Tag Archives: dementia

The Sad and the Glad…Sunday in Bird World

20 September 2026

Good Morning Everyone,

My days are the type of routine that underline there is a change but that life goes on, just day by day, not knowing what will happen. Toby and I get up and feed the birds. By the time Toby and Hugo Yugo settle on the old sofa and the cat tree in the conservatory, the Blue Jays are flying in, little squirrels are running along the power lines to then jump into the lilacs and find nuts, while the songbirds begin landing on the leafless limbs of some of the trees. This is the scene we watch every morning while I sip my coffee.

It has always been this way, with the exception that Don was sitting at the table drinking his tea and trying to count the Blue Jays and squirrels or me. His seat is now empty, and I do not know if he will ever join us again.

An orange cat lounging on a cat tree while a black and white dog relaxes on a beige sofa, both positioned near a window with foliage visible outside.

It is difficult. But more about that another day.

This blog was meant to be about ‘good things’, but ospreys in South Australia are abandoning their eggs, as they have in the NE United States and Eastern Canada (NS, in particular). Today, Mum finally stopped incubating the eggs on the barge at Port Lincoln because of a lack of fish. We also saw the issues related to the lack of food at the Osprey Environmental Centre. This is, sadly, widespread. Fran Solly tells us that Ervie and Giliath are having to travel farther and farther to find fish.

We are witnessing what warming waters, droughts, and overfishing are doing to our feathered friends that depend on the fish. Red Algae blooms are in the area of Port Lincoln, causing havoc.

A bird's nest made of twigs on a wooden platform near the water, with a yellow and black striped object resembling a snake coiled around a railing.


SK Hideaways Videos, Week of 13 September 2026

367 Collins Street Falcons ~ Melbourne ~ F24 & M24
Courtesy Victorian Peregrine Project
South Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oibsohQ14cY
North Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNKk0ivuWe4

F24 & M24 Flawless Changeover ~ Bonus: M24’s Laps Round 367 ~ 2026 Sep 16

367 Collins St. Falcons ~ F24 (female) and M24 (male)

F24 and M24 have incubation changeovers down to an art. She is doing the bulk of the incubation and he is doing the bulk of the hunting. After a short incubation stint this morning, we saw M24 doing laps around the building, presumably hunting. Did someone say the fastest animal on earth? Whoosh!
Video: https://youtu.be/jwJhbaxKMa4
FOBBV Eagles ~ Big Bear Valley, CA ~ Jackie, Shadow, Sandy, and Luna

Courtesy FOBBVCAM | Friends of Big Bear Valley | California

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/4wGjwVg

Shadow & Kaydee Greet the Dawn ~ 2026 Sep 19

A stunning sunrise and symphony of chortle-snortles began a lovely day for Shdow and Kaydee. We were lucky enough to watch it all unfold.

Video: https://youtu.be/TFzVMkpgE5M

Shadow & Kaydee’s Eventful Morning ~ Fish Sharing Not Happening ~ 2026 Sep 16
Shadow and Kaydee spent another night together on the roost tree ~ Kaydee cozying up a bit at dawn before departing. They went their own ways for a couple hours, then Shadow brought a fish to the nest with Kaydee in hot pursuit. She didn’t have a chance to try to share as Shadow made it crystal clear that this was *his* fish and *his* fish alone. Kaydee remained on the front perch till Shadow gulped down the fish tail. She then cautiously entered the nest, where she and Shadow spent a short time together. Kaydee nipped Shadow’s tail and there was some beaking, but Shadow seemed to want to be on his own today. He departed, while Kaydee remained on the nest for another two hours. Another day, another adventure. 
Video: https://youtu.be/bvJyHjfo0VA

KAYDEE’S FIRST STICK! She Showers Shadow in Beakies & Nibbles ~ 2026 Sep 12

Kaydee brought the first stick of the season to the nest. When Shadow arrived she seemed excited about her accomplishment and nibbled his beak, then his feathers, which he accepted. It was quite a change in dynamics from the previous day. 
Video: https://youtu.be/ZA4JA6tfchQ

