Tag Archives: hatch

Late, late Monday in Bird World

6 July 2026

Hello Again,

There are a couple of items that need to be sent out to you that were not in the earlier post. One of those is SK Hideaway’s videos for the week of the 28th of June. This is a remarkable list of videos covering many nests on several continents, please check all of them out for the latest information on these bird families:

SK Hideaways Videos, week of 28 June 2026

FOBBVCAM Eagles, Big Bear Valley, CA ~ Jackie, Shadow ~ eaglets Sandy and Luna (13 weeks old)
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

Sandy & Luna’s Reaction to Fireworks (2026 Jul 4)
While Sandy and Luna noticed the fireworks, they did not move from their roosts. It was a relief and a joy to see these strong, fearless eaglets hold their ground. 
Video: https://youtu.be/BtLJDMQ16sU
Sandy & Luna Put on Dazzling Flight Displays! A Busy Day Exploring (2026 Jul 3)
What a difference a day or two make. After spending the night together in the nest tree, Sandy and Luna got an early start exploring the habitat. Their flight skills grow stronger every day, along with their confidence. They stayed close together for much of the day ~ perching on a variety of trees. When they both departed the Sunny Hideout, they gave viewers a dazzling airshow that fans won’t soon forget. 
Video:  https://youtu.be/PJYYeCH6kQM

Sandy & Luna Reunite at Nest ~ Get 2-Fish Reward ~ (2026 Jul 2)
Four days after Sandy fell from the nest tree and three days after Luna fledged, the eaglets reunited on the nest. But before they did, they met on adjacent perches in their habitat ~ Luna on the Cactus Snag and Sandy making a great flight to the top of Sunny Hideout. 

They returned to the nest within seconds of each other and it wasn’t long before Shadow delivered the first fish of the day, followed shortly by fishes two and three (#3 not shown here). Fans got their wish of Sandy and Luna reuniting at the nest. We have a suspicion it may have been Shadow’s wish, too.
Video:  https://youtu.be/AMnXeJ1UCQw

Ace Flyer Luna Makes the Rounds ~ Sandy Makes an Appearance (2026 Jul 1)
It was a glorious day seeing the entire family throughout their beautiful habitat. Luna had a busy morning perching not only on all of Jackie and Shadow’s favorite perches, but also his very own, currently nameless, pine tree perch. He ended his camera time on the Lookout Snag and headed in the direction where cam ops later found the elusive Sandy. This reminded me of a time last year when the whole family – Jackie, Shadow, Sunny, and Gizmo – met up on the Lookout Snag, so I included a photo of that special morning in this video.

Sandy claimed a nameless pine tree of her own and snuggled in throughout the afternoon. Turns out this pine tree is very near Jackie and Shadow’s roost tree, so she’ll have four eagle eyes on her overnight. I’m guessing Luna is nearby.
Video:  https://youtu.be/ruisDc0Pm74

Luna Returns to Nest! The Lure of Fish! (2026 Jun 30)
Luna spent the night atop the Simba Tree ~ his first destination and first night away from the nest. He exercised his wings a lot throughout the morning, but when Shadow circle around with his favorite food, Luna put those exercises to work and flew straight home, squeeing all the way. He devoured his fish in about a minute and sent Shadow out for more. But Luna couldn’t wait for the next Dad Dash delivery, so took off again about an hour later, flying like an ace. We have a feeling we’ll see him again soon.
Video:  https://youtu.be/J56GjZBpKoU

Sandy Found!  Food Delivered to Simba Tree and Headless Tree Rock (2026 Jun 29)
Cam ops found Sandy snuggled in the Headless Tree this afternoon as Luna continued adjusting to his new digs atop the Simba Tree. Shadow brought fish to the nest, presumably to lure the eaglets to fly, but that wasn’t to be, so he took it to the Simba Tree. Luna’s not quite ready to make his way down, so Shadow nibbled on the fish himself. Awhile later, Sandy popped out from the bushes onto a nearby rock where a parent soon brought her a snack. All is going very well here.
Video: https://youtu.be/xlEMNAS4DFU

Luna Fledges in Grand Style ~ Meets Shadow on Simba Tree (2026 Jun 29, 9:24:43)
Luna gave it some thought and then launched from the high front porch perch. It was a beautiful sight to see. Well done, Luna!
Video:  https://youtu.be/lNSDqf2Av-s

Sandy Fell From Nest🍂 FOBBV May Have Located Her🎉 Phew! 😮‍💨
After a glorious morning of new milestones by Luna reaching higher heights on the Y branch and Sandy venturing further out on a front porch limb, the day dimmed. In attempting to return to the nest from the front porch by jumping over Sandy, Luna accidentally knocked Sandy off her perch. 

Sandy was lodged in branches at two points below the nest tree for awhile, but soon released and righted herself. She was soaring or flapping as she released ~ a very good sign. Then FOBBV reported that she had been seen flying on their security camera. Hopefully we’ll see her on the webcam soon. (2026 Jun 28)
Video: https://youtu.be/_I12FV2ZfX8


San Jose CH Falcons ~ San Jose, CA ~ Hartley, Monty; chicks Jet, Scout, Stewart & Walton (10 weeks old)
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

Scout and Walton Remain in the Territory ~ Still Ousting Parents in Fleeting Moments (2026 Jul 1)
In the waning moments of our time with Hartley and Monty’s 2026 brood, each sighting and each antic is a joy to see. Here, I also captured how Hartley and Monty slowly resume their lives as empty-nesters. They are bonding frequently, but still getting interrupted by chicks. This time Scout had the job of ousting them from the nest area, while Walton was more interested in snacking on the sunshade below. Video:  https://youtu.be/CVtrzagmHl4

Morning Mayhem with Jet, Scout & Walton
We continue to see Jet, Scout, and Walton regularly, while Stewart is exploring further afield. The three brothers roost together overnight on the louvers and then are often seen together in the morning hours. They still oust parents from the nest area whenever the opportunity presents itself and this morning was no exception. Monty continues to fall for the ploy. So grateful to be able to watch them during this formative time in their growth. (2026 Jun 28)
Video: https://youtu.be/V-ihIWce5MA

Sydney White-Bellied Sea Eagles ~ Australia ~ Lady and Dad
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 Lays Egg #1!🥚 Welcome SE 37 To Be!🎊
Breeding season has begun for Lady and Dad with the arrival of egg #1. Here’s to seeing SE37 in 5 or 6 weeks. Congrats Lady and Dad!
Video:  https://youtu.be/7eusfpBt7ZY


Two Harbors Eagles ~ Catalina Island, CA ~ Cholyn & Chase, 28 years old
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

After 23 Years Together, Cholyn & Chase Still Have Much to Discuss (2026 Jul 4)
In a 2-day compilation, I captured a number of conversations and interactions between Cholyn and Chase. Their relationship is fascinating and heartwarming. This video is an exercise in stopping to smell the roses, appreciating a marvelous partnership, and gratitude for the opportunity to enjoy the life of this spectacular couple. 
Video:  https://youtu.be/1kBjJ-C-8FI

I have been absolutely concerned about number 4, the tiny osplet, at Blackbush Osprey platform in Prince Edward Island. Please remember that it is difficult under the most beneficial conditions to raise four chicks to fledge. Maya and Blue 33 have had several clutches of four but only two clutches of four fledged. We are waiting for Blue 022 and CJ7s latest four to fledge and if they do, it will beat Maya and Blue’s record and another one – fledging four chicks in consecutive years. What makes the UK nests different? First, Blue 33 has fish right below his nest. Rutland is stocked for fishers as well as the wildlife. At Poole Harbour, CJ7 is not afraid to go out fishing for her kids.

I have not seen the female fish at Blackbush. I want you to send me a note and correct me if this is wrong. I check daily, many times, but that does not mean I see everything. Little four had some fish early Monday and bless its heart, had a crop from a later fish – a note from ‘PB’ raised my hopes again for this one. It has lived another day. If it survives, this chick will be able to survive almost anything.

‘PB’ also reports that the female at Santiam is going to fish for her family. What a year this has been in the US – it is the first year that I recall so many females just getting up and getting on with the entire job of caring for their chicks. They have a choice, and I believe, as I have said several times, they are so intelligent to consider the options. They can do nothing, and if the males bring in insufficient fish, one or more of their chicks will die. Second, they can leave their babies and go fishing so they have food to live (Mum, too). This choice means they cannot guard them, so they could be preyed upon. Of course, as Laura Culley would say, if they don’t bring the fish in, the babies will die regardless, so best be hopeful and try fishing. Jill led the pack at the Achieva Osprey nest, and she is still coming to the nest with fish for Big and Little. Those babies have no idea how fortunate they are to have her for their mother. What I hope is that they learned from observing their mother and that, too, will bring in fish for their osplets. What I don’t understand is that when there is just enough fish coming in, why don’t the females go out and fish, too? Like at Blackbush?

