Tag Archives: raptors

Most memorable nests of 2025

2 January 2026

Hello Everyone,

I have been asked to share this urgent request immediately because of the timely nature of the legislative bill: I apologize for the size – maybe you can go to the Wild Heart Ranch FB for the details if you cannot blow this up.

What a great community of people we have in Bird World. When I look at the map of people who read my blog and treasure our birds, there are very few places on the planet where there isn’t someone who is not a member of our family. It warms my heart.

There was a deep underlying purpose in asking you to contribute the joyful moments you remember from Bird World in 2025. Too often, we focus on the negative, even if that terrible event was only one of a dozen wonderful, glorious ones in a day. It is time for us to shift the way that we think – and believe me, I need to do this as much as anyone. Life has thrown a lot of extraordinarily difficult challenges at me this year – and I know that it has done the same to so very, very many of you. Sometimes I want to slide under the duvet and stay there for several days, hoping that whatever it is will go away. It doesn’t happen, of course. It is like some big furry monster just waiting for you to stick your head out. So now is the time to deal with it and bring the sunshine back into our lives.

I am going to start with a few instances to get the ball rolling, so to speak. Akecheta. The day when I saw Akecheta’s bloody head on Tor and Thunder sitting next to that other male, I was devastated. Maybe it was just the icing on top of the cake, the cherry on top of the sundae to different events that day, but it hit me so very, very hard. Then, when Akecheta was photographed on the Californian Mainland, I wept with joy. He was alive! But the real triumph was when Akecheta returned, healed and confident, to take his rightful place at the West End, sitting proudly with Haku looking out at the sea. The second instance that made me so very happy was seeing CJ7 and Blue 022 raise another clutch of four osplets at Poole Harbour. To raise two can be hard – three is difficult – but it takes extraordinary parenting to fledge four (and a source of good quality fish). https://youtu.be/mzG-D8kmI-s?

It has been a long time since we have witnessed the sea eaglets at the WBSE nest in the Olympic Forest survive. Most of the time, we cheer their growth, admiring their intelligence and beauty, only to worry that the Currawongs will drive them out of the territory or find them near the Discovery Centre, in need of care. This year, the Currawongs were outwitted! Yes, we lost the male 36, but there is no reason to believe that anything untoward happened to 35. She was a strong flyer. But seeing them fly in and out, getting food without falling into the Currawongs’ harm’s way, gives me hope for future clutches as well. Oh, there are so many. Iris returning to her nest.

Diamond mating with a very young male and producing a strong female who appears to be doing splendidly.

“There is something to appreciate in every moment of every day. Strive to 

find it as often as you can. Living with gratitude will change your life.” (Goodreads)

There are so many quotes. Find one that suits you and print it and look at it each morning when you open the fridge.

“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” — Oprah Winfrey

There were a lot of wonderful memories in Bird World for 2025. Thank you for sharing some of your magical moments with the rest of us!

‘BF’: “Perhaps not the same as a highlight — in fact, this had the potential to be a “lowlight” — but an unusual situation that captured my attention was when an uninvited (and not related) juvenile bald eagle showed up on Gabby and Beau’s NE Florida nest looking for food.  It was rocky at first, but after a few days — and a few tussles — “Juvie” almost seemed to be an accepted member of the nest family (perhaps grudgingly?), along with Gabby and Beau’s own not-yet-fledged juvenile, Bodie.  All seemed to get along, it was surprisingly peaceful, and perhaps it was even a positive for Bodie to have the slightly older juvenile nest mate. Eventually Juvie moved on and Bodie fledged and dispersed and both are successfully off on their own.

‘PB’: Most memorable nest for me is Dunrovin and all that drama! Losing Mo due to a throat problem and then found by the river passed. Relieved Eenie fledged. That nest was so stressful when we almost lost the little ones falling off the side of the nest. I hope Dunrovin will fix the nest for next season so we don’t have to go through all that again.

“B’: “There are so many highlights for 2025 — for sure, every single hatch and fledge is a highlight to be remembered.  But I was especially pleased to see the successful hatch and fledge of eaglet Betty Lou for Audacity and Jak at the Sauces Canyon nest on Santa Cruz Island, since for Audacity and Jak it had been three seasons and four long years — with many broken eggs — since their most recent previous eaglet, Dina in 2021. 

Similarly, celebrity eagles Jackie and Shadow had spent many, many days the past two seasons at Big Bear Valley — through snow and winter storms — incubating eggs that turned out to be nonviable; it was wonderful to see the 2025 hatch of lively eaglets Sunny and Gizmo at Big Bear, the first for Jackie and Shadow since Spirit in 2022.  

