Tag Archives: rescue

Tragedy and Hatches…quick look on Tuesday

2 June 2026

Hello Everyone,

We finally got a little bit of rain and were thankful, but in London, it was coming down by the bucketful.

But I am going to the leading news.

Snow’s nest – the Traverse City Bald Eagle nest in Michigan – gave way as Snow was being fed. The rescue team is on its way. Last two images.

A bald eagle feeding its chick in a nest made of twigs, with a clear blue water background.
A close-up view of a bald eagle's nest in a tree, overlooking a blue lake in Traverse City, Michigan. The scene is sunny with visible foliage and a shoreline.

The second tragedy is that Scout has died. That is the nest with Sunday where the eaglets were removed to be banded and Scout returned without regard to the conditions. He was denied food and beaten badly by Sunday.

Quite honestly. Someone will criticise me harshly but I am one for intervention. I say it loudly. If people can destroy public buildings, kill innocent people, drill on sacred lands, then someone can switch off a camera and put food on a nest. Make it a test case all the way to the Supreme Court. What is it going to hurt? It might help!!!!!!!! I am so angry for the disregard for the lives of the wildlife that we share this planet with – they don’t leave their trash for us to hurt our children. But we do! Any ideas, folks?

The good news is that there is a hatch at Glacier Gardens.

SK Hideaways has been away watching the flying in San Jose and those four little feisty male chicks of Monty and Hartley!

SK Hideaways Videos, week of 24 May 2026

FOBBVCAM Eagles ~ Big Bear Valley, CA ~ Jackie, Shadow, Sandy, and Luna
Courtesy FOBBVCAM | Friends of Big Bear Valley
Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE
Wide View Cam (Cam 2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41eq4VzCYc4
Live Recap & Observations https://bit.ly/3Md8TSz

Jackie Tries to Brood Her Big Eaglets as Wind Rocks Nest🌪️ (2026 May 26)
As Big Bear blustery winds rocked the nest tree, Jackie protected her eaglets as she always does from any perceived threat. Sandy nipped at her while she tried to aerate Sandy’s spot, but soon settled. Happily, the winds eventually settled a bit as well.
Sandy and Luna are 52 days old.
Video: https://youtu.be/Ni1s0kUuII0

Fraser Point Eagles ~ Santa Cruz Island, CA ~ Cruz, Andor, Sasha, Zume, and Ryder
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Fraser Point Eagles Cam Ops
Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY4V_AppZ6s
With 5 eagles on 1 nest with endless fish, space is getting tight! (2026 May 24)Eaglets Sasha, Zuma, and Ryder are all 8 weeks old (give or take a few days). When both parents are also on the nest, things get a little cozy. The video captures  beautiful golden sunset light on the Zen Nest as the last fish of the day was consumed and gold turned to dusk.
Video: https://youtu.be/9fGQ2246s18
San Jose City Hall Falcons ~ San Jose, CA ~ Hartley, Monty, Jet, Scout, Stewart, and Walton
Courtesy San Jose City Hall Peregrine Falcon Cam
Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBSxPjy5sow
Ledge Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pp9TisLmLU
Roof Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQLhmV6bP6o

Fledge Day 2 ✈️ Scout, then Jet Fledge ➕2 Rescues 🛟 2026 May 29
Reporting from the ground in San Jose, here’s a look at what the cameras caught during fledge day 2. Feeling incredibly grateful to be here live observing these stunning, graceful falcons. As such, reporting will be sparse and delayed for the next couple days.
Video:  https://youtu.be/kIcphBp29qU

Stewart’s Fledge ~ Walton’s Rescue ~ Busy Day for Hartley & Monty (2026 May 28)The 3 chicks remaining at the nest played in the rain in the wee hours. Then with little fanfare, Stewart inadvertently fledged from the same spot where Walton stumbled yesterday. This time, we saw Stewart fly beautifully, with Monty right behind making sure all was well. I hear that he has found a good place to roost. Later, Walton was found on the ground and escorted up to the City Hall rooftop, where he stayed until Hartley tempted him down to the Mayor’s balcony for a late lunch. He fluttered down and ended up getting two meals for his trouble. He has done some traveling since then, but we’ll leave that story for another day.
Video: https://youtu.be/hW4WVZR6AAU

The 4 Boys’ Last Morning Together as Fledge Fever Begins + Walton’s Fludge (2026 May 27)When peregrine falcons have fledge fever, we know the time of nest-level innocence is waning. So we captured the last moments of this time, culminating in Walton’s unintentional departure from the nest ledge aka his fludge. As of this post, Walton has been rescued from the ground, returned to the City Hall roof, and fluttered down to the Mayor’s balcony, where he’s been well fed. Video of his rescue to come.
Video: https://youtu.be/4a0U6yTjfAo

Scout Scales Nest Board, Explores Upper Ledge, Flys to Low Ledge 😮‍💨 (2026 May 26)In keeping with his name, Scout (blue) worked on his merit badges and being prepared. He scaled the nest board, dropped down behind it and returned, explored the upper ledge, and flew from the upper to lower ledge when Hartley arrived with dinner. He returned to perch on the nest board with Monty, who was not in the mood for father-son bonding, but Scout didn’t seem to mind, as he basked in his day’s big accomplishments.
Video: https://youtu.be/gJPOZNVVLf4

Chicks Play Shell Game ~ Who’s Who on the Ledge? (2026 May 24)All four chicks perched on the low east ledge at once for the first time. Keeping track of who was who as they shuffled themselves around was a shell game of epic proportions. 
Video: https://youtu.be/jZzoKaYdx1c

I have received a sad letter from our good friend and osprey monitor (writer, etc) VV from Maryland – nests are appearing to fail. There are at least 15 of them within eye shot. They note, “My husband tells me most of the fish our ospreys eat IS menhaden, I had thought the fish were mostly spot. I also just learned alewives and bunkers are the same fish as menhaden. They say never to old to learn …  Friends on boats tell me the trawlers are busy at the mouth of the bay. 

The fishing still seems plentiful enough, but this is the second day I haven’t seen the male on the one nest I was sure had hatched chicks. And a nest I can only judge when a bird stands, I finally caught sight yesterday of a female standing with a very depleted crop. Plus it is windy again today.

It has been very windy the entire “spring” – which has been unusually chilly. If egg laying happened the week in April I thought, then this is the week chicks should be hatching. I’ve seen a couple nests where there had been incubation but now abandoned,–including a well-established and traditionally productive nest directly across the creek at Jack’s (my husband) aunt’s house. Foliage has grown in around other nests and I’m hoping they’re still brooding viable eggs. But unless the male returns to save the day on Nest 5, the 5 nest platforms along my yard have only one active nest remaining. And they’re first-time parents.”

What is happening at Indian Creek has already happened at other sites. I am keeping a very close eye on Dewey Beach, with its one osplet and a nest right in the middle of this storm.

The male is landing but no fish so far this morning and Mum is busy fish calling. I wish she would go and try her luck.

Congratulations to Loch of the Lowes that had their first hatch at 0430 Tuesday, 2 June!

That’s it. I am going to watch for news of the rescue of Snow but I am not hopeful that beautiful eaglet survived. Few do from that height. I remember Scout and Bella’s babies from last year and the MN-DNR nest of Nancy. But send positive energy. I want to be wrong.

Take care.

Thank you to SK Hideaways and to all those who post images on FB and the owners of the cams so that we can watch the nests.

Female with green twine at Oyster Bay, a note

28 May 2026

Just an FYI:

When the Oyster Bay nest was cleaned Thursday morning, the individuals removed everything from the nest. Mum flew away with the twine wrapped around her and then returned.

An osprey in flight over Oyster Bay, with a weather overlay showing current conditions: 75°F, partly sunny, and 6 mph winds.
An Osprey in flight over a body of water with a view of boats in the background. The image includes a weather overlay showing the current temperature, humidity, and forecast.

The twine, as we know is still wrapped on her body. She would have to be immobile for the rescuers to be able to capture her and remove the material.

This is difficult.

Thanks ‘PB’.

Oyster Bay female hindered by a green rope..late Thursday in Bird World

28 May 2026

Good Day everyone,

It is hot, hot on the Canadian Prairies. We now have a yellow heat warning. This means that we had our breakfast on the deck and watered all the plants before the heat around 1100 set in. We also walked Toby, cleaned all the bird baths and left cool water and dreamed of a fountain for the birds! We are expecting 32 C – direct sun but still cooler than it was in London the other day. Today we are both 28 C.

