I have had the most marvellous time with my friend Geemeff who has now returned to the UK. We talked ospreys and, of course, anyone who has read my blog for the past osprey seasons will know that I am rather fond of Blue 33, who is my favourite male. At the same time, during the pandemic, Louis and Aila broke the hearts of nearly half a million people with their trio at Loch Arkaig in 2020. Those chicks were Doddie (JJ6), Vera (JJ8), and Captain (JJ7).
Geemeff filmed the first video from a hide at Rutland Water. There was no editing other than the use of slo-mo so that you could actually see what Blue 33 is doing. Now, it is not unusual for an opsrey male to sky dance while trying to woo the female, but look – Blue 33 hovers like a helicopter over Maya. What strength that took! Amazing. I have never seen this behaviour, and neither had Geemeff when she filmed it while on tour at Rutland. Have you? I would love to hear from you if you have.
Louis and Aila won our hearts, and so did the 2021 trio, including my favourite JJ7, Captain! I’d like you to please watch this bizarre behaviour of Mum. The chicks are unsure what to think! But please, you must watch to the very end.
The only one of the trio to be identified and photographed as returning as a two year old of the trio was Doddie who was seen on the Shetland Islands.
Isn’t this chick of Gimbir and Diamond at the Charles Sturt University Falcon Scrape just the cutest only chick? Please vote to give it a good name!
The Currawongs continue to be thwarted by the Olympic Park sea eagles 35 and 36. So far those pesky little birds have not been able to oust the two from the Olympic Forest! Bravo. Prey is being delivered.
Remnants of prey line the gutter at 367 Collins Street in the CBD of Melbourne. So far no fledges from any of the three peregrine falcons.
Your favourite osprey streaming cams and nature centres are fundraising. Here is the latest from Dyfi:
More trials for those who kill our beautiful raptors – will Scotland finally have penalties that will make people stop this horrible practice? Raptor Persecution UK provides us with the latest information.
Thank you for being with us today. Take care. We will be back with you next Monday unless there is something that happens – such as a fledge in Melbourne. Be sure to vote for a name for Gimbir and Diamond’s chick. Check out my blog for November 10th for the details including the choice of names. See you soon!
Thank you to Gemeff and SK Hideaways for their videos and to the owners of the streaming cams, those that post information on the various FB groups, Raptor Persecution UK, and Birdlife Malta for their informative posts.
Sunday was a glorious 11 degrees C on the Canadian Prairies. Where did that beutiful warm wind come from? Please send more! We got the lights on a little Blue Spruce tree in the front garden. It was planted for one of our Tuxedo cats, Melvin. Melvin was named after the Jack Nicholson character in As Good as It Gets. And like that character, Melvin did not like patterns. He would only sleep on a blanket if it was a single colour! He was quite the character, living to be 17 and not being sick until the very end. I adored him. Hopefully the little solar panels will charge soon and we can see how we did stringing the lights in a kind of clear rope.
It is International Polar Bear Week, and what a special time for our friend Geemeff to be visiting the bears in the very north of Manitoba. I hope that she has an incredible time on this dream-come-true holiday! I’m really looking forward to seeing the images and hearing the stories.
I am always grateful for the talents of SK Hideaways and here are the video offerings from the past week for your pleasure.
SK Hideaways Videos for the week of 26 October 2025
Introduction: I first fell in love with raptors in 2019. All the videos I’ve created since that time stem from that love and my desire to learn all I can about these and other raptors. My mission is to inform, educate, and entertain viewers. I have never and will never monetize my videos. They are purely a labor of love that give me great joy to share with anyone kind enough to view them. Much gratitude for Mary Ann Steggles for bringing my videos to you.
SAN JOSE CITY HALL FALCONS: Hartley & Monty’s Brief Tête-à-Tête (2025 Oct 31)
Hartley and Monty stopped by for another off-season bonding, albeit very short this time. Just a couple months till breeding season begins.
SE36 says, “This is MY Fish🦈 ALL MINE” 🙃 It Almost Was (2025 Nov 2, 11:06-13:50)
When Lady brought a fish, SE36 pounced on the opportunity to grab it first. He/She protected it, mantling like a pro as SE35 tried every angle to get the steal. When Lady returned, apparently deciding SE36 had had enough, she took the tail, which SE35 quickly grabbed. Seems everyone was content with the outcome. At the end, cam ops gifted us with some stunning close-ups.
SE35 & SE36 Go From Chaos to Cuddles in <24 Hours (2025 Oct 31, 12:56-13:22)
After SE35’s chaotic return to the nest the previous day, the two eaglets we saw in the nest this afternoon looked completely different. We think yesterday’s eaglets were imposters.😉 It was a relief to see SE35 and SE36 behaving nicely together again. Wonder what tomorrow will bring.
Courtesy Sea-EagleCAM@BirdLife Australia Discovery Centre, Sydney Olympic Park
SE35 Retains Control🔫But Lets SE36 Relax and Eat😮💨(2025 Oct 31, 7:02-9:31)
After a mostly calm night, 11-week-old SE35 and SE36 had a much calmer morning. While SE35 quickly grabbed and mantled the first two meal deliveries, both eaglets got good feedings and spent time near each other with no aggression. SE35 may continue to show aggression at mealtime, but the fact that they did not attack SE36 was great progress.
Courtesy Sea-EagleCAM@BirdLife Australia Discovery Centre, Sydney Olympic Park
SE35 RETURNS TO NEST ~ Attacks SE36, Forcing Him/Her High Up Branch (2025 Oct 30, 15:49-18:13)
SE35 had been near the nest tree the previous day, where Lady and Dad could keep an eye on them and feed them. SE36 knew their sibling was nearby and watched from the nest. But today at 15:56, SE35 returned to the nest and did not want to share it with SE36. SE35 attacked SE36 multiple times, forcing them up the branch and then to the nest rim. Both Dad and Lady brought food, which SE35 quickly grabbed and mantled. Fortunately, SE36 had eaten earlier in the day. At one point, Lady got between the eaglets to distract SE35 from attacking SE36, like she did when they were wee. It still works. At the video’s close, SE35 is laying in the nest while SE36 remains on the rim and parents are nearby. Hoping for a peaceful night.
Courtesy Sea-EagleCAM@BirdLife Australia Discovery Centre, Sydney Olympic Park
367 COLLINS ST. FALCONS
Morning Means Madness for Chicks ~ When 1 Feather is Everything (2025 Nov 1)
On their morning walk, one chick found a most fascinating feather, which kept it occupied for some time. The other two chicks were spellbound. Then a spider passed by ~ not sure if the chicks saw it, but it was on a mission to reach the top.
Mum F24, Dad M24, 3 Chicks (2025 Oct 29, 7:27-12:33)
The chicks are now frequently on the move from one side of the ledge to the other, delighting us with their gutter stomps, food fights, and uncontrolled wingercises. They’re 4 weeks old and their next growth phase will pass with lightening speed.
TWO HARBORS EAGLES: Cholyn, Building Inspector🔍Chase, Branch Manager🪵Both, Beakersons (2025 Oct 27)
Cholyn and Chase worked on the original nest again today. Cholyn was the eagle-eyed building inspector, Chase the branch manager. Occasionally this meant there were discrepancies about what should go where, resulting in some beaky disagreements. I urge you to watch the whole video, but if you can’t spare the time, do not miss minute 17 and minute 20. Enjoy!
FOBBVCAM BIG BEAR EAGLES: Jackie Returns with Head Smudge ~ Shadow Dons All White (2025 Oct 26)
After a two-week absence from the nest, Jackie and Shadow visited for just over an hour. Jackie arrived with her now signature head smudge, while Shadow’s coif was pure white. They saw that the nest was still a mess and did some half-hearted aerating. But mostly they just enjoyed the view and each other.
We are waiting for the eggs to start pipping at the Charles Sturt University falcon scrape in Orange, Australia.
At the Olympic Park in Sydney, life has settled back to what it was before the fledge of 35, more or less. How many of you had your stomach in knots like I did? I hate seeing them fight, even though it is a normal process for living in the wild when they are independent and not around one another.
Prey is being delivered. In the background you can hear those Currawongs. I know I shouldn’t say it but I would like to cook them in a pot and serve them on that nest – the damage they have done over the years to the sea eaglet babies when they fledge!
35’s knowledge of flying in the forest could help the pair navigate to get out of the trees and to get down by the roost of Lady and Dad near the Parramatta River.
I really urge you to check out the Sydney Sea Eagle FB group. Great images are always being posted with updates from Ranger Judy.
They are not babies anymore at 367 Collins Street. All that flapping and running up and down the gutter means that there is little down left on those wings and back.
Helen Matcham got some great captures of the three!
There might not be eggs at Port Lincoln or any little dinosaurs but Ervie is still around~
There is at least one chick in the nest at Price, South Australia. Friends of Osprey Sth Australia must be delighted.
Geemeff sends us the season highlights from Loch Arkaig – all things Louis and Dorcha! https://youtu.be/-kK4vb1OTiw?
The Bald Eagles are getting ready for a great season!
Connie and Clive at the Windows to Wildlife nest at Captiva:
Gracie Shepherd caught Haku and Akecheta at the West End.
Haku is a big girl!
Mr T is bringing fish gifts to Mrs T at the Trempeauleau Bald Eagle nest – now, please Mr T, do this when there are eaglets in the nest – fish double time or whatever it takes if there are two families!!!!! Early Bird caught it on video: https://youtu.be/5Eo1_m00KDs?
Sandhill Migration inspires many here in Canada, where they are plentiful in Saskatchewan and Southwestern Manitoba, and down in the Midwest. Grateful to the photographers like Michael Boeckmann who shares their talents with us.
There is good news coming from Wildlife Haven and Assiniboine Park Zoo here in Winnipeg. Lumi, the rare lynx cub taken into care, got very ill. She is now responding to treatment.
