Tag Archives: raptor persecution

Nests getting empty, Alan Stewart’s book launch…Late Sunday in Bird World

6 September 2026

Hello Everyone,

I hope each of us has found time to relax and enjoy the weekend. These past weeks I have made some ‘resolutions’. The last time that Don was in the hospital at the end of December, I wore myself out going every day because the nurse said that I was the only ‘thing’ that calmed him down. He was quite mobile at the time and would walk up and down the hall with his little bag wanting to come home. It broke my heart so I was there twice a day. This time, things are different. And this is something I want to explore. He is not mobile. So what happened? I learned that wearing yourself out is not helpful either to you or the person you are caring for. Remember to always following the airline directions: put on your oxygen mask first! So, this episode, I have tried to make certain that there is someone to visit and help every other day – I am there on the other days. His visit went well with his friend today and everyone is taking fruit and Ginger Ale – hydration and soething familiar. He drank so much liquids at home and was never dehydrated so this is to help combat that at the hospital!

Toby needed a new stroller. He grew out of the little one. I really do hope he is finished growing. He turned 17 months old yesterday. I think we can even go to the market!

Hope has discovered it is a ‘safe’ place. Hugo Yugo (darn that orange cat) woke everyone up, attacking her around 0300. Toby took great exception to what was going on and probably woke all the neighbours up with his barking. (Toby rarely barks, but when he hears a cat howling in pain or someone is at the door – or always he will bark at the door when we are leaving for a walk).

There are so many tributes to Jackie – some are good, and some aren’t. I am really looking forward to SK Hideaways video highlighting Jackie’s life. I am encouraging a tribute to the Channel Islands eagles, especially Chase & Cholyn. These eagles often get overlooked and we have to remember they have been together for more than two decades!

SK Hideaways Videos, Week of August 30, 2026

367 Collins Street Falcons ~ Melbourne ~ F24 & M24
Courtesy Victorian Peregrine Project
South Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oibsohQ14cY
North Facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNKk0ivuWe4

Mum Gives Camera “The Look” as She Lays 4th Egg PLUS Dad’s 1st Peek  ~ 2026 Aug 30
Mum welcomed egg #4 with occasional glances at the camera. We apologized for the intrusion, but extended heartfelt congratulations. Dad arrived in the pre-dawn hour to give mum a break. This should complete their clutch and begin the countdown to hatch, which is typically 30-35 days.
Video: https://youtu.be/3lP6i-JjETw


FalconCam Project ~ Diamond & Gimbir
Courtesy FalconCam Project, Charles Sturt University NSW (http://www.csu.edu.au/special/falconcam/) ~ Australia
Box Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv2RtoIMNzA
Ledge Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuZaWzhXSAI
Tower Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQxrTGgNu4M

Diamond & Gimbir Welcome First Egg of the Season! ~ 2026 Sep 5
A beautiful rainbow welcomed this auspicious day as Diamond and Gimbir celebrated the arrival of their first egg of the season. We couldn’t help but think of dear Xavier as the rainbow “hugged” the tower. Wishing Diamond and Gimbir a successful season. 
Video: https://youtu.be/sr_i_zVwODg


FOBBVCAM Eagles  ~  Big Bear Valley, CA ~ Shadow, Jackie (dec. 9 August 2026), Sandy, and Luna (last seen on camera 23 July 2023)
Courtesy FOBBVCAM | Friends of Big Bear Valley
Nest Cam:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE
Wide View Cam (Cam 2):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41eq4VzCYc4
Live Recap & Observations:  https://bit.ly/4wGjwVg

Shadow & Kaydee’s Evening Nest Meet-Up & Tug-o-Stick Before Roost Time ~ 2026 Sep 3
Shadow and Kaydee met up for some stick shuffling, a little bumping and beaking, plus tug-o-stick shenanigans. They once again retired to the Roost Tree for the night.
Video: https://youtu.be/QYcg4SWqlBM

Kaydee Returns to Nest for 2nd Night, Shadow Follows ~ Flirty Antics Ensue  ~ 2026 Sep 1
Kaydee returned to the nest for the second night in row, but unlike last night, tonight she had company. Shadow joined Kaydee on the nest, where they shuffled sticks, bumped beaks, and chortled. Kaydee was more flirty than Shadow, but he wasn’t too resistant to her attention. We cannot know what will happen when nesting season begins  toward the end of the year, but watching Shadow and Kaydee during this transitional time in both their lives is a gift and fascinating.
Video:  https://youtu.be/zrLbwsGKqDs

Kaydee Shuffles Nest Sticks Meets Shadow on Roost Tree ~ 2026 Aug31
Kaydee spent some time exploring the nest tree canopy and bowl before meeting up with Shadow on the Roost Tree. They shared a perch briefly, before Kaydee retired to a lower perch overnight.

Video: https://youtu.be/ShIpsT0zyvY


Sydney WB Sea Eagles ~ Australia ~ Lady, Dad, SE37 (hatched 13 August), and SE38 (hatched 14 August)
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=nw4pdgy3-U0

SE38’s MASSIVE Crop 3 Days in a Row PLUS A Dual Feeding by Lady & Dad ~ 2026 Sep 4-6
Over the course of 3 days and an increase in food brought to the nest, SE37 grew less aggressive and SE38 grew more confident. There was a marked difference in SE38’s appearance and behavior in this time, not to mention a bulging crop. Cautiously optimistic SE38 has turned the corner. 
Video: https://youtu.be/j4u9wW6l8og

Lady’s Persistence Gets SE38 a BIG Meal ~ Finally ~ 2026 Aug 31
It has been a rough few days for sea eaglet SE38. At 17 days old, the subordinate eaglet has struggled to get food due to sibling SE37’s dominance. But on this evening, SE37 was very full and mum Lady was very persistent. The result was that SE38 got a very good feeding and went to bed with a full crop. Here’s to more days like this one.
Video: https://youtu.be/gjJ01khy2fA


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 & Chase Chortle & Chill by the Seaside ~ 2026 Sep 3
While Cholyn and Chase have been on summer vacation, we’ve missed seeing them regularly, so today’s sightings were a special treat. In the morning Chase met up with Cholyn on her seaside perch. Later cam ops found her on the cactus perch. Every sighting a gift.
Video: https://youtu.be/pIqjY1b2vDk

I am so pleased that there are videos of the Australian raptor families. SE 38 has had huge crops for the last three days! No worries there.

The last of the chicks at Glaslyn migrated. Teifi got to eat a fish – finally – in peace and quiet.

Beau and Gabby are really finishing off their nest, and it is only the beginning of September! I wonder when the first egg will be laid. Will it be November or earlier, with this being a year of high heat on the planet? Bald Eagle Live Nest Cams has them working hard on video: https://youtu.be/2FM-2ZToL3E?

Idris is still delivering fish at Dyfi. The girls are now 101 days old – the first time that two fledglings have remained at the nest past 100 days before migrating.

At Poole Harbour, Blue 6T8 had really kept her dad, Blue 022 busy with fish. She was last seen early this morning and then poof – gone?

Alan Stewart’s book on a killing of a man walking his dog:

Book launch: Prelude to Murder – Revenge Killing on a Highland Estate – Raptor Persecution UKDownload

I’m going to say good bye. It is nearly 1700 and we are expecting rain and storms this evening. Toby and I have recycling duty to get finished.

Take care everyone. Have a good start to the week. See you soon.

Thank you to SK Hideaways for those great videos, to the owners of the streaming cams we are always grateful as you allow us to get upset stomachs, buy too many tissues, and jump for joy at the events in the lives of our bird families. Thank you to Raptor Persecution UK for their meticulous reporting on raptor persecution in the UK. I just wrote to Alan Stewart and ordered his book, Prelude to Murder. While it involves a murder of a human, the individual in prison is possibly responsible for the poisoning of raptors on that estate in Scotland.

Late Wednesday in Bird World

26 August 2026

Hello Everyone,

Oh, it is a gorgeous autumn day on the Canadian prairies. Technically, it is still summer, but it feels like fall. We have had our walk and Don has gone with Ann to get a blood collection (he also has hemachromatosis) and a walk in the park. Toby and I cleaned up the laundry room, cleaned the bird baths, and made sure the birdfood was filled. There are so many! Last night we were shocked when, after sitting on the deck for at least half an hour, a hawk flew out of the huge prairie rose bushes! He had been sitting hoping for some dinner. I think we ruined those plans when Toby when down the steps.