Here is Geemeff’s summary for today:

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 6th July 2026

The weather was wet and windy in spells, fish were delivered and eaten, but the only story of the day was the news of the return of 1JW to the Pego-Oliva marsh in Valencia. 1JW is the 2024 chick who was placed on a translocation programme in Spain, following horrendous weather conditions and Louis unable to provide fish, who went on to fledge and migrate. It is wonderful to see photos of him as a confident two year old back in the area where he fledged, which he now calls home. Link to the press release in the bonus section. Garry brought three fish for Aurora, taking the Nest One tally to one hundred and fifty three, and Louis brought four fish for Dorcha and the chicks, taking the Nest Two tally to two hundred and thirty seven. In other news, a chick appeared to lick raindrops off Dorcha’s plumage, and Garry & Aurora are leaving their nest and unviable egg unattended for much longer periods. Today wasn’t nearly as wet as expected but the forecast remains showing continuous rain through tomorrow evening, with an overnight low of 14°C and a high of 17°C tomorrow.

Today’s videos

https://youtu.be/McoLUkZUXV4 N2 A chick sees dad with fish before mum does 09.58.32

https://youtu.be/oI1WWqcWcUA N2 Louis brings fish two and ignores Dorcha’s calls to leave 16.10.11

https://youtu.be/p0A5bMT2AfQ N1 Garry hands over fish two and they both leave 19.16.52 

https://youtu.be/f-nzb9aWTCU N2 Fish three lasts just two minutes 20.27.15

https://youtu.be/VyRN14hbkJI N1 Aurora and Garry both leave after fish three is delivered 21.41.22

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

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

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At the Osoyoos platform, Mum went for a break or to go fishing and Dad flew in with a fish. He left the whole fish on the nest. Mum returned with a fish, fed the only surviving baby, and then picked up Dad’s fish and began feeding it to. Mum and Baby will go to bed full tonight. Feeling thankful.

Little Clark could not have more devoted parents. Clark is ‘determined, focused, responsible, and very protective’ of his family. Iris has, from the very first bite she fed this chick, taken the best care making sure it is fed well and never in the hot sun. Delighted. The juvenile feathers coming in are so beautiful. They have a rich peach tone to them!

Still two lovelies on the Coeur d’Alene nest in Idaho.

I did not see any Red-tailed fledglings at the nest of Big Red and Arthur today. Big Red prefers that they are fed off the natal nest, and she likes to teach them how to hunt for squirrels and different techniques so they can eventually provide for themselves.

Oh, it is time for Toby and me to set up the camera that Cris gave me to track the visitors to the garden. I am hoping to see Brock at the feeding station. He has been seen, but not on our street. Has he found better food? He was about five city blocks away when spotted this afternoon. I am not technically inclined, so wish me luck. This camera appears to be made for people like me.

I hope the beginning of the week has been kind to you. I am already missing my son and daughter-in-law, and they haven’t even left yet. Tomorrow they will go to the daughter-in-law’s family cottage for a week. Ann will return. Tolu will come back, and life will seem normal. Meanwhile, I will be looking forward to Cris’s return in a week.

See you soon!

Thank you to SK Hideaways and Geemeff for their videos and summaries. I am so terribly grateful. Thank you to ‘PB’ for keeping me informed when I miss something, and to the camera owners; I am so grateful. Without you, we would not know about these families and their challenges.

First bites of fish

11 June 2026

I don’t know about you but I am so overjoyed that if my house blew away today it would probably not have even phased me.

Clark arrived. Saw the shell, listened to Iris, saw his first baby and went fishing. Within three hours, he had brought in three fish. It is 1827 nest time and it might have even brought in more. It seems his protective instincts along with paternal ones kicked in right at the time of hatch and right when the Clarke Fork River had descended and slowed. Dr Green noted that it was now good for osprey fishing.

Did you shed any tears as you watched Iris gently feed that wee babe the tiniest little pieces of fish? Despite not having had chicks every year, Iris knows how to feed them so they get the fish.

An osprey feeding a chick in a nest, surrounded by twigs and grass.
An adult osprey peering at its chick in a nest, surrounded by twigs and grass.

As you know, I was extremely worried, even going so far as to wish those eggs would not hatch. That was when the first egg was hatching!!!!!!! I worried Iris’s babies would starve to death. This has happened with Louis. Or worried she would be so hungry she would have to leave them. Well, thank goodness for miracles! And today felt like a miracle.

Proud parents.

Two ospreys are nesting on a platform, surrounded by sticks and grass. One osprey is holding a stick while the other looks on. A parking lot is visible in the background.

Happy Mum! The oldest breeding osprey in the world – at least thirty years. Imagine.

An osprey sitting on a nest made of twigs and branches, with a parking lot and green landscaping visible in the background.

Oh, another fish. 1747.

Two ospreys on their nest with twigs and green grass, in a parking lot setting.

Iris plays with her stick while Clark prepares to brood his baby and incubate the other two eggs.

Two ospreys sitting on their nest, with visible chicks and greenery around them, set against a background of a parking lot.

It sure sounded like Iris was ordering more fish when they exchanged places and Clark flew off.

Osprey sitting in its nest made of twigs and branches, with a parking lot and trees in the background.

First fish: 1242. Second fish: 1414. Third fish: 1512. Fourth fish: 1747.

I might have missed one between 1512 and 1747 but if you look that is five hours and four fish. I would say Clark is doing so well as a new dad. I am without words.

RP sent the following video links for us to enjoy:

Chicks first PS

Little Dewey got fed well today, too. Three fish by the time this image was taken. Little Dewey looks like the Hulk. Thanks ‘PB’ for the image:

A close-up of a young bird in a nest, with fluffy gray feathers and an open beak, surrounded by twigs and branches.

That’s it for today….let’s all walk around smiling. Two nests doing fantastic. With Little Dewey not so little anymore. Notice the feathers coming in. What a character.

Take care, everyone. Hugo Yugo and Toby wish you a great end of the week.

A dog resting on a cat tree with a scratching post, while a cat peeks out from a small hiding space below.

Thank you to PB and RP for their images and video links. Much appreciated. Thank you to the Montana Osprey Project and Cornell Bird Lab for their streaming cam so that we can watch this miracle unfold at Hellgate Canyon.

Clark arrives with a fish…

11 June 2026

The time was 12:42:50.

Clark arrives with a small fish for Iris and gets a surprise – the hatch of his first chick!

Two ospreys standing in a nest made of twigs and branches, with some green vegetation visible at the center.

Iris was so hungry, and this will feed her, but we need lots more fish as this baby gets bigger. I wonder if Iris will try to feed the newly hatched chick???

Clark was curious about the eggshell.

Two ospreys sitting in their nest, with one osprey holding an empty eggshell. The background shows a parking area and foliage.

Clark stayed with Iris while she ate her fish making me think that there could be intruders about. Then I think Iris gave him some marching orders for more fish!

Two ospreys are seen in their nest, with one bird looking towards the camera and the other partially visible in the background. The nest contains sticks, grass, and possibly some eggs.
An osprey sitting in its nest made of twigs and branches, with greenery in the background and a parking lot visible in the distance.

I am cautiously optimistic – don’t kick for not being over the moon. I am really concerned about what is going on around this nest. Is it the river causing issues? Does Clark not understand how many fish are required? Are there intruders?

I know you wanted to know if fish came and it did!

Take care.

Thank you to the Montana Osprey Project and the Cornell Bird Lab for this streaming cam and remember – they are fundraising to keep this cam streaming!

Iris leaves eggs for fish, Little Bob Dies…Thursday in Bird World

11 June 2026

Hello Everyone,

It is a heavily overcast morning with light rain that is making the garden appear to be the most gorgeous emerald green. Dyson has already been for food and so have the Crows, the Blue Jays, and the Starlings. The foliage is so thick I can only see them on the table feeder or if they go in the bird bath. Otherwise they fly in and out so fast. Mr Blue Jay and Mr Crow have babies to feed. The Starlings appear to have at least one fledgling. They will leave soon – when the fledglings can adequately fly and they will return in the fall.

A blue bird perched on a feeder filled with peanuts, surrounded by lush green foliage.