The return of Akecheta to West End has been a surprise highlight.  We last saw Akecheta early in the year, lying on the ground, injured in an apparent territorial fight.  Then the cameras went out, and when they returned Akecheta was nowhere to be seen, and we were concerned for his survival.  It has been a real blessing that Akecheta has returned now to West End; we hope for mating and new eaglets in 2026.  As great as Akecheta’s return has been, the real highlight for me was the day in May when we heard the report that Akecheta and his distinctive blue wing tags had been spotted at Lake Casitas, many miles away on the mainland near Ojai, for that was when we learned that Akecheta had survived and was off in the world being an eagle.

oh, and how could I forget another whole class of highlights: the watching and waiting for the return of the migrating birds and the highlight it is when you see Iris or Louis and Dorcha arrive. Or seeing Beau arriving weeks early and waiting for Gabby.  These sorts of things are simple and repeatable, but they are something to celebrate each time.

‘R’: “My favorite ‘Bird’ story this year was following Iris. 🪺 And Jackie and Shadow’s success ❤️

My favorite non-bird item was definitely Heidi’s Christmas video to you ❤️💕and the pictures of Don and you!  I saved “Day 11 Welcome to Winter”, so I could look at the pictures again.Ever since I’ve known you, before  WordPress, I heard of Don, knew he was ill, and not as bad, back before COVID, but I never had a face to go with the name.”

‘N’: “I have many favs but this recent one comes to mind…caught this recently at Dade (speaking of our Florida nests). Made me giggle, which I can use often! 

Sibling pooping on sibling!

SP’: Oh, Mary Ann, with so much human tragedy in 2025, I was so invigorated to go back through the events of 2025 in Bird World only to discover an avalanche of happy, heartwarming, beautiful events throughout the year.  Here are way too many (in alpha order)! 

367 Collins Street Falcons: F23, M23, and 4 chicks
F23 and M23 had their talons full with 4 rambunctious chicks, but they raised and fledged them beautifully.
Dad Tries to Feed 5- and 2-Day Old Chicks Whole Prey (2025 Oct 5) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02vbdny7Bo0
Pre-Fledge Chicks Perform Acrobatics ~ Teetering on Ledge (2025 Nov 10) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_GfSbdrs68

AEF-NEFL Eagles:  Gabby, Beau, NE31, and Juvie
The arrival of Bodie (NE31) and Beau’s first foray into fatherhood were so special, as was the development of Gabby and Beau’s relationship. The “adoption” of Juvie by Gabby and Beau, and the ultimate bonding between Bodie and Juvie were simply beautiful.
Beau Tries to Feed NE31 for the First Time (2025 Jan 21) https://youtu.be/G4zea3983tw?si=RA0InJ2bNJkm5wYo
Bodie Branches Out ~ Juvie Shares Flying Tips (2025 Apr 5) https://youtu.be/cYTuJVPT8K4?si=tNR4bQZCq6EQRa7o

FalconCam Project: Diamond, Gimbir, and Girri (RIP dear Xavier)
Girri lifted our spirits as we mourned for Xavier. Gimbir stepped up to take on parental duties as he learned from pro mum Diamond.
Gimbir Brings 3 Starlings in 9 Minutes ~ Chick Gets First Meal (2025 Nov 6) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mynzf-kkOQQ
GIRRI FLEDGES at 43 Days Old ( 2025 Dec 18) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96yPLdvaixU

FOBBV Eagles: Jackie, Shadow, Sunny, and Gizmo (RIP Misty)
Jackie and Shadow mourned the loss of one chick as they raised Sunny and Gizmo to be strong, independent fledglings. It was such a gift after two years of failed clutches.
SC Stands Tall on New Clown Feet ~ BC Delivers Single Bonk (2025 Mar 23) https://youtu.be/sWFD087ffRg?si=ATZrG4B9dD3xnpqm
Golden Hour Moments with Sunny & Gizmo ~ Special Times to Remember Always (2025 May 15) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WraMnX8mFy0

San Jose City Hall Falcons: Hartley, Monty, Emma, Willow, Octavia, and Chico
For the second year, Hartley and Monty raised four chicks. There were so many delightful moments with all of them.
FIRST 2 CHICKS HATCH: One Gets Wild Ride Across Nest (2025 Apr 19) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9jZtIHqat4
Raucous Rooftop Food Fight ~ All 4 Chicks Win (2025 Jun 7) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9rt2B1BZ8A

Sydney White-Bellied Sea Eagles: Lady, Dad, SE35, and SE36
Despite a sad ending for SE36, the saga of SE35 and SE36 was a joy to watch. Family time was always a special treat.
SE35, SE36, Lady & Dad Spend the Afternoon Together Next Door (2025 Nov 10) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcaObXf4qpA

Two Harbors Eagles: Cholyn and Chase
Every moment with these two is a gift.
Cholyn & Chase on 22 Years of Mated Perfection (2025 Oct 21) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTbMUL24oMs


West End Eagles: Akecheta’s Return
AKECHETA RETURNS! (2025 Sep 24) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgFXKDnDrp0

I could go on (Betty Lou, Blue and Kaimana, TE3!), but I’ll stop here. Thank you for pulling this good news together to go on lifting spirits as you do all year long. 

