Thank you so much for your prayers, for keeping us in your thoughts and your love. As MicPark said in the comments, Toby and I will survive this. We will, but I do not know how I would have survived this time without him and ‘The Girls’. We have been through challenging times like all families, especially when our youngest son was killed in a road accident. I can do this! There are millions of families dealing with someone who has dementia or Alzheimer’s. It is a horrible, horrible disease that truly robs that person of their identity.
I am trying to focus on the positive and the fun things that we did. One of those was making a snack late at night – tonight, Toby and I made a little pizza in honour of all those thousands of pizzas over the years made at midnight. It was delicious and brought back such fond times. I saved half and will take it to the hospital tomorrow.
Did I tell you that we don’t use pizza dough anymore? We used to make it from scratch. I use flour tortilla shells. They make the best thin crust pizza – if that is what you like. We would take a large one and put it in an 8 or 9 inch cake pan. It curls the edges up so you can have a deep dish style if you want. Put on the sauce and toppings and bake for 13 minutes at 410 F. Easy for kids to make – young and old. Make sure you get good pizza cheese, at least 25 % MF.
As osprey season really winds down, the Bald Eagles are returning to our delight. I did jump up and down with joy when I saw Gabby – she looks in terrific shape. Ron and Rose, as reported on Monday, have returned and I am sure looking forward to see if anyone will take up residence in the West End nest in the Channel Islands.
Recently, the clubbing of gannets was outlawed (at least for this year) on one of the Scottish islands (reported in a former blog). Here is a hopeful article on these seabirds.
The Port Lincoln osprey barge. Wind and rain hitting Mum as she covers her precious eggs. It looks like the weather is keeping Dad from getting any fish to the nest. As I keep thinking and saying, fish fairies, get ready. If you’ve donated to the fish fund before, start saving those pennies so these babies have a chance of survival.
Nicer weather for 37 and 38 in Sydney.
37 ate first and then there was fish left for 38. Lady did a good job feeding both.
Look at that crop on Diamond! Incredible.
With four eggs, the 367 Collins Street falcons are into full incubation mode.
Wensi got a late night snack, too – 20:27!
It was a big fish. Still eating in the dark – more than an hour after the delivery. Wensi will sleep with a full crop.
Thank you so much for being such a supportive community. Please keep an eye on Wensi. It will not be long before they fly to their winter homes, and then we’ll anxiously await seeing who returns next year. Let us hope they’re all in good health.
I will see you again in a few days.
Thank you to The Guardian for the article on the Gannets and to the owners of the streaming cams that let us look at these incredible raptor families. What would we do without them?
Wednesday was a lovely day. Don and Ann spent time around our duck pond, full of ducks, geese, and people having a good time. It was all topped off with an ice cream dipped in chocolate sauce. We ended the day sitting outside and taking a late walk with Toby. The leaves are definitely changing – the golden touch of the setting sun really highlights the changes every evening. The temperatures are still those of summer – 25 C. The farmer’s markets are full of fresh corn, local honey, blueberries, cherries, and peaches. It is one of my favourite times of the year! Tomorrow I am going to try and make charred corn and black bean nachos. There is a wonderful recipe in The Guardian this evening. Looks easy and delicious.
Thank you to the staff of The Guardian~!
Tomorrow, Miyoung arrives to cut our hair. Toby is in dire need, too, but I think I am going to leave him with his great feathering and his grinch feet. He loves his baths, and we cut out any mats that he gets, especially the burrs that he gets tangled in when he goes to the back of the property. He is so good at sitting and letting me clean the fur off the bottom of his pads and any mats—and he loves the massage with shampoo!!!!!!!!! What a joy he is to care for, especially since he doesn’t like going to the groomers so much. (We get his nails trimmed and his bottom tidied at the vet surgery).
I might just make this, take the laptop outside, and watch Wensi. The camera operators gave us some amazing images on Wednesday as Wensi got a fish delivery. Don’t ask me if it was Clarke or Iris – it was quick. No one wants their leg taken off by a ravished fledgling!
Iris and Clarke continue to provide fish for Wensi. This is surely one of the healthiest ospreys in the US this season. I would give anything if Wensi had a Darvic ring so we could hear about her in the future.
‘PB’ sent me a note saying M15 had returned to the SW Florida Bald Eagle nest in Fort Myers, ending his summer vacation. Will the female that he has been seen with join him?
At Big Bear, Shadow was caught on camera calling out to Kaydee, who responded. SK Hideaways has them and their morning duet – have a listen! https://youtu.be/YULMHzwlwJk?
Lizmn catches up with Milda, the White-tailed Eagle of Durbe County, Latvia, delivering fish but no fledglings there to grab it! https://youtu.be/p3omLB2V54M?
Beau is working on those restorations before Gabby gets home!
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 26th August 2026 It’s clear Season Ten is winding down – the Hoodies are very bold, there’s only one chick and Louis still around, and night cam is switching over earlier each night. Louis brought one fish today, a flatfish, and Juniper managed to finish it despite harassment by a Hoodie. The Nest Two tally now stands at four hundred and sixty one, including five brought by Dorcha. The weather was settled today, cloudy and achieving a high of about 20°C, and should continue cloudy overnight with a low of 13°C, and sunny intervals tomorrow with a high of 22°C.
I will be listening to the webinar tomorrow (1300 Winnipeg time).
Its almost Open House at our local wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre, Wildlife Haven. They have now taken in twice as many patients in the first half of the year than they did all of last year!
Check out your local rescues and see if they have an Open House – and remember, save those clean, well-used towels and sheets. They can use them! Clearing out a house of a loved one? Don’t just chuck everything in the bin. Rescue centres need storage bins, woodworking tools, stainless steel dishes, laundry detergent, bleach – you name it – including toys for enrichment.
We are hoping to attend. We haven’t missed an Open House in years.
Get the tissues out. ‘PB’ sent me a link to a tribute to Jackie that I think you will enjoy: https://youtu.be/S7KAIlAcHLk?
There are still ospreys at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
SE38 is sometimes shy about eating. We are all cheering that little one on – and Lady is helping. SK Hideaways captures Lady’s tender encouragement on video: https://youtu.be/ugAnJczXunw?
Now how many eggs do we have at Port Lincoln? Are there two? We are waiting. Bart says between 72-78 hours. As I am watching it is now 76.6 hours since egg 1 so any time!
For those worried that Mum isn’t incubating the eggs all day, this is delayed incubation. It helps get the chicks to hatch closer together. Some of the UK osprey females have made an ‘art’ of delayed incubation, hatching three chicks on the same day – sometimes within a few hours. It really does help with all of the bonking, and oh, do our ospreys love to bonk one another for dominance and fish.
She laid her second egg this morning.
Good news from the Ventana Wildlife:
Christopher has fledged at Tweed Valley this morning.
Some more good news coming out of Wales:
Thank you so much! We love having you with us. It is a gorgeous day for haircuts and then a trip to the country. Toby says it is a great day for ice cream cones! Take care. See you soon.
Thank you to all the contributors – SK Hideaways, Geemeff, all those who post on FB, including the UK Osprey Information group! Thank you to the owners of the streaming cams for letting us see the lives of these amazing birds, and to ‘PB ‘, who is very busy but always sends me news. Thank you. Also a big shout out to the Guardian food contributors for that great recipe – try it! And check out their page on the newspaper site along with their environmental news.
