Tag Archives: Ospreys

Branching at Collins Street…sea eaglets return hungry to the nest. Wednesday in Bird World.

Good morning, everyone,

Today is Remembrance Day. All across Canada, friends and family are honouring those that gave their lives in the many wars since ‘The Great War’ – which was supposed to end all wars. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we lived in a world of fierce cooperation, caring for one another, caring for wildlife.

Speaking of caring for wildlife. Those individuals who worked so hard – Brian Collins, Debbie Campbell, Robert Kellam (amongst hundreds of others) to stop the harvesting of Menhaden so our ospreys could survive are outraged. No science. Nothing. You are now witnessing the extinction of ospreys in the Chesapeake Bay and area. I felt like someone ran over me with a truck when I heard that no one listened to the presentations supporting the ecosystem and our beloved Osprey. Surely 151 jobs in Reedsville, Virginia, are not worth destroying this beautiful landscape.

Debbie Campbell posted this.

Infographic over a school of Atlantic menhaden stating that advocates’ voices were ignored, with a 9% coastwide catch reduction for 2027–2028 and a 99.5% chance of exceeding the fishing mortality target.

We woke up to 0°C temperatures. The forecast even shows that we could have snow! I am not ready for that. My arthritic left leg is not ready for that! I am so grateful for Toby. What a sweet little dog he is. He doesn’t like cold, damp weather either. Out for business and curled up in the chair. No demands for long walks on days like this. I think we might make a fire in the woodstove. ‘The Girls’ always love that! Maybe Toby will, too.

Thank you, as always, for your love and support. It means the world to me and lifts me up when the days seem to be crashing in. I haven’t given an update on Don because it’s been such a roller coaster. One day we are having a conversation that could have happened in our conservatory pre-August 27, and another day, Donald is terribly confused. It is the life of someone caring for Lewy Body Dementia. Alzheimer’s has a downward trajectory. LBD -the brain function is the very last to go – while the ‘body’ falls apart.

There is no hope that Don will ever walk again. He still remembers walking, and that is dangerous. Yesterday, Don had blood work taken and was panelled. Panelling is the process of determining if an individual requires long-term care and then what type of unit they would go into. There are three levels: normal, special, and special behavioural unit. The latter two deal with increasingly violent individuals. Don was panelled to go into a normal care facility. We are so happy! I do not get to pick the home. I have a first choice: Riverview. It is very close to our home and would make it easy for Toby and me to visit. Because it is considered to be the gold standard, there is a very long waiting list (1.5 years, presumably). There are 37 other homes scattered across our City. I just hope that when our lottery comes up, the home is full of kindness and love and close to where we live. Until then, he will live in his current hospital room. An opening could happen tomorrow, in a week, or in several months. We do not know. Sadly, someone has to die, and there are others in front of Don in line.

SK Hideaways has sent their video listing!

SK Hideaways Videos Week of 1 November 2026

367 Collins Street Falcons ~ Melbourne, Australia ~ F24 & M24, eggs hatched October 1, 2 & 5
Courtesy Victorian Peregrine Project | Melbourne
South Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oibsohQ14cY
North Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNKk0ivuWe4

Very sadly, the second female has also contracted trichomonosis and will not survive. As of 10 November, the male still appears to be healthy.

Chick #1 is Very Unwell ~ 2 Healthy Chicks Take Time to Be Near~ 2026 Nov 4
As reported by Dr. Victor Hurley, chick #1 appears to have a Trichomoniasis infection. The video includes his entire statement. The unwell chick is not yet showing severe symptoms, so I wanted to bring you some endearing footage of the two healthy siblings spending time with chick #1, as well as the chick’s current state. This allows me to inform and educate before her disease progresses. I will continue to report on the chick’s progress in my typical sensitive fashion. Having said that, even this video may be disturbing to some viewers.
Video: https://youtu.be/J4jBSjSIe4E


Sydney WB Sea Eagles ~ Australia ~ Lady, Dad, SE37, and SE38
Courtesy Sea-EagleCAM@BirdLife Australia Discovery Centre, Sydney Olympic Park (https://www.sea-eaglecam.org/video.html)
Nest cam also at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWYBNX02Q-A
Disclaimer: while I refer to SE37 as female and SE38 as male, their genders are not actually known.

SE37 & SE38 REUNITE! Lady & Dad Deliver Celebration Feast ~ 2026 Nov 7
On SE38’s homecoming day, SE37 stayed out exploring till late afternoon. When the two came together, they had a mini-honk fest and everything returned to normal. That’s when the celebration really started, as Dad brought in a bream, which 38 immediately claimed for himself. Lady soon brought in a gull for 37. There were poignant moments of Lady feeding first 37 and then both eaglets. Just as they finished the first gull, Dad brought in a second. It was quite the food fest. When day turned to night, the two eaglets came together in the nest.
Thankful for these post-fledge moments, as we never know when our time with SE37 and SE38 on camera will end. So grateful for having the opportunity for as long as it lasts.
Video: https://youtu.be/ax8qh1BGq90

SE38 RETURNS with BIG FISH Welcome! ~ 2026 Nov 7
When Lady brought a big whopper to the nest, she may have purposely been luring SE38 home. But whatever the reason, the sea eaglet, who fledged 2 days before, returned and had that big fish all to himself. Meanwhile, SE37 watched from her perch high above the nest and then went out exploring. SE38 was content to remain in the nest and get a well-deserved rest.
Video: https://youtu.be/h5i5KTrj84I

SE37’s Big Night Out with Lady ~ Returns to Nest for Zoomies & Sleep ~ 2026 Nov 5
SE37 perched near the nest after fledging. Lady arrived late afternoon with supper and SE37 experienced dining out for the first time. After digesting and having a think, SE37 took the leap and flew back to the nest like a pro. She stayed the night and, as I post, has been there all day as well. SE38 has been heard but not seen on camera. Hope to see him again soon.
Disclaimer: while I refer to SE37 as female and SE38 as male, their genders are not actually known.
Video: https://youtu.be/qizkp0hdhl4

2 Fledges + 2 Semi-Fludges = A Busy Day for SE37 & SE38 ~ 2026 Nov 5
A blustery day brought on fledge fever. SE38 went back and forth between the nest and the fledge tree twice beginning at 6:32. On his third trip to the fledge tree, a wind gust unbalanced him, causing him to slip. He ended up on a tree to the right of the nest.
SE37 was exercising her wings when a gust took her by surprise and off she went, ending up on a branch just to the left of the nest at 12:46.
They will likely rest where they are for awhile before attempting to relocate. We hope to see them on the nest again before they take off on their life adventure.
Video: https://youtu.be/AHxhsBWpLaY


Two Harbors Eagles ~ Catalina Island, CA ~ Cholyn & Chase (28 years old; mated pair for 23 years)
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Two Harbors Eagles Cam Ops
Overlook Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yx7RKxpyzQ
Eagle Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5T2eHM8tcI

Cholyn Calls at Sunset ~ Moments to Remember ~ 2026 Nov 3 & 7
From a few days ago, just a simple little video of Cholyn on the historical nest calling out as a beautiful Two Harbors sunset unfolded. Chase didn’t answer her call this time, but they were seen together after this particular evening, including today. I included a clip of today’s meeting on their sofa, chortling their sweet hearts out.
Video: https://youtu.be/xZYnrU-54hM


West End Eagles ~ Catalina Island, CA ~ Isla & Lee (newish maybe couple)
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | West End Eagles Cam Ops
Nest Low Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfuqjSNXZ14
Other Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT1adgYSfbcqI
Overlook Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCGyi19a6J4

It appears we’ve had another residency change at the West End. Lovely Narasu has not be seen  since 5 November and it’s possible that a previous resident, Isla has returned. Time will tell if we see an actual breeding season here.

Masked Visitor at Nest ~ Where are Narasu & HG ~ 2026 Nov 5
Never a dull moment at the West End territory on Catalina Island. What appears to be a large sub-adult female got comfy on Narasu and HG’s nest twice today (so far). We saw two eagles on the far tor after the end of this video. Happy to entertain visitors, but really enjoying Narasu and HG here.
Video: https://youtu.be/c2gOgaYCMWA

Narasu & HG Nest Palooza ~ She Aces Tug-o-Wing & This-Fish-Is-Mine ~ 2026 Nov 1
As we get to know Narasu and HG*, it was great to have them on camera all day so we could observe and learn. This day-in-the-life video shows the extensive nestorations they’ve done to the nest I’ll always think of as Thunder and Akecheta’s, who would be proud of the work these new residents have done.
It also shows 4-1/2-year-old Narasu taking charge about “owning” food that comes into the nest. It appeared that HG may have brought her a pigeon gift, but we can’t be sure if it was meant as such or if he’s learned that all food is hers. More nestorations and then Narasu brought in a large Garabaldi, which she wasn’t about to share, but did eventually give HG a bite (in a very touching moment).
At day’s end, they went to the night roost, like other eagle pairs have always done. Fingers crossed they settle in for nesting season in a month or so.
*HG stands for Handsome Guy, a nickname given to the male until the couple mate and produce.
Video: https://youtu.be/hAfZ0gO7euQ

Narasu & HG Spectacular Soaring ~ She Lets Ravens Know Who’s Boss ~ 2026 Nov 1
Narasu and VE3 (Visiting Eagle 3) or HG (Handsome Guy, my preferred nickname) were out and about on a lovely West End morning, soaring all around the tors. Later, Narasu landed on the overlook to observe what she seems to have claimed as her territory when two pesky ravens began taunting her. The 4-1/2 year-old beauty held her ground. The ravens blinked first and flew off. Narasu is a 2022 hatch from Twin Rocks nest, also on Catalina Island. HG is unbanded
Video: https://youtu.be/umBt9R4FJ-g

The good news continues at the Olympic Park WBSE nest in Sydney where SE37 and 38 continue to return to the nest ravenous for food!

