Tag Archives: spring

Late Saturday in Bird World

13 June 2026

Hello Everyone,

First, Salmon Idaho is an osprey nest not a Bald Eagle which is what I inadvertently said in my last posting. Apologies. There is still issues with baling twine all over that region. It is endemic to farming where they should be looking at other methods than twine and cord. Most of our farmers put their hay and straw in a type of plastic wrap that does not do so much harm to the environment as lose pieces of twine.

It was the middle chick that got pulled off the nest and died. Dad is bringing in some nice fish but they can always use more and more as there are four to feed – dad, mum, #1 and #3.

An osprey feeding its chicks in a nest, surrounded by twigs and grass.
A pair of osprey adults feeding their chick in a nest, surrounded by twigs and grass, with a green landscape in the background.

Clark brought in a huge fish. Iris got some bites, baby was full and then more feedings. Looks like that fish was gone – with Iris taking what appears the tail later.

Two ospreys sitting in their nest with a view of a parking lot and trees in the background.
An osprey tending to its nest with visible chicks, surrounded by a natural environment and a parking lot in the background.
An osprey feeding a chick in a nest, surrounded by twigs and greenery.

At one point the baby got out from under the adults. It caused worry. They are seemingly obsessed with nest material and also intruders. Fingers crossed. It is chilly in Montana. 65 F.

An osprey sits in its nest made of sticks and twigs, with a background featuring a parking lot and trees.

Daddy Clark came in with another whopper – maybe even more than a whopper! So happy the fishing is good. He is taking excellent care of Iris and baby.

Two ospreys perched on their nest, with one bird eating a fish, surrounded by twigs and grass.
Two ospreys are seen in their nest, one is pecking at a fish while the other stands nearby. The nest is made of twigs and situated outdoors with greenery in the background.
Two ospreys are perched on a nest made of sticks and branches, with a view of a landscaped area and cars in the background.

Oh, look at that little morsel of fish for the baby. So tiny. It’s already getting a crop. Well, if there is only one, I am fine with that. Better to be spoiled rotten and have a fat bottom than be thin. (My vet wouldn’t agree with me – even Hugo Yugo is a little ‘plump’). I think all osprey chicks should be plump.

An osprey feeding a chick in a nest, surrounded by twigs and remnants of prey.

Big Red and Arthur’s oldest is now good at horking chipmunks whole! These three are doing so well. Two look just like Mum with their beautiful peachy chests.

I cannot possibly tell you how much I love that ‘old hag’ – as Laura Culley used to call Big Red in endearment.

A live cam view of a red-tailed hawk nest featuring several chicks among sticks and greenery, with a landscape of trees and a road in the background.
Four red-tailed hawk chicks nestled in a nest made of twigs and leaves, perched on a rooftop railing with a clear view of greenery and a road in the background.
Three young red-tailed hawks standing in a nest made of twigs and leaves, perched on a structure with greenery in the background.
A nest of Red-tailed Hawk chicks being fed on a balcony with greenery and a road in the background.
Three red-tailed hawk chicks resting in a nest on a tall structure, surrounded by twigs and overlooking a green landscape and street below.

I have heard from Sassa Bird and it has started to rain in Latvia. This promises frogs for all the very hungry storks that have chicks in the nest in that country! So happy.

Wow. This is fantastic news from Cumbria Wildlife Trust. Now, if more males would happily share these duties, we might not face the dire consequences we do when the female goes missing.

An osprey feeding its chicks in a nest with visible large fish catches, surrounded by a natural landscape.

We need to do better cleaning up. If you are going to fish – and yes, I know that lines break – lend a hand and clean up anything you do see and never leave anything behind, when possible. It can be deadly to wildlife.

A juvenile bald eagle at the NCTC nest with a treble hook fishing lure caught on its talon and another hook stuck on a nest stick, showing signs of struggling but successfully released after about 45 minutes.
Text about the dangers of human intervention on young eagles and the impact of trash on wildlife.
Close-up view of an orange object partially buried among twigs and bark.

Before I even get to the end. ‘The Girls’ are fine. The Calicos are keeping comfy in Don’s room guarding it in case Missey might want to go in there. Meanwhile, Toby is my ‘Velcro Dog’ and he is always with Hugo Yugo. They are my shadows. Missey is out here with me, too!

A fluffy tabby cat lying on its back on a table, looking at the camera with green eyes, surrounded by a window and greenery.

My new camera is not always so great. I wanted to get the babies being fed but it just wasn’t quick enough. Here are three of them wanting food – they can feed themselves, but like all babies, everything tastes better when Mum does it.

