I do not believe I have ever seen a clutch of four eggs hatch this close together and I am so delighted. No problems between chick 1 and 4 —mind you, falcons normally never have a problem raising four. Imagine what this would be like on an osprey nest???!!
Brutus was released today. The Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey did a fantastic job rehabilitating Winter Park’s oldest eaglet. I wonder if Brutus has any idea how strong and determined ‘little’ Peanut is!!!!!!!! Watch the nest to see if Brutus returns.
Near Glaslyn, Aran has. been seen with an unidentified female sitting on a fence and at a nest platform put up by Friends of Osprey. I am over the moon for this very ‘nice’ male osprey who lost his nest to Teifi along with his mate, Elen, because he returned late in 2025. It didn’t matter this year -that relationship had already started.
Looks like they are bonding!!!!!!!!!!
Elen has laid Teifi’s second egg today.
It is going to be busy in the Glaslyn Valley this summer!!!!!!
Take care, everyone. Just a quick note to let you know all this wonderful news. There is lots more happening. Will report tomorrow.
Thank you, ‘PB’, for the news about Brutus. Thank you to everyone in the Glaslyn Valley reporting on Aran and to the Friends of Osprey, who had a platform just waiting for him and his new mate. Over the moon. Finally, thanks SK Hideaways, who have to be so excited over the events at the San Jose City Hall Falcon scrape.
First, I want to thank one of our regular readers, ‘CR’, for stepping up in response to a request. I had reached out to see if anyone had images or knowledge of the owl attacks on Peanut at the Winter Park nest. ‘CR’, so concerned about this sweet eaglet, stayed up. They took video clips and still images. Why is this important? Because another regular reader has researched methods to deter owls from striking eagle nests. ‘MP’ wanted proof of the extent to which Peanut was attacked to accompany a presentation on how this viciousness could be stopped. We know that owls also attack osprey nests – this could become very important. I am so grateful to these two readers for responding and wanting to find a way to help, even if nothing comes of it soon. Thank you both! —–Remember, we can all help in many ways, small and large.
Spring feels like it is here. 16 C. However, we are expected to have torrential downpours later this week that might cause flooding. This is nothing compared to what is happening in other parts of the world and my thoughts today are with our friends in Japan who have had a strong earthquake and tsunami.
Toby and I are ‘being good’ and trying to stay out of Melissa’s way as she cleans up after us. Best thing I have ever done recently – for myself. I love a clean house, but goodness, there was never the time or the energy to get into the corners or those cobwebs 4 metres up in the conservatory. Now Toby and I need to have a conversation about ‘muddy paws’. I am going to bed smiling – the house glistens, and this is another weight off my shoulders. My mind is calm. What a wonderful way to start the week. I am so grateful to the wonderful people who help me live through having a husband with Lewy Body Dementia. Toby loves it because we can have many more walks, and Calico is getting an extra story hour!!!!!!! Gosh, I love these animals. They hear me start reading and, like lining up to get on an ark, they begin to filter into the conservatory.
So what in the world has gone on in Bird World today?
Let’s start with some sadness and move on to great joy. All three eaglets at the Hanover Bald Eagle nest, home to single Mum Hope and Dad Spot, who isn’t helping, have died. Spot killed the last one a short time ago. Reminiscent of the first year that Scout had eaglets with Bella at the NCTC nest. Very sad.
It looks like Achieva has started off good today. I saw three fish be delivered by 1400. Jack has surprised me. Little got a nice crop but he has to wait. Big is probably a ‘really BIG’ sister.
I wonder if Jack has a physical issue and that is why he was so ‘off’ with the fish? Did he get a sprained leg? Surely ospreys get unwell and out of whack like we do! At any rate, today was a fantastic day. We will celebrate it.
More fish. Little at Achieva had a nice crop before bed! Wow. What a great day.
Lola has not been seen at the Charlo nest for two full days. The Owl Institute has published a statement that might shed some light on her absence:
Iris and New Guy 2 continue to be a presence together on the Hellgate Canyon nest! Just smiling. There was a fish dug out of the rim of the nest, too, a nice big one.
Milda has her second little WT eaglet hatch at the Durbe County nest in Latvia. Congratulations!
Beautiful day in Norway at the Fru Rauer osprey nest.
There are eggs being laid at some of the Finnish osprey nests – gosh, it feels so early. At other nests, the ospreys are arriving.
And there is the egg laid on either the 18/19 of April! And then it was ‘rejected’….goodness, the drama that is unfolding at all the osprey nests this year. “Janakkala Osprey 18-19.4.2026_Aake ei hyväksy XLL:n ensimmäisen munan / Aake rejects XLL’s first egg.”
