The Loch Arkaig streaming cam is up and running and everyone is fine.
At least a year ago, David Gessner had been made aware of the situation in The Chesapeake Bay and the ospreys dying off – ospreys, the canary in the coal mine for the environment.
That article has come out and Heidi had sent me the link before I even woke up this morning. She said, “Gessner did a great job, comprehensive and concise.”
This is my only posting for today. It is that important. Please send this to everyone you know that is concerned and also send it to every politician you know including the Governor of Virginia! I don’t care if they get 100,000 copies. It will do them good to know people care!
Thank you to David Gessner, who has always loved Ospreys and whose books – Return of the Osprey and Soaring with Fidel – are amongst my favourites. Gessner must be shattered after writing his first book, The Return of the Osprey, twenty-five years ago.
Greetings. It only got up to 25°C today, but it still felt hot. We had on-and-off rain with Toby running in and out on occasion to ‘do his business’. Miyoung arrived to cut hair and was shocked when I asked for an extra short pixie cut. I laughed and reminded her that when I was her age, I was wearing a miniskirt with thigh-high boots, a nose ring, and a shaved head. I believe she left in shock. I wonder why young people assume us oldies have not had adventurous lives?????
She added some pink, cut it short and life goes on.
As you have noticed, there have been terrible earthquakes around the world, and Europe is just cooking. I know readers whose living room temperatures in London are 27, and in Berlin, even hotter. Please, please take care of yourselves. If you have a fan, great. If you have AC, great. You can also dampen your clothes and your sheets to help cool you. Please do not take your dogs for walks in this heat.
Please leave water out for animals and birds. It will save their lives.
Lighting has hit Loch Arkaig’s streaming cams, and they are down. It is unclear whether they will be available for the rest of the season.
While it might have been cooler in Scotland, the Welsh and nests in the South of England have had lots of hight temperatures.
Usk Valley this morning:
Lots of fish coming to the Poole Harbour nest for CJ7 and Blue 022’s four kiddos. What do I mean by lots? Blue 022 delivered TEN fish today to the nest – good size ones. His kids are not going to get dehydrated nor is his mate!
Above the water at Rutland is surely an advantage in the heat.
Tweed Valley 2 had its first hatch today. This is incredibly late. I wonder what will happen in September when it is time to migrate?
Information about the ringing of the Loch Doon nest:
Screenshot
The temperature at the Dyfi nest of Idris and Telyn and chicks is 31.9 C at night.
The third little one at Cape Henlopen State Park’s osprey platform died this afternoon. Poor thing was so battered. Aggressive siblings. Just a whiff of not enough food, and well, the wee little ones suffer. I know people are horrified by storks, but they take a look at their brood, their size, analyse food availability and well – it is quick. This baby suffered.
There are still four at Blackbush Osprey platform on Prince Edward Island. The little one is to the far right and getting bites in the screen capture below.
Two at Cowlitz PUD. This nest IMHO needs more fish.
We have lost one at Osoyoos and the oldest gets most of the fish that I can see. This nest needs more fish, too. Lots more fish.
Pitkin County Trails Osprey platform looks OK. I wish these nests had the temperature at the nest posted.
The two osplets at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum nest are doing splendid.
Only ‘surviving’ Bob at Charlo Montana trying to keep cool. The temperatures were 79 F.
At the US Steel nest of Irv and Stella, both eaglets have now fledged. Hutch flew and met up with Maz. How grand! https://youtu.be/7Juu2c9N1aw?s
Clark continues to bring in whoppers! Iris and Baby are certainly lucky.
The White Storks at Bad Salzungen, Thüringen are ready to fledge. Here is a whole lot of flapping going on. https://youtu.be/H1etyMkz76o?
Fostering. Helping one nest with another. Love it!
Audubon writes about the crisis that is facing all ospreys in the Chesapeake Bay Area. We need more news – every type of news to explain why this is unforgivable.
I understand that Whooping Crane protected lands are now NOT protected. With only 500 remaining in the wild, what in the world do these government officials south of where I live think they are doing? I am starting to think the goal is to kill off all wildlife. Can this actually be true? Pacific areas have now also been opened to commercial fishing – trying to create another area that has no wildlife like the Chesapeake? I wake up and shake my head every morning. I have tried to keep politics out of my blog but sometimes it is difficult when it is the politicians killing the wildlife with their inaction or in some cases turning the world upside down actions.
Has anyone had trouble accessing the Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho osprey cam?
Ospreys in the Southern Hemisphere are preparing nests!
At the Port Lincoln barge – home to Mum and Dad, parents of dear Ernie – they are making preparations. Mum is working on the nest and Dad is not sharing his fish. Fish fairies, are you ready?
Some news of Giliath and our dear Ervie from the 20th:
“2026.06.20 – An update on Ervie & Giliath’s trackers. Giliath is still staying local and fishin in the usual spots then heading back to the main wharf for the night. Ervie has gone on another trip to Tumby Bay but has not visited the island as yet. Will be interesting in the morning to see where he spends tonight.”
Ervie’s tracking:
Chesapeake Bay trio.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch ArkaigThursday 25th June 2026
The day was going very well, with settled weather and both males bringing three fish each – Garry LV0’s Nest One tally now rises to one hundred and thirty eight, and Louis takes the Nest Two tally to one hundred and eighty nine. Aurora continues to incubate the egg but is leaving it for longer periods of time, Dorcha caused havoc with another unsuitable stick, and the chicks had a short and not very serious fight. However – the weather’s changed and around 21.30 a loud clap of thunder and a bolt of lightning scared Louis off the nest and both livestreams have gone down. It may be that the relay signal has been knocked out, we’ll have to wait and see if service can be restored. A weather warning for thunderstorms is in effect for the nest area until midnight tomorrow, and overnight there’ll be light rain with a low of 17°C, continuing tomorrow with a high of 22°C.
One of the Great Bay osplets fell out of the nest and has been rescued. The other one is not doing well – there isn’t enough food. Another starved to death. So sad. I know the law doesn’t allow for retrieval but surely we might establish that humans are responsible or a lack of fish and then it would be alright to intervene.
P3 is often on the nest of Big Red and Arthur alone until food is brought in and big siblings find their way! What a little sweetie. Standing and self-feeding. So far all are doing well.
How can birds in Australia be protected as Bird Flu spreads?
So many, many things our wildlife have to face every day just to even begin trying to survive.
Good night, everyone. Thank you for being with us today. Toby and I are up enjoying some quiet time. Life has been very challenging at home the last week or so as Don’s mental health deteriorates. There are moments of clarity, and then he cannot tell the sink from the bedroom. It eats at my heart, and there is nothing more that I can do for him other than try to make him happy, keep him clean and in as good mental health care as possible. I am going to have a holiday – it is being planned in my head. When I get really tired, I start focusing on the little details. In the meantime, Toby and I are moving furniture. I have a very large silk-and-wool rug that I purchased decades ago. It has been cleaned many times, including the time that a huge mug of hot chocolate went everywhere. Last night I moved the sofas, having decided that the rug had to go. As I rolled it, I noticed that the beautiful natural colours that had faded on the top side were staring me in the face. It is so beautiful. I pulled and pushed, and we got it laid out. That rug isn’t going anywhere! I will enjoy the flat weave side now.
Oh, please do take care of yourselves. Check things you might toss or donate in case they turn out magical like this old rug. I might not see you until Saturday. I am tired today.