Close-up of a bird of prey's talons gripping a small fish on a leaf-covered forest floor
Two juvenile birds perched on a tree branch in a dense forest
Two sea eagles perched on a large nest in a eucalyptus forest

Oh, what a beautiful sight.

At 367 Collins Street, the female is still alive. Can she beat what killed her older sibling? Send positive energy. She is not robust, but she has eaten some. The male is preparing to fledge. He branched today! He seems not to have been impacted at all, thank goodness.

Remember – the cameras at this site are turned off once both chicks fledge.

City skyline and riverfront viewed from a high-rise, with pigeons perched on the window ledge

Across my city, we have geese feeding on the lush green grass. Don can watch them fly into Sturgeon Creek from the dayroom at the hospital. The rivers are still open.

Hawk Mountain is still counting as migration continues.

Table listing raptor species with weekly totals, season totals, and 10-year averages, including a total of 407 weekly sightings and 18,443 season sightings.

And last, but never least, we have an update on Ervie and Giliath!

Screenshot of a Port Lincoln Osprey social media post discussing tracking updates and two male ospreys.

Giliath:

Satellite map of Port Lincoln, South Australia, showing yellow flight paths around Boston Island and Lincoln National Park.

Ervie for the last three weeks:

Satellite map of Port Lincoln and surrounding coastline with yellow flight paths connecting Boston Island, Louth Bay, and Tumby Bay.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Keep watching – Bald Eagle eggs are starting to appear, and we are on egg watch for Gabby and Beau.

I will return next Monday. My plan is to post once a week until we have little eaglets!

Thank you to SK Hideaway for their great videos, to Debbie Campbell for leading the fight to save the ospreys, to Hawk Mountain for posting their count, and to the others who posted on FB, and the owners of the streaming cams – we are forever grateful for alerting us to the activities of our beloved birds.

Save the Osprey!

9 November 2026

Tomorrow is the day that the vote on Menhaden will happen. It is a big day for our ospreys and I thank everyone who sent their comments to the committee.

Truck displaying an American Bird Conservancy campaign urging people to conserve menhaden because ospreys are starving, parked on a historic city street.
Social media post discussing menhaden conservation, osprey nestling deaths, and an upcoming fisheries management vote.

Great news about Snow – Flying Higher and Lifting Off. Mum and Dad would be proud.

Black eagle flying inside a large aviary with bold text reading “SNOW!!! 120 FEET OF PROGRESS!”

Victor Hurley was concerned about the female at 367 Collins Street. The adult female has been feeding her and she is eating better and both looked good a few minutes ago.

Pigeon flying beside a high-rise rooftop overlooking a city skyline, river, and waterfront pier.

Adult on nest with prey – eaglet on the branches earlier at the Olympic Park WBSE nest in Sydney.

A juvenile bird of prey perched on a tree branch in a forest
Spotted owl perched on a tree branch in a wooded forest.
White-bellied sea eagle perched in a large stick nest among tree branches

SK Hideaways has the return of SE38 to the nest after fledge! https://youtu.be/h5i5KTrj84I?

M15 and F26 were seen mating on the old nest at the Pritchett Farm in Fort Myers, Florida.

Egg watch continues at NE Florida nest of Beau and Gabby.

Bald eagle perched in a large nest surrounded by pine trees and forest
Bald eagle perched on a tree branch above a forest canopy, with distant buildings visible under a blue sky.

Thank you so much for being with us on this quick update. There is one other thing – Mary Cheadle is holding a final fundraiser for The Woodland Trust and the Loch Arkaig nest of Louis and Dorcha.

Screenshot of a Facebook post announcing the Friends of Loch Arkaig Ospreys Christmas Fundraiser 2026 for the Woodland Trust.
Christmas-themed collage featuring wildlife artwork, an oystercatcher calendar, squirrel and kingfisher photographs, and festive decorations

Thank you to everyone advocating for the Ospreys tomorrow – what a great image. Thank you to SK Hideaways and to everyone who else who posted information, images, or both. I am grateful to the owners of the streaming cams that let us watch these incredible birds.

Aran’s book is ready for purchase…late Sunday in Bird World

8 November 2026

Greetings Everyone,

It is 1700 on the Canadian Prairies (Saturday), and it is 14 degrees C. Toby and I have just returned from a marvellous, slow-sniffing walk. No rushing. People running or walking their dogs, children jumping on trampolines, or neighbours barbecuing. It feels a wee bit like summer and not the beginning of the second week in November!

Thank you to everyone for your supportive notes. They really do mean a lot and lift me when the days seem nothing but icy cold and grey. Caregiving is hard, but navigating whether or not to bring your loved one home from the hospital when they cannot walk or place them in a long-term care facility is even more difficult. There are too many variables like staffing – here, the turnover can be huge. Then there is not enough staff at night to help with a two-person lift. I could go on, but I suspect many of you have had experiences with LTC facilities, and I don’t need to say anything more. We were fortunate to find my mother a wonderful facility in Edmond, Oklahoma, when she needed it, and I wasn’t allowed to bring her to Canada. Here, the best facilities have 1-2 year wait lists.

If you find yourself or a friend beginning to care for someone with any type of dementia, I urge you to pick up a copy of The Days Memory Leaves Behind. A Compassionate Guide to Understanding Dementia, Navigating Its Challenges, and Finding Meaning in Everyday Life by Sylvan Everleigh. This is not a medical book – it is one of the most practical guides by a caregiver I have seen! I wish I had read it earlier.

The ‘bird book’ I have been waiting for since I saw a note that it was being written and illustrated is now for sale. Kathryn Keir (author) and Penny Albright (illustrator) have finished their book about Aran, the Glaslyn osprey that was mate to Mrs G and Elen. All proceeds go toward the camera and maintenance at Aran’s new nest (he lost his mate, Elen, and Glaslyn’s nest to Teifi in 2025), and he had a new mate and chick in 2026. Kathryn Keir kindly kept us informed through photographs, but now, in 2027, we can watch this much-loved male again with his new mate.

Here is the information so you can order your copy- and please do support this great effort. The price is right and all funds go directly to streaming next years events!

But further…there are many streaming cams that solicit donations that are owned by millionaires or the Dept of Natural Resources in the US who get funds from selling hunting licenses to operate their cameras. Support those small ones that actually need the money to operate!

Screenshot of a social media post announcing the bilingual children's book "Aran's Arrival," including pricing, postage, ordering details, and proceeds supporting osprey conservation.
Children's book cover titled "Aran’s Arrival" featuring an illustrated owl and Welsh bilingual text.

Kathryn will be away for a few days so if you don’t hear from her, don’t fret.

The really good news is that SE37 and SE38 fledged from the Olympic Park WBSE nest in Sydney and RETURNED! They have been fed on the nest and all is well. Relief.

SK Hideaways has the reunion of the two fledglings at the nest on video: https://youtu.be/ax8qh1BGq90?

Two dark birds perched on tree branches above a large stick nest in a leafy forest.
Young osprey standing in a large stick nest among tree branches
Infrared night-vision image of tree branches with two round fruits and a timestamp.
Social media post from EagleCAM with a November 7 update and a four-image collage showing sea eagles and a chick in a nest.

Long time viewers of this nest and readers of my blog will recall the concern over the Currawongs driving the newly fledged eaglets out of the forest. However, for the past two years, this has not happened and the eaglets have gotten stronger and wiser by being fed at the nest and then, following the parents, down to the river. Yes, we might find them in care (or worse), but they survived the fledge and returned to the nest!

Parents at 367 are slowing food deliveries as the two surviving chicks of four reveal their juvenile feathers and begin flap, flapping.

Aerial view of Sydney’s Circular Quay waterfront and city skyline with a bird perched on a building ledge

Fans of Pepe and Mulhady will be celebrating a second egg. Gracie Shepherd caught the first on video: https://youtu.be/MBt4K2ZzSR4?

We are on egg watch for Gabby and Beau at the NE Florida nest near Palm Court.

