Tag Archives: Bald Eagles

Help the Osprey!

15 September 2026

Hello Everyone,

I know that you love each and every species – many are die-hard followers of osprey, eagle, stork, falcon, and albatross streaming cams.

However, it is time to step up and defend the Ospreys. They are, as many of you know, the ‘canaries in the coal mine, and they are starving to death because of a lack of fish. Please read the following carefully and check out David Sikorski’s first post, which explains how to participate if you cannot be present at the hearings.

David Sikorski serves on the ASMFC as an MD rep but not on the Menhaden board. I work for the Coastal Conservation Association and oversee our work in MD and VA. He said to me today, along with the link below: “Hello! This is the direct link to all things addendum II. It does not have preferred options for conservation as it is the ASMFC portal but is the best place to send people to find out how to participate in the process.”

Atlantic Menhaden Draft Addendum II

Barbara Slatcher writes on FB today: “Here is a good graphic showing how low osprey reproduction is in salty water. Almost 0 chicks in the black research areas. Amazingly all the way up the York River red and black up the Rappahannock. There are 10,000 nesting pairs in the Bay watershed. The research only includes 1,000 pairs. Imagine what the total losses of chicks actually are.”

Map illustrating 2026 Osprey productivity in Chesapeake Bay, indicating areas of young per pair with color-coded classifications: blue for >0.8, yellow for 0.4-0.8, red for 0.2-0.4, and brown for <0.2.

The American Bird Conservancy posted:

A social media post from American Bird Conservancy discussing the decline of Osprey breeding success in the Chesapeake Bay due to the loss of menhaden fish.
An osprey perched on a branch with a fish in its talons, alongside a message about the declining nesting success of ospreys in the Bay.

In Osprey Land, Iris is still in Missoula, Wawa is still at Seaside, and C22 was still at Charlo.

Geemeff sends us a daily update:

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 15th September 2026 

A mostly dreich day where the only action was a multi-species visit from a mini flock of songbirds – in order: Coal tit, Wrens, Chaffinches, Blue Tits, Robin and Great Tits (thanks Steve for the ID). More wet weather expected tomorrow with some dry spells.

Today’s video:

https://youtu.be/utvaZrX0SZ8 N2 Birdsong heard as various little birds flit around the nest 07.18.38

Bonus action: still time to vote for your favourite tree, open until 29th September:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/tree-of-the-year

Special blast from the past: on this day in 2023, Roy Dennis, the UK’s foremost raptor expert, appeared on BBC Morning Live presented by Gaby Roslin and Gethin Jones to discuss the reintroduction of White-tailed Eagles (AKA Sea Eagles):

https://youtu.be/H3lx3b8nY1I Roy Dennis and the Sea Eagle reintroduction programme 2023

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/qgk4rPFKrhc N1 Nocturnal intruder: A Pine Marten visits 2020
https://youtu.be/RVho3ocVmbE N1 All aboard the Osprey Express! 2020
https://youtu.be/HgkvgBpoz4A N2 Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris) climbs up Dorcha’s perch 2023 (zoom)

Still chatting at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, probably not for much longer:

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

News from Ventana Wildlife about the wildfires impacting the condor community:

VWS Logo From the Director

September 15, 2026

Dear Mary,

Timber Fire Update
The Timber Fire remains in limbo, and our biologists still can’t get to the sanctuary to place lead-free food at the feeding site. The wild flock is steering clear of the area too for now, so we’re keeping a close eye on conditions and will let you know as soon as it’s safe to get back in. Watch Joe Burnett‘s firsthand footage from when he went up to release the condors early because of the fire, they would have otherwise stayed in captivity a few more weeks: Watch VideoSave the Date: October 24 Release
Join us live at our early October Condor Chat & Release to watch it happen. This special event replaces our regular last-Thursday Condor Chat for the month. A huge thank you to Oregon Zoo, San Diego Zoo, and The Peregrine Fund for these incredible birds.

Before that, tune into our September 24 Condor Chat, where you’ll help name this year’s Rookies! The crew is going with a rock and mineral theme this time, think Jasper, Obsidian, Marble, and more. Viewers vote on their top five favorites from the biologists’ list, then our interns match each name to a bird based on the personality they see over the following weeks.Thank you, as always, for following along and for standing with us and the condors.


With gratitude,

Kelly Sorenson
Executive Director

…and the Condor Crew
Ventana Wildlife Society

Hawk Mountain’s Migration News:

Table displaying bird species with their weekly total, season total, and 10-year average counts.

Do you love storks? ‘J’ sends us a link to a great video about the Stork Capital of the World

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=alfaro+storks

I have very good news today. Don is being transferred to a specialised physical and occupational therapy unit at another hospital as soon as a bed becomes available. Today, he walked and was very lucid. A plan is in place for him so we wait to see how he will do.

Take care everyone! Please find time to be outside – it heals all manner of ills.

Thank you to Geemeff and ‘J’, to all the individuals who posted on FB or sent links and notes such as Ventana Wildlife, and to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to watch our favourite bird families. I am very grateful to David Sikorski for sending me the information I need to stay informed and take a stand on menhaden gillnet fishing, which is destroying the food ospreys need to survive! Thank you, David, and to everyone else fighting hard for the ecosystem the ospreys depend on.

SE 38 doing well…late Monday in Bird World

15 September 2026

Good Evening Everyone,

We’ll all have empty nest syndrome soon. Most of the ospreys have flown to their winter homes and left us to watch the peregrine falcons, the WBSE, and the Bald Eagles! I don’t know about you but watching Mum at Port Lincoln incubate eggs isn’t all that exciting but I do love seeing Dad bring her a fish in the morning.

2026 osprey breeding performance was the worst ever recorded for the Chesapeake Bay is published:

https://ccbbirds.org/2026/09/14/2026-osprey-breeding-performance-was-the-worst-ever-recorded-for-the-chesapeake-bay/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUVbtlwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAGJyaWQRMTZoQ0E1VjhDc2d0eFltOWhzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEec6lb7hxKRLNitQ6vdA7CgcNVVIhwpEt3CwzYXnCBhv5NrjGUOoGppvjhriI_aem_aIZsd4fHd_kVZPH_evaucg

More and more organizations and people are supporting the reduction of the amount or the entire stopping of industrial fishing of Menhaden.

An osprey with outstretched wings stands on a wooden platform near its nest, overlooking a green marshland with a city skyline in the background.

I am so pleased.

The takeaway from the report: “The 2026 breeding season was the worst productivity year ever recorded for osprey in the Chesapeake Bay.  Average productivity in waters above 5 parts per thousand (ppt) salinity (N = 769) was 0.25 young/pair.  On a global scale, the annual breeding performance required to maintain a stable population ranges from 0.8 to 1.3 young/pair.  Only pairs nesting within tidal fresh waters (N = 168 nests producing 1.04 young/pair) exceeded the breeding performance threshold required for population maintenance.  Eighty-one percent of all pairs nesting in waters above 5 ppt failed to fledge any young.  Of pairs that did produce young, 70% were single-chick broods.  The 2026 results extend the ongoing trend of productivity decline throughout saltier regions of the Bay.”