Thank you to Geemeff for her daily summary and videos, The Guardian for continually reporting on issues related to wildlife and the environment, to those who post information on FB along with screen captures, to the authors of other newsletters, and the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to watch these families.
A heat wave has hit the UK, and in Wales, they are expecting temperatures above 30 C and will be closing the hides at the nature centres. Rain and now heat.
We continue to have rain but right now there is a wee bit o sunshine with a huge black cloud moving in over the conservatory from the West. Did I say I was sick of rain? I must run out and feed the birds so they manage something before the deluge hits.
One that is thriving and my first little Roma tomato!
Oh, the tomatoes need some heat. The leaves are turning yellow because of too much rain!
A run through some nests:
Charlo: C22, the only surviving osplet on the nest of Charlie and his new mate, appears to be doing fine.
Dewey Beach: Little Dewey is feathered and is OK. I use the term ‘OK’ because the fish coming in are on the small side. Nothing wrong with small, but they will need a lot of them.
Osoyoos: The youngest died a few days ago (on the 20th I believe). This nest could be in trouble – lots of fish needed.
Rutland’s Manton Bay: The trio got their bling on Tuesday. There are two males and a female.
Loch Doon: Expecting the two chicks of Frankie and Angel to be ringed today.
Salmon River, Idaho: Baling twine continues to plague this nest with its two ospreys.
OBX: Two fish and four feedings at this nest -. I say they need more fish. These chicks are growing.
Moraine: Three gorgeous feathered osplets.
Smallwood: Three feathered osplets and a goldfish for dinner?
Upper Newport Bay: Two flapping osplets thinking of fledging.
Oyster Bay: Another nest with three feathered osplets that appears to be doing alright.
Santiam Canyon: Another nest with three osplets. Some large fish came on Tuesday and stopped some of the anxiety that had been happening at the nest.
South Cape May Meadows: The nest of Hera and Zeus that has brought such sadness to the adults in past years. There is now only one surviving osplet. Hoping this baby makes it.
Hellgate Canyon: Many of the other nests could use the size of fish that Clark is bringing onto the nest for Iris and Baby.
Cape Henlopen: Miles and Hennie are both fishing for their three. Wish this nest well. These adults are trying – like all the others to find food.
NCTC nest of Bella and Scout: Susie has fledged and we are on fledge watch for RJ.
Border Ospreys: Trying to keep the heat off the chicks and find fish!
UK Hen Harrier Report: 149 missing from grouse-hunting estates over the past 8 years. Incredibly horrible. I love Hen Harriers – but what about the chicks that get stomped at the nest? Grouse hunting needs to be made illegal. I do not care if it is a medieval tradition of the aristocracy and royals.
If you want a good little book, Bowland Beth, will break your heart and make you understand.
Thank you so much for being with us early today. Please take care. I will see you again tomorrow for a brief look at what is happening! We send everyone out there a big hug. I wish I could send our friends in the South some of our rain, and I wish for cooling temperatures for those in the UK who are under an Extreme Red Warming – 38 C possible. An unprecedented heat wave.
Another one of Missey from yesterday.
Thank you to absolutely everyone who wrote a newsletter, to Ruth T at Raptor Persecution UK, to those that post on FB and to the owners of the streaming cams where I took my information and screen captures, I am forever grateful.
I hope that the beginning of summer has been good to each of you. The days seem to pass so quickly that we must look past the ticks, the midges, the wasps, the mosquitoes and enjoy the beauty of this season. When I think of summer – and for those reading my blog the last week – you will know that I have had ‘Japan on my mind’. I remember walking around the Golden Temple in Kyoto with its pond surrounded by beautiful purple iris. The purple iris in many of the gardens on my street are blooming now, too. My son is in Tokyo eating ramen, shopping, and heading out to go fishing with his friends there. One day I will return – he might have to help me!
One of Bird World’s friends and someone who keeps a good eye on some nests, sent me the following note: “Remember that kitten season is amongst us; in Canada it typically runs from early spring (March/April) to late fall (October/November), with a peak in breeding and births happening between May and July. Brock and the other kitty are driven by their instinct and could be out moving around their territory. It’s early still so don’t give up hope just yet.” There are few homeless cats in our neighbourhood. Brock might have had to go a distance but he always came ‘home’ in the past after three days. I wish to be hopeful.
At the Cornell campus, P2 has now fledged leaving only little P3 at home. P3 will probably not fledge for at least 4 or 5 days. Big Red and Arthur will make certain that each is fed. No worries.
This sweet darling baby has no idea how lucky it is. Iris, the oldest breeding osprey in the world, and its very young dad, Clark. Yet, from his experiences with the Bald Eagles nearby, Clark is quick to stay home and protect his family while they eat, for fear that another raptor will try to steal a free meal and harm them. I think Clark is magnificent. I hope that he has more years with Iris, but, for now, let us simply enjoy these precious moments. A beautiful sleeping osplet, so full and healthy.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 22nd June 2026
The weather was settled, there were no intruders or fights between the chicks, and the day was calm and routine, apart from Louis bringing an even more unsuitable stick than the one dubbed The Aerial. Garry LV0 brought one fish to Aurora 536 taking the Nest One total to one hundred and twenty nine, while Louis just kept bringing fish faster than Dorcha and the chicks could eat them. His six fish today take the Nest Two total to one hundred and seventy eight. The weather will remain settled with an overnight low of 14°C, with sunshine and a high of 24°C tomorrow.
I believe we are losing the third hatch at the Ferguson Museum -. It is tucked in, not moving, and could be dying from some kind of breathing/nest infection. It is, however, unclear, and the baby perked up during the afternoon. Fingers crossed. The female is fish calling!
We were so hopeful that the Buzzards that hatched in Latvia would survive and now the hawk is predating them. Goshawks are to be feared. https://youtu.be/gMX-ZS1URcI?
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 23rd June 2026
The weather was settled today and nothing out of the ordinary occurred. The chicks didn’t fight and the males supplied fish to their respective nests. Garry LV0 delivered two fish to Aurora 536 taking the Nest One tally to one hundred and thirty one, and Louis delivered three fish to Dorcha, taking the Nest Two tally to one hundred and eighty one. The family was so full from yesterday’s fish that not much interest was shown in the first delivery but by the second and third fishes, the chicks were coming forward eagerly and trying a little nibble. Having wrestled with the unsuitable stick he brought yesterday and leaving it in an arched position, Louis decided to tackle it today, and after a great effort he managed to collapse the Arch over the side but still part of the cot rail security barrier. At the time of filing this report (00.30) light rain is falling and is expected to continue overnight with a low of 14°C, but dry up tomorrow with a high of 21°C.
We have news from our monitor V from Indian Creek, Maryland:
“Rough storm last night and the third head on the nest in front of my porch did not appear this morning and the female brought soft ground grass to tromp down in one spot of the nest. The other two chicks look very healthy and although the fish are smaller, the male is still bringing them in regularly.
Similarly, the nest next door has at least one chick still in the nest. They raised the nest wall on my side so after my early glimpse of one chick really going at another, I’ve only caught a rare glimpse of a chick, but did this morning. This nest would seem to have had less fish, but of course I miss so much.
