Tag Archives: Traverse City eagles

Fledge at Cornell?…Thursday in Bird World

18 June 2026

Hello Everyone,

It was a fantastic day to be outside. The garden is really ‘loud’ with birdsong – you can hear them more than half a block away! And the rain and heat have done the plants wonders.

Some images that we are enjoying.

Close-up of vibrant pink flowers with yellow centers, set against a rustic wooden background.
A colorful birdhouse surrounded by lush green foliage, with two small birds perched on top of the house. In the background, there is a wooden structure partially obscured by the plants.

A memory and a treasure. A Paolo Soleri bell. He died during the month when I met my friend Lynne in Phoenix for a mini-break, too many years ago now.

A vintage, weathered bell hung from a hook with green and rust colors, surrounded by lush green leaves against a background of wooden shingles.

The peonies will be blooming, but are off limits to Toby just like the hydrangeas as they are toxic to dogs.

A cluster of peony buds with green leaves, featuring some buds showing hints of pink coloration, set against a backdrop of light gray wooden siding.

We are sitting outside, and Mr Crow has come for a visit. I thought he was going to have a bath, but he jumped down onto the ground. I wonder what caught his eye.

The sparrows had a lot of fun in the bird bath today, but it meant that we had to clean it about four times! Oh, they make a mess.

A group of small sparrows bathing in a blue birdbath surrounded by lush green leaves.

You never have your camera when you truly need it. Mr Crow is balancing on one of the flower poles, waiting for the squirrel to finish at the table feeder. Oh, he is back at the bird bath and now off he goes. Lots of activity between 1900-2100.

Oh, how sad. It appears the eldest chick (they both hatched on 11 June) crawled out from under New Female at Charlo, Montana during the night when it was in the 50s and succumbed to hypothermia. The NF tried several times to get the chick back under her for warmth to no avail. What a tragic nest accident!

Mum trying to get her baby back.

A hawk sitting in its nest, with two eggs visible, while another bird is perched on a nearby post in low-light conditions.

The Eagle Dock Osprey Nest is located in Cold Spring Harbour, New York. It sits out in the distance across the mudflats, visible from the shoreline near the Eagle Dock Community Beach (on Shore Road) and the adjacent Shore Road Sanctuary. Their osprey cam has gone live and the two adults are present.

Here is the link to their camera – it is blowing a positive gale right now so things are really moving about. https://www.youtube.com/live/z17UbNy075o?

An osprey nest made of sticks with two ospreys perched on top, situated near a riverbank. In the background, a boat is seen on the water.

I think each of you had your eyes on that beautiful eaglet Snow at Traverse City, Michigan, when its nest slid, and it fell. All the while, we noted that the adults were the most incredible parents. Snow had no parasites or infections and was well fed and feathered on the initial examination. Snow was strong, and her two fractures are healing nicely, and she is receiving the best of care at Northern Sky Raptor Sanctuary. Today, they announced that Snow is a female! I will note that the parents continue to go to the nest. Yes, raptors have feelings and they are missing their Snow. What a lucky eaglet to have such good care. Many do not.

A Facebook post from North Sky Raptor Sanctuary detailing the progress of an injured bald eagle named Snow, mentioning physical therapy, medical treatments, and blood test results.
Announcement celebrating that Snow is a female eagle, with details on donations for her care and raptor rehabilitation efforts.
A close-up of a young eagle wrapped in a towel, looking directly at the camera with its beak slightly open. The eagle has a dark plumage and bright eyes.

I am confounded. We are used to seeing fishing line and baling twine on US osprey and eagle nests. It was not until this year that it seemed to be a common occurrence at UK osprey nests. Yesterday, the great folks at Glaslyn successfully removed the fishing line and hook that were wrapped around the youngest chick from the nest of Elen and Teifi. Thank you to everyone who notified them and those who helped quickly!

Update on an osprey nest regarding a Brown Trout with fishing line that entangled a chick, detailing the intervention to remove it and the monitoring of the chicks' health.
An osprey is feeding its chicks in a nest made of twigs and branches, surrounded by green grass and trees.