 Sydney WB Sea Eagles ~ Australia ~ Lady, Dad, SE37 (hatched 13 August), and SE38 (hatched 14 August)Courtesy Sea-EagleCAM@BirdLife Australia Discovery Centre, Sydney Olympic Park (https://www.sea-eaglecam.org/video.html)
Nest cam also at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw4pdgy3-U0

Lady is Perfect Sun MUMBRELLA for SE37 & SE38 ~ 2026 Sep 14

 Lady deemed it necessary to shade her seaglets, spreading her gorgeous wings over them to do so. SE37 and SE38 were of two minds about it: while the shade was nice, it was pretty toasty under all those beautiful feathers. Also included is some close-up footage of SE38’s glorious crop.

Video: https://youtu.be/up0XxUSNUCQ

SE38’s Happy Eel Meal Deal ~ Leaves Wee One with HUGE Crop ~ 2026 Sep 12

When SE38 steps up for a good meal, there’s a collective cheer throughout the fan base. This was one of those days. Lady and Dad have brought a few eels to the nest, providing great nutrition for the seaglets. SE37 eats first, then SE38 sometimes, but not always, steps up to eat. This was one of those days in which SE38 ate very well. It was a joy to behold.
Video: https://youtu.be/qMUP6PbcjO

Updates from Window to Wildlife updates including Connie and Clive:

https://youtu.be/DjOMrgXe_Lk?si=TZo-CAmQyMMJ8U1a

And all the way from Berlin, our happy moment for today – a story about Black Robins. Thanks, ‘J’.

Text excerpt discussing the conservation efforts for the black robin species, focusing on Old Blue, a pivotal female bird in the breeding program.

Thank you for being with us today. It appears that our dear Iris has now left the Hellgate Canyon are on her migration. This is one of the last, if not the last, image of her on the baseball lights. We will wait anxiously til April for her and Clarke to return.

A series of stadium floodlights with several birds perched on top, including one large bird with a long tail.

Thank you to SK Hideaways for their videos covering so many nests this week. Please check them out! And to everyone who posted on FB, to ‘J’ for the story of the Black Robin, and to Windows to Wildlife for their update – and all streaming cam owners – we thank you, too.

I am exhausted. Changes to the house continue in case Donald is ever able to come home. If not, they will be there for me or someone else. With the lack of ospreys in Australia, the news is very thin as we wait for hatch at Collins Street and Orange. Please continue to watch the WBSE – they are adorable and growing so fast. How will changes to the water impact these eagles who also depend on fish amongst other prey?

Iris is still here…Late Saturday in Bird World

12 September 2026

Hello Everyone,

Get the tissues out. I have a story from the hospital today. Ann and I always try to be there for at least one meal. She likes to go at noon, and I prefer arriving at 1630. It takes Toby and me about thirty-five minutes to get across town, and added up, the later time means Don will be ‘full’ (he eats well for me, and I always take a green salad and fresh fruit to wind up the hospital meal) till morning. There is no cookie cupboard at the hospital, although there is a box of homemade ginger cookies that Jaine made on his chest of drawers there – he doesn’t remember, so that is good, as he won’t try to get out of bed and fall trying to get one. (Visitors give him one). Toby and I left this evening. I reached over, kissed him goodbye, and told him, ‘I miss you’. He said back immediately, ‘I am always here’. I whispered, ‘I missyou at home’. Don squeezed my hand, raised it to his lips and kissed it. I held it together until Toby and I got home, broke down, and just cried. This has to be the hardest thing I have ever done in my life…We still don’t know the future. It is simply one day at a time, but underneath all of this is a strong foundation of love.

If you have a loved one who has dementia (not talking about Alzheimer’s – they are so different), remember that they ‘know’ things. They might look like they are snoozing, but they are listening… they feel, and they know. The proteins in their brain are changing, but that brain is intact, not dying.

