Tag Archives: Blackbush

Late Sunday in Bird World

23 August 2026

Hello Everyone,

It is a gorgeous Sunday afternoon on the Canadian prairies. The sky is a clear blue and there is a breeze making the 25 C temperatures seem slightly cooler. It was a lovely day for walks with Toby and, because Don slept last night, I woke up feeling like a new person. It is amazing how a good night’s sleep makes all the difference to our lives!!!!!!! Don has been waking up every hour and a half. Normally he is ‘very quiet ‘, but for the past week, he has come to my room and turned on the light, waking up Hugo Yugo, Toby, and me. Of course, he was simply confused about where his room is, but he had also been making a bit of a mess in the kitchen. Last night, I decided to try and tire him out, so he was given the job of sweeping the deck and helping me break up the old cedar feeders. We put them in the thick forest area of the back garden where they will decompose and provide places for insects that the birds enjoy so much. I love that area of the garden. It is completely ‘wild’ – not touched by a human hand except for us placing this wood there. It is full of birds and squirrels enjoying life in the middle of a big Canadian city. It just makes me so happy to provide them with a safe place to rest and eat. In addition to helping with the deck, we gave Toby an ‘extra’ walk and I made certain that Don did not fall asleep until 2100. he woke up once at 2300 and then slept until 0715. (I have cameras watching his every move). He got dressed, got a drink and quietly dosed on and off on the sofa until Toby and I got up at 0900. Magnificent.

As a result, we have rearranged the living room and cleaned it a bit, cleaned out the fridge, and had a couple of walks with Toby, but the real treat was having fresh blueberries in pancakes for breakfast with our local maple syrup. It was delicious and something I rarely get to, since I am usually too tired to be bothered. Don loves pancakes, and he ate them, smiling with every bite. I was so happy.

It is fairly quiet with all of the birds. Fish are (or not) being delivered in preparation for migration which has started. Many of the UK females left at the beginning of August. Blue 35 from Foulshaw Moss left on the 9th of August followed by Blue 717 from another Foulshaw Moss nest on the 14th. Aurora departed and has been photographed fishing at Lytchett Bay, Poole Harbour. Geemeff sent me a great photograph of her. – and credits are given in Geemeff’s summary below but this is about Darvic rings.

How would we know that this is Aurora? Well, only by her underwing pattern or the pattern on top of her head. Of course, the Darvic ring on her left leg tells us its distinct number. I am a strong proponent for ringing the osplets in the nest. I am so very grateful that this is common practice in the UK. Some states research osprey, but every day I hope someone has ringed Wensi or the Ps to learn about their dispersal. Of course, I really want every surviving osprey and eaglet to be ringed around age 35 days (or at the appropriate time per species).

We held our breath as it was reported that a fishing line was attached to the back of little SE37 at the Sydney Olympic Park WBSE nest. It was horrible to see – just like the little fluffy ball had been caught by someone fishing, but through the back. Thankfully, a miracle happened, and the hook fell off into the nesting material. Of course, it is still an issue because it’s still there, but let us hope the adults’ experience means they will make sure it is worked into the nest or removed.

All I could think when I heard about the hook was my goodness what else can happen this year?

Locals have an eye on Beau at the NE Florida nest where he has been seen perched a short distance from the nest. Gabby will be arriving soon!

Everyone is still home at Hellgate Canyon. Wensi on the nest fish calling. Clarke arrives with a huge headless fish and then, to our surprise, Iris photobombs!

Sleepy Wensi on the nest hoping for a breakfast fish.

Clarke does a quick drop trying to protect his talons and flies off.

Here comes Mum Iris to check on things.

Iris reminded me of the pilots learning to take off and land – she literally touched the nest and took off again. I hope she found a big fish. Like you, I worry about Iris – she is so loved, and I want to see her often before she departs. We do not know what the next migration will bring, but I hope the winds of late March and April return our beloved Iris to us as well as Clarke.

Wensi had trouble eating the head of the fish and he flew off with it. Did he go to the Owl Pole? Does he need Mum to help? Will he lose his big fish to an intruder?

Not on the Owl Pole.

It is raining at Blackbush Beach Resort in PEI, Canada. No one seen at the nest.

The two fledglings at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum are doing so well – fish are being delivered to the nest and they look to be in good condition.

There have been a few updates about Sol, the osplet from the Fru Rauer nest, which was taken in for care and then placed in a foster nest. According to the chat, Sol was seen on the ground and then flew off over the treetops when she noticed humans. It is unknown whether the foster male is feeding her off the nest.

White 63L was on the Fru Rauer nest today.

Another angle. Beautiful osplet.

And then two waiting for fish.

Maya and Blue 33 at Rutland Water today. What a gorgeous couple. They finally get to spend some time together before Maya departs on her migration.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 22nd August 2026

Today’s big news is the sighting of Aurora 536 at Lytchett Bay in Poole Harbour a week after her last appearance on nest cam on the 14th. This is the second year running she’s been sighted there by the photographer Mark Wright, she was seen last year on 18-19th August so this is obviously a familiar route for her and a known place to stock up on food before making the crossing over to Europe and then across to Africa. Link to Mark’s photos in the bonus section. Louis and Juniper are the only family members still around, he brought her three fish today, taking the Nest Two tally to four hundred and fifty three. Steve Quinn published his usual thorough analysis of the fishing stats today, a search for Nest 2 fish summary to week 18 will bring up his post. There was an interesting discussion aroundLizB ‘s theory that Amber’s early departure at a very young age might mean she could be male, and could be Chick One rather than Chick Two. Both are possible but as always, we can only speculate and hope to see or hear of Amber as an adult and perhaps answer one of those questions. The weather was settled, cloudy and cool today, and should continue overnight with a low of 11°C, a chance of light rain showers tomorrow morning then cloudy and dry with a high of 15°C.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/r4tOzShipbY N2 Juniper takes her breakfast fish with a lot of noise 06.15.55https://youtu.be/6g-Kz9WCG9Y N2 Coal Tits and Blue Tits flit around the nest 12.08.52https://youtu.be/1f_iytCua-I N2 Louis brings a flatfish for Juniper 19.07.25https://youtu.be/3ARP09vhi0g N2 Fish number three is gone in three minutes 19.42.34
Bonus photos – Aurora 536 spotted in Poole Harbour by Mark Wright  – she was seen there 18-19 August last year, so she’s taking a familiar route south:

Osprey 536 aka Aurora from Nest 1 at Loch Arkaig, ScotlandSeen today in Lytchett Bay, Dorset, England@harbourbirds.bsky.social @ukoi.bsky.social

— (@markwright12002.bsky.social) 2026-08-22T14:37:02.052Z

Everyone’s invited to join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and you’re all welcome:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

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Thank you so much for being with us today. It is mid-afternoon. Time for tea and some shortbread and then to discover what I can find to keep Don tired tonight! Wish me luck.

Have a good end to your week, everyone. Take care of yourselves. If you feel overwhelmed, please just stop and take a deep breath. If you can, go for a walk or sit quietly, even for a few minutes, and listen to songbirds. It is easy to reach burnout. It is easy to become so anxious. I suggest stopping watching the news altogether. We do, and while a little filters through with e-mail, most of the time I am oblivious to what is happening outside my little world. It gives me peace. Sometimes that is what we really need. Peace and quiet.

Thank you to Geemeff for those wonderful images, videos, and the summary; to everyone who posts on FB and includes images; and to the owners of the streaming cams who let us share in the good and the bad that happens at the nests!

Clark delivering fish, Aurora at Poole Harbour…Saturday in Bird World

22 August 2026

Hello Everyone,

It is ‘the golden’ time in the garden. The sun is setting and there is a peachy-apricot- with a touch of lilac glow that kisses all of the western branches of the trees and the shrubs in the garden. Mr Crow is cawing. There are gulls, hundreds of them, flying overhead. They have found insects! The feeders are now quiet. Toby is beside me on the bench and like ant toddler, he wants my attention. No more computer!

I cannot wait to take him to the beach next Saturday. I think a lifejacket needs to be purchased, just in case he is not the great swimmer I think he is. Don is going to sit and watch his grandson, Carter, fishing. It is set to be the perfect end of the summer – ospreys included. The family and their chicks are still at their nest! So excited.