Beautiful E3 as an ambassador at the Cornell Bird Lab. Much loved and very well cared for, even if they cannot fly free. Looking at Big Red’s baby!
Jane Goodall is an inspiration to so many of us us. What can we do to live up to her example? https://youtu.be/trv_8XQKTWQ?
One of those whom Goodall inspired is Beth Pratt, who has been studying the animals in Yosemite National Park in the US. A lovely article in The Guardian where Beth says, “We think we as humans are so exceptional, but come up here and even the smallest of critters will put you in your place very quickly”. The article continues…”The world Pratt captures is fierce and fragile: Butterflies, weighing no more than a feather, fly over 12,000ft (3,650-meter) peaks. Freshwater crustaceans called fairy shrimp spring to life in small, temporary ponds left after the mountain snow melts, their eggs able to last up to a century in suspended animation, waiting for the right conditions. Pratt even saw a marmot chase off a coyote.
But it also highlights how exceedingly vulnerable these animals have become. The climate crisis and the encroaching development into once-wild places have added challenges even for the most hardy.
“People don’t understand that wildlife operate on the barest of margins,” Pratt said, pausing to ferry a caterpillar off the trail and onto the underbrush in the direction it was heading. “Something like trampling their nest or leaving trash out can result in dead animals or a loss of habitat or scaring an animal who doesn’t have a lot of energy reserves to begin with.”
The book will be released in Canada in 5 days and I have placed an order eager to support the work of these talented and determined environmentalists. Calico and I will have her Golden Paw Award in about a month!
A lovely children’s book about an osprey nest is going to be released soon and the funds will go to help ospreys in South Australia.
Migration updates from Hawk Mountain for the week of 25 October:
I had hoped to complete my entires in the data forms on osprey mortality by the 31st. What I am posting today is a partial entry. I had both my flu and Covid jabs on the same day and they quite knocked me out. I was so very sick that it was one of those weeks when I just wanted to roll over and never wake up. I am grateful to Anne who came and took care of the household while I recovered. But, here is what we have so far. What you are not seeing are the tens of thousands – if not hundreds of thousands – of failed eggs or chicks that died from lack of food nearing fledge – in the region in and around the Chesapeake Bay. The sheer magnitude of the deaths and the nests and the lack of specific dates meant that it was impossible for either Heidi or I to deal with those entries. We were able to post those coming from VikiV in Maryland where the adults laid their eggs in May only to abandon them a fortnight later. At least the chicks did not die on the nest from starvation like they did last year. That is what I am thankful for. There is also some confusion in my mind over the number of nests in Nova Scotia and that has to be explored before the entries are put into the boxes. There are 18 nests in Italy to be added along with some from Denmark and Norway. So keep that in mind. Blow this up on your screen to see but here is the summary. The chart below represents all the nests around the world, with 292 eggs out of 103 nests. 82.88% of those hatched while 26.03% died.
If we look at just North America, there are 185 eggs. 81% hatched. 29.3% of those died. Highest cause of mortality was DNH followed by siblicide.
I have not completed all of the entries for the UK, but the chart contains 79 eggs. Of those 88% hatched while 22.8% o those died. The highest cause of mortality was DNH in the UK.
I hope to have this completed with comparisons going back four years for you before the end of the year.
There is at least one osprey still in the UK that has not migrated but who continues to fish.
Everyone going nuts for the rate Spotted Cuckoo that should be in Europe.
Calico wonders what you are doing with those leftover pumpkins. In the UK, the Leicester and Rutland Wildlife Trust suggests hollowing them out and turning them into bird feeders. The reason? Hedgehogs love them, but will get very ill if they eat them. Where I live, in fact, right in my neighbourhood, we save them and put them in the park for the deer to eat. I will be asking my neighbours to leave their unwanted pumpkins on my doorstep to take to the park nearby.
Rutland Water’s Photo of the Month:
I want to conclude with some very good news coming out of Scotland. The loopholes that allow for the killing of the raptors at the grouse moor estates is being closed. Thanks, RP UK.
Thank you so very, very much for being with us today. It is my great joy to be amongst such a supportive group of individuals who treasure the raptors and the environment and who want to do whatever they can to protect our planet for them. Please take care of yourself. I will be back with you again on Monday the 10th of November!
Thank you so much to SK Hideaways for their great videos, which support and educate, rather than thrill. None of this would be possible without the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to observe the daily lives of these magnificent creatures. Thank you also to those who administer and post on the numerous Facebook groups, so that we can stay aware of the latest happenings on the nests. I am immensely grateful to all of you. My blog would not be what it is without your contributions.
The big news at the moment is that Diamond has laid her first egg with new mate, Gimbir, at the Charles Sturt Falcon Cam scrape in Orange, Australia. Are you teared up? I sure am! Many questioned Gimbir’s youth and his ability. Well, they can stop wondering now!
09:02:16 was the time.
The most recent videos from SK Hideaways including Diamond and her precious egg!!!!!!
DIAMOND LAYS FIRST EGG OF 2025 After Early A.M. Mating x3 (2025 Sep 29)
After dear Xavier’s disappearance on 27 August and Gimbir’s arrival soon thereafter, the breeding season was in question. No one knew if Diamond would remain fertile or whether the mating occurrences between she and Gimbir would be successful. Today’s egg laying answered some questions.
Much gratitude to Cilla Kinross, director of the FalconCam Project, and Charles Sturt University NSW
CHANNEL ISLAND EAGLES
Two Harbors Eagles, Catalina Island California ~ Cholyn & Chase (21 Sep 2025)
Cholyn and Chase enjoyed each other’s company on their cactus perch, chatting, stretching, and peacefully watching the world go by. I celebrate these 27-year-olds and their 22 years of mated bliss every time I’m lucky enough to see them
Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies, explore.org
West End ~ Catalina Island, CA
May be too soon to say for sure, but it seems that Akecheta’s return may have been a one-day event.
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FALCONCAM PROJECT ~ ORANGE NSW AUSTRALIA
A Morning Filled with Bonding and Mating (23 Sep 2025)
Diamond and Gimbir pair-bonded twice and mated thrice all before 11 a.m. Only time will tell if the activities of this new couple have the desired effect, but it’s evident that young Gimbir’s reproductive instinct is fully functional.
Gimbir incorporated the leftovers of a silver gull into a long bonding session with Diamond. It seemed a little rude until Diamond ultimately joined in the nibbling. A strange and entertaining episode!
Jackie & Shadow Chortle Night Away on Favorite Perches ~ Habitat Critters Photo Bomb (2025 Sep 26)
Glorious sounds of Jackie & Shadow filled Big Bear Valley as they chortled throughout the night. They settled on their Roost Tree overnight and convened at the Lookout Snag at dawn. All through the night, habitat critters, Fiona, the Bernardino flying squirrel, and her friend, a wee tiny mouse, visited the nest looking for snacks. A lovely Cooper’s Hawk graced the Cactus Snag to close the morning’s activities.
Shadow returned to the nest after a record-setting 82 days. He and Jackie must really be enjoying their summer vacation. Shadow took in the mess of sticks left by Sunny, Gizmo, and all the visitors to the nest since the family departed, vowing to return with Jackie after vacation to tidy the place up. The ravens greeted him with an aerobatic display, much to his chagrin. He conveyed the whole story to Jackie when they met up on their roost tree for the night.
Jackie & Shadow Return to Nest ~ Reminisce About Sunny & Gizmo (2025 Sep 26)
After 3 months, Jackie and Shadow returned to the nest, taking in their habitat for over 2 hours. I like to think they were reminiscing about the special spring they shared raising Sunny and Gizmo. I’ve interwoven lots of those memories here.
On Monday, the 22nd of September, our family said goodbye to our oldest grandson, Zak, who died in a tragic accident on the 15th. He was soon to be twenty-nine years old. His father was our son who was killed in a car accident twenty-six years ago. Zak was enormously funny and very kind; we are so grateful that we got to see him a year ago. A new tree has been added to the garden.
Needless to say, this has not been the most productive time, although distractions were welcome, and the return of Akecheta gave me hope for all manner of things.
We spent Sunday restoring our spirits in the woods of the Birds Hill Park. Toby was so good. We were shocked that he did not even bark when the chickadees came to take their Black oil seed.
Oh, lots of news in Bird World.
We saw him injured and cried. He was photographed several months later near Ojai, California on the mainland and now Akecheta has returned to the West End where he raised eaglets with Thunder. Thunder suddenly left her eggs (Makaio’s) and I still wonder if she didn’t see Akecheta and follow him. We wait to see if she shows up and if they are in camera range.
Akecheta has not been seen since the 25th at the West End. That was Thursday.
On May 18, Akecheta was photographed near Lake Casitas, California on the mainland.
Here is the chronology of the drama from Jann Gallivan around the nest of Thunder and Akecheta:
Cornell Bird Lab has posted the results of the necroscopy on Big Red and Arthur’s O1. She died of West Nile Virus.
The progress of the Royal Cam chick on her race to get to the waters off of Chile and Peru. Thanks, Holly Parsons.
Heavy rain is hitting Gabby and Beau’s nest south of Jacksonville, Florida.
On Tuesday, Charlie was still at Charlo Montana while Dad was last seen at the Boulder County Fair Grounds Saturday morning the 20th. It appears that both have started migration now.
Rosie appears to have started her migration late this week from the SF Golden Gate Audubon Osprey nest.
What happens when glaciers recede? The Guardian tells us.
Fall is a wonderful time of year to see many wildlife species as the leaves give way and the birds and animals linger feeding before winter. USFWS got some great images of the migrants.
I dream of seeing this number of Pink-footed Geese! Just look at those at the Montrose Basin Wildlife Reserve in Scotland. Oh, I am dreaming.
Sightings of youngsters is always welcome. Those at Threave Ospreys are excited.
Newmann has a visitor at Great Spirit Bluff and Ashley Wilson caught 33/U!