‘L’: 1. Beau at the NEFL nest brooding the eggs and the look on his face when “Bodie” hatched. In addition to Bodie being a single, a rogue juvenile showed up and stuck around for a few weeks providing additional entertainment. 

2. Audacity and Jak, Santa Cruz Island. Audacity laid 3 eggs, 2 broke and the third hatched. It was a miracle after several years of broken eggs for this longtime pair. It was pure joy watching “Betty Lou” grow up. 

3. Jackie & Shadow with 3 hatchlings! Unfortunately losing one but the other two survived given the names “Sonny” & “Gizmo.”

4. The trio of Scout & Bella lined up on the rails at the NCTC nest(unfortunately the nest collapsed)

5. The Trempealeau nest with TE3. Mrs. T deserved an award after practically raising TE3 alone. 

6. Gimbir taking over the nest after the male Xavier disappeared from the Charles Sturt University FalconCam nest. Diamond laying 3 eggs and little Girri hatching! 

‘J’: I obviously do not have a lot of memories this year, but one stands out above everything: WELCOME HOME AKECHETA!

‘SA’: Iris arrives home. Jackie and Shadow have two – Sunny and Gizmo. Cheta comes home to the West End.

‘TN’: It was a cracker of a year for Poole Harbour raising another clutch of four to fledge. Simply brilliant.

‘C’: Akecheta returns to the West End.

‘BA’: “As for favorite nest event of 2025, mine is probably the same as most everyone else’s  —  the successful hatching of Jackie and Shadow’s three eaglets, and the subsequent successful fledging of two of them. (The death of one was probably the saddest event for me, though I know it was probably best that they only had to raise two.)

Second favorite event was Gabby and Beau’s first successful year together raising an eaglet. (That too is probably a favorite of most others.) I know there were many other joyful moments in bird world. It’s good to have them balance out the sad moments.

(Really sad about CalFalcons last year…. haven’t yet gotten over the loss of both — and that nest that still sits empty.)”

‘J’: “Has to be Sunny and Gizmo hands down. Jackie and Shadow being parents gave me a new reason to want to live through my cancer treatments.’

‘K’: ‘There was worry that Louis might not return to Loch Arkaig. Seeing him land on the nest was the best moment for me all year. Louis survived what ailed him and came home to Dorcha.’

‘WL’: There are too many wonderful things that happened but two stand out for me amidst a lot of dismal nests. The first is little T3 in that nest in Wisconsin, raised only by its mother, no thanks to that two-timing dad. That chick was determined to live. The other was Iris returning to her nest. It was sad Finnegan didn’t make it. Maybe the new one will.’

‘A’: ‘The death of Xavier rocked my world to its core. Then an almost too-young Gimbir turns up. Diamond likes him. Diamond really likes him. Out of the sadness came a superb female falcon named Girri. Many of the latest fledglings out of that scrape did not make it. Girri is doing extremely well. Seeing Girri fly over the tower, learning to be a falcon from Diamond and Gimbir, makes me smile every day. It was the best thing to come out of the worst.’ ‘We cannot forget the falcon fledges from the CBD in Melbourne!’

Thank you ‘AK’ for this incredible card!

Thank you to everyone who participated.

The day my baby got sick.

Home from the vet and bright-eyed but sad because he cannot find his daddy.

Woolly and Mysterious Missey, who has a ‘mat’ that I must cut out. Don typically brushes her many times a day.

Precious Calico.

The little trouble maker, HUGO YUGO!

Sweet Hope.

Toby is sleeping upside down next to me. He is feeling better because he wanted to romp around the house with Hugo Yugo a few minutes ago. It is so very nice to have him home from the veterinary hospital. While I might have complained that there isn’t enough room in the bed with him on the pillow and HY in my arm, Calico at one side, and Missey near my feet – I sure would not want it any other way. The only one that doesn’t join in is Hope and maybe she will one day.

We wish you a wonderful 2026.

Thank you to everyone who participated and to the owners of the streaming cams so that we can watch these amazing birds and their families. I also want to thank SK Hideaways for their amazing videos that add depth to the stories. You are all so wonderful and my blog would never have the spice of life that it does without you!

Gabby and Beau have two eaglets!

1 January 2025

Good Afternoon Everyone,

We have a New Year’s eaglet. NE33 made its appearance in the wee hours of the morning.

Beau is one proud dad. He has the pantry stocked nicely.

What a wonderful way to start the new year! Remember – get those happy memories in to me, however short or long, by 0800 Friday 2 January so I can get them into the blog.

I am happy to say that Don is doing very well, indeed. His deterioration/behaviour issue was due to a medical condition and not his dementia. The team at the Victoria Hospital are working to resolve those issues.

