Tag Archives: US Ospreys

Baby for Louis and Dorcha…Monday in Bird World

1 June 2026

Good Morning Everyone,

It is hazy and will be a little warm today, but not up in the high 30s. Melissa is to arrive in a few minutes, and my house can’t wait to get cleaned!!!!!! You might recall that I was sick for 5 or 6 days and well, there are a few more fingerprints on my espresso black cabinets than I would like but, as Melissa says, ‘If I didn’t have some places to clean, she wouldn’t have a job!’ True.

My son is on his way to Asia for a conference in Singapore. He will first land in Tokyo, and he tells me that there is a typhoon. I am sending positive thoughts to all our Bird World friends in Japan impacted by this big storm.

Map showing the projected path of a hurricane near Japan, with timing indicated for specific locations.

The big news is that the first hatch has taken place at the Loch Arkaig 2 nest of Louis and Dorcha. You could hear this strong chick before it even hatched!!!!!!!! Listen as it uses its egg tooth to pick through the shell.https://youtu.be/oNu1t9PXQlI?

Louis was on hand for the hatch. He is an exceptional dad, and I hope that his health holds out this season.

Geemeff was so excited. They could hardly sleep! Here is their video of this wonderful event: https://youtu.be/5Xt0TjsAeZA?

Look at their faces as they see their little one all curled up.

A pair of ospreys stands on a nest with eggs in a natural environment, surrounded by trees and misty hills.

Still an Only Bob at Ranworth.

An osprey is feeding its chick in a nest surrounded by lush greenery at Ranworth, with a serene morning atmosphere.

I do love this. Three generations all have chicks on live-streamed nests in the UK. Maya is a grandmother!!!!!!!!!! (more than once). There is really good DNA coming out of that Rutland nest. Ah, but now Maya is a great grandmother – Teifi has chicks.

Tiger Mozone always says it is DNA plus luck that gives them longevity and endurance.

Three images of osprey nests featuring adult ospreys feeding their chicks, highlighting three generations of the same family.

In the US Bridge Club has their first hatch reported on FB by Heidi.

Virginia Osprey Foundation has its first chick.

Ospreys in a nest, with one chick hatching, showcasing the moment on June 1, 2026.

Eaglets die in Minnesota. Why?

The cause of death for the baby birds in the post isn’t definitively known yet. However, considering they were panting hard to cool down before passing away, it’s possible that heat stress or heatstroke contributed to their deaths, especially during a stretch of high temperatures. Other potential causes of bird deaths in general include ¹:

  • Common Causes of Bird Deaths:
  • Habitat Loss: Destruction or fragmentation of natural landscapes, which can lead to food scarcity and increased predation.
  • Collisions: Impacts with buildings, windows, vehicles, and power lines.
  • Predation: Hunting by domestic and feral cats, as well as natural predators.
  • Poisoning: Exposure to pesticides, lead, and other toxins.
  • Climate Change: Shifting habitats, extreme weather, and disrupted timing.
  • Disease: Infections and parasitic infestations.

It’s worth noting that Avian Flu was mentioned in one of the comments, but without further information, it’s impossible to say if this was the cause. The Department of Natural Resources visited the scene, so they may have more information on the cause of death once their investigation is complete

Two young birds in a nest, panting in the heat, with a focus on their facial features and surroundings.

Hatching is underway in two of the eggs at Loch of the Lowes.

An osprey sitting on a nest with several eggs, one of which is visibly cracked while another chick's beak can be seen breaking through the shell.

DH23 (Dale Hollow) eaglet, which fell off the nest on Sunday during a prey delivery, has now fledged from the branch where it landed. Congratulations and relief.

A feel good moment.

A close-up of a peregrine falcon standing in a nesting box filled with gravel, with a coastal view in the background.
Screenshot

So how is New Guy2 getting fish for Iris? Here is your answer.

A post discussing the fishing habits of Ospreys near Missoula, highlighting their preference for clearer waters in Rattlesnake Creek and mentioning ancient beach lines on Mount Jumbo formed during the last Ice Age.
Aerial view of Missoula, Montana, highlighting significant geographical features including Rattlesnake Creek, Clark Fork River, beach lines on Mount Jumbo from the last Ice Age, and Hellgate Osprey Nest.
3D aerial view of the Clark Fork River area, highlighting Rattlesnake Creek, Clark Fork River, and the Hellgate Osprey Nest.

At the Achieva nest, Big caught its own fish and brought it back to the nest! Wow. 15:48:15. Thanks, ‘PB’.

A view of an osprey nest located in a tree, with two young osprey chicks visible on the nest. One parent bird is flying nearby, while a street and houses can be seen in the background.
A young osprey standing in a nest made of twigs, with an adult osprey nearby. The background features greenery.

Heavy rains in the Glaslyn Valley have meant tricky fishing and mums needing to keep youngsters dry.

An eagle is feeding its chicks in a nest made of twigs, with a lush green landscape and misty mountains in the background.
A pair of ospreys are in their nest, one is holding a fish while the other is near their chicks, which are visible at the bottom of the nest.

At the Dyfi nest, Telyn is struggling to keep the chicks dry during the heavy rain.

An osprey resting on its nest, surrounded by twigs and grass, with a green blurred background.

It is the same story for Seren at llyn Clywedog.

A bird resting in its nest made of sticks and moss, surrounded by a lush green forest landscape in the background.

So how is it in the Usk Valley? Heavy rain.

A bird standing on a nest made of twigs and branches, with a chick visible inside the nest. The background features green fields and trees.

Chucking down rain at Llyn Brenig.

A blurry live feed image of an osprey nest with one adult osprey sitting on the nest and another standing nearby, taken at night.

Poole Harbour with its four chicks under CJ7 is also getting a large amount of rain!

Close-up view of a bird's back feathers, resting on a nest with twigs and pine needles.

Maya is drenched too – but the rains began to let up at Rutland later in the night.

An osprey resting on a nest made of sticks and branches, with a fish laying beside it, near a body of water.

I wonder what Geemeff will report about Loch Arkaig? The weather is certainly better!

