We have reached SEPTEMBER, the month which gives us the sad task of adjusting to empty nests. The end of the 2014 Osprey Season is upon us. And already, even as we were celebrating in our hearts the closing of a near perfect season at Loch Garten, we were SHOCKED into awareness of the difficulties facing our juveniles as they start their inevitable migration to warmer climates. Our Seasca already has been lost over the Bay of Biscay, Once again one of our precious chicks is “lost – presumed dead.” Even as we mourn Seasca we hope and pray for a safe journey for Millicent, who has after taking a bit of a back-and-forth stop-over in England, arrived safely in Spain. Also our good wishes are with the baby of the family, Druie. For those who have taken Druie to heart as a favorite, the parting is especially difficult, for she is not sat tagged and so the farewells are now permanent, with only a faint hope that her wee blue ring may one day be spotted and identified.
So what does September and the winter hold for THE GABFEST? As Fish and Keith have so recently pointed out, The Gabfest has changed. We have dropped in numbers and more importantly we have pretty much lost that all-important special GABFEST SPIRIT which embodied fun, cooperation and friendship as we discussed every aspect of the osprey which after all are our reason for being, along with any topic which struck our fancy. Many times during the past year and especially the past months I have thought The Gabfest was doomed to extinction. But we are still here.
Will we make it through the winter or even through September? Will there be enough of us to share a few long winter evenings with some good music? Will anybody be interested in the fun and camaraderie of a few group streetwalks? What about Christmas Cakes? Will we have a Bake-Off this year? If we do, it will be our third. I hope all these questions will be answered with a yes, but only time will tell
I myself plan to follow Millicent’s migration with close-up maps and, so long as it is available, streetwalking. Where there are no blue streets for my little man to settle on, perhaps I can find some photos of local scenes. Also more of Seasca and other Loch Garten birds, as well as tracks of osprey from other nests. But why let me have all the fun? I hope this is something we will all participate in together, whether it be to post maps or streetwalks of your own OR to comment on those posted by myself or others OR to make requests, as Ann already has.
It is going to be a long cold EMPTY winter so lets light the GABFEST FIRES in the fireplace of our Gabfest chat room and all gather in to have a good time. Who knows, we just might rekindle that wonderful old GABFEST SPIRIT of fun, goodwill and gab.
Got the video to play beauty full "ospreys" hope all goes to plan with them.
nite nite now June see you tomorrow .for "Scottish" music on "WOBO"
Fish, can you believe it? It has got to the place that I schedule my away time around Wed afternoon when possible, so that I can be home for Jesse's Scottish Music. So see you tomorrow.
Here is Millicent's entire journey to date. She has pretty much made straight for Spain, but with so many loop-de-loops and backtracks on the way.
It is interesting to place Deshar's tracks on the map alongside Millicent's. For a while the overlap.
Now a close-up of the overlap. Then I will try to find a road were their paths both pass overhead. Of course we know they were not traveling together. . Deshar was 2008, Millicentt 2014.
Here is the portion of the tracks for Deshar and Millicent where they overlap. Now to find some roads for streetwalking.
Hi Everyone,
Does anyone know if there are any Osprey nests on the Isle of Man?
June, I like your maps and street walking.
We have unpredictable internet reception so not sure if I could join in a special music night or other events, but I listened to most of the music from the last music night afterwards. And I'd enjoy seeing your cake, etc. photos.
Kind regards, Ann
Mornin' Ann and ALL,I gave up last night on streetwalking, as I could not make connections with any of their tracks. But I have not given up permanently especially for Millicent and Seasca. Will keep trying, but not now. Now I'm back to bed.
Aberfoyle have tweeted the following:
Longaig completed his epic non-stop flight from the Scillies to Spain in 28 hours.
Incredible!
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