The sea eaglets are doing well after the scare with the fish hook at the Olympic Park WBSE nest in Sydney.
We are waiting for Gimbir and Diamond.
Beautiful Diamond.
Opreys are trying to fatten up in the Northern Hemisphere to make their migration to their winter homes. Storks are on the move as well as all the other raptors and songbirds.
Shadow and Kaydee are becoming more familiar. It’s stick-moving time, captured by SK Hideaways. https://youtu.be/6BVc4os6MOU?
That is just a morning glimpse of what is happening in Bird World. SW Florida should be seeing its first egg and hatch by Christmas! Wonder what will happen at Big Bear? And when will Gabby arrive? And then we have the Channel Islands!
Take care everyone. See you soon.
Thank you to all the owners of the streaming cams and to SK Hideaways for their videos. Check out the others by SK Hideaways – there are some beautiful chortels between Shadow and Kaydee.
Did Iris deliver the fish to Wensi? And was it Clarke who did the stop-and-go? I thought it was the other way around but I can easily be wrong. It happened very quickly!——-Regardless, all three were at the nest within seconds of one another. Iris is still here. Wensi is still getting fish deliveries. Clarke is home, too. All is good.
We have the first egg of the season for Mum and Dad at the Port Lincoln barge in South Australia. At 07:15:50 but Mum has danced around because of the rain and there was only a split second glimpse to confirm that she had laid that first egg.
Fish fairies: Start gathering the fish funds!
Clyde with a partially eaten trout at the Alyth SS Substation osprey nest that once belonged to Harry and Flora. No sign of Blue NC0 today. Has she departed? or is she fishing for herself? Both at the nest yesterday.
Blue 9L2 enjoying a nice fish delivery while sibling is fish calling at Lyn Brenig.
Massive fish at the Gilestone nest in the Usk Valley in Wales. These juveniles are filling up across the UK.
Wishing for fish at Dunrovin.
Ospreys around the Sandpoint nest. Where is Phoenix?
At OBX, Bandit (chick 2) caught a fish the other day. She is thinking about fishing today but hoping for a delivery.
Dylan and Seren were on the nest together at Llyn Clywedog today.
Geemeff’s latest Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 23rd August 2026 A very quiet day today, just a little Hoodie action with Juniper seeing off a persistent crow, and Louis bringing her a single fish, giving her something to scream about as it wasn’t very big and he didn’t answer her fish calls after that. The Nest Two tally now stands at four hundred and fifty four. Aurora 536 is still in Dorset and photographer Mark Wright took more photos, link in the bonus section. The weather was cloudy and cool which will continue overnight with a low of 8°C, changing to partly sunny and warming up in the afternoon with a high of 19°C. Today’s videos:
More photos from Mark Wright of Aurora taken today at Lytchett Bay in Poole Harbour, Dorset:
Osprey (536 – Aurora)Much more distant todayStill present in Lytchett Bay, Dorset this morning@harbourbirds.bsky.social @ukoi.bsky.social @wtscotsocial.bsky.social
We woke up to a cool morning. It was 10 C. The young man who clears my snow wrote to find out when I wanted him to start. I giggled. I guess when it snows – please, let’s not think about that now!!!!!!!
Little Four is much loved at the Blackbush Beach nest in Prince Edward Island. It is peculiar that he spends so much time on the nest. No fish yesterday but a small headless fish arrived at 0840 this morning. I have not had a chance to check for further deliveries. Some worry that Little Four won’t learn to fish. Remember. Ospreys do not learn to fish. 61 million years of adaptation and they know how to fish – no one has to teach Little Four. Most juveniles do not catch their first fish til they leave the nest on migration. This is why it is so important that the parents feed them up and fatten those bodies because fishing is not easy!
There will be skirmishes at times.
I thought I had a video of Ervie fighting with his siblings, but instead, the only one I have now is Ervie catching a puff. For those who don’t know, Ervie was the third hatch of 2021/22. He learned to fish by catching pufferfish!
We love you, Ervie. Now we wish he would get a mate!
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 18th August 2026
None of the adults were positively ID’d today, but an Osprey was seen eating fish near Nest One this afternoon, and a chick was seen eating fish on Nest Two around the same time. A chick was observed on and near the nest this morning but whether the same chick or her sister could not be determined. The Nest One fish tally remains at two hundred and one, and the Nest Two tally rises to an estimated four hundred and thirty nine. George WTS informed us a part for Nest Cam Two has arrived and someone should be making a site visit tomorrow to fit it. Fingers crossed that will get the cam back on line, but grateful thanks meantime to LizB for her off-cam reports. After a wet night it stayed damp with light to heavy rain and overcast conditions throughout the day, and a high of only
14°C. The rain will continue overnight with a low of 12°C, changing to thundery showers and light winds tomorrow – which might not be the best conditions for a site visit! – and a high of 16°C.
Bonus photos – Aurora 536 was sighted in Poole Harbour 18th August 2025 by Mark Wright:
Osprey (536/Aurora)Lytchett Bay, Poole Harbour, Dorset@harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @ukoi.bsky.social
Some have worried about Shadow being lonely. Shadow had his chortles answered this morning by KD1, and they have been spending quite a bit of time together. I do not think we need to worry about Shadow. SK Hideaways has the pair on video: https://youtu.be/dRcazZ1Jk3k?
I am so happy for Shadow.
I really hope that Gabby will be returning soon – it is normally in September. Beau is already back at the NE Florida nest awaiting his much loved mate.
At Hellgate Canyon, fish is being delivered elsewhere, it appears. No one slept at the nest. Wensi shows up fish calling once in awhile.
Those last glimpses of this family will be very precious because we do not know when we will last see each one. No crystal ball. But in our hearts, we wish them and all the other ospreys safe journeys and a return next spring.
Please do check out the little sea eaglets. They will grow very fast!
The only surviving osplet at the Chesapeake Conservancy has a name!
The third hatch died from siblicide at the Osprey House Environmental Centre in Australia. I now have serious concerns for the middle chick, chick 2.
Blue NC0 is establishing herself at the Alyth nest for next season and her new mate, Clyde, is in for a learning session. Blue NC0 is one of the best fishers I know!
It is time for us to go to the Farmer’s Market – every day there is at least one outing with me and if Ann is here, the lads get more than one. Doing new things, doing familiar things, being around people, being around animals – it is all good!
Grumpy. Not another photo!
Take care, everyone. Ospreys are winding down their season and I still have so much data to file. I will be back with you later this week when I get a chance to catch up on the work part of why I am watching these amazing birds – their mortality or should I say their life?!
Thank you to SK Hideaways and Geemeff for their great videos and summaries, to the people who post on FB including our Heidi, and to the owners of the streaming cams, I am so ever grateful to you for allowing us to watch these raptors. They enrich our lives.