Unless something is done, ospreys will go extinct in the region.

A few of the nests that still have ospreys:

C22 and Charlie are still at Charlo with Charlie delivering fish. Mostly at Roger’s Place.

I really haven’t reported on the nest of Bruce and Naha at Seaside much this season. Bruce is still there bringing fish to one of the fledglings.

Wensi has not been seen since 6 September at the Hellgate Canyon nest or owl Pole. Iris still appears to be in the area.

A tree filled with green leaves, with a bird preening among the branches, indicating post-meal behavior.

Photo of fledgling Elsi starting her migration from the Dyfi osprey nest. Thanks so much! She is gorgeous.

Osprey in flight against a backdrop of misty mountains and greenery.

Aran may still be at Glaslyn today. He was there yesterday. It was raining, not a good day to fly!

A photo taken through a camera viewfinder showing a bird perched on a branch in a natural setting, surrounded by greenery.

Dad was still at Boulder County Fairgrounds.

In Australia, SE38 is still doing well! Look at that crop. SK Hideaways has the feeding on video. It was an eel! https://youtu.be/qMUP6PbcjOg?

A parent bird feeding its chick, which has fluffy white down feathers, in a nest surrounded by leaves.

We woke up to a rainy, cold 8°C day. We needed to turn on the heating last evening. Toby certainly doesn’t mind going out to do all that ‘business ‘, but I found bundling up to go for a walk a little daunting after such hot weather only a few days ago.

We spent part of our afternoon at the hospital. Don moves so fast in the wheelchair that they are considering putting a seatbelt on him so he doesn’t hit something and fall out. The team at the hospital (his doctor, nurse, physiotherapist and social worker) are starting to formulate a plan for Donald. They are good and quite considerate of everything, including safety, which is paramount. For us, he now requires two strong people to lift him. If that continues, he would not be able to come home and would have to go into long-term care. If, however, he were to need only one person to lift him, they would provide me with a care worker for a 12-hour period, including getting Don to bed and getting him up in the morning, giving medications and giving him a nightly shower. I can sleep and not worry about him! We would also get one of those fancy hospital beds with a warning system that lowers and rises and goes up and down every which way. A nurse would come weekly to check on his bladder issues. This would be ideal. I am prepared for either scenario.

Thank you so much for being with us. Take care. I will be back in a couple of days.

Thank you to SK Hideaways, everyone who posted information and images on FB, and the owners of the streaming cams that let us watch our bird families. I am, as are my readers, forever grateful.

Iris is still here…Late Saturday in Bird World

12 September 2026

Hello Everyone,

Get the tissues out. I have a story from the hospital today. Ann and I always try to be there for at least one meal. She likes to go at noon, and I prefer arriving at 1630. It takes Toby and me about thirty-five minutes to get across town, and added up, the later time means Don will be ‘full’ (he eats well for me, and I always take a green salad and fresh fruit to wind up the hospital meal) till morning. There is no cookie cupboard at the hospital, although there is a box of homemade ginger cookies that Jaine made on his chest of drawers there – he doesn’t remember, so that is good, as he won’t try to get out of bed and fall trying to get one. (Visitors give him one). Toby and I left this evening. I reached over, kissed him goodbye, and told him, ‘I miss you’. He said back immediately, ‘I am always here’. I whispered, ‘I missyou at home’. Don squeezed my hand, raised it to his lips and kissed it. I held it together until Toby and I got home, broke down, and just cried. This has to be the hardest thing I have ever done in my life…We still don’t know the future. It is simply one day at a time, but underneath all of this is a strong foundation of love.

If you have a loved one who has dementia (not talking about Alzheimer’s – they are so different), remember that they ‘know’ things. They might look like they are snoozing, but they are listening… they feel, and they know. The proteins in their brain are changing, but that brain is intact, not dying.

Tomorrow is my youngest grandson’s birthday party, and Toby and I will stop in at the hospital on the way home. I will not be posting tomorrow, but will be back on Monday or Tuesday. I am including the video listing from SK Hideaways. Please take a look at the wonderful work they do! Also, news from Geemeff.

SK Hideaways Videos Week of 6 September 2026

367 Collins Street Falcons ~ Melbourne ~ F24 & M24
Courtesy Victorian Peregrine Project
South Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oibsohQ14cY
North Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNKk0ivuWe4

M24 Arrived Too Early F24 Sent Him Off to Fetch Breakfast ~ 2026 Sep 10
M24 arrived empty-taloned before sunrise. F24 was rather unimpressed and sent him off. When he returned 2-1/2 hours later with large prey, mum was delighted to see him. We then got to enjoy his egg lullaby as he situated himself for his morning incubation stint. 
Video: https://youtu.be/jnpk9Y1gLz8

FalconCam Project ~ Diamond (~13 years) & Gimbir (~2 years)
Courtesy FalconCam Project, Charles Sturt University NSW (http://www.csu.edu.au/special/falconcam/) ~ Australia
Box Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv2RtoIMNzA
Ledge Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuZaWzhXSAI
Tower Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQxrTGgNu4M

Egg #3 for Diamond & Gimbir ~ Pro Parents Make it Look Easy ~ 2026 Sep 10
Relieving Gimbir of egg duty, Diamond arrived with a full crop and had a quick delivery of egg #3. Gimbir returned with prey and dashed (not shown), then returned for his first 3-egg incubation stint. Well done, you two!
Video: https://youtu.be/51MYA5NH1jg

Diamond Lays Egg #2 After Chat with Gimbir ~2026 Sep 7
In my story, Gimbir stopped by the nest box with a huge crop. After some brief bonding, Diamond informed him she felt egg #2 coming soon. She mentioned that it might be nice to have a snack beforehand. Gimbir didn’t quite get the message, found a scrap for himself, and departed. Diamond already had a sufficient crop herself, so was ready to go. She delivered egg #2 at 23:24:32 with minimal fuss. Wishing Diamond and Gimbir successful hatches.
Video: https://youtu.be/r1UjuD3pQ2s

FOBBVCAM Eagles  ~  Big Bear Valley, CA ~ Shadow (12 years), Jackie (dec. 10 August 2026), Sandy, and Luna (last seen on camera 23 July 2023)
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/4wGjwVg

Shadow & Kaydee Nest Dance He Bows Out First ~  2026 Sep 11
Shadow and Kaydee spent about 8 minutes in the nest together. The changing interactions are fascinating. It is early days. We watch, learn, and trust the eagles. 
Video: https://youtu.be/I3wJZ_a33NM

Shadow & Kaydee Evening and Morning Rendezvous ~ 2026 Sep 9-10
Remembering Jackie on 1 Month Mark of Her Passing❤️‍🩹
After spending the entire day as a perch potato on Twin Pines, Shadow retired to the Roost Tree. Kaydee came along a bit later and did a nest check before joining him. In the morning, they exchanged greetings and perched on the Lookout Snag for a short time.