Did this Norwegian osprey go off course, winding up in the UK? Thanks, Mary Cheadle.
It is simply beautiful fall weather on the Canadian prairies, and we have managed to squeeze in some time to go to the nature centre for a much-needed walk during the week. I particularly wanted to see some geese, and was not disappointed.
I am very concerned about the hurricanes in the Atlantic and their impact on the Bald Eagle nests in the NE of Florida like that of Gabby and Beau. Extreme Weather Chaser posted these images.
Keep an eye on the nests as these systems move through. For those of you living in the region of the storms, please stay safe!
Please let your voice be heard on the use of rodenticides in the UK! We know that they do not just kill rodents, and we also know that eagles, owls, hawks, harriers, and all manner of our feathered friends catch the rodents that have consumed these horrible toxins and die. Let the raptors eat the rodents! Raptor Persecution UK gives the details.
‘A’ comments from Australia – (I can’t wait to see what they will say about Diamond’s egg):
“Yes, the spring equinox has ushered in some gorgeous weather – sunny and not at all hot (15C today but it’s been up to 22C in recent days). The trees are blossoming, the bulbs are flowering and everything is energised. The birds are flirting and nest-building. Melobourne is not yet subtropical.
Mr and Mrs Crow are huge birds with huge appetites.They like to grab chicken carcasses and fly it to a flat rooftop over my back fence (a three-storey block of units), where they eat at their leisure. There must be a lot of regurgitated bones and the like on that rooftop!
Mr and Mrs Magpie definitely have a nest but do they have eggs yet? I suspect they might, as I have been seeing them both but not together. And Mr Magpie has been removing food from the garden, which is unusual. I suspect he is taking it to Mrs Magpie on their nest. It’s nearly the end of September, and the falcons have had three eggs for a couple of weeks now, so I’d be surprised if that were not the situation with the magpies. Interestingly, by summertime, the magpies are sometimes accompanied by a fledgling from the previous year as well as the one from the current year. I have no idea whether the gender of the fledgling has any impact on whether this occurs but it’s interesting to see the family group – mum, dad, and a couple of kids. (I usually see only one fledgling per season – I really should do some reading on magpie breeding because I don’t even know why there’s only one fledgling per season (siblicide/food shortage or only one fertile egg).
Those sea eaglets in Sydney are so gorgeous as their juvenile plumage comes in. I hate watching them nearing fledge however, based on previous years. I wish I could think of ways to give them a better chance of surviving after fledge – the annual rescue with mixed success and the loss of contact with no way of knowing whether they even survive. It’s an awful end to a season of watching them daily and counting their bites and growing to know and love each one of them. I think it’s the seeming inevitability that makes it so hard.
At Collins Street, the parents are so patient, sitting on those eggs day and night, rain or shine. Dad has this endearing habit of chatting to the eggs in a tiny, squeaky little voice. It’s adorable. And you are SO right about male falcons. They are the cutest things. Gimbir has learned to deliver the fruits of his hunts (he is a very good hunter) to Diamond – now, all he has to work out are her preferences, though she has very kindly accepted and actually partaken3 of a starling gift, no doubt trying to encourage him. Such an odd couple, with Gimbir so young and tiny and Diamond a matriarch old enough to be his great-grandmother and at least twice his size. But if we had to lose Xavier (and he is dreadfully missed) I am glad that Diamond has found a new mate.
At Port Lincoln, the incubation continues, with mum doing most of the egg sitting and dad getting in egg time whenever he can (and sometimes being tardy about leaving again – mum has had to apply the foot more than once). Three eggs laid over the course of a week does concern me. I’m sorry to repeat myself but I do wish they had stuck to two. I suppose three eggs at Port Lincoln has far too many memories of Zoe for my liking. Still, the Fish Fairy has arrived since (and perhaps because of) the Zoe season. I keep wondering what that taught us about spoiled first hatches and their survival skills. Zoe certainly seemed to lack them!
The information about the breeding habits of the albatross was interesting. The updates on some of the birds from previous years were fabulous. I am glad YRK has a new mate, although we always grieve for those who are missing. We must advocate for an end to the eating of tuna!
Of course we check everything for safety before offering it to the birds because they will eat all sorts of leftovers, raw and cooked, so obviously, I don’t want to do anything dangerous through ignorance. In that manner, I discovered that avocado is deadly for birds – it damages their liver. The magpies in particular love a walnut as a special treat – that’s safe for them.
It is so good to see Gabby and Beau together. And the return of Akecheta is wonderful news. Do we think he has perhaps been recovering from an injury? What else would have kept him away, I wonder. “
The Ventana Wildlife Society has a monthly chat. If you missed the one in September, the link is here. There are other links to the different cameras for watching the condors.
We still have ospreys in Nova Scotia, Canada. At other sites, winter occupants have arrived,including Colin the Cormorant at the Rutland Manton Bay nest of Blue 33 and Maya and Fred the Heron, captured on the nest by Barb and Bob Larsen at Boulder County.
Thank you so much for being with us today. We look forward to having you with us next Monday, when we will be sharing several book suggestions! In the meantime, please take care. Put your devices away and go outside to restore your spirit.
I want to thank our notable contributor, ‘SK Hideaways’ for their videos highlighting the nests we are following, ‘A’ for their Australian commentary, the owners of the streaming cams listed in bold, the individuals who take the time to create videos and the authors of posts such as Jeff Kear at UK Osprey Information, and all others, often too many to name but whom I have tried to cite in bold. I am very grateful to you and to the newspapers and journals that still cover environmental issues as they relate to our precious feathered friends. My blog would not be what it is without your input into the world of birding.
Oh, the sun is shining and the sky is blue! Everyone has now been fed and watered after a frolicking night of little raccoons on the deck eating cat kibble. We hope that each of you has a lovely Friday and a great weekend.
Late update from Rutland:
Late news from Foulshaw Moss:
I am starting to write this blog on Tuesday morning while Toby is at the vet clinic. He has been gone for four hours, and I miss that little bundle of energy. Toby went in for a neutering and will come out with that, but it turned out he still has all of his baby teeth. They didn’t fall out and should have, but are rather crowded with his big boy teeth. There was already some plaque building up, so they are coming out as well. Hugo Yugo is looking for him. Did I say that they are inseparable? And the vet fears that HY will try to wash Toby’s stitches. Oh, my. HY just decided to give Calico a good go! It is a good thing that Toby will be relatively sedated when we pick him up later today.
Hugo Yugo took really good care of Toby when he wasn’t feeling well. HY washed Toby’s face and slept with him, but didn’t wash those stitches as far as I know (of course, I was asleep, but they were quiet and I presume sleeping or they would have been romping all over me).
It rained on Thursday morning. There was something about the sky – it was dark. It was 20 °C, but it felt much colder. Watching Brock come for his meal made me realise that winter is coming sooner than I want! Brock is starting his 4th fall coming to the garden. He must have had a place to stay warm in the winter, or he would not have survived. Where is it? We have the heated food and water bowls ready for him. I contemplate having the carpenter make him a two-level house where he can sleep on top under a lamp and have his food below. But would he use it?
Miyoung came and cut our hair, and guess who wanted to help her?
Inseparable. Toby is feeling better. Him and HY are just cuddle buddies – and they are always looking for trouble. Good thing Miyoung likes dogs and cats!
Hope. Baby Hope is fine. She is getting new fur on her injury, and I now have some sedative tablets to help her get to the vet if necessary in the future. What a relief! As each of you knows, our pets mean the world to us, and when anything happens or when they are unwell, we do not rest and we worry and fret for them. They are family.
It is nice and quiet. All of the cats, Toby, and Don are sound asleep. A new season of the Marlow Murder Club is streaming – lovely with a nice cup of tea. And thank goodness, the Christmas teas are coming online. We have a favourite, and soon, some tins will arrive from across the pond. This is our holiday treat! Tea and scones. Yes! Good way to start fall, which will officially be here shortly.
As of Monday, the following male ospreys were still seen in the UK: Blue 33 at Rutland, Blue KC6, known as Teifi, and unringed Aran are still at Glaslyn. Blue KL5 is at Loch Garten, and Blue KS6, known as Dinas, is from a private nest in Wales.
As of Thursday, these ospreys appear to be around the UK: Samson remains at the Border Ospreys (see below), feeding his two fledglings. 9K5 was at Usk at 0859, and Heather Cormer was still seeing KS6/Dinas at Glaslyn.
Heather Corfield from Glaslyn stated, “There have been no reported sightings of Aran since Friday, so he could have left. We thought Teifi had though as we had not seen him after Tuesday 2, but he reappeared on Monday 8.”
Iris is still at Hellgate Canyon on Monday, and she was photographed on Wednesday, the 10th, eating a large fish in her favourite tree. She was also there on the 9th. And guess what? Iris was on the snag tree eating a large fish on Thursday, the 11th. She is in no hurry to leave. Good for her for waiting and fattening up on that nice fish.
Samson is still at Border Ospreys with the two fledglings! Augusta departed about a fortnight ago.
Fledgling Blue 7M5 from Llyn Brenig has now migrated. Last seen last Sunday, the 7th of September 2025.
SK Hideaways’ great videos keep us up to date on so many nests! (You may see a couple of these twice within the blog):
West End Eagles, Haku & MV ~ Catalina Island (11 Sept 2025)
After roosting on their night perch, Haku and MV met at the nest for bonding nestorations and a little mischief. Haku continues to try for beaky kisses, but MV resists. With this morning’s rejection, Haku took to nibbling MV’s tail instead. Interesting to watch the progression in this young relationship.
Lady was steadfast and determined to keep SE35 and SE36 warm and dry throughout a blustery night and into the morning. Except for two short feedings and an even shorter break, super mumbrella sheltered her eaglets.