Tomorrow is my youngest grandson’s birthday party, and Toby and I will stop in at the hospital on the way home. I will not be posting tomorrow, but will be back on Monday or Tuesday. I am including the video listing from SK Hideaways. Please take a look at the wonderful work they do! Also, news from Geemeff.

SK Hideaways Videos Week of 6 September 2026

367 Collins Street Falcons ~ Melbourne ~ F24 & M24
Courtesy Victorian Peregrine Project
South Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oibsohQ14cY
North Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNKk0ivuWe4

M24 Arrived Too Early F24 Sent Him Off to Fetch Breakfast ~ 2026 Sep 10
M24 arrived empty-taloned before sunrise. F24 was rather unimpressed and sent him off. When he returned 2-1/2 hours later with large prey, mum was delighted to see him. We then got to enjoy his egg lullaby as he situated himself for his morning incubation stint. 
Video: https://youtu.be/jnpk9Y1gLz8

FalconCam Project ~ Diamond (~13 years) & Gimbir (~2 years)
Courtesy FalconCam Project, Charles Sturt University NSW (http://www.csu.edu.au/special/falconcam/) ~ Australia
Box Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv2RtoIMNzA
Ledge Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuZaWzhXSAI
Tower Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQxrTGgNu4M

Egg #3 for Diamond & Gimbir ~ Pro Parents Make it Look Easy ~ 2026 Sep 10
Relieving Gimbir of egg duty, Diamond arrived with a full crop and had a quick delivery of egg #3. Gimbir returned with prey and dashed (not shown), then returned for his first 3-egg incubation stint. Well done, you two!
Video: https://youtu.be/51MYA5NH1jg

Diamond Lays Egg #2 After Chat with Gimbir ~2026 Sep 7
In my story, Gimbir stopped by the nest box with a huge crop. After some brief bonding, Diamond informed him she felt egg #2 coming soon. She mentioned that it might be nice to have a snack beforehand. Gimbir didn’t quite get the message, found a scrap for himself, and departed. Diamond already had a sufficient crop herself, so was ready to go. She delivered egg #2 at 23:24:32 with minimal fuss. Wishing Diamond and Gimbir successful hatches.
Video: https://youtu.be/r1UjuD3pQ2s

FOBBVCAM Eagles  ~  Big Bear Valley, CA ~ Shadow (12 years), Jackie (dec. 10 August 2026), Sandy, and Luna (last seen on camera 23 July 2023)
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/4wGjwVg

Shadow & Kaydee Nest Dance He Bows Out First ~  2026 Sep 11
Shadow and Kaydee spent about 8 minutes in the nest together. The changing interactions are fascinating. It is early days. We watch, learn, and trust the eagles. 
Video: https://youtu.be/I3wJZ_a33NM

Shadow & Kaydee Evening and Morning Rendezvous ~ 2026 Sep 9-10
Remembering Jackie on 1 Month Mark of Her Passing❤️‍🩹
After spending the entire day as a perch potato on Twin Pines, Shadow retired to the Roost Tree. Kaydee came along a bit later and did a nest check before joining him. In the morning, they exchanged greetings and perched on the Lookout Snag for a short time.

In addition to continuing to observe the dynamics between Shadow and Kaydee, I took a moment in this video to honor Jackie on the one-month mark since her passing. Jackie will always be the heart and soul of the Big Bear Valley eagle community, setting the foundation for the resurgence in eagle life that has developed since her birth in 2012. Jackie remains in our hearts today and always.
Video: https://youtu.be/QiFZ5UeWe6c

Shadow & Kaydee Meet at Dawn ~ Ravens Wake the Neighborhood ~ 2026 Sep 9
While they roosted separately overnight, Shadow and Kaydee met up at dawn. They watched each other across the habitat before coming together on the Lookout Snag for a half hour. They then resumed their off-season adventures.
Video: https://youtu.be/TzJPFak8rnM