We are so happy. This is four fledglings for the European Starlings that trusted our lilacs to protect their eggs and chicks from predators. We no longer have the Grackles come but this is so great. Mr and Mrs Blue Jay as well as Mr and Mrs Crow have babies and soon their fledglings will be at the feeder.

Years ago, we vowed to care for the animals that came to our urban lot. So far, knock on wood, we have been able to keep that promise. When Tolu, the bathing lady, asked the other day, I told her it was a matter of priorities. We no longer travel around the world, spending the summers in wonderful exotic locations. We do not drink, smoke, go out to restaurants, or hardly drive anymore. The purchase of bird books has dwindled because there simply aren’t that many out there worthy of holding a space on the bookcase. Mind you, I am waiting for a delivery of of this book today. I hope it is good. I always donate a book to the last charity event for Loch Arkaig so this might be the one for this year!

Book cover of 'The Story of Birds' by Steve Brusatte, featuring illustrations of various birds including a cardinal, an eagle, and feathered dinosaurs.

Funds are simply to keep the house, provide help for Don and me, and feed the animals and us. What is incredible is that we really need very little. Yes, corporations and fast-fashion companies would like us to think that we do, but in reality, that simply is not the case. Besides, the happiness that these amazing creatures provide cannot be measured in financial terms – our hearts and souls are lifted and made lighter just watching them.

Three birds perched on a pile of peanuts, with one bird prominently facing the camera while another is slightly blurred in motion.
Two small birds perched on a mound of peanuts, with greenery in the background.

Intruders are causing sibling rivalry at Glaslyn as Teifi is unable to fish.

Text discussing sibling rivalry among Osprey chicks and its relation to food availability, with specific mention of dominance during feeding and intruder activity affecting fishing trips.
A pair of ospreys in a nest with several chicks, one adult holding a fish, surrounded by greenery.

I have good news coming from our good friend Sassa Bird in Latvia – first, it is raining, and the storks should now have frogs to eat and little fish. There are three baby osplets in the Latvian nest, but the camera went down in May, so we will not know the end result until banding time in July. Osprey parents are Selga and Svings. Great news: the Golden Eagle Mum at Kaljukotkas 2 in Estonia, who was missing, is now home and protecting her baby from the heavy rain. Sassa Bird also sent the forum link that has a discussion and images of the Black Stork nests, and they are doing grand. Please look: https://forums.dabasdati.lv/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=4453&start=480

The third hatch osplet at Field Farm has died of siblicide/starvation. Heidi gives us the details and an image of all three on a better day.

Port of Ridgefield. Two good fish deliveries as per chat with times: 6/13 nice headless breakfast fish at 5:32:44. Nice big headless fish delivered at 9:57:18. The third egg did not hatch.

An adult osprey standing near its nest, with two young chicks resting beside it, surrounded by twigs and nest material.
A close-up view of a bird's nest featuring a parent bird and several chicks, with an egg visible in the background.
Two chicks in a bird nest surrounded by twigs and straw, with an adult bird partially visible in the background.

Only one very ‘thin’ chick survives at the MNSA Osprey platform amidst all the human debris.

An osprey is standing on its nest, which is constructed of twigs and branches, with two chicks visible below it.
An osprey nest containing a parent osprey and two chicks, with a blue identification tag visible on one of the chicks. The nest is built from sticks and is situated near water.

Two tiny babies at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Two ospreys perched in a nest, surrounded by branches, with a view of green fields and a dirt path in the background.
An osprey sitting in a nest with three chicks, surrounded by twigs and branches, with green fields in the background.

Wildlife Haven is now the only wildlife rescue in my province and the strains of that are beginning to show. Here is their latest patient update – another turtle, a bat, and some surprises.

This Weeks Patient UpdatesDownload

Wild Heart Rehabilitation in Oklahoma has some advice if you think a fawn is in trouble.

Important info about what NOT to do about fawns, so might be worth a read. Thanks, ‘J’. The same might be said for a clump of bunnies – leave them alone. Observe to see if parent comes to feed.

https://www.facebook.com/WildHeartRanch

Rutland Water is celebrating 50 years of success at reintroducing the ospreys! You can take boat trips to see them including Blue 33 fishing for Maya and the kids!!!!!!!!

Two ospreys flying near a nesting platform with a nest in the foreground and a historic building in the background.
An osprey takes flight from a large nest with two chicks, located on a platform near a historic building in the background.

Thank you Geemeff for these great images.

We are already experiencing a decline in fish in some areas of the NE as Omega Protein has had six ships out sucking up the Menhaden and all the Bycatch this weekend. It is truly sad.

The birds are on the move to the delight of bird watchers in the UK.

