Tag Archives: raptors

Day 20. Welcome to Winter

21 December 2025

Happy Winter Solstice!

It might be the shortest day, but it also harks back to the days when they were not longer. It is a welcome day in our house because it has been getting dark by 1630.

So what is Winter Solstice? This is what Google said: “Winter solstice rituals focus on welcoming the return of light after the longest night, often involving candle lighting, feasting, creating altars with natural elements (evergreens, stones, candles in white/gold/green), and intention setting like writing and burning wishes or fears to release them, reflecting ancient traditions of Yule, Saturnalia, and Dongzhi that celebrate rebirth, renewal, and hope.”

There are so many ways to celebrate the solstice. The Nordic countries do a fantastic job of lighting up their community spaces and their homes, creating a warm glow using candles. I would love to do that with real beeswax candles, but the last time I tried, Missey almost caught her beautiful, fluffy tail on fire. So I decided to do some research, and here are some other ways to celebrate. I particularly like number 6: “6. Connect with nature: 

Spend some time outside, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Take in the beauty of the winter landscape and appreciate the natural world around you. In these darkest days, seeking sunlight on your face becomes even more important. A brief moment in the sun can lift your mood, boost your energy, and remind you of the light slowly returning with each passing day. If you’re near water and feel called to it, cold water swimming can be an invigorating way to connect with nature and your body. Immersing yourself in cold water sharpens your senses, grounds you in the present moment, and leaves you feeling refreshed and alive. Whether it’s standing under the sun, walking through frosty fields, or dipping into icy waters, connecting with nature during the Winter Solstice invites us to align with the Earth’s rhythms and find peace in its beauty.” Oh, I don’t think I am brave enough to take a plunge in our icy rivers but a nice walk with Toby in the park will be perfect.

You may want to join in today.

10 simple and beautiful ways to celebrate Winter SolsticeDownload

Toby’s friend, Nellie, is already to make some holiday memories with him and The Girls.

This is just the best news about Girri. We knew she was a strong girl! And thankfully the weather has been brilliant after her fledge. Please read and smile. (There is older news below).

Girri out and about

Jak and Audacity have been together for eleven years. We have witnessed their triumphs and their struggles. Cried and leapt for joy. SK Hideaways gives us their history. Enjoy. https://youtu.be/jCVVKQNIbfw?

News on Girri on the Falcon Cam chat: “21 DEC BOX 04.38.50 distant call heard; 04.41.52 D out; Gimbir in box 05.51.33, 06.12.22, 06.22.01, 06.31.00, 10.03 44; Girri update: seen by Cilla in roost trees this morning!”

Gimbir is in the scrape. What an amazing first-time dad he was!

There could be a pip in the second egg at the SW Florida nest of M15 and F23. I sure hope this second hatch is strong and feisty.

E26 is doing great!

Protecting Mum and the nest. M15 is one of those great Bald Eagle dads!

NestFlix Memories gives us some insight into little R9 and Mummy Rose moving the fish to give it some room! https://youtu.be/dyxhLia-f6c?

There is a pip. R10 is wanting to hatch!

Feeding at Dade this morning:

Missing Big Red and Arthur and those cute little Red-tailed hawklets? Well, here is a video of the season’s highlights for you to enjoy. https://youtu.be/0PY02IzVD48?

Have a glorious day everyone! We will see you tomorrow after all the drama of Nellie’s arrival has settled. It is -28 C. Whew. So cold you don’t feel it. Bye.

Thank you so much to Cilla Kinross for her report on Girri and those lovely photos, the owners of the streaming cams, Gracie Shepherd for her FB posts, and SK Hideaways, always, for their videos!

Day 19. Welcome to Winter. R9 hatched…Froto passed

20 December 2025

Good Afternoon Everyone,

Oh, my goodness. I have not seen so much snow in so long. Our weather was so lovely for so long – well into late, late November. Everyone believed we would be clobbered by snow, and we certainly have!

