It warmed up! Mike finished the railings and will begin the small deck extension shortly. Toby and I planted beans, tomatoes, red peppers, chives, various lettuces, and rosemary. We even managed to almost finish painting a wicker plant stand for one of the lovely chartreuse ferns. It was 17 C. Ann and Don went to the zoo, where to their delight, the peacocks were really putting on quite the show. It was what I call a ‘cracker’ of a day.
‘PB’ just sent a note about Achieva. Jill went out and caught a small fish for Big to eat alone. Then she went out again and came in with a big catfish for both her and Little. She is a brilliant dedicated Mum!
I love the fact that these two osprey are so bonded that they remain together despite having no eggs but protecting their territory and nest for next year! It’s called ‘hope’ and we all could use a good dose of it right now!
Sadly, Flora’s Harry has not been seen at the Alyth Substation osprey platform since Saturday. Flora had to go and find food, and when she left their eggs, the Corvids came and ate them. It is a blessing. There are no chicks to starve, and Flora can have a summer building up her strength. Harry was very special and is a huge loss.
Blue KL5 has not returned to the Loch Garten nest for many days. He is also presumed to be lost like Harry. It has been a rough year in the UK osprey world, much different than in previous years when couples were secure and chicks hatched and fledged in a normal calm manner.
Heidi reports on the saddness coming out of Mispillion Harbour osprey platform.
There is cuteness at the nest of Dylan and Seren – and what a bright spot these little osplets are that are hatching!
So cute – turn around you silly!!!!!!!! Manton Bay with Blue 33 and Maya.
Iris had a little visitor from one of the nests inside her nest!
Have you been wonderfing about the female at the Glen-Hayes nest?
We have a fledge/fludge at Johnson City ETSU.
Have you noticed that Monty and Hartley raise the most energetic chicks?!!!!!!!! Always getting into mischief. SK Hideaways gives us some of their latest antics in this video: https://youtu.be/GhKpFR5-4Ao?
Lady and Dad have been regularly coming to the nest tree in the Sydney Olympic Park.
Hatch watch for Richmond and Wendy.
Gracie Shepherd shows us the latest on the fires on Santa Rosa Island where there are eagle nests with babies!
What a cutie that hatched for Dylan and Seren yesterday with another nice pip in the second egg!
Prey becomes comfy pillows at Big Red and Arthur’s nest in New York.
Aerating the eggs at Pitkin County in Colorado.
Ann loves peacocks and this article just popped up in The Guardian!
It’s raining. The sky is grey and it is cooling off. Hoping for warm weather tomorrow! Take care everyone. We will see you again soon.
Thank you to everyone for their contributions – videos, informative posts and messages with images, authors of FB posts and the owners of the streaming cams that allow us these screen captures and a view into the life of these families.
‘PB’ just sent these great images of Iris leaving with a huge headless fish – the third or fourth NG2 has brought today!
It remains damp and cold on the Canadian Prairies. Poor Toby has to have his feet washed every time he comes inside from running about. We have a small pond in progress, and he is drawn to the mud there!!!!!!!!! Spaniels love water. I am thinking of getting him a kiddie pool for the summer. He might not like it because he can’t swim but we will see. There are enough neighbourhood children that would enjoy the pool if Toby rejects it!
Like so many of you, I have lived a long life, one that allowed me to enjoy a time when nature was not under threat every second. Of course, we did not know then what we do now about how our behaviour was impacting the environment. What would we have done differently had we known?
There are things that I miss. We had the most magnificent Magnolia tree in our back garden and several Mimosa trees in our front garden. At the very back was a wall of bamboo at one time, later replaced by my father’s rose garden. He learned how to grow roses from his grandmother and mother – she had a huge stroll garden lined with hundreds and hundreds of rose bushes. There were Cardinals and Bluebirds that lived in those trees. I also miss the duck pond at the University of Oklahoma. I cannot tell you how many hours I spent there, joined later by my children. Whether or not it was our garden or the ponds and parks near to where I lived, there were always some kind of birds. Some were in drawers with old yellowed cardboard labels in the Sutton collection at the University. They fascinated me! It is nice when everything seems to be falling apart to sit back and recall the magic of our childhoods and how the opportunities we had impacted our lives today.
