Tag Archives: Big Bear

Saturday in Bird World

25 July 2026

Hello Everyone,

It was a wonderful time with out son and daughter-in law as well as our daughter and her partner. A busy week. They took my list of things to do and just go on with it. The Peletron bike now longer haunts me sitting by the dining room table. The box room is cleared up and it has a new home. The attic is 95% cleared out. All the good stuff was kept, lots donated, and some sadly made it to the landfill. They were so organised! My contribution was to ‘stay out of the way’. The kids leave to return to their home in the Caribbean in a couple of hours. Gosh, I miss them already!

I apologise for I have not caught up with answering your e-mails. My inbox has exploded since the funds came through for Moon Camp.

A lot has happened in Bird World.

First of all, everyone knows that the funds needed to purchase the land and put it into a trust – Moon Camp – to preserve the foraging area of Jackie and Shadow and whoever comes after them is secure. They did it with a week to spare. Bravo!

https://friendsofbigbearvalley.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Moon_Camp_funding_press_release_7_24_26.pdf

Every news agency carried this remarkable story. KTLA 5 was one of those. https://youtu.be/R37G4tN1dYE?

Thank you to everyone who helped to make this happen. Now we just need Jackie home —- and she is in the best facility possible to help her, Ojai Raptor Centre!

SK Hideaways might be giving us our last look at Sandy and Luna: https://youtu.be/O32HJ6mozQI?

Sadly, as it happens every year, a White-tail waited til the osprey fledglings get nice and fat for fledge and then struck. AK wrote: “
Sadly, UMU, the #4 nestling in Finland, was taken by a White-tailed Eagle.”

If you follow the images below you will see that the osprey cme to try and get its chick to no avail. The WTE slipped into the forest.

You can see the sequence here, and the osprey flies up to the forest and then turns to the right. So sad. They wait, those eagles and hawks, til the osplets are fat and ready to fledge.

It is fledge watch and Geemeff just sent me the cutest video of Amber flapping her wings and then helicoptering out of view of the camera. Soon! It comes too quickly! We sit and wait for eggs to hatch – that seems to take endless time – and then before we know it they are losing their baby look and turning into ferocious reptiles and then beautiful juveniles. For all those who survived this most tragic year, we salute you and anyone and all who helped.

Amber’s great flapping and helicoptering. https://youtu.be/J6Ki2ZIxvoI?

There are still 4 chicks at Blackbush.

Looks like two at Collins Marsh in WI.

I hope Sassy is eating.

Ping Shen reports from Seattle: “Hope you are well and the heat and smoke are not too bad. We are getting a bit of both here in Seattle, though nothing like what the midwest and northeast had last week.

Some good news mid-week – a very short visit today and all 3 young continue to look good. Mom delivered a Starry Flounder not five minutes after I arrived and lunch was served. The pecking order is very clearly established – you can see #3 sitting back while the first 2 surround mom, the little one not even trying to get in there and seemingly content to wait. However, since it seems to still be doing well, I guess there has been enough fish for this complacency to work! Fingers crossed they continue to well but so far so good. They are now well past the stage where they lost #3 last season, so an improvement already…”

News from Viki and Indian Creek: “LB seems to have split now that Lily has returned. Lily had no problem getting the first AND the second fish I threw this morning, ate them both, not even stopping by the chick’s nest, and since she was full she let the third one I threw sink and the chick has not been fed. It’s like one step forward, two steps back.

Full blown construction surrounds me in the neighborhood today. I sit out on the porch (second day in a row of lovely weather) with noise canceling headphones on.  Waiting for LB to show up so I can throw a fish to him to bring to the chick.

LMAO – you are right! An osprey from the other side of the creek just now got that fish. Glad to know they float for a long while.

Heading out to give Lily one more chance – I cover up with a Dr. Seuss XL pajama pant and a long sleeve shirt from one of my husband’s political campaigns. Hoping it was LB who took #4 fish. Sheesh. This is becoming stressful!? [Note: Viki is the mother of the chicks.}

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 24th July 2026

More intruder action today but Dorcha made sure they didn’t come near the nest, allowing the chicks to get on with wingercising and stuffing themselves with fish. There was a lot of fish to get through as Louis delivered seven fish taking the Nest Two tally to three hundred and twenty six, and the chicks are in great shape. Both Amber 8P6 and Juniper 8P7 have been exercising their wings, strengthening them ready for fledging, doing little hops, and Amber in particular did some quite high mini-helicopters, when she wasn’t tangling her talons or wings in a stick, as she did on one occasion. Over on Nest One, Aurora and Garry have stopped paying attention to the rotten but still intact egg and Aurora sleeps elsewhere now, but they are still attending the nest, bringing fish and bedding and adjusting the furnishings. This bodes well for next year when with luck they will produce a viable clutch. Garry brought two fish for Aurora, taking his tally to one hundred and eighty one. The ‘gentle breezes’ forecast for today seemed much stronger than that, but of course, exposed nests at the top of tall trees will feel the effects more. Those ‘gentle breezes’ are set to continue tonight and through tomorrow, with heavy rain, a low of 13°C and a high of 17°C. At the time of filing this report (half past midnight) the rain has begun and Dorcha is on the nest next to her chicks.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/H7JrmiDE4Tg N2 Dorcha sees off an intruder Osprey 07.58.40