Little Toby is sleeping by me. I wasn’t going to mention it, but we had quite a scare. Tuesday evening, I had to rush Toby to the emergency veterinary clinic. He was haemorrhaging out of his mouth and anus. There was blood everywhere. He came home to me this morning. I am very grateful to the vets who worked so hard to save his life. He has acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome, or AHDS, formerly called HGE and tested negative for Parvo as a cause. Will be tested for food sensitivity next week. It can return without warning, but right now, he is home and safe with me. I cannot tell you how much I missed him. I did not want to alarm anyone, so just smile. One of my fellas is home.

Thank you for being with me today. See you tomorrow for the good memories of 2025 – get yours in.

Thank you to the American Eagle Foundation for their streaming cam that allows us to ‘spy’ on Beau and Gabby, NE 32 and NE 33.

And one last thing: Rare bird in Vancouver. Tiny little Taiga Flycatcher that should be in Asia has set everyone stirring.

A baby for Gabby and Beau! And 33 is pipping!!!!!!!

31 December 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

It’s New Year’s Eve – or Old Year’s Eve – depending on where you live and celebrate (or not). One of the traditions for New Year’s Day in my family was to eat black-eyed peas. It was believed that if you did not consumme them on the 1st of January your year would be full of tragedy. Believe me, I have two large tins of them and everyone I know is going to eat some!

Let’s start with some sad news and move on to the good…the final necroscropy results for SE36 indicate that lovely sea eaglet was healthy when it died and it was a little boy.

Everything appears to be going well with NE 32 at the NE Florida nest of Gabby and Beau. And guess what? NE33 has a pip. Gabby and Beau did great delayed incubation – let’s get these kiddos to have a good, even start instead of being hatched days and days apart. Fingers crossed.

When you watch the streaming cam notice the tender looks that Beau and Gabby give to their little baby. It is ever so sweet.

Yes, NE32, you are very, very cute.

This image is courtesy of the American Eagle Foundation showing the pip in N33.

One of the oldest eagle couples in the Channel Islands (if not the oldest) is Chase and Cholyn. They are preparing their nest for this breeding season. SK Hideaways has the news and the video.

Cholyn flies in in his tight black jeans! Have a look: https://youtu.be/GOApBZhGIb8?

One thing that’s easy to forget is how quickly these little ones grow. From hatch to fledge for a peregrine falcon is 40-43 days! Bald Eagles can be longer, averaging from 10-14 weeks with most taking their first flight around 12 weeks. What does this mean for us watching? We can’t blink!

SE26 is going to be an only child with two of the most incredible parents to teach it everything it knows to become a thriving eagle living in the wild.

Looks like CE14 at the Captiva nest of Connie and Clive is also going to be an only. No worries about food. Clive keeps that nest stocked.

R9 and R10 at the Dade County nest of Ron and Rose appear to have settled down a bit. This is the nest I would like to see a pantry full and waiting – it is the only nest with two eaglets save for Superbeaks that had three and lost Froto.

Thank you so much for being with me today for this quick check. Please get one thing that gave you joy from the nests to me so that I can post it with the others on the 2nd of January. Nothing is too small. You only have to write a single sentence but join in the fun! Take care everyone.

Happy New Year to each and every one of you.

Thank you to SK Hideaways for their video, to the AEF for their image, and to the owners of the streaming cams and individuals who posted news on FB groups. My blog would not be the same without your contributions.

Latest Pip Views at NE Florida!

Hello Everyone,

Today Don is being moved from one room to another and will eventually have his own private room with a window – I hope – later today. The constant change is difficult for many people. He prefers everything to be the same and for no bright lights or noise! I can relate to that! Toby and The Girls are fine and Nellie is going home in a couple of hours so I can begin to process all of this.

I am looking out the window, and there are the usual 33-35 European Starlings and one nice fluffed-up Blue Jay looking for food. It is there! It is actually a lovely day with no wind and temperatures of -8 °C.

Here are two screen captures of Gabby and Beau’s pip:

I just wanted to pop in and encourage you to check on the NE Florida nests while you are watching the eaglets at SW Florida, Dade County, and Captiva – and, of course, Girri, flying around the tower.

Be sure to send me the moments you enjoyed on the nests in 2025 so I can get them on the blog for the 2nd of January.

All the best!

Thank you to the American Eagle Foundation for their streaming cam so we can watch the lives of Beau and Gabby at NE Florida.

Pip for Beau and Gabby!

30 December 2025

Hello Everyone,

Great news from the American Eagle Foundation. It is official. Beau and Gabby have a pip. This is what I have been waiting for – and what joy this little one will bring.

This image is from the AEF:

First, please do send me some of your favourite memories from our bird nests so that I can post them on 2 January! I really want to hear from you!

SK Hideaways Videos, week of 12/21/25

Channel Island Eagles

Fraser Point Eagles: Elusive Cruz Visits Nest with Andor ~ A Few Sticks are Shuffled (2025 Dec 27)

It was a real treat to see Cruz and Andor together after Cruz’s nearly 2-week absence from the cameras. For those who haven’t met this pair, we provided a little history as they did a bit of stick shuffling and hanging out. 