Like all of you, I have been distressed by the level of Avian Flu spreading across North America. I do not want to add to this, which means disinfecting the bird feeders and tables every 2-3 days. My plan, when the last half-bag of birdseed is finished, is to put out peanuts and those solid seed cylinders to try to avoid contamination. The bird baths and bowls of water have to be cleaned and disinfected, too. The rule is 1 part bleach to 9 parts water.
How to Clean and Disinfect
Empty & Rinse: Dump out the old water and thoroughly rinse the basin.
Scrub First: If there is stubborn grime or algae, scrub the bowl with hot water and a stiff brush before applying bleach.
Disinfect: Pour in your 10% bleach solution. Let it sit in the basin for 10 to 15 minutes to fully kill any germs.
Rinse Thoroughly: Dump out the bleach and rinse the entire bird bath completely with clean water until there are no traces of a bleach odor.
Air Dry: Allow the bird bath to completely dry in the sun before refilling it with fresh water. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]
Important Tips
Frequency: Disinfect the bath once a week to keep it safe for your backyard birds.
Alternative: If you prefer not to use harsh chemicals, you can achieve the same cleaning power by using a mixture of 1 part white vinegar to 9 parts water.
Daily Maintenance: Change the water every day or two to prevent mosquitoes and bacteria from building up between deeper cleans.
NOTE: Do not use the brush used to clean the bird bath and water sources for any other purpose. Put it somewhere safe where no one can get to it and use it. I have been known to put these brushes in the dishwasher when I am running a cycle without any dishes to clean the machine.
I was so happy to see that Irv is serving up fish at the US Steel nest – a nest that shares the same river as the Glen-Hayes nest.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 18th May 2026
Another quiet day, a bit damp as rain fell in spells throughout the day, but otherwise peaceful with no alarms or intruders. Garry LV0 brought one fish for Aurora 536, taking his tally to sixty eight. Aurora stashed the remains of that fish on the nest and at the time of this report, near midnight, she is cuddled up beside it. Louis brought three fish for Dorcha and his tally is now level with Garry’s at sixty eight, with the Nest Two tally at seventy due to the two fish brought by Dorcha before his return. Louis loves spending time on incubation duty, and was moaned at by Dorcha for a good few minutes before reluctantly handing over when she returned after polishing off her second fish. Light rain is forecast all through tonight and tomorrow, with a low of 8°C and a high of 15°C.Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/b07a-dMixso N2 Louis brings a whole tiddler trout 10.02.10https://youtu.be/tQL5oriH2dQ N2 Dorcha’s second fish is a decent size 14.45.58https://youtu.be/aJ9dTcnY-nI N2 Dorcha chirrups at Louis but he won’t move 15.59.30https://youtu.be/2Vul7RV667I N1 Aurora calls and Garry brings fish 16.19.14https://youtu.be/GPQqVzFJ2bI N2 Louis happily exchanges fish for time on the eggs 18.36.52
I really respect Ruth, the author of Raptor Persecution UK. Gamekeepers can be rather threatening/frightening people. She is a very brave woman.
For those who love the James Herriot series set in the Yorkshire Dales, they are not all nice and cheerful just like some of the big estates in Scotland do the most horrific things to our raptors.
Donations are down to every wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre – including all of the dog and cat rescues. The Ventana Wildlife Society is having their major on line auction which might net you a tour of the Big Sur Condor area!
I want to add something. We praise those groups that are proactive and the Ventana Wildlife Society is no exception. 20 Condors died in Arizona from Avian Flu. The VWS set about getting permissions to vaccinate their condo. (Yes, a group of condors is called a condo!). The Ventana Wildlife Society, in partnership with the Oakland Zoo and Pinnacles National Park, vaccinated 98 wild condors (not those in zoos) from the Central California flock. 81 condors received at least the first dose, while 45 received the full two-dose series to protect against HPAI.
