Tag Archives: birds

Late Tuesday in Bird World

27 October 2026

Hello Everyone,

I have had so much trouble lately with proper e-mails going into the Junk Mail folder and then ‘poof’ they are gone after I open and read. I am late in sending SK Hideaway’s complete video listing for last week – so please enjoy!


SK Hideaways Videos Week of 18 October 2026

367 Collins Street Falcons ~ Melbourne, Australia ~ F24 & M24, eggs hatched October 1, 2 & 5
Courtesy Victorian Peregrine Project | Melbourne
South Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oibsohQ14cY
North Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNKk0ivuWe4

Male Hoists Himself on Big Sisters to Secure Plenty of Food ~ 2026 Oct 24
Wee Where there’s a will there’s a way. The feisty little male chick has a whole lotta will and ingenuity when it comes to eating. One of yesterday’s many meals ~ this one delivered by mum.
Video: https://youtu.be/-RlvGSCErqc

First Chick Finds the Shade of the North Nest ~ 2026 Oct 20
Another day, another milestone. One of the female chicks left the struggle of finding shade under mum F24 and found perpetual shade in the north nest. They’ll all be there very shortly.
Video: https://youtu.be/Ye-lNAK02uc


FOBBVCAM Eagles  ~  Big Bear Valley, CA ~ Shadow (12 years), Jackie (dec. 10 August 2026), KD-1 (Kaydee 4 years), Sandy, and Luna (last seen on camera 23 July 2023)
Courtesy FOBBVCAM | Friends of Big Bear Valley
Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE
Wide View Cam (Cam 2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41eq4VzCYc4
Live Recap & Observations: https://bit.ly/4wGjwVg

Visitor Returns to Nest Twice ~ Makes Announcement ~ 2026 Oct 24
The large eagle, who visited yesterday, returned today for two visits. Upon arrival, the visitor chortled away to no one in particular. This is a beautiful eagle, but we cannot verify gender until we see him/her next to Shadow or Kaydee for comparison. But I would guess the eagle is a female. We watch, learn, and trust the eagles.
Video: https://youtu.be/hYlmPNxrFTk

Shadow Hosts MANY Visitors to the Habitat on a Busy Day ~ 2026 Oct 23
It was a very busy day in Shadow’s neighborhood. Visitors came to the nest twice, perched on various trees and snags, and even met up with Shadow on his Lookout Snag. This is common during the off-season and a delight for us to observe. Kaydee did not make an obvious appearance today, but could have been one of the beauties soaring above the habitat.
Video: https://youtu.be/CLYL9NxxnCs


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

Morning Duets ~ SE37 & SE38 Beakies, Nibbles & Cuteness Overload ~ 2026 Oct 21
Lady and Dad performed several duets, and SE38 chimed in with occasional harmony. The parents departed for their morning activities, while SE37 and SE38 entertained themselves. There were displays of their magnificent wings exercising, some play beaking, nibbling, and plenty of preening. Enjoying these scenes while they last. SE37 is 69 days old, SE38 is 68 days old. Sea eagles fledge between 10 and 14 weeks of age.
Video: https://youtu.be/1qVU9fIi8vA


Two Harbors Eagles ~ Catalina Island, CA ~ Cholyn & Chase (28 years old; mated pair for 23 years)
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Two Harbors Eagles Cam Ops
Overlook Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yx7RKxpyzQ
Eagle Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5T2eHM8tcI

Two Harbors Eagles Cholyn & Chase Greet the Day in Their Seaside Hideaway ~ 2026 Oct 19
Chase had much to say to Cholyn when she joined him in their oceanfront hideaway to start their day. They lingered in perfect harmony till another perfect perch called to them.
Video: https://youtu.be/GezzDO5FmRc

We are all fine. Don has his new wheelchair and ROHO cushion. They are inflatable tubes that help with not getting pressure sores. His friend Andrew bought a chair with this fancy cushion for his mother, and she didn’t use it. I am so grateful. These wonderful cushions are horrifically expensive!

It started raining, and the temperature has dropped. I am surprised we haven’t had any snow. The water in the birdbaths freezes overnight, and it is time to find the heater. We have a new cat visiting the garden. She is living in the woodbox. I will close up most of it so it stays warm for her in the winter, and add a heating lamp and food. So many people cannot afford the licenses, the rabies vaccines, vet bills, or even food for their loyal companions. It is sad. Shelters are full.

Snow is now in the big flight cage. This is so wonderful. Snow has done so well since her nest collapsed in Michigan in the summer. Check out Valkryia’s feed for the latest news on Snow.

A close-up view of a bird in a flight cage, with the caption 'STRONGER WINGS, SNOW!' displayed prominently at the bottom.
A snowy surface with movement, suggesting objects or creatures are lifting off the ground, with a wooden fence in the background.

Courtship continues with the Albatross, and let’s look at Bird Island. National Geographic has it on video, with more historical information and great imagery. Have a look. – https://youtu.be/LwwVnUekpeE?

A white and yellow bird flying over a rocky landscape against a blue sky.

SE37 and 38 are still home. Aren’t they gorgeous?

A bird's nest with two young birds resting inside, situated on a large tree branch surrounded by greenery.
A bird of prey stands near a nest filled with nestlings in a tree. The nest is made of twigs and is situated among leafy branches.

You will need to watch closely. The Collins Street kids are changing. Check out the plumage… soon we will begin to see those juvenile feathers coming in more clearly!

A close-up view of several fluffy chicks resting in a nest with feathers and debris, located on a ledge against a concrete wall.
A peregrine falcon standing near its nest with three fluffy chicks on a ledge, surrounded by feathers and debris, against a concrete wall.

Poor Diamond and Gimbir. They have not given up on their non-viable eggs. My heart aches for them.

Two peregrine falcons inside a nesting box, with a view of the landscape outside. One falcon is standing while the other is resting on the ground covered in small pebbles.

Take care, everyone! We will be back with you at the end of the week.

Thank you so much to SK Hideaways for keeping us so informed, and to all those who posted on FB, National Geographic, and the owners of the streaming cams that let us watch these incredible birds.

Saving migrating birds…Sunday in Bird World

25 October 2026

Good morning, everyone,

The garden birds and animals have been fed. Toby and I are always out there first thing. Mr Blue Jay is at the table feeder, and the Crow family is by the back gate at their feeder. All of the birds are looking good, as are the squirrels. There are currently two reds and two greys. I am afraid that we have lost Dyson this past summer. She has not been at the feeder for months. What joy she brought for so many years. We continue to have Canada Geese and Gulls foraging on the grass all around our City. You can even see them in the gardens by the hospital! That is a real treat for Donald.

Again, thank you so much for your e-mails and your comments. I am way behind on my replies, but I am forever so grateful. It was a tough week. I am alright today. Donald had a terrible fall yesterday. They found him on the floor by his door in the hall. Did his bed alarm not go off? I do not know. By the time Toby and I got to the hospital, he was in bed and so very happy to see us. He had his ‘baby’ Toby with him.

A patient in a hospital bed wearing a blue gown holds a small black pet, with two other pets resting on their lap. The room is equipped with medical supplies and equipment.

Do you have someone in the hospital with dementia who has a pet at home? See if you can find a stuffed animal that looks like it. The nurses and aides tell me that getting ‘baby’ Toby was brilliant. Don strokes Toby all the time, especially when he is feeling anxious.

Yesterday was the 10th anniversary of our local pet store. Donald and I were their second customers when they opened. Donald loves Halloween – he would make mechanical displays and always dressed up to give out the treats. In that spirit, I looked for a costume that would fit Toby! He doesn’t mind the body part, but I am not sure about the cap.

A small dog wearing a green frog costume sits on a grassy area covered in autumn leaves.

The birds, as I mentioned, are still migrating. We have lots of places where the grass is green and the geese are feasting.