Tropical heron spotted in UK for first time as more exotic birds arrive to thrill birdwatchers

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/13/tropical-heron-spotted-first-time-uk-aoe?CMP=share_btn_url

It looks like another stormy Saturday in Winnipeg. The trees are whipping around and the sky is heavily overcast and dark. We even have the heat on! After last week that sounds so funny. Stll it is beautiful and green.

Some of the kids wish you a great rest of the weekend. They are napping.

Two cats cuddling together on a couch, one with orange fur and the other with a mix of gray and black fur, both nestled comfortably.

Poor Toby doesn’t fit anymore. He doesn’t understand why.

An orange tabby cat and a small black and white dog sleeping on separate levels of a pet tree near a window.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care of yourselves. We hope to have you with us again soon.

Thank you to everyone who sent me a note, including ‘PB’ who is loving those fish that Clark brings in, those who post on FB with images and information, groups, newsletters, and the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to stare at our screens, wondering what is going to happen today. We are grateful to all.

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

28 May 2026

Good Day everyone,

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

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

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

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

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

Please plant trees if you can.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

After cleaning:

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

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

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

KL5 kicking out the eggs.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reports of first hatch at Esthwaite.

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

First hatch at Carova Beach for Frederick and Betsy.

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

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

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

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

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

Two chicks at PSEG’s Oyster Bay nest.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(FL) May Monthly Newsletter – 2026Download

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

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

The historyofcoolkids included this history on the chat:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Two osplets for Dylan and Seren, Names for San Jose Falcons…Late Thursday in Bird World

21 May 2026

Greetings Everyone!

Late Update: Names for the San Jose Falcons. Thank you ‘PB’.

A Facebook post from The San Jose City Hall Falcons announcing the chosen names for their birds, thanking the contributors, and highlighting the significance of the names honoring Glenn Stewart and Brian Walton.

If you missed it, SK Hideaways has the video of the banding: https://youtu.be/xAj20H9x1OI?

Oh, what a marvellous day it has been at home. We had a long leisurely walk with Toby and then headed to a local greenhouse/garden centre that started small about 22 years ago. I had wonderful students who worked there, a kind of hippie place that cared about the quality of what they sold. It still makes me feel good shopping there. They care for their plants and the family and students who own and work there benefit directly. By evening, all of our boxes will be planted. Don fell in love with a purple geranium and out went the red colour scheme! Who cares?! Right?

A purple geranium caught Don’s eye.

Close-up of vibrant pink and white flowers with lush green leaves, growing in dark soil.

One of my favourites is the fuschia.

Close-up view of vibrant pink and purple flowers with green leaves growing in a terracotta pot.

We had another long walk with Toby before I started writing and checking in on nests that might have a pip in the UK.

The Girls have been enjoying having the windows in the conservatory open ‘a little’. Of course, they can’t be open all the way because of Hugo Yugo – always the trouble maker – who likes to try and escape!!!!!! They have ‘dental treats’ before bed and remain my darlings, but this goofy dog who is so well behaved has my heart. I am grateful to the universe for sending him to me.

Close-up of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with fluffy fur and expressive eyes, resting on a person's lap.

It continues to be worrisome in some nests in the US. The death of both eaglets at Glen Hayes set everyone back, and now Scout, who was returned to the Falconshire Bald Eagle nest, is being literally beaten to death by its older sibling. Hopes are that Dewey Beach continues to have only one chick – the thought being they might be able to find enough fish for one.

But overall, there is a bit of a sense of unease and worry – that is why I am spending so much time outside with Toby and Don. If I don’t, come winter, which will be here too soon, I will regret it. If you know someone with Alzheimer’s or Dementia or any mental illness, being outside is so beneficial. Well, it is to all of us!!!!!!! What I am saying is, do not stop caring for these little ones. It is what makes you so very special and caring, and people who will change the way the world is going in good time. But also, when you are feeling overwhelmed, step back, go outside, and listen to the birds, feel the rain or the sunshine on your face.

No pip at Dyfi for Idris and Telyn yet!

An osprey resting in its nest surrounded by twigs and grass.

Good look at the eggs at Poole Harbour – another clutch of four for CJ7 and Blue 022.

Aerial view of an osprey sitting on a nest containing eggs, surrounded by twigs and natural debris.

CJ7 has ‘that look’ on her eye. It was possible there was something happening with one of the eggs later. Maybe we will see tomorrow.

A close-up of a hawk resting on its nest, surrounded by twigs and natural debris, captured in black and white.

Checking in on Manton Bay, it appears some cracks might be in egg 4! Or is it my imagination and nesting material?

