We hope you had a lovely week. It is still cold, with it feeling like -20 C this morning, even though it is actually -16. Toby didn’t want to go outside. The Girls are busy watching the starlings as they land and search for kibble (I haven’t been out yet to feed them). Brock was here in the middle of the night – that is when he comes, so I get to see him on camera! He has a route. He spends most of his time at Jane’s. Brock loves her soft chair and wet, warm food. Then he goes to a lady a block away (again caught on camera) and comes here when he is assured Toby is sleeping. I do miss him.
Dr Green and team are preparing for Iris’s arrival. The fence has been placed on the parking lot of the Rivberview Health Centre to block any intruders that might want to get to close to her abode.
Typical of Iris, she left the nest in a pretty good state. Oh, please, send out good energy for our Osprey Queen to return – the oldest known osprey in the world should be 30 this year. I also really want her young mate from last year to return, too. We were all saddened when Finnegan, who bred successful to raise two beautiful osplets in 2024, did not return last year as we anticipated he would.
At the Wolf Bay nest in Alabama, Bert and Josie have their second egg of the season. The time was approximtely 0631 today – gosh…I hope there aren’t any Crows around!
Indeed, a thief was caught by the new camera at the Rutland #4 nest. Geemeff caught it.https://youtu.be/BXD-4KKeH3A
At the Moorings Park nest, the osplets are changing. Their heads are getting that oily look (pinfeathers) of the reptilian phase that 1 and 2 are entering. It is a delightful nest! Well behaved, so far.
The fundraiser for the new batteries at Severna Park was a success, and the camera is now live-streaming. There is a number of sparrows taking advantage of the nest while the ospreys are still migrating. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/live/SHGPhGPtDWI?
Ospreys are arriving in the UK. Sightings were in Perth & Kinross this morning, heading north. One was sightee flying over Waterford in Ireland.
I am keeping an eye on Manton Bay. Blue 33 (11) is fifteen years old this year. Maya is older, thought to be nineteen this year.
Heidi is on the case of the Dewey Beach cam and its angle! If anyone can get them to fix this, it is her.
Brutus and Peanut are being shown where to branch as they continue to self-feed and flap those wings.
Eve and Kai will be thinking of fledging but not for a week…
The pine lining to Big Red’s nest bowl on the Cornell Campus has been added. This is not only pretty but it is also a well known remedy to keeping insects away from the hatchlings.
Only eaglet at Duke Farms is doing well.
Stella and Irvin have three eggs at the US Steel nest. Stella has had a sub-adult trying to bother her but she is pretty calm and didn’t react.
Only surviving eaglet JBS24 has grown into a beautiful, fully feathered, wanting to fly bird. JBS24 will be 79 days old on April 14, around the average time of flight at this nest. That would make it 21 eaglets fledged from here since 2012.
That is just a little catch-up. No doubt many things will happen at the nests today. Keep an eye! Take care of yourself. Enjoy your weekend. We will see you again on Monday (unless Iris or any of the UK ospreys land on their nests). Thank you so much for being with us today.
A few of the gang say ‘hi’.
Thank you to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to view the lives of these amazing birds!
It is ‘lazy’ Thursday, a day in pjs with only walks with Toby and nothing more – no house cleaning, no extensive baking or cooking, and very little time spent on a screen. It is -2 C, but it is windy, and it feels like -14 C. We are expecting snow in three hours! Yes, more snow. The Girls and Toby have quickly caught on to Thursdays.
Toby is not modest. He will sometimes turn on his back on walks when some of his favourite – and very trusted people – stop to chat.
Missey and Hugo Yugo are really beginning to hang out more and more together.
I want to share with you the best video that Heidi has created since I have known her. It is a montage of R9 and R10 with a focus on R10’s fledge. We get to see the brothers follow one another with their eyes, some rivalry, and some great flying. There is a dual feeding in there and some humour, but it is also a great historical document of the Dade County nest. https://youtu.be/jNsQaARNK-Q?