Shadow’s Day ~ Stunning Horaltic Poses ~ Rain Shower ~ 2026 Sep 7
After few sightings of Shadow the day before, we were grateful to see him for a good, long time today. He started the morning on the Lookout Snag, then perched on Twin Pines for over 3-1/2 hours. While there, he displayed not one, but two spectacular horaltic poses. Lucky us.
Video: https://youtu.be/rbCoC-8tp5s


Two Harbors Eagles ~  Catalina Island, CA ~ Cholyn & Chase (28 years old; mated pair for 23 years)
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’s Day of Bliss ~ Chase Hillside Haven ~ 2026 Sep 10
Cholyn spent the morning on a favorite oceanfront perch taking in the brilliant, sparkling Pacific. She enjoyed it so much that she returned in the afternoon before visiting the nest. Chase settled on the cactus perch in the afternoon. The lovebirds watched each other across their habitat before departing on their evening escapades. Any view of Cholyn and Chase is a gift. Forever grateful to Two Harbors cam ops.
Video: https://youtu.be/Onz4H40gONQ

Iris was still eating fish at the Owl Pole today – this is the latest she has ever stayed. Let us all send our Queen of Ospreys much love and good wishes. May she eat loads of fish, get healthy, migrate, and return to us next April along with Clark.

Isn’t she amazing. Look at that size of fish! Go, girl!

An osprey perched on a tall wooden pole near a river, surrounded by trees and rocky riverbank.
An osprey standing on a wooden post, feeding on a fish in a natural setting with greenery in the background.

Geemeff writes: “Woodland Trust forum member CraigB made this tribute to Louis via chatGBP, and is happy for it to be shared:”

An illustration of an eagle soaring above Loch Arkaig, with mountains and forest in the background. The eagle is depicted landing near the water, capturing a fish with its talons, while the serene landscape reflects the highland environment.

Geemeff says: Greetings from Komodo! Interrupting my Dragon watching to tell you Loch Arkaig’s 2024’s lone survivor 1JW has returned to his translocated home in Valencia and has been seen nesting! 

WTS George posted: I received a message from Itziar on the Spanish team regarding 1JW, our 2024 chick who was translocated to Valencia:  “He has been seen on many occasions at Pego Oliva Marsh, interacting with this year’s birds and spending time on one of the artificial nests that we have built. Unfortunately, the nest that he has been using is far away from any areas of public access so is impossible to get any photos. We haven’t seen him for a few days so maybe he has begun his migration, in which case we await his return next year, and hopefully he’ll find a mate! As it’s still early September, we’re all still watching out in case he’s still around.”

Geemeff says: That is such great news after the disastrous year of 2024 that was Season Eight – the weather was foul, chick3 didn’t last long and the other two nearly died of starvation and hypothermia as Louis wasn’t able to fish in the unrelenting cold and rain plus got ill as well, and the chicks were too big for Dorcha to cover properly. Then Woodland Trust sought and received permission from Nature Scot first to try hand feeding at the nest, and when that wasn’t enough, for the remaining two to be given to Roy Dennis to join that year’s cohort of Scottish translocatees to go to Spain as part of the reintroduction programme that’s been running successfully for some years. The chicks were ringed in Spain, Yellow 1JR and 1JW, but 1JR succumbed to a heart condition leaving only 1JW. Who went on to fledge and it seems, go roaring on to return from migration as a two year old and claim a nest! What a survivor he is. Another example of the benefits of ringing, or banding as it’s called across the pond – we would never have known of his success without his Darvic ring giving an incontestable identification.

Geemeff has had a great adventure, and maybe they will allow me to share a couple of images – life is for living; always remember that. I wish I could have gone on this trip with them.

Take care, everyone. I will be back in a few days.

Thank you to SK Hideaways, Geemeff, and The Woodland Trust for the great news. I am always grateful, as you are, to the owners of the streaming cams for letting us see our birds and their lives.