In addition to continuing to observe the dynamics between Shadow and Kaydee, I took a moment in this video to honor Jackie on the one-month mark since her passing. Jackie will always be the heart and soul of the Big Bear Valley eagle community, setting the foundation for the resurgence in eagle life that has developed since her birth in 2012. Jackie remains in our hearts today and always.
Video: https://youtu.be/QiFZ5UeWe6c

Shadow & Kaydee Meet at Dawn ~ Ravens Wake the Neighborhood ~ 2026 Sep 9
While they roosted separately overnight, Shadow and Kaydee met up at dawn. They watched each other across the habitat before coming together on the Lookout Snag for a half hour. They then resumed their off-season adventures.
Video: https://youtu.be/TzJPFak8rnM

Shadow’s Day ~ Stunning Horaltic Poses ~ Rain Shower ~ 2026 Sep 7
After few sightings of Shadow the day before, we were grateful to see him for a good, long time today. He started the morning on the Lookout Snag, then perched on Twin Pines for over 3-1/2 hours. While there, he displayed not one, but two spectacular horaltic poses. Lucky us.
Video: https://youtu.be/rbCoC-8tp5s


Two Harbors Eagles ~  Catalina Island, CA ~ Cholyn & Chase (28 years old; mated pair for 23 years)
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’s Day of Bliss ~ Chase Hillside Haven ~ 2026 Sep 10
Cholyn spent the morning on a favorite oceanfront perch taking in the brilliant, sparkling Pacific. She enjoyed it so much that she returned in the afternoon before visiting the nest. Chase settled on the cactus perch in the afternoon. The lovebirds watched each other across their habitat before departing on their evening escapades. Any view of Cholyn and Chase is a gift. Forever grateful to Two Harbors cam ops.
Video: https://youtu.be/Onz4H40gONQ

Iris was still eating fish at the Owl Pole today – this is the latest she has ever stayed. Let us all send our Queen of Ospreys much love and good wishes. May she eat loads of fish, get healthy, migrate, and return to us next April along with Clark.

Isn’t she amazing. Look at that size of fish! Go, girl!

An osprey perched on a tall wooden pole near a river, surrounded by trees and rocky riverbank.
An osprey standing on a wooden post, feeding on a fish in a natural setting with greenery in the background.

Geemeff writes: “Woodland Trust forum member CraigB made this tribute to Louis via chatGBP, and is happy for it to be shared:”

An illustration of an eagle soaring above Loch Arkaig, with mountains and forest in the background. The eagle is depicted landing near the water, capturing a fish with its talons, while the serene landscape reflects the highland environment.

Geemeff says: Greetings from Komodo! Interrupting my Dragon watching to tell you Loch Arkaig’s 2024’s lone survivor 1JW has returned to his translocated home in Valencia and has been seen nesting! 

WTS George posted: I received a message from Itziar on the Spanish team regarding 1JW, our 2024 chick who was translocated to Valencia:  “He has been seen on many occasions at Pego Oliva Marsh, interacting with this year’s birds and spending time on one of the artificial nests that we have built. Unfortunately, the nest that he has been using is far away from any areas of public access so is impossible to get any photos. We haven’t seen him for a few days so maybe he has begun his migration, in which case we await his return next year, and hopefully he’ll find a mate! As it’s still early September, we’re all still watching out in case he’s still around.”

Geemeff says: That is such great news after the disastrous year of 2024 that was Season Eight – the weather was foul, chick3 didn’t last long and the other two nearly died of starvation and hypothermia as Louis wasn’t able to fish in the unrelenting cold and rain plus got ill as well, and the chicks were too big for Dorcha to cover properly. Then Woodland Trust sought and received permission from Nature Scot first to try hand feeding at the nest, and when that wasn’t enough, for the remaining two to be given to Roy Dennis to join that year’s cohort of Scottish translocatees to go to Spain as part of the reintroduction programme that’s been running successfully for some years. The chicks were ringed in Spain, Yellow 1JR and 1JW, but 1JR succumbed to a heart condition leaving only 1JW. Who went on to fledge and it seems, go roaring on to return from migration as a two year old and claim a nest! What a survivor he is. Another example of the benefits of ringing, or banding as it’s called across the pond – we would never have known of his success without his Darvic ring giving an incontestable identification.

Geemeff has had a great adventure, and maybe they will allow me to share a couple of images – life is for living; always remember that. I wish I could have gone on this trip with them.

Take care, everyone. I will be back in a few days.

Thank you to SK Hideaways, Geemeff, and The Woodland Trust for the great news. I am always grateful, as you are, to the owners of the streaming cams for letting us see our birds and their lives.

Idris is on migration…Saturday in Bird World

12 September 2026

Hello Everyone!

The weather is much cooler. 15 C. It really feels like fall. The first Starling to return! Toby and I are cleaning up the garden. Ann and I now take turns, alternate days, going to the hospital. Don fell again yesterday. The nurses could not get there in time when the bed alert sounded and found him sitting cross-legged on the floor. It has now been 17 days. He is improving in some ways but his body is giving out. I am preparing myself for the fact that he might not return home. At the moment he needs constant care and watching and it takes 2-3 people to lift him. I am only one! We will do whatever is best for him.

Tobby’s grooming had been neglected. That is all fixed. He is so soft. Don kept rubbing and rubbing him yesterday at the hospital. No more neglecting. Paws and the behind are so important to keep clean. Our vet suggests washing their paws and drying the well (so as not to get anything nasty growing down deep) every time they go out for a walk.

Close-up of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a shiny coat, sitting calmly, showcasing its expressive eyes and distinct fur pattern.

On everyone’s advice, I have returned to a hobby that I love – photography. I love the new R7 camera with the 100-400 mm lens. Just the perfect weight. Let’s see what some of those first images look like!

One of the Blue Jays shot through the conservatory window. I am going to build a hide in the garden. I can only imagine how this might look if it wasn’t shot through glass.

A blue jay perched on a decorative metal hook, displaying its vibrant blue and white feathers against a blurred green background.

Mushrooms are growing all over the neighbourhood. It has been so wet!

A close-up of layered brown and white mushroom growth on a decaying tree stump, surrounded by green leaves.

The Starlings have returned – more and more to fill up on cat and dog kibble!

A blurry image caught with my iphone.

A spotted bird perched on the edge of a birdbath surrounded by green foliage.

Toby and I spend a lot of time sitting on the bench on the deck. I hope the birds and squirrels will get used to us sitting here so I can photograph them.

Iris is still home. If she is still at Hellgate Canyon on Sunday, she has broken her historical record of 11 September being the latest she stayed in Montana.

An osprey perched on a wooden pole near water, holding a fish, with lush greenery in the background.

Images from Iris’s Cafe!

Interior view of Iris Cafe with a barista smiling behind the counter, showcasing various beverages and a menu board.

Aran was still at Glaslyn, but Idris has left on his migration!

A blurred photo capturing a bird perched on a branch, surrounded by trees and foliage.

Daisy from the Loch Doon nest in the UK is still in France:

A soaring osprey with a brown and white plumage flying against a clear blue sky.

