Tag Archives: Channel Islands

Concern grows as fish deliveries dry up in the US NE…Friday in Bird World

19 June 2026

Hello Everyone,

Oh, my goodness. It is pouring down rain again and Toby has his thunder shirt on! Thanks to ‘P’ I have discovered they also make these calming jackets for cats. Missey is the other one that was soooooo anxious during the recent storms so that I have now ordered one for her. The running joke amongst us is that the animals have more outfits than we do! It’s true. They are the glue that holds our mental health in place along with the garden and its wildlife.

Our neighbourhood is very concerned. Neither Brock nor Charlie, the cat with the frozen folded ear, have been seen and they disappeared at the same time. I do not believe in coincidences. Neighbours have adjusted their cameras and put out bowls o food in an attempt to see if we can spot them on camera. Don, Toby, and I have called and banged on every shed and garage and one house that is vacant with work being done for fear they are locked in. Brock would not easily go into a trap. I tried him many times but, he might be lured into a house or a space to go to sleep and then someone close the door and not come back. Jane and I are beside ourselves with worry.

P1 fledged at the nest of Big Red and Arthur on the Cornell Campus on Thursday. Congratulations. P2 is ready, but P3 isn’t. How can you tell? To properly fly, we should be able to clearly see five or six dark bands on their tail.

Cornell Bird Lab has that fledge on video: https://youtu.be/BF6JfvkSy8E?

Can you tell who is the youngest by the number of bands? Laura Culley taught me this.

Two young hawks sitting in their nest made of twigs, with green leaves visible around them.

Clark came to say hello, then delivered a stick for the cot rails, and then within a few minutes returned with a breakfast fish for Iris and baby.

Two ospreys on their nest, surrounded by a parking lot and greenery in the background.
An osprey feeding a chick in a nest, with another chick visible nearby. The scene shows the details of the nest constructed with sticks and other materials.
Two ospreys in a nest feeding a chick, with visible twigs and nesting materials.
Screenshot of a social media post from Montana Osprey Cams discussing the hatching status of ospreys' eggs and feeding details for the chicks.
A young osprey chick is peeking out from a nest surrounded by grass and three eggs.

Now that industrial fishing has begun in the NE, it appears there are fewer and fewer fish for males to find and deliver to their nests. There have been deaths in the last few days, including Forsythe. I was inherently sad before this osprey season began, and I feel as if someone just punched me in the gut really hard at the start of each day. Heidi and I predicted this more than three years ago. The decline is happening swiftly. The adults who hatched babies cannot find enough fish to feed themselves and their chicks. They also know that even if a few live, they won’t find fish when they fledge. I had hoped that the ospreys would choose not to breed at all, as Duke and Daisy did a couple of years ago at Barnegat Light. What you are watching is the slow extinction of a species in a region of the US that should not be happening. While some might wish to point to all manner of causes – Bald Eagles eating millions of tonnes of fish so the osprey don’t have any – the real culprit is the industrial trawling using spotter planes of the fish that is the basis of the ecosystem in the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding areas. Menhaden. You are witnessing this. It is not going to get any better. What we must do is celebrate the chicks that survive, find a fairy or two to help Little Dewey, and make it rain fish for those that are still alive. In other words, a miracle.

We have another female who is going out fishing to try and keep her babies alive – Hennie at Henlopen State Park. Thanks, Heidi.

An osprey named Hennie stands in its nest made of twigs and branches, feeding its chicks. The nest is elevated and surrounded by grass.

Miles helped, too.

An osprey, named Hennie, feeding her young chicks in a nest made of twigs and branches, with a medium-sized fish nearby.

This is very concerning.

Social media post discussing the hatching of two eaglets named Sandy and Luna, and their potential impact on July 4 celebrations.
Two juvenile eagles perched in a nest overlooking a lake and forested landscape, with text about their flight window and the fireworks debate in Big Bear.

Please go and sign the petition.

https://www.change.org/p/protect-big-bear-s-bald-eagles-eaglets-from-july-4th-fireworks-disturbance?source_location=search

The weather at Dewey Beach has been very bad and Little Dewey has had no fish in at least 24 hours.

Has Mum gone fishing, too? I hope so!

A pair of ospreys in their nest, with one adult bird perched beside a chick, overlooking a body of water and nearby buildings.
A bird's nest with two young osprey chicks and an adult osprey in a coastal setting, overlooking a marina with buildings and outdoor seating.
A young osprey chick sitting in a nest made of twigs and branches, with a waterfront view and buildings in the background.

At 1600 Mum returned with literally a minnow for Little Dewey. He has had only this snack in more than 24 hours. I really wish someone would drop fish on this nest. If this chick starves to death in front of us like the one last year, it is going to be hard to deal with. The cause of the lack of fish is manmade – industrial fishing – cannot someone do something?

A live view of an osprey nest showing an adult osprey and a chick, with a restaurant and beach area in the background.

Mum might determine that there is no fish for her baby as he gets older and abandons the nest. This is an acute possibility. We have to be prepared.

Every nest I have checked needs fish in the US – it would be good to see 5-7 fish on these nests where the chicks are in the Reptile phase or later. Dewey is getting feathers. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum babies seem tiny.

An osprey standing on a nest filled with sticks and grass, with three chicks visible in the nest. The background features grassy fields and a gravel path.
An osprey stands on its nest, which is made of twigs and grass, with two chicks visible in the nest below. The surrounding landscape features grassy areas and a gravel path.

The nest is so full of human debris and it appears only one egg that Bety is incubating – it just doesn’t feel right this year at Mlade Buky. Maybe it is just me.

A stork standing in its nest on a rooftop, with houses and hills in the background, during sunset.

Finnish nest 4. Two chicks in reptile phase doing well.

An osprey is feeding its chick in a nest made of branches, with a blurred natural background.

Beautiful juvenile feathers on the trio at Finnish nest 1.

An osprey feeding its chicks in a nest made of branches and moss.

Two tiny tiny little osplets at Ilomansti Finnish 2 nest.

A bird sitting in a nest made of branches near a body of water, with two chicks visible in the nest.

Three at Oyster Bay getting their juvenile feathers.

An osprey perched on a nest overlooking a harbor with boats and a beach in view, under a partly sunny sky.

Three covered with feathers at Clark PUD in Washington.

A close-up view of a bird's nest featuring a parent bird and several chicks. The nest is made of twigs and moss, situated on a ledge with greenery and a road visible in the background.

Chick 2 is calling for prey, and Mum fed at the Lesser Spotted Eagle nest in Estonia. We can only take this nest one day at a time as Lesser Spotted Eagles practice obligate siblicide (the oldest chick kills the younger).

A Lesser Spotted Eagle stands on a nest with a chick, surrounded by greenery and tree branches in the background.
A bird of prey feeding its chicks in a nest surrounded by trees.

This black stork nest is doing so well in Estonia that a foster storklet has been added.

Four fluffy young birds in a nest with a tree in the background, as a person holds a green bag above them.
A nest with four fluffy stork chicks, surrounded by greenery and trees. The chicks are looking towards the viewer, while one appears to be pecking at something on the nest.