For the first time in years, the very old crabapple tree in the front of our house is covered in blooms from the top to the bottom, back to front!

We plant trees to remember people and animals. The apple tree was here when we bought the house and we were told that along with the single peony plant and the wild roses, it was from 1902. The tall Blue Spruce to the left was planted in 1999 in memory of our son William. It was only about 2.7 metres high at the time. It is now about 16 metres tall. The Scotch pine to the left of it was planted for Don’s mother when she died. There are three other trees you cannot see – all in memory of cats (Tootie, Melvin, and Honey).

A blooming pink tree surrounded by evergreen trees and a house under a clear blue sky.
Close-up of delicate pink blossoms and buds with green leaves, set against a blurred background of more flowers.
Close-up of pink flowering branches with green leaves and delicate blossoms against a bright background.
A close-up of pink flowering blossoms on a tree, featuring delicate petals and green leaves.

This tree is amazing and it makes me so hopeful even in this heat. There are little birds, Red-eyed Vireos that have their nest in this apple tree. By the middle of June, I am expecting that 3/4 of my property will be a canopy of cool for all the birds and animals that come to us – and for us, too.

Please plant trees if you can.

I am going to start with a nest that needs your help. Oyster Bay. You will see another post that there were people at the nest cleaning up. Go to the live stream, and you will see that the green rope appears to be wrapped around the female. The nest is owned by PSEG, the electric company on Long Island. The same company that ran the camera on the Patchogue osprey nest. Thank you.

Call PSEG: Customer Service1-800-490-0025. They are open until 2000 local time.

There is a baby on that nest – at least one. Here are the images of that green twine.

An osprey sitting in its nest made of twigs, overlooking Oyster Bay with boats visible in the background. A weather widget shows the current conditions.
Two ospreys in a nest made of twigs overlooking a bay with boats in the background, captured from a webcam.
An osprey perched on its nest made of sticks, overlooking a calm body of water with boats in the background. The scene is captured from a webcam located in Oyster Bay, NY, showing a partly cloudy sky.

Rescue and Rehabilitation in the area: If you encounter an injured or distressed raptor (such as an osprey, owl, or hawk) in the Oyster Bay area, immediately contact the Wildlife Centre of Long Island via their Wildlife Hotline at (516) 674-0982 or email info@wildlifecenterli.org. 

I did not know last night but the smallest peregrine falcon fludged and flew at the San Jose City Hall nest. Everyone was worried. No sightings. This is the latest news.

Facebook post from The San Jose City Hall Falcons updating on Walton, mentioning the rainy weather and observing Walton with Hartley's assistance.
Screenshot of a Facebook comment discussing the challenges faced by a juvenile peregrine falcon learning to fly from a high nest, with insights from The San Jose City Hall Falcons.

Send this little one your most positive wishes. I am going to be saying this a lot today as we need to continue to ‘support’ Snow’s nest and hope that the heat on Dewey Beach doesn’t kill the only osplet….so just, please, keep our raptors in your hearts and minds as they go through various challenges.

‘MP’ sent me a note. Do you know this nest? I do but I have not been following it so I appreciate the update. This is disturbing.

“There is a nest on Long Island that needs some hope. She laid three eggs and is now brooding one chick. An intruder startled the female during the nighttime hours when the camera is off, causing her to kick the chick and one egg out of the nest bowl killing the chick. The third egg hatched and she is brooding her now.

This nest is always dirty with trash the two adults obviously find precious. They do need support. The quote below is from the conservation biologist, Michael Farina, at the site.

“The incident happened during the nighttime hours when the camera is shut down to conserve battery life. We hypothesise that the female sleeping during the night after the first chick hatched (5/8/26) was violently startled, causing her to kick the chick and an egg out of the nest, leaving only one egg left. Possibly by a Great Horned Owl or another osprey in the area.  The 3rd egg hatched on 5/12/26.” Michael Farina wrote.”

The surviving chick is 16 days old today. They need to do something about that owl – just like every other streaming cam needs to protect their ospreys from owls because we have the red strobe technology that can help.

An osprey standing near its nest with two chicks, surrounded by sticks and grass, against a backdrop of water.

Eggs being incubated at Landscape Arboretum in Minnesota. Dad stays close.

Two ospreys perched in their nest atop a wooden platform, surrounded by greenery and distant farmland.

A nest clean up has taken place. If you see ospreys in dire straits due to human garbage, flood the owners of the streaming cams and local rescue. You can just Goggle the location of the nest and ask for contact information on local raptor rescues.

A close-up of an osprey nest containing an osprey with green rope and white tape wrapped around its body, along with various nesting materials.

After cleaning:

An osprey standing on its nest made of twigs and branches near water.

RSPB Loch Garten have now declared that Blue KL5, mate to Myrtle, and osprey who kicked out three eggs, has met his demise. He has been missing for too long during a critical period of the breeding season.

Update on Ospreys at RSPB Loch Garten, Abernethy, discussing the situation of Myrtle and a new male Osprey that has taken over the nest.

KL5 kicking out the eggs.

An osprey in a nest made of twigs and branches, overlooking a forested landscape with mountains in the background and cloudy skies.

The Traverse City nest seems to be holding at about a 45 degree angle. Adult was in the nest feeding Snow earlier today! Please, please, keep sending positive energy. Snow is only 47 days old and we need a good 2-3 weeks for this eagle to get its wing strength and coordination to fly and then it needs to return to the nest for a good month to be fed by the parents while it perfects its flying.

A bald eagle tending to its nest, surrounded by branches and trees, with a view of water in the background. The image shows a sunny scene and includes weather information.
A close-up view of a bird's nest made of twigs and branches, with a young bird resting inside, surrounded by a lush green environment near a body of water.

DH3 is older than Snow and is making itself comortable higher and higher on the branches of the nest tree.

Decorah Eagles: DH3 Climbs Higher as the Nest Suddenly Feels SmallerDownload

Clogwyn and Syfaddan have their first chick as of 28 May 2026 in the Usk Valley. You can’t see it but there is a tiny baby there!

An osprey perched in its nest made of twigs, surrounded by lush greenery and fields in the background.

It is Teifi’s birthday today – and he is now a dad to at least two wiggly little osplets with Elen at Glaslyn.

Close-up of an osprey bird with striking yellow eyes and a white and brown plumage, set against a blurred natural background.

Reports of first hatch at Esthwaite.

A great article on Iris in Birds & Blooms. https://www.birdsandblooms.com/birding/bird-species/birds-of-prey/iris-osprey/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSFbfJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeOoNW1tWIFKyZuQRftVzdZute4OgAk0nVjxIqkdwWxMaUifDCQh9AjPg5a4A_aem_N8w5fT_YKH21WV2jF4YEZw

First hatch at Carova Beach for Frederick and Betsy.

An osprey on its nest, feeding its chick with fish remnants, surrounded by twigs and branches near a water body.

Oh, my heart skips a beat every time I see a little osplet being fed fish. Here is Poole Harbour – looks like egg 4 could be a Dudley.

Four fluffy owlets huddled together in a nest made of twigs and straw, with one unhatched egg visible among them.
An aerial view of an osprey nest featuring two fluffy chick ospreys being fed by an adult osprey. The nest is surrounded by twigs and natural debris.

Pitkin County has two osplets. Here is the info below the cam, but it doesn’t include the second hatch. Do you know?

🥚Osplet #1 Laid: 12.4.26, Hatched around 3.36 am 21.5.26
🥚Osplet #2 Laid: 15.4.26
🥚Osplet #3 Laid: 18.4.26

Two chicks at PSEG’s Oyster Bay nest.

An Osprey nest situated in Oyster Bay, NY, featuring one adult Osprey perched on the edge and another Osprey on the nest, surrounded by a view of the water and boats in the distance.

I want to draw everyone’s attention to Gayle Gordon’s FB page. Many of you might have read her posts. I am including some of her recent posts because they are hugely important. I respect the research she does and the corrections she makes to false information circulating on social media. I have written to her and have received permission to cut and paste her posts. Instead, she is sending me links to them. Please read and get involved in the conversation. We need to save our wildlife – and we definitely do not need false information stirring the pot. Chaos makes us tired. We need our energy, instead, to help.

Thank you, Gayle, for allowing me to share your work with my readers.

Here is the link to Gayle Gordon’s FB: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=gayle%20gordon

Everything you need to know about the Cyanide Bombs written by Gayle Gordon -this is such a huge thread to the entire food chain that I am shocked anyone would even consider using cyanide bombs in 2026.

