Late Sunday in Bird World

26 April 2026

Good Evening!

We hope that you had a wonderful weekend – and please tell me that you had some time to go outside. It was a tad cooler here today but we sat in the warm sun on the deck and listened to birdsong coming from the feeders. Oh, it made my heart skip happy beats! It was another quiet day – a most welcome one. We did some spring cleaning and celebrated by making strawberry shortcakes. Tomorrow, Toby goes for a much-needed grooming (Monday). I’m hoping for a trip to Fort Whyte for a walk in the forest and a check on the geese that should be laying eggs.

Shadow continues to bring in big fish for Jackie and the kids. The snow is melting.

A parent bird stands in a snowy nest, caring for three fluffy chicks under a clear blue sky, with a scenic view of a lake and mountains in the background.

Isn’t he handsome? Teifi is one of Idris and Telyn’s fledglings – he is Maya’s grandson. How cool is that? I am so glad that the Glaslyn nest has settled down or him and Elen. As you know, I adore Aran and it seems that he has also found a platform and a mate. Smiling. Calm is good.

An osprey sitting on a nest, appearing to incubate eggs. The bird has distinctive brown and white feathers with striking yellow eyes, surrounded by natural vegetation and twigs.

The Dyfi family tree now has its fledglings at Glaslyn:

Infographic of the Dyfi Osprey Project Family Tree from 2011 to Present, detailing the lineage and breeding history of various ospreys, including notable individuals and their offspring.

Here’s Teifi. It was the first year, 2020, that Idris was bonded with Telyn after Monty:

A timeline showing the lineage of the Osprey named Idris from 2020 to 2026, including information on successful and unsuccessful hatches, along with the names and status of each chick.
Information about a male animal named Teifi, spotted in Santander Bay, Spain, in May 2022, and in North Wales in 2024 and 2025, with breeding noted in North Wales since 2026.

News from Loch of the Lowes:

Close-up of a freshly laid osprey egg in a nest, surrounded by nesting material.

SK Hideaways videos for the week – always grateful!

SK Hideaways Videos, Week of 19 April 2026

FOBBVCAM Eagles, Big Bear Valley, CA ~ Jackie, Shadow, and 2 chicks
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

Jackie & Shadow got everything in order as a storm approached ~ The chicks enjoyed meals 7 and 8 ~ They’re tucked and warm under Jackie (2026 Apr 25)
Videohttps://youtu.be/ZHZwUvD7SEw

One Chick Escapes Egg Bowl ~ Jackie has a Word with Shadow About It
 (2026 Apr 19)
Videohttps://youtu.be/Af1ZfwYL1bk

Jackie & Shadow Oust Persistent Ravens ~ Eaglets Safe & Sound (2026 Apr 19)
Videohttps://youtu.be/BYL7oyiPppo

Fraser Point Eagles ~ Santa Cruz Island, CA ~ Cruz, Andor, Sasha, Zuma, and Ryder
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Fraser Point Eagles Cam Ops
Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY4V_AppZ6s

Ryder’s Rescue and Cuddly Reunion ~ IWS & Erin are Superstars (2026 Apr 24)
Video: https://youtu.be/lKSFIC4irKI

Ryder Fell From Nest ~ Keeping Faith for Rescue (2026 Apr 24)
Videohttps://youtu.be/WJ6b7BAztF0
Cruz & Andor Manage Pecking Order of 3 Chicks with Nonstop Fish (2026 Apr 23)
Video: 
https://youtu.be/5m948gPoCWc
Chicks Shuffle Along on Clown Feet to Reach Endless Fish Deliveries (2026 Apr 20)
Videohttps://youtu.be/tqUXCH76InM


John Bunker Sands Eagles ~ Mom, Dad, and JBS24
Courtesy John Bunker Sands Wetland Center Eagle Cam
Eagle Tower Camera 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wdo7BzUU_g
Eagle Tower Camera 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEDb2KqvvyQ

