HI all: I'm late starting this. Be sure to check the last two pages of the previous Weekly Chat - some interesting links, news, updates on nest data, photos. I haven't had a chance to read them all but off to do that now.
Morning all, just caught up on a whole week of posts, phew.
Those little peregrines look like those wobbly toys with a solid bottom, so they always come upright again. Can someone tell me what to look for to tell the difference between male and female? Haven't seen the young eagles for a while, they've grown loads.
Last Monday we drove up to Kielder Water and cycled round. It's 26 miles but pretty rough, especially the north side, so took us 4 hours, including detours to see various pieces of artwork. I was going to go in to the castle where there is a nest cam but we didn't have time (one and a half hour drive and I needed to be somewhere else). However, I see that Alan has sorted us out about the muddle Kielder seemed to have about whether the ospreys were back or not (conflicting reports on their website).
Re colour co-ordinated clothes pegs, mine are wooden but I do like to match up drawing pins on the noticeboard at work. Should just use brass ones, but I like coloured.
Loved the Batman joke. I don't think anyone has explained Dibnlib's buff to you, Annette. I had one as a Christmas present a couple of years ago. It is a tubular piece of thin stretchy material, about 10 inches long, that you can make into various shapes to wear. It can just go round your neck or pulled over your head like a balaclava, or on to your head like a cap (with a gap at the end). Or you can fold it up to make a hairband, or fold it more intricately to wear like a kind of pirate's hat shape. The outdoor gear shops used to have a tv showing how to do it.
Terry in Cumbria
TERRY M Now have 2 buffs and have just worn them round my neck. Tiso is showing a video explaining how many ways they can be worn.
For anyone watching the osps between about 6.45 and 8.00 OH and I were in the hide at that time. On arrival EJ was on the nest and Odin in a nearby tree. Before we left they had swapped over but we didn't see as we were actually there for the caper-watch. We were told when we arrived that they had been watching 2 males giving a good display so we had probably missed all the fun. We could still see one on the camera but that seemed to be all. We were just about to leave when a member of staff spotted him for real,( frantic leap for telescope) so I can now say I have seen my first ever Capercallie. For anyone who is interested we were told that the last 2 weeks of April is best , and try to get there as near to 5.30 as you can. Another bit of advice, it was very cold, I could really have done with my gloves. We also saw a beautiful male redstart and some Goldeneye. Anyway I have to admit to letting the side down folks, it was kind of a late decision to visit LG so no cake!!!!! they had to make do with a packet of chocolate hob-nobs. I promise to do better next time! We then walked Dillon at Loch Mallachie and returned home via Simpsons Garden Centre for a well deserved cooked breakfast (we were up at 5 00am) all things considered,what a great way to start the day.
Hi, Terry. How energetic to cycle round Kielder Water! We've never been there yet - it's one of those where we say we could go anytime - but because of that it gets forgotten among longer trips. Not that we would cycle, I hasten to add!
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Dibnlib - so pleased you saw a Capercaillie,even if you did miss the earlier fighting. And what a good excuse for another visit to Simpsons!! Robert reckons we shall make a quick detour to LG Thursday morning if I get a move on after breakfast! So now I have to bake a cake which will travel well - last time we left home five days before we went there, so I bought their cake at the co-op.
Hi OG, you could always wheel round Kielder Lake, might take a long time though! There are various points where you can get in so you could see different parts of it quite easily.
We will be going to Scotland either side of the bank hol and I expect to visit LG just in time for hatching, as usual, hopefully without any fishing line saga this time. Last year we had an excellent caper sighting in the middle of the day, they said the early morning caperwatchers hadn't seen much at all and we hadn't had to get up early for our view. Not sure whether I can take a cake camping though... Anyone else going then?
Afternoon all,
Thanks for all the chat , volcano news , etc
TerryM : Well done cycling round Kielder Water. I have cycled round Rutland Water a couple of times but that was quite a few years ago. I think that is also over 20 miles.
The weather is atrocious here today. persistent rain and cold with it. Temp is 7 or 8c should be around 15c at this time of year.
Morning/afternoon all:
Lindybird: Ha! Too bad Osprey Party didn't sweep the board and that Cuckoo Party got the majority (though not sure that's fair to cuckoos). Oh no, another home improvement SNAFU. What's wrong with the staircase? Does it just go in one direction? (Sorry - attack of the sillies this morning). :-)
jsb: Thanks for update on volcano. My UK niece is heading to Crete in another few weeks and was hoping that it doesn't go off again and "strand" her at home - she'd rather be stranded in Crete.
OG: Saw a commentary on the UK elections last night - point being made that "the people didn't speak; they mumbled." Also noted - which I'd already seen on the BBC map Tiger had linked to, that the Conservatives weren't at all successful in Scotland (Osprey Party supporters no doubt). Wonder how the Clegg-Cameron talks will end.... As someone in radio here is saying as I type, they seem to be an odd couple.
TerryM: Thanks for defining "buff" - I think we call them sweat bands - charming, eh?
dbnlib: Your day at LG sounds wonderful. I'm sure chocolate was appreciated.
Stayed up way too late last night. This morning it's over to the neighbors to inspect the garden wall from their side, then I'm off to the Farmers' Market to see if the Rieger Peaches stall is up and running yet while OH takes nasty stuff from garage to Hazardous Waste Disposal center; then it's back to painting the French doors, which are working out very nicely in terms of function Probably a nap in the garden with the National Geographic mag this afternoon.
Hope it warms up for UK folks tomorrow. Back later; take care all.
Unknown said:Lindybird: Ha! Too bad Osprey Party didn't sweep the board and that Cuckoo Party got the majority
I thought the Osprey Party was an Independant Party, but now find it has been adopted by the Labour supporters. Here's me thinking I was sending money for sat. tags.
Unknown said: Hi OG, you could always wheel round Kielder Lake, might take a long time though! There are various points where you can get in so you could see different parts of it quite easily.
Minded to give it a try some time - not all the way round, but bits of it from different accesses.
The Osprey Party tried hard to fly in with all the votes, but after the various members had been accused of feathering their nests in the expenses scandal, whilst fishing for compliments; instead of putting their heads in the sand like ostriches, they decided to wing it and fight beak and claw before their support tailed off. They weren't living in Cloud Cuckoo Land, and knew that in order to save the day, the birds of a feather would have to flock together in an effort to put an end to the muddle. They wern't putting all their eggs in one basket, but knew that to make a good omelette, you have to crack some eggs.....
(with apologies to EJ & Odin, who won't crack any eggs,we hope)