https://youtu.be/LCWLmremJP4 N2 Amber tries to steal fish one but Dorcha holds on 08.20.27

https://youtu.be/LX1ZgDdr8vw N1 Garry won’t give Aurora his fish and leaves with it 09.01.26

https://youtu.be/Q5_obJoQWXg N2 Fish two arrives with an intruder alarm 11.29.02

https://youtu.be/8i1xMBWv_Ow N2 There’s a bit of a melee when fish three arrives 16.08.17

https://youtu.be/SHVQSNon5QQ N2 Amber gets high! Quite high mini helicopters 16.24.01

https://youtu.be/D5WRZFFvKbo N1 Aurora works to subdue a lively flatfish 17.59.05

https://youtu.be/G4gKH18phBs N2 Fish four makes a substantial trout dinner 17.59.24

https://youtu.be/2ulgVlV0Mu0  N2 Amber does more mini helicopters getting ready for lift-off 19.31.36

https://youtu.be/rbM6Iy4vP3k N2 Dorcha quickly dispatches fish five, a flapping flatfish 20.02.28

https://youtu.be/TtZwJA3W4L4 N2 Tiddler trout fish six is gone in three minutes 21.03.39

https://youtu.be/JZES_gqHRts N2 Another tiddler trout, number seven lasts two minutes  22.14.45

You’re invited to join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:

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

=================================================================

Wensi is getting flappy with those wings too. https://youtu.be/I6urCTO9eUw?

I will have more news on Monday. I am still trying to rest up from that wonderful visit! This morning we went to the English Gardens with Toby. Don is doing well after I adjusted his medication four days ago. The change has been rather phenomenal and I am delighted.

Toby checks out all the flowers.

My gorgeous granddaughter, Elysha, who long time readers will know – on her wedding day in Australia.

My family wishes you a good weekend.

See you on Monday!

Thank you to SK Hideaways, Ping Shen, and Geemeff for their great contributions, to those who posted on FB and to the owners of the streaming cams and YouTube stations.

Donations pour in for Jackie’s care…Tuesday in Bird World

21 July 2026

Good Morning Everyone,

Today is my daughter’s birthday so there is a party which hasn’t turned out to be a surprise like I thought it was – but we will have a great time celebrating her special day.

It is also cool at 18 C and Toby and Don will get to have a wonderful walk with Ann as long as the rain stays away!

Ojai Raptor Centre is the BEST place for Jackie. They have treated Victor, Andor and Cruz’s chick, which had zinc toxicity. He fell off the nest in 2022. Only after 36-48 hours, Ojai Raptor Centre had raised $250,000 towards Jackie’s care. That is brilliant. I will also remind you of the other wildlife centre, San Dimas, that transported and cared for Jackie the distance to get to Ojai. They are San Dimas.

The world’s most famous eagle is getting a lot of attention and I hope that some of that generates the remaining funds necessary to purchase the land so that it cannot be developed. That would be tragic. CBS LA carries the battle by the water: https://youtu.be/0WX9ayTQiUs?si=_NzC92LEVBWMjshG

Update on Jackie:

We also have an update about Sol in Norway – the smaller osprey rescued so that it could survive with the understanding that lack of fish, heated streams, and heat domes are human caused. Bless them. https://youtu.be/2XeVWs9zgkU?si=EHqysyTCKDGfHH3R

All appears alright at the nest of Iris, baby, and Clark at Hellgate this morning.

We still have one chick surviving at Osoyoos.

The only surviving chick of three at Field Farm fledged this morning. Congratulations! They beat the odds and have one to fly.

The only surviving chick on the nest (one is in rehab but we do not know the status) fledged at Great Bay this morning. Again, congratulations. One fledge at a nest is great in a time when so many have their entire clutch perish.

One chick flapped and fell into the river at Blackwater and died – two remain. We hope they fledge successfully.

Great news from Viki:

LB leaves his perch before I toss the fish now so he’s sure to get to it first …. It’s not quite throwing popcorn to gulls, but I think the local ospreys are paying attention. And when I flubbed a throw LB chased a heron away from the shore., presumably on its way to grab the fish.

Once this morning LB was full enough to not bother with one of my offerings himself but to drop the still frozen fish in the nest and Big Girl took a while but she managed well. I can’t tell the difference between the two chicks now, although one seems very submissive, but if I can’t pick them apart as big and little I figure Little is doing as well as can be hoped.

Jack is working w/ a local fish house to get frozen bait fish (alewives) but I’m not sure LB will go for the mangled ones – maybe as time goes on, but as for now I think he needs a face and tail to believe it is worth going after.

Nevertheless, I feel we humans are making a small mark for good each time LB grabs one I throw!!!”

Second fledge at Borders.

