Isabella Tree is one of my heroines. I would love to see this – her book. Rewilding reveals the trials and major hurdles Knepp Farm had to overcome to even begin rewilding the land and how it has proven instrumental in saving their farm and creating a home for species like White Storks that had abandoned the region.
If you are in the area
Ah. Very appropriate as we await the hatch in Melbourne and Orange, Cornell Bird Lab has an article on Peregrine Falcons!
JACKIE: Her Remarkable Life from Beginning to End ~ 2012 Feb 1 ~ 2026 Aug 10 Jackie was so many things to so many people. Creating a tribute to her life can only attempt to speak to the effect she had on our lives. Here then are glimpses of Jackie’s life, from beginning to end. I hope it brings comfort, joy, and wonder to all who are kind enough to watch. Video: https://youtu.be/egq0cQDHVi4 Additional gratitude to knarley123 for 2016-2021 footage Finale music “I Will Be Here” by Steven Curtis Chapman, performed by Keali’i Reichel
Shadow Waits at Nest for Kaydee ~ Tug-o-Stick, Bumping & Beaking Ensue (2026 Sep 25) Shadow arrived at the nest tree and perched for over an hour before Kaydee joined him. It wasn’t till her arrival that Shadow moved to the nest and shuffled a few sticks. In the two minutes that Shadow remained in the nest, he and Kaydee beaked, bumped, and jostled over a stick. It’s still early days and we are hopeless at reading their minds. So we’re grateful to observe, learn, and trust the eagles. Video: https://youtu.be/EtJP9XBJVqY
Shadow & Kaydee Unfazed by Massive Thunderstorm… Mostly (2026 Sep 24) Big Bear never fails to bring dramatic weather. Today’s big thunderstorm was no exception. Shadow and Kaydee perched separately throughout the onslaught ~ Shadow on the Cactus Snag, Kaydee on Twin Pines and then the nest tree. Kaydee decided to try out a few different nest tree perches; as she was trying to regain her balance from one of the high perches, a HUGE clap of thunder erupted. She lost her footing and flew off. No eagles were harmed! Video: https://youtu.be/4AIX1M9dwGI
Shadow Stays Close to HomeAfter Dawn Nest Visit with Kaydee (2026 Sep 23) Shadow and Kaydee sang in the dawn before making a quick stop at the nest and then the Lookout Snag. Kaydee went her way and Shadow went his. Lucky for us, Shadow chose a direction that allowed us to watch his late morning visit back to the nest and then to his now typical perch potato time on Twin Pines. Grateful for this quiet time with him. Video: https://youtu.be/yeQ2E1Uuwr4
F24 Humours SoggyM24 Who’s Determined to Stay on Eggs (2026 Sep 26) Like every male raptor I’ve ever watched, M24 loves incubating his eggs. Is it the warmth? The break from hunting? The paternal instinct? He won’t say. But it’s always a joy to watch him stubbornly stay firm atop their precious cargo. F24 is incredibly patient, letting him come to the realization that, yes, he is going to have to move. Just 4 days till pip watch! Video: https://youtu.be/3Hfr7jAx7v0
SE38’s Funny Antics ~ 1st to Lady’s Beak at Mealtime ~ SE37 Stays Calm (2026 Sep 23) SE38 is like a different sea eaglet from even a week ago. At 40 days old, SE38 it’s wonderful to see the character that he/she’s become and often first to Lady’s beak at mealtime. Similarly, SE37 (41 days old) has become calmer and confident in food security, which Lady and Dad have expertly provided. It’s a joy to see them both thriving. Video: https://youtu.be/7KK-W9bo6uQ
A Mystical OrnithologyDirected by Jeremy Seifert and Benjamin James Roberts, featuring J. Drew Lanham
In this short film, J. Drew Lanham exchanges calls with the birds that stopover at his home in rural South Carolina during their seasonal migrations. For Drew, these creatures are gods, transcendent beings who summon a response of reverence. Reverberating with sound, music, light, and ethereal cinematic expression, A Mystical Ornithology weaves a kinetic texture for the senses and evokes the paradox of love and grief within the changing nature of the seasons.
To watch the film, go to emergencemagazine.org
Lady and Dad on high alert at the Olympic Forest WBSE nest in Sydney in the early morning hours.
The first of the returnees to Tairoa Head meant that the bells were ringing last week!
Thank you for being with us today. Please take care! See you in a couple of days!
Thank you to SK Hideaways, Ventana Wildlife, Cornell Bird Lab and everyone who posts info on FB, writes newsletters, and to the owners of the streaing cams, we are always grateful.
Toby and I are out in the conservatory. The birds were fed along with The Girls, then my coffee, then Toby’s omelette and finally, our morning walk. The sky is heavy weith grey clouds and everything feels damp. It is decidedly autumn. The squirrels and birds are busy caching. A gallon pail of peanuts seems to disappear in the blink of an eye!
This morning Mr Blue Jay was waiting patiently.
