Tag Archives: wildlife

Blue KWO makes Birders Bird of the Year list!

19 January 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

Mamma Calico and Baby Hope wish each of you a very wonderful Friday.

They had fun playing with the Chinese chair – Hugo Yugo and Missey – while Baby Hope looked on, wanting to enjoy her bird video.

Oh, it was an odd morning. It felt like the air was full of water. All of the seeds were frozen together although there was nothing more than the humidity. No new snow. The squirrels were all out – Dyson and her kits and the two Reds. The Blue Jays were here along with the various sparrows. I did not happen to see the Crow or the Starlings. Of course, ‘The Boyfriend’ arrived at 0900, 1200, and 1658. He is, like Calico, a creature that is attune to time, but does not wear a watch.

The girls ‘helped’ me put together a new desk. After 25 years, it was time to get a longer one to spread all of my books and papers about it. I broke my desire to not buy anything in January. Fortunately, I did not fall into the right after Christmas sales and the discount on this desk was too deep to ignore. I had a gorgeous one with a glass top in my office when I was teaching and helping direct the School of Art, but my one at home was much smaller. Of course, it had to be put together! The base is heavy metal, and they did not drill any pilot screws, not one. What a job to keep everything straight and then try to drill a pilot screw and not go through the top. Ridiculous! Now I know why it had such a discounted price! Can’t imagine what the folks who paid full price felt when they had to fight trying to get those screws into holes under a piece of 1 inch metal tubing. It is now together, and I love it, but I am glad you could not hear me when I was trying to get those screws tight. Hugo Yugo was in there like a rocket, supervising every second. 

Geemeff sent me the news and I am jumping up and down for both Blue KWO and my friend, Michael St John in Barbados, that spotted this Scottish bird – and wasn’t sure what he was looking at. How in the world did this osprey get to the Caribbean from the UK last fall? We might never know that secret but Blue KWO continues to thrive on the island and has been seen with another osprey! Might we have a bonded couple?

I’ve shared below the announcement two recent images that Michael took. One with Blue KWO and her ‘friend’ (potential mate) and another of her with a nice catch. Michael has gotten to see her catch fish twice. How lucky! And how lucky he spotted that blue band. 

This is so exciting. I remember the day I got Michael’s note and posts went out everywhere trying to find out all the information that we could about the bird. Many did not believe that an osprey could get from the UK to the Caribbean – but, well, there is the proof. There are also other birds on the island that should be in the south of England but are basking in the beautiful blue skies of the Caribbean. I wonder how grateful they are?

Well, I couldn’t be more happy. Well done, Michael St John! May Blue KWO’s crop always be full and may it be a long and productive life on your island.

At the NE Florida nest, Gabby was on and off the egg. She missed Beau bringing her a fish present, which he ate on the nest himself. She must have been hungry to have left the egg unincubated….maybe she knew Beau would be there and take over? We have about a week or nine days to go (I think by my bad math) to see if this egg is viable.

It is day 27 (if my math is correct) – so 9 days. 27 January we should be watching for a pip. With Beau’s delivery of a fish to the nest, I really would like to see these two get a chance to raise a little one this year. A change of heart for me…they have worked so hard and Beau has come such a long ways in his journey to adulthood.

Beau did not incubate the egg.

Gabby has been gone almost two hours. Beau is waiting and watching for her.

Gabby is back at 1537.

Rose has turned out to be a great Mum over at the WRDC nest. R6 has had Coot and an Ibis to eat today! What a little cutie pie.

Meanwhile, in Fort Myers, M15 and F23 decide to blanket little E23 with its huge crop (so big the eaglet can hardly move) with nesting material! SK Hideaways caught it on video.

Clive had the nest full of fish today! C10 and C11 had the biggest crops. They could not have felt any hunger! Notice that almost all the white down dandelions on their heads are gone. You can see the pin feathers coming in – everywhere -and they are now completely covered by dark thermal down. Both ate well today. No worries at all. 

Please send your positive wishes to Lori Covert who owns the land that the Captiva eagle and osprey nests are on. Her house has flooded from all the rain and there is ongoing issues with the wiring. 

‘A’ sends us the past reports for two days at Sydney—SE31 is sure a beauty:

January 18: It was a fine early morning and our juvenile was seen on the island at 7:30am, flying around a bit and then on the exposed mudflats nearby. Then after a short fly about, she disappeared into the mangroves behind River Roost. No adults were seen before this. Then later, at 9:30am, she was seen picking at bits of rubbish on the mudflats. Sometimes there may be dead fish for scavengers. However, human rubbish may cause injuries. There were no more reports until just after 4pm, when one adult was seen on River Roost, but SE31 was out of sight.

January 19: At 7:30am, no eagles were seen at the river. Shortly after, we spotted SE31 hidden in branches on the island. At 8:15am, she was seen flying low over the mudflats in Ermington Bay, behind the island. She was possibly hunting and flushed out other water birds – ibis, herons, ducks. As the tide was going out, more of the mudflats were exposed and we saw her picking at scraps on the mudflats. She spent some time flying about the island, swooped several times on one circuit by an angry magpie. We feel she was eating at one stage, though prey was not identified. At 9:30am, neither adult had been seen. I returned at 12:10pm, and finally saw her fly from low at River Roost to a higher branch. Finally, just after 6pm, one adult was seen down on the river, but SE31 out of sight.

At Port Lincoln, Dad comes in with a fish at 0946. Brad decides to chase Dad off the nest and Gil grabs the fish. Go figure!

I love Jackie and Shadow in the morning…thank you, SK Hideaways for these diamonds!

There is concern that neither egg at Berry College is viable. The average for hatch of Bald Eagles is approximately 36.5 days. Egg one is 42 days old today and egg two is 39 days.

On the 17th, the Decorah North Female (DNF) caught a pheasant and had a fantastic lunch on her snowy nest.

The smallest penguin visits the Royal cam nest in New Zealand.

A flock of over 100 Cedar Waxwings photographed in Oklahoma. This is a double ‘wow’.

Mark Smith caught an Osprey catching a very poisonous Manowar Jellyfish. 

The Cattle Egret is a common sight in the Caribbean. They are often around the cattle in Grenada and I have photographed them for many years. They are characters like Hugo Yugo. Today, the numbers in the UK have grown since 2008. Here is why.

Cattle-egrets-how-changing-climate-brought-a-bird-of-the-tropics-to-UK-Birds-The-GuardianDownload

A new approach in Mongolia is protecting the last Dalmatian Pelicans. BirdLife International tells how what is happening.

Saving-East-Asias-Last-Dalmatian-PelicansDownload

In case you missed it, ‘R’ has reminded me of the video at the end of the article on the Billion Dollar mouse. It is roughly 20 minutes long and is full of personal recollections that we think you will enjoy. 

This is the link: Vimeo.com/285024252

Please cut and paste.

Thank you for being with us today. Please take care. We look forward to seeing you again soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, articles, videos, photographs, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ’A, Geemeff, J, MSJ, R’, NEFL-AEF, WRDC, SW Florida Eagle Cam, SK Hideaways, Window to Wildlife, PLO, Chickiedee64, Raptor Resource Project/Explore.org, NZ DOC, Janice Blanton, Mark Smith, The Guardian, BirdLife International, Vimeo and Birdlife International.

Dual feeding at SW Florida, intruder lands on Gabby’s nest…Thursday in Bird World

18 January 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

It continues to warm up a bit on the Canadian Prairies. Right now – it is 1617 Wednesday afternoon – it is -17 C. But hang on. In one week it is forecast to be +4 C. Yes, you don’t your eyes checked, PLUS 4. Wow. That is going to be a great day to spend out at the nature centre. Soggy but wonderful. The animals will be delighted.

‘The Boyfriend’ survived the cold nicely and was staring at the garden door, waiting for his delivery of wet food this afternoon. If I do not respond, he now knocks. He is so bold and is so curious about the house but runs the minute I open the door or come near. 

Missey was watching from her perch on the cat tree. 

Calico is a regular alarm clock. 0837 on the dot for several days now. Then she just wants cuddles, not food. The others are still asleep! It is our special time together before the day begins.

Baby Hope at a weird angle. She still has her very bushy tail. That ‘look’ is almost hypnotic.

For some ‘trouble’ is their middle name, but for Hugo Yugo it is their FIRST name! I have tried to post videos of the play fights between Hugo Yugo and all the other three girls, but this system does not seem to want to accept them so, imagine, if you will, the little kitten pulling off the blankets and jumping on Hope this evening in a wild frenzy.

Hope gets away and Hugo Yugo looks up and is ready to pounce on the sofa.

Baby Hope resting by the twinkle tree. They will all get a second, third, and fourth wind…chasing, running, pulling ornaments off the tree. The blankets will be everywhere along with the toys! My goodness, the energy and the fun these little ones have.

And then there was this…Hugo Yugo! Hugo Yugo kneading Missey hoping to make milk. Goodness. And Missey just took it all in stride. 

It is just wonderful to see the garden animals and know that they did not succumb to the cold. Both Blue Jays are here getting peanuts along with Mr Crow.

The Black Capped Chickadees were eating the Black Oil Seed as well as the suet cylinders today.

Dyson ran too fast but I did get to photograph one of the kits at the feeder.

Oh, what a morning Wednesday was – Clive and Connie brought in five fish in three hours to the relief of everyone that had worried about their darling eaglets. What a power couple! So very happy that lots of fish got on that nest. Hopefully they can pile them up like Louis did at the E1 nest for a few years as there is a forecast of another bad weather system heading their way. Both C10 and C11 went to bed with big crops!

