Tag Archives: Welsh ospreys

Late Thursday in Bird World

2 July 2026

Hello Everyone,

Just another quick run through some nests with some news. I had a wonderful day with my son, daughter-in-law, and daughter. Don had a venture with the girls, and we gathered later in the conservatory for much laughter. Gosh, these are moments to be treasured. Their time here will pass by too quickly.

We have six fledgling Blue Jays. Here is an adult with a fledgling – wings and beak open, and squawking for food! These babies are almost- if not bigger – than the adults and very demanding!

Great news coming out of Poland!

Nadleśnictwo Lipka, Lasy Państwowe and Lasy Państwowe

🦅 FISHING ACTION – STAGE TWO: New life in the Cross Forestry! 🌲💪
Remember our injured fisherman? We have amazing news for you from the next stage of this unique rescue operation! It was another day full of emotions, logistics and… some fresh fish ! 🐟👇
🩺 Morning in the hospital, afternoon on the road, and evening at the new place.
It all started at dawn in the “Jeleniagóra” Wild Animal Rehabilitation Center Gabinet Weterynaryjny Agnieszka Strączek where a veterinarian from Nadleśnictwo Zamrzenica took care of it
Our main character went through a thorough examination and was supplied professionally. As soon as we received the green light, that the bird was ready for the next step, reliable Forest Ranger Tomek from the Lipka Forestry stepped into action. He packed the little one safely and set out on the road to Nadleśnictwo Krzyż, Lasy Państwowe
Upon arriving at the location, calmly at the forest office, the fisherman went through standard procedure: he was weighed, accurately measured and rimed by Adam from @Nadle śnictwo Nedowice, State Forests. But this was just the beginning of the challenge. The real logistics operation began just under the target socket!
do ♂️ Professional mountaineer @Mariusz Urban stepped into action, who climbed the mountain itself and carefully transported down the only youngster who has so far lived in the nest. He was also weighed, measured, and hooped.
Fun fact: By weight our friend from Lipka is PERFECTLY the same as his new, natural brother “cross”! 😉
🏠 Big move and… trout with home delivery!
The climber set off to a tree for the second time – this time bringing BOTH little ones up the mountain. In order to enter a new threshold to pass in a good atmosphere, the young people got a solid “powry” from us for a housewarming party: two delicious trout! 🐟😋 So our bounce didn’t fit in with empty clamps! 😜
During the whole action, they were also able to fix and set up a previously malfunctioning photo trap. Effect? We will know how this new bird family develops, because the nest is now under constant monitoring.
The young man has already lived in a new house in Krzy le Nadle Mnictwa😎. He’s fed and kept safe and company. May nature be kinder to him in this new location! Keep your fingers crossed for both these little ones! 🦅💚
Thank you very much to Mrs. veterinarian for help and examining the little one, professor Mizerza for material support and colleagues from #EagleProtectionCommittee and foresters from #Zamrzenica, #PotrebowiceForest and #ForestCross. It’s thanks to you that small fishermen from Lipka have a better chance of survival in this wild world.
#Rybołów #OchronaPrzyrody #LasyPaństwowe #NadleśnictwoKrzyż #NadleśnictwoLipka #NadleśnictwoZamrzenica #pomagamydzikimzwierzętom
Photos and videos :
Adam Pikuła
Mariusz Urban
Hubert Z.
Dominica Nadolna

CJ7 and Blue 022’s four chicks at Poole Harbour have been ringed!

Osprey Ringing 2026

Surprise – all four chicks on CJ7 and Blue 022’s nest are female!

6T6 – Presumed female

6T7 – Presumed female

6T8 – Presumed female

6T9 – Presumed female

At the second nest at Poole Harbour, all three osplets are presumed to be males!

Nest 2

7T0 – Presumed male

7T1 – Presumed male

7T2 – Un-sexed but possibly male

Ringing also took place at Idris and Telyn’s nest at Dyfi today. Here it is on video: https://youtu.be/C5Y9VhssfyU?

There they are with their bling.

Glaslyn chicks were ringed as well. Here is the video: https://youtu.be/fGJg2umCszY?

This just makes my blood boil.

If you have been worried about Sandy at Big Bear, do not! Sandy has returned to the nest with Luna. SK Hideaways has it on video: https://youtu.be/AMnXeJ1UCQw?

It is unclear to me at this time whether petitioners have managed to move the fireworks to a location farther from the nest. It is equally unclear to me what is happening with donations towards the purchase of the land known as MoonCamp. Perhaps I misunderstood, but I thought that if more than 3 million were raised, there were provisions for some type of loan. Do you know? They are well short of the 10 million required at this time with 29 days left.

At the Achieva Osprey platforn, Little finally was home when a fish came in and how wonderful is that!

Sadly, the second hatchling at the Cape Henlopen osprey nest of Miles and Hennie has died from the heat.

There are to be more heat domes across the US and Canada this weekend and sadly, without a massive amount of fish and shade, we could lose more osplets.

One of those that is in dire straits is the oldest at the Osoyoos nest, who appears to be losing energy every second from the heat, little or no shade from an adult, and no fish.

I am equally concerned about Cowlitz PUD where there is heat, little food that I can see, and chicks so thin, especially the second one.

In Idaho, the two osplets, fully feathered, at the Coeur d’ Alene nest are doing very well.

Early fish delivery and lots of heat at Great Bay.

Life continues to be good at Clark PUD.

Nice crops at Dunrovin,

Some cute moments with two of Big Red and Arthur’s fledglings caught by Karel and BOGette: https://youtu.be/PNHokHkgwks?

Iris and Clark’s baby is getting some nice pin feathers!

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 2nd July 2026

Today was a slow fish day, only four deliveries, three by Louis and one by Garry. The weather didn’t help, the wind made the loch waters choppy and although both males have fished successfully in poor weather, perhaps they couldn’t find many sheltered spots today. Earlier the chicks had a quick pop at each other before settling down then they joined Dorcha in calling enthusiastically when they saw Louis approaching with the second fish. They are looking and sounding more like juveniles as they move towards fledging. The chicks are around a month old, hatched on 1st and 3rd June respectively, and fledging generally takes place around 50 – 57 days old therefore our chicks are about 3 weeks away from their first flight. Dorcha was caught by the wind and did an involuntary helicopter, a skill we can expect to see them perform before they actually fledge. The chicks were cheeping away as the day wound down, and were rewarded when Louis arrived with a very late night supper, so fresh it almost flapped off the nest. Louis’ three fish take the Nest Two tally to two hundred and seventeen, and Garry’s single takes the Nest One tally to one hundred and forty six. More rain and wind expected with an overnight low of 11°C, continuing tomorrow with  sunny spells and a high of 17°C.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/bsf3c1C1IGs N2 Dorcha does an involuntary helicopter in a gust of wind 07.15.25

https://youtu.be/lo9-zN-RdXA N2 Foolish chick attacks the other and pays the price 10.13.41

https://youtu.be/NqxP3UbL-NU N2 Despite the choppy water Louis brings a fish 10.25.49

https://youtu.be/dxmhoN_xjK8 N1 Aurora nearly takes a stick as she leaves with her fish 14.06.23

https://youtu.be/kOf7PbynS1U N2 Chicks join in fish-calling as Louis approaches with fish two 18.02.37

https://youtu.be/qPeU_M1h-fw N2 Late night supper is so fresh it nearly flaps overboard 22.59.10 

 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 today. Take care. See you tomorrow with a special treat.

Thank you to all the contributors today – Geemeff for their summary on Loch Arkaig plus videos, Karel and BOGette for chasing the Ps and their video, for all who posted on FB and provided information, and for the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to watch these incredible challenged avian families.

Happy Canada Day!

30 June 2026

Hello Everyone,

It was the 4th of June 1969 that I flew across the border between the US and Canada with my then two-month-old son, Cristofre. As a university student at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, I was been part of various anti-Vietnam War groups as well as others protesting for civil rights and women’s rights. Several of my closest friends died during the early part of the Vietnam War and i was determined that my son was not going to drop bombs or napalm on innocents. I have never looked back. Canada has been our home now for what? Fifty-seven years!!!! I was 20. I have never been more proud to be Canadian than this year. Our system is not perfect but when it is urgent or a sheer emergency, it works! My province has beautiful areas – vast tracts of wildnerness and lakes. I cannot say that the city where I reside is gorgeous. It has its moments. But my little plot and the street I live on make up for all the deficiences.

We have had huge storms. Last night Toby had his Thunder Jacket on all night. The lightning and wind were incredible and our street has lost a lot of tree limbs.

Coming out of Europe. A goshawk attempted to take an osplet off the Polish nest. It clung to the nest and was pushed over, but was not taken by the hawk. The osplet was rescued, and I believe it is in good condition.

Ringing is taking place across the UK. This is a great article by Caroline Woodley on UKOsprey Information FB on the importance of ringing and the three generations that were ringed today – and we know because of the family tree and the Darvic Rings:

Elen and Teifi’s chicks:

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 30th June 2026

As forecast, it was wet today with the occasional dry spell, and set to continue, with drizzle, light  winds and an overnight low of 13°C, changing to heavy rain, gentle breezes and a high of 18°C tomorrow, with the sun breaking through around lunchtime. Louis brought three early fish then after a fourteen hour gap he brought another two, much smaller than the family would have liked and left them competing for scraps. In fact, while Chick1 was struggling to down the tail, Chick2 reached over and pinched it right out of its beak and proceeded to swallow it with aplomb. Those five fish take the Nest Two tally to two hundred and nine, and Garry’s single delivery to Aurora takes the Nest One tally to one hundred and forty-four. Garry and Aurora continue to incubate their unviable egg but are starting to leave the nest for longer periods.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/b4Z-1D_fMmY N2 Early breakfast for the family 04.05.28

https://youtu.be/sMdZ2yhecmc N2 Second breakfast – this one’s so fresh it’s still flapping 04.43.43

https://youtu.be/Jx2eBor5rZch N2 Dorcha and chicks don’t get up when Louis brings fish three 06.02.32

https://youtu.be/8izHPpleTj4 N2 Dorcha & chick remove an offending item 10.06.18

https://youtu.be/rXA7WzQTgQE N2 Let me help you with that – chick steals the tail of fish four 20.16.25

https://youtu.be/UD6KTcpJkGo N2 Another tiny tiddler arrives – fish number five 22.30.30

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

Great news coming from ‘PB’ and Achieva:

Screenshot

Some are enlightened.