SECOND FLEDGEDownload

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 20th July 2026 Quite a dramatic day today, with two serious intruder Osprey encounters, both involving Dorcha. The first took place in the morning when a ringed intruder kept divebombing Dorcha on the nest until she flew off and chased it away. It was a Scottish female with a left leg blue Darvic ring which unfortunately couldn’t be read, and was possibly the same Osprey who attacked Dorcha in the afternoon. That time the ring was read, Blue 9A6, a 2024 female from Loch Fleet, the same area where Aurora 536 fledged in 2022, so potentially siblings. The attack was fierce – 9A6 flew onto the nest and locked talons with Dorcha for a moment then Dorcha went for her and both went tumbling over the side and crashed down through the branches of the nest tree in dramatic scenes. However both were seen flying in the distance, and Dorcha returned unharmed to the nest where the chicks were still safely pancaked. When Louis arrived with a third fish an hour and a half later, the family were ready for a meal and tucked in eagerly. He brought a fourth fish later but Dorcha got most of that one as the chicks appeared to be still satisfied from the previous one. His four deliveries take the Nest Two tally to three hundred and six. Over on Nest One, Garry LV0 brought one fish for Aurora 536 taking his tally to one hundred and seventy five – she thought she was getting a second, but when Garry answered her calls, he arrived fishless and attempted mating instead. In other news, the chicks were intrigued by a dragonfly and made lazy attempts to catch it in their beaks as it flew around the nest. The weather was settled again, and not too warm, and the forecast is pretty much the same – light winds, partly cloudy with a low of 12

 °C overnight and sunny intervals with a high of 20

°C tomorrow.
Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/cFjdcEiU3IE N2 Louis brings a small breakfast trout 04.25.00https://youtu.be/qPeJAHQFafQ N2 Dorcha defends vigorously against a ringed intruder 09.19.53 (+ screenshots)

https://youtu.be/2wmTvJSc-f4 N2 The chicks are intrigued by a dragonfly 09.53.06 (slo-mo zoom)https://youtu.be/8Xt-D9QC_oI N1 Garry brings fish for Aurora then does housekeeping 13.05.25

https://youtu.be/NaNKoloCJyA N1 Aurora ‘s calling for fish but Garry has other ideas!16.48.26https://youtu.be/kguJ6F2p0rg N2 The chicks gather round as Dorcha grabs fish two 17.36.44https://youtu.be/jlldcuuNsHg N2 Intruder Blue 9A6 locks talons with Dorcha, both go overboard! 17.58.10 (slo-mo repeat with zoom)https://youtu.be/-QzxCCkoFSg N2 After the dramatic intrusion, the family’s ready for fish three 19.24.57https://youtu.be/Ze8SMQn9Yl8 N2 Dorcha gets most of fish four to herself 21.58.07 

You’re invited to join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:

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

====================================================

Thank you for being with us today. We are off to a birthday celebration. Take care. We hope to have you with us soon.

Thank you to everyone. Thank to Geemeff for her videos and daily summary, to PB for news on Jackie, to dear Viki for being my heroine – who else is feeding osprey to keep them alive? To those who posted on FB and the owners of the streaming cams who allow us to watch these incredible birds.

UK osprey chicks doing so well…Late Sunday in Bird World

24 May 2026

Hello Everyone,

Oh, the rain is gone, the sun is out, and Toby had a walk before the hot weather kicked in after lunch. Don and Toby are now sound asleep on the sofa. I noticed that it is sometimes harder for Don to walk with us. It looks like it is time to get that all-important walker! I am still sick, but the nice weather is giving me some energy!

Later…25 C. Toby hid under the deck when we went outside. It was his way of telling us that it was too hot for a Cavalier to be outside. Geemeff reported it was 27 C in London and we are expecting 32 C this coming week. Our City is wondering what to do about climate change – one big answer is trees. Thankfully, they have replanted every 123 year old tree cut down on our street. Will I live to see them reach 10 metres? I wonder. They certainly aren’t going to be offering shade soon.

Our Province generates electricity by hydroelectric power in the north. What happens if the water dries up? Are these things I should be thinking about insteading of listening to birdsong in the garden.

No, we should all be outside in nature listening for birdsong and enjoying the breeze, if there is one. It heals everything.

SK Hideaways videos of the week:

SK Hideaways Videos, week of 17 May 2026

FOBBVCAM Eagles ~ Big Bear Valley, CA ~ Jackie, Shadow, Sandy & Luna
Courtesy FOBBVCAM | Friends of Big Bear Valley
Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE
Wide View Cam (Cam 2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41eq4VzCYc4
Live Recap & Observations https://bit.ly/3Md8TSz

Jackie & Shadow Greet Stunning Sunrise ~ Sandy & Luna Listen & Learn (2026 May 21)Jackie and Shadow greet each day with a series of chortles, snortles, and togetherness.  6-week-old Sandy and Luna observe the tradition in hopes of having perfect mates of their own one day. They did take a break in their listening exercise to have something that looked like a PS (poop shot) contest, which definitely added an unexpected element of humor to this otherwise serene slice of the family’s morning.
Video: https://youtu.be/gsX35LWeo8U

Fraser Point Eagles ~ Santa Cruz Island, CA ~ Cruz, Andor, Sasha, Zuma & Ryder
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Fraser Point Eagles Cam Ops
Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY4V_AppZ6s

