Tag Archives: Captiva

Day 7 Welcome to Winter as incubation continues for our eagles

9 December 2025

Hello Everyone,

Winter is truly here. Snow is falling regularly. The temperature has warmed from the frigid cold of a few days ago to a balmy -9. Our walk with Toby as the snow danced down was wonderful. -9 C is just perfect winter weather. Toby loves the snow. He jumps and plays sniffing every tree or bush along the path.

This is Ellen’s photo from Monday morning. Ellen comes on Mondays and Thursdays. All I have to do is say her name, and Toby’s eyes literally light up. When she arrives, he jumps up and down for joy. Our lad loves his walks. They usually go from 1.3 to 1.7 km in half an hour. Toby is truly tired when he gets home.

One of the things I often get asked is how we stay warm in such cold weather. First, our houses are super insulated, and ours has triple-pane windows with a gas-filled cavity between the mullions and special glass that holds the heat in winter and dissipates it in the summer. Doors fit super tight. Our heating bills can be high, especially in January and February. We dress to go outside. Our coats are rated to -40 C. Our coats are ‘800 fill down’. This means that one ounce of this down expands to fill 800 cubic inches. Our coats are fluffy, very lightweight, and super warm, as are our boots, which are also rated to -40 C. We wear natural materials such as wool. I find a cashmere turtle neck layered with another sweater works when it is truly around -30 C. Hats and gloves are lined, and we have scarves of every thickness and size. I find that when we are moving, we stay warm, but when we stop to chat with other dog walkers, we often start to feel cold, especially our toes.

Holidays are just around the corner, and during the days and weeks ahead, your lives will get busier. Hanukkah begins at sunset on the 14th, Christmas is on the 25th, and Kwanza, St Stephen’s Day, and Boxing Day are on the 26th. For my friends in Japan, the tradition of cleaning comes just ahead of the new year celebrations. Oh, how I would love to be in Kyoto munching on mochi!

Calico reminds all of us that it is the precious time we have together, not the money or the presents (the stuff we will happily discard later), that make us joyful or peaceful. So, please, take a breath. Please just put away the credit card if it is out of your wallet, and think of something that you can do for someone to help them. It could be an afternoon of babysitting. Or taking someone for a walk and giving a caregiver free time? Why not find some objects and greenery and make some small wreaths for friends? Or cook them a simple meal – it does not have to be elaborate. Remember it is the time together that is important. I cannot tell you how much Thursday afternoons with my daughter, Jaine, taking Don out for a long walk means to me. I cannot put it into words. Made some homemade jam? Put a ribbon on it! What a lovely gift. Be creative and smile after the holidays because you will not be agonising over how to pay for them. Then send Calico a ‘thank you’. She would love to hear what you did that didn’t cost ‘the bank’.

Calico found a great article in The Guardian, ‘Shop secondhand, shred your veg and try ‘furoshiki’ wrapping: 14 easy ways to cut Christmas waste’. Grab a ‘cuppa and have a good read. I do love the orange peel stars. We are going to work on that this week!

Shop secondhand, shred your veg and try ‘furoshiki’ wrapping: 14 easy ways to cut Christmas waste |Download

Snow is dancing down. It is really quite beautiful and festive. I will try and capture some of their beauty with the camera phone.

The early morning, but most especially the time right before the sun begins to set around 1600, is magical. There is a golden glow to the light. All of the garden animals are out eating – the Chickadees, the four grey squirrels, Little Red, the Starlings and Sparrows, Mr and Mrs Crow and, sadly, only a single Blue Jay today. This worries me, but we will see about tomorrow. Maybe there will be two.

As I mentioned at the beginning, the frigid temperatures disappeared on Monday, and it was wonderful to be outside in the snow. Toby loves the snow. He runs, jumps, and rolls in his snow suit, and he doesn’t even mind having his boots put on. Boots, you say? Boots for a dog? They have super grip on the bottom, and that keeps him from slipping on the ice while protecting his back legs. We don’t want any dislocations!

On Wednesday, we have hired a local photographer to take some very informal and fun photos of Don and me – and Toby, of course, at our local park. ‘The Girls’ would not sign the waiver!!!!!!! We have not had our picture taken together in any professional way for decades – and I do mean decades. I am so excited. We are just hoping that the warmer temperatures will hold. If they come out, I will be posting them here on the blog.

Pepe and Muhlady’s first hatch at North Central Florida (Superbeaks) Bald Eagle nest has been named Mira. I stopped covering this nest because the owners of the Superbeaks streaming cam took exception to Heidi posting videos of the nest. Over a year later, it appears that the owners have had a change of heart. Paul Kolnik on Bald Eagles 101 now states that they have said that it is alright to post videos and images from the nest on social media.

I have no idea what the term ‘professional scraper’ means, so I am including a FB post today by Maria Johnson so you can see that little grey fluff ball. Since I do not earn any income from my blog, I assume the term does not apply to me. That said, I will rarely post anything from this nest until there is a clear understanding of what is meant by the term. I do love Pepe and Mulady – they are incredible eagle parents.

Pepe has brought in prey, and both adults have fed Mira.

Egg number 2 has a hole and egg number 3 has a crack. Mira will have brothers and/or sisters soon.

The Laysan Albatross are incubating eggs on Kauai. Hob Osterlund keeps us up to date – check out the battle for incubation. Doesn’t this look familiar?

Big things are happening at Big Bear Valley for Jackie and Shadow, and they are really early this season. Has this pair figured out that laying their eggs earlier might lead to a higher hatching success? SPO gives us all the details!

Shadow Brings the First Fluff of the Season | Big Bear Eagles Nest Update 12.7.25 – SPODownload

Beau and Gabby continue to take turns incubating their eggs. Do you remember when Gabby had more suitors than days in the week? We wondered if V3 was worthy. There was blood and skirmishes and that first year everything went sideways after Samson disappeared. Then we wondered if Beau was up to the task of fathering after burying the egg. We learned that he is up to the task last year. Fingers crossed that this one is even better for one of our favourite Bald Eagle couples.

The camera operators at the Trempeauleau Bald Eagle nest in Wisconsin (Raptor Resource Project) are to be commended. We got a beautiful look at the nest and surrounding area. Mr T has been chortling with Mrs T. I wonder if he is also doing the same with the ‘other Mrs T’ on the other side of the lake?

Snow in Iowa at the nest of Mr and Mrs North at Decorah.

At the US Steel nest of Irvine (Irv) and Stella, Pix Cams caught the pair fishing and soaring. https://youtu.be/SSV1vj5o09o?

Snow covers the nest at ND-LEEF in South Bend, Indiana.

It’s a little warmer on Captiva where Connie and Clive are incubating their two eggs.

Warmer at Fraser Point, home of Cruz and Andor.

Jolene and Boone are at their nest in Johnson City, Texas.

Ron and Rose – oh, I do love Ron. What a character! Incubating eggs in the heat of a Florida winter.

Knepp Farm reintroduced White Storks to the south of England. Now London will be getting their own in a rewilding programme. Can you feel the smile on my face?

White storks to make historic return to London in 2026https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/dec/08/white-storks-return-london-barking-and-dagenham-2026-rewilding?CMP=share_btn_url

Saving Monarchs posted this really informative image on FB. We have always had a lone rabbit coming to our garden in the winter. This year is no different – it appears that the large rabbit population of fifteen years ago has dwindled due to habitat destruction and road collisions.

Since it is the holiday season, Everything Gardening posted a very appropriate information poster on what can harm wildlife. Please look it over and make certain that you have not inadvertently put decorations outside that will harm our beloved friends.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care of yourself. We look forward to having you with us tomorrow as we continue our daily check in as we lead up to more eagle hatches.

Thank you to the owners of the FB groups and their posts, to The Guardian for covering wildlife stories and the environment, and to the owners of the streaming cams that give us a glimpse into the lives of these amazing raptor families.

The little fluff ball has a name…Monday in Bird World

17 November 2025

Hello Everyone,

It is a beautiful Saturday on the Canadian Prairies. On Friday, many towns in and around Winnipeg reached a high of 16.7 degrees C, the highest temperature recorded in Canada that day. It was truly uncharacteristically warm, and thus worrisome.

I am actually sending this post out Sunday evening instead of Monday morning. I hope this is not too confusing! Monday morning is going to be very hectic. Toby has an organized dog walk with Ellen and then we are going to fetch our friend Ruth who is coming for lunch with a pop in visit by our daughter. Enjoy!

Oh, how nice it is to have you with us today. I hope that everyone has been watching that cute little fluff ball of Gimbir and Diamond. He or she now has a name – Girri – and thankfully it is one of two syllables that is easy to pronounce!

