There are good things happening all around us. The Robins are arriving in gardens around the world. Storks are settling into their nests in Europe. Most of the ospreys are in their nests in the UK. There is much to be thankful for and today, Murphy, the Bald Eagle incubating Rock Baby gets a foster eaglet. It is a win-win for both of them! Let us hope that they take to one another. This is both our giggle and our good news story for the day!
The ‘Make You Feel Good’ video is from Geemeff and wow. The Osprey nest collapses and it is quickly replaced!
Peregrine Falcons are hatching in Japan and this is a reminder that we are now only four days from pip watch for Annie and Lou at Cal Falcons.
Jackie and Shadow continue to tease us and many of those chatters are hoping for Easter eggs in that nest up at Big Bear.
There was only one egg and USS6 hatched on the 5th of April at 23:38. The egg cup is so deep and Mum keeps aerating that nest but, there is a little cutie pie in there.
It is a little soggy at the Pittsburgh-Hayes nest but the two eaglets are doing just fine.
Rosa and Martin have the three sweetest little eaglets. Thank you for posting this comparison, Sassa Bird.
So much nesting material has been brought in. Martin must have found a buy one get two-free sale! ‘A’ has noted that there is some beaking that has happened at Dulles-Greenaway.
It is mid-afternoon on Thursday and the three eaglets at Dale Hollow need some food. They have picked off everything from that old catfish and racoon heads that they can. ‘A’ notes that both 17 and 18 have attached 19 and that the little one did get a tiny bit of food before bed Thursday. River is constantly aware of intruders at or near the nest and this is such a problem for her bringing food. Send every good wish you have to this nest.
Ospreys continue to arrive at Kielder Forest.
Everything is fine at the nest of Big Red and Arthur on the grounds of the Cornell Campus. Arthur is getting some good incubation time this year.
Nih Red’s cere is a lovely chrome yellow. Looks nice and healthy!
There are eyes on several osprey nests and one of those is that of Iris at hellcat Canyon in Missoula, Montana. April 7 is her favourite day to return from migration. Did she survive this year? We wait.
Those precious three eggs.
One of those great nests is Moorings Park Ospreys. Abby ad Victor are growing longer tail feathers! They are gorgeous.
Just look at that gorgeous peach in the plumage of Abby.
If you saw it, your eyes were not deceiving you. Yes, these are the three owlets from the Pritchett Property on M15 and the E’s nest! Gracie Shepherd got it on video.
Waiting for Iris.
Waiting to see about that pip at Decorah. Yes, we have a hatch. Welcome DH2.
Here is that hatch captured by Paul K – this is the most spectacular hatch that many have ever seen. DH2 literally bursts out of the shell, a strong and healthy eaglet. Fingers crossed.
DH2 is healthy and ready for prey!
There are two very feisty bobbleheads at Bald Canyon. Oh, goodness they are active!
At Jak and Audacity’s nests, it is unclear if that precious egg #7 is viable. Oh, how I wish they could get a foster eaglet like Murphy.
We are waiting for Dorcha to return to Loch Arkaig. Louis was early this year and he has been doing some restorations and did some sky dancing on his return to the nest. Come on, Dorcha. We don’t want Louis to be Lonesome Louis, again.
Geemeff provides us an explanation of sky dancing, “Soon after his arrival at the nest, the male starts sky-dancing over the nest. During this aerial display the male flies sharply up rapidly beating his wings and often carrying a fish or nesting material. At a height of several hundred feet the bird hovers with tail fanned and talons dangling. He then dives down to varying distances and quickly ascends to repeat the hover several times, often uttering a creee or cheeerk call. The sky-dance display is preformed frequently before the arrival of the female and continued less frequently after her arrival. The sky dance seems to have two functions, a territorial display and to advertise for a mate.” (New York Wild)
There are also second eggs for Maya at Rutland and Blue NC0 at LOTL. Something wonderful to celebrate. Thanks, Geemeff.
Geemeff sent a video of Maya popping her egg out! She notes that poor NC0 was grunting and it looks like Maya just sends the eggs out like they peas being shelled!
I love waterfowl and Coots are right up there. Every time I read about them I learn something new. Did you know?
Older chicks can swim faster to dinner, which is first come, first served. But parents mete out justice to the early arrivals. Mom takes a big chick by the head in her bill and shakes it around like a dog with a rope—an act called “tousling” that doesn’t quite communicate its vigor. Lyon calls it “spanking.” The chicks “scream blue murder,” but punishment is calibrated to deter without harming them, Lyon says. This way smaller chicks get to eat, and more chicks survive overall.
Bay Nature
Read the entire article here. You will learn something new, too!
The mystery is now solved. How many eaglets were Mr President and Lotus feeding? Well, it is now confirmed that the National Arboretum couple has two eaglets in their new nest. There are their little heads in the image below!
Bad weather hit Fort Myers late on Thursday and one of the Es, on the branch, is soaked.
M15 continues to deliver fish and teach the Es what they need for survival. SW Florida is doing very well. Harriet would be overwhelmed at the amazing job her mate has done to raise their last two eaglets.
Things continue to look bleak at Achieva. I saw only one small fish come in at Dale Hollow. We can only hope that there is a turn in all of this. I urge caution, especially if you are watching Achieva today.
Thank you so much for being with me today. We are now 3-4 days away from pip at Annie and Lou’s. That will be such a joyful moment. Take care. See you soon!
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Thank you to the following for their notes, videos, posts, tweets, and streaming cams that helped to make up my blog today: ‘A’, ‘H’, Geemeff, Sydney Wells and Bald Eagles 101, WHDH, Japan Peregrine Falcons, FOBBV, PIX Cams, Sassa Bird, Dulles-Greenaway, Kielder Ospreys, Cornell RTH, Moorings Park ospreys, Gracie Shepherd and SW Florida Eagles and D Pritchett, Montana Osprey Project and Cornell, Raptor Resource Project and Explore.org, Paul K and Raptor Resource Project, IWS and Explore.org, Geemeff and Friends of Loch of Arkaig and the Woodland Trust, Bay Nature, Friends of the National Arboretum, and SW Florida Eagle Cam.
Yesterday the cameras were down at Dale Hollow and it was raining at a point. ‘A’ was worried but she sends this report which I want to get out to everyone as it is good news:
Just an update on Dale Hollow: I have now been able to definitely confirm that while the cameras were down yesterday at Dale Hollow, some locals were still able to see through a local connection. There were at least half a dozen, perhaps a dozen, of the chatters who answered my queries about the 12.47 fish yesterday. There was no footage of it, which would explain why I could neither find nor confirm it. The chatters have told me that the fish was not a large one but that DH19 got nearly all of it. River landed as close to DH19 as she could, using her body as a block so that she could get the food to DH19. Knowing that it ate that fish yesterday, and that for some reason DH18 has dramatically toned down the aggression, means that I am feeling more hopeful. Of course DH19 still needs to eat today, but it is a proficient self-feeder and as I read yesterday, the rain is not nearly as big an impediment to fishing as we are led to believe – not nearly as much as gusty winds or heat. Rain is not a major problem to them at all, according to what I read. So although it has been wet this morning (and the eaglets are soaking wet but starting to dry out a bit now), River can fish. She has until now been preoccupied by an intruder but seems to be quiet at this point so may have headed off to fish. We hope so.
Both 18 and 19 started the feeding of the fish head leftovers this morning in submission, but towards the end of the feeding, 18 did get some bites. Nobody bonked 19, and it did consider moving to the table but didn’t – its submission was voluntary and it was looking over its shoulder, not staying tucked. So already today, the behaviour at the one relatively short feeding so far was different. I am hoping 19 will gain confidence now 18 has stopped trying to murder it (let’s not speak too soon there, of course, but so far, yesterday afternoon and this morning have definitely been better for the little one in terms of the attacks. There have been a few isolated beakings but no attacks today at all. That has got to be affecting 19’s confidence a little bit, and it seems that it is. Pray that it continues.
It is a new month and the shortest one of the year! It is -28 C in Winnipeg. The kittens spent some time enjoying the sunshine in the conservatory watching the birds today. Oh, what joy they bring — and of course, the birds and the squirrels.
Missy is the alpha cat – the boss. She gets the little house on the cat tree.
Lewis thinks he is ‘Kingpin’ on the top. Too funny. Missy looks sweet. She could make mincemeat out of Lewis at any time of day — if her gentle nature got stressed. So far, so good. She has even taken over his drawer in the console cabinet once or twice this week.
Lots of things starting to happen…the GHO couple that stole the Bald Eagle nest in 2021, skipped 2022, and are back this year with their first egg laid on Tuesday 31 January. A White-tail eagle lives a year successfully with only one along…wow.