When we visited Guadalope last year, we called the Blue and Yellow Macaw at the Botanical Gardens ‘Roger’. We brought a stuffed one home which Toby adopted the minute he saw it as a little puppy. Today, these beautiful creatures are once again back in Rio. Smile. A good news story is always welcome.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 20th April 2026
Today was another routine day with mating encounters and many fish – Louis and Garry LV0 made three deliveries each. Dorcha took all three fish eagerly, but Aurora 536 turned down her second one, preferring to remain on her perch. There’s speculation that an egg might be imminent, however, she left for the night and the nest is currently empty. After Louis and Dorcha unusually pulled an all-nighter sleeping on the nest last night, Nest Two is also empty tonight. The fish count now stands at nine total for Nest Two, seven from Louis and two from Dorcha, and twenty one for Nest One, all brought by Garry. George WTS wonders “Anyone care to predict who will come out on top between Louis and Garry? Will experience or youth count?” and so far, the consensus is Louis will win. We shall see.Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/mDwLg_MTVLs N2 Louis arrives with a well munched trout 06.41.23https://youtu.be/bWqtuXimQbI N1 Aurora seizes the first fish immediately then departs 11.03.25https://youtu.be/qXuUPwjwTYA N2 Fish number two for Dorcha, a headless trout 12.47.22 https://youtu.be/whWVIkcWqII N1 Garry LV0 arrives with fish number two but Aurora 536 isn’t there 14.01.52 https://youtu.be/qhdDPmpbXiQ N1 This time Aurora doesn’t hesitate and grabs fish number three 18.51.54 https://youtu.be/VtxsuFNS6QQ N2 Dorcha has a bit of a tussle getting fish number three 19.25.37 Bonus guide to sustainable foraging and what’s in season this month:https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2023/04/foraging-in-april/ Blast from the past, this day in previous years: https://youtu.be/wHZ82lsjm0w N1 Is an egg on the way? Aila rejects Louis 2020 https://youtu.be/BmWPo9QWyCo N1 Aila attacks Louis! 2020 (Slo-mo) https://youtu.be/aafgLlitPRM N1 Louis pays a flying visit to his empty nest 2021 https://youtu.be/9VqSvrxPL_E N2 Fish fight, Dorcha wins eventually 2022 https://youtu.be/Cc8twF7MOYs N2 Dorcha stays the night on the nest 2023 https://youtu.be/upyTm7MQoaY N2 Egg number three! 2024 (zoomed repeat) https://youtu.be/IrJUd9po9EQ N1 Garry LV0 does a flypast before bringing his fish to Nest One 2024 https://youtu.be/PlkidBYXpsg N2 Dorcha shows no sign of injury on leaving with her fish 2024https://youtu.be/F2ypJD3KP48 N2 Dorcha gets a lively breakfast 2025 https://youtu.be/_U3zHvEiUHY N1 Garry brings breakfast for Blue 536 2025
At the John Bunker Sands Wetlands Bald Eagle nest, fledgling/juvenile JBS24 returned to the nest for a fish dinner. I am so pleased that this juvenile is doing so well.
It is late and time for me and Toby to begin to settling for the night.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to this posting – to Geemeff for all the news from Loch Arkaig, to those who posted images and information on FB, to ‘J’ for the news from naturechat.org, The Guardian for covering environmental and wildlife issues, to the owners of the streaming cams who let us observe these amazing families, and to you for caring so much about our planet and our wildlife.
It is time for one of those ‘heart-to-heart’ chats with everyone who ‘only’ watches US Osprey nests. You have wrung your hands and cried when the baby died at Moorings Park. You have torn your insides out watching Achieva with the first baby dying, Jack not delivering enough fish, and now Mum having to fish because she is starving. Will Middle make it? We don’t know. It is difficult to watch osplets starve on a nest. Each of us wants every nest and every chick to thrive.
I study osprey mortality. The rate and cause of death vary from region to region. When I began my study, the top COD was siblicide – one sibling killing another. Normally, this is triggered by a lack of food, but there have been some exceptions due to food and dominance. I doubt if anyone watching the nest with Zoe at Port Lincoln (or Solly, also at Port Lincoln) will forget the eldest female eating and eating – much more than seemed possible and then killing her two siblings. Port Lincoln obtained permission to supplement the feed for the chicks on the nest in subsequent years. At Achieva, Mum is desperate. It is hot, and she leaves for only about ten minutes at a time to try her hand at fishing. She normally brings back a catfish, her legs wet. This is a huge risk for these young babies due to heat and predators, but when everyone is starving, what other choice does she have?
It is the last of the fish. Little will get nothing. Big got most of two fish.
Little had 64 bites of fish – Heidi is counting – . Still, Jill is fish-calling and fish-calling. She knows they are in danger of losing Little. She’s a good Mum.
We do not know why Jack does not deliver more fish. I have not kept up with the weather and drought conditions in the region this year. But heat and drought certainly impact fishing. Intruders taking fish from ospreys is another cause. Simple lack of fish is another – again, I wish I knew this area better. For years, there has been speculation that Jack might even have another family to feed. We simply don’t know, and speculating doesn’t change the situation.