Trine has it on video: https://youtu.be/ARD6I0hvmmM?

Cleaning a stork’s nest in Germany! https://youtu.be/4bOH5sE9Nwk?

Two people in a platform above a large bird's nest, working on the nest with tools, with green grass in the background.

Storklets being ringed. https://youtu.be/rfTyPio17Cc?

A stork stands next to its chicks in a large nest made of twigs, set against a scenic backdrop of trees and houses under a partly cloudy sky.
A person holding a black identification band for a bird while surrounded by young birds in a nest made of twigs and straw.
A person is attaching identification tags to baby birds resting on the ground, surrounded by grass and straw.

Bobby Bach (third Bob) is doing find according to the folks at Glaslyn. There was some concern after the recent removal of fishing line but they have been monitoring the situation with their own special cameras closely and conclude he is alright. The weather has been terrible, but Teifi has been delivering fish, regardless. Here is Bobby Bach right up front and using its crop as a pillow.

A bird of prey stands in a nest with two chicks, feeding them a fish while surrounded by twigs and greenery.
A bird, likely a hawk, stands by a nest containing several chicks. The nest is made of twigs and is located in a green landscape.

​​Syfadden has been bringing in the fish to the Usk Valley while Clogwyn has made certain – despite their size that they are kept warm and dry in the bad weather of Wales.

A hawk is seen in its nest with several chicks, surrounded by twigs and branches, set against a backdrop of green fields and hills under a cloudy sky.
A bird's nest made of twigs and branches is situated high in a tree, with a scenic view of a green landscape in the background under a cloudy sky.

At Rutland Manton Bay’s nest of Maya and Blue 33, the osplets, fully feathered, enter their fledge window in less than a fortnight from 28th Jun – 11 Jul. I wish every osplet in the US had the chance for fish that this nest has!

Close-up of ospreys and their chicks in a nest by a body of water, captured from a live webcam.
A nest by the water containing several young ospreys resting among sticks and twigs.

That is a nest full of osplets – four of them – at Poole Harbour – doing just fine. CJ7 and Blue 022. Amazing. They will probably break Maya and Blue 33s record of fledging four (I must check – it could be this clutch!).

An adult osprey stands watch over its three chicks in a nest made of twigs and branches, surrounded by greenery in the background.

I feel like I am the bearer of bad news. Despite the understanding, several years ago, that Heidi and I had that this would happen if the industrial fishing of Menhaden was not curtailed, it is still more than difficult. It doesn’t have to happen. Every person reading my blog, their friends, anyone who loves ospreys should be calling Audubon, anyone in the State of Virginia including the Governor, and every TV, radio, and newspaper channel.

Thank you for being with us. I keep saying that I am going to take a break and it might just be this weekend that I do. It is a little overwhelming seeing so many babies and parents starving. Take care. There are fledges to come on the Channel Islands and P2 at Cornell.

Thank you to everyone who posted information on FB and images, the owners of the streaming cams, and to each of you for your comments and information sent to me by other means.

2nd egg pipping for Seren and Dylan…Late Wednesday in Bird World

20 May 2026

Oh, hello everyone,

It warmed up! Mike finished the railings and will begin the small deck extension shortly. Toby and I planted beans, tomatoes, red peppers, chives, various lettuces, and rosemary. We even managed to almost finish painting a wicker plant stand for one of the lovely chartreuse ferns. It was 17 C. Ann and Don went to the zoo, where to their delight, the peacocks were really putting on quite the show. It was what I call a ‘cracker’ of a day.

‘PB’ just sent a note about Achieva. Jill went out and caught a small fish for Big to eat alone. Then she went out again and came in with a big catfish for both her and Little. She is a brilliant dedicated Mum!

A bird standing on a fish in a nest made of twigs and branches.
A bird of prey, possibly an eagle, in flight carrying a fish in its claws, with a nest made of sticks visible below.

I love the fact that these two osprey are so bonded that they remain together despite having no eggs but protecting their territory and nest for next year! It’s called ‘hope’ and we all could use a good dose of it right now!

Two ospreys sitting in their nest surrounded by greenery.
An image of an osprey couple, FS2 and Eli, at their nest, appearing attentive and engaged in their relationship despite not producing eggs this season.

Sadly, Flora’s Harry has not been seen at the Alyth Substation osprey platform since Saturday. Flora had to go and find food, and when she left their eggs, the Corvids came and ate them. It is a blessing. There are no chicks to starve, and Flora can have a summer building up her strength. Harry was very special and is a huge loss.

Blue KL5 has not returned to the Loch Garten nest for many days. He is also presumed to be lost like Harry. It has been a rough year in the UK osprey world, much different than in previous years when couples were secure and chicks hatched and fledged in a normal calm manner.

Heidi reports on the saddness coming out of Mispillion Harbour osprey platform.

An osprey sitting in its nest, which is located in a wooden structure. The nest is made of straw and has several holes. In the background, there is a grassy area.

There is cuteness at the nest of Dylan and Seren – and what a bright spot these little osplets are that are hatching!

An osprey stands next to its nest, which contains a chick and an egg, surrounded by twigs and branches in a natural setting.
An osprey is standing beside a chick in a nest, with eggs visible in the background.

So cute – turn around you silly!!!!!!!! Manton Bay with Blue 33 and Maya.

Two adult ospreys standing near their nest, which contains several chicks and an unhatched egg, set against a backdrop of water.

Iris had a little visitor from one of the nests inside her nest!

An osprey sitting in a nest surrounded by twigs and grass, with a chick beside it.
Two young osprey chicks huddled together in a nest made of twigs and pine needles.

Have you been wonderfing about the female at the Glen-Hayes nest?

A post discussing the impact of consuming a deceased eagle's remains on a mother eagle already symptomatic with avian flu, detailing biological responses and immunity challenges.
A bald eagle with wings spread, situated in its nest among green leaves and trees.

We have a fledge/fludge at Johnson City ETSU.

A collage of images from a live nest cam showing a bald eagle nest with eaglets. One eaglet is visible in the nest, while another is perched nearby. The background features trees and foliage.

Have you noticed that Monty and Hartley raise the most energetic chicks?!!!!!!!! Always getting into mischief. SK Hideaways gives us some of their latest antics in this video: https://youtu.be/GhKpFR5-4Ao?

Two falcons perched on a ledge, with a camera and a building in the background. A text box explains how falcons bob their heads to enhance depth perception.

Lady and Dad have been regularly coming to the nest tree in the Sydney Olympic Park.

A nocturnal surveillance image of a bird perched on a tree branch, surrounded by foliage, captured in black and white.
A live stream image of a sea eagle perched on a branch near its nest, surrounded by trees at dusk.

Hatch watch for Richmond and Wendy.

Close-up of a mature osprey perched on a railing, with a sharp gaze, possibly considering fishing while monitoring a nearby nest.

Gracie Shepherd shows us the latest on the fires on Santa Rosa Island where there are eagle nests with babies!

Map showing Santa Rosa Island with highlighted areas indicating wildfire impact, alongside a coastal view of the island.