More about the crisis impacting ospreys in the NE. Today Omega Protein was along the New Jersey shores.

Menhaden Defenders

roSdnosept25aP 1m8tl5t31iae3d60714uhr08:f46Yes0ay85l 4 a2Mit ·

Navesink River, Monmouth County, New Jersey Osprey Survey

“As founder of Menhaden Defenders, I’m always looking at how healthy forage fish populations support the wildlife we love. One of the best indicators is right above us: ospreys.

On June 15, with Ben Wurst, Senior Wildlife Biologist with the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey and leader of New Jersey’s Osprey Project, we surveyed 25 osprey nests on the Navesink River in Monmouth County. In addition to looking at the Osprey around each nest, we used a GoPro camera mounted on a pole to reach up and get a view into each nest to look for signs of use, presence of eggs, chicks, or nothing, all added to the spreadsheet.

We found 19 occupied nests, including 12 active nests with eggs or young. Ten nests held 22 nestlings, ranging from hatchlings to about four weeks old. In some nests with three chicks, we saw asymmetry, or an asymmetric brood, where younger nestlings lag behind older siblings. This can be a sign of food stress. When food is scarce, older chicks often dominate feedings, forcing younger siblings to cower and increasing the risk of brood reduction.

Ben and his team also work each year with volunteers and citizen scientists to monitor nests and remove dangerous litter like fishing line, plastic bags, balloons, and other debris. Ospreys are telling us something about the health of the Navesink and the larger coast. We’ll be going back in a few weeks to survey again, and we are very concerned about the survival rate of the chicks we saw. We are seeing these signs of food stress from Raritan Bay to Cape May in colonies that have been productive for years but may now be struggling to breed at levels needed to sustain the population.

Protecting menhaden and other forage fish helps protect the entire coastal food web. Both organizations survive on donations from people like you to continue working on this serious situation.”

Thank goodness the situation is drastically different in the UK. On Mull Island, they are now seeing ospreys – remember, the UK is reintroducing/re-establishing ospreys that were made extinct by humans!!!!!!!!

All three Ps have now fledged. Big Red and Arthur are busy keeping track of them and feeding.

Video by Cornell Bird Lab: https://youtu.be/5s6IMdmmbak?

The little tiny osplet, #4, at Blackbush in Prince Edward Island is still alive. This chick is determined and the male is doing a good job of getting fish in.

At the NCTC nest, RJ fledged. Congratulations Bella and Scout.

The two osplets at Coeur de’ Alene, Idaho, look great.

There are still two at Osoyoos. It has been hot there.

Iris and Clark’s baby is getting some beautiful feathers.

Clark is very smart. He has been bringing in some large cot rails to keep this rather energetic youngster on the nest.

Dudley becomes a pillow for the only surviving chick at Charlo Montana whose crop is about to burst.

There are still two at Cowlitz PuD but gosh that little one is so thin. Please wish for fish.

The trio at Clark PUD are doing so well.

The only surviving osplet on the nest at Great Bay is doing well. One died and the other fell out of the nest and went to a rehabber. I am unclear of its status.

It is sure hard to tell who the little four is at the Poole Harbour nest of CJ7 and Blue 022. They have yet to be ringed.

Beautiful evening at the Rutland Manton Bay nest of Blue 33 and Maya and their trio.

Thank you so much for being with us today. We are doing better than people would think! We are spending the day with our son tomorrow, so you will definitely not be hearing from me until Thursday. Please take care.

Good Night from All of Us:

Hugo Yugo and Missey

Cheeky Hugo Yugo.

Baby Hope and Calico.

Darling Toby.

Thank you to everyone for their contributions to this blog – to Geemeff for her daily summary of Loch Arkaig, to PB and those who write and post information and images on the various FB groups, and the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to witness the lives of these families.

Hatches and deaths…Late Monday in Bird World

14 June 2026

Hello Everyone,

Oh, what a day. We are chilly and it has rained heavily with hail! There was even thunder and Toby got to wear his thunder jacket. He did not react to the weather events – not once. He was calm and sleeping. So, thunder or anxiety jackets work for him.

I took videos. WP won’t let me attach them. Says they are private. Really? Missey was scared and her eyes got really big. The hail was not large but it continued to cover the deck and garden.

A fluffy cat sitting on a black table with a window in the background showing a rainy view.
A wooden patio table and chairs covered with hailstones on a rainy day, with a deck and greenery in the background.

Of course, no one believes me when I say this might be the new normal. Geez.

Sadly, the only remaining eaglet out of two has died at the White-tailed eagle nest in Scotland. Its body is being retrieved, and the camera will be down. They want to determine the COD. This is so sad. Each adult and chick is precious. They are being reintroduced to Scotland.

The White-tailed Eagle (also known as the sea eagle) was driven to extinction in the UK by 1918 due to human persecution and habitat loss. Thanks to landmark, multi-phase reintroduction programs that began in 1975, this apex predator has made a remarkable recovery and is now an established breeding species in Scotland.

The successful return of the White-tailed Eagle to Scotland occurred in three distinct phases involving the translocation of young eagles from Norway: 

  • Phase 1 (1975–1985): A partnership between the RSPB and Nature Conservancy Council began translocating Norwegian eaglets to the Isle of Rùm in the Inner Hebrides. This resulted in the first successful wild breeding pair on the Isle of Mull in 1983. 
  • Phase 2 (1993–1998): A second phase of releases took place in Wester Ross to expand the eagle’s geographic distribution across the west coast.
  • Phase 3 (2007–2012): A final set of birds was released on the east coast of Scotland in Fife, successfully establishing a population there. 

Current Status and Ecology

  • Population: There are currently around 150 to 300 breeding pairs established in Scotland. 
  • Habitat: They primarily inhabit coastal areas, sea lochs, and large inland bodies of water, which provide ample fish, waterbirds, and nesting cliffs/tall trees. 
  • Source for England: The Scottish population has been so successful that conservationists have utilized Scottish chicks to help repopulate the species in England (such as on the Isle of Wight).

Ongoing Challenges and Conflicts

While celebrated as a major conservation success, the reintroduction has caused friction with local communities. 

  • Livestock Predation: Farmers and crofters, particularly in Argyll and the West Highlands, have reported significant losses of vulnerable lambs to the eagles.
  • Management Plans: NatureScot has implemented Sea Eagle Management Schemes to help mitigate these impacts, including financial support and scaring tactics for farmers in designated areas. 

The Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation became actively involved in the reintroduction of the White-tail eagle. The following is taken from the RDWF Website:

PROJECT START: 2019
EAGLES RELEASED: 45
PAIRS BREEDING IN ENGLAND: 2
CHICKS FLEDGED FROM BREEDING PAIRS IN ENGLAND IN 2025: 3

White-tailed Eagles were once widespread along the whole of the South Coast of England, from Cornwall to Kent, before being driven to extinction by relentless persecution that began in the Middle Ages. The last pair bred on Culver Cliff on the Isle of Wight in 1780. Many parts of southern England remain highly suitable for the species, and following the reintroduction of White-tailed Eagles to Scotland – where there are now approximately 180 breeding pairs – we were granted licences by Natural England and Nature Scot to begin an English reintroduction in partnership with Forestry England, based on the Isle of Wight. A feasibility report was submitted to both Natural England and Nature Scot as part of the licence applications. The initial licence permitted the release of up to 60 young eagles on the Isle of Wight over a five year period, beginning in 2019. It is hoped that a small population of 6-8 breeding pairs will become established within 60km of the Isle of Wight, with birds spreading east and west along the South Coast. In 2026, Natural England issued a further license to release up to 20 White-tailed Eagles over 3 years from Exmoor National Park, to support the expanding population in Southern England.”

Every chick is precious. I hope to have news of the necroscopy for you when it is released. This could take weeks.

More great images from Seattle by Ping Shen of Harry, Sally, and their ‘Only Bob’. Thanks so much, Ping, for sharing these with us. Ping notes, “from the looks of things, an only child. Quite adorable, peeking at mom, and then sleeping at the foot of dad’s talon…”

An osprey perched on a nest made of sticks, looking down at a chick in the nest while surrounded by greenery.
Two ospreys sitting on their nest, with one looking directly at the camera while the other is feeding on a fish.

A beautiful sunset with Clark, Iris, and what might be another ‘Only Bob’. We are on pip/hatch watch for that second egg. We will see if Only has a sibling. I sure hope it is strong as Big Bob is a smart survivor – it has sure been beaten around by fish and nest materials.

Two ospreys are perched on a nest made of twigs and branches, with one parent bird standing close to a chick in the nest. The background shows a parking lot with trees and streetlights.

Make sure to check out the summary – what was it that frightened Louis?

