There have been consistent worries over whether or not Jack would be able to provide for his mate, Jill, and his two osplets at the Achieva Credit Union osprey platform in St Petersburg, Florida. I was one that doubted he could do this based on past history.
Today, with her second hatch really suffering from a lack of food, Jill took control and went fishing. She had to be really hungry to leave these two little babes, and surely the little one would not have lived much longer on the meagre portions it had had. This is something that Diane would do. Diane would go and catch catfish – she knew precisely where to go for them!
The fish was a whopper. The eldest ate well and then little go to have its fill and so did Mum. This nest was hungry!
Tears of joy.
Here it comes.
Looking for information. ‘MP’ has found a number of barrier designs for owls to be kept away from eagle nests. They understand that someone posted a statement saying that Peanut had been hit 55 times by that owl on the Winter Park nest. Does anyone know who posted that number? ‘MP’ is gathering all the information they can to try to convince the powers that be that this is possible and why it is important. Send me a note if you know. Thanks!
I was so excited about Jill’s fishing. Little Bit lives another day, and this Mum understands that she cannot rely on her mate, Jack. Sad that, but I am pleased for the kiddos.
So this is just a brief post. Take care all. See you soon.
Thank you so much to ‘PB’ for alerting me to this grand event and to ‘MP’ for learning about owl barriers in order to help eagles. To those who own the streaming cams, I am grateful. If not for you, we would not know about these amazing birds. Thanks to FB posters and to Kielder Forest for their newsy letter and the great images of Eschells.
We woke up to snow. I almost cried. By the afternoon, the temperature had risen to 6 C. Tomorrow is to be much warmer before we are plunged into the deep freeze again. Talk about a roller coaster ride to spring!
So many Osprey eggs were laid today that I do not know if I can keep up with them –
Frankie and Angel at Roundhouse Loch Doon have their first egg.
Maya and Blue 33 have their fourth egg. Yes, you read that right. Our super couple are aiming for four again!
Nest 7 at Kielder Forest where Mum KX7 laid her first egg of the 2026 season.
CJ7 and Blue 022 have their first egg at Poole Harbour. Will they go for four?
CJ7 Lays Her First Egg!First egg! – Carey Osprey Tours Begin – Osprey Diary 2026 – Spring Safaris – Heathland Bird ID – Seabird FundraiserCJ7 with her first egg of the seasonWe are excited to announce that at 12:56 this afternoon, in rather drizzly conditions, CJ7 laid her first egg at the Carey’s Secret Garden nest! This is brilliant news and 1 day later than last year, due to 022’s delayed arrival. Eggs tend to be laid 3 days apart, this means we’ll expect the second egg on Friday. Delayed incubation until the second or third egg is laid is not uncommon. This can bring the hatching times closer together, sometimes resulting in a less significant size and development difference between the chicks.
Idris and Telyn have their first egg at the Dyfi nest.
I have probably missed some, apologies! Will catch up.
At Glaslyn, it appears that Elen is still the reigning female. Teifi has been feeding her some fish. People have asked if Aran has a ‘nest’. To my knowledge, the answer is no. He does have a tree in an area that he seems to be claiming as his territory. Perhaps someone will put up a platform there! Hey, Darren Moore!!!!!!
We are expecting an egg any time at the Pont Cresor nest of Aeron Z2 and Blue 14.
Geemeff gives us the latest knews from the Woodland Trust:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 14th April 2026After yesterday’s constant nest swapping, today was very much quieter. Everybody stayed on their own nests, Garry LV0 brought Aurora 536 two fish, taking his tally to thirteen, and Dorcha had an unusual visitor in the form of a Carrion Crow, a species not seen in this area before. JJ4, the male from the western nest who’s visited twice before did not make it three days in a row and sadly neither did our lovable Louis put in a much longed for appearance. While hopes for his return are fading, his nine years in Loch Arkaig have given us many wonderful moments to cherish, and he leaves a legacy of fourteen fledged chicks, six with Aila and eight with Dorcha – not bad for the inept youngster who turned up in 2017.
In the world of eagles, Jackie and Shadow have had to work hard to protect their babies! SK Hideaways has it on video: https://youtu.be/as3C9WW-3ho?si
Suzanne Arnold Horning reminds us of the dates of Big Red and Arthur’s eggs: Big Red and Arthur welcomed their egg#1 of 2026 at 804pm on 3/23, egg #2 appeared at 203pm on 3/26, egg#3 around 11am on 3/29 and egg#4 around 11am on 4/1. This is only the 3rd time the clutch as been 4 eggs (2022 and 2024 as well).
Today seems like a long day and I am ready for a big mug of tea and a chat with The Girls. Toby has been out helping me in the garden and he desperately needs a bath!
I have sadly added two new entries to the Memorial Wall: Louis from Loch Arkaig and Ethel from Russell Lake, Nova Scotia. Neither returned from migration this year. Basic information only at present. Will be filled in within a week, I hope.
Thank you for being with us. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to Geemeff for their great summary and videos, SK Hideaways for capturing how challenging life can be for dear Jackie and Shadow, to all the streaming cam owners and people who post information on FB – we are terribly grateful to you!