What a cutie that hatched for Dylan and Seren yesterday with another nice pip in the second egg!

A bird of prey, likely an eagle or hawk, is seen in a black and white image, tending to its nest that contains eggs and a newly hatched chick.

Prey becomes comfy pillows at Big Red and Arthur’s nest in New York.

A red-tailed hawk is nesting with several chicks in a nest made of twigs on a rooftop ledge, overlooking a city street.
A red-tailed hawk sitting on a nest with several fluffy chicks, surrounded by twigs and greenery.

Aerating the eggs at Pitkin County in Colorado.

An osprey resting on its nest made of twigs and branches, with green grass and shrubs in the background.

Ann loves peacocks and this article just popped up in The Guardian!

Peacock ‘invasion’ of Italian seaside town ruffles feathershttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/16/peacock-italy-punta-marina-tensions?CMP=share_btn_url

It’s raining. The sky is grey and it is cooling off. Hoping for warm weather tomorrow! Take care everyone. We will see you again soon.

Thank you to everyone for their contributions – videos, informative posts and messages with images, authors of FB posts and the owners of the streaming cams that allow us these screen captures and a view into the life of these families.

P3 is tiny but eating well…late Saturday in Bird World

16 May 2026

Hello Everyone,

My goodness gracious. We had hoped to plant but it is freezing outside. With the wind it is – 2 C. They are even saying we could have snow as it is now snowing in places three hours north of us! I can’t believe it. Even Toby didn’t want to be out in the cold wind today. We did not go to the greenhouse. We could have but it would have meant having all the plants inside and some of the cats would have destroyed them before I could get them planted. So it has been a rather lazy day and instead of a barbecue it was a pot of warming soup.

P3 is tiny compared to P1. P3 often stays away from the two older hawks, preferring to sleep on the opposite side of the nest bowl. Laura Culley told me once, aeons ago, that this might indicate a change in gender. So let’s consider that the two older ones are females, and this little one is a male.

A Red-tailed Hawk feeding its chicks in a nest made of twigs and leaves, with three fluffy gray chicks visible.

To the shock of everyone, Arthur got to do a tandem feeding with Big Red on Saturday.

P3 and two different feedings. Dryed off in the second.

A red-tailed hawk feeding its chicks in a nest, surrounded by twigs and remnants of prey.

Nice crop for P3.

A Red-tailed Hawk standing near its nest with several fluffy chicks, surrounded by twigs and natural materials.

How many remember the lovely and quite successful osprey family on the PSEG nest at Patchogue, New York? There is currently no cam but ‘L’ sent me a note that Isaac had posted that the osprey family is on the nest.

A tall wooden pole with an osprey nest at the top against a clear blue sky.


SK Hideaways Videos, Week of 10 May 2026

FOBBV Eagles ~ Big Bear Valley, CA  ~ Jackie, Shadow, Sandy, and Luna
Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE
Wide View Cam (Cam 2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41eq4VzCYc4
LIVE Recap & Observations https://bit.ly/3Md8TSz

Sandy & Luna Share Goodnight Beaky Kisses 💕 Shadow Tucks Family In💤(2026 May 11)
Sandy and Luna cuddled up at dusk to share some beaky kisses (and perhaps leftover feesh) and cuddle up for the night. Shadow checked in to make sure all was well, wished Jackie sweet eagle dreams, and headed off to his nighttime roost.
Video: https://youtu.be/8p8GKklfutw


Fraser Point Eagles~ Santa Cruz Island, CA  ~ Cruz, Andor, Sasha, Zuma, and Ryder
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Fraser Point Eagles Cam Ops
Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY4V_AppZ6s

On a 9-fish day, the eaglets sported bowling ball-sized crops and Cruz was on an allopreening mission (2026 May 15)
It was a 9-fish day for Sasha, Zuma, and Ryder at Fraser Point. Cruz brought 4 to the nest; Andor 5. The eaglets enthusiastically accepted all 9 and ended the day with ginormous crops. Throughout the afternoon, Cruz was intent on allopreening Zuma ~ there was no escape.  The eaglets are 7 weeks old.
Video: https://youtu.be/U3vjDarjWDQ


San Jose City Hall Falcons ~ San Jose, CA ~ Hartley, Monty, and 4 chicks
Courtesy San Jose City Hall Peregrine Falcon Cam
Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBSxPjy5sow
Ledge Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pp9TisLmLU
Roof Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQLhmV6bP6o

Banding: Hartley & Monty Mounted a Harrowing Defense ~ Banders Were Unflinching
San Jose City Hall Falcons ~ San Jose, CA (2026 May 13)
Once again, banding day at the San Jose City Hall peregrine falcon nest was an epic event beginning with Hartley and Monty’s aerial defense that didn’t cease for the entire 2-1/2 hours. The remarkable banding team of Zeka Glucs, director Predatory Bird Research Group; Gavin Emmons, wildlife biologist; and Kaitlin Lopez, condor crew lead at Pinnacles National Park were unflinching as they completed their mission quickly and efficiently.

The video covers the preamble to the “featherless monsters’” arrival, a step-by-step view of the banding, lots of Hartley and Monty’s aerial defense, and the happy aftermath.
Video: https://youtu.be/xAj20H9x1OI

Dr. Zeka Glucs gave us a trip report afterwards: 
“You’ve all heard by now that we found out all four chicks in this clutch are male. Four boys! That is a first for this nest site and will make Fledgewatch very exciting, I’m sure, as males can fledge early and fly fast. These nestlings now have one band on each leg to help us track them throughout their lifetimes: a silver USGS Bird Banding Lab band that may temporarily be sporting some colored electrical tape for easy identification, and black visual ID band with a 4-digit alphanumeric code. The bands for each bird are as follows:
 
1. Male, left leg 70/BH, right leg blue tape
2. Male, left leg red tape, right leg 67/BH
3. Male, left leg yellow tape, right leg 53/BH
4. Male, left leg 71/BH, right leg no tape (silver)
 
“You may also notice the new radio transmitters mounted to the black VID bands. They are slipped onto an existing flange on the band with a drop of superglue. You can learn a little more about these hip new transmitters here: https://celltracktech.com/pages/blumorpho?srsltid=AfmBOor3VcKJblv-5sA6yBQaTUwFyRuVVJjCXXrVhLFtYvxThd9cRgEv. Currently all of them are transmitting and it will be very interesting to see how they work when the chicks leave the nest and are on the move!”