In the Mailbox and Making News:
Geemeff sent me the link to this amazing story. Thank you, Geemeff! Before you go to the blog of Tim Mackrill and I do recommend reading it for the full story – stop for a moment and consider that this White-tailed Eagle has been living for at least a year without a foot.
If you work at a wildlife rehab facility, I urge you to print this up or send the link to the vets. Maybe it is time – in memory of our dear WBSE 26 – and all the others – that life can be full with one talon and the birds should be given a chance! Not a needle.
Copy and paste the link into your browser to read the blog if it doesn’t open up for you.
Birding. Often if you want to see birds, you wind up going to places you never dreamed…sewage treatment plants, industrial estates, garbage dumps and landfills. You may recall the stories and my blog about the Adjutant General in Assam or tales of the storks in Portugal or Spain. Well, here in Winnipeg, the Bald Eagles that have their nest at our nature centre frequent ‘the dump’ just a mile away.
EJ sent this link if you live around Boston’s Logan landfill:
I was very interested in a local mail out from our wildlife rehabber. For the first time, they have included ‘dogs’ in the pie chart of the causes of injuries to wildlife. It is more than cats! Indeed, dogs are the highest for our local wildlife. Wonder what it is where you live?
A bird charity in the UK has been locked out of its accounts. The bird is the Woodcock. Go figure.
The use of AI is causing problems on numerous social media outlets. Everyone is complaining. Isn’t that just the cutest little bird?
The US EPA has vetoed the proposed Pebble mine in Bristol Bay Alaska that would have the potential of polluting the pristine waters that the Alaskan salmon enjoy. Ironically, I do not connect – in my head – the Alaskan Salmon with people’s meals but, with the Bald Eagles who thrive on it.
That said, if all of the agencies, around the world, were to enforce all clean air and water laws the world would be a better place for all of us – our feathered friends included. Today, for example, you cannot go and see wildlife at the Barbados Wildlife Reserve because raw sewage has been allowed to be dumped by neighbours to the sanctuary and it has created a biohazard area in the Mangroves.
Reports of raw sewage being poured into the water around the world is, sadly, becoming more and more of an occurrence. Band together with local groups and have a win like they did in Alaska — there will be no Pebble Mine!
‘L’ sent a link to a wonderful article about the decorative birdhouses in Turkey. She has seen them on her travels. Perhaps you have, too. The rest of us can enjoy the beautiful images in the following article. Thanks, ‘L’.
Audubon has launched its bird migration explorer so you can follow species as they begin their trips from their winter homes to their spring and summer breeding grounds.
First up. Remember the GHO pair that fought for and won the Bald Eagle nest on Farmer Derek’s property in Kansas? Well, guess who is back incubating the egg she laid this morning? Oh, yes, none other than Bonnie!
Oh, Sally and Harry have only two eggs at the Moorings Osprey nest. Can you see me jumping up and down for joy? Can you imagine if every nest only had 2 eggs??????? I would have nothing to do and that would be just fine.
Want to have a nervous breakdown quickly? because of a raptor? Just go over to visit Connick at the Captiva Bald Eagle nest! Connick had more of his body over the edge than inside. Sound asleep. Not a care in the world.
Adults working away on the nest burying that egg.
Connie managed to lure Connick back into the nest with some fish! Thank goodness. If that eaglet had wiggled the wrong way… OK. Everything is fine. Let’s not go there.
Connick is shaded by Mum Connie. By 1400 it is really hot on the nest.
It was a beautiful morning over at Superbeaks. The eagles were up early doing some self-feeding and then the adults begin to come in with some fresh prey. They still love feeding their babies…ha, ha. Babies. Big turkeys now. Pearl is 54 days old and Tico is 53.
The Superbeaks kids have been hot, little Connick was just panting and panting to stay cool and then getting cool with the aid of Mum. Imagine then what would it be like in Miami if Ron and Rose had chicks this late. Well, they have to lay the eggs first and then it is 35 days… I wonder? They are still working on that nest.
It is certainly a nice nest..my goodness, one of the nicest I have seen. Not many thought Ron Magill’s Papadum Chair nest would be accepted and ‘work’ for an eagle family but it proved itself last year. And, of course, there are three 2 week fertile periods so there is still a chance for eggs. Surely the eagles know better than I do whether to have eggs or not. Just seems like it would be awfully hot.
It is certainly not clear about the two eaglets at Webster Texas – Ringo, the eldest, and Boots, the tiny second hatch. Yesterday, Ringo got all the food til later in the day and finally, when I thought little Boots was too weak (it has been hot there) to eat, it got a full feeding and a full crop. Relief of sorts. It is hot. Did I say that several times. Boots has to be hydrated. Should be getting food every couple of hours he is so tiny, not once a day. But he ate. Send positive wishes to our little one.
Ringo with a huge crop. Mum reaches down to start feeding Boots.
Rhonda A caught the two eaglets of Alex and Andria working those wings yesterday after the rain and during the drizzle. Go Valentine! Go 02!
More flapping by Valentine!
Jackie and Shadow are really having to be careful during Tuesday. The Ravens are about. Shadow stays on the nest for some time while they each get a turn to eat some of the fish that Shadow brought in earlier on Monday.
At the nest of Gabby and V3 near St Petersburg, V3 was at the nest but as of 1600 Tuesday, Gabby has not been there today. Don’t think these two will be raising eaglets this year. Gabby might decide it is a good time to head on vacation when it starts getting really hot! Will V3 be the male of choice next year? We simply have to wait and see.
Gracie Shepherd caught E21, Harriet and M15’s oldest eagle this year standing up and walking – and using its wings for balance. Gosh, lots of eaglets working those legs these days (Alex and Andria’s, too and, of course, Tico and Pearl).
Zoe. I have to admit that I am quite nervous about our girl. This was the posting the 31st in Australia and they were hoping for a 2100 check in last night. Nothing so far. There is always the possibility of being out of phone range or the transmitter not working which would be a real issue if you want to track your recent fledgling. I wonder if anyone has gone to check the last transmission point? It is now after 1500 on 1 February in Port Lincoln and still no posting of a transmission for Zoe. I hope there are boots on the ground searching for our girl.
Thank you so much for being with me today. This has been a spin around the nests with a few twists. Take care everyone. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, their posts, their videos, announcements, tweets, and streaming cams where I took my screen captures for this blog: Geemeff, ‘EJ’, Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, KBZK, Wildlife Haven, BBC, HCN, Amusing Planet, Audubon, Farmer Derek, Moorings Park Ospreys, Window to Wildlife, Superbeaks, WRDC, Paul White and the Wester Eagle Watchers, Rhonda A and KNF-E3, FOBBV, NEFL-AEF, Gracie Shepherd and SWFL Eagles and D Pritchett, and the Port Lincoln Ospreys and Friends of Osprey.
There are two big news items this morning. The test results on Sue and Otto, the beloved Syracuse University Red-tail Hawks and Zoe, the Port Lincoln 2022 Osprey fledgling.
Sadly, it was no coincidence. Testing reveals that Sue and Otto, the long time resident Red Tail Hawks at Syracuse University, had Avian Flu. There are still tests pending. How did they catch it? They either ate infected prey, came into contact with the saliva of an infected bird or the feces of an infected bird. We know that Avian Flu is around. We read about it several times in a fortnight and yet, when it hits home to two much beloved Red-tail Hawks, it becomes more real. Our condolences go out to everyone.
This is a very frightening situation with regard to birds and waterfowl in the area. It is a distance of 59 miles from Syracuse to Cornell which is at at the southern end of Cayuga Lake.
Sue and Otta together in a much happier time. They raised 28 eyases to fledge.
Here is the announcement:
In other news:
People can make a difference. We do not have to sit back and let developers and governments allow sacred woodlands to be destroyed. Have a read!
On Ferris Akel’s Saturday tour to the wildlife areas around Ithaca, New York, there were lots of ducks – Red Heads and Canvas Backs – Canada Geese and Tundra Swans along with Mallards and Mergansers. Oh, I do miss the waterfowl and can’t wait for April when they start returning to Manitoba to breed.
The waterfowl in the images below, captured during Ferris Akel’s tour, is at the northern end of Cayuga Lake. Please look at the map I posted above to locate Cayuga Lake, Syracuse, and then Cornell so you know where Sue and Otto had their nest and where Ferris takes his tours (he does not go to Syracuse on Saturdays).
A Common Merganser.
An adult Tundra Swan and below it a juvenile.
Note the grey head and the bill which is not solid black – the indications of a juvenile Tundra Swan.
A group of 3 adults and a single juvenile Tundra Swan preparing to land on Cayuga Lake.
A Mute Swan. Note the different bill.
Notice the orange bill and the bulging nodule above the bill plus the black patch from the eye to the bill. A Mute Swan. Mute Swans are larger than Tundra Swans. The Tundra Swans have a black bill and black legs.
A good comparison of the Mute Swan and the Juvenile Tundra. Despite the Mute being farther behind, you can see how much larger these swans are than the Tundra.