It’s Saturday. Tomorrow, Nellie arrives, and she will be with us for thirteen days. Nellie is a Retriever – a huge White British Retriever. Toby adores her, and they both like the snow, so the pair of them should have some superb romps in the garden.

We have all of our provisions in thanks to Ann who came in the middle of a heavy snowfall to be with Don and Toby. There is enough pet food for several months and surely there will be something in the larder – maybe not fresh fruit – but something for the humans in the house should the weather set in and not go away.

Many have asked what we are doing for the holidays. ‘Nothing’. I am not a grinch – I love and have loved sharing the holidays with friends and family for many decades. I am now ready to put the skids on and enjoy some quiet. We will enjoy the animals. I am not going to cook a big dinner – perhaps a small one with a pavlova for dessert or a Haskap Chocolate Yule Log from the Farmer’s Kitchen. There are only two of us who will be there! Although I suspect it depends on the offerings, as Toby and Nellie might have their noses right up at that table. My idea of a holiday, this year, is relaxing – we have done the big dinners, the fuss and muss and the fun and laughter. This year, I would like to sit under the duvet by the fire with a good book, watching the animals, a mug of hot chocolate in hand.

Indeed, I urge each of us to make our lives simpler and less stressful. Simple gifts, shared meals so that not one person has to do all the work, breathing and relaxing, walks and quiet times and, of course, watching the birds.

Rose and Ron’s first hatch, R9, has arrived at 37.8 days, at the Dade County nest in Florida. Egg 2 is 35 days old. What an incredibly beautiful sight – Ron and Rose looking at their new baby! The little one was first seen around 0813.

There is sadness at the Central Florida Superbeaks nest of Pepe and Muhlady as chick number 2, Froto, has died at 10 days old. It is thought that he got caught in the rails when one of the adults went to ward off an owl (both left the nest).

E26 is doing very well. Cute and already strong and eager to eat!

It appears that the part of E26’s egg that was attached to E27 is now off. No pip yet. Happy to have one healthy eaglet, too.

Country Diary is all about Brent Geese flying over the Isle of White.

Country diary: Postcard from a pier, where brent geese are the main attraction | Lev Parikianhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/dec/19/country-diary-postcard-from-a-pier-where-brent-geese-are-the-main-attraction?CMP=share_btn_url

During the storm.

Brock came to the feeder around 2000 Friday night after the blizzard had calmed down. He does not mind the woven basket around his heated food tray, but he dislikes one of those plastic bins. Did someone try to trap him with one of them?

I do worry about Brock, but he has no frozen ears, and it has been really cold. His bolt hole must be warm.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. We will see you again tomorrow! Today is Nellie proofing the house!

Thank you to the owners of the streaming cams, the authors of the FB posts, and The Guardian for covering the environment.

Day 18. Welcome to Winter. E26 is a strong eaglet.

19 December 2025

Good Afternoon Everyone,

Oh, my goodness, what a day it has been. I have made a couple of videos for you. Still, you do not get the intensity of the heavy wet snow blowing down. We have had more than 20 cm of snow in our garden in only two hours!

Ann braved the storm, which let me shop in the neighbourhood, stocking up on cat and dog food, along with any provisions we were missing. We can now stay put for up to a fortnight without having to leave the house – perhaps longer! Mind you. Toby loves the snow. He doesn’t care if it covers him from top to bottom. He jumps and, living up to his sporting pedigree as a duck hunting dog, often likes to pester the small birds.

SW Florida did beat Dade County to hatch, but R9 is now working its way out of that shell. This is perfect timing, as it lets us watch both of them and cheer those little ones on as they clamour to step into the world of eagles.

Oh, what a sweetie. And strong. This will be a formidable big sister for that second hatch (probably).

That little eaglet was ravenous!

You will notice that part of E26’s shell has attached itself to E27’s shell. Don’t concern yourself. The little one should be working itself out of the other end and as F23 and M15 roll that egg, the old shell could easily come off.

Proud parents M15 and F23.

I really hope you can open this. Girri has been seen and she was caught on camera flying very strongly. I am including that FB post and I urge you to visit the Orange, Australia Peregrine Falcons FB page for the latest news.

