7 May 2026
Hello Everyone,
Latest Update from Cornell: “The final Red-tailed Hawk egg began to show signs of hatching early on the morning on May 7 on day 36 of incubation. Watching closely, movement can be seen from the “pip,” or small hole in the egg, throughout the video. The hatching process can take 12–24 hours to complete, or longer in some cases.”
There is a rescue underway at Dale Hollow Eagle nest (see below).
I have to say that I have never been a ‘Hallmark Person’ – someone who sends cards and celebrates special days just because some company came up with an idea for making more and more money from us. This especially goes to Mother’s and Father’s Days because so many were raised by their Grandmothers who really were their Mums (like me, so mine could work), others had parents who died or abandoned them…sometimes when a day is happy for someone, it is a total sadness day for someone else.
That said, this year we are really going to give a shout out to the most incredible raptor Mum that I have seen in years. If I could send her a bouquet of fish and a card with fish that popped up, I would. They are all heroes who have overcome more challenges than we witness, but this year, a few stand out, and one, in particular.
The top Raptor Mum Award has to go to Jill at the Achieva Osprey Platform. I would love to know if anyone has witnessed a female leave their babies at such a young age when she realised that the little one was doing to die if more fish didn’t get on the nest.
So, let’s look back for a minute. Big hatched on 27 March, with Little following five days later, on 2 April. Yes, look at that spread. There were three eggs – Heidi and I have decided that Big was egg 1 and Little was egg 3.
The first time that Jill left the nest to catch a catfish was on the 15th of April. At the beginning, she only left the chicks around 1700-1800. She would leave and return in 25-30 minutes with a large catfish. As Jack’s deliveries diminished and the chicks’ need for more fish grew, Jill began going out twice a day. She would often wait to see if Jack would bring a morning fish, and if he hadn’t by 1030 or 1100, she would go fishing. Those trips to bring fish to the nest have now increased to three as she often now goes out after 1900.
Jill took a real risk leaving her tiny babies vulnerable. Jack was not there protecting them. He was not bringing food. Jill was starving. What choice did she have? Stay on the nest and watch her babies die? Abandon the chicks? She did neither. With bold determination, both babies appear to be growing and healthy. I wonder how many other osplets would have survived if their Mums would leave the nest and go and fish for them?
‘MP’ took this screen capture commenting what a beautiful wing pattern that it is —- and it is precisely perfect. Not a feather out of place!
‘PB’ keeps a good eye on what Jill is doing – and how Little is growing bigger and bolder.
My runner-up is Mrs T at the Trempealeau Bald Eagle nest, who, seeing her mate feed his chicks and another mate across the lake, was able to keep one of her eaglets alive by going out hunting and fishing.
There are two notable senior females that we could not miss on this Mother’s Day – Iris and Big Red.
Iris is at least thirty years old.
AI overview:
“Iris, the renowned 28-plus-year-old osprey at Hellgate Canyon, is estimated to have successfully fledged over 30 to 40 chicks in her lifetime. As of the 2024 season, she was still actively breeding, and she returned for the 2026 season to her nest at Missoula.
- Total Lifetime Estimated Chicks: 30–40+
- Recent Activity: In 2024, she successfully raised two chicks with her mate, Finnegan: Sum-eh and Antali.
- Status: She is considered one of the oldest known living ospreys, nesting at the Hellgate Canyon site since at least the early 2000s.
Iris has had several mates over her long residency in Montana, including Stanley, Louis, and her more recent mates, consistently returning to the same area to nest”.
There is a published book that I have that show the move from the utility pole to Iris’s current nest that had a good history and images. (I need to find it!)
The other is Big Red, the Red-tailed Hawk whose nest is on the Cornell Campus at Ithaca, New York. She hatched in 2003 and was banded in October of that same year at Brooktondale, New York. Her natal nest is 7 miles from her breeding nest. Her first mate is believed to be Ezra (he was on camera when it began in 2012) but, no one knows for sure. Big Red probably started breeding by 2006.
Two separate AI entries, the first for Ezra and then Arthur:
AI:
“Big Red and her mate Ezra successfully raised 15 chicks together over the five years (2012–2016) they were followed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Bird Cams.
Key Details on Big Red and Ezra’s Offspring:
- Timeframe: They nested together on the Cornell campus from 2012 until Ezra’s death in March 2017.
- Consistency: The pair typically raised 3 chicks per year, with successful breeding seasons recorded on camera each year from 2012–2016.