Cilla Kinross broke down the votes – but look at the number of votes. That is a fantastic response!

I have the listing from SK Hideaways of her weekly videos but this one is particularly cute. Can we truly take our eyes off little Gimbir, first-time dad, and his little baby!?? https://youtu.be/SyatpPaTnJU?

Is it my imagination, or is Gimbir getting much more time with his chick than Diamond allowed Xavier? Gimbir even tries to brood the baby! Or is Diamond just away a little longer and doesn’t see the interactions?

There was lots of activity and SK Hideaways has caught it on video:

skh_videos_wo_110925Download

We love that little fluffball of Gimbir and Diamond. Can you imagine someone stealing it to sell for profit? Well, Raptor Persecution UK is following a court case for someone who does just that!

Worcestershire man faces 21 charges in relation to possessing & trading wild Peregrines – Raptor PerDownload

Some of the cute stills of Gimbir feeding the little one for the first time. This is precious.

Look how big Diamond is compared to Gimbir in the image right above.

Just imagine Gimbir and Diamond arriving at the scrape with that precious baby gone?

Raptor Persecution UK continues to follow the plight of the Hen Harriers especially those found dead in and around the large hunting estates. You might recall that I reported on five little Hen Harrier chicks stomped to death several years ago. Their mother has now been found dead, and once again we are made starkly aware of how dangerous the lives of these amazing birds are!

Hen Harrier ‘Susie’, whose chicks were stamped to death in 2022, has been found dead on a North PennDownload

The American Bird Conservancy’s Bird of the Week is the Lewis Woodpecker. How much do you know about this bird of least concern?

Lewis’s Woodpecker – American Bird ConservancyDownload

We have, just on time, the second egg for M15 and F23 at Southwest Florida.

Rose and Ron have their second egg at the WRDC nest. Heidi gives us the details: #1 laid 11/12 @ 14.49, Egg #2 11/15 @15.08

Connie and Clive have their first egg on Sunday, the 16th, at the Captiva Bald Eagle nest by Windows to Wildlife on Sanibel Island, Florida.

Looking for eggs for Gabby and Beau at NE Florida Bald Eagle Cam (AEF) by next Monday. Fingers crossed.

Haku and Akecheta were on and off the top of Tor looking out at the pelicans.

There is a new camera for the West End nest. Check it out – what a view! Thank you, IWS.

Sometimes highlights are being played. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/live/wfuqjSNXZ14?

Snow on the nest of Jackie and Shadow at Big Bear Valley on Sunday.

Both eagles at US Steel.

Both eagles at Cardinal Land Conservancy. Will there be an egg soon?

On a sad note, Blaze has not been seen at the Eagle Country nest for eleven days now.

I am enchanted with what is happening at the Sydney Sea Eagle nest this year. Lady and Dad arrive at the nest in the early morning with prey and no sea eaglets. They begin to defeather, looking around, and then both eaglets fly to the nest! In all the years I have watched this nest, this has never happened (at least to my memory). Does anyone else remember a year where the fledglings could fly freely around the forest returning to be fed? Please let me know!

This just brings tears to my eyes and I hope yours, too. These two eaglets from the Olympic Forest in Sydney will surely survive. They will get strong, learn how to hunt and beat those darn Currawong!

Just over the moon – almost beyond giddy. How long have the supporters of this nest have waited for a season like this one?

‘A’ has sent in a lot of commentary, and I need to post it, as I have been sending out little blurbs when an event has happened without a comprehensive narrative. I know how many of you enjoy their ‘take’ on what is happening in and around Australia, so here we go – albeit some out of order. Enjoy.

“It is nearly 8pm in eastern Australia and starting to get darker (it won’t be dark for a while yet with daylight savings) and both our eaglets are settling for the night on the branches above the nest. Lady is also perched nearby, in the nest tree. As I said, this is a family unit, working together. It is wonderful to watch, and the eaglets are gaining in confidence by the day. I have not seen this before. I hardly dare to hope that this really is the season they will succeed but I have felt that all along, as you know, and it is beyond thrilling to see the eaglets flying with confidence, returning to the nest for food and rest, and refusing to be cowed by those damned currawongs. “

“The upshot is that all three chicks have fledged and that one of those three has successfully returned to the ledge. Mum brought a snack too, which is encouraging – I am hoping we see all three return to the ledge. As I said, I’m hoping no news will be good news in terms of their welfare and whereabouts. 

I will keep an eye on the cameras to see if we get any returnees but you would be best keeping an eye on the Facebook group – I am not a member of Facebook and refuse to become one at this late stage, but it might be worth it at this stage of events for the Collins Street group. It is exciting news that all three have fledged successfully and each one of the three appeared to fledge strongly and confidently. It terrifies me to even think about how difficult it is for young falcons to learn the intensely dangerous skills involved in their hunting technique, but I suppose this is where the parents play yet another critical role. I have been tremendously impressed by these parents, and the moment the crash landing back into the gutter occurred, a parent (probably mum) was immediately in the frame, doing a fly down (probably following the chick) to check that the chick was okay, indicating that the parent in question had been very close by during that fledge and obviously supervising everything that was going on. I do hope that indicates that these parents are going to be good teachers of their chicks. So many times during this season, I have been astounded at the size of the prey items brought to the ledge. These parents are very good hunters – let’s hope they’re great teachers as well. I suspect they might be. How wonderful would that be? There must be room for at least one more pair of peregrines in the CBD area. I’m still wondering where there are suitable nesting areas near Melbourne Airport. I must ask my sister that question again. 

It will be raining in Melbourne over the next couple of days – not good flying weather for new fledglings. I do hope they return to the ledge for shelter, rest and food. There is plenty of time to learn all the skills they will need to survive alone out there.”

“Superdad M15. My favourite bald eagle male of all time. He is amazing. We will never forget his efforts the season he reared two eaglets alone. I think Mrs T might be in front in the female version of that award. And I noted from your blog that Mr T is up to his old tricks yet again. Leave the woman alone, you cad! What’s the betting he leaves her incubating a fertile egg and then takes off for the girlfriend’s island nest? I have no trust in him, I’m afraid. Once a cheat, always a cheat. 

Oh, the joy of watching WBSE post-fledge. I never thought I’d type that! What a happy mutually supportive family they are this year. That nest makes me so happy at the moment. 

Meanwhile, at Collins Street, two fledglings are on the ledge. The little male who returned after fledging yesterday spent the night on the ledge and in the scrape, and one of his sisters joined him around lunchtime. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYQ2f7XnC8I&list=TLPQMTMxMTIwMjUIejz-QtbpwA&index=6. Wonderful! The returnee’s first priority is a little self-feeding in the gutter. Excellent. Let’s imprint that return to the ledge for food behaviour. The control she showed flying onto the ledge was impressive, don’t you think? Strong and balanced.

All three of the Collins Street fledglings returned to the ledge yesterday – the little male was still there from his fledge and immediate return the day before, but both his sisters joined him there during the day (how cute were the beakie kisses when the first sister returned and they lay side by side on the ledge? Just too adorable. I hope they can help and support each other just as the sea eaglets are doing. I’m sure it helps. Meanwhile, at Orange, our darling dad in training is progressing with determination. “

This is just glorious footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyatpPaTnJU&list=TLPQMTQxMTIwMjWz-0PE_-fnEA&index=4 

Thanks, A!

The Melbourne fledglings made The Guardian!

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/nov/16/we-have-lift-off-melbournes-skyscraper-peregrine-chicks-take-to-the-sky?CMP=share_btn_url

The Friends of Osprey South Australia and Port Lincoln have announced that, due to the failure of the trackers that have been placed on the osplets, they will now only be banding the little raptors.

Our local wildlife rehabilitation clinic, Wildlife Haven, is helping a Red-tail Hawk!

It is that time of year when people start thinking about the upcoming holidays. No matter what religious persuasion you are (or maybe not any), gifts find their way into the celebrations. Why not do something to help wildlife? One year, our family adopted the hawks, the Crow, and some of the other raptors at Wildlife Haven instead of buying ‘stuff’. Indeed, I do not need anything, having spent the last year trying to rid myself of the many things accumulated over a lifetime. Instead, we now gift small, locally made consumables. We will also reach out to local clinics in various ways. We have two large, used once dog carriers that are way too big for Toby. They will be donated along with a pet crate and various items on the wish list. I hope our family approves! Over the holidays, we will have a four-legged visitor to join our gang – Nellie, a very large British White Retriever. She is Toby’s bestie. The plan is to invite another four-legged friend and provide treats for the cats and dogs, along with some delicious shortbread for the adults.

There continue to be an enormous number of Canada Geese in and around Winnipeg along with Bald Eagles at every turn. Many of the geese have turned into lunch or those eagles. Great image by Kevin Eisler.