Cilla Kinross’s latest blog is located here with all the news about Girri and a video:

https://falconcam.csu.edu.au/2025/12/18/and-shes-off-2/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOymP1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeu4NmShlCMPYMAZH4VmFqJZ3mi4MhtTfify_gaNnGHIVraBcjdOqV97ogRxc_aem_SerBcOW7qxqLYqUDTvqA9w

In case you cannot open the link, Cilla notes that the fledge was a very strong one. Then she says, “I had a couple of visitors from Melbourne today and so we went and had a look for her. We found her by chance on the ground with some magpies in the woodland directly in front of the ledge cam, so she had moved a fair way from her original landing place.

Unfortunately, we disturbed her and she took off, flying close to the ground towards the road. We checked that she hadn’t gone across the road and into the open paddock (she hadn’t) and had a bit of a look around, but didn’t want to disturb her again as it is very hot today (32 C), so it’s best she rests in the shade until this evening.

She’ll now start learning to fly and may return to the box within a few days or a week or two. Barring accidents (they do happen from time to time) she should be with us for a couple of months and I will try and get some photos of her in the field.”

That brings you up to date on the latest ‘big’ news in Bird World.

Please take care. We look forward to having you with us again tomorrow!

Thank you so much to Cilla Kinross for her informative post, to the owners of the streaming cams I am so grateful as you allow us into the lives of our wonderful birds. I also want to thank those individuals who have posted on FB the latest news and photos. My blog would not be the same without you.

E26 is here!

18 December 2025

The wait is now over. E26 is officially named and hatched. What a marvellous, strong little eaglet! This one is going to keep M15 and F23 busy.

M15 brought a fish for 23 and they shared it.

Thank you to the Pritchett family for their streaming cam so that we can join in the fun and love of this fantastic eagle family.

Day 17 Welcome to Winter Larger pip at SW Florida

18 December 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

The calm before the storm on Wednesday night. It is nearing 2000 and the blizzard that is to hit us is slowly beginning. Brock was outside eating, and I hope he filled up and will tuck himself in for the duration, wherever his bolt hole is. His heated mat is to arrive on Sunday, but with the weather, it and all other deliveries in the Canadian prairies could be disrupted. I really want to see if he will spend some time in that large dog kennel with the heated mat.

The lights on Melvin’s tree. The wind is calm but it will get up to 90 kph.

We will sleep nicely and wake up to find out what happened!

Do you know these oranges? The Satsumas. They differ from the easy-peel. A totally different shape with a thick, loose skin and the most delicious taste. They were initially only grown in Japan. Now, an area in California also grows them, as do other regions of the Pacific Northwest and Florida. When I was a little girl, we dreamed of having a big Navel Orange in our holiday stockings. Now I only dream of these!

About every three or four months I check to see ‘who is reading Bird World’. For a long time, the top two countries were the United States and the United Kingdom. Not so anymore. All the People’s Republic of China needs is 50 more viewers, and they will top the list!

Some of you will know that I spent several weeks each year teaching in China, outside Beijing. I have also travelled extensively along the Silk Road, from one end to the other. I love the people, the country, the art, particularly the ceramics and lacquer, and the food – most especially that from the North!

I hope to learn more about the raptors in Asia and to share that with all of you so please send links!

The big news is the perfect fledging of Girri. My goodness, that was one strong female falcon! I wondered if she saw either Gimbir or Diamond, or both, as she flew out because she was vocalising so loudly. Yesterday I identified the adult that brought the Galah in as Gimbir. Cilla Kinross says it was Diamond – so apologies. I am corrected.

The other news is that there is a pip at SW Florida.

That pip was getting bigger Thursday morning. Look close. F23 is very restless. She knows that baby is coming! You can see the beak. It won’t be long now.

For those new to my blog and new to watching Bald Eaglets develop, here is what you should expect to happen:

The baby eaglets will grow very, very quickly. From tiny helpless bobbleheads with fish and prey droppings all over their face to adult size in 10-14 weeks. You can almost see them grow right before your eyes and if you blink, they will have fledged!