367 Collins Street Falcons ~ Female F24 and Male M24 (11 Sept 2025)
A changeover became a non-changeover when Mum, F24 realized there was a prey gift from Dad, M24, that she hadn’t seen the day before. She departed with it, but not before M24 thought his egg time was over. He soon returned for a bit more time with his beloved eggs. Dad’s chirps continue to bring me to my knees. So adorable.
Big Bear Valley, home of Jackie & Shadow (9 Sept 2025)
It’s always special when Jackie & Shadow visit at this time of year, as nestorations don’t start for another few weeks. They spent the night perched on their favorite roost tree and then greeted the sunrise on the lookout snag before starting their day. Later, one of them perched on the cactus snag with two ravens.
While SE35 continues to show dominance, SE36 shows superior wisdom and resilience. While patiently waiting for SE35 to fill up, SE36 sidesteps up the nest, arriving in prime position to receive bites once SE35 is sated. It’s a fascinating story of perseverance and, ultimately, survival.
The last of Geemeff’s offerings from Loch Arkaig for the 2025 season!
Geemeff’s Final Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 10th September 2025
Season Nine has been such a successful season after the worries of last year. Not only did Louis return, but he was at his best, delivering 437 fish which together with a pair from Dorcha made a season total of 439. They hatched three chicks and fledged two, Darach 7P0 and Breac 7P7, and all four family members left on migration looking strong and healthy when they made their final appearance on nest cam. Louis has now fledged fourteen chicks, six with Aila and eight with Dorcha. Over on Nest One, Garry LV0 returned and appears to have found a mate when Aurora 536 turned up and claimed the nest, accepting fish from him, mating with him and seeing off Affric 152 when she turned up. Once Aurora left on migration however, Garry turned his attention back to Affric and delivered fish to her too, bringing a grand total of 141 to the nest for which ever female turned up, he doesn’t appear to be fussy, he just wants a mate. It will be interesting to see what happens next year, it’s looking good for chicks on Nest One, but from which female? We had the thrill of Breac’s sighting in Spain just fifteen days after he left Loch Arkaig, and also that of Aurora, sighted in Poole Harbour three weeks after her last visit to Nest One. Fingers crossed for more sightings – we wish our Nest One and Nest Two Osprey families fair winds and plenty of fish, and have our fingers very firmly crossed for safe passage for all and a safe return by the adults to Loch Arkaig for Season Ten next Spring.
Grateful thanks to George and Woodland Trust for allowing me to clip bits off the livestreams. Many thanks to everyone who’s watched, liked, or commented on my videos – special thanks TibbyJ for bird IDs and keeping me updated on all the action by sending fishmails, Steve for his amazing fish stats and LizB for off-nest reports. After some IT problems (grrr), I hope to have my season highlights video completed soon and will post it here, it will also be available on my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@GeemeffGeemeff. Thank you to People’s Postcode Lottery for funding the nest cams and selecting my postcode a couple of times this year for the minor prizes – hoping for the big prize one day!
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 20.36.37 (06.02.00); Nest Two 20.29.50 (06.04.49)
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 9th September 2025 The usual small birds visited today, and one exciting big bird – a handsome Buzzard paid a brief visit to Nest One. Last winter a Buzzard visited quite often, so hope this one, or a cousin, will drop in again. The press has been highlighting how early autumn fruit is out this year amidst concern for wildlife finding sufficient food later on. Woodland Trust would like your help to document fruit ripening dates by logging your observations on Nature’s Calendar. Link in the bonus section. Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 20.45.50 (
05.37.31); Nest Two 20.36.27 (05.58.22) Today’s videos:
https://youtu.be/Yo60gLBcOcY N1 Handsome Buzzard pays a brief visit 17.27.30 Bonus action – help Woodland Trust track how fruit ripening dates are changing over time and contribute to research on the impacts of climate change on our wildlife: https://naturescalendar.woodlandtrust.org.uk/
Lucille Powell caught Rosie at the Whirley Crane at the Golden Gate Audubon Osprey platform (the first for her and Richmond. They now use a light stand).
Newmann is at the High Spirit Bluff scrape.
Cute little sea eaglets on the EagleCAM wet from the storm – but Lady did a great job protecting her precious fluffy bundles.
KCAL News follows the protestors who showed up to try and keep building development away from Jackie and Shadow’s nest in Big Bear Valley.
NBCLA reports on the protests, too, along with many other media outlets. Everyone loves and wants to protect these two Iconic Bald Eagles and their nest.
Gabby and Beau continue to work on their nest in NE Florida:
The West End eagle nest is busy – despite missing Thunder and Akecheta, let us embrace this new couple and hope that we have little eaglets to coo over in the new year! SK Hideaways caught them: https://youtu.be/NPkYfxPdXEA?
‘A’ reports from Australia:
“Here is our gorgeous girl getting her GPS tracker.
Look at how very well behaved and calm she is while the rangers get things sorted. She is such a grown-up albie. It’s so good to know we will be able to follow her on her travels. The New Zealanders really do get a lot of things right, don’t they? I’m so very fond of them. (Australians love to adopt successful New Zealanders, and happily claim numerous actors, comedians, singers and sportspeople as our own.) They’re like our little brothers.
More importantly, Miss SS Trig has her GPS backpack and a numbered yellow band on her left leg (I’m not certain but I think it might say ‘555’. Surely not.)
She is still at the headland tonight (Thursday 11 September), but she got some really good hovering done in the windy conditions on Wednesday (10 September), with so much air beneath those wings that I thought we might be seeing her fledge then and there. But she does still have some downy fluff to rid herself of, and I am hoping that keeps her at home for another four or five days.
What a gorgeous girl she is. She loves to closely inspect the camera (as she is doing here), which gives us some wonderful pics:
We will miss this adventurous little lady. She has been wonderful to watch.
At WBSE in Olympic Park, Sydney, both sea eaglets are doing well. Here are the ranger’s reports from today and yesterday:
September 10: An early post at 4:40pm, as a storm is approaching. The chicks were uncovered last night until rain started, when Lady moved back to the bowl to cover them as well as she could. The morning saw a wet Lady and damp nestlings. She did not leave then until 8:45am, damp and dirty. Dad finally bought a fish at 9:52am, grabbed by Lady and fed to the nestlings, mainly SE35. Then the nestlings were left alone, huddled together in the bowl, mostly with one or other adult nearby. The rain eased, and during the morning, both eagles brought in several sprays of leaves. Just after midday, Lady returned as rain started again. She left after about 30 minutes as the rain eased. Dad brought in a small fish at 13:21, again grabbed by Lady and fed to the young, mainly SE35 again. When rain started again later, she returned to shelter the eaglets. Another fish arrived at 14:35 – and another feeding, with SE36 doing well. Lady covered the nestlings again after the feeding, sheltering them from the light rain. As the rain became heavier, she spread her wings out.
September 11: Late yesterday afternoon, Lady left the littles again on the nest – and the wind was really strong. Then, she brought a big fish in at last light, eating well herself – then feeding the nestlings – SE35 ate well, then SE36. She then settled over them again on the nest. She covered them all night and in the morning looked quite wet. Dad brought part of a fish just after 6am and she fed SE35 a little, then covered the eaglets again when rain started. She was seen shivering to warm herself. Dad came to the nest around 9am – Lady was straight up before he could take the fish. Lady offered some leftover fish to SE35, turned away and then ate for herself. After a few minutes, SE36 moved closer and fed well until all the fish was gone. She had a quick shake of her wet feathers, then covered the chicks again as it was still raining. She got up again at 9:41am, with a shake and away, leaving them alone, both chittering away. She returned to cover them after a short break. Then, she was away again. Dad came in briefly, looking for scraps, and fed SE36 one little bit. Then he was off. The nestlings were busy grooming their wet fluff and itching, and the weather was improving. Dad brought in a gull at 14:42 and Lady fed both eaglets, SE35 first. Dad came in afterwards and fed a few scraps to SE36. Both, by then well fed, spent the late afternoon lying in the nest bowl. Another fish was brought just after 5pm, fed to the kids by Lady – both ate. She then settled over them just before 6pm.
At Port Lincoln, there are three eggs, laid on 4 September, 7 September and 11 September. Of course there is plenty of time for a fourth egg but let’s hope they leave it at three. I wonder whether the Fish Fairy could ensure four osplets survive to fledge if there did happen to be four viable eggs – it wouldn’t be easy, even with enough food to go around, because sharing it between four osplets would be exhausting and difficult for the parents. It’s too late to hope for just two eggs so the best we can do is hope this is it for egg laying this season.
At Collins Street, there are three eggs, and obviously, these two know that three is a good number. They are taking turns to incubate their eggs, and like the osprey pair at Port Lincoln, they seem to have a good relationship, closer than last year (whether they are a different pair or whether they are just more mature this season and know each other better, who knows).
At Orange, there are no eggs, meaning there was no fertilisation in the few matings witnessed between Diamond and Xavier before his disappearance and Gimbir’s efforts [might be lacking]. “
Backyard Bird Lovers reminds us:
Some avian species are disappering more rapidly than others.
Ducks are increasing in number because of the increase of wetlands and hunters partering with ‘birders’ and environmentalists.
No feathers! But the rare baby Lynx that came into care at Wildlife Haven in Manitoba. https://youtu.be/_cRbeF4ZF1E?
Thank you so much for being with us today. We are delighted that so many people care about the raptors (and other feathered friends) that we follow. Osprey season is winding down, and Bald Eagles are returning to their nests in the United States. As I have mentioned previously, the active nest at the moment is the White-bellied Sea Eagle nest in the Olympic Forest in Sydney. We have eggs at the CBD Falcon scrape in Melbourne and at the Port Lincoln Osprey barge. Mum laid her third egg on Thursday at the barge, and we should now be in the hard incubation stage. We wait to see what will happen at Diamond and Gimbir’s scrape on the grounds of the Charles Sturt University in Orange.