M24 returns…Late Tuesday in Bird World

9 September 2026

Good Afternoon Everyone,

It is a beautiful day! It is my day ‘off’ from hospital visits. toby and I are supposed to clear out the winter coats today. We will see. The weather is so nice. The sun is shining through cotton-ball clouds, and a brisk breeze is blowing.

Toby and I had a long, gentle walk. He loves to go to the little park at the end of the street in the mornings. A lady is always doing Tai Chi, and another is with her toddler. Toby loves toddlers!!!!!!!! It seems that the little girl also anticipates Toby’s arrival. It is so sweet. She always starts clapping her tiny little hands when she sees him crossing the street.

The Blue Jays are so busy – along with the squirrels – caching peanuts. I love that the Blue Jays call when they fly into the feeder, announcing their arrival. I am watching them from the conservatory – there is nothing like the garden animals to lift one’s spirits!

Hopefully, in a week or so, I will have some really good images of them for you. Last year I sold my professional camera and five telephoto lenses. The D850 was simply too heavy, and adding an 800 mm lens on top of that, well…you get the picture. I thought the P1100 would work well, but I am finding I have to use a tripod to capture the fine detail in the feathers, and it is not always convenient to carry a heavy tripod. Well, at least it isn’t for me as I always have Toby and Don with me. I am hoping to change that, so I take one of Ann’s days and use it to go photograph wildlife. I am realising how much self-care is important since the last time Don was in the hospital. So another hint to everyone out there caring for someone – and I know many of you are – you must take time to do something fun for yourself. Whatever that is, you need to do it. You cannot take care of another person and not become resentful if you do not also care for yourself. that means special little treats – they could simply be a visit to a local dessert shop, the most luscious-smelling shower gel, allowing yourself to have someone clean your house (here it is a necessity with four cats and Toby), flowers, chocolates, or used camera equipment to get you outside looking at the flora and fauna. One day I mean to write a post simply on what I have learned, in the hope that it is of value to you at some time or another. I knew nothing when I started this journey with Don – nothing. We have learned together by the seat of our pants, and it has paid off. I do not know when he will be strong enough to come home – remember, the hospital thought he was an invalid! He is now getting physiotherapy and is really being hydrated. You also have to watch that. If we are not properly hydrated, we can present as delusional when we definitely aren’t. Of course, you need to do this at home, too. I found something nice: sparkling water mixed with watermelon juice and apple juice. It’s been very refreshing on days when our days have decided to stay hot.

The good news is that Don was in a wheelchair today, using his feet to go up and down the hall. He heard Ann and started waving and saying, ‘Hi, Ann.’ Ann telephoned me and put the phone on speakerphone, and Don and I had a full conversation for ten minutes. I cannot tell you the last time that happened. We recorded that conversation and sent it to his doctor. I will see him tomorrow- I am wondering if blood thinners help??? I think it is the only change in his medications. We will see. But the news is good – one day at a time.

I put the word out to a camera company in Canada that sells excellent used equipment and found a used Canon R7 with fewer than 8000 shutter clicks. In other words, it is like new. The cost of the camera and the telephoto lens (also used but like new) is less than a new camera body. I am very pleased. I always recommend checking with reputable shops or even the companies themselves for refurbished, like-new, previously owned equipment. Canon Canada does that, and I am certain it is the same everywhere.

So, little M24 at the 367 Collins Street scrape flew in late yesterday like he hadn’t been away, causing everyone to worry beyond belief! I wonder if he is dealing with intruders?

Well, that is a huge relief.

Viki has updated news for us on the only osprey to fledge from St. George’s Island in Maryland. I want to add that this single family, out of a possible 20+ nests, survived ONLY because they were fed by a compassionate human.