The four nests along the south shore at the creek mouth are probably a bust. One I’d hoped for left her nest yesterday. I never did catch a glimpse of the two of them together after she began incubating, too long ago for viable eggs now. I have a magical pretend hope in one of these four, still. It will be some time before a chick would be big enough for me to glimpse through the box nest and foliage. OH MY the most bizarre thing, an eagle was sitting right next to the osprey on that nest – here is a fast snapshot, was too slow to get a better focus, eagle flew immediately after and osprey chased. Weird.
As for the string of five nests at the head of the creek, the pairs are maintaining contact with their nests and one another, but either eggs or hatchlings didn’t make it. However, one nest that spent the earlier season abandoned has a steady couple hanging out.
And finally, yesterday I was certain a nest farther up the road, above Island Creek, with the Potomac across the road from it, had a chick or chicks. But I saw both male and female staring into the bottom of the nest this morning as I went to vote. Last night’s storm would have hit that nest hard, wind right across the wide Potomac. Down here nobody is throwing any silver dollars across the river.
And, finally, I will begin promoting the initial serialization of Island Creek Ospreys tomorrow on my marketing site. Here is the link to the Island Creek Ospreys home page which has links to each of the small segments within the years. I’ve got two years posted and will turn back now to the next 5 years. They’re written. It’s now a matter of cut, paste, find photos, etc., etc. But it’s a start.”
I have seen some wonder why Clark stays with Iris and the baby while they eat. This is precisely why – an eagle will land right next to an osprey on its nest. Iris would be focused on feeding the chick. As I mentioned, Clark is a hero. A great Dad and so ever young.
Jill continues to feed Big and Little at the Achieva nest. No sign of Jack for a bit. I wonder what has happened to him or if he just decided to start his summer vacation?
What do over 571 osprey nests tell you about what is happening in the Chesapeake Bay? If you didn’t believe that a lack of fish mattered, perhaps you might think differently after reading this study. Please forward to anyone. This is tragic – and I need many, many more to join the movement to stop the industrial fishing of Menhaden. (That includes along the Gulf States, too).
Thank you for being with me. As the rain settles a bit, Mr and Mrs Crow, Mr and Mrs Blue Jay and a host of other songbirds are at the feeders in case there is a storm before they turn in for the night. We have had nothing but rain and more rain. We were wearing jumpers today with the heating on. I worry about the nests – the cold damp is not good for little ones but I believe the Crows and Jays are fledged or near to it.
I also want to thank ‘L’ in Alabama for feeding the crows on her picnic table. They will reward you – every day when they call you will know that you have helped wildlife in your patch. Now if we could get everyone to join there would be no blank spaces and no hungry birds and animals. Humans waste 40% of the food they buy…why not let the animals eat it?
Take care.
Thank you to absolutely everyone – to Geemeff for her summaries, for those amazing videos and reports from all the others including our monitor V in Maryland, to the owners of the streaming cams, and those that write good reports based on observation not fantasy!
A very happy but, sadly, belated ‘Happy Father’s Day’ to everyone who has ever cared for another living soul and to our raptor dads especially who work hard to provide for their families in a very rapidly changing world.
I so enjoyed my friend Ruth’s visit on Sunday. Normally, visitors are Don’s friends keeping tabs on him, so this was quite special for me! She brought me the most beautiful fabric – a William Morris Co ‘Blackthorn’ pattern on a heavy linen fabric. Now to contemplate what to do with this treasure.
The garden news is that the Crows have fledged their young. I cannot keep enough ‘meat’ on the bird table for them!!!!!! It is still unclear to me how many there are because they still want the parents to feed them. They have yet to make an appearance where I can get a photo of them, nor has Dyson stayed long enough. She has babies in a nest somewhere! And her trips back and forth are short, so it is close by.
There is, however, a lingering sadness around our entire block. Brock and another dear cat, Charlie, went missing on the same day. Everyone has looked, driven around, called, and now checked sheds and garages. My heart is very heavy. Brock was very special to me, and I hope that he miraculously shows up. If I do not see him in another week, I will have to accept that he is gone. That something happened. He was a sweet soul, and a tree will go up in his memory. I hope he did not suffer.
Photo taken by a neighbour last summer.
I find solace in looking at my bunch – they help keep me calm and they know better than to ever want to be outside! It is dangerous out there.
Toby thinks he is a Calico cat.
Thankfully, the fish have continued to come into Little Dewey at Dewey Beach. Heidi jokingly said not to tell Omega they had been bringing in Menhaden. We don’t know where Mum is finding them, but keep on – we still have more than a month to go before fledge, and Little Dewey is going to need lots of fish. Might we find a fairy in the neighbourhood?
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 21st June 2026
The weather was settled today, sunny and dry, and both males provided well – Garry LV0 brought three fish for Aurora 536 taking his tally to one hundred and twenty eight, and Louis delivered six fish including a pike, the Nest Two tally now stands at one hundred and seventy two. Dorcha was startled during one of Louis’ deliveries, but not nearly as startled as the chick who got an eyeful of poo from an ill-judged squirt by the other. Or perhaps not so ill-judged – the chicks had been fighting earlier and the one who came off worst was the one who squirted! The forecast is dry overnight with a low of 11°C but a possibility of light rain showers tomorrow, with a high of 22°C.
Everything you need to know about what is going on in the California nests by SK Hideaways!
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 20th June 2026
Another day where the main talking point was fish – Louis delivered both the season’s earliest fish at 03.21 and the season’s latest at 23.40, with both deliveries made while night cam was on, and put in his longest working day at 20 hours 18 minutes. His delivery of five fish takes the Nest Two tally to one hundred and sixty six. Louis startled Dorcha twice today, both times by appearing quickly – the first time she jumped up and winged him away, and the second time she let him land with his fifth fish. He had more problem deliveries, he caught his wing on a forked stick when bringing fish two, and he clattered that same stick departing after fish three. By contrast, Garry LV0 had no problems with either of his two deliveries to Aurora 536, and his Nest One tally rises to one hundred and twenty five. For a pleasant change there was more sunshine and less rain than forecast for today, and the mild sunny weather will continue with an overnight low of 10°C and a high of 19°C tomorrow.
Sandy & Luna Squeeze Onto Back Porch to Say Good Morning ~ Watch Helicopter (2026 Jun19) Luna and Sandy greeted viewers from the back porch, squeezed together like peas in a pod. A little later, their attention was turned to a helicopter flying overhead. We lamented the possibility of increased air traffic should the Moon Camp property be developed. We support the effort to stop any such development. Shadow then arrived with the first fish of the day, which Sandy quickly claimed. Luna would get the other half when Sandy had enough. If you would like to support the preservation of Moon Camp, learn more at https://savemooncamp.org/. Video: https://youtu.be/urk5hiJB95A
BIG ACCOMPLISHMENT! Luna Climbs to Y-Branch ~ Perches Even Higher (2026 Jun 17) Luna stepped up to the Y branch and kept going up! This is a big developmental accomplishment as fledge time approaches. Sandy was suitably impressed with Luna’s progress, but was content to manage her branches. Eagles typically fledge between 10 and 14 weeks, so the window is now open for Luna and Sandy, who are 73 days old. Males typically fledge first as they are smaller. Video: https://youtu.be/If_H8omr7nk
Fraser Point Eagles ~ Santa Cruz Island, CA ~ Cruz, Andor, Sasha (hatched 3/28), Zuma (hatched 3/30), Ryder (hatched 4/1) Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Fraser Point Eagles Cam Ops Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY4V_AppZ6s
BIG DAY AT FRASER POINT‼️ Zuma’s Fludge+Fledge ~ Partial Nest Collapse ~ Ryder’sNear Fludge (2026 Jun 20) The day began normally ~ Sasha bouncing around in the treetop, Ryder bouncing around the nest, and Zuma on the overnight perch. ~ Things got exciting when Zuma tried to descend from her perch to the nest and lost footing, falling to the ground. Ryder advised her to flap and asked if she was OK ~ turns out she was. ~ Later, while showing off her magnificent wingers, Ryder landed on the nest ledge, a big chunk of which broke off and fell to the ground, throwing up a big plume of nesting material. Fortunately, Ryder is much stronger than the first time she got too close to the edge (26 April 2026) and was able to recover and return to the nest. ~ We finally caught sight of Zuma at 12:47 (minute 7:46 in the video) as she made her way up the hill and took several short flights. We won’t wager on when she might return to the nest, but we’re quite confident that she will.
