It was a gorgeous day. Ann took Don and Toby for a walk, but the temperature was hot, and Cavaliers are known not to do well in heat (or cold). It is Friday, and that is cake day – a kind of celebration for making it another week. Today it was Blueberry Lemon Buttercream Cake. Delicious.
Lots of hatches.
There are still three at Manton Bay. I was imagining a crack it seems.
The individual bringing the lawsuit re the Endangered Species Act is not the same individual who owns the land that the Superbeaks Osprey and eagle nests are on. The owner of Superbeaks (or Central Florida) is Mike Savino, Deltona, Florida.
There is a hatch at Poole Harbour!
That little one has a strong neck!
Happy Birthday Telyn, mate of Idris, who is incubating eggs at Dyfi due to hatch momentarily. Telyn was born on this day, 22nd May, 2013 at Rutland Water. So let’s carry this a little further, Telyn is the daughter of Maya at Rutland’s Manton Bay nest!!!!!!!!!!! Maya is now caring for three babies. There is some great DNA in that lineage.
Frankie and Angel have their first hatch at Roundhouse Loch Doon.
It’s everywhere across North America. Money before ‘thought’. This continent is being run by individuals who do not know the value of nature and wildlife.
If you want to find out what is happening to our planet, please check out EarthJustice’s website. Just search for it on whatever engine you use.
I am a little under the weather with a very sore throat so this is quite short and I might not see you again until Sunday. So please take care and thank you for being with us.
Just a quick check in and a correction on the owner of the land who is suing over the Endangered Species Act. More hatches coming! Keep your eyes open.
Thank you to everyone who posted information and images! Always grateful to the owners of the streaming cams so we can watch our favourite families.
I want to post the following separately. Please read it and understand the shocking implications. I may be wrong, but I believe the individual bringing the lawsuit is the owner of the nests formerly known as Superbeaks. (I will correct this if I am wrong.
This is a not being reported much that’s happening in Florida. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but I haven’t.
A high-profile lawsuit in Florida involving a “tech entrepreneur” has sparked national alarm because its legal argument could dismantle a massive portion of the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
The lawsuit centers on Michael Colosi, a 32-year-old tech founder who recently relocated from New Jersey to Punta Gorda, Florida.
The Conflict: A Tech Entrepreneur vs. A Tiny Bird
In 2024, Colosi purchased a five-acre plot of land in Charlotte County to build a home. However, the property sits directly within the designated habitat of the Florida scrub jay. The scrub jay is a threatened species, and the only bird found uniquely (endemic) to the state of Florida.
Under local conservation plans designed to comply with the ESA, anyone building on this habitat must pay a mitigation fee—amounting to roughly $118,000 to $140,000 in Colosi’s case—which is used to buy and protect alternative lands for the birds. Rather than paying the fee, Colosi sued Charlotte County and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The Loophole Threatening the Entire ESA
Colosi is being represented pro bono by the Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF), a conservative property-rights group. The PLF is using a highly controversial legal argument that extends far beyond a single house.
The Argument: They claim that the federal government does not have the constitutional authority under the Commerce Clause to protect species that exist entirely within the borders of a single state. They argue federal law, by definition, must regulate interstate matters.
The “Too Endangered” Paradox: Critics note that this argument creates a bizarre legal paradox: if a species becomes so endangered that its entire population is reduced to just one state, it would lose all federal protections.
If the federal courts rule in Colosi’s favor, the precedent would not just affect the Florida scrub jay. It could instantly strip federal ESA protections from more than 1,200 species across the United States that are endemic to a single state—including iconic animals like the Florida panther, the California condor, and hundreds of localized Hawaiian plants and animals.
Because the stakes are so high, a coalition of environmental organizations—including the Center for Biological Diversity and the Earthjustice legal team—have formally intervened in the lawsuit to defend the Endangered Species Act against the challenge.
The lawsuit (Colosi v. Charlotte County, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, et al.) is actively moving forward in the federal court system after the government’s attempt to dismiss it was rejected.
The Government’s Dismissal Fails: Both Charlotte County and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) filed motions to dismiss, claiming that tech entrepreneur Michael Colosi lacked standing and that his injury wasn’t concrete. The federal court denied the motions to dismiss, ruling that Colosi faces clear “concrete, particularized harms” by being forced to choose between a six-figure fee or an extensive federal permitting process.
The Case Moves to Merits: Because the court refused to throw out the lawsuit, the defendants were required to formally respond. The case is now moving toward the summary judgment and evidentiary phases.
Environmental Intervenors: A coalition of environmental groups, legally represented by Earthjustice, successfully intervened. They are now official parties to the case to actively defend the Endangered Species Act (ESA) from being dismantled.
Ultimate Trajectory: Legal experts from both sides expect this case to eventually be appealed to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and potentially rise to the U.S. Supreme Court, given the Pacific Legal Foundation’s broader goal of redefining federal Commerce Clause power.