Well, I don’t know what anyone else thinks but Iris left the nest yesterday three times – she is hungry! The weather and the absence of Clark for long periods is concerning. It is not clear to me what is happening where they fish and I wish Dr Green would post us some information. At any rate, there is a rumour that the first pip is happening. Please pray for Iris and these babies. She has been so devoted and so was Clark that it is hard to believe that there won’t be food for them. Iris has been at this rodeo before…please give us a miracle.

A view from an osprey nest positioned atop a platform, showing a mostly empty parking lot with lined spaces and trees in the background. The nest is made of sticks and contains some greenery.

It breaks my heart to hear Iris fish calling and Clark not flying in with a big one. Is the noise on the camera the river rushing? Does anyone know?

An osprey resting in its nest made of twigs, with a partially empty parking lot and trees in the background during early morning light.

The first chick has hatched at Charlo Montana.

Fru Rauer has three beautiful babies at the Fru Rauer nest in Norway.

An osprey feeding its chicks in a nest surrounded by sticks and branches.

Little Bob at Loch Arkaig 2, the nest of Louis and Dorcha, has been struggling and died early this morning. Condolences to all.

Little Dewey was tucking into a really nice big fish so him and Mum will eat well.

A young bird sitting in a nest surrounded by twigs, with a large fish nearby, likely being fed by a parent.

There will be two hatches at Osoyoos in British Columbia by the time you read this. It is another problem nest where you get heat domes and the fish disappear. Thanks, Heidi.

A bird standing in a nest with several eggs and newly hatched chicks visible.

Geemeff’s summary from the 10th of June:

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 10th June 2026Plenty of fish were delivered today, two to Nest One taking Garry LV0’s tally to one hundred and nine, and Louis’ four fish take the Nest Two tally to one hundred and twenty five.However, that didn’t stop chick aggression which was on show at mealtimes and whenever Dorcha left the nest, and there were concerns about Chick3, but the little chick had a really good meal from the second delivery, and seems to have the good sense to duck down when older siblings C1&2 are fighting each other. There were a few intruder alarms, some seen, some not – a Buzzard was heard near Nest Two and handsome JJ4 from the western Arkaig nest landed on Nest One but only for a few seconds before a furious Aurora got rid of him. It rained on and off today, and more rain forecast: light rain and a gentle breeze with a low of 9°C overnight, continuing with light wind and light rain and a high of 14°C tomorrow.

Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/byWNjhyHNU8 N1 Aurora arrives with the remains of an offline delivery 07.51.35 (zoom)https://youtu.be/VvSrSnztF60 N2 Late breakfast finally arrives 09.23.08https://youtu.be/wbVDZeqzlpU N2 Chick3 struggles to get any of fish two 10.33.35https://youtu.be/2McuL8yMtw4  N1 Western Arkaig male JJ4 intrudes on Aurora 11.50.52 (+screenshots)https://youtu.be/IY8Lo9kRGoM N2 Louis returns fish two, and the littlest chick gets a very good share 13.06.15https://youtu.be/M_v_knfLaWQ N2 Fish number three is a really tiny trout 17.13.06https://youtu.be/z9S7WEdiHao N1 Garry brings a fish supper for Aurora 19.12.22https://youtu.be/hiPksYDW890 N2 Fish number four arrives with Dorcha on high alert 20.54.06

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

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

Please send your good wish to Iris. I had hoped these eggs would not hatch after the delivery of fish fell so dramatically.

Take care, everyone. I need a wee break from all of this…it is a tragic year, and we all need to take a breath sometimes.

Thank you to Heidi, PB, Geemeff, and all those who posted information on FB. Please follow Iris and send her good energy, and if you can, drop a fish – wish for fish!!!!!!! Hugo Yugo is fine this morning, and I am going to enjoy the birds in the garden today, even if it is raining. I know they are well fed and alive, and even Dyson is coming out, so I can see her! Thank you to the cam owners so that we can witness the lives, the good and the bad, at these nests.

A squirrel sitting on a wooden feeder, holding a piece of food, with green foliage in the background.

Third hatch for Louis and Dorcha…late Saturday in Bird World

6 June 2026

Hello Everyone,

We have another yellow warning for heat and are being told not to be outside unless necessary. I had hoped to set up Toby’s spray pad, but it had a warning that pet’s toenails should be clipped. Of course. Punctures!!!!!! Hugo Yugo has her dental surgery on Wednesday and when I pick her up Toby will go in and get those nails trimmed then he can have some great fun!!!!! While it might sound silly, I had the deck extended by a modest 5 x 10′ in order for him to be able to have a little pool of this spray pad. The rest of the garden has really been given over to the garden animals so they have lots of cool shelter in the summer. There are bunnies – we thought one and their nest is under our deck. It is a good spot for some of the animals to get out of the way of the hawks and falcons that come for a quick lunch (or so they think!).

We travelled out to the garden centre that I prefer, and there were no peonies. I had hoped to add another 3 or 4 plants to an already growing number. They are toxic to dogs, like hydrangeas, and all of the groups are fenced off so that Toby cannot get ill or, worse, die. I am considering planting about ten raspberry plants. I have the perfect spot – with direct southern exposure just beside the conservatory. Sour cherries were also tempting. We will sleep on this over night.

There is no bad news about Telyn. She was eating and feeding the three chicks this morning. Oh, please let her be alright.

An osprey sitting on a nest made of sticks and grass, with a blurred green background.
An osprey is sitting in its nest made of twigs, overlooking a lush green landscape and distant mountains under a cloudy sky.
An osprey standing on its nest made of twigs, with chicks visible nearby. The background features lush green fields and distant mountains under a cloudy sky.

From the Dyfi Osprey Project (Emyr Evans):

An osprey perched on a nest made of sticks with a lush green landscape and mountains in the background.

Teifi has been bringing in some nice Brown Trout for Elen and the triplets at Glaslyn.

A bird of prey feeding its chicks in a nest, surrounded by twigs and green grass in the background.

We have a second hatch at Keilder Forest nest 2.

Chick 2 for Nest 2

The surviving chick at Loch of the Lowes is doing so well. There is a third egg. It could still hatch.

A Facebook post from Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre discussing the status of a newly hatched osprey chick and the removal of a deceased sibling from the nest.
A close-up of a chick sitting next to a speckled egg, with an adult bird nearby feeding it. The scene showcases the nest environment with natural elements.

All appears to be well at the Usk Valley osprey nest.

A pair of ospreys standing in their nest made of twigs, with green fields and trees in the background.

Maya and Blue 33 have been working on the cot rails as those three kiddos get larger. The ‘babies’ are now preening their new juvenile feathers. This also helps take away the keratin sheath – that waxy protein tube that holds the blood feathers.

A bird's nest made of twigs and grass, containing several fluffy chicks resting together. The nest is located by a body of water, reflecting a blue sky.
Two ospreys resting on their nest made of twigs and branches near a body of water.

CJ7 and Blue 022 are masters at raising four osplets at once! Look at the images and spot the fat little bottom of hatch 4.

A group of fluffy bird chicks resting on a nest made of twigs and debris, with some visible food remnants nearby.
A group of fluffy, young bird chicks resting on a nest of twigs and straw.
An osprey feeding a chick in a nest made of twigs, surrounded by greenery in the background.

Dylan and Seren continue to bond and spend time together. Will they leave early for their migration – perhaps in July? This is wonderful to see – bonded and caring, they are protecting their territory and will really fatten up and be fit for their long migration. We don’t know where Dylan goes but we know that Seren Blue 5F goes to the exact tree in The Gambia every year.

Two ospreys perched on their nest with a green hillside and forest in the background.

Yesterday, Charlie’s former mate, Lola, visited their nest that now has eggs with his new mate. Charlie was incubating when she arrived. It is interesting to me that had this been the other way around, Charlie would have destroyed those eggs.

HFosp has the visit on video: https://youtu.be/y1juj3Kb4i0?

An osprey named Lola is seen turning around in a nest, with another osprey standing nearby, on a sunny day. The background features green grass and a path.

We are getting closer and closer to hatch for Clark and Iris at Hellgate Canyon.

An osprey sitting on its nest made of sticks, overlooking a mostly empty parking lot and grassy area in the background.

At Amersfoort, the Little Prince and his sister nap in the scrape box. No worries this year over the tiny baby. Can you tell them apart?

Two young birds huddled together in a nest filled with feathers and debris, with a view of rooftops visible through a nearby opening.

A look at the trio at Loch Arkaig 2 for Louis and Dorcha – a feeding video by Geemeff. https://youtu.be/-O_WQ33FChQ?