We still have osprey in Manitoba, too – the water is still open and fish and prey are readily available for the raptors. Migration times are extended!

Hawk Mountain’s latest migration chart for the week of 12 November. Those osprey numbers are not good.

Please continue to spread the word: Good Wolf reminds us that balloons have no place in celebrations in 2025. We know that they harm wildlife – it isn’t speculation. There are many other ways to decorate that are safe for our raptors and other wildlife.

Thank you so much for being with us. Please take care of yourself. We look forward to having you back with us for our next Bird World post which should be on Monday 24 November. See you soon!

Thank you so much to SK Hideaways, Heidi, and ‘A’ for their videos, notices, and commentary and to the owners of the streaming cams and FB groups who keep us informed, and The Guardian -I am in your debt. I am grateful to everyone behind Raptor Persecution UK who are working hard to bring justice for our raptors and to all who work hard to protect our precious feathered friends.

Late Sunday in Bird World

9 February 2025

Hello Everyone,

Traveling is wonderful. It is the getting there and getting home that are not! The snow did not hinder our arrival late Thursday in Montreal and the young man who removes the snow around our property has already visited twice. Temperatures have even managed to warm up in Winnipeg.

It is now Saturday – late afternoon. Provisions for the birds and cats received attention today. Their pantry is stocked full. Saturday morning saw only one grey squirrel at the feeders. Now I am watching Dyson eating peanuts in the small feeder with little red hanging out at one of the newly replaced nut cylinders filling up. The Sparrows have returned and here comes another Grey. I want to see all four of them along with Mr Blue Jay and the woodpecker family and the chickadees today. Then I will feel like the garden is fine. Oh, it is doubly fine. There is another little Red!!!!! Oh, goodness me. The animals are a worry.

The Girls were fine. They are well looked after, but it does not replace the almost 24/7 attention they get when we are home. There is no Story time or pets that last hours. Hugo Yugo slept in my armpit for almost the entire night snuggled in very tight. Right now, they are all on the table with me as I write to you.

Sunday noon. The Starlings have returned to the garden along with TWO blue Jays. I teared up. I haven’t had time to check their tail feathers, but I want to be hopeful that Junior and Mrs. are both here. Star is eating at the feral feeder, and Brock was here earlier. As I said, life is beginning to return to normal. It feels good. We have visited our Bestie and a new episode of All Creatures Great and Small arrives this evening! No, we are not watching the Superbowl.

Sauces. Audacity laid three eggs. Egg one is still intact. Fingers crossed for it and that she doesn’t wear herself out laying eggs. One good one, one hard shell fertilised egg is all they need. https://youtu.be/q16DyG2BW5E?

Duke Farms has its Bald Eagle cam up and running for all fans. Mum is incubating three eggs! Three. Oh, dear.

Foggy morning on Friday at the West End nest of Thunder. (I am now throwing the towel in yet…)

This is the banding video for the male, Makaio, who appears to have displaced Akecheta. Displaced not injured. That was a male without any bands! https://youtu.be/XkXWRimCl3g?

I just want to go to the West End camera and see Akecheta on that nest. It has now been 22 days since we saw him injured.

Fish was not on the morning menu at Captiva for Dasher and Dancer. Every time I see a bird on any nest, I hold my breath.

There are new variants of bird flu spreading in different parts of the world. The dairy industry in the US is now monitoring their milk after an outbreak of variant D1..1. “Genome sequencing of milk from Nevada identified the different strain, known as the D1.1 genotype, in dairy cows for the first time, the USDA said. Previously, all 957 bird flu infections among dairy herds reported since last March had been caused by another strain, the B3.13 genotype, according to the agency.”

New avian influenza genotype found in dairy cattle | American Veterinary Medical AssociationDownload

Virologists tell us that it is only a matter of time for when another global pandemic strikes. Right now, our thoughts are with our feathered friends and the hope that they survive.

At the present time, I understand that the American Medical Association is monitoring the Bird Flu spread as the CDC is not reporting.

Beau brought in a baby shark for Gabby and 31.

Wings of Whimsy gives us some very cute moments on the NE Florida nest: https://youtu.be/pMgtM4FABVg?

Beau and 31 cannot get any cuter! https://youtu.be/hiPkrogFEHI?

The two little eaglets at John Bunker Sands are so sweet. They seem to be doing very well.

Bella and Scout have been at the old NCTC nest. I wonder if Scout is going to step up and be a great dad this year? We can only wait and see.

This nest is 21 years old. The newer one is about 15 feet or 4 metres below, according to Deb Stecyk.

Heidi reports that Port Lincoln’s Kasse caught a fish! We won’t know if it was her first, but it sure is a huge milestone to celebrate, regardless.

The people of Virginia and around the Chesapeake are fighting for the survival of the ospreys and other species due to the industrial harvesting of Menhaden – a fish critical to the osprey diet. Please lend them your voice. Write to the current governor, Senators, politcians and bloody well vote like you care in the next election!

Port Lincoln is reporting the tracking of its osplets. I am including Ervie here! Ervie has been going to Mundy Point where Kasse and Wilko go for their baths. Interesting.

What these two eagles can get up to with their sticks! https://youtu.be/-bP8GlQQnIQ?si

Wisdom, the at least 74-year-old Laysan Albatross, returned to her week-old chick. How incredible. I sure hope this image doesn’t get scrambled! Apparently, screen cams don’t get jostled but if I take something from another site, weird things can happen. So if there is a problem, please go to the Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge FB page!

Wisdom is now out foraging and her mate is feeding and brooding their little bundle of joy. Does he know how famous his partner is?

Hartley and Monty are getting a jump on spring! https://youtu.be/zmuhQouwdqo?

Richmond is expecting Rosie to return from her migration any day now. Think Valentine’s Day! He has been seen on all of the light poles, but was caught on the Whirley Crane, on all the lights, and today on the one they used for their nest in 2024.

Are you looking for a gold medal award winning osprey tour while visiting the UK (or while living there)? Look no further than the Birds of Poole Harbour! who have just won gold in Dorset.

Osprey cruises run by Birds of Poole Harbour charity win gold in Dorset Tourism Awards – Raptor PersDownload

Bonnie is incubating two eggs at the nest she shares with Clyde on Farmer Derek’s property.

There are eagles at the new MN-DNR nest in Minnesota.

I will probably mention it more than once, but it appears that F23 and M15 are doing rather well. Fish delivery at the nest. Both seen at the nest tree. It has been a fortnight since E24 passed. Let us hope that the adults are fine and will live long and productive – and healthy – lives. So happy.

Looking for something to watch? You might want to find out about this documentary that is winning awards: The Birdwatchers. 13.40 minutes long. https://youtu.be/z7xwv3twYDI?

If you missed the January 2025 Ventana wildlife Society Condor Chat, here it is archived! https://youtu.be/Oq1xfog0xmQ?

The triplets at the Abu Dhabi Osprey nest appear to be thriving. Their gorgeous juvenile plumage is coming in nicely!

Jack and the new female at the Achieva Credit Union nest appear to be getting on rather well.

Thank you for being with me today. We are still adjusting to being home. Right now, everything seems to be going reasonably well here and in Bird World and Osprey season is, thankfully, not really underway. In a month, there could be arrivals on the UK screens of your favourite families and, for sure, within six weeks we will be seeing ospreys everywhere. My plan is to post Bird World news twice a week for the next fortnight – on Mondays and Thursdays. We will resume daily posts at the end of February. We always look forward to having you with us. Take care!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff’, SK Hideaways, IWS/Explore.org, Window to Wildlife, AVMA, Window to Wildlife, NEFL-AEF, Wings of Whimsy, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Deb Stecyk, NCTC Bald Eagle Nest, Heidi McGrue, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Midway Atoll, SF Bay Ospreys, Raptor Persecution UK, Farmer Derek GHO Cam, MN-DNR, The Birdwatchers, Ventana Wildlife Society, Abu Dhabi Osprey Cam, Achieva Credit Union

3 Hatches at Cal Falcons…Tuesday in Bird World

23 April 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

It was a beautiful spring day on the Canadian Prairies! The hundreds of Dark-eyed Juncos remain in the garden. They hop and hop, scratching and pecking trying to find seeds. They are adorable. We will enjoy them for awhile longer and then they will leaving, heading north to return again in the fall.

Calico has asked me to post her ‘new look’. She is now down a little over three pounds. She runs down the hall, through the galley kitchen and straight up to the top of the cat tree. The energy and the joy in play have returned!

In California, it was sheer happiness as the second eyas of Archie and Annie hatched on Earth Day, too!

Archie meets his chicks for the first time.