SK Hideaways captured Monty and Hartley’s first egg! This is really exciting, as you know, there is a diminishing population of falcons in parts of California due to HPAI. https://youtu.be/IjFb8_sj-lU?
My favourite White-tailed eagle, Milda, has laid her first egg in Latvia! I have followed Milda for years, and I miss her mate Ramis from eons ago. The link to Milda’s camera is here: https://www.youtube.com/live/3wSd4iXrCw0?
It is spring in Latvia. Our friend Sassa Bird sent me a short video of the birds and birdsong in their garden in Latvia yesterday. It gives me hope that spring is coming to us! And our friend AK in Japan sent me a gorgeous photo of the Japanese White-Eye and the first plum blossoms.
There is some sadness looming. At the Golden Gate Audubon nest of Richmond and Rosie, Rosie is very late in her arrival. I fear I will have to add Rosie to the Memorial Wall. There is another female osprey taking some interest in that beautiful nest that Richmond has prepared.
I think it is interesting that Richmond is back working on a nest at the Whirley Crane instead of the light pole.
There is also good news in so many places.
I am so proud of the effort to save Moon Camp. The fundraiser “Save Moon Camp” campaign has now raised over $1.1 million in just a few weeks. Managed by the Friends of Big Bear Valley, this initiative aims to raise $10 million by July 31, 2026, to purchase and permanently protect 63 acres of bald eagle habitat near Big Bear, California, from a proposed luxury development.
My inbox has been bursting since E26 fledged. It was a beautiful flight – perfect and several returns. Everyone said that F23 would be so proud of her beautiful eaglet. I totally agree. It really was a tearful moment. M15 will indeed take care of his juvenile very well and teach them everything they need to live in the real world – including, I hope, NOT flying to get roadkill.
The snowstorm is coming. It is about an hour away, and it is time for me to keep my promise to Toby for a walk. Take care, everyone – thank you, as always, for being with us today. A big thank you to Heidi and SK Hideaways for their great videos. To the owners of the streaming cams, thank you for allowing us into the lives of these amazing birds. Thank you, Sassa Bird, for your images, and thank you, AK, for allowing me to share your photos of the Japanese White Eye with everyone in Bird World.
“3/10/26 – R10 (band 6/9) unintentionally fledged this morning. R10 is the youngest of the two siblings. His brother, R9 (band 7/0) fledged on 3/4. At 07:20:56 this morning, R10 attempted to jump from the nest to the selfie branch, but he landed on top of R9 who already occupied that space on the selfie. The brothers both tumbled off the branch. Ground observers said there was no eagle on the ground, so R10 must have flown and is perched in a tree. Congratulations on your fledge, R10 ! We look forward to seeing you back at the nest soon.”
Also, the Raptor Resource Project has posted that the first egg of Mrs DNF would be Mr North’s, as DNF had not mated. As far as I know, Mr North has not been seen since the last altercation with UM. Mrs DNF is due to lay her second egg today.
It was a cracking day on the Canadian prairies on Monday. The sun was out, the sky was blue, and it was -12 °C with a bit of breeze. We had tea, cleared out more of the laundry room in prep for the arrival of the new set, and watched Toby feriously eat his chicken. He is possibly one of a handful of Cavaliers who are not allergic to chicken. It is good for his GI tract as it heals from ‘the incident of the incense’. We took him for a short walk. Then we had tea and Matcha flavoured Castella cake. I am trying to make that box of goodies from Japan last as long as I can!
Gosh, it was good.
I want to start with some really good news from Orange, Australia. Girri is still with Diamond and Gimbir, and this stunning juvenile was caught on camera by Cilla Kinross chasing Diamond. In the past seven years, I have not recalled a fledgling that stayed at the nest site this long. Consider it a blessing. If you read the information sent by ‘B’ in my blog a few days ago, you will know that only 35% of the Peregrine Falcons living in the San Francisco Bay area have survived due to HPAI. So smile! Rejoice! Jump up and down and scream with joy. We NEED good news from Bird World as we begin to approach Osprey season.