Bald eagle standing in a large treetop nest surrounded by pine trees and forest

New patients and some releases from our local wildlife rehabiliation centre, Wildlife Haven:

nside the Hospital: This Week’s Patient Stories
Migration is underway, and that means we’re seeing a lot of birds come through our doors in need of care along their journey south. Here’s a look at the patients, progress and happy endings your support helped make possible this week.
A New Arrival: Rough-Legged Hawk
This Rough-legged Hawk arrived at Wildlife Haven a few days ago after being spotted along the roadside near Petersfield, Manitoba. The finder had driven past him twice before deciding to stop and bring him back to his farm. He noticed the bird could only manage short jumps and was unable to get enough lift to fly properly.
The Rough-legged Hawk was found on the roadside struggling to fly.
On examination, we found a fracture in his wing, as well as a blood blister, which was removed, cleaned and sutured. Dr. Celena applied a wing wrap to help stabilize the injured bone, and we’ll be rechecking him in a few days to see how he’s progressing.
Dr. Celena applies a wing wrap to help stabilize the fracture and support healing.
A Little Saw-whet Owl Returns to the Wild
This little Northern Saw-whet Owl was found in a Steinbach backyard unable to fly and suffering from significant head trauma. We’re not sure what happened, but it may have been the result of a collision.
Northern Saw-whet Owls are one of the smallest owl species in North America, standing just 18 cm tall and weighing about as much as a robin.
When he first arrived, he was barely responsive, so we got him started on pain medication and anti-inflammatories, gave him a quiet space to recover, and hand-fed him throughout the week while he regained his strength.
It took several days, but slowly he started becoming more responsive (and even hissing at us again!). Before long, we spotted him flying around his enclosure!The little Saw-whet needed to be hand-fed for several days to regain his strength. Our Assistant Rehabilitation Manager wipes his mouth after being fed.
He was successfully released back into the Steinbach area this week and can now continue his migration south.
A Virginia Rail with a Dislocated Toe
A Virginia Rail arrived from Winnipeg this week with shoulder bruising and a badly dislocated left toe. Our veterinary team repositioned the toe and splinted it, but after another assessment, discovered healing would take several weeks, if not longer.
Virginia Rails are very secretive and spend most of their time hidden in thick marsh vegetation. They are a migratory species and travel to southern parts of the United States and Mexico for the winter.
She couldn’t afford that delay, as she should already be migrating south for the winter. To give her the best chance back in the wild, the team decided to amputate the toe for a faster recovery.
Dr. Celena performed the surgery on Thursday. The Virginia Rail is now on the mend, and we hope to get her back out to the wild, healed and feeling better, to make the trip south before it gets too cold.
Dr. Celena performing surgery the Virginia Rail to remove its dislocated toe.

Some of you might be worried about Shadow and Kaydee but both eagles have returned to the Big Bear nest after being away for quite a few days (nearing a week, I believe). They are both fine.

The latest news from Knepp Farm:

News from Knepp Wildlife Sightings this AutumnDownload

Rat poison continues to kill wildlife, including beloved White tail Eagles in the UK:

Death of yet another White-tailed Eagle in southern England linked to rat poison – Raptor PersecutioDownload

Grouse Moors and missing 154 Hen Harriers!

154 Hen Harriers confirmed ‘missing’ or illegally killed in UK since 2018, most of them on or closeDownload

New osprey chicks have been spotted at nests throughout South Australia and the sole remaining chick on Thistle Island appears to be thriving.

It was 14 C yesterday but cooler today and damp again. Toby is not a fan! He would rather curl up in a warm chair.

Black, white, and tan Cavalier King Charles Spaniel sleeping curled up on a cushion

Calico reminds us that reading is good!

Close-up of a calico cat with green eyes sitting on a cat tree by a window

Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care. We will be back with you soon!

Thank you to SK Hideaways, Kathryn Keir and Penny Albright, Raptor Persecution UK, Sydney Eagle Cam and all those who posted on FB or created videos as well as the owners of the streaming cams. We are always grateful.

Norfolk welcomes thousands of Northern Nutcrackers…Late Sunday in Bird World

1 November 2026

Hello Everyone,

Gosh, the week flew by. In some parts of the world, the time changed, but here in Manitoba, we stayed the same. This year, we did not ‘fall back’. A vote was taken, and there will be no more Daylight Saving Time. I wonder how this will impact people’s lives – or not. We wait to see.

Gorgeous birds at the feeders all week. Those Starlings sure love the cat and dog kibble.

Close-up of a colorful starling perched near a water source, displaying iridescent plumage with speckles.

Mr Crow isn’t all black – check out those gorgeous iridescent feathers!

A close-up side profile of a dark-colored bird with glossy feathers, perched on a branch among green foliage.

We could not forget about Junior. We continue to have seven Blue Jays at the feeder the instant the peanuts are put out. It is fantastic to wake up to their presence and their song throughout the day.

A close-up image of a blue jay perched on a branch, displaying its vibrant blue and gray feathers.
A group of birds gathering on a bird feeder filled with sunflower seeds, featuring a starling and a sparrow in flight.

You probably wonder about the Calicos – Calico and her baby, Hope. They tend to keep to themselves while these three hang out together all day long.

A cozy scene featuring a dog and three cats resting together on a couch adorned with a textured pillow. The animals are comfortably nestled against each other in warm sunlight.

Again, thank you for your wonderful letters of support. I won’t lie. Am I doing OK? Not really, but we are doing the best we can in a horrible situation, just like millions of other families are right now. I am so grateful for the support I have and the small team that makes sure Don has someone visit him each day. It makes a difference to me. Does it mean something to Donald? I sure hope so, as it is an effort for everyone, and I am so grateful. It gives me a chance to recharge my batteries a bit, so to speak, and to clear my head.

I am hoping to get everyone who visits to get someone to take a photo with them and Donald and then I am going to have those images printed for a book and a tiny blanket. Perhaps it will help him to remember.

Did you have little ones for Halloween? Toby dressed up like a lizard and helped me deliver goodie bags to the five children on our block and one special adult. A nearby street has their annual block party for Halloween, and there are about thirty other children who come trick-or-treating- the weather was grand.

This is the latest from Judy Harrington re the WBSE:

A nesting area with two juvenile birds, one partially visible, and an adult bird in flight above them, surrounded by green foliage and tree branches.
A close-up of a bird's nest containing two birds, one perched on the nest and another flying above it. The nest is made of twigs and placed among green foliage.

November 1: Rain in the night, with the eaglets flapping -then it eased and all settled again. Early start to the day then both were seen down on the river, one appeared to be eating. Lady arrived at the nest at 7:21, closely followed by Dad with an eel. Eaglets were quick to react – as was Lady, claiming the prey. She fed 37 then both ate. Before that just before 6am SE37 branched -at last official. And again at 6:37. More prey at 9:40 when Dad came with a fish, quickly grabbed by 38 -eating until 37 took over. 38 moved to PB beside Dad. 37 self-fed very well, finishing the rest. Then they rested and waited. Late afternoon both parents were down on River Roost, with a duet. Late afternoon, Lady brought a gull nestling in and again fed them both. Satisfied eaglets at end of day.

With no little chicks this year for Gimbir and Diamond, Holly Parsons has been posting memories along with other ‘Diamond Fans’. Here is a YouTube compilation of Gizmo and Pluto from 2019 by Holly: https://youtu.be/VJvrY7Jbhsw?

The trio at 367 Collins Street are growing right before our eyes. The oldest is a real corker – loving to hang out on the ledge and give us all indigestion with worry.

SK Hideaways has the mischief on video: https://youtu.be/fPE_FIXZFqQ?

A close-up view of a nest on a ledge, with a small bird standing among debris and feathers, accompanied by humorous text about causing heart failure.

In the US, nest prep continues for the Bald Eagles:

A pair of Bald Eagles, Wink and Atlas, are seen aerating their nest in Winter Park, FL. The image captures them working together in a leafy tree setting.

Narasu and HG at the West End nest in the Channel Islands today:

Two bald eagles are seen near their nest on a rocky ledge, surrounded by greenery. One eagle appears to be picking at something on the nest while the other stands nearby, facing the camera.

Gabby and Beau at the NE Florida Bald Eagle nest near Palm Court, Florida:

Two bald eagles are sitting in their nest, surrounded by branches and greenery in the background.

Nothing on the SW Florida cam, and, of course, the Captiva Bald Eagle cam is no longer operational as Lori Covert has sold the property.

Ospreys continue to visit (Jack and Jill, it is believed) the Achieva Osprey nest in St. Petersburg, Florida.

An osprey perched on a post above a large nest in a residential area, with trees and houses in the background.

Birdlife International discusses the four flyways and why they are essential to migration:

Global Flyways: New digital series spotlights global effort to protect migratory birds – BirdLife InDownload

In the UK, the arrival of many Siberian nutcrackers has excited birdwatchers.