Achieva has always been a nest where I remember the difficult year when Tumbles triumphed. Heidi and I sat up and each of us counted every bite that baby got. We monitored when Diane changed her mind and brought in a catfish at dark when the older two were sleeping and fed her baby. Tumbles was her nickname and she was feisty and smart. She ate off the old bones hidden deep in the nest. She scrambled around the rim to get to Mum’s beak to get some food. She squeezed into tight spaces to get bites so the older, much bigger siblings couldn’t get her. It was horrible to watch. At least five times, we thought Tumbles was a ‘goner’. Once, she had no fish for 79 hours. But she was a survivor. Out in the real world, ospreys cannot be timid. There is too much competition for so little in so many places in North America. So when you see a Tumbles, you always remember them – the drive to live was exceptional.
Each nest offers us a learning experience, whether it thrives or struggles. But often, our personal lives leave us emotionally worn out. We can’t stand to see another one starve to death, so below I have some recommendations for highly successful nests.
Nothing came.
In contrast, Sunnie Day reports on the Moorings Park chat: “8 fish today. 9:44, 10:38, 1:08, 2:42, 3:15, 4:19, 5:02,, and 6:31. All from Harry.” That is what needs to be happening when the chicks are bigger at Achieva. (And it won’t, believe me).
My recommendations: The first one is the Dyfi nest of Idris and Telyn in Wales. Idris is known as ‘Daddy Longlegs’. He delivers whoppers. He feeds Telyn. They are great parents. Then there is Dylan and Seren up at Lyn Clywedog. That reservoir is stocked annually with 45,000 fish (or so I was told several years ago). Then there is Poole Harbour, with CJ7 and Blue 022. They are going after some record for raising four osplets over and over again. There are others, including Rutland’s Maya and Blue 33, but there have been accidents with fish, and we have had a little one die now and then. They remain super parents still.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 17th April 2026
There is only one story of any note – the return of Louis, the dominant male of Loch Arkaig since 2017. As hopes started to fade due to his exceeding his previous latest arrival date by nearly a week, he arrived in a blaze of glory onto Nest Two at 17.57.42 this evening. Dorcha, his mate since 2021, wasn’t around and he landed without his usual soft chirrup so who’s to say they hadn’t already met up earlier in the day. We’ll never know but what is certain is that all of us watchers are thrilled, amazed and delighted to see Louis home safely and looking so well. In other news, the potential rival male JJ4 wasn’t seen today, and Garry LV0 was quickly sent packing when he intruded on Dorcha today. He returned to his own nest, Nest One, on a surfboard, and didn’t bring any fish for his mate Aurora 536 so his tally remains at fifteen fish to date. How quickly will Louis overtake that? It will be great fun to watch. Welcome home Louis!
Champagne corks popped around the world when Louis touched down. Louis has lost no time making up for being late. Fish and mating continue….eggs in a week?
SK Hideaways Videos, 10-16 April 2026
John Bunker Sands, Combine, TX
Courtesy John Bunker Sands Wetland Center Eagle Cam
Oh, the comings and goings at Iris’s nest. I cannot keep up with it! Nor can I tell Louis from one of the visitors – or maybe it is just Louis every time I check!
So many things are happening. Pip watches here and there…Peanut is back on the nest, Lola has an injury on her wing from the owl, etc. It is hard to keep up! We have been cleaning out a room today and had a short, brisk walk. The temperature with the wind was -15 C. Not so nice. But it was a good day. And I can tell you that the alarms work! Don got up this morning and decided to go outside. The siren went off. Yes, it did give him a bit of a fright, which I think will make him think twice about touching that door!!!!!!!!! It is nice not to have to take keys any longer but my real hope is that spring arrives soon.
Take care everyone.
Thank you to everyone who has been writing to me about Achieva – ‘MP, PB’, to Heidi for keeping on top of the bite count there, to SK Hideaways for their videos, to Geemeff for the daily summary and to everyone who posted images and information on FB, gosh, I am grateful to you. Thank you so very much. As always, we are grateful to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to witness the lives of these raptor families.
It’s late so it is ‘good night’. Some news has been crossing over my computer that I think you might want to know if you do not already.
First up, JBS 24 fledged today. No tree, no branches to practice, just take off and go! That is precisely what this surviving eaglet did. Congratulations to everyone!
At Achieva, Jill brought in another catfish. Little got to eat its fill and went to bed with a huge crop. I wonder if she will do this every day? If so, Little will survive. Catfish are tough old things to try and take apart to feed but, my goodness, she has found the source that Diane must have used so there will be food unless something strange changes.
There is growing concern for the plight of Lola in Charlo, Montana. Charlie did not return from migration. I have to add him to the Memorial Wall. Lola has been knocked off the nest by a GHO, hard. There have been searches for her. No sighting. Thanks, ‘PB’, for alerting me to this situation. GHO strikes, often very hard ones, can result in the osprey being hit hard enough to be sore and tired. Let us hope that Lola is off in a tree recuperating. She has been defending the nest prior to the attack.