All in all, an eventful day at Fraser Point.
*Note: there has been no formal declaration of the eaglets’ genders. Our references to gender are just our best guesses. Video: https://youtu.be/AM7s0HwvKNY
Zuma Goes Out on a Limb ~ Explores Life Off Nest for 1st Time (2026 Jun 17) Call it branching or branch-hopping, Zuma went from the nest to a branch off the nest. A big accomplishment and deserving of praise. Zuma took up residency on that right side branch mid-afternoon and traversed back and forth several times before perching there overnight. Congratulations, Zuma! Video: https://youtu.be/3YbwXv9AAQY
Ryder & Zuma Choose Bounce House ~ Sasha Likes the Jungle Gym (2026 Jun 14) After Cruz and Andor filled the dawn with a beautiful duet, the eaglets began their morning chores. For Sasha that meant flying from one branch to another on her “jungle gym”. For Zuma and Ryder it meant strengthening their wings and legs with big wingers and jumps in their “bounce house”. The younger two seem content to watch Sasha explore the nest tree and beyond for now. We’re very happy for them to stick close to home as long as they’d like. Video: https://youtu.be/UcVY8wb2Ksk
Audacity & Jak Watch Sunset & Retire to Fave Night Roost (2026 Jun 17)The amazing IWS/explore cam ops team found Jak and Audacity watching the sunset before they retired to what I call the nest-watch roost. Such a treat to see them together ~ as sweet and bonded as ever. Video: https://youtu.be/CX4ZUTb8cy4
Fledglings Inseparable 2+ Weeks Post-Fledge ~ Parents Still Feeding (2026 Jun 15) All four fledglings were on camera today, beginning with their overnight roost on the louvers adjacent to the nesting area. Throughout the day, cam ops found them both apart and together (3 of them anyway with 1 just below). What a treat to see them all 2+ weeks post-fledge. As a bonus, we saw Hartley feeding them, Monty making a Dad Dash delivery, and the two of them bonding in the nest box. Video: https://youtu.be/u0dIuFbxwBs
Boys Perform Morning Aerobatics ~ Top Gun Training Progressing Well (2026 Jun 18) From dawn till dusk, the stellar cam ops team followed Jet, Scout, Stewart, and Walton ~ as well as Hartley and Monty ~ through their entertaining activities. ~ The morning brought incredible flying scenes followed by predictable loafing to refuel. ~ Scout interrupted Hartley and Monty when they attempted to pair bond in the nest, causing the long suffering parents to bolt from the area. ~ At day’s end, the boys came back together on the louver to roost, with an adult around the corner. An exciting and eventful day in San Jose! Video: https://youtu.be/rOC0Zu3gY6Y
Peregrines Hassle Cholyn ~ Chase Goes Talons Up ~ Cam Ops Give Us a Finale Treat (2026 Jun 19) Two peregrine falcons were unhappy with Cholyn and Chase’s presence, so became something of a nuisance. They swooped on Cholyn in the nest ~ she rose up and swatted at them. Then Chase arrived and soon went talons up when he was swooped. That took care of the nuisance. Once sure that the intruders were gone, Chase took his leave and cam ops gave us some stunning close-ups of Queen Cholyn. At the end, she and Chase exchanged beautiful chortles before she departed to meet him elsewhere. Video: https://youtu.be/b3HcKlH1X3U
‘CG’ sent us a video list from the Syracuse Red-tail Hawk nest where we have some fledging happening!
Home to Ruth, Oren, OR6, and OR7.
OR7 fludges at 46 days old on the evening of 6/12/26. After making a safe landing, flying here and there, he spends the night on a railing. https://youtu.be/FKUe7phkj7A?s
OR7 shows OR6 how it’s done. OR6 fledges at 51 days old 6/17/26. They spend the night together in a nearby tree. https://youtu.be/IZlav2VcHa4?
Videos by Sylvia’s Raptor Cam
Oh, wow. I am so grateful to Geemeff, SK Hideaways, and CG – it is great to get such good coverage of specific nests!
In Wales, Katherine Keir has kept everyone appraised as to Aran and I am happy to say that he got to celebrate Father’s Day this year with his new mate. It seems they have one chick.
Ping Shen writes about Harry and Sally in Seattle with some great photos!
“Harry and Sally’s 3rd chick hatched sometime between June 16 and 17, and Harry has been very busy making fish deliveries. Mom and the 3 Osplets seem to be doing well – fingers are crossed they can keep them fed and happy. It is still quite a joy to watch these parents tend to their new young – I didn’t visit as much last year during these early days and regretted it, so am trying to make up for it now!”
I need your help. My Memorial Page is missing eaglets, eaglets, hawks, and ospreys from the streaming cams that have died. Please take a look and send me a note, as I don’t want to leave anyone out. Don’t be shy! I have tried to keep them in chronological order but towards the end they aren’t.
There is something else that I am doing. This year, I hope, with the help of a much-too-busy Heidi, to put together a map. That map will show the nests that fledged their full clutch. I want to see where the successes are visually, and this is difficult to do on our forms. I do not believe there will be many on streaming cams who manage to raise all of their chicks, but I would like your input. When fledge comes, send me the nest name and location! I might already have it, but that is alright. We don’t want to miss any nest.
Breaking news: The Fraser Point nest of Andor and Cruz has collapsed. Ryder appears to be alright.
The second eaglet has died at the Lesser Spotted Eaglet nest in Estonia as was sadly expected. When the oldest didn’t kill it, the adult chose not to feed. They only fledge one no matter how many hatch. It is ‘their way’. In this instance, it was familial homicide.
Bety was aerating the nest at Mlade Buky around the single egg today.
A miserable day at Cornell nest of Big Red and Arthur. Not good for another fledge – drippy feathers and all. P1 is at the nest too, having fledged two days ago. No doubt they are all hungry!
Our baby at Hellgate is losing its little down and turning into a dinosaur! Do you realize that ospreys are some of the only dinosaurs to survive the dinosaur age? And we are murdering them as one of my reader’s states, in the NE USA -. They sent me a poster after reading about the Menhaden issues. I agree. Our planet is on life support and a few greedy corporations and people are killing her and all that is beautiful ———we simply cannot let that happen.
Small acts of kindness matter. A friend in London saw a pigeon drinking from a tiny, dirty puddle. They had a bottle of water and a cup in their car, and they went over and, in a safe place, left water for the bird. It went immediately. Remember. Water is life. It costs little to leave out a pan of cool water in a spot for wildlife. Please, if you can, leave out water, especially during these heat domes. Water is often more important than food.