A pair of Mute Swans.
Bald Eagles on a partially frozen pond – both adults and juveniles.
Always nice to lurk and listen to Ferris’s tours and then jump up to look if he finds Big Red, Arthur, and any of the kids on the Cornell Campus. No hawks today!
Nest News:
I have to start with Zoe who is 134 days old today. Yesterday (Sunday in Australia) she left the barge and flew to White Flats where there is a River and a Reservoir. Dad brought her one fish on Saturday; it is not known if she caught any fish herself . She remained on the barge in the rain Saturday evening. What ever possessed our girl to fly off and head inland instead of staying by the water is beyond me but, if you recall, Solly also travelled inland at times surprising everyone. Has our girl left her natal nest for good? I feel a little overwhelmed with Zoe leaving. She was always there, screaming for fish. I imagined she would be there much longer.
She flew off the nest at 07:55:43. It was windy and the water was choppy.
Zoe prepares for her take off.
Zoe has been gone for almost four hours at the time I am writing this. Will she return to the barge? Or will these beautiful tail feathers be our last sighting of her at Port Lincoln? It is always a bittersweet moment. We want the fledglings to have their freedom and we want them safe at home.
If this is the last we see of you, Zoe, other than photographs and sat pak tracking, live a long life. Life it fully, have many chicks, stay safe, always have a full crop.
It has been a rough year at the Port Lincoln nest losing Little and Middle Bobs. Mum and Dad were brilliant throughout it all. They will be eating fish alone in peace without a screaming Zoe. They will be building up their strength again before it is August – and if time flies as fast as it has, we will just be seeing the UK Ospreys leaving for migration when Mum and Dad think of eggs again at Port Lincoln.
Parent enjoying a fish meal in peace without Zoe screaming wanting it. The time is 12:18.
There were 277 votes cast in the naming contest for the oldest eaglet at Kistachie National Forest (KNF) E3 nest. Hello Valentine. Votes for naming Valentine’s younger sibling will start next Friday at noon nest time. Then it will be the turn of Anna and Louis’s little one to get its name. We will vote on one out of three pre-selected names.
Valentine got to the table first but, 02 was not long in getting up there to enjoy some nice fresh fish.
Gabby and V3 were together at their nest early in the morning near Jacksonville. This is V3. Note the nick under the nostril on the right side.
This amazing new couple. V3 in the back, Gabby in the front.
Can you find Connick?
That little eaglet of Connie and Clive’s is changing rapidly!
Connick loves the freshest fish on the nest…don’t blame him/her. The old fish must be dry and a little hard.
The sun is setting on the Captiva Bald Eagle nest of Connie and Clive and little Connick is cheeping and wanting some last fish – he is watching Connie eat. Don’t blame him! “Fill me up Mum!” Connie finished the fish and I did not see the wee one get any before fed. Connick was full already. He just wanted a topper. It is a long time til breakfast. At least 12 hours if not a little more.
Everything seems to be going fine at the nest of Ringo and Boots in Webster, Texas. Isn’t this wonderful? You might recall that little Boots had literally been plucked (back of head, nape, and upper back) of feathers. But, Boots wants to live and that is precisely what is happening – and the beaking has stopped. Wish we knew what started those frenzied attacks when the eaglets were so young but, at the same time, it is just nice it is over. So grateful for Paul White’s videos and updates.
It is little Boots time for some food.
If you are US Steel eagle fans, the eagles are working on the nest!!!!!
Nancy and her mate were also busy in Minnesota.
It is always a winter wonderland scene in Decorah, Iowa when the snow falls. Isn’t that just beautiful? What a gorgeous view for the eagles.
Nest restorations include new corn husks. Have you noticed all the different materials the eagles use for the interior of their nests depending on where they live?
This is the scene at Decorah North. I did not see anyone there today.
Jackie is gorgeous in the morning light coming from the sun rising over Big Bear Lake in California.
Jackie was quite alert today. The Ravens/Crows were around making noises at 0933 and I heard them again when I checked back at 1058. I wish they would go away and not want those eggs!
Everyone is doing fine at Superbeaks. They are working those wings. Pearl is 51 days old today and Tico is 50 days old. The next couple of weeks will speed by in a flash…and then we are into fledge watch around 77 days for Florida Bald Eagles.
What an amazing nest this has been to watch this year. I thank everyone who recommended it to me. Pearl and Tico are so healthy and PePe and Muhlady were amazing parents. There appeared to be not a hungry moment on this nest.
It is hard to spot any remaining dandelions. There are just gorgeous espresso juvenile feathers. Beautiful dark eyes and of course the beak is dark black and grey almost ombre style.
At the opposite end is our little butterball cutie pie, B16 at Berry College. Before we blink, B16 will be standing and walking just like Tico and Pearl.
Dad came in with a huge rabbit. B16 was really hoping that Mum might give some of that for lunch but, no, she went and dug in the pantry til she found something nice and ripe!
Ron and Rose can just crack you up! Heidi Mc caught an unusual moment from today for us.
Jack continues to deliver fish to Diane at the nest in St Petersburg. Eggs should be laid if Diane is on her normal schedule this coming week.
Mabel and Angus have been hanging out today at the Captiva Osprey nest. No eggs yet either! Soon maybe. Or not.
It looks like there is some question about whether or not the nest rails are high enough. No, they are not!
Last but never least. Annie and the New Guy caught on streaming cam. Thanks SK Hideaways.
I am so very sorry to have brought you the news about Sue and Otto. Avian Flu is deadly and it can spread like a wildfire. It has not dissipated during the winter months in North America as some might have hoped. Please keep all the birds and wildlife in your most positive thoughts.
Thank you so much for being with me. The nests are all in good form. No worries at all. Looking forward to seeing you soon! Take care of yourself.
Thank you to the following for the announcements, videos, and streaming cams where I took my screen captures: Red-tailed Hawk Tales, The Guardian, Ferris Akel Tours, Friends of Osprey, Port Lincoln Osprey, KNF-E3, NEFL-AEF, Window to Wildlife, Paul White and the Webster Eagle Watchers, Pix Cams, MN-DNR, Raptor Resource Project and Explore.org, FOBBV, Superbeaks, Berry College Eagle Cam, Heidi Mc and the WRDC, SK Hideaways and Cal Falcons, and Achieva Credit Union.
If you would like to subscribe so that the blog comes to your inbox daily, just fill in the information below. There is normally only one posting per day. On occasion two. I do not want to fill your e-mail. there are no ads nor are there any fees – just a large group of people from around the world joining together who love raptors.
It is 2230 on a Friday night on the Canadian Prairies and it is -24 C with a wind speed of 13 kph. A little breezy. Temperatures are set to fall to -30 Saturday with an extreme cold warning due to wind chills which will go below -40. They are warning us not to be outside if it is not absolutely necessary. Many of you, especially in Australia, are at the opposite end with high heat. Everyone, please take care, wherever you are.
As of Saturday morning at 10:33, 230 votes have been cast for little KNF-E3 01. Of those 49% favour Valentine and 39% voted for Trey. There is still time but it looks like this baby could be Valentine.
A Trip down Memory Lane:
Every once in awhile I like to mix things up and a video posted today on FB reminded me of a very special Osprey, Blue 5F Seren. We are still in Bald Eagle season in the US waiting for the two Osprey nests in Florida – Achieva and Captiva – to have eggs. The Ospreys will be packing their bags in Africa soon to return to the UK and Europe. Some are not as familiar with the UK Osprey nests so I thought, before the season starts, that it would be good to introduce you to the nests and the adults that we expect will be returning in late March or early April. I hope to dig into the archives on Saturday and again on a weekday. I hope that you are amused and learn something. I will work my way through four nests that are on streaming cams in Wales: Llyn Clywedog, Glaslyn, Dfyi, and Llyn Brenig – in no particular order. There are now 7 ‘known’ pairs of Ospreys breeding in Wales. In 2022 they produced 17 chicks. If you take the 14 adults and the 17 chicks, that means 31 Ospreys of ‘known’ origins in Wales. There are others, unringed. It is not certain how many of these unattached birds there are OR unknown nests. What is known that at least 5 of the chicks fledged from Llyn Clywedog have returned. They are KS7 (2018), KS8 (2018), KA7 (2019), 550 (2020), and 551 (2020). That is marvellous. All of those returnees are Dylan’s chicks either with Delete his mate from 2016 through 2019 or with 5F Seren.
Here is the hatching chart for Llyn Clywedog thanks to John Williams.