At the Sandpoint nest of Keke and Keo, the geese finally gave up on raising goslings, and Keo and Keke returned to their original platform. Now Keo has been missing for two days. Ospreys do go MIA – I can think of several. The females do, too, especially before eggs. Elen at Glaslyn is the latest reminder of this. So let’s not give up on Keo yet, but it is breeding season, and it doesn’t feel right.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 16th April 2026
Today saw the welcome return of JJ4, the young male from the western nest. He made his presence felt, first intruding on Dorcha with a very inept attempt at landing on her back, then returning in her absence and spending quite some time nestorising, including nest scraping and having a go at the troublesome stick. JJ4 also got rid of the tricky stick that Garry LV0 had brought this morning and dumped on Dorcha, and later on he got rid of Garry himself, defending the nest vigorously when Garry intruded. By contrast, things were quiet on Nest One – Aurora 536 received one fish taking Garry’s tally to fifteen, and had several mating encounters, at least two of which looked successful. Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/Sbm_OYe9MYU N2 Garry LV0 plays seesaw with Dorcha 09.38.22https://youtu.be/jgmmHJWLDD0 N2 JJ4 makes an undignified exit after intruding on Dorcha 10.04.35 https://youtu.be/-rKKuHCP9bQ N2 JJ4 returns to Nest Two in Dorcha’s absence and does some nest prep 10.56.18
Thanks so much for being with us again today. I am very tired – like Lola defending her nest. My house is now alarmed so that if Don wanders, I will know. The day was disruptive – for everyone, including The Girls and Toby. I am hoping for a much more gentle Friday.
I hope to have a wee bit of a break from posting but it seems the birds have other ideas!
Take care everyone.
Thank you to ‘PB’ for alerting me to the catfish delivery at Achieva. Thank you to everyone who posts info and images on FB and the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to worry all the time about our dear bird families.
There have been consistent worries over whether or not Jack would be able to provide for his mate, Jill, and his two osplets at the Achieva Credit Union osprey platform in St Petersburg, Florida. I was one that doubted he could do this based on past history.
Today, with her second hatch really suffering from a lack of food, Jill took control and went fishing. She had to be really hungry to leave these two little babes, and surely the little one would not have lived much longer on the meagre portions it had had. This is something that Diane would do. Diane would go and catch catfish – she knew precisely where to go for them!
The fish was a whopper. The eldest ate well and then little go to have its fill and so did Mum. This nest was hungry!
Tears of joy.
Here it comes.
Looking for information. ‘MP’ has found a number of barrier designs for owls to be kept away from eagle nests. They understand that someone posted a statement saying that Peanut had been hit 55 times by that owl on the Winter Park nest. Does anyone know who posted that number? ‘MP’ is gathering all the information they can to try to convince the powers that be that this is possible and why it is important. Send me a note if you know. Thanks!
I was so excited about Jill’s fishing. Little Bit lives another day, and this Mum understands that she cannot rely on her mate, Jack. Sad that, but I am pleased for the kiddos.
So this is just a brief post. Take care all. See you soon.
Thank you so much to ‘PB’ for alerting me to this grand event and to ‘MP’ for learning about owl barriers in order to help eagles. To those who own the streaming cams, I am grateful. If not for you, we would not know about these amazing birds. Thanks to FB posters and to Kielder Forest for their newsy letter and the great images of Eschells.
We woke up to snow. I almost cried. By the afternoon, the temperature had risen to 6 C. Tomorrow is to be much warmer before we are plunged into the deep freeze again. Talk about a roller coaster ride to spring!
So many Osprey eggs were laid today that I do not know if I can keep up with them –
Frankie and Angel at Roundhouse Loch Doon have their first egg.
Maya and Blue 33 have their fourth egg. Yes, you read that right. Our super couple are aiming for four again!
Nest 7 at Kielder Forest where Mum KX7 laid her first egg of the 2026 season.
CJ7 and Blue 022 have their first egg at Poole Harbour. Will they go for four?
CJ7 Lays Her First Egg!First egg! – Carey Osprey Tours Begin – Osprey Diary 2026 – Spring Safaris – Heathland Bird ID – Seabird FundraiserCJ7 with her first egg of the seasonWe are excited to announce that at 12:56 this afternoon, in rather drizzly conditions, CJ7 laid her first egg at the Carey’s Secret Garden nest! This is brilliant news and 1 day later than last year, due to 022’s delayed arrival. Eggs tend to be laid 3 days apart, this means we’ll expect the second egg on Friday. Delayed incubation until the second or third egg is laid is not uncommon. This can bring the hatching times closer together, sometimes resulting in a less significant size and development difference between the chicks.
Idris and Telyn have their first egg at the Dyfi nest.
I have probably missed some, apologies! Will catch up.