Major Single-State Species at Risk
The Pacific Legal Foundation’s core argument is that the federal government cannot use the Commerce Clause to protect species that live entirely within one state’s borders. If Colosi wins, federal ESA protections could instantly be stripped from roughly 75% of all listed species that are endemic to a single state
Some of the most prominent single-state species that would lose federal protection include:
Region
Species at Risk
Current Status
Florida
Florida Panther
Endangered
Florida Scrub Jay (the bird in the lawsuit)
Threatened
Florida Grasshopper Sparrow
Endangered
California
California Condor
Endangered
Island Fox (Channel Islands)
Threatened / Recovered
Delta Smelt
Endangered
Hawaii
Hawaiian Monk Seal
Endangered
Nene (Hawaiian Goose)
Threatened
Hundreds of localized Hawaiian plants & forest birds
Red Cockaded Woodpecker (Isolated state-specific clusters)~M
Thank you, MP, for sending this to me. I did not know and I find this and other changes to parks and migratory bird laws astonishingly archaic. We should be supporting nature not killing it.
Thank you to OpenVerse for the image of the Scrub Jay.
Oh, what a marvellous day it has been at home. We had a long leisurely walk with Toby and then headed to a local greenhouse/garden centre that started small about 22 years ago. I had wonderful students who worked there, a kind of hippie place that cared about the quality of what they sold. It still makes me feel good shopping there. They care for their plants and the family and students who own and work there benefit directly. By evening, all of our boxes will be planted. Don fell in love with a purple geranium and out went the red colour scheme! Who cares?! Right?
A purple geranium caught Don’s eye.
One of my favourites is the fuschia.
We had another long walk with Toby before I started writing and checking in on nests that might have a pip in the UK.
The Girls have been enjoying having the windows in the conservatory open ‘a little’. Of course, they can’t be open all the way because of Hugo Yugo – always the trouble maker – who likes to try and escape!!!!!! They have ‘dental treats’ before bed and remain my darlings, but this goofy dog who is so well behaved has my heart. I am grateful to the universe for sending him to me.
It continues to be worrisome in some nests in the US. The death of both eaglets at Glen Hayes set everyone back, and now Scout, who was returned to the Falconshire Bald Eagle nest, is being literally beaten to death by its older sibling. Hopes are that Dewey Beach continues to have only one chick – the thought being they might be able to find enough fish for one.
But overall, there is a bit of a sense of unease and worry – that is why I am spending so much time outside with Toby and Don. If I don’t, come winter, which will be here too soon, I will regret it. If you know someone with Alzheimer’s or Dementia or any mental illness, being outside is so beneficial. Well, it is to all of us!!!!!!! What I am saying is, do not stop caring for these little ones. It is what makes you so very special and caring, and people who will change the way the world is going in good time. But also, when you are feeling overwhelmed, step back, go outside, and listen to the birds, feel the rain or the sunshine on your face.
No pip at Dyfi for Idris and Telyn yet!
Good look at the eggs at Poole Harbour – another clutch of four for CJ7 and Blue 022.
CJ7 has ‘that look’ on her eye. It was possible there was something happening with one of the eggs later. Maybe we will see tomorrow.
Checking in on Manton Bay, it appears some cracks might be in egg 4! Or is it my imagination and nesting material?
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 21st May 2026
Another day with no intruders or alarms, just more rain, fish deliveries, and incubation changeovers. In a reverse of yesterday, Garry LV0 brought one fish for Aurora 536 while Louis brought three fish for Dorcha. That makes equal totals for Louis and Garry at seventy four fish each, but the Nest Two total is now higher at seventy six, including Dorcha’s two, while the Nest One total is lower at seventy four. The weather forecast is for more rain, throughout the night and continuing tomorrow, with an overnight low of 12°C and a high tomorrow of 18°C.Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/fXPVYmKOwe4 N2 Early breakfast on a damp morning 05.11.08https://youtu.be/OGSGhwPne-w N1 Delivery for Aurora – large fresh trout
Bonus read – the news item about the 2022 sighting in Shetland of 2020 chick Doddie JJ6, the only Arkaig chick to have been sighted as a returner to the UK:
Nothing nicer than waking up with Jackie and Shadow chortling as the sun rises over Big Bear Valley. The School children have been very successful in raising donations to save MoonCamp and the land area the nest. Congratulations to all who have worked so diligently on behalf of all the wildlife.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. We will see you soon!
Thank you to all the contributors whose work is in this blog – videos, posts, and screen captures. I am very, very grateful. Thank you to ‘PB’, who keeps a close eye on Achieva. That nest is doing well with multiple deliveries by Jack today and a late, large catfish by Jill. Thank you to The Guardian for its continuing coverage of the environment and wildlife, and Geemeff for their dedication to the Loch Arkaig nests.
We were expecting it. Big had been flapping her wings in the rain, getting stronger and stronger, and this morning he took off and returned to the nest like a pro. Time: 10:25:41. Thanks ‘PB’ and Heidi.
Proud Mum Jill and Little watched as Big circled around the nest. Congratulations – this is the most well deserved fledge and just wait til Little flies – maybe at the weekend.
Jill did it with a little help from Jack at the start and a lot of help at the end. Now to keep the fish coming for the fledgling.
This is just wonderful…at one point we feared these two would starve to death but Mum Jill literally taloned up and kept her babies fed. I remain astonished at all she did and so proud of her.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 20th May 2026
Another calm routine day, no alarms or intruders, just rain and fish deliveries and the males taking their turn on the eggs allowing the females to stretch their wings and go off nest to eat. Garry LV0 brought three fish for Aurora 536, taking his tally to seventy three, and Louis brought one fish for Dorcha, taking the Nest Two tally to seventy three. The forecast overnight and through tomorrow is more rain, with a low of 7°C and a high of 17°C.
