Tag Archives: Moorings Park

Wednesday in Bird World

18 March 2026

Hello Everyone,

We are in the midst of an unexpected blizzard, while thousands of miles to our southeast, it is green, and geese are enjoying the grass on a golf course. Thank you, ‘L’, for letting me share this lovely image of spring! We love our geese, but there is no place for them here, and yet, many arrived several weeks ago! The ponds have frozen, but there remains some open water in the two rivers that wind their way through our City. It is supposed to warm up beginning tomorrow, but I will believe it when I see it. We were not expecting this much snow today!

It doesn’t look like much, but the snow is blowing and accumulating so quickly! The lad who shovels or us thought snow was finished – he is going to get a real surprise! It is more than 30 cm deep on the walkway he cleared a few days ago, and is within 45 cm of covering the large bird table feeder. Unbelievable.

Toby loves it. He bounces through the snow if there is even a whiff of a ‘cat’ in the garden. My plan is to have a tall wooden fence built to match the one constructed a few years ago. I had not planned to put a fence on that part of the property, but the theft of dogs in our City has become quite troubling. Of course, ‘the cats’ – distinguished from ‘The Girls’ – come in from that back corner, so it is important to close it in. Toby loves his sisters, ‘The Girls’. He plays with them, but those that make their way into his outdoor territory will be ousted unless they are Brock (who now still spends 99% of his time at the neighbour down the street)!!!!!!!!!

I hope, after all these years, that each of you knows that I love all animals, but there is a special place in my heart for Big Red and Arthur, the late Annie at The Campanile, and ospreys. I have posted this song before, but I want you to get in the mood. Osprey season is starting in the UK – and has already begun in the US. Here are those wonderful school children with the Osprey Song (2011): https://youtu.be/KoOQK6ejuXY?

At the Lake Murray Osprey platform, Lucy has laid her second egg with a new mate. Please, please put up the owl defences for this family Lake Murray!

Company for Brutus. Storms are tearing down eagle and osprey nests around the US including an osprey nest that Penny Albright monitored near Sanibel that lost two chicks when the nest collapsed. These eaglets made it through…

Blue 25 has made another visit to Blue 33 and Maya’s nest at Manton Bay – Blue 33 normally arrives a few days prior to Maya, and Blue 25 enjoys his company! Geemeff caught her time on the nest: https://youtu.be/HU_XGU3NTro?

We have an osprey at the MNSA Osprey nest in Oceanside’s Jay Cool platform.

“WYL greets his chick upon returning to the nest in New Zealand. The adult male arrives from a foraging trip over the Pacific to feed his growing chick at the Plateau nest site. As the chick gets bigger, the parents will take longer foraging trips to collect enough food for both themselves and their chick.” (Cornell Bird Lab)

Peanut defended the Winter Park Florida nest against a RTH! Nestflix Memories (Gracie Shepherd) caught it on video: https://youtu.be/cQksMDubVEc?

Tonight, Wink is taking now chances. She is right in the nest with Peanut if that GHO returns – and, of course, it will – they never give up! Wink is an incredible mother – I am truly amazed and thankful for her diligence.

Gabby with her babies, Kai and Eve, at the NE Florida Bald Eagle nest in Florida. Best keep a close eye on these two – they could fledge before you blink.

At the Johnson City nest of Boone and Jolene in Tennessee, snow arrived. Jolene kept those two babies warm and tried to feed them at the same time. Like Wink, she is an experiened and an exceptional Mum.

Huge crop on JBS 24. Mum and Dad are delivering food and leaving it for self-feeding on occasion.

Harry and Sally are up there in my list of osprey parents. Three babies, three little fat bottoms. Large fish coming in and Harry on guard as it appeared there could have been an intruder around today during a fish delivery. If you haven’t been watching Moorings Park, then check out this osprey family. It is a success story – and believe me when I tell you that there will be few such stories in the NE USA this season unless a miracle happens.

Rutlands Lagoon 4 nest is trying to keep the Egyptian Geese from laying eggs while everyone waits for the ospreys to arrive. This is a second nest with a camera amongst several nests at Rutland Water. AI says: “Based on 2025/2026 sightings, the Lagoon 4 nest at Rutland Water is often occupied by male 359 (a 2021 Rutland-born osprey) and female 3H9 (a 2023 Rutland-born osprey). They have been observed investigating the nest and strengthening bonds. Note: 359 and 3H9 are a distinct pair from the main Manton Bay pair, Maya and 33(11).”

I am getting impatient – and it is a tad early – for Maya and Blue 33 to arrive at Manton Bay.

At the Whitley Crane nest known as the Golden Gate Audubon Osprey nest, Richmond has worked and worked. There is a new female at the nest with him. I do not believe Rosie will make an appearance. Why do I say this? Well, when Aila did not return, Louis moved his nest to another location when he bonded with Dorcha. We often think animals and birds are not intelligent. If I have said it once, I will say it again million times, my teacher about raptor behaviour, the late Laura Culley, taught me that they are smarter and use higher levels of intelligence and communication that humans have lost.

I noticed in one of the chats – it was the Winter Park Florida chat – that someone noted that ‘animals have feelings’. Dr Mark Beckoff and Dr Jane Goodall taught us this. There are several good books out there. I urge you or anyone who is interested in the behaviour of non-humans to read any or all of the following.

Saddness at the Two Harbours as Chase & Cholyn lose their last egg. SK Hideaways has it on video: https://youtu.be/8vmMpnkNsh4?

Big Red and Arthur have snow on their nest at Cornell University.

Suzanne Arnold Horning caught Big Red relaxing on the lights!

Cameras are now live at the Poole Harbour nest of CJ7 and Blue 022.

We have an osprey at Threave. Is it Black 80?

At Achieva the third egg was laid on the 25th of January. Can someone who is watching this nest tell me if Jack is delivering enough fish to his mate? I did not see deliveries today, but I might have missed something.

