It was not my intention to post any information today, so this will posting will include only one big announcement.
It is with the deepest sadness that I write this evening. At 1956, a Bald Eagle predated Miles and Hennies’ precious first hatch of 2026, CH1, at the Cape Henlopen State Park Osprey platform in Lewes, Delaware. This nest is the heartbeat of our dear Heidi, who set up a FB group and loved this family so much. She even gave them their names, as she did to the osprey pair, Della and Warren. I know that she is struggling tonight. She worried about the Bald Eagles there as well as at other sites that she monitors. Please send Heidi positive energy. This has been a very difficult year, but this predation will make a hole in Heidi’s heart.
CH1 was fully feathered and hatched on 9 June and was really ready to fledge had it not missed days without food.
Precious CH1 minutes before resting on the nest after having had fish brought by mum today.
The other two osplets at this nest perished on 2 July from a weather event (CH2) and CH3 from siblicide on 25 June.
Thank you to Pam Breci and to the Parks Department of Delaware for their streaming cam.
We were all excited when we learned that Uno would be provided with fish so that he could survive to fledge. Without parents and no food, he would have perished.
Sadly, after eating three fish yesterday, Uno was found dangling by a talon from the nesting material, dead this morning. I am so very sad to bring this devastating news to you. It seems like all I have done is cry this year. I wish each one of those tears had been a fish to feed a little one.
My heart – and I know yours, too – is very heavy right now.
Thank you to the New Jersey Wildlife Conservation and Nature Conservancy for trying. The South Cape May Nest had its adults disappear, leaving this only surviving osplet on its own with no food and no hope for any – and then the fairies came.
I will not speculate if the fish came too late. I am glad that they reached out with fish and tried to save this little innocent.
Thank you to Pam Breci – for the note and for loving this baby so much.
This is going to be a very, very short hello to everyone and a wish that each of you has a lovely weekend – and if it is a long one like it is in Canada, then please get out and enjoy some birdsong in the shade, if possible. It remains very hot here. Ann has taken Don out, and I plan on having a cuddling nap with Toby! The Girls are all sound asleep. Calico and Missey have not been happy with one another, so I am trying another one of those calming diffusers from the vet. I really do feel gutted when they are not getting along.
There is relief. ‘PB’ writes: “Hennie brought CH1 a dogfish (which was to tough to eat) and 2 menhaden which baby devoured. Hennie looks thin this morning but took off after 3rd fish delivery hopefully to get her own fish or eat some of it and bring back a partial.”
There was no help coming for CH1 like at South Cape May Meadows and those who care dearly for the adults and chicks at this nest – namely our Heidi – were devastated that CH1 would wither and die on that nest. Why not feed them? The answer was that the chick might fledge early. My response is – they can’t fledge if they are starving to death. Let us hope that more fish arrives for the adults, too.
There is other good news. Jackie is continuing to improve.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 30th July 2026
The chicks spent today flying around making constant short flights, landing on the nearby Scots Pine, returning to the nest for fish, competing for fish with each other and with Dorcha, and generally enjoying their new found freedom. For the first time since the season began in April, the nest is empty as both chicks are spending their first night elsewhere. This is another side of nest cam watching – we’re willing the chicks on to fledge, and then suddenly have to cope with empty nest syndrome! But we will have the pleasure of the chicks’ company for a few weeks longer as they fatten up and prepare for migration, historically Dorcha doesn’t stay too long after her chicks fledge but Louis will stick around bringing fish until the chicks leave. From now on every sighting is to be treasured. This time last year Aurora had already left but both she and Garry are still here, Garry brought her one fish today taking the Nest One tally to one hundred and eighty seven, while Louis brought five fish, taking the Nest Two tally to three hundred and fifty one. After a damp start the weather was settled although the ‘moderate breezes’ sounded very loud on nest cam, and it’s forecast to be dry overnight with a low of 9 °C, changing to thundery showers tomorrow with gentle breezes and a high of 15 °C.
It has been confirmed that little Sol will not be returned to the Fru Rauer nest in Norway but will be placed with a more experienced pair of adults where there is plenty of fish.
It seems that many places are suffering this year from a lack of fish. The wildfires and heat across the UK and Europe have had an impact as well as in North America.
Sadly there are a lot of condors dying from lead poisoning.
I cannot get enough of Iris and Wensi!
Nearing fledge in Minnesota. Two beautiful osplets.
Smile. There are still four feathered chicks at Blackbush!
Take care, all. I will be back on Monday. I am going to take a few days off. We are having some plumbing renovations done, and the plumbers are not here, so if the weather allows, I hope to get Don and Toby out for some walks and to visit with some friends and family this weekend.
Remember – please leave a dish of water out and food if you can!
Thank you to Geemeff, to PB, and to everyone who posted on FB, to the Ventana Wildlife Society and the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to view the lives of these magnificent creatures.
Yesterday it was 45 C with the humidex. It was so hot and humid in the garden you could barely breathe. Even the birds had little interest in food. Toby and I kept filling up the bird baths so that they could wash and get drinks. Tolu noticed right away that there was only one Blue Jay, and I am concerned about them. I did just see one Blue Jay come to the table feeder from inside the lilac tunnel. Perhaps that’s where they are. There were three crows just here, so that is good.