Today I am baking a peach kuchen. Every summer I make at least one, usually a plum one, in memory of one of my dearest friends, Rosemarie. We lived in Southern Manitoba, and our children were friends in the 1970s. She was remarkable. Her parents had sent her over the Berlin Wall to freedom – and that is how she came to be in Canada. I treasure all the recipes she taught me and the time we spent together. They moved to BC, where her husband had a position with the CBC. I left for the UK, and we lost touch. Thank goodness for memories!

Prayers for the people and wildlife in the zone of the hurricane.

The Guardian shows how rewilding can help against drought – and that is something many need to consider.

Rewilded land remains green amid drought-stricken English countryside, images showhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/21/somerset-rewilding-holnicote-estate-wetlands-rivers-resilience?CMP=share_btn_url

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 21st August 2026
No sight of Amber 8P6 again today so it looks like she might have headed south, very young, but then she always was very determined and ahead of her older sister. Juniper 8P7 is very much still here, on and off the nest throughout the day and always announcing her arrival, occupation, and departure. She’s had to contend with several Hoodie invasions today and shows no hesitation lunging at them to drive them off, defending her fish and using a crow voice just like her mum Dorcha did. At one stage she flew off the nest clutching a fish, circled round, landed with it then took off again, possibly to find a place to eat without attendant Hoodies. Louis brought her two new fish, taking the Nest Two tally to four hundred and fifty, and his personal tally to four hundred and forty five, however there was also plenty of leftover fish from yesterday, and the Hoodies managed to get some while Juniper was away. No activity at Nest One bar a couple of songbirds. The weather was settled today and will continue dry but 

chilly overnight with a low of 7°C, continuing dry and bright tomorrow with sunny intervals and a high of 15°C.
Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/t5D_e4cLKwI N2 Louis brings fish one but several of yesterday’s are still there 06.07.15https://youtu.be/ZawjOTbmSDA N2 Juniper tries to protect her fish from a marauding Hoodie 11.09.48https://youtu.be/HDLYdQM9HkM N2 Fish number two arrives and so does a Hoodie 11.53.37https://youtu.be/tX2bGpkf4FkN2 Juniper flies with fish and aHoodie enjoys the leftovers 16.40.47

Bonus webinar – next Thursday 27th, with analysis by @SteveQuinn of Louis’ fishing performance and other nest activity this season, and an update from @WTScotland on the restoration of Arkaig Community Forest, with a Q&A afterwards:

https://woodlandtrust-org-uk.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_78gnztVZT_q7mHQG4JBNZw#/registration

Everyone’s invited to join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and you’re all welcome:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

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The birds are on the move. What can you do to help? Turn out your lights! Ask your town and City to turn off their lights. Leave out water and if you can, put out food!

We now have at least 300 birds eating in the evening. My daughter gave me two triple-tube feeders…we are going through seed as the songbirds make their way south to their winter homes. I am so glad I can help them, along with the ones who live here all winter.

An article about a Snowy Owl – and just to note, the first Snowy Owl, has been photographed in Manitoba this season. Some interesting research – have a short read!

A satellite-tracked female snowy owl in the eastern Canadian Arctic spent 186 days on sea ice, hunting ducks at open water cracks in the pack ice hundreds of miles from land in total winter darkness. The biologists who tagged her expected her to fly south for the winter. She flew north onto the frozen ocean. The finding flabbergasted them. Inuit seal hunters had known about it for centuries.

Jean-François Therrien, a doctoral student at Université Laval working with professor Gilles Gauthier, tagged 12 adult female snowy owls on Bylot Island in Nunavut as part of an International Polar Year research project studying key indicator species of northern ecosystems. When winter came, the tracking data showed something nobody in the academic world had documented with technology. Eight of the 12 owls spent more than 95 percent of their winter locations over sea ice or along the coast. Six adult females spent most of the winter far out on the Arctic sea ice. One stayed there for 186 consecutive days. She was not lost. She was not drifting. She was hunting.

The ocean freezes across the Canadian Arctic every winter but it does not freeze solid. Leads and polynyas, cracks and pools of open water, persist throughout the ice sheet. Sea ducks, particularly eiders, and seabirds concentrate at these openings because the open water is where the food is. The owls found the ducks by finding the water. Gauthier described the hypothesis directly: bird researchers at coastal field sites have observed snowy owls attacking eiders in winter. If the satellite positions of the owls matched the locations of open water leads recorded by other satellite systems, the connection would be confirmed.

The owls were not behaving like the animal most people picture when they hear the words snowy owl. Most people imagine a white bird sitting on a fence post in a farm field somewhere in Minnesota or upstate New York, hunting mice in the snow. That version of the snowy owl is real. It is the owl that shows up on Christmas Bird Counts and birding websites and nature documentaries filmed in places where camera crews can reach. The other version, the one the Inuit have always known, is an owl that flies north when winter starts, lands on sea ice in the Arctic dark, finds a crack in the frozen ocean, and sits beside it killing ducks at temperatures that drop below minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

The isotope data confirmed the diet shift. Stable isotope analysis of feathers showed that marine prey made up a substantial portion of the winter diet for owls that chose the sea ice. A snowy owl that breeds on lemmings in the summer and switches to sea ducks in the winter is not a rodent specialist. It is a predator that changes its entire hunting strategy, its prey base, and its habitat seasonally, moving from tundra grassland to frozen ocean the way a seasonal worker changes job sites.

Project SNOWstorm, a US-based tracking initiative that has followed more than 115 snowy owls with GPS transmitters since 2013, found the same behavior at a smaller scale on the Great Lakes. Snowy owls wintering in the northern United States moved out onto frozen Lake Michigan and Lake Erie for weeks at a time, hunting ducks at the cracks that opened and closed between wind-driven ice sheets. The researchers described the Great Lakes behavior as practice for the full Arctic version: owls learning or maintaining the ice-hunting skills that adult females use on the Arctic Ocean in the years when they stay north.

Source: Therrien et al., Université Laval / Gauthier, Université Laval / ScienceDaily / Project SNOWstorm / Birds of the World, Cornell / Old Farmer’s Almanac / COSEWIC (2025).

Bonding sessions are taking place at the Peregrine Falcon scrape of Gimbir and Diamond on Charles Sturt University in Orange, Australia.

Great news. Aurora from Loch Arkaig nest 1 has been photographed in Poole Harbour fishing! Fantastic.

Viki sends us her latest:

“I am pretty certain Junior brought a live fish back to the north copse overlooking his nest – I haven’t seen either parent all morning!!!!

I AM AS PROUD AS A PARENT !!!!! He’s gonna make it !!!”

“Well, he clearly still needs plenty of fish as do his parents, apparently.  And that little snit will NOT dive for a frozen bait fish I throw – but Dad (and I think Mom) will …. But they took 2 or 3 fish before Dad carried one out to Junior – who, btw, whether he stole that live fish out of another’s nest or not, dropped at least half of it —- TEENAGERS !!!

But aside from all that, I am so proud of that crazy, crafty #2 chick and his dad!!!!

Back out to throw some more fish. Dad is hanging around so maybe Junior will get some and SHUT UP!!! LOL”

“Junior had been practicing dragging his feet in the water. When he saw me coming down the deck with the fish bag he returned to nest but flew off his nest when I tossed the fish and must have been thinking about going for it, but flew off the wrong direction and Dad got it and brought it to their other “veranda” -nest. So I threw another. Junior just looked and kept calling. Dad brought the fish he’d had to Junior and then did four or five more dives for the other fish TO SHOW JUNIOR HOW TO DO IT   RIGHT BEFORE MY VERY EYES !!!

Amazing. And now that I’ve picked my second tick off for that effort I’ll hit the shower. Sheesh.”

Viki is my heroine. She has kept this single osprey family alive on Indian Creek, Maryland, where there should have been 5- 60 chicks; one survived because of her. My heart beats softer and happier because good people like Viki exist in the world.

I love this family and I am so afraid that Iris will not return next spring. We want them to live forever, don’t we?

Clark has a fish. No one comes. In flies Wensi…Clark returns with the fish!

Ospreys at Charlo at night but during the day it seems they are over at Roger’s Place.

No one is home at Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Mum continues to provide fish at Santiam. I am not clear what is happening at Blackbush.

At Dyfi, five fish came in to the nest in less than an hour. Yes, really. https://youtu.be/0Wz86XGDIm0?

One of my favourites, Blue 33, checking the nest at Rutland. The gulls are moving in – known as the clean-up crews – when they think a nest is just about at the end of the season. Blue 33 will be the last to leave after all the youngsters and Maya.