We hope you had a good end of the week and that this weekend you take time to breathe and get outside. The summer is quickly coming to an end, and we can already see a tinge in the leaves across our back lane. Today, the birds were in a big flurry around 1500. The Crow family was all in attendance, along with the six Blue Jays – and hundreds and hundreds of sparrows of various types. We noticed a lactating grey squirrel, but it was not Dyson. Since the disappearance of Brock and the other cat, Charlie, we have also noticed a decline in the number of grey squirrels. Down by half. As I have mentioned previously, there is some concern that someone is using rodenticide. That deadly poison goes through the food chain – it can even kill the hawk that comes several times a week! Please do not use it, and if you know of others who do, don’t attack them but do educate them. So read up – there is lots of information on the dangers of this deadly poison on the Internet.
I want to thank everyone for their notes while you grieve, Jackie. She was so loved, and her influence has touched so many. I am grateful for the excellent care she received, from the first responders to the staff and volunteers at the Ojai Raptor Centre. Jackie died a natural death – and whether she knew it or not, she was surrounded by love. Tributes are still being made, and many want a permanent memorial to her at Big Bear Valley. Flower tributes have been left, and I know from your notes and comments that many people have a big hole in their hearts. Luna and Sandy are fine. I find it very interesting that Jackie stayed strong until they had left the area. As you know, raptors hide their vulnerabilities. Otherwise, others will try to take their position. At some point, however, when one is so very, very sick, that illness cannot be hidden anymore, and that is what happened to our dear Jackie. Shadow will be fine. He misses Jackie. He calls out for her, but no one answers. It is not breeding season, but like M15, he will need a strong mate to help him keep the Big Bear nest. It looks like the one female, nearing five years, KD1, is hoping to fill that spot. We need to send Shadow our best wishes just like we did Bella (NCTC), Connie (Captiva), Gabby (NE Florida) and M15 (SW Florida) – to name a few of the eagles who have lost their mates in the past five years.
I am delighted to report that one female osprey, Blue NC0, whose mate, Laddie LM12, died two years ago, appears to have found another nest and mate. She lost her nest at Loch of the Lowes last year when she failed to bond with the Dark Knight. She has recently been at the Alyth SS Substation nest that previously belonged to Harry and Flora. Harry disappeared, and Flora lost her nest (or that is what it appears). Clyde is the current male, and he has been bringing fish to Blue NC0. Loch of the Lowes and Alyth are approximately 18 km away from one another. I wish Blue NC0 the best.
I want to begin with Geemeff’s summaries and videos from Loch Arkaig:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 14th August 2026
Today’s big story is the Nest Two camera being taken out by an electrical storm. Unfortunately, as it’s in a remote area, it’s going to take a while to restore service but it is being worked on, and luckily Nest One cam is still streaming live. Garry LV0 wasn’t seen today so his fish tally remains at two hundred and one, but Aurora 536 came to the nest and preened quietly for a few minutes before departing. Thanks to off-nest reports from local resident LizB, we know the chicks were around today both on and off the nest, and Louis was seen delivering fish. Fishing stats guru Steve Quinn has worked out a formula for estimating deliveries by Louis during the cam outage and the Nest Two tally has been raised to four hundred and nineteen. Dorcha has not been seen on cam since Saturday 8th and off-cam on Tuesday 11th. Meanwhile, all the main events of Season Ten are available on Woodland Trust’s playlist, details in the bonus section. After a stormy night, the weather was reasonably settled today but at the time of this report, midnight, it’s raining and due to continue overnight with a low of 12°C, changing to light showers with sunny intervals and a high of 18°C tomorrow. Today’s videos:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 13th August 2026
Garry LV0 and Aurora spent time on Nest One today, and he brought her one fish, taking his tally to two hundred and one. The two chicks were on and off Nest Two being very competitive, squaring up to each other, slapping wings, pushing each other off the nest and chasing, and generally doing their best to get as much fish as possible. Louis only brought three fish, all flatfish, and Amber got the first two and Juniper the third. The Nest Two tally now stands at four hundred and fourteen. Dorcha wasn’t seen today, either on or off the nest, and it looks like she might have headed south – we wish her fair winds and plenty of fish and look forward to seeing her safely back next year for Season Eleven. The weather was damp and overcast, with Nest One shrouded in mist at times, and the damp weather is set to continue with thundery showers and light winds and a low of 16°C overnight, continuing tomorrow with light rain, a gentle breeze, occasional sunny spells and a high of 19°C.
Individuals throughout the UK (and elsewhere like myself) are fed up with the medieval practice on the shooting estates BECAUSE it leads to the gamekeepers poisoning, beating, and killing in the most bizarre ways the raptors that come and take a grouse for food. No one tells them they crossed a boundary – and to be honest the pheasants imported, the monies exchanged, never warrant the brutal killing of the raptors.
As you are aware, I am a big fan of Knepp Farms and their Rewilding campaign. In their latest newsletter, they tell of the most recent introduction: “In our latest episode of the Knepp Wilding Podcast, butterfly expert and old friend Neil Hulme joins us to talk about the Knepp Wildland Foundation’s most recent reintroduction project – the black-veined white butterfly.
Absent from Britain for more than a century, Neil discusses the specialist task of reintroducing a species that vanished this long ago and why we’re hopeful that this rare, striking insect will once again become a UK resident.”
The newsletter also brings up other issues such as the failure of national parks to provide safe environments for wildlife. There are other stories. Have a read.
Oh, you want cute. They look like miniature fuzzy snow persons! SE37 and 38 are adorable.
SK Hideaways has a cute video of the little sea eaglets. You also get to hear the duet! : https://youtu.be/QfxN_k_qH24?
Sadly, it appears that we will not have any Ervie babies this year. We saw him at the nest, but no female! Oh, let’s hope a female comes around. We love Ervie – and I can’t wait til he is a Dad.
Phoenix, from the Sandpoint nest, is doing well in rehab. He is said to be very, very feisty! He won’t leave his wing protector on…but this is good. He will be strong when he leaves care and goes back into the world. (A Bald Eagle injured Phoenix when he flew off the nest).
The females are starting to migrate in the UK. Blue 014 from the Pont Cresor nest in Glaslyn has not been seen since she had a fish on the Glaslyn nest on the 10th. Other females are helping the males fill up the chicks!
Take care everyone. Thanks for being with us. I keep saying I am going to take a day off. Maybe it will be tomorrow. I am hoping to get us on a little road trip if it isn’t raining all day.
Thank you to SK Hideaways and Geemeff for their videos and summaries of nest activities, to Knepp Farms for giving me hope for the future, to everyone who posted information and images on FB, to Ruth T for chasing down the latest raptor persecution news in the UK, and to everyone who owns a camera or posts news somewhere so that we know what is happening in the nests. A big thank you to CBS LA for a lovely tribute to Jackie.
What a week it has been! My fear is that we are still seeing the perils our dear osprey will have to deal with as wildfires, drought, and extreme rain are impacting all parts of our planet. That weather is impacting us as well – the heat and what will be food shortages, particularly items made of wheat or cereal crops, that have been impacted. It truly is a difficult time for all.
Thank you to everyone who posted good wishes to Heidi. The loss of CH1 is truly devastating, as there were so few ospreys left in that region and, of course, it is the nest she loved.
There is some good news.
0E5, the first hatched male, at Dunrovin Ranch fledged this morning and returned to the nest!
The chick that was removed from the Fru Rauer nest in Norway has been rehomed in a nest with adults that had one chick about the same size. Sol is being fed and monitored by a team as there is no camera. Here is the YouTube announcement: https://youtu.be/zcYWlWscCMc?