We love Luna and Sandy – Jackie and Shadow’s soon-to-fledge eaglets – at Big Bear. They are getting closer and closer. SK Hideaways caught Luna getting higher! https://youtu.be/If_H8omr7nk?

This is what our ospreys are up against. The industrial fishing (not the commercial fishing of the locals) needs to stop. Omega needs to be mothballed.

A message detailing the observations of spotter planes tracking fish schools in the Chesapeake Bay, noting the coverage area from a previous day and mentioning several ships and planes involved in the search.
A map showing flight paths from yesterday, marked in orange with highlighted circles, compared to today's flight paths in a different area, indicating a change in flight routes.

One of Canada’s leading authors, Margaret Atwood, is saving Pelee Island (along with her family) for migratory birds)

How Margaret Atwood and her family helped turn Pelee Island into a migratory bird research hub – TheDownload

Oh, there are chicks dying in Finland. The latest is at LS #5.

I had many questions about Steelscape’s camera. It is not streaming. Our ‘sleuth’, PB, had a contact and has discovered that the individual who wanted the streaming cam and who was in IT has been made redundant. These things happen. I continue to be thankful for the Achieva Osprey cam – especially this year, as it has been a stunner, but the individual who led the effort might no longer be with that branch. There was once an active FB group just for the nest.

There is one osplet at The Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbour, New Jersey (south). Baby appears to waiting for fish. This is the first time I have checked on this nest. Does anyone have details?

A close-up view of a bird nest made of twigs and grass, with two hatchling birds visible, set against a backdrop of wetland greenery and a cloudy sky.
An osprey perched on its nest made of sticks and grass, with a green marshy landscape and water visible in the background.
An osprey stands on its nest made of sticks, with a chick partially visible in the nest, set against a backdrop of grassy marshland and blue sky.

Beautiful family portrait of White Stork family in Lubla Parish, Poland. Storklets are Eliasz & Gabriel.

Two adult storks standing beside three young storks in a nest, with houses and trees in the background.

Big Red doesn’t like her babies to fledge when it is raining. Of course, she is so smart – their feathers would be heavy and it is also windy. To keep them home, she often feeds them constantly!

A close-up view of a red-tailed hawk nest on a balcony, featuring several young hawks resting among twigs and branches, with a green landscape and street visible in the background.
View of a red-tailed hawk nest on a rainy day, with vegetation and blurred visibility due to raindrops on the camera lens.
A live cam view of a red-tailed hawk nest on a balcony, with one hawk in the nest and another flying nearby. The background shows trees and a street.
Two young red-tailed hawks perched in a nest made of twigs and leaves, overlooking a street with greenery and buildings in the background.
A red-tailed hawk perched on a railing near its nest, with another hawk visible in the foreground. The background shows a green landscape and a street.

So where are the other two? Are they at the end or down on the ledge? It appears that the first fledge might have been at 1825. I await official confirmation.

All is well at Hellgate Canyon with Iris, Clark, and Baby.

Two ospreys are perched on a nest made of twigs and branches, with a parking lot and greenery visible in the background.
An osprey is sitting in its nest, surrounded by twigs, leaves, and grass.

The oldest chick that died of hypothermia at Charlo, Montana overnight has not been removed from the nest. This is so sad. Let us hope that nothing happens to Only Bob.

An osprey perched on a nest with chicks and an egg, while another osprey stands on a nearby pole, surrounded by a green landscape and mountains in the background.

Three little ones at Osoyoos. Pray for this nest and the others that are struggling – perhaps, in reality, that is almost all of them in one way or another.

A pair of ospreys on their nest, with two chicks visible among the sticks and twigs. The scene is taken from above, showing the nest structure against a green background.

Dewey Beach is still good.

An osprey nest with two chicks and an adult osprey, set against a backdrop of a waterfront view featuring buildings and a dock.

SK Hideaways has news of Zuma! https://youtu.be/3YbwXv9AAQY?