It feels like only yesterday that we were waiting for all to arrive. Now they are gone on their long journey along the flyway, through France and the Iberian Peninsula, across the Strait of Gibraltar, and down to Senegal and The Gambia.

Sightings are already being reported.

A Facebook post expressing gratitude to individuals for their work on Fishing Ospreys, highlighting a specific observation of an Osprey migration in Vendée, France, on September 8, 2026.
A hawk in mid-flight with outstretched wings against a cloudy sky.

Looking good at the WBSE nest in the Olympic Park Forest in Sydney.

Two white-bellied sea eagle chicks in their nest, with one parent nearby. The scene captures the natural habitat of these birds, featuring leaves and branches in the background.

Osprey House Environmental Centre posted some incredible images of George and Hope’s only surviving chick. Look at those feathers.

Close-up of a young osprey with its beak open, displaying bright yellow eyes and intricate feather patterns in the background.

The Ps are catching their own dinner!

A hawk perched on a tree branch surrounded by lush green leaves.

Seasonal news from Dunrovin posted by Sheila Staley on Osprey Friends FB:

9/22/16 Dunrovin

“It looks like the 2026 season is over, although Swoop may still be in the area fueling up, he hasn’t been seen on the cams. This has been a fun year, with very little drama, there was some sibling aggression but it didn’t last long. A couple of highlights was when Swoop feed the chicks and when he caught a fish so heavy he had to swim to the river bank. Winnie was still nervous with some of the ranch activities but seems to have been more comfortable/calmer than in the past. Before her last visit on the nest, Winnie was out of site for a few days, then she made a few appearances a couple of days before she was last seen. Spangle left after Star kept keeping him from the nest. Star owned the nest for the remainder of the season. Swoop provided his girl with plenty of fish. Star was last seen flying toward the river. Hoping for safe travels for all the Dunrovin Ospreys and look forward to seeing Swoop & Winnie in the Spring of 2027.

Stats:

Return Dates:

Swoop – 4/10/26

Winnie – 4/13/26

Eggs laid Hatched Fledged Notes

5/2/26 6/9/26 8/4/26 Star (OE4), female

5/5/26 6/10/26 8/2/26 Spangle (OE5), male

5/8/26 not viable

The chicks were banded on 7/22/26, named on 8/2/26, the gender was determined by the bander.

Last Seen:

Winnie – 8/21/26

Spangle – 8/23/26

Swoop – 9/8/26 *likely around 9/9

Star – 9/9/26 10:05am

Videos of some highlights:

Swoop feeds chicks

Spangle fledges

Star fledges

Video of Swoop’s big catch and swimming to riverbank”

Two ospreys perched on a wooden post in a green field.

Oh, how I wish every nest would post this information and keep it in an archives.

Raptor Monitoring Scheme in Scotland, Annual Report. Osprey nests are up!

https://raptormonitoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Scottish_Raptor_Monitoring_Scheme_Annual_Report_2024.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawUSU45wZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4K1RbpD-Jrzjtyj9Ty3y25cFQlQeBPF7hSe-OZLhji1we1rOBW4dXyzlBYFg_aem_ptCbu9YcLYC7Hbzdl14p9Q

Will Bradley get a mate before Ervie?!

Two ospreys on a nest in South Australia, one adult osprey perched on a stand nearby as the sun sets over the ocean.

I’m an environmental activist and osprey lover. I am also a Canadian and as everyone knows – I want this Canadian company out of The Bay. Save the ospreys!

Facebook post outlining a lawsuit by the Southern Maryland Recreational Fishing Organization against the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to halt industrial harvesting of Atlantic menhaden in Virginia waters.
A map displaying flight paths around the Chesapeake Bay area, with several planes marked and timestamps indicated. One area is highlighted in a red circle, showing grouped flight activity.

More ways to have your voice heard on this matter:

Social media post encouraging public comments about Atlantic menhaden and fisheries management, emphasizing the importance of community voices in environmental decisions.
Illustration of an Atlantic Menhaden fish in water, featured on a document about the Menhaden Draft Addendum II from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.
Screenshot

Please do not use rodenticide! This happened in an area close to where I live.

A close-up view of a hawk lying on the ground among fallen leaves, with its head resting on the ground.

On a happier note, Hope is doing a great job despite George in Australia.

Two ospreys and a chick in a nest, with one osprey feeding a fish to the chick. Background shows greenery and a body of water.

SE38 continues to get nice crops from the feedings by Lady while incubation continues at 367 Collins Street and at Orange with the falcon families and at Port Lincoln with the ospreys.

Two white-bellied sea eagle chicks in a nest, with one parent eagle standing nearby. The nest is surrounded by greenery.

The latest on Shadow and Kaydee by SK Hideaways: https://youtu.be/I3wJZ_a33NM?

There is a lot more news, but that is it for us today. Take care, everyone. Wish that Ervie finds a mate this season for next year – and that Dad continues to get some fish to Mum at Port Lincoln. Do you ever wonder if the raptors just want to retire from raising families?

A big shout out to SK Hideaways for their Big Bear video! Thank you to everyone for their posts on FB today and for the owners of the streaming cams – we will be forever grateful to you for allowing us the opportunity to witness the lives of our beloved birds.

Diamond lays third egg…Late Thursday in Bird World

10 September 2026

Greetings Everyone,

I want to wish all my readers who are celebrating Rosh Hashanah starting tomorrow a very happy New Year’s celebration.

It was hot for September. 27 C today with a gentle breeze now and again. The children are all back to school as of Tuesday, the day after Labour Day. The Blue Jays are currently enjoying a late-day feed on peanuts. I can see Junior at the big table feeder right now, with a grey cat walking around the lilacs. Toby will take care of that. He always allowed Brock once he was trained, but he gets rid of the others. I am always afraid they will attack the birds – all are well-fed pets!!!!!!!

Toby and I were home today. Ann was at the hospital, and Don continues with physiotherapy and occupational therapy. It is a long road ahead before he’s strong enough to come home. I am going up tomorrow and Toby is going to the groomer. Poor little guy. He loves to run outside but he gets burrs in his lovely long feathering. He likes his baths and his feet soaks but he really is due for a clipping.

We lucked out today. One of our neighbours gave us some lemon cucumbers and there is a beautiful bouquet from Oak Knoll Farms. Both put a smile on my face. Have you ever tried a lemon cucumber? If not, you are really missing something delicious.

A bouquet of pink roses and buds arranged in a white watering can, with greenery blurred in the background.
A wooden tray containing five yellow melons, displayed on a dark surface.

Oh, we know that the world has turned upside down in terms of raptors when we get to hear from our friend ‘A’ who writes to us out of Melbourne. This news sadly found its way to the Junk Mail folder and I only found it today. We will be looking for more lively commentary as the season progresses.

“The top news is that dad arrived on the ledge at the Collins Street scrape, looking perfectly healthy, just before 6pm Melbourne time (8 September). This is of course a huge relief to everybody. 