Chicks Venture Outside Nest Box for First Time! Utter Chaos Begins 🤭(2026 May 12)
An exciting new phase began for Hartley and Monty’s chicks as all four ventured out of the nest box for dinner. Hartley and Monty both fed the chicks before they returned to the safety of the only home they’ve known for their whole 3-week lives. They’re blissfully unaware of the even bigger adventure that awaits them tomorrow, when they’ll be banded, checked, and sexed.
Video: https://youtu.be/lpnLXUv1DfY

Chicks Still Line-up for Meals ~ Exit Angels, Enter Raptors (2026 May 10)
Seemingly overnight, the 20-day-old chicks went from angel eaters to mini raptors, earning their designation as such. This extended feeding footage shows that change, as well as their progress in learning to self-feed. Monty delivered prey #7 while #6 was in progress. The chicks’ eating gusto remained high.
Video: https://youtu.be/fmXQomZJoKc


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

Cholyn & Chase Spend Mother’s Day Together ~ Their Bond Stronger than Ever (2026 May 10)
Cholyn and Chase have been devoted partners for 23 years. Today they bonded all around their special Two Harbors territory ~ chortling, beaky kissing, and gazing into each other’s beautiful eyes. A romance for the ages, if you’re a romantic. Or a remarkable bond, if you prefer a more ornithological view.
Video: https://youtu.be/L_Xp_wOeyQw

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 16th May 2026

Another uneventful day, just a momentary alarm for Dorcha as she was startled by a little Willow Warbler, who was probably the more startled of the two given Dorcha’s huge size especially when those massive wings are unfurled. Light rain is falling at the time of this report (midnight) and forecast to continue through the night with a low of 6°C, changing to thundery showers tomorrow with a high of 12°C. Both Dorcha and Aurora 536 received two fish each from their respective mates Louis and Garry LV0. The Nest Two tally rises to sixty four, and the Nest One to sixty six fish. Steve Quinn has had a good look at the fish stats to date, the hyvor comment system won’t allow the links to be posted so just pop fish counting summary into the search box (on the right above the featured comment) and you’ll be able to read his excellent current and previous analyses.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/4b6m2pX98g4 N2 Early breakfast for Dorcha 05.15.19

https://youtu.be/AtFrR7HTSG4 N2 Dorcha is startled by a Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) 14.00.04

https://youtu.be/znlAl59Dfrk  N1 First fish finally arrives for Aurora 14.50.26

https://youtu.be/GiN-WuaXpTE N1 Aurora seizes fish two as soon as Garry lands 18.33.22

https://youtu.be/_lLonMc5KwI N2 Dorcha gets a second fish 15 hours after the first  20.48.53 (zoom)

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/YND-HJeeMPk  N1 Leverage: Aila upsets Louis’ dignity 2020

https://youtu.be/xRyEpGVbcwA  N1 Two pronged approach: nest-building the Louis way 2020

https://youtu.be/YTMiWlJQses  N1 Louis is determined to stay, Aila has other ideas 2020

https://youtu.be/vJfJ3Y6Tmfg  N1 Time to go, Louis! 2020

https://youtu.be/nRt2SB2Bc58 N2 Tricky stick causes problems for Dorcha 2022

https://youtu.be/CncGyiCy2Wg  N2 Cheeky Hooded Crow eyes up the eggs 2022

https://youtu.be/bKujmLG-IuQ  N2 Breakfast arrives in a gust of wind but Dorcha holds on 2023

https://youtu.be/EBah_zuuOXY N2 Size matters! A little Tree Pipit visits Dorcha 2024 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/psX-lwLzRlo N2 Stickgate! Sticks come and go 2024

https://youtu.be/-w4qO57K1uk N1 A redpoll pays a flying visit 2024 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/zFr74qbPxN4 N2 Louis is gular fluttering to cool down in 26°C (78.8°F) heat 2024 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/3ainCb_9inA N2 First fish arrives to the sound of birdsong 2025

https://youtu.be/FmbBKyiOcBI N1 Successful mating for Garry & Aurora 2025

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

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

‘L’ sent me a great little article on the banding of the three eaglets at the MN-DNR Bald Eagle nest:

EagleCam chicks bandedDownload

UK Osprey population is growing!

Close-up of three speckled eggs resting in a bed of straw and vegetation.

It is being reported that M15 has a new female friend at the SW Florida Bald Eagle nest after losing Harriet and then his second mate, F23, this season.

Surviving eaglet at the White-tailed Eagle nest in the Hebrides is doing well.

A bird sitting on a nest made of twigs and grass, with a small chick visible beside it.

Take care, everyone. Thank you so much for being with us for this quick check in on a few of the nests!

Thank you to ‘L’ for some great updates, to SK Hideaways and Geemeff for their wonderful video links and reports on so many nests, to the owners of the streaming cams and those that report on FB. We are always grateful!

Tough times at the Achieva Osprey platform …Late Saturday in Bird World

18 April 2026

Hello Everyone,

It is time for one of those ‘heart-to-heart’ chats with everyone who ‘only’ watches US Osprey nests. You have wrung your hands and cried when the baby died at Moorings Park. You have torn your insides out watching Achieva with the first baby dying, Jack not delivering enough fish, and now Mum having to fish because she is starving. Will Middle make it? We don’t know. It is difficult to watch osplets starve on a nest. Each of us wants every nest and every chick to thrive.

I study osprey mortality. The rate and cause of death vary from region to region. When I began my study, the top COD was siblicide – one sibling killing another. Normally, this is triggered by a lack of food, but there have been some exceptions due to food and dominance. I doubt if anyone watching the nest with Zoe at Port Lincoln (or Solly, also at Port Lincoln) will forget the eldest female eating and eating – much more than seemed possible and then killing her two siblings. Port Lincoln obtained permission to supplement the feed for the chicks on the nest in subsequent years. At Achieva, Mum is desperate. It is hot, and she leaves for only about ten minutes at a time to try her hand at fishing. She normally brings back a catfish, her legs wet. This is a huge risk for these young babies due to heat and predators, but when everyone is starving, what other choice does she have?

A close-up view of an osprey nest made of twigs and branches, located on a support structure surrounded by trees and a residential area in the background.

It is the last of the fish. Little will get nothing. Big got most of two fish.

View of an osprey nest atop a pole, surrounded by trees, with a residential area visible in the background.

Little had 64 bites of fish – Heidi is counting – . Still, Jill is fish-calling and fish-calling. She knows they are in danger of losing Little. She’s a good Mum.

We do not know why Jack does not deliver more fish. I have not kept up with the weather and drought conditions in the region this year. But heat and drought certainly impact fishing. Intruders taking fish from ospreys is another cause. Simple lack of fish is another – again, I wish I knew this area better. For years, there has been speculation that Jack might even have another family to feed. We simply don’t know, and speculating doesn’t change the situation.

Achieva has always been a nest where I remember the difficult year when Tumbles triumphed. Heidi and I sat up and each of us counted every bite that baby got. We monitored when Diane changed her mind and brought in a catfish at dark when the older two were sleeping and fed her baby. Tumbles was her nickname and she was feisty and smart. She ate off the old bones hidden deep in the nest. She scrambled around the rim to get to Mum’s beak to get some food. She squeezed into tight spaces to get bites so the older, much bigger siblings couldn’t get her. It was horrible to watch. At least five times, we thought Tumbles was a ‘goner’. Once, she had no fish for 79 hours. But she was a survivor. Out in the real world, ospreys cannot be timid. There is too much competition for so little in so many places in North America. So when you see a Tumbles, you always remember them – the drive to live was exceptional.

Each nest offers us a learning experience, whether it thrives or struggles. But often, our personal lives leave us emotionally worn out. We can’t stand to see another one starve to death, so below I have some recommendations for highly successful nests.