Geemeff Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Sunday 14th June 2026

Daily summary Sunday 14th June 2026

Today was mainly about fish – there were many deliveries and both females rejected a fish at the first time of offering then accepted gladly when the male returned with it a bit later. Garry LV0 brought two fish on cam for Aurora 536 and his tally now stands at one hundred and seventeen, while Louis excelled with five deliveries, including his first flatfish this season, taking the Nest Two tally to one hundred and thirty nine. The chicks did a bit of fighting but nothing serious, and both decided mum was taking too long dishing up so tried a nibble at the fish she was holding – they’re healthy and developing as expected. There were some intruder alerts, no intruders seen on nest cam apart from a pair of Wood Pigeons who perched on Nest Two for a few moments, but local resident LizB saw two Golden Eagles flying near an Osprey around the time Dorcha was on high alert and shortly before Louis arrived with the flatfish. Later Garry and Aurora were also on alert, perhaps the pair of eagles were still in the area. Only one Eagle has ever been seen on a nest – a juvenile Golden Eagle who touched down for a nano second on Nest Two in April 2023 – but distant eagles have been caught on nest cam on a couple of occasions and Dorcha returned once with a blood injury from an eagle encounter. Both White-tailed Eagles and Golden Eagles share the forest with the Ospreys so perhaps it’s fortunate we haven’t seen them close up too often. The weather was much more settled today and the promised sunshine did materialise. It should continue dry overnight and partly cloudy with a low of 9°C, continuing with a high of 20°C tomorrow and no rain before midnight.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/w7zZRXu3pZ0 N2 Louis’ first fish is small and doesn’t last long 05.29.41

https://youtu.be/XYllXMRX7vA N2 A pair of Wood Pigeons pay a visit in Dorcha’s absence 08.27.59

https://youtu.be/BecPV01-e_E N2 Both chicks don’t wait for Dorcha and have a nibble at fish two 11.22.47 

https://youtu.be/MoOhTnm6YZo N2 Louis’ third fish is his first flatfish 14.39.15

https://youtu.be/grrb8lfBmMs N1 Aurora takes fish one from Garry and they both leave 14.14.51

https://youtu.be/Gmec-mfvgPI N2 Chick2 gets impatient and tries to take bits of fish four from C1’s beak 16.05.00

https://youtu.be/IK7rPRrh6-w N1 Aurora takes fish two the second time Garry brings it 19.13.05

https://youtu.be/VpjzqTKFTYc N2 Dorcha takes fish five the second time Louis brings it 20.36.58

Bonus guide to rapid growth of young Osprey chicks – our two are 13 and 11 days old today (thanks Dyfi)

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


Everyone’s 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

Buddy’s Mum catches D4 at Decorah fledging. https://youtu.be/pFLwncKkHH0?

‘L’ sent me the link to remind us that the Port Lincoln Osprey barge is now back online for the season !!!!!!!!!! https://www.youtube.com/live/47K1i7qCzaI?

‘L’ also sent me another link. A video of Wisdom’s grand chick getting banded. Oh, have a look!!!!!!!!! Isn’t it adorable?!!!!!! https://youtu.be/ZW8gHzCVBwU?

A young bird standing on sandy ground, surrounded by sparse vegetation and dried branches.
Close-up of a grand-chick with a red identification band on its leg, standing on sandy ground with some grass and strands of dried vegetation around.

I learned something. Maybe you will, too. ‘R’ sent an article on Aquaculture and shorelines. https://sercblog.si.edu/imani-black-sustainable-aquaculture-and-misconceptions/#more-13282

How big a fish can Ospreys bring in? And why can females catch bigger fish?

An osprey perched on a branch holds a mullet fish in its talons, with a lush green landscape in the background.

Is there an Osprey fishing contest going on right now? Louis brought in a whopper to Dorcha and the two surviving chicks.

A mature bird of prey stands over its nest, where several chicks are visible. The adult is holding a fish, preparing to feed the chicks in a natural setting surrounded by greenery.

Two osprey chicks have been observed at Loch Inish.

We wait to see how many chicks Aran fathered this year with his new mate. At least one! Next year, Friends of the Osprey will put a streaming camera on Aran’s nest. This is fabulous news.

It looks like donations to SaveMoonCamp, the land near Jackie and Shadow’s nest, have reached the 1/3 mark. They will need lots more funding by the deadline of 31 July 2026. It is unclear to me the precise amount of funds the group needs to get a loan to continue their fundraising. If you intend to help, please do it now! Go to SaveMoonCamp.org

The baby at Poole Harbour is just starting to get its feathers while the others are really being camouflaged now. CJ7 and Blue 022 making raising four osplets look effortless — and we know, for certain, that it isn’t.

An adult osprey stands near its nest, which contains three young chicks, surrounded by trees and foliage.
An adult osprey feeding its chicks in a nest made of branches, surrounded by a natural forest environment.

Syfadden and Clogwyn are doing fantastic with their two chicks in the Usk Valley in Wales.

A bird sitting in a nest made of twigs and branches, with a scenic landscape of fields and hills in the background.

Little Bob is trying to get under Elen at the Glaslyn Osprey nest she shares with her mate, Teifi. The two Big Bobs are napping.

An osprey standing over three fluffy chicks in a nest made of sticks, surrounded by a green landscape.

Closeby at the Friends of the Osprey Nest of Aeron Z2 and Blue 014, there are another three. They have been enjoying some trout today!

An osprey chick sitting in a nest made of sticks, overlooking a scenic landscape with hills and trees in the background.
A bird's nest made of twigs with two chicks and an adult bird on a hillside, overlooking a landscape with mountains and greenery in the background.

The single surviving osplet at Loch of the Lowes seems to be doing alright.

An osprey sitting on a nest made of twigs and branches, with greenery in the background.

This is incredibly compassionate. One of the major killers of chicks/storklets/hawklets/osplets etc in the nest is damp. These two good samaritans are blow drying the storklets so that they will hopefully survive the storms that have come to Europe.

Two people care for four stork chicks in a large nest on a rooftop, using a hairdryer to warm them.

Much better!

A stork stands on a large nest made of sticks and hay, with several baby storks resting inside. The background features a residential area with rooftops and solar panels.

What I wouldn’t give to see this at our osprey nests in North America. The kindness to stork families across Europe warms my heart every year and brings tears to my eyes.

No hatch as yet at Mlade Buky White Stork nest.

A stork standing in its nest, surrounded by sticks and grass, with a scenic view of houses and hills in the background.
Two storks nesting in a large bird's nest on a rooftop, overlooking a residential area with green hills in the background.

UK Parliament has recognized the persecution of raptors – should I add the word ‘finally’.

Parliamentary motion recognises ongoing illegal killing of raptors in Scotland – Raptor PersecutionDownload

Second hatch at The Lesser Spotted Eagle nest in Estonia. While this might be cause for celebration, Lesser Spotted Eagles practice obligate siblicide whereby the eldest chick always kills the second. There are rare exceptions.

The following comes from Animal Diversity Web:

A majestic eagle perched on a tree branch, showcasing its brown feathers and sharp beak against a clear blue sky.

Lesser spotted eagles live primarily in patchy woodland areas, meadows, fields, and natural grasslands, often in moist environments. Although forests are not used as primary habitat, they often build nests near forest edges. Lesser spotted eagles have been found in African dry mountain and grassland savanna habitats during their winter migration. Within these dry mountain habitats, their range typically extends to a maximum elevation of 2,200 meters.

Lesser spotted eagles generally hunt by walking along the ground. However, they typically nest and perch in the branches of forest trees. When nesting and perching, lesser spotted eagles often use branches closer to the ground rather than higher in the trees.

Adult lesser spotted eagles also are distinguished by their yellow eyes, whereas adult steppe eagles and greater spotted eagles have brown eyes. Juveniles of all three species have brown eyes. The head and wings of lesser spotted eagles are a lighter shade of brown compared to the rest of its body; in steppe eagles and greater spotted eagles, the entire body is a dark shade of brown. Lesser spotted eagles also have a small head and beak for an eagle. Like other eagles in the genus Aquila , lesser spotted eagles have a white V mark on their rump. Finally, differences in the shape of the wings cause lesser spotted eagles to appear to have a longer tail (96.6 to 123.75 cm) than other closely related species. Lesser spotted eagles have narrower wingspans (145 to 165 cm), whereas greater spotted eagles have broader wingspans.

Lesser spotted eagles are considered monogamous birds. Currently there is no clear evidence of partner fidelity, however most birds return to the same nest every year.

Lesser spotted eagles breed once per year. The pair builds a platform nest, generally in a tall tree. Egg laying begins after the nest is complete in late April to early May. It is believed that males are responsible for defending the immediate vicinity around the nest. Lesser spotted eagles lay one to two eggs, but typically only one survives. The older or stronger sibling usually attacks the weaker one. Eggs are laid in the second half of April and between May 23 and 27. The egg incubation period ranges from 36 to 41 days. Fledglings have been observed in the middle of July, with a fledging period up to eight weeks. Juvenile lesser spotted eagles do not reach reproductive age until they are 3 to 4 years old.

The new babies. In rare cases, when prey is very plentiful, both have survived, but if you are watching this nest, please be advised that when I say rare, I do mean rare. Adults will often withhold prey to get the stronger eaglet to attack the other weaker one. When the kill is done, the prey returns.

A golden eagle parent standing over two fluffy chicks in a nest, surrounded by greenery and tree branches.

Two beauties at nest #5 in Finland.

A pair of ospreys tending to their nest, which contains several fluffy chicks. The nest is built from twigs and branches, with a natural landscape in the background.

At the NCTC nest, Susie fledged this afternoon. Congratulations to Bella and Scout.

I hope that Little Dewey’s crop continues to be filled.

Some fish came to the Santiam Canyon Osprey nest for Mum and the trio. They don’t get much fish. It was nice to see their crops filling.

An osprey stands next to its chicks in a nest made of twigs and moss, with a backdrop of trees and a road.
A mother bird feeding her chicks in a nest made of twigs and moss, with a residential area visible in the background.

Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care and wish for fish at all nests!