It was no easy feat with container cages needing to be built in a rather remote area! The determination of this small but dedicated group of individuals is admirable. It made me wonder why those who have access to chicks on streaming cams do not set about to not only band the birds but also to vaccinate them. A single dose vaccine has worked on mice and monkeys and would be ideal as it would be difficult to give the two-dose vaccine as eaglets and eyases are on the nest such a short time.
We are approaching fledge for Big at the Achieva Osprey platform in St Petersburg, Florida.
I love Big Red and Arthur. It is so exciting to see Big Red let Arthur fully participate in family life – he has certainly earned the right. Arthur is so devoted to Big Red and their babies – the pantry is rarely empty – unless it is on purpose near fledge. I am sad that they lost one of their babies but we don’t seem to need to worry about P3 who is small but mighty.
New Guy 2 has now brought Iris three fish (so far) today! I am so glad that the rushing river calmed itself in time. Cornell Bird Lab caught one of those deliveries on video: https://youtu.be/RkGQmYEkZro?
My goodness Iris is loud when she sees NG2 arriving with a fish!
I am so glad that fish did not break those precious eggs.
There are three osplets at Patuxent. Oh, my goodness. I worry about those nests.
The latest statement that I have found about the Glen-Hayes eaglets and whether or not the eaglet bodies will be retrieved:
“May 18, 2026 – GLEN HAZEL NEST STATUS
Status Update: Carol Holmgren, Executive Director, Tamarack Wildlife Center
Our hearts go out to all who love these eagles and are grieving. We have been blessed with 100% survivorship of eaglets from the Hays/Glen Hazel eagle nests over the past 14 years, while it is typical for 30% of eaglets to not survive until fledging age.
Kudos to the Glen Hazel moderator team for promptly noticing signs of illness in the chicks and notifying Tamarack Wildlife Center’s Executive Director and Licensed Rehabilitator Carol Holmgren on Friday morning, May 15. Carol immediately reached out to Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) and Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) colleagues, to loop them in that day, and has been in conversation since then. A few updates:
It is FWS policy to let nature take its course at eagle’s nests and only approve intervention when there is a threat to the eagles that has a clear human cause such as fishing line entanglement or swallowing a fish hook. In this instance, the eaglets were ill, but not with a clear human cause where FWS and PGC would approve intervention. Much as that is difficult for us to witness, it is part of the natural history that eagles live with daily.
The eaglets likely passed from Avian Influenza. Their symptoms and the progression of the illness is consistent with Avian Influenza, and they could have contracted it from ingesting goslings and geese that had been brought to the nest as food. We cannot know for certain without testing, but this is the most likely cause based on the evidence.
The adults may also have been exposed to the virus. They typically have a stronger immune system than the young birds, and may be able to fight off the virus. Time will tell. We will be monitoring them. There is no treatment that can be given while they are free-flying. If one is on the ground due to illness, it may be able to be treated by a rehabilitator.
Our hope is that their immune systems are strong and they can remain healthy.
Our highest concerns at this point are 1. supporting the health of the remaining adult eagles and 2. caring for the moderators and community who love these eagles.
Now that the two eaglets have passed, PGC has had extensive discussions about the risks vs benefits of accessing the nest to retrieve the now two deceased eaglets. They have decided not to pursue retrieval, in part to not stress the adult eagles through human presence at the nest.
There is no practical benefit to confirming that the eaglets succumbed to Avian Influenza, beyond the human desire to know. The disease is known to be endemic in Pennsylvania now and there are no management actions that would be taken with that information.
Due to the regulations and Acts protecting eagles and their nests, any access to the nest would also require both PGC and FWS support.
PGC will be continuing to monitor the situation. If an eaglet should fall to the ground, they may pursue retrieval and testing since stress on the adult birds would be less, and FWS approval would not be needed.
Below is the full statement shared by our colleagues in PGC today. We appreciate the thoughtfulness with which they have considered this situation, and their continued collaboration.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) appreciates the concerns of the public regarding the eagles in the Glen Hazel Eagle Nest Cam, located in Allegheny County.
Wildlife watching opportunities, especially ones that can occur from anywhere thanks to wildlife cameras and digital technology, are a popular way for the public to learn and love wildlife.