A young bird sitting in a large nest made of twigs and branches, located on a platform high above a green landscape with trees and a view of a road.

Nothing came.

A large bird's nest made of twigs is perched on a platform, with a bird resting inside the nest. In the background, trees and a street are visible, illuminated by ambient light.

In contrast, Sunnie Day reports on the Moorings Park chat: “8 fish today. 9:44, 10:38, 1:08, 2:42, 3:15, 4:19, 5:02,, and 6:31. All from Harry.” That is what needs to be happening when the chicks are bigger at Achieva. (And it won’t, believe me).

Four ospreys perched on a large nest near a body of water, with greenery in the background.

My recommendations: The first one is the Dyfi nest of Idris and Telyn in Wales. Idris is known as ‘Daddy Longlegs’. He delivers whoppers. He feeds Telyn. They are great parents. Then there is Dylan and Seren up at Lyn Clywedog. That reservoir is stocked annually with 45,000 fish (or so I was told several years ago). Then there is Poole Harbour, with CJ7 and Blue 022. They are going after some record for raising four osplets over and over again. There are others, including Rutland’s Maya and Blue 33, but there have been accidents with fish, and we have had a little one die now and then. They remain super parents still.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 17th April 2026

There is only one story of any note – the return of Louis, the dominant male of Loch Arkaig since 2017. As hopes started to fade due to his exceeding his previous latest arrival date by nearly a week, he arrived in a blaze of glory onto Nest Two at 17.57.42 this evening. Dorcha, his mate since 2021, wasn’t around and he landed without his usual soft chirrup so who’s to say they hadn’t already met up earlier in the day. We’ll never know but what is certain is that all of us watchers are thrilled, amazed and delighted to see Louis home safely and looking so well. In other news, the potential rival male JJ4 wasn’t seen today, and Garry LV0 was quickly sent packing when he intruded on Dorcha today. He returned to his own nest, Nest One, on a surfboard, and didn’t bring any fish for his mate Aurora 536 so his tally remains at fifteen fish to date. How quickly will Louis overtake that? It will be great fun to watch. Welcome home Louis! 

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/eYlsi09qH-w N2 Garry LV0 is sent packing when he intrudes on Dorcha 12.56.33

https://youtu.be/V1lhpRuez_4 N1 Surf’s up! Garry rides in on a surfboard 15.11.48   

https://youtu.be/MPRFalo0lZ0 N2 LOUIS! Welcome home! (short version) 18.57.42

https://youtu.be/eQjTgjzbehc N2 The triumphant return of Louis (long version) 18.57.42

https://youtu.be/oKMfFQfufoQ N2 Is Dorcha aware of Louis’ return? 19.33.07

Bonus watch – our last look at Louis before he left on migration 2025. Fortunately, not our final glimpse of him!

https://youtu.be/uxqhDYAhY-I 21 August 2025 (slo-mo zoom)

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/d3Y9CGoYsvY  N1 Bold Hoodie takes advantage of Aila’s absence 2020

https://youtu.be/UPtm4jmy9Zo  N1 Louis finally manages to subdue a tricky stick 2021

https://youtu.be/mZYG9XNCof8  N2 How to tell Louis & Dorcha apart 2022

https://youtu.be/NIeUiK4R_r8  N2 Noisy helicopter gets Louis & Dorcha’s attention 2023

https://youtu.be/GITGVoOkg2o N1 & 2 Hercules caught on both nest cams 2023 (split-screen zoom)

https://youtu.be/n974C1G3zig N2 Moody cloudy sunset 2023 (time lapse)

https://youtu.be/SGa5_hOLmmg  N2 The second egg arrives! 2024 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/oJc06aWLkAg  N1 Garry LV0 brings fish but no one comes for it 2024

https://youtu.be/DUPOg7KJH_U   N1 Affric calls for fish but Garry brings a branch 2024

https://youtu.be/94MaMt_CENM  N2 Dorcha carefully tends the egg 2025

https://youtu.be/CnwSIqV7HJ0  N2 Dorcha nibbles the first fish before leaving Louis to egg-sit 2025

https://youtu.be/d4JCzUL6RlA N1 Garry LV0 brings bedding and stays to survey his territory 2025 

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

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

Champagne corks popped around the world when Louis touched down. Louis has lost no time making up for being late. Fish and mating continue….eggs in a week?

A laptop displaying a wildlife cam feed of an eagle's nest next to a champagne bottle in an ice bucket and a glass of champagne on a wooden table.

SK Hideaways Videos, 10-16 April 2026

John Bunker Sands, Combine, TX

Courtesy John Bunker Sands Wetland Center Eagle Cam

Eagle Tower Camera 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wdo7BzUU_g

Eagle Tower Camera 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEDb2KqvvyQ

JBS24 Fledges ✈️ No Branching Required 🪾2026 Apr 16

Video: https://youtu.be/zTOaO_i_Pow

JBS24 Prepares to Fledge ✈️ Seems in No Rush 🐢 2026 Apr 11-12

Video: https://youtu.be/ajdSObK-Yl0 

Fraser Point Eagles, Santa Cruz Island, CA

Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Fraser Point Eagles Cam Ops

Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY4V_AppZ6s

Even when Sasha, Zuma & Ryder sport bulging crops, Cruz & Andor keep the snacks coming 😅 2026 Apr 15

Video: https://youtu.be/KG85oPVrqHI 

FOBBVCAM Eagles, Big Bear Valley, CA

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

Jackie & Shadow had their talons full with snow, predators, and 2 growing fluff balls ~ 2026 Apr 14

Video: https://youtu.be/as3C9WW-3ho 

Heads No Longer Bobbling 😵‍💫Chicks Mind Manners for Dad Shadow 🐥🐥 2026 Apr 10

Video: https://youtu.be/BcgiDxD_LZM

Two Harbors, Catalina Island, CA

Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Two Harbors Eagles Cam Ops

Overlook Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yx7RKxpyzQ

Eagle Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5T2eHM8tcI

Cholyn and Chase ~ Sole Soulmates 🥰 3-1/2 Minutes of Bliss ✨ 2026 April 11

Video:https://youtu.be/rNskNmlWX70

San Jose CH Falcons, San Jose, CA

Courtesy San Jose City Hall Peregrine Falcon Cam

Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBSxPjy5sow

Ledge Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pp9TisLmLU

Roof Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQLhmV6bP6o

Monty’s 3 a.m. visit bought him a 9-1/2-hour egg shift ⏰ 2026 Apr 10

Video: https://youtu.be/y6QpOcGr21Q

Third egg of the season for Wendy and Richmond came today! Here is the video: https://youtu.be/IxX39moYIYY?

A bird is sitting in a nest made of twigs and branches, partially covered, with a blurred background.

Oh, the comings and goings at Iris’s nest. I cannot keep up with it! Nor can I tell Louis from one of the visitors – or maybe it is just Louis every time I check!

An osprey perched on a large nest made of sticks, overlooking a parking lot and surrounding greenery.
An osprey perched on its nest made of sticks, overlooking a parking area and tree-lined surroundings.
Two ospreys perched on a nest made of sticks, overlooking a parking lot and surrounding greenery.
A post discussing the relationship development between two ospreys named Iris and NewGuy2, detailing their interactions and nesting activities.