Jack is at the Captiva Osprey nest, but Ruby has been missing since her last visit on the 11th of January. That was only six days ago but Jack continues to call for her. I hope she is just having a spa time. Keep your fingers crossed.

There is no pip at the time of this writing for the second egg for Ron and Rita at the WRDC. It is 39 days old today and is, of course, clearly in the hatch window. No need to get too worried but if it were to go to 41, well…and I would feel sorry for that little eaglet because R6 will be ‘much bigger’. R6 might get to join the ‘only eaglet’ club of E23! 

What a difference from this fuzzy little chick to C10 and C11, who have almost lost their Mohawks completely.

Snug and warm under Mamma Rose.

As far as I know, there is no pip at Berry College. 

Looking at the eggs, is that nesting material? or the beginning of a pip?

Beau has new injuries to his feet. He has been busy all day trying to keep intruders away from Gabby, their egg, and the nest. One intruder landed on the nest tree and Gabby got rid of him. The time was 1552.

Unidentified intruder on branch while Gabby is calling out from the nest – it jumped in the nest and Gabby was calling and calling. It was a frightening moment for sure.

Beau is back on guard at the nest but has injured feet.

Didn’t see any eagles at the ND-LEEF nest in South Bend, Indiana – just their prints from earlier in the snow.

There is some fresh nesting material at Duke Farms, but no egg yet.

At Decorah North, DNF was in the trees while a beautiful red squirrel visited the nest tree and Canada Geese frolicked in the open water of the creek.

All is well at SW Florida. E23 continues to thrive and F23 has proven herself to be a great first time Mum.

E23 is never going to go hungry. M15 flew in with ‘something’ – did he get it at the Publix dumpster? (the butcher puts out food for M15). A dual feeding takes place around 1744 – E23 already had a big crop.

M15 reminds me of many of the male ospreys in the UK who love to feed their chicks and are great providers.

Here is the video of that dual feeding.

Jackie and Shadow were both at Big Bear today – gosh that nest has a gorgeous view.

At Port Lincoln, it seems that Giliath has found a place for fish – free fish? Smart little fledgling. Brad will be happy to eat all the fish brought to the nest. LOL.

So far, three fish deliveries. The 0637 was grabbed by Gil while the 0720 and the 0854 went to Brad. Dad came in with deliveries 1 and 3 and Mum brought in a partial fish in slot 2.

Everyone seems to enjoy spending time on the old barge.

It’s the first Royal Albatross hatch of the year (not the Royal Cam chick). Congratulations, first-time parents GBL and BYW!

There are so many wildlife cameras. This one is the BBC Winterwatch one. How many birds can you ID? 

Big Red and Arthur will begin work on their nest with regular visits starting in February. There is major construction going on within a close proximity – we will have to wait and see how this impacts the breeding season.

Do you adore fuzzy little raptor or bird babies? Check out the winners of the Audubon photo awards!

https://www.audubon.org/news/cuddle-these-ridiculously-cute-baby-bird-photos?ms=digital-eng-email-ea-newsletter-engagement_20240117_wingspan_&utm_source=ea&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=engagement_20240117_wingspan&utm_content=

Millions of Bramblings gather in Switzerland. Can you imagine what a sight that was?!

Brambling-mega-flock-wows-crowds-in-Switzerland-BirdGuidesDownload

Thank you so much for being with me today. Please take care. I look forward to having you with us again!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ’A, H, J’, Window to Wildlife, WRDC, Berry College Eagle Cam, NEFL-AEF, ND-LEEF Duke Farms, Raptor Resource Project, SW Florida Eagle Cam, SK Hideaways, FOBBV, PLO, BBC, Cornell RTH Cam, Audubon, Sharon Dunne, and BirdGuides.

C11 gets 2 great feedings…Wednesday in Bird World

17 January 2024

Hello Everyone,

Gosh, it warmed up here in Manitoba to a balmy -17 during the day. Everyone was smiling. Seriously, it feels so much warmer than yesterday (I am writing this on Tuesday so Monday). It is now -21 C just after midnight.

‘B’ sent me a note wondering about the falcon investigations and trials. I have mentioned the theft of Peregrine Falcon chicks and eggs sold as if they were bred from captive birds in the UK. There are actually several ongoing cases involving different individuals. And, yes, the time incarcerated is so little it is almost a joke, certainly not a deterrent when these birds are fetching such high prices in the Middle East. Maybe some of the other raptor numbers in decline are due to theft? I wonder how many other countries have nests that are targeted? And why aren’t they breeding their birds in the Middle East? That might help put an end to this despicable behaviour.

The girls are fine and so is The Boyfriend. He came up to the deck to eat Tuesday afternoon instead of having ‘delivery’. There were 13 European Starlings in the garden along with the usual group of garden animals. Everyone seems to have survived the very cold temperatures. I am smiling.

Calico continues to do well on her weight loss programme. She would love to have lots of treats, but she is getting used to have 3 or 4 little nibblers. She finally let me clean her right eye today. Now, will she let me cut her nails tomorrow? Oh, I love this cat. OK. I love them all. Surprise.

Missey enjoyed having a nap by herself while Hugo Yugo and Baby Hope tore up the house playing ‘kitty cat hockey’ with a ball of paper.

Hugo Yugo watching me as I put up paint swatches for the wall behind the cat tree. It is finally time to paint and bring some life to the walls! I just wonder if she will have some other stripes? (I did finally get the little bits off of that eye!). Hugo Yugo still has her round kitten face and she is getting so fuzzy…love the eye line that resembles that of a little osprey. 

The top of the cat tree is a 14 x 14 inch square. You can see how tiny this 4.5-month-old kitten is – half the square! Seven inches. Ever so little, but dynamite comes in small packages, and this is one huge character. Hugo Yugo runs her battery down to empty. If there is something to get into, she will find it. The twinkle tree has all its ornaments put on daily so that Hugo Yugo and Baby Hope can tear them off at night. Hugo Yugo seems to have two speeds – zero and 100 kph! Did I say I adore her? She is also the sweetest snuggle bug when her battery is completely flat.

On the other hand, Baby Hope is monster-size for a six-month-old. She has gorgeous almond-shaped, celadon-coloured eyes. She looks so much like Mamma Calico with that teardrop. Baby Hope is the first to come when you call her specific name and the one who always cleans up her food dish. She is a very gentle soul.

There are certain ways that Baby Hope turns her head, and I think, at a glance, that it is Calico. This is one of those.

Congratulations to Pepe and Muhlady on their second egg of the season laid Tuesday afternoon. Hard incubation and good positive wishes for this couple that lost their first clutch.

Ron made sure the nest was stocked for Rita and R6. That little one is a cutie—no word on a pip in the second egg.

With the bad weather, I am very concerned for little C11 at the Captiva Eagle Nest. 

‘A’ comments “The only food that was brought in today was the head of a catfish that Connie caught and obviously ate most of herself. She has to eat. The little ones got a few mouthfuls only – perhaps three or four at most for CE11, who did clean up the leftovers and even tried to swallow the bone. (CE10 did finish the ibis bone later in the day.) There has now been virtually no food at all for CE11 for over two days. If he doesn’t eat well tomorrow, he won’t make it. Luckily, the weather is forecast to clear, but it has been a very hard couple of days for the eaglets. CE10 has been no more aggressive than usual, which is a bonus, but if they have a third day like this tomorrow, there will definitely be at least one casualty on this nest, which is horrifying to contemplate. Clive brought nothing in all day, and only one speckled trout the day before (from which CE11 effectively got nothing). So this is a very unexpected situation for Captiva to find itself in… The good news is that both of the PSs I have seen from CE11 today have been healthy. That is something.”

“I’m praying for a large, early fish. Problem is that both parents are hungry too, so like early yesterday morning, when Connie headed off and quickly caught that catfish, only the remnants of its head were brought back to the nest at 08:17. CE11 did get three or four smallish mouthfuls off it – he got himself quickly to the table and it appeared that Connie wants both her babies to live because she was very careful to ensure that he got a little bit of that catfish head. Not much, but she coaxed him to start eating fast, not wait for CE10 to allow it! He also cleaned up a piece that had been left on the nest and even tried to eat a long thin bony bit (he picked any flakes off it first). So a couple of mouthfuls, though as I said, during the day he did do a couple of PSs that looked healthy. He had only two mouthfuls of the partial fish Connie brought in about 4.07pm and apparently spat one of those out. And he got nothing at all from the little piece of fish Clive brought in about 4:13pm. So CE11 has had just enough to survive a little longer. But he must eat and eat properly as early as possible today (17 January). At least both parents ate today and CE10 had enough to eat – just. She is, however, becoming much more aggressive towards CE11, who is in turn becoming increasingly submissive. At the last feeding of the day, around 4.17pm, CE10 got a small but adequate meal, while CE11 was too frightened to even lift his head until the food was pretty much gone. His hunger did drive him to take a few risks today, none of which really paid off for him. I’m very worried, though at least he’s still trying. He is looking a little unsteady though, perhaps suggesting he is getting a little weak and disoriented. Tonight, it is not raining and it is not too cold, so hopefully the little ones will dry out, which should help a bit with energy conservation.”

Ron is at the nest as of Wednesday night. Let us hope that C11 has had enough food and will get more fish tomorrow – oh, please. 

Great news. C11 has a huge crop! Life is good.

“Both eaglets have eaten now – you should watch that feeding (from about 08:08). CE11 was so smart. His crop is now actually larger than CE10’s! He has had a big morning – self-feeding, learning to shelter on the far side of Connie, and demonstrating sheer courage in the face of CE10’s aggression. And to cap everything off, he did a PS at around 08:03 that proved he still had something in the reserve tank – he would have made it another day, even had there been nothing to eat today IMHO. I could be wrong, but that’s what his behaviour and his PS suggested to me this morning.”