Not sure whether you caught this piece of news but our albatross chick is on his way to Chile. He was a strong healthy lad and should have a good chance and we wish him godspeed and lots of fish.

Of course, being me, I’ve spent a lot of time watching the Olympic Park nest and counting the bites SE38 is getting. As if I wouldn’t be! SE37 really is a Zoe. I can handle a bit of sibling rivalry, but this is so vicious and occurs even when SE37 can barely reach over her crop to attack her younger brother. Lady is the only reason the little one is still alive.She has been wonderful, taking so much time and effort to try and feed her younger hatch. He is terrified of SE37, and it is sad to watch him cowering as Lady tries to coax him to lift his head and eat.

He has learnt to creep up the nest to mum, where he sometimes arrives in time for some bites but often does not. He has had a few good days followed by two or three bad days and I’m wondering whether things will improve or get worse as SE37 gets more and more gigantic. It really is hard to watch. I find myself skimming over the footage and studying the feedings but it’s a depressing watch most days.

Gimbir is absolutely adorable and is making a wonderful dad in this, his second season. He is devoted to Diamond and very keen to participate in all things paternal, which is so cute.” 

Diamond has now laid her third egg if you missed it! SK Hideaways has it on video: https://youtu.be/51MYA5NH1jg?

Correct me if I am wrong, but I don’t believe Diamond has ever fledged three chicks. This could be a first.

A peregrine falcon sitting in a nesting box, surrounded by small eggs and gravel, with a view of the countryside outside.

Iris is still at Hellgate Canyon. There is even an Iris coffee shop now run by the students. According to Dr Greene, Iris flew by the window along the river during the opening!

Interior of Iris Cafe with staff and customers, showcasing a coffee preparation area and colorful wall art.

Lucille Powell caught Iris:

An Osprey perched on a tree in a rocky landscape, surrounded by evergreen trees, captured by a wildlife camera.

Teifi, mate to Elen at Glaslyn, is still home as is Dinas in the Glaslyn Valley.

Volunteer Gail Edgley observing Ospreys at the Glaslyn estuary, highlighting their identification and behaviors.
An osprey flying over a shallow body of water, holding a fish in its talons.

Jeff Kear carried the latest Dyfi migration report. Note that Idris remains enjoying his fish dinners to himself. No doubt these males get tired and out of shape, just like the females, and need some ‘me time’.

Bar chart showing the age of Dyfi Osprey chicks at migration from 2011 to 2026, with blue bars representing average male age and red bars representing average female age.

So grateful to Suzanne Arnold Horning for keeping up with the Ps, where at least one is still on the Cornell Campus with Big Red and Arthur.

A hawk is perched on a metal railing at the top of a building under a cloudy sky.

We still have ospreys in Manitoba. Why would they leave – the water is still open and there are plenty of fish in Lake Winnipeg and various other ponds around the City of Winnipeg – some people even stock places with fish for them!

A bird of prey, possibly an osprey, perched on a rooftop under a clear blue sky.

Hearings are currently underway about the lack of Menhaden. As you know, I am a Canadian, and I am not happy that it is a Canadian company (or any other international company, even one from the US) sucking Menhaden out of the Bay. Let’s hope people finally stand up for wildlife and shut down industrial trawler-based fishing! Save the Ospreys.

A close-up of a striped bass held by a person, showing visible lesions on its side under a clear blue sky near water.

This isn’t nice.

A series of images depicting dead fish floating in green water, with pieces of debris also on the surface. The lower corner shows a fishing rod and a bucket.

Our local wildlife rehabilitation centre has been busy.

Two Bald Eagles, one juvenile and one adult, at Wildlife Haven in Manitoba, Canada, recovering and gaining strength in a flyway before their release back into the wild.
A spacious aviary with two hawks perched on a branch surrounded by greenery.

A great turn out to Jackie’s Memorial:

A large crowd gathers at Fawn Park for a memorial event, surrounded by flowers and tributes. Attendees are seen taking photos and engaging with one another under a clear blue sky, with trees in the background.

Take care, everyone. We will see you again soon!

Thank you to everyone who contributed images and information on FB – and a big shout out to ‘A’ from Melbourne. Lovely to have your commentary back. We, of course, are grateful to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to watch these bird families!

M24 missing at Melbourne…late Monday in Bird World

7 September 2026

Good Evening Everyone,

It’s raining – again. We had 114 mm of rain, and some large commercial and apartment buildings near where I live had more than 60 cm of water in their basement. My daughter still does not have power after the storm hit last night. I was lucky. I have power and no water or sewer in my basement (I finally checked). Toby and I went out for a last walk. Toby just amazes me. He is smarter than many humans that I know.

He wanted to be in bed with his ‘daddy’ today. Don is doing well, but he will have to do a lot of physiotherapy to get him strong enough to walk again. Please take a page out of the phrase, ‘If you don’t use it, you will lose it’. Besides nature being good for our mental health, walking is essential to keep us moving!

Thank you for all your good wishes. They keep me going.

There is concern growing for the male mate of the female incubating four eggs at 367 Collins Street in Melbourne. This is the message from Victor Hurley:

C22 is still at Charlo! Then Charlie must still be home, too.

Iris is still home, too! One of the individuals saw her and posted it on the website so we would know she was still around.

Idris continues to deliver to the girls at the nest. I was only able to catch Elsi on the nest today for two fish (flat – flounder?).

Fish are still being delivered to 0U0 by Dad at the Usk Valley nest in Wales.

Frankie and Angel are on migration and a pine marten visits the nest.

Viki sends news on Junior. “After calling and calling last Friday and watching Dad retrieve a fish (two times in the course of the day) to eat himself, but NOT retrieving any fish I threw for him to take to his chick, Junior finally left the nest, and no one has been in it since.

Dad tried with every unretrieved fish I threw to show Junior how to fly over the fish – but Junior wouldn’t get off that nest. Until finally we all gave up and left. Then he did too.

Junior never tried to retrieve a fish that I threw for himself, so I’m not so sure that the live fish I saw him with a couple times didn’t actually come from Mom or Dad. I don’t know.

Dad was still flying about this morning  – Monday – and also the male of the nest next door (Mr. Perfect) is still guarding his territory which is being completely disrupted on shore by new home construction – but no Junior or food calling since Friday. 

So, I am assuming the best !!!”

I think this is good news from Tweed. I worried about Christopher, but both juveniles (his sister is Kirsti) seem to be doing well and fighting like siblings! Both have protected the nest from intruders who want their fish.

A glimpse at what Shadow was doing today by SK Hideaways: https://youtu.be/rbCoC-8tp5s?

Thank you so much for being with us. Toby and I are going to watch a movie and relax. Take care.

Thank you to everyone who posted information and images on FB, and to the owners of the streaming cams that let us glimpse into the challenging lives of our raptors. I also want to thank Viki for her great reporting and for keeping an osprey family alive so that their one surviving chick could live and migrate. She is my hero. I am always grateful to SK Hideaways for their great videos.