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 18th June 2026

It was wet and windy today, and there was a moment which could have been nasty but fortunately wasn’t – a gust of wind caught Dorcha and flipped her over, taking a chick as well. But Dorcha righted herself and the chick quickly crawled back under her with no harm done. On the 6th anniversary of Legendary Louis and the Day of Nine Fish, it was a slow fish day, Louis only brought two fish and the second was such a tiddler it was gone in four minutes. Chick1 achieved a milestone by swallowing the small tail, while earlier Dorcha had struggled to swallow the much larger tail of the first fish. The Nest Two tally now rises to one hundred and fifty three, and Garry LV0’s single fish takes the Nest One tally to one hundred and twenty two. Aurora 536 spent most of the day incubating the unviable egg, how long she’ll keep doing that is a matter of speculation. Heavy rain and light winds with a low of 15°C is the overnight forecast, changing to light rain showers, a gentle breeze and a high of 17°C tomorrow.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/ReJNNcKbvSI N2 Louis brings the first fish and stays while Dorcha feeds the chicks 13.38.11

https://youtu.be/MVfn-uLCvRk N2 Oh no! Wind flips Dorcha and nearly takes a chick 14.48.18

https://youtu.be/OQL2iuo5Poc N1 Garry gives Aurora a fish and they both depart 17.25.52

Osplet growth in the early stages (our chicks are 17 and 15 days old respectively):

https://www.dyfiospreyproject.com/blog/karis-mwt/feathers

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

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

Thank you so much for being with us. It is time to do a wee bit of weeding in the garden before getting the lads inside. We hope that you had a wonderful Thursday. Take care of yourself. Please get outside if you can. Nature is regenerating!

Thank you to ‘MP’ and ‘PB’ re the Steelscape streaming cam, to SK Hideaways and Geemeff for their videos and for that incredible daily summary of happenings at Loch Arkaig. I am grateful to everyone who owns a streaming cam that stays on and lets us watch these incredible birds. Streaming cams cost money and human power – so thank you! And to everyone who posted information, put images and events on FB – we are so grateful.

Latest update on Snow and …Meet Clark..Late Wednesday in Bird World

3 June 2026

Hello Everyone,

This is the latest update on Snow:

Update from North Sky Raptor Sanctuary on Snow the Bald Eagle's health following a fall, detailing diagnostic radiographs and confirmed fractures in his wings.
A detailed update on Snow's medical care emphasizing a cooperative approach for managing fractures and ensuring comfort during recovery.
Close-up of a juvenile eagle being held with a green towel, showcasing its face and beak.

The name competition is over and despite so many residents at the care facility nearby the nest rooting for Maverick, the name for NG2 is – Clark.

Two ospreys are in their nest, one is standing with wings outstretched while the other is sitting inside the nest. A parking lot and greenery are visible in the background.

He has a name! https://www.allaboutbirds.org/cams/male-from-hellgate-osprey-nest-named-clark-after-community-vote/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSNXcxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFaMkpRZHVhVzVmazdwMUJSc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHv19dtUipEBCRc2BHtd2q5X9ke7BoduKaXHw0lVMWyrVd8-7VVPqFxWYh4qY_aem_-ZtD6ZVCS8yLyNi863hFGQ

I want to first thank you for all of your messages on FB, comments, and e-mails. There are hundreds of them and I am going to share some of the thoughts that have come in regarding the change to the laws that impact raptors (Eagles and Golden Eagles) in the United States. I am, in particular, referring to the call that something be done after Scout was banded and returned to the natal nest. This single act has caused outrage and I hope activism that leads to a positive end and a law that might be named after Scout.

I have, as you noted, gotten really worked up about what happened to Scout. It isn’t just Scout – it is all the others over the years whose nests would have benefited from a rescue or a fish tank placed nearby. I want to see compassionate governance – people in positions to give permits that allow others to help when help is needed. We do not need government personnel threatening to revoke the licenses of wildlife rescue agencies and rehabilitation clinics if they help. This has certainly happened in at least one instance that I am personally aware.