We are going to start with a hilarious video from the nest Llyn Clywedog in the Hafren Forest off. Blue 5F Seren’s first chick is hatching. Seren was not young when she bonded with Dylan. She hatched in Rutland in 2012, making her 8 years old. She had spent some time at the Pont Cresor platoform where she was courted by Aran, had a nest, laid eggs and then Aran would go back to Mrs G. This is how John William’s puts it in his blog about the ospreys of Llyn Clywedog:
In 2018 she formed a polygamous pairing with the male from the Glaslyn nest Aran. She laid 3 eggs in the Pont Croeso nest unfortunately the male concentrated his efforts on providing for his main nest and didn’t feed 5F at all. So she had to hunt for her self which left her eggs exposed to predators, and the elements. Unfortunately these eggs failed to hatch. Last year she spent a lot of time with the young Dyfi male Tegid (ZI) also at the Pont Croeso (near Glaslyn) nest. It was thought that they may of returned there in 2020 and attempt to breed there. But 5F had other plans.
Some say Mrs G sent her packing in 2020. Others see it as a big relief when she left the Glaslyn/Pont Cresor nests and made her way to Llyn Clywedog and Dylan. I adore her. Dylan is unringed. He ousted the much loved Dai Dot to take over as the male at the Llyn Clywedog nest in 2016. Dai Dot was extremely popular and it was unclear if Dylan would be popular but, he has turned out to be a very interesting male chasing intruders off as far as 25 miles and then stopping to fish for Brown Trout to take back to the nest (figured out by John Williams over the last few years by driving and watching).
Seren Blue 5F was seen yesterday in her usual spot, in nice form, in The Gambia, eating a fish. Indeed, she has been photographed most of the winter. She leaves Wales and lands on her favourite tree in Africa. How marvellous is that. We will look forward to her return. She is a much loved Welsh female who has now raised 7 chicks in three years.
When you watch the video imagine that Seren has laid eggs but, of course, they never hatched. Here is that video:
In this next video, Dylan will arrive with a fish after seeing his first chick for the first time. Strong little one. Ready to eat. Did I saw that all three of these chicks will fledge. Quite an accomplishment!
All three hatched and Dylan and Seren are tandem feeding. Three osplets is a handful. They were all males: 550 weighed 1250 grams at ringing; 551 weighed 1350 grams and 552 weighed 1450 grams. All fledged.
In 2021 only one of three eggs hatched. It was a male, Blue 496 (quite the character) weighing 1400 grams at ringing. Also fledged. In 2022, Seren and Dylan further fledged three very healthy chicks. This is the information on their numbers, gender, and weight: 553 Is female weighing 1710g at 40 days old; 554 is Male weighing 1485g (40 days old); and 555 is also male weighing 1410g (37 days old).
Oh, it will not be long until all of the Ospreys begin their migration from Africa and the Iberian peninsula to the UK and Europe. I cannot wait! Now that I have said that at least twice today, I know you know I am excited. Here is a beautiful sunset from Friday at the Chesapeake Osprey Conservancy in the US.
In the Mail:
‘L’ sent another news story about the adoption of Sanibel on US National Save the Eagles Day. Thank you ‘L’. It is always wonderful to hear good news and an eagle who cannot be released getting a special home.
The eaglets at the KNF-E3 nest of Alex and Andria are adorable. Alex flew in with a fish around noon and 02 got the first bites. 01 already had a big crop and hung back. 02 remains the ‘king’ of snatch and grab and got those first bites that 01 thought were theirs.
Voting for KNF-E3 01’s name is ongoing until noon Saturday. Three choices are Valentine for the Valentine Lake Trail, Trey who is the husband of Lucy Lewis, the Forestry Supervisor since 2017, and I am not sure about the connection of Tercel to the area. I associate Tercel with falcons or third hatches. There must be a local connection! I will continue exploring. Valentine is currently in the lead. We will know tomorrow at noon. Next week there will be the naming of 02. It really is exciting to be part of chasing what they will be called. I would love to be a little fly on the wall listening as to how they come up with the 3 choices.
Alex arrived with a fish and fed the eaglets til they just about popped.
At the end of Alex’s feeding, both eaglets are so full that they can hardly move.
Food coma!!!!!!!
Adorable.
All is well over at the nest of Anna and Louis where there is a single little butterball growing and growing and growing.
Did something happen at the Captiva Bald Eagle nest? Just look at the clown feet on Connick! No, no, no. There are hardly any fuzzy little eaglets left!!!!!!
Natal down is coming in and there is a cute little tail. If you look carefully, the beginnings of the feathers. I know…it seems like Connick just hatched yesterday!
Oh, that little Berry College eaglet of Pa and Missy is the cutest thing. Still soft and fuzzy. They have to develop quickly but it just seems like it is overnight and the wee ones are getting feathers.
Ron and Rose are the cutest eagle couple. Ron came in with a nice headless fish for Rose…they are so sweet together. It is so funny to see Ron in the nest cup all the time.
Ron always looks like he is smiling!
HeidiMc caught Ron and Rose with a bit of a controversy over stick placement. Too funny. Reminds me of Shadow with his sticks and the SWFlorida nest from M15 wants Harriet to shift.
It is a beautiful day today at the Achieva Osprey nest in St Petersburg. Both of the ospreys have been around. No eggs yet.
That early morning sun is just gorgeous. It paints the nest a perfect rose gold. Diane is beautiful.
In Australia, Indigo is still around. He has been heard in the evening and morning but has not been to the scrape. Indigo is likely catching his own prey now. Mum and Dad enjoying some quiet moments together.
After the attacks by the Corvids, Jackie and Shadow are taking no chances. Check out this perfect swap over caught by SK Hideaways.
A quiet moment looking at the precious eggs.
Shadow has been doing a great job relieving Jackie so she can have a break. Sometimes Jackie just doesn’t want to get up and go! Having seen raptors do amazing stretches after incubating or brooding for long periods of time, they must get stiff just like we do.
Both eaglets at Superbeaks are flapping their wings and self-feeding. The adults continue to feed them as well and no one is going hungry, not even for a second on this nest in Central Florida.
There are very few natal down dandelions left on the eaglets. They are almost completely covered with beautiful ebony/espresso juvenile feathers.
Another feeding after the IR camera clicks in.
And last here is a link to the page that will take you to January’s Monthly Condor Zoom Chat by the Ventana Wildlife Society.
Thank you so very much for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, videos, posts, announcements, and streaming cams that make up my screen captures: ‘L’, Llyn Clywedog and John Williams, CarnyxWild, Chesapeake Conservancy and Explore.org, Virginia Zoo, KNF-E3, KNF-E1, Window To Wildlife, Berry College Bald Eagle Cam, WRDC, HeidiMc and the WRDC, Achieva Credit Union, Elain and Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, SK Hideaways and FOBBV, FOBBV, Superbeaks, and Ventana Wildlife Society.
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It is late Thursday and snow is falling gently in the garden. Everyone on the Canadian Prairies is preparing themselves for the Polar Vortex that is set to arrive sometime Friday evening. It will keep us in very frigid temperatures for about a fortnight. So tonight it is -7 but it will be dipping down to -24 C tomorrow with strong winds, then into the -30s. I will be fine but this has to be a shock to the birds outside. There were more than 40 Starlings today at the feeders along with about 60 or more Sparrows. The squirrels were out as well eating as much as they could. It has to be so difficult for them.
The kittens are, of course, fine. Lewis likes to snuggle in with all the textiles in a drawer and Missy is drawn to sleeping in large plant pots. At times these are the strangest kittens I have ever had the privilege to share my life with. They are adorable characters!
In the Mailbox:
A request has come in to remind everyone that if they have Dark-Eyed Juncos visiting their gardens to please put seed, particularly Millet, on the ground for them. They are ground feeders! Thank you.
Making News:
There is news coming of Ervie from Fran Solly and Friends of Osprey. I haven’t seen a tracking for Ervie for awhile so this was such a treat. There is apparently a big festival with helicopter rides where he normally fishes so he went some where else to get his meals but, Fran notes that he also hung around to watch some of the people at the festivities. Relief.
Some people are just discovering how beneficial birdwatching is to human health!
Great news coming out of University of California at Berkeley. Drones are banned from the campus area where Annie raises her family. Thank you so much!
Denial, watering-down terms to make horrific acts like stomping five Goshawk chicks to death palatable. When will it stop? When will people come to their senses that the persecution of raptors is not OK.
Kakapo that went into care have responded positively and will soon be returning home. Great news.
The tiny eaglet that was found with some puncture wounds at the base of its nest tree has responded well to the treatment given by CROW. The sad news is that the nest where it was to be returned has been taken over by GHOs. (Did those owls attack other nestlings? the parents? Did I say I am not a fan of GHOs after Harriet and M15’s ongoing issues). Poor baby will be raised by loving hands. And will probably never be able to be released. So little. Just look at the egg tooth. This eaglet is going to take considerable resources. If you can, think of sending a small donation for its care – you can specify that it goes to this baby’s care. Someone will be feeding it non-stop during the day just like its parents would. Sweetness.