The eaglets hatch with their eyes open (unlike peregrine falcons). They have some down but cannot regulate their body heat. They are entirely reliant on their parents (unlike ducklings). That white down will change to a woolly grey down, like thermal underwear, and they can then regulate their body heat. Pinfeathers will then begin to emerge on their back and on the wings. They will learn to feed themselves and perform wing exercises by hopping around the nest. Then they will branch – they will hop to a nearby tree branch before their first flight, which will take place anytime between 10 and 14 weeks. Fledglings should return to the nest and remain with their parents for approximately a month, during which they learn to hunt.

For a detailed discussion and images, there is nothing better than the Elfruler website. Please see: https://www.elfruler.com/?page_id=1610

We are also keeping an eye on Dade County. Heidi noted in the chat, “​​1st eggs for Rose: R4 pipped at just under 36 days, R7 pipped at 37.75 days. R6 was deemed to be egg #2 of that clutch.” “Egg #1 is ~ 35days +20.5 hrs”

The blizzard came in a flurry overnight. The wind was so bad that the snow piled up in the strangest of places. Brock’s feeding area was completely covered with snow, up to the conservatory windows. The walkways are clear! It is still blowing, and some people do not have power. We are just fine.

I always worry about Brock because I do not know for 100% where he sleeps. Can he get out? Did the snow block him in? His food is waiting for him.

We have the second egg for Louis II and Anna II at KNF-E1 nest in Louisiana on Wednesday.

New Window to Wildlife streaming cam: Winter Park, Florida. Mum has only one eye. There are two eggs laid on the 4th and 7th of December. Check them out.

Boy, that looks like another deep nest bowl.

In Tuesdays Winter blog, I posted an article by Raptor Persecution UK about the suspicious killing of satellite tagged White-tail Eagles. The Police are now investigating. Will they discover the killers? Will the courts actually provide penalties that will stop the killing of innocent raptors in various parts of the UK?

“The RSPB is offering a £10,000 reward for information leading to a conviction. Dr James Robinson, RSPB chief operating officer, said: “The RSPB is shocked with this news, so much so that we are offering an overall reward of £10,000 for information that leads to a conviction in these cases. Eagle tag-data is so precise that the point of death and any subsequent movement of the tag will be known to investigators, so we urge the public to come forward with information. Raptor persecution has no place in modern society, let alone threatening such an important UK government-backed reintroduction scheme like this.”

Police investigate after white-tailed eagles go missing across UKhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/dec/17/police-investigate-after-white-tailed-eagles-go-missing-across-uk?CMP=share_btn_url

More information has come in about the Scottish WTE.

More detail on the ‘missing’ White-tailed Eagle in south Scotland – Raptor Persecution UKDownload

Haku and Akecheta were on the nest together Thursday morning. Several mating attempts yesterday but nothing positive yet.

Activity at Decorah North. They have a winter wonderland, too.

Waking up to the morning at Trempealeau.

Gorgeous day at US Steel.

Boone and Jolene are busy at Johnson City ETSU.

Crows at Achieva. Maybe it should be a Crow nest – not fit for Ospreys.

Is the weather strange where you live? Are the birds mixed up? They sure are here! And in the UK as this article from The Guardian reports.

Is chorus of winter birdsong a herald of spring – or warning of climate crisis?https://www.theguardian.com/news/2025/dec/18/is-chorus-of-winter-birdsong-a-herald-of-spring-or-warning-of-climate-crisis?CMP=share_btn_url

We are beginning to slow down. The blizzard reminds you how nice it is to not go out in the crowds. Nellie arrives on Sunday! It is hard to believe that for those celebrating Christmas we are now one week away. I hope that you are having fun preparing and that you have heeded the call not to go out and buy and buy. Find something special you can do for someone – they will remember that generous gift of your time forever.

Take care everyone. We will see you again tomorrow. Just think. There will be a baby eaglet for M15 and 23. I cannot wait.

