We had zero chicks at Loch Garten nest this summer, so there are none to follow this winter. EJ and Odin have migrated south and with neither tagged we cannot follow them. Sadly, we have lost Breagha, the last tagged LG offspring. Once again a healthy Loch Garten chick is “lost contact, presumed dead”. Even the camera is away for the winter. Thus we have lost all contact with the Loch Garten nest. For the first time since I found EJ and the Loch Garten nest, there is NOTHING LEFT. Nothing left, that is, except HOPE for a better season in 1916.
On this note of hope I will maintain The Gabfest in a semi-retired state. Thus we will be open for any osprey news which comes through, whether it be from UK or USA or Africa. Also any bird or wildlife photos or news are always appreciated here.
Over Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve some may wish to share photos of their cakes, Christmas Trees and/or some music videos. Winter gardening, trains, anything goes here on the Gabfest that anyone wants to talk about.
So if anyone cares to come in for a wee chat, the Gabfest may be sleeping, but it is open.
I did it Diane, but that link was fighting me all the way. Finally got it on third attempt.
I found some artificially colored flowers, which I usually ignore, at Krogers shortly after Thanksgiving and they inspired me to go with blue & silver. Glad you like them. Good night, sleep tight. :)
I knew you'd be successful! That blue and silver is distinctive and lovely!
PRAYERS FOR ALLTHOSE WHO ARE IN DANGER FROM FLOODS.
Greetings Gabbers All and anyone passing through this thread! I hope you have all had a good Christmas, though I send commiserations to those affected by the awful floods in the north. Wishing Everyone a Happy and Healthy and floodless 2016!
Thanks to Everyone for the lovely photos and for the cards.
June, Thanks for the link to the video of Stan delivering a branch to his nest. Love the expression on his mate's face as he lands and fusses with the stick! Apologies, but I have been unable to follow the Forum for about a week--we have been staying in a cottage only a few miles from RSPB's reserve at Arne near Poole Harbour in Dorset and the internet reception at this cottage is extremely patchy so I have been unable to follow or join in on the music, but once home early in the week I will go back and listen to them. Today is the first chance I have had to have a good gander at a few threads.
Willow, Good luck with deciding about a possible move! We briefly considered moving to the Isle of Wight when we retired at some future date, but in the end decided it was just too remote from everything and everyone we know, and that we will continue to visit there and similar gorgeous places but will stay rooted where we are! Perhaps you could join a consortium to buy the place and share it?!
Kind regards, Ann
Pinella, Dunedin Florida
Thought some of you might be interested in these highlights from the Wikipedia article about Dunedin. This Scottish connection is one reason I like to follow the Dunedin nest. The Gabfest has another connection, as Keith frequently visits this nest in person.
Location in Pinellas County and the state of Florida
DUNEDIN /dəˈniːdɨn/ is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. The name comes from Dùn Èideann, the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. The population was 35,321 at the 2010 census.[3]
Scottish families originally settled Dunedin in the nineteenth century. John W. Marston, one of the earliest settlers, was a skilled carpenter and citrus farmer who provided work for many who came to the area. Two Scotsmen, J.O. Douglas and James Sumerville, named the settlement Dunedin, the original name of Edinburgh, their hometown in Scotland. Dunedin has the distinction of being the oldest town south of Cedar Key, Florida. With a dock built to accommodate larger sailing vessels, Dunedin became one of Florida's chief seaport and trading centers and at one time it had the largest fleet of sailing vessels in the state.[12]
Sister city to Stirling, Scotland, Dunedin has maintained and embraced its Scottish roots. Once a year, Scottish clans descend upon the city for the Dunedin Highland Games. Both Dunedin High School and Dunedin Highland Middle School have competition-level pipe and drum bands. The high school's marching band is known as the Scottish Highlander Band, and both teen and adult members make up the City of Dunedin Pipe and Drum Corps.
Hello to all Gabbers and all readers. Hope you have had a peaceful Christmas. Thats interesting about Dunedin June, never realised the connection before.
June love your pics of your tree and presents around the tree. Also love the osprey photo beginning to have withdrawal symptoms, BUT wont be long now and cant wait!
June We didnt make the midnight mass as I finished later than I thought and the service started at 11.00 and was also too tired could have made if I rushed home :( Shame because its a lovely service and last year there was a bat flying around I think he was woken by the choir!
Hello Gardenbirder hope you had a good and peaceful Christmas. The Band B idea is a lovely idea but wed have to pay £8000.00 every year to the Duchy for the priveledge of being on his truly's land as He owns all Dartmoor and Cornwall1 It would commit us to working well into our retirement and beyond even when we are on our last legs! LOL. Dont know if we want that!