Iris feeding her little dinosaur. Clark brought a huge whole fish for the family.
Iris makes me happy.
Thank you for being with us today. The rains are supposed to come down heavily the rest of the week, and today is packed with errands, including getting Toby’s nails trimmed. It was a joy being outside the last few days. I may take a day or two to write again. Summer is now officially here, and it will go by in a blink.
I want to thank Geemeff, SK Hideaways, CG, and Ping Shen for all their news! I really appreciate your generosity in sharing news with all our readers in Bird World. Thank you to the individuals who send out newsletters, post on FB with the latest information, and the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to view these amazing birds.
I should say that for some of you it will be good night and for others, good morning. My intention had been to take a break, but then something ‘magical and miraculous’ happened. After 29.5 hours without food, the female at the Dewey Beach nest flew off. The male has not been seen for a day and a half and I hope that no harm has come to him but that is a long time to be away. Perhaps he was unable to find food. I remember many being gone for several days especially if there had been a storm. Duke at Barneghat Light was one of those about three years ago. Or was it two?
At any rate around 1600 the female, utterly starving herself, flew off the nest. She returned with what I would call a large minnow. Baby Dewey was ravenous. Mum didn’t start there – she kept fishing. The last count I had was either 5 or 6 fish being delivered, once she flew in with two!
Heidi calls it at six.
Another female, Jill, at Achieva, has been fishing to feed her two osplets and that kept Little and Big alive to fledge. The male is being the way the male has always been – Jack is not reliable. I do not know why and it could honestly not be his fault. Gulls and eagles as well as other ospreys steal fish. He is not a youngster, etc.
The news is not so good for the female that incubated her eggs and hatched three chicks all on her own. The male has shown up but too little, too late. Let’s hope that Mum and one chick can survive. Have a read:
The first fledge for Irv and Stella at the US Steel nest. It was Sid! And, yes, he did return!
At Cornell, fledgling P1 made it back to the nest. Three gorgeous peachy breasts!!!!!
At the Lesser Spotted Eagle nest of Milda and Madis, the two little eaglets seem to be doing alright. Remember – there could be obligate siblicide at this nest. That said, Madis is bringing in quite a bit of prey.
Iris is such a good Mum. She is so delicate feeding the baby. But she looks tired to me and thin – an I imagining this? I hope so. I think I am so used to her fishing for. herself and eating huge fish. Now she is focused on baby.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 19th June 2026
Today was all about fish! Despite the wet and windy conditions, magnificent fisherbird Louis just kept delivering fish, eight in all, this season’s daily total record. With the first arriving at 04.12 and the last arriving at 23.04, Louis certainly put in quite a long shift. The Nest Two total now stands at one hundred and sixty one, with one hundred and fifty nine brought by Louis and two by Dorcha. By contrast, Garry LV0 brought only one fish for Aurora, taking the Nest One tally to one hundred and twenty three. However, there are no chicks to feed, and with the nest cam going down for approximately four hours every morning, it’s neither possible to say what his actual total is, nor fair to compare him to Louis. Despite the constant supply of fish and bulging crops, the two chicks on Nest Two had a really vicious fight, started unwisely by one who then suffered swift retaliation, being pecked to the point that the other had feathers in its beak. Dorcha took no notice but did stop the fight when she sat on them. They will just have to work it out – hopefully Louis will keep bringing a constant supply of fish and the chicks will grow out of this stage soon. The weather was much wetter and windier than the light rain showers and gentle breezes forecast for today, and while more rain and wind is expected overnight and tomorrow with a low of 11°C and a high of 17°C, there should be sunny intervals tomorrow.
The legendary queen of the mountain gave us an unforgettable moment on this day in 2020: Aila has a brain fade and decides to move an awkwardly shaped stick from one side of the nest to the other, apparently oblivious to the presence of her chicks. They duck this way and that trying to keep out of her destructive path, and when Aila finally leaves the nest, one of them delivers a parting shot with perfect emphasis.
Everyone’s invited to join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:
I don’t like to end with saddness but tonight I am. Forsythe. Opal and Oscar have had two of their three chicks die from starvation. There is one adorable feathered chick on the nest. From my vantage point, the adults have abandoned this chick and will let it die on the nest. No one is there with it tonight and food has not come. Every once in awhile you hear a little cheep, cheep – calling for fish. It breaks your heart and this is what the ospreys are up against. So much better if there are no eggs or if the eggs do not hatch. No food for them. In two years, no food for the returnees even if they survived. The entire eco system is dead or dying.
Please take care. I am going to take a break and I will be back with you on Monday. Please feel free to send me any news. I will definitely begin to put my blog together late Sunday after my friend Ruth goes home – I am looking forward to having a friend over. The Girls and Toby have a bit of a surprise for Don.
Thank you to Geemeff for her daily summary and videos, to Heidi and PB for their reports on fish and nests, and to all those who post on FB and to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to watch the beauty and the horror of the life events of our bird families.
Oh, my goodness. It is pouring down rain again and Toby has his thunder shirt on! Thanks to ‘P’ I have discovered they also make these calming jackets for cats. Missey is the other one that was soooooo anxious during the recent storms so that I have now ordered one for her. The running joke amongst us is that the animals have more outfits than we do! It’s true. They are the glue that holds our mental health in place along with the garden and its wildlife.
Our neighbourhood is very concerned. Neither Brock nor Charlie, the cat with the frozen folded ear, have been seen and they disappeared at the same time. I do not believe in coincidences. Neighbours have adjusted their cameras and put out bowls o food in an attempt to see if we can spot them on camera. Don, Toby, and I have called and banged on every shed and garage and one house that is vacant with work being done for fear they are locked in. Brock would not easily go into a trap. I tried him many times but, he might be lured into a house or a space to go to sleep and then someone close the door and not come back. Jane and I are beside ourselves with worry.
P1 fledged at the nest of Big Red and Arthur on the Cornell Campus on Thursday. Congratulations. P2 is ready, but P3 isn’t. How can you tell? To properly fly, we should be able to clearly see five or six dark bands on their tail.
Can you tell who is the youngest by the number of bands? Laura Culley taught me this.
Clark came to say hello, then delivered a stick for the cot rails, and then within a few minutes returned with a breakfast fish for Iris and baby.
Now that industrial fishing has begun in the NE, it appears there are fewer and fewer fish for males to find and deliver to their nests. There have been deaths in the last few days, including Forsythe. I was inherently sad before this osprey season began, and I feel as if someone just punched me in the gut really hard at the start of each day. Heidi and I predicted this more than three years ago. The decline is happening swiftly. The adults who hatched babies cannot find enough fish to feed themselves and their chicks. They also know that even if a few live, they won’t find fish when they fledge. I had hoped that the ospreys would choose not to breed at all, as Duke and Daisy did a couple of years ago at Barnegat Light. What you are watching is the slow extinction of a species in a region of the US that should not be happening. While some might wish to point to all manner of causes – Bald Eagles eating millions of tonnes of fish so the osprey don’t have any – the real culprit is the industrial trawling using spotter planes of the fish that is the basis of the ecosystem in the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding areas. Menhaden. You are witnessing this. It is not going to get any better. What we must do is celebrate the chicks that survive, find a fairy or two to help Little Dewey, and make it rain fish for those that are still alive. In other words, a miracle.
