, whole foods, giving in to a love of cookies that his mother created by her excellent (and constant) baking when he was younger. His bloodwork is good, and he is very healthy given his condition. I know that many have expressed concern about his discharge back into the home, but the root cause was not his dementia, but rather a serious problem with his bladder that the doctors have now repaired. He was very alert today, and after I had been there for about an hour, his oldest friend, Andrew, arrived, and you could hear them laughing several metres away. I slipped out quietly, knowing that his other friend from high school would be arriving shortly. Ann stayed home, monitoring Toby to make sure he didn’t start haemorrhaging again. Toby is getting stronger and more like himself. It was so nice having him snore in my ear last night – I will NEVER complain again about that! Sometimes he is so loud he could shake the roof off the rafters.

Thank you for all of your notes. I want to publicly pass on a big shout-out to Heidi and her video that was included on Day 11 – many of you have downloaded that blog so that you can watch her handiwork repeatedly. She is exceptionally talented, and I am so glad that our paths crossed in this lifetime.

The nurses have asked me to rest up for a few days, so my posts over the next 2-4 days will be shorter and less comprehensive. As most of you can tell, I have a real soft spot for Gabby and now for Beau after adoring Samson for so many years. Those two little scrappers in NE Florida are adorable. And like all of the other eaglets in the nests, they are adored by their parents. My goodness, I wish we could sprinkle this type of eagle love all over the planet.

Girri is one of those great events from 2025. Having sobbed our eyes out with the loss of Xavier, we thought Diamond would not have any chicks. Then along came Gimbir, and well, everyone thought he was too young and inexperienced to be a Dad. Well, were we wrong? Diamond and Gimbir gave us one heck of a strong female falcon, and here she is flying above the trees near the tower! https://youtu.be/ECUH1DwWGao? It just doesn’t get much better than this at the Charles Sturt University Falcon Cam project.

It’s not a raptor… but this is a story everyone should know about. China has footage of a Wild Siberian Tigress with five cubs in Hunchun. Northwest Tiger and Leopard Park. This is thrilling news! They normally have 2-3 cubs so five is rare and is a great conservation success. Here is the link to the video: https://youtu.be/JaSsbkfC5N4?

The BBC reports, “Five Siberian tiger cubs have one very proud mum – she’s the first ever tiger known to have given birth to quintuplets in the wild in China. 

The family have been spotted in Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park, which is one of China’s first five national parks and covers over 14,000 square kilometres – that’s around the same size as Northern Ireland!

It’s very rare for Siberian tigers to give birth to five healthy cubs, so it’s a big success story for the park, who say it’s likely that mum had the cubs back in June.” (27 December 2025)

It is all good for Beau and Gabby at NE Florida.

The AEF captured Gabby feeding Beau who then fed the eaglets with the food. How cute was that?

E26 is a massive eaglet. Want to bet we have a strong female here for M15 and F23 this year? Thermal down. Pin feathers. And quite enough food and more than enough love from Mum and Dad.

What a little cutie – the other only – at Captiva for Connie and Clive.

R9 and R10 are just adorable. Ron and Rose are doing a fantastic job at Dade County. Life is looking good!

One of my favourite all-time books about a human being changed by an encounter with wildlife was Raising Hare. Here is an incredible story about a Japanese island inhabited by Hares! Can I put it on my bucket list?

‘A place of darkness and light’: the uninhabited Japanese island that became a rabbit paradise https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/02/japan-island-rabbit-okunoshima?CMP=share_btn_url

I really do like those very short stories in The Guardian. Look under Environment, then Wildlife. 350 words or fewer. Always informative.

UK’s warmest spring on record led to rise in songbirds breeding, data showshttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/dec/30/uk-warmest-spring-on-record-led-to-rise-in-songbirds-breeding-data-shows?CMP=share_btn_url

Time for Toby’s last medication. Oh, my dear darling little man. The sheer idea that I could have lost you is beyond my comprehension.