So many things are happening. Pip watches here and there…Peanut is back on the nest, Lola has an injury on her wing from the owl, etc. It is hard to keep up! We have been cleaning out a room today and had a short, brisk walk. The temperature with the wind was -15 C. Not so nice. But it was a good day. And I can tell you that the alarms work! Don got up this morning and decided to go outside. The siren went off. Yes, it did give him a bit of a fright, which I think will make him think twice about touching that door!!!!!!!!! It is nice not to have to take keys any longer but my real hope is that spring arrives soon.

Take care everyone.

Thank you to everyone who has been writing to me about Achieva – ‘MP, PB’, to Heidi for keeping on top of the bite count there, to SK Hideaways for their videos, to Geemeff for the daily summary and to everyone who posted images and information on FB, gosh, I am grateful to you. Thank you so very much. As always, we are grateful to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to witness the lives of these raptor families.

Double Saddness

16 March 2026

Hello,

After being so excited about the young couple at the West End, the ravens have taken the egg when it was left alone. This is youth. They will learn. Both of them possibly wondered what to do with that egg – intuition doesn’t always come easy.

SK Hideaways ‘Now you see it, now you don’t’ shows us what happened. https://youtu.be/WVDHKRApfxQ

On top of this, Chase and Cholyn’s egg at Two Harbours has been pierced and broken.

On top of all of this saddness in the Channel Islands, Audacity isn’t giving up and has laid another egg.

My goodness, Audacity must be worn out. It takes a lot out of an eagle to produce this many eggs.

I want to thank Penny Albright for keeping us informed about some incredible osprey nests while she has been on vacation. It has been a real treat to see these families through her eyes!

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I am not hopeful for the West End, Two Harbours, or Sauces this year. I want to be wrong!

Take care. See you soon. Ospreys landing in the UK and flying home. Lots to become excited about soon.

Thank you to SK Hideaways, Penny Albright and the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to witness the lives, good and bad, of our beloved raptors.

Surprise and shock rang out on Sunday…

Monday 16 March 2026

Good Morning,

Just one of those quick postings. My inbox was filled with surprise, saddness, and shock when the very young female at the West End nest laid her very first egg on Sunday.

Everyone misses Thunder and Akecheta, whether it was at the old nest with Dr Sharpe rescuing eaglets or at the new one. I have not added them to the Memorial Wall and won’t because I believe they are out there somewhere. Akecheta was smart to just give up the territory, but we also lost Haku. Where is she? It is a challenging location with many intruders. Let’s wish this very young couple a long, happy, and successful breeding life.

SK Hideaways has the action on video: https://youtu.be/1lNeKmk3hZg?

White-Tail Eagle Milda laid her second egg on Sunday. Congratulations Milda and Zorro.

Rosie has not returned to Richmond as of today. His nest on the Whirley Crane would be an envy to any osprey! He has been working heard preparing for Rosie to return but she is very late and I am concerned.

Loch Doon streaming cam is live. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/live/a7Aocq3fybM?

My eyes are on Manton Bay and Loch of the Lowes today.

If you missed it, Quinn has fledged from the Captiva nest. So R9 and R10 along with E26 have taken to the skies.

The owl returned to the Winter Park nest, but Wink was sleeping by Peanut and raised up. As far as I am aware, nothing happened. Smart Mum. She knows about owls.

Thank you for being with us for this quick look at the egg laying in the Channell Islands West End nest. Take care. We will be back on Friday.

Thank you to SK Hideaways and the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to check on our favourite bird families.

There is an egg at the West End nest!. Late Sunday in Bird World

16 March 2026

Good Evening Everyone,

This is a quick posting for a couple of reasons.

If you are worried about Brutus, the eldest eaglet from the Winter Park Bald Eagle nest in Florida, don’t. Brutus is in good hands with the Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey! Our friend, Lisa, is part of that rehabilitation community and if Lisa has anything to do with Brutus – he will learn how to be an eaglet and get back into the wild. She is awsome.

I want to give a shout-out to the viewers who spotted the Owl knocking Brutus out of the nest, and to the quick reactions by Windows to Wildlife and the Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey. Brutus was ‘lightly injured’. Updates promised, but Brutus will not be going back to the nest, as it could force Peanut to fledge way too early. Besides, Peanut deserves some time on that nest alone, building up their body and wings for flying. That nest isn’t as crowded anymore, but everyone is alright.

The real story right now is that the young couple that have taken to Thunder and Akecheta’s West End nest in the Channel Islands have their first egg. I almost dropped by drawers! I think she is a first time Mum. I hope they have a long and successful life without intruders – we need some peace at this nest.

Geemeff did her second video of the year, and it was the arrival of Blue 25 (10) at the Manton Bay nest. Oh, let’s hope Maya arrives before Blue 33 because Blue 25 always has her eyes set on Blue 33. If Maya were not to return, would Blue 33 accept Blue 25 as a mate? If he arrives, everything is up in the air right now! Perhaps literally. https://youtu.be/oLvBrnZaEzA?

Thank you so much for being with me. Oh, things are happening so quickly. Quinn fledged! Peanut is missing Brutus while Wink is keeping her youngest close at hand. Ospreys are flying over water and land to get home. I wonder who will arrive Monday.

Take care!

Thank you to Geemeff for their video, to Window to Wildlife for their quick response and caring, and to the owners of the streaming cams so that we can watch these amazing birds and their lives.

Good things come in threes…late Sunday in Bird World

8 March 2026

Good Evening everyone,

To those who celebrate the achievements of women – Happy International Women’s Day!

It has been quite the day. But first up, something good. The threesome at the Moorings Park Osprey platform of Harry and Sally. Seriously, well fed, healthy, happy little tikes.

I wish all good things came in threes!

We have had quite the weekend. It began with the car needing new brakes and a routine oil change, etc., and with two tyres repaired because they had picked up debris from a nearby house fire. Then Toby got sick. Last, my twenty-year old washing machine – which does not owe me a penny – decided it was time to call it a day. I am really hoping that it stops here!

I cannot tell you if Toby is better. Thank you to everyone for your notes and well wishes – they literally came from around the world. It warmed my heart. I hope to find out more about what is going on in the next couple of days. I can tell you that he has been very hungry and has eaten, is drinking water, and ran outside to chase a squirrel, barking his head off in the afternoon.

Toby is watching the Crufts 2026 Dog Show from Birmingham hoping that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that won the ‘toy’ group will win overall.

Toby would never make the ‘toy’ group. Just look at those paws. He clocks in at a mighty 25 lbs. just like the breeder said he would. So much for the 2XL little sweatshirt. It barely makes it to his waist!!!!!!!!

While I am dealing with one thing, my neighbour, who has two Cavaliers – a tri-colour like Toby and a Blenheim (rust and white), is having a very difficult time. The little Blenheim (both girls are tiny beside Toby) has a heart condition. My heart breaks when I see my friend walking her adorable girls in their cute outfits knowing she is frightened about what is happening.