At Glaslyn, it appears that Elen is still the reigning female. Teifi has been feeding her some fish. People have asked if Aran has a ‘nest’. To my knowledge, the answer is no. He does have a tree in an area that he seems to be claiming as his territory. Perhaps someone will put up a platform there! Hey, Darren Moore!!!!!!
We are expecting an egg any time at the Pont Cresor nest of Aeron Z2 and Blue 14.
Geemeff gives us the latest knews from the Woodland Trust:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 14th April 2026After yesterday’s constant nest swapping, today was very much quieter. Everybody stayed on their own nests, Garry LV0 brought Aurora 536 two fish, taking his tally to thirteen, and Dorcha had an unusual visitor in the form of a Carrion Crow, a species not seen in this area before. JJ4, the male from the western nest who’s visited twice before did not make it three days in a row and sadly neither did our lovable Louis put in a much longed for appearance. While hopes for his return are fading, his nine years in Loch Arkaig have given us many wonderful moments to cherish, and he leaves a legacy of fourteen fledged chicks, six with Aila and eight with Dorcha – not bad for the inept youngster who turned up in 2017.
In the world of eagles, Jackie and Shadow have had to work hard to protect their babies! SK Hideaways has it on video: https://youtu.be/as3C9WW-3ho?si
Suzanne Arnold Horning reminds us of the dates of Big Red and Arthur’s eggs: Big Red and Arthur welcomed their egg#1 of 2026 at 804pm on 3/23, egg #2 appeared at 203pm on 3/26, egg#3 around 11am on 3/29 and egg#4 around 11am on 4/1. This is only the 3rd time the clutch as been 4 eggs (2022 and 2024 as well).
Today seems like a long day and I am ready for a big mug of tea and a chat with The Girls. Toby has been out helping me in the garden and he desperately needs a bath!
I have sadly added two new entries to the Memorial Wall: Louis from Loch Arkaig and Ethel from Russell Lake, Nova Scotia. Neither returned from migration this year. Basic information only at present. Will be filled in within a week, I hope.
Thank you for being with us. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to Geemeff for their great summary and videos, SK Hideaways for capturing how challenging life can be for dear Jackie and Shadow, to all the streaming cam owners and people who post information on FB – we are terribly grateful to you!
‘MP’ just sent me the good news that dear Peanut has fledged from the Winter Park Bald Eagle nest in Florida. It looks like a brilliant flight and I bet that eaglet who had been attacked 55 times, according to ‘MP’, was glad to get off that nest. Congratulations!
This news was just too good not to send tonight.
Fru Rauer returned to her nest in Norway on Monday.
Winnie has returned from migration and is with Swoop at the Dunrovin nest in Colorado.
There is sad news coming out of San Francisco. This will be the very last season that we will be able to view Richmond and Wendy at the Richmond Shipyards. The streaming camera will be cut in September 2025. Here is the announcement:
My goodness – I feel a bit gutted. There are many species that are in huge decline, and in parts of the US, ospreys are one of those species! We do know that the peregrine falcons in the area have been hit hard by avian flu. Let us wish all well and just maybe someone else will take over that camera!
Everyone has heard me say that watching ospreys is better than any of the shows on the streaming stations. Well, Glaslyn has turned out to be that – and it sounds like Loch Arkaig might be as well.
Yesterday, we were certain that the Glaslyn nest would be occupied by Teifi and Eschells. Well, guess who returned to ‘her’ nest today? None other than Elen, who has been gone for a week (or a tad more). Then Aran decided to do two flybys!!!!!! At the end of Monday, it was Teifi and Elen on the Glaslyn nest. So will Aran hook up with Eschells? She would have a great mate!
That’s Elen on the perch. She appears to be ready to spend the night defending her nest. Teifi had better get that breakfast fish in early.
Geemeff catches us up with Loch Arkaig:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 13th April 2026
A very confusing day today as everyone swapped nests, three fish put in an appearance including a pike
(Esox lucius), a species not seen on the nest since 2023. The day started with the handsome new boy JJ4 visiting Nest Two but then got complicated with Garry LV0 & Aurora 536 constantly intruding on Dorcha on Nest Two, and at one stage four Ospreys were in sight although it wasn’t possible to ID the fourth, might have been JJ4 or an unringed intruder. Perhaps all the intrusions on Nest Two are due to the absence of the dominant resident male, our missing Louis, so it remains to be seen how things will play out. Despite their intrusions on the other nest, Garry & Aurora look very at home on Nest One, and the day ended with the pair of them perched quietly together looking for all the world like a pair of lovebirds. In other news, Chaddie informs us that Prince & Affric are staying on their nest at Bunarkaig, quietly going about their business. Probably just as well, as six birds swapping nests would need serious detangling skills from the watchers.
Look who is checking out the scrape at Charles Sturt University’s that belongs to Diamond and Gimbir! FalconCam Project caught them: https://youtu.be/h7EZJMtlFlU?
