First egg at UK Osprey platform

5 April 2026

Good Afternoon Everyone,

First. A reminder if you haven’t already marked it on your calendar. Iris’s favourite day to return to Missoula is 7 April. We are less than 48 hours away.

They are returning from migration but the osprey season officially kicked off today (IMHO) with the arrival of the first egg.

It was Maya (unringed) and Blue 33’s first egg of 2026 and it happened around 1805.

Close-up view of an osprey in its nest made of twigs and branches, with a water backdrop.

Blue 33 flies in to have a good look.

A bird, possibly an osprey, is seen in a nest made of twigs and branches, near a body of water. The setting is peaceful and natural.

There are two cameras. The rails are so high on the nest this year we might only see little heads for some time.

Wide-angle view of Manton Bay with an osprey nest made of twigs in the foreground, surrounded by water and a blue sky with clouds.

On the Canadian prairies, it was raining and then it started snowing a bit and everything is brown and grey. No beautiful sunshine. Toby was so filthy from our walk that he had another bath – he is so good in the tub. Tomorrow he will have a mobile nail trimmer arrive to shorten those claws. In the meantime, it is damp to the bone weather here in Winnipeg. I hope it is much nicer where you are.

Check out the darling bobble heads at Big Bear and Achieva. Wink has brought in a huge fish to share with Peanut, who has repeatedly defended itself and the nest against that persistent owl. Storks are returning to Europe. One was on the nest at Mlady Buky the last time I checked. Remember, Milda is on eggs, and by the end of the month, I hope to see the cutest little white-tailed eaglets on that nest in Latvia. Fort St Vrain has a second hatch happening with pip watch on the third and only egg remaining (first two broke) going on for the ND-LEEF eagles in South Bend, Indiana.

FSV56 looking at Mum. What a beautiful sight.

A bald eagle tending to its nest, with a chick visible, surrounded by sticks and straw.

Take care everyone. See you soon!

Thank you to the owners of the streaming cams – without them we would not be able to look into the lives of these birds and witness these little bobblehead miracles!

Jackie lays egg 2, clutch 2!

27 February 2026

Hello Everyone,

I didn’t expect to be back so soon – well, there is great news. Jackie and Shadow have egg 2 of clutch 2.

Thanks SK Hideaways for the video capturing the moment! https://youtu.be/FKRbz02gZG0?

Featured image from SK Hideaways video capture.

Sadness and worry….late Wednesday in Bird World

4 February 2026

There are currently two incidents in Bird World.

Jak and Audacity’s second egg has been pierced by Audacity’s talon and is no longer viable. The first egg that was laid remains intact. Thank goodness.

SK Hideaways has it on video: https://youtu.be/b2cBALaGn08?

There is a fishing line and a red/white bobber on the nest of Louis and Anna II in the Kistachie National Forest. The Migratory Bird Act permits intervention because this is a human-caused hazard. It requires a letter of permission from the USFWS.

At PA County Farms there is cause for celebration – first egg for our couple who often lay and hatch three or four eggs! I am hoping for just two healthy eaglets.

It was a fantastic day on the Canadian prairies. The weather is warm, the snow is now slush and horrid, but it is great for dog walks! The car washes are going to be very busy this week. By the weekend it will warm up to 0 C.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Send good wishes that the fishing line is removed safely in Louisiana and that Jak and Audacity’s first egg holds.

Please take care. See you soon!

Thank you to SK Hideaways for their video and to the owners of the streaming cams who allow us to view the lives of our lovely raptors.

Celebrate….

31 January 2026

Hello Again!

This will be the last little post of the day. I will be back on Monday or Tuesday, depending on what is going on in Bird World.

Just after I sent out the Jak and Audacity post, ‘N’ sent me a note to tell me that Ellie at the Kansas City Bald Eagle nest had laid her second egg. I don’t want to ever play favourites when it comes to our birds but goodness they are laying eggs and hatching quicker than I can find out what is happening!

We need to celebrate not only Jak and Audacity’s egg but also the second egg of Ellie and Harvey! Congratulations to all!

Also, part of tonight’s story time had a quote from John Muir, the founder of the National Park system in the US. I think it is worthwhile to read it over and over again!

“Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into the trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will fall off like autumn leaves.” (John Muir, 1901)

Thank you to ‘N’ or sending me the notice about Ellie and Harvey’s second egg arrival and to Farmer Derek for allowing us into the lives of the wildlife that share his family’s property.

Jackie and Shadow have an egg!!!!!!!

23 January 2026

Oh, I love these two. We have an early egg (compared to some years past) for our Big Bear romantic couple, Jackie and Shadow.

Smile. While there might be sadness elsewhere, we have to celebrate what could be an amazing year for these two Bald Eagles in Big Bear Valley that we love so much.

Time to get another mini-bottle of champagne! I finally go to open the last one in 2025 – let’s make it another year for this couple. Send them all your love and good energy.

SK Hideaways has it on video. https://youtu.be/n0-5Ko2AWYY?

Thank you to SK Hideaways and to the owners of the streaming cam that allow us this amazing look into the lives of our raptors.