Small fish delivery by Clive. Every bite keeps C11 going until more food can come on the nest.

More fish came after 0900 and C11 is filling its tank again. C10 has already a huge crop.

There is concern for Ruby and Jack, the Ospreys at Captiva. ’H’ reports, “Ruby was last seen on cam on 1/11.  Jack was seen every day until yesterday, and was even bringing fish to the nest, waiting for Ruby.  Jack was a no show yesterday. The area has been inundated with really lousy weather for several days.  Lori has been at her Captiva home since 12/30.  She said that Ospreys in general seem to have vacated the immediate area.  Yesterday, the only O seen on cam was an unidentified flyby.”

The weather tapered off at Fort Myers. Little E23 is doing well – has had many full crops. No worries at this nest after the fright over the fish bone the other day.

A dual feeding, something that M15 loves to do! Precious.

R6 is doing fantastic. ’H’ reminds us: ”At Dade: No pip on R7 egg yet…will be 38 days today at 1355.”

At the NEFL nest, both get a fright. Pip watch should not be for another ten days, around the 27th, perhaps – if that egg is viable.ls

https://www.facebook.com/AEFNestCams/videos/1069926117588390/

The annual review of the year from Centreport, New York has been posted on FB. I cannot post those links on my blog but if you are interested, you can go to the FB page of the Centreport Eagles and find it. 

No word of a pip coming from Berry College yet.

‘H’ sends news and a video of the storm and damage at Hog Island. 

Storms-wreak-havoc-but-Queen-Mary-stays-High-and-Dry-Friends-of-Hog-IslandDownload

Good news coming out of Port Lincoln. The chick that was at Whaler’s Way fledged and has returned to the nest. Excellent news. This is that very precious nest on the cliffs.

At the Port Lincoln Barge, there were three fish deliveries by 1315. Gil got the breakfast fish at 0641 while Brad took the 1235 delivery by Dad and the large fish at 1315 delivered by Mum!

Condor in care doing well.

I am loving seeing all the birds from where I grew up. There were so many hawks then. Look at this beautiful image below. You might think it is a Red-tailed Hawk if you did not look at ‘the tail’. Look. It is a ‘Red shouldered’ Hawk and isn’t she a beauty? Wow.

The weather in Oklahoma dipped to 0 degrees F but felt like -17 F with the wind chill on Tuesday.

Big Red and Arthur were out with another hawk on the Cornell Campus on Tuesday. When it is cold the little critters hunker down. Big Red in all her glory. I am putting the photograph Suzanne took of the ‘visitor’ below. It has light eyes and could well be one of the Ms visiting the nest area. Big Red and Arthur did not seem to be concerned.

It’s cold everywhere and people are looking to feed the birds to help them make it through the freezing weather. Here is another recipe, a Vegan one, for bird suet.

A-Winter-Treat-for-Wild-Birds-Plant-Based-Suet-Real-Gardens-Grow-NativesDownload

Geemeff sent me this article showing the lovely poster that people received for supporting the efforts to get the mice off Marion Island.

Giving-back-the-Mouse-Free-Marion-Project-releases-a-poster-to-thank-its-many-supporters-Mouse-FrDownload

The December count for the Albatross at the Midway Atoll is in!

What has Audubon Florida been up over the past year? Here is a copy of the latest edition of The Naturalist. Have a look.

naturalist-winter-2023Download

White-tailed Eagle flying over Wales gives everyone a wonderful surprise. “White-tailed Eagle formerly bred in Wales, but has been absent since the 16th century. The recent reintroduction programme on the Isle of Wight has seen birds spread throughout southern England, resulting in the first English breeding record for 240 years in 2023.”

White-tailed-Eagle-causes-a-stir-in-Wales-BirdGuides-1Download

Thank you so much for being with me today. Take care of yourself. Stay warm and safe during these periods of extreme cold weather wherever you are. We hope to have you back with us soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, videos, posts, images, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ‘A, B, Geemeff, H, J’, Raptor Persecution UK, Gracie Shepherd, WRDC, Window to Wildlife, SW Florida Eagle Cam, SK Hideaways, WRDC, NEFL-AEF, Berry College Eagle Cam, Friends of Hog Island, PLO, Ventana Wildlife Society, Oklahoma Ornithological Society, Suzanne Arnold Horning, Real Gardens, Saving Marion Island’s Seabirds, USFWS, Audubon Florida, and Bird Guides.

Tuesday in Bird World

16 January 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

It is warming up on the Prairies for a couple of days. We hit a summery -16 C on Monday!!!!! There was some snow falling. It looks like snow was falling down in Texas too…there is some seen on the John Bunker Bald Eagle nest near Dallas.

It was raining in Fort Myers and little E23 wanted under Mamma. The thermal down is not all in. There are pin feathers coming. 

SK Hideaways catches F23 as the great Mumbrella for us.

F23 is still protecting her precious chick, E23, into the night.

R6 has been fed at the WRDC nest – I am not hearing any news about a pip in that second egg. Remember they were laid four days apart.

Oh, I wish Rose would be more cooperative when she is feeding R6! This little one is a real sweetheart.

It is pitching down rain at the Captiva Eagle nest of Connie and Clive. C10 and C11 are tucked under Connie as best she can!

The very heavy rain stopped at Captiva around 1715.

‘A’ writes: ”Connie flew off the nest about 06:53 this morning and immediately headed off for food. When she returned, it was with the head of a fish – she too must have been ravenously hungry. The little ones both got something to eat, CE10 more than CE11 of course (he largely had to pick up dropped scraps), and the eaglets are now hunkered down under mumbrella as the rain pours down. It’s as bad as it was yesterday and poor stoic Connie has been in this position for all but two of the past 12 hours or so. She is amazing. The garage door technique is her only option at this stage, with the eaglets growing so large, and today, CE11 has managed the prime position right under mum, happily, as he got the raw end of the deal quite a bit yesterday afternoon. “ Where is Clive? 

No rain for Muhlady yet at Superbeaks where she is partially incubating the first egg of the second clutch for her and Pepe.

It is dry, so far, for Gabby and V3.

Beau is protecting Gabby and the nest.

It is wet for Abby and Blazer at Eagle Country.

The snow appears to have stopped in Iowa and one of the eagles, looks like DNF, at Decorah North is plucking their dinner on the snowy nest.

Chandler was in and out quick checking the snowy Port Tobacco nest.

There was some quick work on the rails at Duke Farms by both Mum and the new Dad. Mum has been laying in the nest for some time Monday afternoon late and evening. Might there be an egg coming?

There was no noticeable pip on either egg at Berry College Monday night. Egg 1 is 39 days old today.

The first fish of the day came at 0732. Both Brad and Gil were on the nest and could see the arrival. It was tense. Gil got it. These are incredibly handsome lads.

Brad gets a nice late afternoon fish!

The most recent posting for SE31 at the Sydney Olympic Park and the Parramatta River. So grateful for the images that the BOGs are sending.

“January 16: all 3 Eagles were reported at the river early at 7:30, with a duet and SE31 calling too. I have noted that she was seen with prey yesterday, probably a fish, though no catch details. At 8:30, juvenile was at Juvie Roost and one adult nearby at River Roost when an osprey flew past, calling. The adult flew to SE31, as the osprey, possibly the young one,  continued upriver. The river is still very muddy, with floating rubbish. Then at 10:10am, SE31 was spotted on the island with prey, possibly a bird. She was eating, then distracted by the parents’ duet, and when changing branches, she appeared to drop it, though was seen pecking at scraps on the initial branch. She probably did not catch this herself, though delivery was not seen. She was heard whining again later, and at 11:05am, all members of the family were still around on their riverside roosts. Later, at 1:30pm, SE31 was on the island, but her parents were not seen until mid afternoon, at around 3:30pm, when they were both seen near Goat Island.”

‘M’ sent a note about an intruder at the Achieva Osprey Nest of Jack and Diane. A female. Jack didn’t mind. Was it, ‘M’ asks – one of their chicks visiting? I have old images of the heads of the fledglings. You will remember that the pattern on the head of the osprey is the ONLY part of their plumage that does not change. I wonder if it is Tiny Tot Tumbles? She has returned on a couple of occasions. ’M’ says, “…09:25:08 when an intruder came into and landed in nest with Jack. He allowed her to land in nest with no push back and I’m wondering if she might be a chick from previous years. She is certainly a beauty and I think Jack is really impressed by her.”

For all you Red-tail Hawk lovers, World Bird Sanctuary (Home of Murphy the BE that incubated the rock and raised a fledgling) has sent some news of two of their RTH releases that have trackers!

“Both of our former rehab patients that had radio transmitters put on them are doing well. Lynyrd, the juvenile Red-tailed Hawk, is covering quite a bit of ground as he moves around the city. He spent the first few nights near the release site before heading east, further into the city. Since then he has moved southward and is now moving back west while still remaining in St. Louis City. As a juvenile bird, Lynyrd doesn’t yet have an established territory. He will mostly likely not breed until his 3rd year (2025) and it will be interesting to see if he finds a territory before then or remains more nomadic. Check in tomorrow to see how the adult is doing! Forest Park Living Lab is a collaboration between the Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis University, the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center, Washington University in St. Louis, World Bird Sanctuary, and Forest Park Forever.”

It is always good to see birds safely released and living in the wild after receiving rehabilitation. 

Humans brought mice to the islands of the Southern Ocean. It took more than a million dollars to make Marion Island mouse-free. Can you imagine mice eating adult albatross and petrels? Well, that is what they did!