This week, I learned two significant things I would like to share with you, in the hope that one or both might help you in the future. If you know of anyone whose behaviour radically changes, from calm to agitated, please get them to the doctor to check for an infection. If you know or suspect they cannot pass urine, do not be shy about stating this. It is critical. Secondly, if you see any blood, watery or otherwise, in your pet’s vomit or diarrhoea, rush them to the vet. Do not sit around and twiddle your thumbs, I mean, rush. Toby’s life was saved because of quick action on my part and that of Dr Maryam.

Thank you so much for being with us today.

Thank you to the owners of the streaming cams that let us glimpse the breeding seasons of our wonderful raptors. Without them we would never see the joyful moments shared by these parents and their chicks! I would also like to thank The Guardian for their constant reporting on issues about wildlife. Thank you Holly Parsons or that great capture, to Cilla Kinross for her post and to the China Daily for its story on the Siberian Tiger.

Pip for Beau and Gabby!

30 December 2025

Hello Everyone,

Great news from the American Eagle Foundation. It is official. Beau and Gabby have a pip. This is what I have been waiting for – and what joy this little one will bring.

This image is from the AEF:

First, please do send me some of your favourite memories from our bird nests so that I can post them on 2 January! I really want to hear from you!

SK Hideaways Videos, week of 12/21/25

Channel Island Eagles

Fraser Point Eagles: Elusive Cruz Visits Nest with Andor ~ A Few Sticks are Shuffled (2025 Dec 27)

It was a real treat to see Cruz and Andor together after Cruz’s nearly 2-week absence from the cameras. For those who haven’t met this pair, we provided a little history as they did a bit of stick shuffling and hanging out. 

The female, Cruz, hatched at the Pelican Harbor nest on Santa Cruz Island in 2006 and was the first known chick to naturally hatch on the islands since 1950. Andor hatched at the Baby’s Harbor nest, also on Santa Cruz Island, in 2017.
Video: https://youtu.be/ijOvAohCxeA
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies, explore.org, Fraser Point Cam Ops
Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY4V_AppZ6s

Two Harbors Eagles Cholyn & Chase ~ 22 Years of Devotion & Territory Rule (2025 Dec 21)
Cholyn and Chase briefly greeted the morning together at the nest before Chase departed to do eagle things. Cam ops then gifted us with close-ups of Cholyn and we took the opportunity to share some history of these 27-year-olds marvels, who have been together for 22 years. Their story is part of the eagle restoration program in the Channel Islands that began in 1980. Through trial, error, and extraordinary work by scientists at the Institute for Wildlife Studies, the program has been wildly successful. Cholyn and Chase, now the elders of the Channel Island eagles, are just one piece of that story.

Video: https://youtu.be/y_ZPyUTo92E

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

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

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

FOBBVCAM Eagles🦅
Original live video courtesy of  @FOBBVCAM   https://www.friendsofbigbearvalley.org/

The opinions presented on this channel do not necessarily reflect the opinions of FOBBV.

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

Jackie With and Without Fishing Line 🎣 With Shadow and Wonky Stick (2025 Dec 26-27)
Jackie arrived on December 26th with a long bit of fishing stuck to her beak. She stayed at the nest a short time, flying off with the line still attached.  We were relieved to see her arrive the next morning without the fishing fine, but with a beautiful, big wonky stick. Shadow joined later to celebrate and we all breathed a sigh of relief. 
Video: https://youtu.be/qscEDVaWNwM

Jackie & Shadow Bicker, Beaky Kiss & Bump During Big Nestorations (2025 Dec 26)

Jackie and Shadow spent just over an hour bringing a wide variety of branches to build up rails and begin forming an egg cup in anticipation of nesting season. Along the way, they entertained us with bickering, beaky kissing, and bumping each other to and fro.
Video: https://youtu.be/cn4LWsO8YQU

San Jose CH Falcons: Hartley & Monty Stop By to Deliver Holiday Greetings ❄️ (2025 Dec 25)

Hartley and Monty stopped by for some pair-bonding after opening and devouring their Christmas gifts.

