Toby and I have not been home long. We visited with Don’s psychiatrist (what a great doctor) and stopped to give Ann some raincoats for her two dogs, Lucy and Daisy, and Toby’s old stroller. It is too tiny for our big boy – he is long from head to tail and long in the legs and clocks in at 30 lbs. Then we went to the hospital. Ann said that Don had eaten all of his lunch, but Toby and I decided to stop and get him an egg-mayo sandwich and a container of fresh pineapple chunks. Don sucked them up like he was a Dyson vacuum! The nurse was a little put out with me saying he wouldn’t eat his supper, but he only ate 25% of his supper last night. Their lunches are good, but the evening meal is not so much.
Poor Toby needs to go to the groomer.
On the way out, two ladies in wheelchairs spotted Toby in his new stroller. They lit up and wanted to see him. I opened the top so they could pet him – needless to say animals and nature are good therapy.
I don’t like the algorithms that track what I write or search for on the Internet. Or my phone, which tracks everything that I do for someone else (who would care what I do?), but I found a story about what some good tech is doing by a young NZ woman who writes a blog *shit you should care about*. Maybe we can get robots to clear all the plastic from the ocean and find a way to cool it at the same time. German engineers are working!
Autonomous robots are cleaning the seafloor
Luce writes: If we’re gonna be hell-bent on building robots, let them help our oceans! German researchers at the Technical University of Munich built Smart Grapple, a diving robot that uses onboard sensors and cameras to tell trash from marine life on its own, then grips and lifts junk, car seats, tyres, fishing nets, up to 250kg, without a human diver risking their life for it.
I love it.
Dear Aran, formerly Mrs G’s partner then Elen’s at Glaslyn, has a new partner and they raised one chick this year at a private platform of Friends of Osprey in Wales. Kathryn Keir has kept everyone informed, and Aran is still here. Appears Mum and chick have now both departed for their migration. Next year there will be a camera as Aran is sooooo loved and everyone was distraught when Teifi displaced him. But, it worked out! Aran never got along with Z2 Aeron at the Pont Cresor nest which is very close to Glaslyn.
Another place that the lack of Menhaden had a devastating impact:
The trawler fishing must stop! Otherwise, there will be no ospreys in this region. None. Worse than the DDT crisis of the 1970s. That was fixed. Seems no one has the backbone to do the right thing and stop the fishing completely.
News from Tweed Valley:
Our thoughts continue to be with the people living in line of these hurricanes – and, of course, the wildlife.
Iris is still home at Hellgate Canyon! Maybe Clark and Iris will get a chance to fatten up since it appears Wensi has set off for southern locations.
It appears that the latest Iris departed on 11 September 2014. Let’s see what she does this year.
SK Hideaways caught Shadow and Kaydee and the early morning ravens at Big Bear. Don’t you feel like things are getting serious? https://youtu.be/TzJPFak8rnM?
SE38 continues to do well. There were lots of big crops yesterday. 38 is starting off right today.
And the Royal Cam Chick, Awheo has fledged!
Thank you so much for being with us. I hope to have time tomorrow to catch up with the comments! Take care, everyone – and if you have not signed up for the Glaslyn fundraiser being organised by Mary Cheatle, please check it out! (And, yes, I am on the list! – fingers crossed). You can contact Mary via FB Messenger if you want to take part.
Thank you to everyone who posted on FB today with information and messages – I didn’t have the time to check all of the nests. Thank you to those who own the streaming cams that make it possible to watch our bird families, and to SK Hideaways; as always, thank you for your videos.
The tributes to Jackie continue to pour in and your wonderful, heartfelt words have meant so much to me. I hope to include them in a short tribute to The Queen of Big Bear Valley once the aching goes away. She meant so much to us and motivated so many people. It is still hard to put it into words.
Celebrating in the Olympic Park as SE37 has its beak out and by the time I send this tomorrow, it will have fully hatched. Congratulations Dad and Lady! SK Hideaways has the video: https://youtu.be/1gUHaF2o7nc?