The second hatch at Tweed Valley was removed with the hope that it will thrive away from a nest where there was a very aggressive older chick that would not allow it to eat.
The younger chick at Oyster Bay is staying near the nest and getting the fish being delivered.
Fish is being provided to all four fledglings at Poole Harbour. Blue 022 and CJ7 are exceptional parents. The fledglings seem to be always eating.
I love this image of Blue 33 almost getting his talons pulled off as he delivers two fish at once to the Rutland Manton Bay nest in the UK. Plenty of fish for the ospreys! Amazing Dad.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 1st August 2026
Today was a repeat of yesterday, the chicks slept elsewhere overnight and are really unlikely to sleep on the nest again, preferring to perch in trees which better suits the shape of their feet. They hopped on and off the nest, called very noisily for fish, competed with their mum to get fish from Louis and mantled over their prize, loudly warning the others away. Dorcha might have to go fishing for herself soon as she’s not getting much of Louis’ deliveries but she doesn’t try too hard to get the fish ahead of the chicks. There were a few alarms today, Ravens were heard cronking in the distance but nothing came near enough to be caught on camera. Louis delivered four fish, taking the Nest Two tally to three hundred and sixty one, and nearly lost a toe to Amber in her eagerness to get to the fish. Garry brought one fish for Aurora and stayed to do a little nest tidying – the Nest One tally now stands at one hundred and eight nine. It should be mainly dry overnight and tomorrow with a low of 11°C and a high of 19°C.
This is the last article that University of Florida-Gainsville Intern at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Centre has written before returning to classes. ‘R’ sent it to me to share with you, and it gives us some hope for a species and maybe for all species. I keep thinking we need young people like Wes taking care of the environment!
FOBBVCAM Eagles ~ Big Bear Valley, CA Resident Bald Eagle male: Shadow (unbanded) since May 2018. Estimated hatch year: 2014 Resident Bald Eagle female: Jackie (unbanded) since September 2016. Estimated hatch year: 2012 Sandy hatched 4 April 2026, Luna hatched 5 April 2026 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
Shadow Checks In Morning and Night ~ Sub-Adult Stays Close~Critters Clean Up (2026 Jul 30) Shadow continues to spend the night in his usual roost tree, stopping briefly on a favorite perch in the morning. The sub-adult (I think the same one) seems to be in the area whenever Shadow is there. The sub-adult has taken the hint to perch a respectable distance from Shadow, as he’s shown no interest in interacting directly. While the eagles are away during the day, a whole host of critters visit the nest ~ I call them the cleaning crew. Sandy and Luna have not been seen on camera since July 23rd. Enjoy this day in Jackie and Shadow’s habitat. Video: https://youtu.be/wzV_Uf40fP4 Shadow’s Comings and GoingsWhile Awaiting Jackie’s Return (2026 Jul 24) Shadow’s routine has changed since Jackie was taken into care. Sometimes we see him morning and night, sometimes we don’t. Sometimes with a sub-adult bald eagle, sometimes alone. Here’s a day when we saw him both morning and night. This was also the last day faint squees were heard from juvenile eagles, which we hope were Sandy and Luna. It’s a time of wonder, discovery, and hope as we observe this habitat in a different light. Video: https://youtu.be/qfP_F-PEN9k
Jackie is on everyone’s mind! She is improving and was feeding herself. She is in the best care, and this is a reminder not to be sucked into those who keep spreading horrible rumours. No wildlife facility, let alone Ojai Raptor Centre, would keep a raptor in care longer than is needed for donations! Unbelievable.
Arthur has been spotted on campus with the Ps who continue to thrive with him and Big Red providing prey.
This is another tragedy. Every White-tail Eagle that has died in Dorset, England has died of rodenticide poisoning.
The two osplets at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum are thriving despite the heat that is covering our region. [Please note this nest never had three chicks – the third did not die, and any information related to that on the Memorial Page has been removed. There was confusion about the name of the nest when an individual sent me information for the Memorial Page].
Mum and Dad on the barge nest at Port Lincoln as they prepare for the 2026 breeding season – mating is certainly on the agenda!
Friends of Osprey Sth Australia have been checking the other platforms in the area as they work to reintroduce the species to the region. They are hopeful for a good year! I will keep you posted.
All four juveniles, including the fledglings, home for fish at Blackbush.
Fish arrived at Cowlitz.
I have no idea what has happened at Osoyoos but the heat has been incredible.
Fish at Sandpoint for only osplet.
Fledglings return to the Salmon, Idaho nest for fish. On occasion you can see the wildfire smoke on the streaming cam that is near.
Lucky osplet at the Coeur d’Alene, Idaho nest just got a huge whole fish from Dad!
These two osprey nests are right in the middle of humans – just look at Sandy Hook!
We hope that each of you are doing well. Please do check the Memorial Page and help me fill in the gaps and send good wishes to all those osplets on nests for a successful fledge and migration – and to the adults who are trying to fatten up for their journey to their winter homes. I can tell you that Seren Blue 5F has made it to her winter home in The Gambia. She has been photographed. I hope that next year is a better season for her and Dylan at Llyn Clywedog.
Hugo Yugo clowning around on the chair. You can see the poor dear has no teeth in front to hold her tongue. She is a real character.
Hope loving Missey.
Toby had his flea and tick treatment and wears his little jacket so none of the liquid will get on the cats.
It has been busy at the bird baths. The raccoon comes at night and even took a bath and a good old drink. Please remember to leave out life-saving water for the birds and other wildlife. It does make a difference.
See you soon!
Thank you to SK Hideaways and Geemeff for their dedication, their videos, and nest summaries. Thank you to everyone who wrote to me this week. I am grateful to everyone wo posted on FB and to the owners of the streaming cams who allow us to view these families. A big shout out to those who rescued osplets in need and who have tried to make their lives better – Fru Rauer and Tweed Valley this week.
Before I begin with some news from the nests, I want to thank everyone who donated to Save Moon Camp. It is very special to me that half of the funds came from ordinary individuals like you and me. I am grateful that others came with the remaining amount so that the habitat could be saved.
It is important to save these special places – more so now that there are development companies quick to want to build housing estates and condos in the most beautiful natural places on our planet. We need to ensure that they don’t. One of the great Canadian writers, Margaret Atwood, helped champion the conservation and ecological protection of Pelee Island in Lake Erie, Ontario. Rather than saving an entire island from physical destruction, she and her late partner Graeme Gibson focused on preserving its vital natural ecosystem by co-founding the Pelee Island Bird Observatory (PIBO) and advocating for its migratory bird habitats.
You don’t have to be a famous writer or a millionaire to save land. You simply have to understand that humans can do wonderful, marvellous miracles ‘together’. I continue to advocate for ‘one garden at a time’ – we don’t need huge goals like 100 acres or 35,000 acres. Imagine if every home, beginning with yours, had Butterfly bushes, trees for shade for the birds and animals, places for water for them, and, if you can, food. Then add the next house, and the next, and the next….then close your eyes and imagine the forest sanctuary you have created. Please, if you can, start a movement. The wildlife need habitat.