I am going to take a ‘sort of’ mini-break. There is a lot to do to get the garden in shape for winter, and a few continuing renovations inside that need my attention. As a result of a lack of nest activity, I will publish my blog just on Mondays until the Port Lincoln osprey eggs hatch in 36-42 weeks. So check in on Mondays! Book reviews, Red Bird discussions, Bald Eagle sightings!
Take care! See you on Monday.
I want to thank our notable contributors, ‘Geemeff and SK Hideaways, ‘, the owners of the streaming cams listed in bold, the individuals who take the time to create videos and the authors of posts such as Jeff Kear at UK Osprey Information, and all others, often too many to name but who I have tried to cite in bold. I am very grateful to you and to the newspapers that still cover environmental issues as they relate to our precious feathered friends. My blog would not be what it is without your input into the world of birding.
Blue NC0, the resident female at Loch of the Lowes, also arrived on St Patrick’s Day to her nest waiting to see if the new male from last year, after LM12 (Laddie) passed came courting.
She is gorgeous. She flew over the loch landing on the nest at 14:23.
In 2023, Blue NC0 also arrived on the 17th of March. Last year, she touched down early on the 8th of March. Her and Maya from Manton Bay often arrive near to one another and today, of course, they landed back in the UK safely on the same today.
Maya sent Blue 25 packing off the nest just like she did last year. So glad to see her home and hoping she is healthy and this is a good year for this nest.
What an incredible sight this morning, when just before 10am we saw our resident female Osprey Maya land on the Manton Bay nest.
Maya has been in Rutland since 2009 and has been breeding on the Manton Bay nest since 2010. During that time she has raised an amazing 38 chicks, making her the most successful breeding female Osprey on record.
As we are watching the live stream now there is a fierce battle going on between Maya and female 25(10). 25(10) has been on the nest for the last couple of days, and when this same scenario happened in 2023 Maya eventually saw her off and 25(10) returned to her usual nesting site.”
Maya caught her own fish. Blue 33 you had better get busy and get another one for her!
Thank you to the Woodland Trust (Loch of the Lowes) and to the LRWT (Manton Bay) for their streaming cams and posts on FB and Geemeff for the video of Maya.
It was a sad day in the garden on Saturday morning.
Everyone always talks about a Spark Bird. There can be several of these significant birds throughout our lives. As a child in Oklahoma, it was the Blue Jays and Cardinals that my dad fed out of his hand. As a teenager, it was the Red-tail Hawks. Then, decades later, there was the most magical moment. It changed my life. It was a winter morning in the garden when my eyes connected with those of a female Sharp-shinned Hawk within half a metre of me. Since that day, hawks have been visiting the garden in search of a “Sparrow Blue Plate Special”. Now, to have an Immature Cooper’s hawk die in my garden is simply heartbreaking. The carcass is going for testing for HPAI, as there were no obvious signs of trauma. However, I suspect the hawk flew into the garage belonging to the house next door or somehow broke its neck, colliding with the thicker branches trying to catch a songbird.
The happy ending to this, if there could be one, is that the hawk’s body is going to our local museum as part of their specimen collection. If you find a bird whose carcass is in good condition, check with your local natural history museum or wildlife centre to see if they would be interested in having it as part of their specimen collection.
It was 14 degrees C Saturday afternoon at the nature centre. The Canada Geese had moved from the main lake to the smaller ponds and fields to forage. There were hundreds of Dark-eyed Juncos, several dozen Chickadees, Woodpeckers, and House Sparrows enjoying the warmth as a huge hawk flew overhead.
Meadow is at the Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey and is getting the first-class care this rehabilitation centre is known for!
Meadow being weighed.
An ambassador celebration at Audubon!
Two little eaglets being fed at the ND-LEEF nest. Looks like the new Mum has been named Gigi.
There has been some concern for the One eaglet in the nest at Tremplealeau, Wisconsin. The male disappeared and the female is alone.
UPDATE: Dad has returned to the Trempealeau Nest and two fish have come in already – Saturday! Yeah.
The situation at Moorings Park improves for Tuffie bite by bite.
Tuffie had some of the leftover fish early and it appeared that he might have had some other bites. It was when I returned from my walk at the nature centre, that Tuffie had a nice feeding. After Ruffy ate, Tuffie was fed and then both of them ate together.
‘H’ gives us a more detailed day’s report for our little one at Moorings Park. “Tuffy ate at least 54 bites at the first meal of the day; 1109 headless fish, Tuffy was attacked by Ruffie, Tuffy moved away to the rail and never went back to eat. Harry removed the leftover fish;1156 Harry returns with what appeared to be the leftover fish. Tuffy is beaked several times and was not able to eat;1455 Harry in with whole tilapia, Tuffy is beaked and intimidated several times while Ruffie is fed. At 1526 Ruffie moves away, and Tuffy is finally able to eat. At 1533 Ruffie returned to the table, Tuffy was intimidated and turned away. Ruffie ate until 1538, then Tuffy moved up and the two ate side by side until 1540, when Tuffy was beaked again. Ruffie finished the fish. Tuffy ate at least 66 bites at this meal.”
With my bad math, that would seem to be at least 120 bites of fish for Tuffie today – more than the two previous days counts.
Oh, the size difference between these two! So glad that third egg didn’t hatch.
Last instalment from ‘H’ – what a good day for Tuffie all things considered. “1710 large headless fish – Tuffy got 3 quick bites, was intimidated and turned away, later got 3 more bites and was beaked. Ruffie ate until 1722 then moved away. Tuffy had a short private feeding until 1726, then was beaked by Ruffie. Ruffie ate some more, then Tuffy got a few more bites starting at 1730. Ruffie quit the feeding again at 1736. Tuffy voluntarily moved away from Mom from 1738 t o 1740. Tuffy ate a few more bites at 1740, and then Tuffy went and laid down at 1742. Total bites for Tuffy at this meal = at least 77 bites.Total bites to Tuffy for the day so far = 197”.
The crop is almost as big as Tuffie!!!!!!! Get the tissue box.
The little bottom sticking out from under Sally belongs to Tuffie who, all in all, had a reasonable day. Each day is getting better in terms of food intake for Tuffie.
Over the past seven years, turning points come on nests like this one. Whether or not it is the change from the Reptilian Phase into the period when juvenile plumage is coming, or if the weather shifts and the fishing gets better, or if the female ‘decides’ that the little one is going to live and begins to feed it, we should be watching and waiting to see what it is on this nest.
Many of you will have shed tears of joy for little Tuffie today. He is hanging in there and all that good energy from the Tuffie Fan Club must be helping!
The second egg was laid at the Patchogue Osprey platform on Long Island Saturday morning around 0858.
In the UK, Storm Kathleen is hitting areas hard. Dorcha was just blown off the perch at Loch Arkaig.
The storm is not blowing so hard at Loch of the Lowes, yet.
The winds were howling at Alyth, where Harry and Flora have their nest.
Storm Kathleen is kicking up waves at Rutland as Maya and Blue try to protect their eggs.
Idris holding on to a huge fish while the gale blows at Dyfi.
Telyn is soaked.
What a great screen capture of Idris and Telyn.
Extremely gusty at Glaslyn.
Same gusts at Llyn Brenig where there was a fish delivery. You might recall Blue 372. She was over at Glaslyn with Aran and flitting from nest to nest. She is trying to find a mate…well, this is her! And this is what is happening in the image below: “LJ2 has been joined on the nest by Blue 372 this afternoon.Blue 372 is a 3 year old Scottish female translocated to Poole Harbour in 2021, she has been seen on a number of Welsh nests over the past week or so and is now braving the winds up at Llyn Brenig. LM6 our regular female has not yet returned from migration.”
She is determined. Will this be her nest?
‘H’ reports that the Mum at Carthage laid the season’s first egg. Saturday the 6th of April at 10:17:10.
Confirmed pip at US Steel’s nest of Claire and Irwin – and now it is a hatch. looks like another crushed egg hatch. Little one alive and squiggling this time!
Darling Big Red never seems to age except for her feet and legs. She and Arthur continue their dedicated teamwork to hatch those four little hawklets.
Iris might have wished she had waited a few days to return to Montana.
Do not get upset if you check on the little owlet at Wolf Bay. They are both fine. There is a prey item currently on the nest, Saturday evening, that is white.
JBS20 is getting those wings strong. Adult in to fed but JBS20 is good at self-feeding!
Was it a quail lunch at the Redding Eagle nest? or a Guinea Fowl? Both eaglets are doing very well.
E23 gets a fish delivery from Mum. It must have been delicious. The fledgling ate all of it.
A family portrait at the West End nest of Akecheta and Thunder.
Little heads pop up for dinner at the Fraser Point nest of Cruz and Andor.
All is well at Denton Homes.
Happy eaglets at Decorah North.
Diana Persinger recorded a video for FB of a very messy meal for these two at Decorah North.
Everything is good at Little Miami.
Little fluff balls at the ND-LEEF nest.
Worried about Angel? She was on the nest with Tom on Friday.
There are no worries about Leaper and Jersey. They had crops most of Saturday and were about to burst late in the day and Dad had a fish in his talons and Mum had one, too!
The fortune of a nest can shift from good to bad to good. Let us hope this is what is happening at Moorings Park.
Hatch watch has begun for the Fort St Vrain Eagles in Colorado.
There is some thought that the ‘original’ Dad at Pittsburgh-Hayes has returned to the nest after being gone for a very long time. (I would have to check my Memorial Page). Is it possible he was in care, rehabilitated, and released and came home?
This was posted by WingsOfWhimsy with the photos below. They sure look alike.