As many of you know, there are fires burning everywhere, driven by the heat and an ongoing drought. This will have a serious impact on our ospreys, as they rely solely on water and fish for food and hydration.
Please send your good wishes to all of them, and thank you again to Wildlife Conserve of NJ for feeding Uno and setting a precedent. Now please go and feed all the others because all of this heat and lack of fish is a human-driven issue – it is not ‘nature’.
Also read the following carefully and respond appropriately, thank you:
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission ASMFC is meeting August 5 to consider the possible reduction of the menhaden fishing quota – hopefully by 50%. Last year ASMFC lost their nerve and only reduced the take by 20% or less.
Write to the commissioners from YOUR STATE of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission now. ASMFC is responsible for setting quotas along the U.S. East Coast and balancing commercial fishing with the ecosystem’s forage needs.
This is the most important actions you can do right now. Don’t let the industrial fishing harvesters deplete our osprey’s food source.
Urge your state commissioners to protect the osprey and menhaden populations by adopting substantially stronger, ecosystem-based management of menhaden. by adopting a 50% reduction in the industrial harvest, or by totally ending industrial menhaden reduction fishing along the East Coast or by closing the Chesapeake Bay to industrial harvesting until independent science demonstrates that the fishery is not harming the ecosystem.
Your six CT ASMFC commissioners are:
Shanna Madsen Assistant Director, CT DEEP Fisheries Division, Shanna.Madsen@ct.gov
Proxy: Matthew Gates, DEEP Fisheries Matthew.Gates@ct.gov (860)434-6043
William Hyatt CT DEEP hyattwilliam01@gmail.com (860)402-6947
Proxy: Robert Lafrance, Policy Director Audubon’s CT, Robert.Lafrance@Quinnipiac.Edu, (203)668-6685
CT Representative Joseph P. Gresko, joseph.gresko@cga.ct.gov 860.240.0363
Proxy: Craig Miner former state senator craigminer230@gmail.com (860)309-0485
See the comments section for more information on the problem to help you write your comments to the commissioners.
Great news from Ping Shen in Seattle:
Quick visit today, found the three siblings looking good, mostly resting when I arrived, though one started some fairly vigorous warmups for life’s next stage, even managing a few jumps and momentary liftoffs in the process. Good to see them still doing well! Figure they are about ~6.5 weeks old give or take, so fledging may be around the corner…! Fingers crossed.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 29th July 2026
Another amazing day – Juniper 8P7 achieved the ultimate milestone and fledged! Mind you, her maiden flight only lasted 31 seconds before she circled back and crash landed on the cam post, but she took off elegantly and confidently only an hour after doing her first proper off-the-screen helicopter, and made better landings on subsequent flights. Her helicopter and Dorcha’s stick antics were captured from a different perspective by LizB and her marvellous long lens a mile and a half away across the loch, links in the bonus section. Louis delivered four fish taking the Nest Two tally to three hundred and forty six, and Amber made sure she got her share, returning to the nest after spending time perched on the branches underneath the nest with just an occasional wingtip betraying her presence. Over on Nest One, Garry made up for the lack of fish over the last couple of days and brought two fish for Aurora, taking his tally to one hundred and eighty six. Aurora was so excited to see the first one that she managed to fly off without it and did a smart about turn to grab it properly the second time. After a soggy night, the weather was reasonably settled today and the pattern repeats with light rain, light winds and a low of 11°C overnight, continuing tomorrow with light rain showers, a moderate breeze, some sunny intervals and a high of 15°C.
The plumbers continue to work. We were fortunate to get Toby out for a walk before the heat set in today. There was a huge thunderstorm at 11 pm last evening with winds of 100 km passing through our City. Lots of big trees down. The plumbers had put a heavy piece of granite on Toby’s clothes box, so he did not have his thunder jacket. I could not lift that 2-inch granite! I wrapped him up tight in a baby blanket, held him in bed, and sang to him until it passed. Poor guy.
The Girls were alright. Missey and Hugo Yugo were in bed with me and Toby. Calico and Hope were in with Don.
If you haven’t seen this documentary, I recommend it.
This link should take you there: edcoraluniverse.com/en/play/69e8c6d262897193d5221799?id=69e8c6d262897193d5221799&advs=true&fbclid=IwY2xjawTYcbJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE3SVhhS0M1NEhxOTh1NTA0c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHu2Ztmvw5jamfEB0iM6JAst2nVOORV2832Qm1z9VCHuTUSzJ71K2LuxBegQ4_aem_Ke9a929zbw8MzUF-9JTMSg
Thank you so much for being with us today. Thank you to Ping Shen for the amazing photos of Sally and Harry and their trio, to those who posted information on FB with images, and to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to follow the lives of our birds. Thank you, Geemeff, for your videos and daily updates on all things Loch Arkaig.
This will not be a long post but it has some very good news in it that I hope will make you smile.
My faith in humans stepping up to help the ospreys is improving. This was in the latest newsletter from the NJ Wildlife Conservancy.
“SOUTH CAPE MAY MEADOWS
Important Osprey Cam Update
July 29 Update on Osprey Chick “Uno”
Yesterday, our staff consulted with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection including representatives from the endangered species program regarding the osprey chick at South Cape May Meadows.