The female, Cruz, hatched at the Pelican Harbor nest on Santa Cruz Island in 2006 and was the first known chick to naturally hatch on the islands since 1950. Andor hatched at the Baby’s Harbor nest, also on Santa Cruz Island, in 2017.
Video: https://youtu.be/ijOvAohCxeA
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies, explore.org, Fraser Point Cam Ops
Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY4V_AppZ6s

Two Harbors Eagles Cholyn & Chase ~ 22 Years of Devotion & Territory Rule (2025 Dec 21)
Cholyn and Chase briefly greeted the morning together at the nest before Chase departed to do eagle things. Cam ops then gifted us with close-ups of Cholyn and we took the opportunity to share some history of these 27-year-olds marvels, who have been together for 22 years. Their story is part of the eagle restoration program in the Channel Islands that began in 1980. Through trial, error, and extraordinary work by scientists at the Institute for Wildlife Studies, the program has been wildly successful. Cholyn and Chase, now the elders of the Channel Island eagles, are just one piece of that story.

Video: https://youtu.be/y_ZPyUTo92E

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

Eagle Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5T2eHM8tcI

Overlook Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yx7RKxpyzQ

FOBBVCAM Eagles🦅
Original live video courtesy of  @FOBBVCAM   https://www.friendsofbigbearvalley.org/

The opinions presented on this channel do not necessarily reflect the opinions of FOBBV.

ℹResident Bald Eagle male: Shadow (unbanded) since May 2018. Estimated hatch year: 2014

ℹResident Bald Eagle female: Jackie (unbanded) since September 2016. Estimated hatch year: 2012

🔗Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE

🔗Wide View Cam (Cam 2): https://youtube.com/live/LCGYWfbyBWc

🔴LIVE Recap & Observations https://bit.ly/3Md8TSz

Jackie With and Without Fishing Line 🎣 With Shadow and Wonky Stick (2025 Dec 26-27)
Jackie arrived on December 26th with a long bit of fishing stuck to her beak. She stayed at the nest a short time, flying off with the line still attached.  We were relieved to see her arrive the next morning without the fishing fine, but with a beautiful, big wonky stick. Shadow joined later to celebrate and we all breathed a sigh of relief. 
Video: https://youtu.be/qscEDVaWNwM

Jackie & Shadow Bicker, Beaky Kiss & Bump During Big Nestorations (2025 Dec 26)

Jackie and Shadow spent just over an hour bringing a wide variety of branches to build up rails and begin forming an egg cup in anticipation of nesting season. Along the way, they entertained us with bickering, beaky kissing, and bumping each other to and fro.
Video: https://youtu.be/cn4LWsO8YQU

San Jose CH Falcons: Hartley & Monty Stop By to Deliver Holiday Greetings ❄️ (2025 Dec 25)

Hartley and Monty stopped by for some pair-bonding after opening and devouring their Christmas gifts.

Video: https://youtu.be/pXDnrxiFGQE

Courtesy San Jose City Hall Peregrine Falcon Cam

AEF-NEFL Eagles: Gabby and Beau Have Long Conversation Before Changeover (2025 Dec 23)

Gabby and Beau may have been discussing the fact that pip watch for NE32 and NE33 is just 2-3 days away. They talked for quite some time before Gabby relieved Beau of incubation duty. The chortling and chirping was music to our ears. 
Video: https://youtu.be/2UAbkrjUyp8
Courtesy American Eagle Foundation/NEFL Eagle CamOps


FalconCam Project GIRRI RETURNS TO TOWER! 2025 Dec 23
Girri shows off her strength and flying skills as she returns to the top of the tower to meet up with her parents. She fledged just 5 days ago. Great job, Girri! (2025 Dec 23)
Video: https://youtu.be/2Yvnm67rL2A
Courtesy FalconCam Project, Charles Sturt University NSW (http://www.csu.edu.au/special/falconcam/)

Box Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv2RtoIMNzA

Ledge Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuZaWzhXSAI

Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KCFRoO6URs

Tower Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQxrTGgNu4M

We’re on HATCH WATCH at NE Florida for Beau and Gabby and it is raining Monday night. The AEF confirmed a pip in the afternoon around 3pm.

Gabby is restless.

There will be a little one tomorrow.

We have a hatch at Hilton Head.

Everyone else is doing fine.

My news is that my husband is in the ICU waiting for a bed in the hospital so that he can be fully treated. I do not know what the future holds but he is calm and knows me, and there is nothing nicer than lying next to him cuddling. Thank you for all your positive wishes – that beautiful energy sent from around the world is precious and is helping us I am certain.

Please take care of yourselves. I will check in tomorrow briefly.

Thank you to SK Hideaways for their great videos, to the owners of the streaming cams, and to those who post news on FB. My blog would be nothing without your input.