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=gayle%20gordon

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JKzCR63pc/?mibextid=wwXIfr

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ESB93orcA/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Big and Little enjoying a fish snack mid-afternoon at the Achieva Credit Union nest in St Petersburg, Florida.

A live view from the Achieva Osprey Cam showing an osprey nest with two young chicks and an adult osprey, surrounded by trees and a residential area in the background.

Audubon Florida is very disappointed in the state’s budget cuts towards protecting wildlife.

(FL) May Monthly Newsletter – 2026Download

We have talked about how people in various European countries care for storks. The retired man in Croatia, who for years cared for a White Stork around the clock and then fished so she and her mate, who still migrated, has continued to warm my heart years after she died and Klepatan stopped coming. ‘LC’ sent me this today – it is a historic reminder of that decade and a half of devotion. There are some remarkable human beings.

Two storks interacting, one male and one female, in a natural setting.

The historyofcoolkids included this history on the chat:

“In 1993, retired Croatian school janitor Stjepan Vokić found a wounded female stork named Malena after she had been injured by hunters and left unable to migrate.

He rescued her and cared for her at his home in the village of Brodski Varoš, where she spent winters indoors because she could no longer survive the long journey south.

In 2001, a male stork named Klepetan began visiting her nest. Every spring, Klepetan migrated nearly 13,000 kilometers from South Africa back to Croatia to reunite with Malena, always returning to the same rooftop nest. Because Malena could not hunt or fly long distances, Vokić helped feed the pair and care for their young. Over the years, they raised 66 chicks together.

In 2021, Malena passed away of old age after 28 years under Vokić’s care, reportedly with Klepetan beside her.

Klepetan still visits Malena’s grave beneath an apple tree whenever he returns to the village, something considered highly unusual behavior for a stork.

Why didn’t he stay with her? When she could survive in that location alone, then he also could have had! He just migrated each time to avoid the hardships of the harsh season and went back during the mating season.”

If you are interested, search for Malena and Klepetan on YouTube. There is also a book about their love story. It is a great insight into avian behaviour.

I will post Geemeff’s daily report on Loch Arkaig tomorrow. I am hoping that some of you will call the Wildlife Centre on Long Island to try and get help to Oyster Bay. PSEG owns the platform, and as a utility company, they have the equipment. It is a human-made problem, so permits should not be an issue. Thank you for caring.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please check out Gayle Gordon’s FB page and sign up to join the conversation. Here is the information again:

Here is the link to Gayle Gordon’s FB: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=gayle%20gordon

Thank you to those who sent me notes today including ‘PB, SP, LC’, to the authors of FB posts that are both educational and informative, the authors of newsletters, and the owners of streaming cams that allow us to witness the lives of these extraordinary creatures. Thank you also to Gayle Gordon for letting me share her posts today.

Snow’s nest is still holding by a miracle….late Wednesday in Bird World

27 May 2026

Hello everyone, from a very hot Canadian Prairie that is due to get hotter. Ann kept Don and Toby inside. Friday is to be 34. I think that sounds like a walk at the mall!!!!!!!!

Allow me to take a deep breath, and before we get into the lawsuit in Florida about Scrub Jays, I want to say that by some miracle, the branch that broke on the Traverse City Bald Eagle nest in Michigan, fell and caught itself on the tree adjacent, and is supporting that tilted nest. How long it will hold, we do not know. I hope it is long enough for Snow to fly. We need a good three weeks. The average is 10-14 weeks. So, right now, Snow is 6.5 weeks old.

A bald eagle and a younger eagle perched on a nest surrounded by pine trees, with the sky in the background. The timestamp shows 9:42 AM on May 27, 2026.
A close-up view of a large eagle's nest located on a tree branch, with an eagle standing inside the nest. The background features a calm body of water and partly cloudy skies.
An osprey sits on its nest, which is located high in a tree near a body of water. The nest contains young chicks, and the scene is set in a partly cloudy sky.
Two eagles, one adult and one juvenile, perched on a nest surrounded by trees near a body of water.
A large bird resting on a nest made of twigs and grass, surrounded by a natural setting. The scene captures a partly cloudy day, with a view of a blue sky in the background.
A young bird sitting in a nest made of twigs and grass, overlooking a body of water. The setting is partly cloudy with visible weather information displayed in the corner.

Now, back to the Endangered Florida Scrub Jays. We have a detective in our midst, and ‘R’ was able to find out the following information which should really bring a light to the threat to the birds!

“I searched for this, and got the following: 

Yes, it appears Colosi knew (or should have known) about the protected status before buying.
Key facts:
• Purchase date: March 2024. 
• Habitat plan: Charlotte County’s Scrub-Jay Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) was approved in 2014 — a full 10 years earlier. It’s been public policy since then, with clear rules and fees for building in designated areas. 
• Public records: The county’s property records for his specific parcel note that “Land value may be adjusted due to scrub jay habitat.” It’s also visible on the county’s GIS maps (a public online tool)

Did he actually know?
• Colosi and his lawyers (Pacific Legal Foundation) have not directly said whether he was aware of the restrictions when he bought it. When journalists asked, they avoided answering.
• Critics and local observers point out it’s hard to miss: the restrictions are on maps, in public records, and part of standard real estate due diligence in the area. Many people assume he bought it anyway, possibly betting on a legal challenge.
This is a classic “buyer beware” (caveat emptor) situation. The restrictions were already in place long before he purchased the 5 acres. He’s now challenging the fee system as unconstitutional rather than claiming he was blindsided.”

I love this type of deep digging and finding the true facts. Thank you, ‘R’. I hope that there are lawyers representing Scrub Jays. They have represented ‘trees’ why not birds and rivers? I must look into this. Gosh I wish I had the time I had before Don’s dementia entered my world.

A respected scientist recognized.

Email announcement from BirdLife International regarding Dr. Stuart Butchart's election as a Fellow of the Royal Society, highlighting his contributions to conservation science.

We are all pulling for Dewey Beach. Last year, the only surviving osplet died on day 50, five days from fledging, due to starvation. This year only one egg hatched and this little sweetheart has woven itself into our hearts. Dad is finding little fish, sometimes a nice sized Menhaden. Please keep sending positive wishes that this single osplet survives and flies. Now the question I have is this: When does Omega Protein start taking out all the fish?

Found out: Omega Protein’s menhaden reduction fishing in the Chesapeake Bay typically begins in May. For the 2026 season, operations are set to ramp up significantly in June. 

An osprey nest with a parent osprey feeding its chick, with an adult bird visible in the background. There are two eggs in the nest among twigs and grass.
An osprey is feeding its chick in a nest containing two eggs, with a waterfront restaurant in the background.

Chick 3 has arrived at Kielder 1A nest.

Full complement at Nest 1A

Fundraising at Poole Harbour. Looking for a beautiful osprey print?

Artwork featuring a detailed illustration of ospreys in their natural habitat, created by wildlife artist Bruce Pearson to celebrate the nesting of the Carey Ospreys.

Myrtle, the female whose five eggs were destroyed by two different males, has returned to Loch Garten and is being courted by a pale male.

An osprey nest with one bird perched and another flying above, showcasing a natural environment at Loch Garten.

‘PB’ reports that there are four osplets at Steelscape in WA. They note that the older two are already fighting! Send them positive wishes. Mum is trying her best to feed all including little 4.

Please be sure to go and vote for the name for NewGuy2 at Hellgate Canyon. Iris’s great mate needs a name!

​​Help name Iris’s mate! Vote on your favorite name by June 2, and you could win free enrollment in Bird Academy’s Hawk and Raptor ID course. Vote here 👉 https://hubs.la/Q04hFrKD0

A nest of hawklets for Big Red and Arthur!

A red-tailed hawk is perched in a nest with two fluffy chicks, surrounded by twigs and branches, against a backdrop of greenery and urban streets.
A nest with several fluffy red-tailed hawk chicks resting inside, perched on a metal railing, with a view of a tree-lined street below.

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

No rain, no intruders, just sunshine and plenty of fish today. Louis delivered two fish for Dorcha, taking the Nest Two tally to ninety, while over on Nest One, Garry LV0 delivered three fish to Aurora 536, taking that tally to eighty five. Aurora actually refused the second fish but took the third one eagerly, perhaps she’d worked up an appetite following her encounter with a Great Tit which startled her so much she fled the nest. Safe to say, the tiny passerine was also startled – the size difference is stupendous. Another dry night of clear skies and light winds is forecast with a low of 9°C overnight, continuing tomorrow with sunny intervals, a gentle breeze and a high of 25°C. At the time of filing this report (00.30), Cam Two is still on day mode. This time next week we could have our first hatch! Fingers crossed these calm conditions continue.