Following the discussion and having not seen either adult osprey nearby for more than 24 hours, our staff made the decision to provide fish in Uno’s nest. As of this afternoon, Uno ate a sizeable meal of fish placed on the platform and continues to be bright, active and alert.
This juvenile osprey is large and healthy and right on the verge of fledging. We hope he/she will fly and hunt independently in the coming days but for now will continue to provide daily fish with fingers crossed for a positive outcome.
It is important to recognize that nature has a delicate balance and that human intervention, however well intended, can be disruptive and cause negative results. Some would argue it is better to let nature take its course, and that often is the right option. We do not know how providing fish might affect Uno’s life journey.
At this time, we do not plan to turn the streaming osprey camera on again this season but will share Uno updates as appropriate.
Thank you again for caring so much about Uno, and please know we care just as much and are doing all we can to help.”
Patient Update: Bald Eagle 26-519 from Big Bear Lake
She continues to receive around-the-clock veterinary care. We’re pleased to share that she has now been moved from our intensive care unit, where she required oxygen therapy, to one of our regular hospital care units. While this marks an encouraging milestone, she remains a very sick patient and continues to require intensive treatment and monitoring. This is an encouraging step forward, but it does not mean she is out of danger.
We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support, encouragement, and kindness shown to our team throughout her care. Your messages on social media truly mean a great deal to all of us.
As always, we kindly ask the public and members of the media to continue respecting our small team’s time and allowing us to remain focused on patient care. Please refrain from calling, texting, emailing, or visiting our facility for updates. We will continue sharing meaningful updates through our official social media channels as new information becomes available.
If you would like to support Ojai Raptor Center’s work, please visit our website or the Bald Eagle Rehabilitation Campaign link in our bio. Your generosity helps us provide specialized care for this patient while strengthening our ability to care for future Bald Eagles and the hundreds of other wild birds that arrive at Ojai Raptor Center each year.
Thank you for continuing to stand with us on this journey.”
This is great news and there is more coming in a longer post at the end of the week.
Thank you so much for being with us today!
Thank you to Pam Breci for her messages, to Geemeff, to those great folks in NJ, and to the owners of the streaming cams and those who post on FB with the latest info and images.
My life has always been made richer by the people who are part of it, and that includes all of you. I appreciate your notes, your quiet recommendations on the best stain cleaner, thunder jacket, vaccinations – what a caring community. You let me know about any news I might have missed and your wishes for me when I am sick and very tired are so appreciated. I am blessed. I am also fortunate to have readers/followers/Bird World friends who either volunteer or work at many of the rehabilitation centres where our raptors wind up staying and getting help.
I know that everyone is anxiously watching for updates on Jackie. I have also been annoyed by those who are impatient and rude. I am sure you have seen their comments. I know that our local wildlife rehabilitation centre is now taking in twice as many patients as it did before the other facility in our province closed. So what I am asking you to do is simply sit back and wait. Imagine a few people trying to create miracles with new patients coming in and the world watching them. Can you imagine if that patient was our dear Jackie, the most famous bald eagle female in the world, perhaps?
Most wildlife rehabilitation centres work on a shoe string. They do incredible things with very little, to the astonishment of everyone. I still recall E17 and the flight area at Humane Indiana. They didn’t need a fancy enclosure to get that eaglet back into shape – they just needed dedicated staff and volunteers who refused to give up. E17 was returned near the nest in South Bend. It was remarkable.
Jackie is in the best place she can be. I know that the Ojai Raptor Centre has received numerous donations to help with her care. But let us not forget that every test for an exotic toxin, every IV bag, every transfusion – it all comes at a great cost. Just the testing for lead is so expensive, never mind everything else. So if you are still considering donating, please do and label it for Jackie’s care.
The Ojai Raptor Center has very humble beginnings. The Founder, Kim Stroud, who retired in January, started taking care of sick/hurt birds in her backyard and in a wood shop behind her place of business in 2000. In 2010, Kim was able to move her operations to the Ojai Honor Farm; four acres on a former minimum security honor farm facility. With the help of generous donations, they were able to transform some buildings into a medical hospital and added a number of flight cages.
In 2023, ORC brought on board Dr Kat (as she is called), who brought her own specialised training to the centre, including infectious disease management. With a small full-time staff and a host of volunteers, they focus on the care and treatment of all winged birds.
Like all non-profits, ORC struggles with the costs of running a full-scale wildlife hospital and depends on local support to maintain operations. In 2024, ORC was in deficit because they needed to replace flight netting and repair water lines. And today, more and more patients are coming into care as rivers and lakes dry up, habitats are lost, or accidents occur.
So please help, if you can. [I know that everyone and every organisation is struggling, but I mention this because Ojai is an exceptional centre. It is where Dr Sharpe took Victor!
But please wait for updates. Limited staff and volunteers are needed to help clients/patients and are not answering phones. We know that Jackie had a blood transfusion and that she improved and then had a setback. They are working tirelessly to determine the cause of her anaemia, but she is beginning to eat independently, which is a big plus. Send Jackie all the best wishes that you can.