The-Million-Dollar-Mouse-Project-was-a-success-clearing-New-Zealands-Antipodes-of-its-alien-HousDownload

I tried to take a good photograph of the article about the Million Dollar Mouse that appeared in the Winter 2023 BTO News. It isn’t great.

The drawings are great and there is additional reading on the bottom right which is pretty clear.

More details about the father and son team that stole wild Peregrine Falcons and their eggs in Scotland and sold them on to the Middle East are coming to light.

More-detail-revealed-about-international-peregrine-laundering-case-in-Scotland-–-Raptor-Persecution-Download

It is winter everywhere. What is cold to me might not be the same temperature as it is in Iowa or Texas, but when the temperatures drop – we all get cold. Birds and animals. I grew up in Oklahoma, and they have posted a recipe to help the birds out in the winter. This could be a fun project! It is a great recipe and is much more cost-efficient than purchasing ready-made. This could be a great project to create interest in children – yours, at school and in youth groups. Bring in the science of how birds stay warm. What kind of food do they need – get them involved in making the suet! 

Because it is cold, the suet does not melt. It can be cut with cookie cutters or pressed into other forms such as paper cups that can be removed. A hole can be made, and they can be hung from branches.

Use only unsalted peanut butter, please. No bacon grease, etc. 

Thanks so very much for being with me today. Stay warm. Stay safe wherever you are. We hope to have you back with us again soon.

Subscribing is free. No ads. No spam. Most often, only one e-mail newsletter a day unless something really strange or exciting happens. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to compose my blog today: ’A, H, J, MP’, John bunker Tower Cam, SW Florida Eagle Cam, SK Hideaways, WRDC Eagle Nest, Window to Wildlife, Superbeaks, NEFL-AEF, Eagle Country , Raptor Resource Project, Port Tobacco Eagle Cam, Duke Farms, Berry College, PLO, Eagle Cam, Achieva Credit Union, World Bird Sanctuary, NZ DOC, BTO Winter News, Raptor Persecution UK, and the Oklahoma Ornithological Society.

R6 hatches, hatching underway in NZ…Monday in Bird World

15 January 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

We are still experiencing life threatening extreme temperatures with the wind chill. Without the wind, it is -25 C now as I am writing – fifty degrees difference between Winnipeg and Melbourne!

Hugo Yugo has been watching television ‘again’. Isn’t she adorable?

The others are fine, and so is ‘The Boyfriend’, who is snug as a bug in his super-insulated home. 

The Starlings had been in the garden, nearly 30 of them in November and December. Today, there were eleven that returned. They were eating snow and the solid suet cylinder on the big table feeder (it had fallen off its holden and broken).

I have a heater for the bird bath, but there was a problem with the closest plug, and the instructions say not to attach the cord to an extension cord. So I wait…I feel bad because studies repeatedly show that the birds need water more than seed, and if you feed seed in the winter, water should be provided.

The Pritchetts reported that it was a fish hook in E23’s mouth that M15 worked and got out. Was it that or a fishbone? Whatever it was, it was a miracle that M15 got it out. CROW was monitoring the situation. Thankfully, it was resolved by the hard work of M15 and F23.

Here is the video of that removal!

E23 is OK. What a relief. E23 is eating well later. As so many of you must be thinking – the best parents, lots of food, still do not protect these babies 100%. This precious little one, the only child to the new bonded pairing of M15 and F23, must thrive! That is all there is to it. I am so grateful that the Pritchetts and CROW monitor these events and will respond immediately if help is required.

It is 13:29 Sunday and the pip has turned into a pea size hole at the WRDC nest of Ron and Rita. Everyone is waiting for R6 to arrive safely.

Missing fish. Ron took it. Rita not impressed. Hopefully he will bring some back!

Pat Burke aka gr8lakes and all those staring at the screen waiting for the hatch are celebrating Sunday night. R6 is here!

HeidiMc made the best hatch video of the bunch and my system is not letting me post it directly. Please click on the link below and have a look at a nicely edited concise video from pip to hatch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSgwj-F6AwY

Rose talking to R6 as she appears to remove the last part of the shell.

So where is the food, Dad?

Good Morning Gabby.

Beau came and gave Gabby a much needed break in the afternoon.

Bella and Scout keeping a close watch over their nest and territory.

We so want Sauces Canyon to have an eaglet this year…8 eggs last year Audacity laid with no luck due to the lingering impact of the DDT sprayed and remaining in the area after fifty plus years. Send this couple positive wishes.

Both eagles were at the Dulles-Greenway nest today…Rosa and her new mate.

C10 and C11 are changing from little eaglets to getting their full thermal down and losing all those dandelions. Before we know it, they will have their juvenile feathers.

How many of you are checking out the Bald Eagle nest at Seagoville, Texas? You might just want to put this one on your watch list. It is in the John Bunker Sands Wetland Centre which is 25 SE of Dallas, Texas. The nest is 26 metres (85 feet) off the ground on the tower shown in the image below. The Eagles returned on the 10th of September. They are called Mum and Dad and both are believed to be approximately 19 years old.

The female is believed to be the one that was here in 2014 but there is a divided opinion on whether the male is the original or not.

Here is the link: 

It is so nice to get some news of dear Ervie!

Meanwhile, it was very rough at Port Lincoln today. Mum, Dad, and Gil were spotted on the old barge while Brad stayed at the nest.

Brad got the first two fish deliveries with Gil getting the mid-afternoon one at 1529.

The two oldest eggs at the Royal Albatross colony in NZ are hatching!

News coming from The Gambia of Rutland fledglings. 2H2 from 2022 seen!

Also caught on camera was Arthur, mate to Big Red, on the Cornell Campus. You could be fooled into thinking this is Big Red until you see the apron across the breast. Not Big Red but our darling Dad.

Some interesting nest building happening on Kauai this year. Will there be torrential rains to impact the eggs? Let’s wait and see if these Laysan Albatross are better predictors of the weather than the meteorologists!

The climate crisis is killing some of Scotland’s wildlife including the smallest raptors, the kestrels.

Grouse-and-kestrels-on-the-wane-as-climate-crisis-hits-Scottish-wildlife-Birds-The-GuardianDownload

Remember, the news at the bottom is not the least important. Often it is what comes to me right before I hit ‘publish’. A gamekeeper and his son pleaded guilty to selling wild peregrine falcons on the market in the UK. What is going on with their sentencing?

Sentencing-of-part-time-gamekeeper-son-deferred-in-international-peregrine-laundering-case-–-RaptoDownload

She is a special person and that is why I am including this today. You should remember Sacha Dench for her efforts in finding the answers to conserving the Ospreys and the flyway from the UK and Western Europe to West Africa. Some of her interviews with local people were linked to my blog – the goal was to get the people of West Africa on board with conservation efforts, and to do that, they needed education about the ospreys. 4K was the bird being followed at the time – the subject of Simon Curtis’s new book. That journey was undertaken after a horrific accident in the Scottish highlands. She is known as ‘The Human Swan’ because of her earlier 7000 km trip tracking the Bewick Swan and their migration from Russia’s Arctic region to the UK in 2016.  A crowd funder to get prosthetic legs for Sacha Dench has been opened. Here is the information.

Stepping-up-for-SachaDownload

Thank you so much for being with me today. Take care. Stay safe. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, videos, posts, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ’A, H, J, M’, SW Florida Eagle Cam, SK Hideaways, WRDC, Heidi Mc, Pat Burke, Gracie Shepherd, NEFL-AEF, NCTC, Deb Stecyk, Dulles-Greenway, John Bunker Sands Wetland Centre, PLO, @TimMacKrill, @CornellHawks, Sharon Dunne, Holly Parsons, Raptor Persecution UK, and Conservation without Borders.

M15 saves E23, Pips, eggs…Sunday in Bird World

14 January 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

Hearts were breaking. The worry beads were out. E23 had something stuck in its mouth. Was it a fishbone? Both M15 and F23 tried to get it out. Finally, around 0910, M15 got it out and that little eaglet was fed the RK Rabbit. (Thanks, ‘H’ for the great captures). Thousands of people breathed a little quieter. M15, you are amazing. Let us all send good wishes to this little one with the hope that there was no injury. 

It is a cold -25 C as I write this – with the wind chill it is -45 or -50 C in areas with cold weather warnings not to go out. Postings are up for people to please keep their pets inside. Winter has come. We will have several more days of -25 C and then it is going to warm up to -8 C. The weather has done this before and those little reprieves were great help – just to get outside and get some fresh air and go for a walk. 

Extremely cold temperatures. How could I not worry about this adorable Tuxedo?  He won’t come inside but will tell me when his dry kibble bowl is empty by banging on the garden door. ’The Boyfriend’ now has a heated bed in his insulated home. It all worked out. Calico gifted hers to him, and I crawled under the deck and got it all hooked up. Yes, he is in there! He should be very toasty. His insulated house has straw bales surrounding it on the top, the back and the sides. Only the front is open. There is straw inside and now a heated cat bed. He might never leave! I wonder if he will be wanting room service.

Calico is gorgeous. I love how the sun gives her a soft, golden look. On Monday, I will have ‘known’ Calico for a year. On 26 January, we will start the 7th month of Calico living inside. So far, she has not wanted to go out, but she has looked on occasion. 

Missey washed Hugo Yugo for over 30 minutes. I wonder if she is going to clean that eye! Notice how she is really holding that little one down. Hugo Yugo’s fur is getting very frizzy. 

Baby Hope is watching Missey clean up Hugo Yugo – she is also hoping she is not going to be next. Calico still holds her down and cleans her, too, despite the fact that she is almost as big as Mamma.