Cruz manages the eaglets’ snatch & go shenanigans vs. peregrine mom Hartley doing the same (2026 May 20)
A morning in the life of Cruz and Andor, and their 7-week-old eaglets Sasha, Zuma, and Ryder. The Fraser Point nest is often called the “Zen nest” for good reason. We thought it would be interesting to contrast that calm to the mayhem that ensues when peregrine falcon parents bring prey to chicks of the comparatively same age. As such, there is a 2-minute clip of the San Jose City Hall Falcons receiving one of their meals this morning. Do you relate more with Zen or Zany? 
Video: https://youtu.be/c9rs3z7Rh6c


San Jose City Hall Falcons ~ San Jose, CA ~ Hartley, Monty, Jet, Scout, Stewart & Walton
Courtesy San Jose City Hall Peregrine Falcon Cam
Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBSxPjy5sow
Ledge Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pp9TisLmLU
Roof Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQLhmV6bP6o

Meet Jet, Scout, Stewart & Walton ~ Flapping, Bouncing Boys at 4-1/2 Weeks (2026 May 23)Hartley and Monty’s 4-1/2-week old boys are on track to take flight far sooner than we’re ready ~ as soon as next week. Jet, Scout, Stewart, and Walton are flapping, bouncing, and head-tilting exactly as they should be at this age. Their shenanigans are more entertaining by the day.
Video: https://youtu.be/EYU0d3IHwSk
4 Week Milestones: Chicks sleep outside nest box, steal prey, perch on ledge and drain (2026 May 18)
The chicks are achieving milestones right on schedule. They had many firsts yesterday: sleeping outside the nest box (3 of them), stealing prey from parents, jumping up to the lower ledge (2 of them), and Red perched on the drain. They’re growing up way too fast for my liking.
Video: https://youtu.be/GhKpFR5-4Ao


Two Harbors Eagles ~ Catalina Island, CA ~ Cholyn & Chase
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’s Date Night ~ Seaside Chat & Sunset Stick Wrangling (22 May 2026)
Though we can’t follow them every second of the day (unfortunately), on-cam views tell us that Cholyn and Chase spend a lot of time together. Cam ops found them in their seaside hideaway, chortling, beaky kissing, and watching the world go by. Later, they met on the Two Harbors nest, where a pesky Y branch is partially obstructing one of their flight paths and really getting on Chase’s nerves. So far, the branch is winning. No matter where they are or what they’re doing, observing this special couple is always a huge gift.
Video: https://youtu.be/PxEikeV79oQ

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 24th May 2026

Today’s report is pretty much the same as yesterday’s – routine fish deliveries and incubation changeovers, and some rain. The only unusual thing was some owl calls heard near Nest Two in daylight, bringing up the possibility that last year’s mimic Jay might be back. Garry LV0 brought one fish on camera for Aurora 536, taking the Nest One tally to seventy nine, and Louis brought two fish for Dorcha, taking the Nest Two tally to eighty four. At the time of posting this report (23.30) night cam is on on both nests and both females are sitting peacefully on the eggs, three eggs for Dorcha and one for first time mum Aurora. The overnight forecast islight clouds with a low of 11°C, changing to light rain showers with sunny spells and a high of 17°C tomorrow.

Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/N1PzT74pRgU N2 Breakfast for Dorcha 06.14.30https://youtu.be/uqynv2YQgfg N1 Large headless trout for Aurora 12.20.55https://youtu.be/N1PzT74pRgU N2 Second fish for Dorcha 17.49.34

Bonus watch – With reference to the mimic Jay and the cleverness of Corvids, here’s David Attenborough and the Crows in Japan who’ve learned to use humans to their advantage:

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/oQ-vxocxIJs  N2 Watch those big feet Louis! Bob gets stood on 2025

You’re invited to join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, fun, and free!

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

When will Richmond and Wendy have chicks? Well, we don’t know but this was Rosie’s schedule.

Chart illustrating the hatching timeline for osprey eggs based on previous incubation data, highlighting key dates for potential hatching.

SK Hideaways introduces us to the San Jose City Hall falcons and their new names. https://youtu.be/EYU0d3IHwSk?

Four young peregrine falcons, labeled Jet, Scout, Stewart, and Walton, perched side by side on a ledge, showcasing their youthful feathers and behaviors as they prepare to take flight.

Two cuties for Idris and Telyn so far at Dyfi. Adults did a team feeding on Sunday. Sweet.

Close-up of two newly hatched osprey chicks with remnants of eggshell and nesting material in the background.

Two hungry beaks for CJ7 and her fish!

A close-up of a bird's nest with a chick and an adult bird, showing details of the nest's surroundings and the chick's striped feathers.

At Manton Bay, Blue 33 and Maya have a nest of almost three little reptiles as the soft down of the hatchlings gives way to that oily head and coppery feathers at the nape of the neck.

An osprey standing over its chicks in a nest, with several gray, downy chicks visible beneath its wings, set against a backdrop of water and twigs.

Dylan and Seren have three osplets and after delivering a fish at 1445 on Sunday, Dylan stayed and helped Seren feed the babies.

A pair of ospreys near their nest, with one adult bird looking down at a chick.

Two littles for Frankie and Angel at Roundhouse Loch Doon.

A bird, likely an osprey, is sitting on a nest with small chicks in a natural outdoor setting, surrounded by trees and greenery.
A nurturing osprey pair feeding their chicks in a nest at Loch Doon, surrounded by trees and a scenic landscape.