Lady can hear her babies wanting to hatch:
Migration is starting and Hawk Mountain has put out its first count. “The wait is almost over! Autumn migration returns to the Mountain this Saturday, August 15. As raptors begin their journey south, Hawk Mountain comes alive with opportunities to observe, learn, and explore. Enjoy the Autumn Lecture Series, free weekend programs, time at the lookout, or a peaceful walk on the trails. See what’s coming up and plan your trip!
As always, thank you for your support, and you can stay up to date on all Hawk Mountain programs and happenings at hawkmountain.org/events.”
If you live near Hawk Mountain, why not participate? Here are the details:
Autumn Migration Hawkwatch Begins
Daily, August 15-December 15 9 am to 5 pm Trail fee required for Non-Members
The Annual Autumn Hawk Watch begins August 15 at the Sanctuary’s famed North Lookout and is conducted daily, weather permitting, through December 15.
An average 18,000 birds of prey will soar over the Sanctuary’s rocky North Lookout, a 1,500-foot outcropping on the Kittatinny Ridge or “Blue Mountain.” Each year we tally the number and type of birds that pass. An official counter and interpreters are on hand to point out and identify birds.
Visitors should bring binoculars (or rent them at the Visitor Center), something soft to sit on, and a daypack with water and snacks. Plan to relax at the lookout and spend at least an hour. Many people spend the morning, afternoon or even the entire day!
Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to learn more about hawk migration and enjoy this spectacle of nature!
Date & Time
August, 2026
15
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Daily through Dec 15
Location
North Lookout
We had a great Tuesday. Ann helped me with Don and together with Toby we went out to Wildlife Haven in search of a mystery. Lately there has been a Mississippi Kite in one of our parks. As it turns out, in 2014, a pair of kites made a nest and fledged young. One unlucky chick found its way to Wildlife Haven where it has been an ambassador ever since – Milan. Was Milan still alive? I had been at the rehab centre oodles of times, taking in birds, making donations, attending open house but I could never recall Milan. The cage was empty today but Milan is still very much alive. Inside away from the heat. We will double check on Open House!
Two Great Horned Owls were out, along with Majestic, and the two goofy Turkey Vultures – Gus and Leo. Gus and Leo will make you fall in love with Turkey Vultures, I promise. They are such characters.
Majestic.
Geese!
On our way home, we stopped in one of the developments just outside the City. I had been told by a former student, Selena Panchoo, that there was an amazing Latino bakery there. Her recommendation did not disappoint! Made on-premises- we could watch – the desserts were divine. A big plus was that, unlike most City cafes, Toby was allowed! The owner had owned a Cavalier at one time and fell in love with Toby immediately. They will certainly have our business.
Mango cheesecake – mango through and through and you can’t beat a Jarritos soda on a warm day.
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 11th August 2026 Some aggression was shown by the chicks today, especially over Louis’ first delivery, which was just a scrap of fish, but as the day went on and Louis kept delivering a steady stream of fish, the aggression died down. Louis brought eight fish, taking the Nest Two tally to four hundred and eight, and there was so much fish that even the marauding Hoodies got a share. They were out in force today, probably the same pair throughout the day, and even Louis had to put up with one at close range, while a bold Hoodie flew down next to Amber and grabbed a big fish from right beside her. However, as she had just received the eighth fish from Louis and both she and Juniper had bulging crops, it wasn’t the disaster it would have been yesterday. Garry LV0 brought three fish for Aurora 536 and the Nest One tally rises to one hundred and ninety nine. Noisy RAF jets caught on both nest cams disturbed Aurora and she left her perch on Pole Tree and flew over to the nest.
It looks like Dorcha is still in the area, just not coming to the nest, as LizB spotted an adult Osprey perching near Louis behind the nest. Although it would be great to see her, with the chicks’ current aggro due to hyperphagia, that’s probably a wise move. The weather was settled and forecast to continue, with an overnight low of 14°C and a high tomorrow of 24°C. Today’s videos:
The Black Storks in northern Europe appear to have fledged.
My friend, Sassa Bird brings me news from Lativa about the birds in that area:
That is wonderful news. I have been following some nests in Estonia – and so happy that Urmas is feeding the storklets, as it appears the parents are gone.
