27 October 2025
Good Morning Everyone!
First up: The latest on WBSE 35, the sea eaglet in the Olympic Forest that flew up to the branch to be with Mum and landed on the forest floor. Trusted sources in the area tell me that 35 has been seen flying—really flying well. This is incredible news, and I know that you share in my joy. It is always a worry when they are grounded. I hope we get some images of 35 near the River Roost soon! This is just tears of joy. 35 has, so far, beaten the Currawongs. Let us hope that 36 is as fortunate.
Thanks, Jen and Se McGregor!
Oh, it is a grey, wanting-to-be-wet autumn day on the Canadian prairies. The wind is blowing briskly, and the leaves, what are left on the trees, are being blown far and wide. We have had some great walks today. Toby loves chasing the leaves as far as his lead will allow and I long to hold on to these days knowing what could be on the ground.
I want to alert you to some information about Jackie’s eye from Cali Condor and the FOBBV group (it seems there is a lot of disinformation about Jackie’s eye and as far as I am concerned, they are the go to group to find out what is really up!)
“
Question:
“Hello I’m so sorry to bother you with this. But there is a picture going around very heart breaking about Jackie with her head upside down and eye out. It’s very disturbing. It has been put out again by Trish. I tried to get a message how to told me to, but I can’t figure it out. Please tell me this isn’t true. She also said that’s why Jackie hasn’t been in the nest.”
Reply:
“The first picture shows the nictitating membrane (the third eyelid) which swoops from right to left and protects the eye from debris. For more details about eagle eye anatomy and nictitating membrane please see this page: https://imgur.com/a/eovr7Au
The other picture shows an eagle scratching their head on their shoulders. Eagles have 14 cervical vertebrae (humans have only 7) and can bend their neck in many ways that may look impossible to humans. That particular move is very common when an eagle wants to scratch their head. We have seen it on cameras numerous times. Here is a video example of neck turning: https://youtu.be/oDLJ2iO8N9Y
To summarize, both screenshots show normal eagle anatomy and behaviors. It is sad that normal behaviors are being used out of context to cause panic and drama on the internet.
“Just a note: we have experienced and had complaints about so much misinformation coming from the site you are referring to that we no longer allow any posts of information from there. While we respect all views and opinions, we also would like to limit negative engagement, unhelpful panic and unverified content on our educational platforms. Thank you for your understanding.
“We are aware of that site and its owners, Trisha and Owen. They have used the popularity of the nest cam to gain followers and customers for years, while at the same time have provided false and negative information about the nest cam, the history of the Big Bear bald eagles, our organization and team.”
In other nests, Gimbir slept with Diamond in the scrape last night while she incubated their eggs. Thanks, Sue Guadagno.
While we wait for those fluffy little bundles of joy, we can spend our time watching the little eyases at 367 Collins Street growing and growing. They go from hatch to full-grown, ready for fledge in a month. Don’t blink or they will be gone!
They are wingersizing and look closely at the juvenile feathers under that white fluff. Soon, white down will be floating around the 367 Collins Street Scrape in the CBD of Melbourne as the wings and back are revealed.
SK Hideaways Videos for the week of 19 October 2025
Introduction: I first fell in love with raptors in 2019 ~ Annie & Grinnell, the CalFalcons, at the UC Berkeley Campanile. All the videos I’ve created since that time stem from that love and my desire to learn all I can about these and other raptors. My mission is to inform, educate, and entertain viewers. I have never and will never monetize my videos. They are purely a labor of love that give me great joy to share with anyone kind enough to view them.
Two Harbors: Cholyn & Chase (21 October 2025)
A lesson in collaboration, compromise, and communication… and absolute perfection. I give you 23-1/2 minutes of poetry in motion also known as Cholyn & Chase. 27 years young and 22 years blissfully paired.
Video: https://youtu.be/fTbMUL24oMs
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org |Two Harbors Eagles Cam Ops
Eagle Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5T2eHM8tcI
Overlook Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yx7RKxpyzQ
367 Collins St. Falcons: Mum F24, Dad M24, 3 chicks (25 October 2025)
The wee boy chick finally decided to join his sisters in the north nest after biding his time in the gutter for a week. A sister duvet was just too compelling tonight.
Video: https://youtu.be/vDS7DxjwH8A
Courtesy 367 Collins St. Falcon Cam ~ Melbourne Australia
South Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oibsohQ14cY
North Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNKk0ivuWe4
Sydney WB Sea Eagles SE35 FLEDGES! Misses Branch and Lands on Ground as SE36 Watches (2025 Oct 26)
After a restless few days, SE35 fledged from the nest rim. The target was an adjacent branch, which SE35 missed, landing on the ground. Cam ops found SE35 exploring amongst the swooping Currawongs, looking wide-eyed, but unharmed. SE36 kept a close eye on SE35, taking a short break for breakfast, which they mantled fiercely. SE35 was found later in a nearby tree, 4 metres above the ground ~ a very good sign.
Video: https://youtu.be/oZPeHumo628
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=pcKLMh-MGEE
For a couple of years, I have discussed the importance of Menhaden to the entire Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and surrounding areas. We know that our ospreys have died because of the industrial fishing of this critical species. Another species, the krill, is equally important to the Arctic. If you take supplements, check that they are not krill! And please, if that is the source, stop using them. Spread the word. The wildlife in the region depends on them, just like they need clean water and biodiversity. The Guardian brings us this important story.
Antarctic krill: how did a paperclip-sized crustacean cause a diplomatic row – and why are they so important?https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/26/explainer-antarctic-krill-vital-ecosystem-food-chain-conservation-carbon-store?CMP=share_btn_url
Do you know anything about the Groove-billed Ani? It is the American Bird Conservancy’s Bird of the Week!
If you live in the UK and particularly if you reside in Cumbria, the Lake District, then please write in and express your views on the reintroduction of the White-tail Eagle to the county. Here is the information:
Why do the ospreys fly south? Tiger Mozone says it is for this very reason – the hours of sunshine (and, of course, necessary fish!).
And as you can imagine, nearing the equator, it is precisely 12 equal hours. I might want to join them!
Calico thinks that we all need a good laugh and she has found the perfect article in The Guardian with some of the most funny and interesting wildlife images I have seen! Check out the images that won the Comedy Wildlife Awards.
While we think of the people in Jamaica currently be impacted by Hurricane Melissa, I am grateful for the sake of our raptors that it will not impact any nests in Florida but is projected to go in the Atlantic.
It has been a grand Sunday. Grey skies and wind but all four grey squirrels, Dyson and the three kits, two Reds, two Crows, five Blue Jays, and Brock have shown up in the garden. They have put on quite the show today. Winter must be coming!
Thank you so much for being with us. Please take care. I will see you again next Monday – and what a great day it will be. A friend is arriving from the UK on their way to see the polar bears in the very north of my province. I can’t wait. See you soon.
Thank you to the individuals and owners of streaming cams and individuals posting for various FB groups listed in Bold. You keep us informed. A particular shout-out to SK Hideaways for their videos. The Guardian continues to publish great articles on wildlife and the environment, and Raptor Persecution UK keeps reminding us how unsafe it is for raptors in the UK and why. We are grateful.