So thank you to everyone – maybe we can start a movement for change. As I said I do not wish for us to fall into despair, sitting on our hands, and believing that nothing is possible. It is. We might not be able to save them all but each life saved is one life not lost! Remember that.

Just a few excerpts from various social media sources I have received. (I am not going to add names or where people or from- I hope no one minds. These are bona fide readers from around the world who care deeply.)

“I read your blog.
You had an awful day and I gave you even more bad news. I’m so sorry.
Praying for the eaglet, as you said, hoping beyond hope. We both know that miracles do happen. It depends on how much the eaglet wants to live, if he really wants to, the wish may be granted. Until then many people will send their healing spells to him, he is not alone!

My standpoint is very clear.
I believe helping is our sacred duty.
We are useless in nature: We don’t have sharp beaks, or claws, we are not fast, have bad eyes and ears etc etc. We are not predators.
What we have is brains. I honestly believe that our job is to be the caretakers of Nature.
Look what we have done instead. No wonder Nature is angry.

To those that say „many other (in this case) eaglets suffer too“. Yes, they are. But they are beyond our help because they aren’t being monitored. If someone would find one of those eaglets, they would be obliged to help in my opinion.

It’s the story of the woman throwing small sea animals stranded on the beach back into the water. In the big view it’s a useless thing to do since so many more are laying on the beach it hardly makes a dent. For each of those little animals, it means Life.”

“I’m so sad in tears. I would look at that poor little eaglet, before they shut the camera off and knew that what I was looking at wasn’t going to be around forever. It was just too too pitiful. The little one was just hungry!! I despise most people. Scout shouldn’t have been taken back to the nest after they banded him!”

“Where is the courage to do the right thing by our wildlife?”

“Hi, Mary Ann! I hope you’re doing fine. I just read your shoutout about Scout, and I fully support it. I also voted for the change of regulations. It’s beyond my belief how they could let this happen, because, even if his weight was within limits at the time of banding, they knew what was happening. I’m sorry for saying that but the “big guys” not granting the authorisation took part in killing him. That is what I firmly believe in.”

“Thank you, Mary Ann. I totally agree with you & MicPark. I understand there are protected species (though not so much protected as abandoned by our current administration) but I will never understand the “no human intervention” ideology. Scout was suffering & needed intervention. Snow’s nest needed to be propped up because we all knew what was going to happen before she/he fledged. If it is okay enough to intervene and put cameras in their nests for the world to see then it should be just as okay to intervene when these birds are in danger. Thank you for all you do & I’m so sorry for all that you’re not allowed to do ❤️”

“Maryann, thank you for all you say and do for the animals. You will not be forgotten by us or the animals. What you say is correct. I knew animals were part of our world or we are apart of theirs. Whatever way you look at it, we are all in this together. We owe them help when we see a problem. Whoever started this ‘nature knows what’s best’ thing should be shot. Nature is an idea, not an entity. Nature is a word made by man. No wonder the US has turned into an authoritarian nation. Just look at us. We won’t disintegrate if we feed a hungry animal, and neither will they. Thank you, Maryann.”

The thing is not to lose the momentum. A petition is going around to change the Eagle and Golden Eagle laws. It is on change.org. You do not have to pay anything, just repost. That helps reach a broad audience. Gayle Gordon is leading that campaign in the US to get that law changed.

It takes a long time to change laws. Let us not fool ourselves. What we need to do now is positive action. Quick responses. I applaud those individuals who have reached out to me and who have osprey platforms on their land and are near the Chesapeake Bay. I will never divulge their names or locations, but some who had cameras have turned them off. What they did instead was set up fish-farm containers full of koi on their property. I understand that several are having a positive impact on their nests. We have to try.

Images of Snow sent to me by ‘L’ while being rescued and in transport.

A bird resting on the ground among fallen leaves and branches in a natural setting.
A young bird of prey resting on a soft towel inside a carrier, showcasing dark feathers and a focused gaze.

Geemeff’s summary was missed by a few seconds last evening. There is now a second baby for Louis and Dorcha at Loch Arkaig nest 2.