Watch to see what the falcons do when they come to the scrape!!!!
The difference in size of the osplets at Achieva is incredible. The wee one waits for the eldest to get a huge crop and then steps up to get its fill of fish. Mum and Dad are doing well in caring for these two.
Brevard County ospreys had a good fish day, too.
The two at Fort St Vrain are doing well. Egg 4 is within the hatch window but I am hoping that it is a Dudley! Two healthy eaglets is just fine.
That’s it for tonight. Toby and I worked hard shifting birdseed today and right now it is time for ‘Calico’s Story Time’. Take care. We will see you soon.
Thank you to ‘Geemeff, J, MP’ for their news, notes, and images. I am always grateful – the more eyes on the nests the better. Thank you to those who posted on FB and to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to share in the lives of these amazing birds.
Geemeff was the first to spot the handsome visitor to Loch Arkaig’s nest 2! Here is the video: https://youtu.be/gUBZwBc-KU4?
We wait.
It is believed that this is the same osprey that intruded on Dorcha when she was on nest 2 on the 9th of April. At the time, Geemeff could only see a ‘J’.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 12th April 2026
Amidst the disappointment of the continuing absence of Louis, Loch Arkaig’s resident male since 2017, a shining event occurred with the arrival of the very handsome male JJ4. He’s a local lad, fledged in 2020 from the non-cam nest on private land at the western end of the loch, and he looked right at home perched on Nest Two. After a bit of fiddling with the troublesome stick (which wasn’t a bother at all until Dorcha decided to move it a few days ago), he left his mark on the nest with a well-aimed squirt before flying off towards the loch. Unfortunately, Dorcha missed him as she didn’t put in an appearance at all today, we can only speculate on her motives and hope to see her tomorrow. As a six year old and Dorcha a minimum of 9 years old, JJ4 would be a good match for her should the position become vacant. But that is getting ahead of ourselves. Over on Nest One, Garry LV0 and Aurora had a typical day with fish arriving and departing the nest, sticks being brought and furnishings being rearranged, and the odd mating attempt, untroubled by any intruders.
If our birds did have enough challenges, there are the cats – Cats are the number one killer of bird species. Now they are after the oyster catchers. ‘PB’ sent this to me – we both have cats and we want to pass on the message to please keep your cats indoors.
I want to say, up front, a huge thank you to Geemeff, Mary Cheadle, and Jeff Kerr for keeping us informe on what is happening at the UK osprey nests an managing so much data so that it is not lost!
Maya is currently incubating three eggs with mate, Blue 33 at Rutland’s Manton Bay platform.
No eggs yet for CJ7 and Blue 022 at Poole Harbour. Will they raise four again?
In the US, Richmond and Wendy have their first egg at the Golden Gate Audubon nest on the WWII whirley crane on Sunday the 12th.
Heidi reports that we have the first egg at Dewey Beach – the site of much saddness last year.
Pitkin County Trails improved its camera this year and we have ospreys incubating egg/s.
The eagles seem to be doing well. There are fledglings and there are babies. The Dale Hollow nest has three getting their feathers.
There are three for Andor and Cruz at Fraser Point.
FOBBV put out a video of the rain at Big Bear and those precious little eaglets with their full crops of Jackie and Shadow. https://youtu.be/IQjt6zysT30?
Closing with Iris’s familiar pose on her perch overlooking one of the finest osprey nests that I know of – she works hard to tidy it up for departure and returns to something lovely that she continues to fix. (She did not sleep on her perch overnight).
For your reading – the interesting story of a man who put the sound of birds on vinyl – from The Guardian:
It is a heavily overcast day in Winnipeg. 0 degrees at the moment. It should not get warmer than 4 C today with the strange promise of 18-20 C on Wednesday! Mr Crow has just been to the feeder, and Mr Blue Jay is making his way through the lilacs to grab a peanut or two. The European Starlings are arriving as the chickadees leave. I can see the white of the tails of the Dark-eyed Juncos flitting about quietly from the ground to the branches. The promise of rain today is not bothering the birds. They seem especially interested in the seed that Toby and I have been stirring up, or should I say the shells of the seed from the winter. Much will be spread to create compost and new soil towards the back of the garden. Toby and I have now been working on this for three days. At some point, the plan is to get some topsoil and a large container of wildflower seeds and plant them. Whether it will be too shady once the lilac leaf is unknown, but we are going to try it.
What are we reading during Story Time? Rebecca Solnit’s Hope in the Dark. I sometimes need to be reminded that if we think locally, we can get ‘things’ done and not give up hope when the world seems to be falling apart. I have often said to you that if each one of us took care of the animals in our own gardens, or the ones that come to our gardens like Brock, the world would be immensely improved. Solnit talks about being local – you might be part of the movement that only eats seasonally within a 100-mile radius of your home. Imagine how much fuel that would save if we all ate the harvests of the time instead of wanting to have strawberries in Winnipeg in February? We do have really delicious ones in June and July! We try to practice this, and it was refreshing to read that in doing so, it is a bit of a resistance to huge corporations. I did grow up in the 60s and 70s and was part of the back-to-the-land movement. I only wish I had the energy to do that again! The book is good. If you are feeling powerless, pick up a copy from your library or order online. Have a good read – I think it will do wonders for bringing hope back into your heart.