At Tweed Valley:

Kielder’s Kirknewton was the intruder at Dylan and Seren’s nest at Llyn Clywedog. How grand.

Here is the latest Kielder news:

More news

Teifi and Elen fledged their entire clutch of three. Beautiful osplets!

It is a wonderful day. Viki added a note that I will put here: “Your stamina as a caregiver is extraordinary. I can’t imagine how you get anything else done. Your husband is very fortunate for having been so unfortunate.

Thinking of you – and so you’ll smile –” . And, yes, I did smile at the incredible feat she undertook to keep that osprey family alive. Bravo. In a world when too many ‘count’ the dead, it is a relief that someone dares to feed.

It is exhausting being a caregiver. I am not sure I have any stamina at all. I am busy reading several books, including one that our reader and friend, ‘R ‘, recommended. My goal is to enrich Don’s life as much as possible, try to understand when he has trouble communicating, and recognise that he is also frustrated living in a body where he is not the person he was. Still, we try to make every day a little special. It could be a friend’s visit, a trip to the park, a walk with Toby – it doesn’t need to be much. The trips to the farm are excellent, and we are definitely looking forward to going to the beach next week!

Take care everyone. We will see you soon.

Thank you to all the contributors today – to Geemeff, to the owners of the streaming cams, to those that post information and images on FB – we thank you so very much!

Little 4 gets some fish at Blackbush…Late Wednesday in Bird World

19 August 2026

Hello Everyone,

We woke up to a cool morning. It was 10 C. The young man who clears my snow wrote to find out when I wanted him to start. I giggled. I guess when it snows – please, let’s not think about that now!!!!!!!

Little Four is much loved at the Blackbush Beach nest in Prince Edward Island. It is peculiar that he spends so much time on the nest. No fish yesterday but a small headless fish arrived at 0840 this morning. I have not had a chance to check for further deliveries. Some worry that Little Four won’t learn to fish. Remember. Ospreys do not learn to fish. 61 million years of adaptation and they know how to fish – no one has to teach Little Four. Most juveniles do not catch their first fish til they leave the nest on migration. This is why it is so important that the parents feed them up and fatten those bodies because fishing is not easy!

There will be skirmishes at times.

I thought I had a video of Ervie fighting with his siblings, but instead, the only one I have now is Ervie catching a puff. For those who don’t know, Ervie was the third hatch of 2021/22. He learned to fish by catching pufferfish!

We love you, Ervie. Now we wish he would get a mate!

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 18th August 2026 

None of the adults were positively ID’d today, but an Osprey was seen eating fish near Nest One this afternoon, and a chick was seen eating fish on Nest Two around the same time. A chick was observed on and near the nest this morning but whether the same chick or her sister could not be determined. The Nest One fish tally remains at two hundred and one, and the Nest Two tally rises to an estimated four hundred and thirty nine. George WTS informed us a part for Nest Cam Two has arrived and someone should be making a site visit tomorrow to fit it. Fingers crossed that will get the cam back on line, but grateful thanks meantime to LizB for her off-cam reports. After a wet night it stayed damp with light to heavy rain and overcast conditions throughout the day, and a high of only 

14°C. The rain will continue overnight with a low of 12°C, changing to thundery showers and light winds tomorrow – which might not be the best conditions for a site visit! – and a high of 16°C.

Bonus photos – Aurora 536 was sighted in Poole Harbour 18th August 2025 by Mark Wright:

Osprey (536/Aurora)Lytchett Bay, Poole Harbour, Dorset@harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @ukoi.bsky.social

— (@markwright12002.bsky.social) 2025-08-18T16:38:01.135Z

You’re invited to join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone‘swelcome:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

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Some have worried about Shadow being lonely. Shadow had his chortles answered this morning by KD1, and they have been spending quite a bit of time together. I do not think we need to worry about Shadow. SK Hideaways has the pair on video: https://youtu.be/dRcazZ1Jk3k?

I am so happy for Shadow.

I really hope that Gabby will be returning soon – it is normally in September. Beau is already back at the NE Florida nest awaiting his much loved mate.

At Hellgate Canyon, fish is being delivered elsewhere, it appears. No one slept at the nest. Wensi shows up fish calling once in awhile.

Those last glimpses of this family will be very precious because we do not know when we will last see each one. No crystal ball. But in our hearts, we wish them and all the other ospreys safe journeys and a return next spring.

Please do check out the little sea eaglets. They will grow very fast!

The only surviving osplet at the Chesapeake Conservancy has a name!

The third hatch died from siblicide at the Osprey House Environmental Centre in Australia. I now have serious concerns for the middle chick, chick 2.

Blue NC0 is establishing herself at the Alyth nest for next season and her new mate, Clyde, is in for a learning session. Blue NC0 is one of the best fishers I know!

It is time for us to go to the Farmer’s Market – every day there is at least one outing with me and if Ann is here, the lads get more than one. Doing new things, doing familiar things, being around people, being around animals – it is all good!

Grumpy. Not another photo!

Take care, everyone. Ospreys are winding down their season and I still have so much data to file. I will be back with you later this week when I get a chance to catch up on the work part of why I am watching these amazing birds – their mortality or should I say their life?!

Thank you to SK Hideaways and Geemeff for their great videos and summaries, to the people who post on FB including our Heidi, and to the owners of the streaming cams, I am so ever grateful to you for allowing us to watch these raptors. They enrich our lives.

Jackie’s packed cell count rises to 9%, 4th hatch fledges at Blackbush…Late Sunday in Bird World

9 August 2026

We had a fabulous day at the English Gardens – ice creams and a pup cup, too! The weather cooperated fully – blue skies, nice temperatures, and a sweet breeze. Everyone was hoping to catch a glimpse of hummingbirds.

Geemeff kindly sent me yesterday’s summary and videos from Loch Arkaig that went MIA on my computer. Thank you, Geemeff.

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 8th August 2026
Both of yesterday’s missing key characters turned up today, and both brought fish – Garry LV0 delivered one fish for Aurora 536 on Nest One, taking his tally to one hundred and ninety five, and Dorcha delivered a fish to Nest Two where both of her chicks were waiting, taking her season’s tally to five. Louis also brought fish, he delivered three fish to the nest, getting his toes bitten in the process and taking his season’s tally to three hundred and eighty eight. The Nest Two total now stands at three hundred and ninety three. It was wet and windy today, with strong gusts of wind that caused Louis on one occasion to have to come around again to land with his fish, but that didn’t stop a pair of Hooded Crows from invading the nest in the chicks’ absence, rooting around looking for fish scraps. They didn’t find much, those hungry chicks don’t leave a lot. The rain is forecast to continue, heavy overnight with a gentle breeze and a low of 12°C, changing to light rain tomorrow and a high of 17°C, with more ‘gentle breezes’ which tend to roar through the branches and shake the nests.  

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/khpjbDz2gI4 N2 First Hoodies of the season invade the nest 08.47.54https://youtu.be/5NlSTi1jkS4 N1 He’s still here! Garry brings Aurora a fish 09.42.33https://youtu.be/vF4vmFY53pQ N2 Amber pecks Louis’ toes before taking fish one 10.43.59https://youtu.be/4w0KU9Wfej0 N2 Louis has difficulty landing in the wind with fish two 15.53.57https://youtu.be/7lXVflUIVcQ N2 She’s still here! Dorcha brings fish three 16.18.56https://youtu.be/qHJ5KL72TdI N2 Juniper flies over from the Scots Pine but Amber gets fish four 18.59.04

Everyone’s invited to join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and you’re all welcome:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

The Stellar’s Eagle, who is a long distance from its home in Siberia, has been hanging around Newfoundland and Maine for a few years.

Screenshot

We must take every day at a time. Jackie’s red blood count has now risen from 6% to 9%. This is not the 30% it should be so she remains critical. Please keep sending her the best energy you have and the best wishes for her team to find the underlying cause of her anemia.

The baby at Blackbush Beach Osprey Platform in Prince Edward Island has fledged – congratulations to Mum and Dad who have done the impossible in a year of tragedy. They fledged four!!!!!!!!!

Now the siblings are not being friends (were they ever?) – as competition for fish arrivals result in some scrappy fights. It is all good. They will need these skills – the taking of the fish from another – in the world beyond the nest.

All four are really healthy – or so it appears.

Fish continue to arrive for Wensi at the Hellgate Canyon nest of Iris and Clarke.