At the nests:
If you missed it, CE9 has been named Connick after Connor and Nick at Window to Wildlife. They did all the work getting the cams and platforms back up for the eagles enabling all of us to be able to watch the Captiva Eagles, Connie and Clive, and the Ospreys, Mabel and Angus. Great choice!
The feeding that started in the image above resulted in a huge crop for Connick.
The snow that was falling last evening at the MN-DNR (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources) Bald Eagle nest has melted. When the camera was running this morning I could hear ducks and geese. Then the camera rotated and showed us a great place for the eagles to get their prey – absolutely close to the nest!
Both Nancy and her mate were at the nest doing some work.
The snow was also gone at the Berry College nest of Pa and Missy. That little B16 is such a cutie and it is working those wings to balance itself trying to get out of the nest cup already! This little one is strong and is going to be a handful. The other egg is not viable. There is rabbit, squirrel, and fish on the menu thanks to Pa’s great hunting.
The snow is also gone from Duke Farms in Hillsborough, NJ. Mum is rolling the two eggs.
Jack and Diane continue to visit the Achieva Osprey nest in St Petersburg. No eggs yet. Soon.
All of those nests are great. I just about had a heart attack today when I saw Pearl at the Superbeaks nest back up to ‘ps’ and she just about slipped off the edge. It was a hold your breath moment. The railings are gone around that left branch – or so it seems. I cannot see. Pearl immediately got her grip and moved forward.
It is hard to imagine but little B16 will be this size in 35 days!
The wings are being exercised.
Pearl is gorgeous.
Alex delivered a fish and Andria went to help defend him and the nest against an intruder! There are so many intruders I am surprised that the males ever make it to the nests with prey for their families.
Things settled down. E01 and E02 are growing and growing like bad weeds. Remember to go on chat tomorrow at noon CT and put in a name suggestion for 01. It might make it to the finals.
Right now it is easy to tell the two eaglets apart. 01 has many more dark juvenile feathers.
02 has a nice crop that was revealed after that stretch. Looks like a real butterball sitting there.
The little one at the KNF E1 nest benefits from being an only eaglet. No one to share that fish with but Mum!!!!!! And Anna does love her fish dinners.
Anna loves to make sure that 03 has its crop full to the brim. Just one last bite, sweetie.
Gabby and V3 were in and out of the nest on Thursday. These screen captures were taken around noon.
SK Hideaways caught the new guy bringing Annie a gift! Oh, thank you, new guy!!!!!! It’s a Starling and Annie doesn’t flinch…she doesn’t mind Starlngs. Only a brief tug-o-war. Remember…Diamond hates them. So hopeful for about three eggs in Annie’s scrape and three very active eyases. That will keep the ‘new guy’ busy.
Remember to go on chat at the KNF E3 nest tomorrow, Friday until noon on Saturday to propose a name for 01. The rangers will take the entries down to 3 and have a public vote. I missed the Ventana Wildlife chat today about the condors because I could not sign on to their Zoom. The link will be posted sometime on Friday to the archived event and I will include it in Saturday’s blog. Those are always informative sessions. We wait for Osprey eggs.
Thank you so much for joining me today. Please take care of yourself. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, announcements, posts, tweets, videos, and streaming cams where I took my screen captures: Fran Solly and Friends of Osprey, The Guardian, Cal Falcons, Raptor Persecution UK, Kakapo Recover and the Wildlife Hospital – Dunedin, CROW, Window to Wildlife, MN-DNR, Berry College, Duke Farms, Achieva Credit Union, Superbeaks, KNF-E3, KNF-E1, NEFL-AEF, and SK Hideaways and Cal Falcons.
If you would like to receive a copy of my daily blog, please feel free to sign up. We would love to have you as one of our feathered family. I try to send one blog per day so as not to overload your inbox. Sometimes there are two if something is happening. There are no ads, no fees. You can unsubscribe at any time.
I hope that the ‘almost’ end of the week is looking good for all of you.
Thank you for your notes about the kittens. They are doing great. There are times I wonder if I will survive! My entire house looks like a kitten day care!!!!!! They prefer boxes and paper shopping bags to any kind of toy from the pet store. They want to sleep in baskets with soft blankets, on top of tables with soft blankets, and in drawers. I am trying to remember to cut all those handles – and you should, too. They can get their necks through them. They have been playing with this bag for a couple of weeks now. Taking turns being inside and out. It is just about torn to shreds! Lewis always appears to be chewing on something and Missey is always a darling – oh, no, she never causes any mischief! Never! LOL.
In the News:
Sue and Otto are remembered. It is a lovely article about this adored pair of Red-tail Hawks. In it, I also note that they are giving different days for the birds death. I will try and confirm which is correct.
A Place called Hope – one of my all-time favourite wildlife rehabilitation centres – is asking for help. Unusual donations. They want more specimens of raptors killed by rodenticide and lead. They are gathering evidence so that a bill can be passed in Connecticut to stop the sale of both rodenticides and lead. Do you work at a centre that can help? And even if you don’t, read the request. It is shocking how many deaths there are so quickly….we need to stop this, we need to help our raptors.
The faces of some of those affected and some who have died due to rat poison and lead.
The joy I felt at seeing Cattle Egrets, in the pastures and small allotments in Grenada following the goats and cows, is hard to describe. Imagine being a farmer in the UK, changing your way of doings things to bring health to your land, and now you have cattle egrets! Just imagine how thrilling – a sign of a healthy space.
The article below gives a good history of the cattle egret. It is a really good read while demonstrating that biodiversity can work if we make the effort to change our practice. “Numbers of cattle egrets are booming in Britain, boosted by wildlife-friendly farming where cows are grazed on gentle rotations designed to improve soil quality and boost invertebrate populations.”
In Melbourne, scientists are wondering if a change in climate is the cause for the rise of the ‘devil bird’ in Melbourne’s suburbs. If you live in Melbourne, have you seen one of these?
We don’t get to see the Layman Albatross nesting on Kauai, Hawaii on streaming cams, only through the postings of Hob Osterlund. Thank you, Holly Parsons, for this re-post on the hatch of the little Moli.
A Sanibel eaglet that fell out of its nest now has been adopted and has its forever home. Congratulations!
In the Nests:
Louis and Anna’s little chick is doing fantastic. Oh, they had a soggy start to Wednesday after the storms pushed through the area but, everyone is fine.
Cody got the camera up and running at the E3 nest. Thank you Cody! You can really tell the difference between E01 and E03 now. E01 being the one with the most juvenile feathers. It feels like it happened overnight!
Just look at how well those eaglets are camouflaged in that nest. Both have serious crops from being well fed.
Coot is still on the menu. There must be an absolute abundance of Coots on Kincaid Lake this time of year.
02 is stretching its wings much to the curiosity of big sibling. They both have fuzzy Mohawks and you can see the feathers coming in along with those huge feet!
There is information on the chat roll for both KNF-E1 and KNF-E3 about naming 01 which I am presuming can only be Alex and Andria’s 01 chick from the E3 nest. “We will have a 24hour poll to name O1 on Friday the 27th starting at noon and ending on Saturday the 28th at noon. 3 names will be selected by local Forest Service employees then voted on in the chat.” Send in a name…give that little eaglet something to wear proudly all its life. Mark your calendars..this Friday til noon Saturday to come up with a great name. Then the 3 finalists.
It really was a scary time. On the 24th of January the Ravens came to the nest of Jackie and Shadow. Shadow came to the rescue. How terrifying for Jackie! The Eagles have to be constantly vigilant against Ravens and like Harriet and M15, the GHOs. Those Ravens know that Jackie has two precious eggs and they want them!
Here is another view of the threat by the Ravens.
Ranger Sharyn comes by and does a weight check on Sweet Pea. That is one of the nicknames that the South Plateau chick has at the moment. There will be a naming contest after the middle of February when all of the eggs have hatched. I wonder what the name will be? Names become important – they often help us to remember the birds easier than if they have a number. Scientific studies have also shown that our attachment to the wildlife/raptors/sea birds is more intense if they have a name. I am all for whatever it takes to help people care – and to help others to understand how important it is to care for these beautiful birds – all of them – before it is too late.
I am reposting one of Sharon Dunne’s screen captures of L and GLY together during the changeover. Just a gorgeous couple. Thank you, Sharon.
‘A’ sent me the link to this video capturing the moment that GLY sees his chick for the first time. Thanks, A!
The feedings for CE9 continue to go well. The little eaglet has responded in kind by growing and growing! CE9 is sweetness in a tiny bundle. So glad this little one is thriving.
Oh, sweetness in a food coma.
At 12:47:21 Clive feeds Connie and Connie feeds CE9. Precious. CE9 just wants lunch not fooling around parents!!!!!! This little eaglet will have its name today!!!!!! Wonder what it will be?
The last meal of the day at Captiva as the sun sets.