“I believe Junior stopped by this morning and called and retrieved the fish I threw!!! He started to eat on the nearby branch but by the time I returned from putting the fish bag to the freezer he’d headed out somewhere with it. It might be him still sleeping in the very few remaining green boughs in the loblolly copse to my north (where New House 1 is being built).

Mr. Perfect is still in the copse as well, since I don’t see him securing the nest for the winter, I feel he remains so to watch over the construction diminishing his copse. But these are the only two I’ve heard or saw on my walk this morning.

I’m convinced the trawlers need to stop to save the osprey. And believe humans have harmed the Chesapeake watershed to the tipping point. I moved to this island in 1986 and see a tremendous loss of trees, land, turtles, birds, ducks, otters, foxes  ….  the list goes on.  I believe the heron rookery is gone.”

Connie Dennis, the founder of the Nova Scotia Osprey FB group, posted this article this morning. Thanks, Connie. Please note the area at the bottom. Please send a comment asking them to stop the gillnet and industrial trawling of ospreys. Tell them about the osprey nests you have watched that have failed! We have to fight this – I am embarrassed that they are a Canadian company, but that might work in our favour in protecting the ospreys right now, speaking as a Canadian.

https://www.nvbirdalliance.org/news/osprey-population-decline-menhaden?sfnsn=mo&fbclid=IwY2xjawUNI0VwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR7zO-TXBJnBpM3ouZLGJr5t0ZHfY8RdrdVJP5VdoCE9m90uSNtFlEFCNqf8kw_aem_u_W2FpqkXkXl5ebBmn59dw

Elsie is the only juvenile still at Dyfi and Idris is being a fantastic dad, as usual.

Will Elsi break a record? She is 105 days old. The record appears to be 110. See data chart below – thank you Emyr Evans and team.

This is only part of their data and I wish we had this for every live-streaming nest!

Look at these images of her. She is gorgeous.

Mary Kerr has posted some amazing images from the Pont Cresor nest at Glaslyn. There are many more on their FB page. Have a look.

SE38 continues to do well – look at that crop!

Now this is interesting!

Toby is rubbing my arm, wanting attention. Just like a toddler.

Thank you for being with us. Please take care – see you soon.

Thank you to everyone who posted information on FB along with those great images, to the owners of the streaming cams we are very grateful. If not for them, we would not know anything about these amazing raptors. I am so grateful to Viki for keeping an eye on her osprey family and helping them survive.

Day 25. Happy Holidays, and a big thank you to all the Bird World community

25 December 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

I had to write to thank you for all the letters and notes you have sent me, wishing me well for the holidays, for the short notes each day, and for the good wishes that the new medications for Don will work. You have no idea how much I appreciate each one. I am overwhelmed by the warmth and love of our Bird World community. What struck me most is the warmth and caring from so many who are also experiencing very challenging days – parents who have gone into care with dementia, others having chemo and radiation therapy or facing surgeries, and some who will have insurmountable financial obstacles in the new year. I am so very, very touched by your kindness and, yes, your love. I can feel it, and it truly helps me get through these terrible days.

Dementia or Alzheimer’s (they are different) seems to have touched all of our lives. Either a parent or sibling has died or has this terrible disease, or you have known someone with it. Memory centres are full, hospital beds are full, and the holidays seem to be a prime time when mental illness doesn’t go to sleep but starts boiling over for many.

I am happy to say that the additional medication cocktail has kept Don more or less sedated. He went back to bed at noon on Wednesday and didn’t wake up till 1900, when he ate, brushed Toby, talked, and held me, and then was back in bed by 2130. Was he just overly tired? To so suddenly become agitated and violent is very strange, and his doctor certainly thinks that he could have an infection or something. He has been drinking a lot of water, and I wondered if he was dehydrated. We will never know.

I could not go to sleep tonight without reaching out to you to thank you again for your wonderful kindness and to wish you, your family, and your friends and all our pets and raptors a happy holiday.

One of our very talented Bird World community menbers sent this from Japan. Isn’t it marvellous?! Thank you ‘A’.