Louis and Dorcha’s second hatch, Amber, Blue 8P6, fledged today. It was a magnificent flight. Amber stood on the edge of the nest looking towards the loch and began flapping her wings. She flew like a pro to a nearby pine tree – seen in the distance in the video. The landing appeared to be perfect as well.
Amber returned to the nest just like a pro – what a strong chick! Geemeff has that landing: https://youtu.be/9BQRF4ykYeI?
At the Pont Cresor nest, Aeron Z2 is proving that he is quite the fisher. He once again brought in two fish at a time! There is clearly not a problem with food in Wales for the ospreys.
It is quite a different story in the US, where females abandon their chicks in the nest before fledging to find food to build up their bodies for migration, before they starve. At South Cape Meadows, Hera was last seen more than two weeks ago. Zeus was delivering fish to the single surviving osplet, Uno, but has not been seen in two days. The situation is dire, as the organs of the osplet are already beginning to shut down. If the food isn’t delivered today, this chick will starve in place. I cannot tell you how much that breaks my heart.
I am afraid that if I lived there, I would load a backpack with ice and fish and deliver it to the nest. Then I would argue in court that the human cause of this great disaster besetting this region of the US and its ospreys.
They have turned the camera off on Uno at the nest of Zeus and Hera. The chick will starve without any help. Why not feed it? They know the cause. The fault lies with the State of Virginia, which takes political donations and a handful of jobs over the entire region’s ecosystem and its other employment – ospreys die. The whales and dolphins have left. This is simply more than tragic.
Despite the high temperatures, the two osplets at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum are doing well because the amount of fish is keeping them hydrated.
A fish for the only surviving osplet at Cowlitz PUD.
All of the osplets have fledged at Clark PUD in Washington State.
An adult arrives to help with the fish and another fledgling shows up at Clark.
The surviving two have fledged at Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, also. Well done!
Mum came and took the leftover fish.
All is well at Blackbush and I believe that is Tiny 4 flapping its wings.
At Oyster Bay, there is a lot of fish calling while one fledgling enjoys a fish.
I wonder if the fishing is hard near Charlo. Charlie really needs to get a fish on the nest for Winnie and C22.
There was a bit of a fish fight over a small one at the Poole Harbour nest of CJ7 and Blue 022.
I love the look of Dad in the background. It looks like 6T7 has it for sure but…wait..
6T9 ultimately keeps the fish.
At Upper Newport Bay, Ripple arrives and Dad delivers a breakfast fish.
At Salmon, Idaho, Dad delivered a nice fish and everyone was able to get a share.
At the Usk Valley in Wales, the second chick that had often been aggressively treated by its older sibling took flight today at 53 days! Congratulations 0U1. The older sibling, 0U0, fledged on the 19th of July at 53 days.
I want to close with some more happiness. At the Osprey House Environmental Centre in Griffin, Australia, two little osplets hatched to George and Hope. I understand that big sister, Maria, who helped last year, has dispersed.
And, last, Geemeff brings us the exciting news from Loch Arkaig today!
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 28th July 2026
Amber did it – she fledged today! With a quick check of her wings, Loch Arkaig Osprey chick 8P6, AKA Amber, opened her wings fully and launched off into the big wide world. She made a perfect landing on the Scots Pine tree, stayed there for a few minutes, then took off again and didn’t return for five hours. Her return was as elegant as her departure, she landed smoothly from a hover over the nest and then walked forward and cuddled up to her sister Juniper 8P7. Louis brought three fish today, taking the Nest Two tally to three hundred and forty two, and Dorcha and Juniper shared two of those while Amber was away enjoying her new found freedom but she’d had a good meal from the first fish. Aurora 536 on the other hand got no fish at all from Garry LV0 despite calling loud and long, but each time he turned up, his talons were empty and she eventually departed. A year ago today was her last appearance on nest cam in Season Nine – it will be interesting to see if she turns up tomorrow. Garry’s total remains at one hundred and eighty four. It started raining this evening before night cam came on, and the forecast is for heavy rain and a gentle breeze with a low of 13°C overnight, changing to light rain with a high of 17°C tomorrow.
Thank you for being with us today! Take care – and remember, please put out water for wildlife. See our little visitor looking for food who had a drink from the birdbath last night!
Thank you to Geemeff, the wonderful folks at Ojai Raptor Centre, everyone who posted on FB with information and images, and the owners of the streaming cams.
I just wish everyone was as brave as Viki and a few others who are out there providing fish because they understand that the lack of food is human-caused.
Today is a short posting because this one story is so remarkable you do not need to hear or read anything else! Would you believe it if someone told you that two little eaglets on top of a hydro pole, one just hatched and another hatching, could be rescued and saved? Well, believe it and watch this video to see what happened! https://youtu.be/-UaKaFwGz58?
Meanwhile chicks everywhere, if they haven’t died or fledged, are flapping away getting ready.
