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Weekly Chat (Non-Osprey), 24 September 2023

Diane in Indiana
23/09/2023 23:50

HAPPY NEW WEEK!

I hope everyone has a wonderful week.

We are experiencing peak bird migration right now here in the Midwest. Last night, 6,632,500 migrating birds were confirmed over the state of Indiana. 4,761,000 birds crossed over the entire state. We've all been warned to turn our lights out so that we don't disturb the birds. 

It's too dark here on my patch and the trees are too dense and tall to see them, but I hear them at times, especially if there's geese. The mosquitoes and biting gnats will eat me alive if I go outdoors at night. (LOL)

Hugs to all.

dashboard.birdcast.info/.../US-IN

  • 25/09/2023 16:07
    I'm compromising on the duvet problem at the moment by putting a light blanket over the top which I can remove in the night if its too warm. Sometimes its too hot for a winter weight duvet yet, & other nights I've had freezing legs!

    AQ -- Awful Cousin is my OH's relative. I do have some rather "iffy" ones, though, LOL! The cousin of mine who I was talking to on Sunday is just lovely, but is getting frail so has moved recently to be nearer to her daughter & family. Very sensible. It also takes her just around the corner from the Docs and Dentists etc, instead of having to catch a bus.

    I forgot to say about our aborted visit to our Youngest & family last Saturday -- we were all geared up to go when our son rang to say that one of our grandsons was full of a head cold. We decided we didn't fancy catching it so cancelled going. We've been eating sponge cake ever since....... ........ & I took a piece to Sue when we visited at the weekend. Ironically, also, my OH got up this morning & announced that he had a sore throat & a cough!
  • 25/09/2023 17:02 in reply to Lindybird
    Absolutely Lindy but downside is it's the time of year for those awful flying daddy longlegs, Crane flies, I detest them in the house!

     

     2013 photos & vids here

    eff37 on Flickr

  • 25/09/2023 18:44 in reply to Lindybird
    Lindybird said:
    Awful Cousin is my OH's relative. I do have some rather "iffy" ones, though, LOL!

    My older brother is a white supremacist.  He didn't get that from our mother.

    Our herring gulls are red listed birds.  Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.

  • 25/09/2023 18:58
    Lindy - I had the MOST ENORMOUS spider in my lounge the other day. I got up early and didn't put the light on and it only became obvious when daylight arrived. It was balanced on the picture rail. I'm afraid it got a large squirt of fly killer and fell behind the television. I assumed instant asphyxiation, but the next morning it was by the skirting board about a yard from where it fell. This time it was very dead. I know we've been warned about large spiders this year, and I hate them. Like Heather, I live alone and have to cope with whatever arrives. My large can of fly killer - which seems to work on spiders as well, although more slowly - is now sitting on the bookcase in case it's needed again. If it had been a flyer it would have made a hole in the wall!!
  • 25/09/2023 19:06
    I love the spider notice Lindy. How true.

    I found a spider in my bed a couple of nights ago, and it scuttled away under the bed. I searched for it in vain. A little later, I picked up my book, and THERE IT WAS! Away it went again. A very unrelaxing read followed.
    A few days later, the spider was in my bath in the morning. I hope it was the same one.
    Diane would no doubt this was overreacting, considering the critters she deals with.

    Thanks to those who suggested ways in which I could improve my use of the site.
  • 25/09/2023 21:45

    I hate spiders, any size - I think it's because my mother used to shriek when she saw one. So it was learned behaviour. If there's one in the bath I try to save it but have to be resigned to washing it down the plughole if I can't cope. My OH does rescue me sometimes but he doesn't really like them either! Neither of us mind the "Daddy Long Legs" which is illogical, really!

    My friend G used to be terrified of birds and as luck would have it, had to ask me twice to save both her and the starlings which got into the house.

    Diane, we wouldn't think any the less of you for waging war on the raccoons ...... especially in the circumstances. I had to laugh at bjanes description of the one stealing cookies, though!!!

  • 25/09/2023 23:01
    Hallo all:

    Wendy: That's weird because we get the flying daddy longlegs in the spring.

    Rosy: Would not be comfortable finding a spider in the bed - and then for it to turn up in your book. Eeek.

    bjane: Baby raccoons are very cute. One evening some years back I went out into the garden to find three of them peering anxiously at me over their mom's shoulder. Adults have nasty claws though; one took a swipe at our cat (missed, but could've done some nasty damage.).. But really, stealing the cookies? Well, at least they aren't in the dining room expecting dinner.

    Have gardener coming tomorrow; texted him this morning to ask for an ETA. Started message off with "This is Annette..." but autocorrect substituted "This is Annoying...." Ummm. Is someone trying to tell me something? Also made appointment for PT due to bad strain of trapezius muscle (moving furniture with one hand and vacuuming with another...how stupid can you get?). First available is the end of November. Must stock up on ibuprofen......

    Other than that, all well here. Take care everyone.
  • 26/09/2023 05:48 in reply to Lindybird
    Lindybird said:

    I'm all right with spiders.  It's needles that are my problem.  Every time I have a vaccination or blood test I have to warn the medical staff to not let me see the needle, otherwise I'll be shaking and jumping for England!

    Our herring gulls are red listed birds.  Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.

  • 26/09/2023 09:33
    Lindy - I hope your OH is OK and that his cold isn’t too bad.
    Annette - sorry you have a muscle strain. Easily done when cleaning I find (when I do cleaning that is - lol)
    OG - you have work people changes too if I remember. I hope they all work out OK.
    Re spiders - I can do the glass and paper method and have to remember to open the window before I carry out the manoeuvre so they they can be topped outside. I bet they come back in again!!!
    Yesterday I went to the zoo with 4 friends. We saw the baby anteater which was cute. I think I have said before that I really like all the planting there. They have a superb grass garden. I must take a photo of it next time I go. We were booked in for lunch at the nice bistro there. I was still full after my curry the night before so just had the pate and toast starter and a pot of tea!!!
    Today I am out with the Flora and Fauna group. We are doing one of my favourite walks along a stretch of the North Wales coastal path from Greenfield Dock to Bettisfield where there is a dragon beacon. You could maybe Google it. We have a picnic up there with super views over the estuary to the Wirral and Liverpool beyond. We have to walk back the way we came. Some people are just doing the walk one way and a car will be left at Bettisfield to pick them up. It is a 4 mile round walk. It will be high tide so there are usually lots of waders and egrets roosting there pretty close. There are also some good seashore plants for the botanists amongst us.