JBS24 Comes Home to Fresh Fish and Clean Fluffs (2026 April 19)
Video: https://youtu.be/x5p0mcPtLEs


San Jose City Hall Falcons, San Jose, CA ~ Hartley, Monty, and 4 Chicks
Courtesy San Jose City Hall Peregrine Falcon Cam
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

Monty Really, Really Wanted to Feed Someone ~ Even Hartley 
(2026 Apr 23)
Video: https://youtu.be/YXbKW2SRKgw

Monty Resumes Role of Super Dad ~ No One’s Going Hungry or Cold
 (2026 Apr 22)
Video: 
https://youtu.be/2-GlKlHMlRo

4th Hatch 
~ Monty Meets All 4 ~ Hartley Gives 1st Feeding (2026 Apr 21)
Videohttps://youtu.be/F9NFVYJCBks

Hartley Welcomes Chicks 1, 2 AND 3 ~ Monty Waits for a Peek (2026 Apr 21)
Videohttps://youtu.be/m-LTvHVPKXE

I’m not going to swear but…how many ospreys die because of hooks and fishing line? This one was rescued.

A police officer using a long pole to assist in freeing an Osprey caught on a fishing hook, while standing on a ladder near a river.

So happy. This time it was a happy ending.

A young osprey standing on the ground in a grassy area, with a pet carrier nearby.

It was a booming year (no pun intended). Kakapo breed every four years. Records broken this year on this critically endangered species, but the species remains in decline from four years ago.

A close-up image of two kākāpō birds, showcasing their distinct features. The left bird has vibrant green feathers with a rounded body, while the right bird, slightly younger, displays soft plumage and a curious expression. Below the birds, text highlights the critical kākāpō population count of 235 as of April 2026.

Osprey baby in Italy!

An osprey standing near its nest with eggs and chicks, surrounded by twigs and branches.
Announcement about the first fisher hawk birth of 2026 at Oasi WWF Laguna di Orbetello, detailing the hatching of the first egg and updates on Okab, a fishing falcon born in 2024.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 26th April 2026

Today’s momentous news is the arrival of the first egg – around 06.50 Dorcha started making little squeaking sounds and at 06.56.29 she laid the first egg of Season Ten. The nest cup is too deep and there are branches obscuring the view, but it was clear from her behaviour that she is now brooding an egg. Louis came along about an hour later with her breakfast, and we were able to watch his reaction before he happily took over egg duty, allowing her to depart to eat her fish. No sign of eggs yet for Aurora 536 and Garry LV0 but things will take longer with them as they aren’t a long-established pair like Louis & Dorcha. Garry delivered two fish taking his tally to thirty, and Louis delivered three fish, taking the nest tally to twenty five. At the time of this report (23.30), Dorcha is still away after departing with her third fish, and Louis is looking very settled on the nest.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/gyonJzbicJE N2 First egg! Congratulations Dorcha and Louis! 06.56.29

https://youtu.be/W8-fFs6TBW8 N2 First look for Louis when he brings the first fish 07.59.27

https://youtu.be/ys5b9FxT82k N1 Aurora’s calls are answered with a nice sized fish from Garry 11.06.10  

https://youtu.be/yDnzR2DL6OA N2 Dorcha departs with the second fish leaving Louis to egg-sit 19.41.05  

https://youtu.be/591ZDgF6gbw N1 Garry flies off with fish two as Aurora doesn’t take it 20.21.05

https://youtu.be/AQXp3vpgAMk N2 Louis brings a substantial late evening supper  21.13.13

Bonus read – hormonal changes in birds during the breeding season (thanks LizB)

https://www.birdfact.com/anatomy-and-physiology/reproductive-system/hormonal-control-of-reproduction-in-birds