Thank you to Heidi for her great data collection, the owners of the streaming cams, Raptor Persecution UK, Elfruler, and The Guardian.

Girri fledges!

17 December 2025

Oh, that beautiful strong female – the first daughter for Gimbir and Diamond – has taken her first flight.

Time: 08:46:19.

Diamond came in with prey four minutes later but no Girri. Diamond left.

Then Gimbir came in with Galah. Hey – where is she?!!!!!!!

Congratulations. I hope the weather is wonderful and we get word of Girri soon.

Thank you to Charles Sturt University and Cilla Kinross for the privilege of watching this amazing peregrine falcon family in Orange, Australia.

Day 16 Welcome to Winter…Pip at SW Florida!

17 December 2025

Hello Everyone. Good Morning!

Tuesday was a wonderful day to go to the zoo. While Don was walking and soaking in the fresh air, Toby and I were walking in the neighbourhood. Toby got soaked. The 4 °C temperatures melted the snow, creating lots of fun puddles. When we got home, I quickly warmed a couple of towels in the dryer and rubbed and rubbed, hoping Toby wouldn’t catch a cold. Almost as soon as we got in, it began to rain, and snow, and the wind picked up. Now they are saying a significant winter storm will hit us on Thursday. This year, the forecasts have been pretty accurate – a considerable change from past years. It lets us plan so we don’t have to go out for provisions at the last minute.

And here it is, Wednesday afternoon, with freezing rain, and, of course, a massive blizzard coming within the hour. We might get 20 cm of snow with up to 90 kph winds. It isn’t going to be much fun.

So many of you have asked what we are doing for Christmas. This year is a considerable change. First, I am NOT cooking. Our son is coming from the West Indies next summer and we will see our daughter and family after the holidays.

Over the holidays, we are babysitting my best friend’s huge dog, Nellie. I often say that Nellie is the size of a small Shetland pony. Toby adores her. They have been best friends since Toby came to us at 8 weeks old. It is hard to believe he was so tiny, and today, he is long and tall and is nearing the average weight of Miles & Mia’s puppies – 25 lbs! That is big for a Cavalier.

This is Toby wrapped in his favourite blanket after our long walk.

Toby’s friend, Nellie, who will be staying with us for Christmas.

Ellen will walk Toby and Nellie twice every day except for the 24th, the 25th, and the 26th. I have a very secure back garden and the two of them will be able to romp and play.

I have not decorated the house except for the Eucalyptus garlands over the French doors and the front door. Oh, there is a wreath on the exterior doors, front and back. Why? Toby eats anything in sight. The Girls won’t leave the ornaments on the tree and many have polyester stuffing – that would send a ravenous dog to the vet for surgery! We will have our usual roast chicken and, of course, one chicken will be roasted plain and shared with all the animals. The birds and squirrels as well as Brock will get special treats – and believe me, that will make my heart festive. I hope they enjoy the baskets we prepare for them.

‘L’ has reminded me of something that I have seen briefly. (I do not watch the news. I find it just too overwhelming.) This is the Barred Owl cull.

I asked Google and this was the response, “The barred owl cull is a controversial U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) plan to lethally remove hundreds of thousands of invasive barred owls in the Pacific Northwest to protect the endangered spotted owl, which they outcompete for food and territory.This strategy, approved for implementation starting in 2025, involves sharpshooters removing barred owls in designated zones to allow spotted owl populations to stabilize, though it faces ethical and practical opposition.” 

This is from The Guardian:

Senate declines to halt plan to kill off half-million barred owls by Fish and Wildlife Service | USDownload

Some of the story in The Guardian reads: “The US Senate rejected an effort on Wednesday to halt a contentious US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) plan to kill nearly half a million barred owls in order to save their cousin, the northern spotted owl.

John Kennedy, the Republican senator from Louisiana, had hoped to block the proposal by bringing the matter to a vote with a joint resolution under the Congressional Review Act. The effort failed with 25 votes to 72 votes.