Today’s videos:
https://youtu.be/kiZWFWC-Z1U N2 Louis delivers a very early breakfast 04.48.25https://youtu.be/q7tXL9-lePA N1 Garry LV0 brings elevenses 11.07.27 https://youtu.be/zqn2ekT6_a0 N1 Aurora’s not interested in the second fish 15.07.16https://youtu.be/_0Lt0-0fHzE N2 Louis arrives with a teatime trout 15.44.22https://youtu.be/hRAXavzJk9Q N1 Aurora is startled by a passing passerine and flees the nest 17.15.39 (slo-mo repeat)https://youtu.be/jnSHJWFcXRY N1 Aurora doesn’t ignore fish three – she seizes it immediately 19.35.13
Bonus read: For those interested in technical details, here’s the consultation on the management of Clunes and Arkaig Forest:

https://forestryandland.gov.scot/living-and-working/communities/land-management-plans/active-plans/clunes-and-loch-arkaig-forest-land-management-plan-consultation

Monty and Hartley certainly have their hands full with these four boys. Thanks, SK Hideaways for capturing some of the antics: https://youtu.be/gJPOZNVVLf4?

The trio at the nest of Maya and Blue 33 are now in the Reptilian Phase. Big ones in food coma and Maya feeding the third hatch. It looks like the final egg is a Dudley.

An osprey stands near its nest on the edge of a water body, with three fuzzy chicks nestled in the nest surrounded by sticks and twigs.

One of those short reads that is so informative – think White Storks and how people love them. They bring luck and my friends and readers in Poland and other parts of Europe treasure these beautiful birds and pray that they will make a nest on their home!

Country diary: A jaw-dropping bounty of wildlife – and a reminder of what Britain has lost | PolandDownload

‘PB’ sent me a note at a time when I really needed a renewal in trusting humans to help. A female White Stork whose eggs were hatching lost her mate. The community takes turn feeding her just like they did at Mlade Buky.

A stork standing on a nest made of twigs atop a pole, with clouds in the background.

Good night Bety and Bukachek.

A view from a stork nest overlooking a small village at dusk, featuring two storks, one standing and one sitting, with rooftops and mountains in the background.

Little Golden Eaglet safe under Mum in Estonia.

A golden eagle sitting on its nest with two white eggs, surrounded by trees and foliage.

Black Stork Nest 3 in Estonia has 3 eggs.

A stork standing in its nest with two eggs, surrounded by trees and foliage.

Toby says ‘enough is enough’. It is time to play fetch! How can I resist those eyes?

A black and white Cavalier King Charles Spaniel sitting on a brown mat with a toy in front of it. The background includes wooden decking and potted plants.

There is a second hatch at Pont Cresor! Yeah for Aeron Z2 and Blue 014.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care. Stay cool and hydrated if you are in a region that is hot like it is here. See you soon!

Thank you to all my contributors – to SK Hideaways and Geemeff for their videos and reports, to ‘PB’ for keeping me up to date on several nests, to the folks that are literally with their will power and that supporting branch miracle holding up Snow’s nest, and to the others who wrote reports and posted them on FB and to the owners of the streaming cams who let us view these incredible bird families. Thank you to all! We are so fortunate.

Worries continue at Bald Eagle nest in Michigan…late, late Tuesday in Bird World

26 May 2026

Toby and I have watered the garden, planted an area of wildflowers for bees, swept, cleaned the bird baths, and finished all of our evening chores. Now we return to the Bald Eagle nest at Traverse City, MI, where Snow, the 6-week-old plus a few days eaglet, is in a nest that has lost its support limb. It appears that the limb has somehow caught itself on a neighbouring tree, and that, along with calm winds and good weather, might bring some luck to this tense situation.

The adults have been on the nest and fed Snow.

A pair of adult bald eagles standing near their nest, with one eagle looking down and the other perched on the nest. The nest is made of twigs and is situated among green trees, with a body of water visible in the background.

When I checked Snow had a crop. Single adult returned to the nest and tried to lure Snow up to the top rim to have some fish that was buried there.

A bald eagle stands on the edge of a nest, surrounded by twigs and branches, while two eaglets are visible in the nest below. The setting shows a natural landscape with water in the background.
A bald eagle and its chick in a large nest made of sticks, perched high in a tree overlooking a body of water. The scene shows a sunny day with informational overlay about the location and time.

The adult made its way a little lower being very cautious and Snow did get some more bites of prey.

A pair of bald eagles in their nest, surrounded by branches and foliage, with a view of water in the background. The scene is partly cloudy and the time displayed is 6:51 PM on May 26, 2026.

Then the adult carefully made its way to the branch that extends at the bottom right in the image.

A bald eagle stands on a large nest made of twigs with two eaglets visible underneath. The background shows a body of water and trees. The image also includes a timestamp and weather information.

Snow will go to beed with a nice crop.

A young bird sitting in a nest made of twigs and branches, overlooking a body of water with trees in the background. The image displays time and weather information for Traverse City, MI.

Snow is resting at the bottom of the nest as sunset begins.

A close-up view of a large bird's nest made of twigs and branches, located near water. The nest appears empty except for some nesting material. Surrounding trees are partially visible.
A young eagle is standing in its nest made of twigs and branches, overlooking a body of water. Surrounding the nest are pine trees, and the scene is set on a sunny day with a blue sky.
A young eagle standing in its nest made of twigs, with a view of the water in the background. The scene shows a sunny day in Traverse City, MI, along with a display of current weather conditions.

Send this family your very best wishes. This is a situation that happens in the wild, far more often than we probably imagine. I was hoping someone would fabricate a false nest and somehow get it below this one so that if the nest slid down, it would land on the artificial nest rather than plunge 100 feet. (There appears to be some difference in opinion on whether the nest is 100 ‘ or 200’ off the ground.)

Kudos to the mods on the live chat and to those who are leaving the camera running. You are the best!

FOBBV is doing a magnificient job in collecting donations to purchase the land where Jackie and Shadow’s nest resides – along with many other species. (This is only part of their post).

Post discussing the fundraising campaign to protect eagle habitats from a proposed development near Big Bear Lake, detailing the financial goal and potential impact on local wildlife.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 26th May 2026

Another peaceful day, although Louis spent a few minutes alarm chipping at an unseen intruder while he was on incubation duty, but nothing came of it and he didn’t leave the nest. He brought two fish for Dorcha, taking his tally to eighty six and the Nest Two tally to eighty eight. Nest One was untroubled by intruders, unseen or otherwise, but Garry LV0 only brought one fish for Aurora 536, taking his and the nest’s tally to eighty two, keeping in mind that Cam One is offline for a few hours each morning. The weather forecast is dry overnight and for the next two days, with a low of 9°C and a high of 22°C tomorrow. The days are getting longer as the countdown to hatching ticks away and at the time of filing this report, midnight, Cam Two is still on day mode, with a very light sky and the loch clearly visible.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/U4N0qYOjTEs N2 Early breakfast for Dorcha 06.10.16 

https://youtu.be/AeTSJzyIlEk N2 Second fish from Louis for Dorcha 15.34.11

https://youtu.be/puWi04WxUqY N1 Finally! Garry brings a fish for Aurora 16.46.30

In the UK, politicians and the legal system continue to fail the raptors they are charged with protecting!

UK legislation continues to fail birds of prey as widespread illegal killing continues – new report from RSPB

The Condor Chat is live on Thursday the 28th. They also have a fantastic on line auction if you wish to help out these incredible people who work hard to protect this very endangered species.

The Condor Chat May 28 Auction BeginsDownload

The Least Flycatchers are flitting about all over the garden. I can see several grey squirrels coming for peanuts along with Mr Crow. They are especially enjoying the nice, clean, cool water that Toby and I put out. Meanwhile, Little Red is inside the small covered feeding helping himself to Black Oil Seed. I will try and get some photos this week but for now it is good night.

Take care everyone.

Thank you to Geemeff for their daily post about all things Loch Arkaig. There are many more videos, but sadly, this system will not post them! Makes me growl. Thank you to all the people who are posting on FB and the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to watch our bird families in the good, the bad, and the unknown times.