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 2nd June 2026

Daily summary Tuesday 2nd June 2026

It was another damp day today, and the chick was kept warm and dry and well fed by Louis and Dorcha. Almost too well fed, as Dorcha fed a too large morsel which got stuck in the chick’s throat, but fortunately she eventually noticed and removed it with no harm done to the chick. Louis delivered three fish taking the Nest Two tally to one hundred and three, and Garry LV0 delivered two fish to Aurora 536, taking the Nest One tally to ninety three. At the time of filing this report (midnight) none of the remaining three eggs has pipped yet. Eggs 2 & 3 on Nest Two could start pipping tomorrow and Saturday respectively, and the single egg on Nest One around Thursday. More rain expected with an overnight low of 11°C and a high of 15°C with occasional sunny spells tomorrow.

Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/ADFiOORIOLk N2  Breakfast of  leftovers at dawn for the chick 04.01.52https://youtu.be/lkPvQowdSzU N2 Chick’s securely in the middle between the adults as Dorcha feeds it 06.06.15https://youtu.be/lhIeUK9Qc2A N1 Garry feaks his beak after delivering a fish 10.22.31https://youtu.be/RePIYK47r7o N2 The chick begs for food and Louis brings a fish 15.46.53 https://youtu.be/UKVIirFPCM4 N1  Aurora departs with fish two dangling from one foot 18.08.44https://youtu.be/zrixUJ4fo78 N2 Chick needs rescuing when a big bit of fish three gets stuck 20.57.34

Bonus guide to rapid growth in Osprey chicks:

https://www.dyfiospreyproject.com/blog/emyr-mwt/rapid-growth-phase-young-osprey-chicks

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

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

Geemeff also sent some other videos and two good news stories for us:

https://www.thedodo.com/daily-dodo/driver-spots-majestic-animal-sleeping-by-the-road-then-realizes-shes-in-trouble

https://www.thedodo.com/daily-dodo/rescuers-find-baby-eagle-out-of-her-nest-and-realize-she-cant-lift-her-head

And that special video of the second hatch(Edited compilation starts at 05.49 and goes through to 06.22 when hatching is completed, and a bit of footage at 09.36 showing the chick’s progress three hours later:+: https://youtu.be/FMnpIeDqGss

A close-up view of an eagle resting in its nest made of branches and twigs, surrounded by a natural landscape with trees and greenery in the background.

This is from today as I will not have Geemeff’s summary for today in this post. That first hatch of Louis and Dorcha is going to be a handful. It’s already out of the egg cup looking for fish!!!!!!!!!! Look at this video! https://youtu.be/FWh4AUGHiW0?

There is now a third hatch at Borders Osprey for Samson and Augusta!

LATECOMERDownload

Jeff Kear at UK Osprey Info FB included the information on the second hatch at LOTL:

An osprey stands near its nest with two eggs, surrounded by twigs and branches, overlooking a tranquil lake and trees in the background.

A good rescue story from the UK -imagine picking up an osprey and taking it into care. Bravo.

Post about a rescued Osprey by Berry House Vets, detailing its recovery and rehabilitation.
A wet osprey sitting on rocky ground, surrounded by green grass and plants, looking directly at the camera.
Screenshot

Beautiful baby for Liberty and Freedom at Glacier Gardens.

A bald eagle tending to its nest, with a focus on a chick, at Glacier Gardens in Juneau, Alaska. The scene is captured by a live camera.

Heidi reports on Dewey Beach for yesterday: “
Dewey is doing well.  I have no concerns so far. They had 3 good meals yesterday.  Huge headless shad at 13.53, 30 minute meal; leftover shad at 16.24, 12 minute meal; more leftover shad at 17.24, 10 minute meal.”

Baby Dewey has attitude!

An adult osprey stands beside a fuzzy chick in their nest, with water and a building in the background.

Thank you everyone for all your notes, comments, and mail. I continue to go through them and will post more each day. We need to keep up the momentum and help those that are getting official means started in the US.

Take care. See you soon and thank you for being part of a world that gives hope to our wildlife and our planet. I am so grateful to call each of you a friend.