Wishing everyone a wonderful 2026

29 December 2025

My dear friends in Bird World,

I cannot thank you enough for your best wishes. It isn’t easy to express how much your kindness and letters of support mean to me. I am as fine as fine can be under the circumstances. I slept for the first time last night. Nellie is going home on Tuesday and after she leaves I hope to begin processing all that has transpired over the past few weeks over hot mugs of tea. you will undoubtedly know that the British drink tea for everything – when I lived there any celebration or any issues were solved over a cuppa’.

Don is in the hospital, where he is safe, secure, and comfortable. He is currently in the ICU unit – urgent care. There is something significantly wrong with his bladder that is causing toxins to remain in his body. Those toxins could have caused the behaviour he was exhibiting. They are working on finding a solution to this problem. He will be moved ‘upstairs’ to the LAU Unit, where he will have an entire team looking after him – geriatric psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, home care workers, etc. Once he has been thoroughly evaluated and stabilised, they will work to find a safe and secure place for him to live. His condition has deteriorated rapidly, and my gut tells me that he will need to live where he can have 24/7 care and be in a secure unit where he cannot wander and get lost. Dementia is a terrible disease. Lewy Body Dementia is even worse with its horrific hallucinations. I am grateful to everyone who has helped and continues to support Don and me, and to our friends and family who have stepped up to take turns visiting him. Jaine came with her beautiful, smiling face and a bag of her favourite homemade chocolate-chip cookies. Their help and support are giving me the time and space to begin processing how our lives are changing.

I am also so happy that I have The Girls and Toby as well as Brock and the outside animals and birds – they get me out of bed to feed and clean after them which is extremely helpful. The problem is that it is too easy to cover one’s head with a duvet and shut out everything. I am responsible for their lives and I need to be strong for Don so that the team and I can make the best decisions for him that we can. He deserves that. He still knows me and I melt when his face lights up and he wants a kiss and a hug.

As we get to the beginning of 2026, I would love to hear from you on what your highlights of the 2025 season were. Please feel free to send them to me via e-mail or post them in the comments. I will put them in the blog on the 2nd of January. So please take part. I would love to hear from you. Let’s jog everyone’s memory about the wonderful things that happened this past year.

So thank you, and now, let’s get on with a look at a few nests! I hope to have a small daily report…I had thought a break might be good but I find, like you, that the birds bring much solace.

There is a pip at the Hilton Head Bald Eagle nest.

We are on pip watch for Gabby and Beau at NE Florida, and this baby just can’t come fast enough for me.

At SW Florida, E26 is getting a sweet little tail and some thermal down. M15 and F23 have been providing all manner of prey items – one, a RK cat – was removed. Thank goodness.

CE14 is one of the cutest little eaglets. Growing fast on the Captiva nest of Clive and Connie. Looks like another ‘only’.

Looks like Ron and Rose’s little eaglets are hoping for a bedtime snack!

Only nest so far with more than one hatch save for Superbeaks that had three eaglets with Froto passing. Let’s see how the others do.

We had hoped for the drama at the West End nest of Akecheta to stop. We had hoped that Haku and Akecheta could live in peace and raise an eaglet family. At the time I am writing this, Haku has been missing for a day with another female eaglet hanging around the nest. I hope that this is just a ‘silly something’ and life will return to normal there.

Or is it Haku? I cannot be certain. Akecheta seems perfectly at home sitting on Tor with this bird.

Gigi and Pat have been seen mating near the ND-LEEF nest in South Bend, Indiana.

I would love to see some ospreys on the Captiva Osprey nest, wouldn’t you?

Olivera and Hoots. Incubation of their two GHO eggs. Gosh, they are cute but I sure do not like them around the eagle and osprey nests!

I wonder how many trees had to be cut down just to make Christmas wrapping paper and napkins? Best to purchase gift bags and not write on them so they can be used over and over again!

Do you use Merlin Bird ID? Here is an article in The Guardian that you might find interesting.

‘It brings you closer to the natural world’: the rise of the Merlin birdsong identifying apphttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/dec/27/merlin-ai-assisted-birdsong-identifying-app-bird-species?CMP=share_btn_url

Toby waiting for his walk with Ellen and Nellie. After Tuesday it will Toby and me hitting the snow!

Toby giving Nellie a good night kiss.

Thank you so much for being with us today. We hope your holidays were bright and that the new year is kind to each of you.

Thank you so very much to The Guardian for its wildlife articles, the owners of the streaming cams, and the authors of FB posts that helped me to write my blog this evening.

Life can throw lemons and limes…

26 December 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

I want to thank you again for all your wonderful letters of support. Dementia has touched so many lives. Anyone living with a partner or parent knows that, like those sad events in Bird World, we do not anticipate the tragedies that will befall us.