The chicks first meal.

Can’t get enough of Annie and Archie!

There will be a third one soon!

And then there were three for breakfast on Tuesday! Way to go Archie and Annie!

The first eyas has hatched at Cromer Peregrines, too!

At Mispillion Harbour, Della loves bringing things to the nest she shares with Warren. Sometimes it is something yellow, Della loves yellow. Sometimes it is something else..

The pair also have a full clutch of three eggs.

I did not get a chance to watch Tuffy as closely on Monday. He is definitely being fed. Ruffy is so big compared to Tuffy and requires much more food that it often feels as if Tuffy gets short-changed.

A nice meal at sundown and Tuffy will get a nice crop and go to sleep dreaming of more fish for breakfast.

Heidi reports that there is a possible pip in one of the eggs at the Captiva Osprey nest of Jack and Edie. This would be a welcome surprise. Some have said that they do not have late hatches in the Barrier Islands – so let us wait and see!

And it was a hatch! Welcome to the world little miracle osplet. We now know that opera eggs can hatch with a live chick this late in the season on the Barrier Islands.

Surprise! Two chicks at Lake Murray. Wow.

First egg or Mr and Mrs UV at Kielder Forest nest 5A on the 22nd at 19:47.

Nest-5A-joins-the-egg-club-Kielder-OspreysDownload

The Ospreys are returning to Finland. Some are finding open water with snow melting while other nests are covered with no ospreys yet (smart).

#1 Nest: The male, Ura, arrived on 14 April at 1516.

#2 Nest, Satakunta: Nothing

#3 Nest: Nothing

#4 Nest: Nemo, the male arrived on 8 April with Nuppu, the female, arriving on the 14th.

#5, LS: Roni and Sara are together. Sara arrived on the 16th with Roni arriving on the 21/22nd.

Janakkalan: nothing

Juurusvesi: nothing

Muonion: nothing

Aran and Elen at the Glaslyn nest in Wales have their first egg.

The second egg has been laid at Dahlgren for Helen and Doug.

What is happening at nest 1 at Loch Arkaig? What is wrong with Prince

Poor Affric. Two males. One female. One nest.

Meanwhile on the other Loch Arkaig nest, Louis is taking very good care of Dorcha.

This is the situation at Frenchman’s Creek Ospreys. The nest is full of fish, the older two osplets are alive and self-feeding. The streaming cam is up and running with notices from Frenchman’s Creek about stealing content, etc. You can go to their site on YouTube to check on the osplets. So far they are alive and it looks as if they are sleeping on fish!

In Latvia, Milda is in the midst of a snow storm. She is trying to care for her two eggs by herself since the absence of Hugo.

The female at the Trempealeau Eagle Nest in Wisconsin has done a top rate job caring for her two little eaglets all by herself! She had to leave alone to hunt for them so the three could eat. They survived that and now have their thermal down. Send positive wishes to this nest, please.

Oh, thank you Stephen Basly. I know we have talked about Meadow but let us go back to ND17. Starved by its two older siblings. We know that he had to eat skin and bones to survive and then he fell from the nest. Spent 3 full days and a bit more on the ground and then, thankfully, Humane Indiana Wildlife rescued ‘our baby’ – he was everyone’s baby. ND17 survived. They taught him to fly and hunt and returned him to a spot near the nest site where he engaged with his parents.

I want to thank Trudi Kron who has been keeping a close eye on the Mum at the JB Sands Wetlands Bald Eagle nest. You will recall that Mum injured her foot and was unable to care for JBS20 for a few days. Dad did a heroic job and continues to help out. But Trudi got a great screen capture and enlarged it and it is showing improvement and healing! Great news.

Watch for Swampy to fledge anytime! S/he is climbing higher on the nest and really working those wings.

The trio at Decorah North are getting their blood feathers. They are growing so fast. It seems only yesterday that they were white little chicks sitting in the morning sun.

There are three eggs at the Great Bay Osprey nest in New Hampshire. The third was laid on the 18th of April.

‘A’ has been keeping a wishful eye on the nest of Angel and Tom. “A male red-tailed hawk that we believe to be Tom just flew onto Angel’s nest. He left after 15 seconds, and there is some debate now about the tail markings, which were apparently different from those of the RTH that shared beakies with Angel on 5 April at 09:02:08. Others say it was definitely Tom, based on the confidence with which he entered the nest and based on the fact that this is Tom and Angel’s territory. There is a view that Tom’s plumage is still changing, even in a the two and a half weeks since 5 April, and that this was definitely Tom. 

Obviously, we all very much want it to be Tom, and it does confirm the report I made of hearing RTH vocals when I was typing my earlier email to have been accurate. It’s now 11:42 on the Tennessee nest and I can again hear the sound of a RTH very nearby. This is probably what I heard originally when I lost the TS – it sure sounds like it. If I check the PTZ cam at around the 11:42 onwards TS (the noises are continuing), I may be able to spot whether it is Angel there or whether it is Tom. or even whether it’s neither of them and some visitor instead. 

I will keep you posted, but I would call that a very hopeful sighting, and I am fairly confident it was Tom. Talons crossed. He (or she, if he was accompanied by Angel) is continuing to vocalise, and it sounds as though the vocals are coming from either the nest tree itself or somewhere within one or two trees either side of that microphone. It sure sounds extremely close. I am hopeful. “

The three Bald eaglets at the Sutton Centre in Bartlesville, Oklahoma are thriving.

Three Osplets at Venice Golf are all feathered and fine. Gosh, isn’t this a relief.

Our darling Ervie.

‘EJ’ wrote to remind me that Any Tan’s book on her backyard birds is being released tomorrow. There will be many articles and there is a wonderful interview with Tan on YouTube. My copy should be in the mailbox by Wednesday. I am so looking forward to reading it, but most of all seeing the drawings that Tan made of ‘her’ birds. She took classes, taught herself. That should encourage all of us to look closer, keep a nature journal, and get really involved with the wildlife right around us.

EJ sent this article:

https://www.npr.org/2024/04/22/1245849320/amy-tan-the-backyard-bird-chronicles-trish-okane-birding-to-change-the-world

Here is the link to the chat:

Another senseless death due to a power pole. This time a White-stork mother with five eggs on a nest. The male stayed for two days incubating and then eggs were removed. Power poles kill. Every new install should be safe at the outset – every old pole should be retrofitted so it does not harm wildlife. Yes, there are a lot of poles, but the solutions are often simple as shown to use many times by Dave Hancock of Hancock Wildlife Foundation and Christian Sasse. So sad. It happened in Germany.

Thank you so much for being with me today. Stop in and see Annie and Archie’s little fluff balls. Turn the sound up to get the full impact during a feeding. Smile. Little falcons can quickly take away the glum of the day. Take care everyone. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, images, articles, videos, and streaming cams: ‘A, Geemeff, EJ, H, PB’, Cal Falcons, SK Hideaways, Heidi McGrue, Sharon Pollock, Mooring Park Ospreys, Joanna Dailey, Lake Murray Ospreys, Finnish Osprey Foundation, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Dahlgren Osprey Cam, Geemef, Frenchman’s Creek, LDF, Aiva Vantere, Stephen M. Basly, Trudi Kron, Raptor Resource Project, Window to Wildlife, PLO, Npr.org, and VGCCO, NY Audubon.

Saturday in Bird World

17 February 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

It is never a good morning after we lose a raptor, and waking up on Friday and finding that Lusa had died during the night was incredibly sad. Indeed, all went to bed after seeing her/him eat feeling much more optimistic about the situation at Captiva.

At the same time I was reading a note about Lusa, Hugo Yugo was vomiting, had diarrhoea, and was lethargic. She was fine when she went to bed but, by morning, he was not playing and didn’t want any treats – sure signs that something was not right. We spent the afternoon at the vet. It is a long weekend in Canada, the vet clinics are packed, and we have to go to a different vet than we usually use. After tests for any poisons (they came back negative), she had an IV for hydration and an injection to calm her stomach and had the Flora-Flora powder to sprinkle on her food. If she does not improve, then we move to X-rays, etc. The diagnostic end of it all. For Hugo Yugo to not eat is unsettling, just like with Lusa. For her not to play is just not right. Again, the same goes for the eaglet. Our condolences go out to Lori Covert, the folks at Window to Wildlife, but most of all Clive, Connie, and Cal.

When Connie and Joe lost Hope and Peace to rodenticide poisoning in 2020-21, it was a real tragedy. The parents knew what had happened. They stood over the dead body of their second eaglet in quiet disbelief. The eaglets had consumed less than a whole rat, but it was a designer poison, and Lori has spent years trying to get people to stop using rodenticides on the island. Joe never returned to the nest after the mourning period. And I will say it clearly and loud – he felt guilty for bringing that rat to the nest that killed their kids. Ask Marc Bekoff, Professor of Avian Behaviour at the University of Colorado at Boulder – animals have feelings. They care. They are sentient like we are.

