Chat Extravaganza Sunday Feb 21st

Good morning Heron 77 sorry you have still got such awfully cold weather and more snow.  I can't quite believe it but we have seen what I think they call "the sun" for a couple of hours and it is much milder.  So much so that my sparrows have had a very early bath today.  Not such a frantic rush for the food at the moment either.  It has clouded over a bit now and we might have some heavy showers later.  At least the bird food has stopped dry for a while.  Could not believe how much food the birds have eaten over the past 3 days, have had to get more for them.  I laughed at the thought of the birds uttering expletives.  You couldn't blame them really.  For the past 3 days it has been wet all day and night and one to warm with it.  I see from the weather forecast today that there is some really rough weather on its way across the Atlantic.  Sounds bad but let's hope it isn't.

Take care and keep warm, perhaps a bit more than just a tee-shirt if you go outside.

Good morning all.  I don't usually get online in the morning but dog training is cancelled because of the weather (our wet weather location is a barn which is to host a wedding (or perhaps just the reception) so no mucky dogs!

OG Glad to say the promised snow didn't turn up, just sleet last night and torrential rain this morning.  We're often saved by the fact that we are between two bodies of salt water - a friend about 15 miles away is snowbound.  Even the birds weren't venturing out this morning and 'inundated' is just the right word for our back garden!  BTW, don't know if you listen Radio Scotland.  There was a really interesting interview yesterday with John Ridgway (Atlantic rower, adventure school owner and all-round adventurer).  I intend to listen it again on BBC IPlayer as I was driving at the time and couldn't concentrate.  We used to holiday in Scourie in Sutherland, near where he had (has?) his adventure school - a really beautiful area of Scotland.

Annette Yes, harmonisation is a real word.  Thinking of the music, I'm sure you are right about its being the reasosn why some music makes us cry.  Lucky you to go whale watching.  Watched Simon King's Shetland Diaries (on BBC TV) and saw his encounter with killer whales - they really are magnificent.

Paul You may be right about the reed buntings - I've seen males on one of my favourite walks, about a mile away 'as the crow flies' and I think female birds are maybe braver about trying out new souces of food when hunger strikes.  I'll keep watching and report any more sightings.

Annette hope your storm is not too bad.  We are promised some rough weather at the weekend.  Apperently it is winging its way across the Atlantic now.  What has happened to the weather all over the world at the moment.

Good morning Diane and thanks for the info on the crows.  they are indeed very intelligent birds.  Have had sun for a couple of hours this morning and there was a clear blue sky for a while.  Now clouding over with some possible heavy showers at times but at least it is much warmer here in Southern England.  Not the same for the rest of the country though, more heavy snow for the North.  Have a good day.

Good morning patriciat hope you haven't had a load more snow.  Makes you wonder whether Spring is ever going to arive.  It is much milder here in Poole today and we have had a couple of hours sunshine but it is clouding over again and we have been promised some heavy showers.  It must be the awful weather that is bringing birds into the garden that in normal times we would not see.  We have had fieldfare and a beautiful red bunting, a real treat but just showshow hard it has been for all our birds.

Afternoon everyone.  I took a day off work today to watch younger daughter take part in school piano event.  Sadly she is unwell and in bed with flu-like symptoms.  Not sure if this is a 24-hour thing or something more prolonged and difficult.  Will have to wait and see.  Winter is back.  Snow from 7.15 am onwards and still falling on and off here.  Alan - glad to hear Hamish was given the all clear.  Had to laugh when you mentioned Scottish plain bread.  I don't often buy it and am amazed is available down south.  In some ways I am hoping the birds delay their migrations this year because of this inhospitable weather.  Maybe March will bring the sunshine.  Hope everyone keeps warm and safe

Hullo everyone haven't been blogging for a few days as I have been busy with different things, my bro in law had a lump on his neck removed last year but it has returned and I have been taking him to the hospital so that they can decide what the next move can be. Also had to attend the funeral of a cousin which was a burial in a very cold cemetry, luckyily it was a sunny day not like it is today with snow and a cold wind.