They could hear the chicks at the Dyfi nest of Idris and Telyn in the microphones overnight! Won’t be long!
I love this! Jeff Kear says, “SO TODAY COULD BE BUSY.
With possible hatches at:- DYFI, POOLE HARBOUR, LOCH DOON and KIELDER NEST 7. And the second Chick at Clywedog has already hatched, Egg Number 4 at MANTON BAY as well(forgot that one)”.
Yes, it will be a busy one. Take care everyone. I will see you with the latest on the UK hatches this evening.
Thank you to ‘PB’ and Heidi, to Geemeff for their Loch Arkaig Summary, those who post to FB and the owners of the streaming cams that let us look into the lives of our friends.
It warmed up! Mike finished the railings and will begin the small deck extension shortly. Toby and I planted beans, tomatoes, red peppers, chives, various lettuces, and rosemary. We even managed to almost finish painting a wicker plant stand for one of the lovely chartreuse ferns. It was 17 C. Ann and Don went to the zoo, where to their delight, the peacocks were really putting on quite the show. It was what I call a ‘cracker’ of a day.
‘PB’ just sent a note about Achieva. Jill went out and caught a small fish for Big to eat alone. Then she went out again and came in with a big catfish for both her and Little. She is a brilliant dedicated Mum!
I love the fact that these two osprey are so bonded that they remain together despite having no eggs but protecting their territory and nest for next year! It’s called ‘hope’ and we all could use a good dose of it right now!
Sadly, Flora’s Harry has not been seen at the Alyth Substation osprey platform since Saturday. Flora had to go and find food, and when she left their eggs, the Corvids came and ate them. It is a blessing. There are no chicks to starve, and Flora can have a summer building up her strength. Harry was very special and is a huge loss.
Blue KL5 has not returned to the Loch Garten nest for many days. He is also presumed to be lost like Harry. It has been a rough year in the UK osprey world, much different than in previous years when couples were secure and chicks hatched and fledged in a normal calm manner.
Heidi reports on the saddness coming out of Mispillion Harbour osprey platform.
There is cuteness at the nest of Dylan and Seren – and what a bright spot these little osplets are that are hatching!
So cute – turn around you silly!!!!!!!! Manton Bay with Blue 33 and Maya.
Iris had a little visitor from one of the nests inside her nest!
Have you been wonderfing about the female at the Glen-Hayes nest?
We have a fledge/fludge at Johnson City ETSU.
Have you noticed that Monty and Hartley raise the most energetic chicks?!!!!!!!! Always getting into mischief. SK Hideaways gives us some of their latest antics in this video: https://youtu.be/GhKpFR5-4Ao?
Lady and Dad have been regularly coming to the nest tree in the Sydney Olympic Park.
Hatch watch for Richmond and Wendy.
Gracie Shepherd shows us the latest on the fires on Santa Rosa Island where there are eagle nests with babies!
What a cutie that hatched for Dylan and Seren yesterday with another nice pip in the second egg!
Prey becomes comfy pillows at Big Red and Arthur’s nest in New York.
Aerating the eggs at Pitkin County in Colorado.
Ann loves peacocks and this article just popped up in The Guardian!
It’s raining. The sky is grey and it is cooling off. Hoping for warm weather tomorrow! Take care everyone. We will see you again soon.
Thank you to everyone for their contributions – videos, informative posts and messages with images, authors of FB posts and the owners of the streaming cams that allow us these screen captures and a view into the life of these families.
‘PB’ just sent these great images of Iris leaving with a huge headless fish – the third or fourth NG2 has brought today!
It remains damp and cold on the Canadian Prairies. Poor Toby has to have his feet washed every time he comes inside from running about. We have a small pond in progress, and he is drawn to the mud there!!!!!!!!! Spaniels love water. I am thinking of getting him a kiddie pool for the summer. He might not like it because he can’t swim but we will see. There are enough neighbourhood children that would enjoy the pool if Toby rejects it!
Like so many of you, I have lived a long life, one that allowed me to enjoy a time when nature was not under threat every second. Of course, we did not know then what we do now about how our behaviour was impacting the environment. What would we have done differently had we known?
There are things that I miss. We had the most magnificent Magnolia tree in our back garden and several Mimosa trees in our front garden. At the very back was a wall of bamboo at one time, later replaced by my father’s rose garden. He learned how to grow roses from his grandmother and mother – she had a huge stroll garden lined with hundreds and hundreds of rose bushes. There were Cardinals and Bluebirds that lived in those trees. I also miss the duck pond at the University of Oklahoma. I cannot tell you how many hours I spent there, joined later by my children. Whether or not it was our garden or the ponds and parks near to where I lived, there were always some kind of birds. Some were in drawers with old yellowed cardboard labels in the Sutton collection at the University. They fascinated me! It is nice when everything seems to be falling apart to sit back and recall the magic of our childhoods and how the opportunities we had impacted our lives today.
Like all of you, I have been distressed by the level of Avian Flu spreading across North America. I do not want to add to this, which means disinfecting the bird feeders and tables every 2-3 days. My plan, when the last half-bag of birdseed is finished, is to put out peanuts and those solid seed cylinders to try to avoid contamination. The bird baths and bowls of water have to be cleaned and disinfected, too. The rule is 1 part bleach to 9 parts water.