Thank you to everyone who wrote in, to those who posted information on FB, left comments, and sent me images, to Geemeff for their daily summary, and to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to watch the lives of these amazing creatures. I also want to shout out to everyone associated with the Great Lakes Bald Eagle nest, and to those involved in Snow’s rescue and care, for their transparency and compassion.

Snow is is rescued…Late Tuesday

2 June 2026

Hello Everyone,

It has been an exhausting day for eagle lovers.

First, Scout died.

Second, Snow’s nest slid. It took rescuers only 11 minutes to get to the nest site and find Snow.

The timeline:

​​4:36:19 Harry w/fish -huge one, Harriet follows in and takes control of fish; 4:37:06 Harry to SB, Harriet hops down into nest with fish, feeding #3; 4:54:04 noise & both Harriet & Snow look.

A close-up view of a bald eagle and a chick in a nest made of twigs, with a tranquil water body in the background.
A dense thicket of green trees and foliage, showcasing various types of needles and leaves in a natural setting.

Here is the link to the rescue video clip: https://youtu.be/YGHBlWcYUbM?

Snow is decidedly injured. Precisely what is wrong is not clear but please send good positive wishes. Scout might not ever fly: broken wings can be repaired. I hope there are no internal injuries. That was a hard fall. Let’s hope beyond hope.

A person crouches in a wooded area with several animals surrounding them on the ground, partially obscured by branches and foliage.
Two people in a forested area, one wearing gloves and working with a blanket covering an object on the ground.

Snow is alive, and hope must prevail. Waiting for updates.

Donations for Snow can be sent to Northern Sky Rescue Centre. There is a donation button. www.northskyraptor.org

There is a growing movement to change the laws so that no other eagle has to suffer as Scout did. We want eaglets in danger who are banded and known to be having difficulties to be kept in care. More on this later, but I am going to say something that will be considered controversial by some. As all of you know, I believe in intervention. If historic buildings can be torn down without authorisation, if sacred lands can be drilled for oil and put wildlife in jeopardy, if….then we must find ways to do something positive. So my question is this: What would happen to someone who put fish in a nest? Didn’t return an eaglet but kept it in care so it survived? Might this not be a test case in the US that could go to court to change these archaic laws? I am a Canadian, but the wildlife – the eagles and birds – move back and forth across great swaths of North America – and belong to all of us. Their welfare is up to us. So think about this! I would love to see a test case to determine whether a starving osplet could be fed fish!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I plan to write a more scientific/academic response to this question, but not tonight. I am hoping that Geemeff’s summary will be in but if it isn’t, I am going to say goodnight. I will include it tomorrow.

It has just been a day of rocketing emotions. I am worn out.

Thank you for loving these amazing birds.

Thank you to everyone at the Great Lakes Bald Eagle Cam – the mods, the rescuers, the owners of the cam and everyone who worked so hard to make sure that Snow was helped.

Snow’s nest is still holding by a miracle….late Wednesday in Bird World

27 May 2026

Hello everyone, from a very hot Canadian Prairie that is due to get hotter. Ann kept Don and Toby inside. Friday is to be 34. I think that sounds like a walk at the mall!!!!!!!!

Allow me to take a deep breath, and before we get into the lawsuit in Florida about Scrub Jays, I want to say that by some miracle, the branch that broke on the Traverse City Bald Eagle nest in Michigan, fell and caught itself on the tree adjacent, and is supporting that tilted nest. How long it will hold, we do not know. I hope it is long enough for Snow to fly. We need a good three weeks. The average is 10-14 weeks. So, right now, Snow is 6.5 weeks old.

A bald eagle and a younger eagle perched on a nest surrounded by pine trees, with the sky in the background. The timestamp shows 9:42 AM on May 27, 2026.
A close-up view of a large eagle's nest located on a tree branch, with an eagle standing inside the nest. The background features a calm body of water and partly cloudy skies.
An osprey sits on its nest, which is located high in a tree near a body of water. The nest contains young chicks, and the scene is set in a partly cloudy sky.
Two eagles, one adult and one juvenile, perched on a nest surrounded by trees near a body of water.
A large bird resting on a nest made of twigs and grass, surrounded by a natural setting. The scene captures a partly cloudy day, with a view of a blue sky in the background.
A young bird sitting in a nest made of twigs and grass, overlooking a body of water. The setting is partly cloudy with visible weather information displayed in the corner.