Then, when Junior got his first peanut, he seemed not to know what to do with it. Was it because one of Dyson’s kits had arrived?
The images were all taken through the conservatory glass with the new camera. I am pleased!
Canadian author Margaret Atwood loves birds, especially Ravens. She shared this with her late partner. Graeme Gibson.
“Now, Gibson’s legacy is about to help expand humanity’s understanding of birds. On Friday Western University, in London, Ontario, announced that Atwood had donated C$1m (£540,000) to celebrate her late partner’s love of birds.
The gift will create the Graeme Gibson chair in avian biology, with the goal of better understanding the fundamental processes that shape how birds move, adapt and behave in an environment undergoing profound transformation.
You can read the ‘good news’ article in The Guardian here:
I missed the Webinar with Ben Wurst on the osprey decline in the Chesapeake Bay region. I hope it will be archived on YouTube. I will provide the link if that happens.
Osprey starvation is not new to those reading my blog. We have been discussing this for at least three years, but this year appears to be not only the critical breaking point (is it a point of no return?) but also a call for help from various agencies and individuals. Michael Academia and others have been sounding the warning for many years!
This is a huge study. Please look and act when you can.
“(Williamsburg, VA)— The Center for Conservation Biology at William & Mary has compiled the 2026 breeding performance results for osprey populations along the Atlantic Coast of North America. Within the Chesapeake Bay, breeding performance in ospreys has been poor for several years due to extreme food stress during the nesting season. Productivity has declined to critical levels that now threaten the stability of the largest osprey breeding population in the world. The primary objective for compiling osprey monitoring results for the broader Atlantic coast is to visualize breeding performance at scale and address the question “Are ospreys experiencing reproductive deficits in waters beyond the Chesapeake Bay?” The 2026 effort includes monitoring results for 2,886 pairs from 65 study areas across 10 states (Table 1, Figure 1).”
Please read Audubon’s Call to Action and sign the form at the link to help Ospreys. No money required – just a note to the commission, and please share extensively on social media and with friends and family.
Hope has returned to her nest at the Osprey Environment Centre after losing all three chicks due to a lack of fish.
We wait the arrival of the falcons in both Melbourne and Orange.
The wee sea eaglets are doing fine. SE38 isn’t backing down when it comes to food!
Shadow and Kaydee didn’t blink – Toby and The Girls would have hide with Toby howling – but not our new Big Bear couple. SK Hideaways got them: https://youtu.be/4AIX1M9dwGI?
Thank you for being with me. I am hanging in there. We are now 4.5 weeks into Don’s stay in the hospital. He was able to put weight on his feet three days ago and has walked some. He can feed himself on occasion. His communication is somewhat better. A day at a time, a day at a time.
Thank you to The Guardian, SK Hideaways, and everyone who is working hard to save the ospreys. Please do check out the posts and voice your opinion! Now is not the time to sit on our hands – it is time for action. Thank you also to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to look into the lives of these incredible birds.
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?
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.
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.
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.
A very happy but, sadly, belated ‘Happy Father’s Day’ to everyone who has ever cared for another living soul and to our raptor dads especially who work hard to provide for their families in a very rapidly changing world.
I so enjoyed my friend Ruth’s visit on Sunday. Normally, visitors are Don’s friends keeping tabs on him, so this was quite special for me! She brought me the most beautiful fabric – a William Morris Co ‘Blackthorn’ pattern on a heavy linen fabric. Now to contemplate what to do with this treasure.
The garden news is that the Crows have fledged their young. I cannot keep enough ‘meat’ on the bird table for them!!!!!! It is still unclear to me how many there are because they still want the parents to feed them. They have yet to make an appearance where I can get a photo of them, nor has Dyson stayed long enough. She has babies in a nest somewhere! And her trips back and forth are short, so it is close by.
There is, however, a lingering sadness around our entire block. Brock and another dear cat, Charlie, went missing on the same day. Everyone has looked, driven around, called, and now checked sheds and garages. My heart is very heavy. Brock was very special to me, and I hope that he miraculously shows up. If I do not see him in another week, I will have to accept that he is gone. That something happened. He was a sweet soul, and a tree will go up in his memory. I hope he did not suffer.
Photo taken by a neighbour last summer.
I find solace in looking at my bunch – they help keep me calm and they know better than to ever want to be outside! It is dangerous out there.
Toby thinks he is a Calico cat.
Thankfully, the fish have continued to come into Little Dewey at Dewey Beach. Heidi jokingly said not to tell Omega they had been bringing in Menhaden. We don’t know where Mum is finding them, but keep on – we still have more than a month to go before fledge, and Little Dewey is going to need lots of fish. Might we find a fairy in the neighbourhood?