This is the time in Bird World when we have a bit of a lull. The newest babies are the little sea eaglets at the Olympic Park nest in Sydney. Iris, Clarke, and Wensi are still at Hellgate Canyon. Blue 33 is the only osprey at Manton Bay, I believe. C22 and Charlie were fishing at Roger’s Place. Beau waits for Gabby’s arrival.

She is a beauty just like her great-grandmother, Maya, mate to Blue 33 at the Manton Bay nest at Rutland.

Even Geemeff’s reports for the Woodland Trust are getting shorter and shorter as the ospreys disperse.

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 25th August 2026

The RAF sent five aircraft flying down the loch, they were nearly as noisy as Juniper, whose voice seems to get more strident by the day. That will stand her in good stead when she has her own nest, for fish calling and warning intruders away from her chicks. Louis brought her two fish today, taking the Nest Two tally to four hundred and sixty, and she managed to protect both of them from the marauding Hoodies, one of whom was bold enough to nip her tail feathers. The weather was mostly dry and settled today with sunny spells and it should be dry and calm overnight with a low of 13°C continuing bright and clear tomorrow with a high of 22°C.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/3933v0YY0bE N2 Is it the visiting Buzzard who scares Juniper off the nest? 07.49.46https://youtu.be/pYQppLmQNu8 N2 Louis brings the first fish but Hoodies are around 09.34.30https://youtu.be/xXeH1Biuleg N2 Cheeky Hoodie nips Juniper’s tail feathers as she finishes fish two 12.52.44

How do the birds survive the tropical storms and hurricanes? Audubon Florida gives us some insight. (Click on link at bottom)

Surviving the Storm: Tropical Storm Impacts on Coastal Birds | AudubonDownload

Migration is in full swing in some parts of the world. Hawk Mountain gives us the report for the flyway over PA in the US for the week of 25 August.

The map over North American thanks to Sunnie Day.

Scotland’s licensing is harming the raptors.

‘Not fit for purpose: Scotland’s bird control licensing system is failing wildlife’ says RSPB – RaptDownload

All is well with the two eaglets at the Glacier Gardens Bald Eagle nest! Look at how beautiful they are!

SK Hideaways captures some great images of Shadow! https://youtu.be/doOEAyr4Jzo?

Second egg at 367 Collins Street as we await the arrival of the first egg at Orange. SK Hideaways has it: https://youtu.be/kRjyyXG3krA?

Osprey babies are being rescued worldwide as they struggle to find food and stay healthy.

#2 at Boulder County is a beauty and she is heading south. Great image, Holly!

Hope and George are not getting any breaks this year. Now dangerous fishing gear – . Needs to be removed from that nest!

I love this tribute to the Usk Valley male osprey in Wales.

Thanks so much for being with us today. It is ‘Dog Day’ and I cannot tell you how much I adore my Toby. He came as a tiny little puppy and has grown and grown. He is the light of my life and the beat of my heart.

With his much loved and chewed Lamb Chop!

Take care all. See you soon.

Thank you to Geemeff and SK Hideaways for their summaries and videos, to those who posted information on FB with or without images, to Raptor Persecution UK, and to the owners of the streaming cams that let us watch these amazing birds.

Late Monday in Bird World

24 August 2026

Hello Everyone,

We had a wonderful day. That said, it looks as if it will end with strong winds and a thunderstorm. I really hope we get some rain!

I want to send of SK Hideaways videos for the previous week – all here in one location. Thank you, SK!

SK Hideaways Videos, Week of 16 August 2026

FOBBVCAM Eagles  ~  Big Bear Valley, CA ~ Shadow, Jackie (dec. 9 August 2026), Sandy, and Luna (last seen on camera 23 July 2023)
Courtesy FOBBVCAM | Friends of Big Bear Valley
Nest Cam:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE
Wide View Cam (Cam 2):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41eq4VzCYc4
Live Recap & Observations:  https://bit.ly/4wGjwVg

Shadow & Kaydee Awake Together on Roost Tree ~ Plan Day from Lookout Snag ~ 2026 Aug 22
Shadow and Kaydee overnighted on the Roost Tree, awaking with good-morning chortle-snortles and another stunning Big Bear sunrise. They perched on the Lookout Snag before heading out for the day. Included is our favorite capture of Shadow, Jackie, Sunny, and Gizmo on the Lookout Snag in June 2025 ~ forever in our hearts and mind.
Video: https://youtu.be/JTkgmXeUKlE

Shadow’s Afternoon Visit ~Kaydee Visits Nest ~ Roosts Alone ~ 2026 Aug 20
After waking on the Roost Tree with Kaydee, we saw Shadow for a couple hours in the afternoon on Twin Pines. But Kaydee was busy exploring and visited the nest tree for about 20 minutes, striking a stunning horaltic pose, before retiring to the Roost Tree. Tonight it was just Kaydee, as Shadow chose to roost elsewhere. We watch, learn, and trust the eagles.
Video: https://youtu.be/iEVdyFO8q5A

Shadow & KD-1 Keep Each Other Company, Morning  and Night ~  2026 Aug 18
Shadow and KD-1 began the day with several duets ~ seems KD-1 is learning to chortle. They came together in the afternoon, perching on Twin Pines for hours before, perhaps, a trip to the fish café. Shadow returned after dinner and remained until roost time, where he and KD-1 met again on the roost tree. KD-1 made a quick trip to the nest before returning to roost overnight. 
All the while, Jackie is in our hearts and minds, as she always will be.
Video: https://youtu.be/dRcazZ1Jk3k


Fraser Point Eagles ~ Santa Cruz Island, CA ~ Cruz, Andor, Sasha (hatched 3/28), Zuma (hatched 3/30), Ryder (hatched 4/1)
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Fraser Point Eagles Cam Ops
Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY4V_AppZ6s

Cruz & Andor Home to Roost at Last ~ Kids Off to College ~ 2026 Aug 15-16
After weeks of watching an empty nest, straining our ears to hear the odd juvenile squee or adult chortle, fans themselves squee’d to see Andor and then Cruz arrive at the nest to roost overnight. It was much-needed joy after a difficult week of loss with the passing of beloved eagle Jackie from Big Bear. Hope seeing Cruz and Andor brings some comfort to all who need it.
Video: https://youtu.be/HhW2J1Vs–c


Sydney WB Sea Eagles ~ Australia ~ Lady, Dad, SE37 (hatched 13 August), and SE38 (hatched 14 August)
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=nw4pdgy3-U0

SE38 Uses SE37’s Food Coma to Get Private Feeding ~ 2026 Aug 20With SE37 firmly established as the alpha eaglet, SE38 is taking their position as beta eaglet very seriously and doing a great job. When SE37 fell into a food coma, SE38 inched their way up the nest, where Lady was nibbling on a nice, big fish, and got a private feeding. SE37 awoke after the feeding was done, but still gave SE38 a bop on general principle. SE38 shook it off and the two of them cuddled up to nap.
Video: https://youtu.be/YJUtWpuscss

SE37 & SE38 Cuteness Overload ~ But Pecking Order is Set ~ 2026 Aug 16Sydney White-Bellied Sea Eagles ~ Australia ~ Lady, Dad, SE37 (hatched 13 August), SE38 (hatched 14 August)
While we enjoy the fluffy cuteness that SE37 and SE38 bring, we also see that, at 3 days old, SE37 has established their dominance. This is expected and not malicious. SE38 will learn to avoid eye contact with SE37, become resilient, and show clever resourcefulness in getting plenty to eat. 
Video: https://youtu.be/x-hHNirjBWA

The rarest of the raptors in the UK, the Montagu’s Harrier, has bred successfully for the second year in succession.

Montagu’s Harrier, UK’s rarest breeding raptor, nests successfully in England for second year in a rDownload

What a stunning image!

“Montagu’s Harrier, juvenile, Bangalore, India” by Cks3976is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Check this out from the BBC: https://bbc.com/news/articles/c7vgvvyr78eo

The RSPB gives lots of information on this rarest of the rare raptors that makes its nest on the ground, just like the Hen Harriers that are so persecuted.

Montagu’s Harrier Bird Facts | Circus PygargusDownload

I hope that you have had a wonderful start to your week. We will see you again soon, we hope.

Thank you to SK Hideaways, OpenVerse, the BBC, and the RSPB for today’s information included in this blog!

LA CBS tribute to Jackie…late Friday in Bird World

14 August 2026

Good Evening Everyone!