A bird of prey sitting on eggs in its nest, with twigs and grass surrounding it, captured in low-light conditions.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 21st May 2026

Another day with no intruders or alarms, just more rain, fish deliveries, and incubation changeovers. In a reverse of yesterday, Garry LV0 brought one fish for Aurora 536 while Louis brought three fish for Dorcha. That makes equal totals for Louis and Garry at seventy four fish each, but the Nest Two total is now higher at seventy six, including Dorcha’s two, while the Nest One total is lower at seventy four. The weather forecast is for more rain, throughout the night and continuing tomorrow, with an overnight low of 12°C and a high tomorrow of 18°C.Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/fXPVYmKOwe4 N2 Early breakfast on a damp morning 05.11.08https://youtu.be/OGSGhwPne-w N1 Delivery for Aurora – large fresh trout 

11.23.15https://youtu.be/0XjZP34mVvI N2 Dorcha departs with her lunch leaving Louis in charge 12.19.49https://youtu.be/ugVh1YPz088 N2 Louis feaks his beak after delivering the third fish 18.34.53

Bonus read – the news item about the 2022 sighting in Shetland of 2020 chick Doddie JJ6, the only Arkaig chick to have been sighted as a returner to the UK:

https://www.westcoasttoday.co.uk/all-content-wct/lochaber-osprey-doddie-causes-a-flap-for-shetland-bird-watchers

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/y5N9tfD_PEE  N1 What scares Louis off the eggs? 2019

https://youtu.be/Z6OExIKyXtQ N1 Pickup sticks: Aila ejects Louis 2020

https://youtu.be/gnWD639_5Ag N1 Early morning mating attempt in high winds 2021

https://youtu.be/U9Owo_N_ch4  News! News! News! Doddie JJ6 sighted in Shetland! 2022

https://youtu.be/fHuHEbhUV_c N1 Louis lands on Nest One giving little warning chirps 2023

https://youtu.be/EKDZm4svj04  N2 Tawny Owl attack – no harm done 2024 (slo-mo repeat)

https://youtu.be/vxm_bBzofYc  N1 Jay returns 2024 (zoom)https://youtu.be/wWIaZEWpPyk N2 Well done Louis! First fish is the season’s hundredth 2025

https://youtu.be/qnHSG_tvBZk  N1 Aurora gets a nice size fish supper from Garry 2025https://youtu.be/Vd9yqSxu-wYN2 Tawny Owl strikes three times with Louis & Dorcha both on the nest 2025 (slo-mo repeat)

You’re invited to join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum, it’s fun, free and everyone’s welcome:

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

Big Red makes sure that P3 gets fed!

A red-tailed hawk feeding its chicks in a nest, surrounded by twigs and greenery.

Cowlitz PUD now has three eggs.

An osprey sitting on a nest with three eggs, surrounded by twigs and moss, near water.

Nothing nicer than waking up with Jackie and Shadow chortling as the sun rises over Big Bear Valley. The School children have been very successful in raising donations to save MoonCamp and the land area the nest. Congratulations to all who have worked so diligently on behalf of all the wildlife.

Here is the video: https://youtu.be/gsX35LWeo8U?

Mr and Mrs Crow have been very busy at the feeder.

A black crow perched on a feeder surrounded by greenery and a background of wooden structures.

We have two cute little osplets for Dylan and Seren now at Llyn Clywedog in Wales.

Two adult ospreys caring for their chick in a nest made of twigs and grass, surrounded by greenery.

Keep an eye on the UK nests, we should have some of the sweetest little osplets hatching.

Waiting for Bety and Bukachek at Mlady Buky Stork Nest to have little ones hatch.

A stork sitting in its nest on a rooftop, overlooking a village with houses and a scenic green landscape in the background.

Caitir and Loki lost one eaglet. The other appears to be doing fine.

A white-tailed eagle stands beside its chick in a nest, surrounded by branches and foliage, captured during a live feed from North Uist, Outer Hebrides.

Harry has been delivering fish to Winken at Moorings Park. All is well.

Two ospreys on their nest overlooking a body of water and surrounding greenery in Moorings Park, Naples, FL.

Not quite ready for eggs in Norway yet. These are the dates Fru Rauer laid:


-April 26 at 15:39 – 1st egg https://youtu.be/6-AtMkIDPVE?si=1KLrz… -April 29 at 12:01 – 2nd egg https://youtu.be/eVS-l2llF2w?si=BDsv-… – Third egg laid between 1st and may 3 (camera was down, so we do not know the exact time and date) Most likely may 2

A Norwegian osprey sitting on a nest made of twigs and moss, overlooking a serene water body.

Beautiful storklets at the nest in The Netherlands.

A stork stands on top of a large nest with three chicks visible inside, surrounded by trees and a building in the background.

Migratory Bird Numbers fell despite a warm spring in the UK.