Thank you to ‘R’ for that article on aquaculture. Thank you to ‘L’ for the links to Wisdom’s grandchick and a shout-out to Ping Shen for those great images of Harry and Sally and their baby. To Geemeff, we are always grateful for your daily summaries of all news at Loch Arkaig and your videos. To everyone who posted information on FB and images, to Raptor Persecution UK for telling it the way it is, and to the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation and the owners of the streaming cams – we are always thankful to you.

Third hatch for Louis and Dorcha…late Saturday in Bird World

6 June 2026

Hello Everyone,

We have another yellow warning for heat and are being told not to be outside unless necessary. I had hoped to set up Toby’s spray pad, but it had a warning that pet’s toenails should be clipped. Of course. Punctures!!!!!! Hugo Yugo has her dental surgery on Wednesday and when I pick her up Toby will go in and get those nails trimmed then he can have some great fun!!!!! While it might sound silly, I had the deck extended by a modest 5 x 10′ in order for him to be able to have a little pool of this spray pad. The rest of the garden has really been given over to the garden animals so they have lots of cool shelter in the summer. There are bunnies – we thought one and their nest is under our deck. It is a good spot for some of the animals to get out of the way of the hawks and falcons that come for a quick lunch (or so they think!).

We travelled out to the garden centre that I prefer, and there were no peonies. I had hoped to add another 3 or 4 plants to an already growing number. They are toxic to dogs, like hydrangeas, and all of the groups are fenced off so that Toby cannot get ill or, worse, die. I am considering planting about ten raspberry plants. I have the perfect spot – with direct southern exposure just beside the conservatory. Sour cherries were also tempting. We will sleep on this over night.

There is no bad news about Telyn. She was eating and feeding the three chicks this morning. Oh, please let her be alright.

An osprey sitting on a nest made of sticks and grass, with a blurred green background.
An osprey is sitting in its nest made of twigs, overlooking a lush green landscape and distant mountains under a cloudy sky.
An osprey standing on its nest made of twigs, with chicks visible nearby. The background features lush green fields and distant mountains under a cloudy sky.

From the Dyfi Osprey Project (Emyr Evans):

An osprey perched on a nest made of sticks with a lush green landscape and mountains in the background.

Teifi has been bringing in some nice Brown Trout for Elen and the triplets at Glaslyn.

A bird of prey feeding its chicks in a nest, surrounded by twigs and green grass in the background.

We have a second hatch at Keilder Forest nest 2.

Chick 2 for Nest 2

The surviving chick at Loch of the Lowes is doing so well. There is a third egg. It could still hatch.

A Facebook post from Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre discussing the status of a newly hatched osprey chick and the removal of a deceased sibling from the nest.
A close-up of a chick sitting next to a speckled egg, with an adult bird nearby feeding it. The scene showcases the nest environment with natural elements.

All appears to be well at the Usk Valley osprey nest.

A pair of ospreys standing in their nest made of twigs, with green fields and trees in the background.

Maya and Blue 33 have been working on the cot rails as those three kiddos get larger. The ‘babies’ are now preening their new juvenile feathers. This also helps take away the keratin sheath – that waxy protein tube that holds the blood feathers.

A bird's nest made of twigs and grass, containing several fluffy chicks resting together. The nest is located by a body of water, reflecting a blue sky.
Two ospreys resting on their nest made of twigs and branches near a body of water.

CJ7 and Blue 022 are masters at raising four osplets at once! Look at the images and spot the fat little bottom of hatch 4.

A group of fluffy bird chicks resting on a nest made of twigs and debris, with some visible food remnants nearby.
A group of fluffy, young bird chicks resting on a nest of twigs and straw.
An osprey feeding a chick in a nest made of twigs, surrounded by greenery in the background.

Dylan and Seren continue to bond and spend time together. Will they leave early for their migration – perhaps in July? This is wonderful to see – bonded and caring, they are protecting their territory and will really fatten up and be fit for their long migration. We don’t know where Dylan goes but we know that Seren Blue 5F goes to the exact tree in The Gambia every year.

Two ospreys perched on their nest with a green hillside and forest in the background.

Yesterday, Charlie’s former mate, Lola, visited their nest that now has eggs with his new mate. Charlie was incubating when she arrived. It is interesting to me that had this been the other way around, Charlie would have destroyed those eggs.

HFosp has the visit on video: https://youtu.be/y1juj3Kb4i0?

An osprey named Lola is seen turning around in a nest, with another osprey standing nearby, on a sunny day. The background features green grass and a path.

We are getting closer and closer to hatch for Clark and Iris at Hellgate Canyon.

An osprey sitting on its nest made of sticks, overlooking a mostly empty parking lot and grassy area in the background.

At Amersfoort, the Little Prince and his sister nap in the scrape box. No worries this year over the tiny baby. Can you tell them apart?

Two young birds huddled together in a nest filled with feathers and debris, with a view of rooftops visible through a nearby opening.

A look at the trio at Loch Arkaig 2 for Louis and Dorcha – a feeding video by Geemeff. https://youtu.be/-O_WQ33FChQ?

A parent bird stands on its nest, surrounded by twigs and branches, with two chicks visible below, set against a background of green hills and trees.
Two osprey adults standing on their nest with visible young chicks in the center, surrounded by twigs and vegetation. A green landscape is seen in the background.
A close-up of a bird of prey, possibly an eagle, standing in its nest surrounded by sticks and branches, with two chicks visible nearby in a natural setting.

I am glad that Little Dewey is a bit spunky. This might help him or her later on. Look at that fat little bottom and there is a fish on the nest – a large one.

An osprey in its nest, surrounded by twigs and branches, with a portion of fish beside it and visible young chicks underneath.
A bird's nest containing two chicks and eggs, viewed from above, with a waterfront restaurant and blue umbrellas in the background.

Geemeff’s latest Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 5th June 2026

Another day with plenty of fish and wet conditions. Garry LV0 brought two fish for Aurora 536, and his tally now stands at one hundred and one. He’d eaten the first one in a strange way, starting in the middle, but Aurora wasn’t bothered by the way it looked, and took it away to eat off the nest. Louis brought four fish for Dorcha and the two chicks, and the Nest Two tally now stands at one hundred and thirteen. At the time of filing this report (00.45), the third egg on Nest Two has pipped and is chupping away, and over on Nest One, there is a possibility Aurora’s single egg is also pipping, but a better view is needed. The wet weather is set to continue, with overnight drizzle and a low of 9°C, changing to light rain and a high of 16°C tomorrow.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/jbt6sqQqjhY N2 leftovers for breakfast when last night’s fish returns 04.24.49

https://youtu.be/p0v_CCw69bs  N2 Lunch arrives – first fresh fish is a whole trout 12.46.29   

https://youtu.be/8FloAbbpKAo N2 Louis brings a second whole trout and stays, looking sleepy 14.50.52

https://youtu.be/D_8P1pYYEjw N2 A third whole trout arrives, larger than the last 16.27.32

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

I am so delighted that Telyn shows no sign of being adversely impacted by that fishing line and hook. Let us send our good wishes to all our families who struggle with more than we could imagine. Chicks are hatching in the area that Heidi monitors, and we are just praying for fish for them. They have, in the past, starved to death.

I will leave you with what is making me happy these days – the garden. The rain and heat have kick-started everything to bloom. Soon, there will hardly be any open space left, save for the deck area, so the birds, bunnies, squirrels, and Brock will have a place to stay cool.

There were two plants in the back garden when we bought the property – a peony and a prairie rose bush planted around 1902. These are the roses. They are so fragrant.

A pink flower surrounded by lush green leaves in bright sunlight.

The Korean Maple.

Close-up of green and yellow leaves with a few reddish leaves, set against a blurred green background.

The tunnel to the back of the property is now completely obscured.

Dense foliage with various green leaves and some reddish accents under sunlight.

The direct sun is shining down on all the garden and yet it is about 15 degrees cooler in this area for the birds and animals.

A garden scene featuring a bird feeder hanging from a tree, surrounded by lush green leaves, with a birdbath filled with pebbles and seeds placed below.

Thank you so much for being with us today. I am very tired and I do not know if I will have a post tomorrow but I will on Monday that will include SK Hideaways weekly videos. I should also mention that we have had fledges at the Spirit Bluff Peregrine scrape. Well done.

Thank you to everyone who posted information and images on FB and to the owners of the streaming cams that allowed us to view the birds and their lives, and me to take screencaptures. Thank you Geemeff for your amazing daily summary and videos. Much appreciated. Thank you so much.

Seren is alive!

4 June 2026

We were having lunch with our daughter when Geeemeff’s call from London came in – Seren Blue 5F landed on the nest and appears to be unharmed.

We will never know what prevented her from returning to her three chicks for nearly 24 hours. She is a dedicated mother and would never have left them that long without being in peril herself.

Seren is the only osprey of the UK streaming cams that I have seen in the feathers, and she was very special to me. I am so glad she is safe. She and Dylan will continue to bond, and she will grow strong, and next year they will try again. Right now, they are both grieving for the loss of their babies.

I want to thank John Williams for his love for this family and his quick action. He could not get up to the nest in the dark. It was impossible, but he was there as early as he could be, trying to save those babies. Nests in North America have a lot to learn from this kind of love and dedication.

Here’s the video of the return: https://youtu.be/eyoYHmgNaUM?

An osprey perched on a branch with its wings partially spread, overlooking a green landscape with trees and hills in the background.