Double hatch at Glaslyn for Elen and Teifi, hat trick at Dyfi, tension at Bald Eagle nest in Michigan as nest slides down…late Tuesday in Bird World

26 May 2026

Hi Everyone,

This is going to be a quick posting. It continues to be hot, and we are inside enjoying the benefits of AC. Toby was exhausted after his walk with Ann, and Don was sound asleep. The heat has made me tired, but it is really helping the garden to become green, and everything feels like summer, not spring. Hydration is the key and please, if you can, leave water for wildlife.

The big news is the Bald Eagle nest that is sliding – Traverse City MI. Send your good wishes to those standing by to rescue Snow, the 6 week old eaglet.

Quick news:

It’s a trio for Idris and Telyn at the Dyfi nest!

https://www.dyfiospreyproject.com/blog/emyr-mwt/hat-trick-hat-tricks?fbclid=IwY2xjawSC39RleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEewff9yxu0V34kdZRt4Y160bYYA6Tv25-lcIHGoSGJDnP9ZWcDWj9qxMeOJnA_aem_fUzHJ1vZLN_ecq_V7EOl9g

We have the first hatch for Elen and Teifi at the Glaslyn nest but, wait…the second chick decided to hatch later in the evening. Well done on that delayed incubation!

A chick just hatched in an osprey nest, sitting next to two unhatched eggs. Another adult osprey stands nearby on a branch overlooking a green landscape.
A bird of prey sitting in its nest, tending to several eggs or hatchlings on a bed of twigs and soft materials.

Six week old eaglet Snow is in peril as Traverse City Bald Eagle nest slides when supporting limb breaks.

This is the latest picture that I have as Snow hangs onto the nest that is sliding off. Rescuers are on standby to help. Send positive wishes that Snow escapes injury. The nest is 100 ‘ off the ground.

Link to nest: https://www.youtube.com/live/vMW-S6ZoYgY?

An eagle's nest perched high in a tree overlooking clear blue water, with two dark eaglets visible nestled in the nest. The scene is set on a sunny day, showcasing the natural habitat.
Bald eagles Harry and Harriet with their 45-day-old eaglet named Snow in a nest surrounded by trees.
An adult bald eagle sitting in its nest, surrounded by greenery, with a younger eagle partially visible in the background.

The smallest osplet that had been attacked and denied food at Patuxent River Park has died.

CJ7 and Blue 022 have three little osplets today.

Three chick birds in a nest, peeking up with open mouths, surrounded by pine needles and remnants of eggshells.

Three full babies at the Dyfi nest of Idris and Telyn.

An osprey feeding its chicks in a nest, surrounded by twigs and remnants of fish.

Thank you for being with us today for this quick check at a few nests. Take care. See you soon!

Thank you to everyone who has posted information and images, and to the owners of the streaming cams where I took my screen captures. I am grateful to everyone in MI who is waiting to help and has permits in hand! Let us hope the outcome is good.

Second osplet dies at Western Maryland Shore Old Town Home…late Saturday in Bird World

23 May 2026

Hello Everyone,

I continue to fight a horrific beginning of spring cold! Thank you for all the various remedies – I am trying them! Lots of honey, lemon, and ginger! Don and Toby have embraced the day since it is raining outside as just another ‘pajama day’. That has been grand.

There continues to be sadness at Western Maryland Shore Old Town Home. The second hatch died six days ago of starvation, and today, the first hatch, a tiny little thing that was not only starving but could not get sufficiently under Mum to keep warm, died of hypothermia in the rain. For whatever reason, Mum decided to incubate the unviable egg instead of her brooding her chick. Perhaps it is a blessing. That sounds horrible, I know. But I cannot stand to see these wee things starve, get a little fish, starve some more, eventually dying a few days before fledge – emaciated.

An adult bird is sitting on a nest with twigs and leaves, caring for a small chick. The chick is fuzzy and appears to be peeking out from under the adult bird.

This image is from Heidi and ‘PB’ – the little osplet had 17 bites of food at that meal, its last.

Big Red took care of her three chicks brilliantly in what has been a soaking wet day on the Cornell Campus. Fed and warm.

A red-tailed hawk tending to its two fluffy chicks in a nest made of twigs, with a background of greenery and a metal structure.
A red-tailed hawk feeding its chicks in a nest made of twigs and branches, with a view of a blurry background.
A close-up view of a red-tailed hawk resting in its nest, surrounded by twigs and branches, with a blurred urban background.

In the UK, there was almost a tragedy when Seren accidentally kicked one of her three chicks out of the egg cup. This is an amazing osplet – I cannot wait to see what they do in their lifetime if they manage this. Geemeff has it on video: https://youtu.be/ByCRVMITshM?

Scout on the Falconshire Bald Eagle nest is alive. There was much concern over this eaglet’s welfare. Let’s hope lots of prey come so that Scout might thrive.

Bald eagle chicks in their nest surrounded by green foliage, with one chick standing and the other lying down.

Speaking of prey. Let’s think about this. Agricultural practices have changed around the world. The fields and woods are not full of rodents and gophers because humans don’t like them around. The Raptors would thrive. The rivers are full of toxins like phosphates, are warming, and have fewer and fewer fish. So when someone says it is just ‘nature’, think again. Maybe it is something linked to humans, but less obvious than a fishing line.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 23rd May 2026

Another uneventful day with spells of rain, fish deliveries, and incubation duty changeovers. Louis delivered three fish for Dorcha taking the Nest Two tally to eighty two, and Garry LV0 delivered two fish for Aurora 536, although the second one was really just the tail-end of his dinner. 

Garry’s tally now stands at seventy eight. More rain is forecast for tonight and tomorrow, along with what’s referred to as a gentle breeze. However, one of last night’s ‘gentle breezes’ completely upended Dorcha, so here’s wishing her an uneventful night on the exposed nest. Temperature spread is a low of 11°C tonight and a high of 16°C tomorrow.

Today’s videos: https://youtu.be/PUaIXtmTRpQ N2 Dorcha’s breakfast is later than usual 10.28.08https://youtu.be/nnSc4j1Ka2s N1 Aurora has a quick nibble of her first fish before departing with it 14.46.13https://youtu.be/FvjE6Ml9ZDg N2 Dorcha’s second fish arrives facing backwards 19.40.43https://youtu.be/VgT8zFbcdns N1 Aurora’s second fish is just the tail end of a trout! 20.07.40https://youtu.be/8NcP6PwM2_Q N2 Second supper for Dorcha when Louis brings a third fish 21.40.11

Bonus read – where’s Woodland Trust’s gold medal winning garden going when the Chelsea Flower Show ends?

https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/garden/designs/a71373413/what-happens-to-chelsea-flower-show-gardens-2026

Blast from the past, this day in various years: 

https://youtu.be/ldFLPmmt2lw  N2 Interesting phenomenon: a Jay imitates a Tawny Owl and buzzes Louis & Dorcha 2025

There are two little bobbleheads for CJ7 and Blue 022 – and there are a lot of fish on that nest!

A nest containing three hungry hawk chicks with open beaks, eagerly awaiting food, as an adult hawk feeds them in a natural setting.

There is a wee baby for Idris and Telyn at the Dyfi nest in Wales along with a pip in the second egg.

Close-up view of an osprey sitting on eggs in a nest, surrounded by twigs and natural materials, captured in black and white.
An osprey tends to its eggs in a nest at night, with visible feathers and nearby twigs.

Good news story of the day: The eagle nest collapsed. One eaglet went into care. Everyone wondered if the adults would feed the other but then a human-made nest went up and yes, the eagles are caring for their chick!!!!!!!! Humans can do good things. This is wonderful. Thank you!

A bald eagle stands next to its eaglet on a wooden platform in a nest, surrounded by green foliage.

Everything you wanted to know (or not) about Iris’s eggs.

A Facebook post from Montana Osprey Cams discussing Iris the osprey's egg-laying patterns, including average eggs per season and variability in laying intervals.
Bar graph showing the interval between each egg laid from 2011 to 2026, with different colors representing intervals between pairs of eggs.

Look for the NG2 name choices to be posted on the 26th of May.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care everyone. Stay safe and I hope, beyond hope, you do not get this summer cold or flu whatever it is.

Thank you to Geemeff for her report on all things Loch Arkaig, to Heidi and ‘PB’ for drawing my attention to what has happened at WMSOTH, and to all those who created videos or posted on FB; we are grateful. Thank you to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to watch our lovely families.