Blackbush and Hellgate Canyon thrived. Clarke was able to overcome some adverse fishing conditions – thankfully- to provide for Iris and Wensi and himself. Other areas have human-caused issues that are killing all the osprey – namely the industrial vacuuming up of Menhaden.

There is the first egg for the Redcliffe Peregrine Falcons.

We will be looking for a hatch with the White-bellied Sea Eagles and in the coming weeks eggs at Port Lincoln and at Orange. And don’t forget – 367 Collins Street! We already have three little osplets at the Osprey Environmental Centre. The focus is shifting to the Southern Hemisphere.

Take care everyone.

Thank you to Geemeff for resending her report from yesterday at Loch Arkaig, to all those who posted information and images on FB, and the owners of the cameras where we view the lives of these birds.

Thursday with Wensi

6 August 2026

Hello Everyone,

I don’t know how you feel but having Wensi fledge and then return to the nest just made my Wednesday. Today, Wensi has been fed on the nest, spent time on the pole in the river, and is perfecting her flying skills.

If you missed the hour-long talk about this year at Hellgate Canyon, Dr Ericke Green stated that he believed that Wensi is a female. That made me so happy. Iris’s DNA – strong survival DNA along with luck – has kept her alive for more than thirty years. Indeed, counting from the time Iris first bred on the hydro pole at Missoula before the nest where she is currently, meant that thirty is the youngest she could be. It is more likely she is thirty-three or thirty-four. My goodness. Dr Green also assured people that the fish that Clarke had brought to the nest were sufficient for Iris to remain healthy during the incubation and hatch periods. You might have noticed those huge fish recently. As the waters get warmer, Clarke is bringing in suckers that weigh 3-4 lbs, much more than he weighs. Everyone agreed that Clarke is an incredible fishing partner for Iris. He has also brought in Mountain Trout.

At any rate, I hope you enjoy these screen captures from today:

Clark brought in a very early fish for breakfast before the day gets hot.

Still eating nearly 40 minutes after they began feasting on the fish.

Amazing Clarke. He bonded with Iris last year but it was too late to breed. He also brought Iris fish last year. So glad he returned successfully this year. He is an incredible Dad.

Wensi continues to practice her flying to and from the pole on the river.

I wonder what Wensi is saying to Mama Iris.

What a magical year it has been. I really suggest you watch this amazing osprey family and smile. We never know what will happen next. We know that Iris’s favourite return date is 7 April, so I know that all eyes will be on this nest in 2027. I pray both she and Clarke return safely.

Sadly, the second chick from Colonial Beach that was electrocuted did not make it through its surgery. This is the chick that was electrocuted on the pole.

‘PB’ reports: Blackbush 8/1/26 FLEDGE 8:27:17 for one of oldest chicks. “6:39:50 the amazing fisher dad delivers headless flounder for breakfish. Mom feeds all 4 chicks together. 7:32:16 the chicks watch mom tidying up the nest. lots of hovering going on….8:26:40 The chick that is about to fledge looks back at all its siblings to say “watch this”.”

Jackie has now undergone surgery, including a bone marrow biopsy. Ojai Raptor Centre is trying desperately to find what is making our girl sick. She came out of the surgery fine.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 6th August 2026

It was a very slow fish day today – no fish arrived on camera on Nest One, although Aurora had a nicely rounded crop, so Garry’s tally remains at one hundred and ninety four. Louis only brought two fish, taking the Nest Two tally to three hundred and eighty one, Juniper got the first and Amber the second, and Dorcha had to fend for herself. There were one or two intruder alarms but no one caught on nest cam, apart from an intruder so small Aurora didn’t notice it – a Willow Warbler paid a brief visit to Nest One, and the only other item of note was Amber flying around with a chunk of wood caught in her talons until she landed on the nest and managed to free herself. After some overnight rain, the weather was settled today but it’s raining heavily at the time of filing this report (half past midnight) and heavy rain with light winds is forecast to continue through the night and tomorrow, with a low of 12°C and a high of 16°C.Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/iHiyC7yBkWM N2 Nest’s empty when Louis arrives with the first fish so he waits patiently 08.16.15https://youtu.be/sBTb1u_A2vU N2 Amber flies with a chunk of wood stuck in her talons 08.41.25https://youtu.be/bqwpslScm7w N2 Dorcha’s calls aren’t answered so she departs leaving Amber still calling 11.16.49https://youtu.be/e4uGZcg5Dfo N1 Aurora doesn’t notice a little Willow Warbler paying a visit 17.21.18  (zoom)https://youtu.be/AN4rUYXz-aU N2 Finally! A second fish arrives, and Amber steals it off Juniper 18.59.01https://youtu.be/wEFctw2jz1g N1 Aurora gets fed up calling in vain and departs 19.31.09 Bonus watch – An 

Osprey-eye look at a migration route from Perthshire to Africa:https://youtu.be/bu_fiEUCti0y


Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

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Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care of yourselves. See you soon.

Thank you to Pam Breci and Geemeff, to the owners of the streaming cam at Hellgate Canyon (The Montana Osprey Project along with Cornell Bird Lab) and everyone who posted information on FB. I am very grateful.

Late Sunday in Bird World

2 August 2026

Hello Everyone,

What a week it has been! My fear is that we are still seeing the perils our dear osprey will have to deal with as wildfires, drought, and extreme rain are impacting all parts of our planet. That weather is impacting us as well – the heat and what will be food shortages, particularly items made of wheat or cereal crops, that have been impacted. It truly is a difficult time for all.

Thank you to everyone who posted good wishes to Heidi. The loss of CH1 is truly devastating, as there were so few ospreys left in that region and, of course, it is the nest she loved.

There is some good news.

0E5, the first hatched male, at Dunrovin Ranch fledged this morning and returned to the nest!

The chick that was removed from the Fru Rauer nest in Norway has been rehomed in a nest with adults that had one chick about the same size. Sol is being fed and monitored by a team as there is no camera. Here is the YouTube announcement: https://youtu.be/zcYWlWscCMc?

The second hatch at Tweed Valley was removed with the hope that it will thrive away from a nest where there was a very aggressive older chick that would not allow it to eat.

The younger chick at Oyster Bay is staying near the nest and getting the fish being delivered.

Fish is being provided to all four fledglings at Poole Harbour. Blue 022 and CJ7 are exceptional parents. The fledglings seem to be always eating.

I love this image of Blue 33 almost getting his talons pulled off as he delivers two fish at once to the Rutland Manton Bay nest in the UK. Plenty of fish for the ospreys! Amazing Dad.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 1st August 2026

Today was a repeat of yesterday, the chicks slept elsewhere overnight and are really unlikely to sleep on the nest again, preferring to perch in trees which better suits the shape of their feet. They hopped on and off the nest, called very noisily for fish, competed with their mum to get fish from Louis and mantled over their prize, loudly warning the others away. Dorcha might have to go fishing for herself soon as she’s not getting much of Louis’ deliveries but she doesn’t try too hard to get the fish ahead of the chicks. There were a few alarms today, Ravens were heard cronking in the distance but nothing came near enough to be caught on camera. Louis delivered four fish, taking the Nest Two tally to three hundred and sixty one, and nearly lost a toe to Amber in her eagerness to get to the fish. Garry brought one fish for Aurora and stayed to do a little nest tidying – the Nest One tally now stands at one hundred and eight nine. It should be mainly dry overnight and tomorrow with a low of 11°C and a high of 19°C.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/2YFqbqkQ4P0 N2 Dorcha allows Amber to take fish one 06.48.53 

https://youtu.be/L192Lk1U3cM N2 Tug of trout over fish two, Dorcha lets Juniper win 08.31.34

https://youtu.be/I-7iN2YBxg4 N1 Garry does a little nest tidying after Aurora leaves with fish one 10.24.57

https://youtu.be/vo6MJKwZhX0 N2 Dorcha’s on alert with fish three, Ravens heard cronking 15.45.50

https://youtu.be/0lQHDONgA4I N2 Amber grabs poor Louis instead of fish four 18.04.55

You’re invited to join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

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This is the last article that University of Florida-Gainsville Intern at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Centre has written before returning to classes. ‘R’ sent it to me to share with you, and it gives us some hope for a species and maybe for all species. I keep thinking we need young people like Wes taking care of the environment!