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 1st June 2026

No surprise about today’s main event – the first chick has hatched! After pipping last night and chupping ever more strongly, the little scrap of life made its way out of the eggshell at 12.40.39 and despite falling over backwards and taking a while to right itself, is looking in great shape. Surprisingly, it was Louis on duty at the moment of hatching – he shot upright when he must have felt the chick suddenly emerge from the shell, one of many endearing moments today which included Dorcha trying to feed Louis. All the action was on Nest Two today, except for Garry LV0 delivering one fish for Aurora 536 which takes his tally to ninety one. Louis delivered three fish to Dorcha and the Nest Two tally now stands at one hundred. It was a damp day which will continue with light rain showers, light winds and an overnight low of 12°C and more light rain, light winds and a high of 17°C tomorrow.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/PCJX4mMm3EI N2 Dorcha’s in mum mode and tries to feed Louis 05.17.53https://youtu.be/HwDwVw2WvbA BBC Radio 4 Today Programme: Arkaig Forest item 07.24 https://youtu.be/e24C9E4S7kQ N1 Aurora gets a huge fish from Garry 09.37.45https://youtu.be/oNu1t9PXQlI N2 Listen to the chick chupping as it breaks the eggshell 10.22.15 (zoom)https://youtu.be/5Xt0TjsAeZA N2 News news news – first chick has hatched! 12.40.39https://youtu.be/tgRdu3_mmY0 N2 Louis brings fish and covers the chick as Dorcha eats fish 16.24.21https://youtu.be/v456qULiigg N2 Oops! Chick falls over backwards 18.52.22https://youtu.be/XC3x1LnO9Lk N2 Louis delivers fish number one hundred for the season! 22.34.46

Why not come and 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

A pair of birds of prey in a nest, one standing with wings partially spread, while the other is sitting calmly. The nest is built among sticks and moss, and the background features a lush, green landscape.

Sad news from the UK. Another White-tailed Eagle disappears from a shooting estate! When will this stop? Only when the penalties are such that the extremely wealthy consider the fine and/or jail time ‘too much’.

Young White-tailed Eagle ‘disappears’ from grouse shooting estate in North York Moors National ParkDownload

I like to end with good news.

A peregrine falcon in a nesting box, surrounded by gravel, with a view of a coastal area in the background.
Screenshot

Calico wishes everyone a great beginning to the week.

A calico cat with green eyes lounging on a soft surface near a window, surrounded by greenery.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Wish all of the nests, no matter where they are, better weather and lots of fish tomorrow! Take care. See you soon.

Thank you to everyone. ‘PB’ that is a great image of Big at Achieva! Fantastic news. To all who posted on FB and to Jeff Kear and the UK Osprey Info FB page – I am always grateful. Thank you to Geemeff and to all the owners of the streaming cams and individuals who post information – we appreciate your extraordinary efforts.

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

28 May 2026

Good Day everyone,

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

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

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

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

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

Please plant trees if you can.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

After cleaning:

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

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

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

KL5 kicking out the eggs.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reports of first hatch at Esthwaite.

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

First hatch at Carova Beach for Frederick and Betsy.

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

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

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

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

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

Two chicks at PSEG’s Oyster Bay nest.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(FL) May Monthly Newsletter – 2026Download

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

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

The historyofcoolkids included this history on the chat:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2nd egg pipping for Seren and Dylan…Late Wednesday in Bird World

20 May 2026

Oh, hello everyone,

It warmed up! Mike finished the railings and will begin the small deck extension shortly. Toby and I planted beans, tomatoes, red peppers, chives, various lettuces, and rosemary. We even managed to almost finish painting a wicker plant stand for one of the lovely chartreuse ferns. It was 17 C. Ann and Don went to the zoo, where to their delight, the peacocks were really putting on quite the show. It was what I call a ‘cracker’ of a day.

‘PB’ just sent a note about Achieva. Jill went out and caught a small fish for Big to eat alone. Then she went out again and came in with a big catfish for both her and Little. She is a brilliant dedicated Mum!

A bird standing on a fish in a nest made of twigs and branches.
A bird of prey, possibly an eagle, in flight carrying a fish in its claws, with a nest made of sticks visible below.

I love the fact that these two osprey are so bonded that they remain together despite having no eggs but protecting their territory and nest for next year! It’s called ‘hope’ and we all could use a good dose of it right now!

Two ospreys sitting in their nest surrounded by greenery.
An image of an osprey couple, FS2 and Eli, at their nest, appearing attentive and engaged in their relationship despite not producing eggs this season.

Sadly, Flora’s Harry has not been seen at the Alyth Substation osprey platform since Saturday. Flora had to go and find food, and when she left their eggs, the Corvids came and ate them. It is a blessing. There are no chicks to starve, and Flora can have a summer building up her strength. Harry was very special and is a huge loss.

Blue KL5 has not returned to the Loch Garten nest for many days. He is also presumed to be lost like Harry. It has been a rough year in the UK osprey world, much different than in previous years when couples were secure and chicks hatched and fledged in a normal calm manner.

Heidi reports on the saddness coming out of Mispillion Harbour osprey platform.

An osprey sitting in its nest, which is located in a wooden structure. The nest is made of straw and has several holes. In the background, there is a grassy area.

There is cuteness at the nest of Dylan and Seren – and what a bright spot these little osplets are that are hatching!

An osprey stands next to its nest, which contains a chick and an egg, surrounded by twigs and branches in a natural setting.
An osprey is standing beside a chick in a nest, with eggs visible in the background.

So cute – turn around you silly!!!!!!!! Manton Bay with Blue 33 and Maya.

Two adult ospreys standing near their nest, which contains several chicks and an unhatched egg, set against a backdrop of water.

Iris had a little visitor from one of the nests inside her nest!

An osprey sitting in a nest surrounded by twigs and grass, with a chick beside it.
Two young osprey chicks huddled together in a nest made of twigs and pine needles.

Have you been wonderfing about the female at the Glen-Hayes nest?

A post discussing the impact of consuming a deceased eagle's remains on a mother eagle already symptomatic with avian flu, detailing biological responses and immunity challenges.
A bald eagle with wings spread, situated in its nest among green leaves and trees.

We have a fledge/fludge at Johnson City ETSU.

A collage of images from a live nest cam showing a bald eagle nest with eaglets. One eaglet is visible in the nest, while another is perched nearby. The background features trees and foliage.

Have you noticed that Monty and Hartley raise the most energetic chicks?!!!!!!!! Always getting into mischief. SK Hideaways gives us some of their latest antics in this video: https://youtu.be/GhKpFR5-4Ao?

Two falcons perched on a ledge, with a camera and a building in the background. A text box explains how falcons bob their heads to enhance depth perception.

Lady and Dad have been regularly coming to the nest tree in the Sydney Olympic Park.

A nocturnal surveillance image of a bird perched on a tree branch, surrounded by foliage, captured in black and white.
A live stream image of a sea eagle perched on a branch near its nest, surrounded by trees at dusk.

Hatch watch for Richmond and Wendy.

Close-up of a mature osprey perched on a railing, with a sharp gaze, possibly considering fishing while monitoring a nearby nest.

Gracie Shepherd shows us the latest on the fires on Santa Rosa Island where there are eagle nests with babies!

Map showing Santa Rosa Island with highlighted areas indicating wildfire impact, alongside a coastal view of the island.

What a cutie that hatched for Dylan and Seren yesterday with another nice pip in the second egg!

A bird of prey, likely an eagle or hawk, is seen in a black and white image, tending to its nest that contains eggs and a newly hatched chick.

Prey becomes comfy pillows at Big Red and Arthur’s nest in New York.

A red-tailed hawk is nesting with several chicks in a nest made of twigs on a rooftop ledge, overlooking a city street.
A red-tailed hawk sitting on a nest with several fluffy chicks, surrounded by twigs and greenery.