Unfortunately, nature can be hard to watch at times. When situations occur on live wildlife webcams, including this eagle’s nest, human intervention is not always recommended or possible.
PGC evaluated the situation carefully and considered many factors including human safety and exposure to potential pathogens. Additionally, human intervention could further stress the adult eagles. Any actions must also comply with federal regulations related to the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. At this time, we have chosen to not intervene. If a safer opportunity presents itself in the future, we may pursue disease testing to hopefully determine what caused the death of these eaglets.”
I ‘love’ Blue 33 and Maya and I am so glad that the three little bobbleheads are doing so well. Those blue eyes and that light soft taupe down with their lovely back stripe and that black eye-liner. They are so precious….all babies are so cute but I do love the tiny little osplets before they hit the reptile stage!
The Girls got their favourite crunchy treats while Toby needed a new Little Lamb. These little squeaky toys were his first and to this day, some 15 months later, they remain favourites. This one is getting ready to celebrate Canada Day on 1 July.
Thank you so much for being with us. We wish you peace and calm.
Thank you to Geemeff for her extensive report on all things Loch Arkaig, to ‘PB’ for her great images and notes, to all those who posted information and videos on FB or YouTube keeping us informed of the latest happenings at the nests, and to the owners of the streaming cams, we are so very grateful to be able to share the lives of these amazing Avian families.
It is Thursday evening, and Toby and I are having our ‘quiet’ time. Thursday was a busy day working in the garden. We are so excited about planting the flowers and veggies this weekend! Our neighbour has finished the longest railing for the deck, and we will be looking for over-the-rail planters for shade flowers. The colour will be ‘red’ this year!
Unless something dramatic happens, I will take at least a day off to plant and enjoy being outside instead of checking the screens. I urge you to do the same!
Not wanting to start any rumours, but where are the fish for our Iris? There is some concern about the whereabouts of New Guy2 at Hellgate Canyon. Is he around? Is he bringing fish? A piece of a fish was brought in by a male, but was it NG2? All I will say is that if these males are going to fail Iris, then do it before the eggs hatch. Crap. I desperately want to be wrong about this – just like I thought P3 was sick. It isn’t, thank goodness. Maybe just sleepy and in a food coma????
The second egg has hatched for Maya and Blue 33 at Rutland’s Manton Bay nest! Congratulations.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 14th May 2026The forecasted rain held off, just the occasional shower, and nest life went on uneventfully today, no intruders or alarms. Louis delivered two fish to Dorcha, taking the Nest Two tally to sixty one, and Garry LV0 brought one fish taking the Nest One tally to sixty three. Aurora 536 made that one fish last a very long time, and it travelled a fair bit too. There was much discussion around eggs, chick hierarchy, fostering and survival rates. WTS George reposted his comment
around expectations and the challenges of nest cam watching, link in the bonus section. Tonight’s forecast is partly cloudy and light winds with a low of 3°C, continuing tomorrow with light cloud, gentle breezes and a high of 12°C.
You don’t see it very often, but Arthur got to feed his babies. Arthur would love to care more for his children, but Big Red can be very bossy in that regard! He’s rather good at this! https://youtu.be/KEBghI2Yml0?
Fish continue to come to Achieva. Jack is doing well! Keep it going.
Thank you so much for being with us for this quick check-in. It is very windy outside, and we are in a ‘yellow’ warning – it is a huge dust storm! The temperatures are still warm – 23 C.
Take care of yourself. Go outside for a walk. Listen for the soothing sound of a bird singing.
Thank you to Geemeff for their always outstanding Loch Arkaig summary, to SK Hideaways for the great videos, to all those who post on FB with recent news and videos, and to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to witness the lives of our favourite raptor families.
I am writing today’s blog with a very heavy heart. Louis has not returned to Lock Arkaig 2. There was rain late on Saturday. Still, a part of me hopes that he will land on the nest and shock us all. The reality that he is not returning lingers, and it is a difficult pill to swallow. Jean-Marie Dupart has monitored the youngsters staying over in Senegal til they return to their birth homes at two years. He also notes this week that there remain some older ospreys, either setting off on migration late or deciding to stay in their winter homes. I would like to think that Louis has decided to retire, living his life out catching fish in the sun and sand of West Africa.