How to Clean and Disinfect
Empty & Rinse: Dump out the old water and thoroughly rinse the basin.
Scrub First: If there is stubborn grime or algae, scrub the bowl with hot water and a stiff brush before applying bleach.
Disinfect: Pour in your 10% bleach solution. Let it sit in the basin for 10 to 15 minutes to fully kill any germs.
Rinse Thoroughly: Dump out the bleach and rinse the entire bird bath completely with clean water until there are no traces of a bleach odor.
Air Dry: Allow the bird bath to completely dry in the sun before refilling it with fresh water. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]
Important Tips
Frequency: Disinfect the bath once a week to keep it safe for your backyard birds.
Alternative: If you prefer not to use harsh chemicals, you can achieve the same cleaning power by using a mixture of 1 part white vinegar to 9 parts water.
Daily Maintenance: Change the water every day or two to prevent mosquitoes and bacteria from building up between deeper cleans.
NOTE: Do not use the brush used to clean the bird bath and water sources for any other purpose. Put it somewhere safe where no one can get to it and use it. I have been known to put these brushes in the dishwasher when I am running a cycle without any dishes to clean the machine.
I was so happy to see that Irv is serving up fish at the US Steel nest – a nest that shares the same river as the Glen-Hayes nest.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 18th May 2026
Another quiet day, a bit damp as rain fell in spells throughout the day, but otherwise peaceful with no alarms or intruders. Garry LV0 brought one fish for Aurora 536, taking his tally to sixty eight. Aurora stashed the remains of that fish on the nest and at the time of this report, near midnight, she is cuddled up beside it. Louis brought three fish for Dorcha and his tally is now level with Garry’s at sixty eight, with the Nest Two tally at seventy due to the two fish brought by Dorcha before his return. Louis loves spending time on incubation duty, and was moaned at by Dorcha for a good few minutes before reluctantly handing over when she returned after polishing off her second fish. Light rain is forecast all through tonight and tomorrow, with a low of 8°C and a high of 15°C.Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/b07a-dMixso N2 Louis brings a whole tiddler trout 10.02.10https://youtu.be/tQL5oriH2dQ N2 Dorcha’s second fish is a decent size 14.45.58https://youtu.be/aJ9dTcnY-nI N2 Dorcha chirrups at Louis but he won’t move 15.59.30https://youtu.be/2Vul7RV667I N1 Aurora calls and Garry brings fish 16.19.14https://youtu.be/GPQqVzFJ2bI N2 Louis happily exchanges fish for time on the eggs 18.36.52
I really respect Ruth, the author of Raptor Persecution UK. Gamekeepers can be rather threatening/frightening people. She is a very brave woman.
For those who love the James Herriot series set in the Yorkshire Dales, they are not all nice and cheerful just like some of the big estates in Scotland do the most horrific things to our raptors.
Donations are down to every wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre – including all of the dog and cat rescues. The Ventana Wildlife Society is having their major on line auction which might net you a tour of the Big Sur Condor area!
I want to add something. We praise those groups that are proactive and the Ventana Wildlife Society is no exception. 20 Condors died in Arizona from Avian Flu. The VWS set about getting permissions to vaccinate their condo. (Yes, a group of condors is called a condo!). The Ventana Wildlife Society, in partnership with the Oakland Zoo and Pinnacles National Park, vaccinated 98 wild condors (not those in zoos) from the Central California flock. 81 condors received at least the first dose, while 45 received the full two-dose series to protect against HPAI.
It was no easy feat with container cages needing to be built in a rather remote area! The determination of this small but dedicated group of individuals is admirable. It made me wonder why those who have access to chicks on streaming cams do not set about to not only band the birds but also to vaccinate them. A single dose vaccine has worked on mice and monkeys and would be ideal as it would be difficult to give the two-dose vaccine as eaglets and eyases are on the nest such a short time.
We are approaching fledge for Big at the Achieva Osprey platform in St Petersburg, Florida.
I love Big Red and Arthur. It is so exciting to see Big Red let Arthur fully participate in family life – he has certainly earned the right. Arthur is so devoted to Big Red and their babies – the pantry is rarely empty – unless it is on purpose near fledge. I am sad that they lost one of their babies but we don’t seem to need to worry about P3 who is small but mighty.
New Guy 2 has now brought Iris three fish (so far) today! I am so glad that the rushing river calmed itself in time. Cornell Bird Lab caught one of those deliveries on video: https://youtu.be/RkGQmYEkZro?
My goodness Iris is loud when she sees NG2 arriving with a fish!
I am so glad that fish did not break those precious eggs.
There are three osplets at Patuxent. Oh, my goodness. I worry about those nests.
The latest statement that I have found about the Glen-Hayes eaglets and whether or not the eaglet bodies will be retrieved:
“May 18, 2026 – GLEN HAZEL NEST STATUS
Status Update: Carol Holmgren, Executive Director, Tamarack Wildlife Center
Our hearts go out to all who love these eagles and are grieving. We have been blessed with 100% survivorship of eaglets from the Hays/Glen Hazel eagle nests over the past 14 years, while it is typical for 30% of eaglets to not survive until fledging age.