Aerating the eggs at Pitkin County in Colorado.

An osprey resting on its nest made of twigs and branches, with green grass and shrubs in the background.

Ann loves peacocks and this article just popped up in The Guardian!

Peacock ‘invasion’ of Italian seaside town ruffles feathershttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/16/peacock-italy-punta-marina-tensions?CMP=share_btn_url

It’s raining. The sky is grey and it is cooling off. Hoping for warm weather tomorrow! Take care everyone. We will see you again soon.

Thank you to everyone for their contributions – videos, informative posts and messages with images, authors of FB posts and the owners of the streaming cams that allow us these screen captures and a view into the life of these families.

Iris gets lots of fish…Late Monday in Bird World

19 May 2026

Hello Everyone,

‘PB’ just sent these great images of Iris leaving with a huge headless fish – the third or fourth NG2 has brought today!

A hawk flying over a parking lot, holding a fish in its talons, with another hawk perched nearby.
Two ospreys are in a nest made of branches, with one osprey appearing to take off. In the background, there is a parking lot with several cars and trees.

It remains damp and cold on the Canadian Prairies. Poor Toby has to have his feet washed every time he comes inside from running about. We have a small pond in progress, and he is drawn to the mud there!!!!!!!!! Spaniels love water. I am thinking of getting him a kiddie pool for the summer. He might not like it because he can’t swim but we will see. There are enough neighbourhood children that would enjoy the pool if Toby rejects it!

Like so many of you, I have lived a long life, one that allowed me to enjoy a time when nature was not under threat every second. Of course, we did not know then what we do now about how our behaviour was impacting the environment. What would we have done differently had we known?

There are things that I miss. We had the most magnificent Magnolia tree in our back garden and several Mimosa trees in our front garden. At the very back was a wall of bamboo at one time, later replaced by my father’s rose garden. He learned how to grow roses from his grandmother and mother – she had a huge stroll garden lined with hundreds and hundreds of rose bushes. There were Cardinals and Bluebirds that lived in those trees. I also miss the duck pond at the University of Oklahoma. I cannot tell you how many hours I spent there, joined later by my children. Whether or not it was our garden or the ponds and parks near to where I lived, there were always some kind of birds. Some were in drawers with old yellowed cardboard labels in the Sutton collection at the University. They fascinated me! It is nice when everything seems to be falling apart to sit back and recall the magic of our childhoods and how the opportunities we had impacted our lives today.

Like all of you, I have been distressed by the level of Avian Flu spreading across North America. I do not want to add to this, which means disinfecting the bird feeders and tables every 2-3 days. My plan, when the last half-bag of birdseed is finished, is to put out peanuts and those solid seed cylinders to try to avoid contamination. The bird baths and bowls of water have to be cleaned and disinfected, too. The rule is 1 part bleach to 9 parts water.

How to Clean and Disinfect

  1. Empty & Rinse: Dump out the old water and thoroughly rinse the basin.
  2. Scrub First: If there is stubborn grime or algae, scrub the bowl with hot water and a stiff brush before applying bleach.
  3. Disinfect: Pour in your 10% bleach solution. Let it sit in the basin for 10 to 15 minutes to fully kill any germs.
  4. Rinse Thoroughly: Dump out the bleach and rinse the entire bird bath completely with clean water until there are no traces of a bleach odor.
  5. Air Dry: Allow the bird bath to completely dry in the sun before refilling it with fresh water. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]

Important Tips

  • Frequency: Disinfect the bath once a week to keep it safe for your backyard birds.
  • Alternative: If you prefer not to use harsh chemicals, you can achieve the same cleaning power by using a mixture of 1 part white vinegar to 9 parts water.
  • Daily Maintenance: Change the water every day or two to prevent mosquitoes and bacteria from building up between deeper cleans.

NOTE: Do not use the brush used to clean the bird bath and water sources for any other purpose. Put it somewhere safe where no one can get to it and use it. I have been known to put these brushes in the dishwasher when I am running a cycle without any dishes to clean the machine.

I was so happy to see that Irv is serving up fish at the US Steel nest – a nest that shares the same river as the Glen-Hayes nest.

https://sportsmansparadiseonline.com/2026/05/18/maz-takes-over-stellas-fish-us-steel-nest

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 18th May 2026

Another quiet day, a bit damp as rain fell in spells throughout the day, but otherwise peaceful with no alarms or intruders. Garry LV0 brought one fish for Aurora 536, taking his tally to sixty eight. Aurora stashed the remains of that fish on the nest and at the time of this report, near midnight, she is cuddled up beside it. Louis brought three fish for Dorcha and his tally is now level with Garry’s at sixty eight, with the Nest Two tally at seventy due to the two fish brought by Dorcha before his return. Louis loves spending time on incubation duty, and was moaned at by Dorcha for a good few minutes before reluctantly handing over when she returned after polishing off her second fish. Light rain is forecast all through tonight and tomorrow, with a low of 8°C and a high of 15°C.Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/b07a-dMixso N2 Louis brings a whole tiddler trout 10.02.10https://youtu.be/tQL5oriH2dQ N2 Dorcha’s second fish is a decent size 14.45.58https://youtu.be/aJ9dTcnY-nI N2 Dorcha chirrups at Louis but he won’t move 15.59.30https://youtu.be/2Vul7RV667I N1 Aurora calls and Garry brings fish 16.19.14https://youtu.be/GPQqVzFJ2bI N2 Louis happily exchanges fish for time on the eggs 18.36.52

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/at5go-cg9A8  N1 Louis’ turn to dump a stick on Aila 2019

https://youtu.be/9_X4DMti3Gk  N1 I’ve got your back: Louis, Aila, and a stick 2020

https://youtu.be/W04J7cJyYss  N1 Aila screams until Louis brings fish 2020

https://youtu.be/Z6UfoL5Hb7c  N1 Time to go – Aila head-butts Louis 2020

https://youtu.be/0vfmJaN8vG4  N2 Little bird perches next to Dorcha 2023

https://youtu.be/Epa8-yc2CKU  N1 Louis warns away a distant intruder on his old nest 2023

https://youtu.be/M2Fz6H4TedA  N2 Unringed intruder on the nest! 2023 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/vHH0SsHb-Ls  N2 Dorcha practises her ballet moves 2024

https://youtu.be/oG-WC3EAf5E N2 Air on a Sunset: glorious sunset in quicktime 2024 (Classic Ospreys: JS Bach)

https://youtu.be/3hMF9N6hYbs N1 The second fish arrives and departs in 13 seconds as Aurora watches! 2025 

https://youtu.be/EXW79QoaRtU N2 Having declined the first, Dorcha grabs the second fish 2025

I really respect Ruth, the author of Raptor Persecution UK. Gamekeepers can be rather threatening/frightening people. She is a very brave woman.

For those who love the James Herriot series set in the Yorkshire Dales, they are not all nice and cheerful just like some of the big estates in Scotland do the most horrific things to our raptors.