A parent bird stands on its nest, surrounded by twigs and branches, with two chicks visible below, set against a background of green hills and trees.
Two osprey adults standing on their nest with visible young chicks in the center, surrounded by twigs and vegetation. A green landscape is seen in the background.
A close-up of a bird of prey, possibly an eagle, standing in its nest surrounded by sticks and branches, with two chicks visible nearby in a natural setting.

I am glad that Little Dewey is a bit spunky. This might help him or her later on. Look at that fat little bottom and there is a fish on the nest – a large one.

An osprey in its nest, surrounded by twigs and branches, with a portion of fish beside it and visible young chicks underneath.
A bird's nest containing two chicks and eggs, viewed from above, with a waterfront restaurant and blue umbrellas in the background.

Geemeff’s latest Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 5th June 2026

Another day with plenty of fish and wet conditions. Garry LV0 brought two fish for Aurora 536, and his tally now stands at one hundred and one. He’d eaten the first one in a strange way, starting in the middle, but Aurora wasn’t bothered by the way it looked, and took it away to eat off the nest. Louis brought four fish for Dorcha and the two chicks, and the Nest Two tally now stands at one hundred and thirteen. At the time of filing this report (00.45), the third egg on Nest Two has pipped and is chupping away, and over on Nest One, there is a possibility Aurora’s single egg is also pipping, but a better view is needed. The wet weather is set to continue, with overnight drizzle and a low of 9°C, changing to light rain and a high of 16°C tomorrow.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/jbt6sqQqjhY N2 leftovers for breakfast when last night’s fish returns 04.24.49

https://youtu.be/p0v_CCw69bs  N2 Lunch arrives – first fresh fish is a whole trout 12.46.29   

https://youtu.be/8FloAbbpKAo N2 Louis brings a second whole trout and stays, looking sleepy 14.50.52

https://youtu.be/D_8P1pYYEjw N2 A third whole trout arrives, larger than the last 16.27.32

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

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

I am so delighted that Telyn shows no sign of being adversely impacted by that fishing line and hook. Let us send our good wishes to all our families who struggle with more than we could imagine. Chicks are hatching in the area that Heidi monitors, and we are just praying for fish for them. They have, in the past, starved to death.

I will leave you with what is making me happy these days – the garden. The rain and heat have kick-started everything to bloom. Soon, there will hardly be any open space left, save for the deck area, so the birds, bunnies, squirrels, and Brock will have a place to stay cool.

There were two plants in the back garden when we bought the property – a peony and a prairie rose bush planted around 1902. These are the roses. They are so fragrant.

A pink flower surrounded by lush green leaves in bright sunlight.

The Korean Maple.

Close-up of green and yellow leaves with a few reddish leaves, set against a blurred green background.

The tunnel to the back of the property is now completely obscured.

Dense foliage with various green leaves and some reddish accents under sunlight.

The direct sun is shining down on all the garden and yet it is about 15 degrees cooler in this area for the birds and animals.

A garden scene featuring a bird feeder hanging from a tree, surrounded by lush green leaves, with a birdbath filled with pebbles and seeds placed below.

Thank you so much for being with us today. I am very tired and I do not know if I will have a post tomorrow but I will on Monday that will include SK Hideaways weekly videos. I should also mention that we have had fledges at the Spirit Bluff Peregrine scrape. Well done.

Thank you to everyone who posted information and images on FB and to the owners of the streaming cams that allowed us to view the birds and their lives, and me to take screencaptures. Thank you Geemeff for your amazing daily summary and videos. Much appreciated. Thank you so much.

Baby for Louis and Dorcha…Monday in Bird World

1 June 2026

Good Morning Everyone,

It is hazy and will be a little warm today, but not up in the high 30s. Melissa is to arrive in a few minutes, and my house can’t wait to get cleaned!!!!!! You might recall that I was sick for 5 or 6 days and well, there are a few more fingerprints on my espresso black cabinets than I would like but, as Melissa says, ‘If I didn’t have some places to clean, she wouldn’t have a job!’ True.

My son is on his way to Asia for a conference in Singapore. He will first land in Tokyo, and he tells me that there is a typhoon. I am sending positive thoughts to all our Bird World friends in Japan impacted by this big storm.

Map showing the projected path of a hurricane near Japan, with timing indicated for specific locations.

The big news is that the first hatch has taken place at the Loch Arkaig 2 nest of Louis and Dorcha. You could hear this strong chick before it even hatched!!!!!!!! Listen as it uses its egg tooth to pick through the shell.https://youtu.be/oNu1t9PXQlI?

Louis was on hand for the hatch. He is an exceptional dad, and I hope that his health holds out this season.

Geemeff was so excited. They could hardly sleep! Here is their video of this wonderful event: https://youtu.be/5Xt0TjsAeZA?

Look at their faces as they see their little one all curled up.

A pair of ospreys stands on a nest with eggs in a natural environment, surrounded by trees and misty hills.

Still an Only Bob at Ranworth.

An osprey is feeding its chick in a nest surrounded by lush greenery at Ranworth, with a serene morning atmosphere.

I do love this. Three generations all have chicks on live-streamed nests in the UK. Maya is a grandmother!!!!!!!!!! (more than once). There is really good DNA coming out of that Rutland nest. Ah, but now Maya is a great grandmother – Teifi has chicks.

Tiger Mozone always says it is DNA plus luck that gives them longevity and endurance.

Three images of osprey nests featuring adult ospreys feeding their chicks, highlighting three generations of the same family.

In the US Bridge Club has their first hatch reported on FB by Heidi.

Virginia Osprey Foundation has its first chick.

Ospreys in a nest, with one chick hatching, showcasing the moment on June 1, 2026.

Eaglets die in Minnesota. Why?

The cause of death for the baby birds in the post isn’t definitively known yet. However, considering they were panting hard to cool down before passing away, it’s possible that heat stress or heatstroke contributed to their deaths, especially during a stretch of high temperatures. Other potential causes of bird deaths in general include ¹:

  • Common Causes of Bird Deaths:
  • Habitat Loss: Destruction or fragmentation of natural landscapes, which can lead to food scarcity and increased predation.
  • Collisions: Impacts with buildings, windows, vehicles, and power lines.
  • Predation: Hunting by domestic and feral cats, as well as natural predators.
  • Poisoning: Exposure to pesticides, lead, and other toxins.
  • Climate Change: Shifting habitats, extreme weather, and disrupted timing.
  • Disease: Infections and parasitic infestations.

It’s worth noting that Avian Flu was mentioned in one of the comments, but without further information, it’s impossible to say if this was the cause. The Department of Natural Resources visited the scene, so they may have more information on the cause of death once their investigation is complete

Two young birds in a nest, panting in the heat, with a focus on their facial features and surroundings.

Hatching is underway in two of the eggs at Loch of the Lowes.

An osprey sitting on a nest with several eggs, one of which is visibly cracked while another chick's beak can be seen breaking through the shell.

DH23 (Dale Hollow) eaglet, which fell off the nest on Sunday during a prey delivery, has now fledged from the branch where it landed. Congratulations and relief.

A feel good moment.

A close-up of a peregrine falcon standing in a nesting box filled with gravel, with a coastal view in the background.
Screenshot

So how is New Guy2 getting fish for Iris? Here is your answer.

A post discussing the fishing habits of Ospreys near Missoula, highlighting their preference for clearer waters in Rattlesnake Creek and mentioning ancient beach lines on Mount Jumbo formed during the last Ice Age.
Aerial view of Missoula, Montana, highlighting significant geographical features including Rattlesnake Creek, Clark Fork River, beach lines on Mount Jumbo from the last Ice Age, and Hellgate Osprey Nest.
3D aerial view of the Clark Fork River area, highlighting Rattlesnake Creek, Clark Fork River, and the Hellgate Osprey Nest.

At the Achieva nest, Big caught its own fish and brought it back to the nest! Wow. 15:48:15. Thanks, ‘PB’.

A view of an osprey nest located in a tree, with two young osprey chicks visible on the nest. One parent bird is flying nearby, while a street and houses can be seen in the background.
A young osprey standing in a nest made of twigs, with an adult osprey nearby. The background features greenery.

Heavy rains in the Glaslyn Valley have meant tricky fishing and mums needing to keep youngsters dry.

An eagle is feeding its chicks in a nest made of twigs, with a lush green landscape and misty mountains in the background.
A pair of ospreys are in their nest, one is holding a fish while the other is near their chicks, which are visible at the bottom of the nest.

At the Dyfi nest, Telyn is struggling to keep the chicks dry during the heavy rain.

An osprey resting on its nest, surrounded by twigs and grass, with a green blurred background.

It is the same story for Seren at llyn Clywedog.