Influx of Nutcrackers a sweet treat for birdwatchers!Download

e-Bird states a Northern Nutcracker is a : “Large, distinctive corvid, roughly the size of a Eurasian Jay. Note the long and heavy bill, white-flecked face, and black cap. Note white-spotted dark brown back and sides. Short tail, white vent, and white tail markings evident during undulating, woodpecker-like flight. Inhabits coniferous and mixed forests, from lowlands up into high montane forests. Often stores nuts for the winter. Mostly resident but large numbers may irrupt periodically out of the normal range in response to food shortages. Gives a variety of calls, especially during the breeding season, including harsh grating rasps, as well as quieter “mumbling” calls and mimicry. Formerly grouped with Southern Nutcracker under the more generic “Eurasian Nutcracker.”

When asked about the challenges that the Northern Nutcracker faces, we get the following:

The primary environmental challenges for the northern nutcracker are centered around climate change, indirect habitat degradation, and volatile food supply failures:

  1. Indirect Climate Change Impacts on Seed Sources

The northern nutcracker is a dietary specialist that relies heavily on a co-dependent, mutualistic relationship with specific trees. In Europe, its primary winter food comes from the seeds of the Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra) and the common hazel (Corylus avellana), while its Siberian counterpart (N. c. macrorhynchos) relies on the Siberian pine.

  • Alpine Habitat Contraction: Climate warming alters subalpine and mountain ecotones. While nutcrackers assist trees in colonizing higher altitudes by caching seeds at upper treelines, long-term modeling indicates that alpine and montane habitats are at severe risk of extensive species contraction due to rising temperatures.
  1. Severe Food Failures and “Irruptions”

When localized ecosystems experience consecutive years of optimal weather, nutcracker populations experience a breeding boom. However, if these boom cycles are immediately followed by widespread pine seed crop failures, the birds suffer catastrophic food shortages.

  • Mass Displacement: Extreme resource scarcity forces the birds into massive, desperate migratory events called irruptions. During these periods, tens of thousands of nutcrackers are forced out of their native habitats—Siberian nutcrackers, for example, have been pushed thousands of miles across Scandinavia, the Netherlands, and into the UK in search of basic sustenance.
  1. High Boreal Forest Dependency

According to data tracked by the BirdLife International DataZone, the northern nutcracker possesses a high forest dependency rating. This makes them acutely vulnerable to any disruptions in contiguous old-growth coniferous and mixed forests. Widespread logging, clear-cutting for infrastructure, and extreme, climate-driven boreal wildfires heavily compromise the specific stands of trees they need to harvest and cache up to 100,000 seeds annually per bird.

The end of the season update from Rutland Water on the Ospreys with a YouTube video link:

“As all three got more confident in their flying abilities, 8R7(26) caused a bit of concern on 22nd July. Seen leaving the nest just after 6am, he was absent for a large portion of the day, but returned to the nest just after 4pm, having not been seen at any of his usual spots during that time at all.

It was then 8R5(26)’s turn to disappear, spending extended periods off the nest and then, on 31st July, we saw him for the final time this year, flying off the poplar branch after a large breakfast, off round the back of the poplar trees and away. At the time, he was 80 days old, so rather young for migration, but he had proven to be a strong chick during his 29 days since fledging. Hopefully, we’ll see him again in two years.

Seemingly inspired by her male siblings, 8R6(26) then had a period of disappearing from the nest for more than a day at a time but, after a week of this, then stayed around the nest. However, on the morning of Friday 21st August, both 8R6(26) (99 days old) and 8R7(26) (96 days) were seen spiralling up on thermals over Manton Bay, led by 33(11), a short while after 10:15am. Neither of the chicks were then seen on or near the nest, so had obviously started to make their way south. It’s interesting that they chose to go together. The winds were favourable that day, blowing from the north west, so we hope they both made swift, and safe, progress.

Meanwhile, over on our previously unoccupied nest this season, at Lagoon 4 on the reserve at Egleton, we suddenly had a regular visitor. We were able to see this close up thanks to the two cameras now installed at the nest. Identified as 9R0(26), one of the chicks from Site B, she was being visited by her male parent, 359(21), who would bring fish and sticks. This went on for a few weeks.

The sharp-eyed of you might remember the number 359(21) as he was one of the pair that spent a lot of time at Lagoon 4 last year, but he and 3H9(23) went their separate ways when they returned this year, taking up spaces on nests where experienced parents didn’t return. 359(21) took over from 30(10) at Site B, pairing with HJ8(14), and they had two chicks – 8R9(26) and 9R0(26). According to Tim Mackrill, HJ8(14) looked like she had already migrated and 359(21) was left feeding the two chicks, with 8R9(26) staying at Site B and 9R0(26) moving to Lagoon 4. Interesting behaviour and possibly shedding some light on the off-nest time of our Manton Bay chicks…

For the full end-of-season nest recap for Blue 33 and Maya, here it is: https://youtu.be/WG3D1VpRpHo?

Thank you so much for being with us today. I will be posting one or two times per week for the next little while. I find that The Girls and Toby are quite needy, in addition to my regular every-other-day hospital visits. Keep us in your thoughts. We are hanging in there, and I hope that you are, too, no matter what is thrown at you. We can’t change what happens to us, but we can change how we react. Right now, Don is much more content, and that helps me. We have picnics, listen to John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Double Fantasy album, and dance in the dayroom with the help of a wheelchair. It makes us smile.

Thank you to all who created videos today – Rutland Water, SK Hideaways, Holly Parsons amongst others. To those who posted information and images, we are always grateful and to the owners of the streaming cams – thank you more than you will ever know!

Saving migrating birds…Sunday in Bird World

25 October 2026

Good morning, everyone,

The garden birds and animals have been fed. Toby and I are always out there first thing. Mr Blue Jay is at the table feeder, and the Crow family is by the back gate at their feeder. All of the birds are looking good, as are the squirrels. There are currently two reds and two greys. I am afraid that we have lost Dyson this past summer. She has not been at the feeder for months. What joy she brought for so many years. We continue to have Canada Geese and Gulls foraging on the grass all around our City. You can even see them in the gardens by the hospital! That is a real treat for Donald.

Again, thank you so much for your e-mails and your comments. I am way behind on my replies, but I am forever so grateful. It was a tough week. I am alright today. Donald had a terrible fall yesterday. They found him on the floor by his door in the hall. Did his bed alarm not go off? I do not know. By the time Toby and I got to the hospital, he was in bed and so very happy to see us. He had his ‘baby’ Toby with him.

A patient in a hospital bed wearing a blue gown holds a small black pet, with two other pets resting on their lap. The room is equipped with medical supplies and equipment.

Do you have someone in the hospital with dementia who has a pet at home? See if you can find a stuffed animal that looks like it. The nurses and aides tell me that getting ‘baby’ Toby was brilliant. Don strokes Toby all the time, especially when he is feeling anxious.

Yesterday was the 10th anniversary of our local pet store. Donald and I were their second customers when they opened. Donald loves Halloween – he would make mechanical displays and always dressed up to give out the treats. In that spirit, I looked for a costume that would fit Toby! He doesn’t mind the body part, but I am not sure about the cap.

A small dog wearing a green frog costume sits on a grassy area covered in autumn leaves.

The birds, as I mentioned, are still migrating. We have lots of places where the grass is green and the geese are feasting.

A group of Canadian geese foraging on grass near trees in a park.

There was a heartwarming article in The Guardian this morning about a place that turns off every light for the birds! Just think about that. Reminds me of the stories from WWII and the blackout curtains. The author writes, “To me, the message of this story is that there is always hope, especially when we involve future generations and teach them to care about our planet and its beauty.

Today, Corvo is still the only island that performs a full blackout of public illumination to help the birds find their way to the ocean without interference from artificial lights.”

Lights out: the island that goes dark to save young seabirds – in pictureshttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/oct/25/corvo-azores-corys-shearwaters-switch-off-saving-seabirds-aoe?CMP=share_btn_url

Reports on ospreys are coming in from various regions. Heidi posted this one today for those interested in what is happening in the northeastern US.

Announcement from Operation Osprey regarding their 2026 Osprey Survey & Tracking Report, highlighting their research findings and conservation efforts.

I pulled some information from that report, but I encourage you to look at the full document.

“The 2026 nesting season brought concerning results. Our survey team observed 127 nest sites throughout the watershed, with approximately 80 occupied nests recorded during the peak nesting season. Despite this activity, reproductive success remained alarmingly low, with approximately 80% of monitored nests failing to produce fledglings. These findings reflect broader concerns about Osprey reproduction throughout the Chesapeake Bay and underscore the importance of continued monitoring to better understand the challenges facing this iconic species.

A hand is attaching a GPS device to the back of a bird, featuring solar panels and surgical tools in the background.

This year, Operation Osprey also expanded its monitoring efforts into the southern Severn River watershed, including Bay Ridge, Arundel on the Bay, and Fishing Creek. Our growing network of volunteer Osprey Stewards continued to play a vital role in documenting nesting activity, sharing observations, and supporting our research. Their contributions help us build a more complete picture of Osprey populations across the watershed.