‘MP’ just sent me the good news that dear Peanut has fledged from the Winter Park Bald Eagle nest in Florida. It looks like a brilliant flight and I bet that eaglet who had been attacked 55 times, according to ‘MP’, was glad to get off that nest. Congratulations!
This news was just too good not to send tonight.
Fru Rauer returned to her nest in Norway on Monday.
Winnie has returned from migration and is with Swoop at the Dunrovin nest in Colorado.
There is sad news coming out of San Francisco. This will be the very last season that we will be able to view Richmond and Wendy at the Richmond Shipyards. The streaming camera will be cut in September 2025. Here is the announcement:
My goodness – I feel a bit gutted. There are many species that are in huge decline, and in parts of the US, ospreys are one of those species! We do know that the peregrine falcons in the area have been hit hard by avian flu. Let us wish all well and just maybe someone else will take over that camera!
Everyone has heard me say that watching ospreys is better than any of the shows on the streaming stations. Well, Glaslyn has turned out to be that – and it sounds like Loch Arkaig might be as well.
Yesterday, we were certain that the Glaslyn nest would be occupied by Teifi and Eschells. Well, guess who returned to ‘her’ nest today? None other than Elen, who has been gone for a week (or a tad more). Then Aran decided to do two flybys!!!!!! At the end of Monday, it was Teifi and Elen on the Glaslyn nest. So will Aran hook up with Eschells? She would have a great mate!
That’s Elen on the perch. She appears to be ready to spend the night defending her nest. Teifi had better get that breakfast fish in early.
Geemeff catches us up with Loch Arkaig:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 13th April 2026
A very confusing day today as everyone swapped nests, three fish put in an appearance including a pike
(Esox lucius), a species not seen on the nest since 2023. The day started with the handsome new boy JJ4 visiting Nest Two but then got complicated with Garry LV0 & Aurora 536 constantly intruding on Dorcha on Nest Two, and at one stage four Ospreys were in sight although it wasn’t possible to ID the fourth, might have been JJ4 or an unringed intruder. Perhaps all the intrusions on Nest Two are due to the absence of the dominant resident male, our missing Louis, so it remains to be seen how things will play out. Despite their intrusions on the other nest, Garry & Aurora look very at home on Nest One, and the day ended with the pair of them perched quietly together looking for all the world like a pair of lovebirds. In other news, Chaddie informs us that Prince & Affric are staying on their nest at Bunarkaig, quietly going about their business. Probably just as well, as six birds swapping nests would need serious detangling skills from the watchers.
Look who is checking out the scrape at Charles Sturt University’s that belongs to Diamond and Gimbir! FalconCam Project caught them: https://youtu.be/h7EZJMtlFlU?
Watch to see what the falcons do when they come to the scrape!!!!
The difference in size of the osplets at Achieva is incredible. The wee one waits for the eldest to get a huge crop and then steps up to get its fill of fish. Mum and Dad are doing well in caring for these two.
Brevard County ospreys had a good fish day, too.
The two at Fort St Vrain are doing well. Egg 4 is within the hatch window but I am hoping that it is a Dudley! Two healthy eaglets is just fine.
That’s it for tonight. Toby and I worked hard shifting birdseed today and right now it is time for ‘Calico’s Story Time’. Take care. We will see you soon.
Thank you to ‘Geemeff, J, MP’ for their news, notes, and images. I am always grateful – the more eyes on the nests the better. Thank you to those who posted on FB and to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to share in the lives of these amazing birds.
Geemeff was the first to spot the handsome visitor to Loch Arkaig’s nest 2! Here is the video: https://youtu.be/gUBZwBc-KU4?
We wait.
It is believed that this is the same osprey that intruded on Dorcha when she was on nest 2 on the 9th of April. At the time, Geemeff could only see a ‘J’.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 12th April 2026
Amidst the disappointment of the continuing absence of Louis, Loch Arkaig’s resident male since 2017, a shining event occurred with the arrival of the very handsome male JJ4. He’s a local lad, fledged in 2020 from the non-cam nest on private land at the western end of the loch, and he looked right at home perched on Nest Two. After a bit of fiddling with the troublesome stick (which wasn’t a bother at all until Dorcha decided to move it a few days ago), he left his mark on the nest with a well-aimed squirt before flying off towards the loch. Unfortunately, Dorcha missed him as she didn’t put in an appearance at all today, we can only speculate on her motives and hope to see her tomorrow. As a six year old and Dorcha a minimum of 9 years old, JJ4 would be a good match for her should the position become vacant. But that is getting ahead of ourselves. Over on Nest One, Garry LV0 and Aurora had a typical day with fish arriving and departing the nest, sticks being brought and furnishings being rearranged, and the odd mating attempt, untroubled by any intruders.
If our birds did have enough challenges, there are the cats – Cats are the number one killer of bird species. Now they are after the oyster catchers. ‘PB’ sent this to me – we both have cats and we want to pass on the message to please keep your cats indoors.
I want to say, up front, a huge thank you to Geemeff, Mary Cheadle, and Jeff Kerr for keeping us informe on what is happening at the UK osprey nests an managing so much data so that it is not lost!