Dyfi is live! Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/live/tOS_34MKI5E?

In fact, start checking out all your favourite UK and European nests as the cameras are being turned on faster than I can keep a list.

The Pitkin County Osprey nest in Colorado is live.

I have such a soft spot for this White-tail eagle in Durbe County Latvia. Milda. Her current mate is Zorro. There was sorrow and now Zorro has proved to be a good mate and provider.

April 7. Hellgate Canyon. Iris’s favourite day to return to her nest in Missoula, Montana. Count the days – 20. Less than three weeks! The snow has melted.

There is evil in the world. I cannot imagine how anyone could harm an animal and yet, every day I find myself telling people not to give their kittens away to anyone. Russell Mason beat a Goshawk to death – how in the world can someone do this?

Large estates, with no eyes around in Scotland (and elsewhere), allow many horrific things to happen to our beautiful feathered friends. What can be done to stop this?

Scottish gamekeeper Russell Mason pleads guilty to battering a Goshawk to death on shooting estate iDownload

The Cornell Bird Lab gives us hope that people around the world are increasingly engaging with nature and birds. Yes, there are incredibly vicious people anywhere in the world that will harm birds and other animals, but there are more, I hope, that love and help them.

To put a smile on your face:

A total hoot! Beautiful birds – in pictures

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2026/mar/17/a-total-hoot-beautiful-birds-in-pictures-claire-rosen?CMP=share_btn_url

Thank you so much for being with me today and for your patience, as my posting is often irregular. I had hoped to keep to Fridays and Mondays til the UK osprey season began, but every day there is something new and exciting! I will continue to post at the oddest of times, sometimes two or three times a day as news comes in. As you can imagine, my life is anything but routine. We do have a schedule, but it all depends on my husband’s mood, which can vary. I am impatiently waiting for spring to arrive. What I miss most is reading. Yes, we have story time, but it isn’t the same as sitting quietly on a park bench with squirrels dashing around, the wind gently blowing, with a good book in my hand, reading in silence. So, no promises other than there will always be a Monday blog, often coming out late Sunday, until we have osprey chicks on the nests in the UK and Europe.

Thank you to everyone who created videos, wrote informative FB posts, to Raptor Persecution UK for keeping us informed, and to the Cornell Bird Lab for continuing to support education. I remain forever grateful to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to venture into the challenging lives of our feathered friends. To all my readers who are now long-time friends, I appreciate your support. Your letters and comments mean the world to me.

Preparing for Iris’s arrival…Saturday in Bird World

14 March 2026

Good Morning Everyone,

We hope you had a lovely week. It is still cold, with it feeling like -20 C this morning, even though it is actually -16. Toby didn’t want to go outside. The Girls are busy watching the starlings as they land and search for kibble (I haven’t been out yet to feed them). Brock was here in the middle of the night – that is when he comes, so I get to see him on camera! He has a route. He spends most of his time at Jane’s. Brock loves her soft chair and wet, warm food. Then he goes to a lady a block away (again caught on camera) and comes here when he is assured Toby is sleeping. I do miss him.

Dr Green and team are preparing for Iris’s arrival. The fence has been placed on the parking lot of the Rivberview Health Centre to block any intruders that might want to get to close to her abode.

Typical of Iris, she left the nest in a pretty good state. Oh, please, send out good energy for our Osprey Queen to return – the oldest known osprey in the world should be 30 this year. I also really want her young mate from last year to return, too. We were all saddened when Finnegan, who bred successful to raise two beautiful osplets in 2024, did not return last year as we anticipated he would.

At the Wolf Bay nest in Alabama, Bert and Josie have their second egg of the season. The time was approximtely 0631 today – gosh…I hope there aren’t any Crows around!

Indeed, a thief was caught by the new camera at the Rutland #4 nest. Geemeff caught it.https://youtu.be/BXD-4KKeH3A

At the Moorings Park nest, the osplets are changing. Their heads are getting that oily look (pinfeathers) of the reptilian phase that 1 and 2 are entering. It is a delightful nest! Well behaved, so far.

The fundraiser for the new batteries at Severna Park was a success, and the camera is now live-streaming. There is a number of sparrows taking advantage of the nest while the ospreys are still migrating. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/live/SHGPhGPtDWI?

Ospreys are arriving in the UK. Sightings were in Perth & Kinross this morning, heading north. One was sightee flying over Waterford in Ireland.

I am keeping an eye on Manton Bay. Blue 33 (11) is fifteen years old this year. Maya is older, thought to be nineteen this year.

Heidi is on the case of the Dewey Beach cam and its angle! If anyone can get them to fix this, it is her.

Brutus and Peanut are being shown where to branch as they continue to self-feed and flap those wings.

Eve and Kai will be thinking of fledging but not for a week…

The pine lining to Big Red’s nest bowl on the Cornell Campus has been added. This is not only pretty but it is also a well known remedy to keeping insects away from the hatchlings.

Only eaglet at Duke Farms is doing well.

Stella and Irvin have three eggs at the US Steel nest. Stella has had a sub-adult trying to bother her but she is pretty calm and didn’t react.

Only surviving eaglet JBS24 has grown into a beautiful, fully feathered, wanting to fly bird. JBS24 will be 79 days old on April 14, around the average time of flight at this nest. That would make it 21 eaglets fledged from here since 2012.

That is just a little catch-up. No doubt many things will happen at the nests today. Keep an eye! Take care of yourself. Enjoy your weekend. We will see you again on Monday (unless Iris or any of the UK ospreys land on their nests). Thank you so much for being with us today.

A few of the gang say ‘hi’.

Thank you to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to view the lives of these amazing birds!

2 osplets at Moorings Park…A snowy Thursday in Canada

5 Marh 2026

Good Morning Everyone,

It’s March 5 and it is Toby’s birthday! Here he is when he was first able to climb the cat tree after arriving when he was a very young 8 week old.