One of the most exciting developments of 2026 was the launch of our satellite tracking program. In June, three adult female Ospreys, Maggie, Millie, and Patty, were fitted with GPS/GSM transmitters, allowing us to follow their movements in unprecedented detail. From their summer activities around the Chesapeake Bay to their migrations south, these birds are providing valuable insight into Osprey behavior, migration routes, and the challenges they encounter beyond their nesting grounds.

Although the results of this year’s survey are troubling, they reinforce the importance of Operation Osprey’s mission.”

How much do you know about Brown and White American Pelicans? In Winnipeg, we are home to about a third of the world’s population of American White Pelicans beginning in the early spring. They eat and breed along our islands and rivers especially near Lockport and Hecla Island. Cornell Bird Lab has published an interesting article if you want to learn more!

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/american-white-pelican-brown-difference-dive-fish

You can hear the rain coming down in SK Hideaway’s video of the kids at Collins Street. https://youtu.be/e1BXSwcR5ao?

Ventana Wildlife Society’s Condor Chat on 24 October: https://www.youtube.com/live/gbAGsDwHyAQ?

A California condor perched among green foliage, showcasing its distinct features against a blurred background.

Heidi posted another story from PG Parks Nature about a Maryland osprey that migrates to Brazil.

“🦅Meet Patty, an osprey with an incredible migration story!

Patty, a female osprey that nested along the lower Patuxent River this summer, has traveled thousands of miles on an amazing journey.

After her nest failed in June, Patty left the Patuxent River and eventually settled at a small fishing pond nearly 200 miles away in West Virginia. She spent much of July there before beginning her southward migration in August, traveling through Florida and across the Caribbean.

One of the most remarkable parts of her journey was a 640-mile nonstop flight over open ocean from the Dominican Republic to Venezuela. For nearly 30 hours, Patty flew without seeing land and with nowhere to stop.

By mid-September, she had logged more than 5,800 miles and traveled through seven countries before continuing on to Brazil.

📍How Do We Know Where Patty Traveled?

Patty is equipped with a lightweight GPS transmitter, essentially a tiny backpack that allows researchers to track her movements in near real time.

Her migration is part of a larger research effort aimed at understanding why ospreys are struggling to successfully raise young throughout much of the Chesapeake Bay region. Researchers are particularly concerned about food stress and the reduced availability of Atlantic menhaden, a key food source for ospreys.

If Patty returns next spring, scientists will be able to learn:

🦅 Where she fishes

🦅 How far she must travel to find food

🦅 What challenges ospreys face along the Patuxent River

These findings will help scientists better understand osprey survival and nesting success, providing valuable information to support conservation efforts.

Patty is one of 10 ospreys that will be fitted with GPS transmitters as this research expands. The project builds on years of osprey monitoring by Patuxent River Park and is being conducted in partnership with Operation Osprey.

🌎 From Maryland to Brazil, Patty’s journey is helping researchers unlock the mysteries of one of the Chesapeake Bay’s most iconic birds.”

A person holds an osprey with a solar-powered tracking device attached to its back, near a riverbank surrounded by greenery.
Map showing a route from the northeastern United States, through Cuba, and into South America, specifically Venezuela and neighboring countries.
Screenshot

Thanks, Heidi, for these reports!

One of the Ps is still on the Cornell Campus.

Beau and Gabby were seen mating on the camera for the first time yesterday.

Shadow and Kaydee appear to be a solid item.

Dr Sharpe should have that West End camera working. What would we do without him?? Let’s see! It’s live and here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/live/aT1adgYSfbc?

It’s a beautiful day and time for Toby to have another walk. I hope that you have been able to get outside – nature can really lift our spirits.

The Girls and Toby are fine. Missey is a little more clingy – she really misses Donald, and Toby seems to fall into short periods of moodiness. Hugo Yugo just causes trouble, while ‘The Calicos’ keep themselves to themselves! I am so grateful for their company.

A close-up of a dog and a cat resting together, with the dog's head gently touching the cat's face, showcasing a moment of affection.

Thank you to Heidi for the posts containing great reports. I wish some of the news were better. I am always grateful to SK Hideaways for their videos and to the Ventana Wildlife Society, who are so dedicated to growing the California Condor population. Check out their monthly newscast. The Guardian is a good source of wildlife information, and I am always grateful to those who post images and information on FB, and to the owners of the streaming cams that let us see the lives of our bird friends.

23 October 2026

Hello Everyone,

It is hard to imagine but Toby and I are sitting on the deck in our shirt sleeves, so to speak. It is nearing 24 C. Of course, this troubles me, because we continue to get clues that our climate is rapidly changing around the world. Geese are plentiful on the sports fields at the schools as the green grass continues to grow. In my lifetime, I wonder, will the geese stop migrating? Certainly some eagles continue to winter here as they can get fish from those doing ice fishing on the lakes, but maybe that water won’t freeze?

I’m still so grateful for all the warm wishes and support you have given Don and me during this very challenging time. ‘The meeting’ was held yesterday (Wednesday – I am writing this Thursday night). Ann and I were well prepared with nine pages of questions and, as it turns out, Don’s oldest friend, Andrew, was visiting, and I asked him to sit in. The ‘bottom line’ is that the Haldol injection has caused the Parkinson’s aspect of Lewy Body Dementia to raise its ugly head. Don can walk 10-20 steps and becomes wobbly. He will spend his life in a wheelchair with no hope of ever walking again. That is an adjustment for both of us.

It seems that no one prepared for the Baby Boomers. Home Care has more demand than staff. They offered me little, and with Don requiring two people to lift him and be present, I can’t care for him at home. It is simply not safe for him or me. No beds are available in long-term care facilities. So, Don and his new friends on the ward will spend their time in the hospital waiting for a space to open. Today, another patient’s daughter played her keyboard, and we sang along, and I told stories about a very young city girl moving to the Canadian prairies and raising animals on a small holding. With Toby there, everyone smiled and sang, and there were even some laughs. I have decided that Ann and I will enrich Don’s life in different ways, and we will also be keen observers so he is safe and well cared for. If the ward nurse allows, the plan is for some planned enrichment activities weekly, which I will organise. Fingers crossed – but first I have to get that wheelchair.

Not much is going on in Bird World. Dr Sharpe – yes, dear Dr Sharpe- is climbing cliffs and working on cameras at the eagle nests in the Channel Islands. He cleaned and repaired Chase & Cholyn’s at Two Harbours and was set to work on the camera at the West End today. They always clean the nests and check them!

‘J’ has sent some news stories from Berlin that you might be interested in:

There is some Kakapo news!

Announcement of two young kākāpō arrivals at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, highlighting conservation efforts and a new habitat trial.

More about Albatross from Holly Parsons:

An albatross in flight, showcasing its wingspan against a blue sky.

Here is the link to that short but very informative video: https://youtu.be/SRTRRMwXuEg?

Tim Mackrill has installed an osprey platform at Knepp Farm as part of their rewilding project. Here is the latest newsletter from Knepp Farm. Please listen to the podcast about the osprey platform!

News from Knepp The Jays Busy AutumnDownload

What constitutes a perfect place for an osprey nest? If you don’t know or need a reminder, please have a listen.

One chick, out of two hatched, is surviving at Thistle Island in South Australia. No one knows what happened to the second hatch.

An osprey chick named Nick or Nicky stands in its nest on Thistle Island, surrounded by twigs, with the ocean in the background.

Weather is on the mind of Victor Hurley and the 367 Collins Street falcons. Why? Because the gutters could flood – we don’t want those babies to drownd.

A weather forecast map displaying regions in Victoria, Australia, with varying levels of thunderstorm and rainfall predictions. Areas are color-coded to indicate the likelihood of thunderstorms, including possible and likely severe thunderstorms.

Speaking of weather and its impact human life as well as wildlife – this typhoon is the worst ever.

Satellite image of Super Typhoon Champi displaying a well-defined eye surrounded by swirling clouds and intense colors, indicating strong winds of 185 MPH.

It continues to be hot on that ledge in downtown Melbourne.

A peregrine falcon perched on a ledge, with two chicks in a nest visible in the background, overlooking a cityscape.

SE38 branched the other day at the Olympic Park WBSE nest in Sydney. Keep watching. Fledging at any moment.

A nest situated in a tree with two young birds, surrounded by greenery.
A surveillance image of two birds resting on a nest in a tree at night. One bird is perched on a branch above the nest.

That’s it for today. I am pretty burnt out – mentally and physically – about the decisions that had to be made regarding Don’s long term care this past week. Because it is pretty quiet in Bird World, I am going to take a break. I will be back in a week. During that time, I urge you to get outside away from the screen, listen to birds, go for a walk or just sit! But get outside.

Take care everyone.

Thank you so much to ‘J’ and to all those who posted information and images on FB, to Isabella Tree and Tim Mackrill for a great podcast on ospreys, to BBC Earth for that little but informative video about Albatross and to all the owners of the streaming cams that let us monitor our avian families.