Shorelines » Blog Archive American Icons: Reviving the River Herring – ShorelinesDownload

SK Hideaways Videos for Week of 26 July 2026

FOBBVCAM Eagles ~ Big Bear Valley, CA
Resident Bald Eagle male: Shadow (unbanded) since May 2018. Estimated hatch year: 2014
Resident Bald Eagle female: Jackie (unbanded) since September 2016. Estimated hatch year: 2012
Sandy hatched 4 April 2026, Luna hatched 5 April 2026
Courtesy FOBBVCAM | Friends of Big Bear Valley
Nest Cam:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE
Wide View Cam (Cam 2):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41eq4VzCYc4

Shadow Checks In Morning and Night  ~  Sub-Adult Stays Close ~ Critters Clean Up (2026 Jul 30)
Shadow continues to spend the night in his usual roost tree, stopping briefly on a favorite perch in the morning. The sub-adult (I think the same one) seems to be in the area whenever Shadow is there. The sub-adult has taken the hint to perch a respectable distance from Shadow, as he’s shown no interest in interacting directly. While the eagles are away during the day, a whole host of critters visit the nest ~ I call them the cleaning crew. Sandy and Luna have not been seen on camera since July 23rd. Enjoy this day in Jackie and Shadow’s habitat.  
Video: https://youtu.be/wzV_Uf40fP4
Shadow’s Comings and Goings While Awaiting Jackie’s Return (2026 Jul 24)
Shadow’s routine has changed since Jackie was taken into care. Sometimes we see him morning and night, sometimes we don’t. Sometimes with a sub-adult bald eagle, sometimes alone. Here’s a day when we saw him both morning and night. This was also the last day faint squees were heard from juvenile eagles, which we hope were Sandy and Luna. It’s a time of wonder, discovery, and hope as we observe this habitat in a different light. 
Video: https://youtu.be/qfP_F-PEN9k

Jackie is on everyone’s mind! She is improving and was feeding herself. She is in the best care, and this is a reminder not to be sucked into those who keep spreading horrible rumours. No wildlife facility, let alone Ojai Raptor Centre, would keep a raptor in care longer than is needed for donations! Unbelievable.

Arthur has been spotted on campus with the Ps who continue to thrive with him and Big Red providing prey.

This is another tragedy. Every White-tail Eagle that has died in Dorset, England has died of rodenticide poisoning.

Natural England forced to admit ‘Every White-tailed Eagle death in Dorset linked to rat poison’ – RaDownload

The two osplets at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum are thriving despite the heat that is covering our region. [Please note this nest never had three chicks – the third did not die, and any information related to that on the Memorial Page has been removed. There was confusion about the name of the nest when an individual sent me information for the Memorial Page].

Mum and Dad on the barge nest at Port Lincoln as they prepare for the 2026 breeding season – mating is certainly on the agenda!

Friends of Osprey Sth Australia have been checking the other platforms in the area as they work to reintroduce the species to the region. They are hopeful for a good year! I will keep you posted.

All four juveniles, including the fledglings, home for fish at Blackbush.

Fish arrived at Cowlitz.

I have no idea what has happened at Osoyoos but the heat has been incredible.

Fish at Sandpoint for only osplet.

Fledglings return to the Salmon, Idaho nest for fish. On occasion you can see the wildfire smoke on the streaming cam that is near.

Lucky osplet at the Coeur d’Alene, Idaho nest just got a huge whole fish from Dad!

These two osprey nests are right in the middle of humans – just look at Sandy Hook!

We hope that each of you are doing well. Please do check the Memorial Page and help me fill in the gaps and send good wishes to all those osplets on nests for a successful fledge and migration – and to the adults who are trying to fatten up for their journey to their winter homes. I can tell you that Seren Blue 5F has made it to her winter home in The Gambia. She has been photographed. I hope that next year is a better season for her and Dylan at Llyn Clywedog.

Hugo Yugo clowning around on the chair. You can see the poor dear has no teeth in front to hold her tongue. She is a real character.

Hope loving Missey.

Toby had his flea and tick treatment and wears his little jacket so none of the liquid will get on the cats.

It has been busy at the bird baths. The raccoon comes at night and even took a bath and a good old drink. Please remember to leave out life-saving water for the birds and other wildlife. It does make a difference.

See you soon!

Thank you to SK Hideaways and Geemeff for their dedication, their videos, and nest summaries. Thank you to everyone who wrote to me this week. I am grateful to everyone wo posted on FB and to the owners of the streaming cams who allow us to view these families. A big shout out to those who rescued osplets in need and who have tried to make their lives better – Fru Rauer and Tweed Valley this week.

A fish at Cape Henlopen…relief. Late Friday in Bird World

31 July 2026

Hello Everyone,

This is going to be a very, very short hello to everyone and a wish that each of you has a lovely weekend – and if it is a long one like it is in Canada, then please get out and enjoy some birdsong in the shade, if possible. It remains very hot here. Ann has taken Don out, and I plan on having a cuddling nap with Toby! The Girls are all sound asleep. Calico and Missey have not been happy with one another, so I am trying another one of those calming diffusers from the vet. I really do feel gutted when they are not getting along.

There is relief. ‘PB’ writes: “Hennie brought CH1 a dogfish (which was to tough to eat) and 2 menhaden which baby devoured. Hennie looks thin this morning but took off after 3rd fish delivery hopefully to get her own fish or eat some of it and bring back a partial.”

There was no help coming for CH1 like at South Cape May Meadows and those who care dearly for the adults and chicks at this nest – namely our Heidi – were devastated that CH1 would wither and die on that nest. Why not feed them? The answer was that the chick might fledge early. My response is – they can’t fledge if they are starving to death. Let us hope that more fish arrives for the adults, too.

There is other good news. Jackie is continuing to improve.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 30th July 2026 

The chicks spent today flying around making constant short flights, landing on the nearby Scots Pine, returning to the nest for fish, competing for fish with each other and with Dorcha, and generally enjoying their new found freedom. For the first time since the season began in April, the nest is empty as both chicks are spending their first night elsewhere. This is another side of nest cam watching – we’re willing the chicks on to fledge, and then suddenly have to cope with empty nest syndrome! But we will have the pleasure of the chicks’ company for a few weeks longer as they fatten up and prepare for migration, historically Dorcha doesn’t stay too long after her chicks fledge but Louis will stick around bringing fish until the chicks leave. From now on every sighting is to be treasured. This time last year Aurora had already left but both she and Garry are still here, Garry brought her one fish today taking the Nest One tally to one hundred and eighty seven, while Louis brought five fish, taking the Nest Two tally to three hundred and fifty one. After a damp start the weather was settled although the ‘moderate breezes’ sounded very loud on nest cam, and it’s forecast to be dry overnight with a low of 9 °C, changing to thundery showers tomorrow with gentle breezes and a high of 15 °C.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/oOXarBAKpW8 N2 Juniper attacks Dorcha and gets both fish one 04.59.33 and fish two 05.05.35https://youtu.be/IicSVqhKqsk N2 Amber gets fish three and Dorcha loses out again 10.09.13https://youtu.be/uga2QueDe1g N2 Dorcha gets fish four to herself as both chicks are absent 12.47.18https://youtu.be/kHmRBZU5Jcg N1 

Garry follows Aurora to the nest and gives her a fish 14.12.57

https://youtu.be/6ktLd4RWAKU N2 Dorcha gets fish five first then gives it to Amber 14.21.04


Everyone’s invited to join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and you’re all welcome:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

It has been confirmed that little Sol will not be returned to the Fru Rauer nest in Norway but will be placed with a more experienced pair of adults where there is plenty of fish.

It seems that many places are suffering this year from a lack of fish. The wildfires and heat across the UK and Europe have had an impact as well as in North America.

The latest Condor Chat from the Ventana Wildlife Society. https://www.youtube.com/live/DRuhlA8PXig?

Sadly there are a lot of condors dying from lead poisoning.

I cannot get enough of Iris and Wensi!

Nearing fledge in Minnesota. Two beautiful osplets.

Smile. There are still four feathered chicks at Blackbush!

Take care, all. I will be back on Monday. I am going to take a few days off. We are having some plumbing renovations done, and the plumbers are not here, so if the weather allows, I hope to get Don and Toby out for some walks and to visit with some friends and family this weekend.

Remember – please leave a dish of water out and food if you can!

Thank you to Geemeff, to PB, and to everyone who posted on FB, to the Ventana Wildlife Society and the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to view the lives of these magnificent creatures.