We are in the beginning stages of planning to dig up the area behind our conservatory to cover it with trees that grow quickly. We may take the other area where wood is stacked as well. I will document the change in photos once we begin. For now, the animals and birds are enjoying the shade and the three bird baths. Water has been the key during the heat that we had and the new heat dome that is arriving tomorrow. Today it is so humid and hot it is hard to stay outside very long.
I have not posted much this week because the children have been helping me finish up my decluttering! They did the attic in no time. What an amazing team they are. I miss them today. The house is quiet, and we are left to go through one large box of photos. Toby has a mild case of conjunctivitis that is slowly getting better, and I do mean slowly. The Girls are fine, and well… we will enjoy the quiet today and tomorrow. Tuesday is the day the plumbers will be here tearing things apart.
Do you know how to tell if your toilet is leaking? Pour soy sauce in the tank and see if it runs down the sides of the bowl! My water bill doubled in a month, and we knew something was amiss. So not only are they putting in a new loo, but they are finally installing the gorgeous German vanity that I purchased before the pandemic! It will be dusty and dirty.
So what has been going on with the ospreys? Well, in the UK, they have been fledging. Not having the problems that the US ospreys have had with food, the chicks are healthy. Aran’s only baby with his new mate fledged and sat on the perch, wondering what to do. This is its second flight:
The only one at the Loch of the Lowes, Blue 2JB, at 53 days, has fledged, and the little boy of Elen and Teifi’s finally took to the sky. Others that fledged have returned to their nests. US ospreys are fledging too – Santiam Canyon had one this morning. It is hard to keep up with them now! All fledglings need to return to the nest to be fed by the parents for several weeks or even a month. Instinctively, ospreys know how to fish – 61.5 million years of developing- but they still need help from the adults.
The latest news from Big Bear: ·
Habitat Update
We do not have an update on Jackie currently. Ojai Raptor Center said they would not be giving any additional information on Jackie until Monday at the earliest.
We have had many questions about the sub adult that likely battled with Jackie and has been very present in the habitat for several days.
We spoke with Dr. Peter Sharpe, Bald Eagle expert and Conservationist regarding the sub adult. He aged this eagle at 3 ½ years old. Bald eagles generally reach full maturity at the age of 5 years old, though they can be ready to mate and lay eggs at the age of 4, however that is not as common.
Dr. Sharpe feels that it is a bit early for this sub adult to be looking for nesting territory and/or a mate. Shadow did show defensive behavior against the sub adult for several days while Sandy and Luna were at the nest and seen in the area on both cameras.
Though we have been hearing vocals that may be Sandy or Luna in the habitat, the last time we saw them on our cameras was on 7/23. With several other young eagles in the area, these vocals may or may not be Sandy or Luna.
If Sandy and Luna have indeed left on their life’s journey, their timing is completely normal. At the Big Bear nest, previous eaglets have generally dispersed at around 4 weeks. It is not confirmed Sandy and Luna have left the area, we can only observe and time will tell. If Sandy and Luna are not in the habitat, Shadow would not feel the need to protect the territory.
When the eagles are not in nesting season, they are much more tolerant of other eagles. Sandy Steers and I spent over an hour watching Jackie and a sub adult back in 2023 (pictures attached). Jackie was not concerned at all about the subadult perching with her. In fact, she continued to preen and seemed very relaxed, though glancing over at the other eagle occasionally to keep an eye on it.
A soft reminder, please be kind to the FOBBV team and each other. We are all going through this together.
Stay tuned for future updates, we will continue to post information here.
GW”
A good message for all of us:
SK Hideaways Videos for Week of 19 July 2026
FOBBVCAM Eagles ~ Big Bear Valley, CA Resident Bald Eagle male: Shadow (unbanded) since May 2018. Estimated hatch year: 2014 Resident Bald Eagle female: Jackie (unbanded) since September 2016. Estimated hatch year: 2012 Sandy hatched 4 April 2026, Luna hatched 5 April 2026 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 Shadow and Sub-Adult Share Nighttime Roost Tree (2026 Jul 25)
Shadow’s vocal were heard in the early morning, but not again until the evening just after he flew by. A sub-adult was flying behind him but stopped to perch on Twin Pines and then the Simba Tree before flying off to join Shadow on his and Jackie’s roost tree. Missed seeing Sandy and Luna again today and wish them a safe night along with all Big Bear eagles. Sending positive thoughts for Jackie’s speedy and complete recovery. Video: https://youtu.be/uRxUyUgKTpo
Sandy & LunaPossible Last Sightings ~ But Not Last Squees~ 2026 Jul 23 I held this video for a couple days in hopes of seeing Sandy and Luna back on camera. So far we haven’t seen them, but believe we have heard them ~ quite a lot. Whether we see them again or not, this video brings some sweet and poignant moments of their typical mornings together ~ good morning squees, flying from favorite perch to favorite perch, and even some beakie kisses. A nice collection for the memory book. Video: https://youtu.be/O32HJ6mozQI Shadow Calls for Jackie Morning & Evening ~ Send Positivity Their Way(2026 Jul 23) Shadow calls for Jackie probably more often than we see on camera. In my opinion, he misses her. Also in my opinion, while he is dealing with the presence of visiting sub-adult bald eagles, he has no interest in taking another mate. His focus is on Jackie’s whereabouts and taking care of Sandy and Luna. Sending oodles of positive thoughts to Jackie and Shadow for a happy reunion one day soon. Video: https://youtu.be/IaJECLI95kk
Shadow & Sub-Adult Perch Peacefullyas Eaglets Watch ~ Fiona & Fast Finale(2026 Jul 22) Shadow and a sub-adult seem to have reached a truce to some extent. This sub-adult followed Shadow all over today. Each time it landed near him, he immediately flew off, except for a 25-minute period in the afternoon. He had much to say to the youngster but there was no physical aggression. Perhaps the truce included the condition that the sub-adult not breach the nest again.
At day’s end, Shadow perched behind the pine boughs next to the Cactus Snag for about 90 minutes. Was he trying to ditch the sub before roost time? We’ll never know, but he retired to his and Jackie’s roost tree. Luna roosted back on the Simba Tree and Sandy stayed on the high Y branch of the nest tree. Fiona and Fast Freddie took advantage of the empty nest and had quite a party. Video: https://youtu.be/qc4eJpY9-EY Shadow Stays Strong ~ Sub-Adult Remains ~ Another Day Without Jackie~ 2026 Jul 21 I chronicled this whole day as a testament to the strength and keen survival instincts of these bald eagles. It seems Shadow kept the persistent sub-adult from returning to the nest with great support from Sandy and Luna. He also managed to deliver 3 fish in the span of a half-hour in the morning and another 3 in the evening.
Luna and Sandy are venturing farther away as evidenced by Luna’s 9-hour absence from camera view and Sandy’s 3-hour absence. Shadow returning to an empty nest in the afternoon was difficult to see, but fans were soon treated when Luna and then Sandy returned to the nest in the evening.
