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.

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’.

What should you do if you find a baby bird?

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.

Day 10 Welcome to Winter…Diamond feeds Gimbir

12 December 2025

Good Morning Everyone! Hello!

It is -9 C with soft snowflakes falling on the Canadian Prairies. Toby has been out for his walk with Ellen. Because the snow is deep and wet, he wore his boots, hat, and his insulated play suit. He wasn’t so happy. Look at that grumpy face! He sure had fun, though, once he was outside.

Ellen gave him a good romp – 1.3 km in thirty minutes. That little puppy was quite zonked when he got home. My friends and lovely neighbours are making sure that Toby has an even bigger wardrobe. One is even knitting him a beautiful scarf with snowflakes!

Both Blue Jays were at the feeders again Thursday morning. This makes me so very, very happy. The Jays wanted peanuts, but one of Dyson’s kits just sat on the big table feeder, munching and munching. Nothing was going to budge that squirrel! The Jays were losing their patience. In this two-minute video, Junior, the male, spends the last half hoping to find a way to reach the feeder!

I want to thank ‘L’ for her note today. It touched my heart. She had a feral cat named Hobo. Worrying about him in the cold, she put a heating pad inside a gigantic dog carrier. Hobo liked it. Her letter gave me pause to reconsider what I might do for Brock.

As all of you know, I agonise over Brock every winter. He has indeed survived, but there is always a worry. I have a huge carrier that I got when we had Lewis, so I am going to order a heating pad and another outdoor extension cord. Then we will see if Brock goes for it!

Brock looks in the garden door after finishing his third meal of the day. If you look at the table to the rear and left of Brock, you will see the amount of snow that fell overnight. The young man was here shovelling the deck but it has filled up – again!

Jaine arrived and headed out onto snowy roads to take Don to the Y’s walking track for the afternoon. The Girls, Toby, and I are making cinnamon-cardamon rolls for her to take home when she gets back. I hope they are good.

We use the same dough recipe for everything from pizza to cinnamon buns and butter rolls. It is effortless, and like my grandmother, I don’t measure. If you want to try it along with us, here is what I did: Place a packet of active dry yeast in a bowl with 2 T sugar, 2 T oil (I used a fruity olive oil), and 2 t salt. Add 3/4 c of very warm (not hot but quite warm) water. Stir and let it froth. Once the yeast froths, add 1.5-2 cups of flour. Depending on the weather and the type of flour you are using, you might find you need a little more. Stir hard, knead, and let the dough rise twice. Punch down between rises. [I use a small Wolf counter oven instead of my big oven. It has a ‘Proof’ setting for 80 degrees F that is really helpful and makes the rising go even faster.]

When the dough has risen twice (which makes the rolls much lighter), flour your surface and roll the dough out into a big rectangle. (See below) Those are slices of butter (you can use either salted or non-salted) spread around. You can even melt the butter and brush it on. For this recipe, the more butter the better. (Don’t tell my doctor!). Then sprinkle a mixture of 1 cup of white sugar to which I have added 1 t of cinnamon and another t of cardamom. You can adjust to taste. You might not use all of this. If you want, you can omit the cardamom. During a visit to Copenhagen, I fell in love with the Danish cardamom rolls, and ever since, I have been adding cardamom to everything. Today, I also sprinkled some dried cranberries over the dough to try and make the rolls a little more festive.

Fold up the edges and roll into a jellyroll-like shape. Then cut into slices. Place these on a buttered OLD non-shiny pan. Do not use parchment, either, as it will make the bottoms soggy, just like a shiny pan. You can be neat and make the rolls all the same. I can’t be bothered! I do like them rustic. Allow the rolls to rise one more time before placing them in a 375°F oven. Bake for about 13-15 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and, when pressed, spring back.

My family likes a lemon or orange glaze – just mix some orange or lemon juice with icing sugar and smear all over. Yummy, yum.

We decorated the box and included an ornament for her tree. I hope she likes it. I am so terribly grateful for her help and support.

So, let’s check in on some of the nests.

There are still two eaglets at the Superbeaks nest of Pepe and Muhlady in Central Florida.

The clock is counting down to SW Florida when M15 and F23 will welcome chick number 1.

In Orange, Australia, Diamond decided to feed Gimbir instead of Girri. Of course, Girri’s crop was about to pop! What a beautiful gesture to a great first-time dad who has been Daddy Doordash all season. I bet he was hungry.

It is NOT unusual (nor is it frequently seen) for adult males or females to feed one another. Which nests can you think of where you have seen this? The FalconCam Project caught it on video: https://youtu.be/1FOmMdoS6tA?