Migratory bird numbers fall in Britain despite last year’s warm springhttps://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/may/21/weather-bird-numbers-fall-britain-despite-warm-spring?CMP=share_btn_url

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. We will see you soon!

Thank you to all the contributors whose work is in this blog – videos, posts, and screen captures. I am very, very grateful. Thank you to ‘PB’, who keeps a close eye on Achieva. That nest is doing well with multiple deliveries by Jack today and a late, large catfish by Jill. Thank you to The Guardian for its continuing coverage of the environment and wildlife, and Geemeff for their dedication to the Loch Arkaig nests.

Rescue at Dale Hollow successful…late, late Friday in Bird World

8 May 2026

Hello Everyone,

First up – Happy Birthday to David Attenborough who is 100 today. What an incredible individual.

Second, remember that Saturday is Migratory Bird Day. Please take part in one of the counts, including the Cornell Bird Labs count. Check out their website.

It was 15 C with a gentle, albeit sometimes coolish breeze in Winnipeg today. The sky was blue with a few of those big cottonball clouds. Ring-billed Gulls were heard overhead flying between the two rivers in our City. In the garden, a host of White-crowned Sparrows were foraging and bathing. We have three bird baths up now, with notes to clean them every other day if not daily. Half a dozen Starlings were here along with the single Robin that visited the other day, a few Dark-eyed Juncos, flocks of sparrows, the Blue Jays and Crows. I am not good at identifying individual species of sparrows, so we just say ‘House Sparrows’!

Toby had his walk with us, and Ann arrived determined to make Don very tired with a solid two-and-a-half-hour walk at the zoo today. It worked!

One of the most troubling local news items is that the City and the Parks Department are culling goose eggs. There are ‘too many’ geese! I have criticised New Zealand for doing this, and now it is here, right at my favourite park. Didn’t someone tell them that Avian Flu took the lives of no fewer than 100,000 Canada Geese last fall in Manitoba’s north? We actually don’t know the full number of geese and other waterfowl that died, as many lakes in the north are quite remote. I was seething. I am not quite sure what the priority is for our City. New houses are going up on agricultural land. They are close together, identical, built quickly with few, if any, trees. The City is closing local wading pools in areas where the children need a free summer pastime. Crime rates are up, property theft is rampant, and drugs and weapons are always in the news. Winnipeg used to be relatively ‘sleepy’. Population growth, poverty, a lack of parenting for many reasons, including economic ones, where both parents have to work 2 or 3 jobs just to barely pay the bills, are contributors. I want to emphasise that I am referring to the ‘City’ government. In general, I am pretty happy with our provincial government. But enough…I do not have a television, and any news that I watch comes from YouTube live events. Watching birds and just sitting with my eyes closed, even for ten minutes, on the deck, listening to birdsong, is so nice. The violence that does make the news is hard to take and yet, I am reminded every day of the goodness of people.

The Lily Society is naming a Day Lily after our neighbour who died in a house fire. He was, as I understand it, one of the founding members and experimented with hybridising lilies. He had a lovely garden full of them. Today, they were removed and will become part of a memorial garden. Very thoughtful. Kindness also comes in the form of my neighbours working on my deck to make it safer and, of course, Jane feeding Brock and loving him. I am so grateful for this single block of individuals who could brighten anyone’s day.

Before we shift to Bird World news, I wanted to send a photo of our little herb and salad garden. It is doing very well. In a couple of weeks, we will be planting outside, but we will keep this one going constantly. From left to right, there is basil, dill, and then two different types of lettuce. I had to exchange the short dowels for the longer 45 cm ones yesterday. The dill is intense and very delicious.

A small indoor garden featuring various young herbs and leafy greens under LED grow lights.

I have had so much information backed up that I want to share with you. So there are a lot of files today – I hope that there is something of value for you.

Please mark Saturday in your calendars. It is World Migratory Bird Day.

Celebrating the World Migratory Bird Day in the East Asian Flyway. – K. Lisa Yang Center for ConservDownload

So what is World Migratory Bird Day?

AI answers: World Migratory Bird Day 2026 focuses on the theme “Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter!”, highlighting community science and citizen observations for bird conservation. The main peak days are Saturday, May 9, 2026 (Northern Hemisphere) and Saturday, October 10, 2026 (Southern Hemisphere), featuring global events and bird counting efforts like on eBird.

Key Aspects of 2026 Campaign:

  • Theme: The theme highlights the importance of individual contributions through citizen science to track and protect migratory birds.
  • Key Dates: May 9 and October 10, 2026, align with peak bird migration periods.
  • Activities: Participation includes monitoring, bird counting, and educational events.
  • Featured Events: A special 2026 event will take place on May 9th at Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park in Alberta, Canada, including the “Wings of Survival” talk.
  • Global Participation: Coordinated by groups like Environment for the Americas, the campaign encourages recording sightings on eBird. World Migratory Bird Day +6

World Migratory Bird Day is a global effort to raise awareness about the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats.