I am counting on Geemeff to put together a terrific memorial video to Louis if he does not turn up in the next few days. It will not be easy as Louis was such a big part of so many learning to love ospreys.
Windy and not so nice at Lach Arkaig 2 Sunday. Dorcha has not been seen at the nest on Sunday. Has she left to check out other possibilities?
Geemeff asked me if I remembered life before Toby. I do, but it is a life that will never return. We had a vacation in Guadaloupe – the last big holiday that Don and I will ever take, the February before adopting Toby in April. Don’s health began to deteriorate about a month after Toby arrived. What I didn’t say in my response is that I am very happy. I can’t turn back the clock. Don’s health is such that I can actually begin monitoring the ospreys more closely this year, since there are no long trips to see birds. We walk Toby and go to the park, watch the animals in the garden, and Ann is so helpful in getting him to The Leaf and The Zoo, places that Toby can’t go. I have good support. Toby also means I will be spending much time in the garden, as he loves company and patrols the perimeter in case any of those ‘cats’ come inside. Today, we worked on spreading birdseed and peanut shells and painted a lidded bench that Ann gave me for his clothes. Don was content to sit in front of the telly (yes, that is where we are). I am not complaining – life is just changing, and Toby and the Girls and I are adjusting ourselves to this changing reality.
We are also putting out all the signals that spring is arriving. The forecast says it will be 18-20 C on Wednesday. You have to be kidding me. Or is it another year of roller coaster rides, with up-and-down temperatures from extreme heat to cold? Toby says a barbecue might be good!
What are the things you do that signal a change from winter to spring in your mind?
The RSPB is advising individuals to remove their birdseed tables and feeders and use suet and solid seed cylinders instead. We are going to do this when my last batch of seed bags runs out this year. The aim is to prevent avian flu. Have a read to see how you can help. Avian Flu is not restricted to the UK; it is a global phenomena that probably killed our much beloved Annie, the peregrine falcon from The Campanile, in San Francisco and the thousands of geese here in Manitoba.
At Rutland’s Manton Bay osprey platform, Maya laid her third egg on Saturday. Blue 33 would like to have four again!
We can’t forget about the wonderful Bald Eagles, and SK Hideaways has put together some memories of Eve and Kai at the nest of Gabby and Beau before these two beautiful eaglets depart. It has been a magical year at this nest. https://youtu.be/yLkrhOSwPmQ?
Bety and Bukacheck have returned to the Mlady Buky White Stork nest.
At Fort St Vrain, the two eaglets are already scooting out of the nest bowl. The youngest did so at five days old! I am impressed. I also hope that those remaining eggs do not hatch despite Mum continuing to incubate them and brood these characters! It is pip watch for the last one.
You can clearly see the ‘ears’ on the triplets at the Fraser Point nest of Andor and Cruz in California.
‘J’ keeps me up on the latest kakapo news:
“Andrew Digby made a comparison with 2019:
This year’s #kakapo breeding season has been the biggest on record: – 256 eggs (252 in 2019) – 148 fertile eggs (116 in 2019) – 105 eggs hatched (86 in 2019). It’ll be 2+ months until we know how many chicks will fledge (73 in 2019). There are currently 95 alive.”
Thanks, ‘J’.
SK Hideaways also sent me a link to share with everyone – the return of the Golden Eagle!
We have our first egg for Dylan and Seren Blue 5F at Clywedog! 13:27 was the time.
If you are wondering why I am not reporting on many of the North American nests, I’m so glad that Heidi is keeping up with them – I don’t know how she manages it. I track a small number, a very small number. Heidi will begin her reporting when there are chicks hatching.
Heidi reports: “4/12 – The Venice kids are doing great. They are 23, 22, and 20 days old.
The chicks at Brevard have had lots of fish as the wind in the region has diminished. Achieva chicks are doing OK, too much to my surprise. I would still like to see a pile of fish on that nest, but Jack doesn’t leave them there, as that could easily attract predators.
It continues to rain and with all the snow melting, all manner of wildlife are coming into our neighbourhood including frolicking deer! Posted on our FB community page:
Screenshot
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. We will see you soon!