We hope you had a good end of the week and that this weekend you take time to breathe and get outside. The summer is quickly coming to an end, and we can already see a tinge in the leaves across our back lane. Today, the birds were in a big flurry around 1500. The Crow family was all in attendance, along with the six Blue Jays – and hundreds and hundreds of sparrows of various types. We noticed a lactating grey squirrel, but it was not Dyson. Since the disappearance of Brock and the other cat, Charlie, we have also noticed a decline in the number of grey squirrels. Down by half. As I have mentioned previously, there is some concern that someone is using rodenticide. That deadly poison goes through the food chain – it can even kill the hawk that comes several times a week! Please do not use it, and if you know of others who do, don’t attack them but do educate them. So read up – there is lots of information on the dangers of this deadly poison on the Internet.

I want to thank everyone for their notes while you grieve, Jackie. She was so loved, and her influence has touched so many. I am grateful for the excellent care she received, from the first responders to the staff and volunteers at the Ojai Raptor Centre. Jackie died a natural death – and whether she knew it or not, she was surrounded by love. Tributes are still being made, and many want a permanent memorial to her at Big Bear Valley. Flower tributes have been left, and I know from your notes and comments that many people have a big hole in their hearts. Luna and Sandy are fine. I find it very interesting that Jackie stayed strong until they had left the area. As you know, raptors hide their vulnerabilities. Otherwise, others will try to take their position. At some point, however, when one is so very, very sick, that illness cannot be hidden anymore, and that is what happened to our dear Jackie. Shadow will be fine. He misses Jackie. He calls out for her, but no one answers. It is not breeding season, but like M15, he will need a strong mate to help him keep the Big Bear nest. It looks like the one female, nearing five years, KD1, is hoping to fill that spot. We need to send Shadow our best wishes just like we did Bella (NCTC), Connie (Captiva), Gabby (NE Florida) and M15 (SW Florida) – to name a few of the eagles who have lost their mates in the past five years.

CBS LA has a lovely thirty-minute tribute: https://youtu.be/B2od9c1IlDo?

I am delighted to report that one female osprey, Blue NC0, whose mate, Laddie LM12, died two years ago, appears to have found another nest and mate. She lost her nest at Loch of the Lowes last year when she failed to bond with the Dark Knight. She has recently been at the Alyth SS Substation nest that previously belonged to Harry and Flora. Harry disappeared, and Flora lost her nest (or that is what it appears). Clyde is the current male, and he has been bringing fish to Blue NC0. Loch of the Lowes and Alyth are approximately 18 km away from one another. I wish Blue NC0 the best.

I want to begin with Geemeff’s summaries and videos from Loch Arkaig:

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 14th August 2026

Today’s big story is the Nest Two camera being taken out by an electrical storm. Unfortunately, as it’s in a remote area, it’s going to take a while to restore service but it is being worked on, and luckily Nest One cam is still streaming live. Garry LV0 wasn’t seen today so his fish tally remains at two hundred and one, but Aurora 536 came to the nest and preened quietly for a few minutes before departing. Thanks to off-nest reports from local resident LizB, we know the chicks were around today both on and off the nest, and Louis was seen delivering fish. Fishing stats guru Steve Quinn has worked out a formula for estimating deliveries by Louis during the cam outage and the Nest Two tally has been raised to four hundred and nineteen. Dorcha has not been seen on cam since Saturday 8th and off-cam on Tuesday 11th. Meanwhile, all the main events of Season Ten are available on Woodland Trust’s playlist, details in the bonus section. After a stormy night, the weather was reasonably settled today but at the time of this report, midnight, it’s raining and due to continue overnight with a low of 12°C, changing to light showers with sunny intervals and a high of 18°C tomorrow.
Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/3abZkT-QbX8 N2 The moment the storm takes the camera out 04.29.31 https://youtu.be/e3GDrR-jrtc N1 Aurora arrives, preens quietly, no Garry so she departs 08.41.36 

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 13th August 2026 

Garry LV0 and Aurora spent time on Nest One today, and he brought her one fish, taking his tally to two hundred and one. The two chicks were on and off Nest Two being very competitive, squaring up to each other, slapping wings, pushing each other off the nest and chasing, and generally doing their best to get as much fish as possible. Louis only brought three fish, all flatfish, and Amber got the first two and Juniper the third. The Nest Two tally now stands at four hundred and fourteen. Dorcha wasn’t seen today, either on or off the nest, and it looks like she might have headed south – we wish her fair winds and plenty of fish and look forward to seeing her safely back next year for Season Eleven. The weather was damp and overcast, with Nest One shrouded in mist at times, and the damp weather is set to continue with thundery showers and light winds and a low of 16°C overnight, continuing tomorrow with light rain, a gentle breeze, occasional sunny spells and a high of 19°C.

Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/Bwa5tZUn8gw N2 Amber’s waiting when Louis brings the first fish 11.48.59https://youtu.be/4C9DHUpEri0 N2 Amber gets the second fish as Juniper loses out again 15.09.25https://youtu.be/AL-CYDZL52M N2 Finally it’s Juniper’s turn and she gets fish three 16.09.41https://youtu.be/-LZhVieT–0 N1 Aurora’s calls are answered when Garry brings a fish 16.47.16

Everyone’s invited to join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and you’re all welcome:

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

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Individuals throughout the UK (and elsewhere like myself) are fed up with the medieval practice on the shooting estates BECAUSE it leads to the gamekeepers poisoning, beating, and killing in the most bizarre ways the raptors that come and take a grouse for food. No one tells them they crossed a boundary – and to be honest the pheasants imported, the monies exchanged, never warrant the brutal killing of the raptors.

Reclaim Our Moors – protest walk against grouse shooting, Peak District National Park, Sunday 16 AugDownload

In the US, people are worried about changes to The Endangered Species Act. Audubon tells us all about it:

Conserving Habitat Has Always Been Central to the Endangered Species Act | AudubonDownload

As you are aware, I am a big fan of Knepp Farms and their Rewilding campaign. In their latest newsletter, they tell of the most recent introduction: “In our latest episode of the Knepp Wilding Podcast, butterfly expert and old friend Neil Hulme joins us to talk about the Knepp Wildland Foundation’s most recent reintroduction project – the black-veined white butterfly.  

Absent from Britain for more than a century, Neil discusses the specialist task of reintroducing a species that vanished this long ago and why we’re hopeful that this rare, striking insect will once again become a UK resident.”

The newsletter also brings up other issues such as the failure of national parks to provide safe environments for wildlife. There are other stories. Have a read.

News from Knepp National Parks or National EmbarrassmentDownload

Oh, you want cute. They look like miniature fuzzy snow persons! SE37 and 38 are adorable.

SK Hideaways has a cute video of the little sea eaglets. You also get to hear the duet! : https://youtu.be/QfxN_k_qH24?

Sadly, it appears that we will not have any Ervie babies this year. We saw him at the nest, but no female! Oh, let’s hope a female comes around. We love Ervie – and I can’t wait til he is a Dad.

Phoenix, from the Sandpoint nest, is doing well in rehab. He is said to be very, very feisty! He won’t leave his wing protector on…but this is good. He will be strong when he leaves care and goes back into the world. (A Bald Eagle injured Phoenix when he flew off the nest).

The females are starting to migrate in the UK. Blue 014 from the Pont Cresor nest in Glaslyn has not been seen since she had a fish on the Glaslyn nest on the 10th. Other females are helping the males fill up the chicks!

Take care everyone. Thanks for being with us. I keep saying I am going to take a day off. Maybe it will be tomorrow. I am hoping to get us on a little road trip if it isn’t raining all day.

Thank you to SK Hideaways and Geemeff for their videos and summaries of nest activities, to Knepp Farms for giving me hope for the future, to everyone who posted information and images on FB, to Ruth T for chasing down the latest raptor persecution news in the UK, and to everyone who owns a camera or posts news somewhere so that we know what is happening in the nests. A big thank you to CBS LA for a lovely tribute to Jackie.

Wednesday in Bird World

12 August 2026

Hello Everyone,

The tributes to Jackie continue to pour in and your wonderful, heartfelt words have meant so much to me. I hope to include them in a short tribute to The Queen of Big Bear Valley once the aching goes away. She meant so much to us and motivated so many people. It is still hard to put it into words.

Celebrating in the Olympic Park as SE37 has its beak out and by the time I send this tomorrow, it will have fully hatched. Congratulations Dad and Lady! SK Hideaways has the video: https://youtu.be/1gUHaF2o7nc?