As I last wrote, my husband’s Lewy Body Dementia had, for an unknown reason, taken a sudden turn for the worse. Today I sadly had to have him removed from the home and taken to a hospital for an evaluation – he had become increasingly violent. While he is there, I have to find him a place to live. This is not easy as it is still the holidays and public spaces are full. Thankfully, my entire neighbourhood, our joint friends, and our daughter Jaine are helping me. I am so grateful for their love and help.

I had hoped, as you know, that Ann and I would be able to curtail any issues and he could remain at home til the end of either his life or mine. It has been the most devastating day of my life, and I say that having had to bury my youngest son after he died from a car accident.

Because of these difficulties, I also do not know when I will be able to report back on our birds. I am hoping that Gabby and Beau will have a wee one to cheer me up soon! Pip watch for our NE Florida couple begins tomorrow.

SE26 is doing well. Rain began there and it appears SE27 will not hatch. I can see only one eaglet for Captiva so far and at Dade County the bonking had slowed for a bit. Fingers crossed for them. The parents are good providers although the presence of Coot on a nest – or any waterfowl – gives me unease due to Avian Flu.

SE26. Strong little eaglet.

Girri is also doing well. Screaming at the adults for prey. How fortunate we are to see this strong fledgling out of Diamond’s scrape.

Please keep us in your warm thoughts, and if you are prone to pray, then please say a prayer for us. It is a very difficult time. Thank you.

Day 24 Welcome to Winter

24 December 2025

Good Morning,

Just look!

For those who celebrate Christmas, we hope that you and your family have a wonderful time together, sharing much joy, many good laughs, and making new memories. For those that don’t, we hope that your day is also full of good companionship, a walk in nature, and a hearty laugh about anything. Laughing can truly heal what ails us.

Nellie and Toby have settled into a really nice routine. Nellie sleeps at night and both enjoy their walks with Ellen. I am grateful to the enclosed garden so that both can go out and play in the snow without fearing they will go out and get lost.

In her holiday message, UK ceramic artist, Midori Tanaki, whom I met at the London Ceramics Fair in 2018, writes: “This year I have taken four months off. It has been the longest break since I started doing ceramics. I was worried if I would get bored, but I didn’t. I spent months cooking, preserving the harvest, walking and seeing people. I felt alive and relaxed. I don’t think I have really relaxed since I have started ceramics. I would like to take my life back now before it is too late. I am planning to take a four month break, again, in 2026. It is my way to rebalance my life and work, and to see what will await ahead.”

Tanaki is not the only individual writing about slowing down. Not only have I been bugging all of you to slow down, almost every blog that I have read, written by women, this past six months has talked about this need – to disconnect from social media and to reconnect with people and nature.

Australia was bold in restricting social media to those over 16. While you might think that terribly cruel, my granddaughter reports, as do the Australian papers, that people are actually doing things together. They no longer sit with their heads down at the table or on the beach, but instead spend time with others in good conversation and shared activities. Maybe it is time we all did this! I am so serious.

After having a glowing month, Don’s behaviour deteriorated slightly last week over the course of three days and today, the hallucinations that accompany Lewy body Dementia were very concerning. His medications have been changed. Please join me in hoping that they help calm his mind.

In this spirit of slowing down and feeling the need to spend some time with Don as he adjusts, I am going to take a three-day break from the blog – the 25th thru the 27th. Ellen will not be here to take the dogs for their walk, so it’s up to me to give them the much-needed exercise. It will be good for me, too!

In the meantime, let’s check on the nests with chicks and look in on Gabby and Beau who are next in line for hatch other than nests waiting for their second hatch, according to my calculations.

No pip in the 39 day old second egg at SW Florida. E26 is strong and is eating well.

CE14 is doing well at Captiva. It looks like there could a pip in that second egg.

Two beautiful bobbleheads being fed well at Dade County home to Ron and Rose.

Owlvira and Hoots are live in California. Here is the link to their cam: https://www.youtube.com/live/_ggfjm4ffpI?

Hoots delivering prey.

Thank you for being with us today. I will see you again in a few days. Sending you wishes for a wonderful holiday – no matter which you or celebrating or maybe you aren’t. Take care everyone.

Thank you to the owners of the streaming cams where I took my screen captures and to SK Hideaways for the post about Girri. We are so grateful that you allow us into the lives of these amazing birds.

Day 23 Welcome to Winter…Eggs at John Bunker Sands, Hatch at Captiva

23 December 2025

Hello Everyone!

Good Morning.

-17 C and overcast. No sun in sight.

It was a great night. Our visiting canine, Nellie, settled in and slept through the night – and so did the rest of us! We woke up refreshed. Toby and Nellie headed out with Ellen at 0930 while ‘The Girls’ had their breakfast in peace. When the dogs got home, Don and I looked at the four sad bananas on the counter and set about to make banana bread. It was a great start to the morning.

Hugo Yugo and Toby were holding hands last evening. I can’t get enough of this puppy and sweet kitty. They have to either be touching or near to one another.

Oh, these animals just lift my spirits.