“WingsOfWhimsy 20 hours agoA little bit of interesting news to share. I will say right up front that I have VERY little personal knowledge to go on here, so I will direct you to either the live cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l95k-… or the Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/36054… for additional info. There is a theory that the original “Dad” from the Pittsburgh Hays nest has returned. Dad has been away for quite some time, and HM2 has bonded with Mom, although their egg failed to hatch this season. (I believe mom was first seen with HM2 in September.) Recently a visitor has been on the scene, and I have to admit… even I see the similarities! Could it be that Dad has returned? This is certainly exciting, but also a bit concerning. If this is Dad, both he & HM2 likely consider Mom and the nest to be theirs. These comparison photos were shared by a FB Group user: Lynda Philips, comparing Dad and the recent visitor. This is all I know right now, but I will update as best as I can. The folks in the group or on chat are surely more familiar than I am, though. Please consider checking in with them for more details!”
Yesterday I included a video by DaniConnorWild to show you the penguins in Antarctica. Today, here is a sobering article on the unprecedented heat rise on that continent and the fears that it has for the penguins and for humans. The author says with the rise to 38.5 C, “These events have raised fears that the Antarctic, once thought to be too cold to experience the early impacts of global warming, is now succumbing dramatically and rapidly to the swelling levels of greenhouse gases that humans continue to pump into the atmosphere.”
Thank you so much to the following who sent me comments, news, their pictures, screen captures, videos, articles, and those who operate the streaming cams that helped me to write my post this morning: ‘Geemeff, H, J’, Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey, Stephen Basly, Tremplealeau, Moorings Park, PSEG, The Guardian, Geemeff, The Scottish Wildlife Trust (LOTL), Alyth SS, LRWT, Dyfi Osprey Project, Marissa Winkle, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, Llyn Brenig, DTC, PIX Cams, Cornell RTH Cam, Montana Osprey Project, Wolf Bay, JB Sands Wetlands, FORE, IWS/Explore, Denton Homes, Raptor Resource Project, Diana Persinger, Little Miami Conservancy, Window to Wildlife, Duke Farms, and Sassa Bird.
There are many holy days that some of you will be celebrating. As I write, this is Good Friday. Both Ramadan and Passover are with us, and Easter is on Sunday, with Eid al-Fitr on 20-21 of April in Canada. Whatever holiday is yours – even if none of them is – I hope you have had time with loved ones or outside listening to birds. Whatever it is that makes you peaceful and happy.
I promised some images of Missy and Lewis. They love water! The new shower is very exciting. They want to walk all over the wet floor and lick the water from the walls. They are simply fascinated!
Missy is growing. This is a bed for a very large dog. The two are usually inseparable, and to be able to sleep together, they required this 4′ x 4′ bed. Missy’s legs are thick and stocky, and her fur is about 7.5 cm long or 4 inches. She takes up a lot of room in that bed!
‘A’ commented that I had not been my usual jovial self. Oh, she knows my every mood! I haven’t been so happy. Is it the storms and the worry over whether or not any good tress will be left for the Eagles? Is this the beginning of a long series of events that will ultimately destroy their habitat? I worry about the raptors and the impact of humans over the past fifty years of their lives.
At the same time, I try to find the same joy that the Bald Eagle parents at Decorah did. Their first chick hatched and dead in the nest, and a solid second hatch burst into the world. Mum standing there with prey ready to feed it. Life goes on just like spring follows autumn and winter.
Life outside my conservatory window is teeming. Mr Woodpecker has been here around his usual time with the regular troop of sparrows and squirrels. Later, Mr Blue Jay and Mr and Mrs Woodpecker will arrive for their evening meal, and then the Chickadees will come. It is reassuring. Even Little Red is paying more visits, having discovered the suet. Everyone, including the sparrows, needs the fat and head there before going to the Black Oil Seed.
Then this image of Spirit and Jackie popped up on the screen. Oh, what a fantastic eaglet! Watching Jackie, Shadow, and Spirit last year was a blessing. If we get another chance this year, fantastic. If not, I am so glad they are visiting the nest so we can see they are alright. Maybe with HPAI, it is a blessing. We never know. My grandmother used to tell me there is a reason for everything; you might never know why things went one way instead of another.
A link to an exciting moment was sent to me by ‘MB’. Last year a Tawny Owl fostered chicks, but this year, one of her own eggs hatched. Luna is away and we get to see that little owlet come into our world and then Mum arrives. So exciting.
But my mood is also curtailed because of the growing impact of HPAI, now confirmed to be the cause of three condor deaths in Arizona.
Here is a copy of the 2022 UK Report on HPAI – what to expect and what can be done. This terrible disease continues to impact the raptors and it is good to know a little bit about it and what we can continue to expect.
Then there are the two struggling nests: Dale Hollow and Achieva and the realisation that the egg Jak and Audacity have been incubating could not be viable. So sad for these two. I continue to wish they could somehow be foster parents. Put DH19 in there and see what happens! Of course, that is sheer lunacy getting an eaglet from Tennessee to California. No one would do it, but I do like to fantasise sometime.
In Canada, the Geese and Raptors are returning to their spring and summer breeding grounds. Sometimes, they pick unusual spots to lay those eggs.
In the UK bird enthusiasts are celebrating the return of the Bittern, thought to be on the edge of extinction.
It is so hard to imagine the difficulty that single raptor parents have in finding food and defending their nest. River has had to deal with fishing tournaments and bad weather amongst having at least 25 other bald eagle nests in the area. Today, Friday, has so far been a bad day for the nest with a piece of road kill coming in and DH17 being the only one fed with 18 and 19 pecking. Oh, how I wish she could get a big catfish on that nest. Or two of them but I fear the holiday weekend will hamper any fishing she might do. My heart breaks for her. How long have her and Obey been mates? She is grieving hard and now she is left with three eaglets, not one or two but, three, to care for in very difficult circumstances. I understand that a few from Dale Hollow will go out and search again for Obey.
River will feed 17 first. She needs one of the three to survive, and 17 is big and strong at the beak. She is not allowed the luxury of being able to bring in enough food, perhaps, to keep all three alive. We wait and hope for a miracle. 17 ate again tonight and has a crop. 18 and 19 had nothing that I could see.
It is unlikely that the searchers will find Obey. ‘A’ and I chatted about where birds go to die and what happens after Harriet disappeared. Birds die for many reasons – old age, injury, and disease. Injury would include all manner of collisions with human structures and also with attacks by other birds. I was told once that raptors if they know they are dying, will see secluded places like forests, dense bushes, and tree hollows – just like my cat Duncan wanted to hide when she had rodenticide poisoning. They want to be alone and quiet. Many hoped Harriet would be found injured and taken care of, but her body was not found, and neither has Obey’s. There are reasons for this. Birds are light in weight. Their bodies decompose very quickly if scavengers do not get to them first. We know that carrion eaters quickly find dead animals and consume them – that is their job. Other animals also eat birds and raptors. Even the feathers are eaten by rodents and insects or used for nesting material. I had no idea til I looked at this question carefully that feathers contain calcium that is good for the food chain. That is why we hardly ever see a dead bird unless it collides with our window or vehicle at a specific moment.
I can see that the third hatch at Achieva has not been fed. Chatters say Diane is ignoring it. This is typical behaviour for Diane, who did the same thing in 2021. The difference was Tiny Tot Tumbles, who went without food for 12 days (not straight, but hours added up) and survived to become the dominant osplet on the nest. This little one is not as strong and feisty. Eventually, Diane had to give in, and she fed Tumbles after dark lots of catfish while the others slept. That got Tumbles strong and kept her alive. Sadly, I believe we are in for heartbreak today at this nest. Despite terrible beaking, the third tries to get to Mum, but nothing…nothing.
So if I knew I would be an osplet and could pick a US Mum, it would decidedly be Sally at Moorings Park who feeds til everyone is full and even gets up and feeds the osplets in the middle of the night to help stop the beaking. Sally is a marvel!
Here is Victor stretching. How beautiful. Two osplets, Abby and Victor, will fledge from this nest if nothing untoward happens between then and now. At one time we worried for Victor but, the great parenting meant all the difference to this little one. Look at his cute talons! Can talons be cute?
Blue NC0 is incubating two eggs at Loch of the Lowes. She does well with two osplets. Hoping no more eggs! We lost the third hatch at this nest last year to siblicide. As far as I know, it was the only instance of this behaviour in the UK.
Maya and Blue 33 also have two eggs at Rutland’s Monton Bay Osprey platform.
One of our readers is visiting Rutland today. Oh, how I hope they get to see the ospreys!
Idris and Telyn continue to work on their nest at Dyfi in Wales.
With the death of DH1 and the arrival of strong DH2 everyone waited to see if Deborah Hatchery Mum (DHM) would feed her baby and – of course – she did! What an excellent feeding.
A little fluffy treasure. What a loving image.
Chase and Cholyn’s only surviving egg has hatched! Congratulations Two Harbours!
Fishing line at the nest of the Es in Fort Myers. Will wait to see how this plays out.
Tonight, E21 and E22 are sleeping together in Dad’s spot at the nest tree. What a beautiful sight.
There was concern that the two siblings would be attacked by the GHOs and that is precisely what happened. Here is the report.
‘H’ reports that there were three hits. Despite this, both Es were seen flying around the pasture Saturday morning. All is well.
Everything is A-OK at Duke Farms, too. Gorgeous juvenile feathers and huge feet on those eaglets sleeping next to Mum.
Everything is also fine at the Dulles-Greenway Bald Eagle nest of Martin and Rosa. This would be a good eagle family to be a part of!
One good place to find solace is watching birds incubate eggs. (It can also be terribly boring). They are so dedicated. Big Red and Arthur are no exception and this will be one nest you will want to watch when the pips begin!
The only anxiety I have ever had is the weather, and Big Red can be encased in ice and it is okay. She is incredibly devoted. Three eyases…four eyases. No one goes hungry. She has had only one eyas not fledge and that was K2 who had a beak/jaw issue. She was taken into care but did not make it. That was in 2021. Last year, Big Red and Arthur raised four. L4 is still living and hunting in their territory. (L1 died when it hit a glass breezeway at Cornell and L3 is in care to be released. L2 left the territory and as noted, L4 is still there).
