NEWS FROM OTHER NESTS - 2022

Golly, I do hope I remember all that info  - quite a story, and what a sweetie Samson was with feathers all over his beak.

Simply lovey captures Scylla. One can well understand the Americans choosing this majestic eagle to be their National bird.

Harriet has laid egg #2 - it was on nightcam again and I'm not bothering with the "exact moment of sighting", which was at 20:10 last evening - here's a blurry eye-catcher for instant info:

NE Florida

03 December

Still no Samson - but the dark-headed male, whom AEF are referring to as V2 (Visitor 2) was back twice!

Daytime, he stayed nearly 2 hours:

Then he (gender not definite but probable) came back in the evening and I'm not sure what to make of this behaviour:

2m25s

Oh dear. Are we certain about sexes here? Seems a rum do to me. What do the supposed 'experts' say A2 sex is? I hope Samson hasn't  been hurt or worse by  A2 . This little lady has been through quite enough and it's her nest. Bog off A2 or mind your manners  and fast.

#FOTO update: Another day, another guessing game from Glen! Just when it was getting concerning, after two days he finally moved off the salt pan and went fishing.

Still wish he’d go south away from the wind farm though. Maybe that’s what he was doing - resting for two days then refuelling ready for a big push south?

https://twitter.com/geemeff/status/1599393176774578176

Scylla: 

• Another visitor for Gabrielle, she wasn't impressed and flew off leaving him on a branch.  Was he mud-washed or was this a rare and interesting plumage variation?

• Interesting - the male who visited 28 Nov was also dirty-headed, but in a different way

Could these be juveniles not yet in full adult plumage?

Geemeff said:

Could these be juveniles not yet in full adult plumage?

The "dirty-headed" male was just that - dirty-headed.  But this beige-headed male, I don't know - I haven't seen that stage of development in my limited Bald Eagle career.  No-one at AEF has mentioned it (but I can't keep on top of everything they say), so maybe he is just a youth.

Unknown said:

Are we certain about sexes here? Seems a rum do to me. What do the supposed 'experts' say A2 sex is?

A2 was Gabrielle before she got a name.  Yesterday's bird was V2 (Visitor 2) and AEF said they thought he was male because Gabrielle wouldn't have tolerated a female - but they're not certain.

Gabrielle spent the night alone and hasn't been on the nest for most of the day - I found a Red-bellied Woodpecker.  This had to have the frame marmelised because the original was for Hancock's yellowy background.

Oops, just checked the cam and here's an action shot (hence blurred) from now!

Oh, OK then. Thanks for the info  re the sex of various birdies Scylla. 

Red 'Bellied' woody P !,well, could have fooled me ..... it's lovely but looks like a Red headed  woody P to me.  Still, what do I know 

To the eagle pic - well !  just maybe he is a youngster  after  all. swans of whatever ilk are grey before the adult white shows.

Very interesting Scylla, thank you  

Morning, here's today's episode of Flight of the Ospreys broadcast on BBC Radio 4 this morning. Youtube link for those unable to access the BBC. Features landmines, determined fishermen, international poachers and the redoubtable Norwegian Osprey Mrs Rauer. Next week is Glen's story! He's still in Morocco so for his safety there'll be fewer updates of his whereabouts until he moves on.

NE Florida Bald Eagles

This is V2, the male whom Gabrielle has accepted in her tree and on her nest:

I found this - V2 ought to have more flecks to match any of them, so I still can't decide if he's a "sport" or a youngster.  If the latter, I don't suppose there'll be any eggs this season ??? ??? ???