Name the chicks…Thursday in Bird World

9 July 2026

Good Afternoon Everyone,

I don’t want to bore you to death, but it is hot. We continue under a special advisory for temperatures in the 30s, climbing to the mid 30s C, with a humidex reading of 45 C.

The heat is changing all of our lives. That, along with intense and multiple storms and heavy rains, is causing catastrophic events around the world. For me, my focus is on the wildlife who are particularly suffering – no shade, not much fish (for many reasons when it is a heat related event), and no one willing to step up and help. Dave Hancock put up shades for the Bald Eagles in British Columbia. Will we need to do this for the ospreys that live in vulnerable areas? or will there be any ospreys to shade. Viki reports from Indian Creek, Maryland. She writes, “The worst news, it’s possible only one of the two chicks in Lily’s nest got fed yesterday. There were at least two fish deliveries, but the third Lily was squeeing for it as LB prepped it in his perch tree — and that fish was tiny. I’m not even sure if it was big enough for LB to share. I do not see a happy outcome for Island Creek. Year number 3 of no fledglings.” If you have not checked out her blog documenting years of observing the ospreys on Indian Creek – when they were plentiful – please do. It’s free and you can learn a lot about osprey behaviour. Here is the place to go: IslandCreekOspreyes.com

It is time to name the chicks at Loch Arkaig nest 2, home to Louis and Dorcha. The deadline is Monday, and the selection will be made Monday night, so put your thinking caps on. There are two. To give name suggestions, you must either go to the forum or any Woodland Trust social media platform and use this #2026NAME. Then put in two names, one for each chick.

Here is the place to vo5te – go all the way down to the chat: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/

You will note that George indicates both chicks are female. I was going to leave this to Geemeff to surprise everyone, but it seems everyone knows!!!!!!

Dorcha feeding the two chicks:

After waiting patiently in the line, little four did get some fish around noon at the Blackbush nest in Prince Edward Island. It was not a lot – a few bites and the skin at the end before Mum cleaned her beak. I am not clear if the little one had food earlier.

At 1259 Little Four is hoping for a private feeding. It certainly got a few bites before it was joined by another bigger sib who, in the end, frightened the little one to the rail (the little chick is very nervous).

The little one at Osoyoos has a leaf-lined nest and had some fish at 0614.

I believe we are losing at least one of the two osplets on the nest at Cowlitz or both. This nest desperately needs a huge influx of fish.

Clark PUD is doing well.

Two chicks at Port of Ridgefield are doing well.

The only hatch of Keke and Kam at Sandpoint looks alright. Small fish coming in – like all nests, they could use lots more fish to build up fat and strength. Little one is growing fast.

Trio at Santiam doing well.

Dixie Rother posted good news about the Glacier Gardens eaglets.

Pam Breci catches the fledge at Salt Point, Lansing, NY. Yeah.

Celebrations at Seilli Island, Finland. The famous Seili Island (Seilli) Osprey nest in Finland’s Archipelago Sea features adult ospreys Hildur and Stefu. In a highly celebrated milestone for 2026, the pair successfully welcomed three chicks that hatched on June 1, 3, and 5—a major event as three chicks had not successfully hatched on this specific nest in ten years.

Clark was out early. What an amazing family.

Iris keeps baby cool.

Charlie has been bringing in big trout for Mum and baby C22 at Charlo Montana.

McEuen Park osplets look alright but it also looks hot. I wish every cam had a temperature gauge.

The nest of Telyn and Idris at Dyfi is sure getting full!!!!

CJ7 and Blue 022 have a fuller nest at Poole Harbour Carey’s Secret Garden osprey nest! Four female chicks doing fantastic.

Elen and Teifi have three gorgeous ospreys at Glaslyn.

Two at Usk Valley doing well.

Llyn Brenig chicks behaving themselves at their Welsh nest. Fish came on. No great interest by chicks so off the adult went.

Toby and Hugo Yugo wish you a great day.

Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. Stay cool. Please remember the animals and leave out water. It is life saving.

Thank you to all of the individuals who posted information on FB and images, to Viki Volks for her observations at Island Creek, to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to observe these families, thank you, thank you.

Late, late Monday in Bird World

6 July 2026

Hello Again,

There are a couple of items that need to be sent out to you that were not in the earlier post. One of those is SK Hideaway’s videos for the week of the 28th of June. This is a remarkable list of videos covering many nests on several continents, please check all of them out for the latest information on these bird families:

SK Hideaways Videos, week of 28 June 2026

FOBBVCAM Eagles, Big Bear Valley, CA ~ Jackie, Shadow ~ eaglets Sandy and Luna (13 weeks old)
Courtesy FOBBVCAM | Friends of Big Bear Valley
Nest Cam:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE
Wide View Cam (Cam 2):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41eq4VzCYc4
Live Recap & Observations:  https://bit.ly/3Md8TSz

Sandy & Luna’s Reaction to Fireworks (2026 Jul 4)
While Sandy and Luna noticed the fireworks, they did not move from their roosts. It was a relief and a joy to see these strong, fearless eaglets hold their ground. 
Video: https://youtu.be/BtLJDMQ16sU
Sandy & Luna Put on Dazzling Flight Displays! A Busy Day Exploring (2026 Jul 3)
What a difference a day or two make. After spending the night together in the nest tree, Sandy and Luna got an early start exploring the habitat. Their flight skills grow stronger every day, along with their confidence. They stayed close together for much of the day ~ perching on a variety of trees. When they both departed the Sunny Hideout, they gave viewers a dazzling airshow that fans won’t soon forget. 
Video:  https://youtu.be/PJYYeCH6kQM

Sandy & Luna Reunite at Nest ~ Get 2-Fish Reward ~ (2026 Jul 2)
Four days after Sandy fell from the nest tree and three days after Luna fledged, the eaglets reunited on the nest. But before they did, they met on adjacent perches in their habitat ~ Luna on the Cactus Snag and Sandy making a great flight to the top of Sunny Hideout. 

They returned to the nest within seconds of each other and it wasn’t long before Shadow delivered the first fish of the day, followed shortly by fishes two and three (#3 not shown here). Fans got their wish of Sandy and Luna reuniting at the nest. We have a suspicion it may have been Shadow’s wish, too.
Video:  https://youtu.be/AMnXeJ1UCQw

Ace Flyer Luna Makes the Rounds ~ Sandy Makes an Appearance (2026 Jul 1)
It was a glorious day seeing the entire family throughout their beautiful habitat. Luna had a busy morning perching not only on all of Jackie and Shadow’s favorite perches, but also his very own, currently nameless, pine tree perch. He ended his camera time on the Lookout Snag and headed in the direction where cam ops later found the elusive Sandy. This reminded me of a time last year when the whole family – Jackie, Shadow, Sunny, and Gizmo – met up on the Lookout Snag, so I included a photo of that special morning in this video.

Sandy claimed a nameless pine tree of her own and snuggled in throughout the afternoon. Turns out this pine tree is very near Jackie and Shadow’s roost tree, so she’ll have four eagle eyes on her overnight. I’m guessing Luna is nearby.
Video:  https://youtu.be/ruisDc0Pm74

Luna Returns to Nest! The Lure of Fish! (2026 Jun 30)
Luna spent the night atop the Simba Tree ~ his first destination and first night away from the nest. He exercised his wings a lot throughout the morning, but when Shadow circle around with his favorite food, Luna put those exercises to work and flew straight home, squeeing all the way. He devoured his fish in about a minute and sent Shadow out for more. But Luna couldn’t wait for the next Dad Dash delivery, so took off again about an hour later, flying like an ace. We have a feeling we’ll see him again soon.
Video:  https://youtu.be/J56GjZBpKoU

Sandy Found!  Food Delivered to Simba Tree and Headless Tree Rock (2026 Jun 29)
Cam ops found Sandy snuggled in the Headless Tree this afternoon as Luna continued adjusting to his new digs atop the Simba Tree. Shadow brought fish to the nest, presumably to lure the eaglets to fly, but that wasn’t to be, so he took it to the Simba Tree. Luna’s not quite ready to make his way down, so Shadow nibbled on the fish himself. Awhile later, Sandy popped out from the bushes onto a nearby rock where a parent soon brought her a snack. All is going very well here.
Video: https://youtu.be/xlEMNAS4DFU

Luna Fledges in Grand Style ~ Meets Shadow on Simba Tree (2026 Jun 29, 9:24:43)
Luna gave it some thought and then launched from the high front porch perch. It was a beautiful sight to see. Well done, Luna!
Video:  https://youtu.be/lNSDqf2Av-s

Sandy Fell From Nest🍂 FOBBV May Have Located Her🎉 Phew! 😮‍💨
After a glorious morning of new milestones by Luna reaching higher heights on the Y branch and Sandy venturing further out on a front porch limb, the day dimmed. In attempting to return to the nest from the front porch by jumping over Sandy, Luna accidentally knocked Sandy off her perch. 