So far, Cal looks good. They cannot, for safety and legal reasons, remove the body of Lusa. The adults might try to shove the body off the nest, even carry it and drop it in the ocean, or Lusa might wind up as part of the nest. There is no fear of Cal eating its sibling (yes, I have had multiple questions about that). I would have concerns if Lusa had highly pathogenic avian influenza. But that seems highly unlikely because Cal is doing so well. We saw siblings die close together on other nests if it was HPAI.

Connor stated that getting on a nest after four weeks is hard because the other eaglet might get spooked and jump off. That is the last thing we want to happen to Cal. So keep sending positive energy to this nest – it would be grand if Connie and Clive fledged an eaglet this year. With Connick having issues and falling off the nest last year and now going to the Smithsonian, it has been a while since Mum Connie saw a baby fly free.

Angel and Tom are both at their nest. The Blue Jays are apparently not bothering Tom but are aggravating Angel. If they continue to come to the nest, the camera will go live.

I have not done a lot of nest checking today so this post could be ‘slim’. I did head to Eagle Country to check on Swampy and Meadow. Indeed, all of the eaglets that have survived on the nests this year are a miracle. There were so many incidents of DNH…

Blaze was on the nest feeding his eaglets and did a splendid job of it. Both got lots and lots to eat! Gosh, Dad was very even-handed in that feeding. Those two are getting their thermal down. See how dark they are getting, and the soft, fluffy baby down is coming off., Darlings. Just little darlings.

A little bit of a mohawk coming.

E23 is looking good at SW Florida. Just keep all good wishes coming to every nest with babes – we never know what can happen. I am not saying this to worry you, but rather to appreciate those who are healthy and to stay vigilant should something be amiss.

It is very hard to see the eaglet at JB Sands Wetlands, but there are many watching and fingers crossed for this one to fledge. JBS20 certainly does take up more nest space than it did a few weeks ago! Only eaglets have the advantage of having all the food to themselves.

The only eaglet at WRDC continues to grow and thrive, but only after we had to hold our breath a few times. What a year it has been! We will not forget it soon, for all the wrong reasons. That said, the streaming cam is down, and, of course, right before that happened, R6 was fed another pigeon with bands on its legs. ‘H’ tells us, “The cams went down about 4.5 hours ago.  R6 ate another pigeon band this afternoon, and we are supposed to be on pellet-and-band watch!  Not only that, but the pigeon had a band on each leg, and we were also waiting to see which eagle would eat the other band!  Rose ate a pigeon band on 2/11.’

I don’t know about anyone else but seeing these healthy eaglets eat leg bands and nappies and possibly poisoned rats is getting to me. We have so few eaglets this year…ah. Each is precious.

We are a day away from hatch watch at Superbeaks. Pepe and Muhlady should be hearing their chicks inside the shell. Oh, let us hope these eggs are viable. They are such good parents and just got on with life and had a second clutch. Fingers crossed along with toes.

Jackie and Shadow are looking pretty confident. We are now 12 days away from the hatch at Big Bear. You best get the worry beads, the stomach upset medicine, or whatever works for you. This will either be the day we leap out of our roofs in happiness or sit and fill a bucket full of tears. I am thinking of eaglets this year…the champagne is ready.

A look at how Friday went for Jackie and Shadow.

You need to get your votes in! This is the news from Cal Falcons about naming The New Guy.

“After over 200 suggestions and hundreds of votes, we have our four finalists:

Archie, after Archie Williams
Galen, after John Galen Howard
Morgan, after Julia Morgan
and
Mulford, after Walter Mulford

Vote for the winner here before Monday at 5pm:

https://bit.ly/NewGuy2024

Here’s a little more about each of our candidates:

Archie Williams was a successful Cal athlete and engineer. He won gold in the 400m race at the 1936 Olympics, became a highly decorated pilot and instructor, and was an influential teacher in California High Schools. Archie Williams High School is named in his honor.

John Galen Howard was one of the most influential architects at UC Berkeley. He designed many of the most iconic buildings on campus, including the Campanile, where Annie and New Guy live! He also designed Sather Gate, California Memorial Stadium, and many other buildings.

Julia Morgan was the first woman to earn a degree in Civil Engineering at UC Berkeley. She became a prolific and celebrated architect. You can see her work on campus in the form of the Greek Theatre. However, her most well-known design is Hearst Castle.

Walter Mulford was a long-time forestry professor at UC Berkeley, serving as the first Dean of the School of Forestry (now a part of the College of Natural Resources). He encouraged students to gain hands on experience outdoors and founded the Forestry Field Camp in Plumas National Forest.”

Please go and vote. Thanks SP for all that great information!

Wow. Talk about a miracle. Have a look at what happened to this crushed falcon egg! We see these when there is high humidity…and we hold our breath. This gives hope.

When I get sad, I always head to the Royal Albatross Colony. Why? Because I know that the NZ DOC Rangers do everything in their power to ensure that these chicks fledge!

Look at this cutie.

The two osplets at Pelican Bay appear to be doing rather well.

Thunder and Akecheta taking turns incubating their three eggs. Oh, I so hope that this nest is full of little eaglets just like at Big Bear.

One egg at Sauces. Dr Sharpe will be conducting a survey of the nests on the Channel Islands on the 24th according to the moderator of chat. We should be able to find out more about the other nests that we cannot see on cam after that visit.

No egg at Two Harbours for Chase and Cholyn, yet.

Andor and Cruz were both working on the Fraser Point nest – between the camera going on and coming off.

I missed this great video shot with the Centreport Bald Eagle Mum a few days ago. Stunning footage!

At Redding, Liberty proudly stands above her egg delaying incubation and awaiting the arrival of the second egg.

Fireworks. Anyone reading my blog knows that fireworks are dangerous for wildlife as well as for domestic pets. Why we as a society continue to allow millions of dollars to literally go up in smoke is beyond me when there is so much to be done for the environment, wildlife, human health, education, and housing. So, the fact that there are plans for a firework display in a nature reserve in Spain is incomprehensible.

‘Incomprehensible-Madrid-plans-huge-firework-display-on-nature-reserve-Spain-The-GuardianDownload

For a smile, a close up of that Puffer Fish that Bradley was eating on the ropes on the 16th at Port Lincoln.

Thank you so much for being with me today. Please send your good wishes to all the nests and, also, to little Hugo Yugo. She is just not herself yet. She ate a few bites of food and then wanted in her carrier to be alone and sleep. I do worry about her so much. After losing Lewis, I am perhaps a bit sensitive, but Hugo Yugo has had such a rough start in life and she is so tiny – well…I am concerned.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, screen captures, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, H, J, SP’, Window to Wildlife, Heidi McGrue, Jenna Lynn Dorsey, Eagle Country, SW Florida Eagle Cam, JBS Wetlands, WRDC, Superbeaks, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, Cal Falcons, Elite Falconry, Royal Cam Albatross/NZ DOC, Sharon Dunne, Ildiko A Polk, FORE, the IWS/Explore.org, PLO, and The Guardian.

Thunder and Akecheta go for triplets…Thursday in Bird World

15 February 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

I hope that each of you had a very good Wednesday. That you found time to marvel at nature or read a book or connect with a friend, a family member, or even a stranger. ’The Girls’ and I thank you for your Valentine’s wishes and also for sharing your beloved pet friends with us and their stories. I marvel at how much love there is for wildlife and our fur families. I do not own a television and only get streaming channels I rarely watch. The news in the world is dire, so – it is time to just focus on the life around us, treasure the moments, find joy, and marvel at our feathered friends.

Gosh, there is a lot of good news in Bird World today. It just makes you feel the joy and love. So before even going anywhere near eggs, let’s talk about Ron’s former mate, Rita, at the WRDC Bald Eagle Nest. ’H’ wrote to tell me that she is now in her new enclosure at the Marathon Wild Bird Centre, Crane Point Hammock Museum, in Marathon, Florida. That is in the Keys. 

This is a stunning enclosure for Rita. Well thought out in terms of size and height. She can no longer fly wild and free, but she can move about easily and there is even a pond for her to have a refreshing splash on a hot day in Florida.

Here she is – isn’t this beautiful?

Wednesday was lovely. It was the perfect day to go to the provincial park for a nice walk amidst the Chickadees. The roads were snow-covered, and big flakes were dancing down. A few cross-country skiers were heading to the trails, but no one was feeding the birds. As a result, there were hundreds and hundreds of chickadees ready to hit your hand and take a seed! We went through four pounds of Black-oil Seed! Seriously. 