Catching up with Karl II and Kaia. Karl II has crossed over in Ukraine. His battery is only operating at 16%. They are working their way home to Estonia. Safe travels as you enter Ukraine.
Kaia also has a low battery. She has just crossed into Moldova. Waba continues to be in Sudan. No transmissions from Bonus and I am fearing he is lost to us.
Heidi Mc has worked hard on the Mispillion Harbour FB Group, videos, and the history of the nest. The goal was to increase awareness of the ospreys living along the coast of Delaware. Unfortunately, the recent storms have knocked out the camera. Heidi is hoping that the staff will be able to repair it before the Ospreys nest. So, keep checking!
We are still waiting for Iris to return to Hellgate Canyon in Missoula, Montana. Star returned to the Baseball Park the other day, and Louis arrived today. Come on, Iris! We hope you made it through winter. In the UK, Aran and Louis continue waiting for their mates, Mrs G and Dorcha. Mrs G typically arrives before 1 April, but Dorcha often doesn’t arrive until 11 April. Mrs G is the oldest UK Osprey and may no longer be with us.
Louis is working on the nest but Aran has been seen sky dancing so there could be a potential female mate in the area for him. That would be lovely. He is a fantastic mate!
The latest on Murphy and the foster eaglet.
11 April is pip watch for Annie and Lou. Please mark your calendars for the Campanile Peregrine Falcons.
Thank you so much for being with me today. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, videos, tweets, posts, and streaming cams that helped make up my blog today: ‘MB’, ‘H’, CBC London, Heather Calk and FOBBV, Robert Fuller, Ventana Wildlife Society, fws.gov, BTO, The Guardian, Dale Hollow Eagle Cam, Moorings Park, LOTL, LRWT, Dyfi, Raptor Resource Project and Explore.org, CIEL, Marti Lord and SW Florida Eagle Cam and D Pritchett, Carol S Rifkin and NEFL and SWFL Eaglecam Watchers Club, Duke Farms, Dulles-Greenaway, Cornell RTH, Looduskalender Forum, Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn, Terry Carman Live Nest Cams and News.
The beautiful day gave way to heavy rain and dark grey skies. Manitoba is water logged.
It was fantastic to have the commentary of someone actually watching Idris catch this fish – it took him 5 tries to pull it out. I do wish the cameras gave us a better idea of the size of some of these amazing catches. The ‘girls’ of Dyfi were appreciative of his efforts.
The three females now take up more than half of that big nest. Eating, sleeping, growing, and getting their flying muscles stronger. Sleeping now!
Hi Dad!
Telyn arrives to feed the girls.
One of Wales Osprey couples – Aran and Mrs G. Mrs G is the oldest osprey in the United Kingdom. She is very dark with a large necklace. Dorcha at Loch Arkaig reminds me so much of Mrs G. I love Aran with his penetrating eyes.
Dorcha has, perhaps, even slightly darker markings than Mrs G.
Louis does not fail to deliver the tea time meal to his Loch Arkaig nest – he is an extraordinary fisher.
Speaking of crops – the female osplet at Loch of the Lowes has quite a large one this evening! Blue NC0 looks tired to me this season. I hope these two fledge and give their Mum time to replenish the weight and fat that she has lost caring for them before she leaves on her migration. The females leave about a fortnight before the others. That is, however, an average as nests can vary greatly.
The two chicks at the Mispillion Harbour Osprey nest were happy when a fish arrived too…what is with feeding them when they are resting duckling style??
Wonder what they are looking at?
Neither of the two appear to be overly hungry. Thank goodness. It looks like a teaser.
At the Boathouse on Hog Island, Skiff brought in a really nice fish. Big was full and Middle and Little got a really nice feeding from Dory. This is just wonderful to see!
In Montana, they are ringing/banding all of the Osprey nests. If I recall there are about 200 along the Clark Fork River. Those who make up the Montana Osprey Project will also test the birds for toxin residues that remain in the water and the fish from the mining around Missoula. Here is an article with some images of the events.
How many successful Osprey nests fledge 4 chicks? Maya and Blue 33 did it two years in a row. This year it is a Kielder nest and there is a short but nice article in the BBC celebrating this great achievement – and it is. Some nests do well with 2 but give them 3 chicks and there are often problems. 4 chicks would keep Mum and Dad busy 24/7. Ironically the literature on siblicide notes that the % of events is higher in nests with 3 chicks than with 4.
Two of the fledglings at the West End nest have locked talons and fallen off the nest! I am not 100% sure who the pair were but I think that it is Ahote on the nest and Sky coming in but – without seeing those bands it is so difficult to be certain.
The talon tumble happened yesterday and as far as I know both fledglings are fine – just their pride wounded a little.
The other fledgling can be seen flying in the distance. The one on the nest is alerting.
The one on the nest goes up and lunges forward.
Talons engaged.
They go down and then without having good footing both tumble down the cliff talons engaged with one another.
There is something very strange going on in Mlade Buky. Bukacek is building another nest! The storklets are watching him. This could get interesting. Does anyone know about this behaviour?
There is Bukacek down below the nest. Some of you may remember that the two engineers that set up the camera and saved the storklets last year when Bukacek’s mate died, did sometimes put fish down in that area. I wonder what is going on??
What is a crop? The crop is a muscular pouch. It is part of the bird’s esophagus and is used to store extra food before going being digested. Often birds will eat and eat and eat – because they do not know when they will find more food. Thank goodness that crop is expandable. Vultures and condors are known for filling their stomach and then eating – if there is enough prey – until their crop is entirely full. Some birds that regurgitate food for their young often use the crop to soften it so the wee chicks can eat easier. Hawks, vultures, condors, eagles, falcons – they all have a crop. Pigeons and doves use the crop to produce ‘crop milk’ – pulverized food – that they feed to their babies.
One of Karl II and Kaia’s storklets today with an extended crop.
Do you live in the UK? Near Rutland? ‘L’ just reminded me that the annual Birdfair will take place on the 15, 16, and 17th of July. Here is the information in case you want to attend. Thanks ‘L’! If you do ever find yourself at Rutland, please go on the water tour. You might be lucky enough to see Blue 33 land one of those huge fish he brings to Maya.
This has just been a hop, skip, and a jump to check on our nests. It appears that all of them are doing alright. No strange events – unless I have missed them! In that case, please feel free to let me know.
Thank you to the following for their streaming cams and/or FB pages where I took my screen captures: Dyfi Osprey Project, Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn, Friends of Loch of the Lowes and the Wildlife Trust, Friends of Loch Arkaig and the Woodland Trust, Mispillion Harbour Ospreys and the DDNR, Mlade Buky, Looduskalender and the Eagle Club of Estonia, Boathouse Ospreys and Audubon, Explore.org and the Institute for Wildlife Studies.
One of the nicest things about living on the Canadian Prairies this time of year are the lilacs and the flowering fruit trees. The scent of the lilacs fills the entire garden. There are two other really good things. The second is that the mosquitoes have yet to arrive. Third is – a new bunny is in the garden. It is ever so tiny and sweet. He would fit in your pocket. He is loving those creepers that are just coming up. Nice and tender! They are just slightly different poses. It is so nice to see a new bunny coming to eat the plants!
At 08:40:03, the first hatch, Kana’kini, of Thunder and Akecheta fledged off the West End nest in the Channel Islands. She landed near the transmitter just like Ahote, her youngest brother did. Congratulations!!!!!!!
There she goes!!!!!!!! Ahote and Sky watch as their big sister takes flight. What a wonderful sight.
There is an update on the Black storklets of Jan and Janika’s. It is nothing short of excellent news and is simply brilliant. Urmas and Dr Leivits at the Veterinary School have set up a Black stork decoy that stays with the storklets all the time – like a Mum. Then a ‘step-father’ called Toru comes in at regular times to feed the storklets. You will notice both of these in the images below. The storklets are eating much larger fish now. They are also preening. Just tears! This is the first time that Black storklets have been removed and raised off the nest. I wish Urmas and Dr Leivits all the best – it is wonderful to see these three little ones getting a chance to survive.
Just look at the size of the crops on those chicks!!!!! Every one of them, including the wee baby is doing so well.
The Golden Eaglet, Margit, is adorable. Nothing sort of a real cutie-pie. Margit is the chick of Kalju and Helju. Margit hatched on the 25th of April and today she is 46 days old. The adults have brought in pine boughs and Margit has been playing with them – life on a nest needs some enrichment and some pest control. The pine offers both!
Notice the ear behind the eye and that beautiful black beak with the yellow cere and legs. Take in that deep rich yellow. This is a very healthy eaglet. The down is gone from the head and the juvenile feathers are coming in around the neck and will by next week, I think, be appearing more on the head. Such a beautiful eaglet.
Kaia has just finished feeding the three Black Storklets at the Karula National Park nest she shares with her mate, Karl II. Look at the little one – such a nice crop. They are all doing well. Once in awhile Kaia rolls the fourth egg but nothing more.
Karl II has brought lunch in and the little one did a cute tog-o-war.
I am so grateful to ‘EJ’ for sending me the video link to Dad Kestrels eyases – the last – fledging. This has been a beautiful success story – a collaboration between a human and a raptor – to make sure that the hatched eyases thrived to fledge. Congratulations to Mr Kes and to Robert Fuller.
There are times when you really do wonder if those crops will not pop! Richmond and Rosie are keeping both of these osplets full and fuller at their nest on that WWII crane in the Richmond Shipping Yards.
Iris was on the nest for a few minutes on Thursday. It is always nice to see her! Always.
Last year I discovered that there are ten osprey nests in Finland. The image of the first nest is known as #3. It is located in the West of Finland and in area known as Satakunta. The nests is man-made. It was rebuilt in 2016. The male is Ahti. Him and his former mate, Helmi, fledged two chicks in 2020. Helmi sadly did not return from migration in 2021. Ahti has a new mate named Nuppu. She is four years old having hatched in 2018. The couple have three eggs in their nest for this season.