A group of Canadian geese foraging on grass near trees in a park.

There was a heartwarming article in The Guardian this morning about a place that turns off every light for the birds! Just think about that. Reminds me of the stories from WWII and the blackout curtains. The author writes, “To me, the message of this story is that there is always hope, especially when we involve future generations and teach them to care about our planet and its beauty.

Today, Corvo is still the only island that performs a full blackout of public illumination to help the birds find their way to the ocean without interference from artificial lights.”

Lights out: the island that goes dark to save young seabirds – in pictureshttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/oct/25/corvo-azores-corys-shearwaters-switch-off-saving-seabirds-aoe?CMP=share_btn_url

Reports on ospreys are coming in from various regions. Heidi posted this one today for those interested in what is happening in the northeastern US.

Announcement from Operation Osprey regarding their 2026 Osprey Survey & Tracking Report, highlighting their research findings and conservation efforts.

I pulled some information from that report, but I encourage you to look at the full document.

“The 2026 nesting season brought concerning results. Our survey team observed 127 nest sites throughout the watershed, with approximately 80 occupied nests recorded during the peak nesting season. Despite this activity, reproductive success remained alarmingly low, with approximately 80% of monitored nests failing to produce fledglings. These findings reflect broader concerns about Osprey reproduction throughout the Chesapeake Bay and underscore the importance of continued monitoring to better understand the challenges facing this iconic species.

A hand is attaching a GPS device to the back of a bird, featuring solar panels and surgical tools in the background.

This year, Operation Osprey also expanded its monitoring efforts into the southern Severn River watershed, including Bay Ridge, Arundel on the Bay, and Fishing Creek. Our growing network of volunteer Osprey Stewards continued to play a vital role in documenting nesting activity, sharing observations, and supporting our research. Their contributions help us build a more complete picture of Osprey populations across the watershed.

One of the most exciting developments of 2026 was the launch of our satellite tracking program. In June, three adult female Ospreys, Maggie, Millie, and Patty, were fitted with GPS/GSM transmitters, allowing us to follow their movements in unprecedented detail. From their summer activities around the Chesapeake Bay to their migrations south, these birds are providing valuable insight into Osprey behavior, migration routes, and the challenges they encounter beyond their nesting grounds.

Although the results of this year’s survey are troubling, they reinforce the importance of Operation Osprey’s mission.”

How much do you know about Brown and White American Pelicans? In Winnipeg, we are home to about a third of the world’s population of American White Pelicans beginning in the early spring. They eat and breed along our islands and rivers especially near Lockport and Hecla Island. Cornell Bird Lab has published an interesting article if you want to learn more!

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/american-white-pelican-brown-difference-dive-fish

You can hear the rain coming down in SK Hideaway’s video of the kids at Collins Street. https://youtu.be/e1BXSwcR5ao?

Ventana Wildlife Society’s Condor Chat on 24 October: https://www.youtube.com/live/gbAGsDwHyAQ?

A California condor perched among green foliage, showcasing its distinct features against a blurred background.

Heidi posted another story from PG Parks Nature about a Maryland osprey that migrates to Brazil.

“🦅Meet Patty, an osprey with an incredible migration story!

Patty, a female osprey that nested along the lower Patuxent River this summer, has traveled thousands of miles on an amazing journey.

After her nest failed in June, Patty left the Patuxent River and eventually settled at a small fishing pond nearly 200 miles away in West Virginia. She spent much of July there before beginning her southward migration in August, traveling through Florida and across the Caribbean.

One of the most remarkable parts of her journey was a 640-mile nonstop flight over open ocean from the Dominican Republic to Venezuela. For nearly 30 hours, Patty flew without seeing land and with nowhere to stop.

By mid-September, she had logged more than 5,800 miles and traveled through seven countries before continuing on to Brazil.

📍How Do We Know Where Patty Traveled?

Patty is equipped with a lightweight GPS transmitter, essentially a tiny backpack that allows researchers to track her movements in near real time.

Her migration is part of a larger research effort aimed at understanding why ospreys are struggling to successfully raise young throughout much of the Chesapeake Bay region. Researchers are particularly concerned about food stress and the reduced availability of Atlantic menhaden, a key food source for ospreys.

If Patty returns next spring, scientists will be able to learn:

🦅 Where she fishes

🦅 How far she must travel to find food

🦅 What challenges ospreys face along the Patuxent River

These findings will help scientists better understand osprey survival and nesting success, providing valuable information to support conservation efforts.

Patty is one of 10 ospreys that will be fitted with GPS transmitters as this research expands. The project builds on years of osprey monitoring by Patuxent River Park and is being conducted in partnership with Operation Osprey.

🌎 From Maryland to Brazil, Patty’s journey is helping researchers unlock the mysteries of one of the Chesapeake Bay’s most iconic birds.”

A person holds an osprey with a solar-powered tracking device attached to its back, near a riverbank surrounded by greenery.
Map showing a route from the northeastern United States, through Cuba, and into South America, specifically Venezuela and neighboring countries.
Screenshot

Thanks, Heidi, for these reports!

One of the Ps is still on the Cornell Campus.

Beau and Gabby were seen mating on the camera for the first time yesterday.

Shadow and Kaydee appear to be a solid item.

Dr Sharpe should have that West End camera working. What would we do without him?? Let’s see! It’s live and here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/live/aT1adgYSfbc?

It’s a beautiful day and time for Toby to have another walk. I hope that you have been able to get outside – nature can really lift our spirits.

The Girls and Toby are fine. Missey is a little more clingy – she really misses Donald, and Toby seems to fall into short periods of moodiness. Hugo Yugo just causes trouble, while ‘The Calicos’ keep themselves to themselves! I am so grateful for their company.

A close-up of a dog and a cat resting together, with the dog's head gently touching the cat's face, showcasing a moment of affection.

Thank you to Heidi for the posts containing great reports. I wish some of the news were better. I am always grateful to SK Hideaways for their videos and to the Ventana Wildlife Society, who are so dedicated to growing the California Condor population. Check out their monthly newscast. The Guardian is a good source of wildlife information, and I am always grateful to those who post images and information on FB, and to the owners of the streaming cams that let us see the lives of our bird friends.

23 October 2026

Hello Everyone,

It is hard to imagine but Toby and I are sitting on the deck in our shirt sleeves, so to speak. It is nearing 24 C. Of course, this troubles me, because we continue to get clues that our climate is rapidly changing around the world. Geese are plentiful on the sports fields at the schools as the green grass continues to grow. In my lifetime, I wonder, will the geese stop migrating? Certainly some eagles continue to winter here as they can get fish from those doing ice fishing on the lakes, but maybe that water won’t freeze?

I’m still so grateful for all the warm wishes and support you have given Don and me during this very challenging time. ‘The meeting’ was held yesterday (Wednesday – I am writing this Thursday night). Ann and I were well prepared with nine pages of questions and, as it turns out, Don’s oldest friend, Andrew, was visiting, and I asked him to sit in. The ‘bottom line’ is that the Haldol injection has caused the Parkinson’s aspect of Lewy Body Dementia to raise its ugly head. Don can walk 10-20 steps and becomes wobbly. He will spend his life in a wheelchair with no hope of ever walking again. That is an adjustment for both of us.

It seems that no one prepared for the Baby Boomers. Home Care has more demand than staff. They offered me little, and with Don requiring two people to lift him and be present, I can’t care for him at home. It is simply not safe for him or me. No beds are available in long-term care facilities. So, Don and his new friends on the ward will spend their time in the hospital waiting for a space to open. Today, another patient’s daughter played her keyboard, and we sang along, and I told stories about a very young city girl moving to the Canadian prairies and raising animals on a small holding. With Toby there, everyone smiled and sang, and there were even some laughs. I have decided that Ann and I will enrich Don’s life in different ways, and we will also be keen observers so he is safe and well cared for. If the ward nurse allows, the plan is for some planned enrichment activities weekly, which I will organise. Fingers crossed – but first I have to get that wheelchair.