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/aDk_oSfFyJA  N1 Aila lays egg number two 2019

https://youtu.be/TR0ZAmEuEvU  N1 Aila lays egg number two 2020

https://youtu.be/A0Fql5tp3Zw  N1 Dad’s turn! Louis is finally on egg duty 2020

https://youtu.be/YWOgNITPfXc  N1 Ringed female Blue 152 visits again 2021

https://youtu.be/OZBLR7uszwo  N2 Very early breakfast but no more fish for Dorcha 2023

https://youtu.be/kh92z7IRnCw  N1 Three Ospreys fighting over the nest 2023 (super slo-mo)

https://youtu.be/r9ckJWn_V3I  N1 Aerobatics as Garry LV0’s involved in a chase 2024

https://youtu.be/G-DaqLc2tcE N2 A thirteen second handover of fish number two 2024

https://youtu.be/rMpsosLakXg N2 Dorcha uses her Crow voice to see off a Hoodie 2025

https://youtu.be/uUleqJXiBhw N1 Blue 536’s stick and Garry LV0’s fish fly on and off! 2025 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/o0i-471GSIE N1 A Tawny Owl pays a twilight visit 2025

Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:

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

It was a good day at Achieva thanks to Jill who is really stepping up to take care of her babies. Jack was late today – last time I checked Jill had delivered a fish and then went out later, at her usual time, to bring in another catfish.

Osprey nest on a platform with two adult ospreys, surrounded by trees and a residential area in the background.

In the image below, you can see the significant size difference between the two chicks. Big is almost fully feathered. Little is just getting its tail. We still see the white stripe on Little.

A close-up of a bird's nest featuring a parent bird with brown feathers standing over a smaller, spotted chick nestled among twigs and foliage.

Alaska and Australia teaming up to help protect the Shearwater!

‘The birds are a global citizen’: Indigenous groups in Australia and Alaska team up to track a feathered adventurer’s epic journey.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/apr/26/indigenous-groups-australia-alaska-track-short-tailed-shearwater-bird?CMP=share_btn_url

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care of yourself and have a great end of the weekend and the beginning of the week. See you soon!

Toby loving his Bully Stick.

A close-up of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog chewing on a dog treat, resting on a soft, textured pillow.

Thank you so much to SK Hideaways and Geemeff for their great contributions – their work takes so much time. I am very grateful to those who post current information on FB and other platforms, to The Guardian for its reporting on wildlife concerns, and to Dyfi Osprey Project for keeping such wonderful historical information. To the owners of the streaming cams, thank you seems too small. We would know about these amazing birds and their environmental challenges if it were not for you.

Idris is home at Dyfi!

2 April 2026

Good Evening Everyone,

We had a beautiful day. Instead of living in pajamas, we put on our lighter jackets and gum boots and headed to the country – to Pineridge.

A man wearing sunglasses and a brown leather jacket sits on a wooden deck, holding a coffee cup, next to a fire pit, with a cozy outdoor seating area in the background.
A small dog wearing a bright blue coat stands on a wooden deck, looking toward the camera. There is snow on the ground and a few dried plants in the background.

We sat by the fire and drank hot chocolate. It was glorious.

While we were away…Idris arrived home at the Dyfi Osprey platform in Wales to his mate Telyn, Blue 5F.

Telyn knew he was arriving. She watched as Idris flew in and landed. The sky dancing began shortly after – this devoted pair, so delighted to see one another! Idris arrived almost a fortnight later than he did in 2025.

And he hardly got home and the snow has started falling…

A young osprey stands on a nest made of branches in a natural setting with grassy fields and distant hills in the background, displaying data about weather and time at the bottom.
An osprey takes flight near a nesting site, with another osprey visible on the nest. The background features a grassy landscape and distant hills.
An osprey is flying toward its nest, while another osprey is perched on the nest. The background features open fields and a distant house under a cloudy sky.
A view of an osprey nest with two adult ospreys resting on it, surrounded by a grassy landscape and a distant forested area. A pole with a weather sensor is visible in the background.