“Vindictive evil woman” and “Poisoned witch” to deliver free webinar on illegal raptor persecution fDownload

The loon cams are live!

2026 Loon Cams are LiveDownload

Donations are down to every wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre – including all of the dog and cat rescues. The Ventana Wildlife Society is having their major on line auction which might net you a tour of the Big Sur Condor area!

I want to add something. We praise those groups that are proactive and the Ventana Wildlife Society is no exception. 20 Condors died in Arizona from Avian Flu. The VWS set about getting permissions to vaccinate their condo. (Yes, a group of condors is called a condo!). The Ventana Wildlife Society, in partnership with the Oakland Zoo and Pinnacles National Park, vaccinated 98 wild condors (not those in zoos) from the Central California flock. 81 condors received at least the first dose, while 45 received the full two-dose series to protect against HPAI.

It was no easy feat with container cages needing to be built in a rather remote area! The determination of this small but dedicated group of individuals is admirable. It made me wonder why those who have access to chicks on streaming cams do not set about to not only band the birds but also to vaccinate them. A single dose vaccine has worked on mice and monkeys and would be ideal as it would be difficult to give the two-dose vaccine as eaglets and eyases are on the nest such a short time.

vaccines-13-00074Download

This e-mail contains all kinds of news related to what the Ventana Wildlife Society is doing.

The FULL Crop Flight of the CondorDownload

We are approaching fledge for Big at the Achieva Osprey platform in St Petersburg, Florida.

Juvenile osprey practicing hovering and wing exercises in their nest during rain.

I love Big Red and Arthur. It is so exciting to see Big Red let Arthur fully participate in family life – he has certainly earned the right. Arthur is so devoted to Big Red and their babies – the pantry is rarely empty – unless it is on purpose near fledge. I am sad that they lost one of their babies but we don’t seem to need to worry about P3 who is small but mighty.

A red-tailed hawk feeding its chicks in a nest, with another hawk nearby. The scene captures the family dynamic during dinner time.

New Guy 2 has now brought Iris three fish (so far) today! I am so glad that the rushing river calmed itself in time. Cornell Bird Lab caught one of those deliveries on video: https://youtu.be/RkGQmYEkZro?

My goodness Iris is loud when she sees NG2 arriving with a fish!

An osprey chick standing on its nest, surrounded by sticks and twigs, with a parking lot and trees in the background.
Two ospreys are seen on their nest made of sticks, with visible eggs in the nest, on a sunny day. A parking lot and trees are in the background.
An osprey delivering a fish to its nest at the Hellgate Osprey Cam, with a parking lot and greenery in the background.

I am so glad that fish did not break those precious eggs.

There are three osplets at Patuxent. Oh, my goodness. I worry about those nests.

A collage of photos showing an osprey nest with three chicks being fed. One adult osprey is seen feeding the chicks while another adult watches nearby. The nest is made of sticks and is surrounded by greenery.

The latest statement that I have found about the Glen-Hayes eaglets and whether or not the eaglet bodies will be retrieved:

“May 18, 2026 – GLEN HAZEL NEST STATUS

Status Update: Carol Holmgren, Executive Director, Tamarack Wildlife Center

Our hearts go out to all who love these eagles and are grieving. We have been blessed with 100% survivorship of eaglets from the Hays/Glen Hazel eagle nests over the past 14 years, while it is typical for 30% of eaglets to not survive until fledging age.

Kudos to the Glen Hazel moderator team for promptly noticing signs of illness in the chicks and notifying Tamarack Wildlife Center’s Executive Director and Licensed Rehabilitator Carol Holmgren on Friday morning, May 15. Carol immediately reached out to Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) and Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) colleagues, to loop them in that day, and has been in conversation since then. A few updates:

  • It is FWS policy to let nature take its course at eagle’s nests and only approve intervention when there is a threat to the eagles that has a clear human cause such as fishing line entanglement or swallowing a fish hook. In this instance, the eaglets were ill, but not with a clear human cause where FWS and PGC would approve intervention. Much as that is difficult for us to witness, it is part of the natural history that eagles live with daily.
  • The eaglets likely passed from Avian Influenza. Their symptoms and the progression of the illness is consistent with Avian Influenza, and they could have contracted it from ingesting goslings and geese that had been brought to the nest as food. We cannot know for certain without testing, but this is the most likely cause based on the evidence.
  • The adults may also have been exposed to the virus. They typically have a stronger immune system than the young birds, and may be able to fight off the virus. Time will tell. We will be monitoring them. There is no treatment that can be given while they are free-flying. If one is on the ground due to illness, it may be able to be treated by a rehabilitator.
  • Our hope is that their immune systems are strong and they can remain healthy.
  • Our highest concerns at this point are 1. supporting the health of the remaining adult eagles and 2. caring for the moderators and community who love these eagles.
  • Now that the two eaglets have passed, PGC has had extensive discussions about the risks vs benefits of accessing the nest to retrieve the now two deceased eaglets. They have decided not to pursue retrieval, in part to not stress the adult eagles through human presence at the nest.
  • There is no practical benefit to confirming that the eaglets succumbed to Avian Influenza, beyond the human desire to know. The disease is known to be endemic in Pennsylvania now and there are no management actions that would be taken with that information.
  • Due to the regulations and Acts protecting eagles and their nests, any access to the nest would also require both PGC and FWS support.
  • PGC will be continuing to monitor the situation. If an eaglet should fall to the ground, they may pursue retrieval and testing since stress on the adult birds would be less, and FWS approval would not be needed.

Below is the full statement shared by our colleagues in PGC today. We appreciate the thoughtfulness with which they have considered this situation, and their continued collaboration.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) appreciates the concerns of the public regarding the eagles in the Glen Hazel Eagle Nest Cam, located in Allegheny County.

Wildlife watching opportunities, especially ones that can occur from anywhere thanks to wildlife cameras and digital technology, are a popular way for the public to learn and love wildlife.

Unfortunately, nature can be hard to watch at times. When situations occur on live wildlife webcams, including this eagle’s nest, human intervention is not always recommended or possible.

PGC evaluated the situation carefully and considered many factors including human safety and exposure to potential pathogens. Additionally, human intervention could further stress the adult eagles. Any actions must also comply with federal regulations related to the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. At this time, we have chosen to not intervene. If a safer opportunity presents itself in the future, we may pursue disease testing to hopefully determine what caused the death of these eaglets.”

I ‘love’ Blue 33 and Maya and I am so glad that the three little bobbleheads are doing so well. Those blue eyes and that light soft taupe down with their lovely back stripe and that black eye-liner. They are so precious….all babies are so cute but I do love the tiny little osplets before they hit the reptile stage!

An osprey nest with three chicks and two adult ospreys, one feeding the chicks. The nest is made of twigs and contains some greenery. The background features water.
Close-up of an osprey nest with four chicks and two eggs, surrounded by twigs and overlooking water.
A close-up of two adult ospreys attending to three chicks in their nest, with a body of water in the background.
An osprey stands near its nest, looking at two fluffy, gray chicks nestled on a bed of twigs and leaves. The background features water, hinting at the location's natural habitat.