Not much is going on in Bird World. Dr Sharpe – yes, dear Dr Sharpe- is climbing cliffs and working on cameras at the eagle nests in the Channel Islands. He cleaned and repaired Chase & Cholyn’s at Two Harbours and was set to work on the camera at the West End today. They always clean the nests and check them!

‘J’ has sent some news stories from Berlin that you might be interested in:

There is some Kakapo news!

Announcement of two young kākāpō arrivals at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, highlighting conservation efforts and a new habitat trial.

More about Albatross from Holly Parsons:

An albatross in flight, showcasing its wingspan against a blue sky.

Here is the link to that short but very informative video: https://youtu.be/SRTRRMwXuEg?

Tim Mackrill has installed an osprey platform at Knepp Farm as part of their rewilding project. Here is the latest newsletter from Knepp Farm. Please listen to the podcast about the osprey platform!

News from Knepp The Jays Busy AutumnDownload

What constitutes a perfect place for an osprey nest? If you don’t know or need a reminder, please have a listen.

One chick, out of two hatched, is surviving at Thistle Island in South Australia. No one knows what happened to the second hatch.

An osprey chick named Nick or Nicky stands in its nest on Thistle Island, surrounded by twigs, with the ocean in the background.

Weather is on the mind of Victor Hurley and the 367 Collins Street falcons. Why? Because the gutters could flood – we don’t want those babies to drownd.

A weather forecast map displaying regions in Victoria, Australia, with varying levels of thunderstorm and rainfall predictions. Areas are color-coded to indicate the likelihood of thunderstorms, including possible and likely severe thunderstorms.

Speaking of weather and its impact human life as well as wildlife – this typhoon is the worst ever.

Satellite image of Super Typhoon Champi displaying a well-defined eye surrounded by swirling clouds and intense colors, indicating strong winds of 185 MPH.

It continues to be hot on that ledge in downtown Melbourne.

A peregrine falcon perched on a ledge, with two chicks in a nest visible in the background, overlooking a cityscape.

SE38 branched the other day at the Olympic Park WBSE nest in Sydney. Keep watching. Fledging at any moment.

A nest situated in a tree with two young birds, surrounded by greenery.
A surveillance image of two birds resting on a nest in a tree at night. One bird is perched on a branch above the nest.

That’s it for today. I am pretty burnt out – mentally and physically – about the decisions that had to be made regarding Don’s long term care this past week. Because it is pretty quiet in Bird World, I am going to take a break. I will be back in a week. During that time, I urge you to get outside away from the screen, listen to birds, go for a walk or just sit! But get outside.

Take care everyone.

Thank you so much to ‘J’ and to all those who posted information and images on FB, to Isabella Tree and Tim Mackrill for a great podcast on ospreys, to BBC Earth for that little but informative video about Albatross and to all the owners of the streaming cams that let us monitor our avian families.

Migration continues…Late Tuesday in Bird World

20 October 2026

Greetings Everyone,

It is an unbelievable 19 degrees C in Winnipeg! I joked with one of the nurses today at the hospital that we might never have winter. Geese eat beautiful green grass along the rivers that cross our City, and geese and gulls gather on the soccer fields and cricket pitches. It feels very late for them and, in the garden, the little Juncos dance around the deck in search of the tiny millet seeds. The bonus is getting to see these lovely creatures for longer — and I don’t have a heating bill yet.

Jean-Marie Dupart had a motorcycle accident and has recovered enough to check on the places where UK and European ospreys overwinter. This man will not be kept in bed recovering!!!!!! Here are his latest reports.

An osprey flying with a fish in its talons against a cloudy sky.
An osprey perched on a stick on a sandy beach, with the ocean and blurred background in the distance.

Tracking information reveals where some Polish ospreys stay for the winter:

Map showing the migration path of P. haliaetus (Fisher's Eagle) for autumn 2026, detailing distances and geographic locations across Europe and North Africa.
A post discussing the journey of a male fisherman bird, detailing its safe arrival at wintering grounds in the Gulf of Guinea after 43 days, covering 5700 km, including crossing the Sahara.

This is the latest migration count from Hawk Mountain in PA, USA. Clearly higher numbers thanks to those Broad-winged Hawks:

Table displaying bird species counts, including weekly total, season total, and 10-year average for each species.

The Raptor Resource Project (RRP) is keeping an eye on the streaming cams that they share with Explore.org:

Social media post from the Raptor Resource Project discussing recent eagle nesting activities in Decorah, Iowa, including stick deliveries and feeding.
Two adult bald eagles in their nest, surrounded by tree branches, with a scenic river and landscape in the background.

Remembrance posts are going up on the Orange, Australia Peregrine Falcons FB about the eggs not hatching this season. Check out what is happening. Everyone is contributing, it seems!

A peregrine falcon named Marri, recently hatched, is seen in a nest with eggs and a small chick, surrounded by pebbles in a nesting environment.

The season recap for the Carey Garden, Birds of Poole Harbour Ospreys CJ7 and Blue 022 is now on YouTube. You can access it here: https://youtu.be/XnhGUXc2c1M?

A bird's nest with several eggs, showing a bird's legs and feet with identification bands. Text overlay lists hatching dates for the eggs in May 2026.

The four fledged successfully for another great year for this incredible osprey couple.

At the WBSE nest in Olympic Park, Sydney, Australia, SE37 and 38 could fledge at any time. We wish them luck keeping the Currawongs at bay so Dad and Lady can feed them and they can learn to fly strong and care for themselves.

Two young birds sitting in a nest made of twigs and branches, surrounded by greenery.

The poor chicks in Melbourne are really struggling with the heat. SK Hideaways catches the first one racing down the gutter to get to the shade! https://youtu.be/Ye-lNAK02uc?

A close-up view of a concrete wall with visible seams and markings, featuring a ledge with debris and a bird sitting on it.

The current view of the north end with no chicks at the south – one has hopped up so you can’t see them.

Peregrine falcon perched on a ledge with two chicks on a high-rise building, showing a cityscape in the background.

Thank you so much for your e-mails. I really appreciate the kindness and support that you have shown to me. Tomorrow, at 1300, I will meet with Don’s medical team at the hospital to discuss next steps. Those who have gone through caring for someone with Lewy Body Dementia will recognise that it is not an easy task. You have the hallucinations of LBD plus the physical symptoms of Parkinson’s. The latter was triggered by an incorrect antipsychotic being given in the emergency room. His physical symptoms change; he will have a wonderfully alert day, and then he will be agitated, unable to sleep, and will be given a sedative. He cannot walk. This is, of course, not the individual who entered the hospital on 27 August, but our new reality.

Please take care of yourself and your loved ones. If anyone is showing signs of Alzheimer’s or Dementia, I implore you to get them professionally assessed. There are treatments to help mitigate the worst for them and for their caregivers. It is wrong to assume that someone who is forgetful has either of these diseases, but it would also be wrong not to have those symptoms checked.

I will be back with you at the end of the week. Keep your eyes on the WBSE – we could have a fledge or two before then!

Thank you to SK Hideaways for their video, Hawk Mountain, UKOsprey Information, Jean-Marie Dupurt, and all those tracking the migrating ospreys. I am grateful to everyone creating year-end reports for the 2026 season and to those beginning to report and track the Bald Eagles. To the owners of the streaming cams, we are grateful to watch the victories and struggles of our bird families.