Maya is currently incubating three eggs with mate, Blue 33 at Rutland’s Manton Bay platform.
No eggs yet for CJ7 and Blue 022 at Poole Harbour. Will they raise four again?
In the US, Richmond and Wendy have their first egg at the Golden Gate Audubon nest on the WWII whirley crane on Sunday the 12th.
Heidi reports that we have the first egg at Dewey Beach – the site of much saddness last year.
Pitkin County Trails improved its camera this year and we have ospreys incubating egg/s.
The eagles seem to be doing well. There are fledglings and there are babies. The Dale Hollow nest has three getting their feathers.
There are three for Andor and Cruz at Fraser Point.
FOBBV put out a video of the rain at Big Bear and those precious little eaglets with their full crops of Jackie and Shadow. https://youtu.be/IQjt6zysT30?
Closing with Iris’s familiar pose on her perch overlooking one of the finest osprey nests that I know of – she works hard to tidy it up for departure and returns to something lovely that she continues to fix. (She did not sleep on her perch overnight).
For your reading – the interesting story of a man who put the sound of birds on vinyl – from The Guardian:
It is a heavily overcast day in Winnipeg. 0 degrees at the moment. It should not get warmer than 4 C today with the strange promise of 18-20 C on Wednesday! Mr Crow has just been to the feeder, and Mr Blue Jay is making his way through the lilacs to grab a peanut or two. The European Starlings are arriving as the chickadees leave. I can see the white of the tails of the Dark-eyed Juncos flitting about quietly from the ground to the branches. The promise of rain today is not bothering the birds. They seem especially interested in the seed that Toby and I have been stirring up, or should I say the shells of the seed from the winter. Much will be spread to create compost and new soil towards the back of the garden. Toby and I have now been working on this for three days. At some point, the plan is to get some topsoil and a large container of wildflower seeds and plant them. Whether it will be too shady once the lilac leaf is unknown, but we are going to try it.
What are we reading during Story Time? Rebecca Solnit’s Hope in the Dark. I sometimes need to be reminded that if we think locally, we can get ‘things’ done and not give up hope when the world seems to be falling apart. I have often said to you that if each one of us took care of the animals in our own gardens, or the ones that come to our gardens like Brock, the world would be immensely improved. Solnit talks about being local – you might be part of the movement that only eats seasonally within a 100-mile radius of your home. Imagine how much fuel that would save if we all ate the harvests of the time instead of wanting to have strawberries in Winnipeg in February? We do have really delicious ones in June and July! We try to practice this, and it was refreshing to read that in doing so, it is a bit of a resistance to huge corporations. I did grow up in the 60s and 70s and was part of the back-to-the-land movement. I only wish I had the energy to do that again! The book is good. If you are feeling powerless, pick up a copy from your library or order online. Have a good read – I think it will do wonders for bringing hope back into your heart.
Oh, three crows! The baby from last year is home to help with this year’s brood.
I was wrong. There were at least 8 crows in the garden, with one being attacked. Was it out of its territory and hungry? I wonder.
Thank you for being with us today. Take care. See you soon.
Thank you to Geemeff for the news from the Woodland Trust and all the wonderful links, to the UK Osprey Info FB group for always keeping us up to date and to those others who post on FB. Thanks, Heidi, for watching the nests that are not easy. I am grateful to The Guardian for their continuing coverage of the interesting stories about wildlife and the environment, and to all the owners of the streaming cams – without you, we would not be so involved in the lives of these magnificent creatures.
I am writing today’s blog with a very heavy heart. Louis has not returned to Lock Arkaig 2. There was rain late on Saturday. Still, a part of me hopes that he will land on the nest and shock us all. The reality that he is not returning lingers, and it is a difficult pill to swallow. Jean-Marie Dupart has monitored the youngsters staying over in Senegal til they return to their birth homes at two years. He also notes this week that there remain some older ospreys, either setting off on migration late or deciding to stay in their winter homes. I would like to think that Louis has decided to retire, living his life out catching fish in the sun and sand of West Africa.
I am counting on Geemeff to put together a terrific memorial video to Louis if he does not turn up in the next few days. It will not be easy as Louis was such a big part of so many learning to love ospreys.
Windy and not so nice at Lach Arkaig 2 Sunday. Dorcha has not been seen at the nest on Sunday. Has she left to check out other possibilities?
Geemeff asked me if I remembered life before Toby. I do, but it is a life that will never return. We had a vacation in Guadaloupe – the last big holiday that Don and I will ever take, the February before adopting Toby in April. Don’s health began to deteriorate about a month after Toby arrived. What I didn’t say in my response is that I am very happy. I can’t turn back the clock. Don’s health is such that I can actually begin monitoring the ospreys more closely this year, since there are no long trips to see birds. We walk Toby and go to the park, watch the animals in the garden, and Ann is so helpful in getting him to The Leaf and The Zoo, places that Toby can’t go. I have good support. Toby also means I will be spending much time in the garden, as he loves company and patrols the perimeter in case any of those ‘cats’ come inside. Today, we worked on spreading birdseed and peanut shells and painted a lidded bench that Ann gave me for his clothes. Don was content to sit in front of the telly (yes, that is where we are). I am not complaining – life is just changing, and Toby and the Girls and I are adjusting ourselves to this changing reality.