I sprinkled the video with photos of Jackie ~ remembering happier times and sending oodles of positive thoughts for her speedy and complete recovery. Video: https://youtu.be/lFjfSoF_-7o
Sub-Adult Returns to Nest Tree🌲Shadow Divebombs, Locks Talons on Descent The sub-adult that Shadow had flushed out earlier in the day returned in the evening. This was not a good idea. Shadow first gave the visitor a stern verbal warning before diving on them. They both descended and their talons locked briefly before Shadow chased the sub-adult across the valley. Shadow then returned and perched on the Simba Tree during which time Luna and Sandy briefly checked on him there.
At nightfall, Sandy and Luna perched on the nest tree basement while Shadow retired to his and Jackie’s night roost tree. Sending positive thoughts for Jackie’s complete and speedy recovery while she is at the wildlife rehabilitation center being well cared for. And we wish all Big Bear eagles well as they all navigate life in the wild. (2026 Jul 19) Video: https://youtu.be/u-Wjj6i0cZU
Sub-Adult Breaches Nest ~ Shadow Attacks and Chases as Luna & Sandy Fly In(2026 Jul 19) One of the persistent sub-adult bald eagles followed Shadow to the nest. Shadow made his displeasure known vocally, but when Luna arrived, Shadow leapt over him and flushed the sub-adult from the nest, chasing them to the lake and possibly beyond. Sandy arrived at the nest as the chase was unfolding, and she and Luna looked on, squee-less. Not a minute later, Shadow was perched on Twin Pines and 9 minutes later, Sandy and Luna perched on the Cactus Snag. Shadow remains on Twin Pines, on guard as we publish. We wish all Big Bear eagles well and continue to wait for definitive news of Jackie’s whereabouts. Video: https://youtu.be/3OnNjmhclpo
Fraser Point Eagles ~ Santa Cruz Island, CA ~ Cruz, Andor, Sasha (hatched 3/28), Zuma (hatched 3/30), Ryder (hatched 4/1) Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Fraser Point Eagles Cam Ops Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY4V_AppZ6s Two Eaglets Rouse Cruz from Her Night Roost ~ Hang Out Awhile(2026 Jul 23) Fans were treated to Princess Cruz on her overnight roost followed by not one but two eaglets rousing her in the wee hours. She exited stage left pretty quickly. The eaglets stayed long enough to show us some of their signature shenanigans and progress they’ve made in eagle school in the weeks since we last saw them. Video: https://youtu.be/-wNvLxUawZI
San Jose City Hall Falcons ~ San Jose, CA ~ Hartley, Monty, and chicks Jet, Scout, Stewart, Walton (hatched 4/21/26) Courtesy San Jose City Hall Peregrine Falcon Cam | Predatory Bird Research Group 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 Walton and Scout Make Surprise Visit to Nest Area ~ Adult Skedaddles(2026 July 18) Walton arrived, screaming, of course, while an adult was on the runway. With no drama, the adult flew, at which point Scout arrived. What a treat to see them both for this short visit. They look to be healthy and spunky. Video: https://youtu.be/NhsJmukFq2w
Cholyn & Chase Defend TerritoryAgainst Peregrine Falcons (2026 Jul 18) The Two Harbors peregrines must be in the midst of their nesting season, as they’ve been very territorial lately. They seem to have forgotten who rules the territory, though, as they persist in stooping on Cholyn and Chase. Our royal couple, despite their 28 years, are more than capable of defending their territory and displayed a most impressive series of evasive actions to keep the speedy peregrines at bay. Video: https://youtu.be/v2CFlmN1tpc
And then our other great contributor, Geemeff brings us the news from Loch Arkaig and the Woodland Trust:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 25th July 2026
Today’s big news is that we are officially on fledge watch! The chicks have been wingercising and taking little hops but today Amber 8P6 did a proper helicopter, disappearing out of the cam view at the top of the screen while Juniper 8P7 looked on in amazement. Juniper also got airborne, but only a few inches above the ground so it looks like Amber may well beat her older sister to first fledge. All eyes will be concentrating more than usual on the nest tomorrow! Meanwhile Dorcha is still fending off intruders, an unringed probably male Osprey flew very close, and there were one or two other alarms but no one else caught on nest cam. Intruders didn’t seem to take up Louis’ time as he delivered three fine looking trout including a gold coloured one, and he was sporting a very well-filled crop. The Nest Two tally now stands at three hundred and twenty nine. Aurora 536 spent a fair bit of time on Nest One, Garry LV0 delivered one fish taking his tally to one hundred and eighty two, and stayed to do a bit of nest tidying. It rained overnight but despite the forecast was mainly dry during the day, and there’ll be more rain overnight with a low of 12°C, continuing throughout tomorrow with a high of 17°C. There should be an early evening break in the rain tomorrow which would be ideal conditions for a fledge. However, the chicks will decide when they’re ready.Today’s videos: https://youtu.be/EJgW5nIVUuQ N2 Louis brings a huge lively trout 08.59.22 https://youtu.be/jf8-s_O-qUM N2 Dorcha warns away an intruder Osprey flying too near the nest 10.16.23https://youtu.be/f4RRAzdVszw N2 Juniper’s keen when fish two arrives, Amber joins in later 11.18.18 https://youtu.be/wSUiOyv4KMo N1 Aurora grabs the flatfish, has a nibble, and leaves with it 18.06.26https://youtu.be/J6Ki2ZIxvoI N2 Amber does a proper off-the-screen helicopter! 18.57.16https://youtu.be/wMGEFDUt_EoN2 Louis brings a very colourful third trout 19.53.04 (zoom)
Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:
Zeus has been making fish deliveries to Cape May to the chick who we hope will fledge soon! Another miracle. One little survivor.
There are still four osplets at Blackbush in Prince Edward Island. Against the odds, little four is going to make it unless something very strange happens.
Despite heating rivers and dying fish, Clark works hard for his family and delivers a nice fish for Iris and Wensi early this morning.
Wensi is working on building muscles to fly.
Two osplets at Oyster Bay – at least one has fledged and returned. Fish are coming to the nest, but the one who might not have fledged (apologies, I have not kept up with this nest as much as I should) is constantly fish-calling.
Looking to the upcoming season in the Southern Hemisphere:
Mum and Dad are on the barge nest and mating constantly! Meanwhile we hope Ervie and his female mate have chicks this year, too.
Lady and Dad in the Olympic Forest nest where Lady is incubating her two precious eggs.
Beautiful Diamond at the Falcon Scrape on the campus of Charles Sturt University in Orange, Australia. Gimbir is safe and sound and often in the scrape. He is quite the character. Looking forward to more healthy chicks this season.
The streaming cam at 367 Collins Street – home to the Melbourne Falcon family – will be turned on once there are eggs.
Thank you so much for your notes. I am so glad that you appreciated the photos of Toby and The Girls! They are so very special to my life.
Toby keeping us company as we sort through photos.
Have a lovely week. We will be back with you on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Thank you to Geemeff, SK Hideaways, Pam Breci, to all the contributors on FB, and the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to watch our bird friends.
It is cloudy. We had another thunderstorm last night and that thunder jacket for Toby and Missey really came in handy. Poor things when the first clap rattled the house they yelped and starting running around like someone was chasing them with a cow prod. The jackets certainly worked and both settled into bed with me for a long quiet night.
Have you watched The Last Osprey? If you haven’t, then I urge you to do this.
Here is the link: You will need to watch it with ads which gives them revenue so just click to watch with ads. It is that good.