As I tell many people, I would not have survived the past year without Toby and The Girls. We plan to have his party when his goodies arrive, which I hope is today. Deliveries in Canada have been problematic due to severe storms in each area.

The snow is gently falling this morning, and the thirty-three European Starlings – yes, counted – have arrived for breakfast. They will return around 1430 this afternoon for their late meal. What are they eating? Cat and dog kibble!

Sally and Harry now have two of the sweetest little osplets. These two do not know how lucky they are to have such amazing parents.

Good news coming out of the UK. Lead ammunition to be banned from 2029. Of course I ask myself, why not 2027? Surely they can get it off the shelves by then.

UK Government confirms ban on sale & use of toxic lead ammunition for ‘live quarry shooting’ from 1sDownload

There is so much confusion going on at the Dade County nest. These are the facts. I want you to read this carefully. Banding and the correct documentation are crucial. It cannot be haphazard.

R9 hatched on 12/20/25, and R10 hatched on 12/22/25.  They were banded on 1/31/26 at 42 and 40 days of age.  During banding, samples were taken to determine their genders, and it was revealed that they are both male.  The intention was to band R9 with the #6/9 band, and band R10 with the #7/0 band.  However, on banding day the eaglets were mixed up, and R9 was given the 7/0 band, R10 was given the 6/9 band.   There are several expert viewers who have watched this nest most of the day every day, and they were always able to identify which eaglet was which, including on banding day, and since banding day.  When the cams resumed after banding, every one of these viewer-experts knew right away that the bands had been reversed.  On banding day, we had hoped that the banders would have been able to tell the eaglets apart by the distinct differences in their tails, and by the few fluffy white feathers that R10 still had on his neck on that day.  The eaglets’ personalities regarding the dominant and submissive sibling were the same as they had always been… R9 dominant, R10 submissive, (although R10 has recently become more aggressive since R9 branched).  The authorities refused to acknowledge the opinions of these expert viewers, who individually have probably watched these eagles more than the admin/mods combined.    

No one ever said that the eaglets’ band numbers needed to be sequential.  But, the admin apparently wanted their names to match his banding documentation.  The admin mandated that chatters call the eaglets by the wrong names.  Chatters are not permitted to call the eaglets by their real names, we are supposed to pretend that each eaglet is the other one now, lol.  One of the long-time primary chatters, ‘mary_mcg’, quit the chat a few weeks ago because she refused to call the eaglets by the wrong names.  Experienced chatters have resorted to simply calling the eaglets by their band numbers, rather than calling them the wrong names.  More recently, even the admin and the mods have been calling the eaglets by their band numbers rather than a name!  The result has been total confusion on the chat as newer chatters and those that haven’t been on the chat for a while drop by.  The band numbers are confusing to them, and they ask which eaglet is which… but experienced chatters are not permitted to respond truthfully.  

HERE ARE THE FACTS:  R9 (band 70) branched on 2/27 at 69 days of age.  R9 unintentionally fledged on 3/4 at 74 days of age.  Ground observers stated that R9 is doing fine, was seen flying well, and then he perched in a tree.  A little later on 3/4, R10 (band 69) branched for the first time, at 72 days of age.  You can trust me on this.  I put together a video showing R9 branching, R9’s fludge/fledge, and R10 branching. Video: https://youtu.be/BotBY9tD4U0?

I am working on a post that focuses solely on the Kakapo. Like the California Condors, they are so endangered and they breed only every four years so there is great excitement in New Zealand as this year’s eggs hatch into fluffy little flightless parrots.

Geemeff sends us another warning about using balloons – sorry, Toby. There will never be balloons used in any party at our house!

The dangers of releasing balloons:

https://www.sungazette.com/news/outdoors/2026/03/releases-of-mylar-balloons-can-endanger-wildlife

Shadow worked hard to keep the ravens away from the eggs! They are going to have to be diligent.

News from the nests in the Channel Islands from SK Hideaways: https://youtu.be/LoHana6raBc?

Ospreys have started arriving in the UK.

Big Red and Arthur continue to work on their nest.

Arrivals in parts of the US of ospreys are three weeks ahead of schedule. Keep your eyes to the sky.

My inbox has been full of readers upset by the seemingly contradictory information coming out of Fort Myers, Florida, regarding the death of F23. She was much loved. It took a while, but after Harriet by F23 won our hearts for being such a wonderful Mum. Now there is a petition for transparency in F23’s death. It is sponsored by Barb Henry. No money required. https://c.org/NvjPRCRWkb

At the NE Florida nest of Beau and Gabby, first hatch Kai has branched and guess what, so did Eve. Today is the first day that they have perched on the branches outside the nest, however.

Just a taste of some of the news coming out of our nests.

Thank you so much for being with us. Please take care! See you soon.

Thank you to the individuals who created videos and posted information on FB, to Raptor Persecution UK for staying on top of the persecution of our feathered friends in that country, and to the owners of the streaming cams where I took my screen captures.

Hatch and pip for Sally and Harry

2 March 2026

Hello Everyone,

Heidi brought me the good news: “Moorings Park had their first hatch at 12:45 this afternoon.” She noted that the first hatch had its very first fish dinner at 1504 while the second egg was hatching!

Sally is incredible at delayed incubation!

Oh, it’s nice to have some good news!

‘B’ also sent a story from the LA Times. They write: “Cute story in the LA Times today on “How two Big Bear eagles became social media’s hottest love story”.

How two Big Bear eagles became social media’s hottest love story

I really hope it helps raise funds to purchase the land around the nest of Jackie and Shadow!

Thank you for being with us. Take care. See you tomorrow when there will be two — or could there be three?

Thanks, Heidi, for the heads up and to ‘B’ for the very cool article on Jackie and Shadow. If you are a member of The Joy of Ospreys FB, there is a video of the event. Thank you to Moorings Park for the streaming cam that lets us into the lives of Harry and Sally and their osplets.