There are two eggs at the John Bunker Sands Wetlands Bald Eagle nest in Texas! That one flew right by me I was so intent on finding out about Girri. Congratulations.

That egg cup is deep!

SK Hideaway’s video of Girri’s return: https://youtu.be/2Yvnm67rL2A?

More videos of Girri reaching the tower. This one from Falcon Cam Project. https://youtu.be/0IIRQz6eImM?

Let’s hope we see more of Girri’s strong flying. It gives me hope that this fledgling of Diamond’s will survive!!!!!!!! She is one heck of a flyer.

Our friend ‘A’ is checking on Angel, the Leucistic Hawk, and her mate Tom and found an update from Connor at Window to Wildlife: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHDDXUkIKio

Connie and Clive have a hatch at the Captiva Eagle cam. CE14 looks strong and alert.

E26 appears to be lucky (in some ways). No indication of a pip in E27’s egg. This is day 38 for that egg. Yes, it is still within the time frame for hatching. Would I want it to? Well, I wouldn’t. Many will. E26 is strong, healthy, and eating well. A lack of a sibling means no bonking – that has already started at Dade County in force with the Rs.

Gabby and Beau continue incubation at NE Florida. I am getting excited for their first pip next week.

Jackie and Shadow are visiting the Big Bear Valley Bald Eagle nest! They were there Tuesday!

Ron and Rose have a nest full of food for C10 and C11. There are still a few bites of Coot and a whole lot of fish ready and waiting.

If you missed Ventana Wildlife’s December chat, here is the link to find out what is going on with the California condors: https://www.youtube.com/live/_FO6WuxmL08?

The post today is quick and sweet. We hope you are not caught up in the rat race of the build-up to the final days of the holidays. Take care. We will see you tomorrow.

Thank you to the owners of the streaming cams where I took my screen captures, to SK Hideaways for their video, to ‘A’ for alerting me to Connor’s Window to Wildlife update! This blog would not be the same without you and without all those amazing members of Bird World!

Day 22 Welcome to Winter…Girri flying strong…KNF E3 has an egg!

23 December 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

Calm has settled in with the dogs and cats. Nellie tested me to see if I would feed her continually or provide endless treats or allow her to stay outside in the snow longer than her arthritic back legs could bear. ‘No’. Nellie is a quick learner. Toby and Nellie are waiting or Ellen to show up at 1500 for their walk – a treat for me for the holidays is a dog walker for the entire period coming twice a day. Oh, it is so nice.

I didn’t know all of those things that dog owners know until we got Toby. Of course, Hugo Yugo still sleeps in the crook of my arm at night while Toby is wrapped around me or on the other pillow. Calico still gets extra attention and brushings along with Missey who spends the late evening with Don and a brush. Baby Hope waits for me at night to sneak her some treats. I love my girls — and I love this little guy.

There is a new couple at the Kistachie National Forest E3 nest. On Monday, the first egg of their season arrived. Congratulations. For those of you who don’t know, this was the nest of Alex and Andria – a beloved couple. It is now the home of Alex II and Andria III. Congratulations to everyone down in Louisiana!

Monday evening, when we go to bed, Clive and Connie will have their first eaglet to care for! How exciting. They are incredible parents.

This means this morning there will be a fluffy bobblehead and maybe another on the way at Captiva.

Coot has been on the menu for R9 and R10 at Dade County nest of Ron and Rose. Aren’t they cute?!

E26 is a cutie pie. Their menu was fish and/or roadkill. It doesn’t look like that second egg is going to hatch (of course, I could get a surprise). This is day 38 for that second egg.

We are on day 30 today for Beau and Gabby’s first egg at the NE Florida Bald Eagle nest. So, it looks like we could have a baby there by next Monday! Are you getting excited?

Girri has been seen on the top of the tower with Diamond and Gimbir! This is the time from the chat moderator: “@donnadec2606​​23 DEC TOWER 3 on the roof ; 06.43.43; FLIGHTS 09.26.07+; BOX 06.44.06 screaming Girri flies by; LEDGE 07.00.33 kangaroo hops away; 09.26.14 Girri hovers by ledge.” Holly Parsons caught Gimbir on the ledge and Girri flying by – mid area at the right!

This is nothing short of marvellous news. I do not remember, in recent years, any of the fledglings flying so strongly – please feel free to correct me!

SK Hideaways has Girri flying on video! https://youtu.be/2Yvnm67rL2A?

A story from The Guardian that should put a smile on your face!

‘Miracle’ of Zealandia: chick is born to rare takahē pair thought to be infertile https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/dec/21/takahe-chick-rare-born-new-zealand?CMP=share_btn_url

Thank you so much for being with us. I am going to send this out this evening because of the news of Girri. See you late Tuesday or Wednesday morning! Take care.

Thank you to the owners of the streaming cams where I took my screen captures, to SK Hideaways for that great video of Girri, and to The Guardian for always covering the environment and wildlife.