Thank you to SK Hideaways for continuing to create videos even while on holiday, to all the individuals, including Heidi, who post recent nest information and images on FB, and the owners of the streaming cams, so that we can watch these wonderful avian families. Thanks, ‘J’, for not letting us forget about the kakapo!
We are in the midst of an unexpected blizzard, while thousands of miles to our southeast, it is green, and geese are enjoying the grass on a golf course. Thank you, ‘L’, for letting me share this lovely image of spring! We love our geese, but there is no place for them here, and yet, many arrived several weeks ago! The ponds have frozen, but there remains some open water in the two rivers that wind their way through our City. It is supposed to warm up beginning tomorrow, but I will believe it when I see it. We were not expecting this much snow today!
It doesn’t look like much, but the snow is blowing and accumulating so quickly! The lad who shovels or us thought snow was finished – he is going to get a real surprise! It is more than 30 cm deep on the walkway he cleared a few days ago, and is within 45 cm of covering the large bird table feeder. Unbelievable.
Toby loves it. He bounces through the snow if there is even a whiff of a ‘cat’ in the garden. My plan is to have a tall wooden fence built to match the one constructed a few years ago. I had not planned to put a fence on that part of the property, but the theft of dogs in our City has become quite troubling. Of course, ‘the cats’ – distinguished from ‘The Girls’ – come in from that back corner, so it is important to close it in. Toby loves his sisters, ‘The Girls’. He plays with them, but those that make their way into his outdoor territory will be ousted unless they are Brock (who now still spends 99% of his time at the neighbour down the street)!!!!!!!!!
I hope, after all these years, that each of you knows that I love all animals, but there is a special place in my heart for Big Red and Arthur, the late Annie at The Campanile, and ospreys. I have posted this song before, but I want you to get in the mood. Osprey season is starting in the UK – and has already begun in the US. Here are those wonderful school children with the Osprey Song (2011): https://youtu.be/KoOQK6ejuXY?
At the Lake Murray Osprey platform, Lucy has laid her second egg with a new mate. Please, please put up the owl defences for this family Lake Murray!
Company for Brutus. Storms are tearing down eagle and osprey nests around the US including an osprey nest that Penny Albright monitored near Sanibel that lost two chicks when the nest collapsed. These eaglets made it through…
Blue 25 has made another visit to Blue 33 and Maya’s nest at Manton Bay – Blue 33 normally arrives a few days prior to Maya, and Blue 25 enjoys his company! Geemeff caught her time on the nest: https://youtu.be/HU_XGU3NTro?
We have an osprey at the MNSA Osprey nest in Oceanside’s Jay Cool platform.
“WYL greets his chick upon returning to the nest in New Zealand. The adult male arrives from a foraging trip over the Pacific to feed his growing chick at the Plateau nest site. As the chick gets bigger, the parents will take longer foraging trips to collect enough food for both themselves and their chick.” (Cornell Bird Lab)
Peanut defended the Winter Park Florida nest against a RTH! Nestflix Memories (Gracie Shepherd) caught it on video: https://youtu.be/cQksMDubVEc?
Tonight, Wink is taking now chances. She is right in the nest with Peanut if that GHO returns – and, of course, it will – they never give up! Wink is an incredible mother – I am truly amazed and thankful for her diligence.
Gabby with her babies, Kai and Eve, at the NE Florida Bald Eagle nest in Florida. Best keep a close eye on these two – they could fledge before you blink.
At the Johnson City nest of Boone and Jolene in Tennessee, snow arrived. Jolene kept those two babies warm and tried to feed them at the same time. Like Wink, she is an experiened and an exceptional Mum.
Huge crop on JBS 24. Mum and Dad are delivering food and leaving it for self-feeding on occasion.
Harry and Sally are up there in my list of osprey parents. Three babies, three little fat bottoms. Large fish coming in and Harry on guard as it appeared there could have been an intruder around today during a fish delivery. If you haven’t been watching Moorings Park, then check out this osprey family. It is a success story – and believe me when I tell you that there will be few such stories in the NE USA this season unless a miracle happens.