Lady can hear her babies wanting to hatch:

Migration is starting and Hawk Mountain has put out its first count. “The wait is almost over! Autumn migration returns to the Mountain this Saturday, August 15. As raptors begin their journey south, Hawk Mountain comes alive with opportunities to observe, learn, and explore. Enjoy the Autumn Lecture Series, free weekend programs, time at the lookout, or a peaceful walk on the trails. See what’s coming up and plan your trip!

As always, thank you for your support, and you can stay up to date on all Hawk Mountain programs and happenings at hawkmountain.org/events.”

If you live near Hawk Mountain, why not participate? Here are the details:

Autumn Migration Hawkwatch Begins

Several Counters Stationed at North Lookout in Autumn

Daily, August 15-December 15
9 am to 5 pm
Trail fee required for Non-Members

The Annual Autumn Hawk Watch begins August 15 at the Sanctuary’s famed North Lookout and is conducted daily, weather permitting, through December 15.

An average 18,000 birds of prey will soar over the Sanctuary’s rocky North Lookout, a 1,500-foot outcropping on the Kittatinny Ridge or “Blue Mountain.”  Each year we tally the number and type of birds that pass. An official counter and interpreters are on hand to point out and identify birds.

Visitors should bring binoculars (or rent them at the Visitor Center), something soft to sit on, and a daypack with water and snacks. Plan to relax at the lookout and spend at least an hour. Many people spend the morning, afternoon or even the entire day!

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to learn more about hawk migration and enjoy this spectacle of nature!

Date & Time

August, 2026

15

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Daily through Dec 15

Location

North Lookout

We had a great Tuesday. Ann helped me with Don and together with Toby we went out to Wildlife Haven in search of a mystery. Lately there has been a Mississippi Kite in one of our parks. As it turns out, in 2014, a pair of kites made a nest and fledged young. One unlucky chick found its way to Wildlife Haven where it has been an ambassador ever since – Milan. Was Milan still alive? I had been at the rehab centre oodles of times, taking in birds, making donations, attending open house but I could never recall Milan. The cage was empty today but Milan is still very much alive. Inside away from the heat. We will double check on Open House!

Two Great Horned Owls were out, along with Majestic, and the two goofy Turkey Vultures – Gus and Leo. Gus and Leo will make you fall in love with Turkey Vultures, I promise. They are such characters.

Majestic.

Geese!

On our way home, we stopped in one of the developments just outside the City. I had been told by a former student, Selena Panchoo, that there was an amazing Latino bakery there. Her recommendation did not disappoint! Made on-premises- we could watch – the desserts were divine. A big plus was that, unlike most City cafes, Toby was allowed! The owner had owned a Cavalier at one time and fell in love with Toby immediately. They will certainly have our business.

Mango cheesecake – mango through and through and you can’t beat a Jarritos soda on a warm day.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 11th August 2026
Some aggression was shown by the chicks today, especially over Louis’ first delivery, which was just a scrap of fish, but as the day went on and Louis kept delivering a steady stream of fish, the aggression died down. Louis brought eight fish, taking the Nest Two tally to four hundred and eight, and there was so much fish that even the marauding Hoodies got a share. They were out in force today, probably the same pair throughout the day, and even Louis had to put up with one at close range, while a bold Hoodie flew down next to Amber and grabbed a big fish from right beside her. However, as she had just received the eighth fish from Louis and both she and Juniper had bulging crops, it wasn’t the disaster it would have been yesterday. Garry LV0 brought three fish for Aurora 536 and the Nest One tally rises to one hundred and ninety nine. Noisy RAF jets caught on both nest cams disturbed Aurora and she left her perch on Pole Tree and flew over to the nest.

 It looks like Dorcha is still in the area, just not coming to the nest, as LizB spotted an adult Osprey perching near Louis behind the nest. Although it would be great to see her, with the chicks’ current aggro due to hyperphagia, that’s probably a wise move. The weather was settled and forecast to continue, with an overnight low of 14°C and a high tomorrow of 24°C.
Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/THyZ1Xc-YjI N2 First fish is just a scrap but the chicks fight over it anyway 05.37.02https://youtu.be/qf-pqHMMP74 N2 Louis waits on an empty nest for a chick to claim fish two 06.02.54https://youtu.be/66wY8eObpLI N1 First fish for Aurora is a frantically flapping flatfish 12.40.47https://youtu.be/ZV2_ovPhhoI N2 Amber’s  ready and waiting when fish three arrives 13.56.52https://youtu.be/gwdI5EpnoA8 N2 Amber keeps old fish three as Juniper gets fish four 14.19.34https://youtu.be/OHcUmXoIf3w N2 Juniper still has fish four and also gets fish five 15.10.43https://youtu.be/gxQEHIylHo4 N1 Aurora grabs a few bites of fish two before departing 15.47.36https://youtu.be/4E-dIkqMwYI N2 Louis brings fish six and chases off Hoodies 17.05.12https://youtu.be/BilLYiGOQnI  N1&2 RAF jets flypast both nests and disturb Aurora on Pole Tree 18.10.40 (zoom)https://youtu.be/2tYjw_SeLgw N2 Hoodies scarper as Louis brings fish seven 19.05.21https://youtu.be/AI9A_9sXt8U N1 Garry brings a third fish for Aurora 19.50.29https://youtu.be/wFRRo_54sN8 N2 Hoodie steals a fish from Amber but she keeps fish eight 20.59.02

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

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The Black Storks in northern Europe appear to have fledged.

My friend, Sassa Bird brings me news from Lativa about the birds in that area:



That is wonderful news. I have been following some nests in Estonia – and so happy that Urmas is feeding the storklets, as it appears the parents are gone.


Wensi is feisty! https://youtu.be/-BLS5TdUhWQ?

Wensi is, to me, very special. I don’t know if Iris, who is at a minimum of thirty years, will return next year to be reunited with Clarke and have other chicks. So I am treasuring every moment of them on the nest. They are on the big screen at our house -. I do adore this family.

Fledglings doing well at Clark PUD. Showing up for fish!

We have news that the only surviving osplet on the Osoyoos platform in Osoyoos, British Columbia is doing well and getting fish from the parents. The camera is down.

The osplet that was removed from the Tweed Valley nest due to thrashings and its old sibling not allowing it to it has been returned to the nest. Lots of fish gifts were left and observations show that the two are getting along and feedings are going smoothly. Well done, Tweed Valley and Forestry England.

Documentaries about a murder do not often have a connection with our raptors but in the case of the Edradymate Estate, they certainly do!

New documentary now available about Edradynate Estate gamekeeper David Campbell’s conviction for murDownload

I was going to check on the status of the condors and the Big Sur fire and ‘B’ sent me the latest link. This is what he writes, “Hi Mary Ann,

I’ve pasted at the bottom of this email the link to a San Francisco Chronicle article about the Big Sur fire, which is dated yesterday and appeared in the print edition of the paper today.  (I might be one of the last people who actually buys and reads the print edition of the Chronicle each day.)  

It is only the last two paragraphs of the article that address the condor issue.  To summarize those paragraphs, the article mentions that the fire has disrupted road access to the condor sanctuary, that Kelly Sorenson says the two condors confined there have gone four days without fresh food or water, and that Kelly is working with firefighters to open access to the sanctuary.  But what I like best is the final quote from Kelly:  “If for some reason they (the firefighters) are not able to do that (that is, open the access road to Kelly), then we’re prepared to hike up if need be.”  Yeah, you go, Kelly!

https://www.sfchronicle.com/california-wildfires/article/timber-fire-big-sur-highway-1-resorts-22383405.php

Signing off. Don is out with Ann and Toby and I are going to go for a nice walk in the coolish breeze. It is such a gorgeous day. Tomorrow we are going to the farm to get produce and on the weekend, I am hoping we will have one of those mystery car tours. The goal is to get Don out every day and for me to get out, even if it is a walk with Toby and then a nice cuppa sitting in the sunshine. We have – Toby and I – decided no housework today! Melissa is coming Monday and she will have her work cut out for her.

You will notice that I have not included any of the thousands of tributes to Jackie. I am hoping that you will continue to send me a note about what Jackie meant to you so that I can include it on her Memorial Wall and here in the blog. I hope to do that next week, so please send a comment about Jackie or an e-mail. The address is maryannsteggles@icloud.com I will only use your initial!

Take care, everyone.

Thank you to Geemeff for her daily summary and videos, B for the latest on the Ventana Wildlife Society’s Sanctuary in Big Sur, to Raptor Persecution UK for following the most horrendous crimes against wildlife, to Sassa Bird for her notes about the NE European ospreys and storks, to Hawk Mountain for their great tracking of the migrating birds, and to all the streaming cams and individuals who put information on FB and images. I am grateful.