I wonder how much Gimbir’s DNA has contributed to this robust female? We know that chicks born to Diamond and Xavier sometimes had feathering problems. Many were unfortunate to fledge the moment stormy weather arrived. I do wonder.
I am expecting E26 to fledge at any moment. M15 will have his hands full protecting his territory and teaching his fledgling to hunt – skills vital to E26’s survival in the wild.
E26 is looking for food on the nest. E26 hatched on the 18th of December, making her (depending on how you count – I count hatch day) 55 days old today.
Now, hidden in the middle of this posting, is the reality of what might happen to the ospreys in the region of the Chesapeake Bay, including parts of Maryland and Delaware. I want to prepare you. In 2024, the adult ospreys returned from migration, laid their eggs, and then could not find food for their chicks, who died on the nest, many within days of fledging. In 2025, as noted by one of my monitors, the ospreys on Indian Creek laid their eggs and then, starving themselves, abandoned their nests. Hatches were few – but it is much easier to witness eggs not hatch than 70-day-old osplets ready to fly, starve on camera. So, please prepare yourself for what might well be a very difficult year in this region of the US.
Only eaglet at Duke Farms is simply a little sweetheart with clown feet who often incubates the egg when Mum doesn’t.
A little one with clown feet and pin feathers and thermal down at Duke and Quinn at Captiva nearing fledge still loving to be fed by Connie.
At the NE Florida nest of Gabby and Beau, the eaglets also still love being fed by Gabby or Beau. NE32 hatched at 1:00 am on December 31st 2025, NE33 hatched at 7:54 am on January 1, 2026 (Nightbot). They are healthy and simply magnificent. Beau and Gabby did so well this year!
Has Louis brought in more than 100 turtles? The nest is full of shells and a monster fish came in. Anna is doing well caring for the two eaglets.
Nola and Jazz are only two days apart at the E3 nest in the Kisatchie National Forest but their development and size tells a story of the difficulty at the nest early on and perhaps a gender difference as well.
In Malta, Birdlife International has condemned the reissuing of trapping licenses.
At the same time, Raptor Persecution UK wonders what in the world is going on with the investigation over the death of the Hen Harrier. Is everyone just ignoring wildlife offences?
Thank you for being with us this morning – ospreys are arriving at their nests. Richmond is patiently waiting for Rosie in San Francisco – send her good wishes to get home! We are within the normal early-arrivals frame in the UK, with Rutland and Loch of the Lowes. I am getting excited. Take care, everyone! Thank you again for your best wishes for Toby. We are not out of the woods yet. I am getting him tested for pancreatitis, just in case, as we had two raspberries of blood this morning – it is worrisome.
See you soon!
Thank you to Heidi and Cilla Kinross plus the owners of the streaming cams where I took my screen captures! I want to also thank Birdlife International and Raptor Persecution UK for their reliable and persistent investigations into avian persecution.
Hello! Back again…with a note from Heidi and some links to the osprey cams in the UK, and a four-part possible scenario written by Dr Green for the Hellgate Canyon platform of Iris. Please join me in the hope that Iris and her new man both return this season safely.
Yesterday, it felt like the sky was falling in. First the fire, then the car, then Toby, and then the washing machine broke. I confused the names of the chicks – Brutus (who was awful to the little one) and Peanut (who is much bigger than that now) with the parents Atlas and of course, Mum, who is called Wink. I also forgot something important that happened at Dade County. Heidi refreshed my memory and said I could quote her. So here goes:
“Just to refresh your memory re: Dade County eagles: You cannot believe what you read some chatters say, because most of them are confused. The eaglets were mixed up at banding, then the admin mandated that we call them by the wrong names. The experienced chatters have resorted to calling the eaglets by their band numbers, because they don’t want to call them by the incorrect names. R9 is the older brother (band 7/0), and he fledged on 3/4. R10 is the younger brother (band 6/9), and he branched on 3/4. As of mid-day on 3/9, R10 has not fledged.