I will bore you with photographs of these amazing little songbirds that flit their way through a Canadian winter, just like some do with grandchildren and vacation pics. 

Look closely; you can see some in the bare branches, too. I only had my iPhone with me. For some reason, I have been leaving the big lens at home – cumbersome in the winter – so I do not have any good shots of the hundreds in the trees. Well, I have images, but you can’t see the birds…so that is why I am explaining the phone camera.

It was just a beautiful day. Several miles away, in a protected area, deer were feeding.

‘The Girls’ had a few more little treats and got to hear their Valentine Story again. I know they don’t like it nearly as much as the book we are currently reading, 12 Birds to Save Your Life. Nature’s lessons in happiness by Charlie Corbett. More about that later. They do, however, love treats. Those are very limited because of Calico’s need for a diet and you won’t see Missey there – she doesn’t like treats at all. Go figure. 

Calico’s nose was a tad out of joint – she gets overrun when Hugo Yugo and Baby Hope are together. They dive in after those little calorie-laden morsels.

Not a great image, but you can see that Hugo Yugo’s face is still that of a kitten and you can see her tiny paw. What you aren’t seeing is a lot of whiskers. Hugo Yugo and Baby Hope play so rough that the whiskers get broken off! 

And, gosh, it is time to get into the news from Valentine’s Day. There is so much, and I might miss something! Rita is just such good news. It took a long time to build that enclosure for this very special eagle, but thankfully they made our home safe and large so she could move about. 

In California, Thunder and Akecheta are going for triplets.

Trudi Kron has it on video…the first sighting when Akecheta was rolling those eggs. We know this pair can do it – still remember that remarkable year with the trio. Akecheta was amazing. 

Congratulations to Rosa and Lewis at the Dulles-Greenway Bald Eagle Nest on the Potomac River. Their first egg arrived in the late afternoon on Valentine’s Day.

Sally and Harry at Moorings Park have their second egg – right on time on Valentine’s Day, too. Will they go for three?

I you missed the ABC news broadcast on Jackie and Shadow, here it is:

It is nice to see the weather has dramatically improved for our much-loved Bald Eagle Couple. Today is the 15th of February. We are a fortnight from the hatch. I am holding my breath like tens of thousands of others. I think I told you. There is the tiniest bottle of champagne waiting for their hatch. I bought it last year, and sadly, there are no hatches here. My fingers and toes are crossed, but mostly, I am holding my breath and not breathing for fear that one of those sharp talons could nip one of those eggs or all of them. Can you imagine how careful these two must be with those wet twigs and the snow melting?

Everything you wanted to know about hatching and more from Elfruler. There are good reminders here as we twirl the worry beads for the next two weeks hoping that one or more of these eggs are viable and make it to hatch.

HATCHING-Bald-EaglesDownload

I love Pat Burke’s comparison captures of R6 and just how quickly those little eaglets grow once they hatch.

They put a lid on the Egyptian Geese at Rutland, starting a nest on Maya and Blue 33’s Osprey platform! We are seriously on a countdown for these two superstars of the UK Osprey World, and there will be no goose eggs there instead!

The latest publication on Ospreys will be released in precisely two weeks. Tim Mackrill is no stranger to the Osprey World in the UK. This will be his third major publication. I love the volume he wrote for the RSPB both for its thorough and excellent content and the price point. Will compare that one to this one when it arrives in Canada.

Annie is into the ‘new guy’. Wonder what his name will be? After not seeing them bonding in the scrape, it seems like that is all they do. So happy for Annie…but, missing Grinnell, Alden, and Lou. 

There has been some concern for Lusa in the Captiva Bald Eagle Nest. There are some cuts and blood on the Right Digit IV talon. It is unclear what has caused this but the eaglet has appeared lethargic on Tuesday and better on Wednesday. Rodenticide causes blood not to coagulate. This doesn’t look like that. If you look closely it appears to be an injury to the talon. Cause unknown. I hope that is what is happening. Window to Wildlife staff are monitoring the situation and ready to move into action if required.

In Canada, at the Surrey Reserve in British Columbia, a young intruder was looking for a free meal.

This is now going to be a quick run through a few of the nests before I call it lights out for today. 

Meadow and Swampy continue to do well at Eagle Country. I am not seeing any bonking. There is always big chunks of food and I suspect some of the old prey is hidden underneath the nest materials. It was nice to see Blaze on the nest checking on his chicks. He is a fantastic provider. 

The eaglet at JB Sands Wetlands is growing and so much easier to see.

Despite all the hope, not seeing an egg at Redding for Liberty and Guardian yet.

Kansas City eagle pair, Ellie and Harvey, have their first egg of the season.

Put your suggestions in for a name for Annie’s new mate in the FB thread for Cal Falcons. Who knows – you could just suggest a winner!

At Port Lincoln, ‘A’ sends us news of Bradley’s fishing efforts. ”

The boys at Port Lincoln were off doing their own thing today, with Giliath MIA. At 13:47, Bradley flew in with a monster live fish, which he then spent 67 minutes eating on the ropes. Did he catch it himself? It definitely appeared so as I watched him fly in over the water and land on the ropes with his fish. He did have some initial problems controlling it on the ropes, as it was pointed backwards, but once he got it the right way around, he had no difficulties in eating it. 

Are we not SO very proud of our wee lad? By the size of that fish, and the way he managed it, I suspect this was not Brad’s first catch, but it’s the first one we can definitely confirm. We can be very sure, I think, that Giliath is also doing some fishing, on his travels around the local fishing spots with Dad and Ervie. What a triumph for PLO this season after last year’s tragic outcome. We could make the observation that this nest definitely needs the help of the fish fairies.”

‘A’ also brings us news from Orange: ”We finally have a live stream nest camera back on line at Orange, which allows us to see that the beautiful Madame Diamond is sleeping in her scrape, on her Cilla Stones (she moved to the Cilla Stones around 10pm local time, when it started raining). Ah, Diamond is in her house and all is well with the world. She had a bonding session with Xavier at 16:43 – he is such a darling. Diamond spent last night sleeping on the Cilla Stones too. 

Report from Cilla: 

Both Xavier and Diamond have been seen hunting at night this week. Here is a clip: https://youtu.be/pLynezfGb6A. Marri has not been heard or seen now since early this month, so it looks as if she may have dispersed. It’s about the right time. I cleaned the nest box last month, retrieved and ‘candled’ the egg (held a torch underneath to see contents), and it appeared to be unfertilised.”

Birdwatch looks at the not-so-shy Albatross—a short, ‘nice’ article to give you a smile.

Birdwatch-On-the-trail-of-the-shy-albatross-in-Australia-Birds-The-GuardianDownload

Bird Flu has caused havoc amongst seabirds in the UK and the real numbers might never be known.

Bird-flu-causing-‘catastrophic-fall-in-UK-seabird-numbers-conservationists-warn-Bird-flu-The-GDownload

Some more news about the stolen Peregrine Falcons coming in from the RSPCA via Raptor Persecution UK.

SSPCA-press-release-on-conviction-of-part-time-gamekeeper-Timothy-Hall-his-son-Lewis-Hall-for-illeDownload

Thank you so much for being with me today. Please take care. We look forward to having you with us again soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, articles, screen captures, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ’A, H, J’, WRDC Chat, Lloyd Brown, Jann Gallivan, Trudi Kron, Dulles-Greenway Eagle Cam, Moorings Park Ospreys, ABC News, FOBBV, Elfruler, Pat Burke, LRWT, Tim Mackrill, SK Hideaway’s, Window to Wildlife, Sandy Williams, Jerinelle Wray, FORE, Eagle Country, JBS Wetlands, Cal Falcons, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, Raptor Persecution UK, and The Guardian.

Welcome Lusa and Cal, Gabby abandons incubation, where is she?…Monday in Bird World

22 January 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

Calico was her regular alarm clock self – my goodness. 0835. After their breakfast, the kittens – Hugo Yugo and Baby Hope – tore through the house. Then, there was a very loud crash. I wonder what happened?

Oh, dear. Who do you see?

Are these two the only culprits?

Calico was cautiously coming to see what happened from the other side of the house.

Baby Hope was relaxing on the top of a chair – she says she had ‘nothing to do with knocking the twinkle tree off the table’. Do you believe her?

No one is telling what happened…Baby Hugo decided to have a nap and poor Calico is just worn out from it all, too. I am left to wonder.

It is hard to believe, but they didn’t even wake up for lunch. Instead, all four crowded into the kitchen around 1800. Very strange, indeed.