‘H’ is overjoyed and has sent me a close up of the pip at the WRDC nest of Rose and Ron. This egg is 38 days old today, I believe. The chatters have been wringing their hands in anxious anticipation. Now the wait for hatch!

Another view of that pip.

Rose on Sunday morning. Hatch in progress.

Over at Superbeaks, Muhlady has laid the first egg of her and Pepe’s second clutch. Congratulations! The time I was given was 1437.

No confirmed pip at Berry College at 1510 but chatters note some ‘suspicious’ spots.

We can clearly see the pin feathers coming in on the wings of E23 at the SW Florida Bald Eagle nest of M15 and F23.

You can see the ear. See the ‘hole – like a black dot’ in line with the corner of the beak. It will be covered with feathers as the eaglet develops.

C10 and C11 have not quite lost all the dandelions that make up their Mohawks, but the time is coming. There is lots of dark thermal down covering their bodies now and C10 was doing some standing today. Clive is keeping the nest full of prey. 

Lori Covert is looking for names for C10 and C11. Here is that announcement so you can take part. 

*NAMING* Time to name CE10 & CE11! The landowner is taking name suggestions. Around 1/19/2024 the land owner and her family will pick 2 names from the suggestions. If you’d like to submit names you can direct message Lori on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/C2A0dTTpZr8/) or you can email her at lcovert@covertmarketing.com

Beau continues to help out with incubating the egg at NE Florida. Gabby and him have a short conversation at the last turn over of the day Saturday night.

Snow continues in Iowa. It looks wet and heavy. You can really hear the wind. Compare the top image with the bottom captured later in the evening.

Raining in Pittsburgh at the Pittsburgh-Hayes nest.

Chat moderators are reminding us that the first mating of the 2024 eagle season for Jackie and Shadow at Big Bear was 31 December. Some are thinking we could have eggs soon. I wonder. It is really windy Saturday night at the nest. I did not see the eagles there today, but I might have missed them.

At Port Lincoln, the day has started off good for both Brad and Gil have had a fish breakfast.

Report from WBSE, thanks, ‘A’: ”January 13: The first observation for the day was of one adult at River Roost at 11am, shortly joined by the other. Then, at 11:45am, what appeared to be a subadult was seen circling overhead, though neither adult seemed to take any notice. At 12:25pm, our juvenile was seen circling higher and higher, out of sight. Shortly afterwards, at 12:50pm, she was seen at Juvie Roost. More tomorrow if there’s any action.”

And here is that report: ”

January 14: Our juvenile was spotted on Mangrove Island at around 8:20am, though no parents were seen by our river watcher. Shortly before, one eagle was seen to fly to the Goat Island area and catch a huge fish, which it sadly dropped. SE31 was spotted flying high over the river, over the Homebush Bay area, for a good 30 minutes, returning to Mangrove Island at 10:20am with a raven escort. At around the same time, an adult was reported at Goat Island. Heavy rain began at around 4pm, steaming up our cameras. SE31 was seen at around 5pm taking a short flight around the island, watching the water intently. “

Nice to see Sally at the nest at Moorings Park on Saturday.

The Sauces Cam in the Channel Islands of Jak and Audacity is now live.

Hartley and Monty are flirting…. I wonder when we will have eggs. Any thoughts?

Ever since the discussions of Beau’s ‘missed opportunities’ at the NEFL nest with Gabby, there have been more and more postings of young males ‘missing their mark’. D3 at Centreport is one, and in ‘Red-tails in Love’, it was pointed out that Pale Male, the resident RTH in Central Park, was amorous with a head as well. They learn. But then you have the shock of the egg to the first time Mum (and/or Dad) and then that chick screaming for food. It has to be as overwhelming for them as it is for us.

Parrots. I recently posted a short blurb about the parrots in the UK. There are also parrots all over Stuttgart, Germany. I am including this because these are our feathered friends, but it also demonstrates how a small action can make a big difference to the lives of the birds we love so much. It does not take thousands of people just a few informed, dedicated, and persuasive individuals to get to the right government departments. They need to be organised and convince these people that helping the birds is also helping humans!  

So where did the parrots in Stuttgart come from? Bianca Han writes in the Stuttgart Amazonian: ”It all began in 1984, when a yellow-headed amazon (Amazona oratrix), presumably escaped from a private enclosure, was repeatedly spotted on the grounds of Wilhelma in Stuttgart. Apparently there were several unsuccessful attempts to catch the amazon and it is rumored that animal rights activists took pity on the lonely amazon and bought another one and set it free. The two parrots found each other as a pair and raised three young in 1986. The population has grown steadily ever since. In 1995, 16 were counted and a further 10 years later as many as 38 parrots. At the end of the 1990s, two ringed blue-fronted amazons joined the population. It is not known where they came from. One disappeared after a short time, the other became a long-term partner for the yellow-headed amazon “Thea”. The population is growing very slowly. It stagnated for many years and even declined in some cases. Some years it fluctuated between 50 and 60 Amazons. In the winter of 2017 to 2018 and the following year, the population grew to 65 amazons each year (including one amazon that was in care to recover from injuries). In January 2021 I was able to count 62 parrots.” An organisation was formed to save the parrots. ”Regularly from February, the wild parrots begin to eat tree hazelnuts on the ground. Unfortunately, in recent years many places frequented by parrots have been thoroughly cleaned by the Stuttgart City Cleanup. On a smal strip of green just under two meters wide, the parrots have found their way. On one side runs the tram and on the other side runs a busy road. At the beginning of 2023, we were able to register many accidents. We were able to see some collisions with vehicles, which luckily turned out glimpse. Two Amazons had to be treated by veterinary surgeons. One remains permanently incapacitated another could return to the flock after 5 weeks. We miss some Amazons, who regularly visited the place for food intake. We have become aware of the urgent need to create alternative safe feeding grounds for them and to maintain existing ones. For this reason we have now established the association “Freundeskreis Stuttgarter Amazonen”. Hahn adds, “You can support the unique wild population of the Yellowhead Amazon by becoming a member of our association, by making a donation or by purchasing our annual calendar. More information at www. stuttgarter-amazonen. de

The first success of the Association Freundeskreis Stuttgarter Amazonen e.V. was the planting of two Hazelnut Trees by Netze BW Wasser GmbH. They also agreed to protect the Stuttgart Amazons. “On Thursday, November 23, 2023, the replanting of two tree hazel trees took place on a Netze BW site. Especially in the fall, the Amazons spend some days in this protected and inaccessible area, as there are already fruit and walnut trees here. It is to be hoped that the newly planted hazel trees will become a focal point for the Amazons in the winter months in the medium term.”

Parrots have been in the Hesse region of Germany for millions of years. ”Fossil finds have shown that around 50 million years ago, in the Eocene period, parrots lived in Hesse. Their remains can be found today in the sediments of the Messel Pit near Darmstadt. Parrot bones from the so-called Miocene (around 29 million years ago) have also been found in France and Germany. After that, Europe was long considered the only continent on which no free-living parrot species could be found. The colorful birds could only be admired in private holdings, bird parks or zoos.”

It is fascinating. I hope to learn more. Thank you to ‘J’ for bringing this to my attention after the UK posting and for translating the information from German to English using the free version of DeepL.com

Saturday is Ferris Akel’s tour around the area of Ithaca, New York. Of particular interest today were a lovely Red-headed Woodpecker and a pair of Mute Swans that are not local. Mute Swans are identified by their orange bill, and the know between their eyes at the top of the bill.

This would be true for all our wildlife.

Thank you so very much for joining me today. Please take care. See you soon!

Subscribing is free. You get the blog in your inbox daily. You can unsubscribe at any time!

Thank you to the following for their notes, information, posts, articles, videos, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ’A, H, J’, WRDC, Lloyd Brown, Superbeaks, Berry College Eagle Cam, Lisa Kitchens Simms, SW Florida Eagle Cam, Window to Wildlife, NEFL-AEF, Raptor Resource Project/Explore.org, PIX Cams, FOBBV, PLO, Bart M, Eagle Cam, Moorings Park, Gracie Shepherd, SK Hideaways, Teresa Rose, Ferris Akel Tours, and Animal Welfare Watch.

Saturday in Bird World

13 January 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

Hugo Yugo and I are in the conservatory. She is tearing up a napkin – no one told her she isn’t a budgie! The male Downy is at the suet cylinder, Dyson is getting peanuts out of the small table feeder, and about 50 sparrows of various types are going after Black oil seed. It is -21 C. The sky is a light baby blue – some haze – and the sun is beginning to shine. I am so grateful that the booster on the furnace vent and the little space heater are doing their jobs today so that we can stay out in this wonderful place. Mr Crow has been here and returned just now to get some peanuts. Life is good.

As of this morning, egg #1 at WRDC is 38 days old. We are on pip/hatch watch at both WRDC and Berry College. 

Missey is watching a Crow getting ready to fly down for peanuts. Hugo Yugo wants to get up and catch a glimpse!

Hugo Yugo is like a miniature tiger. She is fearless and loves to play fight with Hope. Typically, Hugo Yugo will attack by running about 3 metres and leaping on Hope’s back. Hope really enjoyed the play and is ‘gentle’ with Hugo Yugo.

I am reminded that we have the power over how our day will go simply by waking up and finding the beauty in the ‘world’ around us. For me, it is the girls and the garden animals. I continually say that I cannot image life without them. Do you have a place to put out a water bowl for the birds? Or a feeder? I promise you that the single act of providing for the animals will bring you much happiness. (LOL. For me, the wildlife is so much better than playing pickleball).