If you live in or near NYC, here are some events on Saturday but do check out your local birding groups.

This Saturday is World Migratory Bird Day, a global migration celebration. Each spring and fall, birds travel anywhere from a few hundred miles to tens of thousands! You can see these amazing journeys on display right now as birds stop in our parks and green spaces to rest and refuel. 

Join our FREE outings throughout the boroughs to spot stunning spring migrants:

  • Manhattan: Drop-in Ecology Session at Jefferson Market Garden
  • Staten Island: Spring Birding at Conference House Park 
  • The Bronx: Birding at Soundview Park with The Bronx is Blooming 
  • Brooklyn: Spanish-English Birding at Sunset Park 
  • Queens: Exploring the QueensWay

It isn’t just the birds that need our help. Geemeff sent me the following to share with all of you.

This poor 46 year old Orangutan is alone in a concrete enclosure and has been that way most of her life. Opal has been offered a more suitable home but her owners have refused. It’s a truly dreadful situation for a sentient being, and completely unnecessary. 

https://www.change.org/p/free-opal-the-orangutan-from-natal-zoological-gardens-and-relocate-her-to-a-sanctuary

https://www.goodthingsguy.com/opal-is-trending-again-but-this-time-theres-hope

Thank you

With all that was happening on Thursday, there are so many other nests that simply didn’t get checked.

SK Hideaways captured the most incredible images of Monty and Hartley’s foursome! Take a peek. You will not be sorry. https://youtu.be/reg9uBNq8Dg?

We are so missing Annie and her families.

So not only check out Monty and Hartley’s amazing family but also the Wakefield Falcons in the UK. https://youtu.be/G9En47Jdiy4?

One of our independent environmental zines has staff that love birds. ‘Birds Just Wanna Have Fun’.

Birds just wanna have funDownload

What should you do if you find a baby bird?

What to do if you find a young bird in NYC | NYC Bird AllianceDownload

If you live near Hawk Mountain in PA, they have a fun day for meeting their raptors. Here is the information:

Memorial Day Raptors Up Close!

Mon, May 25 Programs at 10 AM & 2 PM

FREE

Hawk Mountain’s signature live raptor program, Raptors Up Close! offers the chance to see live hawks and owls, and to learn what puts these winged predators at the top of nature’s food chain. This program guarantees that you will see a live raptor during your visit and is appropriate for visitors of all ages.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 8th May 2026Another calm day on both nests today, with fish delivered, eaten, and in one case lost! Garry LV0 delivered two fish to Aurora 536 but unhappily she dropped the biggest one and sensibly ate most of the small second one on the nest before departing, leaving Garry to incubate their single egg. His tally now stands at fifty one fish. Louis delivered three fish to Dorcha, taking the nest total to forty seven and his own tally to forty five. Due to some stick 

manoeuvring, the three eggs on Nest Two are now visible but given the birds’ quest to make the perfect nest, future adjustments might well block the view again. Today’s bonus item is in honour of 

Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday: a documentary about Ospreys narrated by him and featuring Roy Dennis.Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/FE_fGP965Uo  N2 Louis doesn’t notice a tiny visitor after Dorcha left with fish one 08.01.09https://youtu.be/Ogyo5DjA4sM N2 A second fish arrives for Dorcha 16.14.44 

https://youtu.be/D59CzIY-hZU N1 Oh no! Aurora drops her fish then begs for more 16.24.25

https://youtu.be/M2I-QvKHSxE N1 Garry brings a second fish and Aurora holds on to it 18.32.31https://youtu.be/oNfoYP5BO1M N2 The three eggs are clearly visible as Dorcha gets fish three 20.59.01 

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/fv2-S7IAT7g  N1 Aila employs a tried and tested Louis-removal technique 2020

https://youtu.be/RydYvBR0m5I  N1 Aila invents a new Louis-removal technique 2020

https://youtu.be/Ys65Fgfu9sM  N1 Unusual visitor – a Twite (Linaria flavirostris) visits 2021

https://youtu.be/oMCTfmauWKA N2 First Owl-strike on Dorcha 2022

https://youtu.be/meJb_ovW0V8  N2 Second Owl-strike on Dorcha 2022

https://youtu.be/ea0yqDp1ups  N2 Third Owl-strike on Dorcha 2022

https://youtu.be/uecjKN_3VQI  N2 Late night fish supper arrives for Dorcha 2023 

https://youtu.be/WD9vJ3lVeMk N1 Garry LV0 & Aida pay a flying visit 2024  

https://youtu.be/ZrKyT_jo5DI  N2 Dorcha headbutts Louis to get him off the eggs 2024 (slo-mo repeat with zoom)https://youtu.be/Rq6jzQKsGi0 N2 Louis settles down to egg duty after delivering the first fish 2025 (zoom)https://youtu.be/tS6l2Py6V74 N1 Yet again Garry makes Aurora wait to get the fish 2025 