Wensi is, to me, very special. I don’t know if Iris, who is at a minimum of thirty years, will return next year to be reunited with Clarke and have other chicks. So I am treasuring every moment of them on the nest. They are on the big screen at our house -. I do adore this family.
Fledglings doing well at Clark PUD. Showing up for fish!
We have news that the only surviving osplet on the Osoyoos platform in Osoyoos, British Columbia is doing well and getting fish from the parents. The camera is down.
The osplet that was removed from the Tweed Valley nest due to thrashings and its old sibling not allowing it to it has been returned to the nest. Lots of fish gifts were left and observations show that the two are getting along and feedings are going smoothly. Well done, Tweed Valley and Forestry England.
Documentaries about a murder do not often have a connection with our raptors but in the case of the Edradymate Estate, they certainly do!
I was going to check on the status of the condors and the Big Sur fire and ‘B’ sent me the latest link. This is what he writes, “Hi Mary Ann,
I’ve pasted at the bottom of this email the link to a San Francisco Chronicle article about the Big Sur fire, which is dated yesterday and appeared in the print edition of the paper today. (I might be one of the last people who actually buys and reads the print edition of the Chronicle each day.)
It is only the last two paragraphs of the article that address the condor issue. To summarize those paragraphs, the article mentions that the fire has disrupted road access to the condor sanctuary, that Kelly Sorenson says the two condors confined there have gone four days without fresh food or water, and that Kelly is working with firefighters to open access to the sanctuary. But what I like best is the final quote from Kelly: “If for some reason they (the firefighters) are not able to do that (that is, open the access road to Kelly), then we’re prepared to hike up if need be.” Yeah, you go, Kelly!
Signing off. Don is out with Ann and Toby and I are going to go for a nice walk in the coolish breeze. It is such a gorgeous day. Tomorrow we are going to the farm to get produce and on the weekend, I am hoping we will have one of those mystery car tours. The goal is to get Don out every day and for me to get out, even if it is a walk with Toby and then a nice cuppa sitting in the sunshine. We have – Toby and I – decided no housework today! Melissa is coming Monday and she will have her work cut out for her.
You will notice that I have not included any of the thousands of tributes to Jackie. I am hoping that you will continue to send me a note about what Jackie meant to you so that I can include it on her Memorial Wall and here in the blog. I hope to do that next week, so please send a comment about Jackie or an e-mail. The address is maryannsteggles@icloud.com I will only use your initial!
Take care, everyone.
Thank you to Geemeff for her daily summary and videos, B for the latest on the Ventana Wildlife Society’s Sanctuary in Big Sur, to Raptor Persecution UK for following the most horrendous crimes against wildlife, to Sassa Bird for her notes about the NE European ospreys and storks, to Hawk Mountain for their great tracking of the migrating birds, and to all the streaming cams and individuals who put information on FB and images. I am grateful.
The golden glow of the morning sun kissed the branches of the old Ironbark Tree in Sydney’s Olympic Forest. WBSE 27 and 28 were sound asleep in the nest bowl while an adult was on the parent branch keeping watch.
This morning breakfast arrived at 9:20:11. It was a nice chunk of fish.
28 was up at the breakfast table right away and dominated the feeding. There was no pecking and 28 was on the left side! Well, well.
It is easy to see that 28 really loves the fish! One of the things people have noticed is that the birds actually do have preferences. Some prefer fish, others prefer birds. Some don’t like specific species of birds. WBSE tend to really love their fish!
Here is a short video clip of the feeding.
WBSE 28 is still being fed after ten minutes. Indeed, Lady will still be feeding 28, almost exclusively, for another twenty minutes.
At 9:30:11 either a Pied Currawong or an Australian Magpie swooped down on the nest. Lady alerted and both of the sea eaglets pancaked on the nest.
Anyone watching the feeding would have immediately known that Lady’s alert call meant ‘danger’ and the sea eaglets stopped everything and became very still. This is what all raptors do, as far as I know. It is certainly what Osprey chicks do when their parent is alerting.
Oh, these eaglets love this fresh fish! 28 has gotten very good at the quick snatch method as well. He is very cute.