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 21st June 2026
The weather was settled today, sunny and dry, and both males provided well – Garry LV0 brought three fish for Aurora 536 taking his tally to one hundred and twenty eight, and Louis delivered six fish including a pike, the Nest Two tally now stands at one hundred and seventy two. Dorcha was startled during one of Louis’ deliveries, but not nearly as startled as the chick who got an eyeful of poo from an ill-judged squirt by the other. Or perhaps not so ill-judged – the chicks had been fighting earlier and the one who came off worst was the one who squirted! The forecast is dry overnight with a low of 11°C but a possibility of light rain showers tomorrow, with a high of 22°C.
Everything you need to know about what is going on in the California nests by SK Hideaways!
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 20th June 2026
Another day where the main talking point was fish – Louis delivered both the season’s earliest fish at 03.21 and the season’s latest at 23.40, with both deliveries made while night cam was on, and put in his longest working day at 20 hours 18 minutes. His delivery of five fish takes the Nest Two tally to one hundred and sixty six. Louis startled Dorcha twice today, both times by appearing quickly – the first time she jumped up and winged him away, and the second time she let him land with his fifth fish. He had more problem deliveries, he caught his wing on a forked stick when bringing fish two, and he clattered that same stick departing after fish three. By contrast, Garry LV0 had no problems with either of his two deliveries to Aurora 536, and his Nest One tally rises to one hundred and twenty five. For a pleasant change there was more sunshine and less rain than forecast for today, and the mild sunny weather will continue with an overnight low of 10°C and a high of 19°C tomorrow.
Sandy & Luna Squeeze Onto Back Porch to Say Good Morning ~ Watch Helicopter (2026 Jun19) Luna and Sandy greeted viewers from the back porch, squeezed together like peas in a pod. A little later, their attention was turned to a helicopter flying overhead. We lamented the possibility of increased air traffic should the Moon Camp property be developed. We support the effort to stop any such development. Shadow then arrived with the first fish of the day, which Sandy quickly claimed. Luna would get the other half when Sandy had enough. If you would like to support the preservation of Moon Camp, learn more at https://savemooncamp.org/. Video: https://youtu.be/urk5hiJB95A
BIG ACCOMPLISHMENT! Luna Climbs to Y-Branch ~ Perches Even Higher (2026 Jun 17) Luna stepped up to the Y branch and kept going up! This is a big developmental accomplishment as fledge time approaches. Sandy was suitably impressed with Luna’s progress, but was content to manage her branches. Eagles typically fledge between 10 and 14 weeks, so the window is now open for Luna and Sandy, who are 73 days old. Males typically fledge first as they are smaller. Video: https://youtu.be/If_H8omr7nk
Fraser Point Eagles ~ Santa Cruz Island, CA ~ Cruz, Andor, Sasha (hatched 3/28), Zuma (hatched 3/30), Ryder (hatched 4/1) Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Fraser Point Eagles Cam Ops Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY4V_AppZ6s
BIG DAY AT FRASER POINT‼️ Zuma’s Fludge+Fledge ~ Partial Nest Collapse ~ Ryder’sNear Fludge (2026 Jun 20) The day began normally ~ Sasha bouncing around in the treetop, Ryder bouncing around the nest, and Zuma on the overnight perch. ~ Things got exciting when Zuma tried to descend from her perch to the nest and lost footing, falling to the ground. Ryder advised her to flap and asked if she was OK ~ turns out she was. ~ Later, while showing off her magnificent wingers, Ryder landed on the nest ledge, a big chunk of which broke off and fell to the ground, throwing up a big plume of nesting material. Fortunately, Ryder is much stronger than the first time she got too close to the edge (26 April 2026) and was able to recover and return to the nest. ~ We finally caught sight of Zuma at 12:47 (minute 7:46 in the video) as she made her way up the hill and took several short flights. We won’t wager on when she might return to the nest, but we’re quite confident that she will.
All in all, an eventful day at Fraser Point.