Nests getting empty, Alan Stewart’s book launch…Late Sunday in Bird World

6 September 2026

Hello Everyone,

I hope each of us has found time to relax and enjoy the weekend. These past weeks I have made some ‘resolutions’. The last time that Don was in the hospital at the end of December, I wore myself out going every day because the nurse said that I was the only ‘thing’ that calmed him down. He was quite mobile at the time and would walk up and down the hall with his little bag wanting to come home. It broke my heart so I was there twice a day. This time, things are different. And this is something I want to explore. He is not mobile. So what happened? I learned that wearing yourself out is not helpful either to you or the person you are caring for. Remember to always following the airline directions: put on your oxygen mask first! So, this episode, I have tried to make certain that there is someone to visit and help every other day – I am there on the other days. His visit went well with his friend today and everyone is taking fruit and Ginger Ale – hydration and soething familiar. He drank so much liquids at home and was never dehydrated so this is to help combat that at the hospital!

Toby needed a new stroller. He grew out of the little one. I really do hope he is finished growing. He turned 17 months old yesterday. I think we can even go to the market!

Hope has discovered it is a ‘safe’ place. Hugo Yugo (darn that orange cat) woke everyone up, attacking her around 0300. Toby took great exception to what was going on and probably woke all the neighbours up with his barking. (Toby rarely barks, but when he hears a cat howling in pain or someone is at the door – or always he will bark at the door when we are leaving for a walk).

There are so many tributes to Jackie – some are good, and some aren’t. I am really looking forward to SK Hideaways video highlighting Jackie’s life. I am encouraging a tribute to the Channel Islands eagles, especially Chase & Cholyn. These eagles often get overlooked and we have to remember they have been together for more than two decades!

SK Hideaways Videos, Week of August 30, 2026

367 Collins Street Falcons ~ Melbourne ~ F24 & M24
Courtesy Victorian Peregrine Project
South Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oibsohQ14cY
North Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNKk0ivuWe4

Mum Gives Camera “The Look” as She Lays 4th Egg PLUS Dad’s 1st Peek  ~ 2026 Aug 30
Mum welcomed egg #4 with occasional glances at the camera. We apologized for the intrusion, but extended heartfelt congratulations. Dad arrived in the pre-dawn hour to give mum a break. This should complete their clutch and begin the countdown to hatch, which is typically 30-35 days.
Video: https://youtu.be/3lP6i-JjETw


FalconCam Project ~ Diamond & Gimbir
Courtesy FalconCam Project, Charles Sturt University NSW (http://www.csu.edu.au/special/falconcam/) ~ Australia
Box Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv2RtoIMNzA
Ledge Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuZaWzhXSAI
Tower Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQxrTGgNu4M

Diamond & Gimbir Welcome First Egg of the Season! ~ 2026 Sep 5
A beautiful rainbow welcomed this auspicious day as Diamond and Gimbir celebrated the arrival of their first egg of the season. We couldn’t help but think of dear Xavier as the rainbow “hugged” the tower. Wishing Diamond and Gimbir a successful season. 
Video: https://youtu.be/sr_i_zVwODg


FOBBVCAM Eagles  ~  Big Bear Valley, CA ~ Shadow, Jackie (dec. 9 August 2026), Sandy, and Luna (last seen on camera 23 July 2023)
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/4wGjwVg

Shadow & Kaydee’s Evening Nest Meet-Up & Tug-o-Stick Before Roost Time ~ 2026 Sep 3
Shadow and Kaydee met up for some stick shuffling, a little bumping and beaking, plus tug-o-stick shenanigans. They once again retired to the Roost Tree for the night.
Video: https://youtu.be/QYcg4SWqlBM

Kaydee Returns to Nest for 2nd Night, Shadow Follows ~ Flirty Antics Ensue  ~ 2026 Sep 1
Kaydee returned to the nest for the second night in row, but unlike last night, tonight she had company. Shadow joined Kaydee on the nest, where they shuffled sticks, bumped beaks, and chortled. Kaydee was more flirty than Shadow, but he wasn’t too resistant to her attention. We cannot know what will happen when nesting season begins  toward the end of the year, but watching Shadow and Kaydee during this transitional time in both their lives is a gift and fascinating.
Video:  https://youtu.be/zrLbwsGKqDs

Kaydee Shuffles Nest Sticks Meets Shadow on Roost Tree ~ 2026 Aug31
Kaydee spent some time exploring the nest tree canopy and bowl before meeting up with Shadow on the Roost Tree. They shared a perch briefly, before Kaydee retired to a lower perch overnight.

Video: https://youtu.be/ShIpsT0zyvY


Sydney WB Sea Eagles ~ Australia ~ Lady, Dad, SE37 (hatched 13 August), and SE38 (hatched 14 August)
Courtesy Sea-EagleCAM@BirdLife Australia Discovery Centre, Sydney Olympic Park (https://www.sea-eaglecam.org/video.html)
Nest cam also at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw4pdgy3-U0

SE38’s MASSIVE Crop 3 Days in a Row PLUS A Dual Feeding by Lady & Dad ~ 2026 Sep 4-6
Over the course of 3 days and an increase in food brought to the nest, SE37 grew less aggressive and SE38 grew more confident. There was a marked difference in SE38’s appearance and behavior in this time, not to mention a bulging crop. Cautiously optimistic SE38 has turned the corner. 
Video: https://youtu.be/j4u9wW6l8og

Lady’s Persistence Gets SE38 a BIG Meal ~ Finally ~ 2026 Aug 31
It has been a rough few days for sea eaglet SE38. At 17 days old, the subordinate eaglet has struggled to get food due to sibling SE37’s dominance. But on this evening, SE37 was very full and mum Lady was very persistent. The result was that SE38 got a very good feeding and went to bed with a full crop. Here’s to more days like this one.
Video: https://youtu.be/gjJ01khy2fA


Two Harbors Eagles ~  Catalina Island, CA ~ Cholyn & Chase (28 years old; mated pair for 23 years)
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 Chortle & Chill by the Seaside ~ 2026 Sep 3
While Cholyn and Chase have been on summer vacation, we’ve missed seeing them regularly, so today’s sightings were a special treat. In the morning Chase met up with Cholyn on her seaside perch. Later cam ops found her on the cactus perch. Every sighting a gift.
Video: https://youtu.be/pIqjY1b2vDk

I am so pleased that there are videos of the Australian raptor families. SE 38 has had huge crops for the last three days! No worries there.

The last of the chicks at Glaslyn migrated. Teifi got to eat a fish – finally – in peace and quiet.

Beau and Gabby are really finishing off their nest, and it is only the beginning of September! I wonder when the first egg will be laid. Will it be November or earlier, with this being a year of high heat on the planet? Bald Eagle Live Nest Cams has them working hard on video: https://youtu.be/2FM-2ZToL3E?

Idris is still delivering fish at Dyfi. The girls are now 101 days old – the first time that two fledglings have remained at the nest past 100 days before migrating.

At Poole Harbour, Blue 6T8 had really kept her dad, Blue 022 busy with fish. She was last seen early this morning and then poof – gone?