Kudos to the Glen Hazel moderator team for promptly noticing signs of illness in the chicks and notifying Tamarack Wildlife Center’s Executive Director and Licensed Rehabilitator Carol Holmgren on Friday morning, May 15. Carol immediately reached out to Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) and Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) colleagues, to loop them in that day, and has been in conversation since then. A few updates:
It is FWS policy to let nature take its course at eagle’s nests and only approve intervention when there is a threat to the eagles that has a clear human cause such as fishing line entanglement or swallowing a fish hook. In this instance, the eaglets were ill, but not with a clear human cause where FWS and PGC would approve intervention. Much as that is difficult for us to witness, it is part of the natural history that eagles live with daily.
The eaglets likely passed from Avian Influenza. Their symptoms and the progression of the illness is consistent with Avian Influenza, and they could have contracted it from ingesting goslings and geese that had been brought to the nest as food. We cannot know for certain without testing, but this is the most likely cause based on the evidence.
The adults may also have been exposed to the virus. They typically have a stronger immune system than the young birds, and may be able to fight off the virus. Time will tell. We will be monitoring them. There is no treatment that can be given while they are free-flying. If one is on the ground due to illness, it may be able to be treated by a rehabilitator.
Our hope is that their immune systems are strong and they can remain healthy.
Our highest concerns at this point are 1. supporting the health of the remaining adult eagles and 2. caring for the moderators and community who love these eagles.
Now that the two eaglets have passed, PGC has had extensive discussions about the risks vs benefits of accessing the nest to retrieve the now two deceased eaglets. They have decided not to pursue retrieval, in part to not stress the adult eagles through human presence at the nest.
There is no practical benefit to confirming that the eaglets succumbed to Avian Influenza, beyond the human desire to know. The disease is known to be endemic in Pennsylvania now and there are no management actions that would be taken with that information.
Due to the regulations and Acts protecting eagles and their nests, any access to the nest would also require both PGC and FWS support.
PGC will be continuing to monitor the situation. If an eaglet should fall to the ground, they may pursue retrieval and testing since stress on the adult birds would be less, and FWS approval would not be needed.
Below is the full statement shared by our colleagues in PGC today. We appreciate the thoughtfulness with which they have considered this situation, and their continued collaboration.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) appreciates the concerns of the public regarding the eagles in the Glen Hazel Eagle Nest Cam, located in Allegheny County.
Wildlife watching opportunities, especially ones that can occur from anywhere thanks to wildlife cameras and digital technology, are a popular way for the public to learn and love wildlife.
Unfortunately, nature can be hard to watch at times. When situations occur on live wildlife webcams, including this eagle’s nest, human intervention is not always recommended or possible.
PGC evaluated the situation carefully and considered many factors including human safety and exposure to potential pathogens. Additionally, human intervention could further stress the adult eagles. Any actions must also comply with federal regulations related to the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. At this time, we have chosen to not intervene. If a safer opportunity presents itself in the future, we may pursue disease testing to hopefully determine what caused the death of these eaglets.”
I ‘love’ Blue 33 and Maya and I am so glad that the three little bobbleheads are doing so well. Those blue eyes and that light soft taupe down with their lovely back stripe and that black eye-liner. They are so precious….all babies are so cute but I do love the tiny little osplets before they hit the reptile stage!
The Girls got their favourite crunchy treats while Toby needed a new Little Lamb. These little squeaky toys were his first and to this day, some 15 months later, they remain favourites. This one is getting ready to celebrate Canada Day on 1 July.
Thank you so much for being with us. We wish you peace and calm.
Thank you to Geemeff for her extensive report on all things Loch Arkaig, to ‘PB’ for her great images and notes, to all those who posted information and videos on FB or YouTube keeping us informed of the latest happenings at the nests, and to the owners of the streaming cams, we are so very grateful to be able to share the lives of these amazing Avian families.
It is cold and rainy in the Canadian prairies. The leaves are trying to burst open. Not very many little birds out at the feeders today.
Oh, the most amazing news. Bonus, the black stork, foster/step-son of the famous Karl II was at the nest in Estonia on 1 May. Bonus hatched in 2022.
Bonus was brought by wildlife conservationists (led by Urmas Sellis of the Eagle Club Estonia) from another nest and placed into the Karula National Park nest to be raised by the resident adult black storks, Karl II and Kaia. Despite not being his biological offspring, Karl II raised and fed Bonus as his own
Karl II was the most amazing Black Stork dad. Karl II, the world-famous black stork from Estonia’s Karula National Park, was electrocuted in Turkey between the night of 1-2 October 2023. His tracking data showed he landed on an unshielded electric pylon to roost near the Yazıbelen solar power plant in the Konya province of central Turkey, where he tragically perished. We were all shaken. He had been flying with a flock southward including his mate.
URMAS (birdmap) Karl II breeds successfully in season 2023. There grow up three chicks of four eggs. Last is Karl II to leave for autumn migration. He doesn’t know that it will be his last one. Between 1st and 2nd October Karl II lands on electric pylon for night, but got electrocuted. Turkish colleagues searched and found dead body, took away the transmitter.
After more than 82 hours without fish, Myrtle, the female at Loch Garten RSPB, left her nest but it did not appear to me that she went fishing. There did not seem to be enough time. We wonder if she is even strong enough to catch a fish. She has been incubating the last two of five eggs. The first three were kicked out of the nest by KL5, who has not been seen for over 86 hours.