Video: https://youtu.be/pXDnrxiFGQE

Courtesy San Jose City Hall Peregrine Falcon Cam

AEF-NEFL Eagles: Gabby and Beau Have Long Conversation Before Changeover (2025 Dec 23)

Gabby and Beau may have been discussing the fact that pip watch for NE32 and NE33 is just 2-3 days away. They talked for quite some time before Gabby relieved Beau of incubation duty. The chortling and chirping was music to our ears. 
Video: https://youtu.be/2UAbkrjUyp8
Courtesy American Eagle Foundation/NEFL Eagle CamOps


FalconCam Project GIRRI RETURNS TO TOWER! 2025 Dec 23
Girri shows off her strength and flying skills as she returns to the top of the tower to meet up with her parents. She fledged just 5 days ago. Great job, Girri! (2025 Dec 23)
Video: https://youtu.be/2Yvnm67rL2A
Courtesy FalconCam Project, Charles Sturt University NSW (http://www.csu.edu.au/special/falconcam/)

Box Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv2RtoIMNzA

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

Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KCFRoO6URs

Tower Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQxrTGgNu4M

We’re on HATCH WATCH at NE Florida for Beau and Gabby and it is raining Monday night. The AEF confirmed a pip in the afternoon around 3pm.

Gabby is restless.

There will be a little one tomorrow.

We have a hatch at Hilton Head.

Everyone else is doing fine.

My news is that my husband is in the ICU waiting for a bed in the hospital so that he can be fully treated. I do not know what the future holds but he is calm and knows me, and there is nothing nicer than lying next to him cuddling. Thank you for all your positive wishes – that beautiful energy sent from around the world is precious and is helping us I am certain.

Please take care of yourselves. I will check in tomorrow briefly.

Thank you to SK Hideaways for their great videos, to the owners of the streaming cams, and to those who post news on FB. My blog would be nothing without your input.

Day 23 Welcome to Winter…Eggs at John Bunker Sands, Hatch at Captiva

23 December 2025

Hello Everyone!

Good Morning.

-17 C and overcast. No sun in sight.

It was a great night. Our visiting canine, Nellie, settled in and slept through the night – and so did the rest of us! We woke up refreshed. Toby and Nellie headed out with Ellen at 0930 while ‘The Girls’ had their breakfast in peace. When the dogs got home, Don and I looked at the four sad bananas on the counter and set about to make banana bread. It was a great start to the morning.

Hugo Yugo and Toby were holding hands last evening. I can’t get enough of this puppy and sweet kitty. They have to either be touching or near to one another.

Oh, these animals just lift my spirits.

There are two eggs at the John Bunker Sands Wetlands Bald Eagle nest in Texas! That one flew right by me I was so intent on finding out about Girri. Congratulations.

That egg cup is deep!

SK Hideaway’s video of Girri’s return: https://youtu.be/2Yvnm67rL2A?

More videos of Girri reaching the tower. This one from Falcon Cam Project. https://youtu.be/0IIRQz6eImM?

Let’s hope we see more of Girri’s strong flying. It gives me hope that this fledgling of Diamond’s will survive!!!!!!!! She is one heck of a flyer.

Our friend ‘A’ is checking on Angel, the Leucistic Hawk, and her mate Tom and found an update from Connor at Window to Wildlife: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHDDXUkIKio

Connie and Clive have a hatch at the Captiva Eagle cam. CE14 looks strong and alert.

E26 appears to be lucky (in some ways). No indication of a pip in E27’s egg. This is day 38 for that egg. Yes, it is still within the time frame for hatching. Would I want it to? Well, I wouldn’t. Many will. E26 is strong, healthy, and eating well. A lack of a sibling means no bonking – that has already started at Dade County in force with the Rs.

Gabby and Beau continue incubation at NE Florida. I am getting excited for their first pip next week.

Jackie and Shadow are visiting the Big Bear Valley Bald Eagle nest! They were there Tuesday!

Ron and Rose have a nest full of food for C10 and C11. There are still a few bites of Coot and a whole lot of fish ready and waiting.

If you missed Ventana Wildlife’s December chat, here is the link to find out what is going on with the California condors: https://www.youtube.com/live/_FO6WuxmL08?

The post today is quick and sweet. We hope you are not caught up in the rat race of the build-up to the final days of the holidays. Take care. We will see you tomorrow.

Thank you to the owners of the streaming cams where I took my screen captures, to SK Hideaways for their video, to ‘A’ for alerting me to Connor’s Window to Wildlife update! This blog would not be the same without you and without all those amazing members of Bird World!