Hatch watch for Sally and Harry plus is F23 missing (again?)…

2 March 2026

Good Evening Everyone,

The collective trauma of our neighbourhood over the death of a very long time resident in a house fire continues to rock each of us as the house continues to be demolished. I have had little time to focus on the birds in our nests choosing instead to walk with Toby and Don in the warm sunshine of a -5 C Monday.

The sky is blue. The birds were singing. The Girls do not know what has happened, but Toby is acutely aware that something is wrong. I find myself continually fascinated by a canine’s ability to ‘read a situation’. There is an acrid smell in the air even though the plumes of smoke have now dissipated. Toby could tell I was ‘upset’. It reminded me of a show I saw once where a blind lady was buying a new house and the final decision belonged to her service dog who happily approved one house – tail wagging happily – while running in circles in and out to remove stress at another.

So I am still not 100%. My issue was that it brought back the death of our dear friends across the street in their house fire. Both houses were story-and-a-half, timber-framed, built in 1902. The residents at both houses were friends; the latest victim was the best man at Bert and Joanne’s wedding. So there is a lot of history and everyone who loved plants and gardening got advice from Jim. There is a spot between my house and the lovely young woman next door on the boulevard. A tree in the summer ‘Jim’s tree’ will be planted there. She also created a neighbourhood emergency contact form so that no one ever has to search again for contact information in case of an emergency!

The big news of the day is that it appears F23 is missing. I ask, is this again? Barb Henry posted images of F23 the other day when people thought M15’s partner was missing, but, as I understand it, Barb Henry and others have been unable to locate F26’s mum today. M15 is doing a magnificent job of bringing prey to the nest and sometimes being allowed to feed his only eaglet, who has now branched to the Attic. Flight is nearing! M15 can handle this, as you all know. Some might say this is ‘a piece of cake’ after raising month-old eaglets to fledge when Harriet disappeared. If I hear anything, I will let you know.

As you know, my granddaughter now lives north of Sydney, Australia, and it is hot in Australia. The summer was a scorcher. The Guardian writes about how this is impacting wildlife.

A scorching summer has left Australian wildlife on the brink, but it doesn’t have to be this way | Euan Ritchie and Jess Harwoodhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/01/a-scorching-summer-has-left-australian-wildlife-on-the-brink-but-it-doesnt-have-to-be-this-way?CMP=share_btn_url

Boone and Jolene welcomed their second chick, JC27, Monday morning. Congratulations! Boone is a great provider.

All is well at the Winter Park Bald Eagle nest of Brutus and Peanut.

It was gulped rodent and leftovers for the owlets of Owlvira and Hoots Monday morning.

Eaglets at Dade County Bald Eagle nest of Ron and Rose continue to explore branches of the nest. They are also observing plucking!

Duke Farm’s only is a sweetie!

And the countdown to osprey return begins. It is approximately 37 days until Iris is expected to land on her nest on the parking lot in Missoula, Montana’s Hellgate Canyon area.

I am expecting many ospreys to land in the UK at the end of March. We wish for everyone to return safely.

Big Red and Arthur continue to work diligently on the next. Eggs in the next fortnight possible!

Pip watch at Moorings Park osprey nest of Harry and Sally. Keep your eyes on that camera! Don’t you love the sound of an osprey thanking her mate for bringing her a fish?

Sally is acting like something is happening. She keeps talking to Harry!

Toby says there is nothing like tearing up Mum’s dish towels on a sunny afternoon!

Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. We will see you soon.

Thank you to The Guardian for its reporting and to the owners of the streaming cams who allow us to look into the lives of our favourite raptor families.

Late Wednesday in Bird World

18 February 2026

Good Evening Everyone,

We were supposed to get a big snowstorm with lots of wind. It didn’t quite work out that way. We did get snow – enough to make everything pretty and white and for the young man to have to come and shovel! Toby still got to go for a walk with Don and Ann and I managed to get to IKEA to return the most complicated set of coat hooks on a metal back I have ever seen.

While everyone was worried about Brock because he did now show up to eat today until late late, Calico was napping in the conservatory not having a single thought about the weather!

The Girls are doing very well. I am sorry I do not mention them as often as I did pre-Toby. The one constant is ‘story time’ and we have been reading a lovely book of poetry that arrived from ‘BA’, The Woman and the Whale. Encounters with other kingdoms. The dedication really touched me: “To all those people whose faces become recognizable to animals and birds as helpers and saviors.” The author is Ethel Mortenson Davis. Calico gives it her ten-paw golden award so far – and I am really loving the empathy and love for wildlife in every line.

So many of you have written to me since the call to help the eaglets on the E-1 nest at the Kistachie National Forest was sent out. The line is still on the nest. The eaglets still sleep and walk on and around it, as does Anna II.

It isn’t just the E1 nest with an issue. The situation at the E3 nest is not good. We overcame any thoughts of siblicide at the Winter Park, Florida, nest. Indeed, today, both of the eaglets, hatched five days apart at Winter Park, were self-feeding graciously today – and I do mean getting along, eating from the same fish at the same time. There you go. This is not the case at the E3 nest, where we will have to wait and see if the smallest survives. It didn’t last year. Is it the same female? I don’t know. Does anyone know for sure, unless there is a striking physical mark like Iris’s eye, if there isn’t a Darvic ring? Several of you have written to me privately in anguish that nothing can or will be done for the little one. Is it a lack of fish, an inexperienced female -.

Check out the crop on Tiny Tim in some of the images below. Incredible. Let’s send good energy in the hope that there might be a turnaround for the little one on KNF E-3.

There is a lot of other activity elsewhere and I will run through some of that news.