*Note: there has been no formal declaration of the eaglets’ genders. Our references to gender are just our best guesses. Video: https://youtu.be/AM7s0HwvKNY
Zuma Goes Out on a Limb ~ Explores Life Off Nest for 1st Time (2026 Jun 17) Call it branching or branch-hopping, Zuma went from the nest to a branch off the nest. A big accomplishment and deserving of praise. Zuma took up residency on that right side branch mid-afternoon and traversed back and forth several times before perching there overnight. Congratulations, Zuma! Video: https://youtu.be/3YbwXv9AAQY
Ryder & Zuma Choose Bounce House ~ Sasha Likes the Jungle Gym (2026 Jun 14) After Cruz and Andor filled the dawn with a beautiful duet, the eaglets began their morning chores. For Sasha that meant flying from one branch to another on her “jungle gym”. For Zuma and Ryder it meant strengthening their wings and legs with big wingers and jumps in their “bounce house”. The younger two seem content to watch Sasha explore the nest tree and beyond for now. We’re very happy for them to stick close to home as long as they’d like. Video: https://youtu.be/UcVY8wb2Ksk
Audacity & Jak Watch Sunset & Retire to Fave Night Roost (2026 Jun 17)The amazing IWS/explore cam ops team found Jak and Audacity watching the sunset before they retired to what I call the nest-watch roost. Such a treat to see them together ~ as sweet and bonded as ever. Video: https://youtu.be/CX4ZUTb8cy4
Fledglings Inseparable 2+ Weeks Post-Fledge ~ Parents Still Feeding (2026 Jun 15) All four fledglings were on camera today, beginning with their overnight roost on the louvers adjacent to the nesting area. Throughout the day, cam ops found them both apart and together (3 of them anyway with 1 just below). What a treat to see them all 2+ weeks post-fledge. As a bonus, we saw Hartley feeding them, Monty making a Dad Dash delivery, and the two of them bonding in the nest box. Video: https://youtu.be/u0dIuFbxwBs
Boys Perform Morning Aerobatics ~ Top Gun Training Progressing Well (2026 Jun 18) From dawn till dusk, the stellar cam ops team followed Jet, Scout, Stewart, and Walton ~ as well as Hartley and Monty ~ through their entertaining activities. ~ The morning brought incredible flying scenes followed by predictable loafing to refuel. ~ Scout interrupted Hartley and Monty when they attempted to pair bond in the nest, causing the long suffering parents to bolt from the area. ~ At day’s end, the boys came back together on the louver to roost, with an adult around the corner. An exciting and eventful day in San Jose! Video: https://youtu.be/rOC0Zu3gY6Y
Peregrines Hassle Cholyn ~ Chase Goes Talons Up ~ Cam Ops Give Us a Finale Treat (2026 Jun 19) Two peregrine falcons were unhappy with Cholyn and Chase’s presence, so became something of a nuisance. They swooped on Cholyn in the nest ~ she rose up and swatted at them. Then Chase arrived and soon went talons up when he was swooped. That took care of the nuisance. Once sure that the intruders were gone, Chase took his leave and cam ops gave us some stunning close-ups of Queen Cholyn. At the end, she and Chase exchanged beautiful chortles before she departed to meet him elsewhere. Video: https://youtu.be/b3HcKlH1X3U
‘CG’ sent us a video list from the Syracuse Red-tail Hawk nest where we have some fledging happening!
Home to Ruth, Oren, OR6, and OR7.
OR7 fludges at 46 days old on the evening of 6/12/26. After making a safe landing, flying here and there, he spends the night on a railing. https://youtu.be/FKUe7phkj7A?s
OR7 shows OR6 how it’s done. OR6 fledges at 51 days old 6/17/26. They spend the night together in a nearby tree. https://youtu.be/IZlav2VcHa4?
Videos by Sylvia’s Raptor Cam
Oh, wow. I am so grateful to Geemeff, SK Hideaways, and CG – it is great to get such good coverage of specific nests!
In Wales, Katherine Keir has kept everyone appraised as to Aran and I am happy to say that he got to celebrate Father’s Day this year with his new mate. It seems they have one chick.
Ping Shen writes about Harry and Sally in Seattle with some great photos!
“Harry and Sally’s 3rd chick hatched sometime between June 16 and 17, and Harry has been very busy making fish deliveries. Mom and the 3 Osplets seem to be doing well – fingers are crossed they can keep them fed and happy. It is still quite a joy to watch these parents tend to their new young – I didn’t visit as much last year during these early days and regretted it, so am trying to make up for it now!”
I need your help. My Memorial Page is missing eaglets, eaglets, hawks, and ospreys from the streaming cams that have died. Please take a look and send me a note, as I don’t want to leave anyone out. Don’t be shy! I have tried to keep them in chronological order but towards the end they aren’t.
There is something else that I am doing. This year, I hope, with the help of a much-too-busy Heidi, to put together a map. That map will show the nests that fledged their full clutch. I want to see where the successes are visually, and this is difficult to do on our forms. I do not believe there will be many on streaming cams who manage to raise all of their chicks, but I would like your input. When fledge comes, send me the nest name and location! I might already have it, but that is alright. We don’t want to miss any nest.
Breaking news: The Fraser Point nest of Andor and Cruz has collapsed. Ryder appears to be alright.
The second eaglet has died at the Lesser Spotted Eaglet nest in Estonia as was sadly expected. When the oldest didn’t kill it, the adult chose not to feed. They only fledge one no matter how many hatch. It is ‘their way’. In this instance, it was familial homicide.
Bety was aerating the nest at Mlade Buky around the single egg today.
A miserable day at Cornell nest of Big Red and Arthur. Not good for another fledge – drippy feathers and all. P1 is at the nest too, having fledged two days ago. No doubt they are all hungry!
Our baby at Hellgate is losing its little down and turning into a dinosaur! Do you realize that ospreys are some of the only dinosaurs to survive the dinosaur age? And we are murdering them as one of my reader’s states, in the NE USA -. They sent me a poster after reading about the Menhaden issues. I agree. Our planet is on life support and a few greedy corporations and people are killing her and all that is beautiful ———we simply cannot let that happen.