Girri looks like a juvenile falcon today.

SK Hideaways caught Girri soaking wet in a cute video! https://youtu.be/L2x4w5fqW3I?

Why does it always have to rain and why are there storms around fledge time? It always makes me so nervous. Girri will fledge soon. Enjoy her while you can! They do not normally return to the scrape very much, if at all.

Indeed, Girrir was flapping and almost went out the front. 12:34:52ish.

That was too close for comfort. She is not ready. She still has down and I want a week of sunny dry days not the storm clouds you can see in the distance.

The eagles at the John Bunker Sands Wetlands nest are working on that egg cup. This nest is looking really good. Just look at the size of it! The people who work at the centre say that visitors walking on the boardwalk often see the eagles flying overhead. Maybe you should visit JBSW if you live near Seagoville, Texas (east of Dallas).

The snow was really coming down at the US Steel nest. Evenso, nestorations continued. Those 7000 feathers kept those Irv and mate toasty warm and dry. https://youtu.be/1tK8d2JFE1Q?

Gigi and Pat were working at their nest, the ND-LEEF, in South Bend, Indiana, on Thursday despite the snow, too.

In Winnipeg, we are experiencing a very sad moment. Hundreds and hundreds of Canada Geese have been found dead due to HPAI.

Another article with some good information.

Hundreds of Canada goose deaths in Manitoba leave wildlife experts perplexed – Winnipeg | Globalnews.ca
https://globalnews.ca/news/11572945/hundreds-of-canada-goose-deaths-in-manitoba-leave-wildlife-experts-perplexed/

This news just makes me feel very ill. I love our geese so much!

It is never good to go to bed angry and I don’t like closing my blog on a sad note. We watched T3, the only surviving eaglet of Mrs T, thrive under almost the sole care of its mother at the Trempeauleau nest in Wisconsin. There are bittersweet moments. Two other eaglets perished, but you will remember how much joy T3 gave us. Here is a lovely video about this determined young eaglet! Enjoy. https://youtu.be/OMa50gXbe18?

Mrs T was sleeping on the branch at the Trempeauleau nest on Thursday. They have snow, too.

Good night, Beau and Gabby.

Trudi Kron brings us up to date on the new couple at the Dale Hollow Bald Eagle nest.

A note from our Bird World reader ‘J’ in Berlin also brings some good news about Kakapo. Enjoy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKvDRPnj314

Thank you so much for being with us today. Everyone wishes you a fantastic end of the week!

HY knows how to stay warm.

Thank you so much to ‘L’ for the great suggestion for Brock! I am also grateful to the authors of the FB posts, the creators of videos, the owners of the streaming cams, and the authors of the articles included in today’s blog.

Wednesday in Bird World

22 January 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

We have had more snow and high winds, making it impossible to see more than a few meters on Tuesday afternoon and evening. I spent the time when Anne was with Don doing some errands, sitting blissfully having tea with my bestie and looking out her bay window. It was like being in the middle of a wintry holiday card. The snow was gently falling; people were walking their dogs while birds visited the feeders. These short breaks remind me that being with friends, watching wildlife, or going for a walk in the snow is something money cannot buy. It is rejuvenating.

Margaret Renkl has written several books that many of us have enjoyed, especially “The Company of Crows.” She recently wrote a thoughtful opinion piece for The New York Times. Here is an excerpt:

“A heavy snow 10 days ago brought birds out in huge numbers, often in whole flocks — bluebirds, robins, cedar waxwings, house finches, dark-eyed juncos and Carolina wrens, plus the usual mockingbirds and blue jays, tufted titmice and Carolina chickadees, every kind of sparrow and every kind of woodpecker. I kept the feeders filled. My husband spread a sheet on top of the snow and set out a mix of seeds and nuts and mealworms for the ground foragers.

This bounty also brought the mixed flock of black birds I always look for in snow — starlings and grackles and red-winged blackbirds — that compete for resources during the breeding seasons but band together in the cold. In such weather, they waste little energy in squabbling.”

As we enjoyed our tea, deer came to graze on the shrubs in my friend’s garden. I wondered if they followed the river path that connects our neighbourhoods. Is it possible that the buck staring at me with a single antler is the same one that visits my garden? There he was with a group of six females of various ages. One was a small fawn. Was this also the same little fawn that had slept under my bird feeder a few days ago? I couldn’t be sure, but it felt like they were the same ones and it felt good to see them safe.