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

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

There is some concern at the Dale Hollow Nest that the adults have not returned to feed the three eaglets since the AEF removed the fishing line yesterday. I have not been able to watch that nest closely today to see whether any deliveries have been made. Maybe you know?

But for now a big thank you to the AEF who took over the Dale Hollow Nest after the two fiasco years of 2022 and 2023.

Facebook post announcing the successful removal of a fishing line from a bald eagle nest by the American Eagle Foundation and partners, highlighting teamwork and no injuries to the eagles.
Informational graphic about the dangers of discarded fishing line to wildlife, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of various organizations to protect birds and the importance of proper disposal.
Four young eagles in a nest among green leaves in a tree.

At the nest of Big Red and Arthur, there are two hatches that have survived a very soggy nest with damp. Big Red loves to give them ‘big’ bites. The first chick died trying to hatch, and I fear that this might well be the case with the last. We have to wait and see. There are, however, two fine little bobbleheads at present and a nest full of every kind of soggy prey.

A red-tailed hawk feeding its chicks in a nest made of twigs, with several small, fluffy hawklets visible among remnants of prey.

If you missed it, we do have two eggs at Iris’s nest!

Close-up of an osprey nest with two eggs, showcasing the unique coloration of the second egg.

Last, but never least, SK Hideaways gives us a smile from the nest of Jackie, Shadow, Sandy, and Luna: https://youtu.be/U-hHp0IQR4o?

Good night, everyone! Take care of yourselves. Remember the bird count on Saturday, but most importantly, go outside, look, listen, and smell the spring air. See you soon.

My guardian angel waiting for me to finish this so we can have a game of fetch before bed.

A black and white dog sleeping on a light gray couch with a textured blue pillow.

Thank you to all the contributors tonight – Geemeff, SK Hideaways, those who post on FB, the authors of all the amazing articles, and the owners of the streaming cams that allow us into the lives of our beloved birds.

It’s spring! Audacity lays egg 7…late Thursday in Bird World

19 March 2026

Happy Spring Equinox on Friday!

So what does the Spring Equinox symbolise? I asked AI.

“The spring equinox (or vernal equinox) symbolises a profound turning point towards light, new beginnings, and balance, marking the official end of winter’s dormancy and the start of growth. It represents a moment of global equilibrium (equal day and night), fostering themes of fertility, renewal, and the emergence of life. 

Core Symbolism of the Spring Equinox:

  • New Beginnings & Rebirth: The world emerging from winter’s slumber symbolizes a chance to start fresh, often characterized by planting, growing, and shedding the old.
  • Balance & Equilibrium: Occurring when the sun crosses the equator, it symbolizes the perfect, albeit fleeting, balance between light and dark, day and night.
  • Light over Darkness: As days begin to grow longer, the equinox is a testament to the return of warmth and the triumph of light over the cold and darkness of winter.
  • Fertility & Growth: Traditionally linked to the goddess Ostara, the season is heavily associated with fertility, growth, and abundance.
  • Transformation & Renewal: Similar to a seed sprouting, it represents a period of blooming and personal growth. Community-Based Research CentreCommunity-Based Research Centre +7

Common Symbols and Rituals:

  • Eggs: Representing fertility, new life, and the potential of the coming season.
  • Hares/Rabbits: Long-standing symbols of fertility and the quickening life of spring.
  • Flowers/Seeds: Snowdrops, crocuses, and the planting of seeds represent new growth and the awakening of the earth.
  • Bonfires/Candles: Lighting fires symbolizes the return of the sun’s warmth and light.
  • Spring Cleaning: Clearing out the physical and metaphorical stagnation of winter to prepare for new energy. Slow NorthSlow North +5

Cultural and Historical Contexts:

  • Holi (Hinduism): A vibrant festival celebrating the arrival of spring, joy, and the victory of good over evil.
  • Easter (Christianity): Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, aligning with the broader themes of rebirth.
  • Ostara (Pagan/Germanic): The pagan festival honoring the goddess of spring and dawn, Eostre.
  • Mesoamerican Traditions: Often recognized with the descent of the snake god Kukulkan at Chichen Itza, signifying the agricultural season’s start. Slow NorthSlow North +3

The spring equinox serves as a reminder to align with the rhythms of nature, celebrating the return of warmth and actively cultivating growth in both the environment and our personal lives. “

My family and I – two or four legged – wish each of you a wonderful beginning of spring, a sense of light and life, and hope.