Life on the Osprey Nest – Season Update
Life on the Osprey Nest – Season Update
Life on the Osprey Nest – Season Update

An egg, a fledge, a hatch in progress, and a rescue…late Thursday in Bird World

7 May 2026

Just a quick spin around a few nests. It seems we cannot take our eyes off the screens for a second!

Iris has laid her second egg just minutes ago at the Hellgate Canyon nest in Missoula, Montana.

An osprey standing on its nest, surrounded by twigs and branches, with green foliage and parking lot visible in the background.
A close-up view of an osprey sitting in its nest, surrounded by twigs and natural debris, with its distinctive brown and white plumage visible.
Close-up of a young osprey sitting in a nest made of twigs and pine needles, with its head turned slightly towards the camera.

At 65 days of age, Winken at the Moorings Park nest has fledged and returned to the nest. The take off was graceful but the landing will require more practice!

A close-up view of an osprey chick named Winken on a nest at Moorings Park, showcasing the surrounding landscape, including a pond and residential area, with a clear sky in the background.

It appears that the AEF’s Dale Hollow rescue was a success. Cameras were off, and by my count, all three eaglets are in the nest, and there is no fishing line. Thanks, AEF, and all involved.

Two young eagles sitting in a nest among trees, with one resting while the other stands alert.

We have a hatch underway at the nest of Big Red and Arthur. Thankfully that nest is starting to dry out after torrential rains the other day.

A red-tailed hawk is feeding its chicks in a nest made of twigs and branches.
A red-tailed hawk feeding its chicks in a nest made of twigs and branches.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 7th May 2026

Another routine day for both nests – just the odd alarm call but no intruders seen, reasonable weather, and both Louis and Garry LV0 brought one fish each for their respective partners Dorcha and Aurora 536. The Nest One tally rises to forty nine, and the Nest Two tally to forty four. Dorcha had to wait until tea time before her fish arrived, and gave Louis a telling off. Later when he didn’t give up the eggs on her return to the nest, he got a thorough dusting from her tail feathers! Light rain started falling around 9pm and is set to continue through the night and well into tomorrow, with occasional sunny spells.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/xTXSVuaZZek N1 Aurora 536 flies around with her fish 10.02.05

https://youtu.be/bKsKsVdVfyU N2 Louis arrives fishless and gets told off 11.02.41

https://youtu.be/dHk4UaDuKi8 N2 Louis finally arrives with a fish for Dorcha 15.25.35

https://youtu.be/FdIhdtOhZHU N2 Louis gets a going over with a feather duster! 16.32.24

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/8OaqnwQiaBI  N1 Aila does a bit of Louis-bashing before he takes the hint 2020

https://youtu.be/2qFBiVop8DQ N1 Clumsy Louis clatters the camera! 2020

https://youtu.be/T8wmG4NbfIo  N1 Late night bat visits Aila 2020 (slo-mo)

https://youtu.be/VA8CwMT9qyA  N1 Eurasian Siskin and Crossbill visit 2021

https://youtu.be/0FlIlYJMsGQ  N2 Cheeky Tawny Owl perches on the nest 2022

https://youtu.be/LcPUWA3mWDo  N2 Tawny Owl strikes Dorcha then returns to perch on the nest 2022

https://youtu.be/kJIFH0RyeSk  N1 Louis pays a visit to his old nest 2023

https://youtu.be/6z_D0r_72h4  N1 A little songbird flits around for a while, then nudges a stick over the side 2024

https://youtu.be/1MzoKTgPm4w  N1 Aida lands on the perch, welcome back, we missed you! 2024 

https://youtu.be/iZCtZxSvdtQ N1 A male Tawny Owl visits, calls but gets no reply 2025

https://youtu.be/9AUcpQbxfI4 N1 Lunch arrives for Aurora 2025

https://youtu.be/AFxIoXOi7hU N2 Dorcha’s fish supper arrives against a colourful sunset sky 2025 (quick time)

Everyone is welcome to join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum – it;s friendly, informative, and free:

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

It was a beautiful day today, and we got out for a walk. It was so nice. Toby and I even managed to sit out in the garden and listen to the birds. We were surprised by the list that Merlin could hear that we could not see! Don’s medication has changed. He is less and less engaged in daily life and that is so sad. He did join us for the walk and I anticipate that Ann will take him to the nature centre tomorrow. Being outside is good for everyone – including those with dementia.

A black and white dog wearing an orange harness stands on the grass, looking back over its shoulder while being held on a leash.
Two cats, one orange and one tabby, sleeping together on a cat tree near a window.

Thanks so much for being with us. Take care!

Thank you to ‘PB’ for alerting me to Iris’s egg as I was checking on Dale Hollow! Thank you to Geemeff for her Loch Arkaig summary, Heidi for her post about Winken, and to the owners of the streaming cams that allow all of this to happen. We are so very grateful.

Happy Mother’s Day to all our Raptor females

7 May 2026

Hello Everyone,

Latest Update from Cornell: “The final Red-tailed Hawk egg began to show signs of hatching early on the morning on May 7 on day 36 of incubation. Watching closely, movement can be seen from the “pip,” or small hole in the egg, throughout the video. The hatching process can take 12–24 hours to complete, or longer in some cases.”

There is a rescue underway at Dale Hollow Eagle nest (see below).

I have to say that I have never been a ‘Hallmark Person’ – someone who sends cards and celebrates special days just because some company came up with an idea for making more and more money from us. This especially goes to Mother’s and Father’s Days because so many were raised by their Grandmothers who really were their Mums (like me, so mine could work), others had parents who died or abandoned them…sometimes when a day is happy for someone, it is a total sadness day for someone else.

That said, this year we are really going to give a shout out to the most incredible raptor Mum that I have seen in years. If I could send her a bouquet of fish and a card with fish that popped up, I would. They are all heroes who have overcome more challenges than we witness, but this year, a few stand out, and one, in particular.

The top Raptor Mum Award has to go to Jill at the Achieva Osprey Platform. I would love to know if anyone has witnessed a female leave their babies at such a young age when she realised that the little one was doing to die if more fish didn’t get on the nest.

So, let’s look back for a minute. Big hatched on 27 March, with Little following five days later, on 2 April. Yes, look at that spread. There were three eggs – Heidi and I have decided that Big was egg 1 and Little was egg 3.

The first time that Jill left the nest to catch a catfish was on the 15th of April. At the beginning, she only left the chicks around 1700-1800. She would leave and return in 25-30 minutes with a large catfish. As Jack’s deliveries diminished and the chicks’ need for more fish grew, Jill began going out twice a day. She would often wait to see if Jack would bring a morning fish, and if he hadn’t by 1030 or 1100, she would go fishing. Those trips to bring fish to the nest have now increased to three as she often now goes out after 1900.

Jill took a real risk leaving her tiny babies vulnerable. Jack was not there protecting them. He was not bringing food. Jill was starving. What choice did she have? Stay on the nest and watch her babies die? Abandon the chicks? She did neither. With bold determination, both babies appear to be growing and healthy. I wonder how many other osplets would have survived if their Mums would leave the nest and go and fish for them?

‘MP’ took this screen capture commenting what a beautiful wing pattern that it is —- and it is precisely perfect. Not a feather out of place!

An eagle stands in a nest made of twigs and branches, with its wings partially spread, surrounded by green trees in the background.

‘PB’ keeps a good eye on what Jill is doing – and how Little is growing bigger and bolder.

Two young owls sitting on a nest made of sticks and debris, with a view of the surrounding habitat.
A parent osprey with three chicks in a nest made of twigs and branches, surrounded by greenery.
A bird resting in a nest made of twigs and branches, surrounded by greenery and visible rooftops in the background.

My runner-up is Mrs T at the Trempealeau Bald Eagle nest, who, seeing her mate feed his chicks and another mate across the lake, was able to keep one of her eaglets alive by going out hunting and fishing.

A bald eagle, referred to as Mrs. T, is tucking a chick into a nest made of twigs and feathers while surrounded by greenery.

There are two notable senior females that we could not miss on this Mother’s Day – Iris and Big Red.

Iris is at least thirty years old.

An osprey perched on its nest made of twigs and branches, with a view of a parking lot and trees in the background during dawn.
A close-up view of an osprey sitting in its nest made of sticks, with a parking lot and trees in the background.