A bird resting in its nest made of sticks and moss, surrounded by a lush green forest landscape in the background.

So how is it in the Usk Valley? Heavy rain.

A bird standing on a nest made of twigs and branches, with a chick visible inside the nest. The background features green fields and trees.

Chucking down rain at Llyn Brenig.

A blurry live feed image of an osprey nest with one adult osprey sitting on the nest and another standing nearby, taken at night.

Poole Harbour with its four chicks under CJ7 is also getting a large amount of rain!

Close-up view of a bird's back feathers, resting on a nest with twigs and pine needles.

Maya is drenched too – but the rains began to let up at Rutland later in the night.

An osprey resting on a nest made of sticks and branches, with a fish laying beside it, near a body of water.

I wonder what Geemeff will report about Loch Arkaig? The weather is certainly better!

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 1st June 2026

No surprise about today’s main event – the first chick has hatched! After pipping last night and chupping ever more strongly, the little scrap of life made its way out of the eggshell at 12.40.39 and despite falling over backwards and taking a while to right itself, is looking in great shape. Surprisingly, it was Louis on duty at the moment of hatching – he shot upright when he must have felt the chick suddenly emerge from the shell, one of many endearing moments today which included Dorcha trying to feed Louis. All the action was on Nest Two today, except for Garry LV0 delivering one fish for Aurora 536 which takes his tally to ninety one. Louis delivered three fish to Dorcha and the Nest Two tally now stands at one hundred. It was a damp day which will continue with light rain showers, light winds and an overnight low of 12°C and more light rain, light winds and a high of 17°C tomorrow.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/PCJX4mMm3EI N2 Dorcha’s in mum mode and tries to feed Louis 05.17.53https://youtu.be/HwDwVw2WvbA BBC Radio 4 Today Programme: Arkaig Forest item 07.24 https://youtu.be/e24C9E4S7kQ N1 Aurora gets a huge fish from Garry 09.37.45https://youtu.be/oNu1t9PXQlI N2 Listen to the chick chupping as it breaks the eggshell 10.22.15 (zoom)https://youtu.be/5Xt0TjsAeZA N2 News news news – first chick has hatched! 12.40.39https://youtu.be/tgRdu3_mmY0 N2 Louis brings fish and covers the chick as Dorcha eats fish 16.24.21https://youtu.be/v456qULiigg N2 Oops! Chick falls over backwards 18.52.22https://youtu.be/XC3x1LnO9Lk N2 Louis delivers fish number one hundred for the season! 22.34.46

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

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

A pair of birds of prey in a nest, one standing with wings partially spread, while the other is sitting calmly. The nest is built among sticks and moss, and the background features a lush, green landscape.

Sad news from the UK. Another White-tailed Eagle disappears from a shooting estate! When will this stop? Only when the penalties are such that the extremely wealthy consider the fine and/or jail time ‘too much’.

Young White-tailed Eagle ‘disappears’ from grouse shooting estate in North York Moors National ParkDownload

I like to end with good news.

A peregrine falcon in a nesting box, surrounded by gravel, with a view of a coastal area in the background.
Screenshot

Calico wishes everyone a great beginning to the week.

A calico cat with green eyes lounging on a soft surface near a window, surrounded by greenery.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Wish all of the nests, no matter where they are, better weather and lots of fish tomorrow! Take care. See you soon.

Thank you to everyone. ‘PB’ that is a great image of Big at Achieva! Fantastic news. To all who posted on FB and to Jeff Kear and the UK Osprey Info FB page – I am always grateful. Thank you to Geemeff and to all the owners of the streaming cams and individuals who post information – we appreciate your extraordinary efforts.

Busy day in Bird World…Friday

29 March 2026

Greetings Everyone,

It is 32 C. No breeze. Bright sun. Hot. Toby doesn’t even want to go outside, and the girls aren’t hungry either. They are sleeping like they are on the Savannah.

There is so much news. I will miss some things today – Toby and I have made Lemon Hibiscus mini-cakes. Oh, they were so delicious and the most ugly things I have ever seen!!!!! A cake decorator I am not. But with a large glass of iced tea they hit the spot on a dreadfully warm day.

First, Walton has been returned to Monty and Hartley after having a bit of fun in the area! Walton also had a good meal.

SK Hideaways has Walton’s return and Stewart’s fledge! https://youtu.be/hW4WVZR6AAU?

More updates from SK Hideaways:

A close-up of a peregrine falcon on a rooftop, showing its distinctive feathers and alert posture.

The fourth egg for CJ7 and Blue 022 at Poole Harbour has hatched! Geemeff says around 0725 this morning.

A bird's nest containing several fluffy chicks resting on a bed of straw and twigs, with a parent bird nearby.

The third chick hatched for Aeron Z2 and Blue 014 at the Pont Cresor nest in Glaslyn today.

A hawk standing in its nest surrounded by twigs and grass, with two chicks visible in the nest, set against a backdrop of lush green fields and hills under a bright sky.

And after, the third osplet hatched for Elen and Teifi at the Glaslyn nest near to the Pont Cresor platform.

Dual feeding at Rutland Water’s Manton Bay nest of Blue 33 and Maya for some ravenous babies. OK. Not babies anymore…they are growing. And more feedings…these three are always hungry.

Two ospreys on a nest made of sticks near water, with chicks visible in the nest.
A parent osprey tending to its chicks in a nest made of twigs, with a lake visible in the background.
An osprey tending to its nest, surrounded by small chicks and fish remains, with a view of calm water in the background.

Ukoi has a video clip of the three little ones at Bassenwaithe. https://youtu.be/raQTxZAaRfw?

Traverse Bay nest is holding.

A bald eagle perched on a nest with a chick, surrounded by greenery near a body of water on a sunny day.

Jack has been delivering some good fish to the kids on the Achieva nest in Florida. Little really wants to fly. Look at those wings. Anytime.

A nest with two birds, one standing and flapping its wings while the other sits, surrounded by trees and a residential area in the background.

The fish do continue to come to the Dewey Beach nest with the single osplet. Oh, I hope this continues after Omega starts fishing. That baby and Mum are going to be so full.

An osprey sitting in its nest with a fish nearby, overlooking a waterfront with blue buildings in the background.

Look at that crop. Thanks, ‘PB’

A close-up of a baby bird sitting in a nest next to a parent bird, with eggs and nesting materials surrounding them.

And then, an intruder osprey accidentally lost their Menhaden on the Dewey Beach nest and Mum and Baby ate it. Look at their crops.

An osprey sitting in its nest with a chick, surrounded by twigs, with buildings and people in the background.

Sure is nice to see Oyster Bay Mum without that green twine!

An osprey sits in its nest made of twigs, overlooking Oyster Bay with boats in the background. The scene is from a webcam showing the current weather and time.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 29th May 2026

After a very damp day, tonight’s forecast is dry overnight with light cloud, light winds and a low of 10°C but it’ll change to more rain, gentle breezes and a high of 17°C tomorrow. There were no intrusions or alarms today on either nest, just two soggy females spending most of the day protecting their precious eggs which are due to start hatching next week. The males relieved them from time to time, taking over incubation duties while they went off to stretch their wings and eat their fish. Garry LV0 delivered one fish to Aurora 536 and the Nest One tally now stands at eighty eight, while Louis delivered two fish to Dorcha, taking the Nest Two tally to ninety four.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/zeuIDrmhk88 N2 Louis arrives with a very late first fish 12.59.31https://youtu.be/0oT2mpn6_6Q N1 Garry takes up egg duty immediately Aurora leaves with fish one 14.58.08https://youtu.be/_MLgrTjUAws N2 Louis delivers a fish supper 20.48.53

News from Sandpoint:

A pair of ospreys on their nest, with one osprey holding a fish and an egg visible in the nest. The image shows a foggy background with a parking lot below.

First Goshawk chicks hatch at RSPB Loch Garten.

Announcement about the hatching of Goshawk chicks, detailing their incubation period, feeding activities, and expectations for the remaining eggs.
A hawk perched on a nest with two eggs nestled among twigs and pine needles.

Hatches in Cumbria at Foulshaw Moss nests:

An osprey stands on its nest, which contains a chick and is surrounded by sticks and grass. The bird appears to be searching for food.

Thank you so much for being with us today. I did not expect to be posting but there is a lot happening and my blog only touches the surface! Take care everyone. See you soon.

Thank you to PB, SK Hideaways, Geemeff, and Jeff Kear at the UK Osprey Information FB page. I am grateful to everyone who has posted images on FB and information as well as the owners of the cameras who let us watch these incredible bird families.