Jay Koolpix nest:
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 26th July 2026
No fledge as yet but both Juniper 8P7 and Amber 8P6 were hop, skip and jumping over the nest today, balancing precariously on the edge, peering down into the depths, and doing helicopters. Juniper hasn’t yet gone off the screen as Amber has but she’s getting closer all the time. So it’ll be eyes peeled tomorrow watching for that magic moment when they find their wings and go off into the big wide world that’s waiting beyond the nest. There were more intruders about – perhaps newly fledged from nearby, or more likely unattached older birds looking for their own nests and mates – but no one came near enough to bother the chicks. Louis brought five fish, taking the Nest Two tally to three hundred and thirty four, and causing a tug of trout between Dorcha and a determined Juniper. But it was all fairly low key with none of the aggressive assertiveness we’ll see once the chicks go into hyperphagia, when Louis can expect to get his leg pulled or even bitten as the chicks fight to get to the fish first. Actually, it’s not just the chicks – Dorcha accidentally got his foot instead of the fish today but soon let go with no harm done. Over on Nest One, Aurora was calling for fish but Garry arrived and mounted her instead, choosing to reaffirm their bond with a mating attempt. His total remains at one hundred and eighty two. It didn’t rain as much as forecast and should remain dry overnight with a low of 10°C, changing to light rain and a gentle breeze tomorrow with a high of 17°C.
Thanks everyone for being with us today. Take care! See you soon!
Thank you to Pam Breci, to the people who care enough to really try and save our osprey babies, and to Geemeff for their videos and summary. To all those who posted on FB or are owners of streaming cams, we thank you immensely.
Before I begin with some news from the nests, I want to thank everyone who donated to Save Moon Camp. It is very special to me that half of the funds came from ordinary individuals like you and me. I am grateful that others came with the remaining amount so that the habitat could be saved.
It is important to save these special places – more so now that there are development companies quick to want to build housing estates and condos in the most beautiful natural places on our planet. We need to ensure that they don’t. One of the great Canadian writers, Margaret Atwood, helped champion the conservation and ecological protection of Pelee Island in Lake Erie, Ontario. Rather than saving an entire island from physical destruction, she and her late partner Graeme Gibson focused on preserving its vital natural ecosystem by co-founding the Pelee Island Bird Observatory (PIBO) and advocating for its migratory bird habitats.
You don’t have to be a famous writer or a millionaire to save land. You simply have to understand that humans can do wonderful, marvellous miracles ‘together’. I continue to advocate for ‘one garden at a time’ – we don’t need huge goals like 100 acres or 35,000 acres. Imagine if every home, beginning with yours, had Butterfly bushes, trees for shade for the birds and animals, places for water for them, and, if you can, food. Then add the next house, and the next, and the next….then close your eyes and imagine the forest sanctuary you have created. Please, if you can, start a movement. The wildlife need habitat.
We are in the beginning stages of planning to dig up the area behind our conservatory to cover it with trees that grow quickly. We may take the other area where wood is stacked as well. I will document the change in photos once we begin. For now, the animals and birds are enjoying the shade and the three bird baths. Water has been the key during the heat that we had and the new heat dome that is arriving tomorrow. Today it is so humid and hot it is hard to stay outside very long.
I have not posted much this week because the children have been helping me finish up my decluttering! They did the attic in no time. What an amazing team they are. I miss them today. The house is quiet, and we are left to go through one large box of photos. Toby has a mild case of conjunctivitis that is slowly getting better, and I do mean slowly. The Girls are fine, and well… we will enjoy the quiet today and tomorrow. Tuesday is the day the plumbers will be here tearing things apart.
Do you know how to tell if your toilet is leaking? Pour soy sauce in the tank and see if it runs down the sides of the bowl! My water bill doubled in a month, and we knew something was amiss. So not only are they putting in a new loo, but they are finally installing the gorgeous German vanity that I purchased before the pandemic! It will be dusty and dirty.
So what has been going on with the ospreys? Well, in the UK, they have been fledging. Not having the problems that the US ospreys have had with food, the chicks are healthy. Aran’s only baby with his new mate fledged and sat on the perch, wondering what to do. This is its second flight:
The only one at the Loch of the Lowes, Blue 2JB, at 53 days, has fledged, and the little boy of Elen and Teifi’s finally took to the sky. Others that fledged have returned to their nests. US ospreys are fledging too – Santiam Canyon had one this morning. It is hard to keep up with them now! All fledglings need to return to the nest to be fed by the parents for several weeks or even a month. Instinctively, ospreys know how to fish – 61.5 million years of developing- but they still need help from the adults.
The latest news from Big Bear: ·
Habitat Update
We do not have an update on Jackie currently. Ojai Raptor Center said they would not be giving any additional information on Jackie until Monday at the earliest.
We have had many questions about the sub adult that likely battled with Jackie and has been very present in the habitat for several days.
We spoke with Dr. Peter Sharpe, Bald Eagle expert and Conservationist regarding the sub adult. He aged this eagle at 3 ½ years old. Bald eagles generally reach full maturity at the age of 5 years old, though they can be ready to mate and lay eggs at the age of 4, however that is not as common.
Dr. Sharpe feels that it is a bit early for this sub adult to be looking for nesting territory and/or a mate. Shadow did show defensive behavior against the sub adult for several days while Sandy and Luna were at the nest and seen in the area on both cameras.
Though we have been hearing vocals that may be Sandy or Luna in the habitat, the last time we saw them on our cameras was on 7/23. With several other young eagles in the area, these vocals may or may not be Sandy or Luna.