You may have also noticed that Connie continues to bury the unviable egg in the nest now.
The weather forecasts do not look good. The winds are really starting to pick up at Pa Berry and Missy’s nest in Georgia. B16 remains a beautiful little energetic fluff ball. There is some speculation that B16 is actually the second egg hatching at 36 days. Second eggs tend to hatch earlier than first due to delayed incubation. Chatters note that this would be in line with hatching last year also. One wonderful eaglet is fine.
Missy is making sure that the hatches are tight so little B16 is warm and dry. I would love to see these eagle nests catch a break one year from the snow and ice…we will see what happens later today and tomorrow as that system sweeps through the US.
The ospreys at Achieva have been mating and alerting from the nest. Are we going to see eggs in the next week?
The cam operator gave us some very good close ups at the Superbeaks nest this morning. Pearl is 49 days old and Tico is 48 days old today.
Texas already had the storms and the tornadoes and thankfully, the Webster Bald Eagles are just fine! Ringo and Boots up and eating well. Thankful for small miracles as there were no less than 14 confirmed tornadoes in Texas on the 24th.
Nancy and her mate were at the MN-DNR nest working on getting things ready for eggs.
They were working on the rails today.
The predicted snow is starting to fall on the Mum at Duke Farms and her egg. Oh, this poor dear. I remember a couple of years ago her being buried under snow. They survive of course but, it is so hard to watch. We just want to help them and ease any misery and pain they might have.
The snow and winds have hit Iowa and the precipitation is accumulating on both the nests at Decorah.
So far, the snow has not reached Pittsburgh and the US Steel Bald Eagle nest.
There are a lot of intruders. Harriet has had to defend the nest and now Bella is having to defend the NCTC nest. Stay safe, Bella. We do not want a repeat of last year where you were injured and gone for nearly 3 weeks.
Heading to Australia to check to see if Zoe is on the barge nest and yes, there she is. Zoe is 131 days old on Thursday in Australia. Yesterday Mum brought her one fish. I wonder if there will be any deliveries today. It is 1500 and I see no deliveries yet – unless I missed something. Zoe looks remarkably well fed and in good health.
Diamond was in the scrape box on the waterpower of the Charles Sturt University in Orange. It is now 15:21 and Indigo has not been seen or heard so far today.
Thank you so very much for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, videos, announcements, and streaming cams that make up my screen captures: ‘A’, A Place Called Hope, The Guardian, Holly Parsons Albatross Lovers FB and Hob Osterlund, Terry carman and Bald Eagles Live Nest Cams and New and WAVY.COM KNF-E1 and E3, FOBBV, Lady Hawk and NZ DOC, Sharon Dunne and Royal Cam Albatross Group NZ and NZ DOC, Window to Wildlife, Berry College, Achieva Credit Union, Superbeaks, Paul White and the Webster TX Eagle Group, MN-DNR, Duke Farms, Raptor Resource Project and Explore.org, Pix Cams, Deb Stecyk and the NCTC, and Port Lincoln Ospreys.
If you would like to be a member of our bird loving family, we would love to have you join us. There is normally one posting per day unless there is some big excitement. I try hard not to load up your inbox. No ads, no fees. You can unsubscribe at any time.
It is almost the end of January. Just a few more days. It is cold today. -21 C. Bright beautiful sun, though.
There are countdowns ongoing and contests beginning to start on when the UK Ospreys will return. Then, of course, there is Iris. When will she arrive at her nest in Missoula? As for me, I am glad that there is still a bit of a reprieve before all the Bald Eagle nests and Ospreys come on line.
As I sit here at my desk looking at an image of Aran with his wings outstretched on the perch at Glaslyn, there is a part of me that just can’t wait! If I skip the pages to get to March on the Glaslyn calendar, I see that Mrs G returned on the 26th of March with Aaron Z2 returning to Port Cresor on the 31st. That time with the two of them alone in the valley before Blue 014 and Aran came home from their winter migration was almost as good as a soap opera…no, actually it was better. Aran arrived on the 10th of April followed by Blue 014 the next day on the 11th. Mrs G’s first egg was laid on the 19th. Good thing those two got down to business right away or Aran might have been kicking those eggs out of the nest!!!!!!!!
On the opposite side of the bulletin board is the Loch Arkaig calendar with its notation that Louis and Dorcha returned on the 11th of April in 2022. So, the clock is ticking and it is normally Blue 33 and Maya that arrive first at Rutland – around the 23rd of March. Let’s see if that happens this year.
Also just quick note – the storms going through Louisiana took out some of the boxes on the cams at the Kisatchie National Forest. Cody will get them up and operating as quickly as he can. He says “The eagles are all OK”. Good news.
In the Mailbox:
Geemeff has written with a request. Did you watch the The Flight of the Osprey series? If you did, they would like your feedback!
“️We’d love to get your feedback on the Flight Of The Osprey expedition, the communications you received, and what you’d like in the future. The survey takes under five minutes and will allow us to continue to build on and strengthen our work. #TogetherWeFly Thank you!”
‘L’ sent me a listing of the wildlife rehabbers in the US and Canada. If you do not know who your nearest wildlife centre, check the list (I cannot vouch that it is 100% complete). Put their number and address in your cell phone. If you are out and see an injured bird, you can phone them and ask what to do. And if you really want to get serious about volunteering, you can check out their workshops. Every rehabber needs help. They do not earn salaries. Everything is by donation. That includes the driving of injured wildlife to their clinics. So check, see what you can do…and keep up the mantra of gently used and clean towels and sheets – they use lots of them. Do a collection in your neighbourhood in the spring when people are cleaning out! Petfood is another item, bleach, detergent…the list is long. Thanks, ‘L’.
There could be a reason we are not seeing Thunder and Akecheta at the West End nest. Are they building a new nest elsewhere? I wonder if the fright of the eaglet falling out of the nest and having to be retrieved by Dr Sharpe has caused this change?
CROW is taking care of a very tiny bald eaglet that fell out of its nest tree.
Did you know that there is a Superb owl (Super Bowl for Owls) contest? The winner will get $5000 for their wildlife rehabilitation centre? I did not know today until the Audubon Centre for Prey wrote and asked me to vote for Sanford.
Conservation without Borders has received many requests about the whereabouts of Blue 708 Glen (Tweed Valley Juvenile) – he seems to like Morocco!
The latest announcement from GROWLS. It does not sound like there will be any camera at all during the breeding season for 2023.
At the Nests:
It seems to be a good day at the nests without any undue problems of beaking or lack of prey. So nice! Would love a period of calm before the storm of the Osprey arrivals!
Sometimes when it all gets too much or you just need a break, head over to the Royal Albatross family. They are nothing short of sweet, adorable, and gorgeous. One chick every two years. This little one is very special.
GLY has returned home and has seen his chick for the first time. What lovely moments! L is now out foraging.
There will be a contest to give Sweet Pea its Maori name. Ranger Sharyn says it will take place after mid-February when the last egg has hatched.
Elain is giving us beautiful updates and a feeding of the Royal Cam chick. Thanks Holly Parsons for the posting!
Gabby and V3 were at the Northeast Florida Bald Eagle nest at 0730 doing some restorations. Gosh, they are a beautiful couple.
Gorgeous Gabby.
If you can see both of the right sides of their faces, you can easily tell them apart. Look at the shape of their heads and beak but, the real giveaway is the ‘V’ shaped nick below the cere of V3.
It has been raining in Webster, Texas. At the time Paul White published this video, the eaglets were having their second meal for the day. Ringo got a lot of the first bites, then Boots had some and then when Ringo was getting full, Boots starting getting all the fish. Both eaglets had nice crops and were full at the end of the feeding. It was very civilised.
Little CE9 was also fed well. CE9 will have a name on the 26th of January. Have you sent in a suggestion? If not, message Lori Covert on Instagram. And just a note, the Ospreys Mabel and Andy are named after Lori Covert’s maternal grandparents, not parents.
We all love Indigo and will be sad to see this beautiful juvenile falcon leave its parents territory. It is difficult to get so attached and have them leave and go on their way. It is, of course, why I like banding and sat paks. With banding, there is a chance to find out about the dispersal and survival rates. We can also find out about the history. Of course, with sat paks – which are much more expensive – we can track the long journeys of migrating birds as well as the ones who stay close to the nest.
It is always a treat at this time of year to have the juveniles still around, returning to the scrape so we can see them. Hello Indigo!
The Berry College Eaglet B16 is doing fantastic. It continues to be one of the cutest, chubbiest little babes. Adorable. Not sure what is up with B17 but if there is only one hatch, that is just fine!
Pa Berry was feeding his baby early this morning.
At the KNF-E3 nest, 02 has mastered the snatch and grab but, at the same time, he often gets bony pieces because he can’t or won’t wait. Several times Andria has had to save him. Here is an example that Rhonda A caught.