Tragedy at SF Golden Gate Audubon…late Saturday in Bird World

30 May 2026

Hello Everyone,

We hope that the start to the last weekend in May has been good to you. We are moving into June and the time is passing too quickly. All winter I complained about the cold and ice and the fact that we could not get out and walk as we used to due to the icy sidewalks and trails. Now it is so hot that we have heat warnings and due to Toby’s breed and Don’s medication, we can’t go out if it is too hot!!!!!!!! I hate complaining. On top of this, Don is loving the series Death in Paradise. It is filmed at Deshaines in Guadaloupe, where we stayed on our last big holiday. We recognise so many of the places! Gosh, that was fun, and the weather was beautiful. The hummingbirds would flit around our faces in the morning and evenings, and we spent so much time in the new Botanical Gardens while staying in a small cottage on the grounds of the Old Botanical Gardens. It was magical. I hope you can all go one day – just eat the fish the women cook on the beach. Fresh, grilled, and wrapped in newsprint! Delicious.

We were out early for a Toby walk and then to pick up our little Hyskap plants. Toby and Don waited 45 minutes in line with me – the programme is a success, and yet, most of my neighbours do not know about it. Our little plot of land is almost brimming with trees and shrubs for the birds and animals. We are pleased. We are on a mission to drink lots of homemade ‘sun’ tea (cold tea made with tea bags, not the powdered pre-sugared kind). The key is to keep everyone hydrated, including The Girls, Toby, and the animals outside. I hope you are paying attention, too!!!!!

It is the very last season for the streaming cam for Richmond and his new mate, Wendy. That in itself is a sad occurreance but this morning tragedy struck. The first egg DNH nor did the second. There was one little osplet. Wendy sadly could not figure out how to feed it in time to save that precious baby. She removed her dead chick and the last unviable egg to the edge of the nest this morning.

Richmond sees his baby for the first time – so joyful after losing his long term mate, Rosie, this year, and now, this little one perished.

Two ospreys are seen in their nest, handling a fish that is partly visible among sticks and twigs.

I wish Golden Gate Audubon would reconsider shutting off the camera. Perhaps a fundraiser? There aren’t to many ospreys! How many do we get to watch in California? And Richmond is still there after all these years – . I wonder if they might change their minds?

A close-up of an osprey in its nest, with surrounding twigs and some remnants of a previous nestling.

At the Usk Valley, the chick has had four fish delivered, including at least one nice Bream that I saw. Syfadden is an excellent isher. Syfadden and Cogwyn are doing excellent!

Two ospreys perched on their nest made of twigs and branches, with a green landscape and trees in the background under a clear blue sky.

Looks of activity at the San Jose City Hall. All four have flown and it is a busy time for Hartley, Monty, and BOGs chasing these four characters down. SK Hideaways has some video for us: https://youtu.be/kIcphBp29qU?

Gayle Gordon brings us sad news from the Blue Springs Bald Eagle nest. Did someone rescue this eaglet, I wonder.

Screenshot of a newspaper front page titled 'The Daily Chronicle' from June 18, 1946, reporting breaking news about a bald eagle incident at Blu Springs Missouri. The headline reads 'EXTRA! BREAKING NEWS! OWL STRIKE AT BLUE SPRINGS MISSOURI BALD EAGLE NEST KNOCKS EAGLET OFF NEST BRANCH.' The page includes illustrations of eagles and a nest, and various subheadings discussing eyewitness reports and city council discussions.

Augusta and Samson have two osplets at Border Ospreys! Rosie Shields brings us all the latest news.

EAGER BEAVER

Jeff Kerr brings us news at Tweed Valley.

Two ospreys in a nest made of sticks, with two eggs visible nearby. One osprey is eating a fish while the other watches.

It looks like there will only be one hatch at Ranworth this year.

A mother bird feeding her chick in a nest made of sticks, surrounded by greenery.

Just look at that baby – on top and right up front at Poole Harbour.

A close-up view of several baby birds, covered in gray down feathers, huddled together in a nest made of twigs and grass, with an adult bird partially visible in the background.
Aerial view of osprey chicks huddled together in a nest, surrounded by twigs and debris.

Idris, Telyn, and three little osplets at Dyfi. It is all under control.

An osprey perched on a nest made of twigs and sticks, interacting with chicks and feeding them, set against a backdrop of rolling hills and green vegetation.

Elen and Teifi are doing well with their three at Glaslyn.

A bird sitting in a nest made of twigs and branches, with two small chicks nearby, on a grassy background.

It’s hard to see but close by at the Pont Cresor nest, Aeron Z2 and Blue 014 also have three healthy little ones!

An osprey nest containing one osprey chick resting, with an adult osprey perched on a nearby branch, against a scenic backdrop of hills and fields during twilight.

The trio at Rutland Water’s Manton Bay nest of Blue 33 and Maya are moving out of the Reptile Phase and getting their beautiful juvenile feathers. Just look at them with their beaks wide open!

A parent bird feeding its chicks in a nest made of twigs, with several young birds visible and a calm water background.
An osprey is feeding its chicks in a nest made of twigs and branches by the water.

Now to check on two nests in the US – Dewey Beach because I am concerned about fish deliveries and the impact of when Omega starts trawling and Traverse Bay because of the nest slide.

Dewey Beach: Mum had a small PS. Four feedings for the baby today, according to wicked fish counter-identifier, Heidi. The little one is so cute.

An osprey stands over its two chicks in a nest made of twigs and branches, near a body of water with a blue structure and outdoor seating visible in the background.
A close-up view of an osprey standing on its nest made of sticks, with visible water and buildings in the background.
An osprey stands near its nest, which contains a fluffy chick, surrounded by sticks and branches, with a waterfront and buildings in the background.

I’d like to think that a miracle is holding up that Traverse City nest. Things are alright. Keep sending positive wishes for both of these nests.

A bald eagle and its chick perched in a nest overlooking a clear blue lake, with surrounding trees and a sunny sky.

Other quick news:

DH3 has branched.

Decorah Eagles: Eaglet DH3 Takes a Giant First Leap from the NestDownload

Heidi reports a pip for Tom and Audrey.

Close-up of an osprey's head near a nest with several eggs, one of which has a crack, indicating a chick may be hatching.

So far, so good at Steelscape.

A mother bird feeding her four chicks in a nest, with three eaglets visible in the foreground and one stretched out in the back, surrounded by natural foliage.

And look at Achieva!

A close-up view of an osprey nest with four young osprey chicks resting among twigs and branches. One chick is standing, while others are sitting in the nest, surrounded by greenery.

There is a crisis in California. Seabirds are starving to death.

A post from the Native Animal Rescue of Santa Cruz County about the rising crisis affecting seabirds in California, highlighting the plight of Brown Pelicans, Cormorants, and Common Murres suffering from starvation and entanglement in fishing lines.
Two pelicans standing side by side, looking weak and malnourished, with text emphasizing their starvation and the plight of seabirds along the coast.

If you see a sick bird and there is someone fishing with a net, get help and scoop them up. Do not cut the line they are attached to. This could kill them. Get them to the nearest wildlife rehabilitation centre!

This reminds me – each of you should be doing some due diligence. In your phone, have the numbers of the local wildlife rescue in your area. Do not be afraid to call them! Do not call the USFWS, call the rescues!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you don’t know the number of the nearest rescue of the streaming cams that you are watching and there is no chat or a moderator, find out what the nearest rescue is and put it in your phone. If you notice something untoward, call and report!

Ever heard of the Dartford Warbler? It has made a comeback. Have a happy read.

A small bird with a gray head and reddish-brown body perched on green foliage, surrounded by budding flowers.

“Dartford Warbler” by tsbl2000 is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.

Dartford warbler stages a comeback 60 years after almost vanishing https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/29/dartford-warbler-stages-a-comeback-60-years-after-almost-vanishing?CMP=share_btn_url

The BBC covers the comeback – a 44% increase in numbers!

Record numbers of Dartford warblers recorded at RSPB ArneDownload

Two gorgeous White-tail eaglets on the nest for Milda and Zorro. I note from the chat there is an issue with getting fish to the nest at the weekend – it is the same in many parts of the US and Canada. Humans take over the rivers and the lakes and the raptors cannot feed their families. I really do love some of the regions in the UK that ban human activity during breeding season!

Condensation on the camera lens?

A close-up view of a nesting site for the sea eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), featuring a nest made of twigs and branches, with greenery and trees in the background.

Incubation continues at many Finnish osprey nests, including 2 and 5. The very first Finnish chick hatched in nest 1 on May 26.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Saturday 30th May 2026

After many calm days, there were two intrusions by strange Ospreys, or possibly the same Osprey in two locations. An unringed male actually landed on Nest Two when Louis was on incubation duty, and was chased off quickly. The chase continued in the air, and meantime Dorcha tag-teamed back onto the nest to protect the eggs. Over on Nest One the intruder didn’t actually land but came close enough, with Garry chasing, to put Aurora on high alert. The eggs are due to start hatching in a couple of days and the two males performed their protective roles perfectly as did the two females. Garry LV0 delivered one fish for Aurora 536 raising the Nest One tally to eighty nine, and Louis also delivered one fish to Dorcha, raising the Nest Two tally to ninety five. It rained lightly on and off, a damp and misty day today, and tonight’s overnight forecast is light rain showers and light winds with a low of 12°C, changing tomorrow to thundery showers with a gentle breeze and a high of 15°C. 

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/FYSl40JJb6s N2 Breakfast for Dorcha 09.10.13

https://youtu.be/TUJEoaQCn3E N2 Louis chases an unringed intruder Osprey off the nest 13.43.22

https://youtu.be/CxaPX74de4g N1 This time, an intruder Osprey is around Aurora’s nest 14.12.27

https://youtu.be/SUYunderRIo N1 As the mist rolls in, Garry brings a fish 19.17.24

Bonus volunteering opportunity – become a citizen scientist for Woodland Trust: 

https://www.open.ac.uk/blogs/careers/?p=8356
https://naturescalendar.woodlandtrust.org.uk/

Come and join the friendly community at Woodland Trust’s Osprey forum:

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

Last but not least – Big Red and a nest full of hawklets and chippies. The babies are not only getting their gorgeous juvenile feathers but they are also working those wings.