We are also putting out all the signals that spring is arriving. The forecast says it will be 18-20 C on Wednesday. You have to be kidding me. Or is it another year of roller coaster rides, with up-and-down temperatures from extreme heat to cold? Toby says a barbecue might be good!
What are the things you do that signal a change from winter to spring in your mind?
The RSPB is advising individuals to remove their birdseed tables and feeders and use suet and solid seed cylinders instead. We are going to do this when my last batch of seed bags runs out this year. The aim is to prevent avian flu. Have a read to see how you can help. Avian Flu is not restricted to the UK; it is a global phenomena that probably killed our much beloved Annie, the peregrine falcon from The Campanile, in San Francisco and the thousands of geese here in Manitoba.
At Rutland’s Manton Bay osprey platform, Maya laid her third egg on Saturday. Blue 33 would like to have four again!
We can’t forget about the wonderful Bald Eagles, and SK Hideaways has put together some memories of Eve and Kai at the nest of Gabby and Beau before these two beautiful eaglets depart. It has been a magical year at this nest. https://youtu.be/yLkrhOSwPmQ?
Bety and Bukacheck have returned to the Mlady Buky White Stork nest.
At Fort St Vrain, the two eaglets are already scooting out of the nest bowl. The youngest did so at five days old! I am impressed. I also hope that those remaining eggs do not hatch despite Mum continuing to incubate them and brood these characters! It is pip watch for the last one.
You can clearly see the ‘ears’ on the triplets at the Fraser Point nest of Andor and Cruz in California.
‘J’ keeps me up on the latest kakapo news:
“Andrew Digby made a comparison with 2019:
This year’s #kakapo breeding season has been the biggest on record: – 256 eggs (252 in 2019) – 148 fertile eggs (116 in 2019) – 105 eggs hatched (86 in 2019). It’ll be 2+ months until we know how many chicks will fledge (73 in 2019). There are currently 95 alive.”
Thanks, ‘J’.
SK Hideaways also sent me a link to share with everyone – the return of the Golden Eagle!
We have our first egg for Dylan and Seren Blue 5F at Clywedog! 13:27 was the time.
If you are wondering why I am not reporting on many of the North American nests, I’m so glad that Heidi is keeping up with them – I don’t know how she manages it. I track a small number, a very small number. Heidi will begin her reporting when there are chicks hatching.
Heidi reports: “4/12 – The Venice kids are doing great. They are 23, 22, and 20 days old.
The chicks at Brevard have had lots of fish as the wind in the region has diminished. Achieva chicks are doing OK, too much to my surprise. I would still like to see a pile of fish on that nest, but Jack doesn’t leave them there, as that could easily attract predators.
It continues to rain and with all the snow melting, all manner of wildlife are coming into our neighbourhood including frolicking deer! Posted on our FB community page:
Screenshot
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. We will see you soon!
Thank you to SK Hideaways for continuing to create videos even while on holiday, to all the individuals, including Heidi, who post recent nest information and images on FB, and the owners of the streaming cams, so that we can watch these wonderful avian families. Thanks, ‘J’, for not letting us forget about the kakapo!
There is news later about Aran. He does have a nest and he does have a female at that nest with him. Perhaps it is Elen? That would be wonderful. Or it could be the other female. We wait and wonder.
At the Glaslyn nest, Teifi is skydancing and courting Blue 432/Eschells.
Dorcha continues to wait for Louis at Loch Arkaig 2. It is extremely windy. Will Louis blow in?
Jean-marie Dupart has reported the youngsters are still in Senegal but also some older birds that are either migrating late or not leaving their winter homes.
In Nova Scotia, Oscar continues to wait for Ethel at Russell Lake.
Again, thank you so much for your kind notes. I am feeling much better. Much better, indeed. It was 7 C on Friday, and I got to spend almost all of the day outside with Toby and Don. It was glorious. In the afternoon, Ann took Don to the zoo, where they watched polar bears rolling on their backs in the crisp air and bright sunshine.
Today is the 11th of April. It is the latest day that the male osprey, Louis, of Loch Arkaig, has returned from migration. I hope that by the end of the day he has returned. I have to admit that my stomach has been slipping down into my toes over the past week in fear that we will not see this amazing osprey ever again. For many of you, Louis was your favourite osprey on streaming cam during the pandemic. More than 400,000 watched him and his precious Aila raise their triplets – Vera, Doddie, and Little Captain.