Lady finished feeding the pair at 10:01:27. They both settled down, each with a crop – 28’s was the biggest! He is in front sort of sitting up.
Right now it is easy to tell the difference – 27 has more juvenile feathers on its shoulders and wings.
No doubt, WBSE 27 might well dominate the next feeding. But it is significant to note that 28 stepped up first and was fed – and went to sleep with a very large crop. There was absolutely not a hint of sibling rivalry other than the typical ‘snatch and turn’ of 28 at times. The ‘snatch and turn’ is often a side effect reaction – grab the food quickly and turn – protecting one’s head from being pecked earlier in the chick’s life.
These two are doing very well. I hope that the Magpie or the Currawong – as well as BooBook Owl, and others do not inflict any injuries on any of the sea eagles. In fact, some of you might remember that it was a Magpie that helped WBSE 26 last year against the Pied Currawong.
The top two images are of a Pied Currawong and the bottom one is an Australian Magpie. Sometimes you only see a blur. Those familiar with the sounds of the forest might be able to tell who caused the ruckus.
There are decided differences between the two but a split second sweep of black and white makes it difficult. The Pied Currawong has been a constant in the Sydney Olympic Forest. Perhaps it has a nest near to the sea eagles and wants the big birds – the top of the food chain – to get out of town!
Sadly, the Currawong did chase 26 out of the forest and she wound up the next day, after a storm that evening, on the 22nd floor of a condo building about 1.5 kilometres away from the nest. The Currawong are a big problem in the forest. They also chased 25 out when it fledged and I suspect they have done this in years past. 25 never returned to the nest. No one knows what became of her. Ideally, these two beauties fledge and return to the nest for rest and food just like the Bald Eagles or the sea eagle fledglings are fed down by the Parramatta River by the parents til they can survive on their own.
It has to be mentioned that Sydney’s Parramatta River is full of dioxins. Commercial fishing is banned after elevated levels of the toxins were found in seafood from the Sydney Harbour and the Parramatta River.
The toxins leaked into the river from a shipping container company as reported in The Sydney Morning Herald on 16 May 2009. The article said, “The Patrick’s site on the Camellia peninsula, near Rosehill Racecourse, has been found to be leaking the chemical Chromium VI, posing a risk to people and marine life.”
In 2017, 2ser 107.3 reported that the Parramatta River was a “toxic time bomb.” They said, “Fifty years of toxic chemical residue is sitting on the bottom of Sydney Harbour and the Parramatta River. It’s a toxic time-bomb and disturbing this sediment could worsen already dire pollution levels. And now sweeping developments along the shore of the River could be bringing more pollution to the already sullied waters.” While many might have hoped to swim in the river before they were too elderly to do so, contaminated storm water was pumped into the river in December 2020 causing more problems.
That lovely fish that the two sea eaglets ate this morning came from this river. It is a tragedy.
Thank you so much for joining me. These are just the cutest little sea eagles. 28 is quite the character. Spend some time watching them. Everything is good.
Thank you to the Sydney Sea Eagle Cam @ Birdlife Australia’s Discovery Centre for their streaming cam where I took my screen shots and video clip.
Lady and Dad at the White-Bellied Sea Eagle Nest in the Sydney Olympic Park Forest welcomed WBSE 28 at 5:41 pm on 31 July.
The egg began to split open at 17:08. You can see the egg tooth of the chick that is banging away at the shell. Once it is all cracked like it is now, the chick will wiggle and push to get out. Lady often helps by pulling off the bottom of the shell. She removed the shell of 27 so that it would not adhere to 28’s shell and cause difficulties. The females often eat the shells to help them regain their calcium that has been partially depleted making the eggs.
By 17:41 WBSE 28 was completely out of the shell and for some crazy reason the streaming cam decided to switch to IR mode! Let us all hope that 27 is a gentle and caring older sibling til these two get big enough and out of the bobble head stage!
Congratulations to everyone down in Sydney!
It was wonderful luck to wake up in Canada and see Tiny Little on the Foulshaw Moss nest in Cumbria. It was 14:15 and she was busy eating a nice big fish all alone. Wow.
Tiny Little kept looking about while devouring her afternoon meal. With two big siblings and no where to hide I am certain that she is hoping they don’t show up.