- Legacy: Ezra was known for his dedication to his family, often feeding the chicks and protecting them during harsh weather.
After Ezra’s passing in 2017, Big Red paired with a new mate, Arthur, in 2018.”
“As of the end of the 2024 season, Big Red and her mate, Arthur, have successfully raised 20 chicks to fledging at Cornell University since pairing up in 2018. Known for regularly laying 3 eggs in many seasons, she has produced a high volume of chicks, often laying 4 eggs in 2022 and 2024.
Key Details on Big Red’s Broods:
- Total Fledged (approx. 2018–2024): 20 chicks.
- Recent Seasons (2025–2026): In 2025, she laid 3 eggs. As of early May 2026, she is actively raising a new brood.
- High-Volume Years: Big Red laid 4 eggs in 2022 and 2024.
Big Red is a highly successful Red-tailed Hawk monitored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Bird Cams, and her nesting, egg-laying, and chick-rearing are tracked yearly.
We know that Big Red also laid a clutch of 4 eggs in 2026 as we are watching that nest now. The first hatch died during hatch. It is unclear as of 7 May if the remaining egg is viable. There are two chicks on the nest, cute little bobble heads.
In my memory, only one chick failed to fledge til this year, and that was K3, who had an issue with their jaw. K3 was rescued but did not survive. E3 is an ambassador for Cornell. Several died from window collisions on campus and one from West Nile Virus, last year. They are not ringed so we do not know the dispersal area.
Other brief news:
Johnson City’s eaglets are almost ready to fledge.
Ruth and Oren’s little hawklets at Syracuse University are doing fine.
Rescue Underway!
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 6th May 2026
Another calm routine day where not a lot happened, just fish deliveries and changeovers of egg-sitters. Garry LV0 brought Aurora 536 two fish, taking his tally to forty eight, and Louis brought one fish for Dorcha, taking the nest total to forty three. The weather was settled but is forecast to change to light rain showers with light winds overnight and through to tomorrow afternoon. Both nests fall under the Inver Mallie weather forecast area: https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2646094.
Today’s videos:
https://youtu.be/QO1-pGX75Lg N2 Dorcha’s fish does a flyby before Louis lands with it 13.41.35
https://youtu.be/XOC7oeyszfI N1 Garry finally brings the first fish 15.11.57
https://youtu.be/0WArpnJT-sM N1 Aurora gets an evening snack 20.39.17
Bonus action – local elections take place tomorrow in England, Scotland and Wales. When the results are in, please consider emailing the successful candidates to remind them of their campaign promises around trees and wildlife:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/protecting-trees-and-woods/campaign-with-us/elections/
Blast from the past, this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/rDDH4Z8zHEc N1 Health and safety first, says Louis 2020
https://youtu.be/2ULJmAe1b5E N1 Louis bashes Aila with a big stick 2020
https://youtu.be/hOnID1xMcys N2 Coronation Day – breakfast fit for a queen arrives 2023
https://youtu.be/usB2iBz2BQM N2 Ringed Osprey visits 2023 (super slo-mo, zoom)
https://youtu.be/Dfmo_U46rCY N2 Dorcha has a stretch and a squirt 2024
https://youtu.be/oI3R7TrjVHA N1 A little Passerine visits 2024
https://youtu.be/sa-_Txps92s N2 Throwing shapes – Louis and Dorcha are winging it 2024
https://youtu.be/xG3Lh8YLrE8 N1 breakfast for Aurora and a bark surprise for Garry 2025
https://youtu.be/oLDAq_ILX7Y N2 Dorcha’s calls finally quieten as fish number two arrives 2025
https://youtu.be/gvIrP6Pu5Q4 N1 Garry brings a second fish and watches a jet go by 2025
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
Wish everyone well, that is going to help the near-to-fledge eaglet at Dale Hollow and send positive energy to Big Red’s nest for a successful last hatch! There is lots of food for three!!!!!! Arthur is keeping that nest well stocked, no matter the weather.
Take care everyone…remember to think of those who cared and raised you no matter their gender this coming weekend. See you soon.
Thank you to ‘MP and PB’ for allowing me to use their screen captures of Jill at Achieva and for keeping me in touch with her remarkable journey of motherhood. I am grateful to all the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to witness the lives of these birds and to the AEF for their determination to help eagles when possible. I am always grateful to Geemeff for their summaries and videos of the day’s happening at the two Loch Arkaig nests!