GH3 has died at the Glen-Hayes Bald Eagle nest in PA. The female is not looking well. I recall that when the two eaglets died in Estonia, those who retrieved the bodies of the babies spent much time cleaning the nest of any old prey including bones so as to try and remediate harm to the adults. Will this happen at Glen Hayes?
If this is HPAI, the source and the cause is ‘human’. Does this not qualify then for intervention?
The individuals raising funds for MoonCamp, the area of land around Jackie and Shadow’s nest, have reached 3 million. School children are now taking part in parts of the Valley – wouldn’t it be wonderful as a way to learn how to protect nature if every elementary school took part in the fundraiser? Wonder how quick they could reach the 10 million?
Big Red and Arthur’s trio are doing well.
Iris is like Myrtle. She has not eaten in awhile. NG2 is not bringing fish and this could be because the river remains rapid.
According to the daily readout on X under Hellgate Osprey, NG2 gave Iris a break at 8:03am but she returned quickly.
I saw him return around 9:10 am and he pestered Iris to take a break and let him incubate but that time she wouldn’t budge, and used some colorful language towards him. She must know the fishing isn’t good yet, and no further visits the rest of today.
Beau was seen at the NE Florida nest yesterday. Gabby has already left on migration and will return in September.
Dewey Beach had a hatch. This is where that 50-day-old chick starved to death. Wish them only one and some fish!
Oh it’s cold here!
Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon.
Thank you to Looduskalender and Maria Marika for keeping us informed about Bonus, to ‘PB’ for adding in my conversation with them that Bonus was seen, to all those who post on FB, and to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to watch these incredible birds. Please send your good thoughts to all nests. Some are struggling.
It is simply freezing here. We have our first Baltimore Orioles arriving in the garden, and we could even have snow. We went to pick up a few plants (they are horrifically expensive this year) and hoped to plant them, but no…they are in the house. Calico even took some bites out of one of them!
It decided to rain instead. We could use that to clean up the dust storm from the other day.
A male Baltimore Oriole taken with an iPhone – 19 metres away so pixilated.
We are in the middle of this mess. Everyone is getting grumpy oping that spring will please come.
HY and Toby horsing around.
We will start with the sad and end with the wonderful.
Glen Hays eaglet, GH4, hatched on 4 April, was 43 days old when it died this morning. The other eaglet might not survive either. Please note that I am not saying this is Avian Flu. The cause of death can only be determined by a necropsy. I also do not want to start rumours rumming amuk but we should educate ourselves as to the cause of HPAI.
H5N1/Highly Pathogenic Avian Flu. Please listen to the massive impact that this virus has had on wildlife worldwide. Thijs Kuiken, the world expert on H5N1, speaks on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ImFD8sLFfvo?
I am including this because one of my readers and a great lover of wildlife wondered after the passing of the little eagle at Glen Hayes this morning might be stopped. If you listen you will understand how difficult this is. Avian Influenza began several decades ago. Thijs has written extensively on this – some non-scientific articles. I was introduced to him after posting that the two White-tail Eaglets at the Estonian nest had died within minutes with bodies taken for necroscopy and discovered to have Avian Influenza. This was the first known instance of spring nest deaths – til this time it was in the fall. What this means is that the avian influenze was now being spread through migration.
It appears that not enough fish have been delivered to the Old Town Home osprey nest, and at least one of the osplets has perished. This is not a surprise with the lack of fish in the region for ospreys. Many adults have abandoned their nests rather than let the eggs hatch and the chicks starve. Two known nests on streaming cams to have already failed are the Severna Park and VIMS, along with the nests mentioned in an earlier blog, not on camera, by a Virginia monitor.
The weather may take a toll on Iris and New Guy 2’s hope for chicks. In addition to the rushing river causing fishing to be difficult, it is now raining!
Kansas City Bald Eagles are ready to fledge:
It is just such a different story in the UK:
Two years ago, the little one in the clutch of four of CJ7 and Blue 022, was just the cutest little thing. So tiny amongst its big siblings and yet, today, it might have made history as the only 4th hatch ever to return from migration in the UK (or anywhere else for that matter). Known as ‘The Mighty Titch’ by Birds o Poole Harbour.
As Tiger Mozone points out, not all nests with four fledge four. I have not been able to check the returns for Manton Bay but it could be that this is a historial moment when for the first time in the history of UK ospreys, the fourth hatch has returned in year two!
We have the third hatch for Blue 33 and Maya at Rutland’s Manton Bay nest. That baby is quite strong, just like the first hatch.
P3 sleeping on Big Red’s talons.
Achieva Osprey Platform is still doing well. Jack has stepped up in his fishing meaning Jill has only gone out once a day for the past couple of days. Chicks growing and Big could fledge the end of this coming week.
First Fledge at Venice Beach Golf and Country Club osprey nest!
Two new hatchlings at Moraine Park. Let’s hope they have fish.
Do you love the Port Lincoln Ospreys? the idea that individuals are working hard to put up platforms to encourage the population growth of ospreys? It costs $20 AUSTRALIAN a year to join Friends of Osprey Sth Australia. They love donations, too – and look what someone just did: “Thank you to Mr Nev Dowling at Coolangatta for the donation of Electronic WIFI equipment for the upgrading of the WIFI link system for the Camera streaming system on the barge where the Osprey nest is located.”