The chat at the Falconshire Bald Eagle nest remains shut down to the vulnerability of what is happening on the nest. Scout is still with us! The weather is not great, but a part of a fawn came in on Sunday morning, and Scout had a good feed. The wing is still healing.

Two young eagles standing in their nest surrounded by green leaves and trees.
Update on the bald eagle nest featuring Scout and Sunday, discussing food deliveries and recent challenges faced by the eaglets.
A dramatic scene showing young birds in a nest, one claiming a fish while another, a mature bald eagle, appears to attack nearby.

No one needs to worry about P3. The third hatch for Big Red and Arthur is doing quite well and is often right up front at meal time.

A red-tailed hawk is feeding its fluffy chicks in a nest made of twigs, surrounded by green foliage and a metal structure.

Big continues to fly and return to the nest for fish at the Achieva Credit Union.

A hawk nest with two young hawks resting inside, surrounded by sticks and twigs, set against a backdrop of trees and a residential area.

I might have missed it but I have yet to see a fish delivery to Mum and only chick at Dewey Beach. No, I didn’t. Nothing. This is going to be very sad.

An osprey sitting in its nest made of twigs and grass, with a blurred background featuring a waterfront and buildings.

A read: ‘Thirty-Two Words for Field’ by the late Manchán Magan, thanks to Emergence Magazine.

Thirty-Two Words for Field – Manchán MaganDownload

News from Usk Valley Ospreys:

https://www.uskvalleyospreys.org/news/the-expected-and-the-unexpected?fbclid=IwY2xjawSAI-hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe5vfMeScTIcfRfreHoSKJweUVbNkYoVbkNEqsxOIX-Y_AQog-HGfc5QjpA2g_aem_KfQAUFErO4f-7cwsr1PcEQ

A look at the eggs at Loch of the Lowes: https://youtu.be/IoouZT5I7MI?

Close-up of a bird's feet with leg bands resting beside a large speckled egg and straw in a nest.

If you want to know what is going on at the US osprey nests – I will only touch on a few – then please check out the FB group Joy of Ospreys.

Hatch watch at Glaslyn for both nests!

Social media post about Glaslyn Ospreys, announcing they are on egg watch as both nests have eggs due to hatch soon.

Thank you for being with us today. It was so hot here, and it is going to get worse. I imagine that no matter where you live, you will see a change in temperatures this summer. Please leave out water for the birds – baths help to cool them off, and bowls of water offer hydration. You also need to make sure that you are getting enough hydration, too.

Got old cat or dog kibble? Birds eat it! It is a great source of protein.

See you soon!

Thank you so much to SK Hideaways and Geemeff for their diligence in sending me their weekly videos and daily summaries. I am so terribly grateful to both of them. It allows me to include much more news that I might – and I know you are wondering what is happening at all those nests! I am grateful to everyone who posts information on FaceBook whether it is a newsletter, or the latest news with a photo. Let us all thank the owners of the streaming cams who let us watch these amazing families.

Name Jackie and Shadow’s chicks…Late, late Thursday in Bird World

16 April 2026

Good Evening,

Want to help name Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets? Here is the link. Below is a note about the process.

Naming Contest
A pair of baby bald eagle chicks in a nest, with one chick being fed by an adult eagle; to the right, a smiling woman with long gray hair is shown, likely in a natural setting.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 15th April 2026


Another quiet day, just the three Ospreys – Dorcha, Garry LV0 and Aurora 536 – around, and no nest swapping today. Cam One didn’t come online until nearly 1pm and through the swoops as the cam recalibrated Garry was seen with a fish which travelled on and off the nest a few times before Aurora took it from him and departed with it. They had several mating attempts one of which definitely looked successful. Dorcha was the only visitor to her nest, coming twice, keeping a quiet vigil, head turning, checking the area whether for intruders or her missing mate Louis we can’t say. Over in Bunarkaig things are settled too, LizB gave this report: Two ospreys at the nest when I passed earlier this afternoon. One arrived with a fish while I was watching, which the female took to a neighbouring tree to eat. The male spent time tidying the nest. All looked nice and peaceful.

Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/vGAt51eYQdY N2 Dorcha keeps a lonely vigil 09.04.14https://youtu.be/bP5DOJQFkhw N1 Garry’s seen with a fish as the cam comes online 12.58.23  https://youtu.be/XF5nxnqqZP8 N1 Aurora does nest prep like a reluctant teenager 13.32.54https://youtu.be/xILuXzfJnsg N1 Is Garry bringing a new fish or an old one? 14.02.35  