(you may quote me with that statement if you wish)
If you haven’t seen it, I made a video of R9’s return to the nest a couple days ago, here is the link:
Brad is hosting a guess the date of the arrival of Maya and Blue 33 at Rutland Water’s Manton Bay Osprey platform. You need to go to the YouTube channel and put your guess into the chat. To help you, there is the observation board and history of the nest at the top of the chat. Here is the link to that streaming cam: https://www.youtube.com/live/V08ET209nvU?
I hear cows in the distance today. Where are the Egyptian geese??? Have they moved on already?
There are ospreys already on a nest in The Highlands. Birds are arriving early everywhere. So join the fun and guess the date!
Loch of the Lowes is live! Oh, I wish Blue NC0 would return early and get a mate after last season’s fiasco. We need to remember that she has lost her band. Link: https://www.youtube.com/live/bod12rMVvO0?
Waiting for a few of the UK cams to come online. Will continue to add images and links throughout the coming days. These include Dyfi, BoPH, Lyn Clywedog, Usk Valley, amongst others.
We are less than a month from the favourite day for Iris to arrive at her nest. Dr Greene has given us four possible scenarios for this coming osprey season at the Hellgate nest.
Of course, the tiniest eaglet that we worried about at Winter Park is Peanut. Not such a Peanut now BUT I said Atlas and Wink – those are the adults. Apologies for confusion. This is what happens when I worry about Toby!
Toby is back to his normal self and the vet was just on the phone and says that unless we see more blood to not worry. So I will try not to….I know that all of you have experienced this and it is not as easy as it seems.
Geemeff writes that Rutland Water’s streaming cam for the nest of Maya and Blue 33 is now working. There are currently Egyptian Geese on the nest but they will be encouraged to depart.
Canada Geese are occupying the Sandpoint osprey platform in Washington currently.
The second hatch has arrived at Kansas City nest.
Harriet and Harry have laid their third egg at Traverse City Bald Eagles. Thanks ‘N’ for the video link: “Harriet and Harry at Great Lakes now have 2 eggs. LadyDeeagle55 has videos of both; the first egg was laid in under a minute.
To those who celebrate the achievements of women – Happy International Women’s Day!
It has been quite the day. But first up, something good. The threesome at the Moorings Park Osprey platform of Harry and Sally. Seriously, well fed, healthy, happy little tikes.
I wish all good things came in threes!
We have had quite the weekend. It began with the car needing new brakes and a routine oil change, etc., and with two tyres repaired because they had picked up debris from a nearby house fire. Then Toby got sick. Last, my twenty-year old washing machine – which does not owe me a penny – decided it was time to call it a day. I am really hoping that it stops here!
I cannot tell you if Toby is better. Thank you to everyone for your notes and well wishes – they literally came from around the world. It warmed my heart. I hope to find out more about what is going on in the next couple of days. I can tell you that he has been very hungry and has eaten, is drinking water, and ran outside to chase a squirrel, barking his head off in the afternoon.
Toby is watching the Crufts 2026 Dog Show from Birmingham hoping that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that won the ‘toy’ group will win overall.
Toby would never make the ‘toy’ group. Just look at those paws. He clocks in at a mighty 25 lbs. just like the breeder said he would. So much for the 2XL little sweatshirt. It barely makes it to his waist!!!!!!!!
While I am dealing with one thing, my neighbour, who has two Cavaliers – a tri-colour like Toby and a Blenheim (rust and white), is having a very difficult time. The little Blenheim (both girls are tiny beside Toby) has a heart condition. My heart breaks when I see my friend walking her adorable girls in their cute outfits knowing she is frightened about what is happening.
All of this kept me from the bird cams today. I clean when I worry so the laundry room is properly ready for the arrival of the new machines. They should live longer than I will.