Snow’s nest is still holding by a miracle….late Wednesday in Bird World

27 May 2026

Hello everyone, from a very hot Canadian Prairie that is due to get hotter. Ann kept Don and Toby inside. Friday is to be 34. I think that sounds like a walk at the mall!!!!!!!!

Allow me to take a deep breath, and before we get into the lawsuit in Florida about Scrub Jays, I want to say that by some miracle, the branch that broke on the Traverse City Bald Eagle nest in Michigan, fell and caught itself on the tree adjacent, and is supporting that tilted nest. How long it will hold, we do not know. I hope it is long enough for Snow to fly. We need a good three weeks. The average is 10-14 weeks. So, right now, Snow is 6.5 weeks old.

A bald eagle and a younger eagle perched on a nest surrounded by pine trees, with the sky in the background. The timestamp shows 9:42 AM on May 27, 2026.
A close-up view of a large eagle's nest located on a tree branch, with an eagle standing inside the nest. The background features a calm body of water and partly cloudy skies.
An osprey sits on its nest, which is located high in a tree near a body of water. The nest contains young chicks, and the scene is set in a partly cloudy sky.
Two eagles, one adult and one juvenile, perched on a nest surrounded by trees near a body of water.
A large bird resting on a nest made of twigs and grass, surrounded by a natural setting. The scene captures a partly cloudy day, with a view of a blue sky in the background.
A young bird sitting in a nest made of twigs and grass, overlooking a body of water. The setting is partly cloudy with visible weather information displayed in the corner.

Now, back to the Endangered Florida Scrub Jays. We have a detective in our midst, and ‘R’ was able to find out the following information which should really bring a light to the threat to the birds!

“I searched for this, and got the following: 

Yes, it appears Colosi knew (or should have known) about the protected status before buying.
Key facts:
• Purchase date: March 2024. 
• Habitat plan: Charlotte County’s Scrub-Jay Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) was approved in 2014 — a full 10 years earlier. It’s been public policy since then, with clear rules and fees for building in designated areas. 
• Public records: The county’s property records for his specific parcel note that “Land value may be adjusted due to scrub jay habitat.” It’s also visible on the county’s GIS maps (a public online tool)

Did he actually know?
• Colosi and his lawyers (Pacific Legal Foundation) have not directly said whether he was aware of the restrictions when he bought it. When journalists asked, they avoided answering.
• Critics and local observers point out it’s hard to miss: the restrictions are on maps, in public records, and part of standard real estate due diligence in the area. Many people assume he bought it anyway, possibly betting on a legal challenge.
This is a classic “buyer beware” (caveat emptor) situation. The restrictions were already in place long before he purchased the 5 acres. He’s now challenging the fee system as unconstitutional rather than claiming he was blindsided.”

I love this type of deep digging and finding the true facts. Thank you, ‘R’. I hope that there are lawyers representing Scrub Jays. They have represented ‘trees’ why not birds and rivers? I must look into this. Gosh I wish I had the time I had before Don’s dementia entered my world.

A respected scientist recognized.

Email announcement from BirdLife International regarding Dr. Stuart Butchart's election as a Fellow of the Royal Society, highlighting his contributions to conservation science.

We are all pulling for Dewey Beach. Last year, the only surviving osplet died on day 50, five days from fledging, due to starvation. This year only one egg hatched and this little sweetheart has woven itself into our hearts. Dad is finding little fish, sometimes a nice sized Menhaden. Please keep sending positive wishes that this single osplet survives and flies. Now the question I have is this: When does Omega Protein start taking out all the fish?

Found out: Omega Protein’s menhaden reduction fishing in the Chesapeake Bay typically begins in May. For the 2026 season, operations are set to ramp up significantly in June. 

An osprey nest with a parent osprey feeding its chick, with an adult bird visible in the background. There are two eggs in the nest among twigs and grass.
An osprey is feeding its chick in a nest containing two eggs, with a waterfront restaurant in the background.

Chick 3 has arrived at Kielder 1A nest.

Full complement at Nest 1A

Fundraising at Poole Harbour. Looking for a beautiful osprey print?

Artwork featuring a detailed illustration of ospreys in their natural habitat, created by wildlife artist Bruce Pearson to celebrate the nesting of the Carey Ospreys.

Myrtle, the female whose five eggs were destroyed by two different males, has returned to Loch Garten and is being courted by a pale male.

An osprey nest with one bird perched and another flying above, showcasing a natural environment at Loch Garten.

‘PB’ reports that there are four osplets at Steelscape in WA. They note that the older two are already fighting! Send them positive wishes. Mum is trying her best to feed all including little 4.

Please be sure to go and vote for the name for NewGuy2 at Hellgate Canyon. Iris’s great mate needs a name!

​​Help name Iris’s mate! Vote on your favorite name by June 2, and you could win free enrollment in Bird Academy’s Hawk and Raptor ID course. Vote here 👉 https://hubs.la/Q04hFrKD0

A nest of hawklets for Big Red and Arthur!

A red-tailed hawk is perched in a nest with two fluffy chicks, surrounded by twigs and branches, against a backdrop of greenery and urban streets.
A nest with several fluffy red-tailed hawk chicks resting inside, perched on a metal railing, with a view of a tree-lined street below.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 27th May 2026

No rain, no intruders, just sunshine and plenty of fish today. Louis delivered two fish for Dorcha, taking the Nest Two tally to ninety, while over on Nest One, Garry LV0 delivered three fish to Aurora 536, taking that tally to eighty five. Aurora actually refused the second fish but took the third one eagerly, perhaps she’d worked up an appetite following her encounter with a Great Tit which startled her so much she fled the nest. Safe to say, the tiny passerine was also startled – the size difference is stupendous. Another dry night of clear skies and light winds is forecast with a low of 9°C overnight, continuing tomorrow with sunny intervals, a gentle breeze and a high of 25°C. At the time of filing this report (00.30), Cam Two is still on day mode. This time next week we could have our first hatch! Fingers crossed these calm conditions continue.

Today’s videos:
https://youtu.be/kiZWFWC-Z1U N2 Louis delivers a very early breakfast 04.48.25https://youtu.be/q7tXL9-lePA N1 Garry LV0 brings elevenses 11.07.27 https://youtu.be/zqn2ekT6_a0 N1 Aurora’s not interested in the second fish 15.07.16https://youtu.be/_0Lt0-0fHzE N2 Louis arrives with a teatime trout 15.44.22https://youtu.be/hRAXavzJk9Q N1 Aurora is startled by a passing passerine and flees the nest 17.15.39 (slo-mo repeat)https://youtu.be/jnSHJWFcXRY N1 Aurora doesn’t ignore fish three – she seizes it immediately 19.35.13
Bonus read: For those interested in technical details, here’s the consultation on the management of Clunes and Arkaig Forest:

https://forestryandland.gov.scot/living-and-working/communities/land-management-plans/active-plans/clunes-and-loch-arkaig-forest-land-management-plan-consultation

Monty and Hartley certainly have their hands full with these four boys. Thanks, SK Hideaways for capturing some of the antics: https://youtu.be/gJPOZNVVLf4?

The trio at the nest of Maya and Blue 33 are now in the Reptilian Phase. Big ones in food coma and Maya feeding the third hatch. It looks like the final egg is a Dudley.

An osprey stands near its nest on the edge of a water body, with three fuzzy chicks nestled in the nest surrounded by sticks and twigs.

One of those short reads that is so informative – think White Storks and how people love them. They bring luck and my friends and readers in Poland and other parts of Europe treasure these beautiful birds and pray that they will make a nest on their home!

Country diary: A jaw-dropping bounty of wildlife – and a reminder of what Britain has lost | PolandDownload

‘PB’ sent me a note at a time when I really needed a renewal in trusting humans to help. A female White Stork whose eggs were hatching lost her mate. The community takes turn feeding her just like they did at Mlade Buky.

A stork standing on a nest made of twigs atop a pole, with clouds in the background.

Good night Bety and Bukachek.

A view from a stork nest overlooking a small village at dusk, featuring two storks, one standing and one sitting, with rooftops and mountains in the background.

Little Golden Eaglet safe under Mum in Estonia.

A golden eagle sitting on its nest with two white eggs, surrounded by trees and foliage.

Black Stork Nest 3 in Estonia has 3 eggs.

A stork standing in its nest with two eggs, surrounded by trees and foliage.

Toby says ‘enough is enough’. It is time to play fetch! How can I resist those eyes?

A black and white Cavalier King Charles Spaniel sitting on a brown mat with a toy in front of it. The background includes wooden decking and potted plants.