First, Jack and Jill have their first egg at the Achieva Credit Union platform in St Petersburg, Florida. Please send this couple your best wishes. The female was so shocked when she laid that egg that we have to understand that was her first egg ever! ‘MP’ got a screen capture of the moment. How would you caption this image?

The first egg of Bella and Scout is now just a broken shell but today Bella laid their second egg and we need to wish this couple well. For those who do not know, the pair lost their fully feathered eaglets last year when the nest collapsed. It was a huge tragedy.

Deb Stecyk has the moment on video: https://youtu.be/QuHk5d85P48?

More eggs at Decorah for the Raptor Resource Project.

We have more osprey news from ‘R’, who is keeping a close eye on the osprey platform (one of several) at the University of Florida-Gainesville. This is Stella’s nest, and ‘R’ notes that this morning one of the ospreys was on the nest. The camera is not yet turned on – hopefully soon!

Things going well for Josie and Bert at Wolf Bay.

Heidi has already reported three eggs for Venice Beach.

Penny Albright reports that one of the osprey families she is following on Sanibel has two chicks in their nest.

Richmond has been hanging around the whirly crane at San Francisco Bay. He is waiting for Rosie who should be returning from her migration (Richmond does not migrate) any moment.

Things going well at Moorings Park where we are 10-13 days away from the first hatch.

It turned out to be a soggy day for Big Red and Arthur on the Cornell Campus.

‘L’ sent a note that the Bald Eagles at the Sutton Centre in Oklahoma have their first egg.

Kakapo, Green flightless parrots that live in New Zealand, are also in the nearly extinct category. They breed when food is available. They eat native plants, fruits, seeds, leaves, buds, flowers, and sapwood, with a strong preference for rimu tree fruit. Rimu fruit is key to breeding seasons, however. This is the first time in four years that there are chicks. ‘J’ has been keeping me informed, and I am delighted to inform you that we now have two chicks. The current verified total for Kakapo is 236, according to NZ DOC. We are so hopeful for so many chicks to survive this year!

We had a really good day today. Last night was the first night in ever so long that I slept all night not troubled by the arthritis in my left hand. Despite snow, it was ‘warm’. I had a lovely time finding some small brass door pulls for all the cabinets I had painted ‘Railings’ in the fall. Found a lovely bake at home meal at the Italian grocery – and another one for Ann to take home – and that along with the cinnamon buns and dinner rolls Don and I had made early, it was just a great ending to the day not to have to cook. Toby had his first piece of beef tenderloin and proved that dogs can eat as much as fast as Dyson the squirrel does. Maybe I should re-name him Dyson! (We haven’t eaten beef since the Mad cow Disease Crisis in the UK when we were living there decades ago – so asking the butcher for the equivalent of organic beef for my dog was rather hilarious).

An article, “No trees, no food, shot for fun … yet Serbia’s imperial eagles are making an improbable return”, that gives me some hope for the gorgeous, beautiful Imperial Eagles of Eastern Europe – these are in Serbia.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/feb/18/serbia-eastern-imperial-eagles-returning-aoe?CMP=share_btn_url

E-bird describes the Imperial Eagle as “Very large; dark-brown body of adult contrasts with pale head and nape. Similar to the Golden Eagle but with a shorter tail and white shoulders that are difficult to spot. The underwings are dark with low contrast. Immatures are strikingly different, sandy brown with prominent streaks and a pale rump contrasting with the dark tail and dark flight feathers. Breeds in forested areas intermixed with steppes and agricultural areas, where often seen perched on pylons. Winters in open habitats, including cropland.”

The eagle has been on the brink of extinction – this article gives me hope. But, like everything else, the threats are largely created by us. One of the primary causes of death is electrocution. Many power lines are illegal – and yet, there are some countries that are going out of their way to make those lines safe (in those instances normally for storks when so many have perished). Intentional poisoning (just as it is in parts of the UK) is another key cause of the rapid decline of the species. Then there is deforestation, changes in agricultural practices, lack of food, hunting, and lead poisoning.

If we hope to help wildlife, humans really need to change the way we live our lives! I won’t get on my soapbox – Toby is snoring beside me. Calico thinks it is time for all the cats to have a treat, and Don has already gone to bed. I do love this quiet time at the end of the day.

Thank you so much for your notes – I really appreciate hearing about eagle and osprey eggs that have been laid and what is happening at the nests. It is more than difficult for me to keep track of them at this point in my life. So thanks to everyone.

Thank you to the following for their notes today: ‘H, L, J, MP, PA, R’, to BA for that lovely book, Openverse for their images, E-bird for their information, the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to monitor the lives of the birds, and those who post information on FaceBook. I am very grateful.

Late Thursday in Bird World

29 January 2026

Hello Everyone,

It is warming up. -15 C wasn’t bad today but it is still cold. Not having any wind really helped on our morning excursion. The last Thursday of the month is ‘old people’s day’ at pet food stores, with 10-20% discounts. Toby loves going to the pet store. He is spoiled. Well, is there a word that means ‘more than spoiled’. He is always on the ‘lookout’ for a new toy when we go shopping, and today it was a fishing wand with some Valentine feathery bobbles. He would not stop whining til it went in the cart!!!!!!! Now, pet stores often do things on purpose just like grocery stores – put the toys down low in line of the pet’s sight. Remember having a toddler at the checkout line with candy???

Well, the fishing wand toy was a big hit with everyone – including all The Girls. So, thank you, Toby!

We managed to get The Girls two extra-large bags of their kibble and six large 24-tin boxes of wet food, and then there was Brock. He got his huge bag of dry kibble and some wet, and I got a big box of wet food for my neighbour, who also feeds Brock. Toby got his dry food and a handful of Lamb Chop toys. On the way home we stopped to pick up a box that had been delivered earlier in the week when we weren’t home. It is an aviator jacket – faux leather with shearling. Toby is a WWII fly boy!!!!!!