But, let’s check a few. Moorings Park is doing fantastic. Cholyn and Chase have a second egg and that is good news.
Most osprey cams are streaming, including those in Germany. Cranes and storks are arriving early. It saddens me to think that many who are migrating from Africa will have to pass through war zones to get to their nests in the north.
Besides flying through Lebanon, we also have those birds flying through Ukraine.
The wind was so strong at Big Bear on Saturday that Jackie was tossed about like she was a feather on the nest. Very scary.
Stella and Ira have three eggs at the US Steel nest! Wings of Whimsy recorded the event: https://youtu.be/xdcEOajcANI?
Nest preparations continue to go well for Red-tail Hawks Big Red and Arthur on the Cornell Campus.
SK Hideaways Videos Week of 1 March 2026
Channel Island California Eagles Livestreamed nests: ~ Fraser Point ~ Santa Cruz Island ~ Cruz & Andor ~ Sauces Canyon ~ Santa Cruz Island ~ Audacity & Jak ~ Two Harbors ~ Catalina Island ~ Cholyn & Chase ~ West End ~ Catalina Island ~Residents in flux
Cholyn & Chase Chortle About Nest Changes, Meet-ups & Alerts (2026 Mar 4) From dawn till dusk and even through the night, Cholyn and Chase chortle, snortle, and murmur to each other about whatever is happening in the moment. Their bond is remarkable to behold. Video: https://youtu.be/LoHana6raBc
Long Labor for Cholyn’s 3rd Egg ~ First Peek Shows Breakage (2026 Mar 2) In 23 nesting seasons, this is the first time that Cholyn has laid three eggs. Her labor was atypical and difficult, so it wasn’t completely surprising to see that the third egg was cracked when first revealed. The good news is that Cholyn and Chase are healthy, and that they have two strong eggs. Wishing them success and hoping to see these eggs turn into bundles of fluff. Video: https://youtu.be/i60SnPkL8io
Female & Lee All-Day Courtship ~ Sleepover, Beakies, Mating Attempt (2026 Mar 3) The female, F, and Lee, the 4-year-old sub-adult eagle from the Seal Rocks nest exhibited courtship behaviors throughout the day. We can only guess what they were up to while the cameras were down, but today looked promising. Video: https://youtu.be/zjFbfJxk3w8 Lee/D29 & Female Seem to Like Each Other ~ As the West End Turns (2026 Mar 2) When the West End cameras came on after being down for 2 weeks, we were met with a new male. Seems the female remains the same ~ this is the one that arrived after Haku and Akecheta left. The male is Lee/D29, a 2022 hatch from the Seal Rocks nest, also on Catalina Island. The couple soared and perched together for much of the morning. What will happen next? Only the eagles know for sure. Video: https://youtu.be/mlBQgJTi19E
Dad Brings *Very* Fresh Fish ~ JBS24 Gets Fed and Self Feeds (2026 Mar 5) JBS24 is 5-1/2 weeks old and is progressing right on schedule. Here’s what occurs in the fifth week, courtesy of Loudon Wildlife Conservancy: ~ Begins playing with sticks ~ Is capable of fully standing ~ Is aware of its surroundings, in and outside the nest ~ Begins tracking objects and birds outside the nest ~ The tarsi (the feet or lowest part of the legs) are full size, and the foot pad is nearly full size ~ Imprinting is nearly complete
JBS24 is doing a little self-feeding in addition to the above milestones. Mom and Dad spend quite a lot of time with their only eaglet. This family is a joy to observe. Video: https://youtu.be/zI5sDnFeuHo
Thank you, SK Hideaways!!!!!!!!! You bring the nests to life for us.
Ellie and Harvey at Farmer Derek’s Bald Eagle nest should have their second hatch by tomorrow.
I wonder what is going to happen at the Glaslyn nest this season. Will Aran return and prevail as the male? Will Teifi return and take over the nest? Will Elen return? We wait.