Late Saturday in Bird World

28 June 2026

Greetings Everyone,

I am thinking about all of you living in Europe sweltering in this heat and the wildlife. Or those in Japan and elsewhere who have had earthquakes and now, my son tells me two storms coming to Japan as he is set to fly out for Canada. Please take care of yourself.

I had a lovely Saturday. A friend was here for tea. At the same time, Don needs to go to the hospital, and his brother is taking him tomorrow. It is a prostrate issue again. So today’s report is going to be shorter than normal.

One thing I want to mention is that our dear Ervie has been spotted fishing where he did when he first fledged with dad at Delamere Wetlands.

My goodness – our favourite third hatch. Ervie hatched on the Port Lincoln barge on 16 September 2021 at 00:51:50. He will be five years old this year. Mark your calendars. Let’s all eat some birthday cake in celebration.

‘PB’ has sent me some good reports from the nests.

“Blackbush Little tiny 4 has an open head wound, this bravest of all souls, like Cape Henlopen #3, just keeps getting back up to eat. If it didn’t get food, it would be the end. But this nest has lots of fish, and #4 is fighting to survive.”

“Now tiny 4 moved by Dad, dad feeding 4 privately, rhen mom walks up and gets food from dad to give to 4. I hope the food gives this brave one some good nutrients to grow.”

4 has been injured by 3 and there are certainly concerns since its head now ppears to be bleeding.

“Oyster Bay mom can’t wait for dad she goes fishing 2:25 but #1 eats most of it. I fear we may lose one here. Not enough to keep oldest full.”

“Sandy Hook may be only nest along NJ with 3. All look good still.”

Little Dewey hit the jackpot today. Mum has been bringing in the fish.

Dewey mom found 4 more Menhaden, Heidi told me: 13.22.00, 13.36.12, 13.52.54, 14.15.34, 5:29:44 Dewey mom another menhaden. She had brought in some in the morning.

SK Hideaways brings us up to date with Sandy and Luna, who are now ready to fledge – something we all feared as 4th of July celebrations in the US approach with their useless fireworks. https://youtu.be/glMMMrK8mmI?

Cornell Bird Lab gives us another close-up look at Clark and Iris’s baby! https://youtu.be/fqaMN3W40UI?

Cornell Bird Lab captures the visit of P2 to the nest as P3 gets some inspiration for an impending fledge! https://youtu.be/fqaMN3W40UI?

Super couple CJ7 and Blue 022. The fish brought in today, according to the chat: 05:09, 09:01, 13:24, 16:41, 17:44, 18:33, 20:07, 21:04. Just think about that. Four chicks are thriving. I believe they will break Maya and Blue 33’s record of fledging four this year. Poole Harbour has fledged four chicks in 2024, 2025, and appears to be ready to do it again in 2026, breaking the record.

Manton Bay: 2020 and 2019 were the two years that they fledged four chicks. They had four chicks in clutches other years but at least one died each year.

CJ7 with her four feathered babes of 2026.

A happy story. House Martins return to a UK street.

Young country diary: The house martins are back – I can hear the chicks from my bedroom

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/27/young-country-diary-the-house-martins-are-back-i-can-hear-the-chicks-from-my-bedroom?CMP=share_btn_url

Another Golden Eaglet hit with pellets…

Another young satellite-tagged Golden Eagle from south Scotland translocation project found injuredDownload

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig 27th June 2026

Another calm and routine day, no intruders or alarms, the only negative is the wet weather as it rained steadily with only a few breaks throughout the day. However that didn’t prevent the males from fishing – Garry LV0 brought two on-cam fish for Aurora 536, taking the Nest One tally to one hundred and forty one, and Louis brought four fish for Dorcha and the chicks, taking the Nest Two tally to one hundred and ninety seven. As Steve Quinn showed in his weekly stats published today, Louis is setting records and performing very well. Links cant be posted unfortunately, but just pop Nest 2 fish summary to week 10 into the search field and it’ll come up. It’s raining as this report is posted (midnight), and set to continue overnight with a low of 14°C throughout tomorrow with a high of 17°C and the possibility of sunny intervals.

Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/J1SLRLZ8jRI N2 Early breakfast of trout arrives for the family 04.30.49https://youtu.be/sfXCe22Xnyo N2 Despite strong winds expert fisherbird Louis brings a second fish 08.21.55https://youtu.be/LOcr3poUczQ N1 Garry brings Aurora a fish in the rain 16.19.07 (zoom)https://youtu.be/EhbwlTJIWbE N2 10+ hours after the last. fish  three is worth the wait 19.12.28https://youtu.be/-PFQkQJwS98 N1 Garry brings a second fish and both depart, nest is empty 22.03.12https://youtu.be/kTq5KGpr7Rw N2 Louis chirps softly as he brings number four 22.25.15

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 for being with me today. Please take care of yourselves. I hope to be back with you either tomorrow or Monday.

Thank you to SK Hideaways, Cornell Bird Lab, and Geemeff for their videos and/or daily summaries. I am also grateful to ‘PB’ for keeping a keen eye on some of those hard-to-watch nests. Thank you to the others who post on FB, the owners of the streaming cams, The Guardian for reporting, and Raptor Persecution UK for keeping us apprised of the good, the bad, and the very ugly in the world of raptor persecution in the UK.

Hen Harriers disappear…Early Wednesday

24 June 2026

A heat wave has hit the UK, and in Wales, they are expecting temperatures above 30 C and will be closing the hides at the nature centres. Rain and now heat.

We continue to have rain but right now there is a wee bit o sunshine with a huge black cloud moving in over the conservatory from the West. Did I say I was sick of rain? I must run out and feed the birds so they manage something before the deluge hits.

One that is thriving and my first little Roma tomato!

Oh, the tomatoes need some heat. The leaves are turning yellow because of too much rain!

A run through some nests:

Charlo: C22, the only surviving osplet on the nest of Charlie and his new mate, appears to be doing fine.

Dewey Beach: Little Dewey is feathered and is OK. I use the term ‘OK’ because the fish coming in are on the small side. Nothing wrong with small, but they will need a lot of them.

Osoyoos: The youngest died a few days ago (on the 20th I believe). This nest could be in trouble – lots of fish needed.

Rutland’s Manton Bay: The trio got their bling on Tuesday. There are two males and a female.

Loch Doon: Expecting the two chicks of Frankie and Angel to be ringed today.

Salmon River, Idaho: Baling twine continues to plague this nest with its two ospreys.

OBX: Two fish and four feedings at this nest -. I say they need more fish. These chicks are growing.

Moraine: Three gorgeous feathered osplets.

Smallwood: Three feathered osplets and a goldfish for dinner?

Upper Newport Bay: Two flapping osplets thinking of fledging.

Oyster Bay: Another nest with three feathered osplets that appears to be doing alright.

Santiam Canyon: Another nest with three osplets. Some large fish came on Tuesday and stopped some of the anxiety that had been happening at the nest.

South Cape May Meadows: The nest of Hera and Zeus that has brought such sadness to the adults in past years. There is now only one surviving osplet. Hoping this baby makes it.

Hellgate Canyon: Many of the other nests could use the size of fish that Clark is bringing onto the nest for Iris and Baby.

Cape Henlopen: Miles and Hennie are both fishing for their three. Wish this nest well. These adults are trying – like all the others to find food.

NCTC nest of Bella and Scout: Susie has fledged and we are on fledge watch for RJ.

Border Ospreys: Trying to keep the heat off the chicks and find fish!

https://borderospreys.co.uk/2026/06/24/fish-and-hot-chicks/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSozT9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeUHRwGyZE4KYQjA8pQ8OOIyZlDgt17sQ7ZUmZjJt1u6ufEHX6wrBQXlOTXa4_aem_AW3cWa0ZfC8b2i5kyrTGLw

Tweed Valley Nest 2: Eggs due to hatch next week. Oh, my they are so late.

Boulder County: Three nicely feathered osplets.

Minneapolis Landscape Arboretum: We still have two growing chicks.

Kielder Nests:

A brief round up

UK Hen Harrier Report: 149 missing from grouse-hunting estates over the past 8 years. Incredibly horrible. I love Hen Harriers – but what about the chicks that get stomped at the nest? Grouse hunting needs to be made illegal. I do not care if it is a medieval tradition of the aristocracy and royals.

If you want a good little book, Bowland Beth, will break your heart and make you understand.