Diamond and Gimbir’s eggs are not viable…Monday in Bird World

19 October 2026

Hello Everyone,

I hope this finds you well and that you had a few minutes or longer to get out at the weekend and enjoy the outdoors! It was simply glorious fall weather here. Our temperature was around 16 C. Occasionally, brisk winds tossed the golden and rust leaves about. Toby loved it and wanted to chase each one! He spent Sunday afternoon with Ann so that I could visit Don at the hospital on my own. I got to push him in his wheelchair, and along with several other patients, we had a parade around the ward. It was brilliant. His legs were not stiff, and his mind was alert and often clear. Ann’s birthday is on the 28th, and we decided on a chocolate cake and ice cream in his room that day.

Toby stops at every house on the street with dogs and cats. He often just ‘sniff’ the air, but at one house he goes right up because he knows it is where Brock used to go to eat and sleep. Today, another cat visits, and two cats live there.

A close-up view of a dog's head, showcasing its curly black fur and white patches. The dog is wearing a patterned red and white bandana and is surrounded by green grass and fallen leaves on a sidewalk.
A small black and white dog is standing on a porch, looking up at a set of wooden steps. The ground is covered with autumn leaves, and there are potted plants on either side of the steps.

Speaking of not-so-good days, it appears that none of Gimbir and Diamond’s eggs is viable this season. This is hugely disappointing. Dr Cilla Kinross posted an explanation noting that she will candle the eggs to see if they were fertile, if they survive the season.

Holly Parsons is posting videos of the 2019 season if you are interested.

Social media post detailing updates on a family of peregrine falcons nesting at Charles Sturt University, Australia, with information about the age of the falcons and the status of their eggs.
A peregrine falcon, named Diamond, is pictured in its nesting box, eating breakfast. Three eggs are visible on the gravel inside the box.

Sweet little Gimbir incubating the eggs this morning. So sad – he has turned out to be a good provider. They will eventually give up on the eggs, and hopefully Cilla Kinross can collect them to determine what happened. Life will go on, with or without chicks to raise for the pair.

There has been an intruder, and I wonder if it is a female checking out the territory. Wonder how that might play out?

A peregrine falcon is seen in a nest box, positioned near an egg on a bed of pebbles, with a view of the landscape visible outside.

There is good news coming out of Berry College in Georgia. There is a Bald Eagle couple interested in the nest with the streaming cam that was abandoned by Dad Berry and Missey.

Bel a-Donna has the video: https://youtu.be/IOX4d0Fp3Dk?

A young eagle stands on a nest among tree branches, with another eagle partially visible nearby, captured in a night vision setting.

There are some good news stories from ‘J’ in Berlin:

Headline announcing the ban on lead gunshot in the EU effective October 8, 2026, highlighting it as a significant step in reducing lead pollution from hunting and shooting.

This is wonderful news, but alternatives have to be on the shelf, and hunters and the military have to buy them for this scheme to work. The Ventana Wildlife Society has tried for years – despite California’s ban on lead ammo – to stop the practice. They even provide free ammunition, and still the number one killer of Condors is lead poisoning.

“One of the stories was about a woman creating a sanctuary for monarch butterflies, so I looked up more stories. This is the official website:

https://www.womenforgreenspaces.org/about-us

More proof that anyone can make a difference!”

Text about the UK's initiative to plant half a million trees in three years to combat extreme weather.
Text discussing the transformation of 160,000 cubic yards of mud in Savannah, Georgia into a rare bird habitat and the impact of sea level rise, storm surges, and coastal erosion on shorebird populations.

There is also fantastic news coming out of Tairoa Head in New Zealand, the home of the Royal Albatross colony:

Map showing the coast of South America, specifically Chile and Argentina, with a marker indicating the location of an albatross that journeyed across the Pacific Ocean.

We have lots of cranes migrating to the south this year – in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. There are Whooping Cranes (info below posted today on B) and amazing Sandhill Cranes that will be passing through Nebraska (or already have). Have a read about Whooping Cranes – I certainly learned something.

Diane Crookham-Johnson

·Good Morning from Saskatchewan 🇨🇦 and the Whooping Cranes!

Each Thursday I volunteer in a kindergarten room. This week, since I’m gone, I sent a video and a list of facts about Whooping Cranes to the class. I’m sharing both with this post.

Long live cranes!

• Whooping Cranes are the tallest birds in North America. They stand almost five feet tall. They have a wingspan of 7-8 feet.

• Whooping Cranes nest in Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada.

• Whooping Crane babies are called colts.

• Whooping Crane colts are a cinnamon color when they are born. They are dependent on their parents for food and safety.

• Whooping Cranes turn mostly white as they grow older.

• Whooping Crane parents teach their colt how to find food. They eat insects, small water creatures, crabs, vegetation, and when really hungry fish and snakes.

• Whooping Cranes stand on one leg when they are cold. They fold up one leg to keep it warm and then switch legs.

• Whooping Cranes tend to stay in family groups or small adult groups during the day. In the evening they will gather in fields and eat a final meal. Sometimes they are joined by Sandhill Cranes, a smaller, gray crane.

• Whooping Cranes sleep in marshes and wetlands. They stand in the water while they sleep. The water provides safety for the cranes.

• Whooping Cranes winter around Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in the United States.

• Whooping Cranes migrate from Canada to the US in the Fall. They fly about 2,500 miles! Have you ever ridden in a car from Oskaloosa to Des Moines?

That can feel like a long ride, and it is only 60 miles.

• Whooping Cranes are an endangered species. That means there are not very many of them left. Many people work hard to protect the Whooping Crane.

Once there were only 19 Whooping Cranes left in the world. Today there are at least 550 Whooping Cranes in the wild flock!

• At one time Whooping Cranes had nests in lowa! Perhaps one day we will see Whooping Cranes nesting in lowa again.”

A group of cranes in a field, showing two white cranes and one brown crane foraging on the ground.

It continues to be hot on the ledge at 367 Collins Street, and the chicks are fed up and on the move! SK Hideaways has it on video – and boy, is that male a good hunter. There are too many feedings to keep track. Here’s the video: https://youtu.be/f80C00l1vG8?si

The Sydney SeaEaglets are approaching fledge.

A sea eagle displaying its wings in a nest, with another eagle in the foreground. The scene is set in a natural environment with greenery visible.

Valkyria has a crazy video of the sea eagle nest complete with those horrid Currawongs swooping down and a possum meal with fur flying everywhere! https://youtu.be/rF1OYsa1vH0?

Check out the beautiful wildlife at Mud Lake in Ottawa, Ontario. https://youtu.be/aObAO8ORePQ?

A serene landscape featuring a calm lake surrounded by lush green trees under a clear blue sky. The water reflects the greenery and includes patches of lily pads and floating vegetation.
A group of ducks resting on snow, featuring various species including a male and female mallard and a male pintail in the foreground.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Toby and I are having fun being outside – sweeping leaves and listening to the birds, reading and sipping tea. I am so grateful for his company. Take care of yourselves. Be careful out there. We hope to be back with you in a couple of days.

Thank you to all the wonderful people who posted videos for us to watch, contributed screen captures and information on FB, and own the streaming cams that let us share the joy and sorrow of the nests. We are so very grateful to each and every one of you.

Collins kids get out of the heat…Saturday in Bird World

17 October 2026

Hello Everyone,

You are so kind! I am so sorry I made many of you worry when I didn’t post my newsletter for a couple of days. I have actually been unwell. The damp cold that arrived impacted the arthritis in my left knee – that, coupled with a kidney infection, left me feeling not too energetic. I was so grateful that Don’s cousin stepped up to help with hospital visits and, of course, Ann. What would I do without her? Hopefully the antibiotics will kick in and by Monday I should be feeling good again.

The last time I checked we were waiting for pip at Orange. Will there be any little falcons for Gimbir and Diamond this year? I am beginning to wonder about that.