Blue Jays carefully select their peanuts trying them out to make sure they get the heaviest one. This is the Baby from the summer and he will fly over to a branch where he will use the branch to break the shell of the nut.

Now s/he is going to try their luck with the pile of peanuts on the big tray feeder.

They used the side of the feeder to break open the shell this time.

The rain did come to The Hamlet. Gabby and Beau taking turns incubating their only surviving egg (the first was buried by Beau and could not be retrieved by either eagle from the nest).

Beau came in to give Gabby a break. Oh, I am so hoping this egg is viable. That is a 180 degree turn for me. They are working together now. Let’s hope.

Nothing seems to be happening with the eggs at the WRDC as of noon Friday.

Neither Ron nor Rose are giving anything away.

We are on pip and hatch watch for Berry College, too. Gosh, the waiting for Berry and the WRDC nest are getting folks weary….

No rain for Abby and Blazer at Eagle Country.

Rabbit for breakfast for E23 at the SW Florida nest of M15 and F23.

SK Hideaways caught it -. Oh, poor F23.

As Saturday night’s storm approached the nest of M15 and F23, both were on the nest. Later, F23 really showed that she can be a huge mombrella.

C11 really chowed down on that fish that came to the nest around 10:36 on Friday. It was wonderful seeing that little eaglet eating well. Both had hilariously big crops!

Gracie Shepherd caught Chase at the Two Harbours Outlook on Friday.

Lady was doing some ‘teaching’ for SE31 on Saturday in Australia.

At Port Lincoln, Dad brought in a small fish and Mum took it. Brad and Gil have not had any fish and it is early afternoon. The water is a little choppy – look at the white caps behind the nest. I wonder, too, when Mum and Dad will be hoping these two try their luck at fishing.

Today I received a special edition of BirdLife International, the Jan-March 2024 issue, that examines the changes in the Red List of Birds. One of the species that has been ‘downlisted’ to Near Threatened from Threatened status. 

Animalia describes the Lesser Adjutant: ”A large stork with an upright stance, a bare head and neck without a pendant pouch, it has a length of 87–93 cm (34–37 in) (outstretched from bill-to-tail measurement), weighs from 4 to 5.71 kg (8.8 to 12.6 lb) and stands about 110–120 cm (43–47 in) tall. The only confusable species is the greater adjutant, but this species is generally smaller and has a straight upper bill edge (culmen), measuring 25.8–30.8 cm (10.2–12.1 in) in length, with a paler base and appears slightly trimmer and less hunch-backed. The skullcap is paler and the upper plumage is uniformly dark, appearing almost all black. The nearly naked head and neck have a few scattered hair-like feathers. The upper shank or tibia is grey rather than pink, the tarsus measures 22.5–26.8 cm (8.9–10.6 in). The belly and undertail are white. Juveniles are a duller version of the adult but have more feathers on the nape. During the breeding season, the face is reddish and the neck is orange. The larger median wing coverts are tipped with copper spots and the inner secondary coverts and tertials have narrow white edging. The wing chord measures 57.5–66 cm (22.6–26.0 in) in length. Like others in the genus, they retract their necks in flight. In flight, the folded neck can appear like the pouch of the greater adjutant. Males and females appear similar in plumage but males tend to be larger and heavier billed.”

The success in protecting the Lesser Adjutant and its habitat and its downgrading is due to “Community efforts have been key to raising awareness and conserving these attractive birds, their nesting sites and habitats. While numbers are still declining in several locations, the rate of the population’s decrease on a global scale is estimated to be slowing” according to Birdlife (29).

“Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus)” by Koshyk is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

One species that has sadly been uplifted is the Palm Cockatoo. Cockatoos make their nests in the holes of old trees – just like my local squirrels and woodpeckers. Those trees are being cut down at a tremendous rate for logging. At the same time fires are also destroying habitat while trapping illegally for the international pet trade is another threat.

Animalia describes our bird, “The Palm cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) is a large parrot of the cockatoo family native to New Guinea, Aru Islands, and Cape York Peninsula. “Palm cockatoo” has been designated the official name by the International Ornithological Committee (IOC). The species was named the “Goliath Aratoo” in Wood’s Natural History (1862). It is also sometimes given the misnomer “black macaw” in aviculture although the macaws are unrelated New World parrots.” ”The Palm cockatoo is a black or smoky-gray parrot from the cockatoo family. It has a distinctive appearance, having a large crest and one of the biggest beaks of any parrot, a beak unusual in itself, as the upper and lower mandibles do not meet along much of the length, which allows the bird’s tongue to hold a nut in place against its top mandible while its lower mandible does the work to open it. Between the eyes and the beak, there is a patch of bare skin, red in color. There is also a distinctive red patch on the cheek that changes color if the bird is excited or alarmed. In young birds, their underfeathers are lined with pale yellow, and in birds under the age of 18 months, the tip of the beak and the ring around the eye are white.”

“Palm Cockatoo Nimbokrang” by Garima Bhatia is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

You know about the parakeets in London, right?

Country-diary-Parakeets-on-my-feeder-while-Im-on-the-fence-Birds-The-GuardianDownload

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

Subscribing is free. You can unsubscribe anytime!

Thank you to the following for their notes, articles, videos, posts, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: NEFL-AEF, Carol Shores Rifkin, Window to Wildlife, Eagle Country, Berry College Eagle Cam, SW Florida Eagle Cam, SK Hideaways, Gracie Shepherd, Chang-le Dong, PLO, Bart M, BirdLife International, Animalia, Openverse, and The Guardian.

Friday in Bird World

12 January 2024

Good Morning,

We had an ‘Alberta Clipper’ hit southern Manitoba overnight on Wednesday, and when we woke up Thursday morning, all of the main roads surrounding the city were closed. They reopened at 0845, but many city streets were blocked. There is not a vehicle moving where I live. It is wonderfully quiet. What was different, also, was the traffic at the bird feeders. The Crows arrived – two of them – for peanuts. They were joined by five woodpeckers, 4 Chickadees, and 2 Blue Jays, the usual cohort of squirrels and sparrows.

I have been talking about the Crows and how I noticed that they have not been around the neighbourhood. It was worrisome. The other day, I saw one at the corner waiting for a neighbour to put out food. They were not coming to the garden. Today they are here. Oh, tears. Joyful tears.

Our City has marked diseased trees and sadly, their nesting trees are due for cutting. We are all hoping that they will find another tree. These trees were planted in 1902. They are huge and made a beautiful canopy once the leaves were fully out in the spring. It is so sad to see them needing to be taken down. There are others being planted in their place but it will be a decade or more before they are even a decent height, never mind 60 for 70 feet in height.

The Blue Jay in profile is the baby that slept with the ornamental birds in the garden last summer. It is here with its dad, Junior. These seem to be the only two Blue Jays still in the neighbourhood that did not migrate (or die).

The male Downy. Notice the red patch at the back of the head near the nape.

This is the male Hairy Woodpecker.

One of Dyson’s kits was enjoying peanuts, too!

It is one of the female Downy Woodpeckers eating the suet on the big table feeder.

As a result of the activity in the garden, I spent much time in the conservatory watching rather than on the computer – something that I ask all of you to do! It was so nice. There is no hatch news so it is simply the status quo so far.

Iowa got some snow, too, and the eagles at Decorah North were doing a bit of cleaning up.

The Hatchery Eagles stayed in the trees.

Sunny Florida on Thursday. At the nest of Gabby and Beau, Beau is really coming into adulthood. He is helping Gabby and has incubated twice on Thursday. As the hatch approaches, let us all send positive messages that this egg is viable and that Beau begins to bring prey to Gabby and their chick.

We do not ever have to worry about E23 not getting enough prey!

E23 tried to yank that rabbit out of the nesting material to eat it today. Our little eaglet is getting pin feathers and will soon have some dandelions as the thermal down comes in. You can also now see the ear.

Rose is not giving any hints at the WRDC nest on Thursday.

At Captiva, C10 and C11 are sleeping with the fishes.

Shadow brought in the first fish of this season on Wednesday!

Heavy rains caused flooding at the Duke Farms Bald Eagle nest on Wednesday.

SE31 continues to put smiles on our faces. 

Changeover at the Royal Albatross Colony. Everything is OK.

Marri’s return to the nest and – some memories thanks to SK Hideaways.

In California, Monty and Hartley want one another’s breakfast!

The Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey in Maitland – one of our favourite wildlife rehabilitation centres – released its 700th eagle into the wild! This is where Bailey, the Osprey, is an ambassador and where Connick was cared for before going off to the Smithsonian as an Ambassador.

Audubon-Center-for-Birds-of-Prey-Celebrates-700-Eagle-Release-Milestone-Audubon-FloridaDownload

Why is the Jackdaw the most beloved Corvid in the UK?

Birdwatch-why-the-jackdaw-is-Britains-most-endearing-crow-Birdwatching-The-GuardianDownload

Why is the population of Winter Finches in decline? Audubon gives us some answers. 

A-Beloved-Winter-Finch-Is-In-Decline—and-Scientists-Want-to-Know-Why-AudubonDownload

You are looking at the only breeding pair of Short-tailed Albatross at the Midway Atoll and they are feeding a chick. They also breed on Mukojima, Ogasawara Islands, Japan.

Pesky intelligent Kakapo do not like staying in their enclosure.

New comes about one of the Hancock Eagles from British Columbia.

Thank you so much for being with me today. We are anxiously awaiting a pip or hatch at both the WRDC and Berry College. See you soon!

Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, and streaming cams that helped me to compose my blog today: ’A, H, J’, Raptor Research Project, NEFL-AEF, Jan Lester, SW Florida Eagle Cam, WRDC, FOBBV, Duke Farms, Window to Wildlife, Eagle Cam, SK Hideaways, Audubon Centre for Birds of Prey, The Guardian, Audubon, Friends of Midway Atoll, Robyne Hocking, and Hancock Wildlife Foundation.

Jack blown off nest…Wednesday in Bird World

10 January 2024

Good Morning,

Oh, that -21 C was a bit brisk yesterday! It was still cold, -15 on Tuesday, but it didn’t seem quite so bitter. The Blue Jays and the Woodpeckers were out feeding alongside the squirrels and the sparrows. It is always reassuring to see them!

The male and female Downy Woodpeckers come and go to the feeder. They are enjoying that hunk of suet. This is the female. I could see the red feathers at the nape of her neck. Looks like a smudge in the image but you can see it, too. 

‘J’ told me that they do not have Blue Jays in Germany. She loves them and I am thrilled that she ‘met’ these amazing Corvids through this blog. ’J’ found a video of a Blue Jay shovelling snow. I have seen the ones in the garden do this same manoeuvre to get to seed.

‘The Boyfriend’ was outside. Seriously. How could you not feed this lovable guy?

Missey was staring at him from the Conservatory table.

An affectionate moment between Missey and Hugo Yugo.

Another adorable face. Yes, she has me wrapped around her tiny, tiny paw.

Calico has signalled it is story time and Baby Hope is getting ready to jump up!

Calico is ready to hear about Pale Male.

If you do not know who Pale Male was, then get your detective hat on! You should be able to find the documentary for free. Thelegendofpalemale.net

Indeed, this is what the two Blue Jays have had to do for a few days in southern Manitoba.

In the UK, Swans ring bells for food!

C10 does seem to get the bulk of the food at the Captiva nest despite not being aggressive (lately) to C11. Regardless, though, both eaglets appear to be doing extremely well.

‘A’ sent in some observations of Captiva – warning some beaking discussion: “CE10 had a large breakfast this morning while little CE11 didn’t manage to get up to the table for quite some time, and when he did, he was ignored by Clive, who at that stage stopped feeding the kids and ate a large meal himself!! However, interestingly, CE11, who at that stage had prime position, CE10 having gone into a food coma, began to attempt to self-feed on the side of the fish Clive was eating. The fish had not been unzipped along that side, so CE11 had to peck through the skin, but there was a distinct dent in the side of the fish by the time he finished (he was quite persistent, continuing to attempt to self-feed for a minute or two, and getting some flakes of fish from the exercise, so it was an excellent first effort – he may need it, as ever since the slightly hungry day three days ago, CE10 has been a little more aggressive in ensuring first position at the feedings and CE11 has become a little less confident. Eventually, though, he generally gets fed, as this nest sees a large number of speckled trout thanks to Clive (he has already brought in a nice very big trout this morning, and of course there were nestovers there already). CE11 did get fed at the second feeding, shortly after 8am, and I’m sure will get plenty to eat later on as well. CE10 woke up with a large crop, which was refilled at the first feeding. CE11 had one too, but crop dropped fairly early on, waiting for some breakfast that didn’t come until the second feeding, and he could have eaten a fair bit more there as well. CE11 does start a lot of the bonking – it is worth noting, though, that CE11 has some avian form of restless legs syndrome. Since the earliest age, little CE11 has been flapping his tiny wings in his sleep. And now, for some reason, CE10 has started objecting to being woken up by CE11’s dreams of flying. Several recent bonking episodes have been started this way, with poor little CE11 getting woken from sleep by an attacking CE10, who has been annoyed by a random wing slap in CE11’s sleep. In one such episode early this morning, CE10 had hold of the front of CE11’s throat and was really twisting and tugging at it. I was quite concerned about the potential damage, given that it was the front of the neck rather than the scruff that was being twisted by a pretty sharp, vicious-looking beak, albeit a relatively small one.”

M15 and F23 prepared for the upcoming storm. Squirrel and fish on the nest to keep E23 well fed and they will hunker down if it gets bad.

There was a beautiful and tender time at the SW Florida nest when M15 joined F23 in feeding their only eaglet, E23.

Here it comes.

I am continuing to track the storm that is hitting Superbeaks harder than at Fort Myers. There is some concern that Muhlady has gone into labour and is laying the first egg of their second clutch. Here is the weather map. It is 1855 in Florida.

This is at Superbeaks.

Muhlady flew off the nest around 17:43.

The wind is blowing hard up at The Hamlet with Gabby incubating as the rain starts. You can hear the howling wind.

Later. The winds have picked up and Gabby is still protecting that egg. The nest tree is really starting to sway.

This is Fort Myers at the same time. It is windy there, too, but the rain has not come. It will be there soon enough but it looks like the bulk of the storm hit the central and NE areas of Florida.

Still rather quiet a few hours later for F23 and E23 in the nest at Ft Myers.

This is Abby at Eagle Country at the same time. The cam focused on the nest tree shows that rain is starting to fall but it does not appear to be too windy yet.

Abby hunkered down but things are a little quieter at Eagle Country.

The winds were blowing hard in the morning at the Achieva Osprey Nest. Jack and Diane had even lined the egg cup with bark and then…the strong winds blew Jack and part of the nest off! Those winds had calmed by evening.  There were no chicks and no eggs and – well, that is sure a relief.

Thanks B. Snyder for capturing that horrific moment.

Cali Condor Jackie and Shadow at the nest. Oh, don’t we love the couple. I really hope they get to raise an eaglet or two this year.

Rotating eagles in the Kisatchie National Forest E1 nest.

At Port Lincoln, both Brad and Gil have had some fish before noon. The supplementary fish yesterday appears not to have been the one on the nest but one that got dropped in the water from the information on the obs board. My error. Apologies. Thanks ‘VS’.

‘A’ sends the report on SE31: ”January 10: No parents were seen on the river early when our watcher was there shortly after 7am. At 8am, SE31 appeared, flying from behind the island to move to River Roost. She may have been eating earlier – hopefully – though not seen. In the attached photo from early in the morning, she is possibly clutching something. At around 2pm, one adult was seen near Goat Island. No more day reports. In the late afternoon, at 5:10pm, one adult was reported at Burns Bay, honking away. The other may possibly have been there as well, and was confirmed shortly after. Then, at 5:30pm, SE31 was seen on the island.”

My addition: Just look at this magnificent sea eagle!

“At Orange, Marri was seen and heard today and Diamond was in and out of the scrape a lot as usual. Time stamps for the day are as follows: BONDING 06.06.36 X arrives for brief bonding RECAP 07.23.46, 15.42.00-15.42.15 Marri heard; Diamond was watching 14:41:16 fly down, 14:41:39 fly up & short scream, 14:49:03 another fly up & short scream; Marri involved?; 14.49.03 (?) Marri fly up; Marri screaming outside until 15:42:19; 17:37:50 Marri heard in the distance, then D flies out. Diamond was most recently back in the scrape around 20:35:28 and left at 20:42.” Thanks, A.

Humans. What can we say? Why would anyone do this?

We are getting closer and closer to the hatch of the Royal cam chick/s. This is what you can expect in the coming days.

There is a book coming out that I am very interested in because I spent much time at Belvoir when I lived in the UK. Simon Curtin has written, If You Build It, He Will Come – about the ospreys return to Belvoir after 200 years. Geemeff says, “In particular, the story of Blue4K, fledged at Rutland in 2013, who found a mate and bred for the first time in 2022 at the late age of nine years old. He was sat-tagged in 2018, and followed by Sacha Dench on the Flight of the Osprey expedition and successfully sighted in his winter home in Dobire, Guinea. The author adds “all my profits from the book will be donated to conservation charities so anything you can do to spread the word will help sell more copies when it is published on 27th February, and raise more money for good works.“ More to come when it is released.

Thank you so much for being with me today. Take care everyone. Stay safe. See you soon.

Thank you to the following for their notes, videos, posts, and streaming cams that helped me to write my blog today: ’A, Geemeff, H, J’, SPO, Our Blue Planet, Window to Wildlife, SW Florida Eagle Cam, Lady Hawk, Weather Tracker, Superbeaks, NEFL-AEF, Eagle Country, Achieva Credit Union, B Snyder, FOBBV Cam, Cali Condor, Tonya Irwin, PLO, Bart M, A Place Called Hope, Kakapo Recovery, Ventana Wildlife Society, Simon Curtin, Sea Eagle Cam, and Holly Parsons.

Tuesday in Bird World

9 January 2024

Good Morning Everyone,

It is -21C on the Canadian Prairies. The cold weather has arrived. It was a good day to wake up to hot coffee and warm cardamon rolls out of the oven. LOL. The girls didn’t care! They wanted breakfast and story time before I started my day. Calico now ‘walks’ me out to the conservatory sofa to read. It is too funny. The cats have me fully trained. 

As you know, if you have read my blog over the summer of 2023, a large family of Crows lives in my neighbourhood. They bring their fledglings to the garden to get peanuts and for the bird bath, where they dunk their food and have baths. The numbers have decreased since the end of autumn, and I am worried about them. Today, I was happy, but simultaneously sad, to see a single crow at the corner waiting for another person who feeds birds. I know she specifically feeds the crows, but where are the others?

I have also been reading more about Crows, and if you are interested in the intelligence level of the members of the Corvid family include Crows, Ravens, Magpies, and Jays, I have a book for you! It is called Bird Brains, and it is by Candace Savage. This is the latest edition from 2018. 