Book Review:
If you have been following my blog, you might remember that I have sung the praises of Joan E Strassman’s 2022 volume, Slow Birding. The Art and Science of Enjoying the Birds in Your Own Backyard. No fancy pictures just great writing and a challenge to all of us to learn about the birds that live near to us, to study them, to get to know them intimately.
One of the things that drew me to Strassman’s book was the fact that it was not a guide and it was not a book that would encourage you to run or drive or fly hither and yon to add to your Life List of Birds. Indeed, it is quite the opposite. Over the years I have received many letters from talented women who told me their lives were ruined by their fathers who stuffed them in the car before dawn on a weekend morning to go ‘birding’. The problem was…the male ran off leaving the wife to care for the children, often in the car, for hours. One told me that the best thing was ‘the donuts’. Another told me that she is just now, at the age of 65, learning to love birds.
All of us know about these life lists. E-bird often encourages it. But what we need isn’t a bird ticked off on a list but a real understanding of a bird’s behaviour, an intimate observation over time – days, weeks, years. Strassman challenges us to see the things around us and to understand them.
The book that I want to talk about today was written long ago by Florence A Merriam. Birds through an Opera Glass was published in 1896. 127 Years Ago. It has to be the first book, written by a woman, on ‘slow’ birding. It has been out of print for decades. The Leopold Classic Library prints copies on demand. Like Strassman’s, there are no colour images but, rather, black and white illustrations from Baird, Brewer and Ridgway’s History of North American Birds. Also like Strassman, Merriam is an excellent writer bringing her observations of the birds living around her to life with their strange behaviours and song.
This is a quote on how the nuthatch got its name:
“But his most interesting name is – nuthatch! How does he come by it? That seems riddle. Some cold November day put on a pair of thick boots and go to visit the beeches. There in their tops are the nuthatches, for they have deserted the tree trunks for a frolic. They are beechnutting! And that with as much zest as a party of school-children starting out with baskets and pails on a holiday. Watch them now. What clumsy work they make of it, trying to cling to the beechnut burr and get the nuts out the same time. It’s a pity the chickadee can’t give them a few lessons! They might better have kept to their tree trunks. But they persist, and after tumbling off from several burrs, finally snatch out a nut and fly off with it as clammy as if they had been dancing about among the twigs all their days. Away they go till they come to a maple or other rough-barked tree, when they stick the nut in between the ridges off the bark, hammer it down, and then, when it is so tightly wedged that the slippery shell cannot get away from them, by a few sharp blows they hatch the nut from the tree! Through my glass I watched a number of them this fall, though some of them wedged their nuts far into cracks or holes in the body of the tree, instead of in the bark. One of them pounded so hard he spread his tail and almost upset himself. The fun was so great a downy woodpecker tried it, and of all the big school-boys! The excitement seemed to turn his head and he attacked a beechnut burr as if he would close with it in mortal combat!”
Merriam writes about The Kingbird: “The sobriety of his plain blackish coat and white vest are relieved by a coloured patch that may sometimes be espied under his crest, and also by a white tip to his tail, which when spread in flight, has the effect of a white crescent.”
Birds Through an Opera Glass, 1896
The list of birds that Merriam covers is massive but she also gives hints to people who want to observe birds. 1) Avoid light or bright coloured clothing. 2) Walk slowly and noiselessly. 3) Avoid all quick, jerky motions. 4) Avoid Talking. 5) “If the bird was signing, but stops on your approach, stand still a moment and encourage him by answering his call. If he gets interested he will often let you creep within opera-glass distance. Some of the most charming snatches of friendly talk will come at such times.” 6) Make a practice of stopping often and standing perfectly still. “In that way you hear voices that would be lost if you were walking…” 7) Conceal yourself against a tree or pulling a branch in front of you. Merriam also advises that anyone wishing to observe birds should consider the time of the day and the weather. “They follow the sun!” “In spring and fall you will find them in the fields and orchards early in the morning, but when the sun has warmed the south side of the woods they go there; and in the afternoon they follow it across to the north side. During heavy winds and storms you are most likely to find birds well under cover of the woods, no matter at what time of day; and then, often on the side opposite that from which the wind comes.”
Merriam challenges us to begin with the simplest – the birds that you see and hear on a daily basis. For her it was the Robin. What would be your bird?
I highly recommend this book for anyone that wants to learn more about Robins, Crow Blackbirds, Ruffled Grouse, Nuthatches, Chickadees, and 65 other species. It is $19.66 CDN from Amazon. There is a link in the book for a free digital copy. It will be the best $20 you have spent. I promise. Just remember it is full of a great narrative and knowledge but not beautiful photographs!
Thank you so much for joining me today. It is always a pleasure to send you the news about our feathered friends, especially when it is all good. Take care. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their tweets, posts, announcements, videos, and streaming cams that make up my screen captures: Geemeff, ‘L’ and Birdwatching Daily, CIEL and the IWS, Dana Campbell and the Cornell Hawk Cam Chatters plus CROW, Audubon Raptor Centre and Bonusfinder, Audubon Raptor Centre, Conservation Without Borders, Celia Aliengirl and Bald Eagles Nest Cam and News and GROWLS, NZ DOC, Elain and the NZ DOC, NEFL-AEF, Paul White and the Webster Texas Eagle Cam, Window to Wildlife, Elain and Charles Sturt Falcon Cam and Cilla Kinross, and Rhoda A and the KNF-E3 Bald Eagle Nest.
Thank you so much for your letters and your comments. I really do enjoy hearing from you. I cannot always answer immediately but, I try not to be too long!
I am having to have a big laugh because I don’t want a big cry! No, no, nothing to do with birds. It is auto-correct! I have gone over this blog twice and keep finding the auto correct correcting things after I have moved on…it seems I have to check the words 3x before it stops. (I do like it to catch my spelling as I go so it is a bit of a double-edged sword for me). So I hope when you read this that the word ‘allopreening’ will be there and not ‘alley preening’!
It snowed a bit and the winds were blowing at times in the gardens. The European Starlings came early to feed off the suet cylinders. There were 43 of them! That is the highest count I have had all year.
The House Sparrows were absolutely everywhere. At the feeders. On the ground foraging and in the lilacs. Everywhere I looked there was a sparrow. Squint. They are in layers blending in to the lilacs and feeding with the Starlings at the suet.
The kittens loved watching them flit about. No Dove today. I hope it has found a wonderful and safe place for food!
Making News:
I am shaking my head in complete disbelief. Just the other day I posted the passing of Sue, the beautiful RTH and mate of Otto, at Syracuse University. She died of what appears to be head trauma on the 18th. The photo of Sue in the announcement was taken in the Oakwood Cemetery on that same day. Otto was found dead on the 19th in the cemetery. Did he also die on the 18th? or the 19th? I find this simply too much of a coincidence and it makes me highly suspicious that something caused these two beautiful birds to meet their demise that is not immediately evident. We will find out from the necroscopy, thank goodness. But that does not make this less a tragedy. If these deaths are not an accident or a natural cause, then the sadness is deepened. Condolences to everyone at Syracuse University and all those that loved Sue and Otto.
Did you know that the Ventana Wildlife Society provides lead free ammunition to hunters in specific counties in California to help halt the Condors (and other wildlife) from getting ill or dying from lead poisoning?
The VWS website gives all the information on what they offer and who is eligible. If you know of someone who hunts or is a rancher in these areas and they continue to use lead ammunition, please have them get in touch with the VWS immediately. The Condors will thank you!
The VWS produced a really short video about Cedric and his recovery from lead poisoning.
Do you want to know more about Condors? Do you love them as much as I do? Why not check out the monthly Zoom chats with the folks at the Ventana Wildlife Society? Go to ventananews.org and click on the link that you see below, to the left.
Skycalls, fluffy white chicks with cute pink bills and feet, allopreening adults, what isn’t there to love about an albatross?
Lady Hawk gives us some real cutie pie images of the Royal Cam chick in this video.
No Osprey egg yet at the Achieva Credit Union nest in St Petersburg, Florida but, we should be looking towards the end of January if our gal, Diane, sticks to her previous pattern of egg-laying.
They have mated on the pole, on the nest and probably around the neighbourhood…when do you think there will be an egg?
CE9 can really handle those big bites that Connie gives it. If Mum would only stop putting her beak under CE9’s, I think they would get a success rating of 100%. The wee one continues to benefit from numerous feedings per day and is growing stronger and stronger.
CE9 and Dudley.
Connie decides it is time for a feeding.
Clive arrives to check on his baby and the pantry and then is off doing territorial protection.
A bit of a stringy mess.
From an empty crop to a full one.
CE9 is getting very, very full.
Nap time. How many whole and partial fish can you find on this nest?
As the sun sets over the Captiva Bald Eagle nest of Connie, Clive, and CE9, the little one gets its last fish meal of the day.