A nice article appeared on the chat and I will share it with you. It is about eggs not hatching and the reasons.

https://hawkandowltrust.org/initiatives/articles/why-peregrine-falcons-lay-eggs-and-why-one-sometimes-fails-to-hatch

The dates of the eggs – at this point, we are hoping that egg 3 is viable. Diamond has always had one of her three eggs hatch, but this could be the first year that this doesn’t happen.

Egg no. 3 was laid at 1251 on, 10th Sept. after a gap of 61.5 hours
Egg no. 2 was laid at 2324 h on 7th September (gap 64 hours)
Egg no. 1 was laid at 0725 h on 5th September.

The trio at 367 Collins Street are doing well, but they are struggling with the intense heat. Feedings and prey deliveries are good. The tiny one is very good at getting in front and jumping – even grabbing prey out of the female’s beak. What a strong character! Always a good sign for survival in that urban environment.

It is especially hot. You can see the female trying to cool the eyases. They are big enough to move into the shade as it spreads, thank goodness.

A peregrine falcon is seen on a building ledge with its chicks, amidst a backdrop of urban skyscrapers.
A close-up view of a nesting area on a high-rise building ledge, showing building debris and some white chicks among materials like feathers and dirt.
A peregrine falcon perched on a ledge with a city skyline in the background, surrounded by debris from its nest.

SK Hideaways caught the kids getting too hot and leaving the sunny spot for the shade! Smart kids. https://youtu.be/B44NDD_DWmY?

Many are keeping a close eye on M15 and his new mate. It appears that they will build their nest on a cell tower about a mile away from the old nest tree. Personally, the ‘eagles know best,’ and many old trees are succumbing to the winds and storms that hit that area of Florida. There are boots on the ground, and they will most certainly be posting pictures for all of us, for which we must be very grateful.

The camera is sometimes aimed at the cell tower.

A telecommunications tower with multiple antennas against a backdrop of blue sky and clouds.

The sea eaglets have their juvenile plumage, and it is only a matter of time before they fledge. It always makes me anxious, and many of you, as we hope they survive the onslaught of the Pied Currawong. Lady likes to feed her fledglings in the nest tree, so we can only hope for a good result this year.

In California, SK Hideaways keeps up with Chase and Cholyn. https://youtu.be/OY4qh5hiUVM?

A bird's nest situated in a tree, with two young birds visible within the nest surrounded by twigs and greenery.

Fish dinner at the NE Florida nest of Gabby and Beau.

A bald eagle gripping a fish with its talons while standing on a nest made of twigs and grass.
Close-up of a bald eagle with a fish in its talons, surrounded by twigs and moss.

A little sparrow sits on the railing of Big Red and Arthur’s nest on the Cornell Campus.

View from a hawk cam showing a nest on a rooftop, with a small bird perched nearby, colorful autumn trees in the background, and a bus on the street below.

On the Cornell Campus, Karel and Bogetta posted a video on YouTube of P1 hunting! For years, Big Red and Arthur’s fledglings dispersed in August, but P1 is still in the territory hunting and showing her good genetics. Take a look: https://youtu.be/w8RymHd0GqU?

We are a week away from the release date for the Condors at Big Sur! Here is the information:

VWS Logo From the DirectorOctober 15, 2026

Dear Mary,

Nine Days Until the Doors OpenIn just 9 days – the release pen doors at the San Simeon Sanctuary will slide open at 10:00AM(PT) on Saturday, October 24. Our October Condor Chat & Release livestream starts at 9:00AM(PT). Join us on Zoom or on our YouTube channel. As a subscriber, you’ll get the Zoom link in your inbox Saturday morning, with nothing to sign up for.Five Rookies, Five PersonalitiesOur interns matched each name to a bird based on the personality they observed in the flight pen.Chert (1331): Named for a rock that is incredibly hard and fractures into sharp edges. He sets boundaries quickly and refuses to give up his spot at the top of the pecking order.Pumice (1332): Porous, lightweight, and a geological oddity, just like him. He takes a keen interest in the condors outside the pen and prefers to keep to himself.Obsidian (1333): A very friendly bird who knows how to stick up for herself when the time comes.Serpentine (1339): Streaked with unexpected colors, like her personality, which keeps revealing new layers.Marble (1345): Everyone’s favorite pen mate. He is never perched alone and is often found playing with another bird.The young condors arrived at San Simeon on September 2, traveling up to 976 miles from the Oregon Zoo, the San Diego Zoo, and The Peregrine Fund in Boise, Idaho. Our thanks to all three for raising these birds. They settled in quickly, and wild condor Thunderchief (758) dropped by for a visit soon after they arrived.Have you made your prediction yet? Which rookie will leave the pen first, and at what time? Or will they hold out on us? Vote in our release day survey before voting closes at 9:00AM (PT) on October 24 for a chance to win a condor swag package. We’ll announce the winner live.Get readyWatch the condors anytime on the San Simeon Condor Cam.Read each bird’s story on our Condor Bios page.Watch for your Zoom link Saturday morning, or tune in on YouTube, and see who takes the first step out.Make Your PredictionSee you Saturday, October 24!With gratitude,

Kelly Sorenson
Executive Director

‘J’ sends us a good news story from New Zealand:

Dunedin Wildlife Hospital

💚.png Against the odds – a tūī beats severe lead poisoning

When this female tūī arrived at Dunedin Wildlife Hospital, she was in serious trouble. She was profoundly weak, showing neurological signs and suffering repeated seizures.

For a while, she was touch and go. Our veterinary team managed to control the seizures and stabilise her, but blood testing revealed the likely cause: lead poisoning.

Her blood lead concentration was one of the highest we have encountered. At levels this high, the prognosis is guarded – particularly when neurological signs are already present, as damage to the nervous system may be permanent.

We started chelation therapy to help remove the lead from her body and hoped for the best.

And this sassy wee girl had other ideas. 💚.png

Over approximately four weeks in hospital, she underwent three rounds of chelation treatment. Slowly but surely, her neurological signs resolved and her strength returned.

In fact, once she started feeling better, she made sure we knew about it! Our increasingly cheeky patient became an expert at slipping past the team when her enclosure was opened, leading to more than one unscheduled flight around the ward while we attempted to persuade her to return. 😅.png Safe to say, the sass was well and truly back.

We were eventually able to confirm that her blood lead had come down to a safe level, and she has now been discharged from hospital and transferred to the aviaries at Dunedin Botanic Garden. There she’ll spend some time rebuilding her flight strength – although judging by her hospital escape attempts, she’s already made a pretty good start! – before her eventual release back into the wild.

An incredible outcome for a bird who was so critically ill on arrival.

But her story also highlights a largely unseen threat to our native wildlife.

Lead is a highly toxic heavy metal that can affect the brain and nervous system as well as multiple other organs. Many New Zealanders may be familiar with lead poisoning in kea, which can ingest lead from older building materials such as lead-headed roofing nails and flashing. Other potential sources in the environment include old lead-based paint and ammunition.

Tūī appear to be vulnerable too.

Lead poisoning in tūī was first identified as an issue in Wellington many years ago, with contaminated roof and gutter water investigated as a potential source of exposure. Rainwater running over older roofing materials can pick up lead contamination before collecting in gutters or other places where birds may drink.

You can read more about the Wellington findings here:

https://www.nzgeo.com/…/gutter-water-likely-giving-tui…

What can you do?

If you have an older home or building, be aware of potential sources of lead – particularly lead-headed roofing nails, lead flashing and old lead-based paint. Avoid providing wildlife with drinking water collected from potentially contaminated roofs or gutters, and consider replacing lead-containing materials when undertaking renovations.

This little tūī was one of the lucky ones. From seizures and a very guarded prognosis to cheekily flying laps of our hospital ward, she has made a remarkable recovery.

Liberty and Guardian have been visiting their nest in Redding.