Migration continues…Late Tuesday in Bird World

20 October 2026

Greetings Everyone,

It is an unbelievable 19 degrees C in Winnipeg! I joked with one of the nurses today at the hospital that we might never have winter. Geese eat beautiful green grass along the rivers that cross our City, and geese and gulls gather on the soccer fields and cricket pitches. It feels very late for them and, in the garden, the little Juncos dance around the deck in search of the tiny millet seeds. The bonus is getting to see these lovely creatures for longer — and I don’t have a heating bill yet.

Jean-Marie Dupart had a motorcycle accident and has recovered enough to check on the places where UK and European ospreys overwinter. This man will not be kept in bed recovering!!!!!! Here are his latest reports.

An osprey flying with a fish in its talons against a cloudy sky.
An osprey perched on a stick on a sandy beach, with the ocean and blurred background in the distance.

Tracking information reveals where some Polish ospreys stay for the winter:

Map showing the migration path of P. haliaetus (Fisher's Eagle) for autumn 2026, detailing distances and geographic locations across Europe and North Africa.
A post discussing the journey of a male fisherman bird, detailing its safe arrival at wintering grounds in the Gulf of Guinea after 43 days, covering 5700 km, including crossing the Sahara.

This is the latest migration count from Hawk Mountain in PA, USA. Clearly higher numbers thanks to those Broad-winged Hawks:

Table displaying bird species counts, including weekly total, season total, and 10-year average for each species.

The Raptor Resource Project (RRP) is keeping an eye on the streaming cams that they share with Explore.org:

Social media post from the Raptor Resource Project discussing recent eagle nesting activities in Decorah, Iowa, including stick deliveries and feeding.
Two adult bald eagles in their nest, surrounded by tree branches, with a scenic river and landscape in the background.

Remembrance posts are going up on the Orange, Australia Peregrine Falcons FB about the eggs not hatching this season. Check out what is happening. Everyone is contributing, it seems!

A peregrine falcon named Marri, recently hatched, is seen in a nest with eggs and a small chick, surrounded by pebbles in a nesting environment.

The season recap for the Carey Garden, Birds of Poole Harbour Ospreys CJ7 and Blue 022 is now on YouTube. You can access it here: https://youtu.be/XnhGUXc2c1M?

A bird's nest with several eggs, showing a bird's legs and feet with identification bands. Text overlay lists hatching dates for the eggs in May 2026.

The four fledged successfully for another great year for this incredible osprey couple.

At the WBSE nest in Olympic Park, Sydney, Australia, SE37 and 38 could fledge at any time. We wish them luck keeping the Currawongs at bay so Dad and Lady can feed them and they can learn to fly strong and care for themselves.

Two young birds sitting in a nest made of twigs and branches, surrounded by greenery.

The poor chicks in Melbourne are really struggling with the heat. SK Hideaways catches the first one racing down the gutter to get to the shade! https://youtu.be/Ye-lNAK02uc?

A close-up view of a concrete wall with visible seams and markings, featuring a ledge with debris and a bird sitting on it.

The current view of the north end with no chicks at the south – one has hopped up so you can’t see them.

Peregrine falcon perched on a ledge with two chicks on a high-rise building, showing a cityscape in the background.

Thank you so much for your e-mails. I really appreciate the kindness and support that you have shown to me. Tomorrow, at 1300, I will meet with Don’s medical team at the hospital to discuss next steps. Those who have gone through caring for someone with Lewy Body Dementia will recognise that it is not an easy task. You have the hallucinations of LBD plus the physical symptoms of Parkinson’s. The latter was triggered by an incorrect antipsychotic being given in the emergency room. His physical symptoms change; he will have a wonderfully alert day, and then he will be agitated, unable to sleep, and will be given a sedative. He cannot walk. This is, of course, not the individual who entered the hospital on 27 August, but our new reality.

Please take care of yourself and your loved ones. If anyone is showing signs of Alzheimer’s or Dementia, I implore you to get them professionally assessed. There are treatments to help mitigate the worst for them and for their caregivers. It is wrong to assume that someone who is forgetful has either of these diseases, but it would also be wrong not to have those symptoms checked.

I will be back with you at the end of the week. Keep your eyes on the WBSE – we could have a fledge or two before then!

Thank you to SK Hideaways for their video, Hawk Mountain, UKOsprey Information, Jean-Marie Dupurt, and all those tracking the migrating ospreys. I am grateful to everyone creating year-end reports for the 2026 season and to those beginning to report and track the Bald Eagles. To the owners of the streaming cams, we are grateful to watch the victories and struggles of our bird families.

Diamond and Gimbir’s eggs are not viable…Monday in Bird World

19 October 2026

Hello Everyone,

I hope this finds you well and that you had a few minutes or longer to get out at the weekend and enjoy the outdoors! It was simply glorious fall weather here. Our temperature was around 16 C. Occasionally, brisk winds tossed the golden and rust leaves about. Toby loved it and wanted to chase each one! He spent Sunday afternoon with Ann so that I could visit Don at the hospital on my own. I got to push him in his wheelchair, and along with several other patients, we had a parade around the ward. It was brilliant. His legs were not stiff, and his mind was alert and often clear. Ann’s birthday is on the 28th, and we decided on a chocolate cake and ice cream in his room that day.

Toby stops at every house on the street with dogs and cats. He often just ‘sniff’ the air, but at one house he goes right up because he knows it is where Brock used to go to eat and sleep. Today, another cat visits, and two cats live there.

A close-up view of a dog's head, showcasing its curly black fur and white patches. The dog is wearing a patterned red and white bandana and is surrounded by green grass and fallen leaves on a sidewalk.
A small black and white dog is standing on a porch, looking up at a set of wooden steps. The ground is covered with autumn leaves, and there are potted plants on either side of the steps.

Speaking of not-so-good days, it appears that none of Gimbir and Diamond’s eggs is viable this season. This is hugely disappointing. Dr Cilla Kinross posted an explanation noting that she will candle the eggs to see if they were fertile, if they survive the season.

Holly Parsons is posting videos of the 2019 season if you are interested.

Social media post detailing updates on a family of peregrine falcons nesting at Charles Sturt University, Australia, with information about the age of the falcons and the status of their eggs.
A peregrine falcon, named Diamond, is pictured in its nesting box, eating breakfast. Three eggs are visible on the gravel inside the box.

Sweet little Gimbir incubating the eggs this morning. So sad – he has turned out to be a good provider. They will eventually give up on the eggs, and hopefully Cilla Kinross can collect them to determine what happened. Life will go on, with or without chicks to raise for the pair.

There has been an intruder, and I wonder if it is a female checking out the territory. Wonder how that might play out?

A peregrine falcon is seen in a nest box, positioned near an egg on a bed of pebbles, with a view of the landscape visible outside.

There is good news coming out of Berry College in Georgia. There is a Bald Eagle couple interested in the nest with the streaming cam that was abandoned by Dad Berry and Missey.

Bel a-Donna has the video: https://youtu.be/IOX4d0Fp3Dk?

A young eagle stands on a nest among tree branches, with another eagle partially visible nearby, captured in a night vision setting.

There are some good news stories from ‘J’ in Berlin:

Headline announcing the ban on lead gunshot in the EU effective October 8, 2026, highlighting it as a significant step in reducing lead pollution from hunting and shooting.

This is wonderful news, but alternatives have to be on the shelf, and hunters and the military have to buy them for this scheme to work. The Ventana Wildlife Society has tried for years – despite California’s ban on lead ammo – to stop the practice. They even provide free ammunition, and still the number one killer of Condors is lead poisoning.

“One of the stories was about a woman creating a sanctuary for monarch butterflies, so I looked up more stories. This is the official website:

https://www.womenforgreenspaces.org/about-us

More proof that anyone can make a difference!”

Text about the UK's initiative to plant half a million trees in three years to combat extreme weather.
Text discussing the transformation of 160,000 cubic yards of mud in Savannah, Georgia into a rare bird habitat and the impact of sea level rise, storm surges, and coastal erosion on shorebird populations.

There is also fantastic news coming out of Tairoa Head in New Zealand, the home of the Royal Albatross colony:

Map showing the coast of South America, specifically Chile and Argentina, with a marker indicating the location of an albatross that journeyed across the Pacific Ocean.

We have lots of cranes migrating to the south this year – in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. There are Whooping Cranes (info below posted today on B) and amazing Sandhill Cranes that will be passing through Nebraska (or already have). Have a read about Whooping Cranes – I certainly learned something.

Diane Crookham-Johnson

·Good Morning from Saskatchewan 🇨🇦 and the Whooping Cranes!

Each Thursday I volunteer in a kindergarten room. This week, since I’m gone, I sent a video and a list of facts about Whooping Cranes to the class. I’m sharing both with this post.

Long live cranes!

• Whooping Cranes are the tallest birds in North America. They stand almost five feet tall. They have a wingspan of 7-8 feet.

• Whooping Cranes nest in Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada.

• Whooping Crane babies are called colts.

• Whooping Crane colts are a cinnamon color when they are born. They are dependent on their parents for food and safety.