“The barred owls are not hurting anybody. They’re just doing what nature teaches them to do. We’re going to change nature?” Kennedy said in a speech before the Senate. “We’re going to control our environment to this extent? We’re going to pass DEI for owls?”

Two owls, one brown and one white, sit on a branch

Barred owls have been expanding their habitat west, increasing competition for the spotted owl. The more aggressive barred owls come from eastern North America and are slightly larger and better able to adapt than the spotted owl. The spotted owl has been imperiled over the years, facing major habitat loss as logging and development destroyed old growth forests in the Pacific north-west.

The USFWS introduced the controversial plan to cull as many as 450,000 of the raptors in designated areas in the Pacific north-west during Joe Biden’s administration, arguing that barred owls pose a “significant threat” to the survival of the spotted owl. Under that management strategy, two trained individuals must positively identify barred owls and “removal specialists” will shoot the animals.”

Please learn more about these measures, and if you feel inclined, write to your political representatives, even if you think there is no hope. While I support intervention when our raptors need help, I do not support human intervention in managing species numbers. I find all of this quite disgusting, and it just underscores so many issues that are being mismanaged.

Raptor Persecution UK is reporting that three White-tail Eagles with satellite tags on them have disappeared in very suspicious circumstances in the UK.

Three satellite-tagged White-tailed Eagles disappear in suspicious circumstances in England, Wales &Download

The news of the day is that M15 and F23 have a pip in one of their eggs. I am over the moon eggcited.

It is day 35 for Ron and Rose’s first egg at Dade County. It looks like SW Florida might be the Winner.

Girri is still with us. Just. It feels like she is going to go today. She is a big strong falcon looking at the world that she will own. What a great joy to see a strong female chick hatch at this scrape.

Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. See you tomorrow!

Thank you to the authors of the FB posts, the owners of the streaming cams, and The Guardian. I am extremely grateful for the investigative work of Raptor Persecution UK. Bird World would not be the same without you!

Day 15 Welcome to Winter

16 Decembert 2025

Hello Everyone,

I cannot tell you what a strange day it is. It is now +4 degrees C. The snow and ice are melting. The sky is heavy with cloud, and the wind is beginning to pick up. The forecast calls for a change within four hours: cold, very windy conditions and snow. Ann has taken Don to the zoo. Toby and I have been out for a good, long walk, as the rest of the week’s weather is questionable. It feels dark and dreary, and that wet cold, when things are melting, is not so nice. Toby enjoyed all of the puddles but was glad to get home to a warm towel and be dried off!

At the feeders this morning.

Mrs Junior

One of the 31 Starlings was checking to make sure there was dog and/or cat kibble in the feeder—female house sparrow in the back.

Male House Sparrow

If you missed it, juvenile eagles visited the nest of Jackie and Shadow. Everyone wants them to be Sunny and Gizmo! We know where this nest tree is located and how difficult, if not impossible, to get there to band the eaglets but gosh, it sure would be a confirmation if they had Darvic rings.

Thanks, SK Hideaways.

“here’s the video from last nights visit by 2 juvies to J&S’s nest tree. Oh my, the eaglesphere is certainly all a flutter about it! 

FOBBVCAM 🦅Two Juvie Eagles Visit Nest Tree🌲Jackie & Shadow Let Them Be ☮️ Could it be⁉️ 2025 Dec 15
https://youtu.be/F6R4BuHTTOc

Gracie Shepherd asked the question: Whose eggs will hatch first: M15 and F23 at SW Florida or Ron and Rose at Dade County. I’m for having them hatch at the same moment! But who cares if they are healthy, right?

I keep saying it. Look. This is Girri but you could be easily fooled into thinking it was Diamond. Fledge watch is on – and this gal could fly out that scrape window any second.

Nice Osprey counts coming in from West Africa. Thank you Mary Cheadle, Jean-marie Dupart and all who follow the birds!

