30 April 2026
Good Morning Everyone,
There is always a reason to celebrate, even when there is sadness. My friend, Geemeff, says that getting weary over the recent deaths is ‘because we care”…and yes, that is right. We fall in love with these little ones, and we want to help them when they are ill – desires most of the time that simply have to be nothing more than that. Today’s sadness comes from Mooring Park. It appears that this nest that began with three will have only one to fledge this year.
Blinken, the second hatch at Moorings Park Osprey Platform in Florida, was showing signs of being ill several days ago. Eagle-eye ‘PB’ spotted it. Sadly, the little one passed this morning, but not before looking lovingly and saying goodbye to Mum.
Do animals and birds have emotions? Have a listen to Marc Bekoff: https://youtu.be/oQDPyBNtojI?
The big hug for Jane: https://youtu.be/EJmxu4ENJ50?
The very last time chicks were dancing and fledging from Loch Arkaig nest 1 was in 2020, with Louis and Aila’s trio. Aila did not return in 2021, and Louis never went back to their nest. He made nest 2 his with Dorcha. Today, Geemeff writes that Aurora has laid her first egg! Congratulations. It is nice to see that both nests at the lach will have babies this year!
Here is the link to Loch Arkaig 1 camera: https://www.youtube.com/live/–l_qKzu2kE?
The other good news is that it appears that Big Red and Arthur not only have one pip but two!
OR 6 and 7 are doing great at Syracuse University’s Red-tail Hawk nest. This is also great news.
Charlie and Lola fans will be glad that the injured female and her mate have reunited on a different nest, choosing to live in what we hope is peace. Let the intruders have their old nest. Let’s wish them luck.
Speaking of intruders, Lyn Brenig had one in the dark!
And then we have this post from Dyfi. Did Idris think his mate Telyn was an intruder?
Meanwhile, we still have a fortnight before we expect Blue 33 and Maya’s eggs to pip at Rutland Water.
A little longer in Cumbria as we waited for Blue 35 to return.
One of the stories in this month’s Birdlife International magazine is the challenges that the Emperor Penguin now faces.
As Grasslands disappear, so does the song of the Bobolink. A story from Orion:
I am waiting for Geemeff to send her summary of today’s events at Loch Arkaig. I suspect that with the arrival of the first egg in six years at Loch Arkaig nest 1, there is much to do and lots to celebrate. I will post that summary, along with all their wonderful videos, separately when they arrive.
I know that I am missing many who should appear on the Memorial Page. If you can help me with names – storks, hawks, eagles, ospreys, etc, I would be grateful. They should be remembered. Thank you!
Thank you for being with us today. We will be back with you soon!
Thank you to ‘PB’ for alerting me first about Blinken’s condition, to Marc Bekoff for his studies in animal behaviour, to Dyfi for their newsletter, to all who post on FB and keep us up to date and to the owners of the streaming cams mentioned, thank you. We would not be able to share the lives of our favourite bird families without you.