Have managed to catch up with all the news and hope those suffering with the bugs and viruses get better soon although I think we are using our energy trying to keep warm rather than figthting the bugs.  Did anyone watch the programme How Earth Made Us last night which showed just how man has had an effect on the earth and there was one part that showed a company that was drilling for oil did not cap the hole when they withdrew the drill and it has caused mud to come up and it has covered square miles and destroyed villages which makes me think what will happen to antarctica with them starting to drill off the Falkland islands.  With the weather being so bad this morning have had many more visitors to the feeders than I have had  in the last few days

Managed to get to Dobbies garden centre at the weekend where there is a great butchers and they also have a very nice cafe so anyone coming over the Forth Bridge if you are in need some refreshment come off at the Halbeath turn off you can get a very nice snack.

Hope all keep warm/cool as the case maybe and those not feeling 100% get better soon. 

On the day that the peregrines often lay their first egg of the year her is a clip recommended Gio on the Italian forum. Enjoy. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuDyNyNq_kY&feature=player_embedded#

Afternoon all from TI,

AQ :  Very interesting history lesson once more and the tree dahlia is quite an amazing plant which I had not heard of until joining this group. We have plenty of ordinary dahlias but none that grow to 20 or 30 feet.

Diane : I loved the McNivens restaurant menu and I daresay I could find something i would enjoy quite easily.

Paul : Nice starling picture. It is amazing how the most ordinary birds can look great.

Emma Peel : I am very sorry that your daughter is unwell. There seems to be lots of people with various bugs at the moment. I think the length of the winter has dragged down our immune systems. I do like Scottish plain bread now and again but not all the time. It is a pity I have to drive 20 miles to get it. At least Asda in Corby have a seperate Scottish section whereas you will find a Polish section in nearly every supermarket.

George G : I did not see that program but I can understand your concerns about the drilling for oil around the Falkland Islands.

Margobird : The weather is a little milder here today but it has just started raining again and it is very damp.

Thanks to everyone else I have not mentioned for their chat etc.

This morning I took the Thunderdog to the vet where they gave him the all clear. Hopefully that will be the last visit until his check up later in the year.

Weather Overcast & Gloomy , Light rain , temp 8.3c , Sunrise 06:58 , Sunset 17:30.

Snow turned back to rain and has now stopped – getting (dare I say) a wee bit brighter.  Loads of birds this morning, and after OH topped up the feeders, I counted over 70 Starlings – just like Heron’s picture.  They couldn’t all feed at once, so the whole decking plus garage roof resembled the crowds at the January sales!!  Trouble is, this attracts the attention of Gulls, but only one managed to land and luckily soon went again – nothing against Gulls in the right place, but not in my garden!

Heron – I see from the pic (assuming it was today) that the snow actually settled up your way – hope it washes away later.

Margobird – how are you today?  Pleased to hear you have some sun and warmer weather.

Patriciat – sorry training was cancelled – but good to see you in the morning!  Don’t usually listen to radio, but may try the John Ridgeway interview on iplayer thanks.  Only once been to Sutherland, when Daughter#2 lived in Golspie – a bit too remote for me!  A lot of gardens seem to have had Reed Buntings this year – we have had two males – or one male twice!  Had a different Pied Wagtail today – recognised by different colouring pattern on chest.

Emma – sorry to hear about your daughter’s possible flu – hope she will soon be better.  A pity when it was to have been a special day for her at school.

GeorgeG – sorry about your B-i-L (hope they can do something soon) and sad news about your cousin too.  We often snack (and buy!) at the Stirling Dobbies – or the one in Perth if we are further north.  The one near Ayr is excellent, and if we are in the English Midlands we go to the one at Gailey, which was the first one of theirs that we found.

Alan – pleased Hamish passed his check-up this morning.

Blood tests this afternoon – must have lunch!