Small acts of kindness matter. A friend in London saw a pigeon drinking from a tiny, dirty puddle. They had a bottle of water and a cup in their car, and they went over and, in a safe place, left water for the bird. It went immediately. Remember. Water is life. It costs little to leave out a pan of cool water in a spot for wildlife. Please, if you can, leave out water, especially during these heat domes. Water is often more important than food.
Iris feeding her little dinosaur. Clark brought a huge whole fish for the family.
Iris makes me happy.
Thank you for being with us today. The rains are supposed to come down heavily the rest of the week, and today is packed with errands, including getting Toby’s nails trimmed. It was a joy being outside the last few days. I may take a day or two to write again. Summer is now officially here, and it will go by in a blink.
I want to thank Geemeff, SK Hideaways, CG, and Ping Shen for all their news! I really appreciate your generosity in sharing news with all our readers in Bird World. Thank you to the individuals who send out newsletters, post on FB with the latest information, and the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to view these amazing birds.
It was one year ago today that dear Dory, the mother at the Audubon Boathouse Osprey nest, was dragged off the nest and killed by a GHO. The owl’s presence was known and many have wondered why measures were never taken to protect the ospreys and their chicks from the owl. I continue to wonder because it is a boathouse. If you can rig up a camera you can set up red strobe lights that have been effective in keeping owls away from osprey and eagle nests protecting them and ensuring that neither the adults or the chicks die from those silent deadly attacks. Heidi included a remembrance for Dory today on FB. It is so sad.
It is a reminder for us to advocate for the protection of our beloved raptors (all wildlife).
Thanksk ‘SD’ for posting this as I might have missed it.
Ospreys delay construction! Thanks, ‘P’ and ‘Geemeff’, for bringing this to my attention!
SK Hideaways brings us all the news – and there is certainly drama – in their weekly videos! Thank you, SK.
SK Hideaways Videos, Week of 3 May 2026
FOBBV Eagles ~ Big Bear Valley, CA ~ Jackie, Shadow, Sandy, and Luna 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 Practices Bird Calls with Luna on Standby (2026 May 7) Sandy continues to engage with other birds, watching and responding to their calls. Perhaps Sandy is practicing to be the habitat hospitality manager. Seems quite fitting. Video: https://youtu.be/U-hHp0IQR4o On 1-Month Hatch Birthday, Sandy & Luna Turn In Early🧸Sleeping Beauties(2026 May 4) Happy 1-month hatch day Sandy, closely followed by Luna! After a 6-feesh birthday celebration, the eaglets snuggled up to sleep early. Sure looked like they were having some sweet eaglet dreams. Video: https://youtu.be/iua1Uf9HgOM
Sauces Canyon Eagles ~ Santa Cruz Island, CA ~ Audacity & Jak Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Sauces Canyon Eagles Cam Ops Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnTsOesC6hE Jak & Audacity Play Fish Keep-Away & Tinker On Both Nests (2026 May 8) Jak (21 years old) and Audacity (20) are as devoted and bonded as a couple of newlyweds. Jak teased Audacity with fish keep-away, they preened and chortled together on the dead snag, and, as always, tinkered on both their main nest and treehouse nest. What an endearing couple they are. Video: https://youtu.be/0D26L3qqKmg
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 Cruz & Andor hook 7 fish in under 2 Hours = 3 stuffed eaglets! (2026 May 5) Sasha, Zuma, and Ryder had already enjoyed 6 fish from Cruz and Andor earlier in the day. As evening approached, these super parents seemed to have a made a little wager about who would end the day as best angler. In under two hours, Andor won the prize, hooking 5 fish to Cruz’s 2. We’re absolutely certain the Princess let her Prince win, but let’s not tell him. Needless to say, the eaglets were dragging ginormous crops across the nest as they settled down for the night. Video: https://youtu.be/mg1jz5Kv7V0
Chicks Go From Fluffy Angels to Disgruntled Diners (2026 May 7)Early this morning, the chicks lined up for mealtime as usual, behaving like perfect angels. However, meals #1 and #2 seemed unsatisfactory to the little ones. They had much to say about the matter. Fortunately, meal #3 hit the mark. By the way, these 3 meals were delivered in under an hour. Hartley and Monty are super parents. Many thanks to the excellent cam ops team for capturing some priceless expressions (and thus allowing me to get super silly!). Video: https://youtu.be/reg9uBNq8Dg
Size Matters ! At 13 Days, Can You Tell If We Have 1 Male Again? (2026 May 3) At 13 days old, the chicks are beginning to show some personality and slight size differences. One chick in particular seems a bit smaller, so we could have a mini Monty again this year. We’ll find out for sure at banding time (exact date to be announced). Video: https://youtu.be/3tmjhIRtKz0