Before I begin, it seems that Audacity and Jak have another nest. Gracie Shepherd caught up with them and discovered that Audacity has laid egg 7 of this breeding season. She is not giving up on having a little one. Tugs at my heart strings. Here is the video: https://youtu.be/SZ_xEjmVT3c?

It is currently very cloudy, with temperatures of +3 C in Winnipeg. There is a 45kph wind kicking up the snow and making it feel bitterly cold on our faces. We have now been out for two walks with Toby – shorter walks more frequently seem to work better for ‘us seniors’.

Thinking ahead to when the snow is gone and some changes to the garden to suit a dog that loves to run, I am moving the lower deck and hoping to create an agility area for Toby. We tested out the arrival of one tube. The ones we had for ‘The Girls’ are simply too small. Here is a video of the arrival with Hugo Yugo and Toby. My talents do not lie in camera work! That is for certain. Have patience. There are a couple of cute moments.

Big Red spent enough time on the nest on Thursday that everyone thought we might have an egg! Soon, soon!!!!!! Our Queen of the Red Tail Hawks is 23 years old. I am hoping for two healthy chicks that thrive, fledge, and survive. As much as I admire what the Cornell Bird Lab does, they really need to keep on making the windows bird-strike-proof. Sadly, the fledgling lost last year was to West Nile Virus, not window strike, but there is still work to be done on the latter.

Need another Red-tail Hawk nest to watch? Syracuse University’s nest is on streaming cam: https://www.youtube.com/live/X_lEUCn8QcI?

JBS24 is really getting ready to fledge. After the loss of JBS 25 to an unknown, the parents have been remarkable in their care of their surviving baby.

No one needs to worry. Gabby has eyes in the back of her head when it comes to her babies who are now doing some daring branching. It won’t be long as they are self-feeding, branching, and working wings. Beau and Gabby you did well.

E26 has found the pond at the SW Florida Bald Eagle nest of his dad, M15 and late Mum, F23.

There appears to be a new female on the nest at Dewey Beach. Heidi will confirm later.

SF Bay Ospreys and the Golden Gate Alliance have created a video montage of Richmond’s amazing nest-building talents at the Whirley Crane this season. https://youtu.be/H6c92MNqISw?

At Gwash B11/10 has returned. He is the partner to Blue 25 (10).

Menhaden in the Chesapeake are essential to the entire eco-system and the population has been destroyed by industrial fishing. Different fish, different area but do think about this the next time you reach for Krill Oil!

Duke Farms Only Eaglet is doing very well. Gosh, it is nice not to have to share food with a sibling!

There is at least one osprey at the Dahlgren osprey platform.

I have been asked for the link to the Dale Hollow streaming cam. Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/live/W7SeA3uDWSM?

There is real saddness as seabirds are washing up dead.

“Thousands of seabirds dying on western Europe’s coasts

Puffins, guillemots and razorbills are being washed up dead or dying on Europe’s Atlantic coast in what scientists call a ‘wreck’

Thousands of seabirds – mostly puffins, but also many guillemots and razorbills – are being washed up dead or dying on the Atlantic coasts of western Europe, in what scientists call a “wreck”.

This year’s events, the consequence of a series of severe storms during the late autumn and winter, are the worst since 2014, when as many as 54,000 birds were found stranded. Of these, well over half – between 30,000 and 34,000 – were puffins.

This may only be the tip of a very large iceberg, as puffins usually spend the winter far out in the north Atlantic, meaning many more birds will have died at sea and their corpses will never reach the shore.

The RSPB has warned that this recent series of weather-related disasters comes on top of a very tough few years for puffins. Avian flu and a decline of their favourite food – sand eels – have reduced breeding success at their colonies on offshore islands and around our coasts. They, and Britain’s other seabirds, such as gannets, fulmars and kittiwakes, also face problems from a rise in marine pollution.”

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/mar/19/thousands-seabirds-dying-western-europe-coast?CMP=share_btn_url

Beautiful Blue NCO at the Loch of the Lowes nest:

Thank you so much for being with us. I am sending this out late Thursday instead of Friday as it is not busy for me right now. I hope you have a great weekend. Will send short posts if any ospreys land on the UK nests! Take care.

Thank you so much to those who create videos for our enjoyment and education, to those who post information on Facebook, to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to witness the lives of our favourite birds, and to news sources that continue to provide information on our environment and our feathered friends.