That is wonderful!
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 17th May 2026
Both nests enjoyed a peaceful day today, no alarms or intruders. Garry LV0 brought only one fish for Aurora 536, while Dorcha received three from Louis. The tally for both nests now stands at sixty seven, except Garry is still ahead by two as two of Nest Two’s fish were brought by Dorcha, and possibly more as only fish seen on camera count towards the total and Nest One cam still remains down for a few hours each morning. The forecasted rain didn’t last as long as expected today and it should be dry tonight with a low of 3°C, and remain dry tomorrow until after lunch, with a high of 15°C.Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/BLGGKD34qIA N2 Better late than never – first fish for Dorcha 12.15.15 https://youtu.be/U7-A1r7oD3Y N1 Aurora’s one and only fish today 14.13.53https://youtu.be/KzuLFblS-Zk N2 Fish & chirps! Second fish from Louis 15.10.40https://youtu.be/Cgf1kMyQWnQ N2 Late evening fish for Dorcha 22.00.34Bonus advice – what to do if you find a chick out of the nest:https://www.popsci.com/environment/what-to-do-if-you-find-a-baby-bird/
Wild Bird Scoop posted this. Have you read The Serviceberry? By Robin Wall Kimmerer? If you haven’t, I highly recommend it.
Thank you so much for being with us today. We had a slow, calm Sunday! I loved every second of it. Tomorrow, Melissa comes to clean – what a blessing she is. Along with Ann, they make my life much easier. Take care of yourself. See you soon!
Thank you to every contributor who added information on FB and to ‘PB’, who has helped post information for herself and Heidi. I am grateful to Geemeff, who has now posted more than 5000 videos for the Woodland Trust! That is a great accomplishment. To the owners of the streaming cams, we are grateful for allowing us to witness the lives of these amazing birds.
My goodness gracious. We had hoped to plant but it is freezing outside. With the wind it is – 2 C. They are even saying we could have snow as it is now snowing in places three hours north of us! I can’t believe it. Even Toby didn’t want to be out in the cold wind today. We did not go to the greenhouse. We could have but it would have meant having all the plants inside and some of the cats would have destroyed them before I could get them planted. So it has been a rather lazy day and instead of a barbecue it was a pot of warming soup.
P3 is tiny compared to P1. P3 often stays away from the two older hawks, preferring to sleep on the opposite side of the nest bowl. Laura Culley told me once, aeons ago, that this might indicate a change in gender. So let’s consider that the two older ones are females, and this little one is a male.
To the shock of everyone, Arthur got to do a tandem feeding with Big Red on Saturday.
P3 and two different feedings. Dryed off in the second.
Nice crop for P3.
How many remember the lovely and quite successful osprey family on the PSEG nest at Patchogue, New York? There is currently no cam but ‘L’ sent me a note that Isaac had posted that the osprey family is on the nest.
SK Hideaways Videos, Week of 10 May 2026
FOBBV Eagles ~ Big Bear Valley, CA~ Jackie, Shadow, Sandy, and Luna Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE Wide View Cam (Cam 2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41eq4VzCYc4 LIVE Recap & Observations https://bit.ly/3Md8TSz Sandy & Luna Share Goodnight Beaky Kisses 💕 Shadow Tucks Family In💤(2026 May 11) Sandy and Luna cuddled up at dusk to share some beaky kisses (and perhaps leftover feesh) and cuddle up for the night. Shadow checked in to make sure all was well, wished Jackie sweet eagle dreams, and headed off to his nighttime roost. Video: https://youtu.be/8p8GKklfutw
Fraser Point Eagles~ Santa Cruz Island, CA ~ Cruz, Andor, Sasha, Zuma, and Ryder Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Fraser Point Eagles Cam Ops Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY4V_AppZ6s
On a 9-fish day, the eaglets sported bowling ball-sized crops and Cruz was on an allopreening mission (2026 May 15) It was a 9-fish day for Sasha, Zuma, and Ryder at Fraser Point. Cruz brought 4 to the nest; Andor 5. The eaglets enthusiastically accepted all 9 and ended the day with ginormous crops. Throughout the afternoon, Cruz was intent on allopreening Zuma ~ there was no escape. The eaglets are 7 weeks old. Video: https://youtu.be/U3vjDarjWDQ
Banding: Hartley & Monty Mounted a Harrowing Defense ~ Banders Were Unflinching San Jose City Hall Falcons ~ San Jose, CA (2026 May 13) Once again, banding day at the San Jose City Hall peregrine falcon nest was an epic event beginning with Hartley and Monty’s aerial defense that didn’t cease for the entire 2-1/2 hours. The remarkable banding team of Zeka Glucs, director Predatory Bird Research Group; Gavin Emmons, wildlife biologist; and Kaitlin Lopez, condor crew lead at Pinnacles National Park were unflinching as they completed their mission quickly and efficiently.