It will not make your day turn into sunshine but it will highlight what Heidi and I, Michael Academia and others have been saying for years — industrial fishing in The Bay has to stop. The question now is: is it too late? Studies have already been done. Adding another putting off the cessation of industrial fishing only ensures the demise of the osprey and other species in that ecosystem. Why not a moratorium until a study is completed? That makes much more sense based on what we know. But, sitting where I do in Canada, I wonder who has any common sense? We have watched and are now watching – again – adults abandoning their only surviving chicks because of too little or no food. In Norway, Sol was removed from a nest and place in another that is thriving.
I do take exception with one aspect of part 1 of the documentary, The Last Osprey. The myth is that ospreys do not do well in rehabilitation. Our friend who was at the Audubon Raptor Centre in Florida, Lisa, would tell you a different story. I don’t think I mentioned Mr Krispy – he had been electocuted and lost almost all his feathers. He was released a little more than a year after going into care. Pitkin County’s chick fell over and was taken into care and released. Those are only two stories but what about Bailey at the Raptor Centre? The key is to getting them soon enough before their organs begin to shut down. It is too late for those sitting on some of the nests you are watching.
I want to applaud Heidi again. I thank whatever spirit controls this world for her coming into my life many years ago. She is tenacious, and she was not going to let PSEG Oyster Bay get by with having fishing line on that nest. I believe she would have climbed up there herself if she had lived in the area, but she knew to contact Bobby Horvath. If there is a chick in danger in Manhattan or on Long Island, Bobby is your man. That chick is alive today because of her video—but also because of all the phone calls everyone made to PSEG, Bobby, the DEC, etc. It takes more than a village, and you cannot give up!!!!!!!!!
This is Oyster Bay today.
It isn’t fishing line, but it is human debris – a takeaway box. Gosh, humans make messes, and ospreys love to bring things to the nest. There was a running joke that maybe it was fish and chips. The kids are fish calling. These three should fledge. Thank goodness.
Tiny at Blackbush – four of them – continues to do better than I thought it would. This is one determined little osplet.
Different parents at Minnesota has really changed this nest with two thriving osplets.
Osoyoos. This nest needs fish!
One of the discussions in the documentary The Last Osprey is the amount of energy parents must expend to furnish their nests and care for their young when the young are starving, too. Feather development. Emaciated chicks. It is hard to tell, but there is not a lot of fat on this chick at Osoyoos compared to those at some of the other nests. Meanwhile, with the rare exception, the UK nests are thriving, and I have word that the Aviemore ospreys are safe from the wildfire scorching the area.
Pam Breci sent this to me – and we always need to cherish and cheer on those nests that are doing well.
I loved Duke and Daisy. They decided not to breed one year. I wonder what eventually happened to them. Does anyone know?
This is Sandy Hook and instead of eating Menhaden, they are eating fluke.
AI information on Fluke:
AI Overview
Fluke fish, also known as Summer Flounder, are a predatory marine flatfish found in the western Atlantic Ocean. Highly prized by both commercial harvesters and recreational anglers, they are famous for their sweet, mild, and delicate white meat, which is excellent for searing or rolling.
Key Characteristics
Appearance & Camouflage: Fluke are flat and laterally compressed, meaning they swim and lie on the ocean floor on their side. They are nicknamed “chameleons of the sea” for their ability to change their top-side coloration (grays, blues, or browns) to match the ocean floor.
The “Left-Eyed” Trait: While born with an eye on each side, the fluke’s right eye migrates to the left side of its head as it matures. When held with the belly facing down and eyes facing up, its head will point to the left.
Distinctive Spots: They typically feature five or more prominent, dark, eye-like spots (ocelli) arranged in a distinct pattern on their back.
Ambush Predators: Unlike bottom-feeding scavengers, fluke are aggressive hunters equipped with large mouths and sharp teeth, feeding on small fish, squid, and crustaceans.
Fluke vs. Flounder
The relationship often causes confusion, but the easiest way to understand it is that all fluke are flounders, but not all flounders are fluke. “Flounder” is a broader umbrella term for various species of flatfish. Fluke specifically refers to the Summer Flounder, while other species (like the Winter Flounder) are right-eyed, smaller-mouthed, and lack teeth
The fluke being brought in is keeping this nest thriving, and both adults are fishing for their kids. Lots of small fish is just as good as a few big ones.
I want to remember this season with Iris, Clark, and their chick. I know that we cherished the year she bonded with Finnegan and they raised two to fledge: Sum-eh and Antali. Iris is doing great as a mum, and Clark is not only a wonderful provider but also a protector. Each of us should cherish these next weeks with this wonderful family. This year has been hard on Iris because of the heat, yet she will protect her chicks before anything else. She is going to need time to ‘fatten’ up for her own migration later in July before she departs sometime in September. I wonder if there will be a naming contest for the chick? Gosh, I hope so. Maybe I missed it, and they have already started. I must admit to enjoying the newly fledged birds in my garden. I cannot take my eyes off of the gorgeous Blue Jays. The Starlings have moved on to their summer grounds but will return late in the fall and spend the winter. It has just been glorious!
Look how big Iris’s ‘baby’ is!
Posted a week ago:
Chick at day 20! Don’t you just love the attitude?
Wonderful news just keeps coming from Knepp Farm in the UK and their commitment to rewilding.
The latest report from Geemeff and the Woodland Trust:
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 16th July 2026
It was a quiet day, with just a little intruder action, not enough to send an adult in pursuit, and the chicks spent most of today wingercising. Juniper 8P7 in particular was very animated, actually doing a two-footed hop, and moving perilously close to the edge. But she kept inside the cot rails, and had a good look over the side as if figuring out how high up she is. She and Amber 8P6 are looking very strong and fledge-watch can’t be far away. Louis delivered five fish today although Dorcha might argue it was only four as he inadvertently took one of them away with him when he left, dropping it overboard with a clunk. Fortunately it was the smallest fish, a partial flatfish, and he returned forty five minutes later with a decent sized trout so everyone had a good dinner. The Nest Two tally now rises to two hundred and ninety two, while over on Nest One, Garry LV0 brought two fish for Aurora 536, taking the Nest One tally to one hundred and sixty eight. Their unviable egg is still intact, and after delivering the second fish, Garry did settle down on it but soon left. The weather was hot and sunny, and set to continue with an overnight low of 13°C and a more comfortable high tomorrow of 24°C.
===========================================================Mum and Dad slept on the barge in South Australia last night. Dear souls.
Beautiful Lady incubating her two precious eggs at the Olympic Park White-bellied Sea Eagle nest in Sydney.
Gorgeous Diamond. She lost her mate eleven years ago and a miracle happened when Xavier appeared and cared for her and her chicks. We have now sadly had to say goodbye to Xavier, also, and hello to Gimbir who keeps us entertained and who has turned out to be a very good mate.
The week in wildlife in photographs by the Guardian.
Thank you for being with us. Toby and I are going out for a walk. My son and daughter in law will come for a visit today – so good to see them again and Don is out with Ann at the nature centre. It is wonderful to have a day wit no heat ande no rain. All the little birds are so very happy.
I am working with my new camera to see if I can get you some decent images from the garden. Keep your fingers crossed. I have been very frustrated since I sold my DS850 and I might just hve to get a better mirrorless camera.