The news from Bird World is really rather thin. We might think that the entire Bald Eagle season has mostly collapsed. There will be no chicks at Berry College or at NE Florida to look forward to – we have, on the streaming cams, two at Captiva, one at SW Florida, and one at Miami-Dade. We lost Anna and Andria at the KNF nests before the eggs hatched (thankfully). Superbeaks first clutch failed. Will we have any second clutches?  Will any new couples lay a clutch in Louisiana? We wait and wonder why this is happening.

So, instead of falling into that deep dark hole, we need to rejoice in the four healthy eaglets that are currently on the nests in Florida at Captiva, WRDC, and at Fort Myers. 

At Captiva, Lori Covert has named Connie and Clive’s eaglets – C10 is Lusa and C11 is Cal.

Look at how plump and healthy these two are with their full crops, fat little legs, and bottoms. Let us all wish them uneventful days until they fledge – and good feathers! 

E23 is also plump and very healthy, spoiled only eaglet by M15 and F23. Pin feathers clearly seen on the wing tips.

R6 is a fuzzy little darling – the pride and joy of Ron and Rita at the WRDC nest. So, on streaming cams, we have 4 – only FOUR – eaglets to watch.

Gabby flew off the nest to join Beau at 12:13 and has not returned to the egg as I write – it is now 15:57. It is ONLY 6 degrees C or 42 degrees F at 16:01 on Sunday. This egg is looking less and less viable.

No one returned. So, there are two scenarios. Gabby and Beau figured that the egg was not viable and abandoned it. The second one I do not even wish to contemplate is that something happened to Gabby. I simply do not wish to think about that, but there were intruders about. Let’s think positive -Wherever they are Sunday night, I hope they are both safe—way too many intruders about. Gabby was last seen at noon and Beau around 1700 after he incubated the egg for a short time after 1630.

Beau was at the nest tree Monday morning, vocalising. There has been no sighting of Gabby, and I am beginning to really become concerned. Please let me be wrong – this is highly unusual behaviour for Gabby. Is she injured? or worse?

A drone, flying over the NCTC nest, almost hits Scout! It is illegal to fly drones over an active Bald Eagle nest – so will they catch the culprit? and what will happen to them?

Lisa and Oliver were in the nest in PA County. Oh, this is one that I know many of you are looking forward to watching.

Jackie and Shadow were at Big Bear. Shadow delivered a fish gift and then they flew of only with Shadow to return to move some sticks he noticed were out of place earlier. Bless his heart. Shadow cannot leave those sticks alone.

Pittsburgh-Hayes female comes to the nest on Sunday.

Gary has ceased covering the Redding Eagles – Liberty and her three mates, Patriot, Spirit, and Guardian, after fifteen years. he says he is going to work on features and examine current research on eagles. This is a thank you video with lots of historical images of Liberty and her mates and chicks. I cannot embed it – have no idea why but this is happening more often. Here is the title for you to search in YT.

Major Announcement Regarding Coverage of the Eagles

The weekly video summary of the happenings at Port Lincoln.

At the time of this writing, only one fish has come to the PLO barge. It is extremely windy and the water is choppy. Mum flew in at 1247 with the first meal and Bradley got it.

Beautiful Capture of the Golden Gate Audubon Osprey male, Richmond. It is the 21st of January. His mate, Rosie, returns around Valentine’s Day. Richmond will be checking in for her return as he does not migrate.

Ruby has been missing for more than a fortnight. There are now intruders buzzing and a female wanting Jack’s attention at Captiva. Let us hope things settle down so we can have an Osprey family here this year.

The cold weather has also hit Europe where the ground is frozen and people are calling for food for the storks that are trying to feed in the fields. Here 80 storks are being taken care of in Russia – incredible. What kindness.

A Peregrine Falcon has been shot in Essex….this follows the dumping of the Woodcocks in Cheshire. And, of course, other heinous deeds to wildlife. Unfortunately, we don’t have a watchdog like Raptor Persecution UK in the US and Canada. 

Peregrine-suspected-shot-in-Essex-–-Police-appeal-for-information-–-Raptor-Persecution-UKDownload

Loving hummingbirds. Geemeff sent the link to Aryana’s tiny nest. She has eggs!

Aryana has her own FB page. Thanks, Geemeff. Quite the celebrity.

https://www.facebook.com/LivestreamHummingbirdCam/

The Royal Cam chick is making progress in its hatching! Thanks ‘A’.

The latest news on the attempts to re-introduce Kakapo to the New Zealand mainland and the trials and tribulations over these smart birds outwitting humans and a fence!

So much to be grateful for and SE31 is one of those things. The latest report from Chang-Le Dong and the WBSE:

Oh, I love Plovers and these nearly threatened shore birds had a fantastic year in New England in 2023.

Piping Plovers are one of the smallest of the species. Their colouring offers good camouflage against the beach sand where they nest and forage. These are unique to North America, although they do winter in Mexico. Their biggest threats are human disturbances, which are endangered or threatened in many areas.

Nesting-Piping-Plovers-on-the-rise-BirdGuidesDownload

Information is being compiled about Laura Culley with the goal of having a really good bio of her – pre-falconry and her falconry days -by an individual at Cornell. I will keep you posted as I am very hopeful that her manuscript about her life with Mariah will appear on those pages. In looking for information, I came across the following: ”Let me warn you–falconry is FAR more addictive than any drug. The sheer wonder that the bird CHOOSES to work with you it beyond my comprehension. It’s really not about food. That’s where you start to earn their trust, but after that, you’re always in the reality that they can fly. You can’t. There’s a wonderment when your bird (who is no more YOURS than the air you breathe) chooses to fly to your fist!!! Another reality is that you’re nothing more than their servant, and that’s a good thing. For me, it reconnected me to the natural world in ways that I can only describe a little bit. And you get to see who these birds are, sharing what they do and how they do it, and if that doesn’t regularly take your breath away, you need to check your pulse.”

Laura always said the hawk is the boss – we only serve them. She wondered at their abilities that we have lost, but most of all she was astonished, every day, by Mariah.

Thank you so much for being with me today. Please take care. We hope you can be back with us soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, videos, posts, articles, photographs, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ’A, Geemeff, J’, Window to Wildlife, SW Florida Eagle Cam, WRDC, NEFL, Deb Stecyk, Dana Anderson, FOBBV, PIX Cams, Gary and FORE, PLO, Pam Kruse, Diana Lambertson, Natalia Voss, Raptor Persecution UK, Aryana YT/FB, NZ DOC, Kakapo Recovery, Chang-Le Dong, BirdGuides, and Laura Culley.

Can you help DH18? Sadness at Captiva…Saturday in Bird World

22 April 2023

Good Morning Everyone,

It is Earth Day, and the theme for this year is ‘Invest in our Planet’. Imagine if everyone invested what they could, how much better the planet would be for our feathered friends. As a start, I would like to thank all the wildlife rehabbers who have the challenging task of helping our feathered friends return to the wild after they have had a mishap or severe injury. They are our heroes, and every day, they invest in helping these beautiful creatures live the life they are supposed to. Secondly, I want to thank everyone for all you do to make this planet a better place for our feathered friends. Whether it is donating to your local clinic, educating students or new friends, to spreading the word about the dangers and how we can remediate them, you make a difference. Thank you!

The snow did not materialise but the wind sure did. Blowing up to 35 kph. We watched the Crows have some difficulty navigating their landings. Lucky for Missy two of them landed right on top of the conservatory. She was in awe! I did not get a photo but just imagine her excitement after watching the skies for days and having birds far away to have them just a metre from her. Goodness.

We will start with the sad news of the day so that we can move onward. Florence flew off of the Captiva Osprey nest at 1300 with a fish. She did not return after eating. Angus was incubating while she was away, but he flew off at 1455 when she had not returned. Angus returned in 1845 but did not go to incubate the eggs. It is 72 degrees F on Captiva, and as Renie, the moderator for the chat, has stated, “This is not good for the eggs.” At the time of my writing, 23:15, the eggs on the Captiva Osprey nest appear abandoned. With revised hatch dates, we were one week away from pip watch. Thanks, ‘H’, for continuing to moderate this situation for us.

‘H’ reports the following:

“Tentative ID, mods prefer to wait for daylight to be sure, but Osprey believed to be Angus returned to the nest at 03.07.18, and is incubating.  Looks like Angus to me.  

4/21, They were not having significant intruder issues at the time.  Flo was eating her fish on her palm branch (as seen on the PTZ cam), and when she was done at 13.27, Flo simply flew away from the tree.  She has not been seen since.  Jen, the PTZ cam op searched for her everywhere.”

Angus returned at 1845, but won’t sit on eggs, he seems to be looking for Flo. This is so very sad, and we might never know what has happened to Florence. The only consolation is that the eggs had not hatched. It would be virtually impossible for Angus to care for newly hatched osplets alone.