If Sandy and Luna have indeed left on their life’s journey, their timing is completely normal. At the Big Bear nest, previous eaglets have generally dispersed at around 4 weeks. It is not confirmed Sandy and Luna have left the area, we can only observe and time will tell. If Sandy and Luna are not in the habitat, Shadow would not feel the need to protect the territory.
When the eagles are not in nesting season, they are much more tolerant of other eagles. Sandy Steers and I spent over an hour watching Jackie and a sub adult back in 2023 (pictures attached). Jackie was not concerned at all about the subadult perching with her. In fact, she continued to preen and seemed very relaxed, though glancing over at the other eagle occasionally to keep an eye on it.
A soft reminder, please be kind to the FOBBV team and each other. We are all going through this together.
Stay tuned for future updates, we will continue to post information here.
GW”
A good message for all of us:
SK Hideaways Videos for Week of 19 July 2026
FOBBVCAM Eagles ~ Big Bear Valley, CA Resident Bald Eagle male: Shadow (unbanded) since May 2018. Estimated hatch year: 2014 Resident Bald Eagle female: Jackie (unbanded) since September 2016. Estimated hatch year: 2012 Sandy hatched 4 April 2026, Luna hatched 5 April 2026 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 Shadow and Sub-Adult Share Nighttime Roost Tree (2026 Jul 25)
Shadow’s vocal were heard in the early morning, but not again until the evening just after he flew by. A sub-adult was flying behind him but stopped to perch on Twin Pines and then the Simba Tree before flying off to join Shadow on his and Jackie’s roost tree. Missed seeing Sandy and Luna again today and wish them a safe night along with all Big Bear eagles. Sending positive thoughts for Jackie’s speedy and complete recovery. Video: https://youtu.be/uRxUyUgKTpo
Sandy & LunaPossible Last Sightings ~ But Not Last Squees~ 2026 Jul 23 I held this video for a couple days in hopes of seeing Sandy and Luna back on camera. So far we haven’t seen them, but believe we have heard them ~ quite a lot. Whether we see them again or not, this video brings some sweet and poignant moments of their typical mornings together ~ good morning squees, flying from favorite perch to favorite perch, and even some beakie kisses. A nice collection for the memory book. Video: https://youtu.be/O32HJ6mozQI Shadow Calls for Jackie Morning & Evening ~ Send Positivity Their Way(2026 Jul 23) Shadow calls for Jackie probably more often than we see on camera. In my opinion, he misses her. Also in my opinion, while he is dealing with the presence of visiting sub-adult bald eagles, he has no interest in taking another mate. His focus is on Jackie’s whereabouts and taking care of Sandy and Luna. Sending oodles of positive thoughts to Jackie and Shadow for a happy reunion one day soon. Video: https://youtu.be/IaJECLI95kk
Shadow & Sub-Adult Perch Peacefullyas Eaglets Watch ~ Fiona & Fast Finale(2026 Jul 22) Shadow and a sub-adult seem to have reached a truce to some extent. This sub-adult followed Shadow all over today. Each time it landed near him, he immediately flew off, except for a 25-minute period in the afternoon. He had much to say to the youngster but there was no physical aggression. Perhaps the truce included the condition that the sub-adult not breach the nest again.
At day’s end, Shadow perched behind the pine boughs next to the Cactus Snag for about 90 minutes. Was he trying to ditch the sub before roost time? We’ll never know, but he retired to his and Jackie’s roost tree. Luna roosted back on the Simba Tree and Sandy stayed on the high Y branch of the nest tree. Fiona and Fast Freddie took advantage of the empty nest and had quite a party. Video: https://youtu.be/qc4eJpY9-EY Shadow Stays Strong ~ Sub-Adult Remains ~ Another Day Without Jackie~ 2026 Jul 21 I chronicled this whole day as a testament to the strength and keen survival instincts of these bald eagles. It seems Shadow kept the persistent sub-adult from returning to the nest with great support from Sandy and Luna. He also managed to deliver 3 fish in the span of a half-hour in the morning and another 3 in the evening.
Luna and Sandy are venturing farther away as evidenced by Luna’s 9-hour absence from camera view and Sandy’s 3-hour absence. Shadow returning to an empty nest in the afternoon was difficult to see, but fans were soon treated when Luna and then Sandy returned to the nest in the evening.
I sprinkled the video with photos of Jackie ~ remembering happier times and sending oodles of positive thoughts for her speedy and complete recovery. Video: https://youtu.be/lFjfSoF_-7o
Sub-Adult Returns to Nest Tree🌲Shadow Divebombs, Locks Talons on Descent The sub-adult that Shadow had flushed out earlier in the day returned in the evening. This was not a good idea. Shadow first gave the visitor a stern verbal warning before diving on them. They both descended and their talons locked briefly before Shadow chased the sub-adult across the valley. Shadow then returned and perched on the Simba Tree during which time Luna and Sandy briefly checked on him there.