The female at Duke Farms continues, at times, to incubate the remaining unviable egg. The little one is a cutie.
Winter Park eaglets had some prey today. There has been some concern about the lack of prey coming to the nest as of late.
Oh, remember how we worried about ‘Tiny Tim’? – not so tiny anymore! Can you tell Wink from Atlas now?
At Dade County, R9, the oldest, still has to fledge. Females often take longer than males.
Eve and Kai perch along the rim of the NE Florida nest of their parents, Beau and Gabby. Eve is 68 days old today and Kai is 67. Fledge in a week?
Quinn (Captiva nest of Connie and Clive) is gorgeous and if you look carefully, all of these eaglets are so close in age. They spend their days looking out to the world they will soon conquer through flight.
There is at least one tiny osplet at the Pink Shell nest in Florida. Let’s hope that this nest is successful this year.
You will learn something you never thought you needed to know!
The funds to save the land near Jackie and Shadow’s nest were nearly 1 million dollars when I last checked. Others are seeking donations: the Severna Ospreys need batteries for their camera so they can stream.
Thank you so much for being with us today. We hope that your weekend was much better than ours. That said, we are looking forward to an ‘uneventful’ week. We have started doing nothing on Thursdays. Toby gets to go for his walk with Ellen, and I stay in my PJs. A writer of all things Parisian recommended some lovely Pima cotton pyjamas made in South Carolina, and I do love them. The phone is ignored for most of the day. No one is invited over or invited in if they show up. We watch movies, read books to Toby and The Girls and generally use Thursday as a day to recharge our so-called batteries. If you are feeling overwhelmed, however slight the feeling, I highly recommend a ‘day off’. And I do mean a day off!!!!!
We look forward to seeing you again soon – Friday, if not sooner.
Thank you to SK Hideaways for their wonderful videos that add much to my post. I would also like to thank the owners of the streaming cams where I took my screen captures and who allow us to watch the lives of our favourite birds.
It is late. I have been worried about Toby all day. As you are aware, he has HGE, and he had some blood in his stool this morning. I am not panicking, just monitoring and worrying, aka wringing my hands. It is entirely possible that it is the raw tenderloin from his birthday dinner; this is what the vet is thinking. I am overly sensitive since he had to spend four nights in the emergency vet clinic in late December, and I almost lost him! The Girls and Toby are often the glue that holds my life together when my husband’s dementia gets the best of me.
Toby had a wonderful birthday. New slush suit, sweaters, and hopefully a few indestructible toys! Please send him your good wishes. I hope everything is alright tomorrow, or it will be a rush to the emergency vet.
There is so much news in Bird World that I cannot keep up with all the happenings.
There are now three of the cutest little osplets at the nest of Harry and Sally at Moorings Park. Harry is one super dad and fish are plentiful.
Sally had some fish for herself when the babies were sleeping.
I am partial. I am so glad that osprey season is here – with all the bonking, the siblicide – the works. Those cute little bottoms with that light down, the dark line by the eye to protect them from the glare so they can see to do those amazing dives, even that ugly oily phase with the copper coloured feathers! Bring it on!!!!!!!!
After a 21-hour absence, Jackie (who scared the life out of many of us) has returned safely to the nest. Then she left again, leaving Shadow to incubate the eggs. Is there a female intruder in the area? I hope not. I hope she is just taking a much-needed break.
That cute Only eaglet at Duke Farms is getting its thermal down. Are there even a few pin feathers coming in??? There is enough food for several eaglets – there are no worries at this nest.
Mr North is not with us but we have the first egg for Mrs DNF and the New Male at the Decorah North Nest today.
Bluff City now has two little eaglets for Frances and Franklin at the ETSU nest. OK. Baby eaglets are also adorable!
One eaglet has hatched at the Kansas City nest of Ellie and Harvey and the second one is on pip watch. The first hatch has been named Osage.
There are now 52 new baby Kakapo. ‘J’ writes: “There are now just as many chicks, as there were adults 30 years ago when the recovery project started!!”
