January,2014 was a month of devastation.
Our hopes for the imminent return of one of EJ's chicks were shattered when we learned of the death of Caledonia. She had been doing so well in Seville, Spain - our "City Girl". We were so proud of her. Then with shocking suddenness, her body was found, still bearing positive identification. No doubt about it, our Caledonia was dead.
Then only approximately a week later, Oighrig was reported very likely dead as well because of her stationary tracker, although her body was never recovered. Our hopes now are centered on Breagha, the only remaining tagged offspring of EJ.
The weather didn't help any, with many suffering damage from floods and heavy winds in the UK, and near record cold and snow and wind in the USA, including Ohio and Indiana. Even a music night failed to bring us together and cheer us up. The "Winter Wonderland" theme proved to be the gloomiest and shortest Music Night in Gabfest History.
Then the month drew to a close with 5 plus days of no access to The RSPB Forum and Threads. January ended with several of us finding our way back to the Gabfest and the various threads after several days of experimentation and searching our ways. What more could one month throw at us?
But a new month brings new hope! FEBRUARY is still the midst of winter, but each day brings us more daylight time than the day before. Surely the USA and UK will get a break soon from the nasty weather each has experienced. February is also the month of Romance, a cheerful subject if ever there was one. So we will hope for good things. February is much too soon to expect the actual return of EJ or Odin or any of the osprey to any of the nests we follow. Even so, hope and anticipation are in the air as we start the countdown for the return of EJ and Odin to their Lock Garten nest..
Good morning June, well done on your comprehensive summary of January 2014. It has indeed been a month of devastation! We had yet another battering of wind and rain all last night, I know this as was doing a night shift! But things surely must get better soon,as I type this I can hear a song thrush singing, cheering up a grisly morning!
It was really a shock to lose Caledonia as she was expected to return
Unknown said:But a new month brings new hope! FEBRUARY is still the midst of winter, but each day brings us more sunshine than the day before. Surely the USA and UK will get a break soon from the nasty weather each has experienced. February is also the month of Romance, a cheerful subject if ever there was one. We will hope for good things. February is much too soon to expect the actual return of EJ or Odin or any of the osprey to any of the nests we follow. Even so, hope and anticipation are in the air as we start the countdown for the return of EJ and Odin to their Lock Garten nest..
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Morning all
June: thanks for your opening post which just sums up January. So much misery for so many and the loss of two birds - devastating but a new month so hopefully lots of good things to come.
I always think about the nests in these high winds, hopefully there hasn't been too much destruction. It says a lot for these guys that check out the nests, scaling these trees in the back of beyond and repairing them as necessary. I expect they will be starting this work about now for the on coming season so a huge thank you to them.
Morning, Karen. I agree with you on the subject of the people checking the nests - they do an amazing job! I wonder if the LG nest will be filled up with moss again, ready for EJ's arrival?
With all this wet weather, I was finding that the bird seed was getting soaked and most of it wasted so after seeing Hazy's pastry recipe/photos in the Wildlife threads, I decided to try it. It is brilliant, no waste and the birds love it! Here is the recipe if anyone hasn't seen it and would like to try it
250g plain flour, 150g beef dripping, handful cheese, grated apple, mixture of bird food (crushed peanuts, seed, suet pellets, sunflower seed etc) and a little apple juice to bind. Options to spread on tree branches, roll up into balls or as a block. Photo
And one of the blackbirds
Clare Bailey said: It's also wonderful to be able to say that our very special birds are expected back next month, not in the month after next!
Indeed Clare, I too like thinking about next month and isn't it great that February is a short month :-)
I had forgotten about that moss LOL - I hope there's not so much, suppose cozy but couldn't see anything!
Love your pastry blocks, Karen, and Mr Blackbird clearly approves! Hazy has been brilliant with the pastry, hasn't she?
Lacking any osprey cams to watch, here is an interesting LIVE & ACTIVE Wild Life cam that I just found. I'll leave y'all to discover for yourselves WHAT and WHERE. And to give us a report of your impressions.
explore.org
Very nice, June. I'm surprised they haven't got any snow, given the location.
Clare Bailey said: Love your pastry blocks, Karen, and Mr Blackbird clearly approves! Hazy has been brilliant with the pastry, hasn't she?
She certainly has Clare :-) I would never have thought about it had it not been for her posts and photos.