Now, back to the Endangered Florida Scrub Jays. We have a detective in our midst, and ‘R’ was able to find out the following information which should really bring a light to the threat to the birds!

“I searched for this, and got the following: 

Yes, it appears Colosi knew (or should have known) about the protected status before buying.
Key facts:
• Purchase date: March 2024. 
• Habitat plan: Charlotte County’s Scrub-Jay Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) was approved in 2014 — a full 10 years earlier. It’s been public policy since then, with clear rules and fees for building in designated areas. 
• Public records: The county’s property records for his specific parcel note that “Land value may be adjusted due to scrub jay habitat.” It’s also visible on the county’s GIS maps (a public online tool)

Did he actually know?
• Colosi and his lawyers (Pacific Legal Foundation) have not directly said whether he was aware of the restrictions when he bought it. When journalists asked, they avoided answering.
• Critics and local observers point out it’s hard to miss: the restrictions are on maps, in public records, and part of standard real estate due diligence in the area. Many people assume he bought it anyway, possibly betting on a legal challenge.
This is a classic “buyer beware” (caveat emptor) situation. The restrictions were already in place long before he purchased the 5 acres. He’s now challenging the fee system as unconstitutional rather than claiming he was blindsided.”

I love this type of deep digging and finding the true facts. Thank you, ‘R’. I hope that there are lawyers representing Scrub Jays. They have represented ‘trees’ why not birds and rivers? I must look into this. Gosh I wish I had the time I had before Don’s dementia entered my world.

A respected scientist recognized.

Email announcement from BirdLife International regarding Dr. Stuart Butchart's election as a Fellow of the Royal Society, highlighting his contributions to conservation science.

We are all pulling for Dewey Beach. Last year, the only surviving osplet died on day 50, five days from fledging, due to starvation. This year only one egg hatched and this little sweetheart has woven itself into our hearts. Dad is finding little fish, sometimes a nice sized Menhaden. Please keep sending positive wishes that this single osplet survives and flies. Now the question I have is this: When does Omega Protein start taking out all the fish?

Found out: Omega Protein’s menhaden reduction fishing in the Chesapeake Bay typically begins in May. For the 2026 season, operations are set to ramp up significantly in June. 

An osprey nest with a parent osprey feeding its chick, with an adult bird visible in the background. There are two eggs in the nest among twigs and grass.
An osprey is feeding its chick in a nest containing two eggs, with a waterfront restaurant in the background.

Chick 3 has arrived at Kielder 1A nest.

Full complement at Nest 1A

Fundraising at Poole Harbour. Looking for a beautiful osprey print?

Artwork featuring a detailed illustration of ospreys in their natural habitat, created by wildlife artist Bruce Pearson to celebrate the nesting of the Carey Ospreys.

Myrtle, the female whose five eggs were destroyed by two different males, has returned to Loch Garten and is being courted by a pale male.

An osprey nest with one bird perched and another flying above, showcasing a natural environment at Loch Garten.

‘PB’ reports that there are four osplets at Steelscape in WA. They note that the older two are already fighting! Send them positive wishes. Mum is trying her best to feed all including little 4.

Please be sure to go and vote for the name for NewGuy2 at Hellgate Canyon. Iris’s great mate needs a name!

​​Help name Iris’s mate! Vote on your favorite name by June 2, and you could win free enrollment in Bird Academy’s Hawk and Raptor ID course. Vote here 👉 https://hubs.la/Q04hFrKD0

A nest of hawklets for Big Red and Arthur!