The image shows the three chicks with Louis on the far right.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 10th April 2026
Today ended with our key character not here – Louis has not yet returned. There is still time and fingers and talons are firmly crossed for his arrival soon. Dorcha spent the day on and off the nest, constantly looking around even when dealing with a troublesome branch she was unable to shift. Things on Nest One are looking much more positive, with Garry LV0 bringing two fish and huge clumps of moss and spending time nestorising when he wasn’t engaged with Aurora 536, who also looks really at home. They both worked together to see off a blue ringed intruder Osprey who flew right overhead but didn’t allow her ring to be read. As it’s on her left leg, she’s Scottish, and it wasn’t Affric 152, so we’ll have to wait and see if she returns to give us a better look before an ID can be made. Tomorrow’s forecast for Inver Mallie which covers the nest area is light rain and a moderate breeze, so nothing there to impede the progress of returning Ospreys. Weather link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2646094 .
https://youtu.be/N7vj8r9pWpY N1 Aurora flies off with the fish, Garry does housekeeping 16.10.50Bonus watch – the importance of the UK’s temperate rainforests, like Loch Arkaig:
I adore Aran and am heartbroken that he lost his Glaslyn nest last season due to a late return that he had shared with Mrs G and Elen. Elen has not been seen for a week. No one knows her status. Thankfully, individuals are keeping track of Aran as Teifi continues to reign over the Glaslyn nest.
I love this screen capture and information by Jenny Powell. Iris can out-fish any of the local ‘Masters’ or male ospreys! She is really quite amazing – at least thirty years old.
European ospreys arriving.
Seems to be very windy at all the nests in the UK. This is Telyn waiting for Idris and a fish at Dyfi where the camera has been on and off.
Harry is doing a good job for Flora at SS Alyth.
As reported earlier, all is well in the Usk Valley in Wales where both ospreys have returned.
Blue 022 doesn’t mind the strong winds when it comes to mating with CJ7 at Poole. Watching for eggs!
Thank you so much for being with us today. Unless there is news about Louis, I will be taking a wee break for a few days. I really want to get ahead on the spring cleaning of the garden. It is going slowly this year – wish me luck!
Thank you so much to the individuals who created videos, to Geemeff for all the daily news from Loch Arkaig, and to those who have posted wonderful screen captures and information on FB. I am always grateful to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to look into the lives of these bird families.
I hope that the week has been good to you and that you are planning to be outside this weekend so that you can hear some birdsong. With migration well underway throughout the middle US, we are expecting more and more species to be arriving in Manitoba. Many ospreys are making their way home especially to the nests in Nova Scotia. We wait for the last of the streaming cam stars to arrive in the UK and northern Europe.
Thank you so much for your lovely notes. I really appreciate them, and this week they warmed my heart so much. I have been unwell, passing kidney stones the old-fashioned way. Life with Don did not permit me to be in the hospital taking advantage of modern methods of blasting these excruciatingly painful little blobs!!!!!!! I am, however, feeling much better as I write this. Don has been going to bed early for the past few nights, and this has given me a wee bit of time to sit and sip tea in the silence. Ironically, both Toby and Don ‘understood’ that I was ‘sick’ and each helped in their own way. I wish you could see my smile. It is also warming up and tomorrow Don and Ann will be out exploring and over the weekend, we should see temperatures around 10 C.
In terms of ‘escape proofing’ the house and property, the hardware is ready for installation next Thursday. The goal was to find a convenient time for them to come. The other day, I might have said that the locksmiths, the bathing lady, and her supervisor hit the front porch at precisely the same time. I don’t like ‘chaos’ anymore. One event per day is what Don’s doctor recommends, and I agree – it keeps my mind calm. The last things to do are to install a tall gate that can be locked at the front and a proper lock on the rear gate. So, I am getting there.
With spring arriving, all of us are starting to think about the garden. A young man has been hired to come and deal with all the birdseed remnants! It looks like there is about a ton of shells! I am serious. Some of it will be used to level off the back area – it would be grand if it all could be raked over. It does make the best compost. The plan is to toss in a lot of wildflower seeds. There will be a few plants specifically for the birds and the bees, including Don’s beloved hummingbirds. I have four trellis pyramids (not sure of their proper name) that will be devoted to climbing beans and tomatoes. Peony supports have been ordered – enough for the six plants put in last year. There are other plans – staining the old deck and building a bit of solid fence to meet up with the fence that was built a few years ago. That is to keep Toby’s eyes in the garden and passersby eyes on what they are doing.
Today, ‘pyjama day’ was very quiet, just as I planned for Thursdays (except or next week when PJ day becomes Monday). Few e-mails exchanged, no housework, etc. What we did do was put together a small indoor garden box with lights to grow salad fixings and herbs. At the current price in the shops, it will not take long to pay for it, and I don’t have to worry about running out of cilantro. So far, only Hugo Yugo has taken an interest. I hope she stays out of it! That little ginger cat can cause more trouble than a dozen other cats.
Now to the birds…
I am happy to say that the fortunes at both Brevard County and Achieva changed somewhat on Thursday with the arrival of several fish. I was afraid that if the poor weather at Brevard continued, all the chicks would be lost. As it was, Mum was just as starving. The little second hath at Achieva finally had a crop! I was happy to receive the following note from ‘MP’ who watches this nest with ‘eagle eyes’. “I’ve watched the Achieva nest continually, and I can say everyone needs more food in the raptor world. Jack has started to show the female how to feed the chicks as he has started feeding them with smaller bites than she gives. The female watched him intently. Jack did try to get her to letting him feed her, but she wouldn’t go for it. She just walked over and grabbed the fish he had. The younger osplet appears to be aggressive toward the older one. Just sayin.