You don’t have to go outside. Sitting quietly can wash away all the ills of the day! For many of us, one of those questions has been what happened to Akecheta. For several days, there were intruder eagles and territorial skirmishes. All of us have seen the state that Akecheta was in, along with his opponent, in stills and videos. Our hearts wept. We adore him. Unfortunately, we will not have any news about Akecheta for a while—or, sadly, never. Explore has a serious issue with the transmission from the Channel Islands, and I understand that Dr. Sharpe is not available to check until next week. I hope he survived the intruder’s injuries and has his rightful place next to Thunder on their nest when we next have the live stream.

Update: A hatch is in progress at John Bunker Sands! https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1331165321340972

Thankfully, we have a diversion in the form of a tiny little eaglet, NE31. Most of you have already seen Beau trying to feed his baby. It was more than magical. Dad wanted a snack. Tiny NE31 kept poking up its head out of that deep bowl. ‘Feed me fish. I want fish’ was what that little one said with every bob. SK Hideaways caught this tender moment between this first-time day and his day old chick. Even if you have already seen it, watch again and marvel at how much Beau has grown in a few years. Gabby knew he would make a great dad! I laughed at how hard Beau worked with that one piece of fish. Thanks, SK for a great smile. https://youtu.be/G4zea3983tw?

Many of you have pondered what it is with the eaglets that have hatched this year. They are strong, holding their heads and necks up high in such a short time after hatch. NE31 is no exception – there s/he is commanding attention.

Rain came and Gabby made certain that 31 was warm and dry while Beau keeps a vigilant guard over his family.

The rain is also at SW Florida with the Es.

F23 made sure they were fed, but the kiddos with their juvenile tails growing in nicely (look at how those feathers are bursting out of the quills) are far too big to be under Mum. Their plumage insulates them. and they can now thermoregulate their temperature.

On Tuesday, the entire South will experience either snow or rain. ‘L’ writes that snow is falling in southern Alabama. They have topped up their feeders, like Renkl, with good seeds to help the birds through weather they are not accustomed to in that location.

In Tennessee, Boone and Jolene are busy, and I wonder how soon we will see an egg. It looks like it could be soon!

Thousands hope that this will be the year for Jackie and Shadow. You keep telling me that if it can happen for Gabby and Beau this season, then it can happen for this much-loved couple in Big Bear. I agree! We all want to see an eaglet in this nest.

Others are working hard to get their nests ready.

Liberty and Guardian are frantically working on their nest: https://youtu.be/I6zJOkgoJLQ?

What in the world is going on at the Kisatchie E-3 nest? https://youtu.be/Iln1CAkn1VU?

Incubation continues at John Bunker Sands. It is a beautiful day in Texas.

‘MP’ asked me if I had ever seen Jack build a nest like this one. I answered ‘no’, but you know what – he did a great job with that despicable mess. It doesn’t even look like the same platform. Jack had to have worked really hard. He is certainly trying to impress a new female.

I cannot tell 100% if this is Jack. That is the problem with not ringing birds. Ultimately, we want this family’s eggs and chicks to be safe from predators and those dreaded drain holes. Because it is now an active nest, the USFWS would not issue a permit for any alterations to the platform. So please send lots of good energy.

In Port Lincoln, Wilko and Kasse fight for every fish that lands on the nest if both are present. These skills will certainly help them when they leave the nest and find themselves competing with their older siblings, but it is hard to watch sometimes.

This was the tally for the pair for Wednesday.

In San Jose, Hartley and Monty are bonding. https://youtu.be/lVrvCUxM42A?

Find food? Ibises have special skills. “Hadedas are iridescent grey-brown ibises – jack russell-sized birds with long, curved bills and very small heads – found throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

They have a special skill called “remote touch”, which they use to find their worm, grub and snail prey. At the tip of their bills is an organ that, when they stick it into the soil, can sense the vibrations of their food nearby.”

A hadada: nothing can quite capture the sound of these birds, because it’s mainly just rude noise | Helen Sullivanhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/commentisfree/2025/jan/21/a-hadeda-nothing-can-quite-capture-the-sound-of-these-birds-because-its-mainly-just-rude-noise?CMP=share_btn_url

Next Tuesday, Don and I are going to try another holiday. This time we are heading south to find some warmth. We will stay on Basse Terre, one of the two main islands that make up Guadeloupe. We have rented a cottage adjacent to the National Park and hope to see some of the 290 species of birds that call this part of the Lesser Antilles home. I can’t wait! We will certainly take you with us. More on that later.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care everyone! See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, streaming cams, and articles that helped me to write my post today: ‘SK’, The New York Times, NEFlorida-AEF, SWFlorida, ETSU-Johnson City, FOBBV, Gary’s Eagle Videos, Tonya in NO, John Bunker Sands Wetlands, The Guardian, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Bart M and the PLO