A red-tailed hawk is perched in a nest with two fluffy chicks, surrounded by twigs and branches, against a backdrop of greenery and urban streets.
A nest with several fluffy red-tailed hawk chicks resting inside, perched on a metal railing, with a view of a tree-lined street below.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 27th May 2026

No rain, no intruders, just sunshine and plenty of fish today. Louis delivered two fish for Dorcha, taking the Nest Two tally to ninety, while over on Nest One, Garry LV0 delivered three fish to Aurora 536, taking that tally to eighty five. Aurora actually refused the second fish but took the third one eagerly, perhaps she’d worked up an appetite following her encounter with a Great Tit which startled her so much she fled the nest. Safe to say, the tiny passerine was also startled – the size difference is stupendous. Another dry night of clear skies and light winds is forecast with a low of 9°C overnight, continuing tomorrow with sunny intervals, a gentle breeze and a high of 25°C. At the time of filing this report (00.30), Cam Two is still on day mode. This time next week we could have our first hatch! Fingers crossed these calm conditions continue.

Today’s videos:
https://youtu.be/kiZWFWC-Z1U N2 Louis delivers a very early breakfast 04.48.25https://youtu.be/q7tXL9-lePA N1 Garry LV0 brings elevenses 11.07.27 https://youtu.be/zqn2ekT6_a0 N1 Aurora’s not interested in the second fish 15.07.16https://youtu.be/_0Lt0-0fHzE N2 Louis arrives with a teatime trout 15.44.22https://youtu.be/hRAXavzJk9Q N1 Aurora is startled by a passing passerine and flees the nest 17.15.39 (slo-mo repeat)https://youtu.be/jnSHJWFcXRY N1 Aurora doesn’t ignore fish three – she seizes it immediately 19.35.13
Bonus read: For those interested in technical details, here’s the consultation on the management of Clunes and Arkaig Forest:

https://forestryandland.gov.scot/living-and-working/communities/land-management-plans/active-plans/clunes-and-loch-arkaig-forest-land-management-plan-consultation

Monty and Hartley certainly have their hands full with these four boys. Thanks, SK Hideaways for capturing some of the antics: https://youtu.be/gJPOZNVVLf4?

The trio at the nest of Maya and Blue 33 are now in the Reptilian Phase. Big ones in food coma and Maya feeding the third hatch. It looks like the final egg is a Dudley.

An osprey stands near its nest on the edge of a water body, with three fuzzy chicks nestled in the nest surrounded by sticks and twigs.

One of those short reads that is so informative – think White Storks and how people love them. They bring luck and my friends and readers in Poland and other parts of Europe treasure these beautiful birds and pray that they will make a nest on their home!

Country diary: A jaw-dropping bounty of wildlife – and a reminder of what Britain has lost | PolandDownload

‘PB’ sent me a note at a time when I really needed a renewal in trusting humans to help. A female White Stork whose eggs were hatching lost her mate. The community takes turn feeding her just like they did at Mlade Buky.

A stork standing on a nest made of twigs atop a pole, with clouds in the background.

Good night Bety and Bukachek.

A view from a stork nest overlooking a small village at dusk, featuring two storks, one standing and one sitting, with rooftops and mountains in the background.

Little Golden Eaglet safe under Mum in Estonia.

A golden eagle sitting on its nest with two white eggs, surrounded by trees and foliage.

Black Stork Nest 3 in Estonia has 3 eggs.

A stork standing in its nest with two eggs, surrounded by trees and foliage.

Toby says ‘enough is enough’. It is time to play fetch! How can I resist those eyes?

A black and white Cavalier King Charles Spaniel sitting on a brown mat with a toy in front of it. The background includes wooden decking and potted plants.

There is a second hatch at Pont Cresor! Yeah for Aeron Z2 and Blue 014.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care. Stay cool and hydrated if you are in a region that is hot like it is here. See you soon!

Thank you to all my contributors – to SK Hideaways and Geemeff for their videos and reports, to ‘PB’ for keeping me up to date on several nests, to the folks that are literally with their will power and that supporting branch miracle holding up Snow’s nest, and to the others who wrote reports and posted them on FB and to the owners of the streaming cams who let us view these incredible bird families. Thank you to all! We are so fortunate.