https://youtu.be/UHwsdMnhE40 N1 Successful mating for Garry and Aurora 17.42.09https://youtu.be/a403Hb90Ww0 N2 Dorcha returns and waits as the day draws to a close 18.35.59Bonus read – George quoted in an article about protestors trying to save ancient woodland:https://www.pressreader.com/uk/barrhead-news-saxb/20260415/281852945143245
Blast from the past, this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/51sv0sFASJA N1 Aila & Louis: love in the dark 2020
https://youtu.be/Ne6U24RQtfk N1 Louis is harassed by persistent Hoodies 2021
https://youtu.be/LbhbAx0KBh4 N2 Stickly situation: Louis and a log 2022
https://youtu.be/7w0I3iYZssc N2 Synchronised landings 2023 (slo-mo repeat)https://youtu.be/glFpcNXi9Oo N2 Dorcha and the egg star on BBC Breakfast 2024
https://youtu.be/cuIKVzgrQMY N1: Garry LV0 does some nest scraping and watches for a potential mate 2024
https://youtu.be/GVX93Gmg5KI George WTS’s interview on BBC Radio Scotland Today 2024https://youtu.be/A_RZD0tcTvQ  N2  Louis arrives with a lively flapping trout 2025https://youtu.be/Ca_z21qf71I N1 Garry LV0 leaves in a hurry, an aerial fight ensues 2025https://youtu.be/6I2Eivd3aaM N2 Dorcha seizes fish number two as soon as it arrives 2025 https://youtu.be/6I2Eivd3aaM N1 is this a female Buzzard scouting for a nest? 2025

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

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

The osprey platform in Ranworth, Norfolk has its first egg.

Elen commands the nest at Glaslyn with mate, Teifi. Eggs next week?

An osprey perched on a branch near its nest overlooking a lush green field at dusk.

Fru and Herr Rauer have made the news in Norway. http://youtube.com/post/Ugkx-SD2WBXBbBJa05v7HZRPbBuwVAfRAlWv?

Dylan and Seren at the Lyn Clywedog 1 nest:

A large bird of prey standing on a nest, with an egg visible, set against a dark, mountainous landscape.

Songbird killing continues in Lebanon. Not nice.

A person holding several captured songbirds in their hands.

Pam Breci reports that the geese have taken over the Niagara Bee Osprey nest.

Osprey on south nest at Coeur de’ Alene, Idaho.

An osprey stands on a large nest made of sticks, situated on a platform above a park. In the background, there are playground equipment and trees beginning to bloom in a city area.

Geemeff sends us a good news story:

https://www.aol.com/articles/rhode-island-energy-moves-osprey-233149136.html

Hot in St Petersburg. Mum, Jill, shades the babies. Both had breakfast. But will the little one have anything else? Does Mum need to go and fish again? Does she know where Diane caught her catfish?

A bird perched on a nest made of twigs, with a scenic view of trees and houses in the background.
A hawk standing in its nest made of twigs, surrounded by trees, with a view of a suburban street in the background.

The Moorings Park osplets have been named. The oldest is Winken and the second is Blinken. (I guess Baby that was lost is Nod).

A nest of ospreys with two chicks and one adult bird in a natural setting near the water, captured during a live stream.

Geemeff informs me that JJ4 has been at Loch Arkaig and has brought in nesting materials. Now…if he wants to win Dorcha’s heart, he’d best get on with a fish!

An osprey standing on a nest made of twigs and branches, overlooking a scenic landscape with mountains and a river in the background.

Today was a long day with many individuals coming and going. The only thing that works when you are caring for someone with dementia is to keep the routine. Ours blew up in shards today. We did get our hair cut, and Miyoung is amazing. She is so good and careful with Donald. Doors were fixed, a digital door opener was installed, and now the third person is here, wiring the doorbell and the alarm. I still have to get the gate in front built so that it can lock. Don will be living in a fortress! But he can wander in the garden as much as he wants!!!!!!!!! All of this has made me mentally tired and I am going to take some time off and get outside once everything is finished! I will be back with you on Monday. Have a great weekend.

Thank you to Geemeff for the happy story and for the Woodland Trust news, to all those who post on FB with such great information, the owners of the streaming cams, and to you, my readers for being there for wildlife. Thank you to CABS for all they do!

Looks like two eaglets so far for Jackie and Shadow

4 April 2026

Hello Everyone,

It is a windy, seemingly chilly day in the Big Bear Valley. The lake is a beautiful blue as Jackie and Shadow are in their nest waiting for the arrival of the second eaglet, who is working its way out of the shell. Shadow really wants a turn, but Jackie, being Jackie, has put her talons down firmly.

We are watching the action on the big screen.

Two bald eagles sitting in their nest on a tree branch, overlooking a scenic lake and forested landscape in the background.

I hope you are, too. Over 38,000 people are waiting for a glimpse of our Super Star’s little ones.

The link to their camera is here: https://www.youtube.com/live/B4-L2nfGcuE?

As for us, we had a good day. We took a break from checking on birds and hatches to take Toby to the park for a nice walk. Then to the pet store to pick up duck hearts and a good pair of scissors. I met a lovely woman there with a Cavalier. We exchanged notes on feeding strategies, each of us knowing that there are serious health concerns with this breed. So far, Toby is clear, and I know my breeder! That means a lot, but that still does not mean that he might not have heart or joint issues, so we are doing everything we can to help ensure that does not happen. The woman and I also agreed that, even though we would never pick another breed, they are too lovable and devoted. That is precisely what I need in my life right now as the husband I had for so long ebbs away.

I am delighted that Aran and Dorcha are home. I am waiting for Louis and for Blue 35 at Foulshaw Moss to return. Fingers crossed.