A nest of red-tailed hawk chicks resting in a nest made of twigs, atop a building with a view of trees and a street in the background.
View of three red-tailed hawk chicks in a nest made of twigs and leaves, with urban scenery in the background.
A red-tailed hawk perched on a nest with three chicks, surrounded by branches, on a high structure overlooking a city street.

Thank you for being with us today. Take care. Stay hydrated. Send good wishes to all the nests and please, if you can, leave water out for wildlife. It could save a life. See you soon!

Thank you so much to everyone who has posted information on FB today, to Jeff Kear and UK Osprey Info, to PB for keeping me informed, and to the owners of the streaming cams and the authors of newsletters and articles. Thank you to Geemeff and SK Hideaways for their videos and daily reports.

Pip at Manton Bay for Blue 33 and Maya…late Monday in Bird World

11 May 2026

Greetings Everyone,

It was a very sad day in the garden today.

We wake up, and over our morning cuppa, we count the animals at the feeders. There are always four grey squirrels, one red squirrel, two Blue Jays, and two Crows. The number of Starlings, Sparrows, Juncos, and others varies during the day. But, for two days, there have only been three grey squirrels. Thankfully, the elderly Dyson, the matriarch of all the grey squirrels, is one of those. But where is the other one?

On our walk with Toby, we passed by the house that had burned down at the corner some time ago. There on the boulevard was the grey squirrel. It had no visible signs of being hit by a car, and there were no wires for it to fall from its position. A friend of Don’s was here for lunch, and we determined with some minor science that it had probably been poisoned. Its body was brought back to the garden where it had played in the lilacs and filled its belly for several years with peanuts. I buried it between two trees. Will find a beautiful stone to sit on top – incense lifted its spirit into the wind.

My concern now turns to who is using rodenticide and why. Yes, there are mice. Most of us feed the birds, and where there is seed, there are mice. I have been told that using only Black Oil Seed and peanuts will not attract the mice as the grains do. The Crows and the Hawks catch mice; we don’t have to do anything. Owls, of course, are another great way to rid an area of rats and mice. But with rodenticide use, nothing is safe. What if the Crows had eaten the carcass? Or a pet dog? Toby? One of the feral cats? Brock? It makes my mind go crazy thinking about poisoning our world.

Luckily, our lovely company kept my mind off of rodenticide and I needed to check the ospreys while Don was busy with his friend.

I had a look, and, surprise, surprise, there is the first UK pip at Maya and Blue 33’s nest at Rutland’s Manton Bay!

It is such a deep nest. We need an overhead cam!!!!!!!!!

A close-up of a large bird's nest made of twigs and branches, set against a river landscape with trees and a cloudy sky above.

All is well with the trio at Big Red and Arthur’s Red-tail Hawk nest on the Cornell Campus. Yes, P3 is being fed!!!!!!!!!!!! No one is left out. We are too conditioned by the osprey and eagle nests!!!!!!!! Hawks and Falcons are notorious for making sure everyone is fed. There is no shortage of prey.

A red-tailed hawk perched on a nest with several fluffy chicks. The nest is made of twigs and is situated on a balcony or ledge, with greenery and a street visible in the background.

Cornell Bird Lab has one of Monday’s feedings on video! https://youtu.be/tveeiZRM8r4?

The first failed osprey nest in Maryland was in Severna Park. Was it before those failing in Virginia? It is not clear. I am receiving notes today that several other nests where Omega Protein fishes a mile off the coast of Nassawadox Creek are seeing the adults abandon their eggs. Nassawadox Creek is a tidal waterway in Northampton County, Virginia, on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. There will be more, and we must prepare ourselves. If you have not figured it out, the decline in osprey numbers is worse than the DDT crisis of the 1970s. Someone needs to do something about this!

Sad news coming out of Scotland over the use of an illegal trap.

Sparrowhawk euthanised in Scottish Highlands after illegal trap caused ‘catastrophic’ leg injury – RDownload

Border Ospreys is live and you can watch Samson and Augusta!

WE ARE LIVEDownload

There is really great news coming out of Glaslyn. Aran and Elen’s two year old chick has touched down for all to see! What a wonderful migration and so happy that one of their babies has been seen in Wales.

Facebook post from Dyfi Osprey Project discussing the Osprey 6M9, the youngest member of the 2024 Glaslyn brood, and its recent behavior.
Close-up of a bird perched on a green pipe, with another bird in the background on a wooden branch.

This is a reason to ring every osplet on every osprey nest – which is attempted in the UK but not in North America.

Everything is going well at Achieva Osprey Platform.

Social media post discussing fishing experiences by Pam Breci, detailing the catches by Jack and Jill, including ladyfish and catfish.
A collage of images showing an osprey nest with two chicks and an adult bird. One adult is seen flying near the nest, while the chicks are perched inside, surrounded by twigs and foliage.

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 11th May 2026

Another routine day, it started and ended with a little rain, and in between were lots of fish deliveries – both males brought three fish each, although one of Louis’ was so tiny, it needed a close up to see it was actually a whole fish and not just a scrap, and Garry LV0 also brought a tiny fish – his was still flapping. The Nest Two tally rises to fifty six, and Garry’s rises to fifty eight. It’s great to see both males supplying a steady stream of fish as hatching day starts getting nearer when it will be paramount. As the day ends, Dorcha and Aurora 536 are tucked up sitting on eggs on their respective nests, protecting them from the sporadic light rain which is set to continue through the night and most of tomorrow, with an overnight low of 6°c and a high of 13°c tomorrow afternoon.

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/OZXF99LjQ3Y N2 Breakfast arrives, headless trout 07.11.55

https://youtu.be/IzUaE12sGWA N1 Fresh flapping fish for Aurora 13.53.35

https://youtu.be/WVa1ZepkIzE N2 Dorcha’s very happy to see a second fish arriving 14.51.02

https://youtu.be/Ddut0wN0hRQ N1 Aurora demolishes fish two and returns to egg-sit 16.23.02

https://youtu.be/9aExCQ6TCjc N1 Aurora tugs the third fish away from Garry 18.41.13

https://youtu.be/rE6rVOwW4XU N2 Dorcha nibbles the tiny third fish before leaving with it 21.00.33

Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/IhjvqpMq1S4   N1 Intruder Osprey flies right over the nest 2020 (slo-mo)

https://youtu.be/WW7IBGOOjLU  N1 Preparing the nest ready for the first hatch 2020

https://youtu.be/-v6-w-_3oDM   N1 Aila does a mid air transfer 2020 (slo-mo)

https://youtu.be/BsF44kBqGG0  N1 A close shave for Louis – Aila nearly takes his head off! 2020

https://youtu.be/wqUvCjMwwio  N1 Mumbrella: Aila protects her eggs during snow flurries 2020

https://youtu.be/yZkcVaa9o-A   N1 Affric (Blue 152) and The Stranger return 2021

https://youtu.be/UiJihpt7uEs  N2 Dorcha ignores the second fish and leaves without it 2023

https://youtu.be/fwGRG7NNI4o  N1 A Jay visits 2024

https://youtu.be/_xdZMQaEYA4  N2 Very late breakfast – fish number one 2024

https://youtu.be/L7wUZ2nkFqk  N1 Dawn tryst – successful mating for Garry and Aurora 2025

https://youtu.be/XEuoQfpCuVM N2 Dorcha leaves with fish number two in a beak-hold 2025

Everyone’s welcome at the Woodland Trust Osprey forum, whatever your level of Osprey knowledge – come and join our lively community:

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

Virus-free.www.avast.com

There is so much going on. Iris’s new mate kept her company at the nest. This lad really does like to incubate, but I wish he would fish a bit more!

Two ospreys perched on a large nest made of sticks, overlooking a parking lot and landscaped area in the background.
An osprey sitting in its nest made of twigs, overlooking a parking lot with trees and a train passing in the background.

I love Iris and New Guy 2 watching their trains!

Thank you so much for being with me this evening. Take care! See you soon.

The two besties – Toby and Hugo Yugo – wish you a great week.

A sleeping orange tabby cat curled up on a cat tree, next to a black and white Cavalier King Charles Spaniel wearing an orange harness, both resting indoors.

Thank you to Geemeff for all things Loch Arkaig, to ‘PB’ and Heidi for counting and identifying fish, to everyone who posts on FB with images and news updates, to Raptor Persecution for always reporting what is truly going on without any prejudice, and to the owners of the streaming cams that allow us to watch these amazing families.

Ryder falls out of nest…Friday in Bird World

24 April 2026

Hello Everyone,

Did you see it? Ryder fell out of the Fraser Point nest of Cruz and Andor. Many worried. Most ‘believed’ IWS would, because of their wonderful history, get the permissions and rescue. Others wrenched their hands.

UPDATE FROM IWS:


“We’re attempting to rescue Ryder. Erin expects to arrive at the nest around noon, and will see if she can find the eaglet. If she does, and it’s healthy, she’ll attempt to climb the tree and return Ryder to the nest. If Ryder is injured, she’s prepared to take him/her to a wildlife care facility.”

True to form, Ryder was rescued. There are lots of videos.

Geemeff has the fall and the rescue: https://youtu.be/bpjYmFfObG8?

SK Hideaways has the event: https://youtu.be/WJ6b7BAztF0?

Please support them both!

What a dramatic event. We are so blessed to have the dedicated staff at the IWS – and if you are ever looking for a worthy institution to donate, IWS is certainly one that uses your money wisely!!!!!!!!!

I am keeping an eye on Big Red and Arthur and their four eggs on the Fernow Light Stand, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.