I believe the female is a new mom. She appears to be more interested in her hunger pains. With Jack being a bird who likes stashing fish around whether he does it for safety or a penchant, he does bring in fish. It may be old and decomposing fish, but it does fill their stomachs. I would prefer fresh, since it has more moisture giving the osplets fluids.
I think Jack could do better, but maybe he can’t. I only hope the chicks aren’t knocked down through the drain holes. You know better than I how quickly a nest can turn around. “
The other good news is that there is a male that has landed on Iris’s nest.
A series of images. At once when I saw the ‘snake eyes’ I really thought this male was Louis but I am told it is not. So we will see.
More hopeful signs early this morning. Now please bring Iris a nice big fish and treat her like the Queen she is!
There is a young male at the Charlo Montana nest. Lola is calling for fish and he is just leisurely munching away on the pole. I don’t think this behaviour is going to win any hearts and minds.
The first egg has been laid at the Bassenthwaite nest.
Herr Rauer returned to his nest in Norway on Thursday. Fru Rauer is on her way home, according to her satellite tracking.
Both ospreys are home at the Emma Osprey platform in the Pitkin County Trails, Colorado. They have been back for a little more than a fortnight. Wonder if we will have eggs soon?
There are reports that we also have a first egg at Port of Ridgefield yesterday! The first egg in 2025 was laid on the 26th of April – gosh, seventeen days early. I wonder if these ospreys are trying to beat the heat that might be coming.
Teifi is the male in charge of the Glaslyn nest. Aran appears to have retired to his patch that he enjoyed last summer after relinquishing his nest to Teifi and Elen (no chicks – it was chaotic). Elen has not been seen and her fate is unknown. It has been six days since she flew off the nest. I hope she found another one! She was a good Mum.
Geemeff reminds me that Louis lands in the evening. I sure hope to see him tonight or tomorrow.
Everyone has Louis on their mind. That is because he is much loved.
Latest news from Knepp Farm and its rewilding project. Will they finally be bringing bison back to the UK?
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 9th April 2026
Things were more settled on the nests today as the three key players, Dorcha, Garry LV0 and Aurora 536, stayed on their own nests, although Dorcha did mantle at an intruder Osprey who flew too close to her nest, but not close enough to see who it was. Dorcha caught her own fish and attempted to eat it on Nest Two while the intruder was nearby, and Garry brought two fish to Nest One for Aurora which clearly convinced her he is mate material as she not only allowed him to mount her on several occasions, but also lifted her tail. Although early stages, it’s looking good for chicks on Nest One this season, which is ironic as Dorcha is still waiting for Louis, spending time on the nest looking around constantly, even arriving in darkness this morning and perching quietly for hours – will we have chicks on Nest Two this year? There is still time for Louis to return, he is 13 or 14 this year, having first turned up ten years ago in 2017 as a 3- or 4-year old, which makes him a mature but not an old Osprey.
Thank you so much for being with us. I will, of course, send out a note if Louis arrives! Take care. Get outside. That is where I am headed with Toby. Don is at the zoo with Ann. It is a beautiful +5 C day on the Canadian prairies – blue sky, sunshine and all.
Thank you to absolutely everyone for their articles, their posts, and their letters. I am grateful to ‘MP’ for their comment on Achieva. Heidi is monitoring that nest, and I peek in once in a while, but not as often as I should. Thank you to Geemeff and everyone else for their summaries, and to the owners of the streaming cams, we are always ever so grateful. Without you, we would have little idea of what is happening in Bird World.
I will just start with the sadness and move on to some gladness and some ‘bloody plain anger’. The third hatch at the Brevard County Osprey platform has died. Food was not always plentiful, the weather turned miserable, and the entire family was hungry. Thankfully, the wee babe did not suffer long.
There continues to be concern about food at that nest and the second hatch at Achieva needs more food, too. Thanks, ‘PB’ for being eyes and ears at these nests for me.
Brood reduction is a real thing by females experiencing hunger and understanding there is not enough food for everyone. Alan Poole wrote an article in 1982 on this subject. Here is the abstract:
In an effort to understand patterns and causes of nestling loss in Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus), I studied brood reduction in three eastern U.S. Osprey colonies during 1978 and 1979. The colonies, located in Florida Bay (1) and on coastal Long Island, N.Y. (2), differed in the average daily amount of food delivered to nestlings; Florida nests received 43% and 11% less fish per day than nests in the two N.Y. colonies, largely because latitude and season restricted day length and thus foraging time for the winter-breeding Florida Ospreys. Increased distance from stable food sources accounted for the lower rate of feeding at one of the N.Y. colonies. Variation in clutch size in the three colonies reflected differences in latitude more than in food availability; average clutch sizes in Long Island were larger than Florida clutches by 0.5 of an egg, but were similar to each other and to those in other northeastern U.S. Osprey populations.Increased nestling loss coincided with reduced food delivery rates and, in food stressed colonies, this loss was 2-3 times greater than any recorded for Ospreys. Starvation was the primary cause of nestling death, with mortality concentrated on third chicks, which hatched on average 3.9 d later and from eggs 5.6% smaller than chicks hatching first. Sibling aggression accounted for the preferential feeding of older nestmates,but only in colonies or nests where food was limited. Aggressive chicks nearly always stopped fighting after being fed. This behavior provided a reversible mechanism for controling brood reduction that was based on nutrition. Growth rates of young measured during the first half of the growth period were more variable between colonies than within nests. This is interpreted as reflecting both the differences in colony food delivery rates as well as the evolutionary pressures of sibling competition to equalize the growth of nestmates.