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

Now another one in Wales. What is wrong with people?

Yet another Hen Harrier ‘disappears’ from Ruabon grouse moor in North Wales – her satellite tag hadDownload

Thank you so much for being with us early today. Please take care. I will see you again tomorrow for a brief look at what is happening! We send everyone out there a big hug. I wish I could send our friends in the South some of our rain, and I wish for cooling temperatures for those in the UK who are under an Extreme Red Warming – 38 C possible. An unprecedented heat wave.

Another one of Missey from yesterday.

Thank you to absolutely everyone who wrote a newsletter, to Ruth T at Raptor Persecution UK, to those that post on FB and to the owners of the streaming cams where I took my information and screen captures, I am forever grateful.

Baby for Louis and Dorcha…Monday in Bird World

1 June 2026

Good Morning Everyone,

It is hazy and will be a little warm today, but not up in the high 30s. Melissa is to arrive in a few minutes, and my house can’t wait to get cleaned!!!!!! You might recall that I was sick for 5 or 6 days and well, there are a few more fingerprints on my espresso black cabinets than I would like but, as Melissa says, ‘If I didn’t have some places to clean, she wouldn’t have a job!’ True.

My son is on his way to Asia for a conference in Singapore. He will first land in Tokyo, and he tells me that there is a typhoon. I am sending positive thoughts to all our Bird World friends in Japan impacted by this big storm.

Map showing the projected path of a hurricane near Japan, with timing indicated for specific locations.

The big news is that the first hatch has taken place at the Loch Arkaig 2 nest of Louis and Dorcha. You could hear this strong chick before it even hatched!!!!!!!! Listen as it uses its egg tooth to pick through the shell.https://youtu.be/oNu1t9PXQlI?

Louis was on hand for the hatch. He is an exceptional dad, and I hope that his health holds out this season.

Geemeff was so excited. They could hardly sleep! Here is their video of this wonderful event: https://youtu.be/5Xt0TjsAeZA?

Look at their faces as they see their little one all curled up.

A pair of ospreys stands on a nest with eggs in a natural environment, surrounded by trees and misty hills.

Still an Only Bob at Ranworth.

An osprey is feeding its chick in a nest surrounded by lush greenery at Ranworth, with a serene morning atmosphere.

I do love this. Three generations all have chicks on live-streamed nests in the UK. Maya is a grandmother!!!!!!!!!! (more than once). There is really good DNA coming out of that Rutland nest. Ah, but now Maya is a great grandmother – Teifi has chicks.

Tiger Mozone always says it is DNA plus luck that gives them longevity and endurance.

Three images of osprey nests featuring adult ospreys feeding their chicks, highlighting three generations of the same family.

In the US Bridge Club has their first hatch reported on FB by Heidi.

Virginia Osprey Foundation has its first chick.

Ospreys in a nest, with one chick hatching, showcasing the moment on June 1, 2026.

Eaglets die in Minnesota. Why?

The cause of death for the baby birds in the post isn’t definitively known yet. However, considering they were panting hard to cool down before passing away, it’s possible that heat stress or heatstroke contributed to their deaths, especially during a stretch of high temperatures. Other potential causes of bird deaths in general include ¹:

  • Common Causes of Bird Deaths:
  • Habitat Loss: Destruction or fragmentation of natural landscapes, which can lead to food scarcity and increased predation.
  • Collisions: Impacts with buildings, windows, vehicles, and power lines.
  • Predation: Hunting by domestic and feral cats, as well as natural predators.
  • Poisoning: Exposure to pesticides, lead, and other toxins.
  • Climate Change: Shifting habitats, extreme weather, and disrupted timing.
  • Disease: Infections and parasitic infestations.

It’s worth noting that Avian Flu was mentioned in one of the comments, but without further information, it’s impossible to say if this was the cause. The Department of Natural Resources visited the scene, so they may have more information on the cause of death once their investigation is complete

Two young birds in a nest, panting in the heat, with a focus on their facial features and surroundings.

Hatching is underway in two of the eggs at Loch of the Lowes.

An osprey sitting on a nest with several eggs, one of which is visibly cracked while another chick's beak can be seen breaking through the shell.

DH23 (Dale Hollow) eaglet, which fell off the nest on Sunday during a prey delivery, has now fledged from the branch where it landed. Congratulations and relief.

A feel good moment.

A close-up of a peregrine falcon standing in a nesting box filled with gravel, with a coastal view in the background.
Screenshot

So how is New Guy2 getting fish for Iris? Here is your answer.

A post discussing the fishing habits of Ospreys near Missoula, highlighting their preference for clearer waters in Rattlesnake Creek and mentioning ancient beach lines on Mount Jumbo formed during the last Ice Age.
Aerial view of Missoula, Montana, highlighting significant geographical features including Rattlesnake Creek, Clark Fork River, beach lines on Mount Jumbo from the last Ice Age, and Hellgate Osprey Nest.
3D aerial view of the Clark Fork River area, highlighting Rattlesnake Creek, Clark Fork River, and the Hellgate Osprey Nest.

At the Achieva nest, Big caught its own fish and brought it back to the nest! Wow. 15:48:15. Thanks, ‘PB’.

A view of an osprey nest located in a tree, with two young osprey chicks visible on the nest. One parent bird is flying nearby, while a street and houses can be seen in the background.
A young osprey standing in a nest made of twigs, with an adult osprey nearby. The background features greenery.

Heavy rains in the Glaslyn Valley have meant tricky fishing and mums needing to keep youngsters dry.

An eagle is feeding its chicks in a nest made of twigs, with a lush green landscape and misty mountains in the background.
A pair of ospreys are in their nest, one is holding a fish while the other is near their chicks, which are visible at the bottom of the nest.

At the Dyfi nest, Telyn is struggling to keep the chicks dry during the heavy rain.

An osprey resting on its nest, surrounded by twigs and grass, with a green blurred background.

It is the same story for Seren at llyn Clywedog.

A bird resting in its nest made of sticks and moss, surrounded by a lush green forest landscape in the background.

So how is it in the Usk Valley? Heavy rain.

A bird standing on a nest made of twigs and branches, with a chick visible inside the nest. The background features green fields and trees.

Chucking down rain at Llyn Brenig.

A blurry live feed image of an osprey nest with one adult osprey sitting on the nest and another standing nearby, taken at night.

Poole Harbour with its four chicks under CJ7 is also getting a large amount of rain!

Close-up view of a bird's back feathers, resting on a nest with twigs and pine needles.

Maya is drenched too – but the rains began to let up at Rutland later in the night.

An osprey resting on a nest made of sticks and branches, with a fish laying beside it, near a body of water.

I wonder what Geemeff will report about Loch Arkaig? The weather is certainly better!

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 1st June 2026

No surprise about today’s main event – the first chick has hatched! After pipping last night and chupping ever more strongly, the little scrap of life made its way out of the eggshell at 12.40.39 and despite falling over backwards and taking a while to right itself, is looking in great shape. Surprisingly, it was Louis on duty at the moment of hatching – he shot upright when he must have felt the chick suddenly emerge from the shell, one of many endearing moments today which included Dorcha trying to feed Louis. All the action was on Nest Two today, except for Garry LV0 delivering one fish for Aurora 536 which takes his tally to ninety one. Louis delivered three fish to Dorcha and the Nest Two tally now stands at one hundred. It was a damp day which will continue with light rain showers, light winds and an overnight low of 12°C and more light rain, light winds and a high of 17°C tomorrow.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/PCJX4mMm3EI N2 Dorcha’s in mum mode and tries to feed Louis 05.17.53https://youtu.be/HwDwVw2WvbA BBC Radio 4 Today Programme: Arkaig Forest item 07.24 https://youtu.be/e24C9E4S7kQ N1 Aurora gets a huge fish from Garry 09.37.45https://youtu.be/oNu1t9PXQlI N2 Listen to the chick chupping as it breaks the eggshell 10.22.15 (zoom)https://youtu.be/5Xt0TjsAeZA N2 News news news – first chick has hatched! 12.40.39https://youtu.be/tgRdu3_mmY0 N2 Louis brings fish and covers the chick as Dorcha eats fish 16.24.21https://youtu.be/v456qULiigg N2 Oops! Chick falls over backwards 18.52.22https://youtu.be/XC3x1LnO9Lk N2 Louis delivers fish number one hundred for the season! 22.34.46

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

A pair of birds of prey in a nest, one standing with wings partially spread, while the other is sitting calmly. The nest is built among sticks and moss, and the background features a lush, green landscape.