This is the link to their Ahti and Nuppu’s streaming cam
The SF Ospreys would like you to vote on the final combinations of names for Richmond and Rosie’s two osplets for 2022. Here is the information. It is free. You can only vote once. Why not join in? You will need to cute and paste the URL if it does not work by just clicking.
Port Lincoln Osprey Project put up a beautiful nesting platform on Turnby Island. Ospreys have been breeding there for a long, long time but they have had to make their nests on the ground. This has meant that there has been predation by foxes that go over from the mainland when the tide is low. This new high rise platform is meant to halt the ability of the foxes to eat the eggs! Here are some more images of that magnificent effort by PLO. And it only took the resident ospreys, Marrum and Partney, who have already made some decorating additions and have mated! Sounds like a huge success!
The platform is lowered into position by the helicopter.
The old nest – as much as was possible – was taken onto the new platform for the Ospreys.
Nest accepted by Marrum and Partney!!!!!!
Middle was waiting on the light stand calling loudly. A beautiful fished arrived at the UFlorida-Gainesville nest at 11:21. Just lovely. Both of the fledglings are returning to be fed by the parents while they get much better at flying and landing.
So far there has been no prey deliveries at the ND-LEEF Bald Eagle nest but sadly, something did happen. ND15 – Little Bit’s friend on the nest – branched early this morning. 15 has since returned to the nest and I caught s/he allopreening Little Bit 17. Wish for fish!!!!!!!
What a beautiful site – all five of the White Storklets on the nest beside their Mum, Betty! Bukacek and Betty are doing a heroic job of keeping these five fed and —— I continue to say – with no brood reduction. The wee one is growing well. Fingers crossed.
The wind is blowing up a storm in Wales this morning. Telyn is keeping all of the chicks on the nest and has managed to give them all a good feed! Well done Idris for fishing in that strong wind!!!
The bad winds were also up in Scotland accompanied by rain. No one thought Laddie would be able to get a fish in but he did. Bless his heart.
These male ospreys really impress me. Aran has been out fishing in the strong Welsh winds and has a meal on the nest for Mrs G and the three.
Hats off to Dylan up at Llyn Clywedog! He has been bringing in the fish for Seren and the three. It is rainy and wet and miserable there, too. Check out the crops on Little Bob!!!!!!! This is so nice to see. It appears that the earlier aggression on this nest has calmed down.
It is really bright at Rutland Water. Maya has fed the three Bobs and – look at how much of the nest they are taking up now. There are those beautiful juvenile feathers coming in. 5 weeks old. Gorgeous.
The three eaglets of Marko and Miina are still scuffling and the oldest and middle Bob go at it once in awhile. The nest is in Southern Estonia and there is a fish farm and a river near by. There have been intruders but the couple seem to keep them at bay.
Little Bob may be anxious but he has learned to wait his turn – and then all is well!
Little Bob’s turn!!!!!!!! Being in the back means you don’t get beaked. Smart.
The second peregrine falcon at the Manchester, NH scrape fledged. Congratulations Colum! The time was 05:49:49. In other news, the first fledge, Clem, was picked up by Maria Colby. Clem is said to have just eaten a quail all to himself. Colby is expecting to put Clem back in the nest box on Monday so he can get a proper fledge when it is time.
There is Colum at the end of the perch.
Flapping his wings!
So much happening this morning! The activity on the nests just seems to be amping it up the last few days.
Thank you so much for joining me this morning. Take care all – and have a wonderful day. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their streaming cams and their FB pages where I took my screen captures: Eagle Club of Estonia, Looduskalender, Mlade Buky Storks, ND-LEEF, Montana Ospreys, SF Ospreys, Saaksilve 3, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Peregrine Networks, UFlorida-Gainesville, Rutland Water, LRWT, Friends of Loch Arkaig and Woodland Trust, Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn, Dyfi Ospreys, CarnyXWild, Robert Fuller Wildlife, and Dr Leivites.
It is a gorgeous morning with the promise of 20 degrees C. There is a blue sky and that tinge of green on the trees. By afternoon many of those leaf buds will be leaves. It is also a good day to go and check on those cute little wood ducks!
I lucked out this morning at the UFlorida-Gainesville Osprey Nest. There was a fish delivery around 10:00. The nest was civil! So, I am going to make a assumption and see how far I can go back. There had to be at least one big fish, if not two, for Big to be nice and let Middle eat first.
Yes, there is a fish that is being fed to the two that comes prior to 06:35. I cannot tell you what happened when this fish arrived. Mum is feeding Middle nicely when I re-wind.
At 07:23:06, the pair are snuggled together in the centre of the big nest. It is hard to tell them apart. The hint is the plumage. Big remains darker than Middle. There is a little more juvenile plumage coming in. Big is bigger but when they are moving around on the nest, it is really difficult to determine who is who. Both are walking well now.
At 09:09, Big is self-feeding on a piece of fish left on the nest.
This is interesting. This is at least a second fish (perhaps there was an earlier one also to the first). Big has no interest in harassing Middle who is obviously hungry and up at Mum’s beak.
Big does come up for food and Middle begins to do his quick grab. There is no attempt to harm Middle, however.
It helps to have Big get caught up in eating a small piece of fish. Indeed, both of the chicks appear to have a piece of fish tail that they are trying to eat.
Mum was still feeding Middle at 10:25.
Now, I would like to rewind to what happened when I wasn’t able to access the camera so that we can appreciate what is happening this morning. I am very grateful for a very detailed report on the nest from ‘R’ who also knows the area well and was able to clarify where Dad goes fishing.
This is a broader map of the UFlorida-Gainesville campus showing several lakes. ‘R’ tells me there is no boating on most of them and limited boating on the larger lake. When I am looking at the reasons for there to be issues of food competition, the first thing I wonder about is the source for the fish. As some of you may realize, in Montana the Ospreys up near Missoula whose nests are on the Clark Fork River are having difficulties – or will – if the high temperatures and lack of snow pack and rain continue. The trout die. Here, this does not seem to be an issue. I did have to giggle. We know nothing about alligators in lakes in Canada that I am aware of – but apparently the lakes in Gainesville have gators and they do eat the odd dog when the walker gets it too close to the shore. Goodness, that would be a shock! As ‘R’ pointed out, the gators should not be a problem to the Osprey.
The nest is located on the Soccer Practice Field. That is the red indicator below. You can see that Dad has a large lake close by and further to the right another. Unless something is killing off the fish in those lakes, access is not an issue. Perhaps temperature is? It is 69 degrees F this morning in Gainesville. A respectable temperature for fishing. Does the temperature impact fish delivery if it gets up in the high 80s? Good question to find the answer.
‘R’ reports that Dad brought in little food on Friday. That evening, that big storm with the high winds that swept through the area and the nests – they were blowing on Captiva – took out the camera. There was on and off camera access Saturday but nothing steady with the camera until Sunday. It is unclear about food deliveries during this time but typically it is difficult for an Osprey to fish if it is a very bad storm. There is also an issue of barometric pressure. Easier to fish when the pressure is falling as opposed to rising. I am going to have to set up a graph and see if this is impacting Dad. ‘R’ was sadly able to report that a few years ago in another storm both of the chicks were knocked out of the nest. How tragic.
The report for Sunday and Monday were not good. As ‘R’ notes, this was probably due to a lack of fish deliveries. Bit was extremely aggressive attacking Middle constantly. Middle tried to position itself to get away from Big but this did not help. At this point Mum is favouring feeding Big over Middle.
The pattern continued to Monday morning – Big being clearly aggressive and Mum favouring Big in the feeding. It was estimated by ‘R’ that Big got ten bites to Middle’s one. Also noted was the fact that Middle went into submission easily whereas last week, Middle was showing some ability to deal with Big’s dominance.
The factors that are leading to food competition continue to be a lack of fish delivery by Dad, weather, and at least one instance of an intruder that was seen landing on a light near the nest.
I am extremely happy that something has happened this morning to turn this aggressive behaviour around this morning. If it is possible I want to go back and build up a graph checking on the barometric pressure in Gainesville and compare it to the days we know there were good fish deliveries and little. Is this the culprit? or is it intruders? the temperature?
I want to take you to an Osprey nest where – for the past five or six years – there has been not a single problem. That is the Manton Bay nest of Blue 33 (11) and Maya. Three eggs this season. Two have now hatched. I will expect the next one to hatch tomorrow. The eldest hatched last evening and the second is still wet! You can barely see it in front of Big Bob. — A note. All of the Ospreys are Bobs in the UK. The Bob refers to the bobbing head. so it will be Big Bob, Middle Bob, etc.
That is that big fish I was talking about yesterday. The Manton Bay nest is right in the water at Rutland. There is nothing cuter than a day old Osprey chick. Nothing. OK. Maybe a Red-tail Hawk or a Peregrine Falcon.
Big Bob is already eating well.
Maya is a bit like Big Red, the Red-tail Hawk matriarch at Cornell. She wants her babies full to the brim and more. No need for a hungry wiggly baby while one is trying to dry off and get used to having hatched and the other is thinking about hatching.
Brooding and incubating. It will be much easier for Maya when the third hatches. Again, I am not expecting any issues at this nest over food competition. Blue 33 (11) always has the fish on the nest at dawn. If he doesn’t then we should start worrying about him! This is a terrific nest.
Here is the link to the streaming cam at Rutland Manton Bay:
I have not checked any other nests this morning but I will do later today. The sun is bright and it is getting warmer and it is time to do a hike around a lake to check on some ducks and geese.
Have a wonderful day everyone. Thank you so much for joining me. See you soon!
Thank you to the UFlorida-Gainesville Osprey Cam and the LRWT for their Manton Bay cam where I took my screen shots. A special thanks to ‘R’ who educated me in potential fishing sources for Dad at Gainesville and for bringing me up to speed with great detail over the weekend and Monday happenings at Gainesville.