The video covers the preamble to the “featherless monsters’” arrival, a step-by-step view of the banding, lots of Hartley and Monty’s aerial defense, and the happy aftermath. Video: https://youtu.be/xAj20H9x1OI
Dr. Zeka Glucs gave us a trip report afterwards: “You’ve all heard by now that we found out all four chicks in this clutch are male. Four boys! That is a first for this nest site and will make Fledgewatch very exciting, I’m sure, as males can fledge early and fly fast. These nestlings now have one band on each leg to help us track them throughout their lifetimes: a silver USGS Bird Banding Lab band that may temporarily be sporting some colored electrical tape for easy identification, and black visual ID band with a 4-digit alphanumeric code. The bands for each bird are as follows:
1. Male, left leg 70/BH, right leg blue tape 2. Male, left leg red tape, right leg 67/BH 3. Male, left leg yellow tape, right leg 53/BH 4. Male, left leg 71/BH, right leg no tape (silver)
“You may also notice the new radio transmitters mounted to the black VID bands. They are slipped onto an existing flange on the band with a drop of superglue. You can learn a little more about these hip new transmitters here: https://celltracktech.com/pages/blumorpho?srsltid=AfmBOor3VcKJblv-5sA6yBQaTUwFyRuVVJjCXXrVhLFtYvxThd9cRgEv. Currently all of them are transmitting and it will be very interesting to see how they work when the chicks leave the nest and are on the move!” Chicks Venture Outside Nest Box for First Time! Utter Chaos Begins 🤭(2026 May 12) An exciting new phase began for Hartley and Monty’s chicks as all four ventured out of the nest box for dinner. Hartley and Monty both fed the chicks before they returned to the safety of the only home they’ve known for their whole 3-week lives. They’re blissfully unaware of the even bigger adventure that awaits them tomorrow, when they’ll be banded, checked, and sexed. Video: https://youtu.be/lpnLXUv1DfY Chicks Still Line-up for Meals ~ Exit Angels, Enter Raptors (2026 May 10) Seemingly overnight, the 20-day-old chicks went from angel eaters to mini raptors, earning their designation as such. This extended feeding footage shows that change, as well as their progress in learning to self-feed. Monty delivered prey #7 while #6 was in progress. The chicks’ eating gusto remained high. Video: https://youtu.be/fmXQomZJoKc
Cholyn & Chase Spend Mother’s Day Together ~ Their Bond Stronger than Ever(2026 May 10) Cholyn and Chase have been devoted partners for 23 years. Today they bonded all around their special Two Harbors territory ~ chortling, beaky kissing, and gazing into each other’s beautiful eyes. A romance for the ages, if you’re a romantic. Or a remarkable bond, if you prefer a more ornithological view. Video: https://youtu.be/L_Xp_wOeyQw
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 16th May 2026
Another uneventful day, just a momentary alarm for Dorcha as she was startled by a little Willow Warbler, who was probably the more startled of the two given Dorcha’s huge size especially when those massive wings are unfurled. Light rain is falling at the time of this report (midnight) and forecast to continue through the night with a low of 6°C, changing to thundery showers tomorrow with a high of 12°C. Both Dorcha and Aurora 536 received two fish each from their respective mates Louis and Garry LV0. The Nest Two tally rises to sixty four, and the Nest One to sixty six fish. Steve Quinn has had a good look at the fish stats to date, the hyvor comment system won’t allow the links to be posted so just pop fish counting summary into the search box (on the right above the featured comment) and you’ll be able to read his excellent current and previous analyses.
It is being reported that M15 has a new female friend at the SW Florida Bald Eagle nest after losing Harriet and then his second mate, F23, this season.
Surviving eaglet at the White-tailed Eagle nest in the Hebrides is doing well.
Take care, everyone. Thank you so much for being with us for this quick check in on a few of the nests!
Thank you to ‘L’ for some great updates, to SK Hideaways and Geemeff for their wonderful video links and reports on so many nests, to the owners of the streaming cams and those that report on FB. We are always grateful!
I had no intention of posting tonight but there have been many good things happen.
‘PB’ has just sent news that New Guy 2 was able to finally get a fish to Iris. the raging river nearby has not allowed for osprey fishing. I think New Guy caught a fish the first time he could and gave it to his dear Iris. She had to have been ready to drop! Thanks, ‘PB’.
New Guy gladly gave the nice fish to Iris and settled down on his eggs. I was so worried that something had happened to him so this is just such a huge relief.
A piece of fishing line with a lure was removed from the Rutland Manton Bay nest of Blue 33 and Maya where there are two wee osplets.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 15th May 2026
The weather was more settled today than the forecast suggested, and with no intruders or alarms, the two females spent most of the day tranquilly sitting on their nests. Their mates had an easy day delivering only one fish each, taking the Nest One tally to sixty four and the Nest Two tally to sixty two. Sixty of those Nest Two fish were brought by Louis in contrast to this day in 2020 when he delivered his hundredth fish, but then he had arrived on 5th April unlike this year’s late arrival on 17th April. The overnight forecast is partly cloudy with a gentle breeze and a low of 1°C, and a damp day tomorrow with a dry spell in the afternoon and a high of 13°C.
That’s it! It was a very windy day today. Ann took Don and Toby to the park and for ice cream, and I had a bit of much-needed quiet time.
My housekeeper gets a chill when I put duck hearts on the edge of the sofa for Toby and Hugo Yugo!!!!! Melissa comes on Monday. I’d best get that cleaned up. 🙂
Take care everyone. Enjoy your weekend.
Thank you to ‘PB’ for bringing relief to my mind, to Geemeff for their daily summary and videos (be sure to check out poor Aurora and her underfluffies), and to those persons who acted quickly at Rutland Water. I am also grateful to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to view the lives of these amazing birds.