Sad news from the UK. Another White-tailed Eagle disappears from a shooting estate! When will this stop? Only when the penalties are such that the extremely wealthy consider the fine and/or jail time ‘too much’.

Young White-tailed Eagle ‘disappears’ from grouse shooting estate in North York Moors National ParkDownload

I like to end with good news.

A peregrine falcon in a nesting box, surrounded by gravel, with a view of a coastal area in the background.
Screenshot

Calico wishes everyone a great beginning to the week.

A calico cat with green eyes lounging on a soft surface near a window, surrounded by greenery.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Wish all of the nests, no matter where they are, better weather and lots of fish tomorrow! Take care. See you soon.

Thank you to everyone. ‘PB’ that is a great image of Big at Achieva! Fantastic news. To all who posted on FB and to Jeff Kear and the UK Osprey Info FB page – I am always grateful. Thank you to Geemeff and to all the owners of the streaming cams and individuals who post information – we appreciate your extraordinary efforts.

2nd little one at Cornell makes it out of shell…Tuesday in Bird World

5 May 2026

Hello Everyone,

I did say I was going to take a break, didn’t I? Well, reports will be short, but Iris laying her first egg and Big Red’s nestlings are keeping me on the edge of the sofa. Besides, the nice warm weather we had disappeared. Melissa kept looking out the conservatory windows as she was cleaning them, asking, ‘Is that a snowflake?’ And yes, of ourselves, her eyes were not deceiving her. It is freezing. Tomorrow will be 0 C. Not much fun. Toby and I worked on the bookcases. We now need a 154 cm long piece of moulding and some finishing nails. The whole needs to be painted in the same shade as the walls only glossy so it is slightly different (thanks, Geemeff, for the idea). I had battled between just matching the walls which are the same colour as the rice straw tea huts in Japan, going for something bold like the Bloomsbury Group would have done, or painting them in Tar (a deep grey/black). My mind needs calm. So, some time in the future, David will return to paint them and the French doors all the same. It is a picky job, not for someone like me who wouldn’t have the patience.

As of Monday evening, this is the state of the third chick releasing itself from the shell at Big Red and Arthur’s nest. Arthur is already lining the nest cup with chippies and squirrels.

I am so glad this little one didn’t get exhausted trying to get out.

A red-tailed hawk in a nest with eggs and chicks, captured in black and white from a live webcam feed.
A red-tailed hawk in a nest with two fluffy chicks and one unhatched egg among twigs and nest materials.
A Red-tailed Hawk tending to its nest with two fluffy chicks and an egg visible among the twigs and nesting material.
A young red-tailed hawk chick sitting in a nest beside an unhatched egg, surrounded by straw and leaves.
Close-up of a large, blue-green bird egg nestled among soft downy feathers and natural materials in a nest.

At the Achieva Osprey Platform, Jill went out late and caught another catfish for her and the kids. That is three today. I do not believe she has ever left the nest to fish after 2000. She did tonight. As the kids get older they need more food and she needs to keep herself healthy for them! Jack is simply not delivering enough – two today. Jill had three and one was a whopper.

Thanks ‘PB’ for the screen capture of Jill and her whale.

A close-up view of a bird with wings spread wide, perched on a tree. The background shows green foliage and a road.

For those wanting to keep a file to recognise Jill, here you have the perfect underwing patterns to go with the top of the head! These two locations are the only patterns that do not ever change from the time the ospreys fledge.

Iris and NewGuy2 (I do agree with everyone that he needs a name – I am certain that Dr Green is working on this) are settling in to incubation. I just hope he knows that he has to provide fish for Iris and the babies…

Two ospreys perched in their nest with a parking lot and trees in the background.
An osprey nest with two adult ospreys sitting among branches and twigs, overlooking a parking lot and landscaped area in the background.
Two ospreys sitting in a nest made of sticks, with a parking lot and greenery in the background.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 4th May 2026

Another peaceful and uneventful day, although one event was missing – Aurora 536 has not laid a second egg, it is overdue by more than 24 hours so chances are she will only have the single egg laid on 30th April at 19.18.37. There is concern that she is leaving the egg unprotected for several hours at a time, and as she and Garry LV0 have not been seen mating on a sufficiently regular basis, perhaps this egg will not hatch. As always, it’s wait and see – Osprey eggs are quite hardy. Although Garry only brought one fish to the nest for Aurora, it’s possible fish are being delivered early during the nest cam down time. His on-cam tally now stands at forty five. Over on Nest Two, normal service was resumed and Louis delivered three fish to Dorcha, taking the nest total to forty. Dorcha was very pleased to see the first fish arriving after a gap of thirty five hours and demolished it in no time. The weather was mainly settled with a little light rain around 11pm.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/BMjnfTZhaCM N2 First fish 35 hours after the last one! 08.25.51

https://youtu.be/uYMCcC97Qbw N2 Normal service resumes! Fish 2 arrives 2 hours after the first 10.35.21

https://youtu.be/X7NonFthu2Q N1 First fish for Aurora, a good size headless trout 14.31.26

https://youtu.be/M8d0uY6Yys8 N2 Louis brings a third trout for Dorcha 15.06.39

Bonus activity – how well do you know spring tree flowers? Take Woodland Trust’s quiz: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2026/05/spring-blossom-quiz/

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/RZcdDsctW8s  N1 Stick-gate! Louis brings a silly stick 2019

https://youtu.be/MkeAZ4Rtyjw  N1 Arkaig Ospreys star with Chris Packham, Megan McCubbin & Holly Gillibrand 2020 

https://youtu.be/8937KrWsAvQ  N1 Aila stands on Louis’ tail 2020

https://youtu.be/E9pd_5HuvsU  N1 Hoodie chases Louis and his fish to the nest 2020

https://youtu.be/01RR3gk-KAo  WT season highlights 2021

https://youtu.be/MYwuD6jtpBA  WT season highlights 2022

https://youtu.be/CMPNawu15bo  N2 Louis is blown away! 2023 (slo-mo repeat)

https://youtu.be/HIbtIkk_ELg  N2 Unringed intruder lands 2023 (slo-mo repeat)

https://youtu.be/UYHOuHSAjdo  N2 Dorcha’s turn to show off her underpinnings! 2023

https://youtu.be/wFCI5B_bVPQ  N1 Garry LV0 arrives with moss, calling softly, who’s he watching? 2024

https://youtu.be/5zmxN6jpNNU  N2 Dorcha brings a stick and lands it on Louis 2024 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/AOxOLsyGJV0  N2 Dorcha gets hit by a Tawny Owl while tangled in moss 2025

https://youtu.be/A8PwVgBjiAc  N2 Three strikes: 00.33.37; 00.35.21; 00.40.51 in <8 mins 2025

https://youtu.be/T0XQrgwLjko  N1 Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) does a thorough investigation 2025 

https://youtu.be/6b_2Tq6RFQA  N1 Tawny Owl pays a second visit an hour after the first 2025

https://youtu.be/TXp42g5YDtM N2 Dorcha fights off an unringed Osprey 2025 (slo-mo repeat with zoom)

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

Geemeff sends a sad story but at least, they say, ‘humans tried to help’. https://wgme.com/news/local/very-sad-ospreys-found-dead-after-building-nest-on-power-lines-in-camden-maine-cmp-central-maine-power

Sadly, these falcons fell at the hand of humans and their guns in Cambridgeshire.

Post-mortem on Cambridgeshire Peregrine reveals shotgun pellets – Raptor Persecution UKDownload

Winken enjoying a meal while there remains a reminder of the saddness as Blinken’s body is near the nest rim at Moorings Park.

An osprey feeding its chick in a nest, with a tranquil river and greenery in the background. The image highlights the environment and the interaction between parent and young bird.

It looks like the dream of seeing osplets on the Loch Garten RSPB nest are gone as Blue KL5 kicks out the third egg!

A live camera feed capturing an osprey nest with branches. The scene shows the nest at dawn with a distant view of trees and sky, indicating it's early morning. The top image shows the osprey destroying egg number 3, while the bottom image shows the nest after the egg has been destroyed.

News from Kielder Forest:

Nest 12

The four chicks of Monty and Hartley will be ringed at 0800 Wednesday nest time! Tune in on YouTube!

A peregrine falcon is feeding three chicks in a nesting box atop San Jose City Hall, with a view of city buildings in the background.

Thank you so much for being with us! Take care, everyone. Keep watching Iris for that next egg…See you soon.