I wonder what other ospreys came in on those strong winds????

Blue 014, the mate of Aeron Z2, has returned home to the Glaslyn Valley and the Pont Cresor nest.

Only Jackie and Shadow know. Pip watch is on.

A pair of bald eagles are tending to their nest, which is located on a tree branch overlooking a scenic view of water and forested landscape.

Baby Hope is excited about the possibility of an eaglet at Big Bear.

A calico cat sitting on a wooden surface, gazing at a television screen displaying a nature scene with a bird perched on a nest.

Andor and Cruz now have three eaglets at the Fraser Point nest in the Channel Islands. Sasha, Zuma, and Ryder. No wonder Andor was loading up this nest with prey. A Coot has been added to a whole lot of fish!

A bald eagle tending to its nest with chicks, surrounded by sticks and leaves.
A bald eagle feeding its chicks in a nest, with some fish visible in the nest and greenery in the background.

There has been a second hatch at the Achieva osprey platform of Jack and Jill. This one is nearly six days younger than the first hatch. I am not a happy camper over this turn of events…There is a problem with fish deliveries at this nest – historically. Is it intruders taking the fish? Who knows?

A young bird sitting in a nest made of twigs, with trees and a street visible in the background.

Thank you for being with us for this very quick check in! There are lots of other hatches and arrivals in the US – it is going to be a very busy weekend. Here is the list from nature chaat:

Kama laid 1st egg today at White-tailed Eagle Cam in Russia.

Lizzie laid 5th egg this morning at Peregrine Falcon Cam in New Jersey.

3rd egg hatched before midnight last night at Fraser Point Eagle Cam.

1st egg hatched this morning at Glen Hazel (Hays) Eagle Cam.

Hatch in progress for 3rd egg at U.S. Steel Eagle Cam.

Pip watch continues for 1st eggs at Big Bear Eagle CamFort St. Vrain Station Eagle Cam and ND-LEEF Eagle Cam.

See you soon!

Thank you to those who are posting information on FB, to the owners and posters on nature chat and to ‘J’ for sending me the latest list, and to the owners of the streaming cams that allow me to rewind and see Daddy Longlegs Idris arrive home to his great love, Telyn! Thank you.

Happenings in Bird Land. 17 August 2021

Our sky is very overcast this morning and, for one of the first days, our temperature will not go over 29 C which is the same as it is in the Caribbean. It is not surprising that the summer flowers, such as Jasmine and Hibiscus, are thriving while the others meant for bees and butterflies are having a difficult time with it even with watering. So far I have gathered 5 one-gallon pails of blossoms off this Hibiscus and dried them for tea. It has been a bumper crop.

Sweet little Malin slept on his fish. Smart little one. Perhaps that is how to keep leftovers if you are afraid that someone will steal your food! Malin ate it for breakfast and then, at 10:17ish, Dad made a delivery.

Sometimes Malin bites Dad’s toes. It is a good idea to drop that fish and get away fast!

Malin protecting his little fish while Dad flies away.

We are keeping a close eye on what is happening with the Black Storks in Latvia and Estonia and I am very grateful to ‘S’ for helping with this. In Latvia, Grafs made a fish delivery at 12:04:43.

The storklings had one feeding yesterday but four feedings on the 15th. It is hoped that more fish will come to the nest today.

One of the birdwatchers in the area and a good friend to this nest, BK, purchased a white decoy and has spent their time painting it to be Grafiene 2. This decoy was installed on the morning of the 17th to try and lure Grafs to the fish table.

Anyone who lives in duck hunting country will know that the use of decoys to attract birds can be very successful. We hope that Grafs smells the fish donations and sees Grafiene 2.

Some of you might be wondering why they do not climb the Black Stork nest near Sigulda. The simple answer is – it is not safe to do so. The nest is mostly made of peat and the birds could from their movements and jumping cause that to break off. Human disturbance would cause the same issues. It is also a very old tree and not strong. Everyone is doing everything that they can. After the feeding at noon heavy rains came to the area.