The Girls got their favourite crunchy treats while Toby needed a new Little Lamb. These little squeaky toys were his first and to this day, some 15 months later, they remain favourites. This one is getting ready to celebrate Canada Day on 1 July.

A dog playing with a plush sheep toy, featuring red-checked mittens, on a soft blanket.

Thank you so much for being with us. We wish you peace and calm.

A close-up view of a decorative statue of a seated figure adorned with colorful beads and necklaces, featuring a small bird figurine beside it. The statue has intricate details, and there is a ceramic vase in the foreground.

Thank you to Geemeff for her extensive report on all things Loch Arkaig, to ‘PB’ for her great images and notes, to all those who posted information and videos on FB or YouTube keeping us informed of the latest happenings at the nests, and to the owners of the streaming cams, we are so very grateful to be able to share the lives of these amazing Avian families.

Late Tuesday in Bird World

12 May 2026

Greetings Everyone,

The sky is a gorgeous blue with a few little tiny cottonball clouds floating about. It was grey and cold earlier and to end the day with beautiful sunshine is a real blessing.

We have the first hatch at Rutland Manton’s Bay:

An osprey nest with an egg visible, amidst straw and grass. The nest appears to be active, suggesting potential hatching.

I am also happy to say that thanks to Kathryn we continue to know the goings on of one of my favourite Welsh ospreys, Aran, and his new mate.

A Facebook post discussing the bonding behaviors and nesting activities of two birds, Aran and 7C1, with insights into their relationship and nesting progress.
A blurry image of a bird sitting in tall grass, possibly an osprey, with out-of-focus background elements.

Cornell Bird Lab is doing a great job of producing short videos of Big Red and her chicks.

A red-tailed hawk is feeding its chicks in a nest made of twigs, perched on a ledge with a view of a street and blooming flowers in the background.
Close-up of fluffy red-tailed hawk chicks in a nest during feeding, surrounded by nest material and remnants of prey.

Those sweet babies are poking their heads out from under Mum: https://youtu.be/BUq6_AoCHcM?

A red-tailed hawk sitting in a nest with its chicks, surrounded by twigs and remnants of prey.
A hawk caring for its chicks in a nest filled with feathers, twigs, and remnants of prey.

We are a few days away from fledge at the Venice Golf and Country Club osprey platform. Chicks hatched on 20, 21, and 23 March.

An osprey delivering a fish to its nest, where three young ospreys are waiting. The background features a serene river and grassy area with a golf course.

I don’t know what has gotten into Jack at Achieva but he is being much more helpful to Jill in bringing in fish as of late.

It has been almost like a tag team, with Jill bringing in a fish and Jack coming in a few minutes later with another. It sure helps. Jill can feed herself, and Little and Big can work on the self-feeding she is getting so good at.

A hawk standing in a nest with two chicks, surrounded by greenery and a neighborhood street in the background.
A close-up view of an osprey nest containing two chicks and an adult osprey, situated on a platform surrounded by trees with a street and houses visible in the background.
Two young ospreys resting in their nest, surrounded by twigs and branches, with a view of a residential area and street in the background.
Two hawks sitting in a nest made of twigs, surrounded by green trees and a view of a suburban street in the background.
A hawk standing in its nest, surrounded by sticks and twigs, with a view of trees and houses in the background.

It rained at Achieva and it looks like Jack came in with a late fish. Maybe Diane will not need to go fishing tonight.

An osprey nest with three chicks sitting on it, surrounded by greenery and a view of a street in the background.

I have waited to send this so that I could include Geemeff’s summary from Loch Arkaig and here it is:

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 12th May 2026Today was mostly peaceful on both nests, barring an intruder alert near Nest One, and an intruder Osprey actually landing on Nest Two. While Louis and Dorcha were most unhappy and furiously chased the intruder away, the watchers were pleased to solve a mystery as this intruder had visited twice before but his Darvic ring could not be read. Today however he positioned himself just long enough to see that he is Blue 2B6, hatched 2023 in Kielder, and not Blue 286 hatched 2019 in Cumbria. There’s still a slight mystery about this bird as it was initially thought to be female, but now tending towards the possibility of being male. Whichever is correct, we wish Blue 2B6 success at finding a nest and a mate but preferably away from the two Arkaig nests as hatching day comes closer. Louis brought one fish for Dorcha taking the Nest Two tally to fifty seven, and Garry LV0 brought two fish for Aurora 536 taking the Nest One tally to sixty.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/LMm-Ym7k-9o N2 Louis brings a late breakfast for Dorcha 09.13.56    

https://youtu.be/8rgRxYfzIPw  N1 Elevenses for Aurora as the first fish arrives 11.30.54

https://youtu.be/1gEJDnZZ0J0 N2 Kielder Blue 2B6 intrudes on Louis & Dorcha 12.03.21 (long version)

https://youtu.be/QCKUhrpKiDE N2  Kielder Blue 2B6 intrudes on Louis & Dorcha 12.04.44 (short version with zoom)

https://youtu.be/PgLpYD-3Voo N1 Fish supper for Aurora when Garry delivers a second fish 21.34.15

Bonus read: It’s Plant Health Week and Woodland Trust are celebrating their UK and Ireland Sourced and Grown scheme:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/plant-health-week-2026-ugcPost-7459905242101477377-V-Hk

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/BFfBZitcjv0    N1 Haven’t you forgotten something? 2020

https://youtu.be/_rGpAZaTjmQ N1 Oops! Where’s it gone? Aila loses her fish! 2020

https://youtu.be/7fjub6AqXts  N1 Stickgate! Louis lands a stick on top of Aila then perches on it! 2020

https://youtu.be/x9ltb4rsX-w   N1 The Stranger nestorises while Blue 152 calls for fish 2021

https://youtu.be/Kdo-dxeZv3Y  N1 That technique needs work! Amusing mating incident 2021

https://youtu.be/Avbi8BbEvC4  N2 Intruder Osprey flyover 2023

https://youtu.be/bLMSoIgb1Yc   N2 Another year, another stickgate!! 2023

https://youtu.be/IR7bJxY7AsE  N2 Louis brings a fine flapping trout 2024

https://youtu.be/0bNLIxCelsw N1 Female Chaffinch visits 2024 (zoom)https://youtu.be/AImTtGwHR64 N1 Aurora gets Garry’s fish the second time he brings it 2025https://youtu.be/PwjwvCqeWYg N2 Louis & Dorcha join forces to see off an intruder overhead 2025

Why not come and 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

Heidi is reporting that it is pip watch starting tomorrow at Dewey Beach.

An osprey perched on its nest by the water, with another osprey in flight nearby, showcasing a natural habitat scene.