Mr. P Feeds Everyone ~ Brooded Chicks Pop Heads Out for Bites (2026 May 6) Mr. P and Mrs. P are extraordinary parents. Mr. P is a very keen dad, always wanting to feed someone ~ anyone. When the chicks aren’t interested, he feeds Mrs. P. If the chicks pop their heads out from beneath mum, he feeds them, too. This family has taken “cuteness overload” to new heights. Video: https://youtu.be/G9En47Jdiy4
3 & 4 Day-Old-Chicks Await Meal as Dad Feeds Mum & Wind/Rain Squalls (2026 May 2-3) Mrs. P enjoyed an evening meal fed to her by Mr. P. We didn’t know that a storm was brewing nor what laid beneath Mrs. P. The wind and rain whipped through the nest all night, but Mrs. P kept her treasure well-covered. When the storm calmed, we finally learned that there were four 3- and 4-day old chicks with beaks ready and waiting for breakfast. Congrats Mr. & Mrs. P! Video: https://youtu.be/e5MAJD0M6QE
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 10th May 2026
Apart from a change in the weather to cooler and wetter, today was much like yesterday – calm and routine, with fish deliveries and incubation changeovers. Louis brought three fish for Dorcha taking the Nest Two tally to fifty three and is on the verge of overtaking Garry LV0. Garry brought two fish for Aurora 536, taking his tally to fifty five, but did she drop the first one? And is what we call the first one actually a second one, is Garry bringing a fish during the nest cam down time, based on Aurora not seeming frantic when the first fish we see is delivered? That’s all speculation as only fish deliveries seen on camera are counted toward Steve Quinn’s fabulous fishy facts. The overnight forecast for the nest area is a low of 1°c
and the rain tapering off to partly cloudy, changing to light cloud and a gentle breeze tomorrow with a high of 11°c.
There was a lot of worry about the third hatch at Big Red and Arthur’s nest and many questions as to whether or not Big Red had fed it. She certainly has! Big Red loves to feed her chicks. She even had them sunning themselves and knew to let the breeze and nature dry out that nest and her chicks. She is an incredibly experienced mother who will often fill up the big one and then offer more and more, a practice that stops a lot of competition for food.
H72 fledged/fledged at Duke Farms today and was located nearby in a tree.
It was a good Mother’s Day for Jill at Achieva as Jack came in with three fish today to add to her own catches for the nest.
Ater the successful rescue at the Dale Hollow Nest, the AEF has decided to name the adult eagles. Here is their announcement:
Thank you so much for being with me today – a day where we remember those females, whoever they are and whatever species, that care for others. I hope your day was lovely. Take care. See you soon!
Thank you to everyone who sent me notes, to those who posted information on FB, to Heidi for remembering Dory, to SK and Geemeff for their great videos and news, and to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to watch our favourite birds.
I am so sorry to write and tell you that the only egg of Jak and Audacity that carried such hope for another Betty Lou this season has broken.
Send out your love to this amazing Bald Eagle couple. They tried so hard and we hoped with them.
At the Fernow Tower nest of Big Red and Arthur on the Cornell Campus, our 23-year-old Queen of the Red-tail Hawks and her mate, Arthur, have brought in the first sticks to their nest. Cornell Bird Lab caught it on video. https://youtu.be/dERgvuToQS4?
Do we think that Jackie and Shadow are thinking about a second clutch? SK Hideaways has them looking at that nest in the snow. https://youtu.be/2PqA-NX63FY?
So sorry to have to send the news about Jak and Audacity. We were so hopeful. There is a snowstorm on its way here that will begin in a few hours. Heavy snowfall warning with perhaps 16 cm. We will be fine. Please take care of yourself…and before I leave I want to show you an image that ‘R’ sent me from Gainsville, Florida. You might think that nest is in the palm tree but it is on a pole on the other side! Thanks, ‘R’. We will look forward to any report of little ones!
Thank you to Cornell Bird Lab and SK Hideaways for their videos, to the IWS/Explore.org for its camera at Sauces and to each of you for loving our raptor families. Thank you to ‘R’ for that great photograph.
It might be the shortest day, but it also harks back to the days when they were not longer. It is a welcome day in our house because it has been getting dark by 1630.
So what is Winter Solstice? This is what Google said: “Winter solstice rituals focus on welcoming the return of light after the longest night, often involving candle lighting, feasting, creating altars with natural elements (evergreens, stones, candles in white/gold/green), and intention setting like writing and burning wishes or fears to release them, reflecting ancient traditions of Yule, Saturnalia, and Dongzhi that celebrate rebirth, renewal, and hope.”