All of this kept me from the bird cams today. I clean when I worry so the laundry room is properly ready for the arrival of the new machines. They should live longer than I will.

But, let’s check a few. Moorings Park is doing fantastic. Cholyn and Chase have a second egg and that is good news.

Most osprey cams are streaming, including those in Germany. Cranes and storks are arriving early. It saddens me to think that many who are migrating from Africa will have to pass through war zones to get to their nests in the north.

Besides flying through Lebanon, we also have those birds flying through Ukraine.

The wind was so strong at Big Bear on Saturday that Jackie was tossed about like she was a feather on the nest. Very scary.

Stella and Ira have three eggs at the US Steel nest! Wings of Whimsy recorded the event: https://youtu.be/xdcEOajcANI?

Nest preparations continue to go well for Red-tail Hawks Big Red and Arthur on the Cornell Campus.

SK Hideaways Videos Week of 1 March 2026

Channel Island California Eagles
Livestreamed nests:
~ Fraser Point ~ Santa Cruz Island ~ Cruz & Andor
~ Sauces Canyon ~ Santa Cruz Island ~ Audacity & Jak
~ Two Harbors ~ Catalina Island ~ Cholyn & Chase
~ West End ~ Catalina Island ~Residents in flux

Two Harbors ~ Cholyn & Chase
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org
Overlook Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yx7RKxpyzQ
Eagle Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5T2eHM8tcI

Cholyn & Chase Chortle About Nest Changes, Meet-ups & Alerts (2026 Mar 4)
From dawn till dusk and even through the night, Cholyn and Chase chortle, snortle, and murmur to each other about whatever is happening in the moment. Their bond is remarkable to behold. 
Video: https://youtu.be/LoHana6raBc

Long Labor for Cholyn’s 3rd Egg ~ First Peek Shows Breakage (2026 Mar 2)
In 23 nesting seasons, this is the first time that Cholyn has laid three eggs. Her labor was atypical and difficult, so it wasn’t completely surprising to see that the third egg was cracked when first revealed. The good news is that Cholyn and Chase are healthy, and that they have two strong eggs. Wishing them success and hoping to see these eggs turn into bundles of fluff. 
Video: https://youtu.be/i60SnPkL8io


West End Eagles ~ Unnamed Female and Lee
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | West End Eagles Cam Ops 
Nest Low Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfuqjSNXZ14
Other Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmmAzrAkKqI
Overlook Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kad6O4nF6bg

Female & Lee All-Day Courtship ~ Sleepover, Beakies, Mating Attempt (2026 Mar 3)
The female, F, and Lee, the 4-year-old sub-adult eagle from the Seal Rocks nest exhibited courtship behaviors throughout the day. We can only guess what they were up to while the cameras were down, but today looked promising. 
Video: https://youtu.be/zjFbfJxk3w8
Lee/D29 & Female Seem to Like Each Other ~ As the West End Turns (2026 Mar 2)
When the West End cameras came on after being down for 2 weeks, we were met with a new male. Seems the female remains the same ~ this is the one that arrived after Haku and Akecheta left. The male is Lee/D29, a 2022 hatch from the Seal Rocks nest, also on Catalina Island. The couple soared and perched together for much of the morning. What will happen next? Only the eagles know for sure.
Video: https://youtu.be/mlBQgJTi19E


San Jose City Hall Falcons ~ Hartley & Monty
Courtesy San Jose City Hall Peregrine Falcon Cam
Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBSxPjy5sow
Ledge Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pp9TisLmLU
Roof Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQLhmV6bP6o
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SanJoseCityHallFalcons/
Wiki https://sanjoseperegrines.editme.com/

Hartley & Monty Have A Bonding Palooza Day (2026 Mar 5)
It was an all-day bond fest with Hartley and Monty. They are full tilt on all things nesting, including mating 7 times today. We can be fairly certain to see eggs in the very near future.
Video: https://youtu.be/MYBLAFrnp3s


John Bunker Sands Eagles ~ Mom, Dad, and JBS24
Courtesy John Bunker Sands Wetland Center Eagle Cam 
Eagle Tower Camera 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wdo7BzUU_g
Eagle Tower Camera 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEDb2KqvvyQ

Dad Brings *Very* Fresh Fish ~ JBS24 Gets Fed and Self Feeds (2026 Mar 5)
JBS24 is 5-1/2 weeks old and is progressing right on schedule. Here’s what occurs in the fifth week, courtesy of Loudon Wildlife Conservancy:
~ Begins playing with sticks 
~ Is capable of fully standing
~ Is aware of its surroundings, in and outside the nest 
~ Begins tracking objects and birds outside the nest 
~ The tarsi (the feet or lowest part of the legs) are full size, and the foot pad is nearly full size 
~ Imprinting is nearly complete

JBS24 is doing a little self-feeding in addition to the above milestones. Mom and Dad spend quite a lot of time with their only eaglet. This family is a joy to observe. 
Video: https://youtu.be/zI5sDnFeuHo

Thank you, SK Hideaways!!!!!!!!! You bring the nests to life for us.

Ellie and Harvey at Farmer Derek’s Bald Eagle nest should have their second hatch by tomorrow.

I wonder what is going to happen at the Glaslyn nest this season. Will Aran return and prevail as the male? Will Teifi return and take over the nest? Will Elen return? We wait.

The female at Duke Farms continues, at times, to incubate the remaining unviable egg. The little one is a cutie.

Winter Park eaglets had some prey today. There has been some concern about the lack of prey coming to the nest as of late.

Oh, remember how we worried about ‘Tiny Tim’? – not so tiny anymore! Can you tell Wink from Atlas now?

At Dade County, R9, the oldest, still has to fledge. Females often take longer than males.

Eve and Kai perch along the rim of the NE Florida nest of their parents, Beau and Gabby. Eve is 68 days old today and Kai is 67. Fledge in a week?

Quinn (Captiva nest of Connie and Clive) is gorgeous and if you look carefully, all of these eaglets are so close in age. They spend their days looking out to the world they will soon conquer through flight.

There is at least one tiny osplet at the Pink Shell nest in Florida. Let’s hope that this nest is successful this year.

If you missed the February Ventana Wildlife Society’s Condor Chat, here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/live/D_Y10nw9mHU?

You will learn something you never thought you needed to know!

The funds to save the land near Jackie and Shadow’s nest were nearly 1 million dollars when I last checked. Others are seeking donations: the Severna Ospreys need batteries for their camera so they can stream.

Thank you so much for being with us today. We hope that your weekend was much better than ours. That said, we are looking forward to an ‘uneventful’ week. We have started doing nothing on Thursdays. Toby gets to go for his walk with Ellen, and I stay in my PJs. A writer of all things Parisian recommended some lovely Pima cotton pyjamas made in South Carolina, and I do love them. The phone is ignored for most of the day. No one is invited over or invited in if they show up. We watch movies, read books to Toby and The Girls and generally use Thursday as a day to recharge our so-called batteries. If you are feeling overwhelmed, however slight the feeling, I highly recommend a ‘day off’. And I do mean a day off!!!!!

We look forward to seeing you again soon – Friday, if not sooner.