Saving Monarchs reminds us:

A graphic highlighting the annual death of 67 million birds due to pesticide poisoning. The top section states the statistic, while the bottom features images of a Northern Flicker, Eastern Towhee, and Brown Thrasher, alongside messages about the dangers of spraying pesticides in neighborhoods and promoting pollinator-friendly practices.

White-tail Eagle couple Loki and Caitir in Scotland lose chick – adults mourn. Thanks, Terry Carr: https://youtu.be/7hXAxFI30U0?

‘J’ sent the nature chat.org’s banner:

1 of the 5 eggs hatched in the wee hours of last night at Peregrine Falcon Cam in New Jersey, with a possible pip on another egg.

3rd egg of buzzards hatched today at Lesser Spotted Eagle Cam in Latvia 1.

Pip watch for 1st egg begins today at Osprey Cam in Pennsylvania.

Thank you for being with us today. It is time to take Toby for a last walk before bed. Tomorrow he has his first annual check up. Wish us luck! Take care all. We will see you soon.

Nitey-nite from Toby wearing his new halter. He loves orange!

I will try and get some good images of The Girls this weekend for you. I feel like I have neglected them.

A sleeping dog wearing an orange harness, resting on a patterned blanket.

Thank you to Geemeff, Heidi, and PB for their notes and news, to the owners of the streaming cams, the authors of the FB posts – we are so ever grateful for the time and dedication you take in providing us with news and views of our favourite raptor families.

JJ4 lands on Lock Arkaig 2…late Monday in Bird World

13 April 2026

Hello Everyone,

Geemeff was the first to spot the handsome visitor to Loch Arkaig’s nest 2! Here is the video: https://youtu.be/gUBZwBc-KU4?

We wait.

A close-up of an osprey standing on its nest, surrounded by twigs and branches, with a mountainous landscape in the background.

It is believed that this is the same osprey that intruded on Dorcha when she was on nest 2 on the 9th of April. At the time, Geemeff could only see a ‘J’.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 12th April 2026

Amidst the disappointment of the continuing absence of Louis, Loch Arkaig’s resident male since 2017, a shining event occurred with the arrival of the very handsome male JJ4. He’s a local lad, fledged in 2020 from the non-cam nest on private land at the western end of the loch, and he looked right at home perched on Nest Two. After a bit of fiddling with the troublesome stick (which wasn’t a bother at all until Dorcha decided to move it a few days ago), he left his mark on the nest with a well-aimed squirt before flying off towards the loch. Unfortunately, Dorcha missed him as she didn’t put in an appearance at all today, we can only speculate on her motives and hope to see her tomorrow. As a six year old and Dorcha a minimum of 9 years old, JJ4 would be a good match for her should the position become vacant. But that is getting ahead of ourselves. Over on Nest One, Garry LV0 and Aurora had a typical day with fish arriving and departing the nest, sticks being brought and furnishings being rearranged, and the odd mating attempt, untroubled by any intruders.


Today’s video:https://youtu.be/gUBZwBc-KU4 N2 Handsome male Osprey JJ4 visits 18.50.08

Bonus action – Woodland Trust asks for your support in the upcoming UK local elections:https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/protecting-trees-and-woods/campaign-with-us/elections/
Bonus watch – is the ringed male with the unreadable Darvic starting with J, who visited last year, today’s visitor JJ4?

https://youtu.be/c7sOtUoE2Kc N2 9 Apr 2025 (zoom with slo-mo repeat)
Blast from the past, this day in previous years:https://youtu.be/gHON30DPkRg N1 Nesting dance: Louis with pompoms 2021 (quick-time Classic Ospreys – Grieg)https://youtu.be/VQDncOOrCAA N2 Lovebirds: early morning mating 2022https://youtu.be/NrNcLnttpdc N1 Splitscreen – is this the same bird? 2022https://youtu.be/x_JJOmUeaF0  N2 Stunning sunset over Nest Two 2022 (time-lapse)https://youtu.be/yyMQbIUN3bI  N2 Skydancing in the dark 2023https://youtu.be/UVrPq6MNPc0  N2 Mating on the high perch 2023https://youtu.be/t2R05W5xHZ8  N1 Affric 152 takes a fish from Garry LV0 2024https://youtu.be/ZjIl05N5jjA  N1 Louis & Garry LV0 chase each other on and off the nest 2024https://youtu.be/cODGsUlHOns  N2  Dorcha dines on the nest 2024https://youtu.be/k1Udox-wXjA N1 Garry LV0 arrives, does some prep, leaves 2025https://youtu.be/Jb_uOUGFJZw N2 Deliverlouis! A very fine trout is delivered 2025

Geemeff’s latest offering is a five-minute mayhem with ospreys and a fish: https://youtu.be/0PnevrwuNjI?

A bird nest situated on a tree limb with three young birds visible inside, while an adult bird perches on a nearby branch against a backdrop of rolling hills and a forested landscape.

If our birds did have enough challenges, there are the cats – Cats are the number one killer of bird species. Now they are after the oyster catchers. ‘PB’ sent this to me – we both have cats and we want to pass on the message to please keep your cats indoors.

york/news/american-oystercatcher-camera-project-captures-predators-disturbance?ms=digital-eng-social-facebook-x-20260400-nas_eng&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=20260400-nas_eng&fbclid=IwdGRjcARIziJjbGNrBEjNY2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHt1HRpDb8RS758dCsEAQOxZ4t1ytmcOrz-h99d73w_6gQJEXvu4aFxgKoVCr_aem_bP_k4uSm3ubvGjekRiMXOA

The results of the Great British Bird Count:

https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/big-garden-birdwatch/results

I want to say, up front, a huge thank you to Geemeff, Mary Cheadle, and Jeff Kerr for keeping us informe on what is happening at the UK osprey nests an managing so much data so that it is not lost!

A pair of ospreys, a female and a male, are seen on their nest, surrounded by trees, showcasing their return to Dorset for the fifth consecutive year.

Maya is currently incubating three eggs with mate, Blue 33 at Rutland’s Manton Bay platform.

A close-up of an osprey resting in its nest, showcasing unique markings on its head and feathers.

No eggs yet for CJ7 and Blue 022 at Poole Harbour. Will they raise four again?

An osprey standing in its nest made of sticks and twigs, with a patch of moss and foliage in the background.

In the US, Richmond and Wendy have their first egg at the Golden Gate Audubon nest on the WWII whirley crane on Sunday the 12th.

Heidi reports that we have the first egg at Dewey Beach – the site of much saddness last year.

An osprey sitting on a nest with three eggs in Dewey Beach, showing a view of the nearby buildings and water.

Pitkin County Trails improved its camera this year and we have ospreys incubating egg/s.

A bird's nest made of sticks situated on a tall wooden pole against a clear blue sky, with utility wires in the background and a person operating a lift nearby.
An osprey standing on a nest made of twigs and branches, with a blurred natural background.

The eagles seem to be doing well. There are fledglings and there are babies. The Dale Hollow nest has three getting their feathers.

Three young eaglets sitting in a nest with their father, enjoying a sunny afternoon. The eaglets have fluffy gray feathers and open beaks, while the father's dark feathers are visible in the background.