Another osprey nest with a couple arriving. The PKS nest – a new one to me but it is all over FB. It is the Pine Knolls Osprey Nest in North Carolina. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/live/7-wS9I-fj1w?
We all miss Annie and her mates at The Campanile. It seems unthinkable that no falcons are breeding at that magnificent site. ‘B’ has sent me the following note with links to articles. I urge you to read them to understand only one of the dangers that all of our avian friends face. “I thought you might be interested in this article on the impact of avian flu on Peregrine Falcons in the SF Bay Area, which appeared on the SFGATE website::
(SFGATE is a digital news site owned by Hearst. Hearst also owns the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper, but SFGATE operates independently of the Chronicle.)
The article discusses results of a study conducted by a team of scientists from several institutions, where among other things they monitored occupancy of 47 known Peregrine Falcon nesting sites in the greater Bay Area. The decline of Peregrine population since the avian flu arrived in wild birds in the state in 2022 is reflected by the observation that nearly all of the 47 nest sites were occupied each year between 2000 and 2022, but in 2023 only 65% of the sites were occupied, and only 36% were occupied in 2025.
Here also is the abstract of the scientific study that the SFGATE article is based on:
Heidi reports that Marilyn has returned to the Old Town Home Osprey nest in Maryland.
‘PB’ sent me a note that there are now four eggs at the Fort St Vrain Bald Eagle nest.
Thank you so much for being with us for this quick post. We will be back on Monday. In the meantime, take care of yourselves.
Thank you to ‘B, H, J, PB’ for their letters and all the great information and articles they sent. Thank you to the owners of the streaming cams and to the authors of FB posts for generously spreading the information of happenings on the nest!
It’s March 5 and it is Toby’s birthday! Here he is when he was first able to climb the cat tree after arriving when he was a very young 8 week old.
As I tell many people, I would not have survived the past year without Toby and The Girls. We plan to have his party when his goodies arrive, which I hope is today. Deliveries in Canada have been problematic due to severe storms in each area.
The snow is gently falling this morning, and the thirty-three European Starlings – yes, counted – have arrived for breakfast. They will return around 1430 this afternoon for their late meal. What are they eating? Cat and dog kibble!
Sally and Harry now have two of the sweetest little osplets. These two do not know how lucky they are to have such amazing parents.
Good news coming out of the UK. Lead ammunition to be banned from 2029. Of course I ask myself, why not 2027? Surely they can get it off the shelves by then.
There is so much confusion going on at the Dade County nest. These are the facts. I want you to read this carefully. Banding and the correct documentation are crucial. It cannot be haphazard.
R9 hatched on 12/20/25, and R10 hatched on 12/22/25. They were banded on 1/31/26 at 42 and 40 days of age. During banding, samples were taken to determine their genders, and it was revealed that they are both male. The intention was to band R9 with the #6/9 band, and band R10 with the #7/0 band. However, on banding day the eaglets were mixed up, and R9 was given the 7/0 band, R10 was given the 6/9 band. There are several expert viewers who have watched this nest most of the day every day, and they were always able to identify which eaglet was which, including on banding day, and since banding day. When the cams resumed after banding, every one of these viewer-experts knew right away that the bands had been reversed. On banding day, we had hoped that the banders would have been able to tell the eaglets apart by the distinct differences in their tails, and by the few fluffy white feathers that R10 still had on his neck on that day. The eaglets’ personalities regarding the dominant and submissive sibling were the same as they had always been… R9 dominant, R10 submissive, (although R10 has recently become more aggressive since R9 branched). The authorities refused to acknowledge the opinions of these expert viewers, who individually have probably watched these eagles more than the admin/mods combined.