I also want to recommend a video by Robert Fuller if you are interested in Red Kites, and I hope you are. He erected a large tower to film them on his Yorkshire property. Here are some snaps off the telly:

A person wearing a beanie and gloves is inspecting a large nest in a tree, surrounded by branches and greenery.
Two eagles are standing near their nest, which contains a white chick and remnants of food.
A close-up of a bird of prey in flight, showcasing its wings and distinctive plumage, with a background of trees and a nest.

Here is the link to The Hidden Life of Red Kites: https://youtu.be/snwsIUqzxYM?

Send best wishes to Jackie and Shadow and to all those birds who are migrating to their breeding grounds now. They need it!

See you soon!

Pip at Big Bear!!!!!

3 April 2026

The first pip for Jackie and Shadow has been confirmed.

@FOBBVCAM

​​!pip 10:03:03 Pip Pip Horray, we have seen a pip! Please look at our Facebook page for more information.

Close-up view of a bald eagle nest featuring two eggs surrounded by twigs and straw.

Congratulations. I know where everyone is watching…28,762 people right now waiting for this special eaglet including Jackie and Shadow.

Thank you to the owners of the cam and the chat who have confirmed pip.

Idris is home at Dyfi!

2 April 2026

Good Evening Everyone,

We had a beautiful day. Instead of living in pajamas, we put on our lighter jackets and gum boots and headed to the country – to Pineridge.

A man wearing sunglasses and a brown leather jacket sits on a wooden deck, holding a coffee cup, next to a fire pit, with a cozy outdoor seating area in the background.
A small dog wearing a bright blue coat stands on a wooden deck, looking toward the camera. There is snow on the ground and a few dried plants in the background.

We sat by the fire and drank hot chocolate. It was glorious.

While we were away…Idris arrived home at the Dyfi Osprey platform in Wales to his mate Telyn, Blue 5F.

Telyn knew he was arriving. She watched as Idris flew in and landed. The sky dancing began shortly after – this devoted pair, so delighted to see one another! Idris arrived almost a fortnight later than he did in 2025.

And he hardly got home and the snow has started falling…

A young osprey stands on a nest made of branches in a natural setting with grassy fields and distant hills in the background, displaying data about weather and time at the bottom.
An osprey takes flight near a nesting site, with another osprey visible on the nest. The background features a grassy landscape and distant hills.
An osprey is flying toward its nest, while another osprey is perched on the nest. The background features open fields and a distant house under a cloudy sky.
A view of an osprey nest with two adult ospreys resting on it, surrounded by a grassy landscape and a distant forested area. A pole with a weather sensor is visible in the background.

I wonder what other ospreys came in on those strong winds????

Blue 014, the mate of Aeron Z2, has returned home to the Glaslyn Valley and the Pont Cresor nest.

Only Jackie and Shadow know. Pip watch is on.

A pair of bald eagles are tending to their nest, which is located on a tree branch overlooking a scenic view of water and forested landscape.

Baby Hope is excited about the possibility of an eaglet at Big Bear.

A calico cat sitting on a wooden surface, gazing at a television screen displaying a nature scene with a bird perched on a nest.

Andor and Cruz now have three eaglets at the Fraser Point nest in the Channel Islands. Sasha, Zuma, and Ryder. No wonder Andor was loading up this nest with prey. A Coot has been added to a whole lot of fish!

A bald eagle tending to its nest with chicks, surrounded by sticks and leaves.
A bald eagle feeding its chicks in a nest, with some fish visible in the nest and greenery in the background.

There has been a second hatch at the Achieva osprey platform of Jack and Jill. This one is nearly six days younger than the first hatch. I am not a happy camper over this turn of events…There is a problem with fish deliveries at this nest – historically. Is it intruders taking the fish? Who knows?

A young bird sitting in a nest made of twigs, with trees and a street visible in the background.

Thank you for being with us for this very quick check in! There are lots of other hatches and arrivals in the US – it is going to be a very busy weekend. Here is the list from nature chaat:

Kama laid 1st egg today at White-tailed Eagle Cam in Russia.

Lizzie laid 5th egg this morning at Peregrine Falcon Cam in New Jersey.

3rd egg hatched before midnight last night at Fraser Point Eagle Cam.

1st egg hatched this morning at Glen Hazel (Hays) Eagle Cam.

Hatch in progress for 3rd egg at U.S. Steel Eagle Cam.

Pip watch continues for 1st eggs at Big Bear Eagle Cam, Fort St. Vrain Station Eagle Cam and ND-LEEF Eagle Cam.

See you soon!

Thank you to those who are posting information on FB, to the owners and posters on nature chat and to ‘J’ for sending me the latest list, and to the owners of the streaming cams that allow me to rewind and see Daddy Longlegs Idris arrive home to his great love, Telyn! Thank you.

Big Red isn’t fooling around….Wednesday in Bird World

1 April 2026

It might be April Fool’s Day but Big Red isn’t fooling around. She laid her fourth egg today! Cornell Bird Lab has it on video: https://youtu.be/JlHxc-bpsQg?

A red-tailed hawk sitting on a nest made of twigs and branches, with a focus on its back and tail feathers.

Aeron Z2 has arrived at the Friends of Osprey Pont Cresor nest in Glaslyn. Of course, this could get interesting as Elen is home alone at the other Glaslyn nest and Blue 014 has yet to arrive at Pont Cresor.