Thank you to Geemeff for the Woodland Trust summary, to ‘PB’ for the great image of Jill and her monster fish, and to all those who post information on FB and the owners of the streaming cams that let us watch this amazing wildlife. I am very grateful for the investigative reporting of Raptor Persecution UK.

Wednesday in Bird World

18 March 2026

Hello Everyone,

We are in the midst of an unexpected blizzard, while thousands of miles to our southeast, it is green, and geese are enjoying the grass on a golf course. Thank you, ‘L’, for letting me share this lovely image of spring! We love our geese, but there is no place for them here, and yet, many arrived several weeks ago! The ponds have frozen, but there remains some open water in the two rivers that wind their way through our City. It is supposed to warm up beginning tomorrow, but I will believe it when I see it. We were not expecting this much snow today!

It doesn’t look like much, but the snow is blowing and accumulating so quickly! The lad who shovels or us thought snow was finished – he is going to get a real surprise! It is more than 30 cm deep on the walkway he cleared a few days ago, and is within 45 cm of covering the large bird table feeder. Unbelievable.

Toby loves it. He bounces through the snow if there is even a whiff of a ‘cat’ in the garden. My plan is to have a tall wooden fence built to match the one constructed a few years ago. I had not planned to put a fence on that part of the property, but the theft of dogs in our City has become quite troubling. Of course, ‘the cats’ – distinguished from ‘The Girls’ – come in from that back corner, so it is important to close it in. Toby loves his sisters, ‘The Girls’. He plays with them, but those that make their way into his outdoor territory will be ousted unless they are Brock (who now still spends 99% of his time at the neighbour down the street)!!!!!!!!!

I hope, after all these years, that each of you knows that I love all animals, but there is a special place in my heart for Big Red and Arthur, the late Annie at The Campanile, and ospreys. I have posted this song before, but I want you to get in the mood. Osprey season is starting in the UK – and has already begun in the US. Here are those wonderful school children with the Osprey Song (2011): https://youtu.be/KoOQK6ejuXY?

At the Lake Murray Osprey platform, Lucy has laid her second egg with a new mate. Please, please put up the owl defences for this family Lake Murray!

Company for Brutus. Storms are tearing down eagle and osprey nests around the US including an osprey nest that Penny Albright monitored near Sanibel that lost two chicks when the nest collapsed. These eaglets made it through…

Blue 25 has made another visit to Blue 33 and Maya’s nest at Manton Bay – Blue 33 normally arrives a few days prior to Maya, and Blue 25 enjoys his company! Geemeff caught her time on the nest: https://youtu.be/HU_XGU3NTro?

We have an osprey at the MNSA Osprey nest in Oceanside’s Jay Cool platform.

“WYL greets his chick upon returning to the nest in New Zealand. The adult male arrives from a foraging trip over the Pacific to feed his growing chick at the Plateau nest site. As the chick gets bigger, the parents will take longer foraging trips to collect enough food for both themselves and their chick.” (Cornell Bird Lab)

Peanut defended the Winter Park Florida nest against a RTH! Nestflix Memories (Gracie Shepherd) caught it on video: https://youtu.be/cQksMDubVEc?

Tonight, Wink is taking now chances. She is right in the nest with Peanut if that GHO returns – and, of course, it will – they never give up! Wink is an incredible mother – I am truly amazed and thankful for her diligence.

Gabby with her babies, Kai and Eve, at the NE Florida Bald Eagle nest in Florida. Best keep a close eye on these two – they could fledge before you blink.

At the Johnson City nest of Boone and Jolene in Tennessee, snow arrived. Jolene kept those two babies warm and tried to feed them at the same time. Like Wink, she is an experiened and an exceptional Mum.

Huge crop on JBS 24. Mum and Dad are delivering food and leaving it for self-feeding on occasion.

Harry and Sally are up there in my list of osprey parents. Three babies, three little fat bottoms. Large fish coming in and Harry on guard as it appeared there could have been an intruder around today during a fish delivery. If you haven’t been watching Moorings Park, then check out this osprey family. It is a success story – and believe me when I tell you that there will be few such stories in the NE USA this season unless a miracle happens.

Rutlands Lagoon 4 nest is trying to keep the Egyptian Geese from laying eggs while everyone waits for the ospreys to arrive. This is a second nest with a camera amongst several nests at Rutland Water. AI says: “Based on 2025/2026 sightings, the Lagoon 4 nest at Rutland Water is often occupied by male 359 (a 2021 Rutland-born osprey) and female 3H9 (a 2023 Rutland-born osprey). They have been observed investigating the nest and strengthening bonds. Note: 359 and 3H9 are a distinct pair from the main Manton Bay pair, Maya and 33(11).”

I am getting impatient – and it is a tad early – for Maya and Blue 33 to arrive at Manton Bay.

At the Whitley Crane nest known as the Golden Gate Audubon Osprey nest, Richmond has worked and worked. There is a new female at the nest with him. I do not believe Rosie will make an appearance. Why do I say this? Well, when Aila did not return, Louis moved his nest to another location when he bonded with Dorcha. We often think animals and birds are not intelligent. If I have said it once, I will say it again million times, my teacher about raptor behaviour, the late Laura Culley, taught me that they are smarter and use higher levels of intelligence and communication that humans have lost.

I noticed in one of the chats – it was the Winter Park Florida chat – that someone noted that ‘animals have feelings’. Dr Mark Beckoff and Dr Jane Goodall taught us this. There are several good books out there. I urge you or anyone who is interested in the behaviour of non-humans to read any or all of the following.

Saddness at the Two Harbours as Chase & Cholyn lose their last egg. SK Hideaways has it on video: https://youtu.be/8vmMpnkNsh4?

Big Red and Arthur have snow on their nest at Cornell University.

Suzanne Arnold Horning caught Big Red relaxing on the lights!

Cameras are now live at the Poole Harbour nest of CJ7 and Blue 022.

We have an osprey at Threave. Is it Black 80?

At Achieva the third egg was laid on the 25th of January. Can someone who is watching this nest tell me if Jack is delivering enough fish to his mate? I did not see deliveries today, but I might have missed something.

Dyfi is live! Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/live/tOS_34MKI5E?

In fact, start checking out all your favourite UK and European nests as the cameras are being turned on faster than I can keep a list.

The Pitkin County Osprey nest in Colorado is live.

I have such a soft spot for this White-tail eagle in Durbe County Latvia. Milda. Her current mate is Zorro. There was sorrow and now Zorro has proved to be a good mate and provider.

April 7. Hellgate Canyon. Iris’s favourite day to return to her nest in Missoula, Montana. Count the days – 20. Less than three weeks! The snow has melted.

There is evil in the world. I cannot imagine how anyone could harm an animal and yet, every day I find myself telling people not to give their kittens away to anyone. Russell Mason beat a Goshawk to death – how in the world can someone do this?

Large estates, with no eyes around in Scotland (and elsewhere), allow many horrific things to happen to our beautiful feathered friends. What can be done to stop this?

Scottish gamekeeper Russell Mason pleads guilty to battering a Goshawk to death on shooting estate iDownload

The Cornell Bird Lab gives us hope that people around the world are increasingly engaging with nature and birds. Yes, there are incredibly vicious people anywhere in the world that will harm birds and other animals, but there are more, I hope, that love and help them.

To put a smile on your face:

A total hoot! Beautiful birds – in pictures

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2026/mar/17/a-total-hoot-beautiful-birds-in-pictures-claire-rosen?CMP=share_btn_url

Thank you so much for being with me today and for your patience, as my posting is often irregular. I had hoped to keep to Fridays and Mondays til the UK osprey season began, but every day there is something new and exciting! I will continue to post at the oddest of times, sometimes two or three times a day as news comes in. As you can imagine, my life is anything but routine. We do have a schedule, but it all depends on my husband’s mood, which can vary. I am impatiently waiting for spring to arrive. What I miss most is reading. Yes, we have story time, but it isn’t the same as sitting quietly on a park bench with squirrels dashing around, the wind gently blowing, with a good book in my hand, reading in silence. So, no promises other than there will always be a Monday blog, often coming out late Sunday, until we have osprey chicks on the nests in the UK and Europe.

Thank you to everyone who created videos, wrote informative FB posts, to Raptor Persecution UK for keeping us informed, and to the Cornell Bird Lab for continuing to support education. I remain forever grateful to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to venture into the challenging lives of our feathered friends. To all my readers who are now long-time friends, I appreciate your support. Your letters and comments mean the world to me.