• Whooping Cranes turn mostly white as they grow older.

• Whooping Crane parents teach their colt how to find food. They eat insects, small water creatures, crabs, vegetation, and when really hungry fish and snakes.

• Whooping Cranes stand on one leg when they are cold. They fold up one leg to keep it warm and then switch legs.

• Whooping Cranes tend to stay in family groups or small adult groups during the day. In the evening they will gather in fields and eat a final meal. Sometimes they are joined by Sandhill Cranes, a smaller, gray crane.

• Whooping Cranes sleep in marshes and wetlands. They stand in the water while they sleep. The water provides safety for the cranes.

• Whooping Cranes winter around Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in the United States.

• Whooping Cranes migrate from Canada to the US in the Fall. They fly about 2,500 miles! Have you ever ridden in a car from Oskaloosa to Des Moines?

That can feel like a long ride, and it is only 60 miles.

• Whooping Cranes are an endangered species. That means there are not very many of them left. Many people work hard to protect the Whooping Crane.

Once there were only 19 Whooping Cranes left in the world. Today there are at least 550 Whooping Cranes in the wild flock!

• At one time Whooping Cranes had nests in lowa! Perhaps one day we will see Whooping Cranes nesting in lowa again.”

A group of cranes in a field, showing two white cranes and one brown crane foraging on the ground.

It continues to be hot on the ledge at 367 Collins Street, and the chicks are fed up and on the move! SK Hideaways has it on video – and boy, is that male a good hunter. There are too many feedings to keep track. Here’s the video: https://youtu.be/f80C00l1vG8?si

The Sydney SeaEaglets are approaching fledge.

A sea eagle displaying its wings in a nest, with another eagle in the foreground. The scene is set in a natural environment with greenery visible.

Valkyria has a crazy video of the sea eagle nest complete with those horrid Currawongs swooping down and a possum meal with fur flying everywhere! https://youtu.be/rF1OYsa1vH0?

Check out the beautiful wildlife at Mud Lake in Ottawa, Ontario. https://youtu.be/aObAO8ORePQ?

A serene landscape featuring a calm lake surrounded by lush green trees under a clear blue sky. The water reflects the greenery and includes patches of lily pads and floating vegetation.
A group of ducks resting on snow, featuring various species including a male and female mallard and a male pintail in the foreground.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Toby and I are having fun being outside – sweeping leaves and listening to the birds, reading and sipping tea. I am so grateful for his company. Take care of yourselves. Be careful out there. We hope to be back with you in a couple of days.

Thank you to all the wonderful people who posted videos for us to watch, contributed screen captures and information on FB, and own the streaming cams that let us share the joy and sorrow of the nests. We are so very grateful to each and every one of you.

Collins kids get out of the heat…Saturday in Bird World

17 October 2026

Hello Everyone,

You are so kind! I am so sorry I made many of you worry when I didn’t post my newsletter for a couple of days. I have actually been unwell. The damp cold that arrived impacted the arthritis in my left knee – that, coupled with a kidney infection, left me feeling not too energetic. I was so grateful that Don’s cousin stepped up to help with hospital visits and, of course, Ann. What would I do without her? Hopefully the antibiotics will kick in and by Monday I should be feeling good again.

The last time I checked we were waiting for pip at Orange. Will there be any little falcons for Gimbir and Diamond this year? I am beginning to wonder about that.

A nice article appeared on the chat and I will share it with you. It is about eggs not hatching and the reasons.

https://hawkandowltrust.org/initiatives/articles/why-peregrine-falcons-lay-eggs-and-why-one-sometimes-fails-to-hatch

The dates of the eggs – at this point, we are hoping that egg 3 is viable. Diamond has always had one of her three eggs hatch, but this could be the first year that this doesn’t happen.

Egg no. 3 was laid at 1251 on, 10th Sept. after a gap of 61.5 hours
Egg no. 2 was laid at 2324 h on 7th September (gap 64 hours)
Egg no. 1 was laid at 0725 h on 5th September.

The trio at 367 Collins Street are doing well, but they are struggling with the intense heat. Feedings and prey deliveries are good. The tiny one is very good at getting in front and jumping – even grabbing prey out of the female’s beak. What a strong character! Always a good sign for survival in that urban environment.

It is especially hot. You can see the female trying to cool the eyases. They are big enough to move into the shade as it spreads, thank goodness.

A peregrine falcon is seen on a building ledge with its chicks, amidst a backdrop of urban skyscrapers.
A close-up view of a nesting area on a high-rise building ledge, showing building debris and some white chicks among materials like feathers and dirt.
A peregrine falcon perched on a ledge with a city skyline in the background, surrounded by debris from its nest.

SK Hideaways caught the kids getting too hot and leaving the sunny spot for the shade! Smart kids. https://youtu.be/B44NDD_DWmY?

Many are keeping a close eye on M15 and his new mate. It appears that they will build their nest on a cell tower about a mile away from the old nest tree. Personally, the ‘eagles know best,’ and many old trees are succumbing to the winds and storms that hit that area of Florida. There are boots on the ground, and they will most certainly be posting pictures for all of us, for which we must be very grateful.

The camera is sometimes aimed at the cell tower.

A telecommunications tower with multiple antennas against a backdrop of blue sky and clouds.

The sea eaglets have their juvenile plumage, and it is only a matter of time before they fledge. It always makes me anxious, and many of you, as we hope they survive the onslaught of the Pied Currawong. Lady likes to feed her fledglings in the nest tree, so we can only hope for a good result this year.

In California, SK Hideaways keeps up with Chase and Cholyn. https://youtu.be/OY4qh5hiUVM?

A bird's nest situated in a tree, with two young birds visible within the nest surrounded by twigs and greenery.

Fish dinner at the NE Florida nest of Gabby and Beau.

A bald eagle gripping a fish with its talons while standing on a nest made of twigs and grass.
Close-up of a bald eagle with a fish in its talons, surrounded by twigs and moss.

A little sparrow sits on the railing of Big Red and Arthur’s nest on the Cornell Campus.

View from a hawk cam showing a nest on a rooftop, with a small bird perched nearby, colorful autumn trees in the background, and a bus on the street below.

On the Cornell Campus, Karel and Bogetta posted a video on YouTube of P1 hunting! For years, Big Red and Arthur’s fledglings dispersed in August, but P1 is still in the territory hunting and showing her good genetics. Take a look: https://youtu.be/w8RymHd0GqU?

We are a week away from the release date for the Condors at Big Sur! Here is the information:

VWS Logo From the DirectorOctober 15, 2026

Dear Mary,

Nine Days Until the Doors OpenIn just 9 days – the release pen doors at the San Simeon Sanctuary will slide open at 10:00AM(PT) on Saturday, October 24. Our October Condor Chat & Release livestream starts at 9:00AM(PT). Join us on Zoom or on our YouTube channel. As a subscriber, you’ll get the Zoom link in your inbox Saturday morning, with nothing to sign up for.Five Rookies, Five PersonalitiesOur interns matched each name to a bird based on the personality they observed in the flight pen.Chert (1331): Named for a rock that is incredibly hard and fractures into sharp edges. He sets boundaries quickly and refuses to give up his spot at the top of the pecking order.Pumice (1332): Porous, lightweight, and a geological oddity, just like him. He takes a keen interest in the condors outside the pen and prefers to keep to himself.Obsidian (1333): A very friendly bird who knows how to stick up for herself when the time comes.Serpentine (1339): Streaked with unexpected colors, like her personality, which keeps revealing new layers.Marble (1345): Everyone’s favorite pen mate. He is never perched alone and is often found playing with another bird.The young condors arrived at San Simeon on September 2, traveling up to 976 miles from the Oregon Zoo, the San Diego Zoo, and The Peregrine Fund in Boise, Idaho. Our thanks to all three for raising these birds. They settled in quickly, and wild condor Thunderchief (758) dropped by for a visit soon after they arrived.Have you made your prediction yet? Which rookie will leave the pen first, and at what time? Or will they hold out on us? Vote in our release day survey before voting closes at 9:00AM (PT) on October 24 for a chance to win a condor swag package. We’ll announce the winner live.Get readyWatch the condors anytime on the San Simeon Condor Cam.Read each bird’s story on our Condor Bios page.Watch for your Zoom link Saturday morning, or tune in on YouTube, and see who takes the first step out.Make Your PredictionSee you Saturday, October 24!With gratitude,

Kelly Sorenson
Executive Director

‘J’ sends us a good news story from New Zealand:

Dunedin Wildlife Hospital

💚.png Against the odds – a tūī beats severe lead poisoning

When this female tūī arrived at Dunedin Wildlife Hospital, she was in serious trouble. She was profoundly weak, showing neurological signs and suffering repeated seizures.

For a while, she was touch and go. Our veterinary team managed to control the seizures and stabilise her, but blood testing revealed the likely cause: lead poisoning.

Her blood lead concentration was one of the highest we have encountered. At levels this high, the prognosis is guarded – particularly when neurological signs are already present, as damage to the nervous system may be permanent.

