It’s the end of the day and I have two great offerings for you.
We have SK Hideaways video of all of Clark’s fish deliveries the other day. My mailbox thought it was ‘Junk’ Mail – geez, what do they know!!!!!!! Ugh.
Clark Answers Iris’s Fish Calls ~ Chick #1 Gets Its First Meal ~ 2026 Jun 11
Iris and Clark’s first chick hatched today, but Iris waited some 48 hours for Clark to bring fish. No one knows why he was delayed, but he certainly made up for it with 4 fish deliveries (as of this video). Once Iris refueled, she fed chick #1. Congratulations, Iris and Clark, and welcome to the world #1.
So sorry I missed it but I know that each of you won’t want to miss seeing Clark and all those fish again!!!!!!!!
Clark just keeps bringing those big fish in.
Louis delivered a late fish at Loch Arkaig. It is included in the daily summary.
Geemeff Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch ArkaigMonday 15th June 2026
There was the odd chick fight today but not much, and not too serious so perhaps as both begin to develop the oily look of the reptilian phase, and with Louis bringing plenty of fish, the aggression will taper off completely. It was an otherwise calm day – Garry LV0 delivered two fish taking the Nest One tally to one hundred and nineteen, and he and Aurora continue to incubate their unviable egg. Louis delivered five fish, the first arrived as this season’s earliest shortly after day cam came on, and the last arrived as this season’s latest, with night cam coming on as he landed.The chicks lined up squeaking and will go to bed with full crops. The Nest Two tally rises to one hundred and forty four. The weather today was dry and warm as forecast, but also as forecast, is set to change back to wet with a 70% chance of rain overnight and a low of 11°C, and light rain, light winds, and a high of 18°C tomorrow. Actually, change that 70% to 100% because at the time of filing this report (midnight) it’s started raining and both females are pearled with raindrops.
Thanks so much for being with us! The rain and hail have stopped. The sun is out. Cats are fed along with Toby, and Don is fast asleep. I have a new bird book that I am going to start, but to my shock, it doesn’t contain anything about ospreys. What a disappointment. I was hoping it would be a gem so that it could be the book I donate to the final raffle for the Loch Arkaig group.
See you soon!
Thank you to SK Hideaways and Geemeff for their incredible work documenting the lives of our raptors through video and summaries.
Oh, what a day. We are chilly and it has rained heavily with hail! There was even thunder and Toby got to wear his thunder jacket. He did not react to the weather events – not once. He was calm and sleeping. So, thunder or anxiety jackets work for him.
I took videos. WP won’t let me attach them. Says they are private. Really? Missey was scared and her eyes got really big. The hail was not large but it continued to cover the deck and garden.
Of course, no one believes me when I say this might be the new normal. Geez.
Sadly, the only remaining eaglet out of two has died at the White-tailed eagle nest in Scotland. Its body is being retrieved, and the camera will be down. They want to determine the COD. This is so sad. Each adult and chick is precious. They are being reintroduced to Scotland.
The White-tailed Eagle (also known as the sea eagle) was driven to extinction in the UK by 1918 due to human persecution and habitat loss. Thanks to landmark, multi-phase reintroduction programs that began in 1975, this apex predator has made a remarkable recovery and is now an established breeding species in Scotland.
The successful return of the White-tailed Eagle to Scotland occurred in three distinct phases involving the translocation of young eagles from Norway:
Phase 1 (1975–1985): A partnership between the RSPB and Nature Conservancy Council began translocating Norwegian eaglets to the Isle of Rùm in the Inner Hebrides. This resulted in the first successful wild breeding pair on the Isle of Mull in 1983.
Phase 2 (1993–1998): A second phase of releases took place in Wester Ross to expand the eagle’s geographic distribution across the west coast.
Phase 3 (2007–2012): A final set of birds was released on the east coast of Scotland in Fife, successfully establishing a population there.
Current Status and Ecology
Population: There are currently around 150 to 300 breeding pairs established in Scotland.
Habitat: They primarily inhabit coastal areas, sea lochs, and large inland bodies of water, which provide ample fish, waterbirds, and nesting cliffs/tall trees.
Source for England: The Scottish population has been so successful that conservationists have utilized Scottish chicks to help repopulate the species in England (such as on the Isle of Wight).
Ongoing Challenges and Conflicts
While celebrated as a major conservation success, the reintroduction has caused friction with local communities.
Livestock Predation: Farmers and crofters, particularly in Argyll and the West Highlands, have reported significant losses of vulnerable lambs to the eagles.
Management Plans: NatureScot has implemented Sea Eagle Management Schemes to help mitigate these impacts, including financial support and scaring tactics for farmers in designated areas.
The Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation became actively involved in the reintroduction of the White-tail eagle. The following is taken from the RDWF Website:
PROJECT START: 2019
EAGLES RELEASED: 45
PAIRS BREEDING IN ENGLAND: 2
CHICKS FLEDGED FROM BREEDING PAIRS IN ENGLAND IN 2025: 3
White-tailed Eagles were once widespread along the whole of the South Coast of England, from Cornwall to Kent, before being driven to extinction by relentless persecution that began in the Middle Ages. The last pair bred on Culver Cliff on the Isle of Wight in 1780. Many parts of southern England remain highly suitable for the species, and following the reintroduction of White-tailed Eagles to Scotland – where there are now approximately 180 breeding pairs – we were granted licences by Natural England and Nature Scot to begin an English reintroduction in partnership with Forestry England, based on the Isle of Wight. A feasibility report was submitted to both Natural England and Nature Scot as part of the licence applications. The initial licence permitted the release of up to 60 young eagles on the Isle of Wight over a five year period, beginning in 2019. It is hoped that a small population of 6-8 breeding pairs will become established within 60km of the Isle of Wight, with birds spreading east and west along the South Coast. In 2026, Natural England issued a further license to release up to 20 White-tailed Eagles over 3 years from Exmoor National Park, to support the expanding population in Southern England.”
Every chick is precious. I hope to have news of the necroscopy for you when it is released. This could take weeks.
More great images from Seattle by Ping Shen of Harry, Sally, and their ‘Only Bob’. Thanks so much, Ping, for sharing these with us. Ping notes, “from the looks of things, an only child. Quite adorable, peeking at mom, and then sleeping at the foot of dad’s talon…”
A beautiful sunset with Clark, Iris, and what might be another ‘Only Bob’. We are on pip/hatch watch for that second egg. We will see if Only has a sibling. I sure hope it is strong as Big Bob is a smart survivor – it has sure been beaten around by fish and nest materials.
Make sure to check out the summary – what was it that frightened Louis?
Geemeff Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 14th June 2026
Daily summary Sunday 14th June 2026
Today was mainly about fish – there were many deliveries and both females rejected a fish at the first time of offering then accepted gladly when the male returned with it a bit later. Garry LV0 brought two fish on cam for Aurora 536 and his tally now stands at one hundred and seventeen, while Louis excelled with five deliveries, including his first flatfish this season, taking the Nest Two tally to one hundred and thirty nine. The chicks did a bit of fighting but nothing serious, and both decided mum was taking too long dishing up so tried a nibble at the fish she was holding – they’re healthy and developing as expected. There were some intruder alerts, no intruders seen on nest cam apart from a pair of Wood Pigeons who perched on Nest Two for a few moments, but local resident LizB saw two Golden Eagles flying near an Osprey around the time Dorcha was on high alert and shortly before Louis arrived with the flatfish. Later Garry and Aurora were also on alert, perhaps the pair of eagles were still in the area. Only one Eagle has ever been seen on a nest – a juvenile Golden Eagle who touched down for a nano second on Nest Two in April 2023 – but distant eagles have been caught on nest cam on a couple of occasions and Dorcha returned once with a blood injury from an eagle encounter. Both White-tailed Eagles and Golden Eagles share the forest with the Ospreys so perhaps it’s fortunate we haven’t seen them close up too often. The weather was much more settled today and the promised sunshine did materialise. It should continue dry overnight and partly cloudy with a low of 9°C, continuing with a high of 20°C tomorrow and no rain before midnight.
‘L’ also sent me another link. A video of Wisdom’s grand chick getting banded. Oh, have a look!!!!!!!!! Isn’t it adorable?!!!!!! https://youtu.be/ZW8gHzCVBwU?
How big a fish can Ospreys bring in? And why can females catch bigger fish?
Is there an Osprey fishing contest going on right now? Louis brought in a whopper to Dorcha and the two surviving chicks.
Two osprey chicks have been observed at Loch Inish.
We wait to see how many chicks Aran fathered this year with his new mate. At least one! Next year, Friends of the Osprey will put a streaming camera on Aran’s nest. This is fabulous news.
It looks like donations to SaveMoonCamp, the land near Jackie and Shadow’s nest, have reached the 1/3 mark. They will need lots more funding by the deadline of 31 July 2026. It is unclear to me the precise amount of funds the group needs to get a loan to continue their fundraising. If you intend to help, please do it now! Go to SaveMoonCamp.org
The baby at Poole Harbour is just starting to get its feathers while the others are really being camouflaged now. CJ7 and Blue 022 making raising four osplets look effortless — and we know, for certain, that it isn’t.
Syfadden and Clogwyn are doing fantastic with their two chicks in the Usk Valley in Wales.
Little Bob is trying to get under Elen at the Glaslyn Osprey nest she shares with her mate, Teifi. The two Big Bobs are napping.
Closeby at the Friends of the Osprey Nest of Aeron Z2 and Blue 014, there are another three. They have been enjoying some trout today!
The single surviving osplet at Loch of the Lowes seems to be doing alright.
This is incredibly compassionate. One of the major killers of chicks/storklets/hawklets/osplets etc in the nest is damp. These two good samaritans are blow drying the storklets so that they will hopefully survive the storms that have come to Europe.
Much better!
What I wouldn’t give to see this at our osprey nests in North America. The kindness to stork families across Europe warms my heart every year and brings tears to my eyes.
No hatch as yet at Mlade Buky White Stork nest.
UK Parliament has recognized the persecution of raptors – should I add the word ‘finally’.
Second hatch at The Lesser Spotted Eagle nest in Estonia. While this might be cause for celebration, Lesser Spotted Eagles practice obligate siblicide whereby the eldest chick always kills the second. There are rare exceptions.
The following comes from Animal Diversity Web:
Lesser spotted eagles live primarily in patchy woodland areas, meadows, fields, and natural grasslands, often in moist environments. Although forests are not used as primary habitat, they often build nests near forest edges. Lesser spotted eagles have been found in African dry mountain and grassland savanna habitats during their winter migration. Within these dry mountain habitats, their range typically extends to a maximum elevation of 2,200 meters.
Lesser spotted eagles generally hunt by walking along the ground. However, they typically nest and perch in the branches of forest trees. When nesting and perching, lesser spotted eagles often use branches closer to the ground rather than higher in the trees.
Adult lesser spotted eagles also are distinguished by their yellow eyes, whereas adult steppe eagles and greater spotted eagles have brown eyes. Juveniles of all three species have brown eyes. The head and wings of lesser spotted eagles are a lighter shade of brown compared to the rest of its body; in steppe eagles and greater spotted eagles, the entire body is a dark shade of brown. Lesser spotted eagles also have a small head and beak for an eagle. Like other eagles in the genus Aquila , lesser spotted eagles have a white V mark on their rump. Finally, differences in the shape of the wings cause lesser spotted eagles to appear to have a longer tail (96.6 to 123.75 cm) than other closely related species. Lesser spotted eagles have narrower wingspans (145 to 165 cm), whereas greater spotted eagles have broader wingspans.
Lesser spotted eagles are considered monogamous birds. Currently there is no clear evidence of partner fidelity, however most birds return to the same nest every year.
Lesser spotted eagles breed once per year. The pair builds a platform nest, generally in a tall tree. Egg laying begins after the nest is complete in late April to early May. It is believed that males are responsible for defending the immediate vicinity around the nest. Lesser spotted eagles lay one to two eggs, but typically only one survives. The older or stronger sibling usually attacks the weaker one. Eggs are laid in the second half of April and between May 23 and 27. The egg incubation period ranges from 36 to 41 days. Fledglings have been observed in the middle of July, with a fledging period up to eight weeks. Juvenile lesser spotted eagles do not reach reproductive age until they are 3 to 4 years old.
The new babies. In rare cases, when prey is very plentiful, both have survived, but if you are watching this nest, please be advised that when I say rare, I do mean rare. Adults will often withhold prey to get the stronger eaglet to attack the other weaker one. When the kill is done, the prey returns.
Two beauties at nest #5 in Finland.
At the NCTC nest, Susie fledged this afternoon. Congratulations to Bella and Scout.
I hope that Little Dewey’s crop continues to be filled.
Some fish came to the Santiam Canyon Osprey nest for Mum and the trio. They don’t get much fish. It was nice to see their crops filling.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care and wish for fish at all nests!
Thank you to ‘R’ for that article on aquaculture. Thank you to ‘L’ for the links to Wisdom’s grandchick and a shout-out to Ping Shen for those great images of Harry and Sally and their baby. To Geemeff, we are always grateful for your daily summaries of all news at Loch Arkaig and your videos. To everyone who posted information on FB and images, to Raptor Persecution UK for telling it the way it is, and to the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation and the owners of the streaming cams – we are always thankful to you.
It is a beautiful coolish summer day on the Canadian Prairies. We had a lovely walk and visited with our neighbour and her two Cavaliers and watched as everyone put the final touches on their front flower beds. I admire ‘our block’. Everyone helps one another, comes together for a cause, and takes care of their property. People with big dogs cross the street so as not to confound the little ones. Nice.
We have been spending so much time on the new lounge sofa and chairs. It was the best thing I could do for Don. It is not soft like the sofa, and he can lift himself up and out much more easily. Toby gives it a thumbs-up, since he can stay in the shade or run around in the sun. From the top deck, we can listen and watch the birds without frightening them. The Starling fledglings are still here. Too soon, they will leave with their parents and return later in the fall. What I like is that the garden, with all the rain we have had, is now so private. The trees are tall, and all the shrubs are doing well. It is like living in a forest full of birds.
Birds are falling for all kinds of reasons – weather and storms making old nests heavy and weak and they are falling or accidents especially when prey is delivered.
Everyone held their breath. Big Red is not at the nest so much now that the chicks are self-feeding and nearing fledge, and when she is there, all eyes are on that nest. Well, today we held our breath as P1 fell out of the nest cup. At first, everyone worried that it was all the way to the ground, but thankfully, it was only to a lower platform. Big Red was feeding P3.
Siblings look down.
My goodness. They are cute. Look at the eyes of P2.
The camera went to the construction site and then we see P1 stunned back on the nest. P1 flew back into the nest from the platform. It did not fall all the way to the ground.
Everything is OK.
What a relief.
At the Royal Oak nest, Peace successfully fledged. Two local individuals went to the tree to try to help if Peace was grounded. It is on a branch. Everyone is hoping that the adults will feed their chick.
Black storklet hatches in Estonia.
There is a fourth osplet that has hatched at the Prince Edward Island Osprey nest at Blackbush.
The Stellar’s Eagle ‘Stella’ that has been living in North River, Newfoundland, Canada, displaced a fledgling Bald Eagle. Here it is on video by Bald Eagle Lives Nests and News. There is also ome other good information on both species and their interactions: https://youtu.be/5DS5PJ71c7M?
We have news from Ping Shen in Seattle. “Good news to share – a bit behind last year, but Osplet #1 has hatched for Harry & Sally! Visited today and noticed an egg shell on the side of the nest, and sure enough…there was a little one! Perhaps a day or two old, is my guess. Saw a quick feed, and noticed (at least) one other egg still in the nest, so likely more to come…Harry and Sally both seem to be doing well – still very sweet to observe them watching over their precious Osplet.”
There is at least one osplet at Threave Osprey Nest 3.
Clark continues to keep the big fish coming to the nest. Will this little cutie pie be an only? Someone mentioned a possible pip in egg 2.
The two eaglets at the Big Bear Valley nest, Luna and Sandy, are getting very close to fledge.
Little Dewey has won all of our hearts and minds. Please continue to send good wishes to this nest.
At Pitkin County, Emma and Charlie are being incredible parents.
It looks like Charlie and the New Female at the Charlo Montana nest could have three soon – is that a crack in that third egg?
I keep checking on Bety and Bukachek to see if we have a hatch at Mlade Buky. I am not seeing anything else.
After fearing the worst, the Mum returned to the Kaljukotkas 2 Golden Eagle nest in Estonia – a fact that saved the life of that healthy little eaglet.
Life+ posted:
We have another hatch today in Finland and it is at the Ilomantsi nest.
Take care, everyone. We hope the start to the week is a good one for each and every one of you.
Thank you to Ping Shen for the excellent images of the Seattle ospreys. It is so great to hear from you and see that Sally and Harry are doing well. Thank you to everyone who posted information and images on FB, and to the owners of the streaming cams from which I took my screen captures today. I am eternally grateful to witness our birds’ lives.
I wanted you to have SK Hideaways videos for the week. They are cute and special and please watch them. I am so grateful that they are sent as a list each week to share with you.
SK Hideaways Videos Week of 7 June 2026
FOBBVCAM Eagles Big Bear, CA ~ Jackie, Shadow, Sandy (hatched 4/4/26), Luna (hatched 4/5/26)
Luna Gets Big Lift ~ Fledge Fever Nears (2026 Jun 11 )
Luna got a burst of energy that triggered some big wingers, creating a lot of wind and lifting him quite high. He gave us a really good show! Sandy seemed impressed with her brother’s performance, but really just wanted to chill out for the night.
Sasha Fledges ~ Waiting and Watching for Her Return (2026 Jun 9)
It appears that the eldest eaglet, Sasha, has fledged, having branched two days ago. While we don’t get a clear view of the flight, we do see the launch, which does look convincing. Sooo, we wait, watch, and wish Sasha all the best in this new adventure.
UPDATE: Sasha returned to the nest at 18:10:03! No question about this successful fledge. Congrats, Sasha!
Cruz Lunches on Nest Till Eaglets Squee for Theirs ~ Family Time on the Zen Nest (2026 Jun 8)
Cruz and Andor spent their lunch hour with the 3 eaglets. Between allopreening the eaglets, Cruz enjoyed some fish while also answering to the loud squees of eaglets who still enjoy being fed. A multi-tasker extraordinaire. Sasha has branched and enjoyed her perch till that juicy Blacksmith fish lured her back to the nest. Very special to see the whole family together for an extended time. (2026 Jun 8)
Clark Answers Iris’s Fish Calls ~ Chick #1 Gets Its First Meal (2026 Jun 11)
Iris and Clark’s first chick hatched today, but Iris waited some 48 hours for Clark to bring fish. No one knows why he was delayed, but he certainly made up for it with 4 fish deliveries (as of this video). Once Iris refueled, she fed chick #1. Congratulations, Iris and Clark, and welcome to the world #1.
Cholyn&Chase Bond at Dusk & Dawn ~Perfect Pairing for 23+ Years(2026 Jun 9-10)
As the Queen and King of the Channel Islands approach their 29th birthdays and 24th anniversary, Cholyn and Chase continue to bond year-round. In addition to bonding, they are ensuring a continuous presence in their seaside territorial paradise. Here we saw them bonding at dusk and dawn at their Two Harbors nest, then transitioning to the salt-water “jacuzzi” and bunker to enjoy a roiling Pacific Ocean.
Where the Boys Are ~ Eyes on Jet, Scout, Stewart & Walton (2026 Jun 12)
Thanks to the work of our tireless cam ops team, we are able to see all four rascals in the morning, in the evening (ain’t we got fun?). Here we’re treated to morning shenanigans, including some wild and wonderful aerobatics. Bonus sighting of Hartley and Monty with lightning quick bonding.
Jet Flies Home with Prey! Everyone Else Follows (2026 Jun 8)
We see 3 juvies fly west, then east ~ in normal and slo-motion. Ultimately, Jet arrives on the nest ledge with prey in his talons. A major accomplishment as Hartley and Monty teach the boys to hunt. Eventually all four chicks visit the ledge, but only Walton seriously challenges Jet for the food. Jet emerges victorious. While I cheer on their accomplishments, I know that each one inches them closer to dispersing to their new life adventures. Grateful for the remaining days we have to watch them.
Where Are the Chicks? Where There’s Food!PLUS Hartley & Monty Are Chased Away (2026 Jun 7)
The chicks have been zooming around the skies of downtown San Jose for over a week. Their days consist of eating, sleeping, chasing their parents, and eating and sleeping some more. We are so fortunate to be able to watch this formative time in their lives.
Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 13th June 2026
Today was fairly quiet, an intruder or intruders were about but didn’t come close enough to get caught on nest cam. What was caught by the camera was the two chicks taking lumps out of each other when Dorcha left them alone, and not even her return stopped them, she eventually broke up the fairly evenly matched fight by sitting on one of them. Louis delivered two fish taking the Nest Two tally to one hundred and thirty four, and Garry delivered one fish during cam up-time taking his tally to one hundred and fifteen. Sadly the deadline appears to have passed for Aurora’s egg to hatch and it’s almost certainly time to wish them better luck next year – meantime it will be interesting to see what happens to the egg, and for how long the pair will continue to brood it. Steve Quinn produced his usual thorough fishing stats analysis but while Nest One deliveries will continue to be recorded, they will not be included in future analyses as without chicks and with the cam going down in the morning they aren’t meaningful. Info on where to find his reports in the bonus section. After days of rain, there’s a break in the weather for the next couple of days – it’s be cloudy and dry overnight with a low of 9°C followed by sunshine with gentle breezes and a high of 20°C tomorrow. Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/e4Uuq-3RPV0 N2 Louis brings breakfast – fish one is a big trout 08.56.44https://youtu.be/66YKfKgWRxc
N2 Bonkers! The chicks fight viciously 17.52.09https://youtu.be/qy4rmt6y99E N2 Louis brings a second trout for an early supper 18.28.53https://youtu.be/5ziBMr9mqEw N1 Aurora departs with fish one as soon as Garry brings it 18.30.34
Bonus info – Steve Quinn’s excellent analysis of Louis’ fish deliveries to date: copy & paste Nest 2 fish summary to week 8into the search field (click on the magnifying glass symbol on the right directly above George WTS’ featured comment).
You’re invited to join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:
Jill and Jack each brought in a Spadefish this evening for Big and Little!
About two months ago, I realised that my life now is very similar to what all our lives were like during Covid. I am mostly at home, or we walk Toby in the parks and go to a couple of outdoor markets. Mostly we enjoy the garden. It is easier for Don (and thus me), and a few places are dog-friendly, as they are in many parts of Europe. Oh, how I wish! So I have started making little tweaks inside and out to make our lives more beautiful and our spaces safer and more useful to all of us, especially Don.
I purchased our little Bistro set at a shop called Pier 1 approximately 22 or 23 years ago. It is nice for a quick coffee or tea, but uncomfortable for long periods, and there is no way for Don to raise his legs. The picnic table is perfect for a huge group, but not for a leisurely evening. So I found a little teak loveseat with two chairs and a coffee table that can easily double as a footstool! The young man came to assemble it this evening. We just need a few outdoor toss cushions.
Toby approved.
Inside, I have been decluttering for a good year. One of my long-term readers cum friend in Berlin has joined me in the quest to donate and clean out. It has been fun to see how each of us is progressing. Inside the goal is to create a calm, easy-to-navigate space if and when Don ever needs a walker or a wheelchair. At the same time, I want it to be a beautiful space with things that mean something to me, not just ornaments picked up at the shop. It is coming!
I am just smiling. Clark has had some whoppers come on the nest. There is fish and fish. Oh, please let it continue.
At Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, there are at least two osplets on the South nest. One appears to be much larger than the other with the small one in the Reptile phase and the other getting some juvenile feathering. I wish Mum would move for a second so I could verify this!
Mum is anxiously looking around for her mate for their evening meal and maybe a break. If there are only two and there is such a huge size difference, were there three eggs? Did one not hatch? Did all three hatch, and the middle one died? Or are there three under there??? I wonder.
Anyone know about this nest? Shoot me a note!
As the sun fully sets, Toby and I want to wish each of you a wonderful end of the weekend. We are so thankful for your notes and comments, and the news and images that you send. Take good care. We will see you soon!
Thank you to ‘PB’, SK Hideaways, for their great videos and Geemeff for their daily summary with videos. To all the owners of the streaming cams, we are so appreciative of being able to see these amazing birds and their families. We could not do that without you!
First, Salmon Idaho is an osprey nest not a Bald Eagle which is what I inadvertently said in my last posting. Apologies. There is still issues with baling twine all over that region. It is endemic to farming where they should be looking at other methods than twine and cord. Most of our farmers put their hay and straw in a type of plastic wrap that does not do so much harm to the environment as lose pieces of twine.
It was the middle chick that got pulled off the nest and died. Dad is bringing in some nice fish but they can always use more and more as there are four to feed – dad, mum, #1 and #3.
Clark brought in a huge fish. Iris got some bites, baby was full and then more feedings. Looks like that fish was gone – with Iris taking what appears the tail later.
At one point the baby got out from under the adults. It caused worry. They are seemingly obsessed with nest material and also intruders. Fingers crossed. It is chilly in Montana. 65 F.
Daddy Clark came in with another whopper – maybe even more than a whopper! So happy the fishing is good. He is taking excellent care of Iris and baby.
Oh, look at that little morsel of fish for the baby. So tiny. It’s already getting a crop. Well, if there is only one, I am fine with that. Better to be spoiled rotten and have a fat bottom than be thin. (My vet wouldn’t agree with me – even Hugo Yugo is a little ‘plump’). I think all osprey chicks should be plump.
Big Red and Arthur’s oldest is now good at horking chipmunks whole! These three are doing so well. Two look just like Mum with their beautiful peachy chests.
I cannot possibly tell you how much I love that ‘old hag’ – as Laura Culley used to call Big Red in endearment.
I have heard from Sassa Bird and it has started to rain in Latvia. This promises frogs for all the very hungry storks that have chicks in the nest in that country! So happy.
Wow. This is fantastic news from Cumbria Wildlife Trust. Now, if more males would happily share these duties, we might not face the dire consequences we do when the female goes missing.
We need to do better cleaning up. If you are going to fish – and yes, I know that lines break – lend a hand and clean up anything you do see and never leave anything behind, when possible. It can be deadly to wildlife.
Before I even get to the end. ‘The Girls’ are fine. The Calicos are keeping comfy in Don’s room guarding it in case Missey might want to go in there. Meanwhile, Toby is my ‘Velcro Dog’ and he is always with Hugo Yugo. They are my shadows. Missey is out here with me, too!
My new camera is not always so great. I wanted to get the babies being fed but it just wasn’t quick enough. Here are three of them wanting food – they can feed themselves, but like all babies, everything tastes better when Mum does it.
We are so happy. This is four fledglings for the European Starlings that trusted our lilacs to protect their eggs and chicks from predators. We no longer have the Grackles come but this is so great. Mr and Mrs Blue Jay as well as Mr and Mrs Crow have babies and soon their fledglings will be at the feeder.
Years ago, we vowed to care for the animals that came to our urban lot. So far, knock on wood, we have been able to keep that promise. When Tolu, the bathing lady, asked the other day, I told her it was a matter of priorities. We no longer travel around the world, spending the summers in wonderful exotic locations. We do not drink, smoke, go out to restaurants, or hardly drive anymore. The purchase of bird books has dwindled because there simply aren’t that many out there worthy of holding a space on the bookcase. Mind you, I am waiting for a delivery of of this book today. I hope it is good. I always donate a book to the last charity event for Loch Arkaig so this might be the one for this year!
Funds are simply to keep the house, provide help for Don and me, and feed the animals and us. What is incredible is that we really need very little. Yes, corporations and fast-fashion companies would like us to think that we do, but in reality, that simply is not the case. Besides, the happiness that these amazing creatures provide cannot be measured in financial terms – our hearts and souls are lifted and made lighter just watching them.
Intruders are causing sibling rivalry at Glaslyn as Teifi is unable to fish.
I have good news coming from our good friend Sassa Bird in Latvia – first, it is raining, and the storks should now have frogs to eat and little fish. There are three baby osplets in the Latvian nest, but the camera went down in May, so we will not know the end result until banding time in July. Osprey parents are Selga and Svings. Great news: the Golden Eagle Mum at Kaljukotkas 2 in Estonia, who was missing, is now home and protecting her baby from the heavy rain. Sassa Bird also sent the forum link that has a discussion and images of the Black Stork nests, and they are doing grand. Please look: https://forums.dabasdati.lv/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=4453&start=480
The third hatch osplet at Field Farm has died of siblicide/starvation. Heidi gives us the details and an image of all three on a better day.
Port of Ridgefield. Two good fish deliveries as per chat with times: 6/13 nice headless breakfast fish at 5:32:44. Nice big headless fish delivered at 9:57:18. The third egg did not hatch.
Only one very ‘thin’ chick survives at the MNSA Osprey platform amidst all the human debris.
Two tiny babies at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
Wildlife Haven is now the only wildlife rescue in my province and the strains of that are beginning to show. Here is their latest patient update – another turtle, a bat, and some surprises.
Wild Heart Rehabilitation in Oklahoma has some advice if you think a fawn is in trouble.
Important info about what NOT to do about fawns, so might be worth a read. Thanks, ‘J’. The same might be said for a clump of bunnies – leave them alone. Observe to see if parent comes to feed.
Rutland Water is celebrating 50 years of success at reintroducing the ospreys! You can take boat trips to see them including Blue 33 fishing for Maya and the kids!!!!!!!!
Thank you Geemeff for these great images.
We are already experiencing a decline in fish in some areas of the NE as Omega Protein has had six ships out sucking up the Menhaden and all the Bycatch this weekend. It is truly sad.
The birds are on the move to the delight of bird watchers in the UK.
Tropical heron spotted in UK for first time as more exotic birds arrive to thrill birdwatchers
It looks like another stormy Saturday in Winnipeg. The trees are whipping around and the sky is heavily overcast and dark. We even have the heat on! After last week that sounds so funny. Stll it is beautiful and green.
Some of the kids wish you a great rest of the weekend. They are napping.
Poor Toby doesn’t fit anymore. He doesn’t understand why.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care of yourselves. We hope to have you with us again soon.
Thank you to everyone who sent me a note, including ‘PB’ who is loving those fish that Clark brings in, those who post on FB with images and information, groups, newsletters, and the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to stare at our screens, wondering what is going to happen today. We are grateful to all.
First up. Some good news. At the NCTC nest of Bella and Scout, RJ got a fishhook attached to a stick stuck in its talon. That chick did the ‘shake, shake, shake’ and got rid of that nuisance. Well, it is more than a nuisance. Could have caused permanent harm or death. Here is the video: https://youtu.be/Kx5Fw2LwQT8?
Sad news coming from the Salmon River Bald Eagle nest. ‘PB’ writes, “1:41 Salmon nest baby 2 gone confirmed with Idaho Fish and Game. Parents brought more twine in, and Sweet #2 was by mom’s foot when she left, took the twine and the baby with her. He managed to hang on to the far left side before falling, and they had someone check, and he was confirmed dead.”
More information from the Missoula team:
Cutie Pie waiting for some more fish.
Clark brought several fish and then a mid-afternoon whopper!!!!!!!
Oh, my heart.
Wide open. Iris seems to be getting more fish around its beak than in its mouth.
I hope that baby got some fish – it is definitely hungry.
More fish for Iris! Clark, I want to hug you. This time Clark ate the head but the fish is big and it is getting late.
Baby gets feed while Clark keeps watch over it and Iris.
Two precious babies and baling twine on the Charlo Montana nest. Please make some calls if you are in the area. Try the biologist for the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Audubon Society. This is human-caused!
I dislike the camera at Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. No rewind. There are babies. You can see movement but that is all I know.
Just look at the temperature on the nest at Dewey Beach today and our precious Little Dewey.
Menhaden are a big deal for the ospreys that live in the NE.
D3 and D4 nearer and nearer to fledging at Decorah.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch ArkaigFriday 12th June 2026
Today was much calmer after the upset of losing little Chick3 yesterday. Early this morning Dorcha removed the body and disposed of it in the forest, leaving the two remaining chicks more room and a cleaner environment. There were some minor intruder alarms but none came close enough to be caught on nest cam, and both males had ample time to fish, and in Garry LV0’s case, to take over egg-sitting duties and release Aurora 536 to eat and stretch her wings. Sadly it does look like their hard work might be in vain because today is Day 43 and Osprey eggs usually hatch between 37-42 days. However, there is still a very slim chance that their egg might hatch, many eyes are watching Nest One hoping for a chick for them this year. Aurora returned to the nest with fish shortly after the cam came online, almost certainly caught by Garry and with his other delivery, the Nest One tally now stands at one hundred and fourteen. Louis brought three fish today and the Nest Two tally now stands at one hundred and thirty two. The thunder didn’t materialise but the showers did, with frequent dry spells throughout the day. However more rain is forecast for tonight and tomorrow, with an overnight low of 10°C and a high of 14°C tomorrow.
Bonus Osprey longevity info – for those who feared Louis was too old to return when he was late back this year, at thirteen or fourteen years old he’s not even half as old as the world’s oldest known Osprey – Iris of Hellgate Montana. She’s been nesting there since 1999, and yesterday, at the grand old age of thirty or thirty one, she hatched another chick! First hatch of her clutch of three eggs. Congratulations Iris and new mate Clark!
Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, fun, and free!
You need to be vocal. Not only is the price of timber causing habitat loss at a time when we need trees more than ever, but tourism and luxury hotels are now threatening wildlife and our precious birds. In Manitoba, our Premier and everyone I know have been protesting AI data centres. I am glad our leader is Indigenous. I am proud that he is protecting wildlife habitat in the north. But I still need to be vigilant because my City seems to be doing the opposite! Please have your say when you hear about new developments – with strong united voices, we can invoke change. We just have to be patient sometimes. We cannot give up!
Quiet Eagle brings us an update on little eaglet Snow that was in the nest that slid at Traverse City and survived! https://youtu.be/j756uY1hbZE?
I want to close with an image of one of our local ospreys. My grandson, Jeremy, sent it to me. It is a short video and this osprey has a fish.
We have a growing number of osprey in our City. People are putting fish into the retention ponds for them. That might be an idea for some of you in the US, where there is a fish shortage. :))). I can’t seem to post the video so here are some screen captures. Look at the size of that fish. Wow.
We have rain or storm clouds brewing overhead. So much rain! There should not be any wildfires, and the trees and shrubs are doing incredibly. It is a green paradise with a touch of pink or red! There are now four fledgling Starlings – I probably said. They fascinate me. Tonight they are eating a New Zealand dog nugget that is a whole meal – Toby said he didn’t mind since we ran out of minnows and hot dogs! The weather is cooler – 14 C. I wonder if that makes them need more food to stay warm?
It’s too grainy. I so wish I had my long lens camera!
They are so cute and have entertained us all day.
I want to thank you for being with us today. Please take care. We look forward to having you with us again soon.
Thank you to everyone who posted information on FB, with or without images, and to Geemeff for her daily summary of the activities of the two nests at Loch Arkaig, Scotland. I want to thank the authors of newsletters and articles that provide us with a wealth of information. To the owners of the streaming cams, we are grateful to be able to watch the lives of our feathered friends and their growing families. I also want to thank the Guardian for their continued reports on the environment and wildlife and last, but not least, Jeremy, for remembering me and sending me that great osprey video to share with you.
The female at the Golden Eagle 2 nest in Estonia has been missing since the 11 June. Dad continues to supply food to the eaglet but as his role is hunting and protecting, he is not feeding. The chick has tried to eat but just can’t. This could quickly turn into a very sad situation where we lose both a healthy bouncy eaglet and its Mum.
“The Bald Eagle 2 nest camera is located in the extended danger area near the Estonian Defence Forces Central Training Area in Northern Estonia. Defence Forces training involves quite noisy activities or a large number of equipment and people moving around the training area. In order to clarify the impact of these activities on eagles nesting in the vicinity of the training areas, the State Defence Investment Centre has commissioned a study, which is being carried out by the Eagle Club. During the study, we installed a nest camera on a bald eagle nest, among other activities.
Kaljukotkas 2 is a native territory of golden eagles – one of those located south of Lahemaa National Park in Põhja-Kõrvemaa. The nests have been located in this territory over time on different bog islands or on the edge of the bog; the generations of golden eagles have changed there, but the territory has remained the same. The eagles have been nesting in this nest at the end of a large stump since 2016. In recent years, the chick here has become capable of flying, although at a later time than average. This indicates that the laying of eggs is later than average. The chick of 2023 also got a companion with the help of our German colleague Oliver Krone. It flew from the breeding territory to Latvia in early November, returned to Estonia in early December and spent the winter here. We have not added the monitored golden eagles to the migration map, because they tend to be quite sedentary. However, some of the young birds hatched in Estonia move as far as Poland and Ukraine for the winter.
Both adult birds are here without rings, so we do not know their age or origin. The first egg appeared in the nest this year on March 26 at 2:46 p.m. We can expect the chick to hatch at the end of April.”
Clark brought the first fish right after 0900 but immediately an intruder was in the area. He flew off with the fish and returned it to Iris at 0931 so that her and the baby could eat.
Baby has had at least one other feeding before noon! Things look good for Iris and Clark who has been bringing in nesting materials, too.
Heidi reports that Miles and Hennie now have three babies. Wish them well.
Dani Connor saved a plantation forest in Sweden near her home in the north through a GoFundMe. She was determined that the red squirrels and other wildlife would not lose their home. Just look at what is happening in Norway. Our wildlife need trees and it isn’t just the birds. Our planet needs trees. I know the plantation trees were planted to be cut down but perhaps with the climate heating up so much, it is time to find a way to purchase these lands.
This reminds me. It appears to me that the fundraising for Moon Camp to protect the land around Jackie and Shadow’s nest has stalled at about 3.3 million. That is a huge amount of funds donated by fundraising by viewers and local school children. They are posting that they need 6 million by the end of the month. If you are intending to donate but haven’t yet, please check in and do so. Help them save this land where other wildlife also live. Go to SaveMoonCamp.org
It looks like SK Hideaways has caught Jackie and Shadow’s Luna getting lift, and believe me, everyone is concerned about fireworks with Luna and Sandy. They are in a fledge window. https://youtu.be/W1TSYPxDU_I?
I love this family tree from Big Bear that was posted on FB.
SW Florida’s Bald Eagle nest in Fort Myers on the Pritchett Property M15 has a new female to replace F23 who was killed during the 2026 season. Check out Photos by Donna Lee on FB to see all of the images of M15 with his new mate.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch ArkaigThursday 11th June 2026
Sadly, there’s only one talking point today and that’s the loss of little Chick3. Hatched on 6th June shortly after midnight, the little chick was five days old today and didn’t really have a chance against its two big siblings. Despite Louis delivering plenty of food, Dorcha keeping the chicks warm and dry, and the older pair mainly taking out their aggression on each other, the youngest chick was too weak to survive on a reduced diet. Comfort can be found in that Chick3’s death was as peaceful as is possible on a lively Osprey nest. In other news, Dorcha furiously saw off an intruding Osprey who first perched on the camera pole and then on the nearby Scots Pine – she kept it so well away that it was impossible to see if it was yesterday’s intruder JJ4 returning, or a stranger. Louis delivered four fish taking the Nest Two tally to one hundred and twenty nine, and Garry LV0 delivered three fish to Aurora 536, taking the Nest One tally to one hundred and twelve. Aurora’s egg is now forty two days old and the possibility of hatching is improbable but not yet impossible. The weather was a repeat of yesterday’s, wet and windy, and tonight’s overnight forecast is light rain and light winds with a low of 11°C overnight, continuing with thundery showers, a moderate breeze and a high of 15°C tomorrow.
Bonus read: Toby Carvery apologise for cutting down one of the important trees on Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree Register and will plant 1,000 new trees (Ed: as if that could replace the 500 year old oak!)
I am happy to say that our garden animals are thriving. We now have four European Starling fledglings! And I have discovered that Crows like large raw minnows – the ones that were in the freezer that Toby decided were not ‘dehydrated’. So there you go – have large minnows in your freezer, and you don’t go fishing, well, feed the crows. Their babies need mushy protein.
Thank you so much for being with us today. I am signing off. Toby and I are going to relax a little while Don is out with Ann. We wish you a lovely weekend with a lot of ice cream. And watch Iris and Clark with their new baby – . Might there be others? I promise you that unless there is another weather event there, this nest is going to be one to watch and I was a huge skeptic.
Toby loves strawberry ice cream.
Thank you to everyone who contributed information and images to FB, to SK Hideaways for their video, Geemeff for their daily summary, and Donna Lee for those great images of M15 and his new lady. Always great to have news from Heidi and Keilder Forest. hank you to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to watch these amazing bird families.
I don’t know about you but I am so overjoyed that if my house blew away today it would probably not have even phased me.
Clark arrived. Saw the shell, listened to Iris, saw his first baby and went fishing. Within three hours, he had brought in three fish. It is 1827 nest time and it might have even brought in more. It seems his protective instincts along with paternal ones kicked in right at the time of hatch and right when the Clarke Fork River had descended and slowed. Dr Green noted that it was now good for osprey fishing.
Did you shed any tears as you watched Iris gently feed that wee babe the tiniest little pieces of fish? Despite not having had chicks every year, Iris knows how to feed them so they get the fish.
As you know, I was extremely worried, even going so far as to wish those eggs would not hatch. That was when the first egg was hatching!!!!!!! I worried Iris’s babies would starve to death. This has happened with Louis. Or worried she would be so hungry she would have to leave them. Well, thank goodness for miracles! And today felt like a miracle.
Proud parents.
Happy Mum! The oldest breeding osprey in the world – at least thirty years. Imagine.
Oh, another fish. 1747.
Iris plays with her stick while Clark prepares to brood his baby and incubate the other two eggs.
It sure sounded like Iris was ordering more fish when they exchanged places and Clark flew off.
First fish: 1242. Second fish: 1414. Third fish: 1512. Fourth fish: 1747.
I might have missed one between 1512 and 1747 but if you look that is five hours and four fish. I would say Clark is doing so well as a new dad. I am without words.
RP sent the following video links for us to enjoy:
15:22, 6/11 Less than 5 hours old, and Iris gives the Chick his first feeding. Iris is amazing to watch. She is an experienced Osprey Mom. #HellgateOspreypic.twitter.com/HmzG7M6hry
Little Dewey got fed well today, too. Three fish by the time this image was taken. Little Dewey looks like the Hulk. Thanks ‘PB’ for the image:
That’s it for today….let’s all walk around smiling. Two nests doing fantastic. With Little Dewey not so little anymore. Notice the feathers coming in. What a character.
Take care, everyone. Hugo Yugo and Toby wish you a great end of the week.
Thank you to PB and RP for their images and video links. Much appreciated. Thank you to the Montana Osprey Project and Cornell Bird Lab for their streaming cam so that we can watch this miracle unfold at Hellgate Canyon.
Clark arrives with a small fish for Iris and gets a surprise – the hatch of his first chick!
Iris was so hungry, and this will feed her, but we need lots more fish as this baby gets bigger. I wonder if Iris will try to feed the newly hatched chick???
Clark was curious about the eggshell.
Clark stayed with Iris while she ate her fish making me think that there could be intruders about. Then I think Iris gave him some marching orders for more fish!
I am cautiously optimistic – don’t kick for not being over the moon. I am really concerned about what is going on around this nest. Is it the river causing issues? Does Clark not understand how many fish are required? Are there intruders?
I know you wanted to know if fish came and it did!
Take care.
Thank you to the Montana Osprey Project and the Cornell Bird Lab for this streaming cam and remember – they are fundraising to keep this cam streaming!
If you have read my blog for the past three years, you will be very familiar with the word ‘Menhaden’, a species of fish that is crucial for ospreys in certain regions of the world. In fact, it is the basis of the ecosystem of The Chesapeake Bay where many species depend on it. But with Omega Protein taking all of the schools of fish through trawling with huge industrial ships and spotter planes, there is nothing left for the birds and marine life. A new study puts the problem squarely on over fishing while many over the years have tried to find other reasons. Politicians in Virginia – which are really holding up the changes since Omega is stationed at Reedsville – even blamed the Bald Eagles for taking all the fish!!!!!!!!! Do they think we are that stupid?
Justin Hawkins wrote on Menhaden – Little Fish, Big Deal a good analysis of what is happening and why Menhaden are so important.
“The Localized Depletion Debate: Can a Healthy Menhaden Stock Still Leave Predators Hungry?
For years, one of the most common responses to concerns about industrial menhaden harvest has been straightforward:
“The stock isn’t overfished.”
According to Atlantic menhaden stock assessments, the species is not currently classified as overfished, and overfishing is not considered to be occurring on a coastwide basis.
To many people, that sounds like the end of the discussion.
But for a growing number of fisheries scientists, conservation groups, and recreational anglers, it may actually be the beginning.
The reason is a concept known as localized depletion.
It is a simple idea that asks a surprisingly complicated question:
Can a fish population be healthy overall while becoming less available in the specific places where predators need it most?
Looking at the Coast From 30,000 Feet
Stock assessments are designed to evaluate fish populations across enormous geographic areas.
For Atlantic menhaden, that means examining the entire Atlantic coast.
Scientists estimate population size, fishing mortality, recruitment, spawning success, and long-term sustainability across a range stretching from New England to Florida.
From that perspective, the species may appear healthy.
But critics argue that broad-scale assessments can sometimes miss what is happening at smaller scales.
After all, predators do not live on a coastwide scale.
A striped bass feeding in the Chesapeake Bay is not utilizing forage fish off Rhode Island.
An osprey nesting on a tributary of the Bay is not hunting schools of menhaden hundreds of miles away.
Predators live locally.
They feed locally.
And they respond to local prey availability.
That distinction lies at the heart of the localized depletion debate.
A Grocery Store Analogy
Imagine a city with one hundred grocery stores.
Ninety-five are fully stocked.
Five are nearly empty.
Looking only at the citywide inventory data, food supplies appear abundant.
But for the residents living near those five stores, availability is a very different story.
Supporters of the localized depletion theory argue that forage fish may function in a similar way.
A coastwide stock assessment can show healthy overall abundance while predators in specific estuaries, bays, or feeding areas experience reduced access to forage.
The fish exist.
The question is whether they exist where they are needed.
Why Chesapeake Bay Became Ground Zero
No area illustrates this debate more clearly than Chesapeake Bay.
The Bay serves as one of the most important nursery and feeding habitats for Atlantic menhaden.
It is also home to striped bass, bluefish, weakfish, dolphins, ospreys, pelicans, and countless other predators that depend directly or indirectly on menhaden.
Historically, the Bay also hosted much of the Atlantic reduction fishery.
For decades, hundreds of millions of pounds of menhaden were harvested annually from this single ecosystem.
Conservation organizations began asking a straightforward question:
If such large quantities of forage are removed from one of the most important feeding areas on the East Coast, can local predators remain unaffected?
That question remains largely unresolved.
What the Osprey Studies Suggest
One reason localized depletion has attracted scientific attention is because of osprey research.
Biologists studying portions of Chesapeake Bay documented declining reproductive success in some nesting populations.
Researchers observed that adult birds were bringing different prey species back to nests and, in some cases, appeared to be delivering fewer energy-rich menhaden than historically observed.
The concern was not simply about osprey numbers.
It was about what the birds might be indicating.
Osprey are highly efficient fish predators.
If they struggle to locate preferred forage in specific areas, researchers naturally wonder whether other predators may be experiencing similar challenges.
While alternative explanations certainly exist, including habitat changes, climate factors, and environmental stressors, the findings fueled further interest in localized prey availability.
Predators Don’t Read Stock Assessments
One criticism often voiced by anglers is that predators respond to conditions in real time.
A redfish cannot eat a coastwide biomass estimate.
A striped bass cannot feed on statistical abundance.
Predators require actual prey in actual locations.
This is why many fisheries scientists have become increasingly interested in ecosystem-based management.
Rather than focusing solely on whether a forage species remains abundant overall, ecosystem approaches attempt to understand whether enough forage remains available to support predator populations.
It represents a subtle but important shift in thinking.
The question is no longer only:
“How many menhaden exist?”
The question becomes:
“How many menhaden are available to predators when and where they need them?”
The Challenge of Measuring Local Impacts
One reason the localized depletion debate remains unsettled is that it is extremely difficult to measure.
Fish move.
Predators move.
Environmental conditions change.
Water temperatures fluctuate.
Weather patterns influence distribution.
Separating the effects of fishing from natural variability is one of the most difficult tasks in fisheries science.
As a result, definitive proof can be elusive.
But many researchers argue that uncertainty should not be mistaken for evidence that local effects do not exist.
In fact, some contend that localized depletion may be one of the most important unanswered questions in forage fish management.
Why the Debate Matters
At its core, the localized depletion debate is not really about menhaden.
It is about ecosystems.
If forage fish become less available in key feeding areas, the effects may extend far beyond a single species.
Striped bass may have to work harder to locate food.
Osprey may experience lower nesting success.
Marine mammals may alter feeding behavior.
Entire predator communities may be affected in ways that are difficult to detect through traditional stock assessments.
Whether those effects are large, small, temporary, or significant remains the subject of ongoing research.
But the question itself has become impossible to ignore.
A Different Way to Think About Fisheries
For decades, fisheries management focused on whether harvested species could sustain fishing pressure.
Today, scientists are increasingly asking whether ecosystems can sustain it as well.
Localized depletion sits at the center of that transition.
It challenges the assumption that a healthy stock automatically means a healthy ecosystem.
And it raises a possibility that many anglers intuitively understand:
A fish can be abundant somewhere and still be scarce where it matters most.
That possibility is why the localized depletion debate continues to shape discussions about menhaden management, predator conservation, and the future of ecosystem-based fisheries management along the Atlantic coast.”
But…this is happening now.
I continue to check in on Iris with tears in my eyes. Babies hatching and no fish for her or them. Where in the world is Clark? How far does he have to go and get fish?
This just might be the nest that breaks me this year.
Please send Iris and Clark your good wishes. We need fish!
The river’s levels are low, but it appears to be still flowing fast. The forecast is for cooler temperatures, thank goodness. Will Iris leave the nest with the babies to go fishing? This is the question of the day, along with the problem of Clark’s presence. He was so good til he got into that altercation with the Bald Eagle. Oh, I am worried.
Thank you for being with us again this morning.
Thank you to the Montana Raptor Project and Cornell Bird Lab for their streaming cam and the FB group Menhaden – Little Fish, Big Deal for covering the disaster that began several years ago in the NE. Thank you also to River Reports.