A red-tailed hawk resting in a nest made of twigs on a metal structure, with a view of a street and greenery in the background.
A live cam view of a red-tailed hawk nest, featuring two hawks amidst twigs and branches, with a cityscape visible in the background.
A red-tailed hawk sitting beside its nest, which contains several eggs, on a rooftop with a view of a street and greenery in the background.

Have a listen. Have you ever heard a Nightingale? Rewilding is bringing them back. News from Knepp Farm:

Knepp news nightingales in full song BBQs returnDownload

There appeared to be no early fish at Achieva. Jill left after 1000. She flew in around 1022 with a fish to feed the hot and hungry kids. Yeah for Mum. She waited as long as she could.

A hawk nest featuring two chicks and an adult hawk perched nearby, surrounded by green trees and a clear sky. In the background, residential buildings and a street are visible.

Feed us! Catfish are bony, especially the heads, and it takes Jill a while to get into the meat for the babies. They were anxious for fish but not fighting.

An osprey stands in its nest made of twigs, overlooking a suburban area with nearby trees and a street in the background.

Both adults on nest later looking for intruders.

An osprey nest filled with two adult ospreys and one chick, perched on a platform surrounded by greenery and a glimpse of a residential area in the background.

Jill waiting for more fish: 1635. It is a bad fish day. My heart aches.

An osprey stands on a nest made of sticks, with greenery and residential buildings visible in the background.

Hope that the babies have more fish. The nest has been relatively calm. Little did bonk Big once but paid for it – still, a brve move on the part of the baby.

The third egg at Pont Cresor for Aeron Z2 and Blue 014.

Two ospreys sitting together on a nest made of twigs, with a scenic background of hills and trees.

Ashley Wilson catches Winnie and Swoop looking from the perch over the new snow.

Two ospreys resting on a snowy perch with a snow-covered nest in the foreground, surrounded by trees and a winter landscape.

We have the first egg at Loch of the Lowes. Wish this new couple the very best!

An osprey standing in its nest at Loch of the Lowes, surrounded by sticks and twigs, with an egg visible in the nest.

Heidi reports on Outer Banks:

An osprey spreads its wings while standing over its nest, which contains eggs, with a view of a river in the background.

Geemeff sends us a good news osprey story – please check it out: https://youtu.be/sAZ-v7p_gD0?

A crane is seen in action with a large nest on top, and a price tag of '$15,000' displayed prominently in the foreground.

Oh, it was the most magnificent day. I feel like I won the lottery. When we put on the addition, more than a decade ago, the individual pouring the crawl space had to cut back the deck. I have ignored it…But I can’t any longer, as I fear Don will fall. I phoned a carpenter to get a quote for extending that piece and another area. He came this morning. My neighbour has a friend visiting til he moves into his own space. He is working on The Little House on the Prairie Project, and they wondered what was ‘happening’ when I opened the gate so they could take some red lounge chairs I didn’t need. As it turns out, that friend is a carpenter, and together they are going to fix everything for me gratis. My neighbour even has the wood and deck screws. I am feeling very teary and blessed. How nice.

We hope that you have a wonderful weekend….Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care.

Thank you to the IWS for always being there, to SK Hideaways and Geemeff for their videos, to the UK Osprey FB group for all their information and to everyone else who posts news on FB as I cannot keep up all the time, and to the owners of the streaming cams – I am forever grateful. We would never know the challenges that these raptor families face.

Late Monday/Early Tuesday in Bird World

6/7 April 2026

Hello Everyone,

I wasn’t going to post but…

SK Hideaways compiled the week’s videos and I could not send them. They are on holiday!!!!!


SK Hideaways Videos, 29 March – 6 April 2026

FOBBV Eagles ~ Big Bear Valley, CA 

Courtesy of  FOBBVCAM | Friends of Big Bear Valley

Shadow Declares Mealtime Over ~ Swoops in to Brood Eaglets, Excuses Jackie (2026 Apr 6)

Video: https://youtu.be/3AQVsHm1hW4

Eaglets #1 & #2 Arrive!  Jackie & Shadow’s 2nd Clutch a Success (2026 Apr 4-5)

Video: https://youtu.be/Sg7No7esiAg

PIP Confirmed ~  Shadow Wants to Incubate till Both Eggs Hatch (2026 Apr 3)

Video: https://youtu.be/lo9QFUdRK_A

West End ~ Catalina Island, CA

Isla & Lee’s Wee Hour Beaky Kiss Fest & Shenanigans (2026 April 1)

Video: https://youtu.be/ZA5crZd75fACourtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | West End Eagles Cam Ops

Two Harbors Eagles ~ Catalina Island, CA

Cholyn & Chase in All Their Romantic Glory ~ An Oceanside Sunrise (2026 Mar 30)

Video: https://youtu.be/UDihd44HTxM

Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Two Harbors Eagles Cam Ops

Fraser Point Eagles ~ Santa Cruz Island, CA

Courtesy Institute for Wildlife Studies | explore.org | Fraser Point Eagles Cam Ops

FP2 ~ Zuma Arrives to Join Sasha,Cruz & Andor (2026 Mar 30)

Video: https://youtu.be/xhwv8IWAHas 

Cruz & Andor Welcome FP1 ~ Sasha  (2026 Mar 28-29)

Video: https://youtu.be/HTrZlwpDO0I

Geemeff sends us the daily summary from The Woodland Trust:

Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Monday 6th April 2026

The weather was much more settled today and forecast to remain so for the next couple of days and with luck, Louis will make his way home during that weather window. The most interesting thing that happened today was that Dorcha visited Nest One again, just a fleeting visit unlike yesterday’s hour-long one, and also a repeat of her quick visit to Nest One on this day last year.

Today’s video:

https://youtu.be/Pjr_WwqjNG8 N1&2 Dorcha does some housekeeping then visits Nest One 13.15.32

Blast from the past – this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/OvVG5MBBjd4  N1 Welcome home Aila! 2020

https://youtu.be/j_2zRRZeJQY   N1 Sealed with a fish: the reunion of Aila & Louis 2020

https://youtu.be/7Q3BC32Ukgw  N1 Fleeting glimpse of an Osprey (slo-mo) 2021  

https://youtu.be/WlIs0DTECK0 N2 Louis is heard skydancing before arriving 2023

https://youtu.be/Uz2YCaJzWLo N2 Disaster! A howling gale blows Dorcha off the nest (zoom) 2024

https://youtu.be/y8Jxs3sbhS4 N1 A Barn Owl (Tyto alba) visits briefly (zoom) 2024

https://youtu.be/pVw-5InEmdM N2 Comings & goings before Dorcha finally gets the fish 2025

https://youtu.be/2TrKItSxR3o N1 An unringed Osprey visits – it’s Dorcha! (zoom) 2025  

https://youtu.be/gypEolHWuXg N2 The Sabre Dance performed by Louis & Dorcha (quick time Classic Ospreys – Khachaturian) 2025

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

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

Ospreys continue to arrive:

Oscar has returned to his nest at Russell Lake in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. We anxiously await the arrival of Ethel, his outstanding mate.

Harry has arrived at SS Alyth.

There was a male osprey on the nest with Iris, but my markings chart shows it was Louis, not New Guy 2. Gosh, I would love to be wrong!

UV has returned to Keilder Forest’s nest 5A.

At the Golden Gate Audubon nest of Richmond, his new mate, Wendy, has begun helping with that incredible nest on the World War II whirley crane. Here is the video: https://youtu.be/sPmvv6r4KZs?

Lots of tandem feedings going on today with the Bald Eagles. One of those was at Little Miami Conservancy. When there are three, mum and dad need to kick in and feed them so everyone gets their crop full.

That little baby is getting lots of bites!

A pair of bald eagles tending to their nest with several eaglets visible among the twigs and branches. The background shows a blurred landscape with trees.

If you missed it, Cornell Bird Lab has the video of Iris returning to her nest in Missoula’s Hellgate Canyon: https://youtu.be/xM_3aiCH4hM?

An osprey sitting on its nest made of twigs and branches, with a parking lot visible in the background.

My goodness, she looks good.

There have been at least three fish deliveries at the Achieva Osprey platform in St Petersburg, Florida on Monday. Hoorah.

LJ2 has arrived home at Lyn Brennig.

Syfaddan has returned to her nest in the Usk Valley.

They are getting home. Now what is happening at Loch Arkaig?! Well, it’s a mess according to Geemeff. “Garry LVO on nest 2; Dorcha on nest 1 getting Garry’s fish and a half-hearted mating attempt; Unringed dark female on nest 2; Aurora 536 on nest 2!” All I can say is ‘gracious me’. Louis, you had best get home.

Iris slept on her perch waiting for new guy 2 to return.

A view of an osprey nest made of twigs and branches, located in a parking lot near buildings and trees. An osprey is perched on the nest, with empty parking spaces visible in the background.

Toby waiting to play fetch!

A black and white Cavalier King Charles Spaniel sitting next to a plush sheep toy on a rug in a living room.

Thank you for being with us. Take care, everyone. See you later in the week – it is going to be busy here. Good busy. And we are expecting more snow, which means pet food, human food, and wood (along with paper to light it) brought inside.

Thank you to SK Hideaways and Geemeff for their videos and reports, to the owners of the streaming cams for allowing us to take screen captures and watch these amazing bird families, and to the individuals who post information on FB – always grateful to you!

Saturday in Bird World

17 May 2025

Hello Everyone,

Morning Updates:

The 4th egg has hatched at Rutland Manton Bay.

First fledge at Duke Farms.

USK Valley: Children have given the ospreys their names: “We are pleased to announce that our male osprey is to be called Syfaddan* named after Llangors Lake, which is one of the favoured fishing grounds. The female will be known as Clogwyn** after the imposing rocky outcrop on the Allt overlooking their nest. This feature has also assumed the more romantic mantle of “the Pride Rock from The Lion King” – for fairly obvious reasons – by other children in the area.”