Oh, three crows! The baby from last year is home to help with this year’s brood.
I was wrong. There were at least 8 crows in the garden, with one being attacked. Was it out of its territory and hungry? I wonder.
Thank you for being with us today. Take care. See you soon.
Thank you to Geemeff for the news from the Woodland Trust and all the wonderful links, to the UK Osprey Info FB group for always keeping us up to date and to those others who post on FB. Thanks, Heidi, for watching the nests that are not easy. I am grateful to The Guardian for their continuing coverage of the interesting stories about wildlife and the environment, and to all the owners of the streaming cams – without you, we would not be so involved in the lives of these magnificent creatures.
I am writing today’s blog with a very heavy heart. Louis has not returned to Lock Arkaig 2. There was rain late on Saturday. Still, a part of me hopes that he will land on the nest and shock us all. The reality that he is not returning lingers, and it is a difficult pill to swallow. Jean-Marie Dupart has monitored the youngsters staying over in Senegal til they return to their birth homes at two years. He also notes this week that there remain some older ospreys, either setting off on migration late or deciding to stay in their winter homes. I would like to think that Louis has decided to retire, living his life out catching fish in the sun and sand of West Africa.
I am counting on Geemeff to put together a terrific memorial video to Louis if he does not turn up in the next few days. It will not be easy as Louis was such a big part of so many learning to love ospreys.
Windy and not so nice at Lach Arkaig 2 Sunday. Dorcha has not been seen at the nest on Sunday. Has she left to check out other possibilities?
Geemeff asked me if I remembered life before Toby. I do, but it is a life that will never return. We had a vacation in Guadaloupe – the last big holiday that Don and I will ever take, the February before adopting Toby in April. Don’s health began to deteriorate about a month after Toby arrived. What I didn’t say in my response is that I am very happy. I can’t turn back the clock. Don’s health is such that I can actually begin monitoring the ospreys more closely this year, since there are no long trips to see birds. We walk Toby and go to the park, watch the animals in the garden, and Ann is so helpful in getting him to The Leaf and The Zoo, places that Toby can’t go. I have good support. Toby also means I will be spending much time in the garden, as he loves company and patrols the perimeter in case any of those ‘cats’ come inside. Today, we worked on spreading birdseed and peanut shells and painted a lidded bench that Ann gave me for his clothes. Don was content to sit in front of the telly (yes, that is where we are). I am not complaining – life is just changing, and Toby and the Girls and I are adjusting ourselves to this changing reality.
We are also putting out all the signals that spring is arriving. The forecast says it will be 18-20 C on Wednesday. You have to be kidding me. Or is it another year of roller coaster rides, with up-and-down temperatures from extreme heat to cold? Toby says a barbecue might be good!
What are the things you do that signal a change from winter to spring in your mind?
The RSPB is advising individuals to remove their birdseed tables and feeders and use suet and solid seed cylinders instead. We are going to do this when my last batch of seed bags runs out this year. The aim is to prevent avian flu. Have a read to see how you can help. Avian Flu is not restricted to the UK; it is a global phenomena that probably killed our much beloved Annie, the peregrine falcon from The Campanile, in San Francisco and the thousands of geese here in Manitoba.
At Rutland’s Manton Bay osprey platform, Maya laid her third egg on Saturday. Blue 33 would like to have four again!
We can’t forget about the wonderful Bald Eagles, and SK Hideaways has put together some memories of Eve and Kai at the nest of Gabby and Beau before these two beautiful eaglets depart. It has been a magical year at this nest. https://youtu.be/yLkrhOSwPmQ?
Bety and Bukacheck have returned to the Mlady Buky White Stork nest.
At Fort St Vrain, the two eaglets are already scooting out of the nest bowl. The youngest did so at five days old! I am impressed. I also hope that those remaining eggs do not hatch despite Mum continuing to incubate them and brood these characters! It is pip watch for the last one.
You can clearly see the ‘ears’ on the triplets at the Fraser Point nest of Andor and Cruz in California.
‘J’ keeps me up on the latest kakapo news:
“Andrew Digby made a comparison with 2019:
This year’s #kakapo breeding season has been the biggest on record: – 256 eggs (252 in 2019) – 148 fertile eggs (116 in 2019) – 105 eggs hatched (86 in 2019). It’ll be 2+ months until we know how many chicks will fledge (73 in 2019). There are currently 95 alive.”
Thanks, ‘J’.
SK Hideaways also sent me a link to share with everyone – the return of the Golden Eagle!