Does he look tired of trying on coats? He isn’t actually. Apparently, the tri-colours look ‘grumpy’ because of their colour patterns. I think he is rather handsome and reminds me of the character Andrew in the Foley’s War series.

Toby now has more jackets than Don and me combined. I guess it is time for a doggie closet. It is a good thing that not one of the The Girls likes to be ‘dressed’.

We have finished one book and begun another for Calico’s story time at night. The book was an ‘accident’. Yesterday was the day you don’t want to wake up to. I woke up unwell, but did manage to get the last appointment with my doctor on Friday. Then, when I went to do errands while Ann was here, the front passenger tyre was cooked. The book was a purchase so I could relax and read while the chaps worked on getting a new tyre for my car. The Kamogawa Food Detectives Menu of Happiness by Hisashi Kashiwai. If you have ever travelled or lived in Japan, I recommend this book. When I visited Japan, which I often did, starting in the 1980s, I always stayed several blocks from the JR Station on Gojo-dari. I could walk to the Kamo River. The book somehow brought back all the flavours and aromas of the streets that I loved so much, like a tsunami rushing over me. Calico approves. The other book, The Friendship Book, arrived in the post – I had not ordered it. Who blessed me with a book of daily readings??? Eventually, the mystery revealed itself, and we are very grateful to ‘MC’ for the volume that we read at the start of story time each evening.

There is a lot going on in Bird World.

‘N’ writes about the Kansas City Bald Eagles, “Ellie laid her first egg this evening! Woohoo so excited. I have included the Facebook post of the announcement. I felt like I was reading Elfuler’s section on behavior in oviposition (egg laying) as I am watching. Amazing. Never gets old does it…

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AZTyqT5eN/

‘R’ sent me a link to a story about a Nightjar that has found itself in Florida!

Here is a better link: https://www.alligator.org/article/2026/01/lesser-nighthawk

The Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis) is a small, mottled brown-and-gray nightjar found in open, arid habitats throughout the Americas. Known for its buoyant, butterfly-like flight, it feeds on flying insects at dusk and dawn. It is often distinguished from the similar Common Nighthawk by its lower, more erratic flight and a white or buffy bar located closer to the wingtips. 

“Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis)” by forstwalkris licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Our Melbourne correspondent is in love with the Royal cam albatross: “Just look at that beautiful little creature. Isn’t it just exquisite beyond words? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeHJsX84JAI. And how wonderful is Mum BOK? They are so serene, gentle, and patient. Beautiful, stately birds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeHJsX84JAI“

‘A’ continues, “The partying juveniles are keeping our baby awake. (Probably, they’re providing some form of entertainment for BOK as she sits there for days on end.) Seriously, aren’t these ‘adolescents’ just too funny? Mind you, after this period of partying, they can spend literally decades as part of a bonded pair, devoting themselves to raising a chick every second season, so perhaps this is the only real chance they get in a very long lifetime to ‘live it up’. 

Aren’t their sky calls just wonderful? One of those adolescents has the most startling screeching noise. They do seem to have highly individual voices at that age. 

Plateau Chick is progressing well, although it is still fairly small (and lost weight the first two days after hatching, which is not unusual). Mum regurgitated a squid beak during yesterday morning’s feeding, which the chick spat out and the ranger later retrieved from the nest. The twice-daily weighings and health checks will become daily at one week of age I believe, but so far, there have been no concerns with the wee one. It is absolutely precious, is it not? That perfect little bill and those sweet little feet are totally adorable.”

The Royal Cam chick was weighed. LizNm has it on video: https://youtu.be/Nsd2qegdeYU?

SK Hideaways caught two of the cutest little eaglets at the John Bunker Sands Wetlands nest! https://youtu.be/GPwd5POXfuM?

At the Moorings Park Osprey platform, Harry and Sally now have three eggs. They are an incredible couple. Food is normally not scarce but, honestly, I hope one of these eggs does not hatch!

All those Hen Harrier killings in the UK??? Well, one man, Racster Dingwall pleaded guilty to the offences in some of the killings.

Gamekeeper pleads guilty in England’s first ever Hen Harrier persecution case (RSPB press release) –Download

The North Yorkshire Police made a statement following the first-ever guilty plea for the illegal killings of Hen Harriers:

Statement from North Yorkshire Police on conviction of gamekeeper Racster DingwallDownload

In part it reads, “MAN SENTENCED FOR BIRD OF PREY PERSECUTION OFFENCES ON GRASSINGTON MOOR

A man has been sentenced for trying to kill a legally-protected bird, following an investigation by North Yorkshire Police. 

The case against Racster Dingwall for encouraging or assisting bird of prey persecution, using the Serious Crime Act 2007, is believed to be the first of its kind in the country.

In October 2024, a covert camera placed by the RSPB captured footage of three men on Grassington Moor, using radios and speaking in code to discuss shooting towards and killing wild birds, including hen harriers.  

The recording was passed to North Yorkshire Police, and an investigation was launched by the force’s Rural Taskforce. 

The footage was processed by technicians at the Regional Scientific Support Services, and an expert from the National Wildlife Crime Unit was called in to interpret it.

This analysis showed that one of the men – later identified as gamekeeper Racster Dingwall – was in possession of a semi-automatic shotgun for the sole purpose of killing a hen harrier.

Dingwall, 35, from Ellingstring, was interviewed by Rural Taskforce officers, and subsequently charged with encouraging or assisting the killing of a Schedule 1 wild bird (contrary to Sections 45 and 58 of the Serious Crime Act 2007); and possessing a shotgun for the purpose of killing a Schedule 1 wild bird (contrary to Section 18 (2) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981).

All wild birds are protected by law, and ‘Schedule 1’ birds, including hen harriers, have additional protection.

It is thought to be the first time a charge of encouraging or assisting an offence under the Serious Crime Act 2007 has been used in relation to bird of prey persecution. “

There are still more people to find, as a substantial number of satellite-tagged Hen Harriers have been shot over the past couple of years.