Tiny Little has grown into a beautiful fledgling. At the time of banding they believed that Tiny Little (or Little Bob, LB) was a female but could not say for certain as her growth was so much behind the other two but, she has caught up. Look at those strong stout legs. She is a gorgeous female.
Thinking maybe I might get lucky, I decided to check on the Collins Marsh chick just in case there was an early morning fish delivery. At first, it did not look hopeful and then the chick and Mum began food calling. Dad must have been in sight of the nest.
Ah, what a relief to see this little one getting fed early in the day. Let us hope that the deliveries continue in rapid succession. This chick needs a lot of fish to grow as big as Tiny Little before it needs to migrate.
It seems everyone is eating! Zenit, on the Bucovina Golden Eagle Nest in Romania, has received a delivery, too. Here is Mom arriving with the prey at 11:01:09. She calls out to Zenit.
It is not even a second before Zenit arrives, very excited, on the nest.
Mom moves off that nest quickly as Zenit mantles his lunch.
In Romania, as in other cultures, the Golden Eagle is a symbol of noblility and power. Images of double-headed eagles can be found on the buildings and coins of ancient civilizations in the Middle East such as Sumer and Babylon. The Romans, the Holy Roman Empire, and the Byzantines each used the symbol of the Golden Eagle for their empires. The Aquila (eagle) appears on the standards (the top of the spears of the Romans while the Byzantines were fond of the double-headed eagle which symbolized the dual role of the emperor as both secular and religious head.
An illustration of the vexilloid of the Roman Empire with the Golden Eagle standard:
This is the flag of the Holy Roman Empire:
Wikimedia Commons
Today the Golden Eagle continues to appear as an emblem of the government for various countries and rulers of Europe including that of the President of the Russian Federation. So even in contemporary times the beautiful eagle adorns the coins, buildings, flags, and uniforms representing their power and authority.
Historically, the Golden Eagle was widespread throughout Romania. There was a steep decline in the numbers of breeding pairs in the 20th century due to the use of pesticides both for agriculture and the control of mosquitoes. Hunting and the lack of sufficient food also caused a decline in the numbers. In 2002, it is estimated that there were only 30-40 nesting pairs in the country. This figure doubled in 2012 to 50-60 pairs. There are approximately 300 breeding pairs in Romania today. Current threats to the Golden Eagles continue to be a lack of prey, illegal logging, loss of habitat, poaching, and poisoning. The Golden Eagle is, thus, very rare in Romania.
When Zenit is an adult, his wings will be up to 2.1 metres or 7 feet and he will weigh from 3.2 to 6.6 kilograms or 7 to 14.5 lbs. Females are one quarter to one half larger than the males. Juveniles have been known to travel up to 1000 km or 621 miles after they leave their natal nest. Zenit will reach maturity when he is around 5 years old. Golden Eagles have been known to live up to 32 years but the average is 15-20 years.
At the time he is an adult, Zenit will be an ‘Avian Apex Predator’. That means that healthy adult birds are not prey to any other raptor or mammal. They are at the top of the food chain. Zenit’s eyesight is 8 times that of a human – much better than mine! He will hunt rabbits, young deer, goats, and ibex but he will also eat carrion, birds, and squirrels.
It has been a great learning experience watching Zenit grow from being a chick into this beautiful juvenile.
It is a dark and gloomy Saturday. It is difficult to tell if the strange look in the sky is from the fires, perhaps an impending rainy day, or both. It might be a great day to sip hot tea and read. A copy of The Scottish Ospreys from extinction to survival arrived from a used book store in the UK yesterday. It looks like it is a perfect day to dig into it.
Thank you so much for joining me. I hope that you have a wonderful Saturday.
Thank you to the following for their streaming cams where I obtained my screen shots: Sydney Sea Eagles, Birdlife Australia and The Discovery Center, Collins Marsh Nature Reserve Osprey Cam, Asociata Wild Bucovina, Cumbrian Wildlife Trust and the Foulshaw Moss Osprey Nest.