Rutlands Lagoon 4 nest is trying to keep the Egyptian Geese from laying eggs while everyone waits for the ospreys to arrive. This is a second nest with a camera amongst several nests at Rutland Water. AI says: “Based on 2025/2026 sightings, the Lagoon 4 nest at Rutland Water is often occupied by male 359 (a 2021 Rutland-born osprey) and female 3H9 (a 2023 Rutland-born osprey). They have been observed investigating the nest and strengthening bonds. Note: 359 and 3H9 are a distinct pair from the main Manton Bay pair, Maya and 33(11).”
I am getting impatient – and it is a tad early – for Maya and Blue 33 to arrive at Manton Bay.
At the Whitley Crane nest known as the Golden Gate Audubon Osprey nest, Richmond has worked and worked. There is a new female at the nest with him. I do not believe Rosie will make an appearance. Why do I say this? Well, when Aila did not return, Louis moved his nest to another location when he bonded with Dorcha. We often think animals and birds are not intelligent. If I have said it once, I will say it again million times, my teacher about raptor behaviour, the late Laura Culley, taught me that they are smarter and use higher levels of intelligence and communication that humans have lost.
I noticed in one of the chats – it was the Winter Park Florida chat – that someone noted that ‘animals have feelings’. Dr Mark Beckoff and Dr Jane Goodall taught us this. There are several good books out there. I urge you or anyone who is interested in the behaviour of non-humans to read any or all of the following.
Saddness at the Two Harbours as Chase & Cholyn lose their last egg. SK Hideaways has it on video: https://youtu.be/8vmMpnkNsh4?
Big Red and Arthur have snow on their nest at Cornell University.
Suzanne Arnold Horning caught Big Red relaxing on the lights!
Cameras are now live at the Poole Harbour nest of CJ7 and Blue 022.
We have an osprey at Threave. Is it Black 80?
At Achieva the third egg was laid on the 25th of January. Can someone who is watching this nest tell me if Jack is delivering enough fish to his mate? I did not see deliveries today, but I might have missed something.
In fact, start checking out all your favourite UK and European nests as the cameras are being turned on faster than I can keep a list.
The Pitkin County Osprey nest in Colorado is live.
I have such a soft spot for this White-tail eagle in Durbe County Latvia. Milda. Her current mate is Zorro. There was sorrow and now Zorro has proved to be a good mate and provider.
April 7. Hellgate Canyon. Iris’s favourite day to return to her nest in Missoula, Montana. Count the days – 20. Less than three weeks! The snow has melted.
There is evil in the world. I cannot imagine how anyone could harm an animal and yet, every day I find myself telling people not to give their kittens away to anyone. Russell Mason beat a Goshawk to death – how in the world can someone do this?
Large estates, with no eyes around in Scotland (and elsewhere), allow many horrific things to happen to our beautiful feathered friends. What can be done to stop this?
The Cornell Bird Lab gives us hope that people around the world are increasingly engaging with nature and birds. Yes, there are incredibly vicious people anywhere in the world that will harm birds and other animals, but there are more, I hope, that love and help them.
Thank you so much for being with me today and for your patience, as my posting is often irregular. I had hoped to keep to Fridays and Mondays til the UK osprey season began, but every day there is something new and exciting! I will continue to post at the oddest of times, sometimes two or three times a day as news comes in. As you can imagine, my life is anything but routine. We do have a schedule, but it all depends on my husband’s mood, which can vary. I am impatiently waiting for spring to arrive. What I miss most is reading. Yes, we have story time, but it isn’t the same as sitting quietly on a park bench with squirrels dashing around, the wind gently blowing, with a good book in my hand, reading in silence. So, no promises other than there will always be a Monday blog, often coming out late Sunday, until we have osprey chicks on the nests in the UK and Europe.
Thank you to everyone who created videos, wrote informative FB posts, to Raptor Persecution UK for keeping us informed, and to the Cornell Bird Lab for continuing to support education. I remain forever grateful to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to venture into the challenging lives of our feathered friends. To all my readers who are now long-time friends, I appreciate your support. Your letters and comments mean the world to me.
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.