We have our first egg for Dylan and Seren Blue 5F at Clywedog! 13:27 was the time.
If you are wondering why I am not reporting on many of the North American nests, I’m so glad that Heidi is keeping up with them – I don’t know how she manages it. I track a small number, a very small number. Heidi will begin her reporting when there are chicks hatching.
Heidi reports: “4/12 – The Venice kids are doing great. They are 23, 22, and 20 days old.
The chicks at Brevard have had lots of fish as the wind in the region has diminished. Achieva chicks are doing OK, too much to my surprise. I would still like to see a pile of fish on that nest, but Jack doesn’t leave them there, as that could easily attract predators.
It continues to rain and with all the snow melting, all manner of wildlife are coming into our neighbourhood including frolicking deer! Posted on our FB community page:
Screenshot
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. We will see you soon!
Thank you to SK Hideaways for continuing to create videos even while on holiday, to all the individuals, including Heidi, who post recent nest information and images on FB, and the owners of the streaming cams, so that we can watch these wonderful avian families. Thanks, ‘J’, for not letting us forget about the kakapo!
There is news later about Aran. He does have a nest and he does have a female at that nest with him. Perhaps it is Elen? That would be wonderful. Or it could be the other female. We wait and wonder.
At the Glaslyn nest, Teifi is skydancing and courting Blue 432/Eschells.
Dorcha continues to wait for Louis at Loch Arkaig 2. It is extremely windy. Will Louis blow in?
Jean-marie Dupart has reported the youngsters are still in Senegal but also some older birds that are either migrating late or not leaving their winter homes.
In Nova Scotia, Oscar continues to wait for Ethel at Russell Lake.
Again, thank you so much for your kind notes. I am feeling much better. Much better, indeed. It was 7 C on Friday, and I got to spend almost all of the day outside with Toby and Don. It was glorious. In the afternoon, Ann took Don to the zoo, where they watched polar bears rolling on their backs in the crisp air and bright sunshine.
Today is the 11th of April. It is the latest day that the male osprey, Louis, of Loch Arkaig, has returned from migration. I hope that by the end of the day he has returned. I have to admit that my stomach has been slipping down into my toes over the past week in fear that we will not see this amazing osprey ever again. For many of you, Louis was your favourite osprey on streaming cam during the pandemic. More than 400,000 watched him and his precious Aila raise their triplets – Vera, Doddie, and Little Captain.
The image shows the three chicks with Louis on the far right.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 10th April 2026
Today ended with our key character not here – Louis has not yet returned. There is still time and fingers and talons are firmly crossed for his arrival soon. Dorcha spent the day on and off the nest, constantly looking around even when dealing with a troublesome branch she was unable to shift. Things on Nest One are looking much more positive, with Garry LV0 bringing two fish and huge clumps of moss and spending time nestorising when he wasn’t engaged with Aurora 536, who also looks really at home. They both worked together to see off a blue ringed intruder Osprey who flew right overhead but didn’t allow her ring to be read. As it’s on her left leg, she’s Scottish, and it wasn’t Affric 152, so we’ll have to wait and see if she returns to give us a better look before an ID can be made. Tomorrow’s forecast for Inver Mallie which covers the nest area is light rain and a moderate breeze, so nothing there to impede the progress of returning Ospreys. Weather link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2646094 .
https://youtu.be/N7vj8r9pWpY N1 Aurora flies off with the fish, Garry does housekeeping 16.10.50Bonus watch – the importance of the UK’s temperate rainforests, like Loch Arkaig:
I adore Aran and am heartbroken that he lost his Glaslyn nest last season due to a late return that he had shared with Mrs G and Elen. Elen has not been seen for a week. No one knows her status. Thankfully, individuals are keeping track of Aran as Teifi continues to reign over the Glaslyn nest.
I love this screen capture and information by Jenny Powell. Iris can out-fish any of the local ‘Masters’ or male ospreys! She is really quite amazing – at least thirty years old.
European ospreys arriving.
Seems to be very windy at all the nests in the UK. This is Telyn waiting for Idris and a fish at Dyfi where the camera has been on and off.
Harry is doing a good job for Flora at SS Alyth.
As reported earlier, all is well in the Usk Valley in Wales where both ospreys have returned.
Blue 022 doesn’t mind the strong winds when it comes to mating with CJ7 at Poole. Watching for eggs!
Thank you so much for being with us today. Unless there is news about Louis, I will be taking a wee break for a few days. I really want to get ahead on the spring cleaning of the garden. It is going slowly this year – wish me luck!
Thank you so much to the individuals who created videos, to Geemeff for all the daily news from Loch Arkaig, and to those who have posted wonderful screen captures and information on FB. I am always grateful to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to look into the lives of these bird families.
CJ7 with her first egg of the seasonWe are excited to announce that at 12:56 this afternoon, in rather drizzly conditions, CJ7 laid her first egg at the 