No one ever said that the eaglets’ band numbers needed to be sequential. But, the admin apparently wanted their names to match his banding documentation. The admin mandated that chatters call the eaglets by the wrong names. Chatters are not permitted to call the eaglets by their real names, we are supposed to pretend that each eaglet is the other one now, lol. One of the long-time primary chatters, ‘mary_mcg’, quit the chat a few weeks ago because she refused to call the eaglets by the wrong names. Experienced chatters have resorted to simply calling the eaglets by their band numbers, rather than calling them the wrong names. More recently, even the admin and the mods have been calling the eaglets by their band numbers rather than a name! The result has been total confusion on the chat as newer chatters and those that haven’t been on the chat for a while drop by. The band numbers are confusing to them, and they ask which eaglet is which… but experienced chatters are not permitted to respond truthfully.
HERE ARE THE FACTS: R9 (band 70) branched on 2/27 at 69 days of age. R9 unintentionally fledged on 3/4 at 74 days of age. Ground observers stated that R9 is doing fine, was seen flying well, and then he perched in a tree. A little later on 3/4, R10 (band 69) branched for the first time, at 72 days of age. You can trust me on this. I put together a video showing R9 branching, R9’s fludge/fledge, and R10 branching. Video: https://youtu.be/BotBY9tD4U0?
I am working on a post that focuses solely on the Kakapo. Like the California Condors, they are so endangered and they breed only every four years so there is great excitement in New Zealand as this year’s eggs hatch into fluffy little flightless parrots.
Geemeff sends us another warning about using balloons – sorry, Toby. There will never be balloons used in any party at our house!
Big Red and Arthur continue to work on their nest.
Arrivals in parts of the US of ospreys are three weeks ahead of schedule. Keep your eyes to the sky.
My inbox has been full of readers upset by the seemingly contradictory information coming out of Fort Myers, Florida, regarding the death of F23. She was much loved. It took a while, but after Harriet by F23 won our hearts for being such a wonderful Mum. Now there is a petition for transparency in F23’s death. It is sponsored by Barb Henry. No money required. https://c.org/NvjPRCRWkb
At the NE Florida nest of Beau and Gabby, first hatch Kai has branched and guess what, so did Eve. Today is the first day that they have perched on the branches outside the nest, however.
Just a taste of some of the news coming out of our nests.
Thank you so much for being with us. Please take care! See you soon.
Thank you to the individuals who created videos and posted information on FB, to Raptor Persecution UK for staying on top of the persecution of our feathered friends in that country, and to the owners of the streaming cams where I took my screen captures.
First, some good news, the eldest fledged at the Dade County Bald Eagle nest of Ron and Rose today.
Ospreys are arriving! Word has come from Viki that one osprey has landed in Indian Creek; they do not normally arrive until after St Patrick’s Day. The couple are at the Danville nest, and Heidi sends word that ospreys are arriving in Colonial Beach.
The IWS nest challenge is underway. Many of us have received merchandise and I am happy to say that at least two of us have been asked to name an eaglet.
Funds continue to come in to purchase the land known as Moon Camp near Jackie and Shadow’s nest to keep it out of the hands of developers. In a blink of an eye, or so it seems, nearly $750,000 of the 10 million needed has been raised. Congratulations to everyone.
I remain saddened by the death of F23 and the continuing controversy over the COD. In the end, it doesn’t matter if someone shot her because it is illegal. If she died because of a road accident and somehow managed to get herself into a garden known to her, then that is a different story. It is possible for eagles to have an injury and fly and later die as we have seen many who fall, hit their head, and die of a concussion later. I do not have enough information to comment other than it is simply a sad day for M15, E26 and all who loved this young mother.
I have lots of news to share but I am simply worn out. We will be celebrating Toby’s first birthday hopefully this week – it is tomorrow. Thankfully he can’t read a calendar. I found a photo of him just after he had arrived and managed to climb the cat tree for the first time.
His birthday wish is a box of Kleenex all to himself with no interference. I don’t think so.
Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. I hope to be back at the weekend or Monday.
Thank you to the owners of the streaming cams and those who post information on FB. My blog would not be the same without your generous sharing.