Alan Stewart’s book on a killing of a man walking his dog:

Book launch: Prelude to Murder – Revenge Killing on a Highland Estate – Raptor Persecution UKDownload

I’m going to say good bye. It is nearly 1700 and we are expecting rain and storms this evening. Toby and I have recycling duty to get finished.

Take care everyone. Have a good start to the week. See you soon.

Thank you to SK Hideaways for those great videos, to the owners of the streaming cams we are always grateful as you allow us to get upset stomachs, buy too many tissues, and jump for joy at the events in the lives of our bird families. Thank you to Raptor Persecution UK for their meticulous reporting on raptor persecution in the UK. I just wrote to Alan Stewart and ordered his book, Prelude to Murder. While it involves a murder of a human, the individual in prison is possibly responsible for the poisoning of raptors on that estate in Scotland.

Step up for Ospreys! Late Saturday in Bird World

5 September 2026

Good Afternoon,

Toby and I are relaxing after an excellent two-hour visit with ‘his daddy’ at the hospital. I am happy to report that his psychiatrist was chatting with me at nearly 10 pm last evening, concerned about his hydration and electrolyte balance, and giving me tips on how best to care for him in the hospital. What an amazing doctor. Toby and I took fresh fruit, a Ginger Ale (great for the salt and sugar needed), and some chocolate Tim Bits (doughnut holes). Don and I showed them how he works with me, and he was not agitated when I left. I believe the antibiotics are working, but they now understand that he was not an invalid at home, and that I am more than capable of looking after him and keeping him calm. They are going to get a physiotherapist to work with him – and, well, I am feeling so much better. Thank you again for all your letters, your concern, and your support.

Many of you will recognise the name ‘Pam Breci’. She reports on many Osprey nests and loves our fish eaters so much. Please send her warm wishes and virtual hugs. She lost her father today.

The good people trying to defend the cessation of industrial fishing in and around the Chesapeake by a Canadian company are saying this is not a drill. It is time to step up. Read about the plight of the Ospreys from Connecticut to Long Island and step up to help as if their lives depended on it – because that is precisely what is at stake.

https://www.nvbirdalliance.org/news/osprey-population-decline-menhaden?fbclid=IwY2xjawUJA8RwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAGJyaWQRMXFVdjNXemRNNWVVc3hzOG9zcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe69uaMML7IfMEop1Sln46MgWN1iFxqBxSTWGvBjEDiBT527yWYif5hOkcep0_aem_nhI6kFlWOsIcsORRiSpLwQ

A heartwarming story I found online this morning. It aligns with stories of resilience in wildlife. This time, with the helping hand of some compassionate humans.

“A captive-bred peregrine falcon released at Point Loma in 1986 could not catch a pigeon. She flew into a wire. Sea gulls attacked her. A falconer named Dan Brimm spent months driving to the coast and feeding her by hand because she recognized his car and came whistling in from over the ocean every time he showed up. She was one of 12 peregrines released at Point Loma between 1982 and 1988 as part of a program to restore the species to Southern California. The other 11 left. She stayed because she could not feed herself.

The female had been released in June 1986 by the Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group as part of a joint restoration program with the Peregrine Fund. Five months later she was found injured on Pacific Beach, where gulls were attacking her. According to Brimm, she had flown into a wire badly enough to sever a muscle, and the gull attack left a permanent scar around her right eye. After rehabilitation she was released again in June 1987.

Around that time Brimm and his wife had seen Cats. The battered falcon reminded them of Grizabella, the worn-out character who returns after years away. “We named her Grizabella and resurrected her,” Brimm later told the Los Angeles Times. Keeping her alive after release remained a problem. Brimm said she never managed to catch a pigeon, so he and others continued feeding her for months. When they appeared, she recognized them and sometimes came whistling in from over the ocean.

Brimm began tossing quail for Grizabella to catch. This she learned extremely well. “She’d never miss,” he recalled. The humans then began leaving longer gaps between meals, sometimes withholding food for as long as three days to encourage her to hunt independently. Eventually Grizabella disappeared. Her last known sighting was in September 1987. Nobody reported seeing her again for more than a year and a half.

On April 14, 1989, biologist Mark Pavelka found a peregrine nest beneath the eastern end of the San Diego-Coronado Bridge. Four days later he could see four nestlings. San Diego County had gone 39 years without a documented breeding peregrine, after DDT and other organochlorine pesticides had helped drive California’s population down by more than 95 percent. By 1970, only two known nesting pairs remained in the entire state.

Photographs of the bridge female showed three details Pavelka could use to identify her: a federal aluminum band, a dead radio transmitter still attached to her leg, and the scar around her right eye.

Grizabella had made it.

Her mate was an unbanded, unusually pale male. Their nest was not much of a nest at all. It sat about 90 feet above the ground on a bridge support tower, on a ledge only 12 to 14 inches wide. Grizabella had scraped a depression into roughly an inch of pigeon droppings and accumulated dust. After Pavelka brought Brimm to meet with California Department of Transportation officials, the portion of the maintenance catwalk nearest the nest was closed.

All four chicks reached fledging age, although their first attempts at flight were rough. Two males fledged successfully on May 14. The only female collided with a San Diego trolley but suffered only superficial injuries and was returned beneath the bridge. Two days later another young male missed a landing on the tower, slid down its concrete face and broke a wing. He was sent for rehabilitation. The fourth chick, another male, fledged on May 20. The three youngsters remaining at the bridge were fed by their parents for several weeks and appeared to reach independence.

Source: Mark A. Pavelka, Western Birds, 1990, “Peregrine Falcons Nesting in San Diego, California” / Rich Roberts, Los Angeles Times, December 22, 1990 / Linda Roach Monroe, Los Angeles Times, April 1989.

Our lovely couple at the scrape in Orange:

Great news is coming out of Orange. Diamond laid her first egg of the season at the Charles Sturt falcon cam on Friday! Congratulations, Gimbir and Diamond.

A thorough history of our dear Jackie from hatch to passing: https://youtu.be/sY3U1jYyhLM?

Did you know that 2025 was the first time Jackie and Shadow fledged two chicks? Her first known chick was in 2018. Jackie and Shadow were again successful in 2026, her last year.

Juveniles appear to be heading for migration at Kielder:

Departures updates

These portable barbecues should be banned everywhere. We have certainly had firefighters trying to save entire communities in Canada that were victims of wildfires that were started by humans.

Idris is still delivering fish at Dyfi!

Wensi is at the nest – apparently she is very loud when fish calling, according to the neighbours who live near the river!

Loch Arkaig 2 appears to have gone quiet – Dorcha, Amber (not seen for some time), Jupiter and now Louis are on migration (or so it appears).

SK Hideaways has the video of Diamond and Gimbir’s first egg being laid this season: https://youtu.be/sr_i_zVwODg?

In Australia, Myna birds ride the trains wanting some lunch.

