Weekly Chat, Sunday May 2, 2010

ALAN when OH was in the Falklands some years ago he saw a Skua attempt to fly off with baby penguin. Without thinking he clapped his hands or something (can't quite remember the story) and said Skua dropped the baby. He knows he shouldn't have but his instinct of course was to save baby penguin.

EJ Dibnlib at 5.51 pm   It can be difficult sometimes to tell the difference

dibnlib said:

Can anyone help me to identify whether it is EJ or Odin on the nest? I know she is bigger but unless I see them together I realy can't tell

It is definitely EJ on the nest.

One good way of spotting EJ  dIbnlib is    if you see stray feathers, it's EJ    :)

I watched the NBG ringing and tagging. It was very interesting to watch, if you can stay detached from the birds' feelings, and try to remember that this exercise is meant to be for the good of the birds long term, as we increase our knowledge, but I did feel sorry for the young, obviously very frightened, eagles. The procedure took much longer than I thought, as we watched them being handled for the ringing and tagging, then nearly every part of them was measured and photographed. I am now so unsure about this whole procedure.  

Unknown said:

I watched the NBG ringing and tagging. It was very interesting to watch, if you can stay detached from the birds' feelings, and try to remember that this exercise is meant to be for the good of the birds long term, as we increase our knowledge, but I did feel sorry for the young, obviously very frightened, eagles. The procedure took much longer than I thought, as we watched them being handled for the ringing and tagging, then nearly every part of them was measured and photographed. I am now so unsure about this whole procedure.  

Good evening Brenda I also had some misgivings about the procedure.  It all took quite a long time and I felt really sorry for them when they were laid down with hoods over their heads.  they said in the blog that the parents were close by and obviously worried for their offspring.  I wondered then whether all the stress it must cause for the chiciks and parents is worth it.   I am sure when they ringed and satellite tagged Mallachie, Rothes and Garten it would not have taken so long.

margobird said:

I am sure when they ringed and satellite tagged Mallachie, Rothes and Garten it would not have taken so long.

 We don't really know about LG Margo, we never see what happens. Just the photographs after it is all over. I think they do take all the same details. The fellow holding the birds was really having to hold them tightly as the bird struggled and he was a heavy looking man. I will give myself time to stop and think.  I watched for an hour and decided I had seen enough.

CIRRUS   thanks for the tip on EJ moulting

Back home after a full day out – not all according to plan, but beautiful warm and dry weather, terrific drive through varied landscape, great lunch at a tiny tea-room seating ten people (but we were only ones there), successful shopping mission (bought extra plants, of course!) and excellent dinner tonight while returning via Newton Stewart.  Debbie’s Blog and Daily Update give a very positive picture at LG.  Hope they get to the truth about the RW missing males.

Alan – what a wonderful sight you and Hamish had on your walk – don’t know whether to be sorry Sparrowhawk was unsuccessful, or pleased Sparrows survived!  Sandy – great capture of Peregrine chicks.  Patriciat – how was the echocardiogram?  Maybe I’ve missed you saying how it was.  Dibnlib –I think Dobbies at Ayr was built around the time we moved here – so only about seven years ago – seem to remember it being new first time we went there.  They are building one in Carlisle soon, but I am always reluctant to spend my cash over the border!!  We didn’t get to Alloway or Culzean in the end!  Last time we went to Culzean , our time at the Swan Pond was spoiled by a child trying to fall in – very poor (almost non-existent) parental supervision.  No way I would manage Caper watch, I’m afraid – I am definitely not a morning person.  Brenda/Margobird – I would possibly have watched the NBG Eagle banding and tagging if we weren’t out – but am surprised they took that long – I’m sure our three LG girls were only out of the nest about forty-five minutes last year – less for Garten who didn’t get the satellite tag.

Back to “normal” (by the way, what is normal?) tomorrow – haircut in the morning, cleaner in the afternoon, and I have to supervise the planting of three new shrubs and a Winter Jasmine!  No photos taken today, but here are a few of my violets from Tuesday: