Tag Archives: nature

Does Iris have a suitor?…late Friday in Bird World

10 April 2026

Hello Everyone,

I hope that the week has been good to you and that you are planning to be outside this weekend so that you can hear some birdsong. With migration well underway throughout the middle US, we are expecting more and more species to be arriving in Manitoba. Many ospreys are making their way home especially to the nests in Nova Scotia. We wait for the last of the streaming cam stars to arrive in the UK and northern Europe.

Thank you so much for your lovely notes. I really appreciate them, and this week they warmed my heart so much. I have been unwell, passing kidney stones the old-fashioned way. Life with Don did not permit me to be in the hospital taking advantage of modern methods of blasting these excruciatingly painful little blobs!!!!!!! I am, however, feeling much better as I write this. Don has been going to bed early for the past few nights, and this has given me a wee bit of time to sit and sip tea in the silence. Ironically, both Toby and Don ‘understood’ that I was ‘sick’ and each helped in their own way. I wish you could see my smile. It is also warming up and tomorrow Don and Ann will be out exploring and over the weekend, we should see temperatures around 10 C.

In terms of ‘escape proofing’ the house and property, the hardware is ready for installation next Thursday. The goal was to find a convenient time for them to come. The other day, I might have said that the locksmiths, the bathing lady, and her supervisor hit the front porch at precisely the same time. I don’t like ‘chaos’ anymore. One event per day is what Don’s doctor recommends, and I agree – it keeps my mind calm. The last things to do are to install a tall gate that can be locked at the front and a proper lock on the rear gate. So, I am getting there.

With spring arriving, all of us are starting to think about the garden. A young man has been hired to come and deal with all the birdseed remnants! It looks like there is about a ton of shells! I am serious. Some of it will be used to level off the back area – it would be grand if it all could be raked over. It does make the best compost. The plan is to toss in a lot of wildflower seeds. There will be a few plants specifically for the birds and the bees, including Don’s beloved hummingbirds. I have four trellis pyramids (not sure of their proper name) that will be devoted to climbing beans and tomatoes. Peony supports have been ordered – enough for the six plants put in last year. There are other plans – staining the old deck and building a bit of solid fence to meet up with the fence that was built a few years ago. That is to keep Toby’s eyes in the garden and passersby eyes on what they are doing.

Today, ‘pyjama day’ was very quiet, just as I planned for Thursdays (except or next week when PJ day becomes Monday). Few e-mails exchanged, no housework, etc. What we did do was put together a small indoor garden box with lights to grow salad fixings and herbs. At the current price in the shops, it will not take long to pay for it, and I don’t have to worry about running out of cilantro. So far, only Hugo Yugo has taken an interest. I hope she stays out of it! That little ginger cat can cause more trouble than a dozen other cats.

Now to the birds…

I am happy to say that the fortunes at both Brevard County and Achieva changed somewhat on Thursday with the arrival of several fish. I was afraid that if the poor weather at Brevard continued, all the chicks would be lost. As it was, Mum was just as starving. The little second hath at Achieva finally had a crop! I was happy to receive the following note from ‘MP’ who watches this nest with ‘eagle eyes’. “I’ve watched the Achieva nest continually, and I can say everyone needs more food in the raptor world. Jack has started to show the female how to feed the chicks as he has started feeding them with smaller bites than she gives. The female watched him intently. Jack did try to get her to letting him feed her, but she wouldn’t go for it. She just walked over and grabbed the fish he had. The younger osplet appears to be aggressive toward the older one. Just sayin.

I believe the female is a new mom. She appears to be more interested in her hunger pains. With Jack being a bird who likes stashing fish around whether he does it for safety or a penchant, he does bring in fish. It may be old and decomposing fish, but it does fill their stomachs. I would prefer fresh, since it has more moisture giving the osplets fluids. 

I think Jack could do better, but maybe he can’t. I only hope the chicks aren’t knocked down through the drain holes. You know better than I how quickly a nest can turn around. “

The other good news is that there is a male that has landed on Iris’s nest.

A series of images. At once when I saw the ‘snake eyes’ I really thought this male was Louis but I am told it is not. So we will see.

An osprey sitting in its nest made of branches, overlooking a parking lot with several parked vehicles in the background.
Two ospreys sitting on a nest made of sticks, with a parking lot and buildings in the background.
Close-up of an osprey perched on a branch with a parking lot in the background.
Osprey sitting on a nest made of sticks, with a parking lot in the background.
An osprey takes flight from its nest, which is built from twigs and branches, with a parking lot and trees visible in the background.

More hopeful signs early this morning. Now please bring Iris a nice big fish and treat her like the Queen she is!

Two ospreys sitting in a nest made of sticks, with a parking lot and greenery in the background. The time is displayed as 08:59, showing an observation related to their mating behavior.

There is a young male at the Charlo Montana nest. Lola is calling for fish and he is just leisurely munching away on the pole. I don’t think this behaviour is going to win any hearts and minds.

Two ospreys perched on a nest overlooking a scenic landscape with mountains in the background and a winding path through fields.
Two ospreys are perched on wooden posts in a grassy field, one facing down and the other looking to the side.

The first egg has been laid at the Bassenthwaite nest.

Osprey sitting on a nest with the first egg at Bassenthwaite Lake, surrounded by trees.

Herr Rauer returned to his nest in Norway on Thursday. Fru Rauer is on her way home, according to her satellite tracking.

An osprey stands on a nest near a river, with calm water and distant hills in the background.

Both ospreys are home at the Emma Osprey platform in the Pitkin County Trails, Colorado. They have been back for a little more than a fortnight. Wonder if we will have eggs soon?

Two ospreys perched on their nest made of twigs and branches, with a green, grassy landscape in the background.

There are reports that we also have a first egg at Port of Ridgefield yesterday! The first egg in 2025 was laid on the 26th of April – gosh, seventeen days early. I wonder if these ospreys are trying to beat the heat that might be coming.

Teifi is the male in charge of the Glaslyn nest. Aran appears to have retired to his patch that he enjoyed last summer after relinquishing his nest to Teifi and Elen (no chicks – it was chaotic). Elen has not been seen and her fate is unknown. It has been six days since she flew off the nest. I hope she found another one! She was a good Mum.

A post about the Glaslyn Ospreys, detailing the territory of KC6/Teifi, interactions with two females, and updates on other ospreys like Aran and Elen.
Two ospreys in a nest made of twigs and branches, with one bird appearing to dig in the nest.

Geemeff reminds me that Louis lands in the evening. I sure hope to see him tonight or tomorrow.

Everyone has Louis on their mind. That is because he is much loved.

A young osprey sitting in its nest surrounded by twigs and branches, with a scenic view of hills and forests in the background.

Latest news from Knepp Farm and its rewilding project. Will they finally be bringing bison back to the UK?

Knepp news bison on the horizon the Bird WhispererDownload

Birdlife Malta keeps us up to date on illegal trappings and declines in bird populations.

Spring is here but so are the challenges April NewsDownload

The latest from Geemeff and the Woodland Trust:

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 9th April 2026

Things were more settled on the nests today as the three key players, Dorcha, Garry LV0 and Aurora 536, stayed on their own nests, although Dorcha did mantle at an intruder Osprey who flew too close to her nest, but not close enough to see who it was.  Dorcha caught her own fish and attempted to eat it on Nest Two while the intruder was nearby, and Garry brought two fish to Nest One for Aurora which clearly convinced her he is mate material as she not only allowed him to mount her on several occasions, but also lifted her tail. Although early stages, it’s looking good for chicks on Nest One this season, which is ironic as Dorcha is still waiting for Louis, spending time on the nest looking around constantly, even arriving in darkness this morning and perching quietly for hours – will we have chicks on Nest Two this year? There is still time for Louis to return, he is 13 or 14 this year, having first turned up ten years ago in 2017 as a 3- or 4-year old, which makes him a mature but not an old Osprey.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/PGgwLnbf0iw N2 Dorcha arrives in darkness to wait for Louis 05.38.20

https://youtu.be/VgiPgyyZuTw N1 Aurora grabs her early lunch and flies off with it 11.51.18

https://youtu.be/lB3VOQO7NXE N2 Dorcha brings a fish but an intruder interrupts her 14.07.15 

https://youtu.be/YPJLLjcjL90 N1 Is this a successful mating for Garry & Aurora? 17.18.36 (zoom)

Bonus read: Garry the bachelor finally pulls a bird in his love nest (West Coast Today article*): 

https://www.westcoasttoday.co.uk/news/garry-the-bachelor-finally-pulls-a-bird-in-his-love-nest

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/urAbbtSOcC8  N1 Fishy frolics and fumbles 2020

https://youtu.be/v-D7efdAnrQ  N1 The Stranger aka Young Pretender returns 2021

https://youtu.be/42CrOP5m8UE  N2 Night storm 2022 (Artistic Ospreys)

https://youtu.be/6R0DNlZfH9  N1 Chaffinch visits Nest One 2023

https://youtu.be/0kFa_ghXf7k  N2 Welcome home Dorcha! 2023

https://youtu.be/0iCP59ypmps  N2 Intruder Osprey does a flyby watched by Louis & Dorcha 2024 (slo-mo zoom) 

https://youtu.be/D02DTNcDNdM  N1 Welcome home Garry! LV0 arrives on Nest One 2024 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/0WR_9m9lGZY N2 Arkaig Ospreys: a sticky situation (quick-time Classic Ospreys: Saint-Saëns) 2024

https://youtu.be/sq0iW1T36zg N1 Welcome home Garry LV0! 2025

https://youtu.be/c7sOtUoE2Kc N2 Ringed male intrudes on Dorcha – who is it? 2025

https://youtu.be/lfaawh1jB7c N1 A Buzzard visits 2025

https://youtu.be/r6g_6__zaxs N1 Affric gets a fish from Garry LV0 2025

* Please note, this article is behind a paywall. However, you can register for free which gives you one free article per week.

Why not come and join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:

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

Thank you so much for being with us. I will, of course, send out a note if Louis arrives! Take care. Get outside. That is where I am headed with Toby. Don is at the zoo with Ann. It is a beautiful +5 C day on the Canadian prairies – blue sky, sunshine and all.

Thank you to absolutely everyone for their articles, their posts, and their letters. I am grateful to ‘MP’ for their comment on Achieva. Heidi is monitoring that nest, and I peek in once in a while, but not as often as I should. Thank you to Geemeff and everyone else for their summaries, and to the owners of the streaming cams, we are always ever so grateful. Without you, we would have little idea of what is happening in Bird World.

Late Thursday in Bird World

9 April 2026

Hello Everyone,

I will just start with the sadness and move on to some gladness and some ‘bloody plain anger’. The third hatch at the Brevard County Osprey platform has died. Food was not always plentiful, the weather turned miserable, and the entire family was hungry. Thankfully, the wee babe did not suffer long.

There continues to be concern about food at that nest and the second hatch at Achieva needs more food, too. Thanks, ‘PB’ for being eyes and ears at these nests for me.

Brood reduction is a real thing by females experiencing hunger and understanding there is not enough food for everyone. Alan Poole wrote an article in 1982 on this subject. Here is the abstract:

In an effort to understand patterns and causes of nestling loss in Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus), I studied brood reduction in three eastern U.S. Osprey colonies during 1978 and 1979. The colonies, located in Florida Bay (1) and on coastal Long Island, N.Y. (2), differed in the average daily amount of food delivered to nestlings; Florida nests received 43% and 11% less fish per day than nests in the two N.Y. colonies, largely because latitude and season restricted day length and thus foraging time for the winter-breeding Florida Ospreys. Increased distance from stable food sources accounted for the lower rate of feeding at one of the N.Y. colonies. Variation in clutch size in the three colonies reflected differences in latitude more than in food availability; average clutch sizes in Long Island were larger than Florida clutches by 0.5 of an egg, but were similar to each other and to those in other northeastern U.S. Osprey populations.Increased nestling loss coincided with reduced food delivery rates and, in food stressed colonies, this loss was 2-3 times greater than any recorded for Ospreys. Starvation was the primary cause of nestling death, with mortality concentrated on third chicks, which hatched on average 3.9 d later and from eggs 5.6% smaller than chicks hatching first. Sibling aggression accounted for the preferential feeding of older nestmates,but only in colonies or nests where food was limited. Aggressive chicks nearly always stopped fighting after being fed. This behavior provided a reversible mechanism for controling brood reduction that was based on nutrition. Growth rates of young measured during the first half of the growth period were more variable between colonies than within nests. This is interpreted as reflecting both the differences in colony food delivery rates as well as the evolutionary pressures of sibling competition to equalize the growth of nestmates.

Title of full article: Poole A. Brood reduction in temperate and sub-tropical ospreys. Oecologia. 1982 Apr;53(1):111-119. doi: 10.1007/BF00377144. PMID: 28310611.

I don’t know about you, but I need some cheering up. Winter feels like it is never going to end. We woke up to snow everywhere Wednesday morning and then rain. The sun did come out and the skies turned blue and it was brilliant. It seems that I am not the only person in the world that needs birds to feel the joy. Jackie and Shadow’s babies made The Guardian (along with at least fifty other news outlets). The author says, “Over Easter weekend, thousands of people tuned in to celebrate something spectacular unfolding 145 feet up a pine tree in southern California’s San Bernardino national forest – the hatchings of two bald eagle chicks.”

Hatchings of two California bald eagle chicks delight vast livestream audiencehttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/06/bald-eagle-chicks-hatching-california-livestream?CMP=share_btn_url

Cumbria Wildlife Trust is ever so excited their breeding osprey pair has returned!

https://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/news/dramatic-return-ospreys-foulshaw-moss

Keep dogs on leashes. Osprey attacked!

https://patch.com/connecticut/vernon/leashless-dogs-attack-distressed-osprey-after-flight-mishap-vernon-rescue-group

It just seems to continue on those big estates in the UK and, particularly, in Scotland. Why makes gamekeepers and other humans think that they can shoot or poison beautiful raptors that are protected? Sometimes I would like the penalty to match the deed! That is how sick I am of reading about these offenses.

General & hazardous waste, including bags of suspected shot gamebirds, found dumped in a pit on an eDownload

From Geemeff:

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 8th April 2026

Another exciting day full of action and nest-swapping! Aurora 536 and Garry LV0 invaded Nest Two and Garry even attempted mating there, until a furious Dorcha swept in and chased them away, with the aerial battle visible on nest cam in the distance. Aurora was given two fish by Garry on Nest One, took the first and ate it, and rejected the second – along with Garry’s advances – until it had been on and off the nest a few times. They did however appear to have at least one successful mating attempt but many more are needed if we’re going to get chicks on Nest One this season. Another intruder female, not yesterday’s, tried to hang out with Garry until he chased her off, and the day ended with an endearingly clumsy juvenile Barn Owl putting in an appearance on Nest One. No Louis yet but there’s still time, and the weather is good.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/HpfyjOiT3xA N2 Aerial battle as Dorcha ejects Aurora and Garry from her nest 10.47.23

https://youtu.be/4WHoq31W6gI N1 Aurora finally gets a fish from Garry 13.46.53

https://youtu.be/KtlqD3h_Af8 N1 Unringed female intruder Osprey is chased away 14.04.51

https://youtu.be/-LYzzfoiwWI N1 Garry brings a second fish but Aurora’s not interested 15.40.10

https://youtu.be/8tkUV6gqrTk N1 Clumsy and cute little juvenile Barn Owl visits 21.14.15

Bonus read: All about Loch Arkaig, and the Mile Dorcha that gave our Dorcha her name: 

https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/speanbridge/locharkaig/index.html

Blast from the past, 8th April in previous years:

https://youtu.be/YADMDipmet0  N1 Aila gets the brush-off 2020

https://youtu.be/9DmoNXRo4u4  N1 Louis nearly pulls Aila off the nest 2020

https://youtu.be/MOwOw_Okoq4  N2 Magic rainbow diamonds 2022 (Artistic Ospreys)

https://youtu.be/uBJT3Gullpc  N2 Louis’ one and only visit – Dorcha’s not home yet 2023

https://youtu.be/rWdpjJV1mFg N2 Louis chases an intruder 2024 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/cU7dI1sudXs  N2 Louis pole vaults onto the nest 2024

https://youtu.be/in2K_CSR5Mg  N2 Intruder Osprey overflies Dorcha on the nest 2024

https://youtu.be/cULExhyJn2s N1 Welcome back! Affric 152 & Prince arrive (zoom) 2025

https://youtu.be/I6GhPq9RQEo  N1 After a hasty departure, Affric & Prince return to the nest 2025

https://youtu.be/cSkecFnZ3i8  N2 Louis swoops in with a whopper trout 2025

Why not come and join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:

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

Nests are not settled. Mispillion Harbour is one of those and resident female, Della, is fighting or her nest with her life on the line. Aran appears to have abandoned Glaslyn and is over near a grove of trees so that one of the monitors can keep an eye on him. If he doesn’t have a mate, like he did last year, it will be a shame. His last chick with Mrs G has been seen in the area and his first two chicks with Elen are also in the area. Good DNA there! Elen you are missing out. Elen has also not been seen at the nest since last Sunday (I believe that to be correct) with Teifi arriving to make matters worse if Elen and Aran did show up together.

A majestic osprey flies above its nest, carrying a fish in its talons, with a lush landscape in the background.
Announcement about exciting sightings of Ospreys by Glaslyn Wildlife, including updates on two Ospreys spotted at different locations.

Louis has not returned to Loch Arkaig but his favourite date to return is 11 April so I am holding on to hope.

Dyfi wants you to join the fun and guess the first egg!

A promotional image for the 'First Egg Competition' by Dyfi Osprey Project, featuring the book 'Ospreys in Wales - The First Ten Years' by Emyr Evans, with an osprey perched on a branch.

Some more Nestflix – the birds are so much more interesting than what is on the streaming cams!!!!!! Seriously.

A series of images depicting two ospreys in flight and near their nest, showcasing one osprey diving down and the other perched nearby.

And more…

A pair of osprey birds are interacting on their nest, surrounded by a forested area. One bird is prominently featured in the foreground while the other is partially hidden within the nest made of sticks.

Heidi is watching so many nests this breeding season and sadly some of them are in areas where getting fish to the nest is a challenge. ‘PB’ has been watching the Florida nests and we have some serious issues at Brevard County. The weather is not letting up and Dad cannot fish with those waves. Mum is really hungry and the two surviving of three babies are starving. Mum fed them their dead sibling this morning.

Heidi reports we have egg 2 at Moraine Beach.

An osprey on its nest, with an egg visible, captured from a live camera feed.

Ospreys are now on the Barnegat Light platform – the camera is up and running. I am not entirely certain on the identity of these birds.

Two ospreys perched on a nest overlooking a marshy landscape with a road in the background.

Lola has returned to Charlo Montana.

And, of course, we still have Bald Eagles. Dearest little Peanut keeps getting ravaged by that bloody owl at the Winter Park nest.

I do support them and their campaign and this is not a commercial site so I hope I don’t get into too much trouble by putting up images of Jackie and Shadow and their babies. This nest brings nearly 40,000 viewers at the moment great joy. That is what nature does for us – not the news! I know that many are without jobs, have been recently laid off, are living on a fixed low income, and cannot support the Moon Camp campaign. But, you can do other things. Why not send -emails to various businesses to try and get them to sponsor the saving of Moon Camp? Put out water for your local birds. They really need it more than food. Think about what you can do without spending a cent!

A pair of bald eagles in their nest with a chick visible. The nest is surrounded by pine trees and overlooks a scenic landscape.
A close-up view of a bald eagle nest, featuring two fluffy eaglets and an adult bald eagle nearby, surrounded by twigs and natural debris.

Mum and Baby at Duke Farms are doing very well.

A mature eagle and a chick resting in a large nest made of twigs, surrounded by a natural landscape.

There are now three eaglets at the Fort St Vrain Bald Eagle nest.

A bald eagle feeding a chick in a nest made of twigs and grass.

The Ventana Wildlife Society cares for the California Condors. You should care about this amazing bird that cleans up our environment and protects us. Watch – find out how many still exist in the wild, what is happening this breeding season, and how people are helping. https://www.youtube.com/live/th4-OBjWAxw?

It is going to be a very difficult year for many nests. Seas and waterways, as well as our planet, are warming, and this has enormous implications for our wildlife (and us).

The Guardian has the article:

Non-survivable’: heatwaves are already breaching human limits, with worse to come, study finds, https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/08/extreme-weather-heatwaves-breaching-human-survival-limits-study-finds?CMP=share_btn_url

This really is a wake-up call for all of us. Please take care of yourself. Send our nests good positive wishes. If you have a wand that can drop fish on nests – please send some to Achieva and Brevard.

See you soon!

Thank you to ‘PB, Heidi, and Geemeff’, to those who create videos and post information on FB, to The Guardian that continues to monitor the environmental news and post it for us to educate ourselves, and to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to see these remarkable families – thank you. Thank you to the authors of very informative articles including Alan Poole.

Late Monday/Early Tuesday in Bird World

6/7 April 2026

Hello Everyone,

I wasn’t going to post but…

SK Hideaways compiled the week’s videos and I could not send them. They are on holiday!!!!!


SK Hideaways Videos, 29 March – 6 April 2026

FOBBV Eagles ~ Big Bear Valley, CA 

Courtesy of  FOBBVCAM | Friends of Big Bear Valley

Shadow Declares Mealtime Over ~ Swoops in to Brood Eaglets, Excuses Jackie (2026 Apr 6)

Video: https://youtu.be/3AQVsHm1hW4

Eaglets #1 & #2 Arrive!  Jackie & Shadow’s 2nd Clutch a Success (2026 Apr 4-5)

Video: https://youtu.be/Sg7No7esiAg

PIP Confirmed ~  Shadow Wants to Incubate till Both Eggs Hatch (2026 Apr 3)

Video: https://youtu.be/lo9QFUdRK_A

West End ~ Catalina Island, CA

Isla & Lee’s Wee Hour Beaky Kiss Fest & Shenanigans (2026 April 1)

Video: https://youtu.be/ZA5crZd75fACourtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | West End Eagles Cam Ops

Two Harbors Eagles ~ Catalina Island, CA

Cholyn & Chase in All Their Romantic Glory ~ An Oceanside Sunrise (2026 Mar 30)

Video: https://youtu.be/UDihd44HTxM

Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Two Harbors Eagles Cam Ops

Fraser Point Eagles ~ Santa Cruz Island, CA

Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Fraser Point Eagles Cam Ops

FP2 ~ Zuma Arrives to Join Sasha,Cruz & Andor (2026 Mar 30)

Video: https://youtu.be/xhwv8IWAHas 

Cruz & Andor Welcome FP1 ~ Sasha  (2026 Mar 28-29)

Video: https://youtu.be/HTrZlwpDO0I

Geemeff sends us the daily summary from The Woodland Trust:

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 6th April 2026

The weather was much more settled today and forecast to remain so for the next couple of days and with luck, Louis will make his way home during that weather window. The most interesting thing that happened today was that Dorcha visited Nest One again, just a fleeting visit unlike yesterday’s hour-long one, and also a repeat of her quick visit to Nest One on this day last year.

Today’s video:

https://youtu.be/Pjr_WwqjNG8 N1&2 Dorcha does some housekeeping then visits Nest One 13.15.32

Blast from the past – this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/OvVG5MBBjd4  N1 Welcome home Aila! 2020

https://youtu.be/j_2zRRZeJQY   N1 Sealed with a fish: the reunion of Aila & Louis 2020

https://youtu.be/7Q3BC32Ukgw  N1 Fleeting glimpse of an Osprey (slo-mo) 2021  

https://youtu.be/WlIs0DTECK0 N2 Louis is heard skydancing before arriving 2023

https://youtu.be/Uz2YCaJzWLo N2 Disaster! A howling gale blows Dorcha off the nest (zoom) 2024

https://youtu.be/y8Jxs3sbhS4 N1 A Barn Owl (Tyto alba) visits briefly (zoom) 2024

https://youtu.be/pVw-5InEmdM N2 Comings & goings before Dorcha finally gets the fish 2025

https://youtu.be/2TrKItSxR3o N1 An unringed Osprey visits – it’s Dorcha! (zoom) 2025  

https://youtu.be/gypEolHWuXg N2 The Sabre Dance performed by Louis & Dorcha (quick time Classic Ospreys – Khachaturian) 2025

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

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

Ospreys continue to arrive:

Oscar has returned to his nest at Russell Lake in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. We anxiously await the arrival of Ethel, his outstanding mate.

Harry has arrived at SS Alyth.

There was a male osprey on the nest with Iris, but my markings chart shows it was Louis, not New Guy 2. Gosh, I would love to be wrong!

UV has returned to Keilder Forest’s nest 5A.