Thank you to SK Hideaways for their wonderful videos that add much to my post. I would also like to thank the owners of the streaming cams where I took my screen captures and who allow us to watch the lives of our favourite birds.

2 osplets at Moorings Park…A snowy Thursday in Canada

5 Marh 2026

Good Morning Everyone,

It’s March 5 and it is Toby’s birthday! Here he is when he was first able to climb the cat tree after arriving when he was a very young 8 week old.

As I tell many people, I would not have survived the past year without Toby and The Girls. We plan to have his party when his goodies arrive, which I hope is today. Deliveries in Canada have been problematic due to severe storms in each area.

The snow is gently falling this morning, and the thirty-three European Starlings – yes, counted – have arrived for breakfast. They will return around 1430 this afternoon for their late meal. What are they eating? Cat and dog kibble!

Sally and Harry now have two of the sweetest little osplets. These two do not know how lucky they are to have such amazing parents.

Good news coming out of the UK. Lead ammunition to be banned from 2029. Of course I ask myself, why not 2027? Surely they can get it off the shelves by then.

UK Government confirms ban on sale & use of toxic lead ammunition for ‘live quarry shooting’ from 1sDownload

There is so much confusion going on at the Dade County nest. These are the facts. I want you to read this carefully. Banding and the correct documentation are crucial. It cannot be haphazard.

R9 hatched on 12/20/25, and R10 hatched on 12/22/25.  They were banded on 1/31/26 at 42 and 40 days of age.  During banding, samples were taken to determine their genders, and it was revealed that they are both male.  The intention was to band R9 with the #6/9 band, and band R10 with the #7/0 band.  However, on banding day the eaglets were mixed up, and R9 was given the 7/0 band, R10 was given the 6/9 band.   There are several expert viewers who have watched this nest most of the day every day, and they were always able to identify which eaglet was which, including on banding day, and since banding day.  When the cams resumed after banding, every one of these viewer-experts knew right away that the bands had been reversed.  On banding day, we had hoped that the banders would have been able to tell the eaglets apart by the distinct differences in their tails, and by the few fluffy white feathers that R10 still had on his neck on that day.  The eaglets’ personalities regarding the dominant and submissive sibling were the same as they had always been… R9 dominant, R10 submissive, (although R10 has recently become more aggressive since R9 branched).  The authorities refused to acknowledge the opinions of these expert viewers, who individually have probably watched these eagles more than the admin/mods combined.    

No one ever said that the eaglets’ band numbers needed to be sequential.  But, the admin apparently wanted their names to match his banding documentation.  The admin mandated that chatters call the eaglets by the wrong names.  Chatters are not permitted to call the eaglets by their real names, we are supposed to pretend that each eaglet is the other one now, lol.  One of the long-time primary chatters, ‘mary_mcg’, quit the chat a few weeks ago because she refused to call the eaglets by the wrong names.  Experienced chatters have resorted to simply calling the eaglets by their band numbers, rather than calling them the wrong names.  More recently, even the admin and the mods have been calling the eaglets by their band numbers rather than a name!  The result has been total confusion on the chat as newer chatters and those that haven’t been on the chat for a while drop by.  The band numbers are confusing to them, and they ask which eaglet is which… but experienced chatters are not permitted to respond truthfully.  

HERE ARE THE FACTS:  R9 (band 70) branched on 2/27 at 69 days of age.  R9 unintentionally fledged on 3/4 at 74 days of age.  Ground observers stated that R9 is doing fine, was seen flying well, and then he perched in a tree.  A little later on 3/4, R10 (band 69) branched for the first time, at 72 days of age.  You can trust me on this.  I put together a video showing R9 branching, R9’s fludge/fledge, and R10 branching. Video: https://youtu.be/BotBY9tD4U0?

I am working on a post that focuses solely on the Kakapo. Like the California Condors, they are so endangered and they breed only every four years so there is great excitement in New Zealand as this year’s eggs hatch into fluffy little flightless parrots.

Geemeff sends us another warning about using balloons – sorry, Toby. There will never be balloons used in any party at our house!

The dangers of releasing balloons:

https://www.sungazette.com/news/outdoors/2026/03/releases-of-mylar-balloons-can-endanger-wildlife

Shadow worked hard to keep the ravens away from the eggs! They are going to have to be diligent.

News from the nests in the Channel Islands from SK Hideaways: https://youtu.be/LoHana6raBc?

Ospreys have started arriving in the UK.

Big Red and Arthur continue to work on their nest.

Arrivals in parts of the US of ospreys are three weeks ahead of schedule. Keep your eyes to the sky.

My inbox has been full of readers upset by the seemingly contradictory information coming out of Fort Myers, Florida, regarding the death of F23. She was much loved. It took a while, but after Harriet by F23 won our hearts for being such a wonderful Mum. Now there is a petition for transparency in F23’s death. It is sponsored by Barb Henry. No money required. https://c.org/NvjPRCRWkb

At the NE Florida nest of Beau and Gabby, first hatch Kai has branched and guess what, so did Eve. Today is the first day that they have perched on the branches outside the nest, however.

Just a taste of some of the news coming out of our nests.

Thank you so much for being with us. Please take care! See you soon.

Thank you to the individuals who created videos and posted information on FB, to Raptor Persecution UK for staying on top of the persecution of our feathered friends in that country, and to the owners of the streaming cams where I took my screen captures.

Nest Adoptions, Fledges, Ospreys, and more…Late Wednesday brief check on Bird World

4 March 2026

Good Evening Everyone,

This is just a quick posting.

First, some good news, the eldest fledged at the Dade County Bald Eagle nest of Ron and Rose today.

Ospreys are arriving! Word has come from Viki that one osprey has landed in Indian Creek; they do not normally arrive until after St Patrick’s Day. The couple are at the Danville nest, and Heidi sends word that ospreys are arriving in Colonial Beach.

The IWS nest challenge is underway. Many of us have received merchandise and I am happy to say that at least two of us have been asked to name an eaglet.

Funds continue to come in to purchase the land known as Moon Camp near Jackie and Shadow’s nest to keep it out of the hands of developers. In a blink of an eye, or so it seems, nearly $750,000 of the 10 million needed has been raised. Congratulations to everyone.

I remain saddened by the death of F23 and the continuing controversy over the COD. In the end, it doesn’t matter if someone shot her because it is illegal. If she died because of a road accident and somehow managed to get herself into a garden known to her, then that is a different story. It is possible for eagles to have an injury and fly and later die as we have seen many who fall, hit their head, and die of a concussion later. I do not have enough information to comment other than it is simply a sad day for M15, E26 and all who loved this young mother.

I have lots of news to share but I am simply worn out. We will be celebrating Toby’s first birthday hopefully this week – it is tomorrow. Thankfully he can’t read a calendar. I found a photo of him just after he had arrived and managed to climb the cat tree for the first time.

His birthday wish is a box of Kleenex all to himself with no interference. I don’t think so.

Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. I hope to be back at the weekend or Monday.

Thank you to the owners of the streaming cams and those who post information on FB. My blog would not be the same without your generous sharing.