Today’s Country Diary focuses on the Snipe – oh, how I love seeing this bird in our wetlands in the summer. Enjoy.

ttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/dec/15/country-diary-i-love-these-soggy-winter-bogs-and-so-do-the-snipe?CMP=share_btn_url

“Greater Painted-snipe (Male) I2 IMG 9477” by J.M.Garg is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Many of Bird World readers are struggling. ‘T’ and ‘J’ have lost someone dear to them in the last few days, and I am aware that several have loved ones in the hospital in critical condition. Our warm thoughts are with all of you at this time.

Please take care. We will see you again tomorrow!

Thank you to SK Hideaways, Jean-marie Dupart for tackling what seems impossible, The Guardian, and the owners of the streaming cams and FB posters for their alerts!

Day 14..Welcome to Winter..continued

15 December 2025

Hello – again!

Girri is a mini-Diamond! Girri is beautiful and she is ready to fly.

SK Hideaways videos for the week of 7 December. Enjoy!

West End Territory ~ Catalina Island, CA

Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies, explore.org
Nest Low Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfuqjSNXZ14
Other Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmmAzrAkKqI
Overlook Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kad6O4nF6bg

Adult Visitor 🫣 Akecheta & Haku Keep Watch 👀Never a Dull Moment (2025 Dec 13)
While Akecheta and Haku took in the ocean view on the far tor, an adult visitor settled in atop the overlook. Everyone stayed put for about 30 minutes, then everyone flew. Soon after, both Akecheta and Haku returned to the far tor, chortling in solidarity. Let’s hope this visitor passes through and that peace is maintained in the territory. 
Video: https://youtu.be/yvfx-rOfqvI

West End🦅Akecheta & Haku Meet on Nest 3x🪹 Beakies Ensue❣️They Retire to Night Perch🪾(2025 Dec 7)
The courtship continues as Akecheta and Haku have more frequent rendezvous at the nest ~ tinkering with nest materials, body bumping, and beaky kissing. On this day they also retired to the night perch, where fans remember Akecheta and Thunder spending many hours together.  While Thunder remains in our hearts, we wish Akecheta well with this new, larger than life young female. 
Video: https://youtu.be/xppqPinDYpY

FalconCam Project
Courtesy FalconCam Project, Charles Sturt University
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=SFAsJvGPd007

Girri Gets Soaked in First Rainstorm ~ Does Falcon Puddle Jumps (2025 Dec 11)
Girri showed her bravery and energy as she faced the wind, rain, and hail from the edge of the nest. She embraced the blustery weather as she flapped and jumped around the nest, getting quite soaked in the process. A good sign for her ability to survive outside the comforts of home.
Video: https://youtu.be/L2x4w5fqW3I

Diamond Feeds BOTH chick Girri AND mate Gimbir Full Meals (2025 Dec 11)
When Diamond arrived with large prey, Girri’s eyes widened at the prospect of a long-awaited big meal. She did get that meal, but then Gimbir arrived and sidled up nearer the food action. Diamond gave him one bite and then another and then another. While Girri had a full crop, she was not enamored of her dad getting in on action. But Diamond continued to feed Gimbir and only Gimbir until he, too, sported a crop. While we have seen mates feed each other a bite or two, we have never seen one mate feed another an entire meal. Girri was perplexed, Gimbir was likely perplexed, and we were certainly perplexed! Only Diamond can answer for her actions… and she’s not talking. (2025 Dec 11)
Video: https://youtu.be/IZwejtugRF0

Redding Bald Eagles: Liberty & Guardian Beak & Bicker Over Branch Management (2025 Dec 8)
An afternoon nestoration session found Liberty and Guardian at cross purposes in placing some troublesome branches. Amongst the disagreements came sweet bonding, chortles, and a fair amount of hilarity. As expected, Liberty had the final word as she and Guardian took their leave for the night. 
Video: https://youtu.be/a_YZBv6zTZo
Courtesy of Friends of the Redding Eagles, Redding, CA
Livestream page: https://www.youtube.com/@FriendsoftheReddingEagles/streams

‘B’ writes that Haku and Akecheta were on the nest today. We all hope there are eaglets and no drama. No more drama.