There are so many ways to celebrate the solstice. The Nordic countries do a fantastic job of lighting up their community spaces and their homes, creating a warm glow using candles. I would love to do that with real beeswax candles, but the last time I tried, Missey almost caught her beautiful, fluffy tail on fire. So I decided to do some research, and here are some other ways to celebrate. I particularly like number 6: “6. Connect with nature:
Spend some time outside, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Take in the beauty of the winter landscape and appreciate the natural world around you. In these darkest days, seeking sunlight on your face becomes even more important. A brief moment in the sun can lift your mood, boost your energy, and remind you of the light slowly returning with each passing day. If you’re near water and feel called to it, cold water swimming can be an invigorating way to connect with nature and your body. Immersing yourself in cold water sharpens your senses, grounds you in the present moment, and leaves you feeling refreshed and alive. Whether it’s standing under the sun, walking through frosty fields, or dipping into icy waters, connecting with nature during the Winter Solstice invites us to align with the Earth’s rhythms and find peace in its beauty.” Oh, I don’t think I am brave enough to take a plunge in our icy rivers but a nice walk with Toby in the park will be perfect.
Toby’s friend, Nellie, is already to make some holiday memories with him and The Girls.
This is just the best news about Girri. We knew she was a strong girl! And thankfully the weather has been brilliant after her fledge. Please read and smile. (There is older news below).
Jak and Audacity have been together for eleven years. We have witnessed their triumphs and their struggles. Cried and leapt for joy. SK Hideaways gives us their history. Enjoy. https://youtu.be/jCVVKQNIbfw?
News on Girri on the Falcon Cam chat: “21 DEC BOX 04.38.50 distant call heard; 04.41.52 D out; Gimbir in box 05.51.33, 06.12.22, 06.22.01, 06.31.00, 10.03 44; Girri update: seen by Cilla in roost trees this morning!”
Gimbir is in the scrape. What an amazing first-time dad he was!
There could be a pip in the second egg at the SW Florida nest of M15 and F23. I sure hope this second hatch is strong and feisty.
E26 is doing great!
Protecting Mum and the nest. M15 is one of those great Bald Eagle dads!
NestFlix Memories gives us some insight into little R9 and Mummy Rose moving the fish to give it some room! https://youtu.be/dyxhLia-f6c?
There is a pip. R10 is wanting to hatch!
Feeding at Dade this morning:
Missing Big Red and Arthur and those cute little Red-tailed hawklets? Well, here is a video of the season’s highlights for you to enjoy. https://youtu.be/0PY02IzVD48?
Have a glorious day everyone! We will see you tomorrow after all the drama of Nellie’s arrival has settled. It is -28 C. Whew. So cold you don’t feel it. Bye.
Thank you so much to Cilla Kinross for her report on Girri and those lovely photos, the owners of the streaming cams, Gracie Shepherd for her FB posts, and SK Hideaways, always, for their videos!
It is just past 2300 on the Canadian Prairies on Sunday evening the 23rd of October. Within the hour we are supposed to have the beginning of thunderstorms that are forecast to last through all of Monday. We could use the moisture. It is always good when the trees and shrubs get a really good soaking before the ground freezes.
And we did. The thunder boomed throughout the nite and everything is soaked this morning. The wind is gusting and there are few birds at the feeders. The only ones that appear to be nonplussed by it are the Blue Jays. What a change from yesterday when the sparrows and finches were splashing about in the bird bath. Today they are hiding at their roost.
It is always great to get a picture of Ernie, everyone’s favourite Port Lincoln Osprey. This image was taken by Pam Hewstone and posted on Fiends of Osprey FB page. His tracking indicates that Ernie continues to hang around the Main Wharf and the ‘silos’. This image was taken at Delamare Beach where Ernie and Dad like to fish together. Oh, he looks so good. Can’t see how that talon is growing back in but, it looks like Ernie is having no problem catching good sized fish. He already has a nice-sized crop.
Friends of Ospreys have been erecting Osprey platforms. You might recall they put in place one on Turnby Island for the bonded couple whose eggs were always predated when they laid them on the ground. Sadly, the two eggs the couple laid this year are now 45 and 46 days old and deemed unviable.
Monday was a really good day at Port Lincoln. What a joy to watch Middle be able to enjoy a meal without once being beaked by Big. Ironically, if you just started to watch this Osprey nest and knew nothing of the background and what happened a little over a week ago, you will talk about how calming it is to watch the ospreys fed by Mum. Big is 36 days old and Middle is now 35 days old.
So far there have been three feedings on Monday at Port Lincoln. There will be more at all of the nests as Canada slips into evening and darkness.
They came at 06:57:57. That was a flat striped fish. The second fish was at 0908. Middle Bob got the lion’s share of that fish and waddled away with a big crop. The third fish landed on the nest at 13:07:52. It was a huge fish. Mum and the two ospreys are going to eat well. So far Middle is doing well and the last I checked he was already getting a nice crop. Just brilliant.
Middle is the chick closest to the viewer. Notice that nice crop. Just look at how much of that fish is left. Everyone is going to have a good feed — including Mum! Thank goodness.
Seriously. Did you think you would ever see Middle with a crop like the one he has on display?? And just look at Mum. The two ospreys full and she is finally getting to enjoy a fish lunch, too.
For two days now this nest has been calm. It took Big 33 days, not 28-30 to settle but, in the end, she did. Grateful.