There is a second hatch at Pont Cresor! Yeah for Aeron Z2 and Blue 014.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care. Stay cool and hydrated if you are in a region that is hot like it is here. See you soon!

Thank you to all my contributors – to SK Hideaways and Geemeff for their videos and reports, to ‘PB’ for keeping me up to date on several nests, to the folks that are literally with their will power and that supporting branch miracle holding up Snow’s nest, and to the others who wrote reports and posted them on FB and to the owners of the streaming cams who let us view these incredible bird families. Thank you to all! We are so fortunate.

First hatch at Poole Harbour and Loch Doon…Late Friday

22 May 2026

Hi Everyone,

It was a gorgeous day. Ann took Don and Toby for a walk, but the temperature was hot, and Cavaliers are known not to do well in heat (or cold). It is Friday, and that is cake day – a kind of celebration for making it another week. Today it was Blueberry Lemon Buttercream Cake. Delicious.

Lots of hatches.

There are still three at Manton Bay. I was imagining a crack it seems.

A close-up view of an osprey caring for its chicks, nestled in a nest made of sticks and grass by the water's edge.
Close-up of an osprey nest with two chicks resting on a bed of twigs and straw, near a calm body of water.

The individual bringing the lawsuit re the Endangered Species Act is not the same individual who owns the land that the Superbeaks Osprey and eagle nests are on. The owner of Superbeaks (or Central Florida) is Mike Savino, Deltona, Florida.

There is a hatch at Poole Harbour!

An Osprey sitting in a nest with two newly hatched chicks and unhatched eggs, surrounded by twigs and grass.

That little one has a strong neck!

A close-up view of a bird's nest with several eggs and a newly hatched chick, while an adult bird is nearby, possibly feeding or caring for the chick.

Happy Birthday Telyn, mate of Idris, who is incubating eggs at Dyfi due to hatch momentarily. Telyn was born on this day, 22nd May, 2013 at Rutland Water. So let’s carry this a little further, Telyn is the daughter of Maya at Rutland’s Manton Bay nest!!!!!!!!!!! Maya is now caring for three babies. There is some great DNA in that lineage.

An osprey stands on a nest made of sticks, with a scenic landscape in the background. The image was taken on April 5, 2018.

Frankie and Angel have their first hatch at Roundhouse Loch Doon.

A bird standing on a nest at Loch Doon, surrounded by trees and natural scenery, with a focus on the hatching process.

It’s everywhere across North America. Money before ‘thought’. This continent is being run by individuals who do not know the value of nature and wildlife.

A southern mountain caribou in a snowy forest setting, representing the threatened wildlife affected by logging in British Columbia.

If you want to find out what is happening to our planet, please check out EarthJustice’s website. Just search for it on whatever engine you use.

I am a little under the weather with a very sore throat so this is quite short and I might not see you again until Sunday. So please take care and thank you for being with us.

Just a quick check in and a correction on the owner of the land who is suing over the Endangered Species Act. More hatches coming! Keep your eyes open.

Thank you to everyone who posted information and images! Always grateful to the owners of the streaming cams so we can watch our favourite families.

Iris gets lots of fish…Late Monday in Bird World

19 May 2026

Hello Everyone,

‘PB’ just sent these great images of Iris leaving with a huge headless fish – the third or fourth NG2 has brought today!

A hawk flying over a parking lot, holding a fish in its talons, with another hawk perched nearby.
Two ospreys are in a nest made of branches, with one osprey appearing to take off. In the background, there is a parking lot with several cars and trees.

It remains damp and cold on the Canadian Prairies. Poor Toby has to have his feet washed every time he comes inside from running about. We have a small pond in progress, and he is drawn to the mud there!!!!!!!!! Spaniels love water. I am thinking of getting him a kiddie pool for the summer. He might not like it because he can’t swim but we will see. There are enough neighbourhood children that would enjoy the pool if Toby rejects it!

Like so many of you, I have lived a long life, one that allowed me to enjoy a time when nature was not under threat every second. Of course, we did not know then what we do now about how our behaviour was impacting the environment. What would we have done differently had we known?

There are things that I miss. We had the most magnificent Magnolia tree in our back garden and several Mimosa trees in our front garden. At the very back was a wall of bamboo at one time, later replaced by my father’s rose garden. He learned how to grow roses from his grandmother and mother – she had a huge stroll garden lined with hundreds and hundreds of rose bushes. There were Cardinals and Bluebirds that lived in those trees. I also miss the duck pond at the University of Oklahoma. I cannot tell you how many hours I spent there, joined later by my children. Whether or not it was our garden or the ponds and parks near to where I lived, there were always some kind of birds. Some were in drawers with old yellowed cardboard labels in the Sutton collection at the University. They fascinated me! It is nice when everything seems to be falling apart to sit back and recall the magic of our childhoods and how the opportunities we had impacted our lives today.

Like all of you, I have been distressed by the level of Avian Flu spreading across North America. I do not want to add to this, which means disinfecting the bird feeders and tables every 2-3 days. My plan, when the last half-bag of birdseed is finished, is to put out peanuts and those solid seed cylinders to try to avoid contamination. The bird baths and bowls of water have to be cleaned and disinfected, too. The rule is 1 part bleach to 9 parts water.

How to Clean and Disinfect

  1. Empty & Rinse: Dump out the old water and thoroughly rinse the basin.
  2. Scrub First: If there is stubborn grime or algae, scrub the bowl with hot water and a stiff brush before applying bleach.
  3. Disinfect: Pour in your 10% bleach solution. Let it sit in the basin for 10 to 15 minutes to fully kill any germs.
  4. Rinse Thoroughly: Dump out the bleach and rinse the entire bird bath completely with clean water until there are no traces of a bleach odor.
  5. Air Dry: Allow the bird bath to completely dry in the sun before refilling it with fresh water. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]

Important Tips

  • Frequency: Disinfect the bath once a week to keep it safe for your backyard birds.
  • Alternative: If you prefer not to use harsh chemicals, you can achieve the same cleaning power by using a mixture of 1 part white vinegar to 9 parts water.
  • Daily Maintenance: Change the water every day or two to prevent mosquitoes and bacteria from building up between deeper cleans.

NOTE: Do not use the brush used to clean the bird bath and water sources for any other purpose. Put it somewhere safe where no one can get to it and use it. I have been known to put these brushes in the dishwasher when I am running a cycle without any dishes to clean the machine.

I was so happy to see that Irv is serving up fish at the US Steel nest – a nest that shares the same river as the Glen-Hayes nest.

https://sportsmansparadiseonline.com/2026/05/18/maz-takes-over-stellas-fish-us-steel-nest

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 18th May 2026

Another quiet day, a bit damp as rain fell in spells throughout the day, but otherwise peaceful with no alarms or intruders. Garry LV0 brought one fish for Aurora 536, taking his tally to sixty eight. Aurora stashed the remains of that fish on the nest and at the time of this report, near midnight, she is cuddled up beside it. Louis brought three fish for Dorcha and his tally is now level with Garry’s at sixty eight, with the Nest Two tally at seventy due to the two fish brought by Dorcha before his return. Louis loves spending time on incubation duty, and was moaned at by Dorcha for a good few minutes before reluctantly handing over when she returned after polishing off her second fish. Light rain is forecast all through tonight and tomorrow, with a low of 8°C and a high of 15°C.Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/b07a-dMixso N2 Louis brings a whole tiddler trout 10.02.10https://youtu.be/tQL5oriH2dQ N2 Dorcha’s second fish is a decent size 14.45.58https://youtu.be/aJ9dTcnY-nI N2 Dorcha chirrups at Louis but he won’t move 15.59.30https://youtu.be/2Vul7RV667I N1 Aurora calls and Garry brings fish 16.19.14https://youtu.be/GPQqVzFJ2bI N2 Louis happily exchanges fish for time on the eggs 18.36.52

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/at5go-cg9A8  N1 Louis’ turn to dump a stick on Aila 2019

https://youtu.be/9_X4DMti3Gk  N1 I’ve got your back: Louis, Aila, and a stick 2020

https://youtu.be/W04J7cJyYss  N1 Aila screams until Louis brings fish 2020

https://youtu.be/Z6UfoL5Hb7c  N1 Time to go – Aila head-butts Louis 2020

https://youtu.be/0vfmJaN8vG4  N2 Little bird perches next to Dorcha 2023

https://youtu.be/Epa8-yc2CKU  N1 Louis warns away a distant intruder on his old nest 2023

https://youtu.be/M2Fz6H4TedA  N2 Unringed intruder on the nest! 2023 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/vHH0SsHb-Ls  N2 Dorcha practises her ballet moves 2024

https://youtu.be/oG-WC3EAf5E N2 Air on a Sunset: glorious sunset in quicktime 2024 (Classic Ospreys: JS Bach)

https://youtu.be/3hMF9N6hYbs N1 The second fish arrives and departs in 13 seconds as Aurora watches! 2025 

https://youtu.be/EXW79QoaRtU N2 Having declined the first, Dorcha grabs the second fish 2025

I really respect Ruth, the author of Raptor Persecution UK. Gamekeepers can be rather threatening/frightening people. She is a very brave woman.