Here’s our beautiful couple.

We are on pip/hatch watch for SW Florida and for the WRDC nest (Dade County). First eggs are at 33 days. Have a read on what to expect thanks to SPO:

SWFL Eagle Hatch Watch Begins: When Will the Eggs Hatch? – SPODownload

The following article, “Jackie & Shadow vs Juvenile Bald Eagle – Was It Sunny or Gizmo? Dramatic Nest Defense Explained” also in SPO, might be of interest to Jackie and Shadow fans – and who isn’t I ask!

Jackie & Shadow vs Juvenile Bald Eagle – Was It Sunny or Gizmo? Dramatic Nest Defense Explained – SPDownload

I wanted to get those videos off to you. We hope that you are enjoying the beginning of the week. See you tomorrow.

Thank you to SK Hideaways for their great videos, to SPO for their informative short articles good for everyone, and the owners of the streaming cams highlighted in today’s blog.

Day 14 Welcome to Winter. First egg at KNF E-1

15 December 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

Thank you so much for your get-well wishes. I am better. Not great but definitely better.

The forecast promised warmer weather at the beginning of the week, following the Extreme Cold Days. It is currently -12 C, but it will warm to -6. Tomorrow, as promised, Ann and Don are going to the Zoo. I know – the zoo in Winnipeg in the middle of December.

If you are craving something other than winter like I am, the Dyfi Osprey Project has its holiday streaming cam on, and sometimes you can catch a beaver! https://www.youtube.com/live/muGI8NZcvAk?

Reports of Ospreys in The Gambia and Senegal are beginning to trickle in. I wondered about Clywedog’s Seren, Blue 5F, who is always seen on the same tree. Had she been seen? Yes! Seren is Dylan’s mate and a fantastic mum.

Diamond slept on the ledge. Girri was pancaked on the floor of the scrape with her head on the Cilla Stones. Girri is ready to fledge.

Some of you might be squeamish watching the next video. Diamond unzips that huge Galah for Girri and the whole family. I am glad that SK Hideaways caught this moment on video. This is a life lesson for Girri. Galahs are plentiful in this area of Australia and no doubt Girri will catch them and she will need to know how to get through all those feathers to the meat. https://youtu.be/rgCWPyT11No?

We have an egg at the Kistachie E1 nest. As noted on the chat, “​​2nd male to claim the nest since Louis left, 3rd female to claim the nest since Anna became ill.”

Here is the egg revealed.

There was activity at John Bunker Sands Wetlands Monday morning.

There has been a lot of rolling of eggs this morning at the SW Florida Bald Eagle nest. We are preparing for pip for M15 and F23’s eggs. It is Day 33 for egg 1.

It is also Day 33 for Ron and Rose’s first egg at the WRDC nest. It was windy there Monday morning.

It is Day 29 for Clive and Connie’s first egg at the Captiva Bald Eagle nest.

Gabby is hunkered down at NE Florida. Their first egg is 23 days old now.

Toby is heading out with Ellen for his morning walk while I try and get my head around making some Acadian bread. This head cold makes everything ‘tasteless’. I’m hoping that rich molasses/brown sugar aroma will fill the house and along with some soup chase this cold away!

I had a question this morning about cold-weather gear. I have learned that if you can, you get the best and warmest kit you can. If you take care of it, it will last for years, and you will not be sorry. I wear Icebreaker thermal leggings and their thermal long-sleeve tops often under ski pants. I went through several coat companies before settling on Aritzia’s Super Puff (Rainproof long coat). I am so short that I go down to my ankles, and I am marvellous. To add to this, there are the Super Puff Mitts and a Falljraven faux-fur-lined bomber cap. I am toasty warm! It doesn’t matter if it is long walks in the forest or around the neighbourhood walking Toby – this set up works well for me.

Take care everyone. Thank you for being with us. I will try and get some more holiday fun from Toby and HY for you as soon as I can.

Thank you to SK Hideaways for their video and for all the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to look into the lives of our favourite birds!