There are three for Andor and Cruz at Fraser Point.

An adult bald eagle feeding two fluffy chicks in a nest filled with feathers and debris, surrounded by greenery.

FOBBV put out a video of the rain at Big Bear and those precious little eaglets with their full crops of Jackie and Shadow. https://youtu.be/IQjt6zysT30?

Closing with Iris’s familiar pose on her perch overlooking one of the finest osprey nests that I know of – she works hard to tidy it up for departure and returns to something lovely that she continues to fix. (She did not sleep on her perch overnight).

An osprey perched on a wooden post next to its nest made of sticks. The background features a parking lot with several vehicles and trees lining the area.

For your reading – the interesting story of a man who put the sound of birds on vinyl – from The Guardian:

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/apr/13/ludwig-koch-bird-man-refugee-film-alarm-notes?CMP=share_btn_url

It is a heavily overcast day in Winnipeg. 0 degrees at the moment. It should not get warmer than 4 C today with the strange promise of 18-20 C on Wednesday! Mr Crow has just been to the feeder, and Mr Blue Jay is making his way through the lilacs to grab a peanut or two. The European Starlings are arriving as the chickadees leave. I can see the white of the tails of the Dark-eyed Juncos flitting about quietly from the ground to the branches. The promise of rain today is not bothering the birds. They seem especially interested in the seed that Toby and I have been stirring up, or should I say the shells of the seed from the winter. Much will be spread to create compost and new soil towards the back of the garden. Toby and I have now been working on this for three days. At some point, the plan is to get some topsoil and a large container of wildflower seeds and plant them. Whether it will be too shady once the lilac leaf is unknown, but we are going to try it.

What are we reading during Story Time? Rebecca Solnit’s Hope in the Dark. I sometimes need to be reminded that if we think locally, we can get ‘things’ done and not give up hope when the world seems to be falling apart. I have often said to you that if each one of us took care of the animals in our own gardens, or the ones that come to our gardens like Brock, the world would be immensely improved. Solnit talks about being local – you might be part of the movement that only eats seasonally within a 100-mile radius of your home. Imagine how much fuel that would save if we all ate the harvests of the time instead of wanting to have strawberries in Winnipeg in February? We do have really delicious ones in June and July! We try to practice this, and it was refreshing to read that in doing so, it is a bit of a resistance to huge corporations. I did grow up in the 60s and 70s and was part of the back-to-the-land movement. I only wish I had the energy to do that again! The book is good. If you are feeling powerless, pick up a copy from your library or order online. Have a good read – I think it will do wonders for bringing hope back into your heart.

Oh, three crows! The baby from last year is home to help with this year’s brood.

Several black birds foraging for peanuts on a feeder in a snowy garden, with more peanuts scattered on the ground.

I was wrong. There were at least 8 crows in the garden, with one being attacked. Was it out of its territory and hungry? I wonder.

Thank you for being with us today. Take care. See you soon.

Thank you to Geemeff for the news from the Woodland Trust and all the wonderful links, to the UK Osprey Info FB group for always keeping us up to date and to those others who post on FB. Thanks, Heidi, for watching the nests that are not easy. I am grateful to The Guardian for their continuing coverage of the interesting stories about wildlife and the environment, and to all the owners of the streaming cams – without you, we would not be so involved in the lives of these magnificent creatures.

Friday Morning in Bird World

6 May 2022

The five peregrine falcon eyases at the Manchester, New Hampshire scrape have been fed four times before 0930. Meal times were 0531, 0627, 0712, 0917. Mum doesn’t get finished quick. She will wait til there are no beaks open wanting food. Just look at the youngest right up there!

There are five eyases in the scrape at the Walburga Tower in Oudenaarde, Belgium, too.

Here is the link to the camera in Belgium:

There is still one eyas at the scrape box on The Campanile on the grounds of UCalifornia-Berkeley. The wee one hatched on 5 May. There are two more eggs. One appeared to have some cracking of the egg but that could have been light or debris.

Bingo!

A really nice fish arrived for the two soggy eaglets at the Dale Hollow Nest at 0813.

It is not clear to me which of the eaglets claimed the fish. Note: the cam is flickering (or was) in and out of IR mode).

There was some headway made on the self-feeding and later both decided to sit it out on the rim of the nest.

Lessons are still being taught at the WRDC Bald Eagle nest in the Miami Zoo. Rita arrived with a nice fish at 0926.

She waited eating morsels. It was not until 1024 that a fledgling arrived on the nest.

Mum left them empty taloned. Wonder what lesson she was giving out today????

Both R1 and R2 seem to be hanging around the nest. Hi there.

The three eyases at the Weissenburg scrape in Bayern are really growing. Look at the change in their plumage. The soft dow gives way to a rather matty looking cotton that reveals feathers!!!!!! Pink beaks begin to change colour.

Louis is an amazing partner. I adored him with Alia and so sorry she did not return last year. He has settled in with Dorcha and despite the pelting rain in Scotland landed a nice fish for her. Well done, Louis.

Dorcha is so dark. She reminds me of Mrs G at the Glaslyn nest.

We might be checking in on the Osprey nests scattered about the UK but all eyes are on one nest – that nest belongs to Blue 33 (11) and Maya at Manton Bay. They should be having a pip and a hatch today or tomorrow.

Maya is not giving anything away! Gosh she is beautiful.

If you are looking for a solid Osprey nest to watch, one that fledges all their hatches then this is the nest to watch. Here is the link to the streaming cam.

It is raining a lot of places in the US and much of that rain is really welcome especially up in the Pacific Northwest. You will notice that I do not list any of the Osprey nests in that region. The ones I know have suffered from the extreme heat.

It is also raining on Long Island at the PSEG Oyster Bay Osprey platform. Did you know that there are over 2000 Osprey nests on Long Island? Most are located on the eastern end. PSEG has two platforms. The one at Oyster Bay in Nassau County and the other at Patchogue. The Ospreys return each year with the arrival of the Menhaden. It is a species of fish in the herring family. They travel south in the fall and winter and north in the spring in slow moving tight schools. Sadly they have been over fished.

“Brevoortia patronus Goode, 1878 – Gulf Menhaden” by Crabby Taxonomist is marked with CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

There are two falcons and two eggs at the Indiana and Michigan Power Company scrape. You can help them name the chicks. Information below.

Here is the link to this camera.

The Boys & Girls Club of Fort Wayne, Indiana provided a list of ten names for a Survey Monkey. You can vote here once before May 16.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LN776TF

We are waiting for hatch at the new scrape box mounted on the top of the Spartan Stadium at the University of Michigan. It is raining there today, too.

Dad has come to relieve Mum but she isn’t budging. Will we have a hatch today? Maybe. Here is the link to this new streaming cam and scrape.

These falcons made the news!

Some images from this morning at the nest of Big Red and Arthur on the grounds of Cornell University in Ithaca.