Title of full article: Poole A. Brood reduction in temperate and sub-tropical ospreys. Oecologia. 1982 Apr;53(1):111-119. doi: 10.1007/BF00377144. PMID: 28310611.
I don’t know about you, but I need some cheering up. Winter feels like it is never going to end. We woke up to snow everywhere Wednesday morning and then rain. The sun did come out and the skies turned blue and it was brilliant. It seems that I am not the only person in the world that needs birds to feel the joy. Jackie and Shadow’s babies made The Guardian (along with at least fifty other news outlets). The author says, “Over Easter weekend, thousands of people tuned in to celebrate something spectacular unfolding 145 feet up a pine tree in southern California’s San Bernardino national forest – the hatchings of two bald eagle chicks.”
It just seems to continue on those big estates in the UK and, particularly, in Scotland. Why makes gamekeepers and other humans think that they can shoot or poison beautiful raptors that are protected? Sometimes I would like the penalty to match the deed! That is how sick I am of reading about these offenses.
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 8th April 2026
Another exciting day full of action and nest-swapping! Aurora 536 and Garry LV0 invaded Nest Two and Garry even attempted mating there, until a furious Dorcha swept in and chased them away, with the aerial battle visible on nest cam in the distance. Aurora was given two fish by Garry on Nest One, took the first and ate it, and rejected the second – along with Garry’s advances – until it had been on and off the nest a few times. They did however appear to have at least one successful mating attempt but many more are needed if we’re going to get chicks on Nest One this season. Another intruder female, not yesterday’s, tried to hang out with Garry until he chased her off, and the day ended with an endearingly clumsy juvenile Barn Owl putting in an appearance on Nest One. No Louis yet but there’s still time, and the weather is good.
Nests are not settled. Mispillion Harbour is one of those and resident female, Della, is fighting or her nest with her life on the line. Aran appears to have abandoned Glaslyn and is over near a grove of trees so that one of the monitors can keep an eye on him. If he doesn’t have a mate, like he did last year, it will be a shame. His last chick with Mrs G has been seen in the area and his first two chicks with Elen are also in the area. Good DNA there! Elen you are missing out. Elen has also not been seen at the nest since last Sunday (I believe that to be correct) with Teifi arriving to make matters worse if Elen and Aran did show up together.
Louis has not returned to Loch Arkaig but his favourite date to return is 11 April so I am holding on to hope.
Dyfi wants you to join the fun and guess the first egg!
Some more Nestflix – the birds are so much more interesting than what is on the streaming cams!!!!!! Seriously.
And more…
Heidi is watching so many nests this breeding season and sadly some of them are in areas where getting fish to the nest is a challenge. ‘PB’ has been watching the Florida nests and we have some serious issues at Brevard County. The weather is not letting up and Dad cannot fish with those waves. Mum is really hungry and the two surviving of three babies are starving. Mum fed them their dead sibling this morning.
Heidi reports we have egg 2 at Moraine Beach.
Ospreys are now on the Barnegat Light platform – the camera is up and running. I am not entirely certain on the identity of these birds.
Lola has returned to Charlo Montana.
And, of course, we still have Bald Eagles. Dearest little Peanut keeps getting ravaged by that bloody owl at the Winter Park nest.
I do support them and their campaign and this is not a commercial site so I hope I don’t get into too much trouble by putting up images of Jackie and Shadow and their babies. This nest brings nearly 40,000 viewers at the moment great joy. That is what nature does for us – not the news! I know that many are without jobs, have been recently laid off, are living on a fixed low income, and cannot support the Moon Camp campaign. But, you can do other things. Why not send -emails to various businesses to try and get them to sponsor the saving of Moon Camp? Put out water for your local birds. They really need it more than food. Think about what you can do without spending a cent!
Mum and Baby at Duke Farms are doing very well.
There are now three eaglets at the Fort St Vrain Bald Eagle nest.
The Ventana Wildlife Society cares for the California Condors. You should care about this amazing bird that cleans up our environment and protects us. Watch – find out how many still exist in the wild, what is happening this breeding season, and how people are helping. https://www.youtube.com/live/th4-OBjWAxw?
It is going to be a very difficult year for many nests. Seas and waterways, as well as our planet, are warming, and this has enormous implications for our wildlife (and us).
This really is a wake-up call for all of us. Please take care of yourself. Send our nests good positive wishes. If you have a wand that can drop fish on nests – please send some to Achieva and Brevard.
See you soon!
Thank you to ‘PB, Heidi, and Geemeff’, to those who create videos and post information on FB, to The Guardian that continues to monitor the environmental news and post it for us to educate ourselves, and to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to see these remarkable families – thank you. Thank you to the authors of very informative articles including Alan Poole.