We have another female who is going out fishing to try and keep her babies alive – Hennie at Henlopen State Park. Thanks, Heidi.
The weather at Dewey Beach has been very bad and Little Dewey has had no fish in at least 24 hours.
Has Mum gone fishing, too? I hope so!
At 1600 Mum returned with literally a minnow for Little Dewey. He has had only this snack in more than 24 hours. I really wish someone would drop fish on this nest. If this chick starves to death in front of us like the one last year, it is going to be hard to deal with. The cause of the lack of fish is manmade – industrial fishing – cannot someone do something?
Mum might determine that there is no fish for her baby as he gets older and abandons the nest. This is an acute possibility. We have to be prepared.
Every nest I have checked needs fish in the US – it would be good to see 5-7 fish on these nests where the chicks are in the Reptile phase or later. Dewey is getting feathers. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum babies seem tiny.
The nest is so full of human debris and it appears only one egg that Bety is incubating – it just doesn’t feel right this year at Mlade Buky. Maybe it is just me.
Finnish nest 4. Two chicks in reptile phase doing well.
Beautiful juvenile feathers on the trio at Finnish nest 1.
Two tiny tiny little osplets at Ilomansti Finnish 2 nest.
Three at Oyster Bay getting their juvenile feathers.
Three covered with feathers at Clark PUD in Washington.
Chick 2 is calling for prey, and Mum fed at the Lesser Spotted Eagle nest in Estonia. We can only take this nest one day at a time as Lesser Spotted Eagles practice obligate siblicide (the oldest chick kills the younger).
This black stork nest is doing so well in Estonia that a foster storklet has been added.
Bobby Bach (third Bob) is doing find according to the folks at Glaslyn. There was some concern after the recent removal of fishing line but they have been monitoring the situation with their own special cameras closely and conclude he is alright. The weather has been terrible, but Teifi has been delivering fish, regardless. Here is Bobby Bach right up front and using its crop as a pillow.
Syfadden has been bringing in the fish to the Usk Valley while Clogwyn has made certain – despite their size that they are kept warm and dry in the bad weather of Wales.
At Rutland Manton Bay’s nest of Maya and Blue 33, the osplets, fully feathered, enter their fledge window in less than a fortnight from 28th Jun – 11 Jul. I wish every osplet in the US had the chance for fish that this nest has!
That is a nest full of osplets – four of them – at Poole Harbour – doing just fine. CJ7 and Blue 022. Amazing. They will probably break Maya and Blue 33s record of fledging four (I must check – it could be this clutch!).
I feel like I am the bearer of bad news. Despite the understanding, several years ago, that Heidi and I had that this would happen if the industrial fishing of Menhaden was not curtailed, it is still more than difficult. It doesn’t have to happen. Every person reading my blog, their friends, anyone who loves ospreys should be calling Audubon, anyone in the State of Virginia including the Governor, and every TV, radio, and newspaper channel.
Thank you for being with us. I keep saying that I am going to take a break and it might just be this weekend that I do. It is a little overwhelming seeing so many babies and parents starving. Take care. There are fledges to come on the Channel Islands and P2 at Cornell.
Thank you to everyone who posted information on FB and images, the owners of the streaming cams, and to each of you for your comments and information sent to me by other means.
It was a fantastic day to be outside. The garden is really ‘loud’ with birdsong – you can hear them more than half a block away! And the rain and heat have done the plants wonders.
Some images that we are enjoying.
A memory and a treasure. A Paolo Soleri bell. He died during the month when I met my friend Lynne in Phoenix for a mini-break, too many years ago now.
The peonies will be blooming, but are off limits to Toby just like the hydrangeas as they are toxic to dogs.
We are sitting outside, and Mr Crow has come for a visit. I thought he was going to have a bath, but he jumped down onto the ground. I wonder what caught his eye.
The sparrows had a lot of fun in the bird bath today, but it meant that we had to clean it about four times! Oh, they make a mess.
You never have your camera when you truly need it. Mr Crow is balancing on one of the flower poles, waiting for the squirrel to finish at the table feeder. Oh, he is back at the bird bath and now off he goes. Lots of activity between 1900-2100.
Oh, how sad. It appears the eldest chick (they both hatched on 11 June) crawled out from under New Female at Charlo, Montana during the night when it was in the 50s and succumbed to hypothermia. The NF tried several times to get the chick back under her for warmth to no avail. What a tragic nest accident!
Mum trying to get her baby back.
The Eagle Dock Osprey Nest is located in Cold Spring Harbour, New York. It sits out in the distance across the mudflats, visible from the shoreline near the Eagle Dock Community Beach (on Shore Road) and the adjacent Shore Road Sanctuary. Their osprey cam has gone live and the two adults are present.
I think each of you had your eyes on that beautiful eaglet Snow at Traverse City, Michigan, when its nest slid, and it fell. All the while, we noted that the adults were the most incredible parents. Snow had no parasites or infections and was well fed and feathered on the initial examination. Snow was strong, and her two fractures are healing nicely, and she is receiving the best of care at Northern Sky Raptor Sanctuary. Today, they announced that Snow is a female! I will note that the parents continue to go to the nest. Yes, raptors have feelings and they are missing their Snow. What a lucky eaglet to have such good care. Many do not.
I am confounded. We are used to seeing fishing line and baling twine on US osprey and eagle nests. It was not until this year that it seemed to be a common occurrence at UK osprey nests. Yesterday, the great folks at Glaslyn successfully removed the fishing line and hook that were wrapped around the youngest chick from the nest of Elen and Teifi. Thank you to everyone who notified them and those who helped quickly!
We love Luna and Sandy – Jackie and Shadow’s soon-to-fledge eaglets – at Big Bear. They are getting closer and closer. SK Hideaways caught Luna getting higher! https://youtu.be/If_H8omr7nk?
This is what our ospreys are up against. The industrial fishing (not the commercial fishing of the locals) needs to stop. Omega needs to be mothballed.
One of Canada’s leading authors, Margaret Atwood, is saving Pelee Island (along with her family) for migratory birds)
Oh, there are chicks dying in Finland. The latest is at LS #5.
I had many questions about Steelscape’s camera. It is not streaming. Our ‘sleuth’, PB, had a contact and has discovered that the individual who wanted the streaming cam and who was in IT has been made redundant. These things happen. I continue to be thankful for the Achieva Osprey cam – especially this year, as it has been a stunner, but the individual who led the effort might no longer be with that branch. There was once an active FB group just for the nest.
There is one osplet at The Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbour, New Jersey (south). Baby appears to waiting for fish. This is the first time I have checked on this nest. Does anyone have details?
Beautiful family portrait of White Stork family in Lubla Parish, Poland. Storklets are Eliasz & Gabriel.
Big Red doesn’t like her babies to fledge when it is raining. Of course, she is so smart – their feathers would be heavy and it is also windy. To keep them home, she often feeds them constantly!
So where are the other two? Are they at the end or down on the ledge? It appears that the first fledge might have been at 1825. I await official confirmation.
All is well at Hellgate Canyon with Iris, Clark, and Baby.
The oldest chick that died of hypothermia at Charlo, Montana overnight has not been removed from the nest. This is so sad. Let us hope that nothing happens to Only Bob.