What’s in a name_ — Usk Valley OspreysDownload

Heidi Nest Notes:

‘PB’ reports two osplets at Salt Point.

The pouring rain continues. The grass and leaves turn a deeper emerald green with every drop. The temperature is dropping, however, and with the wind chill it is -5C. The potted tomatoes, peppers, and hydrangea are inside on the island, as snow is predicted. Brock’s dishes are all full. The birds have abandoned the garden to the squirrels, who continue their search for peanuts and seeds. It must be hard on the outdoor animals – this rollercoaster ride of a season.

The Girls have been busy watching everything flying about. The lilac blossoms are beautiful but I fear that with the high winds they will not last.

Hugo Yugo is under the table having been cornered by Toby. Baby Hope looks down hoping she is high enough and out of the way.

Toby and Hugo Yugo wanting to play with the same toys! These two are actually friends.

Thank you for all your good wishes for Toby. He appears to be getting better. We had a dear friend for lunch today, whom we hadn’t seen in several years. Toby and she hit it off brilliantly! What impressed me most was that ‘R’ picked up on Toby’s attachment to ‘me’. She asked Don if he was jealous. His reply was more thoughtful and elaborate, but in essence, he said, ‘no’. I had always brought the cats to our house, and they had always gone to him, so it was only ‘fair’ that Toby could be mine. Had I not been driving, the tears would have streamed down the front of my sweater. A complicated question answered precisely and accurately with empathy from a very dear man.

Quickly getting to the news highlights form Bird World:

Surrey Reserve Bald Eagles: Hancock Wildlife Foundation has sent a climber to retrieve the bodies of SR10 and SR11 so that they can be tested to determine the cause of the eaglets’ death. The post read, “A four member climbing team thankfully retrieved Brit & Rey’s two deceased eaglets. Lots of fresh fish was left for the parents. Thanks to all who organized this retrieval, and we hope this gives some peace to the deeply grieving parents.”

FOBBV: Special moments at the Big Bear nest captured on video before the darlings Sunny and Gizmo fledge. https://youtu.be/WraMnX8mFy0?

Loch Doon: First hatch of the 2025 breeding season came on Friday the 16th.

Kielder Forest: Rutland’s two-year-olds are making their presence known!

Another 2023 Manton Bay female! _ Kielder OspreysDownload

Nests are coming under heavy winds and rain. Will they hold up, ‘PR’ asks. They write, “We have a very windy day. The wind blew part of a house finch nest half off. I checked and they were still in process of building and no babies or eggs yet. But Oppd Osprey, Denton Homes and Trempealeau nests are all in heavy winds today. If you look at Denton it’s really blowing that tree around. Photos in order.”

‘PB’ reports that the Denton Homes nest is swaying considerably in the high winds.

We are all concerned about nests collapsing after the death of the triplets, three very healthy eaglets, of Scout and Bella, at the NCTC nest.

Cornell Red-tail Hawk Nest: Beautiful little chicks of Big Red and Arthur, bursting after a great meal. https://youtu.be/8VgHH2iV034?

Trempeauleau Eagle Nest: T3 is growing so well, and Mum gets a huge gold medal for raising this beautiful eaglet single-handedly.

Norwegian Osprey Nest: There are at least two eggs, perhaps three.

Goitzsche Wildnis: Incubation continues.

Golden Gate Audubon SF Ospreys: Rosie and Richmond had their first hatch on the 10th or the 11th of May. It is unclear if there have been any others.

Rutland Manton Bay: The age spread is great. Maya and Blue 33 are very experienced. Will they be adding another to the three hatches already? Quite frankly, I hope not. Number 3 is rather tiny.

Cardinal Land Conservancy: A fantastic nest that I haven’t checked on enough. Great parents, eaglets growing up with four meals and a turtle on Fridays. Incredible.

San Jose City Hall: SK Hideaways catches the frantic nature of having four ringed and hungry eyases! https://youtu.be/vpojZPJghJo?

Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Friday 16th May 2025

Today was calm and routine – Louis brought two fish for Dorcha, taking his tally to ninety three, but Garry didn’t bring any fish for Aurora, engaging instead in a mating session which looked successful. His tally remains at fifty four, the weather remains settled, and we’re moving along nicely towards pip-watch with first hatch expected around 21-23 May – that’s next week!

Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 23.16.47 (03.21.04); Nest  23.44.37 (03.43.07)

Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/3ainCb_9inA N2 First fish arrives to the sound of birdsong 05.51.01

https://youtu.be/FmbBKyiOcBI N1 Successful mating for Garry & Aurora 18.36.48

https://youtu.be/jj0bPDw-OAE N2 Louis finally lands and gives fish two to Dorcha 21.36.22  

Geemeff’s sends two other news items:

Ospreys and menhaden – again! https://penobscotbaypress.com/articles/forum-islandadvantages/are-osprey-in-trouble-again/

GenZ have discovered birding – will their interest help stop some of the stripping away of wilslife and environmental protections?

https://www.deseret.com/magazine/2025/05/15/bird-watching-captures-new-generation

‘VV’ gives us a report of some strange activity happening at the Maryland Osprey nests near the Bay: “One of the nest owners of N5 (where the gull ate the eggs) has returned. W/o the other around I can’t discern M from F. If  Female, it means Nests 2, 3, 4, & 5 had established males this year who left their nests this month, 2 w/ mates and 2 w/o

Just as I was typing an eagle forced an osprey to drop a fish and the eagle retrieved it – these osprey cannot catch a break here this year.  OH NO, I think it was the male of N9 – where incubation is still ongoing – who lost the fish. The eagles tag teamed him, I think they have a nest directly across the creek from me but deep into the pine.

Anyway, at least 3 males self-deported this month from the 5 nests off my porch. If males consistently fail to catch enough food for the nest, would they just stop coming home? Forcing the females, incubating or not, to fish or starve. There appear to be many unattended nests along the creek which had previously been rigorously attended – and in a number of cases believe were incubating eggs.

Also, like N5, one osprey has returned to N14 after days of absence. IDK M or F on that nest. Regardless, I have to conjecture only a regional dearth of food leading to  impending starvation would prompt ospreys to leave off their breeding duties, from mating through to incubation.”

‘A’ sends us some news and comments, too! “Just look at these GHO owlets. They are the cutest things and couldn’t hurt an eaglet or osplet (yet)! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frFP0GfDFK8&list=TLPQMTQwNTIwMjWuwzEhGO60dQ&index=7. And we are soon going to lose our cute fluffball from Taiaroa Head. The countdown begins. Eight or ten weeks to go I think. September is fledge month from memory. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W2RCbyMiTk&list=TLPQMTQwNTIwMjV0ZXQf2Szmxg&index=2. The little one has been under the average weight for a female chick of her age for a couple of weeks but was fed twice the day before this video and should now be in the normal weight range again. These birds are absolutely exquisite, and so gentle. I adore them. 

Lady and Dad have started to prepare their Olympic Park nest for a new season, and are spending nights near the nest much of the time. Earlier in the week, a juvenile sea eagle was seen around the island, catching a fish on the river. I wonder whether it is one of their past SE fledglings. Obviously, we hope so. Meanwhile, Mrs T continues to do a great solo job with T3, whose crop is immense nearly every time I check. She has really been a wonderful mum in difficult circumstances. Mr T continues to try and steal food from the nest when he can to take to his other nest, over on the island but Mrs T is still managing fabulously well with T3. I only hope the eaglet/s at Mr T’s other nest are doing well too. 

At FOBBV, we are waiting for Sunny and Gizmo to take the plunge, as you are well aware. At NEFL  the nest does look very empty. The juvie who adopted Bodie and the nest was such a strange addition to an already unusual season at NEFL. What a special year it really has been. I am absolutely certain that having siblings is a huge plus for eaglets (and presumably osplets etc) and it was a massive bonus for Bodie that the juvie arrived. It really did look as though the two of them enjoyed each other’s company immensely – I know I’m anthropomorphising but I’m just observing, and surely the juvie would have left again if that had not been the case, or if it was there purely for the food, would have fought Bodie. It was also interesting that a parent continued to bring food to the nest, making no serious effort to drive the intruder away. At Orange, Diamond and Xavier are doing a lot of bonding – several times a day – with Diamond also showing a lot of interest in cleaning up the nest box, even arranging pebbles. Diamond is on her ledge as I type, but has only a medium-sized crop (normally, she arrives with a crop so large it makes you wonder how she flies with it), so lunch might be on her mind. And Betty Lou looks so healthy – it has been a wonderful season for Jaks and darling Audacity.”

News from Knepp Farm:

News from KneppDownload

They are adorable!

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2025/may/16/week-in-wildlife-hitchhiking-cygnets-a-criminal-duck-and-hopping-hares?CMP=share_btn_link

Thank you so much for being with us today. If the weather isn’t too bad, we are heading out to look at some jasmine plants today. In the meantime, take care. We are on hatch watch for the UK nests!!!!!!!!! It is finally going to get exciting. Take care. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, Heidi, PB, VV’, USK Valley, Dewey Beach, Barnegat Light, Hancock Wildlife Foundation Surrey Reserve Bald Eagle Nest, FOBBV, SK Hideaways, Loch Doon, Kielder Forest News, OPPD Fort Calhoun, Denton Homes, Cornell Bird Lab Red-tail Hawk Cam, Trempealeau Bald Eagle Nest, Fru Raurer, Joan Castnyer, Golden Gate Audubon, Geemeff and The Woodland Trust, VV Maryland osprey report, ‘A’s report, Knepp Farm, Barbara Wolfson and Bald Eagles 101, Rutland Manton Bay, SK Hideaways and San Jose City Hall, The Guardian