AI overview:

“Iris, the renowned 28-plus-year-old osprey at Hellgate Canyon, is estimated to have successfully fledged over 30 to 40 chicks in her lifetime. As of the 2024 season, she was still actively breeding, and she returned for the 2026 season to her nest at Missoula.

  • Total Lifetime Estimated Chicks: 30–40+
  • Recent Activity: In 2024, she successfully raised two chicks with her mate, Finnegan: Sum-eh and Antali.
  • Status: She is considered one of the oldest known living ospreys, nesting at the Hellgate Canyon site since at least the early 2000s. 

Iris has had several mates over her long residency in Montana, including Stanley, Louis, and her more recent mates, consistently returning to the same area to nest”.

There is a published book that I have that show the move from the utility pole to Iris’s current nest that had a good history and images. (I need to find it!)

The other is Big Red, the Red-tailed Hawk whose nest is on the Cornell Campus at Ithaca, New York. She hatched in 2003 and was banded in October of that same year at Brooktondale, New York. Her natal nest is 7 miles from her breeding nest. Her first mate is believed to be Ezra (he was on camera when it began in 2012) but, no one knows for sure. Big Red probably started breeding by 2006.

A red-tailed hawk sitting in its nest surrounded by twigs and remnants of food.
A red-tailed hawk is seen in a nest with three fluffy chicks and remains of prey.
A Red-tailed Hawk tending to its chicks in a nest, surrounded by twigs and remnants of prey.

Two separate AI entries, the first for Ezra and then Arthur:

AI:

“Big Red and her mate Ezra successfully raised 15 chicks together over the five years (2012–2016) they were followed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Bird Cams. 

Key Details on Big Red and Ezra’s Offspring:

  • Timeframe: They nested together on the Cornell campus from 2012 until Ezra’s death in March 2017.
  • Consistency: The pair typically raised 3 chicks per year, with successful breeding seasons recorded on camera each year from 2012–2016.
  • Legacy: Ezra was known for his dedication to his family, often feeding the chicks and protecting them during harsh weather. 

After Ezra’s passing in 2017, Big Red paired with a new mate, Arthur, in 2018.”

“As of the end of the 2024 season, Big Red and her mate, Arthur, have successfully raised 20 chicks to fledging at Cornell University since pairing up in 2018. Known for regularly laying 3 eggs in many seasons, she has produced a high volume of chicks, often laying 4 eggs in 2022 and 2024. 

Key Details on Big Red’s Broods:

  • Total Fledged (approx. 2018–2024): 20 chicks.
  • Recent Seasons (2025–2026): In 2025, she laid 3 eggs. As of early May 2026, she is actively raising a new brood.
  • High-Volume Years: Big Red laid 4 eggs in 2022 and 2024.

Big Red is a highly successful Red-tailed Hawk monitored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Bird Cams, and her nesting, egg-laying, and chick-rearing are tracked yearly. 

We know that Big Red also laid a clutch of 4 eggs in 2026 as we are watching that nest now. The first hatch died during hatch. It is unclear as of 7 May if the remaining egg is viable. There are two chicks on the nest, cute little bobble heads.

In my memory, only one chick failed to fledge til this year, and that was K3, who had an issue with their jaw. K3 was rescued but did not survive. E3 is an ambassador for Cornell. Several died from window collisions on campus and one from West Nile Virus, last year. They are not ringed so we do not know the dispersal area.

Other brief news:

Johnson City’s eaglets are almost ready to fledge.

Two young birds in a nest surrounded by greenery, taken from a camera at Johnson City.

Ruth and Oren’s little hawklets at Syracuse University are doing fine.

A mother hawk watches over her two fluffy chicks in a nest made of twigs and branches.

Rescue Underway!

Announcement of a planned intervention operation by the American Eagle Foundation to assist a bald eaglet entangled in fishing line at a nest in the Dale Hollow area.
Information about the American Eagle Foundation's efforts in wildlife rescue and the dangers posed to eagles by discarded fishing line.
A close-up image of a young bird with fluffy feathers resting in a nest made of twigs and leaves, surrounded by greenery.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 6th May 2026

Another calm routine day where not a lot happened, just fish deliveries and changeovers of egg-sitters. Garry LV0 brought Aurora 536 two fish, taking his tally to forty eight, and Louis brought one fish for Dorcha, taking the nest total to forty three. The weather was settled but is forecast to change to light rain showers with light winds overnight and through to tomorrow afternoon. Both nests fall under the Inver Mallie weather forecast area:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2646094.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/QO1-pGX75Lg N2 Dorcha’s fish does a flyby before Louis lands with it 13.41.35

https://youtu.be/XOC7oeyszfI N1 Garry finally brings the first fish 15.11.57

https://youtu.be/0WArpnJT-sM N1 Aurora gets an evening snack 20.39.17

Bonus action – local elections take place tomorrow in England, Scotland and Wales. When the results are in, please consider emailing the successful candidates to remind them of their campaign promises around trees and wildlife:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/protecting-trees-and-woods/campaign-with-us/elections/

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/rDDH4Z8zHEc  N1 Health and safety first, says Louis 2020

https://youtu.be/2ULJmAe1b5E  N1 Louis bashes Aila with a big stick 2020

https://youtu.be/hOnID1xMcys  N2 Coronation Day –  breakfast fit for a queen arrives 2023

https://youtu.be/usB2iBz2BQM  N2 Ringed Osprey visits 2023 (super slo-mo, zoom)

https://youtu.be/Dfmo_U46rCY  N2 Dorcha has a stretch and a squirt  2024

https://youtu.be/oI3R7TrjVHA  N1 A little Passerine visits 2024

https://youtu.be/sa-_Txps92s  N2 Throwing shapes – Louis and Dorcha are winging it 2024 

https://youtu.be/xG3Lh8YLrE8 N1 breakfast for Aurora and a bark surprise for Garry 2025

https://youtu.be/oLDAq_ILX7Y N2 Dorcha’s calls finally quieten as fish number two arrives 2025

https://youtu.be/gvIrP6Pu5Q4 N1 Garry brings a second fish and watches a jet go by 2025

Come and join the lively community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s friendly, free and everyone’s welcome:

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

Wish everyone well, that is going to help the near-to-fledge eaglet at Dale Hollow and send positive energy to Big Red’s nest for a successful last hatch! There is lots of food for three!!!!!! Arthur is keeping that nest well stocked, no matter the weather.

Take care everyone…remember to think of those who cared and raised you no matter their gender this coming weekend. See you soon.

Thank you to ‘MP and PB’ for allowing me to use their screen captures of Jill at Achieva and for keeping me in touch with her remarkable journey of motherhood. I am grateful to all the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to witness the lives of these birds and to the AEF for their determination to help eagles when possible. I am always grateful to Geemeff for their summaries and videos of the day’s happening at the two Loch Arkaig nests!

Late Sunday in Bird World

26 April 2026

Good Evening!

We hope that you had a wonderful weekend – and please tell me that you had some time to go outside. It was a tad cooler here today but we sat in the warm sun on the deck and listened to birdsong coming from the feeders. Oh, it made my heart skip happy beats! It was another quiet day – a most welcome one. We did some spring cleaning and celebrated by making strawberry shortcakes. Tomorrow, Toby goes for a much-needed grooming (Monday). I’m hoping for a trip to Fort Whyte for a walk in the forest and a check on the geese that should be laying eggs.

Shadow continues to bring in big fish for Jackie and the kids. The snow is melting.

A parent bird stands in a snowy nest, caring for three fluffy chicks under a clear blue sky, with a scenic view of a lake and mountains in the background.

Isn’t he handsome? Teifi is one of Idris and Telyn’s fledglings – he is Maya’s grandson. How cool is that? I am so glad that the Glaslyn nest has settled down or him and Elen. As you know, I adore Aran and it seems that he has also found a platform and a mate. Smiling. Calm is good.

An osprey sitting on a nest, appearing to incubate eggs. The bird has distinctive brown and white feathers with striking yellow eyes, surrounded by natural vegetation and twigs.

The Dyfi family tree now has its fledglings at Glaslyn:

Infographic of the Dyfi Osprey Project Family Tree from 2011 to Present, detailing the lineage and breeding history of various ospreys, including notable individuals and their offspring.

Here’s Teifi. It was the first year, 2020, that Idris was bonded with Telyn after Monty:

A timeline showing the lineage of the Osprey named Idris from 2020 to 2026, including information on successful and unsuccessful hatches, along with the names and status of each chick.
Information about a male animal named Teifi, spotted in Santander Bay, Spain, in May 2022, and in North Wales in 2024 and 2025, with breeding noted in North Wales since 2026.