At nightfall, Sandy and Luna perched on the nest tree basement while Shadow retired to his and Jackie’s night roost tree. Sending positive thoughts for Jackie’s complete and speedy recovery while she is at the wildlife rehabilitation center being well cared for. And we wish all Big Bear eagles well as they all navigate life in the wild. (2026 Jul 19) Video: https://youtu.be/u-Wjj6i0cZU
Sub-Adult Breaches Nest ~ Shadow Attacks and Chases as Luna & Sandy Fly In(2026 Jul 19) One of the persistent sub-adult bald eagles followed Shadow to the nest. Shadow made his displeasure known vocally, but when Luna arrived, Shadow leapt over him and flushed the sub-adult from the nest, chasing them to the lake and possibly beyond. Sandy arrived at the nest as the chase was unfolding, and she and Luna looked on, squee-less. Not a minute later, Shadow was perched on Twin Pines and 9 minutes later, Sandy and Luna perched on the Cactus Snag. Shadow remains on Twin Pines, on guard as we publish. We wish all Big Bear eagles well and continue to wait for definitive news of Jackie’s whereabouts. Video: https://youtu.be/3OnNjmhclpo
Fraser Point Eagles ~ Santa Cruz Island, CA ~ Cruz, Andor, Sasha (hatched 3/28), Zuma (hatched 3/30), Ryder (hatched 4/1) Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Fraser Point Eagles Cam Ops Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY4V_AppZ6s Two Eaglets Rouse Cruz from Her Night Roost ~ Hang Out Awhile(2026 Jul 23) Fans were treated to Princess Cruz on her overnight roost followed by not one but two eaglets rousing her in the wee hours. She exited stage left pretty quickly. The eaglets stayed long enough to show us some of their signature shenanigans and progress they’ve made in eagle school in the weeks since we last saw them. Video: https://youtu.be/-wNvLxUawZI
San Jose City Hall Falcons ~ San Jose, CA ~ Hartley, Monty, and chicks Jet, Scout, Stewart, Walton (hatched 4/21/26) Courtesy San Jose City Hall Peregrine Falcon Cam | Predatory Bird Research Group 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 Walton and Scout Make Surprise Visit to Nest Area ~ Adult Skedaddles(2026 July 18) Walton arrived, screaming, of course, while an adult was on the runway. With no drama, the adult flew, at which point Scout arrived. What a treat to see them both for this short visit. They look to be healthy and spunky. Video: https://youtu.be/NhsJmukFq2w
Cholyn & Chase Defend TerritoryAgainst Peregrine Falcons (2026 Jul 18) The Two Harbors peregrines must be in the midst of their nesting season, as they’ve been very territorial lately. They seem to have forgotten who rules the territory, though, as they persist in stooping on Cholyn and Chase. Our royal couple, despite their 28 years, are more than capable of defending their territory and displayed a most impressive series of evasive actions to keep the speedy peregrines at bay. Video: https://youtu.be/v2CFlmN1tpc
And then our other great contributor, Geemeff brings us the news from Loch Arkaig and the Woodland Trust:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 25th July 2026
Today’s big news is that we are officially on fledge watch! The chicks have been wingercising and taking little hops but today Amber 8P6 did a proper helicopter, disappearing out of the cam view at the top of the screen while Juniper 8P7 looked on in amazement. Juniper also got airborne, but only a few inches above the ground so it looks like Amber may well beat her older sister to first fledge. All eyes will be concentrating more than usual on the nest tomorrow! Meanwhile Dorcha is still fending off intruders, an unringed probably male Osprey flew very close, and there were one or two other alarms but no one else caught on nest cam. Intruders didn’t seem to take up Louis’ time as he delivered three fine looking trout including a gold coloured one, and he was sporting a very well-filled crop. The Nest Two tally now stands at three hundred and twenty nine. Aurora 536 spent a fair bit of time on Nest One, Garry LV0 delivered one fish taking his tally to one hundred and eighty two, and stayed to do a bit of nest tidying. It rained overnight but despite the forecast was mainly dry during the day, and there’ll be more rain overnight with a low of 12°C, continuing throughout tomorrow with a high of 17°C. There should be an early evening break in the rain tomorrow which would be ideal conditions for a fledge. However, the chicks will decide when they’re ready.Today’s videos: https://youtu.be/EJgW5nIVUuQ N2 Louis brings a huge lively trout 08.59.22 https://youtu.be/jf8-s_O-qUM N2 Dorcha warns away an intruder Osprey flying too near the nest 10.16.23https://youtu.be/f4RRAzdVszw N2 Juniper’s keen when fish two arrives, Amber joins in later 11.18.18 https://youtu.be/wSUiOyv4KMo N1 Aurora grabs the flatfish, has a nibble, and leaves with it 18.06.26https://youtu.be/J6Ki2ZIxvoI N2 Amber does a proper off-the-screen helicopter! 18.57.16https://youtu.be/wMGEFDUt_EoN2 Louis brings a very colourful third trout 19.53.04 (zoom)
Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:
Zeus has been making fish deliveries to Cape May to the chick who we hope will fledge soon! Another miracle. One little survivor.
There are still four osplets at Blackbush in Prince Edward Island. Against the odds, little four is going to make it unless something very strange happens.
Despite heating rivers and dying fish, Clark works hard for his family and delivers a nice fish for Iris and Wensi early this morning.
Wensi is working on building muscles to fly.
Two osplets at Oyster Bay – at least one has fledged and returned. Fish are coming to the nest, but the one who might not have fledged (apologies, I have not kept up with this nest as much as I should) is constantly fish-calling.