In 2014, the Bald Eagles at Duke Farms in Hillsborough, NJ laid their first egg on the 17th of February. In 2022, the first egg was laid on the 17th of January – precisely a month earlier. This year that first egg was laid on 20 January so the eagles are sticking with this earlier nesting time. It only makes me wonder – as we wish for eggs from Gabby and Rose – if it might just be too hot in Florida for such a late hatch?
And just like clockwork, there is a second egg at Duke Farms!
It looks like Alex on the KNF-E3 nest trying to coax the two eaglets, 01 and 02 over to have some nice fresh fish.
Can you see the Mohawks?
Mum flies to the nest and both adults look over to the lake. Is there an intruder?
Are the parents testing the youngsters? Alex took off and Mum flew back to the branch. That whole fish is still there. Wonder if anyone will move to the table and try to eat it?
E01 is trying to balance itself to stand and walk. 02 looks on with interest.
Walking on a stick nest is not as easy as it looks.
The parent watches when its chick pecks at the fish. The babies are growing up with those big heavy wings and feathers coming in.
Would you like some fish?
Confidence is back in 02. The meal went well.
Do you like the Pittsburgh-Hayes Eagle nest? Mum and Dad were there today – and mating ——in the snow!
There are winter storm warnings for various parts of the US including Oklahoma, my old home State, and a system tracking up through Iowa, Ohio, and into New York. I went to check on Big Red’s nest to see if she was getting the snow that was hitting Pittsburg and the camera was down. Then the computer did a funny thing and there was Superbeaks. I was not expecting this image. It is smaller here but filled up my entire screen almost – and I held my breath. Do not, listen you two, look so far down that you go flipsy.
What is of such interest below? is it a parent on a lower branch?
There are not a lot of ‘dandelions’ left on these two as those almost black juvenile feathers continue to grow longer and longer.
Oh, it is windy on the nest of Jackie and Shadow at Big Bear. The storm system is east of the Colorado River and is not expected to hit them. Yippeeee. They get a break. Shadow brought in prey and is incubating while Jackie has a break.
The wind is gusty. You can see it blowing the feathers on the back of Shadow’s head above and then it is calm below.
Do you know why raptors roll their eggs? FOBBV reminds us: “Eggs are rolled regularly to prevent the embryo & egg membranes from sticking to the shell & to distribute albumen & heat evenly.”
Thank you, Sharon Pollock. I wish my eyes were a little better but, what a beautiful sight that was of Jackie and Shadow soaring together around and over the nest tree. Just amazing.
Mabel and Angus are sure a handsome couple at the Captiva Osprey nest.
What a difference! The warm sunshine of Florida to the hoar frost in Iowa at the Decorah Eagle nest. It sure is beautiful.
Fans of the Redding Eagles…there was an adult on the nest today!
The cuteness of Ron and Rose caught by HeidiMc.
It is not clear what is happening with the second egg at Berry College. Are those marks or is that chick trying to get out of that shell?
This is little Boots at Webster, Texas raising its head for a bite of fish. It ‘appears’ from the posts today that things are going well and Ringo is behaving her/his self.
Worry spread through the SWFlorida Eagle fans as blood appeared on the top of E22’s head – it was another fish landing there!
Someone will be watching to see if this is just blood from the fish or a possible scratch caused by the fish on the nape of 22.
22 ate well and there was little if any beaking that I could see today.
Zoe is 129 days old. Mum delivered a single fish to her girl yesterday and, she might well have had a fish off camera. Today Zoe left the nest and it appears she might have returned wet from an excursion or she might have tried fishing off the barge (the camera was stuck on zoom). It is really hard to tell. What we do know is that Zoe is still home. From my perspective she looks ‘well fed’ and healthy.
One last tidbit about the falcons…but not Annie and the New Guy or Indigo but Sequoia and her mate at the San Jose City Hall scrape. Seems you have to be careful where you stash away your prey in San Jose, too.
Who is Sequoia’s mate? HeidiMc found out! Shasta is a very interesting falcon.
What the poster below doesn’t say is when you set out and kill any insect or animal, it has a severe impact on the food chain. Think mice and rats. Secondary poisoning in domestic pets and raptors is real. We need those insects, we need the pigeons (yes people put poison on their roofs to kill the pigeons – those pigeons could kill our beautiful peregrine falcons), etc. So take care and talk about this with your friends and loved ones.
Thank you so very much for being with us today. Tomorrow I will have a review of Florence A Merriam’s Birds Through An Opera Glass. Take care all. See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their announcements, posts, videos, tweets, and streaming cams where I took my screen captures: HeidiMc, Red-tailed Hawk Tails, Ventana Wildlife Society, Lady Hawk and NZ DOC, Achieva Credit Union, Window to Wildlife, Duke Farms, KNF-E3, Pix Cams, Superbeaks, FOBBV, Sharon Pollock and FOBBV, Raptor Research Project and Explore.org, Redding Eagles, HeidiMc and the WRDC, Duke Farms, Bel-A-Donna and Berry College, SWFlorida Eagles and D Pritchett, Port Lincoln Ospreys, and Pollinator Friendly Yards.
If you would like to join our wonderful birding community and receive a copy of my blog in your inbox daily, please feel free to subscribe. I desperately try not to load up your inbox and there is generally only one blog per day unless something really crazy happens and I think you will want to know asap. You can unsubscribe at any time!
For those celebrating the Chinese New Year or Tet, I hope that you had a wonderful time with friends and/or family and that your upcoming year will be all you wish it to be.
I am always on about the weather but, this week will be reasonable on the Canadian Prairies. The meteorologists are forecasting that we will be thrown into the -25 degree C range beginning in a week and that those extreme temperatures will last for at least a week. I am not looking forward to this because it causes me to worry about the few birds that visit the garden that really should have gone South sooner or the tundra swan north of me. Without our technologically advanced clothing, humans actually cannot endure those blustery temperatures like the birds. Still, I worry about them when I see their little legs. So there will be lots of high protein, high-energy suet cylinders all around the lilacs for everyone in a week.
Today there were the sparrows and dear Dyson who has managed to consume almost an entire hard seed cylinder in 36 hours. Can you see her? She blends in well. She also scares all the other little songbirds away when she runs through the lilac bushes making sure her summer children do not bother her while she is eating.
The European Starlings arrive around 12:30. They are as good as some of the European and Japanese trains that are on the ‘minute’. The Starlings only eat (as far as I can see) this cornmeal-peanut butter mixture formed into cylinders. It is high energy and helps keep them fit and warm.
The lighting was not good and I had the camera set to automatic but, this image of the Dove came out not so bad. The kittens really love seeing ‘their’ friend.
Making News:
We are going to start with the horrible reality of Avian Flu because other than the news items, the state of Bird World is really pretty good late on Sunday evening, the 22nd of January, the Year of the Water Rabbit.
Avian Flu has been found in bears! While everyone really hoped that this killer would ‘go away’, it isn’t. Every week new outbreaks are documented in birds that require euthanasia. It is sad and what scares me most is that it could become much worse in the spring.
We have read about the killings of raptors in the UK. We know that storks are shot when they migrate over certain countries. We also know that beautiful eagles and hawks are shot in the US and elsewhere. I cannot even imagine, for a second, aiming a gun at a bird to try and injure or kill it. Not even if I were starving. Today, APCH has a new patient – a Red Tail Hawk that was shot! This makes me angry.
Another victim of lead poisoning. Rainy has been receiving medical attention since she was admitted to the Winged Freedom Raptor Hospital. What I want you to notice is how tiny that piece of lead is that was causing her to be deathly ill. Now imagine a hunter leaving the innards of a deer full of lead shot and the carrion eaters consuming that lead so that they have a meal and can survive another day with food.
Here is the update. So happy for the good news.
Nest News:
The new pair of Ospreys at Lori Covert’s Captiva Osprey platform have been named Mabel and Angus after Lori Covert’s maternal grandparents.
Love is in the air at The Campanile on the University of California-Berkeley campus. Annie and the ‘new guy’. Thanks Sassa Bird for the re-post and to moon-rabbit-rising for those amazing images.
SK Hideaways caught The New Guy and his amazing scraping..a world record?
Oh, it is a windy day for Jackie at the Big Bear Valley nest. You can hear icy-snow pelting the camera lens. Jackie takes it all in stride.
Jackie is so peaceful. On Sunday, Shadow delivered a fish and tried to incubate. Jackie told him ‘no’. I guess he will have to resort to the ‘stick persuasion method’ tomorrow. :))
It has been a busy Sunday at the Achieva Credit Union nest. Jack and Diane are mating, making nestorations, and Jack continues to provide fish gifts for Diane during the day. Well done, Jack! I might even think there was a new invigorated ‘you’ this year! You are being very attentive. Keep it up!