We started chelation therapy to help remove the lead from her body and hoped for the best.

And this sassy wee girl had other ideas. 💚.png

Over approximately four weeks in hospital, she underwent three rounds of chelation treatment. Slowly but surely, her neurological signs resolved and her strength returned.

In fact, once she started feeling better, she made sure we knew about it! Our increasingly cheeky patient became an expert at slipping past the team when her enclosure was opened, leading to more than one unscheduled flight around the ward while we attempted to persuade her to return. 😅.png Safe to say, the sass was well and truly back.

We were eventually able to confirm that her blood lead had come down to a safe level, and she has now been discharged from hospital and transferred to the aviaries at Dunedin Botanic Garden. There she’ll spend some time rebuilding her flight strength – although judging by her hospital escape attempts, she’s already made a pretty good start! – before her eventual release back into the wild.

An incredible outcome for a bird who was so critically ill on arrival.

But her story also highlights a largely unseen threat to our native wildlife.

Lead is a highly toxic heavy metal that can affect the brain and nervous system as well as multiple other organs. Many New Zealanders may be familiar with lead poisoning in kea, which can ingest lead from older building materials such as lead-headed roofing nails and flashing. Other potential sources in the environment include old lead-based paint and ammunition.

Tūī appear to be vulnerable too.

Lead poisoning in tūī was first identified as an issue in Wellington many years ago, with contaminated roof and gutter water investigated as a potential source of exposure. Rainwater running over older roofing materials can pick up lead contamination before collecting in gutters or other places where birds may drink.

You can read more about the Wellington findings here:

https://www.nzgeo.com/…/gutter-water-likely-giving-tui…

What can you do?

If you have an older home or building, be aware of potential sources of lead – particularly lead-headed roofing nails, lead flashing and old lead-based paint. Avoid providing wildlife with drinking water collected from potentially contaminated roofs or gutters, and consider replacing lead-containing materials when undertaking renovations.

This little tūī was one of the lucky ones. From seizures and a very guarded prognosis to cheekily flying laps of our hospital ward, she has made a remarkable recovery.

Liberty and Guardian have been visiting their nest in Redding.

A live webcam view of an eagle's nest situated among trees, showcasing branches and greenery in the background.

The LA Times has posted another tribute to Jackie. https://youtu.be/4TBIvsde1pw?

Thank you so much for being with us today. I will be back at the beginning of the week, but for now, I am going to rest and get well. Donald remains in the hospital. The PT and OT have finished their assessment, and he will always need aids to walk, but it is not clear whether it is a walker or a wheelchair. Lewy Body Dementia is a horrid disease that causes so many complications that ‘normal’ people don’t have, making it hard to adapt to using these devices and going home. So, I wait. I am so fortunate to have a good support network.

Thank you to Karel and Bogette and to SK Hideaways for their videos, to all those who post information and images on FB, and to the Ventana Wildlife Society for caring so much for the California Condors. To the owners of the streaming cams where I took my screen captures, I am always grateful to you for allowing us into the lives of these beautiful creatures.

More Bald Eagle cams coming on line…Wednesday in Bird World

14 October 2026

Hello Everyone,

Oh, did the weather change! It was 24 C and sunny at the weekend and on Monday, we had rain and 5 C. It felt like snow could come. Toby and I were so bundled up for our walks. I really am dreading winter coming.

Toby and I have been cleaning up. One of my IKEA bookcases decided it didn’t like books, so we filled it with baskets and one enormous pinecone. Hopefully it will not fall apart! Seriously, it feels like everything happens at once.

I gave in and ordered a new apartment-sized rust-coloured sofa with commercial-grade velvet fabric because of all the animals. want this room to be our comfy all-winter refuge. You can see that Toby has decided that the swivel chair is his! But the minute the new sofa had a similar coloured blanket covering the seating area, he decided the sofa was his and HY could have the chair. Too funny. This is the end of the refresh to the house, save for the continuing decluttering, sorting of books for book sales, and mending! I have an entire drawer full of dog toys that are ‘in the hospital’ awaiting sutures.

A cozy sunroom featuring a wooden chest of drawers, a black bookshelf filled with decorative items, a light blue armchair with a dog resting on it, and a patterned rug on the floor.
A cozy living room scene featuring a brown upholstered sofa with decorative pillows, a sleeping dog on the sofa, a coffee mug on a wooden tray, and a patterned area rug.

It is unclear to me what is happening with Donald at the hospital. He is very ‘stiff’ when they try to get him up, but Ann and I are trying to determine whether it is because he’s been left in bed too long. Is it from 2:45 in the afternoon to the next morning? I need elves! Many of us cannot go in the evening, but I will find a way. It is hard to see someone you love so dearly suffer, especially when they went into the hospital fully mobile and are now an invalid. He knows it, and you can feel, despite all that Ann and I try to do, the grey, heavy fog of depression descending on him. Unfortunately, with his current condition, could I care for him at home even with help? There are many unknowns. I’m taking a deep breath and two days off in a row to try to recoup my sanity. I cannot emphasise it enough – if you know someone who you suspect has dementia or Alzheimer’s (and believe me, they are very different animals, so to speak), please get a diagnosis. Make sure that all of their files – electronic and paper – have that diagnosis clearly at the top. Scream it from the rooftops. Do not be ashamed. That is so important. Knowing what they have and how to help and what medications might trigger a spiral downwards are essential. So many people continue to feel ashamed if their family member or partner (or best friend) is having memory issues. But don’t! Be discreet. Help them. Early diagnosis can give them a good life, as Donald had. But the first wrong injection can also take that away. They cannot advocate for themselves. Indeed, most people shrug off memory issues as ‘Senior Moments’ or ‘a Brain Freeze’. Maybe it is something else that requires medical attention.

The Bald Eagle cams for HDonTap will be coming online again very soon – if they are not already streaming. Check out Decorah.

The dead chick has been removed at 367 Collins Street and there were three great breakfast feedings. The surviving chicks are doing very well. Check it out on SK Hideaways video: https://youtu.be/l4XMiah3fjQ?

A black and white image of a bird near its nest on a ledge, overlooking a city skyline with various buildings in the background.
Three fluffy bird chicks huddled together on a ledge with a urban city skyline in the background.

There are now two bobbleheads at Thistle Island in South Australia. Congratulations to all.

Two adult ospreys in their nest on Thistle Island, with a view of the ocean in the background. A newly hatched chick is visible in the nest.

Holly Parsons has posted an update from Dr Cilla Kinross on the eggs of Gimbir and Diamond:

Comment update on the status of Peregrine Falcon eggs, detailing their ages and laying times, with information on feeding habits of the female falcon.

Hawk Mountain has its latest update. Just look at the totals! I am impressed with the numbers.

Table displaying a raptor count with species, weekly totals, season totals, and 10-year averages.

Gunshots startled Shadow!

Gunshots at Big Bear Startle Shadow TwiceDownload

We continue to wait for pip at Orange.

A close-up view of a peregrine falcon resting inside its nesting box, surrounded by small stones. The background shows a scenic landscape with trees and hills.

News about the cameras at the West End Channel Islands streaming cam:

A post from Mike Fitz, Resident Naturalist, discussing battery issues for West End cameras, indicating they require solar energy and may only function intermittently. He mentions scheduled repairs by field technicians in late October.

More news about the eagle streaming cams elsewhere:

Two bald eagles perched on a large nest in a tree, overlooking an open field and a winding road.
Social media post from Raptor Resource Project discussing live streaming of Decorah Eagles and related updates on nesting activities.

Will we be able to view M15 and his new female raise a family this year?

A serene landscape featuring a calm pond reflecting trees and the sky, with a cow grazing in the foreground. The image is part of an update from the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam regarding eagle nesting activities.

What can a feather from a bird tell us?

Country diary: The story of birds starts with their feathershttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/oct/13/country-diary-the-story-of-birds-starts-with-their-feathers?CMP=share_btn_url

A cluster of various bird feathers laid on green grass, showcasing intricate patterns and textures.

“Bird Feathers” by born1945 is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Days of Dunrovin sends their latest newsletter:

Fall Reflections from DunrovinDownload

Everyone is doing well in Australia:

Lady and her babies along with the entire family sleeping in the nest tree.

A nest with two young birds and an adult bird perched nearby, surrounded by tree branches and greenery.
A night vision image of a tree with two birds perched on branches and a nest in the foreground.

In Melbourne, the oldest is getting ready to stand upright and there are hints of pin feathers coming.

A view from a high-rise building showing an urban landscape with several buildings illuminated at dusk, alongside a close-up of a peregrine falcon perched on a ledge with its prey.

No Pips yet at Orange as I sign off. Have a great day or evening everyone. We will be back at the end of the week or on Saturday.

Thank you to absolutely everyone who posted videos, information and images on FB, to those who write the amazing newsletters, and, of course, the owners of the streaming cams that let us watch our favourite bird families. We are eternally grateful to each of you.