Aeron Z2 is handsome, and he did cause a lot of mischief last season. His brother Tegid Z1 (on a private nest) is also equally adorable. Monty’s boys.

A close-up of an osprey standing on a nest made of sticks, with a scenic background of hills and sparse trees. The sky is overcast.

Lots happening at Loch of the Lowes but not a couple confirmed as yet. And where is Blue NCO? Does she have another nest and mate? I wonder.

Text post about recent osprey sightings at Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve, discussing their behaviors and conditions.

In the garden, lots of action as a Sharp-shinned Hawk (a male) had a Starling lunch right in front of us.

A hawk standing on the snow, next to its prey, a fallen bird, surrounded by scattered leaves and twigs.

Missing Blue 35 – and females chasing after White YW. I don’t blame them – he’s a great dad at Foulshaw Moss.

An osprey nest with two ospreys in a dramatic pose, surrounded by a landscape of open fields and distant hills, showcasing daytime activity in the nest.

USS9 and USS10 are cute.

Two fluffy bald eagle chicks in a nest, with an unhatched egg between them, resting on straw.

More fish are needed at Moorings Park. Everyone is fighting with little three, and 2 seems to be the dominant osplet right now. 3 got some fish – finally.

An adult osprey standing in a nest with three chicks, surrounded by branches and vegetation, near a body of water.
An osprey stands beside three chicks in their nest, with a view of a calm body of water and greenery in the background.
An osprey standing near three chick ospreys in a nest, surrounded by greenery and water in the background.
An osprey standing on a nest with three young ospreys in a natural setting by a river, surrounded by trees.

I am always concerned about the Achieva nest, always. For many reasons.

An osprey stands in a nest made of twigs with another chick visible inside, surrounded by green trees and a suburban street in the background.

‘J’ sent Naturechat’s points:

Pip in progress for 3rd egg at U.S. Steel Eagle Cam.

3rd egg laid today at Black Stork Cam in Poland 2.

Pip watch continues for 1st eggs at Big Bear Eagle Cam, Fort St. Vrain Station Eagle Cam, Glen Hazel (Hays) Eagle Cam and ND-LEEF Eagle Cam.

When will Frannie lay her 1st egg at Eastern Bluebird Cam in VA?

It was quite the day here. Our entire routine went upside down and sideways. The new care helper came at 0830. She is fantastic. Then the delivery man came with two months of birdseed – bags everywhere. Then the installer arrived to wire the house for the alarm, the doorbell, and the fire alarm. Ann arrived and then there were several other deliveries. I don’t need to tell you that Don, The Girls, and Toby are all snoring! It is going to be an early night.

Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon – remember. We are waiting for the hatch at Big Bear along with hundreds of thousands of other people.

Thank you to the owners of the streaming cams and those who have posted information and images on FB that I have used in today’s blog.

CJ7 arrives at Poole Harbour…

25 March 2026

Hi there,

Not only did this super mum land on the same day as last year but she arrived within one minute of her time in 2025. I don’t even know if trains and planes have that kind of timely accuracy! The time was 18:29:44.

She’s landing!

The latest Blue 022, her mate, has arrived is the 26th of March in 2023. In 2025, he arrived on 22 March. So come on Blue 022 – you are the most amazing Dad. CJ7 waited a long time for you and together you have produced numerous clutches of four chicks going to fledge – you are a super couple.

Birds of Poole Harbour has the arrival on video: https://youtu.be/Ehd_yrIf_PQ?

At the Big Bear nest of Jackie and Shadow, Jackie had to literally protect her eggs and fight of Ravens who were attacking her as she incubated. It was horrible to watch. They were very careful coming on and off and taking breaks on Wednesday.

Emma is at the Pitkin County nest in Colorado. I don’t think Charlie is home yet.

Geese are taking over Captain Mac’s osprey platform on Fenwick Island. I am pleased. Let the geese take the platforms where osplets were abandoned because there was a lack of food, and they starved right in front of our eyes just days before fledging – like this nest! And I do love my ospreys.

‘J’ sent me the latest notes from nature chat:

Alla laid 1st egg today at Northern Goshawk Cam in Estonia.

Hatch in progress for 4th egg at Eurasian Eagle-Owl Cam in Germany.

Probable hatch in progress for 1st egg at Little Miami Conservancy Eagle Cam.

Hatch watch begins today for 1st egg at Decorah Eagle Cam.

Thanks, Nature Chat and ‘J’.

It’s nearing 1800 and Toby is going to start thinking it is time for a meal. He had a fun day with Lucy, Ann’s dog and Ann, at their house while Don and I went for his doctor’s appointment. Spring wants to arrive but it isn’t yet. The light is different and we are getting hopeful.

Thank you for being with us today. Take care.

Thank you to ‘J’ for her note about what is happening and the links from nature chat, to those who post on FB including Heidi, and to those who make videos and own streaming cams that allow us to watch our favourite bird families.

Jackie lays egg 2, clutch 2!

27 February 2026

Hello Everyone,

I didn’t expect to be back so soon – well, there is great news. Jackie and Shadow have egg 2 of clutch 2.

Thanks SK Hideaways for the video capturing the moment! https://youtu.be/FKRbz02gZG0?

Featured image from SK Hideaways video capture.