For those who love the James Herriot series set in the Yorkshire Dales, they are not all nice and cheerful just like some of the big estates in Scotland do the most horrific things to our raptors.

“Vindictive evil woman” and “Poisoned witch” to deliver free webinar on illegal raptor persecution fDownload

The loon cams are live!

2026 Loon Cams are LiveDownload

Donations are down to every wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre – including all of the dog and cat rescues. The Ventana Wildlife Society is having their major on line auction which might net you a tour of the Big Sur Condor area!

I want to add something. We praise those groups that are proactive and the Ventana Wildlife Society is no exception. 20 Condors died in Arizona from Avian Flu. The VWS set about getting permissions to vaccinate their condo. (Yes, a group of condors is called a condo!). The Ventana Wildlife Society, in partnership with the Oakland Zoo and Pinnacles National Park, vaccinated 98 wild condors (not those in zoos) from the Central California flock. 81 condors received at least the first dose, while 45 received the full two-dose series to protect against HPAI.

It was no easy feat with container cages needing to be built in a rather remote area! The determination of this small but dedicated group of individuals is admirable. It made me wonder why those who have access to chicks on streaming cams do not set about to not only band the birds but also to vaccinate them. A single dose vaccine has worked on mice and monkeys and would be ideal as it would be difficult to give the two-dose vaccine as eaglets and eyases are on the nest such a short time.

vaccines-13-00074Download

This e-mail contains all kinds of news related to what the Ventana Wildlife Society is doing.

The FULL Crop Flight of the CondorDownload

We are approaching fledge for Big at the Achieva Osprey platform in St Petersburg, Florida.

Juvenile osprey practicing hovering and wing exercises in their nest during rain.

I love Big Red and Arthur. It is so exciting to see Big Red let Arthur fully participate in family life – he has certainly earned the right. Arthur is so devoted to Big Red and their babies – the pantry is rarely empty – unless it is on purpose near fledge. I am sad that they lost one of their babies but we don’t seem to need to worry about P3 who is small but mighty.

A red-tailed hawk feeding its chicks in a nest, with another hawk nearby. The scene captures the family dynamic during dinner time.

New Guy 2 has now brought Iris three fish (so far) today! I am so glad that the rushing river calmed itself in time. Cornell Bird Lab caught one of those deliveries on video: https://youtu.be/RkGQmYEkZro?

My goodness Iris is loud when she sees NG2 arriving with a fish!

An osprey chick standing on its nest, surrounded by sticks and twigs, with a parking lot and trees in the background.
Two ospreys are seen on their nest made of sticks, with visible eggs in the nest, on a sunny day. A parking lot and trees are in the background.
An osprey delivering a fish to its nest at the Hellgate Osprey Cam, with a parking lot and greenery in the background.

I am so glad that fish did not break those precious eggs.

There are three osplets at Patuxent. Oh, my goodness. I worry about those nests.

A collage of photos showing an osprey nest with three chicks being fed. One adult osprey is seen feeding the chicks while another adult watches nearby. The nest is made of sticks and is surrounded by greenery.

The latest statement that I have found about the Glen-Hayes eaglets and whether or not the eaglet bodies will be retrieved:

“May 18, 2026 – GLEN HAZEL NEST STATUS

Status Update: Carol Holmgren, Executive Director, Tamarack Wildlife Center

Our hearts go out to all who love these eagles and are grieving. We have been blessed with 100% survivorship of eaglets from the Hays/Glen Hazel eagle nests over the past 14 years, while it is typical for 30% of eaglets to not survive until fledging age.

Kudos to the Glen Hazel moderator team for promptly noticing signs of illness in the chicks and notifying Tamarack Wildlife Center’s Executive Director and Licensed Rehabilitator Carol Holmgren on Friday morning, May 15. Carol immediately reached out to Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) and Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) colleagues, to loop them in that day, and has been in conversation since then. A few updates:

  • It is FWS policy to let nature take its course at eagle’s nests and only approve intervention when there is a threat to the eagles that has a clear human cause such as fishing line entanglement or swallowing a fish hook. In this instance, the eaglets were ill, but not with a clear human cause where FWS and PGC would approve intervention. Much as that is difficult for us to witness, it is part of the natural history that eagles live with daily.
  • The eaglets likely passed from Avian Influenza. Their symptoms and the progression of the illness is consistent with Avian Influenza, and they could have contracted it from ingesting goslings and geese that had been brought to the nest as food. We cannot know for certain without testing, but this is the most likely cause based on the evidence.
  • The adults may also have been exposed to the virus. They typically have a stronger immune system than the young birds, and may be able to fight off the virus. Time will tell. We will be monitoring them. There is no treatment that can be given while they are free-flying. If one is on the ground due to illness, it may be able to be treated by a rehabilitator.
  • Our hope is that their immune systems are strong and they can remain healthy.
  • Our highest concerns at this point are 1. supporting the health of the remaining adult eagles and 2. caring for the moderators and community who love these eagles.
  • Now that the two eaglets have passed, PGC has had extensive discussions about the risks vs benefits of accessing the nest to retrieve the now two deceased eaglets. They have decided not to pursue retrieval, in part to not stress the adult eagles through human presence at the nest.
  • There is no practical benefit to confirming that the eaglets succumbed to Avian Influenza, beyond the human desire to know. The disease is known to be endemic in Pennsylvania now and there are no management actions that would be taken with that information.
  • Due to the regulations and Acts protecting eagles and their nests, any access to the nest would also require both PGC and FWS support.
  • PGC will be continuing to monitor the situation. If an eaglet should fall to the ground, they may pursue retrieval and testing since stress on the adult birds would be less, and FWS approval would not be needed.

Below is the full statement shared by our colleagues in PGC today. We appreciate the thoughtfulness with which they have considered this situation, and their continued collaboration.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) appreciates the concerns of the public regarding the eagles in the Glen Hazel Eagle Nest Cam, located in Allegheny County.

Wildlife watching opportunities, especially ones that can occur from anywhere thanks to wildlife cameras and digital technology, are a popular way for the public to learn and love wildlife.

Unfortunately, nature can be hard to watch at times. When situations occur on live wildlife webcams, including this eagle’s nest, human intervention is not always recommended or possible.

PGC evaluated the situation carefully and considered many factors including human safety and exposure to potential pathogens. Additionally, human intervention could further stress the adult eagles. Any actions must also comply with federal regulations related to the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. At this time, we have chosen to not intervene. If a safer opportunity presents itself in the future, we may pursue disease testing to hopefully determine what caused the death of these eaglets.”

I ‘love’ Blue 33 and Maya and I am so glad that the three little bobbleheads are doing so well. Those blue eyes and that light soft taupe down with their lovely back stripe and that black eye-liner. They are so precious….all babies are so cute but I do love the tiny little osplets before they hit the reptile stage!

An osprey nest with three chicks and two adult ospreys, one feeding the chicks. The nest is made of twigs and contains some greenery. The background features water.
Close-up of an osprey nest with four chicks and two eggs, surrounded by twigs and overlooking water.
A close-up of two adult ospreys attending to three chicks in their nest, with a body of water in the background.
An osprey stands near its nest, looking at two fluffy, gray chicks nestled on a bed of twigs and leaves. The background features water, hinting at the location's natural habitat.

The Girls got their favourite crunchy treats while Toby needed a new Little Lamb. These little squeaky toys were his first and to this day, some 15 months later, they remain favourites. This one is getting ready to celebrate Canada Day on 1 July.

A dog playing with a plush sheep toy, featuring red-checked mittens, on a soft blanket.

Thank you so much for being with us. We wish you peace and calm.

A close-up view of a decorative statue of a seated figure adorned with colorful beads and necklaces, featuring a small bird figurine beside it. The statue has intricate details, and there is a ceramic vase in the foreground.

Thank you to Geemeff for her extensive report on all things Loch Arkaig, to ‘PB’ for her great images and notes, to all those who posted information and videos on FB or YouTube keeping us informed of the latest happenings at the nests, and to the owners of the streaming cams, we are so very grateful to be able to share the lives of these amazing Avian families.