One development is that the eldest storkling is now branching. You can see that in the image below.

This Black Stork nest is very special to the people of Latvia as are these miracle storklings. ‘S’ tells me that there was no successful nesting here in both 2019 and 2020. This year no one thought that Grafs would attract a mate to the nest – especially so late in the season. No one would dare to think that there might be storklings for fear that something would happen. But there were eggs and they did hatch and look at these beautiful trio. Sadly, around the nest the area of the forest and adjacent areas have changed so much in the past couple of years that finding food for a family here can be difficult. Everyone continues with hope that Grafs will find the fish table. As I have said so very often, human encroachment and human impact on the climate are causing wildlife irreparable harm. Providing food for the birds now and in the future is the least we can do.

In Estonia, Jan has brought in three big fish for the trio at 11:01:17. He made a second trip to the nest at 15:09:18. In between, the storklings have been picking at the old fish on the pile. They were so full that they did not eat one of the big fish that came to the nest. Sadly, that fish fell off.

In other Osprey news, Telyn is still at the Dyfi Nest and has not left for her migration. She delivered a nice size fish and Dysnni was the taker! Some had thought he might have left the area but he hasn’t. Maybe Idris will get something for Ystwyth who looks on – no doubt she had hoped to nab that fish.

And here is Ystwyth, Blue 491, with her fish:

Beautiful Telyn or Blue 3J is a great provider for her two fledglings just like Idris.

Dysynni, Blue 490, flew up to the branch to eat his fish. Everyone always talks about how messy Idris is when he eats well, his son is just like him!

Dysynni has managed to eat the flesh of the fish and leave the tough skin. Bravo – but still messy! BTW. Dysynni is 89 hatch days old today, the average age of the males fledging off the Dyfi Nest in Wales.

You could hear LR2 on the other side of the Loch of the Lowes she was food crying so loud. There is no getting away from the fact that a fish is wanted! NC0 came in with a nice one. So, if anyone is wondering, NC0 has not left for her migration either. Historically, the 18th was the latest that she has left but, perhaps, the birds, hopefully, understand the weather along the migratory route and they will stay in place. As long as there is food, why leave? wait a couple of weeks. LOL. As if I can read an Ospreys mind!! I do hope they can wait.

Lucky! That is a nice fish and this chick doesn’t look like it is starving. That is a pretty nice crop.

These birds have turned out to be strong and healthy. Laddie and NC0 did well.

To close the day off, it was wonderful to click on the Foulshaw Moss Osprey nest and see Tiny Little, Blue 463, eating a really nice size fish! It was 18:40. It could be the last one for the day.

But, the icing on the cake was the receipt of my ‘Iris pen’ just a few moments ago in the post! It is Choke Cherry and is absolutely gorgeous. You can refill with any Cross Cartridge. What a fantastic fundraiser. Thank you Montana Osprey Project! My picture does not do this beautiful pen justice.

Thank you so much for joining me today. Please continue to send your warm wishes and prayers to the very precious Black Stork nestlings in Latvia and Estonia. The people there are doing everything they can to take care of these precious birds. I am continuing to monitor the fires in Greece. There are two new ones. Those fires impact the migration of the birds already on their way. There is a very sophisticated system using magnetic fields and Quantum Mechanics that our birds use to get from one place to another. If you want to read about it, one of the best books is A World on the Wing. The Global Odyssey of Migratory Birds by Scott Weidensaul. I just want them to stay put if they can! Take care everyone. Order you Iris pen if you didn’t! See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their streaming cams where I took my screen shots: Collins Marsh Nature Centre, The Eagle Club of Estonia, The Latvian Club for Nature, The Dyfi Osprey Project, The Cumbrian Wildlife Trust and the Foulshaw Moss Osprey Nest, and The Scottish Wildlife Trust and Friends of Loch of the Lowes.