Looking to the upcoming season in the Southern Hemisphere:
Mum and Dad are on the barge nest and mating constantly! Meanwhile we hope Ervie and his female mate have chicks this year, too.
Lady and Dad in the Olympic Forest nest where Lady is incubating her two precious eggs.
Beautiful Diamond at the Falcon Scrape on the campus of Charles Sturt University in Orange, Australia. Gimbir is safe and sound and often in the scrape. He is quite the character. Looking forward to more healthy chicks this season.
The streaming cam at 367 Collins Street – home to the Melbourne Falcon family – will be turned on once there are eggs.
Thank you so much for your notes. I am so glad that you appreciated the photos of Toby and The Girls! They are so very special to my life.
Toby keeping us company as we sort through photos.
Have a lovely week. We will be back with you on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Thank you to Geemeff, SK Hideaways, Pam Breci, to all the contributors on FB, and the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to watch our bird friends.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
What a day it has been – one of those where great things happen and then something else goes sideways. Toby is at the vet. It appears that something has gone wrong with his eyes. Ann has taken Don to the zoo. They are trying to get a glimpse of Lumi, the little lynx. Tomorrow we are having a big curry dinner and the photographer is going to meet us at the park. It is possible it is the last time that we will all be together. So, it will be very special.
Toby update: mild conjunctivitis. Eye drops. Oh, he was so good letting me put them in! I cannot tell you how much I missed him while he was at the vet’s for three hours. With Don and Ann gone and all The Girls sleeping, the house was TOO quiet.
A huge storm swept through the NE of the US impacting osprey nests. Our hero Viki who is feeding a male and his two chicks writes, “Just as both chicks were routinely getting fed, an awful storm last night took out one of them whose remains are a puddle of feathers. I just can’t believe it. I suspect it was the elder chick who died because the remaining chick is not wingercizing and it’s a perfect morning for it. The younger chick was getting food and had pretty much caught up in size to the elder.
Ethel (of course) was on the nest with the chick this morning when I got up and LB (dad) on the nest next door (which in osprey territorial deeds also belongs to LB’s nest with the chick). Apparently, the entire creek has noticed LB’s new fish source.
LB back on his perch waiting for my next pitch. I’m beginning to worry about his expectations. Ha! Those parents in the Australian nest still keep fishing even after the fish fairy deliveries …. Right? Cripes! He is becoming as insistent as a female hollering at him !!!
Dad LB; deceased puddle; last chick standing on Island Creek.”
This is so sad.
But later today Viki writes with some incredible news: “LB had brought a fish home while I was out and filled himself and delivered the rest to the nest. Why do I know he was full? He greeted me but didn’t go after the fish I threw …. Until a gull tried to get it. LB was off that branch, grabbed the fish I’d thrown, delivered it to the nest AND FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER STARTED FEEDING THE CHICK.
Naturally while standing in the hot mess that was the other chick. Nature is so ugly for being so gorgeous.”
And then..”Ethel is the hero. She has begun showing up on the nest waiting with the chick when I throw a fish to LB. It’s like watching Peyton Place around here – so many alliances and subterfuges !!!!
Maybe other people aren’t as nutty as us. Aren’t we lucky !!!”
More attention is now coming to the plight of the ospreys starving because of the industrial fishing of Menhaden.
We all hope that Jackie can return home and be reunited with Shadow as soon as possible. SK Hideaways brings us the latest: https://youtu.be/lFjfSoF_-7o?
Update on Snow:
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 22nd July 2026
More intruder action today, but only seen at a distance, and Louis and Dorcha worked together to see off the intruder. Louis had plenty of time to go fishing, and delivered six fish, the first two arriving within eleven minutes of each other, taking the Nest Two tally to three hundred and fifteen. Garry LV0 delivered one fish to Aurora 536, taking the Nest One tally to one hundred and seventy eight. Both he and Aurora are completely ignoring the egg now, it’s hidden under some nest bedding and with luck it will quietly disappear. The chicks on the other hand are more visible and vocal than ever, and boldly seize fish from Louis when he lands. Dorcha often gives way to them letting Juniper and Amber tussle it out for possession of the fish. There was a comical moment today reminiscent of the spaghetti scene in Lady and the Tramp, with Amber on one end and Dorcha on the other end of a long piece of fish skin, and later Juniper and Amber had a tug of fish (spoiler alert – Juniper won). The weather was settled and continues with thick cloud, light wind and a low of 13°C overnight, and light cloud, light winds and a high of 18°C tomorrow.
Two chicks have fledged at Santiam Canyon. Well done.
Pam Breci reports that the only chick at William & Mary has fledged. Excellent news.
Last, but never least, on a day I didn’t intend to post – Iris and Clark now have a name for their chick. It is Wensi and means dancer in Salish.
Thank you so much for being with me today. I wanted you to know the lovely name of Iris and Clark’s chick and to hear the good news coming from Viki. Take care. I will be back at the weekend.
Thank you to SK Hideaways and Geemeff for their videos and summaries, to my hero Viki who stood up for the ospreys, to everyone who posted on FB and included information and images, and to the owners of the streaming cams – we are always grateful to you for if it were not for those cameras we would not know the wonders of these amazing birds.