At the Golden Gate Audubon nest of Richmond, his new mate, Wendy, has begun helping with that incredible nest on the World War II whirley crane. Here is the video: https://youtu.be/sPmvv6r4KZs?

Lots of tandem feedings going on today with the Bald Eagles. One of those was at Little Miami Conservancy. When there are three, mum and dad need to kick in and feed them so everyone gets their crop full.

That little baby is getting lots of bites!

A pair of bald eagles tending to their nest with several eaglets visible among the twigs and branches. The background shows a blurred landscape with trees.

If you missed it, Cornell Bird Lab has the video of Iris returning to her nest in Missoula’s Hellgate Canyon: https://youtu.be/xM_3aiCH4hM?

An osprey sitting on its nest made of twigs and branches, with a parking lot visible in the background.

My goodness, she looks good.

There have been at least three fish deliveries at the Achieva Osprey platform in St Petersburg, Florida on Monday. Hoorah.

LJ2 has arrived home at Lyn Brennig.

Syfaddan has returned to her nest in the Usk Valley.

They are getting home. Now what is happening at Loch Arkaig?! Well, it’s a mess according to Geemeff. “Garry LVO on nest 2; Dorcha on nest 1 getting Garry’s fish and a half-hearted mating attempt; Unringed dark female on nest 2; Aurora 536 on nest 2!” All I can say is ‘gracious me’. Louis, you had best get home.

Iris slept on her perch waiting for new guy 2 to return.

A view of an osprey nest made of twigs and branches, located in a parking lot near buildings and trees. An osprey is perched on the nest, with empty parking spaces visible in the background.

Toby waiting to play fetch!

A black and white Cavalier King Charles Spaniel sitting next to a plush sheep toy on a rug in a living room.

Thank you for being with us. Take care, everyone. See you later in the week – it is going to be busy here. Good busy. And we are expecting more snow, which means pet food, human food, and wood (along with paper to light it) brought inside.

Thank you to SK Hideaways and Geemeff for their videos and reports, to the owners of the streaming cams for allowing us to take screen captures and watch these amazing bird families, and to the individuals who post information on FB – always grateful to you!

Iris and Blue 35

6 April 2026

Hello Everyone!

It could be a very busy day at the UK nests and in the western part of the US as favourable winds are blowing in the ospreys.

It has been confirmed that our dear Iris is, indeed, the osprey that landed early this morning on the Hellgate Canyon nest. I hope everyone had a good cry – a joyful one. Now let’s get that young male osprey back that was courting her last season!

Louis and Starr are already back. Starr was the first to arrive in Missoula. Their nest is at the Baseball Park – and despite all we think, Louis is a good mate to Starr and they raise 2 or 3 chicks to fledge every year.

Gosh, Iris looks good.

An osprey with spread wings standing on a nest made of sticks, with a view of an empty parking lot in the background.
An osprey spreads its wings while standing on a nest made of sticks. The background shows a parking lot and lampposts.
A close-up view of an osprey nest made of branches, with an osprey perched nearby. The scene is set against a parking lot in black and white.

Blue 35 has returned to Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve in Cumbria and is reclaiming her nest after Blue 717 got a little friendly with White YW.

We are waiting the arrival of Louis at Loch Arkaig Nest 2 in Scotland. His mate Dorcha will be delighted to see him land with a nice big trout.

Busy day at the Glaslyn nests:

A social media post detailing an eventful day at Glaslyn Valley, highlighting the presence of ospreys at the Glaslyn nest, with mentions of various birds and activities throughout the day.
A close-up view of two ospreys in a nest made of twigs, with one osprey standing and another slightly turned. The nest contains some moss and dirt. In the lower corners, there are additional images of ospreys, one in flight and another perched.

Lots of action at Loch of the Lowes.

Ospreys at Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre engaging in territorial behavior as one female osprey defends her nest from another.
An osprey perched on a large nest made of twigs, surrounded by trees and a scenic lake in the background. Two smaller images show the osprey in flight.

Thanks, Alison Copland. BoPH have created a genealogy chart. The Carey nest is the one for CJ7 and Blue 022, and it has a streaming cam.

A flowchart detailing the breeding history of ospreys in Poole Harbour from 2022 to 2025, including nests and individual codes for each bird.

Latest arrival news from Kielder Forest:

More males, at last!

One of my favourite males, Tegid Z1, Monty’s son, who breeds on a private nest, has returned safely.

A screenshot of a Facebook post detailing the return of a BTO ringed male osprey at Glaslyn, alongside a female osprey, with information about their breeding history and nesting partners.

So the males are starting to show up in Wales, too. Come on Louis!!!!!!!!!

The feeding is going very well at the Achieva Osprey platform. My goodness, if I didn’t know better, I would think this was a new male. (Maybe it is – I am not trying to start rumours here, just pondering the fish deliveries. I was never that pleased with Jack’s deliveries for Diane and the kids. Has anyone truly identified head markings?)

A bird sitting in a nest made of twigs, with a second bird perched nearby on a wooden post. In the background, trees and residential buildings are visible.

Bella and Scout’s two eaglets are doing just fine although there was a choking concern for the baby earlier on Monday.

Two adult bald eagles are tending to three fuzzy chicks in a nest made of twigs and straw.

Nature chat’s banner:

Interloping Common Buzzard laid 2nd egg today at Lesser Spotted Eagle Cam, as usual LSE pair hasn’t arrived for the season yet.

Hatch occurred yesterday for 2nd egg at Fort St. Vrain Station Eagle Cam, and pip observed on 3rd egg.

Pip watch continues for 3rd egg at ND-LEEF Eagle Cam.

Peanut has branched at the Winter Park, Florida Bald Eagle nest. Best be watching this energetic second hatch. She is going to take off fast!

News about California Condors:

A California condor egg resting in a hollow cavity inside a towering redwood tree, surrounded by mist and foliage.
Text discussing the California condor's history and its relationship with ancient megafauna, highlighting its role in ecology and conservation.
An image depicting a California condor with a tracking device, alongside a nest containing an egg, set against a backdrop of a coastal redwood forest and ocean.

Stop over and see the two little cuties that Jackie and Shadow are feeding and brooding. They are two little round teddy bears! So very happy for our darling couple.

Take care everyone. Iris’s arrival has made this day much brighter! We are all delighted. If Louis returns, I will be posting again. Otherwise, I will see you later in the week.

Thank you to ‘PB’ for her messages, to the owners of the streaming cams for my screen captures and for allowing us to witness the life of these incredible birds. I am grateful to everyone who posts on FB with information. Without your eyes, we might miss something!

Has Iris landed?

6 April 2026

Hello Everyone,

Let’s get on with the great news. No confirmation yet but first thing I checked was Iris’s nest and look what I found.

An osprey sitting on a nest made of twigs, with a parking lot and trees visible in the background.

There was sad news coming out of Florida late Sunday. The little third hatch, Nod, that had captured so many hearts died from starvation caused by siblicide.

Earlier in the day.

An adult osprey stands watch over three young chicks in a nest, with a serene lake and greenery in the background.
Three young ospreys sitting in their nest, surrounded by sticks and greenery, with a calm water body in the background.

It is difficult raising three – it is extraordinary to fledge four but there have been osprey families that have done it repeatedly. Maya and Blue 33 and, as of late, CJ7 and Blue 022 seem to be setting some kind of record.

When a little one dies, I always think of two nests where the tiny one did not die. The first that comes to mind is Tiny Tot Tumbles (2021) at Achieva. We held our breath—79 hours without food. That little babe searched the nest and ate bones. It learned to ride the rails to sneak a bite and attacked the older sibling because it had nothing to lose. Diane noticed this chick wanted to live. When the older ones were asleep, and it was dark, she flew in with one of her catfish. Tiny Tot Tumbles, who was on the verge of death in March and April, survived and thrived. She defended the nest with Jack against an intruder during the third week of June after Diane had left the area. Tiny Tot was still on the nest later in the summer. She was extraordinary. I have always wondered what happened to her, and that is the problem with the US lack of ringing. The chicks on the streaming cam nests need to be ringed – and, yes, that goes for Big Red’s hawklets on the Cornell campus. Surely the folks at Cornell Bird Lab understand that knowing the dispersal area of Big Red’s babies could be important!

The second nest was Foulshaw Moss. White YW is an extraordinary male, and Blue 35 is a great Mum. The two older siblings in 2021 were much, much larger compared to the tiny third hatch. Blue 35 was clever! She managed to fill up the older ones, and once she flew off with the fish, they fell asleep. She returned with the fish and fed the tiny, tiny one. It was a brilliant strategy. I wish I could find my notes. I believe that, once ringed, the osplet was Blue 465. I really hope that Blue 35 returns this year. I am watching and waiting and so is her mate, White YW, who has been home for some days.

At the Glaslyn nest, Aran had a visitor, Blue 019. She is from the Fron nest. Elen was no where to be seen.

A young osprey chick sitting in a nest alongside an adult osprey, with a lush green landscape visible in the background.

Geemeff reports that Dorcha spent an hour on the Loch Arkaig nest 1, an unusual event. She has stopped in over the previous years, but never stayed this long. Geemeff believes that Dorcha flew in right before Storm Dave hit, while the other migrating ospreys are going to wait til the storm leaves. We are all looking forward to Louis’s arrival.

Geemeff sends us the daily summary:

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 5th April 2026

The weather continued to be poor with snow and ice, and Louis hasn’t yet returned. Dorcha however turned up not only on her own nest, but paid a visit of over an hour to Nest One. She has visited Nest One before but only a couple of fleeting visits. Looking forward to the return of Louis and the Nest One residents, probably when Storm Dave passes and the weather settles – in previous years, Louis has arrived as late as 11th April.

Today’s video:

https://youtu.be/jwSZFrPoQRM  N1 Dorcha visits and perches for an hour 10.28.32

Blast from the past – this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/000ExVIHdTk N1 He’s back! Louis returns 2020

https://youtu.be/s45fByu5-ZE N2 Louis swoops around before landing with a fish 2023

https://youtu.be/_tcny1NvSfs N2 Louis is heard sky dancing at dawn 2024

https://youtu.be/onRZQMzzFec N2 Did Dorcha catch a fish or did Louis give it to her off-nest? 2024

https://youtu.be/15LM_bVIrGk N2 Comedy with a sticky situation (Classic Ospreys – Mozart) 2025

https://youtu.be/HPXA4EJ5uQc N2 The dulcet tones of a hungry female! 2025

Why not come and join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:

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

At Loch of the Lowes, there are ospreys but not Blue NC0. It is rumoured that she has been seen at another nest. Wherever she winds up, I hope she has a good mate and raises some healthy osplets. We all loved Laddie LM12, her late mate, and feel sorry for these ‘singles’ that are left and have to leave their former homes.

Take care…chek those cutie pie eaglets out at Big Bear and the babies at Achieva.

See you soon!

Thank you to ‘PB’ for her messages and to the streaming cams that let us see these wonderful birds in all their glory and saddness.

First egg at UK Osprey platform

5 April 2026

Good Afternoon Everyone,

First. A reminder if you haven’t already marked it on your calendar. Iris’s favourite day to return to Missoula is 7 April. We are less than 48 hours away.

They are returning from migration but the osprey season officially kicked off today (IMHO) with the arrival of the first egg.

It was Maya (unringed) and Blue 33’s first egg of 2026 and it happened around 1805.

Close-up view of an osprey in its nest made of twigs and branches, with a water backdrop.

Blue 33 flies in to have a good look.

A bird, possibly an osprey, is seen in a nest made of twigs and branches, near a body of water. The setting is peaceful and natural.

There are two cameras. The rails are so high on the nest this year we might only see little heads for some time.

Wide-angle view of Manton Bay with an osprey nest made of twigs in the foreground, surrounded by water and a blue sky with clouds.

On the Canadian prairies, it was raining and then it started snowing a bit and everything is brown and grey. No beautiful sunshine. Toby was so filthy from our walk that he had another bath – he is so good in the tub. Tomorrow he will have a mobile nail trimmer arrive to shorten those claws. In the meantime, it is damp to the bone weather here in Winnipeg. I hope it is much nicer where you are.

Check out the darling bobble heads at Big Bear and Achieva. Wink has brought in a huge fish to share with Peanut, who has repeatedly defended itself and the nest against that persistent owl. Storks are returning to Europe. One was on the nest at Mlady Buky the last time I checked. Remember, Milda is on eggs, and by the end of the month, I hope to see the cutest little white-tailed eaglets on that nest in Latvia. Fort St Vrain has a second hatch happening with pip watch on the third and only egg remaining (first two broke) going on for the ND-LEEF eagles in South Bend, Indiana.