Geemeff sends us the daily summary from The Woodland Trust:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 6th April 2026
The weather was much more settled today and forecast to remain so for the next couple of days and with luck, Louis will make his way home during that weather window. The most interesting thing that happened today was that Dorcha visited Nest One again, just a fleeting visit unlike yesterday’s hour-long one, and also a repeat of her quick visit to Nest One on this day last year.
Oscar has returned to his nest at Russell Lake in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. We anxiously await the arrival of Ethel, his outstanding mate.
Harry has arrived at SS Alyth.
There was a male osprey on the nest with Iris, but my markings chart shows it was Louis, not New Guy 2. Gosh, I would love to be wrong!
UV has returned to Keilder Forest’s nest 5A.
At the Golden Gate Audubon nest of Richmond, his new mate, Wendy, has begun helping with that incredible nest on the World War II whirley crane. Here is the video: https://youtu.be/sPmvv6r4KZs?
Lots of tandem feedings going on today with the Bald Eagles. One of those was at Little Miami Conservancy. When there are three, mum and dad need to kick in and feed them so everyone gets their crop full.
That little baby is getting lots of bites!
If you missed it, Cornell Bird Lab has the video of Iris returning to her nest in Missoula’s Hellgate Canyon: https://youtu.be/xM_3aiCH4hM?
My goodness, she looks good.
There have been at least three fish deliveries at the Achieva Osprey platform in St Petersburg, Florida on Monday. Hoorah.
LJ2 has arrived home at Lyn Brennig.
Syfaddan has returned to her nest in the Usk Valley.
They are getting home. Now what is happening at Loch Arkaig?! Well, it’s a mess according to Geemeff. “Garry LVO on nest 2; Dorcha on nest 1 getting Garry’s fish and a half-hearted mating attempt; Unringed dark female on nest 2; Aurora 536 on nest 2!” All I can say is ‘gracious me’. Louis, you had best get home.
Iris slept on her perch waiting for new guy 2 to return.
Toby waiting to play fetch!
Thank you for being with us. Take care, everyone. See you later in the week – it is going to be busy here. Good busy. And we are expecting more snow, which means pet food, human food, and wood (along with paper to light it) brought inside.
Thank you to SK Hideaways and Geemeff for their videos and reports, to the owners of the streaming cams for allowing us to take screen captures and watch these amazing bird families, and to the individuals who post information on FB – always grateful to you!
It could be a very busy day at the UK nests and in the western part of the US as favourable winds are blowing in the ospreys.
It has been confirmed that our dear Iris is, indeed, the osprey that landed early this morning on the Hellgate Canyon nest. I hope everyone had a good cry – a joyful one. Now let’s get that young male osprey back that was courting her last season!
Louis and Starr are already back. Starr was the first to arrive in Missoula. Their nest is at the Baseball Park – and despite all we think, Louis is a good mate to Starr and they raise 2 or 3 chicks to fledge every year.
Gosh, Iris looks good.
Blue 35 has returned to Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve in Cumbria and is reclaiming her nest after Blue 717 got a little friendly with White YW.
We are waiting the arrival of Louis at Loch Arkaig Nest 2 in Scotland. His mate Dorcha will be delighted to see him land with a nice big trout.
Busy day at the Glaslyn nests:
Lots of action at Loch of the Lowes.
Thanks, Alison Copland. BoPH have created a genealogy chart. The Carey nest is the one for CJ7 and Blue 022, and it has a streaming cam.
One of my favourite males, Tegid Z1, Monty’s son, who breeds on a private nest, has returned safely.
So the males are starting to show up in Wales, too. Come on Louis!!!!!!!!!
The feeding is going very well at the Achieva Osprey platform. My goodness, if I didn’t know better, I would think this was a new male. (Maybe it is – I am not trying to start rumours here, just pondering the fish deliveries. I was never that pleased with Jack’s deliveries for Diane and the kids. Has anyone truly identified head markings?)
Bella and Scout’s two eaglets are doing just fine although there was a choking concern for the baby earlier on Monday.
Nature chat’s banner:
Interloping Common Buzzard laid 2nd egg today at Lesser Spotted Eagle Cam, as usual LSE pair hasn’t arrived for the season yet.
Peanut has branched at the Winter Park, Florida Bald Eagle nest. Best be watching this energetic second hatch. She is going to take off fast!
News about California Condors:
Stop over and see the two little cuties that Jackie and Shadow are feeding and brooding. They are two little round teddy bears! So very happy for our darling couple.
Take care everyone. Iris’s arrival has made this day much brighter! We are all delighted. If Louis returns, I will be posting again. Otherwise, I will see you later in the week.
Thank you to ‘PB’ for her messages, to the owners of the streaming cams for my screen captures and for allowing us to witness the life of these incredible birds. I am grateful to everyone who posts on FB with information. Without your eyes, we might miss something!
CJ7 with her first egg of the seasonWe are excited to announce that at 12:56 this afternoon, in rather drizzly conditions, CJ7 laid her first egg at the 