If you did not know, the Ferguson Museum chick, which was starving, was predated by a Bald Eagle this morning.
Enjoy the weekend. We will be back with you again soon.
Thank you to everyone who posted images and information on FB, to Geemeff, thank you for your daily summary, to PB – special thanks for our chats and the life support line when things get so sad you can’t stand it. To everyone who called about the PSEG nest and especially to Heidi for her persistence, thank you so much. You saved a life. People can create positive change. You just can’t give in to despair. Thank you to the Guardian and the owners of the streaming cams.
I took a day off. It was lovely. I decided to do some self-care, and before that, I sat and reflected on the simple things that make me ‘happy’. I love Organic Meadows Strawberry ice cream, and on these hot days there is nothing nicer. Taking Toby for a walk brings me such joy. Sitting in the garden listening to the birds and watching all the animals scurry about, eat, and bathe is marvellous. Last, having a luxurious bubble bath and tonight with candles and a decadent Bergamot and Hinoki mixture, I fell into bliss. I needed this day. Every once in a while dementia catches up with me, and I just have to shut it out. Today was one of those days. Running parallel with Lewy Body Dementia is Parkinson’s Disease, and I believe, perhaps wrongly, it is starting to roar its ugly head in Don’s body.
Today is Missey’s birthday. She is four years old.
Missey is with her bestie, Hugo Yugo, the ginger.
She will enjoy her very own tin of tuna this evening and everyone will have treats! I tried to find a cake mix for cats but all I could find was one for dogs.
At Loch Arkaig, the chicks have names: Amber and Juniper. I don’t mind saying that several individuals, including myself, suggested Juniper. So I am happy! Amber for the lighter chick and Juniper for the darker – like the berries.
The camera is down at Osoyoos or has been turned off. What has happened to that remaining chick? That poor little soul.
I have some concerns about the remaining chick at the Cowlitz PUD. I hope I am wrong, but the chick does not seem strong to me; rather, it seems to be protecting what energy it has. This has always been a difficult nest. Eagles have taken healthy chicks. Eagles take the fish from the osprey.
In contrast, the two at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum are doing amazing.
I have heard about the strange goings on at the Wetlands osprey cam. The female has been unwell and as ‘MP’ writes tonight: “I don’t know if you’ve seen this, but it is an amazing communication moment between chick and mom. Mom has been ill for a while and not able to feed chick, so chick has been self-feeding even though s/he too young. S/he’s been doing a good job though. Today, @09:14:47AM mom drops down from perch as dad brings fish in and chick and mom begin to communicate in a way I’ve never seen before. It certainly is a learning moment. If you can go to it soon, the time is timing out. Oh, and chick attacks mom because I assume is angry over he not feeding chick?”
I didn’t get to it until 0956 but later the chick, with a fish behind it with some bites out of the soft sides, was giving the female the what for on the perch. This chick is hungry. It is trying to feed itself and it needs more fish than it can currently eat – it is, however, managing to stay alive. Let’s wish this baby a lot of luck.
There was a fledge at the Birds of Poole Harbour on Tuesday morning.
At Dyfi, Ogwen fledged this morning! He was the male.
Saturday began with an urgent call about 3 nestfall Osprey chicks that David had found on his morning walk.
Soaked and grounded after yesterday’s rainfall, the chicks had tumbled from their nest that had become waterlogged, which had resulted in a serious break in the structure, and then a full collapse.
The fall, of about 20m / 60 feet was significant and first we arranged for David and Melissa to return and uplift the chicks to go to fabulous vet Ella at Highland Vet Referrals & Emergencies with the full cooperation of the estate.
There, sadly, one chick was found to be badly injured so on welfare grounds he was spared any further suffering and euthanised. The other two had miraculously avoided any serious trauma and once dried, they perked up well. Ella kept us fully updated while we took advice from Brian about next steps. An Osprey expert on “the team” comes in very handy!
Without delay the sensational ornithology duo of Brian and Daniel kitted up and headed to the nest site where a phenomenal rebuild got underway.
With the two chicks cleared for return David and Melissa collected them to head back to their newly refurbished nest where Brian and Daniel got them back in situ with a combination of professional tree climbing skills and expertise as ringers.
Reaching out to colleagues, experts, professionals and friends is an essential part of our work. Collaboration, consultation and teamwork can create wildlife magic and these two lucky youngsters now have a second chance, with their parents in view and our entire team happy to have helped them get back up high, where they belong.
If you missed it, the adults have returned to the nest.
Look at Tiny! Thanks so much ‘PB’ for this great screen capture. That is some ‘sassy’ chick. I love this fourth hatch.
‘R’ wrote and asked me why I had not mentioned wildfires this year. So far, we have not had them because of all of the rain this year – indeed, even flooding but there are massive fires in NW Ontario. But there are horrific fires burning in the US and now in the Cairngorms in Scotland. The heat in France has caused fires. There was even a fire near to Geemeff in London. Wildlife have been impacted around the world due to these fires and the droughts – and even the torrential rains that flooded their nests and killed their chicks.
Geemeff Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 14th July 2026
Daily summary Tuesday 14th July 2026
Today’s big news is the naming of our chicks. From the hundreds of suggestions, the judging panel decided on Amber and Juniper, reflecting their colouration – therefore the golden chick 8P6 is called Amber and the dark chick 8P7 is called Juniper. Many thanks to everyone who participated in #2026NAME. The next big milestone for Juniper and Amber will be their first flight, which is probably at least ten days away – longer if dad Louis keeps bringing lots of fish and they get even bigger and heavier! It was quiet today, no intruders, apart from the RAF sending three noisy aircraft this time, noted by the family who didn’t otherwise react. Dorcha did react when Juniper got herself in a fankle when she got her wing stuck on a cot rail – mum came over and moved it for her, snapping bits off before repositioning it. Dad Louis brought three fish taking the Nest Two tally to two hundred and eighty four, and over on Nest One, Aurora 536 received two fish from Garry LV0, taking his tally to one hundred and sixty five. Aurora nearly lost the second, clattering the cot rails as she left, but did manage to hang on to it. The weather was settled, hot and sunny, and it’ll be misty overnight until about 7am, with a low of 13°C, then full sunshine for the rest of the day with a high of 28°C and light winds to help mitigate the high temperatures.Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/0i2fWOyh8Vg N2 Introducing Amber (8P6) & Juniper (8P7)! https://youtu.be/45eOSJgzJZg N2 Only the chicks are home when Louis brings fish one 04.26.27https://youtu.be/PhTsALMZJfU N2 Juniper gets in a fankle! Mum helps out 07.17.24
Iris is such an amazing mother. She has shaded her lovely chick in the hottest of weather and I do worry about her.
Tiny at Blackbush isn’t so Tiny anymore. Thanks, ‘PB’.
We now have an image of Ervie’s ‘girlfriend’!!!!!!!!
That’s it for today. Please take care, everyone. I hope to be back with you either later tomorrow (Thursday) or on Friday. It looks like there will be many fledges happening in the UK!
Thank you to Geemeff for her daily summary, to PB for those great captures of Tiny, to everyone who posted images and information on FB, and to the owners of the streaming cams that let us watch these wonderful bird families.
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