Moveable feast: myna birds on Sydney train looking for food not ‘joyride’ in viral videohttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/sep/04/expert-explains-myna-birds-on-sydney-train-viral-video?CMP=share_btn_url

It’s a gorgeous day, and Toby and I are going to spend some much-needed time working in the garden. We’ve neglected many things over the last two weeks. The rain and the humidity have added to a ‘tropical growth spurt’ in both shrubs and weeds!

Please take care. We hope to be with you again soon.

Thank you to everyone who contributed images and information to the various FB groups that I have shared with you today. Thank you to the owners of the streaming cams, SK Hideaways, The Guardian, and I especially want to thank everyone working so hard to stop the industrial fishing of Menhaden. We need to be diligent everywhere, not just in the NE of the US. Companies are scooping up fish and contributing to the depletion around the world.

Euthanise wounded wildlife? Maybe not…Friday in Bird World

4 September 2026

Hello Everyone,

Toby and I are just back from the hospital – it is late on Thursday. In some ways, Don has improved, but he is still fighting infections, and they have changed his antibiotics. We are all hoping that he responds to the new antibiotic.

Toby was good, and everyone noticed. He sat in the chair by Don’s bed and licked his ‘daddy’s’ hand. If I asked Don to put his hand out for Toby, he responded positively, and he knew that Jaine had visited him yesterday. He said she made ‘good cookies’.

One of the most positive things that happened is that Ann and I were able to communicate with Don’s brother about how wrong the hospital was to assume Don was an ‘invalid’ when he was home! That was the assumption. They now know that he walked no less than 3 km a day. That is the total for Toby’s walks, but there are additional walks at the nature centre and parks. There was also an issue with his normal medications not being given. That is now fixed. Some steps forward. One thing I have learned over the past week is that we have to advocate for our loved ones. Don’t assume doctors and nurses know everything about them; they need to, to provide the best possible care! They have many patients, and there are long-held beliefs about people with Alzheimer’s and dementia that are not always true. I am so fortunate that Don is in a very caring hospital and they listen, think, and advise.

Your continued prayers and good energy are so welcome.

Geemeff is having a marvellous adventure. Still, they are finding things for me to share with you. The former vet at Wildlife Haven was a strong advocate against euthanising animals. She believed, based on her observations, that wildlife can overcome many challenges and live normal lives. Think of a three-legged deer (or dog or cat). Here is a wonderful story about a raptor with a broken wing that has survived for three years in the wild.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crerw2nj81zo

I also received a wonderful article from Connie Dennis, founder of the Nova Scotia Osprey FB group (along with her husband, Dennis) and author of the adorable book, Pickles. This is about the plight of the two osprey nests at the Eastern Passage where construction crews are dismantling old fuel containers (think toxic).

Advocates keep eye on ospreys as DND removes old fuel tanks in Eastern Passage – Halifax Examiner https://share.google/33SRa31FyUGf96b7o

‘So much more than beautiful birds’: Advocates keep eye on ospreys as DND removes old fuel tanks in Eastern Passage – Halifax Examiner

Halifax Examiner

Thanks, Connie. Everyone needs to step up in our quickly changing environment to help the ospreys (and all wildlife). They are often targets at the whim of people who are in too much of a hurry to do something.

At the Osprey Environment Centre, Hope has already lost two of her three chicks this year because of her mate, George. George takes the fish that Hope catches for the surviving chick, and Hope is struggling to feed herself and the chick. I have not seen this in the time I have been researching ospreys. Has anyone else?

In stark contrast to what is happening to Hope, Iris has had a magnificent year with her new mate, Clark. Their only hatch, Wensi, is big and strong! But, the question on everyone’s mind is: when will Iris depart for her migration? Lucille Powell posted the dates supplied by the Montana Osprey Project’s files:

She is still in Missoula. Because it is early September, she is nearing the time when she typically departs for her annual southward migration to warmer winter climates. You can watch live updates and check her current status on the Cornell Lab Hellgate Ospreys page.

Clark is delivering fish to a screaming Wensi! The cam operator is giving us some great images of this miracle chick.

There is an excellent update on Snow, the Traverse City eaglet, whose nest slipped and it fell.

Ospreys are now fishing in the ocean at the Outer Banks. With the Super El Niño coming for 2027 and droughts in areas that they migrate to (Central and South America), let us hope that they adapt quickly.

Dads still hanging with their kids in Wales.

At Glacier Gardens, eaglet Compassion has fledged.

Smile. Lady kept feeding 38 til it had a crop so big observors wondered if it would pop! Wonderful.

News coming out of Cornell: Suzanne Arnold Horning writes:

“Last nite we had a very strong line of storms pass through NY state. We did spot one of the Ps on the antenna at Barton Hall but I forgot to share last nite.

Tonite we were quite relieved to find both Ps on campus. One was on the hillside on a pole beyond the smoke stacks. The other P was perched on top of Sage, calling away and giving us a Big Red stare.

I love that the Ps are still on campus and have not left the parental territory!

It’s a hot and humid day on the Canadian prairies. I wonder what is in store for us with the Super El-Nino coming. I am having to fill all of the water sources for the birds (and change and clean them) several times a day.

Now that a toxic spray is approved for use on US peanut plants, I wonder what I will wind up feeding the squirrels and the Corvids??? Currently the Corvids are enjoying some juicy cheesy dogs that Ann sent home with me for them!

Here’s the link and make sure you get a tissue: https://youtu.be/Iww4OzdMNFg?

We have our purple on – Jackie was so loved.

Take care. See you soon.

Thank you to Geemeff and Connie Dennis for sharing great links to stories that should mean a lot to all of us. Thank you to Bald Eagles Live Web Cams & News for the tribute to Jackie, and to all who posted stories and images on FB, and to the owners of the cams that allow us to see these incredible birds.

Wear something purple for Jackie…late Tuesday in Bird World

1 September 2026

California has officially proclaimed September 4, 2026, as California Wildlife Day in memory of Jackie, the famous Big Bear bald eagle. 

  • The Resolution: Senator Tony Strickland introduced Senate Resolution 140, which passed with bipartisan support in the California State Senate. 
  • The Purpose: The special day honours Jackie’s global impact, highlights the importance of wildlife conservation, and ties into America’s 250th anniversary. 
  • Legal Status: It is a single-day legislative proclamation and does not create a permanent annual state holiday, official time off, or mandatory closures. 
  • Background: Jackie was a beloved 14-year-old bald eagle in the San Bernardino National Forest whose life was broadcast globally via a 24/7 livestream run by the Friends of Big Bear Valley. She passed away in August 2026. 

Those who support this bill and want to show their love and honour Jackie will wear purple on the 4th! I am telling you this early so you can find something purple!!!!!!!

I would like to thank ‘B’ for alerting me to this wonderful tribute to Jackie.

KTLA covers the story: https://youtu.be/ZJTL6ZWnJsg?s

So get out your purple. What a wonderful way to honour wildlife and our dear Jackie! Each of us needs to support wildlife so let us all join in with California no matter where we live!

Thank you for being with me this evening. Please take care.

Thank you to ‘B’, to KTLA, and to the State of California!