A live webcam view of an eagle's nest situated among trees, showcasing branches and greenery in the background.

The LA Times has posted another tribute to Jackie. https://youtu.be/4TBIvsde1pw?

Thank you so much for being with us today. I will be back at the beginning of the week, but for now, I am going to rest and get well. Donald remains in the hospital. The PT and OT have finished their assessment, and he will always need aids to walk, but it is not clear whether it is a walker or a wheelchair. Lewy Body Dementia is a horrid disease that causes so many complications that ‘normal’ people don’t have, making it hard to adapt to using these devices and going home. So, I wait. I am so fortunate to have a good support network.

Thank you to Karel and Bogette and to SK Hideaways for their videos, to all those who post information and images on FB, and to the Ventana Wildlife Society for caring so much for the California Condors. To the owners of the streaming cams where I took my screen captures, I am always grateful to you for allowing us into the lives of these beautiful creatures.

Jackie had complications from HPAI…late, late Wednesday in Bird World

14 October 2026

Good evening, everyone,

The final test results from Ojai Raptor Centre on Jackie’s necroscopy were released. Our beloved Bald Eagle had been very sick for a very long time. Despite this, she managed to raise two precious eaglets with Shadow this year – Luna and Sandy. What a determined, loving Mum Jackie was to the end.

Facebook post detailing the necropsy findings for Bald Eagle Patient 26-519, including information about her illness, diagnosis of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, and the care she received.

This is the link to the FAQs regarding Jackie on the website of the Ojai Raptor Centre: https://www.ojairaptorcenter.org/faq26519

Thank you to everyone who cared for Jackie and worked so hard to return her to the wilds of Big Bear Valley, her birthplace and the nest she shared with Mr B and Shadow. We will always be grateful for your efforts and your dedication.

More Bald Eagle cams coming on line…Wednesday in Bird World

14 October 2026

Hello Everyone,

Oh, did the weather change! It was 24 C and sunny at the weekend and on Monday, we had rain and 5 C. It felt like snow could come. Toby and I were so bundled up for our walks. I really am dreading winter coming.

Toby and I have been cleaning up. One of my IKEA bookcases decided it didn’t like books, so we filled it with baskets and one enormous pinecone. Hopefully it will not fall apart! Seriously, it feels like everything happens at once.

I gave in and ordered a new apartment-sized rust-coloured sofa with commercial-grade velvet fabric because of all the animals. want this room to be our comfy all-winter refuge. You can see that Toby has decided that the swivel chair is his! But the minute the new sofa had a similar coloured blanket covering the seating area, he decided the sofa was his and HY could have the chair. Too funny. This is the end of the refresh to the house, save for the continuing decluttering, sorting of books for book sales, and mending! I have an entire drawer full of dog toys that are ‘in the hospital’ awaiting sutures.

A cozy sunroom featuring a wooden chest of drawers, a black bookshelf filled with decorative items, a light blue armchair with a dog resting on it, and a patterned rug on the floor.
A cozy living room scene featuring a brown upholstered sofa with decorative pillows, a sleeping dog on the sofa, a coffee mug on a wooden tray, and a patterned area rug.

It is unclear to me what is happening with Donald at the hospital. He is very ‘stiff’ when they try to get him up, but Ann and I are trying to determine whether it is because he’s been left in bed too long. Is it from 2:45 in the afternoon to the next morning? I need elves! Many of us cannot go in the evening, but I will find a way. It is hard to see someone you love so dearly suffer, especially when they went into the hospital fully mobile and are now an invalid. He knows it, and you can feel, despite all that Ann and I try to do, the grey, heavy fog of depression descending on him. Unfortunately, with his current condition, could I care for him at home even with help? There are many unknowns. I’m taking a deep breath and two days off in a row to try to recoup my sanity. I cannot emphasise it enough – if you know someone who you suspect has dementia or Alzheimer’s (and believe me, they are very different animals, so to speak), please get a diagnosis. Make sure that all of their files – electronic and paper – have that diagnosis clearly at the top. Scream it from the rooftops. Do not be ashamed. That is so important. Knowing what they have and how to help and what medications might trigger a spiral downwards are essential. So many people continue to feel ashamed if their family member or partner (or best friend) is having memory issues. But don’t! Be discreet. Help them. Early diagnosis can give them a good life, as Donald had. But the first wrong injection can also take that away. They cannot advocate for themselves. Indeed, most people shrug off memory issues as ‘Senior Moments’ or ‘a Brain Freeze’. Maybe it is something else that requires medical attention.

The Bald Eagle cams for HDonTap will be coming online again very soon – if they are not already streaming. Check out Decorah.

The dead chick has been removed at 367 Collins Street and there were three great breakfast feedings. The surviving chicks are doing very well. Check it out on SK Hideaways video: https://youtu.be/l4XMiah3fjQ?

A black and white image of a bird near its nest on a ledge, overlooking a city skyline with various buildings in the background.
Three fluffy bird chicks huddled together on a ledge with a urban city skyline in the background.

There are now two bobbleheads at Thistle Island in South Australia. Congratulations to all.

Two adult ospreys in their nest on Thistle Island, with a view of the ocean in the background. A newly hatched chick is visible in the nest.

Holly Parsons has posted an update from Dr Cilla Kinross on the eggs of Gimbir and Diamond:

Comment update on the status of Peregrine Falcon eggs, detailing their ages and laying times, with information on feeding habits of the female falcon.

Hawk Mountain has its latest update. Just look at the totals! I am impressed with the numbers.

Table displaying a raptor count with species, weekly totals, season totals, and 10-year averages.

Gunshots startled Shadow!

Gunshots at Big Bear Startle Shadow TwiceDownload

We continue to wait for pip at Orange.

A close-up view of a peregrine falcon resting inside its nesting box, surrounded by small stones. The background shows a scenic landscape with trees and hills.

News about the cameras at the West End Channel Islands streaming cam:

A post from Mike Fitz, Resident Naturalist, discussing battery issues for West End cameras, indicating they require solar energy and may only function intermittently. He mentions scheduled repairs by field technicians in late October.

More news about the eagle streaming cams elsewhere:

Two bald eagles perched on a large nest in a tree, overlooking an open field and a winding road.
Social media post from Raptor Resource Project discussing live streaming of Decorah Eagles and related updates on nesting activities.

Will we be able to view M15 and his new female raise a family this year?

A serene landscape featuring a calm pond reflecting trees and the sky, with a cow grazing in the foreground. The image is part of an update from the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam regarding eagle nesting activities.

What can a feather from a bird tell us?

Country diary: The story of birds starts with their feathershttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/oct/13/country-diary-the-story-of-birds-starts-with-their-feathers?CMP=share_btn_url

A cluster of various bird feathers laid on green grass, showcasing intricate patterns and textures.

“Bird Feathers” by born1945 is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Days of Dunrovin sends their latest newsletter:

Fall Reflections from DunrovinDownload

Everyone is doing well in Australia:

Lady and her babies along with the entire family sleeping in the nest tree.

A nest with two young birds and an adult bird perched nearby, surrounded by tree branches and greenery.
A night vision image of a tree with two birds perched on branches and a nest in the foreground.

In Melbourne, the oldest is getting ready to stand upright and there are hints of pin feathers coming.

A view from a high-rise building showing an urban landscape with several buildings illuminated at dusk, alongside a close-up of a peregrine falcon perched on a ledge with its prey.

No Pips yet at Orange as I sign off. Have a great day or evening everyone. We will be back at the end of the week or on Saturday.

Thank you to absolutely everyone who posted videos, information and images on FB, to those who write the amazing newsletters, and, of course, the owners of the streaming cams that let us watch our favourite bird families. We are eternally grateful to each of you.