Nancy has fed E1 and a cherry picker has gone up to the nest. It is banding day!

E1 properly defended the nest he shares with Mum. Sadly, Dad Harry has not returned to the nest. He disappeared on the evening of 26 April. Once Nancy realized what was happening, she started bringing food to the nest. As we know, it was too late for E2.

Despite early worries by some watchers when there were four eggs, Big Red has shown that this is not a problem. Indeed while it might be one extra to her norm, you can see by some of the peregrine falcon nests that it is possible for five to do well. Life is so different on the hawk and falcon nests than it is for the eagles and the ospreys.

It is going to be a gorgeous 21 degree C day in Manitoba. It is a good day to get outside – before the next rains come – and go and see some of the new arrivals in the City while I wait for the second hatch at Cal Falcons and for their Q & A at 5pm Pacific Time.

The Dark-eyed Juncos that arrived in mass during the horrible storm a few weeks ago seem to have departed. The numbers of birds at the feeders are returning to the norm. Even Mr Blue Jay dropped by this morning.

Take care everyone. Thank you for joining me. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their streaming cam where I took my screen captures: Cal Falcons, WRDC, Woodland Trust and People’s Post Code Lottery, LRWT, Cornell Bird Lab RTH, Spartan Stadium Falcon Cam, I & M Falcon Cam, PSEG Oyster Bay, Weissenburg Falcons, DHEC, Oudenaarde Falcons, MN-DNR, and Peregrine Falcon Networks.

Tiny Little, it is good to see you!

Friday morning started off fantastic with Tiny Little on the nest alone food calling. She was later joined by older sibling, 462.

What you need to know is that Tiny Little had an entire fish to herself a little earlier for breakfast! Just look at her enjoying that fish!

7:45 nest time. Nice fish delivered by White YW to his girl.

Tiny Little returned later and was joined by 462. Yes, I said that already! They waited and waited. All that waiting and food calling paid off! Both Tiny Little (or Bobbie to some) and older sibling got a fish – older sib gets the flounder, Tiny Little has something else (?). Dad, you are fantastic. This is the way to keep the kids happy and quiet.

Tiny Little is the fledgling on the right. She is a ‘big’ girl! I am just so delighted to be able to see her. She is growing and growing. Tiny simply doesn’t fit anymore!!!!!!

This is the link to the Osprey Nest at Foulshaw Moss managed by Cumbrian Wildlife Trust:

https://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife/cams/osprey-cam

But there was more happiness. To top it off, the little Osprey nestling at Collins Marsh Nature Centre had two feedings before 9:30 this morning. If this pace keeps up Malin is really going to have a big growth spurt this week. Already the tail and back feathers are remarkably changed from last week.

And another feeding here. So happy to see these parents stepping up the food. Malin is really starting to present as a juvenile Osprey now. I keep looking at those little feet – wonder if we have a little boy here? Male or female it doesn’t matter. Malin is really a gorgeous/handsome.

The link to the Osprey nest at Collins Marsh is here:

https://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife/cams/osprey-cam

One of my readers was asking about the nest for the Black Storks in Latvia. I was able to find some information and a couple of images so that you can see the beautiful forests in the area.

The nest is in a forest in the Sigulda region of Latvia. It is 53 km southeast of the capital, Riga. It is the orange area on the map below.

The area is home to Sigulda New Castle and the remains of a medieval castle built in 1207.

The image below is the New Castle.

“Siguldas jaunā pils (Sigulda Castle)” by twiga_swala is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Through the forest you can see the New Castle.

These are the remains of the medieval castle. It is a major tourist site and because of this, Latvia has stabilized some of the walls so it can be fully appreciated.

The nest in the forest is on a pine branch that extends about 1.8 metres from the trunk of the tree. So, in plain English, the nest is on a branch that is sticking out —- just a big branch! I know. Take a deep breath. It could make you nervous. The nest is 18 metres from the ground. Imagine these storks on such a branch! I kept thinking they could slide off the edge.

The youngest storkling is 53 days old today. It is flapping its wings and gets really excited. The eldest is 56 days old and the middle one is 54 days.

The adults, Grafs and Grafiene, have to be very careful when they come to feed their little ones now so they do not slide off the nest. It is getting a little crowded as the nestlings grow!

One of the moderators for the nest forum created a video of Grafiene coming to feed the storklings about one month ago. It is very short but shows us just how much these nestlings have grown in that time. Just look how tiny they were.

All of the storks meet to begin their migration. ‘S’ tells me that they land on the tops of all the houses, the hydro poles, and the trees. And then they begin clacking and this is the beginning of their long journey as far as South Africa. Everyone is a little sad when they leave.

The link to the Latvian Black Storks is here:

Don’t all babies look sweet when they are sleeping? The little sea eaglets are no exception. You would never know that they are so tired from all the mischief they cause when their parents aren’t watching.

They look like little angels.

Dad is making sure that there is lots of food on the nest.

Here is the link to the White-Bellied Sea Eagle nest in Sydney’s Olympic Park. It is the only WBSE nest in the world that is streaming live. One of the really neat things is just listening to the forest sounds when the streaming cam is on. You will hear many Australian birds. There are lots of YouTube videos of the birds and the sounds they make. Just do a search of ‘Australian Bird Sounds’.

There has been a lot of chatter about when the female ospreys in the UK will be leaving the nests and heading off on their migration. Blue NC0 is still up at the Loch of the Lowes working hard, along with Laddie, to feed LM 1 and LM 2. She is known to catch big fish and this morning she brought in a whopper. The sad part was NC0 worked so hard to get this fish out of the water and on to the nest and one of the kids let it fly off the nest. It happens but we all must appreciate the real effort these parents put into feeding these juveniles especially when they must be eating themselves, fattening up, to make their journeys.

NC0 has turned into one wonderful mom over the season. It has been such a joy to watch her develop from when the little ones hatched and we had no idea if she was going to figure out how to feed them!

The fledglings still associate the nest with food so you might still get in some good action. This has to be one of the most beautiful nest locations in the world. When I went to check, I could see the Ospreys flying around and food calling on the branches at the top left of the image below. So turn up your sound and look there when you check on this nest.

Here is the link to their camera:

I checked to see if the names had been announced for Louis and Dorcha’s chicks on the ‘other’ Lock Arkaig nest. There seems to be no mention or I have missed it. So hold on. Will let you know as soon as I hear anything! I am also waiting for the Collins Street Peregrine Falcon cam to come on live. You are going to be in for a real treat with that falcon nest! I promise.

Thank you for joining me today. I hope everyone is well. Tomorrow I am heading out to find the local hawk. Expect news to come in the late afternoon for all the nests. Enjoy your weekend. Stay safe.

Thank you to the following for their streaming cameras where I took my screen shots: The Latvian Fund for Nature and the Sigulda Black Stork Nest, the Collins Marsh Nature Centre and Osprey Cam, the Sea Eagles, Birdlife Australia, and Discovery Centre, the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Friends of the Loch of the Lowes.