FSV56 looking at Mum. What a beautiful sight.

A bald eagle tending to its nest, with a chick visible, surrounded by sticks and straw.

Take care everyone. See you soon!

Thank you to the owners of the streaming cams – without them we would not be able to look into the lives of these birds and witness these little bobblehead miracles!

Both eaglets have hatched at Big Bear

5 April 2026

Wow. Isn’t this a great morning?! We had marvelled at Jackie and Shadow’s first hatch keeping a keen eye on that second egg that was pipping knowing full well there would be two eaglets today – and there are!

We missed the second hatch. Thanks to ‘PB’ for sending me some great images while we were out walking Toby.

It has been a while since I watched the news. In fact, I have made a conscious decision to live in the moment, to rejoice in what is happening in our garden as the seasons change, and to monitor how our on-screen bird families are faring. The world is too dark and from past experience checking on streaming cam videos that show ‘death’, it would seem that more people prefer to see a ‘snuff’ video of an eaglet than one where a much loved and wanted chick is hatching. To me that is simply ‘sick’. So, I don’t post them and I don’t watch them.

Today was also a glorious day in the garden. At 0900 three Blue Jays appeared! Three. One of Junior’s and the Mrs fledglings from previous years has returned. They make their nest in the tree across the lane now that their big elm has been cut down. Mr and Mrs Crow have arrived. We have started putting out leftover chicken and their cheesy dogs as they begin to build up after the winter and prepare for their nesting. The Starlings are here, the sparrows are down in number, and the chickadees arrive at dusk and dawn. The Red squirrels are busy caching peanuts – I do not know why and to date, we still have dear Dyson coming with her kits. She is VERY old. We know it is her because of markings that we have compared over the years. With lots of good food and a safe environment, Dyson can possibly live for several more years. That makes me happy.

The Starlings yesterday:

I could never catch the three together in the same frame.

Two blue jays perched near a feeder, one holding a peanut, with a background of twigs and branches.
Two blue jays at a bird feeder filled with peanuts, one in flight with a peanut in its beak and another perched on the feeder.

I record the seasonal changes in the garden including the arrival of more species in this book:

Cover of 'The Naturalist's Notebook' featuring illustrations of birds, plants, and natural elements, with titles and authors' names.
An open book page featuring illustrations of a large beetle with wings and a black bird perched on a tree branch.

Just like many of the large nature centres keep track of the arrival and departure of their ospreys and eagles, I do the same with all of the garden animals over the years. It is a wonderful way to keep yourself in ‘the present’. Nature heals us – it does not destroy us. We need to embrace the life around us.

Each of us should turn off the outside world to keep our hope and kindness. Most of you will recognise that we are all interrelated and that what is good for wildlife and the planet is also good for humans. Then why do we allow people to destroy our precious home? Clearly, Jackie and Shadow do nothing to destroy Big Bear, and yet their habitat is constantly under threat, as it is now from proposed construction at Moon Camp. I want ‘the people’ to triumph for Jackie and Shadow – not just for them but as a signal that we care about wildlife, their habitat, and the sheer joy that their existence gives to us. If there has ever been a time to step up and be heard on this matter, it is now. Being silent is no longer an option. Whether you do it at the ballot box, by donations or volunteering, writing letters or op ed pieces, do something. That something could be as simple as a dish of life-saving water put out daily and refreshed for the birds and animals.

Baiba has the first feeding attempt at Big Bear for hatch 1. (Gosh, I hope they name this one Sandy!), and they could name the second Speers. That would be a wonderful tribute to a woman who worked so hard for these eagles. https://youtu.be/Lyo3kpR280M?

Baiba has the arrival of the second eaglet: https://youtu.be/CB0Jfj3dVoQ?

My gosh they are cute.

A fluffy gray chick sits in a nest surrounded by sticks and two unhatched eggs, with some straw and twigs scattered around.

There continue to be ospreys arriving. We are keeping a close eye out for Louis and I would love to see Blue 35 return to Foulshaw Moss although I have to say that hope is dwindling by the day. Blue 717 has really taken a liking to White YW and why wouldn’t she? He is an amazing provider.

Fish deliveries at ​​the Pont Cresor nest of Z1 Aeron and Blue 14 are at 07:03 – 11:29 – 16:23 according to chat. This is the new streaming cam at Glaslyn owned by Friends of Osprey.

Z1 Aeron is an excellent provider – one of Monty’s boys. Making his dad proud.

A bird with outstretched wings is perched on a nest made of branches, set against a cloudy sky at dawn. The image is slightly blurred due to water droplets on the camera lens.
A close-up view of an eagle perched on a branch near its nest made of twigs, with a scenic landscape of hills and greenery in the background.

At the nest of Aran and Elen, close to the Pont Cresor platform, Aran is delivering fish in terrible conditions, but no Elen to eat them. It is not clear to me that Aran and Elen have seen one another at all since Aran’s return. Please correct me if I am wrong.

A bird perched on a branch amidst bare trees, with greenery in the background.

Storm Dave has brought rain and wind, with some snow, to Wales. It was particularly bad last evening in Sotlad at the Loch Arkaig nest. Will Louis return today or tomorrow?

Dorcha had a sunken crop. She is waiting for Louis to bring her a fish but she doesn’t know he has not arrived. Oh, please, Louis come home.

A bird sitting in a nest made of twigs and branches, overlooking a mountainous landscape with patches of snow in the background.

Asha has arrived home at RSPB Loch Garten.

A female osprey is seen in a nest made of twigs at Loch Garten, surrounded by a forested landscape with hills in the background.

Keep your eyes on those screens for arrivals and if you haven’t seen the second baby at Achieva, check it out. Dad is doing an amazing job bringing in the fish! What a relief.

An osprey chick stands in a nest made of twigs on a platform, with an adult osprey perched above it. In the background, trees and a street are visible.

To those celebrating, Happy Easter or Happy Passover. May you find peace and joy and have good times with friends and family.

Take care everyone. That is it for today. Toby is getting a nail trim in the house tomorrow. Another one of the convenient services I have discovered and it is now time for me to think of what we might have for lunch. We hope to see you soon!

Remember – if you are feeling the least bit down, put on a jacket and head outside. Sit and listen. Feel the breeze on your cheek. I promise you will feel a thousand times better. If you are up to it, go for a walk. Check out the birds around your home. Let me know what you are seeing. Bye for now!

