Pictures from an email
OCTOBER - probably my most favorite month. Weather is usually cool, clear and crisp. The leaves in their brilliant hues are making spectacles of themselves against blue skies. I feel certain that it is just as lovely in Scotland as it is here in southern Ohio.
Millicent and Breagha are seemingly settled in their winter headquarters, while Druee has flown on her merry way, wild and free, unencumbered except for her blue identification ring. We hope that she too is comfortably settled in her winter home.
Osprey news from here on out will likely be scarce So any information that anyone has about ANY OSPREY will be doubly appreciated here on the October Gabfest. Or news of interest of any wildlife, for that matter.
October is the month some of us start our Christmas cakes. I do a short version which will not be started until December, but this month I will definitely be thinking ahead for decorations.
The October nights have a way of going from cool to COLD, so the bright, crackling fires of the Gabfest Chat Room will be very welcome. Come on in, pull up a rocker and set a spell. We can talk of ospreys past, present and future, Christmas cakes, streetwalks, gardening or whatever suits our fancy.
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE, wILLOW! What fantastic story you have.! But it must have worked out OK in the end. And at least you all were together.
During my own childhood many families were separated by fathers away in the military. My own father was just barely above draft age and so was spared fighting. But to find work he went to a city about 200 miles away and was able to come home about once a month.
At 5 years old you must have some memories of that journey, although probably incomplete and vague. But maybe one or two that stand out sharply.
Maybe when we retire we will have the time to visit! Very difficult while working and both of us do shift work LOL! We sometimes pass like ships in the night! Sometimes hes coming in from work when Im going out to work! It does work to our advantage mostly we do the cooking for each other!
June that must have been difficult to see you father once a month, but sometimes it too can be very special when you dont see them all the time! Some people thrive on such an arrangment and have to just make the best of it! We were lucky to have been all together. It brings a tear to my eye when I see soldiers returning home to their families and their happy reunions! It must have been like that for you
OK, Diane and Ann, which one is this? I still haven't looked at the list and just looking at the birds, I haven't the faintest idea. They have some slight resemblance to doves, but definitely are not the mourning doves that I know.
They have added a couple more feeders when I wasn't looking., plus a banana alongside the grapefruit half.
Now we have another bird of unknown species (to me, anyway)
Another beautiful photo on my Facebook page from "Shetland Wildlife"
JUNE - I am not seeing the same wildlife in Shetland as you are posting.
I had to come up to Sullom Voe Oil Terminal early in the week after my Ryder Cup encounter. Hope to fly off today but very wild and windy which may curtail flying off the island.
Well if I am stuck - I am in Lerwick so can contact Shetland Wildlife for a visit to see some of these birds..
I have posted this on the new Sattelite Tracked Osprey Thread October 2014 onwards.
HUMBOLT (YELLOW PC) - One of the tagged translocated ospreys to Urdaibai has settled at last update in South East Senegal at The Niokolokoba National Park. It took 16 days to travel from Urdaibi to this point a very good record for a juvenile first migrating.
He was originally from a nest in Nairn.
I had to translate (English translated site is behind the Spanish site) so hopefully can update on the other four translocations to Urdaibai over the weekend once home from my present assignment.
A marks the spot - we do not often see our sattelite tracked ospreys in this part of Senegal but does look a favourable area and imagine many ospreys winter here.
MALASPINA - (YELLOW PA) may have succumbed to the ordeal in crossing the great wilderness of the Sahara Desert.
The satellite informs us that she has not moved from one point in the middle of the Sahara since 11 September.
MALASPINA is a female translocated from Forres to The Urdaibai Project.
What is incredible is Malaspina last altitude before the stationary signal was of 3873 meters an altitude not heard of much in osprey flight. They normally cross the desert at around just over 1000 meters.
This detail could indicate that she took up to try to avoid a sandstorm but unfortunately lost her life in the attempt.