At the Fort Myers nest o M15 (who delivered three meals in record time on Thursday), E26 has not only been incubating the egg, covering it with moss, and is now working on building the rails. Quite the eaglet!

Gabby and Beau’s NE32 and 33 are growing like wild weeds in a picture-perfect garden. Both had huge crops on Thursday afternoons, and the adults even managed to get some nice fish.

There is a lot of prey on the Winter Park Bald Eagle nest. There was a tandem feeding. Both have been fed. The oldest is simply big in comparison, so you can probably guess that she is a fierce first-hatch female and a second-hatch little boy. Things have turned around. Fingers crossed that it continues.

Cuties at the E1 nest of Anna and Louis II in the Kisatchie National Park.

It will not be long til those little bobbleheads of Anna and Louis will be the gorgeous feathered juveniles like those on Ron and Rose’s nest at Dade County.

C14 or Quinn at the Captiva nest of Clive and Connie is catching up with those juvenile feathers quickly. So sweet this Only.

Thank you so very, very much for being with us today and for all your wonderful comments, e-mails, and snail mail letters. I do so appreciate them! Take care of yourself. We look forward to having you with us again at the end of the weekend!

Thank you so much to the individuals who have created some incredible video captures of our raptor families, to those who post information on the various social media sites, and to Raptor Persecution UK, OpenVerse, and to ‘N’ and ‘R’ for sending me great information along with ‘A’ and her commentary on the Australian birds. My life is so much better – as is my blog – with each of you in it!

Toby relaxing in the conservatory.

Calico tempted to eat Toby’s chicken for her lunch!

Eggs and hatches…Late Monday in Bird World

26 January 2026

Hello Everyone,

Oh, it was a grand day today. -15 at noon. Toby went for a walk with Ellen and I got to attend to some much needed recycling. The decluttering/downsizing continues at a rampant pace which makes me feel rather happy. Less really is more! It will get colder but by next Monday, we are going to be looking at -5. One of our favourite places, Pineridge Hollow, has been closed for renovations and I plan to make it a day for Ann, Don, Toby, and me. Monday is our wedding anniversary and an outing on Tuesday to feed the chickadees and be out in the country without freezing to death is in order. Oh, I can already smell the conifer trees and hear the chickadees sing!

A few quick announcements. I had not expected to be back with you til the end of the week but…

Gosh, those eagles just keeping laying eggs and hatching and doing well!

Good news, really, at the Winter Park, Florida Bald Eagle nest. E2 seems to be figuring out how to survive, and the parents are doing well. There have been some good feedings without any rivalry. If the food keeps coming – and there is a huge hunk of fish on the right side of the nest, all should be well. (I am being positive because siblicide is RARE on Bald Eagle nests compared to other species).

Jackie and Shadow now have their second egg. So egg 1 on the 23rd and egg 2 Monday, the 26th. Whoooooooo yeah! I am really hopeful as these eggs are ‘early’ like last year. Last year, the first egg of 2025 was laid on Jan. 22. The second and third eggs came a few days later on Jan. 25 and Jan. 28. Their first successful chick to hatch was Spirit in 2022.

SK Hideaways has that great moment on video! https://youtu.be/TTBhA0nK7NU?

CBS LA announces the moment! (As well as so many other news agencies – Jackie and Shadow are truly loved!). https://youtu.be/fMlh1KuSPvA?

News of Royal Albatross:

Life at the E1 nest of Anna and Louis II is going along nicely.

Sally and Harry have their second egg at Moorings Park on Monday the 26th. Thanks, Heidi!

The Abu Dhabi Cams on four nests:

The second chick has hatched at John Bunker Sands Wetlands Centre!

I want to remind you that there is now a streaming cam at the Kakapo nest. This is a first, and it is a real treat. Please check out these amazing flightless parrots that are nearly extinct. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/live/BfGL7A2YgUY?

Thank you so much for being with us. Please take care of yourself. So many people are in storm areas. Stay warm, stay safe. We hope to have you with us again soon.

Thank you to Heidi for sending me the note about Moorings Park, to the owners of the streaming cams where we watch our favourite raptor families and use screen captures to tell their stories, to SK Hideaways and others for their videos to bring those lives to life, and to those who post announcements on FB. I am very grateful to each of you. My blog would not have all the news it does without your input.

Osprey Eggs at Frenchman’s Creek and Moorings Park

23 January 2026

A big shout out to Heidi who alerted me to the arrival of the first osprey eggs in Florida!

Harry and Sally are great parents, and they have a good location for their babies’ fish. I would call this a very successful nest in the past, so if you are having osprey withdrawal, watch this couple when hatch arrives.

This is the link to Harry and Sally’s streaming cam link on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/R3wpPIj09IE?si=-NekHbkt8LAGGFn4

Heidi posted a video of the grand event on FB: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1572311574014013

Frenchman’s Creek has had its problems in the past. GHO has taken an egg and a check last season and we have had a nest full of fish but no parent to feed the three chicks who did manage, amidst all our anxiety, to fledge!

Here is the link to the Frenchman’s Creek YouTube streaming cam link:

Link is here: https://www.youtube.com/live/zcDGdR2QkDo?

Well, this is a great beginning. I am very partial to the Moorings Park nest and highly recommend it to you especially if you are a first time osprey nest watcher.

Thank you, Heidi! We have our first entries for the 2026 year in the data forms. Thank you for being with us today for these announcements – and to the owners of the streaming cams who allow us to watch our fish hawks.

Thursday in Bird World

27 March 2022

Hello Everyone,

Thank you to everyone for sending in news items. It is much appreciated and it is all too easy for me to miss something which is important. So, we are going to put the news items in my inbox up front today.