Three little ones at Osoyoos. Pray for this nest and the others that are struggling – perhaps, in reality, that is almost all of them in one way or another.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 18th June 2026
It was wet and windy today, and there was a moment which could have been nasty but fortunately wasn’t – a gust of wind caught Dorcha and flipped her over, taking a chick as well. But Dorcha righted herself and the chick quickly crawled back under her with no harm done. On the 6th anniversary of Legendary Louis and the Day of Nine Fish, it was a slow fish day, Louis only brought two fish and the second was such a tiddler it was gone in four minutes. Chick1 achieved a milestone by swallowing the small tail, while earlier Dorcha had struggled to swallow the much larger tail of the first fish. The Nest Two tally now rises to one hundred and fifty three, and Garry LV0’s single fish takes the Nest One tally to one hundred and twenty two. Aurora 536 spent most of the day incubating the unviable egg, how long she’ll keep doing that is a matter of speculation. Heavy rain and light winds with a low of 15°C is the overnight forecast, changing to light rain showers, a gentle breeze and a high of 17°C tomorrow.
Thank you so much for being with us. It is time to do a wee bit of weeding in the garden before getting the lads inside. We hope that you had a wonderful Thursday. Take care of yourself. Please get outside if you can. Nature is regenerating!
Thank you to ‘MP’ and ‘PB’ re the Steelscape streaming cam, to SK Hideaways and Geemeff for their videos and for that incredible daily summary of happenings at Loch Arkaig. I am grateful to everyone who owns a streaming cam that stays on and lets us watch these incredible birds. Streaming cams cost money and human power – so thank you! And to everyone who posted information, put images and events on FB – we are so grateful.
I am feeling very nostalgic. The very first time I visited Japan was in 1988. It was August. My friend, Ikuhiko, introduced me to the culture, the temples, the gardens, the pickles, and the food in a much condensed two-week period. It was the first of so many trips – most of which centred on Kyoto.
Tuesday night, I watched a gardening show from the UK, Monty Don’s Japanese Gardens on YouTube, that looked at Japanese gardens in both spring and fall. It is a strange thing, but I can close my eyes and walk from the JR Station to the little apartment where I stayed a few blocks from the Kamo River and the old area of Kyoto. The place that I found tranquillity, however, was in Ohara, a the Sanzen-in temple on the mountain. It is a very old site, sacred to the Tendai sect, and famous for its gardens. To get there, I had to take the #11 bus, if I recall correctly. At the beginning of the trek were two shops – one with delicious food and the other with textiles created in various techniques using Indigo. They seemed to specialise in Shibori. Away from the road and up the mountain, artists were drawing and painting at the edge of a field. It was the amazing moss gardens at the top that drew me there. I do not have the proper words for how peaceful it was away from the hussle and bussle of Kyoto.
Ironically, one of the other programmes on the telly that Don enjoys, Death in Paradise, is set in Deshaies, Guadeloupe. There are always one or more images we recognise, including Katherine’s restaurant, which is on the beach in the main town.
Wonderful memories.
Tuesday was a very beautiful day. There was a breeze, and the temperature remained mild. No rain, no hail, and dinner was on the deck with the birds singing their little hearts out. Beautiful. Oh, being outside just brightens one’s soul!
Wednesday is busy. We have Tolu; Toby will stay with Ann while Don goes to his psychiatrist’s appointment; and then there is the first day of our South Osborne Farmers’ Market. Think yummy Chinese dumplings and fresh local honey! So this report is shorter than normal.
The weather has been more than windy in Hellgate Canyon. Clark had trouble bringing in a minnow-sized fish. I became concerned for the little one. He stayed with Iris and his baby and finally came in with a good-sized fish around 1020. Relief
It is still very windy at Hellgate Canyon. Clark brought in another fish after 1500 (he might well have brought in more earlier).
Iris feeds the baby while Clark keeps guard. Clark is so protective of his family!
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 17th June 2026
Today was calm and routine, no upsets, not much in the way of chick aggression, and no intruders. Louis brought three fish for his family, taking the Nest Two tally to one hundred and fifty one, and Garry LV0 brought one fish for Aurora 536 taking the Nest One tally to one hundred and twenty one. It rained on and off today and rain will continue through the night with light winds and a low of 12°C, continuing tomorrow with light rain, a gentle breeze and a high of 17°C.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 16th June 2026
The chicks threw a strop and fought each other, Dorcha took no notice, Louis got his toe nibbled, Aurora got a fish and Garry didn’t spend much time on the nest. He only brought one fish for Aurora, on camera anyway, he almost certainly is bringing fish during the approximately four hours daily cam down time, and his tally now stands at one hundred and twenty. Louis brought four fish for Dorcha and the Nest Two tally rises to one hundred and forty eight. The chicks fought with the eldest coming out on top but then looked ridiculous attacking the nest itself! The weather forecast for the Inver Mallie area is light rain and winds overnight with a low of 13°C, continuing tomorrow with light rain showers, a gentle breeze and scattered sunshine with a high of 17°C.
Fledge watchers are ready and signs will be going up on the Cornell Campus for Big Red and Arthur’s hawklets.
I love Big Red. She knows when her babies are about ready to fly, and she often chooses to feed them. She is an incredible RTH. The number of chicks she has fledged is unknown, as she has only been on camera with her mate, Ezra, since 2012. She hatched in 2003 and was probably raising babies in 2006. She glows when she has chicks. Positively glows.
Big and Little fledged, and Jill, with some help from Jack, is still feeding these two at the Achieva nest. What a wonderful nest this turned out to be this year, thanks to Jill.
Big and Little waiting for Mum to deliver an evening meal. They ‘trust’ that she will being food back. What an incredible nest.
Mum never disappoints. ‘PB’ thinks it could be a mackerel.
Hatch at Sandpoint!
Not quite sure what is going on with Bety and Bukachek this year. Will keep monitoring. Gosh, that nest is full of human debris.
Baby being fed at Cowlitz.
The trio at Dyfi are fantastic. Telyn and Idris are exceptional.
We have a second hatch at Ilomantsin sääkset #2. It is rainy and wet, and I hate that when there are babies in the nest. They get cold and die – let’s hope for sunshine.
It is really raining in Estonia at the nests of the Golden Eagle and Lesser Spotted Eagle. Both Lesser Spotted chicks have eaten, with the oldest having more – a rat that came in later. Wish them better weather.
Some have been worried about Little Bob at Poole Harbour. He was in a food coma earlier and gets up and eats when he is hungry. Everything looks fine to me.
Family portrait at Rutland with swans. Chicks will be ringed soon.
Smile. Little Dewey at Dewey Beach has had seven fish so far today.
Thank you so much for being with us – there is so much happening, fledges, hatches, and sadly, what looks like pending deaths at some nests. Will try to catch everyone up on the latest tomorrow or Friday. I may take tomorrow off -. Need to enjoy some time with Don in the country! In the meantime, take care! See you soon.
Thank you to Geemeff for those two great reports on Loch Arkaig, PB for alerting me to some nest news,SK Hideaways for their wonderful videos. I am grateful to everyone who posted information and images on FB and to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to watch these incredible bird families. Thank you.
We woke up to blue skies and sunshine! And, while sipping our tea and munching on croissants, we counted two Blue Jays at the feeder! Did I tell you about the Cooper’s Hawk hiding in the lilacs that Mr Blue Jay flushed out on Sunday? It was a frightening moment. Mr Blue Jay was screeching at the top of his little lungs. I thought the hawk had his mate or one of their newly hatched chicks BUT maybe Mr Blue Jay just say the hawk loitering in ‘his lilacs’ and wanted him gone. He sure chased him out of the neighbourhood. Imagine.