Thank you to Baiba for the videos of the Big Bear Valley family of Jackie and Shadow. Thank you ‘PB’ for alerting me to the full second hatch at BBV and to all the owners and people who post news including Jeff Kear and the UK Osprey Info FB, I am so grateful. Thanks a billion!

Looks like two eaglets so far for Jackie and Shadow

4 April 2026

Hello Everyone,

It is a windy, seemingly chilly day in the Big Bear Valley. The lake is a beautiful blue as Jackie and Shadow are in their nest waiting for the arrival of the second eaglet, who is working its way out of the shell. Shadow really wants a turn, but Jackie, being Jackie, has put her talons down firmly.

We are watching the action on the big screen.

Two bald eagles sitting in their nest on a tree branch, overlooking a scenic lake and forested landscape in the background.

I hope you are, too. Over 38,000 people are waiting for a glimpse of our Super Star’s little ones.

The link to their camera is here: https://www.youtube.com/live/B4-L2nfGcuE?

As for us, we had a good day. We took a break from checking on birds and hatches to take Toby to the park for a nice walk. Then to the pet store to pick up duck hearts and a good pair of scissors. I met a lovely woman there with a Cavalier. We exchanged notes on feeding strategies, each of us knowing that there are serious health concerns with this breed. So far, Toby is clear, and I know my breeder! That means a lot, but that still does not mean that he might not have heart or joint issues, so we are doing everything we can to help ensure that does not happen. The woman and I also agreed that, even though we would never pick another breed, they are too lovable and devoted. That is precisely what I need in my life right now as the husband I had for so long ebbs away.

I am delighted that Aran and Dorcha are home. I am waiting for Louis and for Blue 35 at Foulshaw Moss to return. Fingers crossed.

I also want to recommend a video by Robert Fuller if you are interested in Red Kites, and I hope you are. He erected a large tower to film them on his Yorkshire property. Here are some snaps off the telly:

A person wearing a beanie and gloves is inspecting a large nest in a tree, surrounded by branches and greenery.
Two eagles are standing near their nest, which contains a white chick and remnants of food.
A close-up of a bird of prey in flight, showcasing its wings and distinctive plumage, with a background of trees and a nest.

Here is the link to The Hidden Life of Red Kites: https://youtu.be/snwsIUqzxYM?

Send best wishes to Jackie and Shadow and to all those birds who are migrating to their breeding grounds now. They need it!

See you soon!

Dorcha and Aran are home in the UK

4 April 2026

Oh, what a day it is going to be. Dorcha, the mate of Louis at the Loch Arkaig nest, arrived home earlier than usual this morning. Aran, who also arrived late in 2025 only to lose his nest to Teifi, has arrived home early and as far as I know, Teifi is no where to be seen. Elen is home waiting for ‘someone’ as hormones leading up to osprey breeding season increase.

Aran arrives at 1005 and leaves returning with a fish around noon.

A bird taking off from its nest, with a green landscape and a tree line in the background.
An osprey perched in its nest with a fish, set against a lush green landscape.

Aran was always one of my favourites and I hope that Elen gets home and this year there are chicks on the Glaslyn nest once again!

Elen returned and the couple reunited at 1522.

Two ospreys perched on a nest made of sticks, with a scenic background of hills and greenery under a cloudy sky.
Two ospreys perched in their nest made of twigs, with green fields and distant hills in the background under a cloudy sky.

Geemeff caught Dorcha’s arrival at the Loch Arkaig 2 nest on video: https://youtu.be/Hv209zQDnHY?

An osprey is taking off from its nest, surrounded by a scenic view of mountains and a river in the background.

Other arrivals are Blue 647 at Kielder Forest, mate to UV. The terrible weather is bringing in the ospreys to their nests quickly this Easter weekend. (They tell me this bad weather is from Canada – sorry folks).

https://kielderospreys.wpcomstaging.com/…/an-easter…/

The latest news from the Usk Valley in Wales.

https://www.uskvalleyospreys.org/news/rest-refresh-refuel-amp-rebuild?fbclid=IwY2xjawQ9_fJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeRPvstfzu6OHuxgaaViMlP-68jraglgHBYShVf0ks0V3MVD19PSl55emjqWk_aem_B6oq0evbpksQq14CC8crqA

Blue 372 is at Lyn Brenig fighting off Crows.

A bird's nest sitting on a wooden pole above a body of water, with a bird standing at the edge of the nest.

There is other wonderful news – news that we have waited for and seriously get the tissues. Happiness has arrived for Jackie and Shadow. It sounds cold and windy at Big Bear!

There are always conflicting reports now about Jackie and Shadow. Jackie is really chatting with Shadow, who is on the nest, and you can hear the raven in the background. There is a rumour that egg 1 has almost hatched or has hatched. i cannot independently confirm this and there is nothing on chat or the events sheet other than pip began on the 3rd. At the moment Shadow has brought in a nice fish and is eating it next to Jackie. (new restrictions mean I cannot post images – which I personally think is a huge mistake on the part of the owners of the cam – they are wanting donations to save this nest!)

At 0738:12 you can see the egg is almost completely cracked all the way around! We are going to have a baby at Big Bear soon. Get the tissues, pop the champagne!

Thank you for being with me this morning. It is going to be a gorgeous Saturday on the Canadian prairies. It feels ‘warm’ , but I have not even checked the temperature. We hope to see you again soon with more exciting news from Bird World

Thank you to Geemeff for the video of Dorcha’s arrival, and the news of that arrival along with Aran. Thank you to the owners of the streaming cams for letting us view these amazing birds, and to Jeff Kear and Mary Cheadle at UK Osprey Information for keeping us abreast of new arrivals. To Kielder and Usk Valley, your reports are so valuable – thank you.

Pip at Big Bear!!!!!

3 April 2026

The first pip for Jackie and Shadow has been confirmed.

@FOBBVCAM

​​!pip 10:03:03 Pip Pip Horray, we have seen a pip! Please look at our Facebook page for more information.

Close-up view of a bald eagle nest featuring two eggs surrounded by twigs and straw.

Congratulations. I know where everyone is watching…28,762 people right now waiting for this special eaglet including Jackie and Shadow.

Thank you to the owners of the cam and the chat who have confirmed pip.