‘J’ let me know that the much loved Latvian Golden Eagle Spilve, mother of the late Klints, has laid an egg. In 2020, Spilve laid her first egg on 29 March. It is believed that she has not been breeding since then – at least not at this nest. https://youtu.be/DOj7tYjk1j0?

“EJ’ sent me a wonderful news article. Imagine gold fish ponds everywhere ——–imagine ponds and large holding tanks, no deeper than 3 feet – full of koi. That sure would put an end to hunger on some of those osprey nests! I remember marveling at the adults at Collins Marsh one year. The normal fish were small and one day the adults found a koi pond. I wondered if it was a garden centre or a home. Their babies ate well then.

https://www.fox5vegas.com/2025/03/26/goldfish-dumped-henderson-pond-attracting-birds-prey-bird-enthusiasts

Port of Ridgefield, WA: ‘BHA’ writes: “Sorry the photo isn’t very good  – this is on my t.v. New camera is great, complete with date and time this year (which doesn’t show in this picture). As you can see it’s a beautiful day here in the Pacific Northwest. 🌞”. The couple laid three eggs last year with only one chick reaching fledge (2 DNH).

I think that image is very good and we so appreciate your sharing it with us. What a nice day for this couple to be home!

‘PB’ sent us the 2025 US State of the Bird Report and it shows numbers os birds are dropping significantly.

2025 U.S. State of the Birds Report Shows Widespread Declines – Birds and BloomsDownload

Osprey Nest News:

Heidi’s News:

Patuxent River Park osprey nest (MD) – 3/26 the cam went live for the season, and I was delighted to see the same ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’ at the nest.  It’s good to see they both made it back.

Seaside osprey nest (OR) – Bruce returned on 3/24, and Naha arrived on 3/26. It’s always wonderful when a beloved pair are reunited after a long migration.

Crooked Lake osprey nest (IN) –  An osprey pair is at the nest.  The chat is referring to the male as Noble, and is referring to the female as ‘Mom’ (rather than Whitley), but I think it is the same female.

Moorings Park osprey nest (FL) –  The chatters were fond of calling Sally and Harry’s only osplet ‘Solo’.  But, on 3/26 the community bird club officially named the 17-day-old youngster “Ozzie.”

Other Osprey news:

Bassenthwaite/Blackgate Farm Ospreys: J Kear reports that both ospreys have returned to their nest.

Llyn Brenig: Blue 372 is eating a lot of fish and restoring her strength and health in time for breeding season.

Dyfi Osprey Project: Perhaps Idris is trying out for the Olympic pole vaulting team! Idris worked hard on that nest and now he can celebrate with his mate Telyn who returned today.

Yeah, Telyn is home!

Kielder Forest Nest 4: Mrs 69 is home!

Another female home | Kielder OspreysDownload

Roudsea Wood: Both adults are back at the nest.

Birds of Poole Harbour: CJ7 got down to business and got rid of Maya’s 2022 daughter, Blue 1H1, and has been getting nicely reacquainted with her mate, Blue 022. These two raised four osplets to fledge – the little one won everyone’s heart for its tenacity!

Loch of the Lowes: Blue NC0 is some great fisher. She is going to be incredible shape.

Colonial Beach Ospreys: A mystery female appeared on the nest on Wednesday.

Sun Coast Ospreys: Sara and Sota have their second hatch.

Lake Murray: At least two attacks on the nest by other ospreys yesterday. Hoping resident ospreys, Kenny and Lucy, are safe.

Blithfield Reserve, UK: Male has returned to the nest.

Bald Eagle News from the Nests:

US Steel: The first hatch is here!

NCTC: Bella had to defend her three eaglets against an intruder. https://youtu.be/Tj64Q6HSD74?

It is possible that one of Bella and Scout’s eaglets is injured. Deb Stecyk reports that it could be puncture wounds. Please send good wishes. https://youtu.be/8KsYYqn5qOU?

Big Bear Valley: The two eaglets are thriving.

Jackie and Shadow brought in 8 fish deliveries. https://youtu.be/UUNNWIsz24k?

Decorah North: Mr and Mrs DNF have a failed season. Their first eaglet tried for five days to free itself of a crushed shell before dying. The second egg is 41 days old today and deemed unviable.

Duke Farms: The triplets still doing very, very well.

Sauces Canyon Eagles: Betty Lou is growing and growing!

West End: The blood from the encounter off camera to save territory is drying on Haku as she stands proudly by Maiko.

Hilton Head Island Trust Eagle Nest: The two eaglets are doing fantastic. https://youtu.be/DOj7tYjk1j0?

Sutton Centre Eagles: They have their second hatch of the season.

Glacier Gardens: The male died last year. Mum was seen ‘eyeing’ a potential new mate in late December. Mum was at the nest on Wednesday.

Kistachie National Forest E3: E03 had at least one prey delivery today. I rewinded late in the day, but the eaglet did appear to have a crop earlier, too. 03 appears to have branched, slightly.

The nest appearance was an empty taloned adult.

Birds and their eggs were rescued from the California wild fires – what a nice ending for today!

Dozens of bird eggs and chicks rescued from collapsing tree in Californiahttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/25/birds-rescued-california?CMP=share_btn_url

Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care. See you soon.

Thank you to those who sent news, for comments, videos, articles, images, posts, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘BHA, EJ, Geemeff, H, JK, LDF Golden Eagle Cam, Fox5Vegas, Port of Ridgefield, Birds & Blooms, OspreyInfoUK, Dyfi Osprey Project, Birds of Poole Harbour, Woodland Trust (LOTL), Colonial Beach Ospreys, Moorings Park Ospreys, Sun Coast Ospreys, NCTC, Deb Stecyk, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, Raptor Resource Project/Explore, Duke Farms, IWS/Explore, Hilton Head Island Trust, Sutton Centre, Bartlesville, OK, Patuxent River Park, The Guardian, Crooked Lake, Seaside, Patuxent River Park, Lake Murray ospreys, Kielder Forest