Ann is taking Don to his annual appointment today and I am going to sit on the deck with Toby and relax. We had an accident yesterday. I know each of us has spilled a cup of water and marvelled at how much there is when you go to clean it up. Well, imagine an extra large mug of hot chocolate. My goodness. Poor Don just couldn’t hold it (early Parkinson’s). The key is like training dogs – nothing negative. Our little Bissell worked overtime after I had scrubbed with a brush. The space is dry but there is still a dark stain in one spot and hopefully after a couple more bouts of cleaning, we can get that out. I bought this big old carpet years ago when wool and silk carpets didn’t cost the price of a car. I love it but, is it time to give it up?
From our monitor, ‘V’, who is writing a book on her twenty-year experience with ospreys living right in front of her. Sadly, life has changed for the birds, but today VV sends us some good news. Please note that I am protecting the location for obvious reasons and the individual.
“Most of my observed nests are a bust again this year. But one of the two nests in front of my house still has at least one chick still alive (bad early bullying, haven’t seen bobble heads in a few days, but someone is still getting fed)— but in the oldest nest, THREE chicks have reached dinosaur stage — first time parents, male an excellent fisher. We’re rigging up a pulley to that nest so we can start adding fish if times get too lean for them. 🤞🏻”
More good news from ‘V’: “It seemed one of the nests up the road also had feeding going on as I drove by. So perhaps there will be a couple fledges from here this year. I can’t imagine we’d be so fortunate.
The fish- pulley apparatus has been “rigged” — waterman vernacular — and we’re going to try to attach it in the morning when the tide is lower. That’s what someone needs to video, the 74 year old woman wading out to the piling for the 83 year old man to haul and attach a bird feeder. Dodo birds to say the least. Ha!”
V is my hero. Not afraid to save their babies. There are others – I’m like a geisha – I never tell, but there are a number this year that have decided to establish fish ponds to help their ospreys.
There has been questions about Iris’s other two eggs. Egg 2 is 40 days today. Not going to hatch. It is possible that Egg 3 might hatch. Personally, if every osprey nest fledged one very healthy chick, we should feel blessed. I keep thinking about Dewey Beach in the same way. One healthy – not four with 2 or 3 dying of starvation and battering.
Baby One is doing just fine. One nice, strong chick. Yesterday, it disappeared into that bark that was brought in, and many of you became concerned that something had happened. You had to look closely to find its little head.
Another human is helping some storks, with one of the adults in trouble. There are so many compassionate people throughout the world. Sometimes we have to pull away from the news – and just look at the good or we can easily drop ourselves into despair.
“One of the storks with a leg ring has both legs wrapped in long pieces of metal bands. It can’t free itself from the tether. The parent with the ring was in the nest this morning and again this afternoon, and you can see that its legs are still tied. One parent is feeding the young, the other is charred with soot, but it’s not enough food. Yesterday, the storks received a large portion of meat food from a human, and today, the human also threw a large amount of fresh meat into the nest. Storks are afraid of people; it will be difficult to remove the metal band (because it’s not a string) from its tangled legs. Perhaps this stork will be caught on the ground and its legs will be freed.”
‘J’ sends us the latest installment of Kakapo news.
Kakapo Files podcast episode 18: 15 Jun 2026
Six months after this record-breaking kākāpō breeding season began, all 91 living chicks have fledged and left the nest. The chicks remain with their kākāpō mums and are still being fed by them, as well as eating a range of plant material, and as cold wet midwinter weather sets in the chicks are learning to find dry roost sites. The Kākāpō Team’s Daryl Eason and Andrew Digby answer listener questions, including why did Kākāpō cam star Rakiura spend so much time in the nest digging, what can you learn from a piece of egg shell, and could old museum specimens be a source of lost kākāpō genes?
In this episode: 02:06 – Island news with ranger Daniella Whitaker 06:21 – Update on Kākāpō Cam star Rakiura 11:43 – Sick kākāpō 15:19 – Are kākāpō smart? 18:19 – Previous nest cams 20:05 – Why did Rakiura dig so much in her nest? 24:00 – Do kākāpō compete with other species? 25:30 – Kākāpō on Coal Island and at Sanctuary Mountain Mangatautari 30:57 – Museum specimens and lost genes
Learn more: Follow the Kākāpō Files podcast to keep up to date Listen to the Voice of the Kākāpō series for a recap of the 2019 breeding season. Also listen to the episodes covering the interim 2022 breeding season, and about how a few male kākāpō have fared in the North Island, in the fenced Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari For more New Zealand science and nature find and follow the Our Changing World podcast, and subscribe to the show’s monthly newsletter
Dewey Beach. This must be a female – and continue to send positive wishes to her so that she fledges!
The trio are so fully feathered at Manton Bay and the nest of Blue 33 and Maya.
‘PB’ reports that Cowlitz has its first hatch today.
The reality of not enough fish is spreading through the nests – Forstythe, Field Museum, Farm Field amongst others.
Heidi reports on the loss at Field Farm:
Heidi also reports on The Bridge Club osprey nest in NY.
‘PB’ reports on Achieva:
Charlie and the New Female together on the nest at Charlo Montana feeding their two babies.
Look at those beautiful juvenile feathers on the Pitkin County Trails Osprey nest in Colorado!
It can be very dangerous being an osprey chick during fish deliveries. We have seen chicks killed, almost smashed…today it was Louis turn at Lock Arkaig 2 to flip a chick. Geemeff has it on video: https://youtu.be/boMblyAoBC4?
A very successful nest is Wolf Bay in Alabama! One of the three chicks has fledged and the live feed has now returned. Aren’t they gorgeous?
At Osoyoos in British Columbia, Canada, the three osplets are still alive. Please send this nest good wishes. They have had trouble with heat and getting fish to the nest for many years.
So far it looks like we still have four osplets alive at the Blackbush nest in Prince Edward Island, Canada.
Two big osplets at the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum osprey nest.
The Fortis Exshaw streaming cams in Alberta appear not to be working.
We still have two osplets at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. I will try to find any news I can about the woman who was caring for three osplets alone in Minnesota and post it tomorrow. If you happen to know, send me a note!
At the Red-tail Hawk nest of Big Red and Arthur (one of my favourites) the two older chicks P1 and P2 are preparing to fledge. Cornell did a video of their anxious moments: https://youtu.be/vS44rBVDG_U?
They are so cute. Big Red and Arthur will be showing them where to fly to – and you can count on Arthur for making sure that his babies are well fed after they fly.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. There is so much happening – it is very difficult to keep up.
It is so nice to have you with us, and I appreciate all your notes, your e-mails, comments, and good wishes. Everyone is so kind, and it means so much to me. I want to add that there is something odd going on with my e-mail at times. Several letters from one of my friends in SF, who supplies us with those wonderful videos, SK Hideaways, were a week late in arriving in my ‘Inbox’, and they all came at once. I could be missing yours, or they might not have arrived – so if you sent me something and I did not respond, please resend. I do try to reply within 48 hours, and normally the same day if things at home are going smoothly.
Thank you to everyone who sent me news, posted information or images on FB, created videos – I am so very, very grateful. To the owners of the streaming cams, we are all so very thankful that you allow us to watch these incredible families.