Sandy was lodged in branches at two points below the nest tree for awhile, but soon released and righted herself. She was soaring or flapping as she released ~ a very good sign. Then FOBBV reported that she had been seen flying on their security camera. Hopefully we’ll see her on the webcam soon. (2026 Jun 28)
Video: https://youtu.be/_I12FV2ZfX8


San Jose CH Falcons ~ San Jose, CA ~ Hartley, Monty; chicks Jet, Scout, Stewart & Walton (10 weeks old)
Courtesy San Jose City Hall Peregrine Falcon Cam | Predatory Bird Research Group
Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBSxPjy5sow
Ledge Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pp9TisLmLU
Roof Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQLhmV6bP6o

Scout and Walton Remain in the Territory ~ Still Ousting Parents in Fleeting Moments (2026 Jul 1)
In the waning moments of our time with Hartley and Monty’s 2026 brood, each sighting and each antic is a joy to see. Here, I also captured how Hartley and Monty slowly resume their lives as empty-nesters. They are bonding frequently, but still getting interrupted by chicks. This time Scout had the job of ousting them from the nest area, while Walton was more interested in snacking on the sunshade below. Video:  https://youtu.be/CVtrzagmHl4

Morning Mayhem with Jet, Scout & Walton
We continue to see Jet, Scout, and Walton regularly, while Stewart is exploring further afield. The three brothers roost together overnight on the louvers and then are often seen together in the morning hours. They still oust parents from the nest area whenever the opportunity presents itself and this morning was no exception. Monty continues to fall for the ploy. So grateful to be able to watch them during this formative time in their growth. (2026 Jun 28)
Video: https://youtu.be/V-ihIWce5MA

Sydney White-Bellied Sea Eagles ~ Australia ~ Lady and Dad
Courtesy Sea-EagleCAM@BirdLife Australia Discovery Centre, Sydney Olympic Park (https://www.sea-eaglecam.org/video.html)
Nest cam also at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw4pdgy3-U0

Lady Lays Egg #1!🥚 Welcome SE 37 To Be!🎊
Breeding season has begun for Lady and Dad with the arrival of egg #1. Here’s to seeing SE37 in 5 or 6 weeks. Congrats Lady and Dad!
Video:  https://youtu.be/7eusfpBt7ZY


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

After 23 Years Together, Cholyn & Chase Still Have Much to Discuss (2026 Jul 4)
In a 2-day compilation, I captured a number of conversations and interactions between Cholyn and Chase. Their relationship is fascinating and heartwarming. This video is an exercise in stopping to smell the roses, appreciating a marvelous partnership, and gratitude for the opportunity to enjoy the life of this spectacular couple. 
Video:  https://youtu.be/1kBjJ-C-8FI

I have been absolutely concerned about number 4, the tiny osplet, at Blackbush Osprey platform in Prince Edward Island. Please remember that it is difficult under the most beneficial conditions to raise four chicks to fledge. Maya and Blue 33 have had several clutches of four but only two clutches of four fledged. We are waiting for Blue 022 and CJ7s latest four to fledge and if they do, it will beat Maya and Blue’s record and another one – fledging four chicks in consecutive years. What makes the UK nests different? First, Blue 33 has fish right below his nest. Rutland is stocked for fishers as well as the wildlife. At Poole Harbour, CJ7 is not afraid to go out fishing for her kids.

I have not seen the female fish at Blackbush. I want you to send me a note and correct me if this is wrong. I check daily, many times, but that does not mean I see everything. Little four had some fish early Monday and bless its heart, had a crop from a later fish – a note from ‘PB’ raised my hopes again for this one. It has lived another day. If it survives, this chick will be able to survive almost anything.

‘PB’ also reports that the female at Santiam is going to fish for her family. What a year this has been in the US – it is the first year that I recall so many females just getting up and getting on with the entire job of caring for their chicks. They have a choice, and I believe, as I have said several times, they are so intelligent to consider the options. They can do nothing, and if the males bring in insufficient fish, one or more of their chicks will die. Second, they can leave their babies and go fishing so they have food to live (Mum, too). This choice means they cannot guard them, so they could be preyed upon. Of course, as Laura Culley would say, if they don’t bring the fish in, the babies will die regardless, so best be hopeful and try fishing. Jill led the pack at the Achieva Osprey nest, and she is still coming to the nest with fish for Big and Little. Those babies have no idea how fortunate they are to have her for their mother. What I hope is that they learned from observing their mother and that, too, will bring in fish for their osplets. What I don’t understand is that when there is just enough fish coming in, why don’t the females go out and fish, too? Like at Blackbush?

Here is Geemeff’s summary for today:

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 6th July 2026

The weather was wet and windy in spells, fish were delivered and eaten, but the only story of the day was the news of the return of 1JW to the Pego-Oliva marsh in Valencia. 1JW is the 2024 chick who was placed on a translocation programme in Spain, following horrendous weather conditions and Louis unable to provide fish, who went on to fledge and migrate. It is wonderful to see photos of him as a confident two year old back in the area where he fledged, which he now calls home. Link to the press release in the bonus section. Garry brought three fish for Aurora, taking the Nest One tally to one hundred and fifty three, and Louis brought four fish for Dorcha and the chicks, taking the Nest Two tally to two hundred and thirty seven. In other news, a chick appeared to lick raindrops off Dorcha’s plumage, and Garry & Aurora are leaving their nest and unviable egg unattended for much longer periods. Today wasn’t nearly as wet as expected but the forecast remains showing continuous rain through tomorrow evening, with an overnight low of 14°C and a high of 17°C tomorrow.

Today’s videos

https://youtu.be/McoLUkZUXV4 N2 A chick sees dad with fish before mum does 09.58.32

https://youtu.be/oI1WWqcWcUA N2 Louis brings fish two and ignores Dorcha’s calls to leave 16.10.11

https://youtu.be/p0A5bMT2AfQ N1 Garry hands over fish two and they both leave 19.16.52 

https://youtu.be/f-nzb9aWTCU N2 Fish three lasts just two minutes 20.27.15

https://youtu.be/VyRN14hbkJI N1 Aurora and Garry both leave after fish three is delivered 21.41.22

You’re invited to join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

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At the Osoyoos platform, Mum went for a break or to go fishing and Dad flew in with a fish. He left the whole fish on the nest. Mum returned with a fish, fed the only surviving baby, and then picked up Dad’s fish and began feeding it to. Mum and Baby will go to bed full tonight. Feeling thankful.

Little Clark could not have more devoted parents. Clark is ‘determined, focused, responsible, and very protective’ of his family. Iris has, from the very first bite she fed this chick, taken the best care making sure it is fed well and never in the hot sun. Delighted. The juvenile feathers coming in are so beautiful. They have a rich peach tone to them!

Still two lovelies on the Coeur d’Alene nest in Idaho.

I did not see any Red-tailed fledglings at the nest of Big Red and Arthur today. Big Red prefers that they are fed off the natal nest, and she likes to teach them how to hunt for squirrels and different techniques so they can eventually provide for themselves.

Oh, it is time for Toby and me to set up the camera that Cris gave me to track the visitors to the garden. I am hoping to see Brock at the feeding station. He has been seen, but not on our street. Has he found better food? He was about five city blocks away when spotted this afternoon. I am not technically inclined, so wish me luck. This camera appears to be made for people like me.

I hope the beginning of the week has been kind to you. I am already missing my son and daughter-in-law, and they haven’t even left yet. Tomorrow they will go to the daughter-in-law’s family cottage for a week. Ann will return. Tolu will come back, and life will seem normal. Meanwhile, I will be looking forward to Cris’s return in a week.

See you soon!

Thank you to SK Hideaways and Geemeff for their videos and summaries. I am so terribly grateful. Thank you to ‘PB’ for keeping me informed when I miss something, and to the camera owners; I am so grateful. Without you, we would not know about these families and their challenges.