I am having trouble keeping up with my forms. As many of you know, Claudio Eduardo designed a particular programme to help me instantly determine the % of deaths in Ospreys from siblicide or other causes, along with eggs laid, hatching and fledging %. It means putting in the data, and right now, many of those UK nests are starting to get their first or second eggs. I get one form finished and discover another has laid an egg. It is so exciting.

Today Kielder Nest 7 got its second egg for KX7 and KM18. The nest everyone was anticipating was Poole Harbour. CJ7 laid her first egg of the 2023 season with mate Blue 022 at 19:12:47 Friday night. Earlier Louis and Dorcha had their first egg for 2023 at Loch Arkaig.

Richmond and Rosie, the Ospreys whose nest is on the Whirley Crane at the Richmond Shipping Yards in SF Bay, have their first egg. Time was 17:39 and Richmond was there with his lovely lady.

‘H’ reports that Duke and Daisy have their first egg at Barneyghat Light this morning at 05:15 in New Jersey with Seaside getting their second egg on the 21st.

Aran and that gorgeous unringed female continue to get to know one another. She has been at the nest mirroring Aran’s behaviour for a week now. Oh, I hope she stays and they have eggs this year. Aran is a great catch and the nest is fantastic albeit always visited by Monty’s kids!

Both were on the perch together in the wind.

It sure looks a lot warmer in Wales than it did in Missoula, Montana when Louis came to check on Iris.

We have another single parent household. This time it is the Peregrine Falcon scrape in Rome. The female is missing sadly. Alex is trying to feed the chicks. Send him your most positive wishes. They are adorable.

The eaglets in the US have either fledged are are small. B16 from the Berry College nest continues to return to get food from Pa and Missy. She is a beautiful big girl!

Smitty and Bella’s little one is now sporting a white fluffy mohawk and clown feet. Wasn’t this one about the size of Decorah eaglet a week ago? Not really but it sure feels like it! They grow in the blink of an eye. What a crop!

‘H’ sent in some great news. The sole hatch of Connie and Clive at the Captiva Bald Eagle nest, Connick, is being transferred to the Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey at Maitland, Florida where he will remain until all of his feathers grow in properly. He will receive flight and prey hunting training there along with enrichment. It will be a long haul but it is wonderful that the centre was willing to take him! Thank you Audubon!

Murphy continues to watch over the eaglet. He has never brooded the chick but is a keen protector and motivates the eaglet to eat.

The staff at Wild Bird Sanctuary are excited because it means that the eaglet will imprint on Murphy and not humans and will be free to be released when it can fly and hunt.

Everyone is waiting for the hatch at the Decorah Goose nest! Tomorrow is the day but we all know things could be early or a little late.

Down the road the Decorah Eagles at the Hatchery have so much nesting material for the little one that you can barely see the top of its head when they are feeding it!

Sweet little baby of Chase and Cholyn at Two Harbours is getting ready to be warmed by the sun.

Oh, that little one of Annie and Lou’s is quite the character. It is always hungry and just waiting for anyone to arrive with prey! Just look at that fade when an adult comes in with some prey. That little one is right up there in the front ready to be fed!

Cal Falcons will be banding these three on the 5th of May! Put it on your calendars and guess what…there will be the name the chick contest, too!

‘A’ comments, “Did you see how big the pieces that the youngest at Cal Falcons is swallowing without turning a hair (feather)? Of course it was essential for it to do so if it was going to eat early on, so it learned that one very quickly. It helps of course that Lou has become SO proficient at preparing prey. These chicks look like their meat has been trimmed by a professional butcher and bought at a gourmet supermarket! Lou is just fantastic.”

River continues to work on getting the tangled materials on the nest and the monofilament line off of DH18. There have been at least 2 fish today and both of the eaglets ate well – and, late in the day, River arrives with a huge bass and everyone has a big feast. Her fishing is great and the eaglets and her are eating well. Let us all be hopeful that she gets 18 untangled. She is completely aware of the situation and working on it. As an older eagle – in this nest – she has probably seen more than her share of fishing line and hooks. I remember last season she saw a hook and got it off the nest. She knows what they can do. So…let’s wish she gets this latest issue solved for 18.

Terry Carman wants to spread the word about DH18 and here is a list of contacts to help. Maybe if we have an Army we can get some help for this eaglet this year. Thank you, Terry for getting all these contacts together! This is a good way to try and get help on Earth Day for that little eaglet.

‘H’ reports that “R4 ate for approx. 14 minutes at 8 feedings (a couple of those feedings s/he sat out completely).  I only count the short periods of time when R4 gets into a groove where it is eating normally, and eagerly swallowing bites.  I do not count the periods of time when R4 is shaking its head and spitting out the bits.  R4’s best crop of the day was the one I already showed you from 07:35.  R4 had several good ps yesterday.  The one last night at 0021 was a little small.  (most of the time the ps are stated in the chat, that’s how I know to go look, unless I just happened to be watching).  R4 acted normally . . lots of standing, walking, wingers.  Hopefully R4 will eat more today, like s/he did on 4/19.”

Much of the time our wildlife winds up in wildlife rehabilitation clinics because of humans. There are many ways to get rid of mice and rats that do not involve rodenticide. In fact, a former student living in northern Manitoba, has voles now. Guess who showed up to clear them up? A kestrel! Hopefully no one has put out rodenticide in that northern city of ours. This owl was not so lucky. Educate people. Talk to your local pest control about alternatives.

I am pleased to tell you that the Cowlitz PUD – a utility company in Washington State – has been proactive in trying to help Electra and her mate. Last year the Ospreys lost their three healthy osplets to Bald Eagles, who removed them from the nest over two days. The company has not placed protective guards for the ospreys. This is just wonderful news. Electra has now laid two eggs.

It is a busy time for wildlife rehab clinics around the world right now as chicks of all species are coming in – lost parents, blown out of nests – you name it. This little osprey was in the water about to be washed out to sea.

Not only is it Earth Day tomorrow, but it is also our local wildlife rehabbers ‘Baby Shower’ – a fundraiser in anticipation of all the nestlings and fledglings that will be in rehab sooner than we can imagine with the wind and the snowflakes still around on the Canadian Prairies. It is a good time for everyone nearby to drop in and say hello and take them things they will need or send them an online donation. Does your local wildlife rehab centre have baby shower days? I will also be keeping an eye on Mother Goose. Seriously who doesn’t love a ‘Mother Goose’?

Our condolences go out to Lori Covert and all the folks at Window to Wildlife and Angus. We will never know what happened to Florence. She would not have abandoned her eggs. It has been such a sad year for Captiva especially after the miraculous rebuilding there after Hurricane Ian. Keep sending all the nests your most positive wishes!

Thank you for being with me today. I am so fortunate to be in such wonderful company as all of you. Every day I wake up with a smile knowing that so many caring people are out there in the world making a difference. Take care. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, tweets, announcements, videos, and streaming cams that helped to make up my blog this morning: ‘A’, ‘H’, Window to Wildlife, Kielder, C Marguilis and SF Osprey Cam with Rosie and Richmond, Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn, Montana Osprey Project, Gris Adriana and orange, Australia Peregrine Falcons, Berry College Eagle Cam, NCTC, Wild Bird Sanctuary, Raptor Resource Project and Explore.org, IWS and Explore.org, Cal Falcons, Dale Hollow Eagle Cam, Keisha Howell and DHEC, WRDC, Nine Sirous and Cornell Haw Cam Chatters, Cowlitz PUD, Barbara Walker and Osprey Friends and Terry Carman Bald Eagles Live Nest and Cams.

And the name is…Connick

26 January 2022

The name that Lori Covert chose for Connie and Clive’s 2023 hatch – Captiva Eaglet 9 – is Connick. What a unique name! Well done, Lori, for recognising Connor and Nick’s efforts at Window to Wildlife! They have done an amazing job this year getting everything back together after Hurricane Ian.

Welcome Connick!

Some captures of Clive, Connie, and Connick from today:

Name the Captiva Eaglet!

20 January 2022

‘F and M’ just alerted me to the naming contest for the Captiva Eaglet. I know that you will want to participate so put your thinking caps on and come up with a terrific name for this eaglet at the Captiva Bald Eagle nest of Clive and Connie.

This is the announcement by Lori Covert the property owner.

To vote, you go to FB: https://www.facebook.com/LoriPellerCovert OR Instagram (search for Lori Covert).. Find this baby a great name. A gender neutral name that will travel with him or her for 40 years or more. Thank you!

https://www.facebook.com/LoriPellerCovert

Thanks Everyone! Have some fun. Pick a great, great name.