News from Loch of the Lowes:

Close-up of a freshly laid osprey egg in a nest, surrounded by nesting material.

SK Hideaways videos for the week – always grateful!

SK Hideaways Videos, Week of 19 April 2026

FOBBVCAM Eagles, Big Bear Valley, CA ~ Jackie, Shadow, and 2 chicks
Courtesy FOBBVCAM | Friends of Big Bear Valley
Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE
Wide View Cam (Cam 2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41eq4VzCYc4
LIVE Recap & Observations https://bit.ly/3Md8TSz

Jackie & Shadow got everything in order as a storm approached ~ The chicks enjoyed meals 7 and 8 ~ They’re tucked and warm under Jackie (2026 Apr 25)
Video: https://youtu.be/ZHZwUvD7SEw

One Chick Escapes Egg Bowl ~ Jackie has a Word with Shadow About It (2026 Apr 19)
Video: https://youtu.be/Af1ZfwYL1bk

Jackie & Shadow Oust Persistent Ravens ~ Eaglets Safe & Sound (2026 Apr 19)
Video: https://youtu.be/BYL7oyiPppo

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

Ryder’s Rescue and Cuddly Reunion ~ IWS & Erin are Superstars (2026 Apr 24)
Video: https://youtu.be/lKSFIC4irKI

Ryder Fell From Nest ~ Keeping Faith for Rescue (2026 Apr 24)
Video: https://youtu.be/WJ6b7BAztF0
Cruz & Andor Manage Pecking Order of 3 Chicks with Nonstop Fish (2026 Apr 23)
Video: https://youtu.be/5m948gPoCWc
Chicks Shuffle Along on Clown Feet to Reach Endless Fish Deliveries (2026 Apr 20)
Video: https://youtu.be/tqUXCH76InM


John Bunker Sands Eagles ~ Mom, Dad, and JBS24
Courtesy John Bunker Sands Wetland Center Eagle Cam
Eagle Tower Camera 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wdo7BzUU_g
Eagle Tower Camera 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEDb2KqvvyQ

JBS24 Comes Home to Fresh Fish and Clean Fluffs (2026 April 19)
Video: https://youtu.be/x5p0mcPtLEs


San Jose City Hall Falcons, San Jose, CA ~ Hartley, Monty, and 4 Chicks
Courtesy San Jose City Hall Peregrine Falcon Cam
Nest Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBSxPjy5sow
Ledge Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pp9TisLmLU
Roof Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQLhmV6bP6o

Monty Really, Really Wanted to Feed Someone ~ Even Hartley (2026 Apr 23)
Video: https://youtu.be/YXbKW2SRKgw

Monty Resumes Role of Super Dad ~ No One’s Going Hungry or Cold (2026 Apr 22)
Video: https://youtu.be/2-GlKlHMlRo

4th Hatch ~ Monty Meets All 4 ~ Hartley Gives 1st Feeding (2026 Apr 21)
Video: https://youtu.be/F9NFVYJCBks

Hartley Welcomes Chicks 1, 2 AND 3 ~ Monty Waits for a Peek (2026 Apr 21)
Video: https://youtu.be/m-LTvHVPKXE

I’m not going to swear but…how many ospreys die because of hooks and fishing line? This one was rescued.

A police officer using a long pole to assist in freeing an Osprey caught on a fishing hook, while standing on a ladder near a river.

So happy. This time it was a happy ending.

A young osprey standing on the ground in a grassy area, with a pet carrier nearby.

It was a booming year (no pun intended). Kakapo breed every four years. Records broken this year on this critically endangered species, but the species remains in decline from four years ago.

A close-up image of two kākāpō birds, showcasing their distinct features. The left bird has vibrant green feathers with a rounded body, while the right bird, slightly younger, displays soft plumage and a curious expression. Below the birds, text highlights the critical kākāpō population count of 235 as of April 2026.

Osprey baby in Italy!

An osprey standing near its nest with eggs and chicks, surrounded by twigs and branches.
Announcement about the first fisher hawk birth of 2026 at Oasi WWF Laguna di Orbetello, detailing the hatching of the first egg and updates on Okab, a fishing falcon born in 2024.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 26th April 2026

Today’s momentous news is the arrival of the first egg – around 06.50 Dorcha started making little squeaking sounds and at 06.56.29 she laid the first egg of Season Ten. The nest cup is too deep and there are branches obscuring the view, but it was clear from her behaviour that she is now brooding an egg. Louis came along about an hour later with her breakfast, and we were able to watch his reaction before he happily took over egg duty, allowing her to depart to eat her fish. No sign of eggs yet for Aurora 536 and Garry LV0 but things will take longer with them as they aren’t a long-established pair like Louis & Dorcha. Garry delivered two fish taking his tally to thirty, and Louis delivered three fish, taking the nest tally to twenty five. At the time of this report (23.30), Dorcha is still away after departing with her third fish, and Louis is looking very settled on the nest.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/gyonJzbicJE N2 First egg! Congratulations Dorcha and Louis! 06.56.29

https://youtu.be/W8-fFs6TBW8 N2 First look for Louis when he brings the first fish 07.59.27

https://youtu.be/ys5b9FxT82k N1 Aurora’s calls are answered with a nice sized fish from Garry 11.06.10  

https://youtu.be/yDnzR2DL6OA N2 Dorcha departs with the second fish leaving Louis to egg-sit 19.41.05  

https://youtu.be/591ZDgF6gbw N1 Garry flies off with fish two as Aurora doesn’t take it 20.21.05

https://youtu.be/AQXp3vpgAMk N2 Louis brings a substantial late evening supper  21.13.13

Bonus read – hormonal changes in birds during the breeding season (thanks LizB)

https://www.birdfact.com/anatomy-and-physiology/reproductive-system/hormonal-control-of-reproduction-in-birds

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/aDk_oSfFyJA  N1 Aila lays egg number two 2019

https://youtu.be/TR0ZAmEuEvU  N1 Aila lays egg number two 2020

https://youtu.be/A0Fql5tp3Zw  N1 Dad’s turn! Louis is finally on egg duty 2020

https://youtu.be/YWOgNITPfXc  N1 Ringed female Blue 152 visits again 2021

https://youtu.be/OZBLR7uszwo  N2 Very early breakfast but no more fish for Dorcha 2023

https://youtu.be/kh92z7IRnCw  N1 Three Ospreys fighting over the nest 2023 (super slo-mo)

https://youtu.be/r9ckJWn_V3I  N1 Aerobatics as Garry LV0’s involved in a chase 2024

https://youtu.be/G-DaqLc2tcE N2 A thirteen second handover of fish number two 2024

https://youtu.be/rMpsosLakXg N2 Dorcha uses her Crow voice to see off a Hoodie 2025

https://youtu.be/uUleqJXiBhw N1 Blue 536’s stick and Garry LV0’s fish fly on and off! 2025 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/o0i-471GSIE N1 A Tawny Owl pays a twilight visit 2025

Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:

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

It was a good day at Achieva thanks to Jill who is really stepping up to take care of her babies. Jack was late today – last time I checked Jill had delivered a fish and then went out later, at her usual time, to bring in another catfish.

Osprey nest on a platform with two adult ospreys, surrounded by trees and a residential area in the background.

In the image below, you can see the significant size difference between the two chicks. Big is almost fully feathered. Little is just getting its tail. We still see the white stripe on Little.

A close-up of a bird's nest featuring a parent bird with brown feathers standing over a smaller, spotted chick nestled among twigs and foliage.

Alaska and Australia teaming up to help protect the Shearwater!

‘The birds are a global citizen’: Indigenous groups in Australia and Alaska team up to track a feathered adventurer’s epic journey.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/apr/26/indigenous-groups-australia-alaska-track-short-tailed-shearwater-bird?CMP=share_btn_url

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care of yourself and have a great end of the weekend and the beginning of the week. See you soon!

Toby loving his Bully Stick.

A close-up of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog chewing on a dog treat, resting on a soft, textured pillow.

Thank you so much to SK Hideaways and Geemeff for their great contributions – their work takes so much time. I am very grateful to those who post current information on FB and other platforms, to The Guardian for its reporting on wildlife concerns, and to Dyfi Osprey Project for keeping such wonderful historical information. To the owners of the streaming cams, thank you seems too small. We would know about these amazing birds and their environmental challenges if it were not for you.