Weekly Chat (Non-Osprey), 31 January 2016

HERON    thank you, OH is working his way through everything slowly.  Glad you had so many birds in your garden. We were out quite a bit, so only saw 2 crows. Instead of church we went into town this morning. OH had a query on the new iMac. Whilst he was in Stormfront I went to Vision Express in the vague hope that they could do my eye test today instead of Fri. As luck would have it, they had a cancellation and so I was taken immediately. I should get my new specs in a fortnight or less.  Will have to phone my dentist tomorrow for an emergency appt, to sort out the tooth that broke before we went away.  Benson is off to the groomers at lunch time and will look like a different dog when he comes home. I think he looks great just as he is, but unfortunately he won't stay that way.

 

Very sad about Terry. How we enjoyed his Radio 2 morning slot, and followed by Ken Bruce, just radio magic.

We received a book in the post on Saturday. It was from a friend and the author was her ex husband,  Sandy Allan, an accomplished mountaineer.He and his team had set out to attempt the first ascent of the giant Mazeno Ridge. This had been attempted 10 times before without success. Sandy and one other accomplished this "incredible feat of endurance and commitment at the very limits of survival" We are looking forward to reading the book "In some lost place", the pictures are indeed awesome. Sandy gave a talk on the expedition at Eden Court on Wednesday, but of course we were away.

Well, Mrs Sparrowhawk was around again today, and our chosen best hour for the whole weekend is SH x 1, Wren x 1!  At least it's different!

Morning stayed dry, and we went to church.  Afternoon was wet, a bit warmer but wind is slowly increasing ready for tomorrow!

Another snowy wake up call.

2 lovely Daisy walks.

I could have included 2 Buzzards a Jay but as we live very rural I didn't as they were hovering in the field behind the cottage.

We have one enormous Rowan tree in front of study with 10 various feeders on so for example 60'Chaffinches 20 plus Goldfinches 2 Greater spotted Woodpeckes various tits Dunnock Siskin and a very large Barclay card bill in feed. Worth every single penny.

Hi Everyone. A rainy morning, followed by a dull, cloudy afternoon.

I was also so sorry to hear of the death of Terry Wogan.

Thanks Diane for such a cheerful start to the week. I do hope you are feeling better.

Great bird count, Wendy. Pleased that you are still able to enjoy your walks with Daisy, in spite of the snow. We will have to do our's tomorrow.

Annette, Glad that you enjoyed the plant pruning class, especially about the olive trees.

Dibnlib, There would be no hope of getting an optician's appointment anywhere I can think of on a Sunday, they are not even open. I hope Benson doesn't feel too cold when he has had his coat trimmed.
You do have some very interesting friends.

OG. Sorry Mrs Sparrowhawk decided to visit you again. You are still allowed to do your count within a couple of days, but you will have to do it before Henry arrives.

My only Sparrow hawk is sadly a dead one...

We have some old fashioned"Dunnage" whisky warehouses close and in the blizzard it pursued its pray and went straight into it.

Unknown said:

My only Sparrow hawk is sadly a dead one...

We have some old fashioned"Dunnage" whisky warehouses close and in the blizzard it pursued its pray and went straight into it.

How sad, Wendy.  Sparrowhawks are such beautiful birds.

Also found a Kestral in open land on the estate we live near just before Christmas Police took it away but natural causes. Stunning bird but that's life .

Hi all,  Thanks Diane for starting us off and for the colourful picture.

Did my BGBW just now - sparrows, finches, blue tit etc. Clare - well done for getting a kestrel at the start of yours.

Weather has been damp and quite mild just waiting to see what happens the rest of the week. Still catching up with Winter Watch.

Still got this heavy cold and my eyes have started to become uncomfortable - Dau thinks I might have conjunctivitis so off to docs tomorrow to see.

Do hope all those up North are keeping warm and safe and not too much snow although you had a humdinger of a storm over the weekend I believe.