Sunday in Bird World

11 October 2026

Greetings Everyone,

Wow. It was sunny and 24 C yesterday. People were out in shorts and T-shirts, working in their gardens, playing with their children at the park, or walking their pups. It was incredible for mid-October. Today, we woke up to 5 C, icy grey skies, a cool wind, and drizzle. Cold-to-the-bone weather. Toby and I bundled up and did our loop to the park, around the park, and home again. It was so nice to be out of the cold wind.

In the garden, the Crows and Blue Jays were the first to arrive for their morning peanuts and seed.

This is an ‘odd-looking’ image of Junior. He is flicking out the peanuts from the feeder that don’t meet his specifications! Amazing how many failed, but the squirrels picked up. The Jays and Crows weigh the peanuts and will only take the heavy ones (meaning good).

A blue jay perched near a feeder filled with peanuts, with a blurred background of greenery.

Now there are only two grey squirrels. I have, sadly, not seen Dyson since the middle of the summer, and I know that two of her kits were hit by cars on the street. Oh, it makes me so mad that people have to drive like they are in a Formula 1 race down a street where children play, and squirrels run across the road because the City cut down their trees. (They could have vaccinated the trees – after much consultation, I know my neighbours would have joined together to make certain the more than 100-year-old trees survived!). There are still two Red Squirrels. So the count is: 7 Blue Jays, 3 Crows, 2 Red and 2 Grey Squirrels, 1 raccoon, and several hundred songbirds. Not bad. I wonder when the deer will start visiting the feeders?

One of Dyson’s kits. Their mother was precious, and she was at least nine years old. That is ‘super elderly’ for a grey squirrel living in an urban environment. We adored her, and I miss her just like everyone on my street misses dear Brock.

A close-up of a gray squirrel holding a nut next to a decorative garden stake, surrounded by seeds on the ground.

Tomorrow is SK Hideaway’s birthday – give a big shout-out. I don’t often know birthdays, but besides tomorrow being their special day, it is also Thanksgiving in Canada – and I can tell you that I am more than grateful for their thoughtful videos and the list I receive to post for you.


SK Hideaways Videos Week of 4 October 2026

367 Collins Street Falcons ~ Melbourne, Australia ~ F24 & M24, eggs laid 23, 25, 28, 30 August

Courtesy Victorian Peregrine Project | Melbourne 

South Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oibsohQ14cY 

North Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNKk0ivuWe4

Chicks Scatter in the Heat ~ Sadly One Sweet Chick Succumbs (2026 Oct 10)

The four chicks are 8, 7, and 5 days old today. Peregrine falcon chicks begin regulating their own temperature at 10 to 14 days, so even in today’s moderate temperature ~ around 20°C (66°F) in Melbourne ~ the little ones felt the heat. First one chick escaped to the gutter (a first at this age) and before long, the other 3 were scattered around the nest. A frantic F24 was racing to and fro in her attempt to shade all of them. Happily, the entire nest was in the building’s shade by just after 13:00, but tragically not before one of the little angels succumbed to the sun exposure. As we wish that little one peace, we embrace the three healthy chicks that remain. F24 and M24 are excellent parents, and I wish them continued success raising their offspring with the skill and proficiency we’ve seen from them in past years.

Video: https://youtu.be/bLMyQZJEjEU

CHICK RIDES MUM’S FOOT TO LEDGE ~ A 150-Second Adventure (2026 Oct 7)

When dad M24 brought the second pigeon in two hours time, mum F24 immediately took it to the pantry. But with four floofs under her, one got caught up in her foot and was inadvertently pulled out towards the ledge. The little one pined for its warm, cozy floof pile till mum returned and quickly pulled him/her back into the fold. She’s amazing. 

Video: https://youtu.be/ae1Y7eVKCsE

Chick #4 Joins the Party! Congrats On a Full House,  F24 & M24 (2026 Oct 5)

F24 and M24 have this breeding thing down to an art. Four successful hatches over 4 days. Looking forward to seeing the abundance of fabulous falcon fluff transform into beautiful juveniles over the nest 6 weeks or so.

Video:  https://youtu.be/hov8CNFqyjU

FOBBVCAM Eagles  ~  Big Bear Valley, CA ~ Shadow (12 years), Jackie (dec. 10 August 2026), KD-1 (Kaydee 4, years), Sandy, and Luna (last seen on camera 23 July 2023)

Courtesy FOBBVCAM | Friends of Big Bear Valley

Nest Cam:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE 

Wide View Cam (Cam 2):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41eq4VzCYc4

Live Recap & Observations:  https://bit.ly/4wGjwVg

Shadow & Kaydee’s Flirty Nesting Hour as Her Black Spots Get Smudgy (2026 Oct 9)

When Kaydee arrived at the nest this evening, she had zero interest in shuffling sticks or aerating mulch. That is until the moment she saw Shadow approaching. Then she became very animated and interested in sprucing up the nest. There was a fair amount of beaking and bumping before the flirt fest culminated in Kaydee giving Shadow’s tail a little nibble. Also interesting to watch Kaydee’s dark markings changing over time. Feeling very lucky to have a ringside seat to this fascinating story.

Video: https://youtu.be/75hb03ScWCE

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

Eaglets Join Lady & Dad’s Morning Duet ~ Perplexed by Piggyback Ride Finale (2026 Oct 6)

Lady and Dad perform a duet most mornings and occasionally later in the day as well. SE38 decided to sing along this morning with SE37 on harmony. The parents sometimes get a little frisky at the end of their duets, which left the eaglets wondering. A little later, cam ops gifted us with some lovely close-ups of the eaglets.

Video: https://youtu.be/wC77KKiBo8M

Two Harbors Eagles ~  Catalina Island, CA ~ Cholyn & Chase (28 years old; mated pair for 23 years)
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Two Harbors Eagles Cam Ops
Overlook Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yx7RKxpyzQ
Eagle Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5T2eHM8tcI

Chillin’ with Cholyn ~ 28 Years Young & More Beautiful than Ever (2026 Oct 4)

A dazzling Two Harbors sunrise prefaces this stunning view of Cholyn taking in her habitat. She chortles at something that catches her eye, then departs to take care of eagle business. At day’s end, Cholyn and Chase serenade us as a glorious sunset ends their day. Breathtaking.

Video: https://youtu.be/Z1oKVXKMgJg 

I know that there are Bald Eagle nests that get much attention, but surely at 28 years old, we should be paying more attention to Cholyn and Chase!!!!!

Will today be hatch day at Orange?

A camera captures a dimly lit view inside a falcon nesting box, with a falcon resting on the gravel floor.

Lots of food coming to the ledge at 367 Collins Street! Send them your best wishes…they tried so hard and those poor babies scattered due to the heat.

A peregrine falcon standing on a ledge with its chicks, one chick is visible while the falcon holds a prey item. In the background, a city skyline can be seen.
A night view of a city skyline with various illuminated buildings. In the foreground, a bird sits next to its chicks on a ledge, while urban structures are visible behind them.

A lot of people are wondering what will happen to the dead chick. There are two possible scenarios. A parent will remove it from the nest, or they will feed it to the siblings.

At the Olympic Park WBSE nest, Mum flew in with an eel and more prey later in the day. SE38 had first chance at the eel. Things are fine on the nest as the number of visitors to the area decreases as the weekend ends.

A close-up view of a bird's nest situated in a tree, featuring two young birds resting inside the nest made of twigs and branches. The surrounding foliage is visible, providing a natural habitat.

A black and white image of a bird's nest. Two young birds are visible in the nest, surrounded by sticks and foliage from a tree. The scene appears to be taken from a surveillance camera, showing the time and date in the lower corner.

It looks like it will be an ‘Only’ osplet at Thistle Island in South Australia and that is fine – better one healthy chick than three hungry babies!

Adult ospreys standing on a nest at Thistle Island, surrounded by branches, with a body of water in the background.

Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. We hope to have you with us again soon – which will probably be Tuesday as tomorrow is Thanksgiving and Toby and I will be spending it at the hospital.

Thank you to SK Hideaways for their great video playlist, to everyone who posted information and images on FB, and to the owners of the streaming cams or those who take photos of our bird families; we are eternally grateful.

Collins Street eyas dies from heat…late, late Saturday in Bird World

10 October 2026

Good Evening Everyone (or Good Morning depending on where you live),

It was 24 degrees C on the Canadian Prairies this afternoon. Quite unbelievable to see people in shorts and T-shirts doing yard work in the middle of October! But the weather is ‘dire’ in many places. While Winnipeggers are gloriously enjoying the heat, the drought, causing water levels in our northern region to drop dramatically, should be a concern. That water fuels the hydroelectric dams that provide our energy. In Melbourne, that same heat killed one of the little floods at 367 Collins Street.

Dr Victor Hurley made this statement: “”Well, it is quite sad to confirm what we all already know. One of the nestlings has died. Sorry, I have been in the field out of phone range all day to report sooner. From a brief review of the tapes it appears the nestlings spread out in all directions and this overwhelmed F24’s ability to keep on top of things. With one in the gutter (a new occurrence for this year) and one at the extreme end of the nest box, F24 suffered from the “Vegemite Syndrome”, which is just a matter of being spread too thin! From my experience, that far corner gets really hot with no air circulating and these nestlings are too young to efficiently moderate their own body temperatures. If this one did in fact die from heat stress it will be the first out of 78 since 1992 to succumb this way. It was a short life and it filled us all with joy whilst it was here. The adults now have three young to focus their attention on and I am confident they will have this in hand through to fledging. Remember everybody to be kind to each other and continue to marvel at this wonder of nature unfolding in high definition, live streaming before our very eyes.”

F23 continues to work hard to keep her three surviving eyases cool in the Melbourne heat – and herself! I wish this end of the ledge would be covered.

A peregrine falcon perched on a ledge of a tall building, overlooking a cityscape with various skyscrapers and a blue building in the background.

SK Hideaways did a really good video – . https://youtu.be/bLMyQZJEjEU?

Hurricane Isaias hit the Gulf Coast and headed inland, bringing heavy wind and rain, including to the area of Beau and Gabby’s nest south of Jacksonville in Palm Court. Reports said flocks of birds were caught in the eye of the Hurricane.

All appears to be well at the nest this evening.

A view from a high tree overlooking a natural landscape, featuring a large nest made of twigs and branches at the center, surrounded by pine trees.

SW Florida appeared to be fine.

A serene landscape featuring a calm body of water in the foreground, with green grass and palm trees lining the shore. In the background, a few horses are grazing on the grass, while a building and additional trees are visible.

How do birds survive hurricanes?

AI Overview

Birds survive hurricanes through a combination of sensory early warning, behavioral shelter-seeking, and high population resilience.

Sensory Detection & Avoidance

  • Barometric Pressure: Birds sense steep drops in barometric pressure, shifting winds, and infrasound, alerting them to an approaching storm hours or days in advance.
  • Behavioral Shifts: Many migratory and land birds detect the low-pressure system and wait out the weather, fly around the edges of the storm, or ride favorable winds away from the core.
  • Riding the Eye: If caught mid-flight inside a tropical cyclone, some birds manage to stay within the relative calm of the storm’s eye until it reaches land or dissipates.

Hunkering Down & Cover

  • Land Birds: Forest and songbirds seek shelter by hunkering down close to the ground, deep inside dense thickets, native evergreen brush, or cavities in large trees.
  • Tidal Marshes: Marsh birds rely on dense marsh grasses to block high winds, though they remain vulnerable to rapid flooding from storm surges.

Post-Storm Threats & Population Resilience

  • Post-Hurricane Scarcity: Direct mortality during a storm is often lower than the long-term impact. Stripped fruit, broken branches, and destroyed vegetation create food bottlenecks, forcing survivors to disperse or wander into new habitats.
  • Ecological Resilience: Research published via ScienceDirect and the US Forest Service Research and Development shows that many coastal and forest bird populations possess strong short-term resilience, absorbing heavy seasonal mortality and bouncing back through local survival and regional immigration.

Some good articles – have a read and educate yourself. We often worry so much about our feathered friends when severe weather advisories are announced.

The Impact of Hurricanes on Birds – Maine BirdsDownload

While this article focuses on Caribbean birds, it is an excellent read:

Effects of huricanes on BirdsDownload

This is migration season. Cornell Bird Lab published an article on the impact of hurricanes on migrating birds:

How do hurricanes affect migrating birds? | All About BirdsDownload

Gimbir and Diamond continue to rotate incubation duties with Di commanding the majority of the time. We continue to wait for the first hatch at Orange, Australia.

A peregrine falcon sitting in a nest box, surrounded by gravel, with a view of the landscape visible through an opening.

Viewers were concerned about the lack of food at the Olympic Park WBSE nest in Sydney. SE37 had the small bird that came in but 38 had nothing. We get used to this as the chicks get older but it is never easy! I always worry on the weekends when there are so many people around the water where the eagles have to hunt – in Sydney, but also elsewhere. It can be highly problematic for the raptors. This makes me more grateful for many sites in the UK that prohibit human activity (or limit it) during breeding season from April to the end of September.

The cam operator gave us some great images of these magnificent eaglets with their stunning plumage.

Two young birds in a nest on a tree branch, surrounded by greenery.
A close-up of a hawk nest with two young hawks sitting in it, surrounded by tree branches and greenery.
A close-up view of a bird's nest on a tree branch, featuring several young birds resting among twigs and leaves.

In the UK, there are some very late migrating ospreys but they are having trouble getting the fish they need! What is stopping them?

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/oct/09/country-diary-a-passing-osprey-needs-to-eat-but-the-local-terns-wont-let-it?CMP=share_btn_url

I am glad to get letters from you that were in the path of the hurricane telling me that you are alright. It is always a worry!

Toby and I were at the hospital today. Don had just gotten up and was eating his breakfast at 10:30. They had saved it for him – so he had breakfast, ate the big salad that I brought, and then had his lunch! If you have loved ones in hospital, I really encourage you to take fresh fruit and salads. At least at the hospital Donald is at, they do not get those things. Bananas are easy to handle but today, Donald was not shaking so much and he held his own tea cup with even spilling a drop and ate his meal by himself. It was fantastic! After we spent time trying out some new clear Japanese crayons. Notice the Cavalier tea towel – we used it like a bib. There is a ‘Toby’ blanket waiting for him for tomorrow. It is amazing what you can get images printed on these days!!!!

Donald is fortunate. Ann and I are always bringing his National Geographics to him, creating situations where he needs to work on his eye-hand control or strengthen his arms and legs. There is someone every day. So many on the ward seem to have no one even come to visit nevermind provide any type of enrichment. So again, if you are looking for a way to enrich your life and that of others, think of volunteering – grab some crayons and colouring books, take people in wheelchairs outside for some fresh air, bring some music, get them singing – whatever you are good at. I promise you that you will make that person’s day so much better.

An elderly man in a hospital gown is coloring in a coloring book, wearing a bib with a dog pattern. He is using a marker on a flower illustration while surrounded by art supplies including a mug, a box of watercolor markers, and a pair of glasses.

Thank you so much for being with us for this brief check in. Send good energy to the parents at 367 Collins Street – may there be lots of prey and shade for the wee ones. Take care everyone.

Thank you to SK Hideaways for their video on the events at 367 Collins Street, to those who posted information on FB including Dr Hurley, and to the authors of articles on raptors and hurricanes. We are always grateful to the owners of the streaming cams who allow us to watch these incredible creatures – even when it is challenging for both them and us.