It was just so nice to start the day knowing that the Collins Marsh osprey chick was still with us. It was nothing short of a miracle that the very serious storm cells turned and headed away from the nest – and all the other Osprey nests in the area! Watching the satellite feed and then seeing those cells turn southeast – well, it was hard to believe. After 1am, the lightning strikes began to wane.
The site of the Collins Marsh nest is at the red pinpoint. In this area are also numerous Bald Eagle nests along with countless other Ospreys. The storm turned as it approached Lake Winniebago.
The little one has had several feedings today and, hopefully, this will be the last big drama this baby has to face before fledge.
‘S’ just wrote to tell me that the Dad on the Collins Marsh Nest had brought in a sizeable fish for Mum and babe just after 6pm. Many of the fish have been small. Thank you ‘S’. Much appreciated!
Right before the fish delivery the chick was being fed. Oh, what a lovely image – a little crop growing and mum on the nest feeding this very brave baby.
Here’s dad just about to leave after dropping off a bigger fish for these two. So glad that the waters were not stirred from the rain and storm last night.
Wee Bob had a nice crop. Mum is finishing up that nice fish. Both of them are going to sleep well tonight.
Everyone is celebrating the hatch of WBSE 27 and the pip of 28. Thankfully, they will be hatched close together. The sea eaglet bobbles are known for their sibling rivalry and fights over dominance in the nest. Perhaps this will help. We will see. For now, WBSE 27 is simply a little cutie leaning on ’28’.
This is not a great image of the chick. Apologies. But you can see the pip starting in the second egg.
Lady sure looks happy with that little fluff ball sticking out in front of her.
Two things to notice. First, that white line down the front of the beak is the egg tooth. It actually sticks up like a little spike. The chick uses it to pound away at the shell. It will eventually disappear as the beak grows. Secondly, if you are used to Bald Eagle babies, you will notice that the natal down on the White-bellied sea eaglet is white, not grey.
This is the first breakfast of fish for this little one.
We are having wildlife fires in Canada just like parts of the United States. On Vancouver Island, the Bald Eagle juveniles have been heavily impacted by the fires, the drought, and the lack of fish in some areas. There are lots of eagles, ospreys, and other species in care.
My daughter sent me an article this morning about how the people on Vancouver Island have joined together to provide fish for the Bald Eagles in care. It is one of those feel good comings together – just like the people of Mlade Buky who fed Father Stork and the little ones or the people of the Glaslyn Valley in Wales who provided fish for Aran and Mrs G when Aran was injured and could not fish for his family.
Here is the link to this wonderful story of a community helping these amazing birds.
No one will ever hire me to be a wildlife photographer! I have a large lens that intimidates me at times but, after today, there will be another trip north to one of our provincial parks to take Osprey pictures ‘properly’.
This is the marshy wetland in front of the Osprey nest. There were lots of pelicans who did not want me to take their picture!
There is a mother and her two chicks in the nest. The mother is leaning down. Before I could get my camera ready the Dad had delivered a fish and left. My goodness. When this mother and the chicks saw the fish delivery getting closer, they were so loud that you could hear them easily 45 metres away.
You can see the profile of the mother better in the image below. The sky is so hazy because of the wildfires and smoke in the area.
This is an area of the park between the West and East entrance gates. This is where the Dad fishes.
Just across the road is this area full of pelicans fishing.
What you are seeing below is an Osprey platform that is unused. It is only about 7 metres from the road leading into and out of the park. The noise of the traffic would be a big deterrent to occupancy – at least to this auntie.
There is going to be camera and lens practice this weekend with a return visit before these juveniles fledge. As it turned out, the images taken with my phone were better than with my small camera. Next week, I will try and be brave when I use that other lens – like the Collins Marsh chick was during the storm.
Tiny Little has evaded me today. Hopefully tomorrow!
Thank you for joining me. It was so nice to get out of the city and get to see and hear the Ospreys that travel here to breed in the summer. It was a gift to see all four of the family today. Take care everyone. Keep sending warm wishes to the Collins Marsh nest. They are certainly working.
Thank you to the following for their streaming cams where I took my screenshots: Sydney Sea Eagle, Birdlife Australia, and the Discovery Centre and the Collins Marsh Nature Reserve.