Middle and Big are at the age that Mum can now roost over on the ropes if she wishes.
Middle and Big do a lot of preening all day long keeping those feathers that are coming in good shape. Oh, didn’t you love it when they left that Reptilian stage and got this gorgeous plumage that is coming in. ‘R’ and I decided awhile ago that the juvenile Osprey plumage is much prettier than the adults.
Rubus and Indigo have had their second feeding. Xavier flew in with what looked like a Rainbow Lorikeet to me – and I will happily change that. It is the closest I could come to identifying that multi-coloured prey item that Xavier brought to the scrape at 092921. Oh, Rubus was ravenous. I have no idea where this eyas puts all of this prey but this wee one sure has an appetite! Xavier does a great job feeding his babies. Diamond doesn’t arrive for 12 minutes- the feeding is almost over. Xavier fed both Rubus and Indigo nice big bites.
A nice big pigeon arrived at 11:40 – all part of a crash landing by Dad (?) into the scrape box. Everyone had their fill and immediately starting working on those leg and wing muscles. ‘H’ notes that Dad fed them for 12 minutes while eating himself for about 25% of the time.
There was once again 5 feedings at the 367 Collins Street scrape yesterday. They came at 0634. That feeding lasted 18 minutes. A second feeding was at 1120 for 16 minutes then the 3rd hot on the heels of the second at 1140. Then there was a break with the 4th feeding at 1707. The Melbourne Four ate well. Then Mum came in with a pigeon at 1859 and looked around and only fed for about 1.5 minutes. ‘H’ thank you for the times and the notes. Mum and Dad need to coordinate their delivery times!!!!!!!!
It is now past midnight. The day is halfway over at our Australian nests. Everyone is doing fantastic. The Melbourne Four are growing faster than any good weed in your garden! Rubus continues to bug Indigo by following her everywhere. Such a sweet character. Most of all Middle is a confident Osprey. That nest is just so satisfying to watch now. I do hope that it continues. The banding of Big and Middle will take place in about 3 weeks.
In migration news, there are no new transmissions from Karl II and Kaia. Last time we heard from them Karl II was near Aswan in Egypt and Kaia was in Chad. I can also not find any new information on Bonus who has spent much time in Romania. The real news has come from little Waba who was in Turkey, flew near to Beirut and is now in Israel and has been feeding at some fishponds there.
While it is expected that there will be little transmissions coming from certain areas in Africa, I really do hope that we hear from Bonus soon.
The Bald Eagles are continuing to do their nest building. For those who watched Little Bit ND17 at the Bald Eagle nest in St Joseph’s Park in South Bend, Indiana, both Mum and Dad have been working on that nest. They are making slow progress. Harriet and M15 are doing a terrific job. Both couples lost their nests – Harriet and M15 in Hurricane Ian and the nest at Norte-Dame just fell apart. It is amazing what eagles can do in a short period of time. An adult has been on the perch at the Achieva Osprey nest in St Petersburg. I could not see its head to determine any markings. That nest is going to need a lot of work. In Redding, California, Liberty and Guardian are also working on their nest. Liberty has been using this nest for 18 breeding seasons. She has fledged 26 eaglets and has had 3 mates. Liberty is 24 years old and Guardian is 9 years old. Bald Eagle season is not far away!
Thank you so much for joining me. Take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their streaming cams where I took my screen captures: Friends of Osprey and Pam Hewstone, Port Lincoln Osprey, 367 Collins Street by Mirvac, Looduskalender, and Charles Stuart Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross.
Akecheta looks down proudly at his two babies as the third is almost hatched at the West End Bald Eagle nest on Catalina Island.
Thunder and Akecheta may not have had any fledglings for 2020 and 2021 but, they will make up for it this year. The third egg has almost completely split the egg as I write this!
They are both going to be so busy. If you want to join in the fun, I will post the link to their streaming camera at the end.
Here are some captures at the West End nest today. Cheta looks like he is trying to figure a way to feed the chicks while brooding!!!
Isn’t that the cutest little fluff ball?
The two siblings together looking out as the youngest is trying hard to get that shell off!
Or is Cheta trying to feed himself and the babies!!!!!!! He sure loves being there when the little ones hatch. He assisted chick 2 by removing half of the shell. What a dad.
Cute.
It is hot at the nest today. Cheta and chick 1 are panting.
Our gorgeous dad – hot but happy – waiting for his third baby ever to hatch!
It’s 12:11 and Thunder has come to the nest making the cutest little chirping sounds wanting a turn. I wonder if she knows how Cheta tried to feed them?!
It is not going to be long until the third chick is fully hatched. The crack around the middle of the egg looks like it might be complete.
Here is the link:
Awwww. It is so hot up on top of that rock on Catalina Island!
Thank you so much for joining me. It is eggciting and it will be fun to watch these two, Thunder and Akecheta, as they manage all those babies!!!!!
Thank you to the West End Eagles for their streaming cam where I took my screen captures.