Fish, Darvic rings, and death…Late Saturday in Bird World

4 July 2026

Greetings Everyone,

When I was a child, there was always a family picnic at the park or at my great-grandmother’s house to mark the 4th of July. They were all immigrants from Chur, Switzerland. The day meant a lot to them. The family had prospered and there was and still is family living in the farm and vinegard called ‘Hinterwald’ (Behind the Woods) outside of Chur. It was a wonderful day full of delicious summer food – fresh out of the various gardens – and always homemade ice cream. For those who are celebrating today, I hope that you had a fantastic time with loved ones and friends.

As a child, I loved the fireworks. Today, I know better and am a strong advocate for those funds to go to social programmes that help people, rather than money going up in smoke. I also wish that all the funds that will go into fireworks in the Big Bear Valley area and the nest of Shadow and Jackie had gone into the fund to purchase MoonCamp to safeguard this area for the eagles and all wildlife. Some States are outlawing fireworks altogether. I wish every State would take that enlightened stance.

SK Hideaways has a video of Sandy and Luna flying over this beautiful area – that does not need condos! https://youtu.be/PJYYeCH6kQM?

It was hot today. We had hoped that Toby would enjoy his sprinkler pad. Right now he is curious but a little frightened. We are not pushing him.

There is a heat dome over many parts of North America this weekend endangering the lives of the most vulnerable of the osplets on the nests.

At the nest of Big Red and Arthur, the fledglings are coming to the nest for prey deliveries by Arthur. https://youtu.be/ajyUBPXgxgs?

P1 and P3 are hanging out together on Bradley! Thanks Karel and BOGette. https://youtu.be/LCdQQA_Gv7Y?

A good news story for a change – from Geemeff. thank you.

https://www.quantico.marines.mil/News/Article/4530247/operation-homeward-bound-chesty-the-osprey-reunited-with-mother

One of the big news stories in Bird World is that Lady and Dad have their first egg at the White-bellied Sea Eagles nest in the Olympic Forest in Sydney, Australia. SK Hideaways celebrates this wonderful moment. https://youtu.be/7eusfpBt7ZY?

CJ7 feeds her four daughters at the Carey Secret Garden Osprey nest in Poole Harbour. Imagine – four girls. All requiring much more food to develop than four boys.

At the second osprey nest at Poole, the chicks were deemed to be all male.

Ringing also took place across the UK. The two chicks in the Usk Valley were also ringed.

Normal service has resumed on the Usk Valley nest. Here are some images of our osprey family taken from the live cameras this afternoon: Syfaddan, Clogwyn and their two chicks, Blue 0U0 and Blue 0U1, new rings clearly visible.

This morning (Saturday 4 July) the two UVO osprey chicks were ringed by a skilled team of experienced climbers and licensed ringers.

Chick 1, who is 37 day old, was ringed on its left leg with a BTO metal ring with unique no. 1087337 and on the right leg with a ‘Darvic’ ring, blue with white lettering with unique inscription W0U0.

Chick 2 who is 34 days old, was ringed on the left leg with a BTO metal ring with unique no. 1087338 and on the right leg with a ‘Darvic’ ring, blue with white lettering with unique inscription 0U1.

Young ospreys are ringed well before they fledge the nest to leave on their first migration to Africa. This allows for monitoring of the birds as they grow up, go on their migration journeys, return to the UK as two-year-olds and hopefully, pair up to breed successfully later in life. It will also contribute to the overall national monitoring of the species as they make their return to Britain and more recently Wales.

Take a look to see if you can spot their new rings on the live cameras: https://www.uskvalleyospreys.org/live-video-from-nest-both

UVO would like to thank all those involved with approvals in advance of, the support team during, and those on the ground (and up the tree!) directly contributing to the ringing operation.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 4th July 2026

Today was not nearly as wet as forecast, most of the day was dry with light winds, and Louis took advantage of that, delivering seven fish to Dorcha, raising the Nest Two tally to two hundred and twenty seven. It was a different situation over on Nest One – Garry LV0 was around, bringing moss and taking over when Aurora 536 flew off for a break, but didn’t bring any fish. An intruder was around, not seen on camera, perhaps that had an effect, or perhaps he delivered an early fish during the nest cam down time of approximately 6 hours from 03.15 to 09.10. His tally remains at one hundred and forty nine. Aurora didn’t go hungry though, as she had stashed a large piece of the previous evening’s third fish, and polished that off today. She continues to spend her nights on the nest covering the unviable egg. Tonight’s forecast is for light rain overnight with a low of 12°C, changing to heavy rain tomorrow with a high of 16°C.   

Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/O7GV0nWmHvs N2 Early breakfast arrives, it won’t last long 05.27.05https://youtu.be/rVSW7cgdnzw N2 Louis brings a second trout much larger than the first 08.56.09https://youtu.be/IJiOqlpiedE  N2 Louis has a well filled crop when he delivers fish three 

10.01.30https://youtu.be/k6X-v-fhieM N2 Dorcha takes fish four and tells Louis to leave 16.03.00https://youtu.be/s45SuhCekX0 N2 Chick downs the tail – tiny fish five lasted 4 minutes 19.32.31https://youtu.be/NImFgvpp-1c N2 Dark chick downs the tail, number six lasted 2.5 minutes 21.14.59https://youtu.be/JoelSju3lTo N2 Goldie downs the tail, number seven lasted only 2 mins 45 secs! 21.39.17

Why not come and join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam

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Chick number 2 died of starvation at the Chesapeake nest today.

Even though I continue to worry, Little Dewey did well today. Mum did not wait for Dad to show up – these females are really becoming titans! ‘PB’ gives us the low down of all the deliveries to our not so little Dewey.

Oyster Bay: They need food. I hope for three but…’PB’ comments on deliveries: “Oyster Bay 7/4/26….no fish all morning, then mom 12:42 finally delivered a large fish (Menhaden ?) #1 & #2 feeding. #3 could not get in there. Then Dad delivers a whole fish 12:59 and #3 rushes over to dad for food. Dad looked unsure what to do, he wanted to feed and tries one bite to #3. Unfortunately, #2 saw opportunity to get food from Dad and moves in. Dad only fed #2. #3 on Dads right was begging but no bites. Dad left with remaining fish 1:06. #2 gets a couple of scraps from mom. #1 Huge crop. Hope they can get more fish for #3.” And then a final great update from ‘PB’: “Great update to share: dad partial fish 13:37 & mom 13:58 fish, #3 ate well! “

Lamoine State Park: Late fish delivery by the female but the third hatch had nothing to eat. This is another sad nest that needs food. I even wondered if the adults had abandoned the nest.

Sandy Hook: Good deliveries.

Osoyoos: The only surviving osplet of the three has a huge crop.

Went back and caught another fish delivery from Dad at Osoyoos.

Santiam Canyon: Doing well with the fish deliveries.

Cowlitz PUD: Little crops.

OBX: Two lovely feathered osplets who need names. Go to the link at the bottom of the image.

Salmon Idaho: Lots of fish appear to have come in on Saturday.

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho: The two feathered chicks are doing well. Dad delivered a fish – their expressions really perked up when they knew a meal was coming!

Charlo, Montana: Chloe feeding C22.

Upper Newport Bay: Ripple and Robinson both had fish.

Boulder County: The trio look good!

Loch Doon: All is good. Heavy rain starts later and Angel returns to the nest to try and cover her chicks – who are large!

Smallwood: Looking good with lots of helicoptering by the osplets. We are close to fledge.

Rutland Manton Bay: Fledge window.

Minneapolis Landscape: Two chicks appear to be doing rather well. I had my doubts initially, but all is looking good.

Blackbush: Number 1 continues to peck on 4 – trying to deny food and injuring that already damaged head. This is one tough little 4 that so many are cheering on but this nest is going to need lots of fish if the dominance power moves by the big siblings on that tiny little one are to stop.

Ah, that’s it for me. Just a quick run-through. Son is coming over tomorrow to help me with a camera for outside – we have gone through two or three. None are perfect, and most require some kind of monthly subscription, which I am trying to avoid. What this means is that I am going to enjoy the day and not look at nests. I will see you on Monday. Take care, everyone.

Thank you so much to Geemeff, to all those who created videos, including SK Hideaways, Karel, and BOGette, to those who posted information on FB, and to PB for keeping me up to date on some nests I didn’t get a chance to check. Once again, thank you to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to watch these incredible birds.