I was impressed by the writing that drew me in and made the new findings on this amazing species’ intelligence level relatable. The photographs are top-notch. (Sorry about the glare from the light)

The introduction included mention of anthropomorphism. Put simply it is ascribing human traits to animals. if, however, you study the behaviour of animals, the apologies of individuals such as many on chat for doing just that will more than irk you. 

Savage discusses the ‘ascription of meaningful intelligence to nonhuman creatures’ as problematic. She notes that at a point, scientists and researchers into behaviourist psychology who looked into memory, insights and thoughts stopped looking at nonhumans. Some had been tricked, and she noted that no one wanted to be embarrassed. It paused the subject of knowledge and intelligence…She notes that anyone who dared to state that nonhumans were intelligent was accused of the dreaded anthropomorphism. Savage’s entire book bunks the notion of ‘dumb animals’, stating that humans ‘have a lot invested in keeping animals dumb’ (19). Think about it – humans can treat animals any way they want if they believe they do not feel pain, have feelings, share emotions, solve problems, etc. Savage points to the research of many, including Irene Pepperberg from the University of Arizona, who concludes that Corvids are superbly intelligent, capable of identifying items by name, able to distinguish similarities and differences in objects, as well as ‘capable of acquiring complex vocal and nonvocal behaviours that many scientists believe are co-or prerequisites for referential communications’. Pepperberg, in her research, discovered that Corvids have the same cognitive capacities as primates. Indeed, their superior powers might be higher than primates (18).

If you are interested in avian behaviour and love the Corvid family or want to learn more about the intelligence of our feathered friends, this is an excellent book. It is well-written, wonderfully illustrated, and at a good price point. 

One of my favourite Corvids, the baby Blue Jay from the summer, came to visit the feeder on Monday. Delighted to see it!

The girls are doing great. The plumbers were here again today – they will be finishing up tomorrow – and I could not ask for better behaviour. They all stayed out of the way of any danger!

Missey has a new sleeping spot. It is on top of one of the tallest cabinets – almost touching the ceiling – next to a carved cat on a skateboard that my late friend, Charlie Scott, made. Missey is very smart. What a safe place and out of the way of Calico. They do not always get along. I would say they tolerate one another.

Hugo Yugo and Calico slept on the cat tree together, ignoring the workers who dumped the vanity behind them piled with anything and everything.

I was so delighted when ‘AM’ sent me some beautiful images they had taken of Blake Kites near their home in Japan.

Nature Japan gives us some information on one of the country’s most beautiful raptors: ”The Black Kite or “Tobi” トビ as it is known in Japanese is a common sight in the skies throughout Japan. This raptor is thought to be the world’s most abundant bird of prey. Its numbers are healthy and is under no threat.

This bird can be mainly found in Eurasia, Australasia, Oceania and is a year-round resident here in Japan. You can see this powerful looking bird often soaring in the thermals high above coastal areas, rivers and lakes. I’ve also seen them in farming areas throughout the Kansai region of Japan. They are very graceful flyers that soar with ease and turn with precision.

Male and female Black Kites look very similar and are very opportunistic hunters. They prey upon fish, rodents, and other birds. They are also known to scavenge which is one of the reasons they are so successful a species. I have watched them dive towards the ocean plucking fish from the water and I have also seen them dive-bomb people at highway rest stops trying to steal their rice balls and bento box lunches.” Their only predator is the Eurasian Eagle-owl. “This powerful owl can easily pick off even adult Black Kites and can sometimes be found in northern parts of Hokkaido (common throughout Europe and other parts of Asia).”

Wilde Nature gives us the size variations for these birds of prey: “The Black-eared Kite is a medium-sized bird of prey, measuring about 45–55 centimetres in length with a wingspan of up to 150 centimetres. The distinguishing feature of this subspecies is the black patch of feathers on the sides of the head, located behind the eyes, which gives it its name. Its eyes are dark brown; its bill is short and hooked. The outer wing feathers are black, with dark crossbars and a mottled base. The underparts are pale brown and become lighter towards the chin. The body feathers have a dark shaft, giving it a striped appearance. The corner of the mouth is yellow, but the bill is black. Male and female birds look the same, but females are slightly longer with a larger wingspan.”

Black-eared Kites are opportunistic hunters and feed on various prey such as small mammals, birds, insects, and reptiles. They are often seen soaring high in the air on thermal updrafts, effortlessly gliding while searching for potential prey on the ground.

Thank you ‘AM’ for allowing us to share these beautiful images of the kites.

Look at this beautiful White-tailed Eagle that visited one of Finland’s Osprey (Selli Island) nests on Monday. Gorgeous.

Connie with C10 and C11 today. Note more dandelions are missing! There are pin feathers coming in along the wing tips.

‘A’ comments on these little eaglets: ”Speaking of having enormous appetites, so does CE10, who is absolutely massive in comparison to baby brother CE11. I am still not entirely sure that CE10 has the temperament of a female, but certainly she has the physical characteristics of one. Little CE11 seems to eat his fill most of the time, but she can eat SO much more. Today, both of them had very big crops mid-afternoon (of course CE10’s was larger), and then Connie came in and CE10 was fed the majority of a good-sized speckled trout! CE11 lifted his head from his afternoon nap and initially decided not to bother, but about 20 minutes later, he eventually got up and made his way to the table, by which stage you might have expected CE10 to have long since fallen into a food coma, but no, she was continuing to eat, so that CE11 still had to wait some time to get perhaps a dozen mouthfuls out of the entire fish. CE11 is definitely getting enough to eat, but CE10 is bottomless. She is making no specific effort to prevent CE11 from eating, and has not really done so at any point in their development. She eats and eats and eats, while CE11 is a confident eater but not a pushy eaglet at the table. Occasionally, when big sibling is asleep, CE11 gets a quiet private feeding, usually from Connie, but the size differential continues to grow between the two eaglets. Fortunately, there has been no real food shortage (except one day where there was an inkling of ‘hungry’ experienced on the nest). The bonking has been minimal throughout (and instigated often by CE11, who has been prepared to look his older sibling in the eye from an early age, despite the inevitable results). “

‘J’ has a reminder: Today is also Connick’s first birthday. Connie and Clive’s 2023 hatch will be the Ambassador at the Smithsonian. Maybe you will be able to travel to see him!

Changing before our eyes. Thanks for the close-ups, cam op.

Faxinating caught the whole fish drop to F23 for her and E23 today – we all cheer when the Dad doesn’t eat the head, but we also cringe when the fish flops everywhere. Not to cause alarm, but these live fish have killed eaglets and Osplets. (more on SW Florida below)

Tonya Irwin reports on the action at the Kistachie National Forest E1 nest that Louis shared with his late mate, Anna.

Not a lot of action at the nest of Beau and Gabby. I really hope Gabby is getting to eat enough. It looks like Beau is busy with the defence of their territory.

All is well with M15, F23, and E23 at the SW Florida Eagle nest after the earlier fish delivery. Dad stopped in before bedtime to feed the cutie pie some fish.

The Great Horned Owls are nesting at the Hilton Head nest it seems.

On their social media page, the Hilton Head Island Land Trust posted a short video of the male bringing prey and being in the nest with the female. You can see the two eggs.

Meanwhile at the nest of Bonnie and Clyde on Farmer Derek’s property in Kansas, it is snowing. No sign of the owls.

Just northeast of Kansas, in Iowa, the snow is coming down in Decorah, home to the Decorah North Bald Eagle family as well as the Hatchery Bald Eagle Family.

Snow was also coming down on the Denton Home Nest.

Baiba caught Blazer going after a squirrel coming up to the Eagle Country nest where he is incubating his and Abby’s eggs.

At Port Lincoln, Gil got himself a really nice fish off the nest. This is not just any fish – this is a delivery by the fish fairy at 0938.

The lads have been fighting for the fish and today Gil was the clear winner until…

Mum came in with a really large fish at 1344. The lads struggled. Gil had a nice crop – come on, Gil. Let Brad eat! Brad was hungry and got that fish and really enjoyed it. Well done, Brad.

‘A’ sends the report for the WBSE: “January 9: Early this morning, just one eagle was spotted at the river, moving between roosts. Just before 9am, SE31 was finally seen soaring high above the wetlands and the river. Then, at 9:15am, she was at River Roost with Lady, both flying back and forth a bit. At 9:20am, SE31 took flight, followed by Lady, up high, circling then off over Homebush Bay. Neither had returned at 10:15am. Just after 12 noon, SE31 was seen at River Roost, but no parents. But then we heard that at 11:06am, she had been seen catching a fish shortly after returning from her flight with Lady. At 4:30pm, one adult was seen at River Roost, and it then flew off to the west. Shortly after, at 5pm, both adults were spotted on the island, then SE31 was seen there as well.” 

BirdGuides review of the week for the UK, including some unusual finds.

Review-of-the-Week-2-7-January-2024-BirdGuidesDownload

Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretative Centre is closed for renovations, but they have some online events for people living in my province. Want to know where to go birding? Check this virtual information session on the 14th of January from 1300-1400.

Virtual-Birding-Hour-Where-to-Find-Birds-in-Manitoba-Oak-Hammock-MarshDownload

Thank you so much for being with me. Please take care everyone. See you soon.

I would like to thank the following who also helped me with my blog today: ’A, AM, J’, Nature Japan, Wilde Nature, Finnish Osprey Foundation, Window to Wildlife, Faxinating, Tonya Irwin, Carol Shores Rifkin, Hilton Head Island Trust, Farmer Derek, Raptor Resource Project and Explore.org, Denton Homes, Baiba, PLO, Bart M, Eagle Cam, Bird Guides, and Oak Hammock Marsh Wetland Centre.